Disclaimer: You know what it is already

Chero666- I feel your pain. Don't worry, that's not going to happen here.

Silvace Atronach- You think that's WAFF? Just wait until you read this. Hehehe.

Too lazy to write name- Arigato! (Thank you!)

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Chap. 12

Jehuty and Ardjet were on their way to escape. All they had to do was to fly up to the top of the pit and outside.

The only problem was that the path was blocked by a troop of Raptors.

"It's never easy, is it?" I muttered

"What are we going to do, Jehuty?"

I began thinking rapidly. What to do? What to do? I looked over to one of the many ledges on the side and moved to it.

"You stay here." I started as I set her down. "I'll deal with them."

"Wait a minute." Her arms were still hooked onto my neck and she quickly pulled me to her face and…kissed me?

"Just in case I don't get the chance later." she whispered.

I blinked hard and forced myself to turn back to the battle. Then I shot upward toward the oncoming horde. 'Okay. Just Raptors. I'll clear them out, no problem.' I rushed at the first one as it prepared to slash outward. I easily evaded the blow, unfolded my own blade and lurched my arm upward, slashing it straight through in half. As it exploded, I turned to the next one and gave it the same fate as the first. As the second exploded, I saw the remaining three coming at me. I decided to try something new.

"Wisp! Bring him to me!"

A blue tri-blade came forth, encircled in a blue halo. The halo then swarmed at one of the Raptor and hooked into it. I snapped my arm back and the Raptor was helplessly reeled in. I snapped its head in my grip and looked up at the next one.

"You two were made for each other."

Deftly, I tossed the prone Raptor at its compatriot and the two exploded and debris scattered all over the place. The final Raptor seemed hesitant to attack.

"What are you waiting for, a written invitation? Get over here!"

I fired another Wisp that latched onto the Raptor. But a cry from behind echoed as I pulled it toward me. Turning I saw another swarm of Raptors and Clods attacking Ardjet. She was helpless as they picked at her and slashed at her repeatedly.

"Back off!"

Reacting, I flung the Raptor at them. It hit one and exploded, but the explosion tore the ledge and it collapsed and Ardjet along with it.

-"Damn it."-

She was falling slowly, but I still had to reach her. Unfortunately, the path was blocked by more Raptors along with Clods. I had to move fast or Ardjet would be toast.

"Hold on!"

I flew down, attempting to rush through them and get to her, but I was unable to do so as they all attacked at once. 'Great, another formation troop.' I dodged the first strike by jetting off to the side, but the other attacked there as well. The Clod grabbed hold of me and soared straight into the wall, smashing me right into it.

"Arrrggghhhh!!"

'This has to stop now!' In a rage, I pushed off the wall and slashed off the arm of the Clod. The lifeless creature jittered back and I finished him off with another slash.

"Jehuty, hurry!"

'Ardjet.' Looking down, I saw that she had gotten closer to the lava pit. I was about to jet, but the Raptors blocked my path again.

"Enough of this. Geyser!"

I let out a spray of energy spheres, catching them all and freezing them in beams of light. Then while they were immobilized, I swooped off to the side and fired my spread wave. The beam flew to their targets and they all exploded. Looking down, I saw Arjet nearing the lava.

"I'm coming."

In a rush of power, I dove down toward her as she reached out to me. But as I flew, I could see that she was getting even closer. 'I'm not going to make it! Damn if only I could reach...wait a minute.'

"Wisp!"

The halo shimmered again and swooped down to Ardjet. She was about to be scorched when the Wisps hooked on to her and swiftly reeled her back up. I held her in my arms and examined her. She was a bit darker, but not severely hurt.

"Are you alright?"

"Yes, I'm fine. I guess I needed a tan anyway."

I gave a short laugh and soared upward. I could feel reinforcements coming in, but they won't reach us. We reach the top of the corridor and I placed Ardjet down. Turning back to the hole, I summoned my Metatron powers and hurled it upward. It opened a hole outside and the debris crashed down and sealed the hole. We were safe now.

"Alright. Let's go."

But Ardjet shook her head, "No. You must go on without me."

"What?"

"I'm still paralyzed from the conflict with Nephtis. I'm no good like this and will only slow you down. And you can't afford to. Anubis will be ready soon and Aumann is almost set. You have to stop it soon."

"But I can't leave you here."

"Yes you can. And you will." She looked away, "Jehuty, I must a favor of you."

 "What is it?"

She turned back, "Take Ken with you. She will help you reach Fortress City. You must go there in order to learn from Inhert, a master of Metatron techniques. Anubis learned from him as well. You'll need his help if you are to beat Anubis."

"Okay." With that, she gave a slight gesture and the section holding the fiery-haired runner opened. Ken hovered out into the air and toward me. I opened my own section and Ken flew in and sat on Dingo. It then closed and I stood back up.

"Are you sure there nothing more I can do for you?"

Ardjet simply waved, "No. Just watch over her. She's a proud woman, but trustworthy. I will live on as long as she does, so please take care of her."

"I will." I probably would have kissed her there, but there was no time for it and we both knew it. I turned around and looked up at the night sky.

"Perhaps we'll meet again, Ardjet."

"I look forward to that day Jehuty." she whispered back. "Now go."

I nodded solemnly and took off, leaving the white warrioress behind. 'I really do hope we meet again.'

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Outside Fortress City...

I finally arrived at the destination. The city was a few kilometers away, but I had to stop now. According to the information I heard from Ken, the area is literally booby-trapped, so I had to tread cautiously. I would have to listen to Ken's instruction on how to navigate through, but that may be more difficult than it seems. I can only hear her through Dingo, and that was a challenge. It's bad enough that I still don't understand how I can feel his thoughts directly, but listening in to someone else while I'm like this is another story. I'll just have to take this slowly. If I'm to defeat Anubis and stop Aumann, then I must go.

'Let's do this.'