The Tiger Within 396 Life Drained Away

Kyera smiled and looked back at Crystalsa who grinned as well. There was a certain pride in her eyes, her grand daughter finally admitted her place among the family. She had never claimed her last name, her heritage, only the family she loved. This was unnecessary, Crystalsa would have gladly given her the name without such a show of filial dedication. However, the deal had been struck, and she could not intervene. Kyera had known that.

The lady in a shadow dress reached the center stage Kyera had been dancing on a mere hour before. On it, she knelt down beside a glorious Zither, made of pale wood. The soft wood was carefully carved and inlaid with gemstones that glittered in the sunlight. The strings stood out against the soft wood. She sat down, her hand gently tracing over the entire length of the instrument. She was older, late 40s.

She was elegant and tall, with charcoal hair wound back into a elegant swirl, the silver streaks like starlight in the black sky. She was dressed in a outfit made of shadows, and her hands were adorned with the most ornate chains that wrapped her wrist and middle finger. A amethyst gym placed at her palm. She was the Keeper of the Portal, Kyera knew instantly. She could vaguely remember the last Portal Keeper, a elderly woman with silver hair and dark skin, she had been kind, but with her age, was most likely a resident of the shadow Realm by now. This woman must have been her apprentice, the eighteen year old girl from Kyera's memories had grown into a lovely woman. Judging by her worn face and slowly graying hair she had perhaps just took on her apprentice. Speaking of, a twelve year old child stood at her side, seeming pleased to be there with her. The child was perhaps, her daughter, and obviously a future Portal Keeper judging by the jewelry that adorned her hands. The woman sat at the Zither her hands poised to begin to play and the child stood behind her, dutifully watching as the song would soon begin.

"Shall I begin, My Lady Mother?" She asked, and Crystalsa hesitated. She had a bad feeling but, that could not stop what was to come. Even if she had called this off the moment she felt uneasy, the tragedy was already set in motion. As it were, she didn't even try to stop the player.

"Call the Portal, Agatha." Crystalsa agreed sitting straighter in the throne. Kyera reached for Clovis's arm as the pair stepped out and began walking across the narrow path to the portal. As the song began to fill the air, the reality of the situation hit Kyera. The portal began to dance in response to the tune, her earring started to glow brighter as the shadow energy grew stronger. Her own essence and the shadows hidden within her body began to dance and hum as the portal opened.

Purple energy swirled in a beautiful symphony of color, blues and purples created a vortex that opened to a shadow of darkness, shadows spilling from the edges of the purple and blue ropes. Kyera felt the pull on her heart as they moved closer. Her brother's were just beyond that veil. She just needed to step through it with him, and they would be able to hold her again. They would meet their brother in law. Her heart filled with pride and excitement as they reached the final few steps. Clovis set the pace, and she kept carefully to it, they moved according to the song. At the end of the path, the pair turned, and bowed to the woman at the Zither. She was their only way to return, and if she failed they would both wander the land of shadows. Kyera offered her a gentle smile as they stood and turned toward the portal itself.

She bowed to Clovis, sweeping her arm toward the portal itself. He nodded Bowing to her as well before doing as she requested. Clovis stepped through the portal, as Kyera tensed growling as she turned back toward the woodlands. Her eyes darted toward the Zither player.

"BRYSON, MOTHER!" Kyera Cried out as she ran toward The ZIther player, the world seeming to move in slow motion. A arrow, the wide eyes of pain, the sound of a blade cutting through flesh. Kyera reached the Zither Player, mere seconds before the arrow burrowed deep into her chest. The second arrow only a moment behind, narrowly missing Kyera as she drove the Zither player to the ground. Kyera looked back to the Portal but, found herself torn in two. Her decision clear, Kyera tried to decide the best way to remove the arrow. The Zither player's breathing slowed and life drained away, and the portal slowly closed. Panic erupted.