Overture



"In you go!" There was a loud splash and a string of cursing.

"Shit! This water's /cold/!"

"Watch your mouth Daisuke, there are ladies about."

"You don't qualify as a lady, Saraia. This is cold!"

"Wash carefully now," Taichi hooted.

"Very funny. How about you come in here?"

"I would rather not, thanks," the young man grinned wickedly.

"I can help you get in," Miyako said innocently, raising him up in the air with her magic.

"Hey, hey, hey! Put me down, woman!"

"As you wish."

"Oof!" Taichi landed rather ungracefully on his bottom upon the ground.

Everyone laughed uproariously. They were sheltering in an oasis, a forest in the distance, but not blocking the shadow that loomed, rising high above in the sky.

After some persuasion, Miyako pulled Daisuke out with her magic, wringing out the water from him. "Accidentally" she cuffed him while doing so. When accused, she said innocently, "Hit him? Now why would I want to do that?"

"Turn in everyone, at our pace we will reach the temple in three days," Saraia said. "I will take first watch, then Dia, then he gets to choose who will do the next one." She smiled as Dia grinned wolfishly at Daisuke, who groaned, diving into his bedroll.

"What are you thinking about?" Dia asked as he watched Saraia poke at the fire.

"Just idle thoughts," she answered. "And you?"

"Why?"

"It is only fair," she told him, tucking back her hair behind a pointed ear.

"Oh alright." The shadow being thought for a moment, chin between his index finger and thumb. "I happened to be thinking of a proverb that I heard of."

"Oh?"

"'When you desire excitement, it will come at the most ill opportune time.'"

The elf snorted with laughter. "You have that right." She toyed with her gauntlet idly, the moonstone glimmering softly. Then with a soft sigh, she undid her hair, letting it fall in a cascade of blue green.

"Saraia, is it alright if I touch your hair?"

Slightly surprised, she looked toward him. "Why?"

"Just because. If I die, I'd like to remember that I was with a beautiful woman before that."

She laughed softly. "Go right ahead then."

He went over to her and sat behind her, running his calloused, strong hands through the silk, hands that seemed to hold only weapons for killing, rather than gently combing through those strands. She sighed as he picked up a comb from beside her and gently ran it through her hair.

He whispered into her ear, "A nice moment, no?"

She shook her head. "If you are planning to rape me, think again."

"Not likely. I saw what you did to that rapist a few years ago. No need to take any vows of chastity, after you were finished, he didn't have anything to be unchaste with." He lightly kissed her ear, hearing a sharp breath.

"You know that the ears are one of the most sensitive parts of an elf's body, do you not?" she whispered.

"Yes," he answered with a wicked grin. "Yes I did."

"Bastard."

"Save the compliments for later kindly."

~*~

"I like the scent of forest but this is just too much!" Jyou complained.

They had been traveling through forest area for two days, the end of their journey soon coming. The smells of the forest clung to them as they traveled and it was tiring for most of the group.

Saraia suddenly froze, sniffing the air. "Something is not right," she whispered hoarsely. Weapons were drawn immediately at those words.

"Diamond pattern," Dia barked. "Mages in the center, warriors outside."

She smiled wryly. "Oh damn." She turned her horse to face behind them, trotting toward there. "The rest of you, get out of here. I just received a challenge."

"No, damn you, elf, get back here," Dia shouted. He knew what a challenge meant only too well.

"Shut up Dia," she told him flatly. "I have to answer it, you know the rules I am bound to. All of you; get out of here, now. Dia, you can protect them without me."

He brought his horse next to hers, grasping her arm tightly. "I'm not leaving you here. You'll be eaten alive if there's more than you can handle!"

"Better me than everyone else," she snarled, wrenching her arm free. "Iori, catch." She hurled her moonstone set gauntlet at him. "Keep this for me, will you?" He caught it numbly. "Ride fast. They are coming but not quickly. I will hold them off as much as I can." 'The vision in the water,' she recalled, fear washing over her, but she shook her head inwardly. 'I did not receive a challenge in that vision. But if I die, I will do so with honor.'

"I am not going to leave you here, rules or not," Dia snarled at her.

"Neither am I!" Daisuke shouted. "We went through everything as a group, and we will go down as a group."

"Fools!" she screamed at them. "Dia, you need to stay with them, your Goddess decrees that this is not your battle to fight. Daisuke, you are one of the Twelve, I am supposed to protect you as well as the others." Her eyes were grim, chips of ice boring into them. "Now leave, before I put a compulsion on all of you."

Dia suddenly kissed her. "You stubborn bitch," he whispered into her ear. "Noble though. Goddess guide your way, princess."

"Now go," she told him sternly. With reluctant looks, everyone galloped off.

"How noble of you, Lady elf," the velvet, cold voice said from behind her. "Sending off your friends to take on the enemy yourself."

"Good of you to comment," she said softly, dismounting. "Morseth."

The young man standing there smiled at her. Despite the warm heat of the forest, he was clad in black. And if there was one thing Saraia had to compliment of the dark mage, it was his taste in clothing. Dark silk fitted his lean, smooth form perfectly as silver jewelry glittered and gleamed on his brow, wrists and neck, set with black opals and dark moonstones, all perfectly setting off his pale skin, black hair, and gleaming, jewel like eyes.

"Saraia, you are as beautiful as I saw you last."

"I should have killed you when I had the chance," she told him calmly. "But then again, you are too cowardly of death, no? You have to constantly come back. Oh well." She mock sighed. "I guess I will have to do the honors then." The drawn bowstring sang as she slid an arrow in.

Different creatures soon surrounded the area in which they stood; each one with dark scales, pelts, or feathers. Some were lean, viper like hounds, covered in scales and with fangs and claws as long as the elf's fingers. Some were like snakes with legs, with elaborate frills and twisted parodies of wings. There were so many others, and they were far too gruesome to describe. The elf estimated less than a score of them were surrounding.

"The same coward as you were when I first got to know you," Saraia sneered.

"Lady elf, I have a proposition for you," Morseth said, petting one of the hounds, the scene like a gruesome travesty of a hunter stroking one of his prize animals. "I can make you my consort, as soon as I overthrow my master, we will be the rulers of this world and many others. All peoples will bow down to you as their Empress, paying treasures to lay crowns at your feet. All if you join me." His eyes, amber and cat like, glinted at her like gems as he gracefully pushed back a strand of his dark hair.

"How about you take that offer and shove it up the arse of that hell beast you have there?" Saraia said sweetly. Then she turned grim. "I am fine where I am, thank you very much."

"Face me then, bitch, and let us see how far you have mastered your magic," he said, eyes looking into hers, trying to intimidate her.

She laughed, a harsh sound like ice breaking upon a marble floor. "Let us see how much you have developed your dodging skills." She then released the arrow, the deadly shaft going to his heart. He smirked, outstretching a hand and it shattered on impact of an invisible shield.

"There is no shadow being to watch your back now," he purred.

"He has better things to do than to watch a sniveling coward," Saraia snarled back, setting down her weapons.

She concentrated, palms together in front of her. Then she slowly drew them apart and a sword of light formed in her right hand, shining. In satisfaction, she watched as the beasts around recoiled. This was an unusual talent, for one was only able to use spells concerning the magic Gifted to them, but she was able to use some other spells as well not concerning animals.

"You don't know what you are getting into, slut," Morseth told her, a sword of his own, but of dark energy, forming in his hand.

"Oh, I know very well what I am getting into, Morseth," she whispered. "I know perfectly well. But the question is, do you?"

~*~

"I hate this," Dia growled angrily, as they rode away.

"We had no choice," Iori told him softly. "We had to respect her wishes."

"That doesn't mean I have to like them. Everyone, settle here, I'm going back." He turned his mount around.

"Wait! You can't! You promised her," Hikari told him.

"Promises can be broken if they will save a life," Dia said flatly. "This is for her own good. She's too stubborn to realize that. I knew we should have destroyed him when we had the chance."

"Morseth?" Daisuke choked. "That bastard?"

"Who would that be?" Koushiro asked.

"Long story, I can't tell you now. I will be back. If you must, camp here for the night." Without another word, Dia galloped off. 'I'm coming, Saraia, just hold on.'

~*~

"So, is my proposition starting to warm to you?" the dark mage asked, breathing hard.

"Let me think about it one last time. No," Saraia said sarcastically, her sword clanging down upon his. In time she saw a number of the creatures move toward her. In a swift move, she swung her blade and quite neatly cut off their heads in that blow. "They stay out of this, Morseth."

She barely managed to blow an incoming slash from the dark mage. "You could have been great you know," he told her, eyes gleaming. "You could have been a queen of darkness."

"Thank you but I would rather be a warrior of the light!" She shoved him off of her.

He scored cuts all over her body, the blood loss dizzying her. But she was pleased to see that he seemed more tired than her, and suffered more serious wounds than she. Suddenly she slipped in her own blood and fell. He scored on her left shoulder, his slim, rapier like blade running through it. She shrieked with pain but managed to stay conscious and at full guard.

He panted, pulling it out. "I will be patient with you. Can you not see sense? I am offering what many would die for. You are a fool, Saraia, a noble fool."

She hacked up blood, spitting it out. "Noble I may be but a fool, never." She managed to get up. "Fight, damn you!"

"The battle is just about to end," he whispered, extending his hand to her. "Join me, and you will have everything you desire."

"I only desire your ashes sown with salt!" She slashed at his cheek, a long cut running down his face. Clutching his face, he screamed as the light burned him.

Murder plainly in his eyes, he charged at her and slashed her across the eyes, once, twice, three times. Red filled her vision as excruciating pain wracked Saraia's body. Using her instincts, she thrust and felt warm blood on her hands, blood that was most definitely not her own. A dull thud echoed from in front of her and Saraia knew she had no time to waste. Taking the body of her spirit form, a magnificent owl with wings of fire, she flew through the planes of reality, chasing the dark, evil spirit of the dark mage. It escaped into dark place of shelves, with odd, twisted curiosities settled on them. Finally it settled into a warped, cracked crystal of pure black.

Shrieking in victory, the Saraia owl grasped the crystal in talons of light, crushing it into thousands of tiny shards and scattering them everywhere, so that they would never come back together again. She then fled to her body and felt herself fall down and something strong catch her.

~*~

It was nearly nightfall when Dia arrived, covered in blood of different colors, leading a white horse, and holding something in front of him that was so bloodstained, battered, and filthy it was nearly impossible to see who or what it was.

"Dia!" Daisuke and Iori ran up to the black mare.

"Gethel," Dia told the mare tiredly. "Calm."

"Did you find her?"

"What happened to you?"

"Will she be alright?"

"Where is she?"

"Enough!" the shadow being growled, holding the limp thing in his arms with gentle tenderness as he dismounted. "I'll explain. Mimi, Miyako, Koushiro, and Jyou, gather all the healing plants you can find. Daisuke, build up the fire and make a pallet by it. Iori and Sora, get water, a lot of it. Hikari, I hope you have enough magic." The body moaned and it was Saraia, looking more dead than alive.

"So what happened?" Hikari asked later. They had cleaned up Saraia and currently the elf was sleeping under a daze of drug herbs by the fire, bandages all over her, complete with one over her eyes.

"Will she be alright?" Dia countered.

"I have done all that I could for her," the princess said haltingly. "But I do not know. She took much damage. Blood loss, a punctured lung and injured shoulder, gashes around her eyes. Also her supply of mana is very low."

"So tell us what happened," Daisuke said grimly.

"I went back and she was dueling that bastard Morseth," Dia said, his fists clenching.

"Wait, wait, you need to tell us that story," Koushiro reminded him.

Dia sighed. "Well, that was a few years ago. We were freelance guards just finishing an assignment when we heard of this dark mage terrorizing a village. You see, great magic can be obtained from the pain and deaths of living things, but it is tainted usually, and this mage was building up a powerhouse. Saraia apparently heard of this mage, they were tutored under the same sage, but he chose another path, instead of light, justice, and love like she did." The shadow being paused for a moment, thinking for a moment with a wry, twisted smile lingering on his face.

"Well, this mage apparently chose mostly women for his power gaining. You see; if one takes a darker path to obtaining magic, there are three potent ways of gaining it. One: causing pain, two, killing something: three: sexual intercourse. There is also one other way, and that is through emotions of fear and suffering. Saraia was the decoy to get to him and then she suddenly challenged him to a mage's duel. But he's a coward and ambushed her just when she had him in the right spot. That's when Daisuke and I charged in."

Daisuke smiled wryly. "First time I ever saw Saraia wearing an outfit like that."

"Now, we managed to hold them off and Iori performed a complex bit of magic. He's a priest you see and managed to banish the mage. Only after Saraia pleaded though, just because they had a childhood together. I knew that would haunt us someday." Dia sighed, looking very old.

Daisuke laughed dryly. "Just not like this. We just figured we would have to deal with 'the song,' and what it spread about us. Stupid bard."

"That isn't relevant, Daisuke. When I got there, she and Morseth were fighting, a bunch of magic creatures about them. Morseth got her across the face and she ran him through. I managed to take care of the creatures in time. Then the mage's body crumbled to ash right in front of me, and there was Saraia, pale as milk and looking dead."

"I just hope she will survive," Miyako said softly. "We owe her so much."

"We have to keep to hope, she is a strong elf," Takeru murmured.

~*~

Where am I?

Death.

No, I feel so cold, so empty.

Child.

Who- what are you?

I am Death, child.

No! I cannot be dead, I just cannot.

You are at a crossing point, you are not dead and you are not alive. From a shining, weak thread you are hanging, one move will snap it.

Have you come for me?

A handsome man, wearing black, dark haired and pale skinned like Morseth but with none of his wickedness and evil, only serene calm and comfort. His dark eyes gazed into her, not the hard amber of the dark mage's.

The fates have weighed you and found you ready to go into the lands of the dead, to Paradise.

No! I have other obligations. I cannot rest in peace while my friends are in danger. No matter that I swore to die for them.

Will you not want to see your fallen ancestors? Your friends, those mortal and able to die from age, whose souls have passed over into those realms?

I am sorry, but I am tied to this. Please, let me live so that I may protect them. Take anything from me, but let me be able to protect the lives of those I have sworn to guard.

There will be a price.

I will accept it.

I will take from you your sight, but in its stead I will leave you with another, the eyes of the mind, Second Sight.

Thank you, Shadow King, Lord of those who pass over.

I must admit, not many are as honorable as you to return, especially after such pain, nor with as much devotion to those you care for.

Call me foolish but I will not abandon them for anything.

There is nothing foolish of love, little sister. Now it is time for the proper soul to return to its vessel.

~*~

"She's been in a coma for two days, that's never good," Miyako said, wiping off her forehead.

"Her vital signs are still evident," Dia pointed out stubbornly.

Suddenly the elf moved, her voice whispering, "Dia?"

"Good Goddess!" he shouted, jumping up and running over to her. She managed to sit up, but he pushed her down. "Rest." Everyone crowded around.

"This is a miracle!"

"No, she's just too stubborn to die."

"Extraordinary!"

She slowly reached behind her head to undo the bandage.

"Don't remove that!" Hikari cried. "Your eyes are still healing!"

"My eyes do not matter that much anymore," Saraia said softly, her voice calm. When she finished removing the bandage, everyone gasped. There were faded scars around her eyes, horrible, but fading. But most shocking was the blank look in them, the polished look of two opaque emeralds glittering in them.

"What happened?" Daisuke croaked.

"She's blind," Miyako gasped.

"No I am not, not completely," the elf said, turning to the Amazon's direction.

"You could have heard her voice," Daisuke accused.

"Oh is that true? Test me," Saraia said.

Miyako grabbed her circlet, putting it in front of the elf. "What is this? And describe it."

"It is a silver circlet, with etchings of birds upon it and set with a single amethyst," Saraia answered coolly.

"She's got the second sight then," Koushiro realized. "Able to see things with her mind despite the fact that her eyes are blind."

"Right on the mark." She got up. "Well, everyone pack up. It's about a day's trek to the temple if we go at an easy pace."

~*~

"Saraia, how did you do it?" Hikari asked.

The elf turned those mysterious, distant green eyes toward her. "I cannot explain it all myself."

The princess found it rather unnerving to be scrutinized like that and shuddered slightly. "You are very lucky though to survive."

"Princess, in all my years there is very little 'luck' in the happenings of things. Successes happen through planning, intelligence, and hard work. I should know; I have lived long enough and seen enough to tell."

Hikari mused on those words as Saraia urged her horse ahead.

~*~

The sun shone brutally on the group as they traveled through the desert. Once they drank from their water supplies, they grew thirsty again as the baking hot winds seemed to snatch away the moisture from their bodies.

"It is just up ahead," Iori called, pointing a dim shape.

They urged their horses on further. Daisuke's mount, one of the most skittish, galloped ahead and with a shout, he managed to prevent it from skidding off a cliff. As the others gathered, they found themselves overlooking a small pocket of forest, an oasis in the middle of the desert, a large building in the center.

"This is it," Saraia said. "Come on."

She carefully guided them down a path carved on the side of the cliff. It was sundown by the time they reached the temple and managed to set up a rough camp.

"Moonlight," Koushiro muttered. "Something about moon and starlight."

Hikari traced her hand on the cool stone. "There is something about this place, it is magical."

"It is a safe place," Iori said, setting down his water canteen. "Blessed and sacred."

"How long do we have to wait?" Taichi asked, sharpening his blade.

"Not long," Saraia assured them. "Not very long."

"Look!" Mimi whispered, pointing to the base of the building. Something silver was glowing upon the white stone, forming the outline of a door and sparkling decorations surrounding it.

Saraia smiled as she stepped toward the door. "'By moonlight seek the door, and starlight will reveal the entrance. Then the key shall turn, and the Orb shall form with the twelve.'" Fishing the key out of a pocket, she slipped it through a keyhole in the rock. With a creak, the double doors opened outward, revealing a passageway lit with torches. "Come along. Leave the horses out here, they will be safe."

Dust filled Taichi's nostrils as he walked along, dust and incense as he faintly heard chanting seeming to come from the stone around him. But it wasn't eerie at all; on the contrary, it was soothing. Warmth was about, like being in a patch of sunlight on an early spring day. Sniffing, he detected his favorite scents of musk and sandalwood carried to him on a small breeze. Oddly, the torches didn't even flicker.

Something was very old about this place, very old, yet very young at the same time. He felt invisible hands caressing him, soft murmurs and chuckles teasing at his ears, and his eyes occasionally catching odd glints in the stone around. Soon they came into a large chamber.

It was made of smooth, polished black stone that mirrored them in the faceted walls. Dimly lit, it had a calm air about, as in the center was a pedestal about the size of a small table and balanced on a single column, somehow fused to the floor.

Saraia, who had been leading, turned to them all. Her voice echoed oddly as the tonality was far different than her normal voice. "Andia, stand to the south and I will stand to the north. Twelve who have been Chosen, grasp hands and stand about the pedestal."

Puzzled, everyone did so. The pedestal was made of the same smooth black stone as the rest of the chamber; it was as if the whole room had been carved and hollowed out from a single, large stone. Immediately, it seemed as though something had gained control of Taichi, a benevolent spirit ready to guide him.

"Twelve from four corners; now gathered around. Worthy of power, pure of spirit, and warriors of Light, judgment begins and is now done. None is found wanting, and to summon they are ready. No desire they have, all oaths given truly." araia's voice echoed all around as a colorless orb formed, bobbing above the pedestal, just over their heads.

"Of fire I represent, and of courage. I am a warrior but of justice and truth," Taichi found himself saying. "Never will I twist my oaths or use my power for personal gain." A stream of orange fire twisted from him before disappearing into the orb.

"Of true sight I represent, and of love," Sora said, looking at the orb. "I only spill blood in defense and will forever keep my duty. I will not be corrupted nor use this responsibility recklessly." A ray of red light spiraled up.

"Of ice I represent, and of friendship. My comrades I keep close, and protect," Yamato followed. "As close as kin they are, and for them I will never shirk what is given to me." Ice blue shard like pieces of light lanced up to join the others.

"Of water I represent, and of responsibility. I, of all, must keep to my duty," Jyou said after. "As king and of guardian I will not corrupt my integrity. If I must, I will be a rock on which others may rest, as they would for me." Blue gray glittered as it flew up, in a steady river of power.

"Of plants I represent, and of purity," Mimi said firmly. "I heal instead of harm, and my power will never be used for greed or destruction. As others help me, I will help them, no matter what." Green patches of light blew up to mix with the other lights.

"Of lightning I represent, and of knowledge," Koushiro responded. "I will use this to help others, and to know the consequences of following the road of darkness. I uphold this duty with greatest honor and will do my best." Purple lightning flickered as it quickly flew to the orb.

"Of steel I represent, and of perseverance," Daisuke said. "Even when times are bleak I will never give up my responsibility. When other falter, I will go on, never stopping." Bright silver flashed as daggers of light danced up to the mixture of elements.

"Of wind I represent, and of sincerity," Miyako followed. "Lies will not deceive me, nor will I use them for my gain. This duty is given to me, and forever will I keep my oath to uphold it." Winds of pale lavender blew fiercely, swirling the other colors.

"Of the mind I represent, and of patience," Iori said. "I will bide my time when there are rough roads to travel, and endure what tries to tempt me. But I will fight when I must instead of holding back." Rich brown light was added to the orb.

"Of shadows I represent, and of compassion," Ken said quietly. "Even within the shadows, emotion can lie. To heal and to protect will I use my gifts, and the true darkness will never ensnare me." Dark rose-lavender bits of light slipped upwards.

"Of emotion I represent, and of hope," Takeru spoke. "I will inspire others when times are of despair. Hope is a light that I will kindle and fuel in everyone and it is a position I will perform with the greatest of honor and gratitude." Gold light glittered as it flew from him.

"Of healing I represent, and of light," Hikari said, her voice strong. "I am the embodiment of light in physical form. I work with hope and together we keep the balance of light and darkness. Healing is part of my job and I can work with everyone to perform that. I, of all, cannot step from my duty." Pink washed over the colors in the orb.

"Now the essences of the Twelve are gathered, the Sapphire Orb may be formed," Saraia intoned. "I am a vessel in which to guide the Twelve and combine their powers to form the gem."

"I am the guardian of these twelve individuals. My life and my sword is laid down for them so that they may live on," Dia added.

"Now let the dragon awaken and the future of the world set!" everyone shouted.

The colors and elements swirled and mingled, faster and faster. It then turned black, then white, then all the colors of the elements before settling on blue and turning darker slowly until it was the most beautiful shade of blue all had ever seen, the color of the night sky just after sunset and the color of ocean waters.

The orb slowly shrank and settled onto the pedestal. Everyone blinked as the trance left each in turn.

"It's beautiful," Hikari whispered, her hand lightly touching the smooth surface.

"And it's just so powerful," Miyako said, cocking her head.

"It must be destroyed," Koushiro rasped before clearing his throat.

"Why?" Yamato turned. "We can do so much good with it."

"That's the problem," Jyou pointed out. "It would be too easy to grow complacent. This orb is a danger to everyone."

"So do we just smash it?" Daisuke asked.

"Idiot!" Saraia scolded. "You cannot destroy it, the shockwaves and backlash from destroying an object of this level of power will be enough to destroy the entire world!"

"Then what do we do?" Ken questioned her.

"Wait, I have a solution, but it is risky," Iori spoke up. "We will destroy this stone but as the power goes out, we will absorb it."

"You're mad!" Koushiro exclaimed.

"I agree with it," Mimi said. "It's not as though we have any other solution, do we?" The others stood in silence, nodding.

"Alright, get ready, I will be the one to destroy it, help me with this, Dia," Saraia sighed as she stepped to the pedestal. The shadow being joined her on the other side, holding his broadsword. "Everyone get ready, you will have only one chance to gather this rogue power."

"Wait, what about the dragon?" Sora asked.

"If this works, you all will be able to call him, as the Orb's power will be within each of you," the elf smiled, picking up the round gem in both hands. "Grasp your hands now. And concentrate."

She looked at Dia and nodded, once. He reversed his sword and the pommel came coming down, shattering the gem. There was a sudden explosion of blue light, no one could speak, hear, feel, or see anything at all but the light until it cleared. Each of the twelve chosen was glowing with a faint blue aura, which soon faded.

"It worked!" Hikari cried, looking at her hands.

Saraia let the shards remaining in her hands drop onto the pedestal and they dissipated like smoke. She seemed very old, and surprisingly, her hair was almost all silver white and her eyes were pale green. The elf grinned at them tiredly as they started at her appearance. "I was in full brunt of the explosion. Pure magic did this to me, but do not worry, I expected this."

"What about us, why don't we have hair like yours?" Miyako asked.

"The magic were each of your own, and it identifies you, I suppose," she shrugged. "I just channeled the energy, you were the ones who absorbed it."

Dia sighed, his hair with a few more silver streaks and some signs of crow's feet at the corner of his eyes. "You crazy elf. Now look what happened."

"It wasn't my fault," she retorted.

"Something is outside," Hikari suddenly said, her eyes closed.

"Damn," Ken swore suddenly, hand on the hilt of his sword. "Demons."

"Well, this is your battle," Saraia said, looking at each in turn. "This is the final confrontation between good and light. The question is, are you ready?" Eyes like pale green ice bored into them, scrutinizing them.

"You bet we are," Daisuke smiled, his hand fondling the red and blue hilt of his own sword. Everyone else nodded, faces grim yet determined.

~*~

'Cut, parry, crescent slash,' Yamato ran through his mind as he cut down another demon, just for the heck of it. He turned rapidly, extending a free hand. "Ice blades!" Shards of ice flew through the air, impaling two demon soldiers who thought to cut him down from behind. 'Counter, block, lunge!'

'This is warfare in a new perspective,' Miyako thought as she used a slim sword borrowed from Hikari to block a blow. "Tempest storm!" Her two opponents flew away from her. "True gale!" They then burst apart in a gory explosion. 'Two down, many more to go.'

Ken ducked as he ran a demon through and suddenly flung his hand back. "Shadow shroud!" A black web covered some who were trying to sneak up on him. 'I am so going to kill Eriol for that remark about having an interesting time! If I survive that is!'

'I will never look at those ballads the same way again,' Taichi though to himself. "Incineration!" He watched as five of the demons screamed before falling down as ash onto the ground, but there were so many more.

'Disgusting!' Mimi thought, grimacing. "Binding vines!" What looked suspiciously like ivy grew from the ground, strangling the demons about to attack her. 'I hope this ends soon.' She had no more time for idle thoughts as she continued to battle.

'It's time to end fun and games,' Daisuke thought grimly. "Shard storm!" Glittering blades stabbed into those demons surrounding him. "Prophetic hand!" Iori was dealing with his opponents very well. 'It is good we destroyed the stone.' the cleric thought thankfully.

Sora stood back to back with Jyou and Koushiro. 'It's good I'm here to watch their backs, and they watch mine.' She cut down a daring warrior who thought to stab either mage to distract them. The demons surrounding them seemed to multiply as their vision clouded. 'What?' Koushiro thought wildly. "Lighting blaze!" Purple sparks and bits of fire flooded from his hands. He then heard Sora. "True sight!" and the illusion faded. Jyou concentrated. "Leviathan force!" A water dragon charged through the ranks of demons. 'I never imagined power like this.' he thought.

'We will protect our world,' Hikari thought as Takeru kept in his mind, 'No matter what, we will not forget hope.' "Holy Light!" they both shouted, blasts of light crushing the ranks surrounding them.

Hikari nearly screamed as a demon charged at her but it fell, decapitated by a sword stroke. Dia winked at her cheerfully. "You didn't think we would be kept out of the party now would we?"

"More fighting and less talking," Saraia yelled to him, sighting targets with her bow.

~*~

After what seemed to be a long time, they cut down the last soldier. "Is that it?" Mimi asked.

"It's way too much like the calm before a storm," Daisuke said, watching as the remains around them faded to dust.

"Goddess, what is that?" Dia looked up.

Stripes of darkness were crossing the blue, late afternoon sky. "The final darkness," Saraia whispered.

"What?" Hikari gasped as columns of shadows surrounded her and the others. She banged on it, trying to get out but it was too strong.

Saraia yelled up to them, trying to get to them, "No matter what, believe in yourselves and the others! You all have powers within you, and Dia and I are here to support you!"

As the columns, each one with a chosen in it, rose to the sky, Dia shook his head angrily. "Why can't we do anything?"

"We are merely guides, we can only do so much," the elf said softly. "I know they are strong though and they will make it."

A/N: Cliffy! Aren't I evil? Hehe. Well, this series is nearly over. Until then, I leave you in suspense!

Syaoran: You're evil.

Me: I just said that!

Yukito: *confused* (how kawaii! =^.^=) Have you seen Touya-chan?

Me: Nope, sorry, Yuki-chan!