Revelation

XI: The Dark Apprentice

Morning came sooner than expected for the group of elementalists and even more so Storm. He was still shaken by the short dream of the sil'lis hybrid, but he shook off the thought. He laid in the room's bed and listened to everyone else moving around. With a sigh he pushed himself up and to the side of the bed. A crash from came from a bedroom across from the hall causing Storm to look at the door. "I will get up when I GET UP!" "It's not that bad Serena. Besides, we can't stay much longer. We paid for the night, not the week." Morgan said. A few grumbles were heard and Storm heard a door click shut. The footsteps moved down the hallway where a few voices could be heard from the living room. Storm yawned and grabbed the shirt the Gierdëlien clothiers had sent him. After a few minutes, Storm was shuffling down the hall carrying his shoes and gloves. "Looks like someone has some more time they could use at the sleep station." Morgan said smiling at her brother. Storm glared at her with a finger pointing at her. "Don't mess with a mongoose before they haven't woken up yet. You should know, since I did the same to you when we were younger." Her expression went blank, "You win this time Storm." Madeline and Robin were sitting at the table talking to each other while Seamus had gone back to get Serena out of the room. "Come on Serena. Wait… I know what you're thinking, but don't do it. Serena… No no no WAIT!" A couple of thuds were heard before Serena yelled, "EAT PILLOWS!" Seamus walked out with a beard made from feathers. "I think I'm just going to leave her there for a bit more." His friends were laughing at the feather beard with Seamus trying to guess why they were laughing. "What's so funny?" He asked. Robin replied, "You need to shave." The tiger looked down to see the feathers stuck to his face. He brushed them off and went over to where he left his breakfast. Storm sat in the arm chair across from where Robin and Madeline were sitting. "Morgan was right Storm," Madeline said, "You look like you could have used some more sleep." Storm's ears flattened with his sigh. "I could have used a week if I was given the chance, but I'll have to settle with what I can get." Robin set down a mug on the small table in front of them. "I never did get to hear about you Storm." "Well, to make a story short. I woke up in Trinity Monastery located in Oaktree without knowing my past. I grew up and was attack by two sil'lis and then taken to Gierdëlien. I learned there that my memories were blocked from me and from there I had a few close encounters and then we met you and my sister after seeing the Storyteller." Storm explained. "It seems like you've gotten good at explaining your story." The mongoose nodded, "I've had a lot of practice." They continued to mingle in the living room until they heard Serena shut her door and walk out with a smile on her face. "Good morning!" She opened her eyes and a pillow knocked her flat. "Friends are friends, Serena, they don't play fair. They get even." Seamus said as he watched her toss the pillow aside. "Just because the pillow gave you a new look doesn't mean it's my fault. It was poorly made." Robin was hovering nearby twirling her mug around her index finger. "Will we be checking out soon? I get a bit antsy due to being an avid traveler." The rest of the group got up and grabbed their packs. Madeline said, "We'll meet you down in the lobby Serena. Make sure you grab all of your stuff before shutting the room." They all left except for Serena; she was busy getting her stuff together.

Everyone was outside enjoying the morning sunlight as Serena finally came out. "Sorry about the wait guys." "It's okay Serena. We were just standing out here. Waiting. For at least thirty minutes." Seamus said. "Oh be quiet feather face." Serena retorted. They started out back on the route from yesterday. While walking everyone was chatting back and forth as they walked through the morning sunlight now rising higher into the sky. Along the way they found an area that could accommodate tents, and they stopped to rest. Storm looked around and examined the trees. "This seems somewhat familiar. I don't know why, but it just seems that I have." Madeline had their tent out from its rope ties and was spreading it out. "They're just trees, and they all look the same. Relax for once." She said. Storm knelt down and helped fold it out. She shifted over next to him. "Besides, I'd like some time alone with you. We just got together and we haven't really had much time to ourselves." "Isn't ten years in the same monastery enough?" He said jokingly. She shoved him lightly, "Ha ha very funny Mr. Funnyman. I'm serious, though, Storm." He leaned over and kissed the side of her head. "You got it. We can go off somewhere this evening and do something by ourselves." They fixed the two poles in the ground and started moving their things inside. Everyone finished and decided to just sit around and enjoy the pleasant early afternoon. A few minutes passed by and everyone had slipped into a light doze in the warm sun light, but Madeline was still awake. She prodded Storm in the side and nudged him a little in order to get him up. "Storm, wake up. Everyone's asleep. Let's go do something!" He opened his eyes and looked at her. "Alright, but I would like to get a little more sleep if possible." He stumbled trying to stay on his feet as Madeline grabbed his arm and started pulling him away.

Böromer paced through the field of sil'lis watching them finally settle down. He passed Ragha as the sil'lis was getting ready to take an afternoon nap. "Where are you off to Böromer?" The black mongoose stopped. "I'm going for a walk. Make sure the sil'lis don't do anything stupid." He left Ragha to his own doings and walked through the shield he had put up. Böromer looked around and then started off in the direction Stormsurge was.

Madeline finally let go of Storm's arm and fell down next him. He had a dazed look after being dragged across the ground for a good distance from their camp. "This weather is so nice." She propped herself on her arm and looked at Storm as he recovered from the trip. "It is nice. I'm ready for a nap, though. Being dragged takes a lot out of a person." Madeline rotated around and jumped on Storm's stomach causing him to cough a little. "Oof; careful there, I'm not a jungle gym." She leaned down close to his face and rested her head under his chin. "I'll try to, but I know that you weren't as careful when you were younger; always falling out of trees and what not." "Okay, you're right about that." Storm wrapped his arms around Madeline and held her close. "You're also right about not being able to spend much time together after that night we met my sister. If she hadn't come that night we would have gotten the whole night to ourselves, but after that I was, well, unlevel." Madeline placed a finger on his mouth. "It's over now, and you've found out that half of your story. Now it's our time to write the future parts of your story." "How cute." Storm and Madeline looked to see someone standing beneath a tree. Madeline rolled off of Storm and they looked at whoever this was. "Do you mind? We'd like some time to ourselves." Storm said a little annoyed at people's habits of interrupting things. "Actually, I'm here to see you Stormsurge. See, you've caused quite a few bumps and jolts in my plans. I am Zetanus Böromer." The black mongoose stepped out into view with his red eyes staring down Storm's sapphire ones. The name sent a chill down Storm's spine seeing the one who managed to thwart the high Council and kill the other elementalists. "Madeline, I need you to listen very carefully. You need to get away from here." She looked at him with disbelief. "What?! I can't just leave you here!" Storm caught up and pulled her up. He turned to face her and stared into her emerald eyes. His were filled with sadness and fear. "I need you to be safe and in order for you to be safe, you need to get away from here." Storm turned back to Zetanus leaving a worried friend behind him. "My, my. We're quite the hero now aren't we?" A black sword began to form from red energy coming from his hand. Storm pulled out his knives and held them ready to attack. "Come, let me see your strength Stormsurge." Storm ran towards Zetanus and swung to catch him in the arm, but his attack was blocked by the sword and he was hit with the flat of the blade. "Keep your guard up. You'll never live long if you can't do that." Storm thought to himself, "He's testing me somehow. I have to be careful with what I do." He ran again at Zetanus, but the black mongoose disappeared. He reappeared behind Storm and said, "I'd love to stay and critique your moves, but I have a takeover to plan." Zetanus turned and landed a punch on the back of Storm's ribs. "AH!" Storm staggered to a stop from the force of the blow. Zetanus stood calmly flexing his hand. "It's been a while since I've hit something harder than a head of a sil'lis." Storm breathed in hard and shot a bolt of lightning at Zetanus. He raised his sword and deflected the bolt into the sky. "Pathetic. Simply pathetic." Zetanus created a similar attack, but it was from the red energy. Storm tried to block it, but the attack hit him in the chest and sent him flying onto his back. He stood back up, but received a punch to his sternum from the black mongoose. He fell to his knees trying to ignore the pain erupting from the middle of his chest. "It's quite obvious that you were able to defeat simpleton creatures like Ragha and Mora." Zetanus started as he leaned knelt down, "But I'm not a simpleton." He grabbed the hood of Storm's shirt and roughly tossed him forward. Madeline went to help him back up, but Zetanus shot a bolt of energy at her feet. "Careful my dear. He didn't want you to get hurt. Best respect his dying wish." Zetanus returned his attention to Storm who had gotten back up. "I won't die so easily Zetanus." He said wincing from the pain in his chest. "I would hope not. I want to have some more fun." The black mongoose lunged and struck Storm's parry with a hard push of force from his sword. Storm shook his arms to get rid of the buzzing created from the shock. The movement; however, opened a door for Zetanus to land a full force hit from his palm in Storm's chest. "AHHHH!" Tears ran down Storm's face as he felt the crack of bones beneath his skin. He place a hand on the area and felt the cross necklace Madeline had made for him on his birthday resting on top of his chest where he felt the crack. "It's such a pity to see you like this Stormsurge. It really is, but that's only your fault and not mine." Storm struggled back up clutching his chest. "I won't die. Not today and not tomorrow." He pulled the necklace out from under his shirt. "I won't die while I still have friends who are with me. I will not give up!" "Very well, but that's not my wish." Zetanus lowered his sword and lunged, and Storm raised his right arm to counter the swing. A flash of blue light blinded Zetanus before the impact and a clash of metal on metal filled the air. When the light disappeared a sword was holding his at a standstill. Storm looked down at the blade that appeared. "Star…" He pushed and made Zetanus stagger backwards. "You may have a magic sword to match your daggers, but that doesn't change how you are!" Zetanus' hand began to glow a dark crimson and his sword was enveloped in the same light. He swung the black sword and another blast of energy was sent towards Storm. He raised Star in hopes to block the attack, but it struck Storm before he could get Star into position. He was launched backwards and landed heavily next to Madeline. She knelt down next to him feeling where Zetanus had landed so many hits. "Storm? Come on. I'm getting tired of you doing this on me and your friends." "Step aside or perish alongside him." Madeline glared at Zetanus making him take a step back from the ferocity in them. "Very well, die alongside him!"

Morgan was asleep, but while in a dream she saw Storm approach her. "What are you doing here Storm?" She asked. When she looked closer Storm was the same way he was laying in the clearing. "What's going on Storm, what's happened?!" She asked scared for the way he looked. "I need help. It's Zetanus." With that Morgan woke up to see that Storm and Morgan were gone. She used her psychic powers to search the area and detected Storm and Madeline with another being not too far from where she was. The other being noticed her presence and locked her out by creating a barrier cloaking them from her mind. "Darn it! I need to wake the others!" She focused on them and sent a shock through their minds causing them to jolt awake. "Ayeyai! What's with the rude awakening Morgan?" Seamus said rubbing the side of his head. "It's Zetanus; he's found Storm!" With that they sprang to their feet and ran in the general direction Morgan found Storm.

"You're sister was lucky to have found us so quickly Stormsurge. She won't have such an easy chance now that I've hidden us from her powers. Let's get back to business shall we?" Zetanus walked up to where Madeline was crouching and knocked her aside with a flick of his hand. She slid to a stop and looked back at Zetanus. The black mongoose's sword was held above Storm's chest and ready to plunge in. "Sweet dreams Stormsurge." The dark sword flew downwards and Storm's eyes opened, but they weren't the same as before. The sword stopped shivering against an invisible force. Storm grabbed onto the sword and moved it away and threw both it and Zetanus to the side colliding with a tree. The black mongoose stood up and looked at Storm. He was standing up and was staring at Zetanus with his glowing eyes. Storm balled his hand into a fist and a trinity formed in the metal on the glove, but it wasn't the only mark that appeared. A diamond with two inward claw marks appeared on his forehead and set of blue marks appeared on his right arm up to his elbow. Zetanus raised his sword as he watched blue energy begin to spark around the ground and over Storm's arm. "This can't be a good thing." A blue ball of energy formed in Storm's hand that pulsated lightning from the white center through the deep blue to the darker blue surface. The glowing mongoose pulled his hand back and through the balled energy at Zetanus.

Roger and Digory walked along the forested path conversing between each other. "You know Digory, I'd like to meet that mongoose again. I want to hear the story first hand on how he fought off the tiger." Digory looked at his companion, "So would I. It's too bad we didn't realize who it was until they left." They stopped when they heard a crack to their left and looked towards the trees. "Is someone there?" Roger called out nervously. Suddenly a black blur shot through several trees and across the path and into the other side. "Jumping jehosephats! What was that Roger?!" "It looked like a black mongoose-sil'lis hybrid being thrown by an unseen force through several trees!" "Oh. I thought it was just a black object going through the air." They went silent when Storm appeared from the trees glowing with blue electricity. "D-digory. Here's your chance to ask the mongoose about his battle." "Y-you first. He l-looks a tad angry."

Zetanus staggered upright and ran at Storm. "Why won't you die?!" His dark sword was apprehended by the ancient blade as Storm parried the strike with a slow movement up, and twisted the other sword to bring Zetanus in close. With his hand gripping the throat of the black mongoose, Storm glared into Zetanus' eyes. "I won't die because I have purpose." Storm created a burst of energy in his hand and sent Zetanus flying further back. The black mongoose scrambled up and looked at the once crippled mongoose. Storm stepped forward, but a searing pain split across his chest causing his vision to blur. He staggered down to kneel on the ground trying to get his vision back to normal. Zetanus took the chance to make his escape while he had the chance. Madeline was following the path of destruction and was running towards Storm. He looked up from his position and saw Zetanus growing smaller in his blurring vision. Storm gasped when Madeline stopped and put an arm across his back. The initial pain from the attacks came back in full force and caused Storm to pass out in Madeline's arms. "Morgan! Seamus! Anyone!" Her cries we answered by the two lemmings on the road and the distant crunching of foliage as Morgan and the others appeared from the trees. Morgan knelt down and held a hand to her brother's head with a purple light. "We need to carefully move him back to our camp. It looks like Zetanus cracked his sternum and a couple ribs." They carefully and quickly moved their friend to the camp a few yards down the road. Roger and Digory helped them out as much as they could for being small. Seamus created a stone shelter for Storm to be protected under and placed. Morgan used her powers to slowly place Storm down and begin setting the bones back into place. Madeline began wrapping bandages around the patches of skin damaged. After a few hours Storm laid in a peaceful rest with Madeline lying next to him under the overhang. A light drizzle began to fall down as she carefully monitored how he was doing every so often. Everyone else was sitting in silence in their tents hoping Storm wasn't in any worse of shape than he already was. Madeline had fallen asleep with her hand resting lightly on Storm's chest as it gently rose and fell with each breath. For the most part of Storm's dreams they were blank with nothing going on in them.

Zetanus stumbled into his tent with Ragha and Mora snickering behind him. "The mongoose isn't as easy to kill as you thought was he Zetanus?" Ragha said mockingly. Zetanus glared at the sil'lis with hatred burning from his eyes. "It appears that way, but at least I inflicted damage to the runt of a mongoose. You two barely laid any damage on him." He cringed at a twinge in his back where he had crashed through so many trees from that one hit Storm gave him. "I guess he has us there, but the fact your beat up yourself and that he obviously is still alive means that you've joined our club of failing." Mora said adding more fuel to the building fire. Both of the sil'lis fell to their knees clutching their heads as Zetanus' hand started glowing red. The black mongoose stood up watching the sil'lis crumple with pain. "That mongoose is most likely on his death bed thanks to me. Our plans will go according to plan. You're lucky to still be breathing for being so insolent." He released his grip on them and the two sil'lis crawled out of the tent with migraines strong enough to split a rock. Zetanus fell into his chair using his power to try and brace his back and heal any internal damage. "That mongoose is more of a problem than what I had originally figured."

Underneath the stone canopy Storm stirred a bit and opened his eyes. Madeline had left to go sit with the others around a small campfire. He felt where his cross was over his sternum. For the most part he didn't feel the severe pain like he had earlier, but it was still a bit sore. Storm looked down at his arm the markings had shown up. "So that's what Morgan was talking about when I lost control when I saw her with a hole through her." He said quietly to himself. Storm slid out from underneath and pulled himself up using the shelter. After grabbing his shirt he went back to the clearing where Zetanus had attacked him and Madeline. The drizzle was still falling as Storm walked slowly into the area holding an arm to his side with his shirt in the other. The ground was littered with the small craters from attacks and skids from feet. Storm set his shirt down on a rock and let out a long breath before putting his hands out to his sides. He began to slowly move allowing his muscles to stretch out from being cramped. Each move moved smoothly as he practiced moves to strike enemies and continued to do so to also clear his mind.

Madeline sat with her arms wrapped around her knees while staring into the small fire. "We've got to figure out how to keep Storm from getting hurt. It's like an addiction he has or something." Seamus said trying lighten the mood. Serena replied, "I think the main issue is those stinking sil'lis. As long as they are around, Storm is bound to get hurt again. How is he Morgan?" The silver mongoose had nodded off and was leaning back against rock behind her. Robin nudged her to the side a bit. "Wake up Morgan." "What? Oh right. How Storm is doing." Morgan closed her eyes for a second and opened them again. "He's not there." Madeline looked at the silver mongoose. "He's not there?" She asked worriedly. "Yeah, but not that he was taken. The quick movements would have disturbed the field I had set up around the area. He must have wondered off or something." Seamus looked ahead with a blank stare. "Or worse…" Morgan's glance went blank as she quickly got up to run to the rock shelter. The others quickly followed after Morgan. They arrived to see that Storm wasn't there. The tension was broken seeing that he wasn't dead. "Now the only question is where he is." Seamus said. Morgan closed her eyes again to scan the area. "It seems that he's back at the place Zetanus had found you two." The group of them started in that direction and saw Storm laying down on his back. Serena leaned over to Morgan. "Is he alright?" The silver mongoose nodded. "Storm is fine. His mind isn't giving off anything different than normal. He must have decided to get up and do something. We better leave him be and let him come back when he is ready to." They turned around to return to the fire, but Madeline was still watching Storm as he stayed motionless on the ground. She turned around and was about to start walking back, but something stopped her. "Didn't you want to spend some time together?" She turned back to see Storm still on the ground. The voice was his, but was right next to her it seemed. "It's me Madeline, don't worry." She slowly walked towards Storm. When she was close enough Storm spoke out loud. "If you're wondering why I was able to do that, it's from sharing the same family as Morgan. That controlled break through with the power has allowed me to access only a few things Morgan can do. She wasn't born with powers like I was, that's why she has more advanced psychic powers." Storm looked back and up at Madeline. "Come and lie down with me." She continued walking and laid down next to Storm. "Why did you say that she wasn't born with powers?" Madeline asked. "That's how I remember how our home worked. Everyone has the power of fire there. Well those that are keepers of the secret our ancestors found. We're kind of a temple to put it simply. I don't remember much, but as part of a royal family I remember the testing you had to go through."

"It was an evening during the winter season as far as I remember from what my parents told me. The family soothsayer was reading the star alignment watching the two stars we've believed to grant our family the power of fire. Our ancestors were once part of the Cyndre branch, but in order to protect their home they broke off from the High Council and started the idea of the two stars giving the family powers. Of course, the concentration of people with powers created a community mostly populated by mongooses with the power of fire. There are the odd few other species, but Trojeim is mostly comprised of mongooses. Anyways, the soothsayer was watching the stars as they aligned. My parents wanted to make sure I had powers or that my sister would have powers. That way the royal family would have the power still in their line. The soothsayer didn't expect a visit by Godric as he turned the tables on the fire. That's where I came to be with controlling lightning. It was when I was old enough to begin training that I found out about controlling lightning. I was in the training courtyard with the instructor trying to get an ember or some form of fire to appear. I could hear my mother talking off to the side with my father. He was worried that I hadn't received any powers. Morgan was born after me, and in history the second born doesn't receive powers. My mother said that he shouldn't worry because they had a beautiful son born to them and the same with their daughter. The instructor stopped after I had rolled to the side to avoid another blast of fire. This had been the sixth attempt, but my parents wanted to know. That's when she shot another blast of fire and I blocked it. However, it wasn't the fire that had blocked the fire. It was a cage of lightning that had stopped the fire from hitting me. I pushed forward and the electric charged fire ball was shot forward. I returned the attack except it was a ball of lightning instead of a fire. I stopped after I had realized what happened. Ever since then, my true powers were hidden from the public to prevent claims of impureness. My parents weren't worried about that, but with the public someone was sure to have started something.

"That's how I was born and how Trojeim works. Morgan shared with me that she had discovered she had powers as well, except those were her psychic powers." Madeline looked over into Storm's eyes. They seemed more electric after the symbol appeared. "That's interesting how your hometown works. I wonder if they'll be willing to help against Zetanus." Madeline said as she carefully moved closer to lay a hand on Storm's chest so as to not hurt him. "I'm hoping so. I'd also like to go there as one of the next major stops. Not just for the sake of the mission, but I'd like to see how it's changed. There's only one thing that's stopping me, and that's Zetanus. He's nearby and has a horde of sil'lis with him. We need to stop him before he can move." "What about the sil'lis Storm? If there are as many as you say there are then how could the six of us fight so many off?" "It's simple, but dangerous. I have to kill the head of the snake. Without the head the body slowly starts to die. The same with how Zetanus is with the sil'lis." Storm explained. Madeline put her head in the crook of Storm's arm that was behind her and looked up into the sky. The clouds had lessened, but the stars were beginning to appear after the rosy light from the sun dissipated. "Of course, I said we'd be going to Verona Isle soon. That's closer than I remember Trojeim being. I'd like to thank you for being there while I was stuck under that rock." "You could tell that I was laying next to you?" Madeline asked surprised. She felt the shift of Storm's head in a nod. "In my slumber I could feel your mind next to me." Storm pulled his arm towards him bringing Madeline with it. "This is what I like; being able to just lay here, with you lying with me. I don't know what we would have done earlier, but this is just as nice." Madeline rolled over a bit to give Storm a kiss on his cheek. "It is nice; the cool night air and bright stars. How's the chest by the way?" "It's fixed for the most part. While sleeping I figured out how to channel energy from my powers into speeding up the healing process, just one of the benefits of controlling lightning and using it on electric impulses." Storm said as he scratched at the bandage. "Good. We need to make sure you stop getting hurt so often." Storm chuckled a little. "That's true. It does seem that way doesn't it?" They laid there in the short grass watching the stars slowly move across the black canvas sky. Storm shifted his arm to get up while pulling Madeline up in the process. "We better get back to the others. I'm sure they expect us back. We can't be without a tent if another storm moves in." Madeline stood up and interlaced her arm with his. "I guess, but would you mind if we did something before heading back?" She asked. Storm looked down a little answering her question with one of his own, "What would that be?" "I'd like to have a dance with you." She took his left hand in her right and placed the one that was around his arm, onto his shoulder. "It would be my honor." He moved his right hand up to Madeline's lower back and the two began to step back and forth to a song they both kept in time using Storm's mind linking power.

Morgan and Serena sat around the dim fire listening to Seamus lightly snoring in his tent. Robin had flown back to the town to grab a little bit of medicine to help with Storm's chest if he needed it. "Morgan, what do you think Storm will do knowing that he is aware of Zetanus being so close?" "I'm not sure Serena. I know that he'll want to put a stop to him." Morgan replied. Serena sighed, "That's what I figured. I hate it when this happens. Ah!" She cringed a little at the sharp twinge in her back. "Stupid rain, it stiffened by back and my back is acting up again." Morgan looked over at the wolf rubbing away the pain in her back. "Why does your back hurt?" "When I brought Storm and Madeline to Sunroost to help solve the problem there my back was injured a little in a battle. It's been a little stiff and sore since then." Morgan motioned the wolf to move over to her. "Come here and I'll see if I can fix it." Serena shook her head. "It's nothing, really. Just a pinched nerve is all." A rustling behind them hailed the return of Storm and Madeline from their dance and time in the small field. "Good to see you're up and about." Serena said diverting the topic of her back. "I'm feeling pretty good. I figured out a way to channel my power of electricity into impulses to provide energy in speeding up my body's healing process; that and something else, too." "What would that be?" The wolf inquired. "I developed a little bit of psychic powers by being able to control the next level of power I went through." He said through his mind. "So I see. Now we'll have better communications between one another if we need to." Morgan replied through the connection. Storm returned to speaking normal as he sat down. "I can't do what you can do Morgan, but I'll settle with what I have going for me right now." "Good. I don't need my brother showing me up with two powers; that'd be an insult to me." She replied with a hint of humor behind the words. Robin glided down and sat next to Morgan. "I found a few types of medicine if you need anything to numb the pain Storm. I'm glad to see you're awake too." She said handing the bag to Morgan. "Thanks Robin. I'm sure Morgan will find something. I wouldn't know the difference between an herb and mushroom paste." "That's true. You better get some sleep Storm. You need to make sure that chest is finished healing like you said." Morgan said as she prodded his arm. "I will. Just thought I'd make a quaint conversation, but I did miss out on the nap earlier. Goodnight everyone." Storm got up and walked over to the tent careful not to do anything to his chest as he ducked to enter. Before Madeline could get up Morgan grabbed her wrist lightly. "Madeline, you're the closest person he has right now. I may be his sister, but I haven't seen him for ten years. Make sure to support him and be there for him. He'll do the same for you. Just wait and see." "Count on it Morgan." With that the four of them doused the flames and headed to their tents. Roger and Digory were asleep in their tent that they put up in a bush for camouflage. Storm was rolled over on his side away from Madeline and looked over his shoulder at her. "Figured I'd be this way ahead of time for you to change; lessen the wear and tear on my poor frail body." "Ha! If frail body you mean iron frame then yes." Madeline said playing off of Storm's statement. He replied with, "I'm like a delicate peach." "Yeah, a delicate peach with an idea to get some sympathy." Madeline pulled her dress up and over her head to be placed at the foot of the tent with their packs. She replaced it with a light shirt and a shorter pair of shorts to sleep in. "You can turn back over delicate peach." Madeline said as she pulled the blanket up. Storm rolled to his other side and yawned. "I was just about to fall asleep too." Madeline rolled onto her side to face Storm. "What a pity." Storm placed his hand on Madeline's and grasped it softly. "Goodnight Madeline." "Goodnight Storm." She closed her eyes and heard Storm's voice in her head. "I love you." She smiled softly and moved in closer to Storm so their noses could touch lightly. She replied through the link, "I love you too." The two of them slipped off into their own dreams still holding one another's hand.