Ryo Gently touched the books blank page. he felt a burst of energy rush through 
him. he understood. "I know what I must do..." he tuned to see if the others 
were watching. he walked out while they were distracted, Ariel talking to 
Michael about the book, Raphael and Karma watching the water, Gabriel reading, 
he carefully slipped out into the paris catacombs. "Everyone... I'm sorry." he 
whispered and walked into the darkness heading vaguely in the direction of the 
hotel. Thinking to himself. 'If it will get Saby back... it's worth it.' he 
walked on. feeling a power rising inside him slowly.

The small army had gathered on the lawn of the hotel, Sabyien was waiting on 
his horse, a black steed saddled in the manner of the knights of Ashaland.
The demon Sephion held the banner. Since such loyal minions were difficult to 
find even among the demons, Sabyien had repaired his body and given him a 
breath of life. The crystal shard that he taken from the demon's body now hung 
around his neck. Another horse stood beside his, it's saddle empty. Seth came 
out from the hotel and mounted, the vampire wore the same clothing as the rest 
of the human-like soldiers did, and a cloak of the same colors Sabyien wore, 
Deep blue and black, around his bare shoulders. He gave Sabyien a nod and they 
lead the unholy horde out on to the highway.
The human that were turned, also rode horses they lead the lesser demon-beast 
with pikes and whips.

Ryo came out of the underground and approached the highway. he turned feeling 
the dark armies presence not far away. there were no vehicles on the highway he 
walked along the center he walked at an almost militant pace. his head up and 
gaze locked upon the darkness ahead of him as the moon slid behind a cloud.

"And that's what we've found." Ariel finished explaining. Michael 
turned. "Where is the saint?"
Gabriel looked up from his book. "In there." he pointed to the room.
Michael shook his head. "Dammit... he's gone."
"I can see him." Karma Pointed into the pool. "He's going to face the 
others.... alone."
"That Idiot! Doesn't he know that's what they wasn't?!" Raphael shouted. 
turning for the door. The others also hurrying out.


Sabyien and Seth rode ahead of the horde, they rounded a turn in the road and 
stopped. Standing in the middle of a crossroads. "Well well, the young saint." 
Saby smiled amused. "Out for a late night stroll?"
"I have come." Ryo started sounding braver than he felt. "To make a deal with 
you..."
They stared at them. Surely he must be insane! Sabyien had to smile at the 
foolishness of the Saint-child, coming all alone, didn't he know that...
Seth frowned, "My Lord?" Sabyien's smile faded. "....if you would allow me to 
speak to him?"
Sabyien thought for a long moment. "Very well, say what you must to him then 
return." He laughed. "I have plenty of time."
Seth stopped where he was, he put up both hands. "Ryo, listen to me, you are in 
danger here....why did you leave the others?"
Ryo looked at him with a level look that could melt metal. "I know what I'm 
doing. Let me talk to Sabyien." he said trying to push past him. Seth stood 
still.
"Go. Leave now." Seth said feeling a strange urgency rising in him.
"Sabyien. Master of Ashaland. I Have come to speak with you." Ryo called out to 
the man on the horse, his eyes falling on the piece of the sword hanging from 
his neck. "You have Half of the sword, as do I, so lets come to an agreement."
At Ryo's words Sabyien dismounted, his servant Sephion took the horse's reins. 
The Preserver of War walked towards Ryo and Seth slowly. "Why would I have to 
negotiate with you? I can take the Sacrosanct Sword from your body by force if 
necessary....I've done so many times before." He waved Seth aside, the vampire 
stepped to one side but not to far.
Sabyien stopped some distance away, he held up the crystal shard. "Now will you 
come to me so I can draw the sacred blade? " a mocking smile grew on his 
face. "I promise not to cause you too much pain."
Ryo stepped foreword. "I know you won't kill me."
Saby smiled "Oh? What makes you so certain?"
"Because.... I know." Ryo said touching his chest. "I Know you'd never hurt me."
"Stupid boy." The Demon lord said stepping foreword drawing his sword. He swung 
it at Ryo he didn't flinch, the blade stopped inches from his face. Sabyien 
smirked. "So what are your terms?"
"I'll let you have the sword. If..." he looked away from Saby's eyes, they were 
drawing him in. "If I can have The real Saby Back."
The sword's tip wavered, the hand that was holding it was...shaking? Seth held 
his breath.
"....The real....Saby?..." The Demon Lord's head was bowed,for he was quaking 
deep inside. This boy. The hand steadied and his voice came out strong. "The 
young man you knew, the Guardian of Hope...is no more..." He voice 
lowered. ".....Only I remain."
The last words were mournful, full of self loathing. Ryo fixed his eyes on the 
Sabyien's bowed head. He raised his head up suddenly, eyes burning blue 
fire. "Only I remain to Rule The Pathways Between Worlds! " He raised the sword 
high. "Exodus will b MINE!!"
The blade came down, but it did not strike Ryo.
Sabyien was panting, the boy was right, he couldn't harm him. 
Ryo looked at him Quietly. Then stepped closer to him. "I don't believe you. 
He's no more gone than you actually being here." he gently reached out and 
touched the side of saby's face with his hand. ""Saby... Come back to me. Are 
you really going to let someone like this to take you over?" he asked. taking 
another step towards him he stood up on his toes and kissed saby's mouth gently 
mentally whispering. 'Please... comeback to me.' he gently summoned up what 
power he could to try to awaken the one he loved. the demon lord shoved him 
back. the boy fell to the ground on his back.
"You fool. For that you'll die!" Sabyien pushed his sword against Ryo's 
throat. "I don't need your life to extract the sword. Your body is enough." he 
draw blood. all the while Ryo's eyes stared into his tears slowly flowing down 
his face. Saby looked at him and felt his hold on the body weaken. he sank to 
his knees grabbing his head. "You Little Fool, I will kill you and throw the 
world into chaos! I will Bathe in your blood! I will..." his eyes rolled back 
into his head and he slumped to the ground. Ryo crawled over to saby and pulled 
him to him ignoring his bleeding throat. Seth stood over them and watched as 
the Demon horde began to disperse. he looked down

"I'm proud of you... but how long will it last?" he looked up into the sky at 
the vanishing form of Sephion. "That was far to close."

~~
[i]The forest of the mind; Two forces faced each other, one dark one light. The 
Guardian of Hope had taken the words of the Saint to heart. He wanted to join 
Ryo. But the dark one screamed, He didn't want to lose with the sword so close.
"NO! I want that Sword! I need to see her again!!"
"I know." Said the light one. "I want to see her too....but she must remain 
asleep or the true chaos will..."
"I AM CHAOS!!!" The dark one's shadow spread and over whelmed the light...
~~[/i]

The hand that held the crystal shard twitched. Seth's eye caught the movement. 
"Sabyien...?" The word was barley out of his mouth when the other hand went to 
Ryo's face. The slim fingers tracing along the boy's jaw. Ryo looked down. 
"Sabyien? saby are you alright?"
The blue eyes opened, they reflected the night sky. "Yes, I will be....but, 
There is something that I need..."
Ryo's eyes trear'd up, he buried his face into Saby's chest. "Anything" he 
sobbed, "Anything."
"I need the Sacrosanct Sword. " Sabyien brought Ryo's face closer, lips pressing 
on his.
He raised the glowing crystal shard and it's light flared as Sabyien pierced his 
heart with it.. Ryo gasped. squeezing his eyes shut, It hurt...it hurt... The 
light grew and solidified as Sabyien began to draw the sword from Ryo's heart.
Seth had blocked the sharp light from his face. He peeked when Sabyien had 
nearly drawn the full blade from Ryo....then he saw the -cruel smile on his 
lips.
"Ryo! He has deceived you!" Seth called out.  "RYO!"
Before Sabyien could pull the blade free, Seth dove for the hilt.....Ryo's hand 
went up to touch Saby's hand.....Three hands gripped the sword's hilt tight.....

There was explosion of light, a deafening sound!

Seth groaned, he had found himself on the ground, thrown....his hand felt the 
cool steel,Do I have....? hope rose in Seth's heart. The Sacrosanct blade?
He raised his head. Ryo was beside him, blood pouring from his chest, and in his 
hand...No impossible!
Ryo held a sword akin the one Seth was holding!
Laughter filled the night. "I have it at last!" Sabyien was griping a sword 
similar to theirs, the metal seemed to marbled with a dark pulsing ripples.
The vampire sat up, Ryo moaned and turned, "What have you got? Dark Lord? " Seth 
was standing now, holding his Sacrosanct Blade before him, "I have one, the boy 
has one just like yours!"
The Preserver of War saw the blades in their hands and he cursed. The Summoning 
was successful! But....the Sword had been shattered into three pieces!
The Sacrosanct Sword, materialized in this world....still with out it's full 
power.
Seth growled, this was going to be dangerous. Even with the sword in three parts 
and lacking its true power in the hands of the evil one could still be fatal. He 
raised his sword in a battle stance and waited.
"Seth... Saby...." Ryo spoke weakly. "Can we go home?" Seth turned to the boy 
confused, Ryo continued. "I know they're waiting for us but.... I...." he fell 
to his knees. "I can't see them anymore!" he cried out "I Can't see them! 
They're gone! Where are they? Where Are they?!" He grabbed the sides of his head 
and screamed. "WHERE DID THEY GO?!"

Michael was holding the ancient leather bound book in his arms. Recently a 
strange winding script had began to appear in the pages, He din't notice them
Raphael was driving, the others were following on bikes, What they could spare 
came with them. If there was an army marching.
The empty highway loomed before them.

Sabyien had this strange impulse to go to the boy, to try to comfort him. He 
shook his head. No, that wasn't right. He would have to take the swords from the 
other two. Confused, he lunged to the boy with a scream, his sword was met with 
a sharp clang of metal on metal and a crackle of energy as Seth's blade blocked 
the attack. Still the Demon lord strained to push passed this obsticale, 
"Vampire, move aside....give up that Sword!"
Seth's resolve hardened, he wasn't going to let anyone down, not when he 
promised to take care of Ryo.
Ryo was unmoved, he was on the ground he cried out; "Sabyien...."
Through the sound of conflicting energy, Sabyien heard him. Seth saw a glimmer 
of light in his eyes, as if the Guardian responded to Ryo.
"...help me...please...." Ryo's voice again.
Sabyien's strength was faltering, "...Ryo." his face showed a deep love, and 
such sorrow...
Seth couldn't stand it. Gathering his all his power he cried out as the swords 
slipped against each other with a metallic sound. The points driving into flesh.
The vampire stepped back, Seth's left arm was bleeding, a wound running from his 
shoulder. He panted, and waited for the next attack.
It never came, Sabyien was where he had left him, the tip of of his sword 
blooded. "You have...." he began, the sword lowered. "....wounded me." Seth's 
weapon had found Saby's body, a deep wound just below the armor.
Seeing this, Sabyien dropped to his knees where he stood, his part of the sword 
in his hands. He hung his head as he heard Ryo's voice: "Some 
one....someone...."
Deep in his heart he knew, without Ryo, his existence here in this world was 
useless. Sabyien's only purpose here was for the boy.
With that knowledge, he was defeated...

Ryo was trembling sobbing as he held his head. He looked at the broken sword. 
"Is that what its worth?" he asked quietly, looking over at Sabyien between his 
arms. "IS THAT WHAT ITS WORTH?!" He screamed. "TELL ME!"
Seth looked down at him shocked by the sudden out burst. The coming vehicles 
stopped, the other angels climbed out and surveyed the scene. The three alone on 
the road, Saby and Ryo were down, Seth still on his feet. Gabriel took a careful 
step foreword.
"Seth... what has happened here?"
"The first of many battles..." Seth said looking down at the bleeding Ryo and 
Saby. "We should get them to a hospital. They'll need to heal for what's to 
come."
Sabyien smiled as he heard the vampire. "I can not die, unless Ryo dies first."
"Get up." Gabriel said. He, Ariel and several others surrounded him. Swords 
drawn.
Raphael helped Ryo get into one of the cars with Michael. They didn't try to 
take his part of the Sword away, The hilt of his sword was white ringed by 
silver. The blade itself was of a pale gleaming metal. Seth compared it to the 
others. The sword Part in Seth's hands the hilt was of a shifting gray color, 
like shadows amid mists. The blade was the normal, but as the moonlight hit it 
he could see runes within the blade, from his knowledge of such signs, it was 
the sign of the earth, the single rune repeated it's self.
Sabyien's own blade, a dark metal marbled with rippling red veins.
He wasn't about to give it up, He stood when the car containing Ryo sped off. 
One of the Knight opened a car door.
"No thanks I'll walk." With Seth behind him he began to walk towards the city. 
Ariel glanced at Gabe who shrugged, and followed Seth, guarding the captive as 
they made their way down the highway.

Ryo stared at the sword in his lap, he shut his eyes crying silently as he 
thought 'He only wanted the sword, I was never his interest... he only wanted 
it....' he flashed back to the first day he had met Saby when he had saved 
him.... no he just saved the sword inside him, their night on the boat spent 
together with the 'dream.', sleeping on the train with Sabyien's arms around 
him, were they all fake? He convinced himself they were, Saby had spent more 
affection on Seth than on him, it made sense, Seth and Saby had a future... Ryo 
was just in the way. He wanted to die, he just wanted everything to stop.
"Are you alright?" one of the angels, most likely Michael asked putting his hand 
on Ryo's shoulder. "Other than the obvious wounds."
"It...." he started then turned and buried his face into the comforters chest 
without opening his eyes and sobbed. "It didn't mean anything He never loved me! 
it was all a lie!" 	
Michael patted his head, "We don't really know that...It may be true that he 
want to protect the Sword. But what now? The Sword is shattered..."

The dark night, Sabyien walked along, his mind a jumble of conflicting thoughts. 
He could not be killed by these 'Angels' nor Seth could even if he did had a 
part of the Sacrosanct sword. He would suffer pain, but he would not die. That 
honor belonged the to the sword-barer. And since he failed to hold the complete 
blade, Sabyien knew that he should give the power over his life to Ryo.
Another thought, He could kill Seth and the others, take Seth's part of the 
sword and then go after Ryo while he was weak....and somehow put the sword back 
together.
No, He wouldn't kill Ryo....Ryo... The name was a spear in his thoughts, driving 
out everything from his mind. Is he ok? Will I see him again? ....I want to see 
him...
The same force that kept him from destroying the boy weighed heavily on his 
shoulders. No, I can not let him come to harm...but the sword must be 
complete...

Seth looked over at Sabyien through the corner of his eye, untrusting and 
remorseful. He stopped walking and turned to Sabyien "What will you do now? 
Which path are you planning to walk Sabyien?" he asked looking at him level 
headedly knowing he would support him either way. "And what will you do about 
the boy and the sword?"
"Only time will tell." was Saby's reply, as he walked on, it was the only reply 
he would give. His gaze focused ahead watching the rapidly fading tail lights of 
the car.
"Seth." Gabe asked as he caught up to him, gently slipping his hand into the 
vampires. What's going on?"
"Isn't it obvious?" Ariel Chided. "The sword is broken, part of which is in the 
possession of the guardian who is also a demon lord, and your lover is also one 
of the claimers of a holy blade. Earth if im not mistaken."
Seth sighed. "Your kinda Scary when you do that you know."

Karma sat in the front passenger side of the car next to Raphael. "We never 
Reclaimed The vampire's Daughter." she turned looking back at the others. "Does 
she matter?"
"Ryo looked up. "Of course she does... she's his daughter. Family is Important 
to people Like us..."
"Karma never knew her family." Raphael looked att him in the rear view mirror.
"Oh... forgive me..." ryo looked down ashamed. "I never knew."
"Its ok... can't miss what you never knew you lacked." she sighed and turned her 
face falling into shadow.

Seth shook hi head, stopping, "Ariel, would you go get Jenga? I left her at the 
hotel. She's should be waiting in the lobby."
Ariel gave a sigh, "I'll have one of my people get her. But....She's going to 
have to stay there."
Two people left and the others walked farther into hte city. Gabriel had ripped 
off a strip of his shirt and had bound Seth's wound with it.

Michael sighed. "Raphael, Take us to the hospital. The saint is bleeding allover 
me.... he's passed out."
"Whatever you say, I was going there anyway." he said squinting through the 
darkness, a storm had started the rain was coming down heavily. and every so 
often a fork of lightning would flash. "If we don't go off the road first." he 
muttered to himself.

Saby looked up at the sky feeling the rain fall on his face and sighed. then 
looked ahead in a shocked expression. he felt it. he was crying, he swallowed 
and calmed himself. 'That's foolish. He will be destroyed at my blade. And that 
is all.' he made himself certain.

Karma Sat in the front seat nodding off. she at firs saw nothing, then slowly 
the form of a person outlined by the darkness appeared, they seemed to be 
calling to her. she awoke with a bolt. "I KNOW HIM!"
The car screeched to a halt, the three had moved in front of the car stopping 
them in the road. "What the?" Raphael pushed his glasses back on his face.
"What's happening why did we stop?" Michael asked from the back seat.
"There's someone on the road" Raph shook his head in confusion.
"It's him" Karma cried, getting out of the car. Before Raphael could stop her, 
she ran to the figure, A tall man dressed in the same manner 
Sabyien was, but his colors where black, maroon and red. Raphael couldn't see to 
much of him, the enveloping cloak he wore hid most of his form. "Darren!" Karma 
smiled, 
The Angel got out and observed them. Raphael was guarded, If these was one of 
Sabyien's....
"Lower your blade, Guardian of the realm, I'm not here to fight you." The man
said, "The Spirit of the Sword called me here."
"Who are you?"
The rain had lighten up, wasn't falling as thickly before. Raphael thought he 
saw a pair of claws. A deep scar over his blind left eye told of a 
man who'd been in countless battles, his one seeing eye was a ruby-red as 
Karma's. He could have been Sabyien's twin if not for the eyes. Is this man, a 
demon?
"I am Darren of Ashaland, The High Lord of Ashaland....I've come to help the 
Sword-barer...."

Sabyien stopped, He had felt a pang of strange energy, Something very familiar, 
something he remembered from his childhood in... Father?
Seth frowned, "What's wrong Sabyien? keep moving."
The Preserver of War hardly gave him a glance then continued walking.
What is he doing here in this Realm?
An expression of loathing and hatred on his face at the thought of meeting his 
Father once again.


When the Angel didn't let his guard down. Darren just ran quickly to the car 
door on Michael's side. Opening it he knelt and addressed Michael, "Seer, the 
girl..." He looked surprised when he saw that the Sword-barer was a 
male"-boy.... Needs help at once!" Michael refused to let Ryo go. "You can 
not take him...." His word were taken back as he senced that Darren wasn't fully 
human. Beneith the red lining of the cloak bat like wings were tucked close to 
his body and the claws were real, there was a flash of a pure white tail.
What is!?
Darren was looking at the Seer with his good eye. "Please, for his sake...let me 
help."
Michael was troubled, he didn't know this man, and yet when he spoke, he spoke 
true.
"Seer, the wound from the Sword won't heal properly. He'll lose his life if you 
don't allow me to help him."
Michael frowned, they needed to get Ryo some help now, but this person had a 
faint demonic aura. He wasn't sure. "What are you? I feel that you are....not 
human."
"What I am is not important at the moment. If you want the boy to live give him 
to me. you can trust me. if i had wanted to kill you you'd be long dead by now."
Michael nodded in defeat. "If i must. He unbuckled and moved aside, Darren began 
to reach in for Ryo.
"Karma, Help me. " Together Darren and Karma lifted Ryo on to the hood of the 
car, it was still raining so they opened their wings and provided a shelter for 
the boy. Quickly ripping the bloody off Darren bit deep into his palm and held 
the dripping hand over Ryo. "My blood will seal the wound so he won't lose so 
much." he said to the watching Raphael. The demon's blood seemed to heal the 
skin but where it closed an ugly blemish appeared where their blood mingled.
"There, that should do it."

"We must hurry," Sabyien began to walk faster, Gabriel was almost running. The 
others on the bikes looked on with suspicion. "What for? "
Sabyien was running now. "Someone here in this world who's not supposed to be 
here." 
Gabriel didn't want to believe him. Surely he must be lying.
They ran into the city anyways.


Ariel rode away on his motorcycle towards the hotel. He felt the energy and 
screeched to a halt turning so he could see where it was coming from. "What 
the...." he wondered. "I'll have to get back quick." He then spread off towards 
the hotel again.
He pulled into the front drive of the hotel. He called out. "Jenga?" unsure if 
that was her name. He approached the door, pushing it open slowly. He could see 
the outline of the girl in the middle of the lobby, she seemed to be playing 
with something.
"Go away..." She started slowly, then replied in a deeper voice. ""Nobody loves 
you. Get out of our sight!" then there was the sound of the first voice crying.
Ariel slowly approached her. "Jenga?" he asked kneeling behind her he touched 
her shoulder, she turned screaming. Ariel fell backwards startled. then quickly 
gathered himself. "Your father asked me to come find you."
"Why so he can leave me behind again?" She asked turning away again.
"NO, he was really worried about you."
"You shouldn't lie." Jenga warned ."Its not nice."
Jenga continued. "They don't like it when you lie." she then pointed up at the 
roof. Ariel looked up in the darkness above he could see reptilian figures 
crawling across the roof and along the walls. Ariel gave a shiver. "What are 
they?"
"Lizards." Jenga replied calmly playing with a set of small clay dolls that 
looked like the others. ariel knelt by her. "We should go...."
"They don't want me to leave." there was a hiss from above. "You either."
"How do you know this?"
"They told me..." she said looking up. "I Can understand them... They're my 
friends... they won't leave me."
"Jenga." Ariel whispered. "Don't you want to go see your dad?"
"He's not my daddy." she shook her head. "He Lied to me. I hate him."
"Well if you never see him again how can you tell him that?" Ariel responded 
logically.
"well.... You can tell him." she responded.
"No You deal with your own problems. I'm a deliverer not a messenger." Ariel 
grabbed Jenga's arm and pulled her up. "Now lets go or else."
"Or else what?" she asked defiantly.
"Sleep." Ariel Replied waving his hand in front of her face. she obediently 
nodded off. Above him he heard the feral hisses of the monsters above. "This'll 
be fun." he spoke to himself. pulling out his rapier waiting for the first 
attack while backing away towards the door.
Ariel backed slowly out towards the door the lizards skidded down the walls. 
hissing.he swung his rapier warningly. "Stay back." one leapt foreword he swung 
it fell to the ground its organs spilling out its body morphed and became the 
body of one of the workers in the hotel. Ariel looked down in horror. "Your 
human?" he gasped.Another leaped foreword and sank its fangs into his left leg 
he swung his sword again knocking it away with the side of his blade. "Dammit." 
he opened his wings. "Forgive me." he channeled his energy into his wings the 
feathers glowed brightly. he summoned energy into the attack. the feathers on 
his wings formed into blades of energy and blasted off attacking the monsters. 
they backed away as the projectiles exploded n impact on what ever they touched. 
ariel turned and dashed out the door Jenga tucked under his arm to his waiting 
motorcycle. he climbed on seating the girl in front of him and sped off. 'I hope 
its not who I sense....' he prayed


In order to run faster, Sabyien had unfurled his wings, now black as a raven's, 
He ran light and fast.
Turning around a corner, they saw a stranger stabding by Raphael's 
car. He appeared to be another demon, hovering over an unconsious Ryo.
"Get Away from him!!!" Sabyien ran forwards, rage distorting his face.
Darren looked out and leapt to protect Michael, Ryo and Karma. "S-Sabyien?"
For an answer, Sabyien banished his hell-blade. "You get away from Ryo...He is 
mine."
A raging jealousy burned within the Preserver at the sight of Darren."...he 
belongs to me, not you, Father."
Darren stood up relaxing. "Good to see I'm not forgotten." he waved one of his 
hands "I know he's yours. I have no use for him." he smiled stroking his chin. 
"Unless..... How's he in bed?"
"You Disgusting bastard." Saby glared at him making a fist. "If you ever say 
something like that about him again. I'll kill you."
Darren sighed turning looking at him over his shoulder. "Right." his voice was 
thick with sarcasm. "And I wasn't kicked out of hell."
"You were stupid enough to try to take over. you got what you deserved." 	
"I didn't 'take over' The title was entrusted to me by the council and by you." 
Darren raised a clawed hand. Sabyien growled, "Only because your 'common-law' 
marriage to....! "
The half demon interrupted."If it wasn't 'Common-Law' You would not exist 
Sabyien!!"
"...Don't you think I know the truth? I was not born of your union with her...."
Leaving that comment hanging, Sabyien heard Ryo moan. He was going to awaken 
soon. Darren turned to the boy.
"I said....GET AWAY FROM HIM!!!" With a savage power Sabyien cleaved the car in 
half, the heat of the Hell-blade melted the metal and plastic cleanly. Darren, 
Karma and the two Angels barley had time to jump away. 
Darren muttered a curse under his breath when he saw Sabyien standing over the 
Saint-child.
But the sword was set aside and Saby leaned over Ryo shielding him from the 
light rain.
"Ryo?.....Ryo, it's me....Sabyien." He brushed his fingers over Ryo's face. 
"....please be alright."
Darren gestured to the others to stay back, he was struck by the words the dark 
one said. The tender touch, the look on Sabyien's face. Hell cannot exist 
without Heaven, as so Chaos cannot happen without Law. Darren thought. "...There 
might be a way..."

Seth glanced at Darren from the corner of his eye. A way to what?

Saby pushed some hair out of Ryo's face tenderly. "Ryo please... wake up." he 
whispered then bent and kissed his forehead, the boys body began to glow. 
Sabyien tried to step back surprised but it was to late. He was bathed in the 
light, he fell onto the brokenn car on top of the boys body, he blacked out.

Saby awoke he was laying in a small rowboat surrounded by fog. he slowly sat up 
looking around. 'Where am I?' he wondered and slowly stood. The boat was 
completely steady, he stepped over the side and fell. He landed on solid ground 
he stood up looking around the boat was gone, he heard approaching footsteps. 
"Who's there?"
"I am." Ryo replied.
"I love you." he appeared beside Sabyien. The man turned and looked at him 
surprised by the sudden outburst but the boy was gone, he appeared on the other 
side, curled up on the ground crying. "I hate you." he wept.
Saby turned again again the boy vanished. He would flash around Sabyien speaking 
things he had said before.
"Seth.... don't ...please... stop."
"My friends do say I look like a girl."
"Saby... Help me!"
"WHERE DID THEY GO?!"
"My name is Ryo and this is my friend Saby."
"I love you."
"TELL ME!"
"Saby... Come back to me. Are you really going to let someone like this to take 
you over?"
"I love you."
Saby tried to back away from the assault of memories. He bumped into something 
he whirled around and came face to face with the warrior version of Ryo along 
with the female and the child, but something was wrong, they looked dead. They 
reached out to him then vanished being replaced with the three swords. They 
began to spin around him faster and faster until they became a blur, he reached 
out to try to stop them they had become a solid wall Sabyien looked around. He 
was now standing in a maze, he began to walk. Hallways stretched on for an 
infinite distance, he rounded a corner and entered what looked like a large 
gallery. There, Ryo stood facing a statue. Sabyien tried to call out to him, his 
voice mute. 
Ryo turned slowly.
'So you've come.' he lifted the complete version of the blade. 'Time to die 
Saby. I loved you and this is what its worth?' he swung the blade sending a wave 
of energy at him Sabyien evaded but the blade of energy nicked the side of his 
face. in the real world in the same spot he began to bleed. 
His face tingled, "Ryo?"
"Is this sword you always wanted?" Ryo swung again, this time, a cut appeared 
along the black armor.


Gabriel was stunned, "What happened to them?" Michael closed his eyes and 
concentrated, "Their souls are in conflict....it's confusing..."
Darren said nothing, he closed his eyes...he could feel it.
Raphael frowned and held his head."Wait a min...what is this?" Gabriel blinked. 
"Hey! I feel it too! It like a warping all around..."
"Everyone! the fabric of reality is starting to unravel! We must contain it!" 
Darren ordered. 
"How?" Michael asked, he was beginning to feel dizzy.
"Get everyone to form a circle around them, and join hands, our life-force 
should be enough to contain the rips in time."
At that moment Ariel on the bike drove up to them, where the car stopped on the 
brige. "Michael, what's...?"
"Not time for question Ariel, come join the circle." Michael gripped the other's 
hand tightly.

He didn't want to fight Ryo. He did have the complete Sword with him, and 
this...he was running through the maze. I can't just keep running...
He stopped, he was going to have to make a stand, To get the true Sacrosanct 
sword and take other worlds......not that wasn't right.....he wanted the sword 
to restore Ashalan. He shook his head as he turned to face Ryo.
"Stopped running away? Tell me Sabyien, was the Sword what your truly after?"
Sabyien panted, "Yes....my first mission was to find the sword..." He stopped 
when he saw tears of anger in Ryo's eyes. "I never expected you....to be so 
strong." he sighed inwardly, So it happens once again, I'm so to possessing 
the Sacred blade and the sword-barer and I come to a final combat. And 
yet....would I allow it, to give him the power to end my life?
Ryo looked so magnificent holding the complete Sword like that, defiant, strong 
and beautiful. His stance made Sabyien's heart ache.
Yes he decided then.
He dropped to his knees before the blade's tip, arms at his sides, the armor 
melted away to nothingness. "Ryo...If I could change the winds of Fate, I would 
have....taken you to Ashalan with me, but that cannot be...The Sword-barer and 
the Preserver of War are always enemies. One must destroy the other....there's 
no other way." The last words where difficult for him, "....then I chose.....I 
chose to give my life for yours....for you are the reason why I live...every 
breath I've ever taken was for you...."
He hands shook as he took the sword's tip in his hand, gliding it to his chest, 
where Ryo had only to push to end it.
"Please end my life so that you may live....and know that....that....I love you 
Ryo...."

The sudden force almost blew them off their feet, but the Four Angles, the 
Ashalaian Lord and Seth held on even tighter.
Jenga and Karma where huddled behind a car, trying to watch. Karma shielding the 
younger girl.
"What's happening now!" Raphael yelled over the screaming wind.
Darren dug the claws on his feet even deeper into the asphalt. "The tear is 
opening wider....it's wide enough to let a person through!!"
"What about Ryo and Sabyien!?" Seth was struggling to keep a hold of Gabe's and 
Darren's hands.
"They are the ones causing it!!" Darren squinted, 'Sabyien's energy just 
changed.....Yes! What ever's he done, he's ascended to become the 'Preserver of 
Balance.' He smiled, he never doubted that the Preserver of Balance would 
appear, this was a great change of luck. For the Sacrosanct Sword and the 
Preserver of Balance are destined to be together....but the Sword-barer is still 
stronger then he is! What is happening? Elysion.... He squeezed his eyes 
shut, saying a silent prayer.


Saby stayed still and waited for the blade to pierce his body to end it all 
again. "Ryo... Please. Do it." he whispered.
"You.." Ryo pushed the blade against his chest looking as if he truly intended 
to kill Sabyien with it. He looked severely angered. Sabyien looked up at him 
with pleading eyes, the next few moments passed in an eternity of instants. Ryo 
dropped the sword, it clattered to the ground between the two he fell to his 
knees then tipped foreword against sabyien crying. "I don't want this." he 
sobbed. "There's no point in living if you aren't there. There no point to it."
Slowly and carefully Saby wrapped his arms around the crying boy. "It's alright. 
it's alright... shh... It's over now."

Their words could be heard through the rift the angels could hear it and 
believed. This was the final time the guardian or the sword would exist. 
Suddenly from inside the rift a familiar voice erupted. "I'll be damned again if 
its over!" it shouted. Standing above the two was the demon lord, in the void he 
had been able to separate himself from the Preserver of balance. He then stood 
over them clutching the discarded sword, he smiled cruelly he pointed the sword 
down over Ryo and plunged the blade through him. The boy's body began to ooze 
blood in reality. Sabyien looked in horror at the impaled body in his arms.
"Sabyien..." Ryo whispered, the dark eyes faded and lost their 
uster. Sabyien looked up at his dark form. The evil one smiled quite pleased 
with himself, he twisted the blade and slowly pulled it out examining the blade 
he brought it to his lips and licked some of the blood off.
"You..." Sabyien growled, he gently lay the saint down. "How. Dare. You?!" he 
demanded rage filling him.
"Quite easily.... or weren't you watching?" he gave a sadistic smile.
"You will pay for what you've done to him." Sabyien swore. He was at the moment 
unarmed but he didn't care, even if the demon lord had the sword, he knew he 
wouldn't surrender. 'Ryo...' he thought quietly. 'We will be together again.... 
I promise you.'
Sabyien leapt over Ryo's body, One reaching out to seize the sword before the 
demon lord could bring it up to....
Slash!
He was bleeding from a gash right down his chest. the white shirt he wore was 
torn and bloody, but Sabyien was still standing!
With the renewed energy, Sabyien unfurled his wings to use them to move faster. 
The Dark-one also opened his large wings. The bat like wings flapped once and 
then Sabyien was on the ground holding the blade between his palms as the 
Preserver of War strained to drive the sword through.
Sabyien grunted, How? How is it possible? I'm fighting my own dark side?...What 
do I do now?

"Don't you remember?"
"Darren?"
"You are Balance personified, War and Hope together."
"I know but....but..."
"You've forgotten what I've told you?"
"......oh, yes I remember."

~~

It was one of those cloudy days in Ashaland Darren was sitting under a tree 
waiting for...
Bump! Bump! Crash!!
A young boy with long hair landed face-down in the dirt beside him, a few green 
leaves followed.
Darren sighed, "Get up Sabyien."
The boy lifted his head, his face was smeared with dirt, his tears where making 
a muddy tracks down his cheeks. Sabyien tried to swallow his gulps. But stayed 
where he was.
"Get up and try again." Darren said with a little more edge to his voice. Little 
Saby answered with a sob. "Father.....I...I can't!"
Darren frowned. "Then I guess we'll starve tonight....I'm not looking forward to 
to missing another meal."
Sabyien's sobs stilled, They had been in the wilderness for weeks, the food they 
taken was gone. His father had been very careful about keeping his young son 
fed, even giving him a part of his own plate. Darren was weakening day by day. 
When Sabyien volunteered to get something for them to eat, Darren was hopeful. 
But the tall apple-tree proved to much for him.
Darren put a clawed hand on Saby's head. "Saby-..." He was bout to tell him not 
to worry, that he'd get the apple himself when Sabyien raised his head, deep 
blue eyes glowing with determination. He wiped his dirty face and stood, looking 
up the tree. Darren watched with curiosity.
Sabyien launched himself towards the tree, his foot connecting to the bark 
running up the tree trunk. At the highest he could go, Sabyien threw his knife 
up. He landed in the dirt again. but... Two apples bumped their way down and 
landed in Darren's out stretched claws. "Very good Sabyien."
The boy gave him a smile of victory.....then grinned. "You could have gotten 
those your self.....you big-"
Darren laughed, "Didn't feel good to do something yourself?"
"Yes Father."
Darren stood up, "You shouldn't give in so easy.....exspeacialy when someone's 
counting on you." He took a bite out Saby's apple before throwing it to him.
"Hey!"

~~~

Yes, I remember now. Everyone's counting on me.....
Sabyien kicked his feet under the legs of the Demon-Sabyien and pushed him head 
over heels. Rolling to a semi-kneeling position, Sabyien watched his evil 
counter part get back up.
"I'm sorry, but that blade your holding is the heart of Saint. And....we're 
going to end it now."
Standing, Sabyien opened his arms and called out in the dream-realm. "Ryo! I 
need you, I need you to fight with me!"
"What help could he give you? He's dead- What?" The Sword in the Demon Lord's 
hand began to glow.

The sword glowed brighter. Through the rift Seth could see them, "Saby needs my 
help..."
"Wait." Darren ordered, Seth looked at him as if he had gone mad. "You should 
know about the sword."
"Tell it quick old man."
"The sword was first in three pieces, not one." He pointed to one at Seth's 
waist. "Earth, heaven and hell, each capable of opening seven different gateways 
, the hell sword corresponds to hell's seven layers obviously. and heaven to the 
seven levels there too..."
"But earth doesn't have those."
"No but it does have its elements. Fire water earth wind light dark and void."
"Void?"
"The abyss. it has the power to neutralize any attack, I know that sounds 
powerful but-"
"Voids can be filled." Seth said no longer listening, he was busy recollecting 
the swords. "I understand."
The three were pulsing together as he approached the rift, Seth smiled at Gabe 
and said. "I promise. I'll be back... with both of them." and with that he leapt 
into the portal the three swords clutched in his hands.

The sharp energy shredded his arms, Seth used the material blades to shield 
himself. The Dream-blade in the Demon's lord' hand was beginning to brake apart 
into a bright glowing mist. "Sabyien!" The vampire ran to stand behind him. 
"What's that?"
"That's Ryo's soul...Now help me, I need to meld the swords together before I 
can defeat him."
"Sure."
Sabyien stuck the three swords blades down in a triangle. The Dream-sword had 
completely left the Dark one's hand and he was trying to grab without success. 
The glowing mist then moved to surround Sabyien standing in the middle of the 
swords.
The Demon Lord shoot a bolt of dark energy towards him in an attempt to stop 
him. Seth blocked the attack using his own body as a shield!
"Ugh! Hurry up Saby...."
"Yes, let's hurry..."
Saby blinked, "Ryo?"
"Let's get rid of this guy!"
"Right." He raised his hand, the glowing mist gathered into his palm. The three 
swords glowed and transformed into light, which joined at the apex above the 
Guardian, Sabyien then thrust the ball of glowing blue light up where they 
joined, The long hilt and blade of the Sacrosanct Sword grew complete.
Seth was not having a great time, The Preserver of War was still pressing his 
attack, the Vampire was weakening against it. Just when he thought he couldn't 
hold out any longer, Sabyien leapt high over him. Holding the long hilt of the 
sword like a spear, the point drove into the body of the surprised Demon Lord. 
Sabyien pushed the sword deeper, diving it right to the hilt, the sword's blade 
biting into the ground behind.
"You've....you've...." The Dark Sabyien looked at his counterpart with 
shock.".....don't you know what you've done?"
"Yes..." Sabyien. "But, I had no choice."
The dark one began to laugh, he laughed as the Holy Blade banished him into 
the abyss.

The circle outside struggled to hold together, Karma had moved back, she was 
protecting Jenga from the warping effects of the rift.
The sound of laughter was heard, of one who had won.
"Guardian!" Michael screamed in vain. Did he..?
A sharp sound, a blinding light.....everything stopped.

Seth sat up coughing, "What a..." He glanced up to see Sabyien kneeling beside 
Ryo's body, the Sacrosanct Sword in his hands.
Darren let go of the circle, he approached the altar of twisted metal that had 
once been Raphael's car, he stopped when he saw Sabyien's empty blue eyes. 
"Sabyien, You've done it....you have the Sacrosanct Sword."
Sabyien looked down at the blade. "Yes I do." he said, his voice emotionless. He 
turned his eyes to Ryo. "......."
"....Sabyien, " Saby didn't look at his father. But Darren continued,"What ever 
you chose, it will be the right one."
Seth frowned, What is he talking about?
Sabyien gave Darren a sad smile. "Go back to Ashaland Father, tell them I'll 
will be there." He used the blade's tip to open a doorway to Ashaland, the 
portal showed a wasteland of blowing dust and dying trees. Darren stpped through 
the portal, Darren turned around in time to see Sabyien shut the portal closed. 
"Saby-!!"

"Why did you do that? " Michael asked, his blind eyes on the Guardian's face.
"Because....Even if I did restore Ashalan. I wouldn't live long enough to enjoy 
it."
"What do you mean?" Michael shook his head. "Your diminished....somehow."
"Yes, I'm missing a part of myself, That dark one was my other half and I've 
sent him to the after-life....." Sabyien's face was pale. "I will soon follow 
but....There is something I must do first."
Lifting Ryo's head in one arm Sabyien turned the Sacrosanct Sword, gently 
pushing the blade in...The Sword disappeared into Ryo's body.
Ryo, I give you back your life.

Ryo moaned. his eyes slowly opened. "Sa-by?" he asked looking up and him. The 
elder looked as if he were asleep, gently Ryo reached up to touch him, but he 
could tell he was. He let out a quiet smile and pulled Sabyien to him for their 
last kiss, then sat up laying the other down. He stood up smiling at the others 
quietly, Gabe with Jenga and Seth, the rest of the angels. He swallowed. 
"Everyone..." he touched his chest as if letting a weight off his chest. 
"...Goodbye." he then backed away to the edge of the brige, high above the 
water.
"Ryo! Don't!" Seth shouted rushing forwards towards the boy. Ryo waved to them 
then let himself fall back into the openness behind him and plummeted to the 
water far below. 
Seth sunk to his knees crying. They were both gone.

"Come on Seth." Gabriel whispered crouching down next to him gently putting his 
hand on the vampires shoulder.
Seth stood. "Yeah, let's go." he turned and walked away, behind him, the sun boldly rose.