While touring the city he just could not enjoy himself so he turned around heading back for Jade's parents place. He knocked & waited as someone came to the door.
The door opened & he walked in heading for the dining room. Her dad was sitting at the table milling over a few books. He waited before saying anything so not to ruin his train of thought.
"You can sit Steven."
"Any luck yet?" He slid out a chair to sit.
"Well Krys is out for the day I already filled her in on the plan. She will be heading for Jade's place after night fall. She is to call before she enters, at that time you will do what you need to do to renter the dream realm, hopefully close to Jade again. At that time your main task will be to just keep the Shadow busy while Krys does what she needs to do."

"And how exactly am I to do that or know once Krys has done what she is suppose to? What if it can effect us both?"
"Hopefully you will know once she is successive. There is one more thing I will want you to have when you go to sleep."
"What is that?"
"You told me somehow Brigit's pendent traveled with you?"
"Yes."
"Well I want you to take that again & also hold this." he takes a dagger type blade that was resting on one of the book & slides it towards Steven who just looks down on it."
"What's this?" Already having a clue
"It is a blade sort of like the one Krys has with her. Maybe not as strong which is a good thing. It is only for defense…we don't want to kill the Shadow form…just stop it from trying to do it to you first."
Steven sighed as he nodded his head picking the blade up.

Diner was prepared early that night to give time afterwards for Steven to get his thoughts in order before he had to begin. After eating he retired to the room & awaited for word that Krys was ready. It was about an hour when the call came. Steven informed Krys to wait about 5 minutes before heading in. Getting off the phone he placed the necklace around his neck as he had before & also lightly holding onto the blade as he laid back closing his eyes.

*Dream*

This time when he entered he was already in the cave. The storm raged on the outside, it has grown since he was here last. He could tell as some of the glowing stalactites had falling from the ceiling shattering on the ground below. He moved forward into the cave doing his best not to make a sound. The essence of the dagger 'felt' in his hand, he carefully placed it into the waist of the pants he was wearing to hide his possession of it. Reaching the opening to the next cave he stopped looking around.
Ok where is it? I don't want to walk into there blind.
He saw Jade laying on the ground still hmmmm if I take the blade maybe I could cut the rope. He began to move into the room then stopped as he looked. That part had changed, the rope was no longer there. Why would she still be here like that if she was free. His movement caused her to move faintly.
"Who there?" her voice weak strained slowly she sat up. Shielding her eyes from the light. "Steven?"
He nodded. "Where is it?"
"Don't know"

Damn does that mean it went after Krys. "Ok we got to work quick. How is it keeping you?"
"Using my energy to keep itself going." He nodded moving closer.
"Ok just relax there might be away to weaken the dark connection it started…do you trust me?"
"Of course I do….but I can't loose him."
"No we only need to fix what was done…then the balance should be back." He knelt by her just about to reach for the blade to trace the marks as Jade's dad informed him Krys would be doing in the real world. He figured if it was done both places it would only protect her that much more…or at least get the things attention to get it way from Krys.

Before he had a chance to pull the blade he heard a muffled scream from another part of the cave away from his line of sight. "What was that?"
"Nothing please hurry. Maybe it is coming back?"
No something is not right here "Let me quickly check."
"No there is no time." Another muffled sound came from the same area of the cave. He was sure it was a scream that time for sure. He went to try to stand to check it out but Jade's hand quickly grabbed his. He turned to look back at her.
"I'll be right back"
"NO" His eyes widened faintly when it hit him. Damn it he fought the best he could to try to pull free of the cold iron like grip. She stood with him.
"RELISE ME FIEND!"
A cold laugh passed her lips the color stripping from the skin, the facial feature blurring & melding into a solid form. A third scream from in the cave caused him to try to fight again. The form of pure darkness holding him tight he tried hard to fight the feeling of life being drawn from him. What to do?…The blade?… Sorry Jade He reached with his free hand pulling the blade loose & just swung . The blade hit right across it's arm. This deep unearthly growl emitted from it as it let him go backing off slightly.
"You will not get to her." Damn that voice…the way it could freeze to the bone. He slowly backed up & every time it headed for him he would take a swipe at it. After the first blow it was careful not to let it happen again. Steven heard a few more screams from Jade…What was going on over there? He turned to try to get to her only to get his arms pins against his body in almost a reverse bear hug. Steven struggled the best he could. The problem the more he fought the stronger it would just get. Maneuvering his hand he managed to get it up enough the scrap the blade against it's arm again. It hissed & tried to squeeze him tighter. Moving the blade a second time this time actually stabbed it through the side of the arm. That time it let go almost yanking the blade with it still embedded into it's arm.

Steven rushed forward towards the sound again as it was busy with it's own pain. He found Jade tied & gagged behind one of the Stalagmites. He could see the 5 'wounds' along with the now 5 scratches. The wounds were turning redder from the infection they caused . Crouching he began to take the gag off of her just in time to hear her warn him to move. She rolled left & he rolled right to miss the swing of Shadow behind him. The swing scratched across Jade's arm, It turned it's focus towards Steven so fast to even notice it's attack frayed some of the cord holding Jade's arm. Biting her lip to muffle the scream of pain forming in her as the sixth & last part of the mark was formed in the real world over her chest. Closing her eyes as she felt a warmth wash over her body. She can't believe it took her that long to figure out what was going on. She thought it was the darkness attacking for Steven's returning.

She began to struggle with the ropes, but most of her strength was with the thing now fighting Steven. She had to stop it soon…some how as she knew in time it could catch him. Well there was one thing no longer held. Closing her eyes she opened her mouth beginning a chant that filled the room. After a few moments Shadow froze a wail leaving it's mouth . The sound so full of pain Steven ducked behind some stones covering his ears the best he could. The two sound almost competing with each other. Jade's harmonious & alluring, The Shadows painful & full of sorrow. Getting to a point where Steven felt he could uncover his ears Jade's Chant still filled the air as Shadows was not as strong. Walking into view He saw the Shadow was lowered to one knee. An energy filled the air. Slowly Jade's song also faded from the air. Fighting with her bonds again this time snapping the ones on her arms she untied the ones on her legs. Standing on shaky legs she made her way into view. As she walked her outfit changed into that of dark buckskin her hair done in a braid down her back tied with a buckskin thong. Walking slowly towards Shadow a hand touched it's shoulder.
Her voice a soft whisper that barely hung to the air. "We are both free….return to your home." It slowly stood up facing her, then bowing it's head. Stepping forward Steven feared seeing it raise the Dagger he just now spotted in it's hand. He though it couldn't handle it when it was ruled by darkness. The dagger stayed by Shadows side as it moved forward Jade's arms raised open to her side her head tilted faintly back. Shadows moved closer to the point they would of touched. Steven watched as the Shadow began to almost meld into Jade's Body.

It was then that Steven noticed the raging storm outside had quieted down into barely a drizzle. A cringe of pain heard as he focused back on Jade who was now lowered to a knee herself. He moved towards her to slowly help her up.
"Dang you're a good shot."
"Sorry."
"I understand…they will heal."
"Will you be ok now?"
"Yes…thanks…Catch you on the outside some time."
"Sooner then you may think."
"What that supost to mean?"
"You'll see."
"Oh? Thank you any ways…I know we hardly talked or seen each other for a few years, you didn't need to come after me."
"Yes I did…I haven't kept my promise like I should of."
"You have a life Steven, a life that doesn't need to have me in it."
"We will see about that." Before she knew what hit her he had a hold on her placing a deep kiss on her lips before turning to walk away. "Catch you on the outside." He then vanished from sight.
"Dang him." She then focused vanishing from sight as well.