Disclaimer: See previous chapters

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Chap. 35

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After the defeat of Moulouch, the team decided to halt in their advancement through the Nether Realm in order to heal and rest up a bit. During this time, Sally checked on the injuries of the four that had fought against the Sentinel. She had just finished tending to Kento's wounds, who gave his thanks. 'Haven't been a field medic in quite awhile. Sure brings back memories.' Nodding an okay to the Ronin of strength, she soon turned to her last patient.

"Okay, Wufei. You're up."

Wufei, who was standing on the edge of the group, grunted. "I already told you, I don't need it."

"Yeah right." she asserted, beginning to move toward him. She was well aware of her partner's stubbornness, as well as his refusal to show weakness of any kind. But if she could get Kale to cooperate, then he should too.

"The sooner this is done, the sooner you can fight again." She narrowed her eyes. "No sense in showing weakness during battle, right?"

Wufei turned and glared hard at her, knowing that she was pressing his buttons, but in a way where he couldn't refuse. And she was right. The armors would eventually heal them all, but the quicker she patched them up, the sooner they would be ready for the next fight. And Wufei had fought the hardest in this one, so if anyone needed the attention, it was him.

"Fine." he relented, dispersing his armor and subarmor. "Just don't take too long."

With a smile of victory, Sally opened her case and went to work. As she went about that, the others kept guard in case Nanashi launches a surprise attack against them. But none came, which was unnerving in itself. A fact that Ryo whispered to himself.

"Something is wrong…"

"What was that, Ryo?" Mia asked from nearby.

"Huh?" Ryo blinked and turned to her, after which he gave her a light wave. "Oh nothing. Just a little too quiet, that's all."

He didn't want to worry Mia more than necessary. It was enough in the early days when she would occasionally get caught between their fights with the Dynasty (a habit she broke off as time went by), but now that she would be a participant in these same battles, it was could be a little much. But that's when Dorothy spoke in.

"Yes, it is. That's why he suspects a trap, isn't that right, Ryo?"

Ryo frowned and simply turned away back to the scene, but Dorothy moved up beside him.

"Don't fret. We already knew that much when we came here. It's the first step of avoiding a trap."

Ryo gave her a curious glance. "And that is?"

"Knowing that one is waiting."

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As the team continued to patch up their wounds, from a distance away, two figures were in watch of them. The two women warriors of Nanashi's force and among the most deadly of opponents.

Shiva and Phoenix…

"So they defeated Moulouch." Shiva spoke to her armored compatriot. "That is hardly a surprise."

Phoenix nodded in agreement, but then replied. "But their rate of strength has grown since the last battle. I doubt they will be as easy to defeat as before."

"Do you doubt Nanashi's power?"

Phoenix turned, seeing the cool glance of Shiva's unmasked face and smiled. "Hardly." She looked back down on the team. "But we must be realistic about our enemies' battle potential, so that no mistakes are made when we do confront them."

'We.' Though she was with Shiva, she was thinking of Arctic when she said that word. In the last battle, Arctic and Shiva teamed up against the team, but with the appearance of the Armor of Inferno, they were in desperate trouble and it was only by Reflections' interference that they were able to escape at all. The next time, they would be prepared for it.

She and Arctic…

It wasn't as if she doubted Shiva's abilities. Her victories against the Ronins/Celestials showed that she is more than capable of handling them. But she felt more assured if it had been her and Arctic. She knew the deep strength and determination he possessed and as long as she backed him up, he would see more of it. Once he masters his powers fully, she believed that he would be unstoppable. Neither Ronin, nor Celestial would best him. She believed that to be a truth.

Faith…

The symbol of Seii -Faith- flashed on her forehead and Phoenix lifted a hand up, seemingly in pain. Shiva gave her another look over.

"Something wrong?"

Phoenix lowered her hand, the symbol now gone, leaving only the question of what happened in her mind. But she didn't know the answer. Right now, it would have to wait for another time. Dismissing it, she turned away.

"We're done here. Let's report back to Master Nanashi."

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In the small garden cottage beneath Nanashi's towering citadel, Mariemaia sat in deep thought. After her visit to Nanashi himself, she felt great dread of the dark lord. But in that time, she had felt something else. She didn't know what it was, but it wasn't fear.

"Eventually, fighting will flare up from the Earth, or the colonies. Would it not be best to be ruled over someone…who can tame such destructive power?"

'Was that it?' She was afraid of Nanashi, but there was something there. Something that…she couldn't describe. Could this had been her father had spoken about? The power of Nanashi to control fear and hatred? If it was, then what her father had been saying…may have been true.

Was Nanashi the true answer for all mankind?

Mariemaia sighed. There were times when she wished she didn't have to think like an adult. Her viewpoint was different, but they were still mature. She was far too young to be in such situations. But it could not be helped. That was the way she was raised; Derka grooming of her to be the new ruler of the Earth put her in a position where she would have to be knowledgeable of various facts about people and history. But that was simply Derka's way of using her lineage as a way for him to rule with her as a figurehead. Now she was faced with something different, something new…and yet familiar.

That didn't stop the feeling of dread…

With another sigh, Mariemaia went and lay down on the bed situated in the room. She didn't want to think anymore. She just wanted to rest; to be rid of all this worry and contemplation. Just to simply be a little girl.

'Miss Une…Where are you?' Shhhhhhmmmmmmm…

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Shhhhhhmmmmmmm…

'Huh?'

Yuli blinked as he noticed the Jewel of Life glimmering briefly on his chest. And not only that, but a sensation of worry and a bit of fear passed through him as well. 'What was that? …Mariemaia…?'

"Okay, I'm finished here." Sally announced much to Wufei's chagrin. Yuli dismissed the sensation and went along with the group as they went on to continue their journey. Due to Dorothy's and Ryo conversation, the team was once again on edge. They hadn't been attacked since their rest, meaning that Nanashi was obviously waiting for them. But there was nothing else to do, but forge ahead and counter whatever designs the dark lord had waiting for them. They soon reached a deep forest area and stopped.

"This just stinks of a setup." Rowen said lightly.

"Yeah." Sage agreed. "But it's too long to go around it."

"There's no choice then, but to go in." Trowa finished, striding in ahead of them.

Cautiously, the team entered in, with the Ronins and the Celestials surrounding the others in a protective circle, a difficult feat due to all to the trees in their path. But they didn't have to trudge through long, for they all stopped once again, sensing the evil presence that was with them now

"We have company."

From behind one of the thick trees emerged a new figure. Dark armored, with crimson splashes and stripes all over and holding a sickle in its hand, the creature introduced itself in a shadowy whispered voice.

"I am Xerkha, the Sentinel of Fear. By Lord Nanashi's word, you will fall."

Ryo was ready to move forward and confront the newest opponent, but stopped himself short, remembering the battle plan for him not to fight. So in restraint, he turned to the rest of the team.

"So, who's going this time?"

"I will." Dais answered, stepping through the others. "This will suit me just fine."

Sekmet came alongside him. "Me too. It has been some time since I've tasted battle."

"I'll fight as well." Sage added, moving with the first two.

"Might as well." Duo shrugged, moving with the rest. Hilde was about to announce that she would fight too, but there was already a set number. As much as she wanted to help Duo, she would have to hang back on this one. Xerkha simply watched in silence as the four moved up to him in confrontation.

"Tao Nin!"

"Tao Ko!"

"Armor of Halo! Tao Chi!"

"Armor of Hellfire! Tao Jitsu!"

The four armors swirled around their bears and came to form in petals. Now fully armed, the four warriors set their weapons, ready to fight. But the newest Sentinel seemed unimpressed by their acts.

"You were able to best Moulouch, but that was a simple task. Now you will deal with me and I promise you… "

Suddenly, the Sentinel began to fade away into the trees and soon disappeared altogether. The four looked in shock and suddenly a glimmer of light came forth from out of nowhere; the blade of the sickle razing across Sage's armor.

"Guah!"

"…You won't see it coming. Heheheh…"