The Maiden of Light

A/N- Hey guys! I'm back! Here is Chapter 7! Maybe even the longest chapter! Thank you for the reviews!

CHAPTER 7

"Sir, we have failed to retrieve the target." The young man spoke as he studied the decayed bodies scattered on the floor in the monitoring device. "Elimination process has been done by a black mage, a gunslinger and an archer. The other one has apparently been secured. But the casulaties seem to point to her, sir."

The same cracking voice spoke through the communicators. He seemed a bit angry. "Dispatch a new team and send Lt. Issa and Sgt. Hibiki into my office. I would like to send a special request for them."

"Yes sir." was a response from the reporter. He then requested the two officials into the upper-class office.

In the upper part of the building sat a man with a mischievous voice, an angry, stern, evil look, and a clean-shaved face. He was about forty-two years old.

"My, my. Casualties seem to appear increasingly these days." The man spoke as he broke his wine glass into shattered pieces.

"Time seems to fly quickly these days. I wonder..." And then made an evil grin.

Ayako was completely shocked and awestruck. The man also was shocked and awestruck. He recognized the woman before him as he made a sheepish grin.

"Houshou? Houshou Takigawa?" Ayako cried as she made a sheepish grin. The man cocked an eyebrow. "Oh! Ayako Mitsuzaki! Fancy seeing you here!" Houshou made a childish grin. Naru cocked an eyebrow.

"You two know each other?" Naru interestingly questioned as he stood up to where he collapsed from. Mai was unknowingly fast asleep.

Ayako made a slight nod. "He was my ex-colleague in Heizenbrn Academy."

Naru was surprised. "Heizenbrn Academy? The academy known for promoting special-ranking classes?"

Houshou and Ayako nodded. "Houshou and I met when we were halfway to promoting to the special ranks." Ayako explained, "I was eventually partnered with this guy during virtual-reality missions. But to break the ice, he always tells stories of how he wanted to become Robin Hood when he grew up." Ayako made an evil chuckle. Houshou made a funny, childish objection.

"Yo! That's suppose to be a secret between you and me!" Houshou cried. Then he sighed. Naru made a small chuckle.

"So, who are you suppose to be?" Houshou asked Naru. Naru made a serious face. "Sorry for the late introductions. I am Naru, a black mage. My sleeping companion over here is Mai. A very-well known thief in our residence, the Eastern Wing Kingdom." Houshou made a surprise look. "The Eastern Wing? You came all the way from there to Assyria?"

"Not really." Naru said as he looked at Houshou intently. "We're planning to travel to the remaining borders of the Northern Bird kingdom and the Western Sea kingdom after we gather information."

"For what purpose?" Houshou interestingly questioned.

"The quest for the Maiden of Light."

Houshou and Ayako were both astonished and awestruck. "That was your motive all along Naru?" Ayako hastily asked the black mage.

Naru nodded.

Houshou and Ayako were furious and outraged. "Kid! Listen to me! You're gonna get yourselves killed just because of that!" Houshou cried with a sudden outburst anger.

"That's right! You should be ashamed of yourselves!" Ayako exclaimed.

Naru was a bit taken aback. But then again, "Listen. This was Mai's request. Lately, she's been lucid dreaming of things that seem to interest and frighten her. But, due to her strong personality, she was able to fight the astonishing things happening around her. I do not know why she would take such a dangerous quest, but I feel that we must help her." Naru then looked at them angrily, and with a serious tone, said "Understood?"

The two adults were taken aback, and were sorry. "Sorry. Our temper these days are a bit uncontrollable. Will you forgive us?"

Naru nodded, and sighed. "Apology accepted."

Houshou and Ayako smiled. Then suddenly, Houshou noticed the trio have been wounded due to the previous attacks. Houshou made a worried look.

"C'mon, let's go to the nearby clinic here in Assyria." Houshou suggested. "We wouldn't want you guys to become infected zombies now, can we?" Ayako made an angry sigh while Naru made an expressionless face. Houshou made a childish grin. Naru then carried Mai on his back as she slept comfortably and peacefully.

In the Assyrian clinic, the four were placed in a vacant room. Nurses have medicated their fresh wounds and gave them water to drink. Mai slept peacefully on a corner bed while Naru, Ayako and Houshou discussed things through.

"So, why do you want to find the Maiden of Light anyway?" Houshou asked.

"As I have said earlier, Mai was the one who suggested this special request." Naru explained, "Her motives are still unexplainable and unknown, but I assure you everything will be just fine." Naru sighed.

If only I knew what she was planning, we wouldn't have been in so much trouble lately. Naru thought. But then, those men... who were they? And why do they attack us everytime we reach half of our destination? They must be targeting something, but what do they want? The raven-colored phoenix, with eyes that glow like tiny infernos...

Naru was then sent surprised. Then, he realized it.

That's the symbol of the organization Paradox! But then why do they attack us? And what is their target?

Then, in an instant, Naru was shaken from his thoughts. Ayako cocked an eyebrow. "Naru, are you alright?"

Naru nodded. "I'm fine, really. Please don't worry about me."

"Straight to the point," Houshou suddenly spoke, "Are you sure you really want to do this, Naru?"

Naru nodded. "I'll do whatever I can to help Mai." He walked towards the window and looked at the nearing sunset. "She's very cheerful and happy, but something is bothering her badly."

Houshou stood up from his chair and approached Naru. "Take it easy, Naru. You wouldn't want to put all the stress on your shoulders, now, would you?" Then, he made a childish grin. "In that case, I'll join you!"

Ayako nodded. "I will join too."

Houshou made an upsetting look. "Oh, and I thought you couldn't handle the dirty work. Then again, you acted like a man after all."

Ayako made a furious look. "That's none of your business. Besides, I'm a woman who can take care of herself you know." And walked towards a chair. Naru chuckled a bit. "That's enough. Save that for later."

Then, in a second, Ayako asked, "Naru, can't you at least heal our wounds?"

Naru shook his head. "I'm sorry but I cannot. Healing and spiritual recovery abilities are used by white mages, clerics and acolytes. I am a black mage, and a black mage is trained for summoning and magical abilities."

Ayako apologized. Naru then said, "Ayako, I want you to keep an eye on Mai until she wakes up. Make sure she doesn't get hurt. I need to go check something in one of the shops here in Assyria."

Ayako nodded. "Okay."

Naru nodded. "Houshou, come with me. You might want to see something in the shops too." Houshou nodded. "I understand." Then, in a sudden, childish outburst, cried "Let's go!"

Naru nodded. "Then let's go. Ayako, keep an eye on Mai." And then they left the room.

Ayako sat down on the chair beside Mai's bed. "Mai, when will you wake up already?" Ayako complained as she crouched miserably on her chair. "If I only could have gone with them to buy something. At least, like a souvenir or such. But then, again, Naru asked me to take care of her." Ayako sighed. "But at least I could help. Anyway, I've decided to be in this quest in the first place. I'll just have to help." Then, on the side table, was a wooden telephone. Ayako quickly dialed the room service and requested for food and wet towels.

"Thank you. Then how much..."

Mai hastily woke up. She was now outside the dreadful incubator she was shoved in.

"Where am I?" Mai softly said as she looked around her. The horrific sight seem to astonish and frighten Mai. Small droplets of tears fell from her eyes as she covered her mouth. She was about to scream.

Bodies, blood-covered bodies scattered on the ground like thrown away garbage. Foul-smelling blood scattered across the ground, and engraved on the bodies was the symbol of the Phoenix.

Why? Why would they do such a massacre? Mai hastily thought as droplets of small tears fell from her delicate eyes. This is enough!

Then gentle, soft hands covered her eyes and a gentle voice spoke:

"You musn't look! You musn't see the horrifying sight Mai! It's too risky!"

It was her twin.

Mai cried uncontrollably. Pain... the pain... it hurts.

Then, as she calmed down and let go of the twin's gentle hands, Mai looked. Horror met her eyes.

Blood was scattered on her hands!

Mai screamed uncontrollably.

"Why! Why does this happen to me all the time! Why! Why!" Mai cried as her words echoed through the hall.

"I told you not to look Mai. You have disobeyed me." the twin softly whispered as she vanished through thin air. Mai was, again, left isolated.

Then, Mai woke up.

A/N- Sorry for the long awaited chapter. Schoolworks have neglected my fanfic and I try to balance my time with other schedules. Pls. watch out for Chapter 8! Thank you for being patient!