Disclaimer: I do not own the Dragon Knights. However I have filled out all the proper forms to take control of the Dragon Officers. *smiles proudly*

Alfeegi: Ahem. You must be joking, right? *holds out papers with little doodles all over them.* Is this me?
Rave: Yup. *nods enthusiastically*
Alfeegi: Why do I have horns? *taps foot*
Rave: Damn.... thought I erased those.

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The Crystal Prison

Book One

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chapter four

Queiin crossed the room, a almost imperceptible smile on his ruthlesly handsome face. In his hand, the object he desired, had searched out for so many years. The soul crystal. His fingers explored the contours, examined every inch. It wasn't really the crystal itself that was important. It was what was inside. His own Master would be very pleased. He had spent much of his time looking for the crystal, fighting off others who worked for his Master, in order to take the prize. For whoever found the crystal would be set for life.

With an inaudible murmer of words an iridescent smoke rose and swirled from the crystal. It hovered like fog over the floor, rolling as if a violent storm was taking place within. A sprawled, vulnerable figure began to form. The first thing that become clear was the sword. Within a small, slender hand was grasped a sword of fine quality and skill. It was apparent that it was made my a great smith. No surprise considering who this was supposed to be.

Next two-tone hair materialized, spilling outside of the haze. They were long, shiny, silken strands of ebony and gold mixing together. As the haze began to lift he, for the first time, was startled. This was a female! Still she was clad in the official armour bearing the seal of the Dragon Lord. This was indeed the person whom his Master wanted, and who he had sought unyeildingly. "So... this is the Lost Knight of Lord Lykouleon." He mused, smiling at the prone figure.

*~*

Rath felt like his heart might burst from his chest, but he didn't stop running. He was ahead of Thatz by quite a bit, his adreniline taking complete control of his body. Someone was already dead and Rune might be in danger. No matter how much he seemed to hate everyone he had a duty to protect and defend a fellow Dragon Knight. At least that's what he told himself. He tried so hard to isolate himself from the world that he couldn't admit he trully felt kinship to them. Rune might yell at him, run everything into the ground, but imagining a day without him was impossible.

Rune, where are you....

He passed the place where they had split up, quickly changing directions to follow the path that Rune had taken. His mind was overtaken by horrific images. Visions of blood and destruction and death. He closed his eyes against those possibilities. Rune could take care of himself. He was an exceptional warrior. Just because he's beautiful doesn't mean he's weak. Rath's eyes snapped open. You were a fool to deny the almost divine nature of the Elf Knight, and Rath had always been aware of it, but to state so blatantly...

It's just a thought. It doesn't mean anything. He told himself, but the thought had nearly stopped him in his tracks. His concentration was broken. He pushed it aside trying to direct his mind to the task at hand. Finding Rune and making sure he was okay. It was more difficult than it should have been. His brain would not relinquish the water dragon knight's image. It held on with sharp, digging claws.

Rath's hand found his sword, issueing a silent plea to whoever was listing to keep Rune safe. You better be ok, Rune.... no one can annoy me like you can.

*~*

Rune and Sa'an soon started back to try and find the others. Sa'an explained what he knew as they walked. He still had his arms wrapped around himself and kept a little ways a head of Rune. The Elf didn't blame him much though. The man had been tricked by someone who had once been close. Sa'an had confinded that he and Avinir had been lovers. Rune hadn't expected something so personal, but yet again there was also pride to be dealt with, even in this serious situation. Maybe Sa'an didn't want Rune to think that he was weak and the Water Knight did appear to be an understanding person in the face of such matters.

"We should find them soon." Rune said, watching Sa'an carefully.

The violet-haired Yokai turned to him. "Yes. But what of your friends. How will they react?"

"Oh." Rune pursed his lips, then smiled. "Don't worry about them. When they learn that you are more than willing to help retrieve it I am sure they won't mind your company at all." As an afterthought he said, "Just be careful around Rath, he has a thing about Yokai. He doesn't like them."

"Many who are not Yokai tend to." Sa'an replied, face somber and controlled. Rune could tell there was something more behind that comment, but he had no time to ask. Sa'an turned around again and headed off. Rune merely shook his head and sighed softly. There was nothing else to do but go on. Once they found Thatz and Rath they would formulate a plan, like they always did, and fix things. The only thing he worried about was Rath's reaction. He didn't know yet how important the Crystal was to Rath or why.

*~*

Rath's heart froze, as did his body. He finally caught sight of Rune, but along with him was the thief. His eyes flashed. "YOU!" He screamed, immediately launching himself at the evil-doer. He was not going to get away with this. "GET AWAY FROM HIM!" He pulled his sword out and held it against the demon's throat. The emotion just burst out of him. His chest heaved and his body shook. From what he didn't know.

"RATH! What are you doing!" Hands suddenly yanked him back , but not too roughly. "Don't hurt him!" Rath allowed himself to be moved. He raised his eyes and met Rune's. They were filled with concern. "Rath? What's wrong?"

"Are you okay?" Rath asked abruptly, and Rune nodded. He seemed a little confused. Rath responded by wrapping his arms around the Elf's waist and burrying his head in his side. For at least a few minutes he was able to hide from the world within that warmth, imagining everything else had disappeared and all that was left was just he and Rune.

Thatz joined them, finally halting just a few feet away. "I don't mean to ruin this, but we all have to talk." He eyed Sa'an. "Now."

*~*

Her world was an opaque darkness. The only light was of that she could summon through memory, and, like her strength, her memory was fading. She grasped desperately at the images of her friends, her comrades. Their faces, once so familiar and comforting, were now blurring. She felt the pain of seperation, not only from them but from her whole world.

She was not alone here, but she still felt isolated. The strong voice of reassurance and hope was weakening. "Psyche..." The lost knight called out, soft voice echoing forever in the black space. Her dragon did not answer. "Psyche!" Once more. Louder. More desperate. Her only companion could not leave her. "Psyche, please!"

A melodic voice, which was not a voice at all, but more like a feeling, spken from the darkness. "Patience, my master." Psyche instructed quietly. "Something is happening. Can you sense it?"

"Yes." That was part of what caused the young knight's panic at her fighting dragon's absence. "Do you know what it is? Have they finally found us!?" Excitement grew n her heart. She played a scene of reunion through her had. The clutching hugs and the happy crying. It was the same scene she concocted shortly after she had been trapped inside her Crystal Prison.

"I do not think it is the Dragon Tribe."

Suddenly the knight felt like she was being broken into tiny little pieces, but it wasn't painful. She was becoming a mist. Her hands began to vanish and disperse, then the rest began to follow. She watched in fascination. The same thing had happened when she had been imprisoned. She was being set free. She was aware of the blinding whiteness as her own particles began to pass through the walls back into her world. Then blackness returned, along with unconciousness.

*~*

"I don't trust him." Rath said, eyes shifting back to where Sa'an was seated, apparently unawares of the conversation being held about him. The four of them had returned to the campsite and sat down to talk about Avinir and the Cyrstal. Rath was, to say the least, upset about the loss of the orb. He was even more apprehensive about letting Sa'an help them.

"I know you don't trust him." Rune said. You don't trust anyone. "But he does know how to get to Avinir. He will be an asset. He's been wronged as much as we have." The other two stared at him. They hadn't been told what he had been told. They probably wouldn't be. "Rath, this is the only way, our only chance, to get that back."

"He's already told us all we need to know. Do we hafta take him with us?"

"Yes." Rune looked back at the thief. "He deserves to go."

*~*

"Master! Wake up!"

Sadea Ruvoi sat up and clutched at her head. The voice had been almost defeaning. She groaned and ran her hands through her two-toned hair. For an instant she was back at the Palace. Alfeegi was yelling at Ruwalk downstairs about something. With her eyes closed it was easy to imagine such things. She yawned and stretched. When she opened her eyes she expected to be back in her room. She'd get dressed and hurry down the hall where she'd meet Tetheus so they could go down to breakfast together.

Instead she was in a strange room. The decorations were all shdaes of grey and black. The drapes were drawn, but light shone through illuminating the whole room in a dark glow. Everything suddenly became rushing back to her. The mission she left for. The battle that had taken place. That battle she had not won. The years trapped within that godforsaken sphere.

"Psyche." She looked around. Her white and gold dragon was perched nearby on a pillow. She was gazing at her solemnly. "There you are. What happened?"

:: Not sure. :: Psyche replied. Sadea frowned. She rubbed her temples; a headache was beggining to develop. Perhaps from finally returning to her own world. She climbed from bed, throwing her feet over the side. The floor was cold and made of stone. She shivered and wrapped her arms around herself. There was a note on the nightstand. She picked it up.

Ms. Ruvoi
There is clothing in the closet if you need it. I hope they are to your standards.
Welcome back to the world.
Q.

"Q?" She wrinkled her nose and threw a glance over at Psyche. "Is he too good for a whole name?" Psyche seemed to shrug. Sadea did the same and went over to the closet. It turned out to be quite large. She bypassed the dresses and came to a nice pair of black slacks and a gold tank top. She slipped them on and found her armour. It was then she realized her sword was missing. She began to search the room in panic and then a voice interupted her from the door.

"You won't be needing that weopan of yours. I have it put away."

Sadea turned. The voice sent chills all the way down to her soul. She knew imediately she was dealing with a Yokai. "Q, I presume?"

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Sorry for the delay..... the really looooooooong delay. Im not going to give any excuses, because frankly I don't think you guys/gals want to hear them. Anyway this is chapter 4. I meant to make it longer, but I decided to leave it at this.

I don't know whether I'll actually do some Rune/Rath romance here. This is supposed to be part of a series I'm making and I have other plans to Rath. Still, I don't see any harm in messing around with it a little. Tell me what you think. But remember, I'm not going to put them together permanently if I do.

Also. A belated Thank You! to all who reviewed so far.

Alfeegi: Who wants to bet her next chapter will be close to christmas?
Rave: Hey! I'll work faster this time, I promise!
Tetheus: Maybe if you quite going out to the pubs with Kaistern.
Rave: It's research!
Alfeegi: Yeah, right.
Rave: -_-

Ah well. Who wins the prize for dinkyness for today? Me!

. . : : 29 Sept. 2003 : : . .

( I'm a Senior now! WOO!)