Ryo sat in the shrine. "I can't just sit here........" he stood and walked to 
the door and tried to pull it open but found it unmovable, Seth had sealed it. 
he pulled on the door, nothing happened. He let it go and walked to a window it 
didn't budge either, he slumped on the floor. "Dammit."

Saby held the Grail blade looking at his enemies. A four armed man rushed 
forward Saby cleaved him in half.
"There is too many for him." Seth said to himself, He could see that Sabyien 
had already dispatched several of the demons, their bodies soaking the ground 
with blood. And he was being pushed back towards the gate and it's shield.

Sabyien threw him self to one side, rolling back up to slash the demon's arm 
off. The demon roared in pain....Sabyien traced a quick rune with his free 
hand, launching fireballs towards the horde, scattering them.
Ryo could see the battle out the window, he saw a wolf demon sink their fangs 
into Saby's sword arm. "I can't just stay here! I gotta help Saby!"

'If you want to help him let me out.'
'Who are you?'
'Poor Boy... I'm You. Come on let me out.'
'Alright.'

Seth Leapt from the top of the gateway to Sabys side his weapon ready. "Your 
loosing your touch Guardian."
"Shut up. I'm just getting started." Saby said swinging out with his sword 
decapitating four demons in a single slice ignoring the wounds he was getting.

Seth saw Sabyien go down, "SABYIEN!!!" The vampire ran into the fray, hoping to 
drive back the demons so that Sabyien could get up.

Ryo heard, He pounded on the door helplessly. "SABYEIN!! SABYIEN!!"

Sabyien felt a needle sharp pain pierce his chest, he ignored it, swinging with 
his good hand. A demon was struck in half by a whip of light. Seth snapped the 
grail-whip driving the demons back. He lifted Saby to his feet and supported 
him with one arm.
Now on his feet, Sabyien continued to fight, they were going to be over powered!

A wooden building suddenly erupted behind them, raining down bit of wood and...
A large beast-demon with horns and bat like wings charged from the rubble, 
sending the monks every which way. The beast roared, the attacking demons 
paused, the beast-thing charged right thought the shielding....roaring again as 
it swung a claw knocking Seth away from Sabyien.
Saby suddenly paled, This creature....

---
Years ago, he had gone back to England to see the child again, the child he 
knew was going to become the Sword-barer. The Guardian knew that the child was 
too young yet....but he wanted to see if he was alright.....
...Sabyien had just managed to get onto the plane as the winged demon attacked.
The parents couldn't do anything to save themselves, the mother had performed a 
strange ritual, that was supposed to have banished the creature. 
But....something had gone wrong. As the plane was disintegrating around them, 
the mother had given the child to Saby before running off to look for her 
husband.
They never made it. Sabyien had wrapped his wings protectively around them both 
as fire rained from the sky....
---

This.....killed Ryo's parents... Sabyien let out a scream, and made a swing at 
the demon, the Beast just stepped back. Weakened, Sabyien fell to one knee. 
Panting in exustion, Sabyien tried to face his final moment....and his eyes 
widened.
The demon was....appeared to be kneeling low right in front of him. The horned 
Beast spoke: "My Master..." Sabyien felt a chill thought out his body, The 
bright yellow eyes seemed to reach out to him, to reach inside his soul.....and 
a dark shadow within the Guardian responded....

It jumped over him, swinging it claws out, dispatching the others. The smaller 
demons scattered, shrieking in fear, as the Beast tore after them.
Seth was observing all this from where his landed in the mud, he got up 
painfully to see to Saby. "Guardian?"
Sabyien lifted his head, ".....Ryo?" He got up on his feet, shaking with 
weakness. "Where's Ryo?!" His eyes looked franticly at the wreckage.
"Sabyien, Calm down." Seth grabbed his arm. "Your bleeding very badly, I'll go 
find him...."
"RYO!!!"
"Sabyien!...." Seth struggled to get Sabyien to lie down, blood was pouring 
down his front. "RYO!"
"Shush!" Seth lifted the gail to Saby's lips, "Drink this....I'll go look for Ryo."
Seth left Sabyien in the care of the surviving monks, and searched among the 
burning battlefield.

The beast continued to hunt the demons eating any that were unable to escape. 
Seth stood after the water healed him and turned to the rubble searching 
desperately. the boy could not be found.

Seth perused the beast unable to keep up. The sun rose and he found it in a 
clearing. it had gotten considerably smaller.

"Ryo. Is there something you haven't told us?"
Ryo slowly got to his feet, the boy was all covered in blood the demon's blood 
the ones he just chased off.
"Ryo?"
The vampire asked again. "What are you, really?" Ryo turned to face him, his 
hand clenched tight. "I....I don't know...."
Seth was silent, many things were going through his mind. Was that the boy's 
true form? If so, could Sabyien be wrong?
"Sabyien's wounded pretty badly..." Seth began.
"Sabyien?"
"He was calling out for you...."
"He.... Was?" Ryo asked weakly.
"Come on, lets go back." seth put his hand on the boys shoulder Ryo was naked, 
other than a few shreds of clothing.
"Ok." Seth turned and started to walk away. He then felt Sharp claws rip into 
his back and tear down across his body, he fell. Ryo had claws on one hand they 
morphed back to normal he walked passed Seth towards the temple.

The monks were having trouble holding him down. They had taken him to on of the 
remaining buildings for treatment. The holy water had done some good, it 
cleaned out the poison from his body but he was still bleeding. His resistance 
to the care was making it worse. That thing is after Ryo...I have to find him.
The grail clattered to the hardwood floor, rolling....it stopped by Ryo's 
foot. "Sabyien?" The young man picked up the grail.
"Ryo..." Saby breathed a sigh of relief, he didn't care how Ryo had survived. 
He was ok. Sabyien finally allowed the monks to wrap his wounds. Sabyien saw 
the grail in Ryo's hand. "What happened to Seth?"
Ryo sat down, placing the grail in Saby's good hand. "I don't know. I don't 
remember what happened."
Sabyien's hand closed around the cup. He snorted, "I'm sure he'll turn up 
somewhere..."

--
In the forest, Seth groaned. Ugh! My head feels like a tanker's been dropped on it.
He didn't remember what had happened. the last thing he remembered was a demon 
knocking him into a tree....
He lifted himself off the ground, dizzy.

"Shouldn't you be resting?" Ryo was supporting Sabyien with one arm. Ryo was 
now dressed in a spare monk's robe. They were looking around at the muddy 
ground. The monks and sholin warriors were cleaning up, piling up the demon 
bodies and setting them on fire.
"Seth shouldn't be too far, I saw him get...." Saby shook his head.
"Sabyien?"
"Let's go check the trees, he might be there."
"Ok." Ryo nodded and they both went into the trees.


They searched for hours  unable to find Seth. "He couldn't have gone that far 
could he?" Ryo asked more worried than he felt. Deep inside his head the demon 
was laughing evilly. 'Heh, He's dead!'

Seth was holding onto a tree for support, he was more hurt then he'd expected.  
Where am I? I couldn't have been thrown that far....
the Vampire sniffed the air, there was a very familiar sent....he sniffed 
again. "Sabyien?" He breathed deep. Yes it was him and...
"Seth!"
It was Sabyien's voice! His undead heart beat faster. "Seth?!" The boy's voice 
joined Saby's.
Seth took a deep breath, it hurt...."HERE!! I'm Here!!"


Ryo ran at the sound of Seth's voice stopping only at the edge of the cliff. he 
shouted down it. "SETH?! WHERE ARE YOU?!"
Saby joined him. "Seth!"

Seth had managed to crawl a short distance. Sabyien looked down is disbelief, 
He's never seen Seth so brutally beaten before. "Seth, How are you?"
Seth smiled up at the pair, his old nature coming back. "I could use a stiff 
drink...other then that I'm fine."
"Seth Stay where you are! We'll be right down with help!" Ryo looked for a way 
down the cliff. Saby tried to open his wings but was to sore to.
"Ugh! still hurts. Ryo, You're gonna have to jump off and find a way to get 
Seth back up here."
"Jump?
"Yes, if you can survive a drop off a roof of a hotel building, then this 
should be no problem....roll as soon as you hit the ground, you should be fine."
Ryo looked over the cliff. "Maybe I should just run back and get help....some 
rope or something."
Sabyien smiled, "Ok, Seth! Just stay there. We're getting help!" He called down 
as Ryo ran back through the forest.

He ran until he reached the temple. But try as he might no one would come to 
their help. claiming seth to be an 'Abomination' Ryo turned. "That may be true 
but he's hurt and needs out help! How can you claim to be holy yet turn your 
back to someone who needs your help?!" the monks ignored him, he pulled a rope 
from the debris and returned to Saby. who had also been trying with no luck to 
get aid. "Saby you think your strong enough to lower me down?"
"Yes...." Sabyien showed Ryo how to hold the rope properly and looped the other 
end around his arm bracing himself. "Ok, go."
Ryo was slowly lowered down, when he reached the rocky ground he found Seth 
sitting up against a large rock. The rock behind him was smeared with Seth's 
blood.
"Ryo..." Seth beckoned Ryo closer. "I've lost so much of my life's blood.....I 
need some of yours, to heal my self."
Ryo bit his lip nervously then agreed. "As long as I don't get a craving for 
blood myself." he knelt by Seth pushing his hair away from his neck. and 
squeezed his eyes shut waiting for the feral bite. instead all he felt was the 
slightest knick of teeth then the gentle tongue of Seth. He tried not to laugh 
because it really tickled but somehow held himself back.
Seth almost drew back. The sheer power in this boy's... He sucked in a 
mouthful, trying to keep himself from trembling, Seth was overwhelmed, he never 
tasted one of such tremendous spiritual power.
One mouth full was all he needed. He pulled back from a smiling Ryo, and was 
beginning to feel his broken bones start to knit together, the bleeding 
stopped, wounds closed... And his strength return.
Seth stood, stretching. "Ryo.... Thank you." The last of cuts on his back 
healed themselves. but they still itched a bit. Seth gave a tug on the rope. he 
held out a hand to Ryo. "Going up?"

Ryo had his arms around the vampire's shoulders hanging on to Seth as he 
climbed up the rope.
When they got to the top Seth looked Saby over. "Your very Stupid. Guardian."
"What?!"
"Stupid to take on an army of demons by all yourself."
Sabyien looked like he was going to argue, but he smiled. "I'll make sure that 
next time....I'll have help."
"Damn Strait you'll have help!" Ryo shouted. "Your not locking me away again!"
Seth ruffled his hair. "What will you do Squirt? ask the demon to go away 
nicely?" he mocked.
"Oh you know what I can do when I'm mad."
"What? Get a hissy fit?" At this point Ryo jumped on him and after a few 
minutes Seth was sitting quite comfortably on top of him. "See my point?"
"Get off of me!" Ryo yelled, trying without success to push the vampire off.
"Not till you say. 'Please' " Seth smiled teasingly
Sabyien put a hand to his temple....
"Get off NOW!"
"Not still you say it....."
"GET OFF!!"
"Say it..."
"ENOUGH!!!"
The birds flew away in flocks, Seth quickly stood, pulling up a dazed Ryo into 
standing position beside him. Sabyien rubbed his forehead. He had begun to get 
a headache from their.....
Seth noticed that Saby seemed a little worn out, his injuries weren't healed 
completely yet, and he was fatigued. The vampire knelt before Sabyien, "Get on 
my back."
"Huh?"
A sigh, "Don't argue with me, just do it."
Sabyien felt strange being carried, but as he was, he didn't have the stamina 
to protest as Seth carried him back to the monastery. The night before, the 
battle and the long walk to find Seth....took a toll on Saby.
He fought vainly against the rhythmic stride...and his head dropped onto Seth's 
shoulder, Asleep.
Ryo Sighed. 'Poor Saby... he does to much....' He sighed.

--

Sabyien was becoming aware, a shadow within the forest of his mind. He tried to 
ignore it, but it was there. Beckoning to be explored.
The shadowed glade was breathing with life. A whip of black thorns shot out and 
wrapped it's self around his wrist, Sabyien shook it off, it left a bloody 
smear....Then more thorns shot out to snare Saby.
Sabyien tore them off and ran....

...Release me...
--

Sabyien groaned, his headache disappeared as he woke. Ryo opened his eyes. "How 
are you feeling?"
"Better. A few aches....but I feel better."
Ryo's arm was draped over Sabyien. "That's good, so...when do we leave?"
Seth's voice. "This evening."
Ryo sat up from the mattress. He hadn't heard Seth come in. As Saby sat up, 
Seth threw Ryo a pair of lose pants. "I think once Sabyien's recovered enough. 
We should travel during the night."
Saby nodded. "Yes, that would be safer."
"There's equal danger at both times. Sure we might not be seen but we also 
cannot see and in the darkness lies many dangers." Ryo said thumbing his nose 
in thought.
"Very metaphoric kiddo, We'll keep that in mind." Seth teased. Saby just shook 
his head.
"Night flying is dangerous even with the best conditions."
"We're flying? Ryo asked,
"Yes, you'er going to be flying with me and Seth is going to be traveling over 
land."
Seth nodded, "It would be faster that way, I can run faster then a human over 
land and I won't be a burden on Sabyien."

The sun was low in the sky, the three were ready....But...
"Here, carry the pack." Saby tossed Seth the backpack which, Seth threw back.
"Do I look like a pack-mule?"
The bag was thrown back with force. "Thank goodness you don't..." Seth threw it 
back to Sabyien.
"...Then you carry it."
"I have enough weight carrying Ryo."
Seth sighed as he caught the backpack. "Oh, every well."
Sabyien lifted Ryo in his arms and was soon high in the air.
Seth watched them for a moment and ran in the general direction they were 
taking.
Ryo wanted to scream but it got caught in his throat as they lifted from the 
ground.
"Calm down Ryo. I won't drop you." Saby whispered comfortingly in his ear. Ryo 
relaxed slightly but still held to Sabyien with all his strength.
"...If I die your gonna get such a haunting!" Ryo returned Saby laughed a 
little.

Ryo was beginning to cut off his air supply, He shifted Ryo's position around 
so that Ryo was facing down with Saby's arms tight around his chest and 
waist. "Sabyien!!" Ryo covered his face with both hands.
"I"m not going to drop you....now uncover you eyes, and..."
"No..."
"Don't you trust me?"
Ryo uncovered his eyes. Sabyien smiled. "Now hold your arms out....yeah like 
that....now lean slowly to one side..."
Sabyien felt Ryo lean his shoulders to one side, Sabyien adjusted, Ryo was 
directing were they were going.
Ryo looked up from the ground. "Airplane!" he pointed ahead but didn't need to 
the machine barreled down at them like a train.
At Ryo's warning, Sabyien folded his wings dropping them out of the plane's 
path. The gust as the plane went by sent them spinning, Ryo screamed.
Sabyien held on tight, as he recovered.
"Ryo? are you ok?"
"Gluh...I will be..." Ryo sounded like he was either going to be sick or had 
just finished. "Hate airplanes so bad......"

Seth was running along the road when he came upon it. a car had jack knifed and 
slammed into another. thus far no help had arrived. he was about to pass on 
when he heard the pathetic crying of a small girl pinned where the two vehicles 
met. "Someone! Please Help me!"
Seth frowned, He had pulled the little girl from the wreckage, she wasn't hurt. 
But her parents were beyond hope. The little girl cried. "Mommy.....Daddy..."
The vampire lifted the child in his arms. "Shush....you are ok now, I've go 
you."
This little one is going to need help. And the next town is rather far...
"Little one, I'm going to take you someplace safe."
The girl looked up at Seth. "But my parents... they're still trapped...."
Seth frowned...He was listening to the sluggish beating of the mother's heart. 
The father was already dead.....then the mother's heart stopped. Seth looked at 
the 10 year old girl in his arms. "I'm very sorry but I can't help them..."
He began to carry her away from the wreck, She struggled. "Mommy! Daddy! MOMMY!"
He begain to walk away from the car wreck "What's your name?" he asked to get 
her mind off her parents as he carried her away.
"Jenga..." She replied looking up at him, Seth froze momentarily. She looks 
exactly like....'

in his mind he was in a long lost orchard with a young girl he had just pulled 
from a kiss she smiled at him then leaned in and sunk two long fangs into his 
neck.
Aliah
That was the girl who made what I am... He choked down a growl, ...Then 
abandoned me.
Seth remembered to well that day, the way why the vampire had seduced him with 
her ethereal beauty, taken his life, then gave this one.
The little girl sobbed softly against his chest, one hand clench a hand full of 
Seth's light blond hair.
.....She left me alone.
Seth looked at the girl "Where do you live?"
"..." the girl doesn't answer she had fallen asleep in Seth's arms looking the 
spitting image of his maker.

Sabyien sighed, he had enjoyed himself too much , he wasn't paying attention. 
It was easy to get carried away. "I'm sorry, It won't happen again." Sabyien 
kissed the base of Ryo's neck.
Ryo felt a warm tremor run through his body at the touch of Saby's lips. "Its 
Ok..." he looked down they were now flying over a city.
Sabyien landed on the roof of a tall building, he let Ryo down and then sat on 
the ledge, looking out on the city.
"What city is this?" Ryo asked. Sabyien shrugged. "I don't remember....I need 
to rest a bit." He lifted his arms and stretched his back. Flying wasn't 
getting to be a big deal anymore, Once he'd get used to flying long 
distances. "Plus, I don't want to leave Seth behind."
"We don't?" Ryo smiled.
Sabyien chuckled."He'll find us..." A snort. "He's got my number."
Ryo walked behind Sabyien, running a finger between the wings along the 
spine. "Ryo...?" The question was cut short as he felt Ryo's hands and finger 
rub the soreness from his back.
Ryo massaged Saby's back. "If ever you don't feel like flying we could always 
take a train."
"Are you still afraid?" Saby asked looking over his shoulder at the boy.
"No.... I just don't think its right for you to always take care of me. I wanna 
help you too."
"It's alright."
Ryo's hand went lower, a thumb pressed down. Sabyien arched his back, 
groaning. "Does that hurt?" Ryo asked,
"Ahh.....no, keep rubbing here.....it feels better." Saby closed his eyes and 
sighed as Ryo continued to massage his back. 'I could get used to this'. 
Sabyien thought with a smile.
Ryo crouched down and continued to rub his back.
Saby sighed standing up. "You must be freezing kiddo. you wanna wait inside?"
"Ummm I guess." he couldn't really feel his face.
Sabyien broke open the stair door. after thinking for a moment, bit his finger 
and smeared a drop on the door-knob.
Once inside, Ryo rubbed his face. Sabyien could see him shivering, He pulled 
Ryo to him. "Remind me to get you a proper coat...." He put his arms around the 
boy hoping that would warm him up.
Ryo blushed embarrassed he felt stiff and backed away. "I... can warm myself 
up."

Seth continued to travel with his small charge. They came to the edge of the 
city. "Now if I were Saby where would i be?"
Seth looked up at the tall buildings. "Since he's flying....the roofs." Being 
very careful he leaped from rooftop to rooftop. Keeping a sharp nose for 
Sabyien's scent
The vampire hopped from building to building still holding onto the girl. he 
landed on a building not to far from the others and stopped to catch his 
breath. "I'm getting too old..."
He sighed. He would have found them by now. The girl began to stir. Seth sat 
and cradled her. "Shush....go back to sleep darling."
Seth caught the scent of blood in the wind and came to the building. He knocked 
on the door. "Hello? anyone home?"

Sabyien heard the knock, He took off his coat and threw it to Ryo. "Here."
Then he opened the door to Seth's smiling face. "Taking a breather?" the 
vampire noticed Ryo's red face,
Sabyien saw the sleeping girl in Seth's arms. "Who do you have..Seth?"
"A girl I saved from a car wreck. her parents are dead... She has the same name 
as my maker Jenga."
"Jenga..." Ryo said "That name sounds familiar. And I don't mean the game."
"Jenga, I haven't heard that name in along time...." Sabyien frowned, He 
remembered Jenga, The vampire queen of Olsenct. He had met Seth during the hunt 
to kill her, Apparently, Seth hadn't quite gotten over the Vampire Queen....
"Seth...you can't keep her."
Seth said nothing. Sabyien sighed. "We need to get something to eat....you'd 
better give her to the authorities."
Seth turned wordlessly and headed down the stairs. "Poor guy...." Ryo thought 
out loud. "Do wounds of the heart ever really heal?"
"Thanks for the Philosophy lesson." Saby muttered and put his arm around the 
boy to escort him down stairs. Ryo missed a step and reaching out to stabilize 
himself pulled Saby along with him. they landed in a pile on the landing below. 
Seth couldn't help but smile and cried out in mock Dismay.
"Have you two no shame?! Doing that in a stair way! I expected more from you 
two." he then headed down to the next floor ignoring the agitated words of the 
others.
Untangling themselves. They made their way down to street level. Upon finding a 
nice secluded corner in a restruant, young Jenga had woken up. Seth thought 
that he'd get something for her to eat too.
While they were waiting for the food to arrive, the hungry little girl was 
studying Sabyien with her ice-blue eyes. Sabyien frowned, the way she was 
looking at him made him a bit nervous.
"Are you a lady?" Jenga asked finally.
Both Ryo and Seth burst out laughing. Sabyien's face went bright red. "N-No, 
I'm a boy...a man!" He stuttered.
Jenga crawled onto the table. "You have such nice hair...." Sabyien almost 
jumped as the little girl ran her hands through his long black hair.
"Ah, No climbing on the tables dear." Seth lifted her back into her seat.
"....and your as pretty as papa."
More snickering from the others.
Sabyien eyed Seth. " 'Papa'?"
Ryo sat quietly taking this all in. Remembering with a small grin that he was 
the exact same way at her age. he took a small drink continuing to watch the 
scene.
Seth shrugged, "She started to call me that on the way over." Sabyien sighed. 
If she keeps calling him that it will be harder for him to let her go. Sabyien 
knew the soft-side of the vampire. He knew that he couldn't resist a sweet 
young thing that needed someone to protect them.
The waitress brought the food, Jenga dove in eating a plate of fries. Seth got 
up to follow the waitress. Ryo whispered to Saby. "Where is he going?"
"He's going to sup on that Waitress.....don't worry though, they never remember 
what he does to them...."
"A vampire mind trick?"
Sabyien nodded.
"What's your name?" Jenga asked, looking at the two men across the table.
"I'm Ryo," He said nodding at her "And this my friend Sabyien." He smiled at her.
"I'm Jenga," She smiled back at Ryo. "Do you want to play a game?"
"What kind of game?
" 'I spy' You can go first."
Sabyien relaxed his grip on the soda glass. She's only a child....hoe could she 
have charmed her way so easily to Ryo and Seth?
"I spy...." The girl's voice."....something blue."
Ryo looked around. "The poster?"
Jenga giggled. "No."
"The blue glass over there?"
"Yep! " She nodded, "Your turn..."
As they played the game, Saby was thinking of other travel options. "The train 
might be our best bet, since Ryo is afraid of flying." He sighed, took a bite 
out his hamburger. "When Seth comes back, we'll go to the train station."
Ryo turned his head at the sound of Saby's voice. "We're taking a train?"
Just then Seth appeared behind Ryo. "What's this about a train?"
"Papa!" Jenga jumped up, throwing her arms around Seth's neck.
"Yeah, A train to India, After take the girl to the police."
"To the police?" Seth frowned.
The little girl understood. "No! I don't want to leave Papa..." She hugged the 
vampire tightly
Saby spoke softly to Jenga, "I'm sorry, but we can't take you with us."
Jenga's ice-blue eyes began to water....

---

Sabyien groaned, How on earth did they convince me to do this?
His arms were crossed, unsmiling, as Jenga continued to braid his hair.
To keep her quiet while Seth went to get the train tickets, Ryo got Jenga to 
play with Sabyien's hair. Ryo noticed Saby's slightly annoyed expression. "Hey, 
at least she's not crying anymore."
Sabyien gave him totally exasperated look. He didn't like anyone to play with 
his hair....but he was very patient.
Seth re-appeared, "Got the tickets, the trains leaves in 5 mintes."
Sabyien got up from the waiting room seat, Untangling the braids from his 
hair. "Great! Let's get going."
Ryo smiled. "Your f\good with kids dude no wonder she's all over you."
"Lucky me."
"Papa... I have to pee." jenga said pulling gently on Seth's arm. He smiled 
down at her.
"Ok... We'll go find you a bath room." Seth stood and excused himself from the 
others taking the girl by hand.
"So....what made you change your mind about the train?" Ryo asked looking over 
at Saby.
Sabyien shrugged. "Sore wings, I'm not used to flying long distances."
"I thought so. You do to much Saby, you should relax y'know." he snuggled 
against him putting his arms around him "You're gonna get old before your time 
if you keep it up... well you know what i mean.
Sabyien couldn't help from smiling, "I'm older then you think. Ryo, do you know 
how old I am?" Ryo shook his head. "Let's see....I was there when the knights 
from England first started out to take Jerusalem....The very start of the 
Crusades."
"In the 11th Century?!"
"Yep, nearly 1000 years ago." Sabyien smiled, "During the first few years, I 
met Seth, who's even older than I am, then I pretty much aided the creation of 
the Knights of Tempor."
"How did the two of you met?"
"That is a very long story....best told on the road." Seth was walking over 
with Jenga. Ryo stepped back from Sabyien, "We'd better run...the train's 
letting ready to leave."

The three ran.  Seth had Jenga on his back they just barely climbed on in time 
as it left the station. They deposited their tickets and found their 
compartment. The four sat and caught their breaths.
Ryo looked out the window as the train left the station, it had begun to rain 
again. Jenga couldn't sit still., she keep her face pressed to the window, 
whining that is was too dark to see much.
Seth was looking over some magazines and Sabyien had his arms crossed 
apparently waiting for Jenga to fall asleep. So he could tell Ryo the story on 
how he and Seth met.
Ryo turned and looked over the simple small room, they had enough space to be 
comfortable. Jenga still looked excitedly out the window. "Are we there yet 
papa?" she asked turning to look out the window. seth shook his head.
"No jenga, we won't be there till at least Tomorrow night. You should get some 
sleep."
"Awww..." she moaned and settled down next to Seth. she leaned her head against 
Seth. shutting her eyes.
"So...?" Ryo started. looking at the two "What's the story?"
" It was during the time when King Richard was being held for ransom," Sabyien 
began. "I was on the assembly to negotiate his release. Seth had been sent to 
assassinate the diplomats...Fortunately, I was there to stop them."
Seth laughed, "I remember that, 3 Knights protecting a team of fat 
diplomats....And the youngest one, Showed such insolence, walking out and...."
Sabyien interrupted him with an embarrassed cough, "It was safe to say we 
didn't get to fight that night."
Ryo blinked, "What happened?" Seth chuckled. "What did he do?" Ryo asked. Seth 
smiled, "Sabyien boldly walked out, turned around, bent over and slapped his own ass."
Sabyien shrugged, his face turning pink. "Y-yeah."
"I thought that the young one would need to taught a proper lesson, but I 
needed to catch him alone."
Ryo laughed a little at the thought of it.
When the snickering stopped, Sabyien continued. "He did catch me alone, later 
that night, He wanted to give me a sound beating before he continued on with 
his mission."
Seth: "He resisted, I thought that using my vampiric strength wouldn't be fair 
to him, to me he was still a child, a very determined child. Our fight 
attracted a demon that was asleep nearby."
Saby: "It went to slay both parties. Leaving Seth and I to hunt it down 
together."
Ryo frowned, "Weren't you enemies at first?"
"Yes, but when it comes to encounter an enemy stronger them both of us...We 
chose to get revenge first before finishing our fight."
Seth took off his coat and laid over Jenga, "The Guardian destroyed the demon, 
if he hadn't it would have torn me to pieces....In thanks, I allowed him to 
come with me in the search of the Holy Grail."
Ryo looked at Sabyien, " You were looking for the Grail?"
"Yes." Saby nodded, " The Grail is the only object that can reveal the 
Sword..." He snorted, "Would have kept it too, if Seth hadn't betrayed me."
Seth shrugged, "What can I say? You were a very gullible boy."
Sabyien flicked a lock of hair from his face. "...and during our travels, we 
also ran into Seth's creator, Jenga Aliah of Olsenct."
Seth gave a sigh, "He fought her....barely surviving the encounter."
"Well" Ryo said."I'm still with you up to this point but that kinda doesn't 
explain a few things. for one thing if you have the holy grail and the sword 
thing what are you gonna use them for? secondly Why are you using them? and I 
guess my last question for now is what is the connection to me."
"Well Kid." Seth started a slight tone of joking in his voice. "If I told 
You...."
"You'd have to kill me right?"
"Not right away."
Ryo sighed putting his head down "I Can't get a strait answer out of him..."
Seth put his hands to the back of his head, Smirking. Sabyien looked out the 
window, the rain hadn't let up for the past hour. "I needed the Grail to 
perform a summoning ritual, so I can have the Sacrosanct sword in my hand."
"Why?" Ryo asked.
Sabyien didn't answer, 
Ryo sat back up. "So where does this sword get summoned from?"
Neither Seth nor Saby would answer.
Ryo sighed annoyed rubbing his eyes. "Lemme guess this sword thing is inside 
me.... But for you to take it out I have to die. I have to die to save the 
world? Oh well that's Ok. I guess It was bound to happen." he smiled cheerily. 
and stood up heading for the door. "I'll be back I just need to go get a 
drink." and with that and a click of the door he left the room.
"......." Sabyien was silent.
"Maybe you tell me everything," Seth leaned forward, "Does Ryo have to die?"
Sabyien pressed hand the window. "I can't tell you everything. Yes, Ryo may 
die...but if I can find a way to prevent....!"
"...You'd do anything to prevent Ryo from harm," the vampire interrupted 
him. "What's holding you back?"
"....I am afraid, that if Ryo does have an unnatural darkness inside him...I 
would have to kill him."
"An un-natural darkness?" Seth was getting suspicious. "What do you know about 
the boy?"
"Not that much, I would have to do another Dreamwalk to find out."

Ryo wiped his eyes as he walked along the corridor. he opened the door at the 
end and entered the small dining hall. he sighed and ordered a drink, a pad of 
paper, and a pen. he seated himself after paying and began to write. 'I Ryo 
Maxwell, of sound mind and body do leave this world hopefully in better state 
than i joined it. Be it saved or destroyed. know this. Saby. I love you, Seth, 
Your friendship was a great help to get through the hard times, Please tell my 
sister i missed her and her children. I thank you all for being a part of my 
life, you are all deeply missed.'  he then signed his name and folded the paper 
and put it into the pocket of his pants for safe keeping. he picked up his 
drink and walked back to the cabin seating himself. he smiled at the others 
again. then set his drink down and shut his eyes. "See you in the morning."

Seth nodded at Saby after a few moments, then cocked his head to the side and 
pulled the paper from his pocket, read the words and slid it back.
"He's written a will."
"What?" Sabyien whispered. Unsure that Ryo was really asleep. Seth shrugged and 
pointed at Ryo with a questioning look. Sabyien nodded. Tonight
Within a hour, when Sabyien knew that Ryo was in a deep sleep, Saby closed his 
eyes....

Ryo's dream world wasn't so dark anymore, it contained a stone temple, a 
rundown garden and..."Stop!" It was the Warrior-Ryo. He was standing at the 
gates to a temple.
Sabyien barely blinked, "Let me pass, I wish to see..."
"You again?" The Woman-Ryo walked through the garden towards Sabyien. Sabyien 
bowed to her politely, "If you would escort me inside My Lady..." She pressed 
herself to Saby's side, her head resting on his shoulder. "Sure I will...If you 
kiss me."
Saby smiled, he leaned in to kiss her when the blade of the spear was thrust in 
between their faces hitting neither. the warrior looked angrily at 
Saby. "Besmirch not her honor vagabond. Get about your business and be gone 
from this place."
"Saby!" Shouted the Ryo's inner child running down the temple stairs it jumped 
up and hugged him. "I Missed you!"
His feminine side smiled. "Like I've said... good with children."
"Hey! I'm the same age as you!"
"In Name not appearance. now go inside, we grown-ups need to talk."
"Aww..."
"Better do what she says Kiddo." The warrior nodded. "It's gotten loose. We 
don't want you getting hurt."
"Ok..." they waked glumly inside.
"They?"
"His Inner Demon. I swear that thing is a real pain in the keester. if its not 
tormenting us in here its destroying temples out there. A real headache."
"You mean that really was..."
"Yes but don't tell Ryo that. This is our problem. We'll handle it."
"But your part of him...."
"True but this is his subconscious he doesn't know we are here."
"I see..."

Far off the demon sat waiting for its next chance to get free. the foolish boy 
let him out once, he would definitely do it again.

The temple was large, inside in the middle of the floor was a metal disk 
inscribed with runes....Sabyien's eyes widened. "The Neihilli Shield!"
He ran to the middle of the room looking down at it.
The Warrior came up beside him. "You know what that is?"
"Yes. I do." Sabyien nodded, "It's my....uhm...It's a very powerful seal."
"A seal." Then woman asked. "What doe it contain?"
Sabyien frowned, "It could hold the Sacrosanct Sword....or a very powerful 
demon...."  He noticed that the chain on the floor, then he 
remembered. "....the demon-child?" he gasped.
The two Ryo's nodded.
"The demon had gotten free of his bonds." The woman said sadly. " We tried to 
fight him but, we can't re-seal it."
Sabyien frowned, "Ah, I see....." He turned to the Warrior, "I'm going to give 
you something...It's a shard...from my home-realm. Use it to keep this temple 
safe!" Sabyien took off the pendent from around his neck and held it out to 
Warrior-Ryo.
The warrior looked at the pendant then turned away. "We do not need the aid of 
the likes of you. We will be fine on our own."
"Oh Don't gibe such a stick in the mud swallow your pride and ask for his help."
"I will do no such thing!" The man Shouted grabbed the pendant threw it to the 
ground and stormed out.
"Sorry about him... He's A little testy at times.but I suppose we gotta put up 
with him. She picked up the pendant and checked to make sure it wasn't 
broken. "I think you'd best keep this. Once the lug makes up his mind there's 
no changing him, the stubborn jack ass."
Saby laughed. "Alright but if you ever need me, just let Ryo ask. I'll be here 
as soon as I can."
"Thank you." she moved closer to him and slipped the pendant back around his 
neck and stayed close to him. she stared in top his eyes then put her arms 
around him and kissed Saby's mouth. her tongue twisted around his. suddenly 
from the other side of the room came the inner childs voice
"Ewww! Kissing! Gross! Im gonna Tell!"
the woman broke away. "You will not!"
"Will So!"
The woman chased after him the kid ran like crazy. Saby simply stood a moment 
surprised.
Alone in the temple, Sabyien gazed at the Seal. The Nehilli shield, the most 
powerful lock that can only be opened by a Ashalanian Knight.
He thought back.  My father told me that the Knights of Ashalon, only they 
could create a Nehilli Shield, it can contain the true power of the Sacrosanct 
Sword. But it can also be used the seal away a demon....  His thoughts were 
interrupted by a noise....

---

Seth yawned, The other's were sleeping. the vampire chose to stay awake to 
guard them all. He didn't need as much sleep as they did.....He reached behind 
to scratch his back, it seemed to itch a lot lately...
Seth's gaze turned to the window. the sky had cleared, and the moon was peeking 
out from behind the clouds.
"Seth?"
Seth looked up to see Ryo standing in front of him.
"Ryo, I thought you were sleeping."
"Seth, I want you..." Ryo pulled off his coat and shirt. "....Take me."
"What???" Seth was thunder-struck.
"Take me Seth." Ryo pulled himself on Seth's lap, grinding his hips down in Seth's
The vampire tried to push the boy off but he held fast. "Seth! Come on! I know 
you did it for Saby! It's My turn!"
Seth fought back a moan as Ryo's hand went down to touch his growing member, 
the vampire couldn't totally fight his own nature.
"That's it..." Ryo whispered, "Don't fight this..."
Seth writhed, I shouldn't be doing this...Sabyien. Ryo's tongue flicked over 
Seth's lips. With a growl, the vampire took Ryo's mouth, Ryo titled his head 
back, inviting Seth to drink him.
Seth's fang's ached to pierce the boy's skin, to taste the sweet blood...He 
open his mouth..."Oh yes..." Ryo moaned. His body tightening as Seth's fangs 
sank into...

---

Seth jump up startled, he looked around. It was still raining outside and Ryo 
was deep asleep beside Sabyien.
"What happened?" Seth frowned, he studied Ryo for a moment.
In his sleep, Ryo turned his head, revealing the tender spot on his neck...his 
pulse throbbing.
The sudden bloodlust took Seth by surprise. Hands shaking, he left the 
compartment.
Hearing the door close, Sabyien looked around. "Seth?"
Went to sit atop the train, letting the cold rain cool his desire.
Saby stood up and followed Seth, he climbed up the ladder and joined his friend 
on the roof. "What's a matter Seth?"
"Just old temptations and new Lusts... Don't get mad... I had a sex Dream about 
Ryo."
"You did?" Saby asked surprised. He smiled. Things like this came around every 
so often. "How was he?"
"Bugger!" Seth shouted Glaring at him through the rain Saby laughed. "Come 
on... Lets get back inside before we both drown."
Sabyien watched Ryo sleep, Seth was had gone to dry off and get some blankets 
for the night. When he got back Sabyien gave Ryo his. and looked from Ryo to 
Seth with a raised eyebrow. The vampire just crossed his arms and looked out 
the window. Still smirking, Sabyien settled himself down to sleep.

Seth couldn't sleep, he was very aware of Ryo's presence, the scent of him, of 
every damned breath he took. Seth's hand clenched.
Ryo rolled onto his back and moaned sounding oddly erotic. he took a low gaspy 
breath the rolled over again so he was facing the inside of the seat. Seth 
Glared at him 'Just stop it Kid.'

Seth settled down after tucking Jenga in better and watched the darkened 
country pass.