Going to war

-Redgrave POV-

It's four in the morning and we finished packing all the things we need for the journey. Kris insisted that we leave as soon as possible even though he still looks like a corpse but he persuaded us, saying that he can get as much rest as he needs in the car. He was already in the car waiting for me but my wife is holding me back.

"You will come back to me, won't you?"

I hugged her back, "Of course I will. I'll never leave you alone on this earth."

She looked down to the ground trying to hold back the tears running down her face. I put my hand under her chin, lifting her head to look at me giving her a pure smile before kissing her forehead. I left her at the doorway. Kris looks at me with a sorrowful face as if trying to tell me I didn't have to do this. "Quit with the sad look Kris. You have a job to do and so do I."

He didn't say a word, just stared out onto the road. We drove off but he soon fell asleep not long after. I spent the time trying to wrap my head around the fact that he literally survived what everyone else would have died trying and is still going. What did those men do exactly to force him to fight like this? I suppose I'll see you soon enough.

-Ahri POV-

Hati and I have been in this container for days now and no signs of it stopping. The men who kidnapped us were constantly keeping an eye on us while only giving us small meals twice a day. They were purposely weakening us, making us suffer. The metal box didn't help at all keeping the cold out.

I'm surprised we haven't died of hypothermia. Hati, unfortunately, is getting the worst of it. With the amount of food they give us it's not enough for her even if I give her my portion. I have to help her as much as possible.

Just as I am about to shut my eyes the van finally stops. The sound of footsteps crushing the snow slowly walks up to the doors. The doors open and the light blinds us for a few seconds. While recovering from the blinding light I felt two pairs of hands grab both my arms pull me with a violent force out of the van. I tried struggling but their grip is too strong and currently too weak to use any magic. Hati is also too weak to do anything except letting other men attempting to get her up but she didn't budge. They needed five men just to pick her up but even that was too difficult for them so they waited by Hati while I was being dragged inside of an old building. It looks like it was made back in the dark ages. The whole thing is made from slabs of stone kept together with clay. Some of it looks new as if they're trying not to let it fall apart. The large wooden doors opened and to my surprise, the inside looks completely new. It still has the traditional decorations you would expect but everything looks clean and smooth. High-tech computers are lining the walls with a man for each of them, a guard stationed at every corner of the hall, and an altar at the far end. Getting closer to the altar I can see a basin in the center with a menacing statue of a demon/devil leaning of it. In front of the altar is a large round stone table with, what I assume is, devilish markings on the side. The two men kept dragging me past the table through another, smaller, wood door that only leads down. After a few minutes of non-stop descending did we finally come to a, of course, the underground dungeon where they waste no time throwing me into a cell and locking the old door. I could do nothing but huddle into the corner.

I would say about an hour had passed before I heard some activity. It sounded like men struggling. A few minutes later, I could see eight men carrying Hati who didn't even look alive at this point. Her body was so thin and completely limp. After they put her into a separate cell they all took a breather before getting an order to leave.

"Alright you did your job, now leave."

They all waste no time running past this man who, from the authority in his voice, must be the leader. He grabbed the last man just as he was about to pass the leader figure and pulled him along to inspect Hati in her cell.

"Can you explain why this wolf looks like this?"

The man looked at the leader with a confused expression as to why he would ask a question like that but still answered non the less.

"I do believe it's because um... we only fed it a steak."

The leader replied with a bit of anger in his voice, "Do you think I went through all the trouble of capturing this wolf alive just so I can watch it starve to death?"

The grunt said nothing, only shaking his head for a response.

"Well now you betta find a decent meal for it or it will be having you!"

"Y-yes, sir."

As soon as the leader let go of the man he ran off up the stairs. The leader looked at Hati for a few seconds before turning his attention to me. There was no expression or emotion on his face just his cold eyes. As he approaches my cell, I slowly stepped back going deeper in my cell just to keep my distance.

"I'm sorry that my men mistreated you and your friend."

I didn't say anything. Just stared at him. "I forget we haven't properly met. I'm Oliver, the man who's been chasing you."

"Wh-what do you want... from me?"

He stood there, staring at me with empty eyes that almost glowed in the dark before turning to the stairs and yelling behind him, "You'll see when the moon is red and the devils walk with us."

-Kris POV (in the void)-

I looked around only to see the now-familiar empty void and the still stunningly beautiful Lykos.

"Am I going to end up here every time I fall asleep?"

Lykos, who hasn't noticed me yet, turned around in surprise but quickly calmed down and said, "No. You are the one who chooses to come here."

I was confused for a bit, "But I thought I was forced?"

Lykos sigh, "You are the only force in a near-death experience. All the other times it is by your own free will so there be a reason why you are here."

I thought for a bit and came up with what I wanted. "You said you'd help me to control the Dark. Remember?"

Lykos nodded her head, "Well you were busy until now. Come let me explain to you."

She grabbed my hand and pulled me close to her, making me very uncomfortable and blushing like hell. She started by putting both her hands on my chest. Slowly moving them to my shoulders and down my arms. I can feel a lingering warmth where her hands were. When her hands reached mine she grabbed them and pulled me forward, making her chest press against mine. Now as red as a cartoon character she looked up at me. I couldn't keep eye contact so I looked away. She smiled seductively and said, "The Dark is very different from what most think of as magic. Unlike magic, there is no limit to how long you can use it or how powerful the attack is. No physical or magical strain will be put on your body. It can be used in a variety of ways so long as you think out of the box.

"S-so umm.... how do I control it?"

At this point, Lykos is feeling every inch and muscle fiber she could feel making me blush even harder than before. She took a quick look at my face which only showed me fighting my embarrassment. She laughed lightly, continuing with the lesson and touching.

"Unlike your abilities, it cannot be controlled or created like magic but it is worked with."

"What.... d-do.... you..."

"The Dark is alive hence there are no limits. You will have to learn how to communicate with it and make it an extension of yourself."

All of a sudden she and pulled away from me allowing me to breathe out. I didn't even know I was holding my breath. She turned to face me and said, "I can not teach you anything more. You will have to find your own way whether it be through patience or rage."

"What's that sup... WHAT THE!"

"You'll understand."

Like before, a force pulled me out of the void into the day. It was late in the afternoon with a beautiful, golden sunset. I looked around wondering why we've stopped.

"Sorry, Kris but you're going to have to drive... I need some sleep."

I rubbed my eyes as I asked, "What time is it?"

"It's four in the morning. You've slept for two days straight and now it's my turn."

Without wasting any time, Redgrave fell unconscious in the back seat, leaving me alone with my thoughts.