Author's Note: Sorry was very busy this month in RL, but I've gotten the chapter done. This will focus heavily on Roxy and Naaza for most of the chapter. Also because I forgot to say this earlier thank you to zaber999, and for following and favoriting this story. It is always greatly appreciated.

Disclaimer: I don't own Ronin Warriors or Winx Club

Warning: Violence.

Chapter 30) Devotion

The flash of light faded allowing both Naaza and Roxy to see again. Shu and Stella were gone and there were two many paths that they could travel down. Each options seemed darker than before when Roxy looked between the four openings, and thanks to the mouth of the cave closing the only light came from the glowing runes. Roxy's wings chimed as she flew closer to each option trying to peer down them.

"Roxy… We should hurry to find Stella and Hardrock." Naaza said and Roxy nodded gliding back closer to the youngest of the warlords.

"How? I'm not sure which path to even start with." Roxy said and she landed by him and Naaza hummed obviously stuck on the same problem. He like Anubis had hunted and toyed with the ronin when they first battled but there was an energy they could trace that was unique. Here there was so much energy pure, good, evil, tainted that he couldn't find the one that was Shu and Stella. There wasn't even any sounds from the two echoing down any of the paths. At this point it would be guessing while his brothers and Lady Kayura were in danger. Naaza hadn't even realized he growled in frustration until Roxy touched his arm.

"We'll find them, and get back to everyone." Roxy smiled and Naaza's face soften. Roxy was a special girl he couldn't deny that. She was a friend to him, and his student. The bond he felt for her was much like what he felt for Lady Kayura.

"You are right… But I am at a lost as how to find Hardrock." Naaza said his eyes scanning over their choices. He raised an eyebrow as he felt Roxy's fingers grip the hard metal glove over his own hand.

"Well then hopefully luck will be on our side." Roxy said trying to smile but Naaza could see the worry in her dark blue eyes. She loved her friends and comrades like Lady Kayura did. Naaza glanced to his side where Roxy flew beside him as they raced down the central right path. There would be no telling if it was the right one but they needed to take this gamble. They couldn't leave Shu and Stella alone but they needed to join their friends in the city.

Roxy's mind was also racing wondering why this being lead them here. Could it have somehow been a trap? If so how could they have missed it? Yet as these doubting and dangerous thoughts filled her head she could only focus more on finding Stella and Shu, flying faster and faster. She didn't even realise that know she was ahead of Naaza. She just didn't want anything bad to befall any of her friends. She also wanted to prove that she was just as strong and wouldn't be a burden to her friends.

"Roxy!" Naaza yelled grabbing her wrist and pulling her back just as an energy ball collided with the stone wall. He then took the lead into the large opening drawing two of his six poisonous blades. Roxy landed with her back to his trying to see what had attacked them and nearly taken her head off.

"Naaza I don't see anyone." Roxy whispered her voice echoing off the dark stones. Why did it seem so dark suddenly. Something was very wrong Roxy could feel it.

"They're here… I know they are." Naaza assured her keeping his guard up and his senses opened to any hint of where their attacker could be. The only sounds in the air were the steady drips of water, and the sounds of their breathing and feet shifting over the rocky ground. The darkness was almost rivaling what his brother could create, and it was making the tiny hairs on the back of his neck stand up. Something was very wrong.

Boom! The crash of an explosion left Naaza's ears ringing, and eyes blinded by a brilliant light for a moment. He couldn't even speak the curse on his tongue before a blade pushed by his swords, the metal scrapping over the armor before sinking deep into his flesh. The pain blinded him to the exact spot and yet his nerves were on fire feeling the second and third blades before they even pierced him. His eyes barely focused his breath stuck choking him, as the gleeful grin of someone registered before he collided with the ground. No he couldn't die this way. Naaza growled listening for Roxy but he couldn't hear her. He tried to reached for his dropped sword as the being over him raised their own blade again.

Light exploded tossing Roxy against the wall of the cave, her cry piercing the air as pain erupted through her back and head. Still the young fairy refused to be down for the count. Her fingers curled against the dirt and pebbles of the cave floor as she pushed herself up. She groaned as her head throbbed and her ears rang. She could feel a warm sensation slowly sliding over her neck. A faint sound that Roxy couldn't identify drew her gaze to the left and fear started to take its course. Her heart pounded and her wings flared, as she scrambled to push herself off the ground lunging into the air.

Roxy's scream of rage was enough to draw a moment of the beings attention away from Naaza though her magical blast was easily knocked away by the beings sword. Still Roxy didn't pause her charge, as the being lifted their blade to strike as the dazed and injured warlord. Roxy didn't even need to think as she flew between the two Naaza's venomous sword in her hand.

"Argh!" Roxy cried out. The force of the swing had knocked her to the ground her feet landing close to Naaza. "Leave him alone!" Roxy demanded and twisted the sword before thrusting the blade forward. The being was suddenly gone leaving Roxy stunned and blinking wildly. She didn't think to look around for their attacker, instead Roxy was down on the ground trying to lift Naaza enough to get his arm around her shoulder.

"Come on, just hold on and we'll get out of here." Roxy promised and she could see that Naaza's eyes were on her. He was conscious so that was good, and despite the grunt of pain she was able to help him to his feet. It took all the strength she had not to be crushed under him and the armor as he was leaning on her.

"Head to the wall." Naaza gritted out through clenched teeth, his hand weakly holding the sword that hadn't been dropped. Roxy groaned but with a little more effort and probably adrenaline pumping through her body she was able to help Naaza move closer to the wall, his sword still in her hand. "Roxy look out!" Naaza shouted and Roxy slipped away and lifted the blade in defense.

"Aahh!" Roxy cried out as another blast knocked the two of them into the wall, Roxy mostly hitting Naaza instead of the rock. Roxy ignored the screaming pain in her hands, side, and head to look over Naaza. His beady eyes were barely focused, and his grip going slack. "Naaza! Naaza, please be okay." Roxy begged her hands trying to steady him as he waffled between consciousness. Roxy felt tears touching her eyes and without thinking she drew another one of his swords and stood defensively in front of him. "Don't worry I'll protect us." Roxy stated but it wasn't so much to Naaza as to herself. She'd never been alone in a fight, and she was the weakest of the winx not having her mythix transformation. As she readied herself a being of soft pink energy and sparking fairy wings lowered itself down hovering just off the ground now.

"Young daughter step away from this vile cretin." It demanded and Roxy lifted the swords. She exhaled slowly and widened her stance recalling every word of advice Naaza had given her.

"Don't call him that! Naaza isn't some beast, he's my friend." Roxy yelled her voice echoing off the stone a bit.

"Very well then." The being's voice was cold and hard. "By the last duty bestowed to me, I will not let this half breed live." The being stated as energy crackled through the air and into the ground. Stone soldiers stepped out of the walls and lifted up out of the ground. Roxy gulped as she saw that there was at least twenty of these stone warriors each with a weapon in hand. "Will you truly defend him, injure as you are? He isn't an innocent, he's a killer and beast. One who toyed with his opponents and took pleasure from their suffering."

"I don't care! You're not taking my friend!" Roxy yelled dodging away from an overhead swing and then brought Naaza's sword down against the stone warriors arm. It was a surprise when there was a hiss in the air and Roxy watched the stone melt around the blade of Naaza's sword. With another swing the first of the soldiers crumpled to the ground. Each time she swung, her mind was replaying the instructions that Anubis, and Naaza had given her. Balance your guard and attack, don't swing with the blade, but think of it as your arm. Roxy winced as pain shot through her arm as the sword in her hand blocked a simple thrust from one of the stone warriors. With every moment, every movement she was finding it harder and harder to breath.

"Nnaghh!" Roxy yelled out as she was pushed back coming closer to Naaza. No she couldn't lose ground, she had to protect Naaza. Her hands were shaking and pain sparked constantly through her fingers and arms. Another swing and the red venom on the blade lifted up into the air and landed on Roxy's leg. "Agh, Naaza please hold on. Stella and Shu are here somewhere…" Roxy panted her vision doubling for a moment.

"Even if you win he will perish from those wounds. Surrender and allow for a merciful death of the vile creature." The being taunted calling more stone warriors. "Even now his true nature is shown. The very weapons you try to defend him with are killing you." The being declared and Roxy was finding it hard to argue as venom dripped down the blades more. Roxy only narrowed her eyes at the soldiers, and reaffirmed her grip on the deadly weapons. She couldn't! She wouldn't leave Naaza. He wasn't like Shin always understanding, or like Rajura elegant with words, but he was a good man! He cared for his friends, he cared for her friends. It wasn't in what he said but how he paid attention, how he took the time to help her grow stronger. He respected her request not to be called a princess, he never talked about how he had to protect her, and encouraged her during their training.

"Young daughter no more pain has to come to you just give up and walk away. Whatever you believe this half breed isn't worth your life."

"YOU'RE WRONG!" Roxy screamed. She didn't want to hear another word! It wasn't right, or fair! "Naaza is my friend. I don't care how you see him or what he's done! I know he's a good man, and I'll die before I let you hurt him anymore!" Roxy swung the sword cutting through another stone soldier. The next swing she missed and the venomous sword knocked out of her hand.

"If you do not move aside you will die for this cretin." The being stated and Roxy glared at it. How could this thing look like a fairy, it wasn't kind. If anything it reminded Roxy of how the earth fairies had been when they were consumed by vengeance.

"Stop calling him that! I will give my life for any of my friends!" Roxy screamed taking off the head of another and finally she had a clear shot at the being. She wouldn't lose her allie, her teacher, her friend! Naaza, Anubis, Rajura, they'd saved them from the dynasty and she had to repay him. She couldn't leave him. She couldn't leave any of them. Not to save herself. They meant to much to her. Roxy's body trembled with determination, a force in her howling. Clawing at her just below the her skin.

Roxy screamed out as she pushed her free hand forward conjuring a barrier to protect them. Light enveloped her, flowing through her and replacing her torn and bloody outfit with a new one, her wings changing and hair being lifted to a new style. Most of her hair lifted off her neck a braid twisting around a bun before falling down loose. Her signature blonde tipped strands that framed her face still hung loose as well. A jeweled tiara rested now her head with brightly colored feather hanging from the edge as well as mixing with her loose hair. Light green fabric covered her right arm from fingertips to her upper arm. Her left hand was covered with a shorter light green glove and both gloves had silver metal patterning the back of her hands weaving down her fingers till it gathered in sharp claws on each hand. The top was cream and dark green that split open right under her bust line and the hem had small brown and gold feathers. The top had no straps but she was now wearing beaded necklaces with different animal fangs and claws. A slanted, skirt with a torn and jagged bottom hem was around her waist. It was a beautiful deep brown with this torn edges being a bright yet deep emerald green. The leather boots that came up to her knees looked similar to Lady Kayura's boots with a small heel and sturdy leather meant for combat. A belt also was around her hips, slanting down in the opposite direction of the skirt. The belt was made of three metal chains woven together and feathers hanging off the end.

As the transformation finished Roxy could feel more power than ever before. She could hear Naaza's faltering shallow breaths. It seemed her transformation had caught the being off guard and that was fine by Roxy. She pointed both arms before her and could hear her magic telling her what to do. "Eagle's Talon!" Roxy yelled and the from her hands a bright energy burst forth. The spell took the form of three eagles and each of them tore through the stone warriors before heading to the being at the center of the room. While the being dispelled to of the magic eagles the last one tore by it ripping through its arm and wing. The being cried in pain and moaned as the wounds started to heal on their own.

"You truly will protect him with your life?... Though this being isn't worth your devotion?" It questioned and Roxy only glared at it before moving closer to Naaza her hand touching his armor. "You are just as foolish as she was young daughter… I pray you do not share her fate, and that this moment is worth it." The being said before bowing. "Farewell." With that it disappeared and Roxy turned to Naaza.

Roxy quickly helped Naaza to the ground. She couldn't wait for the others there had to be something she could do. She was thankful to hear him groan as she moved him and choked on relief as he glanced to her. Roxy watched him tried to get up but she gently pushed him back down.

"You can't get up. I need to stop the bleeding." Roxy told him. She pressed her hands down over the gashes in his armor hoping somehow the pressure would help slow the bleeding. Yet she was finding it hard to keep up the pressure, as her body felt like it was on fire. Her vision was blurry for a bit after every time she blinked. There had to be something she could do. Roxy squeezed her eyes shut wishing that she had been able to use fairy dust unaware of the energy flowing off her. Opening her eyes again Roxy felt woozy and for a moment her vision was still black even though she knew her eyes were open. Yet the more she tried to think of a way to save him the more time was slipping by.

"No." Roxy gasped as the armor faded away from around Naaza. When had he closed his eyes? She couldn't recall. Her arms trembled as she tried to focus to see if he was breathing. He wasn't… No. No she had to do something! Her eyes were closed and her mind and magic focused on trying to save her friend. The bits of dust that had fallen from her wings swirled around her. The dust drew a light from her causing her whole body to glow. Her hair lifted up floating freely as the pink magic colored and lit up her form and washed over the warlord of venom.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~(Scene Change)~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Stella sighed with relief and couldn't help but stretch out as they exited the cave and were finally back in the sun light. She still was staying close to Shu and by the furrowing of his brows she could gather that he was talking with the others. Stella tapped her lip and tried to open up her mind like Ryo had told her when they worked together on the link. She tried to hear their voices.

~-split from Roxy and Naaza. I think we were teleported.~ Shu's voice held a bit of worry.

~What's going on?~ Stella asked and nearly wished she hadn't as she felt the flood of worry and anger rolling off of Anubis's thoughts.

~We couldn't reach any of you and we still can't reach Roxy and Naaza.~ Rajura explained but his usually calm soft voice trembled with worry.

~We're almost to you two, so stay put and we'll all go together to find Roxy and Naaza.~ Ryo stated. ~At this point we stick together and find them quickly.~

Stella could feel the minds of the guys pull away and she turned her gaze back toward the cave they'd broken out of. Was Roxy in danger? What about Naaza? Were the two even together? Worry over took the moment of joy that she'd felt at learning something that might help them with this new power. Stella wrapped her arms around herself and looked up to the sky. The sun shining down like there wasn't a care in the world. It just didn't seem to fit. She looked over to Shu and was surprised to see his fist shaking. Stella moved closer to him, watching him as he glared holes into the ground.

"Shu." Stella said softly her hands covering his fist. The way he jumped at the touch shocker her.

"Ah man. Sorry Stel, I just.. I don't like just waiting! I don't want anything to happen to Roxy or Naaza! This isn't right!" Shu dropped his gaze again his voice shaking from the tension and his own feelings. Stella blinked and recalled something Shin had confessed to her on Solaria, a smiling coming to her face.

"I know, but we're going to help them together!" Stella said and while Shu relaxed a bit it seemed something more was bothering him. Still when he looked at her he'd plastered a grin on his face and nodded.

"You're right, I just hope they don't take to long." Shu muttered his eyes glancing back to the horizon filled with worry.

Thankfully Stella was right, even if the wait felt like forever it had only been a few minutes maybe ten at most. The girls quickly conjured spells to light the dark cave, and Kayura summoned back the ancients staff the decor on top glowing as the rings chimed. The further into the cave they travelled the more Bloom noticed that Seiji's armor and sword were glowing too. It made sense since Halo was suppose to be connected to light but it was different to see it. Even more shocking was that his eyes were glowing too. They moved quickly though everyone was on guard. Unlike when Shu and Stella walked this path they could feel eyes on them. As they approached the a large opening Seiji stopped and even held out his arm making Aisha, and Ryo pause. Most eyes turned to Seiji, and Touma even moved closer to his friend. Yet the girls watched as a ripple of confusion washed over Ryo's and Shin's face.

"The link…." Shin breathed looking to Seiji.

"Somethings is blocking our connection to each other, which may explain why we can't reach Naaza."

"Really? Can something do that?" Musa asked looking to Ryo and Touma. Sadly neither of them had any idea on how it could happen.

"So then Roxy and Naaza could be fine?" Stella ventured in a hopeful tone.

"Yes but there's something more." Rajura said slowly pulling his weapon. "Look there." He pointed and faintly the group could see runes moving over the rocks.

"Why doesn't it come closer? Or activate?" Tecna wondered. She was staring at the moving runes trying to memorize them so she could ask miss Faragonda about them.

"Hey those look like the things that were all over the room that being was in!" Stella pointed out drawing everyone's attention to Shu and herself.

"Yeah, so why do did it work then and not now?" Shu wondered.

"I believe it can't." Kayura stated gingerly shifting her grip on the ancients staff, the rings still chiming away. "We can continue just don't leave the light of the staff." Everyone nodded and the group shifted closer. The paths of the weaved and wound leading the group to darker and darker places, wet and cold. The dripping of water on the floor echoed as much as the rustling of their armors. Among the dripping, the rustling and even the chiming of the winx's wings Musa stopped hearing something almost to faint for her ears.

"Guys wait!" Musa called. She closed her eyes trying to focus on just the sounds. Light breath, a whispered plea, and chiming close but it wasn't in the same cavern. Musa opened her eyes looking around and Tecna was quick to move her spell of illumination over the walls for Musa. There were no paths but Musa knew what she had heard. "They're on the other side of this wall." Musa declared.

"Are you sure?" Anubis asked in haste.

"Piece of cake then."

"No Shu." Seiji stepped in. "We don't know if knocking down the wall will hurt them."

"But we may not have a choice." Ryo pointed out.

"Can we first try Stella's staff? Even if she can only take a few with her?" Rajura asked his concern for Roxy and Naaza every clear even with the mask down over his face.

"It's worth a shot." Bloom piped up and Stella nodded.

"I think I can get everyone, and I think I won't need the ring of Solaria." Stella smiled as she vaguely remembered fighting with Shin underwater. "Teleportis!" Stella called yellow energy surrounding her hands before shooting forward three feet and spreading out to form an archway. As Stella focused on holding it open Seiji and Flora made their way through first and were quickly followed by everyone else, with Kayura and Stella being the last through. Stella nearly collapsed catching herself by placing her hands on her knees. The deep breaths she took shook with exhaustion and Stella couldn't help but feel light headed.

The girls and the ronin were shocked by the scene before them. They silently observed the pink glow of magic around Roxy for a moment. The warlord's were first to recover attempting to rush over to the scene only to be caught by Shu, Touma and Seiji while Ryo and Shin caught Lady Kayura. They were worried and the three ronin understood that but they also know that Seiji and the fairies should be first over to tend to any wounds.

The blood on Naaza's armor the way he wasn't moving it had all of them fearing the worst. None of the fairies could believe their eyes and Stella couldn't help the swell of guilt in her. Was this her fault for trying to follow the being waving to her. But it had spoken with her and Shu, peacefully why was Naaza hurt. Musa was almost shaking as she watched Flora and Seiji, the fairy dust carrying a light glow over Naaza and Roxy, while the armor of Halo lit up green with energy. The second the pink glow started to fade the group rest of the group rushed to Roxy and Naaza. Tecna and Bloom were first to notice how injured Roxy was and started to heal her with their fairy dust. Even more shocking was Roxy's transformation, and how much it was like Stella's but vastly different too.

A gasping cough wrecked Naaza's body as Saiji finished healing Naaza as best he could. He could feel the strain on his own mind quickly setting in, his pain was noticed by a few and with Shin and Touma he was able to tell them to stay quiet for now. With Flora the last to notice his pain he just took her hand in his, his eyes conveying enough for her to smile in understanding.

"Guys something's wrong. Roxy's burning up!" Tecna stated as she held Roxy's barely conscious body. The young earth fairy's breath was labored and a fine layer of sweat covered her face.

"It's…. Poison." Naaza said against harsh breath as he struggled to sit up.

"Naaza, stop-"

"Quiet Halo. Poisons are my specialty, especially the poison from my snake fang swords." Naaza pointed out and Seiji sighed and helped the still injured warlord up instead. Even if he was still injured and still in pain he alone knew the most about poisons and the anti-venom needed. His entire torso throbbed with pain and the armor felt tight, practically constricting as moved about. "Lay her down. Flora with your power of nature can you grow plants?" Naaza asked and Flora nodded giving the warlord her full attention and power if need be to save Roxy.

"Come, we should step back." Rajura said with a calmness that was betrayed by his furrowed brow.

"But… We should help." Stella offered weakly as Shu was guiding her away.

"There is nothing we can do but let Naaza make the anti venom, with Flora's help." Shin said but even his voice was distant as he watched Naaza work with Flora.

"Seiji, can't you just heal her?" Tecna asked and Seiji shook his head.

"I've used the sword of Halo to cure blindness caused by the venom but that was through the light of the blade lifting the darkness. My power to heal through Halo works for broken bones, gashes, cuts, and physical wounds. Venom, diseases and curses are beyond my ability." Seiji explained, yet as he finished a sigh left his lips and his gaze hardened.

"What's wrong Halo." Anubis asked noting the tension on his rival.

"Naaza's still severely injured. His breathing is still labored, and I know I didn't close all of the wounds." Seiji stated folding his arms. "He still needs to be treated himself."

"Believe me when I say I know, but our younger brother is right, Halo. He is the only one that knows venoms well enough to aid Roxy." Rajura said and the winx girls couldn't help but understand how powerless the ronin felt, because they felt the same way. One thing caught Aisha's mind as Rajura called Naaza our younger brother… Did that mean Anubis viewed Naaza as a brother too? Was Kayura family to them? She had questions that should have been asked but hadn't, and she wanted to know so she could help them, comfort them, and fully understand her new friends.

"She'll be stable till we can… get proper medicine...back.." Naaza had finished giving Roxy an anti venom and she was out of immediate danger but he could barely breath and was close to passing out again. With Roxy safe and back in her civilian clothes the ronin and the winx moved back to the group. Anubis barely reached Naaza before the warlord of venom fell back into unconsciousness. Seiji was over by them immediately picking up healing Naaza where he had left off. The green glow from his power seemed to bud over Naaza and by the time Seiji was finished his eyes held a look of shock.

"Seiji." Flora asked placing her hand on his shoulder. She jumped slightly as he let the armor of Halo fade away and a familiar pain crossed his features.

"We should head back. Rajura you grab Seiji, I'll take Roxy and Shu can you get Naaza?" Ryo ordered and the group nodded.

~Guys… Naaza… He shouldn't have been.~ Seiji's voice was so low Stella almost missed it.

~Stop there Halo I don't want to hear you speak it.~ The sharpness in Anubis's sharp cut like his sword and Stella gasped and bumped into Bloom.

"Stella?" Bloom asked the winx looking at her but her gaze wasn't on them it was on the ronin and the warlords. Stella couldn't believe what she was hearing and it made her wonder if learning about this power was worth it. How could so much danger be surrounding them already, when it seemed like this was the beginning. Most of the Ronin and warlords had started to walk out of the cave with Lady Kayura leading them, but Stella didn't move. Worried for her the winx closed around her and Bloom touched her shoulder. Shin and Touma walked over to the winx and Touma motioned for them to follow.

"Stella it's okay." Shin said reaching out to touch her arm.

"But Naaza…. Did he really?" Stella asked looking fairly white and worrying the other girls.

"Yes, from what we'd been able to gather I believe Naaza was dead, even if it was for a moment. I think Seiji was able to help him because of Roxy, but we can't confirm that until both Naaza and Roxy are fully recovered and ready to talk." Touma elaborated and the following stares of shock were expected since they girls hadn't heard or felt what Stella had.

"We weren't even separated for that long…. How did this happen?" Tecna stated feeling more at a lose and Touma and Shin exchanged concerned looks.

"If this is what we have to go through to learn about this power…. I don't want it." Stella said shaking her head and dropping to her civilian clothes. At this point Bloom had wrapped her arm around Stella's shoulder and pulled her friend close as they walked trying to comfort her.

"Stella… Believe me when I say no one will understand that statement as much as I do." Shin said and the girls looked over at him. "I hate violence, the idea of fighting always made me uneasy. But it is the love I have for my family and friends that has made me realise that the sacrifices we suffer are worth it." Shin said and Stella's lip trembled. "I know this fight and anything that goes with it can feel like the worst thing in the world, but it is easier when the burden is shared." Shin smiled.

"But…"

"What if someone dies?" Touma finished for Stella and she somberly nodded. Her fear of pain was echoed on the faces of the other winx. After all they were still healing from their heartbreak, and all were aware that their fairy dust wasn't working as well as it should. "It is a real threat sure, but I promise none of us are going to go down without a fight."

"Or at least taking Arago with us." Rajura chimed in and the winx girls lifted their gaze to see the smiles from each of them, expect Naaza who was still unconscious.

"We will all make it through this together." Kayura said and Stella dried her eyes and nodded.

"Together." Musa echoed softly as the group started to leave again. Yet the whispering of a voice on the wind made her stop and look back over her shoulder. It had been too quick and soft for her to hear, and with the light of Kayura's staff fading Musa knew she couldn't stay there. Maybe they would have to come back here, after everyone was well.