"How do I know this isn't a trick?" She asked skeptically, chewing on her lip.

"You serve Drakkara as a follower of faith, do you not? Prove your faith now and know that it is not a trick. Drakkara needs your help and She needs it now."

Something in the woman's eyes convinced Christel and she squirmed momentarily, uncomfortable with the idea that a Goddess would need her help. "Ok. What do I have to do?" Christel asked, twirling a strand of hair around her finger and chewing on the end.

"Give yourself to me, freely. Allow me to use your strength, child. It will be returned in a greater way than you can imagine. Do this now, time is running short."

Coming closer to the woman, Christel reaches her hand out to touch her. "My strength is your strength. My faith will sustain you." She closed her eyes and screwed up her face, expecting a great deal of pain. Agony filled her immediately, draining all of her strength. Holy powers and thoughts dwindled into blackness as Christel passed out for a few seconds. Weak, lying on the ground, Christel woke to see something she would never forget.

From the woman bled darkness. It twisted shape and form many times as Christel watched. It seemed at first a fanged dragon, a black copy of the white she'd known. Then it became a demon, hideous to behold. It shifted again, into a vampire and finally dwindled into the form of a child.

Christel's ears began to bleed as a loud cackle surrounded her, coming from the woman who had brought here to this place. The woman's form twisted itself into that of a demon as Christel watched, and then it grabbed up the child in its talons and flew away. The woman who had just given birth was now alone in the clearing with Christel. Her form becomes perfect, no sign of birthing upon her. With awe, Christel realizes that this woman must be Drakkara and she just witnessed the birth of a new God. Wiping tears of pain from her eyes, she could only lay there and stare.

Drakkara looked down upon her young servant and smiled warmly. The agonizing pain left her as the smile caressed her soul. "On this plane, I am weak. The child was born here so that the other gods might not know. You must have a million questions for me, but I will tell you only this. The child is Mine and Necrucifer's. He will help Us tip the scales of Darkness into this world. You have helped me and served Me well."

Still confused, Christel whispered, "But... why me? My dad isn't Highlord any more, what am I supposed to do? I'm just a little girl, no one listens to me.."

Smiling again, Drakkara dispelled Christel's fears. "Why you? Are you not a follower of faith to me?"

"Of course!" Christel exclaimed, embarrassed that she should be doubted.

"Then I called upon you because perhaps there is something I needed from you those others followers may not have given. I had as much faith in you as you did in me."

Blushing, Christel looked down at the ground. She whispered, "I'll try my bestest to be as faithful and as good a follower to You as dad is."

"You will soon have power far beyond your father's. You are blessed by Me and soon you will realize this. May your dreams become a reality, child. I will be leaving you now, but be assured, I will be watching and protecting you as you just protected Me and My child."

"Now that the baby is born.. Do I have to keep it a secret or can I tell dad what happened? And mom?

"Tell only those who share your heart. Do not tell those who might be your enemies."

Her mind bubbling with questions, Christel suddenly found herself once more sitting up in her bed, staring at the foot of it, which now stood empty. "Does the baby have a name? Is it a boy? How come it didn't look as pretty as you? Am I, like... its godmother now? I think I'm too little to be a godmother, do you think?" She blurted out. Blushing in sudden embarrassment, Christel clasped her hands over her mouth and looked around the room, wondering if it had all be a dream.

A dark spot on her wall caught Christel's attention. Looking closely, she saw that it was a name, written in blood.

MALACHIVE