The New Phoenix
Chapter 8
Rocky Oberlin
Disclaimer: I rejoice for my heart is glad. I will go out and sing praise to God. Why? Because Jesus has arisen from the grave. Not because I have been willed the Ronin Warriors. I don't claim the Ronin Warriors, but I will claim the new life given to me by Jesus Christ Himself.
Tulpa drew up his power. The Court summoned their strength. The warriors drew deep into themselves to the power of the armors. Windy stood quietly and listened to the sound only she could hear. The field of battle was set.
"Arise my spirits," commanded Tulpa. "Take back what is mine."
"Now we fight for our lives and for this world," said the Griffon Guardian. "My old comrades couldn't fight, but we can."
"And now we protect what has been given in our care," continued the Unicorn Guardian.
"We have been given this chance," added Anubis.
"And we will do this," said Mia.
"For we are Guardians given the responsibility by God Himself," finished Windy.
The Nether Spirits attacked the group and each fought to protect each other and the world. Sage swung is great sword and took down two spirit armors. Near him Cale watched over the Griffon's back. Rowen gave up shooting his arrows and used his mystic bow as a staff to fight the armors. Lady Kayura swung her kusari gama and called her attack. The chains flew through the air and pinned the armors in the air. Mia took the advantage and called on her fire powers to burn the hanging armors.
More armors replaced the ones taken down. Each warrior fought and protected each other, but Tulpa called more to replace his fallen. Armors not brought down by the Guardians' power were reanimated. Kento almost took a blow to the back when an armor he had dispatched came back while he was fighting a new one. He looked back in time to see the Unicorn Guardian pull out a sword from the chest of the armor.
"Why'd you do that?" Kento asked.
"Because it was going to do you the same favor," answered the young man in white.
"I remember that. Cye thanked me for saving his friend."
"Yes. And I also remember you almost taking a hit from an arrow."
"We're getting no where, Lady Phoenix," said the Griffon.
"Tulpa seems to be calling his armies," said Mia.
"We're not getting anywhere. We have to do something," said the Unicorn.
"So what do you think we should do?" asked Seckmet.
"You could surrender," thundered Tulpa.
"This is a private conversation, Demon," called the Unicorn. "You weren't invited."
That provoked Tulpa. He ordered a soldier to fire at the young man. The shot was true and was almost piercing the Unicorn's chest when it was stopped. Windy held on the shaft and an angry look was on her face. "Next time you do something like that, my son, please make sure that your enemy can't kill you."
"Yes, mother."
Windy turned to Tulpa. "Next time you try something like that, Tulpa, make sure that the person you attack doesn't have powerful protectors."
"Or powerful mothers," muttered Cye.
"Mother?" The question was passed around the group as they gathered closer together. The spirit soldiers pressed them from all sides and the warriors pushed back, but held their ground.
"Of course," said the Unicorn as he unleashed some of his power. "She raised me when my birth mother was killed."
"And I gave him the Platinum Heart of the Unicorns when he was old enough," said Windy. "That made him the new Guardian and I was able to take over my other job."
"Can we pay attention to the battle at hand?" asked Cale. "We are trying to stay alive to protect this world."
"He's right, you know," said Ryo. "We can discuss this at a later time." Windy caught another arrow heading for the Protector of the Griffon Guardian. "And I think that we should do something about that archer."
"That would be nice. I can't keep this up forever. I'm not always going to be here when someone fires at you."
"In other words, I should get my power together to show Tulpa not to fire at the Guardians," said the Unicorn. He pulled more of his power and light faintly glowed in his hands in contrast to the gloom surrounding the city. He pulled back like he was setting an arrow to a bow and let the power go.
"Are you sure that I'm suppose to protect him?" asked Cye to Windy. "Shouldn't Sage be doing this?"
"Don't you trust yourself?" asked the spirit.
"No, but it seems that they have more in common than he and I do."
"You were Chosen long before you were twinkles in your parent's eyes. Sage wouldn't be able to do what you are doing. He is more offense. Protectors have to be offense and especially defense."
"What about Ryo?"
"He is a leader. He has to know both. You have the ability already. Sage is trained to be an attacker."
"Besides, I like you," said the Unicorn. "You and I are more alike then you think."
"I don't remember that."
"That's because you were concentrating on your magic. And it was more of the magic talking then you."
"So the armors aren't paired up with a specific Power trait, Grandma?"
"In a way yes; in a way no. Ryo and Mia are alike in Power and personality. Anubis would have been like a son to the Ancient, but was taken before anything could happen. So Lady Kayura is like a sister to Anubis. Cye is patient and kind. That is what draws the Unicorn Power to him."
"I thought it was because he was an innocent. You know what I mean."
"If you mean virgins, then yes, that probably helped, but that isn't what was drawing him to you. Besides, I've seen people who weren't virgins approached by unicorns."
"Oh, that's right. My bad."
"You've been hanging around your uncle too long.
"I know. Scary, isn't it?"
"Very. Now with Cale and the Griffon, they both have strong power. Cale is independent and has to be strong to control his element. I hope you know why this is a match for the Griffon Guardian."
"Because Griffons aren't always natural beings, but constructs that have a will of their own."
"That's right, my child. I think, Bill, that you need to refresh your memory of that."
"Hey, I'm busy. The Unicorn Council is still complaining on how you didn't get anything done and I have to sit there and listen."
"My son, who are you?"
"The Unicorn King."
"And who must they listen to?"
"The unicorns and their needs."
"But who "rules" over them?"
"Me."
"Then start ruling. You have to take back more of your power."
"Oh, like Mr. Reagan from the United States when he was in power."
"Something like that. You rule, not them. And you have other responsibilities. Make them understand that."
"Thanks Mom."
"You're welcome."
It seemed like the battle had gone on for hours. The Ronins and Seasonals stayed in one place and protected the magic users as much as possible. Everyone was exhausted when Tulpa finally faced them.
"You are losing. Give up now and I will make your end quick."
"We will never give up to you," cried Ryo.
Mia stood by his side with a defiant look on her face. Her brother Guardians also held grim looks that defied the Dynasty ruler. Around the group, negative answers were given to the demon. Tulpa looked at the last person in the group. Windy still seemed to be listening to something only she could hear. At this point it was like she as distracted and not paying whole attention to the fight. He decided to end the Bailiff of the Court to weaken the tired Guardians.
Black power gathered in his fist and everyone could see it grow stronger. Mia looked at her Bailiff and started to run to her. The Unicorn Guardian took one look at his adopted mother and held her back.
"Something is going on, wait," he told his new sister.
Tulpa threw the power at the spirit woman in gray and laughed when it connected with her stomach. "Now will you surrender?" He laughingly demanded.
"No." Rowen came to his feet from the sprawl he landed in from the force of the blast.
"Never." It was Sage, Kento, Seckmet, and Dais. They stood by their friends at they also rose to their feet.
"Not now and not ever," responded the four Guardians of Magic. Their Protectors stood at their sides with one hand on the Guardians' right shoulders.
"Then I will take the Power and the armors when I have destroyed you," cried Tulpa.
"I don't think so."
The power Tulpa had sent to the spirit had coalesced around her to kill her. It had darkened so no one could see the body as the darkness tortured before ending her. But there was a problem. The black power was fading. A white glow was eating it from the inside out. The figure that should have been curled into a fetal position in pain was standing straight and tall with her blue eyes closed, a beatific smile on her face, and wearing a plain dress of pure white. In her hair a cord of gold and the same pure white twined with lilies Rowen and Cye recognized as being Easter lilies.
"Death has lost its sting, Tulpa. The grave has no power. The time of darkness is at an end. On Good Friday, an innocent man was killed for a corrupt world. On the third day, He left His tomb to bring a new life to the people of this world. Today I celebrate this renewal and give it to those who defend this world today." The spirit Windy, Bailiff to the Court of Magic and Horse Lady raised her eyes to the demon. "Get ready to be sent back to Hell."
Light streamed off the dead but not dead woman to join with the warriors. Their energy was renewed and Power sang through them. The warriors felt the renewal and felt a new sense of determination enter them. The Ronins yelled out their sure kills and the Seasonals joined them one beat behind. The dark soldiers of Tulpa fell to the dust never to rise again. The Guardians Called their Magic once again and this time received more than when they had called earlier. The Griffon Guardian changed to his other form and flew up to do battle with Tulpa in the air. The Unicorn Guardian also Changed to his real form and joined his comrade on the ground. Mia and Anubis looked at each other then at their Bailiff. She nodded her head and the two Changed for the first time.
Ryo looked up in time to see Mia take to flight as a golden Phoenix and Anubis glide low to the ground to help the Unicorn. He witnessed as the Powers of Fire and Water, Wind and Earth were used in huge blasts to weaken the Dynasty leader.
An unexpected, but glancing blow fell the Griffon to the ground where the Unicorn and the Dragon withdrew to protect him. Cye, Cale, and Lady Kayura ran to guard their Guardians and Ryo looked up to see what his Guardian, his love was doing. She flew around the demon and made quick strikes. But she didn't do anything to really harm the seemingly giant demon.
"Ryo of Wildfire, Protector of the Phoenix, you must help your Guardian." It was Windy standing with Rowen.
"How?"
"Call the Inferno Armor," said Rowen.
"But what about Cye and you? You still have to protect Windy and the Unicorn."
"There is us, Wildfire," said Dais.
"Yes. We can help," offered Seckmet.
Ryo looked at Sage and Kento. They both nodded their heads and Ryo made his decision. "Thank you for helping me." The armors of Halo and Summer, Hardrock and Autumn glowed with their power and were released to join with Ryo. His Wildfire armor broke to pieces to make way for the Inferno armor. When Ryo settled the helmet on his head, he looked up at the demon that was batting at the fiery phoenix.
'Mia?'
'Ryo!?'
'You can hear me?'
'Yes.'
'I'm in the Inferno Armor, Mia. Get back so I can destroy Tulpa.'
"It will take more then the Inferno Armor this time, Ryo of Inferno. Remember, Tulpa has gathered more power then when you last faced him."
Ryo looked at Windy and silently questioned what he was supposed to do.
"The Phoenix must help this time. Remember, both of you, the feelings you have for the world and especially for each other."
Ryo nodded and Mia screamed a reply. Both seemed to connect with each other at the affirmative responses. Ryo swung his swords and called out, "RAGE OF INFERNO!!!"
The anger of having Tulpa invade his world, the worry of what will happen to Mia, and the frustration of not knowing if this will be the last time Tulpa will return formed together to a powerful attack that anyone had ever seen. Even when Ryo first had the armor and couldn't control the attack, none of the earlier attacks even matched this. It slammed into Tulpa like a bullet shot from a high powered gun. Only Mia could see an opening where she could add to her attack. The others were blinded by the intense light and heat from the fire.
Windy wasn't blinded by the attack; she was watching the other half of Tulpa's defeat start to make her move. Mia wheeled away from Tulpa and flew a short distance away. When she was satisfied at the distance, again she wheeled around and started to fly toward the crippled demon. Faster she flew as she approached and more Power gathered around her. She slammed into the tiny opening formed by Ryo and let the power loose. So fast was the Phoenix flying that she didn't stop until she had exited from Tulpa's back. The Power of the two attacks shined from the point of impact, Tulpa's silently screaming mouth, and his rounded eyes. Then like a bomb exploding, it flashed to consume him. The darkness was turned to day like the first time the sun was formed to shine on the earth at the command of God. It faded and left sixteen people in the deserted streets of a badly decimated city.
"Where did you come from?" asked Kento as he realized there were two extra bodies rising from the ground.
"Well, originally we came to see the Horse Lady, but we came in time to see the Phoenix make a spectacular attack on a demon," said the young woman.
"Speaking of which, I think that she needs some help, Lady," said the young man.
"I'm coming, hold your horses. I'm not as young as I used to be," griped Windy good naturedly.
"Why is it that she is pleasant with you, but if we did that, she would take our heads off?" asked Sage.
"Because we are older then she is and one doesn't mettle in the affairs of dragons," said the young man.
"That still doesn't explain much," grumbled Dais.
Ryo ignored the two new comers and joined Windy at Mia's side. The young Phoenix opened her eyes and looked painfully at her Protector and Bailiff. "That hurt."
"Yes, and it will hurt more if we don't get you up and moving. Come on, take it from an old hand; the more you lay there, the stiffer you will be when it comes time to move," said Windy.
Ryo assisted Windy in getting Mia on her feet and then helped his love over to their fellow Guardians and Protectors.
"Did you really have to do that?" asked the Unicorn Guardian. "I was almost flattened by the after shock."
"Quit complaining. You didn't get smashed to the ground by an oversized hand," said the Griffon Guardian. He staggered to his feet and leaned heavily on Cale. "You did a good job, Phoenix Mia."
"Yes," agreed Anubis.
"Now we have another warrior in the group," laughed Lady Kayura. "At last, someone to talk to."
"I was always here to talk to," objected Mia.
"But not as a warrior. You helped, but you didn't have some of the insight that I have. Now we're even."
"Great job, Mia," said Cye.
Rowen nodded as he walked over. "Yes, you and Ryo handled that very well." He turned to Windy. "The two people want to come with us when we go home. They said something about having to cast a spell."
Windy smiled and nodded. "Yes. Get the others together and wait for us. I think with the two new bodies, we'll have to go home the fast way."
Rowen looked at Windy. "Do I want to know?"
"You'll see," Windy said mischievously. Rowen shook his head and went to gather the others together like Windy asked. "Ryo, I think that you can give back the others' power now."
Ryo looked down and blushed. He willed the Inferno armor away and settled for the subarmor of the Wildfire. Cye followed suit and Cale and Lady Kayura shrugged before doing the same. The group form the Court of Magic painfully walked back to the rest of their party and soon disappeared from the city. People who had once walked the now silent streets came back from where they were taken to with no knowledge of what had happened. They continued on their way as if nothing had happened and failed to notice any improvements that had been made when the city had mysteriously pulled itself back together. Life went on as usual.
Chapter 8
Rocky Oberlin
Disclaimer: I rejoice for my heart is glad. I will go out and sing praise to God. Why? Because Jesus has arisen from the grave. Not because I have been willed the Ronin Warriors. I don't claim the Ronin Warriors, but I will claim the new life given to me by Jesus Christ Himself.
Tulpa drew up his power. The Court summoned their strength. The warriors drew deep into themselves to the power of the armors. Windy stood quietly and listened to the sound only she could hear. The field of battle was set.
"Arise my spirits," commanded Tulpa. "Take back what is mine."
"Now we fight for our lives and for this world," said the Griffon Guardian. "My old comrades couldn't fight, but we can."
"And now we protect what has been given in our care," continued the Unicorn Guardian.
"We have been given this chance," added Anubis.
"And we will do this," said Mia.
"For we are Guardians given the responsibility by God Himself," finished Windy.
The Nether Spirits attacked the group and each fought to protect each other and the world. Sage swung is great sword and took down two spirit armors. Near him Cale watched over the Griffon's back. Rowen gave up shooting his arrows and used his mystic bow as a staff to fight the armors. Lady Kayura swung her kusari gama and called her attack. The chains flew through the air and pinned the armors in the air. Mia took the advantage and called on her fire powers to burn the hanging armors.
More armors replaced the ones taken down. Each warrior fought and protected each other, but Tulpa called more to replace his fallen. Armors not brought down by the Guardians' power were reanimated. Kento almost took a blow to the back when an armor he had dispatched came back while he was fighting a new one. He looked back in time to see the Unicorn Guardian pull out a sword from the chest of the armor.
"Why'd you do that?" Kento asked.
"Because it was going to do you the same favor," answered the young man in white.
"I remember that. Cye thanked me for saving his friend."
"Yes. And I also remember you almost taking a hit from an arrow."
"We're getting no where, Lady Phoenix," said the Griffon.
"Tulpa seems to be calling his armies," said Mia.
"We're not getting anywhere. We have to do something," said the Unicorn.
"So what do you think we should do?" asked Seckmet.
"You could surrender," thundered Tulpa.
"This is a private conversation, Demon," called the Unicorn. "You weren't invited."
That provoked Tulpa. He ordered a soldier to fire at the young man. The shot was true and was almost piercing the Unicorn's chest when it was stopped. Windy held on the shaft and an angry look was on her face. "Next time you do something like that, my son, please make sure that your enemy can't kill you."
"Yes, mother."
Windy turned to Tulpa. "Next time you try something like that, Tulpa, make sure that the person you attack doesn't have powerful protectors."
"Or powerful mothers," muttered Cye.
"Mother?" The question was passed around the group as they gathered closer together. The spirit soldiers pressed them from all sides and the warriors pushed back, but held their ground.
"Of course," said the Unicorn as he unleashed some of his power. "She raised me when my birth mother was killed."
"And I gave him the Platinum Heart of the Unicorns when he was old enough," said Windy. "That made him the new Guardian and I was able to take over my other job."
"Can we pay attention to the battle at hand?" asked Cale. "We are trying to stay alive to protect this world."
"He's right, you know," said Ryo. "We can discuss this at a later time." Windy caught another arrow heading for the Protector of the Griffon Guardian. "And I think that we should do something about that archer."
"That would be nice. I can't keep this up forever. I'm not always going to be here when someone fires at you."
"In other words, I should get my power together to show Tulpa not to fire at the Guardians," said the Unicorn. He pulled more of his power and light faintly glowed in his hands in contrast to the gloom surrounding the city. He pulled back like he was setting an arrow to a bow and let the power go.
"Are you sure that I'm suppose to protect him?" asked Cye to Windy. "Shouldn't Sage be doing this?"
"Don't you trust yourself?" asked the spirit.
"No, but it seems that they have more in common than he and I do."
"You were Chosen long before you were twinkles in your parent's eyes. Sage wouldn't be able to do what you are doing. He is more offense. Protectors have to be offense and especially defense."
"What about Ryo?"
"He is a leader. He has to know both. You have the ability already. Sage is trained to be an attacker."
"Besides, I like you," said the Unicorn. "You and I are more alike then you think."
"I don't remember that."
"That's because you were concentrating on your magic. And it was more of the magic talking then you."
"So the armors aren't paired up with a specific Power trait, Grandma?"
"In a way yes; in a way no. Ryo and Mia are alike in Power and personality. Anubis would have been like a son to the Ancient, but was taken before anything could happen. So Lady Kayura is like a sister to Anubis. Cye is patient and kind. That is what draws the Unicorn Power to him."
"I thought it was because he was an innocent. You know what I mean."
"If you mean virgins, then yes, that probably helped, but that isn't what was drawing him to you. Besides, I've seen people who weren't virgins approached by unicorns."
"Oh, that's right. My bad."
"You've been hanging around your uncle too long.
"I know. Scary, isn't it?"
"Very. Now with Cale and the Griffon, they both have strong power. Cale is independent and has to be strong to control his element. I hope you know why this is a match for the Griffon Guardian."
"Because Griffons aren't always natural beings, but constructs that have a will of their own."
"That's right, my child. I think, Bill, that you need to refresh your memory of that."
"Hey, I'm busy. The Unicorn Council is still complaining on how you didn't get anything done and I have to sit there and listen."
"My son, who are you?"
"The Unicorn King."
"And who must they listen to?"
"The unicorns and their needs."
"But who "rules" over them?"
"Me."
"Then start ruling. You have to take back more of your power."
"Oh, like Mr. Reagan from the United States when he was in power."
"Something like that. You rule, not them. And you have other responsibilities. Make them understand that."
"Thanks Mom."
"You're welcome."
It seemed like the battle had gone on for hours. The Ronins and Seasonals stayed in one place and protected the magic users as much as possible. Everyone was exhausted when Tulpa finally faced them.
"You are losing. Give up now and I will make your end quick."
"We will never give up to you," cried Ryo.
Mia stood by his side with a defiant look on her face. Her brother Guardians also held grim looks that defied the Dynasty ruler. Around the group, negative answers were given to the demon. Tulpa looked at the last person in the group. Windy still seemed to be listening to something only she could hear. At this point it was like she as distracted and not paying whole attention to the fight. He decided to end the Bailiff of the Court to weaken the tired Guardians.
Black power gathered in his fist and everyone could see it grow stronger. Mia looked at her Bailiff and started to run to her. The Unicorn Guardian took one look at his adopted mother and held her back.
"Something is going on, wait," he told his new sister.
Tulpa threw the power at the spirit woman in gray and laughed when it connected with her stomach. "Now will you surrender?" He laughingly demanded.
"No." Rowen came to his feet from the sprawl he landed in from the force of the blast.
"Never." It was Sage, Kento, Seckmet, and Dais. They stood by their friends at they also rose to their feet.
"Not now and not ever," responded the four Guardians of Magic. Their Protectors stood at their sides with one hand on the Guardians' right shoulders.
"Then I will take the Power and the armors when I have destroyed you," cried Tulpa.
"I don't think so."
The power Tulpa had sent to the spirit had coalesced around her to kill her. It had darkened so no one could see the body as the darkness tortured before ending her. But there was a problem. The black power was fading. A white glow was eating it from the inside out. The figure that should have been curled into a fetal position in pain was standing straight and tall with her blue eyes closed, a beatific smile on her face, and wearing a plain dress of pure white. In her hair a cord of gold and the same pure white twined with lilies Rowen and Cye recognized as being Easter lilies.
"Death has lost its sting, Tulpa. The grave has no power. The time of darkness is at an end. On Good Friday, an innocent man was killed for a corrupt world. On the third day, He left His tomb to bring a new life to the people of this world. Today I celebrate this renewal and give it to those who defend this world today." The spirit Windy, Bailiff to the Court of Magic and Horse Lady raised her eyes to the demon. "Get ready to be sent back to Hell."
Light streamed off the dead but not dead woman to join with the warriors. Their energy was renewed and Power sang through them. The warriors felt the renewal and felt a new sense of determination enter them. The Ronins yelled out their sure kills and the Seasonals joined them one beat behind. The dark soldiers of Tulpa fell to the dust never to rise again. The Guardians Called their Magic once again and this time received more than when they had called earlier. The Griffon Guardian changed to his other form and flew up to do battle with Tulpa in the air. The Unicorn Guardian also Changed to his real form and joined his comrade on the ground. Mia and Anubis looked at each other then at their Bailiff. She nodded her head and the two Changed for the first time.
Ryo looked up in time to see Mia take to flight as a golden Phoenix and Anubis glide low to the ground to help the Unicorn. He witnessed as the Powers of Fire and Water, Wind and Earth were used in huge blasts to weaken the Dynasty leader.
An unexpected, but glancing blow fell the Griffon to the ground where the Unicorn and the Dragon withdrew to protect him. Cye, Cale, and Lady Kayura ran to guard their Guardians and Ryo looked up to see what his Guardian, his love was doing. She flew around the demon and made quick strikes. But she didn't do anything to really harm the seemingly giant demon.
"Ryo of Wildfire, Protector of the Phoenix, you must help your Guardian." It was Windy standing with Rowen.
"How?"
"Call the Inferno Armor," said Rowen.
"But what about Cye and you? You still have to protect Windy and the Unicorn."
"There is us, Wildfire," said Dais.
"Yes. We can help," offered Seckmet.
Ryo looked at Sage and Kento. They both nodded their heads and Ryo made his decision. "Thank you for helping me." The armors of Halo and Summer, Hardrock and Autumn glowed with their power and were released to join with Ryo. His Wildfire armor broke to pieces to make way for the Inferno armor. When Ryo settled the helmet on his head, he looked up at the demon that was batting at the fiery phoenix.
'Mia?'
'Ryo!?'
'You can hear me?'
'Yes.'
'I'm in the Inferno Armor, Mia. Get back so I can destroy Tulpa.'
"It will take more then the Inferno Armor this time, Ryo of Inferno. Remember, Tulpa has gathered more power then when you last faced him."
Ryo looked at Windy and silently questioned what he was supposed to do.
"The Phoenix must help this time. Remember, both of you, the feelings you have for the world and especially for each other."
Ryo nodded and Mia screamed a reply. Both seemed to connect with each other at the affirmative responses. Ryo swung his swords and called out, "RAGE OF INFERNO!!!"
The anger of having Tulpa invade his world, the worry of what will happen to Mia, and the frustration of not knowing if this will be the last time Tulpa will return formed together to a powerful attack that anyone had ever seen. Even when Ryo first had the armor and couldn't control the attack, none of the earlier attacks even matched this. It slammed into Tulpa like a bullet shot from a high powered gun. Only Mia could see an opening where she could add to her attack. The others were blinded by the intense light and heat from the fire.
Windy wasn't blinded by the attack; she was watching the other half of Tulpa's defeat start to make her move. Mia wheeled away from Tulpa and flew a short distance away. When she was satisfied at the distance, again she wheeled around and started to fly toward the crippled demon. Faster she flew as she approached and more Power gathered around her. She slammed into the tiny opening formed by Ryo and let the power loose. So fast was the Phoenix flying that she didn't stop until she had exited from Tulpa's back. The Power of the two attacks shined from the point of impact, Tulpa's silently screaming mouth, and his rounded eyes. Then like a bomb exploding, it flashed to consume him. The darkness was turned to day like the first time the sun was formed to shine on the earth at the command of God. It faded and left sixteen people in the deserted streets of a badly decimated city.
"Where did you come from?" asked Kento as he realized there were two extra bodies rising from the ground.
"Well, originally we came to see the Horse Lady, but we came in time to see the Phoenix make a spectacular attack on a demon," said the young woman.
"Speaking of which, I think that she needs some help, Lady," said the young man.
"I'm coming, hold your horses. I'm not as young as I used to be," griped Windy good naturedly.
"Why is it that she is pleasant with you, but if we did that, she would take our heads off?" asked Sage.
"Because we are older then she is and one doesn't mettle in the affairs of dragons," said the young man.
"That still doesn't explain much," grumbled Dais.
Ryo ignored the two new comers and joined Windy at Mia's side. The young Phoenix opened her eyes and looked painfully at her Protector and Bailiff. "That hurt."
"Yes, and it will hurt more if we don't get you up and moving. Come on, take it from an old hand; the more you lay there, the stiffer you will be when it comes time to move," said Windy.
Ryo assisted Windy in getting Mia on her feet and then helped his love over to their fellow Guardians and Protectors.
"Did you really have to do that?" asked the Unicorn Guardian. "I was almost flattened by the after shock."
"Quit complaining. You didn't get smashed to the ground by an oversized hand," said the Griffon Guardian. He staggered to his feet and leaned heavily on Cale. "You did a good job, Phoenix Mia."
"Yes," agreed Anubis.
"Now we have another warrior in the group," laughed Lady Kayura. "At last, someone to talk to."
"I was always here to talk to," objected Mia.
"But not as a warrior. You helped, but you didn't have some of the insight that I have. Now we're even."
"Great job, Mia," said Cye.
Rowen nodded as he walked over. "Yes, you and Ryo handled that very well." He turned to Windy. "The two people want to come with us when we go home. They said something about having to cast a spell."
Windy smiled and nodded. "Yes. Get the others together and wait for us. I think with the two new bodies, we'll have to go home the fast way."
Rowen looked at Windy. "Do I want to know?"
"You'll see," Windy said mischievously. Rowen shook his head and went to gather the others together like Windy asked. "Ryo, I think that you can give back the others' power now."
Ryo looked down and blushed. He willed the Inferno armor away and settled for the subarmor of the Wildfire. Cye followed suit and Cale and Lady Kayura shrugged before doing the same. The group form the Court of Magic painfully walked back to the rest of their party and soon disappeared from the city. People who had once walked the now silent streets came back from where they were taken to with no knowledge of what had happened. They continued on their way as if nothing had happened and failed to notice any improvements that had been made when the city had mysteriously pulled itself back together. Life went on as usual.