Talisman destroyer

As the castle became closer into view, so did her fear of what may happen with it. Looking around the forest around them, Trinity saw nothing that would help. She was hoping for a good sign as to the out come of this little situation, but no sign showed up in the forest.

"What's the matter?" He asked, seeing the look of panic in her eyes.

'I don't think that this is going to go over real well, I've met her more than once, regretting each encounter."

"Don't worry young witch, I'll protect you if need be." Shane replied in a halfway joking manner.

Trinity tried not to smile but his charming aura pried it out of her. She nodded, putting her faith in this new friend.

"Thank you for your kindness."

"Thank you for your help, the demon fairy is harder to catch than most dark creatures."

As they reached the huge door of the castle, Veronica stormed in from around the back of the castle, she had been in the courtyard when her rage was fueled by the sight of her. The dark sorceress ran straight toward Trinity, ignoring whoever that moron was that she brought along with her. She didn't give a thought as to who he was, she didn't want to know anything about the intruder, just that she wanted them gone.

"What is it this time? Why are you here to master in the art of annoyance?" She spat at the two standing there with a rare black unicorn.

Shane turned inward trying not to laugh, he thought that was a really good insult, he hoped not to forget it later.

Letting out a deep breath, Abyss released a neon blue fire ball smouldering a few tree tops several yards away.

Though she tried not to show it, the dark sorceress was rather impressed with any creature that had that ability.

"That is Abyss, and this fellow is Shane, I'm here on his behalf only."

"What does he want from me?" Glared the dark witch.

"Excuse me miss," Shane interrupted them.

"What in the nocturnal army do you want from me?" She growled at him, yet it seemed to go through his body in a painful burst of energy. He was more curious than angry, he pondered as to how she was able to do that with no more than a glare.

"I just wanted to know if you have seen a dark creature a demon fairy. His name is Rowen, a very dangerous underworld being."

That moment Gwen ran towards the three of them and stopped almost instantly. She looked at her best friend in bewilderment and surprise.

"What are you doing here? Who's the guy?"

"This is Shane and Abyss is the unicorn, they are looking for a dark creature, I thought maybe Veronica might have heard of him."

"That would make sense. It's nice to meet the both of you." She greeted the kind looking strangers.

"No I haven't heard of the demon fairy, sorry to say. He sounds like an interesting breed."

"That is one way to put it, I suppose. It was good to meet all of you but I must continue on with my to quest, good day ladies."

Trinity was saddened to see him go, but was curious to see why Gwen was there. Just as she was going to open her mouth to ask, when Veronica spoke first.

"Why are you here again?" She demanded of the main thorn in her soul.

"We need to talk."

"What makes you think I want to talk to you?"

"Fine with me." Gwen spat back at her, trying to control her anger.

In one instant swoop she snatched the amulet from her opponent's neck, leaving a few scratches across the girl's throat.

Gwen held the amulet high in the old oak tree several yards behind her with a high magic levitation spell and began to recite the chant to banish the dark magic. She spoke as fast as she could, hoping that she would be able to complete the incantation before Veronica had time to stop her, maybe even kill her.

Trinity watched both witches armed and ready with protective magic. She really didn't hate Veronica but she wouldn't let either of them get hurt. Not if she had a chance to stop any real damage. Watching Veronica's every move, she was ready to pounce to save her friend. She didn't want to see them annihilate each other, she needed to keep the balance between the two, it was her calling.

Gwen repeated the incantation three times as fast as she could, knowing the dark sorceress was not going to be happy with her after wards. As the witch of light spoke the last word , the amulet exploded with a loud burst as it then became nothing more than black fairy dust. It evaporated into the winds and Veronica the tough advanced dark sorceress screamed in a horror like never before, putting a banshee to shame. The rage brewing within the core of her stone wall black heart made even the ground quake in fear.

Gwen and Trinity both took a step backward, unsure as to what vengeance the dark sorceress would perform. Trinity instantly put her power of protection to work straight away. Earlier in the day neither of them thought this was what they'd be doing for their evening. Gwen just hoped they would make it home in one piece. Trinity wasn't sure what they were going to do, but she was prepared to lay her life on the line to protect Gwen, it was what she was always meant to do, protect the witch of light.

Gwen stood there almost in a trance of fear. She had no idea what Veronica was capable of, and that scared her more than anything. She hoped if nothing else the goddess would be with her this time. She needed a boost of courage, knowing she couldn't show the fear in her eyes. She waited watching the dark witch, seeing the rage upon her porcelain white face. From out of nowhere the darkest clouds came rolling in above the grand castle. Armed with high magic weather control, she looked at Gwen with black soulless eyes.

"For the great love of Hades, why would you destroy my amulet of power?" She commanded, ready to kill.

"Will you listen to me if I tell you the truth?"

"Okay fine but get on with it."

"My mentor showed me what the real purpose of that talisman is, and I can't watch even my worst enemy suffer like that."

"What is it?' Spoke the dark witch in a less than furious tone.

"It was slowly killing you, a sort of soul transference. I didn't want to see you die, even if you hate me." Gwen replied, lowering her eyes to the ground for a long moment.

"Are you serious?"

"Yes, where did you get it anyway?"

"It doesn't matter, I'll take care of it another time. I do notice I no longer get a headache near you."

"I saw the amulet in a book of dark artifacts, talismans and omens. Maggie showed it to me, that eventually the wearer of the amulet would slowly die, almost like a horrible disease effecting the soul."

"So that means the vision was real, but I just misread it."

"What vision?"

"I had a vision you and your little friend there were after my amulet, I thought you wanted my powers."

"No, we wouldn't do anything like that, I had to do this to save you."

"I understand, I'm not thrilled about it but that makes sense." Veronica admitted to them as the clouds rolled back away from the castle.

"Now what should we do?" Trinity added from behind Gwen.

"Let's start over, I'm sorry that you and I aren't on better terms." It took all of her might to admit that to them, but she felt better for doing so.

Gwen and Trinity hugged the dark sorceress. The three of them followed her inside for a tour of the castle and wine in the kitchen. It was fun, Veronica had to admit that even if only to herself. It may have been the wine talking for her, but maybe they could be friends. A witch of light befriending one of the dark, that's a new one. She smirked and giggled at the thought as she filled another glass for all of them. Gwen was astounded by the turn of events that had taken place. Never in her wildest dreams would she have thought that the three of them would be having wine and sitting around the castle giggling about everything under the sun and moon. It was comforting but strange to her in a sense. They had a good time with the dark sorceress, learning that she had been so isolated even as a child could explain her aversion to most people.

By the time the witching hour came and went, Veronica had shown them to a couple of her guest rooms. It was not safe to travel through the dark forest past midnight, especially if you are a witch of light. Gwen and Trinity agreed to stay there and head back in the morning.

=alCr5z