Black Magic: In The Hands Of Destiny Bloom x Seto Kaiba

by SorikuGirl21

After losing Atem Kaiba seeks to find new meaning in his life. Seeking after his magical origins Kaiba receives a mysterious letter that may provide him the answers he's been searching for. At the same time, a new girl arrives in Domino City bringing a dangerous new enemy with her. A chance meeting brings two unlikely people to meet. Will it finally force Kiba to believe in fate?

120. Chapter 118: Darkest Before The Dawn

Note To Readers: Hey everyone I'm sorry for leaving you guys without an update for so long, I've had a lot going on health wise and story wise. So that's been my priority, but I'll be making it up to you so it will be worth the wait. To my new readers Welcome! To My Continued ones thank you so much for your patience and continued support! Here we go!

Chapter 118: Darkest Before The Dawn...

Lost in a deep and dark forest several members of the party attempt to find their was among them as they walk through a thickened fog. The forest was painted with dark blue, no exception for the sapphire colored trees. Yet, instead of leaves they were replaced by cobwebs, veiled in a ghostly white blowing in the frigid ice cold air. Suddenly there was a startling snap causing the blonde's face to turn as pale as a fishes belly. It only grew worse as Joey turned his gaze downwards finding himself standing in a nest of scattered bones.

"WAHHHHHHHAHAH!" Joey cried out loud as he leapt into Cupid's arms and grabbed onto him for dear life nearly knocking him over in the process."I CAN'T TAKE IT! I HATE DARK CREEPY PLACES! EXPECIALLY ONES WITH BONES ALL OVER THE PLACE!" Joey continued to whine as Cupid felt himself losing his balance not to mention having trouble not being able to get any air from being crushed to death. "J-Joey...C-Cut it out! I-I can't breath!" Cupid barely gasped before he managed to pry him off gasping for air afterwards. Flora only looked at Cupid worriedly afterwards.

"Oh Cupid are you alright?!" the faerie of flowers questioned as Cupid continued to cough a bit. "Y-Yeah...I think he only cracked a few of my ribs..." the red head teased. "That'll be the LEAST of your problems when we're all surrounded by zombies!" the blonde fired back. "Z-Zombies...?" Amourette squeaked as she lagged behind both Takuna and Akiba."You watch too many movies." The Professor retorted with a heavy sigh only causing Akiba to giggle softly.

"IT'S NOT FUNNY! THAT'S WHAT THEY ALL SAY BEFORE THEY GO RISIN UP OUTTA DA GROUND AND START DININ ON OUR BRAINS!" Joey attempts to defend himself before Cupid makes a face feeling an icy breeze blow by his shoulder causing the red head to pause. "...D-Did anyone...else feel that...just now...?" Cupid shivered causing everyone else to freeze in place."...Well...I felt sort of a chill...although...it's hard to see anything in this thick fog...and the darkness makes it difficult to navigate..." Akiba confesses softly.

"I felt it too..." Takuna spoke up before he made his way over towards one of the trees that were closest to them. Upon observation the tree had glowing blue sap seeping out of it and pulsing through the bark. Carefully, The Professor took his fingers and collected some of the sap testing the thickness of the particular substance. (Hmm...this tree appears to be secreting sap that it early identical to hot tar...) Takuna thought to himself almost lost in his own thoughts before Akiba also approached the tree as he spotted something moving upon it. As a shadowed figure in the shape of a sphere pops up, fluffy amber colored ears pop up from Akiba's head causing Joey to jump back in surprise and quickly rubs at his eyes only to find that they're gone. However, as Akiba continues to chase the shadowed orb the darkened knot on the tree transforms into a dark blue skull with the sap pouring from its eyes and mouth.

"AYP!" Akiba cries out as his tail reveals itself, everyone startled half scared to death seeing even more skeleton heads appearing upon the tree's trunks. "AHHHHHHH! WHAT THE HECK KINDA PLACE IS THIS ANYWAY!?" Joey screamed at the top of his lungs. "T-This-this must be...the Darklands..." Amourette finds herself squeaking as she shakes. Flora only looks around filled with uncertainty and anxiety. "...I can't feel the life force in any of these trees...no voice...no heartbeat...existing but not living...in fact...i'm not certain how useful my powers will be...in such a place..." Flora confessed softly crestfallen before Cupid gently placed his hand on hers and offered her a smile.

"You didn't give up on me, so I'm not about to give up on you got it?" Cupid murmured before he shot her a playful wink, afterwards the faerie of flowers only smiled in return. "Got it, thank you...Cupid." Flora thanked him causing the red head to grin. "Flora-Chan..." Amourette murmured softly with a smile. "Uh...not ta be a moment killer...but this is the last place you should be gettin romantic." Joey interrupted as a spider slowly fell from the tree making its way down from it to his ear, everyone only able to watch holding in their breath as they did so.

"U-Um...J-Joey-kun..." Amourette attempts to speak up. "...W-What? W-Why are ya all lookin at me like that...?" Joey asks nervously before he finally eyes the eight legged culprit descending landing square on the blonde's nose. Unable to contain himself, Takuna snuck up behind Joey and softly blew a breath of cold air on his neck, reaching his limit, the blonde screamed and took off running blindly along with everyone else to try and follow him. Though now that he thought about it, perhaps that wasn't the best idea despite his own personal amusement. Letting out a sigh, The Professor placed a hand on Akiba's shoulder.

"Let's go find them before they get themselves in some sort of trouble...Shall we?" Takuna questioned before Akiba followed right behind him. "If you knew this would happen then why did you do it Taku-kun?" Akiba questioned him with a slight pout. "Because, I was trying to keep them from seeing your tail...that and...Joey's fun to tease..." Takuna confessed with a smile before Akiba squeaked seeing his tail and quickly made it dissapear. "O-Oh dear...I didn't notice it myself until now...how…embarrassing..." Akiba laughed nervously but it only lasted for a moment as the fog only seemed to grow all the more thick.

"Even so...I'm starting to wish I had rethought that...the fog is getting thicker...I can barely see anything...can you pick up the others scent Akiba?" The Professor questioned before Akiba attempted to sniff the air around them. "Well, did you find them?" Takuna asked once more after a moment. "No, but I can smell...something...burning...a smoke like kind of smell...it's different from cigarette smoke too." Akiba began before he paused causing his ears to twitch. "I also hear...rubble moving...the sound echoing in the distance...it might be a cave...whatever the burnt aroma is...it's cloaking the others scents..." the golden haired male continued.

"Well then, it looks like we have no choice but to head towards that direction and hope we run into the others, those kids are tough...however...we don't know what is or could be lerking around the corner...so, let's proceed with caution." The Professor advised before Akiba nodded. "I agree." the golden haired male agreed, afterword, the two made their way to what appeared to be some kind of temple or perhaps even a ruin but even then it couldn't prevent the two from getting separated by the dense and earie fog.

"Tch...damn it...I can't see anything..." The Professor hissed with irritation before he spotted some sort of light breaking through the fog. Just barely, Takuna caught sight of a small area filled with vials nearby what appeared to be a stone alter and a worn magic seal in the very center of it where Akiba caught his gaze. "Taku-kun over here!" the golden haired male called before The Professor made his way over to him. "Did you find something?" Takuna questioned.

"Yeah...take a look at this..." Akiba began as he directed his attention towards the worn seal. Carefully The Professor turned his gaze towards it after adjusting his glasses. "...Well...one thing is apparent...it's pretty broken up..." Takuna observes as he runs his fingers among the faded markings. "Whoever was using this...hasn't touched it in ages..." he muttered before he caught sight of another substance in the corner of his eye. It was red sand with glass mixed in with it unknowingly to The Professor that is until his fingers made contact with it.

"ACK! SON OF A BITCH!" Takuna hissed in pain feeling blood drip down the side of his hand along with three other fingers. Immediately, Akiba turned towards the Professor with immense worry reflected on his face. "Takuna are you alright!?" the golden haired male cried out in response. "Tch...y-yeah i'm fine...I just cut my hand on the glass that was mixed in with the red sand...and slightly annoyed by my stupidity..."Takuna growled causing Akiba to gasp seeing the blood.

"Oh honey!" Akiba cried out before he took The Professor's hand in his a began to lick the wound to clean it catching Takuna off guard as he did so. Afterwards, Akiba rips off a piece of his sleeve and wraps it around his injured hand tying it securely. "Here...you'll need to bandage it properly or it'll get infected. There how does that feel?" the golden haired male questioned The Professor. "Better, thank you, but you don't have to fuss so much over me." Takuna murmured. "You're very welcome...It's too bad we don't have a more capable healer with us...then they could have healed the wound..." Akiba frowned but The Professor only shook his head.

"That's hardly true, while we can't exactly count on certain members of our team...at least at the moment...your powers have their own advantage...you should have more faith in your abilities...sometimes I think you being a guardian to The Phoenix, causes you to place expectations too high for yourself...you forget that you're still only mortal...one person can only do so much on their own after all..." Takuna murmured as Akiba only looked at The Professor taken back by his words before he takes the Professor by his bandaged hand and softly kisses it.

"Thank you..." Akiba smiles softly. That was exactly what he needed to hear right now. However it only lasted but a moment as Takuna cleared his throat. "Y-Yes well...we should probably get back to it...examining the seal that is." "Sure." the golden haired male smiled before they turned their attention back onto the faded seal along with the red sand mixed with shards of glass. Carefully, The Professor blew the red sand revealing another half of the faded magic seal causing the blood in their veins to freeze like ice.

"...This faded seal...it's...in the shape of an hour glass...so then...do you think this could be...?" The Professor didn't dare utter another word as Akiba's smile soon faded. "Yes...i'm afraid so...this looks like...The Forbidden Ones crest...someone here...was attempting to conceal their dark magic within the shadows of these walls...as a creature of the shadows myself...darkness is not necessarily evil in itself...but evil can most certainly exist within it...not even those that are walking in it aware of its presence...until they too become a victim of it should they lack protection..." Akiba murmured softly as Takuna removed his phone from his pocket and took a picture of it.

"There, now we'll have a photo to reference should we need one...let's try and see if we can find the others...I only hope they haven't run into any trouble..." The Professor muttered. Though, knowing them that seems almost too much to ask. With both Takuna and Akiba occupied with the outside of the ruin the other party found themselves deeper inside its depths, and the further they went the greater amount of cobwebs were to be found as they entered a room whom's door way was veiled with white. The web was glistened with ice crystals causing it to almost sparkle.

"Hey guys! Check it out! This room looks like it leads further within the temple thingy!" Joey exclaimed as he tries to clear out the spider web, Cupid just behind him with the girls lagging behind with frightened expressions on their face. Though Cupid wasn't exactly the picture of bravery either as he raised his brow at Joey's unique choice of words. "...Temple...Thingy...?" the red head questioned before the blonde puffed up his cheeks in response."GERRR DA RUIN WISE ASS DA RUIN!I-I just couldn't tink of da right word ok!?" Joey huffed his face red from embarrassment.

"RIIIIGHT Sure..." Cupid teased Joey with a grin wrapping his arm around his neck playfully before he pulled a piece of cobweb from the blonde's hair only to find even more inside. "I don't like this...this place is covered in spider webs...and it's really creepy..." Amourette squeaked as she looked all around them Flora only nodding in agreement. "It almost reminds me of how Diana one of the major faerie's on Earth enlarged all the plants and creatures...like that giant spider that nearly ate Bloom's parents for supper...thank goodness we managed to teleport it away from the city..." Flora confessed as the blunette only made a face.

"Ok...now i'm REALLY scared!"Amourette whimpered. "Do you honestly think that The Ancient Draconian Library could be here somewhere? If it is...no wonder no one comes here often...it's as dark and lifeless as the night itself..." Flora murmured softly either way she HAD to do something. Up until now she had hardly done anything at all other than battle with Death or Bakura his vessel. Sometimes she wished she had an even greater power than just plants and flowers, something unique that was all her own. More than anything she wanted to prove herself.

Bloom was The Phoenix, the one whom had this amazing power even greater than the dragonfire. She could do almost anything strong and courageous. Although she always tried to hide her emotions, everyone could open their heart up to her like they were drawn in by her immense kindness and love for others. Flora desperately wished she had a strangthe like that. And then there was Cupid whom had to face a whole other battle within. But, just where did you find that kind of power within yourself? Would helping Bloom find the gem of destiny give her that answer? Flora herself felt so conflicted within. She wasn't the only one that was having misgivings either as a storm raged inside Amourette as well.

(...I wish I had more courage...but...my body...it just won't stop trembling...everyone has been fighting so hard...and now...Blaire isn't around to guide or help me...I feel so scared...and uncertain...how can I become the kind of girl that Joey-kun can rely on...? So that I can be the one to protect him from the darkness that seems to surround his heart...I...I just don't know...I couldn't do anything for Xuri either...nothing at all...)

Amourette battled herself within her own thoughts her dark blue eyes only reflecting a great anxiety and anxiousness as tears rimmed at her eyes. Joey couldn't help but be drawn towards her as he looked backwards to check on the girls only to run into a very large and sticky web. "Uh...Uh oh! Uh Oh! GUYS! GUYS!" Joey cries out as he wrestles with the thickened web unable to free himself bringing everyone crashing back down to reality. Both Flora and Amourette cover their mouths surprised by this turn of events as Cupid hurries to the rescue. "Uh! Hold on Joey! Don't move! I got ya!" Cupid exclaimed and tried to grab the blonde in order to pry him off the web heaving and hoeing only to end up getting stuck himself causing both Cupid and Joey to struggle against it.

"Um...A little help here..." Cupid pouted before Flora and Amourette hurried over towards them and each one grabbed a hand tugging and pulling with all their might. With one last good pull the girls freed the guys sending them backwards into a pillar, their faces smashing against it while Flora and Amourette hit the floor rather forcefully. "Ugh...so...dizzy..." the blonde groaned causing a bit of a giggle from Amourette. "Yeah...I wish everything would stop moving..." Cupid followed up causing a slight smile from the faerie of flowers. "S-So not funny..." Joey whined having a bit of a red mark on his face as the girls hurried over and helped the boys up to their feet brushing off the remnants of the spider web. It's then Amourette caught sight of something behind the now torn web.

"A hidden room." the blunette squeaked before the rest of the party turned their gaze towards her direction. "Woah! Hey yer right!" Joey exclaimed taken by surprise and squeezed out a grin in between. "It looks like it leads further into the temple..." Cupid chimed in as he walked slightly closer to get a better look. "It's pretty dark though..." Flora observed as she followed behind him. The others wasted no time in catching up before they all proceeded forward.

"At times like dis it makes ya wish ya had a smoker with ya." Joey mused. "Why's that Joey-kun?" Amourette questioned as she kept close to him. "Cuz, they always got a lighter on um." the blonde simply replied. "Oh right." the blunette laughed nervously. "You do have a point...maybe we should go back to The Professor and Akiba-San then..." Amourette suggested. "NO WAY! I overheard Takuna say that we couldn't be counted on! So I say we go find this dumb library and rub it in their faces!" Joey exclaimed before the others sweat dropped.

Once Joey had made up his mind to do something, there was no turning back either. At least that was the case until he hit his foot against something rather hard as a tear rimmed at his left eye and held his throbbing foot hoping up and down. "OWWWWWW MEH FOOT! HURT OUCH...Oh...Pain..." the blonde cried "J-Joey-kun!" Amourette cried out as she carefully walked over to the area before he jumped as an emerald green glow lit up another veil of web before their very eyes it appeared to be some sort of illuminated tablet

"WOAH!" Cupid exclaimed as his eyes widened in shock and awe as did everyone else. Slowly the pain started to subside as the blonde turned his attention towards the source of the glow as well. "W-What is dat!?" Joey questioned. "Well, let's find out." Flora suggested and began to try and remove the web. "Ah hold on Flora-Chan! I'll help too!" Amourette squeaked and began to do the same. Cupid only made a face as he attempted to clear the way Joey soon following his lead.

"Ugh...so sticky...why do they have to be spider webs...? And why the hell do they gotta be EVERYWHERE huh!?" Joey cried out. "My guess is this is a really old place that hasn't been touched for years, they could use some pointers on decoration...uh anyways! Don't spiders usually build their webs in dark areas away from people?" Cupid questioned as he attempted to shake off pieces of web stuck to his hand. "But, this webbing is extremely sticky and thicker than usual...even more so than what a giant spider would produce...don't you find that a bit odd?" Flora surmised before Amourette swallowed hard.

"N-Now that you mention it...they do appear unusually massive...could...it had have been more than just one spider that made all of this mess?" the blunette asked the party. "Nah, not even close...it was more like 100 or 200 of them creepy crawlies..." Joey answered before he felt himself being poked in the shoulder by Cupid. "Uh oh...um Joey...Joey!" the red head exclaimed before Joey made an aggravated face and turned around."GEESH! WHAT NOW!?" the blonde nearly exploded before his eyes laid upon more scattered bones illuminated now by the partially cleared emerald green tablet. Soon the color washed away from the party's faces as they heard the sound of an echoing ground from nearby.

"Please tell me that was your stomach Joey..." Amourette squeaked before the blonde only shook his head slowly. "Nuh uh..." Joey gulped as suddenly several red eyes manifested from the darkness of the shadows, two large cobwebs began to transfigure into large wings. A little at a time the party turned his heads only to stare at the crimson red eyes staring back at them. Slowly the beast opened its mouth revealing its large jaw and sharpened teeth. It was as if the creature was an extension of the shadows themselves.

The look on their faces was enough to speak for itself as the party trembled with an unbelievable fear. Their minds were crying out for them to move however, their bodies could not so much as move a single inch as an Dragon fused with a spider an Arachgon emerged to claim its pray. But just as the end appeared to be drawing near, something unexpected happened as the tablet which turned out to be three illuminated with a blinding glow and from Joey cloaked in golden light in a single burst of power repelled the beast from so much as getting near them. A gasp escaped from each one them as Joey only looked at himself glowing golden dust.

"...W-What da heck is goin on...did...did I just do dat...?" Joey questions flabbergasted as he watched the Arachgon go flying. "That's what WE would like to know!" Cupid cried back before Flora turned her attention towards the now completed uncovered emerald tablets that also were glowing. "Whatever it was, it appears to have come from these tablets...they have golden writing on them...just like the golden light Joey is bathed in." the faerie of flowers pointed out. Amourette only stood there in absolute shock. (...That was...the power of the Sun...then...Joey-kun...is it possible he's...he's...) the blunette thought to herself before she paused as the golden writing appeared to almost be calling to her, slowly Amourette walked over to the stone, almost as if she were under a trance. Joey took notice immediately distracted by her strange behavior.

"So...um Amourette what are ya doing? Hello i'm takin ta you...!" Joey called out to the blunette however there was no response in return as Cupid took a moment to watch her. "...It looks like...she's under some kind of spell..." the red head observed. "A spell! Oh no! Amourette! Snap out of it!" Flora cried out only for the blunette to pass her by as well. Suddenly Amourette's movement ceased as she touched the emerald tablet, as she did her aura slowly began to change. "...Amourette...?" Joey questioned once more worriedly before Amourette opened her mouth to speak turning towards them, however her eyes were lit up golden along with her body.

"I have borrowed your friend's body so that I may be able to speak to you...the creatures you encountered earlier act as the guards to this place...but...I can see you're not like the others that often wander in my domain...for only the Sun and the Moon can awake me from my slumber..." the spirit uttered. "...Power of...the Sun...?" Joey questioned with great disbelief. "Uh...not ta sound rude or anything...but who exactly are you...?" the blonde continued. "I am the guardian spirit, Keeper of The Temple Of Repose...I am also the protector of the Silver Flame...you may call me Luneth." the spirit answered simply however before they could continue further a piecing scream broke through the silence.

"Ok...that CAN'T be good..." Cupid deadpanned before a gasp escaped from Flora. "OH NO! THE PROFESSOR AND AKIBA!" the faerie of nature cried out. "We've got to help! One of those creatures could have gotten to them! WINX CELESTIX!" Flora exclaimed before she transformed and Cupid quickly revealed his wings as well. While he grabbed Joey she grabbed Amourette and hurried in the direction of the echoing cries. "It's not by the faded magic seal I hope...there's a nest of Arachgons under it!" Luneth cried out through the blunette. "Aw man...I hope not..." Joey paled at the thought before something occurred to him. This silver flame...that the spirit spoke of...was it possible they found something else in their search for the ancient archive?

"...So dis may not be the best time ta ask...but...you mentioned a Silver Flame earlier...is dat the same one we need to open the archive? And just where is dis secret library anyways?" Joey couldn't help but ask. "I'm afraid it's not that simple...the archive's location is protected a sealed away to prevent those with ill intentions from entering...the key was turned into Eight orbs that represent the elements along with embers of flame...both of these are required to open the door and its pathway...however these must be earned" Luneth mused.

"Earned?" Flora questioned before Cupid lets out a heavy sigh. "Told ya so...they won't just give you the key...last time I ended up in the Firelands...and failed the Test Of Fear..." the red head confessed. "Aw man!" Joey groaned. "Each member of your party must undergo a trial to gain all eight keys...once you yourself obtain one then you will be transported in front of the archive's door." the spirit continued before The Professor and Akiba were finally in their sights. They were surrounded by a large hoard of Arachgons swarming just the two of them.

Akiba used his immense strength to punch the Arachogons diving towards him one after the other causing them to smash into the ground. Much to the surprise of the rest of the party Takuna in return slowing the time around them to cut the enemy's speed in half. "AKIBA! PROFESSOR!"Joey cried out at the top of his lungs before Akiba turned towards the source of the voice. "Joey-Kun! Flora-Chan, Amourette-Chan and Cupid-Kun! They're alright!" Akiba cried out with relief before one of the creature's tails lashed out from behind him causing him to slam hard against the stone wall.

"AKIBA!" The professor screamed along with the others as the golden haired male fell surrounded by a pool of blood. Even his hair stained with crimson. "...R...Run...away..." are the only words Akiba managed to utter before everything went black. With the Archagons it was almost impossible to get to him despite their efforts. "...Damn it! If only I had more mana..." Takuna hissed angrily. "I'll try my star seeds! I'll tie them up while you go to him!" Flora exclaimed and summoned seeds in the palm of her hands that resembled stars before she suddenly felt Amourette slipping through her fingers. "Oh no! I'm losing her!" the faerie of flowers cried out immediately afterwards as she and Cupid did their best to dodge the Arachogons diving at them. Unable to keep her from doing so the blunette slipped through her fingers and landed on the floor. "AMOURETTE! C-CUPID LET ME DOWN!" Joey screamed afterwards as he struggled against him. As he did so, Amourette felt her consciousness return to her as she fell in mid air.

"...W-What...What happened...? Where am I...?" Amourette began before she squeaked immediately finding herself on an battlefield. "EVERYONE!" the bluenette cried before she gasped horrified to find Akiba laying in a pool of blood, however like the others, she was unable to get to him. It was then she heard a voice call out to her. It was the spirit whom presence she had felt once before. (Amourette...can you hear my voice still?) the spirit questioned softly before the blunette paused as she looked all around her watching everything slow almost to a crawl. "U-Um...is that you spirit...? A-And what's happening to everyone!?" Amourette questioned frightened before she heard the voice yet again.

(...Please, Do not be afraid Amourette...I have stopped time temporarily so that I might speak to you directly and without any interuption...for my words are for your ears only...while it is true that my dormancy was broken through the power of the Sun...I was too given a voice through the power of the Moon...the power that dwells within you A Princess Of Emerald...just as Joey holds within him the oposite...it is no mistake that you were drawn towards each other...the two of you hold a very special and unique bond that has been woven with the threads of destiny...it is not by chance that you two befriended Bloom and those whom are among your companions. Your journey will be filled with many joys...but also great pain...)

(In time...you may find your powers more of a burden...but slowly you will come to understand why it is they burn brightly within...The Phoenix cannot accomplish her task alone...she needs strong and reliable support...you each have a certain role to play...a role that no one else is capable of other than you...this is an undeniable truth...however...please remember that YOU are not alone either...neither of you are...for when you draw power from the Sun and the Moon you can call forth the ultimate shield of protection...trust yourself...trust each other...do so...and you'll be one step closer towards gaining the silver flame...I can't tell you what to do though...that you'll have find out for yourself... I have faith you...don't allow your doubt and fear to overwhelm your senses and feelings...) Luneth guided Amourette before time slowly began to resume as it did the blunette was caught off guard as Joey fell towards her.

"AMOURETTE!" Joey cried out from above her before a gasp escaped Amourette as she looked upwards. "JOEY-KUN!" the blunette cried out to him in surprise as the blonde reached his arm out towards her to catch her, her reaching out back struggling to do so. After a few tries they finally managed to grasp each other's hands. But when they did so, something very unexpected happened as their bodies illuminated with golden and silvery blue flames, each enveloping the two.

As they did, the flames slowly mixed together and created a large rainbow flame taking the form of a Phoenix. Flying up high above the creatures of darkness, the Phoenix folded its wings inwards before it thrusted opens its flamed wings and created an explosion of fire. A shower of rainbow flamed embers covered the entire field and manifested a barrier that none could ever hope to penetrate its divine protection of the Sun and the Moon. Not one person could look away in awe as each Arachogon that dared to approach was set aflame shrieking in pain.

"...Woah...the dragons...they're being burned...to cinders..."Joey exclaimed in complete disbelief. "...That...power...it...came from us...?" Amourette questioned also unable to believe what she was seeing now before her own eyes. "Incredible...is that...truly the power...of both the Sun and the Moon...?" Flora couldn't help but ask herself before Cupid's voice pulled her back to reality. "I'm going in for Akiba! Watch my back, We don't know how long the barrier of fire will last!" the red head cried out before the faerie of the flowers nodded in acknowledgement before Cupid flew over to the golden haired male having yet not moved still. Once his feet touched the ground beside him, Cupid immediately held his hands over the injured Akiba and began to use a healing spell. Turning each cut or wound into rose petals as he did. Flora in return continued to keep watch only watching as the Arachagon's turned into nothing but ash one after the other.

The Professor turned his gaze from Akiba and Cupid back to Joey and Amourette floating in mid air. (...It's just as I thought...Joey's power is awakening...Amourette being the one to light the spark of the golden flame...even I can't turn back the hands of time now...it won't be long...before he...and she...discover who he really is...) (Akiba...don't you die...don't you dare die...I NEED you...to help me through this...you understand that...don't you...?) Takuna's thoughts attempted to reach through to the golden haired male as he tightened his fists together turning his attention back towards him. It appeared that they did as Akiba struggled to sit himself upward with Cupid's assistance, placing his arm over his shoulder and eased both of them off of the floor. The golden haired male coughed as he did choking on a bit of blood that was still collected in his mouth.

"AKIBA!" everyone cried out with relief as smile after smile manifested upon their faces as slowly both Joey and Amourette touched down on the ground the rainbow flamed barrier dissipating as well with their hands still connected to the other both a bit drained from exerting such a great amount of mana. After a moment a smile manifested upon Joey's face. "D-Dat means everyone's ok...we're all ok! I don't know what we did...but we did it!" the blonde beamed with a broad grin. Amourette smiled in return and nodded. "Mhm! the blunette agreed with a nod before she felt a bit weak all of a sudden and almost fell over before Joey quickly caught her.

"W-WOAH! Amourette! Are you alright!?" the blonde questioned worried as he held her while Flora hurried over to her friend's side. "...It looks like she just used a bit too much of her power...but she should be alright if she rests for awhile, you both probably exerted a lot of mana in order to create such a powerful barrier...I've never seen anything quite like that before..." the faerie confessed. "Cupid! What about Akiba!? Is he really truly alright?" Flora questioned as red head slowly made his way towards them helping Akiba over to the others. Takuna himself wasted no time in checking over the golden haired male himself.

"I-I'll be fine..." Akiba finally spoke up breaking the silence. "How can I justify...sitting on my hands...when...you all are fighting so hard...besides...i'm built tougher than most...I won't allow myself...to be beaten here..." he continued as the remaining injuries began to glow mending themselves as if it was nothing which caused Takuna to smirk afterwards. "Heh...i'd nearly forgot how strong your regenerative powers are...well I see I had nothing to worry about." the Professor confessed.

"Yes! So let's keep moving allowing shall we?" Akiba exclaimed with a carefree smile which only caused Joey to chuckle softly. "Yeah, he can cook and clean and heal boo boos in between." the blonde grinned as Cupid made a face. "Joey...that was just terrible..." the red head deadpanned before a red anger mark appeared upon Joey's forehead. "HEY! I THOUGHT IT WAS PRETTY COOL! YA JUST GOT NO SENSE OF HUMOR!" the blonde argued in return. "Well...if you call that humor then I pronounce DOA..." Cupid sweat dropped. "Hee if dat means Damn Overly Awesome then i'm right dare with ya!" Joey fired back. "It means Dead On Arrival." the red head corrected him before Cupid found himself in a nasty headlock much to everyone's dismay.

"TAKE DAT BACK YOU LOUSY-" the blonde began before both Cupid and Joey met with the face of fear as Takuna shot them a rather threatening glare. "Break it up...before I break you...understood...?" the Professor warned before both Joey and Cupid shook their heads trembling. "O-Our bad..." each of them managed to squeak out causing Flora and Amourette to giggle in response. "Now with that settled...I suggest we look around and try to find which direction we're supposed to head in next." Takuna suggested before the party began to search around the area. Flora decided to search the area around where the faded seal was only to find a small set of stairs that appeared to lead down below.

"Everyone! I found a path that leads down below, although...I'm not sure what could be lerking at the end of it..." the faerie called out to the rest of the party before they hurried over to her and took a look for themselves. Cupid peered below into the darkness only making a face afterwards. "It's too dark to see..." the red head commented before Joey too came to examine the stairway veiled in darkness.

"I see what ya mean, Amourette can we get some light over here please!" the blonde called out to the blunette. "Oui!" she cried back hearing his voice Amourette quickly came to join squeezing in between the three. Holding out her hand she created a ball of light and tossed it lightly into unknown chasm. In but a moment, the sphere exploded and began to illuminate the entire area that was visible to the eye alone. Afterwards, Takuna and Akiba took turns inspecting the seemingly path forward. "I see it now...the stairs appear to be pretty broken up...we'll have to take care not to move too fast, so let's split into pairs, the guys will proceed first and the girls will follow, that way the guys can catch the girls if they miss a step." The Professor suggested.

"Sounds like a plan." Cupid grinned before he took a large step downwards only to lose his balance. Luckily, Flora was there to catch him with her hand. "You were saying?" the faerie teased as the redhead sighed with relief. "Guess we really DO gotta watch our step..." Joey sweat dropped and held out his hand towards Amourette before she carefully took it allowing him to help her down. Slowly the small party made their way down the broken up stairways aiding one another when it was needed. Physically however it was taking its toll, on some more than others as Joey huffed already worn out. After several flights of stairs it was no real surprise.

"Aw man...i'm beat...ain't there an elevator or somethin we could take down the rest of da way...?" the blonde groaned. "S-Some of us could...fly down...but even then it would take...some time..." Cupid confessed nearly out of breath as well. "Hang in there...it doesn't look like it'll be much further" Akiba encouraged the two of them. "Oui...we just have to keep moving...right Flora-Chan...?" Amourette questioned before her eyes were drawn towards Flora who was moving far slower than the rest of them the faerie struck with a spell of vertigo holding her head. Cupid along with the others shared a look of concern as he turned around and made his way up to her.

"Flora-Chan...do you need some help getting down? If you're tired I can carry you." the red head offered before the faerie shook her head softly. "N-No thank you Cupid...I...I think i'm ok..." Flora assured however as she attempted to take another step forward another wave hit her, it was a sort of heaviness causing her to stumble, a feeling she couldn't quite describe. Nearly everyone was alarmed as the faerie nearly collapsed but Cupid returned the favor catching her before she could fall. "Flora-Chan are you alright!?" Amourette cried almost immediately as Joey frowned worriedly. This wasn't like her at all.

"...I...I don't know...I just suddenly felt dizzy...and heavy...almost like feeling when I can feel the pain of plants and flowers...only this is much more intense..." Flora cried with a frown as Akiba twisted his mouth slightly. "In that case...what you're probably feeling...is Aura...the darkened Aura emanating from below us...most individuals can sense it to an extent...but only certain ones can feel it without restraint..." the golden haired male murmured.

"Ah...you are mentioned as a faerie attuned with Nature correct? Well, when you gained Celestix it most likely caused you to be in tune with all of the worlds as well...every living thing has an aura...even the planets itself...and when something corrupts that aura...then you in turn can also feel it...and the more sensitive you are the worse that feeling is...either way...it's going to be difficult for you to continue any further...at least on your own...it can be a gift as well as a curse..." The Professor pointed out before Cupid got down in front of Flora.

"Come on Princess, i'll carry you so you can rest for a bit Kay?" the red head half teased. After a moment of hesitation, Flora slowly and carefully climbed onto Cupid's back and allowed him to help her the rest of the way down. Unfortunately for them the end of the stairway led to a broken bridge. The faerie couldn't even manage to lift her head as her stomach felt twisted up and her chest burned from within. Flora's whole body began to tremble.

"I-It's so strong...my chest...feels as if its own fire...and my insides...twisted...the pressure...pressing against my entire body...someone...please...help me..." the faerie cried out before Amourette hurried over towards her best friend and attempted to use her powers to help ease Flora's pain. "It's gonna be ok Flora-Chan...I promise...just hold on ok? Just hold on..." the blunette assured her and guided by the power she had evoked earlier, Amourette called forth the moon's silvery and bluish glow, placing her hand upon Flora's chest and back, the pain gradually began to subside. Slowly the faerie sat up though her fatigue showed on her face yet still.

"M-My pain...it's gone..." Flora murmured taken back as to how much better she was feeling and turned towards Amourette as smile manifested upon her face. "I-I don't know how you did it...but...thank you...I feel a lot better..." the faerie exclaimed with a grateful heart. The blunette only looked back Flora with a weary smile. "That silvery light...it was just like those flames earlier...was...that the power of the Moon also?" Cupid questioned taken back.

"It is as you say, that was indeed the light of the moon, light that purified the darkened aura that is seeping through this whole area all originated from forbidden magic used in this place lingering even after its long been abandoned...do you remember the magic circle we came across earlier? The one with the broken hourglass" Akiba questioned.

"Such a magic seal as that, calls Blood Magic into this world...and in turn corrupts the already existing aura into darkness...connecting the physical world with the spiritual one...it is a world of neither the Beyond or The Neitherworld...but something a great deal darker...it exists in the depths of nothingness...where ones soul is plunged into an eternal pit of red blood...isolated from everyone and everything...chained and made a prisoner of time itself..." Takuna muttered to get his point across. It was enough to fill nearly everyone with a great unease.

"Huh...so dats what's goin on...then we'd better not stick around here...from the looks of it we should be able ta jump right across or fly if not." Joey finally spoke up and proceeded forwards before The Professor quickly held his hand out in front of him causing the blonde's movement to cease. "I'm afraid it's not as simple." Takuna mused before he picked up a small stone and tossed it towards the bridge as a demonstration. Upon contact, the stone evoked a dark red barrier infused with a dangerous lightning of aura. Immediately Joey backed up with his eyes open wide in horror.

"It's a very powerful barrier...whoever placed it here didn't want anyone going any further...to break this kind of arcane level blood magic...it's near to impossible...however...If I use my true form...I might be able to force my way through...by causing a shock wave to weaken the etched runes producing it...it's a long shot though...I'll need someone to back me up..." Akiba muttered before The Professor stood beside him. "Well, it seems as if we don't have any other choice...I'll back you up with my powers...just try not to over do it." "Yes." Akiba nodded as Takuna clapped his shoulder before he began to glow.

"U-Um...I can also reinforce your power Akiba-San...well more like amplify it..." Amourette offered softly before Joey cracked a smile. "Count me in, i'll use meh own power to give ya a boost!" the blonde exclaimed as he was more than lead by the blunette to lend a helping a hand. "Thank you...everyone..." Akiba beamed. "Now, prepare yourselves! And jump on my back once I give the command!" the golden haired male instructed. "YES!" nearly the entire party immediately echoed before Akiba began to glow with a bright white light. Afterwards, his entire body transformed into a large wolf almost as big as a house. His fur was colored amber with blonde highlights. The others could only stare in awe upon such a sight.

Upon opening his mouth Akiba began to gather energy from within, white aura that bared a resemblance to the lunar power that they themselves had just witnessed. The energy pooled together manifested into a sphere it growing in size as he did so. Once enough power had been gathered the wolf unleashed it, firing the giant sphere hurling towards the tainted barrier. (NOW!) Akiba cried out before the others quickly climbed onto his back and for those whom couldn't only clutched tightly to his fur. Feeling his own power surging within him, Joey transformed his appearance to that of his red eyes black dragon and called forth the flames twisting around his body.

"Oh Flames...That Burn Within My Soul...Gather In My Hands...And Cut Through My Enemy...FLAMBERGE!" the blonde commanded the flames to form a flaming sword within his hands. With everything he had he took the sword and struck it hard against the barrier threatening to push him back. Seeing the two of them in action, Amourette took a deep breath and began to illuminate herself in a silvery and blue light. "Strength of light...illuminate the path that darkness conceals...and answer my voice as I call upon the power of the stars...ILLUMINATION!" the blunette cried out and with all of her might she summoned a white candle with blue flames strengthening both Akiba and Joey's attacks.

With their combined power they were just barely able to break through the tainted barrier and leap to the other side of the bridge without fail. However, as the fog cleared they found themselves standing in front of an ominous looking temple. Akiba could feel all of his fur standing on its end he wasn't the only one either as Flora herself seemed shaken by the mere sight of The Temple Of Repose. From the outside, the structure was that of gothic architecture with several statues carved from obsidian in the sharp of gargoyles. Each one held in its hand a skull in which blood poured from its eye sockets.

The door itself was tall and just as earie for a carving of a blood dragon was etched into it which was most likely the source of the barrier. Unfortunately, the party soon found that the barrier wasn't only attempting to seal the entrance to the temple but it had been sealing something else from getting out as a powerful and potent miasma poured from out of the cracked doorway. "GAH!" nearly everyone cried as they began to choke on the toxic gas. Even Akiba couldn't overcome it as he reverted back to his human form coughing badly causing the party to fall of of him and onto the broken bridge.

"AKIBA!" The Professor choked out as he faught through the miasma. "E-Everyone's...choking..." Flora gasped and summoned a handful of star seeds before she tossed them on the ground creating plants around them to help provide more oxygen however, the miasma was so potent that the plants were already starting to die. Cupid gritted his teeth and attempted to reach for an arrow in his quiver struggling to do so. Once his finger made contact with one of the arrows, the red head grasped it and strung it to his bow.

Despite his effort Cupid found that he could barely see through the smog. While he could not, Flora discovered that she could as everyone's aura shone through to the faerie's eyes as clear as day."C-Cupid...aim just above the center...that's where the miasma is the strongest...you have a clear shot...no else will be in the way trust me..." Flora guided the red head. "I...I do..." Cupid answered in return and pulled back on his bow as a bead of sweat trickled down his face before he released the diamond tipped arrow. Striking at the precise point Flora had told him to he was able to disperse and purify the miasma. Slowly Akiba turned towards the faerie.

(I was right...Flora-Chan does have the power to see Aura...not only that she can feel it too...if she can find someone to help her master that special ability of hers...she'll be a force to be reckoned with...but...I was careless...I didn't expect such a potent miasma to exist in this place...I can't even move my body...I must've...inhaled too much...in my wolf form...but at least...the others seem ok...) Akiba thought to himself before he found themselves thrown into a coughing fit. Through his blurred vision he could see Takuna come towards him. Joey only frowned in response as did Amourette.

"Poor Akiba-San..." the blunette murmured as worry reflected in her eyes. "He must've got the worst of it from his sensitive nose..." Amourette surmised. "No kiddin...i've never seen anythin like dat before...talk about freaky...though i'm not sure exactly what part I'm more surprised about...da fact we nearly choked to death on dat rank or da part where Akiba's a fricken wolf!" Joey cried out as his mind was going a million directions right now. "U-Um...actually Joey-kun...Akiba-San is a werewolf..." the blunette corrected him causing the blonde's eyes to widen almost to the point of no return.

As the others took a moment to recover from the miasma, The Professor gave Akiba CPR in order to help him imbue more air into his lungs, expelling any remnants in his body. The werewolf gasped sitting and coughed after a short amount of time much to everyone's relief. "Well, I say it's safe to say that charging in through the front entrance is pretty much out of the question...in doing so we'd probably end up waltzing into an even thicker miasma...we'll have to find another way down" Takuna concluded before Amourette nodded in agreement.

"I also believe that's for the best..." the blunette agreed. "Dat's all well an good...but...will we actually be able ta find one?" Joey continued as Flora helped to ease Cupid up to his feet before he paused catching something in the corner of his eye. "What is it Cupid?" the faerie questioned before she followed the red head to the edge of the short side of the broken bridge as he peered over it. "HEY! GUYS OVER HERE!" Cupid called over. In a matter of moments the others quickly hurried over towards him with Takuna and Akiba lagging slightly behind.

"Did you find something?" The Professor questioned simply. "Ah, I think so...take a look down there." Cupid urged and directed their attention downwards before Joey made a face. "I hope you're not suggestin dat we jump...cuz dat looks like a LONG way down!" the blonde cried as the red head puffed up his cheeks and shook his fist. "OF COURSE I DIDN'T MEAN THAT!" Cupid fired back. "We CLIMB down CLIMB! he huffed causing another giggle from Flora. Both Joey and Cupid were so funny, the way they acted it was almost as if they were brothers. The blonde only grinned seeing him get worked up. Amourette couldn't help but share in that thought with a smile.

"HeeHee Hee...though...I suppose we really shouldn't be laughing too much...the only way down is a wall filled with thorns...briar thorns...in order to scale the wall...our hands will end up getting badly nicked..." Amourette murmured softly as her eyes reflected with confliction before Akiba took a look at the pathway down and twisted his mouth slightly. "Hmm...I see what you mean...even if I were to transform again...there's a good chance if I jumped down, the path way below would crumble from the sudden weight being forced upon it..." he surmised only for Takuna to let out a heavy sigh. "Then, we have little choice...we'll have to grin and bare it..." The Professor concluded.

"From their appearance they shouldn't cause us any harm other than making for a very uncomfortable rope..." Flora observed and with no other options, the party made pained groans as they made their way downed the thorned vines covering the wall. It took a bit of time at the cost to their pricked hands but luckily they soon touched down on solid ground as the small party felt a strong wind blow against them gazing upon a crimson sea. Not one could look away all except for Flora whom once more began to feel the wave of a negative aura. More than that, a dark red light calling out to her.

Without a single word, the faerie ran in the opposite direction however, not without notice as Cupid soon ran as fast as he could afterwards. He didn't know why but for some reason he had a BAD feeling. And he was right as Flora soon found herself knocked back violently as she came across another barrier fueled by blood magic. "AHHHHHHH!" the faerie cried out before the red head threw himself forwards and slid across the ground in order to catch her before she could collide with the stoned pathway. Flora groaned as she opened her eyes a gasp escaped through her lips as she saw who had caught her fall.

"Cupid! Oh no! Are you alright?!" the faerie cried out as he opened one eyes. "Don't worry about me...are you alright Flower...?" the red questioned before Flora softly nodded. "M...Mhm..." the faerie murmured as Cupid cracked a relieved smile. "Then...that's all that matters...but...what happened to you...you ran off so suddenly...I was worried..." the red head asked her before she frowned. "...I...I had that feeling again...but this time...it was like I was being drawn towards it...though...when I got close...another barrier stopped me from getting any closer...oh Cupid I'm so sorry..."Flora apologized. "It's ok, knowing me I probably would've bumped into it anyways..." Cupid tried to assure her before he paused as warm tears fell onto his face, droplets trickling down the faerie's face.

"I...I feel like i'm such a burden to you and the others...all...all I keep doing so causing you trouble...even now...you got hurt trying to protect me...when I should be the one doing the protecting...and now this new...frightening and confusing power...what if I end up messing up...and its something that I can't undo...I...I don't know what I should do...how can I save you from your curse...If I only make everything worse..." Flora sobbed as she buried her head into his face. Cupid frowned as he felt his own tears surface as he placed his arms around her.

"You are anything...but a burden Flora-Chan...you are my hope...my inspiration...my reason to continue to living...without you...I have nothing...don't you see...it would take so much more...than any flesh wound that could be inflicted upon me...to cause me to give you up...it's ok...to be scared...it's ok...to not know what to do...whatever it is...we'll figure it out together...this power...the curse...I love you Flora...that...I do know...isn't that enough of a reason to stick it out...until we reach the end? Of course, you might get tired of me by then heh heh..." Cupid half teased.

"...Never...I'll...never think that..." Flora choked through her tears. "...Just...Just Promise me...that you'll live...that no matter what...you'll ALWAYS be with me...please..." the faerie pleaded terrified of isolation as he. "...I Promise...Flora-Chan...I promise..." the red head murmured and he held her close to him. For awhile they stayed like that at least until Flora was able to calm down, her emotions raging like stormy waters. She was scared. Reasonably scared and so was he. "Here, even though you're just as beautiful with tears in those green eyes of yours." Cupid murmured as he offered a silk hankardshiff with a grin before she gently reached out a took it.

"Thank you..." Flora sniffed and wiped the remaining tears from eyes. Afterwards, the others found them some happier than others in the group as Takuna scowled with a mixture of both worry and irritation each coming to its boiling point ready to overflow. "THERE YOU TWO ARE!"The Professor cried out causing them both to jump."I was handing out jellies to heal everyone's injured hands and the next thing I know both of you are gone!" Takuna snarled and placed a green jellie in both Cupid and Flora's palm.

"...Why did you run off all of a sudden? We were so worried..." Akiba attempted to calm the Professor as he took over the conversation. Flora only frowned. "...I felt it again...that dark aura...I already told Cupid...but it...appeared to be drawing me towards it...and when I tried to get close...I was thrown back...i'm sorry for causing you all such worry..." the faerie murmured filled with remorse. After a moment Takuna let out a heavy sigh.

"As long as you both are ok, I suppose its fine." the Professor defused which only caused Akiba to smile. Deep down inside he knew Takuna would lay down his life for anyone of those kids despite the tough guy act he put on. However unable to resist his own curiosity, the werewolf slowly yet cautiously approached the direction in which the red light was coming from. As he came across it, Akiba's face only paled at the sight. Luckily, the others were distracted as he motioned for The Professor to come over. As he did Amourette gave Flora a comforting yet reassuring hug which caused Joey and Cupid to share in a smile much to both of their relief.

"What is Akiba?" Takuna asked almost in a whisper as he got closer to him. "...Behind that barrier...is another blood seal...and this one...it isn't worn like the other...it's very much active...and the scent of blood is fresh...I think now...it's entirely possible...given the fact that its been imbued with power...that someone may be using The Darklands as a cover for something far more sinister...however...I can't say for certain if that is so..." Akiba confessed. "At any rate, there might be more, therefore we should keep our eyes and ears open just as a precaution..." The Professor advised. "Before we proceed we'll have to remove it..." the werewolf mused and took a step towards it only to find Joey eavesdropping behind them.

"Hmmm...now dats da strangest lookin magic circle I eva saw aside from da orichalcos...almost looks like an hourglass...hey ya don't tink dat these things have somethin ta do with dat test we're supposed to pass do ya?" the blonde questioned but before either one of them could answer they were interrupted by sword that came out of nowhere and struck the blood seal right through the barrier. Instantly the seal became etched with glowing runes and was dispelled upon doing so shattering the nearly unbreakable barrier. The sword was thick crafted with obsidian and ruby. Everyone only stared in utter shock before a voice soon broke the stunned silence.

"If That's What You Think I'd Reconsider Before You Even Attempt To Undergo The Trial Of Eclipse...Otherwise Your Ignorance Will Cost You Dearly...Make No Mistake Of That...With Such Weak Hearts The Dark Flame Will Not Answer Your Call..." A voice echoed from beyond the shadows as a tall figure with pitch black hair emerged to reclaim their blade. Akiba and Takuna's eyes widened in surprise caught off guard by this sudden change in the wind.

"ASCHE!" Akiba cried out. "T-THAT'S YOU ISN'T IT!? B...But what happened to your hair...?" the werewolf asked. (Asche?) Joey questioned to himself before the dark haired figure opened his mouth once more. "Akiba...I see you've joined The Phoenix and her party..." Asche scoffed. "Hmph! If Andromeda could be saved by a silly girl then why haven't the gods of The Beyond been restored already? It's quite unfortunate but The Phoenix will most likely meet her end at the hands of The A.O.J or Death...she'll be reduced to nothing but ashes...an empty promise the only thing left of her..." the dark haired male muttered bitterly as he removed and sheathed his sword in its hilt. However, his words caused nearly everyone's blood to boil. Especially Joey's and Cupid's unable to contain their anger and disgust with the stranger's attitude towards Bloom as he turned his back against them.

"Why...Why You..." Joey muttered through his teeth before Amourette spoke up causing his attention to shift towards the blunette. "A-SCHE! P-Please wait!" Amourette cried out suddenly. "I-I know...you've given...up hope...but...but! Isn't that a good reason to continue to STILL HOPE!? Isn't it?...ISN'T IT!?" the blunette asked him through her shaken voice. But not a word he uttered from his lips as Asche began to slowly walk away only to in turn fuel Joey's rage further.

"WHY DAT POMPOUS ARROGANT ASSHOLE! I'D LIKE TO TAKE DAT SWORD OF IT AND SHOVE IT RIGHT UP HIS NO GOOD BUTT!" Joey fumed as he turned nearly red in the face with an incontrollable anger. (...What does he know anyway...tch...damn it...that really pissed me off...if he'd have taken a shot at Flora-Chan i'd have twisted that damn head off of his phoenix forsaken shoulders ...) Cupid muttered internally out of frustration as he watched the dark haired male until he was out of sight. However, as he did the red head spotted something on the ground. Shards of some kind colored red and they appeared to be creating some kind of trail.

Cupid wasn't the only one either as Flora picked up one of the shards off the ground. The strange part was that they weren't there earlier so how exactly did they get there? It was almost as if someone wanted them to follow them. The question was...why? Neither had time to exchange thoughts with the other as the rest of the party began to join them. "Well, at least one good thing came of that obnoxious character's appearance...now we don't have to deal with that annoying barrier..." Takuna confessed which caused Amourette to pause.

"Oh! That's true!" the blunette squeaked in realization. Joey only furrowed his brow. "Well, I say good riddance!" the blonde huffed. "Enough about him, let's just pick up where we left off ok?" Akiba reasoned with a smile before Cupid quietly followed the trail of red crystals shards. At the end of the trail he was led to an underwater tunnel and awaiting him was a wooden boat made out of iron wood. The strongest wood in all of the known worlds next to golden oak.

The ship was designed as an old Viking boat in which the motif was an ebony dragon. Lining the ship was blood crystal which matched the scattered shards. It was either a very strange coincidence or someone had led them there purposely. The answer was clear as crystal as Cupid caught sight of a shadowed figure only to vanish in the darkness of the tunnel. Unfortunately for Cupid, his curiosity only earned him a nasty gash to the head from The Professor's fist as he came up from behind him the others following after him too late to stop the assault.

"IDIOT! I THOUGHT I TOLD YOU NOT TO GO OFF ON YOUR OWN AGAIN!" Takuna spat angrily as Cupid twitched on the ground at The Professor's feet. "M-My ba-bad..." the red head groaned before Flora helped him back up. "Hey, look at dis!" Joey exclaimed as he caught the boat in his sights. "Oh! It's a boat! And its made from ironwood!" Amourette followed up. "That's the strongest wood in all of Andromeda, it grows on my home, Emerald." the blunette continued before Akiba gently picked up one of the shards that led to the ship.

"It appears to lead to an underwater passage way...the boat must be used for transportation further in the temple..." Akiba surmised. "Not so fast..." Takuna interrupted. "It could be a trap." The Professor continued before the blonde jumped right in it without any further hesitation. "AWWW YEAH! DIS IS WAY COOL!" Joey grinned broadly causing Takuna to twitch his eye in frustration. "HEY! I got an idea! Let's all take a picture together in dis thing!" the blonde suggested enthusiastically and pulled everyone in but The Professor and Akiba. "Akiba do ya mind?" Joey questioned as he tossed him his smart phone.

"Sure! Say Pretty Princess!" Akiba beamed before everyone smiled. "PRETTY PRINCESS!" the party grinned followed by the flash of the camera. "Ok, you've had your fun, now stop messing arou- Takuna was caught off as he climbed inside of it only for the blood crystal on the sides of the ship to extend and close them in, encasing the party inside of it, though surprising enough they could still see through to the outside.

"WOAH!" Joey cried out before Amourette let out a gasp. "J-Joey-kun! A magic seal is forming underneath us!" the blunette cried out as she watched the seal etch inside of it the emblem of a sun. Its light blinded nearly everyone before suddenly they could feel themselves moving. "...Uh...guys...do you feel that...?" Cupid questioned as he made a face. "...Yeah...though...I kind of wish I didn't..." Flora confessed. "It appears we're beginning to move...on...some kind of magically created track..." Akiba pointed out towards the trail of light guiding them before they were plunged in a sea of red. "This must be the crimson sea we encountered earlier...and this tunnel travels under it..." Takuna observed before Flora frowned and held her head as her entire body shook with frigid chill.

"Are you feeling sick again Flora-Chan?" Cupid asked her concerned as he placed his hand on her shoulder. "Yeah...its as if my body is reacting to...whatever this place is...I can't shake it..." the faerie uttered before The Professor let out a sigh. "That's to be expected...which is why I wanted to travel at a slower pace...however that's impossible now..." Takuna muttered as he shot Joey a brief glare before he motioned downwards. "Look down there...you see that large ruin...?" The Professor questioned. "...I-Is that a...city down there...?" Amourette questioned taken back by the sight. "It's most likely that the ruins we saw were once apart of it...but something caused it to be destroyed..." Akiba theorized before Takuna turned towards Akiba.

"We should leave here as quickly as possible once we obtain our piece of the flame...I don't know how much more poor Flora will be able to endure..." The Professor urged as Amourette used her powers to help ease the faerie's pain Flora shaking like a leaf. "Aw man Flo...you're as pale as a ghost...and your cold...is dat aura really affectin ya that badly...?" Joey questioned worriedly as the faerie barely was able to lift her head up. "Be...Beneath...u-us...s-something...c...clawing...at...m-my very...s-soul...i-it's as...if...the...essence...of fear...i-is cl-clutching...my...chest...senses...on...fire...I-I can't breathe..." Flora choked out as she clutched onto Cupid tightly her whole body trembling in the process.

"We're almost out...just hang in there...i've got you..." the red head assured the faerie as he held her tightly in his arms before it appeared that the boat began to sink little by little as if something or someone was attempting to drag them downwards deeper and deeper into the crimson waters. "...Uh...correct meh if i'm wrong...but...does it feel like we're goin down instead of forwards...or is it just meh...?" Joey questioned afraid to know the answer before he heard the sound of chains followed by a shadowy silhouette. (...Were...were those...chains...?!) the blonde cried out from within as he nearly bit his tongue.

"N-No it's not! We're sinking! There are chains that have tied up our ship!" Amourette cried out in horror. "Aw man! I thought so!" Joey cried out before he hurried over to her side only to find they had a very big problem. "Shit! the crystal shield is blocking meh ability ta get to da chain! We'll have ta break through it!" the blonde exclaimed and attempted to kick it open as hard as he could must but to no avail. "That won't work Joey, that's blood crystal almost as hard as adament or diamond!" The professor called out to him before Akiba turned towards the both of them.

"Well, we need to think of something and fast! Flora-Chan is in trouble!" Akiba cried back to them. "There has to be something that we can do!" Amourette exclaimed before she noticed that Cupid still had one arrow left. "C-Cupid-Kun! Do you think your diamond tipped arrow can break through the blood crystal!?" the blunette questioned. "I can try." Cupid muttered and quickly grabbed his last remaining arrow fixing it to his bow. "I'll use my powers to slow down the speed at which we are descending at, you just focus on shattering the blood crystal wall!" The Professor exclaimed and cast the spell aimed at the chains and the boat itself. While he did so, the red head strung his bow and directed the arrow towards the weakest point of the blood crystal. Once he had a clear shot, Cupid unleashed his arrow and made a nice crack.

"Tch...damn it...I couldn't break through..." the red head cursed. "Yeah, but now it's got a good crack in it...so we might stand a chance of breaking it with one more good hit!" Joey attempted to lighten the mood before something completely unexpected happened. Out of nowhere a figure cloaked in white emerged and transfigured into a large snow owl. With its mighty talons, the owl broke the chains pulling the boat downwards before it latched itself onto it and pulled up the party to the surface of the crimson red sea. However upon doing so the snow owl appeared to have vanished and in doing so, so did the blood crystal shattering to pieces.

"...W-What just happened...?" Flora questioned as her pain began to ease but Cupid only shook his head. "I...I don't know..." the red head uttered inn disbelief. "Whatever it was...it saved our asses..." Joey followed as Amourette let out a sigh of relief. "That was nerve wracking..." the blunette murmured still shaking herself. " A snow owl..." Akiba murmured. "It would seem that someone is watching over us..." the werewolf smiled softly. "Yeah...I think we've reached our destination..." Takuna muttered as he spotted the snow owl flying to a large black tower in the distance. It didn't take long at all before they were able to dock the ship. Carefully, everyone stepped out of the boat and onto a broken pier made up of obsidian.

"Now, i'm certain that I don't have to tell you that we need to use the utmost caution in this place...we still don't know what we're up against." The Professor muttered before Amourette paused nodding softly. "I agree..." the blunette squeaked out. "Yeah, Yeah let's just get in there already! I'm sick of dis place!" Joey quickly echoed. "Sorry, but i'd have to agree with Joey on this one...let's get this over with." Cupid added as he kept close to Flora. Akiba only looked at them with a softened gaze. "I understand your feelings on the matter...but as Taku-kun said we NEED to be careful...this test...won't be an easy one..." the werewolf emphasized before the others nodded softly before they began to climb up the large tower aside from Flora whom rode upon Cupid's back at his request.

The tower stairs were on an island, separated by two large statues in between as a blood waterfall poured flowing down the walls surrounding them. Right in the middle at the top of the tower was yet another emerald gemstone etched with golden writing upon its surface. Embedded in it was a sword bathed in black flame. It was unlike anything either of them had ever seen as they all took in their surroundings. But as they did, the black flame suddenly transfigured into a black made up of dark fire and ran towards them causing everyone to disperse completly caught off guard. Joey however snagged his foot on a piece of rubble and collided hard with the ground before the wolf made of black flame leaped into and entered the blonde's body. A pained gasp escaped him.

"JOEY-KUN!" Amourette cried out before the others hurried over to his side a grave mistake. As they got within not even an inch of the blonde the party soon found themselves trapped in cages that they themselves could never hope to break. "GUYS!" Joey cried back as he struggled to rise to his feet before a sharp pain shot through him and he puked up black liquid. Slowly the black liquid lit up on fire and manifested itself into a dark version of himself much to his shock and horror. As Joey lifted up his head, his darker self only smirked.

"Welcome..." Dark Joey greeted. "So glad you could join me...all of you..." he continued as Joey forced himself up. "W-Who are you!? And what da hell is goin on here!? What have ya done with all my friends!?" the blonde demanded to know angrily. "Heh...Can't you tell?...i'm YOU Joey..." Dark Joey taunted. "LIAR THERE AIN'T NO WAY!" Joey fired back. "Way...that IS the way of The Trial Of Eclipse...now let me explain to you how this works...in order to take this test there is a price..." Dark Joey began.

"Take a good look around us...you'll see each of your little friends have been placed in my special cages...well...all except for one that is..." he continued before the blonde looked upwards only to find that the blunette was missing causing his eyes to widen with fear and immediately turned towards the imposter. He wasn't the only one either disturbed by such actions as Flora looked around in a panic in an attempt to locate her best friend. "WAIT! Where's Amourette!?" the faerie cried out as a gasp escaped Joey and immediately turned his gaze back towards his other self.

"DAMN IT! WHAT DID YOU DO WITH HER! SPILL IT ASSHOLE BEFORE I REAARANGE THAT FACE OF YOURS!" the blonde demanded to know. "Relax...she's right here..." Dark Joey mused before he snapped his fingers. Afterwards, Amourette slowly began to appear bound in chains laced with black flames in mid air. "AMOURETTE!" Joey cried as the blunette barely lifted her head. "J...Joey-Kun..." Amourette murmured as she trembled. Flora only tightened her fist. "YOU LET HER GO RIGHT NOW YOU...YOU..." the faerie yelled angrily.

"Unfortunately for you, it doesn't work that way...you see...in order to take this particular test...there is a price to be paid...and that is the life of the one most important to you...and after peering into your heart...I've decided that Amourette here...is the toll...and now that you've paid the price of admission...it's time for us to begin...if you pass my little trial...then and only then will I release Amourette along with your friends...if not...well...I'll just let you wait and see...no pressure..." the imposter laughed darkly as he summoned a ball of fire within the palm of his hand.

"Now, let the game BEGIN!" Dark Joey cried out before he thrusted the fire ball directly at Joey whom just barely managed to jump out of the way rolling as he did so. "HEY WATCH IT PAL! YA NEARLY SINGED MEH EYEBROWS OFF!" the blonde screamed as he shook his fist at the imposter before a torrent of water soon followed hitting him hard nearly knocking him off the island. "...F-Foul...I call foul...i-if yer meh evil twin...then...how come yer usin...abilities dat I can't...? A-Ain't dat cheatin...or somethin...?" Joey muttered as he struggled back to his feet. But the imposter only laughed amused as he walked towards him.

"Oh yeah...I guess I forgot to mention...the person who acts as the price you pay also allows me to use their powers against you...weither its fair or foul...doesn't really matter...if you had such little power...then you shouldn't have stepped foot onto the temple ground...fool..." Dark Joey mocked and summoned a storm of lightning to strike the blonde where he stood causing him to cry out in pain unable to dodge it. "JOEY!" nearly all of the party cried out as Joey gritted his teeth the volts of electricity still traveling down his body.

(...D-Damn it...m-maybe he...he's right...e-even with these new powers...I-I still...haven't been able...ta protect da things...dat matter...how...can I...save meh friends...when I can't...even fight ta save myself...? Amourette...Cupid...Flora...even Akiba's riskin his neck for all of us...n-no...I can't...give up...i've come to far...when have I ever thrown in the towel...just because things got hard? Never! I don't quit! Not when I got people countin on meh!)

Joey battled within himself before he opened his mouth and stared down the imposter. "F-Fine...maybe I am a fool like ya say...but even a guy like meh has people I just gotta protect! They're countin on meh! And I ain't about to turn tail and run! No matter how bad things get! SO GET READY PAL CUZ JOEY WHEELER IS GONNA KICK YER ASS!"the blonde spat before he charged right for Dark Joey and swung his fists as hard as he could left and right. But right before he could land a blow, the imposter changed his shape into Yami Marik whom only laughed at his declaration as Joey felt the blood freeze in his veins.

"So, Little Joey believes that he can play the hero does he? But you couldn't even save your dear friend Mai from the shadows...her mind slowly being eaten away as she slipped further and further into isolation...losing her memories...just waiting in vein as you toiled away in vein to rescue her...but like in everything you do, you failed misrably and were thrown helplessly into the shadow realm at the hands of my Winged Dragon Of Ra! Some hero...you couldn't even save yourself...in the end it was The Pharaoh and little Yugi that had to succeed where you did not... Yami Marik began.

"It's so pathetic I almost feel sorry for you...I suppose your luck had to run out sometime...my condolences to the next women you fail..." Yami Marik Taunted as Joey bit down on his bottom lip the imposter's words piercing him like a dagger through his heart drawing blood. "But, don't just take MY word for it...there's someone else who would say the same...and I think you know this individual quite well..." the imposter mused before the blonde soon found none other than Seto Kaiba looking down upon him crossing his arms.

"I have to say...this is a low point even for you Wheeler...allowing your little girlfriend to be taken prisoner...I for one would NEVER allow something to happen Bloom...and instead of taking action like a man...you're standing here whimpering like the dog you are...why Yugi even hangs around with a loser like you when he could aim so much higher, is a mystery to me...and that's all you'll ever be...in fact...I think you cause everyone more trouble than you're even worth...you obtained power from Undine to fight...and yet you're still powerless to help anyone...so...just give up...you'll never win Wheeler...you never had what it takes to defeat me...and you never will..."

Shadow Kaiba's voice echoed through Joey's head. Suddenly the imposter's hand grabbed the blonde by the throat violently. Joey gasped as he felt his cold frozen fingers tighten around his throat before he found himself being dragged against the ground unable to fight against it still injured from earlier despite his efforts to. Once they were half way across the ground, the imposter lifted him up and threw him with great force into the emerald stone with the sword covered in dark flames embedded in it. The blonde cried out in pain as blades of blood crystal began to slash at him over and over again summoned by Shadow Kaiba.

(...Aw man...dis...is bad...my sights startin ta go...i've lost too much...blood...I don't...even...know if I...I can remain conscious for...much...longer...) Joey thought to himself as blood dripped down both sides of his mouth looking towards the imposter slowly walking towards him through blurred vision. Even now, he couldn't summon any of his power when he needed them the most. Just barely the blonde paused as he swore he heard someone or something call out to him in the distance.

"JOEY! DON'T LISTEN TO HIM!" Cupid's voice was the first to break through as Flora paused along with the others as they only looked at the red head stunned. "DON'T YOU DARE LISTEN TO HIM YOU HEAR ME!? HE DOESN'T KNOW WHAT THE FUCK HE'S TALKING ABOUT IT!" the red head screamed at the top of his lungs as anger burned within his blue eyes. "...Cupid...?" Flora barely found herself able to utter watching Cupid tighten his fists at his side. "You...You taught me what REAL courage was Joey...how to face the fear that raged within...that I so desperately tried to fight every waking moment of my life...you made me recognize...exactly what love was...even though...I thought I knew...it isn't our own strength...that saves us...but, those whom we get our strength from..." Cupid began.

"When we fall...they help us get back up and when we rise...they rise with us...you're not fighting this battle alone either...even if it seems like you are...we are right here beside you...so...don't you dare give up! Because when you do...it's over...I know that better than anyone..." Cupid continued and turned towards Flora before she paused for a moment hearing the sound of broken up sobs. It was then she realized that Joey wasn't the only battling against the darkness as Amourette wept unable to take her eyes off Joey's wounded and broken body surrounded by blood.

(T-This is...This is all my fault...) Amourette sobbed unable to stop the tears falling down her face. (I-If I weren't so weak...this...would never have happened...b...because of me...Joey-Kun...Joey-kun...) the blunette was unable to finish her sentence before she paused in mid tear as she heard a familiar voice call out to her. "YOU'RE WRONG AMOURETTE!" Flora cried as loud as she could muster. "None of that is true! Joey NEEDS you! You're the only one that can reach him where we can't! His heart! You've got to call out to it Amourette! You have the most the most powerful weapon that can help him fight against the darkness of doubt and despair! And that's love!" the faerie's voice attempted to reach the blunette.

"A girl in love in the strongest...one word from the person you love is enough to allow you to conquer any shadows that lay within...even when you don't think you can...help him...let your words flow from you and into Joey! Don't allow fear to hold you back!" Flora continued. The blunette shut her eyes tightly as Amourette's head began to become flooded with memories flashing through her. The first day they met at the market place with Blaire by her side. That night neither of them could sleep as she was still haunted by Crymson's death. The times he confided in her and shed tears together. Event the moments Joey made her laugh or smile. They were precious to her, memories she didn't want to lose...so many more that would be made. Slowly Amourette opened her eyes as tears soon overcame them.

"...No matter what anyone else...may say...you've always been my hero Joey-kun..." the blunette broke the almost deafening silence. "After all...you've saved me more times than I could ever possibly hope to count...even though you were fighting your own battles...you never pushed me away...when I needed you...I was so scared...after Crymson died...of getting close to anyone else...loving anyone else...I thought if I did that...i'd be betraying all that happened between us... not only that...but my friendship with Flora-Chan and you..."Amourette cried through broken sobs. "I hated myself for such selfish thoughts...however...no matter how I tried...I couldn't deny it...deep down...I wanted to be with you...and that terrified me..." the blunette confessed as tears fell one after the other down her face.

Slowly, Joey struggled to draw his gaze towards her before she opened her mouth as her bottom lip trembled. "B-Because...Because...compared to you...and everyone else...I felt so ordinary...weak...and above all useless...I couldn't save Crymson...so...how could I possibly save you when the time came? I just didn't know...I know i'm clumsy...not good with my words...and I lack courage...but...what scares me most of all...is the thought of losing you too...I...I...love you Joey-kun...I love you...I love you...I REALLY LOVE YOU! SO I"M BEGING YOU! GET UP! GET UP AND FIGHT JOEY-KUN! I BELIEVE IN YOU! WE ALL BELIEVE IN YOU!" Amourette cried out as loud as she could before her whole body illuminated a silvery blue.

Joey's catatonic eyes widened as Amourette's words echoed through to his ears creating ripples with the blonde's very soul. Slowly in reaction, Joey's body pulsed with the same golden light once more. Within his mind he could see an image of the blunette running towards him with her hand stretched out. Her soft voice calling out to him as she did so. The light of the moon rose up behind her and just as the blonde forced his arm to lift up towards her, the blunette burst into pure white feather before a strong breeze blew against him. Joey attempted to shield his face from the storm of feather with his other arm as he caught traces of lightning mixed within. The blonde could do nothing but brace himself for the impact unable to move his body. A deafening silence washed over the area as Joey remain untouched.

"YOU DAMN IDIOT!" a familar voice cried out as the blonde looked upwards only to find the one that had protected him was none other than Asche. The black haired male's body was inflicted with burns upon his flesh from acting as a shield and held Joey tightly to his chest wincing in pain. Nearly everyone stared down from their cages as they could only look in complete and utter shock. Especially Joey unable to believe the sight before his eyes drawn back into reality as he stared in disbelief at who was holding him.

"...I-It's you's...b-but why...?" the blonde questioned weakly as his body trembled before the black haired male opened his mouth. "Idiot...I didn't...save you...j-just so you...could qui...quit and die..." Asche muttered through the pain. "I won't...I won't let you...I...refuse to...so...what are you waiting...for?...C-Can't you...hear it...the...the voice inside of you...? O-Open your heart...and listen...for the voice...that calls...forth the light...let...the Moon guide you...as...a child of...the Sun..."

The black haired male choked out as he lifted up his hand and held it up to Joey's forehead. As he did so the emblem of the Sun was awoken upon the blonde's forehead just as before he found himself engulfed in a golden light that seemed to only grow brighter and brighter. Taken inside of his mind once more or more accurately inside of his heart and battle that raged within. Slowly Joey found himself laying on a magic circle that was situated upon a crystal power and engraved upon it was an emblem of a moon and a sun.

There were twelve individual figures that were shrouded in a starry mist. They stood upon the ends of each of the Sun's bright rays whilst one stood in the middle and two more figures on the end of each point of the crescent Moon. (...Where...Where da heck am I...?) Joey questioned through his blurred vision before a gasp escaped his mouth as he found himself bound to the magic seal in chains unable to move his body despite how hard he tried to. There was nothing he could do. It was then, the blonde paused in the midst of his struggle that white feathers fell down upon him gently like freshly fallen snow and from them a snow owl emerged. Imagine Joey's surprise when the owl took the form a young man. The blonde could only watch as none other than The Great Mage slowly knelt before him and met his gaze.

"...Do you wish to be free Joseph?..." Artemis Moon asked Joey softly before the blonde looked back at with a puzzled expression. "Uh...is dat a trick question...if ya hadn't noticed uh whoever you are...these chains are holdin meh down...I can't move my body either...this trial has meh completely whiped and wiped...even my power isn't enough to do the job...talk about lame..." the blonde half joked with a dry laugh. But The Great Mage only shook his head.

"I do not speak of physical chains...but of ones that the eye alone cannot see...the weight of your emotions are what forge these chains you see...and left undealt with...their numbers only grow...questioning your role...worrying about the strength needed to fulfill it...the grief of a friend twice taken and returned...the stress of letting go a lost love...embracing another...the dangers you face...and WILL face...where the future takes you...and all that it holds...fear...doubt...even worry...these bind you and weigh heavily upon your heart, mind and soul...allow me to carry that burden along side you Joey...as Amourette...and your dear friends keep telling you...you are not fighting this battle alone..." Artemis Moon murmured. Joey found himself flabbergasted at the man's words. He didn't know how, but it was almost as if he was able to see right into his heart.

"...Help me...carry meh burden...? Does that mean...that you can take all of this heavy stuff away? That you can make it so that I can pass da test...dat we dun gotta worry about dat stuff no more...?" Joey questioned before a soft chuckle came from Artemis Moon. "I suppose it would be easier if that were the case...what I speak of is not the promise that you will not endure hardship...nor suffer the trails of life...there will always be joys just as their will also be tears...at times you will have to deal with questions...that require more than one answer...some not so black and white...but rather grey...as the worlds are painted with many unique colors...just as those you meet that shall cross your path..." The Great Mage continued.

"Several trials will occur...some easier than the last...as long as you are mortal...you will always be ruled by your emotions...such is your nature...but by doing so you can also connect your heart to another...and offer them compassion and understanding when they need it the most...life in general is filled with uncertainty...some people are more venerable to the darkness of negativity than others...I cannot keep you from coming up against strife...this is true...but you can rest assured that with me standing beside you...that you do NOT have to face such tribulations alone...for I see what has passed, what is passing and what will come to pass...for I am the Moon...shining my light and love upon you...even so...I cannot help you...unless your yourself wish me too..." The Great Mage confessed.

"So, I ask you again...do you want to be free Joey...?" Artemis Moon asked him once more as he held out his hand to him. The blonde paused as he felt something awaken within him as his body gave off a bright golden glow almost attuned with the moon's light that enveloped the magic seal. The moon and the golden dust twisted around the other and from it manifested the images of each one of his friends. The ones closest to him were in the middle forming a circle around him. From beyond his reach, Joey could hear them call out to him.

(JOEY! GET YOUR ASS UP AND FIGHT! FIGHT DAMN IT!) The Professor's came first. (YOU CAN DO THIS! THE ANSWER IS RIGHT THERE INFRONT OF YOU!) Cupid's came next. (Trust your heart Joey!) Flora's voice soon followed. (Don't let your mind rule your actions! Resist the darkness and conquer it with light!) Akiba's rang out afterwards.(We all believe in you Joey-Kun...now WIN THIS!) Amourette's cries the last to reach him. As the blonde listened to them something awoke within him. A realization that he couldn't see before until he stood still. Joey finally understood what it was that The Great Mage was trying to so desperately tell him along with all of the others. It wasn't until now thanks to Artemis Moon's words, that he was able to make the connection.

(...That's it...i've been doing all of this wrong...here I am fightin the darkness inside me...all by meh self...when i'm in way over meh head here...they were right...the answer WAS right there in front of me all along...but...I was so focused on the shadow reflected in my heart...that I didn't even notice...) Joey thought to himself as he struggled against the chain that bound his left arm in order to lift it up. Not taking his eyes away from the hand in front of him, the blonde reached out towards it. "...H...Help me...please...to break...these chains..." Joey barely managed to utter from his lips as The Great Mage was barely within his reach.

It was then the blonde felt Artemis Moon's hand gently grasp his as a warmth flowed through that he had never felt before. Looking upwards, Joey only watched as the mysterious male only smiled at him. And in that instant the chains holding him down shattered, freeing him from its binding. Before the blonde could utter another word in stunned silence, the world around him began to fade everything turning to golden dust along with him. But as it did Joey could heart a soft whisper that caused his very soul to resonate like a pebble tossed into a pond of water. (...Everything...Is Going To Be Ok ...)

As the voice echoed within his heart, the blonde closed his eyes the last to fade away and opened them only to find himself grasping the sword embedded within the emerald stone its blade yet still cloaked in black flames. It took a moment for Joey to regain his sight and gasped as he saw the sword's hilt clutched in his left hand. Not only that but it appeared that Asche had been protecting him the whole time attempting to keep Shadow Kaiba from coming anywhere near him.

"Asche!?" Joey questioned in surprise before the black haired male shifted his eyes towards him as he held his own blade fending off a barrage of lightning attacks from the enemy. "Tch! It's about damn time you woke up! Now hurry up and grab the sword! You know how don't you!?" Asche cried out before he created a sun sphere and thrusted it into the storm of lighting being fired upon him from the imposter. Joey bit down on his lip before he turned his gaze back towards the blade. As he stared into the black flames, the blonde could feel hesitation within him arise however, that was only until Joey remembered what it was the voice told him once before.

(N-No! I know I can do this! I've gotta have faith and remember what it was dat voice told me...so...here goes nothin...) the blonde thought to himself and tightened his grip on the sword. "ANYONE LISTENIN! If you can hear me I need ya right now! Dis Trial is too difficult...I just can't do dis on meh own! So I'm askin ya! PLEASE LEND ME YOUR STRENGTHE AND THE POWER TO CONQUOR THE DARKNESS INSIDE MEH HEART!" Joey cried from out as loud as he could before the darkened flames began to be eaten away by rainbow ones. As the flames ignited, they only grew in size and from them manifested the form of a Phoenix that appeared to be a spirit. Nearly everyone gasped as they witnessed this unexpected turn of events. Including Joey as he found his eyes meeting the spirits.

"I-I's The Phoenix!" Amourette squeaked out as her eyes widened. "Is it Bloom-Chan though?" Cupid questioned in confusion before Takuna only shook his head. "No." The Professor began "Take a good look...it's not the present Phoenix but rather the one before it...this one is merely a spirit that has been able to manifest itself in physical form." Takuna explained. "It must be Lady Daphne..." Akiba murmured softly as his eyes only reflected a deep sadness. The Professor nodded gently in response. "Eh!? That's Bloom-Chan's sister then?" Amourette asked before she turned her attention back towards both The spirit and the blonde. Even Shadow Kaiba couldn't move within the presence of The Phoenix.

(You Whom Hath Summoned Me...The One Whom Calls Forth The Light...You Wish For A Weapon To Wield Against The Shadows Of Your Own Heart...I Can See...That Within You...Is A Gift...Which Has Been Given To You From The Time Of Your Birth...One That You Have Called Upon Before...Although You Were Not Aware Of It...However...This Gift Has Been Sealed...Waiting To Be Unlocked...) the spirit of The Phoenix began before she opened her mouth and from rainbow flames, Daphne created a magic seal with the emblem of the Sun etched into it under the emerald stone where the sword was imbedded in it yet still.

(Remove The Blade From The Magic Seal...And Be Reborn As You Were Meant To Be...Allow The Two Bloods Flowing Through Your Veins...To Be Awakened...Joseph...) The spirit of The Phoenix instructed. Joey paused before he swallowed hard and turned his attention back towards the sword. Tightening his grip, the blonde began to pull as hard as he possible could until the blade began to give way only slightly and the gemstone cracked lightly as a result. It was only a matter of moments before Joey managed to free the sword. Upon doing so however, a bright light illuminated upon Joey's forehead and traced the emblem of a Sun. and unleashed a brilliant glow all of its own.

The blonde could feel something awaken in him but what that was he himself did not know. Afterwards, the spirit of The Phoenix was drawn back into the blade creating a sword of pure rainbow flame. "...Woah...ok...now I gotta say...dis is FRICKEN awesome! But...uh...just how exactly am I supposed ta use dis thing?" Joey questioned as he looked at the blade then back towards the imposter. Luckily for him, Asche was still managing to hold him off but, this wasn't Asche's test. It was his. And from the looks of it, the guy looked pretty beaten from where he was standing. There was no telling how much longer he could last with those injuries. Suddenly, Joey heard Daphne's voice through the flaming sword.

(Just As You Wield A Weapon In Battle...Like A Sword You Must Also Fight With Your Spirit...The Sun And The Moon...Are Your Sword And Shield...And Through Their Might They Can Protect You From Harm...However...There Will Always Be A Battle That Rages Within...And Sometimes It Will Seem As If The Shadows Will Triumph Against The Light...But Just Know That When Faced With Great Darkness...An Even Greater Light Has The Chance To Shine Its Brightest...Together There's No Foe They Cannot Defeat...As Long As The Sun And The Moon Are Always Together...) Daphne whispered to him. Her words caused the blonde to contiplate the true meaning behind them just as he had done with The Great Mage.

(...Wait...if the darkness is commin from meh own heart...than dat means...) Joey paused before his eyes widened and took the sword but rather than direct towards the enemy, he turned it towards himself instead. Afterwards an eruption of panicked cries followed as the blade drew near his body. (Then...the only thing left in my heart...would be da light...) Joey concluded before he stabbed himself directly in the chest. Suddenly, a golden light burst forth from it causing a chain reaction as Shadow Kaiba cries out unable to prevent himself from reverting back into Dark Joey.

The rays of light pierced the imposters body until he burst into sparkling golden dust. Immediately upon his destruction, Amourette was released from her chains and the others from their cages. The sword vanished into colorful embers as the emerald stone split in two and from it emerged a black flame only to manifest into a silver one. The Flame Of Eclipse. Upon its emergence, a weary smile came from Joey before suddenly he felt all of his strength leave him at once. "JOEY!" nearly all of his companions cried out as Amourette ran as fast as she was able to and caught him just before he could hit the ground.

"AMOURETTE! IS JOEY OK!?" Takuna yelled out right after. "He must be exsausted..."Flora followed worriedly. "Mmn...after all...it was he himself who he was fighting..." Akiba murmured softly. "And boy did he put up one hell of a fight." Cupid admitted as his eye met Asche's briefly before Asche spoke up after taking a look at Joey's condition. "He's sustained some injuries...however nothing that would be considered life threatening...you should mend what you can...but afterwards he'll need to rest in order to recover." The Black Haired male advised as he watched the blunette hold Joey close to her. She couldn't stop the tears of joy flowing down her face.

"You did it Joey-kun...You did it...i'm so so proud of you...i'm so happy..." Amourette smiled brightly, her love for him even being shown in the way she caressed him with her finger tips. Akiba and Flora themselves faught back their tears relieved that everyone was ok while the others remained silent. Asche began to walk away before he paused in between his steps. "Akiba..." the black haired male began before the werewolf ceased his tears and looked towards him.

"...Before...You asked me what it was that happened to my hair...a lot has happened...in the time passed since The Phoenix was reborn...if you think about it...you'll find your answer..." Asche muttered before Akiba frowned softly. "Asche..." Akiba murmured thoughtfully. Just one glance and the truth was reflected within his desolate eyes. "...I-If you're lost in the darkness...then SHE can guide you back to the light...and...until our paths cross again...don't...just don't lose yourself to it...ok...?" the werewolf almost whispered before the black haired male opened his mouth to speak.

"It's always darkest before the dawn...but what happens to those whom wait for the Dawn bit it fails to come...?" Asche asks in return but Amourette only smiles at his question. "The Moon...The Moon Will Guide You To The Scattered Rays Of Light That Shine Throughout The Night Sky...They Are The Stars In The Sky...Keep Them As A Reminder...That The Night Doesn't Last Forever..." the blunette murmured as she looked down at Joey with a sweet smile. After a moment the black haired male cracked a smile.

"Perhaps..." were the only words that came from him as he gazed upon both Joey and Amourette. He wished he too could place his hopes so readily in The Light Of Hope as they did. Children of The Sun and The Moon. But, the shadows of his past yet still haunted Asche. Could the newly born Phoenix truly stand against the forces that only sought nothing but death? Maybe however, the stars that surrounded both the Moon and the Sun would be the key to overcoming the darkness that would soon be upon them.

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