Disclaimer: I give up. Referred to the last 27 chaps for it.

Author's Note: Wow this is short. Again. Sorry. Life is hectic you know. Longer chap next time, promise!

Sisters till the End

This is dedicated to Pablo/Cecil because he is such an awesome writer and he has inspired me to go farther. Thank you Pablo/Cecil for your awesome story and your awesome talent!

Chapter Twenty-Eight: Desire for Verve

Sweat covered their bodies falling like rain to the ground, who gladly soaked it up, excited about the prospect of rain to cool its dying plants. The other rain, crimson and thicker then the light drops of rain, did not quench its thirst. Yet still it wondered why so many animals would be running in the pour of this crimson rain.

Alex heard the thoughts of the earth as she fought, its voice echoing through her head. She wanted to laugh at its innocence-at least there was still some innocence left in the world-but she refrained from doing so. The earth might not know what was going on but she did, and she refused to be killed by doing something stupid. No, the moment for basking in the knowledge of pure innocence was gone. She swung her sword with vigor and strength, slicing down the on coming men as if they were simply waves against a rock.

Plunging her sword into the chest of one man, cutting right through his armor, and blasting another with fire, she turned and glanced at her other two best friends. Nicole, who usually opposed to violence, was protecting their two guests, Zorya and Scott, as she and Kat held back the on coming forces. Her eyes lingered on Scott, looking around wide-eyed at the blood bath. Innocence is still alive in him, she thought, somewhat sadly. It was the exact way she had looked in her first battle; wide eyed with innocence, appalled by the amount of hate and anger around her. Now look, I'm the one fighting and killing.

How could so much killing go one just to get one person? It was always different when we were fighting back attacking forces or were trying to save the world but… No, it's the same, a small voice told her. You were killing innocents even after the world was safe. All because you wanted something they had. This is exactly what you did only the places have been switched.

No! It's not true! She told herself fiercely. We would never participate in random killing.

We?

Nicole and I wouldn't.

What about Kat?

There was a pause as she looked over at Kat. It was true; she had never truly known if Kat would have gone along with Dilandau on a random killing spree if she and Nicole had not stood up and disagreed with it. Right now she looked like a true assassin, cutting away the forces without even the bat of an eye. Did she enjoy killing? She's changed, she told the voice, admitting defeat. We never knew much about her at first… But I know in my heart she wouldn't kill without reason.

Are you so sure?

Alex didn't have time to respond for Kat blasting away a soldier who had snuck up on Alex brought her back into the real world. She glanced at Kat, knowing that her thoughts had only been a few seconds, yet it felt like a minute or two, but in battle a few seconds could get you killed. I'm not leaving, she told herself, swinging her sword and bringing down two soldiers. I have kids to take care of.

We're fighting a losing battle, came Nicole's voice inside her head, not phasing her concentration.

I agree. We need to get to the Temple! She agreed. I can transport-

No, you're weak Nicole and you need to save your energy. Kat's voice objected.

Then how the hell are we supposed to get to the Temple? Alex demanded. It's miles away!

Kat, there's now way we'll be able to out run these forces.

From where Alex was she could see Kat grinning. We don't need to run.

You're not making sense Kat! Fanellia's coming and we're already failing with three forces against us! We're not the Dragon Slayers-we can't take one four armies at once without back up! Nicole cried.

Nicole's right. Whatever crazy plan you have Kat forget it. We need logic. Alex agreed.

Are you sayin' that I don't use logic in my plans?

Well, most of the time.

About two thirds of the time, Nicole added.

Alex could feel Kat glaring at them. This has logic in it, if you'll just listen. There's one other who can transport, if we can find her.

Who? The question was asked simultaneously.

Naru.

Instantly Alex could feel everyone scanning the field at the same time. Where is that girl? She wondered, knowing exactly whom Kat was talking about. The hyper active assassin was hard to find normally but in a battle one would have better luck finding a needle in a haystack. We need to move out to find her, but Nicole is so weak and we have Scott… "Kat, cover me!" Alex yelled to her friend, snatching up a free sword from the ground. She ran over to where Nicole, Zorya, and Scott were standing and semi-fighting. "Zorya," Alex said, reaching out and touching the dark haired girl. She turned, facing the Protector, eyes shinning with lust for battle. Alex thrust the sword into her hand, ignoring as the slimy film on it came off in her hand. Blood was truly a disgusting thing.

"Take this and help Nicole protect Scott," she said hurriedly. Without waiting for an answer to the order, she turned and headed out into the battle. Forces alike where fighting the other all trying to reach the same prize. When someone wasn't attacking her group they were fighting amongst the other. A couple times she witnessed fellow soldiers murdering the other, their eyes glazed over in fear or anger, completely oblivious to who they had just slain. Revulsion swelled up in Alex's stomach at the sight; how could they not know?

Pushing her way through the fray, sometimes using her powers to break apart a particularly thick fighting area, eyes constantly moving, constantly looking for her prey. Shouts and screams filled her air as the echoes of the earth reverberated in her head making it just as chaotic as the world outside. So many voices so many things all happening in a whirlwind of activity. Sweat poured down her face and made her wish for rain to cool off her sweating body. Battle was always so hot no matter where you were-in the snow or at sea, in the chill of winter or the dead of night, high up on a mountain top or deep in a valley. It was always the same, always hot, hot with death and destruction.

She didn't know how long she searched but in her mind it seemed like years. Finally, she spotted Naru, circled by what looked like Fanellian soldiers, killing each as they rushed her. Show off, Alex thought, and then rushed into the fray.

Naru had just finished killing the last soldier when suddenly she felt something sharp at her throat. "Stay still and you won't get hurt," came the husky breath at her ear. Naru threw back her head and laughed. "Tell me that again and you'll be the one getting hurt," she told her capturer, twisting her sword in her hand. The idiot-don't they know you can't catch Naru? Her grip tightened on her sword and she began to move it towards her capturer, calling up her powers.

Suddenly something wrapped itself around her legs; feeling like led rope, and her sword froze in mid air. Surprise filled her eyes as she looked down at her legs. Large plants had suddenly burst out of the earth and had become attached to her limbs, twisting around until they reached her waist. Glancing at her sword arm she was forced to do a double look-was that ice? "What the hell?" She cried, seeing her arm completely encased in ice. There was a small prickling feeling at her neck but she ignored it. That was ice on her arm! "Are you willing to cooperate?" Came the voice.

"Wha-yeah, yeah."

"Good."

They were flying through the air, Naru being dragged behind as if she was a worm dangling from a hawk's talon. Her eyes widened even more as she watched the battle below her take place without even a glance at the sky. "Idiots! Look up!" She screamed, but her voice was lost in the sounds of battle. "Be quite," the voice growled and suddenly she recognized it. It was Alex's-the Protector of Elements-that had her. Oh, great, get captured by them why don't you, she said to herself. Before she knew it they were back on the ground, feet safely established on the solid ground.

"I got her!" Alex yelled to Kat. The girl nodded and suddenly there was what looked like a large darkened bubble around them. Naru rolled her eyes trying to hide her amazement at Kat's powers. They do have me captured, after all, she told herself.

"All right Naru, you're going to transport us to the Temple of Artemis," Alex demanded.

"I don't want to."

"You're going to whether or not you want to."

"Give me one good reason why I should."

"There's four people with swords and three with powers."

"Ah, good point."

"Do it Naru," Kat said threatening. "Or else you'll live to regret it."

"Uhm, no. Your threats don't scare me."

"Then we'll kill you."

"You won't."

"Says who?" Alex demanded.

"Because if you kill me then there's no one else to transport you."

She knew she had them cornered there. They won't risk killing their meal ticket out of here. However, she was surprised for the millionth time that day when Kat rushed forward and pushed Alex's blade deeper into her skin so it broke. "Wha… what are you doing?" She cried as pain radiated from her neck. Blood trickled down her neck like a warm stream. Kat pushed harder on the blade, her eyes boring into Naru's, and what she saw scared Naru. Her blue eyes were void of emotion, empty like a black hole, with only the flicker of light from the battle reflected in her pupils. It scared Naru to death. "Do you doubt that I will even blink if I kill you?" She whispered, her voice reflecting her eyes. Calm, monotone, and devoid of emotion. Naru shook her head, truly, for once in her life, terrified for her life-this was even worse then Lord Tandor.

"Do you want to die at my hands?"

Naru shook her head again, beginning to fear that no matter what she said that Kat would still kill her. Her eyes told her that though her face-still like an early morning-said nothing. "Please, I'll get you to the Temple… just don't kill me," she whispered her voice hoarse. Kat stared at her some more not even acknowledging that she had heard Naru. "Please, I'll do it!" Naru cried, withering under the Protector's gaze. Slowly, she watched as the woman's hand slowly pulled the blade back and the others crowded around. Closing her eyes, Naru focused on the Temple, seeing its white columns and glimmering marble steps in her mind. With a small pop she knew they were in front of the Temple.

Opening her eyes, she was met with Kat's again, and her breath caught. Was she to do die now? With lightning fast reflexes she saw a hand move and felt a sharp pain. Wha-she couldn't finish the thought for she blacked out.

Alex caught the limp body of Naru and looked at Kat, eyes wide with fear. Had she killed her? "She's only out Alex," Kat said, sounding slightly annoyed. "And no, I wouldn't kill her."

"But…"

"Your eyes," Nicole said carefully, as if she was walking on thin ice. "They were so… void-"

Kat suddenly grinned. "I picked it up from Coran," she said, and looked towards the Temple. It was large, made purely out of white marble, carved in the most elaborate way. Its tall columns reached towards the sky, with no large ceiling to cover the sky, and only a railing of carved stone showing a story of something. Large steps led up to the Temple and Kat started towards it. "Come on, let's go," she said. Alex looked at Nicole and then nodded, picking up Naru who was currently wrapped up in vines that Alex had called up to hold Naru. Nervousness sat in the pits of their stomachs as they started towards the ancient building-was this their last fight? Would they fail or win this? God, I hope that we all get out alive, she thought. Please dear God let us all get out alive.