A Raven's Darkness (Book 1)

Chapter 47: The Core

Nora's Point Of View:

I awoke after some time and found out that no one had returned to camp yet. I was beginning to worry, that is, until Rayenlie appeared. A smile appeared on my face as I stood. However, as my eyesight narrowed, I saw that someone was carrying Rayenlie on their back. I shifted into Darth and watched as this person set Rayenlie down and stood to look at me. Her red eyes said it all. I didn't need to look at her mark to tell. "Princess Silvia, a bit far from home are we?" I did not like her, nor did I trust her. Her eyes sparkled. "Ah, Nora, the shape shifter. It's good to see another princess." She rolled her shoulders around. "To answer your question about Rayenlie, I saved her life and that's all you need to know." I grunted and held my ground as she continued, "You don't have to trust me, nor do you have to like me. But, I will get answers, like it or not." I shook my finger at her. "No. Now, take your leave before I regret it." Silvia smiled and laughed, causing my body to stiffen. "Like I said, you don't have a choice." Her red eyes caught mine and I felt a shiver run down my spine. "Fine." I responded, in order to keep her from controlling me. Her smile deepened. "I'm glad you see it my way." She paused. "Arish is with you, yes?" My eye twitched. "Always." She laughed. "He isn't now is he? Oh, where could he be?" Our heads turned to the slightest noise to see Arish walking up toward us, with several dead fish in his arms. His long brown hair swayed as he headed toward Silvia. His brown eyes softened. "It is rare to see you outside of your castle." He continued toward us and dropped the fish upon the ground in front of us. Silvia smiled at him. "It was time to move on." She placed her hand on her hips and narrowed her red eyes at me. "Nora, you may be a runaway, but you are still a princess. You have a responsibility to uphold and you cannot keep running." I hated Silvia. She wanted me to return and take the throne. I could never return to a place that doesn't welcome me. Silvia is the Princess of the Darnargs, and I the Princess of the Jaderns. We were two clans that are in alliance with one another, but my parents wanted to split from them. Silvia just wanted to use me to keep the peace between our clans. But, I knew better. She wasn't here to take me back. "Why are you here, Silvia?" A glisten appeared in her eyes.

"Haven't you heard? I'm taking over the Outlanders." Arish's eyes flickered at Silvia so fast that I could have missed it if I blinked. He narrowed his eyes at her. "Why are you trying to take over my people?" Silvia's red eyes penetrated his brown ones. "Not trying, but am Arish." She paused. "I need their help in toppling the Darnarg founder. But, since they refuse to help, I must take them by force." Arish shook his head. "If you would just explain the situation, they would agree to help you." Silvia smiled. "I already sent my best warrior. She should be tearing that place apart by now." She was lying, and I knew it. She may have sent a lady warrior, but she was not tearing the Outlanders up. Arish's mind seemed to click. "You're after the core." He whispered in the wind. Silvia laughed. "Correct, my friend. Now, tell me where it is." Silvia's mouth opened and I saw purple flames building up. My eyes widened. "ARISH!!!" I used Darth's quickness to tackle Arish, sending us flying away as the purple flames passed us. Arish blinked and pushed me off to stand. Arish rolled his neck and managed to pop it. "Silvia, you act as if the core is a thing." Silvia's face frowned. "What are you talking about?" Arish smiled and I could have sworn that he was baiting her. "The core is not a mere object. But, it is in fact, a boy."

Rafael's Point Of View:

The light burned our eyes. Luciano's hand slipped and I squeezed it to keep her from pulling away. As a little of my power goes into Luciano, she screamed. The light finally dimmed and disappeared. We all looked at Luciano. I let her hand slip from mine as her eyes opened. There was a tint of purple in her blue eyes now. I am the core, and Luciano now has a very tiny bit of it in her body. She shifted toward the woman and the two polar bears. The woman's eyes widened. "The core! How dare you give some of its power to another!" She shifted into a large flaming bear. She was elemental? Dang it. I turned to Frazior. "Guard Luciano with your elemental shield. She has the power of all elements." Frazior looked at me with curiosity, but nodded. I looked to Exavior and saw him glaring at me. I commanded him to shut up. I imagined that he wouldn't forgive me for that. "Keep the polar bears off our backs." I commanded, and he had no choice but to follow my words. He ran swiftly to the two polar bears and pulled trees from the ground, with his mind, and hit them. The bears whined and the woman charged us. I shifted left as she charged between Luciano and I. Frazior pulled Luciano back and blocked the fire with his fire shield. I didn't need a shield. I'm immune to fire. I'm a weapon, born from the founder's hands. I am human, but only half. My demon half is what makes me immune to fire. John is a demon, and that is where I got my demon side from. I am immortal like him, never aging, and holding lots of power inside. The core is inside me, like a soul. The founders, not including John, put all their power inside me before they passed away. Because of this, I was forbidden from talking. Talking is my power, and I am able to bend people to my will. How this woman knew I had a forbidden mouth, well, that is yet to be known. The woman turned her attention to me and blew fire. I sighed and let it hit my body. Luciano yelled my name, but I was not hurt whatsoever. The fire surrounded me and I smiled. It completely passed by me, with no effect whatsoever. I chuckled. "Come with everything that you have. No one can defeat me." I may sound cocky, but...well that's just it, I am. Exavior's mind brushed mine. "What did you put into Luciano?" It was rare for him to talk with his mind. I looked over at him and saw him smash the polar bears into unconsciousness. He stared at me. I ignored him and focused on the woman. An elemental bear huh? Was she summoned by Silvia herself? If that is true, I cannot let my guard down. However, the woman's attention changed to Luciano. No! I rushed over, but the woman already swiped at them. Her paw pushed Frazior out of the way, as if he was nothing.