About two hours before the sun came up, we were up. I think that night was the first night I'd slept peacefully in a while. We'd been out here for four days now, and we only had today and two more days to get out of these woods. I was worried but my mother's voice kept playing in my head from years ago. She would always say, "Now, Alisdelisgi, don't worry about the future. Focus on the present. God's in control. If you remember that, you'll be okay in life." Maybe it was too late for me, but I'd give her words a shot. I didn't realize what a great woman she was until she was gone.

About a mile later, we were surrounded by something, well, many somethings actually. We'd just come out into a clearing and was about to pass through when we were told, no, commanded to stop. Stepping into the light were a bunch of pale things that resembled humans with blazing red eyes. Not sure what they were, we stopped, battle ready with speed and magic. If we made it through these manancing, muscular, seemingly blood-thirsty things, I was pretty sure we could do almost anything together.

After several minutes of brewing tension, a blonde female stepped forward. "You must turn around and go back. Your kind cannot pass through our land without special permission before hand or else you break the pact between elementals and vampires." Stepping forward, I looked her over deciding whether I could take her on or not. Deciding against it considering we were surrounded and I didn't want Triston dead, I spoke. "Ma'am, we've heard of your kind, but not of this pact you talk of. If you would be so kind as to let us pass to safety through your land, we'd be greatly obliged. We're sorry for the inconvenience but it is of the most urgent manner that we pass through these lands. Ma'am, I beg of you."

Shaking her head, the blonde laughed menancingly. "The only way to get through at this point is if you kill me even if my people come at you. That is the ONLY way you can go through. That is something I highly doubt either or both of you can do." Before I could say or do anything, she lunged at me. My senses kicking into the elemental battle mode, fire bursting from my fingertips, as flames flew towards the tall blonde. Suddenly, we were surrounded by fire. Vampires screamed as fore scorched them. Unsure of what else to do, I tried to recall everything I knew about these creatures. I knew they could be killed by fire, decapitation, or a silver stake through the heart. For us elementals, it was easier if there was a fire user like me around.

Some minutes later, we had the blonde vampire dead, as well as many of her minions. After the battle, being ehausted from the use of so much magic, we went a mile farther before resting. No sooner than we sat down to rest, another group of beings entered the clearing by the creek. Instead of being pale, red-eye beings, these looked like Native Americans.Unsure what their business was, we ignored them but stayed cautious. They let us eat and rest in peace, which was a huge blessing.

About an hour after subrise, one of them finally approached us under the pretense if helping us. Unsure what to do, I gave Triston a questioning look. Not getting anything definite from him, I turned back to the guy with black hair, brown eyes, and a tall, lean, muscular figure. Not sure what language they spoke, I tried my limited Cherokee with hand motions. Pointing to Triston and myself, "Us...go through," pointing at the man, "your land?" It was the best I could do, but I tried. With that, the young man looked extremely amused while several of his comrades broke into laughter.

"We speak English too, Elemental ones. You say you want to pass through these lands yet there seems to be something holding you back. We've been watching you since you demolished the children of darkness. We are the children of the moon. We can safely get you through, but it will come at a price." With a steely glint in his brown eyes, he focused on me. Stepping forward, I replied icily, "I'm Alisdelisgi; one of fire, water, earth, air and spirit. We shall not play your games. Name your price and if we don't accept it, we'll fight our way through these lands." Replacing his dark glare was one of shock and surprise as I finished my peice. Casting a glance around, I realized others mirrored his expression.

Unsure what this meant, I took Triston's hand and we pushed our way through the pack. Suddenly, somebody roughly pulled me back and furiously whispered, "You may have won with words this time, but this isn't the last you'll see of us. As far as your claim, if it is true then we've been looking for you." Whirling around, I all but knocked the man to the ground. In my confusion, anger, and shock, I acted on instincts alone and not on logic. Determined to keep my emotions from showing on my face, I demanded in a low, icy voice, "Do you think you can threaten me and get away with it? If you EVER come near me or anybody I care about with the intentions of harm, I will personally kill you. I will make sure you are dead before I do anything. Do you understand me? Also, as for you looking for me, I highly doubt that. You have no need of me. You're just a greedy werewolf who thinks you can get what the hell you want any damn way you want!"

I knew I had probably overstepped my bounds, but I was beyond almost all reasoning and I meant every word I said. I was terrified, but my raging anger prevailed. With that, Triston and I went on our way.