Chapter Thirteen

Jade�s telling dream�The girls' determination to save Tygra�

Jade found herself to be standing in a darkened room oblivious to how she arrived in such a place. “Hello? Anyone there?” She asked looking around in the darkness for any sign of light which may help her illuminate her surroundings yet found nothing to aid her. “Tygra? Star? Where are you guys?”
She turned back; a small flame was burning in the distance. That was not there before… With no other choices to choose from, Jade decided to move towards the flame, caution burning within her mind.
“Hello?” She called once more a little louder still walking towards the flame. The flame began grow with each step she took, taking the shape of a sphere more then that of a flame.
She could see someone was there standing just behind the burning sphere, holding the fiery ball in the palm of their hand. The person was dress in a long, black silken cloak, the hood pulled loosely over the person‘s head, shielding the face in darkness.
Without a moments hesitation, Jade continued onward, determined to find the reason she had been taken to such a place. After a few more steps, she stopped. The person had placed their left hand on the side of the hood grasping its edge before pulling it back, revealing the persons face. Jade felt her heart skip a beat at the sight of the one standing before her.
Tygra. Standing before her now was Tygra, but then, not Tygra. Her face was darkened with rage and hatred as she looked back to her. Everything about her was darkened in some way from her make up to her clothing, her all black hair and dark pupil less eyes.
“Tygra? Are you alright?” Jade questioned, taking a step closer, a hint of concern could be heard within her voice.
“I’m fine.” Tygra replied in a low sinister tone as a mischievous smile crossed over her pale features. “You should really be worrying about yourself, though.”
Jade stopped in her tracks. “What are you talking about?” She took a brief look around the rest of the area, still seeing nothing but darkness around her. “Where’s Star?”
“Oh, you don’t need to worry about that little nuisance. She has already been taken care of.”
“What?”
“Aw, poor Jade…you‘re a little baffled aren‘t you?”
Jade felt her muscles tightened at the sound of the voice surrounding her. She grit her teeth painfully. “Come out into the light! Show yourself you b*****d!”
Footsteps could be heard echoing though the darkness before a dark figure was seen coming closer towards Tygra’s left side. Jade’s anger burned furiously as Drake stepped out into the light of the fiery sphere Tygra maintained. He placed a hand to Tygra’s shoulder.
“Tygra,” Jade yelled swiping her hand out before her, “get away from him!”
“Not on your life!” Tygra placed her free hand out before her, the tips of her fingers facing Jade. Lengthy shadows came up from the floor, wrapping around Jade’s legs and up her body, down her arms, locking her in place. Jade struggling vainly against the shadows holding her so tight.
“Sorry, Jade. But this is your fate.” Drake said with humor in his tone. “To be stopped by the only other person you’ve ever cared for.”
“Tygra, you can still stop this! It’s not too late!”
Jade exclaimed
“I’m sorry Jade, but it has to be this way!” Tygra yelled clenching her hand into a fist. “This is the way it has to be!”
“No!” Jade’s scream of protest came out strong but was uttered short as the shadows around her squeezed tighter and tighter around her body until…

“No!” Jade screamed, jumping upright in her sleeping bag in a cold sweat.
She quickly looked around her surroundings finding herself to be safe within the camp. Oh, it was only a dream. But it felt so real!
“What the heck is going on now?” Star cried waking from her peaceful slumber.
“Sorry, I-I had a dream. Just a dream...” Jade said shaky at first before calming her tone.
“More like nightmare! You nearly gave me a heart attack with that scream!” Star exclaimed standing to her feet.
“Sorry about that.” Jade said climbing to her feet as well.
“It’s alright. I guess while we’re on this trip I have to get use to not sleeping.” She looked around the camp. “Where’s Tygra?”
“That’s a very good question.” Jade said looking around once more. “Ty-” her voice caught in her throat as she began to call out her friends name when a low voice was heard.
Oh dear. Where’s your friend, Tygra? Having some trouble finding her, aren’t you?
“Drake!”
Laughter surrounded her at the sound of his name. “You need not worry about her, old friend. You’ll be seeing her again. As soon as you get to my tower, that is. Your dream is no longer just a dream any more, Jade. It’s now a reality. We’ll be waiting for you, my dear old friend.”
Ending with his sinister laughter, his voice slowly began to fade away. Jade felt her legs grow weak beneath her as she fell down to her knees. This can’t be happening! Tygra…
“That was Drake, wasn’t it?” Star questioned in a quiet tone. Jade turned towards her, confusion crossing her worried features. “I heard it, too.”
“Yes, it was.” said Jade, more to herself than Star.
Jade then reached for her necklace. Realizing that it was there she left out a sigh of relief. She then searched for her bracelet and the scroll, finding nothing in their place.
That’s to be expected…she placed a hand back up to her necklace. That spell must still be working…
“We have to save her!” Star exclaimed stepping towards her panic and fear shining within her eyes. “We’re going to save her right?”
“Of course, we’re going to save her. We’ll burst right through the front door if we have to.” Jade said matter-of-factly as she stood to her feet once more.
“I hope we’re strong enough to do this.”
“I know we can do this. I’ve done so before.”
“You have?” Star exclaimed surprised.
“Yes, some time ago…however there were some obstacles in the way.” She turned back to Star with confident smile. “But with your help, we’ll definitely be able to do this.”
Star returned her smile. “Thanks Jade.”
“However, I will tell you one thing.” Jade said turning away from her. “You are my reliance for the moment. I’m not sure how well I can keep this up in my condition.”
Star swallowed, nodding slightly, stepping closer. “That’s fine. I will do what I must in order to save Tygra…and the world.”
“That’s good to hear.” Jade said stepping foreword. “Because you are going to have to do the unthinkable to finish this quest.”
Star narrowed her eyes questionably. “And what is that, may I ask?”
“You’ll have to take the life of others.”