-1 YEAR LATER-

I grin triumphantly as the knife embodies itself at the heart of the target. Elnodye falls to the floor in sheer disbelief repeating that it's not fair. I laugh at her acting skills. She really is a drama queen.

''Come on Eve.''I tell her, '' You hit the target too.''

''But it wasn't ON POINT! Treachery! The universe is against me!'' she declares.

''I'm beginning to see why Angrekon was so eager to go to Fortris.''

''Anger is always like that.'' She says expressively.

''Why do you always call me Anger?'' a now familiar voice says.

I turn around grinning as Angrekon emerges from behind a pillar. He must have just returned from the monthly expedition to Fortris. He is still decked in heavy winter clothes still with snow on it's woolen material.

''ANGER YOU'RE BACK!''

I silently observe as the sister and brother exchange a hug. Sometimes, I wonder what it's like to have a family. Even though the two fight there's always that unrelenting sibling love there.

''Welcome back Angrekon.''I nod, ''Did you meet Jasper yet?''

Angrekon's  face immediately clouds. He nods curtly and without saying another word strides out of the training room quickly.

''What's his problem?'' Elnodye asks.

I throw another knife at the target. It lands in the core of it again quivering ever so slightly. Something is wrong.

                                                  ***

I make my way to Jasper's office. It must be important. He never sent me a message with the word, 'Urgent' in it before.

"Come in.'' his raspy voice calls out.

I enter the office. Jasper stares blankly out of the window. His eyes are bleary and far away. The frown on his face and the tensed shoulders of his frail frame indicate that my fears were right. Something is wrong.

''Drevial, you do know that tomorrow another tethered must go on the monthly journey to Fortris?''

''I am aware of that Jasper.''

''There are only 3 options: Angrekon, Caitedlyn and yourself.''

I nod. Of course there were only 3 options. There were only 5 tethereds: Jasper, who was too old to go to Fortris, Caitedlyn, who would go 6 months a year, Angrekon, who would go the other 6 months since I came here, Elnodye, who hasn't come of age yet and myself, who came of age last month.

"So, you want to ask me if I still want to go, am I right?"

"Naturally. You could've gone last month but you gave up that opportunity.''

"What's wrong if I leave tomorrow?''

He at last fixates his eyes on my face. A million reasons flash within his eyes but I can't interpret them- that's Caitedlyn's power, not mine.

"From Angrekon's report, things don't look too good in Fortris."

"The Evil?"

"Growing stronger by the second Drevial."

"What about the King? Can't he-"

"Summon the tethereds? Why should he? He's dying."

"But then-"

"I know, the Crown prince has been chosen."

I stare at Jasper's face. I never really liked the old King. He wasn't the kindest to the poor. I wasn't brave enough to be the Robin Hood to stop him at that time.

"I know already but just to be certain and make sure you know, What prince?''

"Drevial, don't tell me that you were not aware of the existence of Prince Kane the third." Jasper says exasperatedly.

I give him a sheepish smile.

"Never mind. I'll deal with your low general knowledge later. Now LISTEN. It's not safe. I won't stop you if you still want to go but CHOOSE wisely. This is the first time you'll be going back to Fortris after a year. REMEMBER the FORSAKEN. DON'T make a decision you'll regret.''

I face Jasper. It has been a year. I'm not 14 anymore. I know how to control the blizzard chained to my soul. Besides, I made a promise to someone and i will keep it. The year is up.

"It'll never be safe. Evil will continue to grow but there's greater evil which lies with the monsters of our soul. Jasper, I know your scared. I know that I don't the capabilities of the evil unlike yourself but I must go."

"This is the first time you've ever said anything sensible. Go. Leave at midnight. Don't tell anyone I allowed you. I'll ready Justice for you. She's your horse for the journey."

I give Jasper a hug quietly thanking him. He chuckles as I leave the room. I pull out an old letter now yellowing with age. The handwriting is still legible though fading away ever so slightly. Until we meet again.

                                                  ***

The sun had already risen over the horizon before I set off to complete the other half of the journey again. I left stealthily. No good-byes or hugs or anything. Justice and I were taking it easy. I'll probably reach in time to buy breakfast.

The woods were hushed with snow- just as they were long ago.I slow Justice down intaking all the memories I weaved in these woods.

A scream. I suddenly snap back into reality hearing the fear in the sound of the voice.

"FASTER JUSTICE!" I tell the grey mare, who didn't need to be told twice.

Leaping off the horse I fire an arrow into the Forsaken's back. The arrow entombs itself into the decaying skin as the beast howls in pain. It rivets it's merciless flaming eyes onto my face. I nearly freeze in fear recalling the mutt that attacked me a year ago. It leaps in my direction after I manage to roll away. I whip myself back onto my feet and yank out a dagger which I throw at the Forsaken.

A pool of sickening Forsaken blood drips onto the snow, melting it away like acid. I hear more screams of panic as I see a hooded figure leap onto the fiend's back lunging a dagger into it's flesh. The Forsaken rears up tossing it's attacker into the snow. It moves in for the kill.

"NO!!!"I scream throwing myself in between the two.

I feel red spots form in my eyes as I feel half my flesh get torn away. The minty metallic taste of blood floods my mouth as my blood mingles with the snow. Iciness. The snow. The cold. I lunge at the beast with a frost covered dagger. It disintegrates immediately. I fall. My eyes close blinded with the pain and the cold. I saved them.