The Woods Of Night: Book One Of The Kasai Series 20 Chapter 20.

Alina looked at him and smiled. She looked back into the forest and sighed, "Is this the right thing to do?"

Lyle looked at her and then behind him, "We need to do this. We need to kill Markabe."

Alina nodded and started walking into the forest. Lyle stopped her before she could take her first step, " We need to take caution. Who knows what could be in there."

Alina stepped back behind Lyle. He started forward with caution. As soon as he took one step into the forest something tackled him. Lyle hit the ground and was struggling to get whatever was on him off. Alina took her wand and waved it. The creature flew off Lyle and into a tree. Lyle sat dumbfounded. Alina walked over and helped him up. "What was that!"

"I have no idea."

They kept walking, their feet sinking into the soft and damp ground. Every step was with caution and precision. The sounds of the forest surrounded them. The wind blew and the trees shook.

Alina felt like something wasn't right. Even though they could defend themselves, she felt unsafe. She stuck close to Lyle not taking a step from him. Lyle could see that Alina was worried. He wrapped his arm around her waist and walked with her. Alina started to feel a bit more safe with Lyle's arm around her. They walked and walked with even more caution.

They started to slow down and decided to take a rest. "Lyle, how far do you think his castle is?"

"It can't be far. I think I can see the towers."

Alina looked up and saw the tips of towers. She looked back down and at Lyle. " What will happen. We could die doing this, you could die. I can't do this." She put her hands over her face and looked away from Lyle. She could feel tears rolling down her face. Lyle looked at her sympathetically. He walked over and stood infront of her. He lifted up her head and looked her in the eyes. " Alina, I'll be okay. You will too. We will win this fight."

Alina sniffled and smiled at Lyle. She moved closer to him and wrapped her arms around his waist. Lyle smiled and wrapped his arms around her too. They stood there, hugging and swaying in the wind. Alina felt Lyle move his hands to her head. She smiled and let go of him. He looked at her and placed her lips on hers. Alina blushed but closed her eyes. Lyle separated from her lips and looked at her. Alina smiled and hugged him again. " C'mon lets keep moving."

Alina and Lyle walked again. They came upon a small clearing. As soon as they walked into it, all exits were blocked by the trees. They stood back to back, sword and wand drawn.

"Hah. So this is the persistent Alina Marano and Lyle Ricana. It looks like you have found me."

Alina and Lyle whirled around and looked at the man who spoke. "Markabe..." Alina said.

"That is my name, don't wear it out."

Lyle lifted his sword and prepared to attack. Markabe with a flick of his hand knocked Lyle to the ground. Alina had a grimace on her face. She raised her wand and started to cast a spell. Markabe laughed and flick his hand one more time and Alina disappeared in thin air. "Alina! What did you do!!" Lyle exclaimed in anger as he stood up. He picked up his sword. He ran to Markabe and swung his sword. It just went through him as he disappeared. "G.o.ddammit! Where did he go!"

*Alina*

Alina appeared in a musky room with chains on her arms. " What the... Where am I!"

"You're in my castle, Alina."

"Let me go you b.a.s.t.a.r.d!"

"Why would I. I could just let you rot here."

" What did I ever do to you!?"

"It wasn't just you. Your entire family and Lyle's are my sworn enemies. Years ago they destroyed my castle and killed my family. Only because my family destroyed the entire west side of the continent. I was able to get away and hide, but I swore to get revenge. I studied magic and tracked down your castle for years. When I finally found it, I waited until your father left for his journey. I then sent a flaming inferno on your castle. I meant to kill both you, your brother and Lyle as well, but I only got one of you. But today instead of killing you, I'll kill what you love most."

"No, please just leave Lyle alone. Kill me instead. Please!!"

Markabe laughed and started off out the door.

Alina struggled to escape her bonds.

*Lyle*

"Alina! Where are you!!" Lyle was running through the forest, looking at every inch for her. He was panting. Tears were welling in his eyes. He ran and ran. His sword was at his side and his armor was clanking. He didn't know where she was or what to do. He stopped and fell to the ground. He couldn't handle this. "I'll never find her, she's gone. I can't handle this. I need to find Markabe." He got back up and started running again. He was determined to finish this. To end all of this. His tears started to dry and he put a grimace on his face. His face persistent and of anger. He started to run faster and faster. He jumped over every root and log. He could see in the distance the entrance to the castle. He stopped and caught his breath. He stood in front of the entrance. The gates opened and Lyle walked in.

*Alina*

She still struggled to escape her chains. She thought of someway she could contact Lyle. She thought through all her spells and chose one of her favorites. She whispered and in front of her a small portal appeared in front of her. She could see Lyle standing in front of the castle doors. "Lyle! Over here!"
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Lyle saw her and walked to the portal. " Alina, you're okay! Thank G.o.d!"

"Lyle I can't hold this open for long. Jump through now!" Lyle jumped through the portal as soon as it closed. He arrived in the dungeon that Alina was in. He stood in front of her tears in his eyes. "I'm so glad you're okay!" Lyle took his sword and broke Alina's chains. Alina ran and kissed Lyle. They stood there for a minute or so. "Okay, we need to get out of here."

Alina took her wand and unlocked the door. They walked out and into the hallway. They followed it to the stairs and went up. The main hall was decorated with blacks and grays. They ran down and found Markabe. "Alina, stay here. Let me fight him first," said Lyle.

"No! You'll die!"

"Alina, I'll be fine," He put his head to hers, "I love you." Lyle ran into the throne room. Alina watched as he confronted Markabe. Lyle raised his sword and started to fight.

*Lyle*

Markabe was standing in front of Lyle. He had his weapon in hand and was preparing for the fight ahead. "So, Lyle Ricana, you found me. Are you ready to end this?"

Lyle stood prepared, his sword in front of him. He swung it at Markabe. Markabe ducked and swung his own sword. It grazed Lyle on his arm and he winced in pain. He swung his sword again and hit Markabe in the shoulder. They fought and fought.

*Alina*

Alina watched as Lyle and Markabe fought. She thought to herself "How do I save him?" She took her wand and pointed it at herself and said, "Duluri Finite." A small bit of light shone from her wand and went into her body. She gasped. She looked back into the throne room and saw what she dreaded.

*Lyle*

He was able to stab Markabe in the side. He wrestled him to the ground. Markabe was reaching for his sword which Lyle threw to the side. Markabe raised his legs and pushed Lyle off him. He grabbed his sword and stood in front of Lyle. He pushed him to the ground and stood on top of him. "This is what you dread isn't it Lyle, to have Alina see you die." Markabe raised his sword and plunged it into the one he did not expect.

*Alina*

"No, come on Lyle. Please don't stop." She watched and realized what she could do. She whispered under her breath and switched places with Lyle. She felt Markabe's sword plunge deep into her chest. She gasped and everything went dark.

*Lyle*

He gasped. He felt no pain though. He looked down and saw no wound. He looked around and saw where he left Alina. "Alina! No!" He ran into the throne room and saw Markabe plunge his sword into Alina. "NO!" Lyle ran and tackled Markabe. He fell to the floor and wrestled him. Lyle was able to get his sword and plunged it into Markabe's head. Lyle stood back up and went to Alina's body. He removed the sword and threw it to the side. He cradled her body in his arms. Tears welled in his eyes and he started sobbing. He closed his eyes and sat there. His tears rolled down his face onto Alina. Suddenly Alina's wound started to radiate a dim golden light. Lyle opened his eyes and gasped. Alina's wound was healing! He still had tears in his eyes as her body healed. Lyle watched as Alina sat up. "Alina!? How!?"

" A delayed resurrection spell. I learned it a day ago."

Lyle wrapped his arms around her and kissed her. They sat there with tears and happiness.

10 Years Later...

"Sophie, slow down, I don't want you to fall!" Alina was watching a little girl running around in a field. Next to her sat Lyle, with his hand in hers. " Happy anniversary Alina. To a good five years of marriage!" He said and kissed her on the cheek. "Mom, Dad Ewwwwwww." said the little girl. "Sophie come here" The little girl ran to Alina and sat down in her lap. "Mom, can you tell me the story again? Please! I love the part where the girl saves the boy!"

"Maybe tonight Sophie, maybe tonight"

But that night no story was told, but a story had ended.

THE END.