Erich arrived back at the Temple grounds a bit shaken.

*Why did that crazy woman try to kill me? And if she was a Demon why didn't she use magic or something?* Stepping into the living room, he sat next to Jessica and gave her a tight hug. "Erich what's wrong?"

"Some crazy woman with a sword calling herself a demon tried to kill me, that's all." "What? A demon?"

"Yeah, crazy blond chick, she was impressed that I held her off bare- handed."

"Are you all right Erich? Did she hurt you?" There were almost tears coming from her eyes, and Erich held her tightly,

"I'm fine Jess, I'm fine." Peorth popped out of the vase across the room,

"Hey gu... Jess? What's wrong?"

"Some Demon tried to kill Erich!" Peorth swiftly moved next to him,

"What? When? Who?" Erich pushed her back slightly,

"Whoa Peorth! I'm fine, it was probably just some psychopath on drugs or something." Peorth shook her head,

"I don't buy it, what did she look like? What did she do?"

"Well, she was tall, slim, long blond hair, and markings like yours except red..." Peorth shook her head,

"Mara. All right, don't worry Erich, unless she was pulled off Keichi, she was probably just relieving monotony, I doubt it will happen again."

Later that night at dinner, Jessica had prepared a lot of Sesame Chicken.

"Delicious as always Jess!" She smiled like she did at everything

"Thanks Erich." Elly stopped stuffing her face long enough to ask

"Are you all right Jess? Your eyes are all red." She glanced quickly at Peorth, {Did Erich tell her what happened?} Peorth shook her head slightly.

 "No Elly, I'm fine, just a bit tired I guess." Elly shrugged and resumed her gorging.

"I don't know how my sister stays thin when she eats so much." Jessica and Peorth chuckled while Elly just glared.

The four were so engrossed in their food that they didn't notice the explosion right away. Not until the table collapsed on their legs.

"Ow!" Erich looked around,

"What was that? I'm gonna check it out!" He ran outside, followed by the girls, only to see Mara standing outside.

"You again?!" Mara smirked,

"Indeed, and this time I'm ready, even for your goddess friends!" Erich took a stance, Peorth started gathering energy, and Jessica rushed Elly inside

"It's dangerous out there!" Peorth didn't hesitate with her attack,

"Star Fire awaken and deliver judgment, Firaga!" A gout of flame from the sky fell onto Mara, but was deflected to set ablaze a nearby tree. Mara shook her head and held up her hand,

"A Mica Ring! You bitch!" She laughed

"The best!" Jessica came back out,

"Time, free us from your mire, Senkei!" A burst of red energy flared over the three of them, and Erich charged forward at high speed. He smacked her rapidly 4 times, then slid back, the air chilled and his hands glowed blue. He swung his arms around, and a blade of ethereal ice slashed through Mara. There was no physical damage but she was visibly weakened.

"More powerful when you have to protect someone huh?" Mara half closed her eyes and murmured something, and some sort of cannon materialized on her shoulder. A monocle swung over her eye and she pointed it at Erich,

"Good bye mortal!" A quarter sphere of energy formed at the end of the barrel, then a hemisphere, then a blast of red-orange energy blew through Erich, distorting his form, and falling him to the ground.

"Too easy! My work is done!" She vanished, Jessica rushed to Erich, and Peorth stood in shock,

"A Soul-Eraser, I thought the last one had been destroyed."

Yeah, it's a bit short, but hey it's a good spot to stop. Please Review it.