Donnovan took a deep breath as he stared at the stormy sky above West Base. “You ready?” He looked over at Kane.

Kane nodded. “Let’s do this.”

Andrew stepped forward and rested a hand on Donnovan’s shoulder. “Be careful out there. You haven’t been back in years. Who knows what’s changed?”

Kane frowned and looked between the two. “Back? He’s been where we’re going?”

“When I was a kid.” Donnovan bit the words off.

“Why?” Kane questioned.

“Drop it. It’s not important. What matters right now is that I know the terrain and people who may be able and willing to help.” Donnovan looked at Kane. “Don’t ask again.” His tone softened. “I’d rather not relive the past.”

“You won’t have an option.” Andrew answered, squeezing Donnovan’s shoulder. “Where you’re going, you’ll invoke the past every moment you’re there. There’s no way to avoid it.”

“I’ll find a way to avoid it for as long as possible.”

“That may jeopardize your mission. Time is of the essence.” Andrew shook Donnovan. “You can’t afford that, Donnovan.”

Donnovan hung his head. “I know that. I’m sorry… It was foolish of me to say that.”

Andrew nodded. “You’ve got a good mind, Donnovan. Best of luck to you.”

The soldiers on duty at the Gate watched the farewells in silence, standing to attention as their commanding officer turned to look at his surrogate mother. “Mrs. Parsi… You’ve been like a mother to me ever since I came here, and you took over that role permanently when my own mother disappeared.” He pulled her into a hug. “You’ve always had faith in me, and I’m asking you to have it now. I swear that I will do everything in my power to get your daughter back.” Donnovan whispered. 

The wind howled through the trees as the heavy clouds above growled with thunder. Fat drops of rain fell out of the sky and dampened the curls of both Allayra and Donnovan. Allayra let the tears fall down her cheeks, unabashed despite their audience. “I know you will, Donnovan… Just be safe.”

Donnovan pulled away and wiped the rain and tears from her cheeks. Lifting her chin, he smiled at her. “I will take every precaution that I can. Don’t lose hope.” He squeezed her hand. “I’ll be back.”

Glancing over at Kane, he said, “It’s time.”

Kane nodded and shouldered his pack.

Donnovan picked up his own rucksack and tossed it over his shoulder. With one final nod to Andrew and a weak smile at Allayra, he summoned the shadows. 

*** 

They emerged in an arid desert territory with the wind whipping through their hair and tossing sand into their faces. Donnovan coughed and spit out the sand that got into his mouth. “This isn’t where I thought we would land.”

“Are you sure this is where we’re supposed to be?”

“In the dimension or the dimension itself?”

“The dimension we’re supposed to be in.” Kane clarified.

“Yes. It’s the right dimension. But if I’m right about our position, we’re way off course.” Donnovan glared at the whipping sand. “As in, way, way off.”

Kane raised an eyebrow and shouted over the wind. “How far is way off?”

“Two or three days off.”

“Oh, that’s definitely way off.” Kane tried to rub the sand out of his eyes.

“Cover your face and shield your eyes.” Donnovan shouted. “We need to find shelter before this becomes any worse!” 

“How much worse could it get?” Kane asked.

Donnovan laughed, the sound faint and grating in the wind. “You’ve obviously never been to a desert region before.”

“Why is that funny?” Kane griped. “How much worse can it get?”

“Much, much worse. So bad that it can suffocate you if you don’t know how to prepare for it.” Donnovan tried to see through the sheets of sand blowing about. “This is just the beginning.”

“Of what?” Kane grabbed onto Donnovan’s arm to avoid losing him.

“A sand storm.” Donnovan glared at Kane. “Quit cutting off my circulation. You’re acting like a girl.” He shook Kane’s hand loose. “We don’t want to lose each other, but that doesn’t require a loss of blood to my hands. Here.” Pulling a rope out, Donnovan tied two loops in it and tied one side to Kane’s waist before fastening the other around his own waist. “Now we won’t lose each other. You need to keep close though. There are beings who roam the storms.”

“I hope they’re friendly.” Kane said, wrapping his scarf around his nose and mouth. “But I’m guessing with our luck, they’re not.”

Donnovan shrugged. “Yeah, they’re not. In fact, they’re vicious and mischievous creatures, so we’d best steer clear. Luckily, I know how to handle them and can tell when one is approaching, even in a storm.”

“Good thing I’m with you then.”

“Yup. Good thing. So you’d better not lose me or you’ll be in trouble.” Donnovan answered. “I won’t be able to find you again, shifting or no, if I lose you.”

With that, the two started walking.

***

A low grumble echoed through the sand clouds in the air. Donnovan and Kane hunkered under a flat slab of rock, which was resting on top of three other rocks to form a sort of rock cave in the sand. It wasn’t much, but it did seem to protect them from the wind and sand for the most part. Another crack of lightning streaked across the sky as they sat there, gazing out at the dark sky through the sand.

It was finally coming to an end. An hour or so before, when they had stumbled on the rock shelter, it had been so bad that the sky was blocked out. All they could hear was the whining of the wind and howls of delight from the beings who lurked in the storm’s wings.

Kane was shaking from the ordeal, and Donnovan wondered if he’d made a mistake in bringing the younger boy. He’d never gone on any real field missions, minus the one with Ryder, and Donnovan wasn’t going to hold his hand like Ryder did.

Still, he had brought Kane into this, and he should at least make sure he was all right. “You going to be okay?”

“Yeah… I’m fine.” Kane glanced out of the cave’s mouth again. “How long before it’s save to move on?”

Donnovan shrugged. “When the wind dies down again and the lightning dies down. That and when the fighting between the Rogues ends.”

“The Rogues?”

“That’s what you’re hearing right now. That thundering sound is a mix of actual thunder and fighting between the Rogues.”

“But what are the Rogues?” Kane asked, shivering.

“I guess they’re sort of like rock giants. Gigantic beings made of gemstones or rock.” Donnovan sighed. “Evil, but some of them are very beautiful to look upon.”

“How do you know this? And why are they called rogues?”

“Because that’s what they are. Only a rogue would treat other living beings, of other kinds and of theirs, as they do.” Donnovan ignored the first part of the question.

“I don’t like the sound of that.”

“You shouldn’t. They kill their own over the smallest things, and they need no reason to kill those of other species.” Donnovan grimaced in the dim light. “In other words, as I said before, pure evil.”

“How do we get past them if they’re that ruthless?”

“They sleep most of the time. Storms draw them out and night does too.” With a nod at the sky, Donnovan continued. “But they only come out once and a while at night.”

“Oh. So they must only come out every once in a while.”

Donnovan laughed. “How often do you think this place has storms?” He asked Kane.

“One every month or so when it’s summer. Maybe a bit more often in winter or spring.”

“There are no seasons in this place, Kane. The storms come often. Sometimes they last for days and come with little or no space in between storms. This desert is a brewing place for storms.”

“If you’re trying to make me feel better, you’re failing.” Kane muttered.

“I’m not. I won’t coddle you. I brought because I believed you’d do well in aiding me here with our equipment and with other things. Don’t prove me wrong.” Donnovan settled down on the ground, pulling a blanket from his pack and wrapping it tightly around him. “Better get some sleep now. It won’t be safe to move on until the morning.”

***

Ryder opened her eyes, feeling her energy sapping away as it had been day by day. What are you doing to me? Ryder questioned Alyx.

I may not be able to use magic, but there are parts of your brain that can be used to hijack you. I can shut things down from where I am without any magic. A brain malfunction works wonders.

You’re still killing me?

Not before I’m done with you. But others are going to believe that you’re dead. Since you so kindly got both of us locked up here, I’ll have to return the favor and get us out. Alyx laughed. Don’t worry, there won’t be any lasting damage. But you won’t care even if there is, because when I’m done, you’ll be dead.

I’ll do everything I can to take you out. Even if it means my death. Ryder hissed at him.

It will mean your death. And you still won’t defeat me.

We’ll see about that.

A shuffle alerted Ryder to someone’s presence. She jumped up, tense and concerned until she saw who it was. “Ansgar…” She relaxed. “Why are you here?”

“I came to speak with you.” Ansgar looked down. “You deserve an apology.”

“I what?” Ryder stared at him. “But… What for?”

“I didn’t believe Kane when he said you might be possessed. And I didn’t believe you when you told me you did do it.” He focused on her golden eyes then. “You’re like my little sister, Ry. I should’ve known better than to doubt you. I know you better than that, and yet I still doubted. Even though I knew you couldn’t use fire magic, I still doubted.”

Ryder went to press her hand to the barrier and then pulled it away, remembering what Donnovan had told her. “It’s fine. You weren’t trying to hurt me.”

 “It’s not okay, Ry. I made a mistake, and I’m sorry.”

Ryder looked down. “It’s all fine now, Ans. I’m in here where I won’t hurt anyone. And I’m going to stay here until Donnovan finds a way to get rid of this being.”

“It would help if we knew more, Ry. If we knew a name, we might be able to do more.” Ansgar pleaded.

“I can’t tell you. He won’t let me. All I can say is that he’s from my father’s past.” She gasped out. “He’s trying to- to force his way to the sur- surface. I can’t hold onto control for long, Ans. Listen to me… He’s out for revenge. My father took someone…” Ryder let out a scream as Alyx took control.

“Ry?”

“Ryder is currently unable to answer your questions.” Alyx answered coldly.

“Who are you?” Ansgar snapped. “Don’t you dare hurt her.”

A cruel smile appeared on Ryder’s face as Alyx responded to Ansgar’s anger. “I won’t hurt her if you let me out of here.” 

“I can’t.”

“Then she’ll die.” Alyx laughed. “Your decision.”

“I can’t let her or you out because Donnovan cast this spell! It’s his magic, not mine, and I can’t take it down. He designed it so no one but he could disable it.” Ansgar pleaded. “Please don’t hurt her.”

Alyx shrugged. “She’ll die then. Either let me loose or she dies. You’d best get your brother back here if he wants to save her.”

“I can’t contact him.”

“Liar.” Alyx moved closer to the barrier and reached out to grab Ansgar.

He jerked back as a numbing sensation began to spread throughout him. “You’re lying.” He spat. “Because if that’s really true, he’d have to be in some other dimension that hasn’t been bridged with a Gate.”

Ansgar looked away.

“Answer me! Where is your brother?” Alyx curled Ryder’s fingers into fists, fuming over his inability to crack Ansgar. “Where is he?” He shouted.

Ansgar backed away from the barrier. “I’m not at the liberty to say.”

“You’d better say, or she’s going to die. Got it?” Alyx raised five fingers. “She has to the count of five before I start to kill her. You’d better answer by then.”

Ansgar stared at him, his eyes pooling with tears.

“One…” Alyx started to count.

Ansgar pressed his lips together, quietly refusing.

“Two.”

Still, he refused to speak.

“Three.” Alyx whispered.

“I won’t tell you.” Ansgar murmured. “Kill her if you want, but I won’t tell.”

“Four.” Alyx stared straight at Ansgar.

“You’re making a mistake to think I care if you kill her. She’d tell me to let her die if she was able to.” Ansgar tried to convince himself of it. 

“Five.”

Ryder’s body dropped to the ground, and her hands flew to her throat as her lungs failed. She tried to heave in a deep breath, but nothing came. Her violet eyes welled with tears as she pled with Ansgar.

He opened his mouth to speak, but she shook her head. No. She mouthed at him. Tears fell down her cheeks as she felt herself fading away. This was going to be the end for her. There was nothing that Ansgar could or should do. Better to let herself die along with Alyx’s consciousness. If she died while he was still inhabiting her in a magic-free zone, he too would perish.

That’s what she was banking on. He would know that, and he wouldn’t be willing to actually kill her here since it meant sacrificing himself.

“Stop!” Ansgar shouted. “Stop, I’ll tell you!”

Ryder suddenly gasped in air. “Ans…” She choked out. “You can’t.”

Alyx took control again. “Where is he?”

Ansgar stared at Ryder’s form, which was now under Alyx’s control. “I’m sorry, Ry. But I can’t let you die.”

“Where?” Alyx snapped.

“He went to another dimension, like you said. Adolwyn's Stay on Vyngard… That’s where he went. It was our home for a year or two before coming here.”

“And why would he go there?” Alyx demanded.

“Because he thinks that he can get information to help Ryder.” Ansgar whispered, a tear dropping down his chin. He set his hand against the barrier. “I’m so sorry, Ry… But I had to.”

Alyx laughed. “Well, good luck to him. By the time he gets back, his precious Ryder will be dead.”

“What? No! You promised me she’d stay alive if I told you.” Ansgar sank to his knees.

“I said no such thing. I just said she would die if you didn’t tell. Maybe I forgot to mention I was planning to kill her no matter what?” Alyx examined Ryder’s fingernails. “Oops.”

Ansgar glared at him. “I will kill you if you do that.”

“No, you won’t.” Alyx cackled. “You can’t because you have no idea where I actually am. You think that I permanently detached from my body?” He rubbed his hands together. “You’re an idiot, frankly. You couldn’t do it if you wanted to!”

“I’ll find a way, and I am not an idiot.” Ansgar snapped.

“If you say so. Now run along. You’d best figure out how you’re going to kill me, because if you don’t succeed, your brother will be attending two funerals when he returns.” He raised a finger with a gleeful laugh. “Wait a minute. That’s assuming he’ll have something to return to.”

“You’re an evil monster.”

“Most monsters are evil. Never heard of a good one, have you?” Alyx quipped. “Told you you’re stupid.”

Ansgar gritted his teeth and clenched his fingers into fists. “Now listen here, you two timing trickster!”

“Two-timers are the same thing as tricksters.” Alyx said, leaning against the stone wall of his cell. “And you’re still as unintelligent as the stone I’m standing on. Maybe less, if that’s possible.”

With a growl, Ansgar moved up to the barrier. “If it weren’t for the fact that my friend is still in there, I’d wring your neck!”

“My pretty neck is far out of reach. You’d just kill your friend. I thought that’s what you wanted to avoid.” Alyx looked down at Ansgar with an egotistical smile.

“You’re a jerk.” Ansgar spat.

“Your friend’s already got dibs on that nickname, I’m afraid. You’ll have to find something else.”

Ansgar glared at Alyx. “At least give me a name to attach to the pig I’m addressing.”

“Very well.” Alyx laughed. “Not that it will do you any good.” He waved a hand. “Byrd.”

Ansgar crossed his arms. “Bryd? Byrd what?”

“I told you it wouldn’t do you any good. You’re too thick-headed.” Alyx goaded.

“Maybe I am, maybe I’m not. But her dad isn’t, and I think he’ll have a thing or two to say about this, since you’re a person from his past.” Ansgar smirked. “Maybe you shouldn’t underestimate me.”

“You tricked me.” Alyx’s tone was bland. “I suppose that you’re a bit smarter than I thought.”

“You’re taking this too well.”

“Did it ever occur to you that I might not have given you a real name?” Alyx snorted.

You did, you liar.  Ryder snapped at him. And now they’ll know who you are and what you want. They’ll know how to defeat you.

You wish, love. Alyx grinned.

“Why are you smiling?”

“Because I know something that you don’t.” Alyx gave Ansgar a superior look. “Next time, forget any notions that you’re smart.”

Ansgar seethed. “How dare you?”

“Quite simple. I dare because I’m smarter than you. That gives me the right to do as I please. And I don’t care how you feel about it either.” Alyx smirked at Ansgar.

“How could you possibly not feel remorse over your behavior?” Ansgar grimaced. “You’re clearly a psychopath.”

“Hmm… Sociopath sounds better.” Alyx mused.

“Sociopaths are far less likely to actually commit crimes or behave in violent, criminal manners.” Ansgar shrugged. “You’re clearly psychopathic, and there’s no changing what you are just because something else sounds nicer.”

Alyx glared at him. “Fine. Have it your way. I’m sick of listening to you, so go away.”

Ansgar’s eyebrows raised. “You’re dismissing me?”

Alyx nodded. “Or wasn’t I clear about that? I forgot how low your IQ is. Sorry about that. What I meant was, I am done with you, so leave.”

Ansgar sighed. “I almost feel sorry for you.”

“And why is that?” Alyx yawned.

“Because you’re the sort of person who never has any friends. The sort who always has a hole in their heart that refuses to heal no matter how hard they try. And you might even be worse off, because you might not have a heart left at all.” Ansgar murmured.

“I have a heart!” Alyx snapped, his eyes wild. “I do. And I’m not lonely or friendless.”

“If you do have a heart, it’s twisted and blackened beyond reconciliation.” Ansgar turned and walked away.

“It is not! It’s all of you who are corrupt and evil. Most of all your beloved General.”

Ansgar didn’t respond and continued to walk out of the dungeon.