" The purpose of history is not only to avoid repeating the mistakes of the past , but also to know where we came from. We find our identity from those who made us , those who came before us.

" Whether we know it or not , we all play a part in shaping our country's history , and every action we make , whether we know it or not , has its own lasting effects..."
 

"My god, that was real," Ranzou choked, shaking his head. "That really happened."

Jessica sighed. "Yes, it was real," she replied. "It's scary, isn't it?"

"You have no idea."

"Actually, I do. Paige didn't tell you this because she thought it would give you false pride, but we weren't that much older than you when we went after Arkhane."

"Lord Aeola mentioned something about him..."

"Yes, he did, and I'll tell you about him," Jessica began. "Through the ages, Ranzou, Angel's Crest, like many nations has fought many wars. We fought off several invasions by rival nations. Our story began with the reign of Queen AlthÆa."

"I've heard about her, as well," Ranzou said. "She was the mother of Queen Katharine and Princess Paige."

"Right," Jesse said. She continued, "She was killed when Roga attacked, leaving her daughter Katharine in charge of the nation. She herself couldn't fight, but the royal army repelled the invasion.

Jessica smiled, playing with the ribbon in her hair.

"I remember this story as if it had happened to me . Paige and I are like sisters."

Ranzou attentively sat down.
 

"After AlthÆa's death, her young daughter Princess Katharine was to become queen, but Megas took advantage of our weakened army and seized control. Katharine was imprisoned and kept hidden in the mountains.
 

"At the time, Paige was living as the daughter of a farmer in the fields of Angel's Crest. She never knew she was AlthÆa's daughter. All she knew was that the land had been under Megas's rule for years, after the queen was slain.
 

"It was on her fifteenth birthday that she learned she was not really the daughter of that farmer but was in fact the daughter of Queen AlthÆa herself. She couldn't believe it. She received the power of the legendary Sword of Dragonwing and fled to the mountains.
 

"After searching for two years, she found her elder twin sister, Katharine, the rightful heir to the throne, imprisoned in mystical emerald. Paige's Sword allowed her to shatter the crystal and free her sister.
 

"Each was just as surprised to see the other. Twins, separated at birth, fulfilling a prophesy of chaos that came with Megas's reign. Katharine knew this, and she accepted her fate. It was also in her fate that she would be rescued by her younger sister, and they would return to rescue Angel's Crest from the Age of Darkness that Megas brought.
 

"But they never met until that day.
 

"After being reunited and finding family once again, the two of them went forth and defeated Megas and his forces..."
 

Down by the water's edge,...
 

Paige and I both looked at Ranzou and Jessica up on the grassy knoll.

"She's telling him about our history, mahno'dra ," she smiled. "About Roga, Megas, and Arkhane..."

"Slaying Roga wasn't all I imagined it to be," she revealed, after years of silence. "It didn't matter that he was dead. AlthÆa, the queen, my mother, was still dead. So was my father."

"Do you even remember your father?"

"No...Jonas was my father. But I have Captain Colestone to thank for making me a warrior."

"I'm sorry, Paige."

"Don't be," she said. "I was just thinking about Roga."

"I remember fighting him," I said softly. "I did it for you. I know how you hated him."

"You didn't even know me," she laughed. "You were just a drifter I found near the battlefield. I just didn't want to see any innocents get hurt."

"Right," I said.
 

The grassy knoll,...
 

"After recovering the kingdom," Jessica continued, "Katharine assumed her rightful place as queen and peace ruled the land.

"Then Roga returned."

"He's the one who slew AlthÆa?" asked Ranzou.

"That's right," Jessica said. "He returned, knowing how Angel's Crest's armies would be weakened from Megas's attack. Paige and Katharine were in charge of the kingdom, but they were only eighteen or so. Paige was in charge of the military because Angel's Crest's great generals and captains were killed during Megas's raid. They were, for the most part, left in a defenseless position.
 

"During a battle on the northern campaign against Roga, Paige found her forces were losing badly. She saw a young drifter near the battlefield and tried to tell him to run away and save himself, that no princess would let one of her subjects die innocently before her eyes.
 

"That wanderer was matta , Kayin Aeola, who would later become a lord of the house of Jade. He refused to leave and fought for her in battle. Kayin's intervention saved the day for the Angel's Crest's forces, and Paige brought him to Castle Ravensong to present him to Katharine, who asked him to stay as a warrior in the war against Roga. Kayin gladly accepted.
 

"Shortly after Kayin agreed to stay in Angel's Crest, because he fell in love with the princess Paige, a young woman named Milan D'Mitri appeared at the castle gates. She claimed her father was betrayed by King Roga, and she would gladly fight for anyone who opposed him.
 

"Both the queen and her twin were aware of the shortage of leaders and loyal soldiers in their arsenal, and after seeing Milan's fighting prowess and leadership, they offered her a position as a commander in the royal army. Milan quickly accepted.
 

"With the addition of Kayin and Milan to their side, Paige and Katharine rid the land of Roga for good..."
 

The water's edge,...
 

"We go back a long way, don't we?" I asked Paige.

"We could have died on any one of those quests," she replied. "I felt better that you were there, though. You would keep me safe."

"As if you needed me," I joked. "Given the chance, you and Dragonwing could destroy the world."
 

The camp,...
 

"But who was Arkhane?" asked Ranzou. "You were there."

"Arkhane was a fierce, devious, and lethally brilliant warlord from the Realm of Darkness," Jessica explained, "who always harbored a grudge against AlthÆa. He sent Roga and Megas.
 

"After AlthÆa's death, he saw his opportunity to take the kingdom; after all we weren't great warriors or anything at the time, and we were still recovering from the Megas rule and then Roga's invasion. Our army was nearly helpless then, and it was too early in Katharine's reign as Queen for any ally nation to commit themselves to our losing cause. Aside from the commonfolk Arkhane allowed to live, only Paige, Katharine, Kayin, and Milan, and I survived."

"Incredible," Ranzou mumbled.

"We fled to the mountains east of Angel's Crest and lived there for over a year, preparing and planning our attack. We never gave up hope to reclaim the kingdom, especially Katharine, who was Queen. The five of us snuck into town and gathered helpful information from the peasants, the trustworthy of which we knew from even before Arkhane's invasion.
 

"We entered the castle unnoticed, and slowly, silently, we took his army apart, especially with Katharine and Kayin's magic. We were capable fighters, but we were still fresh to actual combat. We worked our way to the throne room, and lo and behold, Arkhane was waiting for us. It was an exhausting fight, but we won. Katharine held him with a spell while Paige slashed him with her magic sword. And we got our country back."
 

Jessica sighed.

"Suddenly I feel silly for being scared," Ranzou said.

"Don't be," Jessica comforted him. "Good or bad, you know what has to be done."

"That's true."

Down by the water's edge,...
 

"Are you sure you're okay?" I asked Paige, who sat on the ground as I scooped water out of the River. "The last thing I need right now is to see you get hurt."

I found a diamond in my palm. As far as the legend was concerned, I should be drowning in the river by now.

"Look."

"I'll be fine, Kayin," she answered, studying the diamond. "I just have to rest."

She looked at the diamond, turning it in the light.

"Kayin," Paige said softly, clutching my arm. "There's something I want to tell you."

"T'atra , you aren't pregnant, are you?" I shrieked.

"Don't be ridiculous!" she smirked. "No, I want to tell you something I noticed during our recent battle."

She tossed the diamond back into the river.

"What?" I asked, suddenly concerned. "What is it?"

"I don't want to hurt you, but I think the one who attacked me was..."

"'Hurt me'?"

"...I think it was Tara."

"You're joking, right?"

She shook her head.

"I'm serious," she said. "I wouldn't joke about this."

I knew this to be true. Paige wasn't much for jokes.

"No...no, how could you tell?" I argued. "They were masked-!"

Even I could tell I was trying to rationalize.

"Paige, are you sure?"

"She mentioned something about invading Cyan."

"Is that all? It could have been anyone."

"I remembered her daggers, Kayin. They matched the ones Tara used in the bar...and..."

"Anyone could have those. What else?"

"Cara nofino, mita rofio midara 1! Are you so blinded by your memories of Tara and Rose you refuse to accept anything I've said? You don't know what this means!"

"I'm sorry, Paige," I muttered. "I know I'm just being stubborn."

"Kayin, I know this must be terrible news. But I had to tell you."

"I understand. What else...about the daggers?" I asked, softly.

"They were the same ones from the vision I had when Katharine was killed," Paige stammered.

"Rasha ," I let out, horrified. "Tara...no..."

"Also, the one who attacked Jesse and Ranzou fought with a fan, Kayin, a bladed fan."

"That must have been Rose. I can't believe it..."

"There's one more thing, Kayin. Something that could enable Laos to march across the world unopposed. He would have unbelievable power."

"Lord, what else could there be?"

"They have my sword."
 

Laos's castle,...

"Do you see now why I choose to wait?" Laos growled. He rose from his seat, and flipping back his cape, he walked over to a window on the far wall.

"I must have lost my head," Rufio choked. "I was foolish to attack, and I paid the price."

"You almost literally lost your head," the assassin wielding the fan said. "At least I was outnumbered, but Kayin held back so much, Rufio, it wasn't even funny."

"Kera! He had so many opportunities to split you like melon I lost count," the other said. "I had Paige on the ropes until you had us retreat. Just because you couldn't land one attack. I almost had her, damn you!"

"Shut up," Rufio snarled. "I'll get him yet."

"In a pig's eye, d'frane ," came both assassins' response.

"Don't let your lust for revenge interfere with my mission, Rufio," Laos ordered. "Just prepare the troops to march on the kingdom. After the four of them reach my castle, there will be no one to lead their armies. They will be powerless to stop us!"

"At once, my lord," Rufio snapped, saluting.

He stormed out of the room.

"Why not send your soldiers after the four of them now?" asked the sai-wielding assassin. "There's no possible way they could defeat an entire army!"

"No," said Laos. "If I attacked them now, even three of them would delay my soldiers long enough for one to get word back to the castle. You saw only four, and once the four of them are present and accounted for, they'll have no chance to warn the castle.

"I haven't underestimated these pests, I assure you," Laos said proudly.

"Won't their forces back home be thinking the same thing, sire?"

"They don't know what to think, my dear boy. They're only guessing. As far as they're concerned, we may attack tonight, or we may not.

"They know nothing for sure, and they won't, until it's too late."

"You've thought this out very well, Laos," the assassin with the fan said. "You gave your adversaries credit and compromised it."

"Very cunning indeed," added her partner.

"They'll be here soon," the fortuneteller Sophia warned. "They're ready to die to stop you, Lord Laos. Be wary."

"I suggest, Rufio," said Laos, "that you have Captain McGregor ready the troops for tonight..."
 

Back at the camp,...

"I wonder what's Milan's up to now," Paige said. "She should be at the castle, but if the southern forces have attacked, who knows where she is."

"I have a feeling they did," Jesse said. "I've never heard of anyone waiting so long without attacking. Remember on the eastern border? We waited forty-five days before they attacked."

"I just hope there's still someone back at the castle," I said. "I could try telepathy..."

I concentrated on Milan, trying to enter her mind.

"Milan," I called on the astral plane.

"Kayin?" she answered. "Kayin, where are you?"

"Near Laos's castle," I replied. "Guard the castle."

"I've got some people on it, but why?"

"When he realizes we're not protecting Ravensong, he'll have a prime opportunity to attack. Look, I'm feeling too weak to speak much longer. I can't explain. Just get your troops back to the castle and prepare for the worst."

"Okay, but what about the borders? We just fought off the southern invaders a few hours ago."

"Keep soldiers to watch the borders, but I need you back at the castle to lead Ravensong's defense."

"Got it. Good luck, my friend. Good luck to all of you."

"Sorry you had to miss out on all this," I told her.

"We'll always have the memories," Milan laughed.

"Goodbye."

"Goodbye."
 

Milan's camp,...
 

"What was that all about?" Commander Rachel White asked.

The two were sitting together enjoying a freshly-roast rabbit over a warm campfire.

"That was Kayin," Milan said. "I have to get back to Ravensong now."

"My Kayin?" White asked, brushing her hair out of her face. "Blasted wind. Where is he? Is he okay?"

"Relax, pigtails, he's all right," Milan said.

"So that's why you started calling me 'Jill'! I happen to think my hair looks good with this armor!" White protested.

"Lord Kayin told me so himself," she added, raising an eyebrow.

Milan laughed. "He, Paige, and Jessica are in Dakren going after King Laos. He's been the one behind all these invasions all along, and the leader's confession proved it."

"Lady luck be with them."

Milan nodded her head.

"How are you handling all this?" White asked. "I can imagine how difficult it must be."

"You don't know the half of it," Milan said. "I can't guess what they're doing, and I'm so used to being there with them when they go on a mission like this."

"You're doing a lot of good here, too," White added. "We need a good Captain now. So what are you going to do now?"

"I'm going to head back to the castle," Milan said. "You and your men who are in good health need to stay here and keep the southern area clear. I'll need at least five of the knights and half of the men I brought to come back with me to Ravensong. We can expect Laos to attack soon, and we can't afford to lose the castle."

"Understood," White said. "Good luck, Captain."

"Good luck, Jill...um, Rachel."
 

The field,...
 

I turned to the group and told them, "The southern invaders attacked. They were driven back, so that means the borders are clear for now."

"Who's guarding the castle?" Jessica asked.

"Milan left some of her men back at Ravensong, and she's going back there now."

It was getting dark, and we were tired, so we decided to pitch camp for the night.

We sat around the campfire and talked, telling Ranzou tales of our previous adventures. For someone so young, Ranzou was very determined and spirited. He reminded me of me.

We got sleepy, though, and we slept under the moon and stars. Tomorrow could be the last day of all our lives.
 
 

When I woke up, the others were already awake, ready to attack.

"I'm rested, mahno'dra ," Paige said. "Let's finish this war."

We walked on toward the valley of the staircase to Laos's castle.

Suddenly, a portal opened before us. Soldiers stepped through in relentless waves.

"F'hicara! " I yelled. "Look out!"

Laos's men charged at us, swinging their weapons wildly. I drew my Sabre and defended myself, but they were unbelievably strong. I couldn't match strength with them.

I turned and watched as one of the attackers skewered Ranzou with his own staff, then flung his body away.

"Ranzou!" I called out. "Rasha! You monsters!"

I struck him down, then looked around for Paige and Jessica.

Paige was keeping a soldier at bay with her dagger, but another one came up behind her. I looked away, while Paige screamed her last breath.

She was dead, just like that. Paige...was dead.

"Paige!" I shrieked. "No!"

As Jesse raced over to help her, the same soldier brought his arm back and slashed her across the throat. There was nothing she could do.

"T'atra ," I thought. "I'm alone out here."

The soldier removed his helmet, revealing his true face. It was the face of Rufio, whom I had encountered already.

If only I'd killed him then.

"Look, Aeola," he laughed. "They're all dead."

They're all dead...
 

I awoke with a shock.

"No!" I shouted, shaking violently.

"Kayin, wake up!" Paige yelled, shaking me. "It's just a nightmare. It's okay."

It was supposedly impossible to see anyone die in a dream, but worse yet, they were my friends.

"We could all die tomorrow," I mumbled.

"So what?" Ranzou said. "We beat Laos or die trying!"

"You're gonna get yourself killed with that kind of talk, chi'ara ," I choked. "I almost know, though, that Laos is expecting us.

"We have to attack tonight," I said.

"Tonight? Kayin, today's fight...," started Jessica.

"They knew our location this afternoon, Jessica," said Paige. "He's probably lining his troops up to get us now. He's also probably thinking we'll recover ourselves before we attack."

"So we attack now while we're all tired?" asked Ranzou.

"Basically," said Paige, "yes."

"What if he's watching us now?" asked Ranzou. "Or what if he does expect us to attack now?"

"Let's go," Jesse said. "At least we'll have stealth on our side. Let's do it."

We set off for the valley, looking at the great staircase that led to King Laos's castle above the clouds.

"That looks like a pretty long set of stairs," Ranzou mumbled.
 
 

" When we fought Arkhane , there were plenty of times I felt scared , almost too scared to go on. I would look behind me and all I would see were his soldiers , ready and eager to skewer me with their swords if I made any mistake. Then I would turn around and look ahead of me , and I would see Kayin and Paige and Milan all fighting two or three of Arkhane's men at a time.

" I didn't feel scared anymore. We took care of each other , and I felt so safe , even in the heat of battle. When our lives were on the line , we all counted on each other to come through , and we did..."
 

"Update me on anything new," Milan shouted as she burst through the doors of the throne room. "We don't have much time."

Trevor and the royal counselors were in the throne room. "The soldiers are waiting in the Great Hall, Captain," Trevor responded. "What do you mean, 'not much time'?"

"Paige, Kayin, and Jessica are attacking Laos's castle now, in the middle of the night," she revealed to them. "At least it's dark, that should help them infiltrate the castle.

"The problem will reveal itself when Laos discovers them. He'll know that 'a': three of Angel's Crest's best leaders and soldiers aren't around to lead the army, and 'b': if he attacked, they would not have enough time to get word back to the castle.

"We have to be ready to defend ourselves; expect the worst."

"I think you should talk to the men," Trevor suggested. "They feel worried; they don't know what's going on."

"Let's go, then."

Milan and Trevor walked down the corridor to the Great Hall, the castle's largest meeting room. She had about three hundred ready soldiers with which to defend the castle. Only about two hundred soldiers protected the northern and southern borders.

"Okay, soldiers," Milan said, entering the Great Hall. "There is potential for a major battle tonight, so everybody stay alert. The Princess, um, the Queen, that is, Lord Aeola, and Lady Dehrin are on their way to the castle of King Laos of Dakren, the perpetrator of these recent invasion attempts.
 

"Once Laos realizes their presence, and we all know he will, eventually, he will have the opportunity to attack Angel's Crest. My commanding officers will have to take their leadership skills up a notch. This is the last shot, gentlemen, as many of you survivors of Arkhane's escapades can attest. I think we all remember that reign of terror.
 

"If Laos's men attack Angel's Crest tonight, this battle will be for all the marbles. Even if the others slay him, the land will still be in ruins. We know it all too well, and history is definitely showing a pattern where successful invasions are concerned.
 

"If we fight tonight, this will be it. No second chances, no running away to fight another day. Laos's is a tough army, one of the toughest there are. But do not lose heart. As history has also shown, we have pulled out of some tight situations.

"If we fight tonight, I want each and every one of you to give your all and then some for me, for your country, and for whomever else you fight for.

"That will be all."
 

Milan turned around and headed for her chamber.

"Trevor, tell me if anything at all arises," she tells him. "I'm just tired from this afternoon's battle."

"Aye, Captain."

She closed the door behind her.
 

The valley,...
 

The four of us stood at the foot of the awe-inspiring stairs and simply stared in amazement. It was at least twenty feet wide, and at the end of the stairs, on the posts, were gargoyles, intricately sculptured in emerald. The steps and sides were made of white marble and lined with gold, and it seemed to go on forever.

"We don't have time for this," Paige said. "Let's move on."

She led the way and ascended the endless staircase.

I watched the River Tallis cross the valley and enter a group of densely forested mountains beyond the valley.

"I wonder where the end of that river is," I said. "Maybe those mountains have something to do with the legend."

"Right, matta ," Jesse laughed. "There are killer apes in there. They're big and gray, and they eat people."

"I don't know," I said, climbing the stairs.

Jesse and Ranzou followed.

We watched the ground get farther away with each step we took.

"Ranzou," warned Jesse, "if you black out here, you'll..."

"I'll be fine, m'lady," he answered. "Just nerves."
 

Laos's castle,...
 

"Rufio, are my men ready yet?" roared Laos. "I want them ready to attack tonight!"

"Ready and awaiting your orders, m'lord," Rufio answered.

"Get Captain McGregor in here," Laos ordered.

One of his guards turned and walked out the door, returning moments later with the commander, a golden-haired young man in armor and a cape.

"My lord, how may I serve you?" McGregor saluted.

"I'm choosing you and your commanders to head the Angel's Crest attack," Laos said. "Have the soldiers ready to attack when I say."

"Yes, my lord. Understood. I shall not fail you, sire."

"You may go."

Flaring his cape, Captain Troy McGregor turned and left the room.

Laos turned to Rufio. "Do you still seek revenge on Kayin?"

"Yes, m'lord," he snarled. "Without a doubt."

"Good. That's why I chose Troy. I need you and my assassins here."

"Yes, my lord," the assassins said in unison. "We have personal stakes in this matter, as well."

"I'm sure you do."

"It's the middle of the night," Rufio said. "If it's okay with you, m'lord, I'd like to sleep a little before the battle."

"Stay in the throne room," Laos said. "You have to be here if any news of an attack breaks out. I shall return to my chamber."

Laos turned and walked out of the room.

Rufio lay on the floor and slept.

"Why are we staying here?" asked the assassin wielding the bladed fan. "We got the sword, now we can return to Cyan! Or go somewhere else, but we have to get out of this war zone, now!"

"Paige owes me twice now," came her partner's reply. "That vixen's got him under some kind of spell, sister, I know it."

"That kind of thinking is going to get you killed one of these days," the assassin said. "Laos is trouble, and I'm not going to face Kayin. I'm leaving."

"You can't leave...not now!"

"Watch me, sister."

"So be it."
 

The great staircase,...
 

"Watch your step," I warned the group

F'nara.

We were entering the clouds, and we couldn't see ten feet ahead of us. It was thicker than the densest fog any of us had ever experienced, and it would have been simple for someone to fall clear off the staircase.

"We're five or six miles up," said Paige. "You don't want to fall off from this height. I wish I had my sword now; I could light the way."

We slowed down our pace, holding hands to make sure everyone as still there. We were lost in the clouds for a few minutes, then we were clear again.

"Fliya caron 2 ," I muttered.

Ahead of us, at the end of the great staircase, was a magnificent castle.

"That's it," said Jessica.

The castle was as large as, if not larger than, any castle I have ever seen. Its walls were colossal, made of brick and mortar stacked at least a hundred feet or so in height. Its towers loomed over the world menacingly, waving the flag of Laos. A great black gateway invited the daring to enter, to test the horrors that lay within the interior of those gigantic walls.

The entire castle rested on solid rock, as if both the castle and the ground it was built on was suddenly wrenched from the ground into space. It just floated in place, the great marble staircase being the only part of the castle to touch the ground.

Paige walked ahead. "Come on," she said.

I caught up with her before we reached the entrance to the castle.

"Look at this," I told her, pointing over the side to the clouds below.

Under the moonlight, the clouds formed a gray blanket over the sleeping world. There was no ground, just a soft cushion and some mountaintops, but that was it. The world was an ocean of clouds.

"D'litrum , Kayin," she whispered. "Look! I...I've never dreamed of being above the clouds before! It's beautiful..."

"It's a once in a lifetime experience," I told her, turning to Ranzou and Jesse as well. "I don't think any of us will ever be able to see this sight again, unless you're willing to return to Dakren. Have a good look."

They all looked in disbelief. We were above the clouds! It was truly amazing.

"Now that we're all inspired," Paige said, walking to the dark entrance of the castle, "I do believe we have a job to do."
 

The southern border,...
 

Commander Rachel White gathered her troops to address them.

"Okay, soldiers, we're on alert tonight," she said to her troops. "The northern, eastern, and southern borders are all to expect an attack later.
 

"Your enemy du jour is King Laos. He has a pretty formidable force, and worse, there aren't enough men to help us if we need backup. We'll have to make do with what we have, but no way in hell are we surrendering this border!
 

"If you think you have it bad," White added, "remember your new queen, Paige-AlthÆa, Lord Aeola, and Lady Jessica. They're mounting an assault on Laos's castle at this very moment, just the four of them. Just something to keep in mind!
 

"When Laos realizes they're not heading Angel's Crest's defense, he'll no doubt be sending his forces against us. Captain D'Mitri is in charge of Ravensong's defense, but let's not have it get to the point where Ravensong itself is in trouble, shall we, hmm?"

Commander White smiled.

"As you were, troops, but keep your weapons handy. If any of the three borders falls, we'll be fighting to keep the country alive. And if any of the borders do fall, heaven forbid, if, and when, we're clear, we return to Ravensong.
 

"Everyone got it?"
 

A loud cheer greeted Commander White's question.

"Excellent."
 
 

" There will come a time you'll have to forget about your past and move on , for even the fondest of memories can turn into haunting nightmares. It's often better that one forgets , and as far as me and Tara's past with Kayin is concerned , I learned this fact of life the hard way. After we split off, I could have saved myself and Tara a lot of heartache. Our fond memory has now returned in the form of a haunting nightmare..."
 

"Everyone stay close," Paige said, entering the black void of the castle gate.

We slowly entered the gate, hiding in the shadows before walking into the castle's tremendous courtyard.

There were a few guards sitting by a fire in the center of the courtyard, but they appeared ready to sleep. Three or four others were lying around listlessly, tired from an evening with slave girls, no doubt.

"This is pitiful," Paige whispered. "Grown men...soldiers, asleep at their posts."

She saw a young girl across the courtyard trying unsuccessfully to free herself from some chains she was set in.

"Pitiful," Paige repeated.

"She's rather cute," I said. "What do you think, Ranzou?"

"She sure is," he replied.

"Men,...do you two mind?" Jessica scolded.

"Sorry," I said.

Behind the soldiers asleep by the fire, we could see the main entrance to the castle. There were two huge wooden doors, and there was no way we'd be able to get in quietly or without disturbing the guards.

"Now what?" Ranzou asked. "How do we get in?"

"Keep your voice down!" I whisper-yelled. "Pay attention."

I looked up at the castle. There were entrances along the walkways on the walls, and there were some windows on the main portion as well as on the rooks.

"What do you think, Paige?" I asked. "Will you and the others be able to climb up if I drop a rope?"

"Well," she said, studying the walls. "It looks almost impossible to scale these walls without a rope. And if you're seen, especially inside..."

"I won't be seen," I assured her. "I'll drop a rope from the balcony on the right above this gate. It's only a short climb, you're away from the soldiers, and the rope can reach easily. Then you can climb up."

"Should I go with you?" Paige asked.

"No, stay with Jesse and Ranzou. I'll be fine."

She handed me the rope from her pack.

"You come back now," she said.

"Of course," I answered.

"But how will you get in?" asked Ranzou. "Surely if you can get in, we can take that path as well."

"Simple," I answered.

I pointed across the courtyard to a stone entrance that glowed red-orange.

"That's where all the soldiers are," I told him. "That's how I'm getting in."

Paige and Jessica smiled, while Ranzou's eyebrows were knitted in bafflement.
 

The castle Ravensong,...
 

"We're left in the dark here," asked Trevor, "aren't we?"

"We're acting based on what we know," said Milan, gazing out the window at the plain. "We know Laos will be ready to attack, tonight, even, and so we act accordingly."

"Why are we waiting for him to attack, anyway?" frowned Trevor. "Suddenly, we're missing our queen, Lord Kayin, and Lady Jessica, and he hasn't even attacked yet!

"Why haven't we attacked him?!" he insisted. "We should have taken him out when he first came to this land!"

Milan thought back to the plain when Jessica asked why they always alone. When Katharine was around, they had magic to defend them. Such was not the case anymore. Laos had very powerful magic, and she remembered how Kayin had said how a powerful army would be wasted against powerful sorcery.

"Our borders can withstand his attacks," she told Trevor, "but there's no way we can get past Laos's sorcery. A wise man once said a powerful army would be wasted against powerful magic.

"You wonder why we haven't been the aggressor?"

Trevor nodded, confused.

"You mentioned Paige, Kayin, and Jessica," Milan smiled. "My friend, we've already attacked."
 

The castle of Laos,...
 

"Is he crazy?" asked Ranzou, gripping his staff tightly.

"He knows what he's doing," Jessica said. "Watch."

"I hope he doesn't do anything foolish," said Paige.

I turned and looked at them from my position behind a beer cart. I was less than ten feet from the guards' opened door, and from where I watched, I couldn't see them making merry in the room.

Good.

I snuck by the door and peered in. The soldiers were sitting with each other drinking ale. I wasn't sure if they were drunk or just really stupid so I decided to wait. They were making so much noise I could hardly hear myself think.

"Hey!"

I got up and turned around. Standing behind me was one of Laos's soldiers. His dagger was drawn and he pointed it at me menacingly.

"That's right," he said. "Turn around slowly."

"Are you going to kill me?" I asked him.

"I should, but (hic!) I don't really feel like it now," he said, slumping against the wall. The absinthe had really taken effect.

I shook my head. Kera! Dragging the soldier's body behind the ale cart, I looked at my friends, but I couldn't see them. I hoped they were still there.

Back in the shadow of the gate's passageway, Paige and Jessica slapped their foreheads in disgust.

"Sorry," I mouthed.

Never mind.

"Here goes nothing," I said.

I raised the red scarf-type cloth I wore around my neck to my face. I looked like an outlaw, and hopefully, I could sneak in amongst the drunken soldiers. Besides, even if they weren't drunk and just stupid, this disguise would surely fool them.

I walked into the room with my face covered, and immediately a large, scruffy-faced soldier stopped me.

"I don' remember ya," he slurred. "You'll have to (hic!) get past me to get to the castle."

I rolled my eyes and, without drawing unnecessary attention to myself, I kneed him in the groin.

I covered his mouth, and he hit the ground with a soft thud.

"Great," I thought.

The others kept on drinking.

"Some army," I said to myself as I hurried among them to the exit.

Upon leaving the guard room, I found myself in the middle of a dark stone hallway. I was in the castle, I was sure, and if I didn't watch my step, I'd be dead faster than I could say 'Ouch!'.

I held my sheathed sword in my left hand as I inched my way through the dark hallway. It was a long passageway, and I had to work my way to the other side of the castle to get to my comrades.

Entering a chamber well lit by candles, I saw a large wooden door, and I was hesitant on opening it. I had to be ready for anything to come through. Cautiously, carefully, I approached the door. I pressed my ear to the wood to listen for anything or anyone on the other side.

I heard nothing.

I reached for the handle, but the door was locked.

"Of course," I sighed. "There's only one way through, I guess.

"Let's hope I can do this quietly," I thought.

I drew my Sabre, checked the door, and swung. I heard a light plink as my Sabre cut through the metal and the lock fell to the floor. That was all; no one barged through the door as I'd feared.

I gently opened the door to find another hallway, and this one was well lit. I quickly checked both ways, and seeing it clear, I decided to move on. It would be too fortunate if I could return to the other side of the castle without any problems. I'd surely find trouble working my way up to the third level the balcony was on.

I resheathed my Sabre, and I replaced the sword and scabbard to my belt. Finding it cumbersome, I removed my belt and looped it around my neck. My Sabre wasn't in my way anymore, and I could easily reach it by reaching over my shoulder.

"What am I" I joked to myself, "a sara-ichi 3?"

Though I welcomed the ability to see where I was stepping, I felt scared with every step I took. If someone saw me, I was as good as dead.

I walked down the hallway and started to hear voices coming down another hallway farther down. I went left at the next hallway and kept walking.

"It's going to get closer," I reminded myself. "Nothing new."

At the end of this hall, I saw a winding set of stone steps. I looked up to see if anyone was coming, but no one was there. Quickly and quietly, I dashed up the stairs to the second level.

I reached the second floor in time to encounter six armored guards. This unexpected and unwelcomed situation stopped me in my tracks.

"Stop right there!" one of them ordered.

T'atra.

I turned and ran back down the stairs, stopping by the bend and jumping over the rail. I held on underneath the steps as the guards gave pursuit. They ran down to the first level, and I returned safely to the upper floor.

My heart racing, I proceeded down the hall. At one intersection, I looked left, and I could have sworn I saw the entrance to the throne room. White marble steps, huge statues, red carpet, everything. I reminded myself not to enter that godforsaken place until the others were with me. They were still hiding in that black passageway.

Hopefully.

The throne room of King Laos,...
 

The door to Laos's chamber burst open and the king stormed in.

"Greetings, Laos," the assassin with the daggers said. "What's going on?"

"Where did your assistant go?" he asked.

"She left," came her response. "I'm sure she'll be back."

"I really must get my own assassins," Laos said, shaking his head. "Would you like to wake Rufio, my dear? Tonight's festivities are about to begin."

"Laos," the assassin yawned, "it's the middle of the night!"

Laos said nothing.

"Rufio," the assassin groaned, repeatedly kicking him firmly in the ribs.

"Woman," said Rufio, sleepily, "are you insane?"

"Get up," she said. "We're on."

"Now?" Rufio asked, startled. "Okay, okay..."

Laos was standing by a window at the end of the room, gazing at the clouds and the night sky.
 

The southern border,...
 

White could barely keep her eyes open. She was tired, mentally and physically, and all the stress over whether Laos was going to attack or not was really bothering her now.

Of course, she'd rather be here than squaring off with Laos and his army in Dakren. From what Milan told her, it would only mean the deaths of all her men.

"I've got men on watch," she told herself. "I really should sleep."

She got up from her group, all of whom were asleep. The guards were at the edge of camp. Barely awake, White crawled into her tent and blew out her lantern.

After all, if there was a battle to be fought, she'd need her rest.

The castle Ravensong,...
 

"Trevor, go ahead and sleep," Milan said. "The counselors are all asleep, and we have people on watch. Go ahead. I know you're tired."

"What about you, Captain?" asked Trevor. "I think I should stay here-"

"Get your rest," Milan said, trying to smile. "You'll need it."

Trevor returned to the Great Hall where the rest of Ravensong's defenders were also asleep.

"I hate these tense moments," Milan thought. "It's the middle of the night and our fate is to be decided at any moment.

"I hope my friends are all right."
 

The gate of Laos's castle,...
 

"I'm getting sick of waiting," said Ranzou. "How do you know he's all right?"

"This isn't the first time he's done this," Paige said. "He'd contact me telepathically if anything happened."

"We're all worried," Jessica said. "But the battle hasn't even begun yet. If all goes well, the battle will begin, and end, in Laos's throne room."

"And if things don't go well?" asked Ranzou.

"The battle will begin with Kayin in there and us out here."

Ranzou took a deep breath.
 

The hall,...
 

"More stairs," I thought to myself. "Perfect."

I turned around and heard the six soldiers racing up the hallway behind me.

"He's got to be over here!"

"This way!"

"Warn Lord Laos!"

I hurried up the steps. I came to the landing and saw the balcony. Running down the hall, things took a turn for worst.

As I approached an intersection of two or three different hallways, I collided with one of the assassins from yesterday's battle. I ran into her at full speed, and we both fell to the floor.

"Oh!" she shrieked. "Kayin? Oh, god,..."

"What-?!" I groaned. "'Kayin'? What...who are you, anyway?"

Before she could get up, I pinned her to the wall and pulled off her mask.

It was Rose. Paige was right.

I clenched my teeth. "Rose," I snarled, "I know all about you. Yesterday's battle, that was Tara, wasn't it? Answer me, damn you!"

She rolled her eyes. "What do you want me to say?" she asked.

I dragged her down one of the darker hallways into an empty room. She silently obliged.

"Rose, fio ab'nara tisono, rena t'abra meno 4! I met you in Shir, now I find you're in league with Laos! I don't know what to think!

"What about Katharine?" I asked her. "I know about that, too."

"So?" she spouted.

What had happened to Rose?

"Rose, don't toy with me!" I yelled. "You murdered her! T'atra , how could you?!"

"We're assassins, Kayin," she said. "What else can I say?"

"Give me one reason I shouldn't slay you now," I told her, drawing my Sabre and holding it to her throat.

"I can't," she said. "You might as well kill me."

I stayed my blade. I didn't want to kill her, but if I didn't, she'd sense my weakness and...

I searched her thoughts.

"There's something else," I told her. "You're mind...it's clouded, but there's definitely something else. Tell me!

"Wait,...why aren't you with Laos and Tara? Where were you going?"

"I was leaving," she said bluntly.

"Why, because you got your payment? And what was it, anyway?"

"Dragonwing," she said indifferently. "Its power is legendary, as if you didn't already know."

So they were the ones who stole it. Back at the bar, during the fight with Buck, I'm sure of it.

"What happened to you, Rose? I remember a sweet girl who never lied, cheated, stole..."

"Face it, Kayin," she laughed. "Times change. Now if you aren't going to kill me, though for your sake I recommend that you do, I'd like to be on my way."

Fliya caron.

"Why are you leaving?" I asked her.

"Laos is bad news," she admitted. "He's like a madman sometimes, almost inhuman. It scares me. Now that Tara and I have Dragonwing, I have no more need to stay with him. He'll never be able to harness it's power, anyway."

"I never heard this," I said.

"As if it mattered," she said, "but since we're old friends, I'll take the time to tell you. At the beginning of time, the gods forged Dragonwing in the heavens and sent it to the earth. Ages upon ages ago, one of Paige's ancestors discovered the sword and returned it to the kingdom, where it's been handed down generation after generation."

"I thought it was just a family treasure," I told her.

"You poor thing," she said, shaking her head. "If it were, it would have been buried with the soldier who discovered it, the way soldiers are buried with their swords."

"So?"

"Anyway, the legend of the sword says that the elder gods hold the key to releasing its magical properties, giving the sword unbelievable power. Paige only uses a small bit of that power when she fights. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to leave."

"And what of Tara? Why is she staying?"

"She's waiting for Paige," Rose said. "She thinks Paige put a spell on you. Took you away from her."

My mouth dropped open. "Have you both lost your minds?"

"You know, he'll hurt her," Rose realized, ignoring me. "I have to get her."

"Hold it, Rose," I told her. "I'm still here."

"So you are."

She stared me in the face defiantly.

I radiated frustration with every breath. "Rose..."

"Look," she said. "I...I'm sorry I'm acting like this, but it's for my own good. I've locked away my memories of our past. It helped me deal with the loss."

I looked at her stupidly. "What?"

"You meant a lot to both of us, Kayin. Me and Tara. Seeing you now, talking to you, I'm liable to break down and cry..."

I saw a tear form in her left eye.

"Why did you have to come back?" she asked hastily. "Why?"

She closed her eyes.

"Rose," I whispered, embracing my old friend. "It's okay. Let's go."

"Go where?" she stammered. "I have to go back for Tara!"

"You're coming with us. You help us, we'll help you."

I dried her eyes with my red scarf-cloth and we left the room. Rose stood guard while I fastened the rope and threw it down. I called down to get the others' attention.

"Paige!" I yelled. "Come on!"

They jumped to their feet as the rope fell to the ground. They looked up, then Paige started to climb up. Jesse followed, then Ranzou.

When they climbed through the window, the three of them jumped when they saw Rose.

"Kayin, look out!" Jesse yelled, lunging at Rose. I caught her and held her back as I tried to explain.

Rose didn't draw any weapon.

"Laos has to be stopped," I told her. "Rose worked with and killed for him, and she said so herself."

"I'll bet she killed for him," snarled Paige. "Killed my sister, that pihra 5 bitch."

Rose gave a dark, sinister smile.

"What about Katharine, mahno'dra ?" Paige asked. "You know, my sister? Or have you forgotten her, too?"

"F'nara , Paige, would you hear me out?" I near shouted.

She clenched her teeth. "What's the matter with you, Kayin?" she asked.

"I'm sorry," I said, shaking my head. "I...I don't know.

"I sense more here than meets the eye," I told them. "I can feel his power emanating from the very walls of this castle. This is an extraordinary amount of power."

"But what about the assassin?" Ranzou sneered. "Why should we trust her?"

"She'll fight with us," I told them, greeted by several simultaneous protests.

"Kayin," said Rose, shaking her head. "I can rescue Tara on my own."

"Wait," I told her. "We can-"

"No, I'd better go alone," she said and walked down the hall. "I'll see you, Kayin. Don't let the guards see you. They will kill you, you know."

"Well," I said, turning to the team. "We have a long walk to the throne room. Sooner or later, this place is going to be crawling with guards."

Paige pulled her dagger.

"Let the games begin," she said.
 
 

" Growing up , I never got much respect from my brothers. They never trusted me to do anything , but I guessed that was normal for any family with daughters. When I joined the Angel's Crest militia , I realized that my parents' little girl was going to be somebody , somebody that played a part in the affairs of an entire nation.

" Look where I am now. Still today , I love being able to do something that makes a difference for a change. I feel fulfilled , and I enjoy being able to lead a normal life and still be able to come through as a leader when I have to. Especially when I see my friends like Milan and Paige standing beside me all the way."
 

Soldiers were waiting by the stairs I used to reach the third level. We were too far from the throne room to start fighting. We'd never make it.

"Change in plans," I told the others. "This doesn't look good."

"Kayin, about what happened back there," began Paige. "I'm sorry."

"This is neither the time nor place for this," I told her bluntly.

She groaned, but we continued.

Ranzou looked nervous, and that was worrying me. I hoped he wouldn't freeze up during battle.

We turned corner after corner looking for another staircase.

"Methinks we're lost," Jessica said, stopping. "See this plant?"

She pointed to a small tree outside one of the doors in the hallway.

She removed a piece of cloth from one of its branches. She matched it to her shirt, where there was a small tear.

"I think we've passed through here before."

"Maybe," I said. "Gotra milaya n'shorida 6?"

I shrugged and we continued.

Outside, we could hear the clanging sound of armor. It sounded like they were gathering in the courtyard.

We raced to a balcony in one of the rooms. There was a guard donning his armor in the chamber, and Paige dispatched him with a deft blow of her dagger.

She caught his lifeless form before he hit the floor and laid his carcass down quietly.

"And so it begins," Paige whispered, gazing at the troops assembled in Laos's courtyard. "I hope Milan's ready."

A lone figure stood before the troops.

"We have our orders," shouted McGregor to his soldiers, a fighting force of nearly a thousand men. "General Kale will lead his forces into the east, and my men will attack from the south! We are all to rendezvous at Alpha Point before we raid Ravensong. This is for it all, men, glory awaits!"

The soldiers yelled loudly and marched out the gate.

"They'll never make it to Angel's Crest tonight," Jessica said. "It's too far."

"Not anymore," I told her, pointing to a glowing area beyond the castle gate. "That's a portal. That's how they're planning to attack."

"Where will it lead?" asked Ranzou.

"The elder gods usually stay out of mortal affairs," I told him, "but they have their guidelines. Like during warfare, magic may not be used as a means of cheating, but as a means of facilitating the battle."

"Meaning..."

"Meaning they can't get to Ravensong without fighting their way there. They'll appear just beyond the borders, if I am correct, or else they'll anger the elder gods. That's why the three of us didn't just appear at Laos's doorstep to begin with."

"Did all the soldiers go?" asked Ranzou.

"No," said Jessica. "He sent his troops because somehow he knew we wouldn't be able to warn Angel's Crest about the attack in time."

"Meaning?" asked Ranzou.

"Meaning he knows we're here."

The southern border of Angel's Crest,...
 

"Holy maiden!" yelled one of White's scouts. "Commander! Look at this!"

White raced out of her tent and looked. In the distance she saw a white glow, and suddenly a force of about five hundred men on horses or on foot charged through.

White closed her eyes in prayer. "Saints of my family," she began, "watch over us as we go off to battle. Give me courage, give me strength, give me guidance. These are good men; they're serving their country. If you see fit to call me to join you, then so be it. I am ready to die, though I'd prefer not to die at the hands of these dogs."

She opened her eyes and yelled for her troops to assemble themselves before her.

She faced them and said, "Okay, boys and girls, this is it. You all know our contingency plans and what to do if, and when, we send these lanare to their deaths. May your swords be swift and your axes powerful, and may your hearts be proud!

"Now let's go!"

Her men charged forward, and she mounted her horse and followed them. Six of the royal knights were also on horseback to fight.

The two armies collided on the battlefield, swords clanging and axes smashing, and trampling the ground beneath their armored feet.

White's men were outnumbered almost two to one, but they fought fiercely nonetheless.

"Where is the leader?" White shouted.

She saw her troops fighting valiantly, knowing full well their lives were on the line.

"Right here, m'lady," McGregor said, riding past the clashing swords and clubs and maces. "I am Captain Troy McGregor, of Dakren!"

"It's a shame I'll have to kill such a rare beauty," Troy added.

He drew his sword.

White clipped her braids behind her head and likewise drew her sword.

"I, sir, am Commander Rachel White, of Angel's Crest. Prepare yourself!"

Amidst all the fighting, the two leaders sped at each other on their horses, and their swords clashed in the air with a brilliant spark.

White looked down and saw one of McGregor's men ready to slay one of her men.

"Uh-uh," she said, slicing the antagonist's head clean off with a quick jerk of her arm. "Be a little more careful, please, William?"

William nodded obediently.

White circled around and prepared to charge again. As she and McGregor met, Troy reached over and pulled her off her horse. White crashed to the earth.

McGregor stopped and jumped off his horse, grabbing and holding one of White's soldiers as well while his soldier ran him through.

"I'll kill you," White sneered, getting up. She knew she bruised herself when she fell. She quickly got up and brought her sword to a guard position by her side.

McGregor charged, and she blocked his strike. Using her own sword, she pinned his to the ground and it stuck in the dirt. White drew her arm back and backhanded Troy in the face as he tried to pull his sword free.

"Ah, you miserable wench!" he cried, falling back.

White didn't even look back as she kicked one of McGregor's soldiers who was trying to sneak behind her. "Would someone get this one, please?"

McGregor ran to a fallen soldier's body and retrieved his sword.

They both charged, and their swords met in the air. They struggled for position. Around them, the battle raged on. If it came down to endurance, the sheer number of McGregor's army definitely put the battle in their favor.

Not giving up, White struggled against McGregor. He was the larger, and she was fighting to keep her own sword away from her face. Suddenly, she fell on her back and rolled over, gripping her sword.

McGregor was caught off guard and lost his balance. White swept him to the floor and stood poised over him, holding her sword to his face.

"Call off your men," she panted. "Do it!"

Troy McGregor feigned a smile. "You can kill me," he laughed. "It won't matter. General Kale is leading the eastern attack, and my men outnumber yours. You should be the one giving up."

"Like hell," White said, drawing her arm back to swing her blade.

McGregor shut his eyes, anticipating the death blow. The great captain, struck down by a woman! He was almost glad he was about to die.

As White started to swing her sword, one of her men kicked his attacker in the stomach and sent him careening toward her. She didn't see him coming and was forced to the ground.

McGregor immediately regained his feet.

"Too bad, commander," he grinned intimidatingly. "Now you've upset me."

White stood ready and unnerved as ever. "That means nothing to me," she said. "Show your anger. Show your primitive instincts of male superiority.

"I thought your kind still lived in caves," she added.

Enraged, McGregor lunged at her. White side-stepped him and slashed him in the back, but his armor absorbed most of the blow.

McGregor stayed on the floor, regaining his composure. White surveyed the battle. Where were her men?

She saw at least two of the knights' horses galloping away, their masters' slain bodies draped over their sides, bleeding. She found the others laying on the battlefield. White looked again at the battle. Each of her men left standing was facing three of McGregor's.

She fled from the battlefield.

"You can run all you want, my dear," called McGregor aloud. "You don't have a chance."

White ran to where the horses of McGregor's better soldiers were standing around. At least his knights were dead, too.

She rapped the beasts with her sword, and they raced away. She ran into middle of the battle, hacking at any enemy soldier she encountered. She called to her men to return to their camp.

Thirty of her men ran after her. That was all that was left. She turned and looked at McGregor's men. There were only around two hundred of them left. They had done well, considering she only had about a hundred men to begin with.

"We have ten horses left," she told them. "And they have none.

"Two men can fit on a single horse. Anyone who cares to ride a horse, ride to the eastern border and aid those there. Those without horses, follow me back to Ravensong."

"Commander, are ye desertin' us?" asked one of her soldiers on horseback.

"No," she said. "I have to report to Captain D'Mitri about this. You will take your orders from the person commanding the Angel's Crest forces at the eastern border! Now go!"

He nodded and rode off, the others following him. White hoped they wouldn't go into hiding, but they probably would.

She turned, and McGregor's men weren't giving chase.

"They have no need to kill us anymore," she told her remaining men. "As long as we keep moving, they won't chase us. They already have the border, damn them.

"But we did our job," she choked. "All of you, remove your heavy armor. You'll travel quicker without it."

She removed her shoulder and chest plates and her leg guards, wearing only a light chain mail armor.

"What was our job?" asked one of her soldiers. "I presumed we were to defeat them."

"We've weakened them," she replied. "If seventy of our men were able to take out two or three hundred of Laos's troops, Milan should be able to finish them off."

"Commander," asked the soldier, fighting the tears of hopelessness in his eyes. "When will this war be over?"

"Let's move," she said. "We don't want them too close."

"Commander?"

"Oh," she said. "Henry, this war will be over when Queen Paige-AlthÆa, Lord Aeola, and Lady Jessica take Laos's castle. Not before, and not if they don't. It's up to them. It's always been up to them."

"Then we still have a chance," sighed the soldier cynically.

"You don't know how right you are," White said, pulling on her horse's reins.

They turned from their adversaries and hurried home.
 

The castle Ravensong,...
 

Milan was resting in the throne room when one of her scouts ran in.

"Captain, three soldiers from the eastern front have arrived."

"Yes?" asked Milan anxiously.

"The enemy force in the east has been drastically reduced, Captain."

"Excellent," Milan smiled. "Anything else?"

"Yes, ma'am," the scout answered. "So has ours. The border has fallen."
 

The castle of Laos,...
 

"Perfect."

After wandering the extensive corridors of Laos's castle, we finally found another staircase. I guess Laos never expected us to start from one of the upper levels. There were few guards in the hallways.

We slowly descended the stone steps, with a regal red carpet, no less, and began our walk through the maze that was the second level.

"Why didn't he just build one big set of stairs instead of having to walk through so many hallways?" asked Ranzou. "Even Laos would find this inconvenient."

"Be quiet," hushed Paige. "Try not to talk."

"The throne room's on this floor," I told them. "I saw the entrance, but are you sure we should try a frontal assault?"

"He probably has soldiers guarding him," said Jessica.

"He won't need them," said Paige. "He already knows we're coming; it's just a matter of time.

"Besides, with any luck, he's got Tara and whoever you were fighting, Kayin, in there with him anyway."

I downed a lump in my throat. Where was Rose?

Forget it, if she threw me out of her memories, I was more than happy to oblige. Two could play that game.

But this was no time for games.

Plia nograta 7.

"If I see her, I'll see her," I told myself.

We wandered the corridors, guessing at every which way.

We reached a hallway I recognized, and I said, "Look! That's it up there! At the end of the hall!"

We drew our weapons, and we entered the chamber with the entrance to the throne room. It was a colossal room, easily a hundred feet high, and built entirely of white marble with large onyx statues and idols looming above us on the walls. There were steps leading down from the hallways that met at the room, as well as a balcony from the upper floor, and I was sure this had to be the Great Hall, the heart of the castle.

I realized that being at the intersection of four or five hallways put us at the risk of being surrounded by Laos's men quickly and easily. I looked at the corridors, and all were dark. I could see nothing but the faint light of candles further down the passage.

At one end of the room was the hall's entrance, an open wall that led to what looked like Laos flag-way, a passage that held the flag of the king as well as those of lands he conquered. This passage was generally used as an entrance to the Great Hall of a castle, and Ravensong's was no different. It was usually the castle's flag-way that garnered the respect of other nations whose ambassadors came to the castle.

From the flags I could see, Laos had quite an extensive empire already, spanning three seas. I bit my lip.

Opposite the grand entrance, there were two giant onyx griffin statues. Between the mystical winged lions were two huge, iron doors.

"That's the throne room," said Paige, staring at it.

"He probably knows we're here," said Ranzou, shaking again.

"Would you like to open it?" I asked him.

"A thousand dragons couldn't open those doors," he said in response.

"If I use magic to open those doors," I told the others, "we'll be under attack. Tara and Rufio are after me and Paige especially, and I'll probably be too weak to put up a good fight."

"We'll watch you," said Jessica, Paige nodding her head silently.

"Laos will surely sense my magic at work," I told them. "If I can't open this door, we're dead."

"Don't say that," said Ranzou.

I turned to the colossal doors and concentrated. I held my arms in front of me with my fingers inward like claws, harnessing the magical energy I needed. This would take more strength than I had. I opened my mind to the castle, then, for it radiated magic. I drew strength from the castle itself, and the natural energy within my friends as well.

Paige, Jessica, and Ranzou watched silently.

I closed my eyes and began my spell:
 

"Phornytis recondum teraia hosun...makra insolfeh firandum mitseh..."
 

The others could hear the faint sound of the iron dragging on the floor.

The doors were opening.
 

"Misora valyati fir mino sovat...cardace ni tore ju nokuran le..."

I could feel myself getting weaker with each word of the spell I said. I hardly had the strength to say them aloud now, and I could barely whisper them.

Suddenly the doors started to close.
 

"Romatum nigare ti losum marte...fre sona tilarum mirorum gateh!"
 

I fell to the floor and looked at the doors. They were still slightly open, but there was still no way we could get in.

"They had to have heard that, mahno'dra ," Paige said. "We have to hurry."

"I know what to do," I told her.

I was furious, and I used my anger to fuel my magic. I rose to my feet and prepared another spell.

Closing my eyes, I reached forward with my arms again, harnessing the energy I needed. I drew my arms to my chest, and the magical energy flowed through and around me. My body felt like it was on fire. I gathered my strength and prepared myself, and I threw my arms forward, hurling the magical energy at the iron doors.

The others were forced to shield their eyes from the bright light.

The magical energy flew through the air, trailing magic in the form of lightning. Upon contacting the metal, the mystical fire easily blew the doors open.

The throne room was open, and we rushed in weapons in hand.

We found ourselves in another room, not quite as large as the Great Hall. It was also built of white marble and housed several large onyx statues. Wide steps led to the throne itself.

At the end of the throne room sat Laos, cloaked in shadow. One of the masked female assassins from the earlier battle stood before him, daggers in hand. Rufio also stood before them.

"It's about time you came," roared the voice of Laos. "I was beginning to think you wouldn't make it."

Rufio snarled bitterly, and the masked woman looked furious as well.

Laos raised his right hand, and suddenly soldiers rushed in from a door to Laos's right, behind his throne. Laos then raised his left hand, and soldiers came in from another door behind him, on his left side. There were a total of fifty or so soldiers in the throne room now.

I turned and saw more of Laos's men gathering in the Great Hall.

"Kayin!" Paige whispered, yanking my shirt.

"I don't think so, Laos," I said, turning back to the door.

I thrust my right arm forward and the doors quickly closed themselves.

"Soldiers, take them," Laos thundered.

His soldiers walked forward, pulling out maces, swords, axes, and chains.

Ranzou's eyes narrowed and a sneer crawled onto his lip.

"That's it, Ranzou," I told him. "Let your anger give you energy you need. But don't let it control you."

He looked at me and nodded his head. I nodded back.

Paige was watching the assassin, and she saw Dragonwing lying on the steps before Laos's throne.

"F'nara ," she said, looking at her dagger. "How useful is this to be against fifty soldiers?"

The enemy was closing in, and we all took a step or two back toward the door. If anything, we did not want them to have us pinned in a corner, nor did we want to be separated. Ranzou and I had the longest reach with our weapons, so we needed to stay with Jessica and Paige.
 
 

" No one can ever understand the things you hold dear. Nobody appreciates the value I placed on my special , blue comb when I was a child , and even today, no one knows why I still love the ring Kayin gave me so much. It was a decade ago , and I still can't bear to let go. I never wanted to leave, It hurt too much.

" I pray he can find it in his heart to forgive me for what I've done. I sold my soul to the devil to try and get him back. And she owed me too much , even before Kayin Aeola. I couldn't stand to have my heart broken again.

" No matter how it turns out , though , no one can ever take your memories away from you..."
 

"Milan!" called White from Ravensong's gate. "Let me in!"

She and four others were at the gate; the others ran off when McGregor thought it would be fun to send some men on horseback to harass them. White thought it better to let them go than chase them and gain nothing, and they ran off.

The guards watching the entrance allowed them to enter, and White rushed into the castle. She ran into Trevor Miles in the flag-way, who was just as surprised to see her as she was to see him.

"Commander White?" he asked. "Why are you here? Aren't you defending the southern border?"

"That's why I'm here," said White. "Laos's men beat us. We did all we could, I assure you, but they're on their way at this very moment!"

She was struggling to remain standing, and it was clear to Trevor that her strength was leaving her. He draped her arm around his shoulder and helped her to the throne room.

"Good lord," said Milan, seeing as White tried to stand.

"Milan," she said, exhausted. "The southern defenses have fallen. There were just too many of them...about five hundred."

"Five hundred?" gasped Milan in wonder. "This is disturbing news, my friends."

She turned to White, who looked back at her with worried eyes.

"What's wrong, Milan?"

Trevor dropped his head and averted his eyes.

"The eastern border has also been taken," she told her. "Ravensong is our last line of defense."

White closed her eyes and clenched her teeth.

"Well, how many men do we have left?" asked White.

"General Kale is merciless," Milan answered. "He took no prisoners."

"Well," she added, thinking of the unfortunate soldiers who died at the hands of General Kale, "how many men did you return with? We'll need all the soldiers we can get!"

"Four, Milan!" White screamed. "I returned to Ravensong with four soldiers!"

"Four?!" Trevor shrieked, shocked. "Rasha ,..."

"What were you expecting?" White asked, her eyes flaring. "Would you rather I had retreated with a hundred and surrendered the border?

"I sent ten of my best men to help the eastern defenses, but either they were killed or rode away to safety. I had only ten when I set off for Ravensong, but McGregor attacked again and six of them died."

"It wouldn't have mattered," said Trevor, seeing White was on the verge of tears. "You did everything you could."

"Damn right, I did," White stammered. "Milan, what do we do now?"

Milan inhaled and let out a deep breath.

"Kale has three hundred men left," she said. "The eastern defense didn't have much chance. McGregor has how many?"

"About two hundred...and maybe reinforcements..."

"We have three hundred men left, stationed here at Ravensong," Milan said. "We're outnumbered by at least two hundred men. Maybe, probably more."

"What will you tell the men?" asked Trevor. "You can't lie to them."

"I won't," Milan answered. "I'll tell them exactly what's going on. It'll probably scare them out of their minds, but it'll also spark their courage. It's no point lying to them anyway at this point. If we lose, we're dead. Simple."

"McGregor and Kale will be here soon."

They all turned to the window.

The throne room of Laos,...
 

"Back off!" I yelled as I stepped forward and swung at the enemy soldiers.

I managed to slash three across the chest, and the others backed away.

As Paige and Jessica knelt down to pick up the fallen soldiers' weapons, the soldiers charged.

Paige picked up a chain whip, and she twirled it around her as she slowly backed away from them. I could tell she was going towards the throne.

Jessica took a soldier's axe and swung it forward, but it was too heavy, and she lost control and fell to the ground. Smiling at her folly, she picked herself up and ran to my side.

I had my hands trying to keep the soldiers away from Jesse and Paige, but there were just too many of them. I fought with all my energy, striking down one soldier after another with practiced, calculated blows.

Ranzou slowly fought his way to us as well, poking and pushing away the enemy with his staff. He was scared out of his wits, and I noticed that in the way he desperately held on to his staff.

Tara and Rufio still stood by the throne, seemingly patiently. Paige and I knew they were just dying to join the fray, but they wanted a one-on-one fight. No soldiers.

"You've waited long enough," Laos roared. "Have your revenge."

D'litrum.

He extended his arm, and suddenly his soldiers fell to the ground. He had killed them just by willing it. That's the price a soldier pays when he joins forces with such an evil force, I suppose. But that took real power.

"Ah," he said. "There are two others here, as well."

Rufio looked up at his lord and master.

"Not to worry," Laos laughed.

Lightning flashed outside, then suddenly we heard a scratching at the iron doors to the throne room.

"What...?" I wondered.

This time the doors not only flew open, they fell crashing to the ground. Into the room stepped the two monstrous griffin statues, brought to life by Laos's magic. They snarled and growled deep, rumbling, and thundering roars. I never dreamed any being could have let out such an unearthly noise, but then these were creatures not created for this world.

Rufio and Tara smiled contemptuously as the griffins stomped into the room, their large, razor-sharp claws clicking coldly against the floor. Rufio and Tara drew their weapons.

Paige, Jessica, and Ranzou were paralyzed with fear. Paige's eyes widened and her jaw dropped as she gazed at the huge black griffins. She looked back to see Dragonwing still lying on the steps.

"Jessica, Ranzou," she said, "ah, do something about the monsters..."

"Um, sure, Paige," Jessica gasped. "Leave them to me."

Ranzou nodded, not even breathing.

"Ranzou," I frowned, "breathe...please. You're turning blue."

He let out a breath like he had just been drowning and had finally reached the surface.

He nodded again.

"Laos," called Paige, "you've a lot to answer for!

"I'll be back when the festivities are over," he said. "I wouldn't miss this for the world."

Laos grinned and disappeared into thin air.

"You have a lot to answer for, as well, Tara Kylie," Paige added.

Tara was taken aback. Her eyes narrowed, and she removed her mask.

"Very astute," she grinned. "Fat lot of good it'll do you once you're dead."

They started walking toward each other, totally ignoring the angry monsters stomping around the room and trampling and carving up the fallen soldiers' bodies.

Tara reached behind her and pulled her daggers from her waistband. Paige reciprocated and brandished her dagger. She was definitely at a disadvantage; she had only one dagger, and she wasn't nearly as skilled with a short blade as Tara was. The dagger was Tara's weapon of choice.

Paige didn't care anymore, though. She wasn't about to quit before even starting the fight. And being afraid, she learned over the years, only inhibited her own spirit. It held her back.

She wanted no inhibitions when she fought Tara. This was for her sister, and also for Kayin, whose heart and memories she shattered coldly.

"Once you're dead," said Tara, "not only will you have paid for ravaging my homeland,..."

She flashed a crooked grin. "No, I will also have my true love back."

Paige went into shock. "What true love?"

"The one you put a spell on, the one you bed so he'll fight for you..."

"You really are malkane ," said Paige. "Kayin doesn't love you anymore, Tara. Those days are over."

Tara growled and lunged at her, and Paige was barely able to get out of Tara's way. They circled each other, waiting for the right opportunity to strike.

"Let's not let the ladies have all the fun, eh?" sneered Rufio, drawing his sword as he leaped into the air. I rolled out of his way as he came down with a vicious swipe of his blade.

Then I managed to roll away from one of the griffins, who saw me as a tasty snack and was about to flatten me with its humongous foot.

"Get away!" I yelled, slashing at its foot with my Sabre. It roared once, then Jessica ran to my side and diverted the monster.

"Take care of Rufio," she said, gripping a sword. "I'll hold the griffin off."

I nodded and turned back to Rufio, who held his own sword proudly.

"I'm prepared for you now, Aeola," he gloated. "You're a dead man."

I raised my guard and cautiously approached him. We swung our swords simultaneously, and they met in the air. Before I could react, Rufio raised his right leg and kicked me full in the stomach. I was surprised by the attack, and I fell to the floor and dropped my sword.

"Ah-ha," he smiled. "Where are your taunts now, Kayin, eh? No witty repartee before you perish?"

"You should speak after the victory is yours," I groaned, kicking his legs and feet apart.

Rufio lost his footing and I scrambled to retrieve my sword. I picked up my Sabre and swung at him. He parried the blow, but I kept attacking. Once again, our swords clashed in midair.

He grabbed me by the hair and threw me to the floor.

"I'll kill you!" he yelled. "Look what you did to my face!"

He threw his fist forward, into my stomach, then into my face. I retaliated by grabbing him about the neck and flipping him over. He charged me again, looking to land another punch, but I side-stepped him and delivered a strong reverse round-kick to his head. He fell to one knee.

"I never lost to anyone else," he said, rising to his feet. "I was the greatest fighter in all the land of Fyra, then you took that honor from me!"

Rufio pulled his sword and approached me again, and we exchanged sword strikes, parrying and attacking, parrying and attacking. Once more our swords met in the air, and he dropped his sword, grabbed my hands with his left, and pulled out a dagger with his right. He held my hands in place as he slashed once at my stomach and chest with his dagger.

"You'll pay for what you've done," he said, licking the blood from the knife's edge. "I'll enjoy watching you suffer slowly."

I stared in horror at my bloodied shirt. He really got me. I was more than wounded, I was insulted. This braggart had hit me repeatedly with underhanded maneuvers, and bloodied me as well. I found his lack of honor surprising at the level of its shallowness, but I wasn't surprised that he'd pulled those tactics.

I really should have expected as much.

"Oh," he said, recovering his sword, "I'll keep you alive for a while. Barely. Just long enough for you to see me lay in the arms of your precious Paige. And when I'm done, I'll split her like a melon. Just because I hate you."

"It's nice to dream, isn't it?" I sneered indifferently. I could afford to betray no emotion.

Paige and Tara had managed to disarm each other, and they were wrestling on the ground by the throne.

"Ooh, look at her body!" Rufio shouted, watching them fight. "And those breasts...!"

"Kale diyana 8! " I yelled, picking up a rock and hurling it at his head.

Where had I gotten that rock?

I turned around, and one of the griffins had Ranzou against a wall. The monster was only playing with him. Against the opposite wall, the other griffin had charged at Jessica and missed, tearing a large chunk out of the wall. That wall was against the open sky, with a six mile drop outside.

Jessica gasped as she saw the drop.

Across the room, Tara and Paige were fighting to the bitter death. Tara was, anyway. She threw Paige to the floor and was choking the life out of her, but Paige was able to push her off and rush to Laos's throne.

Dragonwing was still there. Laos didn't know how to take advantage of the sword's power and in his haste, he had left the sword.

"Come to mother," Paige smiled, wrapping her hands around the hilt and feeling its comfortable grip once more, warm and supple in her gentle hands.

"And now, Tara," Paige said, holding the sword up so the moonlight shone brilliantly off the blade, "where were we?"

Tara held her daggers firmly in her hands.

Paige handled the sword as if it were an extension of her own arm. It was weightless in her hands, and Tara could do nothing but duck and dodge Paige's relentless onslaught.

Soon she found herself back against a wall, and Paige and Dragonwing stood menacingly before her.

"Get it over with," Tara said. "I won't resist."

She flung her daggers across the room. Tears started to form in her eyes.

Sighing hopelessly, Paige resheathed her sword. "No, Tara," she said. "I won't kill you, even though I probably should. No, I won't, because I don't have to.

"You don't deserve to die."

"Leave me with my dignity," Tara answered. "At the very least."

"No," said Paige. "You were blinded by love. I know what it's like."

Tara shut her eyes and clenched her teeth, and then suddenly started to cry. Paige could see this was no act; the strain of the past few years had been too much for her. Tara obviously still loved Kayin, and it killed her to see him with another lover. But about that, there was nothing anyone could do to help her.

Tara fell to her knees, and Paige also knelt and embraced her.

"It's okay, Tara," she said, comfortingly.

"But what about your sister?" Tara choked. "I...I was the one who killed her."

Paige's eyes suddenly turned cold, her lips curled in anger, and she reached for her sword, but only for an instant. She fought her desire and thought back to what she told Kayin by the Tallis River.
 

"Slaying Roga wasn't all I imagined it to be...It didn't matter that he was dead. AlthÆa, the queen, my mother, was still dead."
 

"There is nothing to gain from revenge," Paige told her. "It only puts you on the same level as the one you sought revenge on in the first place."

Tara cried and rested her head against Paige's shoulder.

"What the hell?" shrieked Rufio, watching as Paige and Tara got up and embraced again. "What is this?"

"We have to stop this," Tara said. "Let's go,...Paige."

Paige smiled. "Yes, let's."

They clasped their hands together in friendship.

"This is too much," Rufio snarled, drawing his dagger.

"Tara, I-"

"Unh," Tara moaned, collapsing to the floor.

Paige found a dagger embedded in the small of her back. She looked up to see Rufio smiling wickedly.

Through the great iron doors of the throne room suddenly came Rose.

"Well it's about time!" I called.

Rose leaped over the griffins, springing off one them, and landed in a crouch before me and Rufio.

"Tara?" she said, looking at the fallen body.

"Paige, who did this?" she asked furiously, pulling the dagger out of her sister's back. "Please tell me."

"It was Rufio," Paige told her, wincing as she looked at Tara's fallen body.

Rose ripped off her mask and drew her fan. She approached us and flushed it, dramatically hiding her face behind the razor-edged fan.

I knew better than to stay. I backed away.

"Lokrane 9."

"She's lying, Rose!" Rufio gasped. "I didn't kill her!"

He looked at me.

"Kayin killed her," he smiled. "She attacked Paige and he threw his dagger at Tara and hit her in the back."

"It was your dagger," Rose whispered softly, revealing the dragon crest on the dagger's handle.

"You showed it to me when you came to this godforsaken place. It's a pretty dragon, isn't it?"

"Rose, don't make me hurt you," Rufio said, coldly, gripping his sword tightly. "I don't want to, but I will if I have to."

"Kayin, Paige, I think your friends need help," Rose said, smiling. "The griffins are getting restless and hungry, you know."

Paige and I turned and ran off to help Jessica and Ranzou. I'd almost forgotten!

"Rufio, Rufio, Rufio," Rose muttered, shaking her head.

"Stay back, Rose," we heard Rufio say. "I mean it!"

Paige and I turned in time to see Rose flushing her fan before her face, a sign that this viper was about to strike. It was her signature, I realized, remembering her from the battle yesterday, and earlier, during the fight at the tavern in Shir.

That was the Rose I studied for years with. Stylish, deadly, proud. All these added to her beauty, it was no wonder I fell in love with her.

I turned to Paige, and she, too, was eyeing Rose anxiously. She had found respect in her heart, where, before, there was only contempt and hatred.

Rufio held his sword before him nervously while Rose slowly circled him.

Finally, he couldn't stand waiting for Rose to attack and lunged at her with his sword. With gentle ease, Rose stepped out of his way. She held her fan before her face again, her eyes visibly getting narrower.

She was between Laos's throne and Rufio, and he turned and ran for the doorway. What happened next caught me totally by surprise.

Rose lifted two fingers of her right hand, then pressed her palms together before her. She disappeared in a puff of red smoke. This was the tactic of only a master assassin, one step below casting an actual spell.

She reappeared instantly before the entrance, and Rufio slipped and fell as he tried to change direction.

Rose turned sideways and raised her fan above her head, and Rufio put his guard up. She turned and hurled the fan low, toward his knees. Rufio saw it and jumped over it.

"Nice try, Rose," he smiled, relieved. "But now, I shall have to kill you. Don't take it personally."

Rose faced him, pressed her feet together and locked her hands behind her back.

"What is she doing?" Paige gasped.

Rose only smiled.

Rufio prepared to charge, and Rose, still smiling, raised her arm and pointed behind him. Rufio stopped and turned, and Rose's fan had turned around and caught him full in the throat.

"How...?" choked Rufio, blood spurting out of his neck. "Im...impossible."

Rose shook her head as she caught the fan in her right hand. "You pathetic wretch," she snarled bitterly. "Some warrior."

Rufio was crawling on his knees, suffering. Rose fanned herself innocently as she walked over to him.

"How did...change...direction..."

"A trick I learned," laughed Rose. "You didn't see me use the same tactic yesterday? You really are a fool. Never watching a possible enemy. Pathetic.

"Assassins learn the quickest ways to kill a person, Rufio," she said, "as well as the slowest.

"And the most painful."

Rufio's eyes widened in terror as Rose dragged him across the room and left him at the feet of one of the griffin statues.

Paige and I turned away as the beast lowered its neck and grasped him between its monstrous jaws.

Rufio's blood stained the floor.

"AAAAHHHHH!!!" we heard him scream. "PLEASE, GOD!!!! NNNNOOOO!!!"

Rose stood by coldly, watching the griffin chomp and bite on his body. She didn't flinch when she heard his bones crack in the monster's mouth and the razor-sharp teeth tear the body apart.

Rose silently turned around and approached me and Paige.

"We have to slay these beasts," she said, as if nothing had just happened.

"Rose," I said, in shock, "how could you do that?"

"Do what?"

I bit my lip and we went to help Jesse and Ranzou. They were fighting together against the monster who ripped the giant hole in the wall, and Ranzou was on the monster's back. He was likely to fall out the hole and into the six-mile drop to the earth below.

As we approached them, in a roar of thunder and a flash of lightning, Laos had returned to his throne room.

"Oh, my lord," Rose said sweetly. "You've decided to return."

"What has happened here?" Laos thundered.

He saw a bloody heap of bones and clothing. "Is, was, that Rufio?" he shouted. "And Tara?"

"He killed her, Laos. And I killed him."

"And we're going to kill you," I shouted.

It was the first time I had seen Laos, and I was frozen. Only Rose stared directly at him, cold and unnerved.

He was well over seven feet tall; he looked as big as a house. He wore armor as black as the onyx statues he kept in his castle, and he wore an iron helmet, but it seemed more of a mask than a protective helmet.

Laos threw off his cape and extended his right arm. A sword appeared in his hand.

The griffins became restless and leaped and howled wildly.

"Paige, Rose," I said. "Take care of them. I'll handle Laos."

"No, you won't," Rose said. "But you're the only one who has a chance to defeat him here."

She turned to Paige. "This time, hold on to your sword, your majesty."

Paige nodded, and they backed away from the evil king.

I drew my Sabre and approached him.
 
 

" I promised Katharine and Paige I'd serve as a leader in their army. But my service has gone beyond loyalty to any country. They're my family now , and I'd gladly fight by the side of such friends. Our lifestyle involves , demands , constant risk and danger , but we knew that. Someone has to make this world a better place , and if one person can't do it , maybe a few people working together can.

" We all do our part , and when we come through with our part , we succeed in making this world a better place. A hopeless dream? Some would argue that. Me? I , we , don't have time to answer that right now..."
 

"What is that?" Trevor frowned, looking out the window.

"Oh, god...," muttered White. "Milan?"

Milan nodded her head.

There was light coming from the plains of Angel's Crest outside the town and castle Ravensong. A steady light that slowly moved toward the castle. It could only be a sign of Laos's men approaching.

"To the Great Hall, then," Milan said. "It's time."

They turned and walked out of the throne room, the royal counselors following closely. They headed purposefully to the Great Hall.

Milan flung the doors open herself and briskly walked to the front of the room. Trevor and White stood at her sides.

"Soldiers of Angel's Crest...," she began.

"Whenever she starts of with 'Soldiers of Angel's Crest,'" one of the soldiers told his friend, "something big's come up."

"...this is it. Laos's men have crossed our borders, and they are approaching Ravensong as I speak.
 

"I won't lie to you; it's much too late for that. The fact is, we're outnumbered. Not too badly, but enough to give them a definite advantage.
 

"It's for your own sake that I'm telling you this. If Laos's men are victorious, Angel's Crest will fall into darkness, and everyone will suffer. Your families. Your loved ones. Even your pets and livestock won't be safe from Laos's iron fist. You can run away and save yourself, or you can fight and try to save everything you hold dear.
 

"Your queen, your people are counting on you. Remember your queen, Paige-AlthÆa, who at this very moment is in Laos's presence. Think of your leaders who have perished at the hands of Laos's merciless generals. Your friends who have died.
 

"This is the final battle, soldiers. It all boils down to this. I make my promise to you now that your efforts will not be in vain. I will fight with you on the battlefield, and your commanders shall stand by you as well.
 

"What else can I tell you? You all have it in your hearts to be victorious tonight. If you all believe in yourselves and in Angel's Crest, we can rid our land of our enemies! This is it, soldiers!

"Are you with me?"
 

Angel's Crest soldiers gave a unified cheer, much to Milan's satisfaction. She walked through the cheering soldiers out the door, and her men marched behind her.

They stepped through Ravensong's gates, heading toward the plain.

Milan and her first officers White and Trevor led the march on horseback. The Angel's Crest flagbearers and the remaining six royal knights followed, and the royal army and its section leaders marched faithfully behind.

"Good luck, my friends," Milan said softly. "You both know we may not walk out of this battle alive."

White sighed. "I know, Milan. And I don't care."

"Neither do I," Trevor said. "These fulkrate 0 have to be stopped."

"I won't die fighting these curs," White growled. "And McGregor is mine."

"Kayin would be proud, Jill," Milan smiled. "I'll be sure to tell him when he gets back."

"T'atra! It's Rachel !" White yelled, later excusing herself to the soldiers. "Besides, I'll tell him myself."

Milan reached for her belt and felt for her bladed whip. She winced as she thought of the scars her own lash dealt to her back. She had to repay them, of that, she was sure.

She felt for her sword, and White and Trevor drew theirs.

They saw the opposing army appear over a small nearby hill. Milan could see their crests on their flags, with McGregor and Kale on horseback at the lead of a force of five hundred men.

When the two armies were within a hundred yards from each other, Milan stopped her men. She rode a little further to give a warning, as called for in the age-old rules of warfare.

"I am Captain Milan D'Mitri of Angel's Crest. You are trespassing on the kingdom of her majesty Paige-AlthÆa!" she called out. "Identify yourself!"

"Captain Troy McGregor of Dakren!" the enemy captain answered. "And you know very well why we're here, Captain D'Mitri!"

At that point, Milan was supposed to say, "Prepare yourself, then!", but she didn't.

Instead, she shouted, "Then to hell with your souls, fulkrate !"

Her men gave a shout and rushed ahead, and McGregor's forces replied in kind. Milan, Trevor, and White dismounted and followed their forces.

The armies of Laos and AlthÆa collided once more. Milan's troops would have to kill at least two men each if they were going to win. She was counting on White and Trevor to come through for her.

They split up and ran to separate areas of the battle. White searched for McGregor, and Milan was looking for General Kale in particular.

Trevor was attacked immediately and was forced to defend himself. There was no room to circle an opponent; it was nothing but a close-up fight to the death.

"McGregor!" White called out, searching the area. She kept looking for him, oblivious to enemy soldiers trying to creep up behind her. She instinctively kicked or hit them, not even bothering to turn. White could only think of finding McGregor and beating him senseless. Nothing less.

"There you are, you son of a bitch!" she yelled, watching him dismount from behind his soldiers. "A lokrane to the very end!"

"Ah, Commander Whi-!" he started, but White flew at him and sent him to the ground. She herself never wore a helmet, as a personal rule, and she kicked off McGregor's helmet.

She found wearing a helmet cumbersome, as did Milan, Paige, and her dream lover Kayin. She never felt a need to wear a helmet, anyway.

She held McGregor up by his golden hair and punched him in the face, sending him rolling a few yards back.

"Ah, I'll enjoy messing your pretty face up," she snarled.

"You're dead, White!" McGregor growled, showing his sword.

White walked toward him, stalking him.

For once in his life, Captain Troy McGregor of Dakren was scared. Genuinely scared.
 

Across the battlefield,...
 

"There you are, General Kale," Milan thought, watching the Relentless One charge through on horseback and strike down her men.

"You'll answer to me now!" she shouted, reaching up and pulling Kale off his horse. He crashed to the dirt and struggled desperately with his armor to get up.

She kicked him in the chest and kept him on the floor.

"I take no prisoners," she sneered.

Kale reached up and pushed Milan aside as he regained his feet.

Milan drew her sword, and Kale produced a large battleaxe from his belt.

Milan's jaw dropped. F'nara.

"You're not fit to lead a nation's armies, little whore!" he taunted.

She was sick of his men calling her a whore. "Damn you!" she retorted and charged.

Her sword met his axe in the air, and they tried desperately to force the other down. Milan was just too overpowered by Kale's size and brute force, though, and she fell. She managed to roll out of the way as Kale swung his battleaxe.

She rose to her feet and slashed Kale across the back as he tried in vain to attack her. The sword cut through the armor, and blood sprayed from the wound.

Kale screamed in pain and disgust.

"You'll wish you hadn't done that," he moaned.

Milan silently rose to her feet and kept her guard up.

"Mika ro pina, shu braka't 1."
 

The castle of Laos,...
 

I looked up at Laos from the floor. He was much stronger than he looked, if that was possible. He threw me clear across the room after we locked swords. He stalked after me, not even paying attention to the giant griffins.

"Come now, Kayin Aeola," he said. "Surely you can do better than this!"

I backed out of the throne room into the Great Hall. At least I could keep him away from the others. Laos did indeed follow, and he raised his hands as he walked through the doors.

Magical energy flowed into and out of his hands. I tried to keep my worry from showing.

"I tire of this," he said, and he thrust his hands forward. I was barely able to jump away from the blast.

"Don't think magic can save you," I told him. "I, too, know magic."

I raised my arm to the sky and columns of fire danced about the room, enveloping Laos in mystical fire. He staggered a bit, but he shook off the spell.

The spell was drawing on my inner, spiritual power, but I never felt stronger. My life was on the line.

"I'm impressed, Kayin," he said. "For someone so young, you've quite a mastery of the magic arts."

I said nothing.

"But what do you do about this?"

He held his sword, and I could have sworn his body split in two, then three. My eyes must have been playing tricks with me.

"Just to be cruel," he laughed, "only one of these bodies is mine. The rest are illusions."

I swung at one of the figures of Laos, but my sword passed through him. I felt a sharp pain as Laos kicked me in the back. I saw one of the three figures attack me with its sword, and illusion or not, I defended myself.

It was the real Laos.

"I can't handle three of them," I thought. "There's only one way to fight this."

Blindly.

I closed my eyes. They deceived me, so there was no sense trusting them. I relied on my other senses to guide me. Tachibana showed me the full potential and value of the other senses, particularly of hearing, while I was under his wing.

Now the time had come for me to use this knowledge. Somehow, my mind formed a picture of the room, not as comfortable as an image gained through sight, but it as better than nothing.

I could hear Laos lunge at me from behind, and I ducked my head and rolled to the side. He was now in front of me, and I parried his strike.

"How are you doing this?" he roared.

I saw my opportunity. While he was still surprised, I pushed our swords aside, and while his hands were still wrapped around its handle, I brought my elbow back, into his helmeted face.

It hurt my elbow, but at least he was pushed away from his sword. I opened my eyes and gazed at Laos. Tapping my other senses filtered out the finotrum 2 of the other figures and I knew exactly which one was true.

I gripped my Sabre and slashed him across the chest. Laos staggered back.

"You're finished, Laos," I growled. "For Katharine, for Angel's Crest, it's over!"

I slashed him again, and he fell to the ground without a word.

I would have expected him to try and get the last word in, but he didn't. I ran back into the throne room.

I arrived just in time to see Paige standing over one of the griffins, which was lying on the ground with Dragonwing in its throat.

"Paige!" I called out.

"Kayin!" she answered. "Where's Laos?"

"Gone," I smiled.

Paige recovered Dragonwing, and Rose emerged from behind the monster's body.

"I wouldn't have been able to do it without Rose," Paige said. "She distracted the monster while I snuck in one attack. And it worked."

We embraced, and I looked at the other griffin. Jessica was still trying feebly to wound it, and Ranzou was unconscious on the floor.

"Jessica!" Rose called. "Vault onto the griffin's back!"

Jessica did as she was told.

Rose ran forth, leaped into the air, and threw her fan at the monster's neck. At the same moment, Jessica slashed at the back of the monster's neck.

The griffin howled wildly, its unearthly noise piercing my nerves. Rose joined Jesse on the monster's back. They were precariously near the hole in the wall, and Rose was likely to fall off.

"Rose, Jesse! Watch out!" I called.

"Jessica," Rose said. "I'm sorry for everything. Please forgive me."

Jessica didn't know what to say. She just nodded her head and shook Rose's hand.

"Now get off," Rose told her. "Now. Please."

Jesse hesitated, but she jumped off the monster's back.

"I'll see you again!" Rose called to me, grabbing the monster's head.

She recovered her fan and replaced it in her waistband. The dying griffin rammed itself into the wall, trying to force Rose off its back. Finally, the griffin had broken through the wall, and the beast and Rose both fell into empty space. By the time we got to the hole in the wall, both were already out of sight.

"Rasha ,...," I gasped. "Rose..."

"Kayin," Paige started. "She...I..."

"Me, too," Jessica added. "I don't know why, but I forgave her."

I shook my head and turned back to the room.

"She's not dead," I smiled.

"She will be when she hits the ground," Jessica frowned.

"No," I said, smiling. "Assassin's trick..."

Paige and Jessica just looked at each other.

"Get Ranzou up and we can go home," I said. "I think I can manage one more spell."

Paige shook him, and Ranzou woke up.

"What...the griffins!"

"Ssh," Paige hushed. "It's over. We're going home."

Ranzou still wasn't aware what was happening, and he nodded stupidly.

"Okay, everyone," I said. "Good...excellent work. Now let's help our troops back in Angel's Crest."

The others all smiled and patted each other on the back.

"Let's hope I still have the strength," I thought.

"No, "a deep, rumbling voice from behind us said.

"What was that?" Paige asked, horrified.

We all turned around.

Stepping into the room was a hideous figure, a towering gargoyle come to life. Its tremendous wings flapped terrifyingly, its muscular body, as if a man's, stood on hoofed feet, with a pointed tail twirling behind the beast. Its face was purely disgusting. It was a man's face, with a dark beard, but covered in scales and had drooling fangs in its slavering mouth. Sharp horns protruded from the monster's skull.

"Who, or what, is this?" I gasped.

"Kayin, I'm surprised," the creature said.

"This is impossible," I said, shocked. "Laos!"

"Nothing can stop me now," the said. "Not even you."

He raised his clawed hands upward, and lightning filled the room. All of us held our hands before our eyes.

When the light cleared, Laos was gone.

"What was that?" Ranzou choked.

"Laos," I answered. "Rose was right! He was a demon!"

"And now?" asked Jessica. "What do we do? Where did he go?"

"Back to Ravensong," I said.

Suddenly the castle started to shake.

"An earthquake?" Paige shrieked. "In the sky?"

"The castle was held together by Laos's magic," I warned them. "Cani sh'ata metroda 3! We have to get out of here!"

"There's no time," Jessica said. "His soldiers are still in the castle, and they'd give their lives for their king!"

The walls started to crumble, and pieces of the ceiling began to fall.

"Kayin, you have to transport us out of here!" Jessica pleaded.

"I...I don't know if I have the strength to, Jesse," I replied honestly.

"Kayin," Jesse said. "I know it sounds overwhelming, but if you can't get us out of this castle, we're going to die!"

I shook my head. "I can try," I told my friends. "And believe me, I want to stay here just as much as you do."

Summoning the last of my energy, I bowed my head and spread my arms, and focused all my power into this last spell. Even if I had any strength left, there was no time to try another.

I was exhausted, and I couldn't even hear myself chant the ancient words. I knew the spell by heart, which was better, because I was barely aware of my actions. I could only feel the energy flowing through my weakened body, and I was getting weaker by the minute.

Suddenly, the room began to flash white light, and I knew the spell had taken effect. We shielded our eyes, and were engulfed in the magical energy.

We were on our way home and, to everyone's dismay, we found that the battle had only begun.

F'nara. Laos got the last word in.
 

" There's nothing more frustrating than finishing something and then finding out you've only begun. It's hard to keep your head when nothing you do seems good enough. That's especially true for someone who is a military leader , a political figure , and also a person , a human being.

" I'm very often asked to perform tasks that I can't accomplish , of course. Everybody does. But when something needs to be done , someone has to do it. And even when I think I'm not good enough , I find a way to come through. I have to. Just ask Kayin , Jessica , or Milan..."

The battle looked promising for the outnumbered Angel's Crest soldiers. They were outnumbered by two hundred men, but Milan's soldiers had managed

to cut that figure in half. It didn't matter that they were outnumbered by a hundred.

They were fighting for their country, their lives and those of their families, and without their knowledge, the very souls of Angel's Crest and even the world. The battle was all anyone could think about.

We reappeared in the throne room. Paige stared sadly at the empty throne. Tears welled up in her eyes as she remembered her sister, her twin, whom she met

after eighteen years of separation, only to be separated again so soon. Permanently.

"I miss her so much, Kayin," she sniffled. "I..."

"Paige," I whispered to her, "please, let it go. You spoke of fate...please, let it go."

My strength was totally drained. All I could do was whisper.

"Princess, I think you should see this," Ranzou said, his eyes not leaving the window on a far wall.

We hurried over to the window.

A red cloud was forming in the sky, thunder and lightning flashing from it. The battle, unaware, raged on beneath the cloud.

"My soldiers," Laos's voice boomed from the cloud.

"M'lord?" asked Captain McGregor, who had taken to hiding after White nearly lopped off his head.

"Milan," Paige called mentally from Ravensong. "Milan, you have to pull back!"

"What is it, Paige?"

"We'll explain everything. You have to return to Ravensong now!"

"F'nara ," Milan groaned. Kale was wounded, and she was ready to finish him.

"I'm on my way," she told Paige.

She ran back to her commanders.

"Yea, girl,...run away...," Kale gurgled.

"Rachel, where are you?" Milan called amidst all the fighting.

"Over here, Milan," White called. "I'm gonna kill this gutless worm..."

"Rachel," Milan said urgently, "I have to head back to the castle. Big trouble."

"What?"

McGregor ran off to a safer place.

"Bloody hell!" White growled, stamping her armored foot. "What kind of trouble?"

"I don't know," Milan said. "But Kayin and Paige need me back at the castle."

"They're back," White smiled. "Perfect. These braggarts are in for it now."

"I'll take charge here, then," she added. "Just hurry back. And bring help."

"Misha trana'trio, lio t'kala 4," Milan smiled, running off to her horse, Paige's steed Gabriel, who was waiting patiently outside the battlefield.

Milan rushed back to the castle.
 

Across the battlefield,...

"Where are you, m'lord?" McGregor asked, carefully holding his lacerated right arm.

"Up here, captain," the voice roared.

McGregor looked up, and the demon floated down from the red cloud that was filling the early morning sky.

"Lord Laos?" McGregor gasped. "What has happened?"

He really felt like running.

"I'm here to finish the task, captain," Laos said.

"But what happened to you?"

"Ah, the advantages of being a god," the demon laughed. "Is this more to your liking?"

In a flash of light, the demon returned to its human form, still hanging in the sky.

"I'm hurt, lord," McGregor said, suddenly relieved.

"So you were," came Laos's reply.

"'Were'?"

Laos raised a claw and pointed at Captain McGregor. Energy flowed from the extended finger, and the young captain's wounds were magically healed.

"Yes," McGregor laughed. "Thank you, m'lord!"

"Have your men push farther toward castle Ravensong," Laos ordered. "I will rule this land."

"As you command," McGregor grinned.
 

The castle Ravensong,...
 

Milan burst into the throne room.

"Rasha , it's good to see you," Milan sighed, running and embracing Paige and Jessica. "You have no idea what's been happening since you left."

Jessica looked at me.

"Milan," I said, greeting my friend/sister. "Laos is here. He's a demon, powerful beyond anything I could ever imagine, and he wants Angel's Crest."

"What will we do?" she asked. "Our soldiers are wearing down his men, and we may just walk out of this with our lives."

"This is magic like we've never seen," I told her. "The gods themselves would have to help us here."

"So what now?"

"Keep in mind Laos's power, and if you notice anything, pull your men out immediately."

I drew my Sabre.

"Now let's go," I said.

We marched out the throne room, and Paige turned and gazed at the empty throne for a few more moments before rejoining us.
 

Outside the castle and town of Ravensong,...
 

We were approaching the battlefield. We looked down from the hill and saw the remnants of our army actually defeating Laos's soldiers. When I looked up at the red cloud in the sky, though, I knew it couldn't have lasted for much longer.

"Kayin?" asked Milan.

Paige let out a deep breath. "This is it, Milan."

Jessica clasped Milan's hand and said, "Good luck, kiraya 5."

"You, too," Milan said. She was nervous.

I stepped forward and gave my challenge.

"Laos!" I called out. "Laos, show yourself!"

The human form of Laos floated down from the red cloud above his soldiers.

"Everybody, retreat!" White called out. "Now!"

Angel's Crest's soldiers broke off their offensive and raced back to the hill.

"You'll wish you never escaped the castle, " he said.

"Laos," I proclaimed, "you have transgressed the guidelines of warfare and broken the rules set by the elder gods by your appearance in Angel's Crest.

"They made it clear that magic, during warfare, was limited to the opposing country's borders. You have broken that rule."

"Elder gods?" Laos laughed. "What elder gods?"

"He's insane," Jessica said.

The gods voiced their displeasure in the clouds, threatening storm.

"Oh, I know what you mean, Miss Dehrin, " Laos roared. "Are you referring to these elder gods?"

Suddenly, it was like the world was on fire. The clouds in the sky, save Laos's, all coughed fire, and everyone could see flashes of light speeding from the clouds.

"What elder gods?" Laos repeated. "They have been banished from whence they came, never to return."

"Can he do that?" gasped Milan.

"Can and did, " Laos replied. "Pathetic. Your existence here on this earth has been ruled by your gods, and now, in the blink of an eye, they are gone.

"What can you do now?" laughed Laos mockingly.

His men cheered loudly.

"Some of us know better!" I called out, desperate for a retort.

"Do yourself a favor, Lord Aeola, " Laos growled, sending fire from the sky to the hill, " and kill yourself."

Everyone leaped out of the way, and the underbrush quickly caught fire.

"Paige!" Milan called. "Kayin! I say we go back to the castle!"

We turned around to see the red cloud cover Laos's army, and when they emerged, they glowed that same, blood red tinge.

"Yes," I nodded, stupefied. "We have no choice."

"Hurry the men," Paige said.

We hurried back to Ravensong, Laos's men in pursuit. It didn't look like we could have stopped them. He did something to them; that's why they were glowing.

When we arrived in the town, the people were all up and about wondering what was happening. They had feared a war after all the recent invasions, but they never expected us to bring it to their very doorstep.

"Stay inside!" Paige yelled. "Everyone, stay inside!"

"Oh, gods, it's the queen," some of the townspeople were saying.

"Get inside!" Paige repeated.

"Lord, they're so dense!" she thought.

We arrived at the castle's gates and we barged through.

Milan ordered her men to stay in the courtyard and keep watch while we returned to the throne room to plan some sort of defense.

Paige sat on her throne for the first time since becoming queen, though she was yet to be officially crowned. She sighed sadly, remembering her sister.

"To be honest," I said to Milan and Jessica, "I don't see anything we can do."

"He claims to be a god," Jesse said. "So far, he's proven it."

"But we can't just give up!" Milan protested. "The men are inspired! They won't walk away from this!"

"Then help me think of a way to kill a god," I muttered.

"I can help you with that," a voice said.

We turned and saw Paige staring at a glowing figure standing before the throne. It looked like a young warrior, dressed in a robe, and he glowed blue smoke as if he were a spirit come in a vision.

"Carrion," Paige smiled. "The gods' messenger."

"Yes," the god answered. I have been watching from above and have seen your plight. I can help you, but not for long."

"Help us?" I asked.

"My time on this earth runs short," he explained. "We must hurry. Show me your swords."

"It could be a trick from Laos," Jessica warned.

"Very good, my lady," he said. "But, no, that is why I only ask they show me their swords. I will teach them about the special blades that they carry."

Paige stood up and joined me before the dying god.

We both drew our swords.

"You both know each of your swords hold great magical power," he began. "Up to now, you thought you were tapping that power, and that gave you your success in battle."

Paige and I looked at each other.

"You mean, we haven't?" I asked.

"No," Carrion answered. "Your own skills brought you your success. Little of the swords' energy was used to accustom themselves to you, their rightful owners.

"This inner energy is yet to be seen, because there was never a need for it before. The earlier kings were defeated, and so the power was never revealed. Laos, however, is a powerful demon, the likes of which neither I nor the other gods have ever seen before. He was strong enough to banish us to our maker for eternity, and this was enough for AlthÆa to send me to you now."

"AlthÆa?" Paige asked. "My mother?"

"The goddess of justice," Carrion replied. "She never told you. She wanted you to lead a normal life, without the knowledge you were borne of a goddess. When she was slain on this earth, she had to die physically, lest the truth be known. She loves you and your sister very much, and she regrets she will never be able to see either of you again."

"Wait," Paige asked, worried, "isn't Katharine with her?"

"No," Carrion said. "Her spirit is still on this plane.

"We don't have time for this," he interrupted. "We must hurry."

"So what do we do now?" I asked urgently. "Laos's forces are likely setting fire to the town by now."

Milan, Jessica, and Ranzou looked outside. "The town's on fire, all right."

"We don't have much time," Carrion insisted.

He took the ends of each blade in his hands and shut his eyes. The same blue smoke-energy that he glowed emanated from his hands to our swords. They glowed acceptingly.

"You must fight with your inner power," he told us. "You will know where to look to for help.

"It is done," he said, fading away. "Good luck, brave warriors. The fate of the world is in your hands."

"I expected nothing less," I thought, sighing. "Goodbye, Carrion."

Paige was speechless. "The daughter of a goddess?" she smiled.

We both looked at our swords. The glow was gone; they looked as normal as they ever looked.

"'Inner power'?" Paige asked. "And how is Katharine 'still on this plane'? Hardly anything he said makes sense!"

"Her spirit still has not left her body," I explained. "But how to bring her back..."

"Bring back the dead?" Ranzou asked, walking over to us. "Is that possible?"

"I don't know," Paige said. "Milan, where did they put Katharine's body?"

"In her chamber, Paige," Milan answered, staring at the destruction below.

"Hurry," Paige said, yanking me by the shirt.

We hurried to Katharine's bedroom, where her body lay peacefully on her bed. Her arms were folded neatly across her chest and her brown hair was spread across her pillows.

Paige winced when she saw her lacerated throat, and she quickly turned to me, her eyes shut tight.

I swallowed and held her hands.

"Let's try," I told her.

I walked to the other side of the bed and extended my sword over Katharine's body. Paige did likewise.

"Hurry up!" Milan called from the throne room. "They're nearing the castle gates!"

Paige turned back to her sister. We concentrated, and the blue energy reappeared on our blades. It flowed into Katharine's figure.

The blue smoke covered the wound, and suddenly, frighteningly, Katharine started to stir.

"Fliya caron...," I muttered, watching the once-dead queen of Angel's Crest twitch and shake her head. The wound on her neck had disappeared.

Paige looked on anxiously.

Katharine sat up on the bed and opened her bright blue eyes.

"Paige?" she asked, dazed. "I thought...I thought I was dead!"

"You were," Paige choked, crying with joy at seeing her sister alive.

"I still can't believe it," I said, shaking my head.

"Kayin!" Katharine smiled, throwing her arms around me. "You did this, didn't you?"

"We both did."

Suddenly Milan burst into the room.

"Look, I don't mean to rush-whoa!" she started, interrupting herself.

"Kath? Is that you?" she asked, bewildered.

"Yes, Milan," Katharine answered, nodding hello.

"God, I'd love to talk, believe me," Milan said, "but there's an army led by a very powerful demon waiting outside the castle, in case you've forgotten. This could be serious."

"Let's go," Katharine said, reaching under her bed and producing a staff.

Katharine would see some action in this war after all.

We called Jessica and Ranzou and ran out to the courtyard.

"Don't ask," I told them when they saw Katharine.

"Soldiers," Milan called out.

She produced their queen.

A hush fell over the men, and Katharine spoke.

"I'm glad to have rejoined the land of the living," she began, to the soldiers' delight. "But I'm sure we don't have time for a welcome-back speech now.

"All I can say is, not even death is strong enough to stop us!"

The soldiers cheered loudly at the queen's last remark, and Milan raced up to the guard's point at the top of the gate.

"Laos!" she called out.

"So they have decided to finish their fight," he answered. "Come then."

Trevor opened the gates, and Angel's Crest's forces charged through. We waited for Milan to step down from the tower, and we followed them outside.

Our soldiers stopped soon after leaving the courtyard, however, when they encountered Laos's army of glowing-red soldiers. The two armies stood before each other in the middle of town, in a wide central path that led through the town to the castle.

The entire town was on fire, and people either hurried to salvage whatever of their belongings they could or escaped with their families. From a distance, the townspeople watched the face-off of the two armies.

They were more evenly matched, now, with Angel's Crest having somewhere in the vicinity of two hundred men and Laos's army somewhere between two and three hundred. Both had suffered extensive casualties over the past few weeks, when their armies were considerably better numbered. Before the invasions started, each had well over five thousand men.

"Let's end this," I called to Laos, in his cloud form.

"The final dance, then," he responded.

The final dance. F'nara , it was.
 
 

" Now I know how Lord Aeola felt when he came to Angel's Crest. I had no idea I'd be fighting in the middle of a war that held the future of the world in the balance. I only wanted revenge for my family. The princess was right ; seeking revenge got me much more than I bargained for.

" But you know what? I didn't care. My life was meaningless until the day I joined the princess and Lord Aeola. I was just a dirty , smelly beggar living behind taverns and , when I was lucky , as a farmhand in Shir. This war gave my life a purpose , something I could never have said I had before. I suppose it was fate , but I'm just thankful to be someone important for a change..."
 

This fateful battle, as Carrion had said, did indeed hold the fate of the world in its outcome. If we were victorious, then we would have rid the world of this angry demon. If Laos won, he would march unstoppable across the world.

Milan, Jessica, and Ranzou ran into the fray. Both armies attacked each other with a ferocity and hatred the likes of which I have rarely seen. Laos's men looked to be the more powerful, though. The red glow gave them some mystical power.

Paige, Katharine, and I stood back. I was still looking for a way to defeat Laos. How could I defeat a demon who just banished the elder gods?

Katharine, I still couldn't believe she was alive, was furious when she saw all the damage Laos and his men wreaked on her kingdom. All the houses burned, all the men killed...

She gripped her staff tightly in her hands.

"We have to help them," Paige said, putting her arm on my soldier. "There's magic afoul here."

"Laos will just have to wait," I said, drawing my Sabre and running to the battle. "Katharine?"

She shook her head. "I'm no warrior," she said. "But I think I can keep this king Laos from interfering any further."

"Whatever you can do to help us," I smiled.

Swords drawn, Paige and I ran right into the middle of the raging battle. We saw some soldiers carry out personal vendettas. Commander White, Rachel, she liked me to call her, was taking on the enemy captain, a bold move on her part. Milan went after the huge general named Kale, who was armed with a barbarian's battleaxe. This was one of the special times Milan chose to use her bladed whip, her weapon of choice.

"Watch your back!" I called to Ranzou, an enemy soldier sneaking up behind him. "Kera , you're not even wearing armor!"

I rushed to his side and struck down his attacker with one deft blow of my Sabre. Ranzou's staff had broken in two, but if he was skilled with a staff, he was doubly skilled with sticks. He twirled them dizzyingly and knocked his opponent unconscious.

"You're amazing, lord," he said to me. "Thank you."

"Anyti-," I began, turning suddenly to strike another soldier who rushed at me from behind.

I realized we were outnumbered, at least it seemed like it, because at any one time, I never faced less than three enemies. Speed was essential.

Paige's enemies stood no match against Dragonwing, which glowed brightly with her rage. No armor could withstand the power of her vicious blows. She cut through the iron and chain-mail as if they were made of paper.

"And who of you would fight me?" Laos ranted and raved from the cloud. "You're all boring me."

"Coward!" Katharine called from Ravensong's gate. "What god mocks humans from the heavens? What god takes pleasure in punishing those who have neither wronged him nor can fight him?"

"Ah, the dead queen," Laos called. "You should get used to being dead."

"Your talk is meaningless," she retorted firmly.

"So is yours. But how about this?"

Laos, still in the cloud of crimson smoke, called forth fire and lightning against Katharine. She stood her ground, pointed her staff, and repelled the mystical fire.

"Child's play, demon," she laughed. "Is that the extent of your power?"

"What of this, then?" Laos roared, furious. The red cloud opened up, and an enormous dragon swooped down. The beast had pebbled green scales, large wings, and a body fifty feet long.

The dragon, Laos, dove at Katharine. She again repelled him, and when he was frustrated with using brute force to seize and silence her, he flew back and sent forth his dragon flame.

Katharine ducked and surrounded herself in a mystical shield, but she could still feel the heat of the fire as it enveloped her.

"Katharine!" Paige screamed, seeing her twin being completely engulfed in the dragon's flame.

"You are a coward!" she cried out, leaving the battlefield for her sister's side.

"I'll show you true dragon's fire!" she shouted, holding Dragonwing firmly.

"Paige," Katharine called, emerging from the flames. "We have to fight him somehow."

I saw them talking and immediately rushed over.

"Looks like something important," I said, breathing quickly. "What is it?"

Katharine pointed to the sky and I saw the dragon.

"Ever slay a dragon?" she asked.

Paige and I both stepped forward.

"Your sword yearns for justice," I told Paige.

Dragonwing glowed brightly.

"As does our mother," she said, holding Katharine's hand.

"What?"

"I'll explain later."

Paige and I raised our blades and touched them together, and suddenly there was a brilliant flash of light. Magical light streamed from our swords.

"The final dance, Laos," I said.

The fight in the middle of town continued.

"Come, then," the dragon roared.

I nodded at Paige, and she nodded back.

I leaped upward, and in a streak of light, I found myself in the sky before the monstrous beast. I turned and saw Paige behind me. Both our swords were glowing blue, mystical fire.

The dragon returned to its demon form and flapped its hideous wings.

Paige held Dragonwing before her and sent the blue fire at the demon Laos.

We heard the blast sear his, its, skin, and he staggered a little.

"What...? How...pain," he mumbled, confused. "Impossible."

I couldn't believe it. I looked down from half a mile in the air and I could see the fires of the village and the soldiers fighting. I looked up in time to see Laos, angered, throw his arms and chest back, calling forth more lightning.

"Move!" Paige yelled, pushing me aside.

The demon hovered patiently before us, waiting for us to attack.

"Well?" he taunted. "Come and stop me."

My anger and frustration took over. It was my of own weakness, I regret to say, and I charged forward. It mattered not that I was running on air, only that I had to slay this demon.

I neared him and swung my sword. He flapped his wings and flew back out of its way, but I pressed on with my attack.

"Is that all you can do?" I snarled. "Where is your power?"

"You poor boy," he said. "You know nothing."

He called forth wind and lightning, and I almost fell. I couldn't feel the ground underneath, and the wind was terribly strong.

I duck out of the lightning's path, and, throwing my arms forward, I called forth fire to combat Laos's sorcery. Flames appeared in the sky around Laos, and though the fires hurt him, it wasn't nearly enough to subdue him. He retaliated with a blast of pure energy, which he threw at me. I absorbed the blast into my Sabre, which glowed and accepted the energy.

"Kayin!" I heard Paige call. "Get ready!"

She raised her sword, and the wind picked up. Lightning streamed from the glowing blade in all directions, and Paige fired a wave of magical energy toward Laos. He felt the full impact of the blast, and while he was stunned, I rushed forth and slashed him with my Sabre.

He fell out of the sky, but he regained his composure and winged his way back up.

"This land is mine," he pronounced. "Your powers are not enough to stop me and my army."

"There can be no surrender," Paige said. "We were forced to play by your rules when we were in Dakren; now you play by our rules!"

"I follow no one!" Laos roared, sending a large wave of energy toward us.

The blast was so huge there was nowhere for us to run.

"Aaahhh!" Paige yelled painfully, caught in the lightning's path.

"Paige!" I yelled, watching helplessly as she plummeted to the earth.

Katharine watched from the castle gates.

"I have you," she said mentally, slowing down Paige's fall with her magic.

Paige flew into Ravensong's gate and crashed to the earth.

"Ow," she moaned, trying to get her breath back. "Oh, that hurts..."

"And you...!"Laos roared, flying at me and hurling me to the ground.

Katharine did what she could to help me as well.

"'Inner power', eh?" I sneered, checking my body for broken bones.

"What are you talking about?" wondered Paige, limping on her right foot. "What power?"

Laos returned to his dragon form, and this time, he was a doubly larger beast.

"Trust me," I told her.

"Between my Sabre's power and my own magic, added with what Carrion said...," I reasoned to myself. "Of course!"

"What?" Katharine asked urgently. "Kayin, look out!"

They leaped away as Laos sent his breath of fire at us. I stood my ground and focused my energy as the blast hit me. They couldn't see me through the fire.

Laos hissed loudly, and continued breathing the flame.

"Kayin!" Paige called out.
 

The battlefield,...
 

"Something wrong, commander?" Captain Troy McGregor laughed, effortlessly parrying all of White's offensives.

"That glow!" White yelled, struggling to force McGregor down. "Damn you!"

"Ah, ah," he laughed, catching her blade in his open, unprotected hand, still covered in the red glow. He pushed the blade aside and threw her to the floor.

"I would have gladly let you join us," he said. "Join me, anyway. You're much too beautiful for me to have to kill."

White was speechless. She was powerless against him now.

No, she wouldn't submit to him. Not now. Not ever.

She inched away from him.
 

Beside the village store,...
 

"Where are your threats now, Captain D'Mitri?" roared Kale, swinging his axe madly.

Milan ducked while Kale shattered a window. She saw the opportunity to attack and wrapped her whip around the handle of his axe and pulled it away. It fell to the ground well out of reach.

"Rrraaahhh!" Kale roared, charging at her with his bare hands.

Milan avoided his charge and wrapped her whip around his massive neck. With any luck she could choke him.

He struggled to break the hold, and Milan pulled the whip and Kale over her shoulder before he could succeed. She kept choking him.

Finally Kale brought his fist up and Milan let go her grip. Kale choked and coughed as he rose to his feet.

Then he remembered how the red glow gave him energy. He picked up a hay cart behind him and flung it at her. Milan was caught off guard and was thrown against a wall.

She groaned as she tried to push the cart away from her before Kale decided to attack again. She caught him off guard when he approached the broken hay cart and Milan leaped at him from the wreckage and kicked him in the face. He fell sliding to the ground.

"You can't fight me forever," Kale shouted, grabbing an Angel's Crest soldier fighting someone beside him and brutally twisting and breaking his neck.

He delighted and Milan was disgusted by the cracking sound of the unfortunate soldier's spine.

"Well, captain?"
 

Elsewhere,...
 

"They're too strong now," Jessica grunted as she punched and kicked her attackers. She needed no weapons; her speed, skill, and power were weapons enough.

Her ribbon, still white, flapped furiously behind her as she dealt vicious kicks one after another against her assailants. One would never believe such a beautiful woman chose to fight such a murderous, well-trained army unarmed. Hand-held weapons actually hindered her.

Her only other weapons were the studded bracelets she wore on her wrists. They worked perfectly fine for her.

"I'm not cut out to fight demons, guys," she said out loud, frustrated. "Please hurry."
 

Ravensong's gate,...
 

"Kayin...!" Paige yelled, staring at the Dragonwing. "Good lord,..."

Laos, finally content with completely charring the body of his would-be attacker, finally ceased breathing his fire.

Then from the flames I rose, no longer a human warrior. I turned and saw my wings, spread majestically across the sky. The feeling was exhilarating: my body and 'feathers' were pure fire, and I flew as easily as I always imagined birds did.

Suddenly, the dragon didn't seem so large anymore. I must have been terrifying from the ground. I looked back and saw Katharine and Paige staring in awe.

I tried to say, "Wish me luck!", but all I heard was the piercing scream of the phoenix. "Oh, well," I thought.

I smiled in surprise as I looked down and saw the battle still raging at full-speed.

"Rasha , I'm a bird," I thought. "A big, flaming bird."

Laos flew at me, breathing his flame. I gave my scream and disappeared from his path, reappearing behind him.

"You're finished, demon!" I shouted angrily, but again, the phoenix spoke and not Kayin Aeola.

"Kayin!" I heard Paige yell.

I flew at Laos, leaving a trail of fire in the sky behind me. He tried to repel me with his fire, but it was no use. My flaming body collided with his, and the dragon hissed and roared loudly.
 

On the ground below,...
 

"Well, Commander?" McGregor asked White, who was still lying helplessly on the ground. "Will you join me?"

White hesitated. McGregor could see the deliberation on her face.

Then White turned to him and pressed her lips together.

"And...?" McGregor smiled.

White reached up and clasped her hands behind her head. She smiled wickedly.

"If you let me live," she offered," I'll show you how to get into the castle."

"I want more," McGregor grinned, throwing down his sword.

"Hmm," White grinned. Her fingers grasped a small clip in her hair. She removed the clip and let her golden braided hair down over her shoulders.

"You really are beautiful," McGregor said, gazing intently at her face. "And a fine warrior, as well."

"Thank you, m'lord," White answered.

Troy got on his knees beside her and leaned toward her.

"I'm sorry if I hurt you earlier," he said. "I...am. Really."

"Sure, captain," she purled. She took his face in her hands and kissed him fully on the lips.

McGregor eagerly surrendered himself to White's embrace. She turned him over and straddled his armored chest. He tensed against her touch and tilted his fair face and head back.

"Be gentle with me," she smiled, closing his eyes. She reached for her ankle and gripped a knife in her fingertips.

"I'm a virgin."

"As you wish, my lady," McGregor smiled back, his eyes still shut. "You really surprised me, Commander White."

White bit her lip and closed her eyes. She gripped the dagger in both her hands and aimed it downward. Quietly, she brought her arms back...

"Huh? Nnnooooo...!"

Blood sprayed and flowed to the ground.

Dusting herself off, White returned her dagger to its hiding place by her right foot and retrieved her sword.

"Sweet dreams, lover," she sighed with feigned helplessness, clipping her braids behind her.

Commander Rachel White ran off to the heart of battle.
 

Elsewhere,...
 

"Come back here, Kale!" Milan shouted.

General Kale had run from her and leapt on a horse. He picked up another Angel's Crest soldier, took his sword, and flung him away.

"You take so many cheap shots!" Milan glared. "You shameless lokrane !"

Kale rode through the battlefield, striking down his helpless opponents.

"Ranzou!" Milan yelled.

Ranzou, with a new staff he found on the ground, finished off another soldier and ran to her side.

"Yes, captain?"

"Lend me your staff," she said.

He gave it to her.

"Thanks, soldier," she smiled, running after Kale.

Weaponless, Ranzou hid in a dark alley.

Commander White had returned to the scene of battle, and she saw Kale unfairly attacking her fellows.

"And you have the audacity to call yourself a general?" she shouted, pulling her sword.

She ran toward him, and he turned to her. White rushed in and clashed her sword with his. She growled fiercely as Kale slowly overpowered her.

"Rachel!" Milan called. "Hold him!"

White nodded and grabbed the horse's reins.

"What are you doing?" Kale shouted.

Milan closed in from behind, planted the wooden staff in the ground, and lifted herself into the air. She kicked Kale off his horse and landed squarely on her feet.

"That was daring," White smiled. "And thanks for not calling me 'Jill'."

They stood side by side, and Milan kicked Kale's sword away.

"Even the two of you can't stop me," Kale huffed.

Milan lashed out with her whip and caught Kale around the neck, and as he struggled to get free, White rolled forward and slashed him through his armor.

Milan smiled. She reached up to Kale's horse and tied the handle of her whip to the saddle.

White took her cue and rapped the horse's hind end with her sword.

Kale choked and coughed as the horse ran through the town, dragging him behind by the neck.

Milan and White shook hands, and suddenly they both looked up.

Jessica darted in, a flash of red and white in the battlefield, and suddenly, bodies were flying everywhere. She was smiling.

"I'm starting to enjoy this, kiraya !" she admitted, sweeping down another soldier.

They all looked up to the sky.

"What...? A phoenix?"

Lightning and fire filled the sky above them; they only noticed it now.

"Kayin and Paige had better be doing something about this."
 

In the sky,...
 

We backed away from each other, and Laos regained his human form. He covered himself in magical energy and called forth fire, wind, and lightning.

This was it. Laos was focusing himself into one, powerful blast. And if I was going down, I was taking him with me. I spread my wings and threw myself forward, and I covered Laos in my fiery body just as he threw his arms forward and sent forth his blast.

"Rrraaahhhh!" he thundered, his body on fire.

He twirled and thrashed as he tried to put out the mystical flames, but to no avail.

"Paige, get him!" I tried to yell, utterly exhausted.

The phoenix gave its last, dying scream, and the fires faded.

A lifeless human body plummeted to the earth.

"T'atra! " Paige screamed. "Kayin!"

"I have him," Katharine said, gently floating the unconscious figure to the ground.

Paige's sword glowed furiously.

"Laos!" she yelled, leaping into the air. She came to a stop before Laos, who was still trying desperately to free himself.

"Laos," Paige said, "it's over, Demonlord!"

She closed her eyes and gripped Dragonwing in her right hand, then pressed it to her opened left palm. She could feel the energy flowing through herself and the sword, and in a flash of white light, she leapt through the sky at the enflamed demon. Dragonwing flew across his chest easily, its inner power fully released.

Paige's jump reached its apex far above him, and she gingerly returned to the ground, watching the view of falling from a mile in the dark, night sky.

"Don't look," she warned her twin, her knees bending as she landed. "Cover your eyes."

She reached out telepathically to her friends in the battlefield.

Hearing her message, Milan, Jessica, and Ranzou ducked down and covered their eyes.

Up in the sky, the night lit up in a magnificent display of magic and sorcery.

"Damn you...all...aaagghhh!" Laos struggled to say. Magical energy and lightning connected with his body from all points in the sky, and he roared wildly in pain.

The energy filling the sky painted everything white, and anyone foolish enough to look at the blast surely would have gone blind.

"No!" Laos yelled and screamed. "No-aaaarrrrhhhh!"

The demon exploded in a glorious fireball, waves of energy radiating from the sky he once occupied. Traces of fire and cinders fell softly from the again-darkened night sky, most of them burning up in the atmosphere.

"Holy lafira 6!" some of the soldiers gasped, gazing at the immense explosion in the sky above them.

"Kayin!" Paige smiled. "We did it!"

"Kayin?"

No response. Her lover remained lifeless on the ground at her feet.

"You can't die!" she yelled. "Not now! Don't you dare!"

I managed a slight breath. I struggled to open my eyes, but I just didn't have the strength. It was enough. She, I, knew I was alive.

"Don't ever do that to me again!" Paige shouted, punching me across the face.

If I were conscious, I'm sure it would have hurt.

"Paige!" Katharine yelled, laughing. "Stop it!"

She pulled her away, and I fell down helplessly. They embraced and looked at the town. The fires were under control, the townspeople were putting them out with well water and whatever other supplies they managed to escape with. Laos's army stopped glowing and immediately fell to the ground.

They lost all their strength and gave up the fight.

"Take us, please," a soldier gasped to Milan, reaching to grab her ankle to gain her attention. "Just don't leave us here to die."

Milan laughed and shook herself from his weak grasp. She was glad and relieved to see most of her men alive and well, taunting their fallen opponents boastfully.

She joined White, Trevor, Jessica, and Ranzou at the center of the battlefield.

"Good work, my friends," she smiled, exhausted. "Really."

"I need a bath," Jessica sighed.

Laughing, they embraced each other and rejoiced in their victory.

Milan regrouped the surviving soldiers and led them back to the castle.

Many of the survivors were wounded, but they were still overjoyed with their victory. They howled loudly and merrily as they passed, relieved, through the gates of Castle Ravensong.

Milan and Jesse ran outside to find Paige, Katharine, and Kayin.

"Paige!" Jesse shouted, running to her friends. "Katharine! God, you're okay!"

"Where's Kayin?" Milan asked.

"He's the corpse on the right," Paige laughed.

I lay lifelessly against the wall, and they could see me trying to raise my hand, but instead fall over from exertion.

"Oh!" Jesse gasped, holding her dress down in the morning wind. "What happened to him?"

"He's having an identity crisis," Paige smirked. "Poor guy."

The others looked at each other quizzically as Paige walked over and picked me up, putting my arm around her shoulder.

"Where's your whip, Milan?" Paige wondered. It wasn't like her to go into battle without it.

"Give me a minute," she said, listening.

From around a corner of the castle came a great steed, running wildly toward us.

"Stop!" she called to the horse, and it screeched to a halt in front of her.

Milan quietly walked over to it and untied her whip from the horse's saddle.

"Get out of here!" she laughed, and the horse ran off.

"What was that all about?" Jessica asked.

Milan laughed quietly and shook her head.

We all entered the gates together, the morning sun peering over the horizon as we walked through the castle doors.
 

" I keep asking myself ,' Why do I do this?'. I don't know if I'm really expecting an answer ; it's just something I've always wondered. How can anyone justify risking life and limb the way I do , the way we do? And we don't always win. Just ask Katharine."

" I found my answer one day after fending off some invading barbarians in the south last year. It had nothing to do with just causes , at least not completely. It had to do with the looks on my friends' faces after we were victorious, It had to do with the respect and fellowship I felt with the other soldiers, And it had to do with the feeling of fulfillment that comes with pulling through when others are counting on you..."
 

After arriving back in the castle, Katharine called the people of Angel's Crest to gather before Castle Ravensong to hear her speak and then a festival later in the day to celebrate the victory. First, though, all of us had to rest.

Hours later, mid-afternoon, the congregation had gathered. The remaining hundred or so soldiers of the royal army stood loyally before the steps to the castle, awaiting the arrival of the Queen and her speakers. Commander Rachel White, Lieutenant Trevor Miles, and young Ranzou stood proudly and anxiously at the head of the regiment.

The huge crowd that gathered, the approximately ten thousand from the nearby area who survived Laos's countless invasions and who sought the guidance of their queen, filled the courtyard and even waited outside the gates. They just needed to hear from their beloved leader.

The soldiers, joined by the rest of the crowd, cheered as the iron doors of Ravensong flew open and Captain Milan D'Mitri of the Angel's Crest Imperial Guard stepped smiling through the immense castle doorway.

"Soldiers and people of Angel's Crest!" she called out proudly, her voice echoing from the castle and its surrounding walls. "You have been gathered here today-"

She smiled and laughed quietly and excused herself. White and Trevor

"-you have been gathered here today to hear the words of your queen regarding the crisis of weeks past! You all heard she was murdered, but, good news, people, Katharine AlthÆa is alive!"

A hush fell on the crowd.

"As Captain of the Guard," Milan continued, "it is my duty to inform you of what transpired last night and the events leading to the this morning's fateful battle...

"...but I won't bore you with any details now.

"You're all here to hear Katharine speak, not the soldier who risked her life to save your souls, so I present her to you now!"

Trumpets and horns blared, and the crowd looked up to see the queen, dressed in a flowing red robe and her jeweled crown on her silken brown hair, step through the purple curtain and out onto the balcony above Milan.

All who were present knelt in the presence of the queen.

The Captain of the Guard turned and bowed respectfully, and with the queen's acknowledgment, she turned and joined her troops.

"You could have bored them a little," Trevor said quietly.

Katharine smiled and spoke to her people.

"Soldiers, citizens if Angel's Crest," she began, "you've just been part of history. We all feared for our safety when the attacks started not too long ago. I knew what started out as a routine crisis soon turned into, quite literally, Armageddon. After all, I wasn't just killed yesterday."

A suppressed laughter came from the crowd.

"And it isn't every day we vanquish a demon powerful enough to banish the elder gods. A demon with the power of a god."

Katharine lowered her head.

"I sympathize with all of you out there who have been hurt by this war. I knew the greatest fear and loss when I was taken from my family and friends, and all of you, who look to me as your queen and leader.

"I do know this, however," she said, raising her chin a little. "Our victory in this war of wars came from deep within all of you. I know you can feel it. You who are gathered here before me today were brave enough to see this all the way through. You faced your losses, and you never gave up. That's why you're here. Because you still have hope, and I'm proud of you.

"To the soldiers who fought to defend their country in the midst of the most powerful enemy on any realm thus far," she said, turning to the soldiers, "I have nothing but respect and admiration for you. The royal armies numbered thousands when the war first started, now there are..."

Katharine stopped to count the number of soldiers gathered before Ravensong.

The crowd laughed.

"A hundred, more or less," she smiled. "A hundred, out of thousands. You truly are the best warriors in the land!

"And for those countless others who perished for their, our cause, I also have great respect. They gave the ultimate sacrifice so that those they hold dear might have a chance to live, maybe even in a better world than the one they were born into."

She could separate the families and loved ones of fallen soldiers from the rest of the crowd. So many people had been hurt by the demon.

"And to all of Angel's Crest," she proclaimed," I promise recovery from this war. The destruction plagued on our land has been stopped, and now it must be repaired. I tell you now that I shall personally see to the rebuilding of this kingdom!"

The crowd and soldiers rose to their feet and cheered in unison, a deafening but pleasing sound to the young returning queen.

"With final words, then," Milan announced, returning to the front steps of Ravensong, "your princess, Paige-AlthÆa Robard!"

All cheered and clapped. Milan turned and clasped her hands behind her back as Paige stepped forth onto the balcony. The princess wore a blue robe glittering in the sunlight, with a sparkling tiara on her head.

"I must have been a terrible queen if the heavens found it necessary to bring Katharine back from the dead," she smirked. "I'm embarrassed."

"Give 'em hell, princess!" someone in the crowd shouted, much to the crowd's pleasure.

"Thank you, kind sir," she smiled. "I just wanted to give my thanks and congratulations to the fine soldiers below, who risked life and limb for all of us!"

Everyone clapped loudly and howled, and the soldiers eagerly shouted back.

"They'll get their medals just as soon as we make them," the princess said.

"There are, however, some individuals in particular I'd like to give my deepest thanks to. You all know Milan, your Captain..."

The crowd roared in acknowledgment as Milan raised her hand and turned to face the people.

"A newcomer to Angel's Crest, from the town of Shir in Dakren, Ranzou Pariah..."

The crowd welcomed their new warrior as he raised his hand.

"And two very special friends of mine, Lady Jessica Dehrin and Lord Kayin Aeola!"

Jesse and I reluctantly stepped out from behind the curtain, and we waved to the congregation. Paige embraced us both, and she asked us to say a few words to the people.

"What can I say?" I called from the balcony. "I was fortunate enough to be chosen to venture against King Laos, and though I could have easily slain him myself..."

The crowd laughed.

"..., I'm still thankful to have been in the company of such friends and warriors as Princess AlthÆa and Lady Jessica."

"False modesty aside," Jessica coughed, turning her head so the brown ponytail rested on her right shoulder, "and to cut this speech short, we were glad to serve you, after all, you pay taxes, and we're not about to let anyone waltz into this kingdom and take it over, demon or otherwise!"

"But what about the gods?" someone called out. "Who will protect us?"

"Even the elders were not supreme in their power," I told them. "They, too were created."

Strange question, but inevitable.

"One, true god?"

"Perhaps," Paige interrupted. "We'll just have to see."

No one else asked any other questions, and, smiling, Jessica and I returned to the castle.

Paige stepped forward again as Jesse and I passed through the curtain.

I couldn't believe it. Jesse's ribbon was still white.

"How does that thing stay so clean?" I asked her. "It's as white as when you first put it on!"

Jesse just shrugged and said, "It's me . A gift. Besides, it if got dirty, it wouldn't go with this dress."

She spun on her heels, showing off the comely gown. She actually wore that in combat. What a gal.

Whatever. We both turned and watched Paige finish her speech.

"Enjoy the evening's festivities!" she called.

She nodded below to Milan, who caught her signal. Paige and Katharine returned to the castle.

"Thank you for attending," Milan called out. "The festivities shall begin at dusk in the town square, and your soldiers will be providing the entertainment!

She walked over to White, Trevor, and Ranzou.

"The queen would like a word with you," she said.

"We didn't do anything!" White shouted, turning to her companions.

"I didn't do anything!"

"No one's in trouble," Milan smiled. "We'd better go."

Inside Ravensong, in the throne room,...
 

"I can't believe it's over," Paige sighed. "Just a few days ago, we were in a panic over what to do."

"I shouldn't have died," Katharine said bluntly. "Could have saved all of you the headache."

"Not much choice, Kath," I said. "And about that...do you remember the two assassins?"

"Only vaguely," Katharine joked. "Why?"

"It's strange," I said softly, turning away. "I do, too."

Katharine opened her mouth as if to speak, but Paige stopped her.

"Now isn't the time," she said quietly.

The doors opened and in walked Milan, her two commanders, and Ranzou.

"You wanted to see us, your majesty?" White asked.

"Yes, commander," Katharine smiled. "I heard about what you did for the southern border."

"Excuse me, your highness?"

"You're quite the brave soldier," Katharine said. "You should be proud."

"Even though I lost?" White whispered.

"Outnumbered by half your men," answered Katharine. "You did well, Commander White."

"Call her 'Rachel'," I smiled.

White looked at me sweetly out of the side of her eye.

"Thank you, m'lord," she said, bowing deeply while Paige rolled her eyes.

"Anytime," I replied. "You owe me a dance tonight!"

Paige's jaw dropped, but she held her tongue.

Commander White tried to suppress her surprise.

"Lieutenant Miles?" Katharine called.

"Trevor," he volunteered.

"Trevor, you, too, are to be commended," Katharine said. "You fought with Captain D'Mitri in the north and then protected the castle by yourself when she left, is that right?"

"Well, not by myself," he said modestly.

Katharine was about to speak, but changed her mind.

"Thank you, Trevor. Thank you as well, Rachel. All of Angel's Crest is indebted to you, and the other soldiers as well."

"We're here to serve, my queen," White said.

"I'll see you two later, then," Milan said.

"Sure, Captain," Trevor and White answered, turning and briskly walking out the door.

"You really made their day," Milan told Katharine and Paige.

"Traso d'letra 7," Paige said.

When the doors finally closed, we all breathed a little easier. The speeches were over, the crowds had ceased, and all that was left was celebration before getting back to life as usual.

"Your highness?" Ranzou called.

"Yes?"

"I don't wish to overstay my welcome, your majesty, but I request your permission to have one final dinner with my friends before I return to Shir."

"You're leaving?" I asked. "Why?"

"No one asked me to stay," he said seriously. "I...didn't want to impose..."

"You really are naive!" Jessica scolded. "Go to your room, young man! We'll see you outside!"

Smiling, Ranzou stepped to the door.

"You'll start your training tomorrow," Milan warned. "Just to warn you ahead of time."

"Yes, Captain," he snapped with a sharp salute.

"Dismissed," Milan ordered sharply, and Ranzou quickly left.

"That kid has promise," I told them.

Then none of us said anything for a few moments. Our minds were flooded with thoughts of the past week.

"That was incredible," Jessica said. "What we just did..."

"It was," Milan said. "My nerves are still shaking from all the anxiety."

"We have been through a lot," Paige admitted. "I think at some point, we all felt genuinely scared. Really scared."

I swallowed. "Well, that's why we all came together over the years, I suppose. That would certainly explain a lot."

"Looking at the sword on Paige's belt," Jesse said, "I know why. Why we're here, why we risk our lives like we do, and why we'd give anything for each other. I know that."

"We know it," Katharine said. "And I know how much you've all been through. The kingdom counted on us, on you, mostly, and you shone through. Thank you, my friends."

We all let that sink in. The entireworld was depending on us and we succeeded. Now that was something to be proud of. I was proud just to be able to call the people in this room my friends. This was what legends were based on.

"Someday people will look back and remember what we did," I told them. "They'll look in their history books and learn the story of Angel's Crest, and they'll read tales about Queen AlthÆa and her twin daughters, the sorceress Katharine, her successor to the throne, and the swordswoman Paige, keeper of the legendary Dragonwing."

"And Milan D'Mitri," continued Paige anxiously, "the Captain of the Guard and her bladed whip. The rebel daughter of the invading Baron D'Mitri, with hair the color of fire and a fury to match."

"And Lady Jessica Dehrin," Milan added, "the sweet palace dweller who in times of battle affixes her bracelets to her arms and a ribbon in her hair, rumored to be the most skillful fighter in all the land."

"And Lord Kayin Aeola," Jessica smiled, "who wielded a Sabre of Lightning and fought like a shadow, quick, and silent. He saw all his enemies fall before his feet, while women everywhere were helpless before him, put under a trance by his enchanting eyes..."

"Jessica Dehrin!" Katharine scolded, shocked. "Fin ro shina ! "

Jesse and Paige just smiled and laughed.

"You're probably closer to the truth than you might think," Katharine later said. "Nothing you said is untrue."

"Except the part about Kayin's enchanting eyes," said Milan. "Oh, please..."

"To say the wars would end here would be too good to be true," Paige said. "We all know better. How else could you explain Megas, Roga, and Arkhane?

"Just the same," she continued, "no one can ever take this away from us. It's important for everyone to hold on to something..."

"...and all of us can hold onto our past...," added Milan.

"...and most importantly," finished Jessica, "we have each other."

"And that's enough," I said.

We smiled and embraced each other, still unable to believe what had just transpired the past few days. It was too unbelievable to have really happened!

"I'll see all of you outside, then, my friends," laughed Katharine, rising from her throne.

We all bowed, for she was still the queen, and she walked off to her chamber. Soon, we all departed for our rooms.

I stayed a moment, thinking about the recent war. So much had happened, even we were different. We felt different. We felt better.

I never thought about how important it was to hold on to something, something that you believe in, something to keep you going. I never realized it, but it was always there. Pushing me, reminding me, telling me who I was and why I was put on this earth. I knew the reason.

I walked off to my chamber.
 

Later,...
 

I walked through the halls of Ravensong, finally ready to celebrate our victory. I picked up my step and walked briskly.

I reached the front door of the castle and reached out to open it, when suddenly an arm came from nowhere and opened it for me.

"Thank you," I smiled.

"Anytime, m'lord," Rachel White answered. "Would you care to join me outside?"

She was quite the fair maiden. She wore a light, flowing multi-colored dress, and her golden-blonde hair hung loosely across her shoulders.

"You look lovely," I said, offering my arm.

"Thank you," she smiled, putting her arm around mine. "You look rather handsome yourself, m'lord."

"'Kayin'," I told her.

"You were great last night, Kayin," she smiled quietly.

Excuse me?

"You risked your life to slay that beast," she said. "I also had some personal scores to settle.

"But tonight, we aren't soldiers," she added. "And I owe you a dance."

We walked out the courtyard, admiring the fountains and statues and the greenery. I've been noticing so many things since we came back!

The moon was already up, and the celebration was well under way. The light from the fires, controlled, this time, were visible far away.

When we reached the town square, some merrymakers were playing their lyres and fiddles, and we danced our little dance. Milan's men were jousting through the center walkway, much to the admiration of all present.

When her turn came up, she knocked Trevor clear and clean off his horse in one pass.

Elsewhere, folks were roasting meat on open fires, and people took and ate as they pleased. I'm sure Katharine was glad to see such unity and friendship in her kingdom.

I discovered Rachel was a gifted dancer, and she danced gracefully across the floor. She was, apparently, only a soldier when she needed to be.

I was sorry to stop when the song ended and she left to join Milan and her other friends. So I looked for Katharine, Paige, and Jessica. I smiled as I walked by an ale cart and saw Ranzou trying to impress a local girl with his stories of great adventure. The young lass was captivated by his tale.

"...and when he swung his sword, I ducked and hurled my staff..."

"Amazing," the girl gasped, spellbound. "You're so brave!"

I wanted to laugh, but I held my tongue.

"Don't forget the giant griffins," I told him.

"You know Lord Aeola?" she asked, impressed.

"Yea, he helped a little."

I gave in and laughed, then I walked off in search of my friends.

"...and then he turned these great, big monster statues to life, and..."

"How terrifying..."

"Hey, Milan!" I called.

She walked over to me, doused in ale after her victory over Lt. Miles, and she was laughing merrily.

"Have you seen Paige?"

"Yes," she smiled, "she's over there."

She pointed across the walkway to one of the various bonfires. Paige and Katharine sitting and talking in front of the fire.

"Thanks, Milan," I told her.

"I'll join you, later," she said.

I walked over and said hello to Paige and Katharine. Down the ways a little, Jessica was letting herself go and was talking with a young man, the well-chiseled son of a blacksmith. She wanted to have fun tonight, drinking glass after glass of the absinthe and liquor. What a gal.

"I'd been wondering when you'd get here," Paige said. "You and Rachel looked good out there."

"Yes, we did."

We sat around and watched all the merrymaking. It had been a long time since everyone was in such a happy state. True, we had a reason to celebrate now, which was another good that came from the war.

The night was still young when I asked Paige to come with me back to the castle. We had just danced before the people, and I remembered how good a dancer Paige was in her own right.

"It comes with being a princess," she sighed.

"Paige," I said, "can we talk?"

"Ah, one of those talks, eh?"

We headed back to Ravensong walked into the throne room, which was dark without any candles lit. Moonlight shone through from the balcony Katharine and Paige spoke from earlier, the curtain pulled open.

It was the same balcony I professed my undying love for her years ago, and she for me. I took her hand and we walked over.

"Remember this?" I asked her, gazing out at the empty courtyard to the people enjoying themselves in the middle of town.

"All those years ago?" she smiled. "Of course."

I held her in my arms, and she wrapped her arms around my neck.

"I really do love you, Paige," I said, for lack of more eloquent words.

"I really love you, too," she said. "I've never stopped loving you."

"Thank you," I told her. "Thank you for telling me that."

"Not to sound uncaring, my love, but why?"

"It's been so long since I heard someone cared for me. Before this war, we hardly saw each other anymore. I..."

"We had this discussion that morning by the river," she told me. "You yourself said, 'Let's never feel that way again...'. Is that why you asked me up here?"

"If you'd let me finish, my little chatterbox," I teased.

"I'm sorry," she said, sighing and leaning back against my arms. "What were you about to say, before I so rudely interrupted you?"

"Do you remember what else I said that morning?" I asked her.

She smiled. "No, not really."

"My dear girl," I said, reaching into my pocket and pulling out a ring.

It was just a small ring I'd bought long ago, a little golden ring with a perfectly cut diamond on it.

"Kayin...!" she gasped. "What is...?"

"I'd have opted for a more glamorous one, princess," I smiled, "but you already have so much fancy jewelry."

"Oh, Kayin!" she sang, embracing me tight.

We kissed, and I felt life surging through my veins when we did. I was alive when I was with her. Aside from my birth, she was the best thing that ever happened to me.

I touched her face with my hands and kissed her again, deeply.

"Kayin...," she smiled.

"You know what this means, Paige?"

She laughed, ready to cry, and she held her hands before her face as I slowly got down on one knee.

Moments later, we rejoined the celebration.
 
 

"Paige, would you hold still?!" Jesse shouted.

"Me?" Paige asked.

"Ladies," Milan said. "They're waiting for us."

"Fine," Jesse laughed.

She affixed Paige's veil to her head.

"Fliya caron ," Milan and Jessica said together.

They flung the doors of the room open, revealing a crowd of hundreds who turned out for the momentous occasion. They lined up in rows in Ravensong's throne room. Katharine sat before them on her throne.

Kayin and his old friend Erik Droahn stood before her, dressed elegantly in a cape and fine clothing. Between them and the queen stood a priest, Father Anthony Paul, who was present when Katharine and Paige were born.

The Father was getting on in his years, his skin wrinkled, spectacles on his face, and what little hair remained on his tired old head were almost completely white. He was a firm believer in a supreme god, and the banishment of the pantheon of elder gods only yesterday confirmed his conviction.

There was someone else out there, watching over us, protecting us.

Musicians began to play on lyres and harps and trumpets as Paige walked through the center walkway, Jesse and Milan, smiling contentedly, held up the train of Paige's flowing gown.

Paige held her flowers in her right hand as she approached the throne. Her translucent veil was draped over her face.

The room was silent for a few moments, until the priest finally spoke.

"My fellows," the holy man began. "We have been gathered here today..."

Up on her throne, Katharine smiled, on the verge of tears.

"...to join Princess Paige-AlthÆa Robard..."

Jesse and Milan looked at each other mischievously.

"...and Lord Kayin Aeola..."

In the crowd, Ranzou held his breath while Rachel neared hyper-ventilation.

"...in the bonds of holy matrimony."

I looked lovingly into the beautiful blue eyes of my beloved, hidden behind the silken screen of her veil. I'd never imagined this day would actually come...

"The joining of two people in marriage is a lasting, eternal commitment,"

the priest continued, "not to be entered into lightly. Above all else, it is an act of love..."

Jesse and Milan sighed.

"It's so romantic," Jesse sighed telepathically, causing me, Paige, Milan, and Katharine to laugh nearly out loud.

"Who gives this bride away?" the priest asked.

Big problem. Jonas Robard had passed away some time ago.

"I give her away," Katharine said quickly, imitating a deep voice of a man. "About time she got out of the house!"

Everyone laughed quietly.

Father Paul continued the ceremony...
 

"If there is anyone present who objects to these two being wed," he later advised, "speak now, or forever hold your peace."

"It could've been magic, Kayin ," White cried softly from the crowd.

I heard her, and I couldn't stand letting her hurt so much.

"Excuse me," I said. "I'll be right back."

I pardoned myself a moment and walked down from the steps. The crowd gasped in wonder, trying to see what it was I was doing.

"Rachel," I said, walking over to her.

"Kayin," she cried, trying to smile.

"Come here, m'lady," I smiled, wiping the tears from her face and kissing her firmly on the lips.

"You deserve more," I told her, "than just a drifter. Promise me that."

"Don't say that," she sniffled. "I'll be okay.

"Finish the ceremony," she smiled honestly. "I promise."

I dropped my head as I hurried back to the steps, where Paige stared at me.

"Care to explain?" she asked mentally, raising an eyebrow.

"I knew you'd understand," I answered silently.

"If no one else objects...," Father Paul said.

White smiled and shook her head.

"...then," Father Paul said. "You have written your own vows?"

"Yes, Father," Paige said discreetly, "we wrote our own vows."

"Very well, then," the priest smiled. "Lord Aeola?"

"My princess," I began, taking both her hands in mine, "when I met you, you saved me from a world of desolation, of loneliness, of despair, of wandering the face of the earth alone, forever."

All were silent.

"Since I met you, through more than six years and three Dark Wars, I have always loved you. I place your life above mine, I always have, and I always will. My lady, I love you more than I have cared for anything else in the entire world. I pledge my heart and soul to you now, and if such is your desire, I shall stay by your side, forever."

"Princess?"

Paige looked up at me with adoring eyes.

"Princess?"

"Oh, I'm sorry," she said, smiling. "Lord Aeola...Kayin, when we met, I had not a clue who you were, but you called to me. I followed my heart, and six years later, you have stolen it from me."

Jessica, Milan, and Katharine smiled.

"Over the years, you have risked your life for mine, and I can never repay you. If being married to you is my punishment..."

The crowd gasped, while select others nodded knowingly.

"...then may you live up to your pledge and stay with me forever, my love. I pledge my heart and soul to you, mahno'dra , for all you've done for me. You've given me love, you've given me companionship, you've given me life."

"With these promises said and made, sealed by the presence of Queen Katharine herself," the priest continued.

"Do you, Lord Kayin Aeola, take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife, to love and to hold, to honor and obey..."

Honor and obey?

"Excuse me," he apologized before the crowd could react.

"To love and to hold, in sickness and in health, for as long as you both shall live?"

"I," I began, looking at my darling bride, "do. With all my heart."

Smiling proudly, he turned to the little-girl-grown-up.

"Princess Paige-AlthÆa Robard of Angel's Crest,..."

He paused.

"...do you take this man to be your husband, to hurt and to hold-"

The crowd laughed loudly. Father Paul, again realizing his mistake, winced and reached out as if to apologize.

"If only you knew Paige the way I do," I interrupted, to the crowd's delight.

"Do you take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband, to love and hold, to honor and obey, in sickness and in health, as long as you both shall live?"

Paige hesitated. She didn't take kindly to obeying anyone.

"Just leave out the 'obey' part already," Katharine advised smartly.

"Do you take this man," Father Paul repeated, "to love and to hold, in sickness and in health, as long as you both shall live?"

The crowd held its breath.

"I do," she replied softly, and the crowd finally breathed in relief.

Katharine rose from her throne and presented Paige's ring, while Erik presented mine. I slipped my ring on her finger, and she placed her ring on mine..

"By the powers vested in me by our creator above, by the government of Angel's Crest, and by her majesty herself," he began, "I now pronounce you husband and wife.

"You may kiss the bride."

"Paige," I thought-spoke to her, "I love you. Through all we've been through. Roga, Arkhane, and now, Laos, I only loved you more. You'll never know how much."

"I felt the same way, Kayin," she hurried. "And I do know, for I feel the same way. Believe me, mahno'dra , I do. Now kiss me."

This happened in the timespan of a second or two, which the crowd, with the exception of the two bridesmaids and the Queen, perceived as just silent, love-struck gazing.

"I love you," I told her aloud.

I pulled her veil from her face, and as we stared longingly into each other's eyes, it was like when we first met. Those eyes that spoke, the feeling of finding the one .

We kissed, and the crowd erupted in its cheer. They almost felt what we did, but then they didn't. So this was what marriage was like.

I just wanted to keep my lips pressed to her forever. Any separation was too much, would be too much.

When our lips parted, finally, Paige and I turned to the crowd. She and I embraced Milan and Jessica, and when the music started, we proceeded down the walkway.

White and Trevor smiled and held hands as we passed. Those two really had a chance at something beautiful, I could tell. I could sense these things.

Paige threw her bouquet as she ran by, and White caught it.

See?

We ran out the door, and Katharine herded the people into the Great Hall for the banquet. Paige and I decided to hide in her chamber for a while before rejoining the festivities.

"If we go down there," I told her, "they'll take us apart again."

"So let's celebrate up here," she smiled, reaching behind a pillow on her bed and pulling out two glasses and a bottle of sparkling wine. I popped the cork and filled our glasses with the wine.

"To us," we said, toasting our glasses as the sun slowly descended into the horizon.

I took her arm in hand and we danced slowly around her chamber.

"Don't ever leave me," she said.

"Never, mahno'dra ," I replied. "Never."

We danced for a while and decided later to rejoin the others. They were expecting us, and the night was still young.

Besides, we had a whole lifetime together.

With all the excitement and emotion, neither Paige nor I noticed until later that night, the present left for us on Paige's windowsill.

An embroidered, golden fan, tied shut with a red ribbon, and when opened, revealed the images of a firebird and a dragon flying through the sky.

Beside the fan lay a perfectly cut rose.
 

" Life can pass us by so quickly we never realize how much we really have, Death can be rude that way. I'm thankful for second chances , I'll openly admit , but what I'm truly thankful for are the times that arise that make us aware of how much we really truly have. Wars bring about unity and friendship , while loss reminds us of how much we once had. It's so sad to take things for granted.

" When my sister and Kayin finally got married , it was like a wake-up call to all of us. They realized just how much they really , truly loved each other, more than even they thought , as the later years of their life together show. The rest of us learned to appreciate love for what it is , an emotion greater than any anger or jealously. Rufio and Tara proved that.

" The rest of us learned to appreciate each other , for we really are family. We've already been through so much with together, sometimes forget. And that's a shame. There's so much more to being a person than mere existence. Ask yourself why you are , what makes you who you are , and where you came from.

" A word to the wise: Never forget who you are.

" It's up to you to choose what that means..."