A/N: Yes, I'm aware this took nearly three fricken weeks to spit out. BITE ME. It's called writer's block, family, and holidays. That, and Carmina is being a huge bitch to me. I knew you'd understand. That being said, let's do the normal thing, ne? If this chapter sucks in comparison to the others, blame it on writer's block and be done with it. Anyway. Let us begin the plot rape. ^^ This time, I am NOT kidding. This one will SO be ending on a cliffhanger. I'm planned very well this time. ^^ Anyway. Last time, lots of people worried about becoming very dead. Also, people foreshadowing blatantly what's going to happen, and characterization of people who NEED to be characterized NOW, because the chance may not come up later. This time? Keep your eyes and ears open, because there will be a LOT of debating and overall flapping gums about future stuff and stuff that is important to them now. Maybe a little REQUIRED characterization, but little else, all right? All righty. Oh, and if the speech seems a bit different from my normal dialogue, that's because to get help with this chapter, I've been reading a great deal of fantasy stories and watching fantasy movies lately. They all seem to talk a bit more properly than I'm used to, so it may reflect here. Anyway. Let's get on with it, shall we?

~*~

For once, Inez could not explain the subject at hand. And this was only because she had no clue of how this would turn out, not to mention the fact that she was as curious, but not as worried, as most of the others. However, her lack of knowledge about the city they were headed to unnerved her; she was always used to knowing everything. Flying blind was one thing the Martian doctor did not want to do. "Rumiko-san, Igadosu-san, what do you believe we shall achieve in Carmina?"

Rumiko shrugged. "I think we should be able to get the barrier taken down, but other than that, I have no idea. I've never been to Carmina." Various jaw dropped open, all around the lunch cooking fire. "WHAT?"

Igadosu chuckled and shook his head. "Of course he's never been to Carmina. He was supposed to go with the trade caravans this summer to complete his apprenticeship, but of course he stopped that because of recent events…"

Izumi crossed her arms. "I think it's safe to say that I speak for a lot of people when I say that we're worried about what will happen there. Rumiko told us, when he met us, that the Temple of Magus officials are to kill all non-Magus-aligned mages. Doesn't that mean that we're in danger?"

Igadosu quickly shook his head. "Not while Miss Ai, Rumiko, and myself are here. We are of high enough rank to actually argue your case." Inez smirked. "Worse come to worst, kill the bastard."

Color drained from Rumiko's face. "Please do not take her words to heart." Igadosu roared with laughter. "Rumiko, you're just too uptight! At least Miss Ai knows how to have some fun!" Inez nodded, glancing at Izumi. "I learn from the best."

Izumi blushed. Hikaru held a hand up, as if she were in school. "So what're we supposed to do while you are talking to this Mythos guy?" Igadosu tapped his chin. "It would be best if you were there, then maybe you could supply myself, Rumiko, Miss Ai, and Yurika with some points as to why the barrier should be taken down."

Yurika's ears perked up, hearing her name. "Excuse me? I'm going to be speaking as well? Why didn't anyone inform me of this?" Inez crossed her arms. "It's obvious that you'll be speaking, Kanchou. You want off Ninlan the most, I believe, and you're also aligned to Magus. That could sway anything I have to say considerably." Yurika bit her lip. "I really wish you didn't just drop the bomb on me… what am I supposed to do?"

"Just tell them how much you want to go home, how the Elemental mages on the ship haven't done anything wrong, nothing to hurt anyone magically, and you'll be fine," answered Rumiko.

Despite his calm tone, Megumi, sitting next to him, could tell that he was just a nervous as everyone else. In fact, everyone seemed worried about the city they were heading to, save for Inez and Igadosu. Yurika wasn't worried before, but she certainly was now. Megumi couldn't help but wonder, 'Why does she want us to leave so badly? Does she really believe this planet so horrible? I think it's a good change from Earth. Not so much to worry about. Well, for ME to worry about. Frankly, I like Ninlan. A lot.'

~*~

A half hour after they got started, Carmina was well in sight. Surprisingly, the biggest city on the planet, Carmina, was no bigger than a characteristic small town on Earth. The fact that it was only about a fifteen minute's walk away caused the parade to stop and unload their passengers.

Yurika took hold of her charge and sorted people out. "Well, I don't believe we'll need that many people to go into town with us, or to argue our case to the Temple. In fact, technically, we'd only need our mages. And not even all of those." She paused to think. "I've got it. Everyone will stay except the following," she started counting off on her fingers, "Akito, Ruri, Igadosu-san, Rumiko-san, Miss Fressange, Hikaru, Nagare, Izumi, Megumi, Yamada-san, and myself. Is everyone all right with this?" Megumi raised a hand. "Kanchou, why are they staying?"

Yurika glanced at her former rival. "We don't want anything to happen to our transportation while we're gone, do we? And besides, we have to consider the possibility that we are imprisoned or worse. Thus, we have to make sure we have enough people who knew what happened to go back to the ship, and capable of replacing us." Yurika's calm tone unnerved Megumi. 'It's like she's ready to face her end, and we aren't even sure they'll do anything to us when we get there.'

The walk towards the city was short and silent. It was only when they entered the unmanned gates, that gasps and words of appreciation left lips.

Carmina was like a living time capsule, looking like places only imagined by fantasy writers and role-players. On the outskirts was the seedier, rundown area of town. Houses were either damaged or destroyed entirely, and small nonetheless. There was much more noise in the air, screaming of the robbed and crying of hungry babies.

One little girl pulled Megumi's heartstrings. She couldn't have been older than Ariko, but she stood in a ripped, dirty dress, her hair mussed and hopelessly tangled, no shoes covering her dirty, callused feet. 'Children live this horribly on this planet? Because of no money? At least on Earth, the UE government protected you, as long as you stayed on their good side and the right side of the law. But this, this is horrible.'

"No Man's Land. The crossing from wilderness to civilization. People without direction or means must live here until they are capable to taking care of themselves. The Temple tries to support them, but there are just so many of them," explained Igadosu, morose. Megumi swallowed. 'Much like Earth…'

After passing No Man's Land, the group entered the more middle-class area, with tons of shops, kiosks, and houses. The streets were less noisy, but still full of light-hearted sound. Calling for customers to check wares, the sounds of horses and carriages traveling the streets, women gossiping in stores. Ruri blinked a few times. Despite the lack of technology, this area of Ninlan's capital reminded her much of Peaceland.

Yurika was the first to spot a relatively large inn, only about three stories high. She glanced at the sun. "I don't think we'll be able to get going on the Aestivalises tonight, nor make it back to camp by dark." Igadosu snorted. "Hell, I don't think we'll even make it out of the Council's chambers before dark." Yurika nodded. "Maybe we should reserve some rooms for tonight now, while we're right here?"

"I'll do it," announced Megumi. She turned to Rumiko. "I'll need some money." Rumiko surrendered his purse to her without a thought. Counting out the coins, she bit her lip. "Um, how many rooms should I get?" Hikaru glanced at everyone, considering everyone's relations to everyone else. "I think five would be good. Six would be better, but five at the very least. I can room with Ruri and Igadosu-san," she explained, "since everyone else all ready has a sleeping buddy." Gai coughed to show his acknowledgement for her hidden meaning. Yurika rolled her eyes. "Five rooms, Megumi, should be good."

"Aye, aye, Captain," saluted Megumi in plain English. It took her several minutes, but she soon came back, swinging Rumiko's now empty purse. She flung the sack at him. "Five rooms equal fifty pence. Nice cheap rooms, if you ask me." Rumiko glared that the Communications Officer. "This only means you won't be buying any more clothes." Megumi scowled. "It proved valuable though, didn't it? No one even suggested I wasn't Ninlandish."

Inez crossed her arms. "If the two of you are finished bickering like a married couple, I'd like to be out of the chambers and hit the bath house BEFORE midnight tonight. If you've reserved the rooms, we should go. Ne, Kanchou?" Yurika nodded slowly. "Where's the First Temple, Igadosu-san?" Igadosu pointed straight ahead. "In the center of the city, binding all the energies of the people in the city, not to mention the energies of the plains and the sea."

Izumi nodded. "I thought this city was on the ocean, but I couldn't be sure." Rumiko crossed his arms. "Igadosu and I will go in first. I think you should all stay behind for the first few moments."

"No, I'm going in too. I have to plead our case with dependency on my past. Besides, they'll believe you if I'm with you. You have to admit that the story is a bit farfetched." Igadosu chuckled. "We wouldn't dream of restricting your activities, Miss Ai. And I do admit that your presence when we first enter may make a difference in the swaying of Lord Mythos's will."

The group followed Igadosu towards the center of the small city, until a large building seemingly appeared before them. It was nearly as tall as the Nadesico itself; the stones used to construct it were gray, but sparkling with small fragments of crystals. On the outside, the temple seemed very plain, but was formidable-looking, much more powerful than the simple temple in Somenolenthe.

Rumiko turned to the group. "Ano…" he stepped over to Igadosu and tugged his beard to get the old mage's attention. "Shouldn't Meg come in with us?" whispered the former apprentice. Igadosu's graying eyebrows furrowed. "Whatever for?"

"Well, she is the prophesized girl in the dreams, remember? And perhaps her speaking skills will prove beneficial." Igadosu sighed. "Mixing business with pleasure is uncharacteristic for you, Rumiko, but I admire your devotion and excuses… I mean reasons." Igadosu smiled wickedly at the now blushing Copy mage. Inez chuckled. "Megumi, we've decided you'll come in with us, initially." Megumi blinked; she wasn't expecting this, but went in with them anyway.

The inside was not made of wood, like the temple in Somenolenthe, but stone and metal, and expensive ones at that. It seemed like the people were more respective of a God that could easily destroy them than of their own people. The thought angered Megumi a bit.

Inez was looking around as well. The First Temple of Flamma, on Ancient Mars, had been made of wood, copper, iron, and rubies, making it all glow with the eternal fires that burned on the torches that lined the walls. This temple was lit only with spelled crystals, mostly diamonds, giving it a cold and unwelcome light, one that served darkness and darkness alone, hiding it from those who wishes for its power. Upon seeing the statue of Magus himself, perfectly carved out of silver, or platinum, Inez shivered. The cold metal eyes of the figure seemed to bore into her, damning her for being of Terra's allegiance. 'At least Flamma's eyes regarded me kindly, especially since I had the angry power of her lover in my veins.'

Both Rumiko and Igadosu immediately fell to their knees, bending their heads, closing their eyes, and making prayer positions with their hands. Looking more into the temple, Megumi and Inez could see why. In front of the statue sat a man in prayer position as well. His red hair was pulled away from his face in a ponytail on the top of his head, but did nothing to stop its curls from fanning out to his ears. He wore a silver and violet robe, obviously made of silk and other fine fabrics. The man stood and turned slightly to regard the visitors to the temple. Closer scrutiny would show that he had the look of a Japanese person, especially with his walnut shaped eyes. His skin was darker, darker than even Mr. Hory's, it seemed, and he had a very large diamond hanging off a chain outside his robes. Golden hems and smaller diamonds woven into the robe hinted his wealth, as his firm mouth and hard brown eyes proved his leadership in such a long-lost land as Ninlan was.

"You must be Lord Mythos Entrada of Carmina, the First Priest of Magus!" exclaimed Megumi without thinking. Rumiko stood and spun to glare at the Communications Officer. "Foolish girl! Do you not think before speaking in front of your superiors, Miss Rainerd?" As Megumi opened her mouth to retort, Inez passed a hand between them. "Hold it for another time, you two." She cleared her throat. "Your excellency, we come requesting your assistance in a matter only you have a say in. Please hear our case." She bent her head to regard his superiority to herself.

Mythos finally spoke. "Subordinate Priest of the Temple in Somenolenthe, Igadosu Toccata, Magus's Rage. Apprentice priest of the Temple in Somenolenthe, Rumiko Adagio, Magus's Calm. Yes. I know who they are." He regarded Inez and Megumi with a hard, uncaring expression. "You, however, I do not recognize."

Megumi stiffened and bowed immediately and deeply, gripping her Ninlan-style skirts and lifting them to show her slippers. "Communications Officer of the ND-001, Nadesico of Earth, your excellency, Megan Rainerd of Earth." She bit her lip, afraid that her introduction was unsatisfactory.

Inez bowed as well, but not as elegantly, nor as deeply. "Head Doctor of the ND-001, Nadesico of Earth, and Head of Science Department at Nergal Heavy Industries in Earth, your excellency. I am known to my colleagues as Inez Fressange, but my true name is Maboroshi Ai of Mars." She smirked slightly, relishing the skeptical look on the priest and emperor's face.

Mythos furrowed his brow as he fingered his amulet. "Lies. Lady Ai of the Martian empire is dead. She died with the rest of population of that doomed planet." Inez shook her head slowly. "She did not. She used the Time-Space Teleportation Calculator to Teleport to March of this year, then Teleported back to the Martian deserts of twenty years ago. I assure you, my name is correct and honest."

Mythos continued to finger his amulet. "Lady Ai was one of the last of the corrupted mages, a Terra's Rage, if I believe. She would have been put to death by Magus's true followers, yes?" He now regarded Igadosu and Rumiko, who both blushed and hid their faces. Mythos's brown eyes flared with an inner fire. "Yes?" he boomed, obviously angered by the insubordination of the other mages before him.

Inez smirked again and opened her right hand, which now freely glowed dark green. She rose a few feet into the air, pushing her power against the ground. Megumi would have freaked, had it been about a month or two ago. But now, odd workings like these had become commonplace with the crew of the Nadesico. She had come to accept them; especially since Rumiko told her she might be on the same psychic plane as him.

Mythos now openly pointed his anger at Rumiko and Igadosu. "How is it that she is still alive, even with her record in the legends? The law is that mages of the corrupted Elemental Gods will be put to death upon discovery!"

The doors opened, quite quickly for them being made of rock. "Frankly, Mythos, I don't think anyone else cares," announced Akatsuki, flanked by Yurika. Megumi couldn't have been any happier to see her crewmates at the moment. Mythos was speechless. "Seven corrupted mages? All ALIVE?"

Hikaru smirked, the look making her seem smug at the situation. "And more back at camp. I don't think you'll want to say know to hearing what we want from you." Mythos growled deep into his throat, and brought his hands close together. A flash of silver was all the group saw before the pain began, someone gripping their minds with an iron grip. All were at its mercy but Yurika and Igadosu, who fought of the invading magical hands of Mythos with magical, Possession-capable hands of their own.

"You WILL hear our plea, Lord Mythos. You may or may not agree with it, but you will not force us to bend to your will. We will not be put to death. Our band of mages has not done any harm to you or your people, nor will they without reason. We have not come here by choice, rather, by circumstance." At Yurika's defiant words, Mythos let go, amused by the strong will of such a woman. "Big words, strong words for such a small girl. Fine. I will hear your case in chambers. But know this. The first blood spilt on our lands by a Elemental, especially of your band, I will not be able to withhold the will of Magus as He comes to do as he sees fit with blasphemers like yourselves." With that, Mythos spun, giving his robes a bit of a twirl as he disappeared into the darkness of the Inner Sanctum of the temple.

Yurika turned back to her crew. "Is everyone all right? I never knew someone could be so strong…" She shivered and rubbed her white-clad arms. Gai put a hand to his forehead as he stood. "Anyone get the license plate number of the truck?" A few of the now standing laughed, while others tried to discover, once again, where they were. A few needed to be pulled up to their feet by trusted friends, and wobbled once they got there. Even Inez rubbed her temples to get rid of the feeling of Mythos's grubby hands on her mind. Rumiko shook his head; even Igadosu's touch wasn't that rough. "Well, who's all going in to meet with him?"

Yurika took control again; it seemed her duty to do so. "I, Igadosu-san, Rumiko-san, Miss Fressange, and Hikaru are definitely going… Maybe Meg and Ruri should too…" Izumi nodded. "That leaves me, Akito, Gai, and Akatsuki out here. Perfect. We're professional fighters. It seems perfect that we stay here and make sure no one tries to sabotage this operation." Akatsuki and Akito nodded. It was perfect and convenient. Gai was skeptical. "Shouldn't you have someone in there that can protect you from him?"

Hikaru put her hands on her hips. "What am I, chopped liver?" Gai crossed his arms. "You didn't do much against that mental attack, now, did you?" Hikaru stood defiant against the much taller pilot. "Yurika and Igadosu are perfect against that. Besides, that was while we weren't on our guard. He won't do it twice. It wouldn't work, since now we're watching him and waiting for him to do as such."

Gai opened his mouth to speak, but caught Akito's glare at him. Akito shook his head, indicating that Hikaru was right. Gai sighed in defeat. "Fine." Satisfied, Hikaru turned back to those she would debate on the side of. "Well, what are we waiting for?"

~*~

As they entered the Inner Sanctum and the trial chambers, the group was in awe of the light that battled the darkness of the center of the temple. It came from the spelled crystals, like the front worshipping room, but these were much stronger and obviously made to last. The odd thing about them, is that they were embedded into the floor between their balcony and Mythos's, which was a level or so higher than theirs. A long stone bench sat at their balcony, which everyone save for Yurika sat on. She stood at the makeshift pedestal at the railing of their balcony, looking up at Mythos without moving her head.

Mythos now had a golden staff in his hands, obviously believing that it could protect him from the mages before him. "Well? What is it that you want from me so badly that you have to invade the First Temple of Magus, a building erected by Magus Himself?"

Yurika chose her words carefully. She had never been much of a public speaker; that was always Megumi's strength. But as Captain of the Nadesico, it was her duty to explain her crew's appearance in this place of religious worship on Ninlan. "We beg of you, Lord Mythos Entrada of Carmina and Ninlan, to lift the Shield-Barrier on Ninlan so that our ship may leave the atmosphere and safely Teleport its way back to Earth."

"Preposterous!" cried the Emperor of Ninlan, First Priest of Magus. "That Barrier has been up since before any of us were born. I can't just take it down because some corrupted mages want it taken down. It's completely unethical!"

"Please, my liege, reconsider. Our people want nothing more than to go home. I myself have want nothing but since we first arrived. What's wrong with us asking for you to take away, temporarily, the only thing keeping us here? You obviously don't want us here. We solve two very big problems by letting us go, by taking down the Barrier." Megumi had to admit, Yurika had some strong arguments to work with. 'Maybe, she'll be able to sway him on her own.'

But Mythos wasn't finished. His darkened skin reddened with embarrassment and rage. "Little girl, you don't seem to understand the implications that taking the Barrier down would encompass. It would leave us completely unprotected from your empire, not to mention any others in the universe with the TST technology."

Inez stood at the mention of the very computer she had in her laboratory. "Lord Mythos, no one else has the TST technology, no one but us. Sure, the Jupiterians are capable of using it, a lot better than Earth is at the moment, but we have the Calculator in our possession." This statement shocked the poor priest. "Are you serious? But the TST Calculator is buried deep in ice, in the Martian Polar Cap! Is it even capable of being moved?"

Now it was Ruri's turn to speak, but she did not stand. "The Boson Jump Computer has nothing to do with Mars, other than being created there. It works perfectly wherever in the universe it is. However, possession of it results in much more Jumping power, not to mention more Chulip materials with which to make more formidable weapons."

Mythos considered this. "Why do you have this artifact in your possession?" Yurika answered this question. "Because both Earth and Jupiter would have taken it to use against each other in the recent war." Mythos smirked; he was certain he found a flaw in their tale. "And are you not aligned to Earth?"

Yurika paused; how could she explain the Nadesico aggressive neutrality to an Emperor? "The Nadesico… is aligned only to itself. It fights whoever question it or approach it. The crew fights for themselves, not for eh ideal or benefit of some faceless leader." Inez snickered; Akatsuki himself was a faceless leader of Nergal until recently, when his cover had been blown and everyone learned the truth.

Mythos nodded. "How very noble. Impossible to find such selfishness and selflessness in one person. Tell me," he paused, not knowing this brave girl's name. Yurika caught the reason for the halt of speech, and nodded her head. "Captain Misumaru Yurika of the ND-001, Nadesico, daughter of Admiral Misumaru Kouichiro of the United Earth Armed Forces." Mythos nodded. "Tell me, Misumaru-san, what about this request would benefit our land, our planet, hmm?"

'A loaded question. One that could sway this entire debate out of our hands, or into our favor. Don't mess this one up, Kanchou.' Megumi braced herself. Yurika could sense the tension that came with the question. She was prepared for this question, but not prepared to answer it without gathering her courage. Licking her lips she took a deep breath and let the answer ooze from her lips. "Lord Mythos, we offer you the TST Calculator."

Mythos's jaw dropped; as did most of the present crew. Hikaru stood and gripped Yurika's shoulders. "Kanchou, are you sure you can trust such a weapon, such a tool in the hands of someone like him? Are you certain about this?" Megumi stood, nearly tripping on her skirts and petticoats. "Are you sure this won't lead to yet another war, Kanchou? Temptation can be a very cruel succubus, you know."

Inez sat back and crossed her arms. "The Computer has been unlocked, Kanchou. It doesn't matter who does what with it anymore. It is now on it's own. No one can control it, not in the ways that scare you all. Besides," her gray-blue eyes caught Yurika's green, "We WERE planning on leaving here in the first place, yes?"

Ruri rubbed her pale lips with a hand. "Kanchou, I think we can trust him with the Computer." Rumiko, finally broken out of his frightened daze, glanced at the silver-haired princess of Peaceland. "Why do you say that?"

Ruri did not answer Rumiko. "Igadosu-san, isn't it true that Ninlan has had the same powerful weapons made by the Ancient Martians for centuries now, and done nothing with them?" The others gasped; they had forgotten this little tidbit of information. Igadosu nodded dumbly. "Yes, Ninlan has, Ruri."

Ruri glanced back at Yurika. "Subconscious trusting has always been your strong point, Kanchou. Don't let others' opinions stop you when they never have before." Yurika smiled at the girl. "Of course not. We'd be in a world more trouble without pure intuition, of everyone on the crew." She turned back to Mythos. "What is your answer to our offer, Lord Mythos?"

Mythos stroked his chin. "I must admit, it is quite tempting. And not for the weapon aspect that you are all afraid of. It is Ninlandish tradition to not meddle in the acts of others. We don't want war. But, the TST Calculator could prove beneficial, scientifically speaking. With the Martian Empire long gone, we could easily rise in scientific power this way. And for that, I accept your offer. I will immediately lift the Barrier permanently. If all people from Earth are so generous, we'd like to do business with them once again."

Cheers filled the chamber, and even Mythos smiled, happy with the decision he had made.

~*~

The others were proud of Yurika shrewd skills in getting the Barrier promised down, but some were just as skeptical when she told them what it cost. "The Jump Computer? Are we really giving up such a prize?" asked Akatsuki, his brown eyes obviously filled with the hunger for power.

But Yurika was firm. "Yes, Nagare. We were planning on getting rid of it anyway; this just gets us more in return. Think of it as, instead of donating and getting nothing, selling and getting a profit. You should be able to relate with that analogy, ne, Nagare?" she asked, prodding him with her elbow.

Akito and Gai looked at each other, and feigned yawns. "Oh, we're getting pretty sleepy. How about we hit that bath house Miss Fressange mentioned, get some dinner, and go to bed?" suggested Akito, obvious ulterior motives tugging at his kind smile to make it a slight smirk.

"Baka Akito! You just want to get laid!" announced Hikaru, as if the others really cared. The redhead put her hands on her hips and started to count how many people would be getting sex tonight. 'Izumi and Miss Fressange will, I can see it in their eyes, Akito and Gai-chan will, I can see it in their smiles, and Akatsuki and Yurika will definitely, I can see it in their groping.' She sighed. "Well, we might as well hit the hay early. We gotta walk back to camp in the morning and get going back to Somenolenthe by the day after tomorrow's night, so maybe we can get some stuff done before nightfall, ne, Kanchou?" she knew Yurika wasn't even listening. Igadosu, on the other hand, was. "Good plan. Too bad everyone is too… ahem… preoccupied to pay attention."

Hikaru crossed her arms behind her head. "Bah, must be something in the air or whatever."

~*~

The next morning found Izumi waking at the sound of raindrops in the window of her room in the inn. 'Dammit, we have to walk through that? Oh well. Gai's gonna be pissed though…' Izumi stretched out, still lying down, like a cat, yawning at the same time. She paused to run a hand through her hair. 'Yuck, I must look disgusting. Not to mention I'm wearing nothing but this shirt I found in the dresser here…' She finally sat up to find that Inez had taken all the covers during the night, and had wrapped herself in a little cocoon. Izumi rolled her visible eyes. "Amazing what kind of quirks you can find in someone once you're a regular visitor to their bed…" she whispered, pulling on some of the blankets as she climbed off the bed and walked over to Inez's side. "Ohayou, Inez. Time to get up, we gotta get going back to camp and such." Inez didn't move. Izumi sighed, then tugged the blankets some more. "Inez, come on now, it wasn't that much of rigorous work last night, get up, will you?" More tugging, still no moving. "Fuck, Kanchou's gonna be pissed… WAKE UP!" Nothing. Izumi's blue eyebrows knit. "Inez, are you okay?" 'She couldn't possibly sleep through all of that, could she?' Izumi finally pulled all the sheets and blankets away from Inez's body.

And she shrieked in despair and fright, for Inez's body was stiff, fairly cold, and very pale to say the least.

~*~

TBC…

~*~

A/N: Okay, I know you're all going to freak, but this is what the cliffhanger is, and that's what you've been blessed with. Don't kill me please! Trust me, if I say anything about it now, you'll shoot me even more for spoiling it for you. Anyway. Okay, what happened this time, other than that little incident at the end? Description is something that I'm not very good at, but I'm rather happy with how I did this one. And lots of debating with Mythos. He's a bitch, isn't he? XD Anyway, what do I predict for next time? The explanation for the last incident, of course, and more traveling back, not to mention theories about the incident. Also, we may hear from Magus no baka again, so I'd keep clear and watch for the next one. I know I probably already took a long enough vacation, but I want some time to gather my thought and ideas on this raping of the plot, since we're entering a slow fast-paced area of the story. (Yes, that made sense in my head, dammit.) Until next time, keep your butts on the edges of those seats, because slow fastness is fun! ^^ Later!