"Shhhhh!" Hushed Miles.

Gabrielen clumsily picked his sword off the ground. The weight felt awkward in his hand. He wasn't much of a warrior, never having been trained in the art. He was decent with a dagger, since they were smaller and easier to use, but couldn't compare with the skillful swordplay the students of the blade employed. The rest of the party had gotten into position, Danticus, Tyren and Valyn on the outskirts of the staircase surrounding the octagon shaped room that Tyren claimed to be the formal meeting room. Gallador, Tytus and Cristomir awaited the Scrag's arrival in the center of the room, where they would hopefully slay the horrendous beast. Miles insisted on coming with Gabrielen to ensure his safety, as much as he could at least. Gabrielen wish he hadn't.

"My mistake." He said.

Miles rolled his eyes. "You know, if you're going to impersonate a ranger, you ought to know how to wield a sword!" He said quietly. "Like this," He said, properly holding the sword, his hand gripping the hilt. Gabrielen did his best to imitate, but still didn't feel right with the sword in his hand.

"That monster is around here somewhere. What attracts it?"

"Perhaps blood..." Said Gabrielen.

"Well...what did so when he attacked Edwin?"

"Maybe the noise...or the light...I don't know, its beyond me." Said Gabrielen. They heard a small thud and immediately raised their weapons.

"Is that him?" Said Gabrielen.

"Gods...I hope not." Retorted Miles. They stared into the dark empty space, waiting for the beast to strike. Gabrielen could feel every muscle tighten in his body, straining with anticipation. He gripped his sword tightly, hoping he wouldn't have to use it just yet. Miles started taking steps toward the source of the noise.

"What in the abyss are you doing!?" Said Gabrielen quietly.

Miles didn't answer, but instead kept on inching closer to the gloomy hallway. Gabrielen shook his head and started following him, holding the swords edge close to his face. Which each step they took, Gabrielen felt more and more stress plague his mind. Gallador and the others were waiting for him, counting on him and Miles to lure the beast to them. Another thud was heard, this one louder. Miles froze in place. He squinted, trying to make out the faint figure in the dark. Weird grunts and pants were heard from down the hallway and Miles started to back peddle.

"Gods, gods, gods...he's coming."

The noises had become more clear, grunts of various sounds in the voice of what sounded like a child.

"Come on, you stupid beast!" Miles yelled, trying to get his attention.

"Sharp weapons!!!" They heard from down the hallway. The thudding stopped as the beast took air.

"Watch out!" Screamed Gabrielen. Miles rolled to his left, the beast hurling itself into the crumbly castle wall. It started screaming, pulling itself out of the crumbled, shallow hole it had created.

"Go, go, go!" Screamed Miles, pushing Gabrielen forward as they sprinted back. They ran as the beast freed itself, chasing them down with dangerous intent.

"Take this left!" Screamed Miles.

They continued running, realizing how far they strayed from the ambush. They turned the corner, and saw their party waiting them.

"Come on!!" Yelled Tytus.

The two warriors ran down the steps as they escaped the beasts grasp. They rolled to opposite sides of the room as the monster scuttled down the steps and in between the rangers.

"Move in!" Commanded Gallador. He, as well as Cristomir and Tytus, drew his sword and began hacking at the beast.

It slashed out with open palms, slicing Tytus along his upper arm.

"Agh!" Tytus yelled. His arm started bleeding profusely. Tytus ignored the pain and drove his sword into the Scrag's thigh. I

It howled in pain and flung its arm back, hitting Tytus in the chest and sending him flying into the wall. The rangers head snapped back, rendering him unconscious. The monster then rose to it's feet, grabbing Cristomir by the head. It begun to squeeze and the warrior screamed in pain. A flying arrow lodged itself in its forearm and the monster released the warrior, howling in pain. Another one went into its foot and the monster became unbalanced. It fell to its feet as Gallador threw his body into his, stabbing his sword in the monsters shoulder. It cried in agony and took Gallador's sword from his wound and snapped the blade in half. It took Gallador in his hands and raised him above his head, throwing him across the room, colliding with Danticus. The two warriors fell over, dazed and confused. The Scrag then backhanded Cristomir, sending him to the ground and placed its foot on his chest. He began to press down, putting immense pressure on the warriors armored torso. He grunted and took his dagger from his sheathe. He plunged the blade into the monsters calf and ripped upwards, causing the monster to scream. Darts of ice started piercing his chest, but this did little as the scrag kept his footing. Valyn grumbled and left his position.

"Valyn, where are you going!" Yelled Tyren.

Valyn ignored him and charged the hulking beast in the center of the room. In his hand, he formed a sword of ice, long and spear-like. The Scrags fist came down and swung at him. Valyn rolled to his right nimbly and with ease. He slashed across the Scrag's back, causing the beast to howl with pain. He kept his foot on Cristomir's chest, but applied less pressure. As Valyn dashed around, slicing the Scrag with his blade of ice, the scrag remained still, absorbing he pain while waiting for his opportunity of a counter attack to present itself.

"Valyn, get back!" Yelled Tyren.

Valyn heard his uncle words, distracting him from having his full attention set on the Scrag's hulking frame. His eyes darted to the direction he heard his uncle from, presenting the Scrag with the opportunity it seeked. It swiped his hand across his chest, grasping Valyn's hair in the process. It hung the elf up by the its own head as if Valyn's weight was nothing. He cocked his fist back and ploughed it into Valyn's face, stopping his movements and putting the elf in a daze.

Upon the staircase, Gallador and Danticus recovered from their collision. "You hurt?" Said Gallador to Danticus as he rose to his feet.

"Nay...just a little winded."

"Okay...on your feet. We can kill that bloody thing." A cursed one grabbed him from behind and bit into his shoulder, causing the warrior to grunt in pain.

"Agh!" Exclaimed the older warrior. He threw his head back, releasing him from the monsters grip. He took his dagger and plunged it into the side of the monsters head. It did nothing as the monster kept attacking.

"Their heads aren't vulnerable! Pierce their stomachs!" Said Danticus.

Gallador pulled his dagger from the monsters head and plunged it into the cursed ones stomach. The monster let out a ghastly moan and crumple to the floor. A cry of pain was heard from the ground where the Scrag was being fought. The beast had Farel hanging from its grip by his hair, roaring into his face. Beneath his foot was Cristomir.

"Gallador, aid me!" Said Tyren.

Gallador nodded. He turned to Danticus. "Help Miles and Gabrielen with holding back the cursed ones. Hand me your blade."

Danticus nodded and turned over his sword to Gallador. He vaulted over the railing and into the battlefield. Tyren was in front of him, fire vigorously flowing from his palms.

"Gallador, hurry, you must help Va-" his words were interrupted as the Scrag's mighty leg planted itself in Tyren's chest, sending him backwards and into the staircase. He rolled to his side and coughed up blood. He tried to stand up but fell over again. Gallador would worry about him later. He turned his attention to the Scrag, who had both Cristomir and Valyn in fatal positions.

"Help me!" They both exclaimed. Gallador rolled forward and cut the beasts thigh. It howled and pressed harder down onto Cristomir's chest, cracking his ribs. He felt blood rush to his throat and spurt out his mouth. He finally slipped out of consciousness as the pain became too intense. Valyn in turn started screaming as the beast pulled his hair from his head, blood streaking across his forhead. Gallador dug his sword into the monsters calf. It lifted its leg away in pain, releasing Cristomir. Gallador took him by his shoulders and dragged him away. The young fighter was unconscious and badly injured.

He turned back to help Valyn but was struck back by the monsters clenched fist. He fell on his back, winding him. The monster took an ominous glance at Valyn, and slammed the young elf on the ground by his hair, causing his head to bleed. It proceeded to stomp on him and slam his fists into his body, breaking his bones and bruising his skin. Beaten near to death, Valyn was saved by an arrow that dug its way into the Scrag's eye.

It screamed, trying to pull the the metal tipped stick from his head. It fell into walls and to the floor as blood rained from his eye. A second one went into his head, causing the monster even more pain. It howled, slamming its fists into the walls, and stomping its oak like legs on the stone floor. The muscled monster bowled past the rangers and ran off, fleeing into the shadows of the awaiting halls, quick to gorge itself and lick it's wounds.

Tyren lifted his injured body from the staircase and crawled over on hand and knee to his nephews broken and bloodied body.

"Valyn!!" He screamed. "Wake up! Hear me!"

Gallador slowly rose to his feet. The rest of the group had come to the center of the room.

Tyren held his battered nephew in his arms, weeping, liquid crystal running down his weathered cheeks. "You did this to him!" He pointed his finger at Gallador as if it were a sword.

"He's alive! The Scrag did this, not me!" Gallador exclaimed.

"You should've saved him!" The elf cried.

"He should've obeyed my orders! I told him to stay back! He knew the scrag was a dangerous beast! If you want our help leaving this nightmare, I recommend you watch your temper, elf!" Yelled Gallador.

"We were fine! We were living in this castle, surviving, safe in our refuge! And you...you men come and ruin it! Like the selfish bastards you are! If he doesn't live, I swear I will end you where you stand!"

Gallador's teeth were bared like a rabid dog. "Control yourself, elf! He's the one who put himself in this situation! You can't place blame on me or my men for your nephew's foolish actions! He should've known! Instead, the damn fool did something he was unqualified to do! He not only endangered his own life, he endangered others! If he was one of my rangers, he'd be one no more! And that's if he survived!"

"Gods damn you, you stupid man! Gods damn you a thousand times over!" Muttered Tyren.

Gallador snickered. "Your Gods were put to the sword...the sword my Gods forged. You can pray for my damnation...but it will go unheard. All it will do is give the Gods of men a good, deserved laugh!"

Tyren could take no more. He rose to his feet and hurled his fist into Gallador's face. The ranger staggered backwards, his hand cupping his nose. He regained his balance and wiped the blood leaking from the corner of his mouth. He clenched his fist and answered with his own strike. He struck Tyren in his nose, causing immediate bleeding. He kicked in Tyren's knee, causing the elf to stumble and fall to the ground. The elf rolled to his side and quickly brought up his hand, flames abound. Gallador quickly drew his sword and swung, severing the spellcasters hand.

Tyren screamed as he clutched his newly made stump. His hand fell to the ground, smoking. He fell to his knees in disbelief, his eyes locked on the place his hand used to be. Gallador brought the blades point to the throat of the wary elf, quick to end him should the withered spellcaster attempt something.

"Gallador, stop this!" Screamed Danticus.

Gallador didn't answer, but kept his eyes locked on Tyren.

"Gallador!" Danticus called once more.

"No, Danticus!" The hardened ranger snarled. "Maybe Jorik was right! Maybe the elves can't exist along men! This is proof enough!"

"Gallador...I don't...I don't understand..."

Tyren slowly rose behind Gallador. As the warrior talked, his remaining wrist turned orange, anger and murder festering in his eyes.

"The elves are dangerous! This proves it! There's a reason Jorik had them all killed! Maybe we should finish his mission for him...maybe we ought to just end it here and now. What happens if we take them back? You think there will be peace, harmony? There won't be peace! What makes you think the people of Sylvetria will welcome them back! You know the stories...it will just plummet the land into chaos! Don't be stupid, lad."

Danticus scoffed. "Gallador...I thought..." His thought froze in his mind, his words falling to the floor.

"Danticus, listen to me....ever since we stumbled upon these elves, they've only been vengeful and pitiful! If it's not clear to you why we can't-" Tyren held up his hand, his lower palm a burnt orange.

"Gallador, behind you!" Danticus interrupted.

Gallador heeded the warning too late. The blonde haired warrior turned to face Tyren, who engulfed the ranger in flames. He screamed, his skin burning and crackling.

"Aghhhhh!!! Agh, ahg!!!!" Gallador cried, the flames sucking the life from him. He fell to his knees, writhing in the magical fire. The flames subsided, and his charred corpse collapsed to the ground.

"Nooo!!" Screamed Danticus. He charged Tyren, taking his dagger from the sheath below his lower back. The elf still had his murderous eyes on Gallador's body when Danticus plunged it into Tyren's lower stomach, the place Aryanne said their heart rested. The elf inhaled sharply and his flames died down.

Tyren looked down, eyeing the dagger in his stomach and placed his hand on the hilt. He tore his golden eyes from the blade lodged in his stomach and cast them upon Danticus' own. He said nothing, but glared at him intensely. Finally, he spoke.

"Vashen nai mayastrah," he said in a language not known to Danticus. Finally, he pulled the blade from his stomach and let it fall from his hands. He covered the wound with his hand, blood staining his pale skin. He took one more look at his dying nephew. Tears streamed down his face as his life had finally left his body. He fell backwards, making a thud as his body hit the floor.

Danticus took shaky breaths. He clawed at his hair with frustration and guilt. He dropped his head into his hands and began crying. Streams of tears ran down his cheeks as he silently wept for both of the dead. Miles and Gabrielen stood silent, in equal shock. No one said nothing for there was nothing anyone could say. They nearly drowned in the heavy atmosphere.

"Uncle!" Said a hoarse, strained voice. Valyn had rolled from his back to his side. He dragged his broken body to his Uncle's corpse, weeping.

"What have you done?!?!" He cried. "No!!!" He buried his head into his uncles chest, weeping. He clenched his uncles robes, as if his body was going to leave him. He wept for moments, finally lifting his head from the body,

"You killed him!" He cried, pointing his finger at Danticus. He tried to muster the energy to shoot his element, but failed.

"Valyn...I'm so sorry," said Danticus.

"Don't say anything! You'll just make it worse!"

Danticus did as he asked and knelt next to his own mentor's body. It was charred, cracked, save for the skin under the armor. He kept weeping, unable to stop himself. He took Gallador's hand in his own and squeezed one more time.

"Rangers of the past," he addressed to the spirits of Everrund. "I ask you to guide the soul of my friend and mentor to the heavens. May he find peace there alongside the Gods." He released his hand, kissed his fingers and planted them on Galladors head. Shuffling was heard from within the halls.

"Danticus, we need to go now." Said Miles. "Cursed ones are coming!"

"Hurry, we need to help Tytus and Cristomir." Said Gabrielen, scrambling to aid the injured warriors.

"I won't leave Gallador here to those things!" Danticus yelled.

"We have no choice! We can't carry all five of them!" Said Miles. He picked up Tytus and hoisted him onto his shoulder. "Gabrielen, get Cristomir to his feet! Danticus, help Valyn up!"

"No! Just leave me here!" Said Valyn.

"Not a chance! We still need you, your sister needs you! Get him up, Danticus!" Commanded Miles.

"No, I won't leave my uncle here!"

"We have no choice! They're getting closer!" Said Gabrielen. He was right. The cursed ones were picking up pace. They would soon be surrounded. Danticus jogged over to Valyn, taking him into his arms.

"Get your hands off me!" He cried. He tried to break free, but found doing so excruciating. "Aryanne! Aryanne, she, she can save him!"

"This way!" Said Miles. The three able warriors carried those who were injured, scrambling to escape the oncoming horde of cursed ones.

"Uncle! You can't leave him here to those monstrosities!" Valyn wept and screamed, but no one heeded his words. Survival instinct controlled all of them.

Danticus turned his head back to the where Tyren and Gallador lay dead. He saw a cursed one bite into Tyrens neck, and more tearing into Galladors stomach. He knew they were gone now, forever. All he could hear were Valyns pleas.

"Hurry, keep moving!" Yelled Miles. They ran through the halls, careful to avoid the monsters and their reach. Finally, after maneuvering through the dark corridors, they reached their destination.

"Jazmyn, Aryanne, open up!" Screamed Gabrielen. The bookcase was lifted from the floor.

"Hurry!" Yelled Jazmyn. The cursed ones were nipping at their heels. Gabrielen went through first, shoving in Cristomir's body and then his own. Miles and Tytus went second and Danticus along with Valyn last. The bookcase dropped the monsters were stopped in their tracks.

The dust collected. The warriors took in deep breaths, dreading to tell the story of the recent events that had unfolded. They stood still, panting, heads dropped and tears brimming on their eyelids, the sadness ready to pour over. Finally, Aryanne realized something was very wrong.

"Wait...where's my uncle!" She cried.

Danticus stood straight and faced her. She stared at him, longing for answers. He opened his mouth but he felt as if the words couldn't leave his lips.

"I'm...I'm so sorry Aryanne." He finally said, shoving the words out of his throat.

Her eyes closed as hard as she could shut them. She tried to keep her tears in, but it was of no use. She fell to the floor, hiding her head in her arms, sobbing. Danticus knelt beside her, placing his hand on her shoulder. She stood up and ran to the bookcase.

"I can heal him! I can save him!" She cried.

"Aryanne, no, there are too many of them!" Danticus yelled after her. He grabbed her by the waist and pulled her back.

"Let me go! Let me go..." She said, unable to control her voice.

"I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry!" He said, holding the elva in his arms. She held on to him as well, resting her head in his shoulder as she wept. He stroked her hair, trying to comfort her. He felt an emotion that could be described by no word. It was a mixture of anger, dread, betrayal, sorrow. He wish he could've stopped what had happened, even if that meant sacrificing himself. Finally, Aryanne had calmed down. She remained in Danticus' embrace. He made her feel safe somehow.

"Aryanne..." Said a faint hoarse voice. It was Valyn's. "He...he killed him....he killed our uncle!"

Aryanne slowly lifted her head from Danticus' shoulder. Her eyes widened as she stared into Danticus' own.

"What..." She exclaimed.

Danticus felt speechless. "I...I had no choice Aryanne, you have to believe me! He killed Gallador!"

Aryanne's lips trembled. Again, tears pooled in her eyes. "You...you killed him..."

"Aryanne...I'm so sorry...but your uncle did something terrible."

"He was my father!!" She cried.

"And he killed mine!!" Danticus yelled back. He shocked himself by his tone. He calmed down and started walking towards Aryanne.

"Aryanne, you have to-"

"Stay away from me!" Aryanne cried.

"Aryanne please!" Said Danticus.

"No, stay back!" She cried. Danticus took another step. "No, don't touch me!" She said. Her wrists turned gold.

"Aryanne..." Said Danticus, reaching for her wrist.

She jerked her hand away, letting out a scream and a blinding light from her hands. It blinded everyone in the room, white and searing. She quickly lifted the bookcase and ran, bowling through the horde of the cursed ones, zapping them to dust with her light magic, more powerful than it's ever been before.

"Aryanne, wait!" Said Danticus, trying to regain his vision. Spots of golden dots filled his eyes. Finally, after several moments, his vision returned. He ran over to the bookcase and started to lift it, trying to go after her.

"Danticus, wait!" Shouted Miles. "Let her go and clear her head!"

"But she'll die out there!" Danticus cried.

"We both know that won't happen. She can take care of herself! Just...right now, let her go." Said Miles.

Danticus dropped the bookcase and nodded. He shuffled away from the barricade and over to the wall. He slumped down, resting his arms on his knees. He felt exhausted, physically and emotionally. Gallador was a father to him. He mentored him, he advised him, he cared for him, he was the one who made him a ranger...and for Tyren to just...snap like that. It sickened him. Gallador deserved a better death than that. He deserved to die warm in his bed at an old age, full of stories and experiences. But Tyren made sure that would not be his fate. The image of those beasts tearing into them, burned into his mind, haunted him. Not even Aryanne could heal them now.

"Miles...what happened out there?" Jazmyn asked.

"We...we failed to kill the scrag. It nearly killed Valyn. Tyren, he...he lost it. Him and Gallador...they went at it like animals. Finally, Gallador snapped. He started talking about how, how the elves were evil and maybe Jorik was right." He paused and sighed. "Then...Tyren killed him. He engulfed him in flames...his screams...they...I can't get them out of my head."

Jazmyn raised her hand to her mouth. "Oh Gods..."

"We might as well just lay down and die, now." Said Gabrielen.

"Shut it..." Said Miles.

"Well, what are we to do now?" Jazmyn asked,

"We need to care for our wounded. We may have lost Gallador and Tyren, but we still have Tytus, Cristomir and Valyn to care for. Gallador said another boat would likely sail out here. We need to set up a lookout system. In the meantime, we need to find Aryanne."

"What if she doesn't want to be found?" Gabrielen asked.

"Then...we leave here."

"But we'll need her if we want to restore the elven race." Said Jazmyn.

"She wouldn't matter anyway, there is no way to...create more elves." Said Gabrielen. "The only other elf is her brother."

Jazmyn shifted her weight."Well...yes...but-"

"You aren't suggesting what I think you are...please." Said Miles.

"Of course I'm not! It's just that...well...there's no other way."

"Jazmyn, that's taboo and...disgusting. The God's frown upon that. There's no way anyone would allow that or...organize that."

"Well, then how are we gonna restore their race?"

"We don't. They're all dead...we can hold on to these two for as long as we can, but the race is doomed. Has been for a thousand years." Said Gabrielen.

"Thank you for your valuable input." Jazmyn snarked.

"You know what, we'll sort this out later. Right now, a ship could be on the way and we need to be ready. Jazmyn, you care for the wounded. Danticus..." Miles asked, trying to gain the sorrowful archers attention.

"Yes..." he said hoarsely.

"Whenever you're up for it, you and Gabrielen should head out and find Aryanne." He said with sensitivity. "I will keep an eye out for any ships that pass by, Jordein or not. It doesn't matter as long as it gets us out of here."

"Tytus' injuries aren't as severe as Valyn's or Cristomir's. He can help you with shifts." Said Gabrielen.

"Ok...we have a plan now, at least. Later, we may be-"

Danticus tuned them out. He just wanted to sleep and escape this world. He wanted to take his mind off of todays tragedies. If there was a way for them to escape, he wasn't sure it would even matter. How does one live after what they've witnessed here? How could someone cope with the nightmares they've experienced at this forsaken castle? And what had Gallador said? About the elves truly being evil and that they should finish Jorik's mission. He wanted it all gone, all of this. He wanted his mentor back, he wanted his cousin back, he would give up his dream of being a ranger if it meant never have coming here. He felt his eyelids become as lead. He was tired. Time began to blur and finally, he drifted into a dreamless sleep.

*****

(Thanks for reading, and I'd love to know what you think! Sound off in the comments! Your feedback is always appreciated!)