Author's Notes: Well, getting down to the wire now. The first of three chapters that will wrap up the ending to this little project of mine. You've come this far and I thank you for it. Please enjoy.

For Kristen.

Wonderland of My Own Making
Chapter Thirteen

Balmung stood on top of the roofs of Carmina Gadelica with a poised grace, his wings outstretched for balance as he gave a king's gaze to the cobblestone streets below. Arms crossed over his armored chest, one might have said he looked impatient, or even angry. The Azure Sky was neither. In fact, he had never felt calmer in his life. If the crowds of Users milling about beneath him had known what he was doing there they would have been frightened, nervous. Balmung remained unmoved.

Because he knew the plan had failed.

He had been waiting for almost half an hour with no sign of Brill anywhere. It had been Kite's hope that the Moderator would have been drawn out by his old enemy's presence, intent on finishing their never-ending duel. Unfortunately, it looked as if Brill wanted to remain hidden for a little while longer.

They had not seen or heard anything about him since the incident with BlackRose, an event Balmung still had trouble wrapping his mind around. In fact, the other two Moderators had been rather silent as well, an omen that did not sit well for one of Fianna's Descendants. It looked as if they were regrouping for some sort of final attack, the last silence before the storm.

Kite had been right. It was definitely time to end this.

A chime in his ear announced a FlashMail and Balmung unfolded his arms as his User opened it.

To: Balmung
From: Orca

Any luck? We've got nothing here. Bith hasn't shown up so we've got nothing to go on. Sasuke and Sanjuro are checking the other Root Towns but they haven't reported in yet. I think Kite's getting a little anxious as well.

Balmung frowned, wondering what was on the Twin Blade's mind before pushing the thought aside and writing back.

To: Orca
From: Balmung

Still no sign. I don't think he's coming. I'll wait a bit more though, just to be sure. Tell Kite to sit tight.

Smirking to himself, he refocused on the city below him and blinked, leaning forward slightly as his eyes caught a flash of pink and red. There, running from the Chaos Gate, the third Moderator, Ruka. More startling than her sudden appearance was the fact that she was moving at a dead run, her long slender wand held rigidly by her side as she wove in and out between players, a look of grim dread on her face.

Balmung had not had any dealings with the female Moderator. She had always kept a very low profile, evidence of her hacker status and a result of the fact that her power was best wielded outside of the game. She had never deleted any characters, although he knew she was responsible for leaking Kite's information to Brill, but had heard Users speak well of her and that was something that made an impression on him. Not that he would go easy on her. She was a hacker, after all, but he might give her a chance to explain before deciding on a course of action.

However, he was not to get that chance. Only seconds after Ruka appeared, Brill also exited the Chaos Gate, wearing a thundercloud expression as he took off after her, pushing people carelessly aside in order to gain speed.

Balmung, unsure if he wanted to get involve in a spat between Moderators, watched tensely as Brill chased Ruka, the slim Wave Master somehow managing to keep ahead of him. She was headed for a dead end though and she knew it, swinging around to face the irate Long Arm with wand raised.

Brill stopped, leaving space between them as he glared icily at her, chest heaving.

"I can log out right now," she threatened angrily, but Balmung heard an undertone of fear in her voice. Around them, Users were making themselves scarce, realizing the situation was one they didn't want to be involved in.

"Do it and you'll never be able to log back in," Brill shot back, his voice like icicles. He was watching Ruka like a wolf might watch a rabbit. The Wave Master tightened her grip on her wand but did nothing and Brill smiled coldly. "What are you waiting for, Ruka? Go ahead, leave. I won't be able to stop you."

She snarled silently at him and he laughed, the sound like glass cracking.

"Is he what's keeping you here?" Brill shook his head. "Just like a woman. Foolish, sentimental, annoying." The last word was a veiled threat. "He's weak, Ruka. He won't stand up to me and, despite your efforts, you can't either. I may not be a hacker but even I can read the logs. Trying to contact the Admin, eh, Ruka?" The Wave Master's copper eyes widened. Brill smirked. "Did you think I wouldn't find out? I practically own this place."

Ruka found her voice. "This is a game, Brill! Quit being such an ego-infested maniac! This place is meant for everyone, not just you! You can't go around doing whatever you want!"

"You and I both know this is more than a game. It's a living, breathing entity. Things happen here that can happen nowhere else and I will not let you take it away from me." Brill raised his ebony spear. "Come on, Ruka. Try and hurt me. I can see you want to."

"You know I can't," she spat, "You made sure we couldn't erase you."

He gave her a mock bow. "Indeed. So I suppose you're going to go quietly then? There are things you could still do for me."

Ruka slammed the end of her wand into the stones at her feet. "Never, you pig." A golden rune circle burst into existence underneath Brill. "Yarthkins Pha!"

Earth erupted, crumbling and cracking as it rose and smashed against Brill, the whole city shaking as the resulting earthquake shivered through the ground. Balmung launched himself from the rooftop to get a better view, his wings working overtime in order to keep him stationary in the air. Below him, the dust was clearing and Ruka was lifting her wand, preparing another attack.

Hidden in the clouds of dust, a spear flashed and she cried out as the blow sent her flying forward to crash against the wall of a nearby building, her body slumping to the street as her health points dropped dramatically.

Straightening from his crouch, Brill stepped out of the smoke, his face emotionless, uncaring. Balmung felt his insides twist uncomfortably. He was having a slight dilemma about what to do. To help Ruka would be to help a hacker, or more, to help a Moderator, one of the very ones the rebels were fighting against. His other choice was to sit back and let Brill destroy her, letting him do their job for them. Or would he even delete her? Hadn't he mentioned that he had something he wanted Ruka to do?

Balmung gritted his teeth and brought up a new FlashMail.

Brill advanced on Ruka, his steps slow and measured as if he knew that each one pushed Ruka closer and closer to a digital death. She watched him, still dazed from the attack, her wand out of reach.

"Even now you still have a choice," Brill said, "Come with me and forget this nonsense," he leveled his spear at her, "or be erased."

Ruka smiled at him. "Go to hell."

Brill's lance swung, whistling through the air, and Balmung darted forward, decision made.

Ironically enough, he wasn't needed.

A blur of blue and yellow darted between the Long Arm and the Wave Master, and Brill's spear crashed into the stone street, leaving a small, empty crater. Yards away, Dagger knelt and set the injured Ruka down safely, one arm around her shoulders.

"Sorry I'm late," he told her. She half-glared, half-grinned at him.

"You always are."

His expression turned serious. "Are you alright?"

"Nothing a good Drink can't fix."

He nodded and straightened, turning his head to Brill but speaking to her. "Then wait for me. I'll be a moment." Twin daggers appeared in his hands and he raised his voice to the other Moderator. "What's going on here, Brill? Why are you attacking Ruka?"

Brill hefted his spear, pulling it from the ruined cobblestones. "I thought it was obvious, Dagger. She betrayed me, and now she'll suffer the consequences."

Dagger's knives made an x-shape in front of his face. "Stop right there, Brill. There's no need to do this. Take away her Moderator status if you must, but there's no reason to delete anyone." His face relaxed, his voice pleaded. "Look, I know you're not like this. This place has changed you. Come on, let's log out, get something to eat— "

Brill's spear landed square against Dagger's blades.

"Things are not that simple anymore, Dagger." Black eyes met sky blue. "Prepare yourself."

"What's going on?" Kite asked, watching worry etch itself across Orca's face. The Blademaster glanced at him, his thoughts obviously elsewhere.

"It's Balmung. He wants us to come to Carmina Gadelica. I think there's trouble." Balmung's partner shook his head. "That guy… I hope he doesn't do anything rash."

Kite frowned. "We still haven't heard from Bith, or Sasuke and Sanjuro, either. Without Bith this might be— "

"I know," Orca interrupted, "It's definitely going to be harder without his help, but if Balmung says to come, then we go. We don't have time to wait for the others."

Kite's eyebrows rose slightly at the Blademaster's tone, and then he smiled as he realized he would have reacted the same had it been his own partner calling him.

"Alright then, let's go." Kite rubbed his right wrist unconsciously. "And let's hope we aren't too late."

To be continued…