This is the shortest chapter i've ever wrote. Again, it's unedited. Next chapter will be longer, i have at least 3000 words in it.

Thank you guys, for the reviews, they help enlighten me.

Rosewing86 : cheers for this raw chapter. Oh, i forgot, you know the ending. lol.

Enjoy

CHAPTER 8 …………. THE FIRE UNDERNEATH

" YOU filthy BASTARD ! Get your dirty hands off HER !!! " Richard's angry roar shook the entire room, the sword of truth rang sharply in the thickness of the air, glowing in a bright red light that matched the fire in his eyes. Within the same split seconds, the Seeker pounced madly at the man crouching over Kahlan.

As fast as he could, Darius tried to avoid the attack, but not without having a deep gush on his upper arm as the sharp blade of the sword sliced his flesh. He rolled down onto the floor, and Richard took the chance to wrap the thick sheet around Kahlan's body. Her heavy lids fluttered open as she felt his hands cupping her cheek. " Are you Allright ? are you hurt ? " he asked, barely audible as the words caught in his throat.

Her cold fingers were shaking when she gripped his arms and choked out " Richard … you come " He gave her a faint nod before calming her with a hug, when his own body was also trembling like hers. Sensing a blow from his back, he released her to block Darius's attack, and there was a loud clank as their swords met, sending sparks of fire along the sharp blades.

" Richard, don't let him get a hold on you. " He heard Kahlan's week voice from behind. " He's a taker, he will drain your strength " and the next thing, she was finally fell into the darkness she'd been fighting to escape from.

A snarl ripped from Richard's throat as he pushed Darius backward and knock the sword out from his grip. Darius rolled on the floor, and reached for another weapon he hid right under the bed. His eyes darted back at Kahlan as he held her twin blades on his hands.

" Don't – you – dare – to look – at – her ! " Richard growled. Swinging his sword around over his head, he lunged forward with a force enough to break the castle walls. Darius shielded himself by throwing the broken chair onto Richard's face, and it shattered on the floor. The fight would destroy the room if Richard didn't push Darius out with his attack. The two men colliding in the hallway, but they weren't a fair match. As Richard thrust his sword and Darius tried to avoid it, he knocked out one of Kahlan's blade from his grip and it fell on the floor with a clang. Without allowing him to return the attack, Richard hit the man's jaw with his elbow, and he doubled over to the outside yard, his face landed on the dirt.

Struggling to get back on his feet, he grabbed a fistful of sands from the ground and when Richard charged, he spun boldly and threw the sands right onto Richard's eyes. The seeker let out a startled cry, one hand clasped her face while the other swung the sword aimlessly forward. Within the handful second, Darius severed Richard's wrist with Kahlan's blade, and the sword of truth fell from his grip as the thick blood flooded his hand.

Darius wasted no time and gripped Richard's neck tightly, choking him while at the same time draining his strength. "Kahlan is mine ! " He cried against Richard's face, before thrown to the ground with a sickening thud. He reached for the sword of truth, attempting to use it, but the moment he laid a hand on the sword, it burnt his skin with a loud hiss, and he dropped it onto the ground, holding his hand and let out a curse under his breath.

At the very moment Richard held the sword back in his hand, it gave a whipping sound that rang through the air, red light glowed along its blade. The sword of truth synced with the Seeker's emotion and mind, it was full with fury, the same malice reflected in his eyes as he lifted the sword with both hands, roaring madly at his enemy who feared for his life. And with a lightning speed, he swung it forward.

Darius, who was on all four, lifted one hand above his head, surrendering, and the sword stopped right an inch away from his neck, brushing the hair below his ear. Richard stood rooted on the spot, his chest rose and fell heavily, his hands were shaking and his teeth chattering loudly as he tried to get his rage under control.

Under other circumstances, he would have drawn back his sword, but this time he couldn't. Fight as he might, the rage was too strong for him to conquer at the moment, and the will to punish the man was overwhelming. " She … Is – not – yours " he growled through gritted teeth, and before he could do anything to stop himself, he thrust the sword onto Darius's chest, burying it deep into his heart and he watched the horror in the man's eyes as he drew his last breath.

Zedd and Cara had been watching the glimpse of their fight from faraway as their horses galloping, one racing toward another, Neil was left quite far behind he couldn't possibly see what had happened. The horses came into a halt and neighed loudly as their riders jumped off their backs.

Cara stood straight with her eyes fixed on Richard, who was pulling out the sword of truth from Darius's chest with the very same murderous gaze that had not yet leave his eyes. Zedd was slowly approaching with his mouth hanging open. His eyes darted from Richard to Kahlan, who was wavering on her legs at the door frame, covered in a thick sheet.

It was then, that Richard realized she was there, and he spun boldly toward her, running with the blood dripping from the tip of his sword. She stumbled, and he caught her with both hands, the sword fell freely onto the floor, splashing the blood from its blade around the cracked marble and the wild grass at the front.

" It's Allright, I got you " he whispered. " It's over "

Author's note : No, it's not over yet. Leave me some reviews, i've got another beautiful chapter ahead.

Love,

Lonelylittledevil