Fusion

"Foolish Dragons," boomed Marino, "I told you that you'd never win. See how your feeble attacks were useless against me. You may have been able to do this years ago, but I have gained the energy of countless Dragons in my campaign. You see, it's almost as if you're fighting against one of your own."

'What can I do? My powers are useless here. He's just too strong, I shouldn't have come. Not only is my own life in danger now, but also my sister's, and all of my friends' as well. How in Ladon's name am I going to pull through with this one?' Reina wondered, feeling the effects of her prolonged transformation. Her energy reserves were dangerously low, she needed to eat something real soon.

Celia thought, 'So this is how I die. Fighting a stupid demon in a freezing castle. Couldn't he at least live in the bowels of Hell, then I'd be warm. I so hate the cold, I want to feel the heat on my skin. Hope that the afterlife is a tropical paradise like everyone says it must be, else I'll be one mad Dragon.'

Suddenly, a masculine voice echoed through the heads of the two girls. "Reina, Celia, hear my words. I have seen the evils of this demon, and the power he wields. He cannot be defeated by normal attacks alone. You must combine your powers to fight him, only then can you win."

"Nida," a female voice called out, "You must help them as well. Between their combined power and your magic, this demon will fall. I will grant you a spell that I have used in several of my lives."

The three suddenly felt a strange light come over them. Nida found that he had learned a new spell, one that derived its essence from the light itself, called Holy. But Celia and Reina had both discovered a new gene, called Unity. It worked much like the Fusion Gene, but there were some rules that a Dragon must follow to use it. First of all, it could only work between two Dragons. Second, they both must invoke it on the same turn, and use it with no other genes. This thing was so powerful, that it had to have restrictions placed on its modifications, or the damage could be catastrophic.

"I see it now. This is my true power. We must work together, or else the world is doomed. But when the voice said 'as one', he didn't mean alongside one another. No, we have to become one being, one with the strength of ten Dragons. Let's go sister!" exclaimed Reina. She invoked the gene.

Celia replied, "I'm right behind you Rei, we're going to make this creep wish that he'd never been born." Then she too invoked the Unity Gene. Both girls shone with a bright light, and everyone's vision became blurred. When it cleared, a new creature was standing there.

It was at least as big as Marino, if not bigger. The Dragon was pure white, with golden spikes coming down its back and on the tail. It's fangs were also gold, as were its claws and eyes. A large golden broadsword was being held in both its hands, and golden vanbraces were on both arms. The new creature let out a monstrous roar that began to shake the whole building.

Nida watched as it stepped forward to do battle. 'By the gods, look at that thing. I've never seen something so amazing. Reina, please be ok. I worry that you won't be able to change back, or that Celia will devour you within that body due to the power. If you die, I'll never be able to forgive myself.'

"Behold," stated the Dragon, "I am the ultimate form of the Dragon Clan, Gaia. The powers of every living being in this world are lending me their strength for the upcoming battle. I will not allow you to toy with the lives of others ever again." With that, she brought the sword up into attack position.

"So, you two little brats have developed a quote unquote ultimate power. What does that have to do with anything? You will still fall by my hands, and then I will destroy the world," Marino stated.

Gaia told him, "We shall see about that. You haven't seen exactly what I can do, so you'll be in for a surprise. Feel the fury of the planet itself." With that, she struck with her sword.

The attack slashed Marino in the chest. But something was different about this strike. Although he wasn't out yet, the attack had left a mark. For a gaping wound had appeared where the sword had hit him. Gaia brought it back around, ready to attack him once again.

Marino looked at the wound. "How can this happen? I am invincible. So how can a pair of mortals defeat me? They must be the children of gods, to do damage like that to a demon."

"No," Gaia stated, "We are not godborn. We are, however, sisters who know how to work as a team. Together, we can accomplish anything we put our minds to. Now, you will perish, Marino."

With that, she began concentrating. Energy began to build around her, in the form of a great golden glow. Soon, it began to reach Critical Mass. It almost looked as if it would explode.

"Omega Breath," screamed out Gaia. All of that great energy suddenly let lose, heading strait for Marino. He was caught inside of it, and began screaming in pain, it seemed to be killing him.

But even with all of that power, a little something more was needed. And Nida knew exactly what that something was. He cast Myollnir on Marino, electrically charging the attack.

Between the great strength of Omega Breath, and the electrocution that came along with Nida's spell, Marino was breaking apart. Before he died, he screamed out, "Wretched Dragons, I will get you two some day. Mark my words, I'll be back." Then, he died, leaving only ash behind.

* * *

Reina began to regain consciousness sometime later. When she awoke, she found herself in Nida's arms. The Winged Prince seemed relieved to see her awake again. "I was worried, worried that you'd sleep forever. I don't want to lose you Reina. What I mean to say is, I love you."

"Nida," she replied, "I love you as well. I just couldn't say. I thought you'd think that I only cared about you as a prince, and not as a human being. But that's far from the truth. I'm in love with the boy who I've traveled with, prince or no prince you're still Nida."

They were about to kiss. But before they could, they saw two forms appearing before them. One appeared to be a Winged female, and the other was a Human male. As they became clearer, the seven warriors could see that the woman had blond hair and blue eyes, while the man had blue hair and eyes.

- - - -

Oi, another romantic moment interrupted. Well, we'll hear an interesting story next time.