Fight, I tell myself.

Surrender, the darkness commands.

What choice do I have?

My will is no longer my own.

My heart yearns for the shadows, and the one who rules them.

I hear her voice whispering in my head, calling my name.

And I will answer.

/\\//\\/

His eyes burned in pleasure as he lead the elf through the forest, his will had been temporarily broken thanks to the shadows. Only Daeris would be able to break it for good, and Oroth knew that he would be rewarded greatly for bringing his queen the one she sought after.

Four shadows surrounded him and his prisoner, alert for anyone who would cause their master any trouble. Suddenly the shadows froze, low growls rumbled from their throats. Oroth stared ahead and narrowed his eyes in anger.
"Let him go Oroth." Faervel stood in his path, hood over his head and sword drawn.
"I have waited a long time for this Faervel," Oroth snarled before turning to the shadows, "kill him!"

The shadows sprang forward, eager to tear into their prey. Faervel raised his sword just as the first one sprang at him. He sliced the creature in half before spinning around to slice the head off another. He spun his sword around over his head and brought it down on the third shadow; ducking as the other leapt over him he thrust the blade upward killing the beast instantly. The bodies vanished from sight and Faervel turned towards Oroth once again, a single eye could be seen from underneath his hood, blazing brightly.

"This is your last warning, release him."
Oroth looked at the places where his shadows had just been slain, then back up at Faervel.
"If you want the elf Faervel," he sneered grabbing Amarth and holding the catatonic elf in front of him, "then come and get him."
Faervel threw back his hood and tossed his cloak aside. His dark hair turned white and his sword began to glow. Oroth hissed and threw Amarth onto the ground. He drew a longsword and summoned his shadows to enter the weapon, turning the blade black. The Maia raised his sword and ran forward, the light emanating from him was blinding.

Oroth surrounded himself with more shadows, he towered over Faervel, but he would not back down. Oroth roared in rage and swung his sword down. Faervel spun out of the way and blocked a shadow that had been flung at him. The dark sword was swung at him again. Faervel parried the blow, light exploded from the blades as they clashed together. The storm around the two beings intensified.

The wind howled and tore at the trees, ripping off their branches. The trees themselves groaned at the wrath of the ones who fought beneath their branches. The very earth trembled under the fierce battle that raged. Oroth was relentless with his attacks, trying and failing to land a blow on Faervel. The Maia was too quick and far more powerful than Oroth had thought.

Faervel swung his sword and caught him on the arm. He screamed in fury and shot three shadows at Faervel, all of which he blocked with ease. Faervel was a blur of movement, not once did he stop moving. Whether he was dodging Oroth's attacks or making one of his own he never paused for a second.

Faervel's gaze landed on Amarth's still form, his eyes hardened and his hands gripped his sword tighter.
He only had one chance to save him.
More shadows began to emerge from the forest, coming to their master's aid.
Faervel straightened himself, taking a deep breath he closed his eyes and raised his sword. The wind began to die down, the trees became silent and the ground stilled.

Oroth stared at him through narrowed eyes before turning to his shadows. No order was needed as the beasts attacked.
Faervel's eyes flew open, no longer blue but pure white. Raising his sword light exploded throughout the forest. The shadows shrieked as the light hit, killing them instantly. The trees bent under the light as it passed over them. Oroth roared and fell to his knees, dropping his weapon onto the ground.

Faervel gasped as the light around him dimmed. His eyes regained their normal color as he staggered to his knees, using his sword as support. Fighting to reclaim his breath he lifted his head and rested his tired gaze on Amarth.

It was now or never.

Forcing himself to stand he ran over to the elf's side. Sheathing his sword he bent down and gathered Amarth in his arms. He would not be able to carry him far, he did not have much strength left. He looked over his shoulder at Oroth, he was already beginning to rise to his feet, and Faervel knew that more shadows would be coming.

Turning away he ran as fast as he could through the forest. Looking down he saw that Amarth's eyes were open, but they were empty and vacant. If one were to look at him they'd think he was dead, but Faervel knew better. He ran until his legs could support him no longer. He dropped to his knees. Holding Amarth in his arms he closed his eyes and rested his hand on the elf's forehead.

"Free him from his bondage, tear down his prison, cast the shadows from his mind."
Amarth moaned under his touch, Faervel gripped his hand.
"Whatever strength I have left, I give it all to him. What weakness is in his body, I take upon myself."
Amarth's body began to tremble, Faervel's words became strained as his remaining strength left him.
"Guide him where I can not, fill his heart with your peace, let him find favor in your sight."
Lifting his head to the sky he ended his prayer, "Help him forgive."

/\\//\\/

I blink once, twice.

What...

What happened?

I can't remember anything, why does this keep happening to me? Is it normal for someone to forget things so often?

No, it's not. But what can I do about it?

"Amarth?"
I remember that voice. I shake my head slightly to clear it. Looking up I find myself staring at Faervel. How'd he get here?
"Amarth you need to stand, now." Faervel grabs my arms and hauls me to my feet. I notice something off about him, his voice sounds strained and he's trembling.
"What happened to you?" I ask.

"There's no time to explain. You need to go, now!" He practically shoves me forward and I just about fall onto my face. I whirl around and glare at him.
"Why won't you tell me what's wrong?!"
"Oroth is here! If you don't go now he will take you to her!"
The anger flees from me instantly.
Fear takes its place.

I remember what happened now. I let the darkness inside me again, I let her in.
Faervel grabs my shoulder with one hand forcing me to look at him.
"You cannot blame yourself Amarth, not now."
He puts something in my hand, his sword.
"Why are you-"
A roar splits the air and I flinch out of Faervel's grasp. The wind lashes against us and I'm forced to raise my arm up to shield my face. Faervel turns his back to me, his white hair starts to turn dark again.

What's happening to him?

"Find your friends Amarth, take them and flee this place. I will do what I can to slow him down."
No.
No I will not do this again.
"I'm not leaving you!"
"If you stay here you will die." He looks back at me and I take a step back, tears start to fill my eyes as I stare back at him. Those eyes that used to make me tremble and ashamed, the ones that made me want to hide myself from sight, are filled with more sorrow than I have ever seen before in my life.

I want to fall to my knees and bury my face in my hands, I want to let all the tears I've ever held back fall. A ghost of a smile appears on Faervel's face, but the grief does not leave his eyes.
"You must lead them Amarth, and finish what I started." He lowers his head and adds, "I'm sorry that I could not do more for you."

My mouth has gone dry. I try to think of something, anything to say to him, but the words die on my tongue. Another roar sounds from the trees, we don't have much time.
"Go," Faervel orders, "now!"
I take a step backwards, then another.
I can't do this again.
Please don't make me relieve this.

Faervel is still looking at me. His eyes burning into mine.
Run.
Shaking my head, I turn around and run. I leave him behind knowing well enough what his fate will be. Doesn't he realize what he's doing?!
Yes.

He knows exactly what he's doing.

With his sword grasped tightly in my hand, I lift my head and scream, releasing all of my anger and grief. But the wind carries my voice away, and no one hears my cries.
I run and run without stopping. The entire forest appears to be moaning in agony. I have to find the others, I have to get them out of here.

I search the trees and ground desperately for any sign of them. Please don't let them be dead, don't let any of them be dead.
I catch sight of something moving up ahead, Pallando! I run towards him and see that Darovel is with him, and they're alive.
"Pallando!" My voice barely rises above the wind, but I guess they saw me because now they're running towards me.
"Amarth! Thank goodness you're alright!" Pallando exclaims. I nod briefly in response and look past him and Darovel. Something isn't right here.
"Where are the others?" I demand, a slight tremble in my voice. "Where is Anna?"

/\\//\\/

Morwen's POV

Her eyes widened in horror at seeing the massive shadow towering over Anna. Without wasting a breath Morwen raced into the clearing with her sword raised. With a cry of rage she swung her sword at the beast. The shadow screeched and turned its attention on her. Morwen ducked as it swung at her. She rolled onto the ground to avoid being trampled, easily dodging the shadow's attacks.

The monster screamed in fury as it tried and failed to stab Morwen. She sprang to her feet and sliced her sword across the shadow's side. It staggered and tried to catch her in its jaws but Morwen was already moving again. She hacked at the shadow's leg, causing it to collapse. Taking a deep breath she leapt onto its back and plunged her sword deep into the back of its neck.

The shadow roared in pain and started to sway on its feet. Morwen jumped off just before it collapsed onto the ground. She landed in a crouch, holding her sword at her side to keep her balanced. She remained there for a moment, gasping for breath. She looked over her shoulder at the shadow. It looked dead but she knew better. Rising to her feet she ran over to Anna who was staring at the still body of the monster, her green eyes wide as saucers.

Morwen crouched down beside her and held out her hand.
"I need you to kill it Anna."
She looked at her, startled at what she'd said. Morwen sighed in exasperation and pulled Anna to her feet. They didn't have time for this!
"I cannot kill it on my own, I can only weaken it. You have to slay it before it heals and wakes again." Morwen led Anna over to the fallen shadow and gave Anna her sword. The elf still hesitated, the sword felt heavy and cold in her hands.

"Anna please," Morwen knew that at any moment the shadow could wake.
And I don't think that I can kill it a second time.
Anna stared at the shadow for a moment longer. She closed her eyes and Morwen saw her hand tighten around the sword. When Anna's eyes opened again Morwen stepped back in shock. Anna's once soft, gentle eyes were now sharp with rage. Screaming in anger she brought the sword down onto the shadow's head.

The creature vanished in an instant, leaving nothing but dead grass behind it. The sword fell from Anna's hand as she staggered away from the spot. Her eyes lost their coldness and returned to the softness that Morwen was used to. Suddenly Anna turned around and ran.
"Anna!" Morwen quickly grabbed her sword and ran after her, only to slow to a stop when she saw who Anna was running to.

Legolas.

Anna knelt at his side and grabbed his hand, she looked over at Morwen.
"Help him! Please!"
Morwen snapped herself out of her stupor and raced towards them. She stood over the two elves, already searching Legolas for injuries.
"What happened?" She asked crouching down beside him.
"He was stabbed, in the chest." Tears were falling down Anna's eyes as she gripped Legolas' hand.

Morwen's gaze immediately went to Legolas' chest, searching for the stab wound, but there was none.
"Anna, there's no wound." She looked at Legolas' face. It was pale, far too pale. His eyes were closed and he barely moved.
"I saw it! That monster stabbed him!" Anna insisted.
"Then why isn't there any blood?!" Morwen snapped.

She herself reached out to feel if Legolas' heart was still beating, only to pull her hand back in shock as it passed right through him. Anna's eyes widened and she herself looked down at Legolas' hand, she was still holding it.
"H-how?" Morwen backed away from them, clutching her hand tightly against her chest. Anna looked like she was about to respond when she caught sight of someone approaching.
"Caran!"

Morwen followed her gaze and quickly rose to her feet. Amarth ran into the clearing with Darovel and Pallando behind him. His eyes landed on Anna and immediately he ran towards her. Morwen backed away from both Anna and Legolas. She did not need to get in Amarth's way.
"Anna what happened?" Amarth looked down at Legolas' still body before he himself knelt beside him.
"It was my fault," Anna whispered hanging her head, "it was all my fault."

Amarth shook his head and turned his attention to Legolas. He muttered something under his breath but Morwen could not make out what it was. She heard footsteps approaching and did not need to look up to see who it was.
"Are you alright?" Darovel asked.
"I'm fine," she replied shortly. Immediately she regretted her harsh tone but now was not the time to apologize. Darovel said nothing to her after that and instead, the two watched as Amarth crouched over Legolas, trying to save his life.

"There's no blood," Amarth said turning to Pallando who'd come to stand beside him.
"He is a spirit Amarth, he does not bleed as you or I would." The old man looked down at Legolas with grief in his eyes.
"Then how is he dying?!" Amarth shouted. Morwen winced at his harsh tone. She hated it when Amarth was angry, there was no telling what he would do.
"He can still be killed by the shadows Amarth," Pallando replied solemnly.
"How can we heal him?"
Pallando hesitated and looked away.

Amarth shook his head and looked down at Legolas once again. Morwen could see the anger in his eyes, but this wasn't the anger she was used to seeing in Amarth. This was something completely different, a type of anger she had never seen before.
"Where is Faervel? Can't he help him?" Anna asked. Morwen hadn't even realized that Faervel wasn't with them. She looked around as if expecting him to emerge from the trees, but he was nowhere to be found.

She turned her gaze back to Amarth and their eyes met. Her breath caught in her throat when she saw the coldness in his eyes. She'd seen that coldness before, and her heart was beginning to shatter. He looked away and Morwen fixed her eyes on the ground. If the others had seen the look in his eyes she did not know, but they were all she needed.

Faervel would not be coming with them.

"We need to leave this place, now." Amarth announced sharply. Without another word he bent down and gathered Legolas in his arms. Morwen couldn't hide her disbelief when she saw that Amarth was able to hold Legolas without his hands going through him.

How?

She also noticed that Legolas still hadn't moved, was he even breathing? Did he have to breathe? Pallando said that he didn't bleed, but if he didn't bleed and didn't breathe then how would they know if he was alive?

As far as Amarth seemed to be concerned he was. The dark elf didn't even look down at the unconscious one he held in his arms. He looked to each of them in turn, silently asking if they were ready. Morwen made sure to avoid his gaze.
Without a word, he broke into a run, not even stopping to see if they were following. Morwen noticed that Anna had retrieved something from the ground, a bow.

"Are you coming?" Darovel asked. Morwen nodded and started to run, taking care to remain close to Darovel so he wouldn't be left behind. She couldn't believe that she was willingly following Amarth again, but she couldn't leave him now. Pushing her resentment towards him aside she continued to run after him.

Without a sound the five companions fled the forest, never to return again.

/\\//\\/

Oroth's POV

Despite his weakened state, Oroth was still able to look down in contempt at the one who kneeled before him.
The great Faervel, the one whom he had hunted for years, was now at his mercy. The maia, who had plagued both him and his queen hadn't even fought as Oroth's shadows dragged him back to their master.

Using the powers that Daeris had granted him Oroth was able to bind Faervel completely in shadows. He grinned when a soft moan of pain came from the maia, he'd made sure that the shadows that ensnared him caused him as much torture as possible.

"I still cannot believe that you gave yourself up for that pathetic elf," Oroth spat, "especially one as weak as him. Twice he has given himself over to the darkness and yet you gave the last of your strength to him. And how does he repay you for your sacrifice?"

He bent down and grabbed a fistful of Faervel's hair, yanking his head up. His cursed eyes were still sharp and piercing, burning into what remained of his soul. Despite being defeated Faervel was still defiant, how pathetic.

"He abandons you, leaves you behind to die when he should be the one in your place. You have done good all your life Faervel, while Amarth has done nothing but cause death and suffering. If anyone deserves to be in this place now it is him."

Faervel kept his expression calm. Despite the pain he was in, the maia refused to let it show in his eyes.
"Amarth is where he is supposed to be Oroth, as am I."
Oroth snarled and threw him onto the ground. All around him the remaining shadows trembled in excitement as they watched their master.

"How can you welcome death so openly? If I didn't know any better I'd say you did not fear it."
Faervel raised his head and met Oroth's gaze.
"I do not fear death, for it is only my body you shall kill. My spirit shall return to my creator, and I shall find rest in His care."
"If your creator cares about you so much then why doesn't he save you now? Why let one who is faithful to him perish while the wicked live?"
"Your day of judgment is coming Oroth. It is not too late for you to turn away from the darkness."

Oroth growled and kicked Faervel hard in the stomach, relishing the cry of pain that came from him. Crouching down Oroth grabbed him by the neck and lifted him into the air. He'd had enough of this.
"You are a fool Faervel. I will bring the elf to Daeris, and once she has taken him she will become powerful enough to take over the earth, and together we will rule it for eternity."

"Daeris is using you Oroth," Faervel managed to gasp out in between breaths, "if she takes Amarth and gains her new power she will have no use for you anymore. You are but a pawn to her, that is all you have ever been to her."
Oroth narrowed his eyes and tightened his hand around Faervel's neck, cutting off his breath completely. With his other hand he plunged his sword into Faervel's chest, causing the maia to open his mouth in shock.

He began to cough as Oroth pushed the blade in deeper, twisting it cruelly, crushing Faervel's neck as his body began to jerk. Blood began to trickle out of his mouth, he was choking on it. In one smooth motion Oroth pulled his sword out of Faervel and cast his body aside. The shadows sprang on it immediately, howling in excitement as they tore into their prey.

Oroth watched as the shadows feasted. He could not see Faervel's body underneath the mass of living shadows. Turning away he set his sights on the land before him. He would rest for one day before going after the elf, and this time would be the last time.

The shadows had finally finished their meal. One by one they entered the trees where they would await new orders from their master. And in the place where Faervel had been slain, only a patch of dead grass remained.