Jaid: Hi guys! Another chapter. I’m trying really hard to finish this, since I start school next week. I think this is probably going to be the next-to-last-chapter. *whew* And then maybe I can work more on my other projects…

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On the plains, a battle raged. The Dark armies of Aljin fought against the peoples and creatures of Erthe. The Sky-borne and their eagles flew above, but dark sorcery had been brought from the bowels of Aljin’s fortress and the winged creatures were not immune to the fire and stone hurled at them.

"It looks bad." Deathscythe commented, flying. The huge black dragon next to him breathed out some smoke.

"MOST INTELLIGENT THING YOU’VE SAID ALL DAY." He said, "har-humming" in laughter. Deathscythe winced. Dragon he may be, but he was not accustomed to the great booming voices of the older dragons.

"We’ll be just in time." He said. Mornreg nodded, his red eyes gleaming in pleasure. Turning his head, he roared, "ONWARD, FRIENDS! WE ARE ALMOST THERE!"

A great cry of humans and dragons was raised.

* * *

Trowa turned to Sally.

"The Kavu was right," he said. "This place isn’t safe anymore." He motioned to the slowly cracking walls.

"I know." She said softly, then turned. "Dorothy?"

"Yes?"

"We need to leave." Sally paused, unsure of what to say. Dorothy’s face became stiff.

"If we must, we must." She said simply. Sally nodded and looked at Jaran.

"Jaran, take Dorothy and head back to the plains. I will go with these two boys and dwarves, and follow the Kavu."

Dorothy’s eyes flashed in protest. "You wish me to retreat?"

"I believe that the Kavu is heading for the Phoenix." Sally said. "You, my dear Elf, were of no use with the Phoenix near-by. That was no fault of your own; none of your people could withstand them. But I do not need to drag you again."

Dorothy’s lips were pursed, but she nodded tightly. "I understand."

Sally sighed with relief. "Good." She turned back to Trowa. "Let us go."

* * *

Relena was groping the walls, looking for some way out or at least her staff, though she believed it had been taken from her. There was a creaking sound and Relena jumped, peering into the darkness. A small shaft of light appeared. She frowned, unwilling to walk toward it, yet drawn by the break in the darkness. She took a step forward, then stopped with a sharp gasp. A hoarse laughter filled the air.

* * *

The Kavu suddenly stopped, near a huge pile of stones. Then suddenly, it threw back its red head and gave a cry. An answering cry returned.

"What is happening now?" Hiiron asked. Trowa shrugged, his eyes searching for any threat.

The Kavu kept up its shouts and they were returned, gradually coming closer and louder. All of a sudden, it seemed as if a grandiose pile of stones had come together to form a beast-like figure, which moved steadily. It’s black eyes looked at the people gathered, then at it’s kin. The red Kavu seemed to speak to it and the stone-like Kavu fell into place with it.

"I assume it is friendly." Hiiron said. Sally stifled a laugh.

* * *

Aljin walked down the halls quickly, two srych guards dragging the now unconscious Relena with them. He longed to retain his true form. At first, Alisqua’s body had seemed wonderful compared to the spirit existence he had been forced to endure, but now he found the mortal body weak. And he was beginning to rot as well. There was only a small amount of time left if Aljin was to succeed.

* * *

Hilde and Kiiron had ridden hard and fast throughout the night. They had tried to reach the old wizards, and to their horror, every one of them had been found dead. Someone had found out about them and taken measures to ensure their complete silence. Now, Hilde and the old man were left with two choices: try to follow the chosen ones and their companions or join the battle. Hilde longed to see Quatre again, and (although she would not admit it aloud) Duo. She prayed that they were both safe and that they would return.

* * *

"We have fought constantly for almost four days now." Une said. "They only keep coming."

"I am aware." Zechs stated sharply. "But what can I do? If we do not fight, we will be killed."

"They are planning something." Une said, then sighed, looking tired and very old. "If only I knew what."

There was a short pause.

"What shall we do?" Lucrezia quietly broke the silence. "Retreat? Or do we press on?"

Zechs jaw tightened. "We will stay." He said after a few moments. "Lady Mieran is our leader now; if she so deems it necessary to pull back, we will. But we will not leave the Cainterah alone in this time of need."

Having made his decision, he stood and exited the tent. Outside, the sun was just beginning to rise and already, Lucrezia and Une could hear the sounds of battle.

* * *

Mornreg stood as Deathscythe waddled over.

"If we fly today, then we will get there in time." The black and gold dragon said. Mornreg shook his head.

"TOO RISKY." He said then "ahemed". "WE ARE TOO VISIBLE. TONIGHT WE FLY."

* * *

By the time Trowa, Hiiron and the others had reached the main pass, they had been joined by two more Kavus. One was large and red, like the one they had met in the Chambers of the Room, but it was more smooth-skinned. The other was also red, but had yellow markings. The four Kavu walked to the middle of the bridge, which was over another enormous lava pit and then stopped. As one, they all stood on their hind legs and gave a great shout. The ground rumbled and the two young men grimaced, remembering their last experience with a bridge spanning lava. Their fears were unfounded, however, as the quaking stilled.

"What do you think…?" Hiiron’s voice trailed off as the lava began underneath began to sift and move. Out of it came a sinewy, orangeish-gold Kavu, with gleaming fangs and large claws. In a great leap, it had jumped onto the bridge. The five Kavu stood together, then walked off the bridge. Somewhat shaken, the group followed.

* * *

"I fear we cannot press them further." Kiiron sighed, rubbing his horse’s nose. "But I feel that we must make haste."

Hilde nodded. "Where are we to go?"

Kiiron sighed. "As for the chosen, whatever path they have taken has led them to a fate beyond our control. And few walk in Suul’mor’doth without finding Death. I believe we should seek out the armies and provide what little help we can. And who knows? Maybe even two warriors will be welcomed, strange though they be." He smiled and Hilde smiled back.

* * *

Mieran sat by herself. Once again, the battle had lasted all day. It still raged on and all the armies reported heavy losses, with the exception of the Skye-borne. They had yet to report.

"Commander?"

Mieran jumped slightly as she turned. Sercan stood there, helm under his arm. His gray wings were twitching slightly; partly from pain and partly from anxiety. Mieran stood.

"Yes?"

Sercan took a deep breath. "General Juni wished for me to tell you that he has taken command of our ranks." He stopped, biting his lip. Mieran felt the blood drain from her face.

"No…"

"The queen has fallen." He whispered, then turned abruptly and walked away. Mieran stood, feeling sorrow for the young creature.

* * *

"Who is that?" the question echoed throughout the armies, and Mieran, who had come from her brief rest stood with the rest. A man approached, smiling cruelly.

"I come to parley." he said in a low, hoarse voice.

Mieran swallowed, then nudged her horse forward. "Speak then!"

"I am offering you one chance." The man said. "Once this chance is gone, it will mean destruction. If you ally yourselves with Aljin, then you may go in peace."

"For how long?" Zechs asked, from behind Mieran. "How long would your master leave us be?"

"He would require some of your services, of course." The man went on, pointedly ignoring Zechs. The Elf lord rode forward slightly, so that he was in view, but not far enough to block Mieran.

"The Lord Peacecraft asked you a reasonable question." Mieran said, in a low voice. "You would do well to answer."

The man scowled, but answered, "My lord wished no harm to any creature, if only they will not resist."

"Lies." Zechs murmured. "It is all lies."

"You may tell your master," Mieran said. "That we will have naught to do with him. If he wishes to speak to us, then let him come out and send not a lap dog of his. All I see in your offer is death, and your master has yet to pay the for the destruction he has visited on the Levanah and Cainterah, as well as my own people."

The man was frowning. "You do but seal your own fate." He warned.

"Then it is sealed." Mieran said. The man turned on his heel and began to walk away, then paused and turned back.

"You wish to speak to Aljin?" he asked, then grinned. "Then speak to him now!" And with that, a great wind came up and the man seemed to change, till he was a tall, black figure, shadowy and evil. He gave a great laugh, as he held a dark sword.

Mieran swallowed and felt paralyzed by the sheer power and viciousness Aljin’s darkness projected. He gave another laugh as he raised his sword and gave a war cry. The dark army responded and surged forward. Mieran shook her head, and then, raised her own sword and ordered her troops on. The armies clashed once again, but Aljin, almost drunk with the power he had regained, only swatted the soldiers who attacked him as if they were only annoying flies. Mieran gritted her teeth and ran forward, stabbing him in the leg, then moved as his sword came down upon her. Mieran’s horse fell, taking the girl with it. She was able to jump off in time, but she was not in time to dodge his next stroke. Mieran fell to the ground, feeling pain and her blood spilling. Blackness took her.

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Naga: Better do it now, before we get into copyright trouble.

Jad: Yeah.

Jaid: Okay, whatever! *ahem* I guess I should mention that the Kavus do not belong to me. They are actually property of Magic the Gathering Card Game. And inu-washa (my bro) would like me to mention that Rorco and the other dwarves are his, for some reason…

Jad: R&R!