The Maiden of Light

A/N- Here is Chapter 5 guys! Enjoy and please review!

CHAPTER 5

Mai, Naru and Ayako walked around Assyria for a full twenty minutes just to find an inn to rest for today until the evening of tomorrow. Naru and Ayako tried to find an inn somewhere along the streets while Mai kept her head down, not even uttering a single word. That was very unusual for Mai not to speak, because whenever there was silence, Mai would break it with a single, happy word. But something was different.

And Naru noticed that too.

Suddenly, Ayako cried, "Ah! There's an inn there! It's right next to the main square!" As she pointed to the designated place. Naru sighed in relief.

But Mai did not say anything.

As soon as they went inside the inn, Ayako paid for the finances and the innkeeper showed them to their room. After, the innkeeper left. The room was neat, tidy and organized. Even though it looked small, it can actually fit five people inside. There were five beds, two windows that overlooked the village, a bathroom, and a bookshelf placed near the windows. There was also a ladder that led to the roof, for sightseeing purposes.

"Oh my gosh! This is so awesome!" Ayako cried as she dropped herself onto a bed. Naru made a small smile and motioned Mai to come in. Mai hesitated and instantly climbed the ladder to the rooftop. Naru and Ayako were puzzled.

"What's with Mai?" Ayako asked as she sat up. Naru shrugged. But secretly he knew the reason why.

It had something to do with the fountain incident.

Mai curled herself up on the rooftop. Tears seem to fall from her eyes as she buried her face on her knees.

What can I do to help my friends? Mai thought. Naru always saved me and what's in return? Nothing. I feel so useless. Mai instantly cried.

Yet, a gentle voice spoke to her, "You were never useless Mai." It was, as expected, her twin.

"What are you talking about? If I wasn't useless, I wouldn't put Naru in danger!" Mai cried with a sudden outburst of anger. She wept.

"But you helped them. You helped him. He didn't think you were a failure now, did he?" the twin answered and smiled. Mai looked at her and smiled.

"Feeling better?" the twin asked. Mai nodded.

"Good. Well, I will see you soon Mai." the twin vanished. Mai was left bedazzled.

Mai rushed downstairs to the room. Naru was obviously reading books about magical history while Ayako looked out the window. Then, as she looked at them, Naru made a small smile at her. Ayako suddenly said, "Glad to see you finally come down here." Mai made an embarassed grin. "I needed some time to straighten my thoughts out."

"I finally figured out why one of those men attacked us by the way." Naru instantly said as he returned the book he was reading on the bookshelf. Mai and Ayako crouched on their beds to listen to what Naru was about to say.

"In the fountain, I noticed the elevation go deeper due to the fact that it was unknowingly dug." Naru explained as he got another book for him to read. "I also noticed that a man we encountered in the forest actually hypnotized Mai into the water. To do that, he needed a soul amplifier. To drag her down to the water, they activated a special icon onto the crystal to illuminate her through the waters until she was completely dragged." Then, in an instant, he narrowed his eyes.

"It wasn't the water who needed a special condition, it were the people who worked for a certain organization."

Ayako and Mai were dazzled and astonished. Completely awestruck.

"So that means, it was those men who attacked us in the forest who people come to realize are in charge of the Aquarius fountain legend?" Mai asked. Naru nodded. "Have you heard about the legend?" Mai nodded.

Those men... could they be part of the Paradox the twin was talking about? Mai thought.

"Um, Naru, may I ask you something?" Mai embarassingly asked as she played with her fingers.

"Go ahead." Naru answered as he kept on reading his book.

Mai took the opportunity, "Who were the Paradox?"

Ayako's eyes grew wide as she stared at Mai. Naru instantly closed his book and looked at her intently. Mai felt nervous.

"The Paradox is a worldwide organization known for biologically experimenting humans for advanced armies and to gather information on divine and heavenly bodies." Naru explained. "Just after the Great War of Ragnarok and the appearance of the Maiden of Light, they built the organization to gather information about the casualties that happened after the appearance of the Maiden. And as of that, they plan to dominate the world before or on Judgement Day." Naru cocked an eyebrow. "I believe you are going somewhere with this?"

Mai nodded. "I believe that the Paradox is trying to gain information on the Maiden of Light to learn about her weaknesses. Once they get hold of her, they would plan to use her for world domination. But that's just a possibility."

Naru nodded. "But that is a very good guess, Mai." Then once again Naru spoke, "that's why we have to get to the Maiden of Light and summon her before the Paradox reaches her."

Ayako was left speechless. "Wow! I'm impressed. Have you guys been gathering this much information in such a short time?"

Naru shook his head. "I've been reading some books about it ever since."

Mai shook her head also. "I follow my instincts lately these days." And made a small smile. Ayako made a grin.

After the conversation, everyone got tired. All of them yawned and went to their beds. Then, they drifted to sleep.

Mai hastily woke up. She found herself being dragged inside a building. Then, in front of her was the icon of the hybrid, raven-colored phoenix. Mai knew it.

I'm inside the Paradox building? Mai thought, terrified.

As the men entered the activation code, the door instantly opened. There, inside, were the crystal incubators with soul amplifiers placed on top of each. And the corner of her eye, Mai saw an empty incubator. Then, she realized it.

It was hers.

"No! Please! Don't put me in there!" Mai cried. But the men did not listen, nor considerate her pleading cries.

They shoved her inside and closed the ledge. Then, they activated the soul amplifier.

"Help! Please! Somebody! Get me out of here!" Mai cried, as she banged the ledge. But no one listened. She felt her soul slowly being taken away, her body slowly deforming. Mai screamed.

Then, she woke up.

A/N- I'm sorry it took so long. raspberrysorbet, in the later chapters you will see how useful Mai is [please be patient ). Oh, by the way, a soul amplifier is a crystal that dominantly captures souls for future use of the Paradox. Please watch out for Chapter 6!