Rayna's Quest: Part 1

Death didn't just come knocking on the door, he kicked it in. The little witch wasn't going to escape him this time. He charged through the dimly lit foyer trying to scent on his prey. He'd tracked her to the house, isolated in the woods. She thought she'd be safe for a little while, but he was made a man of vengence by her deceit. She would pay and dearly for what she took from him.

Rayna was certain Branston would be coming for her, she just hadn't expected him so soon. She wasn't ready for him like she was the last times, and felt fear growing in the pit of her stomach. She began to gather the mediums laid out on the floor. He couldn't find them, otherwise he would use those powers against her. She grinned knowing most of his anger was due to the fact that she tricked him, she felt a sense of pride in how easy he fell for her. She could still feel his strength flowing through her blood, fresh, as if she'd just captured it. She knew she had ignited an anger in him that turned him deadly and cruel. If he ever managed to catch up to her, or, goddess forbid, recapture all of his energy, she'd be a dead woman in a heartbeat. There would be no mercy.

"Rayna!! I've come for you, witch! I know you're here! I can smell you. Tonight, Rayna, tonight you'll be mine again. I can't wait to hear your screams," he exclaimed as he charged down the hallway. He laughed as the excitment grew within in. He would finally be able to kill her and reclaim what was his. He couldn't wait to feel her delicate neck breaking under his brawny hands. For so long he had relished the thought of watching her life force drain from her, imagined her eyes wide with shock and horror before her light faded to nothingness. Where once her beauty stirred his his loins, now the thought of her dead set him on the brink. Perhaps he would take her one more time before her demise. He grinned and started climbling the stairs to the upper floor, where he sensed her.

Rayna heard the creak of the wooden steps as he made his ascent, she had to get out. She hurriedly grabbed the remaining items, stuffed them in her jacket and fled to the window. Three stories up, it was her only escape. If she could make it to the woods she could flash to the island where she would be undetectable by him. Waving her hand and speaking a soft incantation, the window opened. She dove head first out of it, turning on the way down to land on her feet and ran to the cover of the woods.

"You bitch!!" He called out, his fury a viable entity that she felt, even at a distance. "Run, Rayna. But know I will bring you to the Altar of Sha'lain. I will make this your destiny, I swear to it!"

Rayna heard his words and thought, not if I can help it, you bastard! She couldn't resist turning and flipping him the bird. "You're too slow again, Branston! Have fun tracking me now," She laughed and prepared herself for the quick journey. Flashing wasn't so bad once you got used to it. She inhaled deeply, readying herself for the momentary gust of freezing wind to carry her to her destination, and in the blink of an eye found herself back where she said she'd never go again. Back where this whole mess began.

Rayna stood on the sandy shore of the island, warding off the shivers from the flash. She glanced up at the granite wall that loomed in front of her, mentally marking the path of her climb. The energy surrounding the island rebounded her in her attempt to flash to her desired arrival point. The forces were set in place as a saftey device, an ancient alarm, to keep the adventurous from chancing a stay on the isle. Rayna was the first to brave the land in over 500 years, or so she thought. What the hell are you doing, Rayna? a voice whispered teasingly, seeming to be carried on the wind, it was followed by others, some friendly, some down right malicious. We're glad you're back Rayna, we missed you. You're going to die here, Rayna. Yes, let the little one die. We need her for the rising. She will be invincible. Rayna, you must not let this happen.

"All of you shut the hell up. I'm in no mood for this drivel!" Rayna shouted out to them and to nothing, the sound of her voice consumed by the wind. She knew the spirits couldn't harm her, she had been warded as a child and would be protected from the haunts no matter what. The other creatures that inhabited the desolate, barren place were another story. Phantoms or some said, demons, that dwelled in this demention as well as their own wandered both realms freely, although they were confined to the island on this side. Rayna didn't know the name of the place they hailed from, but caught a glimpse of the hellish nightmare that they called home in her visions. The thought of it filled her with dread. With luck, the beasts would be dormant. Knowing the time of Sha'lain was coming, and the energies of the mystics was increasing, she highly doubted luck would be on her side.

Sha'lain's arrival was immenent and had been foretold for centuries. Rayna's sacrifice, or lack there of, if she could prevent it, would be the detirming factor of Sha'lain's strength. If captured and put on the alter, Sha'lain would rule an eternal life on Earth. The fates would decide if the alien landscape in Rayna's visions would be set forth upon all the lands; if the humans would be fodder for hungry beasts. Rayna, knew she could stop it, if only she could make it to the cave.

As she got her bearings straight, and began her climb up the sheer cliff, a set of glowing green eyes watched her every move from above. It didn't like being disturbed. It didn't like sharing it's territory. It must be an invasion, it thought, but where was this thing's army? Surely this.. thing... must be a fool to think it could defeat me, especially alone.

It watched, impressed, as Rayna skillfully managed her free climb up the sheer, cold wall of stone; carefully securing her hand hold before executing her next move, swiftly making her way to the top. It grinned, knowing it would take her life, once she succeeded. It sat, folding it's legs beneath itself and waited for her.