The cloud of ash and smoke blew past both Kaden and Stargazer. The rock was great protection, curved at the top so the ash flew right over them. It was like the cloud was there, and then disappeared. Ash littered the once green grass, about a centimeter. Kaden had never seen anything like this. Thinking quickly, he ripped some of his clean shirt, and tied it around his head so.it covered his mouth, and nose. He didn't want to inhale ash in after all.

When they came out, the suns that were rising were a hazy red. All around them ash was either in the air, or thick on the ground. Stargazer was staring oddly at the burnt forest, a confused look on her face.

"Kaden," she started. "That wasn't a meteor, was it?"

"I don't think so Star."

"Get on my back. Now!"

Again! I'm going to hear this so much aren't I? Kaden halfheartrdly joked. It made him feel better about what could possibly happen in the near future. He swung himself up. A knot forming in his stomach. He didn't know what it was, but it felt like it was straining his body. He felt panicked for some reason.

The wind ruffled through Kaden's hair, but this time it felt like it was whispering words that he couldn't quite make out. Fear twisted his stomach and wrung it. Ash flew up around and behind them as she ran. As they got nearer to the trees, Stargazer slowed down to a trot. They entered the once green and lush forest. Stargazer was walking, but in a rushed way.

They came to a clearing. A circle lined the dirt, and hay was everywhere. A blackened figure was lying by a well. Possibly the same well that Kaden had found. The dark brown haired boudoir off of the blue horse, and ran to the fallen figure. He was worried about whoever this was.

He turned the blackened human onto their back. He let out a sharp gasp. No! No, no, no, no! Not Seirra! Tears were pouring down his face as he felt for a pulse, a heartbeat, a breath, ANYTHING! His vision was blurry as he worked. A shallow breath was heard, but Kaden wasn't convinced.

"I'm not really sure how to feel about this. This makes me feel like I can't live without you. I want, no, need you to stay." Kaden whispered, begging her to live. "You're my only friend Seirra. Stay, please don't leave me."

Her eyes flickered open. Barely. At the sound of his desperate words. Seirra coughed, a weak cough. And her eyes flickered shut again. Determined not to let his friend die, he hoisted her into the back of Stargazer, with a new strength. Getting up behind her body, he kicked Stargazer to go unnecessarily, he had forgotten that she wasn't a normal horse.

Stargazer started galloping, faster and more steady, she pushed on. Night rose, and the suns fell, but she kept running. She ran past forests, and slowed to a stop at the foot of a path that ran through mountains.

"We must stop. I can't go any further now. We're at the peaks." Stargazer sat, gently letting Kaden and Seirra slide off. Seirra was still unconscious, but she was breathing much better than when they had started.

Kaden went to a nearby stream. Getting his torn shirt clean again, he made sure to soak up as much water as possible. When he got back to the "makeshift" camp, Stargazer had gathered a pile of sticks. And was striking her hoof against a slate stone.

Kaden went over to his unconscious friend, and lifted her head up. He took the wet cloth, and squeezed the water into her mouth. With a now damp cloth, he wiped off her face, getting some of the ash off. Otherwise just smearing it.

Seirra twitched at the cold water on her face. Kaden sighed, he hoped, no, prayed she would be okay.

"What do you suppose happened at that place?

"Asadior. Who else? Evil has returned to Kascia. Because good doesn't last forever, neither does the bad. But right now. Evil is beating the light." Stargazer let out a long sigh.

"How did Asadior come back?" Kaden was shocked at the fact that he was back only after five years.

"Let me tell you..."

❇❇❇

Asadior grumbled as he rode Darknight on the Twisted Path. A giant castle loomed up in front of him. He had to face Lord Liveos. Which meant he had to tell him about this weird fireburst. As the clip-clopping sounded on the bridge, Asadior closed his eyes and breathed. I can't let him know I blew it.

As he entered the main hall, he saw something that had always shaken him to the core. On the walls, there were skeletons of once alive prisoners, hung there for show. As Asadior continued to walk, a new prisoner was being hung. A curly redhead with fiery blue eyes. As her wrists were being cuffed, she continued to curse and kick them.

Asadior turned from her. His eyes slitting as he looked up to the overlord. "So, where's the girl?" His eerie voice questioned.

"I left her to die, she was burnt badly Sire." He dipped his head.

"YOU FOOL. STARGAZER WILL FIND HER." The shadow yelled as no stood up in a flash. Anger clear in his actions.

"I can't believe you disobeyed my orders! I told you to bring her back to me at once! I told you not to get angry! You completely blasted yourself out of control!" Liveos lectured.

"I'm sorry Sire." Asadior said as he clenched his teeth. So Liveos knows I'm not completely emotionless.

"Of course I know that. You only have one feeling, hate. And saying sorry isn't going to get you another chance. I wish you could see that. Servant." He spat in disgust. He didn't even try to mask it. He was fed up.

❇❇❇

Kathreen saw the blonde headed mad walk past. He didn't even pause as if to help her, which fired her up even more.

"Get your hands off of me you disgusting creatures!!!" She spat.

Her hands were useless, they were cuffed in very thick metal. The shadow looking creatures were now trying to get her feet into similar cuffs. But Kathreen wouldn't have it. She continued to kick, until they gave up, and left her in only hand cuffs.

Grining, with at least a little bit of victory, Kathreen held her head high. They wouldn't get to her. Whatever they were. But her confidence only lasted for a few moments. The castle turned deathly quiet, the dark seemed to be closing in on the helpless redhead. Kathreen, for the first time in a long time, really felt lonely. She felt empty, nothing to fill the hole dug deep in her brain.

The shadows moved about. Ignoring the girl. Well, if they did pay attention, they spat at her feet and laughed as she tried to hit them. It was a cruel way to punish someone, and they knew it.

The castle was almost a deep ebony when Kathreen gave up, gave in. But it was to early. A shadow approached her, their hood drawn up. Kathreen frowned.

"If you want to laugh, it's fine. I gave up on fighting a while ago.''

The shadow cocked their head in question.

"Well. What if I want to rescue you?"

"You would be lying." Kathreen muttered.

"Or, I'd actually do it." The shadow replied.

Forming a key, the shadow unlocked the right hand, and then the left. Grabbing the blue eyed girl by the wrist, the shadow led her off of the platform, and down into a lit pathway. Tunnels, upon tunnels, upon tunnels. It seemed almost endless. The shadow, ghost, whatever you want to call it, was cool to the touch. Like satin, only it was moving satin.

"This way." It whispered.

The girl hurriedly followed the ghostlike shadow, hall after hall they ran through, twists and turns. Lefts and rights. Until they came upon a staircase. The staircase spiraled upwards, and at the end of it, there was a trapdoor.

The shadow formed another key, and sticking it through the keyhole, let the warm night air rush in. The shadow climbed out first, then Kathreen. Kathreen noticed that it was quite a distance from the spooky castle. She thought the shadow would leave her on her way, but no. The shadow lead her farther and farther away. Kathreen looked behind her. The castle was out of sight.

"Why'd you do that? Aren't you in their side?"

"Look. Us shadow people are created from the souls of those who are evil. I'm not evil. So I saved you." The shadow said as if it were obvious.

"But why are you a shadow of you're not evil?" A confused Kathreen asked.

"Well, I did something I wish I hadn't done. I knew I was wrong. But, whoever sends souls to eternity here, decided I might as be evil as well." It paused."By the way, you can call me Twilight."

"Twilight the shadow it is then!"

❇❇❇

Asadior groaned as he walked away from the throne room. Of course. I forgot he can read minds. Is there anything he can't do? He seems really overpowered. Shut up. He's our master. We must speak good of him. You know what he can do, Monster.

Asadior just wanted to scream. Those voices, the ones that built him up, always tear him down. It was giving him a headache. He could barely stand, knowing how thoughts out his life at risk. It was completely terrifying.

But that was part of Liveos' plan. Strike fear into the hearts of those alive, so no-one would oppose him. And it seemed to be working, because Asadior, had never been afraid of anyone, until now. Not even Seirra.

Shut up you fool. I'm not a monster. Yes I am. I know it too.