She landed outside the castle once again. She growled in anger. " Why am I always two steps behind him?!" She slammed her fist into the wall; it crumpled next to her feet. Zera heard a snap, and twisted around. " Gods... is it already that time again? " The hunt was on again.

The hunt.. a cruel, bloody thirsty, shadow hunt. Acts of violence and terror so bad even she cringed. Even worse if they caught up to her they could probably over power her by their numbers. Probably. She could defend herself for the most part, but there was still a small possibility that she would go down.

She was not going down.

Nope.

She knew what they did to any creature that failed it's fight. Endless torture, acts of sexual deviance, ripping and tearing of flesh... It was sickening. Nothing to motivate you more than keeping yourself all be right?

She sighed sliding into the shadowy depths of the Darkness around her. Zera casually slammed her fist into a shadows remainder of a creature shrouded in dark matter. It fell as suddenly as it had appeared.

This was never supposed to happen. Here she was, still by all means a young girl, forced to be an adult to survive. Then again, isn't that what life did? Forced way innocence and killed childish dreams? She huffed crossing her arms childishly as she hauling herself down the hill away from the castle.

Creatures were all around her within minuets. Of course they were. Ceril had often warned her, after throwing her out of course, to stay near the castle during feeding times. She never listened. Zera was always to focused on finding a way back home. A way back to her friends...

_______

She gasped hard running into yet another dead end dirt path. The shadowy creatures behind her laughed manically as they closed in on her. She ducked behind a crumbled building hoping to escape them. Unfortunately for her she ran into a rather annoying "friend". He was more like a fiend than a friend.

The Puppet Master.

A gruesome looking ugly man who worked his strings with precision enough to make any marksman jealous. He survived here simply because he was so evil, because he was more than eager to devour the shadows that wanted to devour him. Then, he worked them like puppets fit to do his bidding.

Annnnddd.... Avoid the strings. Those fuckers were sharp enough to cut straight through anything. Living or not.

She sneered, " Ugh... How did I not smell your rotting self before I found you? " She pouted, " I think I'd rather deal with the shadow creatures.."

His harmonious, beautiful laughter rang out before he spoke, " Don't be so sure about that dragon. They would love to devour your pretty little body. Told me so. " He tapped his chalky forehead and stood. If she were intimidated easily she'd be shaking in her boots. The Puppet Master was tall. At least seven feet. He towered over her small slender five or so foot frame.

The man eyed her, " Such soft pink hair, flowing down to the ground. Pretty pink wings and claws fit for killing if need be. Scaled armor easily created when needed. Fire proof... " His strings made high pitch whining sounded as he circled her. Twirling around them in a wide arch hiding them from the creatures stalking them. " Power that radiates off of her very skin, and she's still here. Still trying to save people. Still trying to prove to her insane brother that, hey, we aren't all bad. " He snickered crouching down to her height.

She puffed her cheeks out, and stood her ground. " You look like a skeleton. Skin and bones. Shallow, hollowed out eyes, creepy ass strings attached to... Whatever part of your body. Pitted skin, covered with scars and wounds. Are we done with descriptions yet? We do this every time we meet. " She rolled her eyes only slightly thankful for his string caccoon keeping them safe.

He chuckled happily and ruffled her hair. " Such a good girl keeping me company. " He started coughing and hacking though. His voice straining and suddenly losing its charm.

Zera found herself concerned for him. This was unusual. He simply waved it off. " Have you found a way back yet?" He asked regaining his composure.
She simply shook her head. " I've heard the shadows talking. " He tapped her forehead this time," Whisperin about the graves. Sayin about how they've been crawling up through the dark. " A creepy grin grew on his cheeks. " 'n guess what?"

She took a step back, " What?" She asked chewing on her cheek. She could hear the howls and screams getting louder from outside the caccoon. She shuddered, and turned her attention to the Puppet Master.

" I know how to get back now ~~~" he sang softly, beckoning the little dragon girl closer. "But I need help. I've devoured to many shades keeping you safe. " He poked her cheek.

" Excuse me? Keeping me safe?!" She spat disgusted. Though... When she thought about it.... He always seemed to show up when she was in trouble. And, she nearly always found him devouring another shade. " H-have you been poisoning yourself to help me?!" Her mighty facade faultered slightly.

" Ahhh so you've finaly out two and two together? It only took hundred and sixty or so years... Dense little dragoness. " He chuckled and started to cough again. He groaned before regaining himself again. " I watched the shades. They've been going through the ground. But In a special place. It's hallowed. Holy. We can get through easier than they can. But, I would like if you would help me. Take me with you. Honestly, I don't want to die, and I don't have the strength to get myself free anymore. "

She stood there floored by his statement. Why would he protect her? Surely he was messing with her right? Right?

She blinked realizing he asked her for help. " I... Wait through the graves?! What graves?! When did they get out into this forsaken world Eugene?!"

He sighed and let his crimson eyes fall on her purple ones. " Recently. The Darkness is learning the world again. Reshaping. Unfortunately that means it's claimed many more creatures. Changing them. Like it did me. "

Her breath hitched, and she felt overwhelmed. The girl knew what he meant. She was powerful enough to resist it's temptations, but others were not. It started to change creatures. Warping them into new things.

His eyes remained glued to hers as he watched her sideways. Eugene was a very rare creature before being taken by the Darkness. He was a snowman. Beautiful, strong, and just as proud as any snowwoman. Yet after years and years he started to twist, and morph. Little did his dragoness know it was because of her. His mate. His love. The scars on his face, from crying the day she vanished.

She never even knew she existed.

Of course Eugene knew she was close to that Riven. A vampire. An original occupant of the first village. He hated it, but he never had the courage to face her. She was a dragon. He was a snow being. They were polar opposites. Why should he take her happiness away? Or so he thought. Riven wasn't the one left with scarring tears rolling down his cheeks when she vanished. It was him, and it set off a revelation in him. He'd just lost his light. The only thing keeping his fucked life together. They were all fucked though.

The Darkness came more often, and people started to retreat underground. He watched it always. Hoping she would come back, and one day she showed. Flashes of pink slaying shades and deformed creatures before they could hurt anyone. He made a decision that changed him forever. He let himself be taken. Now, he rode the dark clouds at the front lines. Shades were afraid if him. Afraid he would devour what was left of their souls.

He chuckled suddenly.

"What's do funny?" Demanded the girl.

" Fate. " He simply answered. He hated himself. He was now an ugly monster. His snow abilities now turned into strings. It was terrible. She'd never love him. Not like this. But, there was a chance she could escape. A chance they both could forms while at least. He would be satisfied with just getting her out honestly, though Eugene did not want to die.

She rolled her eyes. " Come on. Take me to the cemetery. " She said walking up to him. Zera looked up, and took his hand in her own. To her surprise she felt what she never thought possible. Oh no. No why? They had always hated each other right? She looked up at him again from their hands. Surprise was clear in her purple eyes.

His own crimson ones stared back. His breathing was uneven. He had meant to pull away from her, but something stopped him. " Zera.. I... " He took her hands in his. " I should have told you a long time ago. I'm sorry. "

She shook her head a little. " I..think given the circumstances. It's understandable to a degree... You should have told me at some point. " She wasn't angry. Honestly she didn't know how to feel.

He tugged her along with him. " This way. We should hurry before it attacks something again. We can't get caught up in that. I don't have enough magic for that at this point. " He started talking in hushed tones. Honestly he wasn't going to keep up the fake act he'd been putting in for the past hundreds of years.

His sudden changes left her reeling as she allowed him to pull her along. Her senses clouded for the most part. Zera felt warm bubbly butterflies in her belly from his touch. I...have a mate. She didn't care that he was her rival. They'd seemed to keep each other sane. She didn't care anymore what he looked like, and felt bad that she had. Guilt rolled through her for even thinking of him as grotesque. Yet he was like this. She knew. She just didn't care anymore. All these years he had purposely avoided her touch. Most likely purposely fought with her to train her to better fight. Oh gods, he is the reason I'm alive... And that I haven't ended up like the other girls..

Her thoughts were disturbed when she collided into his bony back. She gasped from the feeling alone. Zera peeked around him wondering what the hold up was. To her surprise it was a horde. " Shit. " Her wings sprouted faster than Eugene though possible, and she'd scooped him up this time even quicker than his strings could manage. He flailed though, causing her to get a sharp cut to her cheek. She hissed.

"S-sorry..." He muttered weakly.

She just smiled. " It's time I return the favor s you've given... I'll get us out. Just show me the way!" She held him tightly, gliding through the horde, all while listening to his directions. Shades clawed at her left and right, tearing her already tattered clothes further, giving her a headache. Still she carries on. She owed Eugene this much. After all, she'd been oblivous for so long. He'd suffered because of her for so long. I have a lot of making up to do. .

Eugene was throughly shocked. Surely she would reject such a ghastly man as a mate now right? He was stuck like this wasn't he? None the less he gave her directions. He'd been stalking the route for days, waiting to see her again, and hopefully get her out. "There! Through the gates!" He shouted as a shade grabbed his leg. He yelped loudly and shook it off. They were so close now. All they had to do was find her grave, and his as well!

She flung the gate open with a sharp kick of her currently talloned foot. Those boots were her favorites to... But, her mate. Was more important. She hit a statue, and they tumbled down to the ground harshly. Both injured. Both bleeding. She shuddered, her breath ragged. " Eugene.. You good?" She asked trying to haul herself up.

He groaned, " Any other time I might like to be under you, or vice versa.. but right now it just hurts .." he squeaked followed by a coughing fit.

"Gods sorry! Sorry! " She rolled off of him, and looked back. " If the shades were talking about this why aren't they coming in?" She asked shakily.

" Have to have a memorial. A grave of some kind. " He wheezed still sprawled out on the ground. " I know we do. I've watched the world several times as the Darkness rolls in. It's taken so long to plan this out.." he looked over at her and smiled a little. " And don't try to give yourself a pity party. You've done your part well. Distracting your currently insane brother long enough for me to map this out. "

She watched him intrigued and shocked. He was so... Intelligent. Zera climbed to her feet, and helped him after several protests about leaving him for the crows. " what fucking crows you lune?! There are no birds in this mess! Stop dragging your feet!"

He just laughed, and yet found himself obliging his little soulmates requests. " Just for you my dragoness. " He patted her head, and leaned on her for support.

Zera huffed and puffed her cheeks with her hands on her hips. " Honestly .. let's go find your grave .. "

______

It took a while. Both of them were next to each other though. Eugene seemed to think it was due to disappearance. He was most likely right. Hideaki was a normally organized person. He and Riven most likely arranged people in accordance to the time they vanished. How ironic though. To have been "burried" next to each other. Mates. The Nate she never knew she had. She found herself snacking him.

" ow! What was that for?!"

" You knew before the Darkness didn't you?!"

He bit his thin lip. " Yes. "

She slapped him across the face. " Ass! " She pointed her finger in his face. The combo causing him to back up into an angelic looking statue. " You have a lot of catching up to do! A lot of explaining to do! And a lot of making up! Well.. we both have it, but still!" She snapped before grabbing a reminant of his shirt and pulling him down to her eye level. She didn't hesitate. Zera planted a kiss on his lips. Sure it was odd, and she once would have been digusted, but really right now she didn't care. Much.

Okay so she might have been slightly grossed out. He was literally just eating a shade.

He was surprised to say the least. His head was reeling for once. " Wow... " A smirk graced his face.

Zera was about to slap it off his cheeks when the statue caught her eye. " Oh my gods.. E-eugene... Was that you?" She asked in a whisper. What was once an angelic statue was actually a snow spirit with frost billowing around him like wings. She remembered when he showed up in the village. He was a shy guy at first. Though she was to shy to talk to him as well. Zera remembered feeling a pull. Riven and her brother but the dismissed it.

Her eyes narrowed.

Riven.

He had some explaining to do as well. " Down you go snow boy. I have a vampire to skin...." She muttered transferring some of her magic to him. She heard a relieved sigh and he literally started to disappear Inna flurry of snowflakes. " What the heck?! " She panicked thinking she would be left behind, and quickly went to her own grave. As soon as she stepped over it, she began to be consumed in fire, and started sinking into the hard ground.

_______

Falling. He was falling so fast, and he couldn't even open his eyes to meet his demise. At least he'd tried. A snowflake landed on his cheek, and relief spread through his entire body. Was this Zera's doing? It couldn't be. She was a fire dragon. She didn't have the ability to generate snow.

Snow...

He gasped hard and suddenly. Chocking on the freshing air. His lungs weren't accustomed to this anymore. Fresh air hurt, it stung so much that he almost wished for the thick smoky coil like air of the Darkness. Almost. Eugene curled into a ball and started coughing, he held his throat clawing at it for relief.

His nails didn't cut into his skin though. It was a futile effort. He opened his stinging eyes for a moment. To his shock he saw his reflection in the pure snow. His dirty, bloody brown hair was being stripped back to white. Snow White. His scars, and the wounds were vanishing. His skin was as smooth as marble once more. His eyes weren't sunken, and shined vibrant crimson again.

How is this possible?

Then the crushing weight hit him. Slamming him into or rather up through the ground in the makeshift cemetery outside of Darkville.
________

Zera felt Darkness. Nothing more. She wasn't falling. She wasn't swimming. She wasn't flying. She was floating. Her mind was in chaos. She didn't wish to leave Ceril behind. She loved her brother dearly. She wanted to help him dearly.

She had to help him!

She needed to help him!

She wanted to help him...

"I can't help him right now "

The reality of her own words set in, and sent her suddenly spiraling into the black oblivion. She couldn't stop herself.

I have a mate.

My soulmate.

He needs me.

Each though sent her faster and faster into nothingness. Or so she called it.

"I have a vampire and a mate to skin alive! "

She grit her teeth, and turned her body downward propelling herself further until she felt the hard surface coming closer.

______

Eugene was just managing to dust himself off and search for her in the night.

The boy was dumbfounded to be back the way he was when he went into the Darkness. A snow person. Not a disgusting ghoul. Thinking about being a ghoul though seemed to cause a reaction in his power. He gasped and jerked back. Looking in the moonlight he could see a string attached to his hand, covered in his blood.

A large explosion threw him on his butt hard and he scrammbled backwards thinking the Darkness was coming again.

His beautiful dragoness was crouched down in front of him instead. Her eyes narrowed, still literally flaming, " I'm gonna kill you... " She seethed.

Eugene gulped, and gave her a nervous grin," After everything we've been through?"

" I don't see a ghoul. I see a snow boy who stayed silent for a hundred something years about being my mate. And, I'm going to murder him. " She growled before his soft cold hand settled on her cheek and he brought his lips to meet hers.

Zera gasped, and he sighed as well. ," I've been waiting to do that for a long time my Dragoness. " He whispered softly. Eugene braced himself for the loud slap she placed on his cheek. " I deserved that. " He admitted helping her stand, and climbing to his feet.

Zera just took his hand in hers and towed him towards the one person's house she wanted to see. Or rather his den.

________

Hideaki growled ferociously. He was awake again! Why was everything determined to annoy him tonight?! He slammed his door open to come face to face with a startled Lilliana poking her head out of her room. He didn't bother telling her to stay. She probably wouldn't listen tonight anyway.

Instead he stomped upstairs and was about to slam the door open to chew whoever it was out.

The door had other plans.

Zera shoved the door hard, slamming it into Hideaki's nose. He yelped and fell backwards onto a girl. Odd he didn't like to keep girls company. Not since he'd got to Darkville at least. She didn't smell like him. Not much at least. So Zera assumed she was a guest or new arrival.

She stormed in with Eugene in tow.

Zera looked down at them. " I'm sleeping with her tonight after a bath. Eugene is sleeping with you foxy. Gods I'm filthy.... " She muttered walking downstairs to get a bath. She'd grab some clothes from this girl, and return them when she was resettled.

The girl.

She could tell she was special. Her magic was overwhelming. Zera suspected no one knew it yet though, or at least not the mangnatuide of it. Her aura consumed Darkville in a bright white light. She'd seen it coming in to town.

The dragon girl stopped. " You girl. Come with me? It's been a long time. I don't know this world anymore. I...need help. "

Lilli struggled to push the very pleasant feeling, wide eyed Hideaki off of her lap. " Y-yeah. Coming. I'll help!"

Hideaki frowned hitting the ground. "Zera?" His voice was a whisper.

" In the flesh. " Eugene said as he held his hand out for the fox. " And I'm.."

"Eugene. " The kitsune whispered.

He nodded. " Yes. We have much to talk about Hideaki." He said with a grave nod. " First please show me to the bath. I'm afraid she'll kick me out if I don't scrub myself raw. You have no idea what it's like to be a ghoul..."

" No.. no I don't. " He answered bewildered. Hideaki took his hand and stood. " T-this way.."

What the hell is going on?!