The hubbub that circulated after Seto's announcement of Battle City was extraordinary in Domino. Even at that late hour, the news coverage of people flocking to gaming stores to register for the Duel Disks was as obnoxious as those videos depicting crazed shoppers on Black Friday. People shoved one another out of the way to sign up for the tournament, trampling over those who fell. Seto, meanwhile, gave a press conference on the sudden announcement, earning gasps of astonishment and some outrage when he told the press his plans on sectioning off areas of the city for his little game.

I was on the phone with him that very night. After I saw him on T.V., I raced into my kitchen, snatched my housephone off of its charger, and called Seto.

"You announced it tonight?" I said tense.

"Ah, you saw. Good. Yes I told you my Battle City was going to be announced soon and I chose tonight. It seemed fitting with the unveiling of the Duel Disk. Why? Do you not agree?"

I stalked out of the kitchen, Von and Razel sharing raised brows. "No, I don't disagree. It's your company you can do what you want. But, I do not appreciate being left in the dark! I feel like a fool now! If I'm your 'business partner' in this project, which let's face it Seto I played a mighty important part, then I deserve to know these things." I was raising my voice now. "I was standing next to you tonight like an idiot completely unawares!"

"Will you relax. No one else at the party knew either. And aren't you a mind reader? Why are you so upset if you could have just read my thoughts." He said.

"Because Seto I try not to pry into the private thoughts of other people unless I have to. And even then I hate doing it. And what if those associates of yours start to investigate me and how I'm linked to your sudden futuristically technological advancements worthy of any Bradbury or Orwell novel? Hell even Star Wars! What if they find out that I'm a Psychic Duelist! I'll be in hiding for the rest of my life!" I snapped.

"Calm down that will not happen."

"How do you know?"

Seto and I bickered for several minutes. Then he said, "Regardless, now that the tournament has started, you will be required to show up at Kaiba Corp. tournament headquarters next week. If you recall, I made you Head of Imaging and Duel Disk Operations. If anyone tries to snoop around your history they'll find out that you work for me. Nothing more. I've made sure that you are rock solid in normalicy. Your powers will remain under wraps and all they will see is a highly intelligent employee. No one will be the wiser."

"Head of Imaging and Duel Disk Operations," I let the superficial title roll off my tongue. A smooth cover up. A clever ruse for me to keep an eye of the Duel Spirits in the game, and a great way for Seto to ensure my secret is kept safe.

"Exactly. When I officially open the tournament, you will be seen behind me with my team of developers. Nothing better than hiding in plain sight. The strongest Psychic Duelist, standing mere feet from their tournament's host."

The tone of his voice indicated he rather enjoyed the secret, the hidden power play.

"I'm sure I'm not the strongest Psychic Duelist." I replied.

"You're the strongest I know. You opened the way to bring Duel Spirit's energy into the card game. You summoned an Egyptian God Spirit. You destroyed millions of dollars of medical equipment while unconscious, Duel Spirits live with you for Christ's sake! You're the Master of the Magician of Black Chaos."

"I defeated your Blue Eyes," I added with a grin.

"Only because I'm unskilled in the ways of Psychic Dueling. Try me in a real duel and we'll see who is the victor." Seto clapped back not wholly cross. We both knew that in our respected ways, we were both right.

"Plus Seto, there will be Rare Hunters won't there? Looking for strong monster cards." I said remembering the duel on the beach and what Ishizu/Isis told me.

"Yes. They will show. And I will test the power of Obelisk."

"Let me help you ferret out these guys. I was accosted by one on Domino beach. They stole Duel Spirits in card form and some were Spellcasters. It seems that they target weaker Duelists and steal their decks, or they just take them without Dueling them at all. Either way, I have it on good authority that this interaction is traumatic and unnatural. If they are harming these Duel Spirits, I want to help them."

Seto paused. "That puts you in the open."

" I know. But as future Master of Magicians and a Psychic Duelist I can't sit idly by and let these assholes hurt Duel Spirits for their own gain. Especially Spellcasters."

I heard Seto inhale and exhale deeply. "How are these Rare Hunters even subduing these Duel Spirits? It's not like the average Joe Shmoe off of the street has that ability."

"I'm not one hundred percent sure. But I have my theories." I said. "The Rare Hunter that I fought on the beach did not say how he got his Duel Spirits, but he did mention that his 'Master' is in the market for rare and powerful cards, and it so happens, Psychic Duelists as well. That's how they tracked me. This Master of theirs. He did mention a name though, a 'Malik/Marik.'"

Seto was quiet as if I had struck a nerve. "That's an Arabic name."

I nodded. "Yes. I means 'Leader' or 'King/Ruler.' Why?"

"Could it also be Egyptian?" He asked again.

"I suppose. Have you heard of this guy?"

"Not directly. I was just thinking of what Ishizu/Isis told me when I visited the museum. The night she gave me Obelisk. She told me of these Rare Hunters and of how her brother was their ringleader. I bet you this Malik/Marik guy is her brother."

"But that still does not explain how the Rare Hunter on the beach acquired his Duel Spirits. And when I defeated him he even pleaded with this Malik/Marik like he was listening in. It was weird."

Seto shuffled on his desk, I heard his keyboard type away.

"What are you doing?" I asked.

"Informing my investigation teams to keep a look out for this asshole. And any sighting of Rare Hunters or questionable persons will be reported to me. If these pricks are really coming to Domino, then they'll be drawn to my tournament. There will be thousands of rare cards gathered in one place. How convenient. If I were a Rare Hunter, I'd be there too. Ishizu/Isis was right. She did say this would be the effect. But she puts her trust in magic and fate. That hocus pocus bullshit is all around me."

"Seto, by saying that, you realize that magic and hocus pocus bullshit is my life now right? You've seen it, touched it, eaten with it." My tone was flat but my mood was humored.

"I do not mean you. I believe what I can see and feel. I don't believe in the blabbering of some woman with family problems who has her head buried so far under the sand she thinks it's still 3500 B.C."

I chuckled at that. "Damn Seto, that's harsh."

"I've given up believing in fairytails and children's stories a long time ago. I had to grow up." He stated with a short tone. "Nevertheless, Going out into the streets will leave you an open target. My professional advice is to avoid it."

I rolled my eyes. "I know it is. I have to though, Seto." I said.

Seto was silent once more. I could tell that he was struggling with what to do. He could let me knowingly walk right into variable traps waiting for me and the Duel Spirits I had, or he could devise a way to let me go about my official other worldly business and still maintain security watch over me. I have to admit, I was flattered, but I could take care of myself. My thoughts went back to the kiss at his gala and my pulse quickened in agitation and I thought of my age old self-preservation kicking in. If he saw me now as some twitter pated woman that needed rescuing because of that kiss he was surly mistaken. The old feelings of being chained down by emotions threatened to snare me again and in an effort to hastily throw them off of me, I answered him a bit too caustically.

"I'm not some helpless damsel who needs a knight. I can handle myself Seto. I don't need to be babysat."

I heard a murmur from my kitchen and I turned around to see Von watching me. He was leaning against the partition separating my living room from the kitchen, in his hand was a steaming cup of herbal tea. Behind him, Razel was seated at the counter, waving his hand over the granite to magically produce a piping hot brew of his own. His red eyes looked up at me and made a face at them.

What are you two doing? I asked through our Mind Links.

Nothing Mistress, Von said.

Nonsense! We're listening to your conversation with the Kaiba boy. Razel stated. Do not do anything rash.

Though he was my True Duel Spirit, Razel was dividing his time between his world and being with me. It was taking a toll on his already cantankerous mood. As an Elite, he was demanded to advise and train the younger magicians before they were to be deployed. As my Duel Spirit, it was his solemn duty to protect me and teach me. There was no room in his world for error, he had to do both perfectly. Seto's thoughtful voice on the phone drew my attention back.

"I would not dream of it," Seto told me.

We were both quiet then. He was not a dullard, I think he realized why I got short with him. There was a strangeness between our Energies since his gala. It was only a few hours ago, so the kiss lingered heavily between us. We tried our best to ignore its pull and remain business partners but it gnawed at us like a hunger. I wanted to brush it under the rug, most likely just as much as he did. He saw it as a lapse in judgment, but what he said in the drawing room contradicted that. That left me confused as hell—one minute he was retreating from me like a scared kid, the next he's on me again. I held my phone tightly to my ear. Then he said something that nearly caused me to drop my phone on the floor.

"Please don't resent me for what I did tonight."

My Energy rose, which I knew Razel sensed like a hawk, and I dropped my voice. "Jeeze Seto, I don't resent you. I was just, not expecting that. I'm not entirely sure what you meant by 'not like this,' but in time you may tell me. The last thing I want you to think is that it will interfere with our work. It won't. I'm not like the other women around you, Seto. I get on just fine."

A sigh filtered into my ear. He was relieved. "Thank you for saying so. If I had insulted my greatest business opportunity I'd be jolly well fucked." He said with a sly hint in his tone.

I grinned. "Yes you would. I'd close that connection and you'd be back to slinging cardboard my friend."

Seto chuckled. It was a natural sound and I smiled. "So you will report in as my Head of Imaging?"

I tilted my head up and stared at my ceiling. "I guess. But don't expect to see me fixed to one spot. I'll be out and about. But I'll stay in touch. I can contact you with that gizmo you gave me while I was at the museum," I said of the ear piece and monocle viser.

"True. I will get you a new one."

"Sounds good," I said.

"So…I suppose I will let you go." He responded awkwardly.

"Ah, yeah. It is late. I need to get to bed." It was almost one in the morning.

"I will see you next week then."

"Yes. Next week." I shifted my weight from foot to foot.

"It was nice seeing you tonight. The dress and necklace suited you." Seto spoke as if conferring a secret. It was low but not a whisper, slow but not tentative.

"Thank you. It was nice seeing you too. See you next week. Bye." I managed to choke out and hung up.

My cheeks flushed because no matter what happened between us and our work, the sound of his deep, liquid voice made my stomach tighten and my heart to flutter. He was sincerely complimenting me and I still held a sliver of girlish hope that Seto was beginning to show what he really thought of me. I may hate the chains of emotion and feeling backed into a corner at the prospect of being seen as weak and in need of a man, but when expressed calmly and naturally, it felt like a hand coaxing me out of my cave and into the light. I was fine with that. I preferred it. I know that it might seem like I'm flopping back and forth from thinking that I like him, liking him, and then running away from it. But relationships are complex like that and mine with him was no different.

Back then, when I was young and standing in my living room after his gala, the kisses aside, I let it out to myself; I liked him. There I said it. I liked Seto Kaiba and tonight confirmed it. And he, if his Energy was to be believed, liked me too. But being who he was, I was ok if he took his time in admitting what we both wanted to acknowledge. Perhaps I needed time as well. It would not behoove me to have a crush at this stage in my magical life. It rested there in the distance, like an oasis in the desert; lovely, but still a ways off. Yet it was out there, waiting patiently for us to reach it.

After I got off the phone, I returned to the kitchen and set my portable back on its charger. Von stepped back and rested his right hip on my counter's edge. His cup of tea was still hot.

"Is everything alright Mistress?" He asked sipping the steaming drink without blowing to cool it.

"Yeah. Just discussing minor points of business. Can I have one?" I pointed to Von's cup.

"Make your own," Razel said from his chair.

I took no offense from what he said for it was not an insult. Rather it was a hard suggestion. Conjuring a cup of any beverage is a simple trick for a Spellcaster, one children learn at home. So I tried it. Razel had waved his hand, Von held out his hand, so every mage has a different method. I pictured the mug of decaf coffee, light brown, warm, delicious. I offered my left palm and with my right hand circled it above twice, then down to the side before bringing my hand up the curved body of the mug. I giggled as like magic, a ceramic mug holding decaf coffee appeared in my left palm.

"Cool," I sipped it.

Von inhaled and eyed my manifestation. "Ah. One of these days I shall try your human 'coffee.' But this lacks the normal acidic odor that your coffee breaths into the kitchen in the morning. Why is that?"

I swallowed. "Seriously? You can smell that it's caffeine free? There are many variations to coffee, where it grows and how it's brewed. I usually have Columbian in the morning and at night decaf so I'm not spinning in circles."

"Decaf?" Von repeated.

Razel gave an exasperated look. "It lacks caffeine, the plant's stimulant property. It is so our Mistress can get to sleep but still enjoy the taste."

Von nodded in understanding. "Why not select the plants without caffeine in the first place from the earth?"

I shrugged. "As far as I know, coffee is removed of the caffeine by humans. Caffeine developed as a defense mechanism against predators, but then humans came along and you see how that goes." I sipped again.

The three of us finished our drinks, chatting about little things like Seto's party. I omitted the kisses of course. Von asked most of the questions while Razel watched in assessment. When I was done, I flicked my left wrist and the mug vanished in a puff of smoke.

"I'm going to bed. I have a lot of offensive training tomorrow." I bid them goodnight and went upstairs.

I was about to turn off my light when I heard knocking on my bedroom door.

"Yes?"

"May I come in?" Razel said as he opened the door.

"Sure. What is it?" I propped up on the bed. "You don't usually ask for permission."

He closed the door behind him and came over to me. He sat on the edge of my bed and gave me a curious look.

"Did you get the Dragons?"

My shoulders slumped. "Not yet."

"What happened? The Dragons we do have stave off the Warriors for now, but the Blue Eyes Dragons will tip the scales."

"I'll get them. Don't worry. Things happened tonight that were not counted upon," I rubbed my face with both hands.

Razel viewed me askance. "I am aware."

"What do you know?" I asked dropping my arms onto my lap.

"Do not let yourself get distracted. This is serious. This is my home at war, I cannot let you jeopardize that for the Kaiba boy's ambiguous affections."

"Ambiguous affections did not stop you from going to Olympia," I retorted. "You guys were in a war together and…"

"That was different. She was from a different life, one made of war and strife. She was educated in battle from her first steps. She knew the responsibilities. She was princess and warrior. I am a magician. We did not let our emotions cloud our thoughts, we were warriors first and foremost." Razel snapped back at me, angered that I would even go there.

I immediately felt shame. I felt my eyes sting at my own audacity of using such a sensitive subject against him for justification in such an insensitive way. "Sorry Razel."

Razel heaved a sigh. "Olympia and I found each other in her courtyard and were joined ever since. Yet we were learned enough to see the bigger picture and put on hold our growing affections, dreadfully debilitating as they were. We never acted upon our feelings in…that…way," he said with hesitant prose implying the obvious.

I blinked in surprise. "You two never?"

"No. Though many a night I dreamt of it. It was out of the question." Razel waved his hand as if sheering wheat.

I stifled a grin. "Now that's a will of iron."

He flashed me a glance that pitifully agreed.

I laughed now. The awkward air was broken. "I don't know what my position is with Seto. It's been years since I had any action from a man so I'm out of practice. I've gotten so used to being single that thoughts of starting something with a guy scare me. Like, I don't want to give up my independence. But by the same token, I like being kissed like that. Tonight made me remember how much I missed it. But then I'm like, 'Why even go there?'"

Razel listened quietly like the mentor that he was. I realized that hearing his Mistress being kissed probably was not the optimum admission he wanted to hear but he kept his opinion to himself. He recognized my struggle and sympathized.

"It's nice to be seen, you know? I always think that no guys notice me. I've probably told this spiel." I smiled.

Razel reached out and patted my hands. I was still caught off guard when he displayed outward emotion towards me. "Trust me Mistress, they notice."

I smiled wider now and shifted on my bed so he could, if he wanted to, sit next to me. My blue mage moved into my vacant spot, his long legs crossing at the ankles, his head perched against my wall. I rested my cheek on his broad shoulder, taking in his scent of citrus and musk.

"I suppose this is not becoming of a Mistress right?" I joked.

"No. It is not." He said.

I laughed. Then after a bit, a wave of seriousness came over me. "I'm going back to your world. I've made up my mind."

Razel shifted his torso to face me. "What?" He gave me a reproachful stare.

"I'm not going to stay here holed up in my house anymore. I'm going to be in the thick of it with the rest of you and no! Don't interrupt me. I'm doing it. Tomorrow we are going back." I shuffled under my blankets and left my words hanging in the air like a heavy cloud.

The Next Morning:

I rose before the dawn and packed several bags for my trip to the Duel Monster Spirit World. I stopped my mail early on my computer for one week, patched my cell phone to work between the worlds through a useful trick of sorcery, and in a few hours was ready to go. I locked my house and joined Razel and Von through the portal.

We landed safely in their world and I was disturbed by the efficiency of the Spellcasters during times of war. Camps and training grounds for sword and staff use were established in the city square, the instructors barking out harsh orders. Mei Ya, Pien Fang, Helion, Jalak, Brom, Lux, Rae and Brie, Neo and Trance saw us approach. They halted in their duties and bowed. The other mages likewise showed their veneration to Razel. My mages bowed only to me.

"Mistress, what an unexpected delight!" Neo said straightening. "What brings you here? It is not safe."

"I will not be seen as the cowering Master. I am here to stay. At least for a week then I must return to my world for official human business. How are preparations?" I jumped right into it. Seeing these mages stirred something in me and I wanted to participate.

"Very well. Although, we received more word from the Plant Race. More attacks from the Warriors are coming. They are fending them off but they are weakening. The Warriors know that the half of the Plants that sided with us are the first hurdle. If they get past them, they are a step closer to our realms" Neo almost spat at the thought.

I gripped his arm like I've seen other fighters do. "That won't happen. I'm here now. We'll stop them."

Neo's face was blank. Those green jewels of his were steady until they glittered with hungry anticipation. "Indeed Mistress."

I turned to Razel. "Take me to Abraxis."

"What for Mistress?" Razel asked tightly.

"Because I want to orchestrate a campaign against the Warriors. The Plant Race needs aid, I intend to give it."

Razel pursed his lips. His eyes hardened. "I shall relay the message. Lord Abraxis is too busy to stop for audience. What should I tell him?"

"I will lead a group of Spellcasters and two Dragons to the Realm of the Plant Race." I tilted my chin in confidence

Razel's angular face caught the sun and my surety grew; With Razel, the fierce and beautiful Spellcaster by my side I could not lose.

"And who shall make up this party of yours Mistress?" He asked read to recite it to memory.

"You, Von, Torunka, Neo and Trance, Mei Ya and Pien Fang, Rae and Brie, Helion and Jalak, Mana, and Rai."

"The Dragons?" Razel said.

"Curse of Dragon and Winged Dragon. Make this happen Razel."

Razel put his right fist to his heart and bowed his head. "It shall be done."

I waited for hours to hear from Razel. I busied myself with practicing swordplay with Trance. He landed a few blows on me, which made my arm sting, but I recovered quickly. Neo barked out to me about foot placement, hand placement, stances, and I tried hard to follow his words. There was a point when Trance showed me how to hold the sword for a particular swing, a large circular motion that used the momentum of the downward blade to cleave my enemy. I felt him take my wrist and raise my right arm high, then bring it down in a swoop. I was nearly blinded from my blush when he was done and brought out a dummy for me to strike. After I calmed down, I wielded the sword and managed to decapitate the straw and leather target.

"Yes!" I shouted.

A clamoring of voices sounded to my far left and I turned my head to see what the fuss was about. Mahad walked hurriedly towards me, ignoring the rude remarks and glares of disdain sent his way. My breath caught in my throat; he was gorgeous. Those turquoise eyes like the Caribbean Sea, that hair like liquid amethyst. But it was the structure of his face that sold me. He was so like Razel! They could be brothers I swear, which made my strong reaction to him both painful and taboo.

Mahad stood three feet from me before he dropped to one knee. I was so startled by his gesture that I jumped, and then quickly I glanced around to make sure no one saw my jolt. He smelled of myrrh. That amber, spicy scent so abundant in ancient Egypt…it was lovely.

"Mahad? What is the meaning of this?" I used my most authoritative voice.

His silky response was perfect. "I come to you as a servant to your Grace. My Master has informed me that I assist you in any capacity. Though I have sworn my allegiance as Duel Spirit to another, I pledge my loyalty to you as well. Use me as your staff and sword, your shield and cloak. As long as you are friend to my Master, and future Master of Magicians, in the absence of my True Master I will follow only you. Have mercy on me, for my past is sordid and tarnished. Pay that no heed. Let us put our enmities aside for now. If you will have me, I will be true and at your service."

My cheeks burned at such a declaration. His head was tucked to his chest, his right fist against his heart, the knuckles of his left fist in the dirt. I searched for the words to grant him but my lips would not move. Around us, the crowd was silent at death. Wide eyes and angered mouths were on every face. I grew nervous under the pressure yet Mahad stayed bowed and gallant before me.

I had to reply. What would Razel have me say? Then it came to me, with an ease that I was proud of.

"I accept your terms, Mahad. Come, rise up there is no need to bow. I am indebted to your Master already for his gracious bestowal of his Dragons. Now I have you; A powerful magician who will never bend the knee, but stand tall and proud. I will look to you for guidance and protection as I do Razel. How fortunate am I?"

Mahad rose with the grace of a dancer and the two of us offered our hands. We shook on our newfound bond. This was to be the closest I was to get, at that point, to the Dark Magician for he was Duel Spirit to another. I had his support and his respect. I would have to make another visit to Yami to thank him.

"Mistress! What is this?" Rae hissed. "You let this deserter stand next to you?"

Rae was the first to speak out his disapproval. Brie then said as much. "He scorns our Elite and then presumes to stand shoulder to shoulder with our Mistress?! I will not tolerate that!"

Trance and Neo narrowed their eyes and laid hands on the hilts of their swords. Their expressions mirrored each other's; resentment and dark incredulity.

"He is another's Duel Spirit! He cannot fully serve you! Neither, for that matter, is he an Elite! He is an outcast! He has no right!" Neo tossed at him. Trance, though displeased by the event, set a firm hand on his brother's shoulder to calm him.

Mumblings of agreement rose. The crowd of angered Spellcasters grew around us. I was alarmed by the reactions of my mages and their cohorts towards Mahad but was likewise in admiration of Mahad's steadfastness. He held my sight and did not waver, for he was accustomed to this segregation and ignored it like one ignores a ticking clock.

The voices of the mages were like a wind gathering strength as it sweeps across an open field. My own thoughts were deafened to me and I could stand it no longer.

"Enough!" I cried. That earned reverent quiet. "Mahad has come to me and offered his services to the cause. He has proven himself to be a magician of great honor. Yet you all choose to be blind to this and squabble and whine about his past decisions! This war with the Warrior Race is not a joke and we need all of the help we can get. All of the help. I don't care where it comes from, from a lowly Plant spore to an Upper-Middle class Spellcaster. But I will not listen to any more of this talk about Mahad. Is that understood?"

No one dared to speak. Cautious and skeptic eyes flashed this way and that. They were unaccustomed to my giving them direct orders and so chose to adhere to my words through disgruntled silence. Von, who was considered a recluse in his own right, shot Mahad censorious glares—though I believed his intentions were less about class propriety and more towards the threat of another male's encroachment. When no one came forth to speak their minds, I said up to Mahad, "I also have news for you."

"News?"

"Yes. For months now I have had a young magician ask me for help in finding her long lost master. She has been searching for him for a long time. When she described him to me, I racked my brain to see if I met him. But when she told me the man's name, and after meeting on Domino beach, I knew that it was you." I was brimming with pride. I was proud of myself for being able to solve Mana's mystery.

Mahad's face fell into bittersweet understanding. "Mana is here?" He whispered, his voice catching in his throat.

I nodded. "Yes. I can call her to me later, she's over in the women's camp training and helping assign weapons. I'm so happy that you two can be reunited."

Mahad seemed on the verge of embracing me when the powerful cry rang out.

"What is the meaning of this? How dare you be so close to my Mistress! Step away now you foul excuse for a Spellcaster, lest I throttle you where you stand!"

Razel was fierce and beautiful as he boldly made his way over to us. Torunka was at his heels, the grandfatherly sage stern and not amused. Mahad quickly bowed to his superiors but when he raised his head, his mouth was set. Razel stood nose to nose with Mahad, his height causing Mahad to incline his chin.

"Explain yourself." Razel commanded with the intonations of a seasoned general.

"I have pledged my allegiance to your Mistress, Lord Razel, in her war effort. At the behest of my Master and of my own accord I intend to serve her until the war is over between our Race and the Warriors." Mahad gave his unfaltering reply and I got a thrill up my spine.

"Razel," I interjected, "Remember that we need any and all help. Having Mahad will be beneficial and I…"

Razel snapped his head to me and the light raging in his ruby eyes forced my own voice to go limp and whither like dying flower petals.

"Just this once…can we put the tensions aside?" I was ashamed of my own meekness.

Instantly, Von was at my side, his arm coming in front of me to shield me from Razel's wrath. "My Lord Razel, I am just as unsettled by this as you are. However, Our Mistress has spoken and made it so. Mahad will join us."

I did not see the palm of Razel's right hand until it was too late. A loud crack rang through my ears and I felt my vision jar from the force. I watched distantly as Von's body was flung to the side, his dark hair fanning out as his head whipped to the left. A startled croak took hold of my lungs and I lunged to Von only to be restrained by Mahad's steady hand. Von's arms floated in the air as shock overcame him. I caught the red print of Razel's hand on his face, the trickle of ruby blood running from his nose and lips. Stumbling back a few steps, Von righted himself, his eyes downcast. Gently he wiped his blood from his mouth and marveled at the stark contrast of red against his creamy skin. Ice had replaced my organs and I could not fathom that Razel struck him so. I wanted nothing more than to go to my Ancient Elf, my handsome chocolate eyed confidant, and clean him up. Mahad, sensing this too brutal for me to see just yet, carefully turned my body away and walked with me towards a make-shift tent a few yards away from the training grounds. No one stopped him.

Once inside the warm dimness of the tent, I was helpless from stopping the angry tears falling from me.

"Why did he do that?" I spat out the words. "Von did nothing wrong!"

I stomped over to a table laden with maps of the realms and slammed my fists down. "Razel is such a fucking asshole! Why would he do that!?" I screamed.

Mahad waited patiently for me to calm myself. I ranted and threw ink holders with abandon. I up-ended the table of maps, I hurled a chair with startling accuracy out of the folds of the tent to the cobblestoned roads, hearing it shatter and splinter. The image of Razel hitting Von like that raped my mind of other thoughts. I did not cry. I did not whine. I shouted and cursed. From beyond the tent, I heard claps and praise for Razel's deeds and I found myself painfully aware that I was human.

"I don't understand Mahad. I don't." I said rubbing my face in exhaustion. "Your crazy customs are unknown to me."

"It seems Lord Razel's temper has not faded with age," he muttered bitterly. "He is still the might for which he is so named."

"That gives him no right to hit Von!" I stated.

"No. It does not. Yet, to show obstinacy to an Elite warrants punishment. Lord Von contradicted Lord Razel before others, he—a Lower-Mid Level mage dared to argue Razel's standing. Should Lord Razel have backed away, shame would fall upon him and the Elites of our Realm. I know it was difficult to witness, but it was required."

As if on cue, Razel came into the tent, his lips tight and the veins on his neck bulging under his cerulean skin. Mahad bowed.

"You!" Razel pointed an accusatory finger at the other mage, a digit that was more threatening than sword, spear, or staff end. "You bring nothing but shame and dissent! I piss on your name!"

Torunka, who came in after, shook his head and groaned. "Razel, please. No more with the strife. You made yourself transparently clear with that young elf. No one in this Realm doubts your esteem. But as your elder I grow tired of such antics. We are at War, our young Mistress stated. We will accept any aid given with gratitude and appreciation."

The nostrils of Razel's sharp nose flared with his deep inhale. Mahad gave thanks to Torunka who nodded. Razel remained as quiet as a statue. I could not describe the strong emotions raging in me then. I looked at my True Duel Spirit and saw him in a different light; he was terrifying and dangerous, a full fleshed demon in bridled anger that was not afraid to destroy whole cities. Nor was he hesitant to take down those he knew should they obstruct him. I was transported back in time, to when Razel was young and pained. But I was his Master. I was above him and that alone steeled my confidence to confront him.

"Torunka, Mahad, leave us." My tone left no room for question.

"Yes Mistress," Torunka held open the flap for Mahad and followed him out.

I stormed right up to Razel, standing face to face. Our cinched brows and hard frowns mirrored like twins. "That was the last time you will strike Von or anyone else who swears themselves to me or our cause. I will not see that unnecessary brutality again. If you must do so, then do so in private."

Razel fixed my sight with haunting stillness. "Are you quite finished?"

"Mahad will stay." I stated.

"He is a disgrace."

"No, Razel. He is not. I hope in time you will see that. What is disgraceful is what you become when with him," I rose up my right hand and softly touched his cheek, my thumb rubbing on his black jagged tattoo. "You have no idea how much I hate seeing you like that. I want you to be happy Razel. For me…for Olympia. As long as the war wages on, I want you to temper your feelings of Mahad."

His mouth slackened as realization registered in him. My shoulders sagged, I was tired from pent up rigidity. I was angry at him for hitting Von, I was angry at the situation of distrust and war. But I loved Razel. He is my Duel Spirit and I knew what he was doing was in accordance to their laws. I was not telling him he could never discipline again, just not in front of me. A softness came over him, his eyelids lowered as memories of Olympia floated down the river of his mind.

"As much as I hate to admit it, you may be right. While I do scorn him, Mahad may prove useful. He was, after all, an Elite many ages ago."

"Oh, that's music to my ears." I sighed lowering my hand.

"Lord Abraxis has granted you permission to head your campaign. You may take the Dragons you wish, but Lord Torunka is needed here in the capital. In his stead, you may take Neros, the Emperor of Prophesy and Genron the Cyborg Doctor. We will need medical attention on the field."

"Fair enough. Thank you Razel. Now I must see to Von. Tell the others in our squadron to make ready to leave. We ride out in three hours. I want to put an end to the Warrior's assault on the Plant Race." I opened the entrance flap and left Razel alone in the tent.

Von's Camp:

Mahad found me straight away once outside and was my shadow as I went to Von's tent. He announced my arrival and held open the flap as I strode inside. His tent was Spartan, with a simple cot, a table, and a stand to hold his armor. There was something on the table, a holster with many slots and in each slot was a dagger. There were several more of the shining blades resting next to the holster and I wondered fleetingly why he had so many. Von quickly met my gaze from his seated position on his cot. His dark hair was stringy with mud from the training grounds and hung in clumpy strands about his fine face. His skin was bruised and swollen, his left eye nearly shut. Blood crusted at the corners of his mouth which he had been cleaning with the damp rag he shoved under his pillow. His usual clean cut tunic was torn at the collar, partially hanging off of his broad shoulder. One of his pointed ears was cut near the tip.

"Oh my God Von," I breathed.

Pain from me seeing him in such a state wrinkled his brow and he tore his eyes from me to stare pensively at the ground. His breaths caused his chest to rise and fall with purpose, his fists clenched atop his knees.

"Do not look at me Mistress. You should not see this." His voice croaked out.

I went to him and sat next to him. I took his hands and concentrated. My Energy seeped into him and began the process of healing his wounds. Thanks to Obelisk, I was able to transfer part of my restorative power to others.

The swelling of his bruises went down and his rightful coloring returned. I administered my skill to his exposed shoulder, trying not to study the planes of his muscled chest, the collarbones, the languid sweep of his neck. My hands hovered over a large blemish on his shoulder, the warm waves of power rebuilding the broken vessels. It must have itched because Von sharply inhaled and twitched.

"Sorry. I know it feels kind of funny," I said. "But I'm almost done here."

"Tis nothing."

I smiled lightly as I worked. It was then that something caught my eye on Von's back. Peeking out from under the torn fabric of his tunic, I saw a strand of scarred flesh.

"What's this?" I said to myself and moved the dark curtain of his hair, which tapered neatly in between his shoulders, to the side. I ran my fingers over the raised line.

"It is nothing." Von quipped.

I blinked. Von had never spoken to me like that…ever. I knew it was serious.

"The hell it's not. Tell me Von."

"No. It will only upset you and you do not need more angst." He flat out refused to tell me. Von, the elf who never withheld anything from me if I asked. I had a sneaking suspicion he was always hiding something from me, secrets from his past like how he was so good at spells and was a wealth of knowledge found in the Elite class of mages. The fact that he was a loner was there too but I never questioned those things. This matter I did.

"Dammit Von! Tell me or I'll rip your shirt from your back."

His jaw flexed, the muscle bouncing under his skin. He paused to collect himself as if revealing to me the origin of his scar was dredging up monsters from his past.

"They are payment."

"Payment? What does that mean payment? Payment for what?" I pressed halting my healing.

Von turned his back fully to me and I held my breath as he reluctantly shrugged off the remnants of his tunic. I gasped in spite of myself. Lines of grizzly scars spread over his shoulder blades like rays from an exploding star, stretching out from a center of mangled flesh stained a brownish red.

"Von what the fuck is this?" I asked.

"Tis payment, Mistress, for your Dragons."

I blanched. "What?"

"You recall my visit to speak to the Masters of Time and Space, the Chronograph and Astrograph Sorcerers? I humbled myself before them and begged for their guidance. I offered them the flesh of my body if they would peer into the future and bear witness to the Master I know you will become. The two sorcerers are fierce and mighty among us, two of the few magicians of our world to wield greater power than our Elites; for one controls the tapestries of time itself, able to see forwards and backwards and even stop time itself, and the other holds authority over the expanses of space and its infinite, its celestial dimensions and portals to other worlds, the very knowledge of the Universe is his to safeguard.

Therefore such a request begets a fine price. I fell to my knees and made a sacrifice of myself there in their divine temple. I bowed my head when they appeared from their ethereal dwellings and felt the burning of my back. No, do not fret for I welcomed it! You see, in that moment I knew they heard my call and answered my plea. They looked into the future and saw you, saw the Master, the ruler you will be. They saw your chivalry in battle and honor in life. Your patience and wisdom impressed them and the marred flesh you see is their recompense. For to perform such a feat is great and grand and demands more than silver or gold. They broke into the fabrics of space-time to award you Dragons, who judge their allies based upon growth and merit. They spoke on your behalf and the Dragons harkened.

As such, this wound is paltry. I bear it with honor. Though it still pains me in training but I sooth it with poultices and unguents."

My throat was so tight that I had stopped breathing. My heart pounded in my chest so hard that I felt it reverberate in my eyes. My hands shook with tremors as I hastily rose to kneel in front of Von. I smiled past the tears already leaking down my face.

"Von, you did all of that for me? Why?" I barely got the words out. I was so taken with what he said that I felt unworthy.

Past the one ugly swollen eye, his chocolate pools sparkled with millions of stars. "Because you are my Mistress. And I..." He paused, thinking of one thing he wanted to say desperately but opted not to. "I will protect you no matter the cost and ensure your place as our Master of Magicians, as our Queen."

I let out a happy sigh as I lunged up to hug him. I sagged into his arms as the weight of my position, the health and happiness of my Duel Spirits, the security of their Realms, pulled me down into the quicksand. Von soothed me, singing me an elvish song learned in his youth. I healed the rest of his wounds, doing away with the hideous black and blue mark on his left eye.

"Von, seriously…what you did, what you're going through, I don't know how I'll repay you." I shrugged after a while.

Von shook his head and held up his hand to stop me from saying any more. "Think nothing of it. It is my duty to you as your Second Duel Spirit. I was happy to do it."

"Yeah but, you got badly injured. For a few Dragons." I said.

"It is what we do, Mistress. When we perform Energy Exchanges, we become your swords, shields, and staffs. It is our responsibility to make sure your victory is paramount."

"Von I do not want you or the others to risk your health for me. I understand the calls of war and what that entails but this type of honor and reverence do not exist nowadays so it's hard for me to wrap my head around." I admitted.

Von smiled cheekily at me. "It is how OUR world works. If you're to be our Master, you better get used to it."

I rolled my eyes and scratched my head. "I know. Oh, God, I told Razel to be ready to move in three hours for the Plant Realm…I think that was an hour and a half ago." I hung my head back and stared weakly at the roof of the tent.

"So soon?" Von stood from his cot and stretched his arms high above his head, the muscles of his back causing the splotch of scar to undulate.

"Got to. Go big or go home." I cracked my neck side to side.

"Good plan. Shows lack of fear. Hit them head on. Plus, I've heard that the Plant Race loyal to us is nearing the end of their reserves. They've been holding off the Warriors Western front army for weeks now. As far as I know, a few Machine Duel Spirits are involved as well. Cursed bastards." Von cussed.

I chuckled and got up. "That is true. I should probably get back to Razel. See how he is making out with packing up this circus."

Before I left, something gnawed at me and I quickly asked, "Hey Von, if these two magicians are so elusive and secret, how did you know what to do and where to go to find them?"

Von, surprised by my question, twitched his mouth. His chocolate eyes widened then softened, as if he speedily thought up an excuse that hid his true nature. I always guessed that he knew more than he was letting on in the ways of spells and magic, and Rai mentioned how prolific he was during his time at the Academy of Magic.

"Lucky guess. It pays to do your research, Mistress."

"Ah, huh. I suppose it does," I answered. I was not convinced.

I walked ahead of Von and pulled open the entrance flap. I saw Mahad waiting like a sentry outside, his long turquoise staff at his side like a threatening spear. Like piercing shards of aqua sea glass, his eyes flicked in my direction and his posture eased.

"Mahad, thank you for waiting. Let's return to Razel's tent. I trust preparations are underway and we're almost ready to leave?"

"The camp is packing as we speak. The spirits of the mages are high and they are singing of the battlefield."

I gave a half smile, unsure what to make of that. "Great. At least some are happy."

Von stood behind me, his arms folded over his bare chest. "Some welcome war. It is the only time we can truly let our powers speak for the supremacy of the Spellcaster Race. Isn't that right Mahad?"

Mahad blinked at the direct question from another magician. A flash of pride overcame him as thus far, only Elites spoke to him in passing. All others avoided him. Being acknowledged so freely and without misgiving, especially by my Second Duel Spirit, gladdened his heart.

"Indeed Lord Von. It is."

I glanced from Mahad to Von, from Dark Magician, social pariah to Ancient Elf Second to the future Master of Magicians and a huge grin lit my face. I felt very accomplished. Bridges were being built already.

The Hour of Departure:

I sat atop my Majispector Kirin, my horse-like creature of ancient Chinese myth, a cousin of the Western unicorn. Standing at roughly seventeen hands high (measurement for horses) I presented myself every bit a warrior Sorceress. My armor was tight and heavy on my body, its beautifully crafted construction and design made me feel imposing, sexy, and powerful. My hair was braided and pinned to my head. Razel rode his own kirin, his a black and mighty beast, its mane and tail like liquid obsidian. Von also sat astride his kirin, his a fine chestnut brilliant like a new penny. Set a few feet to the side Mahad seated himself on his own mount, a large white stallion. He preferred the more trustworthy horse to the wily kirin. Razel swallowed his voice and ignored the mage completely. It was the best he could do for now. That was fine.

In our battle garb, we struck quite a picture. Razel was so handsome and frightening in his leather and black armor that he was distracting and I resisted admiring him by relaying a speech to my troops which consisted of the select members I requested and rank and file soldiers. In total we numbered about three hundred and fifty. Not bad for my first campaign.

"Spellcasters! Today, we make history. We ride out to defend our allies of the Plant Race who have been under attack by the Warriors. I tell you, that onslaught ends today. I will not sit by and watch as my allies suffer! I will charge out and mete out judgment! The Warriors already string fables of me and my mages, they say we are legends. I say we prove them right! It will take us three days to reach the battlefield where will strike our enemies hard and fast. We will leave them quaking in fear of the sounds of our hooves, our steps, our magic!" I shouted with aplomb. Above high I the sky, Curse of Dragon and Winged Dragon of the Fortress roared and screetched, their large wings sounding like sheets of thick leather as they flapped.

Their presence encouraged the mages and my ears deafened from the shouts and applause.

"Come my friends and Duel Spirits! Let us ride to the West, to the Plant Realm and liberate those under threat of the repulsive Warriors! Show them no mercy!" I thrust my right fist into the air. "Are you with me?"

They shouted their obeisance. Staffs and enchanted swords rose into the air like stalks of bamboo.

"We ride!" I reined my kirin back and with a kick, sent it galloping towards the Western Lands with Razel, Von, and Mahad, the Dragons and my army close behind me.

The Western Lands: The Plant Realm:

In three days hence we reached the Plant Realm. What was normally lush, green, and beautiful, full of fragrant plants and flowers, herbs and lichens, now was trampled and muddy brown. Trees had been hacked down for firewood and battlements. Trenches and latrine stations were carved into the earth, the stink festering and heavy. Even the sky was grey with gloom. A large army passed through here and left its indelible mark. It would take years for this spot to fully recover, unless aided by magic and my heart went out to the inhabitants of this Realm for which it was so named.

"God, it's like the rainforests being destroyed," I said out loud.

"The Warriors are a brutish and piggish Race. They care nothing for the wonders of the world. Animals, plants, it does not matter to them. They destroy and take what they want without care or remorse for the impacts on the future. All they want is power and they will stop at nothing to get it Mistress." Razel sneered next to me, disgust written on his face.

"All of this destruction because of me," I shook my head. "It's unbelievable."

Mahad rode up to my left side. My right was always reserved for Razel as it was a position of power and authority. "They want your power, and they hate us. It is twofold. And now that you have two Dragons of your own, they will hit that much harder to try and upend you."

I felt my mouth twist. "They mutilate and kill others, and landscape. They kill defenseless creatures, it makes me sick. I may dislike the mistreatment of others, but sometimes both parties are at fault and people do heinous things to each other so it is easier to not care about that. But I absolutely and unequivocally despise harm to plants and animals. They have to be stopped. I hate this." This was true. Back home you saw news broadcasts about the crimes and depravities of people against one another. Fine, whatever. People are fucked up anyway in one way or the other. But to harm innocent animals, burn forests, or gain pleasure in watching creatures suffer, no—that's when I feel the sensation rise in me. The gripping, face flushing hatred towards people that makes me want to do to them what they do to animals. That feeling was rising in me then.

My kirin's tail swished. "How much further Razel until we get to the Plant's encampment?"

"Only two hours. Do you need to rest and stretch your legs Mistress?"

Riding for hours and hours was tiring and made my bottom sore. Long distance riding really is a skill seldom known to normal folk, but it is the way of life for nomads, merchants, and warriors of old and this world. I shook my head, I wanted to press on. What was two more hours now?

Without turning to my troops I shouted, "What do you all think? Should we take a rest before continuing onward!?"

A collective rebuke rushed at me like a rushing tide. I grinned, raising my brows in a smug manner and angled my chin at Razel. "The troops say no. And I for one am with them."

Razel straightened his back, rolling his shoulders back and down as he stretched his neck. "Here, here Mistress. I merely thought a mortal like you might want to stand on the ground and take in the sights." He grinned mockingly at me.

I laughed, gladdened he lifted my spirits some. "Let's keep going. Lady Helena is expecting us and I know she'll be jumping out of her skin to see you Razel," I smirked.

"I shudder at the thought."

I clicked my tongue and my kirin advanced into the torn wasteland.

The Plant Realm under the Rule of Lady Helena:

By the time we finally reached the summit of the Plant Realm, I was ready to dismount my kirin. My bottom hurt and I needed to stretch my legs like no one's business. It was a last hike up the broad hillside that separated the Western Realms from the Southern Lands. We crested the hill and saw far and wide the multitudes of camps and tents, an armory, storage houses for supplies and food. Horses and other magical mounts were tethered up a short distance from the main camp. Smoke and sounds of blacksmith's hammers rose up to greet us. The ground was torn and brown from hundreds of feet and hooves. Members of the Plant Race hurried along carrying odd and ends, maps and helmets, food and water jugs.

I held my hand up for my troops to stop.

"Mahad, ride down and inform a messenger that the Spellcaster Race and Master of the Chaos Mage have arrived. We wish to have an audience with Lady Helena and the minor rulers of her Race."

Mahad did as instructed without word and rode his horse down the embankment. A Plant soldier standing guard took notice of the purple clad magician and met him. After a short conversation, the guard raced off to inform a higher up of the message. In moments, we were greeted and escorted into the camp. Members of the Plant Race were curious about us, and most were jubilant and celebratory. I waved and smiled, nervous and excited by their reactions. Our escort led us to a large blue tent with armed sentries. Razel, Von, Mahad, and I dismounted and handed our steeds to rank and file magicians. Though my armor was weighty, I was happy that its design allowed me easy freedom of movement. Our escort bowed to us, then announced to his leaders inside of our arrival.

A strong masculine voice called from within, "Let them enter!"

We entered, Razel and I going first. The interior was sparse but comfortable; braziers held orange flames aloft, providing enough light to pour over maps. Couches and cushions were laid out for ample seating. Pots of green plants decorated the corners, and a table just for food and drink was set up to the left. Lady Helena breathed a sigh of relief and eagerly moved from her place at the center table over to us. Her face flushed a pretty pink at the sight of Razel, her obsession for him kindled ever more by his menacing armor—a striking blue vision in black and blood red. I swear if I could see little hearts floating around her head I would not be surprised.

She left behind five others—The Green Phantom King, a lavender skinned forest spirit with long green hair and branch like hands, and his wife the Queen of Autumn Leaves, a beautiful spirit with creamy skin and rich red hair and eyes. They each wore crowns of leaves and flowers. The other Plant Race royalty; Fairy King Trusedale, a tall elf with short blond hair and blue eyes, and the majestic Fairy King Albverdich, a regal individual with long silver hair, a fine face, and stern knowing eyes. The four monarchs straightened from their craned postures over several rolled out maps and nodded or smiled in welcome. I noticed that the maps had little figurines positioned in varying spots and I knew them to be representations of the coordinates of each other's armies. From what I could see from my distance, the Warrior's Western company was numerous and advancing quickly.

Lady Helena, in her green tinged armor embellished with leaf like decorations covering her shoulders and flowers and thorns beautifully etched into her breast plate and groin shield, ignored me and threw her arms around Razel's neck. Poor Razel, his body jerked forward from her weight.

"Oh Lord Razel! You have no idea how much your presence means to me and my Plant kin. You are a gift from the gods and my heart sings knowing you have come to save me…us!" She was quick to correct herself.

With a raised brow I rolled my eyes to the tent's roof and shot him a Mind Link: Wow, don't you feel special?

It is most embarrassing and indecent Mistress, Razel sighed like a teacher giving up hope for a student, the air rattling in his throat.

I smirked. "It is nice to see you again, Lady Helena. Although, I wish it were under better circumstances."

Helena released Razel to respond, at least she did that. "Agreed, Lady of the Spellcasters."

My chest puffed a bit when she called me that, but I had to remain demure and truthful. "I'm not Lady of the Spellcasters yet."

"That is not what I hear," she said. "You are making a name for yourself."

"Am I?" I said.

"Oh yes," she said. "My people have been monitoring you and your deeds thus far. You survived a meeting with Lords Silan and Darius…that is a feat. Those sorcerers will not even stand to glance in my direction so arrogant are they. That you were able to acquire your own army is mightily impressive. But come, there is business to discuss."

We went back over to the table in the center of the tent. The four Plant Race rulers greeted me and Razel with due respect and then turned back to their discussions. We went over battle plans and different tactics on attack. Helena thought we might attack from the front, head on. The others suggested, rather heatedly, to move to the sides or back.

"I agree. Attacking from the rear would put them off guard," I said. "Heading them off at the front is too predictable."

Razel shook his head. "No. It won't work. Their army is too large. We do not have the right armaments and to put our forces at the rear only puts us farther away from what we are trying to defend. It cripples us."

I sighed. He was right. Too go to the front, too predictable. The sides, we can't stop the advancing legions. The rear, as Razel stated, practically surrenders the lands that we are trying to protect by putting us away from it. I stood back and thought. I stared at the maps until I might bore holes into them. I wracked my brain for examples from history, Rome or Greece. We could not be like Ramses destroying Syria, that was out of the question. I thought of Julius Caesar and Alexander the Great. What did they do?

"What if we attacked from the front and sides at the same time?" I interjected. They looked over at me, surprised to hear me speak. "Look, I don't know the ins and outs of real warfare but I did pay attention in my history classes. In ancient times, armies sent out foot soldiers first, they charged into the opposing army. Pawns if you will. But, there was a gap between the foot soldiers and the archers and charioteers. This might not be much but it gives us a small break in their forces. Like Julius Caesar said 'divide and conquer,' if we can infiltrate that space as they set their pawns towards us to try and scare us, we can weaken their total garrison. They probably will put their biggest in front to weaken our resolve anyway and leave their stealthiest and more highly skilled fighters in the back to catch us unaware. Having us do this will alarm them, it will catch them off guard especially if they are used to head on assaults. We can use the Dragons to widen this gap with their fire attacks, thus further separating their forces and striking fear into them. No army wants to be cut off from itself." I leaned on the war table, staring hard at the maps. I pointed to groves in the surrounding forests where our troops could hide and lie in wait. "We can use invisibility spells. Our dimensional drifters, like Trance and Neo, can perform sneak attacks. They might be able to bring a few more mages with them as they do this for multiple assaults.

"They're the Warrior Race, they will strut right out in the open because they think they have no adversaries here. That egocentrism will be their downfall." I stood up and put my hands on my hips, pleased with myself.

King Truesdale, who had been analyzing me carefully, spoke in response. "Do you have any military background My Lady?" He questioned me carefully, but not without critique.

"No," I said meeting his gaze. "But like I said, I paid attention in my history course. And I've watched a lot of documentaries."

Razel let out a scoff.

"Plus, you forget your allies—we're Spellcasters. Our strength is in the name," I added.

Lady Helena smiled as she realized my meaning. "Of course! We have the advantage now!"

"Not quite," Razel said.

"What do you mean?" She asked. She turned her eyes up to him, hoping he might notice her well-meaning assault on his personal space next to him.

"It is foolish to think we've the upper hand. Never underestimate your enemy until it is absolutely certain. Yes we possess magic. But our enemies are not as stupid as to forget that. They no doubt have charms or other wards against some lesser spells. We have to tread with caution."

Murmurs of agreement and concurrence circled the table.

"When is the next supposed attack?" I asked.

The Queen of Autumn Leaves replied, "I've heard rumors that the Warriors will strike at some point today, possibly. They have crossed the River Sal early this morning heading straight for the southern border of our lands. We are situated a few miles north of that. Our hope is to hinder their attempts."

Razel silently listened beside me. He was striking in his armor and Lady Helena did her best to avoid watching him, her brow lowering in disappointment of his refusal to acknowledge her. The men, Trusedale, Green Phantom King, and Albverdich sought the words of the Chaos Mage, angling for advice to turn the tables on their enemies. What I said was not discounted, but I could tell that this was a patriarchal society despite prominent female rulers like Lady Helena. She may be the Leader of the half of her Race loyal to us, but there still was an undercurrent of masculine approval needed among this Race.

After a while Razel, who had brooded by now over a glass of berry wine, said, "I think my Mistress might be on to something. I am interested in seeing the outcome of her suggested plot. Our soldiers will rest up before we assemble. The Warriors are expected to arrive around late this afternoon you say?"

"Well, exact times are unknown but highly suspected." Albverdich answered.

"Then we shall be there to meet them. Von, go and instruct the mages to take advantage of this reprieve. We leave for the southern border in three hours and head off the Warriors."

"Yes Lord Razel," Von, who had been quiet and standing away from the table of Elites bowed and retreated from the main tent. I heard him shout Razel's orders. Mahad stood like a sentry, waiting for us to depart. I turned to him.

"Mahad, you should go and rest too. You'll need your strength."

"I am rested enough."

I made a face. "Alright then."

The next three hours were torture. Have you ever known that feeling when you are waiting, and waiting for something to happen? The bus arriving on the first day of school, going away on a trip alone and waiting for the time to leave the house, the countdown to a wedding? That sense of impending dread and excitement lodging in your stomach? Magnify that by one thousand and you'll have some idea of what it is like before heading off to war. Razel, Mahad and I spent that time in the Plant Leader's tent, deliberating over provisions, placement of soldiers, and contingencies in case my plan failed. Which, I hoped to heaven it did not. I declined the cup of wine that was offered to me, which might not have been the best idea. I could have used a drink to calm my raging nerves. A lot was riding on my plan and so I felt the unencumbered weight of a Master and military personnel. Instead I drank water, sighing as the ripples from my trembling hand distorted my reflection. I drank deeply and licked my lips. It was the cleanest, crispest water I ever tasted.

"This is amazing," I said staring into my cup. "It's so pure."

"It comes from springs from my lands, My Lady," King Albverdich proudly stated. He approached me and I noted how the light caught in his long silver hair.

"Is it enchanted then?" I teased tilting my chin.

"Of sorts. This particular spring is used by my people to heal woes and bring strength in body and spirit. I thought it fitting to serve given the unfortunate circumstance." Albverdich tapped my cup with his own, which I noticed was filled with the same water. "I see that its properties are at work already—your hand no longer shakes."

I blushed that he noticed my fear.

Albverdich merely chuckled, his white teeth like pearls. "No need for embarrassment. We all dread our first battle. You will get used to it."

"No wine for you, your Majesty?" I asked.

He shook his head. "I, like you, refer to keep my head clear."

I returned his little grin and sipped from my cup. "You don't happen to have any water that brings luck to the drinker do you?"

Albverdich grinned at me.

"Mistress, come. We too must take our leave and return to our troops," Razel came over to me and said.

But I knew from the faint look of tension in his red eyes that he wanted to just get away from Lady Helena, who had been lurking close by him since we got here. She tried to restrain her pawing on him but I saw a few slips. An arm touch here, a tug on his long black hair there. Poor Razel wanted nothing more to slap her hand away but he had too much decorum to do that. For his sake I did not dally this time. We politely excused ourselves and left the Plant Leader's tent. Mahad followed us out, as silent and brooding as Razel.

We followed the route back to wear we started, on the outskirts of the Plant Race's camp. The Spellcasters had chosen to utilize this time wisely by practicing and training. But what caught my eye was Von out there off by himself by the tree line. I saw his arms rise up and hurl tiny glinting objects at targets on trees. It did not take me long to figure out that he was throwing the daggers I saw on his table in his tent. The holster was strapped around his upper right thigh and with lightning reflexes Von drew the blades and cast them with amazing accuracy at the center of the target. The blades struck the trunk so hard and true that I saw chunks of bark splinter and fly off from the sheer force. Their dull pops were like distant gunfire they came in such rapid succession. He then began a series of acrobatic steps, leaps, flips, spins and twists, all the while sending his daggers to hit their mark. Like a seasoned dancer, Von's movements were liquid and elegant, his face showing little sign of strain. His elven grace was highlighted by his dagger dance and I felt drawn in like a cobra to a charmer's flute.

"I had no idea Von was so proficient in knife throwing," I said to Razel.

"It is a lost art among my people. The elven members of the Spellcaster Race are thought to be the last to master the dagger in battle. Others prefer spells or enchanted swordplay or various forms of mysticism. If I recall correctly, which I should not even question, Von was well regarded during his time at the Academy of Magic."

"He must have been shining at his graduation," I remarked thinking how could he not.

"He did not graduate," Razel said. "He was dismissed."

I was surprised by that. Von, the intellectual, the listener, the kind hearted, was kicked out of school?

"What for?" I asked. "Von? Are you sure we're talking about the same elf? Look at him. He's smart, skilled, willing to learn, why would the Academy expel him?"

It was then that as Von went to retrieve his knives from the tree trunk that he spotted his audience. He gave his warmhearted smile and waved over at us as he plucked his blades from their spots as easily as picking flowers from the ground. I smiled back and gave little claps for his performance. Ever respectful and humble, Von gave a small nod, saluting me with a dagger. Razel did not move to praise him. Mahad went to him and clapped Von on the back, stating how effortless Von made dagger throwing seem and if he might teach him how to do it.

I sensed Razel's Energy change as the sight of the two of them made him bristle. "The two outcasts—one a deserter, the other a failure. How fitting that they should befriend each other. I am not interested in going into detail about Von's dismissal from the Academy. If you are so curious, ask the elf yourself."

The time came to ride out and meet the Warriors. Plant and Spellcaster marched together. My head pounded with footsteps, hoof beats, and clangs of metal and wood. The two Dragons flew ahead, amazing the Plant Race's troops with their size and speed. I rode in the front with Razel, Von, and the Plant Race Leaders. We made great time reaching the borderlands and our armies quickly assembled into the designated positions. My mages joined their voices in a widespread invisibility spell, cloaking us from sight. Even the Dragons were unseen and silent as the wind. My heart was like a chunk of stone in my chest, hitting my sternum as if to crack it. My palms were sweaty and my ears thrummed but I tried to keep my wits. I envied Razel and the others for their calm and battle hardened experience. Razel had lifted a black metal face-guard that protected his nose and mouth, further emphasizing his reputed fierceness on the field.

His Energy was different—darker and heavier. Lying in wait like an evil creature. For him, facing off against the Warriors was much more symbolic than its superficial meaning. Each Warrior was Gladiobellator, the Black Luster Soldier and this battle was ten thousand years ago. My own Energy quivered in his presence and along with my fears I felt exhilaration growing.

I wanted to do this.

"Hey Razel," I spoke breaking the eerie, calculated quiet. "Is it crazy that I'm kind of excited about this?"

I felt the grin pulling on Razel's hidden lips. "Not at all."

I was about to respond when he raised his right hand to shush me. I did as instructed and listened. All was quiet again, deafened by the insurmountable power of anticipatory waiting. I could almost hear the heartbeat of my kirin. Then a noise caused me to set my eyes straight ahead. The unmistakable sounds of advancing footsteps and tinks and clings of metal and armor could be heard in the distance. It grew louder and louder, like encroaching thunder, or a rumbling tidal wave. Everything in me told me to run.

Then I saw it. There were so many bodies that they were like a great surge, cresting the hilltops with their banners and horses breaking the solid line of shining breastplates and glinting swords. I had never seen so many soldiers or people in my life. Worry took hold of my mind and I panicked inside. What am I doing here!? I thought. This is crazy! This is a bad dream, a nightmare! None of this is real! Wake up!

I was gripping my kirin's reins so tightly that I did not feel my own blood slicken the leather straps from the cuts on my palms drawn by my nails. My eyes were wide and refusing to blink away the terrifying enemy army for fear that any tiny gesture would alert them to my being there and instigate the attack. Razel's Energy, in contrast, was as cool and dangerous as a calm sea. I wanted to be like him, to have that monolithic nirvana. The Warriors advanced towards us, unaware that they were being watched…hunted. I saw Warriors large and small, old and young, ugly and fair. There were women and men, creatures, and beings unknown. Some wore armor of metal, some were completely comprised of metal. I spotted a pretty woman Warrior wearing red armor. She had long blond hair and held her head with that pompous confidence found in those who earn power through physical intimidation.

I saw the two Elven brothers, the Celtic Guardian Caedmon and Celtic Guardian of Noble Arms, the elder brother Faelan. There was another Warrior near them, this one was riding a dark horse, its coat so beautiful that in certain lights it looked dark purple. This Warrior held a long red jousting lance and had tight red and black armor. On his head was a Viking like helmet made of sapphire blue metal and decorated with long red metal "horns." This was Gaia and his reputation on the field earned him, in the nomenclature of the Warrior Race, the title of Fierce Knight. I thought it strange that he was named for the Greek goddess of the earth but oh well. I counted several Machine spirits among their ranks but mostly were Warriors. I saw another Warrior dressed in royal blue and flaming orange armor. He wore a large orange helmet with attached blades. He carried a large broad sword that was made of enhanced fire opal. That was Knut, the Flame Swordsman.

They and numerous more comprised the foot soldiers, the first into the fray. It was an amazing sight for they numbered easily over eight hundred. When they spotted the small Plant army of only three hundred in their way, the Warriors halted.

"What is this?" Shouted their general, a tall blond striking fellow who paraded his wins in war through the hard confidence in his jaw and the no nonsense set of his brow. The general named Freed, I would later learn, wore no helmet so as to let his long golden tresses glow around him like sunrays. Sitting straight and completely one with his horse, wearing his polished armor and long sword at his hip, Freed left the impression that he had never not been a commanding officer. With his sun darkened rugged face and his yellow beard clipped shirt I was hard pressed to think he was not another human among us. Kicking his horse, Freed rode forward.

"Is this all that opposes us?"

A great laugh came from his soldiers. They had no idea that what they were facing was a decoy, a trick that would act as the harbingers of their downfall.

"Why put up this folly? Lay down your arms and give us the gracious gift of an easy battle. It seems all you can do at this point!" Freed chuckled. "Do you honestly think to defeat me and my army?"

A Plant soldier answered boldly back, "No, you Warrior scum. We may be less powerful, but we are not a stupid Race. We see defeat clearly and it is fast approaching."

That seemed to please Freed, who nodded like one listening to Shakespeare. "True enough. At least you finally realize when you cannot win."

"Oh just kill them and let us be done with this!" Shouted Caedmon from the ranks to which he earned loud cheers.

"Yes! Attack us! Let us take you mongrels down to hell with us!" The brave Plant soldier yelled.

Freed did not like being called a dog and sat back in his saddle. "I don't see why not. In fact you will be welcome sport for my Warriors. It is a shame you choose death over life, I was willing to offer you salvation. We need slaves in times of war, but alas fate has different paths for us all!"

Freed raised his left hand to his side and waved it forward. Like a unit foot soldiers advanced.

"You heard them, leave not one alive!" Freed commanded.

With guttural shouts of excitement, the first line of Warriors charged the unassuming Plant army with a hunger that chilled me. What I had heard about this Race was proving correct—they loved killing.

The Warriors raced towards the Plant army, brandishing their swords and quirts. The first line passed by us and Razel turned to me.

"Now."

He gave the signal, whistle like an eagle's cry, and our invisible mages began to pick off the charging Warriors one by one. They took them down, frying them with magical blasts or running them through with the bladed ends of staffs. Choked grunts and yells told me that their attacks were successful. The remaining army looked here and there, their ire rising at the ambush. Neo and Trance removed heads from Warriors with swings of their swords in a morbidly beautiful dance of grace and blood. Warriors tried to fend off their unseen assailants, which resulted in comical sword hacking every which way.

Freed shouted for his army to attack but not in time. Our Dragons, who had been quiet as mice, now roared with fury and scorched the stretch of open land between the two factions. Their fire breath tore up the ground, exploding earth and rubble high into the air like igniting lines of dynamite. The sound was painful and the ground rumbled under our feet. My kirin stepped anxiously to get away from the earthquakes. By now, the panic was rampant among the Warriors. Caught so off guard by our stealth, the remaining garrison behind the flames, which burned so brightly and emitted such heat that it felt like a blast furnace, braced itself. Some attempted to flee the scene but were cut down in the melee.

There was so much blood and gore that I winced as the bile rose in my throat. It's one thing to watch extreme violence on T.V., it's another beast entirely in real life. As I was watching this play out before me, a cold numbness fell over me. My hearing became sharper and so did my eyesight. I knew my senses were in fight-or-flight mode, where everything is enhanced and other senses are dulled. I was blind to anything but the fighting, the scarlet of blood spraying and splattering in arching waves. Limbs were scattered about and left behind like old toys. Spellcasters, Plants, and Warriors and Machines tore at each other in rabid abandon. Neo and Trance flew through the field like spirits of beautiful death, their fierce green eyes blazing wildly. Pien Fang and Mei Ya wielded their spells and weapons in trained precision with flares of Asian martial arts accenting each move. Rae and Brie worked together, using twin movements that complimented one another with admirable expertise. Many of my mages were covered in blood, a grisly sight.

I knew that I should have stayed behind, as their Mistress I should remain safe. But when I saw Rai stumble and fall to the ground with two Warriors ready to fall on top of him, their swords dripping with gore, I forgot protocol.

"Rai! I'm coming!" I shouted with a disembodied voice and kicked my kirin forward to tear out of the forest and out into the thick of the battle. My invisibility shield lowered as my concentration was challenged and Warriors shouted as they saw me. I did not care, I was getting closer to Rai. My kirin jumped over a pile of bodies and I quickly worked a spell that threw the Warriors away from my young mage like rag dolls.

"Mistress what are you doing!?" He screamed now more afraid for my safety than his own. I could barely hear Rai's screams over the clanging of swords and shields, cries of agony, anger and desperation, the roars of my Dragon allies and the blasts of magic.

"What?" I blinked and snapped my head around and froze. "Oh shit!"

I was now in the battle, unguarded, without Razel.

"There she is! Get her! Kill her!" Caedmon pointed his sword at me, calling attention to my whereabouts.

"The mortal witch is here! Kill her!" A Knight clad completely in iron named Gearfreed shouted.

Those Warriors closest to me did their commander's bidding and rushed me. I had to think fast for I was in the heart of the maelstrom. Conjuring up my Energy into my left hand I threw it out in front of me and let a shot of bright light-blue power strike my enemies. They dropped to the blood soaked earth, I did not know if they were dead nor did I have time to process that conundrum.

More came after me and I fended them off. I used spells and pure Energy attacks which worked well, though not with as much finality as if I had used the powers of Obelisk. Thinking back to that day I should have used Obelisk's powers. I have often imagined myself traveling back to that first battle of mine and shaking myself by the shoulders.

"Use the might of Obelisk!" I would tell myself. "Do it before an Armored Lizard knocks you off of your kirin!"

Sadly that was not to happen. I did not use Obelisk's strength because I did not have the wherewithal to focus and I did not have the experience of using his Energy behind me to ensure that I would remain conscious afterword. Sure enough that was to work against me for I was blindsided and swiftly cast off of my kirin and onto the hard ground below. I remember letting out a strangled scream as two brutish arms grabbed my waist and the brunt of a hard body hitting mine as it tumbled me from my saddle. The reins flew from my hands. The scene whizzed by my eyes, faces blurring. I landed with a gasp as the weight of my attacker landed on top of me.

I barely had time to fight back before the body of a gigantic green lizard-humanoid split in two, its organs steaming hot and as wet as pomegranate seeds. Blood poured from the barbaric wound, coating me and filling m nostrils with the acrid scent of life ebbing away to death.

Razel was a demon in black, a terror that lived up to his name as the Chaos Mage. He stood above me, my protector…my Duel Spirit. The end of his lone black staff was dripping profusely with the lizard's blood. An evil light was shining in his red eyes as he stared down my accosters.

The Warriors, on the other hand, gazed upon him in utter fear.

"Razel!" Said one.

"Run! It is the Magician of Black Chaos!" Shouted another.

Razel lunged forward, his tall form nearly becoming invisible from his speed. I tried to follow his movements but between the swing of his staff and the swish of air as the dreadful bladed end cut down the Warriors, I saw only sprays of blood and bodies fall. Razel cut down a path before him with little issue. No one dared to fight him and many pitifully fled in vain. Seeing their superior in action, my mages took up feverish battle cries and charged into the fray anew.

I too was taken by Razel's indomitable spirit and legendary strength and I joined with the others. I used my Energy and magic to defeat my enemies. Many Warriors that day fell by my hand. The Dragons used their tails, wings, claws, and jaws to battle the other garrisons while we worked to push back what we could. Rae and Brie had teamed with me, acting as my bodyguards, and together we held our own. At one point, Rae had been struck by the end of a spear and fell to his knees. As I was closest to him, I went to help but the Warrior saw me and swung his sword straight from the scabbard. I ducked in time to avoid having my head lopped off but I slipped in blood soaked mud and went down onto my back. The Warrior smiled devilishly at my helpless supine state and heaved his sword over his head ready to bring it down. I shot out my hand in natural defense, choking out a yelp when the Warrior's body jerked violently. His chest was pushed up and out, the sword falling out of his slackened grip. It splattered mud when it landed. In a frantic attempt to retract the dagger plunged deeply into his back, his arms wriggled like worms for the hilt. Sharp grunts came from him and his wild eyes held mine as if accusing me of his injury. He collapsed to his knees, sinking an inch into the mud and I watched as the light in his eyes faded. In a last ditch effort to stay true to his Race, he reached out his arms to grab my neck. Another dagger flew quickly from my left, striking the Warrior in his temple. The momentum from the blade colliding into his skull knocked the Warrior to the side so violently that he slid a few inches in the sludge.

I heard the squelching of booted feet approach and looked at my savior as his familiar grip hoisted me up.

"Thank you Von," I breathed.

He nodded, his appearance clean and stern, and retrieved his daggers with quick tugs, the Warrior's corpse twitching as he did so.

"I must continue Mistress. Rae and Brie, guard our Master!"

"Yes Lord Von," They chimed.

Behind me Rai had caught up with us and said with adoration, "Lord Razel is amazing, this is true, but Lord Von is

Only a few Warriors were capable enough to withstand my mages—Caedmon, Faelan, Gearfried, the Flame Swordsman, Gaia, and Freed. Trance ad Neo fell upon Caedmon and Faelan and the four fought savagely. The elven Warriors were surprised by the Spellcaster's prowess with swords and fists. Gearfried went against Mahad who was every bit as beautiful to watch in battle as Razel. Gaia combated Rae and Brie, Flame Swordsman went against Von. Only Razel was left standing alone. I ran over to him, glad to see he was unharmed. He stared out over the melee to the hill top. Freed was there on his horse having escaped the fight below. I hated seeing that. It riled me so much that I yelled up to the two Dragons circling the battlefield.

"Curse of Dragon, Winged Dragon of the Fortress! Join your power and attack Freed!"

At my command, as they were instructed by Yami, the two Dragons reeled back their heads and unleashed a firestorm, the two great columns of flame piercing the air like missiles. Freed's horse reared and made to dodge the avalanche of heat but then something unforeseen happened. As if a magical shield had been erected around Freed, the Dragon's fire hit a barrier. Sparks and flames exploded away from the impact and I gaped.

"What could stop two Dragon attacks?" I asked aloud. Did they master a spell of deflection like Razel warned?

The blaze burned defiantly. I made out Freed and another figure next to him. This one was tall, very tall, with large muscular arms holding a menacing sword out to the side. The fires had obscured the surroundings with their red and orange light, even the red of the figures hair burned like an inferno. He wore dark armor decorated with gold and, I judged, must be truly frightening if he cut such a figure so far away. Razel's Energy flared as the fires did, wild, uncontrollable and filled with revenge. I knew then and there who I was staring at—The Black Luster Soldier and Razel's mortal nemesis, Gladiobellator.

"It's him isn't it?" I whispered coldly. Finally I was seeing who had caused Razel so much agony, who murdered Princess Olympia, and the cause of this centuries long feud. "He blocked the Dragon's attacks with his sword."

"Yes. It is he." Razel growled behind his face mask.

Gladiobellator did not advance. He did nothing but stood there like some divine bringer of death. I don't know why Razel did not go after him. He was right there. I wanted to shout at Razel to go, avenge Olympia, take down his foe, make this circle of hatred come full circle. A collective hush fell over the remnants of the battle as these two proud Elites of their Race faced each other. There are moments in time when words are useless and would not accurately convey the emotion being experienced—this was one of those times. I did not need to hear either Razel or his enemy speak to understand their relationship. Their mutual loathing was tangible.

Then Freed leaned down from his horse to say something to Gladiobellator who nodded and sheathed his great sword. Without another look, as if further stating that Razel was nothing of importance, he turned on his heel and retreated behind the hilltop.

I finally was free to look away from where they stood to Razel. I saw his right hand still wrapped around his staff, the blue knuckles so white that I feared the bone would rip through his skin. I wanted to say something encouraging. I wanted to perhaps try to ease his internal suffering and patch up that wound I knew had been reopened. Razel would not speak of his intense pain, no he would retreat into himself and suffer in silence. In order to broach this subject, I would have to be smart.

Suddenly, around us cheers rose up and I knew that, at least for the day, our forces were victorious.

Ululations