Chapter Two: Danger's Arms

Noa looked around as she walked through Ratayu, accompanied by Saryu's guards.

It's so different at night….not even any crickets are chirping. It's almost like any living creature is afraid to come out for fear that something will happen to them. She thought, her steps slowing.

"Move it!" The solider behind her barked, shoving her. "Do not keep Saryu waiting!"

"Alright, already!" Noa quickened her pace, glancing behind her only once.

I hope Vahn and Gala were able to follow me…

Vahn curled his right hand into a fist, anger gleaming in his brown eyes.

Easy, Vahn. Meta soothed. They're not doing anything to harm her.

"It looks like they're heading back to the palace." Gala said, watching Noa and the guards walk away. The two friends stayed in the shadows, trailing not too far behind.

Meanwhile, Noa and the guards had passed through the castle gates, and into the main hall. But instead of heading up to the throne room instead, the red-haired girl was led through the set of doors that had been previously blocked off when she and her friends had been in the castle earlier, and down a secret passageway deep into the heart of the castle.

What the…where are we going? Nervously,Noa looked around as they advanced deeper, the fingers of her right hand tracing the armor-like covering that was Terra's body on her left hand. With each Genesis Tree that was revived, the armor left her hand bit by bit, and was starting to travel up her arm. Noa didn't mind it though, as it gave her a extra weapon to use in a fight if things got sticky.

Although that looks like what I'm gonna have to do if I want to get out of here alive… They started to walk down a stone pathway. Now what? At various intervals on either side of the path, several glass tubes were set up. As they passed by the first, Noa was stunned to see that there was a woman trapped inside!

"Please…help…me…I'm…so cold…" Terror tempered with anger raced through Noa as she heard the weak cry. Growling, she crouched in an attack position, ready to charge the guards. However, the soldiers aimed their crossbows at her, forcing Noa to break off her attack. Sighing, the girl gave up, hissing in pain as one of them struck her on the skull as they advanced.

Vahn tried the doors.

"Locked."

"Relax, it shouldn't be a problem to break through." Gala said, cracking his knuckles. He looked at his Ra-Seru. "Ozma, can you sense anything?"

No. The Ra-Seru answered. Do not worry. Terra will let us know the second anything happens.

Terra could feel Noa's fear grow as the two walked towards some sort of landing with two consoles on set up on either side, facing Juggernaut, who was resting in some sort of liquid. Silent rage coursed through the Ra-Seru, angered at not being able to assage her young bearer's fear.

"Here!" The harsh voice of one of the soliders jolted Noa out of her thoughts. "Stay here and wait for Saryu!" Noa watched as the two guards left, and took a quick glance at her new surroundings. Two…creatures, Noa wasn't even sure that they were human, watched the consoles, and another girl dressed in the same style as Noa stood at the edge of the landing.

"Hey! You alright?" Noa quickly hurried over to the other girl. "Are you ok?"

"…Who are you? I…I can't see...anything..." The girl responded. To Noa's horror, her eyes were glazed over, her flesh stone cold to the touch and as hard as marble.

"Can't you see me? I'm right in front of you!" The two creatures, who had been silent for the whole time, turned as Noa tried to speak to the girl.

"Heh heh heh…she cannot hear you…"

"Wait your turn! You'll be joining her soon enough!"

"Please, stop what you're doing!" Noa begged. As she pleaded with Saryu's lackeys, a long tube extended from Juggernaut. Hovering over the helpless girl, it slowly sucked her up into its maw before retreating back.

"What the…where did that woman go?" The red-hairedgirldemanded.

"Heh heh heh…you're next…" The second lackey said. The first fixed Noa with a piercing stare from its black beady eyes.

"Ah, look at this one! So young and full of energy! You will make a tasty morsel for Juggernaut, I'm sure!"

"Enjoy the time you have left! Soon you won't be able to walk!" The second added. Bile rose up in Noa's throat as she grasped the horror of her situation.

Get out of here. Go, go, go, GO! A voice screamed inside her head. Shaking off her paralysis, Noa turned her back on the nightmarish scene and started to run back up the walkway, pressing a hand to her mouth.

I'll go to the main hall…get Vahn and Gala… Then she stopped cold as Saryu's voice rang throughout the underground labyrinth.

"The bride of Seru was waiting, so I came." The lord of Ratayu approached the teen, the two guards who had escorted Noa to the hidden laboratory on either side of him.

"It is far better to be Juggernaut's flesh and blood than to live your own worthless life. Now silence!" Rage boiled up in Noa, displacing her fear.

"Saryu, what you've done is unforgivable!" Not caring about her cover anymore, Noa lunged at the man, intending to attack. At the same time, the two soldiers stepped in front of Saryu, aimed their crossbows, and shocked the girl with electrical blasts from their weapons. Noa took the full force of the attack, and was sent spinning around, landing face first towards the landing. Her entire body was numb, and she couldn't move.

No…I can't die like this! As if he had read her mind, Saryu stood over the girl.

"The brides are not dead. Their vigorous bodies live. Now connect them to the machine." Terra panicked as she felt her connection to Noa dissolve away.

Noa!

Vahn…you were right…I'm so sorry… Was Noa's last thought before she fell into darkness. The Ra-Seru tried to reestablish the mental link between the two, but to no avail.

Noa? Noa! Terror ripped through the Ra-Seru, it's icy claws sinking into her as she was met with silence. META!

Gala watched impassively as Vahn paced back and forth in front of the castle gates.

He's really worried about her. Ozma commented.

I'm starting to have my doubts about this plan myself now. Gala added. Meanwhile, Meta was doing his best to allay the fears of his bearer.

I've known Terra for a long time, and Noa's like her own flesh and blood. She'll be alright. Vahn didn't say anything at this, just stopped pacing and sat down, his eyes fixed on the gate. Meta sighed.

Stubborn boy…I'm worried to death about Noa and Terra too! Especially more so for Terra…only I'm not letting it show! If he knew that I had my doubts about this plan, it would only cause him to worry more. Vahn sensed the fire Ra-Seru withdrawing from him.

Meta, wait. I'm…

META! Terra's sudden scream tore through both the Ra-Seru and the teen's minds, causing Vahn to fall to his knees and clutch his head in pain.

"Aggghhh!"

Terra! Terra, what's wrong? Ozma cried as Gala helped the blue haired boy to his feet.

Noa…they've…Oh Relm, they've got Noa! Saryu…and Juggernaut! The Wind Ra-Seru was in a panic, her fear coming clearly down the links to the other two Ra-Serus and their bearers. Please, hurry! I can't get through to her!

"Get back." Vahn said to Gala. Flames sparked around Meta as Vahn aimed a powerful fire attack at the gate, melting the metal hinges and weakening the wood greatly. One powerful kick from the fire Ra-Seru's bearer and the gates were open, leaning dangerously to the sides.

Noa…hang on, we're coming! The two friends raced up the staircase, praying that they weren't too late.