The air pulsed with dark energy. Cray stepped forth from the woods and towards the inn. Unseen energies wove themselves in the air. A dark thread eminated from his body searching through the forest and through the building, snaking, searching. Order and Chaos no longer existed within Cray only Evil remained... "Sevrina..."

Azala watched as the others were moving Fenix around, the kid probably stood a good chance of surviving because of where he was. His ears perked up slightly, and he felt a dark presence, at first he thought it was Zatch, but it felt different. "Hey guys,we got company..." He walked out of the inn, and indeed, some guy he had never seen before stood there, looking like he probably wasn't a friend, but,Azala wouldn't just simply attack someone. "Hey buddy,you need directions or something?"

Sevrina jumped away from Gale as soon as she sensed Cray's presence. Instinctively, she drew her rapier and a long dagger. "He's here." she said simply to Gale and ran out of the bar. Outside, she saw Azala speaking to Cray. "Get away from him light elf!" she yelled to Azala whom she hadn't met yet. "What the hell do you want?" Sevrina replied, she was ready for his attack already, as were the others who recognized him.

Kitain growled silently. "Typically inconsiderate, we're not ready yet." He dropped swiftly into the basement of the inn, and slipped into his battered armour. He had no cloak, but that was a minor thing. He pulled out his own mask, and stared at it a long time. It seemed to scream at him all the names of those who had died during his life. He subsumed that part of himself, and placed the mask securely onto his face.

Azala moved slightly away,drawing his sword and tapping it lightly on his shoulder. "I take it you've met before, eh? I also take it that you aren't particularly friends..." He smirked, looking over this guy. He then laughed. "We get all the luck, first the black rain, then two kids beat the tar out of each other and one ends up nearly dead, and now Mr. Creepy over there has just decided to drop in. But, hey, man,do you have a death wish or something? Unless you are Kardis, you don't stand a chance against us. Now, just leave, go on, git!" He made a motion as if Cray was a cat that needed shoeing away, a large smile on his face. Inside he was calling up some elementals, he only needed to invoke them...

"You." Cray nodded towards Sevrina all but ignoring the other one outside. Cray waved his arm, letting the robe flow behind it. The rain stopped immediately. Instead a second infestation began. The ground underneath Cray began to twist and blacken, dying. "Come to Roid with me."

Sevrina didn't move from where she stood, tensed and ready to fight. "Why would I come with you? Leave us alone, I want nothing more to do with you," Sevrina growled, looking down at his feet. She couldn't trust him, and she was still feeling imense guilt for aiding him before in Roid.

Moryssa step outside of the inn frowning. She felt sick in her stomach as Cray caused the ground to die. She started trembling with rage, only waiting for him to step forward.

The Ghostwraith walked to the left of Kitain, holding three of her throwing stars. Her usual smile was gone, instead a fleshy mask hiding all emotion was in it's place. "I take it, he is Cray?" She never took her eyes off of the Chaos Knight.

Toan stepped up beside his sister and layed a gentle hand on her shoulder. She looked at her brother and stepped aside as he walked out, holding his sword. Turning back to her he gave a solumn nod. {This is that monster who destroyed the forest? If he makes a wrong move, I'll kill him.} He turned back to the man known as Cray. Moryssa stepped up to Sakura and removed her spell.

Sakura opened her eyes, and looked over to Fenix. Before she could say anything, Moryssa put her hand over her mouth. Following Moryssa's gaze, Sakura listened to what was happening outside.

Seri sensed Cray's presence and immediantly ran outside, stopping not far from Azala. She could feel her old student calling upon the elements already. She reached out with her mind and touched his, sending memories of the Mirror Forest battles to him. After she told him all she had to say, she turned to look at Sevrina whom Cray was most interested in. Everytime Cray showed up, there seemed to be something between him and this dark elf. Seri trusted the assassin about as much as she trusted Cray, despite the fact she was their ally. Everyone else seemed to have their reservations about her, and Seri could tell that something hadn't been said and Sevrina was feeling extremly guilty. Deedlit came up beside Seri with her sword drawn, waiting as the rest.

Azala's eyes widened as he recieved the information. An odd thing happened, it seemed he was angry, a very rare emotion for him. This guy is the reason that the tree died? And he has the nerve to come here!? He thought, taking a ready stance. "You heard the lady, Cray. Now, since i'm such a nice elf I'll give you a good 10 seconds to leave before I kick your ass from one end of lodoss to the other!" He held out his hand. "Dragon of the deep depths, thy anger is invoked!" A swirling pool of water came out in front of him, with a smirk, he looked at Cray. "10...."

Mia appeared beside Azala, "Be careful, this man is extremly powerful, I don't understand why he's here alone however..." she whispered to her friend.

Cray locked his single exposed eye onto Sevrina. Slowly he raised his hand at her. Black threads slowly weaved out of his sleeve and surrounded the dark elf. The threads of darkness moved in caressing her skin with a comforting chill and seeping into her body. "I release the darkness within you..."

Azala nodded at Mia. "Yeah, I know." He whispered back,he watched as the black threads went out into Sevrina. "Times up, pal!" He growled out as the whirlpool in front of him got much bigger. "DIE! Wave of the sea dragon!" The long, serpent like beast came out of the pool, completly made of water. It looked at Cray and let out a deafening roar as it shot foward into the chaos soldier...

"Azala!" Seri called and lifted her fingers to her lips. "I summon the spirits of light, come to me and break the binds placed on..." Seri was unable to finish her spell when Sevrina jumped infront of her and punched her at her temple. The high elf fell to the ground unconscious. Sevrina hadn't put enough force in the punch to kill her, but enough to leave her out for a long time. Deedlit drew her rapier and attacked Sevrina. The dark elf easily parried Deedlit's attacks and ended the fight slicing across Deedlit's stomach.

Cray side stepped the serpent at first and snapped his hand up, tearing through the dragon's abdomen, tainting the water within it with darkness. The serpent twisted and writhed before wrapping itself around Cray and Sevrina after turning completely black. "Come with me Sevrina... There are things to do."

Mia had gone to attack Sevrina after she injured Deedlit, however, the wall of black water stopped her. "Damnit! Sevrina!" she called out and was replied with another cold smirk from the dark elf. She was only under a spell, Mia realized-or at least believed-this.

Seeing the attack on Deedlit Parn stepped in front of Sevrina. "Snap out of it Sevrina, I don't want to see you killed." He then drew his sword and stood ready to defend against any attacks.

"Hey cutie, wanna dance?" Said a stranger clad in knight's armor as he launched a throwing knife at Sevrina, but it was easily dodged. He then jumped off his horse and drew his sword to put himself in a ready stance. He turned his head slightly to the inn "Are there any vacancies?" Been a while but I'm sure that was Deedlit she just attacked, no riddle who the bad guys are here.

Mia had gone to attack Sevrina after she injured Deedlit, however, the wall of black water stopped her. "Damnit! Sevrina!" she called out and was replied with another cold smirk from the dark elf. She was only under a spell, Mia realized-or at least believed-this.

Mia had gone to attack Sevrina after she injured Deedlit, however, the wall of black water stopped her and Parn. "Damnit! Sevrina!" she called out and was replied with another cold smirk from the dark elf. She was only under a spell, Mia realized-or at least believed-this. She glanced to Parn, then back at the dark pair in the shield. "Falaris!" she cursed then looked back the inn. "Gale!"

Azala didn't move, his strength was zapped. Well,that settled it, he was ticked off now. But unfortunatly,there was nothing he could do about it. His eyes closed and he went unconsious, as he did, the wall fell down, losing its castors energies

Moryssa darted outside when she felt the summoning of the water dragon. "I knew she couldn't be trusted! No matter, this way I'll be able to keep my promise to Kiran." Moryssa glared at Sevrina and noticed her movements weren't as fluid. Moryssa's brow furrowed as she sensed the darkness around the other elf. Then she remembered, Cray's words. So it was a spell. No matter, if I'm correct then all that did was bring out the darkness already present. Didn't take very long though.

As much as Moryssa wanted to gut Sevrina, she knew she might have felt a little guilt. Afterall, the woman had helped her work on her battle tactics in the Mirror Forest and she was partially under the influence of a spell. Sighing Moryssa decided to play back up. Ever since she summoned the golem, she had felt the need to explore her shamanistic abilities further. So concentrating as much as possible, she called out to the earth. "Mighty spirits of the earth, heed my call. Come to the aid of those that seek to avenge your mutilations!" Moryssa hadn't realized how taxing summoning could be. Last time she tried it, she was powered up by the Kaiser. She fell to floor exhausted but smiled as she saw 3 dwarf-sized gnomes appear before her. One gnome seemed enthusiastic to see her, one yawned nonchalantly and the other made a very rude gesture and returned to the earth. Moryssa pointed to Cray and Sevrina as she talked to the remaining spirits. "That man is the one that murdered your brethren, if he makes an advancement, you should destroy him. That woman is his pawn, and should only be incapacitated." The enthusiastic gnome nodded and moved towards Sevrina's left. The other looked at Moryssa for a moment, yawned and returned to the earth. Uh! My grandmother made it look so easy. Oh well, I'd rather have a motivated spirit on my side anyhow.

Sakura rushed out of the inn. She saw Seri and Azala knocked out. Singing a song of protection, Sakura was surrounded by a burgundy barrier. She rushed up to Azala, and dragged him back inside the inn, then she did the same for Seri. As she was dragging the High Elf inside she saw the wounded Deedlit. Sakura rushed over to Deedlit and sang a song of healing, sealing the wound. She dragged the elf back inside. "What do you guys want me to do?"

Toan rushed to his sisters side. {New toy?} He gestured at the gnome. Seeing his sister was exhausted he lifted her and carried her to the inn. He sat her beside Sakura. "Can you take care of her until she gets her strength back?" After Sakura's nod he started to leave, then he remembered something his grandfather taught them.

Grabbing his sisters hand he began to lend her his energy. "Spirits of flame, let your powers run from me through my sister, warm her like the earth using the our bonded lives." Toan was surrounded by a fiery glow, Moryssa by an earthy one. After a few seconds she stood up, feeling more alive. Although he felt a little more tired, he was still in fighting condition. "Moryssa, stay inside and direct your gnome, we'll need to keep one of our magic users concious. I'll go and help out the others." Toan ran outside and and approached Cray, cautiously. He circled around his opponent and then slashed at his back.

The Solitaire breathed out heavily behind the mask, he looked up, and his eyes had become the coldness of Marmo under Beld. He waved a hand, and Quicksilver, Reaver, Shadow and Steelstorm drifted over to the back stairs, the inns escape route. Solitaire followed. All bar the Solitaire wore trademark black cloaks. The Solitaire himself had lost his, and the Marmo armour from Beld's time was plain to see, and somehow threatening. They floated up the stairs, and out through the heavy storm doors. He heard the chanting, and understood that magic was being used. The two groups separated silently, one circling wide to the right, the other wide to the left. There was no noise from trees, or branches or grass as they passed. The troupe assembled again silently, no noise forthcoming at all. The group looked like wraiths, standing a good distance behind Cray and Sevrina. And all dipped their heads once. Then the one hunched over slightly, and the one with a strange grace, disappeared. Then the other three.

The black water dragon shuddered. It's form began to come apart, and it opened it's mouth in a great soundless scream. A hail of throwing daggers came in, a few striking off Crays armoured form but one struck Sevrina's upper arm. She felt a sudden breeze, and the same arm was struck lower down by something long, thin, and sharp, but of whatever it was that had caused it, there was no sign. There were two slamming blows against Cray, one into his shoulder and one under his ribs, and very briefy, a black haze, which in an eyeblink was nothing again. Sevrina briefly saw a metal facemask looming at her through the water, and registered the fist that slammed her head backwards. Cray definitely registered the sharp blade driven into the same spot that had just been pounded hard by an unknown weapon. Then the blade and fist were gone again. There was a sharp breeze, and the entirety of the vegetation on the edge of the clearing swayed as in a heavy breeze, and the black water dragon began reforming again.

Kai rushed Sevrina with an agressive charge. The weight of his sword combined with his striength made it almost impossible for her to effectivly parry, but her elven agility allowed her to dodge each attack with relative ease. Kai made a sweep at her ankles which she jumped over, putting her in a position to make a vertical slash aimed for his head, but shifting his position just a little was all he had to do to cause the light blade to deflect off his shoulder plate "Never get cheap when it comes to armor".

When her feet touched the ground agian Kai used the split second Sevrina would have used to regain her footing and delivered a powerful uppercut just a few inches below her solar plexus, knocking the wind out of her. Not a woman to be defeated easily she blocked out the pain, and since Kai was too close for her to stab him she turned her sword around and used the pummel to smash his temple, knocking him unconcious. She was about to finish him off when the hail of daggers stopped her.

Meanwhile as Cray cammanded the black water dragon, Toan made his suprise attack with an overhead slash, but Cray with his seemingly unearthly reflexes raises his sword above his head and blocked the attack without even having to look at Toan. He then twisted his torso to deal a devastating backhand which causes Toan to spin three times before hitting the ground. "Hmph whelp."

Threads of darknes wove around them again, stiching up the bodily wounds and repairing flesh and cloth wounded from lightning, blade and fist. "Enough play..." The dark threads shot away from his body and wove through the trees and earth corrupting and twisting all it touched. It swayed past the heroes but quickly tainted all other life. A dozen threads shot through the inn quickly rotting the wood and twisting metal and stone. The threads even infected the gnomes like a virus. "Atra is Death."

"Missa is Life." A warm voice fought back the dark threads. It ws accompanied by the song from a harp. "Those caught in the Brothers' War will twist and turn like a leaf in the wind until finally finding peace in oblivion..." Blade walked from the forest. Behind him life flowed, flowers began to bloom and the air was warm. A harsh contrast from the death spread from Cray. Blade smiled fondly towards Sevrina breifly before slowly drawing one of his swords. A thin bladed bladed sword that glowed with a white warmth. The glow defended all within its reach from the power of death. Blade looked over at the heroes surrounding Cray and smiled and asked them a single request. "Everyone, please step back away from him... It's about to get a bit dangerous."

* * *

Azala was still unconsious, his eyes shut as the tendrals were still taking their effect.

Fenix found himself laying down, still feeling weak and very off balance even when laying down. He felt someone with an aura like his. He pushed himself up slightly, trying to get a look around the room, seeing Sakura tending the elder elves and Deedlit. He looked at the one named Azala, his eyes furrowing at what he felt. "Your curse...is mine, what drains you shall now be relieved." A thin beam of black shot into Azala, a steady pulse returned back to his hand, Fenix was taking the dark energy from Azala to recharge himself. As the energy came back to him, he felt less light-headed, though still was very weak. "Sakura...please help me up..."

Sakura rushed over to Fenix and grabbed his hand. He still had a large scar on his chest and he was in no condition to fight. But knowing that he may not have a choice she used her powers to heal his chest a little more. The skin wasn't so raw there, but healing major organs was difficult. "Fenix, you're not strong enough to fight. It'll take time for me to heal your wound, and going up against Cray will not help." She looked pleadingly into his eyes, hoping he would litsen to her, and also wondering where Zatch was. Probably got blown a way. But he'll be back.

Moryssa looked outside of the inn to see her gnome twisting and writhing in agony. She was instantly filled with even more hatred for Cray. "Faerie of the earth, return to your domain and be free of this putrid curse!" Moryssa saw the gnome glow for a second but then it remained. She scoweled. She had to try the spell two more times before the gnome would leave. I really need some practice at this.

Just then, she saw Cray attack her brother. That's it! "Spirits of the earth, let this man feel your tremblings!" A displaced pocket of sound appeared around Cray and every bone in his body felt it's own private earthquake.Moryssa fell to the floor, having extended almost all of her energy into the spell.

Norya frowned as she saw Cray heal himself with barely a thought. She looked to the Solitaire to see what their next move would be.

Toan took a few moments to get up. The whole world seemed to be spinning. Slowly he got to his feet and wiped the blood from his lip. He winked at his sister when he saw her spell and gripped his sword, ready to slash Cray's chest if he wasn't ground into powder.

Kai finally woke up, dazed and bleeding at his temple "Ooouuuch!!!" he said in a more annoyed voice than a pained one as he clutched his wound. "I like it when they play rough, but now that I have your attack pattern down you're not gonna get another lucky shot." Kai got up agian and charged Sevrina once more, this time he was certain the day would be his. 
* * *

Fenix looked into her eyes for a few moments, still clutching her hand. "Sakura...I have to..." He started to get up when Azala pushed him back in the cart.

"Relax, kid. Listen to the lady!" He said with a grin. "Hey, you wouldn't happen to have an elixer would ya?" Fenix looked up at the two, he hated being in such a weak state. But, Sakura was right, if he missed with his absorb spell he would be totally defenseless against anything Cray threw at him. He squeezed Sakura's hand slightly, giving her a weak smile.

"Yeah, but I haven't had time to sweeten it. I can guarantee it'll burn on the way down too." Sakura reached into her robes and pulled out the elixer she made earlier that morning. She handed it to Azala and then returned her gaze back to Fenix. "I would sing you to sleep, but that would leave you even more vulnerable." She sighed not knowing what to do, but Moryssa snapped her out of it.

"You're a priestess, right? Then why don't you use the holy powers your god has given you? Duh!" Moryssa commented.

Sakura looked dazed for a moment then she smiled and walked to the inn's door. She thought of all the spells she knew and remembered a particularly nasty, and unorthodox, spell. Come on Sakura. Live a little. "Great Cha Za, god of luck and trade, I ask for your power in this time of need. Please allow this evil man to feel all of the pain he's inflicted in his lifetime." A heavenly beam of light hit Cray and he witnessed the last moments of his victim's lives through their point of view...

"Ah well,no pain no gain..." Azala washed it down with one gulp, it felt as if he had dumped tabasco sauce down his throat, and it showed on his face as he went up against the wall, holding his throat. "When you say, burn,your not kidding!" He watched her as she casted her spell, expecting Cray to be obliterated in a beam of light, he was surprised to see him there, but with a strange look on his face. Azala walked out, holding his sword in hand, ready to strike. "The hell just happened...?"

"Ku kukukukuku...." Cray chuckled deeply, his shoulders trembling as he did. Death and pain surrounded his mind. A deep darkness within him laughed at the specticle enjoying each death, writhing with ecstacy with each death Cray began to experiance.

"Dammit!" Blade snapped forward with the sword of light cocked backwards. With a lightning quick swipe the sword came from Cray's left, screaming towards his shoulder. The blade dug into flesh through cloth and drew blood. Blade froze as the dark man reached for the wound pushing the sword away, he pushed two clawed fingers into his own wound and drew it back out, pulling out a thread of blood.

"Death is merely an escape." Cray flung his blood at Blade. The liquid quickly began to burn and evaporate after it touched his armor. "My pain is beyond Death."

Blade was barely able to bring his weapon between himself and Cray before the clang of metal clashing echoed through the air. Cray stood with one arm raised and holding a large jagged sword. A black metal sword that looked more like a being from a nightmare than a weapon. Blade held his own against the strike from Atra, his entire body shaking from its dark vibration. The sword hummed. Shockwave after shockwave erupted from the clash of the two weapons. A mix of white and black waves intertwined and expanded through the forest. A cycle of life and death repeated itself quickly. Plants began to grow then died quickly. Forest animals began to rot away before they immidiately sprang back into their youth. After a moment in this strange equilibrium Blade was flung back by a shockwave directed at him. The darkness caught him by his chest and sent him flying into a dead tree. Slowly he pushed himself back up, supporting himself on the glowing sword. Before him stood Cray. Cray held the seven foot long sword easily in his right hand. A pair of feathered wings made of black fire unfolded from his back as the land died around him. The earth twisted and moaned with each hum the sword gave off. Blade raised his own sword. A hum from the sword was made visible in a warm white pulse that began to gently counter the dark waves, doing what he could to protect those around him from the effects of the UnHoly ARM...

Sevrina was confused now, the prick she had felt earlier seemed to be the cause of it. Cray and Blade dueled, meanwhile, Sevrina and the others were behind a sheild raised by Blade. Her head was swimming and her vision was begining to blur. She hated not being in control like this and she fought it the best she could. She saw the new knight get to his feet again and charge her, she jumped back about ten feet and out of his reach. Whatever was affecting her, she wasn't going to fight while it it was working. Sevrina felt weak and stumbled. Her instincts were calling to her to escape, she didn't know if she had the energy however. She glanced over at Gale coming towards her, then lifted two fingers to her lips and focusing her strength. "Spirits of invisability, let thy form become my form," she whispered and disappeared. She couldn't allow herself to be captured. She moved away from the group, behind the safety of Missa and Blade's sheild. However, when she was behind the inn, it took all her strength to keep the spell up as well as walk.

Moryssa cursed silently when she lost sight of Sevrina, but she felt sick hearing Cray's laugh. She looked past Sakura and saw Kiran standing there idle. "Kiran!! Go out there and help my brother! Cray can't be defeated one on one. Go on, shoo!" Moryssa pushed the elf out of the inn and handed him his scimitar. "Think of this as a bonding experience."

Kiran looked hesitantly at Blade and Cray. "Mory, there is something greater going on here," he said, then left. "Toan, back off, wait for Cray to make a move against us. That stranger and Sevrina seem to be the only ones he wants anything to do with," Kiran whispered to Toan and stood beside him, ready to fight.

Seeing Sevrina disappear after Cray's spell forced Gale's anger to come to bear. His hair went Raven black as did his eyes, and he grew to almost 9 ft tall. Each step he made left little craters. He growled and lanced forward, grabbing Blade's head with one hand he flung him. The shield that Blade raised was like electricuting Gale but he didn't notice. He could still tell where Sevrina was, he could see the spell's aura. He wasn't going for her, rather he was going to rip Cray's heart out with his teeth.

"Power is nothing. I will show you what happens when desparation brings out the true strength in a person!" Gale ripped forward, his feet not touching the ground as he hammered his full body into Cray, followed by a massive clawed hand ripped arcoss his mask."You will not win this fight Cray!"

Blaze stood back with his swords drawn, waiting. "Stay calm Gale. He's never been this determined."

"Don't worry about it, he's perfectly safe as long as I can cast spells." Azala smirked, holding his hand out. "Light, protect against darkness!" An aura came about Gale, as darkness touched it it recoiled from it.

Solitaire hissed. Then there was the arrival of the other stranger who had engaged Cray. And now it seemed if the balance would pull the ground apart. "We move. This isn't our fight anymore. Those two seem fixed on each other, and to step out there would be death. We do not fight hopelessly, we withdraw." He flickered out of visible sight then reappeared a few hundred yards away. One by one, the others followed.

Ghostwraith brought up the rear. She totally agreed with the Solitaire's decision. But she couldn't help feeling sorry for the others. From what she had heard, the last time they went up against Cray, they had an entire forest of elves to back them up and the sound of their voices as they relayed the story suggested they didn't fare that well. "That demon, Cray is extremely powerful. Is he the cause of the rising of the undead too?"

Solitaire looked across at Ghostwraith as he shifted position again. "Yes. He is powerful, and we do not have the strength to go up against him yet. Shadow is our only current magic user, and we few would not stand a chance. That individual, I do not know his name appears to be the equal of him. However, if that man is as good as Cray is evil, he was shielding us, so I removed us from the battlefield, so he wouldn't have to. Mercurial. I am sorry that you lost the inn, will you and Alycia go with the rest when we decide who is going to Marmo. I do not want many of you staying at all. It may require all your skill to get the Troupe Standard from the Arena."

Mercurial and Alycia fell silent. The whole troupe stopped and rested up against twisted, black trees.

The Solitaire looked from one face to another. "A preliminary vote. Shall the troupe stand and fight this new darkness. Ghostwraith, what say you?"

Norya looked at Kitain for a moment, contemplating his question. She looked to the others and then back at the Solitaire. "We barely slowed his assault down let alone defeated him. Although he might have time to grow stronger, I feel that we should wait a little longer for our companions. I can guarantee that atleast two of them are on their way as we speak." A frown crossed Norya's face as she remembered how easily he shrugged off the Troupes attack.

* * *

Kai was suprised to see Sevrina open the distance like that, but he was even more suprised to see her simply vanish into thin air. Unlike Gale he had no idea where she went, he didn't even know she turned invisible, for all he knew she simply teleported away. "Arrgh I hate it when they use magic. You know you ruin the game for everyone when you cheat!" Guess there's not much for me to do but watch these two and step in if a good guy gets in trouble.

* * *

Fenix looked up at Sakura with worry in his eyes. She had been casting many spells,he wondered how much of a toll it had been on he body. "Sakura...i'm alright...just rest...yourself...I don't want to see you..get injured..."

Sakura looked back at Fenix and forced a smile. Her hair was plastered to her head from sweat. Her head ached from the exertion of holding up the barrier while life and death struggled for dominance. "Fenix, you know I can't. What if Blade fails? What if Sevrina returns, still under Cray's control? What if...if your condition falters? I can't rest. I promise, I'll be careful. But I've got to atleast hold up the barrier." Cha Za, we need your blessings now more than anything.

"Alright...I can see I can't make you stop...Just be very...very carful...you can't help if you end up like me...stuck in bed..." Fenix stated flately, but returning her smile. I feel...so useless... He thought, stroking Sakura's hand slightly. He wished silently he was of the light, he could help Sakura then. If he tried to help her now he might corrupt her or kill her.

Moryssa was feeling extremely ill. The constant creation and destruction of the earth was taking it's toll. She looked over to Sakura and smiled a little. "I wish I could help you. But you gain your powers from a god. And I barely have enough strength to stand let alone lone you some." She slid down to the floor. She was beating herself up inside. But for what? I'm not strong enough to do anything around here. Maybe if I had stayed in in the Faerie Woods, I would've learned more. Then I could help. But no, I'm a weak elven merchant, doing nothing but causing a nuisance to our enemy. If it wasn't for the Kaiser, I probably would've been killed in the Mirror Forest. No, Cha Za blessed me and for what?

"Don't give up, kid!" Azala stated. "Find the strength from around you. Don't force your magic, feel it." He said, keeping his attention on the fight. "You want some advice from an old elf, some type of knowledge, well, there isn't any. Its basicly how quickly you learn to feel the will of the spirits around you. Now, focus your mind to the elementals around you, feel their will, and use it!"

Seri awoke with a moan. Her head was aching, but with Sakura's help, she had recovered quickly. Seri touched the sore spot at her temple, then slowly got to her feet. Her head swam for a moment and she closed her eyes to let it pass. Outside, she could hear the sounds of the battle. Already she sensed a shield in place, but couldn't sense much outside of it besides Cray.

Seri stood still for another moment as she regained her bearings then ran outside. She was shocked by the battle she found. "Azala..." she looked up at her friend and whispered, but couldn't think of much to say. She focused her mind, ready to call upon what ever spirits were needed.

Azala noticed Seri comming back, smiling at her slightly as he walked over to her. {Good to see sleeping beauty is awake, to bad, I thought I would get to wake you with a kiss. Well, might as well see if your still partially asleep.} He said an elf,giving her a quick peck on the cheek.

Seri blushed suddenly, unsure of what to do. She looked up at him with confusing becoming frustration, then slapped him across the
face. {Azala! I thought you had more respect.} Seri growled in elven, then returned inside.

Azala rubbed his cheek lightly. Well,that was a bad mood. But...she didn't cast one of her more devestating spells, so...she wasn't complelty opposed to it. He grinned slightly, before tuning his attention back to the battle.

* * *

Sevrina slumped down against a tree, fighting the overwhelming dizziness. It always took long for poisons to kick in with her, she fought with all her strength to avoid it. She had dropped her spirit cloak, it took too much energy to maintain. *Damn you Cray* she thought to herself, feeling for whatever had pricked her arm in the fight but found nothing. Distantly, the sounds of Cray and Blade's battle reached her sensitive ears. Someone would find her after she passed out. Why hadn't her were-wolf Lancer come looking for her? Right now her head was aching, she didn't care about Chaos and Order, light or dark. She just wanted to pass out, make the pain go away. The more she thought, the more her body relaxed and the poison finally won, leaving her unconcious and laying on the floor of the woods.

* * *

Mia had been pacing the shield raised by Blade, a rush of emotions flowing through her. Rage at the fact she couldn't fight, confusion over what was happening, who Blade was, why Cray wanted Sevrina. Mia began to calm a little more, but was still tense and even afraid of what was happening on the other side of that shield. She was brought out of thought by the sound of a slap and turned to see Seri returning inside and Azala obviously having been the reason for the sound. Mia smirked slightly. Now was not the time, but she'd remember that.

* * *

Cray broke away from Blade, retracting his sword. the clash of Death and Life halted and the land stopped its transformation on the side of light this time.

"I have what I have come for." Cray announced and turned away from Blade, showing his back. Yet Blade was unable to move,
the pressure still was too great. Finally his knees buckled and he fell backwards.

Cray moved swiftly over the land and came to Sevrina's side and lifted her up and hung her off his shoulder.

Azala shot off after Cray, his eyes narrowed as he landed in front of Cray. Azala shot foward and blasted Cray back, catching Sevrina in his arms. "Its to early to leave the party, pal. And I've yet to give you directions for give your going. Now, first, you run on this here sword. Just impale yourself on this blade." Azala unsheathed his sword, it emmited a bluish glow. "Now, after you die,you go straight to hell!" A glow surrounded Sevrina and him.

Sevrina slowly changed into a strange black liquid and melted off of Azala's shoulder into a black puddle around his feet. The same occured to Cray's flung body. The masked man stood behind Azala still holding Sevrina. "Hell will not have me, it fears me..."

An unnatural darkness filled the forest, hiding the sun from the earth over the forest. With a kick back Cray disappeared into that darkness along with Sevrina. After a moment the sun returned and the darkness faded. Azala was alone.

"What...the...hell." Azala looked behind him, they were gone again. "Hmmm..." He sheathed his sword and headed back to the others.