Waking up sluggishly still a little uneasy about everything she was doing. She sat up only to be greeted by a new wave of tears that came over her in her memory of her friend Maeyul. She was still mourning her friend Maeyul's death. She missed him, even if they weren't the greatest friends ever; they were friends in the end. It had been four days since that disastrous conversation with her father. The only good thing that had come from talking and learning of Maeyul's death was that she was full of new determination to keep going, to go on and fight her father and grandfather. Though she still questioned whether she could accomplish the task she felt nonetheless qualified to do it now if nothing but to avenge Maeyul, even if that meant her immediate death. Sighing she packed her small belongings together and continued on her journey.
She encountered no one in the final steps of her journey towards the Valley of Shale, which suited her for she wished to see no one. The Valley of Shale was drawing closer, and she was drawing closer to her destiny odd that such a place of death would be the location to determine her destiny. In some ways it made complete sense but in other ways it only served to confuse Anna. For days and days she trained herself vigorously shaping her body into a tool. A tool where she could use it to protect herself in her battle with her family. She had once wished never to fight another but she knew now as she traveled this land that she needed desperately to know how to fight. It was crucial to surviving in this world, which was pretty much, the exact in the other world she'd grown up in. Every day though she was afraid, as she woke up she always imagined seeing her father with that damn silly ass grin of his taunting her and mocking her with his laughter. But she swore every morning that he would never catch her unawares, unless he was a coward enough to send his lackey's again after her she could easily fight his lackey's off again. As she thought about that she wished for someone to kick her and lecture her on her thoughts, she hated how she thought about her own father but she couldn't deny her feelings. He was a monster plain and simple.
One day looking up into the vast ocean of blue she saw that the blue skies were clear, almost clear enough to watch over her as she continued on her journey. It lightened her mood making her a little calm but not enough to stop thinking; for once in her life she wished she could stop thinking all together. Thinking only proved to be disastrous to her and those around her, but she might as well wish for world peace. Finally about almost a week later she arrived at the Valley of Shale. She continued up the mountainside feeling as though the rocks around her were watching her. Their haunting presence of all their knowledge, knowing what's happened here so many times was intimidating but she continued on determined to go on. Even though she still had about a day's time to wait for her father and grandfather she still went on. Maybe they had arrived earlier just as she had hoping to get the jump on her.
As she stood at the top of the rise that led down into the Valley of Shale she was startled to see that everything was smooth and deep black, black as the night. She continued down and saw that there was a pool a little ways away from an entrance that led to the Valley of Kings where Shea and the others had met with disaster. Anna thought about how her mother had been through those halls, how her own mother had even been to the edge of death's grasp as she looked into the Hadeshorn.
Unbeknownst to Anna she was walking towards the Hadeshorn's deadly surface. She felt herself being drawn to the water's still surface as her feet carried her towards its deadly waters. Something inside of Anna was screaming for her to run away, to get away from this evil place. The voice was yelling so loudly that Anna felt that she should ignore it but somehow it did speak some truth. But if it were talking the truth why would it yell so loudly at her? Anna had to see what was there, just as her mother had seen. Anna knew that looking into its deadly depths would change her forever, but she was already changed enough what more could happen from looking. That's when Anna began to think about the Greek gods and Pandora's box, no harm came from looking Anna thought rolling her eyes. Shaking her head she knew this was different, so why was she comparing herself to Pandora? Even though Anna could just look at her mother's memories of the time when Elysee had first gazed into its depths. It wouldn't be the same as though she was really seeing it she had to know to give her some strength; she was just as strong as her mother hopefully that is.
Continuing on she felt the small hairs on her arms prick up, as she was only a few feet away now. Swallowing she tried to shut out the feeling that the haunting presences around her were studying her determining her fate. Not to mention but she actually felt as though actual murderers and demons were around her spurring her on with their taunts. She shivered uncontrollably as she continued on resolute to get there despite her fears. Some involuntarily muscles of her eyes caused her to close them as she stopped before taking that fatal step into the black waters depths.
Taking a calming breath she forced her eyes to open looking down she saw her own reflection staring back at her. But her image was surrounded by a green aura. She wondered what that meant? As she continued to watch she saw that there were people behind her. Concentrating hard she saw that those people weren't people, they were something entirely different. Something that she had never thought she'd have to ever see in this lifetime. How could they be here? They were just myth and fiction. Nothing but myth that's all they were. Shaking her head she saw one of the things come closer its blood red eyes locked onto her. Swallowing she felt her heart beat increasing rapidly. What was she going to do? Her heart would burst before this monster even made it to the surface that's how scared she was. As it drew closer though she saw that its face was sadden.
It wasn't evil at all. This creature wasn't evil; this wasn't the evil she was supposed to fight. Then what was the evil? She began contemplating the bodies: they all had the evidence that these things that she saw in the water were the reason they were dead. But as she watched this one creature come closer she was resolute in her reasoning that they must've been forced to kill those people she saw in her mother's vision. After all as her own blue and gold eyes locked with the blood red eyes of the creature she felt that they were gentle, she couldn't explain it she just sensed it. As it drew closer it motioned for her to lean down.
Kneeling onto the ground she bent closer to the water. The water bubbled as it's mouth opened and speaking clearly and articulated what her worse fears were. Backing away she saw the creature nod its head as it drew back towards the rest of his kind. Crying she watched as it left her with the dread knowledge of what she had played into. Her head bowed she watched as the vision she'd been shown faded away. The water bubbled but Anna was too weak from her emotional shock to look up to see that her own mother's spirit had been called forth from the depths of the Hadeshorn. Which really made no sense due to the fact that Anna was the only living being in all of the Hadeshorn.
"My daughter what grieves you?" Elysee's soft kind voice stated sounding so distant as Anna felt herself being wrapped around in darkness, "What could trouble you so my dear daughter? Come tell your mother what is wrong."
Anna looked up her face tear streaked but her eyes so alive with an inner flame of anger ignited by the injustice done, "Quit the act right now I'll not be fooled any longer!"
Her mother's eyes widened and her mouth opening in aghast tired to find the words to counter her daughter finally she was able to utter, "My sweet how can you utter such horrible words to your own mother? I've been nothing but kind and considerate to you, why would you do this to me now? Do you not trust me as you should?"
"Why would I trust you? Or even the other two who have imbued themselves into the souls of the rocks behind me. Now tell me does that really give me any option for trust between you and me." Anna stated standing uneasily to her feet, "Now quit the charade before you really anger me, I have no patience for this any longer. So many secrets, and so hard to accept."
"But my daughter I do not know what you are spe-" Elysee whispered her hands cupping to her breast.
"Stop it!" Anna shouted she took her bow and withdrawing two arrows she pointed them at the rock and sending part of her soul in them. She fired them onto the two men she knew to be hiding in the soul's of the rocks, "I know the truth all of you! Now stop this or I swear I'll do worse then you all think of me."
The arrows struck true hitting two men square in the arms. They fell down onto the ground yelping in their surprise. They stood up and removing the arrows from where they had struck and just simply threw them down. As they walked towards Anna she watched them intently. These men were gods and not just any gods they were the three gods of Krynn come here to do a horrendous act. One that her mother and father and even her grandfather had helped them plan out, everyone she knew had helped these three. She could sense her mother's presence changing into something more grotesque and evil then she wished. She knew whom these three people were and she was angry beyond belief that they would do this. Though she knew little of her father's people and their religions she knew for certain that these three weren't just crucial to the land of Krynn most of the times that war broke out on the land was cause of them.
"You three disgust me!" Anna swore clenching her bow with such fury that her knuckles were turning white, "You are gods why would you want to create such pain. Even you Takhisis I don't believe you are that evil enough to try and destroy the land of the Four Lands, and you Paladine and Glien how low can you sink?"
"I'm surprised that you were able to drag one out of their endless walk to come and tell you what was going on." Glien replied his face impassive as he drew closer to Anna, "They are supposed to stay that way till a proper ritual can be performed."
"Yes one befitting their nature Anna." Takhisis whispered coming to stand beside her brothers.
"Anna you know of what we speak of and I'm sure even you know why we do this." Paladine whispered his face the only one not glad by this transition, "Your mother understood completely when she sent you away. Even if she did love you she knew what would happen when the time came, her people had gotten to out of hand they have to be…"
"Be what?" Anna asked a little startled that he couldn't finish the sentence. This is what he wants Anna thought but he seems so reluctant to accomplish it.
"Be…be…." He couldn't say it he just wasn't able to.
"What's wrong with you brother?" Glien asked looking perplexed at his brother, "Tell her what must happen."
"Be…be…be…." He still hadn't the guts to say it out loud as though he was committing a mortal sin.
"They have to be destroyed every living creature that breaths on the Four Lands must die now and forever!" Takhisis snapped glaring at her brother, "Brother you know that we must do this quit being such a coward! They deserve to die after all."
"I don't believe that." Anna whispered quietly.
"Of course silly Anna Majere you want so to believe just as your mother had." Takhisis said laughing at her, "You silly mortal."
"What are you talking about?" Anna asked her face not giving anything away as she looked intently at the dark queen, "My mother never believed in what I am so soundly believing. If she was alive she would be holding me down and gagging me as you continued on purging the Four Lands. She would agree with you just as my father would. Just as everyone in my family would, no one would save me as you continued on with your plan."
All three gods were silent a look of shock and surprise etched delicately on each of there faces. Anna couldn't help but grin as she watched them. They hadn't known at all that her mother deep down in her heart wanted the Four Lands dead. Her mother had created false memories for Anna to find, to make Anna believe that Elysee had cared anything for her. The only thing under her mother's kind and caring face was that she was so sick of being a Druid. Her mother was tired of having to constantly save the Four Lands from some new dark peril. Her mother towards the end of her life just hadn't cared at all. That's one of the many things the creature had told her as Anna's heart broke when she realized with all too clarity that was why her mother had wanted to make sure she would live. She had wanted to send her away to ensure that Anna would come back to be here for the end.
"Stop looking so surprised!" Anna snapped waving her hand in a hope to lighten the mood, "Is it really all that shocking that my mother didn't care for this land as you all reverently believed?"
"Then why are you so different from your parents?" Glien asked the first to recover from Anna's words, "They seem so content to let this land perish but you want it to survive. What is it that you have seen that we have not?"
"I have seen this land cause I've traveled it, none of you can understand its simple ways till you look closer. Such treasures are on this land. Besides my uncle told me some interesting words of wisdom when I had recovered from a fever back in Solace, he had told me that though I share a lot of characteristics with my father we are nothing alike. My mother I may look a little like her but that means more that we are not alike." Anna said her voice full of sorrow as she whispered her words. After all most children wish to be like their parents and here she was swearing that she wasn't anything like either of her parents, "I'll not allow such blood shed to occur. I'm not really a Druid but I can still fight to protect this world, after all it is my homeland I'll not let you destroy it not without a fight."
"You still haven't figured it out have you?" Takhisis laughed her laughter more like nails on a chalkboard then anything else, "Your part of the ritual Anna Majere!"
"What?" Anna exclaimed her face paled even more so then normal, "No I can't be your wrong."
"No Anna we are not wrong you're the sacrifice to the ritual we will be performing." Paladine whispered his eyes downcast as though he was ashamed to bring his eyes to meet hers.
"No!" Anna yelled shaking her head, "I won't lie down and die for you!"
As they drew closer to the Valley of Shale Caramon kept contemplating what his brother had told him. Should he even believe what Raistlin says? After all it wouldn't make it the first time that he's lied to get his way. He couldn't help but keep thinking which drove Tika to the thoughts that he might be sick at heart with the aspect of what they had to do to accomplish their task.
Though Caramon kept thinking it over Tika was already thinking of ways to prevent her little niece's death. Tika loved Anna so much she wasn't ready to see her die just yet. Anna was so sweet even if now she had turned a little like a fighter that just meant that she was growing up in this world just as any young girl would. But Tika had hoped that the boy Maeyul would stay with Anna till the end to protect her, so that Anna wouldn't have to become a fighter. Whenever she thought about Maeyul her thoughts went to the words he had said "She's my friend I did what a friend would do for another." He had sounded so absolute as he said it. If it was true then Anna had lost her only friend in this entire world.
"Tika are you alright?" Caramon asked his arm wrapped around her, as they sat around the fire not a day's ride from the Valley, "You have tears in your eyes. Are you thinking about Anna again?"
"Oh Caramon if that boy was right then our little niece as lost the only friend she's ever had!" Tika wailed putting her head in her hands, "I mean she's…I can't go through with it Caramon! I won't help any of you kill her!"
"Tika we have to kill her or the world's going to be plunged into darkness for eternity." Caramon whispered trying to reason with his hysterical wife, "I know it's hard but we have to do it, come on think of our own children's future."
"But Caramon its just not fair why her?" Tika wailed plunging herself into her husbands arms, "She's so young she's barely even lived her life."
"Actually I've been thinking about that Caramon also." Tanis said handing Tika a cup of tea, "Caramon think about it, isn't our world always plunged into darkness. We always have some new evil threat to fight so why should this one be so concentrated on when we have other evil problems everywhere. I've actually been thinking that Raistlin's keeping something from us Caramon especially about Anna's mother. There's just something wrong with this whole picture."
"If you think I'm hiding something Tanis then why don't you just ask me?" Raistlin muttered standing behind Tanis, "Come now what does the old half elf has to ask to quiet his silent fears?"
"Alright Raistlin will you tell me the truth?" Tanis asked standing to face him, "After all you do have a nasty habit of lying to us."
"I will tell you what I am capable of and Allanon will tell you what he can." Raistlin gestured to the old Druid staring into the fire. He had only joined up with their party a couple of days ago and yet he was so silent and never it seemed sleep. He spent countless hours gazing into the fire, "Now let us sit Tanis."
After they were all sitting down Tanis finally sighed and scratching his beard asked, "I want to know if you guys had planned on sending Anna away and then bringing her back. She just doesn't seem like the kind who knows how to use the magic that's in her, she was also as you said in a world with no magic so how did she come back."
"There is a type of creature that lives in the bottom of the Hadeshorn they've been there walking in circles for hundreds of years. Doomed to stay that way for all of eternity." Allanon's somber voice uttered, "No one has seen them but in the Druid's keep there are pictures of them and they are what in Anna's world would call vampires. These creatures in Anna's other world live among the humans there. Though they are believed to be just mere myth they are considerably dangerous."
"What does that mean?" Tika asked going into Caramon's strong embrace more seeking protection from her husband, "What you call them doesn't help us to picture them in our own minds eye."
"I apologize I'm still so used to discussing this matter with Raistlin and my daughter. Its been a while since I've had to describe them." Allanon whispered rubbing his eyes hoping to rid them of his weariness, "They have elongated canine teeth to help them to drink the blood from their enemies. By using these sharp teeth they puncture the skin of their opponents throats and drink their blood. Now usually they have pointed ears a little like an elf but yet at the same time unlike. Their kind can use dark magic, much the same as the Demons beyond the Forbidding can. Now you can see how Anna might've been able to come back to this world, though she herself has no idea how she got back to this world and I tell you in full confidence that none of us could bring her back to this world. It had to be someone in her world. With all this power though they would need a weakness, it's true they have a deadly weakness to sunlight. It kills them instantly."
"By tomorrow they shall be coming out from the pool their hatred so intense it could burn off your skin." Raistlin hissed.
"Why tomorrow?" Caramon asked his face solemn as he kept his voice steady, "I mean to say what's so important that they should come tomorrow?"
"It's the anniversary of the day the Forbidding was utterly destroyed. Tomorrow it'll be exactly one year since the Demons came to destroy everything on the Four Lands, when Amberle took up being the Ellcry." Allanon whispered his voice respectful about the day, "The day that Elysee died for the elf's."
"They sound like any other evil slaughtering for nothing but themselves." Tanis said still not convinces by this evil enough to kill a little girl.
"Then you do not understand that one among these vampires is one that is so strong but yet so innocent that he could destroy the Four Lands with one word almost like Soth in killing with one word." Raistlin whispered viscously, "But if Anna is sacrificed then they will all go back into their endless walk content with themselves."
"So Anna really does have to die the poor girl." Caramon whispered laying a hand on his friend's shoulders, "Tanis I don't want to see my niece die but look at what they say, if she dies then the world will be saved that's probably what she wants."
"Answer this for me Raistlin." Tanis stated his eyes closed as he thought about his question, "Why does it have to be Anna? There are plenty of other women in this world that you could sacrifice, why her?"
"Anna is born of two worlds Tanis." Raistlin stated calmly, "She has the magic of a mage in her and once awakened the magic of a Druid also. She isn't someone to be trifled with, she is strong whether she knows it or not we are not certain about that yet. But we do know that she is the one."
Tanis stayed quiet all eyes were on him. They wanted him to approve this but how could he? Anna was so innocent even if she had killed draconians and mewlerts. Closing his eyes he envisioned that sweet smile she had so quickly to come even in the face of danger. She was a little like her half aunt Kit Tanis thought smiling. Taking a breath he opened his eyes disgusted to see everyone watching him. Why do they always need his approval of everything? He was just tired of everything he wanted to get back to his home with his pregnant wife, but instead he was off trudging in a foreign land.
"Time to get some sleep we'll be arriving at the Valley tomorrow." Tanis muttered wrapping himself in his blanket.
He could hear the others going to their beds all except Allanon. He stayed where he was watching the flames. When Tanis thought it safe enough that everyone was asleep he got up and went and sat by Allanon. He had moved away to sit on a rock watching the stars. Tanis walked over to him and quietly he stood beside the rock on which Allanon sat upon.
Tanis stood beside him for a while till finally Allanon whispered, "Shouldn't you sleep?"
"Not sleepy, what about you?" Tanis said bluntly.
"I don't sleep as I'm sure you and the others have guessed. What can I do for you? I can tell by your eyes that you have more questions." Allanon said looking at Tanis, "More then the others, you are curious which I must say surprises me after all you are an elf."
"What does my race have to do with wanting to help a young girl?" Tanis asked looking suspiciously at the Druid.
"I suppose nothing. What questions do you have for me Tanis?" Allanon asked shrugging his shoulders in response.
"You don't want her dead anymore then I do Allanon. So why are you helping Raistlin do this?" Tanis asked his eyes locking with the Druids dark gaze, "Something isn't right by this. I can tell by your eyes that you love her where her father does not. Why would you need to kill a young girl?"
"You are right in your suspicions there is more but I am restricted to tell you. Tanis you are right though I don't want to see her die I don't believe as my daughter or my son-in-law believe." Allanon whispered with drawing into his hood, "Tanis if you really want to know the truth of it all then go now. Take one of the horses and ride to the Valley of Shale Anna is there already. Go to her help her where I can't."
Tanis nodded his head unable to bring words to his mouth to say anything else to the Druid. He went back to their small camp and collecting a few things he ushered his horse to follow him as they navigated towards the Druid. Tanis was a little startled that Allanon had admitted to not wanting to kill his granddaughter, he had expected the Druid to get angry with him but he hadn't done anything but be kind to him. As he climbed onto his horse he took one last glance at the silent figure of the Druid. Tanis was beginning to respect the man even if he was in league with Raistlin, they could've been friends in another time Tanis thought.
"Go she needs someone who's not family to be with her right now." Allanon whispered his eyes soft with sorrow, "Go to her and tell her that I still love her even if I had been so cruel to her. Tell her that night I first met her was the sweetest day ever for me. Tell her I'll treasure that day for the rest of my life."
"I'll tell her Allanon." Tanis said he galloped away on the horse strong-minded to get to Anna before any of the others.
He rode all night long stopped once to work his stiff joints and eat a little food. As he drew closer he saw the mountains that were part of the Valley. He rode closer and found that at the base he would have to go by feet from then on. His horse couldn't continue on so taking off all the equipment on the horse he bid the creature to run.
He walked up and was a little afraid to feel that he was feeling the same way he had the day they had beat the dark queen at Nerka. That couldn't be right he thought it must be his imagination or the thought that such evil could be coming this day as the sun began cresting the horizon that he thought of that day in Nerka.
Continuing on he found soon that he was standing a top the rise that looked down into the Valley of Shale. What he saw not only would stay with him for all of eternity it would haunt his nightmares in the future. He saw weird looking creatures coming out of the solid black pool of water. They were just as Allanon had described them these things were the vampires. This was different as Tanis looked into the eyes of one of the creatures he saw not hatred as Raistlin had said but a deep sorrow and weariness. They weren't evil at all; they weren't the evil that Anna had to fight at all or even be sacrificed to. Looking over trying to find Anna he saw that she was on the opposite side of the Valley far from the Hadeshorn she was bleeding and looked beyond the point of exhaustion. She was on her feet only cause she believed that what she was fighting for was important even if it wasn't for others. At that moment as she stood resolute in her purpose she reminded him of his own wife when she had been stubborn facing the Takhisis at Nerka. Tanis searched the Valley for her attackers and found them to be the three gods of his land Takhisis, Glien, and Paladine. They were trying to kill her but Anna was too strong to die. Just as Maeyul had said she wouldn't die till she saw fit too. Looking at her face he saw that she wasn't about to make this Valley her grave, she was ready to fight on even if her wounds were bleeding her life away.
Tanis were he stood found the truth in everything that was going on. They didn't need to kill Anna they had to protect Anna not kill her. He saw Takhisis calling forth a powerful magic spell. He recognized the spell immediately he knew Anna wouldn't know what it could till it hit her. He had seen it do horrendous damage on a person; Anna would die in her condition if that spell hit her. He couldn't let her die they had to protect her.
Anna struggled to keep on her feet trying her hardest to remember why she was still fighting. Her mind was so sluggish and tired she was sure that she would die before anything else happened to her. She was useless to stop three gods, what was she thinking? She heard Takhisis chanting knowing that this spell would mean her doom. She had no more strength to fend off her attackers she was uselessly going to fail. Falling to her knees she bent her head closing her eyes. She didn't want to see the power that would destroy her as it came towards her. Just let her die in peace with all her pain.
As the chanting increased she tried to remember how she felt when her grandfather had talked to her with his kind words that first night in Aborlon. When she had thought how kind and sweet her mother was, how her father had understood her pain with bullies and being so weak and sickly that first night in Solace. Why couldn't they have just loved her like a real family? She began to wonder about her uncle and aunt, did they know what was going on? Did they know that as they arrived this day thinking of just seeing her fight her father and grandfather that they would actually see their niece laid out dead? That they would see the gods take control of the creatures from the Hadeshorn and order them to destroy all of the Four Lands?
Tears fell from her closed eyes she tried her hardest not to think of her pain or of the Four Lands pain. Somehow she could hear it crying out in pain. It hurt her to hear that voice. That's when she realized that through this self-sacrifice she had become a Druid. In the end she had done her duty in trying to protect this land. Now only if her grandfather could learn to do his duty that his father had left him.
She could hear the magic coming towards her and all she could do was open her eyes and see a bright ball of light gaining speed as it came closer and closer to her. She felt herself shaking and she knew that she was afraid and she couldn't help but say sorry to everyone she had meant on this wondrous land. She was sorry that she had failed them; in the end she was just a little girl from a different world.
"I'm sorry…" she whispered to them hoping that they would hear her apology.
As she closed her eyes thinking it the last time she'd ever have to do that she felt someone grab her around her waist. Opening her eyes she saw the spell hit the mountain's wall instead of her. Rolling over she struggled to entangle herself from whoever had run to save her. She saw that it was Tanis he had come to save her.
Smiling she hugged him whispering, "You figured it out Tanis! I can't believe it!"
"Better believe it when I saw you standing there ready to take that spell I knew I had to come and save you." Tanis said smiling at her, "Now come on we have to get up and get out of here."
"How? I can't run away from this Tanis you don't understand this is all cause of me I have to stop them." Anna protested she stood up and began walking towards the gods, "I have to fight them till the end even if I die."
"God damn it! Anna that's the thing if you die this world's going to be plunged into darkness, but something about you will keep this world alive. You can' t die!" Tanis swore grabbing hold of her wrist, "Now come on we can fight another day when you're stronger and not bleeding from every part of your body!"
"Where are we going to run to? If you haven't noticed the only entrance is where they are blocking it!" Anna hissed frustrated with him.
"The Valley of Kings." Tanis whispered regretting saying it as he saw her eyes widen in fear as they both glanced at the entrance to that place.
"Why does he always have to be the hero?" Takhisis hissed her fists clenching in anger as she watched Tanis help Anna, "Go on brother go and kill him."
"What?" Paladine exclaimed, "We are only to kill Anna no one else!"
"Tanis is unfortunately helping Anna he must be killed now brother." Glien whispered his face so emotionless his voice sounding so cold melded together, "Go on."
Paladine began to walk towards them and he was heart broken to see Tanis smile as he saw him coming. He must figure that I'm going to help him he thought glumly. He couldn't do anything he had to help them destroy the Four Lands. His mind was in so much turmoil that he couldn't help but find that he was actually thinking of just running from it all. Him a god of good running from a battle, what was he supposed to do? Being a god didn't help him figure out what he should do but it should he thought. As came getting closer and closer to them he realized that he couldn't kill Tanis any more then he could kill Anna. He didn't believe in what his sister and brother believed, just as Anna didn't believe in what her parents believed in.
He smiled as he came closer he stood not a foot away from them. Anna was hiding behind Tanis afraid of him, she should be after what I let happen he thought. Not any more I won't let this happen! I won't let this world be destroyed even if I don't approve of it he swore.
"Anna I'm so sorry." He whispered, "I won't do it, I won't let them kill you any more then letting them kill Tanis. I think I can see how you feel when you think about your own family and what they want."
"See I told you Anna he's a god of good he wouldn't kill you." Tanis said smiling.
"No Tanis in the beginning I was with my brother and sister I had wanted to kill her just as they do. Now though she's begun to make me question myself interesting young lady I must say making a god question himself." Paladine replied his head hanging a little low in shame, "Your going to go through the Valley of Kings aren't you?" they both nodded, "Then I'm coming with you, on the count of three."
"One." Tanis whispered.
"Two." Paladine muttered.
"Three." Anna said smiling as Tanis hoisted her over his shoulder and the three ran for the entrance.
Dodging fireballs and lightening bolts they slid into through the entrance. Anna hit her head and lost consciences she needed the sleep anyways. They recovered quickly from their graceful entrance. Tanis still had hold of her so he followed Paladine ahead of them. Running to keep up with the god.
"Tanis close your eyes and concentrate on me!" Paladine yelled still running, "Just remember to do that as we walk through these dangerous halls!"
The three of them made it through each obstacle Anna silently asleep and as they entered the hall of kings they sat down for some rest before going on. They all rested till Anna awoke rubbing her head as Tanis had his arm wrapped protectively around her. Tanis and Paladine were asleep they needed and deserved the rest. They had fought to protect her and all she'd done was to cause problems. Though in spite of herself she smiled to think of how angry everyone would be when he or she learned that she'd escape death's grip yet again. Then in the silent recesses of her mind she began to think of her mother and it brought tears to her eyes. Her mother hated her just as her father and grandfather did. She was all alone on this loneliest day; this day really belonged to her she thought glumly smiling bitterly.
She brought out the crystal that connected her to her father and throwing it away from her she put her head in her hands and cried. She had thought once on this journey of joining her mother in death but now she resented it and wouldn't stand for it at all. She hated them, all of her family she hated them and she wouldn't stand to be near them any longer. Lifting her head she saw that the crystal was glowing and spinning. Her father wanted to talk to her. She shook Tanis and Paladine awake.
"He'll be talking soon you should hear what he has to say." Anna whispered.
Sure enough Raistlin's voice traveled thorough the crystal, "Anna!"
"Yes father I am alive still with the help of Tanis and Paladine who I am entirely grateful to." Anna replied smiling as she could clearly hear his anger, "What can I do for you? You can no longer trick me father I know the entire truth, and I assure you I will fight to the end just as Takhisis and Glien saw when they sent spell after spell to destroy me."
"You have to die so get out of that filthy hall and get out here right this moment!" Raistlin yelled, "Or I'm coming in to get you Allanon will lead me."
"Really grandfather I wonder would you? Would you lead my father to me only so he can kill me to destroy this world that you swore as a Druid to protect?" Anna asked softly speaking to Allanon.
"You don't understand at all Anna. How could you?" Allanon's voice came from the crystal sounding so bereft with grief, "Your not a Druid you don't hear anything of what I hear Anna."
"I can hear the pain of the land Allanon, that means I'm a Druid just like you." Anna replied calmly but yet hurt at the same time, "It hurts my heart greatly to know that you would want to destroy this land. This beautiful land, I swear to you grandfather I'll keep fighting you and the others till the day comes when our battle will come. When you will see this land for what it is the way you should see it as a Druid."
"You've become a Druid." Allanon said his voice sounding on the border lines of pride for his granddaughter, "What do you think of it Anna?"
"To tell you the truth I love it grandfather I'd have it no other way." Anna whispered her voice cracking from her emotions.
"Anna of everyone you should understand why I have no choice." Allanon's voice muttered so heart broken and sad that it hurt Anna to hear it.
"I don't understand grandfather and I truly mean that I don't understand why you want to destroy this world." Anna whispered tears brimming her eyes.
"Please Anna do not make me go through there bringing them with me. Just come out please!" Allanon begged his voice so pleading with her.
"I can't do that grandfather I'm sorry." Anna replied back tears falling once again from her eyes, "You should know though that as I'm speaking to you I am crying as well for you grandfather."
"Enough with this sentimental drivel just come out of there!" Raistlin hissed.
"I will never come to you father! Come on do you honestly believe that with you demanding me that I'd come out? Please you can't be that stupid I thought at least you'd have some brain cells." Anna swore her hand clenched into a fist it began to become wrapped with the blue flames of a Druid, "So don't count on it father!"
She threw the fire at the crystal ending their conversation. She walked over and picking it up she found that she had burned it black. Maybe some of the fire went to the other side where it could hopefully cause her father harm. She closed her eyes clutching the crystal in her hand she thought about what her grandfather had said. He sounded as though he too was unconvinced just as Paladine had been when she talked to him in the beginning.
"Where to now?" Tanis asked, "We have to leave here but where to?"
"To the same place where Allanon had planned on taking Shea in the beginning of their journey." Anna whispered placing the crystal back in her pocket, "Come on lets go towards Paranor the Druids keep."
"Will Paranor allow you in though?" Paladine asked softly.
"Yes Paranor will Paladine it will for now I am just as my grandfather," Anna said so tired of everything, "a Druid."
Kilyn Bloodstone: Hello everyone hope you all had happy Christmas's unlike me. Stupid holiday! Well anyways here's another still chapter of my story hope you all enjoyed it. R&R if you wish I don't mind hearing your thoughts.
I don't own anything of Dragonlance or of Terry Brooks Shannara series. I do however own Elysee and Anna so no stealing.
Enjoy the story and have a merry new year!