Dawn officially called the session to an end and the council of the fire people turned to leave their fire. However, as they walked, Dawn felt a force keep her from moving forward. Instead, it moved her back to the sacred fire. She called out to her friends in desperation. "Guys!"

A few feet away, they turned and noticed that their leader had fallen behind. Try as they might however, they could not get to her. Then a mixed look of shock and horror flitted across their faces.

Dawn braced herself and turned around to find herself face to face with a group of people. In an instant, she knew that they were Nica. Who else's eyes would be so cold? "What do you want?" she demanded. One of the shadow figures separated themselves from the small group and indicated that they wanted her ring, the one that signified her as one of the chosen Lhaam. Anger boiled in Dawn's body and she shook her head no.

Another shadow figure stepped forward then and opened his cupped hands. Out of them, flew a tiny insect. It headed straight for her, and before she could swat it away, it stung her in the neck.

As Dawn weakened from the poison, someone went and took her ring. He turned to Dawn's friends. "She has one week. Surrender yourselves and you get the antidote. If not, she dies. Send someone alone to the Manor." With that, the people disappeared as well as the force that had held them back.

Quickly, the others brought her to the Healer's and left her there before all went to the Manor to try to get the antidote by force. Before they could all cross the Manor's gate though, a cold wind blew it shut, leaving one of them trapped inside. Three shadow figures emerged and proceeded to whip him before taking his ring, which signified him as one of the fire people. Then the beaten colleague was returned to his friends. "Remember!" one called out. "Only one can come for the antidote!"

Back at the Healer's, Dawn finally awoke from her first battle against unconsciousness and listened to the failed attempt to get the antidote. She learned how the other chosen Council members had already been contacted and were on their way. Then they presented her with the latest victim. "What's your name?" she asked gently.

"Ian."

She indicated for him to turn around and began a low chant, raising her hand to heal him. Instead of being healed though, Ian cried out in pain as more blood oozed out of his wounds. Dawn pulled her hand back, shocked and shaken. "This can't be possible!" she whispered to herself. "My powers can't already be weakening!" But the look on Ian's face told her otherwise. Tears started to fall from Dawn's face before someone calmed her down and encouraged her to go back to sleep and conserve her Energy for the following week.

The Healer, seeing that Dawn wasn't able to help, produced a salve and rubbed the cool concoction onto Ian's back to begin the slow process of healing. The others meanwhile, began to plan. It was apparent that force wouldn't get them anywhere. Yet they had to try again.

The group walked back to the gate and found that it easily swung open. Cautiously, they walked into the Manor and as they all stepped inside the main hall, the doors behind them shut. Darkness enveloped them for a short second and in the next moment, each found themselves swinging in an individual cage suspended in the air by a rope. All except for Stephen, that is.

Stephen jumped up and tried to pull himself up one of his friend's cages. From below however, someone grabbed onto his ankle and pulled him down. He quickly got onto his feet and prepared to fight his way through the group that had now surrounded him. Quite easily, they took hold of him and started carrying him down the hall. In a last moment of desperation, Stephen freed one of his arms and shot a beam over his head, burning the ropes that had held his friends suspended. Then he quickly flung the cages outside, letting them go free before he was out of sight. Once outside, the remaining fire people left to go back to the Healer's.

Stephen, on the other hand, try as he might, couldn't get himself free. He was brought to stand face to face with his archenemy, the leader of Nica, Clint. "I give you two choices, one of which you have to pick."

"Go on."

"One: You join Nica in exchange for the antidote. Or two: Give up your life and let Dawn die."

"How do I know the antidote is legit?"

Clint smiled cruelly. "Do you have a choice?"

Faced with no other choice, Stephen took the first option. He couldn't let Dawn die like that. He surrendered his ring and received the antidote, along with a set of orders to not speak to anyone but Dawn, and leave right away. So he took the antidote and went quickly to the Healer's. The week had almost passed by the time he arrived and he rushed straight to Dawn's room. When everybody saw him, they began asking him questions. With a brush of a hand, he silenced them and took a seat next to Dawn's side. He took the vile from his pouch and mixed it with water, gently waking Dawn up.

It hurt Stephen to see the happy smile she wore when she awoke some minutes later. She had grown so weak… He indicated that she should drink the mixture, but she would have none of it. "You didn't," she said, hoarsely. Stephen looked sadly down at his wife and nodded. "But why?"

"I had no other way," Dan said, choking up himself. "Either I die with you dying soon after me, or make the choice I made."

Dawn sadly nodded and accepted the cup in his hand. As soon as she drank, he got up, gave them all a final glance and left. Soon, Dawn was well enough to leave but was too sad to do anything once she got out. Everything reminded her of Stephen. It didn't feel right to her that they should be enemies for they loved each other too much. So one day, she told her friends her plan. She was going to give herself up to Nica. They protested, telling her that this was exactly what they'd wanted. It would lead to the break up of the council. Dawn however, could not see past her pain. She just had to see if Stephen was okay or not and see if there was any possibly hope in getting him out of there. Later that day, her friends went up to the Nica gate and said their final goodbye. Dawn looked behind at her friends one last time.

When she turned around, she was surprised to see Stephen right in front of her. "I've been expecting you," he said in a cold voice. Dawn's hope was crushed when she saw the change in him. He had grown to be a true member of Nica. He continued. "If you stay, will you give up your powers in order to live here peacefully, or would you rather die?"

Pride caused her to say, "I would rather die than join Nica."

Surprise as well as hurt and betrayal filled Stephen's eyes as he called someone from the house to bring her in. She was left in a small, plain room. In one corner, tucked away was a bed. A window provided the light for the room. That was it. Stephen watched her closely as she settled herself near the window before locking the door behind him after he left. Alone in the room, she thought of what she'd gotten herself into.

Dawn had been there for a little over a week when Stephen finally noticed the change in her. She looked pale and sickly. He noticed how she never ate and spent all her time staring out the window. Sometimes, a tear would roll down her cheek, but that was it. She never spoke a word. So one morning, Stephen decided to go in himself and ask what was wrong.

It was still very early, so he waited while looking out the window, which was open enough to let a cool breeze in. When she woke up, she was surprised to see him, but didn't say anything. She tucked her legs underneath her and waited for Stephen to notice her. When he did realize, he stood up and looked at her. Dawn noticed that he didn't have the harsh look that he had when she first came. In fact, there was no trace of the cold, Nica Stephen she hated. Still, she held her tongue, unsure if this was an illusion.

Stephen spoke. "What's wrong? I feel as if you don't love me anymore."

"What is there to say? You left, and I couldn't stand being away from you any longer. Then, when I came and saw how you changed, I just didn't feel as if there were any part of me left to go on with life. You changed into my enemy, I gave up my position to be with you, and lose the rest of my friends all in a short time. And you wonder why I can't talk to you?" she asked, incredulous. "What about you? How do you feel bout us being torn apart like this?"

There was a pause before Stephen answered. "I don't know really. I feel as if I shouldn't fight you because you were my wife. Then again, Clint would kill me if he thinks that I'm protecting you or worse yet, spying. I just don't know." He took a seat in front of her on the bed.

"So where does that leave us?"

Stephen gave a sad shrug and Dawn gave in to her feelings, drawing him close for a hug. It wasn't long before their tears mingled with each other's and they met in a long, overdue kiss. "I missed you so much," Dawn whispered.

But already, the change had begun. She saw his eyes turn cold and hard. She could no longer tell what he was thinking or how he felt. Dawn knew that he was under Clint's control now. Dawn crept slowly out of bed and went to the opposite side of the room. Stephen circled her until he made a sudden leap, cornering her against the wall. He was about to punch her when she blocked it. She blocked his next attempt as well. She was still holding on to his hands when he kneed her right in the stomach. She let go of him and fell, grabbing her stomach where it hurt. She looked up and cried out as Stephen hit her, kicking and pushing her around the room. Feebly, she kicked him in the leg and he stopped. "So that's how you want to fight? Well let's get to a more suitable area." The room disappeared and around her formed an arena.

"Now this is more suitable isn't it?" Stephen asked. And with that, the whole area flooded with lights. She looked all about her and saw that warriors guarded each exit and filled the spectator seats. Then she spotted a place that looked like a place for someone special to sit in, a balcony where the king would watch an execution or something. And who else would be there but none other than Clint himself? All he said was one word to start the whole thing. "Fight."

That did it. Stephen had a knife in hand and started toward her. She managed to get out of his way and attach herself to his back, trying not to get shaken off. Angry, Stephen took the knife and slashed one of her arms. Crying out in pain, Dawn fell to the ground and Stephen was right above her with the knife poised to kill. She just had time to grab his arm before it came down. Dawn locked her arms, holding his knife in place when somebody kicked the knife out of Stephen's hand. Both Stephen and Dawn looked up, surprised. It was Tommy, close friend of Stephen's. Dawn got up and joined Tommy, realizing how the warriors were surrounding them. They stood back to back and started fighting for their lives. They were soon separated however, and the warriors bound Tommy in one corner.

Dawn tried making her way to Tommy when Stephen grabbed her arm and pulled her back to him. "You'll fight me now, won't you?"

"Of course Dawn will, won't you my dear," came the sickeningly sweet voice of Clint. "And you will fight to the death. Otherwise your friend here will die."

Tommy yelled out, "Don't fight Dawn! I'd rather die than see you kill each other. You guys are my best friends!"

Poor Dawn was left with no other choice, answered, "I'll fight."

With that, Clint took out a dagger and pointed it at her. It glowed an eerie green and she was instantly filled with pain. She couldn't even stand up anymore. She was on her knees and trying very hard not to let herself collapse. She cried out in horrible torment.

Tommy knew what was going on. A memory of Clint doing the exact same thing to him a number of years ago flitted across his mind. He realized how Clint was drawing the power he had given from Stephen and the other warriors and putting it inside her. That way, she could kill Stephen, and then make her kill him next. Tommy realized how lucky he was and was firmly resolved to never let it happen again. When that dagger had been destroyed, he'd been set free. He looked at the dagger in Clint's hand and began to think.

After what seemed like a century to Dawn, she got on her feet and Clint easily swung her a sword. He left Stephen with no weapon at all. "Now, you will fight. And you will fight to the death of the other," he said and took his seat once more.

Like a flash, Dawn crossed the arena and was already less than a couple of feet away from Stephen. She was already pointing the sword at him, snarling like a wild beast. "Dawn," Stephen said uncertainly. "You know you don't want to do this to me. I'm your husband. We love each other too much. Don't end it all now."

Tommy searched his mind and then realized that since Clint had given all the power from the warriors to Dawn, they were now powerless as well. "Listen. Can you guys untie me? He needs help." Quietly, they removed his bindings and he went over to where Dawn had only one hand on the sword. He glanced over at Stephen and made eye contact, indicating to her arms. Stephen gave a slight nod. "Go!" They both made a lunge at her and each grabbed an arm. She was so startled that she let go of the sword, letting it fall to the ground. She realized what they had done and started struggling. Stephen called two more people to get her legs. With that, they lifted her off the ground.

It was then that the other Council members finally arrived, surrounding Clint's box seat. He was furious at himself for not thinking this whole thing through. He called out in a voice, "You haven't seen the last of me yet!" He vanished into thin air.

The dagger fell towards the ground, shattering. Dawn immediately ceased her struggle and lay limp in Stephen's arms. Unwillingly, he let go of her and let the Council surround the still body.

Quinn started the chant and everyone soon echoed her. "Listen to me, oh Great One. See this fallen one of your own people. Heal her, for she is of Hyam. We need her to continue our quest on returning Balance to your world." They linked hands high above their heads as they knelt around her and waited.

A peaceful feeling entered their presence and all felt it hover above Dawn's body. In the next instant, it had gone inside her body and Dawn slowly opened her eyes. She smiled at her friends. "Thank you," she whispered.

Stephen turned to Quinn. "This was a major loss for Nica, wasn't it?"

Quinn nodded. "They lost their chance to ruin us and also lost many of their own warriors. They will be hungry for revenge."

"We'll be waiting," Dawn said solemnly. A chorus of nods echoed her beliefs.

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