Sacred Sacrifice

Chapter 32

Author Notes: It's that time again ladies and gents. Honestly it's amazing that i've still continued this series especially since it's both old as well as the fact i have not played my candy love(don't own) in years. Oh well, ce la vie lol. Let's go.

3rd P.O.V

She awoke with bits and pieces of her memory catching up. She remembered her nightmares with Dakota, she definitely remembered Armin and the others there, trying to help her. Everything that happened before was a bit of a struggle.

Shadow for the first time since...well, her comatose sentence and death...ached. Wounds were opened, leaking into a small puddle on the ground. Her wrists were wrapped in magic chains, binding her to what she could only assume was Hell's lowest dungeon floor.

This wasn't her first time in such a bleak tortorous area, but it is the first time she personally was there for more than to deliver reports. Frankly she didn't see the appeal, though those that were down in such an uncomfortable atmosphere usually deserved it.

Reserved for the cruelest of souls. Those lacking remorse-who took pleasure in the suffering of any and all they wronged. A place where those souls are damned to an eternity of suffering until their souls broke. Then and only then could they be purified and given a chance to be reincarnated.

It was where Dakota was once upon a time, though, his sou didn't break when he got out. If he thought Shadow would break under the physical and mental strain...he was going to be in for a rude surprise.

Unfortunately that didn't mean she was breaking out anytime soon. The guardian had no energy, her powers were stripped away and there was no denying she was slashed and bruised. It was a miracle she was no longer humuna, otherwise she would've died countless times.

All the more reason for the others to not come here. Armin and Alexy-those two were at risk. Even if they wanted to help her, it ewould be too dangerous. And as much as she wanted her sister to come to her rescue-it'd be agony for her holy body to endure.

Which was why she shattered her nightmare before a decision could be made between them. Despite being unconscious, her mind riddled with terrible whispers and phantom pains, she heard their conversation. She was well aware of Armin's love and worry over her incapacitated form.

This was exactly why she wanted to create distance between them. it was a lost cause, she knew that, but that didn't mean she didn't want Armin safe of all this horror. He...and his friends and family...didn't deserve to undergo such an insufferable fate.

"Well...look who's awake." Shadow narrowed her eyes. "Dakota." He grinned at her while he approached. His movements were graceful yet timed, as if he was practicing his arrival. Considering his caution over her, as well as his ego-it wouldn't have surprised her if he did.

Practice makes perfect, it was how he was able to get so many woman under his control, the bastard. "My my, I must say, red looks wonderful on you Shadow. It really compliments the bruises." Ohhhh just wait you prick.

The moment she was free from these chains, she was ending his existence for good. Even if it meant another punishment, she would happily serve his fate on a bronze platter. Man didn't deserve silver or gold.

Still she said nothing, knowing that would bother him more than anything else. And she was right when he reached forward, grabbing her chin to force their eyes to meet. "I don't like being ignored Shadow. Won't you say something?" She mustered a crimson coated smile, before spitting a wad in his eye.

"Arrh! You-bitch!" He punched her in the stomach. He smacked her across the face. He kicked her in the chest. Still she smiled, defiant. "You won't win this time Dakota. The moment i'm free, that's it. Your death will come." He was breathing hard now, his face flushed with anger.

He never did like her, but it was all there to see. "Well see about that Shadow. Without you Dimitry has no one capable of stopping my army. Without you, those precious humans of yours will die a slow painful death." As worried as she was for them, she knew her allies weren't pushovers.

All three realms were together, they would fight Dakota's advances. They just needed to hold on until she found the opportunity. "I know what you're thinking, give it up. I have all of hell's greatest evils at my disposal, even with your warnings there is no hope for them." The wretched male planted a kiss to her neck.

She hissed both in disgust and pain as his dark magic spread through her. "Perhaps you should worry more for yourself my dear. As time ticks on, and the more evil you slay should you be released, the more waves of agony that carries in your flesh until your soul shatters."

The mark pulsed against her body, causing her to glare at him. The wicked entity was still smiling, confidence oozing from his figure as he snapped his fingers. "I'd love to stay and torture you some more...but I have realms to conquere, I'll leave you with some company though. They're quite...romantic." Dread coiled around her stomach.

Though she showed no reaction to him or the males that entered as he left, she found herself internally panicking. She had to get out of here. "Well isn't she a beauty." She could sense their lust, she could see the malicious intentions in their eyes.

She told Armin she would endure whatever Dakota would do to her, and she would. "It's been a long time since I got to have some fun." However...she didn't want it to be like this. She closed her eyes, mustering what magic she could.

Still, she had no energy, but Hell's warrior would not become some plaything to a bunch of bastard beings. "Try to relax babe. We'll go easier on you if you do." So summoning what powers lay dormant within, she surrounded herself with a barrier. "Hey!"

They bashed on her protective magic, trying to break through. "You can't keep this up forever!" It was bad enough she allowed Dakota to get too close to her, as if she'd let anyone else try to lay a claim. "Once we break through-" Somehow, Shadow will kill them before they get the chance.

For now...she had to endure. A sigh escaped her, she could feel Armin's panic. It was too risky to try and call for him. To see what's happening in the earth realm-not to mention she didn't want him to see what was going on with her.

Her situation would only increase his desire to enter Hell. Endure. Endure. Do not fall asleep. Do not waver in concentration. She had to keep the faith that whether Dimitry and Priya come to her aid or she finds the strength to break free herself-that time would come and she'd be able to take it.

'Hang in there Shadow...i'm on my way.'

Idiot! She wanted to scream. The bound protector of realms wanted to bash her head against the walls of her prison. Without any warning he connected them, sending his thoughts, feelings and eyes through space. Which meant...she could see him, his brother, Priya, Castiel and Lysander opening the gates.

'What the hell is this!? What is that bastard doing to you!? Wait-is that a hickey!?'

Which means the now enraged gamer could see her bound, keeping a group of unruly, evil spirits from trying to have their way with her injured being. This really wasn't her week. Maybe it wasn't even her year.

'Armin, it's too dangerous for you and Alexy to-'

'Like it isn't dangerou for you!? I already told your sister that there was no way I was leaving you to face this crazy shit alone! I swear when I see that Dakota guy, I'm killing him!'

'You'll have to get in line.'

'Fine by me! So long as you're safe. Hang in there Shadow. I'm coming.'

'I heard you the first time-again, no.'

'Look I know you don't want to hear it but I love you. I already got Dimitry's blessings to save you-he even gave me a weapon to fight off anything without a pulse. So whether you like it or not i'm heading your way.'

It wasn't that she didn't want to hear him say he loved her. Far from it. That day he kissed her, when they shared memories she wanted to give in. To fall into his arms and let go. However that could never happen.

She's been a guardian for so long, even should this battle end with Dakota dead and her still in one piece there was no denying she wasn't human. Hadn't been human in so long. The happy future Armin deserved...she could never grant.

Children were impossible. She would constantly put her duties of guiding souls before him. She was a caged bird, he was free. Free to live, die, be reborn to repeat the cycle of human life all over again. Whereas she was lost in time. To never age.

Her sister was able to find her lover again despite probably waiting years if not decades for him to be reborn, miserable in the time spent waiting. Shadow wasn't that strong. There was no way she could wait and go through that painful process again and again.

'Shadow...please don't cry.'

'Please...when all this is over, forget about me.'

'Shadow-Shadow don't close your eyes! Stay awake! We're almost there. Shadow! SHADOW!'

Closing her eyes, she let her connection with Armin break off. "The barriers gone!" The power that managed to create her protection surged, spreading like a an extended hand. It grew and grew. "Now let's have some fun-" Her body pulsed, the mark on her neck burning when she released her magic.

In a single blast it destroyed the spirits, disitegrating their forms into nothing. The wounds screamed as they opened further. Her mind blacked out, returning her to the hellish nightmares that were her memories. Even when hands and voices approached her body...she could no longer sense anything.

to be continued

Author Notes: Not gonna lie...the curse thing was a last minute idea and honestly...it works. At the very least it helps with the plans I had originally intended for this story. But yeah i'm gonna end that here.

As always everyone, thank you all so much for reading my story. If you like it please feel free to fav/follow/review as it woud mean a lot to me. Always a joy to find people liking the series along with me lol.