"Look over there!" Came a familiar voice through Elaina's warm darkness.
"No way, it can't be!" Came another as strong arms wrapped around her.
Shivering in pain Elaina tried to pry herself free of the embrace. "It hurts." She growled keeping her eyes shut.
"Oh my gosh!" Gasped another voice, "Look at her back!"
"What the hell happened?"
Despite Elaina's best attempts at getting out of the arms that held her she did not succeed as they tightened their grip.
"We need to get her back to camp." Came a deep masculine voice that made her heart race.
Squinting through one eye Elaina looked up at Chase, only he didn't quite look like Chase. His hair was longer and he had grown a goatee.
"What..." Elaina's voice came out hoarse as a coughing fit overtook her.
"Just try to relax." Chase urged quickening his pace.
"What's going on?" Elaina asked after the coughs ended.
"That's what I want to ask you." Cha
When Elaina was done talking all eyes were on her and they all looked like they would bulge out of their heads at any second."Did I grow a second head or something?" She asked now bristling. "Why are you looking at me like that?""No." Samantha said quickly. "Just, how could it be possible that you were only there for a few days, but it has been six months here?""Warped time?" Elaina offered shrugging. "I'm just trying to wrap my head around the fact I lost half a year in such a short amount of time.""Is that really the real issue here though?" Charisse chimed in.She was right the amount of time that Elaina was gone wasn't the issue right now, the issue was the fact that the war was going on and she didn't know how it had been going.If half their warriors were already taken out what did that mean for those who remained? Did they stand a chance against Rathial's dark army?"Tell me about what all of you hav
"Is that...." Samantha began before covering her mouth with a hand."Behemoth." Elaina said happily. "I told you that stupid rat was useful."Everyone was staring wide eyed at the herd of Behemoth beasts heading towards them."What do we do now?" Charisse asked coming up and grabbing Elaina's arm."We need to try to make nice with them." Elaina responded. "How else will we be able to use them?""How do we do that?" Oliver asked scratching his forehead."We let them come to us and then go from there."This was the opportunity that they needed to turn things around and they couldn't mess it up. Taking a deep breath Elaina began moving forward."Elaina wait." Came Chase's voice from behind her as a large warm hand wrapped around her wrist."What's wrong?" Elaina asked eyeing Chase.She hadn't noticed it earlier but he looked so worn out. "Are you sure this is a good idea?&nbs
Pulling away Elaina looked to Chase wide eyed."Why did you do that?" She demanded as a bright red flush began to creep up her cheeks. "Is this truly the time?""You didn't seem so opposed." Chase smirked.He was right she hadn't been opposed, but that didn't mean that she didn't understand why he had done that out of the blue. Especially when they didn't have the time to be focusing on silly things like romance when there was an impending war."Can you not behave yourself?" Elaina asked narrowing her gaze.Seeming unphased Chase continued to smile, "After six long months, no I can't."Elaina could feel her heart doing tiny flips within her chest at his words. Again she was reminded of the fact it had been six months in their time that she had been gone. The idea of that much time passing without her even being aware still blew her mind."This needs to stop Chase." Elaina murmured looking down at her hands.&nbs
Rathial was standing right in front of Elaina and he was looking mad. She hadn't expected any less from him, but she wasn't expecting him to find her this soon. She couldn't help but wonder if he had been waiting this whole time for her to fall asleep just so he could come get her."We meet again little warrior, you were quite naughty running away like that." Rathial said conversationally walking towards Elaina.Elaina tried to move only to find that her feet were securely rooted to the ground. It looked like Rathial wasn't going to even give her the option of trying to fight against him."This isn't very fair now is it?" Elaina mocked giving a pointed look at her feet.Was he so afraid that she would do something to him if he allowed her to move?"Do you truly think I care about fair?" Rathial asked grabbing ahold of Elaina's face. "I am the dark king, I have no reason to do anything fair."The smell of sulfur attack
"Before we do anything I need to see Chase." Elaina announced jumping up.She wasn't sure how Chase was doing or if what happened when she was with Rathial was actually a thing, but she couldn't quite calm down until she saw him.Looking around wildly she found him sleeping nearby. Letting out a breath she quickly made her way over to him."Chase..." She said cautiously reaching out a hand. "Chase, are you okay?"The sleeping Chase let out a long breath and a grumble before opening one eye to look at Elaina."What's wrong?" He yawned. "Did something happen.""Are you really okay?" Elaina asked slumping down to her knees beside him."Wha...." Chase began just as Elaina grabbed him and kissed him hard.Even she was unable to really understand what she was doing, but when she saw Chase alive and well she couldn't stop herself from moving.Chase didn't move at first but soon his arms wrapped str
When Elaina arrived at the tundra she was relieved to find that the behemoth beasts had remained in place overnight and seemed to be waiting for her and her friends. Stepping forward she made her way to the closest one that seemed to be their leader."Are you willing to help us?" She murmured rubbing the creatures nose.Huffing the creature nudged its snout closer to Elaina's hand as if indicating that it was agreeing with her."Now, how do we get you back to camp?" Elaina wondered to herself turning so that she could face her comrades. "Anyone have any ideas?"Samantha shook her head slowly but seemed to be deep in thought."If I remember correctly there are multiple lands in Ezra's realm, but exactly which direction to go is lost to me." Oliver said rubbing his chin."What about the rat?" Charisse asked."I haven't seen him since we arrived here." Elaina responded frowning."Did it bring us here and abandon us?" C
The acid rain lasted about an hour before finally letting up allowing Elaina and her friends to go out in search of the behemoth beasts that they had let run free.It didn't take long for them to find the beasts huddled together in another cave just on the outskirts of the deadlands resting. Despite the danger that they had just been in the beasts seemed oddly at ease."Sturdy beasts aren't they." Oliver muttered looking impressed."Or they're just dumb." Charisse offered squinting at the beasts that were watching her with narrowing eyes."I think they understand what you said." Elaina said with a laugh. "Better be careful they don't turn on you.""Shut up." Charisse snapped bristling."We don't have time for this we need to get through the deadlands before more acid rain comes." Samantha pointed out."Right." Elaina agreed with Samantha they needed to get going. Not so much because of the rain, but inste
Instead of sleeping that night Elaina decided to take it upon herself to stay up and keep watch. Something had her feeling on edge and she couldn't shake the feeling of foreboding that was trying its best to overwhelm her. When the sun rose the next day she couldn't help feeling thankful.Standing up from her lookout point she stretched allowing her sore muscles to expand only to have to stop when her whip marks tugged painfully. Wincing she ignored their screams of protest and went to wake up the others so they could get a move on."Wake up." Elaina murmured first kneeling beside Chase who was sleeping soundly."Mmmmmmm" Chase murmured rolling over and grabbing Elaina's hand. "Five more minutes.""No can do." Elaina said pulling her hand away. "We've got to get moving and I still need to wake the others.""No fair." Chase grumbled opening his eyes and locking them with Elaina's. "Good morning." He said flashing
Six years later....Elaina watched as Carson and Lianna played in the field just beyond the crystal caves entrance. The little boys curly white hair swayed in the soft breeze as he tried with all his might to swipe it out of his face. Beside him his little sister picked a flower and shoved it at his face while giggling. Swatting the flower the boy attempted to try to act tough.Chuckling Elaina limped forward to join her children. After so many years she still couldn't stop herself from looking down at the metal leg she was now sporting and smiling, it was after all a reminder of the greatest victory of her life.Lianna was the first to hear her approach. Turning she locked her big green eyes that resembled Chase's on Elaina before giving a big toothy grin."Mama!" The little girl called jumping up and running to her. "Mama, look what I picked for Carson!"Elaina smiled at her daughter, "I saw i
"You did well child." Ezra's soft voice floated to Elaina as she hovered peacefully in the darkness. "But now is not your time to leave.""What do you mean?" Elaina asked looking around only to find emptiness. "I've already died.""Your human self died." Ezra corrected. "Your dark self has not." He continued."But I'm so tired." Elaina sighed as she felt herself slipping again."Child, I still have something to ask of you." Ezra continued drawing Elaina's attention to him."What's that?" Elaina asked."I need you to lead the underworld now." Ezra said carefully. "With Rathial gone there is no one to take his place, except you of course.""What do you mean?" Elaina demanded. "How could I possibly do something like that? What about my friends and Chase?"Laughing Ezra began to take form as Elaina's darkness turned to the lush green flower field again. Attempting to stand Elaina collapsed,
Rathial snarled at Elaina as she began to move towards him. Behind her lay a pile of dead dark warriors that hadn't been able to hold their own against the infuriated Elaina."So glad to see you coward." Elaina beamed as she continued moving forward. "Thought you'd be safe hiding down here did you?"Feeling her rage building Elaina lunged at Rathial slashing her sword towards his chest. Easily dodging Rathial cackled as Elaina righted herself ready for the next attack."What do you expect to do letting your anger get the best of you?" Rathial taunted. "You came here looking to easily die didn't you."Snapping his fingers he tried to use his power against Elaina, but it didn't work. With her human self gone she was now immune to any and all dark powers, after all she was amongst the dark herself now."That trick won't work on me this time." It was Elaina's turn to laugh.Caught off guard Rathial didn't have
Elaina woke earlier than Chase the next morning. Sounds of people beginning their day could be heard just out in the hallway as she quickly searched for her clothes. After Chase had fallen asleep the night before, Elaina had made a decision and now she planned on setting that choice into action. Fully dressed she looked to Chase once more before quickly rushing out of the room.As Elaina made her way through the bunkard she ignored the glares that she recieved from the few warriors that were roaming about. Their looks of disgust and distrust no longer mattered to her, after all she was leaving this place anyway.Waving she quickened her pace and hurried up the stairs and out into the open air beyond.The sky remained a bloody red above as ash had begun to fall. Taking in the scene Elaina strengthened her resolve. She was no longer going to wait around for Rathial to come to her, instead she was going to go to him.
"What's going on?" Christopher asked as Elaina and Chase entered the room. He had been lounging on his bed reading through a book on mythical creatures when they arrived. "Why is Elaina here?""Are you using that to learn more about yourself?" Elaina asked ignoring Christopher's questions and snatching the book to examine it. "Look up abaasy.""I know." Christopher huffed taking the book back. "Why are you here?""I wanted to talk to her alone." Chase said giving Christopher a pointed look.Taking the hint Christopher grudgingly got up and stomped towards the door. Giving Chase an annoyed glance he walked out slamming the door behind him."Was that really necessary?" Elaina asked keeping her gaze fixed on the door. "Does he not know about your parents?""Not many know." Chase admitted before motioning for Elaina to have a seat. "It happened so long ago that the younger warrior's weren't old enough to
"You should have fought back." Samantha lectured as she worked on patching up Elaina's more severe wounds.As Elaina had insisted earlier most had begun to heal already, at least the ones that weren't so bad. Elaina didn't know if she should be thankful for her new quick healing ability or be sad since it meant that she truly no longer was a human."If I fought back would it make them trust me?" Elaina asked instead catching Samantha off guard."Would you be able to earn their trust if you died?" Samantha countered shoving a stitch through a particularly severe wound on Elaina's shoulder."I can't die again Samantha." Elaina pointed out.Frowning she tried to come to terms with the fact that she couldn't even feel the needle going through her skin, Elaina let out a long breath."You don't know that for sure." Samantha said as she finished her suturing."I'm technically dead." Elaina countered.Samantha stopped what she wa
The crowd gathered around Elaina had grown immensely and had backed her into a wall. Keeping her expression calm she stared ahead waiting to see exactly what these people intended to do to her."You shouldn't look so cocky still monster." The man who had started the whole ordeal bellowed as the group behind him agreed."Pathetic." Elaina hissed. "Picking on a defenseless woman.""I don't see a defenseless woman." The man laughed. "Only a monster."Elaina couldn't help but laugh at the mans words. How was she the monster when all of them were the ones ganging up on her like a bunch of savages?"I need you to move now." Elaina said moving forward. "I need to find Samantha and Oliver.""You have no business with our leaders monster." The man snapped lunging forward ready to fight Elaina.Stepping to the side she allowed the man to topple into the wall she had just been backed against. Not botheri
"Do you truly think you can defeat me?" Rathial laughed as Elaina lunged at him with her trident."Don't underestimate me, you owe me three lives." Elaina growled as a blue ball of energy shot from the end of the trident slamming into Rathial's chest. "You took people that were precious from me!"Elaina could feel the fire within her growing as she spoke of Charisse and her parents. Rage flared deep in her heart as the eletrictiy at the end of her trident crackled and sparked flaring as fire made its way up the staff."What is this?" Rathial demanded eyes widening.Instead of responding Elaina growled moving forward once more slamming the hilt of the Trident into Rathial's gut sending him flying backwards. Jumping on top of him Elaina grabbed hold of his throat and began to squeeze as her need to kill grew."So cute." Rathial coughed cackling as Elaina tightened her grip. "I am not like a normal person that can be killed thi
The next day came in a blaze of red and orange, the sky above had completely lost its blue hue and was left with a red tint as if reflecting all the blood that was being spilt around them. Looking up Elaina squinted her eyes as she spotted what looked like ash beginning to fall."Ash storm?" She murmured holding out a hand and allowing some of the grey substance to land on her palm. "The end is getting nearer."Beside her Chase sucked in a harsh breath, "What did you say?""When the sky turns red and ash begins to fall to the earth, the dark lord will take his rightful place, and the whole world will be rebuilt in chaos." Elaina recited. "Ash is beginning to fall, the sky has turned red, and the earth has begun to break apart. We are running out of time.""Did Ezra give you any advice on what to do?" Chase asked Elaina as his face began to turn pale."We must defeat Rathial." Elaina responded as if it was the simplest thing