Blade continued playing his harp in his own world of bliss with his eyes laid shut and back pressed against the high part of the bark. His leg dangled twenty feet above ground off a branch. Eyes were slowly opened as cold touched him. A drop of rain wove through the branches and fell onto his right hand. Then a second touched his cheek. With his left hand he wiped it off when a wave of them came gently falling onto the forest. It was black. Dark as night and cold as the Void. Blade hung the harp off his belt where it had a hook for a home where it could hang loosely. The cold was familiar. It was this cold when he had turned eight. Distant memories of darkness lingered in the back of his mind, tightening his eyes into a glare. And then he dared whisper the name of the source. "Atra...."

* * *

As Moryssa and Fenix had done earlier, Deedlit made her way to a pond a distance away from the inn in the woods where she bathed. In the distance, she heard Blade's harp and let the sound sooth her as well as the warm water. Besides the music and far off noises from the inn, the world seemed silent. Deedlit hadn't thought much of it at first, but now it felt strange. She heard small *plunks* as a few drops of rain hit the water. "Oh great," she muttered.

She reached for her dress draped over some reeds on the bank. She summoned Sylph to dry herself quickly, as she did, the wind spirits created a shield around her. Quickly pulling on her dress, she saw an inky black raindrop on it. In the distance, she heard Blade stop playing as well. The rain started falling harder, and she realized it was indeed black. She grabbed the rest of her belongings and took off to the inn to tell the others. Inside she met Parn and told him what was going on.

Parn looked to Deedlit concerned. "What could this mean, the rain being pure black? Let's gather everybody together and see if anybody knows."

Kitain came back up the stairs. He wasn't wearing his armour, it hadn't been fixed, but he was dressed in simple clothes. "Black Rain...no, i haven't heard anything about black rain." His swords rested easily on his hips, their Marmo style easy to identify. "But we did have a lot of it on the island, ususally when something bad was going to happen." He walked out to the door. "Excuse me."

He stepped out and walked about a hundred yards. He stopped, and slowly prepared his swords. He began to practice, one deliberate slice at a time. He flowed, through the first step of the Shadow Form. He felt the sword hum as it passed through the rain. One...Two...Three. He cast his mind back over the dreams. The sorceror calling me. Sorceress, Karla. Why? It can't be just that she is alone. She's survived for centuries without anyone. She is the Grey, the balance. I will die far more surely than she will. He stepped into the second pattern. But...I must go. He paused slightly andf began the third pattern. Stop thinking.

The Ghostwraith walked outside of the inn. She held out her hand caught some of the black water. Holding it to her nose, she sniffed it. I don't smell anything acidic, but this is definately not good.

* * *

"A cave huh? Lemme think. Oh! I know what you're talking about. They restricted it to all of those under 100 years of age. In fact, we still wouldn't be able to get in. Although that never stopped us from sneaking. Well, there was definately an elemental presence, but nothing exciting ever happened to us." Moryssa pouted a little bit.

Toan made a gagging gesture and then went to sit back by Fenix. Moryssa rolled her eyes and turned, to see that it was starting to rain. But closer inspection proved the water to be black. "Ummm, Oh Elderly Elves, why is the rain black?" Moryssa had the definate feeling she wouldn't like the answer.

Toan heard Moryssa's comment and looked. "My gods..."

"What the hell?" Azala walked outside, palming the black rain, he examined it, poking it slightly. "Ok...this is just odd. Since when does it rain black water? Are the gods putting berry juice in it or what?"

Seri walked outside with Azala as well and examined the rain. "It's nothing I've ever encountered or been told about. I don't sense much either, things just seem...silent out here don't they?"

"Yeah, thats probably a bad thing. I am reminded of the old saying 'rats flee from a sinking ship'. Something tells me that this may be a warning, a morbid one, but I think it means we should leave soon." Azala looked back at Seri, her dampening hair, her clothes clinging to her slightly, he stood there for a few moments before giving a nervous laugh. "Well, uh, lets start getting our stuff in gear. If you don't mind I'll travel with you guys for a while. Besides, can you resist not taking a handsome elf like me along?" He said with a wry grin.

Moryssa was definately worried about the silence the rain brought. And if what Kitain said was true, Lodoss was in trouble. Moryssa desperately wished she was back home in the Faerie Woods.

Kiran stood across from Moryssa, watching her with concern. He reached out and lifted her chin to look at him. {What ever evil it is that threatens us, I will be here for you,} Kiran whispered softly in elven. {Don't worry Moryssa, it's a dark time now, but that will pass. We have to hold and have faith in the constant change of things.}

Moryssa wrapped her arms around Kiran's chest and smiled at him. Even though the smile is sweet, it is only a mask Moryssa is using to fool herself and others. {You're right. I just don't know why this is happening. This could quite possibly be the worst thing to happen to us. But I have faith. Faith in us. We'll make it through this right, Kiran?} Moryssa's glassy eyes look up at Kiran.

Kiran kissed her forehead and held her close. {I wont let anything happen to you. I swear. We'll make it through.}

Seri nodded in agreement, then turned her attention to him realizing how he was staring at her. In a slight movement, she pulled her hair forward over her chest. She hadn't put on her breastplate yet and the white top of her dress exposed in rain. Azala's attraction to her was obvious, and this wasn't helping. "We should be leaving soon anyway," she replied and returned inside to find her armor.

Azala nodded and went to his horse, making sure the saddle was on tightly enough. Well, that was pathetic. Remember your manners, eyes on face, not on body. Even if the body is wet and shirt is starting to become see-through... He thought with a slight grin.

* * *

YES!!!! Thank you Cha Za and Goddess Ropojja! "I am actually. And I'd love some." She looked at Zatch and blushed. She then glimpsed at his arm and pulled out the ribbon in her hair. She used it to make a sling for Zatch. "I'm sorry about that. I forgot." She looked at him sheepishly, waiting for him to lead her inside.

Should I take a chance? Well she IS a priestess for the god of luck. With his heart racing and his head filled with the most uncertanty it ever has, Zatch leaned forward and gently kissed Sakura on the lips. After he pulled away his vast self doubt sudenly caught up with him. "I'm sorry, uh I hope uh, um..." That's funny, I was able speak a second ago.

Sakura was completely surprised by Zatch's actions. Although she didn't fight the kiss when it was over she was disoriented. Gaining her composure, she scowled at him. "How DARE you!?! What is wrong with you. Your lack of modesty disgusts me!!! And to think that you could touch me..." Sakura stopped yelling, looked angrily into Zatch's eyes and slapped him. She looked at him a moment and slapped him again on the same cheek. After looking at him one more time she pulled him down to her and kissed him.

Fenix had finally composed himself, he got up and headed out of the room, going into the same room as Sakura and Zatch, he wanted to see if Zatch was alright. He stopped when he saw Sakura and Zatch kissing. He leaned against the wall, watching the two, staring daggers at Zatch. He exited the room, then stomped a few times so they knew someone was comming in. He even yelled something. "Hey Zatch,you alright, man?"

Sakura jumped at Fenix's acknowledgement. She wiped her mouth, her face covered by her now unbound hair. "Fenix, I uh, we were just um...What a lovely day. I think I'll just enjoy a nice breeze." Sakura covered her face and started walking towards the exit.

Fenix caught her arm with a firm, but gentle grip. Shaking his head he kept his eyes on Zatch. "There is black rain out there, it seemed to have just started. I feel a dark aura coming from it, and it may stain your purity to go out in it."

He let go of her arm. "Stay and talk a while Sakura, it would be a blessing to have your beautiful face grace my preasence." He gave Zatch a bitter smile, like an enemy would give to an opponent. "If you don't mind, I would like to talk to her alone...dear, friend."

"Not at all" He said returning Fenix's scowl "If either of you need me just yell, I won't be far." Zatch went down to the basement trying to make sense of the situation. Now what do I do? Things were so much simpler when it was just me and my books. I knew he had feelings for her but I've let myself become far too skilled at concieling mine. Have I really made a mistake here? Maybe it just wasn't my place... NO, Why should I feel remorseful when for once it isn't me locked away in a study. Why should it be a sin for me and no one else to seek happiness? Mistake or not, place or not this is one action I simply refuse to apalogize for, dear friend!

Sakura was sorry to see Zatch. All though most of the sorry was directed at herself. Trying to regain some of her modesty, she wrapped her hair up into a bun. She was feeling extremely exposed. "You wanted to talk to me?" She asked meekly. She couldn't even look at Fenix in the eye. Why do I feel guilty? I don't want him to think I'm some kind of Scarlet Woman. I shouldn't have let that happen.

Mia watched and studied the rainfall curiously. After learning nothing about it, she returned inside to see Fenix and Sakura. "Now this is getting interesting," she whispered to Fou-Lu. She turned her back to them, just enough so she could still see out of the corner of her eye.

Fou-Lu nodded in agreement. "Indeed this is getting interesting, what do you think will happen?" he asked whispering. He turned his attention back to Fenix and Sakura as he watched them both curiously

Fenix realized he was acting like a fool, if she was in love with Zatch, who was he to intrude? He sat down, not saying anything for a few moments, his eyes downcasted. "Sakura...I don't know if you've noticed...but...I've been blushing everytime I see you..." He looked up at her. "Then...when I see you and Zatch...I get angry for some reason. It has no real reason,j ust hatred..." He felt a pit in his stomach, it was swelling and there was a painful blush comming to his cheek. "I can't say for sure...I've never had it shown to me...but...I think...I'm in love with you..."

Curse you Ropojja! This is what I get for praying to a neutral god. Sakura was nervous until Fenix said those words. She stepped back, her heart pounding. Her bun fell out again and her beautiful burgundy hair fell. "Wha-what makes you think that you, you, love me?" Sakura could barely get the words out as she struggled internally. As much as she tried to fight it, she was attracted to Fenix. Suddenly Sakura wished she had never healed Fenix. All of this would've been so much easier if he had died...

Fenix sat up, his eyes scanning hers as he walked over to her. "I don't know...i'v never felt this feeling for anyone before. Everytime I talk to you I feel a pit in my stomach." He reached out and caressed her cheek. "I can't stop thinking about you..."

Sakura's heart was pounding. How could she possibly be attracted to two completely different men at the same time? "I-I don't know what to say. Nobody has ever been so kind and sweet to me." The young priestess was fidgeting with her robes now. Biting her lip, she waited to see what Fenix would do. I know this is suppose to be horrible, but I can't help but blush when I see him. But what's the matter? Part of the reason I'm attracted to him is his boldness. Now, he's so nervous. Why won't he kiss me? Ravage me?

Fenix's breathing increased, he took her lack of protest as encouragment. He leaned foward, pausing, seemingly unsure of himself, then resumed, kissing her lips.

Sakura put a different kind of passion into her kiss with Fenix. She grabbed his arms and placed them around her waste. After a few minutes, she broke away, blushing. "That shouldn't have happened. With either of you. I-I should get going. With times like these, a priestess is always handy." She darted out the door. A few seconds later she returned and kissed Fenix on his lips. A few moments passed and she darted out again

Mia grabbed Fou's arm and pulled him away as Fenix kissed Sakura. "We'll see what happens. Who do you think is gonna get her though?" Mia glanced back at the two curiously. She was almost tempted to bet on Fenix or Zatch, but thought the better of it. Nearby, she noticed the hole in the wall from yesterday's brawl. It was covered by a blanket for the moment. Mia felt horrible for letting it happen, she had been too interested in fighting Kiran than thinking about others. "Fou, I have a better idea. Let's take care of that hole. We shouldn't just leave it up to Mercurial." She took Fou-Lu's hand and walked over to Kiran and Moryssa to explain the situation.

Fou-Lu held Mias hand and walked with her over to Kiran and Moryssa to explain the situation. He watched her out of the corner of his eye as he walked with her. "Well this is a good idea, it seems good to do this." he said with a smile

* * *

Moryssa broke away from her embrace with Kiran at the aproach of Mia and Fou-Lu. She stepped protectively in front of him. {Can you guys wait until after we get rid of the evil in Lodoss to try and kill Kiran? I mean, no offense, but it's getting really old.} Moryssa's voice wasn't harsh, just tired. She glanced behind Fou-Lu and saw Sakura dash out of a room. She gave a sinister half smile. Oh this is gonna be good!!! Now, priestess, I'm going to enjoy ruining your love life.

Kitain turned back, putting the last graceful swirl into his final stance. He came out of himself, and saw a lot of people standing round outside. "Yes. Something is definitely wrong." He approached the group, unpurterbed by the black water running down his face and soaking his clothes. There were droplets on his blades, making them appear poisoned and threatening. "The whole of Lodoss will become like Marmo was, a hostile, evil place. This rain, is probably the next signs of this. The rise of the dead was one of the first. Myself and my friends, unofficially support your efforts in the upcoming trouble. However, we need to go to Marmo to retrieve...something lost." Kitain fell silent, and walked inside. He would answer, if anyone asked. 


* * *

Norya followed the Solitaire back inside, wiping the rain from her face. "So when are we going?"

Solitaire shook his head slowly. "The troupe will set out as soon as it is capable of doing so. However, it may be worthwhile seeing if any of these others are also going to Marmo. Safety in numbers after all." He stopped at the bar, and gently drew a rag over Night's Caress, cleaning the blade. "I however, cannot go yet. But the troupe must go. I have to see a sorceror first. I promised. If I can reach the troupe afterwards, all well and good. If I can't, then it probably won't matter. The standard is the symbol of the troupe after all. According to my predecessor, it hasn't been required in over a hundred years. his exact words were, pray it is never needed in your life time. I guess we can't all be lucky." He looked at the bar. "They've only got Summer Warmth." He drew off a small glass and sipped it. He swirled itr as he thought, and allowed the local silence to calm him.

* * *

Fenix was a bit surprised when she put his arms around her waist, then left, then came back and kissed him again, when she left again, he waited a few moments to see if she would be back. He blinked a few times, then exited the room with a somewhat wobbily posture and a large, dumb looking smile on his face. "...she...likes me!" He looked over at Moryssa, Mia, Fou, and Kiran, still with the big smile. "Oh...hey guys..."

Mia raised her eyebrow at Moryssa. {I was just coming over here to ask for his help in fixing the wall.} she replied. {Someone a little paranoid?}

Mia looked back to see Sakura run out, then back in, then out. "I think she's going insane." She looked at Fenix barely able to keep his balance. "Kids these days, I swear," Mia shook her head and muttered, then chuckled to herself. "Well, what do you think Mory?"

Completely silent Zatch saw the whole thing from the cover of the shadows. The passion, the lust, the way Sakura looked at Fenix in a way he feared she would never look at him. On the inside he was boiling with rage, his power building up to where he hadn't dared take it until now for fear of harming himself or others. But that didn't matter anymore, nothing mattered except the anger he felt toward the man who was once one of the closest friends he had since his brothers died at the hands of Valis knights. And yet on the outside he appeared disturbingly calm, his expression was that of a corps with it's eyes open, betraying no emotion whatsoever. When Sakura left he at last broke his silence without a trace of feeling in his voice. "Defend youreself"

Fenix still had the dumb smile on when Zatch said the words, it took a small amount of time for them to impact him as he was still a little dazed, but he drew his sword as soon as they did. "You wanna fight, Zatch? FINE!"

He charged foward, jumping up he started to bring down the sword when a blast of water sent him into the opposite wall, then sent Zatch into the opposite wall.

Azala stood at the door with his hand raised, opening his eyes. "You boys need to cool off. Come in here and people about to kill each other, sheesh." Fenix shook his head and started to get up. "Hey guys, could you help me here? Hold the kids, would ya?"

"Falis!" Mia cursed as soon as she heard Zatch and Fenix. "Damnit guys, we don't need another hole in the wall over a woman!" She walked over to the two and stood by Azala.

"Your'e a strong one, but it matters not, you can send me to hades for all I care as long as I can take him with me" Zatch stood up but only for a moment when he dropped back down to his knees, clutching his head and screaming in agony.

The Abyss spoke to him but it was barely audable through the pain. Too much...too soon...stand down...you'll die if you don't.

"Not yet!" Zatch stands up once more but this time slowly as if his body wieght had suddenly tripled "Shadow of oblivion Shade of emptiness Strike down my enemy with your war cry!" This time the spell was performed perfectly as a bolt of energy flew towards Fenix, making an ear splitting screech on its way.

"What! NO!!" Azala rushed at Zatch, pinning Zatch against the wall, but it was to late, the spell was already off. Fenix's eyes widened as the spell hit dead on his chest and continued through. He fell back, his breathing lessened, blood flowed profusely from the wound, it was clear that if he wasn't healed soon, that he would die.

Sakura had been standing by the door observing the rain when she heard a loud noise. As she turned, she saw Zatch's spell as it sped by. Through the new hole in the wall she saw Fenix drop to the floor.

Sakura ran back to the room tears running down her eyes. "I call upon the blessings of Cha Za! Please answer your servants plea and heal this man!"

Fenix was surrounded by a bright white light. Slowly, his body began to heal. Sakura also used her powers, all the while singing songs of healing, for both the mind and the body. Minutes passed and finally Sakura could not keep her spells up. Although the hole was gone, Fenix was still in critical condition. She turned to the others tears streaming down her face. "Who did this!?! Tell me! Who did this!?!"

Moryssa rushed into the room after Mia. "What's going on here?" She turned around to see Fenix with a giant hole in his chest. She gasped and saw Azala trying to restrain Zatch. "Spirits of dreams, pixies of rest, come to my aid, your powers to test. Under your spell, will this mortal dwell, that he can't hurt anyone, so heed my spell." Moryssa pointed her spell directly at Zatch distain in her eyes. Nobody but me gets to hurt Sakura.

"Someone move him out of the way." When Sakura started screaming, Moryssa uttered another sleeping spell, only not as harsh. She quickly grabbed Sakura as the priestess passed out and dragged her to an empty cart.

When the bolt hit Fenix it was as though his heart was torn in half, his power driven madness recieted leaving Zatch with the full force of despair that almost made him sick "Gods what have I done!" Reason returned to Zatch as he desperatly shoved Azala to the side and collapsed to his knees beside Fenix. It wasn't supposed to be like this. He was supposed to kill me. I am the one who has failed, I am the one who should die. He must be saved.

Norya remained silent throughout the whole interaction. After Moryssa left, she and Toan grabbed Fenix and gently placed him on a cart.

Toan was utterly disgusted by his friends' actions. Toan muttered curses the whole time. And he refused to look at Zatch.

"I...I understand now." Zatch said still on his knees with his eyes closed. "All this time I thought it was a gift."

"My failure here proves that I was never meant to harness the power of the shadow plane. And if I wasn't chosen to recieve it then it was given to me by mistake...I am a mistake." Zatch stands up and unwraps Sakura's ribbon, letting his arm fall dead to his side. "Kill me if you will, I was meant to die anyway, or leave me with my new nightmare. I've lost the right to choose my fate, so I'll let you all choose."

"Don't...kill him..." Fenix's eyes were still clenched shut, his voice weak. It was partially his fault, he wanted Sakura so much that he would have killed his friend for her. But he didn't take into consideration his feelings, he shouldn't have hated him for having the same feelings for Sakura. "Its...my fault...too...we hated...each other...for...no reason...please...don't kill...him..." He said before passing out again.

When it was clear that no one would kill him, Zatch gathered himself and prepaired for his long journey. He turned to Sakura and handed her back the ribbon. "You will never know how sorry I am, or how grateful I am to both of you." He then walked out the door, not even acknowledging the black rain.Heh. Any other day that might actually catch my attention. With his back still turned he spoke to them all. "I haven't forgotten my duties. I'll return to Marmo and use my resources there to fight this Cray."

"Shadow of darkness open thy gates... and let me walk home." A black portal opens in front of Zatch, he pulls the scarf from his neck and lets it fall to the ground, he then walkes into the portal which soon closes behind him. And that was it. Zatch Kar, son of Raul and Elora Kar was gone.

* * *

Muttering curses at both men, Mia knelt down beside Fenix to help take care of him. "Falis, we don't need to give Mercurial any more trouble," Mia grumbled as she looked at the new hole. Through the door, she watched Zatch leave and sighed. "We need to find some herbs to help him regain his strength. Mory, can you find some of what Sakura used to help Blaze? I'm not nearly as good with potions and elixirs as her. Damn, where is Naclia?"

* * *

Human...was I ever human? Zatch thought to himself as he floated around the Abyss. To him it had been days since he left but in the physical world it was mere moments. This looks like the hand of a human, but it isn't, somehow it just isn't.

Not becoming a knight.

Leaving home.

Killing a stranger that didn't need to die.

Nearly destroying the balance to show off my knowledge.

Almost killing my friend.

I have failed over, and over, and over agian. And yet I still draw breath, why? Of all the people to die in the world who werent cowards, or weak, or mistakes. Why them and not me? Zatch didn't intend to stay there forever. Even though it would mean becoming a frail old man he could stay in the Abyss for 50 years and he would come out no more than a day after he left in prime material. But the longer he stayed the weaker his body would be when he came out, so he knew he would have to leave the Abyss in order to keep his promise to continue fighting. Travel in the shadow plane is very exhausting, terrible for long journeys but very useful when you need to get a few miles away in a hurry. Zatch needed to get as far away from his point of entry as possible, so that when he re entered he should be able to get at least ten miles from the inn, he couldn't face any of them yet, maybe not ever. When he got as far as his will could take him he scraped together the last of his power to open another portal. When he landed he was so tired he couldn't even open his eyes to see where he was, he then simply fell asleep without thought or word.

* * *

Zira came up stairs at the sound of the fight to see Fenix lying in a puddle of blood. However, she quickly realized his wound was healed. "I'll find Alwyn, he helped Blaze more than Sakura with this kind of injury," Zira told Mia coolly and left the bar. "Oh and Naclia? She left after Ariakan early this morning, Talen of course followed."

Outside, she met Blaze. "Yet another fight," she muttered to him. "One of the new guys, Fenix looks like he was hurt pretty bad. I hoped this infighting had stopped, but I guess some people weren't paying attention. One of the people who fought left however, Zatch."

* * *

The rain beat down upon the earth harder. Seeping through the forest and soaking into dirt. It hardened and surrounded a radius around one point. In the center of the rain walked a single man dressed in black robes with a pure white mask. A single eye was exposed through the left eye hole. Cray walked effortlessly through the rain in search of a certain soul... Sevrina...