Hello Everyone! I'm sorry it took so long to post, holiday work was atrocious. I'm also suffering a writer's block so if it seems like I'm going in circle let me know and give me a kick in the ass.

Disclaimer: Not mine.

Chapter 10: Leaving the Temple

Meanwhile:

Nuria stood focused on her scythe and energy. The Earth shook slightly. "No. Not yet."

"Your control needs some work." Chailyn's voice broke Nuria's concentration and both earth and fire unleashed in an uncontrolled storm.

"No!" Nuria crumpled to the ground as the entire temple shook and flames roared taller then the courtyard walls.

"Control! Nuria! Control!" Chailyn yelled. "Water as Rain!"

Kayura and Dais stumbled over to Sekhmet and tried to keep away the fire.

Then rain fell from the sky and lowered the fire.

"Nuria I can't put it out. Please… control." Chailyn called to her.

"Control…" Nuria murmured to herself. Her eyes were glazed over.

"Nuria, you're hurting Dais and Kayura and Sekhmet." Chailyn hollered.

"My friends…" Tears streamed down her face as she struggle to stand against the quaking earth. "FIRE IS MINE!" The fire seemed to disappear immediately. "I call to Earth!" The ground stopped moving.

Everyone looked cautiously at Nuria. She smiled. "They have settled the fight between them." And she fainted.

Chailyn rushed to her sister's side. "Nuria…" She cradled her sister.

Nuria's eyes fluttered open for a moment. "Anila wants to see you by the way. Wind cannot be forsaken. We must remain equal." Then she closed her eyes and slept.

"Is she okay?" Kayura asked leaning on her staff.

"Yes. Just tired." Chailyn lifted Nuria's body and walking over to one of the chaises laid her down. "She will be fine with some sleep, and the war inside of her is over."

"It is that simple?" Dais asked cautiously.

"Nuria's gifts are… explosive anyway, but yes once they equal out its okay." Chailyn answered. "She is the storm. I am the calm."

"We will watch her if you'd like to take a walk and relax." Kayura suggested gently. "You look as if you could use some time."

"Thank you. I will." Chailyn turned from her sister and walked into the temple.

Somewhere out there:

Mia sat cross legged across the room from Cillian.

He threw the books at her. "Find the Jewels Mia. Do whatever it takes."

She nodded. "With pleasure."

Back at the Temple:

Chailyn walked the gardens. Anila's statue sat with the moon roses on the far side. She began to walk over and hesitated.

"You were never a cowered." Anila spoke softly. Chailyn turned to her left to see the ghost sitting amongst the blue roses.

"You are dead. You have no rights here." Chailyn spoke in neutral tones.

"The dead live here sister." Anila smiled. "And this is my garden where you trespass."

"I live here too." Chailyn replied, "And am free to walk anywhere I want."

"Nuria has both earth and fire. You must take air." Anila changed the subject.

"I cannot. Then you will not even be able to walk your gardens again." Chailyn replied.

"Is that why you taunted Nuria? Because you know once Zola gave up her gifts she would no longer have rights in this mortal realm?" Anila asked softly.

"Zola knew the consequences of what she did." Chailyn gave up and sat on the bench near her sister. "Nuria doesn't know half of what she should."

Anila's face held sorrow. "We tried to protect her. We tried to find a way to give her a childhood. She is happy the way she is. You are the oldest and have always taken Matters seriously, but look at where we are. The balance must be kept. You know that, and then I will join Zola and together we will go to our Mother. You still have Nuria and even with her adult form now she is still a child inside. You cannot rapidly age everything."

"You are Air." Chailyn began.

"Not anymore Chailyn. You are." Anila smiled. "Take care of Nuria, and try to lighten up." Anila faded as gales of wind rose from the ground and tore at Chailyn's form.

"No! Anila! No I don't want this!" Chailyn was thrown about by the wind then it seemed to fill her and vanish. She came to laying in the garden with flowers tossed about everywhere. She didn't remember fainting, but it seems she did.

She staggered to her feet and found herself looking into the eyes of Anila's statue. The spirit was gone she could see that. She sighed and rested her head against the statue. "You will not be forgotten."

She straightened and walked away. Air and Water were the two calmer of the elements and she was oldest. Her control was many thousands times stronger then Nuria's.

In the Meantime:

The Ronins walked through the corridors of the temple trying to get back to the center courtyard.

"I wonder what shook the earth like that." Rowen spoke.

"I think it was Kento's stomach." Cye joked.

"Ha, funny Cye." Kento replied.

"How long have we been wandering these hallways?" Sage asked. "Are you lost Cale?"

"I don't remember these archways." Rowen murmured.

"I am not lost." Cale retorted hotly. "I've just misplaced my map."

"Did Cale just make a joke?" Kento asked.

"Quiet Kento." Ryo ordered. "We don't want to be lost in here."

"Cale I'm disappointed in you." Chailyn leaned against one of the archway pillars. "I thought you've been lost before long enough to know your way out."

"Chailyn, since you're here you can kindly lead us back to the others." Cale responded.

"You WERE lost." Kento stated in shock.

"Quiet Hard Rock." Cale retorted. "Or you might just be lost."

"Was that a threat?" Kento walked up to Cale. "Are you threatening me?"

"Enough." Chailyn commanded and silence followed. "Acting like children. I'm being to think Nuria's right. These can't be legendary warriors."

"Just lead us out please." Sage stated.

Chailyn sighed. "Follow me."

"Um, Chailyn…" Kento cleared his throat. "We've got to leave and find the other Jewels and Mia. Are you and Nuria coming with us?"

The guys looked at Kento in shock.

"Kento," Cye whispered. "Are you hitting on her?"

"No!" Kento's face turned red. "I mean it's not like that!"

Chailyn stopped walking and looked at him questionably.

"Not like you're not pretty or anything…" Kento amended quickly. "I was just wondering…" His face seemed to get redder.

The guys laughed. Chailyn didn't. His embarrassment was turning towards sorrow at being the object of amusement.

"I have to discus with Nuria," Chailyn looked at Kento, "but yes. We probably will leave the temple with you. Thank you for asking." She turned and started walking away as the guys stopped laughing and gapped like fish as Kento hurried after her.

"I know all the best restaurants in the area and if you really like seafood there's this really cool place in the mall…"

The guys followed shaking their heads at Kento's assurances of good food.

Nuria watched the stars start to slowly go out. She had been awake for some time just watching the sky.

Sekhmet opened his eyes and saw the setting moon above him. He sat up and groaned slightly.

"Sekhmet!" Kayura hurried to his side. "You're awake."

"We must leave here before the sun touches the parapet." He spoke pained.

Nuria nodded. "With Cillian running loose the temple will disappear until he is returned to it."

"Then we should leave." Chailyn spoke entering the courtyard.

"We are leaving?" Nuria asked. "Honestly?"

"Yes. We must bind Cillian." Chailyn answered.

"We should go now. Before we lose anymore time." Sekhmet struggled to his feet. Dais helped him up.

Kayura nodded. "Let's go back to the house. I'm sure we'll find something there."

"Hopefully." Nuria stood up from the chaise.

Chailyn smiled softly and looked around. "After several hundred years…"

"Come on." Kento looped an arm around her shoulders. "There's great food out there and possibly enough people to simply watch for the next several hundred years if you want."

Chailyn nodded. Nuria picked up her scythe and lead the way out. Kento released his hold on Chailyn to help Dais move Sekhmet.

"I'm not some bloody invalid." Sekhmet stated angrily as they followed Nuria out.

"Chill out or I'll have Kento piggy back you out." Dais threatened.

Chailyn turned away from them to glance at the familiar surroundings one last time. Once the Temple faded there's no telling when it would come back.

Rowen laid a hand on her shoulder. "Come on. Nuria will need you."

She nodded and turned and followed everyone out.

On the shores of the lake everyone watched the sun rise and the temple fade at first light.

"Well," Ryo spoke. "That was one hell of a night."


Well what cha think? Review please!