VI

Pushing herself further than she ever had, Sarah continued, running for her very life. Each step felt as if it was her last, but something inside her pushed her on. She couldn't let that evil man catch her, she wouldn't let him catch her. Sarah knew this palace like no other, after 17 years of service under the monks each hallway was like a vein on the back of her hand. She had to make it to her living quarters. Turn after turn, Sarah visually mapping out her path in head, panting between cries, screaming historically between strides. Each cry blocked her internal map with the face of Jennifer, causing her to have to back track steps and take the proper path. Pushing herself further from the fear that the evil was right behind her, catching up slowly with every step she took. In the blur of her running, walls and corridors began looking the same, further complicating her journey. The walls to each side of her were but a single image, grey stone, every the cracks distinguishing the separate bricks blended into an almost liquid finish over the walls, wiping her eyes did nothing to help her.

Deep within her a familiar voice spoke to her.

Strength comes from need

That what she needed more than anything; the strength to continue on, to not give up and collapse to her knees. She smiled as the deep voice of Father Phlude encased her mind, as if to protect her from her worst thoughts, to help guide her in any way he could. Moments later she noticed something ahead, to the left; it seemed to be a glowing rain drop, just like the pendant he gave her. As she advanced she saw it to be above a corridor she never knew existed, but she took it nonetheless. She trusted Father Phlude with her life, and also with the route she took to make it to the pendant. Each step had a reinvigorated life to it, as if the purpose wasn't there before and now it was. She continued to follow the luminous rain drop symbols, taking her through the palace, through dark corridors barely lit by torches few and far apart. Turning a corner finally sparked her memory, now only steps from her room; quickly she unlocked her door and pushed it open as she ran in to grab the pendant on her bed table.

It wasn't there.

Throwing her bed table drawer apart tears swelled in the corners of her eyes as she frantically searched the dark corners with her fingers trying to find it. Diving to her knees, she scanned under the table and her bed, still no sign. Rolling herself over her bed, she searched her wardrobe next, everything else was there but her pendant was gone. Collapsing on the side of the bed, face buried in her hands she let out a scream before the tears took over. How could she lose the one thing in the world she was trusted with? Why didn't she wear it around her neck like the day before, when she was given it? Why was she so stupid? Why, why, why? Then she heard a bird singing as she looked time the window sill. There hanging over the stem of the beautiful white flower was the pendant. A wave of relief feed her muscles much needed energy they required. Almost skipping over her took the pendant and hung it around her neck.

“Never again will I take this off!” she thought to herself as she took a last look at the sea. Her fingers rested on something that caught her attention, a note.

Slowly she unfolded it send began to read.

My dearest Sarah

It seems my visit was just in time to warn you of the evil that was already here, I put myself in grave danger just by writing you this, but there is so much I wasn't able to tell you in time to prepare you. First; Rekooni seeks more power here than I ever thought was possible. But I have learned through years of study that the palace of Rendort was built over catacombs that hold back a very power army. An army he now brings to life, or should I say back to life.

You heard if the ShadowBlades, an ancient sect of Rendorians sworn to battle the shadows of former lives. They now hold the key to your survival, seek out a man named Rufus. He will help you make the most important and also most dangerous journey that lay before you.

Second. I am no longer with you. I did what I could, with the time I was giving to give you a head start, Rekooni may not fully know it, but he hunts you, you and others like you. Be warned, he is what he claims to be. The underworld's executioner, he will stop at nothing to get you, but he does not understand time the same way we do. He came from a world where time meant nothing and the only aspects it that existed was eternity. His one weakness is also his most dangerous trait, his greed and need for power will make him act impulsively at times.

Third. His army has already begun to take force, if you ever see anything in the shadows, anything at all, you run. And do not look back.

Strength comes from need dear child, never forget That. My heart will be with you always even though I cannot. I trust you will make your Father proud of his choice.

Phlude.

She heard creaking in the far corner of her room, behind the doorway. The door blocked the light from shining fully into the room; the door caused nearly half the room to be covered in shadows. She looked back down and read the note again. Third. His army has already begun to take force, if you ever see anything in the shadows, anything at all, you run. And do not look back. She heard snapping, as if wood was cracked in half. She looked down and saw a dark liquid, almost a contrast of drool slowly seep its way through the tiny cracks of the marble to her feet, she knew something was in the room with her.

What it was though, she had no idea.

Carefully keeping her eye on the shadows, she back stepped to her window sill, carefully climbing onto her desk let out breaks and moans from the weight of her on the wood, she felt the wood buckle under her toes as she sluggishly climbed onto the window sill, with the last push her foot slipped, causing the chair to tumble backwards. From the sound of the chair failing, the beast pounced from the darkness, snapping and clawing at the chair, biting and ripping it to pieces. She screamed as she lost her balance when the beast tried to reach her, falling out of the window she tried to grab anything to stop her decent to what she thought would be her doom. People always said that you see a bright light before you die.

All she saw was the blue sky, and the smell of the ocean.