—I have written another Chapter! It's got everything! The return of Bakura and Ryou, the debut of a new character named Daelin, the identity of the "invaders" plus a misshapen chimera…and you probably won't believe who it is! I had a lot to cover so here it is…

Chapter 3 – Lord Daelin and Kura's Knights

"I didn't want to do this." said the White Druid, Ryou. He looked down upon the disfigured creature he had helped Bakura to create. A creature made from a human, a wolf, and a Blue Eyes White Dragon. It was a horrible, ugly chimera that looked as if it wanted so badly to die.

"It's not your fault, my love." said the smooth voice of his lover. "I'll not let you taint your soul with guilt. Keep telling yourself that it was my fault. I did everything and you did nothing."

The chimera grunted painfully and tried to move, but his chains scraped in agony against the cold, stone floor. "What do we do with him, love?"

"We'll keep him until the time is right. You've done well for me, Ryou."

Ryou sighed sadly and left the room. "I don't like this idea, Kura. Why are we doing this?"

"You want a utopia all your own, my heart. Then you shall have this utopia combined of both the human world and Thar Amrun."

"But…must we kill everyone? Yami and his friends…they have treated me so kindly and—" He was cut off by his lover's angry glare.

Bakura embraced Ryou tightly. "They can't treat you the way I can. I'm the only one who can treat you the right way. None of them understand you the way I do."

"Can we at least spare one or two people?" Ryou asked, pulling away from Bakura and gazing at him with innocent, brown eyes. Bakura sighed and walked over to his crystal ball. He waved his hand and an image of Tea's baby appeared.

"How about this baby? We shall spare her and the Rose Duelist. But everyone else will die." Bakura said to the White Druid.

Ryou averted his eyes. "All right…"

——————

Once Bakura and Ryou had released their creation, he began to wander across Thar Amrun, calling Diana's name in agony and sadness. Fairies, dwarves, unicorns, and nymphs of all varieties had no idea what to make of this raving chimera. They had seen chimeras before, but never one as strange as this creature. It had the body of a human male with bluish-black fur all over and the head of a giant wolf. His hands and feet were clawed and twice the size of an ordinary human's hands and feet. Icy cold eyes searched the landscape for a sign of the Rose Duelist. The creature's long tail resembled the tail of a Blue Eyes White Dragon.

Liam the blue pixie—a good friend of Diana—flew over to where some fellow pixies were hiding in the trees. He signed, What's going on, friend?

A yellow pixie signed back, That creature is looking for the Rose Duelist. Apparently, she's here somewhere…in Thar Amrun.

Liam's eyes widened. Really? he signed, Then I must go find her and tell her about this. Keep an eye on him and—

The pixie was interrupted by the thunderous marching of feet and clamor of armor. All the immortal creatures that were in hiding retreated in fear when they saw the glistening knights in silvery white armor with the symbol of a black, dead flower on their breast plates. Liam gasped and signed, Fly for your lives! It's the invaders!

The other pixies flew away as fast as possible, but Liam lingered to watch what the disfigured chimera would do. The chimera looked at the invaders and roared challengingly at them. As he did, a beam of white-blue light shot from his mouth and slammed into them. Twenty knights were killed instantly. Despite this, the army continued to march towards him, swords and spears at the ready.

The chimera shot another beam and killed twenty more knights. But there was still at least sixty or so left. Liam flew into the forests and gathered together a huge glory—or herd—of unicorns. He told them that the misshapen chimera must be on their side, because he was killing immortal-sucking invaders left and right.

The unicorns decided to help the chimera fight the invaders. They galloped out of the forest to stand behind the chimera. They used the magic of their horns to shoot burning, white lights at the knights. The chimera growled and asked them, "Where is Diana!"

When they didn't answer, the chimera shot a beam of blue-white light at them and destroyed half the glory. The unicorns whinnied in terror and retreated. The chimera went rampaging through the forests, crying for Diana. He noticed Liam flying away and decided to follow the pixie. I've seen that pixie with Diana, the chimera thought, he must know where she is.

——————

"That is where Dark Shadow is waiting for us." Fin said, pointing to the white castle as they got closer. Diana gasped at the sight of all the creatures below them. Unicorns, elves, nymphs, fairies, regular animals, hybrids of all species, dragons, monsters, everything was clustered near the castle.

"These creatures are seeking relief from the invaders. They are here, because Daelin is the champion of Thar Amrun."

"Daelin?"

Fin nodded. "Dark Shadow's true name is Daelin Gryphonia. I call him 'Daelin' on occasions, but it's like I said before. He and I know each other well enough that I can call him 'Dark Shadow.'"

"I should call him Daelin then, right?"

"Lord Daelin or Sir Gryphonia will do. Unless he gives you permission to call him 'Dark Shadow' which is rare." Fin replied.

Koumori Dragon landed and Diana dismounted with Fin. She heard a familiar voice calling her and felt an even morefamiliar prick of happiness at the back of her heart. Diana turned and saw Diamond Dust running to meet her.

"Oh Diamond Dust! You're okay!" Diana knelt and the pooka jumped into her arms, purring softly. "I was worried about you."

"I know you were. But I amokay, Diana. Yami and the Bandits of the Roses are fine. They are at the castle and escaped the fire with minor burns and bruises."

"Thank God…did you manage to see who started the fire?" Diana asked.

Diamond Dust nodded. "I caught a glimpse of Rex fighting a knight in silvery white armor. Rex managed to kill him and I saw a black, dead flower on the knight's breast plate before he fell."

"That was one of the knights who are invading Thar Amrun!" said an angelic voice. Diana gasped as she stood to look at the source of the voice. It was a unicorn.

"They call themselves Kura's Knights. But we simply call them the Immortal Thieves." the unicorn said, more to Diana than Diamond Dust.

"Kura's Knights?" Diana repeated. She gasped. "Oh my Lord! Diamond Dust, you don't think…it's Bakura?"

The pooka's eyes widened as evidence of her shock. "I hope not." She followed Fin towards the castle.

Diana bowed to the unicorn. "Thank you for the information." The unicorn bowed her head and Diana ran to catch up with Fin and Diamond Dust.

The castle was far more beautiful than Henry's. The inside was complete with a marble floor that resembled a chess board and the walls were washed with beautiful white paint. Banners of different colors hung from the ceiling in delicate patterns that Diana didn't understand. Huge pots of decorative flowers stood near the heavy doors—which were opened by ogres wearing armor—and swan-like birds sat on solid gold perches behind the throne, where a young man sat.

Buster Blader (2600/2300) knelt next to the throne in defense mode. The young man wore shiny, bronze armor that resembled Buster Blader's armor in some places. One arm had a shield attached to it with a gryphon symbol on the shield itself. Diana thought it was a bit strange that the young man wore a blue blindfold over his eyes. It was probably impolite to ask, so she kept her mouth shut. If he were standing, she thought, he'd probably be only inches taller than me. That's interesting considering I'm not very tall. He seems awfully quiet too.

Fin got down on one knee in front of the young man in bronze armor and said, "Dark Shadow, I've probably the legendary Rose Duelist to aide us."

"Yes, I can sense her power. You must be a val'istar, young lady." said the armored young man.

"Yessir." Diana knelt beside Fin. "But I'm afraid I don't know what a val'istar is, sir."

Dark Shadow, or Daelin, simply chuckled softly. "A val'istar is an archimage, which is the highest ranking of magicians. What is your name, Rose Duelist?"

"Diana Sapphire, Lord Daelin." Diana replied. Something clicked behind her and Diana turned to see that Val had landed on the marble floor and was kneeling behind them.

"Fin, thank you for braving the dangers of the human world to fetch the Rose Duelist for us. Lady Diana, I am grateful you have come to help us." Daelin said.

"You are welcome, Lord Daelin."

Fin rose to his feet and gestured for Diana and Val to do the same. Fin turned to Daelin and said, "Sire, we have discovered that these invaders are called Kura's Knights, or more commonly known as the Immortal Thieves. My personal sources have hinted to me that these knights are ordinary humans thatshow no fear when faced with something strong and powerful. Also, in recent events, it seems as though the Immortal Thieves are invading the human world as well."

Daelin stood and said, "Tanna Undome has no immortals. Why the hell would these Immortal Thieves go there?"

"Val, what's Tanna Undome mean?"

"It means 'to evening' and that is the name that the Third and Fourth Race have given to your world."

"Oh okay." Diana turned to Daelin. "Sir, I hate to interrupt, but I think I might have an idea as to why they're invading Tanna Undome."

Daelin looked directly her as if he could see her. "Go on, Lady Diana."

"They are called Kura's Knights, so therefore they must be under the control of an evil Druid named Bakura. I felt sorry for him because he was at the mercy of Christian Rosenburg's command."

Daelin slammed his fist into his throne. Buster Blader jumped a little and Fin flinched. He whispered, "Don't ever say that name in front of Daelin."

Daelin looked at Diana again. "I despise Rosenburg will all my heart and soul. He is a cold, power-hungry tyrant and a complete bastard."

"I agree with you completely, sir. I defeated him in a duel and Bakura changed him to stone. Rosenburg is no longer a threat to us. But, back to what I was saying about Bakura…I think that these Immortal Thieves belong to him. Though I can't imagine why he'd want to destroy both of our worlds. His lover, Ryou, is a friend of Prince Alexander."

"Sometimes people are not always how they seem, Rose Duelist." Daelin said, sitting back on his throne. "I've known this for the several centuries that I've been alive."

Fin nodded in agreement. "I propose you and I face these invaders together and destroy them in this world as quickly as possible."

"Dammit Fin, don't be a martyr." Daelin snapped. He waved a hand at Buster Blader who stood and said to Val, "Your duelist is the best weapon we have right now. She is mortal and immune to their immortality sucking weapons."

"I can hear you, y'know." Diana snapped.

Buster Blader simply stared at her without emotion. "It is their spears and swords that feed on immortality. Beware, Rose Duelist. Your monsters are immortal and they will be destroyed if you are not careful. If you truly are an archimage, then now is your time to prove it."

Diana looked at Fin and repeated what Buster Blader had said, for apparently, Fin couldn't hear monsters speaking. "Buster Blader is right, you know." the elf replied. "We can set up a defense around the castle and its grounds. I'll get Liam and his people to help."

"Wait, did you say Liam? Where is that pesky, little pixie? I haven't seen him in a long time." Diana said.

"This is no time for recollecting with old friends, Diana." Diamond Dust said, jumping onto her shoulder. "We have to go and find these—"

The pooka was interrupted by a blur of blue light zipping passed her and hovering close to Diana's face. It was, ironically, Liam. Diana smiled and held out her palm. Liam nearly collapsed onto it.

"Liam, what's wrong?" A bellowing roar answered her question from outside.

Daelin stood quickly. "What the hell was that?"

Liam signed something to Diana and her eyes widened, "Lord Daelin, there's a misshapen chimera outside and he's trying to kill everyone in sight."

Fin unsheathed a mighty sword and said, "I've been waiting for a chance like this."

Diana nodded and put Liam on her other shoulder. "Lord Daelin, will you be joining us?"

Daelin smiled. "Of course, Lady Diana. I could use a good workout." I just hope, he thought, that he's not wielding any immortal-sucking weapons…for the sake of my people…

—Evil cliffhanger! What kind of fanfic would it be if I didn't include cliffhangers! Well, it wouldn't be a fanfic written by me, that's for sure! Now for review responses:

DarkShadow – thanks for the character data…what do you think of his debut? ; )

Swift – heh…is the creature thing Seto? I dunno…you'll have to find out in the next Chapter…-grins wickedly-

nothing from SG yet? –gasps– Aww…review soon, girl D:

And nothing from Sara and crew –feels sad– I love you, girls! (not literally, but you get the picture)

Oh and if anybody else feels left out about not being in my fanfic…just e-mail me and tell me your character info (appearance, age, name, personality, etc.) and I'll fit you in somewhere, I promise! Bye until Chapter 4…