"So, this is the source of your dark magic, huh," he scoffed as he looked at the massive dark crystal which seemed to have been cemented right into the ancient rocks itself. Just as Gavrael had expected, it was a dark fae that was crystalised within it, a real and full blooded one at that. 

"Well," Thundrann who was in the same state as Gavrael, if not worse, shrugged his bloodied shoulders. The half dark fae was already back in his original from. Gavrael had found out from their intense fight hours ago that Thundrann had killed Evie's father, the dragon guardian, in order for him to gain release of his own physical body. "You don't look quite that surprised, half dark fae." He taunted. 

"It was obvious to me. There is no way a little someone like you could be so powerful." Gavrael responded in a sneer and Thundrann laughed. That laugh however, Gavrael noticed no longer belonged to Thundrann. The creature inside the crystal was now in full possession of Thundrann. "Who are you?" Gavrael hissed out, his eyes blazing with alertness and fury.. 

"I am… let's say… one of your great ancestors." The voice had also been altered. It sounded deeper with a raspy quality to it. The way it answered Gavrael had a hint of mockery in it.

"Don't tell me you were one of the dark fae kings who had been corrupted." It was not hard for Gavrael to deduce and come to such a conclusion. This power was obviously the same as his. The kind of dark magic that was too strong, too dark, something forbidden.

"You are right." the dark fae admitted, causing Gavrael to narrow his eyes. "However, if you think I am here because I was defeated by my predecessor, then you're wrong. I left the Under Lands on my own. I was not forced. It is out of my own free will that I am here." 

Gavrael was not quite certain why this dark fae was even trying to talk to him, but he could only follow along for now while he was trying to figure out his next move. 

"I wonder… how did you end up being trapped inside that crystal. I believe that the crystal trapping your real body is not the same as the one which had trapped Thundrann's. Am I right?" Gavrael asked mockingly.

"Correct. It's not the same type. Because I was trapped here… far longer than this Halfling had been. And yes, the light fae queen who trapped me was much… much more powerful than the queen who trapped this Halfling." The dark fae answered, his voice dark and menacing. Gavrael could hear the clear murderous intent as he spoke. However, there was also a hint of ruefulness mixed in it. 

"So… another ancient queen trapped you."

"She was my lover…" he said suddenly and Gavrael almost believed the intense emotion that danced across his eyes as he said those words. "I sought and gained the absolute dark magic and left the Under Lands all for her sake… just so I could be with her. But guess what? She betrayed me in the end. And then she trapped me inside this damned crystal." Anger and darkness blazed in his eyes. The crystal behind him was pulsating with so much darkness that he felt it as a wave of power flowing out.

Looking at the amount of power it was exuding, Gavrael could tell this would exactly be how powerful he would become once he let his darkness consume him fully and completely. He had been fighting it very hard against it taking over him since he had embarked on this war. But it was all thanks to his vampiric side that Evie had awakened by forcing him to drink her blood, that he now was actually able to withstand the power of his darkness overtaking him until now. It seems that there were little miracles in accidents.

"Are you certain that she actually betrayed you? Don't you think she must have been forced to trap you inside the crystal because she found out that you have been corrupted? That you've lost your mind and your darkness had taken over you?" Gavrael probed more and a strange look flashed over the dark fae's eyes.

But then, he laughed out loud and long. A sardonic laugh which echoed and bounced about somewhat eerily inside the dungeon. 

"I heard that your lover is a light fae queen, dear fellow dark fae." He suddenly changed the topic. And he did not know why but what the dark fae said made Gavrael's blood boil. 

"So what?" Gavrael asked aggressively and defensively. "I don't see how it is any of your business."

"I can see that you're about to be corrupted by your own dark magic too. Do you know the future I'm seeing in you? You will also end up like me. Your darkness will consume you very soon… and once that happens, she, your queen will be forced to trap you in a dark crystal as well." He told Gavrael, laughing with much satisfaction. Gavrael thought to himself that this was truly the meaning of 'misery loving company'. 

"That absolutely will not happen. I will defeat your vessel without me succumbing to my darkness." Gavrael hissed. "I'm not going to end up like you! I will not allow myself to!" 

The dark fae laughed again. "How naïve. You are overestimating yourself, little one. You think you can defeat me without letting your darkness take over?!"

All of the sudden, the crystal pulsated with a very strong magic, and it flew towards Gavrael without warning. Gavrael was late in creating a barrier, so he lifted his arms over his face to block the oncoming attack instead. 

To his surprise, the attack did not touch him. His eyes widened at the sight of a strong barrier – a barrier created not by dark magic but by a light one. The attack was dispersed into little bright sparks after hitting on the barrier created by light magic.

He immediately turned to look behind him and what he saw made his heart freeze up in his chest. 

 ____

Keep the golden tickets coming spellbounders! 

Also, i'd like to update you guys about the paperback, i think i'm going to show a sample of the printed book very soon. I'm excited! For now please take a look at HWY's bookmark i'm puting on comment box. Please like the one you think is better. ^^

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