Illumina rested in Onyx's hand as she watched the events unfold in front of her confused about the power she sensed from Mirabella, which was both light and dark. This event had happened before and this was going to end soon. She whipped her head towards Jason went she sensed the evil inside him vanish from him and Talos. "Onyx, do you sense that?" she asked pointing at Talos and Jason who were now trying to heal the wound a black spike had caused earlier.

Mirabella collapsed on her knees, covering her face crying. "I-I-I di-didn't me-mean to hu-hurt Sa-Sam. Please forgive me. I-I'm sorry." she cried through her tears. Mirabella couldn't believe that she had hurt a friend. She feared that they would never want to help her or forgive her for what she did. The stone flashed a little and started to dim a little but continued to flash. Mirabella wiped her eyes feeling weak and unable to stand, but tears continued to roll as she tried to stop crying and begged for their forgiveness.

Tali had been about to place her hands on Sam's midsection, fully healing the wound, at least in a way, eyes closed as he fell, when another girl she hadn't seen before caught him and helped him stand up. Tali's contribution had been made, however, as the intense heat cauterized the blood flowing from Sam's wound. It wasn't healed, but it wasn't bleeding anymore either. She was a little overwhelmed by everything that had happened in the past few minutes, and sat down with a sigh. It was then that she noticed the boy in knights' armor next to her, declaring that he was ready to serve her.

"Uh, who are you?" Tali questioned, blushing a little bit at the attention. "I'm Tali. Are you a Bearer of a Stone?"

"I am Jai'kar, Knight of the Spirit and Bearer of the Stone of Gravity, milady," Jai'kar said, rising to his feet while analyzing everyone else in the room. "These are your friends? There aren't any enemies around? Just point them out and they will feel the sting of my blade in combat."

"No! None of these people are enemies. You don't need to fight them," Tali pleaded with Jai'kar, still a bit awed that she'd have someone devoted to her like he was.

Irian rushed to Sam's side as soon as the barrier of spikes disappeared .She watched anxiously as the elven woman asked if he would let her help him.At the moment Fade didn't care who healed Sam as long as he was alright in the end.Gently she put a hand on his arm.[B]"Are you alright? Or will you be?Why did you push me like that!Leif would have taken care of me you know."[/B[The wolf had been about to jump out of his crystal to drag Irian out of danger when Samuel interfered.But at that moment worry tinged her voice and filled her eyes,even if she was berating the man for saving her from harm.Turning to the elf .in order to distract herself a little,Fade looked at her."Later will you let me look at this concoction of yours?Potions interest me,I have many of my own."

Malone felt the tension leave his body suddenly ,seeing the strange youth beside Tali he got up quickly with a strange sense of needing to protect her.This feeling was extended to everyone,not just one person in the group.The man's feelings where mixed about this new arrival,as if something where a little off about him.Malone felt the same duty to protect him,and at the same time he felt like he needed to protect the others from this individual too.Giving a smile to Emily before turning to Tali and this new arrival Malone spoke his questions."Who are you?More importantly what are you doing here.If you mean to harm anyone of these people you'll have to deal with me."

Belden bent down and gathered up Mirabella in his arms.Holding her close he kissed her gently on the cheek and nestled his face into her shoulder."None of these people would leave you behind,if they would have done such a thing none of them would have been able to pass the test.Please stop crying Mira,I don't know how to cheer you up so all I can do is ask.I hate seeing you upset."

Onyx landed on the now solid ground and let Illumina go from his claws."Yes..I do feel that.This is a rather unexpected development and probably for the best."The dragon then moved away from Illumina after nuzzling her affectionately and went to stand behind his partner.Onyx was determined not to fail again in his task.The moment he got the chance he would begin to teach Malobe about how to use his new found abilities.

"I am Jai'kar, Knight of the Spirit," Jai'kar said, addressing the newcomer while studying him critically. "I am sworn to protect the Bearer of Spirit with my life. Unfortunately, that means I'd kill you in a heartbeat if I feel you are endangering Tali, my charge. May I inquire as to whom I am addressing?" His hand had subtly slipped to his sword's hilt at Malone's tone.

Tali glanced anxiously back and forth between Malone and Jai'kar, half afraid that a fight was going to break out. Hopefully, if they did come to blows, Tali could order Jai'kar to stop or something like it.

Shifting slightly on his feet Malone could feel the tension in the air.Fighting wouldn't answer anything,his experience with Jason had shown him that.Yet this boy seemed more then eager to begin a battle over so very little.With Onyx's silent support Malone knew he could figure out this prickly situation."My name is Malone Cinders and I'm the Bearer of Ether.Stop jumping to conclusions,you've just arrived and you don't know all the details. Tali is like a sister to me,when I said everyone I meant it,and included her.I may being rude now,but we've just been trough some pretty hard tasks,so it's hard to stay calm."Malone waited for this person to answer,aware that if things didn't work out the balance might shift towards some other force..Some other faction maybe? He had no idea,but he was deathly afraid that things where just going to get harder.

"I jump to no conclusions," Jai'kar replied calmly. "The last Bearer of Ether betrayed my master, slaying her in cold blood. Needless to say, I failed in my duties because I trusted a man who was too easily tempted by chaos. I won't make that mistake again. Tali's safety comes above all else: my emotions, my beliefs, and yes, even my life." Jai'kar took his hand off of his sword, raising it to his helmet, which he took off, revealing his military-style black hair.

"Are all the Bearers here?" Jai'kar asked, surveying the people. "I don't sense every Stone. Do some of them lack theirs?"

"I don't have mine yet, Mr. Jai'kar," Tali said, raising a tiny hand to get his attention. "I'm not sure about everyone else, but I think Malone and Zach have theirs and Mirabella and Emily have theirs." Tali had once again forgotten that her accident was visible to everyone, but, since no one was commenting on it, she wouldn't have minded as much.

Seeing the small girl stop the flowing blood amazed Chenol. Watching with interest as the women came running over to the man she was trying to help she stayed quiet. Well until she asked her a question. Giving her a faint smile she nodded. "Yes I would be glad to show you it. I brought along a few vials with me." Of course she was going to have to give warnings to the mysterious women but she would wait until later. Focusing on the task at hand Chenol looked back to the man she was holding. "I'm going to set you on the ground the blood has stopped flowing but you are not healed quite yet." Setting him carefully on the ground she held out the vial. "May I?" She asked once more.

Sam was slightly distrought as he knew he was falling on tali though he started going the opposit direction. it seemed somone had caught him and was aking him questions. Then other things were happening that he couldn't comprehend. Though finally he came back and he was laying on his back staring up at two rather cute women.a smile appered on te foxes face once the red haired elvin woman asked if he wanted her to used a potion on him.
"Darling you can do what ever you want with me!" he said a sly smile on his face as he said this.

Emily's heart felt as if it were breaking as she watched Mirabella begin to beg for forginess. She knew the girl meant no harm and that it was all an accodent. Emily wanted to go and sooth mirabellas fears but it seemed the boy she was with did this much quicker and probably mor saficantly that Emily could. With a small sigh Emily Stood up and dusted off her now soar knees. With a small turn Emily found herself in the middle of another problem. A new person had added himself to their party. Though he was ratehr intimidating and it seemed he was making Malone nervous. She stood quietly and watched as Malone and This Jai'kar person wnet back and forth talking about protecting people. Finally it seemed things had calmed down and they were talking about the stones. Emily unconciously grabbed at the small sachel that held her stone, she breathed a small sigh as it was where she knew it was.
"I do indee have my stone!" Emily said a littly shyly as she stepped forward and grasped Malones hand as she positioned herself next to the man. "I-I cant say if Zack has one though, But what does us and these stons have to do with anything!?" Emily asked looking up at the armor clad man.

Zack stood up as malone went to confront the new man. he stood back and watched as the two went after echother verbally. Tough once it was over zack stepped up and was more willing to be appart of the conversation now that a possible fight was diminished. But the man would have jummped in if it had come to fighting.
"If this is one of those stones then i guess im appart of this grope more than ever before!" Zack said as he plucked the deep ble stone from his pocket. "I agree with my sister what does us and the stones have to do with you!?" He asked rephrasing the question Emily had asked a little.

Emily and Zack listened instently to the explination of the stones and remained silent after the young man had finished. THey were soaking up the information much better than a sponge and found themselves a little shocked that they held a tremendous power. Emilt snapped from her thpughts when Jai'kar asked if he could use her stone. She griped Malons hand tigtly before letting it go so she could help the other man out.
"Are you able to use other peoples stones?" She asked as she reached Jai'kar and held out her yellow stone. "Would you teach us how to use them?" She asked and waited for Jai'kar to answer both her questions.

Zack also snapped from his thoughts once Jai'kar had requested to use Emilys stone. He watched as his sister went to the man and started asking questions. He watched both of them closely as he stepped over to where Chenol was. It seemes the woman was expirencing the new sams flirtyness. He had heard the foxes comment earlyer and wasnt going to stand for it. As Zack reached the two women who hovered around the fox, Zack stopped close enough to kick sam in the leg. He did it hard enough to hurt but not as hard to injur him. "Shes not your toy!" Zack snarled glaring down at the fox.
"Ahhh OWWWW!" Sam whined causing Zack to smirk. "Your right, This beautiful elf isnt my toy!" He stated a smile on his face as he sat up. Zack folded both arms as he was fkad the fox had learned his lesson. "Emily is my Toy!" The fox said suddenly and laughed as zack seemed very stunded at what he said. "And i shall take that potion now Please!" Sam stated trying to hurry along his healing process before Zack snapped out of the shocked trance he was in.

Malone went to put his hand on Emily's shoulder and stood behind her as Jai'kar placed her hand on the door with her stone now encased within it.He could feel the power emanating from it,and from Emily."Don't hold back,just let yourself go."Whispered Malone in her ear,aware that something inside him was urging him to help her fulfill her powers.It was as if the blocks Emily put on herself,where also placed on Malone.Never could he feel as close to the others as he did to Emily,he knew it,and knew that it was right.

It was hard,watching someone else take care of Samuel.Harder still to watch him joking around with this newcomer.Fade did her best to repress her feelings of jealousy,reminding herself of what the fox had said earlier when he had begun flirting shamelessly with Mirabella.This time though,Irian suspected ,he was trying to make feelings come out rather then testing them.Silently she placed her hands on his abdomen by his wound,easing his pain ,healing him slowly.She couldn't tax herself anymore then that,else she would most certainly die because f the great expansion of magic which she had used during that day."Thank you for the offer.I will gladly show you my water walking potion later.An exchange of knowledge and ideas."

Leif appeared beside Fade then,to give her silent support.He settled in beside her and Raja.The huge grey wolf turned his green eyes to this new comer."Is your charge as difficult as mine?"

Emily was indeed taken by surprise as the man had grabbed her wrist and foced it forward. Instinctivlt she pulled away but found that it was little to no use. Jai'Kar was much stringer than she was and inorder to get away the girl would mostlikly have to pleade of do what he wanted from her. Though with Malones sudden encouragment Emily found herself less surprised and tence, and more relaxed but wtill a little tence. She had to pull the powers she had used before to save herself and Zack, perhaps not as much but still the same.
"I-Ill do my best!" She nealy wispered before closing her eyes and concentrating on all the warmpth she could remember feeling when she blew up the cave, and when she had tried to break the barrior around Mirabella. Once she found it she let it go, like opening the flood gates on a dam. All the warmpth flooded through her body and then consentrated at her hand where the stone was. Though allowing the gates to open menat all of the power was flowing out, and not knowing how to stop it was going to cause problems for the girl.

Zack didnt take long to come out of his shock, and once he did he found that he wanted to injur the fox further. Rather he wanted to rip the slinky beasts toung out. Glairing down at the cripled man Zack cleared his thorought.
"Excuse me, But could you please punish him for me ladies?" Zack asked both Chenol and Irian as they were now incharge of the foxes heath. "I do believe he desurves some kinde of punishment for flirting, being rude and threatening!" Zack stated as he glaired down at the fox.
"Flirting and being rude i can see, Sorry by the way!" Sam stated appologizing to Chenole for making it apparent that she wasnt his toy, and in some sence called her ugly. "But i did not threten anyone!" He added thus clearing his name, he thought, of the rime of thret.
"Oh and what do you call saying that some one is your toy!?" Zack asked causing the fox to stop and think."By my book calling MY sister YOUR toy is grounds for thret alligations!" He man stated causing same to become speachless. "Thats whay i thought, Please make him suffer at you hands. Ill sit and watch!" Zack stated rather happy he had wone the argument.

Mirabella looked at Belden and hugged him tightly as tears continued to roll down her face. Holding him tightly, Mirabella suddenly felt a calm overcome her body and somehow a small smile spread across her face as a sudden running of footsteps came up to them. Mirabella looked up and saw Illumina running to them with a worried look on her face. "I-Illumina, I've missed you." she said as the tears started to dry a little and vanish, she looked away a little to see Emily opening the gates and looked back at Illumina.

Illumina kneeled to Mirabella and Belden as she looked at her, "Are you ok Lady Mirabella and who are you?" Illumina hissed to the young man. She could sense that he had a good heart but she had to make sure that he wouldn't hurt her in anyway even though it seemed like he was protecting her.

Jason and Talos watched as the gates started to open and seem Illumina talking to Mirabella and the young man, "Talos, what has happened? Where are we?" he asked as confusion filled his head. "My old master gave us orders to sign the forbidden contract with you so that you would become strong enough to protect Mirabella. I believe just now we must protect her for real." Talos said holding Jason so he can become more sturdy to hold himself up. Jason was only more confusion but waited until everything was done so he could ask him questions.

When the doors started opening Malone knew something was going well,but something else was going wrong."You can stop now Emily.The doors are open."His hand tightened on her shoulder,if she didn't stop...The thought was too much to bear! Onyx landed beside Malone,ready to jump in at any sign that he needed help.

A rush of relief coursed trough Belden when Mirabella hugged him.He was glad that she would be alright.Still holding the young woman he looked to the white haired lady who'd come running to see Mira.She wasn't human,that much was obvious to someone like Belden.After their exchange he nodded silently to himself,this Illumina then must be Mira's guardian."My name is Belden,and at one point I was the one who guarded these caves...Until Mira and I stumbled upon each other that it."Quietly he smiled down at Mira while he spoke of her.

(will be posting more)

As was his nature, Jai'kar didn't take any thought as to what to do after Emily had opened the door. He remembered when he had first used his power and what was necessary to dam the flow. Without hesitation, he yanked her wrist off of the Stone, grabbed it, and pocketed it beneath his armor, hoping that the unique alloy would disrupt the radiating energy. "Are you okay, milady?" he asked, releasing her wrist and turning towards Malone questioningly.

Tali watched with fascination as the door glowed with an inner fire, fully able to feel the awesome power flowing inside. A thought occurred to her suddenly as she began walking towards Malone and the others. Maybe Jai'kar would be interested in teaching her so that when she got her Stone, she'd be ready to use it. "Um, Jai'kar?" she asked, poking his armor to get his attention when she arrived. "Would you mind teaching me how to use the Stone, even though I don't have mine yet?"

Malone nodded slightly."Maybe you should tell us all what you know.Onyx will do the same.That way we will be more prepared for whatever happens next...Hopefully that will be going after Tali's stone."A smile graced his face as he looked at the young girl."Everything's chaotic right now,it's...Unbalanced I think."Moving so he faced Emily,and not the others,Malone tried kissing her casually on the lips...He tried but failed miserably because he ended up knocking his forehead on hers by accident."Are you alright?I'm sorry!That isn't at all what I had in mind!"Maloen shut his mouth quickly after that,slightly embarrassed to say the least.

Impatiently Fade kissed Sam fiercely clearly marking him as hers for all to see.There was no way she was going to let his constant flirting get in the way of their budding relationship.Besides...Irian had been wanting to kiss him like that for centuries,and now she finally could.At the same time,she wanted to see what the others would say,especially her adopted family.Sam's charges where hers to protect in a way,because it they got in trouble,so would Sam and Irian didn't want that!

Emily had become rather weak from all of the energy flowing from her into the stone, though when Jai'kar removed her hand and placed it on his armor she felt the flow cut off and then the small trickle of energy that was left over dissipate into the armor. She breathed a small sigh and smiled up at Jai'Kar.
"Y-yes thank you"She said and gained her footing next to Malone. She listened intently as they spoke about discovering what was going on. She agreed completely with what everyone was saying and couldn't help but smile down at Tali. The girl was way too adorable for her own good. She was snapped from her thoughts when Malone positioned himself in front of her and got really close. Blood flushed to her face causing it to become both hot and red. Thought it didn't last long as he butted heads with her. This caused Emily to wrinkle her nose and reach up to where their foreheads had hit.
"Owey!" she whined rubbing the spot. "And i thought my head was thick!" She joked with a smile though she was still blushing a bright red color.

Zack heaved a sigh at Sam's actions though when Irian kissed him he grew a little red. Clearing his thought the man stood up and turned away. "W-well im going to go find Emily!" he stated and grasped Chenols hand. "Come on, I think Sam can wait!" he stated still blushing a little as he pulled Chenol to her feet and away from the love birds.

Sam was shocked when he suddenly revived a kiss, but allowed himself to melt into it and enjoy it. Irian was defiantly a good kisser. why he never tried figuring this out before was beyond him.

Jason looked at the group of people that surrounded him and Talos. After he was able to stand on his own, Jason walked to Malone and Emily while Talos followed. "Um, pardon me, but who are all of you and where are we?" he asked looking around for Mirabella. Jason could sense her, but couldn't find her.

Mirabella giggled lightly as she started rubbing her head on Belden's chest. Happiness as in her heart as she felt his warmth then returned a gentle smile and looked at Illumina, "I am fine now as well." she said looking at Illumina with a new brightness on her.

Illumina looked at Mirabella and smiled happily about this. She was happy that Mirabella was happy, she looked at Belden and nodded. "Then if Lady Mirabella trust you, then I must do the same." Illumina said standing up and stared at the two lovebirds, for some reason this looked very familiar. Too familiar. It was as if this love had been seen before, in another life...

Sitting on her knees silently Chenol didn't know what to do. Everyone around her was talking fast and arguing. Then Zack pulled her to her feet and out of her reprieve. Shaking herself she quickly poured a drop of her potion on Sam's wound and followed after Zack. The serum would work it's way through his wound and he would be completely healed in a matter of seconds. "Sorry I just got caught up in all the action around me!" She said to Zack as she followed after him. "What all has been going on while I sat there blank and in wonderland?" She so hated when she sunk far into herself and noticed nothing around her.

Cocking her head to the side Raja studied the wolf next to her. Before answering his question she looked at the retreating form of Chenol. "Yes, yes she can be very difficult at time," she said and turned her head back to look at the wolf, golden eyes shining. "I am called Raja," she said in a soft voice. Chenol could take care of herself for a bit so she continued to sit and not go after her.

Emily looked up at Jason as he had approched her and Malone asking who they were and where they were. Confution and disbelife covered her featurs as she now looked up at Malone for a possible answer. She didnt know what to do, the man who had been thretening Mirabella was now asking, and rather kindly, where they all were and who she and malone were.
"It's ok, youve nothing to be sorry for" Zack stated as he stopped pulling Chenol with him. He slowed his pace and somewhat directed them to where mirabella was. "If anything those two should be the sorry ones!" he stated nodding his head in the direction of Sam and Irian.

Chenol continued to follow Zack, walking close to his side. She looked up at his face and studied it. Following to where he nodded to she saw the man she had helped. "But what did they do exactly? I was spacing out," she said with a small laugh.

"My name is Malone,the black dragon is Onyx."After answering Jason's question he gave a reassuring look to Emily before stepping away from her. "Allow me",said Malone as he stepped forward,seconded by Onyx.The hallway ,and the stairs leading up,where huge.More then big enough for a dragon to walk trough,it was almost as if the place had been built with them in mind. It made sense,since Pyre was kingdom of fire. They walked up together,with every step a lantern flared to life,lighting their way. Finally they ended up in a large room,with a single doorway,but no door. It led outside,but to where they didn't know. It was shrouded by smoke.

Irian felt Sam respond and smiled before pulling away.With half closed eyes she gently tugged him up,her magical senses having found that he was healed.Quietly she motioned to where the others where and started walking over.Before reaching Talos and Jason,at the edge of the crowd,Irian looked over her shoulder. "Is this adventure enough for you Samuel?It seemed to me that you where always looking for something,is this adventure it?"

The grey wolf nodded to the gryphon."Leif,that is my name. Irian has always..Followed her emotions,it makes her difficult to guide."He watched as his charge walked to join the group,and couldn't help the sudden joy he felt at the sight. In his mind,the wolf had always know Irian was missing a pack,maybe now she had finally found one.

Belden pulled away after Mira had spoken to Illumina."I'm glad you feel better,but it's far past the time to leave this place."Nervously he brushed a strand of moonlight colored hair from the young woman's face,before turning slightly to face the newly discovered staircase.