Dark Fire

The first time I saw him, a heavy, gray fog clung to the cornfields, tails of mist slithering between the dying stalks. It was a dreary early morning right after Labor Day, and I was waiting for the school bus, just minding my own business, standing at the end of the dirt lane that connected to my family's farmhouse to the main road into town. I was thinking about how many times I'd probably waited for that bus over the course of a dozen years, killing the time like any mathlete would, by doing calculations in my head, when I noticed him.
And suddenly that familiar stretch of blacktop seemed fully desolate. He was standing there under a massive beech tree across the road from me, his arms crossed over his chest. The tree's low, gnarled branches twisted down around him, nearly concealing him in limbs and shadows. But it was obvious that he was tall and wearing a long, dark coat, almost like a cloak.
My chest clenched, and I swallowed hard. Who stands under a tree at the crack of dawn, in the middle of nowhere, wearing a black cloak? He must have realized I'd spotted him, because he shifted a little, like he was deciding whether to leave. Or maybe cross the road. It had never struck me how vulnerable I'd been all those mornings I'd waited out there alone, but the realization hit me hard then.
I glanced down, my heart thudding. Where is the stupid bus? And why did my dad have to be so big on mass transit, anyhow? Why couldn't I own a car, like practically every other senior? But no, I had to "share the ride" to save the enviroment. When I'm abducted by the menacing guy under the tree, Dad will probably insist my face only appear on recycled milk cartons...
In the precious split second I wasted being angry at father, the stranger really did move in my direction, stepping out from under the tree, I could have sworn I heard him say, "Savannah.", just as the bus, thank god, crested the rise about fifty yards down the road.
My old name . . . The name I'd been given at birth, in Eastern Europe, before I'd been adopted and brought to America, rechirstended as Maxine Yeager.
Or maybe I was hearing things, because the word was drowned out by the sound of tires hissing on the wet pavement, grinding gears, and the whoosh of the doors as the driver, Mrs. Holmes, swung them open for me. Wonderful, wonderful bus number 101. I'd never been so happy to get on. With her usual "Good mornin', Max," Mrs. Holmes put the bus in gear, and I stumbled down the isle, searching for an empty seat or friendly face amoung the half-groggy riders. It sucked sometimes, living in rural Alabama. The town kids were probably still sleeping, safe and sound in their beds.
Locating a spot at the back of the bus, I plopped down with a rush of relief. Maybe I'd overreacted. Maybe my imagination had run wild, or to many episodes of America's Most Wanted had messed with my head. Or maybe the stranger really had ment me harm. . . . Twisting around, I peered out the rear window, and my heart sank.
He was still there, but in the road now, booted feet planted on either side of the double yellow line, arms still crossed, watching the bus drive away. Watching me. "Savannah . . ."
Had I really heard him call me by that long-forgotten name? And if he knew that obscure fact, what else did the dark stranger, receding in the mist, know about my past? More to the point, what did he want with me and my present?

"So that pretty much sums up my summer at camp." My best friend Kana sighed, pulling open the heavy glass door to Sardis High School. "Homesick kids, sunburn, poison ivy, and big spiders in the showers."
"Sounds like being a counsler is awful." I sympathized as we entered the familiar hallway, which smelled of cleanser and fresh floor wax. "If it helps, I gained atleast five pounds waitressing at the diner. I just kept eating pie everytime I got a break."
"You look great." Kana waved off my complaint. "Although I'm not sure about your hair . . ."
"Hey!" I protested, smoothing down my blond curls, which seemed to be rebeling in the late-summer humidity. "I'll have you know I spent an hour with a hair dryer and this 'straightening balm' that cost me a week's tip . . ." I trailed off, realizing that Kana was distracted, not listening to me. I followed her gaze down toward the lockers. "And speaking of looking great," she said.
Aaron Sims, who lived on a farm near my family's place, was struggling with his new locker combonation. Frowning at the scrap of paper in his hand, he spun the lock an rattled the handle. An obviously brand-new white T-shirt made his summer tan look especially deep. The sleeves hugged tight around his bulging biceps.
"Aaron look's amazing," Kana whispered as we approached my neighbor. "He must have joined a gym or somthing. And did he get highlights?"
"He lugged hay bales all summer in the sun, Kana," I whispered back. "He dosen't need a gym - or bleach in his hair." Aaron glanced up as we walked past, and smiled when he saw me. "Hey, Max."
"Hey," I replied. Then my mind went blank. Kana chimed in, preventing akward silence. "Looks like they gave you the wrong combonation," she noted, nodding at Aaron's still closed locker. "Did you trying kicking it?" Aaron ignored the suggestion. "You didn't work last night, huh, Max?"
"No, I'm done at the diner," I said. "It was just a summer job."
Aaron looked a little disappointed. "Oh. Well, I guess I'll have to catch up with you around school, then."
"Yeah. I'm sure we'll have classes together," I said, feeling my cheek's get warm. "See ya." I sort of dragged Kana along with me. "What was all that about?" she demanded when out of earshot. She glanced over her shoulder at Aaron. My face grew warmer. "What was all what about?"
"Aaron looking all sad that you quit the diner. You turning bright red -"
"It's nothing," I advised her. "He came in a few minutes near the end of my shift and gave me a ride home. We hung out a little . . . And I am not red."
"Really?" Kana's smile was smug. "You and Aaron, huh?"
"It was no big deal," I insisted.
The gleam in Kana's eyes told me she knew I wasn't being completely honest. "This is going to be a very interesting year," she predicted. "And speaking of interesting . . ." I started tell my best friend about the scary stranger at the bus stop. But the moment I thought of him, the hair on my neck prickled, almost like I was being watched. "Savannah . . ." The low, deep voice echoed in my brain, like half-remebered nightmare.
I rubbed the back of my neck. Maybe I would tell Kana the story later. Or maybe the whole thing would just blow over like I'd never even think of the guy again. That is probably what would happen. But the prickly sensation did not go away.

I walked down the hall with Kana after class. Kana rambling on about cute boys, and what not. Even though I tried my best to listen to her, I couldn't, I was too distracted thinking about my mysterious stalker. "Hey, Kana." I asked, as she turned towards me. "What is it? Finally going to admit your crush on Mr. Totally Hot?" she replied with a smug look on her face. "No... Not that," I began. "See, this morning I was waiting for the bus, and I saw this guy..." Kana's eyes widened, while a look of glee spread across her face. "Who was it?!"
"I don't know."
"How could you not know?"
"Because maybe I have never seen or met the guy in my life?"
Kana let out a "humph" and rolled her eyes. "Sooo, what about it?" I frowned. "Well, I don't know... It's just werid. Why is there a guy, standing in the middle of nowhere, wearing a black overcoat, doing staring at me?" I asked. "Maybe he likes you!" Kana squealed. "A mysertious stalker! Ooohhhh! He must be cute!" I let out a groan and gave her a are-you-serious look. "How do you know he's cute? He could be a murder for heaven's sake! 'Where's, Max? Oh, she was KILLED BY A CRAZY MAN!'"
"Well, you don't know that!"
"Yeah right!"
"He could be somthing wonderful..." she said dreamily. I scowled and shook my head. "You and your silly fantasies! Think logicly."

Kana walked me outside, where my mom was waiting in the parking lot. I quickly climbed in but Kana grabbed my door and poked her head in. "Mrs. Yeager! Max has got a boyfriend!" she chimed in her sing-song voice. My mom arched an eyebrow at me in suprise. "A boyfriend? Already?" My cheeck's burned and I quickly looked away. "Ignore, Kana. She's just teasing. I don't have a boyfriend." Kana giggled ever so immaturely and looked at me smugly. "Bye, Maxie!" she said, then skipped away. I closed my door and let out a sigh as my mother put the car into drive. "So, a boyfriend?" she asked again. "Ugh! No. Let me explain. See, this morning, I saw some guy near our house. He just stood there... watching me." I began. "Yeah? Go on." she persisted. "And he was dressed really funky... Wore a black overcoat. A bit pale, or maybe it was just the lighting. And it looked like he had long hair." My mother slammed on her brakes and looked at me, face pale. "What's wrong?" She stared at me, all blood drained from her face, her knuckles white from holding the stearing wheel so hard.
"We have to get you home, NOW!" My mom slowly began to speed up the car. It took me a moment to realize that my heart was pounding in my chest, ready to implode. "Mom, what's going on?" I asked, fear welling up. "Your father and I should have told you this years ago..." she mummbled. "Mom! What's happening?!" But then I saw that familiar black shape out of the corner of my eye. I turned my head to see him there. He was staring straight at me. He was leaning against a brick wall, arms folded across his chest, just as I had seen him earlier this morning. "There! There he is!" And once again, my mother slammed on her brakes. "Wait in the car. Do not get out not matter what. I'll be right back."
"But, Mom-" It was too late. She had already slipped out the door, and strided towards Mr. Creepy. If I knew my mom, she was going to tear him to shreds. I expected the guy to hit her or somthing, but, what he did shocked me. Instead, he gave her a low, formal bow. I felt my jaw drop. "What the heck...?" I breathed. He then stood straight up again and smiled at her, as if she was an old friend. But my mother's was still stone cold.
For a good twenty minutes the two talked. And finally, Mr. Creepy bowed again, and strided away into the saftey of the shadow's. When my mom got back in the car, I was shaking. And her face wasn't so stern and cold anymore. "Mom! What the heck was that about?! Who was that? What did he want?" All she did was start the engine and look at me. "We will all discuss this over dinner." I was confused. "Wait, all?" I asked. "I invited him to dinner."

"I can't BELIEVE my mom!!" I yelled, as I slammed my fist against the stall. Diamond, my horse, let a nicker and retreated to the back of his stall. "Sorry, Di. It's not you." I said, as I slipped inside the stall. I stroked his neck as he nibbled at my pocket, and I laughed. "Sorry, pal. No treats tonight." I pulled down his blanket and slipped it on him. And I was still shaky about tonight, anyway. A creepy guy stalking me? Dosen't sound like a good guy, dose it? I locked Diamond's stall behind me as I walked out. I froze, feeling that prickling sensation return. I slowly turned around, and there he was, just a few yards away. How could I not have heard him? Idiot!
Now that he was up close, I could see his features. He was taller than me, and I'm five seven. His skin truly was pale, like snow. And his hair was LONG. He had slicked some of it back to keep it out of his eyes, and had thrown it into a careless ponytail. He had a scar on his jawline and one over his left eyebrow. I didn't say a word, just stared at him, and he stared back. If he even dared to pull a stunt, then I would have no choice but to use my Max-Kawn-Do on him! The smallest hint of a smirk met his lips, and he strided forward. I tensed, teeth bared, fist clenged. But he didn't touch me... Just slowly circled me, like a predator. Waiting patiently for the kill. "Who are you...?" I asked, ready for anything. He stopped infront of me, the smirk was gone. He stared down at me coldly. "Hmph... Pathetic. I told them them this would happen... Yet they go against my wishes. You are not nearly prepared." he scowled, looking away in disgust. "What?! Ready for what? And who are you calling pathetic, huh?!" He glared down at me with raw hatered and disgust. "Learn to talk with some respect to your superiors, girl." His voice with full of irritation. "Hey! Who are you calling a girl? I am fifteen, thank you very much! And get off my property." I shot back at him. "I believe I was invited." Mr. Creepy's voice was cold, but he gave me a twisted smile. "UGH!" I stomped away in anger, leaving him alone in the barn.

When I reached the house I slammed the door behind me, as I stomped down the hall. "MOM! Your "guest" is here!" I yelled. I ran up the stair's and into my room. I closed the door behind me and jumped onto my bed. I could not BELIEVE her. Inviting a total stranger to our house. No, a total jerk stranger. Why did she invite him anyway? No matter how many times I replayed their little meeting, I just couldn't figure it out. I quickly changed into a camo tank-top and slipped on some faded blue-jeans. I then slipped on my black combat boots, then ran back downstair's. Mom was in the kitchen getting somthing out of the oven. Please, oh please, let it be cookies, I prayed. Then there he was, standing in a dark corner, arms across his chest. His normal pose, I guess. "How did you-"
"I let myself in." "WHAT?!" I shrieked. "I let him in, Maxine. Don't let him fool you. Have you two been introduced, Darkus?" I looked from my dad to Mr. Creepy. So Darkus was his name! A bit strange if you ask me. Darkus looked over to him with a stoic look on his face. "We met earlier in the barn. You have such a lovely daughter." I could hear sarcasum drip from his voice. My blood boiled with rage. "Anyway, come in the kitchen." I did as I was told. Mr. Wonderful walking silently behind me. "Before we begin this little chit-chat, someone please explain to me why we invited HIM to dinner?" My father gave me a disapproving look and shook his head. "That's rude, Maxine. We will get to that in a minute." I heard Darkus let out a sigh. I looked over to him to see his eyes closed, almost in a focused look."You still haven't informed her. You have failed me yet again. I gave you all afternoon to tell her, now it is to late." My momther's face went pale and she gave a panicked expression. "W-We were waiting on you! We thought we should tell her when you were here. Besides, she would be the only one who would believe you." Darkus' eyes flashed open, his black eyes reflecting no light. "But still, you should have told her a few years ago. Before I came to rally her." I felt like my eyes almost poped out of my head and I held but my hands and shook them in denial. "Whoa, whoa, whoa! Rally me? Are you talking about moi? What the heck?! Are we all talking in some sort of code here?!?!"
Darkus let out a growl, and then, showed his fangs. Thats right, fangs. It had to be a magic trick. There was no way, he could make his teeth into fangs. So that was why his voice was so deep. "Max, darling," my mother began. "Enough! I will just have to show her myself." Darkus quickly got to his feet and rolled his shoulders. He made sure he had enough room, then extended his wings. All twenty five feet of them. Fangs, wings... What is this guy? His wings were as black as nightmare, some of his secondary feathers reflected a bit of light, making them appear to have a dark purple color. At stared at him in awe and disbelief. His wings were gorgeous. They looked like they belonged on the angel of death. "No way..." I uttered. Darkus gave me a smug look, then gently folded his wings in behind his back. "What are you...?"
"I am human, like you. Except I am part Avian." he stated. I blinked dumbly. "And so are you." I jumped up out of my seat and stared at him. "No I'm not! I am nothing like you! I don't have wings!!" Darkus closed his eyes and shook his head, then looked back at me. "Girls do not grown their wings until they have fully matured. Or they haven't found their power. Boys, on the otherhand, are born with wings and their power." I placed a hand on my head, stunned. "You're lying... Mom... tell me he is lying..." I looked at her for support, her head was hung low in shame, so was my father. "Ah, Max. These aren't even your real parents. Your birth parents were killed, like mine. I saved you as a young baby, then found a young couple to watch after you until you were old enough for me to come for you. Even though they kept their mouths shut about your true being-" he glanced at my parents -" they did an excellent job at keeping you alive all these years." My breathing had quickened, and my head felt dizzy. This was a nightmare. A horrible, twisted nightmare. I wanted it to end right now. But do I ever get what I want? Of course not. "And now, it's time you and I take our leave." My eyes flashed up to meet his. "Y- You aren't serious! I'm not going ANYWHERE with you!!" I screamed. "I have a life! Family! Friends! You think you can just waltz in here and tell me I'm a freak and I have to leave?! Forget it!" I turned on my heel and strided away, hot tears forming in my eyes. I felt hands on my shoulders, making me stop. It was Darkus. His hands were firm, but gentle. "Max... Your birthday is withen a month," his voice had lowered. And it was softer, almost calming. "And when your wings grow, they'll find you. And kill you. Coming with me is your only hope for survival... I will allow you to save goodbye to one friend. And then your parent's... Then we must leave, for time is short." The warm tears fell from my eyes, blurring my vision. I turned around and stared up at him, tears falling from my face. Without saying a word, I ran up into my room, and slammed the door behind me.
Worst. Day. Of. My life. None of it made sense... Winged-people? Them? What was going on? You think I would have a normal life... I then got mad at myself for crying, especially infront of that jerk 'Darkus'. More like crazy mutant evil goth guy who wants to make my life miserable. I wiped the tears from my eyes and took off my combat boots. Then I plopped back down onto my bed again, staring up at the ceiling. My head was pounding, like it normally dose when I cry for a certain amount of time. I closed my eyes and waited to drift off into sleep. Maybe this is a bad, bad dream, I thought. So, tommorow Mr. Creepy should be gone! At least I hoped.

When I woke up my eyes were heavy, and my head was throbbing. I groaned and looked over at the clock. 5:12. I crawled out of bed and slipped on my wind breaker and combat boots. Then pulled my hair back and tip-toed downstairs. I looked around in the darkness. No sign of Mr. Creepy. A triumphant smile spread across my face, and I quickly walked got out of the house.
I ran across the yard and into the barn. When I opened the barn door and turned on the light, Diamond stuck his head out a gave me a whinny of happiness. I walked over to his stall and stroked his head. “Wanna go out for a ride, handsome man?” I whispered. His ears pricked forward and he nudged my hand. A grin met my lips, and I opened his stall door and grabbed him by the halter. I tied him to a bar and went into the tack room. I quickly groomed him, brushing him out, and cleaning his hooves. Then I gently slid on his riding blanket and saddle. His beautiful white a copper coat shuddered under the saddle. I quickly tightened the girth and made sure the chest plate was latched on. Next came the hard part.
I slid his halter off from his head, then around his neck. I put the reins on the saddle horn and began to slowly slide the bridle onto his head. Diamond pawed his hooves against the ground and tossed his head. “Take it,” I ordered him, pushing the bit against his teeth. He fought me for a good minute, but finally gave in. I untied him and lead him out of the barn. It was still a bit dark, but the sun was slowly rising. I jumped into the saddle and grabbed hold of the reins. Diamond walked in circles, fighting for control. I sat up straight, hands relaxed, and kept my cool. After a few minutes he stopped going in circles, then took into a slow canter. I dug my heels into his side, urging him forward.
I took and trail leading down to the creek. Diamond tossed his head and started to prance a bit. I knew what he was asking for. “Fly.”
Diamond didn’t hesitate to answer my wish. His, long, slender legs stretched has he just kept going faster and faster. The wind almost made me go deaf, the cool air freezing my face. Who needed wings when you could just do this instead? His hooves pounded against the earth, almost sounding like thunder during a storm. After awhile, I pulled back on his reins. He finally began to slow, until we were at a walk. I smiled and patted his neck. “That’s my handsome man.” I said, admiring him. Then Diamond stopped, head high, nostrals flared. My gaze shifted to see what Diamond was staring at. At the far side on the creek, I saw him. Darkus. He walked silently through the mist. It seemed to slowly part for him as he walked by. He was like silent death. I watched him silently, watching him closely. But I narrowed my eyes when he disappeared into the shadows. There was a lump of cotton in my throat. I swear, sometimes I wonder if he is gothic. Or if he is just a creepy stalker who didn’t get enough dates in high school. But without hesitation, I turned Diamond around, and headed back towards the barn.



“So, like, where did you say you were going again?” Kana whimpered, eyes wide. “Let’s just say I’m moving…” I mumbled. “But, we will still keep in touch, right?” Kana asked, tears forming in her green eyes. “I’m sorry, Kana…”
“B- But-!”
“No, Kana. Look, you will always be my best friend. We’ve know each other since second grade. And you will always be in a special place in my heart.” Tears poured from her eyes, landing on her shirt. Then, she hugged me, catching me off guard. “I’M GOING TO MISS YOU!” she cried. Tears started to form in my eyes as I hugged her back. I will miss you too, Kana.” I whimpered. We held each other for a moment and then let go. “Let’s make today the best school day ever!”
For the rest of the day, Kana hovered beside me, not leaving my side. If anyone so much as looked at me cross, she would chew them out. “But what are we going to tell Aaron?” she asked. I shook my head. “No, you tell him.”
“Why me?”
“Because I trust you.”
“Oh, Maxie!” Kana said, hugging me for the millionth time today. But strangely, I didn’t mind it at all. I actually welcomed it gladly. “I know how to make this day better,” I said with a devious grin. And Kana almost immediately knew what I wanted. “IF YOUR HUNGRY FOR A HUNK OF FAT AND JUCIY MEAT!” And so, we skipped down the hall singing our infamous “Hula” song. A few people stopped and stared at us, but we didn’t care. Today was my last day, so I was going to enjoy it.
The final bell rang, and I met Kana outside waiting for me, her mascara smeared under her eyes. “You look like a clown,” I teased, trying to hold back tears. “And you look like a wreck.” she whimpered back. The next thing I know, we are both hugging each other, crying our eyes out. “I don’t want you to leave!” she cried. I was about to tell her I didn’t want to leave either, until I saw him. Just a few blocks down, he was grinning at me. Then, he lifted a hand and beckoned me. I had the strange urge to do so, even though I didn’t want to. “I - I have to go.” I whispered, looking into Kana’s green eyes. “Yeah,” she said biting her bottom lip. “I promise, whenever I can, I will call you. Okay?” Tears poured from her eyes as she nodded. We hugged one final time, and I held her tightly. “Bye.” I then slowly pulled away, and turned my back on her. Every step I took felt like I was slowly killing myself.
When I reached over to gothic boy, his face was stoic and emotionless. “It was the best you could do for her… If you would have stayed, she would have been killed too.” I glared up at him in complete loathing. He knew nothing. If he hadn’t shown up, none of this would have happened. But I just kept quiet as we began our long walk home.



I walked silently beside him. I didn’t dare look up at him. He is such a freak… Darkus’ eyebrows knitted together and he glared down at me. I glared back at him. “What?” I spat. “Can you at least try to keep your thoughts to yourself?” he shot back, putting some venom into his voice. I blinked, taking in what he said. “What?” Darkus let out a sigh and shook his head. “Drudges…” he mumbled. I looked away, shaking my head and trying to make sense of his comment. The then smell of smoke and ash filled my nose. My eyes shot up and I saw black smoke rising from the distance. Right around where my barn is. My heart started racing, my mind white with fear. Darkus saw the look on my face and then followed my eyes. His face went extremely pale and his eyes wide. “They’ve found us!” he yelled, a bit of anger and frustration in his voice. “Who found us?!” Darkus grabbed me by the arm and stared me down, his black eyes serious. “Listen. There is no time to explain. We have to leave right now.” he said, his voice stern. I jerked away, and backpedaled. “Forget it!” I turned on my heel and started running towards the house. “MAX!” Darkus thundered. But I ignored him. I ran as fast as I could. But when I got home, my heart stopped. The barn was on fire and the house had shattered windows and the front door was broken. That’s when I heard a scream from a horse. DIAMOND! Without thinking, I ran over to the barn. The heat was immense. It burned some of the hairs on my arms. I kicked the barn door open and rushed inside. Fire was everywhere. Smoke filled my lungs, and it was hard to breathe.
I heard Diamond kicking franticly against his stall door, letting out screams. I ran over to his stall and opened his door. Luckily, the fire hadn’t reached him, or his stall yet. Diamond spun in fast circles while my hands tried frantically to grab his halter. “Diamond! Easy!” I yelled over the roar of the flames. But he didn’t hear me. Diamond reared and struck my shoulder. A minor clip, but still effective. “Diamond!” I yelled again, and this time, I was able to catch his halter. Diamond tossed his head frantically, his eyes locked on the flames. “Easy! Easy! C’mon, Di!” I lead him out of his stall. But he almost trampled me. I coughed. My head was growing light from breathing in the smoke. I ran out the barn, Diamond right behind me. Let me tell you, fresh air never tasted so good.
I let go of Diamond’s halter. I watched as he raced off, terrified, towards the nearest pasture. Someone was about to inherit a traumatized horse. Besides the fact that my lungs were still aching for air, and my arms were covered in burns, I ran towards the house.
Once inside, I froze. The house was… demolished. Picture frames were smashed, lamps broken, TV’s broken, pages from books laid on the floor. Claw marks rested on the walls, and so did… blood? I eased slowly, and quietly, towards the living room. And there, in the center, lay my parents, dead. Their faces were pale, eyes wide, horrified expressions on his face. I couldn’t breathe. No, no, no, no, NO!! They weren’t dead! They couldn’t! Then I heard glass shatter. A man peeked around the corner, blood covering his face and chest. He gave me a sick, twisted smile. “Mm! Dinner! Yo, Diablo! I found the girl!” the man called. “Have you now, Joss?” a voice called from upstairs. “Or is it just another human?” Joss sniffed the air, like a animal would do. Then that twisted smile spread across his face. “Nope! It’s her alright! She smells of Half-Blood!” Then I noticed, he to had fangs like Darkus. Except his weren’t the brilliant white. Just a stained yellow color. His eyes were full of glee. He didn’t look at me as a person. He looked at me as if I were food. Then another man stepped from around the corner. This must be Diablo, I thought. His brown curly hair feel into his eyes, as he stared me down. He was a bit taller than Joss, and had a bit more of a tan. “Ah… You are, for once, correct. She is indeed the Half-Blood we have been looking for.” Joss practically trembled with excitement. “Can we kill her now, Diablo?! Please! I am so thirsty! I seems like ages since I last fed on a Half-Blood… She smells so good. Here, let me kill her for you.” Joss said, and started walking towards me, but Diablo grabbed him by the shoulder and shook his head. “Now, Joss. You had the kill last time. It’s my turn.” Joss’s eyes widened and he opened his mouth to protest but Diablo held up his hand and Joss fell silent. Diablo bent down and looked me. I quickly looked away, shaking in fear. He grabbed my chin and forced me to look at him. But strangely, his face was calm and loving. “It’s okay, mi paloma.” he said softly. “Your death will be quick and painless.” My breathing and picked up. Oh, my god. I was going to die. “Let her go, Diablo…” a cold voice from behind me spat. Diablo’s eyes widened and he quickly released me. I whirled around to see Darkus. For once, I wasn’t dreading to see him. But then my happiness faded to horror. He looked… different. There were dark shadows under his eyes, his fangs bared. But his eyes had changed color too. They had changed into a beautiful shade of indigo. Darkus looked at me and nodded. I quickly ran to his side and hide behind him, while he opened his wings a bit in a protective gesture. “Hola … Demonio.” Darkus narrowed his eyes while they glowed that beautiful indigo color. “I warned you, Diablo… Not to cross my path again.” he said venomously. Joss tensed, fangs bared, while Diablo just stared at him with a shallow smirk on his face. “Demonio… Why should I listen to you? You are not in charge of my feeding habits.” Diablo said slowly as he licked his lips. Darkus let out a snarl and Joss jumped a bit. Diablo looked back at his partner with a disapproving scowl. “Cobarde.” Diablo muttered under his breath.
“Max.” I blinked. I heard a thought in my head, but it wasn’t my own. “Max, listen to me. Get out of here, NOW!! Slip out the door and run. I’ll join you in a moment, as soon as I get done taking out the trash…” I must be crazy since I am hearing voices in my head, but I did as I was told. I turned on my heel and ran out the door, and across the yard. I jumped over the pasture fence, heading towards the woods. I ran as fast as I could, not looking back.

I ran and ran until I couldn’t run anymore. I collapsed onto the ground, gasping for air, my legs burning. The image of my parents entered my mind, and tears threatened to enter my eyes. No, they just couldn’t be dead, could they? I squeezed by eyes shut and let out a whimper. I must have looked like a big wimp but at the moment I didn’t care. Why? Because let’s see. Some goth dude shows up, tells me I’m a mutant freak, makes me say goodbye to one of my best friends in the world, and my parents turn up dead and a pyscho tries to kill me. Why WOULDN’T I be crying?
And as if to make matters worse, it started raining. Just my luck!! I crawled over to a tree and leaned against the trunk of the tree. The cool rain landed softly against my skin, making me shiver. My own tears flowed down my face along with the drops of rain. I had stopped whimpering, but my tears were endless. Why me? Why was I the one forced to have a weird and horrible life?
I don’t know how long I sat there. It could have been four minutes, or four hours. I didn’t care anymore. Just let death come. And as if to answer my wish, a dark shadow stood over me. I slowly opened my eyes to see those cursed black eyes staring down at me. Even though his face was stoic, his eyes were full of sadness and sympathy. I don’t know why, I thought the guy hated me. My eyes traveled down to his hands, which held a one of my traveling bags. “Wha - What are y - y - you doing?” I studdered. Without a word he held out his hand. I blinked, just staring at his hand. Darkus frowned at me and said, “Well, are you just going to sit there and stare at my hand?” I looked up at him. “What are you g - going to do?” I asked in a whisper. “Just trust me… That’s all I can ask of you for now.” I reached my hand up to grasp his, but then I hesitated. Once I took his hand, I wouldn’t be able to turn back. But then I remember, what did I truly have to go back besides Kana? I had nothing… I had lost everything I held close to me in one day. And it didn’t seem fair. But if I went with Darkus I could start fresh, have a new life. But can I really trust him? They guy who has changed EVERYTHING? I bit my bottom lip thoughtfully. Then I took his hand, and he helped me up. “Hang on,” he said. Before I could ask what he was talking about, he wrapped an arm around my waist and snapped open his wings. Within moments we were almost hundreds of feet. Darkus flew flawlessly through the air. He seemed so relaxed and comfortable in the air, that it looked like he was grinning a bit. I closed my eyes, hoping for a better future.

When I opened my eyes, the first thing I saw was white, fluffy clouds. Slowly making their way across the endless blue sky. But then I realized, no wind. No barely dangling from goth boys arms. I blinked. I was sitting in a chair, with a blanket over me, in a plane. How did I get on a plane…? I began to sit up but immediately stopped from the soreness. I looked beside me to see goth boy sleeping quietly, a almost peaceful look on his face. “Um…Darkus…?” No reply. “Heelllooo? Darky?” As if by magic, one of the flight attendants walked up with a genuine smile on her face. “May I get you something? A snack? Water, maybe?” I shook my head slowly. “No…” The lady just smiled and walked away. “Yo, goth boy. Wake up.” I said, shaking his shoulder. His eyes opened slowly, and I froze. His tired gaze met mine. “What is it?” he asked in his stoic tone. “How did we get on a plane? More importantly, how did you get money for airline tickets? And also, where are we going?” Darkus looked away and closed his eyes yet again. “So many questions…” he sighed. “Alright. If you must know, I landed by and airport and got us a few tickets to Russia… There, is where others like us live. And, a dear friend of mine, Kristoff, gave me the money for transportation on this trip.” I stared at him, not believing what I was hearing. “We… are going… to Russia? And why the heck do you need money? You got wings.” A scowl spread across Darkus’ face. “You did not expect me to carry you the whole time? I may be genetically enhanced human, but even I have my limits, Max.” God I hate him. Because now I feel guilty for saying that! Darkus peeked a eye open and looked at me with an annoyed glance. “What?” I asked. “Nothing.” he said. As if a hound to a whistle, another flight attendant showed up. She offered coffee and what not, but Darkus dismissed her with a wave of the hand. For the rest of the flight they kept showing up. Trying to keep offering food or little pillows, which were to small to rest my head on, let alone sleep on for a few hours.

When the plane landed, we got our bags, and quickly left the airport. I had to put on my leather coat because it was FREEZING! Well, Darkus didn’t have too. Because he was pretty much set with the black leather overcoat and gloves. I still didn’t see how he could stand the cold. “H - How are y-y-you not c-c-c-cold?” I asked, my teeth chattering. “I am use to it…” Darkus said in his stoic tone. Seriously, I really think this guy is goth… or maybe emo. Darkus stopped in his tracks and glared down at me, a bit of anger and annoyance in his glare. His eyes flashed that brilliant indigo color, but immediately went back to their normal black color. “For your information, I am not gothic. Nor am I emo. So you as well just forget about that idea.” he snapped. I blinked dumbly. Did I just speak that out-loud? No, I didn’t. But how did he…? Darkus let out a chuckle and looked back down at me, his expression softened a bit. “I can hear your thoughts. I read minds, Max.” I felt my jaw drop. No way! He’s lying! “I am not lying… But what you want, now come along.” I still think he is lying. Who well. I walked silently behind him, not saying a single word. We went to a small log that had… dogs? But these weren’t your normal wimpy house dogs. These dogs were beautiful! They were a nice size and seemed to be purely made from muscle. The huskie looked at me with it’s beautiful ice-blue eyes, nuzzling its nose against my hand, begging for its head to be stroked. Then the dogs head whirled around. I followed his eyes to see Darkus striding towards us. He looked totally different against the pure white background. The huskie started making whimpering sounds and tried to lung over to him, but his harness kept him in place. Darkus gave a shallow smile and bent down and scratched the dog between his ears. “Легко, мальчик.” he whispered. Keeping his eyes on the dogs, he stood back up and looked that them all, seeming to admire them. “Сибирский хаски… Kristoff has always admired the breed. Beautiful, are they not?” I nodded in agreement. “Yes, they are.” Darkus looked around, making sure no one was watching, and then extended his midnight colored wings. He gave them a couple of flaps and them tucked his wings neatly behind his back, shivering. “Too cold to fly… Черт побери. I guess I will have no choice but to sled there.” he sighed in disappointment. “Sled? To where, again?” I asked. “To a let hide away in the mountains. It may take an hour or two, depending on the weather.” he stated a matter-of-factly. I frowned, looking at the sled and then to Darkus. “Your joking.. Please tell me you are joking.” “So sorry, Max. I’m not. Now be a good girl and get on the sled.” I planted my feet firmly into the ground and looked up at him with a no-way-am-I-going-to-listen-to-you look. “No.” Darkus narrowed his soulless black eyes and gave me a stern look while crossing his arms across his chest. “Now. Don’t make me force you…” I let out a mini-laugh. “What are you going to do? Grab me by the arm and force me?” Darkus shrugged. “Maybe… but this is better.” I have no clue why, but I had the sudden urge to obey him. Darkus leaned down and look straight into my eyes. His eyes reflecting no light. “Go get on the sled.” he said slowly. Against my will, walked over to the sled and sat down. “What did you do…?” I asked, confused. “It’s just another one of my ‘talents’.” he chuckled. “Now, lets get going!”

Hours pasted, and we still weren’t there. I was beginning to think we would never get there. How Darkus knew which way to go, amazed me. It all looked the same. Same old tree’s… same piles of endless snow. I shivered, and pulled the blanket up. It was so cold, I couldn’t feel my hands and feet. How much longer? I don’t know if I can take this… “Patience, Max. We are almost there. It is just a few more miles.” UGH! There he goes AGAIN! Two words. Personal. Space. “Sorry… Ah, here we are.” I blinked and saw nothing. No, wait, I take that back. There were two men standing a few yards away, staring at us. Darkus pulled the dogs to a halt and got off. He walked a few yards away, then Darkus stopped and opened his nightmare colored wings. “When darkness descends from the sky… all will know that death has come.” Darkus spoke. Wide smiles grew on their faces and they quickly walked up to Darkus and greeted him. They patted his back and spoke in Russian and some other jibberish. One of the men looked over Darkus’ shoulder and eyed me. He pointed over to me and spoke something in Russian to Darkus. Darkus looked over his shoulder and glanced at me. And as if sensing my curiosity, he spoke in English. “She’s my new drudge… Kristoff sent me to fetch her.” The two men looked at each other and shrugged. Darkus beckoned me with a wave of a hand, and I didn’t hesitate. “Max, this is Alexander and Vikas. They are the gatekeepers of the village and highly good friends of mine.” he said, pointing to both of them. Vikas was very tall and muscular, but had that lean figure. He had chocolate brown hair that sat neatly on his shoulders, and a finely cut beard. His ice-blue eyes were full of kindness and wisdom. Alexander, on the other hand, was shorter and a lot more muscular then his friend. And seemed a few years younger. He didn’t seem as kind as Vikas. He just stared at me with unforgiving grey eyes. “It is of great honor to meet you, miss.” Vikas said with a warm smile. I forced a smile back. “It’s nice to meet you too.” I replied. “And as you can see, this little fellow, is Alex.” Vikas said in a heavy Russian accent, placing a hand on Alexander’s shoulder. Alexander shrugged away from Vikas. “Stop calling me Alex! You know I loathe that name, Vikas.” Alexander spat. I am feeling this Alexander guy isn’t having a peachy day. “Ah, but Alex is so much shorter and easy to remember! And besides, do not be in such a foul mood. We have a guest, no? Say hello to the pretty girl!” Alexander shot him a warning look. Darkus rolled his eyes and tried not to grin at the two. “Vikas, you old dog. Leave the boy alone. Where is Kristoff?” Vikas stroked his beard in thought. “Last I saw him, he was in his study. He has been very bored since you left, no one to spar with.” Darkus let out a mini laugh and smiled. “Well, of course. No one else has matched him in battle but me. Anyway, I shall see you later tonight, Vikas. You as well, Alexander.” Vikas nodded while Alexander just let out a grumble. “Come, Max.” Darkus ordered, and I quickly followed after. We walked in silence for a few minutes until we finally walked into a village. But that’s when I noticed… this wasn’t a normal village. Some of the houses were up in the tree’s some on the ground, some underground. Huh? Then I noticed the people. They were mutants like Darkus too! Some had wings, large powerful sails of bone, muscle, and feather. While some looked like they were part wolf, fox, cat, or even rock! This is getting crazy. Or either I’m crazy. There’s an option. A few people stopped and stared, then shot us - I mean Darkus - smiles. A little girl, I mean, the cutest little girl I have ever seen ran up and smiled at Darkus. She was adorable. He blonde curls laying perfectly against her face, blue eyes sparkling. “Welcome back, Darky.” she said sweetly, while lifting her arms. Darkus picked her up and smiled at her. “Hello, Angel. Have you been good while I have been gone?” Angel nodded her head, her blonde curls bouncing. “Mhm! I took on a group of ten guys all by myself! I got their tags to! See?” she said while waving some dog tags in Darkus’ face. “Excellent work, Angel. I would love to talk with you now, but I am off to see Kristoff. Run along now and we will catch up later, okay?” he asked. Angel pouted by nodded. “Ever since you got old you’ve been busy. But I understand! See you later, Darky!” she replied in her sing song voice, while planting a kiss on his cheek, and opened her snow white wings and flew away. I then realized my mouth had been hanging open and quickly shut it. “Why that child likes you, is a great mystery.” Darkus narrowed his eyes and continued walking, and I walked beside him, as he began to speak again. “She is no ordinary child, Max. She is very, very dangerous. She may look harmless and innocent, but many fear her.” I looked at him in confusion. “How? She looks no older than seven.” I pointed out. “As I said before, she may act like an like a saint, but she can be a demon. She can kill you… She’s on the council board, if that helps prove my point.” I don’t get it. How can a seven-year old be so dangerous? But then again, how many licks dose it take to get to the tootsie-roll center of a tootsie pop? Alas, the world shall never know. I walked with Darkus until we came to a rather large cabin. It was simple, not fancy. But it still had that way to catch your eye. We walked up the front steps and Darkus held open the door for me. “Shouldn’t we knock..?” Darkus shook his head. “Kristoff won’t mind me.” I noticed how he said me. I walked inside , followed by Darkus, who immediately took the lead again. We walked down the hall, past the living room and the kitchen, into a larger room.
I guess it was LIKE a living room. The walls were painted a deep crimson color, along with black drapes. A black leather couch sat towards the fireplace. And a small wooden desk was near the window with a lamp on with a pile of books and papers. Then I noticed a rather thin looking man reading ‘Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows”. “Здравствуйте старый друг.” Darkus said, a slow smile spreading across his face. The young man smiled back, flashing his dazzling white teeth. “Ah, Darkus! It is good to see you, Темно дьявола!” This had to be Kristoff… And boy, was he cute! His dark golden hair was slicked back and his turquoise eyes shined brightly in the light. Kristoff walked up to Darkus and hugged him. When he released, his smile had grown even wider. “It is about time! I hope you had a safe trip. And this must be the lovely, Savannah. All grown I see.” I winced when he said my old name. But I ignored it. “Just call me Max, please.” Kristoff nodded. “Of course, my apologies. Now then, Darkus, tell me. About your trip to the America’s….” Darkus shook his head. “Although I retrieved the girl, Diablo followed me there and killed the girls parents.” Kristoff’s smile faded from his face. “He found you? How?” His tone had gone stone cold. “He must have had a spy alert him…” Kristoff let out a groan and plopped down on the couch. “He’s getting smarter… Come here, Max. You must have been through much the past few days.” Kristoff waved a hand, beckoning me towards him. I sat gown beside him, and he looked me in the eyes. I didn’t notice that he gaze was so deep. “I’m sorry about your parents, you must have been very close to them.” he said quietly. I felt warm tears threaten to fall from my eyes, but I forced them back. “Yeah..” I said hoarsely. “It’s okay, Чертенок… We are here for you. And you can always talk to me. And you must be very tired from your long journey. I shall let Darkus escort you to your roommates cabin.” Darkus let out a small sigh but didn’t argue. Kristoff just took my hand in his and patted it. “Rest well, Чертенок. You need it.” With that, Darkus and I left.
We walked silently through the village, snow crunching under our feet. I didn’t dare say a word. But then I remember something. “Hey, Darkus. What’s a drudge?” I asked. Darkus stopped in his tracks and looked down at me. He started walking again as he started to explain. “It’s hard to explain. But you should now. You are, well, basically my slave.” my eyes widened. I felt the blood drain from my face. “S-Slave?” I stammered. “Correct. But not as you think. More like, partner. Remember hearing my voice in your mind when facing Diablo? You know how I can read your thoughts? We are linked… Once your powers fully develop, you will be able to do these things as well. And so much more. For now, I have almost complete control over you. I can make you do anything I want.” he said smugly. “So back at the sled you…?”
“Correct.”
“But how?!”
“As I said, we are linked.”
“I don’t believe you!” I yelled. Darkus narrowed his eyes at me. He then grabbed my wrist and ran two fingers over were my pulse was. I felt a burning sensation on my wrist and let out a whimper. I tried to pull my hand away, but he was holding on tightly to my wrist. “Stop!” I pleaded. But he ignored my pleas, keeping his eyes on my wrist. “Watch, Max. Your mark is forming.” his grip loosened and he held my arm gently. I marveled as I begin to see what he ment. Then burns began to heal, leaving behind a strange glowing scar that darkened until it had become almost like a tattoo had been created from within me. It was about the size of a quarter. It was a star that was thickly outlined in black. Darkus released my hand and and put two fingers on his other wrist, having the same result, same black star. “I told you, we are linked. You cannot deny that. Your mark was made when you were just a baby. This proves no matter where you are, you shall always have someone watching over you, Max.” I was speechless. I don’t know how much more of this I can take… I looked at my mark, letting a finger trace the outlines. “It only burns the first time. And besides, it will fade within an hour. Now come, I must introduce you to your roommate.”

I blinked. I stared at the little cabin. It was nothing big, nothing special. Just your normal little cabin like you had seen every day in your life. Except for the large claw marks in the door. I gulped, starting to have fear well up inside of me. “Um…Darkus?” I asked, looking up at him. But his eyes were on the door. He marched up the steps and knocked on the door. “Kasey! Are you home?” Nothing happened. Darkus motioned for me and I ran up to his side. “She is probably asleep,” he said lamely. I bit my lip thoughtfully. “Um, well, maybe it’s a good thing! C’mon, let’s go.” I said as I began to walk away, but he grabbed the back of my jacket. “Not so fast, Max…” I let go of my jacket and opened the door of the cabin and walked in.
I am not kidding when I swear this is all one big cat house… There were a few Friskies can’s sitting on the counter, and a extremely large scratching post in a corner. Darkus just acted as this was the most normal thing as normal can get. He rounded a corner and I quickly followed. He opened a door, and in the room, sitting in a giant cat bed, was a girl. No, wait, I take that back. She was human… but she had a big bushy tail and large wide ears. “Kasey,” Darkus growled. “Get up!” The she-cat let out something between a yawn and a meow and opened her amber colored eyes to glare at Darkus. “Darkus! So not cool to wake me during my cat nap…” she protested. Darkus rolled his eyes, apparently not caring if he disturbed her sleep or not. “So sorry. Your new roommate is here.” Kasey studied me with her feline eyes. She sniffed the air and frowned. “Lemme guess, newbie?” she asked, looking at Darkus. Darkus gave her a sharp nod. Kasey let out a sigh and stretched, her claws gently clawing at the sheets. A loud purr radiated throughout the room. She jumped out of bed and poked me with one of her razor-sharp claws in my shoulder. Kasey gave a large grin, a predator like gleam in her eyes. “This one is nice and tender! What do you think she is?” Darkus frowned and said, “I don’t think, I know. She’s part Avian. We had to get her early, before she could develop her wings. Diablo was on my trail and I had no choice but to act.” Kasey seemed to sadden when Darkus said I was part Avian (Which I still didn’t believe it myself.). “Aw, Darkus! How come you always pair me with the ones you won’t let me eat?” she said with a pout. I felt a bit of fear starting to boil up in my blood. Did she really just say eat? Darkus shot her a scowl. “Enough trying to scare the drudge. Do you know who this is? Her mother was the greatest of us all… And she could very well end up on the council one day.” Kasey looked at me up and down, judging me, studying me. Then her feline eyes widened, and her black pupils grew wide like a cat’s. “Now that I look at her closer now… she dose sort of resemble her in the face a lot.’ Darkus nodded in agreement. “See, now? Kristoff has high hopes for the girl, so try not to scratch her up before I can.” he said with a wink. Kasey smiled at him, like they were sharing some sort of private joke. Well, I have to go… I’ll see you both tonight. Later.” Darkus walked out the door, leaving me with cat-woman. Kasey turned to me and grinned. “Okay, there’s a room down the hall. Let’s get you set up.”

   I stared out the cabin. I FREAKING HATE IT! Did I mention it was cold? And Mrs. Kitty-Kasey was sleeping in her room, purring away. There was nothing really to do but freaking watch snow fall to the ground. That's when I saw Mr. Creepy walking around. Well, what the hey? I might just go say hi to the dude. Who knows, maybe he might lighten up! I slipped on my jacket and ran out the door into the snow. How the people here cold stand the cold, amazed me. I couldn't feel my face! Should I be worried about that? "Hey, Darkus! Wait up!" I yelled as I ran after him. I saw Darkus look over his shoulder and scowl.
“What do you want?” he asked, stopping to let me catch up. He gave a bit of a eyeroll and looked in the direction he was walking. "Uh... just came to say hi!" I said brightly. I had a feeling he really didn't want me around. Well guess what? I'm not leaving. I knew he heard that since he can obviously "read my mind". "You got annoyed of your roommate already? Heh... Get used to her. You will learn from her just as much as she will learn from you." He said as he continued to walk towards a treeline about 100 feet away. The snow was beginning to fall heavier. "That's it. Go back inside and get settled in, a storm is coming in a few hours. Make sure you bring enough wood in to keep the fire going. There's some wood in the bin over there." he spoke as he continued walking and waved his hand to his left. About 50 feet away was a wooden box, filled with wood.
  I frowned. "No... I wasn't annoyed by Kasey. I just, urm, wanted to see whatcha was doin'! What do you guys do around here for fun, anyway?" I asked. "Go back into the cabin and talk with Kasey. Why not ask her these questions? I'll be back shortly." he said as he entered the forest treeline, and started down a path, lightly dusted with snow, leaving me in the clearing as snow began to gather on my shoulders.
I dusted the snow of my shoulders and ran after him until I was exactly two yards behind him. "Hold it! Where are you going?" I demanded. He was clearly getting annoyed at me.


   I was getting rather irritated of this girl, who was supposed to be obeying my every command. I unfurled my wings from my back in a flash, leaving behind some small black feathers hanging in the air and nothing more. I had not time to mess with her disobediance right now. I'll have her make up for it later. In the meantime, I slowed my pace after bursting a mile from her location into the woods. I began to walk along the trail lined with Hemlock trees. I could see a rock face farther up ahead, then some cliffs. It would take me an hour to where I am going, and even longer to get back, I would imagine, with the extra baggage I would be carrying back.
   I approached the massive cliffs. To an ordinary human, this would takes ages to climb. However, it took mere seconds for me to scale in, jumping every so often on a small ledge. I got to the top to see a small village about a mile away. This plateau top was only approachable by those who are either strong enough to climb, or those who can fly. I walked into town, recieving scowls from some and kind smiles from others. I walked to the opposite edge of town and entered a building. I recieved a glance from a short man behind the counter at the back of the room. There were some small rooms that branched from the main one. I strutted over to the counter and asked "Hey, I'm here for a young girl named Kana. You have her here I assume. I'll be taking her with me." I glared at the man as he held a clipboard and flipped a page or two. "Kana!" The man called. A young girl came bounding into the room and stopped and glared at me then glanced to the man behind the counter.. "Kana, I presume?" I asked in a monotone voice.
Kana stared at me, wondering who I was and how I knew her name. “Yes…” she said warily. “Who are you?”
   "I am Darkus. I am surprised you haven't heard of me. In either case, gather your belongings, you are coming with me to your new home. I'm sure it will be better than this dump." I said as I glared daggers at the man behind the counter, getting a bit of snarl in return.
She glared at me in outrage. “I’m sorry. My mother always taught me never to go anywhere with a stranger.” she said, while rolling her emerald green eyes. “…Wait, new home? What are you talking about?” she asked coldly.   
"I can't say here. Where I am taking you is a place where you will be safe. In this place, it's only a matter of time before disease breaks out. I have my reasons for coming to get you. You have no parent's anymore I assume. They were attacked, am I right? Well, Do you want the same thing to happen to you here? I know you don't so let's get moving. Gather your things." I spoke to girl, scanning her, reading her emotional stature. It was in a decent shape, but obviously shocked and scared. She wasn't one who becomes shy when scared, she becomes disobedient. Another disobedient one to deal with. I'm sure her and the other girl would get along well.
Her face paled. “H-How… how do you know about that? About my parents?” she asked quietly, taking a step backwards, unconsciously. “If I go with you, will you answer my questions?” she asked, steeling herself. “All go with you if you answer ALL of my questions.”
   "Nervous are we? You can put up a wall inside you all you want. Your eyes are windows to your inner being. I can read everything of your past. Your parents were attacked at your summer home in Montana. You ran for your life, spattered in their blood. You managed to escape and hide inside a barn, inside a pile of straw and hay. From there you climbed onto a train headed west undercover of night. You traveled from town to town until this man picked you up, collapsed on a trail due to cold and hunger. Am I right? If you want answers. Then follow me." I spoke. During the last line, I turned and walked towards the doorway, hearing her breathing pick up and she fell to her knees in shock. I glanced over my shoulder. "Well? Are you coming?"
Tears formed in her eyes. She glared at me. As they fell, she quickly picked her off her feet, and wiped them away. “Dang it…” she breathed. She walked over to me. “Fine, let’s go.” she growled, walking outside.
"Don't you have anything to gather? I assume you have something to your name." I spoke glancing at her. She stopped dead in her tracks, and spun around to face me. “I guess I should get my clothes… Other than that, no.” Her hand unconsciously went to her neck, and fiddled with a locket that hung around it.


    I didn't say a word as she walked into her room and grabbed a small dufflebag and filled it with only a few shirts and pants. She walked out of the room and I looked at her shoes. Merely thin layers of cloth. "Let's go get you some actual shoes alright? You'll die before we even reach your new home with your clothing." She followed me outside. "Come on." We walked into a store a few blocks away. "Pick out a jacket and some decent shoes and a pair of boots, as well as gloves and a hat, okay? You'll need them for where you are going." She skipped off into the aisles as I leaned against a wall at the front of the store and waited for her to finish.
She gathered he choices and bought them back to me. She seemed to loved the hate she picked out. “What dose this look like to you?” she asked, waving the hat in front of my face.
I ignored her question and walked over to a coat rack and grabbed another jacket, this one was red, smiliar to the one Kana had picked out, it's twin actually. I also grabbed a random hat, the same style as Kana's with the ears, but different, and a pair of brown gloves, a mix of suade and leather. Then grabbed a pair of black combat boots. I took the items I just grabbed items and the ones Kana was holding and went over to the counter, paid for the items with some golden coins and handed Kana's purchases back at her. "Put those on, you have quite a walk ahead of you." I spoke as I waited for her to slide her boots on, as well as button her jacket. She looked like such a child with that hat with the ears sticking out of it. Once she was done, I grabbed the bag with the other items and threw it over my shoulder and walked out of the store, with Kana right behind. We walked out of town and approached the edge of the cliffs again. "So, you know how to fly?" I asked casually.
She stared at me. “I’m sorry, WHAT? Did you ask me if I knew how to FLY!?” she eyed me warily. “You’re KIDDING, right?”
      "It was meant to lighten the mood. I see that doesn't work with you. Now, close your eyes, and keep them closed until I tell you to open them understand?" I spoke with sincerity.
“Uhh… I’m… I’m kind of scared of heights.” she said, backing away from me. “I think I’ll pass. Heh… hehehehe…” she started to giggle hysterically. “S-See yah. Heh… heh he.” She continued to back away from me, her hands in front of her.
   "Do you think I didn't know? That's why I told you to close your eyes." I said giving a bit of an eyeroll. "Don't be stubborn. It's will only take a few seconds." Making a connection with her eyes with mine, making her stop giggling in an instant.
She flushed slightly, and dropped her gaze away from mine. “Fine… BUT IF YOI DROP ME, I’LL FREAKING KILL YOU!” she yelled at me, grudgingly walking back towards me. “I swear I will,” she said, shooting me a death glare.
"Enough with your 'death glares'. They don't do anything to me. Now, then, close your eyes." I commanded. She did just so slowly. In an instant, I held her in my arms, one hand behind her knees, the other behind her neck. I bounded from ledge to ledge down the cliff face. I reached the bottom. I scanned the area for a moment. "You can open your eyes now." I spoke. She opened them slowly, looking up at me. I scanned the sky and glanced towards the moon that was beginning to rise. She didn't say a word for a few moments. "You alright?" I asked, as if I didn't know the answer.
“J-Just p-peachy.” she squeaked. Her heart was pounding, but otherwise, she was alright. “You know… Your kind of hot.” she said randomly. “How old are you?” she asked, trying to make conversation.
 I gently placed her on her feet and walked around her, and down the trail. I glanced back for a moment, while still walking. "Well, you want to get your questions answered or what? Begin asking then..." I exhaled, blowing aside her questions. I kept walking, hearing her jog to catch up beside me.
“I just asked one,” she said, rolling her eyes. “You didn’t answer. If you can’t answer a simple question, how will you ever be able to answer the more difficult ones, hmmm?” she said, taking the lead. She started walking backwards so she could talk to me easier. “How old are you?” she repeated. “How do you know my name? And how do you know about my parents? How do you know about my past? Where are you taking me?” All of her questions came out in a rush, and she blushed slightly. Se stared at me, still walking backwards. “Well?” she asked, waiting for my answer.
"First off, I know your name because I just do. Secondly, I was entrusted to retrieve you when it was time to. No questions asked. I know about your parents and your past because I can read minds. I am taking you to a place where you will be safe from enemies. The same ones that killed your parents. Anything else?" I replied as kindly as I could muster.
She stopped walking, and I walked right past her. “Wait a second.” she said, spinning around. I stopped, giving her a “What now?” look. “You… read minds?” WHAT!?!” I started walking again. “Entrusted by who??”
    I sighed. "Need I repeat myself. I said No questions asked, and you ask.... I see you have alot to learn. Now, then if you don't have any questions I haven't answered already. It's time we continue. If we pick up the pace we can make it back before dark.”
She groaned loudly. “I. HATE. WALKING.” she grumbled, catching up to me. “Entrusted by who!?!”
   "I said No questions asked. Now enough, before I get annoyed enough to make you close your eyes....permanently. Now, any new questions? How about why I am getting you opposed to anyone else?" I rolled my eyes and continued to walk.
“Don’t threaten me!” she said angrily. “Fine. Why me.” she asked.
    "You are special. You have a power that makes you targeted for extermination. You were the one those people were after when they attacked your home and killed your parents. So, you need to be protected, at least kept out of thier hands." I spoke, watching a bit of relief come across her face. "But, keep this in mind. I won't hesitate for a second to take you out if you lay even a hair out of line. I'll make sure that you receive a fate far worse than mere death if you disobey me. Do you understand?" I spoke, glaring daggers.
She glared back. “I don’t scare easily.” she said. “You have to do better than that.” she said simply. She raised her head, sticking her nose in the air snobbishly. She was being a brat. “…What kind of powers?” she asked, looking at me from the corner of her eye.
   She just placed a hair out of line. I waited until she blinked. In that instant I drew my blade and had it at her throat, myself behind her. I let my blade touch her throat enough to leave a small cut. "Do you understand now?" I asked. I sheathed my sword again and glared at her, my eyes glowing indigo. She stared off into space, shocked at seeing her reflection in my blade as it cut her, and placed a hand to it, seeing the blood on her fingertips, staining the gloves. "Everyone is different. You won't know until the powers reveal themselves. In the meantime, you need to be watched. As long as you don't go with them, I don't care what happens to you. Got it?"
   “Whatever.” she said, putting as much venom in that small word as she could. She started to stalk off, taking the lead once again. Jerk, she thought.
"Watch it!" I shouted. I jumped infront of Kana with sword drawn. I swung the sword as I jumped in front of her, reflecting a bullet back to the sender hiding in a bush. "I might be a jerk, but I am the jerk that your life is hanging by right now. Take it the way you want." I walked over to the bush and saw the man lying there, a bullet hole between his eyes. "These are the guys that are after people like you." She walked over to where I was and saw the guy, eyes still open. She was clearly freaked a bit. "Now then, let's get going. We need to get back to camp before nightfall. Or these guys will catch up. Let's hustle while you ask any more questions." We got back on the path. She didn't walk ahead of me, nor behind me. She got the message now.
She kept looking around warily, as if expecting another attack. “So…” she said after awhile. “Umm… T-Thank you.” she said reluctantly, looking away from me.
   "It's fine. For now, you will remain alive. Like I said, as long as you obey me like a good little girl, you will be fine. We are nearly back so let me fill you in. You will be living inside a cabin with two other girls, one of which has her powers... if you want to so laughably call them that..... and another who just arrived earlier this week, who is like you, powerless for the moment.  She is just about your age and she is in the same boat as you. Her parents were just killed as well by the same group of people who killed yours. You will all learn to find your powers as well as control them when they show......Any questions?" I spoke with a bit of irritation, but calmness. “None at the moment.”
   "Good. Now then, we are approaching the building." We broke through the treeline. "Follow me." I walked over to the wood box and took Kana's bags and held them in my hand. "Grab a bunch of logs. You'll need them for the night." I spoke. Kana wasn't too strong, but decent enough. Certainly could be worse. I led her over to the cabin and I exchanged the logs for her bags when we got in the room. I placed the logs in wooden box near the fireplace. "Girls. Get in here!" I called. Both girls can stumbling into the room, Kasey sleepily of course. "This is Kana. She's just like both of you. Get used to each other. You'll be the family to each other that you don't have anymore." I threw the bag of clothing to Max. She nearly batted it to the floor. She opened it and tried the coat and everything on. It fit just fine. "Ahem!" I coughed. The girls then began to talk for a little while, while I hung back and listened.



    My mouth almost feel to the floor when I saw Darkus standing there with....KANA?! I wanted to murder him for bringing her here. But before I strangled him, I was going to hug the greatest chick in the world. "KANA!" I squealed. I ran over to her and probably gave her the biggest hug in the world. "What the heck are you doing her?!" Kana looked at me wide eyed. "Darkus came and got me! He told me all that stuff! He can read minds, and all sorts of junk! And he's mean! He cut me under my throat!" she announced, pointing to the cut on her throat. Rage boiled in my blood. HOW DARE HE LAY A HAND UPON HER!?! "But besides him being a jerk and stuff he's kinda hot and-" I cut her off. "WAIT! HOT?! DID YOU HIT YOUR HEAD??? And second..." I spat while turning to Darkus. I marched right over there to him and slapped him as hard as I could across the face. Leaving a nice little red handprint. And there was a nice POP too! "Okay, I'm grateful and all that ya brought her, BUT YOU DARE TOUCH HER AND I WILL KILL YOU!!!" I yelled.
“Would you want a cut to match?” he spoke letting his eyes glow indigo. He placed two fingers at my shoulder, making me fly back and leaving a large bruise on my shoulder. “Better learn to behave, Max. I could have let her die out there, Max. I could have let you die as well. So, count you lucky stars I was merciful.” he spat, his eyes still glowing.
   I sat upright, clutching my shoulder, and glaring at him with raw hate. "I'd rather have died then be stuck with the big black chicken-man..." I hissed through barred teeth. "You demonic scum-bag. Go back to you roost, birdy." I spat back at him. “Max..” Kana said quietly. “He saved my life, on the way here.” she said softly, but reluctantly.
   "Heh... Drudge. You don't have a choice now, do you?" he spat. “Go talk with your friend. I'll come back in the morning. Rest up, you'll be worked real hard tomorrow. We need to rise your powers to the surface, or else I'll need to save you all, all the time. I am no babysitter, mind you."

With that, Darkus left. Rage sang in my blood. I started after him, but Kana grabbed my arms and pulled me into a warm embrace. And I welcomed it gladly. I had missed her hugs, Kana gave the best hugs in the world. And not even having them for a few days seemed like forever. But now, at least my life won’t be as bad.

   Kana sat beside me on my bed. I was still clutching my arm, which felt broken right now. It hurt to move, and it was so bad I wanted to cry my eyes out. But I couldn't cry. Not here. Not infront of Kana. I heard a purring noise grow louder until Kasey was in the room, and her purring stopped. "Alright! Ready to go to the bonfire?" she asked. I looked at Kana, holding back tears of pain. "Wanna go? I heard there's gonna be s'mores."
She looked down at me, worriedly. If there was one person to ever bring out her maternal side, it was me. “Your arm…” she said, gesturing to it. “I don’t think that you should be moving around a lot…” she said, glaring at Kasey.
    I bared my teeth, not of anger, but of pain. "It's fine, Kana. I have had worse. I have had worse than this... believe me. And I heard this bonfire is something special." I said slowly. Kasey nodded, her cat eyes studying us. "Got that right. The bonfire is where you will be claimed. And no doubt that Kristoff, the jerk, will be there. And no doubt his little pet Darkus will be there too." Darkus? Now I really wanted to go, so I could give him a piece of my mind.
Kana perked her head up in interest. “Who’s Kristoff?” she asked the feline. She stole a quick glance at me. She growled quietly. “Max, your in no condition to fight.” she turned her attention back to Kasey, waiting for an answer.
   Kasey shrugged her shoulders. "Eh, he's the village leader." I grounded my teeth together. "Fine, I won't fight. But I am still going to give him the lecture of his LIFE! And, yeah, I met Kristoff when I first came. He's a nice guy." I said, smiling at the thought of him.
Kana sighed. “Fine, we’ll go.” she said. “But if you think I’m letting you out of my sight, Missy, you are poorly mistaken!” she scolded, rounding on me. Then it seemed to dawn on her. “How come I’m the only one who hasn’t met Kristoff?!” she yelled, annoyed.
    I blinked. "I'm sure you'll meet the guy at the bonfire." I said, trying to sound hopeful. Although, I was pretty bummed Kana was going to play the role as babysitter. "Besides, he's busy guy. But I'm sure you will love'em."
“I better as heck meet him.” she grumbled. Kasey sighed impatiently. “Are we going, or what?” she asked irritably. “Yeah, yeah.” Kana said, waving a hand at her dismissively. She offered her hand to me, and she pulled me off the bed. “Let’s go, before Miss Kitty kills us.” she said, while rolling her emerald eyes.
   I heard a hiss, like a real cat hiss, and jumped, making pain shoot up through my arm. "OW!" I screamed. "Sorry!" Kasey meowed. "Come on," I growled. When we walked outside the cabin it was dark, and cold. Kasey lead us around some buildings, into the center of the villiage, where the fire was burning brightly. Except... the flames were PURPLE?! Don't get me wrong, I loved purple. It was one of my favorite colors... But why was the fire purple? "Um, Kasey... Why is the fire purple?" I asked nervously, Kana staring at the fire as well. "Oh, I guess everyone is just excited tonight. The fire changes color and grows higher or lower with everyone’s mood."
“That… is… weird.” Kana said slowly, staring into the flames. The tongues of lavender fire dancing, the smoke curling into the sky. It was beautiful. Kasey and I started moving again, but Kana stayed where she was. We stopped. “What are you doing?” Kasey asked, I sensed that she really didn’t care. “Are you coming?” I asked. “Mmm…” she said. But she didn’t move. The flames were hypnotizing her, and she was unable to move. Purple fire. What IS this place?
      I was beginning to feel scared. What was happening to Kana? "K-Kana?" Silence. "Kana!" My voice knocked her out of little day-dream. "Huh? Wha?" I rolled my eyes and grabbed her arm gently with my good arm and dragged her along. When we got near the bon fire, the flames were HUGE! Almost twenty feet tall! And yet it only felt like it was a small fire, no blazing heat like I was about to melt. And I saw other colors inside the fire too, down near the bottom. Such as neon green, hot pink, blue, gray, black, yellow, and crimson. "Whoa..." Kana and I whispered in harmony. "Ah! Max! It's good to see you, Чертенок!" I knew that voice. I looked to my left to see Kristoff strutting towards us, a large grin on his face. His hair wasn't slicked back anymore, but hung down into his eyes. His turquiose colored eyes shinning brilliantly against the purple flames.
“Max? Who’s that?” she whispered, as Kristoff approached us. She eyed him curiously, hiding her interest.
Kana's jaw dropped, and I wanted to burst out laughing. I so saw this coming! I'd so tease her about this later, for payback about Aaron. "That's Kristoff," I whispered to Kana," he's the village leader." Kana nodded, keeping her eyes locked on Kristoff. Kristoff smiled down at us, kindly, warmly. "I am terribly sorry about your arm, Чертенок. Darkus is just, as you say, exhausted. And he is in a terrible mood. Your arm should heal by tommorow, Чертенок, but you will have a bruise for a while." he chuckled. Then his eyes turned to Kana, and  for a split second, I saw sparks in them.
        "Why hello....Изумрудные красоты" he said, in a almost dreamy voice. Staring into her green eyes.
I saw her pokerface slipping away, and she scrambled to get it back. Her cheeks turning pink, and she couldn’t keep her eyes off him. “I-I have no idea what you just said.” she stuttered. She cursed herself. Since when did guys make HER nervous? “But it’s a pleasure to meet you!” she shot him the sexiest smile she could muster. That’s my girl.
"My name is Kristoff. I am the villiage leader here... And you, Изумрудные красоты, have the most beautiful emerald colored eyes I have seen. Could I have the honor, by asking you to sit by me durning the bonfire?" he asked her sweetly. I saw Kana's mouth fall open again, and Kristoff chuckled. "You may come sit by us as well, Чертенок." he said. I looked over his shoulder, trying to catch a glimpse of Mr. Creepy. but he was nowhere in sight. "Um, where's Darkus?" Kristoff tensed. "He's out hunting, I'm afraid. He shall not be joining us tonight." he said quietly, almost in a hushed whisper. But then my attention went back to Kana whom I thought was gonna die.
She looked like her heart had stopped beating for a few seconds. “I-I’d be honored…” she said, her cheeks going redder.
   "Now then, let's go sit by the fire, before you both catch cold." he said. I saw Kristoff wrap an arm around Kana, and I could tell she was using every bit of strength not to faint. I wanted to laugh, but it was so cute. Now I know why she teased me all the time. We sat down on a log beside some other mutants, and across from us, sitting on another log, was Angel. Her innocent blue eyes were locked on mine. And for a moment, she didn't seem so innocent. For a split second, she seemed... dangerous. Like something deep, dark, and evil was within them. I look over and Kristoff, who was whispering things into Kana's ear, making her blush and giggle. 
I was actually starting to feel very comfortable. Until it happened. The flames exploded and everyone screamed, I closed my eyes, thinking when I opened them I wouldn’t have any skin. But when I opened my eyes, I was untouched. Then there was a faint green glow… I looked beside me to see that Kana, my Kana, was glowing a neon green. “K… Kana…?” I was speechless. What was happening to her. Kristoff had his eyes locked on Kana intently. What had he done to her?! That’s when things got crazy. She start floating! She was raised several feet off the ground, and her face filled with panick. “I-I don’t like heights!” she squeaked. “Hold on, Kana!” I said, jumping to my feet. “Wait!” Kristoff snapped. “She’s being claimed…” Everyone at the bonfire had there eyes on her, not daring to look away for a split second. Then, the neon green color in the fire burst out and floated towards her. For a moment, it was just a small sphere, then it turned into a see-through, neon green fox. Kana stared at the little fox in wonder. The little fox turned back into a sphere, and it floated into her chest.
There was a brilliant flash of green and she started to rocket towards the ground. Kristoff jumped into the air, snapping out his golden and bronzed wings. He caught her in mid-flight and landed softly on the ground. “Kana!” I screeched. I ran over to Kristoff, who was cradling Kana in his arms. “She’s alright.” he said calmly, as if nothing ever happened. “Kana! Kana?!” I yelled. I looked down at her. She was alright, as if nothing had changed… except for a two small details. On her head, were two fox ears. And she had a nice little bushy tail, with white on the end. “Wha…?” Kristoff smiled. “She has been claimed by the fox spirit. An honor, indeed.” I stared down at her. Oh… my… God. She was a fox. With big fluffy ears and a bushy tail.
Her emerald eyes opened up weakly. “Twinnie?” she asked. I hadn’t heard her call me that in a long time. “Kana, don’t freak! We’ll fix you!” I promised her. Kana blinked, confused. “What?” she asked. Then it dawned on her that Kristoff was holding her. Her eyes darted to his face. Kana’s cheeks darkened until they were cherry red. “Um, uh… you can put me down n-now.” she stuttered. “Of course.” Kristoff replied.
Kristoff set Kana on her feet, but still had an arm wrapped around her waist, in case she might fall. “Kana… You have ears… and a tail.” Her expression was confused at first, then she saw her bushy tail, and her mouth fell open. And one hand reached up and grabbed at one of her ears.
“Kana, I promise, I’ll find a way to change you back!” Her eyes widened and she looked back at me like I was insane. “Change back? HECK NO! I want keep the ears and tail!” I blinked. Had she gone crazy? “Kana, I don’t think that-” The fire blazed again. Except the flame started changing colors, from red, to orange, blue, purple, green, yellow, blue… every single color you can possibly imagine. Then the color turned into a deep red, almost the color of blood.
Angel, the little girl, was giving me a twisted smile. And now I realized that everyone here was no longer looking at Kana… they were looking at me. Faces pale. Angel got to her feet, still smiling at me. “You’re going to die now.”

I stared into her blue eyes. Suddenly, the little seven year-old didn't seem so harmless... "You're going to die now." she spoke again. Then, I noticed her gaze wasn't exactly on mine. It was on the person beside me. A boy, no older than sixteen, was who she had her eyes on. His brown eyes widened, his mouth agape in mid-scream, but no sound erupted from his mouth. "Die." Angel said in an emotionless tone. The boy fell to the ground, motionless. Dead. I stared at the boy, shaking in fear. One word. And she had killed him. Oh my God... I ran over to Kana and Kristoff. Kana and I stared at the boy. While Kristoff kept his eyes on Angel. "Angel," he growled. Angel looked up at him, as if she had done nothing. "His time had come." she said simply. The fire's heat started to increase like a starburst. Angel's eyes locked on mine. "Looks like your about to be claimed. Better hurry." she said in her sing-song voice.


I stared at the dead boy in horror. What had just happened !?! I looked at the little girl, Angel, as she spoke. That was her !? But she was so small and innocent... The fire startled me, its heat getting stronger, as if it was angry. "Looks like you're about to be claimed. Better hurry." Angel said to Max. Max and I looked each other. Max looked kind of scared. "It's okay, Max. Its not bad. It doesn't hurt or anything.~" I said, trying my best to ease her anxiety.


I stared at the Kana. "Your lying," I whispered. "I don't wanna be claimed. I'm fine." I said, backing away. "As expected..." a cold voice breathed. I whirled around on my heel. There, standing on top of a tree branch, was Darkus. He was leaning against the branch. He just stood there, observing the situation. "Great, that's all I need." I hissed. I turned back to the fire. A orb just like the one that came to Kana, except it was red, floated out of the fire. Then, it morphed into a large bird of prey. It might have been an eagle or a falcon... I couldn't really tell. It let out a cry and dive down towards me, it cut in between Kana and I. And suddenly I was by myself. Cut off from my friends. That's when things got funky. I started glowing... Oh joy. I was going to be Mrs. Chicken! Don't be scared... a voice in my head said softly. But it wasn't my own. Suddenly, I didn't feel scared of the large bird. The bird changed back into a sphere and floated towards me.



I was about to tell Max I would never lie to her, when Darkus cut me off. I looked towards where the voice was coming from, and saw him standing on the branch of a tree not very far from where Max, Kristoof, and I stood. A red orb came out of the fire, morphing into a bird of some sort. I guessed it was a bird, because of the wings. It made an odd cry, which made my newly formed ears twitch. It cut suddenly inbetween Max and I. What a rude orb, I thought. And then Max started glowing, just as I had. Ooooh, go Max! I cheered in my head.



I flew down from the branch and landed beside Kana. "She'll be fine. Being claimed is more an energization than a harmful event. It makes you stronger in physicality." I spoke emotionless. I glared at Max, catching her glance. I nodded approvingly, making her settle down. Don't be scared I thought. Of course, she would hear the voice in her spirits voice. A strange connection only she herself will ever truly understand. If she had paniced anymore, the spirit would have seen her as denying her place in the world. If you deny your place, you are relieved from the world entirely. She needed to calm herself. The voice inside can, if heard. I just watched as the claiming continued.



I don't like this, I don't like this, I don't like this, I said as the orb came towards me. I wasn't scared, but I still wasn't to comfy about becoming a walking talking chicken. Then the orb slowly made it's way into my chest. Suddenly I couldn't breath, it was as if all air had left my lungs. My back exploded with pain, and I wanted to scream but no sound came from my throat. It will be over in a moment... Calm yourself, Max... the voice rang in my head. What was going on?! Why was I hearing a voice in my head. Oh, God. Maybe after I'm changed, I'll be mental. And then everyone will say, "Oh look, isn't that the crazy chicken girl?" LEAST of my problems.
Then, there would be Darkus, who would probably torment me for the rest of my ever loving life. Then, the pain ended. I could breath and the pain. I opened my eyes, and Kana was grinning at me. And Darkus was standing near Kristoff, glaring at me. "Max!" Kana squealed. "You have wings!" What? I looked over my shoulder. I felt the blood drain from my face. Oh, no. No, no, no, no, no.



I smiled widely, and hugged Max, being careful not to squish her wings. "Oh my gosh, this is so cool!" I exclaimed, touching her wings. "Look at them! They're so pretty!" Max stared at them in shock. "What'sah matter, Max?" I asked, letting go of ehr and taking a step back, so as to look at her better. "Um..." Max said simply. "You don't like them?" I asked, somewhat shocked. She had WINGS. God forsaken WINGS. She could fly. If she didn't like her wings, she was crazy.


"So, you have been claimed by the Avian spirit just as Kristof and I were. It's a very benefitial spirit to be claimed by. You should be honored, Max." I spoke. As I said her name, she closed her eyes began to fall forward. In an instant I was under her, proping her head up by my shoulder. "Let's get her back to the cabin. Kana, grab some water! Kasey, grab some meat from the cart! Meet back at the cabin in 5 minutes, got it! She needs to rest" I spoke, picking her up in my arms. I began to walk back towards the cabin. I swear at one point she regained conciousness, but soon passed back out again.



Why, oh why, is this happening to me?! I thought hysertically. I'm a freaking CHICKEN! Nice big dark chocolate wings. JOY! I have no idea who caught me, but I was somewhat thankful they did, or else I would have done a faceplant straight in the snow. I could hear voices in the background. Kana, Kristoff, Darkus, some villagers... It was crazy. I kept my eyes closed. Maybe this was a bad, bad dream. I couldn't possibly be a chicken, could I? I peeked my eyes open, just to see who was carrying me. I looked up to see Darkus, he looked down at me with his dark eyes. I didn't knoq if he was glaring at me or not. I whimpered and closed my eyes. God, I was never going to hear the end of this.



I stood there stupidly for about 10 seconds, before Darkus's request of me sank in. I ran off in search of water, giving a small goodbye smile to Kristoff as I took off. I ran around frantically, in search of water. I found it quickly (water isn't exactly the rarest substance), and rushed back to the cabin. "Water is here!" I said, giving it to Darkus.



"Good." I replied as I set Max down onto her bed, making sure her wings were tucked nicely behind her back. "Now, what is taking Kasey so long!" I spoke with frustration. As soon as I had finished she came strolling in the front door carrying a leg of deer. "Good, Kasey. Place that on the fire." I spoke, as I filled a glass of water from Kana and set it Max's bedside. "She'll wake up any minute now. Laying down makes the blood rush to where it is needed, she'll wake up in a moment." I spoke getting up and walking to the center of the room. "However, BOTH of you, need to make sure Max remains calm the next few days. You understand me? If she doesn't, then she could possibly pass out again and get brain damage if I am not here to react to the situation. Nobody here wants that, so make sure it doesn't happen." I spoke glaring between Kana and Kasey. I heard a sighing from Max. She was coming to.



I let a hand come up to my head, and I groaned. I slowly sat up. "Ugh... Kana.... I had, like, the weridest dream ever. You had ears and -" I cut my sentence off when I saw her. She had the ears and bushy tail. "Wait, that means..." I began, my heart rate starting to pick up. I let a hand go around to my back. I felt feathers, that much was for sure. "No, no, no, no, no, NO!" I screamed. "Get'em off!" I cried. I didn't help if I looked like the biggest cry baby on earth. "I don't WANT to be a chicken!!" I sobbed. Calm yourself. You aren't going to make things better, and besides. I don't give wings to just any mortal. A voice rang in my head. "SHUT! WHO ASKED YOU IF I WANTED THEM?!?!" I yelled, tears running down my face.



"Max! Max, sshhh." I soothed her, sitting on beside her on the bed. She was panicking, tears streaming down her face. Make sure Max remains calm, I remembered Darkus saying. I kicked it up a notch. "Max," I started, but was cut off by her wailing. "Max, It--" I heard her sob something about a chicken. How stupid was she? Those OBVIOUSLY were not chicken wings. "MAX!" I yelled. She stopped and looked at me, shocked at my outburst. She was still crying though. "YOU AREN'T A CHICKEN." I yelled at her. "NOW JUST CALM DOWN!" I realized I should take my own advice. Yelling was not going to help her. "You aren't a chicken." I said, more calmly. "I don't know what kind of bird you are, but whatever it is, it's definetly a lot cooler than a chicken."



"Max, understand this. You can die if you don't keep calm for the next few days while your spirit and the spirit that claimed you intertwine. You had a premature reaction, which in turn saps you of all energy. If your body has not grown old enough to accept the spirit willingly at the time of claiming, then you need to allow it to fill you up. Allow yourself to fuse with it. The Spirit that claims you saps all energy if the body is too young, this weakening forces the claimed to recover and rest. If you do not rest, or if your emotions get in the way, it WILL kill you. Got it? You need to remain calm for a few days, take it easy and relax. DO NOT attempt to fly or use your wings at all until I say you can begin training. This is an ORDER! Understand?" Max looked at me with pure fear. She was scared, as she should be. Not even Kristoff would know how to react to a premature claiming. She was dependent upon my knowledge. "Kana, you seem to fine, so you may begin training tomorrow. However, seeing as Max needs someone to keep her calm, you will be charged with keeping Max calm. If you let her die, you will follow. If you succeed, you and Max will begin training together. So, good luck. Kasey, nothing changes for you." I remarked. Kasey replied with a purr and she crawled into bed. I rolled my eyes at her. "Now then, any questions, either of you?" I asked glancing between Max and Kana.



Did he say DIE? He was kidding, right? Suddenly, my fear turned to rage. I jumped off my bed and poked a finger at his chest. "Listen pal. I don't PLAN to. And all this talk of spirits and junk doesn't really convince me! I don't even WANT these wings. I wanted to be NORMAL. I didn't want these wings in the freaking first place. Ever since YOU came, my life has turned upside down. Do me a favor, how about you just KILL me now. Save us BOTH the trouble!! I don't like you, and no way am I wanting to be your "Drudge"." I spat. My glare turned to over to Kana. "And don't go, "Oh, Max, your over reacting" <CENSORED>. I don't want to hear it from ANY of you!!!!" Calm yourself. Why be so negative? You've got the one gift that most humans would KILL for... That stupid voice again. "How about you shut up too!" I yelled, pulling at my blonde curls.




"Um, Max? Who are you talking too?" I asked, staring at her as if she were mental. She didn't answer me, she just continued to yank on her hair. I grabbed her hands and brought them away from hair. I looked into her eyes directly. "If I ever hear you say you want him to kill you, I'll kick you so hard you'll be bleeding rainbows out the butt for a month." I growled at her. "And Max, you are normal.. you live in a village full of half animal people... this is normal here." I said, rolling my eyes.




I just stared at Max going through her tantrum. Kana wasn't able to calm her down. I walked over to Max and put two fingers to her forehead. My fingers glowed, Max immediately passed out. I caught her and placed her back into bed. "That should settle her tune. That was special power I have, seeing as I was claimed by the same spirit she has. When, or if, she awakens, she will have come to terms with her powers. She is now going to be tested, inside herself. Her spirit and the spirit that claimed her are a swirling torment of fighting inside of her, making her stressed and exhausted. She will now be put through rigorous training. She will feel the damage she takes, but it will not hurt her physical body. These tests will make her use the claimed spirits power to survive." I spoke. "I didn't want to go this route, considering it could kill her in a higher likelihood. She left no choice. Kana, she can hear you if her will begins to waver. You must NOT mention that she is imagining all this, got it? If you do, the spirit will exterminate her on the spot. You will still care for her. When she awakens, send word for me, alright? I will check in once in the morning and once in the evening to make sure there are no fatal side effects beginning to arise. It is common that she will get a fever, so place a cool cloth to her forehead. Prop her up a few times a day and help water drip down her throat. Keep her alive, Kana. That is your job for now." I looked at Kana, who looked at Max worryingly. "That is all for now. Unless you have any questions for me." I said turning around and glancing over my right shoulder.



"Ughh, right... No pressure, or anything. You know, just Max's life and all. No biggie." I glared at him. "Why is it just me? I mean sure, I know how to take care of Max, and I'd never let anything happen to her, but why about Kitty Kasey, over there!?" I said, jabbing a finger in Kasey's direction. "Why can't she help?" I don't know if I can do this... I'm horrible at taking care of other people. I thought to myself. But this is Max... I won't let her die. I promised myself. I turned around to face Max, passed out soundly on the bed. I steeled myself. "I'll take care of her," I promised Darkus, turning back to look at him. "She's safe."



"Kasey cannot help because she has no attachment to Max. Max will only hear friends of her's. If you had not arrived, she would be dead by now, or she would need to face her claimed spirit alone. Now that everything seems fine here for the moment. I am going to head back to the fire, send Kasey for me if something happens." I spoke as I opened the door and left. Kana sat by Max's bedside silently.



I felt coolness… Like cool water was running over my skin. I slowly opened my eyes, to see I was in a field of fire. Large, red tongues clawing at the sky, as if trying to take it hostage. I took in a breath, but my lungs weren’t being smothered by smoke… Where was I? The center of your soul… or where your emotions run freely, a voice echoed through my head. “Who’s there?” I called. Then a figure began to walk through the fire, and my eyes widened. This person… was far from being human. Her calculating eyes seemed to stare through my very being… “This is the center of your soul, Max… I am your soul.” The spirit spoke. The spirit looked just like me… except she was way more beautiful. Her hair was muti-colored. Having brown, blonde, and even some red in it, and a few feathers and braids tied in. Her dark brown eyes were kind, but steeled and looked curious. Her wings matched her hair… same exact color. She wore blue jeans, and a black tank top, with some battle armor covering her clothes.
“You’re my… soul?” I asked. The girl nodded. “I am of both, Max. I have combined with your soul, becoming one with you.” Flames sparked around her, and I slowly started to back away. “Okay… um, spirit. What’s your name?” I asked, trying to make normal chit-chat. “Only YOU know that, Max. You’re the one who can set me free, you decide weither you are worthy enough to wield my power in battle. And only you can make the decision of if your going to die or not in this fight…”

“Wha…. What?” I uttered, staring at the girl in disbelief. The girl just smiled, flashing flawless white teeth, chocolate brown eyes twinkling. “Let the games begin!” The fire disappeared, and my world yet again went dark. I felt wind, like a mighty hurricane, tossing me around helplessly. I tried to scream, but no sound came from my throat. The roar of the wind was to loud.
The wind stopped. Silence. I peeked open my eyes, which had been shut almost the entire time, and looked around curiously. I was in a forest… Was I back home? Why did I have that weird dream?
You aren’t home, young one, a voice cooed in my head. I whirled around on my feet to meet the dark gaze of a man. He was pretty tall… and handsome. He has messy, black, raven-colored hair that hung neatly around his shoulders. His bangs falling into his dark eyes. His skin was pale… like a China Doll. He had almost the same fashion sense as Mr. Creepy, but yet, it didn’t bother me as much as it did with Creepers.
“Who the heck are you?” I demanded, narrowing my eyes. “That’s none of your concern, girl. I’ve long awaited to see you…” the man murmured, staring at me with his dark eyes. “Let me go. I have no interest in you, the other girl, the wings, anything! Just take me home!” Mr. Creepy version two, just shook his head. I decided to call him Lucifer. “I’m afraid I cannot do that just yet…” I blinked. He was gone. What th- I felt a prickling sensation on my neck, then someone grabbed my arm very forcefully and pinned it behind my back. I tried to scream, but that was near impossible. I felt myself being lifted off the ground, and I sucked in a sharp breath, realizing in just mere seconds we were thousands of feet up in the air. I wanted to scream. Oh, God, how I wanted to. But it seemed nearly impossible.
“A bird pushes it’s young out of the nest to teach it to fly, to see if it’s worthy of living,” Lucifer hissed into my ear, making me gasp. “Let’s see if my decision was right in choosing you!” I felt his hands release me. And I began to fall to my death. You only have a few moments, Lucifer growled in my head. I closed my eyes. Maybe if I wished it, I would wake up, and this wouldn’t be happening. There’s no place like home, there’s no place like home… DANGIT! My heart jumped around inside my chest, the roar of the wind was so loud I thought I might go deaf. I was going to die…. Wait a minute! I hesitated, I didn’t want wings… but I had to do this. I couldn’t die. Not now. I bared my teeth and let out a snarl, and snapped open my wings. Large, powerful dark brown sails. They were magnificent.. Fifteen feet of pure power and beauty. It was amazing! I could feel the wind run through my feathers. It felt like pure freedom. I highly recommend it.
The wing caught me, and my wings were yanked back, hard. I winced pushed them down. And just like that…. I was flying. Of course, I had to flap though. Instinctively I leveled myself out and kept my wings out wide. Up, down, up, down, up, down. I hinged my shoulder blades back to allow me more freedom. God, this felt amazing! So this is what flying was like… I blinked a few times. I could see the details on the leaves on the trees. COOL! Maybe I could get use to this.
A black shadow suddenly appeared beside me. It startled me so much, I forgot to flap and dropped several feet. Lucifer gave me a devilish smile, and said, “You learn quickly, Max. You can fly… But can you hunt?” He tucked his midnight colored wings tightly against his back and dived, disappearing under the canopy of the trees below us. “Hey! Come back here, you jerk!” I snarled. I tucked my wings in a bit and dived after him. This seemed so natural.. Everything did. It was like I’d been doing this for years… yet this was my first time. Maybe it was my instincts?
Right before I crashed in the trees, I snapped my wings open, breaking fast. Yow! Note to self: No sudden unfurling. I glided flawlessly over the canopy, my eyes searching frantically for him. Every once in awhile I’d see a shadow out of the corner of my eye. Dang, he was fast! I was beginning to grow tired of his games… I just wanted to go home! Was that to much to ask?! Can a girl not just chillax? No. Because that seems nearly impossible now, doesn’t it? Okay, I’ll stop nagging and get on with the story. Your welcome.
I was so close to the canopy now that the tips of my wings were brushing some of the branches. I pulled up and hovered for a moment or two. I could no longer see any shadows. Where had he gone? Had he disappeared? What if he was no longer under me? WAIT! If he was no longer under me, then…. My eyes widened and my head snapped up above me. There, silhouetted against the moon, his dark wings wide, was Lucifer. “Why you--!!!” I snarled viciously, as my muscles coiled to launch myself at him.
I darted toward him, rage radiating off me like the sun. My hand curled into a fist and I reared back to punch him. My fist flew, but he dodged. I thought I heard him chuckled, and this made me want to scream. WHO DID THIS GUY THINK HE WAS?! I surged after him, deciding to kill him was a appropriate response. Soon, we were side by side, and I glared at him. I pulled up a bit, until I was a few feet above him. The I dove down and elbowed him, hard. He let out a gasp and kept drilling my elbow into his back. But somehow he go out from under me. He angled himself out and face me, as we circled each other, our wings rising and falling in unison. I lunged at him, trying my best to punch him in the face. But he just easily blocked my arm and pushed me back. I swung my feet forward and smashed my feet into his chest, and Lucifer let out a satisfying, “Oof” and fell a few feet. He did a back-flip and then rushed back at me, his eyes demonic and full of rage. He looked as if he were in a bloodlust. He slammed his fist hard into my stomach, making the air leave my lungs. I began to fall, and the ground was coming at me all to fast.
NO! Not now! Thankfully, I was able to catch myself, spreading my wings wide and soaring back up. But when my eyes searched for Lucifer, I couldn’t find him. What the…? I ran a frustrated hand through my blonde curls and began my descent.
I landed on the forest floor, tucking my wings neatly behind my back. Strangely, it felt right to have wings…
All that just happened was an illusion, little one, Lucifer’s voice echoed. What? That’s right… all that you just did, didn’t really happen. Remember, this I my realm. Right then and there, I felt like breaking down. What the heck?! A ILLSUION? Kill. Me. Now.
And then, as if God heard my prayer, a idea gushed into my head. I blinked. A devilish smile spread across my face. “Brillllllliant!” I chanted. I flashed open my wings and took a running start, then took to the air. I found a tree, and landed quietly. I pressed my back against the bark and sat very still… I was going to take that sucker down one way or another. Hiding won’t get you anywhere, Max. You have twenty five minutes before the sun rises, and you meet you demise, Lucifer quipped. ! What’s next?! Is he going to tell me my favorite food is Zaxbys chicken? “Just terrific,” I muttered bitterly. This was all I needed. To DIE. Poor, Kana. Poor, poor Kana… She would be so miserable after my death… Who would sing the Hula song with her? And so much more. I could picture my funeral. Kana, my Kana, crying her gorgeous green eyes out. Mascara running down her face, Kristoff having an arm wrapped around her delicate shoulders. She would place a small set of flowers on my grave, Kasey staring at my tombstone sadly. Darkus, the jerk, in the background giving a faint smile. He, unlike most people, would be happy about my death. And that didn’t really surprise me at all, really.
But then again… I really didn’t want to die. I shot from my hiding place, and began darting through the trees. Did I ever mention flying with your wings pulled in some is REALLY difficult? My eyes searched for his dark shadow, but all to no avail. Alas, while searching for him, I didn’t notice the huge tree branch sticking out. I’ll let you guess what happens next.
I crashed into it, hard. I felt as if my lungs had been crushed. I gasped for air, my fingers clawing desperately to grip something, anything. I got a grip and hauled myself onto the branch, clinging to it as if it was the most important thing in the universe. Tears of pain threatened to pour from my eyes. I bared my teeth and held them back. No crying, Max. No crying. Not now. I forced myself to sit upright, slowing my breathing and trying to relax. “Dang… “ I muttered. I let go of the branch, and got to my feet, extending my wings a bit to help keep myself balanced. My eyes scanned for him. It was getting brighter by the minute, which ment I was running out of time. I let out a shaky breath and glided down to another branch on another tree. My landing was graceful, and I almost lost balance and fell.
“You can do this Maxie,” I muttered. Please, God, oh please. If your there, help me out here! And then, as if my magic, there he was. Not twenty feet away from me. Lucifers back was turned from me. He was crouched down, sitting very still. His dark figure almost blended in with the tree, almost making him invisible. I smiled, and looked up at the sky. “Thank you,” I mouthed.
I lunged at him. I was now in a red bloodlust, and it wouldn’t be satisfied until he was gone. Or dead. Either way, I’d still be happy. “TAKE THAT!” I growled, as my fist met the back of his shaggy black head. My hands scrambled for his throat. I began squeezing. His hands grabbed hold of mine, trying to pry my hands off. We tumbled off the branch, and began falling. Lucifer snapped out his wings, and I did the same. Bad move. Not only were we trying to CHOKE each other now, but our wings were tangled. My eyes met his for a split second, and time seemed to slow. Everything moving in slow motion. Soon, we were barely even moving. Shampoo commercial style! I looked at him and I thought my head my have exploded. Images, memories, something, was moving through my mind at rapid speed…. I couldn’t make any of it out at all. It was like a movie, I guess. Then it hit me….
“Your name… it’s Fang, isn’t it?” I asked. How did I know that was his name? “Max and Fang…” I whispered. Lucifer - I mean Fang - smiled. And then, my world went white.



I groaned. My body felt tired, like I’d just been running a marathon. I felt hot and sweaty, and my mucles ached. I tired to move, trust me, but I felt like I had been drained of all energy I had in me. I felt a cool hand on my forehead, and I nudged into it gladly. I was able to peek open my eyes for a split second to see that Kana was sitting over me with a worried gaze on her face. But I quickly squeezed my eyes shut again because of the light. “K-Kana…?” I choked. I sounded like a dying cat. “Shhh.. It’s okay, Maxie. Oh my gosh, I’m so glad your okay.” she whispered soothingly. “I’m fine,” I protested. I forced my eyes open and tried proping myself on my elbows. I winced, and my hand came to my chest. Dang… that branch…. “Lay down, Max.” Kana said kindly, but sternly. I rolled my eyes and did what she said. My eyes looked over Kana’s head, and I saw Kasey. “Hey, Max. Feeling better? We were pretty worried about you. You’ve been out for almost three days.” THREE DAYS?!??! What?! “Really?” I croaked. “Yeah, we almost thought you wouldn’t pull through.” I sighed and closed my eyes. I tried to swallow, but then I realized my mouth was EXTREMELY dry. “Water, please.” I asked. Kasey nodded and hurried away, her tail swishing after her.
Kana smiled at me, and a I felt ten times better. “I’m glad your okay, twinnie-chan. But what happened?” I stared at her, trying to keep my face expressionless. “Nothing… I just met my ‘spirit’. It wasn’t fun at all… And--”
“Back with water!” Kasey meowed. I sat up, wincing as I did. I took the glass from her hand and quickly drank it down. Ah… water never tasted so sweet. “Thanks, Kass,” I said, giving a small smile. “Your welcome, Max.” Kasey said. My eyes widened, and I let out a hiss as my wrist began to burn. My eyes traveled down to my wrist, to see my mark glowing a bright indigo. “What…?”
“Well, well, well….. Looks like you’ve finally waken up.” a cold voice echoed. My eyes snapped over to a corner to see Darkus leaning against the wall, arms folded across his chest. “You!” I snarled, vemon dripping from my voice. “Ah, yes. Me. I presume you’ve finally come to an understanding with you spirit?” he asked, arching a perfect eyebrow. “Why, yes I have, Mr. Creepers. Now get lost, I am not in the mood to argue with you!” Darkus’ shoulders sulked. “Fine. I was just checking in on you… You summon me and then you dismiss.” he sighed, rolling his dark eyes. “What do you MEAN summon you? I didn’t want you here!” This guy was so confusing… why me? Darkus nodded at my wrist. “You summoned me. Don’t say you didn’t. Anyway, you should rest, you’ve probably been through a lot these past few days. Come, girls.” Darkus said as he strided towards the door. “But--” Kana began to protest, but Darkus gave her a warning glare. Kana and Kasey lowered they’re heads and followed after him. And alas… I was alone again.
So many questions were running through my mind. Like, first off, who the heck is Fang? What were those images? And what did Darkus mean by summoning him? I dismissed the thought and laid back down, closing my eyes and taking a deep breath. This was going to be a long day.

I heard noises inside the hut. What was that? I forced my eyes open, only to squeeze them shut and let out a hiss of pain. Stupid light! I forced them open and sat into an upright position. What do ya know! I got my strength back! I felt brand new. I stretched and clawed, opening my wings a bit to let them breath. Ah, much better. "Good morning, sleepy-head." It was Kana. I looked over to her and smiled, then swung my feet over the side of the bed and placed my feet on the cool wooden floor. "Hey," I mumbled, scratching my head. "You slept until one this afternoon… AGAIN!" Kana said, scrunching her nose. "So sorry," I said with a grin. I knew she was, urm, frustrated with my sleeping habits.

"Do you feel better?" Kana asked, tucking a strand of her chocolate colored hair behind her ear. I gave a sharp nod. "Yeah," I said, "but, like, can we PLEASE get out of this hut? And where's Kit-Kass?" I asked, noticing my feline friend had disappeared. "Oh, she went out. Something about fishing…" Now THAT sent me into fits of hysterical giggles. Ah, I was going to enjoy teasing her. I walked over to the door and slipped on my combat boots. "C'mon!" I said brightly, as I marched out the door. "Where is she going?" Kana thought a-loud, following after me.

Just so you know, being outside felt AWESOME. It was nice and warm, and most of the snow had melted. Weird, I remembered there almost being three feet of snow… Is it just me? Or is Mother Nature acting strange? "Can you slow down?" Kana whined as I pulled to a stop. "Aw, your no fun!" I said playfully. "Wanna go for a little spin?" I asked, snapping out my wings. They looked AMAZING in the light! I was actually sort of angry at myself for even being a butthead and no just accepting them happily. Would have saved me from a lot of pain.

I could feel the sun warming my feathers, it felt goooood. "Or do you want to be a chicken?" I gave my wings a few flaps, sturring up dust. Kana jumped back, eyes wide. "Um… no thank you! You know I hate heights, Max!" she whined. "Your being such a poo."

And just as I was about to jump into the sky, a cold voice stopped me in my tracks. "And just where do you think you're going?" Mr. Creepers asked with a scowl. "Um… flying?" I replied sheepishly. Darkus strutted over to Kana and I, glaring at me with his cold black eyes as he did. "I believe I gave you strict orders not to try and fly without my consent." I felt my cheeks grow warm and I quickly looked away. "Who are you? My dad?" I snapped viciously.

"If you want to pass out from your energy being drained in an instant, go right ahead. If you want to fall from the sky like a fledgling being pushed out of the nest, go right ahead." he spoke with a stern tone. "You MUST listen to me. I am here to teach you and watch out for you, nothing more." he began. "However, if you want to ignore my warnings, you WILL fall and die if you start to soon." he spoke with his eyes half open. I went to argue, but Kana stepped between us. "Hey, now…. Let's all just calm down." she said, trying to be the peacemaker. Kana gave me a stern look that said, 'Start something, and I'll kill you'. "Kana…. Step out of my way. This isn't a petty argument. If she takes to the air, she most likely WILL pass out and fall to her death. So, get out of my WAY." he spoke with a tone of near frustration, and giving a glare from hell itself. "If Max is ASKING for death, I WILL gladly give it to her by my hand. It's my job to do so."

I glared at him. How dare he talk to her like that! Speak to her like that again, and your dead, I thought. He eyes flashed to mine, glowing that dark indigo. "You're just gentlemen! How pathetic…. A man with anger issues. Who enjoys harassing beautiful girls. C'mon, Kana, we have better things to do than take this." I snapped. I marched off, Kana tailing behind me. Who did he think he was? Romanian people… BAH!

Kana walked silently behind me, looking slightly upset at being yelled at. She looked over her shoulder and stared at Darkus with her curious green eyes. He met her gaze for about half a second, before turning around and walking away. She looked back at me, and I realized I was walking so fast, I was already ten feet ahead. She jogged to catch up with me. "Max," she said, "what are you upset about? It can't be him just talking to me like that, because it's not that big a deal… is it because he said it's his job to kill you? Is that it?" Okay, she was getting way to nosey for her own good. But, I could tell she couldn't help herself. She's probably the most curious person you'll ever meet in your life, just so you know.

I sighed. "Because he wants to kill me? Well, yeah." I muttered. Maybe he just needs to warm up to you, a voice suggested. I knew that voice! It was Fang! Oh… you again. Hi. And no, I don't think the guy will EVER like me, I thought sarcastically. Well, you never know. You know what they say, never judge a book by it's cover. I let out a snort. Yeah, real helpful, Fang. I think I know enough about him to know he is the biggest jerk alive! I yelled in my head. Wait, is that possible? Well, sometimes, people are not what they seem… I let out a sigh. Okay, enough of you! "Besides…. That guy ruined my life…." I muttered. Well, he's done enough to me as well. He nearly erased all Avians from the world as you know it. You would not have been here now if he had gone through with it that day, Fang's voice rang in my head, leaving me puzzled and full of questions.

Darkus POV

I heard Max's comment about ruining her life. It seems that's all I am to everyone, a menace upon their lives, just a monster. That's all I am know as among the spirit council as well. Figures, I guess I don't blame them… I thought to myself silently.

Max POV

I stopped in my tracks when I heard what Fang had said. I turned on my heels, and trudged back towards Darkus, leaving Kana standing in the background. "What did F mean when he said you, 'Nearly erased all Avians from the world as I know it'?" I asked, narrowing my eyes. Apparently, I was being left out on some things…

Darkus POV

Did he tell her that? Why inform a fledgling of THAT event? I know my position to the council, but…. I bared my teeth slightly at her with a growl. I grasped the collar of her shirt and lifted her off her feet. "THAT is none of your business. If you mention it in public without my consent, you WILL regret it. Understand?" I dropped her from about the 6 inches off the ground, making her stumble a bit backwards. I glared down at her, making my eyes glow slight red and turned my back. "I'm going hunting. Don't wait up." I walked away towards the woodland path, flexing my black wings angrily behind my back.

Max POV

I blinked. "KANA!" I yelled. "Did you see that?" I fumed, stomping my feet. "He's POSSESSED! He's a demon! A evil, psycho demon, who likes to torture pretty young girls!" I let out a scream of frustration. I made a face in Darkus' direction. And being the ever so mature fifteen year-old that I am, I stuck my tongue out at him. "That's right RUN big boy!" I yelled after him. "Can you BELIEVE this guy? He's suck a JERK." I said loud enough so he could hear me, just before he walked past the tree-line. "Can't I switch mentors? I mean, I'd rather have Vikas! Vikas seems nice." I pointed out. "Can you even do that?" Kana asked, blinking innocently. "No clue, but I'm going to find out."

I sat down, rubbing my temples. No…. a voice echoed in my head. Darkus. My head shot up and my eyes went over to the trees. "WHO ASKED YOU?" I yelled at the top of my lungs. He just got in my head… WITHOUT PERMISSION! That's IT! I jumped to my feet and began running after him. "Max, wait!" Kana, yelled, but I ignored her. I was in a bloodlust, and I wouldn't be satisfied until his head was mounted on my bedroom wall. "You!" I growled. I broke past the tree-line, searching for him. But he was nowhere in sight. "GET BACK HERE, YOU JERK!" My mind was white with rage. I think the only thing I'd be able to say next was, "Me mad." See? This is EXACTLY why I hate males. They think they're all that. "When I get my hands on you….." Max, calm down, Fang cooed. Fighting him isn't going to help the situation, only make it worse. Uh-huh. Says the dude who is a GHOST! Correction: Animal Spirit. Whatever you are!

"Darky… Mr. Creepers… come out, come out, where ever you are….." I uttered, my eyes scanning for him. You shouldn't have followed me, Max. I heard in my head as the trees began to blow, sending leaves and branches flying towards me. A loud roar sounded inside the darkness of the forest, as the gusts of wind picked up beyond hurricane forces. The gusts were so powerful, they blew me backwards by catching my wings and using them as sails. Go away… I began to hear. I only stared into the shadows of the woods for a moment. NOW! A roar sounded from amidst the tress as a feather blade gashed my shoulder, and in the next instant I felt pain radiate throughout my arm, and the blade embedding itself in the ground at Kana's mid-stride where she was running about 20 feet behind me.

I looked over my shoulder to see blood blossoming over my white shirt. "Dang…." I muttered, and began I began to fall. I was able to catch myself, but my landing wasn't so graceful. And because Mother Nature just wanted to be evil, I landed on my injured shoulder. I winced, and held down a cry of pain. I promise to the Good Lord that he was of the devil…. I got to my feet, cradling my arm. Blood oozing between my fingers. Did I ever mention I hate him? Because I do. I really, really do. The wind stopped, and I got to my feet and started walking again. If he thought he was going to scare me into leaving, he was sadly mistaken. Max, I warned you, Darkus snarled in my head, then amidst the black woods surrounding me, I saw multiple pairs of red eyes staring at me from the bushes and treetops. They blinked occasionally, and a growl would sound from a different section of the woods every moment. Leave, before I send them after you. I have given my order, if you fail to follow them, they WILL tear you apart.

I was SURROUNDED by death glares, with a bleeding shoulder. The blood will only make the craving stronger. As the night approaches, they grow in raw force. You had better make the wise choice and abandon your chase. "Yeah, but then wouldn't you get in HUGE trouble with Kristoff? I don't think he'd be happy about that," I growled. I was beginning to feel very lightheaded from blood loss. Stupid, stupid Darkus. Kristoff? He couldn't hold a flame to me. He only respects me out of fear, just as everyone else in this world does. Now, leave before I need to terminate you. They can smell your blood and they crave Aviaries. "I'm not leaving until you explain to me why the heck you won't tell my anything! Come here, and talk to me. Are you a big, black, overgrown chicken? Or a man? Because right now, you seem like number one."

There was a string gust of wind. I blinked, and then, there he was. He glared at me, his fists clenging and unclenging at his sides. "You dare mock me?" he asked, his voice deadly calm. Darkus' hand slowly reached down to his side. "I guess I must teach you a lesson in respect…" My eyes widened as I saw him draw a double edged katana. But, instead of it being silver, it was black. With a red and black hilt. It easily had to be over 6 feet long… I let out a shaky breath and took a slow step back. "Hey…. No need for that…" I chocked. "I was only kidding! Did I say black chicken? I ment cool, amazing black falcon dude." Darkus just shook his head, his dark eyes never leaving mine. "To late now, Max…"

Darkus' ran two fingers down the blade, until he reached the tip. The wind started to pick up again, and Darkus' eyes began to turn indigo once again. The whites of his eyes slowly turning black, like some exotic animal. "Fulfill… Lightning of Despair…" Darkus uttered, the blade beginning to glow a neon purple. I could see through the tree's that the sky was turning black, and lightening danced in the sky. But the lightening matched that of the color of the blade. "What in the…?" I wanted to move. BELIEVE ME! I wanted to so, so bad. I looked over my shoulder to see Kana, but she was gone. I felt my heart rate pick up, and I realized I was starting to shake. Oh my god…. Had she left me? Left me to die? Well, I wouldn't blame her…. I mean, I'm scared of this guy too. Who WOULDN'T be?

I turned back to Darkus, who was muttering something in Romanian. "You wouldn't kill me…" I was surprised how confident my voice sounded, as much as I was wanting to curl up and hide under a rock. "Oh, wouldn't I?" Darkus spoke. His eyes sent cold daggers at me. He wasn't kidding. He WOULD kill me!

"DARKUS! Stop this nonsense!" a familiar voice yelled over the wind. My head snapped over to see Kana and Kristoff running towards us. "Max!" Kana yelled, running over to my side. She wrapped her thin arms around me, and Kristoff stood in front of us protectively. "Darkus, enough. She shall learn her place soon enough…" Kristoff cooed in a soothing voice, as if trying to calm him. Darkus just glared at Kristoff and shook his head. "She shall learn nothing if she doesn't receive the proper punishments….." Kristoff let out a soft, low growl in his throat. "By using your release on her? Darkus, by doing so, the slightest attack would kill her." Darkus just laughed and put away his sword, his eyes returning to normal. "Isn't that the point?" he asked a matter-of-factly. "Темно дьявола, enough… go hunting. I will speak with the girl… I'll let her work with me until summer, along with my new Drudge Kana. Understood?"

I looked over to Kana and arched a eyebrow, grinning slightly. "Drudge?" I mouthed. Kana just blushed and looked away. "Shut up," she whispered. I held down a giggle. Darkus just sighed at Kristoff's request. "As you wish." Darkus spat and he strided away, disappearing into the shadows. I let out a sigh of relief, clutching to Kana so I wouldn't fall over. "Good…. He's gone…. Thanks, Krissy." I sighed, forcing a smile. Kristoff turned to Kana and I and let out a bow of the head. "My apologies, Miss Max. Darkus can have quite the temper… Come, let's go to my cabin, and we'll have something to drink." Kana's ears perked up in interest. "Do you have Blue Rasberry Vodka?" she asked, green eyes wide. I let out a snort. Just to let you know, Kana LOVES a drink now and then. God, can she get drunk…

Kristoff just flashed that dazzling smile of his, his brilliant blue eyes seeming to glow a electric blue. "Why, of course. I only have the finest." Kana just looked up at Kristoff dreamily. Oh, yeah, I'm SO going to torture her about this. Just watch me. Kana let go of me, then floated over to Kristoff. He held out his arm for her, and she slipped her arm through his. "So, like, what different kinds of Vodka do you have?"

For the rest of the way to Kristoff's cabin, Kana and Krissy were talking about different kinds of Vodka and Wine… Good lord, how did I get into this again? Oh, yeah. I kept thinking about Darkus… how did he make his sword DO that? And release? I'm curious now… And I want to know more about what Fang said. I frowned. What DID you mean anyway? I asked. Silence. "Pfft, your helpful." I guess I'll just have to find all this out on my own.

I yawned, staring out the window. Kana and Kristoff chatting their heads off. WHY DON’T THEY JUST KISS AND BE A COUPLE ALREADY?!? No offense, but their constant talking is about to drive me utterly insane. “Really? You’ve been to Canada?” Kana asked, batting her eyes. Flirt, much? “Why, yes. Yes I have. Many times, actually. Beautiful country, I like to go whenever the Council places an order to go there.” Kristoff replied. “That’s where I’m from, to be honest. When I was older, I moved to Alabama. That’s where I met Max. Though, I still miss Canada…” Kana said, lowering her eyes sadly. I knew she missed her homeland. Who wouldn’t? “Don’t you mean CANADIA?” I said loudly, grinning. Kana’s green eyes blinked, and then she burst into laughter. Next thing I know, we’re both laughing our heads of. “Canadia?” Kristoff asked, confused. “It’s a joke we share, Krissy.” I laughed. Kristoff cocked his head slightly. “I see.”
Now, if your all curious, let me explain. See, I get REALLY hyper off of things, like, say, Skittles. And I was eating a nice large bag of them… and so you can imagine I was acting like a retarded hyena. And as we were speaking of Canada, I said Canadia., and we spend the next ten minutes laughing our butts off. I know. Stupid, huh? But, hey, we were hyper off Skittles, and drunk off Pepsi. Can you honestly blame us?
I let out a frustrated sigh and looked at Kristoff. “Well, um… I’ve been sitting here for an hour now listening to you two babble, I think I’m going to go out for some air.” Okay, now I know I sounded rude, but GOD if you heard them. Also, I wasn’t exactly THRILLED to go out after I was almost killed by Mr. Creepers. He’s just every girls dream guy, huh? Sweeps you right off your feet. Kristoff just have a small smirk and nodded. “Alright. But, before you leave, I’d like to give you and Kana something.” Kana’s ears perked up and her green eyes filled with curiosity. “What is it?” she asked. Kristoff just let out a chuckle as he got to his feet and began to walk out of the room. “You’ll see.” Kristoff replied while giving a wink. Kana blushed, and I let out a small laugh. Kana looked over to me and gave me that shut-up-before-I-so-totally-kill-you-look. And much like the mature fifteen year-old I am, I stuck my tongue out at her.
Within the next few minutes, Kristoff returned, carrying two small, slender boxes with him. Kristoff sat down and pulled took the smallest box and motioned for Kana to sit beside here. “Come here,” he cooed. And as always, she followed his order and practically lunged to his side. Pfft. That box is way to big for him to pop the question, Kana… I thought sarcastically. Kristoff opened the box, showing maybe of the most gorgeous daggers I think I had ever laid eyes on. It’s grip was wrapped in emerald green, while the blade was a magnificent silver. While the fuller was a rich gold. On it’s pommel, was a emerald gem. Kana’s eyes searched over the blade, and a large smile met her lips. “It’s beautiful…” she murmured. “Like it? Because its yours.” Kristoff said kindly. “Really?” Kana squeaked. “Of course. Since Max has regained her strength, and you shall both begin training soon, you need weapons, no?” Kana laughed and wrapped her arms around Kristoff’s neck, her tail wagging furiously. I coughed to hide my laugh. “And now, Max, it’s your turn.” Kristoff pushed the second box over to me, as my fingers anxiously sought the latch. Once the latches were unhooked, I slowly opened the box. I felt a slow smile spread across my face. This wasn’t a dagger, oh no. This was something more amazing. I was given a katana.
THIS katana was maybe the coolest blade I’d ever seen. My blade, even the filler, was silver. While the guard was shaped and designed to look like wings, the color a deep black. It’s grip WAY different thank Kana’s, mine being a deep crimson tied with black. It’s pommel nothing more than a small spike. “Awesome.” I let my fingers run down the blade, as I admired it. My right hand grabbed the hilt and I lifted it into the air. It was long, beautiful, and deadly. “Like it, Чертенок?” Kristoff mused. I looked over to Kristoff and Kana with a grin. “Heck yeah. What about you, Kana? Your’s looks pretty cool too.” I said, nodding to the blade which was now in her hands. “Yeah! This is beautiful, Kristoff!” she chimed, blushing when her gaze met Kristoff’s. Ugh… Someone get a room for the lovebirds, please! “Why’d you give these to us anyway, Krissy?” I asked, eyebrows knitting together. “Well, you’re feeling better, no? You should be able to start training tomorrow, so it’s natural I supply all my warriors with proper weapons. “ Kristoff stated firmly. “Ah, I see.” I sheathed my blade and hung it at my side.
“Anyway, Max, would you be so kind as to leave?” I blinked. “Please, Чертенок? I’m making the Drudge link for Kana and I…” I felt my hand ball up into a fist. “I thought earlier when you faced Darkus you called Kana your Drudge.” I said slowly. “Well, I may have said that, but I haven’t made the seal just yet. But I shall do so in just a moment.” My eyes traveled to Kana. “You’re okay with this, Kana?” I asked, arching an eyebrow. Kana smiled and gave a small nod. “Yep.” I felt slight anger boil in my chest, and I bared my teeth. “And do you know you have to do whatever your master says? You can’t disobey. Trust me, I’ve tried. And I was made a fool out of.” I snapped, remembering when we’d first arrived and Darkus had made me get on the sled. “I know, Maxie… Kristoff told me all of this, and I’m willing to do it.” Kana spoke with confidence, but her eyes gave her away. They always did. “Do what you want,” I growled. “But I’m gone. Later.” I stormed out of the room, and out of the house.
Had she hit her head and gone bonkers?! Being a Drudge was MISERABLE! And I knew arguing with her was pointless, because all she’d do is win in the end and make me look like a total idiot. Not to mention a giant jerk. I sighed and shook my head, dismissing the thought from my mind. Maybe your just worried about her getting hurt… Trust me, I’d be worried too. Max’s Two voice rang in my head. Oh… you again… Hi. And, no, Kana’s a big girl. She can take care of herself, I replied. You say that, but do you mean it? Fang asked. Oh, will you two shut up? I snapped. Why? Are we annoying you yet? Fang asked in a laugh. Yes, I said, trying to sound annoyed. Then we’re doing our job. Max replied jokingly. You know, having someone in your head that has the same name as me can get confusing. I’ll call her Maxie. Call me that, and you die. Oh, shut up!
Before I could think of a better snappy phrase, something plowed into me. Hard. I let out an “oof” and fell to the ground. “Ugh…” I groaned. I sat upright and rubbed my head. Then, I blinked, staring at a pair of golden eyes. “Oh! Sorry!” I said quickly, as I jumped to my feet and scrambled away. Standing just barely a few feet away, already on his feet, was a snake. I mean, boy. But, he was a snake-- OH YOU GET THE IDEA! For a moment the boy had scales for his skin, but then it went to normal human skin…. His eyes were a golden color, but seemed to have a hint of brown in the iris. The pupil was a slit, seeing as he is a snake. He had wavy brown hair that hung low into his eyes, and it had the “swoosh” effect. “So’k.” the boy said lamely. “It was actually my fault. Apparently I went invisible again…. That happens a lot.” He sighed. I blinked. “Invisible?” I asked. “Yeah.” He replied, smiling…. Showing his two inch long fangs… His face faltered as he probably saw my expression. “Sorry.” I felt like a jerk. “N-No!” I said quickly, nervously. “I’m sorry! I…” The boy shook his head. “Let me guess, your scared of snakes.” He asked, looking into my eyes with a stoic expression. “Yeah…. Sorta….” I replied sheepishly. The boy cocked his head slightly, his expression not changing. “You’re the new girl, right? Max?” I smiled. “Yeah. Again, sorry about running into you.” I said, blushing. “Not problem. My name’s Dylan.” He said kindly. “Nice to meet you, Dyl--”
There was a blur, then a, “GOTCHA!” I blinked, and Dylan was knocked several feet back, a smile figure leaning over him. “We were still in the game, man! Don’t let your guard down!” A younger boy, maybe twelve leaned over Dylan. Like Dylan, he had brown curly hair. And was several inches shorter than Dylan and I. He had a goofy smile on his face and happiness in his eyes. And also…. He had wings. Light brown, where they faded to a rusty red in his secondary feathers. “Dan!” Dylan hissed, literally, shoving Dan off him. Dylan jumped to his feet, glaring at Dan. “Dan, I was in a conversation! If you wanted my attention so badly, you could have just asked…” Dan folded his arms across his chest. “Dude, we were STILL IN THE FIGHT! You can’t just bail on me!” Dan said, waving his arms around. His glance met mine. “Oh, hey!” Dan yelled, as he run up to me. “My name’s Dan! You’re that new girl Darkus brought from his other mission right?” I just grinned, as Dylan dusted himself off and joined Dan and I. “Right.” I said flashing a smile. “Nice to meet ya, Dan.” Dan just beamed up at me, then looked me up and down. “Hmm… I think I’ll call ya Neo.” Dylan groaned. “Dan, please, don’t start with the nicknames.” He pleaded. “Where the heck did you get Neo? Isn’t that the guy from the Matrix?” I asked, confused. “Dan just enjoys giving people nicknames….” Dylan sighed, rubbing his temples. “You know, Draco will be showing up any second.” Dan said, looking up the sky expectantly. I heard wing beats, and I looked up at the sky along with Dan.
A dark figure flew down, and landed in front of us without a sound. I felt my jaw drop, and I only hoped it FELT like I was drooling on my nightshirt… This guy was HOT! Like Dan and I, he had wings. Large, dark red wings with gold. He had flame red hair, and sea green eyes, along with a kind smile. This must be Draco… Haha, triple D’s! “Daniel… Dylan.” Draco said, nodding at them, “and Max.” I tried giving the most flirty smile I could. “H-How do you know my--” I began, but was cut off. “I saw you at the claiming. And as for you two-” Draco said as he turned to the boys, “-You abandoned your training session.” Dan eyes widened. “It wasn’t me, Draco, honest! Dylan started talking to Neo and-”
“I observed what happened from afar. I know what happened, but you shouldn’t have stopped to talk. You should have kept going and continued your battle. Now I’m afraid we must begin again…” The boys’ faces saddened. “Um, Draco,” I said, walking up to him. “It was my fault. I mean, It was mean who ran into Dylan and made all this fuss, please don’t make them. They can make it up tomorrow, can’t they?” I asked, biting my lip. Draco cocked his head and stared down at me. He was totally different from Darkus and Kristoff. Kristoff was happy, and always having a smile on his face, and I always felt comfortable around him. Darkus, was cold and uncaring, and only brought out my bad side. But Draco? He seemed to be in the middle. But he seemed to lean more Kristoff. “I guess your right, they can work extra hard tomorrow.” Draco quipped. “Dan, Dylan. You may take the rest of the time off today. Tomorrow, meet me at the Lava Pit.” And with that, Draco was gone.
“Whoa, do you have magic powers or something? Draco never, ever lets us off!” Dan yelled, smiling at me. “Yeah, she must have mind-control powers or something.” Dylan nodded. I blushed at their comments. “Guys, I don’t really have any powers! Besides two weird voices in my head and a pair of wings, I got nothin’.” I said shrugging. “Yeah, yeah. Well, hey Dylan, wanna go swimin’?” Dan asked. Dylan simply shrugged, making his hair swish. “Sure.” Dan turned towards me excitedly. “Wanna come too, Neo?” I felt happy. I had made three friends in one day. I was on a role. “Um, won’t the water feel cold? I mean the snow and ice just melted.” Dylan shook his head. “Nah, it’ll be fine. Trust me, it’s a spring, so it’ll be pretty warm.” I grinned evilly. “So what are we waiting for?

Just posting here so I get an email when you update.

Update soon. D<

Joss POV

D*mn! Diablo was not going to be pleased to hear that the girl had gained her powers... What would he do? That's the thing. I NEVER know what's he's going to do... d*mn, d*mn, d*mn. I sighed as I opened the doors to his throne room. I could not see my lords face but he seemed in an okay mood. I grunted, feeling a bit braver. I bowed and forced myself to look at the floor. "Milord," I began, "the girl has attained her powers..."

Diablo POV

A small growl rumbled from my throat when I heard his words. "I see..." I hissed slowly and darkly as I sat shrouded in the shadows on the far side of the room. "You are a loyal follower, Joss, you should know how I would take this... turn of events." I opened my eyes a slit, revealing blood red eyes that cut through the air and seemed to pierce into Joss.

Joss POV

I cringed from the intensity of the glare. My heart was beginning to run wild in my chest but I made sure to keep a emotionless face. I knew he would cause me the most gruesome torture if I didn't give him some GOOD news for once! "S-Sir, there's more." I choked. "That pathetic dog Darkus has been lingering around our bounders! But, on the bright side, the girl hates him! HA! We could take this as an advantage... If we could only get her on our side... We could kill everyone! R-Right, sir?" I stammered. I heard nothing but a low hiss, like a snake.

Diablo POV

I let forth a burst of red light from my eyes. I could see it reflect in Joss' full of fear. I closed them and rose to my feet slowly. Joss looked on, cringing and on edge. I took a step down from the throne, grit shuffling under my soles on the raw granite step. My eyes remained closed until I got down to Joss' level on the main floor. I stepped towards the window to the right of the room, into the moonlight casted through the large stained glass window. I opened my eyes and looked at the image or the large black wolf that stood, teeth bared at the viewer. The moon glowed above it's head in the night sky. It's eyes peered down with a stained gold hue. I slowly closed my eyes again, still staring at the window, the light dimly shining through my eyelids. "Darkus... You know not of his past, Joss. It is not her who could be the ally, but him..." I spoke slowly and emotionlessly. I opened my eyes again, glaring into the wolf's eyes. "...And Max... Her emotions run wild... your thoughts mean nothing to me, Joss. For now... let this blunder of yours play out... Keep an eye on them, but don't lift a finger against them... If you do, you'll regret letting me down twice. You best pray your blunder becomes your wisest move." I finished. I was intrigued to notice that the right eye of the wolf had turned red, and remained so. "Quite a development..." I hissed slowly, while pondering the event. "Dismissed." I spat at Joss, seemingly petrified behind me.

Max POV

I yawned as I forced myself out of bed. Yesterday may have been the ONLY day I enjoyed myself in this heck hole. But, hey, at least I had a FEW friends! Dan and Dylan... We had SO much fun! And Dylan was so nice and kinda cute...

I saw Kasey watching something on TV, but it was in Russian so I had no idea what they were saying. "Yo, Kass, where's Kana?" Kasey's amber eyes met mine for a second then went back to her TV. "She's over at the Lava Pit, where you were supposed to be an hour ago." I blinked, then looked at my clock. SHTICK! I'm late! "WHY HECK DIDN'T YOU WAKE ME UP?" I yelled as I scrambled to the bathroom to brush out my hair.

"Not my job." Kasey meowed from her room. "Gee, that doesn't make me anymore enraged then I already am!" I spat. Once I was changed and everything, I ran out the door. I saw Dylan and Dan sparring a few yards off. They stopped and waved at me, and I smiled and waved back.

Once I FINALLY reached the Lava Pit, I was panting from running. Kana and the gang were waiting... And so was Mr. Creepers. Did I mention it is like BURNING up in here with all the lava and junk? "You're late." Kristoff said, with a stern look on his face. "SORRY! Someone didn't wake me up." I hissed, glaring at Kana. She stuck her tongue out at me.

Darkus POV

"It's your job to get here on time." I spoke, only showing her the left side of my face. I glared at her with my left eye, shining purple. I slightly moved my right hand that was grasping my sword slung across my back until it made a metallic click. I then let out a small growl baring my teeth. Max had a tired, but angered look on her face from my reply.

Max POV

"Well, so sorry my alarm decided not to go off and nobody cared to wake me!" I snapped, rubbing my eyes. God, I DID NOT like getting up this early! How do these people stand it? If you didn't already know, I am a nocturnal person and prefer the night time. Getting up at nine or ten just kills my day. "Anyway, let's get started, shall we?" I chirped, as I pulled out my new sword. I had been itching to use it! And now was my chance.

Darkus POV

"Slow down, fledgling. You aren't using your sword yet. A sword is an enhancement of your close combat skills. You must first know how to fight, disarmed." I growled at Max again, glaring with my left eye. "So, you will first choose someone to spar hand to hand with to prove you aren't going to stumble around with the simplest of tasks. Pick someone, except Kana. Choose wisely." I spoke closing my eyes, but speaking with a arrogant tone.

Max POV

I folded my arms across my chest. I knew I was asking for a death wish, but I wasn't taking his bull. "Alrighty then. How about YOU, Mr. Creepers?" I twanged in my thick southern accent.

Darkus POV

"Are you so sure you wish to do that?" I smiled with a growl and small snarl. I spoke, drawing my blade and threw it at a volcanic rock nearby to my right. The sword slid into the rock about half way down the blade like butter. My gaze turned from the sword in the stone to my right to Max's reaction to my left. I glared at her with half opened eyes.

Max POV

I realized that fighting him wouldn't be the best idea. I mean, he's probably a pro, and let's face it, the man hates me with a passion. "Hm... Krissy?" I asked, giving a smile. Kristoff just nodded. "If that's your wish." Kristoff snapped open his bronzed colored wings, and lunged into the air. I grinned at Darkus evilly and blew him a kiss. "Later, Creepers." I chimed, as I opened my wings and pushed down against the air. It took me a moment to get the hang of it, but I remembered my session with Fang and flew with ease. "Sucks to be you, Creepers," I laughed.

Darkus POV

I launched into the air myself and glided silently toward my sword, I placed my feet on it and stood watching Max's shaky battle. I still made my left side face, Max's position. "Have fun fighting with a REAL enemy." I spoke, glaring daggers at Max with my left eye only as she approached Kristoff's position.

Rolling my eyes after the last comment, I jumped off my sword, hovered at it's end and pulled it from the stone, I then glided quickly over to stand inside the shadow casted from a mushroom shaped volcanic formation nearby. My left eye glowed purple through the shadows at Max, as she reacted to the comment.

Max POV

As I broke away from the near death grip with Kristoff, I turned and glared at Darkus. "THAT'S IT!" I roared, as I sped his way. JUST before I crashed into him, he step-sided and I almost crashed head-first into the rock wall. I let out a hiss and turned sharply to go back at him.

Darkus POV

My left side still faced Max. As she came at my with punch after punch, I simply dodged each one with ease. She attempted some kicks, each one also failed with near epic proportions. She seemed to be moving in slow motion compared to other battles I have fought. This would be too simple. She would be her own death if she kept fighting this way. I was getting annoyed at how slow she was, so when her fist flew by my left side, I grasped her wrist, nearly breaking it. She stood wincing at my grip. I turned my head to show the right side of my face, which showed a gash running from my hairline to halfway down the right side of my face, over my eye. The gash was jagged and only about 20% scarred over. The eyes itself was covered with a black strip of cloth about 3 to 4 inches wide, acting as an eye-patch. I glared at her with my left eye.

Max POV

I struggled to get out of his iron grip until I saw his face. I froze, not moving, not even caring if he was probably going to give me one heck of a bruise on my wrist. I just stared up at him. What in the world happened to him? Ouch, that looks bad... Fang commented. YA THINK? I snapped. All of the rage I had for him a moment ago vanished into thin air. I suddenly felt... sad? WHAT THE HECK IS WRONG WITH ME? Being SAD? For HIM? My mind screamed. It might be your Drudge link, smart one? Fang asked. Well... The man did have a point... But I know one thing, being a Drudge sucks. I snapped out of my trance and glared at him half-heartedly. "Excuse me," I hissed. "I don't like to be man-handled!" I ripped my wrist away from his grasp, and jumped away, gliding up to s boulder and resting on it. "So, Fancy-Pants, what happened to you?"

Darkus POV

"THAT is none of your business, fledgling. What you need to focus on now is being well enough at fighting to protect yourself. Even with one eye, I can see your movements as if you were in slow motion. However..." I spoke lowly, almost in a growl. I saw her eyes widen in shock as I disappeared in a flash. I flew by the left side of Max's position, and placed my palm against Max's ear as I pushed her forward with a great deal of force. She tumbled about 50 feet to her right from the blow, rolling end over end until she came to rest on her back. I hovered in mid-air, looking down at her with my one eye with absolute emotionlessness. "I am the fastest fighter you will ever encounter. Period. Your hot-headedness and cocky attitude will get you killed. You were pampered in your life in society, but here... heh, it's MUCH different. Learn that fact, Max, or it will devour you and spit out your bones to be used as toothpicks." I growled giving a scowl at the same time as Max slowly got to her knees, clearly in pain.

Max POV

Pain. That's the first thing I felt from the moment he touched me. I just remember hitting the ground, hard. No doubt I'd be having NICE big purple and blue bruises in the shape of hand-prints tomorrow! I got to my feet and glared at him. "Gee, I feel loved." I spat sarcastically. My eyes widened as I felt my wrist begin to burn, almost unbearably. My eyes shot down to my wrist, to see my Drudge mark glowing. It felt like it was an open wound, with sand being rubbed into it. "D*mn!" I hissed, wincing. Didn't he say that I'd only feel it burn ONCE? He's a lying lair lie face! That's his new name. Congrats to him. A blur flashed in-front of me, and I then saw it was Krissy. "Kristoff!" I gasped, relieved. Kristoff looked back at me and winked, then back to Mr. Lying-Lair-Lie Face. "Darkus, old friend, I do not believe you are evenly matched. And our mission is to TRAIN our Drudges, not kill them." I had never been so happy to have Kristoff beside me than at that moment.

Darkus POV

"Kristoff, that warning goes to you too. You know well enough that no one in this camp can even come close to matching me, including you. So why am I here? That weakling is too pathetic to be a drudge of mine. So..." I began to spit venom at everyone present. I stared into Kristoff's eyes, which immediately made him scream in pain for a moment then fall to his knees and onto his stomach. Max cowered behind him. "W-what a-are you d-doing?" Kristoff muttered, clearly weak and in pain. "I am removing my drudge mark from that excuse of a avian heir!" I spoke, opening my arms outward, letting and evil grin spread across my face. "B-but that's... im-impossible." Kristoff spoke in gasps between bursts of pain that radiated from his brain to his toes.

"It's impossible by all of you, but NOT by me. You don't know the power possess, not even a clue." I spoke raising my hand in-front of my face, and closing it tightly when I finished. "It may hurt getting the drudge mark, but let's see what it does when you... REMOVE IT!" I roared, snapping the fingers of my right hand. Max immediately fell foreward onto her stomach, holding her wrist where the drudge mark was glowing black instead of the normal white. The mark began to shrink as Max screamed in pain. The mark evaporated from Max's skin. The black smoke travelled back to my outstretched hand and was absorbed. In a minute, which must have felt like an eternity for Max, the mark was gone. I hovered there above Kristoff and Max, both paralyzed in pain. Kristoff couldn't hold onto conciousness and he passed out. Max, gasped in uneven intervals for a moment. Kana was too shocked to move from the spot of safety she clung to. Max slowly got to her knees again. She was completely tired and exhausted. She could hardly lift her head. I stared on and watched them squirm.

Max POV

Okay, now there are times when I get mad. Sure, some are just small tantrums... some are times when I get enraged. And rarely, I go inferno. This, was inferno. But, sadly, I was in so much pain, I could not move. I felt... lifeless. As if my soul had been ripped out. And have you ever fell falt on your back from falling off of something high? And how you can't breath? Yeah, I was having one of those momentos. I closed my eyes, forcing myself not to look at that devil. Behind my eyes, I saw her. The girl I saw before I met Fang. Maxie. "Need some help?" She asked. "More than you know..." Maxie held out her hand to me, and I took it gladly. Suddenly, I felt and energy burst. It was like I had a bazillion Pepsi's! And I'm not even allowed to go past four! I snapped my eyes open, and glared at him.

I could see dust particles flowing through the air, small details I probably would have never noticed on Darkus' face. My raptor vision had kicked in. I could see my reflection in his eyes... My eyes... The iris had turned a bright crimson. So cool! I felt totally pumped. Then I realized, I was holding my sword. But... there was something weird. A red mist was around the blade. What is that? Don't ask questions. GO! I didn't hesitate. I burst towards him, faster than I think I've ever gone. Strangely, it was like I wasn't even in control. It was like someone else was doing this. I swung my blade, and just BARELY caught him. I "accidently" cut the cloth covering his bad eye. Uh-oh. My bad. I landed on a nearby bolder, my back turned to him. Ooohhhh, I'm SO in for it now...

Darkus POV

I let her come to me. Seems she got the message. I forced her to get stronger. Good. I heard the fabric tear as she cut through it. I held the cloth against my eye as I thrust myself into the air quickly. "Not a bad speed boost considering the slowness you were at before." I began. "However, it's not even CLOSE to my speed and power combined. " I finished. I closed my wings and began to spin, forming a black tornado. As the tornado grew, Max's speed and control began to slow down due to the crossing currents. I curved the top of the tornado to inhale Max. Max was trapped inside the vortex of the tornado; the eye of the storm.

She was truly about to know what fear felt like. I stopped spinning and could see Max managed to gain her position inside the eye of the storm, which was weaker in wind speed than the outside was. Inside this storm, was pure darkness. I could see Max due to my own adaptation to my own raptor vision, an upgrade that I developed myself. I could see her, but she couldn't see me. Max was looking around for a way out. She approached the wall of the storm, and lightning struck in front of her, stopping her approach of the wall. She then was gazing into a pair of red eyes, similar to the one she met in the forest yesterday.

"Remember them, Max? They are still hungry." I spoke to her mind. Max looked around and she kept meeting the gaze of either gold or red pairs of beast eyes. She looked to all sides, then up, then down. At the very base of the tornado, she noticed one pair of eyes had one gold eye, and one red eye, one beast-like, the other human. All the pairs of eyes were moving, slowly disorienting her. Max's vision began to become hazy and she fell out of the sky, unconcious. The tornado began to slow as she fell. Kristoff had managed to get to his knees, and Kana was at his side assisting him to his feet. The darkness dimmed enough for the onlookers to see Max dropping like a stone. Suddenly, Max seemed to be hanging in mid air, as the black cloud above her began to fade, Max was lowered, one hand outstretched to the sky.

The black cloud faded to show my grasp on Max's wrist. I hovered to the ground, placing her gently on the ground. I touched down on the ground beside her, as thrust my wings open, leaving some black feathers lying about. My hand was still placed over my right eye. Now that both hands were free from holding Max up, I tied the two ends of the cloth together, re-making the eye-patch. I walked away and leaned against a tree as Kristoff and Kana made their way to Max's side. After a minute, Max woke up, completely wiped out. I just waited on the edge of the woods that bordered the lava fields as Max awoke.

Max POV

I felt my energy burst just go POOF in an instant. And the girl went along with it. And there was utter silence from Fang. I could hear Kana's frantic voice calling out to me, but I felt soooo tired... I just wanted to sleep. But my body would not allow that. I groaned and leaned up, rubbing my head. Krissy and Kana looked at me with worried expressions. "I'm okay... what are we having for lunch? I'm starving." Kana and Kristoff just looked at each other wide eyed. Then, Kana punched me in the shoulder.

"OW!" I cried, cradling my shoulder. "What the heck was that for?" I snapped. Kana glared at me. "YOU ALMOST GOT YOURSELF KILLED AND YET YOU THINK ABOUT FOOD?" Kana shrieked. There was a gust of wind, and Dan and Draco appeared beside Kristoff. "I agree with Neo! When is lunch anyway?" Dan asked, puzzled. Draco just sighed and shook his head. "I swear, you're going to eat us out of house and home, Daniel.." Then, all of their eyes widened, and everyone was staring at me. "What?" Silence. "What?" Still silence. "WHAT?" Everyone just gave each other weird looks. "Um... Max, your bruises... there gone." I stared for a moment, then burst out laughing. SHE WAS KIDDING! But... wait. A minute ago I felt like heck, now I feel all better? I checked my arms and what not.

Not a scratch! "Whoa," I breathed. "Double whoa," Kana and Dan synced.

"JINX!"

Draco and Krissy sighed and rolled their eyes. "Drudges..." They muttered. That reminded me. My wrist! I checked it and... nothing. My eyes traveled to Darkus who stood near the the treeline, leaning against a tree. "Uh, be right back." I said, as I got to my feet as began to run towards him. "HEY! Darky!"

Darkus POV

"Max, you sure are a glutton for punishment." I spoke, my head titled towards the ground, eyes closed. I could hear her footsteps on the metamorphic rock of the lava fields she was crossing. "Yet, the surprises cease to amaze me. You are unhurt, it seems." I spoke. "Although, the damage had been done, your cells are rushing to heal you due to a form of 'fight or flight' response that most animals have. Eventually, your body will catch up on itself. You'll be exhausted for a prolonged amount of time if you push yourself." I spoke, with a slight grin on my left corner of my mouth.

Max POV

I halted to a stop in-front of him and cocked my head. In a strange way, he was right. Better not push myself. "I know I should be, like, totally ENRAGED at you for hurting me... I'm not." I whispered, looking him in his good eye. "What happened to you? And don't say it's none of my business, when it is. Even if you have broken the seal, we're still a team. And hating each other isn't really going to help us in the future, now is it?" I spoke sternly, placing my hands on my hips. "And we can start right now. I'll give you info on my end, and you on yours. And I'm not taking any bull. And instead of trying to kill me in every training session, how about you actually show me how to fight instead of letting me do everything blindly? That's just being a jerk."

Darkus POV

"Max, in order to begin to learn, you must know what you can BECOME. You also need to learn your place. Realize who your superiors are and respect them. Now you know, as well as Kristoff, that I am not to be disrespected. In all honesty, I am the one leading this whole camp. Better heed that warning, or next time, I won't think twice of cracking your spine in two like a twig." I growled. "As for my eye, that IS none of your business, I can still fight just as well as I could before, even better than before. So, don't care about me, when you should be caring for yourself first. Now, get Kristoff back to the cabin for him to rest. Then, come back here, we aren't done for today. Kristoff will need a few days rest from what damage he has taken. He WILL stay in camp and rest for at least 3 days, in the meantime, I will supervise your training."

Max POV

That snapped something in me. WHY THAT LITTLE-! Shut up! Are you seriously going to let him get away with that? If I was still alive, I'd- I SAID SHUT UP! Silence. Thanks, Fang. I just let out a "humph" and marched off. About five steps, I stopped and turned around and smiled at him. "I love you too, Darky!" I chimed. Two could play at this game. He wants to play demonic demon, I play Mrs. Goody Good. I met back up with the others and helped Krissy back to his cabin. Did I mention this guy is VERY heavy? Shesh, he's no bigger than a toothpick, yet he seems to weigh a ton. I'm confused. On my way back to Darkus, Fang kept muttering curses under his breath.

What's up with you? Have you ever thought he could be the reincarnation of Satan himself? Fang asked. I thought about it. "Maybe, but I'm stuck with the man." How about I take him out? I'll be HAPPY to do it! "No, no, no. That is MY job. Besides, I haven't even gone full annoying yet. I'm not even trying yet. I like to play with my food." Aw, fine! Says the girl with Skittles problems. "I do not have a Skittles problem!" Need I go through your memories and use some examples? "Shut up before I get mad." Silence. I sighed as I reached Darkus. "Alright, what?" Skittle girl. "SHUT UP! CAN YOU KEEP YOURSELF QUIET FOR TWO MINUTES?"

Darkus POV

"Max, quit talking with your guardian and get over here. You are going to do a simple exercise that even YOU will understand." I said as I tossed Max a belt with two red strips hanging from it. "Put that around your waist. This challenge is going to be a multi-way fight. This will teach you how to dodge, just as much it will teach you mental strategy of how to do what you plan. It's a mobile form of capture the flag. Your goal is to not lose the two flags of yours, and capture everyone else's. If you capture someone's flag, you stick it to your own belt. If you yours is captured, you can get it back. You will continue the exercise until someone captures all flags, or the sun sets. Understand?" I explained, glancing at everyone with my left eye. I waited for questions.

Max POV

"First off, HE STARTED IT." I yelled, pointing at my head. "And capture the flag? Really... God I hate that game..." I sighed. "Do I HAVE to?" I whined, giving a pleading look. "Yes." Darkus hissed. Why me? Because you're a Skittle Girl. "Has anyone ever told you, you are highly annoying?" I snapped, rubbing my temples. Yes. Am I annoying you? "YES!" I yelled, pulling at my hair. Then I am doing my job. "Kill me now," I muttered. Everybody just stared, but then looked back at Darkus for his signal. "I'm ready when you are," I said sarcastically.

Darkus POV

"Oh, might I add, that the winner gets a 'surprise'?" I added in, rolling my eyes, making little effort to make it sound special at all. "Begin!" I commanded and watched the roaches scatter. I walked back over to the tree and hopped up to a top branch and just watched them play.

Max POV

Surprise? Pfffffff! The day Darkus gives me a surprise, is the day I actually clean my nest of a room. I lunged to the person closest, which was Dan. I growled playfully and reached for his flag. But it slipped right through my fingers. Dan's wing hit my side, and I went flying back with an "oof"! It felt weird. It's all nice and feather, but it hurts! I just stared at Dan, then smiled evilly. "This. Means. War." I spoke slowly. Dan cackled like a mad-man, then sped away into the air. "GET BACK HERE, YA SHRIMP!" Dan may be small, but he's a FAST little bugger! And, plus, let's face it. He's had more practice at flying. "HI-YA!" I crashed into him, making his spiral down, our wings tangled. I quickly pulled away, holding one of his flags in my hand. "Thanks!" I shouted with a wink. Dan's face turned red, and he sped after me, but he was already locked in battle with Draco. I then spotted my next victim. Kana. I glided down and landed a few feet infront of her. "Hello, Kana," I said in a deep, spooky voice. "Hello, Max," Kana mimicked. "Hand over the flag and you live another day!" I teased. "Never!" Kana lunged at me, her fox ears flat on her head. I stepsided, and wrapped my arms around her, and lunged into the air. We were hovering just a mere fifty feet. "PUT ME DOWNNNNN! MAX! YOU KNOW I HATE HEIGHTS!" She cried, clinging to me for dear life. "Give me your flags and I will be happy to put you down." I laughed. "NO FAIR!" She wailed. "Life isn't fair!" "OKAY, OKAY! HAVE THE STUPID FLAGS, JUST PUT ME DOWN!" I flew to the ground and set her down. She handed me her flags, glaring at me. Then... she decided to assualt me with her flags. She started hitting them against my face, but I just held up my arms and giggled. "BENBJIGOQEIEN! You jerk! I'm so getting you back for this!" I just winked and flew away. The game lasted for a good thirty minutes. The sun almost setting. It was just me and Draco now.

Darkus POV

Heh. Max seems to be good at this sort of game. "She's nothing impressive." I mumbled. Alpha, what should we do? We have followed your instructions. We are waiting on your command. We are ready as well, Master. "Very good. Kage, I want the materials to be placed inside the den. Bane, I want your part ready for connection to Kage's. I'll be there tonight, around midnight, I expect everything ready for my arrival." I mumbled in response. Yes, Master. Understood, Alpha. I kept on looking the exercise.

Max POV

I snickered as I smiled at Draco. "Give it up!" Draco just stared at me with an emotionless stare. "I'll wipe that cocky smile off your face. I rule this game." Draco snapped. I laughed. "Every game needs a new king or queen!" Draco just glared at me. Before I could blink, Draco was in-front of me, his fist whizzed past my face, and I jumped back. "Jeez!" I ran back towards him, and aimed for his waist. But he was fast on his feet. I reached for his flag, but Draco merely slapped my hand away. I gritted my teeth together and tried kicking his feet out from under him. That failed. "Go down!" I hissed, getting aggravated.

Before I could blink, he had me in a head-lock. "If you can't take the heat, get out of the kitchen." Draco hissed. I gritted my teeth. He left me no choice. "You asked for it-!" And then, I kicked her where it counts. He let go, and dropped to his knee's, groaning in pain. "Never, ever hold me in a headlock." I chimed, giving a smug look. I skipped over to his side and snatched the flags from his waist. "Thanks for the flags!"

Darkus POV

"Max. Do you expect to win by low blows like that? Those kind of techniques only work on weaklings like yourself. As long as I am supervising your training, you will EARN your wins. Understand me? Draco, you win this challenge by default since you were runner up." I barked with some annoyance in my voice. Draco groaned with some happiness, yet mixed with pain. "In addition, Max, you will do ALL the chores for your cabin for the next 24 hours. Do I make myself clear?" Max's jaw dropped, then turned to anger, she clearly didn't like the harshness I used with her punishment. Too bad, that's how I work. Deal with it or accept your death.

Max POV

Please to the good lord tell me I was hearing things... Did he REALLY? I got up in his face. I wanted to scream at him. Tell him he was the biggest jerk in all the world. But I couldn't get one sensible word out of my mouth. The only thing I think I would be able to muster is, "Me mad". I screamed and stomped away. Why did he hate me so? Even when I had tried to be the LEAST bit kind... he was so cold. I hated it here. Hated him for hating me. And I could seek no comfort from Kana, since she was absorbed in Kristoff. I just walked off until I was deep in the woods and leaned against the trunk of a tree. "If he hates me so much, why doesn't he just end it.." I mummbled.

You know, I did ask if you wanted me to kill him? I need to get payback anyway. I have quite the bone to pick with that loser! Let me at'em!

I sighed and rubbed my temples. Just so you know, it's HIGHLY annoying to have a voice in your head that isn't yours. "No, Fang. If YOU want to kill him, you basically have to use me. And, most likely, you'll get us both killed. So no. And what the heck do you mean payback?"

Didn't I tell you he nearly whipped out all the Spirit Creatures? I know I told you this. PAY ATTENTION, WOULD YOU! He nearly killed me! He's the evil one who nearly erased all half-animal humans from existence! I need to pay him back for the thrashing he gave his "supposed" Spirit Creature. Luckily, that day the Spirit Council was watching and managed to pull together about 10 spirits to stop him. Man, he got quite the punishment that day! Woo hoo! I wish I could see the look on his face again! It was so many years ago now. The council REALLY let him have it that day. Of course like the stuck up moron he is, he didn't let it affect him. The only thing we have going for us is the regulations of punishment he was dealt. Man, I have never seen the Council so enraged.

This caught my attention. "He nearly killed you? Why? How? And punishment? What happened? I NEED TO KNOW THESE THINGS, MAN!" I yelled.

I tried to tell you but you wouldn't listen or even aknowledge the hints I was giving you, smart one! Darkus saw me in the same way you had, to gain his spirit powers, but Darkus was different. His power was incredible. He was so strong for someone without spirit power he was there to get! It was incredible. It took a mere 5 minutes for him to pin me to a tree and nearly end me. Funny thin is, when he went to kill me, he held up his hand and it glowed a spooky purple color…. None of the spirit's have a power the color of purple as far as I know.. There are a few that have grown away from the council in the few years of this event. So, he must have a special that isn't derived from spirit's at all. He lunged his hand at my chest. It entered my chest like butter, I was losing feeling of my wings, my power fading. Then Darkus was torn away from me, I gained my feeling and strength back to see that the Council was behind him, each of them holding Darkus down, with a whip of Spirit Force, a technique only Spirit Guardians know how to use. Darkus was then put before the Council before his actions and he was enslaved to run the camp and help all the new half-animal humans get their powers, but he cannot hurt them. Also, he can lost contact with his spirit creature, but he kept the physical change that he had. He was put through a sealing process that was scarred into his back and chest, painfully, by hand. That was supposed to keep his powers toned down to less that what is need to kill any decently powered spirit-human.

So THAT'S why he hates me so... "But, Fang... I don't get it. He always looks nicer when he talks to other people. Like, Kana and stuff! Why does he look at ME like he completely loathes me? He hated me from day one. I try and warm up a smidge, and he goes and kills it!" I said. "I understand why he'd hate to stay here and all... but he doesn't have to hate the people." I whispered.

Remember, he treated Kristoff horrible too. It might be because I am the spirit animal that caused him to be enslaved forever, and both of you two are part avians. Thing is, no one except the Spirit Council, Darkus and You know of Darkus' punishment. The Council found it important to keep it secret so he is respected during his job of supervising humans to get their powers. So, you can't tell anyone. I REALLY messed up big-time by telling you. Try to keep it under lock and key, alright? But, yeah, so that's why Darkus is here…. But he didn't have an eye-patch the last time I looked through your eyes and saw him. What happened? It seems he was meaner ever since that showed up, right? I doubt that was an accident, and I don't think anyone could touch him with the power he holds, and how he used the limited power he can unleash. I wonder what happened for him to be so injured as to hide his right eye like that. Maybe you should mess with him, for a little payback! Yeah, mess around with him and try to see what he is hiding. Play some trickery, Max. DO IT! Oh, let me know right when you pull it off. I want to see the look on his face! Oh, this outta be GREAT! Ha, ha! I can see it now…

I bit my lip. "I think playing a prank would be the death of me," I said sheepishly. "And I don't think it's you he hates... I can see it in his eyes. He wants to kill me so, so badly. If he didn't want me around, why did he come get me? Why didn't he just let Diablo kill me... I would have at least seen my-..." I stopped. Memories of my adoptive parents flashed through my mind. Tears threatened to break through, but I held them back. "And no arguements out of you." I mummbled.

Max, he was punished to look over you half-animal kids. He is doomed to live with you all. There's nothing he can do about it. I bet he was instructed to come get you by the Council, and he had no choice. Ha, like the tool that he is. Also, Max. Do you know about the Spirit Decree? It might be good for you to know, since you already know about Darkus' punishment. Everyone learns it from their spirit animal at some point. It's a little early, but I think it might explain some things about Darkus.

Ugh. I sighed and closed my eyes. "Do tell me about this Spirit Decree. I can just listen to you ramble on all day.." I said sarcastically. Now that's cold, Fang said as he began to tell me what the heck this Spirit thing is.

Did you ever wonder why you humans got these powers? If you didn't, the animal spirits would be forgotten about forever. The reason you train to control your powers is because your presence on Earth helps the planet more than you know. If the spirit guardians like myself were to be present in your world, it would spell disaster. Not all spirit guardians are good like me. Some are on the edge of good and evil. One evil, powerful spirit and the Earth would be destroyed. The humans would most likely be enslaved. It was decided that the Guardians would not have a presence on Earth outside of their heirs eyes and mind. That's is. No direct contact with your world. We are merely there to keep the flow of nature going. The spirits control nature, Max. When the wind blows, it's because a slow of energy from one spirit to another. The eternal cycle, is help by the spirits, and you are part of the cycle, along for the ride. If you could control your powers, you can summon deciples of Avian spirits to aid you in battle. You could summon hawks and falcons at your side. The same with any other of the Spirit beings. A superior heir can summon them. It's hard for you to understand when you aren't a spirit yourself, but all you need to know is, that Guardians cannot come to your world. It's against the decree. It's forbidden. Darkus shouldn't be able to summon his own due to his link with me being cut, and the seal scarred into him. He can only work by himself. He shouldn't be able to summon anything else. If he does, you need to let me know so I can tell the Council, alright? They are keeping a close eye on Darkus, they never did trust him to stay in line. He was always crafty, and dangerous.

Crafty and Dangerous... Heh, sounds like me! Nah, not really. "I never asked to be apart of this... but I guess I have no choice." Then, my mind wavered back to Darkus. He was so dark and sercetive... For once I'd like to know what's going on in that head of his. And has he always been so cold and cruel? Did he ever have anyone close? So many questions. I was now determined to learn everything about this man that I could. To be honest, I don't really trust Fang on the fact that he hates me because he's forced to look after me, or that I am Fang's host. There's more to this. Sometimes... I can almost see... sadness in his face when he looks at me. But why sadness? But most of the time, it's hate and bloodlust. "Hmmmm... I got an idea, dear Watson!"

Darkus POV

The training session ended, Max went off by herself. The sun had set, the moon had risen. I walked behind all the young ones into camp. Once they were safe inside the borders, I left the camp again, and walked north. There was a cool breeze, with some moisture on the air. A storm was coming, it would be raining tomorrow morning. I approached a remote area in the woods. A large cliff jutted out of the forest. I flew to the top, and closed my eyes and let the breeze cool my face. All except the empty warmth of the patch running across my face. I opened my eye and glanced into the moon. There was a rock nearby, I sat on it, one knee bent, my right arm resting against it. I glanced into the moon again. I felt a pain behind my right eye. You were harsh on her, Master. Is there a reason for that? "I don't care. She is nothing more than a fly in my face. She won't matter soon. None of them will. Max, Kristoff, the camp, the Council, none of them will matter to me soon." I replied, with monotonous annoyance. You haven't exactly told us why yet, Master? I trust you know what you are doing, but… I can't help but wonder what it is EXACTLY what you are doing? I don't want to follow a fool. "Do you see me as a fool?" I asked calmly, but raising the tension. Not yet, sire. I don't have a reason to see you as one, but I am still making up my mind on that. "Then you had best give me a chance to prove I am not, before you judge me." I spoke, getting no response for a minute. The moon shone with such a light I had not seen before. It was not just shining, but glowing. Alpha, is it a good time? "I suppose so." I replied. We are ready for your arrival. We will be waiting for you. I gave no reply. I knew what needed to be done, I wanted it done. I finally felt obliged to at least answer. "Alright, I'll be at the den in a little bit." The calmness of the night almost made me feel tired. I suppose that's how I should feel, knowing what was waiting for me at the den.

Max POV

Apparently, I would put my plan of action into motion tomorrow, when Darkus was usually gone for the afternoon. Glided around the tree's. It felt SO good to fly at night... it was cool, yet warm at the same time. And my mind was clear and I could focus. And it was easy as pie flying through and around tree's. PUH-LES. I landed on a large tree, and tucked in my wings. I couldn't help but stare up at the sky. Ah, it looks SO pretty tonight... It actually reminded me of home. I missed it so much. I missed the hills, and the endless pine trees that were everywhere. I missed my parents. But most of all, I missed riding. I had forgotten about my horse Diamond. I hoped he was okay, and someone had found him. I wondered if he missed me. The thought disappeared from my mind as I saw a familiar shape sitting on a boulder. "Darkus.." I whispered. I narrowed my eyes. Time to play spy! I pulled out my hunting knife from my belt, and climbed down the tree, making sure to be quiet. I tip-toed until I was behind him a few yards. I didn't dare go any closer than I already was.

Darkus POV

"Kage, Bane, are you there?" Of course, Alpha, I am always listening. Yes, Master, do you need us? "No, not yet. Delay the plans for 6 hours. I'll arrive at the den about 2 hours before sunrise." I whispered softly in return. Of course, if that is your wish, sire. As you command, Master. I kept quiet a moment. I could hear the grass sway, the trees hum, the wind whistle. Then it all went silent. I knew she was there. "What do you want, Max? I am not in a very forgiving mood right now." I spoke, hearing Max gasp slightly behind me. "Trying to sneak up on me isn't wise in the slightest, fledgling." I spoke sternly, my eye gazing up at the moon.

Max POV

I gawked at him. How in the HECK did he hear me? I was completely silent! I just gritted my teeth and emerged from the shadows. "Hello, Darky dearest." I said sweetly, as I walked his way and leaned against the boulder he was sitting on. "What are YOU doing out in the woods, hrmm?"

Darkus POV

Do you want me to silence her, Master? "No." I replied to the snake like voice. "Why do you even care?" I asked, with a tone of darkness. Sir, how are you going to get by her without raising suspicion? "Silence." I whispered under my breath at them. "Rgh" I sighed, wincing a moment, gazing at the moonlight above us. "Why are you here?" I asked solemnly.

Max POV

Darkus winced, but I thought nothing of it. "Oh, nothing. I was just passing by and I saw you. And I have nothing BETTER to do, so I might as well annoy you for the rest of the night," I replied in a chuckle. I was going to have fun annoying him.

Darkus POV

"Max, do you know what happens when you rattle the cage of a trapped animal?" I replied with a growl. Alpha, please I ask you to let me show this girl some manners. All I need is your approval and- "I said, Silence!" I whispered, interrupting the near snarl. A pain throbbed behind my eye again, I placed my index finger and middle finger on my eyebrow on top of the patch. I dropped my hand again, and looked at the moon again, and closed my eye. My right eye seemed to getting more painful over time, more frequently. I shouldn't keep stalling the inevitable.

Max POV

I cocked my head slightly. He looked like... he was in pain. Let him yell at me. Let him probably try to kill me. I'm helping. Big woo. I climbed up on the boulder and sat beside him. "What are you doing?" Darkus hissed, his fangs barred. I rolled my eyes. "Calm down." I said sternly. "Untie your patch. Let me see. My mom was a nurse, and I know a trick or two... Maybe I can help you out." I said in a more friendlier tone. I at least wanted to show him some kindness, even though he loathed me.

Darkus POV

I snapped at her, I swung my hand at her arm that was reaching for my eye-patch. I jumped into the air and felt that patch was still there. I looked down at her to see that she had a series of 4 parallel cuts on her arm. I touched down about 10 feet away from the boulder. How dare she try to touch you! How about I teach her a lesson about respecting you, Master! You don't need to take-"Enough, I said!" I replied, my back to Max.

Max POV

I just remember reaching out to snatch away his eye-patch, then pain in my arm. I looked down to see four parallel cuts, blood pouring from it. It burned so, so bad. I felt like screaming. But no way was I going to give him THAT satisfaction! HE DARE CUT YOU? Fang thundered. THAT'S IT! Nobody touches my girl! LEMME AT'EM! "No!" I chocked. He CUT you, Max! He had NO right! "He's just not warming up to me yet..." I snapped back stubbornly. I held my injured arm, blood oozing between my fingers. I stared up at Darkus as if he'd done nothing. "So, what's next?" I asked.

Darkus POV

"Sorry..." I replied, giving no sense of emotion. "Well? Answer my question!" I demanded. Master, please! Don't deal with this weakling. Let us take care of her. We can remove her from your- I growled low and loud, cutting off that voice. A moment of silence ensued as Max thought about my question, or licked her wounds. "The animal becomes scared or very mad..." She replied in a shaky voice. "Wrong. The animal bites. As you will know soon enough, if you don't learn," I growled over my shoulder, and leered at Max with my left eye. It pulsed again. I winced, bearing the left side of my fangs. I placed my index and middle fingers on my eyebrow again, until the throbbing ceased. The pains are getting intense and longer. I can't keep stalling, it needs to be done. She looked up at me sadly. "Please let me help…" She whispered. "Why do you hate me so?

I growled. "You had best know your place, Max. I'm fine. You are the one who be asking for help." I growled. Again, it pulsed. My anger began to grow. I could feel the normal cold feeling turning to fire. I placed the palm of my hand against my eye, through the patch this time. It pulsed again. My fingers tensed, gripping the eye-patch. It stopped, then I removed my hand from the eye-patch. I can't keep doing this. Alpha, let me keep her busy, you need to get to the den and get this going. Please, just come to the den, I'll make sure she doesn't speak of this again, or ever for that matter. "No, I'm FINE, Bane. Be ready for my word." I whispered under my breath, as my eye pulsed yet again. This was becoming threatening. I growled at this pain. My fingers grasped at the eye-patch again, I bared my teeth, snarling until the pain melted away.

She snapped out her wings and flew to my side, our wings rising and falling in unison. "If you don't need me, at least let me help you get back to your cabin, it!"

I twisted in the air, the backside of my foot slammed against her back, making her fall to the ground with a thud. "Bane!" I shouted. In an instant, a snarl and snap sounded. I looked down to see Max's shoulder was being held inside the jaws of a large red and black wolf. The eyes were a deep golden color, the same eyes that resided inside the woods and the tornado. "Take it easy on her, just keep her busy until I get to the den, then return behind me." I spoke to Bane in my mind. As you command, Alpha. It feels so nice to stratch my legs after being cooped up un the spirit relm for so long. I began to walk into the woods, gripping the eye-patch. "Use only 10% of your strength, no need to tip off the Council to your presence, Bane." I said my last words to him before I disappeared into the shadows of the trees. Yes, Alpha. As you wish. I walked into the woods, knowing that I wouldn't like what was going to happen when I got back to the den, but I wanted the outcome, not the process. Most of all, I wanted this incessant pain in my eye to stop. I'll never forget what happened that night for this curse to be placed upon my eye, the portal to the world, in which I was nothing more than a servant, living in an empty home, with an ache that never left. That infection caused it, I will do whatever it takes to end it, and anyone who stood in my way... The infection that infects me daily will die, then I will infect the world and make it my own. The infection must die!

Max POV

Before I could even think or even react, Darkus decided to kick me. It was SO hard I fell out of the sky and landed on the ground with a thud. OW! I groaned until what felt like knives sank into my arm. I tried to scream, but for some weird reason I couldn't. WHERE DID SOME FREAKY WOLF COME FROM? Even though it sent waves of pain through me, I began to thrash around. I tried clawing at the wolfs nose and eyes. But that didn't work at ALL. My eyes closed for a second and I saw HER again. You can't keep yourself out of trouble for one minute, can you? That's when I felt again. That energy surge. I bawled my hand up into a fist, and punched the mutt between the eyes. It must have hurt pretty bad, because the mutt actually let go and retreated a few yards. I jumped to my feet, and saw that my wounds were already beginning to heal. You know, I could get use to this! "Hmph, back off you stupid dog!" I snapped. I snapped open my wings and jumped into the air. I flew a few hundred feet until the wolf below looked like an ant. "Fang!" I snapped. What? I was taking a nap. Thanks for being so kind as to wake me! "Shut up! Darkus summoned a wolf." Your reason better be good or- HE WHAT? "You heard me." WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL ME SOONER? "Well, maybe because I was being attacked? Ugh forget that now! I'm going to find Darkus." I pulled in my wings some and headed in the direction I last saw Darkus going.

Darkus POV

Oh no you don't! The Wolf lunged into the air at Max, darting towards the trees. The wolf's claws sank into Max's lower leg, into the ankle, then let go. Max continued into the trees. The wolf growled, then let out a howl that seemed to shake the air. I'm sorry, Alpha. I wasn't able to keep her occupied for too long. Like the bird she is, she took off after you. Watch yourself. I know I'll get the punishment for failing you later. "Rrrgh... Bane... that howl is going to signal your presence on Earth. I'll deal with you later." I whispered as I jumped up into a tree, to see Max glide below. Then I felt it. They knew ALREADY? Suddenly a bright light burst open on the ground, bright enough that I could see Max about 150 yards away, turn around to see the light. Great, now even she got to know about this... "Darkus, you didn't learn your lesson the first time you ran into trouble with us. You know the law. The Spirit Guardians cannot be called into the Mortal World. You broke the Decree. You will learn the balance of things, and pain will be your teacher." The Spirit Chief spoke, the identity of whom is a lion. "Haven't you done enough to me?" I spoke, jumping down onto the ground, and stepping into the light. "Go ahead, I'll take whatever you dish out at me. I live in pain eternally. Whatever you dish out can't stand up to the pain I feel each day." I spoke, with a mixture of arrogance and solemn. "Your punishment will be something that shall cease your rebellious behavior. You didn't learn by losing part of your sight, now you shall learn by losing part of your freedom in this world." The voice spoke, grotequely. The light shone brightly in the center as a man-like figure, with long red-ish brown hair, and long fingers, the tip being claws, appeared in the light's center. I looked over the shoulder of the man, and saw Max approach the light, jumped into a tree and appeared on the branch that I had just jumped down from. Perfect... just perfect... Now she'll get to see this. I growled, bearing my teeth at the Spirit Chief. I knew there was no way I was going to escape this. "From this day forward, you will lose part of your identity as an Avian Heir, or as a full human. You will forever be trapped in-between human and Spirit Heir."

Max POV

What... what was going on? This was crazy! I shifted and winced. That d*mn dog just HAD to snap it's fangs into my leg, didn't it? It had to be several inches deep... not to mention how much it stung. But my attention was on Darkus. HA! TAKE THAT, BIG BOY! I'm so going to enjoy this! Now if only I had popcorn and 3D glasses. Fang mused. "Shut up, Fang." I snapped. Why? "Because as enraged as I am at Darky, I don't want him to be hurt." HE JUST TRIED TO KILL YOU AND YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE HIM HURT? Love sick, fledgling. "I am NOT love stick! I just don't want him hurt." Suuuurrrrreeeeee. I'll just sit back and enjoy the view. "I'm ignoring you for the rest of the night." I said rolling my eyes, and taking my attention back to Darkus.

Darkus POV

"You were once the Phoenix child. The for-told genius heir, not yet recieved his powers. We were all anxious to see you gain your powers and help everyone you touched. What a disappointment. You don't deserve these wings, Darkus. You don't deserve the freedom that the Avian Heir offers it's followers. You shall not be granted something you didn't earn." I knew what he meant. I said nothing. The Lion Spirit walked behind me. I unfurled my wings. The Lion Spirit walked behind me, then in front of me. He held up a hand, the claws glinting in the white light that surrounded us. The claws then began to glow green. He punched my left wing, his claws sunk into the limb. He had an iron grip, as he pulled towards the left. He kept his glare focused on my left eye. He wanted to see me beg for mercy through my eye as he tore my being apart. I wouldn't let him have it. I just stared back at him. I could tell I was getting under his skin. He pulled harder and harder, trying to get a reaction out of me, until a ripping and a burst of blood sounded. My back throbbed. I tried to flap my wings, only feeling one. He had ripped the freedom from my back. It hurt, but I held it down. I gripped the sword over my right shoulder. I felt a hand grip my left wrist. "That didn't remove the fight in you, huh? Maybe this will." I watched his other hand, pull out a lion's fang dagger, and slice it through my wrist. I winced at that, certainly. I fell to one knee. "Look at you now, One hand, one wing, one eye. The sentence for a third step over the line is steeped than you can afford with those losses you can't take back, Darkus. Remember that. Next time, I won't opt to keep you alive." he spoke down to me. He turned and walked back to the center of the light, and faded away. The light disappeared. I stayed there on one knee.

Master, are you alright? Alpha! How dare those fools punish you for my error! What are they trying to keep from anyone anyway? They stopped giving out to our species, and are increasing the amount of heirs of the species that remained in the Council. And, anyone who goes against their rules is dealt WAY too much devastating a punishment…. Sire, can you make it back to the den? We need to get you stabilized soon. Shall we come and get you?….. Alpha?….. Master? I could hear them in my mind, but I cared not to answer. We're coming to get you Master. Hold on for a few minutes. I knew she was still there, it had only been 2 minutes since he left, and she was still there... Not a sound resonated in the forest, it was as silent as the dead, which is appropriate, considering how I considered myself right now.

Max POV

I didn't move. Didn't dare to even breath. What just happened...? "Darkus," I whispered. I knew he was a total jerk and he shouldn't have sent that demon dog after me... but he didn't deserve that at all. I glided down from my branch and landed a few yards away from me. He probably expected me to enjoy that... but to be honest, it made me sick. Darkus glared at me with his one good eye. I let out a shaky breath and walked over to him. I just looked up at him, trying to keep my face expressionless. "I'm sorry..." I said quietly. I know he probably didn't care, but I cared. Strangely, I was beginning to feel very protective of him. "So... where do you need to go? I can help you... and if you think about sending one of you mutt's after me again, or killing, you'll regret it. And, also, you're stuck with me. So don't give me any bull about not coming with you or I need to back off. I'm not just going to cower away..." I said sternly. I placed my hands on my hips and glared at him. That's right…. Don't slack off of him. I remember that voice! It's that girl… "Hey, Maxerita…" I mumbled under my breath.

Darkus POV

"Max... Just leave me." I spoke solemnly. I got to my feet and continued to walk towards the den. "Don't follow me. Or, I'll need to make you." That voice. It was horrible enough to hear it, and have HER there as well. I had to walk away, for the second time in my life. There's more important things for me. I had to get back to the den. What was waiting for me there... was more important than me right now, more important that even Max and that voice.

Max POV

I just rolled my eyes and walked after him. Touch her, and I'll make sure you lose more than just a hand and wing, Darkus… That voice! "He can't hear you, so shush." I snapped at the female voice. Fang, who is the other voice? Oh, just a friend… I just shook my head. "You can't stop me from going, Darkus. Besides, I wouldn't want to die from blood lose or something..." I said frowning. Speaking of which.. I slipped off my NorthFace and tore a sleeve off. "Here," I said holding the piece of ripped jacket out to him. "At least you can wrap your wrist up or something..."

Darkus POV

I drew my blade with my good hand. "Max, back off!" I warned. Max just stood there. "Kage..." I spoke, in an instant, a large dragon stood behind me. Black with silver spikes, red and black armor and claws. His teeth shined brightly in the moonlight. He lowered his massive hand and placed it out flat against the ground. I stepped onto his palm, I was lifted to Kage's neck, I got on and we flew away. "Bane, make sure they don't follow us. I'm going to give you another chance. Don't fail me again." I whispered to him in my mind. As you command, sire. I won't let you down again. "Thank you, both of you." I whispered to both of them. No need to thank us, Master. We serve you, we would do anything you ask of us. We serve you, Alpha. We follow what you ask, we are your mere servants. "Having Spirit Guardians as my servants, isn't something I want. I want power. I want to get my revenge!" I spoke into the night sky. I could see the den approaching, no one could find it except those who already knew where it was. I knew it was almost time... It was almost time to alter everything the Spirit heirs had come to know.

Max POV

Okay. I must be crazy. Like, times ten. Did I just see a DRAGON? Dragon's don't EXIST! Do they? Aren't they just something you hear about in fairy-tales? Then again, look at me. A bird-kid freak. You're not a freak, you're just special. "Yes, that's why I ride the special bus." I countered, rolling my eyes. I placed pressure on my injured leg, and it didn't hurt as bad. Some of the cuts had already healed and turned into a small pink scar. But I couldn't let Darkus just get away, now could I? I knew something was stalking me, because I could hear something rustling the leaves behind me. It was that stupid mutt again! I gave a running start and unfurled my wings, pushing down hard against the cool night air. But change of game-plan. Instead of following directly behind him, I'm going to go slow and take cover in the clouds. Then follow him where ever the heck he's going. It only took seconds to go a few thousand feet and hide in the clouds. I spotted Darkus and his Dragon maybe a mile or two. I grinned. Excellent.

Darkus POV

Alpha, behind you! I heard Bane warned me. "Great... She following us, Kage." She doesn't give up, does she? What shall I do? "Go after her. I warned her to leave me alone. Now she'll need to learn... that hard way." Kage turned around and rocketed towards Max. "I told you to not follow me, Max. Leave now before I need to make you hurt!" I roared over the distance between us. The dragon was easily 10 times larger than Max was tall. She would be swatted out of the sky. "Max, against a Spirit Guardian, you stand no chance. Leave NOW!" I growled.

Max POV

I think my heart stopped. This was NOT how I imagined I'd die. Being eaten by a giant lizard... Joy to the world. RELEASE! The female voice thundered in my head, but I had no idea what she was talking about. Use the sword! Fang snapped. I did what he said and drew my blade. Like before, a red mist hung around it. I could see my relection in the blade... my eyes... The iris had turned crimson again, the whites had turned pure-black. Say it! Say the words and release! Suddenly... I knew what she what. I held the blade up into the air, the blade glowing now. Then, it actually caught on FIRE! "Obliterate, Falcon!" I yelled. Then, the most amazing thing happened... The fire jumped actually came to life. The tongues of crimson flame grew and grew until it manifested into the shape of an eagle. It let out a cry and stared at me for a moment before turning it's attention to Darkus. "Amazing..." I whispered, in awe. Wow… only just a few days of being here, yet you can already release… that takes months of practice….

Darkus POV

"Heh. A release? Pathetic!" I spat. "It's nothing compared to a Spirit Guardian." I looked at her for a moment. A release was impressive from her, but nothing compared to what I was going to unleash. "Kage, show them what you can do." I commanded. Kage, reared it head up and opened it's mouth. Darkness began to glow inside his jaws. "Leave now, Max. This is your last warning. don't subject yourself to death." I glared at her, while letting my left eye glow red.

Max POV

Max, it's no use, get OUT of there! "No!" I yelled. She can do this, Fang! You two don't get it! M, remember, HE'S THE REASON WE'RE DEAD! I realize that, Fang… But it just shames me that he would do this to our own daughter… After we trained him to become a peacmaker, not a bringer of hate. My concentration wavered when I heard the word "daughter". The flame beast let out a cry, then spread his wings and gave a large flap. Huge flames shot towards Darkus and the gaint lizard. Oh, no... no, no, no,

Darkus POV

"Swat it away, Kage!" The dragon did just that. He raised his hand and crushed the flames. "HA! Pathetic, Max! You have no clue what is going on! I tell you one last time, turn around and go back to the camp! That is an order!" I barked. The darkness continued to glow in the Dragon's mouth. "You will be swallowed if you stay any further. Go home!" I roared, only hearing wingbeats and the growing power in the Dragon's mouth.

Max POV

"What are you hiding?" I yelled. You know what? I don't care anymore. LET him kill me. He's wanted it from the start. Why fight it anymore? "You want blood so bad, THEN KILL ME! Go ahead! I'm not stopping you!" With a thought, my eagle disappeared, and the flames that had once consumed my blade were gone. My eyes were back to normal.

Darkus POV

"Kage... enough. Send it." I ordered with little emotion in my voice, whispering some words after.. It's not at full po- "Just do it!" I growled. Kage sent the blast, just missing Max. The percussion of the blast passing by still knocked Max out. "Bane, catch her!" I commanded Bane in my mind. Of course, Alpha. "Set her down, then head to the den. Keep aware of your surroundings. We've made enough noise to send red flags. Yes, sir! Max fell lifeless, swatted from the sky like an insect. "Kage, head back to the den..." I spoke with a slight snarl and a sigh. Yes, Master. In a minute, where we had fought wasn't in sight. "Bane, how did she fair?" She was unscathed, just unconscious. I spread some smog in the area to keep her unconscious for a few hours, she won't be following us, Alpha. We can finally get you take care of. "Good work. Follow us back to the den" I sighed. I inhaled, looking towards a place that I might not be walking away from. I glance over my shoulder, seeing nothing. Max, take this opening and stay away from me, as a testament to the past.

Max! "Shut up, Kana... five more minutes." I moaned. Ugh, girls.. GET UP, SKITTLE GIRL! Fang thundered, making me jump. "YOW! Okay, okay! I'm up, d*mn it!" I hissed. The first thing I realized is that my head felt really heavy and sluggish. You know, like after you get back from the dentist when they give you that gas stuff. Then the pain washed over me all over again, and I clutched my leg. Most of it had healed, but I still had a lot of damage done. "I. Hate. Dogs." Fang just chuckled. Serves you right. "WHAT DID I DO?" Don't get mad, I'm just saying that's what you get for being cocky. "Oh, yes, I'm going to take advice from YOU!" I snapped, getting to my feet. Well, duh. You have too. I sighed. "I love you too, Fang." Then I realized something. "OH MY GOSH! THAT JERK!" I screamed, stomping my good foot. "He freaking tried to kill me! I'll shave all that hair of his head! Then burn it!" I cannot believe him. You know what? Let him go off. I don't care about him. Let the council take his other wing and hand while they are at it! Don't be so negative. I ignored Fang. I didn't want to argue right now. I spotted my sword a few yards away near the bushes. I strapped it at my side and jumped into the air. Kana and Krissy were going to love to hear about this...

Darkus POV

Flying on Kage's shoulder was silent, it was different than when I fly...err... used to fly. Not being able to fly anymore... did hurt more than the bleeding wounds did. All I could imagine on this moonlit ride on the dragon was soft, sad, piano music. I looked into the moon that guided us towards the den, I felt lifeless, my head began to feel light. I fell onto one knee. Master, are you alright? Please try to hang on a little longer. We can stabilize you when we get back to the den. Please, just a little longer. "I'm fine. I'm just weak from the blood loss." In truth, I know I wasn't fine. Even if I didn't lose my eye, wing and hand... Neither path led me to a different result. I know regardless of missing a few organs, I was still going to have the same thing happen to me. I partially wanted it to come already, just to skip the painful process... that might not even succeed. I have no choice now... it might help me, if it DOES work, than it would have before. I'm not doing this for just myself... I'm doing this for the world, that is as blind as my right eye.

We approached the Den, I could see it's entrance coming up. Here we are, sir. Are you able to walk inside after I land? "Just shrink your size into your stealth form and fly us in. I'm not confident that they didn't follow us." Understood sir. I managed to make my way onto the back of Kage's neck. His mass began to shrink. His form became long, narrow, slender and sleek. In this form, his speed increased exponentially. We entered the Den's opening, revealing a long black tunnel, only lighted by the moonlight entering through holes in the roof of the terrestrial tunnel. After a minute, I saw Bane. You made it, Alpha. Good, I was worried the blood loss-"That's enough, Bane." I hopped off of Kage's neck, who had lowered itself to the ground. I hopped off, my feet touched the ground, and nothing seemed to be working anymore. I just collapsed. He's weak, Bane. Get him into the infirmary. Yes, Kage. Bane lifted me onto his back, with a little effort from myself. Kage, follow me, I'll need your help to run the equipment. Go into your melee form. Yeah, sure. Kage began to glow faintly. His form shrank to a human size, covered in scales black in color, reflected like obsidian. He had a pair of dragon like wings, with spines running across the skin in-between them. On the main limb that the spines strayed from was several spikes, as well as some claws. Around Kage's neck was a leather necklace with a skull in the center and fangs sticking outward around it's remainder. Shouldn't you turn into your melee form as well, Bane? Yeah, yeah.. I will once I get him onto the table. Help me would you? Yeah, yeah, keep your tail on.

Kage strutted over and manuvered me onto the table, a trail of blood was leading from the hallways we just came from. I had never felt so weak. I felt the hard granite table under my back. Lying there felt uneven, seeing as one wing was missing. I just closed my eyes, I was tired... and nervous... as well as scared. I might just be handing my life to hell right now. First, lets get his wounds dressed. He'll be of no use to us if he is dead. Agreed. He needs to be alive for us to use him. Bane transformed into his melee form. A werewolf type being. Black fur, a slightly elongated face, pointed ears, 4 inch long claws on the fingertips, fangs in the mouth, eyes with slits for pupils. His legs even had the "canine-like" structure to them.

What was I doing? Why did I agree to this deal that long ago? Why did I even try to kill the Avian being? Well, I wouldn't change that event, even from all the pain and sadness afterward, or even before that. If I didn't nearly kill the Avian spirit... I would be just as blind as the rest of the world to the growing power, lingering over the deaf minds. I could feel as I was sat up, my trenchcoat removed, my undershirt removed. I opened my eyes to see the seal carved into my chest and scarred over. The scars were a darker tone than the rest of my skin. I relived that moment of imprinting . The scowls those men gave me... They took pleasure in carving into my flesh, removing every bit of freedom they could. I could feel cool bandages being wrapped around my chest. I could slowly feel my energy coming back. I felt better now. I stayed sitting up while my hand...err... lower arm, was wrapped tightly in bandages as well. Without a hand, wing and eye, I felt like a misfit, someone who didn't fit in...Then again, when did I ever fit in?

It felt like I fell asleep for only a moment, or an eternity. Alone all my life until I was ripped from my life of theft and thrown into a cold home of some old man. I sat by a fire for day on end until the fire turned purple, red and black, cycling the colors. The old man was shocked. He had never seen cycling colors before. He had only heard that the three colors cycling led to an arguement among the spirit beings, deciding upon what spirit would fall upon the chosen. Red eventually settled out, but flickers of black and purple arose during the time I was claimed as well. I remember seeing that empty plain, with the mountain jutting out of nowhere. That "bird-man"... Seeing it made me angry... why did it have wings? I wanted them, only me. No one else! I wanted to be the best, be able to beat up that world that had suppressed me all those years alone. I wanted to take it's wings, forcefully if needed. I attacked the being with all the skills I had learned as theif on the streets, living off each time I took what wasn't mine, whatever I pleased. I never was caught, frankly because I left no survivors from my actions. Not a soul lived to tell what my face looked like. I did what I needed to survive. Years passed, with little interaction with people, nothing change of my demeanor. This time, is no different. I fought with the being for a very short time. It's move looked slow. I easily countered whatever it threw at me, then I dug my blade into it's hands and feet to a tree. I felt a strange feeling in my hand, then a hidden instinct took over. I plunged my glowing hand into it's chest, until I was forcefully torn away. Next thing I know, I have a glowing white heated blade burning into my skin in the form of an ancient text. I was thrown into the world and told to construct that wretched camp. A man found me one day, cutting down the trees to build the camp, and assisted me. I eventually liked the guy and taught him the basics that he was missing. Ever since, he has been "suave" to all the girls in camp. It disgusted me. I learned to ignore him and do the job I was enslaved to do. Even when the sun shined on my skin, it never felt warm. I felt nothing but coldness... or hot anger. I always wondered about the black and Purple spirit colors that cycled with my own.

Maybe the Spirits made a mistake with me in choosing who I would have been an heir to. I was doing a perimeter check one day, when I came across a large being chasing a family of deer. It was horribly thin and weak. I spoke to it. It told me that it had a brother who was just as weak as he. I caught 6 deer for both of them. That's when I was led to the den for the first time. A year later, and much knowledge gained, here I remain, with these two. Normally, I kill for what I want, but these two... It's different.

I laid there for an hour as my strength recovered, reliving in my mind what led me to this moment. It after all, could be my last moments. Master, are you feeling better? We need to do this when the moon is at it's highest. We must begin soon. "Yeah, I feel better." Can you make your way to the shrine? Or do we need to carry you there? "No, I'm fine." I swung my legs over the edge of the table. I tried to push myself off of the table, only feeling the cold granite under my right hand. I felt sadness for a moment, but soon it was filled with fear, since I knew where I was going, and where I might rest forever. I got to my feet and followed them into the next room.

It was cold and stuffy. I was 6 beams of light gathering at the center of the room, on a star-like stone tablet. The points on the top and bottom points had straps attached to them. Bane snapped his fingers and the table was lowered, and flattened to horizontal, like a table. I knew what I had to do. Without a word spoken, I laid onto the table. Put one hand in each of the straps, and one foot in each of the straps. Bane and Kage tied them tight. Bane grabbed a dish from the far side of the room. On the way back towards me, he snapped again, making the table turn to vertical. I exhaled, nervously. Bane dipped his index claw into a glowing purple paste inside the dish. His claw signed a symbol onto the topside of each hand and foot. He went to make a symbol on my forehead. Sire, I need to-"Do it." I sighed. Bane pulled off the eye-patch still covering my eye. I could see Bane become startled as he saw what was underneath. It has already begun, Kage. We need to move now! Bane signed the last mark on my forehead. Then, Kage walked over with a blade and handed it to Bane, who held it out to the side, in-front of Kage, who breathed fire onto the blade until it glowed white. Kage then looked up at me and was also startled at what he saw where the eye-patch had been. Astounding. I can't believe they did that! It's like they knew that we were still alive after all this time. They were certainly onto us, huh, Bane? Seems so, Kage. We need to get this done before the optimal time fades and makes his chances of survival even slimmer.

I saw Bane approach me with the hot blade. I kept very still, and closed my eyes. I felt the blade approach my forehead. The heat singed my skin, and it wasn't touching yet. The pain from the blade touching my skin was minimal compared to the pain of losing and hand and wing, and nearly bleeding out. Bane carefully carved the symbols he traced a moment earlier with the blade. I could feel blood dripping down my face from the one on my forehead, the blood dripping into my eyes. The ones on my feet were last. I slowly opened my eyes. Kage was looking at my right eye and shaking his head. I know what they saw infuriated them... It angered me as well. Bane stepped away and looked at me. Oh, I nearly forgot. Bane walked to the opposite side of the room and came back with another dish. Kage, if you don't mind….. Yeah, yeah…. I know. Kage took the playe from Bane, which held a black paste just like the purple one had been, except this one wasn't glowing, it was warm to the touch. Kage drew a different symbol on the center of my chest, inside one of the three circles on my chest. One on-top of the other two which were side my side. The top on had been filled in a long time ago. The other two, remained empty.

I remember when those circle rose to the surface and never left. Kage and Bane were pushing me to my limits in nighttime battle. The moon had glowed brightly and formed the second circle, the first rose the surface at the same time. Both circles faded away after a few seconds. That circle being imprinted onto me hurt badly, only for a few seconds. The next day, I was fighting during the hottest part of the day, and the same thing happened, forming the third circle, and the markings remained there. The training was insisted by Kage and Bane. They said it would bring me great power. I didn't care, I wanted to fight back against the world. If fighting and getting these markings did that for me, I didn't care. The world took more than just my freedom away from me... I needed to fight back against it. So, the markings came and stayed. Thus, I hid them from everyone, like I did the scars from the seal the Council had given me.

Bane came over with his paste and painted a marking into the third circle. Each of them was occupied now. Bane walked away and came back with a third bowl from a small machine in the back. That machinery took a year to get it's outcome from. The third paste was red and felt cooler, yet rough to the touch. A third symbol was written over the symbol in the first circle. Kage stepped back and heated the blade again. Bane approached me and scarred in the last three symbols. These hurt most of all. Being on my chest, I winced when each symbol began to be carved. After it was done, I closed my eyes and exhaled. The worst, and most nervous, part was before me. Master, are you sure? We don't need to continue. "The symbols have been carved, there's no turning back now." I sighed. "Go ahead." As you wish, Master. Bane walked to the back of the room yet again and brought back two books, and handed one, black and gold in color to Kage. The one Bane held onto was purple and gold. I was told that gold was the link between sibling spirits. The majority color marked seperated species. Those books were created when the Spirits were "born". Bane snapped his fingers and opened the book. Kage already had his open. I was lifted higher and higher, into the 6 beams of moonlight that gathered at it's center. The focus of the light lied on the symbols, not bleeding, on my chest. I kept my head upright, against the tablet, looking at the two brothers, each standing inside a beam of moonlight I had not noticed before. I looked down onto my chest, I saw the scars from the punishment, then the fresh and oozing ones on-top of my heart. Bane and Kage began to chant. I placed my head back against the tablet. I felt body warm, and I felt very sleepy all of a sudden. I closed my eyes for what was the last time, for Darkus.

The chants began to blend together. I saw purple and black wisps of light dance behind my eyelids, in a sea of red fire. I felt nothing. I felt lifeless... Was I too weak? It might have been too late for me, I might not have been able to fight the ritual. The light still danced, the fire still burned. I tried to move my hand, my feet... I felt nothing. Nothing at all. I could only see light and that fire. A tone slowly rose from the background... A long low, rumbling tone. It rose and grew louder and louder, until the wisps and fire began to shake, they fell apart. My vision was black again, but I felt something. I opened my eyes again, to see that Kage and Bane were in their full forms, staring at me. Their eyes were glowing purple and black. Their skin was glowing a red color, like smoke rising from their skin. The smoke was gathering and flowing into the first mark on my chest, the first circle. They looked at me full of anger, but at the same time had sadness on their faces. I felt no emotion at all. I just wanted this over with. If I was going to die from this attempt at rectifying a wrong in the world, I want it to at least be by the hands of a friend, and not an enemy. I only had these two. They weren't quite friends, but as close as I had to them. Then, the bodies became transparent, and shrank in size, into the wisps I saw behind my eyelids. They stood where the melee forms of Bane and Kage had stood. The humming still shooks the room. Then the rumbling stopped. A howl and a roar rang out in the room. I heard the roar and howl translated to my language. "The Hero vs. the Beast. The beast devours the hero, the armor falls, letting in the darkness, taking away the human soul. In it's place, impanting the Darkness' true form, the keeper of the behemoths." When they finished, the black wisp flew towards me and flew into the black marking on my chest, and disappeared. I felt a considerable amount of pain, nearly too much. The same happened with the purple wisp. After both had disappeared, the pain increased beyond my tolerance. My eyes rolled backward, and my head fell foreward, lifeless.

The room fell cold. The presence of nothing living. The spotlights of the eternal night projected their last rays onto a fallen figure in the room's center, hanging from a stone figure. The being with one wing, one eye, one hand, a broken soul, bleeding from the hands, feet and chest, just lie there, as if it was there for an eternity. Dust had settled onto the being. Hair had fallen into the man's face, and had dangled there, as the man's life once had. The time had passed. Days turned into weeks, weeks into months... and eventually months into years. The room looked as if it was immortalized in a picture-frame, never to be moved or touched. For this man, wasn't cared for. No one had even searched for him after his demise. Many thought of him, but considered him a menace, so thought of it a fortune to be disposed of. No heartbeat radiated across the room. No wind entered the chasm that this man remained in for eternity. The bugs nor vultures found his form here. He seemed frozen in air. The face of the man could not be seen, hanging from his shoulders. The staleness of the room played on a catacomb, with only one inhabitant.

Exactly 3 years since the man's demise, a stir entered the room. Across the night sky blazed a great being, whose light was eternal. Below, running across the landscape, following the light was a being whose darkness was eternal. Both sides to the same coin. The being or light and dark. The one that flew, entered the room mysteriously, just faded through the walls. The same with the dark being. They both stood in silence, staring at the same being in the room's center, for many minutes, not a sound. "So, it seems we are too late." the dark being spoke. "It seems so. It seems he didn't understand." the light being spoke. "Look, his hand, wing and eye, has bee torn from him. What does it mean to you?" the dark beast questioned inquisitively. "It means that they are now punishing those who know too much." the light beast answered, sadly. "Do you think they did THIS to him too?" the dark beast asked. "No, I think this was a remedy to replace the gap in this being life brought out by the punishments of those heathens." the light being answered, almost crying. "So, who is going to..." the dark beast trailed off, solemnly. "I don't know... He was our last chance, and we weren't quick enough. He is the only mortal who was aware. " the light being hung her head. "Rgh... hm? What is that?" the dark beast was staring at something on the fallen being at the center. "His chest, what is that? That faint glow? Do you see that?" The dark being pointed out.

"Huh?" the light beast raised her head and did see what he meant. "I do see it. But, I'm not sure what it is. It looks like a seal of a Spirit Being, but there's... three of them? How is that possible? There's only one being who could have attained 3 of them, but his ability was sealed long ago to gain his first one, therefore being blocked for all eternity, but ... how could the second and third have been unearthed from inside him?" The light being was quite confused. "Do you remember about 4 years ago? That disturbance that was never explained within ourselves? We never felt quite the same after that tremor inside us. First my own, then yours. You don't think..." The dark beast began. "This being caused it? I can't be sure, but due to the wing, I assume he was claimed by the Avian Spirit in his youth. But these other two symbols... are foreign to me. They seem to not be any of the Spirit Council." The light being spoke elegantly. "What do you suppose then? We need to do something, he was our last chance." The dark being growled slightly. "That glow does puzzle me, the first seems to have stopped glowing ages ago, but the other two seem to be fresh, and still glowing... The ability to attain 3 is impossible, ever since the last full blood decendant of the Persians was said to have died by the hands of the Spirit Council years ago. Only the Persians, who had been endowed with the ability to attain powers of the gods, could gain more than one Spirit's energy. Overall, this man's lingering aura shines a vibrant violet and black color, with bits of red flurrying to the surface. It seems he is closely related to your own spirit aura, Cerberus." the light beast spoke, turning it's head towards Cerberus.

"It would seem so. The count of three is often close to my own, but how he was able to attain 3 inside one body is facinating, even if it did kill him. It's quite remarkable. Considering he is an Avian heir, he is close to your jurisdiction as well, Phoenix." Cerberus answered. "Wait a moment. Do you remember the title given to that last full blood Persian?" Phoenix asked, concerned. "The Phoenix Child, I remember the stories. It we believed that this child was born, but for one reason or another was said to have been infused with a demon at birth. The parents in a stoke of despiration, brought the child into the mountain, where a Phoenix was fabled to have lived. Apparently, the Phoenix agreed to save the child, if the parent's aura's were used as sacrifice. The parent's agreed, and they were sacrificed and the Phoenix had the child 're-born'. The child mystically, grew about 9 years during the rebirth. The young boy decended from the mountain, and went on to live his life. It was said that he followed a path of darkness, in which he created. He then was cared for by an old man, who helped him meet his Spirit Guardian. With the soul of wicked design he had formed into, the child nearly killed his Guardian upon the first meeting. The Spirit Council intervened and was said to have killed the child. This couldn't possibly be him, Phoenix. I know one of your ancestors saved him but this man is MUCH older than the 12 year old the Council killed." Cerberus explained.

"Do you think they really did kill him? They could just have easily spared him and severed the Spirit link, as well may have sealed the release of his aura that we beings can hone in on. His is very weak, but I can read it. It seemed that the seal was cracked right before he died. The aura has just been leaking out for the past 3 years while we attempted to look for him. I THOUGHT he was still alive, merely because the aura was leaking slowly over all this time, instead of leaving his body instantly upon death. The seal delayed the fleeing of the aura. I believe this IS the one we were looking for, however..." Pheonix explained, with solemn ending. "You don't think we can save him do you? If the aura hasn't left, it might be enough to resurrect him. If we combine our strength..." Cerberus began. "We can surely save him." Phoenix finished. "However, we need to infuse him with one kind of power only. Phoenix already infused him upon saving his life. It seems you need to infuse yours this time, Cerberus." Phoenix declared. "Alright then. I'll be glad to give this being some of my energy, he is after all, a dark aura weilder. " Cerberus lifted his head up high. His body began to glow. Cerberus reared it's 3 heads forward, releasing a beam of red light upon the being's chest. Each bean entering the 3 nodes on the man's chest. "Let's hope it's not too late. Enough of his aura might be gone. He is very weak in aura strength, Phoenix. I can't see much to infuse with. I'll do my best, but..." Cerberus kept working, nothing changed. "Let's try this." Cerberus opened it's mouth, spewing forth a black mist that drifted towards the man.

The man began to glow red, black and purple. Cerberus stopped and looked down at him. Minutes passed. Nothing happened, the man just hang there, still, cold and frozen. "It seems we really were too late." Phoenix spoke. "I'm sorry, there's nothing more I can do. The aura is so low... It's just been too much time..." Cerberus spoke, looking down at the man with half eyes. "It's not your fault, Cerberus... Rest in peace, Phoenix Child. In rememberance of your life, I shall make you a tomb as radiant as your life had once been." Pheonix turned to the walls, and breathed a flurry of white sparkles. Crystals formed instantly, all over the walls, coating them, and reflecting the moonlight brilliantly all over the room. "Cerberus, it's time for us to go." Phoenix spoke. "This tomb will forever immortalize your body. Time cannot ravage you in here. Farewell." Pheonix spoke, launching into the air. Cerberus, just looked at the man, and closed his eyes, bowed his head, and the left as well. The room was silent again. The crystals immortalized the frozen aspect of the death that lingered in the room.

ATTENTION!!

DarkFire has been discontinued on this site. So, it will now be posted HERE.

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/6718931/1/Dark_Fire

A new chapter is posted every once in awhile. Depends on projects and other things.