Thanks to everyone who reviews this. I can't thank you enough for your support.

(hands out Kaorin Fan Club T-shirts and bumper stickers)

Kaorin: (eyes narrowed) Let me guess...no new members?

Jay: Quite the contrary actually.

Kaorin: (blushing) Like who?

Jay: Oh, just the people who review my stories.

Kaorin: Gah...all GUYS! (gags)

Jay: Oh, and I have an application here from someone named Sakaki.

Kaorin: (brightens up) LET ME SEE!

Jay: If it's worth the cleaning of all the toilets in Grand Central Station.

Kaorin: YES!!

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"Hey! This stuff is stale!", Tomo complained as she munched on the bread Atta and Cyrus had given her.

"It's all we have...", Cyrus said before distractedly walking over to the door and looking down the street in both directions.

"Is something wrong? ...Where is everyone going?", Atta asked, walking over to Cyrus and noticing the massive exodus of people moving toward the center of the city..

"The army is marching.", Cyrus indicated the massive force assembled in the courtyard of the temple dedicated to Ahura Mazda not far from the house.

"Wow! Where can I get a spear like that guy has!?", Tomo exclaimed, poking her head out between the two men.

With a mix of curiosity and worry Atta stopped a woman in the street.

"Why is the army preparing?"

"Scouts returned with word of the Macedonian army approaching.", she explained quickly before scurrying off with her basket of leeks.

"Who are the Macedonians?", Tomo asked, stepping into the sunlight dressed in a new set of desert-wear the men had given her. She refused to wear the turban though, saying it 'ruined her style'.

"Enemies of our empire since many ages ago.", Atta droned, a hint of malice in his voice.

"So, is the army gonna go out and kick their ass?", Tomo asked, hoping to at least get to see the action.

Cyrus shook his head.

"This is a defensive battle. Tonight we fight for Persepolis and the empire!"

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Sakaki had been cramped into the cell for hours she could not count. All she could do was lay prone and hope for rescue. There was no way her rather slender body would be able to break through the metal bars holding her in. Footsteps approaching wakened her to the arrival of the tall,robed man she had seen on the throne earlier along with two guards. The regal-looking man ordered the cell to be opened and one of the guards produced a set of fragile looking keys and opened the door for the man to be let inside.

He stood above Sakaki and appraised her with dark eyes.

"What is your name?", he intoned.

Sakaki stayed silent. She didn't wish to speak at all. She was terrified.

"Tell me your name.", the man repeated.

"Sakaki...", she muttered.

"Sakaki, I would like to welcome you to the Court of Telluria. I am Emperor Dismildan III.", the man bowed deeply to the girl.

Sakaki simply stared in shock at the emperor. She did not understand why she would be thrown in a dungeon and then welcomed warmly by the emperor himself. Yet, she muttered a thanks and went back to brooding on what consequences this may lead to.

"Now please, let these men escort you to your suite.", Dismildan said with a sweeping arm gesture towards the open cell door and the awaiting guards.

Sakaki slowly exited the cell disbelieving what was occuring to her. Dismildan followed close behind as the two escorts led them up a set of stairs into the palace proper. Sakaki took the time to observe the beautiful artwork the palace contained. The roof was muraled with scenes of battle and victory across its many sweeping arches. Even the floor hel frescos of other scenes from what she assumed was religion or folklore. Statues of a woman clad in armour, her hair sweeping back as she struck a battle pose stood in alcoves along the hallway walls. Every inch of the palace was emblazoned with myriad works of art that made Sakaki blush at their grandeur.

"I see you're enjoying the artwork.", Dismildan commented, smiling through his short, blonde beard.

"Oh, yes very much. This place is very beautiful.", she responded.

"It was built by my grandfather.", Dimildan mused. "Each room tells a part of an ancient legend."

"What legend?", Sakaki asked as they continued to walk.

"The legend says that one day a woman from the Outerworld will come forth, and after three trials, will save Telluria from her enemies."

"That sounds interesting.", Sakaki answered, looking at the gilt engraved door they came to a stop in front of.

"Ah! Here is your room.", the emperor said, opening the door to reveal a finely decorated room with three massive chests of drawers and a four post bed with copious amounts of bedsheets set high atop it like a giant comfort-mountain. Upon the walls were beutiful paintings of that ancient tale.

"This place is...amazing...", Sakaki said, taking in the width and breadth of the room.

The emperor smiled happily at her reaction.

"Supper will be served to you soon. Please try and get some rest.", he said and closed the door.

Outside he paused next to the soldiers that had served as escorts.

"Strike tonight. I want her dead by morning."

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Kagura had turned her back for only a moment and Kaorin had run off. She heard the girl's footsteps rustling through the undergrowth which served as a means to follow her. As the footsteps grew closer she began to call out.

"Dammit Kaorin! Don't run off like that."

Soon, she came upon the girl standing in a clearing looking disheaveled and irritated.

"I'm just trying to find Sakaki-san, Ka-gu-ra!", she hissed.

"We're in this together. Why do you think I'm competing with you or something?", the taller girl asked.

Kaorin regarded the girl with angry eyes.

"I see how you look at Sakaki-san! I see how you try and spend soooooo much time with her!", she accosted with a pointed finger.

"What!? I compete with her! She's my rival!", Kagura said, smirking a bit.

"Yeah...you say that now!", Kaorin said, scurrying off once more into the forest.

"Oh, for the love of...Kaorin!", Kagura said, running after the hysterical girl.

She spotted her once more, standing at the edge of the forest, staring.

"What's the matter?", Kagura asked.

Kaorin pointed to where the smoke they spotted earlier was eminating from. Before them was a small encampment of hide huts and men sitting before a fire, dressed in furry pelts with axes and spears set beside them.

"Could this be...where Sakaki is?", Kagura asked.

She looked down at Kaorin to notice a strange look in her eyes. It was the look she associated with Kaorin's bouts of 'insanity'.

"Umm...maybe Sakaki didn't come this way.", Kagura said anxiously. "Maybe we should try another direction. Usually, she was gung-ho about action. But those men did not look anywhere near friendly.

"If Sakaki-san is in danger...I will rescue her.", kaorin spoke a monotone voice as she slowly advanced towards the camp, eyes narrowed.

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As quoted in the Mathematica Obscura:

"When worlds cross, no mortal being can exist. Yes, time can be altered but only within the boundries. The boundries can be broken, but not distended. We may pass through, but we are trapped. The bleeding of one world into the next spells nothing but destruction upon multiple levels. Do not play with fate, young scholor. This tome can bea great ally, but in the wrong hands may lead towards the damnation of the innocent."

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