The Darkling helped me dismount off the horse and Bash, who followed behind us on his horse, escorted me into a tent that I would have to share with him or the Darkling. I knew that one of them would have to keep an eye on me. I'd rather it be Bash. At least he would keep his distance.

"You should probably rest Princess and perhaps change before we enter the fold. It would be cold there." Bash said, as we made through the entrance of the tent, passing the guards who stood either side.

"hmm, maybe your right Bash, but are you going to rest?"

"No. I have to make sure everyone is at their posts. Once the general is ready to go, we journey into the fold." Bash explained, clutching the handle of his sword slightly.

I sat down on one of the chairs and continued talking to Bash. He soon left to do as he was told by the Darkling.

Bored from waiting for sleep to befall me again, I stood up and made way to the entrance. I peeked outside to see no guards were around. Stepping outside I took some relief in the fresh air.

I saw a black tent nearby and knew it was the Darkling's war tent. I wonder if that's where he was going to rest for a while. He must have been tired from riding all the way from the palace, with me there. He didn't go as fast as he could have gone because I was riding with him. The false consideration of my wellbeing, almost made me laugh.

***
A couple hours had past and I had spent much of my time reading some reports or chatting with some of the Corporalki near by. I saw Bash talking with some of the guards. He caught me looking at him. He then excused himself and I saw him walk towards me.

"It is time to go into the fold."

"Is it?" I said, almost sarcastically.

"The general wishes for you to be with him, so he could channel your powers–"

"To enter the fold." I nodded pursing my lips slightly. "hmm, lead the way to the almighty King of Darkness." i remarked, widening my eyes–moving my arms.

"Follow me, Princess." Bash led me to where the skiffs were. I saw multiple skiffs lined up perfectly amongst the harbours present. A dark cloak came into my sightline, I turned to see the Darkling stood where Bash was.

"Hope you've rested well Alina."

I observed his slick back hair, combed back perfectly, his Kefta perfectly clean and his dark cloak, hung over his muscular figure perfectly.

He is the physical image of perfect. I rolled my eyes at the thought.

"More like you've rested well." I mumbled under my breath, looking down to my feet.

I looked up to see the Darkling smile a little. We walked amongst the boarders and up on a plank to the skiff. Where he extended his hand and saw me step into the skiff.

I turned around to look up to him. "How are you planning to enter the fold without an amplifier?"

"I can't summon the light for you."

He seemed unbothered by what he said, until I saw him pull out a small, what It appeared to be a gem, from the inside of his kefta. He extended the gem in front of my face and I observed the intricate details that went into it. Except I saw that it wasn't a gem, it was the limb of a small animal.

Saints. An amplifier.

"How? What?" My confusion got the best of me and I felt light headed again. "It's the negative amplifier you've been feeling for the past couple of weeks. I made sure of it."

I couldn't tell if what he was saying was the truth or not. "Why?"

"I had to see how you would react to a  negative amplifier. I didn't expect you to faint from it, but when you did I felt you amplify me instead. That's how I knew the negative amplifier would contrast with your abilities. Strong enough for you to create a light barrier for us, but not strong enough for you to aim against me, without fainting of course." He finished explaining to me. He shrugged of his words, like they were nothing. He even smiled, wickedly.

I had a blank expression to the horror he explained to me. Feeling a sense of pain and exploitation. I stepped back, almost tripping over my own two feet.

"So I felt all that pain because of you. Do you know how much it hurt? I felt like I was dying, I-I trusted you to save me. But no. You only wanted me perfect for you to use in the fold!" I yelled at him, I saw his expression, it was blank and slightly remorseful.

"Answer me this then, when we were in the forest. You said we were hunting a deer, to help get rid of the negative amplifying abilities on me. If that wasn't true, why were we there?"

"To make sure you weren't suspicious. Now stop being emotional and get ready to summon the light!" The Darkling quickly answered. He stepped past me. I stood in my place, thinking.

I turned my head back. "No!" I caught his attention. "I would rather be Volcra food then summon the light for you." I threatened him. The Darkling blinked for a second, confused. Was he surprised by my refusal? Or did he see something else in me. "That can be arranged princess. But I still need you and remember what I said. There are ways to persuade you."

I saw Heartrenders nearby and I didn't even comprehend the fact that one even back handed me. "Hey, w-what the–" I was cut off when I felt chains around me wrists. My arms cramped from being behind me. The heartrender grabbed me by my forearm and threw me towards the Darkling. I landed on the floor, whilst the Darkling observed everything, with a brow raised. Taking amusement in my condition.

I vaguely saw a Squaller, but felt the skiff being pushed into the fold. The Darkling's cloak being in my front line and then I saw nothing.

The impending darkness of the abomination, called the fold, blinding my sight. Hearing the banshee cries of the Volcra nearby.

My body was lifted. I was forced to stand on my feet, whilst I felt the Darkling's large hands, skim the amplifier over my neck. Where the antler collar used to be.

I soon felt the negative amplifier taking effect on me and around everyone. The light barrier was up, as I was memorised by the gold energy around us. I heard the surprised gasps of the Heartrenders aboard with us. My head turned back to meet the Darkling in his eyes, where he observed my reaction then let go off me. Dropping me to the ground.

I turned on my side and saw the Darkling raise his hands, extending the fold into a certain area. We were near the Fjerdan border.

Remembering the screams of the people of Kribirsk. Their horrified faces, their fragile bodies running away to nowhere. Then being swallowed up by the fold. I tried expanding the barrier of light and failed, succumbing to shadows.

Not this time. The Darkling will not succeed. He can hurt me all he wants, torture me, burn me alive. I don't care. My life isn't worth innocents. Even if its Fjerdans.

Using all the adrenaline inside of me, I sat up and looked at the light barrier around us. I closed my eyes. And focused on pulling the light over the Darkling's shadows. Using my shadow summoning, I pulled back on the shadows and felt the tingling in my body, increase rapidly.

Light in. Shadow out. Light in. Shadow out. Light in. Shadow out. I kept repeating in my head. Suddenly, I felt two arms grip my shoulders. "No you don't!"

"You can't use both your summoning at once," The Darkling's voice cut like diamonds, opening my eyes. I saw his hardened face–full of annoyance, anger, irritation.

I looked being him, and vaguely saw shadows swirl around the terrified Fjerdans near the boarder. My light protected them. I laughed a little at the Darkling's face, to signify my triumph. Suddenly my breathing became heavier, my head numb and my vision blurry. I felt the ground racing up towards me.

***
Published: 17:30pm 13/03/2022