Chapter 2

It was only a few minutes until the clock struck midnight and Aya had to hurry. She put on her golden necklace that held a small oval locket with her full name engraved on it. Inside was a picture of herself and, who she assumed, was her brother. They were still little babies, around one year old. Her parent's photo was missing and that disappointed her for sometime, but got over it eventually. She grabbed the crystal jewel from her treasure box and tiptoed her way outside. Her guests were fast asleep and she didn't want them to interrupt her. It was the time when all the planets of their solar system alined with each other. This only happens every five billion years, so if she doesn't do the magic right, she won't live to do it again. Aya didn't realize that one of her guests was awakened by the creaking sound of her feet and door. Amelia watched out the square window, her host run to a circular clearing near the cabin. She became quite suspicious and struggled to shake her two friends awake, who slept in the same room.

"Lina. . . . Lina. . . ."

"Mmmmmm, more. . . . shhhteak (steak) . . . annnn (and) iiiiiiiish cueeeaaaaaaam (ice cream) deeeeeeeesheeeeeerrrrt (dessert). . . ." The leader drooled on her pillow with a funny smile. A sweat drop slid down her face and she moved on to Filia.

"Filia . . . Filia-san?"

"Hmmm? What is it Amelia?" Filia sat up and rubbed her eyes, "(Yawn) What are you doing up this late?"

"Sore wa (well) . . ."

Valgarv watched silently, hiding behind the thick trees of the forest. He was, once again, in search for his number one target, Lina Inverse. He was alone though and was enjoying the quietness of the dark night of an unpredictable forest. But the young lady warrior caught his keen eyes and he kept his sight on her. Something told him that Miss. Inverse was nearby.

Aya speed walked her way to the tree stump in the midpoint and took a moment to admire the starlit night. The air was slightly cold with no breeze and the black sky was shimmering cloudlessly. Tonight was the night. Tonight she will travel somewhere no one in this world has ever been. Her feet trembled as she climbed onto the old tree stump that never appeared to age. Butterflies fluttered in her stomach and her heart raced when she took the large crystal from her pouch. The object shone brighter than it usual did. Using her ki (energy) the crustal floated between her palms and she raised the jewel to the sky. Before rehearsing the chant, she heard her sixth sense tell her that someone was watching her in the midst of the black forest. The thought swiftly past by and she tilted her head up to instigate the magic. Her voice originated low and soft,

"Nakuma zan danma ban kan. . . ." The crystal, floating between her hands began to glow brightly, till the entire clearing was lightened.

"Nani (What)?!" Valgarv squinted his eyes, adjusting to the sudden shine.

"Tou shya lek mei zaph ao. . . ." The planets were just about alined. Only two more minutes remained. Trails of light emerged around Aya and began encircling her. The continuing verses made the strips of rays fly faster like a tornado. The girl's whole body tremble from the extraordinary power arising from the crystal, but she refused to be overwhelmed and proceeded. "Roiwun quiez vora trevrl. . . ."

'What kind of magic is that?' Valgarv asked himself and saw the intensity grow. Trees, bushes and grass were swaying raucously away from the action, so did the little critters who hid within the darkness with the half Ancient Dragon.

"Vre . . . Aro . . . Rzun qul . . . Amu . . . xench . . . kiche . . . "

"OOOOIIIIIII, (Hey) AYA!!!" Lina called with her boisterous voice while making her way toward the girl, without being blown away. The others followed along behind and beside their leader.

"What's she doing? Some kind of magic?" Amelia held tightly onto Zelgadis's arm so she wouldn't get blown back by the wind.

"I'd say, she's probably doing this so we can give her some tip for the late night entertainment."

Xellos received another knock on the head, this time from Graywords. Somehow they managed to get into the circular clearing without being taken off their feet.

"HEY YOU!!! WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU----" The red head girl was disrupted by a fireball fired directly to her. The group acrobatically ignored the attack and got into their fighting stance. Valgarv revealed himself from his spying location and stood calmly on the other side.

"Valgarv!?" Everyone announced in unison. Shortly, everything stopped in a snap. The crystal's shine disappeared, the strips of light and wind died and the silent darkness of night returned. The six companions became very alarmed, but Valgarv didn't bother with the aberrant event.

"You're mine Lina Inverse!!"

"RU . . . ZO . . . PAKU . . . REK . . . BEK . . . "Aya put all her strength into the last words of her chant as the enemies armed themselves and charged to the center. "GIEX!!" The word was answered by the planets lined over each other, which shot an effulgent river of besieging light over the whole treeless circle. The figures that were once there evanesced in the colourless rays and all their efforts to screams or move were useless. No one would nor could hear them.