Chapter 19

"Time to wake up," I command, thoroughtly waking them all up. "There's a small lake nearby, we can use to freshen up."

Everyone starts to move around, doing their own think. Before I came back, I grabbed the big--black--bear from across the lake and brought it back. Draining the blood into eveyryone's drinking jugs, I drink the rest, before skinning the whole bear, cutting up the meat to cook over the fire. Throughout the night, I had my darkness, in the shape of claws, tend to the fire to keep them all warm while they slept.

Grant shuffles by, with his head down, bumping into my shoulder. Everyone but Silas freezes, looking at me. I, myself, clamo down on whatever urge I had to grab him, my body stiffened.

Show him. Dominate him. Now!

Those thoughts creep up on me, and I have to stop myself from turning around, fisting my hands up.

"See you're too weak," Grant mutters. Still, I don't give in to the thought, instead letting a deep breath out, rolling my shoulders back, numbing my heart and mymind.

Soothing vibes are sent down the bond by just about everyone, some even giving me a soft smile in apologize, which I nod back to.

Seems like this morning is already starting bad, before its even begun.

***

Two hours pass with everyone getting ready, getting something to eat, and relaxing before starting our walk again. To make everything easier, I decided to suggest a new formation, with Katherine, Grant, and I at three different locations around the group to keep them safe as we go deeper.

Although Grant doesn;t say anything to me, he gets into position, taking the lead. Katherine decides to take the left of the group, with my covering the back with my darkness, and my body the right. Settled, we start of route, and just like yesterdat, conversations erupt.

Here and there, I asked a question for my thoughts, however their mostly between Liam, Elizabeth, and Silas. Unlike yesterday, Lilith keeps glancing at me, worry written all over her face.

Weak. Pathetic.

Those voice come back, however I push them to the side, refusing to go that road with them.

"Daddy, can I have the next Goblin that comes," Silas Puts his lips at me, his big eyes striking my heart, in a good way.

I'm so whipped, I internally chuckle.

"Yes you can," I bargin. "Remeber your training. These are going to be life and eath type battles, Silas. YOu cannot frezze in the battle field."

SIlas nods firmly, taking my words in. All this time, the deeper we go, the more goblins we see. Most are green, however more and more filter in of different colors, like grey, blue, red and more. At first I thought it was jsut because they were dirty, however Katherine explained that the one other than green have evolved one or more depending on the color and shade. Regardless, my magic tears through them effortlessly. I worry for Silas, even though I think he should take this opportunity to learn and mature.

Unsurprizingly, a small group of light grey goblins burst out of the trees, weapons at the ready. Without a word, Silas dashes forward, long dagger already out to play. Watching, his hand-to-hand combat it great, however I see the hesistation for him to give the final blow. The goblns see that, using to their advantage, and it mintues have him down on the ground. It isn't til a goblins bringing down his knife, that Silas flings out wildly, and stabs the golbin in the neck. Blood splaters on his face, and his hands begin to sk=hake for a moment before they still. Silas makes quick work, killing the goblins now. After the fifth one is dead, Silas pulls behind a tree, and vomits. His eyes water, tears streaming down his face.

Walking to him,"You did great, buddy," I coo, rubbing his back soothingly. "You are my strong one."

After he stops retching his stomach up, he cleans his mouth with water. I pull him into a hug, patting his head.

"Am I a monster now?"

"Who told you take," I speak, internally seething.

"Jane told me I would end up a monster once I've made my first kill. She said that I will be evil, just like you,"

Remember once again, he's just a child, I pick him up in my arms, holding his temblingly figure, shushing his cries.

"You are not a monster. You are my son," I promise. "Never will you ever be a monster to me, Silas. KIlling is an everyday thing; the world around us would be so overpopulated if people and things didn;t die to make room for others."

"But the goblins-"

"In our prospective, they are creatures that tried to invade our territory, our world, to take it for themselves. They don't care for the har, they cause nor the death they bring. That is way you are not a monster, becuase even those you kill, you feel bad for," I console. " However, do not let that kindness blind you from seeing the world, little one. This world is dangerours and ruthless, and if you don't have the will and stength, it will eat you up and spit you out, letting whatever passes by have you for lunch."

"I understand," SIlas nods. "I'll do better next time." The gleam in his eyes that once was clouded, brightens, clearing up immediately. shaking my head, I contiune to carry him as we walk.

time and time again, more and more goblins appear, with more and more diverse colors among them. Soon less goblins appear, and instead Orks and Orges become the main stream creature. Fortunately, that doesn;t change how the formation we have, and it's not long before we make easy work of them. More come, but that isn't an issue. Silas even kills a few, getting a feeling for the kill. Got to say, I'm proud of him, willing himself to move pass his thoughts and feeling and trusting my word to keep getting stronger.

I will have some things to handle when I get back to the De'Clare residence. Nobody shall talk to my son in such a way.

Putting that on the back burner, Grant leads us forward, a comfortable quiteness following us. With my darkness checking around us, I can lower my guard a little, letting the passing scenery feel my eyes. It will never get old--for me, at least-- to see the outside world in its natural state.

Twelve o'clock approaches and we decide to take a break. There's no rush to complete the Trial given that we're suppose to be here for about two weeks. the more monsters you kill the better, along with the faster you are to get to the Matriarch's main house. I think that's where the real fun will begin, with this being an appetizer to weed out the weak among us.

Can't say I'm surprized though.

***

The more we travel the most firece the creature become, with many numbers behind them. It takes a bit more effort to kill them with each clash of Orcks, Orges, Skeletons, and sometime Zombies. On top of the fact that I'm using my mana almost none stop to keep the rear of the group safe from sneak attack that have happen more than I can count on my fingers.

Mutanted wolves come at us, growling with drool dripping from their smelly mouths. The day is getting darker and with the many creatures attacks from all angles, it's only a matter of time that we get stuck out in the open at night, still fighting.

I won't allow that to happen. Elizabeth is already sleep on Liam's back, tired from the use of her mana. Silas doesn't seem to be far behind her, him stumbling a bit when his eyes blink a little to long.

Having a break from the attacks, I strech my magic to its limit, searching for shelter, safe shelter that is. It's far off, but its nicely hidden behind a waterfall, that flows down one of the mountains. Looking at my group, I make a huge coccon around them all, letting them rest, with only their upper half of their body out. Sleepier than I thought, everyone but Lilith falls asleep, one after the other. Even Katherine failed to stay up no matter how hard she tried.

"You're growing stronger," Lilith acknowledges. "But don't push yourself so hard. I can tell you're running on fumes."

"I'll be fine until I get to the waterfall," I assure. "I'll rest once I get us there safely."

"All alone?"

"It's fine so stop worrying. Plus I could always jump into the coccoon myslef, however it'll drain my mana faster with the added weight."

"Let me-"

"Go to sleep. That helps me," I interrupt. "I don't have to worry as much when you're all asleep. . .It lets me focus on the things around you that i can protect you from.I promise to listen to you when I get us there safely."

Lilith huffs, receeding back into my huge darkness puff i cinjured, the 'I'm holding you to it' face. Dashing, I run the way to the waterfall, killing anything that comes close with my twin katanas. My mana drains from me, but I grit my teeth instead, Pushing myself to my limits.

'We cannot stay in the open' is all that i have on my mind to motivate me to get there faster. It's a miracle that I haven't dropped yet, given that I've been using my mana nonstop.

Pushing harder, I burst off with newfound strength. Coming to a massive clearing, A huge clear blue pong sits, as a waterfall flows into it. Walking around, I see a passage I can take to get to the hidden cave without getting wet. Just in the nick of time too, seeing at the sun is starting to lower, not quite sunset but heading that way.

"We made it," I huff, vision starting to sway a bit, while softly placing them on the smooth stone floor. Lilith springs up waking Grant from his slumber.

"WHat's-"

"He overexerted his mana and stamina. He needs to rest," Lilith speaks, cutting Grant off.

Shaking my head, I protest. "I have to search the surroundings. There were a lot of cre-"

"Hush! Grant and I can do that, you mister needs to rest. Actually sleep"

"She's right," Grant agrees. "You're weak if you don't have the power to use your strength. Putting people in more danger that you realize."

"I'm fine," I insist.

"Then how many fingers am I holding up."

My vision blurrs as I grit my teeth, looking at Lilith's fingers. They all seem to blurr together.

"four," I guess.

"Wrong," she snorts. "It's one. That is enough to tell me that you need to rest."

Dammit. I feel weak to allow them to do this. It doesn't sit well with me, knowing that something could possibly happen and I not know. It makes my nerves crawl and my body tense, but that doesn't stop my legs from slwoly giving out, as I slide against the wall.

Lowly growling at my weakness, i try to get back up, but Grants pushes me back down.

"Stop being stubborn and rest. I can take care of things.'

Looking into his eyes, with as much clarity as I can, I demand, voice slurred," You two come back safe, dammit."

A small, microscopic smile reaches his face before he wipes it off just as quick, pulling back from me. Lilith follows him out the cave, as darkness takes me away.