Kai nodded sharply and walked toward the city exit.

"Is... there anything you'd like to talk about?" He said, his words stuttering. He followed her, trying his best to stay at the same pace.

"I don't have anything more to talk about. I've spoken to you about everything. Well... almost."

Gandal cocked his head, "What do you mean 'almost'?" He said, as he stopped walking.

'There's only one thing I haven't told you," she said with a sigh. She stopped and stared ahead of her. She then looked down at her feet and turned to him. She took a deep breath and looked him in the eyes.

"What...?" He said slowly.

"That day that you found me. The day my parents died. That was the day I died. Literally. I died and the Shadow revived me. For some reason it wanted me alive. I think... I think it wants to change that. I think it doesn't need me around any more." She sighed and looked down. "I'll understand if you leave. But just to let you know, because you deserve to, that never changed the way I felt about..." She trailed off when she saw a shadow claw. "They can't leave me alone." She grabbed and arrow and loosed it. "We should keep moving."

Gandal sighed, "Why didn't you tell me earlier," He rubbed his temples, sighing again as he looked up to her in the eyes.

"Because I was afraid. Never have I been afraid of anything but losing you scare me to death." She sighed and met his gaze. "I don't want to lose you."

"I... I understand." He mumbled, taking her hands, "I will protect you until I die. And even when I die, Kai, I will always be with you no matter what.

Kai looked down at her feet. "That's what I'm afraid of," she said. She looked back up to him. "If you stay with me you most probably will die. I don' want that." She looked down at their hands. "I don't want or need to be hurt again."

"If I have to die for you, then that's what'll happen." He said, smiling as he pecked her on the cheek.

She looked back up at him with surprise at first. It was the first time he had done that. She smiled warmly. "I'm just happy you're still around," she said before she kissed him on the forehead.

Gandal blushed, moving away, turning his head so she didn't see the cheeks which blossomed a bright red.

Kai laughed softly and turned to Rebecca. "Sorry about that. We need to get you somewhere safe. The closest village is how far?" Rebecca looked at her.
"4 hours that way," she said pointing east.

"Hm... let's hope this one isn't abandoned." He said, softly.

"I agree." Kai looked back to Gandal. "Lead the way," she said.

Gandal mumbled something before running off ahead.

Kai lifted the girl onto her back and ran after him.

<4 hours later>

Gandal could feel the change in the air as they slowly approached where the Village should've been. Shrill screams sounded in the distance as they got closer.

"No. No, no, no. Rebecca. Hide. And no matter what, don't come out until I tell you to." She watched as Rebecca ran. "Alright. Let's go."

"Screamers. Screamers are here." Gandal said, worry crawling into his voice. "I suggest you cover your ears." He said as another shrill scream pierced the air but this time ten times as loud.

Kai covered her ears and clenched her teeth. She hated Screamers with a passion.

Gandal took out his sword, ignoring the screams as he slashed at the fog. "Come out!" He demanded, the noise making him feel dizzy. He clenched his teeth, no being able to take it any longer. He clamped his hands over his ears once again.

Kai reached up quickly and took her bow and arrows out. She shot into the fog and heard a high pitched squeal in return. She had hit one.