Destroying my Spirit, Stealing my Heart

By: Spitfire_Sae

Disclaimer: I do not own Beyblade. I do however own the plot and the situations the characters find themselves in. Amber and Ruin; their looks, characters and situations belong to Zadien!!

A.N. Well I took quite a while updating this didn't I? Oh well I'm sorry about that; I've been busy in college. I just have a few things to say. Zadien the gifted authoress who came up with Amber and Ruin, is a talented authoress and I do not respect people who go out and steal her ideas and basically her story. She came up with Love/Hate herself and she made it different. People who steal her idea's are sick and pathetic because they haven't the imagination or the capability to make up their own stories. But what sickens me even more is those who read these copies, review and then don't tell her about it. They make me sick and ashamed because some of these people are supposed to be her friends. I guess it's everyone for themselves on this site!!

Dedication: I'd like to dedicate this chapter and story to Zadien. My best friend, my soul mate, my partner in crime. Keep your chin up and the world won't seem so dark, remember you do have real friends. I'd also like to dedicate this chapter to ChibiTari/Unlucky Star who gave me the inspiration to keep writing and to keep on trying to get through even though it seems as though I'm talking to a brick wall. So it's dedicated to Zadien and ChibiTari/Unluckystar.

Amber: Ugh she's brought us to this weird place again!!

Ruin: Well… great… where are the others?

Tala: Well fuckity fuck fuck, looks like I've been dragged in. Shit, did you see my script? It's fucking long. All the others aren't here!

Ian: Well you're not the one stuck in the same body with monkey boy over there. [Every one looks at Kevin] I've been in makeup for hours!

Amber: Doesn't look like it. You could still crack a mirror!

Ian: How about I crack your neck?

Ruin: Oh try it I dare you!

Tala: Oh we'll more than try it!

[beybladers and zadiens cast members break out in full blown riot as Kevin watches from afar.]

Sae: Well it looks like they're about to kill each other so I better shout: ACTION!!

Chapter five: Tala and Ruin

Ruin sighed heavily, sipping camomile tea from her chalice. She'd chosen camomile to soothe her frayed nerves and she had needed it, she thought as she sat at her table overlooking the woods in front of her. This was the first time she'd got to sit down since early yesterday. For most of the night she'd been running from the Demolition boys, fleeing for her life so that she could save Enriques' life. She couldn't believe what the Baron had done. To punish a man for speaking to his betrothed. How could the boy have known? Sure not even the villagers knew of the betrothal and she had not seen it.

But Ruin had an inkling, no that wasn't the word, no deep inside she knew that the Baron had set his sights on Amber. He craved her innocence, more so her power. He wanted to take her, to break her for himself because that was the key to owning her. That's something his sick, twisted mind would desire. To steal her innocence, but it her innocence was essential to the destruction of the Baron's power base. Her essence had to be pure. Though her innocence wouldn't be surrendered easily but the heir to the Barons' would gain it because she would give it to him freely.

Which was why Ruin saw it as her duty to keep him away from Amber, though first of all she had to know where her young friend was.

Amber had disappeared that night while the mage had been rescuing Enrique. Boris had gone too and when ruin had visited the house to find no one present, alarm bells had immediately began to ring in her head. She thought of the peril the girl may have got herself into. Amber was so naïve, so trusting. She was in all effects, defenceless. Ruin hated to think of her best friend in that situation but the Goddess would protect her and she knew Amber would be ok for the moment.

A thought occurred to Ruin while she drank her tea, she could scry for Amber. She may not have been able to clear away the vision in foresight into future but she could see the present and that was all she desired.

Getting up with renewed determination and hope, she moved to her larder. The small hovel was filled to the top with shelves lining every wall and on them were many of the tools of her trade. Pots of herbs, jars of crystals, spell books that belonged to those who'd come before her and ones she'd written herself. An old cabinet held other things, her best chalice, her oldest athame, and a ball of pale blue crystal, candles of various colours, and incense and a scrying mirror. All this and more were carefully organised.

She gathered her equipment, mirror, candles –pink and orange and rose incense. She rose and crossed to the middle of the floor to her circle and there she deposited her supplies. Walking to the centre she flung out her power and darkened the room. She preferred to scry in the darkness and whenever possible she preferred to work sky-clad. So shrugging out of her robe she sat down on the floor in the darkened room. She'd cast her circle and now she lit the two candles and incense, placing the candles on either side of the mirror. She sat in from of the convex mirror. She closed her eyes and focused on her young innocent friend and on where she was. Steeling herself for what she might see, she opened her eyes and blinked rapidly. During that second of intensity and altered vision she plucked an image from the top and magnified it in the middle of the mirror.

It was Amber; she was being carted through the woods by Boris. Trees and Shrubbery surrounded her on all sides and the sky was darkened only speared by light through the gaps in the canopy. The scene shifted and now Amber was sitting before a large fire, lost in her thought and there looked to be a disappointed look to her features, as though she was disillusioned with life. Could it be possible that that Amber knew of Boris's betrayal? Maybe but he didn't seem to be with her, so had she escaped him? And what was she doing in the woods? A sense of dread filled Ruins' gut. Something wasn't right here. The scene shifted again and there was Amber and she was smiling warmly at someone with the Diceann she had befriended cowering behind her legs, but before she could see who the person Amber had seen was, there was a knock at her door.

Ruin's head shot up. Her brown eyes widened, who could that be? She never really had any visitors in her small home, only Amber and Sonia. But Amber was in the woods and Sonia was tending to Enrique so it could be neither of those. She frowned and warily reached for her robe feeling how it hung to the side because of the athame – her weapon of choice – weighing heavily in her pocket. Shrugging on the robe she pulled back her power, soaking it up again before walking to the door.

Her hand reached into her pocket and closed round the handle as she opened the door slowly and she peered out. Brown eyes widened at the figure standing in her door way.

"Tala." she breathed as she stared at the warrior standing there, watching her with those stunning but guarded turquoise eyes.

"Ruin." He greeted with a nod, blowing away one of the slender blood red tendrils of hair which fluttered in front of his eyes.

She opened her mouth then closed it ashamed to admit to herself that her mouth had gone dry just from the sight of him. Her eyes greedily absorbed every detail of him, noting the subtle changes since she'd last seen him four years ago just before she'd left on her first pilgrimage. His shoulders had broadened and his frame had grown in height and his hips were narrow before branching into long lean legs. She let her eyes run down him and then back to his face which was as pale and as aristocratically handsome as ever. And his eyes. She loved his eyes, the uniqueness of them and the intensity and intelligence they held. And with a sort of edgy delight she felt herself go damp from the look he was giving her.

"What are you doing here?" she blurted out, grateful that neither Amber nor Sonia was there to witness her loss of composure.

He smirked. "I suppose this would be a shock for you to see me."

"I was not expecting you."

"Did you not see me in one of your visions?"

She felt her hackles rise at the bitterness of his voice and her composure came back as a glove to defend herself from his verbal attacks. "My gift did not see fit to warn me of your presence back here." The something struck her. "Obviously my gift did not think you'd be so stupid to come back here. If you are seen-"

"I won't be seen." He snapped.

"You better not be. The rebels are not as strong here in the Barons' home territory."

Tala glowered at that; something passed through those siberian blue eyes, something like hatred. A deep rooted hatred for a man who stole his life. "This is not the Barons' home, though it may be his territory for this moment in time. I swear it will not always be this way; I will reclaim my throne. With you by my side or not."

The sorceress sighed and her usually composed features softened. "I did not do this to harm you Tala. You know that could I have stayed with you I would have."

His eyes gazed into hers directly. "Would you?"

She cast her eyes to the ground and Tala felt the stirrings of something deep down inside him. For many years he'd worked on shutting himself away from others, but she had broke through the ice. The young woman who'd been so confused about her destiny; the lost soul who had called out to his; Ruin reminded him of her now. She may have found her role in the prophecy but she still held that loss soul deep inside her that still; after all this time, called to his.

"Yes I would have stayed with you. But what is the point in dwelling in the past when both our futures are bleak?" she asked, her voice jaded from all the horrors she had witnessed over her short period on this world.

"Then we will concentrate on the present." Tala affirmed stepping past the mage, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. "I took Amber last night."

Ruin, who'd been closing the door, whipped her gaze up to meet his. Surprise, suspicion and relief warred for dominance on her striking face and surprise and relief won. "What do you mean you took Amber?" she asked urgently. "You were at the rally weren't you?"

Tala nodded making himself comfortable in a wooden chair in her kitchenette. "I was; but I did not take her from the rally, that was that bastards doing." That bastard came out on a hiss.

Horror followed by anger poured over her features. She fisted a hard and Tala observed with fascination as a hairline fracture appeared on the vase on the table which held the centre piece. He raised a blood red brow. "You have become powerful."

This time she raised the brow. "I was always powerful, now do you wish for refreshments?" she offered, anything to stop herself thinking of what could have happened to Amber.

"I have not ate a good meal in a long time. I do not think I remember what one would taste like."

A small smile played on her black lips. "What did the Baron want with her and how did you get her?"

Tala sat back in his chair watching her figure move under the robe. "He took her to Boris' cabin." He paused to let that sink in then his eyes narrowed when she didn't react. "You knew all along?"

"I had my suspicions."

He sighed running his hands through his hair and for a moment he contemplated running his hands down her curvy body, but he reminded himself he was here for Amber.

"He is well aware of the powers she has tapped into. He wanted her to agree to a marriage to him."

Ruins' hand gripped the knife she was using in a white knuckled grip.

"I knew it." She hissed; then she sighed. "How did you get her away? The Baron is heavily guarded."

Tala nodded grimly but there was a light in his eye, the thrill of a challenge. "He ordered Boris to assassinate her." He paused ignoring the quick look she shot him before continuing. "So Boris being the faithful servant to the Baron took her out to the forbidden forest. Which was where he broke the news of her families death, and he told her the reason the Baron wanted her."

Ruin closed her eyes and leaned against the onyx counter. "Goddess."

"Yes it was quite a shock to her. After the announcement that Boris was in league with the Baron and then the announcement that her parents were traitors, she was not in a fit state of mind. Then Boris told her off his plan to usurp the Baron using her powers. She agreed, but it was not as if she had much of a choice." He sighed wearily running a hand over his face. "I took the opportunity sedate Boris and to rid myself of his body, when he left her for a brief moment to seek out roots and other nutrition for her."

She shot him a sharp look as she took a seat opposite him; handing him some crusty freshly baked bread and a bowl of broth. He dug into them greedily sighing in almost bliss as the piping hot soup burnt his tongue and coated his stomach in warmth. He almost smiled at the fulmilating look she sent him as she awaited his answer.

"I did not kill him, if that is what you believe, though I will not deny that I did give it considerable thought. Unfortunately it is not in my interests to relieve him off his life. My war is with the Baron, not his second in command. I left him in his quarters as soon as the Baron left before swiftly returning to Amber and making my presence known. She has taken up with a Diceann."

Suddenly Ruin's dark eyes lit up. "A Diceann? One with purple hair and the other with green hair?"

He nodded as he chewed slowly. "Yes that would be them."

"Ian and Kevin. They are accomplices of mine. They have greatly aided my personal cause. She will be safe with them, they shall let no harm befall them."

"I do hope you are right about them. I will not hold myself responsible for their deaths should they harm her."

She gave him a cold look. "I know the heart of the Diceann, it is pure and true, more so than others I know."

"He will not harm her." Tala snapped back eager to defend his friend.

A small wry smile played on her lips. "Funny how you immediately jump to the conclusions that I was speaking of your Emperor."

He matched the look in her eye. "I know the heart and mind of my friends and fellow rebels. He follows my orders. Do not try to sway my trust, mage. You do your job, I shall do mine." With that he finished off his broth and got to his feet. "Now I must return to our mutual friend. I will be leaving for Kanite this day, I suggest you start your journey to the Belyaev Kingdom, they are under attack and we will be needing their help."

Ruin nodded. "I shall gather my assistants as soon as you leave."

"Then I shall bid you good day." He replied firmly, then taking a risk he stooped to brush his lips over the curve of her lips, then he withdrew with a small satisfied smirk as he caught how she raised her hands to her mouth. "I take from you what you gave to my friends."

And with that he took his leave leaving the mage confused and irked.

***

{{Stole this idea from Zadien!! Ok read this to the very end because I added an extract from Kindred Insanity's fic: 'Desiring Magick'. If you like fighting and magick then you are sure to like this. Plus it has mucho Kawaii Amber and Kai scenes!!! *Squeals*}}

Amber sighed and rolled over opening her eyes. She looked up and immediately noticed the trees, dark sky and she could smell the grass. Not far away she could hear the soft breathing of another being sleeping peacefully. She struggled to figure out where she was. Was she out in the forest? Had she been out with Ruin again? It seemed the only logical explanation. She had often awoken after a night ritual to find herself out cold in the woods. Yet she didn't remember any of the ritual, and she couldn't remember coming so far into the woods.

She sat up to ask Ruin, only to find herself looking at a strange ball of fur curled up in a defensive ball and was now whimpering softly. She gulped slowly and hoped she wouldn't scream. She was praying not to wake the creature when the memories from the previous night slammed into her with such a force that had she been standing she was sure she would have stumbled.

The Baron had captured her, Boris was working for the Baron, Enrique had been arrested but she had saved him, Tala had come to her rescue, the Baron wanted to marry her and now wanted her dead.

"Oh yeah, mustn't forget that he wanted Boris to kill me." she muttered darkly to herself as she crawled to her feet.

The remnants of the fire were still smouldering. She lifted up a branch and began to stoke it sending up a flurry of sparks. Grabbing a few more twigs she settled them onto the embers and watched as the thin flames licked their new fuel. She glanced round mentally noting that the spot where Tala had slept was empty; all that remained to show he'd been there was the flattened patch of grass. And where was Boris? He'd been there last night but after Tala had appeared, he hadn't returned. She sighed, maybe after they moved camp he hadn't been able to find them.

A sudden noise had her jumping and turning in the direction from whence it came. But all that was in front of her was a dark corridor that led further into the woods. Amber sighed, wishing not for the first time for her staff. Her special fighting staff that had saved her so many times.

She sat down on a neighbouring stone and pondered on how the Baron had captured her. She took an unbiased view of her memories. She had been attacking the Baron, moving forward gloating on the fact that no one else was present to save him. Ruin had been watching Enrique, Bryan had been on his butt yelling something, though like then, she still couldn't hear what it was. Then suddenly she was off her feet and sailing through the air. She re-winded it back and sighed.

Suddenly something struck her. Saizo had announced that the Baron wasn't alone, Amber had immediately took that to mean Bryan seeing he had attacked her, but maybe she meant Boris. Had Saizo known about Boris's treachery, if so why hadn't she said? Then maybe Amber wouldn't have been in that mess. Amber felt like crying. Everything was wrong and nothing would ever be the same. She was now a fugitive on the run and she'd never feel safe again, never trust anyone ever again. Anger invaded her and took over; rage ate her insides and tore her apart. She stood up and savagely kicked the stone she had been sitting on. Pain exploded in her foot and she fell limply to the ground, tears burning her eyes and blurred her vision.

Suddenly Ian and Kevin stirred. Not wanting them to see her tears, Amber brushed her sleeve over her eyes and sniffed miserably. Taking a deep breath and plastering on a sunny smile she approached the fatigued Diceann.

"Morning miss." Kevin croaked out a greeting while Ian just growled.

"Not a morning person is he?"

"He's not an any time person."

Amber chuckled despite herself and promptly led the interesting creature to the fire. As she did this, she realised that as long as she had lived in Vesta she had never seen any other creatures, apart from Jasnians (though not many as most had emigrated or were exiled), Meschers, and Vestans. Ruin had told her many times of the exotic creatures outside the barriers of the town but there were strange creatures inside the barrier too.

Of course Ruin wouldn't think them strange as she often got to see them when she did rituals in the forest. As she thought of Ruin a wave of sadness washed over her. She would never see her white mage friend again. And if the diceann was right then that meant that she may never see Ruin again if she was in combat with the Dark Priest. She closed her eyes against the tears. She wouldn't get to go on her trip with Ruin after all. It was too bad, as she might've had fun. Fun, she thought bitterly. When was the last time she'd had serious fun, where she could just laugh for ages and not really know what she was laughing about? She couldn't remember.

The constant bickering between the Diceann was now rising to a crescendo, snapping Amber out of her grieving. She whirled on the two headed creature, who was now actually having a tug-of-war fight by itself. She rolled her eyes sombrely.

"Would you two stop that immediately. I have no idea what you're quarrelling about anyway."

She narrowed her eyes and out of curiosity glanced down and examined the contents of the Ian's hand. A small green shoot lay there. It didn't resemble any thing appetising. Why would they embark in idiotic bickering over something as mediocre as a shoot? She shook her head. She really didn't understand foreign creatures, the only race she seemed to understand were Jasnians, although she had only met one real Jasnian before.

He had been interesting, a real Jasnian. The Jasnians once lived in the town of Vestan before the Baron came but then the Baron came and the others soon changed their nationality or left. She didn't really understand why her father came back to a village so blatantly hostile towards his race, to bring up his family. It made no real sense. Finally she sighed giving in to her curiosity.

"What is it?"

Ian stared up at her confused then he and Kevin exchanged glances.

"Surely you recognise this? It is a most valued root. A Chaba root. Very nutritious."

Amber's eyes narrowed at the shoot. "It doesn't look very tasty."

"Oh but it is. Try it." Kevin offered.

She nibbled it delicately, then ungraciously threw it away. "Ugh, it tastes so bland, like parchment."

Ian and Kevin glanced at her annoyed, before scurrying off to find the discarded food item. He picked at the grass stems and parted the blades expertly as he searched. Kevin glanced up at her infuriated.

"Why'd you do that for?"

Amber made a face. "I'm sorry, it's just it tasted like parchment. Hardly very appetising."

"What is this parchment? It sounds delightful."

"It's not edible."

"Then how do you know what it tastes like?"

"I don't, it's just a description of how I imagine it to taste like."

"Do you have any of this parchment?" Kevin asked hopefully.

Amber took a deep breath and proceeded to refuse them. "No I don't. Hmm, I wonder where Tala is?"

"We don't care do we, Kari. Get rid of big nasty mean man, make us all happy."

"And safe. No fear of getting stood on." Kevin added nodding eagerly up at her.

Exasperated she groaned. "I can't get rid of Tala, he's our only hope of getting out here safely."

"No, not true. We can help you. We have lived in this forest many years, we can help you get out."

Amber narrowed her eyes suspiciously. "Oh, really, then how come you haven't escaped from here, yet?"

"Because, we haven't needed to." Ian answered abruptly.

"Huh. And you need to leave now?"

Ian averted his gaze and suddenly found the Forest floor extremely interesting, while Kari looked anywhere but at her.

"Why do you want to leave here now?" she asked, a thread of warmth invading her voice warning them of her growing anger, "What's going on here, Diceann?"

Ian looked up fury making him careless with his answer. "The Dark priest will destroy the daughter of the moon and everyone she preserves and we do not wish to be here when all hell breaks loose."

Silence absorbed Amber, so much she could no longer hear anything but the pumping of her heart in her ears. Ruin was going to die. She had entered into a battle she could no longer fight, and there was Amber just going and getting her self in even more trouble. Ruin could not fight the Dark Priest while worrying about Amber; it was too much. She sank further to the ground, hiding her face in her hands.

"Oh Goddess, I didn't know."

Ian and Kevin both looked at each other and Kevin attempted to butt Ian in the neck.

"Imbecile." he hissed.

Ian looked incredibly uncomfortable. He hadn't meant to worry the pretty Jasnian. She was being kind, offering them water, even though the water was from the Marsh, and letting them escape with her. It was just a pity that she had to be friends with the White mage Ruin. Ruin would be destroyed in the final battle, if she kept on the way she was going, fighting too many battles at the one time. There were rumours though, that she was bringing down the Baron from the inside, though Ian and Kevin weren't sure. If that was true, would the daughter of the moon not need to be associated with the Baron?

As it was she was the Bane of his existence. Ian didn't know much of the Baron; all he knew was that he was cruel and evil, hard on his faithful followers worse to his enemies.

Yet this young woman, not even a sorceress had attacked the Dark Lord and had escaped with her life. She also was the White Mage's most trusted companion and the Daughter of the moon was very choosy who she gave her absolute trust too. She was very kind and gave her friendship easily, but to Ruin; friendship was different to trust. Trust was more special; she could give friendship without trust and trust without friendship. It seemed the Jasnian was special enough to earn both Ruins' friendship and trust an incredible thing.

Ian glanced at Kevin and knew he was thinking along the similar line. Suddenly a nagging thought bloomed in his head. He had once heard of a prophecy from one of the other creatures in the forest about a young woman who would lead the people united into a rebellion against the Dark Lord. He stared down at Amber. Would she, Could she be the one?

'It seems possible doesn't it?' another voice, Kevins' entered his train of thought.

'Indeed it does.'

'The High Priestess trusts her.'

'But she would not let her go out unprotected, would she?'

'Not unless she had no choice. What if the man isn't everything he says he is?'

'He does disappear a lot, leaving her unprotected.'

'And he wasn't pleased with us turning up.' Ian nodded as his symbiot raised a good point.

'Then it's our duty to protect her from him. We must never leave him alone with her.'

'Right, because she won't leave if her families in danger. And this way he won't be able to kill her while we are here because we will not let him.'

Ian nodded, pulling back from the telepathic link that he and his symbiot shared. He couldn't remember a time when the two of them were not together. Ian had always enjoyed the company when he was younger; although, growing up he had wished for some privacy. When Kevin had contracted a neurological disease Ian was forced to realise that he needed Kevin and he just accepted it.

He focused his attention back on Amber who was now rocking her self to and fro while murmuring something inaudible. The only words he and Kevin could make out were Enrique, Betrothed, hell, and rot. What ever she was saying she was definitely upset by it. He crouched beside her and snaked his arm around her shoulders in a form of comfort. She glanced up and he could see that her eyes were filled with unspeakable pain.

"There, there miss. Don't you cry. We won't let anything happen to you." Kevin attempted suddenly feeling awkward and inapt.

"Why would she cry for?" Tala's voice rang out from behind them.

The two beings jumped apart, Amber looking a like a child who's hand was caught in the cookie jar and Ian and Kevin both looking ready to fight Tala. The rebel leader gave the Diceann a look of pure disdain before directing his attention back to Amber. She looked distraught and he was worried about her. Before he could approach her, the Diceann jumped in front of her and fixed him with a look of murder. He sighed disinterested before lifting the small creature by the scruff of the neck and dumping it on it's rear end to the side, all the time it's skinny arms struck here and there in an attempt to hit Tala's strong arm.

He knelt beside her and studied her scrupulously. She was pale, her skin drawn and there were small bags underneath her eyes. She was troubled by something. Almost as though she felt the weight of the world on her shoulders, which Tala assumed, was exactly how she felt. She was only nineteen, she should have been worrying about what she was going to wear to work -well underneath the uniform- or what she was going to buy at the market; yet here she was worrying about her friends safety, her own destiny and that the man she trusted and looked up to as a father figure had betrayed her.

He had known Amber for eleven of her nineteen years and he knew trust was one thing that preyed on her mind. She had always been in his opinion too trusting, though once she had a grudge, nothing that person could do would soothe her anger until she was ready. She had trusted Bryan near the start, but after his blatant spiteful treatment of her she had withdrawn her friendship from him and concentrated on only being friendly to those that deserved it, yet still he found her to be extremely trusting, not cautious like Ruin.

Though he remembered Ruin had been like Amber before she went on her first pilgrimage, after she returned she had changed though not to Amber. Never to Amber.

The girl before him looked old, Tala thought, almost jaded. Which he supposed in a way she was. He knew that feeling himself. Having fought on many battle fields, he was use to death. He himself had killed many fine fighters and warriors, and had lamented for his friends loss of lives. It was at the rebel camp that he had learned not to grow to close to people.

"Tala are you all right?" she asked quietly.

He realised that he had been staring directly at her while remembering his past. He nodded.

"Yes I'm quite all right. It's you I should be asking."

"Why?"

"The Diceann believes that you were about to cry." Tala informed her.

She shook her head stubbornly. "No, I wasn't." she answered defiantly, then faltered, "It's just I fear for Ruin."

"Like I said, the sorceress can take care of herself."

Amber's eyes blazed. "Just because you don't like her, Janos and want her dead doesn't mean everyone else does."

Tala stepped back surprised and almost smirked. "Now wait just a minute, half pint. Who says I don't like the sorceress?"

Amber gave him her famous I-know-you look. The one she used when he denied knowledge of who ate her last cookie, when she knew fine well it was him.

He sighed exasperated. "I don't dislike her."

Again the look, only more pointed.

He threw his hands up in the air. "All right I don't like her, but I don't want the sorceress dead. She's your friend, and I admire her strength and loyalty to you."

"Fine then. And Tala, she's a high priestess now."

Tala felt a surge of pride for the young mage who had captured his heart in his youth during all those verbal spars they'd engaged in. Now she was a woman about to embark on a journey to fulfil a prophecy. There was something about her independence that had always intrigued him and he was glad to see that she hadn't changed. And it had been her idea that Amber should never find out about them; it had been for the best.

Amber stood up stretching her legs. Suddenly she bent double as a pain tore through her system.

"Miss, are you ok?" Ian asked alarmed.

She placed her hand in front of her to signal she was ok before letting Tala guide her to a rock again.

"Now what exactly was that?" Tala demanded. "And don't go telling me that it was nothing because you were in anguish."

"I was not in anguish, I just was in pain. I haven't eaten this morning."

"That's not true." Kevin argued before turning to Tala. "She had a morsel of Chaba root."

"Feh." Tala replied disgusted. "That's not food, that wouldn't keep a gundy alive."

Ian and Kevin turned away so that Tala wouldn't see how much his comment hurt them, but Amber did and for that she kicked Tala in the ankle. Tala swore before looking at her as she inclined her head towards the down hearted Diceann. Tala rolled his eyes before adding:

"But at least some one made you eat something."

Ian and Kevin looked up hopefully, while Tala awkwardly patted them on the head. They beamed proudly before waddling off to gather twigs for the dwindling fire.

"So what's on the cards for today?" Amber asked eyeing the roots and leaves

Tala was producing from his tunic suspiciously. What she wouldn't give to be at home raiding her larder?!

"Well I did some scouting and found an isolated path."

"That's good because we don't want to run into any of the Barons' soldiers." Amber stated firmly.

"I said isolated not deserted." Tala growled burying the roots in the soot to bake them.

"Oh." Amber muttered. "So we head there after breakfast?"

Tala grunted, then cast a glance at the Diceann. "I suppose they're still coming?"

"Of course. You don't really think I'm willing to leave them here alone do you? What if Boris came back?"

"I have sedated Boris and he won't find us any time soon. I've out run the soldiers men for the past four years, I know what I'm doing." He snapped.

"I should hope so."

So did he, Tala thought sighing heavily as he turned back to the fire.

***

Ian muttered under his breath while Kevin wheezed. That was the one advantage of having two heads for one body, Amber supposed. Her hands grabbed for a rock to balance herself as her foot dislodged some loose gravel. It seemed to her that they'd been climbing this particular 'hill' as Tala called it, for the past hour.

"May the Goddess pity us! Tala are we near the top yet?"

Tala stopped about 60 yards away. The advantage of having a large stride. He didn't even look exhausted. Though he would be use to walking long distances through thin air. His turquoise eyes narrowed as he looked down at her.

"Keep your voice down!" he whispered.

She scowled. His voice, even in a whisper, seemed to echo. She sat down on the lush green grass and removed her canteen from her coat pocket. Ian and Kevin had fetched some water from their own private spring and she had to admit it did taste a lot better.

"Give us a drink." the Diceann rasped.

Swallowing, she handed it over. She noticed that Tala was watching them and there was something in his eyes that she couldn't quite fathom. But for one moment he resembled Bryan. Ice cold fingers of fear gripped her heart in a vice-like grip. Her breath came to her in shallow gasps and there was a buzzing in her ears. She looked up and realised that Ian was speaking to her but she couldn't hear him or if she could, she couldn't process it. She swallowed painfully and heard the familiar click before a rush of sound flooded her auditory senses.

"Missy are you all right? You were staring off into yonder. Is there something evil here?"

Ha!, she thought, something evil?

Was there anything good left in the world? It had once been a place of cherished hope, now it was filled with bitter despair, like her soul. She sighed heavily and shook her head softly.

"No, I don't think so."

There was a noise behind them. Looking round they saw Tala motioning for them to join him. They crept stealthily, then knelt beside him. Below them was a little hut with a tarpaulin sheet for a roof. Inside that hut, Amber knew the sector guard patrol resided. So far there seemed to be no life inside but it was still early just an uair before noon.

"We'll have to go past there. Do you have a weapon?"

Amber shook her head. "No I believe I was removed of my weapon when the Baron kidnapped me."

Tala sighed heavily. "Well then this is not going to bode well. Fine, you take the Diceann and should we get into any trouble, you will get as far away said trouble as possible. So you understand?"

Amber rolled her eyes, and linked her fingers through Ian's who wasn't paying any attention, but was looking around the quiet forest. Tala crept to the brink of the hill, then began a slow descent knowing that at any time the guard could come out and catch him and he was a sitting duck on the cliff edge. Amber watched him descend with a feeling of foreboding. Something wasn't right. The forest was too quiet, no birds made a sound, and there were no guttural sounds or howls from the predators that dwelt here. She gripped Ian's hand tighter ignoring the diceann's mewing protest. Something was wrong, something was very wrong. Her bright eyes searched the darkness for what was bothering her but she saw nothing. However her senses were on over drive. A breeze blew out of nowhere and her eyes widened became aware.

"Tala! Look out!" she screamed just as an arrow was released with a dull ping from a taut bow soaring directly towards the rebel leader.

Well what did you all think? Will Tala die? How will Amber save him? Well it will all be explained in the next chapter!!

Now to my reviewers:

Elemental Water Mistress: I'm on her fave's list? Cool!! I... see I know where you're coming from. But Johnny's a grown man of at least the early twenties and with his DNA, I think he has probably slept with some women before, so he isn't a virgin. But don't worry when he falls in love it will be different and it will be true. Trust me, I'm a big romantic at heart.

Ice Archer Girl: Hey!! *glomps* How are you? I'm sorry this chapter was soooo late, but I couldn't work up the interest to write the next chapter, but then I read your last chapter and I thought, well she's keeping me entertained I can at least try. =D Yeah I really like Ian and Kevin, they're cool. They kind of remind me of Gollum without the evilness. Kane will be in the next chapter, I'm not sure about where Michael will turn up, but he will. Yeah bows are really cool, but they're sometimes difficult to work with when they're are too many enemies and when they're too close. So I also like daggers, like the ones Gabriel uses in Xena!! Your last chapter rocked, especially with Johnny's comment about Carly's eyes. I have so many theories on what happened with them but alas I'm too chicken to say any of them.

Tari: Ah this chapter was crap! Oh well, my writing is NOTHING compared to yours. It's so descriptive and everyone comes to life so well. Miyami unfortunately has ducked under the radar in this fic. Oh well she'll turn up soon, can't leave Johnny without her.

Yin: Boris got taken by Tala. So bye bye Boris, for the moment. He's a royal Bastard so I could chuck him off a cliff edge with enthusiasm. Ian and Kevin just seemed so perfect for this role sort of like the dragon in the Walt Disney film about Camelot. *shrugs*

AzN*PyRo*ArCaDa: I don't hate you. I just miss you. You haven't been around recently but Gems says you're taking a break so oh well. I'll just trundle on without you. Yeah Tala and Amber forever!! *cheers* Midgets inc. Tee-Hee. That's just funny.

Grandsummon: Ah another Irish person, yay!! Ozuma should be in the next chapter and the lovey dovey stuff? Um well there'll be some Kane/Aspin stuff soon, there was a minor bit of Tala/Ruin in this chapter (very mild) Kai/Amber will be when ever they meet, which should be soon. And Johnny and Miyami, well Johnny and Miyami will probably happen first due to his DNA but I think I'll make Miyami immune.

ChRiSTiZ: Well you now know what happened to Boris, Tala got rid of him. As for the Diceann well Di means two and Ceann means head in Irish. Ugh what about Kai? You mention Johnny and Tala, but no Kai? Shame shame!! Lol

AnimeSk8er: I update whenever I have the time and the inclination, hope that doesn't inconvience you.

Whisper *2* Imaginary: Hello! Someone new huh? Well you love a lot huh? (I think I say huh alot huh? lol) JOHNNY *squeals* Isn't he something? I love Bryan *removes him from box, then shoves him back in when he swipes at her hand* hehehe I still love him even if he is sadistic. Boris is well the word manipulative and power hungry springs to mind. Well whaddya know? Well I'm glad you finally read this story, this chapter isn't that good but oh well I've cut down the chapter a bit. And I love Tala, he's the bestest best person in the world and for once he deserves to be the leader!!

angel akira: *offers cookie* I hope this chapter met your expectations. It wasn't all that exciting but it filled in gaps!! Next chapter we have ACTION and KANE and OZUMA!! *huggles Ozuma then places him back in cage when ZD glares*

Oh and here's an excerpt from Kindred Insanitys' fic Desiring Magick:

In a dark room, shrouded in shadows with only a white light from a screen set up on a wall, two men were watching the man shimmer off screen. A few seconds later the picture moved backwards with white and black strips over this screen, and again it replayed. One man sat in a comfy leather chair and watched the screen with a grim smile, the other younger man, on the other hand was raging.

"He drew unwanted attention to Bio-volt. That alone should warrant his death!"

"Calm down Tala. This may turn out to be a good thing."

"And how's that?" the man with vibrant blood red hair and turquoise blue eyes, also known as Tala demanded.

"Because with any luck he'll make my grandson see the error of his ways and even better draw my pretty out of hiding." A pale hand motioned to the second screen on the wall before them, where a young girl fought for her life. She was tall with pale skin and pale pink almost white hair. Her silvery blue eyes were focused on something high in the sky above the mausoleum roof she standing on dressed in a white Chinese style blouse and leggings, with flat plimsolls. She whipped out a bow from behind her back and with two fingers drew them back from the arc of the bow, forming a white arrow of pure energy. Without flinching she released the bow, watched it soar into the air and then arc. The camera followed the bow as it arched through the night sky before spearing through a strange floating mist, which howled as its heart was pierced. Without a flicker of emotion, she flipped off the mausoleum and marched off, completely unaware of the camera watching her.

Tala watched surprised. "A true Spirit Hunter?"

"Her gene's are rich in pure energy. She's magick we could never hope to produce."

"So what do you plan to do with her?"

"Harvest her of course. Bring her here and tap into her energy to give it to my boys. My army will be unstoppable."

Tala frowned at the screen as the girl yet again repeated her attack and slayed the spirit. She was true magick, something that hadn't been produced in a lab like he had been. She was more valuable than gold. "Boris, are there anymore like her?"

"If there are, my dear boy, we will merely take them too. We will be invincible and they will have nothing to stop us. We are beyond modern man. We are gods!"

***

Well what did you think? Review and tell me and then review Kindred Insanity!!

REVIEW!!!