SailorStar9: Figured was about time I go this chapter out, so this is Chapter 7 of this fic. (Sighs) Guys and girls, is it too hard for you to leave a review, instead of just putting this fic up on your alerts and favorites?

Disclaimers: I own nothing, not even the pairing.

Chapter 7: 2500 Years Before Present Time: Confrontation With Aison


Telamon bit back a painful groan as his eyes fluttered open. Feeling his surroundings, he pushed himself up to get a better hold of his bearings.

"Master Aison!" he heard Mariam squeal in glee. "I've brought them as you've asked."

"Very good, Mariam." Aison purred. "Ah, I see my little bait has awoke." he turned to Telamon.

"Aison..." Telamon growled.

"Tut, tut." the traitor tsked. "Is this the way to talk to your old partner?"

"Where is she?" Telamon spat.

The auburn-haired male chuckled and approached him. "Very observant, little dragon." before casually leaning against the altar and waved a hand to the empty space between the two pillars. The air seemed to waver and the limp, chained form of the Phoenix Guardian abruptly appeared.

Telamon made a move to go to his Soul-bound, but was stopped by the traitor gripping his arm. A shock of almost painfully cold electricity shot through his arm from his touch.

"Ah, ah, ah, little Dragon." he chided. "I simply must insist you keep your distance from her. I don't want you trying anything foolish just yet."

"She… she feels so weak." Telamon whispered in worry.

"That would be because my runes are keeping Suzaku's power from her. She was a bad girl so I had to punish her, you see. Now," he turned to Mariam. "What shall I do with you?"

"Give me Telamon's heart and the power of Suzaku, just like you promised!" Mariam glowered, not liking where this was going.

Aison crossed his arms over his chest. "I promised no such thing."

Mariam frowned, "What?"

"Our agreement was, verbatim, I would give you exactly what you deserve."

"I deserve Telamon and the power of Suzaku!"

He smirked again. "No, I think not."

Grabbing the protesting fire mage, he tossed her between the two other pillars as chains suddenly appeared around the pillars and wrapped themselves around her wrists, binding her in the same manner as her unconscious rival. Mariam was completely stunned, not quite believing this was happening to her. This wasn't how she had planned this. It wasn't as she had hoped it would be.

"Unsheathe your weapon, dragon." Aison instructed. "A fight to the death to determine the fate of this world. If you win, you fulfill the 'Karma' oath. And if I win..." he chuckled darkly. "This world will burn by your beloved Phoenix's flames and from its ashes, I will stand as its new master."

"So, that was your end-game, wasn't it, Aison?" Telamon hissed, clutching low and gripping the hilt of his weapon. "To be the ruler of the world."


The familiar war cry awoke the Phoenix Guardian and the fire wielder looked up to see her Soul-Bound and Aison rush at each other, both katanas held ready to strike. The fighters stopped just short of each other, their weapons colliding with a resounding crash. The female Guardian had the hardest time keeping track of their movements. Every move they made was made a rapid blur from almost inhuman speed.


Telamon blocked a blow from his adversary and leapt out of the way of an intended kick. He growled and swept forward for his own attack.

Lunge... and miss…

Retreat...

Swipe... and miss…

Kick...

Kick...

Block...

Parry...

Dodge...

Lunge...

Thrust... and miss…

Kick...

Kick...

Swipe...

Parry...

Swipe...

Block!

Aison was growing incensed that his opponent was lasting this long against him. Neither of them had managed to land a worth blow yet. But the Dragon was tiring, Aison could see it on his face and in his movements. The traitor threw katana blow after blow, kick after kick, being relentless in his attacks on his younger opponent.

Then it happened.

An opening in Telamon's defenses.

Aison let out a pleased, evil grin and swung his katana at the unprotected area. Steel bit into flesh effortlessly, drawing blood from a fresh wound in the warrior's side. Telamon bit back a pained cry, his hiss of pain mirrored by Kyra's own cry as a similar wound appeared on her side. The Heavenly Guardian stumbled back, managing to stay on his feet, and shot a worried glance to his beloved Soul-bound. She was writhing slightly in pain, succeeding in keeping her tearing eyes on her warrior. Fury rose within Hyourinmaru's master. Aison, in hurting the warrior, had also hurt the Suzaku avatar. No one was allowed to hurt Kyra. He glowered at his brown-eyed opponent, noting the surprise on this one's face.

"So, you really are linked." Aison mused. "How very interesting."

Taking advantage of Telamon's diverted attention, Aison struck quickly and without warning. With the butt of his katana he struck the warrior in the face, stunning him just long enough to slice at his shoulder. The ice wielder stepped back in instinct, but not far enough. He voiced his pain, dropping his katana in both agony and surprise from the move, unable to hold his weapon any longer. Each slice of the dark blade felt like cold fire to the struggling fighter.

Not far away from the battle identical wounds, as that of the Heavenly Guardian's, manifested themselves on Kyra's body. She grit her teeth hard to keep herself from screaming, small whimpers escaping her throat.

Telamon's eyes constantly flickered back and forth, between his beloved Kyra and his hated enemy, as he was forced back against one of the pillars by menacing katana swipes. His injuries hurt atrociously from every move he was forced to make to avoid the dark blade. Telamon saw his Soul-bound trying to call upon Suzaku's healing power in an attempt to stop the bleeding and the pain. Apologetic remorse filled him at the fact that she had to suffer every little thing he felt during this fight. He saw her struggle to overpower Aison's runes, just as his retreat was finally cut off by the pillar. The stone felt cold against his back. The sharp point of a cold katana tapping the underside of his chin drew his attention back to his opponent.

Aison sneered victoriously at his helpless and injured opponent. "I always believed the great Heavenly Guardian was unbeatable." He took a swipe at the warrior's thigh, opening a deep gash. Both Guardians cried out in pain from identical wounds, the fire wielder's concentration broken. "I guess I was wrong. And now..." he raised his blade. "For the final blow. Goodbye, Heavenly Guardian." his hand stilled when he felt a suddenly explosion of raw power; Suzaku had broken free of her confines. "No..." he stumbled back, horrified as he was met by the full force of the legendary Suzaku.

Giving Aison a blank look, the Suzaku-possessed Kyra raised an open palm, as wisps of flames surrounded him before solidifying into restrains and she raised Aison to eye-level. "The Judgment of Suzaku." Kyra commanded, closing her palm into a fist, causing Aison to implode in a ball of white flame.

"Kyra, wait!" Telamon voiced, seeing the Suzaku-possessed Kyra turn her attention of the bound Mariam.

"Speak!" Suzaku barked. "What reason have you to prevent me from claiming justice?"

"You've done enough." Telamon reasoned. "Her punishment will be decided by Lord Boreas."

"Very well." Suzaku conceded and retreated back to the Phoenix Orb and let her Avatar drift to the ground. "So," Kyra looked at her bemused Soul-bound. "How do we get out of here?"


SailorStar9: Now that's done, read and review.