"Welcome back. Ready to comply yet?"

"You really expect me to listen to you? I already told you, I don't trust anyone."

"Well, I had hoped the hydra would possibly change your mind."

"So you did send it!" She exclaimed into the dark.

"Who else would you expect to?"

"Uh, literally any of the Greek gods and goddesses right now. You know, with the whole "not trusting elves" thing."

The voice laughed, "You were there."

"Idiot. I was the one they made set the terms. Of course I was there."

The voice chuckled again, "Well, maybe those terms will be broken when you die, then."

"Are you implying something?"

"That's for you to decide." the dark figure emerged again from the shadows.

"So, that's it? That's the end of the conversation?"

The figure pulled out his sword, "Would you like it to continue?"

She shrugged, "Not really, but it wouldn't kill me if it did."

The figure laughed, which was unsettling, considering he had no mouth, "I wouldn't be too sure about that. This may be the last chance I give you to help me."

"And this is the last time I'll tell you that I don't help people."

"You helped the Neverseen just fine."

"That was against my will. I didn't want to."

"And you don't want to help me. It's the same circumstances. Unless there was something else?"

She shook her head, "There was, but it doesn't matter anymore."

The figure grinned - somehow - and tossed the sword in his hand, "I'm not so sure about that. I'm the Lord of the Night. If I wished, I could see into your nightmares. I know who you care about, and I know who you trust. I could kill you right now, if I wanted."

"But... but you don't?"

The figure shrugged, "Your unwillingness is making me have second thoughts. For all you know, you could already be dead. Trapped in this void until I kill you. Except you won't wake up."

She crossed her arms, "Alright. And say I do wake up? I'm just gonna come back here, right? There's literally no difference between the two."

He laughed, "Alright. If that's what you want to think. Just, don't say I didn't warn you when you end up in the Underworld."

She smiled, "Actually, that's where I'm headed. Killing me would actually be doing me a favor, if you think about it." She let her arms hang at her sides, "Alright. You can kill me. Take me to the Underworld!"

The figure paused. He just stood there, trying to comprehend what she'd said, "Wait... if you want to die, why haven't you complained about it before, or something?

"Haven't thought about it till now."

He studied her for a moment before frowning - which still seemed impossible - and raising his sword slightly, "You're trying to find the Moonlark, aren't you?"

"What makes you think that?" She tried to keep her expression calm, but could feel her fear rising.

"You are. I can tell." He tensed and stood still, as if waiting for her to attack him, "You expect me to not be able to tell when someone's afraid? I feel like you should've picked up on that by now."

"You sound like my dad."

"And you sound like your brother."

She paused, "...what do you mean, 'I sound like my brother'?"

"Don't worry. I haven't personally met him. Yet. But some of my helpers have. They describe him as arrogant and cocky. You're like him. Runs in the family?"

She shrugged, "Probably." she pulled out her knife, "So, I'm guessing we're going to fight again?" he started walking towards her, and she grinned, "I'll take that as a yes."

The figure laughed, "If you really think you can beat me, you'll end up dead."

"Well, I learned a while ago that dying made me wake up. Why do you think I haven't been trying?"

The figure let out a frustrated growl and charged for her. Waiting until the last second, she stepped out of the way and let him charge past. She held in a laugh as he stopped, turned around, and did the same thing.

It went on like that for what felt like a long time. There were a few times when she reacted too quickly or slowly, and they ended up fighting hand-to-hand, but it always ended up with their little game of cat and mouse.

"Question," she said as the figure ran past her again, "Do I look like a shadow person to you?" she sidestepped again, "Cause you look like one to me."

"You look like a target," the figure spat.

"Oh, so I'm a red and white circle? Or do you mean the store?"

"Shut up!" the figure ran again, and again missed. Why is this fight so easy? She thought as he turned to face her again.

"But I have too many questions!"

"Talking will be the death of you."

"I know."

As she tried to step away, the figure grabbed her arm and smirked, "You know what? I'm sick of you. I'm sure I could find another option. I'd prefer if you'd just LISTEN, but I'm sure I can find someone who will actually listen to me."

He raised his sword above her, and she smiled. Well, this will either make my job much easier, or I won't have one. Either way, I won't have to worry about him anymore.

Suddenly, the darkness started to fade, and his grip on her started loosening. "What...?" he started before looking back at her, "Looks like you got lucky this time."

"Oh come on!" she yelled in frustration, once again earning herself a weird look from the figure before he disappeared entirely.

"This isn't over." His voice whispered before the entire void faded away.

______________________________________________

When Tempest finally managed to open her eyes, she found it much brighter than she remembered the forest being. She also couldn't see any of the smoke obscuring the trees that she should have, since the hydra attack wasn't that long ago. At least, I don't think it was long ago...

"Sleep well?" a girl's voice drew her attention.

"Who are you?" Tempest asked her, not trying to hide the suspicion in her voice.

"Val. And you?"

"...Tempest."

Val brushed her hair away from her eyes, "Strange name, but I won't question. What was up with the burning forest? Are you a pyrokinetic?"

Tempest smirked, "You're assuming I'm an elf?"

"Are you not? Cause, even if you aren't, you know they exist."

"Fair. And yes, I am an elf."

"Good. But can you tell me why you were in the Forbidden Cities?"

Tempest looked around, "Are we not still there?"

"No. We're back in the Lost Cities."

Tempest sighed and shook her head, "Well, I was trying to get to California. What's your excuse?"

Val shrugged, "I needed some fresh air."

Tempest rolled her eyes, "So. Where are we specifically?"

"The Neutral Territories. I'm not saying more than that."

"Fine by me."

The two of them sat quietly for a few minutes. "So..." Val started, "Have you ever met someone named Sophie Foster? Or heard of her?"

Tempest snickered, "Who hasn't heard of her?"

"How is she? And the rest of the group? I haven't seen them in a while."

Tempest felt her face pale and she quickly looked at her hands. "That's obvious," she muttered.

"What does that mean?"

"Um..." Tempest forced herself to look Val in the eyes, "It means... you've missed out on a lot."

Hey y'all! I'm back! Sorry this is late (geez, I say that a lot) but I'll try to update again later today. If I don't, the earliest I'll be able to will probably be Saturday again. Sorry... Well, I hope you enjoyed the chapter, and I will see y'all later!