Chapter Thirteen

Halo's Test

Rena rolled over onto her back. She stared up at the ceiling of her room. She hadn't been able to sleep at all. She sat up when her door started opening. It was Lucio. - Lucio? What are you doing here? -

"Nothing. I just wanted to see you before you go on your test with...him," Lucio replied.

- Can't you be nice to him? He's really a nice guy. -

"I can't because you two are going to...," Rena stared at him.

- Lucio? What is it? -

"You shouldn't be signing. You're still injured. Hey, let's go outside," Lucio put her right arm back in the sling before taking her left hand and leading her out of her room. Rena watched Lucio's face as she allowed him to lead her where ever his heart desired. What's up with him? He feels so distant right now. Lucio lead Rena outside the castle and stopped in one of the flower gardens. Rena smiled at the small fireflies buzzing around. These fireflies flashed different colors. She preferred them over the fireflies back home.

Rena was brought out of her thoughts when Lucio suddenly put his arms around her. She felt herself blush. Lucio? "Rena..."

Sage wondered outside of the castle. "Now where'd she go?"

He walked into the gardens where he saw Lucio hug Rena. He also saw Lucio pull away from Rena just to lean back in and press his lips to hers. Sage's heart stopped. Part of him wanted to stay and fight for her but his feet turned him around and took him back into the castle.

Rena's eyes widened as Lucio pressed his lips to hers. L-Lucio? He pulled away from her. "Rena, I love you."

Lucio took his hands off her shoulders and walked back into the castle.

"Um...what's going on?" Kento asked as he looked from Sage to Rena to Lucio. All three of them stood off from each other and the air around them was stiff and cold.

"They've been like that since we got up," Ryo said.

"It's time to go," Lira said. "And behave yourself! Just get them to the starting point, give Sir Halo his warning and get back here!"

"Right," Lucio barely replied. "Let's go."

Sage and Rena were engulfed by Lucio's power. They reappeared at the edge of a very dark place. "This place is referred to as Darkness Valley. Halo, your test is to bring light to this place to the center of the valley. Don't let Rena get hurt or else. You have to get to the middle of the valley before the sunrises."

"Right," Sage replied. Neither of the boys were looking at each other.

"Well, see you later then," Lucio said before disappearing.

That's it? I thought he was going to be more upset that I'm with Sage today. And why is Sage being so quiet? Rena began to pull her arm out of the sling.

"Don't do that. You need to heal. Don't use that arm until you are completely healed," Sage ordered but he wasn't looking at her.

But...Sage...What's wrong? Why are you upset with me?

"Let's go," Sage walked up to the edge of the darkness. He stuck his hand in the hallow darkness before him. "No light is penetrating through this wall of darkness at all."

Rena reached out and placed her hand on his arm, trying to get him to look at her. He wouldn't. He just took her hand and lead her into the darkness. Once inside neither of them could see where they were, where they were going or each other. Rena forgot about Sage being upset or whatever with her as fear set in that something could be in here with them and they wouldn't know it until it was too late. Sage could feel her hand tremble in his.

Rena. He suddenly felt guilt about the way he was treating her. He turned and stepped in front of her so quick that she walked right into him. He could feel her confusion and put his arms around her shoulders. "I'm sorry. For being so cold towards you. You don't have to be scared. I won't let anything happen to you. I promise...I will protect you."

Sage. Rena brought her arms up and wrapped them around his waist. She buried her face in his chest as he began to stroke her back. A few seconds later he took her hand and began to walk again. "Come on. We've got to keep going."

Lucio reappeared in front of the castle where Lira was waiting for him. She had her hands on her hips and glared at him. "What did you do?"

"Go away," Lucio said as he passed by her.

"No! Tell me what you did! I know you upset both of them! We can't interfere with their..."

"I know that!" Lucio yelled and turned to glare at her. "I don't care about the rules! I've protected her for her entire live! How can I not have feelings for her? I...I love her and there's nothing that's going to change how I feel!"

Lucio turned and took off into the sky. "Oh, Lucio. I'm sorry. I didn't know your feelings for her went that deep. I know this isn't fair but it's the way things are done. Nothing can change that."

How long have we been walking? Where are we? We could be walking around in circles and not even know it. Rena wondered as her legs began to ache.

"Let's stop for a minute," Sage said as if he read her thoughts. They sat down but didn't let go of the other's hand. As they sat there they felt something began to creep up on them. It wasn't an actual person or a creature. It was their fears and hopelessness they've felt in the past, wether dealing with life or battles.

Sage began to relive ever feeling he had when dealing with the Dynasty. Rena felt her loneliness from being taken away from Kento and Rowen. Then both felt the fears and concerns of being on this mission.

The blackness began to swirl around and formed these thoughts into images like a movie. Rena and Sage's feelings began to pass through each other. Rena felt his pain through the Dynasty episodes while he felt her loneliness. Then it shifted to the here and now. The darkness played out the kiss between Rena and Lucio. That's why he was so upset.

Rena looked over at Sage, he was avoiding looking at her. Not only fears and concern passed between them so did another feeling. A feel that both of them were, unknowingly, scared of admitting they had. It was the feeling of love. They both knew that they shared a special bond with each other but neither really understood how deep those feelings were.

Suddenly the bad feelings began to lash out at them. They were like whips. Snapping out and cracking open their skin. Rena tossed out some energy blast but wasn't doing much good with only one usable arm. Sage crossed his arms to block an attack but it only sent him flying. "Rena! Rena?"

Sage sat up to total darkness again. "Rena!"

His heart began to race as he felt his way though the darkness. "Rena? Where are you?"

No! This can't be happening! I can't loose her! "RENA!" Sage cried out at the same time as the sun began to peak over the horizon. The sunbeams shot right through the dark walls and hit Sage's body. His gem appeared on his circlet. The powers of the sun energized him and he shot out a bunch of light, pushing the darkness away. "Rena?"

Sage looked to his left to see Rena. She was lying on the ground. He ran over to her and lifted her into his arms. "Rena?"

He calmed down to noticed that she was only sleeping and there were no whip marks on her anywhere or on him. "What it just a dream? No. Those feelings we felt were real. That means...me and Rena are really in lo..."

Sage blushed as he remembered the feelings of love that passed between them. He blushed harder when Rena stirred in her sleep. "Rena?"

She opened her eyes. Sage?

"Yeah. I'm here," Sage replied while he tried to force his embarrassment away.

Sage, I don't feel so good.

"Huh? You do look a little flushed," Sage placed his hand on her forehead. "You have a fever. We should get you back to the castle."

Rena nodded as Sage looked around. Which way was the castle? Sage picked Rena up in his arms and stood up just as Lira appeared to them. "Lira? Where's Lucio?"

"Uh...he...won't be coming. I'll take you back to the castle," Lira said then took them home.

"Alright! Last test passed!" Kento cheered as they arrived.

"She alright?" Cye asked.

"Yeah. Just a bit of a fever," Sage replied before taking her to her room.

"That's not surprising. She hasn't gotten much sleep since these tests started," Mia said.

Sage walked alone, but for White Blaze, as he carried Rena to her room. He sat down on the bed and watched her sleep. Rena. I guess...we're going to have to talk. We need to get our feelings out in the open. But...Lucio...he has feelings for you too. I know you have feelings for him too. I mean, how could you not? He's been watching over you for such a long time. I really don't know what to do but I won't make you choose between us. If you want to be with Lucio then I'll be happy for you. That's all I want, is for you to be happy.

Notes: SOOO SORRY! I know I haven't updated in sooo long! ^.^' I got sidetracked by another fanfic I was writing. I'm done with that one and going to hold off on its sequel until I get caught up on this fanfic. I'm loosing a steam for this fanfic, however. I've decided to combine some of the remaining chapters so I can get this fanfic done and not have to abandon it. Again SOOOOO SORRY! Love you all for being so patient in waiting for the update.