The tide of school work has passed for the moment so now I was able to finally FINALLY update after too long a time. And to my two biggest fans of this story, Tsukikage1213 and Realfanficts. Thanks as always guys and Enjoy!

Chapter Twenty

Requiem

"Come on! They should be just outside!" Shandrey urged Regan through his house and out the backdoor. Just as Shandrey said, a rippling bubble appeared in Regan's yard, dissipated, and revealed the entire group. Shandrey nearly halted in her tracks when her eyes beheld Lee. Husband and wife had been apart for so long it was almost too good to be true. Yet her legs betrayed her caution, soon Shandrey was running head long and straight into the arms of her husband. Her hands grasped him like there was no tomorrow. Had it not been for the obvious need that Nayia and Mai receive medical attention, Shandrey would have gladly remained as she was for the rest of her days. Unfortunately a moan from Nayia broke her happy trance.

"Nayia is gravely injured," said Lee. Shandrey's eyes fell back on her husband and the wounds he had sustained.

"You're not in tiptop shape yourself."

"I will live, Nayia is your priority." Shandrey nodded and, with Reagan's help, took Nayia into the house. The seasoned warrior turned back to his comrades. Katara, Toph, and Elm were all sitting about and taking in long slow breaths. It seemed Toph hardly put her feet up often but now was one of the few exceptions. Katara summoned a small amount of water from her satchel and used it to heal a minor wound on her arm. Elm was busy ensuring that his children sustained no injuries and that his wife was still alive, albeit also on the brink of death. Hopefully, they would need only to keep her safe and she would recover from her ordeal. A moment later Reagan stepped back outside and both he and Lee met gazes. The samurai was, needless to say, a little surprised by the sight of their own acquaintance. He squinted up at Reagan with a curious frown.

"Arthur?"

"The one and only," replied Reagan. Lee snickered and stood upright on his feet.

"Well thank God for that."

"Hee hee, always the funny man. Well you've all exceeded your one night by quite a bit so you might as well stay a little longer."

"We're overwhelmed by your generosity," muttered Katara. She helped Toph to her feet and they all followed Reagan back inside.

----------

As soon as he was indoors, Lee's first thought was to seek out Shandrey. Having been separated from his soul mate for so long it was only natural that he want to make up for the lost time. Eventually he did find her, in the living room and speaking with……..her mother?

Lee stopped at the sight of her and straightened his posture. Both of them silenced their conversation and acknowledged Lee's presence. Shandrey jumped to her feet and greeted him with another tight hug.

"Lee, my mother…."

"Yes, I can see," said Lee. "How did you find us?" Shandrey's mother, Susan, smiled and reached for the steaming cup of coffee beside her.

"I know much of your contacts around the world. It was a tremendous guess that I had to make but I supposed you would have come here." She then turned her eyes to Shandrey. "Shannon, I think you should return to your sister-in-law." Without looking back at her mother, Shandrey nodded but hesitated. She simply refused to part with Lee even for a moment, for fear that if she were to leave the room he might spontaneously disappear. He held her hands and gave them a reassuring squeeze.

"We are safe here, Shandrey. You needn't worry for me." She wiped away a stray tear and looked up at him.

"Sure…" It was a feat of great effort, but she managed to force herself into a quick stride which took back down the hall toward Nayia's room. Lee watched her until she was out of sight then turned to Susan.

"Not that I am unhappy to see you…."

"Why am I here?" Lee nodded. "You may worry Shandrey greatly but it still pales in comparison to the torment the both of you impress on me." He shifted his weight uneasily. Before he met Susan he often wondered from where Shandrey inherited her ability to strike an emotional cord. "And I came to check on my grandchild."

Lee's mouth parted slightly. "Our child is safe; Shandrey did not accompany them in their rescue of me."

"Really?"

"It was probably Nayia's doing," Lee conjectured. "No doubt in my absence she felt it necessary to do what I could not." Susan stood up, taking her coffee with her.

"I've known you long enough to know when you're on the verge of self-blame. In my opinion you do it far too often, and this time I absolutely forbid it." There was a note of finality in her voice, which, if anything, told Lee to at least keep those thoughts to himself. "You and Shannon have always had this unsavory propensity for laying too much blame on yourselves. You're soon to be parents; therefore it is time for that to stop." Lee nodded.

"I understand, I am sorry." Susan smiled again, laid down her cup, and held both sides of Lee's head.

"She's always loved you, and so have I. But despite her resilience over the years, she is still fragile in some places. She will need your strength soon more than ever." Lee folded his arms.

"Do you know something that we don't?"

"No, but this job you're all doing is far from over and you have a baby on the way. If anything, that will certainly complicate things."

"Indeed," Lee agreed. He still felt a throbbing pain in many of his muscles. The pain was minor but it reminded him of Nayia and her current condition. Susan read his face like a book and nodded.

"She'll scold you for not coming sooner." Lee knew this to all too true. He and Susan exchanged smiles and he departed for Nayia's bedside.

----------

Katara had already been at work when Shandrey entered. Nayia lay on her side so as to allow the two healers better access to her wound. As they applied their glowing hands Nayia would wince and hiss at the pain. Not long after Shandrey joined Katara, the teenage waterbender glanced at her with a grim look. Elm was currently nursing his wife on a bed on the other side of the bedroom. Amyah was also doing her part by absorbing as much of her mother's physical injuries as possible. And sleeping soundly in a padded basket was the newly reborn Hotaru.

Nayia gasped as a sudden jolt of pain stabbed at her abdomen. Katara shivered slightly as she felt as though her powers were actually being blocked. She shook her head and leaned in close to Shandrey.

"Its no use!" she exclaimed I a hushed tone.

"We just need to keep at it," insisted Shandrey. Katara wanted that to be so but her own experience and her judgment waved the red flag of truth before her eyes. While keeping her glowing hands alight, Katara whispered again.

"It's too little too late."

"I am not giving up on her!" retorted Shandrey.

"I don't want to either, but at this point we're only prolonging her pain." Shandrey turned a narrowed glare at Katara.

"So we just put her out of her misery, right?" Katara, feeling two inches tall, mouthed wordlessly. "Tell you what, why don't we let God play God and we go back to trying to save a life."

"Shandrey…." Nayia's voice broke the chain of frustration bound around Shandrey. She reached up with her hand and placed it over one of Shandrey's glowing ones. "Stop…"

"No!" was Shandrey's immediate reply.

"Please…" Shandrey paused. She looked at Katara, who at the moment was perfectly content with remaining silent. The waterbender then gently turned Nayia onto her back. She stared down at her with pleading eyes.

"I can't let you die." Nayia's eyes drooped from fatigue and swiftly fading lifespan. Shandrey leaned closer and held both sides of her best friend's face. "I won't let you die."

"Don't waste energy on me," said Nayia. "Ring….is the surest shot I know of. There is more to Ring's energy then just power, it courses its way through the body. I was doomed the moment she shot me." Shandrey gasped aloud and tears flowed freely.

"No….!" Katara leaned back against the wall, feeling on the verge of sorrow herself. "Nayia, you are…..the only true sister I have ever had. You can't do this to me!"

"That's not for us to decide, Shan…"

"It is when we have the ability to prevent it." Nayia did not reply, her strength was ever fading. With each passing moment her face grew more relax and passive. Shandrey roughly wiped away the streams running down her face. "…..And when you're gone and my husband……your brother….asks me, why did I let his sister die? W-What will I say to him?" she asked with a shrug. Nayia's eyes moved about then settled back on Shandrey.

"You can tell him…that you afforded me a courtesy." Shandrey let her eyes close, defeated. In the back of her mind she always knew was Katara was trying to tell her. She simply refused to believe it. She took one of her hands away from Nayia's face and moved the other one to the top of her head. She then sent Nayia a watery smile.

"I love you…."

Nayia smiled back. "I love you, too." Lee made his presence known when stepped further into the room, the weight of his foot on the old floorboards created a quiet squeak. Nayia, now sweating, perked her head up and gasped.

"Ah! Is…..Is that Lee?"

"Yes," replied her brother. Nayia suffered the agonizing feeling of needing to vomit and never actually doing so.
"I would like to talk to my brother now." Shandrey felt Katara's hand take her shoulder, compelling the waterbender to rise. She did so despite her reluctance. Shandrey had never taken any Hippocratic Oath, but there was no denying she detested leaving a patient unattended. Katara ushered Shandrey outside and Lee took their place. He knelt down beside Nayia, taking her hand in both of his.

"Nayia…"

She closed her eyes and groaned. "Ohhhhh……I don't feel so good."

"Well, you need not worry. They will heal you and the pain will be gone-"

"Lee," interrupted Nayia. Regardless of her failing body, she managed to look at him very seriously. "There's something I need you to do for me."

"What is it?" asked Lee.

"My bag," whispered Nayia. It took him a few second to quickly search the immediate area for it but soon he retrieved her bag and set it by her side. Slowly, she reached inside and drew the Star Crystal. With her other hand, she reached across her side and held it open to her brother. "Take my hand."

"What is this?" asked Lee.

"You'll be its caretaker from now on…" Lee screwed his face in confusion.

"Why would you ask something like this of me unless…." His voice died away as his mind quickly deduced the situation. Nayia still kept her hand out and waiting. Lee's face hardened dramatically and he began darting his eyes about. "N-No! I refuse!"

"You can't," said Nayia.

"Nayia, you must give them a chance to heal you."

"They can't help me," said Nayia. "And Amyah would only absorb it into her own body and die as well." Lee's defenses against tears held a staunch line. "Please big brother….you cannot deny this, if not for me then for your mission." No matter what rationale Nayia presented, Lee refused to accept it. His inherent stubbornness was quickly fueling a hatred for reality. Nayia's still falling eyes silently pleaded with him to grant her what she asked. In spite of his outward strength, Lee was a softy at heart and especially at a time like this, he could not and would not refuse her. Slowly, he extended his hand and took a gentle hold of his sisters. Nayia heard him make a quiet sound.

"Will my short times with you never be permanent?" Nayia's mouth curved into a small but loving smile. Rays of soft white light began peeking through the cracks between their hands and fingers. The Star Crystal pulse within Nayia's other hand and Lee felt a warmth spreading from his hand to head and finally to the tips of his toes. When it was finally done, Nayia's slackened grip on Lee's hand broke and she gasped loudly. The Star Crystal fell from her open hand but Lee managed to catch it.

"Nayia!"

"Lee…." She breathed. Lee set the Crystal aside; its importance momentarily negated. He moved closer to her and turned her head back to his line of sight. He moved her hair out of her face and she erratically reached up to do the same. "Leonidas……my brother…" Lee cared not if his face became stained or wet. He bent forward and kissed her forehead.

"Nayia…my sister, you have my honor………and my love." Nayia opened her mouth to speak but alas she was no longer able to. Instead, she contented herself with merely gazing upon her big brother. Her big brother; of whom she was so proud.

----------

Shandrey could hardly bear to be inside the house at that moment. Her sorrowful emotions and those brought about by her pregnancy mingled and ran rampant through her. Not bothering to acknowledge anybody on the way, she ran outside and collapsed upon the wooden bench work around Regan's fire hole. Her tears were continuous though she wept silently. It simply wasn't fair and Shandrey repudiated any notion of karma, coincidence, or celestial involvement.

Her head perked up somewhat as a familiar and, at the moment, highly unwelcome presence became known to her. Shandrey's features grew scornful and she dipped her head back down.

"Go away…don't come any closer." Not far behind her, Yue's glowing visage stood calmly and erect. She cast a solemn look upon her descendant and sighed. Her voice, enhanced by an angelic echo, always felt like warm velvet too any who listened.

"It is not I whom you are angry with."

"You'll do!" snapped Shandrey. She sniffed and huffed, trying to maintain some measure of control over herself. Still Yue did not move, as instructed. Shandrey paced her breathing and sat back against the section of bench she was sitting on. "That's it……its finished now."

"You cannot abandon your quest."

"No…No I'm done, I've had enough of loosing people close to me. And you…" She stood up and approached Yue. "You owe as much to Lee and Nayia as I do. They've been through too much, suffered more than enough pain than to just be ignored like this. They deserve some help!"

"I would agree," replied Yue quietly. Shandrey began crying while chuckling incredulously.

In a hushed voice, strained by her weeping she said, "Then help us!" To this, Yue could only hang her head almost shamefully.

"Please believe me Shandrey, though I desire so much to help, I cannot interfere." Shandrey shook her head and turned away. "Whether you wish to accept it or not, you are at war. This struggle is not merely to covet ancient powers or treasures for oneself. It is a measure to ensure that evil does not prevail, and you of all people know the relentlessness and lack of humanity born of darkness." Shandrey forced herself to look at her ancestor. "That is your war. In a war, there are casualties."

"It's not fair," said Shandrey.

"In a cosmic sense, 'fair' rarely makes itself known," replied Yue. "You knew Nayia well; do you believe that she has passed with a feeling of spite? Do you think she feels that she deserves more and she should receive her reward no matter the cost?"

"Well…"

"Or do think she has focused more on the years living among you and her brother, and the happiness it brought her?" Shandrey looked away again, this time keep her eyes cast on the brick tiles beneath her feet. Yue walked up behind her as though she merely floated. "Keep going Shandrey, for Nayia and anyone else who has fallen in the name of this fight. You are not alone and you never will be." And like mist being pushed along by a gentle breeze, Yue's likeness faded away into the humid air. Despite her still lingering anger, Shandrey always felt revitalized after visiting with Yue. She wondered if Yue always had that effect on people, even when she was alive and bending. In any case, it was now time to mourn a friend.

THE ORDER'S TEMPLE……………..

Julian walked about the damage and rubble left behind after Simon's failed coup and the rebirth of Hotaru. Many of the temple's occupants and Hotaru's followers were either scattered or gravely injured from fighting amongst each other during the insurrection. He paced about fallen and frayed tapestries, crumbled walls, and ruined statuary. But the one place within the temple to tug on his heart the most was their vast garden. It was littered all manner of debris and wreckage. Trees were torn from their roots and lay forgotten on the ground. The myriad of flowers no longer had their radiant shine but now gave off a lackluster hue reminiscent of worn soldiers. A light rain came in through the open roof, washing away pools of blood and clumps of dirt. Julian hated to see his home in such disrepair.

Quietly, Ring walked up to his side. As always, she held no expression and stared blankly ahead.

"You lament over this temple's destruction?"

"Of course I do," replied Julian. He turned to her. "Ring, what happened to Nayia? Is she alright?" Ring rotated her eyes to him and shook her head.

"Nayia is dead, Julian." His skin lost was color it still retained. He began mouthing "no" but Ring continued. "It was the unbelievers; they lulled her into their confidence and at the proper moment…….struck." And now rage mingled with sorrow. Julian's eyes pinched shut and his fists clenched so tightly it almost drew blood. In a gesture of mock sympathy, Ring took his shoulder. "You know now what must be done, in order to save our goddess and our people."

"….yes…….I do…"

"The unbelievers, they must all be destroyed. Any who rejects the will of Hotaru must be swept aside." Julian could barely speak at the moment. "Those who would taint the world with boundless sin…"

"…Must be destroyed," Julian finished for her. His eyes opened and when they did it was to a darker tone. He regarded Ring most seriously. "But first, we shall have to replenish our forces."

"Mockingbird still lives," said Ring.

"She strikes me as more opportunistic than faithful," said Julian. "However, we can use that in our favor for as long as need be before we dispose of her." He began pacing about, trying to think of other allies close to them. He stopped moving when a thought suddenly came to him. His eyes focused on the wisping leaves and the reeds blowing in the wind. He turned back to Ring and swallowed before making his suggestion.

"We will release Reynard." To this Ring actually arched a brow.

"That is most imprudent."

"We have not the time to find and train a new chevalier, he will do." His mind made up Julian began walking back into the temple. Ring followed behind, still making a case against this action.

"Reynard was imprisoned for a reason, he cannot be controlled. The only one whom he would accept a command from was Hotaru and presently she is not here."

"We don't need to control him, Ring. We need only show him the enemy and unleash him. If anything after all these years Reynard will surely relish committing murder in the fresh air."

-----

Down deeper and deeper into the temple's bowels they went. They finally reached a set of double metal doors and on each side was a red stone very similar to the one outside the temple's main gate. They both stood before a stone.

"One my mark," said Julian. They held their hands over each stone. "Three…two..one….mark." At Julian's command they both touched the stones and the doors split apart. The passageway further was made entirely of solid steel and concrete. Small lights along the walls came to life as they passed. Bits of moisture collected on the floor beneath them in small pools. The air was thick and cold; most inhospitable to any newcomer. Soon they reached another partition which bore a heavy metal crank. Ring possessed a superior strength to all chevaliers thus this was her task. With one hand she gripped the handle and gave it a few counterclockwise turns. Opening the door would have proven just as near impossible to a weaker individual other than Ring. The last barrier before the cell was a barred door with a simple key lock. Julian drew the key, held on a small ring, as he approached. The lock was loud and rusted and the door produced a high pitched screeched when he opened it.

Within the cell ahead of them, a lone occupant sat with his head sagged in his arms. His clothes were so worn and tattered that they just barely qualified as garments. His hair showed signs of years of unkempt abuse. The air around him was almost putrid. Julian moved the key ring between his fingers.

"Tis a strange reckoning for you, Reynard. To have spent so long a time relegated to a piece of store meat, it is almost too tragic to tell." Reynard did not move nor reply to Julian. "Whatever your feelings toward me or any other chevalier may be, it's all irrelevant. Serendipity has worked in your favor; it seems you've become useful again. Hotaru is in great need of us, she is mortal danger." He stepped closer to the bars. "You do remember Hotaru…..don't you?"

Julian paused to allow Reynard to answer. At first it seemed like all he would get in the way of a reply was more pacifism. Then, out of nowhere, Reynard spoke so softly and fluently it was though he had been imprisoned that day. "How could I forget?"

"Indeed. It now begs two questions, chevalier; have you become so used to this….room…that you will only feel comfort in it? Or will you lend your goddess the help she deserves." With that, Julian tossed the keys through the bars and they landed at Reynard's feet. "We'll be waiting upstairs." Julian and Ring both turned without another word and left Reynard by himself. The sight of someone leaving so casually was not knew to the imprisoned chevalier. Julian's question bore much merit; had he become so used to his cell that he now depended on it. There was just one way to find out.

Reynard's dirty and shaking fingers swept over the wet floor and scooped up the keys.

Reagan showed Lee a calm and quiet place within the woods where he could lay Nayia to rest. It was fairly isolated and rarely if ever saw any human life. Lee spent quite a while preparing her and with Shandrey's aid dressed her properly for burial. Each and every one of them knew well the risk of living the life they treaded and the quest they were undertaking. Yet it seemed that perhaps in name only Nayia would be accorded some measure of immortality. She, who came so far and endured so much, was struck down so suddenly. Lee might not forever burden himself with his sister's death, but guilt was renowned for its unbearably long half-life. Perhaps it was the mercy of providence that on the day they were taking Nayia to her place of final respite the day was absolutely beautiful. The normal humidity in the air was replaced by a frequent breeze, which rustled the millions of leaves in the trees. The forest provided several sounds of tranquility and natural serenity. Surely, everyone thought, Nayia would have happily approved this spot of all places.

The only one who did not accompany them was Toph, as she remained behind to keep watch over Hotaru. The others did not mind. It was not as though Toph didn't wish to pay respects to her shortly known comrade, but someone had to do it. The whole way that Nayia was carried Shandrey remained firmly at Lee's side. He never did pose the disgraceful question she had been dreading. Her grief-stricken mind came up with all manner of paranoid explanations as to why he was remaining silent. However she managed to shoo those thoughts aside, knowing that he would never charge her with such a responsibility.

Finally they reached the area Reagan described and led them to. It was a small clearing, shadowed by a very large rock which was half covered in moss. Just like Reagan had said, it was very peaceful spot. Elm quickly unearthed a large pile of dirt forming a fair makeshift grave. Much to their relief, as well as confusion, Lee did not speak any words nor did he prompt anyone else to do so. With Elm's help, he simply lowered his sister down below and had Elm cover it all back up. From his robes he drew several sticks of incense and stuck them in the ground at the head of where Nayia lay. When they were letting their fragrance loose in the form of small whiffs of smoke, he knelt down before her. He was aware of Shandrey kneeling down beside him and taking on of his hands into her own. Katara found she needed to sit down upon one of the large bare stumps nearby. Death was such a new acquaintance, its company was unfortunately growing easier and easier to bear. Lee's mind went back to the question he asked her a short time ago. Would he never get to spend any true length of time with his sister? Of course the answer was yes, but he had more selfish desires in mind. Lee wanted to spend time with her now; he wanted her to still be alive and to have a family like him. But such things were not to come true simply by wishing for them. Reality was the harshest of all critics.

Lee bowed down until his forehead was touching fresh grass. While he was still at his humblest he let out a long sigh. "Goodbye……..Nayia."

Okay, that was a particularly tragic way to end this chapter, I'll admit it. And its not quite how I would have liked to take one of my longer held characters out of a story, but I had my reasons. Until next update. Laters!