Artemis decided that it was best to just rest for a little while, since she and Fang had been chasing the Agent ever since they had arrived. Neither one of them had much of an opportunity to rest well before they had to set out again. Though it might be risky, Artemis told Fang it was worth it, because they would have the advantage of being well rested before heading out again. The two of them gathered small twigs to make a little fire, and then Artemis cuddled against Fang’s fur.
Yatina, why are you wasting your time chasing this person when we could just search for the problem on our own? Fang asked as Artemis made herself comfortable, gazing into the darkening sky.
We have no clue Fang; we would not know where to start. Besides, Kamiko told us that this Agent could help us. If he knows who, or what the problem is, then we can just use him to get to the bottom of all this. But… Artemis trailed off as another thought entered her mind; a thought that made her cringe.
What is wrong? I have not sensed this emotion in you for a long time Yatina. What bothers you? Fang asked his friend, resting his large head on her shoulder. Artemis reached up and stroked his snout affectionately.
I have not felt this emotion for a long time. I am absolutely terrified Fang. I am sensing something similar to when…when he came along…yet there is something that puzzles me. She replied, pausing for a moment before she continued. I sense it here and back in our real world. Something very evil is bother here, and there. I am worried for Jake. Fang snorted, making a sound something like a human chuckle.
Fear not for that temple idiot, if all else fails, he can talk them to death. He replied but quickly ceased his humour when he noticed that his Yatina was not joining his laughter. Seriously Yatina, you should not be so concerned. He taught you well, and I for one…do not give him enough credit. Everything is fine back home Yatina. Do not worry. Focus on what Kamiko told you to do here, and deal with the forest the way it is when we get back home. Artemis nodded, and patted Fang on the head.
I hear you my friend. I will listen to what you say. I think it is time for us to sleep now. Goodnight. She replied as se curled up against the wolf’s fur, and closed her eyes.
Goodnight, my Yatina.

**********

Artemis opened her eyes, blinked, and then made sure she really did open her eyes. Everything was pitch black, as if she was still fast asleep. She reached behind her, reaching out for Fang, but her hand found nothing. No soft fur, no large paws, no Fang.

Darkness…

She wasn’t even sure if she was still in the clearing, or even in the dimension she had been transported to a few days previous. It almost had the feeling of familiarity she got when she was in Kamiko’s Dream Palace.

Emptiness…

Surely, this had to be Kamiko’s Dream Palace, for where else could she be? But, something didn’t sit well inside her. How could she have gotten here? Contact was supposed to be blocked between her and Kamiko. Besides, this place was so barren and lifeless.

Loneliness…

Kamiko would have been here by now, if this really were His Dream Palace. Artemis looked down at herself, and noticed that she was not wearing the normal white robe she would have been wearing, had this been Kamiko’s Dream Palace. An image flashed before her, causing Artemis to jump back in alarm.

Jake…?

Artemis thought she had seen the image of her best friend, but how could that be? He was back in her real world, keeping an eye out for the temple. A voice called out in the distance, but she couldn’t make out what it was saying.


Something was very wrong; again she felt the thought brush past her like the wind. Again, the voice in the distance called out. Artemis tried to walk towards it, but she didn’t know from where it had come. The voice seemed to echo around her, as if it came from every possible direction.
Suddenly, a bright light again flashed before her eyes, and Artemis shielded herself from the blinding moment. Everything went black, how she could tell was beyond her, since it had all been black to begin with. But now, Artemis could see she was in a room.
"Jake!" Artemis cried out, recognizing the place she was in. It was the temple! She was back in her rightful dimension! Artemis didn’t know why this had happened, but she didn’t care. Nothing mattered now, because she was home where she should be. Where was Jake? Artemis called out again for her friend. She began searching the Temple, running the whole time, not able to contain herself. Finally she found him, running into the prayer room. She ran after him, calling his name. He didn’t turn around.
Artemis stopped running; she couldn’t run anymore. She had been paralyzed, her entire body unable to move. All she could do was breathe, blink, and watch as the horrors unfolded, slowly one by torturous one.


First the prayer room door slammed shut, the sound echoing throughout the walls of the temple like a clap of thunder. Then came his scream, and the silence of the Temple. Artemis fought hard to regain control of her movement, but still was immobile. Tears stung at her eyes, threatening to fall. Where were the animals, surely they should have all been here. Everything swarmed her at once, until the prayer door room opened once again. Artemis looked up hopefully, knowing that Jake would be walking out of the room any moment now. Then he would notice her standing there, and it would cross his mind to think of something silly or cleaver to say, but instead he would just run up to her, and give her a big hug. Then he would tell her to never leave again, like he always did if she had to leave for a period of time. Artemis stood there, waiting for it to happen.

Memories…

A man walked out of the prayer room, Jake’s limp body draped carelessly over his shoulder. The tears in Artemis’ eyes flowed like a stream, familiarity in her senses. She knew this man…of course she would. Jake had shown her the pictures in the books of him.

Sadness…

Artemis strained herself to scream something at him, but the paralyzing had also taken control of her mouth. All she could do was stand there, and feel the hot, wet tears staining her cheeks. The man threw his head back, laughing; a sound that reminded Artemis of dead, fallen leaves. He walked up to Artemis, his long black cape billowing behind him, even though there was no wind. He dropped Jake’s body in front of her, still laughing. Then he looked at her.

Terror…

There had only been one person to ever cause that emotion inside her, a person so evil and so vile that Artemis never thought it possible to meet someone worse. But she knew…she knew this day would come. Lord Galician was going to win…he had her trapped; trapped like a rabbit. Artemis closed her eyes, waiting for the spell…waiting for her end to come.

Relief…

Artemis fell to the marble floor of the Temple, her paralysis gone, along with Lord Galician. She looked up, hoping it had all been an illusion. No…Jake lied there on the floor in front of her, lifeless. She crawled towards him, whispering his name, then screaming it. Crying out for any sign of life in him. Then she moved to touch him.

Fear…

Her hand went right through him. Artemis’ eyes went wide as she jumped back in surprise. She wasn’t even here in her dimension. She collapsed in sobs, not caring if she went through Jake’s lifeless body as she wept. Everything went dark.

Pain…

**********

Artemis bolted up into a sitting position, looking around her, remembering she had fallen asleep in this forsaken dimension. She turned around quickly, meeting Fang’s gaze. Artemis knew she had to tell him nothing, his eyes cried her pain. She wrapped her arms around his neck, burying her head in his soft fur, sobbing almost violently. It was real, all of it. Lord Galician was going to win. It was his doing that had separated her from Jake. Next he would try to separate her and Fang. Artemis knew that it was only a matter of time until he hunted them down. A hand went to her chest, laying a hand over where her heart was. Next to her heart…was her Jem; the power Lord Galician was after. It would only be a matter of time…