Author's Note: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, plot, etc. are the property of Tite Kubo. The original characters, settings and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with Tite Kubo and no copyright infringement is intended. This work is an amateur fan effort and no profit is being made.

With that in mind, check your sensibilities at the door. AU. Pure entertainment only. You've been warned. Also, I am eternally sorry it took forever to get this last chapter done! And if I managed to take characters OOC and any weirdness on my part. sighs I tried to keep it as close to what the original plan was, but you know how life sometimes gets in the way. In any case, I really do hope all of you enjoy this final installment of "Pieces of Twilight."

I smelt the sweet grass and the crisp, clean air before I opened my eyes and realized where I was. Aelovaer. The pale green moon hung in the night sky, the river of stars shined brightly, and I heard the faint sound of a harp being played.

I attempted to sit up but found that doing so wasn't one of my better ideas. I lay back down, letting my body relax. I was dressed in my traditional clothes of grey/green. I looked like one of those rangers or archers from those role-playing games. Strange how Man would get everything else wrong but would remember what we wore.

I glanced to either side of myself. Renji was on my right, bandaged much the same way I was under my clothes. Zabimaru lay close to him. He was breathing deep and regularly. Relief washed over me. Renji was alive.

I watched him for a few moments more. It was a miracle we were both alive; but, who had been there in time to whisk us away, much less heal us?

"He won't disappear if you look away. I promise."

"Aodhan," I whispered with a smile.

He stopped playing and came to sit next to me. "I felt your pain. That was when I knew you were in trouble," he explained.

"Do the others know where we are?"

"Yes. Ichigo and a few others came with me. When we found you two, Jushiro and Toshiro were insisting that they take Renji back to Paer'mvaer. I told them that I could heal you both much faster in Aelovaer." Aodhan smiled smugly. "They protested. So, I said, 'Fine. I'm taking him anyway. We'll be back in a few days' and I brought you both here."

"Well, it looks as though I'll have a mess to clean up when I return."

Aodhan laughed. "Don't worry. I told them that the only herbs that can cure Drow poison grow in Aelovaer, so I had to take Renji anyway."

I smiled. "Good. So, he should be better soon."

"Yes," he replied, "and you should get more sleep. You were wounded more than he was."

Days passed. I healed quickly, but Renji was still worse off. Now that I was (mostly) better, I helped Aodhan with tending to him. It was the least I could do. He had saved my life. Just as he said he would.

I stayed by his side most of the time. When I wasn't, I explored what was left of Aelovaer. The heart of the old forest remained, which was where we were. The oldest and strongest trees protected the sacred glade, their silver-green leaves shimmering in the moonlight.

I saw several of my cousins here and there about the woods. They offered their salutations and gave me news of the mortal realm. They had been experiencing similar problems to ours but nothing overtly serious. I began to wonder if our area was the epicenter of all of the disturbances.

I returned to the heart of Aelovaer and sat down next to Renji. There was still no significant sign of improvement. He lay asleep on the ground, breathing as regularly as he had when he had first been brought here.

The bandages looked dirty, so I set to changing them. I brought water from the nearby river, fresh linen, the poultice Adohan had made, and a cloth to clean the wounds. As I began to remove the bandages all I could think about was how lucky the man had been. Or how stubborn. For anyone to take that many wounds made by Drow weapons was astounding.

Once the wounds were cleaned, the poultice applied, and Renji wrapped back up I took greater notice of his tattoos. I wondered if they meant anything, like mine did, or if it was all for show. I saw some on his neck and brow and winced. Those must have hurt the most.

I couldn't help feeling that he was in this position because of me. If only I hadn't been so slow to react, he wouldn't have been hurt. If only I hadn't hesitated-

"Stop it!" I whispered fiercely to myself. My mind refused to obey. "Stop it!"

"Stop what?"

Damn.

I looked up at Aodhan and looked away. "Nothing," I lied.

I was a poor liar for then Aodhan said, "Stop being so hard on yourself, Kieran. Renji will get better." He always knew when I was lying.

I nodded. "Of course." I tried to smile back but I could feel it quiver at the corners. I knew waiting wasn't going to hurry the healing process so I left. When I returned after a time Renji was awake and aware. I knelt down beside him. "How are you feeling?"

Renji rubbed his head. His hair was back up and that piece of linen was back around his forehead. "Better. I still feel weak. What was that stuff?"

"Poison made from the blood of a nathar sgiathach. It's quite potent. The Drow lace their weapons with it," I explained. "You and I are both very lucky to be alive."

"Aodhan said the same thing." He looked around at his surroundings. "Where are we?"

"Aelovaer. My home." I smiled as I answered.

He looked about himself again with a new appreciation. "Is this what that serpent wants so badly?"

"Almost. It would look like this but without Elves."

We were quiet for a moment, then he asked, "That guy you were fighting, was that Rhys?"

I looked down at my clenched hands resting in my lap. "Yes," I replied quietly. "Rhys was an exceptional warrior. That hasn't changed now that he's a Drow. I was lucky to have lasted as long as I did. I'm lucky to have survived." I thought about that last statement for a moment. "No, he let me survive. He may not have intended for you to live, but he let me-allowed me-to live."

"Why?"

"I don't know. He told me that it wasn't his intention to have me die." I had my suspicions as to why. Soraya and I had been twins, and Rhys may have still be in love with her. Why destroy the only person in the world who looks most like her? Or maybe he let me live as a gift to my sister, in honor of her memory. It was an interesting thought.

I looked up to find Renji staring at me strangely. "What is it?" I asked.

He shook his head. "Nothing. You just look different."

I looked down at myself, at my clothes. They were traditional clothes for me. I looked more like a ranger in my grey-green clothes with a sword at my side. All I needed was a bow and a quiver full of arrows. Then I realized that this was the first time that Renji had seen me like this.

"Is this what you would wear normally?" he asked.

"Here? Yes." I tried to smile but couldn't. "You should rest," I told him. I moved to stand.

"What's wrong?"

I refused to look up at him as I answered, "You wouldn't understand. I couldn't begin to explain it to you."

"Try me."

I looked up at him quickly. "What?"

"Try explaining it to me."

"It-It's this place," I began. "Every time I come here it becomes harder and harder to leave. Everything is so peaceful. There isn't the constant hustle and bustle of the mortal realm. Nothing is dirty and old, creatures that Man has since forgotten still roam about this place, and the magic of the world is still alive and new."

I was vaguely aware of Renji frowning, disbelief on his face. I was so caught up in the feeling of Aelovaer that I plowed on with my description. "Man has not come in and tainted the world with their iron, killed the trees to build their homes, and slaughtered the animals for their feasts and leaving their carcasses about to rot-" I stopped, horrified at myself. I couldn't believe I had said that. He was - had been - Human. I looked over at Renji. The look on his face was one of indignation. Nay, loathing. He loathed me, hated me for what I said. I felt tears sting my eyes. I blinked them away rapidly. I mumbled an apology and fled.

I he didn't want to talk to me after what I said, I wasn't going to be surprised. No wonder men wouldn't come near me: I was condescending, prideful, and arrogant. Perhaps my dislike of Man had influenced me on a subconscious level. Maybe Rhys had been right. Maybe I do hate Man.

I made my way down to the shallow pool fed by an underwater source. I sat down near the water's edge and wallowed in my self-pity. Aodhan kept me company later after the stars had come out. We sat in silence for a time, both of us with our own thoughts.

"Is he upset?" I asked.

"He was at first," Aodhan replied, "but after I explained that it was our pride in this place and our despair at how the world had degraded that prompted you to say what you did, he seemed to understand."

"Really?" I was impressed. But then again, Renji was a Shinigami. They understood such things as pride. "Is he doing better?"

"His body is still too weak. He can sit up with some assistance but standing is out of the question."

"How much longer?"

Aodhan sighed and rubbed his temples with his forefingers. "I don't know. He's a Shinigami. It could take forever. It could be quick. I'm working off of basics of what I know to heal him."

"I see." I had to accept that. I wasn't happy about it, but it couldn't be helped. If we wanted Renji to heal properly we would just have to wait.

As Renji healed, I kept my distance. I was ashamed of what I had said to him. Even though he said he understood he couldn't understand the sentiment behind it. Could he? The Shinigami could live for thousands of years. Jushiro was proof of that. I wasn't sure and I didn't want to take the chance. Not yet.

After a few days, Aodhan informed me that Renji was able to walk. Such is the healing power of this place. I was glad to hear the news but apprehensive at the same time. I didn't want to run into him again. But that was just what I did. Or rather, he ran into me.

We collided and fell in a jumbled heap. Apparently, Renji had been looking for me. He was quick to stand and helped me to my feet. He looked terribly embarrassed for having bowled me over like he did and mumbled a quick apology.

My head was beginning to pound from the collision and I just wanted this over and done with. "Can I help you, Renji?" I'm sure some of the irritation had crept into my voice for he went straight to the point.

"We should have some way of defending ourselves against Rhys. If what your cousin tells me is true-"

I cut him off. "I know."

"And?"

"I don't know. Aiden and I may need to stop holding back now that we know that the Drow are involved. Only Elvish weapons will harm them, but the serpent…" Damn serpent.

"Yeah. The serpent," Renji agreed. "We'll have to kill it somehow."

"We can't."

"What?"

"We can't kill it. The nathar sgiathach, all of them, are a part of the world. You could say that each serpent represents a different aspect of what goes on in the world. If we kill even one of them the balance of the world will be throw off. he world could die if enough of them are killed and countless lives would be lost. Aelovaer would disappear and with it the Elves."

Renji stared at me.

"What?" I asked. A feeling of alarm was growing in the pit of my stomach.

"The world could die, but lives - human lives - would be lost," he said, as if asking for clarification.

"Yes," I answered. "If one nathar sgiathach died the world would be sent into chaos and people would die."

"Tell me: do you remember what happens to a human soul when there is unfinished business?"

Now I was the one confused. "Yes, they linger for a bit…"

"And turn into Hollows if they stay for too long."

I was still confused. "I don't-"

Renji came forward and gripped me by the shoulders. "Think, Cinnia! All of those humans! If they die many won't be able to pass beyond the mortal realm! They'll linger until they turn into Hollows! Aizen could use that to his advantage and turn so many into Arrancars! That could be his plan!"

The gravity of what he was telling me finally sunk in. Could Aizen actually have plans to kill not only the beast he was working with but also others?

"I'll get Aiden. We'll prepare the best we can here and head back to tell the others."

"I should head back now to tell them. We can prepare on our end."

"Where do you want to meet?"

"Your place. I think that would be easiest for everyone."

I nodded. "Alright. We'll meet you there."

I took him back to the mortal realm, dropping him off close to where my apartment was and disappeared into Aelovaer once more. When I found Aodhan, I told him our speculations. He looked alarmed and concerned.

"We'll need our weapons," he said and disappeared.

I knew what he meant. I knew he was talking about the weapons we used when first we had fought the nathar sgiathach. They were the same ones that we had used to fight the Demons.

Within a time, he returned with our things. I picked up my sword made of silver with its sheath and felt its weight. It felt good to hold it again. I set it reverently aside.

We discussed what needed to be done. We would let the Shinigami handle the threats from the Arrancar, but we would at least need two of them to go with us to seal the Drow and the nathar sgiathach in the bowels of the earth. There were four weapons of sealing: two belonged to Aodhan and myself. One had belonged to my sister. The last had once been wielded by Rhys and later by Maero. It was somehow fitting that Shinigami would use the last two.

I shouldered the weapons and we appeared back in my apartment. Just like that. I could hear people talking in the hallway. I took a peek out through the peephole and found that Renji had brought everyone with him. Even the captains were with him. Good.

Aiden busied himself by looking over the two weapons. They would choose their new wielders when the time was right.

"Did you explain the situation to them, Renji?" I asked as I let everyone in.

"Yeah."

"It will have to be a small group. Four, maybe five people. Any larger and we'll be noticed."

"I'll go," I heard Jushiro say.

I shook my head. "It won't work that way, Jushiro. Not this time. We're going up against a nathar sgiathach, not Demons." I heard him take in a breath to object. "My kind," I stressed before he could say anything, "have fought the nathar sgiathach before. We know how to subdue them. We have the means to do so. We can only take with us two of you and those two will be chosen by these weapons." It seemed silly saying it, in this day and age. You will be chosen by this weapon seemed like something only those from the dark ages would believe. But it was true. Just as Excalibur had been. Just as it had chosen its wielder, so would these.

The two weapons in question were swords. Maero hadn't been able to handle anything else and my sister hated the bow so, of course, she had a sword. I held the bow in my hand and Aiden had his kopeshes strapped to his side. Strange how so ugly a weapon could be so useful.

"Chosen how?"

"One of you will be able to wield it," I said simply.

"So, what? We just see if we can swing it around?" Ikkaku asked.

I shrugged. "If you want." Truth be told, I wasn't sure how it was going to work. I just felt called to my weapon. I wasn't sure if the same thing was going to apply here.

Ikkaku, having asked the question, was the first to try. He attempted to lift it and only raised the first sword up so far. He strained and strained, but he couldn't lift it any further. The sword now seemed impossibly heavy. He had the same result with the second sword.

Most tried to lift the swords and all failed. Except for Ichigo. It was Maero's sword that chose him. With ease, he lifted the sword. He looked at me as if to ask if it were alright. I nodded. Renji, Toshiro, and Jushiro were the last to try. s luck would have it, Renji was chosen.

Aodhan grumped at me. "Figures," he muttered. He approached them both and handed each a pendant. "Take these. Wear them at all times. They will protect you from the denizens in the nathar sgiathach's lair."

I watched as Ichigo examined his. It was a triqueta, one of the ancient symbols of protection. The very same symbol that was tattooed on my back.

"When do we go fight the serpent?" Ichigo asked.

I looked over at Aodhan.

"Five days from now," he answered. "I suggest gathering your strength in that time."

"What happens in five days?"

"The full moon," Aodhan replied. "It will amplify our powers a great deal." He gestured to himself and me.

"Go home. Relax," I told the others. "There's nothing that we can do for now." I knew the two captains and Rangiku would stay. They would have to report everything back to Genryuusai.

When the others had left, I pointed a finger at Jushiro. "No, you cannot tag along."

"You know he's going to anyway," Aodhan pointed out.

To my ire, I knew he was right. Jushiro felt just as responsible as me. For all we knew, our battle with the rouge Demons could have opened the little entrance the nathar sgiathach needed in order to influence the world.

I glared at Jushiro, who smiled at me serenely. "Say what you like but Aiden is right: I will follow regardless," he said.

I looked at Toshiro and Rangiku. "And what of you two?"

Toshiro looked off to the side. "We won't get involved. We'll report back to Captain Genryuusai-sama. Let him know what the situation is."

"Tell Yamamoto-" I paused, collecting my thoughts "-tell him everything. Omit nothing."

Toshiro raised an eyebrow.

"I mean it. Omit not a thing."

Toshiro looked over at Jushiro, who nodded. "It's alright," he told him reassuringly.

Rangiku looked unusually serious. "We'll be sure to deliver a full report, Captain."

Captain and vice-captain left, leaving Aodhan, Ichigo, Renji, Jushiro, and myself to devise some plan of attack. Aodhan and I explained that it wouldn't be until the full moon that we could even look for or even further open the way to the underworld. There would be more power for us to harness on the full moon, which would help us greatly in not only gaining entrance to the serpent's lair but also in staving off the enemy. We would probably have to fight out way past many Drow before reaching the nathar sgiathach. Even then we might not succeed against this most ancient of all the serpents.

We spent the next five days in Aelovaer helping Renji and Ichigo acquaint themselves with their new weapons. They took on the shape and size of their preferred weapons, which helped. I had to explain to them how the rune markings worked and how they acted as a barrier against massive magical attacks and lend them strength. I think I only managed to confuse Ichigo more. He either complained of a headache or just "didn't get it" the entire time. Renji was more of the hands on type. He asked what he was doing wrong, I would show him, and he would duplicate what I did. Then, of course, Renji would gloat, Ichigo would get mad, and Ichigo would actually get the spell right. I was convinced then that their competitiveness was the only reason why they were doing so well.

Despite my growing irritation and Aodhan's perpetual cheerfulness that wore on my nerves, we taught them about the serpents and the Drow and how to fight against them. Most importantly, we taught them that the weapons that they now wielded could only be used against the nathar sgiathach, as there was a great spell to subdue the serpent engraved upon their blades. The power of the weapons was so great that they couldn't be wielded haphazardly.

The only one that was at the greatest risk was Jushiro; however, I trusted in his skill. I could do what Soraya had done and laid an enchantment on his weapon, but he was a captain. Part of the elite and in my opinion one of the best. Who else other than Yamamoto-Genryusai could stand against rouge Demons?

"Cousin, it's time," Aodhan murmured to me.

I looked up at him and saw only understanding. Understanding that he knew this was most likely a suicide mission. Understanding that we may not make it out of the serpent's lair alive.

On the fifth night when the moon was at its zenith, we descended to the world below. The entrance was easily missed. It looked like every other rock face and there were no distinguishing markings. The only difference was the magical energies surrounding it. Aodhan and I forced the entrance open with the help of the fae. Once everyone was through, we closed it. It was dark and dank within and it smelt of moist earth. Our runes flared to life and faded to a dim glow in the presence of Drow magic. The faint blue light lit the tunnel and lent an otherworldly, almost eerie feeling.

Ichigo looked up at the walls. "What are those?" He pointed.

I looked to see where he was pointing and noticed the runes. "Runes meant to light the way in the presence of a Drow."

"How long has this been here?"

"Since the first Drow appeared some hundred thousand years ago."

I could see Ichigo try to fathom that far ago and fail utterly.

"That's a long time," Renji muttered.

We walked along carefully, Aodhan in the front followed by Renji and Ichigo. Jushiro and I brought up the rear. The sound of water dripping from the walls echoed strangely in the enclosed space. The tunnel ended and we were brought into a large cavern filled with stalactites and stalagmites. There was a small pool close to the path that was lit by enchanted pillars meant to light the way.

There was no doubt that the subterranean layers of the earth held its own beauty, but I would miss the sunlight and the fresh air too much. We kept walking along the path as quietly as possible. Fish swam in the streams without sight, dangerous creatures that hadn't been seen in centuries kept alive by the Drow roamed freely in the underground, and every sound that was made echoed strangely in our ears.

Renji and Ichigo were both awed and perturbed by it all. Their reaction reminded me of my first time below ground. They tried to take everything in at once and still keep an eye out for anything that may come. It was disturbing on many levels to be in such an oppressive atmosphere.

"This is creepy," Ichigo muttered. He glanced about himself in an almost nervous manner.

"You're just not used to this place," Aodhan murmured back.

"And you are?" Renji asked in low tones, doubt in his voice.

Aodhan shook his head, which could be barely seen in the dim light. "I will never be able to get used to being underground, no matter how many times I do it."

"It's an odd sensation, isn't it?" Jushiro asked. "I've only done this once before and it still has my nerves on edge."

I kept quiet, feeling something change in the currents.

Jushiro looked back at me. "What is it?"

"They know we're here," I whispered. I cursed. I should have known better. The Drow would have known the stink of their hated cousins as soon as the scent was carried to them.

We began to run and were soon met by Drow. We charged through them as fast as we could, struggling down the passageways. More and more came. Aodhan led the way, his silver weapons flashing in the gloom. We drove back the Drow and the beasts before us. They were hardly a challenge for us and that worried me. Where were the warrior Drow that I had fought in the wars? Where were these Arrancar that I had heard so much about and had only seen once? Where was Rhys? We were nearing the epicenter of the labyrinth and the serpent. I could feel it. The stench of the nathar sgiathach permeated the air and left a foul taste in the back of my throat.

Then out of the shadows stood Rhys. With him were not only other Drow but Arrancar as well. This was what I had expected.

"They mean to stop us here and now," Aodhan said at my side.

"So it would seem," I replied. "I will handle Rhys," I told him. I wasn't about to let Aodhan fight his brother and become enraged. Aodhan was my brother now. Not his.

I glanced at Jushiro. Our eyes met and a decision was made. We attacked first. I struck out at Rhys with all I had, a sword in one hand, a dagger in the other, and a war cry upon my lips. I heard it echoed by others. The runes on my weapons flared to life as my sword blade met Rhys'.

"Sweet Kieran, have you come to play again?" he laughed.

I caught a glimpse of a second blade and blocked it with my dagger.

"Clever Kieran," Rhys chuckled. "Don't hold back now." He pulled back and swung again.

We began our play of whirling blades that sang through the air and the clash of silver against steel. We danced around each other as we sought for an opening.

"Little warrior maiden, how long has it been since last we fought? Do you still remember the way we fight our battles?"

He was taunting me and I knew it. He lunged at me with several quick attacks. Mere flicks of the wrist for him as I struggled to fend off his attacks. I saw an opening as he stepped back. I pressed forward, sword raised. I pushed him back on his heels, asking the runes to give me strength as I attacked. Rhys lunged again. I parried again and stepped in. A serious mistake. I felt blinding pain across my left arm. I fought the urge to scream and bit my tongue. I was not about to give him the satisfaction of hearing me in pain. I staggered back as quickly as I could. I dropped my dagger, unable to hold it any longer. Rhys smiled knowingly. He dropped one of his short swords. That smile stayed on his face as he began to prowl around me. He wasn't holding back any more. I would have to do the same.

I waited for the attack this time. I parried the few jabs and slashes. He was testing my defenses. So long as I held my ground he would have to come in for the attack. As we circled one another, I could hear the other battles raging about me. I prayed that Jushiro's health didn't worsen and he have a fit. I blocked them out of my mind and concentrated solely on Rhys.

My patience won out and Rhys attacked. I parried, then dodged. I stepped in but I was prepared this time. I raised my left arm, bent, to shield me and I stepped in low and wide. Rhys' sword bit into my flesh and slid across my arm as I lifted it. His sword was well away from me now and I thrust my sword at an upward angle. I felt my sword pierce flesh. I dared to look. My sword made of silver had found its mark: the heart of Rhys.

The once great warrior looked down at me. He dropped both arms to his sides, taking his deadly blade away from me. I had expected outrage, indignation, disbelief, but I found instead a smile.

"Do you remember what that one Roman emperor said?" he asked.

I shook my head. "Which Caesar?"

"I don't remember, but one of them said that Death smiles upon us all and all we can do is smile back." He slumped to his knees, forcing me to mine. "Well played, Kieran." His last compliment to me.

I gripped the hilt in one hand and the crosstree with the other. With all of my strength I twisted the blade and ruptured his heart. I pulled my sword free and watched as Rhys pitched forward and his body crumble to ash. A Drow is not given the pleasure of traveling across the Great Sea to join their cousins and loved ones.

"Kieran?"

I turned at the sound of my name.

"Kieran, the nathar sgiathach waits," Aodhan told me, reminding me why we had come here in the first place.

Jushiro looked weak and held two weapons that I had never seen before. They were beautiful and seemed to be made of silver, but I knew better. They were connected at the bottom of each hilt by a thick, red rope. Renji stood with the Elvish sword resting easily against his shoulder. It now bore the shape and size of the weapon he was most comfortable with. To my eyes, it looked like an ancient samurai's sword. Ichigo watched me with his giant Elvish made sword resting across his shoulders. He looked ready to take on the world. Aodhan looked grim but determined with his kopesh gripped in each hand. He was hell bent and determined to see this through until the end.

I sheathed my sword and did the same for my dagger once I found it. I cast a quick healing spell and the pain in my arm eased. I could still fire my bow. I took it off my shoulder and made sure I could reach my arrows. "Yes," I agreed, "the serpent awaits."

I led the way. I felt as though I led an army. We walked into the creature's lair as if we owned it. I wasn't surprised when all of the runes that we wore glowed even brighter in its presence.

The nathar sgiathach was enormous. Its body filled up most of the cavern we stood in. The rest of the cavern was covered in jewels, gold, silver, weapons, armor, and other such trinkets. The scales that covered it were a mixture of green and gold. Its soft underbelly was an ivory color. Its wings were tucked neatly against its body but there was room enough to spread them. It's eyes, though, were as red as the rubies it kept.

"So, the Elves have come," it rumbled deep in its chest. "And what have they brought with them? Men that were once living or men that were once dead?"

"We have brought with us no answers, Nathar Sgiathach," I replied.

"Is that so?" It peered down at us. "Then tell me: why have you come if not to entertain me?"

"Cinnia!" Jushiro hissed in my ear. "We don't have time for this!"

I frowned.

"The other Arrancar are coming!"

I swore under my breath. I was about to answer the serpent's question when I saw Ichigo rush past me. He must have heard us.

"No!" I cried. "Jushiro-!"

"I know," he replied calmly. He turned to face the entrance. He was a Captain. He could handle the Arrancar.

"Aiden! Renji! Help Ichigo!"

No sooner had the words left my lips did they leap into action. I readied my bow.

I felt something tickle my senses but I was too busy to really pay attention to what it was. I felt like the spiritual pressure had risen but I wasn't entirely sure. I saw Renji shout something but I couldn't make out what he was trying to say.

I watched and waited as the three of them battled against the enormous serpent. I couldn't bear to look but I had to. I watched as jaws snapped and Aodhan nearly lost an arm but he managed to dig one kopesh into its eye.

The serpent thrashed violently and roared in pain. Rocks and stalactites fell from the ceiling and walls. I thought for sure we would be crushed. Hope sprang to life when I saw the runes on the scythe begin to glow.

I cried out incomprehensively. I remember thinking that Ichigo and Renji had to plunge their swords into the beast's belly and I had meant to tell them. To this day I am unsure if my cry was about that or a cry of surprise with unintelligible words. Whatever my shout was, Renji succeeded in not only wounding the abysmal creature further but sinking his blade in its neck.

Ichigo dodged to and fro, deftly avoiding the thrashings and attacks. He climbed his way up the serpent's back and ran the length of its neck up to its head. The boy drew the sword back in a downward thrust as he raced to the top of the serpent's maw. The blade pierced through the scales and down into the serpent's mouth.

Someone cried out for Ichigo to move.

I loosed my arrow.

I felt it fly from my fingertips and pain exploded in my arm from holding it for so long. I saw it fly straight and true, embedding itself in the nathar sgiathach's other eye. All of the runes on the weapons began to glow with a blinding light. The serpent was engulfed in it as I heard a faint sound. I looked to see that the runic symbols were beginning to resonate with the spell.

A sound filled the room. Voices. Voices that seemed to be chanting. Over the resonating and the angry shouts of the serpent I couldn't make out what they were saying. Over the din, the serpent raised its voice loud enough for all to hear. "Do not think that this is the end! Evil will always exist in the World of Man! I cannot be stopped!"

The chanting grew louder, drowning out the accursed serpent. I knew it wasn't the end. There would always be evil in the world, but that didn't mean we couldn't slow it down to give the good in men's hearts a chance to flourish.

When the light faded and the dust settled so, too, did the voices. What was left was a silence more deafening than the noise. The nathar sgiathach lay on the cavern floor, its wings folded against its massive body and its tail curled about its body like a cat's. Its breathing was deep and rhythmic and echoed off the walls. The weapons that we had used against it lay on the ground, the wounds we had inflicted upon it now healing. The serpent would sleep for a time. Maybe not forever, but hopefully long enough.

We left in silence, gathering our weapons as we did so. It was over. For now, at least. The balance was restored.

Ichigo came by a few days later in the late afternoon with Renji. It must have been just after school for Ichigo was still in his uniform.

"And what do I owe the honor of this visit?" I asked.

"We came to return your weapons," said Ichigo. He presented his Elvish made sword to me, wrapped in white linen, with the utmost respect. Renji did the same. I accepted the two swords back graciously and placed them reverently next to my bow and Aodhan's kopeshes in my room.

"Thank you for returning them," I said as I returned to the living room.

"Well, they weren't ours to begin with," Ichigo replied in a practical manner.

"Just so. Thank you."

"Where's Aiden?" Renji asked all of a sudden.

I chose my words carefully as I answered. "He's home at the moment." I paused. "We could go meet him. That would also give me the chance to return the weapons to their rightful place."

Ichigo was all smiles and eager looks. "Really?"

"Absolutely. You'll love it."

Renji fairly grinned at me. I'm sure he was remembering his last trip to my realm.

I pointed a finger at him. "You're last," I told him.

I took Ichigo by the hand and took him to Aelovaer first. I left him in Aodhan's care as I returned for the weapons and Renji. I cradled them in my right arm and grasped Renji's hand with my left. We appeared in Aelovaer to find Aodhan entertaining Ichigo with tales of ancient wars between the Elves and Drow, of how the Elves met the nathar sgiathaches, and of the coming of Man. He illustrated each tale with demonstrations and glamore. Aodhan was certainly a grand storyteller.

I left to return the weapons to their sacred place. I offered my thanks to the ones who made them and hoped for their continued assistance if the need should arise again.

I hurried back to see that Ichigo was actively joining in on the storytelling. It looked more like dueling than anything else. But they were all happy and to me that mattered most.

I sat down next to Renji, who was watching the two in amusement. "Sing us a song!" I called out.

Aodhan put a hand to his ear. "What's that I hear? A request?"

"Yes," I laughed. "Now go get your harp and play for us a happy tune and leave Ichigo alone."

Aodhan did as he was bid. He played a festive tune from days gone by and it made my heart soar and ache with the memories.

"The world before the coming of Man," Renji echoed in my ear.

"Yes. I love this place too much to leave. My heart wouldn't be able to take it if I had to."

"Would you-"

"No. If I left, I think I would die from grief." I smiled at Renji. "No more talk of sadness. Twilight approaches and with it will come the Elves. A celebration will be held tonight for the defeat of the nathar sgiathach."

"The same one that we fought?"

"Of course!" I replied with a grin.

When twilight fell, the other Elves came, just as I said. There were no tables or chairs but there was plenty of food, drink, music, and dance. We sang songs of victory and songs of life.

Aodhan somehow managed to get Ichigo to dance with the others. I couldn't tell if he was embarrassed or not. The sight of them laughing gladdened my heart and I jumped up to join them. I turned to offer my hand to Renji.

"No," he told me. "I don't dance," he insisted.

I laughed. After much cajoling and pushing I at least got Renji to stand near the dancing crowd. It was Aodhan who finally got him to join us. I'm not entirely sure how, but he did.

We celebrated into the wee hours of the morning. Long after the pale green moon had risen and set and all but the brightest of the stars had disappeared from the night sky. It had been a most glorious celebration.

I stared up at the sky as dawn came, resting amidst the sweet smelling grass. I closed my eyes with a content smile on my face. It felt good to have friends again. Aodhan and I were no longer alone. We didn't have to hide who we were and feel isolated from the world. All because one boy with orange hair had saved my brother.

"Thank you, Ichigo," I whispered.

"You're welcome," he mumbled in his sleep from the grass somewhere to my right.

I stared up at the stars for a moment longer and closed my eyes. I turned on my side and dreamt.

Fin