Chapter Eighteen
 
 
 "Why are you waiting?" the woman asked. "They are closing in on us!"
 The cloaked figure stood unmoving. "I am well aware."
 "Then why don't you release-"
 "I know what I do, Alisqua." the figure said. "They will come and they will fall. If we attack now, they will flee and be more cautious when they come again."
 "I do not like this." she said.
 "I am aware." the figure responded dryly. "You may go."
 Alisqua's blood red lips were in a thin line as she exited the chamber. Standing outside of the room, she ran her fingers over her black and gold staff. Atop it sat a dark crystal framed by golden wings. She was not convinced that this plan would work, but she had no choice.
 
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 "Maybe the company should have taken eagles." Jaran was saying to Sally. "They would've gotten there a whole lot quicker."
 "And where would they have gotten them?" Sally asked, laughing. "We did not meet the Skye-borne until we met for battle."
 Dorothy looked at the two of them, and smiled a little. "We'll be going soon." she turned to Jaran. "I assume you know something of Kavus?"
 Jaran nodded, his face becoming more serious. "If it is what the dragon reported, it will be exceedingly hard to kill. But not as bad as a Fire Kavu."
 "Perhaps not." Dorothy said. "We should leave now. Eagles can fly hard and fast for many miles, but there will come a time when we can't risk using them."
 
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 Heero frowned and looked around again. Duo looked at him.
 "Something wrong?"
 "I keep hearing something." Heero told him. "But I cannot determine what it is or where it is coming from."
 "Well, I've noticed something, but I thought it was my imagination...and the fact that this ground is not at ease either."
 Heero looked at the Elf questioningly. Duo had a hand on the cave wall.
 "The rocks." He explained. "They still remember when this place wasn't evil and they lament the lost days. But there is something else that they are uneasy about. I cannot understand what it is though."
 "Well," Hiiron (who had been listening in) said. "That makes me feel better."
 "Great." Duo commented dryly. "We're all so glad."
 Wufei stopped again.
 "Didn't we just do this?" Duo murmered. Heero nodded.
 "Can't blame him." Trowa turned and said. "After all, he's never been here before; only looked at maps."
 "I hate this." Hiiron muttered.
 
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 "Soon." Alisqua was saying. "You must try harder."
 "We are doing our best." the Xry told her. "It is hard to awaken this Beast. It has slept under enchantment for millenias."
 "Things are drawing tighter and tighter." Alisqua said. "It needs to be awakened soon, or it will be upon your own heads.
 
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 "Kiiron!" The tall man said. "Come in, come in! And who is this?"
 "Ah, Orlov, may I present you with Princess Hilde, from the Mountain Elves." Kiiron told the man. Proper greetings and inquires were made. When Hilde and Kiiron were seated, Orlov got striaght to the point.
 "What is it you have come for?" he asked.
 "Alisqua." Kiiron told him. "I still remember that."
 Orlov sighed. "We know. Jaris is dead."
 "She killed him?"
 "Yes."
 "Does Heero know?"
 "We are not sure." Orlov turned to Hilde. "But what is the Princess' concern with this?"
 "My friends were...the chosen ones." she explained. "I traveled with them, but I was wounded and had to stay with Kiiron. He told me that you might be able to help."
 "I might." Orlov agreed. "I have to gather the others."
 "Of course." Kiiron stood, as did Hilde and Orlov. "We are going to meet the armies near the Shandan plains."
 "Safe Journey to you." Orlov told them.
 "And you." Kiiron answered as they left.
 
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 "These catacombs could go on for ages." Relena murmered. "Do you know where 
we are?"
 "In a place they obviously don't use very often." Trieze answered. Relena sighed.
 "I meant besides that."
 Trieze smiled. "Don't worry, I know what I am doing."
 "I hope so." Relena said.
 
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 "Here." Wufei said. "I'm sure of it."
 The rest of the company looked at the stone doors. The doors were decoreted with slender lines of silver, in shapes of Menreth (moon trees) and stars. Wufei put out a hand and pushed hard. Slowly, with a lot of creaking, the doors swung open.
 "Well," Hiiron muttered. "I think the magic of that moment is gone."
 Duo snickered. Wufei pretened to ignore them, as he led them down a long hallway of black stone that was covered with a thick layer of dust. Along the walls were cravings, but no one could discern what they were. At the end of the room was something that looked like a large dias, where a light shone down from a carved hole in the roof. Wufei walked up the steps and the 
others followed.
 "What now?" Duo asked.
 "We wait." Wufei answered.
 
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Jaid: I know, short chapter, and I'm really sorry! It's just that I have some new projects...*sigh* I will finish this though. I think the next few chapters will be the last, 'cause it is sort of dwindling to a close. Please review! ^__^ Oh, and to those who are wondering, Naga and Jad are on 
vacation...which is why I've been having trouble...