A/N- First thing, I'm sorry! I've had unexpected and expected trips, small writer's blocks, and just an overall busy life. Second, this end is near. I'm looking at two, maybe three more chapters. It all depends on how much I decide to put in…
Dertupio- Thanks! I hope you like this chapter just as much as the others too!
Sunny38- There's a twist, but no one is seriously injured… wait… let me take that back. Someone does get seriously injured, but you'll have to read on to find out.
serenity11287- Glad you liked it!
Neo-Queen Serenity- I know it wasn't fast, but here's some more. This should end your suffering about some of the tension that I have been building up. Sorry about how slow I updated.
Silver Moon Goddess1- Hm… you'll just have to read to find out.
Milkshakelvr- She has no direct defending power, but she does have some tricks up her sleeve.
cosmoscrystal96- I'll work on one of your requests at a time…
Lady Tristana Rogue- I'm not going to tell you here. You just have to read and find out!
Serena smiled at her mother before stepping back from everyone. She closed her eyes and her face tightened in concentration. A pair of wings appeared on her back, but instead of feathers the wings were made of flowing fire. When Serena reopened her eyes the same fire that created her wings was burning brightly in her eyes. Serena gave her mother one last smile before running out of the tent and flying into the air. Selene stepped outside of the tent and watched her daughter soar into the clouds. "Molly, please come here." Selene called softly. Molly silently walked up next to Selene and watched as the last of the wings disappeared among the clouds. "I want you to follow her. I just want you to watch her and make sure that she does not do anything stupid, which she is sometimes prone to do."
"Of course." Molly said. She had been drinking some water and eating fruit as Serena pleaded with her mother and then formed her wings. The fruit's sugars gave her some energy that was mixed with the refreshing water. Molly quickly transformed back into an owl and flew off to find Serena.
"You get used to people changing once you are around it long enough." Selene said with a smile. She knew the guards were still not used to it. They were young so the persecutions that forced magical creatures to leave were probably ending if not over when they were born. "Please tell me when there is any sign of Molly or Serena."
"Of course my lady." The guards said. Selene gave each a tired smile before walking into the tent and laying down on the bed.
Meanwhile Serena was quickly flying above the clouds so none of the soldiers would see her. She landed in a tall pine tree in the center of the forest. Luckily the forest's trees were close enough to each other that Serena could easily jump from tree to tree using their branches. She could hear the war as she got closer. When she got close enough to the battle that elves might be lurking in the trees she slowed down and watched each tree before moving on. When she finally made it to the edge of the battle she stopped and sat down on a branch. Even though the leaves were close together and were touching Serena and her wingsAs Serena watched she was able to spot Darien and Diamond fighting towards the middle of the fields. Both men looked tired and seemed to be wearing down, but neither was going to give up anytime soon. To Serena the rest of the battle disappeared as she watched the two men fight in the middle. Serena leaned down on the tree's trunk and sighed as she watched the fight.
Darien lunged at Diamond and even though it looked like he would hit the other man, Diamond jumped out of the way and swung his sword down. Diamond hit Darien's arm, making Serena wince as she watched. Darien fell to the ground and Serena could tell that Diamond was laughing as he approached the fallen man. Serena saw Diamond chiding Darien. He grabbed his sword and raised it above his head. Serena's breath caught and she stood up, nearly falling out of the tree.
"NO! Darien!" Serena screamed. She didn't care that men fighting near the forest still could have heard her. She let her large fire wings expand out and pushed off of the branch. She rushed over to the center of the battle where Diamond was getting ready to slam his sword into Darien's body. Without thinking Serena materialized a ball of fire and sent it flying right into Diamond.
"Why do you still fight King Darien? My men are far more experienced than yours." Diamond chided as he swung his blade at Darien only for it to be blocked.
"We still fight for what we believe in!" Darien yelled. He gathered strength in his muscles and threw Diamond and his sword off of him. Darien thought he saw an opportunity to get Diamond so he lunged at him, but Diamond quickly side stepped him. As Darien's tried to stop his feet as he passed the other King, Diamond turned around and slashed his arm. Darien fell to the ground, losing his sword in the process.
"Let's see how well you fight for your cause when you are a helpless lump of cold, rotting flesh!" Diamond laughed. He raised his sword above his head, but before he could bring it down an orange and red ball slammed into his hands. Diamond instantly dropped his sword, but Darien moved out of the way so he wouldn't get caught under it when it fell. Diamond was leaning over his hand as Darien got up and Serena was just landing. Serena immediately ran over to Darien and wrapped her arms around him. Darien tried not to lean down on her, but knew he was a bit from a few injuries.
"So your little whore decided to show up?" Diamond sneered as he looked up. "She won't be able to protect you forever Darien. Especially when she's dead." Diamond grabbed his sword and lunged at the couple. Serena held onto Darien and expanded her wings. Before Diamond could get to the couple Serena had jumped up. She was currently holding Darien to her as she hovered above Diamond's head.
"Serena, put me down." Darien said. Serena looked at him with wide, surprised eyes and opened her mouth to say something when Darien placed a finger on her mouth. "I need to finish this. Diamond has harassed my people long enough."
"He persecuted my people as well!" Serena whined.
"Please Sere, put me down. Let me do this." Serena nodded slowly and lowered the two of them to the ground. Darien grabbed his sword and gave Serena quick kiss before turning his attention to Diamond who had a face distorted with disgust.
"Are you two done now?" Diamond asked.
"Serena, go back to the forest." Darien asked. Serena didn't want to leave Darien, but knew if she stayed she'd just be a distraction for Darien which would give Diamond the advantage. Instead of going back to the forest Serena just rose above the fight. She flew a bit away from where Darien and Diamond were about to finish their fight before stopping to watch. Diamond and Darien resumed their attacks and blocks. The interlude that Serena had made had given both men rest so they were fighting better than at the end of the previous fight. Serena watched as Darien started loosing, then winning, then loosing. The fight went back and forth for another half hour. Serena's wings were getting tired, but Serena wanted to stay close just in case she had to go back into the fight. Finally Darien flung Diamond's sword away from his opponent and lunged at the other king. Before Darien's sword was plunged into Diamond, Serena sent a spiraling column of fire at the sword, enveloping it in the fire. Darien shoved the fire sword into Diamond and twisted it once it had gone all the way through. Diamond's eyes were wide as he fell to the ground. Darien reclaimed his now warm sword and watched as his enemy fell to the ground.
"Darien!" Serena exclaimed. She flew back to where Darien was panting hard and leaning on his sword. As she landed she brought her wings back into her body and became the normal human woman as before. Serena hugged him and saw him wince. "Sorry, we need to get you to a doctor."
"There's still a war going on Serena." Darien panted. He finally looked around and saw only a few men still fighting.
"Excuse me, King Darien? I am General Nicolas. These elves are under my command. Most of Diamond's men are dead, but a few have fled into the forest. Will you like me and my men to go after them?" Darien thought about the offer for a moment. His generals were also gathering with the others and waited for Darien to make his decision.
"Not now. Get the injured to doctors and gather the dead. I want a group of men who are not badly injured to go back to Diamond's camp. I want it burned and then the men to return instantly. If they see anyone, kill them." Darien said. Jadeite and Malachite nodded before leaving to gather them men to take to the camp. Nephrite and Serena helped Darien walk to the end of the field where his horse was waiting. Darien got on and Serena jumped on behind him.
"Serena, how were you able to lift me up in the air back there? I'm at least twice as heavy as you, probably three times!" Darien exclaimed.
"It's part of being a phoenix, or even a supernatural being. We have been blessed with extra strength, but we've been able to learn how to use it only when it's needed. That way I can hold a crystal chalice and I won't break it instantly." Serena explained.
"I see." Darien said simply. As they reached the temporary camp they were greeted by Serena's mother as well as Molly.
"It is good to see you alive King Darien. I do not know what would happen to my daughter if you had not survived." Selene said. Darien opened his mouth to say something, but Selene continued. "But then again, you had help. Serena, I told you not to get involved in the actual battle again! I told you to stay in the trees and just watch. Though I believe it is a good thing you did get involved. Otherwise you would probably not still be here." Serena looked at her mother with a flabbergasted look. Serena got off of the horse followed by Darien.
"Owls have a silent flight." Molly said with a smile.
"Now, let's get you two cleaned up, as well as the others. Molly and I will be helping with the injured. I'm surprised Serena has not passed out yet since she's had her wings out almost all day, far longer than most do. Go clean up Serena then get some sleep. I will have food for you. Only after you've eaten and had some sleep will I let you return to Darien." Selene said. Serena looked at the ground, but nodded.
"I will see you soon." Darien said. He bent down and gave Serena kiss before walking off, followed by Nephrite and Zoicite. Charles stayed behind and started talking with Selene about everything that had happened.