Authors' Notes: Well everyone here is the next chapter in this epic adventure.

Now without further ado here is the next chapter.

Thank you Guest reader. I have reposted chapter 15 so it is the right one now. I did it on my cell when I could not get onto the site on my computer and posted the wrong chapter. ^_^ I am so sorry. So for some NanoFate cuteness please go back and read 15.

ZR };-

Mystic Guardians: Hero's From Two Worlds

By

Zona Rose

Chapter Seventeen

The sun was low in the sky, casting long shadows across the dusty road as Fate climbed into the wagon to keep Nanoha company. She hesitated for a moment, not sure how close she should sit. Her heart raced with anticipation, and her hands trembled slightly, as this was the first time being alone with Nanoha in the wagon in a while.

With Nanoha's reaction to touching her, she's not sure exactly where she stands. It was almost as if she was repulsed to touch her with how fast she drew her hand back. Maybe that confession was delirium from her injury.

The two were jostled around for an hour before Nanoha spoke, "Fate," Nanoha began, her voice soft but steady, "I don't remember what happened before passing out… I do know that I have something very important I have been wanting to tell you."

Fate knew she needed to tell Nanoha what she was before Nanoha said anything more. "Wait…, Nanoha, there is something you need to know before you continue. This may change your mind on what you plan to say," Fate said, her voice barely above a whisper as if the secrets she held were too heavy for louder words. Her burgundy eyes brimmed with worry, and her hands fidgeted nervously.

"Okay, I will hear you out," Nanoha replied, her voice steady, filled with determination. "However, it will not change my mind on what I say." She looked into Fate's eyes, trying to convey the sincerity of her words through their shared gaze. Her heart raced in anticipation, but she held herself firm, ready to face whatever revelation Fate had to share.

Fate opened her mouth to speak, but her words were caught in her throat, choked by the weight of what she was about to confess. She took a deep breath, her chest rising and falling as she prepared herself. Nanoha could see the internal struggle etched across Fate's face, her heart aching for her friend's turmoil.

"Right, well you see..." Fate started and stopped as her voice cracked.

Fate glanced over at Nanoha, noticing the sincerity in her eyes. She swallowed hard, trying to calm her nerves. But deep down, Fate couldn't help but worry about the potential consequences of their conversation. Would it bring them closer together or push them apart?

Fate's lips began to part once more, an urgent shout interrupted her. "Bandits!" Signum's warning rang out, her voice filled with urgency. Their conversation would have to wait, as danger encroached upon the group.

Nanoha tried to get up to help defend her friends but was stopped by Fate.

Fate's instincts kicked in, and she immediately focused on protecting Nanoha. With a thought, she conjured a shimmering shield around her friend just in time, as arrows began raining down upon them from all sides.

As the golden light enveloped Nanoha, their eyes met, and Fate felt a surge of emotion that threatened to overwhelm her. They had been through so much together, and yet there was still so much left unsaid between them.

"Fate," Nanoha whispered.

"Stay safe, Nanoha," Fate urged, moving to the back of the wagon and jumping down to block anyone from getting in.

"You too," Nanoha pleaded.

"Everyone, stay alert!" Hayate commanded, her voice cutting through the chaos.

Signum unsheathed her sword and charged towards the bandits, engaging them in a fierce battle. The sound of steel clashing against steel echoed through the air, accompanied by the cries of pain and effort from both sides.

Vita's hammer starts swinging from side to side crushing bones and weapons.

Reinforce fires off bloody daggers, a deadly spell.

Zafira, Rynith, and Alph crushed every bandit with their teeth and claws.

Next to the wagon firing plasma arrows into the forest, Alicia aimed to protect the one her sister loved.

Fate was firing off plasma lancers that sliced through her enemies. She would do anything to protect the woman she loved, even if that love was never returned.

In the chaos, Suzuka cast protection spells on her friends, trying to prevent any further injuries. Shamal, on the other hand, busied herself with healing magic, tending to those who had already been hurt in the skirmish.

Arrows whistle through the air, not caring if they hit friend or foe just so long as the lethal tips hit something. Some of the arrows were even directed into the canvas of the vulnerable wagon. The bandits had struck with ruthless precision, they're Ambush catching the group off-guard.

"Watch out, Signum!" Arisa shouted, her eyes wide with concern as she spotted an enemy archer aiming at her friend.

"Thank you, Arisa!" Signum replied, barely having time to react before a flurry of arrows rained down upon her. With a swift swipe of Laevatein, she deflected each one, the shafts splintering into harmless fragments upon contact with her weapon.

"Shamal, take care of the others," Signum ordered her focus now solely on the bandits that threatened the lives of those she held dear. "I'll handle this."

"Understood, Signum!" Shamal, her voice filled with determination despite the danger that surrounded them.

As Signum charged towards the enemy, her heart pounded with a mixture of adrenaline and fear. She fought for her friends, her master, and her lover. And she knew that, no matter the outcome, she would give everything she had to protect them.

"Come on, you cowards!" Signum taunted, her sword clashing against the crude weapons wielded by the bandits. Her every strike was precise, calculated to disable rather than kill, but even so, the ferocity of her attacks sent many of the assailants sprawling, their limbs bruised and battered from the force of her blows.

"Signum!" Shamal cried out, her voice filled with anxiety as she watched her lover dance through the fray. "Be careful!"

"Always," Signum murmured under her breath, a wry smile tugging at her lips. She couldn't help but feel a surge of warmth at Shamal's concern, even in the heat of battle.

Fate's shield spell held strong around Nanoha, but in her determination to keep her safe, she failed to notice an arrow that found its mark in her own body just as she exited the wagon. The pain didn't register immediately, her focus was entirely on ensuring Nanoha's safety.

"Shamal, do your thing!" Signum shouted, her voice carrying over the din of the battle. "Suzuka, we need protection!"

"Understood," Suzuka replied, her blue eyes flickering with determination as she focused on the task at hand. With a wave of her hand, a shimmering barrier began to form around the group, deflecting incoming arrows and providing some much-needed cover.

"Klarwind, Healing Winds!" Shamal commanded, her device responding with a soft chime. A gentle breeze swirled around their injured companions, soothing their wounds and easing their pain. The relief on their faces was palpable, and the knowledge that she could provide such comfort filled Shamal's heart with warmth.

"Thank you, Shamal," Alicia murmured.

"Everyone, stay close!" Suzuka called out, her focus unwavering as she maintained the protective barrier. Her breath came in short pants, betraying the effort it took to keep the spell active, but she refused to let it falter.

"Photon Lancer!" Fate yelled, sending a series of energy blasts at the bandits who dared approach the wagon, as they fell one by one.

Vita swung her mighty hammer with precision and force, knocking out one bandit after another. Their numbers dwindled until the group finally emerged victorious.

"Vita!" Signum called out, her voice fierce as she slashed at one of the bandits with her sword. "We need you over here!"

"Got it!" Vita yelled back, hefting her massive hammer, Graf Eisen, and charging into the fray. With a mighty swing, she knocked out several bandits at once, their bodies flying through the air from the force of her blow. "Gatling Smasher!" she shouted, unleashing a barrage of magical projectiles that rained down on the remaining bandits.

"Is that all you've got?" Signum taunted, her eyes narrowing as she faced down the last remaining assailant. "You picked the wrong group to mess with."

The bandit growled, his face contorted with rage, but even he could see that victory was now beyond his grasp. With a final desperate swing, he lunged towards Signum, hoping against hope to land a fatal blow.

"Pathetic," Signum whispered, sidestepping the attack with ease and delivering a swift kick to the bandit's chest, sending him sprawling to the ground. As he lay there, defeated and gasping for breath, Signum turned to survey the battlefield, her heart swelling with pride at the sight of her friends standing victorious against the enemy.

"Everyone okay?" Signum asked, her voice steady despite the lingering adrenaline coursing through her veins. The chorus of affirmations that met her ears brought a smile to her face.

As Fate focused on keeping Nanoha safe, she still didn't notice the arrow in her body. Her thoughts were consumed by the need to protect Nanoha – so much so that she still didn't even register the pain. That is until now.

"Are you okay?" Nanoha asked, worry etched on her face as she observed the battle unfolding before them from the wagon.

"I'm fine," Fate assured her, gritting her teeth against the sudden pain that threatened to break her concentration. "Just focus on staying safe." Fate looked down to see she has an arrow in her side.

"Alright," Nanoha replied, "Do you think it's over?" Nanoha's question pulled Fate back to the present, and she looked around to see that the remaining bandits were either incapacitated or had fled in terror.

"Seems like it," Fate said, panting slightly from her efforts. "But we should be prepared for anything. They might come back."

"Good job, everyone," Signum praised, her eyes surveying the damage they'd inflicted on the bandit group. "We'll have to move quickly if we want to avoid any more trouble."

Shamal and Hayate walk up to Signum, both wanting to know what all that bravado was in the battle. Wanting to know why she took so many chances. That could have been avoided if she had used the team in a better formation.

As the adrenaline began to ebb away, Fate winced as the pain blossomed, but she couldn't bring herself to admit it to Nanoha just yet. There was still so much left unsaid between them. Fate couldn't help but hope that once this battle was behind them, they'd finally have the chance to share what was truly in their hearts.

"Oi, Zafira, Alph and Rynith!" Vita called out to their lupine companion as she wiped the sweat from her brow. "See if you can catch any of those cowards who ran off."

"Understood," Zafira said.

Zafira, Alph, and Rynith took it upon themselves to track down any escaped bandits, ensuring they wouldn't pose a threat in the future. Meanwhile, the rest of the group began stripping supplies and gear from their fallen foes.

"Let's gather what we can from these fools," Hayate suggested, motioning toward the fallen bandits. "We could use some extra supplies."

"Right." Alicia agreed, looking around at the defeated foes. She bent down and began searching through their pockets, her fingers deftly retrieving coins and useful items. Vita joined her, grumbling under her breath about the inconvenience of it all.

"Ugh, I hate having to touch these filthy lowlifes," Signum muttered as she searched one of the bandits, wrinkling her nose in distaste. Shamal chuckled softly, the sound like a gentle breeze rustling through leaves.

"Think of it as a necessary evil, dear Signum," She said, her healing magic working its way through the injuries of her comrades. "Besides, the more we take from them, the less they'll have to cause trouble for others."

"True, but it's still disgusting," Signum replied, her eyes narrowing as she plucked a small dagger from one bandit's belt.

As the others gathered supplies and equipment, Fate couldn't help but steal glances at Nanoha, who was still in the wagon, her eyes reflecting concern. She knew she had to tell her about the arrow, but the words caught in her throat as she worried about how Nanoha would react.

"Is something wrong, Fate?" Nanoha asked softly, picking up on her hesitation.

"Nothing... Nothing's wrong," Fate lied, forcing a small smile. "We just need to focus on getting everything we can from these bandits."

"Okay, if you say so," Nanoha said.

Fate sighed inwardly, knowing that she would have to face the truth sooner or later.

With the bandit situation under control, Nanoha's gaze lingered on Fate, who appeared distressed. She could sense that something was off, but couldn't pinpoint the cause of her friend's unease. As Fate turned, Nanoha noticed a dark stain spreading across her body. Her eyes widened in shock as she realized the true source of Fate's discomfort.

"An arrow..." Nanoha whispered, her heart pounding in her chest. Panic surged through her as she got out of the wagon, Nanoha is at Fate's side before Fate knew what was happening.

"Wha-" Fate started to respond, but when Nanoha's hand touched the protruding shaft, her face contorted with pain.

Nanoha whispered, "Stay still, Fate," Tears at the corners of her eyes as she tended to the wound.

Nanoha's hands trembled as she carefully gripped the arrow. She locked eyes with Fate, seeking reassurance, but then. "I don't feel right pulling this out of you," Nanoha said, her voice strained with worry. "Let me call Shamal or Suzuka."

"No," Fate said between shallow breaths. Fate started to slide down to the ground. Her body is no longer able to stay upright.

"I'm not a healer, I could do more damage to you by pulling this out. You need someone to look at this," Nanoha replied. As she helped Fate lean up against her body for support.

Nanoha getting their attention, Suzuka and Shamal make their way toward her and Fate, their expressions serious. She could feel the weight of Fate's body against her own.

As Suzuka and Shamal finally reached them, Nanoha looked at them expectantly. "She was hit protecting me, can you help her?" She asked, her voice desperate.

"Of course," Shamal replied, a reassuring warmth in her voice. She knelt beside Fate and began to examine the wound, her fingers gently probing the area around the arrow's entry point. Suzuka stood nearby, her hands glowing softly with healing energy.

"Ready, Suzuka?" Shamal asked, glancing up at her fellow healer.

Suzuka nodded, her expression determined. "Yes."

"One, two…," And right before three Shamal with one swift motion, pulled the arrow free from Fate's body. Fate gritted her teeth, stifling a cry as tears pricked the corners of her eyes. Suzuka quickly took a bandage, pressing it against the wound to stem the flow of blood.

"Stay with me, Fate," Nanoha whispered.

"I'm not going anywhere," Fate murmured a weak smile on her lips despite the pain coursing through her.

After a few minutes, "Her injury is healed enough for now," Suzuka told them, exhaustion evident in her voice.

"Thank you," Nanoha murmured, tears of gratitude pooling in her eyes. She turned her gaze to Fate, who was gingerly touching the place where the arrow had once been. "How do you feel?"

"Much better, thanks to them," Fate replied, offering Suzuka and Shamal a grateful smile. Her eyes met Nanoha's, and she could see the relief shining within them. "And you… thank you for staying with me."

"Always," Nanoha promised, her voice thick with emotion.

A smile on Fate's face, leaning into Nanoha's embrace and falling asleep.

All the while, Fate's words echoed in Nanoha's mind, leaving her wondering what could have been so important that Fate hesitated to share it before the chaos unfolded. Was Fate about to tell her that there was no way they could be together because they're from two different worlds or was Fate going to tell her that she's straight and not into girls?

Authors' Notes: Well everyone this takes us to the end of this chapter.

Please leave a review let me know what you think so far, and until next time, enjoy the read.

In Love & Light,

ZR };-