"So you say," the Child said indifferently, "But should Ziatoch decide the time for games are over? You know as well as I do that should He initiate the Red Earth Purification Ceremony, your kingdom will be reduced to so much empty land, with all of the humans, including that shell you wear, will be gone. He has no qualms in destroying this world, after all."

"And then you will have no kingdom," the Child said, "As you both will destroy everything."

Veronica nodded and pulled off her ring that was on her right ring finger. It was made of gold with the words 'I Love My Job' on it, refering to a past event. She then placed it on Bahamut's hand.

The horses finally stopped skidding across the ground and going to the left. Bryant and Brandon, inside of the carrige, were thrown to the side. They groaned as they got back up and held thier heads.

Outside the steeds stomped and snorted, calming down. The Rider jumped from his spot as the driver and walked over to where the two men were recovering. He opened the door and looked over them both. He then gestured for them to get out. Brandon and Bryant slowly did.

The outside air was dark and heavy. The sky was like a cloudy day with the sun hidden behind it. Around them were mountains that seemed to have been made of coal. The ground was riggid and seemed to be coal as well. However that was merely by looks. There were several bushes around, but bear. A small wind came through, its chill went to the bone, but other than that it was a comfortable temperature.

The Rider began forward into a nearby town. The buildings seemed ancient and the ground was made of cobble stone. It reflected a dark age village well. In the center was a large tower. There were several balconies, but none occupied at the time.

Bryant and Brandon followed the rider in silence. The erie peace was so fragile it seemed that any unnatural noise would destroy the area's very foundation. However that silence was disturbed, and miraculously, nothing was hindered.

"Siete indietro." Said a man with similiar armor as the Rider ahead of them, possibly another. The one with Bryant and Brandon nodded. "Dove È Dargor; il villaggio è nel timore che è stato ucciso." The second Rider then said, sounding a bit panicy.

The first rider merely shook his head. "Dargor è bloccato, Volant. È ha scelto così, timore niente, il mio amico." The first Rider responded, showing the second had a name: Volant it was.

Volant frowned. "La gente qui non gradirà quella. Ha bisogno di Dargor o il caos presto verrà visitarlo." He said worringly. The unammed Rider shook his head.

"Che cosa non conoscono, non le danneggerà." The Rider grinned.

"Giro!" Volant shouted, giving the first's name away.

"Sh!" Giro shushed Volant. "Ricordisi di, io può più avere quel nome." Giro growled. Volant nodded and remained quiet.

Meanwhile Bryant and Brandon were confused on the disscussion. Giro looked back to them. "Don't worry, it is not important." He assured before looking back to Volant. "Rimanga calmo sul fatto che Dargor è bloccato. Prenderò questi due assenti pure, non avrò danno." Volant nodded and stood aside. "Come." Giro said to his two smaller companions and moved into the village.

(Ok, I'm sure some people I getting annoyed by the constant Italian used, if its right. I got it at a website and you can translate there. I'll be using it alot. Here's the site:http://dictionary.reference.com/translate/index.html?new=0 Enjoy.)

Bahamut closed his claw around the ring and lifted it up. As the King of Dragons closed his eyes, as did the other dragons. Veronica would be able to feel as the strange, draconic magic clouded the air. Sparks flew through the air, drifting to and fro, before it finally died down and the dragons opened their eyes.

"So, the Black Mountains," murmured Bahamut, "They are at the Black Mountains.

Veronica felt almost, overwhelmed by the magic around her. She kept herself together however and once it ended, she felt relieved. "The Black Mountains?" She questioned.

"I'm glad you did, because I don't say weak lines like that," replied Matt.

"Are you two done?" Hugo asked. "I'd like to get on with my life, thank you."

Arikado, surprisingly, paid no mind to Hugo where others would. "I assume Soma has briefed you on the nature of the castle."

Matt arched an eyebrow. "Yeah, but...how did you know that?"

"Then you must realize that your escape from here is top priority," the suited man continued, without skipping a beat. "And if you fully intend to follow Soma and aid him, then you must keep that in mind."

How did Arikado know that was what I was going to do? Matt thought, but soon realized the answer. Well, no wonder...he's got a huge load of magical energy in him. I dunno who this Arikado guy is, but he's not who he presents himself to be...

Arikado suddenly gestured, and with a flash, light droplets of light fell to the floor as the group suddenly witnessed a shimmering longsword floating before them, tip down-the blade seemed to resonate with the light. "Soma, take this weapon," Arikado instructed. "This is the Claimh Solais, a blade of holy power. It will be instrumental in defeating any evil that attempts to stop you."

Stepping foward, Soma carefully took the sword. Laying the blade in a flat palm and holding the handle with the other, he examined it. "A holy blade...but can I-"

"Yes," Arikado interrupted. "It will recognize anyone with a good heart as its master. Use it well."

Edited by The Helldragon on March 7, 2007 at 19:28:19.

R.D. could also sense the magical energy, but to a lesser degree. Power-sensing was still rather new for him, so he wasn't good at it. He removed the weapon from his shoulder and squeezed the hilt, causing the blades to retract back into crystals.

"So, what should we do first?" he asked while he split the Phase Lance into its individual swords and sheathed them.

===At Japan===

"Yes," one of the dragons replied in a deep rumble, "It is a place we dragons steer clear most of the time."

"But maybe we can make an exception today," Bahamut said, "Would you like us to take you there?"

Edited by RisingDragon on March 7, 2007 at 16:56:54.

Veronica nodded. "Please and as fast as you can." She pleaded.

Inside the village Giro and the Hartnetts had ventured deep. Most of the other Riders in the village and regular peasents looked at them oddly, but with Giro at thier side, they would be free from harm. Then one peasent ran up to Giro.

"Lo avete trovato, Giro? È sicuro?" The peasant asked. Giro merely continued walking knowing it would be better not to ask. "Giro! Giro!" The peasant called and called but Giro continued still.

Finally they had reached an inn. There Giro opened the door and allowed the Hartnetts first entry. Giro followed and came up to the innkeeper.

"Ho bisogno innkeeper delle due di nuovo stanze. Li pagherò abbastanza presto." Giro said to the keeper who gave a suspicious look at Giro.

"Benissimo, ma questo è l'ultima stanza." The keeper said reluctantly and gave him two keys to a couple of rooms. Giro nodded and began up the wooden stairs to his left, Bryand and Brandon followed.

Once the group found a floor, Giro tossed each a key.

"Make yourself at home." Giro said before heading downstairs. "But do not leave." He warned as he began decending.

Giro then came back down to the lobby and turned to the innkeeper. "Assicurisi che rimangono in questa costruzione, non li lasciano andare." The keeper nodded and went back to buisness.

Upstairs Bryant and Brandon had found thier rooms and looked inside. They were cozy and fitted enough to support them. The only fault was that the beds were hard and uncomfortable. They apparently had no luck with them. However to thier luck, they were just across the hall from eachother.

"So what do you think about all of this?" Brandon asked Bryant as he sat at the end of his bed in his room. Bryant sat down on his. The beds were a opposite ends so they could see eachother.

"I'm not sure, but its better than with Gouki, that is for sure. But we best keep low here, no one seemed to like us, besides we don't seem to know thier language. What do you think it is?" Bryant responded then asked.

"My guess is Itailan, but I'm not sure. Either way I can't understand it." Brandon shrugged. "But ok, let's just get some sleep." Brandon said standing and walking to his door. Bryant nodded and walked to his. "Night." Said Brandon.

"Night." Bryant responded and they both closed thier doors and headed for thier beds. Despite the bed structure, they fell asleep quickly.

Kalmar nodded and started walking quickly to where Blazen had pointed. He grinned slightly at what the God of Fire had said. He hoped it was good, but so far he couldn't feel anything. He was too preoccupied with his surroundings.

"As you know, Soma, you must seek the master's throne," Arikado said. "I feel that all of you will find your answers there."

Matt felt that Helena may have also caught on to Arikado's act, for she eyed him more carefully than before, but she said nothing. Before Matt could say anything, Soma said, "Thank you, Arikado. We'll be on our way."

"Good luck." With that curt remark, Arikado briskly turned, and began walking down the hallway.

Once he felt Arikado was out of earshot, R.D. shook his head, and turned to the group. "What the hell was that?" he asked dead seriously, referring to Arikado.

===At Japan===

Bahamut's body glowed slightly, and a special saddle and harnass appeared on his back. He lowered himself to the ground for Veronica to climb up and strap herself in.

"A random encounter?" Matt quipped.

"Somethin' wasn't right about him, that's for sure," Hugo said.

Soma frowned. "That's true...but he's been helping me so far, so for now, I'm going to trust him."

"That's the best we can do," Helena said, folding her arms. "At least, until we can get a better idea of what's going on."

"Does anyone else get the feeling something's out of place here?" Alasea asked.

"Well, we're out of place," R.D. replied, looking at her strangely.

"No, not us! Something else," Alasea said, giving him a bit of a glare, "Like there's something in this place that doesn't belong."

"...Hugo?"

The Mettaur groaned. "Use your HEAD, Matt. Please. Just once."

"It's a joke, chill." Matt rubbed his chin. "Anyway, I dunno what's goin' down, but I know the best thing we can do now is head for this throne thing that Arikado was talkin' about."

Soma turned away from the group, looking down the hall. He now held Claimh Solais with one hand, gripping it tightly as it hung by its side. "Let's go."

"And we're off to get our asses kicked once more," R.D. muttered, pulling out a Phase Blade and keeping it ready in his hand.

"Just keep an eye out for anything that seems out of place," Alasea said, "Something tells me something is wrong here."

R.D. looked back at her as he walked through the door with the group. He fell back slightly until he was next to Alasea.

"You okay?" he asked quietly.

"Yeah, I'm fine," she replied, looking at him.

"Are you sure? You've never had these premonitions before."

"I don't know why," Alasea said hesitantly, "But I think when we fought that... thing... back in Khalis, that mental attack it used triggered something. I feel... strange inside."

R.D. looked ahead for a moment, then spoke. "Do you think it's your abilities as a Daughter of Dawn coming out?" he asked.

"It's possible," she conceded quietly. She still hadn't quite accepted the fact that she was a Daughter of Dawn.

"I do not know." Meta answered, not looking at the one addressing her. "I think we should prepare for the worst, that we might encounter two of the Seven at the same time. But..." She glanced at Juno, "we best try to get Electra above the sea, then knock her into it. All the electricity stored within her body will be released into the waters, which will also immediately eliminate any possible seasnakes near there. And if she'll still be alive after that, it'll be quite easy to dispose of her."

"Then we'd knock Electra down on top of Hydro and into the water. Lightning has always been powerful against water." Meta replied. When she heard the demonic voice, she frowned a bit. "What are you up to?" She said, stopping in her tracks, talking to the source of the voice. She assumed it was one of the Seven, or otherwise one of the Za-Fuzen was pulling a prank on her she wouldn't forgive.

Blazen nodded and jumped onto a larger building. He landed and saw as far as the horizon it seemed. It wasn't that high but because of all the destruction, it was taller than most anything around. He then began to walk on the roof and would jump down on the other side and continue down a street.

Veronica climbed on and got herself set, holding on tight. "Ok, I'm ready." She said, ready for the flight this time.

Dargor shook his head. "I fought for the lands as well and shall keep my people safe and show we, the Riders and Shadows, are the superior race. Above human and beast." He vowed, boldly.

In Germany, on the horizon near the mountains in the distance, Blazen would be able to see the strange glowing light there in the morning light.

===At Japan===

"Hold on tight," Bahamut said, and unfurled his wings. The dragons launched themselves into the air, streaking for the sky and off to the Black Mountains.

Kite continued to walk towards Babylon, intent on making it to help his friends,"I must hurry..."

Blane looked ahead of him at the clouds in the sky,This is where i'm happy I have wings...

"So, you got craaaazy powers too," Matt said to Soma, wiggling his fingers.

"Uh...yeah," the white-haired boy replied, somewhat offset by Matt's remark. "I can absorb the abilities of the monsters I defeat."

"Cool," Matt said, for indeed that was a neat power.

"What can you do?" Soma asked.

"Bend reality."

This earned Matt a look.

"Seriously," Matt added, noting the glance. "I can bend reality to whatever I want it to be. But it messes up a lot, resulting in crazy hijinx."

"I see." Soma slid his free hand in his jacket pocket. "Have you always had these powers?"

"No. I dunno how I got them," Matt lied. "But they're there. What about you?"

Soma's eyes narrowed. "I found out I had them when I entered this castle...somehow, my powers and the master's throne are connected."

"Really." Matt rubbed his chin. "I wonder why."

"We'll find out once we get there." Soma glanced past Matt, over to Helena. "Do you have any special powers as well?"

"Yes...but I don't like using them." Still a bit shy to strangers, Helena didn't directly look at the boy.

"My powers feel strange too," Soma said. "But...I need to use them, to get me and Mina out of this castle."

"Mina?" R.D. asked, curious.

===In China===

"And that would not be possible," the Child said, "You know of His creation. He can counter just about anything you threw at Him, and still remain strong, due to His knowledge. The Balance of Evil really outdid himself that time around."

"Hmph...if they were smart...they would move away from my lands, 'Lieutenant'." Dargor said boldly, not ceasing with his disrespect. He then turned away to walk back to the Black Mountains with a fowel feeling over the 'Seven'. "I miei riders potrebbero sconfiggere questi 'sette '." He mumbled as he went.

Veronica hunched down as the dragon's made thier way to the Black Mountains. She held on tight as to not get loose and kept low.

At the Black Mountains a rider was walking around them, keeping watch for Dargor. He then looked up to see the Dragons coming into view. He shifted himself, uncomfortably.

"Che cosa hanno potuto desiderare?(What are they doing here)" He mumbled and then lifted his voice to speak to the dragons. "Dagons," He called, "what business have you around here? We have enough trouble as it is!" He said to them a bit aggrivated.

Inside the village of the Black Mountains some of the Riders and people were a bit anxoious. They could see the dragons coming. The Riders called for thier steeds, incase. They rode to the entrance, ready. Giro and Volant had been one of the many.

"Che cosa pensate i draghi desiderate qui(why do you think the dragons are here)?" Giro asked Volant as they rode.

"Non sono sicuro. Malgrado i racconti popolari, sono saggi. Dubito di per attacarlo a caso. Forse aiutare noi, ma quello è soltanto speranza dello sciocco.(I'm not sure. Despite the popular tales, they are wise. They wouldn't attack us randomly like this. Maybe to aid us, but that is only a fool's hope)" Volant responded, grimly.

"Forse Dargor è con loro.(Maybe they have Dargor with them)" Giro said hopefull.

"Forse...(Maybe...)" Volant said in thought as they stopped at the entrance.








Edited by Blazen on March 8, 2007 at 17:57:26.

"The answer is simple, really." Poncho said, finally speaking up. "We fight our best and hope we don't die, just like every other fight." He said, rather calmly, hand twitching on his pistol.

"Yeah, uh, he mentioned her earlier," Matt said, glancing back at R.D.. He tapped one of his ears. "You gotta use these, man, that's what they're there for."

"I've known Mina since childhood," Soma explained. "Her father takes care of the shrine we both went to see the eclipse at."

Kalmar darted in and out of ruined buildings, until he sense a presense. He lifted into the air and saw a glowing light on the horizon, competing with the sun's glare for dominance in the morning light.

"There's definitely something out there," he said as he floated to the ground, walking calmly through the streets of whatever ruined and forgotten town they had found themselves in now.