The Forgotten Vale, A Fragile Heart, And a Rickety Old Bridge
She groaned as she tried to open her eyes, the light was painful so she closed them tightly instead. The cold hard ground felt nice against her face.
Wait...? The ground?
Skylar's eyes snapped open as she remembered where she was. "Skylar!" She heard Serana call.
"Serana?" Skylar answered in a groggily voice as she sat up. She brought her hand up to the side of her head. It was the area that took the impact.
"Are you ok?" Serana asked as she quickly made her way through the water and to the island. She dropped to her knees beside Skylar and wrapped an arm around her shoulders.
"I think so." Skylar answered. "How long was i out?" She asked as she leaned against Serana.
"I'm not too sure..." Serana said as she looked around. "We had some company the moment you hit the ground." She said as she motioned her head towards a group of bodies. "My father's troops." She answered as Skylar's brow furrowed when she realized that they were all vampires.
"How did he know that we were here?" She asked feeling suddenly paranoid.
"Skylar, If I know my father well enough... He knows everything that goes on. If he wants to know something he finds a way to get his information..." She said as she Helped Skylar stand. "But honestly... I think we might have been followed." She said quietly.
Skylar turned her head suddenly when she saw movement out of the corner of her eye. "What is it? More vampires?" Serana said as she moved herself in front of Skylar protectively.
But instead of vampires Skylar's lip turned into a small smile when she saw Dash standing there waving to her.
"Serana is right." He said with a nod as he made his way through the water as so he could be closer.
"Skylar?" Serana asked.
"Dash." Skylar said as she leaned against Serana slightly. Serana nodded as she watched Skylar look at ghost that she herself could not see.
"There are eyes everywhere." He whispered as he looked around.
...Ok that's not creepy at all.. Skylar thought to herself as she subconsciously draws closer to Serana.
"What's he saying?" Serana asked as she hugged her tightly.
"You're right." She said quickly. Serana nodded. "Let's get off this island." She said as she swiftly picked Skylar up. Skylar yelped as she wrapped her arms around Serana's neck.
Serana chuckled as she began to walk through the water. "So what did you see?" Serana asked her.
Skylar leaned her head on Serana's shoulder as she closed her eyes. Images flashed before her eyes. "A weapon." She said quietly. The way she said it made it sound like she was actually talking to herself. "It's strange, I'm not too sure what it does... But it's powerful." Skylar mumbled into Serana's shoulder.
"What kind of weapon, do you know where?" Serana asked her when she made it to the land.
Skylar's eyes were still closed as she began to think. "The Forgotten Vale... Inner Sanctum... " Skylar paused as she opened her eyes. "Auriel's Bow..." She whispered.
Serana almost stumbled when she heard the name. "Auriel's bow? I remember my father talking about that every now and then, he said it would birth a better world for vampires, vampires would rule." She said with her brow furrowed. "Did you see anything else, a clue to what it does? Anything?" Serana pressed.
Skylar already had an intense headache, both from what she saw and her head becoming more acquainted with the ground.
Even so she took the time and thought for a moment before she shook her head. "I'm sorry Serana, there's nothing more. I don't think we will know until we get it." She said quietly. "No.. No.. Don't apologize." Serana said as she tightened her hold on Skylar slightly out of guilt.
She could feel the exhaustion just radiating off of the smaller girl's body. "You did great." Serana said as she placed a kiss on the girl's forehead. Skylar smiled slightly but couldn't help but feel a little upset with the fact that she didn't know what was so special about the bow.
They were silent for a few moments. Serana continued to carry Skylar up the hill and through the cave. When they exited the cave Skylar cleared her throat. "Um Serana?" She spoke up.
"Yes?" Serana answered her with a gentle smile that for some unknown reason made Skylar blush slighty.
"I can walk you know?" She giggled.
Serana hummed and still wore the smile. "I know." She replied. "But why walk when I can carry you?" She said with a little wink. Ok now Skylar felt as though her entire face was on fire. There was something that was in the look that Serana just gave her, something that made her heart skip a beat.
But then Serana stopped walking and looked around. "By any chance do you know where...?" She was about to ask but Skylar turned her head.
"That way. The Forgotten Vale." She said with a smug smile. Serana chuckled and started walking again.
Serana eventually let Skylar back on the ground and it was hours later before they arrived at another cave. Serana groaned as she looked into its darkness.
"Seriously? Why can't it be somewhere out here where there is not too much sun. Like a nice shady glade like the one we were in?" She complained as they walked in.
Skylar could not contain a laugh. "Not funny." Serana mumbled. She tried to make herself sound upset but Skylar could tell that she was smiling, just by the sound of her voice.
Skylar stopped walking when they made it to an old rope bridge. She looked over the edge, it was a long drop to the raging river below. "Ok.. Um... wow..." She said taking a quick step away from the edge as she suddenly felt dizzy. "Is it a bad time to mention that I can't swim." She said quickly. She wanted to run out of the cave and never look back.
But Serana's gentle hand on her wrist stopped her. "It's ok. I'm here." Serana Chuckled with a smile. But her smile faded when she realized that Skylar was shaking. It was legit fear of water.
Serana thought for a moment before she pulled Skylar closer. "Come here." She said quietly as she hugged her tightly. She rubbed Skylar's upper arms. "It's ok to be scared..." She mumbled as she began to think. It was that moment she realized what exactly it was that she was going to do. She was going to kill her own father, her flesh and blood to stop him from doing something terrible. By doing so she will most likely save herself and have a chance at freedom... And at the same time risk the one thing she really truly cares for.
Serana subconsciously brought her hand up and began to play with Skylar's hair as she was lost in thought. Did she really want to do this? Did she have the strength to... Could she risk the life of the one she loved to bring down her father.
She closed her eyes and breathed in. "Skylar." She said quietly.
"Hm?" Was the werewolf's reply. "I was thinking... Do you really want to do this?" Serana asked her.
Skylar must have taken it the wrong way. She instantly froze, tensed up and pulled away from Serana.
"Do what...?" Skylar asked her with her brow furrowed. She was scared to hear the answer, more scared than she was of the water. For some reason she thought that Serana suddenly did not want to be with her anymore, why would she? Nothing good ever stayed in Skylar's life... She had hoped that Serana was different, that she would want to stay with her... And just be happy. Skylar braced herself for the hammer that was about to come down on her heart for probably the last time.
Serana felt it, Skylar had taken it the wrong way. It was then that Serana Realized just how fragile Skylar's heart was. The reasons where unclear to her, perhaps one day she will know but for now she needed Skylar to know that She was not going to abandon her, she cared for her far too much.
She quickly reached out and took hold of Skylar's hands with her own before she got the chance to run, to never be seen again.
"Nothing like that..." She said as she pulled Skylar closer so that she could bring her hand up to brush a loose strand of hair behind her ear, she went back to holding the smaller girl's hands, as she subconsciously began to rub her thumbs over Skylar's fingers. "I was just thinking..." She began as she looked down at their hands. "That maybe this, what we are doing, our mission, perhaps... Perhaps it's too dangerous." Serana said carefully as she slowly looked up at Skylar who was watching her closely. "We could run away, away from my father, away from the war! To some place he would never find us." Serana said quickly. "We would be safe, and happy, maybe live in a place like that glade! Just you and me. In a little cottage perhaps" She said with a smile as she imagined a happy future.
Serana was about to continue but Skylar stopped her by placing a single finger over her lips. Serana's brow furrowed when she saw the sad smile on Skylar's face. "What a beautiful thought." Skylar said gently. "But..." She lowered her hand back down to Serana's. "Your father will never stop until he finds you... I know it's hard to hear, it's an ugly truth. When I found you your fathers troops were there, they found you and they will again if this whole thing isn't stopped... He doesn't sounds like the kind of guy that just forgets." Skylar said gently.
Serana looked down to the ground and released a breath. "You're right..." She said quietly There was a moment of silence before she spoke again. "Then I want you to run." She said as she looked into Skylar's eyes.
Skylar arched a brown. "What?" She asked with a dark chuckle.
"My father is powerful Skylar." She tried to continue but Skylar sighed and took a step forward. She placed her hands on either side of Serana's face before she placed her lips on Serana's.
It was a gentle kiss, but it was enough to silence her. She pulled away and placed her hands on Serana's shoulders. "I'm not going anywhere." Skylar said gently yet firmly. "I won't let you face that alone, you should not have to." She continued. "When you are there, in the same room as your father ready to face him, I will be at your side." Skylar said with a smile.
Serana placed her hand on top of hers that was on her shoulder. "I don't want you to get hurt..." She said weakly.
"I am a lot stronger than I look." Skylar said determined.
Serana thought for a long moment. "Ok." She whispered.
"Ok." Skylar said with a nod as she pulled her in for a hug. "Let's get that bow." She said as she pulled away from her. Serana smiled slightly but Skylar could see doubt in her eyes but she understood.
Skylar stopped before she began to walk across the old looking bridge. It looked like if a feather were to drop down onto one of the boards it was going to collapse. She felt Serana touch the back of her shoulder. But before she could turn to her she subconsciously took a little step back as Dash stepped in front of her, smiled, bowed, and skipped across the bridge.
"See it's easy! Nothing to worry about." He called.
Skylar shook her head. "Well of course it's easy for you! You're already dead!" She called after him.
But he cupped his ear and made a face. "What!? I couldn't hear you over the sound of your knees rattling together from fear."
He laughed. "Dash..." She growled.
"Dash, if you can hear me Stop teasing Skylar." Serana said with a sigh. Dash pouted for a second before he smiled. "Just take it slow, and don't look down." Dash said as he motioned her to come join him on the other side.
"Ok..." Skylar said unconvinced.
"Here I will go first." Serana said as she stepped in front of her. Skylar wanted to protest but Serana stepped onto the bridge before Skylar had time to say anything. Skylar covered her mouth and watched with horrified wide eyes as Serana gracefully moved from board to board until her was safe and sound on the other side.
"It's safe Skylar!" Skylar arched an eyebrow as Dash yawned and brought an arm around Serana's shoulders. It's not that Serana knew what was going on but it sure made her feel something deep within her chest.
"When i get to the other side Dash... I don't know how I'm going to do it... But I will slap you." She mumbled when she slowly stepped onto the bridge.
"Just take it slow." Serana guided her as she carefully moved from board to board.
"Don't look down don't look down." Skylar kept saying to herself. She was about half way across the bridge when she felt on of the boards crack under her weight. At that moment she thought that her heart had stopped and she was going to die right then and there. But She didn't, she kept moving. The longer she stayed on that bridge the higher risk of her falling into the river below, and by the looks of it there was no way in hell that anyone could survive that.
Serana's hand was outstretched for her to take when Skylar was close enough for her to reach. Skylar took her hand and Serana pulled her off the bridge and into a tight hug.
"There, you're safe." She whispered as Skylar wrapped her arms around her as well. Skylar looked over Serana's shoulder so that she could see Dash and gave him a 'you're so dead even though your already dead glare.'
He only raised his hands and laughed. "See was that so hard." He said in a pouty voice. Oh gods did she want to just slap him upside the head. But suddenly Skylar's eyes went wide. "Um Serana...?" She said cautiously.
"Yes?" Serana asked her as she pulled away. "Where do we go from here...? It's a dead end." She side slowly.
Serana arched an eyebrow as she turned around. "...I thought there was a path or something on this side." She said as she looked around. "Do you remember anything from that vision?' She asked Skylar.
Skylar shook her head. "All I know is that there is a path somewhere in this cave." She said with a sigh. "And obviously it's not on this side of the bridge."
Serana looked around before she looked back at Skylar with an apologetic look on her face. Out of the corner of her eye she watched as Dash skipped across the bridge again with a smile on his face.
"Coming?" He asked her. She tilted her head back and groaned.
Moments later Skylar was slowly making her way back to the other side but this time the felt the whole bridge jolt. "That's not good..." She muttered with wide eyes.
"Skylar... You better get your ass moving!" Dash screamed with a jump. "It's gonna fall!" He yelped.
"Please don't say that!" She said as she tried to take another step.
She looked up to see Serana who was already on the other side of the bridge. The vampire wanted nothing more than to so badly run to her and pull her off the bridge and onto safety, but she was too far away.
Skylar's eyes went wide. "Serana! Behind you!" She screamed as a group of her father's troops charged from behind.
Serana turned in time to throw an icespike at one. But there was too many. They were going to die there if Skylar didn't get her butt to the other side of that bridge and help defend.
Skylar began to move swiftly from board to board, ignoring the bridges creaky protests as she did so. When she made it to safety she quickly pulled out her daggers just as a vampire went to take a swing with their sword. Their blade collided with both of hers in a sparky collision. The sound of metal on metal echoes off the walls and rang in her ears. She brought her leg up to the vampire's chest and pushed them back, giving her a chance to lunge forward and dig her blades into its head.
Suddenly Skylar froze as a familiar scent found her nose. "There's another werewolf in here!" She said out loud as she kicked a Vampire in the head, sending him sprawling to the ground.
She was confused when she saw Dash running towards her. "And where did you run off to?" She asked him when she realized he had be absent for a few minutes.
"Doesn't matter! There's a huge wolf man coming this way! He's with the vampires, he's twice your size, I think you need to run!" He said quickly as Skylar fought for her life.
"And how do you suppose we do that huh?" She asked through clenched teeth. "I don't know, figure it out! You have more company!' He said just as a huge Werewolf that was standing upright made its way towards her. It looked pretty old and yet strong.
"Kill them!" A vampire ordered. The werewolf released a furious howl as he charged at Serana and Skylar. All of the Vampire troops jumped out of the way as The Werewolf grabbed Skylar by the neck and lifted her clean off her feet.
"Let her go!" Serana cried as she charged at the beast. But he simply picked her up by the throat as well.
With each of them in each of its hands it tilted its furry head back and howled in victory. His metal collar shined against the light from a nearby torch.
Skylar looked at the wolf as it looked at her. There was something about it, there was something in its eyes. But before she could figure it out The werewolf threw both Serana and Skylar on to the bridge. The impact of their bodies hitting the old wood was enough to make the bridge collapse. They didn't even have time to scream or cry out as their bodies fell.
Skylar could hear the Wolfs howls and Dash's screams as her body plunged into the icy waters below. She was completely terrified. She was going to drown. It was so dark.
She felt the current pull her down the rivers path. She didn't know which way was up. It was so dark. "Not like this!" She screamed in her mind. She felt her body crash into rocks that the current threw her into.
Her body hit another rock that forced all of the air out of her lungs, causing her to intake a mouthful of water.
Finally she seemed to find the surface. She gaged and coughed as she tried to remember how to breath, but before she could figure it out the raging water pulled her back under. But she had enough time to see that the water's current was taking her deeper into the cave.
She could feel herself losing consciousness from lack of air as her body tumbled through the water. "I am... Going to... Die here..." She thought to herself as her body hit another rock. She was pretty sure that at least one rib was broken or very badly bruised from the impact.
"I hope Serana is ok." She thought as she closed her eyes and allowed the water to take her.
Serana kept her head above the water, when she needed to she dunked under to avoid pointy rocks. "Skylar!' She screamed as she searched desperately for her. All that was running through her head was Skylar couldn't swim! She was going to drown if she didn't find her.
She searched as the water dragged her on. She dunked her head under the water, even with being able to see in the dark the water prevented her from seeing anything. She resurfaced and gave her head a shake to rid herself from some of the water. "Skylar!" She screamed again. Her voice was louder than the raging water and it echoed through the cave.
Serana's heart sunk when there was no response.
Eventually the water took her to shallow water. She stumbled slightly as she stood, she almost didn't remember how to use her legs, they felt like rubber. She ran her hands through her hair to get it out of her eyes. She scanned the area and looked around "Skylar! Please answer me!" She cried. Nothing. Not a word. Her Voice Echoed through the cave. Her own voice was haunting to her ears. All she wanted to hear was Skylar's nothing else. When she didn't hear anything Serana wanted to drop to her knees. There was light from a path that was not too far away, but she was not going to leave until she had Skylar with her.
Serana wanted to cry but she needed to search. If there was even a chance that she could have survived. No, She did survive! she had to. "Don't think like that!" She told herself as she gave her head a violent shake. As she did she saw something out of the corner of her eye floating in the dark water.
Serana's eyes went wide when she saw a body face down in the water. She charged through the shallow water and towards it. Serana could not hold it back. She cried out when she realized that it was Skylar. Her agonized voice echoed through the cave again.
She lifted Skylar clean out of the water and to the land where she carefully and quickly placed her on the ground. "Please! Skylar!' She begged as she began to do compressions on her chest. "Damn it!" She cried in frustration as hot tears began to pool in her eyes. "No, no, no, no! Gods No!" She cursed, she cried, she begged.
She tilted Skylar's head back and locked her mouth with hers. She gave her two breaths before she went back to pressing on her chest. "Please!" She begged to... she didn't know who. Anyone or anything that would listen to her.
Serana brought her ear close to Skylar's mouth. Nothing. Not a word, not a breath. She pulled away and continued working.
She continued her breaths and compressions, her hands kept pressing and pushing, and pressing and eventually she pounded on Skylar's chest. "Skylar!" She screamed helplessly. She Leaned over Skylar and looked into her face. "Skylar Wake up!" She cried as she took the girls face in her hands. "Please!... I need you!" She wailed. But there was nothing. No response, no breath... No life that she could see. She placed her forehead against Skylar's expecting her eyes to flutter open like they always did. But this time they didn't, there was nothing. She used her thumb to move a strand of drenched hair out of her face before she pulled away. Serana looked around for anything she could use, anyone that would help... They were alone, she didn't know where she was. "No..." She whispered as she shook her head.
Serana looked back down at Skylar and covered her mouth with her hands to try and keep herself from sobbing. There was nothing more she could do... "Don't leave me... Please..." Serana whispered.
Serana couldn't see but Dash was sitting on a rock praying, begging, waiting for Skylar to either die or go back to her body. "Come on Kid... Don't give in." He whispered. He didn't know it but there was a single tear that escaped his ghostly eye. "It's can't be her time yet... She's so young...' He whispered.
Serana sat there for a second in shock before she clutch to Skylar's body and laid her head down onto the girls chest as she sobbed. "Skylar..." She cried as her tears fell. "Please... Someone... help..." She Sobbed.
"Come back to me..."