“Mistress Hunter come up here with me!?” Dovea called. Barely looking up to Grey, Rye ran up to Dovea with Garth trailing behind her.

“How on earth did you tame a Renik Mistress?” Dovea was in sheer awe. “You are very talented it seems to me.” Dovea smiled with admiration hinting in the depths of her voice.

“I killed its mother after it tried to attack me and now I guess Garth thinks I’m the only source of protection now.” Rye explained plainly.

“Isn’t that kinda unusual for a beast like that to do?”

“You would think…”

Walking through the streets of the fort, people looked upon Rye and Grey with unexplainable emotions that seemed to even confuse themselves.

“So, uh where are we going Dovea?” Grey asked politely.

“To my house, I bet you guys a famished for some good food eh?” Dovea shrugged her shoulders. “You can’t possibly get the best kind of food from the army. So tonight you guys will be my guests.” Dovea offered so freely.

Grey seemed more than just troubled by the offer as Rye, wanted nothing more to get away from Carmon at the moment. “I’m sorry Dovea but we must decline. We have to get back to the hall before Commander Hunter finds out I took his sister off the protected area.” Grey spoke formally.

“Well you should return after, Grey you know how to get in here and just tell the guards that you are guests of Madam Coral. My mother will be please to have you two for supper.” Dovea stated “Please do not decline.”

Rye took it on herself to answer this one. “I promise we will be here. Well I may I don’t know about Mr. Perfection here.” Rye smiled as she pointed to Grey.

Grey grabbed her shoulder turning her around to face him. “Rye do, you really expect to get out of the Hall without a guard with you?” Grey asked with annoyance in his voice.

“Of course. I am the sister of the commander and that means I know some tricks that he taught me to get out. Have faith in me.” Rye spoke as she started to plot a plan to get out of the hall even if it meant to order her brother.

‘I wish I had a horse now. Too much walking!’ Rye scolded herself as they finally entered upon the bronze gate, back into the world of the Vena Army. Grey smiled gently to Rye and then started up the long cement walk way to the door, but was unpleasantly welcomed by Commander Hunter. Slamming on their brakes, Rye seen Grey lower his ears as, she didn’t know how anyone could be afraid of Carmon.

“Did you two have fun?” Carmon asked as he held his arms bound across his armoured chest.

“Sir! Uh this is…” Grey stumbled upon his words.

Carmon growled awfully towards Grey, “I know what this is Walker. You disobeyed my orders to take my sister to a room and stand guard. I have no choice but to throw you into intense training for three weeks Walker.” Carmon spoke angrily.

‘Oh; no way!’ Rye sneered; a little as she figured it was about time she brought some fear of her own into her brother’s heart. Time to make him believe in something, that hadn’t been seen in Vena for the last thousand years, “Belay that order Carmon right now! Grey has done nothing wrong but taking me outside to show me around.” Rye spoke stubbornly.

Carmon turned swiftly towards her, hoping he would frighten her and to cause her to back down. “You do not over rank me Rye and plus I am not under your ruling either. Walker has disobeyed me and that calls for punishment. Stand aside and shut up.”

Rye wrinkled her nose as she curved her hand to hover over her blade hilt. “You are greatly mistaking brother of mine. I do over rank you in titles. You are just a mere Commander when I am The Guardian of Vena Temple.” Rye snapped as she spoke out her secret.

“You’re the what!” Grey protested as he backed off a couple steps.

Rye held an eye in the corner as she looked over him then back to Carmon. “That I am and if I must I will take over this army Carmon and demote you back to a soldier yourself. You either follow my orders or face demotion.” Rye snapped as she carefully placed her hands behind her back.

“Rye when did you become the Guardian… that’s impossible!”

Rye snapped her hand out and around the armour of her brother’s chest plate. Bring his face down to hers; she wasn’t in the mood for foul believing. “You dare question me Carmon? I warn you that I’m not a little push over that I was when we were younger. I am your commanding officer and you will do as I say Carmon. I repeat myself over and over again.” Rye repeated herself. “Now stand aside and go back inside to your office.” Shoving Carmon back, she circled an eye around the area as Carmon was blinking rapidly to try and figure out what had just happened.

“Yes ma’am” Carmon spoke as he hung his head. Turning back to Grey, he stood with his mouth gaping open and him staring blindly at her.

Rye smirked a little. “Grey you might want to close your mouth, your tongue is getting dusty.”

“R-Rye you’re a guardian! That’s not right… I thought they died out a long time ago. Back with the Nojae war.” Grey stumbled upon his words.

“Well not exactly,” Rye rubbed her hand through her peak of hair, “A few remained and built a secret society of Guardians, which are only woman. The few grew to the many and the many grew to thousands. There are over twenty temples in are land Grey and each one carries about forty or more apprentice guardians. You know the ones who take a post and watch wearily over to the temple and its prized jewel. But there are seven Head Guardians that command the younger ones. I am one of the seven who commands the vast army of sorceress’s. Out of the Seven, we each are giving a certain area to watch upon such as Windin’, Loki, Vena, Sitra, Fireton, Juanita, and Syrian.” Rye explained as she carefully crossed her arms behind her and paced before Grey.

“But how on earth did you become one?” Grey asked looking rather pale from hearing all this. Perhaps she should have eased this one on the poor young lad instead of proclaiming it so soundly.

“That is something I wish not to discuss about Grey. All I know is there is something terribly wrong with my brother having an army that is so immense. There is the work of evil here and I just cannot place my finger upon it.” Rye waved her hand back and forth to try and dismiss the bellowing questions of Grey.

“But…”

“Grey don’t take this the wrong way, but shut up about it. I do not wish to hear any more questions that concern my title and such. Leave it be Grey.” Rye spoke as she stopped short of her pacing and took a direct look over Grey.

“Yes, Rye.” Grey sighed heavily. “But you must know that there is a war preparing. Something that was stolen or such?”

“Come again?” Rye blinked swiftly as she began to ponder over this little bit of information.

“There is a war slowly starting. It contains the Vena army and the Fireton army fighting against the Human’s army of Rio. Apparently there had been something stolen from the Human’s and they think that Vena has stolen it. We have search out for help among the other five elf towns but they declined saying that I was none of there business.” Grey commented as he ran his fingers through his hair.

“Well the other hevanoics were smart enough to stay out but what was stolen? Rye asked gently.

Grey raised and lowered a lone shoulder. “That just it Rye, we don’t know… well I don’t. The humans just attacked us swearing upon their graves that hevanoics had seen there last days upon this planet.” Grey continued blandly, “The one thing that got me was how they fought; it was too gracefully, to smooth for a human. Almost as if some unseen hand was stringing them like a puppet.” Turning to face the setting sun with the beautifully painted sailor sky that sent pleasurable shivers up the spine, but other things lay heavily upon Rye’s mind.

“Demoils” Rye muttered to herself quietly. A couple choice curses slipped gracefully over her tongue to form into the words as she was beginning to really hate coming to Vena Base. All she wanted do to was, return to Vena Temple and return to her duties, no matter how boring they were.

Rye had sent Dovea a letter regretting to inform her that she and Grey would not be attending a fine feast tonight because of important matters that hung heavily over the Vena army’s shoulders; vast weight that seemed to press down with each hour of torment. Rye had retired to her quarters for the night but when the witch’s hour stumbled across the night there was an unpleasant chill in the room. Shivering like she was stuck out in the middle of a snow storm naked, Rye awoke to find her room had a mysterious red ice hang from each nook and cranny.

“What the hell?” Rye yelped helplessly. Tuning her hearing to listen to the ice crack as it formed she could hear another sound within the room. It was like a hard breathing that seemed to move silently across the room. Sitting in the middle of her bed, she traced her slender fingers along the pillow to the night table where her trusted White Cobra sword sat, just waiting to feel her warm clench around its cold hilt. Brushing her fingers over the hilt of the sword, she turned her head towards it and lunged for the sword, but then seems to hit an invisible wall. Stumbling back, she rubbed her nose and swung her hands around blindly trying to feel this wall again to make sure she wasn’t going insane... not yet at least.

“Whatever you are, friend, or foe; remove yourself from my room.” Rye called in a warning. Hearing a panicked whimpering at her door, Rye realized that what ever was in the room with her had removed Garth. Guess this being wasn’t one of the stupid beasts she usually had to face. She was going to be dealing with a monster with a span of intelligence. Crawling off her bed, Rye remember her quiver was shoved in between the night table and the bed. ‘Thank god for the bow.’ Rye praised herself.

“Ah Guardian Hunter, I’ve been waiting for you for way to long.” A demonic voice chimed evilly. The voice seemed to bounce along the walls of the room to echo back to her quivering ears. Gritting her teeth painfully together, Rye cursed out the demoil as the familiar inner rage bubble to the awaiting surface. Diving for her dragon bow Rye scraped her fingers along the floor to try and reach the glimmering white canines as she felt a hand clamp around her ankles to pull her away. “Shit!” Rye swore as her legs swept from under her to turn above as she hung upside down before a large, repulsive demoil in the face. Looking like a dragon the thing had the body of a wolf, the head of a dragon plus the wings and stood like a human. The putrid smell drifted off his body and made her feel as if she was going to pass out.

“Oh is this what is haunting my room?” Rye asked the demoil as she glared at it from her upside down vision. “Well if that’s the best someone can send.” Was it really wise to be provoking a demoil like this?

“Saucy are we? Well I wouldn’t expect anything less from the famous Guardian Hunter.” The thing hissed as a snake tongue slipped out of its mouth. “It’s amazing to know one so young has had a deathly grim life already.”

“I guess my reputation precedes me greatly, if a demoil low as you would know about me.” Flicking its wrist, Rye flipped from being upside down to right side up just now press against the frozen walls of red ice. “Whoa…” Rye rubbed her head from the swift movement.

“I’d watch that tongue of yours Guardian before I rip it out.” Rye stuck out her tongue for the demoil to try and rip it out, “I am here to give you a warning from my lord. Step aside in this war and watch your pathetic brother die with each sharp Human sword plunging itself within. If you don’t comply with this, you may wish you had died in the war besides facing the wrath of Cagon!” the thing snapped. Yawning and looking at the yellow eyes of the creature, Rye placed her hand in her palm as she carelessly mocked the monster.

“Oh you’re done?” Rye smirked, “Well all in all I say that was one interesting lecture, you almost put me into a sleep.” Rye snatched her dagger off her belt as she lined a thin line across the demoils hand, causing the slick blood to brew over. “But I will not back out from this war. If I must I shall bring forth the Falcon and destroy your army.” Rye rammed the dagger into the skin finally as the demoil sneered at her as he helplessly flung her across the room. Taking an immediate action Rye did a handspring off of the bed and flipped her-self onto the dresser.

Narrowing her sights she downed the demoil in her eyes as she was ready to start a war. “Run and tell your Lord Cagon that he has just pissed off the wrong Guardian. Go now you lowly demoil before I am forced to remove your head and mount it on my wall.” Watching the demoil turn and vanish into the thick air, the red ice dissipated. A loud knock came at the door as Garth came tumbling into the room as he let loose a high pitched whine, making her cover her ears. Sniffing the air, Garth turned towards Rye and growled with delight to see her still alive. Glaring at the beast she watched the light from the candles in the hallway dim as a broad figure fell into the doorway. Casting her eyes upwards, Rye smiled prudently as it was an awfully good sight to lay eyes upon the blue armour of his.

“Rye!” Grey swept a hand to help her off her dresser as his sights seemed to be examining her room ever so carefully. “Jeez I thought you were sure to be dead.” Grey spoke rapidly.

“What are you talking about?” Rye questioned as she yanked herself free of Grey’s comforting embrace.

“I was patrolling the halls when I seen Garth sitting out of your room whimpering and scratching your door. As I came up to your door I could hear you and some coarse demonic voice threatening you. I was about to get your brother when I heard Garth tumble into the room.” Grey explained bluntly.

“Thanks for the concern Grey, but never mind about it and you will not report this to my brother.” Rye shook a finger as a warning. “For one he does not need to know about the un-welcomed visitor and secondly he does not need to worry about what is controlling the human army.” Rye spoke softly as she looked around her room with concern and worried gleaming in the pits of her stomach. Grey opened his mouth to speak again as he shut it quickly from her murderous glare.

The sun was overly undesirable as the velvet curtains hung open to let the two suns rays shine in onto her face. Sprawled about on the bed, Rye pulled the covers up and over her head to try and sneak a couple more minutes of leisurely sleep. Rolling into a tight ball Rye could hear the annoying little gurgles of Garth as he seemed to notice she was partly awake and wanted to take advantage of it. If the gods were yelling at her to get her lazy ass out of bed, Garth was the one to take care of their wish. Bouncing upon the bed hard enough, Rye was flung out of her bed to the waiting floor below. Drumming her fingernails on the floor, Rye stared at the white covers that hung over her face.

“Well you have me out now.” Rye mumbled as she flipped the covers off of her bed head. Looking up to the edge, Garth sat on impatiently on the mattress waiting for her to stand up and open the door.

Growling at the pup, he returned the growl as she could see his stubby tail wiggling. “You know Garth you’re so abnormal. You depend on me but you’re just going to have to learn that I am not your mother!” Rye snapped as she sat up and cracked her back with a shrug of her shoulders. Not understanding her of course, Garth started to jump on the bed grunting and making high pitched squeaks.

“This is the most annoying wake up call I’ve ever had.” Rye muttered as she pulled herself up onto the bed. “Not even dad was this mean!” Rye pointed out.

Looking over to the chair where she had laid her clothes the night before, Rye found that her old clothes were gone and a pair of new ones hung nicely over the top of the chair and her brown boots were now replaced with black leather knee high boots. Turning towards Garth as she sat on the floor she smirked slightly.

“Okay Garth did you eat my clothes?” Rye smirked as she looked over to the bouncing beast.

“I doubt that very much Rye, I had them replaced them this morning.” Looking up towards the door, Rye blinked at Carmon, standing up she picked up the new blue shirt with a grey one under it and examined it.

“What is this about?” Rye enquired.

“Well if you’re going to be here you might as well have some new clothes and not the normal keeper clothes.” Carmon smiled as he held his arms behind his back.

Rye twitched a finger. “I am so sure. You just did this so I wouldn’t stay mad at you because you do not want to loose you new commanding post.” Rye laughed as she pushed Carmon out of the room. Peeking out of the door to Carmon she smiled childishly. “Thanks but your still in trouble.” Rye closed the door with a click as she heard Carmon mutter something. ‘What a goof.’ Rye thought harmlessly.