Disclaimer: I don't own the Teen Titans, but everyone in this chapter is mine, all mine! Accept Malchior and Raven … yeah … they sadly still aren't mines.

A/N:) thanks for the support guys, hugs all around! Still embarrassed for last chapter though, but getting over it – SEE! The paper bag's burnt (I'm a pyromaniac LOOOVE FYYAH!)! I didn't have to use it after all!

X: Other then suffocation, yeah, you don't. (to the side) Damn so close! Could have had her, could have made her disappear!

Rorek: Oh stop it already X! She's obviously not going anywhere soon so lay off!

Me: I don't even know why you guys are arguing; you're not even in this chapter! At least … I don't think …

X: Not a surprise on your part.

Me: Whatever, this chapter will be the beginning of the dark saga – this CAN be called a saga now can't it? I mean, look at it! It's 38 frickin' chapters long! Focuses on Saligia and Ellris (sorry Last Haven I did say she'd be popping up more later on.) Any way, quick note before you go on reading:

Favorite and Pet mean the same thing for Dragons and Demons, even though they have different words to describe a "servant" their meanings are the same and they understand each other. So … yeah! That was note to make it easier for you to read! OH and before I stop stalking gotta say: Enjoy!

AND! To add, this chapter wasn't supposed to take as long as it did! The Document Manager thing was being retarded and I couldn't get it up fast enough. It kept saying error on the frickin' page! Ugh ... I tell ya, technology's cool, but when it breaks down, I just wanna kick in the shins!

--

Under the Blood-Red Moon

"You're order is simple, go in and deliver the message, though be sure to keep Zhain alive. Confirm order." Ellris ordered within Saligia's head.

The dragoness growled and pushed off another tree branch as she made cut her way through Tyzilah az Lamishy or "The Hunter Forest" in plain old English and it went by it's name. Where the Four Grandmasters around the surface world of Azarath ruled the Northwest, Northeast, Southwest, and Southeastern lands of Azarath. The demons ruled the North, South, West, and East right now she was in dangerous territory.

The Demon Lord to the North never tolerated trespassers and she was cutting through his lands to get to the Northeast lands ruled by the Grandmaster Zhain. Trying to be as inconspicuous as possible, Saligia gasped and yelped when the earth shuttered under her and through the ground a HUGE horrendous centipede shot up and roared at her, "Who are you to be trespassing within in the great Lord Koyxaen's lands! Speak fast worm!"

Saligia sweat-dropped with a dry look, "Stand by for confirmation," she replied to Ellris and held out her right hand to the centipede flashing him her fangs and claws provoking him to attack, I'm the worm? Feh, useless bug, "I am the dragoness Saligiari Ellris'omus belonging to the Southeast Dragon Clan and you're in the way!"

"A dragon you say … delicious! I claim you as my Pet! Resistance is futile!"

"I'm nobody's Favorite!" leaping off the branch she had perched herself upon, the centipede roared in outrage when his "pet" ran from him and looked up to see the dragoness coming down on him claws first. For his size he moved surprisingly fast and dodged her attack then whipped his tail around and with a dead aim slapped Saligia into one of the oversized giant trees. Yet like the hardheaded dragon she was Saligia came back with a push off the tree. The centipede jerked his head back and opened it's ugly mouth to spit down acid at her agile attack.

Saligia corrected her attack pattern to dodge the acid and once cleared scampered up a tree and launched herself to the centipede once more. This time when he slapped his lower body at her she hooked her claws into his flesh and once he whipped his tail around at the right second she released her hold and flew right a top the demon's head. Cocking her elbow back with her clawed hand in a threatening pose stabbed down onto his brain and chanted a spell, charging her hand up she shot her power into the demon's body.

Ruthlessly scattering his remains all about the forest, Saligia had long since flipped off and shielded the shower of demon guts from her person afterwards took a deep breath and snorted at the smell of death in the air flicking her clawed hands to get the blood off she called back to Ellris as she took off still heading towards the Northeastern lands, "Confirming order, deliver message to the Grandmaster Zhain of the Northeastern Lands, yet keep said Grandmaster alive. Understood."

"Very good, though out of curiosity, what kept you so long child?"

Ellris sounded genuinely curious, but it wasn't like Saligia cared, however answered absentmindedly, "Just an unneeded detour, it won't happen again."

"Good."

Without further exchange of words Saligia concentrated on her entire journey through the Northern lands till she hit the Northeastern lands wide open plains where she made her way to the Castle that held Zhain within his territory. Traveling under the cover of night with the bright Azarian haunting blue moon shining onto her, watching and recording her every move. The wind whirled behind her and seemed to push her faster to the fate that awaited the unsuspecting Northeastern territories.

In no time flat the Castle came into her view and she pushed her wings out, switching from her faster then normal pace on foot to the unbelievable speed she held while in the air. Beating with a rhythmic fwoomp of her wings that matched the thumping of her heart as the gate was seen and the dragons that stood at watch. Flicking out her right hand, by will alone she called forth her birthright, the double-sided scythe, twirling it with one hand she chanted a quick concealment spell and without a second thought launched her weapon. Watching as it spun out in blurred metal flashes towards the dragons, taking one out before the other could sense something wrong his head went flying right off his shoulders.

Still flying fast Saligia was jerked back when her weapon came spinning back at her like a boom-a-rang, grabbing it, but twirl it to a stop she held it at the ready and pressed forward. Shooting up over the gate and diving through the courtyard where the lower ranked followers growled at her trespass. Landing at the center of the courtyard and folding her wings over her shoulders she flicked back her long braided sapphire hair and glared at the challenging dragons, "Call the Defenders and there will be unnecessary blood-shed. I am Saligiari Ellris'omus from the Southeastern Dragon Clan, last remaining daughter of Ellris'malchron. Come forth Grandmaster Zhain so that you may bare witness to the message my Master has bestowed upon me to give unto you!"

"Saligiari! Death's Disciple! She lives!" she heard a dragoness of high rank shriek in fear, and scowled when even more whispers spread through the courtyard like wildfire. Dragons here, and dragons there, all in their humanoid form weaving tales of her past and the chosen one that she was to a particular type of Angel that earned a bad rep.

She let none of their words get to her, she just wanted to get this done and over with before everything got out of hand … well … actually … things were about to get a little messy. Her father would see to it that this'd play to his great amusement. Zhain was never a dragon known of his brave actions unlike his father, not a Black Diamond, but an Emerald Saligia felt for his presences and frowned when instead she felt the Four Defenders approaching.

The Four Defenders were like the bodyguards to the Grandmaster and the Dragon Clan in general. The most trusted selected few close and loyal to the Grandmaster; they were also the most powerful of the Clan … Saligia showed no fear as she saw one of the Four jump forth from the tall tips of the Castle. Another from the crowd and the last two from the castle, though not as extravagant an entrance as the first or how she herself had entered, Saligia sighed and gave a dry expression to the drakes and dragonesses in the courtyard that scrambled for safety, "Must we always do things the hard way?"

"Sally …" the drake that had came from the Castle first spoke to her softly and almost desperately. Saligia frowned and tensed suspiciously at the young Defender that had addressed her so formally. With dark hunter green eyes and dark brown frivolous hair, the warmth and pleading tone in his voice had something click in her head. She knew him … from long ago … he was one of Malchior's known "friends" … looking at him now she was saddened to find him on the receiving end of Ellris' fun, "Little Sally … wha … how …"

He was stumbling for the right choice of words that just eluded him … Saligia sighed and shook her head, "Well … isn't this an unpleasant surprise … Malachite, I knew you'd become a Defender. Now if you don't wish to loose your life, please, beg your Grandmaster to come forth and I shall leave in peace. All I wish is to deliver my message."

Malachite … Malchior's old friend shook his head and looked to the rest of his fellow Defenders. Making it obvious for Saligia to see that he was the leader of the Four and was trying to decipher what was right and what was supposed to be done. It was hard … Saligia … even though she never looked at him twice, Malachite saw her as a close friend. Whenever Malchior didn't have the time (or more likely the patience) for her she'd hang around him since her sisters weren't at all fair to her. Saligia, she was considered one of the drakes that knew how to fit in with them rather than the gossiping dragonesses.

So now, life in all its humor slapped this in his face.

After taking care of her, and actually mourning over her supposed "death" coming into contact with her after many years was about to fight against her to defend his clan. Wow … talk about ironic dark humor. Thrown with the decision with either to stand down and plead with his Grandmaster thus risking not only exile for deliberately going against his orders, but possibly death for even jeopardizing the clans' safety.

Saligia didn't like the look she was getting from Azurite, knowing that he was a good little drake that would follow any order, yet even have the heart to consider going against it if he thought it was worth it. In her head, Saligia pleaded with him, wishing she could out loud to him, but never finding the courage gulped as took a deep breath, Let me though, Malachite, please.

Either way … they both knew … as sapphire meet hunter green … Malachite would loose.

"… St-Stand down … Saligia, don't make this harder then it already is." it couldn't be helped … Azurite was too loyal a drake to his lands … he'd foolishly give his own life if it wasn't the right choice to make – at least in Saligia's eyes.

Saligia shook her head, "Wrong move Malachite … let me through to the Grandmaster."

"That's not an option on your part, stand down, drop your weapon, and come quietly … please." The other three Defenders looking among one another oddly, unsure about their commander's reason behind his pleading for a criminal to so as he said. Though knowing what Saligia was through rumors and stories blamed it on the Sapphire dragoness and glared at Saligia who challenged them openly with a defiant sneer.

Looking back to Malachite she mockingly twirled her scythe and then dropped it on the ground to Malachite's feet. It seemed weightless, useless on the ground, but Saligia just hoped they'd take her warning to heart, "Be sure not to touch it with your bare hands … it's not your burden to carry."

Malachite nodded absentmindedly to her warning and gestured for the three other's to take her to the holding cells. Roughly they grabbed her and pulled her towards the entrance, Malachite looked down at her weapon and turned his head up to a Dragoness Guard and called her to him. Obliging his command she dropped from her perch onto one knee to bow low to her commanded, "Use whatever power you can to lift the scythe towards the Armory, be careful not to touch it."

"Might I inquires as to the reason Commander?" she asked curiously as she looked down at the odd scythe, shivering when she felt a strange aura emitting from it. As if it had a soul of its own.

Malachite frowned and shrugged obviously feeling the same thing though chose not to sow it out right, "I haven't a single clue, but Saligia does not say things that –"

Talk was over with then they heard a roar of warning erupt within the castle, Malachite wasted no time in responding to the cry, but the dragoness he summoned to pick up the weapon looked down at the scythe and gaped when it wasn't to be seen! Back up to her commander she narrowed her eyes and went after him, already knowing it was that Sapphire that was behind it all. Entering through one of the open Gothic Arches, the dragoness raced down the hall following the scent of her Commander and something even more so dangerous.

Blood.

Turning down a corridor headed towards the holding cell the dragoness gasped and came to a skidding halt when she meet up with a sight that would haunt her for the rest of her days – if she lived long enough to even have it haunt her. Saligia … smeared in her comrades' blood, and her scythe dripping with the crimson liquid, the three of the Four Defenders were slaughtered … ruthlessly. Drained with no hope of revival unless the Angel of Death himself was merciful.

Saligia looked up from her deed and turned towards the dragoness with a sad frown, "Death … sister … is a release, never a punishment. Remember that."

Locking her innocent eyes upon Saligia's black sapphire hues was a big mistake, because the dragoness found herself locked. All muscle movement, brainpower wasn't plausible, feeling was numb … but instead of fearing it. Saligia felt she should be grateful of the enchantment she put on her, because as Saligia walked up to her and retracted her claws.

A single swift stab to the dragoness' heart was no more and her eyes grew dull, void … dead as the stronger Sapphire pulled her hand out of her chest and flicked the blood towards the ground. No emotion what so ever upon her face she took a deep breath and closed her eyes, holding out her scythe she gathered the dead to her arms, "This is your guardian commanding you to arise! Heed my words and rise to do as I say! Listen to me and only me, your leader to the plains of paradise and hell! I command you to RISE!"

No fancy flash of light, no puff of smoke, no nothing to show her power … but the sudden standing of the once dead dragons heeding her words. Their eyes void of no will of thought and their wounds seemingly heeled, they looked to their master and Saligia eyed the four. Opening her mouth to give out her next command, an unprecedented surprise was brought to her when a knife went soaring through the air, heading to her head. The dragoness that stood the closest to the attack reached out and grabbed the weapon turning to stare at Malachite flanked by a miniature army of sorts.

His hunter green eyes glaring warningly and painfully at Saligia who stared back with no readable expression as she called to him, "You should have begged your Grandmaster an audience with me … now you brought this upon yourself."

"I brought nothing upon myself," Azurite roared in outrage, "Saligia! You're Azrael's Apprentice, killing other's is not in your power let alone controlling them, it's as forbidden as necromancy itself!"

"Correction, Malachite," Saligia bared her fangs and bowed her head, having her sapphire hair cover over her void blue eyes, "I am Azrael's Apprentice … but only because of my actions … if I am born to succeed the Angel of Death, then I first must become the very definition of Death, and that is to meet my quota. This is inevitable my friend."

"It's only inevitable because you've given up! Damn you Saligia there's another way for you, there always is! Stop this insanity at once before it gets out of hand! To hell with Ellris, for your own sake Saligia stop at once!"

He was pleading, he was convincing, and he was trying to be a good friend.

Saligia was grateful he cared, but he didn't know a thing about darkness, and he was going to pay for his ignorance and romanticized dreaming. "A lovely speech Malachite … but you're not me and I highly doubt you've looked up every possible way for me to succeed Azrael. So for YOUR own sake, I'll ask YOU to stand down and drop your weapons, because I'm getting to Zhain, I'll hunt him down if he has escaped, but I have business with him."

Malachite shook his head and gripped his sword tightly, he didn't want to, but it was his duty. So he pleaded once more, "Saligia … please … no."

"…" a momentary pause on her half, and for a second Malachite hoped that she'd listen to him, but it was not to be, "… Kill them all, but leave Zhain to me."

In no second flat it was a blood bath, Malachite, occupied with one of his fellow Defenders out of the corner of his eyes watched Saligia waltz through the chaos unscathed. He couldn't believe this was happening, not one bit, throwing a controlled dragon off of him he shouted out his order, "Do not let Saligia get away! She must be brought down!"

The order didn't go unheard from Saligia, looking back over her shoulder to see one by one the guards and soldiers alike falling to death's hands … then rising to serve her. Their deaths, their souls, their very life force fed her the energy needed to press on with this massacre Ellris sent her on. With every life dead under her brought her closer to the power needed to become what she was born to be. Growing indifferent every time a soul fell to her mercy, with a flick of her braided hair she looked away from hunter green eyes and continued on her way.

The blue moonlight shinning and bleeding blood red drenching the world with crimson tears that cried out in mourning sorrow for the dead … it wasn't literal of course … but the moon. To Saligia … it was damning. It reminded her she was being watched, being judged, being frowned upon, pitied, and cursed all in one. Where the moon wished for a cloud to come and hide it's shine from the evil being done … Saligia wished for a cloud to come to spare the innocent moon of the horror that was her reality.

She pressed on and blew open the throne room doors where she spotted even more guards in her way of Zhain that glared at her direction. Locked on him she tilted her head, "Good evening Grandmaster Zhain," she cooed mockingly, "May I acquire to the occasion of so many soldiers? Is there some sort of appreciation night created for them during my absents?"

"Kill her! Kill the Hellborn Child!"

Saligia dodged a dead aimed attack from one of the dragons then charged through the large group till she was at the center, where she cartwheeled with her scythe expertly and swung it around. The scent of blood lased heavily within the air as she ruthless cut down her own kind, not once did she stumble out of place. Let down her guard, or even turn her back to any dragon within the room, her void sapphire eyes locked on Grandmaster Zhain her primary target. With a growl, Saligia cut down the miniature army without so much as a blink of an eye. The last soldier was never spared and she finished him without a second thought.

Still in the middle of the blood … the deaths … virtually in the center of her destruction she grinned at the Grandmaster's fearful yellow eyes. Why was she grinning? Because she saw it … his fear … his fear of her … his fear of Death herself standing before him. The crimson blood shined a brilliant black-beauty at her feet, and upon her person … fiery and angry, yet still smooth and helpless that silence within the throne room was deafening. Zhain couldn't believe it … couldn't put his claw finger to believe that such a girl was possible.

All the stories … all the rumors … they paled in comparison to the Angel of Death before him.

Sure she was only the real Angel of Death's apprentice trying to make herself worthy of teaching and of the job that she would be succeeding … but … with the sight that Zhain beheld now. He was quite ready to claim that Saligia was death herself … THAT was why Saligia was grinning … because she knew his fear. "You shouldn't have been a coward Zhain … all I asked was for an audience with you so that I may deliver a message to you from My Grandmaster Ellris'malchron. Just a word … now I must make an example from your drakes. RISE!"

Much to Zhains shock the dragons she had slaughter rose at her command. No wounds seen, no sign of death at all … but their void dead eyes … "Lay waste to the Northeastern lands, do not stop unless I give my word. GO! NOW!"

Roars of bloodlust echoed for miles un-end as the lost souls of the dead picked up in numbers and her power grew ever the stronger … though her grin fell. To sadness … to sorrow, to mourning pity when she was left alone with Zhain, and her Hellborn Father rose from the shadows to finally let himself be known to the Grandmaster of the Northeastern lands. It was quite evident that unless something was not done fast his kingdom would fall … Saligia eyed her father and sensed the pure satisfaction stretching across his face as she chuckled and took in a deep breath.

Blood … the iron that was sweet to his senses, "Lovely …"

"Ellris," Zhain growled, "you're supposed to be locked away in hell! Who set you free so that I may punish their damned soul!"

"Damned soul is correct my brother," Ellris laughed outright and listened close to the sounds of death as it rang beautifully in his ears, "though I highly doubt there's reason to care about who's done it, because … well … she's been taken care of. Now, to the matter at hand … I have a very promising composition for you brother. As you can see my daughter, Saligiari, is quite the powerhouse … in a matter of – oh say – the end of the night your castle will be nothing but rubble. Her undead army increases with every single dead at her command and soon enough your entire kingdom will be none existent … and just for my amusement I'll make it so that it's impossible for you to die just so you can live with the harsh reality of your cowardice mistake of turning my daughter away. OR … you can surrender to me here and now to spare you the shame and guilt. Which will it be?"

What could be done?

What should be done?

What would be done?

It didn't take long for the powerless drake to come to a decision … and Malachite, alive, breathing and full of disbelief held onto his arm that had a deep gasp within it by one of Saligia's undead army. He watched … and he mourned the death of dignity as his Grandmaster dropped to his knees in defeat at Ellri's feet, gulping and closing his eyes. He shook his head and looked away unable to watch as mutiny was performed within the throne room, a low moaning roar escaped his throat and it didn't go unheard to Saligia. Trying hard to keep a straight face she turned away from the two drakes to stare out to moonlit night.

The moonlight …

Light reveals evil for what it was …

It revealed her for what she was …

A traitor to mortality …

"Let us go Saligia," Ellris commanded, Saligia obeyed and as she turned her back to the defeated drake her father gave her, her final command for the Northeastern lands, "Kill him." No mercy on her part as she spun around and with a clean swipe slit Zhain's throat and retired her scythe for the night, saying a little prayer as she called Zhain to her own army and subsided the dead for the night. They will be needed for a much later purpose she was sure as Ellris walked to the window that looked down to the blood drenched grounds. "Malchior and his … mate will be arriving soon, be sure everything is laid out as it should be. Make sure all that has seen you is killed. Can I trust you to accomplish this without incident?"

"You know I'd never let my Grandmaster down," Saligia growled, gritting her fangs together as she tried her best to stomach the fowl stench in the air, "it shall be done."

"Good … I'll leave you then," in the shadows Ellris vanished, leaving Saligia to clean up the mess with a simple raining spell that drenched the lands and using a few of her undead. She gave them back their memory of those living in the Palace and sent them on a rampage to make sure all that knows of her and her father's exists was cut down. Walking back to Zhain she knelt before him and tilted her head in frustration, I've never tried this before … but since I broke every rule in the "necromancy-law" I might as well …

Hand to his wound Saligia called to his lost soul from the plains and gritted her teeth when he fought back from control. Forcing herself to hold him down, Saligia slammed his soul back into his body, quickly healing the wound. His eyes shot wide open; breath became almost impossible for the already dead soul returned to life without a sacrifice. Before she lost him again, Saligia slit her wrist at the right angle to pour her blood out and onto his lips letting him drink it all the while chanting her controlling spell. Feeling the power over him fully submit she took a deep breath and pulled her wrist back, feeling him resist for a moment, but not enough to suggest his rebellion.

Saligia took a deep breath and brought a clawed hand to the back of his head and lifted his blank expression to her face, "You know not of what happened … you have seen not of the true murder … you have heard not of what has conspired when life once crossed your veins. The truth is my words … the truth is my eyes … the truth you've heard from me and only me. Believe me completely, for my knowledge is yours."

Without much warning Saligia shot a hand to the top of Zhain's head and pressed hard, flinching when his soul resist her to replace all his memories with her false lies. Yes, the soul knew they were lies, ever last one of the fake made up images that fluttered passed his eyes, they were lies that were meant for him to believe. Believe completely. Believe … completely! It was little Zhain's soul could do and with a harsh roar, he gave into the powerful young dragoness.

Her story now his memory.

Her lies now his belief.

Her pain now his.

Pulling away and letting him fall back onto the ground exhausted and tired, she knew her resurrected soul would not last … she wasn't strong enough yet to hold a soul in a body. Yet she knew he'd stay alive long enough for Malchior and Raven to come … speaking of the two, Saligia swayed in her steps as he tiredly walked back to the archway windows to look up and out to the drenched lands. Feeling sprinkles of rain splash on her face, she sighed and closed her eyes.

They're here … looking back to Zhain, Saligia tightened her grip on the window to make sure she didn't fall over. The spell had really taken a lot out of her and she wasn't going to sit back and wonder if she could take her brother or the demoness on in her state. Vanishing from sight, Saligia would never know she miscalculated her steps until Malachite showed his face from hiding.

He would be the only one to know the full truth … and he'd tell it to if it was the last thing he'd do.

--

"Tell me why again you had the pilot drop us off in the middle of the field and in the middle of the rain, again, Raven?" Malchior snorted and the best he could wipe the water from his face. Keeping a close eye on Raven who hovered above the ground parallel to him following towards the Castle was that was now within plain sight not a few yards away.

Raven responded with a sigh, "I just have a bad feeling is all … is that it? Grandmaster Zhain's Castle?"

"That it is … but first we have to get through the front gate."

"Assuming there's anyone there at all … look." their fast pace slowed to a steady crawl before Malchior stopped completely and stared at the gates with no one at their post. Sure it was raining, but there was always a spell or barrier put over the guards of castle to be sure that it was never unguarded. So with no one at the gates was cause for some much concern.

Slowly, Malchior walked up to the black iron fence and peered into the courtyard to see if he could spot any movement from the inside to the castle. Nothing. He couldn't even sense any kind of aura … not even Zhain himself. Getting even more so worried by the second, he lifted a clawed finger to the locked gates and picked the lock then pushed it open, turning back to Raven he warned, "Stay here, I won't be long."

Raven jerked her head back in disbelief, "Stay? Malchior, I can take care of my –"

Malchior interrupted, and Raven could have swore she felt her muscles and joints lock in submission to his command, "Don't argue with me, just stay put, Francesca's with you."

With that he disappeared behind the black gates leaving Raven alone with Francesca the white nightstalker that had taken her time with following them. Jogging up to Raven's side the drenched nightstalker mewed in question up at the annoyed demoness who was growling at Malchior's disappearance, "Damn dragons, and their damned egos, and their even more damnable over protective … don't have me that look Francesca."

Francesca blinked and tilted her head, not entirely sure what it was Raven was so upset about. Still annoyed, Raven flicked her wrist to erect a barrier over her head to shield her from the rain as she walked into the courtyard. Don't get her wrong, she loved Malchior, but she'd follow him to the end of the world, so why not start now? Looking about the eerily empty and quite courtyard – remember she practically grew up in a Palace so she'd know if something like this was creepy or not.

So this?

It was definitely creepy, looking for Malchior she spotted him carefully making his way towards the entrance in the castle, however. Whether he noticed it or not, there was a shadow following him, Francesca by her side growled furiously at feeling another threatening presences near by. Raven brought her hands up eyes glowing that infamous pale white chanting her favorite three words she lifted a random object off the ground and flung it at the shadow that snuck by Malchior.

Malchior jumped and hissed at the sudden movement, but seeing to was just Raven growled, "I thought I told you to stay out!"

"Since when have I ever listened to you?" Raven retorted, but her attention was caught elsewhere when an inhuman roar pierced the air and the creature she knocked out of the shadows bounced back and made a dash towards her. Eyes void of no will, and no soul to feel for, Raven dodged to the side and Francesca took the humanoid dragon down. Pinning it under her large weight, she snarled in it's face never knowing that he was already dead to even come close to understanding her warning.

Raven and Malchior distracted by even more hidden attackers jumping into view, Malchior grabbed one by the neck and slammed her up against the castle walls, feeling her claws digging into his wrist. Yet never letting it get to him, he growled, "Desist at once, we're not here to fight! Where's your Grandmaster!"

"Malchior!" Raven screamed from the side as she kicked off the third humanoid dragon, throwing him against a tree, only to have him come racing right back at her in incredible speeds. Though since she had been locked with her demon blood for a while it wasn't hard to follow his every move and caught the wrist with the claws that went up to take her head off. Raven growled and lifted him overhead then pinned him on the ground with her dark powers and looked up at Malchior, "Don't waste your time! They're dead, no heart beat, soul, pulse, aura, someone's controlling them."

"Obviously," Malchior sneered and lengthened his claws, releasing the dragoness with one fluid swipe he took her head right off her neck and watched her body drop motionless to the ground, "You don't think the 13 did this … do you?"

Raven snorted, "Not if they want to risk their necks. No, they aren't that brave."

Malchior frowned; this wasn't looking too promising, "Fine then, get back to the ship with Francesca, I have to check if Zhain's still here or not."

"Malchior …" Raven growled stubbornly.

The dragon huffed, "Fine! Stay here, but I'm just going into the castle nothing more."

"What if more of these things pop up?"

"I can take care of myself."

"…"

"Don't give me that look."

"…"

"What?"

"…"

Her violet eyes were a force all it's own, what male can deny her dry demanding: 'I-don't-give-a-damn-look'? He dared anyone to try, but his pride was being picked at with her stubbornness, he'd have to teach her to be a bit more subordinate later. At least for her own good, growling he gestured for her to follow as he entered castle, "God you're so stubborn. Stay close and don't wonder off."

She won, but would she regret it?

That was a risk she was willing to take, with Francesca by her side, the white nightstalker growled, snarled, and snapped at the shadows. She didn't like the darkness very much, especially one as ominous as this, her sensitive nose as well as Malchior's and Raven's all picked up the smell of blood. Strong and recent, but it was hard to tell where it came from because it felt like the castle was drenched in it! Plus the down pouring rain didn't help much. Locking the smells in, and washing away evidence, and to top to it the pounding sound it produced didn't help much for listening for the enemy either.

Thing weren't much on their side, and Malchior had a terrible feeling of what he might find. Something told him to run back and never look back … but his curiosity got the better of him. Glancing towards Raven he was glad to know she was still close as they approached the throne room … but even before they got there the undead made its elf known … in a miniature squad. Raven braced, "Malchior … are you beginning to rethink Rorek's suspicion about your sister?"

Malchior growled at the blank faced soldiers and court drake and dragoness. All dead, but with no signs of how they died, "Maybe …"

Raven sighed exasperatedly, "Good to know I'm not the only one."

Francesca snarled and once Malchior made the first move she jumped in for help, with little hesitation joined in and got a little bloody, but never did she actually "kill" them. She was dark … but killing someone wasn't in her department just yet, not like Malchior who seemed to have little to no remorse he was killing his own kind.

With a final swipe, Malchior got rid of the last dragon to get in his way and looked to Raven cringed when a bit of blood landed on her shoulders, "You alright?"

"At least their not zombies, where if they scratch you, you turn into one," Raven shuttered at the thought then looked up to the throne room to see the doors were opening, "uh … Malchior … we got more company."

Turning around Malchior braced for another fight, but stopped when he saw it was only Zhain, "Zhain … wha – what happened here?"

Blank gaze, lost and confused, Zhain looked around and Raven furrowed her brows in confusion, she could feel his soul beating, but it felt lost. Like it wasn't supposed to be where it was now. Even when he gave out a roar of anguish and pain his soul still felt lost, Raven backed up with Francesca crouched low ready for anything, her white fur already matted red with blood.

Malchior blinked, "Zhain …?"

"You … you did this!" the dragon roared then charged Malchior, before he knew what hit him, Malchior found himself pinned to the ground with a clearly pissed of dragon on top of him, "the blood of my kin is all over you!"

"Get off!" Malchior kicked the obviously insane elder off of him, getting to his feet and jumping back to gain some more distance between him and Zhain. Raven on the side with Francesca didn't know what to do. She couldn't really fight back if he was still alive, but he didn't feel alive for some reason. Plus … this could be just a case of mistaken identity. Malchior on the other hand was pretty sure the dragon lost it, watching as he carefully got to his feet, Malchior shook his head, "Zhain! I didn't do this, your clan was dead before I got here!"

"How dare you!" the crazed, and confused (Or is this something else entirely? Raven thought to herself troubled with the way he was responding. Almost robotic…) lunged at Malchior again, but just as he did, Raven quickly sank into her meditative state.

"Azarath … Metrion … ZINTHOUS!" releasing her soul-self, Malchior felt it and dodged away from Zhain to have Raven slam herself into the dragon with enough force to knock him back and skidding across the castle floor. (Actually, it wasn't that hard there was blood everywhere.)

Malchior looked back to Raven's floating body and to the possessed body of Zhain, not sure if what she did was very smart, he found her soul-self coming back out, but in the form of a raven and in her claws she tugged at Zhain's soul. Trying to take it with her, he fought and she felt he wasn't strong enough to win. Yet there was something else that was holding him down and she found out just what when a red claw shut out and scrapped at her back.

Immediately she pulled away and slid back into her body, gasping when the adrenaline was transferred Malchior rushed to her side to see if she was all right, but she pointed back to Zhain, "He's dead Malchior! His soul wants to leave, but someone's holding him!"

Malchior growled and turned back to the momentarily dazed dragon that was quickly turning to anger as he roared at the two, Malchior snickered and clicked his claws together, "Dead huh? That's all I need to hear."

Raven frowned, How the hell is the dead coming back to life? If it were Beast Boy he'd be quick to say radioactive zombies from the moon … but their not zombies! They don't want to eat us … they just want to fight us … Francesca looked up to Raven and noticed her head was bowed in deep thought never even paying attention to Malchior's battle with the surprisingly agile "dead guy".

He slide to the side in order to dodge a clawed swipe, grabbed this wrist and meant to throw him out the skyline arches, but somehow Zhain redirected his flight and bound off the pillar. Coming back to Malchior, Malchior leaned against the wall and dug his claws into the stone face to hold his body up as he kicked the on come Zhain in the chest.

Though it wasn't strong enough to finally get him out of the castle, Zhain came back, but when he did, Malchior disappeared from sight and reappeared behind him and before Zhain knew what hit him. His head was flying straight for Raven, Francesca snapped her jaws around Raven's pants and yanked her to the side. The demoness growled in annoyance, but when she saw the head rolling she blinked first, then frowned and shook her head.

"Do you really have to go over the top?"

Malchior, looking as his blood drenched fingers wiped it on his shirt with an exasperated snort, "Isn't it the only way to kill these thing?"

Raven crossed her arms over her chest with a scolding look, "You can stab their heart."

" … and that's anymore humane … how?" Malchior sneered and Raven rolled her eyes.

"Let's get out of here and tell the 13 of our findings … this is obviously out of our reach to fix. We have to find Ellris and Saligia, ASAFP. Francesca."

The white nightstalker growled in compliance and followed after Raven with Malchior still trying to wipe the blood off his fingers. Not that he was bothered by blood itself; he just didn't like the thought of it staining his perfect claws. That was why when they stepped into the rain he more then happy to get the blood rinsed off. Looking back to the castle he blinked and shook his head, What happened here was a real tragedy … but … if the 13 Monks didn't send us here for our death … then who gave them the false meet – no … wrong question … why did Ellris send us here

--

Me: … I'm diein' here … no, not entirely seriously, but my sickness that I thought was over with? Yeah … it's back and swinging the headache bat around like crazy! And every time I dodge I end up getting hit anyway! Ah … I know this chapter could have been longer … way better … but damn it! This stupid sickness won't go away! I'm shivering and feeling ready to fall over at any minute and this ain't no joke. No one in my house knows what it is and I might need to go see the doctor (X in the back dresses up as a doctor with a suspicious name of Pr. X Der) (shutters) hospitals … grr, don't like them, if you read my profile you'll know why.

Francesca: Mew …

Me: Aw … thanks Francesca, you're so sweet.

X: Finally, we get a break!

Me: Hopefully not to long … at least until I get fully better so I don't produce crappy chapters … ugh, the weird thing about this illness is I'm not even coughing or sniffling. I just feel so weak … ugh … l8er daez people …

X: Psst! Raven! now's our chance, play nurse and I'll be the doctor so we can put her out of her misery.

Raven: Hold on, let me find my nurse costume.

Malchior: O.o you have a nurses costume?

Raven: Don't get any ideas.

Me: It's hard not to. See ya guys!

Extra:

I'm going to explain Saligia's little evil gift:

Well, since she is the Death's Future Apprentice – I should have stated that instead to avoid confusion, and she's supposed to go around killing people in order to become worthy enough to be the next Angel of Death (Azrael, that's his name). Or she can just take the next best thing, become the next Grim Reaper (the MESSANGER of Death, so don't confuse it), but that's if she doesn't want to kill anyone and she doesn't.

Yet you guys already know Ellris doesn't want that he wants the full package, so he sends her on killing sprees to get her stronger and for his own little plot. Anyway, when she kills someone, she doesn't even have to perform a ritual of necromancy, anything that dies by her hands she can use to her advantage in anyway she wishes. HOWEVER what Malachite said was also true, there's a limit toher control, if she starts taking Death's Quota away (like, killing more then she can either handle or too much to force the world into disorder), there's going to be some punishment.