Chapter 8.

Helios gently lowered Rini onto the nearest cot. Darien came, seeing how she

was. "Thank you, all of you," he said, before he bent down and examined Rini's

wounds. "How's...how's mom?" Rini asked. "She's fine. She was so worried when

she found out what you did," Darien said, his voice firm. "I'm sorry, dad..it's

just..." Darien nodded, letting her know he understood. Helios helped Hotaru get

Thomas onto another cot. Luna came and examined him. Rini heard her whisper to

darien. "I'm afraid his wounds are quite...critical." At those words, Rini tried

sitting up, but halfway there, she fell back dizzy. "Whaaaat? All she did was

kick him," Hotaru whispered. "yes, but the empress is quite powerful, i'm

afraid," came the reply.

Helios came beside Rini. Rini was shocked at how much he had grown. He was as

tall as her father now. "Will you be alright? I have to alert Queen Mina that

her son is wounded," he said. "Thomas...is he ok?" Rini asked weakly. Helios

smiled and stroked her hair. "he'll be fine." He stood and ran outside. Rini

looked to her side, Thomas was unconsious.



~ NORTH BATTLE FEILD~



Mina flashed another beam of light on one soldier, who was coming her way. The

others kept firing and shooting out their powers. "Queen Mina!" Mina turned at

the sound of her name, and saw Helios. "What are you doing here?!" she shouted

over the noise. "Thomas is wounded, highness," Helios said, after he had bowed.

"Oh my ***, is he alright?" Mina forgot the soldiers for a moment. "He'll be

fine as soon as Luna medicates him," helios replied. "Ok, i'll be there as soon

as this is over! Soldiers are appearing in the south!" Mina returned to blasting

the enemy. Helios nodded, and ran back.



"Mom....." Thomas groaned. Hotaru, Darien and Luna had already revived the

other scouts and they all were either hovering around Thomas,or Rini. "Sshh,

Thomas. Mom will be here soon," Ginny soothed her brother's hair, trying to hide

her tears. Sanora put a hand on her shoulder. "It's so hard. It's just so hard

to see him suffer!" Ginny cried. Sanora hugged her while Ginny sobbed. Hotaru

sighed, and turned back to Rini, putting ointments onto her wounds. Helios ran

back in and said, "Soldiers in south battlefeild!" then ran back outside. The

scouts ran out, except for Ginny. Thomas was still groaning. "No, don't go. I

want mom..." he was begging. "I have to, Thomas. Don't worry, i'll be back.

Meanwhile sleep and wait for mom," Ginny patted his hand and ran outside, after

Luna had assured her that she would take care of him. Rini tried standing. "Have

to go help..." Luna rushed to her side. "No, Rini! You're too weak to fight! The

ointments will take effect in a few minutes,!

just be patient," Luna gently pushed her back down.



~South battlefield~



"Ok, so where are they?" Aphrodite(Ginny) scanned the empty grounds. "I don't

know..." Helios replied. "Ow!" Deimos(Faye) suddenly fell backwards, as if an

invisible hand had pulled her down. Before Caloris could put on her computer

goggles, she was punched in the stomach. "Ah!" She fell, groaning. They were

suddenly attacked by invisible soldiers, everywhere. Sanora managed to press her

earring and aactivated her goggles. "Look behind you! They're all positioned

there! You're all looking the wrong way!!" they turned, and started shooting at

nothing. Screams were heard from the invisible soldiers, as they collapsed onto

the ground. Helios transformed into a unicorn and started using his horn in

defense.



~Palace~



Servants bustled everywhere, taking care of wounded soldiers that were

scattered around the crystal palace. Darien sighed and closed his heavy eyes. He

turned around and started for the exit. He knew the empress was waiting for him.

After he had told Luna he would be helping the others, he ran out.



The empress stood, smiling. "I know you've come for me, now take me!" darien

took his wand and shot at her. Lady ote halted the attack and kicked him. Darien

staggered. "Ote! You will be gentle with him at ALL times!" the empress scolded.

Ote growled and stepped back. "Thank you for your willingness," the empress

smiled, and shot an electric bolt at him. Darien disappeared, just as Luna was

coming out. "Oh no! The king!" she whispered. Then, she ran back into the

palace, ready to alert the others.