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Raye wandered through the Sylstern forest, basking in the warm rays of the sun. The great trees of this forest was so different compared to his forest, the one that he planted so long ago, a symbol of his undying love for nature. Five years have passed since the incident that separated him from his parents in London; the sudden bankruptcy that forced the Demme family into a life of turmoil and poverty. Raye's parents had no choice but to send Raye to America in hopes that he would have a better future there, living with his grandparents. It was hard at first; Raye had lived a life of luxury and expensive gifts, until his life became one of tiring labor, but soon enough, the boy's muscles hardened, his wits became razor-sharp and his heart grew warm and caring.

Raye stepped out of the forest and found himself somewhere near the beginning of the River Nanne, where the water was pure and nutritious. The clear, blue sky stretched across the beautiful land, the Ether, the Spirit Realm. It was so peaceful compared to that of the real world, with money and machines and bustling cities... there was nothing but wilderness, as vast as one could possibly imagine. Raye liked it here better. He walked along the river, throwing pebbles into the water, until something caught his eye... a girl?

Raye kept his distance from the girl by the river. He did not want to scare her, but for some reason, he wanted desperately to talk to her. The former succeeded over the latter, however, and the boy hid behind a nearby tree to watch her read.

What do I do now...?

The Shadows--and they were shadows, again, not one single beast--rematerialized as their former shapes, the Shadows of Lumah. But now, each shadow possessed glowing white eyes, a semblance of their improved abilities. The seven Shadows spread out, circling as they flew in a ghostly flight. Each held a sword in their clawed hands... and the circling caused the wind to moan.

Shef felt the warm sword growing colder and heavier in his hand. His eyes drooped. He was becoming sleepy.

Shef reached and swung lazily, his body responding too late to his mind. The passing Shadow was attacked--and missed--by a sword's swing, and the grass underneath was killed as the blade plunged into the ground.

At this, the sword dissipated.

And Shef lost consciousness.

Four of the seven Shadows lunged immediately for Shef, swords outstretched. One went for Falian. One struck at Holly. One rose in the air to assault Regond.

~

Calentine stood at the Gate. Its stone arch towered above him; it was a good eleven feet tall, and wider still. If one looked closely, ornate patterns and designed could be seen, carved into the stone beneath all the ivy and moss.

Calentine reached out an arm--the lizard's coiled feet existed around it--and opened the Gate.

Any Guardian in the vicinity would be able to tell that the Gate was opening and being accessed from the Earth side. Though they would be able to do nothing about it.

And in the next instant, Calentine was in the Sylsterne.

A loud roar was heard in the forest as Calentine entered through the gateway. Raye spun around to see what was going on, only to see a towering entity clad in green armor that resembled turtle shells. It's body appeared to be wooden. It had no legs, but a tail instead, stretching long behind the monster and adorned with peculiar leaves. The monster was obviously filled with rage, and it burst through the forest and charged forward, completely unaware and uncaring that it was charging straight for the girl by the river... Raye's eyes widened in fear.

"Yemits! Stop!" he called to the beast, but got no reply.

"I think I love you even more now than I did when you were alive."

The new girl who had just picked herself up - with the help of Falian - let out a shriek of fear.

"ALHIRIA!"

The purple butterfly appeared again, and there was a soft cry through the air as Reign dashed down the slope to assist.

"REIGN!"

The wolf's eyes widened as her fire swarmed around her.

"ALHIRIA!"

A gust of wind caught Reign's flames, making them leap into life and increase in power as they slammed into the shadows, swallowing them whole as Falian yanked the girl away to keep from being caught in the blaze.

Reign landed solidly over Shef's body, snarling as her fire whirled, consuming the shadows. Whether it defeated or killed the shadows, however, was a different story.

We are a people that are obsessed with Death.

Killing each other without regret.

Watching as the blood always splatters wet,

It is time for us now to be put to rest.

-SWALLOW THE FILTH

I KNOW YOU WANT TO

Tainted by BLOOD DIAMONDS

((AnSwEr My QuEsTiOn!))

Zoey surfaced; only her nose and up over the water. Bubbles appeared under the girl's nose. She tilted her head so she could speak, "Yes."

"Holly!" Narissa said, almost reproachfully. "Move!"

Holly ducked, but not quickly enough. A cry escaped her as the blade skimmed her arm, giving her an unpleasant burning sensation. Lucky she hadn't had her arm entirely loped off though, which was a plus.

But not only her arm had gotten cut. She felt her strength take a blow as well. Wha?

She whirled around as flames licked the air above her. The scene surrounding her chaotic.