Fading {Book Two of The Descendants series}

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Ronin inhaled sharply. Haley looked at him cautiously but still keeping distance between the two of them.

"Ronin?" Haley asked softly after a few minutes of silence.

"Haley, why didn't you tell me?" Ronin asked blankly. Haley couldn't tell if he was angry, hurt, or both.

"I don't want to lose you," she sobbed.

"Haley, Emily is dead," Ronin reached for her and this time Haley didn't resist. She buried herself into his arms. "You aren't going to lose me."

"She tells me that I'm merely her replacement," Haley sniffed. "She tells me I could never be a good mother to Tyson."

"Shhhh," Ronin shushed her. "Haley, I went for years and years without finding someone. If I waited that long, do you think it was for a replacement or love? I never expected to find someone again after Emily, Haley; but I did and I couldn't be more grateful for you. You came into my life even though I was beat up and hurting from all that had been thrown at me."

Haley looked up at him. He wiped a tear from her cheek gently. She smiled slightly.

"You still haven't told me how you know what happened?" Ronin pointed out.

"Because it happened to me," Haley furrowed her brow. "I don't understand it. Ronin, she is supposed to be dead."

"Is there anything else you're keeping from me?" Ronin asked lifting her chin up to look him in the eye.

"I-I-" Haley started to speak but then stopped and clutched her head.

"Haley? Haley!" Ronin clutched her as she slumped to the ground.

"It hurts. Make it stop," she hissed.

"Make what stop, Haley? Haley!" Ronin shouted in alarm.

The noise had woken Haden and Tyson by this time.

"Dad! What's going on?" Tyson sprang to his side. He looked alarmed at the state Haley was in.

"I don't know," Ronin spoke haltingly.

Tyson touched her shoulder and closed his eyes, willing his mind to reach out to hers. He jolted and fell to the ground.

"What was that?" Tyson stood back up shaking his head vigorously. He reached out to try again but Haley grabbed his wrist.

"You're making it worse," Haley said through gritted teeth. "Ronin, please make it stop."

"I don't know how, Haley," Ronin's voice was fraught with helplessness. "Please, I wish I could help!"

Haley began to choke and gasp. Tyson's eyes began to well up with tears. He couldn't lose her too.

"Haley!" Ronin's voice held tangible fear as Haley closed her eyes and passed out.

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"You're unnecessarily drawing attention to what you're trying to accomplish," Sephtis warned.

"That's my business," Emily retorted.

"You're just mad because he replaced you and you're taking it out on her," Sephtis pointed out.

"What's it to you," Emily whirled around to face him. "Why do you care whether I succeed or don't succeed or even why I'm doing it."

"You're my daughter."

"I'm not your daughter," she spat. "Don't pretend you care. I know you don't."

"You're right. I don't," Sephtis eyes seemed to pierce through her soul.

"I don't need you anymore," Emily's hand shot forward.

Sephtis didn't break his gaze as his arms began to decay again and his body returned to the once lifeless corpse that Emily had brought back. Finally his eyes rolled back into his head and he disappear back into the earth.

Emily was breathing hard from her effort. She trembled and sat down. She looked down at her hands. They were beginning to turn cold and grey.

**********************************

"So....a bunch of our dead enemies are coming back?" Jay asked incredulously.

"Not all of them are enemies," Zane pointed out.

"There must be a reason for all of this," Nya said slowly.

"This is so frustrating," Cole clutched at his head. "Once you defeat someone, they are supposed to stay defeated."

"You haven't said much, Lloyd," Kai pointed out. "What's going through your head."

Lloyd looked at Kai thoughtfully. He had his hand on his chin. He rubbed his face and then spoke slowly, "I'm not convinced that they are back back. I'm not sure how to describe it. I think they are on borrowed time."

"Sephtis said something about that before I shut down," Zane mused.

"I have a theory," Stephanie spoke from the corner. All eyes turned to her.

"What is your theory?" Kai asked.

"I think whoever is doing this is using dark magic, but it's not the kind I've ever seen before," she spoke carefully. "The energy from our life force has to go somewhere, right? Well, what if whoever is doing this is harnessing this? I'm not entirely sure how that could work, but it would explain why these people keep coming back but aren't working of their own accord."

"So...like crutches?" Katrina asked.

"If a magic wielder isn't strong enough to do something on his own then he can drain someone else's power/life force in order to cast his spells," Stephanie explained. "The only issue with that is, it keeps those brought back or used from being able to continue in an afterlife. Eventually they disappear from the world completely as if they were never born."

Zane's eyes widened. Lloyd placed a hand on Zane's good shoulder. Zane frowned, "My father does not deserve this. He was a very good man."

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Haley's eyes fluttered open. She was being carried. Everything was blurry. As her eyes started to focus, Ronin's face became clearer. Her head was pounding. She groaned. Ronin stopped and set her down gently.

"We are almost home," he pushed a strand of hair away from her face. "How do you feel?"

"Like crap," she tried to give a slight smile. "What about Zane. We already had to go back once, time is of the essence."

"They found Uncle Zane, Haley," Tyson some from behind. "No need to worry."

"You really scared us there," Ronin sighed.

"I'm just keeping you on your toes," Haley teased weakly.

"Do you know what happened?" Ronin asked with concern.

"No," Haley closed her eyes. She was so exhausted. "Maybe Riley and Danielle would know?"

"I don't think they know, besides, I doubt he would tell me," Ronin spoke matter-of-factly.

"She is fading," Haley shook her head.

"Who is fading?" Haden asked worriedly.

"Emily."

Welp, that's a wrap on this one guys. Next book will be out sometime soon. I won't abandon you guys again, don't worry. Thoughts? Comment, vote, but mostly enjoy :) -LL_22