"No one diserves to live your life. It is because of something I have done that you were forced into it, and I will get you out of it. As for the men behind us, they have all sworn vows that they will one day unite and destroy Veron when there strength had reganed... and just try and get any of them to leave." Jaden said his last words with a bit of a smile.


"I can understand your feelings, but please understand this. It was my doing, therefore my responsability." Jaden added.

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Eleshna nodded, though was still uncomfortable with all that seemed to be focused around her.

She was about to say she had gotten herself into this mess by foolishly following Veron in the first place, but thought better of it, realizing it would sound like the very words he himself had spoken.

"I thank you none the less..." she went silent again and gazed ahead to the already setting sun, as they neared the valley.

Again a heavy fog covered the area, strangely sudden and thick, and Eleshna seemed more alert.

"There are Shadows amidst the fog..." she whispered. "Do not challenge them and they shall not harm you unless summoned to do so..." Strange figures were seen here and there around them, disturbing the fog.

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I am a pro-cycling fan! Congrats to the Young rider of the Tour de France!
~Cyclist in Training~

"I do want you to know however that I do this allso to help you. You have been one of the few who have befriended me since I left the Sion long ago, and for that and you past assistance I am eternaly greatfull." Jadenreplied to Eleshna.

Later as they neared the valey the fog covered thick. Jaden looked around at the shadows as Eleshna warned them all. Nodding in respons Jaden continued on slowly.

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Eleshna smiled at his words and nodded slightly. "Help from a friend, I can accept..." she replied quietly, then realized it had been a long time since she had called anyone 'friend'. "A very long time indeed..." she whispered to herself.

Suddenly she growled as a Shadow grabbed at her arm with an icy grasp, the cold remaining there for some time, but she held back the urge to attack. Instead she looked towards the shadowy form with a harsh glare, muttering a few words, and the Shadow backed off.

A few various other Shadows did the same to some of the men behind them, and Eleshna hoped they would not try to hit or show any retaliation towards the Shadows... yet.

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I am a pro-cycling fan! Congrats to the Young rider of the Tour de France!
~Cyclist in Training~

Jaden watched the display as they moved on, having his own brush with one of the things.

"Are they intelagent?" he asked Eleshna.

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Eleshna nodded. "They are, in thinking situations out, but they do not always have control over themselves... they react on instinct and curiousity and mischief, and their tempers are something to fear... Their touch is as cold as ice and will live the area they came in contact with, chilled, like death"

She glanced at the shadowy forms again. "But they shouldn't be gathering like this... unless Veron... summoned them..."

At the mention of Veron's name, a sudden screech was heard in the mist, right beside them, and it seemed a Shadow had snapped into insanity at the name.

It attacked one of the men behind them out of rage, gripping the man's throat with an icy grip. Eleshna turned her horse around and rushed the Shadow, breaking it apart by forcing the mare in through it.

The Shadow gather himself and retreated, while Eleshna shivered and returned to ride beside Jaden.

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I am a pro-cycling fan! Congrats to the Young rider of the Tour de France!
~Cyclist in Training~

Jaden couldn't help but blame the thing in some ways....

The ride was nearing the end and it could possibly bring about his end as well. But Jaden was content with his situation. He had the only true friends he had int he world with him.

His old friends from the Sion, Azher, Eleshna, and his new young friend Ketra. He could see no better way to die. (possibly because a lack of expirience in his life of happy situations)

"I want you to know now that whatever happens it was a great plesure to know you." Jaden told Eleshna.

They would soon stop for the night, fighting Veron inn the morning. Jaden would need the rest, and the men would need to get there bearing on the surounding lands.

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Eleshna looked at him, and took his words seriously, though with a saddened look on her face, for she realized things could end just as badly as they always had, and she'd again regret letting herself get to know another being and them getting to know her.

"It has been my pleasure to know you as well, Jaden... It has been long since someone has shown me true kindness in the ways you have, but let us not speak in such ways and let us hope that all will go well... You are the only one... living... whom I could call a true friend" she turned her head to look away, not able to bear thinking of how she'd feel if the ending were to turn awry and she remained alive if he died as all her other lost companions had.

The fog refused to lift as the dark of night set in with an almost unbearable heaviness and chill.

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I am a pro-cycling fan! Congrats to the Young rider of the Tour de France!
~Cyclist in Training~

Jaden managed a smile. "We will make it." he told her.

Jaden looked around at all the men he had once known. It had been... who knew how many years since he had seen any of them. They were still recognizeable (some of them) but they had all changed.

"Asside from Azher I am in the same situation." he told her as he scratched Azher on the head, the small dragon laying beside him.

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Eleshna nodded and looks into the mist, watching the vague shadowy figures flit here to there.

She smiled at the small dragon then shivered against the chill, looking out again, watching a daring Shadow creep closer then retreat, as though testing the nerves of the men there.

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I am a pro-cycling fan! Congrats to the Young rider of the Tour de France!
~Cyclist in Training~

Jaden layed down to sleep, he would need his rest.
Azher, laying his head on Jaden's leg rested easily, ignoring the shadows as if nothing was even there.

The men were not all so calm however.

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A few Shadows during the night dared to grasp at random men, prefering to take hold of their arms or shoulders.

Eleshna watched cautiously, refusing to fall sleep least the Shadows get out of hand, or the men for that matter.

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I am a pro-cycling fan! Congrats to the Young rider of the Tour de France!
~Cyclist in Training~

(mroning can come whenever your ready)

That night Jaden slept well, pleased that no dreams came as the night before.

But this time there was something else... something in his mind like a voice... something distant, somethng he had never felt before or herd.

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Eleshna had found she had dozed off, and when she awoke, it was morning but the heavy fog was still upon them, and she sank back slightly with wide eyes as she found herself staring in the formless face of a Shadow its hand just about to touch her forhead.

She sucked in a breath and held still, looking through the Shadow instead of at it. When it left she breathed a sigh of relief, but shivered, severely chilled by the encounter.

Standing she glanced around and noticed many of the men had refused to sleep, seeming on edge. Eleshna then walked over to Jaden, who was still asleep, and shook him gently.

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I am a pro-cycling fan! Congrats to the Young rider of the Tour de France!
~Cyclist in Training~

Jaden opened his eyes as he felt the movement.

But the voice.. or whatever it was.. was still there.

An image flashed before his eyes, shock running through his body. He reached out and grabed, knive to the throte of his advesary.

His eyes cleared as Eleshna's face came into view. His face sank into that of disbeliefe as he turned away, his fngers going limp as his knife fell from his hands to the ground.

"I.. I'm sorry." his shock filtering out his voice.
Jaden dropped to his knees, closing his eyes and shaking his head a bit.

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Eleshna gasped at his sudden action and brought her hand up instinctively to keep the dagger from going to her throat.

She stood there, dumbfounded at first by the look in his eyes then her shoulders drooped slightly as he turned away and she realized what had happened.

After waiting a moment longer, Eleshna took a step towards Jaden and put a hand on his shoulder, crouching to his level. "It's.... him... isn't it?..." she asked cautiously.

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I am a pro-cycling fan! Congrats to the Young rider of the Tour de France!
~Cyclist in Training~