Zack opened his eyes...

He saw the door open he wanted to reach for a knife but laziness cause him to wait when she heard the quiet voice of Si....Kaelan asking for entry. “Sure you can come in.” He watched her step further in he smiled to her from his sitting down position on the floor. “You can have the bed never found them comfortable.” His hand slowly circled around his heart region the dream having caught him in its thrall of interest.

Kaelan's head cocked to one side, resembling that of a confused animal. She walked over to the bed and sat down on it before Zack could get out of the bed and wrapped her arms around him, laying her head on his chest.

"Please, Zack. Stay....I don't want to be alone. I don't understand what's happening to me. Help me.....I don't want you or the monk to have to kill me......but the wraith's howls call to the dna I carry and it hurts."

Zack was about to lift himself up when he found Kaelan weighing him down he could have easily have left but her words made him stay. He wrapped his own arms around her. “Just don’t worry we are safe.” He kissed just beside her lips he could hear the demon laughing at the back of his head sinister. “You trying to act human again Zackie.” The demon chiding him but as quick as it had come it was gone leaving a sort of empty loneliness Zack brought her closer into his embrace. “Just sleep and think happy thoughts avoid the nightmares.”

Yuéqiu strolled the deserted town streets. No one dared walk the night for fear the creatures they referred to as 'wolf-wraiths' catch wind of them and dare to challenged the protective wards that guarded the walls from such demonic beasts, but the mystic was alone unaffected by the trepidation that gripped the town. One might believe he knew something that most did not, and those believing such a thing would be half correct. Yuéqiu did in fact possess more knowledge of the 'dimensional amalgam' than he let on, but this alone did not put his mind at ease, in fact what he knew had quite the opposite effect. No, his calm demeanor was tempered by the mystical blade that never left his side, a sword that hungered for demonic blood.



Beyond the walls the great wolf-beast prowled the night. A creature that was once a man that like all of his brethren succumbed to a curse that transformed him into a vicious monster lusting for human flesh. He and the other's drew near to the wall, then fearfully withdrew and the wards repelled them, but this night the push was not as strong, nor the pain as great. Something had changed in the world and the giant wolves grew increasingly braver by the hour. It was only a matter of time before one breached the wall and when that happened, Yuéqui would be waiting.

Kaelan snuggled in close to Zack, falling asleep with her head on his chest. As she drifted off, she mumbled something that would probably shock Zack and Kade as well.

"G'night Kade. Thank you for letting Zack make me feel safe."

She dreamed of her time with Nurse Bev in the woods and how Bev taught her what little she knew about her animal side.....the different strains of dna flowing through her body. Then the howling began anew.

Kaelan was wrenched from Zack's embrace, her back bowing as the howls of the beasts became louder, cutting straight through her. She wasn't like the beasts out beyond the protected wall, but she was still cursed so to speak, having been created in a lab. The wolf strain of dna she carried was the same as what Sin's sister had carried, only with different results because of the other strands of dna in her body.

But on this night, the mystical wall having been dropped, caused havoc with her senses......starting with the wolf's dnat. Her eyes turned a bright amber, her canines became long and sharp, claws erupted in spurts of blood from her fingertips. Her eyes were filled with pain and fear as she looked at Zack. Her back bowed again, violently as she fought to control the wolf's dna. It was like since the two worlds had started to merge, her animal dna had changed....had become an entity all their own. She could feel the wolf wanting to break free and it terrified her. This wasn't supposed to be able to happen.

"Zack.....Zack....Kade.....please, help me."

Her eyes turned back to blue, her canines receded as did the claws, only to erupt again when the wraiths howled again. Kaelan whimpered in pain, her eyes turning amber again.

"I can't control it, Zack......help me....I don't want to die."

Zack tackled her to the floor sitting on her back as he removed one of his knives the voice of Kade moving forward. “Are you going to do what I think you are?” Without further ado he began to carve what could only be described as a symbol the line did not continue to blood not falling from it the wound seeming to seal up scarred finishing it off with his knife the symbol went black for a duration. Zack took a deep breath once again placing his hand to the pentagram he began muttering words his hand sinking into his chest after a good duration Kaelan twitching under his weight he removed his hand the fingertips blackened he followed the new made scar.

“Hello little girl.” Kaelan could hear the voice in her head as she had heard it before when the bear form had spoken....Kade. “Why don’t we meet up?” Without further ado she lost conscious to the outside world falling limp. She fell into her mind to find herself standing in at first darkness. “Welcome to the depths of your own mind.” The darkness faded away becoming what she slightly dreaded the white room. “This is the most prominent location almost except for the woods but to dodge complications I picked this.” The room was still empty around her the door sealed shut yet she could still hear his voice.

Kaelan recognized the room immediately. It was the room she'd be taken to before Dravesh would be unleashed on her. She shivered, hearing Kade's voice, but not seeing him. She also looked for Dravesh, half expecting him to appear out of nowhere.

"Kade.....is that you I hear? What has happened? Why am I here and how is it that I can hear you?"

Kaelan was truly confused now and scared. She knew Zack had done something to her back, but she didn't know what.

"Can I see you, Kade? Will you talk to me face to face?"

Kade appeared before her a grinning Zack like the one back from the battlefield his eyes red. “I’m sorry if this form is inappropriate but it’s the most comfortable one in your memories.” Kade walked closer to her a small wave of his hand removing the grin to a normal almost emotionless face. “Like I said welcome to your mind, Zack found it fit to inject a small portion and I mean small portion into your system and hence I was able to function over your brain.” He gave a funny bow straightening slightly he walked to the far door opening it where Dravesh stood. “Sit boy.” To Kaelan’s slight amazement it listened to him sitting on it bottom. “Ahhh the fun of meddling in ones memories is endless.”

Kaelan is amazed that the Dravesh in her mind does exactly as Kade tells it to do. She smiles at Kade and approaches him, keeping one eye on 'Dravesh'.

"Can I touch you? Will you hurt me? Will he hurt me here?"

Without waiting for an answer, Kaelan reached out her hand, touching 'Zack's' face, her fingers gently stroking his cheek.

"You're cold, Kade. Why? Are we truly connected now?"

She looked over again at 'Dravesh', her eyes wary.

"Will he do as I tell him while you're here? Can Zack see and hear inside my mind when you're here as well?"

Kade let her stroke his cheek then that wild grin came on his face and her hand passed through him. “Spooky ain’t it.” He resolidified next to her if that’s the word that could be used for his state. “I’m gonna answer your question much in the same way as Zack, after all I taught the child how to act.” Taking a slightly deep breath to prepare himself for his list of answers. “Ok firstly I’m cold as I’m am immaterial. We are not truly connected in any way except for the fact I’m being a bully and pushing your mental state around if we were connected I would be able to actually take control of you and that would need more of my being.” Kade walked up to Dravesh with a twirl of his hand and the command roll over the monkey did so. “He would if you weren’t afraid of him and you had more will over your own memories compared to Zack you’re like a fledging in mind defence. Zack cannot hear us in your mind unless he keeps his hand on the symbol in your back and I allow it to be connected to his but he wouldn’t need to do that only if he was trying to squeeze information from you, which he isn’t."

Yuéqiu found himself at crossroad, both in reality and in his mind. He looked ahead of him, the narrow lane trailing off into to darkness and to his right and left, well lit streets. He admired the architecture, a combination of various Indo-European cultures of Earth's medieval period, some appearing to date back to the time of the Roman empire (and indeed they very well did).

What was he to do now? The demon, Lyhand was now well beyond their grasp. Already he sat upon one of three thrones at the top of the dark tower, a part of this new world order that could not be reversed. Vengeance it seemed would have to wait, but it did not spell the end of his quest. The demonic hordes would attempt to claim what they felt was there's and few in this new born realm would bear the skills necessary to stand in there way. He had purpose, but the mystic was not so deluded as to believe he was integral in the survival of people like the ones in the town of Obsidon. Once the realm of Earth Prime and Midean merged, balance would be found. All things found balance in time.

Long had it been since, Yuéqiu need turn his head from his path. The direction had always been clear. He looked to his right, down the inviting street and considered for the first time after these many long years to walk into the light.

Two bright yellow eyes appeared in the dark before him and a low growl resonated through the blackened corridor. It had always been so. Yuéqiu's path was clear. Gripping the ornate handle of his sword, the mystic warrior drew a blade that seemed to draw all light to it. The beast snarled menacingly, but Yuéqiu was not afraid, calmly he walked toward his foe, melting into shadow.

The wolf was large, it's black pelt blending into the darkness around it. Only the bright of it's menacing eyes and gleaming fangs betrayed it's location. He snarled maliciously and then it spoke, "Foolish mortal." it hissed, as the mystic swordsman lowered himself into a classic fighting stance. The blade shimmered in the dark, the glow of stars twinkling within it as if it were a small window peering into another universe. The wolf tensed and sprang, it's razor sharp fangs seeking the man's throat, fearing not the feeble scrape of the Human's blade. It's hide was strong and normal weapons would not pierce it. Yuéqiu side stepped and gracefully drove the blade down and through the back of the creature's neck. The sword bit deep, paralyzing the monster as it crashed to the ground and lay there, it's last breath issuing forth as the sword drank deep it's demonic blood. In mere moments the wolf's carcass was but an empty withered husk of matted fur and bone.

Yuéqiu struggled to pull back the blade and brought it under control with a stiff shake. It gleamed red for a short while, and the image of dark wolf ran along its edge and vanished into the vast and barren plains that resided within it. The mystic breathed deeply as the demonic wolf's strength seeped into the sword and into him. No, he could not ever leave this path he had chosen. Too long had he hunted these creatures. Too long had he lived upon their blood. It was too late.

Kade gave a snort sniffing the air as he finished his questions… “That’s one of them killed.” His head looking up his eyes narrowed slightly as he lifted his head…Kade moved over to her again whispering a dark single word which slid across her memory difficult to grasp she felt light then suddenly heavy as she sank into the ground panic rising slightly as it went over her head... She awoke back in the room her eyes closed but not glued shut opening them would find Zack was busy at the small desk picking up the item shoving them into his coat…. "Kade thinks one of the wolves have caught onto our tail it will follow us here.” He yanked on the coat picking up the claymore he gradually felt it in his bones the sinking cold…fear? He had only battled maybe four demons all had almost killed him. He patted down his coat as he stretched his arms. “Kade will try to reduce the effects of their howls for you…but it will take more than just Kade…harden your own resolve hold onto something of the old world and don’t let go.” Zack looked across to the lamps their light beginning to wane…”It’s already here!” The wolf wraith was indeed just outside the tavern having followed the smell of the first tracks by the gate its head tilting as it looked to the door the lights dimming as the old magic dripped from the creature only the candles stayed alight as it approached pushing its head against the door swinging slowly open.

Kaelan was grateful for what Zack had done for her as well as Kade, but as Zack had said....it wouldn't be enough. She would also have to find the resolve to fight the urge of the beasts that lived inside of her.

Gathering her blade as well, she followed Zack out of the room and instantly felt the pull of the wraith. It was as if a beacon were directed at her and she had to use everything she had to fight from answering it's call. Reaching down inside of her, she called on the tiger's dna, fighting to suppress the wolf inside of her and allow the tiger to come to the front. Her eyes turned the golden/green of the tiger's and her strength tripled as the tiger pushed the wolf out of the way and came to her call.

"I am ready Zack....let's get rid of this creature."

Suddenly, the wolf howled as if calling to others and Kaelan struggled to keep her own wolf at bay and the tiger at her call. She leaned up against the wall of the hallway, closing her eyes and concentrating on the tigress with all of her might. It was painful...as if both animals were battling each other inside of her, her insides feeling like a battle ground. Just as suddenly as it began it ended, the tiger being the strongest coming out the victor. Breathing a sigh of relief she opened her eyes again to look at Zack who was watching her closely.

"I am okay...let's go."

She heard Kade snicker inside of her mind before leaving once again and she shook her head at his sick sense of humor. She found that she liked the demon or whatever he was and she totally accepted as a part of Zack. Zack, she was liking more and more and this she didn't know what to do about, but pushed the thought from her mind as she descended the stairs to face the wraith and destroy it.

Zack was tense he walked slowly his hands clenching and unclenching…he stopped when the…thing howled he looked back to Kaelan seeing her fight herself he wandered if Kade would bother stepping in…but it was genes not memory which was her battle…could Kade even fight in that area he wondered? He gave a small smile as she said she was ok…
Kade quickly whispered in his ear as he turned round to walk down the stairs. “She is a strong lass you know.” Zack’s foot went to the first step it creaked as he placed his weight on it…some patrons still sat around most not noticing the door and lights too drunk to notice…

“They are going to get slaughtered in here.” Zack looked across seeing the classic scene of a drunken man exiting as the wolf came in….he could hear the rowdy shouts of the man from here. “Hello puppy you’re a big dog aren’t you!” The idiot reached out his hand to stroke the thing…Its jaws slammed down on the arm the man staring dumbfounded as it tore it off at the elbow. Zack saw some of the slightly not drunk people begin to stand. “What on Earth is that?!?!” The wolf swung its head round the room seeing all the people it gave another howl…every eye turned to the wolf-wraith that was when the panic began.

Kaelan's eyes narrowed when she watched the wraith rip the man's arm off and heard what Zack said about the people being slaughtered. They couldn't let that happen. When the wolf-wraith howled it stirred the wolf inside of her and for a brief moment the wolf and tiger battled again only this time she gave more of her own strength to the tiger to help her push the wolf back down. Kneeling down, she got ready to leap, the strength of the tiger making it possible for her to jump over the banister and down to the tavern below without injury.

"Let the fun begin."

She smiled at Zack right before she jumped, landing in the middle of the room. She brandished the black blade that was once Sin's and smiled at the wraith who lifted his nose to the air, sniffing then his eyes focused on her and he howled again.

Kaelan braced herself for the howl, concentrating on the tigress, the battle and getting these drunks out alive when the wraith charged her. She wasn't prepared for the speed of the animal and felt herself flying through the air as a large paw hit her in the chest. She landed up against the wall behind the bar and slid to the floor. She rose, a feral growl coming from her as she leapt across the bar, her small form graceful as it moved her eyes the golden/green of a tiger, her canines long and sharp.

"You're missing out on the fun, Zack!!!"

She charged the wraith, sword raised as she ducked another swipe of his paw, coming up with the blade to slice into the forearm of the arm he tried to hit with. The wraith howled in pain, turning to face her as she slid to a stop behind him.