Dark Shadows

I slowly lower my hand, feeling awkward. Who am I kidding? Once I'm done, I'm going back to my world and will have nothing to do with this one. I grit my teeth, ignoring the unpleasant feeling in my chest.

I silently start walking over to the village, watching as the same things that took place in the other village happen again. They were all leaving with what they could carry. I pass them silently, ignoring the way they eye Bolin and I with unease.

Was it the black outfits? I smirk as I continue walking, drawing closer and closer to the new Artifact piece. As I make my way through the streets, something quickly runs past the end of another street. I come to a stop with a frown, looking in the direction with narrowed eyes.

What was that? It looked human but it was... fast!

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WEIMIN

He curses, pissed that Bolin had taken her again! He knew he couldn't trust Bolin! He turns to his men and says, "Report to the king that Bolin has snatched the goddess. Tell him everything that happened here." The man bows before quickly disappearing.

Another man steps forward and says, "Master Weimin, do you think they've moved to another village?" Weimin turns to leave as he says, "Yes, we need to hurry if we want to catch up to them. We missed them at the house and barely caught them here."

The villagers all stumble back, making way for Weimin and his men who are all dressed in white. They didn't know who all these people were but that didn't stop them from gossiping.

Word was quickly spreading about a goddess with magical powers, defeating evil and protecting the people. Everyone wanted to know more about her, others wanted to ask for her help while others wanted her for darker reasons.

Weimin also wanted her. He paints it all in a beautiful light talking about her saving the world and keeping her safe, but a darker side of him wanted her for himself. He wanted to be the one standing next to her, sharing her burdens and helping her save everyone.

His greed was growing.

_________

AIYA

Aiya steps through the rip in the air, planting a black boot down on the fallen leaves. Several others in dark cloaks follow behind her before the rip closes. Aiya looks around the woods with a sneer, looking disgusted.

She pulls her hood back a little as she lifts a chain. At the end of the long chain was a blood-red stone. It slightly shone, pointing to the north. Aiya smirks as she says, "Found you... This time you die." She steps over a fallen branch and starts walking.

The others silently follow behind her. Using their magic, they quickly arrive at a small decrepit-looking village. Aiya sneers in mockery as she says, "Did she really get stuck in this shit hole? Hah, pathetic..." She turns to the others and says, "Use the potions that I've given you. As soon as you see her, use it. If you hesitate, she'll kill you."

The others nod before quickly disappearing. Aiya's eyes are filled with mockery as she walks straight into the village, but she quickly realizes something's wrong. Her hand lifts to her nose as she frowns with disgust.

What the hell is that!? It was magical...

Dade? Her eyes flash with surprise, wondering what he had done. That's black magic... She sneers, mocking Lyra in her heart once more. The council would take another day or two before they got here, she personally made sure. This time, Lyra was out of luck.

She lifts the chain and starts walking again but this time, she had an eager look in her eyes.

__________

LYRA

I stare down the street with a sense of unease. Suddenly, I turn and look back the way we just came from. Bolin turns to see what I was looking at, but when he doesn't see anything, he turns back to me and asks, "What's wrong?"

A dark twisted smile appears on my face as I say, "It looks like trash has blown this way and it has company." Bolin frowns, not completely understanding but when he sees a woman in a black cloak suddenly standing at the end of the street they were standing on, he freezes. She wasn't there just a second ago and he didn't even see her appear.

My smile turns cruel as I turn and face Aiya, putting everything else aside. "How nice of you. To deliver yourself to me like this after failing to kill me last time." I say standing my ground. When Bolin hears my words, the surrounding area becomes colder as everything darkens.

The thunder in the distance grows closer as an ominous wind blows. Aiya snorts with disdain as she pulls her hood all the way down and says, "Since your pathetic ass can't seem to find a way back, I have to come to this shit hole and finish you myself. Consider yourself honored."

I softly chuckle as the wind blows my dark hair around my face. My eyes hold the promise of death as I say, "Bolin, I'm going to ask you to step back." Bolin keeps his dark cold eyes on Aiya as he smirks and says, "Oh, don't worry little demoness. I have no plans of saving the stupid woman from your wrath. I just plan on enjoying the show."

Aiya glances at Bolin, her eyes flashing in surprise. She looks him up and down with a hint of interest burning deep within her eyes. As if noticing, Bolin snorts and says, "Sorry but I don't like headless shrews."

Aiya glares at him, completely ignoring him as she turns to me and says, "It seems that you're only good at attracting trash."

I snort and say, "Like you?" Aiya's face turns red before quickly throwing something at me. Expecting as much, I lift my hand. The potion freezes in the air, but she was already running toward me with incredible speed.

I quickly toss the potion away, ready to attack her when I feel something behind me. I lift my other hand, turning to find several people in cloaks throwing potions at me while chanting! A large pentagram appears in front of my hand in the sky, quickly spreading out and expanding! It turns, spinning in the air like a large shining shield!

The potions collide with the silver glowing pentagram of protection, but it doesn't affect it. Magic cracks and sparks, splitting the air and causing a large explosion. My hair flutters as I look at the new players with an irritated look on my face.

I quickly reach out with my magic, grabbing them and instantly pulling them all to me. They all fly forward, passing me and colliding with Aiya behind me with cries of surprise and pain. Aiya dodges them all, running at me while chanting a wicked spell. It drips with black death magic.

It takes the shape of a black blade as it soars through the air and straight for my heart. I quickly throw up the magical shield made of ancient runes once again and watch as the two collide! Aiya cries out as she's flung back several feet. The magic explodes, ripping and crackling through the air causing the entire area to shake.

The smoke and magic drift around me before fading to reveal me standing there untouched. The others quickly help Aiya up but the fear in Aiya's eyes could be seen even from here. I look down at her as I say, "You tricked me last time because I had my guard down. I never expected my friend who I considered my sister would try to kill me. I don't make the same mistakes twice."

Aiya glares at me with hatred burning deep within her eyes as she says, "Do everyone a favor and just die! No one actually likes you; they're only scared of you because you're a freak!" I smirk as I shrug and say, "It's better that they fear me then. I don't want or need them to like me."

Aiya tries to throw a sneak attack but suddenly, something dark grabs one of her men and drags him into the side street! Everyone freezes as the man's screams are suddenly cut off. I blink in surprise as I turn, trying to see what it was.

Was that what I saw earlier?