Thanks for all the reviews!  You guys have been very patient with me and I appreciate it!  Welcome to the new ones:  Sammyalex and Chargone and Queen of Shadows!  Thanks for jumping on board the wagon and for your great comments.  DBH-lol, your reviews are awesome and very helpful, but I still don't get it-when did Seifer use his own names? Sorry, I reread and couldn't find where you meant.  Me feels very sheepish.   Now, let's go on with the story!

Chapter XXXVII: A Siren's Song

'Wow I think if I get back early enough, my parents will actually not say anything to me!' Lila said, glancing at her watch. 

Ash signalled a left, and nodded.  'We are pretty early.'

'Great.  Early is good!  Early is very good!' Lila smiled at him.  Vreya caught Lila's eye in the front side-view mirror and smiled slightly.

They were driving back from the base.  Lila, Vreya and Sara were in Ash were in Ash's car, and Sara, Roxy and Gen were in Costa's.  Lila was very happily sitting at the front with Ash, chattering away happily. 

Vreya stifled a yawn and looked out the window.  The sky was dark, but it was turning out to be a relatively clear night. 

'You people do realise our exams are now less than two months away.' Sara said suddenly.

Lila glanced at her, worriedly.  'We are so going to fail those aren't we.'

'Well hello, zero study time, totally preoccupied with these crazy events.' Sara waved her hand.

'Our parents will still be mad at us.' Lila muttered.  'Damn.'

Vreya sighed.  She was going to have to repeat the year.  They probably all were thanks to their 'special responsibilities'. 

'Why is Costa driving so bent?' Ash frowned, sounding the car horn at Costa.

Costa beeped back from in front of them as he swerved right.  Ash frowned again.  

'What the hell is he doing?'

'Roxy's house is left…' Vreya peered over the front seats.   'It's only a few roads away from Sara's…'

'No, look there's loads of traffic the other way.' Lila pointed.

'Weird.  Has there been an accident?' Ash asked, glancing at where Lila was pointing.

'Costa's taking a short cut.' Sara said.  They drove on a little more, before she spoke up again, realising that Costa wasn't taking a short cut.

'Where does he think he's going?  Ash, why did you follow him?'

'I…don't know…thought he was taking a short cut …' Ash replied slowly. 

'We should have just gone the other way.' Sara said.  'Ash, take a left from here and we can get to my house quicker.  Costa is taking the long way round.'

'All right.' Ash replied, and sounded the horn again, signalling to Costa that they were separating ways.  Costa blared his own horn loudly, and Roxy rolled down her window, waving back at them, grinning. 

'Bye guys!' she yelled.  'See ya all tomorrow!'

Ash took a left and they drove on for a while longer.  But as they reached the road which lead to Sara's street, they were surprised to find it closed for roadwork. 

'What?' Sara exclaimed.  'That was so not there this morning.'

'They're always working on roads.' Lila groaned.  'They may as well dig up all the streets and start anew.'

'And when they relay the surfaces they look no different.' Vreya agreed.  'It's just for the sake of causing disruption…'

Ash looked in the driver's front mirror and met Vreya's gaze, smiling slightly.  'That's cynical of you.'

Vreya shrugged.  'Well it's true don't you think?'

'Probably is…' Ash agreed.

Lila yawned.  'I'm tired.'

'Which way now Sara?' Ash asked.  Sara considered.

'Uh…hey, take the path which goes around the park.'  She decided.  'It's always dark and empty but there's no other way and I do not want to walk to my house.'

Vreya gave her a look.  'Like we'd let you.'

'Well Costa would probably make me.' Sara rolled her eyes.

Lila sniggered.  'Considering how much he loves women, I wouldn't call that cherishing…'

Ash laughed slightly as he turned the car around, and Lila was thrilled that she was the cause of it.  They drove through various roads before reaching the road that wound around the old park.  As Sara had said, it was relatively abandoned and very dark. 

'Careful Ash.' Sara advised.  'No street-lights here…'

Ash drove slowly, and his passengers looked out at the old park curiously.

'I wonder why they never bothered to fix the play area?' Vreya wondered. 

'Yeah.  That is such a waste of space.  The council should so redo it.' Lila agreed.

'Rough kids hang out at night there.' Sara said.  'During the day it's not really used much.  It's not too big you know.'

'It looks like it is.' Lila remarked.

'Then again, it is dark-oh!' Vreya gasped in surprise as she caught sight of something.

'Oh-I saw that too…' Lila cried.  Ash slowed, glancing at her. 

'Huh?'

'What?' Sara asked.

'Something just…you know when light hits off the eyes of an animal…' Lila said.

'It's probably just a stray.  There are lots of them.'  Sara said casually.

'That was bigger than a stray dog or cat.' Lila said.

'So what…a fox.' Ash said.  'Calm down.'

'Hey I'm not scared it's just that I never expected-argh!' Lila cried again, as the car suddenly rocked to the left on uneven ground.

'Okay calm down!' Ash told her.

'Jumpy are we?' Sara said to Lila.  'It's just a small break in the ground.'

'Look…I just…it's dark and…' Lila shut up.  Vreya frowned. 

'Ash what happened?'

'I think we've fallen into a small ditch…' Ash replied.  'I'll get us out.  Wait…'

'Maybe I should have walked home?' Sara sighed.

'Damn.  It must be deeper than I thought.' Ash said, and stopped the car.  He opened the door and got out, walking around to the Lila's side, and examining the wheel of his car.

Vreya and Lila both rolled down their windows.  'Is it deep?' Lila asked.

'Kind of…damn.' Ash touched the front passenger door of his car.  It was slightly scratched.

'Not good.' Lila moaned.  She got out of the car and examined the wheel with Ash.

Sara sighed.  'I could call my neighbour, he could help us.'

'No, I think we can push it.' Ash stood up, rubbing dirt off his hands.

'Okay, Lila you drive, we push.' Sara said, getting out of the car.  Vreya followed, and Lila walked back around to the driver's door. 

'Okay, can you guys manage?' She asked. 

'Yeah we should be okay.' Ash replied.  But as Lila got in the car moved again, falling even deeper into the ditch.

'Oh…crap.' Sara said in exasperation.  'Lila!'

'What?  It wasn't me!' Lila exclaimed.

Vreya frowned.  'How did that just move?  It's so heavy.'

'I don't know.' Ash replied.  'But it'll be harder to push it out…'

'Wait…hey, the ground is fragile here!' Sara realised, pointing to the spot just beneath the tyre.  'Look…can you see it's giving way?'

Ash squinted.  'Huh?'

'Is that why it moved?' Lila got out the car again, walking around to join them. 

'I think so.  Can you see?' Sara pointed again. 

'…' Ash stared, and felt the ground soil beneath him move.

'…' Vreya also felt it. 

'…' Lila swallowed. 

'What?' Sara said, confused. 

'What if…it's not the ground…what if…it's one of those worm things again?' Lila cried.

'That wasn't like this…' Vreya began.

'…' Ash looked behind them, and his eyes widened.  'Look!'

The girls followed his pointing finger and gasped in surprise.  The grassy ground of the abandoned park was shifting behind them. 

'I think we need to get off this piece of land, and fast.' Sara said. 

They stepped back, feeling the earth growing weaker and weaker under their feet. 

'This is so weird!' Lila cried.

'Come on before I lose my car!' Ash hurried round to the back of the car.  'Lila, get in!'

'No…Vreya's lighter than me…she should get in.' Lila said.

'I think we should just release the hand brake…' Vreya began stepping back to go round the back of the car.  'And then push it up all together.' 

'That would put less weight on it…' Sara agreed.  'Okay, I'll do that.'

'What the hell is making it move?' Lila whispered, staring at the ground, which was still slowly shifting in.

'I think it's just really unstable.' Ash replied.  'Got it Sara?'

'Yeah…okay, let's do this!'

'It's like quick sand…' Lila observed. 

'Lila…don't look at it and…hey, get off there!' She reached over, trying to move Lila away from where the ground was shifting.  Lila stepped back two steps, not realising the danger she was in until she felt the earth give way beneath her feet.

She screamed as she felt herself falling.  But Vreya was close, and grabbed hold of her friend's hand. 

'Lila!'

'Oh my God!' Sara cried.  'What's happening?  The ground is caving in…'

'No wonder it's abandoned!' Ash said, grabbing hold of Lila's other hand, pulling her up with Vreya.  But he felt the earth beneath him begin to move and he swore. 

'It's falling…!' Lila cried.  'Don't let go of me!'

'We're not…pull!' Sara grabbed hold of Lila's top and helped haul her up.  Finally when she was on ground again, the group immediately stepped back. 

But the entire patch of land was crumbling and Vreya felt her foot sink through the earth.  She screeched in horror, as she found herself falling.  In her panicked mind she realised that they should have cast Float on everything, including the car. 

'Vreya!' Ash reached out to grab her but he felt the ground give way beneath him, making him fall off balance.  He missed Vreya's hand by inches, and Lila and Sara made a dive forward, but their added weight only made the situation worse.  The ground completely gave way, earth crumbling into a huge black hole, taking a screaming Vreya with it.  It wasn't long after she fell that her panicking friends joined her.   

---------------◊---------------

'Ha ha!' Zell pointed at the television screen.  'Hey cowboy!' he glanced back at Irvine.  'They're messing with your kind!'

Irvine looked bored.  'You wouldn't be laughing if I blew your head off pig!'

Zell just fell back on the sofa, laughing wickedly.  'Ha ha ha!'

'Zell shut up!' Selphie frowned at him, throwing a cushion.  When he caught it and continued to laugh, Seifer glowered at him.  It wasn't even that funny.  What was so hilarious about throwing cream cakes into the faces of people wearing cowboy hats?

Selphie stamped her foot angrily, and then charged at Zell like a mini-missile.  She slammed into him and started punching him as hard as she could.  Zell winced and cried out, but still he laughed.  Eventually he got the upper hand over the petite girl and wrestled her to the floor, jumping back up on the sofa and throwing cushions at her.

Quistis rolled her eyes at the scene, sezing the chance to change the channel.

Seifer huffed in irritation.  Zell's manic laughter was definitely irritating him…finally he couldn't take it and spoke up. 

'Know what I'd find funny? Throwing eggs at a chicken.'

Zell stopped laughing and twisted his head to look at Seifer.  'Say what?' he demanded.

'Oh.' Seifer averted his gaze, in the way he knew would drive Zell crazy.  'Nothing.'

'No.  What did you say?' Zell roared at him.

Selphie giggled.  'Tee-hee-hee!  Take that Zell!' She threw a cushion up at him.  Zell forgot all about Seifer and began throwing cushions at her again and again.  Selphie squealed, and jumped up, pounding Zell as hard as she could with a significantly larger one.  Irvine caught a cushion as it flew his way, and grinned, raising his hand to pelt Zell.  But he caught Seifer's eye, and his grin widened.  He tossed the cushion to Seifer, and motioned for him to hit Zell.

Selphie caught sight of this, and giggled even more, nodding frantically at Seifer.  Seifer raised an eyebrow.  They all obviously wanted him to do it.  Even Quistis was struggling not to laugh.

Seifer grinned suddenly and drew back his arm, and the cushion went hurtling towards its target.  It slammed into Zell's head with deadly accuracy, so hard that Zell fell over, onto the floor, howling.

Selphie doubled over laughing, and Irvine pointed at Zell, imitating a gun with his fingers.  'Bang!'

Zell shook his head, and got up, looking dazed.  Then he frowned at the fact that they were all laughing and turned on them, raising his fists. 

'Who was that?  Who wants some?!'

Quistis laughed.  'Calm down Zell.'

'Was that you Quistis?' Zell roared.  'No…it was that cowboy!  Why you…!'

'No Zell it was…Seifer!' Selphie giggled, tackling Zell before he could kill Irvine. 

'Wha?!' Zell fell to the floor, and looked at Seifer in surprise.  Seifer smirked back at him.  Zell went red with rage.  He threw Selphie off him, and grabbed a cushion in a move that was lightening quick.  Without warning he threw it at Seifer.  It hit him right in the face. 

'Ha!  Yes!  Slam!' Zell punched the air with his fist, but he didn't have long to celebrate.  Another cushion hit him in his face, and Seifer was readying another.  Selphie grabbed hold of one and hit Zell as hard as she could.  Zell cried out.

'No fair!  You're supposed to be on my side you little…' he pushed one into her face, but Irvine hit him again.  Seifer's shot hit Irvine who had gotten in the way, and he whipped his head round. 

'So that's how you wanna play!' Irvine threw one at Seifer, who dodged and chucked one at Selphie who fell back into Quistis.

'Oh grow up!' Quistis cried, and was cut off as Irvine ducked Seifer's shot and it slammed into the blonde woman's face.  They all froze, staring at Quistis, waiting for her reaction.

'Uh…sorry Quisty!' Selphie began.  Quistis retained an expressionless face, as she stood up, holding the cushion Seifer had thrown at her.

'This…' she said flatly, placing a hand on her hip.  'Is hardly the behaviour I would expect from students at Balamb Garden…'    

'Aw…' Zell said.  'Come on…'

'However…' Quistis went on, 'We are no longer in Balamb…' she grinned suddenly and threw the cushion back at Seifer.  It hit him directly and he stared in surprise at Quistis.  He'd never seen this side of her before…

'Why Instructor…' he drawled.  'I am shocked at such behaviour.  I can only think of one suitable punishment…'

Quistis raised an eyebrow at him.  'That is?'

'Detention!' Seifer said, and threw another cushion at her.  She laughed hard, and grabbed another cushion.

'That's it, you're all expelled!' She gasped.  'For a week…no, a month!'

'Oh YEAH baby!  No more classes EVER!' Zell yelled, grabbing another cushion.

'Pillow fight!' Selphie cried, and suddenly they were all hitting each other, laughing and shouting and making a lot of noise.  It was at this moment that Squall and Rinoa entered the room.

Squall froze, staring at the scene in shock.  Zell was hitting Selphie, Irvine and Seifer were hitting Zell, Quistis was throwing cushions from a distance at Irvine and Seifer while Selphie was trying to hide behind sofas.  They were all out of control, and Squall could see that Seifer was laughing with them as much as he was at them, and they were also laughing with him as much as they were at him and each other.

Rinoa was surprised, but she quickly saw the funny side, and grabbed a cushion that landed close to her. 

'Rinoa…' Squall began, but she smiled at him.

'Come on Squall!  Where's your sense of fun?!' she charged forward and began hitting Irvine.  He turned around and laughed. 

'You'll regret that!'

Zell spotted Squall, and cried out for help.  'Yo, Squall, they're mauling me!' 

Squall rolled his eyes.  How immature… 

Rinoa squealed as Quistis hit her, and Quistis in turn yelled at Seifer as he hit her again.

'That's…10 detentions for you!  11!  12!'

They've lost it…Squall folded his arms, looking away.  But he looked back again, seeing how they were all actually getting a long for once. 

Finally he gave up.  They were all obviously having a great time, and he wasn't going to spoil it.  Plus, he had always wanted to get Seifer back after the last major pillow fight they had had, many years ago back in the orphanage…

At that moment Selphie came running out of the chaos, and hid behind Squall.

'He's gonna hit me, he's gonna hit me Squall, don't let him!'

Seifer had now turned to pelt Selphie, but he lowered his arm when he saw whom she was hiding behind.

'Chicken.' Seifer muttered, and turned his attention away.  Squall looked at Selphie, who grinned.

'Teehee!  Thanks!'

'Give me that.' Squall snatched the cushion from her, and looked at Seifer. 

Selphie giggled like mad.  'Oooh get him Squall!'

Smiling very slightly, Squall drew back his arm and tossed the cushion at the young ex-knight. 

Seifer felt a cushion hit him hard at the back of his head, and he whipped his head around, looking for the source.  But all he saw was Squall, his arms folded, and a glare on his face, with Selphie pointing at him and laughing.  Squall's frown quickly disappeared though, as he sneered at Seifer.

'You deserved that.' He informed him.

Seifer smirked.  'Never knew you had it in you Leonhart.' He picked up the cushion and drew his arm back to send it back at Squall, but Selphie ran forward and rammed into him, hitting him again and again.

'Argh!' Seifer howled as Selphie assaulted him with cushion after cushion.  Finally he managed to push her back, and she stumbled falling into Rinoa.  Both girls collapsed and laughed together, exhausted.  Quistis sat down and Zell fell to the floor, gasping.  Irvine also sat back and Seifer smirked at them.

'Last one standing.  I win.'

'Ah shut up will ya.' Zell said, closing his eyes. 

'Well that was fun!' Selphie giggled, resting her tired arm around Rinoa's shoulder. 

'I'm glad you all found it so thrilling.' Squall said sarcastically, rolling his eyes in exasperation.

Quistis smiled, fixing her hair.  'Well…we haven't…lost control in a while have we?'

'It's not the SeeD way is it?' Rinoa giggled.

'Ah, I'd say we deserve it after all the butt kicking we've had to do…' Irvine stifled a yawn. 

'Right on!' Selphie agreed.  She let out a huge sigh.  'Whoa, I am drained!  Hey…now I'm…'

'Starving!' Zell's stomach rumbled. 

'Last one to the kitchen's a…!' Selphie began but Zell had already jumped up.  The young girl stumbled up after him shouting.

'What a pig…he ate an hour ago.' Irvine muttered. 

'That's Zell for you.' Quistis sighed, and then looked at Seifer.  She put on a strict face and cleared her throat.

'Seifer.  Don't think you've escaped detention.'

Detention…alone with Trepe…not such a bad thing…

Seifer met her eye, and smiled slyly.

---------------◊---------------

Her head was pounding.  She knew it before she fully came round.  Vreya groaned and opened her eyes, blinking, forgetting for a moment where she was and how she had gotten there.  It hit her a few seconds later however, as she realised that she was lying on cold, hard ground, and that she was in some kind of huge, dark underground cave.  She rolled onto her back, wincing at the pain in her sides and her back, and just about every other bone in her body.  As her eyes adjusted, she saw a distant hole very far up above her; the hole she had fallen through.  A cold draft was coming in through the gap in the earth above. 

Fear gripped her as she saw that she was alone; Ash, Lila and Sara were not with her.  She had thought that they had all fallen in, but if they had surely they would have been here with her?  Vreya coughed, her throat feeling dry, and remembered that she had given her voice a vigorous workout when she'd screamed while falling to what she had been sure would be her death.  She had lost consciousness somewhere in the process and she couldn't believe that she was not dead.  Surely a fall that high and onto solid ground was forceful enough to break every bone she had?  

'Lila?' Vreya called out, in a voice that was pathetically low.  Her throat hurt, but she forced her voice, and her tired body, to rise.  'Lila!  Ash!'

She listened to the silence, her heart beginning to pound.  'Sara!  Ash!  Lila!  Hey!  Can anyone hear me?  Hey up there!  Help me!  HELP!'

After continuing like this for a few minutes more Vreya gave up and slumped to the floor again.  She ran her hands through her hair, which she was aware had dust and bits of soil in it.  She shook her head wildly, trying to clear it out, and winced, regretting the movement as pain seized her. 

'Ouch…' she moaned, holding her throbbing head.  Then she looked around, and summoned a Fire spell.  The flame blazed in her palm, and she saw that she was in a very empty and damp cave.  She quickly extinguished the light, trying to feel for a piece of wood to light.  She wondered how the ground had crumbled like that.  Shouldn't the council have had a warning that the parkland was unstable?  Children could fall and hurt themselves.

Oh great.  Worry about yourself falling in, not kids.  Where am I?  Where are the others?  Vreya thought, standing up slowly.  There was no way back up, and she wondered with panic how she was supposed to get back to the surface. 

---------------◊---------------

Sara cursed, trying to pick the dirt out of her hair.  She had somehow managed to lose her hair-clip during the fall, and she guessed she looked a state.  Beside her Lila was equally as unhappy about the state she was in, and Ash was just coming round. 

'Perfect.  Just peachy.  Why oh why do we always get ourselves into stupid situations!' She snapped. 

'Life sucks.' Lila muttered in response.  'I can't believe we're still alive.'

'Well I bloody wish I wasn't.' Sara said angrily.  'And where the hell are we anyway?  The ground never just caves in like that…something is responsible for this, and it's finding it funny no doubt…'

Ash sat up, shaking his head, wincing at the pain.  'Oh man…' he breathed.  'My head…'

'Ash!' Lila cried in relief.  'Thank God.  We fell through that hole up there.' She pointed.

Ash looked up and saw what she was referring to.  He muttered, and said 'Everyone okay?'

'Fine.  Perfect.  I just fell right through the ground.  That has to be on everyone's 'do before you die' list.' Sara snapped at him.

Lila frowned.  'Stop yelling at us.  I'm worried.  Where's Vreya?'

Ash realised Vreya wasn't with them and his stomach twisted in tight knots of fear.  'I don't get it…we fell in together.'

'What if…she didn't…?' Lila whispered, hand rising to her mouth.  

'No.  Shut up.' Ash snapped at her.  'She's fine.  We'll look for her.'  He stood up, and helped Lila up.  Sara kicked a stone and cursed, saying: 

'Well I hope you have ideas on what we do once we find her.  Because there is no way back up there, in case you didn't notice.'

---------------◊---------------

Krysta…where am I?  I'm scared.  Vreya thought, seeking comfort from the only presence with her.  Once again she was thankful that she had the ice-spirit with her.

I don't like being alone…She added, hugging herself, looking around, not knowing what to do or where to head. 

You are not alone.  Krysta's voice was the epitome of calm and reason.  Vreya instantly felt better.

Move Vreya.  Seek your friends.  Krysta encouraged gently.  

Vreya nodded.  First things first she had to find the others.  She could do this.  Krysta was with her…she would protect her. 

Vreya began to walk forward, feeling along the rough walls.  She prayed that she would not encounter any hostility along the way.  She could fight off one or two, but the fall had severely weakened her and she wasn't sure how long she would last if more than a few attacked her.

She wished the others were with her.  She wished Squall and the others were here, or Zane.  She never felt afraid when Zane was with her in battle.  He always knew exactly what he was doing…unlike her, who seldom had a battle plan.  She wished that one day, she could become like him, like Rinoa, like the others, confident and fearless in the face of danger.

It was so dark and she hated darkness.  She saw it so often in her dreams.  Light was very important to her, and there was none of it now.  Darkness and silence; she couldn't see anyone; she couldn't hear anyone. 

Hear…no…there was something…it was gradually getting louder as Vreya continued to walk slowly forward.  The sound was just out of reach; she strained to hear it, to identify it.  Her heart was racing in fear and anticipation.  She was approaching an opening in the wall ahead, a small crevice that she could walk through.  As she neared she saw a faint glow radiating from beyond the gap, and she heard…music.

Music and song-a sweet voice was singing and she could hear an instrument but she was not close enough to the source to identify which instrument it was.  Vreya stopped before the gap and peered through.  The light was soft and green, and through the opening there was another smaller cavern, which had more rocks and natural indents than the one she had woken up in.  Taking a deep breath Vreya stepped through, and edged forward, slowly, cautiously, readying magic just in case whatever it was had an unfriendly nature.

As she walked on, she saw something sitting on a rock, which was naturally shaped for sitting.  Around the rock were crystals, which were the source of the light; they shimmered green, and a small pool of water reflected the light, throwing an enchanting glow about the entire room.  As beautiful as it was Vreya hardly saw them as her eyes fixed on the figure before her, plucking the strings of her lyre, singing harmoniously; her gift. 

The apparition was beautiful, her skin was of golden hue, and she was slender and delicate in build.  Her hair was chestnut brown in some places, and streaked with gold in others; short cut yet long in other places; it was plaited near the front, and tied to strands were golden feather like ribbons on either side of her head, which streaked down, looking like graceful wings.  The woman's eyes were closed, but Vreya could see they were painted with blue and gold designs.  There was a mark on her cheek, the same triangular design that all the other guardians they had acquired had carried.  She was dressed in gold; her clothing was slight but enough to cover her modesty.  Feathers trailed from her skirt and there were golden bell bangles about her ankles.  Vreya gazed in awe; the singing stunned her into silence and the magic she had been readying dissolved away into nothing.  It was such a pure and beautiful voice; Vreya wondered whether she was dreaming.  She crouched behind a rock, peering at the lovely figurine, which sat singing so serenely, a melody that was so sad and captivating.

Vreya didn't want the figure to stop singing, so she was careful not to make a sound.  She was scared her own breathing might disrupt the song.  She found herself clutching onto her cousin's necklace, holding the small ring in the palm of her hand tightly.  She did it when she felt nervous or when she felt she needed strength. 

The soothing sound of the lyre stopped suddenly, as did the singing.  Vreya prayed she hadn't been detected, but unknown to her, her own guardian spirit was betraying her exact position. 

The sweet voice spoke, and it was like a dreamy breath, full of music.  Yet in the musical depths lay strength and knowledge.  The voice spoke to her.

'I have been waiting for you…Vreya.'

---------------◊---------------

'I think we should take a right now.' Lila suggested.  They had been walking for quite a while and they still hadn't found Vreya.

'What's the use?' Sara sighed.  'We're so obviously lost…we'll die in here.'

'Will you stop that?' Ash glanced back at the blonde young woman.  'At least we're reaching two openings at a time now.  We must be getting to the centre.'

'Uh but is that good?' Lila wondered.

'We have to find Vreya first.  Then we can think of how to get out of here.' Ash replied.

'Okay, let's go right.' Lila said, and headed in that direction.

Stop.  Lila was surprised to hear Tempest's voice in her mind.  He hardly ever bothered to talk to her, and when he did he usually had something important to say.

What?  She asked back to him.

Take the left.  He instructed.  Lila questioned him and felt his irritation.

Just do as I say he snapped at her.  Lila decided to comply and turned back.

'What are you doing?' Ash asked, puzzled.

'Tempest says take a left.'

'Oh so now he's ready to help.' Sara said in exasperation, as they took a left.  Lila paused.

'He says taking a right from here will take us to the room Vreya woke up in.'

'How does he know?' Ash asked.

'Him and his ghost friends are probably playing a joke on us.' Sara muttered.

'Sara you're annoying him and I don't want him to stop giving us directions.' Lila snapped.

'Oh.  I do apologise.'

'What now?' Ash asked, as they entered the cave. 

Lila looked about, and spotted a soft glow up ahead.  She grabbed hold of Ash's arm, and pointed. 

'Hey look!  What's that light?'

---------------◊---------------

Vreya swallowed.  Okay, there was no use in hiding anymore.  The woman had obviously seen her, or sensed her somehow.  But still, Vreya felt so messy, like she didn't look presentable enough to face the beautiful singing woman. 

But what if she was a bad spirit?  What if she was a fake?  What if…?  Vreya's doubts were melting away however.  She realised she was keeping the woman waiting and taking a deep breath she stood up from behind the rock she had been crouching behind.

She faced the apparition directly and realised that it wasn't really a woman…it was a young woman, almost…almost Vreya's age, but it was so hard to tell, because something was happening as Vreya looked at her.  The eyes rose and met with hers.  They were honey coloured and something in them caught Vreya's attention and held it fast. 

'I have been waiting…' the voice was gentle and soft, and there was a sadness in the tone.  Vreya suddenly felt as though she wanted to cry, but she wasn't sure why.  Maybe it was because…something about the young woman made her think of…something, someone else.

Vreya found her voice.  'You're a…are you a guardian spirit?'

The eyes were looking her over, studying her.  Vreya felt very self-conscious.  When she got no response, she gave the woman a strange look, and stepped back slightly, uncertain for the first time. 

'W…what?  Why are you staring at me…?'

The golden skinned young woman blinked, and smiled slightly.  She had a dimple in her cheek as she did so.  Vreya blinked at her, finding herself studying the face in her turn.

'Are you frightened of me?' The young woman asked.

'…' Vreya swallowed.  'Should I be?'

'No…and yes.'

Krysta, do you all speak in riddles?  Vreya asked Krysta silently, but got no response. 

'What do you…?' Vreya began to demand when she heard familiar voices.  God, she had completely forgotten about her friends.

'Vreya!  Thank God!' She felt arms wrap around her, and realised it was Lila.

'You scared us silly.' Sara's voice came to her.  Vreya felt Ash's hand on her shoulder, and he was looking at her, studying her.

'You okay?'

The siren was silent, watching the reunion of familiar friends.  How her heart ached, as she had watched arms wrap around the figure of the young brunette girl.  It was a gesture of affection the young siren longed to give.  It was more difficult than she had expected, resisting the feelings, the happiness, the sadness, and the anger amongst other things.  But this had been her choice and it was better than never seeing familiars again.

'Oh…' Lila breathed, catching sight of the woman with her lyre.  They fell silent, staring at her, as Vreya had done.  Once again the siren questioned her ability to do this, to hide the truth, but she remembered her master's words.  She had given him her word and to cross him would mean the retraction of her gift and a permanent life amongst the dead.

'Who are you?' Sara asked at last.  'Are you another elemental?'

'I am.'

'You brought us here didn't you?' Ash asked.

'…' The young woman did not respond, but they knew that she must have.

'So…do we have to fight you?' Lila asked.  'Because you look so pretty and we…we really don't have any weapons so we'll just be going now…'

'Wait Li.' Ash hissed at her.  He looked at Sara.  'She must be yours, you're the only one who doesn't have one out of us.'

'I am Elyria.' The woman stood gracefully.  'I will give the power of reflection, silence and status change to the mortal worthy enough to junction me.'

How am I doing Krysta?

Very well.  Krysta replied to the novice. 

'Please, we don't have to fight.' Vreya pleaded.  Her body was hurting and she hadn't bothered to heal herself. 

'Yeah.' Lila nodded.  'If you don't want to join us that's fine…well…no it's not but you know…'

The woman ignored her.  She was looking at Vreya.

'You don't have to fight me.' She said softly.  'You've hurt enough.'

Vreya stared at her, mystified.  What a strange meeting this was!  The woman's eyes lowered from her face, and rested on her necklace.  She reached out as if to take it. 

'This does not belong to you.'

Vreya's hand closed around the ring and she stepped away.  Her friends watched, confused by the exchange between Vreya and the woman. 

'It…it belonged to…my cousin.' Vreya stuttered.  'You can't have it…'

The smile was slight and sad.  'And where is your cousin now?'

'…' Why was she torturing her like this?  Vreya didn't understand, but the urge to cry was worse than ever.

'Where is she Vreya?' The woman's eyes met hers and Vreya swallowed. 

'Hey, you're mean!  You all know what happened to Kat…' Lila began.  The woman silenced her with a look.  She had to do this.  The girl in front of her had to realise it was not her fault.  She had to move on. 

'…Dead.  I couldn't save her…I...'

'You mustn't blame yourself.' The woman interrupted.  'She…would not want you to.  And she is with you always Vreya…' The siren reached out and Vreya felt the light touch of fingertips on her cheek.  She was crying.  Vreya knew she was crying. 

The touch was slight and the woman drew her hand back almost instantly.  She held it out to Vreya, and spoke to her in her mind.

Accept my gift Vreya.  I came back for you.

She didn't understand…she had Krysta…why wasn't Elyria junctioning to Sara?

The voice whispered that she needed the extra protection.

Vreya's arm was rising and she was reaching out before she knew it.  Her fingertips met with the Elyria's and Vreya felt the world disappear.  The junction did not hurt the way Krysta's had hurt.  Vreya felt the soft golden light wrap around her and give her warmth, soothing away her aches and pains, and putting her mind at rest.  She heard sweet laughter that sounded so familiar and welcome, that Vreya tried to fight the unconsciousness, tried to open her eyes and grab and question the woman before she disappeared into her mind.   

That voice…Katrina…?

But the laughter was gone and so was consciousness.  Vreya fell back to the floor and was still.

Lila was the first to speak.  'Uh…what just happened?'

'I don't get it.  Sara doesn't have a guardian and now Vreya has two.' Ash said, kneeling beside Vreya, ready to carry her. 

'Well I'm sure there's an explanation.  I don't quite fancy being knocked out right now.' Sara said. 

'It's like…does she need the extra protection?' Lila said, confused.  

'Who knows?  Now how do we get out of here?' Ash asked, secretly thrilled that he got to carry Vreya in his arms.

Lila turned, and gasped, as she bumped into someone.  Tempest glowered at her, clearly unimpressed with her clumsiness.

'God!  Give me a heart attack why don't you?  What are you doing here?' She demanded.  'I never called you.'

'Yeah where did you come from?' Sara asked, looking at him.  'Were you here the entire time?'

'I have my own will.' Tempest replied coldly, and then added 'Do you not want to leave?'

'There's no way out.' Ash said.

'There wasn't.' Tempest corrected, and motioned for them to follow him.  They walked back for a while, until they stopped beneath the hole that Vreya had fallen through.  Tempest turned to them. 

'Wait here.' He instructed, and disappeared abruptly in a spark of blue light.

'Okay…so what now?' Sara said, after a while of standing in silence. 

'You know Tempest can be really-whoa!' Lila cried as the rocky ground beneath them shook.  A moment later they found themselves being carried up by the piece of ground they had been standing on. 

'Wow!' Lila exclaimed.  'Is this really happening?'

'It is…and careful or you'll fall.' Sara grabbed her arm.  It carried them up to the surface, where they stepped off.  Then, in front of their amazed eyes, the platform fell back into the dark abyss below, and the hole closed, replaced by grass.  The floor was no longer unstable, but normal, everyday grassy floor.

'Well that explains it.' Ash said.  'That guardian opened up the floor because she wanted us to find her.'

'Well she never had to scare us like that.' Lila muttered.  'Moving floors and all.'   They stood for a while, still absorbing all that had happened.  Finally they realised that they still had to get Ash's car running again, and that their parents were waiting for them.

'So much for getting home early!  Look at the time!' Sara cried.  'Ash get me home now!'

Angelheart's End of Chapter Ramble:

Well, now I am so worn out lol.  I hope that was a nice chapter for you all.  Please review and I'll be working on the next one!  See you all soon!