Ash and Dusk

Chapter 1

Dark. Everything is dark around me. I am running without knowing where I'm going. I just need to run away. I can hear the sounds of battle behind me. Lower and lower.
I need silence.
"Alina!" someone shouted my name.
I stopped but I didn't turned around.
"Alina, please look at me"
"I can't do it, Mal"
"It is the only way we could win"
"I can't do this to you! You have to understand me."
"I understand, but there are many lives who depend on you, on me. I don't want to live in a world where I survive knowing that I could have saved so many people." He put his hand on my shoulder. "Please look at me"
I turned around but I wished I haven't. Mal was covered in blood, his face and arms were scratched and he could barely stand.
"I..."
Then screams sounded through my ears. The volcra were close, too close.
"Alina, you have to hurry."
I pulled the knife from my belt. Then I looked at Mal. All my memories of him were flashing through my mind. He was a part of me. And now I have to kill him.
"I love you" was all I could say.
But suddenly Mal was taken higher and higher from the ground by two giant claws and a pair of black wings.
"Mal!"
Without thinking I used my power. Everything was now sinked in light.
The volcra screamed louder. And then nothing. I reduced the light just to see Mal laying on the ground in a pool of blood. And he was looking at me. But not in the usual way, with joy and love filling his eyes. Now his eyes were full of coldness and an inexpresive look was painted all over his face.
Then I screamed.

***

"Mal!"
I woke up from my nightmare staring at a night sky ceiling. When I looked down at me black sheets were covering my body. I was in his chamber.
Then someone entered the room. But when he came closer I could tell he wasn't just someone. It was him.
"So you finally woke up." The Darkling said.
"What am I doing here?"
"You have slept for three days so I guess I'm supposted to tell you what happened."
I stared blankly at him.
"We" and he pointed at him and me "were having a battle in The Fold"
"I know" I interrupted him.
"Then you decided it's better to run from your soldiers and let them die for you. The tracker followed you."
I flinched at the though of Mal. The Darkling just raised his eyebrows.
"After some moments we were all blinded by your light. Then the battle continued. And I think you could tell who won."
I couldn't look at him any longer. I still feelt his cold quartz eyes looking at me, burning my skin for some response. He sighed when he didn't get one.
"We found you laying unconsciousness on the ground. Near the tracker."
"What happened to my friends? Did you kill them all? Or you are still torturing them?"
He keept staring at me with anger flashing in his eyes.
"They were unharmed"
I was relieved and surprised by the answer and The Darkling saw that on my face.
"Consider that a favour."
"A favour? Oh, yes, I forgot that for you a favour means to let some people live."
"Alina" he said with his jaw clenched.
"What can I say? Thank you." I spoke with a mocking tone.
He started to move toward the door. When he opened it he said "I'll sent Genya to help you get dressed. And you will be moved in your own chambers."
With that he left.

So here's the first chapter. I know it's short but I'll make them longer, I promise. The next chapter comes tomorrow. I will post everyday from now on. That being said, I hope you liked it as much as I enjoyed to write it.

See you tomorrow,
Annie