Kerda: Well, it's that time again.

Darina (*comes out with a microphone*): This is a message for all of you, especially for those who asked me to put Kai in this chapter. I'm sorry, but not in this one, though I promise he'll come in the next chapter. Oh, and if you're wondering, yes, they did notice that Rei's gone.

Kerda: This chapter has the many emotions Rei has for this situation. Thank you all reviewers and of course every reader should enjoy the chapter.

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~At the Part Where Rei and Lunera Were Flying~

      " Ahhhhhhh!" Rei and Lunera turned around, hearing the ear-splitting yell that died out quickly, breaking the silence of the chambers. Rei's eyes opened wide and Lunera gasped.

      " Korea!" Rei said. She's in trouble."

      " Rei, you have to go find her," Lunera said. I think I can fly now, so I'll catch up with the others and warn them just in case something happens to you two." Rei knobbed and watched Lunera scatter out of sight.

       " I just hope I'm not too late…" he said, picking up his greatest speed.

~Where Korea used to be?~

        Korea felt very light for some reason. Maybe because she felt she just lost herself. Am I now dead? She kept on wondering as her hand suddenly touched something cold.

       " Huh…" she opened her eyes just to find them locking into the familiar purple ones. Korea's eyes quickly widened and she tried to get out of the man's grip when her hand touched something cold again. Turning her head in its direction, Korea gasped as she saw the stranger's sword plunged into the ground beside her.

        He…missed? Korea asked, her eyes widening from time to time. No, wait, there has to be more to his plan…

       " Wha…a…" Korea tried to speak, but the feeling of near death shocked her a lot, as well as gave her a little taste of fear. The guard pinning her down just smirked.

       " I see you're afraid of death, child," he said slowly, gazing right in Korea's eyes.

       " I…uh…" Korea tried to talk again, but the words didn't seem to want to come out. Aren't…every…body?" She finally managed to say something. Slowly, but it was what she wanted to say. She waited for a blow to strike her face. Or even a yell. But what he did she never expected…

       " Most, but not all," he SMILED softly at her and lifted his body up. You shouldn't be, Mistress Korea, since that what most of our lessons were about." Korea got up and gave him a funny look.

       " What do you mean 'our' lessons?" she asked. Did you go to school with me or something?" A small smile curled up at the man's lips.

       " No, but I didn't think you would recognize me in this outfit anyway," the man took the helmet he was wearing off him head. Strangely shaped hair showed up and he smiled again.

        Korea's eyes became wider than eye as she recognized the person in front of her.

        " R-R…Robert?" she slowly said, as if trying to be careful not to confuse him with somebody else. The purple-haired man smiled and Korea felt a grin crawl onto her own face.

       " Sensei!" she yelled and flung her arm around him. Oh, sensei, it's been so long." The man gave her a small hug back.

       " Yes it has, Korea, and I see your skills are as sharp as ever," Robert said once she let go of him. Though, your Upward Strike needs a little work." Korea looked down.

       " So, what are you doing here, Robert?" she asked, finally looking up. Aren't you supposed to be teaching the others?"

       " When I heard you and your brother disappeared, I immediately decided to help search for you," the man replied. Have you been practicing anywhere all this time?" Korea blushed of embarrassment and shook her head "no". 

       " I didn't have another sword where I was," she replied shortly after. But, what can you expect, I was stuck on another planet?" Robert gave her a shocked look.

       " Planet? What do you mean…planet?" he asked. Korea took a deep breath.

        " I'll explain everything when we find the others," she said, flying up. Her teacher followed her.

        " We need to get the guards off of the other's tail," Korea yelled. Come on, Robert, I know it's all confusing, but I'll explain on the way there." She grabbed her sword on the floor and motioned for the guard to follow. Oliver took off without a word after her, knowing that he'd ask the questions later.

         " I just hope we're not too late," Korea gritted through her teeth…

~Rei's POV~          

       Oh, god, Korea, hold on, I'm coming to get you. The cages flickered beside me as I shot next to them, flying as fast as I could. Suddenly, I noticed figures in the distance. Oh no, the guards!

      " Look, there's one of them!" I heard one of the guards say.

      " Get him!" I knew it was in their favor to have so much people, but quiet frankly, I didn't care. Korea was the main person on my mind. So I gritted my teeth and stopped right in front of them.

       " You can't run anywhere now, you filthy feathered thing," one of them said. I felt anger coming on to my face as my cheeks burned red.

       " Where's K…" I stopped myself when I realized Korea didn't want anybody to know she was the ruler's granddaughter. K…Ko…nelia! Where in Konelia, you freaks?!" I know I sounded a bit suspicion, but they seemed to buy it.

      " Ohh, haven't we woken up on the wrong side of the prison bed today?" one of the guards teased me. I stared at him in disbelief.

      " Keep at it and you'll find your face in the dirt beneath us," I whispered harshly, making sure they heard it clearly though. The others just laughed in response.

       " Oh, this one thinks he can take us on," one of them said while the other laughed harder. Let's try that again!!!

       " Where is Kor…Konelia?!" I yelled again, making the walls around us shake and the irritating laughter of the demons die out.

        " Okay, if you're that desperate, punk, we'll have you know that that little demon traitor, whatever you call her, was just taken care of by out commander, Robert," the same guard that teased me said. And you know what that makes her? A piece of trash on the floor after he gets through with her." That's when I lost it.

        " Nobody insults my friends!" I yelled and advanced on them. Take THIS!" I knocked two demons out with my hands, because my anger gave me the speed I needed to make myself nearly invisible to the naked eye. There was commotion everywhere as the guards tried to fight me, sending green acid balls streaming in the air. I quickly dodged them all and prepared to strike the nearest guard. What I didn't could in was the fact that his gun was still loaded…

        " Ahhh!" I yelled as the green, liquid sphere hit my shoulder. I quickly checked myself over to find a bloody print where the ball burned through my clothes and skin. The man who blasted me was smirking, almost grinning at my pain. The bastard!!!          

       " Looks like we got ourselves a fast little runt," he said and I looked around to see the others get up and circle me. Uh-oh, I'm trapped! Gotta think of a way out of this!

        Wait, my eyes opened wide as a thought popped into my head. This technique is risky, but I'm willing to try it. I just hope I can survive it…

        " What are you waiting for, angel?" the guy on my right stretched my name out like it was a bad thing. Or, are you not as tough as you pretend to be?"

        " Just wait and see," I said, my body glowing green, since I was building up the energy inside of my for my special attack. The guards seemed to wonder what'll happen next, since they stopped making commends and watched as I glowed brighter and brighter.

        " Hey!" One finally began to speak. Hey, what's going on?" I didn't respond, but just kept building up the energy of my insides around my. A small bubble was now slightly visible covering my body. That's when I think those demons finally got the message, but they were a bit too late to the party…

      " Come on, guys, let's get him!" I heard a shout, but couldn't see them since my eyes were closed. It helped me concentrate more on the attack itself rather than on the target. But I heard them coming closer…

       And I knew it was time…

     " Raging Energy Wave!" I yelled, knowing only god would predict what happens next. The shield around me changed from green to white and an energy wave came out of my body, draining me of everything painfully, sending me into the air, and swallowing the guards and the hallway in its white flames…

~Korea's POV~

       " And then, Kai found out how to mak…ahhh!" my senses' signal shot through me like a knife. I stopped in my tracks, wondering what that massive power overload I was picking up could be. The world seemed to stand still as Robert also stopped flying and the tunnel began to shake a little, tiny pieces of concrete falling on us from the ceiling. The earth shake stopped in about a minute, both Robert and I having shocked expressions on our faces.

       " An earthquake?" Robert began, looking towards the end of the hall. In here?" I gulped. Something was wrong.

       " I don't think that was an earthquake," I finally said, allowing a moment of silence to follow my words.

        " But then, what was it?" Robert asked slowly. I turned on my senses again, hoping to pick up where the energy was sweeping.

        " Robert, the source, it's an energy attack," I decided out loud. A massive energy attack that came from somewhere deeper in the tunnels, about where you send your guards." And the energy is probably…

        " Rei's!" I yelled out. Robert stood still, surprised by the sudden words. "All that power…" I whispered to myself. It came from…Rei?" How is that possible that one angel could create something that strong?

        " That only means one thing," Robert interrupted my thoughts. That he ran into the other demons along the way." My eyes opened wide.

        " We have to hurry if we still want to see him alive," I said, chocking on my words and picking up my fastest flight speed. Robert followed and I began to finish my story…

~Rei's POV~  

        Oh, god, my head hurts so badly. I tried to move my arms, but found that all the strength was out of me. I knew I survived the attack, but it left me dry and weak from using it. Wearily opening my eyes, colors danced in front of them, but I could see the foggy figured of the demon soldiers lying on the ground lifelessly. I wanted to leap for joy, but my body would not give me such an opportunity.

       " Rei!" I heard a voice echoing in the tunnel. My head turned wearily to the side and I saw two figures in the distance. Is that…

      " K…K…Kor," I tired to greet her, but the words muffled in. I saw the familiar face of a young child in the distance, looking at me with worry, with somebody else beside her. My eyes opened in shock the best they could, since I recognized that guard.

      Korea, look out! I wanted to shout. Korea landed next to me and so did the guards, who to my surprise didn't make Korea flinch at all. He didn't do anything bad either, though he glanced around at his troops. Then he stared with a shocking gaze at me.

      " Oh, Rei, you're hurt!" Korea said, leaning over me. Suddenly, she noticed the dead bodies of the guards lying around.

      " Rei, how did you manage to…" she lost her words. I gave a weak laugh of cheerfulness. The purple-haired guard came up to me and pressed two fingers against my forehead. He closed his eyes and concentrated on something. I watched in confusion and worry, while Korea had the CALMEST expression on her face.   

      " Hmm, he lost nearly all his energy, so it's impossible for him to move at this stage," the guy suddenly took his hand off my skin and looked at Korea. I'm not sure I can restore back all his energy, since he already lost more than I have in all. Though, I can still put back part of it." NOW Korea looked worried.

      " Please, Rei, you'll have to stay still for this," she turned and gave me a serious gaze. I gave her a weak knob of understanding; something telling me that I won't like what'll happen next.

       " Okay, this will hurt, but we must do it in order to restore at least a tenth of your power back," the guard put his hand on my chest and his body glowed blue. My body felt a tingle in it at first, but as I began to glow blue also, pain unspeakable of any torture, guns or knifes that were ever used on me scattered across my body. I let out a yell; knowing circles are going to dance around my eyes if I opened them. Gods, now I know what if feels like to put all the needles in the world together and throw them at me, each one going slowly through my figure like fire.

Fire…

Pain…

Hate…

      I let out another yell, as it got worse when I felt like I was being tortured, fired up and knocked out alive. I wanted to pass out, wanted for it to be over, but the end didn't come until a few minutes later when Oliver's hand finally left my chest. I inhaled a deep breath, the jolts of hurt finally ceasing. Opening my eyes, I saw Korea land next to me and hug me.

      " Oh, I'm so glad you're okay," she said. I lifter up my shaking hands as I felt stronger, but not much stronger. Hugging her back, I kept wondering why that man helped me. I mean, he's supposed to be a demon, right? And he is supposed to be the one guarding the trapped angels, along with his little buddies, that is? AND he's one of the people who're supposed to hate angels, no?

      " Korea, who is that man?" I asked in a clearer voice. The blue eyes blinked and a smile curved at the corners of the blonde girl's mouth.

      " Oh, I'm sorry, I forgot to introduce you two," she jumped up like she was presenting the guy and pointed a hand at him. This, Rei, is my sword-technique teacher, Robert." I squinted in confusion. God, the lighting here is bright!

       " I didn't know you…knew how fight with a sword," I said, looking from Korea to Robert. To my surprise, he just walked over to me and helped me up.

       " I say, what stunt did you pull to kill all my forces with one blow?" he asked and I gaped at the calm and-could it be-amused expression on his face. What was the deal with THIS guy? I mean, I just, like, demolished his whole army and he's just staring like nothing happened? Could he really be that…cold?

       " No, no, no, don't judge me wrong," Robert suddenly said, giving me a "uh-uh-it's-not-like-that-really" smile. It's not that I like seeing these people dead, I just despise them. If you only knew…" He closed his eyes and I wondered what was it that I needed to know. Besides, I didn't get what he just said.

        " What I mean is," he said, opening his eyes to my lost expression ", I'm different from those men. The ones that you killed were right to die because…" He took another deep breath as both Korea and I waited silently for what he was going to say.

        " They claimed more lives then theirs could ever repay," he finally said, his words heave as my heart just turned. I didn't want to ask who, but I knew I had to…

        " Did they kill any…" my words trailed off. He knobbed silently. My eyes widened, and even though I was still too weak to say anything, both the other people say the depths of hurt in my eyes.

        " It's okay Rei, it'll be okay," Korea said. I covered my face to make sure they didn't see the tears pouring out of my soon-to-be-golden-red eyes.

        " Rei…" Korea tried again. I raised my shaking hand to my eyes and wiped my face clean of the water that just came from my soul. I finally picked up my face…

~Korea's POV~

        I flinched when Rei looked up. His look was dead serious, no more happiness or laughter that usually dances in them showed. Only seriousness, sadness and anger. With determination.

        " Let's go get the others," he said and I flinched again at his tone. It was like his eyes, only softer. We took off, Robert helping Rei fly, I keeping a look from above for danger, and from below, at Rei. I think Robert also noticed something's wrong, since he suddenly became worried. I am too. I don't know who this Rei is. A stranger to my heart…

~Rei's POV~

       Why is Korea looking at me like I'm a monster? Maybe I'm slowly turning into one…into an emotionless one. Like…

       I shook my head to get the thought out of my mind, but it didn't go away. Was it possible?

       Suddenly everything disappeared from my sight and the only thing I saw were Kai's serious, cold eyes. Could it be he's so cold because…of what life did to him? This is when I felt like for once I fully understood the emotionless brother of Korea's. It wasn't that he was born that way, was it?

      " This emptiness won't take over!" I suddenly yelled out loud, quickly closing my mouth at the shocked expressions on Robert and Korea's faces. Opps…

       " Rei…" Korea began in a small voice. Are…you…okay?" I thought for a moment. Was I okay, knowing that at any time we could be dead? Was I okay, knowing how much danger is ahead of us? Was I okay, knowing how many lives were lost in this war?

     The answer was of course…no. But I felt a smile crawl on my face through the tears that stung my eyes. I forced them back and my grin grew wider. I couldn't go on being upset and emotionless, I knew I had to finish my life normally. I think even if those dead people the other bastard-guards killed would be alive, they would agree with me. And I have to fight. For them…for us…for everybody on the face of this planet, in this universe, in this galaxy…wow, I just felt a speech coming on.

      " Yah, I'm okay," I said, flashing a smile to the suddenly stunned Korea and Robert. Don't worry, I'm fine now." I suddenly felt so confident, I leaped out of Robert's hold and flew by myself. I don't think either of the people with me expected that, but their faces broke out smiles and we all picked up speed.
     " There's the entrance," I pointed forward.

     " Yes, now we'll be entering the depths of the castle," Robert said, but suddenly he stopped. I made a jerky halt as I wondered what could be wrong and Korea nearly bumped into a wall, trying to stop so fast.

      " So, you'll need a disguise, both of you," the purple-haired guy snapped his fingers and smiled. I'll give you both guard outfits so we can move easily around the castle and find those angels." And the rest of our friends, I though with determination.

     " Okay, but where are the suits?" Korea asked, looking a bit dizzy from her near crash. Dizzy? Kenny? My face turned into a worried one. We still haven't found Kenny! I hope he's okay, since we haven't picked up even a trace of him.

     " Right up this stairs," Robert pointed to the entrance. Huh? Stairs? I flew through the door and looked up. I gasped. WOW! Like really! The stairs were HUGE! They also curved around in circles, like the ones I saw in the passage where the black mirror used to be, only with rails and stretching way higher than I ever imagined a staircase to be. I'm talking like…a jumbo order of steps, no skipping on the concrete they were made out of either. I nearly fell backwards, bending my neck to face the top of those never ending looking stairs.

       " Come on, Rei, let's go," a voice interrupted my thoughts and I turned around to see Korea and Robert already in the air, flying up. I sprang into action, leaping high, flying past Robert and Korea, and feeling so…alive! It's like my body and mind joined together whenever I was flying carefree and happily.

       Actually what I hadn't counted was the fact that they actually joined together in the next three seconds, when my head smashed against something rather hard. It took a moment for the pain to sink in, but when it did; I instantly grabbed my head and tried to stop the large headache from bothering me. 

     " Wow, are you okay Rei?" Korea asked, flying up to me with Robert. I grinned at her.

     " Yah, sure," I said sarcastically with some humor mixed in my voice. I mean, what other fifteen-year-old guy wouldn't want to get a headache from nearly cracking his head open." Korea giggled and even Robert chuckled. I, on the other hand, took my time before laughing out loud…

~Korea's POV~

          It's Rei! He's back! The old Rei's still here! No longer were there the cold stranger that seemed to only want twisted revenge, but the old sweet Rei who we all knew.

        " Quit it, Rei," I said jokily and we began flying up again…

~Normal POV~

        After they began to go up again, Korea nearly chocked on laughter seeing Rei's playful sort of glum as he passed the part of the staircase he banged his head against. Robert just looked at Rei with a weird expression that had "what-in-the-world-are-you-doing" written all over it.

       " Look, there's a clearance," Rei pointed towards the end of the stair-maze…

~Rei's POV~

       All right! Here we come, guys, don't you worry! We flew out of the entrance and before I went any further, AGAIN my head bumped against something hard. No, not a wall this time. It was…it was…

      It was Robert's metal suit. My eyes opened wide. Why did the guy just block my path? And his expression is more serious now. I wonder why?

      " Robert, let me through, you know we need to go," I began, but his eyes made the rest of what I wanted to say drown in my mind, sinking in my throat. So much serious thoughts reflected in them. Something was definitely up.

       " Rei, what's up, why did you and Robert suddenly stop?" Korea flew up to me. I pointed at Robert in front of us.

       " Ask your teacher," I replied and Korea blinked at him. The man didn't move.

      " Umm…" Korea began, but the same thing that got me seemed to take her over also. R…ob…ert?" I saw her shiver a little.

      " You cannot go past this point," Robert suddenly boomed out. Now, you have to come with me." My eyes opened wide and Korea gasped next to me. This did not look good…

What is Robert planning to do with Rei and Korea? Is he really on their side? Did the angels escape? Will they be seen? Find out in the next chapter. 

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Kerda: Okay, I know, Robert's in a bit of an OCC mode. Sorry, everyone. Wow, let me check…aha, okay, we're all done here.

Tyson: Ahhhh…why?

Kerda: Err…because this chapter's over?

Tyson: Oh, I thought you meant the story.

Kerda: Nope, nope. Only when the end comes (*wise thought*)

Tyson(*sweat-drops*): Riiiiigggghhhttt. See you next time guys!