Oh, My! I said I'd get a chapter up by yesterday, and I'm only a few hours off. Go me! Anyway, I hope everyone had a great holiday. I know I did. Man, I am still stuffed. I guess I just over did it with the food this year. Now, I know this is a rather short segment, but the final section of the story was much shorter than the others and I felt that splitting it into thirds rather than halves would be the best way to handle the tension I hope to pull off.

Kairi21: Arrr! I'm glad ye spotted that one, matey. I did not catch that one at all. Well, I'm sure there will be more like that, and I can only hope that I can keep up the same production quality without beta as I did with beta. But, only time will tell.

RiaKitsuneYoukai: Thank you for your love, and I hope this chapter, though short, is both soon enough and good enough to pass inspection. Enjoy.

Ryumasa the Ryuhaitou: Happy Holidays! And like you have any reason to appoligize for reviewing a few days late after I was several months late. Thanks for continuing to read.

Marowe: I'm glad you enjoyed that section. Originally, Rue's thoughts didn't appear their, and it was just Mint and Maya talking with Rue standing there. But as I proofed it, I decided that that didn't seem to be enough, or convey at all what Rue was supposed to be going through. I hope this did a good job.

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I reached up and wiped away the trickle of sweat that had run from my forehead and hung, dangling on the tip of my nose, as I slowly climbed into the top of the volcano, carefully avoiding the cracks in the rocks that spewed forth steam. The smell of sulfur and heat filled the air, and the sheer strength of the flames caused the air to bend, distorting my vision. But even with the miserableness of the crag, I still smiled as I saw Wyalf, curled up in the far corner of the recess, sleeping soundly as a jet of steam warmed his thick skin. A light snore escaped his massive nose, and a wisp of flame danced from his flaring nostrils with each breath he exhaled. His thin forced tongue hung from the corner of his mouth and rested on his tail, which was curled tightly around him.

I didn't move. I was simply transfixed by the power and majesty he exuded, even when asleep. But I must have made a sound, for suddenly; he opened his mouth in a loud yawn, showing off rows of sharp teeth and a ball of churning fire that danced behind his lips for a moment before erupting into the air. When his mouth finally closed, he reached up with his tail, rubbing his eye with the tip as his tongue began to lick at the sharp incisors that filled his mouth.

"Are you going to say something?" he asked, his voice slightly groggy from sleep but still, somehow, deep and commanding. "Or are you just going to sit there and watch me wake up?"

"Sorry," I began slowly, reaching up to scratch the back of my head. "I didn't mean to disturb you. It's just.

"You need a way to the tower," he finished, looking up towards the tower in the sky.

I took a quick step back, having forgotten that he could read my mind. I chuckled slightly as I shook my head. How could I have forgotten that? My smile quickly faded though, and the look on my face became pained as I remembered that this wasn't the only thing I had forgotten.

"Yes," I said, nodding. I could feel Wylaf looking at me, and I tried hard not to think about anything but my destination. "Do you know of any way for me to reach the tower?"

"I know of several," he replied calmly, still not taking his eyes off me. "But you are troubled. Perhaps I can offer some advice. Please, tell me what has you so troubled?"

"Don't… you already know what's wrong?" I asked, my shoulders slumping as I turned away from the dragon.

"Of course," he said. "But sometimes humans find it easier to deal with a problem if they speak it out loud."

So I did. Right there, I spilled all of my worries out to the dragon, my worries about myself, my worries about Ruecian… my worries about Mint. I don't know why I told him everything. I just wanted answers to a couple of the things, but it all spilled out like the water from behind a broken dam. I wanted his answers, his knowledge, about whether I could defy my fate; if I could save Claire; if I could beat Ruecian. Or was I doomed to fail, and become something detestable.

My voice slowed to a stop as I finished speaking and my eyes fell to the ground. Without warning the ground began to shake as Wylaf let loose with a booming laugh. I stumbled to the side from the force but still managed to keep my balance.

"Is that all?" he asked at length.

I bowed my head feeling a little embarrassed, reaching up and rubbing my neck, and I nodded, feeling stupid.

"Rue," the dragon began. "I passed judgment on you long ago. I told you that I believed you would bring neither harm nor ruin to this world. And I stand by that decision."

"But what if… what if what Ruecian say is true?" I asked, taking a quick step forwards as I swung my hands to the side. My voice was pleading. "What if I really am a Doll of Valen?"

"That," Wylaf said, looking me in the eyes. "Is true. I knew it from the first time I got a good look at you."

I bowed my head, and my fists clenched. I was beginning to tremble.

"Than how can you say I won't destroy the world?" I shouted. "After all, it's my destiny to revive Valen."

"But destiny didn't bring you here," Wylaf said, calmly.

"What?" I asked feeling dumbfounded.

"You weren't brought here by the tug that brought Ruecian to visit my mountain top all those many years ago," he said, slowly turning to look back up at the floating tower.

"Ruecian visited here?" I asked.

"Yes, he did, long ago, but, unlike you, the madness was already in his eyes," Wylaf said, a small sigh escaping his lips. "He was brought here by his destiny, by his programming. He is truly everything that a Doll of Valen was intended to be. You are not, Rue. As a Doll, you are an utter failure."

Wylaf laughed at that, but I didn't. I simply tilted my head to the side as confusion swept over me, curious about what it was that was so funny, but also a little bit insulted.

"You were brought here by your own will, your own desire to save Claire. Those are feelings you yourself created. Destiny is a powerful mistress, but she can never force us to feel a certain way."

'So…?"

"You are you," he said, his lips curling back in a fangy smile. "Never forget that."

"But what if… If somehow, I still destroy the world?" I asked, feeling a sense of dread wash over me.

"I have faith in you," Wyalf said. "I told you that you wouldn't destroy this world, and I still stand by that. As does Mint."

"Mint…" I said slowly, my mind beginning to work in over drive.

I could see Mint, in my mind, standing there, smiling, dancing happily, or glaring at me angrily, but still, despite all the times I screwed up she never gave up on me. Slowly, her hair began to darken and her features began to change. Claire. I could see her smile. I could see her humming as she prepared dinner. I saw her lying dead on the ground, with Ruecian standing above her, a wicked smile plastered on his face. Slowly that image changed. Claire began to twist, and I saw Klaus lying there, Elena, Mira, Prima, and even Mint. As the bodies began to pile in my mind, I grew angry. At him. At myself. I knew what I had to do. I had to go to the tower. I had to avenge Claire. But, I had to do it alone. It was my failure all those years ago that had let things escalate to this point. And for that, I had to be the one to stop it.

"How do I get to the tower?" I asked, my voice showing a sense of confidence, I hadn't heard from it in a long time. Wylaf grinned as he looked down at me.

"You're going to fly," he replied.

I frowned as I turned to look up at the tower. Even from the height I was at, the tower was still several miles away, and I didn't think I'd be able to make it with the strength of any of the flying creatures I'd killed during my travels.

"Fly?" I asked, turning back to look at him. "You sure? I mean, I've only killed small birds and maybe an accidental butterfly, so I don't think flying is the best idea."

Wylaf threw back his head as he let loose a hearty laugh.

"Have some faith in one centuries your elder, Rue," Wylaf said, the smug turn returning to his voice. "I think I'm knowledgeable enough to think up a decent plan to get you there."

"How?" I asked, as I smiled at him curiously.

"I'm going to grant you your own set of wings," he said slowly, gazing down at me.

My eyes widened, as images of Ruecian's wings popped into my head.

"No!" I practically shouted, much to the bemusement of Wylaf. "I mean, it's a good idea, I just…"

"Don't want to resemble your brother," Wylaf finished, still smirking at me. I felt a blush rise to my cheeks and I turned to look away from him. "I have that covered. Now I think you should turn around."

"Why?" I asked as I spun.

"Because a dragon cannot give away all his secrets."

I took a deep nervous breath as I looked out over the small strip of green and blue landscape that I could see past the lip of the crater and beyond the white clouds.

"Ready?" Wylaf asked, sounding as if there was something in his mouth. "This will hurt."

I felt compelled to look, to see just what it was that had causing Wylaf's speech to slur. I took another deep breath and sighed, forcing my head to remain ridged. I nodded slightly. Then there was a loud snap and the sound of ripping flesh as Wylaf groaned out loud. My eyes snapped open and I spun, just in time to see one of Wylaf's wings fall to the ground, a thin trail of blood following it from Wylaf's mouth.

"What are you…?" I shouted, taking a step forward and trying desperately to understand what Wylaf was doing, and why he was injuring himself. But I couldn't finish.

My body began to burn brightly, hotter than it ever had before and I screamed out, dropping to my knees as I could feel the soul force its way into me, enveloping me in the fires of hell itself. My eyes began to water as I reflexively curled into a ball on the ground. I felt like I was being burned from the inside out. It felt like everything that made me, me, was being eaten away by the fire that was assaulting me and all that would be left was an empty husk with smoke billowing from my eyes and mouth.

Then the fire washed away, leaving only two burning points of heat on my sholder blades, which were itching like mad. I reached back and began to scratch at one as I stood up shakily, grunting, my eyes still watering.

"Why did you do that?" I asked, as I stood up and wiped my eyes, looking up at Wylaf, as he used his tongue to mend the two gaping holes in his back. After a time, the bleeding slowed and he turned to face me.

"You needed your own wings to get to he tower," he said, his voice still tinged with pain, his breathing was heavy and labored. "This was the fastest way to do that. If Doll Master is the first to revive Valen, than all is truly lost. However, if you and the princess are capable of defeating him, than I believe, regardless of your use of the Relic, the world will survive."

"But what did tearing off your own wings have to do with that?" I asked, in a near panic.

"A dragon is a special creature, Rue," he said, looking down his nose at me. "The soul of the dragon is not tied to just one place, but to every part of the body, so when one part goes, so does that part of my soul."

"I see," I said, quietly, as my eyes dropped to the ground. "I'm sorry."

"These are trying times Rue," Wylaf said, slowly, looking out over the landscape. "And we all must make sacrifices. Just make sure you do one thing for me."

"What's that?" I asked, lifting my head.

"That bastard, Valen, nearly exterminated every single one of my kind in his quest to make that blasted Relic. There are very few of us now, and most too old to hope to repopulate the skies," Wylaf said, his voice growing cold.

My eyes widened, and I shook my head.

"And I, like the rest, am to old to challenge him now. So, you have to stop him before he revives."

"But what if I can't?" I asked. "What if it's already too late? What if Valen is already back?"

He turned slowly to look at me, and I could see the blood on his lips and teeth from where he had cleaned his wounds. His eyes were narrowed.

"Than make sure that he suffers for what he did to my people, to the world."

My lips thinned and my fists clenched as I felt anger wash over me. What kind of monster created me? Was I the product of thousands of lost souls just like the Relic? What was it that had made the Relic in the first place? I shook my head. I knew the answer to that, at least partially, and that was good enough for me.

The burning in my back was increasing drastically. Without my command, my chest bowed in, and it felt like the skin on my back was melting. Suddenly, I felt something rip, and my body shifting backwards. What was left of my shirt stuck to my back from the blood that was flowing freely from the rapidly closing wounds.

I turned my head and looked to the side. The wings were large, each one longer and wider than I was, and made of the exact same light gray scale that covered Wylaf's dead wings. I sat there for a moment, slowly, learning how to shift and move my wings, trying desperately not to knock myself over as I pushed them through the air.

Slowly and carefully, I untied the strap that held the Arc Edge to my back, allowing the blade to fall to the ground with a loud thunk. I held the strap in my hand for a moment before throwing it to the wind and watching it be carried down the mountain. As it descended, I bent down and gripped the handle of the Arc Edge.

"I suppose I should be going," I said, as I extended my wings and began to flap them lightly.

The feeling of the wind, catching beneath my wings and of my feet slowly being lifted from the ground was incredible. I felt freer then I had in years. My wings flapped harder and I began to rise into the sky.

"Take care, young Rue!" Wylaf called out, standing up on his hind legs. "May all go well for you on your journey!"

I smiled at him and waved with my free hand.

"Rue!" A female voice called out behind me.

I spun quickly, going just a little too far, and having to flap my wings harder to slow down my speed.

"Mint?" I whispered as I saw her scrambling up the cliff face, her Dual Halos jangling against the rocks from their place in the crook of her arm and her twin pony tails swinging from side to side.

"Rue…! Don't… Leave me!" she panted as she came to a stop at the top of the hill, bending over to catch her breath.

"Mint, what are you doing here?" I asked, hovering in place.

"What am I doing here?" she shouted, standing up quickly and jutting her ring out at me. "What the hell are you doing here? Last I remember; you had given up!"

"I know," I said, just barely loud enough for her to hear. "I'm sorry that I let you down."

"Damn it!" Mint cursed stomping on the ground. "You didn't let me down. Maya explained it all in greater detail after you left. I can understand why you were worried."

"You can?" I asked, sounding hopeful.

"Of course!" she replied, before jerking her hand towards the ground. "Now get down here so I can go with you to the Tower."

I shook my head slowly.

"No."

"What do you mean no?" she asked, taking a step back. "We're partners, right?"

I lowered my altitude just enough so that Mint and I could converse without shouting.

"Mint, you are my partner, and that's how I hope it always remains," I told her. I could feel a slight stab in my chest as I uttered those words. "But I have to go alone."

"Why?" Mint asked, slumping her shoulders. "Why now of all times are you pulling this shit again? I can help you. I'm strong too!"

She wasn't angry. She wasn't even annoyed. She was hurt, hurt that I was refusing her help. I knew this even then, but I still knew that I had to do this alone.

"Not with this you can't," I said slowly, closing my eyes. "And it's not because I don't think that you would be a help. You are probably stronger than me and would have a better chance at this than I do."

"Then why?" Mint shouted, stomping towards me. "It doesn't make sense. I don't care that you're a doll! I want to help you defeat your fate! So why can't I come?"

"Because Ruecian killed Claire," I said slowly.

"You mean Doll Master?" Mint asked, her eyes going soft.

"Ruecian, Doll Master, my brother," I began, turning away from Mint. "They're all the same. It's my fault Claire died. He was after me when he came to our farm. If I had just gone with him. If I hadn't started that fight.

"That's bull shit!" Mint shouted, swinging her arm to the side. "You didn't force Claire outside, and you damn well didn't know your twisted brother would come after you! So, I don't see how this is your fight alone. I have ever right to kick his ass myself! He got me banned from my kingdom!"

"I'm sorry. It just is. He's my family, my responsibility," I said, closing my eyes and flapping my wings harder, slowly drifting higher into the night sky.

"Don't you dare fly away from me!" Mint shrieked, as I rose high in the sky. "I swear I'll come after you. You are not leaving me behind!"

"I'll wait for you after I deal with Ruecian!" I shouted down at her, waving.

"You better not be lying!" she shouted waving back, flashing a warm smile at me. "Or I swear, I will make the rest of your life a living hell!"

I heard Wylaf let out a fierce laugh as I tore into the sky, my wings beating hard, caring me ever closer to my fate, my enemies, my family.

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My wings burned and my lungs ached as I touched down inside the small alcove at the base of the Fortress, my feet hitting the ground hard, as my wings gave out. I fell forward, collapsing in a pile on the cool stone floor, the Arc Edge skittering into the darkness. I could feel my wings roll up, like a piece of parchment before forcing their way back through my skin. I grunted against the pain, and then lay still. The only noises that could be heard were my own pained gasps as I tried to catch my breath and the wind that howled through the opening. I cracked my eyes slightly, just enough to make out the thin golden veins that sliced through the brownish stone of the fortress. The floor was covered in runic symbols, exactly like those of the lake ruins; except that where the raised dais would be was a glowing gem, pulsating softly with blue light as if water was constantly running through the inside.

"Rue?" a soft voice called out. "Is that you?"

I lifted my head slowly, not yet moving any other part of my body. There, in the darkest corner of the room, lay Prima slouched against the wall.

"Prima?" I asked, lifting myself up slightly to get a better look at the young doll.

He looked terrible. His face was bloodied and his clothing was torn. Bruises covered his arms, legs, and chest, the part that was visible through the tattered remains of his clothes. One of his eyes was swollen shut, and a small stream of blood seeped out, trickling down his cheek. He breathed slowly through his mouth, and I could see his white teeth tinted pink. I crawled forwards quickly, and the closer I got, the worse he looked. There were small nicks and cuts up and down him. His nose showed signs of bleeding, which had long since passed.

"What happened to you?" I asked, reaching out and moving a stray lock of the boy's hair away from his swollen eye. He jerked back as my fingers grazed the wound.

"Did Ruecian do this?" I asked, anger seeping into my voice, but Prima shook his head.

"Ruecian?" Prima asked, lifting his head slightly, his speech was slow and exhausted. "No. It was just a guard that caught me trying to escape. I'm sorry."

"For what?" I asked, my voice calming down.

"I tried not to," he said, closing his eyes. "But I couldn't resist him anymore. He said that if I didn't open the ruins… he'd kill everyone in Carona. I had to. I didn't…."

"It's ok," I said, trying to comfort the boy. "It's not your fault. It's Ruecian's… Doll Master's fault."

"Rue," Prima said after a moment. "I'm cold… so…cold and tired."

I frowned down at the boy, taking in the sight of the ripped and tattered clothes that seemed only to cling to him because they were laid there. I stood up slowly, and began to remove my armor, tossing it in a heap on the floor.

"Rue?" Prima asked, looking up.

Quickly, I undid the buttons on my shirt and slipped it off, taking in the two apple sized holes in the back, through which my wings had pierced. I shivered as the cold wind began to sweep across me. Slowly, I laid the shirt down across Prima.

"It's not much," I said slowly, kneeling down in front of him. "But it's all I can offer."

"But what about you?" Prima asked, his voice dimming.

"I'll be fine," I said, forcing myself to smile.

"I want to go home," he said, a tear seeping from his glazed eyes. "I want to see Klaus again. I'm… I'm scarred."

"Shhh," I breathed softly. I reached up slowly and ruffled the hair on his head. "I'll get you home soon, but there's something I have to do first."

"Get the Relic," Prima said slowly, turning to look away from me.

"No," I said, taking my hand away. "If that were it, I'd take you home right now."

"But I have to go," I said, standing up, and walking to pick up the Arc Edge from where it fell after my landing. "Ruecian must be stopped."

I bent down slowly and gripped the handle. For the first time I actually looked at the room. It was carved with the same intricate designs that were on the lake ruins, but it seemed as if the island ruins had curved into a square, opening the entrance to only one small block like room. I began to walk slowly over towards the gem.

"Mint's on her way," I said, looking once more at Prima. "I'm sure she'll be here soon. You just rest."

I stood there for a moment, but I got no response from the doll. I closed my eyes as my hand clenched into a fist. I could feel the anger begin to bubble inside me.

"I'll come back for you," I whispered as I stepped up to the crystal and placed my hand gently against it.

I felt my body twist and warp, but not like it did when I was transforming. I felt like I was being pulled and spun at the same time. I felt nauseous.

My feet touched the ground softly and I stumbled, my stomach clenched and I felt myself begin to retch. I fell to my knees as I continued to gag onto the floor, but nothing, except my own saliva, came out. I felt lucky that I hadn't stuck around for breakfast before beginning this.

I wiped my mouth as I stood up, still feeling a bit woozy from trying to empty my stomach onto the ground. I shook my head as I turned to look at my surroundings, or lack there of. I found myself on a long platform, which ran farther into the infinite darkness that surrounded me. The platform was golden with lines all turning at right angles etched into it. On the edge of the platform were what looked like golden wires, which crisscrossed and stretched out just far enough to possibly catch someone who fell. In the distance, I could see several other platforms, above and below my own.

I turned slowly, glancing around. The path seemed to begin where I stood. I shook my head. Was this the inside of the Fortress? It seemed much too large.

The sounds of something clacking on the stone floor startled me, causing me to whirl in place. The creature breathed out hard through its flared nostrils, and the stench of death rose to meet me. I tried to take a step back as I stared at the creature, but the end of the path prevented me from going anywhere. The creature looked bovine, but with a much more demonic tint. The black lead ring looped through its nose, which rattled every time it exhaled. Its eyes squinted as it glared me down, and it lifted one of its blood red legs and clacked the black hoof hard against the ground as it threw its head from side to side, as if making sure I noticed the sharp tips on its thick, wavy horns. Bits of bloody flesh fell from the rotting corpse of the monster, collecting in the every widening pool below him. His tail, or what was left of it, swished from side to side, almost as if he were happy.

Suddenly, he charged, ripping down the path. With each thunderous step more of his flesh fell from his body and a small bloody hoof print was left on the ground. I leapt to the side as the creature tore past me, and fell. I lashed out, grapping one of the golden wires before I plummeted to my death.

I chuckled as I pulled myself up. That had been easy. Now, how was I supposed to go about getting through this area I wondered as I reached up to scratch my warming neck. I could try to fly or maybe it would be easier to just follow the path. As I scratched my neck, I felt my hand grow warm. My eyes widened with that realization. I turned my head slowly and saw the bull right behind me, its fangs bared for all to see. I jumped away from the monster as it reared up on its hind legs.

I could have sworn it had gone over the edge, but there it was, standing right behind me. I blinked slowly, realizing that it wasn't exactly standing, as there was nothing under the monster for it to stand on. It was just hovering over nothing.

It charged again, and I jumped to the side, this time bringing up the Arc Edge and slashing into his flank, knocking free more of its flesh and exposing the blackened skeletal ribs. I landed on the wire and jumped back to the center of the platform. The monster turned and stared at me. The wound hadn't fazed it.

I glanced behind me, noticing that I had once again forced myself against the emptiness. I looked back at the creature, and I shook my head as I raised the Arc Edge. If you couldn't hurt the body, then you must destroy the head, I told myself. I just hopped this would work.

"Come on," I said softly, my eyes hardening. "You've slowed me down enough."

I charged, and so did it. I leapt into the air. And it thrust its horns at me. I had to twist slightly in the air to miss getting caught by the sharp tips, but I was still able to bring my blade down on the top of the monster's head, splitting it as if it were an overripe melon. I landed as the body crashed down, slamming into me. I wobbled for a second, before I lost balance completely and fell over the edge.

In an instant my wings had unfurled. I flapped hard, steadying myself and slowing my decent. Eventually, after a moment of frantic flapping, I began to regain altitude. I rose slowly; passing the platform I'd first entered this area on. I'd defeated the monster, and it lay there unmoving at the entrance to this place. But it had long since been dead, and unlike the skeletons of the Ghost Temple, it seemed as if were driven by some force other then a soul, for there had been no fire to envelope me. I shook my head.

I had no time to worry about that, I told myself. I had to stop Ruecian. I flapped my wings harder. I had to make it to the top.

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A/N: Well, that's it for now. Rue is on his way to challenge Ruecian and hopefully put a stop to all this madness. I hope I can get the next one out to everyone in a timely manner, but I have some things I need to do to fix the mistakes in the next section, so with that and the fact I'm a lazy bum, it might take a bit. I'll try to have it out before mid-january. So, hopefully, I'll see you then.