A week later saw the small group lost in the midst of a desert, sand whirling in all directions about them. Hot sun, or what would have been had the sky not been shrouded in scarlet tinted clouds, beat down on them. Rhodry pulled out his map and frowned, glancing at Kevin.
�I have not idea where we are. Are you sure we�re going the right way?� he asked. Kevin nodded, sea green eyes glazed slightly as if in a trance. Myrandel shaded his eyes with a hand, gazing out into the desert. It had taken them little more than a week to get this far, as they had been constantly on the look out for Balthas� demon troops, but they had finally made it to Death Valley, a surprisingly aptly named place. If Myrandel and Kevin�s discerning of the poem was correct, they should find Death�s Mistress somewhere among the vast mounds of sand.
As soon as they had reached the desert, Kevin had fallen into a deep trance, leading them past dunes and mounds, and if Jason had his opinion, round and round in circles. Kevin stopped, gazing out at the desert.
�We�re here,� he whispered. Jason shielded his eyes and gazed around him.
�There�s nothing here,� he stated. Kevin continued staring into the desert, just as the sun was beginning to set.
�Wait, you will see,� he told the impatient mage. Joe frowned, turning to look at Mark and Aria. Then he stopped, gazing more closely at the dunes behind Mark.
�What is it?� Mark asked him. Joe continued staring.
�The moon is rising,� he stated. And it was. Just as the sun and moon faced each other, level in the dim scarlet sky, a soft rumbling began to shake the desert floor, going more and more violent with each passing moment. Rhodry pushed Kevin aside as a needle like pillar of midnight stone split the desert floor and rose above them, reaching towards the sky and settling itself between sun and moon as the former passed below the horizon. The group stood staring at the tall structure, not knowing what to think or do until Aria approached it and placed a delicate hand on its smooth surface. Blood red light emanated from her fingertips and spread then faded leaving only a dark tunnel. They were about to step forward when Kevin raised a hand to stop them.
�Only the Guardian and one other may enter,� he spoke, his voice as glazed as his eyes. Aria nodded and glanced at the others. Myrandel stepped forward.
�I�ll go,� he said. Kevin nodded in approval and allowed him to pass. The tunnel sealed just as they entered and Kevin collapsed to the ground. Rhodry knelt beside him and checked the young psychic�s pulse.
�He�ll be fine. Now all we can do is wait,� he murmured.
The tunnel inside the dark tower was dark as night and seemed to extend into the gloomy shadow. Were it not for the dim, ice blue light in Myrandel�s palm and the tiny light spirits Aria had conjured, they wouldn�t have been able to see a hand in front of their faces. In the distance, a soft, blood red light began to form, strengthening as they approached step by step. A dripping sound echoed in the darkness.
�Myrandel? Does the air seem thicker to you?� Aria asked the half-blood. Myrandel stopped, allowing the light in this hand to expand slightly.
�Red mist?� he murmured, waving his hand through the scarlet tinted air. In the distance, he could finally pinpoint the scarlet light. Again they began moving towards it, more quickly than before. The light, in reality, was more of a glowing blood red crystal coffin; clear enough to see the being within. The sleeping woman�s dark hair floated around her as if suspended in space.
A swooping sound filled the air. Myrandel pushed Aria to the ground as a small black, dragon-like creature dove at them from above. The tiny creature landed on the scarlet coffin, glaring at them through inky ebony eyes. Beside it, a second creature materialized, this one covered from head to toe by a hooded black cloak and carrying a tiny scythe. It too sported bat-like midnight wings. An ebony braid ran over its shoulder and down to its waist.
�Who are you and what are you doing here?� the cloaked one asked. Aria stood, glancing apprehensively at the woman in the coffin. Myrandel glared at the two creatures. He was about to speak when Aria stopped him.
�Please, we came for the one who sleeps here. We need her help,� she pleaded. The tiny dragon glared at her.
�Why would you need the help of death�s mistress?� it asked.
�Balthas, the demon lord, has overrun earth. We need her help to save it,� Aria exclaimed.
�Why? Why do you need to save this world? You failed before. Not even the nine of you combined can defeat the demon lord,� the cloaked creature stated. Tears began to fill Aria�s wide sapphire eyes.
�We have to! Even if we don�t have a chance we have to try!� she shrieked. The two creatures watched her closely, intimidating despite their tiny stature.
�Why do you have to? What do you fight for? Why must you attempt to win a hopeless battle?� the cloaked creature asked, tiny wings fluttering slightly. Aria closed her eyes, trying to resist her crystal tears.
�For the people who didn�t deserve this fate, for the dying earth, for the innocent creatures who live here�� In her mind Aria could clearly see the people in this strange life she had led, young Colin and his grandfather, Mark and the other young men who had raised and cared for her these past ten years, who refused to give in to the demon lord�s control, her parents and so many others who had lost their lives ten years ago, and her friends, lost to this world, scattered across the endless land, their smiles all but distant memories.
And now one of them lay before her, enraptured in deep slumber. Aria raised her face, sapphire eyes meeting the two tiny creatures. �Because no one else can save this world for us.� The cloaked figure smiled and nodded to her.
�You have passed out test. We too have waited long for our mistress to awaken,� it said. �I am Than, and this is my partner Ryo.�
�You two are the Soul Gathers aren�t you,� Myrandel stated. Than nodded, a glint of amusement about her.
�Yes Watcher, we are. Now Lady Aria, awaken our mistress,� she said, excitement subtly filling her voice. Aria nodded and stepped forward, laying a delicate hand on the crystal coffin. It glowed slightly, then exploded, bursting outwards and throwing Aria to the ground. Death�s mistress hovered in the air, shrouded by scarlet mist. Blue-gray eyes flickered slowly open and glanced to the side.
�Where��
�Cass!� Aria shrieked, jumping to her side. The death Guardian smiled slightly and rose, as if sitting on a floating cot. The two Soul Gatherers landed on her shoulders.
�Lady, are you alright?� Ryo asked, concerned. Cassandra nodded, standing on shaky legs. Myrandel caught her as she collapsed.
�I guess I�m a little shaky though,� she stated. Myrandel chuckled as Cassandra stood more sturdily and faced the Soul Gatherers. �Thank you for guarding me, Ryo, Than. Now it�s time to earn your trust,� she told them. Where are the others?� she asked Myrandel, her ebony handled scythe materializing in her hand.
�Outside, only two were allowed to enter,� the half-blood told her. Cassandra smiled.
�Then let�s go to them,� she said, and with a twirl of her scythe, the three disappeared into red mist. Ryo and Than looked on as their mistress departed for the mortal world.
�We should leave for the nether realms,� Than stated. Ryo nodded.
�Our mistress will be safe, for now.�
Rhodry sat quietly, back against the midnight citadel, gazing up at the rising moon. It was unusually clear tonight, though still wreathed by scarlet clouds, shinning it�s clear light down on the desert. Near and around it, the nearly indistinguishable lights of distant stars glimmered in the darkness. Blue eyes followed a single bright star floating serenely near the moon before glancing at the place where the dark tower had swallowed his brother.
There was an unusual amount of fog around that specific area. The mist solidified into three shapes, all tall and indistinguishable. The healer reached next to him and grabbed Tooya�s shoulder, shaking him awake while keeping his eye trained on the figures. Tooya�s brilliant green eyes flickered open and he sat up without a sound, mentally berating himself for falling asleep. A sharp pain in his chest made him wince before he followed Rhodry�s gaze to the three figures. A soft click told Rhodry that the redhead was preparing to draw his sword if necessary.
One of the figures turned towards them, then tugged on the sleeve of one of the taller figures and pointed. The taller figure beckoned to the third and stepped towards them. Tooya slid his sword out of its sheath, ready to attack, when a ball of golden haired energy pounced on Rhodry and hugged him viciously.
�Aria?� the healer asked. He glanced up to see his brother smirking at him and a tall, blue-eyed woman smiling slightly. He sat up, hearing another click as Tooya sheathed his sword and turned to wake the others. �Cassandra?� he asked. The blue-eyed woman nodded.
�Nice to see you again Rhodry,� she told him with a smile. She extended a hand to help him to his feet, which he took gratefully. The healer glanced around as the rest of their company, with the exception of Kevin, woke up around him. Jason grinned broadly when he saw Cassandra.
�Mission complete, seven more to go! Alright there Cass?� he asked. Cassandra grinned.
�Better than I�ve been for the past ten years,� she told him, gripping Jason�s outstretched hand. Joe placed a hand on her shoulder.
�It�s good to have you back Cass,� he said. She smiled at him and looked around.
�So I�m the first. We have a lot of work to do,� she said, nodding to Mark as he smiled a greeting. Myrandel nodded to her.
�Yes we do. We should get back to base,� he told the others. Cassandra looked at him questioningly.
�A base? Where�s this?� she asked.
�About a week�s hike north,� Jason told her. Cassandra frowned.
�I�m not doing a week long hike when I just woke up. Tell me where it is and I�ll meet you there,� she told the grinning mage.
�I doubt you could find it even if you knew where it was,� Myrandel stated. Cassandra glared at him.
�Fine. All in favor of following me through the realms of the dead raise their hands,� she stated in reply. Everyone except Jason, and Kevin who was still unconscious, raised their hands.
�I�m not going there,� Jason stated firmly. Cass raised an eyebrow.
�Why not?� she asked.
�I�m afraid of ghosts,� he muttered. The group just stared at him for a moment, then Myrandel started laughing. Cass joined in, followed by Joe and Rhodry until the entire group was giggling madly.
�Do you wana walk home alone then?� Cass asked him.
�There is no way in hell I�m going through the realms of the dead. I�ll get lost and never come out again!� Jason exclaimed defensively, crossing his arms over his chest and eliciting even louder laughter from the group. Joe placed a hand on his distraught twin�s shoulder.
�We could blindfold you,� he suggested. Jason stated at him in horror.
�You wouldn�t dare,� he stated. Joe grinned.
�Actually�� he clocked his brother hard over the head, knocking him out. Joe looked up to see a mixture of shock and amusement on his friend�s faces. �Trust me, there is no other way he would have gone,� he told them. Myrandel nodded.
�You�re right. We do need to get back as soon as we can,� he said. The half-blood turned to Cassandra. �Cass?� Death�s mistress nodded, scythe materializing in her hand. With a twirl of the long blade, the group disappeared into a fog of scarlet mist.
The arrived back at their base in virtually no time, a flurry of red mist heralding their entrance. Aria immediately detransformed, grabbing Cassandra�s hand with her now childlike one. Cassandra blinked, then smiled and allowed the energetic ten-year-old to guide her through the small set of man made caves. Myrandel glanced after the two Guardians, a small smile on his lips.
�What next?� Rhodry asked his brother. Myrandel smiled and glanced at Tooya. Joe had disappeared with Mark to put Jason and Kevin in their respective beds. Tooya glanced at them yet said nothing, green eyes stern.
�We have to find the next Guardian,� Myrandel said. �And I may know where she is.� Rhodry gave his brother a quizzical look.
�You know?� he asked. Myrandel nodded.
�Mountain of Fire, born of the Sea. Anna, the fire Guardian, is in the volcano on the main Island off the western coast,� he told them.
Aria led Cassandra around the small base, chattering excitedly about this and that. Cass smiled and nodded to acknowledge the young girl but her thoughts drifted elsewhere. How long had they slept? Myrandel had said it had been ten years, but could Balthas really do so much damage in so little time?
The Death Guardian glanced at Aria�s small figure. When she had first seen the Spirit Guardian she had thought her friend had escaped unscathed, but now, seeing her untransformed body told her that Aria had been scared, that she had in fact died and been reborn, raised from a child by seven young men she had known for but a day.
Her thoughts drifted to the young men who had found her. She had met them only the day their world had fallen apart and yet felt she could trust them with her very soul. They were unique, each possessing gifts and souls that none other could have, and she respected that. How they had managed to survive for ten years fleeing from the Demon Lord�s wrath was a mystery.
The Death Guardian tilted her head, listening for a soundless voice among the caves. When none came she shook her head, confusion flashing across her face before vanishing. This place was so quiet without them.
Aria guided Cassandra into a small room where they found Joe inspecting a set of gleaming swords. Curious, Cass let go of Aria�s hand and approached the sorcerer.
�What are these?� she asked, kneeling beside him. Joe looked up, slightly surprised by the sudden company. He glanced at the golden sword in his hand and held it where it could be more easily seen.
�Kevin and I found these a few weeks ago. They�re called the Soul Swords of Virtue,� he said. Cassandra glanced around at the gleaming blades, her eyes falling to rest on one of gleaming silver. Her eyes widened a little at the dark shape perched on the pommel.
�Ryo?� she asked. The tiny dragon looked up from inspecting the blade, inky eyes focusing on his mistress. �What are you doing here?� Cassandra asked him, confused.
�I felt a strange power here. I wanted to see what it was,� the dragonet replied.
�Strange power?� Cassandra asked, standing and stepping forward. She reached out a hand to the silver sword while Ryo settled on her shoulder.
�It feels safe,� Ryo reassured her as she grasped the handle. A strange and yet oddly familiar power rushed through her, emanating from the glimmering blade in her hand. A tear ran down her cheek. �What�s wrong?� Ryo asked, licking the tear away, ink-like eyes full of concern.
�It feels like my sister,� the Death Guardian murmured. She turned the blade in her hand, gazing at the symbol engraved in the hilt. �Hope,� she chuckled sadly. �It fits her.�
Joe and Aria looked on as the newly awakened mistress of death wiped her eyes and turned to them, expression stern. �Let�s find the others,� she said. �We have a job to do.� Joe smiled at this and nodded, noticing the tiny dragon that rubbed his velvety cheek against Cassandra�s before vanishing into red mist. Cassandra smiled, hand still gripping the blade. She glanced down at it, a melancholy expression on her face. �I�ll bear this blade, until we find her.�
Myrandel, Joe, Kevin and Cassandra stood inside the main room. The Death Guardian was transformed and ready for action while beside her, Aria still remained in her human form.
�As I was saying,� Rhodry told her, �Myrandel thinks he�s figured out where the Fire Guardian is.� Cassandra nodded and turned to Myrandel.
�Then let�s find her,� she said. Kevin smiled at the group. He had only recently awakened from the last outing.
�Are you sure you don�t need me?� he asked. Cassandra nodded.
�I should be able to sense Anna once we�re close,� she said. The Death Guardian smiled kindly. �Stay and rest. You need it.� Kevin smiled wearily.
�If you�re sure��
�I�m sure,� Cass replied. Kevin�s smile widened.
�Good luck,� he said, moving closer to Rhodry who was also staying behind. Cassandra nodded, scythe materializing in her hand.
�Thank you,� she stated, and she Myrandel and Aria disappeared in a whirl of red mist. As they vanished, Kevin suddenly collapsed, gripping his head. Rhodry knelt beside him, a worried look on his face. He took Kevin by the shoulders and leaned him against the wall as the psychic fell into a prophetic trance.
�Kevin?� the healer asked. Kevin�s eyes began to glow with repressed power. �Kevin, what do you see?� The psychic began to speak in a rasping, unconscious voice.
Kevin�s eyes glowed brighter as his prophetic voice continued.
The light faded from his eyes and the psychic collapsed against the wall, chest heaving. Rhodry placed a hand on his forehead, shocked at the slight fever building there.
�What happened?� Kevin asked.
�I think you just had a prophecy,� Rhodry told him. �You really should rest, you�re completely worn out. I�ll write it down for you to look at later.� Kevin nodded to this. Rhodry was right, his head was pounding. He tried to stand but found his legs wouldn�t support him. With Rhodry�s help, he somehow managed to get back to the room he and Tooya shared. The red-haired half-blood looked up at the curiously.
�What happened?� he asked.
�He had a vision,� Rhodry said, helping the psychic into the bundle of tattered blankets that served as a bed. Tooya nodded, standing. He winced slightly at a needle-like pain that pricked his chest. Rhodry gave him a piercing look. �Are you alright?� he asked. Tooya nodded, ignoring the pain and following the healer out the door. In his bed, the now unconscious Kevin shifted in his sleep.
�What did he see?� Tooya asked. Rhodry stared strait ahead, face unreadable.
�I don�t know yet.�
The volcano was surrounded by floods of warm obsidian rock forming rivulets down the vast mountainside. Cassandra shielded her eyes, gazing up at the smoking peak.
�Can you sense her?� Myrandel asked. She nodded, still watching the summit.
�We�ll have to fly. It�s the quickest way to the top,� she replied. Aria looked up after her.
�Is Anna inside the volcano?� she asked.
�I think so,� Cass answered, flexing her midnight and silver wings. She glanced at the other two. �Are you coming?� she asked them. Aria smiled brightly and transformed, ruffling her violet wings. Myrandel fidgeted uncomfortably.
�What�s wrong?� Aria asked him. The half-blood sighed.
�Nothing,� he said. He held his hand out before him, closing his eyes and concentrating. A ball of ice blue energy began to glow in his palm, spreading out into silver-blue tendrils that extended to cover him completely. The light solidified into two pair of crystal wings that extended from his back in a shower of glittering ice blue light. Cassandra and Aria stared at him wide-eyed.
�Wow,� Cassandra stated.
�Your father was an arch-angel?� Aria asked him. Myrandel shook his head.
�No, my father was a lesser angel. My wings are a fluke,� he said shortly. Cassandra nodded, not pressing further.
�Let�s go,� she said, and the three took to the air. The inside of the volcano was far warmer than the outside, almost uncomfortably so. They landed on a ledge above the pool of burning magma, careful to avoid the edge. Cass glanced around the cavern.
�There,� she said, pointing to a rock outcropping across the pool. They flew over to find a coffin similar to the one Cass had been encased in. This one was a brighter red, fluctuating with deep golds and oranges. Aria was about to lay her hand on the coffin when a spout of flame exploded in front of her, separating her from the coffin.
�Who dares disturb the Guardian of Flame?� a voice asked. Cassandra glared at the flames.
�The Guardians of Death and Spirit,� she spoke clearly and firmly.
�Who is the third?� the voice asked. Myrandel shifted.
�Myrandel is a friend of ours,� Aria told it.
�Myrandel?� the voice seemed surprised. The fire dissipated to reveal a tiny, scarlet haired and golden-eyed fire fairy. IT blinked owlishly at them, then fluttered over to settle on Aria�s shoulder. He smiled at Myrandel and bowed.
�Welcome Guardians, Watcher, I am Therafin, the guardian of this volcano. You�ve come for the fire guardian have you not?� he asked. Cassandra nodded and smiled.
�Yes, we have,� she said. Aria stepped forward and placed a hand on the coffin. Like Cassandra�s, it glowed and exploded in a shower of scarlet shards. Cassandra blocked the shards with a crackling black and crimson shield. Where the coffin had been, a scarlet clad, pale haired woman floated. Honey brown eyes drifted open slowly and the woman sat up, a confused expression on her face.
�Cass? Aria? Where are we?� she asked.
�We�re in a volcano,� Aria told her, smiling brightly. Anna blinked and looked down.
�What the hell!?� she shrieked, jumping up, fiery wings extended. Cass grinned.
�Welcome back Anna,� she said before turning to Myrandel �Shall we go home?� Myrandel nodded. Anna just blinked.
�Home?� she asked.
�You�ll see,� Myrandel responded. Cassandra twirled her scythe.
�Good luck,� Therafin told them, sharp fangs showing in his smile.
�Thank you,� Aria told the salamander before the group vanished into the mist.
Myrandel was slightly surprised to find Tooya waiting for them when they returned. The redhead nodded to Anna, then gave Myrandel a look that mixed between worry and frustration.
�Myrandel, I need to speak to you,� he told the taller man. Myrandel nodded and turned to the three guardians.
�Will you be alright?� he asked them. Anna and Cass nodded and Aria smiled.
�We�ll be find, go ahead,� Cassandra told him, dragging Anna off. Aria skipped after them and Myrandel turned back to Tooya.
�What happened?� he asked. Tooya sighed.
�Kevin had another vision. Rhodry�s with him now,� he said. Myrandel nodded and followed the redhead into the room Tooya shared with Kevin. The psychic was lying on a makeshift bed unconscious and shaking with fever. Myrandel knelt beside his brother, watching Kevin closely.
�How is he?� he asked. Rhodry sighed, taking the damp cloth on Kevin�s forehead and wringing it out.
�His fever�s going down. He should be all right. He�s been using to much power lately,� the healer stated absently, continuing with his work.
�What happened?� Myrandel asked him. Rhodry absently pointed to a piece of paper on the floor nearby.
�I wrote it down for you,� he stated. Myrandel leaned over and picked up the paper, brows furrowing in concentration. He read it through a few time, feeling Tooya�s presence watching over his shoulder.
�What does it mean? It doesn�t seem to have anything to do with our current situation,� he muttered.
�It�s about us,� Kevin gasped. Rhodry looked down at him, startled.
�You�re awake?!� he asked. Kevin nodded and smiled weakly.
�How do you know?� Myrandel asked the psychic curiously. Rhodry shot him a dirty look. Kevin winced.
�Just a feeling,� he murmured. Myrandel smiled, sending a playful glared back at his brother.
�Well, we won�t know until this prophecy manifests,� he said. Kevin nodded and winced. His head felt like it had collided with a brick wall, a hard brick wall. Rhodry sighed.
�We should just continue reviving the guardians. For now, you need to rest,� he said, giving Kevin a stern glare. Tooya snickered while Kevin glared and buried his head under the thin blanket. Myrandel just chuckled at the scene. He stood and placed a hand on his brother�s shoulder.
�We�ll go so Kevin can rest,� he said. Rhodry nodded.
�Thanks.�
�And this is where we all meet to talk about important stuff,� Aria�s ten-year-old voice piped up. Anna smiled at the girl and glanced at Cass.
�You know, being a kid kind of suits her doesn�t it,� she stated. Cass choked and laughed while Aria sent Anna a dirty look.
�Meany�� Anna grinned.
�So� what are we going to do about the others?� she asked. Cass shrugged.
�We�ll keep reviving them for now. There�s something I want to show you,� death�s guardian answered.
�What?�
�Something that might help us.� Cassandra led Anna into the back room where Joe had placed the Soul Swords. �What do you think?� Anna gaped at the weapons.
�Awesome!� she exclaimed, reaching out and running her hand down the sapphire and silver blade. She jerked her hand back when a dull spark shocked her. Cass smirked.
�Not that one I guess,� she chuckled. Anna raised an eyebrow when the death guardian stepped forward and selected the scarlet and gold sword from the pile.
�How come you can touch them?� Anna asked. Cass shrugged.
�I�m already bound to a magical weapon. Anyway, try this one,� she said, handing the sword to Anna. The fire guardian gripped the handle tightly, examining the blade. She smirked at the running golds and reds.
�I think I like this��
Author�s note: Well� yeah, this took me forever. Stupid writers block >< Anyway, hope you enjoyed ^_^
-Cat