The deserted cliffs atop the great stretching canyon were washed in whirling reddish dust, blown by the ever-present wind. There were no trees in sight, only small desert shrubs that clung to the rocks as if the merest breath of wind would tear them away. Marina sighed, looking out over the desolate land. The collapsed shrine they were looking for was near by, but with the dust blown by the wind it was increasingly difficult to see far. Beside the life guardian, Anna, who had insisted on being a part of this mission as she had been left behind for the others, was cursing a blue streak at the dust, one hand held in front of her face to guard her eyes.
�How the hell are we supposed to find that damn shrine in this?� she growled, batting at the blinding sand. Marina shrugged.
�How the hell am I supposed to know?� she replied. Mentally, she cursed her elemental partner. Cassandra had gone on ahead with Abby to find Liesl in the mountain shrine to the north, leaving Marina and Anna alone in the desert. The two would be back to pick them up once they had found Liesl of course, but Marina couldn�t help but feel a little angry at being left without a get away or a shelter in this god-forsaken place.
�Ah, lets just get this over with and get out of here.� Flames whirled around Anna, wrapping around her and forming into her scarlet guardian robe. Great wings of burning scarlet gold exploded from her shoulder blades. Anna closed her eyes, willing herself into her more maneuverable fighter form. The long orange pants were much more comfortable than a skirt anyway. The fire guardian looked up expectantly.
Marina didn�t make her wait. Green light wrapped around the life guardian, obscuring her form for a second before she reappeared in her own spring green robe. Delicate, sheer fairy�s wings flapped behind her, sending the blowing dust twirling in the air. She too willed herself into her fighter form, then took off towards the minute speck of power she could feel just beyond the edge of the gorge with Anna close behind.
Far to the north, Cassandra and Abby had found themselves in a similar situation. The mountain peak they were looking for was covered in snow and the winds were whipping the white powder into a thick blanket around them. Only Cassandra�s softly crackling bubble-shield allowed them to see a few feet ahead. Both were transformed, Silver-black and gray-blue wings ridged with rapt attention. Getting up the mountain was going to be admittedly difficult.
�We can�t fly,� Abby noted, shielding her eyes as she looked up into the swirling snow above them. �Can you teleport us?� she asked her companion. Cassandra scrunched up her face, thinking.
�It would be safer walking, I think. Slower, but I won�t be able to see my landings,� she answered, shouting above the winds.
�It�s dangerous enough out in this wind,� Abby reminded her. Cass shrugged.
�I can try, but I warned you.� Red mist filtered around them within and around the shield as Cassandra cut an opening into the realms of the dead. Abby shuttered as they stepped through the portal, a feeling of dread passing over her. *If I had a choice, I�d suggest the long way,* she thought to herself. *As it is� we don�t have much time.*
Anne jumped to her feet as large crash echoed through the darkened underground fortress. The walls were shaking, loose bits of dirt and gravel falling around her. Quickly, she made her way to the main hall, cursing her luck. As it stood, she and Aria were the only guardians here right now. If this was a serious attack�
She found her remaining companions circled around the main entrance. Jason and Joe had created a barrier in front of the archway, combining their own powers as a shield. The glittering wall of orange and red light whirled, almost making Anne dizzy as she looked at.
The dark guardian made her way over to Myrandel, who was standing near Kevin and Rhodry. The two younger men were still weak from their various injuries, though Rhodry was in good enough shape for a fight� a short one. Aria stood next to the elder cobalt-eyed half-blood, her hands shaking around her glowing sword. Mark was waiting calmly behind Joe and Jason, his own blade in hand.
�What�s going on?� Anne demanded of Myrandel. The dark-haired man looked up, worry creasing his eyes.
�An attack,� he responded quickly. �Our hideout�s been found. We need to get out of here, but our only exit is blocked.
�Only one exit?� Anne didn�t like the sound of that. Beside his brother, Rhodry nodded, his eyes narrowed.
�We never had a chance to construct a second exit. We tried, but the tunnel nearly collapsed. Someone would have noticed it right away.
�Damn it,� Anne hissed. �I don�t like being boxed in like this.�
�None of us do,� Kevin replied, smiling wryly at her. �They must have just been waiting for the others to leave.� Anne froze.
�If Cass were here we would be able to get out.� She stated, realizing their situation. She cursed. �Damn it!�
�The others are still out there. They might make it back in time,� Myrandel reminded her. Anne shot him a frigid glare.
�And what are we supposed to do if they don�t?� she demanded. �I�m not relying on ifs and maybes.� Beside Myrandel, Aria whimpered, her eyes squeezing shut.
�We�re all going to die��
�I never said that.� The young spirit guardian looked up at Anne, her blue eyes wide. Dark power surrounded the guardian, forming into her guardian robe. She drew her black sword, the one that had stayed with her throughout her entire life as a guardian, settling into a fighter�s stance. Myrandel gave her an expectant look. Anne smirked. �When they break through the door, they�ll have to come down in pairs. The door�s not wide enough for all of them. We can hold this place forever, just picking them off.� The others smiled.
�You�re right,� Mark said, smiling at his sister. �We�ll at least give them a worthwhile fight.� Anne nodded.
�Exactly.�
�Cass this is getting us nowhere!� Abby yelled over the winds. The death guardian winced in response. The weather had gotten increasingly worse as they continued up the cliffs to the point where Cass wasn�t even trying to jump the realms anymore.
�Do you have a better idea?� she shouted back in frustration. Abby�s cool glare was the only response she knew she would get. *If the wind would just die down�* she thought. Her shield crackled with the snowflakes that continually brushed it. All around them was white, white and no other visible color save a few flecks of black and gray that warned them away from the rockier edges of the thin path they were following. Even the small pine trees that grew at this altitude were covered in snow and nearly indistinguishable from the surrounding area.
Behind her, Abby was also growling in frustration. The snow was something she could handle. It was nothing more than frozen water, her own element. It was the wind that gave her trouble. With it blowing so hard and so fast, there was no real chance for her to try and quell the storm. *Damn it,* she thought to herself. *I can�t even tell where we are!*
They wandered for what seemed like another few hours, neither really able to keep track of time and both barely able to see two feet ahead, much less each other. It was more than once that Abby thanked the fact that Cass was wearing mostly black. If it had been Caitlin ahead of her, she never would have been able to follow.
Ahead of her, Cass suddenly gave a shout. The wind and snow seemed to pull back like a curtain and the two stumbled into the mouth of a small stone cave. As the two sat their catching their breath, Abby glanced up and around, noticing that the cave turned near the back and seemed to carry off into the darkness.
�Do you feel that?� Cass asked her. Abby nodded dully. A calm, cool, pulsating power seemed to fill the cave, drifting out into the storm beyond. Standing strait, the two stepped towards the back of the cave. Wind suddenly jumped up around them, pulling the snow from the outside into the cave.
�What do you want here?� a small voice demanded. *Another spirit?* Was Cass�s first thought response.
�We�ve come to revive the Wind Guardian,� Cass replied to the voice, knowing full well what the little spirits were capable of from past experience.
�Cass? What�s going on?� Abby yelled to her over the winds. Cass gritted her teeth at the cold.
�It�s the spirit that protects this place. Remember the one from your resting spot? There�s been one at each site,� the death guardian responded.
�Other sites?� The wind suddenly died, leaving a tiny female fairy with gold gossamer wings and pale pink-streaked blue hair hovering in the air before them.
�A sylph?� Abby asked, gazing at her in surprise. The spirit gazed up at them, green eyes excited.
�Have you seen Therafin?� she asked. Cass blinked in surprise.
�The fire spirit?� she asked. The gold-winged creature nodded. �I did, about a month ago now I think.� The little fairy gave an excited cry, zooming over to Cass�s shoulder and settling herself without a second thought.
�Is he alright?� she asked. �You�re one of them aren�t you? A guardian? Which one? Is your friend one two? Where are the others? Have you seen the other spirits?� Abby couldn�t help but laugh at the overwhelmed expression on Cassandra�s face.
�Slow down,� she told the little spirit. �You�re confusing her.� The sylph had the courtesy to look sheepish from that comment.
�I�m sorry, lady,� she replied. �I�ve just been here for a long time and I haven�t heard anything from the others.� Abby shrugged, glancing at Cass who was visibly relieved by her help.
�I�ve only seen Alemenia, but��
�Alemenia?� The sylph�s expression was mildly confused, as if she had never heard of the water sprite. She shrugged then, gold-wings fanning out. �I�m Sylina,� she stated, introducing herself. Cass nodded, smiling at the creature on her shoulder.
�My name�s Cassandra. I�m the death guardian,� she replied. Sylina jumped off her shoulder, eyes wide.
�You know Ryo and Than then don�t you,� she said. Cass nodded. Sylina smiled thoughtfully in response.
�Than�s the oldest of us you know. Most of us were chosen by her.� Cass raised an eyebrow in response.
�Really�� Sylina glanced at Abby, tilting her head.
�Which one are you?� she asked.
�Abby,� Abby responded. �The water guardian.� Sylina nodded.
�I thought so. I never actually met the spirit guarding your resting place, so it makes sense that I wouldn�t know her name,� she noted. Abby smiled wryly.
�She liked riddles�� Sylina shrugged, showing that she wasn�t aware.
�Well,� she said, glancing towards the back of the cave. �I should probably take you to my lady. Come with me.� The three began moving towards the back of the cave, carefully stepping over small stones and fallen rocks from the celing overhead. Cass wasn�t surprised when they came out in a carefully carved chamber within the center of which sat a glowing crystal of pale gold. She walked up to the crystal coffin, grinning at the floating body inside.
�You should take a look at this,� Abby spoke up. Cass looked back to find her friend kneeling on the floor inspecting a strange pattern of runes much like the ones in both Marina�s resting place and on the Soul Swords. Stepping back from the crystal, Cass noted that the lines of writing formed themselves into a strange nine-pointed star encircled by seven more smaller stars. The death guardian shrugged and placed a hand on the golden coffin. *It�s time for you to awaken� Liesl*
The fortress was collapsing, crumbling stone and earth falling around them as they ran for the exit. The first few waves of demonic soldiers had taken their bate, slowly coming down the steps in ones and twos only to be slaughtered as they reached the base. Then they had started blasting the earth above them. They were running, trying to find a way out� but there was nowhere to run.
Anne stopped in her dash, turned and released a large blast of power at the crumbling celing, blowing it outwards into the shaded sky over head. Earth and stone fell to the sides, leaving a gaping hole where the celing once stood.
�Anne! What are you doing?� Myrandel had stopped with her, his eyes wide with concern.
�We can�t let them herd us into a trap. We�ll be killed!� Anne yelled back. �Get the others out. I�ll distract them.� Myrandel nodded, turning to run for his other companions. Then he froze. Standing before him, acid-green eyes black of any emotion, Tooya raised his sword to the half-blood�s throat.
�Your friends will have to handle themselves on their own.� The redhead�s voice was as cold as his eyes. �I have special orders for you.�
�Tooya�� Anne had already taken off, releasing her powers into the fray of demons that hovered overhead. Above, Myrandel could see sparks of red and orange and the pale yellow that manifested when Kevin used his powers aggressively. The sharp edge of Tooya�s blade pressed dangerously against his neck, bringing Myrandel back to reality.
�Draw your sword.� Blue-violet eyes flashed and Myrandel drew the silvery blade from its frayed sheath. He took his time to inspect his opponent. Tooya�s stance was familiar, calm, deadly, but the sword in his hands�
�What happened to you�� Was all Myrandel could think to murmur. There was a crash from above and the two struck, sparks flying as the blades clashed together. Myrandel ducked away and leapt into the air. Ice blue magic flashed and his four wings extended, allowing him to hover.
Tooya�s face showed no response. Black-edged crimson magic glittered around him, revealing his own celestial form � inheritance from his ancient celestial mother. Myrandel gasped aloud. Tooya�s celestial form was� warped some how. The usually red-tinted crystal wings were grayed and dull, flecks of molted black showing from the feather�s roots.
�Who could have�� Myrandel swung, blocking Tooya�s strike as the redhead joined him in the air. His momentary shock had almost cost him dearly. Tooya spun, as fast as ever on his wings and Myrandel blocked him, flying higher but taking care to stay out of the chaos Anne was creating above with the demon army. Below he could see Kevin holding a shield over the rest while Jason and Joe struck out with their magic and Aria�s ghost-like spirits filtered through the demon army.
Their swords clashed again, Tooya�s strength driving Myrandel back. The older half-blood tumbled in the air, his wings snapping out behind him. Tooya just kept coming, driving him back. A loud cry startled him into turning abruptly. Then there was a stabbing pain as white-hot fire pierced his shoulder and wing. He cried out as Tooya pulled his sword free from the severed muscle. His wings faltered. He could vaguely feel himself falling� the world was fading� black�
�Myrandel!� He was unconscious by the time Rhodry caught him. The younger half-blood glared back at Tooya, his eyes burning angrily with a fierce sense of betrayal. There was a yell from above and before Tooya could strike at the brothers, he was forced to dodge away from Anne who was plummeting towards him.
�Get him somewhere safe!� the dark guardian yelled, facing off against Tooya herself. Rhodry did as he was told, dodging between still living demonic minions as he flew for Kevin�s shield, brother in tow. Green light was already glinting around him, feeding itself into Myrandel�s damaged wing.
Above them time seemed to stop as Anne gazed evenly at her former friend, now enemy. There was nothing in Tooya�s eyes of the old soul who once rested there, only a dark void. It was as if a different person gazed out at her.
�Return to your master, puppet.� Anne�s voice was fold, betraying none of the angry confusion and betrayal she felt. �There�s nothing for you here.� Tooya grinned at her, a slow, cruel smile that failed to reach his eyes. He launched himself at her and their swords met in a flash of dark violet light.
The severely diminished demon army above, disinterested with their former prey, began drifting away from the two winged swords-masters, angling themselves towards the shielded prey below. Jason and Joe were still striking out with their magics, both tiring visibly by now. The effort needed to channel that much raw power was wearing them thin.
Above them, Anne and Tooya clashed, steel on steel, neither gaining an advantage. Anne eyed her adversary carefully, searching for any opening she might find. Her powers were little use at such close combat so she relied solely on her own swordsmanship and flying skills.
A sudden sound like an ear piercing trumpet stalled their fight. The diminished demon army looked up, crowing in triumph. Anne cursed inwardly. Far above them, flying fast, a unit of skilled demonic fighters was angling towards them.
Then, for some reason, the unit stopped as if in confusion. They hovered in a clump, before a single demon with dark blue hair dove towards Anne and Tooya. Anne jumped back, expecting another attack, but instead the strange demon faced Tooya, shock written over his face.
�Commander Azriel.� Tooya�s voice was cold, and sparked no less confusion from the blue haired commander.
�What is this? We were ordered to attack the base at nightfall. We were unaware of a second operation.� Anne�s eyes narrowed as she listened to the conversation. This Azriel� he had been sent after them as well? But then how did he not know of Tooya�s attack? Tooya glanced at Anne, noting her calculating look.
�We will withdraw for now,� the redhead spoke. Azriel�s eyes remained narrowed, though he didn�t argue. �There base is destroyed as is. They have no where to run.� With a loud, unearthly whistle, Tooya called the flock of demonic soldiers who had followed him. Anne could only stand and watch as Tooya, Azriel and the demon horde retreated into the growing darkness.
With a sigh she dove for the ground, landing softly on the singed earth. She sheathed her sword, walking towards the circle where Kevin had finally dropped his shield. The psychic was gasping as if he found it hard to breath. Myrandel was still unconscious, his wounds all but vanished due to his brother�s powers.
�What the hell was that?� Mark asked, his brows furrowed.
�I don�t know,� Anne replied. She glanced at the retreating figures. �It seems that the second commander knew nothing of Tooya�s attack. Though he did seem to know that Tooya was brainwashed.�
�Maybe�� Anne glanced at Rhodry, who had not looked up from where his brother was resting. �Maybe Balthas isn�t the only one trying to kill us.� The half-blood�s head rose, facing the dead lands beyond them.
�It�s possible�� Joe frowned, watching his friend�s back.
�As powerful as he is� Balthas has never tried tactics like this with us,� Rhodry replied. �He�s always been strait forward; he doesn�t sneak around like this.�
�Whatever happened to Tooya� it doesn�t feel like Balthas� magic,� Kevin told them. He was hunched over his legs, still slightly out of breath. Anne�s eyes remained narrowed.
�Then who are we looking for?� she wondered aloud.
Hiding from the sandstorm, Anna and Marina had taken temporary cover in a small red-stone cave nearby where they thought Heather�s resting place to be. Now, after a good few hours, the winds still howled and the sand still continued to blow ruthlessly, almost obscuring all sight.
�We�re lucky we found this place,� Marina commented, flicking a grain of sand off of her wing.
�Tch. Lucky?� Anna asked in reply. �We�re damn well trapped!� Marina rolled her eyes.
�Nice way to put it.� She leaned back, resting against the blood-tinted rock behind her. �We could be out in that storm.�
�Sitting around here�s not going to help us any,� was Anna�s reply. �I want to get this over and done with.�
�Missing home?� Anna glared at the life guardian, then shrugged.
�No�� she said. �I just have a bad feeling.� Marina eyed her cautiously, taking in Anna�s slightly glazed expression.
�What do you see?�
�Huh?� Anna jumped, staring at her. �What do you mean?� she asked. Marina shrugged in response.
�Just a hunch I guess,� she replied. �Well� more of a thought really� that with your powers over fire you might be able to see things happening farther away.�
�You mean like scrying?� Anna asked. �Wouldn�t it be more likely for Abby to have that kind of power?� Again Marina shrugged.
�Abby can control not only water, but ice and snow as well because of her element. Once Liesl is awakened I assume the two together will be able to even control the weather. But it seems like while water has many forms, fire only has one. Maybe you have an extra power to balance Abby�s magic.�
�Why scrying?� Anna was still confused.
�Just a guess,� Marina replied. �I�ve heard of people having visions in flames. And you seem very aware of what�s going on around you.�
�Do you want me to try it?� Anna asked her.
�Why not?� Marina answered. �Maybe you can find out where Heather even with this storm.�
�In theory I should only be able to scry out people I�ve met,� Anna commented offhand. �I haven�t seen Heather in a decade.�
�It shouldn�t make a difference,� Marina stated. �We haven�t aged since our awakening.�
�Alright.� Anna held out her hand, flames bursting forth to form a flickering globe of fire. �I might as well try. We�ve got nothing better to do.�
Joe, Jason and Rhodry slowly picked through the remains of their once extensive underground fortress, searching for any supplies that might still be of use. Under the grayed clouds, fatigue was evident in their faces, their eyes dull and weary. Anne, with Aria�s help, had fixed a small shelter out of the fallen stones to use until they were ready to leave. Now they too were searching through the ruins, looking for anything that might help.
�Tch, careful�� Myrandel winced as he washed some of the dirt from a cut above Kevin�s eye. With Rhodry�s magic dwindling dangerously, the elder half-blood, upon waking had ordered his brother to assist with the recovery, leaving Myrandel to tend to the small wounds that remained. There wasn�t much else he could have said. Even as drained as he was, the healer would refuse to rest until he knew everyone was safe, something Myrandel knew from long experience.
�Sorry,� the half-blood murmured, pressing a bit of damp, mostly clean cloth to Kevin�s forehead.
�S�alright,� the psychic replied. Kevin winced, taking the fabric pressed to his skull into his own hands. �What now?� he murmured quietly. Myrandel didn�t answer, only stared out at their ghostly silent companions as they continued to move through the ruins like lost spirits.
�I don�t know,� the half-blood replied finally. �I don�t know�� Kevin looked away, unable to look Myrandel in the eye.
�How did I not see this?� he wondered, his voice barely loud enough for Myrandel to hear. �Something like this� how did I not sense it coming?�
�You can�t blame yourself for this, Kevin,� Myrandel told him firmly. He reached out, gripping the psychic�s chin and lifting his head, forcing Kevin to look at him.
�What good are these powers of mine when they fail when they are most needed?� the seer asked in reply.
�What good are any of our gifts if we give up?� was Myrandel�s response. Kevin sighed, turning his head out of Myrandel�s grip.
�We can�t get discouraged now� it�s what he wants, right?� Myrandel�s answering smile was tight with irony.
�I can�t argue with that,� he said. Kevin nodded, his eyes glazing slightly.
�Eyes like sea and flame�� Myrandel blinked, his head snapping up. He stared at Kevin silently. �Set in darkness�� the psychic continued. �Two tainted gems in shadow� beyond time� an enemy�� Kevin gripped his head, wincing as he pitched forward. Myrandel barely caught him before he hit the ground. The blonde man looked up, dazed. �What did I��
�Your magic sure has a mind of its own.� The two looked up to find Anne hovering over them, a slight twinge of worry in her eyes. �Are you alright?� she asked, kneeling beside them. Kevin nodded slowly, allowing Myrandel to pull him into a more comfortable position.
�I just wish it would work when I needed it,� the psychic answered. Anne smiled at him.
�Maybe someday it will,� she answered. She stood once more, glancing around. �The sun should set soon. We�ll have to wait until the others return before we head out.�
�Head out?� Myrandel asked. Anne nodded.
�Joe told me there�s a small village a few miles away. We can get any extra supplies we need there, but we need to move from here before Balthas decides to send another unit.� Myrandel nodded at the logic of her plan.
�This is going to be a long night��
Author�s note: And the plot moves along. We�re more than half way done, and there are still surprises to come. ^_^ Stick around!