I’m… a… Sparrow?

Suzume had been having the same nightmare for a week and she didn’t know what it meant. At first, she didn’t think to tell anyone about it… because it had started out quietly. Slightly unsettling images and feelings in her dreams. But it seemed the more that she gave them attention, the more the dreams had returned… night after night. Until the images began to overtake the dreams, clear and haunting.

Lucci is trying to tell me something.

Or, maybe, he wasn’t. Maybe she was seeing these things by accident and he didn’t know she was. But whatever the cause, Suzume knew that she couldn’t stay put any longer. She couldn’t be plagued by the terrible dreams for another night.

A familiar chirrup met her ears. Suzume looked up to the window just above her bed. A soft white shape perched there, outlined with a quiet glow in the night shadows.

“Zeni?” Suzume whispered.

The tiny white bird hopped once. Then twice. Then fluttered down to land on the bedcovers next to the girl. -You are restless at night. I have felt it.-

“I’ve been having dreams…” the girl admitted, for the first time to anyone.

-What sort of dreams?-

“Dreams about Lucci.”

The bird flipped her tail a few times, hopping about in a tight circle. Then with a flutter of wings and a tilt of the head, she focused on the dark haired girl. -Tell me about what your dreams show you.-

“So they ARE important? I knew it!” Suzume declared, fists balling around her blankets.

-Dreams are always important to their makers. Arweinydd do not sleep and do not dream. So we rely on the dreams of Earthians for what we cannot hear.-

The girl took in a deep breath, then slowly began to explain, “I see Lucci. But I never see him very well. I just know it’s him, somehow. But something about him is different. It’s wrong. Everything feels really cold. There’s this heavy mist everywhere… but it’s not exactly mist. It’s scary… sort of like ghost mists.”

Zeni pruned through her wings a bit, standing on one leg. -Yes. You are describing something that does exist.-

Suzume didn’t know exactly what that meant. But she continued, “Well… it’s not really so much about Lucci as it is about this sword.”

-Sword?-

“Yes. It’s a really long sword. Silver and black. It’s the clearest thing I can see in the whole dream,” the girl continued with a nod.

-Is there a reason why?-

“I think… because the sword is something really bad, Zeni,” Suzume lowered her voice to a soft, frightened whisper. “I mean… like evil-bad. And I think it’s starting to do something awful to Lucci.”

Zeni sat very still for a long time, working to digest the girl’s words. Never for a moment did the Arweinydd show a hint of doubt at what Suzume said. Never for a moment did she act as if it was nothing but a silly dream to be discarded. Instead, her response was straightforward and solemn.

-What do you think we should do?-

“I… don’t know if Lucci understands that the sword is evil. Or, if he does, he is still keeping it. He has a good reason for it. I know it. Lucci isn’t evil… but the sword could influence him. It could turn him,” the glittering hint of tears shown in her dark eyes. “I don’t want Lucci to become the Bane! Please… Zeni… can you help him?”

-I’m afraid that I don’t know if there is a lot that I can do for him directly. You can do much more than I can… you are his closest friend.- the tiny bird replied.

“But how?” Suzume sniffled. “I’m sick. I can’t leave my room without help.”

-If you could fly to him, would you have the courage to?- came the quiet question.

“Oh, yes! Yes I would! I would do anything to help, Lucci!” the little girl nodded vehemently.

-I understand.- Zeni paused before hopping across the blanket and fluttering down to the floor with a chirp. -Then I will help you to be able to help him.-

Suzume watched the bird curiously as she hopped around the floor of her room in a wide circle. After the full circle was completed, the area within began to glow in a soft rose-colored light, sending trickles of energy floating up from the floor towards the ceiling. The girl held her breath as everything in her room began to shift and change, the world seeming a little bigger than it was before.

The Arweinydd tilted her head, hopping into the center of the glowing circle. -Come to me.-

“I… I can’t? I don’t know if I’m strong enough to walk…” Suzume sucked on her bottom lip with a furrowed brow.

-Have you tried to walk?-

“A a few days ago. I fell and Aunt SaRa told me to stay in bed until I was stronger again,” the girl answered somberly.

-You must try,- Zeni replied. -This is a choice… and a step… you must willingly make on your own. It is not something I can choose for you.-

Brow furrowed, Suzume rolled her legs out from under the covers. Her eyes were focused on the soft, warming light that bathed her room the color of warm spring. Her mind was bent with determination on making it there. Just two steps from the bed.

For Lucci… I have to…

Her palms flat against the blanket, wings unfolded and unresponding in an awkward angle, the girl pushed herself from the edge of the bed. Her legs felt like water as she struggled to gather her balance under her. But the wings were too heavy. Her feet weren’t sturdy enough. Her legs gave way as she tottered forward with outstretched hands.

Falling forward.

Frustrated at her weakness.

That she couldn’t make herself take two solid steps forward to save her best friend.

The warm light filled Suzume’s vision as she topped forward. She gave a cry, a sound that altered and changed, growing strange to her ears. The world twisted further, shifting and looming, growing huge. Her hands spread before her looked less like fingers and more like feathers. In fact, there were feathers all around her. Sleek, black feathers – similar to the ones on her wings… but different.

She found that she was standing now. Standing as if there was no weakness or illness at all. Though her legs did not feel like her own.

Her mouth opened, but words did not come. Only a warbling sound of a small worried bird. Suzume twisted her head to stare in amazement. Stunned, she found herself peering up at the white shimmering form of the Zeni-bird, who now stood before her, nearly twice her size.

With a startled peep, Suzume hopped back, wings fanning in alarm.

What happened to me!?

Zeni’s voice was calm and cheerful. -You could not fly with your own wings. So I have given you a new  form. One that is strong and enduring. One that can fly, tirelessly.-

I’m… I’m…

Suzume bounded across the floor, quickly figuring out how to move on the two delicate stick-legs that were tipped with splayed claws. A flutter of wings and a few hops carried her to a perch in front of her little round mirror.

I’m… a… Sparrow?

The reflection was not her own. Yet it was, in some peculiar way. A tiny black bird sat, head tilted, staring into the mirror with amazement. Beaded black eyes blinked, searching the image in front of her for signs of familiarity. She was covered with sleek black feathers. In fact, she was all dark, except for a tiny white ring around the crook of her left leg. It looked somewhat like a symbol to her.

The mark of an Arweinydd’s power upon an Earthian.

-Do you like it?- Zeni asked, alighting softly next to her. She paused for a moment, regarding her own image in the mirror.

It’s… amazing…

And it was. She felt so vibrant. Alive. Full of energy and vitality. It had been a very long time since she had felt so good and carefree — back before she was captured by men in Nefol, because she had wings… back before the awful ritual was performed on her… the dark magic that had shredded her wings and had changed her hair and eyes.

The shadows had taken a part of her that she was never able to get back. But now, suddenly, with the soft glow of spring-light sifting around her, Suzume felt like the child she had once been.

It’s amazing! Zeni! I’m a bird!

Her wings spread wide and she trilled a warm, musical birdsong, hopping from side to side along the edge of the cabinet. It was the closest thing to laughter that she could make.

-Be careful… you will need to figure out how your wings work.-Zeni suggested, observing with the straightest face a tiny white sparrow could have.

I already know how to fly!

Suzume launched herself into the space of the room to prove it. And found instantly that she had a lot less control than she thought she would. With a little squawk, she spiraled and corkscrewed a few times before flopping down in the safety of her bed sheets.

Zeni simply gave a chirruping laugh, bouncing after her. -You must practice. We have a long flight ahead of us.-

We? Are you going to come with me?

The white bird flipped her tail and shook out her feathers. -Yes. Of course. If there is something really that dangerous there, I will not allow you to alone. You… and I… now have a connection. I will look out for your well being.-

Something within Suzume’s spirit leapt at the Arweinydd’s words. It was just like the old stories… how the Arweinydd would choose an Earthian to represent them. Bond to them. Become their Champion and companion.

It was hard for her to believe that a mere, black-winged misfit girl could be so richly befriended by one of the Trine. Chosen. And gifted such a wonderful form.

Though as she hopped out on the heels of the white sparrow, one pressing question occurred to Suzume’s mind.

Zeni… I… will be able to turn back into a person. Right?

The girl wasn’t sure she was so comfortable with the way that the Arweinydd paused. -We… will… have to figure that out later.-

“You have an ouchy?”

Several days had passed since the battle between LuShi and KoGuRai had taken place. Several days since NaDo, who TsuYa had since learned more about, had been gravely wounded. But only half a day since they had all arrived in what was called the Shellab 1.0, home of the Tu Family, where NaDo lived.

Saving the winged man had been so important to LuShi. The young Sygnus had carried NaDo, weeping, down from the top of the stone structure. Back to the waiting ship. Though none of them knew how to fly it, they eventually found a way to get it to float them back to the shore. There, using the ship’s map feature that LuShi knew about, they planned what would come next.

KoGuRai sure knows how to call a diversion when he wants to. Mortally wounding a person… just so he could escape.

But it had worked. Instead of chasing down KoGuRai, all of their thoughts were frantically focused on how to keep NaDo alive. They had chosen to break up – LuShi would carry NaDo back to the Shellab. Zazo and TsuYa would ride back to the village to seek the help of JoKa’s healing power. They knew that the wounds made by KoGuRai’s blade would not easily be healed by normal means.

It had taken a bit of persuasion to rouse JouKa enough to get her to leave the village.  But when she heard TsuYa’s story, and he told her that KoGuRai had struck down yet another, she had agreed to come to heal the victim.

It’s as if she’s personally taking responsibility for cleaning up all of KoGuRai’s messes.

So they had all mounted up and rode — along with Oren, who proclaimed their need for a guide and protection — and made their way to the Shellab. There, they were greeted by the lady of the house, Maru, and were ushered quickly inside.

It had been only an hour ago that JouKa had walked into the other room. The door was shut. No sounds could be heard within. Nothing but tension and concern hanging in the house. Zazo had gotten restless and antsy during the wait and had padded off through the doorway, leaving TsuYa alone to his thoughts.

It’s a shame something like this happened. They seem like pretty nice people.

TsuYa pushed a strange white piece of meat into his mouth, chewing as he rested back against the comfort of the couch. Despite the tragedy that had fallen over the household, Maru had still provided the travelers with food and hospitality.

I guess it’s all wait and see from here. I don’t know who can heal him if JouKa can’t.

The slumped figure of LuShi sat in the far corner of the room. Every now and then, TsuYa glanced over, studying all of the changes that had come over the young Sygnus. The warrior never approached him about it directly, though he really wished that he knew exactly what had happened to LuShi in all the time that he had been gone.

He’s not talking much about anything. So I doubt he’ll volunteer information about that.

Though LuShi wasn’t outwardly unfriendly, but was far more silent than he used to be. Even now, as TsuYa watched, he thought he could see a flicker of something strange… silver… almost ghostly… wavering around the Sygnus’ shoulders. With a blink it was gone, leaving him chilled, wishing he hadn’t seen it.

He’s suffering. That much is obvious. He really does care about these people.

The child of the Tu family was sitting next to LuShi, offering him various toys and distractions. Trying his best to cheer him up. Though LuShi made half hearted attempts to respond to the boy, it didn’t take long before the child realized that his efforts were lost.

So he turned his attention elsewhere.

Before TsuYa knew it, a pair of little green eyes were stalking him from above the far arm of the couch. There was a sneaky quality to the look, as if the boy thought he was playing out some grand ambush that the warrior’s keen hearing could not detect. TsuYa just remained as he was, not responding as the child crept closer.

With the safety of self-assured stealth, the child inched forward. His interest had turned towards TsuYa’s dark bladed scythe that leaned quietly against the wall beside the couch. He stared up in awe and fascination, the face of an innocent that had never seen a weapon, much less really knew what one was used for.

As the curious hand reached closer, TsuYa cracked one of his eyes open a slit. His voice was a little gruff as he intoned, “Hey kid. Whatcha doing?”

The boy gave a gasp and jumped in a startle, his hand springing back where it belonged, away from the scythe. Then he stared over at the warrior, uncertain if he was in trouble or not.

“That’s not a toy, you know,” the warrior warned quietly. “You could get hurt. The blade is sharp.”

The boy clutched the hem of his tunic, backing up. Large green eyes stared at him questioningly. As if he didn’t understand why the warrior was in possession of something that could hurt other people.

“What’s your name, kid?” TsuYa softened his tone a little, remembering what it was like for him when his own father had come up missing. He knew how it felt as a little boy to wait and wait and wait with concerned adult expressions floating everywhere above.

I just hope the kid’s situation turns out better than mine did.

The child looked down in response. His wings flitted slightly at the ends, a sign of his uncertainty.

“Hey… relax. You didn’t do anything wrong,” the warrior told him, sitting up and leaning forward slightly. Then he offered, “My name is TsuYa.”

“KiNa,” the boy answered in return.

“Your name’s KiNa?” he echoed.

The child nodded.

“It’s nice to meet you, KiNa,” he stuck his hand out, attempting his best friendly tone.

The child looked at the extended hand for a moment. Then back up at TsuYa’s face. His eyes paused, tracing the dark line of the Mark along his cheek with a questioning look. “You have an ouchy?”

“Hmm..?” TsuYa paused, then realized what the boy was asking. “Oh, yeah. Ouchy.”

“Does it hurt?” KiNa asked with a concerned face.

“Sometimes it does,” he replied honestly.

“You should get a healer to fix it,” the boy counseled. “Mommy said the healing lady was going to fix Daddy. You should ask her to fix you too.”

TsuYa arched an eyebrow, entertaining the passing idea of telling the child that about the only thing JouKa would probably want to do is rearrange his nose. Permanently. But seeing as the kid was in the middle of family crisis, the warrior kept his mouth shut in that regard and tried to focus on something more positive. Afterall, the child seemed to have a lot of confidence in the healing powers of the world.

“Your Mom’s right. Your Dad’s going to be just fine,” TsuYa said.

But this didn’t divert the child’s newly focused crusade. “What about you? Will you be fine?”

TsuYa opened his mouth, suddenly lost for words. When he finally managed to answer, his voice was squeaky to his ears, “Yeah… It’ll all work out.”

“Okay!” KiNa chirped, seeming content with the answer. Then he reached out and with little conservation, took a hold of the warrior’s coat sleeve with a tug. “Come over and meet Lucci. He’s my friend.”

TsuYa gave a slight smirk, “I’ve met LuShi already.”

“Oh? Is he your friend too?”

The warrior glanced across the room at the young Sygnus. He could feel the silver gaze lift just a little, focusing and waiting for the answer that would come. There seemed to be little hope in the chilled depths of his eyes. Eyes that saw the world in blurred and tormented visions.

“Yeah,” TsuYa replied. “LuShi’s my friend.”

The silver head lifted just a bit, a motion of surprise. LuShi hadn’t been expecting a positive response.

Taking him off guard might be just what I need to break the ice. I’ve got a lot to talk to the kid about… if he’ll even respond to me anymore.

TsuYa rose to his feet and allowed KiNa to pull him across the room. The opportunity unfolding better than he could have hoped for. His dark eyes fluttered back and forth from the hunched figure in the corner to the long, black-draped sword at his side. The warrior did his best to cover the apprehension that gnawed in the back of his mind. All he could hope was that something of the child that had so eagerly trained under his guidance still remained.

“Hey, kid,” TsuYa greeted in the normal way. There was little to gain from estranging himself from the young Sygnus. No matter how nervous he really was about the whole thing.

“Master TsuYa…” LuShi lifted his head with a quiet and respectful voice, responding far more than could have been hoped for… as if what he really needed was for someone to treat him like nothing had changed at all.

The kid’s more scared than we are…

“How are you doing? You hanging in there?”

“Yes, sir…” the head went down again.

TsuYa paused before continuing, his dark eyes focusing on KiNa for a moment. Then he fibbed as smoothly as one could to a pint-sized mind mage, “I think I hear your mom calling you. Don’t you?”

The boy blinked a few times, tilted his head, then frowned.

“You better go check,” the warrior advised quietly. “You know how mom’s are about things like that?”

KiNa must have known exactly what he meant. Because the boy nodded and quickly scampered off down the hall.

With the child out of earshot, TsuYa crouched for a moment. Then sat down on the floor in front of the young Sygnus. He took a long, deep breath, “I mean how are you doing for real, LuShi?”

He glanced up, eyes calculating, studying the warrior that sat in front of him. Attempting to determine if he was ready to share the truth. Or if he would just be rejected like he always was. Then he turned the other way as if ashamed to admit, “I’m scared, Master TsuYa.”

“Scared… of what?”

“Scared of this sword… … what it was made to do. How it makes me feel.”

“What do you mean?” TsuYa furrowed his brow, tilting his head at where the sword lay, draped in the dark cloth. In a motion of curiosity, he reached his hand closer.

“No!” LuShi’s voice grew suddenly strong.

The warrior snatched his hand back without a second thought, surprised at the unusual sharpness in the young Sygnus’ voice. He turned a puzzled stare towards LuShi, accenting it with the hint of a disapproving frown.

Go easy on the kid. Remember… he’s just been through a lot.

“I’m sorry…” LuShi murmured the instant he realized how he had sounded. “You… just… shouldn’t touch the sword.”

“Why not?” TsuYa frowned.

“Trust me… you wouldn’t like what it could do to you.”

The warning was enough to raise the hair on the back of TsuYa’s neck, “Ah… alright.”

Silence hung between them for a while. It was awkward, neither of them knowing exactly how to start conversation again… since neither of them were really the most outgoing of socialites.

“So… is… that the thing you came here looking for?” TsuYa eventually tried to wander his way back into LuShi’s good graces. “The sword, I mean.”

“I didn’t know what I was looking for,” the young Sygnus answered cryptically. “This was just the thing I found.”

The warrior pursed his lips. “What do you plan on doing… now that you have it?”

“I have to go back. I have to destroy Zeromus,” he answered quietly.

Another chill rushed over TsuYa’s body. The way that LuShi spoke was so sure. Lacking even the slightest bit of doubt. He spoke about defeating an Arweinydd without so much as thinking twice.

“Do you really think this sword can do something like that?”

“I think so,” LuShi nodded slowly. “That’s what it was made to do. A long time ago.”

“I guess I don’t blame you then,” TsuYa leaned back, trying hard to remain casual about the whole thing. But it wasn’t easy. Not with the talk of weapons of ultimate destruction.

Before the conversation could fall any further, the curtain to the adjoining room folded back, revealing an exhausted looking JouKa. She was supported on either side between Aur and Oren.

The warrior got to his feet, rushed over to the couch on the far end of the room where he had been sitting before, and cleared it quickly. “Here. Bring her here.”

They walked the winged girl over and carefully placed her on the cushioned couch. Maru had followed the group through the doorway, carrying an extra blanket as she came. Between all of them, they managed to settle the worn out healer comfortably, leaving her to rest. JouKa fell into a deep sleep almost the moment she curled up on the couch.

“Is she going to be alright?” TsuYa asked.

“I’d wager so,” Maru replied. “She just wore herself out.”

“Your husband’s wounds were quite grave,” Aur nodded slowly. “We are lucky that JouKa is as skilled as she is.”

LuShi lifted his head slowly, his voice carrying across the room. He winced as if not meaning to have called so much attention to himself, “Then, is Master NaDo…”

“It’s hard to say within this span of time,” Oren leaned back with a grim look. “But she did a pretty solid job in cleaning up most of the gashes. The life threatening stuff has been taken care of.”

“So… he’s going to live?” LuShi let out a long breath of relief.

“I’d say he has a very good chance,” Aur answered. “However, his wing may be torn beyond repair.”

A tiny gasp came from behind the curtain where KiNa was staring at the group of grownups. His green eyes were wide with shock and dismay. “Does that mean Daddy won’t ever fly again?”

It was obvious that the child was too young to have realized how close his father had come to fatality. And no one had the time to sit down and explain it.

“We have to wait and see, KiNa,” his mother answered, putting her hands out. The little boy scampered over and was caught up in her embrace. “He still has time to heal before we can–”

“I’ll be just fine,” NaDo’s voice announced his presence with enthusiasm. Though he hobbled through the curtain with the aid of a walking stick now, his tone was still sure and cheerful. Hopeful. Enduring.

“Master NaDo!” LuShi was on his feet instantly, rushing across the room to the winged man. “You’re okay! I’m so glad!”

“Yes… yes… I’m fine. Just as I said,” he waved the concern away with a gentle motion. But he couldn’t avoid the tremulous hug that the young Sygnus wrapped him in. He laughed with a warm sound. “Lucci?”

“I was worried!”

“Well… there’s nothing to worry about,” NaDo grinned, patting the young man on the back. “It takes more than that to put a Tu down and out!”

LuShi grinned in return. Everything about his demeanor had changed from the slumpy form in the corner that TsuYa had just attempted conversation with. Everything was now open. As if hope was contagious.

“Did you get what you were looking for?” the winged man asked out of the blue.

“I… think so?” LuShi answered, his tone becoming a bit more grim.

“Good,” NaDo glanced up with a sure glimmer in his green eyes. “Then we need to talk about what we’re going to do to get the Current Skipper back… so we can board up and get you heading back towards the Inner Realms.”

“Mr. NaDo, you are not going anywhere until you’ve had some rest and healing,” Maru said firmly, her lips pursed together. “Besides, it would be rude for you to fly off without thanking the healer.”

“I didn’t mean right this second, dear?” he blanched.

But from the way his wife talked, it seemed as if he was well known for flying off on whims.

“I know you didn’t,” she patted his cheek lightly. Then she smiled up, a grateful light in her eyes. “We must at least give a proper thank-you supper to our guests. And a good night’s sleep.”

“Ma’am,” TsuYa found himself speaking, realizing how long it had been since he had either good supper or good bed, “That sounds wonderful.”

SoYa looked so different encased in the shimmering spirit armor.

AsaHi woke to a long, low rumble followed by a sharp crack. A jolt sent her sprawling out of her bed as the world tilted sideways. She scrabbled hand over hand to get a hold of her blankets, grasp her bed and get some sort of footing under her. As she jammed her feet into her tall boots, she heard the sound of yelling and barked orders out in the halls.

The alarms sounded out over the islands of Ceiswyr.

The girl rushed quickly to her closet and threw a half robe over her shoulders, then secured a wooden staff in one hand. Only a moment later, her door flung open, admitting a ruffled-haired SoYa. He was just pushing one arm through his vest, reaching out for her.

“What’s going on?” AsaHi didn’t hesitate to rush to her Promised. “Are we under attack?”

“It seems like it,” SoYa spoke slowly, getting that odd look on his face that he always had when he was relying on senses beyond what normal people possessed. Then he frowned. “We need to find Father. They’re going to need all the help they can get.”

Help? Me? How?

AsaHi was more than willing to do everything she could to defend their home on Ceiswyr. She wasn’t afraid to fight. She wasn’t afraid to face whatever Zeromus tried to throw at them. But she just didn’t know what she could do against monsters like the Marked or the winged Esgyll. The girl had spent time with the fighters and with Zento learning how to protect herself the best she could in the time she had. But that was a far cry from being of offensive value in a battle.

If SoYa felt her doubts, he didn’t respond to them. He simply led her briskly through the halls, passing out orders to the ground troops in a level, firm voice. He organized the troops where he saw confusion. Offering vibes of support and confidence to those who faltered in the fear of facing battle. With each step that he took, he carried a sense of hope and determination. And the men responded with a mixture of respect and gratefulness.

Even she could feel the effects of the soft encouragement of the Athrylith. And somehow, she found that she didn’t feel so inadequate in the face of what was to come.

SoYa…?

AsaHi followed, looking up at the eldest son of ZenToYa. And she saw, for the first time, the leader that he was becoming. The strength that had been developing, growing silently within him through his training and all of the hardships. Everything that he now wielded at this point, for this battle. Which they all knew would probably be the final turning point for them.

Word had it that Lucci has found a weapon we can use to fight Zeromus. If we can just hold out a little longer. He’s on his way…

And surely, Zeromus knew this as well. Even with the power of his Champion, he was unable to prevent Lucci from obtaining that which could be used to destroy him. This was a battle of desperation for both sides. Zeromus would seek to crush them… and they just had to hold out until Lucci could arrive with the weapon.

They were not taken completely unawares. Ever since reports came to Zemi that Lucci had been successful in his journey, they had been gathering resources, training doubly and running mock-up drills. They hadn’t known exactly when Zeromus would strike or what he’d strike with, but the people of the Dreigiau had done everything within their power to be ready for this battle.

I just hope it was enough.

As they rounded the corner, AsaHi could hear the voice of ZenToYa advising and giving orders to the troops. It was not so much unlike the voice of his son.

“Father!” SoYa led her carefully through the organizing troops.

“SoYa! AsaHi! Good!” Zento waved them forward the moment they caught his eye.

“Where do you need us positioned?” the Athrylith asked, his light voice talking the best that he could over the sound of alarms and men.

“You’ve been requested in the Dragon ranks,” the winged man answered.

“Dragon ranks?” SoYa asked with some surprise. He looked over towards AsaHi, seeming to think that the order was aimed towards the girl alone.

“Both of you,” Zento clarified. “By Zemi’s orders.”

“Huh?” the Athrylith’s air of certainty was beginning to flake away, taken by surprise.

AsaHi had perked up, however. Working with the Dragons was something she could do. Even riding, if she needed to – her riding skills certainly matched anyone else’s there on the Islands.

Not that winged people really need to ride Dragons… but…

SoYa, however, didn’t seem so thrilled at the thought. But he didn’t complain or argue. He simply gave a slow nod.

“SoYa,” Zento reached his hand out to his son. There was the look of age on his face, framed in long silvering strands of hair. It was a father’s face of worry and love. “Please be careful. I’ve arranged an escort to get you to the Dragon compound.”

“What are you going to be doing?”

“Leading the ground troops against the Marked. We’ve already had a breech in security on the northwest isle. No doubt, Zeromus is going to be pouring them down on us,” the winged man frowned.

Now it was SoYa’s time to look worried. “Father…”

Zento gave the softest smile he was able, then hugged his eldest son, “Protect AsaHi… and don’t forget your Arfogaeth.”

“Oh! My armor! Right!” the Athrylith exclaimed suddenly, as if reminded of something that completely slipped his mind. His hand clutched at the throat of his vest for a moment.

Zento reached around with arms and wings and hugged AsaHi to his chest gently. His voice was soft as he murmured, “Take care of SoYa… protect Zemi…”

The girl nodded, looking up into the Champion’s face. “I’ll do my best, Master ZenToYa.”

He cracked a grin and rubbed his hand through her hair affectionately. “You’ll do great. Just be careful for me. Okay?”

“Yes, sir,” AsaHi nodded. Then SoYa took her hand again and she was led off with the accompaniment of a troop of winged men. Heading towards the Dragon compound.

Mind mage or not, there was no holding back the look of open heart ache on Zento’s face as he watched them go.  And being led away, all AsaHi could do was make sure that SoYa didn’t turn around to see it.

As they stepped out of the safety of the Compound, the sky was alive with terror from above. Dragons were locked in terrible battle with the huge dark-winged Esgyll. AsaHi’s eyes were drawn to the streaks of flame and darkness that exploded through the sky above, just inches from the wavering dome barriers that were placed to protect the Islands. Every now and then, she could see the fall of a dark winged form plummeting out of the battle and into the cracks between the Islands. Whether it was an Esgyll or a Dragon, she could not see.

After darting between clumps of trees and buildings, they finally came to the open yard of the Dragon’s compound. The girl could already make out the figures of other Dragons there. As they came closer, she could hear the rumbling sound of Brunswik’s voice.

“They’re different this time, Lord Zemi,” the huge Crimson reported. “I don’t know what Zeromus has been feeding those Esgyll but they’re far stronger than they were in the first two attacks.”

“We’re doing what we can to keep them away from the barriers,” KaiShi flicked her tail with a dragon scowl at her companion.

“I mean, talk about just one chomp – just one — and a man is gone. Gone like that,” Brunswik continued, stretching his wings for effect.

“I see,” Zemi’s face was grim. Strangely, though he was meeting with Dragons, he has not yet taken his own Dragon form yet.

“Chomp!” Brunswik repeated, clamping his huge jaws together. “And gone!”

KaiShi eye ridge twitched with a hint of irritation.

“Thank you, Brunswik,” Zemi intercepted, patting the Crimson on the snout. “Your report was very enlightening.”

“Anytime, Lord Zemi!” Brunswik lifted his head proudly. “I’ll return to my post now?”

“Yes. And please spread the news to anyone who has not engaged yet that the Esgyll may pose a bit more of a threat than they did before,” the Dreigiau nodded.

“Yes sir!” with a hurricane swoop of wings, the huge Dragon winged into the skies, flying fearlessly towards the battle ahead.

KaiShi gave a long suffering sigh.

“He’s got a good heart,” Zemi answered the unspoken question. “And he’s a war machine in battle when the time comes.”

“I know… I know… ” the golden Dragon shook out her mane. Then her ears perked forward as she caught sense of the newcomers. “Zem?”

“Hrm?” the Arweinydd paused, turning and looking directly at them.

AsaHi felt SoYa pause a moment, then stiffen a bit.

“Lord Zemi,” the Athrylith gave a slight bow. “Lady KaiShi.”

KaiShi’s momentary irritation had turned to hope. “You got here safely. Good. Where is that scamp of a father of yours?”

“He’s leading the ground troops,” Zemi answered. “But I’ve asked SoYa and AsaHi to join us in our maneuvers.”

“Oh?” the golden Dragon seemed somewhat surprised.

“Everyone needs to be mobilized in flight for this battle,” the Arweinydd answered and offered nothing else.

AsaHi felt SoYa shiver under her hand at the statement. She didn’t know what the motion meant.

“Are we ready to head out then?” KaiShi asked, tilting her head downward.

“W-wait. Just a moment,” SoYa rasped, fumbling with the front of his vest. After opening his collar and doing a bit of digging, he produced a thin silver chain with a small, round stone on the end.

“Oh?” AsaHi knew what that was. Zento had one similar to it… though she had rarely ever seen it used.

“Arfogaeth? Zemi?” KaiShi gave the Dreigiau a questioning look. Afterall, the spirit armor was something crafted only by the Arweinydd and gifted to certain, special individuals.

“The boy needs to protect himself?” Zemi shrugged.

“I suppose so,” the golden Dragon frowned a little. “Very well…”

SoYa had walked a few paces away, face a blanket of concentration. He cupped the stone between his hands, sweat on his brow as he closed his eyes. It responded, giving off a soft, lilac light that slowly inched its way along the outline of his hands… then up his arms and along his shoulders.

AsaHi drew in a quiet breath as she watched the outline build itself, bit by bit, into long slender shoulder plates, padded vestments and sturdy plated gloves. Weightless and ethereal, tiny etched designs of loops and weaves spread along the white armor as it began to solidify. It was a good deal different from the armor that his father wore – more mage-like and ornate in quality. Embedded within the center of the chest piece, the small lilac stone gave off a quiet light.

“It worked?” SoYa stretched out his hands, staring at them in wonderment. Then he looked up at AsaHi with an excited boyish grin. “AsaHi… it worked! Look!”

“It’s… wonderful, SoYa?” AsaHi smiled warmly, lost what else to say. SoYa looked so different encased in the shimmering spirit armor. So grown. So steady and sure. Even the smile was one of knowledge and understanding that had come to him.

He looks so much like Zento sometimes…

“Well, someone has an artistic streak in them,” KaiShi commented as she watched. There was a hint of pride in her words.

“Must have gotten it from his mother,” Zemi’s voice rumbled far above their heads.

AsaHi blinked up in surprise. Staring straight at the huge muzzle of the great white Dragon. As SoYa had been discovering the workings of his armor, Zemi had also transformed. His huge wings half unfurled covered them all, even KaiShi, in a soft white glow that streamed down around them.

There was something that had changed about him, too. Something protective. Something caring and concerned. Not that he hadn’t been in the past… but the feeling of the Dreigiau’s mind was different.

It was as if he understood now exactly what he risked… for himself. And for others.

“Zemi…” AsaHi reached a hand upwards, pausing a moment before touching the white mane. Instead, she looked at SoYa, in concern of what he would think.

It was obvious what she was meant to do… that she would Ride the Dreigiau in facing the darkness. In hopes that her Drei’distau would be enough to protect him from the grasps of the Chaos that had taken Zeromus.

But at the same time, AsaHi had no idea what SoYa thought of it. That the Arweinydd who was in love with his Promised would sweep her away in Dragon wings.

The Athrylith was watching them, a forced look on his face. As if part of him was struggling with it. But the other part spoke instead, somewhat comforted by her concern, “AsaHi… don’t worry about me. We all have to do what we can to protect the people. This is your place in the battle. I’ll do mine.”

The words sounded so much like something Zento would say. Even the way he lifted his chin with the last few words. Enduring things that were personal struggles… for the good of other people.

“SoYa…” AsaHi suddenly rushed over, throwing her arms around SoYa’s neck.

The girl was awed and stricken by who her Promised was becoming. She wished that they had never had to live through times that forced him to be this way. That she had put him in the position of conflict with their Patron. That he couldn’t remain as he had always been — simple and kindly SoYa.

His embrace was gentle, though. And his voice was soft as he reassured her. SoYa offered a quiet smile as he leaned down and placed a kiss on her forehead. “Everything will be okay…”

AsaHi nodded and after a moment they parted, walking their separate ways. He, to the golden Dragon. And she, to the waiting Dreigiau.

And at the risk of being misunderstood… I do love you, Zemi Dreigiau!

Please… let me be strong enough…

AsaHi gripped the thick white mane in both of her hands, laying flat against the huge white Dragon’s back. All at once she felt very tiny and very vast – she was both the rider and the Dragon. She could feel and breathe the world with the immense senses of the Dreigiau. But at the same time, she knew that she was just the small, clinging and frightened girl on his back.

Please let me know what to do if Chaos comes…

Dragons and monsters swept around them on every side. Streaks of red flame. Flashes of dark lightning. Blood-freezing screeches and ear-shattering roars. All of it moved around her with an unreal quality.

Her mind flickered back to thinking about SoYa… where he was. What he would do through the battle. She was certain that KaiShi would never allow any harm come to him. But the girl still couldn’t help but worry about him. Afterall, Brunswik’s reports had not been exaggerated.

The Esgyll were far bigger and more dangerous than the ones that she had seen before. Obviously, they had been tweaked to better enable them to fight against Zemi’s Dragons. Everything had been altered — from their size, speed, to their new ability to shoot crackling dark lightning. And it made AsaHi all the more afraid.

Zeromus is learning how to enhance his monsters. Learning from his mistakes. He’s adjusting and changing things.

She probably shouldn’t have been surprised by this. Afterall, Zeromus was once an Arweinydd, like Zemi. Though, unlike the Trine, he was wickedly clever… using his power and influence to take control, consume and twist everything he came in contact with.

And now they were flying straight into the grasps of that darkness. Straight into the core of Chaos itself. Though how they could challenge such a power, AsaHi didn’t know. Their last struggle against Zeromus had only ended when Zemi fled the battle. Anything that he had attempted to do against the power of Chaos had only swayed his own energies towards destruction.

How do we fight it… how? Even if it is just to hold Chaos back for a little longer?

A crack of sharp lightning struck so close that AsaHi could feel the electricity. The sky had grown restless, dark and churning, everything circling around them. The girl realized that they had flown far from the reaches of the main battle, deeper into the heart of the shadows where Zemi was the only point of light that she could see.

Her slender hands gripped Zemi’s mane as she fought to keep the pressing fear from overwhelming her spirit. Everywhere surrounding her was a feeling of terrible dread and hopelessness. That which would consume light and beauty.

That’s when she realized that Zemi hadn’t spoken a word in a long time. In fact, despite all of her conflicting emotion, he had sent her no feeling of support or comfort.

“Zemi! Where are we going?” her voice was tiny in the midst of the violent cloudbursts. Lightning cracked again, so close to striking that it was deflected from Zemi’s own personal energy shields.

-We have to stop this.-

The girl was startled at the sound within her mind. It was the first time in a long time that Zemi had spoken to her through thoughts rather than words. Leaning forward, she could make out the wedge-shape head of the Dragon, pointing skyward.  Something about it looked different. More feral… less Zemi.

Chaos is drawing him in! And I couldn’t even feel it!

Fear leapt into her heart as she realized, she couldn’t feel much at all from Zemi. AsaHi instantly leaned across his neck, pulling hard on his mane, fighting to pull his attention away from the forces she knew were battling inside of his heart, “No! Zemi! Wait! We can’t take on the Chaos one on one! You know that!”

-I can stop this! I am Zemi Dreigiau! Zeromus will NOT threaten my people while I stand idle and watch!-

His lips curled back in a snarl, wings stretching ever wider, pushing them ahead faster.

“Zemi!” the girl began to feel desperate. “This isn’t about power, remember! We’re not supposed to take on Zeromus. We’re supposed to protect the Islands until Lucci gets here!”

- I have the power. Even if I am Rhoi’r, I am no weakling! I do not need to rely on the strength of a mere boy-Sygnus to win my battles!-

“No one is questioning your strength, Zemi!”

-Zeromus thinks that he can take my people from me!-

“He can’t take anything from you Zemi… we choose to stay with you. We choose to fight with you. But neither you nor Zeromus can own us,” she told him, fighting to keep a level voice. “We talked about that, remember?”

-I will own and take what I very well please! And no Earthian will tell me different!- The Dreigiau responded with a deep rumble that shook her to the marrow.

“Zemi! Listen to yourself!” this time she did raise her voice. “You’re starting to sound exactly like Zeromus! Is that what you want to be? No better than him?!”

This isn’t working! He’s not listening to me!

-Who do you think you are to challenge the will of the Patron of Nefol!- The huge white Dragon let up a tremendous roar, displeased by her warnings and words.

His flight had become erratic, his mind shut away from her connection, reaching for the call and temptation of the Chaos. As much as dismay filled her, she knew she had to fight it where he could not… that she couldn’t take his words to heart. That it wasn’t Zemi talking now.

“I’m someone who cares about you, Zemi. Someone who cares a lot,” AsaHi grit her teeth, hands struggling to keep hold. It almost felt as if the howling winds around them were trying to rip her from the Dreigiau’s back.

-You don’t care about me. You love SoYa!-

The voice in her head was so bitter. So accusatory. She had never heard Zemi speak with so much spite and anger. Stunned, AsaHi found herself without words. Stung, she fought to blink back the tears in her eyes. She had no idea that Zemi was still so angry about the situation … he had led her to believe that things would be okay. That he had accepted it.

-Then what I say is true.-

“No… no… Zemi… I.. I do care about you!” she choked on the words. “And I’m really scared for you right now.”

-Prove it.-

AsaHi straightened, a panic filling her. The last thing that she had expected coming there was for her motives and feelings to be questioned. “If I don’t care about you, then why am I here?”

A rumble was her response. As if the Dreigiau was trying to find a retort against it.

“It’s safer to go with SoYa… instead of facing down the void of Chaos with an Arweinydd who is about to lose his head!” her voice grew louder in her ears. “So why would I choose to put myself into a position where I know that I’m going to be the only thing between you and the Chaos?”

Another rumble.

“I’m just an Earthian, like you said before. Don’t you think I get scared?  Don’t you think I feel little when I’m out here in the middle of all these huge things — including you?” AsaHi began to shout to be heard as the winds grew more aggressive around them. “So, why am out here? Why? Maybe it’s because I do care about you in some crazy way?”

The rumbling became more distinct. As if the Dreigiau was trying for spoken words.

“Maybe I always have? I’ve made a Promise to SoYa… but that doesn’t mean that I love only one person in the world completely. It doesn’t mean that I can’t love other people, too,” she was flat out yelling now. “There are different kinds of love in the world! Not all of them end in Promises and Bondings but they are just as valid! And at the risk of being misunderstood… I do love you, Zemi Dreigiau!”

The words cracked across the clouds like thunder, stunning the girl with their power and intensity. The winds moaned and reeled, and as AsaHi watched, the top of the cloud bank suddenly gave way to monstrous, Chaotic form. A huge dark claw swung out at her, striking her from the protection of Zemi’s back.

AsaHi screamed. She was falling fast. Down through the flaming churn of Chaos. Pain wracked her body as thousands of terrible claws slashed through her face, torso and limbs, leaving long gashes of bleeding red as she fell. But her mind was on the Dreigiau that she had left… and what would happen to him now that the connection had been broken. Now that she was no longer there.

Zemi!!!

Suddenly, a voice filled her head. It was so overwhelming, so painful that all other thoughts fled from her mind. It was a voice that she had heard once before… terrible and hateful. The voice of Zeromus.

-YOU CANNOT SAVE HIM, EARTHIAN GIRL-CHILD. YOUR LOVE IS MEANINGLESS. YOUR MEDDLING IN THE STRUGGLES OF ARWEINYDD ENDS HERE!-

But another sound met her ears. A sound from without. A great, powerful voice… calling her name.

“ASAHI!!!”

Though her vision was blurry, the girl managed to tilt her head to look up. Everything was white, warm and brilliant, bursting through the darkness of the clouds… the form of the Dreigiau spread great and luminous as he dove with maw wide open. She realized…

Zemi is trying to catch me?

Despite what the Chaos would want him to believe and feel and do. Despite the fact that his brother-enemy was there to do battle… and only a moment ago, Chaos had convinced him to strike out. Instead, Zemi chose to save her.

There was clarity in the light in his eyes as he sped downwards, wings folded. Everywhere his light passed, the claws of shadows burst away, Chaos pushed back by Zemi’s intense will and emotion. For now, AsaHi could feel it in full… true emotion filling the Arweinydd’s heart and spirit. An emotion that he may not completely understand… but one that he had completely embraced. And in doing so, something about him had grown… in character, in strength and in ability to hold back the darkness that reached for his soul.

“AsaHi…” Zemi’s voice was gentle and calming as he swooped towards her. His huge claws reached out, carefully catching her between his cupped palms and drawing her closer to his chest.

The motion was so strikingly Earthian that AsaHi was lost for words. All she could do was hold on to him, relief flooding her mind… and soaking into his as she felt the connection return between them.

A vast, contemptful growl shook the skies above them as the clouds of Chaos drew inwards again, exposing the wavery, monstrous form of  Zeromus. It was as AsaHi remembered… long streams of blue, tainted black… but this time he was enormous, spreading across the reaches of the sky and trailing out into the clouds.

Her breath caught in her throat. And though she was safe within the hold of the Dreigiau, she felt a cold dread fill her mind.

-ZEMI DREIGIAU. YOU WILL FACE ME!-

“No! I will not fight you!” Zemi responded between clenched fangs. Any desire to battle was clearly gone. No longer did the Chaos tempt him to violence.

-YOU HAVE BECOME WEAK! THE EARTHIANS HAVE STOLEN YOUR PURPOSE AND VISION. THEY HAVE FILLED YOUR MIND WITH THEIR FEELINGS… EMOTIONS… THINGS THAT WILL BE YOUR UNDOING.-

“The Earthians have done nothing to me. I have chosen to become what I have! Their ways are far superior to ours,” the Dreigiau snapped back, holding AsaHi a little closer as he did.

-THEY HAVE DRIVEN YOU MAD.-

“Mad? MAD? You talk to me about madness! Have you looked at what you’ve become?”

-YOU CANNOT SEE IT. MY SORROW GOES OUT TO YOU, BROTHER.-

“Do not call me brother! You are no longer any brother of mine,” Zemi snarled, head lowering.

-THESE THINGS ARE BUT FLEETING, ZEMI. THESE PEOPLE WILL PASS. THIS WORLD WILL WITHER. YOU CANNOT HOLD ON TO THE THINGS YOU LOVE… EVEN THAT GIRL WILL VANISH ONE DAY. AND YOU WILL BE ALONE.-

The Arweinydd choked at the thought. It was obviously something that he had considered before. But his voice came back strong as he responded, “That will not keep me from caring about them… or this world.”

-YOU HAVE SET YOURSELF UP FOR DESTRUCTION, ZEMI. THERE IS NO WHERE LEFT TO GO BUT DOWN… LET ME DEMONSTRATE THE FUTILITY OF THIS FADING EARTHIAN WORLD…-

“What?” AsaHi gasped, a chill rushing through her body at the words.

It happened so fast, there was nothing that anyone, not even Zemi could do to stop it. As they had been talking, the clouds of Chaos had been drawing energy in, strengthening, readying for the great strike. Bolts of darkness leapt from the sky, streaming down from every direction above.

“NO!!” a shout burst from her lips as she lunged forward, holding fast to the white Dragon’s claws. Horror written on her face, all she could do was watch.

The bolts of Chaos struck, one after another after another, pounding from all sides at the fragile faces of the Isles of Ceiswyr. Smaller islands simply burst into a spray of stone and dirt. Larger islands began to burn, then crack, huge pieces of land falling away and raining down from the sky. Though they were too far away to hear the alarms in the Compounds or the screams of the frightened, dying men, AsaHi could feel it. She could feel them all through Zemi’s senses.

Every blow the Islands took. Every life that was lost. The Dreigiau flinched, responding like someone in terrible physical pain. Zemi cried out, reeling back, the cry of something being ripped apart from inside out. An Earthian cry of absolute torment and agony. A cry that rose, mingled with the voiceless cry of dying Ceiswyr.

“Zemi!!!” AsaHi called frantically, her hands clutching her head. Trying to shield herself from the overwhelming waves of pain that flooded her senses. Then suddenly, it was gone.

And with the silence, came the sensation of falling.

The girl opened her eyes, staring straight into Zemi’s colorless face. He was no longer a Dragon, no longer aware… Stripped of strength and power by the profound loss of all he had created. The loss of his people. The loss of their homelands.

The Dreigiau was now falling. Just as Ceiswyr had.

Her wings. They unfolded from her shoulders, growing solid and strong against the winds.

They were falling, head down, into the blanket of rumbling darkness below. In some areas, the clouds had exploded upwards, massive pillars that spun into the sky. That was where the Islands of Ceiswyr had fallen through, leaving a trail of stone and dust in their wake.

AsaHi knew that under those clouds lay the cold, distorted earth that had once been the beautiful lands of the Inner Realms. Her homelands, the places where she had once traveled and loved, were devoured by darkness and Chaos.

And now, the one safe place in all the world, the Islands of Ceiswyr, were gone. The loss had been tremendous… not only within her heart, but also to its Patron. Weakened by the blows of Chaos, the Dreigiau was falling. And she was falling with him.

“Zemi!!! Zemi, wake up! Please!” tears streamed down AsaHi’s cheeks. She clutched at his chest, shaking him with what little strength she had left. But he could not hear her. She couldn’t even feel a trickle of awareness… not even the hint of a connection between them.

I’m so sorry, Zemi… I’m so sorry…

The Chaos had struck at the heart and soul of the Arweinydd… and had stolen it away. He was not waking up. And she didn’t know what to do.

I wasn’t able to save you… I wasn’t able to stop the Chaos from taking everything. In the end, Zeromus still won.

AsaHi’s breath came in panicked gasps as the air grew colder. She hugged close to Zemi’s chest, partially in fear… partially in resolve.

But, no matter what happens to me… I won’t leave you here alone… I promise Zemi.

The cold was seeping into her skin, a chill that felt like death had already come. She clamped her eyes shut, shivering all over, her hands feeling numb with the cold as she tried to keep her grip. But she couldn’t feel anything beneath her fingers anymore. And her breath was coming hard… as if air had no meaning.

AsaHi gasped.

She gasped again.

Am I dying!?

The world was denying her breath.

Zemi! Help me!

She was suffocating!

So cold!

She wanted to scream. But no voice came. It was as if she didn’t exist at all.

I can’t… I can’t…!

She felt as if her lungs were ready to explode.  One second more would be the end.

ZEMI!!!

Light filled her vision. A beautiful, warming light that came from within. It shown from between her fingers. Bursting from her torso… along her shoulders. Spreading out from her back. A soft, translucent white that slowly… slowly began to condense.

Soft, glowing white.

Feathers?

To her shock, AsaHi saw feathers. As she looked beyond, she saw even more.

Wings…?!

Her wings. They unfolded from her shoulders, growing solid and strong against the winds. Strength slowly spread back through her limbs. Breath rushed into her lungs again. Feeling returned to her fingers. And her vision cleared…

She could see, now. Not with the same eyes she had once before. But really and truly See.

I’m… Awakened?

As the realization swept over her, she shivered. The world came back into focus. And though only a space of a few seconds had passed since she crossed the line of Awakening, the clouds below were coming closer and closer.

AsaHi discovered very quickly that her wings knew exactly what to do, even if she had never flown before. She gripped the front of the Dreigiau’s shirt, bracing herself with renewed determination, and spread her wings wide. Much to her surprise, they began to slowly descend.

It’s almost as if… Zemi doesn’t weigh anything at all.

Looking down at his pale form, she could only feel worry at that discovery.

Please… Zemi… hold on a little longer. I’ll get us to the ground.

Her wings swept back, softly parting the darkness of the clouds as they came through the bank. The winds howled, growing more vicious, throwing them around in the rise and fall of turbulence. Though her wings burned and ached from the strain, AsaHi held them fast, fighting through the storm… never letting go of the Dreigiau’s limp form.

Finally, they broke through the line of dark clouds and the lands below came into full view. It was raining across the broken earth. Everywhere AsaHi looked, rubble and cracked pieces of the Islands were strewn, leveling the forests that had once been there. The rain was cold and fitting, but it made flight more difficult for her. The further away she came from the moment of Awakening, the more she found herself floundering and struggling.

The sound of people and Dragons rang out across the desolation. AsaHi turned her flight in that direction. Slowly, she was feeling exhaustion washing over her body. She knew that soon she would have to land, whether it was safe or not. So when she caught sight of the first Dragon, she doubled flight speed, heading straight for it.

“Hey!! Hey! We’re over here! Someone!!” AsaHi shouted, so overjoyed that she forgot the danger of flying close to the forest. Before she knew it, tree branches whipped her from every direction, catching up in her wings, tearing out feathers and leaving a trail of white behind her. “OW!! OW!! OWW!!”

AsaHi’s first landing was very unceremonious… a stumble and a flop, careful not to fall on Zemi. Just glad to finally be back on the ground again… even if her whole body stung and bled.

Voices surrounded her. Voices in awe and sorrow. When AsaHi looked up, she found herself within a ring of battered and haggard faces. The winged soldiers of Ceiswyr stared down at her as if they had never seen another Awakened before. Then their gaze fell upon the unmoving form of the Dreigiau.

“Someone! Please! We need a healer!” the girl exclaimed with little patience for their staring. “I think Zemi is hurt!”

That seemed to be enough to kick people into action. The shout went up for a healer – not that there weren’t enough other people that probably needed healing there. But coupled with the words “Zemi is hurt,” a response came fast. The surrounding group of winged men parted as a familiar figure rushed in with wide green eyes.

“SoYa?” AsaHi had forgotten that besides being an Athrylith, he was also a practiced healer.

He seemed to be unscathed from the battle – no doubt that KaiShi had taken good care of him. But his hands were sticky with blood of other men… and she knew from the tired light in his eyes that he had been already making rounds to heal the wounded the best to his ability.

“Zemi!” he gave a shout, leaping over the rubble to get closer. His eyes were fixed at the impossibility of it all. That their Patron, the Dreigiau, could be lying there, unmoving upon the broken remains of the once proud city of Ceiswyr. His voice came again in a whisper, “No… what happened?”

“The Chaos…” AsaHi told him, face lined with pain. “Zeromus. He struck down the Islands. And when he did, it hurt Zemi, too.”

“I… don’t know what I can do for him…” SoYa knelt, already feeling across Zemi’s chest for any sign of wounding. Of course, he would find nothing there. The wounds that the Arweinydd bore were not physical. And AsaHi realized it was true — there was probably little that any healer could do for him.

AsaHi knelt down on Zemi’s other side, placing her hands over top of SoYa’s. Her wings unfurled slowly, cupping over the three of them protectively. For the first time, the Athrylith stared up, seeing them. He had been so focused on Zemi… and she had not been displaying her wings too obviously. Until now.

A whoosh of shocked sound passed between SoYa’s lips. His eyes widened as his mouth fell open in that dumbfounded way he often had. For a long time, he just stared, and AsaHi could see her reflection in the clear light of his eyes.

For the first time, the girl began to wonder… worry… about what her Promised would think of it all.

“A… A…” he stuttered.

This isn’t starting out well…

Finally, SoYa shut his mouth, and tried again. “AsaHi… you’re… a…”

“A really bad flyer… I know,” she joked with a soft face, trying to put a few of her disheveled feathers back in place.

“N…no… I..”

AsaHi lifted her hand, placing a finger on SoYa’s lips. “I’m not important right now. We have to take care of Zemi. And the people…”

He blinked before slowly nodding, his eyes still wide as he stared at her. “Yes… we do. Father… said we need to move… the troops as far away as we can get. We need to leave… the Inner Realms.”

“Leave?” she breathed, the word full of sadness.

SoYa wiped his face on his sleeve. “We’ve lost this battle… if we stay here, we’ll be hunted. We have to try to make for the Spiral.”

Tears suddenly sprang in AsaHi’s eyes as the impact of his words struck her.

That’s it? Just like that? After all we’ve done… how hard we’ve fought…

“We’re not giving up yet, AsaHi,” SoYa reached out to her gingerly. As if he wasn’t sure if he should touch her. “We just have to get to safety.”

She nodded and looked down, “Do you think it’s a good idea to move Zemi… when he’s like this? I mean, taking him out of the Inner Realms. Would that make him worse?”

A raspy, rough voice gave a cough then a mutter, “You talk about me like I’m already gone…”

AsaHi and SoYa both stared down in amazement. Zemi peered back up at them, his eyes hazy, face lined with pain and weakness. But he still managed to smile.

“Zemi!” AsaHi breathed in a long happy sound of relief. Then before she knew what she was doing, she had thrown her arms around his neck, hugging him fiercely.

SoYa watched awkwardly. Though his voice was thick, it was obvious that he was glad that the Dreigiau was reviving. “Zemi… are you going to be okay?”

“It was only a little Chaos. I’ll pull through,” the Arweinydd told him with a slight wink. But when he tried to push himself up on his palms, he found he needed help to sit up.

“Zemi… you have to take it slow,” AsaHi advised.

The Dreigiau, however wasn’t listening. He was staring up at her wings, running his finger along one of the feathers. There was a distant look of delight on his face. The girl almost could swear she heard a soft purr in his throat.

“Zemi?” SoYa interrupted with a frown.

“Oh? Yes! Well…” the Arweinydd shook his head out. Then he glanced over at the Athrylith, voice cracking as he spoke. “Tell your father to follow through. Ready everyone that can travel. He’s right… we can no longer stay here. We will take shelter in the Spiral, and from there, figure out what has to be done.”

SoYa nodded grimly. Then he turned and disappeared into the amazed crowd of winged people that stood watching over the Dreigiau.

The little winged girl was safe, cradled against his chest.

“TsuuuuYaaaa!” KoGuRai’s face contorted in an animalistic snarl. His dark eyes focused sharply on the warrior, full of hate and fury.

“Did you forget about me?” TsuYa smirked. He coolly wiping his blade off on the edge of his coat only to find, to his dismay, that the black ooze ate right through the cloth.

“Turn around and walk away. This is between me… and LuShi,” the Champion sneered.

“Oh? Then why are you dragging little girls into this? Are you trying to break your record for hostage taking… the coward that you are,” he sneered back.

This time… this is it. This time… you’re not walking away alive, KoGuRai. We already know your tricks. It’s time for this to stop.

TsuYa ground his heel against the stone, poised and ready to strike. KoGuRai took a step back, nursing his wounded shoulder, both fists clamped tightly around the haft of his naginata. But before any blows could be exchanged, a shout rang out across path.

“TsuYa! TsuYa, wait!!”

The warrior gave a quiet curse under his breath. Things were about to get even more complicated.

“JouKa..?” KoGuRai paused, turning at the sound. It was strange how the Marked Champion could throw out scathing threats with the same voice that could sound so concerned.

The winged girl rushed out into the center of the fray, eyes wide as she stared between them. Then she stopped, peering straight at KoGuRai for a long, long time. For once, she seemed completely lost for words.

KoGuRai also stared at her, lowering his weapon just a bit. The silence between them was awkward and heavy. Finally, he took a step towards her. “JouKa… I’ve finally found you. Have you come to me at last?”

TsuYa made a blech face.

“KoGu… what… what… ‘ave you done?” she shook her head, taking a step back.

“Wait. Wait, JouKa. I can explain everything… just listen…” he approached, with hands wide in a gesture that spoke of harmlessness.

“Explain? Explain… what? The village ya razed? All of the people ya killed?” her voice was quiet, nothing more but a shaken whisper. “‘Ow can you possibly explain somethin’ like that?”

“Village…?” his face grew as pale as a Marked complexion could. “No… that wasn’t me, JouKa! I swear!”

“Then who was it, KoGu? Someone that looked like you and yer pet Esgyll?” she retorted hotly.

“If you’d just let me talk, I could tell you.”

“Then tell me about Mister NaDo. And about takin’ him ‘ostage. Splittin’ his back straight open. Tell me that wasn’t something that ya did, KoGuRai?” JouKa gave him a sick, pained look.

“JouKa…”

“You didn’t ‘ave to ‘eal those people — I did!” she snapped, not allowing him a moment of explanation. “I saw what came of it all… and I just can’t believe…”

KoGuRai fell silent, looking down at his fists, gripping the haft of his naginata. His hands were shaking as if fighting back some kind of internal violence.

“What’s ‘appened to you?” tears shown in her eyes. “I wanted to believe in you. But after what I’ve seen, all I can think is… you really ‘ave become a monster!”

The Marked Champion’s head snapped up with a bitter glare. The expression that had been concerned and shocked had turned cold and distant.

“I see what’s going on here,” KoGuRai’s voice grew low and gravely. His dark eyes shifted from JouKa to TsuYa and back again. “TsuYa’s turned you against me, hasn’t he? You’ve fallen for him while I was gone. You’ve fallen for him and you’ve betrayed me to him, haven’t you?”

“What? KoGu… what in the name of the Light are you talkin’ about?” she shook her head with a frustrated and confused look.

“You know what I’m talking about!” before she could pull back, his hand shot out, grabbing her roughly around the wrist. The air crackled red, furious Chaos. KoGuRai was losing himself. “All this time I was trying to find you again. I was promised that he would give you to me and we would take Nefol together! But you’ve ruined it all! You’ve run off with TsuYa!”

“KoGu!!” JouKa’s voice raised an octave, for the first time, real fear shown in her eyes as he loomed huge above her. “It’s not like that at all!”

“Are you Promised to him!?” KoGuRai almost roared, fangs gleaming as he pulled her closer.

“NO! KOGU! Yer ‘urtin’ me!!” the winged girl yanked back in pain. TsuYa could see the strength of the Marked Champion’s fist closing tighter around the girl’s arm. And he knew exactly how strong a Marked could be.

“STOPPIT!!” TsuYa leapt forward with a snarl of his own, slamming between JouKa and KoGuRai. “LET HER GO!”

The winged girl stumbled back, knocked free from the terrible grip… just at the same moment the Marked claw slashed out, leaving long, bloody gashes straight through TsuYa’s shoulder. He gave a choking gasp at the unexpected pain, dodging just as the claw came for him again.

Somewhere in the distance he heard JouKa’s scream and the choked cry of Suzume. The world wavered and shifted around him as his senses tunneled. Fury began to burn within. Everything focused on the dark winged figure of the Marked Champion before him. His rival. His enemy. One who would kill and destroy in order to steal everything that his family had sacrificed everything for – Nefol… his people… his friends…

I won’t let you hurt them!

KoGuRai bore down on him with blade in hand, a dark maelstrom of hate. His wings stretched wide, the twisted taint of Chaos choked the air. Animalistic insanity and bloodlust had transformed the Marked Champion’s face – if there was anything left of the son of JinRai, it was impossible to see it.

TsuYa floundered back, barely deflecting the blows that came again. And again. And again. His shoulder was in shreds, wounds open and burning with the acidic nature of the Marked attacks. His chest grew tight, breath rasping in his lungs as he fought to keep his feet under him.

I… can’t. I can’t hold up under this! He’s so strong!

Pain exploded along his left side. TsuYa watched, to his horror, as dark crimson fountained from KoGuRai’s blade as it tore into his body. His cry was wretched… so unlike the warrior he had fought to be. For years and years and years. All the training and hardship. Everything that he had strove to be… to be like his father. His brother. The ones that people respected.

And I will die like this… on the end of this monster’s blade…?

Eyes darkening, TsuYa’s face broke into a snarl of his own.

I refuse!

With an agonized groan, he pulled himself off of the point of the naginata. KoGuRai loomed over him, a smug look of triumph stretched over his face. The battle was won in his mind. He was merely toying with TsuYa now… doing everything he could to make the warrior’s death as shamed and futile as possible.

That will be your biggest mistake!

Distantly, he heard the sound of voices. JouKa and LuShi calling frantically. TsuYa could only watch with horrified, blurry eyes as Suzume rushed out between, little wings unfolded. She darted in, face angry and determined, yelling at KoGuRai as loud as her child-voice allowed.

Kid! What are you doing!?

Something grew deathly cold within his chest as he saw the glint of KoGuRai’s blade flash. The naginata lifted into the air, poised above the child’s head. So deliberate. The Marked Champion’s expression did not change… as if it was nothing more to him than swatting away a meaningless irritation.

Suzume!!

Fingers digging into the ground, TsuYa drove himself back up on his feet. He couldn’t breathe. He couldn’t speak. His body wasn’t responding. Everything felt so cold, as if all the heat had rushed out of his body.

I WON’T LET YOU!

A dazzling white light suddenly flooded the world. In the brilliance of the flash, he could make out KoGuRai reeling back, wincing against the blinding radiance. Suzume gave a shout, falling back in surprise, but unharmed.

His arms were around her. Just that sudden. TsuYa hadn’t realized he had the strength to move. But he was there. The little winged girl was safe, cradled against his chest.

Suzume stared up at him with awe. TsuYa could see his reflection in her dark eyes… he realized that the light was coming from him. Her voice was hardly a whisper when she spoke, “Wings…”

What…?

Stretching wide around him were wings of luminous white. Wings that belonged to him.

No way…! I’m…

Wings that looked exactly like Father’s. So much like Father’s, in fact, that TsuYa almost gave a shout for joy. For once, he could feel it… the endless possibilities. The potentials within himself. That he could be exactly what he had always dreamed of being. What he had worked so hard to become.

I’m Awakened!! I’m-

The sharp sound of a crack shattered his world. Pain. Terrible burning pain suddenly rushed through every inch of his body. The look of delight and awe on Suzume’s face shifted instantly to fear. With a strangled sound, he released the winged girl, stumbling away from her.

“TsuYa!! TsuYa!! Are you alright!?” she called to him.

He tried to answer, but no words would come. Nothing in his throat but a low, terrible growl. It bubbled and frothed its way out of his mouth, then shattered the air with an animalistic shriek. He clutched frantically at the source of the sudden pain, at his throat, just under his shirt. His fingers came away bloody. Blood that slowly turned black. Black like Marked blood.

NOO! NOOO!

Where Aur’s protective medallion had once hung around his neck, there was nothing left but a warped piece of blackened metal. And he realized, in horror, that under the pressure of his Awakening, the amulet had broken. It was destroyed.

PLEASE NO!!

And with it, his protection against the darkness had fled. Not even the power of Awakening seemed to be enough to protect him.

Please… please help me…

It felt like something was tearing him from inside out. His blood at once burned and froze. His body trembling as he convulsed, dropping him to his knees. He tried to cry out in agony, but nothing came except hisses and growls.

-No one can help you now, TsuYa… You are MINE.-

TsuYa’s flesh had darkened to grey, spotting black. His skin began to split as dark spikes of black burst through. A sharp rip as his coat gave way — his form growing and expanding far beyond his normal size. Black blood streamed from the bubbling wounds… from his eyes… his mouth… his nose… the Mark along his cheek. The darkness bled into his hair. Along the lines of his wings… until black feathers dripped with thick ooze.

And the terrible voice sounded in his mind.

-My Champion… greatness waits for you. Now come to me. Come to me…-

He fought it with every last bit of strength in him. Snarling and shrieking against the voice that invaded his thoughts. Everything was a blur. The world spun dizzy around him as the pressure of Chaos closed in on him. The sound of metal clashing, shrieks and battle were so distant and far away.

When he finally found breath again, it was rasping hisses. He stared down at his hands – now nothing more than beastly claws. And the thick black blood that ran over them. He realized the blood was not his own. Looking down at the ground, he saw the mangled and motionless form of KoGuRai’s body, the silver helm bent under the heel of his boot.

Is he… is KoGuRai… dead..?

Sickness welled up in the pit of his stomach. Sickness as he saw the blurred and twisted reflection of his face in the smudged sheen of the metal helm. KoGuRai was not rising. A pool of black spread around him where he lay in the dust.

TsuYa had won, he realized. He had taken the life of his enemy. But he had lost himself in return.

He struggled and howled, face streaked with black tears as he fought.

Lucci didn’t realize that he had drawn his sword until he saw the quivering tip of the blade pointed at TsuYa. His hands were shaking. Tears stung his eyes. The whimper of Suzume rose to his ears from where the little girl hid behind his legs. JouKa sat, collapsed against a crate, her head covered with both arms, sobbing and hysterical.

KoGuRai had stood no chance against the Marked form of TsuYa. Already his remains were decaying, sinking into the puddle of black oozing blood. It flaked away into dark dust… nothing left but the sheen of silver helm that sat pinned under TsuYa’s heavy boot.

What do I do? What do I do? I can’t fight Master TsuYa! But… he’s become…

One Marked Champion had fallen… only for another to take its place.

Maybe that has been Zeromus’ plan all along? Maybe he never wanted KoGuRai as his Champion at all. He was just using him… like bait… to push Master TsuYa into turning Marked.

A low growl rose from TsuYa’s throat as pure black eyes focused on them. He reached down and picked the helm up, shaking it free from the clinging darkness.

And it worked…

Lucci readjusted his grip on the blade, keeping himself between the girls and the newly Marked Champion of Zeromus. Something in his chest ached terrible. He knew if he had only been a little faster… if he had gotten the sword to the Inner Realms sooner… that maybe TsuYa would have been spared this horrible fate.

But something else was there. Something that Lucci could sense still boiling, battling, struggling under the mask of shadows that had encased the warrior. Perhaps it was because TsuYa had become Awakened before Zeromus managed to take him. Or perhaps it was because his will and desire for freedom was simply that strong. No matter the reason, Lucci could feel it still, something of TsuYa was there. Aware.

And he was not attacking them.

Even, physically, TsuYa’s body fought to preserve itself. Though his hair and wings had grown dark, Lucci could see that there was still one light streak running through his bangs, a shock of white that fell down into his eyes. Something left from before.

Zeromus chose a difficult spirit to try to capture…

Somewhere in the distance he could sense it… the feeling of the Arweinydd Zazo and the Watcher Aur. They were coming, no doubt, called there by the release of energy, both Awakened and Marked. The smallest inkling of hope rose in Lucci’s chest. The thought that if there was something still left of TsuYa… that maybe he could still be saved. That he could be returned to his rightful form. That the Marked might be contained.

If I can just keep him here, peaceful, long enough for them to reach us.

“Master TsuYa?” Lucci’s voice quavered as he took the chance to lower his blade just a little. “Master TsuYa… do you remember me? Do you know who you are?”

Dark eyes watched the young Sygnus, a low growl the only answer.

Please Lady Zazo… come quickly…

Lucci took another chance, slowly moving forward. His breath came in frightened gasps, eyes never leaving the dark, Marked Champion. He froze as the growl grew into a fierce snarl. Then the snarl somehow managed to form words.

“LuShi… stay back! Stay away from me!” TsuYa grated through bared fangs.

“Master TsuYa?! Please… just stay calm… we can help you!”

“Nooo…” he moaned. His voice was very much like his voice always was. Just more frightened. More strained. “Nooo…. It’s over. I’m… one of them. I’m…”

“Not yet! You can’t give into him,” Lucci encouraged, taking another step forward. “As long as there’s part of you still aware, we might be able to–”

Suddenly, TsuYa broke out in a terrible yowl, clutching his head between clawed hands. He buckled over, screeching in pain. “Get him out of my head! Get him out of my heaaaaad!”

Lucci jumped back in shock as the warrior began to stagger around, slamming himself against the stone walls. Suzume gave a cry, huddling next to the glassy-eyed JouKa, covering her face with her hands. The young Sygnus reached forward, trying to intercept, only to be shoved away.

“AHHHHHHHHHH!!!” the half-scream, half-screech was chilling. The sound of a soul being consumed. “GET HIM OUT OF MY HEAD!!”

-TsuYaaaaaa!!-

The glowing form of the white wolf sprung over the pile of crates at the far end of the passageway. Running all out, her green eyes held a look of worry that Lucci had never seen before. With one great lunge she leapt up, landing square on TsuYa’s back. It took all of her force to wrestle him down and keep him pinned, even as large as she was.

He struggled and howled, face streaked with black tears as he fought. Choking and gasping, the words became less words as the darkness began to twist and taint his mind.

-TsuYa! No! Hold on to me! I can fix this! I can fix this! I promise! Just don’t go!- Frantic, the she-wolf shoved her muzzle down into his face. As if her will and words alone would be enough to save him.

“Nooo! Noooo!!” He responded with terrified hisses and raking claws. If she had been a physical being, he would have shredded her face in his struggle. “Stay away from me! Stay away from meeee! Arweinydd! Stay away from meeeeeeeee!”

-TsuYa! Please! It’s me! It’s Zazo!-

But her words could not comfort his panic as his body began to convulse again. More spikes began to shred through his skin… the transformation slowly growing worse.

Aur and Oren arrived, not far on the heels of the she wolf. The Watcher stood for a long moment, observing the pleading Arweinydd and the struggling Marked. And for the first time, something like true emotion washed over his face. Pity. Sorrow. Sympathy. He seemed to be having trouble breathing as he gathered up Suzume in his strong arms, covering her crying face protectively.

Oren had also come quickly, his ruddy face horrified as he recognized the Marked creature before him. Without so much as a word, he retrieved JouKa’s limp form and carried her away. He murmured quiet words of concern under his breath as he gently brushed the hair out of the winged girl’s face.

-He’s not calming down!!- Zazo was frantic as she fought to keep the Marked pinned under her paws.

“LET ME GO!” TsuYa’s voice cracked, half shrieking as his back arched in pain. With a gurgling sound, he turned the dark claws on himself, leaving long trails of dark gashes along his face and chest.

The Arweinydd gave a defeated cry, watching as he maimed himself, shoving her nose between his head and his claws. Doing everything she could to stop the unstoppable. Finally, with a great heave, TsuYa cast her off. The moment he was free, he leapt to his feet, wings spread wide. One hand clamped around the grip of the scythe that had been left, lying in the street.

-Tsu!!!-

“Sta..aay… baack…” he hissed, holding the scythe in front of him as he crouched, ready to fight.

-Please don’t do this. Please… come back with me. Zem and I… we can fix this! You have to believe me, Tsu!-

But the Marked Champion could only reel back, face lined with pain. The howl escaped his lips again, as he was driven to mindlessness, “He’s in my head! Get him out of my head!”

“Lady Zazo! Be careful!” Lucci gave a warning call. It was hard to tell if TsuYa was going to actually use the weapon – of his own free will or not.

Before either of them could say a word, the black wings spread wide into the air. With an agile leap, the Marked warrior launched into the sky, dark scythe held between his fists. One bound had him on top of the nearby roof. The next cast him up towards the dimming clouds.

“Waaait!” Lucci called.

But it was no good. The Marked instinct was driving him. With nothing to lose. Nothing left to hold him, TsuYa fled, leaving nothing but a stream of black along the stone wall.

For a moment, it seemed as if Zazo might follow. But as the winged figure grew smaller and more distant over the lilac trees, she did nothing but stand and watch. With a startling sound, the she wolf threw her head back, shattering the air with a long, mournful howl.

Lucci, too, could only stand and watch as shock numbed his body. Realization began to flood over him. Realization followed by a deep, rending sadness.

They had lost Ceiswyr. They had lost TsuYa. But they had not yet lost the war.

I still have the sword.

Lucci looked down at the flat of the blade. The silver steel reflected his image coldly. Suggestively. And he knew exactly what he needed to do.

No matter what. I’m going to pay him back for all the people he’s hurt.

The young Sygnus’ hand tightened on the blade’s grip.

I’m going to destroy Zeromus.