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Out of Thin Air

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It was a sight to see. Five mounted ladies parading through the village streets, peering curiously around. Indeed, it would have been once in a lifetime opportunity for the villagers, had they actually being there to see it. The streets were empty. Not a living soul stirred. Doors were bolted shut, windows sealed, and barred. A lone breeze drifted through, stirring some leaves, but that was the only movement that could be seen. The whole village seemed deserted.

Serena stopped her horse and dismounted, drawing her sword as she did so. They turned a corner and arrived at what they assumed as the village square. A foul stench hit their nose and made them gag. It was the stench of rotting meat. Human corpses littered the ground and the day's rays were beginning to rot through the outer skin. They stood there in shock for a few minutes, refusing to believe what was in front of their eyes.

"I'm going to report this. You guys wait for me at the village entrance. Touch nothing. Do nothing. I'll bring back help," Serena commanded, swing swiftly onto Midnight and digging her heels into his side. Like a flash, they were off. She forgot all about her ridiculous attire and just concentrated on riding.

********

"We should almost be at the village," Andrew commented.

"Hope so. My legs are getting stiff."

"What in the hell of the world...?" Jadeite was staring off into the distance, his eyes wide.

"What's the matter?"

Wordlessly, he pointed. There, Darien could clearly make out a figure atop a black horse, charging at full speed toward them. He narrowed his eyes against the sun rays... and nearly fell off his horse.

The black horse he recognized as Midnight, but couldn't really tell who was actually on him. His first thought was that someone was stealing him, but then changed his mind when he saw the flapping dress. He was a bit amused, seeing how he never saw a lady, or any girl for that matter, riding a horse at such a speed, astride and bareback. His grin disappeared as he caught sight of the golden hair streaming behind. Only one girl had that kind of hair and the nerves to ride as she did now.

Spurring his horse ahead, he raced to meet her. Seeing the prince, Serena skidded to a halt.

"What is wrong with you? Racing around in skirts! Have you no shame?"

She frowned, "What's so shameful about skirts? Never mind...listen. Me and the girls went to the village, you the one north of here?" she waited for the affirming nod, "The place is deserted. Not a living soul from what I can see. There are dead corpses in the village square."

"You're certain?"

"You think that I hallucinated and imagined the whole thing? Of course I'm certain. I left the girls at the entrance of the village. We should head there now," without waiting for a response, she spurred her horse and raced back toward her friends.

The guys followed, anxious to find out what's happening. They found the girls standing at the gate.

"We'll head in and take a look at what's going on. Why don't you girls head over to the castle and inform my father?" Darien addressed the girls.

"We don't take orders from you," Rei scoffed.

To her surprise though, Serena agreed with the prince, "He's right. You guys should take Silver and head back to the castle. We'll check things out here."

"I'll take them back," Andrew offered.

She nodded and watched as the 5 head back.

"Let's go then."

The trio headed in, leaving the horses at the entrance, keeping a wary eye about.

"I have a bad feeling about this," Serena whispered.

"Something evil."

No sooner were the words or of his mouth, the sky darkened, and lightning flashed.

"That storm is not natural. Weather can't change that quickly," Darien muttered.

However, Serena wasn't listening. The second the lightning had set off in the sky, she had dove into Jadeite's arms. He smiled warmly down at her and she gave a weak smile.

"You're scared of storms?" Darien peered at her, his lips forming into a smirk.

She lifted her chin, "Do you have a problem with that?"

He grinned knowingly, "Not at all."

"Humph!"

"Hey, who's that standing there?" Jadeite pointed.

"Funny looking guy if you ask me. Can't see him clearly though."

"Here, let me help," Serena bought her hand up and concentrated. A small ball of silver light uncurled itself, penetrating the surrounding blackness.

The creature retreated, emitting a small growl as the silver light followed him.

"Show yourself!" Darien growled.

A pale figure stepped forward. Its face was sunken in, its eyes nearly popping out. He wore a simple black tunic, and dark gray hair flowed from his scalp to shoulders. He wasn't ugly... just creepy. A dark aurora shined around him, and he was enveloped by darkness.

"Who dares enter?" his voice was raspy.

The prince smirked, "I'm the prince of Earth, future ruler of this country, and I hereby order you to explain yourself and for the deaths of the villagers."

Serena elbowed him, "Cut the crap and get to the chase. You think he's going to care that you are prince? Once you're dead, you can forget ruling anything except for your grave."

"Couldn't hurt to introduce ourselves. Besides, I just wanted him to know who he's reckoning with," he moved into a fighting stance, drawing out his sword.

"What for? It's not like he's going to dig a grave for us and buy us a tombstone so that he can carve our name on it," she followed his example.

The figure drew himself up, "My name is Lucian and this is now my domain."

"Ah... my name's Jadeite. This is Serena, and that's Darien. Great, now that we all know each other, get the HELL out of the KING'S LAND!"

Lucian shook his head slowly, a ball of dark energy slowly forming around him.

"You know, I've had it," Darien snarled, raising his sword and bringing it down over his head. The metal blade made contact with the dark energy bubble and all of hell exploded. Shock-waves blew them head over heels and Darien found himself flying through the air as if he grew wings, landing with a dull thud.

"Darien! Are you all right?"

"Still alive," he raised a hand in assurance.

"You, Jadeite?"

"Breathing."

Serena stood herself up, "Who do you think you are?! No-one gets to push me around like that and you are going to pay!"

Lucian smiled, "You are going to make me pay in skirts?"

She pointed an accusing finger at him, "What do you people have against girls wearing skirts, huh? When I kick your ass to the next dimension, you had better think long and hard about this!"

"In your dreams."

"Get a life, creep! I don't dream about you!"

A silver ball of light formed around Serena as she yelled out insults. As the fury in her mounted, so did her power. The light around her grew stronger and greater, but Lucian's power grew to match hers as well.

She felt her power falteringly. She didn't have that much control over her magic, and she could feel what control she had slipping. She directed her mind to the images of those dead villagers and she felt her anger growing, along with her power. Giving it everything she had, she directed her energy toward him. Darkness and light collided in a huge explosion, and as the dust cleared, neither Serena nor Lucian could be seen.

******** ;;^.^;;

That took such a long time to get out. I was really stuck and really couldn't think of anything to write. Next chapter should be out much faster, and everything would flow more easily after that. Sorry for the delay. I'm working hard on my 'Playing with Fire' story and the 'Rose in Bloom' one as well, so they'll be updated soon too. The 'Rejection' story might take a little longer.

Author's warning: There is a chance I might change my user name and the title of my 'Rose in Bloom' story. I'll keep you posted. Readers will be warned of any changes that are to be made two weeks in advance.