For all of you who couldn't see the covers. Sorry about that.

Unedited.

"He's out." Alvar said grimly, as he shook his hand out, coming from the walk in closet. With a loud

Clank!

Sophie finished picking the cuffs, and the chains slid to the floor. Rubbing her raw wrists she looked at Alvar, "What's a regeneration elixir?" She asked, she could feel her bones knitting and back together, every cell she had was regenerating. Alvar sat next to her. "It's an elixir that few people make, mostly because it's dangerous to make, and the ingredients are hard to come by. It regenerates energy, cells and heals all flesh wounds, and broken bones." Alvar said.

"And you gave me yours?" Sophie asked. Alvar shrugged as if it were nothing, even though Sophie could tell it was hard for him to give it up. "You needed it." He said. "Thank you." Sophie said. Alvar smiled "You're welcome." He said said. "So will you come with me?" Sophie asked leaning back into the couch. "You know I can't." Alvar said. "Why not?" Sophie asked. "Why do you want me back so bad? I'd mess up everything with you and Fitz." Alvar said. "Your family Alvar." Sophie said. "No matter what happens, families don't give up on each other. I won't give up on bringing you back home." Alvar sighed deeply as he leaned back in the couch. Tilting his head against the back of the couch he closed his eyes.

"My family gave up." He said. Sophie clutched his arm. "No! They didn't." Alvar turned to look at her, "They never gave up on you Alvar. They love you, and yes you have a lot to make up for, but they do too. Please just give it a chance." Sophie begged. Alvar smiled ruefully as he returned to his stretched position, his hand sliding on top of Sophie's. "It's times like these that make me want to forget my brother." He said, gently pulled Sophie's hand off of his arm. Sophie took her hand back, blushing. "Sorry." She muttered. "Don't worry about it." Alvar said. "Your changing the subject." Sophie said. Alvar chuckled,

"I hoped you wouldn't notice."

"Alvar."

"Okay okay." Alvar surrendered. "Sophie I'm going to ask you a personal question." Alvar said not looking at her as he stared up at the ceiling. Sophie waited for him to go on as she rubbed her side. "Are you and Fitz together?" Alvar asked. Sophie groaned and looked up at the ceiling. "I don't know." She said. "Honestly your brother is confusing." She said. Alvar laughed, "I know." Sophie sighed, "I won't lie Alvar. You were right. I do like him, it always has been him, and no matter how much I like you... I like Fitz better...he makes me happy. I hate hurting you but I won't lie to you either." Sophie turned to look at Alvar, her head resting on the couch, Alvar let out another breath before turning to her.

"That's what makes me love you more." Alvar said. "You refuse to lie, even though it may hurt, you are honest." He said with a painful smile. He brought his hand up hesitantly, brushing a strand of hair out of her face. He left his hand on her cheek, "Please come back..." Sophie whispered. "That's selfish of you." Alvar said quietly, "Wanting to keep us both." He said. "Can you blame me?" Sophie asked. Alvar grinned, "No, I really can't." He said, "If anyone deserves to be selfish, it's you." Alvar said, Sophie refused to let herself hope just yet, swallowing she waited.

"I'll just have to settle for being your friend." Alvar winced as he said it. "No matter how much it hurts. As long as you're happy." He said. Sophie felt a smile start to form, but Alvar's next words quickly stopped it. "On one condition..." He said. His thumb trailing over her cheek bone. "Condition?" Sophie squeaked. Alvar smiled as he sat up and faced her. "It's nothing to big...just something I've had on my wish list for a while." He said. "Yes?" Sophie asked cautiously. Alvar smiled at her pale face, and shook his head. "Never mind. Forget it." He said. "No! I'll do it." Sophie blurted in panic. Alvar's eyebrows rose. "You really want me home?" He asked. Sophie nodded. "Yes. We all want you home." She said. "Alright than...." Alvar said leaning forward.

"Just, stay still." He whispered. Something in Sophie's chest sank, as her heart pounded. As he came closer, Sophie felt herself unintentionally leaning away. "Stay still. Please..." Alvar said. Sophie forced her muscles to freeze, Alvar's eyes were on her lips. His eyes met Sophie's for a moment, their faces only centimeters apart, he let out a breath as he squeezed his eyes shut he tilted his head, and rested it on her shoulder. "I love you and my brother to much..." He mumbled. Sophie let out a relieved breath, as she hesitantly wrapped her arms around him.

His tense muscles relaxed, as he wrapped his arms around her. "Just...just stay right here." He said pulling her close, close to his pounding heart. Closing her eyes Sophie hugged him. Putting as much love as she could into it, every bit of warmth and welcoming she had. She held him, and he held her with every broken piece of love he had, with every sharp edge of kindness, and every bit of power he had left, he held her hoping it would be enough, but knowing it would never be what she deserved.

Sophie wasn't sure just how long they had been holding on to each other, but when she loosened her grip Alvar let out a quiet protest. "Please let me have this, Sophie. Just for now." He said. Sophie knew the crack in his voice. She had heard it before in her own voice. The desperation of wanting to hang on to something dear, yet knowing no matter what you had to let go. She had heard that before, in her own voice, in Josh's voice and even in Nick's voice.

Only wanting to hang on a little longer, they both knew once they let go, everything would change, everything would be different, there was no going back to this moment. Taking a deep breath, Sophie coiled her arms as tight as she could around Alvar.
She had needed to cling to Josh a little longer, and she had refused to let anyone pull her away, she wasn't about to see what Alvar would do if she pulled away.

So instead Sophie relaxed into his warmth, sank into his embrace and soaked up the embrace. Before long her eyes drifted closed. She was safe, away from Brant, from the Neverseen and Alvar wouldn't let anyone hurt her.

~

A cool hand brushing against her face woke Sophie. Opening her face she fund herself staring into teal eyes, for a moment her heart pounded as she thought it was Fitz but then she remembered...

Alvar smiled as if guessing her thoughts. Sophie was enveloped in warmth, having been placed between the back of the couch and Alvar. "Ruy-"

"He's still out cold." Alvar cut her off. Sophie breathed a sigh of relief, blinking she realized sun light was playing on Alvar's face. Making his skin look paler, and his eyes softer. For once Alvar seemed at complete and total peace. As if he had found himself, he had store the war inside himself and he just seemed to breath. The pain was still in his eyes but the ice had melted out of his gaze. "Has anyone ever told you, you're to nice for your own good?" Alvar asked brushing his fingers over her forehead. "Once or twice." Sophie said. Alvar smiled, "Thank you." He quietly. "Let's go home." Sophie said. Alvar smiled, and he sat up. "Let's go home." He repeated.

~

Alvar had kept his home crystal locked in a safe behind a painting of a clear lake. Sophie put her chains back on, wrapping the cool metal links around her arms, she focused on Eliza. She was with Fitz and Sandor sitting in the library.

Slapping the book shut Eliza sat up so suddenly her satchel fell to the ground, making Fitz jump. Eliza gathered her things as quick as lightening, grabbed Sandor and ran for the leap master, leaving Fitz in the library staring at an empty chair. Eliza leaped took the ruckleberries and leaped to Eternalia, telling Sandor to go to Everglen.

Sophie looked at Alvar as he swung the closet door open. Ruy was slumped down against wall. Alvar pulled him out. With his hands holding Ruy, Sophie took the home crystal and cast a light, setting her hand on his shoulder the leaped. They met Sandor at the gate, who took Ruy. Alvar swallowed nervously he looked up at Everglen. "Home." Sophie said as she rung the door bell.

Della opened the gate. She gasped and vanished at the sight of Alvar. Alvar's head snapped to the side with a loud 'slap' before he stepped back like he had been hit by a physical force. His smile was happy and childish as he wrapped his arms around his mother. Sophie left them to reunite, as she slipped into Everglen with Sandor. "Are you okay?" Sandor asked. "I'm alive, I'm okay." Sophie said nodding. She felt Sandor's eyes on her as they opened the doors. "What are we going to do with him?" She asked pointing at Ruy. "He's going to be interrogated." Sandor said. "They wanted me to call Silveny." Sophie said. Sandor stopped in the sitting room. "You should change." He said pointing to the over sized human clothes, Sophie had borrowed from Alvar.

Sophie nodded. "I'll be back down." Searching through Biana's closet was like looking in a dress store. Searching for a 'simple' tunic in her closet was like trying to find a needle in a haystack. Sophie decided on the purple tunic, that clasped in the front. Sophie grabbed a dark pair of pants, and used the bathroom to shower quickly. After brushing out her hair. Sophie hurried down stairs carrying the chains.

Alden and Alvar were in a serious conversation. Alvar nodded to her as she walked back in the room. Sophie sat down on the chair across from Ruy who was lashed to his chair with ropes. Sandor was busy being sure he couldn't move a muscle.
Della was preparing to bring him around. As if on que everything went silent. Sophie nodded to Della.

Ruy coughed and spluttered at the smell, Della vanished from sight. Glaring around the room Ruy spoke. "So this is your home Alvar? I suppose you expected open arm-"

SLAP!

Sophie's skin stung from her open handed strike. Ruy snarled and tried moving but only successfully managed to pull the ropes knots tighter. "This is not about Alvar, or his home." Sophie said, keeping an expressionless face. Ruy glared at her, "Why does the Neverseen want Silveny?" She asked. When Ruy didn't answer Sophie leaned forward. Grasping his firm jaw, letting her nails dig into his skin she spoke slowly. "I can make you talk or you can tell me." She said darkly. "Is that all you have? Empty threats?" Ruy asked. Letting the anger she felt slip through her fingers Ruy froze as the darkness and pain seeped up on him. Sophie dug into his memories, slowly unraveling the lies he had spun to join thee Neverseen, leaving darkness in her wake.

Ruy screamed as Sophie yanked out the memory leaving cold pain. She stood up, "We need to get to Havenfield no-" she froze when she saw slack jawed Fitz in the doorway. Biana must have been with him, as he held an invisible hand. "They're going to attack Havenfield." Sophie said turning from Fitz. She placed the chains on her wrist. "Are we going to go?" Sandor asked. "Of course we are. I'm not leaving Grady and Edaline." Sophie said. "I'll come." Alvar said. "Me too." Fitz said. "N-" Sophie stopped herself from protesting. They didn't have time. "Let's go." She said. Glancing at Ruy who was breathing heavily, half conscience.

"I'll be back for you." She promised. Using her fist she knocked his temple and Ruy slumped, completely out. "Be careful." Sandor said as he handed Alvar and Fitz throwing darts. "I'm coming as well." Biana said appearing. Alden and Della nodded. "We need to hurry. Biana, Della, I need you to focus on getting the animals to safety. Alden, Fitz find Grady and Edaline, make sure they are okay. Alvar cover my flank." Sophie said holding onto the chains loosely.

~

Havenfield was in disarray. Nearly two hundred or so Dark elves were trying to over take the fields, but two guardians fought side by side. Covered in blood and yelling in furry Bad Dog rampaged flinging dark elves at Myth who easily crushed them. Sophie's eyes zoned in on a pale elf standing in the middle of the chaos. His arms raised, as his face was drawn in painful thin lines.

Iver Silvertongue.

Sophie shoved every bit of pain gotten from the past week and shoved it out. The nearest hundred elves dropped in agony, as they clutched their heads, ripping them off in their own fear. Killing themselves.

Sophie snapped her chains like whips, drawing Iver's attention. A path cleared as the elves stepped back. Sophie strode forward, her chains at ready. "Lovely to see you here Sophie." Iver said happily. As if he were wishing her a happy birthday. Sophie didn't respond. Iver tsked before  clenching his gut, holding a handful to it he turned and focused on this area near Myth and Bad Dog. "Quite some guardians you have there." He said. Another fifty elves killed themselves as Sophie's anger waved out from her. "How do you like my army? Impressive aren't they?" Iver asked. The muscles in Sophie's jaw flicked, as she walked forward. The elves around her snarled. The rattling of her chains silenced them.

Iver smiled as he lifted a crystal. "I hope you don't survive this." He said before leaping away, Sophie chain barely missing him. For a heartbeat the dark elves stilled, as if realizing they were free to do as they wished, in that heartbeat Sophie realized her mistake. She was in the middle of the mass of blood thirsty mindless creatures. She was trapped. A movement out of the corner of her eye made her swing the chain around.

Biana's tunic was covered in black goo, and the chains with thick with it. Sophie was fighting her way to Sandor, who was holding his own, seeing an opening Sophie ran and reached him. Pressing her back to his, "You alright?" She asked. Her chain flinging a horned head off it's gruesome body. "I'm alive, I'm okay." He squeaked repeating her own words. "Sam-" but suddenly it felt like something inside of Sophie ripped out of her. She watched as Fitz's back was turned as he threw a dart, a demon was stabbing towards his back. Sophie felt cold fear rip through her, as time slowed.

A flash of dark hair and teal eyes was in front of Fitz, taking the knife straight in the heart. Sophie's ears rang as she screamed, demons dropped like a wave falling faster than gravity should have allowed. Sophie ran towards where Alvar had fallen. But she knew by the cold dread in her stomach that she was already to late. Sliding up to him and Fitz who was pressing his hands to his brother's chest. Sophie didn't feel the pants tear st her knees as she reached Alvar.

His teal eyes that had just been regaining their light were fogging over. "Alvar." Sophie said pressing her hands on top of Fitz's. Alvar smiled, "Thank you...." He rasped. "For giving...me..hope...." He said his words trailing off. As his eyes closed. Sophie felt the heart best die beneath Fitz's hands. "No! Alvar Vacker you wake up right now!" Sophie cried, her voice drowned out by a boom of thunder. She heard a weakened cry from the field jerking her head up Sophie felt her heart break a little more. She ran to Bad Dog and Myth. Myth was nudging his bloodied nose to Bad Dog's body. "No..." Sophie said as rain started falling. Myth looked up with pain in his eyes, and Sophie knew.

"You don't have to fight anymore." She promise hugging his bloodied neck. With a heaving sigh Myth lay down next to his dead friend. Resting his head on the gashing wound on Bad Dog's chest he closed his soft eyes, giving out a last breath. Sophie let out half a scream and half a sob, as she looked around the destruction around her. Gold sand was being washed away by the rain, as the last demon finally collapsed under the darkness Sophie had inflicted. Standing up Sophie stared around, then she felt a sharp jerk of pain in her head. Spinning she saw Fitz still holding the knife that had pierced Alvar's heart, his mind was trying to keep itself together. Thunder cracked across the grey sky.

Sophie hardly felt the rain that beat down on her in cold droplets, Fitz stood up and looked up at the rain, rain splattered across his face but Sophie could see the steady stream of tears coming from his eyes. Going around behind him Sophie slipped her weak arms around him. Leaning her head against his shoulder she hid.

She let her own tears fall, she held tight to Fitz who grasped onto the heat of her mind, filling the cracks in his mind with the heat, the hope. Sophie hugged him, letting the freezing rain pour down on her back.

Myth was dead...

Bad Dog was dead...

Alvar was dead...

Sophie looked up at the sky to see a small easy of light shoving through the thick clouds. One ray of sunlight in the grey sky.  It gave her courage.

It gave her hope.

(Now you see why I said you were all going to hate me...)