Warriors of light cuaght in a dark world.

He gave her a look of longing and stepped out into the vilage. For the most part it was quiet and nothing happened as she rested. Lots of time made her thoughts wander about the look he gave her and the time they spent together. Sure at first things were rocky, now she would start to feel sad at the thought of not having him around her.

That look he gave her told her that he felt the same way for her and leaving was not what he wanted. As she rested she fell into a deep sleep. There was no dream and when she woke it felt instant but the whole day had passed. It was a dreamless sleep and she rested very well. He wasnt back yet but as she looked out thw window she saw him walkong bakc to the inn.

He was tired and looked like he had suffered but she knew it was just him trying to speak with the villagers. He walkwd into the room and sat down. "Well i was right. The beast has a lair neaby. Whwn shw wakes up im going to ask hee to fight with me..." he said to himself thinkig she was still asleep.

".............."

So their was a beast still lingering near this village but that left her worried another way. She begins to fear a little about what is happening and it left her feeling some panic in her. She didn't want to case anything wrong or something to happen but it left her starting to think of something else. Was this another possible outcome between the monster?

She didn't know what to do or think of right now b ut that leaves her worrying about it later. In some point, Andrew looks to her and sees that she was worrying about something again. Maybe in another way that was a wrong set up.

"Now, I Just need to figure out how to tell her this without Margret freaking out...."

".......I don't know if that is possible now, Andrew.." He looks behind him quickly seeing her awake. She looks nervous and upset from the news but he only remains silent after a while in some point. Maybe the words freaked her out again and he didn't want to do that to her.

"Maggie...how long were you-"

"I woke up when hearing you and seeing you were not here.."

"............."

"Oh okay. Well... there is a monster in a cave outside the village. It is the same orochi i fought before and it is unabme to leave its cave during the day im told." He said and she nodded understanding so far. "This village has been sacrificing young maidens to the beast to feed its hunger and lust do that it wont destory and enslave the entire village. It wasnt long before they found out just how tricky this monster is." He said and she did understand. The orochi was a ravenous monster with other desires than food and each maiden had been taken and her screams were heard from the cave.

He was worried that the lair was a trap but he had to make sure this beast died as quickly as possible.

"You really are sure about that Andrew? What if it's fake or-"

"It's not fake and I know. I've been there and....seen the horrors of what this Orochi dose during it's time. IF you believe me then you will know for a while after. Just believe me when I say it.." he wanted to show Margret it's true and he wouldn't lie to her about something this serious. With this monster doing this through the time, that proves to him that this monster was seriously not joking about this. That proves something else after a while.

"................" She didn't like the sound of that but it makes her more worried about something else. If this monster, the Orochi was serious then what else was hidden in this village? Was the people worried about this beast lying of not attacking or was it doing something else besides what it claims to be. She already was over worried about it and that makes her feel sick. This Orochi was serious and it just becomes more of a problem.

"...So now do you understand?"

"..I guess so. I just don't know how in the world...or what it doses for the time being. What could this monster be like...what can we do to stop it?" she asked.

"To slay it so it won't hurt no one else...for now, we will have to keep looking and figuring out some paln to make it work. Maybe we can try another idea about it later on." he said rubbing his chin but she only looks more nervous after some time. Maybe she was over thinking something in some point. He just only becomes more unsure about stuff that he was really understanding about something.

"..Hmmmmmmm......"

"*Sighs* That or I could be wrong....or not......" she mutters under her breath.

"Don't worry about it alright. We will do what we need to stop it and kill it so don't worry....." he said worried but Margret still was worried about it. This monster was dangerous and that is only going to make her over worry about it later on. For now, planning and thinking of something would help but looking into this cave helps more.

Later on, they were already heading towards the cave but hidden away seeing the entrance. Both of them sees nothing happening right now but it makes them see nothing else after some time. She wasn't sure if this is true but maybe he was really serious but Andrew was always serious.

"Are you sure about this, Andrew?"

"Yes; it's going to be fine. You trust me don't you?" he asked in a silent tone.

"...Of course I trust you..I always do."

There was a foul stench of death and decay coming from the mouth of the cave and together they venture inside. It was wider inside. They chose the daytime to go in because it was rumored to be asleep. They wander the tunnels that go deep into the mountain even until rivers of magma flow beside their path. There were monsters here. Some were muddy lava hands and magma shaped like a human as well as fire spirits. Recent victories made these monsters easy prey and the tun els soon tookna turn deep into the heart of the mountain.

6 hours of wandering and fighting weaklings later they came to an alter. There were different stains on it besides blood and she remembered the stains in the lair of the demonlord from her world. The orochi plays woth its viftems before devouring them it seemed. They didnt see the orochi at the alter so they turn back and there it was. If had 6 heads and 2 stumps where heads used to be making what he said true its angry hiss and foul breath wash over them.

The breath was like the rotting smell of the cave and she sudders as its aura matched the kind of creatures that have captured her in the past. It dodnt speak and that made him feel uncertain as itblashed out wih 4 heads to lead them intk the other 2 even as th3y split up to assail it from different sides. It slow3d down just as he expected and she guessed and together they attack the lashing heads dodging back before the other was bitten.

Its tail was sharp as a blade and lashed at either one. This felt too easy except its heads were always dodging their strikes she followed hjs lead when he went for the legs putting himself at risk of being hit by the 3 heads facing him to do so. He didgebthe heads but nkt the tail and it arcs around behind him cutting at his back. Is being his made her own strike falter and she cries out in worry "ANDREW!" and then she was caught with a ramming head that took advantage of the opening andrews wound made in her focuse and she ws thrown back as an angry hiss hit her thoughts

"Lowering your guard will get you captured pretty one. After i take his head ill toy with you mercilessly becore eating you" the beast said its words garbked by the hissing ad the fact that 3 heads said the same thing to her. Her will surged as she faces down the beast and he struck at the leg nearest to him and doged the tail strike and she rought her willpower to bear charging forward with a powerful blow that beheaded one stalk in a single strike.

It was cuaght by surprise and retreated only to have its body stabbed brutally by him and all kts heads turn to face him. She took advantage of the opening only to be knocked back by the sweepng tail. It was trying tk seprate them and kill him focusing on him now he was on the defensive and taking powerful blows as she worked to attack from the back.

She slams into the wall hard making some blood get coughed up but Margret didn't waver but tries standing up wiping the small trail of blood from her chin. She had to beat this monster before it was too late or at least stop it from killing Andrew. She tries charging again but she gets slammed away hitting the wall harder that made her cry out in pain.

Sh3 mwnag3d to dodge one attack and it hit a rock sending it flying and she got a good stab i to its body as well. It turned its attention to her and sprewed liquid flame at her. He strikes it again wounding it terribly and she and he both were burned as it retreated. It backed away and vanished into a strange portal and after tbey recover they follow.

The portal took them to the temple inside was the high pristess and she was wounded badly her handmaided was tending her wounds and screamed seeing the twonof them enter as if by magic. Fleeing and hiding the handmaiden watched as the high lreistess turned 8nto the orochi wounded as it was and exposed in its true form to the worshippers who all fled and hid.

The two step forward to fight it and it was a wounded beast back3d into a corner making it much more dangerous

They didn't back down wishing to defeat it but both Andrew and Margret held their weapons ready to strike this beast down.

No longer did it try to capture her. It was trying to kill them both as fast and tough as possible. Its heads wer elashing oit amd its tail reciceing wounds from their blades and they both creep closer blokcinf and dodging until they strike together cutting off the heads all at once.

With the beast dead it was as if a blanket of fear and darkness was lifted and the village was reborn. Children came out of hiding young and imd people spread the news and moments after the beast stopped moving the two were lifred up and hailed as heroes.

Margret and Andrew looks down at the cheering crowd as they were chanting their names. The following possible outcome of this made them happy. Andrew of course was happy they could help the town. For a while, they were already going ahead with heading to the town. However, as they got close, Margret grew tired suddenly that she held her head after a moment. She then felt dizzy to then seeing everyone putting them down.

He was about to say something before he sees her pass out. He quickly catches her and looks worried to see her really tired from the fight. Or at least getting slammed against the wall hard.

"No worries hero. WE will help and heal her by our doctor..if you follow me.." the leader leads the way with Andrew picking her up and heads to the doctor. He was sitting by her side as the doctor was healing her for the time being.

Th3 leader was a former preist who was high priest before orochi usurped hjs authority. He was careful to carry her tk th3 doctor and trusted 5his stranger only because he had spoken with th3man before and this was the one who told him the orochi was in or newar th3 town. None expected it to be the high preistess


Andrew was very careful and sh3 was held close to his body. She was weak from the damage they took and he hoped she wasnt having one of her dark dreams.

He hopes she was going to recover slowly after all this but Andrew didn't want to push it. All he hopes for is her recovery. She already started doing what is needed and made sure she was careful. Knowing the possible outcome of this just made him hope she's not suffering another dream. He sees a wide room with medic beds there but he sees the doctor already going ahead and showing one for her.

"Here; lay her down here.."

"Thank you..*did that carefully*..." he looks to her seeing nurses showing up and started being careful with trying to remove the armor to help her. However, as she feels them do that, her head turns to the left away from Andrew. The leader and Andrew noticed wondering why she did that. Maybe she was still awake but resting.

"......"

"You'll be alright now, Margret...you'll be alright now." he said worried while one hand touches her cheek. She didn't lean into his hand but still remains dazed in her passed out state. "....."

"I'm guessing your partner has gone through a lot I see. I've never seen someone take such a emotional state of damage before..."

"...We have been through but she's been through a lot worse than me. More than she wishes to speak about.."

"I see; I see....poor dear..."

"..*Sighs* Both of us suffer but she's suffered worse. I just want nothing else to harm her because Margret's been through so much right now it's not funny. Her way of life has changed because of it."

"I see....well, rest assure my friend. My people will do what we have to in order to help her....and heal her of course too."

"Again; I thank you."

Andrew and the leader looks to each other as the main nurse removes the armor but while doing this, Margret turns her head again wincing slightly. She didn't know what was happening but she felt something going on that made her close her hands into fists. Something was removing her armor even if she didn't know it was friendly allies.

'W..what's happening? Everything is dark..where am I?...Wait; am I dead?...No..something is touching me? O...Oh no, what if it's not true? Did we...lose?'

"...of course you didn't lose..but don't worry. You are safe.." a voice spoke in her ear making her gasp and look seeing a dark figure laying beside her. She sits up looking around but noticed she was laying in a bed with silk covering her body. Her skin was marked by something but she was shaking now looking afraid. What happened? How did she end up like this!?

"W..what is-"

'..Relax my dear..you really are safe now..I assure you of that.' she slowly felt her blood run cold, turning her head to look and see the other figure there. It was a shadowed walker that looks to her feared filled face. His eyes were a dark blue but he had a smirk on his face. She moves back away from him but he reaches to hold her cheek.

'....W..who are you? Where am I?'

'You're sleeping right now my dear...well, in your unconscious dreams to be honest. So again; don't worry...'

"........."

'And don't worry about trying to run. Were in your dream...you won't be able to escape from your own thoughts you know...just think of it as a little punishment..'

'P..punishment?'

'Yes; for trying to hide from your own weak desires...you are really like the other females you know..Nothing will change that....now....be a good girl and stay still for me..I'll make sure I do well in protecting you..Like I always do..' he leans in close but she moves back in fear.

'Now now, don't back away...be good and stay...'

'Get your hands off of me.......' she tries to push him away but he glared to hold her down by the throat as she gasped in shock. She felt his hands tightening around her that she started struggling again. However, she sees hands showing up in the dark reaching to grab her making Margret look scared again while screaming or kicking.

'Don't fight it my dear..'

'We always get a turn with new toys..'

'Let the desire fill you my dear; you are our toy...'

'We'll break you in. Don't worry....


'N..No....no no no no NO!!!'

In the real world, she dd the same. Struggling in the holds of the nurses as she hits two of them away. They quickly try to restrain her as the leader and Andrew saw.

"Margret!"

"What is happening? Why is she-"

"It's happened before.." Andrew rushes to try holding her down but she shoves everyone away from her knocked out state that she started screaming that Andrew figures she was having a dark dream.

He used the last kf his magic to heal her a tiny bit but compared to how strong she was it wasnt enough to bring her out of it. In her dreams th3 dark hands were giving her inhuman caresses and tugging her sensitive spots. The silk gown she wore became see through and her breasts were squeezd and her nipples pinched hard making her wet. Her wet hole was rubbed once by eachbhand but to hernit felt like it was never going to stop making er even wetter as her body betrayed her to the dream.

In the waking world he was still trying h9ld her steady while the healing herbs were pounded into a special mixture making th3m more potent. The priests use thier hands to help him not touching those areas but seeing her reacting as if they were. "She has been tainted by monsters and yet she still seems to be unplucked
Have the two of you ever laid together?"

They ask politely and he shook his head "i dont want tk make this worse. Im even aftaid to touchbher now." Said as margret tossed and turned.

"Perhaps if someone from theblight and who she loves might be what she needs to balance her dreams these terrors are caused by the fluids of monsters. We have nk cure but these medicines we are making should heal her wounds enough to wake hee up and allow her to heal in her sleep."

Andrew wished he could kiss her and help her he wished these thngs didnt happen to her and he wished h3 could reward her for suffering so muchball the time and still wishing to live.

Back in he4 dream the shadow hands push fingers insidenof her and since she never had anything jnside between her legs all she felt was pain and her body took that to be pleasurable. The memory kf the troll using her as adoll and lickng her there was used and that horrible tongue was licking her again spreading its hot fluids into her and burning her skin with desire.

In thw waking world she had a fever and thr hearbs were helping fight it as well as slowly restoring her physical dtrength. She must have used all her power to fight the orochi and keep him from being killed. As andrew thkught this he leans over her face and kisses her lips as a thankyou she would never find oht about.

The leader wonders just how powerful she is but he didn't wish to cause trouble. However, while he saw Andrew kissing the fair maiden, he sees her shove him away in her sleep but Andrew falls on the ground on his back to wince. She was screaming again with her back arched off the bed. They held her down again but she tossed her head quickly panting in and out with a fever.

Her dreams became worse as she feels the dark hands squeezing her body with the main one looking over her. He reaches to rub her breasts himself feeling how plump they were. She looks away not liking his touch but he knew it was a lie. Her body reacted to him very well and it seems to be getting stronger that she gasped feeling more wet. He waved a hand to have the hands stop touching her but hold her down tightly. She yelps from that but he kisses her deeply that her eyes widen in shock.

It was ice cold that his tongue swirls against her own but she feels the mark throbbing in power that it started showing among her skin. It happened in the real world as well. She panted heavily from the pain but her skin was getting marked too. The ancient mark of a demon or a demon lord. This worried him either way.

"W..what is happening to her? Why is her skin changing?" One nurse said in worry.

"That's..that's the mark of the demon lord. The old monster that lurks in the night. That is his and the other monster's marking.....it's very old but rare." he said in a silent tone to walk over and see the mark but it was true. This caused her to scream out loudly now and she only cries out tossing and turning now.

"D..do you know of this marking, hero?"

"I..I do not."

"I do.." the leader said carefully looking over the mark and sees a old scripture burned on her arm.

"For old ancient evil that has been cast upon the belly above the womb. For this woman is mine. Her soul become darkened by my power for she will forever be punished forever. Her mind, her body, and spirit shall bear the seeds of the dark and become a prisoner for all eternity.."

The leader leans back looking worried but he sees her fall back on the bed again but she panted out even more harshly feeling the fever become worse.

"Margret!"

"Her body has been heavily tampered with by that monster. She's fighting right now like you said again the one that marked her. Monsters and the darkness is in her mind right now and won't let her go." He said worried that she was twitching. For her, she panted feeling him break the kiss and move to her neck about ot bite her and infect more of the darkness in her but he hisses seeing some light burning in her.

"Bah...the light that swells inside.....seems that cursed maiden is still trying to protect you...either way.." he pushes his fingers against her but feels the mark to make him growl in pleasure. "You're breaking...it's so close that not even that mortal hero can save you...give it time..you will be mine. You'll be the demon lord's new pet...his wife.."

"..I..r...re...ugh....fuse. I won't be h..his..a..ahhhhh.."

"Yes you will...they always do!" he said to slam his fingers into her that it made her scream. She arches off the bed again feeling more dark corruption filling her body and the mark that she also snaps awake because of it. In the real world, the dark power was felt that she sits up screaming out but looks around.

"Margret! Are you alright-"

"Stay back!" She screams still thinking she's dreaming but the others were worried for this young warrior.

"Easy now, he speaks the truth. You are safe now.......we won't harm you." the leader tries speaking with hands up showing he's not going to harm her but she winces feeling the mark burning her body that the exposure was making her look sick. Even if her back was killing her, she looked defensive.

"Get away from me...y..you are trying to hurt me. Stay away!" she screams out but he quickly tries to move seeing her attacking him that Andrew tackles her down to hold her down.

"Calm down it's me!!!" he struggles holding her down but one nurse hurries over with some knock out herbs but he stops her. IF she did that, maggie will go right back to that same dream state again. He didn't want her to go through that again so he tried calming her down with a small spell he learned that got him touching her head slowly. He winces seeing her struggling again but he only sees her calming down after some minutes till she calms down panting slightly. She was very tired but it only seems that she was weakened now. Her skin was heavily marked by that dark monster to have Andrew become angry and scared for her now.

"That mark is growing powerful, young hero. If this keeps up, she'll become lost to the darkness soon..."

We srent ready... we cant defest him with our current power and if she gets close to the demons lair she will just get worse... im not supposed to fihht rhis one alone or i would have gone on alone..." he said and she struggles against him. He told them all to stop and let her be before letting her loose. He had to see what was going on and calm down her own way. Reentering the dream was not going to help and she grew more amd more desprrate to be let go.

She took off to be alone and when she was alone in the forest she shivered and wept. The dream had violated her body in a way none had and she wanted love not the dark feeling. She rouched her lips and found they were burning not icy her amrs too. She inly realy burned when andrew touched her and she felt his power inside of her like he had tried to help her.

It wasnt what she exoected and she couldnt sleep or move on. The forces of light and darkness wage war in her body rhe old hero and her own hero fought to protect her from these marks. And the darkness fights back. She reaches low touching hersef and rubs hard. She was trying to get these feeling out of her and rubbed herself to release them.

As she rubbed she felt pleasure and thought of andrew and his love for her eveything he did to help her and her heat spreads as the icy feeling leaks out of her. He had given her a great deal of his rmeaining strength to wake her and heal her and she reaches under her armor to grio her breasts. Her hot hands burn thwm and the heat spreads more a sshe cries oit in release.

Pulsing and still icy in some parts she continues as the heat of her honest desires creeps out and fights off the evil of the darkness. It wasnt fair. Why didnt andrew just admit how he felt to her and take her before the monsters could. Why didnt he just claim her and keep her forever? Trying to claim her the darkness answers. "Because he is weak and stupid he cannot defeat the evil give in and you will beable to."

The spirit of light surges through her "not true. He loves you maggie. He respects you and keeps his distance out of love and care. He refuses to hurt you and cannot see that binding with you can help drive these evil things away." She twists and writhes in the leafy forest floor rubbing and oelasuring herself to keep the ice away from her heart. Then she bursts and falls limp.

Ice creeps up from her mark trying to taint her and she felt tired too tired. Monsters creep close bteaking twigs and hissing and growling. She was a lone maiden suffering, perfect prey. And then there was a rush of movement towards her and she screams out in terror hiding her face.

There ws a clang of metal and a grunt. "Maggie... dont give in. Il never stop fighting even if i have to do it alone i will destroy the demonlord and i will help you." Said the voice she had grown to love. It was andrew. He followed her and had inky just arrived to protect her from the monsters that would surely have taken her on the spot. She looked uo and saw him presing his sheild into the claws of one and pushing it back away from her.

Long streaks of tears flood her face and she tries to run away again only to be blocked in front by another bearlike monster. It clawed at her stripping her armor and sending her into andrews back. He faltered and the monster he blocked eas destoryed as two more bruin approach. "Don't run maggie. Tou can fight and win dont let the darkness win i believe in you." He said and it was true. Instead of telling her to leave it to him or hide he has always let her fight next to him.

He never told her to run and he never said she couldnt do something. He always supported her this whole time even if his actions were reckless and dangerous he was always trusting her. Her doubts were still strong and she wished he would take her body and soul and mate with her before the darkness swallows her.

"....." She felt her body shaking in fear, her heart breaking from all this. All she wanted to do was find a way to stop this fear. She hated feeling this but the mark was still throbbing inside of her. She winces to fall on her knees crying. Andrew kept fighting them back trying to keep her safe but turns seeing her fall. "Maggie!"

"..*Crying* I can't. I can't...my body is..a...already tainted. I just....this is painful...they won't.."

"Stop talking like that Maggie! It's alright for now. You don't have to show fear. Don't let them see that!" he said worried.

"I told you I CAN'T! I'm tainted Andrew. I lost...that monster w...w.."

"Don't! Don't you dare say it! He didn't won! He didn't win!!" he shouts swinging his blade at one monster that tried swiping at him but yelps in pain from the deep cut against it's hand with blood spilling to the ground. This only looking more worried now but she only kept crying even louder. This was scary to her because this only made her looking silent because of it.

"....Maggie.."

"I can't....I can't....this is horrible. This is...just horrible.........Just leave me here Andrew. I can't...I'm already dead now."

"Stop talking like that Maggie! You are not giving up are you!? That's not the way of the warrior! Don't give up!!! Never give up like that! You need to stand up and fight! Fight for your freedom!! Fight to keep that monster away from you!" he sees the monsters coming in closer but she holds herself looking away from Andrew not able to face him again that she winces again from the mark that was on her. It hurt and the icy burning feeling only became worse for her.

She wanted it to stop but it wouldn't not as long as he was alive. During the thoughts burning in her mind, the dark shadows was drawing closer towards her and reaching to touch her and hold her. She didn't even fight back because she was losing her self will. Was the monster winning? It seems so because she seems to only grow weaker now because of it.

Then andrew id something he thought would end their friendship. End their future. He turned from the monsters and kisses her ince more. It was a soft kiss and the monsters stop comoletely stunned that a warrior woukd turn aeau and bite his ally. But he wasnt bitinf her. He was lissing her and hot fire spread from his lips and tonfue into her bodu making her wet and hot.

Andrew was really kissing her even if she was tainted and they were fighting monsters he kisses her and he rmind went blank. The dark things inside cry out and wither away as his tongue swirls around hers leaving her dazed. Then he pulled back and turned to destory the bruin (bears) with a firey spell.

Trembling she touched her hot lips and realised that the kiss she flet in her dream was andrew as well. "Why did you do that?" She asks and he fired another spell. Finishing off all the bruin.

"I love you. And i cant stand to see you suffer. I dont want to be seperated from you because i feel incomplete without you." He said as the last mosnter burned behind him.

"..........."

"I care for you Maggie and I only wish to see you happy. Nothing else is more important to me than you. I don't care if your tainted because I'll do everything in my power to save you...to see you healthy and happy again before you got marked." he didn't look at her feeling the breeze blowing as he sees the flames burning the ashes of the monsters that surrounded them. However, he grips the blade in his right hand not seeing her shocked expression.

Margret didn't say anything but her eyes were still wide to slowly look down at the grass. He did care for her this much? Just to prove a point by a kiss? He only remains quiet after some time but this makes him tighten his hold that she grips the grass still crying. Was this real? She wasn't sure anymore but looks down not sure how to do this.

"......*Sighs and puts away his sword*..Come on Maggie..were heading back so you can rest."

".....No. Just leave me here......" she said not looking at him to cause Andrew to face her. Why is she speaking like that now? Was something else wrong? He saw her covering her lips after he kissed her but Margret didn't do anything else nor looked up at him. This was just painful for her and she only feels more upset about it.

"Maggie-"

"No. I'm tainted Andrew remember? The light I felt..it's already growing weaker now. Even that small spark of hope you gave me still remains..I just...*Looks to the left* My light is dying now. Even if I joined you and fight, I know my body will give into the demon lord because of that..my fears are beating me. The pain I feel now in my dreams are worse......" she slowly tries to stand but didn't face him.

"I don't care. You're weakened right now...we have to do this together Maggie. I want to beat this demon lord and free you..you've suffered for a long time..I did too but you..I just.."

"...Just leave me be Andrew..you deserve better......with nothing else. distracting you. I need to leave..I can't do this...."

"Please....don't leave.......I can't do this without you..*reaches for her*" he saw his hand about to touch her shoulder but stops seeing the mark glow for a second then disappear after a bit. He didn't say anything else watching her leave but he tries going after her but the light stops him.

"Why are..."

"Leave her be hero...I don't know what to say about this..but she.."

"She's not. She's just confused and sad..hurting..I don't want to leave her alone.."

"You are not," the light explains seeing her heading back into the kingdom to rest. "For now Margret is unsure about this quest but she is not wrong. The light that lingers in her is indeed fading. However, the last bit of light remains of what you gave her. I don't know how long she can hold on but I know she'll be alright....she has to be.."

"..................."

"You don't believe me on that, hero?" the voice said.

"Twll me how to help her and u wull believe you. Bht you say itheing and she gets worse." He said to the spirit and it waspleased he had guessed so wisely.

"There is a way but you need to figure it out. I cant just tell you. Follow your heart." It said and the inlything it his ehart was to do things others tried to do to her. But wouldnt that cause he rpain? Did sbe really want dsrk monsters to use her as a slave? He wasnt sure. He was hurting inside now and an old mark of his own begins to act up.

The reason he is so scared to show love is a short story. Once he did love. She was beautiful witty and seemed to be good. But in time she showed she was just like the monsters and she had been sent to seduce him and taint him. When he found this out he was about to ask her to be his bride. And it shattered his ability to express love until he met Margret.

She ran further and further her hope dying and wishing he could just take her the kiss was sweet and warm but it wasn't  what she needed from him. She needed something and he had to give it to her without being told and the dreams and memories he had seen with her were clues.

He thought about it and some part of him was connected to her he remembered the dreams and the sort of things the monsters did to her in them. He remembered the things he almost did in his past and remembered that it hurt him. This was different this was Maggie she wasn't a monster she was a hero.

He went to find her and tell her what he wanted and explain why he hadn't tried to make love when she and he bathed in the forest lake. Maybe if she knew he had been tainted one as well she would trust him.

He was about to run off but stops remember she went back inside the building but did she use a spell to leave this area? Maybe. For now, he decided to go and check the town just to be sure if she didn't say that to get away from him. He looked up and down from the town; asking people if they seen her anyway. However, he got most negative answers of no sighting of her. He tried small shops; bakery shops; blacksmiths, even the small town shops that would be good for sells.

However, they all were the same answer from before. No sign of her that makes him worry. He wanted to find her and see if she was alright but Maggie was not there. He keeps looking through the say that even the leader grew worried for this hero. He's been looking for ages now and no sign of her. Did she leave town? No, he senses her magic still lingering in the air so she's still here but he would wait for the male hero to return.

The hours of looking changed from day time to mid evening while returning to the castle. He was dead tired with no luck of finding Maggie. He was scared she ran away or worse left the village. The leader already had some guards check up on Andrew but asks if he had luck.

"No. I couldn't find her..I can't see her magic either so I guess she's blocking them from me. I don't get it..I want to help her..but she's.."

"She's afraid warrior. Afraid of what will happen to you and her...the demon lord is no joke and I figure things will only get harder for you two I know you care for your friend hero but.."

".........."

"*sighs* Just do what you know is right for you and her...it's the best you can only do." he said to him that he covers his face because of it.

"I want to help her. I need o safe her...I don't want anything happening to her and yet her body is changing and growing weaker. Damn that monster.....his power is only growing around her and it won't be long before I lose her too..." He closes his hands into a fist that he almost cracks his bones. He was beyond furious and wanted to put a stop to him but not by himself. It was just too much..and painful due to the negative thoughts in her mind.

"....I'm sure she'll be alright hero.....maybe she's closer than you think...you just have to keep your mind and don't lose focus.." he said.

He decided to think differently and search places no one would wilkingky go. He looked in prisons and the dungeons sesrchimg dark places. He didnt knkw what he could do but he knew if he didnt find her and explaim his story she would think the worst.

He found a clue on his way dowm i to the castle dungeon and followed the path. He didnt knkw waht was going on in her ehad or of the dark power was molesting her again bjt as he got closer to where she was thw clue became a trail of wetness.

He tenses up seeing this but he only grew worried that another dark dream has taken over her. He rushes down the dark halls of this place ignoring the cells that is around him. The main thing he had to do was find Maggie. He goes down some stairs seeing more of the trail before he looks seeing a main hall where he panted from running this way.

"..Maggie? Maggie, you here?" he calls out with his voice echoing through the walls. He keeps walking down the stairs of this place but steps into a more bigger puddle of something. He looks at it confused then looks hear hearing some noises now and some crying. He hurries up to see what is happening that he stops seeing another longer bigger area but another door that seems to have stairs heading up. He goes up that it also leads to another section.

"...A..castle?"

He looks around again but he looks hearing some sniffing now. He sees that someone was here but near the window made him notice. It shows Maggie sitting against the wall covering her face in her knees. She was shaking from feeling sick now but she just wanted to disappear from this world. This pain. This stupid cursed mark was a nightmare that she's already did what she could to make it stop but it got more hungry thanks to feeling weaker.

"..........." Andrew held his breath to take a step forward but she tenses up hearing a click. She quickly looks up seeing Andrew standing there that she gets up and moves away from him. Was she upset or afraid now?

".......Maggie?"

"......" she quickly rushes past him out of this room down the stairs.

"Maggie, wait! Come back!"

He followed her runnnf as fast as he could and onmy managng to keep up with her. He was hot in her heels and getrimg closer and closer until he tackles her hard. He was strugglimg amf pmtinf as she fouvhr to get away and hw tried harder to tell her to wait and hear him out. He held on and keeps her there untim she didnt have the steenfrh to struggle anymore.

She was hysterical and a that energy was draining fast. Bis touch was firm but not trying to hurt her no one was out so they were alone in the main square when he finally slapped her butt "enough!" He said a biy loud and rhat slap wasnt meant to hurt her just humiliate her a little and force her to think about something ither than running away.

She winces from the hit that she glares at him with tears looking nervous. Why did he have to do that? It stung and hurt. All Maggie did was shove him back but he didn't move from his spot. He was tired after all that because of the chase and running. After a while, he looks to her but tries her wrists down using some cloth but not too tight.

"*tired* Now...will you please stop running from me and listen to me?"

"...*Looks away from his face*"

".........."

"Maggie....what is wrong with you?" he asked worried but she shook her head looking down.

"You need to let me go...what is their to say? You're making it more harder for me that I should just give up and leave for that monster....it's like he's the only one that knows how to stop this pain. I hate it alright? I hate when that monster is able to damage me this much. Why won't you just let me leave from here? Just...It's not normal being near you now....or out there. I fear that damaging demon will just kill me later so why do you care?" she hissed to push him off but stood up. At least she didn't try to run.

"Its simple because hes evil and we are good. He cant help only devoir you when He is done. As for why im still trying i thought you knew that... but i have something to show and tell..." he said and slowly he revealed the mark he had.

She gasped recognizing it and hiw faded and weak it was. He then told he rthe story of his past and how he too was marked. How the events made him doibt his heart amd doubt love until she came i yo his life... "and when we bathed in the lake... i was tempted to take you then and there... maybe i should have but i didnt. Because im not a monster and neither are you. I ha e to respect you because you are a person with feelings and desires all of your own. " he finished and she was awestruck by his tale and the admission of hkw he wanted to take her for himself.

At the lake he didnt get wat she meant by reward and didnt take her because he was trying to be a respectful man towards her. To show her he was in control of his urges and that he cared about hee feelings even if he didnt knkw what they were.

Slowly veey slowly she saw that even tainted like she was he mever stopped believing in the light and he refused to become a monster towards her. He wanted to help her and "and i love you. I mean that. I dont know how to prove it except to fight and destory the evil monsters that try to hirt you while we travel and search for the materials to destory the demonlord." He said and he said alm he could the truth of his resteaint and hoped she would stay with him