Claude steeled himself and drank down the vile looking liquid. After a few moments I saw him clutch at his chest and moan in pain.
"What is happening to him?!" I cried then my moans joined his.
"Be still child. You will need your strength." Rin reminded her.
Claude sank to his knees and started to pant. I watched as his eyes started to glow red and it was like all the shadows in the room rushed towards him.
"Avert your eyes. You do not want to witness this."
I did as Rin said and squeezed my eyes shut. I could hear Claude pant and growl like a wild beast, and something was scraping into the wooden floor.
"Rin do it now! Take my blood and add it to the vial before I lose myself." Claude growled out. He sounded more like a feral beast than a person and I was too afraid to open my eyes. Too afraid that Claude was no longer himself. If this was the price he had to pay to save my life I didn't want it anymore.
"No more! Please save him!" I cried out before I felt a bottle being forced to my lips.
I gagged and almost spit out the liquid as it rolled thickly over my tongue. The only thing that made me drink down the vile substance was the fact that Claude was suffering for me and Rin was forcing me to drink. When the concoction hit my stomach it felt heavy and started to burn much like the salve that still felt like it was eating away at my arm. This burn was different though. It quickly spread through my entire body burning away the poison as it went.
I screamed and fell off the chair. Writhing in agony on the floor beside my guardian. All of my muscles spasmed and my brain felt like it was going to explode. Then all at once the pain was gone and I was floating in a dark void. At first there was so much relief. I felt a quiet peace wash over me and wanted to stay floating in this darkness forever.
Then I felt it. The feeling of so many eyes watching me from the darkness. I was not alone.
Who's there? I called into the darkness. The shadows quivered and from them emerged a young girl.
We are here. The shadow has waited for your return. The shadow girl answered as she floated over to me. We have been trapped for a long time, and now that we are free we will be whole once more.
I didn't understand what she was saying. I looked around in the darkness and saw nothing but the shadows swirling around us.
Do not be afraid. We are a part of each other. The shadow girl caressed my cheek and I shivered as it left a cold burning sensation behind.
I don't understand. I replied as I desperately looked for a way to escape.
The shadow girl giggled in response. Have I been gone so long that you no longer remember me? She paused and put a finger to her chin in thought. No...it was because of those mages. The ritual that tore us apart and took your memories.
Ritual? What ritual? I have always been who I am. Please leave me alone. I want out of this place! I cried in frustration and attempted to get away but the shadows wrapped around me and kept me still.
Poor Dakota, you have no choice. The ritual to make us whole once more is done. You can try to fight me but you would just be fighting yourself. Accept me and embrace your power. It is the only way you will survive. We know that the poison is still here, eating away at our body. The ritual helped keep it at bay but our power is the only thing that can cleanse our blood.
I hung there silently in this void made of shadow and finally realized that this void was inside me. There was no escape and to fight meant a painful and agonizing death. There was so much fear inside me I almost choked on it but knew I had to make a decision. Embrace the shadows or embrace death.
I took a deep breath and looked at the shadow me that floated before me. Alright, I will accept you shadow only because I don't want to die here tonight.
I knew we would choose correctly. The shadow me smiled. I promise you this will not hurt.
The shadow drew closer to me and gently placed her lips on mine. When the shadow made contact it was like a rush of energy entering my very soul. It felt warm and familiar and yet it also felt wild and free.
As soon as the shadow was absorbed I came back to myself. I could feel the hard floor beneath me. Though it seemed like someone had placed me on a blanket, and had put a pillow under my head to help make me feel more comfortable.
I heard two beings in the room. Their heartbeats loud in my ears. They were speaking to each other and I had to concentrate to block out all of the other noises that invaded my senses.
"You realize they will be after us when they find out what we have done." I heard a low gruff voice speak.
"I know, and have already acquired transportation out of the city." A lilted voice replied. "But more of that later. It seems your niece has finally awoke."