Alina frowned at finding herself in the middle of the forest. Last she remembered she had fallen asleep on the skit heading for Ravka. Mal's arm held her secure. Glancing down at herself, she wore a black Kefta. Her hands traced the black threads. As much as she wished to hate it the memories were dear to her. It was a time when everything was right. She belonged to something. Felt she was loved, even if it was all a way of manipulation. Dropping her hand to the side she continued to wander the nightly forest. She recognized the area, she was close to the Fjerdan border. It wasn't long before she found a clearing near a lake. Stopping at the edge of the tee line, Alina spotted a young girl. The girl had light hair and blue eyes, as was common close to the Fjerdan border.

She watched a young girl swimming in a hot spring. Crouching down in hopes she hadn't been seen, Alina moved to take cover behind a boulder. Hearing footsteps coming from behind her, she froze at the young boy coming her way. He was about 13-14 years of age. Black hair, black eyes clothed in black clothes. To her astonishment, he didn't see her, didn't even acknowledge her. Watching him near the girl, she stood at full height still remaining hidden within the trees. It seemed she was in a dream, but this wasn't hers.

'Where is Sylvi?' He asked the girl.

The girl greeted him with a bright smile. 'She fell asleep, it's just us.' Splashing the water playfully, she beacons the boy over. 'Come on, the water feels great.'

Not bothering to remove anything but his outer shirt and shoes, he walked into the water. Alina watched them swim around for a while. Splashing water at each other. He'd chase her one moment and the next he was the one being chased. The girl walked out, shivering at the cold wind hitting her wet body.

The boy looked over at her, maintaining himself a float in the middle of the spring. 'What are you doing?'

'For a dive.' She pointed to the cliff rock at the edge of the spring, where the waterfall was based.

'Sure that's safe?' He asked.

The girl giggled, climbing up the rocky side. 'I've done it a lot of times.' Standing on the edge she grinned down at the boy. 'It will be fine.'

Alina knitted her brows at seeing the edge of the water being to freeze over. Flickering hers to the girl she spotted the movement of her hands. Looking down at the boy she watched as he began to shiver. His eyes widened at noticing the water freezing around him, trapping him with no escape. Alina clutched the tree trunk at seeing the girl climb back down with a rock in her hand.

The boy watched her with wide eyes. 'Annika, please don't do this.' His voice was raw with fear.

'I'm sorry Eryk, but I must.' Her steps had slowed down, but she kept advancing. 'I need an amplifier. I need to become a better, stronger Grisha.'

Alina's hand flew to her mouth in horror as Annika struck Eryk on the head with the rock. The boy gritted his teeth but made no noise. Blood oozed from his head, down his eyes, and dripped off his jawline.

Still, the boy tried to talk her down. 'I can protect you. I can make sure no harm ever comes to you or your sister again.'

'I'm sorry.' She raised her hand once more.

Alina saw another boy walk to the edge of the lake. He was older, maybe by two years or so. Her attention is drawn to Eryk as he yelled at the girl.

'Kill me!' He cried out. 'Take my bones before Lev does!'

'What the hell was he doing?' Alina watched the Lev boy run onto the frozen lake. Engaging in a battle with Annika. Their struggle combined with their weight broke the ice beneath them. Seeing Eryk swim towards the shore was a breath of fresh air. Only to choke on the same breath, when Lev caught Eryk's leg and dragged him back underwater, attempting to down the boy. Annika tackled Lev, giving Eryk the chance to pull his head up and gasp for air. Turning onto his back, he crawled backward before he managed to stand up. Lev pulled a knife making a run for it. It was at that moment that Alina realized whose dream she was in.

Shadow began to form underneath Eryk, answering the desperate call of its master. Unknowingly he shot his hands out, forming the cut. With a wave of his hand, it drove forward slicing both Lev and Annika. The bodies slowly fell into the lake, coloring the once clear water into a blood red.

Alina stared at the young version of the darkling. She watched the boy fall to his knees. His hands held out in front of him, shaking with adrenaline and fear. His eyes never wavered from the two Grisha he slaughtered. She stayed through the night, watching over him. Looking up at the sky she noticed time begin to speed, slowing only when the sun began to make its appearance.

Eryk stood from his spot staggering towards a rock. Taking a seat, he placed his palms on the side taking in deep breaths. Alina studied the young darkling, wondering what that complicated mind of his was thinking. She got her answer within seconds. For the hundred times, she was appalled. Eryk moved his hands conjuring the cut once more, only he wasn't aiming at anyone. No, he was aiming for his leg. She had to look away as the cut nearly severed his leg. The scream that howled out of Eryk urged Alina to cover her ears. She had never heard such a horrible sound. Only when it was quiet did she remove her hands and looked back. The boy was passed out over the rock. Before she could run to his side, a dark figure emerged from the shadows.

His back was turned to her, but even she knew who that was. His broad shoulders and tensed back were unmistakable. His black Kefta flowed behind him with each step. But how? Was she dreaming about him?

Aleksander stood by his younger self. His eyes scanned the once naïve boy. Desperate to make friends. At that time his mother was right. He'd always be hunted, even by his own people. Yet he has seen many of his kind die at the hands of those that envy them. Feared what they could do. Crouching next to the boy, he reached for his hand. He remembered the first time he learned what betrayal felt like. He vowed never to let anyone close enough to allow that to happen again.

"Aleksander?"

Jerking around he surveyed the tree lines for the one that voiced his name. A name only his mother and beloved Luda knew. "Who's there?" Getting no response, he allowed his shadows to creep out. "Show yourself!" A young girl stepped from behind a tree. She wore a Kefta like the other Grishas. Only this one was black with gold streaks twined with the black ones. Brown hair with hazel-colored eyes. She was beautiful to his eyes. "Who are you?"

"Who am-" She shook her head. "You're dead."

Not paying attention to her words, he took a step back. "How are you here? How are you in my memories?"

So it was a memory. But that doesn't explain anything. "You are dead."

"Get out!" Shadows flew towards her, as he yelled for her to leave once more.

Her eyes flew open with a gasp. Lifting her head off Mal's lap, Alina's eyes scanned her surroundings. 'What kind of dream-'

"Alina?" Mal ducked his head, pushing her hair away from her face. "You okay?"

"Tell me again." She whispered.

"He's dead." Mal pulled her into his arms, kissing the top of her head. "The Darkling is dead."