Sorry I was delayed. Atsuki allowed the message to be heard by Dark Phoenix as he approached the burning camp, "So, who desires to do battle?" He looked around for Avella and saw that she was lying unconscious by herself, a small smirk curled his lips up, he would get her when he finished fighting.

Darren was fast approached by a boy with wings that crackled with electricity, he was young and small for his age too, "Your opponent will be me!" He said, holding out his hand as a thick ball of electricity formed in the palm.

"I couldn't ask for any thing better..." Darren replied smiling as he held out his ice spear in his grasp.

"Atsuki...you will be my opponent.." Adrien called slicing through the underlings they brought with little effort on his way to him.

"Fine by me, guess I'll have to kill you this time, or leave you seriously wounded." Atsuki smirked, drawing his sword forth.

"A weather elemental, I've read all about you." The boy laughed at Darren, "We'll see who comes out the victor of this battle!"

"I am sorry it has come to this..." Adrien muttered holding his blade defensively as he continued up to Atsuki muttering a chant.


"You haven't the faintest what my limits are..." Darren said smiling as he raised his lance and twirled it slightly, "what is in the folders doesn't apply to me anymore.."

"Stop apologizing and fight me already." Atsuki said firmly, "Now, care to take it to the skies while the grunts handle work down here?"

"I didn't say I knew your limits, kid." The boy said, thrusting his fist forward and creating a lightning scimitar in his grasp.

Adrien sighed as he raised his blade slowly bringing it down to the ground, "Destructive spell...earthen shards..." he growled as the ground split from where his blade touched to Atsuki and large earthen pires spewed from the ground and started raining down over Atsuki, "I haven't the ability to fly..."

Darren smiled as a large torrent of wind surrounded the young man and wind blades formed within it slicing at his flesh, "I hope you can at least amuse me.."

"Poor baby lost his wings, eh?" Atsuki formed a barrier of shadows around him to keep the earthen pires from hitting him.

The boy laughed as several of the wind blades cut him, unable to feel the pain at all, "You got to do better than that!" He said, licking the blood from his lip as he charged Darren and swung his lightning blade at his torso.

"That was Omega...I don't have them...but no matter...you can do as you wish...in the sky or on the ground it will meet the same end either way..." Adrien said with a crazed smile on his face as a sign he was losing his mind.

"If you wish.." Darren said avoiding the blunt of the blade and catching a deep cut to his side that his crystallized with ice so he didn't bleed to death, "but it will be your end.." he shouted moving slugishly from the wound as the torrent froze, "...shatter..." he muttered as the ice shattered into thousands of razor sharp shards and spun around him furiously and closing in cutting closer and closer with every path.

"And what end do you believe it will be?" Atsuki quirked an eyebrow, his curiousity being the only sign of emotion that he had shown yet, "If you cannot fly, then I will not, it's as simple as that. Don't want to make this battle end too quickly.

The boy grinned and twirled his lightning blade, melting the ice shards, "You're slowing down, I didn't hurt you too badly, did I?" He said as several of the shards cut into his arms.

"No not really..." Darren said smiling as he formed a slender wind blade in his free hand and lashed it out twirlling and winding around towards the boy aiming for his chest, "but those shards are a cage...not an attack.."

"Do as you wish Atsuki..." Adrien said smiling as he brought his blade down onto him with tremendous force, "you will die here!"

"I broke most of them, what makes you think they can hold me in?" The boy frowned at Darren, sending out powerful sparks of electricity.

"You think that that is truly the case?" Atsuki laughed, "No, I will not be the one to die here." He brought his sword up to meet Adrien's and the ground beneath their feet cracked with the force of it.

As Adrien's and Atsuki's blades met, they were both flung away from each other from the force and a large crater formed where they stood, "Well you know you won't best me so easily...last time I just toyed to try and bluff you into joining us....this time...you truly are my enemy!" he shouted out as his other side was fully awakened now and struck the ground hard with his blade sending a powerful wave of energy flying at him.

"The water around you..." Darren said as it refroze into bindings and his blade got ever closer aiming to peirce him with a killing stroke.

Kaya finished off a few of her opponents and began to defend herself against more.

Risa was doing the same. "Where is Idian?!" She called as she could not spot him.

The boy laughed, "I don't think so." He said, "My electrical attacks heat up the air around me, your ice is already melting." He managed to flip away from the blade at the last second, only receiving a thin scratch along his chest.

Atsuki stood easily, brushing the dirt from his body, "It's about time you've become serious." He said, lunging at him and swinging at his head with his sword.

"You will see how serious I can be..." he shouted in a deeper voice as the energy wave was loosed and he followed quickly after with his blade poised for a peircing blow.

Risa attacked Atsuki from behind. She growled in anger and worry for all of her companions. Where are you Sutal? Please be all right.

"Stay out of this!" Atsuki shoved Risa away and to the ground as his blade once more impacted with Adrien's and a shock wave rushed backwards that would have undoubtedly killed Risa if Atsuki hadn't knocked her away.

Risa looked up at him in shock and surprise. "W..why did he save me?

Adrien slid his blade over Atsuki's cutting his own arm on his blade as he jabbed at Atsuki's shoulder, "Y...you saved her...."

Atsuki brushed the blade away and didn't acknowledge openly what he'd done, though a slight smile curved his lip somewhat as he leapt backwards, Why did I do that?

Risa began to defend herself as a man attacked her.

Adrien drove his blade across the side this time and formed a light barrier around Atsuki from all other directions to prevent him from dodging.

"You know... sticking with these barriers isn't too smart." He said, absorbing the light and thrusting it back at Adrien as an attack as he also brought his blade up to defend himself.

"You forget what happens when my barriers are tampered with..." Adrien muttered as the attack shattered and sent hundreds of shards of light energy flying at Atsuki slashing and piercing at his flesh.

"I will just use the water then...." Darren replied as the elted ice chards formed into tight water bands wraping around him, "these will only hurt you with your electricity gift..."

"Electricity doesn't hurt me, it heals and strengthens me." The boy laughed as the energy crackled, swirling about his body in a maddening dance.

Atsuki shook his head, "Shards of light cannot wound a being with light energy embedded into his very core." He didn't move as the shards pierced his flesh, but when the light faded, it showed that he had taken no injuries.

"That wasn't just light energy...it was filled with my essence...my memories..emotions...our past...your past with your sister...everything will bubble up through your mind soon enough..." Adrein muttered dropping to his knees and returning to his former self.

"It isn't only electricity any further.." Darren muttered as his water bands absorbed his building power and he lashed out with his wind blade aiming deeply for his torso.

"You really think that I will succumb to that foolish attack?" Atsuki shook his head, "You've got to learn your place in life Adrien... And you've got to learn to stop using your energy so uselessly." He sheathed his sword and vanished.

The boy laughed, "Go ahead, try and slay me." He didn't make to move, and as Darren's blade met with his flesh a powerful burst of his electrical powers slammed up the blade and into Darren.

"I am not nearly out of energy fool...I just stopped fighting to gain control again...." Adrien muttered, "Now to help the others....Darren...go help Idain...I will handle this fool..." he shouted walking over as Darren flapped his icy wings and vanished, "You want an opponent...you have one..." he said callasly as he slowly walked over to him his sword drawn.

"Fine, that doesn't bother me, changing from one opponent to another." The boy sank to the ground and held out his lightning scimitar.

"It should...you don't know who your dealing with...but it is a shame...that Villen can only send children to do his bidding..." Adrien muttered swinging his blade loosing a powerful wave of energy that covered the whole area snapping tree's and crumbling the ground beneath as it closed in on the boy.

"I didn't come because Master Villen ordered me to, I came because I wanted to fight the idiots who betrayed him!" The boy glowered, lifting himself into the air above the attack, "How dare you even bring into the battle the fact that I am a child!" He lunged at Adrien, electricity crackling all over his body.

---

Idain was slammed into the ground and Dark Phoenix swung his sword down cutting deeply into his arm with a sadistic grin. "Why don't you fight? I will kill you if you don't." Dark Phoenix said as he sunk the sword deeper.

"I..I..won't...hurt you.."Idain gasped as he pushed the sword away and clutched his arm as he continued to block.

Dark Phoenix laughed as he appeared behind him. "Adrien was right about one thing, your emotions weaken you." He said as he impaled him.

Idian's eyes widened as he failed to block and time and he coughed up blood. "L....anzer..no.."He managed as he began to fall.

"Ouch... the hell happened?" Avella had awoken a few minutes ago and stumbled away from the burning camp, now she came across the scene between Idain and Dark Phoenix and froze, "What are you doing!" She ran forward to catch Idain as he fell, stumbling beneath his weight, "Idain!"

Dark Phoenix laughed at her reaction. "I won't kill him...completely." He said as he walked foreword, blood dripping from his blade.

Idian looked up with blurred eyes."H..he..is not..Lanzer..D..Dark..Phoenix.."He whispered coughing up blood.

Avella laid Idain on the ground gently and turned to face Dark Phoenix, "I won't allow you to hurt him further..." She murmured.

Dark Phoenix smirked. "And what will you do? Draw a weapon on your love? Any wound I receive he takes." He said as he licked some of Idian's blood from his blade exposing fangs.

Idian struggled to his feet drinking a potion that seemed to help his wounds a little, they were closed at least. "Give him back control!" He ordered a little unsteadily as he clutched the wound in his chest.

"I won't draw my blade... but you won't be doing any more harm..." Avella said, putting her hand on Idain's shoulder, "You're hurt... please don't go rushing into this..."

Dark Phoenix smirked. "So how much do you love Lanzer?" He asked in amusement.

Idian glared at him and did not leave Avella's side.

"What do my emotions matter to you?" Avella said simply, "I would die if that meant saving him..."

He vanished and appeared behind Idian slamming the hilt of his sword into his ribs. Idian managed to block it some what but it still dropped him to the ground. Idian gasped for air.

Dark Phoenix appeared back where he was with a curve to his lips. "And why do you care about him?" He asked indicating Idian. "What would you do for him?"

"I would defend him with my life." Avella said, "He's become a dear friend, and I won't allow you to harm him further." She frowned in concentration and a shadowy shield formed around Idain.

Shadow Phoenix grinned. "Shadows? I thought you would know better than that my love." He said as the shield started to crush Idian. "I use shadows." He added as Idian gasped, he forced the shadows away from him and looked at Dark Phoenix. "LANZER FIGHT HIM DAMN IT!"

Shadow Phoenix smiled and appeared in front of Avella, he pulled her against him and looked into her eyes. "You really are beautiful." He said softly, love showed on his face. "Lanzer doesn't even love you, why do you bother with him?"

"Why do you say that?" Avella struggled to pull herself away, "He's told me that he does... He's defended and protected me! I cannot help the way I feel..." The last that she said was spoken softly as she looked away.

He gently tilted her face up so she looked into his eyes. "Think..every time he did this I was hovering real close to the surface. He kept you safe because of me. Because I love you." He said gently as he kissed her on the lips.

Idian struggled to sit up wanting to scream at what he said.

Avella pulled back, "If you really cared then why all of this?" She indicated the smoke rising from the camp, where the others were no doubt fighting, and Idain.

"They betrayed the organization. Idasair and his host have fought with me personally for several years. He is a lier and a fraud. Besides the fire served another use, I got a chance to talk to you."He said as he reached for her again.

"The organization is a terrible thing..." Avella said, "It should not even exist!" She looked over at Idain, unwilling to believe what Dark Phoenix had said about him.

"Don't believe him! He is the lier!" Idian said coughing up blood.

Dark Phoenix glared at him. "Why don't you tell her what really happened to the island you came from?" He asked. He turned back to Avella when Idain said nothing in stunned silence. "The organization has a purpose, but I do agree, it is outgrowing its use. I won't give you to Villen, perhaps Idian but never you." He said his eyes showing nothing but love. He wrapped her in a gentle hug once again.

Avella stood there in uncertainty, she couldn't bring herself to truly believe it- any of it. "Idain... what is he talking about?" She asked softly.

Idian's hand flexed but other than that he did not move. "Nothing...he is lying!"

Dark Phoenix' face hardened. "You are a lying fraud! You murdered them all!" He snapped as he threw Idian back with his energy, slamming him into a tree.

"Stop it Dark Phoenix!" Avella pleaded, "Stop hurting him..."

Dark Phoenix closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "As you wish...for now I will stop." He said as he turned back to her. "You may want to leave. Atsuki may not be kind enough to spare you any pain."

Avella frowned at his turned back, "Tell me why I should believe that it is you that loves me and not Lanzer." She said after a moment.

He turned back to her completely. "You must be the one to decide love..you must find it in your own heart."He said gently. He brushed a strand of her hair from her face. "I will love you no matter what."

Idian struggled to his feat glaring at Dark Phoenix, he slowly drew his sword quietly, his eyes taking on a red tint to them. Dark Phoenix seemed not to notice, his attention focused on Avella.

Avella frowned, "How can I make such a decision at a time like this?" She questioned, "Though I don't remember much I grew up with Lanzer, I had known him forever before... I fell from the cliffs... As for yourself, I just met you, and at every turn you seem to be something different..."

"In a sense you could say I am Lanzer's better qualities." He said with a gentle smile.

Idian appeared behind Dark Phoenix and stabbed him in the back. An evil glint shown in his eyes.

Dark Phoenix' eyes widened in pain and shock as he fell to the ground. Blood ran down his chest as he gasped for air.
Idian brought his sword up as though ready to strike again.

"Idain... what- what are you doing?!" Avella turned herself and Dark Phoenix around automatically without thinking about it, "Why did you do that?"

Idian's eyes still retained the glow. "Move. Adrien is right he is beyond hope." He said as he glared at Dark Phoenix. "And this sword will only hurt you Dark Phoenix. Do you like it? It is maid of sunstone. A light and pure blade!"

Dark Phoenix struggled to his feat one hand clutching the wound. "So Idasair the murderer shows himself.."He gasped in pain. "F..fine..I will fight."He said as he drew his sword.

"Stop it." Avella still stood between the two, "He is not beyond hope, what are you talking about, Idain?"

"I will kill Ladainias here and now! Now move!" Idian snapped as he looked at Ladainas who took on his true form.

"Avella..Idian gave control over to Idasair." Ladainais said as he struggled for breath, his wound was more serious than he thought.

Avella turned to Idasair, "I won't move." She said firmly, "You can't kill him."

"I was assigned as his retainer it is time I return him to the council so he can be punished for his crimes. His actions are only bringing grief." Idasair said as he too took his form.

Ladainias glared at Idasair. "I will never return I like it here and has it occurred to you that I have plans set into motion to put a stop to this destruction? But of course someone as evil as yourself would know nothing about sacrifice!" He said as he appeared in front of Idasair and attacked, blood dripping onto the ground. Both of them began to attack and block, and both of them lost more blood.

"Stop it, both of you!" Avella shouted, mortified by their ruthlessness in attacking each other, she hid her eyes, and as result missed what was beginning to occur with her own self- graceful wings sprouted from her spine and a pillar of shadow and light shot into the air between them, forcing them apart.

A bright blinding light shone down on the three of them as Argolas appeared driving his blade in between the two of them, "You are both too wounded to fight any further...unless you wish to take me on in your condition...back down. There is still good in his heart...you will not slay him Idasair...only myself and your father can...you will be sentenced with murder if you continue..."

Idiasair watched Ladainias in anger. "Argolas, I will not be charged with taking out the garbage."

Ladainias looked to Avella, he had hesitated at her words and now stood looking at her in wonder. "Avella..."

Why do I feel so- Avella's thought was incomplete as darkness took hold of her mind and she collapsed.

"Ladanias isn't the beast we thought...I can see that now...don't be blinded by hatred Idasair..." Argolas muttered walking over to him and stopping coming up to his chest, "I am asking you...stop this..."

Darren landed beside Avella quickly, " Are you ok?" he asked neiling down beside her shaking her lightly.

Idasair re-sheathed his sword. "I will for now.."

Ladainais shoved Darren out of the way and cradled Avella in his arms looking worried.

"Thank you....you will see soon enough what I speak of..." Argolas muttered lowering his lance.

"Why did you push me away ass hole...I was only checking on her" Darren growled.

Avella remained unconscious, and the wings faded into nothingness once more.

Ladainias picked her up gently and glared at Darren. "I will take care of her.That is why." He said blood still dripped from his wounds and he looked a little pale.

Idasair watched him carefully, he didn't look pleased.

Idasair...calm down... Argolas chimed in his mind in a child like voice.

idasiar shot Argolas a glare but said nothing.

Ladainias began to walk away carrying Avella. "I am taking her. I am not going to let her suffer anymore by this..this..pointlessness."

"You will be going no where..." Argolas muttered appearing infront of him and binding him down with powerful light magic, "I am not a phoenix...you wouldn't stand a chance against me..." he muttered with his lance to Ladanias's throat.

"Please don't try to stop me. I am not going to take her any where near Villen, I am taking her somewhere safe. Away from the likes of Idasair." He said as he held Avella tightly but tenderly. He seemed weakened by the wound he had received.

Idasair grinned. "You aren't going to survive much longer with your wound."

"I will go with you...either my way...or Idasairs...choose..." Argolas said coldly raising his lance but still keeping the spell to prevent him from using magic or his gift.

"Why must you persist to be hostile? I want nothing more to do with that thilth you call a council. I want nothing to do with the two of you, especially him!" He said looking at Idasair.
He looked down at Avella's face. "Who cares if I die? No one..but even if she never knows..even if she never realizes the truth..I want her safe and happy...as far from the organization as possible." He said the last bit as though to himself.

"That was Aedin's request...not my own...he is the reason you aren't dead now...I suggest you take his offer...before I step aside and let Idasiar finish you..." Argolas snapped.

"Go a head.Kill me, prove to the world what I have been saying all along, the council is corrupt and made of bullies." Ladianias said looking determined.

Idasair rested his hands on his swords. "You trully have a split personality going. Sometimes you seem wise, and than other times you show your true nature, and evil fool."

Argolas sighed, "Maybe I can't convince you..." he muttered as he was enveloped in a bright aura and Aedin appeared, "Lanzer...stop this...please..." he pleaded.

"I'm not Lanzer, and I won't allow that evil to come back. Now please move aside so I can get Avella to safety!" Ladianias snapped.

Idasair moved foreword, his hands still resting on his blades. "And let you harm her? I think not."

"Fine..but I am going with you...you will die if something isn't done with your wounds..." Aedin muttered helping him up and walking away slowly steadying Dark Phoenix as well, "where do you want to go brother?"

Ladainias opened his mouth to say something but he suddenly stopped and began to slump to the ground. Blood ran down his chest he looked straight at Idasiar with wide eyes. "W..why?"He muttered before he slumped to the ground, Avella feel from his arms.

Idasair looked at him seemingly in surprise. "I did..nothing." He said as he caught Avella.

IDASAIR!! Argolas screamed through his mind as Aedinjumped to Ladanias's side, "Damn....blood magic...crimson bliss..." he muttered cutting deeply into his wrist and dawing a circle around him with his own blood. When he finished, the circle of blood began glowing bright red as it seemed to form a solidified ring that began rotaing around him swifty giving off powerful healing magic.

Idasiar winced. "I am telling you I did nothing..someone else did." He whispered looking around.

Ladianias showed no signs of getting better, in fact he began to look worse.

"Wake the girl up.....she is the only one that can heal him..." Aedin said walking over to Idasair, if she has the heavens vortex like I think...then this should work...

---

"The simple thing is you are child..." Adrien muttered bringing up his blade towards the boys torso and opening a large portal around him incase he tried to dodge, "You won't defeat me...and I will not take it easily child or not.."

"Ha! Like I would ask you to take it easy on me! Master Villen as faith in me, and I won't let him down!" The boy blocked his sword with the lighning scimitar, though he was forced backwards and nearly fell at the impact.

"So basically you are trying to suck up..." Adrien muttered laughing, "I don't think I'm going to kill you though...just have some fun..."

Risa continued to fight back to back with Kaya.

The boy frowned, "I am not trying to suck up in doing Master Villen's bidding!" He growled angrily, "And you better take me seriously!"

"How could I take a child like you seriously..." Adrien muttered chuckling, "you wouldn't stand a chance if I actually faught you...I have no interest in killing you...and I will not...but I will defend myself.."

"Don't underestimate me you bastard!" The boy growled in annoyance, sending powerful blasts of lightning straight at Adrien.

Adrien sighed waving his hand and scattering all his blasts striking the remnants of the force Villen sent, "You are a fool to continue this..." he muttered, "barrier skill....light prism cage..." he muttered as a gage of swirlling light surrounded the boy making it impossible for him to use his gift or break it from the inside, "this fight is over..."

"You big jerk, this isn't fair!" The boy howled, striking the light prism cage furiously with both his fists and his body.

"You are under Villen's control....nothing but a doll to him...what kind of life is that...I am offering you your freedom..." Adrien muttered softly sitting down beside the cage, "You remind me alot of my real brother...he died when he was about your age..."

"I'm not a doll! Master Villen takes care of me!" He continued to throw himself against the walls of his prison in attempts to escape.

"You are nothing but an expendable drone to him..." Adrien protested, "what's your name.."

"Release me or kill me! This is unnacceptable!" He growled angrily, refusing to relent in his attacks of the wall.

"It is impossible to break that cage...I am not releasing you until you realize this..." Adrien muttered, "now your name boy..."

"Release me or kill me." The boy said again, "You have no need to know who I am!"

"You will tire soon enough...I have no need to kill you..." Adrien muttered, "are you hungry?" he asked pulling out two food rations he took from the base.

"I don't need your filthy food!" He began battering the walls with his fists, "I don't need anything from the likes of you!"

"Such insolence....you are so much like he was..." Adrien muttered sighing heavily.

"You're the insolent one, standing in Master Villen's path and taking me captive in this damned thing!" He cursed, still beating heavily on the walls.

"I am doing nothing but trying to help you...villen does nothing but manipulate people and kill for fun....what is so right about that..." Adrien asked looking up to him solomnly.

"Release me, now! You have no right to keep me in here! Master Villen takes care of me, he does! And don't give me that crap that he manipulates people and kills for fun, I've read your file, you're the same as he is! You can't justify yourself!"

"Your right, I was like that...until recently..." Adrien said softly, "I am not that person anymore...and you being alive is proof of that.."

"Proof? I don't want your damn proof, or your pity, now you either release me or kill me!" The boy shouted.

"You have no idea what you are asking...do you even understand death...truly I mean...do you know what it feels like to kill someone...you couldn't possibly understand while under Villen's grasp...ignorant boy..." Adrien snapped, "You are not coming out of there until you behave.." he said treating him like his other brothers.

"You let me out right now!" He snapped furiously, going back to throwing himself against the walls again, his voice becoming slightly raw from screaming so much.

"Not until you behave..." Adrien replied sitting down under a near by tree and closing his eyes dozing off slowly.

"You no good bastard!" He growled, "Fine, you won't let me out, you won't take my life, I've only got one choice! I'd rather die than be trapped in here by the likes of you!" He drew out a small knife from a pouch at his thigh and pressed it firmly to his wrist. For Master Villen...

Adrien opened his hand as the blade was instantly teleported to him, "Nice try...but I won't allow you to die here..."

"You have no control over me, have no right to say whether I can live or die!" He said, striking his fist against the wall in fury.

"You have say in the matter...mental art....illusion release...." Adrien muttered raising his hand toward the boy attempting to release Villen's hold over him, Aedin is better at this....but I have to atleast try...a boy as young as he shouldn't be warped by a mad man like Villen..

"Ha, you fool, I've strengthened my mind against mental illusions!" The boy laughed darkly, "Now let me out!"

"I didn't cast an illusion...I broke the one that gripped your thoughts..." Adrien replied smiling softly.

The boy's features seemed to soften and he looked around, almost as if in a daze, "W-where am I?" He asked in a frail, child-like voice.

"You were under a mad man's control...but I freed you boy...what is your name..." Adrien asked softly walking over to the cage warrily, what if this is a trick....I have to be sure...I can't let Villen keep him like this..he will send him to an early grave....

"My name... It's Ethan." The boy responded, "Where am I, what am I doing locked up?"

"You tried to kill me...then yourself when I wouldn't kill you..." Adrien replied smiling, I have to be sure.... he thought before sighing, "I have to be sure this isn't a trick...bear with me it may be a little painful....Mental art...thought transfer..." he muttered as the boys every thought began pouring into his mind almost overwhelmingly.

"Ow, hey, no- what are you doing!" Ethan exclaimed, clutching at his head, "Stop it!"

Adrien fell to his knee's as he hit a barrier that he couldn't break through, "what are you hiding Ethan?" he asked softly holing his head in pain as well.

"Hiding? What are you talking about? What did you do to me?" Ethan demanded, his tone frightened.

"I just looked through your mind...to try and make sure this wasn't a trick..." Adrien muttered, "But I will trust you...if you try anything...I will seal you up again.." he said sighing as he reached out and touched the bars and they vanished.

Ethan stood still for a minute before tackling Adrien, sending a burst of electrical energy through his body before he took off at a run, vanishing into the trees, "That almost made me sick!" His voice echoed around Adrien, "Having to act like that..." He laughed.

"Thats what I thought..." Adrien said sighing as the cage reformed around both of them, "I am not so easily fooled boy...don't underestimate your enemy...I would have figured Villen would have warned you about me..."

Ethan laughed and stuck out his tongue, "You lose, jerk!" His form seemed to grow bigger and bigger, "Explosives and clones don't mix, do they?" And his form exploded, sending large pieces of clay and the force of the explosion after Adrien- the boy was gone.

"Even more when they are illusions your attacking...." Adrien muttered sighing, "that child is going to get himself killed if he takes on anyone else...they won't be as linient as I was..." he added sighing more as he became visible from his spot under the tree still.

---

Avella was absorbed into the shadows without anyone noticing, in her place was a lookalike clone.

Idasair approached the copy and tried to wake her he hesitated and frowned. "Something..really doesn't feel right.

A dark Figure stood a little ways from Ladianias, he looked like an even darker version of him. "Freedom..."He muttered as he turned and began to walk away.

Aedin glanced over towards the dark figure, "Was it you!?!" he screamed furiously.

The figure halted and turned he looked just like Ladianias, but darker.He looked at Aedin curiously. "I am free."He repeated.

"How do I save him?!?! Tell me now!!" Aedin screamed again running towards the man furiously, Idasair stop him...I can't take over yet!!<?i>

Isasair looked at him in confusion. "Aedin...that is Dark Phoenix! That is the side of him that is evil!"

The dark figure looked at them in contempt. "I have no desire to help him. I wish for him to die, he and the vessel, I am tired of being a prisoner."

---

"Damnit...I'm just going to drag him back..." Adrien thought aloud standing and walking towards his old base,<i>Villen....I won't let you have him...

Ethan was rummaging around in one of the armories just outside of the main base, picking up weapon after weapon only to throw them down behind him with a disgruntled, "No." After each one.

A metal chain linked whip landed beside him he blades on each link like razors glimmered in the moon light, "Like that one..." A dark hooded figure asked walking up behind him.

"No, a far cry from what I'm looking for." Ethan glared at him before digging through the weapons faster, until he came across a long handled hammer that sent a spark of power coursing through him, "There! I found it."

"That thing is bigger that you are Ethan...what makes you think you can swing it..." The man said as the whipe began to wriggle and wreath like a snake.

"I can handle it just fine." Ethan replied, twirling the hammer expertly in his grasp, "It was made by my father just for me!"

"And your father was?" he asked as the hood flipped back to show an old man with a long white beard, "I bet you couldn't even hit an old man like me?" he rasped tauntingly.

"Tch, as if I'd bother telling or doing anything to you." Ethan said, stalking past him, "Leave me alone, geezer."

He doesn't recognize me...good.. Adrien thought as the whip lashed out at Ethan Slicing into his shirt with expert aim just missing his skin, "You are a fool to latch onto that mad man Villen...he is sending you to an early grave..."

"You are a fool for attacking me, now knock it off!" Ethan said, glaring at him, "I have no interest in you dammit!"

"That wasn't an attack young one..." The old man replied as the whip lashed out again with a hint of shadow magic visible now, just a little more...touch the whip and this tormenting life Villen has put you through will end... Adrien thought.

"Stop fooling around." Ethan said, swiping his whip away with the hammer easily, "I'm not in the mood to play." He entered the main building and slammed the door angrily behind him.

"Who said I was playing....I'm here to take you home Ethan..." The old man whispered teleporting infront of him with a wrinkled smile on his face.

"This is my home, back off." Ethan stepped back and raised the hammer defensively, "Just leave already, I don't have time to deal with you."

"You were so nice earlier...why can't you be that same little boy again?" he asked

"Who the hell are you, and why are you so persistent?" Ethan demanded.

"You haven't realized yet....your not as good as the reports say..." the man said in an oddly familiar voice, If I reveal myself here...I'll have him, Atsuki, and Villen to deal with...

Ethan frowned before rolling his eyes, "Jeez, I knew it... you never quit! Why can't you just go away!?"

"Because Villen sent you there in hopes that I would kill you...he knew you couldn't defeat me...or any of the others...you may have a powerful gift...but you aren't nearly as skilled in combat as we all were...you would have died had I not sent Darren away.."

"Tch, liar! He wouldn't do that to me." Ethan replied, "Master Villen has told me time and again he thinks of me as his own son! He protected and trained me, don't give me that bullshit!"

"I grew up with that twisted boy...He got bored with you and sent you to die..." Adrien said bluntly, "call him yourself...see if he is suprised you made it back..."

"Like hell I'll listen to you!" Ethan said, "Master Villen cares, and there's nothing you can say to prove me wrong!"

"Let's test that theory...VILLEN!!!" Adrien yelled from the main hallway with Ethan.

"He's no fool." Ethan snarled, "Villen wouldn't come to you just because you called him." He laughed darkly.

"So he doesn't care I'm running free in "his" base then..." Adrien aid laughing just as darkly, "I know where to find him anyway.."

"You're a fool if you think you know it all!" Ethan laughed, raising the hammer, "You want to get anywhere, you've got to fight me first."

"Your a fool to take me on...." Adrien muttered walking towards Satul's office, I know your there Villen...and I know you can hear this...why did you send the boy to die...you knew he couldn't beat any of them...least of all me...

"Leave this place!" Ethan ran at him from behind and kicked his legs out from under him, "Or stand and fight me, don't be a coward!"

The boy's kick passed strait through Adrien as he grabbed him by the seat of the pants and tossed him off behind, "You are out of your legue kid..." he muttered as he walked on to Satul's office opening the door.

"Damn you, you're such a jerk, stop being such a coward and face me like a man!" Ethan slid past him and stood in the doorway, giving Adrien an angered glare. The room behind him was empty, stripped of all it's possessions, but Ethan didn't look surprised by that fact at all.

"Hrm...I guess I'll go to his quarters then..." Adrien said thinking outloud completely ignoring the boy and walking towards the stairs.

"Stop running around, don't you understand that they're gone!" Ethan shouted furiously, electrical energy crackling along his body, "They abandoned the base hours ago. Master Villen left me here to keep you company when you came."

"No matter..." Adrien muttered stopping suddenly and tapping a brick filling it with his own energy as a secret passage opened, "Noone but Satul and I could get in here...so I can still get what I need..." he said walking down a long winding staircase deep underground, "Your gift won't work down here...if you decide to follow me.."

"I don't need my gift to beat you!" The boy said darkly, tackling Adrien on the staircase viciously.

"I didn't say mine wasn't working..." Adrien sighed as the boy fell through him and Adrien grabbed him by the seat of his pants again so he didn't go tumbling down the staircase, "just be patient.." he muttered carrying the boy the same way he grabbed him.

Ethan squirmed in his grasp before he managed to sink his teeth into Adrien's forearm, "Lemme go!" His voice was muffled as he spoke around the bite.

Adrien winced slightly at the bite because he couldn't use his gift without killing the boy, "Enough of this nonsense..." he ground out punching the boy in the jaw forcing him to release his grip on his forearm.

"No!" Ethan shouted, his voice echoing around them as he latched onto Adrien's arm once more, his jaw slightly aching.

Adrien growled in pain slamming the boy against the close wall hard enough to crack the stone it was made of.

Ethan grunted in pain but didn't release Adrien's arm, he glared spitefully at the man.

Adrien slammed the boy against the wall again creating a crater from the force this time, "mental art...mind suppression..." he muttered attempting to force the boy into a deep sleep.

"I told you, idiot, I've trained against mental abilities!" Ethan ground out, striking Adrien with his fist, still attempting to get free.

"Fine then...you can't defend against my brothers mental abilities though...until we meet with him again...you will just stay with me..." Adrien muttered catching the boys fist and binding him with shadows, "Now stop struggling and just be a good little boy.." he muttered tauntingly as the boy floated behind him.

"Buzz off you big jerk!" Ethan shouted, "Why don't you just leave? Go back to your pathetic group and leave me alone!"

"Jerk....I seem to be hearing that alot lately...but fine..if you want to die so badly...I won't hinder you any further, some people I guess just can't be saved from themselves...." Adrien whispered releasing the boy and keeping ahead.

"Now leave this place!" Ethan stood with his hands on his hips, glaring at Adrien, "You've no place anywhere near here anymore!"

"Don't interrupt me..." Adrien muttered raising a shadow wall in between them as he reached the floor of his secret file room, "now...for my files from the military...and my duplicates from the files here..."

Ethan frowned angrily and moved back up the stairs, "If that's the way the idiot feels, he can be buried here." He said sourly, picking up his ax once he'd reached Satul's office and slamming the secreted door.

Adrien sighed hearing the boy's ranting, "maybe he will see it himself..." he muttered flipping through the files then walking up to a bare spot on the wall, "here it is...Satul's father's ring." he added, it will break the final seal on our powers if one wears it...but it is a last resort...

Ethan was outside now, he held a worn detonator in his hand, "He had to follow me in there, it's his own fault he's going to die now." He said, his mouth pressed into a grim line as he hit the button. The building exploded in a mass of flames, old brick, and glass before collapsing in upon itself. Fire roared over what wooden furniture had been left inside.

"Close one don't you think..." Adrien muttered from behind him with a hand full of paperwork and a small box jutting slightly from his pocket, "when you see things clearly again...come find me.." he added disappearing leaving a peice of paper behind addressed to Ethan.

"Tch, and here I was hoping he'd get buried in the rubble." Ethan kicked at a rock, but nonetheless picked up the note to see what worthless rabble was upon it.

"Worthless." Ethan allowed the note to slip from his fingers and be carried away by a light breeze, "That idiot has grown weak. Nothing like the man I read about in Master Villen's files..."

---

what is wrong with me...Why am I going so soft all of a sudden...that boy....I..just couldn't kill him... Adrien thought creating a dimension for the ring and the paperwork he took to hide it, "Damnit!!" he screamed.

---

"Shut up!" Aedin screamed leaping into the air blinded by his rage attempting to drive his claws into the figures throat.

The figure struck Aedin away, his facial expressions impassive. "I will not care about the life of my captors! Ladianias deserves death! The council never knew, he was the "perfect" twin of mine, I was the one who killed the human and I allowed him to take the fall, but I was sealed! I will not care of he died, he should for ever sealing me!!"

"It is as I thought...he did have some good in him" Argolas rang taking over Aedin finally and landing on his feet his white hair ruffled slightly, "The council knows about you now...and soon you will be dealt with..."

"I think not. They have no power on this world, they are fools. I think I will become a god here. But I will not save "precious" Ladianias! And I know his secrets now, I know were the seal of the elders lies!" He said as he vanished with a laugh.

"Idasair he musn't find it!" Argolas yelled.

"Argolas...Ladianias is the keeper..he is the only other that knows where it is..he is slipping away from us...Ladianias is dying..."Idasair said as he held Ladianias in his arms trying to heal him.

"Let me try..." Argolas whispered driving his lance into the ground, "Archaic devine...healing darkness" he muttered as the three of them were surrounded in a thick fog of shadow energy that attempted to enter Ladanias's wounds healing them.

It healed the minor wounds but the major ones remained open seemingly due to dark magic that seemed to fester in the wounds. Sweat plastered Ladianias' hair to his forehead and he seemed to be running a high fever.
"I think...his only hope is Avella."

"Her light magic hurts him remember.." Argolas muttered, "But we may have to risk it...I do have one more spell I would like to try though...Arcaine Emblem....system purge..." he added as the darkness was filtered out by a powerful light magic weaving it's way through the dark magic festering in his wounds.

Argolas was pushed back by a powerful force and Ladianias screamed in pain as his wounds grew.

"That's not working! I think I know why it didn't work before...Avella and Ladianias are tied in many ways, she holds his Phoenix half in herself when he gave it to her to protect her...I think it was because she did not have complete faith in him...if we can get her to believe his story and than heal him having complete faith in him..it should work." Idasair said as he began to bind the wounds trying to stop the bleeding.

"I suppose...we can atleast try.." Argolas muttered pulling his sash down twirlling it around as it bound tightly around Ladanias, "That should halt the bleeding for now..." he muttered pulling his lance from the ground as well.

"He's going to need blood...his condetionnisn't good, even with the bleeding stopped."

"My host can give him blood...or Satul...either will be fine..." Argolas muttered as Ladanias hovered in the air beside them, "Lets be on our way...we have to find the real girl.."

"Yes..and we need to find Sutal and the others too." Idasiar said as he stood up and spread his wings.

"Darren is with Kaya and Risa...and Adrien has disappeared..." Argolas muttered placing his hand on Ladanias and spreading his wings taking flight.

Follows, hoping things would get better and they would find Avella.

---

After awhile Idasair slowed his pace looking around. "I..think she is near."

Avella caught sight of them through a row of trees and slowly made her way over, breathing heavily as though she had been running.

"I know...she is down there..." Argolas muttered lowering to the ground infront of Avella, "Ladanias is Dying...you are the only one that can save him..."

Idasair kept an eye out for trouble as Argolas talked to Avella, something didn't seem right. "Avella..are you being pursued?"

"I am, or was at least." Avella said slowly, "What do you mean that I am the only one able to save him?" She turned her gaze to Argolas, "What happened?"

"It would appear that Ladianias really does love you..he had another man inside of him that was his evil self..he mortally wounded Ladianias when he broke free." Idasair said as he kept watch.

"But... How do I heal him? Didn't the... the Heaven's Vortex wound him last time?" Avella questioned, glancing at Ladianias in worry.

"This is only theory..but is The Heavens Vortex wounds him...perhaps the other won't..perhaps it will combine with the power of the phoenix ands heal him." Idasair said running his hands through his hair.

"The other? Surely you don't mean the black gate..." Avella said slowly.

Idasair nodded looking solemn. "I am afraid I do. It makes sense in a way..he is the dark phoenix and thus hurt by light but the black gate fits one of his elements."

"There isn't a choice Avella..." Argolas murmered removing his sash revealing Ladanias's wounds to her, "Unless you try he will die anyway..."

Avella sighed and nodded, "I will try it...." She replied, "I hope that it works... The rest of you must under all circumstances remain back from it though, do you understand?"

"It won't matter...if he die's we are all dead anyway..." Argolas muttered backing away slightly.

"Further away." Avella said, glaring at him, "I'm not chancing harming anyone else, especially if this does not work..."

"I am not just a phoenix...but a diety as well...but I won't hinder you..." Argolas murmered backing away further.

"What you are does not matter." Avella replied, "It will take in and kill whatever is nearby." She closed her eyes and began summoning her gate.

"It didn't kill that wretch Villen..." Argolas mumbled under his breath driving his lance into the ground infront of him forming a powerful barrier of light.

Idasair shook his head as he kept his distance and remained on the alert. I hope this works..part of this is my fault...

"He made a deal." Avella said without opening her eyes, "To be allowed to live if he served the demons. He made that deal and lost several limbs as result- you've noticed the strange substance he bears now, surely." The gate slowly glimmered into life.

Idasair watched carefully. "I..think it is working.."

"I hope so." Avella grimaced but didn't say anything else.

A black haze appeared around Ladianias through it his wounds seemed to began to heal and he looked healthier.

"It is working!" Avella said in awe, giving a weak smile, "I'm glad."

"Atleast something is going our way today..." Argolas whispered as control slipped back to Aedin and he fell to the ground unconcious.

Ladainias' severe wounds healed completely, leaving only minor wounds in place.

"I can't keep it open much longer... I'm sorry." Avella's voice was exhausted.

---

Weakling...worthless...Villen has warped his mind far more than he ever could Satul and I...tis a shame...I don't think this one can be saved... Adrien pondered in a tree above Ethan watching the note blow away as he drew his blade silently.

"Don't think that I don't sense you there, Adrien." Ethan said coldly, "Leave already, go back to your group."

"I'm staying alone for now on..." Adrien muttered holding his blade towards the boy, "and I just don't see another way...I am going to have to either beat it into you...or kill you.."

"You certainly have a lot of confidence." Ethan scowled, drawing his hammer, "Why can't you just take no for an answer and leave? I'm sick of these fights with you."

"Because if I just leave...Villen wins...and If i don't stop you....you'll just go after the others...so I figure...if you have to die..I'll make it quick...and as painless as possible.." Adrien muttered sighing heavily at what he was about to do, If only he would listen to reason...I wouldn't have to do this..

"You're annoying, and most definately the one that needs to listen to reason." Ethan replied, "You've betrayed the organization, you and the others must pay for your betrayal."

"My alliance was only to my family...I never betrayed anything I believed in...I left as well because I would be betraying them if I didn't.." Adrien hissed bringing his blade down weakly toward Ethan, why am i still holding back...

Ethan rolled his eyes, "Whatever your reasons, it goes back to the same thing, traitor." He batted Adrien's blade away from him.

"My reason is none of your concern...but I won't allow you to leave like this..." Adrien shouted bringing his blade under the boy with more force this time, Damnit...why can't i just attack with everything..there's something about him...I can't kill him...

"Just go! I don't care about fighting you, dammit, you're an irritation!" Ethan shouted, leaping backwards out of the way of the blow, "I'm sick of you trying to get me to turn against Master Villen. If you're going to kill me, just do it and quit talking about it! I'd rather die than betray Master Villen."

As Ethan landed away from Adrien's blow, Adrien had already appeared infront of him with his blade to the boys throat, I can't kill him...damnit...what's wrong with me.. he thought frozen and unable to deliver the final blow.

Ethan squirmed out of his grasp when Adrien faultered and slammed his hammer into the man's shoulder, sending volts of electricity coursing into his body.

Adrien was slammed into a tree from the force, "Damnit boy.." he groaned standing slowly and twitching from the current running through his body.

"I told you to leave. You did not. You are merely facing the consiquences of your actions." Ethan replied emotionlessly.

"Well now...you sound just like I did so many years ago...back when Villen controlled me as well.." Adrien muttered grasping his blade firmly and resheathing it, "I don't need a weapon to take a child down..."

"Don't get too confident." Ethan glowered, "I am nothing like you, and as such I will bring your head to Master Villen!"

"Really now..." Adrien hissed appearing with the boy by the throat and his hammer slung away, damn...I still can't do anything...why can't I kill this boy! he screamed through his mind unable to finish him yet again.

Ethan gave him a swift kick to the jaw and lunged towards his hammer. He lifted it and pointed it at Adrien, "What's wrong, stop hesitating I said!"

Adrien stood again shaking his head, What keeps stopping me from killing him...that's twice now...damnit.. he thought holding his hand to Ethan, "Destructive art....velvet blades..." he muttered biting into his other hand and drawing several symbols in blood.

Ethan twirled the hammer in his grasp, an elongated and intricately designed alchemic looking circle appeared in the air, crackling with it, "Chaotic art- Lightning wrath." He said evenly.

Adrien smiled as the from the symbols five cromson blades rose and began spinning around his wrist in a radial like paddern, "Run free...five deities.."

Ethan's frown deepened in concentration, "Release, thunder gods of the skies." He said in a monotonous voice.

"So Villen even tought you a summoning spell...did he tell you I showed him how to summon his fire spirit?" Adrien asked smiling raising his other hand, "Archaic devine....Diety of shadows....Vidorn..." he muttered as six different elemental dieties appeared around him, "gaia, Neptune, Beluis, Mateus, Chaos..."

"He did not teach me my summoning spell, I was taught by my late father." Ethan replied, "Sanarah, Losnych, arise."

"Interesting....none the less...you will not beat me...Vidorn..Gaia..destroy them...Belius, Neptune, Mateus, Chaos...take the boy..." Adrien muttered as his summons did as they were ordered.

"Your summons will not beat them." Ethan said coolly as the two lightning beings stood protectively over him.

"These are no mere summons...don't be foolish...I stopped holding back...kill them all.." Adrien yelled as Vidorn took hold of one summon and Chaos the other.

"Tch, you don't listen." Ethan said as Sanarah and Losnych became particles of electricity and entered the bodies of Vidorn and Chaos.

"Really now...Neptune..Gaia...take the boy.." Adrien muttered smiling as they appeared beside him placing two barriers around him one of water and the other earth to cancel out his electrical attacks and prevent his summons from helping him, "Its just me and you now kid.." he whispered opening a portal within the barriers and walking beside Ethan, "I never wanted to kill them...just get to you...that's all I ever wanted.."

"Why even bother with the summons then?" Ethan scowled, drawing his hammer up defensively, "What purpose did they serve you to bring out?"

"To protect you...because with yours out...they drew most of your power...Vidorn could have killed them both..alone as well as any of my others...in here you are just a child..your electrical gift won't work.."

"You know nothing about me or my gift, nor do you know the depth of my power!" Ethan raged, "I won't ever lose to a weakling like you! Sanarah and Losnych do not draw on my power, my power draws them here and that is that, they use their own power source and are tearing your summonings apart from a molecular level!"

"Vidorn...nor Chaos can be destroyed...they will only assimilate your summons...and use there power for themselves..." Adrien whispered softly, "now as for you.." he muttered touching the boys hammer and teleporting it outside where Gaia and Neptune placed a separate barrier around it, "You are defensless.."

"You are a fool if you think that I am defenseless just because you've used a few tricks. You are an even bigger fool for assuming that Your summons will be able to assimilate mine." Ethan said in disgust.

"You have that backwards...a mere child against someone of my caliber...if I could have I would have killed you..the only thing stopping me are some damn feelings for you because you look like my dead brother!" Adrien shouted slamming the boy into the interior wall of the earthen barrier.

"I don't have anything backwards!" Ethan grunted, twisting himself out of Adrien's grasp and brushing away a line of blood from his lips.

"You are as arrogant as my damn brother and that's why Villen fucking killed him! Because he was the only one that could ever get to me and break his control!" Adrien shouted clutching his heand and dropping to his knee's.

"I'm not the one being arrogant!" Ethan struck him in the side of the head with his knee before turning, "Sanarah, Losnych, now!" He shouted, as they exploded from the bodies of the two summoned and broke through the barrier. They encased Ethan in their glow, and together the three of them vanished, "I will not leave you alive next time!" He called as he faded.

"Heh..that boy...he really is just like my brother.." Adrien muttered thinking outloud as a trickle of blood dripped from his ear and he collapsed to the ground, "Just...like...Skylar...." he stuttered before passing out.

---

Idasair looked at Avella. "Close it..he is healed for the most part, he is no longer in threat of dying. If you keep it open any longer you will risk harm to both of you."

Avella allowed her arms to fall and sank to the ground in exhaustion and pain at the same time.

Idasair steadied her gently as he glanced over at Ladainias who was still unconcious but looked considerably more healthy.

Avella's form faded slightly, flickering for a brief second before becoming solid again. She frowned, "I have less time than I thought..." She murmured to herself.

"Are you alright?"Idain asked,as Idasair gave him control once more.

"What's going on.." Adrien asked walking up holding his bruised temple.

"A highly advanced form of Astral projection." Avella replied faintly, "I sensed that there was trouble... I sensed that Ladainias was dying, I had to come somehow... and yet I had no other way to get here..."

"What do you mean?!" Idain said looking worried.

"I'm not really here." Avella replied, "At least not in body. What you see and feel before you is my spirit... Years ago I found a way to do this, it's exhausting, but I do what I use it to do..."

"That's why Villen abandoned the base...he probably has her already..." Adrien muttered, That boy...he was a distraction...so I didn't take her back...Villen knew I was the only one here that could...devious...yet brilliant...

Avella frowned, "I don't know where I am... It's different... More sinister, I can't quite explain it, but I know it's not a good place..."

"Can you tell us anything?" Adrien asked, "If You can...I can teleport you away..."

"That's all I know." Avella shook her head sadly, "I was drugged I think... or maybe I passed out, I don't remember, but I can't get myself to actually wake up just yet..."

"I might be able to help..." Aedin suttered opening his eyes and sitting up, "because..whereever they are...Mastudo and Moira are there as well...there wasn't anyone in the base when Adrien went earlier."

"Why did you read my mind.." Adrien asked sighing, "That's a good Idea though...can you open a telepathic link with Aedin....he can guide us too you.."

"What about me? I think I could do something to help." Idain said in determination.

"No." Avella shook her head uncertainly, "No, neither of them are there... They are not far from here. I'm exhausted, I used what little energy I had to spare to take care of Ladainias' injuries... I'm fading too quickly to attempt a telepathic link." She was already growing transparent now.

"I'll do it then..." Aedin muttered peering into the projection, "damn...she's too weak for me to connect with the real one.."

"We will find it ourselves...but I have something for Aedin to do when we find them..." Adrien muttered sighing, "Idain...prepare Lanzer so we can leave..."

Idain nodded feeling a little irritated that they had ignored him. He carefully bound the last bit of Ladainias' wounds.

Avella closed her eyes, "I can't keep the connection any longer, I am sorry." She murmured slowly.

Idian looked at her sadly. "We will find you!"

Avella shook her head, "I don't want any of you to get hurt." Her voice was beginning to fade.

"The moment she fades completely...there will be a slight power burst where ever she is...will you be able to sense that Idain?" Adrien asked turning to him with a pale worry filled face, I can't get my mind off of that boy...

Idain nodded as he closed his eyes and readied himself.

"Don't strain yourself." Avella murmured, reaching out as she finally felt herself yanked away from them.

Idian nodded as he whispered something under his breath. A whitish glow slowly enveloped him.

"Where did you sense it from?" Adrien asked turning to him thinking if they both felt it from the same direction it would have to be fairly accurate aleast.

"East." Idain said simply as he got to his feat and looked in that direction.

Ladianias moaned as he began to wake up.

"Very well...Take Aedin and Lanzer and head that way..." will find Moira and Mastudo..Aedin...if you see a small blonde haired boy..break whatever control is over his mind.." Adrien said fading off into the distance.

'Let's go.." Idian said as he helped Ladainias to his feat and began to explain what happened as they walked.

"What's with the boy he is fixated over...do you know Ladanias...you've known him longer than I have.." Aedin asked sighing.

Ladianias shook his head still feeling weak,confused and worried.

Idain sighed as he led the way. "Maybe he knew someone who was like the kid."

"He did have a younger brother....though I never saw him..." Aedin muttered sighing, "Ladanias would have known him personally probably...he was the same age as he and satul.."

"Skylar..." Ladianias muttered.

"So it is his brother...I knew the name...the boy died years ago...Villen killed him...that's all Adrien ever told me.....he said he made Adrien weak...he was the only thing keeping him out of Villen's contro..." Aedin said sighing, "If he were alive...this probably would have never happened.."

Ladianias looked down. "He wasn't.."

"Who wasn't?" Aedin asked confused.

"He wasn't killed." Ladianias replied.

Idain looked at him in confusion. "Does that mean he might be?"

"Don't tell me...the boy actually is...but how could that happen?" Aedin asked.

"To be honest..I don't know what happened to him. All I know is that Villen spared him and he vanished.Occasionally I thought I had glimpsed him." Ladiainias replied.

"It couldn't be the boy he saw...from what i saw in his mind...he couldn't have been more than six years old..." Aedin muttered extremely confused.

"Lanzer was trapped in the age I saved him.....it may be possible he was too, or it may be a unrelated child that reminds him of his brother." Ladianias replied.
Idain sighed as he listened.

"What are you talking about trapped in the age you saved him at? He still grew up..." Aedin asked more confused now.

"not exactly..I grew up he didn't...if he was ever to have me removed completely..he would die and his body would revert back to the age he had been killed." Ladianias said sadly.

"So basically your saying that boy could actually be Skylar?" Aedin muttered bewildered slightly, "well...you'll know if you see him...but for now...our priority is Avella..."

"Yes...it is...." He whispered in determination. "The boy could be..but it may be unlikely as well."

Idian nodded as he walked, suddenly he gave a cry as he fell through a section of the ground and vanished from view.
Ladianias called his name but no answer came. "Damn! It looks deep too."

By the time Ladanias spoke, Aedin had wrapped several of his wires around a nearby tree and leaped over him and into the crevace muttering a spell illuminating it as he fell.

"Aedin watch out!" Ladianias called out as a strange force ripped through the crevice and began to destroy the wires. Ladianias cringed, he had known there was something wrong with the crevice.

Aedin could just barely spot Idain who had a blackness circling him. He appeared wounded and unconcious.

Aedin dug his claws into the stone wall to slow his decent so he didn't hurt himself as well, "Idain..are you ok!" he shouted dropping further before jumping to the bottom and illuminating the area around him, "Damn.." he muttered taking off his jacket and wrapping him in it, "I hope i've got the energy for this.." he thought closing his eyes to focus as they slowly began floating back to the top.

The darkness attacked him and was intercepted as Ladianias swooped down in his dark phoenix form. "Hurry! I will hold this monster off."

"Ladanias...take Idain...I will deal with this.." Aedin whispered before transforming to Argolas, "what better to deal with the shadows than the light..."

"Don't Argolas. Don't you sense this? It destroys light, the only thing that can take care of it is darkness like myself. Trust me on this and take Idain it was after him, it sensed his purity!" Ladianias warned as he fought the shadows down. What he was doing appeared to be working because the darkness began to flee.

"Use this as a distraction if you get cornered..." Argolas said tossing him a vile of a bright glowing liquid, "Don't die..." he called taking flight up the casm and landing a few feet away setting Idain down.

Ladianias caught it and finished the spell. He quickly flew upward and used the vile's contents to place a barrier around the chasm. Than he collapsed it and leanded near Argolas and Idian. He reverted back to his natural form and began to examine Idian. "They didn't seriously injure him, he will recover."

"I know..I'm just taking precautions..." Argolas whispered as a soft glow enveloped Idain healing his injuries.

"We better get going, those shadows were inhanced by the use of the gate." Ladianias said as he picked Idain up and slung him over his shoulders.

"I know.." Argolas muttered faintly before transforming back to Aedin, "Damn..I'm hating those more and more..." he grumbled.

"Me too." Ladianias muttered as he began to walk.

"They are getting slightly painful...i wonder if we will merge like you and Lanzer did.." Aedin muttered mainly thinking outloud.

Ladianias sighed and shook his head. "I don't know anymore...we may have no choice and the risk of damage to our bodies would increase..we may not make it through this alive. But I will not let Avella suffer! Even if it means I have to die!"

Aedin smiled slightly, "Don't speak such nonsense brother...your not alone anymore...remember that..." he whispered.

"how much of a brother am..I? You all believe I am a monster that took Lanzer away." Ladianias whispered as he looked down.

"The monster is gone...I see nothing but kindness and pain left within now..." Aedin said sighing.

Ladianias sighed. "I feel...empty.."

"I know...your also ashamed of what your other half forced you to do....but don't dwell on the past....we have to save Avella..." Aedin replied with a hint of a smile beginning to touch his lips.

"I know that...but I don't think I deserve her..as soon as she is safe..I will be leaving.." He replied quietly.

Aedin placed his hand on Ladanias's shoulder sighing, "Don't say that...out of all of us...you are the least tainted...besides him atleast...to my knowledge...you haven't killed at all...much less doing so and enjoying it...we have all made mistakes...but don't let your past ruin your future.."

"I don't have a future..I have done...terrible things..I don't want to led them to Avella..." He whispered looking down. "I want you to take care of Idian..he is to young and inexperienced...he is like Avella...innocent..and pure."

"Look at me...I have done terrible things...so have each and every one of us from the organization...but it's all in the past..." Aedin replied looking away.

"You don't understand! I am still doing it..I..am a power house of evil.." Ladianias said as he carried Idain.

"I see you doing nothing wrong...your protecting your family.." Aedin shouted.

Ladianias stopped and looked at him with tormented eyes. "I can't stop it...it is already starting...it will harm my brothers..they will harm my brothers.."

"And if it comes to it...I'll call Adrien to stop you..." Aedin said smiling softly.

"Will it be enough? Everyday...I feel my control slip a little more...and these fights aren't helping.." He whispered as he continued to carry Idian.

"Well I hope so...but he seems to have lost his drive after seeing that boy..." Aedin said sighing.

Ladianias nodded as he continued. "We need to hurry..we are getting close."

Adrien appeared handing Moira to Aedin, "I'm sorry I'm late..got her just in time from what I can see.."

"Moira!! are you ok?" Aedin asked cradling her carefully.

Moira doesn't responds she seems really stuck the only thing moving is tears falling down.

---

"Moira...Mastudo...where are you!" Adrien yelled wondering through the forest.

Moira lets out a pained gasps and there is another voice one that is cursin.

"Enough Mastudo.." Adrien said softly taking hold of his arm, "This isn't right..you should be protecting her from that mad man...not fighting her for him.."

Mastudo doesn't respond he just attacks Moira. "I won't kill her...yet."

"Yeild or die by my blade...I'm in a fowl mood.." Adrien muttered drawing Seiglinde from his sheath.

Mastudo lets out a smirk. "Go ahead and kill me..see what happens to Moira."

Moira pales. I am probably going to die.

Adrien sighed touching Mastudo with his blade, "run free..seiglinde.." he muttered as a powerful electircal charge passed through his body paralyzing him.

Moira tries to escape but she is paralyized too because his blood was on her shoulder.

Mastudo just smiles and asks, "Now what?"

Adrien picked up Moira leaving Mastudo behind, "only come if you are willing to listen to reason, or willing to die.." he muttered disappearing.

He remains emotionaless as they leave.

---

Adrien sighed, "Ladanias...I will carry Idain.." he muttered holding out an arm.

Aedin sighed holding Moira close, "I'm just glad you're ok.." he whispered knowing she was upset about her brother.

Moira manages a slight nod and looks pale. He..was really going to end it...and he would not have blinked...He doesn't even see me as a human..

I'm sorry I wasn't there to protect you... Aedinrang softly through her mind.

Moira allows a small smile on her face. Don't blame yourself...everything has gone out of control..you can't protect me all the time as much as you want to.

Ladianias handed Idain over without a word he continued to lead them in the direction of Avella, he looked at Maori in worry and handed over a potion. "Here..this should help." He said before he turned back to walking, he seemed to be lost in thought.

Adrien walked ahead with Ladanias before sighing, "speak to me..." he whispered turning slightly glancing at him.

"About what?" Ladianias asked notmeeting his eyes. He stared stright ahead with determination,but a shadow of fear and..something else reflected in his eyes.

"What's bothering you brother? Is it Satul's disappearace...o something else" Adrien asked softly.

"It's Sutal..and a little more. I don't like the fact that he is gone..so is Kaya and Risa." Ladianias replied.

"Darren as well...but we can't do anything about them now...they can handle themselves...we have to stop Villen...and get Avella back from them.." Adrien whispered, "we are almost there...be prepared.."

"I am prepared." Ladianias replied with determination, but a hint of sadness still showed in his eyes.

"Let's go...I'll handle Atsuki....Aedin should take the boy Ethan...and Idain will be in another dimension until he awakens...do you have the ability to hold off Villen? Or should we switch...because I can.." Adrien said stopping and setting Idain down opening a portal over him.

"I will take him on." Ladianias replied with steel in his voice.

Idain began to stir and he moaned softly. "What happened?"

"Just in time...you handle the subordinates....and if you see Avella...free her...the three of us will handle the main fighters.." Adrien muttered closing the portal hovering just above him.

Idian nodded and got ready.

Ladianias still remained subdued.

"Remember...the boy isn't to be harmed if it can be helped...Aedin...break Villen's hold over him..." Adrien muttered

Aedin nodded, Ladanias...if it's Skylar...say something..

Ladianias didn't seem to hear, he appeared to be lost in thought.

"What are you doing here?" Ethan stood before the group, his large hammer raised threateningly. "Go away."

"Lanzer!" Aedin shouted muttering a spell and lashing out with crimson wires.

Idain rushed in low and knocked Ethan back as Ladianias hurried to find Villen and Avella.

Ethan stumbled a few steps, cursing as he straightened himself, "You'll pay for that!"

"I'll handle him...this is the boy Adrien wished for me to free..." Aedin muttered walking towards him, "find Avella...and Keep Moira safe.."

Ethan glared at Aedin, "And just who are you?" He demanded with a scowl.

"I'm the telepath he told you about.." Aedin muttered smiling as his wires burst from the ground attempting to wrapp around him binding him there.

Ethan grabbed the wires with his bare hands and sent electrical currents bursting into Aedin's hands from the wires.

Aedin smiled as the current dicipated, "first of all...the wires are grounded...second...they don't cunduct...these are magicall...not metal.."

"First of all." Ethan whispered in a childish voice in Aedin's ear, behind him, "I'm not stupid. Second- that was just a distraction." He thrust his hammer against the back of Aedin's ribs forcefully.

A second set of crimson wires came spiralling from the ground around Aedin blocking the blow, "your mind had a barrier around it....but not anymore..." he whispered placing his hand to his forehead through the wires glaring into his eyes with his deep red ones, be free young one...

Ethan knocked the wires away and leapt backwards away from Aedin, "Back off you stupid git. That Adrien guy tried those mind tricks on me too, they won't work."

"I'm not bound by human reflexes like you.." Aedin whispered wrapping his arms around the boy binding him from behind, mental art...release...

"Let go, let go!" Ethan shouted furiously, burying his teeth into Aedin's arm as a flash of Adrien's face flashed in his mind.

Aedin dropped the boy speechless as he saw the memories flooding the boys mind, "Th-this is Skylar....."

Ethan took the opportunity to grab ahold of Aedin's head and send powerful electrical currents into him via his hands.

"My body is dead from the vampyric blood...that will have no affect Skylar.." Aedin muttered taking his hands, "But I won't let you continue with this.." he whispered wrapping wires tightly around him binding his arms and legs.

"Let go!" Ethan squirmed, "Let me go, now!" His body vanished for a moment, became crackling energy, before he appeared standing a few feet away.

Aedin smiled, "your brother is waiting on you...he's dispatching Atsuki as we speak..."

Ethan lunged at Aedin, grabbing up his hammer, and struck him viciously in the leg, "He'll never defeat Lord Atsuki." He said, "As you will not get further than me! Master Villen has faith in me!"

---

Ladianias hurried looking forn Villen. "Come show yourself coward.." He whispered.

"Atsuki will be near Villen..." Adrien muttered fumbling with the hilt of his blade, Can I actually kill Atsuki...he's still good somewhere...I can see it..

"You take him and I will take Villen!" Ladianias said as he hurried off, he seemed to be a little reckless.

Adrien nodded following, "Don't be so eager....you can't defeat him alone..."

Atsuki appeared before Adrien suddenly, "So, you lot have finally showed up." He said coldly, "I was beginning to wonder if you had given up and died."

"Hello Atsuki...such a warm greeting..." Adrien muttered, "lets get this over with...I'm tired of the nonsense between us.." he muttered drawing his blade.

"I tire of it as well." Atsuki said, drawing his sword from its place upon his back, "do not hold back this time or you will die."

"I don't intend to..." Adrien whispered, "Seiglinde..run free..." he muttered softly releasing the seal on his blade.

"It's about time you got serious." Atsuki said monotonously, "You were always a bore before..."

"I'm sorry I disappointed you..." Adrien whispered, "I'll be sure to keep you occupied.." he added taking on an odd stance with his blade held tightly behind him.

"Come at me then." Atsuki said, taking up a stance of his own, casually holding his sword before him.

Adrien smiled slightly dashing towards Atsuki with his blade's tip dragging the ground cutting into it seemingly at random.

Atsuki watched him, suspicion in his gaze, but he stood firmly where he was, waiting for Adrien to draw close to him.

Adrien's blade still dug into the ground as he brought it infront of him nearing Atsuki, "shadow skill....shadow coffin.."

Atsuki frowned, and slowly began to draw the shadows into himself for protection as he attacked Adrien with his sword.

Adrien smiled as his spell formed around himself, "explosion..." he whispered as the symbol he had drawn into the ground began to glow before bursting with energy waves and imploding.

Atsuki shielded his face automatically as the explosion consumed him, and he felt several gashes open, "Adrien." He taunted, "That was quite sneaky..." He smirked, "Don't you want to know about... the boy?"

"Aedin is releasing his memories as we speak...he will be free of Villen's grasp.." Adrien muttered appearing infront of Atsuki with his blade to his throat, "I told you,..if we fought...you would die.."

"Skylar... would you really abandon him to fate again?" Atsuki said in a low voice.

Adrien froze dropping his blade, "S-Skylar is dead..." he stuttered, "that..boy couldn't be...."

"Is he?" Atsuki turned to face him, his gaze cold and unreadable.

Adrien grasped his blade again teleporting Ethan to them, "My brother would be Lanzer's age by now...he's barely eight..."

Ethan froze when he caught sight of Adrien, the rage from just barely moments ago melted away.

"Can you really tell an age just by looking at somebody?" Atsuki said icily, his gaze on Ethan.

Adrien turned to Ethan seeing his reaction and his disposition, "S-Skylar...you are alive.." he stuttered standing there staring at him.

Ethan frowned slightly at Adrien. Is he... is he really my brother?

"Atsuki...if your toying with me....it will be your head..." Adrien hissed not taking his gaze off of Ethan, "Villen told me he killed you when we were children...what happened to you all that time?" he asked.

"What... happened?" Ethan frowned, "I don't know... Can't remember." He murmured, lowering his gaze to the ground.

Adrien smiled softly, "it matters not....I'm just happy your alive....nothing will keep you from me now."

"Nothing but my duty to Master Villen." Ethan replied, "You are an enemy for as long as you betray him."

"Your duty should lie to your family as mine does...Villen used to be a part of that family...until he tried to kill Avella, Lanzer, and told me he had killed you when we were children." Adrien snapped frowning, "and I know why your hammer looks so familliar now,It's the same as Seglinde...do you even know it's name?"

"You have your priorities and I have mine." Ethan replied, "Master Villen saved my life, he never tried to kill me." He gazed down at his hammer, "I do not know its name." He said a few minutes later.

"You are my priority..." Adrien whispered smiling slighty, "even if it means standing beside you against the others.."

"You would come back into the organization then?" Ethan questioned.

"I will speak with Villen first...I won't bow to him...but I will join, under my circumstances.." Adrien said walking towards Ethan, "take me to Villen, and Atsuki, thank you.."

"Fine." Ethan began walking through the long hallways.

---

Ladianias rounded a corner and ran into Villen. He quickly drew his weapons and reverted to his true form. "Where is Avella?!"

Villen looked at him boredly, "Why would I tell you where she is?" He asked coldly.

"Because I will kill you if you don't." Ladianias said as he attacked.

"You will kill me?" Villen snorted, "I'd like to see you manage that." He attacked as well.

Fire and shadow swirled around Ladainias as he attacked in vicious and complicated munuevers. His spirit called out to Avella as he poiured his energy into the fight.

Villen settled himself to blocking Ladainias' attacks. He would become distracted or weaker sooner or later, Villen was sure of that. For now he was biding his time.

Ladianias' magic fluctuated actually striking Villen, Ladianias pressed the attack harder.

Villen leapt backwards warily, He's stronger than I remember...

"Where is she?!" Ladianias demanded as he tripled his efforts. The room rumbled under the presure of his magic and rage as he lashed out at Villen.

"She is somewhere where you'll never find her." Villen laughed darkly and flaming pillars shot up out of the ground between them.

Ladianias didn't hesitate he flew through the pillars as he attacked. "Flames idiot." He said as he attacked again. Avella..wherever you are please get free! I am here for you! He sent out as he viciously swung at Villen's head.

Villen scowled at Ladianias, "so what?" He glowered, "You've changed, I'll still take your life in the end."


"I know..and that is why I will hold nothing back. I know you will claim my life, but I know what the outcome will be after that. I will see you in hell Villen." Ladianias promised coldly as he attacked with as much energy as he could. The roof began to cave in and flames and shadows shot through the room some striking Villen. "You will take my life, but Avella will take yours!" He said as he attacked viciously.

"VILLEN!" Adrien shouted walking in behind Ethan, "Hrm...I see your busy...carry on then.." he muttered leaning against the wall boredly.

"Ladianias!" Avella's voice echoed into the room and she appeared in the doorway, leaning heavily upon the frame.

Ladianias faltered as he turned to look towards her. "A..Avella?" He whispered.

Villen took the opening that Ladianias had given him, "You fool." He whispered as he lunged forward, his blade forcing itself through his chest to the hilt, "Did you not think I didn't know?" Avella's form burst into flames and a single piece of charred paper fluttered to the floor.

Ladianias gasped as he coughed up blood, his eyes widening in understaning. "A..Avella...will...kill..you.."He coughed more blood as he sank to the floor. He looked at Adrien in confusion and than dawining. "T..rait..or.."He whispered before his eyes closed.

Villen tore his sword emotionlessly from Ladianias' body and turned to Ethan and Adrien, a cold smirk playing on his lips.

Adrien looked away waving his hand as Ladanias's corpse was absorbed by shadow's and disappeared, "rest now brother...." he whispered before turning to Villen, "You kept Skylar alive all this time without telling me...how could you.."

"Why are you here, Adrien?" Villen questioned, "I kept the boy's survival secret because he wished it from me."

"I'm here because of Skylar...I'm not leaving him again...so I suppose I will join you...just a few circumstances...you are not my boss...nor can you order me around...I will be treated the same as when Satul was in charge...is that acceptable to you?" Adrien asked propping up on his blade.

"I have one other condition that you must accept then." Villen replied, "You will not treat me as you did Satul, nor will you try and act as my superior. I won't order you around so long as you do not attempt to betray me as he did."

"I have intentions of staying with my brother how ever long he is here...and very well...I wouldn't dream of treating you like Satul anyway..." Adrien scoffed laughing slightly, Satul was family...I woud have given my life for him...even though I was hard on him...

"Good." Villen sneered, "Ethan, why don't you take your brother and clear out the other riff-raff?" He turned and walked away.

Adrien's eyes widened, You bastard... he thought before sighing heavily sheathing his blade, "lets go Ethan..." he whispered.

"We'll get rid of them right away, Master Villen." Ethan bowed towards Villen before rushing off towards the entrance once more.

Adrien sighed appearing infront of Ethan, "we'll go my way.." he muttered placing his hand on his shoulder and teleporting them to the others.

---

Idain attempted to restrain Ethann as he kept up his guard.

"Idain...it's Adrien's brother...let him free...he won't worry with you....only me.." Aedin called.

"You again?" Ethan howled in rage, kicking Idain.

"Where did he go?" Aedin asked as the boy vanished just before his kick to Idain landed.

"Gone." Idian cursed as he looked around for the kid.

"Adrien took him..." Aedin said smirking.

"You think that is funny? Adrien should have shown himself when he took him...something is wrong."

"I know...he's not coming back to us..." Aedin whispered.

Idian clutched his chest and his eyes widened in horror. "N..neither is Ladianias...he is dead..."
Idian straightened as though in pain. "He..knew.."

Aedin stared blankly into the forest, "I know...I saw it through adrien....why didn't he save him...he could have...he just stood there..."

Idian trembled. "Because...he is leaving us to join Villen..he is our enemy..what..are we going to do..Ladianias is dead...and the others..are missing.." Tears rolled down his cheeks,he felt numb his brother was dead..

"We have no choice...retreat..." Aedin whispered horrified by what has happened, "a brother turned against us...one dead...and one missing...." he rambled.

Idain stumbled to his feet still looking pale. "We can't...his death would be in vane if we don't rescue Avella!"

"We won't stand a chance...not now....since Adrien has joined them....there just too strong....who will be able to save her if we both die?" Aedin asked as a tear streaked down his face.

"Damn it! Ladianias knew! He knew he was going to die...that's why he wanted to be alone!" Idian said as he fought back the tears. "He...was a a idiot!" HE cried feeling lost.

Aedin walked over draping his arm over his shoulder, "I know that as well...his giult overwhelmed him...he's in peace now..."

Idian nodded and began to head out. "We will rescue you...Avella.." he whispered.

Aedin nodded, "lets go before someone comes after us.."

Adrien appeared with Ethan at his side infront of them, "hello..." he whispered.

Ethan raised his hammer, "You should never have come here." he murmured.

Idain looked pained as he looked at Adrien. "You are a traitor..you said yourself Lanzer was your brother...and you did nothing to aid him!"

Adrien drew his blade seemingly emotionlessly, "Defend yourself Idain.."

"Adrien!? What the hell are you doing?!?" Aedin screamed walking towards him furiously.

---

Risa and Kaya stumbled through the woods trying to find their companions. Risa was really worried for Sutal.

Darren wondered around aimlessly looking for the others, " Risa...finally I've found someone.." he shouted walking over to them.

Risa looked up wearily as she clutched her left arm. Kaya moved closer to her. "Are you really Darren...or are you another imposter?..."

"It's really me..." Darren whispered spreading his icy wings smiling slightly.

"Give us proof..."She whispered still looking weary.

Darren nodded snapping his fingers as several lightning bolts struck the ground around him, "I don't know how to prove it besides showing my gift.."

Risa nodded and sank to her knees. "We have been pursued all day by imposters..but..something happened...I think someone is dead.." She said in fear.

"I don't know...I've been constantly attacked by foot soldiers..." Darren whispered.

"Are you alright?" She asked in worry.

"I'm fine...just tired.." Darren replied smiling weakly.

Risa nodded as she continued to clutch her arm. "Have you seen Sutal..I am worried..."

Kaya too sat on the ground looking tired.

"I'm sorry...I haven't seen any of the others.." Darren whispered sitting down infront of the others.

"My arm is broken..Risa whispered.

---

"So...you intend to kill me now?" Idian asked calmly, only his eyes betrayed his pain.

"I'm sorry.." Adrien whispered holding his blade out, "destructive art...shadow pulse..." he whispered as the black swirls inlaid within his blade began glowing and pulsating with shadowenergy.

"Adrien stop!" Aedin screamed with tears rolling down his face.

"I am your opponent." Ethan stepped before Aedin, "prepare yourself!"

Idian readied himself as he gave control over to Idasair. "You would betray those you love?"

Adrien still showed no emotion in his face or voice, "defend yourself..." he muttered again as his blade resognated deep pulses of energy rippling the ground as they left his blade for Idasair.

"You....you took two of my brothers away...I'll tear you apart!" Aedin hissed cracking his knuckles as crimson wires formed draped around his fingers.

Idasair sidestepped the attack and sent a binding spell at Adrien.

"Break..." Adrien muttered shattering his spell, "You should know...I am still a sage..." he muttered pulling his blade infront of him.

"I know..and there is still good in you. For the sake of your soul remember the vow you made when you were younger. You vowed never to harm your brothers! Or let harm come to them. And yet you did nothing to aid Ladianias when he needed you the most."

"Silence.." Adrien replied softly dashing towards Idasair and teleporting appearing behind him with his blade to his back.

"Will you now?" Ethan said coldly, "Well, I tell you that you'll be smashed beneath the weight of my hammer!"


A bright flash blinded Adrien as Idasair vanished and appeared away from him. Gold bands began to cirlcle around Adrien keeping him in place.

Adrien brought his blade up chanting quickly before opening his eyes, "run free...Seglinde..." he muttered bringing the blades through the bands absorbing the magic, "foolish child.." he added drawing a symbol on the ground with his blade and placing his hand to it, "bind.." he whispered as stone shot forth around Idasair pinning him down.

"You know not who you threaten..." Aedin whispered pulling the wires tight as several tree's began falling over Ethan.

Ethan slammed his hammer into the trees as they fell, and they exploded into dust, "Do you?" He said coldly.

Idasair shattered the bindings and attacked Adrien intending to wound and not kill. "I am not a weak child and I will not allow any more blood shed!"

"You have no choice..." Adrien growled completely void of his emotions for them now as he parried Idasair's blow reaching in with a shadow blade wrapped around his hand.

Idasair growled as he dodged the blade and attacked. I can't let this happen...I won't let my host become a weapon

Adrien sighed bored with his persistance, "what do you say I just end this now.." he muttered holding the shadow blade to Seiglinde, "archaic chaos...dimension switch..." he muttered as he swung his blade opening a portal where ever it reached, "good bye Idasiar.." he whispered stepping through one of them and out another behind him.

Idasair whirled around brining his blades up to block. "I will not be defeated so easily."

Adrien was already behind him again through another portal, "I'm sorry.." he whispered preparing a thrust to end it, not fatal, but dehabilitating.

A blinding flash of light blinded Adrien once again as Idasair vanished.

---

"I know plenty.." Aedin muttered before letting Argolas take over, "my host couldn't bring himself to kill you...however..I can.." he whispered holding his lance towards him.

"Are you so certain?" Ethan said coldly, not swayed by the change in Aedin's appearance as he held his hammer forward.

"I am..." Argolas muttered taking to the air.

Ethan lifted himself upon crackling wings, "Do not assume you have the advantage in the air." He murmured.

"I assumed nothing...I mearly like to fly.." Argolas replied in a childish voice releasing his lnce that floated on it's own.

Idasair appeared behind Argolas and grabbed him quickly teleporting them away from the fight.

"Cowards." Ethan said as he lowered himself to the ground.

"They can be dealt with later..." Adrien grumbled sheathing his blade, "I need to tend to Atsuki's wounds...I forgot I hurt him.."

Ethan shook his head, "You shouldn't worry..." he started.

"Did you now?" Atsuki's voice was cold, and sounded from the doorway, "Do you really think so?" He stretched and turned, vanishing back into the building.

Adrien smiled, "didn't think a weak attack like that could hurt himm..." he muttered picking Ethan up setting him on his shoulder and teleporting them back to the base.

---

Idasair and Adien appeared in the woods. Idasair gave control back to Idian and Idian trembled as he stood. "We need to find the others..."

By the time they had appered again, Argolas had already given control back to Aedin as well, "Yeah...because if Adrien come up....they won't know he's the enemy...and he would wipe them out..."

"Let's go.." He whispered, tears streamed down his face and he angrily wiped them away.

"I hope there ok..." Aedin whispered staring blankly towards the ground before his ears perked.

"What do you mean it's broken!" a familiar voice shouted from close by.

Idain ran toward the voices.

"I mean...just what I said.." Risa whispered not noticing that Idian had arrived.

Kaya gave a start. "Where is everyone else?" She asked.

"It's the others!" Aedin said stopping beside Idain, "whew..if...you see Adrien...just run..." was all he could say while he tried to catch his breath.

"Adrien...where's Lanzer...Satul...what happened?" Darren asked holding his hand over Risa's broken arm.

Idian looked down barely containing his tears. "Sutal is missing..Adrien betrayed us...and...and...Lanzer is...dead.."

Aedin looked down sighing heavily, "If Idain hadn't have taken us....we would have died too..."

"B-but...what happened...why would Adrien betray us...and Lanzer......how did...." Darren rambled on trying to focus on healing Risa's arm.

Idian sank to the ground cradling his head. Tears spilled down his face.

Kaya and Risa both looked at him in surpise and horror as they understood what he said.

Aedin dropped to the ground beside Idain still staring at the ground blankly.

"Will someone tell me what happened.." Darren asked taking hold of Risa's wrist and shoulder tightly, "hold your breath...and don't look.."

Risa sucked in a breathas she did what he said.

Idian looked up with despairing eyes. "Lanzer...knew...he knew he would die...and he still took Villen on..."

"And Adrien...he just stood there...he did nothing..." Aedin whispered solomnly, "h-he could have saved him....."

Darren's eyes widened as he jerked Risa's arm placing the broken bones back together and incrusting the area with ice to set it.

Idian covered his eyes as the tears threatened to spill over again.

Risa gasped in pain and horror.

"And Satul's disappeared...we haven't seen him since Villen almost killed him..." Aedin whispered softly, "where's Moira?...She was with us..."

Darren felt his heart drop at the news, "I see..." he whispered placing his hand to the ice as it melted and was absorbed into her skin mending the wound completely.

Idian pointed to where Moira was. "She's there.."

Kaya sniffled as she thought of Lanzer being dead.

Aedin nodded slightly before looking back to the ground, "we have no choice but to think of Adrien as our enemy...if he would just let Lanzer be killed right infront of him...we can't bring him back.."

---

Moira lets out a sigh and hears he brother grumble as he slowly comes to.

Moira moves and he looks at her and asks,"What the hell happened?"

Moira just tackles him with a hug.

"WOMMAN GET OFF!"
'He is our enemy..he showed no remorse at attacking me either.." Idian said.

"Yes he did...when he went for a final blow...where he aimed wasn't fatal...only to let them think it was...he is skilled with percision blows...enough to where he could miss evry vital organ within your body from that close....he wouldn't kill you.." Aedin whispered.

"I still...won't hold back next we meet.." He whispered.

"Just remember...if you force him by giving your all..he will as well..." Aedin replied weakly.

"I don't care...as far as I am concerned...he helped kill Lanzer.." Idian whispered.

Aedin's eyes widened before he turned back to the ground, " guess so.."

Idian and the others sank into silence each thinking of the dark news.

"Well I think it has to be something else...he wouldn't have left for no reason...nor let Lanzer die...it had to be something.." Darren whispered.

"For his brother..." Idian whispered.

"Satul?" Darren asked confusedly, "why would he let lanzer be killed for Satul?...he's his brother too...."

"No. For Ethan...Adrien's brother..." Idian answered.

"Ethan...the little blonde haired boy I faught...that's his brother..." Darren asked confusedly.

Idian nodded and looked to Adien.

"Yes...that's his younger brother...bu he's actually somewhere around Satul's age..." Aedin whispered.

"Satul's age? he's almost thirty....that boy can't be ny older than seven.." Darren shouted in disbelief.

Idian remained quiet as he picked at some grass.

Aedin sighed refusing to speak anymore.

"how can that be...." Darren mumbled thinking outloud.

"Don't shout...it may draw attention.." Idian whispered.

"Well tell me how that's possible..." Darren asked.

"Lanzer was locked in time for awhile...maybe he was too.." Idian replied.

Aedin nodded slightly, "It's the only way..." he whispered.

"Well that's odd..." Darren mumbled.

Idian merely nodded as he went back to picking at the grass.

"Well...if this is true...we need ot find a place that we can better defend.." Darren stated as he stood and stretched, "were all drained from one thing or another...we don't need to be in the open like this..."

Idian nodded as he helped support Risa. Kaya got to her feet.

"Her arm should have healed by now..." Darren muttered turning to Aedin who was standing slowly as well.

"She's still sick.." Idian said as he suddenly stopped. "Do you hear..something?"

"I smell blood..." Aedin whispered dashing off towards the scent at a blinding pace.

Idian set Risa down gently. "I will be back..guard them." He said as he hurried off as well.

---

Thias law several feet away he was covered in wounds and barely concious. He could hear other people and he tried to speak, it merely came out as a moan. His long black hair fell into his face as he lay there. He was obscured from veiw by brush and trees.

Idian rushed over and paled as he saw the man. "Aedin..help he needs healing...there is something familiar..about him." Idian said as he stooped next to Thias who had fallen unconcious. He gently began to clean and heal the wounds as best he could.

"He's too wounded for Darren's abilities to help....but I can use blood magic.." Aedin replied slicing into his hand with his sword and drawing a circle in blood around him.

"I wonder where he came from...or how he got injured." Idian said as he finished doing what he could. "His wounds...they are healing on their own..just slowly.." He added as he noticed the wounds closing slowly.

"Well there's no point in me wasting what little energy I have left..." Aedin muttered clenching his hand as the wound healed.

Idian picked Thias up and looked to Aieden. "Now what..we have to get the others to safety..but can we trust this guy?"

Aedin starred at the man for a moment, "He's wondering the same of us...he seems trustworthy from what I see within him.." he whispered smiling slightly down towards the man, "he reminds me of Lanzer..."

"I know...and his hair is the same color too..Darren we are back." Idian said as he cared Thias over to the others.

"Who is he?" Kaya and Risa asked at about the same time.

Aedin looked at the man again, "His name is Thias....we found him in the forest..." he whispered.

"He looks like Ladanias.." Darren blurted out.

"A little...but there are differences too..." Idian said. "Darren do you think you can finish healing him? And how do you knw his name Aedin?"

"I'm a telekinetic and a telepath...remember.." Aedin replied smiling.

"I think so...but it might take a minute.." Darren muttered opening a bottle of water and pouring it onto the ground freezing it into a ring.

Idian nodded as he stepped away, after laying Thias on the ground.

Darren took hold of the ice ring holding it tightly over Thias as it began to melt dripping the water imbued with his healing ability onto all his wounds healing them slowly.

Thias coughed as he began to regain a little color.

"Do you see that?!" Idian said suddenly as he pointed to Thias' shoulder. What appeared to be a birthmark shaped like a black phoenix could be see there.

"That's odd..." Aedin whispered leaning down to get a closer look as a fangs tip slightly poked past his lips.

"Aedin...don't o anything stupid.."Idian said as he noticed the fang.

"I'm not going too feed off him...he looks too much like Lanzer to risk killing..." Aedin whispered moving the man's shirt slightly to get a better look at the mark, "that really is an odd mark.."

Thias moaned as his eyes began to flicker open.

"He's waking up.." Idian said.

"I see.." Aedin muttered stepping back slightly still staring at the man oddly, "it's uncanny how much he resembles him...this is unbelievable.."

"He isn't him...he can't be..and his appearance differs..."Idian said. "Right Darren?"

"I know it's not him...I'm not that blinded by grief...but he does resemble him quite alot..." Aedin muttered.

"He looks like him...but it's definately not him.." Darren replied looking around, "I think someone's pretty close..." he whispered as the clouds above darkened, "should I flush them out?"

"Go a head..but be careful. There is a cave not far from here. We will move there and wait for you, it should prove safe for now." Idian said as he picked up Thias who moaned a little louder but could not move well.
"Common Aedin." Kaya said as she and Risa followed.

Aedin quickly followed, "Don't do anything stupid Darren.."

Darren nodded smiling slightly as lightning struck all through the forest and he disappeared within the brush.

Idian sighed as he led them to the cave and had Kaya make a makeshift bed for Thias who had fallen unconcious again. He laid him down after words and began to make the cave more secure.

Aedin followed them stopping just within the cave intrance, "I'll stand guard..." he muttered dropping to the ground and staring out into the forest.

Idian nodded as he made beds for Risa and Kaya. Both fell asleep fairly quickly.

Idian sat next to Thias deep in thought.

Idain...the lightning stopped...do you think that's good or bad? Aedin asked.

Idian listened and frowned. "Give him ten minutes..than we go."

"Ten minutes...fine.." Aedin whispered frowning slightly as well.

Idain nodded and waited.

Thias woke and moaned in pain. "W..where...am I?"

"Your safe..." Aedin called from the mouth of the cave, "Darren's been to long....I'm going to look for him..." he added standing up.

Idian looked up. "alright be careful..I will watch the others." He said as he turned back to Thias and gave him water to drink. "We found you in the woods." He said gently.

Aedin nodded slightly and disappeared from the cave entrance.

"B..but..how did I get there? I..don't remember anything..but my name.." Thias whispered.

Idian frowned and shook his head. "We don't know..but we have been tending your wounds.

---

Kyoko walked silently through the woods wondering if she would ever be able to fulfill her quest.

Darren walked through further stopping when he saw Kyoko. He quickly hid behind a tree making a lightning bolt strike just infront of her, "who are you...and why are you here?" he asked as his voice echoed through the forest.

Kyoko yelped as she backed away in fear. She drew her sword and looked around wearily. "None of your business....are you one of those monsters from the organization?" She demanded.

"What's it to you..." Darren shouted as thr ground began to freeze infront of her as ice crept closer to her, "I won't ask again...why are you here....and are you associated with the organization"

"I would rather die a thousand deaths before joining those beasts!" She snapped as a light bearer formed around her. "If you are with them, I will kill you!" Kyoko snapped.

Darren stepped away from his spot hidden in the brush, "if you are not with them, then there is no need for me to fight you.." he said smiing softly.

Kyoko watched him in suspicion. "How do I know this isn't another trick? After all you shot lightning at me."

"Because if I were one of them...I would have either killed, or captured you by now.." Darren replied in a much softer tone than before.

"You could have tried..."Kyoko replied still looking unsure. A bandage was wrapped around her right arm and she appeared to have been through allot lately. Her blue eyes seemed to search him.

"The point is...if I was with them...I wouldn't have stopped.." Darren said walking past her, "since your not a threat...i'm going back to my friends...you may come if you wish.."

"F..friends? I haven't heard that name in years.." She whispered as though to herself. She sheathed her sword and looked at him. "Kyoko...my name is Kyoko.."

Darren stopped and turned around to face her, "My name is Darren.." he replied smiling slightly, "do you want to come with me?"

"A..are you going to destroy the organization?" She asked looking at him closely.

"What's left of it atleast..." Darren whispered looking away slightly, "they killed my family to get to me...because i held the strongest gift within my families traits.."

"I am sorry...they killed my family too..my father refused to allow them to take me..and they killed my family for it.." Tears glistened in her eyes but she roughly wiped them away reminding herself not to show weakness.

"They killed my brother not too long afterwards...he wouldn't let them take me either.." he replied.

Kyoko looked down at the ground sadly. "I am sorry.."

"Don't be...it wasn't your fault...." Darren whispered smiling slightly, "lets go to the others..."

Kyoko nodded and followed feeling her lack of sleep and exertain taking its toll.

"Darren what's taking so lo-....who's the girl" Aedin asked placing his hand to the hilt of his sword.

"It's ok...she's not a threat..." Darren replied turning, "this is Aedin...he used to be in the organization....but he isn't now.."

Kyoko stiffened. "I..I know you...you killed my sister.." She whispered her hand flying to the hilt of her sword.

Aedin sighed, "I do remember you....and I'm sorry..." he whispered looking away.

"He's not dangerous...not anymore..." Darren said still inbetween them.

"S..sorry?! You think that that will bring her back?! I hate you! I don't care if you claim you aren't with them I know you are nothing more than scum!" Kyoko snapped as tears sprang to her eyes and she suppressed a sob.

Aedin turned his gaze back to Kyoko, "if you think more killing will do any good then do it.....my brother just died because of the monster that runs the organization....and my other brother....just stood there...he didn't even flinch when he was slaughtered....there's been enough killing...it doesn't solve anything.."

Kyoko sank to her knees trembling. "Y..you were one of those monsters.." She whispered. Tears rolled down her face and she began to sob. She looked more vulnerable than before, more like a frightened and angry girl than a warrior.

"Yes I was...but I'm trying to make ammends for it...I won't ask you to forgive me...but don't get yourself caught up with them like I did..." Aedin replied softly, "Darren...hurry back..." he added before vanishing.

"He's harmless to you now...that I can assure..." Darren whispered knealing down beside her, "now let's go to the others..."

"I...I don't want near that monster...he killed my sister!" Kyoko sobbed as she covered her face.

"I understand....but I have to go back..." Darren replied feeling stung by her reaction to the others.

She didn't respond as she continued to rock back and forth trying to recompose herself.

"Where are you going to go...they have powerful soldiers combing the forest as we speak...will you be safe?"

Kyoko slowly got to her feet her hair obscurng her fce. "D..don't worry about me..I will do what I must to survive.." She whispered as she turned to go.

Darren reached out to take her shoulder but stopped, "I would like you to come with me.....but I understand if you don't want to..." he whispered sighing.

Kyoko stopped and turned to look at him. he feace was tear streaked and she seemed to be in pain. "Why...you don't know me..for all you know I could only keep you back.." She whispered.

"Because...you seem too kind hearted to be left alone like this...we can help eachother...we know how the other feels..." Darren replied softly.

She stiffened. "Why..are you with one of those monsters?Why do you trust him?"

"Because he saved my life....his brother almost killed me...and would have had he not healed me..." Darren replied.

"Why did he...he didn't spar my family..he laughed when he killed them....and than he came for me..I have a scar he gave me on my back!" Kyoko yelled tears rolling down her cheeks.

"He's not that person anymore..." Darren whispered.

Kyoko still looked uncertain.

"Please...atleast think about it....if he were the same person...would he have halted when he saw you?" Darren asked.

"I..I...don't know!" She cried.

Kaya walked up and halted. "K...Kyoko?!"

Kyoko whirled around her eyes going wide. "K..Kaya!" She cried as she rushed over and hugged Kaya tightly. Tears rolled down both their cheeks. "I..thought you were dead.." Kyoko whispered.

Darren blinked confused by what's going on, "Umm...you know eachother...."

Kaya looked at Darren. "We..are cousins."

Kyoko looked up too she looked a little more happy.

"Well...would you tell her that Aedin is harmless now...so maybe whe will come back..." Darren asked smiling slightly.

Kyoko looked at him and than Kaya. "I..if..you and your friends have helped to keep her safe..I will follow..but if that monster tries anything I will not hesitate." She whispered as she hugged Kaya.

Darren smiled, "He won't do anything.." he whispered.

Kyoko hesitated and whispered something to Kaya who nodded. Kyoko smiled a little and looked at Darren. "Alright..I will come, lead the way."

"Good..." Darren whispered as a smile touched the corners of his lips.

---

Idian waited for the others to come back his worry growing.

Aedin appeared back at the mouth of the cave cursing under his breath, annoyed that it had to be that girl to come because she reminded him of his horrible past.

Idian looked up at him in worry. "What's wrong?"

"The girl Darren found....when I was in the organization...I slaughtered her family...she saw me kill her sister with her own eyes..." Aedin growled sighing as he leaned himself against the wall of the cavern.

"Will she be a problem..?"Idian whospered

"I don't know...but Darren is trying to talk her into coming here..." Aedin replied sighing, "hows the other newcomer...is he completely away yet?"

"He keeps slipping in and out of consciousness..he said he has amnesia." Idian replied.

"I could help him...but it could also make things worse..." Aedin muttered.

"How?" Idian asked in concern.

"Memories aren't erased...just supressed...I might be able to free them...but I could do damage to his mind.."

"Don't risk it..we will wait." Idian said. "Darren is still taking a long time."

"I think that would be best...." Aedin whispered, "send one of the girls out after him...I don't think it would be wise for me to go again..."

Kaya stood. "I will go.." She said.

Idian hesitated. "Be careful.."

Kaya nodded and hurried off.

"Do you think she will handle it better?" Aedin asked walking deeper into the cave with the others.

"We can only hope she will." Idian said with a sigh.

"She can't do any worse..." Aedin muttered.

Idian sighed and nodded.

Kaya happily led Darren and Kyoko into the camp. Kyoko sat as far away from Aedin as possible. She brought her knees to her chest and looked down at the floor of the cave occasionally she would murmur something to Kaya who sat next to her.

Idian said nothing as he looked at her .

Aedin sighed as she walked by taking a seat close to Idain, this is miserable....

I wonder what she is doing out here...Darren seems to like her.Idian replied as he continued to tend to Thias.

He does show interest in her...but I'm not sure how she feels...I don't want to intrude... Aedin stated, "do you need help with him.."

"See...he's harmless.." Darren whispered from Kyoko's other
side.

"We will see...time will tell." Kyoko whispered.

"He is gaining a fever..We may have to boil water.."Idian said.

"Darren...take someone with you and get some fire wood..." Aedin called crawling closer to Thias, "his wounds are infected...we may need to drain them...."

Darren nodded and stood infront of the three others, "who want's to go with me?" he asked.

Kyoko nodded and got up. "I will.." She said as she followed him.

Idian examined them. "Yes..they will need to be flushed too.."

Aedin sighed, "I'll do it..." he whispered as his razor sharp nails began to grow, "sharper than any blade I know of.." he whispered.

Idian gasped as he looked at Thias. "His birthmark..." He whispered.

Thias' birthmark seemed to glow and suddenly there was a bright flash of light and he was gone.

"W..what happened?!"

"H-he disappeared....was it Adrien....or did he do it himself!?" Aedin shouted bewildered.

"What are we going to do now?!" Idian said in shock.

---

Somewhere quite far away and deep into the earth's core Satul felt a strange pulse. His legs quivered and collapsed beneath him as tears stung at his eyes, "Lanzer!" He screamed for the loss of his brother, practically mad with grief. He forgot where he was and why he was there as the grief swallowed his heart.

Thias appeared a few feet from him in a flash of light. His wounds were now cleaned and healed but he was unconcious. Part of him looked remarkably like Lanzer. The black Phoenix birthmark was visible on his shoulder.

Satul looked up slowly in shock as Thias fell near him, "W-what..." He started uncertainly as he stood, "Why though... does he remind me of Lanzer... Whom my heart tells me has been slain?"

"It's not lanzer..." Adrien whispered appearing infront of them, "I saw him slain with my own eyes....I just came to give you this and tell you next time we meet...I must be your enemy.." he added pulling a small box from his pocket.

Thias moaned a little as he began to wake.

"What are you talking about, Adrien?" Satul turned to look at him, grief and confusion in his eyes.

"Until I get Skylar from Villen's grasp...I am going to be your enemy....give this ring to who ever you think needs it...it will double there abilities...." Adrien replied tossing the box to Satul's feet, "It was your fathers....he gave it to me until he thought you were ready for it..."

Thias moaned as he slowly sat up clutching his head in his hands.

"Do... as you like." Satul sighed heavily.

"Adrien nodded, "I'm sorry I didn't save Lanzer..." he whispered turning to leave.

Thias looked up at them in confusion, his green eyes seemed to shine in the darkness. "Wh..who are you?"

"You... were there?" Satul said in a low voice, hardly hearing Thias.

Adrien stopped sighing, "Yes..I stood there and watched..." he whispered bringing a hand to his face, "but only because if I stopped him...he would have most likely killed Skylar as well..."

"You watched... as he died? For a boy that you barely knew... For your brother that supposedly died years ago... You let Lanzer die so that you could join Villen in his little game!?" Rage filled his voice, Satul couldn't ever remember being so angry, but perhaps it was the loss of his brother, the grief in his heart that was causing him to snap.

"You..let him die..because you were..scared for yourself." Thias whispered as visions flooded his mind, he wasn't sure where they came from but he knew they were true. "Than..you went after the others..after Idain."

"Never once did I even attempt to deal a fatal blow to Idain...and I didn't let him die because I was afraid...I'm not afraid of Villen....I couldn't bare losing Skylar again!" Adrien hissed with tears rolling down his cheeks.

"Lanzer, who we all grew up with!" Satul's voice shook, "What about him? How could you watch as he died? How could you do that to him?"

"He would have killed himself had I stopped him...he was too over taken by grief...he came there to die...." Adrien whispered turning to face them with tear filled eyes, "I'm sorry brother...kill me if it is what you want....but I made the best decision I could...save the one that I could..."

"He wouldn't have taken his life..he wanted to save the one he loved. He knew his life needed to be sacrificed for it.." Thias said still wondering why he was seeing these things.

"Yet she is still with Villen...and another reason I stay...to protect the only thing he cared about more than anyone else...if I'm there...no one can hurt her..." Adrien whispered wiping his tears away, "I only came to warn you and give you that...good bye Satul.." he added before he vanished completely.

Thias cradled his head as he fought down these...memories? but they where anothers not his.. "I..am sorri if..I made things worse.." He whispered not sure what to do.

"Who are you?" Satul didn't turn around to look at him.

"T..thias..I think..I can't remember.." Thias whispered as he stumbled to his feet.

"Why did you come here, Thias?" Satul asked, turning finally, slowly, to face him.

"I...don't know..I mean..I don't know how I even got here..last I knew Idain and a few others were tending my wounds...than I felt..as though I was...summuned.." Thias said.

"You were with Idain and the others... did you see Risa then?" Satul questioned.

Thias held his head as though it pained him. "Yes..she was there..I don't know how..but I know their names..and yours.."

"How is she?" Satul questioned, then, in a more solid tone, "And how do you know these things?"

"She was a little injured....I don't know how i do...I just do.."He whispered.

"Injured? How?" Satul was worried.

"A broken arm..and some bruises. The arm was on the mend." Thias said with a sigh.

"I see..." Satul sighed, "You should get back to them... There is something that I have to do." He stooped and picked up the small box that Adrien had left for him.

"To be honest..I don't know how..I don't even know how I got here..."Thias said. Inspiration hit him. "What is it you are looking for? I can help."

"I'm not sure myself." Satul said, "It is only known in legend as 'Hope'. A weapon, if used by the right person, that can defeat any evil."

"Can I..help you?" Thias said looking at Sutal in hope.

"If you so desire." Satul replied.

"Can you explain what is going on..I know something about an organization..but that's about it." Thias said as he followed.

"Villen... he sacrificed his body for power." Satul said, "He is an evil man who can manipulate the minds of others. I... regretfully... Was locked away in my own mind since I was a boy... Forced to head the organization, to kill and capture others... To manipulate their minds." His voice quivered again.

Thias put a reassuring hand on Sutal's arm without thinking about it. "I...know that..he was responsible for forcing you to push Avella..that was when it started." He whispered.Avella...why does that name make me feel so many emotions?

"Let's just... go." Satul said, shaking his hand off in an unconscious gesture.

Thias felt a little hurt by Sutal's reaction but he followed. He fell into silent thought not sure what to say as he sorted through his muddled thoughts.

Satul was silent, he felt as though his soul had been torn in half. He had lost his twin brother, and it hurt more than anything he'd ever known.

"S..Sutal? I..I.. am sorry for your loss..." Thias whispered.

Satul stopped for a moment, "Do not be sorry. I will kill the two responsible for the death of my brother." He murmured.


"I..don't think he trully is dead..I feel he is alive some how. I don't know how..but it feels as though I knew him.." Thias said looking away as though confused by it.

"Alive?" Satul shook his head, a hand to his chest, "He took such a serious blow..." He said, "As much as I wish it... how can he have survived?"

"I..don't know..I just feel...perhaps part of him survived." Thias said as he rubbed his shoulders feeling a little stressed. His shirt shifted to reveal the black phoenix birthmark, which seemed to glow a little in the dark.

Satul caught sight of the mark and frowned, "What is that?" He questioned slowly.

Thias stopped and frowned. "What is what?" He asked looking around as though he feared something was approaching them.

"That mark on your shoulder." Satul clarified impatiently.

Thias glanced at his shoulder with a slight frown. "It looks like a birthmark...I don't know.." He said.

"It... looks like a phoenix..." Satul said, "Lanzer called himself 'Dark Phoenix' for a time..."

Thias frowned. "Dark phoenix....he was the evil half.." Thias whispered, once again he seemed surprised he knew this.

"What are you talking about?" Satul asked, confused.

"I..don't know..I keep getting these visions of things..and sometimes I hear things.." Thias whispered. "All I know is they are true.."

Satul frowned, "I don't really understand... but we'll discuss more later, we're coming across the first trial."

"What is the first trial?" Thias asked. His hand wrapped around the hilt of a midnight black sword with intricate designs on it. It seemed to shimmer in and out of focus as though made of shadow, Sutal could have sworn it wasn't there a moment before.

"A test of knowledge." Satul said, looking over at Thias uncertainly as the stone wall before them seemed to raise into the ceiling, "It begins."

Thias nodded as he readied himself. I will help you...brother. He thought, He gave a start at the thought and quickly recomposed himself. He could't deal with destractiuons right now..he had to focus. He wasn't sure where that thought had come from. But he would explore it later.

They were faced with four different challenges, the first being that the ground before them had vanished. On the far wall was a single button, upon the surface of which was carved a strange symbol. The walls on either side of the room were pockmarked with holes and slightly charred. Satul frowned thoughtfully as he came to a stop.


Thias frowned as well as he looked at the walls. He picked up a rosk and threw it against one of the walls to see if anything would happen.

The stone was obliviated as bouts of energy tore from the holes in the walls, "What to do..." Satul murmured, then, "Look!" He pointed at the empty space between the walls, for a brief second, several spots had glimmered, "I think... That maybe only some sections of the floor aren't there... Perhaps... perhaps we are meant to find the path and cross..."

Thias looked around the floor of the cave for loose sand or dirt to see if he could find the path using it.

"Forward two steps." Satul said, still gazing at the space, "Left two... From here I can't tell where else we have to step..."

"Let me try this.." Thias said a he gathered some dirt and threw it over the other sections of the path in order to see where it was.

A small bit managed to land just south of the left step. "One step south then." Satul said.

Thias smiled and gathered up a small bag of dirt and followed. He started to spread it out to see where the path was from there.

At last they made it to the other side and Satul hit the button, "The next trial... power." He murmured as the wall collapsed.

Thias nodded, and readied himself. "I am ready."

They entered the room, and facing them were powerful monsters, "We must fight." Satul said.

Thias drew the shadow like weapon and redied himself to fight.

Satul, in turn, held his hand over the ground, and a black sword rose from its midst, entering his hand, "There is no magic use allowed." He said, "We must fight this battle with our weapons."

Thias nodded as he held a firm grip on his sword.

The beasts set on them all at once, and it was all Satul could do to hold off those that came at him.

Thias attacked with all his strength. He attacked and parried in a complex and skilled style.

Satul was panting and had a few gashes lining his body, but at last he slew the last of his attackers.

Thias was also panting heavily and slightly wounded as he finished his last opponant. "A..are...you alright?"

"Fine." Satul said through gritted teeth, there was another button in the back of the room, "3rd challenge... This'll be the one we can use magic." He muttered.

"We..should rest first..otherwise we may not..make it." Thias said as he began to catch his breath. He walked over to Sutal and carefully bandaged his wounds. He did it with the same skill and style that Lanzer used to use.

"We can't afford to wait..." Satul said, thanking Thias as least for his aid, Why is he so like my brother...

Thias nodded. "Fine...but if you need me call on me.." He said as he followed.
His shadow rippled and took on the form of a phoenix, not his human form. His hair seemed to shimmer a little with flames and small black and red flames seemed to line his body as he stepped closer to the room.

The room was dark, save one set of low poles. Satul gave them a curious look, before approaching one of the sets, "I think... I know what we're supposed to do in here." He said, gripping them firmly in his grasp, they crackled slightly, and the room lit up, revealing an elevator at the far side of the room.

The shadows around Thias lengthened to form a difinite appearance of a phoenix. Thias frowned as he looked at the elevatore in concentration. "Something is wrong...it shouldn't be this easy, becareful.."

"It's not going to be easy." Satul said, "look at the bar above that elevator, see how it is raising slowly? That is because I'm pouring my energy into it. That bar... It needs to be filled so that we can use that elevator."


Thias nodded and helped pour energy into raising the bar. Shadows surged around both their hands and both began to feel energy pour into them as well. In both of their minds they could hear someone say; "Two brother's coming together are more powerful than two brothers separated." Thias gave a start and just managed to keep his concentration. "W..what?"He whispered under his breath.

Satul looked around uncertainly, "Whose there? Why'd you say that?! None of my brothers are here with me!!" The bar over the elevator was fully charged.

---

Idian sighed. "What are we going to do...are we going to look for him?"

"We have nothing to go on...we don't know how he left...where he might go...nothing...all we can do is wait.." Aedin replied sighing.

Idain sighed and nodded. "I hope he is alright...he still seems familair.."

"Yes he does...doesn't he..." Aedin whispered in response.

Kaya looked at them. "Where is Darren and Kyoko? They have been gone awhile.."

---

Moira notices Aedin attending to pressing matter but her brother stands infront of her with a cold look in his eyes. "So this is what has become of my dear sister."

Moira doges his blows but then he stares at the picture from the locket around her neck and she hums a lullaby.

"SHUT UP!" He lets her go and holds his head.

Risa looked at them in worry, her hands inching to her blades.

Moira notices and whispers, "Risa please don't hurt him." She keeps humming and he calapses on the floor.

"Your brother is getting on my nerves..." Aedin muttered walking towards him pressing a finger to his forehead, "I'm breaking Villen's hold on him for good this time..."

Mastudo grabs his hand and cuts Moira lightly. "You best take care brother because the one you love will be infected." He goes to infect her.

"Your not going anywhere Mastudo..." Aedin whispered as blood red wires burst from the ground spiralling around him and pined him to the ground making it impossible to move, "I'll kill you before you touch her..."

Risa threw herself infront of Moira protectively. "And you won't hurt my friend!" She hissed holding onto her dagger protectively.

Mastudo tries to use his mental link but she held the picture of their mother in her mind and he yells, "NO STOP SHOWING ME HER!"

"MOTHER WOULD WEEP AT THE SIGHT OF YOU BROTHER!"

Mastudo hissed but curled in a ball.

"Enough of this game Mastudo...this ends now.." Aedin whispered sitting on his back and closing his eye's forcing himself into Mastudo's mind, mental art...bond release....

Mastudo passes out and Moira falls to her knees. "Is..it over? Are you all right Aedin?"
She looks at him in worry.

Risa steadied Moira. "Are you alright Moria?"

Kaya looked at them in worry and Idian frowned. "We may have to tie him up till we know it worked.."

Aedin stood walking to Moira slowly, "I won't release the bindings until I'm sure it worked...after he awakens..." he whispered

Moira shivers and clutches to her locket.."I am sorry to have disturbed you Aedin...dear."

Risa looked at Moira in worry. "Are you alright?"

Moira steadies herself and smiles at Risa. "Yes...I'm ok..thank you for defending me..."

Risa nodded."Your welcome. You would have done the same."

Aedin smiled slightly wrapping his arms around Moira's shoulders, "You didn't disturb me..." he whispered kissing to top of her head softly.

Moira lets out a sigh but then shivers as a cold chill goes down her back.."I feel...cold."

Aedin slippe his jacket off and draped it over Moira's shoulders, "here.." he whispered sitting down beside her yawning.

Mastudo lets out a disapproving groan. Moira actually laughed. He sounds like himself again. "Dear go get some sleep...I will be fine." She tires to fight back a shiver and she sneezes.

"I'll be fine...I sleep after we know if it worked with your brother..." Aedin whispered, atleast you still have yours.... he thought sighing.

Moira looks at him. What happened...which one...was killed. She places a comforting hold on him.

"Lanzer...and Adrien is with Villen now.." Aedin whispered.

Moira kisses Aedin and gives a comforting hug. Mastudo grumbles like he always did.

Aedin smiled snuggling up to her, "thanks...I needed that.." he whispered.

---

Kyoko walked next to Darren wondering what was going to happen next. He..is kinda cute.. She thought with a slight blush.

Darren smiled slightly noticing her blush, "what's wrong?" he asked blushing himself now.

"Uh...umm..nithing.."She whispered trying to hide her growing blush.

Darren laughed batting his frigid wings as several dead branches were severed by flying ice fragments and fell to the ground infront of them, "are you sure.." he asked turning to face her.

She smiled a little her blush growing. "I am fine..thanks for the concern."

"Umm..your welcome.." Darren muttered noticing her blush growing and turning quickly so she couldn't see his.

Kyoko looked away Why is he effecting me so much?

Darren blushed even more as he bent down to pick up the fire wood, what is it with her...why can't I stop blushing...

"Umm..is there anything I can do?"She asked trying to overcome her discomfort.

"C-could you get that over th-there?" Darren stuttered nervously pointing to a small pile he had knocked down as well.

Kyoko nodded as she walked over and bagn to pick it up.

"Alright...this should be enough.." Darren whispered smiling as he turned to walk back to the others.

Kyoko nodded as she began to follow. She started to stumble over a root.

Darren turned to help her before dropping the wood in shock, "Adrien!" he shouted horrified because he had caught her.

"Hello Darren..." Adrien whispered emotionlessly pulling his blade from his sheath, "I'm sorry..." he whispered.

Ethan stood facing Kyoko, his hammer drawn, daring her to try and interfere.

Kyoko over came her shock and drew her weapons. "What do you want?! I know you!" She said as she glanced at Adrien.

Adrien swung his blade knocking hers from her grasp, "Yes...I killed your father years ago....the same I must do with you now..." he whispered.

Kyoko stumbled back in horror. "N..no...I WILL KILL YOU!" She screamed as she picked her weapons up and charged him.

Darren took his whip down which he seldom used, "Kyoko...you can't take him on alone!" he shouted dashing after her.

"Ethan...handle Darren...I'll dispatch the girl..."Adrien muttered holding his free hand out, "destructive spell...crimson blades..." he whispered as deep velvet blades appeared circling him and all fired towards Kyoko.

Kyoko held out her hands stopping the blades, they switched direction and went straight for Adrien. In the wake of the smaller blades, she attacked with hers as well.

Ethan turned his attention to Darren, "Easy." He murmured.

"Get out of my way boy!" Darren screamed lashing his whip out as his icy wings spread.

Adrien disappered briefly appearing on the other side of the attack, "you have alot to learn girl...your father was atleast noble enough to accept his fate when he realized he couldn't defeat me..."

"Bastard!" She snarled as she attacked, she attacked trying to cut off any maneuvers he used.

Ethan lifted himself on his electrical wings, "Don't you try and run away!" He said, "I am your opponent, do not intefere with their battle."

Darren scowled batting his wings asIce blades flew towards Ethan and he ducked around, "Kyoko....we have to go!" he shouted landing inbetween them.

"Foolish boy..." Adrien muttered driving his blade through Darren's side, "You shouldn't have interfeared...leave while you still have your life.."

"DARREN!" Kyoko screamed. She rushed Adrien and knocked him away from Darren.

"So your foolish enough to turn your back to your enemy as well.." Adrien whispered thrusting his blade for her shoulder.

"Adrien... can we leave?" Ethan questioned, "They're dull... why'd we come to begin with?"

Kyoko twisted out of the way and jabbed at Adrien's heart.

Adrien sighed as her blade hit the shadows encasing his body, "fiesty....but look what you did..." he whispered motioning downward to his blade driven through Darren's leg, "yes..we can leave Ethan..." he whispered teleporting a little bit away waiting on his brother.

"Kyoko...lets go..." Darren ground out straining to get to his feet coughing up blood.

Ethan approached Adrien, "You didn't answer my question..."

Kyoko caught Darren and looked at him with pain and guilt. "I..I am so...sorry..."She whispered.

"We came to widle down there numbers so it would be easier to irradicate them...I saw them alone and decided it would be easy enough to weaken there forces...but I'm bored now...so let's go..." Adrien grumbled.

"I-it's fine...it's not your fault..." Darren whispered wrapping his arms around her as he took flight and vanished into the skies.

"But...he stabbed you...because of me.." She whispered.

"It's fine...I'm just glad you got out of the way..." Darren whispered landing infront of the cave with the others and collapsing as a pool fo blood formed around him.

"What happened!" Aedin asked running over to him.

Tears shimmered in Kyoko's eyes as she tried to stop the blood flow. She began to murmer under her breath and soon Darren's wounds began to heal. "A...Adrien...the man who killed my father.."

Idian looked at them in worry as he quickly helped heal Darren.

"Adrien did this!" Aedin shouted furiously, "damnit...I'm going to have to use that spell.." he muttered.

Kyoko tensed watching Aedin wearily.

Aedin cut into his hand drawing a circle in blood around Darren, "crimson chaos..velvet eclipse..." he whispered as the blood began to glow and dark red rings began forming in the air around Darren as he rose and began twisting around him, "Idain...get back.."

Idain grabbed Kyoko and pulled her away as well.

Kyoko watched in tense worry.

As the rings began spinning faster, they began closing in and disappearing one by one slowly mending Darren's flesh.

Kyoko watched in worry, hoping Darren would be alright.

As the last ring vanished, Darren gently lowered to the ground, "he needs to rest..." Aedin whispered weakly as he sat down.

Kyoko quickly rushed over to Darren and began to make a bed for himand treat his minor wounds.

Idian stedead Aedin and smiled slightly. "Are you ok? You look like you may need rest too."

"I'm a little tired...but I'm fine..." Aedin whispered smiling faintly before passing out completely.

"Idiot.." Idian muttered as he caught him and lowered him onto a bed roll. "Get your rest.."

---

"Ethan...let's go...before I leave you..." Adrien called one last time.

"I've been standing right here, are you blind?" Ethan had his hammer draped over his shoulder.

Adrien smiled slightly, "Sorry...just spaced out I suppose.." he whispered placing his hand on Ethan's shoulder as they both teleported back to the base.

---

Thias looked around wearily as well."Let's...just go.."He said feeling alittle hrut at Sutal's words for areason he didn't understand. He felt so confused.

Satul nodded, "I think this was the last trial..." He said slowly, "Nothing I've read has explained any further..."

Thias nodded. "Good..let's go. What does the whole challenge say though?"

"It was a test of magic stamina." Satul said, waving at the room as they entered the elevator, "Basically it is testing our worthiness to find the object..."

"Are you sure there isn't more to it than that?" Thias asked.

"I'm going off of what I've learned." Satul said, "What I've read..."

"Let's hope that's enough..." THias murmured as he followed. He still kept on the alert.

"Let's hope so." They descended further into the earth, and when the elevator opened, they were hit with a blast of heat. "It's a tad warm down here." Satul said, "But I'm assuming that's because we're surrounded by magma."

"The heat's not effecting me.." Thias said in confusion. The shadows around him seemed to solidify a bit more.

"Looks like you've put up a barrier against it." Satul said, looking over at him, "It doesn't really bother me, it's just warm. Let's get going." He indicated the path ahead of them.

Thias followed. "I didn't put a barrier up..it feels nice to me. Heat and shadow makes me feel...good." He said as he followed, he still scanned the darkness for any surprises.

"Well, that's fine too." Satul said, there was a large door set in the wall before them as they approached the end of the path.

Thias halted alert for any traps that may be laid out for them. He took some of the dirt and threw it in front of them to see if it revealed anything.

Nothing happened, and at last Satul pushed open the door, it was lit by torches and there were several sealed, golden chests laying in the center of the room.

"I'm betting we only have one chance at choosing the right one.." Thias said as he followed.

"You think that only one of these is the right chest?" Satul frowned as he looked at them.

Only one can you take from here. Choose wisely.

"See..we can only choose once..the question is...which one do we want?" Thias said as he began to since the power of each chest, without touching it.


Satul frowned in thought, Certainly we must know the answer after those tests... Knowledge... Strength... Magical endurance. Which of these three chests could possibly be the answer? His eyes snapped open in sudden realization and he turned to Thias, "Do you still have that bag of dirt?" He questioned quickly.

"Yes. There is a little left." Thias' gaze settled on the boxes as he smiled in thought. He hoped he was thinking the same as Sutal.

"Throw the rest of it over each of the three chests then." Satul said, "If I'm right... the dirt should only land two, maybe, if we're lucky, one of the chests."

"I thought that might be your plan." Thias said with a smile as he did as instructed and waited.

Satul nodded as dirt flecked two of the chests, "Next..." He said thoughtfully, "Next is power, then magic... I'm not sure though... exactly what we need to do with it."

Thias examined them clsely without touching them. "I think..ah yes here is a trigger..it looks like we have to combine both might and magic at the same time..but we have to be careful. It looks like there is a safty trigger if we are off by even a second, we could well bring this chamber down on us."

"A risk that must be taken." Satul said, "Let's do it then, are you ready?"

---

Aedin stirred slightly sitting up and yawning, "what happened?" he asked looking around, "how's Darren?"

"He will heal. You used to much energy idiot, did you really think you could hide that?" Idian asked with a sigh. "Kyoko fell asleep next to him...I think she likes him too."

"I didn't use too much energy...I just haven't slept in a week...." Aedin whispered in respnse.


"You need to..it isn't good to tax your body so much." Idian said with a frown.

Kyoko rolled over in her sleep, one of her hands settled on Darren's chest.

"I'll be fine..." Aedin growled weary from everything that's happened, "the only thing taxed is my patients..."


"Aedin.....everyone's is...but pressing yourself to much is not going to get you through it...it will only get you killed....like Lanzer..." Idian whispered.

Kyoko mumbled in her sleep and rolled a little more, she seemed to be having a bad dream.

Aedin frowned, "you're not plagued with the memories of a greusome past like me....she's having a dream about when I slaughtered her sister....and I can't block her out for some reason..."

"What do you mean?" Idain asked with a slight frown.

"I mean, No one else here has to deal with a past like my own...you couldn't fathom the things I've seen...or done myself..." Aedin growled standing quickly.

Idian laid a comforting hand on his arm. "You aren't the same person..you were strong enough to turn away from that path. Don't blame yourself."

"But it is my fault...I wasn't controlled like Atsuki or the others...I did everything of my own free will.." Aedin replied, shying away from Idain's hand.

Idian sighed and let his hand drop. "But you were able to overcome the longing to kill..you stopped.."

"I didn't overcome it, I just fight with it..." Aedin whispered, shivering slightly.

"But you didn't chose to fight for the evil...war is brewing and we need you..will you stay and fight along side us? Or will you run away?" Idian asked looking away into the night and wondering were the others were.

"I'll stay, but I can't fight Adrien..." Aedin replied, "not only couldn't I beat him, but even if by some chance I did, I wouldn't be able to kill him..."

"We may still be able to save him..he turned against us becouse he wanted to protect hgis little brother..if we can converty his brother..he would too. Idain said as he gritted his teeth against a wave of neuasea. He fought not to allow it to show, he could feel the darness trying to take over and he fought against it internally. He couldn't let the others know..they had enough to worry about and he was nothing more than a stranger to them. He still didn't look at Aedin, he feared it would tip his control.

"He's been under Villen's control for so long....he's suppose to be your age..." Aedin mumbled, "do you think we can break that, I may be able too...but someone would have to hold off everyone else...Adrien was the only here that could stand up to Atsuki though...much less Villen...we must find Satul..."

"Than we can do so..we must. If we wait any longer, our chances of stopping them will lessen." Idain said.

Aedin nodded hesitantly. "Though I'm still not sure of myself, we still have to do something. We can't just wait anylonger, when Mastudo wakens, we'll make our move, hopefully we'll be able to find Satul...he's the only one that can get to Adrien now...I'll work on the boy, breaking Villen's control over him...just keep the other's safe.."

---

Moira stays behind to care for her brother. Please be ok.

He looks really pale and is twitching alot.

---

He stumbled through the impeniterable darkness for what felt like hours. It was cold, his body had grown numb and even now he couldn't feel where he set his feet. Control was lost to him, he was moving on automatic. The horrors of his past were surfacing in his mind, and he wondered briefly how it was that he'd managed to stay sane for all those years. He supposed that perhaps it was that suppressing force that lay in a heavy fog over his mind, drugging him into a nonexistance. But he was back. Atsuki knew who he was again, and he knew what he had done in the time since his capture. The shadows gripped at his flesh, slicing neatly into him as he struggled to surface, struggled to exit the realm. Yet he'd been in it for far too long, it was unwont to release him, and had he not kept telling himself over and over that he needed to live, that he needed to rescue his little sister from the very situation that he was responsible for, he would have let the shadows keep him. Finally, with a pained shout, he loosed himself from the shadows and collapsed against a thick tree, shuddering from sheer exhaustion and agony. He didn't honestly know if he could go on, didn't know if he even had the right to continue living for the atrocities that had been wrought by his own hands, but he'd damned well try. If only for Avella, if only for her.

---

"Yes. Lets do it. What power will you use? Might or magic?" Thias asked.

"I've always been stronger with magic." Satul replied, "So it would be best to use it I think. We must hurry, time is running short..."

"Are you ready than?" Thias asked as he drew a sword that was covered in dark glyphs.

"Let's get this over with." Satul said, stretching, "I don't want to be here much longer."

"We must do it at the right moment."I hope my magic doesn't surface..that could throw everything off balance.. On the count of three..one...two..three!" He swung with all his might as he readied himself for Sutal's magic as well.

Satul shoved forward with the might of his magic, awed by the power that the two of them created in the room. He felt as though he'd gone deaf as an explosion sounded before the chests, thrusting them both deaf. He thought that, until he heard the musical voice ring out above them, "You have done well to come so far. Be warned that by taking this chest, you have no evil desires or it will destroy you." And the voice faded away.

---

"What do you think about that one guy? Do you think he can be trusted? He seems familair and than he vanished." Idian asked as he nodded.

"I think he's trustworthy, from what I saw of his mind, he was just as confused about all of this as we were..." Aedin repliedsoftly.

"Aedin..I had the feeling..he was related to me." Idian said shaking his head in confusion.

"He might be, there's no doubt he resembles the three of you greatly...but none the less. He isn't the pressing issue, we have to find Satul."

"I have a feeling he does have a role to play in all of this, but lets find Sutal and the others." Idain said as he looked around.

Aedin nodded, "Yes that would be best...where could they all have wondered off to though?"

Idain sighed and shook his head. "I don't know..let me try something." He sat down, crossed legged and closed his eyes. After several minutes he opened them. "I think I know were Risa and Kay are together..It looks like they are injured." He said as he led them into the woods.

Aedin sighed, "Alright, let's find them, from what I can sense, everyone else is still at that cave..."

Idain nodded as he led the way.

---

"Hello Atsuki, your memory has come back to you I see..." Adrien whispered, dropping down from the tree, and landing infront of him. "Tis a shame you didn't remember before we faught last, now I'm suppose to kill you...just go to the others before Ethan get's here. I can't kill another friend...or watch them die. You should be able to get to Aedin, or Satul...now hurry."

"I have no need to hurry, have no ability to do so now." Atsuki muttered, pushing himself upright, "Just go."

"You lost your gift?" Adrien asked, a bit suprised by what he said. "If you have, I can help you do something atleast..."

"I haven't lost my gift." Atsuki shook his head tiredly, "Though I should have... with what I have done."

"You were controlled...you've done nothing wrong my friend. Your memories of it all were blocked away...by my own magic no less...take this, it should help you later own, I can't help you physically, but I can atleast do this much." Adrien replied, digging through his pockets, and pulling out a small crystal. "It should enhance your abilities slightly, I gave a ring with similar abilites to Satul, so you should find Aedin, he'll know you're no longer after them after reading your mind."

"I shouldn't be the one you give such a gift to." Atsuki shook his head firmly, "Why aren't you with Aedin?"

"You know very well why I'm not. I help Villen now, until I can free Ethan from his grasp. And I only gave you that crystal because you can use it later to help the others stop that mad man..." Adrien replied as he turned to leave. "And just incase you're forced to fight me again...you can use it to seal away my gifts..."

"I won't use it against you, Adrien." Atsuki said, "You'll free the boy before it comes to that... I'm certain. I have no means of doing more than saving my little sister."

"And if I'm forced in your way? What will you do then, in your current state, you know you're no match for me Atsuki, don't be a fool..."

"If we are forced to fight, then so be it. I have no qualms with dying." Atsuki replied.

Adrien sighed, "fine, so be it then..." he replied simply, vanishing in a swirl of shadows.

"I suppose I'll see you when the time comes." Atsuki began walking once more.

---

Aedin nodded, stopping suddenly, his hand reaching for his blade. "Did you sense that? Adrien is close by..."

"I know..I don't think he is alone." Idian whispered.

"It's Atsuki...but something's different...and Adrien's gone now..." Aedin whispered, drawing his blade and slipping on one of his wired gloves.

Idian tensed and nodded as he crept foreword.

Aedin lashed out with his wires, binding Atsuki to the tree, and dropping to the ground infront of him with his blade drawn defensively. "Why-...What happened to you?" he asked, sensing no danger from him, and dropping his blade as he moved hesitantly to assist him.

Atsuki slumped against the tree, his gaze on the ground, "I spent too much time in the shadows... I wish now that I had sunken into oblivion years ago... None of this would have happened, Avella... She'd be safe."

Idian looked at him and also relaxed his grip. "Than perhaps you can help fix it, by helping us save her."

"That is my only goal." Atsuki replied.

"Than come with us..help us find the others and plan how to save her."

"Would you really trust me to join you?" Atsuki muttered, "I've done... terrible things."

"Everyone deserves a second chance." Idian said as he offered his hand. The masters always tought us not to judge another, everyone has a chance at salvation

"Help Atsuki...I've found something else as well..." Aedin whispered, flicking his wrists as the wires binding there new ally, loosened and coiled back up. "I'll be back soon.." he added before he disappeared.

"There are injured people somewhere nearby." Atsuki said after several minutes, his gaze on the ground, "They could die if they aren't found and tended."

---

Kaya tried for the fourth time to wake Risa. Both their wounds needed tending, but Risa was the worst off of the two. Blood covered her front and face and she wasn't waking. Kaya whimpered in fear and tried again. "Risa...please wake up.."

---

Thias stumbled back a little and than looked about. "We did it.Lets get out of here."

Satul nodded and lifted the chest, "We'll open it once we've gotten to safety." He murmured.

Thias nodded as he sheathed his sword. "We make a good team."

"Yes... For a moment it was as though..." Satul frowned and shook his head, "Let's go."

"As though what?" Thias asked as he followed.

"Nothing." Satul shook his head, "Do you think the elevator still works?"

Thias examined it and shook his head. "We destroyed the gears when we broke the seal on the chest. We might be able to fix it..but it would take to long."

"We'll have to find another way out, then." Satul replied, "I'm sure there is not just one entrance into this place..."

Thias nodded and brought the tips of his fingers together. He muttered under his breath and a small black firey bird shot out from his hands he nodded to it and it vanished. "He will scout ahead for a way out. We should head east, he will know how to find us."

"East? So be it." Satul said, "I'll light the way, since the torches are beginning to dim." He snapped his fingers and several brilliantly glowing orbs lit up around the duo, allowing them to see where they were going.

---

Moira lets out a sigh and hears he brother grumble as he slowly comes to.

Moira moves and he looks at her and asks,"What the hell happened?"

Moira just tackles him with a hug.

"WOMMAN GET OFF!"

Moira just starts crying and asks, "BROTHER! Everything is falling apart around our own ears again. What is there left?"

Mastudo fumes at first and shouts, "I DON'T KNOW MOIRA!" Her tears fall faster but he just sits there and allow her to hold on to him. Because he knows she is right but he also knows crying won't help anything.

Moira comes to the same realization. She lets go and says, "We have to pick sides...I guess but it would seem that. Everyone is going to kill one person or another."

After that fact is revealed both sit silently for awhile.

"So he's awake and back to Normal I see..." Aedin muttered, walking up behing Moira.

Moira just nods at his question.

Mastudo glares and despite himself. "So the knight makes his appearence. Are you planning on killing anyone here?"

"Only if you insist on acting like this and treating me with such disrespect..." Aedin sneered, slipping his glove off and placing it back in his pocket.

---

She awoke, cold and numb. Her body moved, yet it wasn't she that moved it. She stared through eyes that wouldn't follow her orders, pleaded with arms and legs that refused to stop moving. And then she stood before him, Villen. He smirked as he gazed at her, "A temporary state, having your body possessed." He said in his cool, fiery voice, fangs gleaming, "But it seems that you aren't an easy one to control... Not like your brother at all." He tsked and shook his head, "But you'll fall soon enough... For now... For now there are two that need to die. They've meddled with something they ought not have meddled with. You know one, I'm sure. Satul, and the other is an unknown man, but needs to die nonetheless. You will comply with these orders and return before your control is lost, understood?"

"Understood." Her voice was emotionless, and not her own, and she vanished in a swirl of shadows.

"YOu can't kill Satul!" Adrien shouted, walking towards them from a swirl of shadows. "Villen...you can't be serious..."

"I'm very serious." Villen replied coldly, "Satul is meddling, he's served his purpose, and in the end he failed me. It's high time I gave him the death he's been eluding."

Adrien froze, starting to reach for his blade but stopping. "S-she won't be able to kill him...not with that man he's with..." he whispered, looking down slightly. And definately not with that ring I gave him...

"You obviously have no idea who she is." Villen laughed, "As soon as I get her brother back... And those artifacts that Satul and his little friend found, I will be unstoppable."

"I know plenty well, but you won't get Atsuki back...and she won't be able to kill Satul..." Adrien repeated, his lips pulled back into a twisted smirk as he drew his blade and vanished. I'll make sure she can't...

"You'd do best not to interfere." Villen tsked, "Or I'll have to send Ethan to slay you... Since you insist on playing both sides."

---

Adrien reappeared deep within the forest, driving the tip of his blade into the ground and proping on it. "For some reason....I can't sense him anymore.." he muttered, closing his eyes in deep thought.

"Adrien." Ethan's cool voice called from behind, "It would be wise to return to the base now."

"Yes it would...now leave..." Adrien replied harshly. He turned to face his younger brother, a sinister smile forming on his face. "I have no intentions of letting my family die, any of you...I can just knock you out, but I would hate to use such violence on my baby brother..."

"You will be slain if you betray Master Villen." Ethan scowled, "You don't seem to understand your situation."

"I understand my situation perfectly baby brother..." Adrien whispered from behind him, his blade still driven into the ground infront where he once stood. "Villen may be far stronger than I, but he's not as cunning...he's always been stronger than me...but he's never been able to kill me before. Now be a good boy and stay out of my way Ethan."

"I can't do that, Adrien." Ethan said coldly, turning to face him, hefting his hammer in his grip, "I am loyal to Master Villen. You are unwise to go against him, especially now in the height of his power."

Adrien sighed, lacing his fingers through his brothers hair. "I'm sorry to hear that..." he whispered, griping to it tightly, and bringing his knee to the younger boy's stomach swiftly and forcefully. I'll have to take him to Aedin...maybe he will give me enough time to break this spell over him before trying to kill me.

Ethan grunted and a burst of electricity raced up through Adrien's nerve system. "You're... cruel." He said, stumbling backwards, "You call yourself my 'brother'... You're just a betrayer... as Master Villen told me."

Adrien shivered slightly, shaking off the current, his muscles spasming every couple of seconds. "I...would never...betray you...Ethan..." he mumbled, moving quickly, and kneeing his brother again, closing his eyes as he did. "I'm sorry..."

"I... hate... you." Ethan murmured as he slipped into unconsciousness.

Adrien caught Etha in his arms, cradling him up against his chest. "Don't say such things my little one..." he whispered, walking to his blade and taking and sheathing it. I'll find Atsuki, he may be able to help... he wondered, before he vanished again with Ethan.

---

"Atsuki.." Adrien called softly from behind him, paying no attention to Idain beside him. "Can you do anything about Villen's control over him?"

"Adrien..." Atsuki turned to face him, "Why would you think me able to help? I don't even have the Heaven's Vortex anymore... That is one of the only things that can break a hypnotic hold." He said grimly.

"I can't find Aedin...but I doubt he's strong enough to break Villen's hold...so there's nothing that can be done for him..." Adrien mumbled, looking away and sighing.

"There's hope for him... Avella... she got the Heaven's Vortex... she can save him..." Atsuki sighed.

"She's under Villen's control now, and is currently tracking Satul to eleminate him..." Adrien replied softly.

Atsuki groaned and shook his head sadly, "This wouldn't be happening if I'd been the older brother I was supposed to be..." He said.

Adrien grumbled at Atsuki's comment. "And I'm any better? Come with me...I can get to her quicker..." he mumbled, taking Ethan's hammer from his grasp, and strapping it to his other side. "Much better..."

"I am not strong enough yet." Atsuki said, "I've only just escaped, I don't have the vortex and can't heal my injuries. I would only be in the way."

"Fine...watch Ethan, and I'll go find her...as long as I have his hammer, he's pretty much harmless...but I wouldn't let him touch you if he wakes up..." Adrien grumbled, holding Ethan out for Atsuki to take. "If he does start to become a problem, bind him with your shadows..."

"Good luck." Atsuki took Ethan into his arms, "And don't underestimate her."

"I know, I'm no fool..." Adrien replied, biting into his thumb as he vanished.

---

"So this is where you've been Avella..." Adrien whispered, pulling his bloody thumb away from his mouth. "I need your help..." he added, staring at the ground infront of him.

"Adrien, what makes you think I'd do anything for a betrayer like you?" She said in a low voice, turning to face him, "You have no need to be here, you should leave."

Adrien looked up quickly, sighing softly. "I need you to heal Ethan, He collapsed, and I left him with Atsuki...so I could find you. Please...that's all I want..."

"Ethan needs healed?" Avella's tone was mildly suspicious, but she nodded, "I will tend him when I've completed my mission then."

"We don't know how long that will take...and this isn't something I can fix, he ran into Aedin...and he got into his head...and Ethan collapsed. I've tried everything I know, but the only thing I can think of is the Heaven's Vortex..."

"I was given an order." Avella stated flatly, "I will tend Ethan later, for now I must deal with Satul."

"He can die while your doing that!" Adrien shouted.

"Then it would be wise for you to go and ensure that he does not." Avella replied, quirking an eyebrow, "I have no emotional attatchment to him, and I'm currently busy."

"I've told you, I can't do anything about it..." Adrien muttered, quickly losing his patience.

"Then you'd best pray he'll be alright." Avella replied, "I'm continuing on, don't follow."

Adrien sighed, dragging his bloody thumb over his knuckles, and lacing his fingers together. "Then it's come to this..." he whispered, closing his eyes, and muttering a spell in another language.

"Goodbye, Adrien." Avella said firmly, "Try and do something stupid and we'll see just how long you or your brother will live." She stepped forward and sank into the shadows elegantly.

"Nice...try..." Adrien whispered, thrusting his hands to the ground, his fingersstill laced and intertwined together. "Break!" he Exclaimed, shattering her shadows, and bringing Avella back to the surface.

"Nice try, Adrien." Avella mocked from behind him, "You're not going to stop me, but if I must, I'll take care of you first."

"You may be the stronger of us, but you won't defeat me Avella. I have no interest in fighting with you, I just want you to heal Ethan, now you could just dothat and be on your way, or waste more time than that fighting with me, because everytime you go to leave, I'll just break your shadows and pull you back." Adrien whispered, tapping her side with the back of his blade almost threateningly. "And i'm not one to take lightly or as a fool..."

"I've already stated what I will do." Avella replied, "You have no say in the matter, you're not in Villen's favor as it is. Playing both sides, tsk, tsk. You need to make up your mind before it gets you killed. I don't need the shadows to leave, and you won't keep me much more than a few seconds longer."

"You don't know the extent of my abilities little girl. Villen hasn't the faintest what I can do either." Adrien muttered, turning to face Avella. "Why do you think I rose so quickly, yet my only offensive gift is so weak. Even Lanzer could shatter my shadows..."

"You don't know the extent of my abilities either," She growled out, "None of you do, not even Villen, though he at least knows enough not to piss me off. You would do best to stay out of the way, or face the consiquence of your death."

"You don't get it, raw power means nothing in a fight against me. I know how strong you are, but you are no stronger than Atsuki. And I still beat him. Now, if you're going to rush into a fight without knowing your opponent, come at me, but remember, I came here not to fight, but only for help." Adrien growled, drawing his sword and gripping tightly to the hilt as he took on his stance.

Avella snorted, "You know nothing if you think my strength is limited by my brother's. He is strong, certainly, and together we would be unstoppable... But alone... he is nowhere near my level at full strength. Don't be talking about walking blindly into a battle. I told you I had elsewhere to be." She glared in his direction, "Stop trying to hamper me."

"I just want you to heal my brother, and I won't let you leave until you do, it could have already been done by now, but you insisted on arguing with me. Now don't speak to me about hampering you when your the only one wasing your time!"

"Don't bother me Adrien. Personally, I don't care if the boy dies. That would only get you out of the way. You won't be dragging me back this time, Adrien. I won't be curteous and allow it. You will wait for me to return, or deal with him dying, it's as simple as that. Now, goodbye, don't bother me again." With that, she vanished. Not into a void of shadows, seemingly into the air itself.

Adrien laughed. "foolish girl, you don't realize the extent of my teleportation gift do you..." he whispered, raising his hand and mumbling as Avella was brought back before him. "I don't have to know where you are to bring you to me girl, All I have to know is your face, and your magic."

"You're the fool, Adrien. You think you're able to actually teleport me to you?" She laughed as her form expanded,
"You've only served to trap and doom yourself." With those words her form exploded in a mass of sharp weapons and a fiery explosion.

Adrien slashed his blade down infront of him, opening a void that drew in the explosion along with the projectiles. "So I'll just try again, you'll never get any peace, and the second you attack Satul, I'll just come to you...what will you do against the three of us hmm?" He asked, repeating the same spell as she formed infront of him again.

"Keep trying, I've already put up a barrier, you'll never get in no matter how hard you try." She taunted, exploding again, "Keep tiring yourself further and further."

Adrien grumbled, waving his hand as the explosion vanished. "Fine, I grow weary of your antics anyway. I'll go strait to the source, if he's busy with me, he can't hold you very long anyway.." he whispered, vanishing.

---

"So i've been labled a traitor, yet again by you Villen?" Adrien asked, appearing infront of him, his blade still drawn from his encounter with Avella. "She won't be able to kill Satul, and I'll make sure of it by severing your control to her..."

Villen gave a rough laugh, "You're a fool to try and face me, Adrien. I told you it was dangerous trying to play both sides of the line. Certainly wish you'd make up your mind about where you want to bed." He curled his fingers into a fist, flames spreading over them.

"I've made my decision Villen...those simple three words he said...that's all I need to know that he's no longer my brother. You've warped him so much that he would say something like that to me...so there's nothing I can do now, but try and stop you alone..."

Villen laughed, "Well, not like you helped his situation any, attacking him like you did. But go on, try and fight me... How long do you think that you'd last?"

"Master...do not fight him yet...he is trying to decieve you...I've seen it." A younger boy, looking about sixteen called, appearing as if out of thin air.

"Another one of your little pets has awakened I see...but this one I haven't seen before..." Adrien muttered, turning his blade towards the younger male. "So I'll just eleminate him before he becomes a hinderance." He shouted, thrusting his blade towards the boy, only to have him vanish before his very eyes.

"You cannot harm me, much like your advanced teleportation abilities, mine wouldn't allow something as trivial as a blade to harm me..." the boy's soft voice rang, his crimson eyes, staring blankly towards Adrien, and his violet hair fluttering in the breeze.

"Kaoru, welcome back." Villen said smoothly, leaning against a wall to watch the duo, "There's only two others that need to awaken... Caraki and Yamiko."

"They will awaken soon enough master..." Kaoru replied, turning his useless gaze towards Adrien.

"Y-you're blind..how did you dodge my attack?" Adrien demanded to know, slashing his blade towards the boy,only to have him vanish again.

"Indeed, things are falling into place as they should." Villen said, his tone oddly glad, "You've got things under control here, Kaoru?"

"I only came to inform you of what I had forseen, but if you wish for me to eleminate him, I will.." Kaoru replied, pulling a scalpel from his belt, and holding it up. He smiled as Adrien thrusted his blade towards him once again, not vanishing this time, he simply stepped to the side slightly, grabbing Adrien's wrist, and pulling him forward, his scalpel brought up to the larger males throat quickly. "Shall I finish him?"

"Do as you please, I'm going to check on the condition of the other two." Villen replied, "What did you foresee?" He turned to face the two for a moment.

Adrien used the boys momentary distraction, to pull away from him before he could slit his throat, his blade brought up defensively before him.

"I forsaw this being a troublesome fight for you. His abilities...have done nothing but grow and mature since the last time you faught..." Kaoru muttered, turning his blank stare back to adrien, and bringing his scalpel back up. "I can see that won't work again on him master Villen...I may need assistance."

"Adrien shouldn't be too much of a challenge for you." Villen said, "Have your fun for now, I'll step in if you seem to be in trouble."

"Bind!" Adrien shouted, his hands forming we several different signs, as needles formed in the air, driving towards Kaoru.

"Nice try..." the boy whispered, vanishing, and reappearing behind Adrien, driging a syringe into his arm, and flipping away as the drug quickly took effect, and he stumbled towards teh boy and collapsed. "Now to finish it.." he whispered, kneeling down beside Adrien, dragging his scalpel across his wrist, and sicing deeply into one, before doing the same to the next.

Suddenly there was an explosion of electricity that sent the boy flying across the room. As it faded, it revealed the crackling for of Ethan, his eyes glowing gold, "Ethan, what are you doing?" Villen demanded.

"You will not kill him." Ethan's voice crackled with power as he approached Adrien, "I'll never allow that!"

"Don't-" Villen started, too late as the two vanished with another explosion of electricity.

Kaoru brushed himself off, it having been one of his duplicates flung across the room. "I barely had time to move...how did you lose control over Ethan?"

"I'm not sure," Villen said thoughtfully, "Either way, the other two should waken soon, let's go." He grasped Kaoru's shoulder and they vanished.

---

The two reappeared in a distant clearing, the wounds on Adrien's wrists were seared shut, and Ethan was out cold.

Adrien awakened a while later, still unable to move from the drug used on him. Damn..what..happened.. he wondered, his head falling to the side, and him noticing Ethan asleep beside him. did he...save me?

---

CLOSED

Abbatoir chapter 9