Hello my readers! As you can see, I'm not dead... *looks narrowly to some people* and acheived to get this chapter beta-read.

Now, we're nearing the end of Act II. Then we'll have another interlude with the villains and then start Act III.

Also, check the post notes for another Skit. I'm sure some of you missed them.

Chapter 15

The Whirlwind Rider

The wide magic circle of Ratatosk's pact disappeared as the Carrion Worm again was bounded to the will of the Lord of the Monsters. The monster received orders to retreat until it was called and went back to the woods. Ratatosk walked back to the group, which soon started to walk to Asgard once more.

They had to avoid walking out in the open and used the woods at the foot of the Hima Mountains as a cover. They were also able to hide thanks to Sheena, Tenebrae and Raine's abilities to hide their auras. After two days, the group finally arrived at the gates of Asgard.

"Remember, we can't spend too much time here. The demons and Desians are searching the entire region for us," Raine warned.

"Don't worry. If they do come, mother and the others will hide us," Sheena said with a smile.

"Yeah. The people here are nice," Lumen said.

Sheena suggested they had lunch first on Asuka's. The group went to the night club and entered. Tanny suddenly appeared in front of them with a smile on her face as she greeted who she thought were new customers:

"Welcome to Asuka's! What can I…?"

"Tanny, you can drop the act. It's us," Sheena said.

"Oh, sorry."

As Tanny lead them to a free table and the group started to sit, Marta noticed Asuka coming. Sheena also saw her surrogate mother and went to hug her. Asuka then seemed to speak about something to Sheena that made her assume a more timid attitude. Marta could guess what it was.

"So, how have you all been doing?" Asuka asked as she approached the group.

"Hello, Miss Asuka. We're all doing fine," Emil said.

"Oh please, don't call me 'miss'. I know I'm old, but you don't need to treat me like that," Asuka then picked up a peculiar presence and looked to Raine. "Oh, hello. I don't think we were presented before."

Raine got up and introduced herself, shaking hands with Asuka, who arched an eyebrow at hearing the half-elven woman's name. Raine saw that and asked if there was something wrong.

"Oh nothing. But, could you come talk with me for a little bit?" Asuka asked.

"Mother. What you…?" Sheena started, but Asuka interrupted her.

"It's nothing, Sheena. Just a little doubt in my mind."

Raine followed the other half-elf to the back of the stage, Lloyd and the other's eyes accompanying them. Sheena found that a little strange, but decided to leave them be. The voluptuous woman said for the group to ask for whatever they wanted. Lloyd said that he would pay, but Sheena insisted that it was on the house.

After asking for the food, Sheena went to the kitchen to relay the order to Aisha and the others. As the workers of Asuka's were making the food, the women asked Sheena to tell them how her journey was going so far.

"Let me see…" the guardian user said as she prepared her Mizuho Curry for Lloyd (it seemed to have turned into his favorite dish). "We were chased by demons, found out some interesting things…" she debated if they would believe their entire group was composed by reincarnated Summon Spirits. "And were almost killed more than I can count."

"Sounds like you got yourself into more trouble than usual," Kate said. Sheena shrugged to her.

Tanny then appeared in the kitchen and sat in a nearby chair, deciding to take part in the talk. She looked to Sheena and asked:

"By the way, how are you and that hot piece of swordsman, Lloyd, doing?"

"We're fine," Sheena answered simply.

"Oh, c'mon. We're all friends here, Sheena. Tell us."

"Yes. Tell us all of the juicy parts," Aisha said.

"What the… Aisha!" Sheena exclaimed with a blush.

"What? I'm a woman too, you know."

"As your friends and co-workers we have to right to know," Kate inputted.

"The only right you all have is to mind your own business."

"Please, Sheena. Pleaaaaaseeee," Tanny begged with cute puppy dog eyes.

"Urgh… nothing what your two dirty minds are thinking happened! There! Happy?"

The girls moaned in disappointment. However, Tanny decided to persist on the talk:

"But you did talk to him, didn't you?"

"Why do you want to know so much?" Sheena inquired. She liked Tanny as a sister, but there were times that she couldn't stand that side of the half-elven girl.

"Because we could help you."

Sheena looked from the red head to the other girls in the kitchen, all seeming pretty anxious to hear about her love life. The guardian user sighed to calm herself and asked:

"If I tell, you swear that you will get off my case?" the three nodded. "Ok. He does like me," the other women squealed, making Sheena slightly cringe before she talked again. "But he feels intimidated around me. Thinks I will judge him because he doesn't know how to act in a relationship."

"I knew it," Kate said. "He looked like the kind of guy that doesn't date very often."

"From the sound of it, he's just underestimating himself because he's virgin," Aisha said simply. "Pity."

"Yeah," Sheena agreed with them. "And don't tell anybody I told you that, got it?" Sheena soon added in a threatening told.

The three nodded and went back to work.

After the food was ready, Tanny and Sheena served the group. It was then that Raine and Asuka came back, however, both their expressions were somewhat heavy and thoughtful. Marta and Sheena noticed that and the brunette asked what was wrong, but Raine avoided the subject, saying it was nothing…

- / - / - / -

After renting two rooms in one of the city's Inn, the group had settled themselves to sleep. That is, everybody but Sheena, who decided to take a look at how Asuka's was doing without her. As she was mentally reviewing the pictures of all the idiots and perverts that were not allowed to ever come back to the night club, her attention was deviated due to a familiar aura, which she didn't sense coming from the Inn, but rather from the ruined, stone bridge near the entrance of the city.

The voluptuous woman looked to that direction and saw that Raine was really there, sitting in the edge of the stone bridge, facing the direction Sheena was and looking to the crescent moon in the night sky. The silver haired half-elf had a reflective expression on her face that Sheena never saw before.

Deciding that Tanny and the others could take care of themselves until she arrived, Sheena went to where Raine was. The older woman was so deep in reflection that she didn't seem to notice the guardian user approaching. Sheena then spoke up when she was on the stone bridge right near Raine:

"I swear I never saw a researcher look so attentively to the skies, but looking so lost at the same time," Raine looked up to the young woman, seeming surprised. "May I have a seat?"

The Professor looked again to the skies while nodding. Sheena then sat down near Raine and observed her. The half-elf indeed seemed a little lost, like there was something troubling her. Sheena wondered what it was that her mother and Raine had talked about that made her companion get like that.

"So, can you tell me what's on your mind or is that another private subject?" Sheena asked, though she could already guess the answer. "And don't try to hide it. We both know that you've been like this ever since mother and you talked."

"I never intended to hide anything from you. After all, you were raised by that woman," Raine simply said.

"Ok… and what does that exactly mean?"

"Just that you both are very attentive to your surroundings," there was a pause when Raine looked up again to the moon. Sheena did the same. "I was just… remembering."

"About what?" Sheena asked with interested. Was Raine going to speak something about her past? Up until now, Sheena and the others knew next to nothing about Raine's life.

"Why I ended up here, traveling with all of you."

Sheena expected something more concrete than that vague answer. She started to wonder if that was how Richter answered to Nebilim, because that certainly was telling nothing. It was then Raine asked again, and this question picked at Sheena's interest:

"Did you have any family back at Mizuho?"

Sheena had to tighten her grip so as to not fall from the bridge. Did Asuka tell Raine about Sheena's hometown? If that was so, then why? That was one of the most closely guarded secrets between her and her mother. Nobody in the town knew where she was originally from and Sheena hadn't told even Lloyd and the others (though she knew she would have to at some point).

"In case you're wondering, your mother did mention it, but please don't think ill of her. She had a reason to do so."

The guardian user wondered what reason it would be, but she trusted her mother, so, she would leave things alone until either Raine or Asuka told her. Sheena then answered:

"I was an only child. My mother and father were very nice people and my grandpa… well, he was pretty nice too," Raine merely acknowledge with a nod for Sheena to continue. "But there was a girl, actually an outsider, and her mother. I swear I never saw people more sweet and kind in my entire life. I won't go into details about them, because it was my village's business, but that little girl… she was raised together with me, even though I was older than her. I remember that she was always following me everywhere, calling me 'big sis'," Sheena chuckled at that, shaking her head with closed eyes as she remembered those good times. "We even thought about training her to be one of us, but… then…"

There was no need to continue. Raine knew of Mizuho's ultimate fate. The older woman decided to focus back on what she had been meaning to ask:

"If this girl, who you regard as a sister… if she did… something terrible… what would be your reaction?"

Sheena raised an eyebrow at that. This was certainly suspicious, even for Raine. The voluptuous woman decided to see where this talk would lead and answered:

"Well, if she did, I certainly would be upset and, depending on the reasons behind it, give her a scold. But I would forgive her in the end and say that she needs to think of a way to fix things."

"Even if what she did can't be fix?" Raine asked with a coldness in her tone that made a chill run up to Sheena's spine.

"Um… if it doesn't… then I think that all I could do is to say that she will have to face the consequences. Why are you asking all this by the way?"

"Just curiosity," it was clear it wasn't just out of pure curiosity and Sheena was ready to further inquire Raine until she got a satisfactory answer, but the silver haired woman stood and dusted her pants. "I think it's already time for me to return. We have to be ready for tomorrow. After all, they say there is a demon's fortress in the mountains near the Balacruf Mausoleum."

Wishing a good night to Sheena, Raine up and left. The young ninja tried to call her back, but Raine was already too far ahead. The violet haired woman crossed her arms as she stood, thinking:

What was that about? Man, that woman is so full of secrets. But what she said and all of those questions… Sheena started to wonder if that had anything to do with Raine's family and, if that was so, where was her family?

- / - / - / -

In the peninsula where the Balacruf Mausoleum was located there was a string of mountains in which had built a demon fort. However, no one, except for the demonic troops themselves, knew the real purpose of that fort was far from military.

Inside the fort there were several halls and demonesses walking around with notes and some packages. Deeper in the fort were the residential quarters and there was one room in special that housed the master of that fort. Waiting besides the door was a purple haired demoness in human form, though the designs of her skimpy clothes showed it wasn't fabricated in that world.

From inside the room were incoming moans. Then there was a gasp and a muffled sound, after that, silence. Five seconds later, the door opened and a black haired demon in human form stepped out. He was wearing dark clothes that seemed to be made of some kind of leather and decorated with silver belts. His skin had a pale tone and his eyes were of a purple color clearly unnatural for that world. His hair was a little messy, but he had a content expression on his attractive face as he said:

"Nothing like a blowjob to begin the day," the master of the fort then noticed the demoness near the door and greeted. "Oh, hey Shallia. Didn't notice you there."

"Slept well, Master Netrioh?" the demoness asked, bowing to him.

"Yeah, but one more company surely would have been nice," Netrioh said as another demoness stepped out of his room, this one with red fiery hair, golden eyes and claw like nails, though she had a seductive smile on her face, a face that could easily make any men drool for her. That not mentioning the rest of her features. "That is, if that's why you're at my doorstep."

"No. I wouldn't dare to intrude."

"Oh, c'mon sweety," the red haired demoness said, putting one hand in Netrioh's shoulder while leaning on him, pressing her curvaceous body on him. "You know what they say; the more the merrier."

"I'll consider it next time, Lady Algrioh," Shallia bowed her head again to the two. "But, I came because there's a visitor in the entry hall."

"Visitor, heh?" Netrioh said, smiling a cunning smile. He made motion for the two females to walk with him as he asked in a business-like tone. "And who might that be?"

"The Desian Rodyle."

Netrioh arched an eyebrow in confusion, but an expression of understanding soon dawned on his face. Rodyle had contacted him the other day, saying he would be coming to collect the tax for Netrioh's stay in Aselia. Although the demon knew Rodyle would certainly take some of the payment for his infamous experiments, there was not much he could do. Rodyle might look like your typical crazy scientist, who never do the dirty work, but the one that the Desian Grand Cardinal reported to…

Good thing Netrioh had the approval of the Grand Demon Lords and of the Merchant Clan to be there. The trio walked through the corridors of the fort and came out in a hall with a large balcony that gave view to the mountains and the path to the Balacruf Mausoleum.

In the hall, Rodyle was waiting, sitting in a couch. The half-demon scientist wasn't paying any attention to the exotic women around him, he was busy checking the files on his personal data storage pendant. When the purple haired man sensed Netrioh walking in, he looked up.

"You certainly took your time. I've been waiting for over an hour," the Desian Grand Cardinal said.

"Really? Then do you mind waiting for another hour?" Netrioh said with a smile on his face.

"You sure are cocky for somebody who is here just by the goodwill of the Great One," Rodyle replied.

"Then don't you think I should enjoy it while I can? Man, you're just as stuffy as they say. Sheesh. Get laid, buddy."

There was some silence in Rodyle's part after that sentence. Shallia, Algrioh and some nearby demonesses who had been hearing the conversation, giggled at that remark from their master. Netrioh winked to two of them. Rodyle sighed in exasperation while massaging his forehead with his fingers. Deciding he should just get out of there before he started losing more brain cells by talking with Netrioh, Rodyle said:

"I have more useful things to do with my time than to hear to your pointless antics. Now hand me over the payment!"

"Alright, alright. Stuffy, stuffy…" Netrioh went to sit in a nearby divan and snapped his fingers. Two demonesses came in, bringing a huge chest. They deposited it near Rodyle's feet and the Desian opened it to inspect the content. "You'll find all eighty exspheres there, just as promised."

Rodyle seemed satisfied and put the exsphere he had picked up back in the chest. He then called out to two Desian soldiers, who picked up the chest and took it to the exit of the fort where the teleportation device that brought them there was waiting. Rodyle then turned to Netrioh and spoke:

"Also, according to Lord Nebilim's orders, I must warn you that Ratatosk is in this region. If you see him, you are to immediately communicate with our Lord. Though I doubt you would be capable of even that much."

That piece of information seemed to pick Netrioh's interest, for he stood from his divan when Rodyle said it. The demon seemed to ponder that for some time and finally said, with a dismissive smile:

"Alright. I'll be sure to let you know if I see Ratatosk around. Now, if you aren't going to stay for a round with my girls, though I honestly don't know if I want to have them pass through a horror like that, you can leave. You're cramping my style."

"I would worry more about your situation with Lord Nebilim than about your… style," Rodyle commented, smiling a smug smile. "I heard that your recent activities have been...what could I say? Slightly suspicious."

"Really? Can you prove it?" Netrioh said, his smile turning one of who challenged someone. Rodyle's glare hardened. "And even so, I already told you all; I'm a trader, a businessman, not a warrior. And since I have permission to run my business here from the Top Ones…" he pointed his finger upward for emphasis. "I would say that you are in my way, since you probably don't know a thing about Niflheim's commerce."

"This impudent behavior of yours will be your end, Netrioh. Mark my words!"

"Yeah, yeah. Well, while that don't happen…" the demon then laid on his divan, snapping his fingers and soon he was surrounded by three demonesses, one fanning him with her arm transformed in a wing, other handing him fruits with exotic color tones and another laying near Netrioh. "Can you leave, please? I swear…" Netrioh held his nose, like he was trying to block out some awful smell. "When was the last time you remembered to bathe? Man, and they say we demons don't know the concept of personal hygiene."

Rodyle's left eyebrow twitched while all of the demons around laughed at him. Mumbling some curses under his breath, the Desian Grand Cardinal turned on his heels and left. Once Netrioh couldn't feel his presence anymore, he got up, going to the balcony while his servants watched him.

The demon merchant looked down to the path that lead to the Balacruf Mausoleum and could see a number of figures approaching from the direction of the mainland, no doubt Ratatosk's group. He had heard about them from the reports that his contacts achieved to intercept. Not that he needed it anyway. Ratatosk's group composed by the reincarnated Summon Spirits had turned into the talk of the moment in the demonic troops.

Netrioh smiled, remembering the last time he had saw the Summon Spirit of the Giant Kharlan Tree. Algrioh then approached her master and asked what they should do. She, like him and good part of the demons that worked on that fort, were of the Beast species, more precisely bird demons, which were known by their exceptional sight and flying abilities.

The master merchant of the fort belonging to the Merchant Demon Clan turned to her and looked to his servants inside. He then spoke:

"We still have some time before they arrive and go to Sylph's altar, so…" he pointed to Shallia as he smiled a rather seductive smile. "Shallia, on your knees if you may," the demoness smiled, bowing her head again, seeming content to comply. "And you…" he said turning to Algrioh. "I want that off in three seconds," he said, pointing to the strap that she used to cover her large breasts and was the only piece of clothing she used form the waist up. "But let's make this quick. After all, what kind of friend would I be if I don't drop by to say 'hello'?"

- / - / - / -

The group quickly made it to the Balacruf Mausoleum while the sun was just about to hit the mountain peak. They all had woken up early (though Sheena had to practically use the chaos essence to get Lloyd out of the bed) and parted, having said their farewells to Asuka's crew the other day.

They arrived in the area around the Balacruf Mausoleum after using monsters and Centurions as mounts (Tenebrae complained a bit, but Aqua shut him up) and looked around. Raine immediately made a mad dash for a salience in the pyramid-like structure that was the mausoleum. Lloyd and the others could clearly see the mad gleam of Ruin Mode in her eyes.

"Ooohhhh! The Balacruf Mausoleum… such a relic from the past of Sylvarant. It's absolutely marvelous and more grandiose than I previously thought!" Raine said in a dreamy tone, which contrasted horribly with her normally calm and cool attitude. "Just look at the angle. The perfection in which it was built! Not even the magitechnology of the Kharlan War period could build something like this!"

"Yeah. It's really impressive," Emil said, walking near Raine without the group noticing. Lloyd and the others looked at the boy with surprised expressions.

"Uh… Aster Mode?" Lloyd asked.

"Seems so…" Marta said, sighing.

"These two really are something…" Sheena said.

"Anyway, Lord Ratatosk," Ventus said reminding the group of why they came there.

Ratatosk took control of Emil's body and nodded, going for the stone door that was the entrance to the mausoleum and undoing the seal. The group entered the ancient building and noticed how dark it was. Sheena and Lloyd entered in their spirit forms and produced spheres of light and fire to lighten the path.

"Stay close. This place is full of traps to stop intruders and grave robbers," Ventus said.

"Oh my! Look at these inscriptions!" Raine said as she looked at a stone mural in the wall.

"Um… Professor Sage…" Ventus called her. Even he was a little uneasy around Raine when she was like that. "We need to go further in the mausoleum."

"Really? Why didn't you just say so before? Let's go!" Raine said in an excited tone and taking the lead of the group. Ratatosk, Lloyd, Marta and Sheena all sweatdropped at Raine's behavior.

The group advanced while fighting through undead monsters that rose from the tombs inserted in the walls and avoiding traps like spiked walls, ground and pit falls (to which Sheena only survived because Lloyd was able to grab her arm and pull her back).

"Goddammit! I forgot how I hate these pitfalls!" Sheena cursed.

"I would never pictured that you like somebody who would fall for such old tricks," Tenebrae jabbed in, causing Sheena to blush.

"Me too. Shee-luni always seemed so smart," Lumen commented.

Sheena said for the two to shut up. The group continued with their exploration (though Raine and Emil seemed to behave like it was some short of excavation). It was then the group came across a hole that isolated the part of the ruin they were at. At the other side was a stone door and to their left were stairways.

Raine looked to the stairs and also noticed something in the wall between them and the gap. Approaching, the female Professor saw that it was another mural, this one with phrases inscribed. She couldn't read it due to the darkness.

"Lloyd, Sheena, come over here," the silver haired woman called.

The couple walked to her, however, in that moment, a gust of wind came and their lights died out. Lloyd got a little confused and created another fireball, but another gust of wind made it die. Sheena tried too and, odd enough, hers also was dispelled by the gust.

"What kind of wind is that?" Sheena asked. "I could feel something on it."

"Hmm… strange," Lumen said, seeming to ponder. "Why would there be magical wind around Sylph's lair?"

The entire group looked to Lumen and sweatdropped. Deciding to forget the Centurion's obliviousness, Raine tried to read the few parts that she could see:

"'The rich of… blue princess… holy seal…' interesting," Raine mused, crossing her arms. "It seems this is some kind of clue to get to Sylph's altar, but I don't know what it means. If I could at least see it more clearly," the researcher then turned back to them. "We'll have to find the draft from where this wind comes from and shut it off."

"What? Are you crazy? It could be anywhere!" Ratatosk said, taking control of Emil's body. "We don't have time for this. Ignis, Tenebrae."

The Centurions nodded to their lord and called the monsters he had ordered them to bring through the mental link he had reestablished with the Centurions. A tall, brown bear and a dark scorpion appeared. Lloyd and the others wondered what he was going to do with the monsters, but they soon found out when the creatures approached the mural and started to beat the wall, creating cracks around it.

Since the mural was more elevated than the wall and of a different tonality, Ratatosk deduced it had been put there after the structure was built. The others closed one eye at seeing the monsters opening holes in the wall around, the bear used punches and blows that made the area seem to shake. Ratatosk grinned, but Raine, right behind him had her mouth agape in shock. The others noticed it and the Centurions considered to make their servants stop, but their lord's orders were absolute.

The bear could finally dig his claws around the lower edge of the mural. Ignis then called upon another to help carry it. The two monsters took the mural off the wall and deposited it in front of the group with more care than they seemed capable of.

"There. Now you can…" before Ratatosk could end his phrase a violent blow sounded as a hard staff hit the back of his head. He looked back. "What the hell… ?"

The Lord of the Monsters stopped as he finally saw Raine's face and sensed a murdering intent in her aura. The expression on the silver haired researcher's face was one of cold anger, more threatening than if she had an expression of hatred on her features. Ratatosk gulped.

"You dare to damage such a unique relic of the Balacruf Dynasty as this building and its murals…" Raine said in a cold, serious tone. Ratatosk gulped, suddenly thinking the Grand Demon Lords weren't so scary anymore. "You have no consideration, whatsoever!"

Ratatosk tried to call out for help, but Raine was faster and mauled the rash Summon Spirit. Marta and the others flinched at the beating that was inflicted upon their friend. When Raine's attack ended, Ratatosk was a bloody pulp on the ground. The researcher approached the mural and asked for light. Lloyd and Sheena quickly did as she asked, not wanting to anger the silver haired woman any further.

Raine took out the book she used to take notes on everything in that journey and wrote the translation of the mural on it. Once she was done, Raine made signal for all of them to continue. Marta picked up the out cold Ratatosk by his arm, passing it over her shoulder and carrying him with the group. It didn't take too much time until Emil took control and asked what happened and why he was feeling like he had been through a round against a demon general.

The group passed by some more traps and lit two torches near a blocked door to unlock the mechanism in order to open it. The new room was brighter than the rest of the mausoleum. In its center stood five windmills, each with a different color, and in the other side of the room was another stone door with the Emblem of the Gale, Sylph's crest, carved on it.

The group approached the door and tried to open it. Sheena even tried the spell that Ratatosk used to undo the spirit seal, but it didn't budge. They turned to look at the room again. Maybe the windmills were connected to the door somehow.

Marta approached one and raised her palm to it, wind gathered around her arm and shot to the windmill, making it spin. That made Raine show an expression of understanding. She took her book and flipped through it until the last note she made.

"I see…" Raine said, calling the group's attention.

"What is it?" Sheena asked.

"The mural that we saw before held clues to open the door that leads to the altar. These phrases have elements in it that probably corresponds to the color of the windmills. Most ancient civilizations used to associate colors to elements of nature and feelings in their paintings."

"Ok…meaning?" Lloyd asked, not having understood much of what Raine said.

"Marta, activate the windmills in the following order."

The female brunette nodded and did as Raine told her to. When the last windmill started to spin, a rumble was heard and the door behind them started to move and opened to reveal a staircase. It was then Marta started to sense something as a gust of wind seemed to come from above. She started walking towards the staircase as the rest of the group followed her from behind.

The altar was at the top of the pyramid-like mausoleum, in an open area which you could view the woods and mountains all around. There was a green, glowing sphere at the top of the altar around which the wind seemed to swirl. Lloyd and the others could sense a presence within the sphere as Marta approached it with her eyes fixated on it.

A feminine, deep voice echoed in the area:

You, who are our new incarnation… we are the ones known as the Sylph… the voice then changed at the next phrase to one a bit more lighthearted. We have waited for the time you would come to reunite with us and be reborn as a Summon Spirit of this world… the voice changed again, this time to a high-pitched one. But first, we need to make a little, tinsy bit of testing. So hang in there!

Lloyd and the others raised their eyebrows at the final voice, while the Centurions just sighed. The half of Sylph's soul started to shine brighter as the wind picked up its intensity. Eventually, Marta was forced to cover her face as the light before her took shape.

When the brunette girl looked again, there, standing before her was a giant, humanoid, bird-like monster. Its body was mostly blue with some tones of yellow and green and its head was small, though it came with a very, sharp-looking beak. The talons showed three, equally, sharp-looking claws.

"Well… at least they didn't throw in three monsters at once," Emil heard Ratatosk commentand asked what he meant with that. "Back then, when they tested a summoner, the Sylphs fought against him all together. Anyway, if Marta wins this battle she'll become the new Sylph."

But… if she becomes Sylph… then that means… Emil communicated back to Ratatosk.

"Yeah. She'll be an immortal Summon Spirit…" there was something in Ratatosk's tone that Emil couldn't quite catch. Was it sadness?

The two stopped talking once the battle began and they had to give Marta space as she was pushed back by a strong gust coming from the wings of the bird monster.

"That's an Iapix," Ventus explained. "Lady Marta, watch out for its feathers and talons, they're as sharp as steel blades!"

"Don't you think I noticed?" Marta talked back as she jumped when the Iapix landed where she had been seconds before.

The bird monster spun, trying to slash Marta with its talons. She used her spinner to defend herself from the blow, but it was strong enough to throw her out of balance. The Iapix then floated up and shot a rain of feathers. Marta again had to use all of her agility to avoid the sharp feathers, which buried in the concrete.

She gathered wind in her spinner and spun, releasing a wind disk. However, when it collided with the Iapix, the giant bird suffered no damage. Marta gritted her teeth as she had to jump again to avoid another Feather Shoot. She should have guessed the monster was immune to wind.

That means I'll have to get close. But how am I going to do it without getting sliced to bits by this thing's talons? Marta wondered.

The Iapix then started to charge a spell and Marta immediately used the defensive Arte she had been developing during her training with the boys:

"Damage Guard!" a green, protective, bubble-like shield raised at the same time the Iapix casted Air Thrust. Thanks to her Arte, the wind blades hit the shield without any harm to Marta.

The monster seemed to get frustrated at seeing its attack had been useless and flew to Marta in high speed, intent on ramming into her. The brunette girl saw an opportunity and crouched on the ground before jump, twirling in the air as the great bird passed below her. Marta then slashed at the wing of the monster bird, using just the blade of her spinner.

She managed to cut part of its feathers, which made the monster lose altitude and crash on the concrete. Marta quickly charged at the Iapix and swung her spinner at the monster's back, delivering three cuts to the creature's back. Marta tried to jump back when the Iapix spun, but didn't count on the creature using its wing to hit her. She was thrown across the altar area and hit a pillar behind her with enough strength for her to open her mouth in a gasp of pain.

Marta fell to her knees, but managed to look up and saw the Iapix charge another spell. The reincarnated Sylph couldn't use Damage Guard in time and was hit by another Air Thrust which gave most of her body several cuts, spilling some blood. Marta screamed in pain. She never had much of a magical defense.

Emil's eyes widened as did the others at seeing Marta fell forward in pain, putting her hands on the ground and panting while droplets of blood fell in the concrete floor. Emil wanted nothing more than go and help her. Ratatosk just wanted to tear that overgrown chicken limb by limb and give the remnants for savage beasts to feast on. However, both knew they couldn't interfere with the test.

Marta managed to, somewhat, gather enough strength to stand. She saw the Iapix coming at her. Quickly looking around for a place to protect herself, she only saw the pillar behind her. The Iapix then jumped into the air and fired two swarms of steel sharp feathers. The girl ran behind the pillar as the feathers buried themselves into the stone.

Marta knew if the bird monster caught her now, she was dead. Quickly thinking about her options, she looked to the pillar behind her. It wasn't very thick, so maybe she could… as she heard the monster approach again, Marta made up her mind and detached her back from the pillar, positioning her spinner and cut the pillar with it. The column of stone started to fall and the Iapix looked up, not being able to avoid it in time the monster was hit by the stone and went to the ground.

Marta took the chance and charged at the bird monster, intend on ending the fight, but right as she was close, the Iapix rose from the rubble and, sensing her close, applied a sweep kick with its talons on the girl. The sharp talons left three cuts on Marta's torso, bringing her down. The girl gritted her teeth in pain as her wounded back hit the concrete.

She opened her eyes in time to see the Iapix upon her and ready to deliver a final blow with its talons. Almost on instinct, Marta used Damage Guard and managed to block the attack. When the talons bounced back, the Iapix decided to use its beak. Marta knew she wouldn't be able to raise the shield again and did the only thing she could; rolled to the side, ignoring the pain.

She saw the sharp beak of the monster sink into the concrete and get stuck. Knowing she wouldn't have another chance like this, Marta got up in less than a second, adrenaline rushing through all across her system and blocking the sensation of pain, and made her spinner's blade spun like a buzzsaw. With a yell, Marta brought her weapon down on the bird's neck. There was a loud chirp of pain and blood flew from the friction between feather, flesh and metal. Another second later, the head of the Iapix was severed from its body and the monster finally went down.

Seeing the test had ended, Emil and the others ran to Marta's side as the Iapix's remains started to fade away into several green dots and wind. Marta was panting in exhaustion. Her entire body hurt like hell and her right arm and spinner smelled of blood. Emil arrived in time to catch the exhausted and beaten Marta from collapsing onto the ground.

"Marta! Marta, are you okay?" Ratatosk asked, taking full control.

"Ugh… Emil… I did it… did you see me?" Marta said, appearing to be half conscious as Ratatosk made her sit on the ground for the female brunette to catch her breath.

"Yeah. You taught that overgrowth chicken a lesson," Ratatosk said.

"Heh heh heh. Thanks."

The rest of the group sighed in relief. Ventus then looked to the altar and saw the bright, green sphere forming again. The Centurion of Wind called:

"Lady Marta. It's time."

Marta saw the light floating over the altar and nodded, getting up even though she was exhausted and severely injured. She walked towards the altar in a trance-like state. It was like she wasn't even feeling any pain now. Lloyd and the others observed as the voices of the Sylph sisters spoke, the high-pitched one first:

Wow! You're really tough, girl! the voice changed to the cheerful one. It seems you're ready to take on our duty. It said as its tone changed to the serious and mature one. However, remember; our powers will come as you learn to control them. Show the same determination you did today and no storm will be able to bring you down.

Marta then reached for the green sphere of light. When she touched it, the wind started to get stronger and the green light seemed to pass through her arm and into her entire body, healing it as the voices of the Sylph sounded once more, this time all three together as one:

Now we are reborn… as the Whirlwind Rider…

The wind grew stronger while Lloyd and the others had to protect their eyes from its gusts. At its center, Marta's clothes changed as green rings of wind passed through her body. Most of her clothing disappeared and was replaced by a skin-tight, green suit that hugged her slim form with golden drawings which resembled branches. Her boots were also replaced by white ones and a pair of spectral blades that seemed to form wings sprouted from her toes on each shoe. Her arms were bare save for her hands, in which appeared purple, fingerless gloves and floating at the back of these appeared spectral, green spinner blades which sunk into the back of her gloves, leaving a drawing of them.

Finally, a pair of spectral, green wings, very similar to Lloyd and Sheena's appeared on Marta's back as the Emblem of the Gale on her right arm glowed and acquired a green tone. When the winds finally died down, Marta and the others could see properly again. The reincarnated Sylph was the first to notice the changes on herself. However, when she looked on what had become of her clothing, she started to look at herself in a frantic manner.

"What's wrong Marta?" Sheena asked. The young girl then turned to the ninja and answered in an almost panicked tone:

"'What's wrong'? 'What's wrong'? Are you blind or something? I'm practically wearing a swimsuit that shows off my entire body! THAT'S WHAT'S WRONG!"

Marta blushed a scarlet tone as the whole group looked at her with confused glances. When Lloyd and Emil finally registered what Marta had said, two things happened: Emil's eyes widened, almost jumping out of their sockets, as two, thin lines of blood came out of each nostril and Lloyd blushed the same color tone as his jacket and turned back trying not to look. Emil had to cover his nose and excuse himself as he quickly hid behind a pillar to clean himself.

Raine looked slightly interested as she put her hand on her chin and Sheena tried to calm Marta down:

"Hey, calm down, Marta. It's not that bad."

"'Not that bad'?" Marta repeated, cutting Sheena off. "Then I'm supposed to go around wearing this?" she pointed to her new attire. "Don't tell me the Sylphs wore this thing!" she looked to everybody in the group for an answer.

"Actually they did," Ventus said in his typically wise tone, but with a hint of hesitation due to Marta's frantic state. "According to them, it provided much better maneuverability and freedom to move… and they also said it allowed them to feel the wind as they flew."

"Yeah, well I can feel it alright! Right up my thighs!" Marta said in an angry pout. It was true, the impression she had was that she was actually wearing nothing and that disturbed her to no end.

"Oh, c'mon. You make it look like you never used a swimsuit before," Sheena said.

"Actually I didn't. Daddy, Mother and me never had much time to enjoy the beach."

"Ah… well…" Sheena said, scratching behind her head, not knowing what to say.

"I honestly don't know why you are so bothered by something like that," Tenebrae spoke up. Marta and Sheena looked to him. "I mean, it's not like you have anything to hide."

"What did you say?" Marta asked, narrowing her eyes.

"Well, you know. You don't have any curves, Lady Marta," Lumen said, as blunt as ever.

Marta went mute at that comment as did the others, including Ignis and Aqua.

"I wonder if she has a slow maturity growth," Tenebrae commented.

"Maybe that's it. Shee-luni said she started gaining curves when she was around sixteen," Lumen jabbed in again without even realizing it.

Though Sheena felt a little angry at Lumen speaking about her like she wasn't even there, she was more worried about Marta's mood. The girl's aura was vibrating with murderous intent now and her shoulders were shaking with her head slightly lowered. That was more than enough of a warning for Sheena to run and pull Lloyd and Emil, who seemed to have recovered from his nose bleed, with her and rush downstairs. Ignis, Aqua and Ventus pushed Raine downstairs too, much to her protests.

The reincarnated Sylph then stomped her way to Lumen and Tenebrae, who stopped once she was close and sensed her murderous intent. The two looked at her and started sweating as the girl asked, in a tone of controlled anger and baring her teeth:

"What. Did. You. Just. Say? That I'm flat and look like a boy, is that it?"

Tenebrae stayed mute, hoping that maybe that it would give him enough time for a chance to escape appear. However, Lumen, being who he was, wasn't able to keep his big mouth shut and spoke:

"We didn't say it like that. But now that you mentioned it…"

Tenebrae's eyes bulged as he heard what his counterpart said. Even he wasn't that tactless. His attention soon turned to Marta as a hurricane of wind seemed to form around her as she shouted in anger:

"I. AM. NOT. FLAT!"

The next sound that was heard was a loud "blam" that shook the entire mausoleum…

- / - / - / -

Outside of the Balacruf Mausoleum, Netrioh and Algrioh were flying around the building, watching and keeping their distance of the barrier around the building. They couldn't see anything of what happened at the top of the building due to its magical protection, but the demon merchant did felt something as he let out an "huh?" from his mouth. Algrioh looked to her master and asked:

"Is something wrong, Master Netrioh?"

"No. I just suddenly… felt a huge surge of power coming from the mausoleum. But it must have been my imagination," he said, shrugging…

- / - / - / -

Marta (reverted back to her human form) and the group were returning to the entrance of the mausoleum. Aqua and Ignis were dragging Lumen and Tenebrae's mauled bodies with them, but didn't dare to complain. The reincarnated Sylph hadn't uttered a word and nobody dared to break that silence. Raine looked from Tenebrae and Lumen's unconscious forms to Marta while writing frantically in her book.

When the group finally arrived at the entrance of the mausoleum, Ratatosk opened it and they exited. However, before the group could close the door, they sensed a presence nearby. When they looked to the road ahead, they saw it was a black haired demon with black bird wings. Together with him was a demoness with red hair and wings. After the two landed, their wings disappeared with a glow and they walked to the group of reincarnated spirits and Centurions.

The group drew their weapons, ready for a fight. The demon stopped at seeing that and said:

"Whoa, whoa! Relax guys. I'm not here to fight you."

"Ha! Good one. But we're not falling for that!" Lloyd said, ready to enter his spirit form for battle.

The demon scratched the back of his head at that retort. Looking to the black haired, demon bird a memory suddenly came to Emil and Ratatosk took control. He walked past the group, who looked to him in surprise and worry since he sheathed his sword. Marta was about to call him when the Summon Spirit said:

"Relax. This guy couldn't be less of a threat."

"Hey! Ratatosk! How are you doing, ol' buddy?" the demon said, smiling to the crimson-eyed spirit.

"Buddy?" the rest of the group repeated.

Ratatosk sighed and spoke:

"It seems you haven't changed a bit, Netrioh. I thought they would feed you to mindless, lower demons after the war was over."

"Nah. The Merchant clan recognized my obvious talents and asked for the Great Ones to spare me. But just look at you," Netrioh said. It was then the demon seemed to really notice Ratatosk's new appearance. "You're… uh… shorter…"

"I'm sharing this boy's body as you can see," Ratatosk said in a curt and annoyed tone.

"Oh…" Netrioh spoke, seeming a little embarrassed. He then looked to the group behind Ratatosk and smirked as he looked to his "old buddy" again. "But it seems you haven't lost your tact. Still hanging out with the hottest babes."

Raine raised her eyebrow at that comment. Marta blushed. Lloyd felt a sting of anger and Sheena sighed while shaking her head, thinking:

Great… just what I needed… a demon version of him.

"Why don't you mind your own damn business?" Ratatosk said. He then looked to Netrioh's companion. "By the way, who's the new whore?"

"Ratatosk!" Marta spoke in shock. They were demons, but at least they didn't seem to want to kill them, so, she considered there was no motive to be uncivilized with them (even though Netrioh seemed to be a pervert, judging by his partner's clothing).

"What?" Ratatosk asked.

"Ah, don't mind him. He's always like that around his good, ol' friend, Netrioh," the demon merchant said, sporting a charming smile as he spoke of himself.

"We. Are. Not. Friends," Ratatosk growled, but was ignored.

"This is my head servant, Algrioh," Netrioh said.

The red haired demoness greeted them all, which the group returned with awkward expressions on their faces. She asked:

"So, we've heard you're all reincarnated Summon Spirits."

"Why do you ask?" Raine inquired, crossing her arms.

"Oh, nothing. Just to make sure that the information we've intercepted was true," Algrioh replied with a smile.

"'Intercepted'? What does that mean?" Lloyd asked.

"Simple. We're not here with the invasion troops," Netrioh answered.

"Independent agents," Raine spoke out loud.

"Dead on, sweet cheeks."

Raine raised her eyebrow as she repeated the compliment. She was never once called "sweet cheeks" by any man in her entire life. And hearing it from the mouth of a demon was… amusing to the say the least. Sheena shook her head again.

"So, we've came here to say hello and see how my old friend Ratatosk was doing," Netrioh said.

"And now that you've done that, can you get out?" Ratatosk replied.

"Wow. You really break my heart when you say things like that, man," Netrioh said, bringing his hand to his chest.

"Oh, good grief. As if demons have hearts to begin with," Ratatosk rolled his eyes.

"Anyway. If you need anything at all, stop by my fort at the top of that mountain," Netrioh then pointed to one of the peaks at their right. Lloyd and the others accompanied the finger of the demon and saw the lines of something hidden behind a mountain top.

"We'll be sure to remember that," Marta said with an embarrassed smile as she urged the group to go. That demon's presence was starting to disturb her more than if he had come to kill them.

"Just a moment," Raine said. "How exactly do you and Ratatosk know each other? Or rather, how come a demon is friends with a Summon Spirit?"

"He's not my friend, dammit!" Ratatosk said again. "And just forget about it! Let's go!"

The group gave their farewells to Netrioh and were about to leave when they saw four figures blocking their way; two monsters and, mounted in one of them, Alice and Decus, carrying his iron maiden as always.

"My, my. Just look at my luck today," Alice said in a sing-song tone. "Ratamil and his little friends."

"See? I told you they were still around this region," Decus said with that same tone of adoration he used when talking to Alice.

"Yeah, you did, I have come to realize that. Good work Decus," Alice said.

"Oh. I'm so flattered, my darling Alice…" Decus said, putting his hand on his heart and with a dreamy expression as he kneeled near Alice.

"Ok, that's enough. Get up," Alice cut him off. Decus did as he was told. The blonde then resumed her smile as she said. "Anyways...time for you all to become the material of my promotion. You two!" Alice said, pointing at Netrioh and Algrioh with her whip-like rapier. The two were near the entrance to the Balacruf Mausoleum, watching the entire scene. "Take them into custody."

Netrioh seemed uneasy. He felt something emanating from the girl's aura as she spoke. Some kind of pull. Was she trying to control him? Algrioh looked to her master, waiting for his order. He then looked to Ratatosk's group, who spared a quick glance to him. The demon then put up a smirk to mask his uneasiness and spoke:

"Sorry, but I'm not with the invasion troops, therefore, I have no military training. But I'm sure you would like to have all glory to yourself," Netrioh flashed a smile at Alice. "Now, if you excuse me, I have important stuff to do."

As Netrioh turned his back to Alice, he and his head servant drew their wings and took off. Decus shouted to them, pointing and seeming pissed off:

"How dare you talk like that to Alice, you…?"

"Decus, let them go," Alice said, cutting him off again. Decus tried to protest, but the girl said in her typical baby-voice. "I just remembered the Cardinals commented about a certain useless demon. Well, anyway, we'll just have to get all the glory for ourselves," the half-demon girl smiled.

"Oh, excellent idea. Like always, my dear…" Decus started, but Alice didn't pay attention to his flattery anymore, turning to Marta and the others.

"Do you really think you can beat all of us?" Sheena challenged. "We've already recovered our Summon Spirit powers."

"Oh, really?" Alice asked in her sweet tone. She then smiled like a cat as she raised her free hand near her face. The hand seemed to freeze itself and create claws. Alice then spoke in a malicious tone. "In that case, this is going to be really fun."

Here's a skit for the end of the chapter, this one occuring between Marta, Sheena, Aqua, Ignis and Emil:

Fashion Taste

Marta: Gahhh! I can't believe I have to wear... that in my spirit form!

Sheena: You're still complaining about that? Give it a rest, Marta.

Marta: And how come you're not bothered? Last I remember, your clothes are just as revealing as mine.

Sheena: Actually, yours would be considered less revealing. And me… well, it's not like I'm going to use it in public. So…

Ignis: Plus, Lady Sheena thinks it probably will help her to keep Sir Lloyd interested in her body.

Sheena: I-Ignis!

Ignis: Yes?

Marta: I wonder if all female Summon Spirits have a taste for skimpy clothes.

Aqua: I wonder what you would think if you knew about Undine's clothes.

Marta: What?

Aqua: Uh… nothing.! Anyway. Maybe you could follow Lady Sheena's example and try and see how Lord Emil reacts to it.

Ignis: Yes. According to Ventus and Tenebrae, human males tend to fantasize about females in exotic, short garments. Though I'm not sure what this means.

Marta: Oh, well. I will give it a try. Oh, Emil!

Emil: What is it Marta?

Marta: Be honest, what do you think when you see me in my spirit form's clothes?

Emil: I-I… ! Uh… that's… !

Marta: Hum… Emil. Your nose is bleeding.

Emil: Excuse me!

Marta: … Ugh! I knew it. He probably thinks I'm disgusting.

Ignis: Maybe Lord Emil doesn't approve of Sylph's fashion taste.

Sheena: Actually, I think it's quite the opposite…