Chapter 5

My eyes locked onto Crystal as the full force of the memory washed over me.

"Why are you doing this?" I asked, fear hinting in my voice.

"We want to be free."

"Crystal is dead isn't she?"

"Yes...and my name's Shari," she coldly added, "And soon the rest of you will be too..."

They wanted control of everything. Why? Maybe they were power happy...But who were they?

"After the final piece this world shall plummet into darkness."

I stood still as tears began to moisten my face. I thought facing the evil would help me, it only hastened my doom. I wished I could take back everything. I didn't need this memory returned.

"Why do you cry?"

"Because I thought seeking you out would save lives and find me answers, when in fact I am just bringing them quicker to death and the answer I got wasn't the one I wanted."

"Soon none of this will matter."

Tears were streaming down my cheeks now. In my mind I wanted to wake up from this terrible dream. But in my heart I knew, that even if this was a dream, it was a dream to which I would never wake.

I looked over to Shari enveloped in Crystal's form. The last of the wind blew in her hair. The sun was up now and shining on her face. She stood still and her red eyes starred into mine. She did not blink. She did not flinch at any of the forest sounds.

"It is time," she said shifting her eyes away from me.

There we stood in silence. Even the forest went still. Then slowly a figure walked through the trees towards us. I recognized her green flowing dress from my memory.

"Ready?" the woman questioned.

"Yes."

"Good. Now go back and tell the others...the conquest has begun."

"Yes."

Suddenly Crystal's body went limp and fell to the ground. She was gone forever and Shari had perhaps, faded with the wind. I knew from her deathly form that I had really killed her. Shari's presence had somehow kept her alive.

"Please, leave me alone," I suddenly begged.

I had no weapon. Then it dawned on me. I still had legs. Moving to dart away I felt a hand grip my shoulder. Nails dug back into the skin of my previous wound. Blood began to gush down the front of my shirt. Withering from the pain she began to pull me with her through the forest, dragging me towards my end.

Coming to a stop in a small meadow she loosened her grip allowing me to topple to the grassy floor. Eyes fluttering I cradled my shoulder, eventually turning my attention to my surroundings. The woman was walking away, moving swiftly towards the tree line.

"I have opened the door...you must usher them through..." she stated before she disappeared into the black.

Near her point of exit, in the darker void of forest I noticed a second form. Fiery pools glowed through the shadow. Even with the woman gone, the lone figure stayed, watching me. The eerie intensity of those eyes threw me into panic.

"Who are you?" I cried as I forced myself to stand.

A deep male's voice replied, "Lucifer."

Sucking in a gasp I edged forward, willing myself that it couldn't be.

"Are you going to stand in darkness forever, hiding from me?"

"No."

Then he began to step forward. The light moving over him as his legs came into view. The sun's rays finally graced his face and I shuttered in fear. No...no...I held out my hands to will him away.

"What's wrong?" he said, Nick said.

I couldn't formulate an answer.

"Don't worry...Shadi brought me to him in his sleep. A fitting way to go, no?"

When I didn't answer...couldn't answer, he proceeded.

"Now my Queen must take her place by my side," he smiled offering out his hand.

Stumbling away I shook my head, but with steadfast steps he came towards me. The flames in his eyes flickered. Reaching out he snatched me by the shoulder, sinking his hand into my already wounded flesh. Fingers pressing hard I suddenly felt the pain of needles violently washing over me.

"Come to me my Queen..." he called.

My eyes fluttered and suddenly a second conscious took control. With a flash of smile I leaned forward capturing Lucifer's lips in a kiss. I was myself no longer...