Adia moved silently by the lake, her bare feet skimming through the quiet water. She could see nothing around her, only feel the coolness at her feet and hear the light sounds of life in the forest nearby. Her mouth tipped downwards at the corners, bitter lines of sadness and defeat etched along them. She had become cold, detached, and angry with time. She remembered a time when she had smiled easily but that was now gone. She had lost everything and she could never get it back.

She lifted a hand to remove a stray hair out of her face. It was the colour of snow and fell down below her waiste. Her demon self was the one thing that now protected her from the world. She hid behind its mask so that none could get near. It was her burden to carry and her shame. It was what had driven the one thing that had saved her from a life of nothing away.

Her lips twitched into a bitter smile as memories returned. The hurt surprise in the eyes that had once looked on her with love, the stains of red upon the ground and the screams as flames flicked around her. She had run away then, dissapeared into thin air. She remembered the tears that had fallen for what had seemed forever. The pain that had never left. She could not recall exactly what had happened that night, but could recall vividly that she had been at the centre of it somehow. It was still hazy and deep down she had hoped that it had all been but a dream.

It had been quite some time since she had last seen Zenith but when she had returned to find out what had become of him after that night she had discovered that he had departed, and then when she had been sitting quietly in a small run down pub some time later she had overheard of his death.

But that was the past... she now had to look to the future and wondered not for the first time why she did not just kill herself and be done with it. Her solitude and sorrow had never felt so heavy upon her shoulders.

Once again the memories of death flowed through a single being at the Lake Aelin, that single being was the Arch Angel of Life Zenith Meria. He had come to the lake everyday since being saved all that time ago now. With his power fully restored, and infact succeeding that of his previous power, Zenith was not spending time to reflect on the memories he had with the people he had lost, of the people that thought of Zenith as dead. Among these people was the first person Zenith had ever fallen for, a Shapeshifter Rauko by the name of Adia. He had met her at the falls in Arda, or rather had saved her from a mass of vampires and taken her to the fall to be safe.

Although since the rumours of the angels’ death he thought Adia would be best not seeing him, he did not want to cause her more pain and in truth he felt she would be far safer without him near her. Zenith could not help but feel pain in his heart every time he thought of Adia, she was his first love and in some way he would always care for her. But it was not only Adia that Zenith was trying to avoid contact with for now, no he was also trying to stay away from a dwarf by the name of Sraxen who had once served as somewhat of a father figure to the young Arch Angel.

There he was down on his knees near the waters of the lake, Zenith was not even wearing his armour on this day and his wings were fully spread out into the air around him. However he had brought along his blade known as Salvations Judgement, this blade had become an essential part of the angels’ life, as it was his main weapon for fighting back the darkness of Arda. As he rested near the lakes water Zenith let out a small sigh and said, “Adia, and Sraxen! You are both between without me in your life, this way you will be both be safe from those that choose to hunt me down!” Once saying this Zenith lifted his head looking from side to side as he heard the sound of another being drawing closer to him.

He was not exactly sure whom or what was drawing closer towards him but quickly Zenith grabbed his holstered blade and removed it from the holster. The blade now resting in his right hand Zenith continued to scan the immediate area and that was when he seen her! It was Adia; she had come to the lake for some reason, of all the times why now. With panic flushing over him Zenith quickly strapped his blade onto his side once more and jumped up towards one of the largest tress around the lake.

Thanks to his ring of jumping the angel managed to reach and high yet stable branch to perch upon. It was from there he looked down towards the form of Adia, she was still beautiful but he could not let himself be seen, not just yet. After all if he did who knew what the reaction of Adia would be right?

(OOC: :unsure: is sorry about late reply... getting internet at home very soon!)

Adia never heard the rustle of leaves or the silent change in the air as Zenith hid from her. So lost in her pain, she was unaware of the watchful eyes that had haunted her since their parting.

She closed her blind eyes as a tear ran down her pale cheek unchecked, her head bowed so that her smooth white hair hid her face and the flash of guilt, pain and sorrow that ran across it. She wished for solitude, and nothing more now. To be alone and forgotten.

Her movements were slow and heavy as she made her way further down the edge of the lake and deeper into the water. The gentle lap of welcoming waves sending cold shivers down her back. The tear trailed down past her pink lips and fell into the clear depths of the lake and she silently prayed that she would follow it as quietly and quickly as it had been accepted.

She had no conscious thought as to what she was doing. Her mind closed to anything but the relieving of the pain that engulfed her. Her body moving as if it were apart from her.

The lake now came up to her small waist as it slowly engulfed her. It was cold and yet so welcoming that she was lost. Only wanting release and knowing that it would give her what she seeked.

I will follow thee... and be free at last...

What was she doing here, what was Adia doing here on this day? Zenith had to know the answer to this; he needed to be able to know she would be ok. Letting out a very small sigh the angel looked on, as Adia seemed to be walking into the lake further and further. What was she trying to do? Zenith just hoped that it was not what he thought it was, no Adia would never try to kill herself, would she?

Zenith took hold of one of the branches in the tree he was in as he looked down towards Adia. He was not going to let her harm herself and so the angel slowly moved forward on the tree and soon jumped down letting his wings help him land softly on the ground below. There he was not still looking out towards Adia but what could he say, for all he knew she thought he was dead. Taking in a deep breath of fresh air Zenith moved forward and slowly began to part his lips. The only question was, what could he say?

It was rather hard to think of something to say to Adia, to the one person in Zeniths life that he fallen for. As the words gathered the angel began to remember more of their time together at the falls, yes that had been a really nice time and the angel now wished that Adia never thought he was dead. A small tear ran down the cheek of Zenith as he said, “Ad…Adia, I’m here Adia. Please Adia, will you please talk to me…” Sure what he had said was very stupid, but in truth Zenith could think of anything to say at that moment in time.

Now he had to just wait, wait to see what Adia would say back to him well, if anything at all…

((OOC: Also sowwy for lateness :'( ))

(OOC: We seem to be always posting late... so no more apologies... lol)

Adia heard the words as if from a great distance and turned her head slowly to look behind her. She couldn't believe what she saw, her mind was playing cruel tricks on her. Zenith was dead... this wasn't real. She lifted her hand out to him but then dropped it to her side in defeat. He was too far away... it was all in her head. A tear ran down her cheek once more.

"I'm so sorry..." she whispered before turning from him and continuing her slow descent into the lakes depths.

The water now came up to her shoulders and clung to her clothing, making them heavy upon her slight frame which had diminished since she had run away from Zenith that dark night.

"I have to end this nightmare..."

She dissapeared under the water, her eyes closed as she sank further down... her mind a complete blank... as slowly the nightmare receded into nothingness...

((OOC: Hehe I got my reply in the same day as you :p Yikes sowwy for shortness :/ ))

The angel seen Adia turning to face him and lifting up her arm towards him, the angels eyes then opened in terror as Adia once again turned away from him and began to walk further into the waters of the lake. It was only when Adia seemed to have vanished that sheer shock fell over the Arch Angel of Life. Quickly he pushed his right hand towards the lake and yelled out in a tear filled voice, “NOOOOO ADIA!!” It was as he said this that the angels’ power to control waters took effect once more. The waters of the lake parted making a large pathway through the lake in which Adia had been trying to take her life within.

Quickly the angel pushed off of him feet using his wings to go into the now opened up water to find Adia. The path was long and in truth the angel could not see her just yet. With luck he would find Adia, he could not let her kill herself over him. Landing on the base of the lakes floor Zenith quickly looked from side to side yelling out her name. Worry seemed to spread over the angel quicker and quicker as he searched for Adia.

His hair was moving softly in the wind as he turned his head from side to side, yet still the Arch Angel of Life could not seen her yet. Where was Adia? Zenith needed to find her, he could not lose her this way!

(OOC: Seems we are getting better at keeping up... lol... don't worry... mine are short too... :p )

Adia did not feel the water fade from around her. She lay at the bottom of the lake, at deaths door. Her pale skin almost transparent now. Her lips were slightly blue from the cold and her eyes were closed, her mind far away. The beating of her heart barely alive.

In her quest for death her body had changed forms into that of her angel self. It was as if in giving herself to death she had found her true form at last, and a peace had settled over features which had been etched with lines of sorrow and defeat that age had wrought upon her. But now were smoothed away. Her breathing was shallow and barely noticiable, only the slight, slow lift of her chest giving evidence to the slight life that still clung to the dying flesh.

Adia's mind was in a haze of darkness, just drifting slowly further away as she let the life drain from her body and let go of her earthly existence. All sorrow, all pain, all guilt... everything... falling into the eternal sleep that is death.

The angel continued to look for the form of Adia but he was not having any luck, it was right at that exact moment that Zenith spotted someone with red hair lying on the ground where the lake once was. Remembering back to his time with Adia he soon remembered this form to be that of her angel part. At least he had now found her, but Adia did not look to good at that moment!

Spreading out his wings once more Zenith pushed himself towards the now pale form of Adia. He landed right next to her; with tears streaming down his face as he placed one of his arms under Adia while the other hand was softly placed above her heart. Closing his eyes Zenith began to think to himself, “Please, oh please by the power of Lothlómendil allow me to help her. Please don’t let me lose Adia, I beg you oh Lady of Life!” It was right after saying this that Zenith opened his eyes once more to see his right hand glowing a light shade of blue.

The shade of blue began to get brighter and brighter as Zenith placed a vast amount of his Mana into his Superior Heal spell in order to help Adia. With any luck this would heal her fully, Zenith could not stand to lose her like this. Adia had to live, she just had to!

((OOC: Yup we getting quicker now :lol: ))

(OOC: WOOT! :rofl: )

The connection between soul and body began to slowly heal and the tendril's strengthen. Adia gasped as she was pulled back into life and reality, her eyes flying open as tears flowed down her cheeks that had returned to their normal pale hue.

She had been dying, falling into the inky depths of a dreamless sleep that would never end. Where had the blanket of ice gone? Where had the warmth come from that now filled her being? She was still trapped in darkness but slowly that darkness began to clear and light shattered across her sight like broken glass.

Shapes and colours began to make themselves known and she shut her eyes in fear. What was happening? Was she dead or alive? She did not know. In both worlds all had been darkness and now... now light filled her eyes with blinding intensity and she did not know how it had happened.

She felt the warmth of hands upon her chest and opened her eyes slowly once more to gaze upon the figure who owned them.

"Zenith?" she whispered softly, not believing what her eyes were showing her. "Am I dead? Where am I?"

She looked around her with eyes that now could see the world. Confusion filled them as she turned back to Zenith. Everything felt so real like before she had walked into the Lake to die. The only difference was she could see.

Zeniths spell seemed to be taking effect, Adia was healing rather quickly and that was something Zenith was very happy about. With tears falling down from his eyes the angel continued to keep his spell in effect, soon however he seen Adia come through once more. Seeing she was ok brought a smile along the lips of Zenith, he never wanted Adia to be hurt, after all the pair had been through so much together and if Zenith was able to change anything it would be that Adia never thought he was dead.

Soon Zenith heard her saying something to him, Adia was asking if she was dead and where she was. Hearing this Zenith Meria let out a small breath of air before he said in reply to Adia, “No you are not dead, at this exact moment in time you are in the Lake with the waters parting around you. I was not going to let you take your life Adia; you have so much still live for. Now please come with me back onto what’s meant to be the dry land ok?” Once saying this the angel smiled and looked to Adia, at least she was safe, that’s what really mattered.

Sure Zenith would have a lot to explain to Adia but in due time he hoped she would understand what had happened to him since they had both last seen each other in the woods by the falls. All he needed to do just now was wait on the reply of Adia to see if she would go with him or not, of course Zenith really hoped she would go with him as he would not be able to hold the waters of the lake back forever! If she was to walk back onto the lakes bank with Zenith then the angel would finally be able to tell her everything so that, with luck, Adia could rest a lot more easily. Sure it would be a long shot but the angel needed to try.

((OOC: Me sowwy for late reply :'( ))

Adia gazed at Zenith with clear blue eyes, for the first time seeing him truly. She blinked twice and shook her head, trying hard to take in what he was saying.

She wasn't dead? Niether was he? They were in the lake? This was Zenith? It didn't make sense.

"If I am not dead, then how can I see you? I was blind. How am I able to see you after never before being able to?" the words spilled from her in a confused rush as she gazed desperately around her for an answer. "Your supposed to be dead."

She felt lost. This was too much. Her mind couldn't take it. She stood a little unsteadily and stepped away from Zenith, uncertainty in her blue eyes.

"How? When? Why?" she whispered softly. "Your not real. You can't be."

She took another step back on the point of fleeing, fearful that this was some kind of trick.

"How do I know its really you? I've never seen you before. You sound like Zenith but..." she trailed off. "He is supposed to be dead."

Tears filled her eyes and trailed down her pale cheeks, a look of complete loss and sorrow turning her beautiful face into that of a childs who doesn't know where they belong anymore. She shuffled her wings nervously.

Zenith noticed something different about the woman known as Adia, her eyes were now a shade of blue and for some reason the Arch Angel could see a slight hint of fear lurking within them. With a look of worry spreading along his face Zenith listened as Adia began to speak to him, her words shattering his soul with every addition that she kept on adding.

Now that Adia was finally able to see she did not know if this was the real Zenith Meria or not, and the worst part was that the angel had no idea what so ever on how to show Adia it was really him. His eyes lowered to look upon the ground at his feet, a soft sigh passing along his fearful lips as he said to the woman, “Adia. Trust my voice, I am Zenith. People thought that I had died in the Mines but I was saved by a dwarf and healed from near death!” Taking in a deep breath Zenith then continued what he was saying, “However I am now back fully healed, and have gained back almost everything I have lost. Please Adia, do not let me lose you forever, I still need you within my life as a friend for you are one of very few that know me best.” Once these words had passed by his lips Zenith took only a small step forward.

The angel could only hope that his voice would be enough for Adia to know he was speaking the truth; after all it was what Adia had known him by in the past. Zenith did not want to lose Adia forever, yet at the same time he knew the pair would never be as close as they once were. As he waited Zenith was also trying to maintain his level on concentration in order to hold the walls of water up that was spread around both himself and Adia.

((OOC: So so so so so so sowwy for lateness :'( ))

(OOC: *huggles* Its ok... me late too. Been pretty busy this past week. *grins*)

Adia bit her lip. She felt herself being torn in two, just like the water Zenith seperated around them. It sounded so much like him. His voice, the way he talked. Everything screamed out to her that it was the man that she had loved. She let out a sob and ran to him, wrapping her arms around his neck and burrowing her face into his shoulder.

"I thought you were dead." she whispered brokenly.

She felt so safe being back with him. Everything seemed to fall back into place.

(OOC: I know .... very short... sorry... :$ )

Zenith stood perfectly still looking onto Adia, his thoughts going into overdrive as he tried to piece together what was going on in his life at that moment, not many of the people he knew thought he was alive, most of if not all of them having moved on with there lives. It was all to much for the angel to try and even sort out, of course he was soon broken out of this train of thought as Adia ran towards him and wrapped her arms around the neck of Zenith before burrowing her face within his shoulder.

With a smile Zenith placed one his arms around Adia happy she was safe again, but he knew deep within him that she needed to be free, she needed to free from him. Only then did a small sigh past through his lips, although Adia may not have heard the sigh as when it happened she had said, "I thought you were dead." to Zenith. The angel lightly bit his lower lip before he said in reply, “I am not dead Adia, but even though I am alive I feel things have changed far to much. I need time to gather up the parts of my life, I need to thing over so many things that have happened of late. But most of all, I need you to also move on with your life… without me… I will always be your friend and will always be there for you when needed, but after hurting you so much I can’t be anything more!” Once saying this Zenith closed his eyes, he was unsure on how Adia would react, but he hoped she was able to understand this from Zeniths point of view. He did not want her to leave his life; there would always be a place in Zeniths life for Adia.

((OOC: Hehe it's ok :p Yay I posted quick :o ))

(OOC: OMG! I am so sorry! :$ )

Adia pulled back and attempted a smile, lifting a hand to gently touch his face, still a little overwhelmed by the fact that she could actually see him.

"I understand." she replied softly. "I doubt we could go back to the way we were even if we had wanted to. Too much has happened. But I don't plan on dissapearing again and letting you out of my sight."

She smiled and hugged him close again.

"I missed you though."

She looked around them then and raised an eyebrow at the water.

"I think we should move, don't you?" she grinned suddenly. "Then we can talk some more."

Zenith continued to look towards Adia, soon he felt the soft touch of her hand on his face before the woman said, “I understand. I doubt we could go back to the way we were even if we had wanted to. Too much has happened. But I don't plan on disappearing again and letting you out of my sight." It was right after this that Adia seemed to hug Zenith. With a smile the angel hugged her back, listening as Adia continued to speak. Once say had finished Zenith looked at the water around them with the smile still crossing along his lips.

If it had not been for his ability to control bodies of water then Adia might have been dead at that moment, taking in a long breath of air the angel turned to face Adia again before saying, “Yes lets get out of here, after all this is draining my mana more by the second.” Once saying this he seemed to slightly laugh before walking over to Adia, now that she was safe and Zenith was still friends with her all seemed right again.

The angel then spread out his wings and flew over to the grass at, what would have been, the waters edge. There he waited for Adia, as he waited the angel once again tucked his large white wings into his back. What would happen now was unknown to Zenith Meria, but one fact was embedded within his mind and that fact was that no matter what was to happen in Zeniths life now, he knew his friends would always be there for him. It was that kind of thought that made Zenith become happy once more.

((OOC: Sorry for taking so long to post ^_^; ))

(OOC: OMG! THIS IS SOOOOO LATE! DAMN EXAMS! I HATES THEM! *grins sheepishly* I is very sorry... *huggles*)

Adia spread her own wings and took to the air, marveling at the fact she could now see where she was going. She landed beside Zenith and grinned up at him.

"Now lets watch it fall." she laughed.

The sight of all the water piled to either side of the lake was overwhelming and she couldn't wait to see it come crashing down to form the lake once more.

Zenith watched as Adia flew over and landed next to him, he smiled at her then hear her say, "Now lets watch it fall." Hearing this made Zenith laugh a little. He then slowly nodded his head and said in reply, “Sure ok. That could be fun I guess.” The angel then turned his head back towards the parted water and slowly rose up his left up at the body of split liquid. With a small smile the Archangel then quickly moved his hand downwards unsealing his spell.

With the spell now unsealed the water began to fall from each side, crashing into each other in a rather beautiful fashion. It was indeed a most spectacular sight to behold as the two bodies of water slowly mixed together back into the lake. Another thing that made this site even more beautiful than normal was the light from sun that made each and every tiny droplet of water glimmering like a diamond. Once all the water had merged together once more Zenith looked back to Adia and said, “Well then, what shall we do now? Seems like there may be many things you would like to do now that you have your sight right?” The angel continued to smile as he waited on a reply from Adia.

As he waited the angel could feel the wind picking up and blowing through his hair causing it to flow over his shoulders. His large and powerful white angelic wings could also feel the calming and soothing breeze as well.

((OOC: :lol: It ok, just glad that you posted :p hehe ~huggles back~))

Adia's eyes sparkled as she watched the water form the huge lake once more, her smile carefree and happy. She looked up at Zenith the light still glowing in her eyes. She felt young again.

"That was beautiful!" she grinned. "Oh, I can't wait to see everything else I have missed!"

Her wings quivered in untold delight at the things she could now do. She hugged Zenith swiftly, it was because of him she now had this limitless freedom.

"Thankyou so much!" she half laughed, half cried before pulling back to look up at him again. "I want to go everywhere! I want to see the birds I hear each morning, the people who walk past me and I want to watch them dancing and laughing!"

She grinned at all the things she was now going to be able to experiance. Her excitement overwhelming and running wild through her blood.

Zenith could clearly see the look of delight in the eyes of Adia as she watched the water merge together in order to form the large lake once more, she then said, "That was beautiful! Oh, I can't wait to see everything else I have missed!" Only moments after Adia had said this Zenith could feel her hug him again. The angel smiled and hugged her back before saying, “I am glad you are able to see Adia, now you truly can see all the beautiful sights of the world.” Zenith could not help but smile at this.

Soon Adia then said, "Thank you so much!” Although she seemed to be crying just a little as she said it before going on to say, "I want to go everywhere! I want to see the birds I hear each morning, the people who walk past me and I want to watch them dancing and laughing!" Hearing this made Zenith laugh a little, it seemed as though he had his work cut out for him on that day. Taking in a deep breath the Archangel then said, “Well then, that seems like the start of a large list there. What do you want to start with Adia? After all I have nothing planned for today, so it could be rather fun to take you to see the sights you so want to see!” The smile was still across the lips of Zenith as he waited on the reply from Adia.