Rowen turned his head and saw the gem on top of Alina’s staff. He had no idea what it was for, but Flash had said to destroy it. Perhaps they could end this battle before it really started. He drew his bow and cocked an arrow on the nock and drew the arrow back, squinting his eye at his target, and then suddenly he released it. The arrow flew toward the target, striking it dead center, and destroying it. Everyone turned their faces away from the sudden light, and when the light had cleared they all turned to see an enraged Alina there, furious because her precious gem had been destroyed.

Without warning she raised her hand in front of her face and suddenly sent a powerful black flat sphere of dark magic at Rowen. He had no time to dodge it, and his screams were too tormenting to bear. His friends screamed his name as Alina’s wicked laugh filled the room.. He was sent flying against a wall where he slumped to the floor unconscious and badly injured. His armor had a giant hole in it, and his torso bore a third degree burn.

Rekino’s eyes were widen. She could not believe this was happening. She forgot about her anger to Rowen and why she had been angry at him to begin with. Nothing mattered anymore. Her rage began to build up as her armor glowed bright red. This in turn caused Ryo’s armor to glow as well.. And then Rekino’s enraged shout shook the castle walls. “ROWEN!! YOU BITCH YOU’LL PAY FOR THIS!!” She was about to call the Lady Inferno when she realized Amaya and Josephine weren’t there. And Ryo couldn’t call the Inferno without Cye and Kento. It all seemed so hopeless. But then suddenly, Ryo called his attack on the wicked queen.

“Flare Up Now!” The attack went out and struck the queen, but it did little damage. She sent him flying into a wall where he hit it upside down before landing on his stomach.

“Water Torrent Power!” Scorpio cried as he unleashed his attack next. Unfortunately Alina countered it with an electrical attack and sent it flying back to him, shocking the Warrior to unconsciousness.

Rekino had had enough. She summoned her attack. “Tornado Fire Flare!” It only seemed to singe Alina’s hair, which pissed her off even more. She struck at the Lady Ronin, but Rekino dodged it with a backward somersault over her head. She landed on the floor as Alina turned around. This time Rekino tried another attack. She pointed her finger at Alina and concentrated. “Wildfire’s Flame!” she cried..

The attack went out, and this time it burned through Alina. The queen cried out in pain, and her eyes seemed to glow red. She summoned an attack against Rekino, sending her into the wall.. She was then attacked by Hana who tried to use her Halo’s Light attack. It didn’t work however, and she too was sent against the wall..

Shades was seething. There was no way she was going to let this witch win against them. She was about to call her attack when suddenly…

“Shades, desist!”

“What?! Are you crazy, Captain!” Shades was staring at Flash like she had lost her mind.. Flash stared back.

“She’s too powerful at this point.. And everyone, but us, is down. We need to get them out of here.”

“You won‘t be going anywhere!” Alina shouted as she started another attack again..

Flash’s eyes narrowed. She had to think of something and fast. They didn’t have much time left.. The attack was getting bigger and bigger.. What if she.. Yes.. It would have to do.. She connected with Blaze and told him to send them back to the hotel to recover. In an instant just as the attack was unleashed a bright white light surrounded the Ronins, Lady Guardians, and the Warriors, and they disappeared just as the attack struck at nothing.

The attack cleared, and Alina cursed. “So they’ve escaped did they? Well, no matter.. It will be only a matter of time when my husband and I rule the German empire and crush all those who oppose us in our fists. Now I think I will see how my husband is doing.” And with a flash she disappeared.

The wolves Blaze had gathered up were attacking the Roman soldiers and the insane animals like crazily. Screams filled the air, gunshots rang out, yelps were heard. But this did not stop either side. Each side continued to fight on and on. It was one huge bloody battlefield.

A black wolf tore the arm off one soldier with its bare teeth; a soldier shot a wolf in the head. Two wolves attacked an insane bear, while another wolf was attacked by a pack of wolves.

Blaze himself was being attacked by two lions.. He tossed one lion aside only to feel the second on his back, digging its razor fangs into the back of his neck. Suddenly the light from his crystal flared and blinded the two lions, sending them retreating. He was healed of his injuries..

This can’t go on for much longer. It’s going to take a miracle to save all of us, was Blaze’s only thought as he attacked again.

Amaya shook her head at her friend. Josephine had thrown up earlier and now she was stuffing her face as if she had never been sick. How was it possible to eat that much in just ten minutes. She glanced over at Kento and saw him in much the same situation. She closed her eyes and rubbed her temples.. Sometimes she wondered if they were twins.

Cye himself was not eating at all. They had all agreed to go to a McDonalds Restaurant to give Mia some private time with Hiroshi, and so far Cye hadn’t touched his Quarter Pounder at all. He kept staring at his tray, his eyes unfocused and troubled. Amaya was the first to notice this because of her link with him.

“Cye, what’s the matter?” she asked. This got Josephine’s and Kento’s attention, and they stared at the Torrent owner with worry.

“I.. I’m not quite sure.. It feels like something bad happened over there.. To Ryo and the others,” Cye replied, his voice quavering.

Kento jumped to his feet. “Then I say we…” He paused, remembering about Mia suddenly. He sat down again frowning deeply. “Rats.”

“I wish we could do something to help,” Josephine admitted. “But there’s not a lot we can do except pray.”

“Then let’s do that now!” Amaya declared.

They all agreed and they prayed for their friends. It was all they could do for now.

Thunder was very quiet and feeling more depressed than ever. He stared helplessly at his dog. He knew the dog was dead, and he could do nothing to bring him back. Not while he was tied up. He had tried to get away earlier, but a frown from his father told him not to, and so he stayed put. He glanced toward Sage and frowned. He knew deep down inside that Sage was being controlled, but when he had seen him hurt Hana he had snapped. He then realized what his feelings were for Hana.. Though he could never tell his dad that. It would cause more problems for him and for Hana too. If only there was some way around this whole mess.

Borya was thinking of some plans for his newly conquered castle. He was already taking the king’s and queen’s master bedroom as his own.. Sage would have a room next to theirs, and the prisoners would spend time in the dungeon until he had them executed. He was so deep in thought he didn’t see Sage walk away from him and stand at the window, staring out of it.. It was at this time that Alina appeared in the room.

"Alina, what are you doing here?" Borya asked, "Aren't you suppose to be taking care of those teenagers?"

Alina walked over to her husband and kissed him deeply, "Don't worry. They're not dead, but taken care of; unfortunately, my half was destroyed."

Borya raised an eyebrow at his wife, "Hmph…figures you couldn't carry out a simple task, but it doesn't matter, now does it? As long as my half is in tact, he will remain with us."

"Perfect! The teenagers didn't get into the room, though, what is it you keep in that room, my love?" Alina asked.

Borya smiled at his wife, "Nothing of your concern."

Alina pouted a little but decided to start another conversation, "How are the royals?"

"They need to be escorted to the dungeon, but, all of the other soldiers are outside taking care of a pest problem," Borya turned towards the window, "Would you take them?"

Alina beamed, "Yes," She kissed Borya before she teleported into the throne room where the Italian and German royals were being held captive. She took a good look at the prince. He was actually quite handsome. He had a well-toned muscle line. He didn't have his armor on any longer and she could see his feature. Hm…I wonder…

"So, you're in on this too, Alina?" Thaitus asked, "I thought of you better than that."

"Oh, King Thaitus, you're so naïve. You actually think that I wouldn't help my husband, that man I love?" Alina asked him, "Well, no time for questions, I'm here to escort you six to the dungeon," With a snap of her fingers, they were all teleported to the dungeon, where they would wait for the execution, "German prince, you're to come with me."

"Why him?" Lila asked.

Alina shot her a glare, "It's none of your concern," She waved her staff in front of everyone and released them from his or her restraints and left the dungeon. She teleported Thunder and herself to a private room and sat him down on the bed, "Now, would you please tell me what you and your friends are?"

"Why did you bring me here?" Thunder asked countering her question.

Alina half laughed, "I'm the one asking questions here, but if you won't answer me, I'll force it out of you," She smiled seductively and pulled Thunder in for a kiss. She could tell that he wasn't happy with her, so she only deepened it by forcing her tongue in his mouth.

Thunder struggled under the queen's kiss. He thought of something. He leaned into her embrace a little just enough to get his arms on her shoulders. Then, he pushed her back and wiped his mouth off, "What in God's name are you doing?"

"Simple," Alina replied. She took the upper hand again and waved her hand in front of Thunder. Soon, the scene changed to where he was laying and tied to the bed. Alina's appearance changed to something that was a very good, evil seductress, "I lust for you, prince. You simply amaze me. How you're so well built at such a young age. I couldn't help but feel lust for you."

Thunder started to panic when he noticed that he was only in his boxers. He became more uncertain when Alina climbed on top of him, "Lust is one of the seven deadly sins, and rape is a crime."

Alina only smirked as she leaned on to him more and more. She could feel him against her and she became more and more lustful, "Well, I'm a sinner and a rapist then, but think, my husband and I will soon rule this country and defy all law of man and God," before he could say another word, Alina kissed him hard and forced herself on him…

Back at the hotel, Flash and Shades were keeping watch just incase any Roman soldiers got any smart ideas while Hana was healing the more wounded. Since the gem was destroyed, Hana found out that most of her healing powers had come back to her. Relieved that she could help her friends, she immediately got to work. Rekino hadn't been hurt that bad, but Hana healed her leader anyways. Rowen and Scorpio had suffered massive damage. Ryo was doing fine as well. He only had a big knot on his head.

Rekino was in the kitchen waiting for Hana to get back with news on the others. She saw Flash and Shades outside on the balcony keeping watch. She noticed that her brother was on the couch with an icepack on his head, "Bro, are you gonna be okay?"

"No! My head is killing me!" Ryo complained.

Rekino snickered, "Which one?"

Ryo looked at his younger sister with big eyes, "Okay Ms. Hoochie, what has gotten into you?"

"Nothing! I just couldn't pass up with opportunity to ask you that!" Rekino laughed as she was fixing her drink, "I guess that Sanada hard head failed you, huh?"

"I'll say," Ryo said as he kept the ice pack on his head, "Man, that woman packs power. I wonder where she got it from? More so, where's the king? Did she kill him or what?"

"I don't know," Rekino sighed and sat down next to her brother, "I haven't seen him around. That's what I thought, but why would she do that? I mean, why leave the man you love alone?"

Ryo looked at Rekino with question in his eyes, "I could ask you the same question, imotochan," He scooted closer to her, "You seem to be pushing Rowen away lately? What's up?"

"I over heard you talking to Rowen about marrying me. That should sum it up, niichan," She said softly as a tear went down her cheek, "That's why I pushed him away, but when Alina hurt him…I just…snapped. Everything seemed to fade away. The reason why I was mad at him."

"I'm sorry you had to hear that, but I have to say you got one of the best shots in on Alina. First, when you came out from the ruble, then when you got her with your non-armor magic," Ryo said proudly.

"You saw it?"

"Barely," Ryo said, "But I was glad Flash got us outta there. I don't think we could've taken anymore."

At that moment, Flash and Shades walked in, "I heard my name. What's up?"

"Not a lot," Rekino said, "How's everything outside?"

Shades sighed, "The streets are filled with either dead Romans or Germans. It seems that this battle has turned out to be horrible."

"Question," Hana asked as she came into the room, "Do you think we'll be able to beat her?"

Rekino let her head fall, "I don't know, blondie. I just don't know."

"How are the others?" Flash asked, "Is Scorpio okay?"

"Yes. Both of them are. Scorpio just got the shock of his life, literally. Rowen's fine, but he's in some pain that I couldn't help. His heart is hurting…REKINO!"

"What?! What'd I do?" The Lady of Wildfire asked innocently. She noticed that everyone was starting at her, "Okay, okay, sheesh, I'll talk to him tomorrow."

"Not tomorrow," Ryo said, "Now!"

"Okay, who are you to be ordering me around, huh?" Rekino asked stubbornly, "I have you know that I am your sister and we both share the same qualities. I'll talk to him when I want to, so there!" With that ended, she stuck out her tongue and flipped Ryo off, got up, and walked into her bedroom.

"Yeah, she's mature alright," Ryo sighed as he kept applying ice on his head.

The rest of the Ronins and Guardians arrived back at the house to see Mia watching TV, but the volume was on low. They saw that she was watching the news in other countries. It was in Germany.

"Man, look at all those people," Kento replied to the news. He saw at least two hundred or more dead people in the streets, "What's going on over there?"

Mia sighed, "I don't know, but it looks bad," She kept her eyes glued to the television the whole time until she caught a glimpse of someone she knew, "Guys, it's Sage! Maybe he's back on the good side again!" The Halo Warrior was standing in the window of the royal castle with his sword held high.

Josephine's voice wavered when she saw Sage, "I don't think so. Look!"

They all saw Sage draw back his sword and power up. The news reporter kept zooming in on him, "Ladies and gentlemen, looks like we have a young boy in a green armor standing in a window. He looks like he's about to attack. Let's check it out and see!"

"No!" Cye pleaded, "You fools, get out of there!"

"Thunder Bolt…"

"Oh no! Bob, go! He's attacking us!" The reporter yelled.

"CUT!" Sage let the attack go.

"Ah…ah…ah…ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!" The screen went blank.

Amaya dropped to her knees and softly cried, "Why…why did he have to turn to the darkness? What happened to him?"

"Ryo told me that a sorceress turned him evil," Cye remarked.

Kento had gotten up from his seat and walked over to the wall. Everyone looked at him when he punched the wall and left a huge hole, "Dammit! We just have to sit here and watch while our friends are over there fighting! For all we know, they could be seriously hurt and need our help!"

"Calm down, Ken," Josephine said, "I'm sure Mia doesn't want Hiroshi to wake up. Plus, you put a big hole in her wall, you goof!"

"Shut up, Jo," Kento shot back at her, "I'm not in the mood. I just want to go and help Ryo and the others. Not stay here and baby sit."

Everyone sighed when Hiroshi started to cry. Mia sighed and got up from her seat. Walking up the stairs to the baby's room, which was Rekino's old room for the time being until her future sister-in-law returned home. She picked up her son and looked into his green eyes, "Are you worried about your father and aunt as much as I am, son?"

Hiroshi only gurgled at his mother as he watched her take him downstairs and into the kitchen to get something to eat. Oh boy, this is going to be a long night. Mia thought to herself.

Thunder was curled up into a ball as tears ran down his cheeks. He could not believe what had just happened to him. Sure many had tried it, but never succeeded, and now it had finally come. This was more than a horrible nightmare and at the moment he wished he could die, to end this humiliation and fear.

There was a bathroom that had been in the private room, and Alina was in there using the shower and singing. She had locked the door with magical energy, but still kept one leg of Thunder’s chained to the bed so he wouldn’t try and escape. She could hear his sobs, but that only made her smile and sing even more. She felt extremely good for someone who had just forced herself on a helpless person. And she knew she wanted to keep him, not only as a concubine, but also as a personal slave. She had already found out she couldn’t control him through magic, so she would beat him if necessary, amongst other things, to force him to do her will.

After she finished with the shower she dressed and put her hair up. She left the bathroom and approached the sobbing boy. “Oh come now, you know you enjoyed it, prince..”

“St..st..stay away from me!” Thunder managed to spit out in fear. If there was any times he needed any comforting it was now, and sadly his grandparents were too far away, and his friends could not help him.

Alina smirked. “No can do. You’re coming back with me to the castle as my personal slave.”

Thunder shook with fear and curled up more. Why? he wondered. Why did this have to happen to me?

Borya laughed his wicked laugh as he watched Sage attack the people. He had been right in getting him on his side. Soon it would all come into play. He glanced at his watch though. It was getting late. He decided to call the attack off for tonight to allow his soldiers to rest. Tomorrow he would order the German and Italian Royals executed. He stood up from the throne. “Sage, it’s time to rest.”

Sage kept on attacking people with his surekill.

Borya spoke the command again.

Sage struck at an old woman and smiled upon hearing her screams. Borya became enraged. “SAGE! STOP NOW! I COMMAND YOU!”

Sage turned his head and looked at him. He lowered his sword as the Roman king fixed him with a harsh glare. “Didn’t you hear me?!” Sage nodded his head. “Then why didn’t you listen the first time?”

Sage shrugged, and Borya rubbed his temples. He did not need this. That rest would come in handy after all.. He called for his wife who soon appeared with a very quiet Thunder who stared at the floor. If looked at real closely, one could see he was trembling. Borya raised his eyes to his wife. “Alina, what is this meaning of this? Why isn’t that boy in the dungeon with his parents?”

Alina purred as she wrapped her arms around her husband’s neck. “I wanted to keep him, my love, as my own personal slave.” She batted her eyelashes at him. “You will let me keep him won’t you, dear husband?”

Borya looked over at Thunder. He wanted the German royals dead at all cost, but something about the boy intrigued him. He decided to find out what it was. He frowned moments later. So the boy could not die from violence. Which meant when he would have him executed, it wouldn’t work, he’d still be alive. And if let alive and free, he might rise up more powerful and take back his empire. No, he couldn’t let that happen. He smiled down at his wife. “Of course, love. He is yours to command.”

Alina smiled and kissed her husband on the lips deeply before letting go and bowing. “Thank you, my dear king.” She straightened up and smirked at Thunder. “We shall return to the castle at once then. Will you be staying here?”

“Yes, once the royals are dead tomorrow, I’ll be destroying this place. I want nothing to remember that blasted king of this empire. I will return to our castle after dusk. You’ll be all right till then won’t you?”

Alina nodded. “Yes, my king. I will see you tomorrow night then.” And with that, she grabbed Thunder’s wrist and teleported away with him.

Rekino decided to go to bed, too stressed out, and too worried to even think about anything at the moment. Even though Hana had healed her, her sides and back hurt like hell. Hopefully she’d be able to fall asleep.. It took what seemed like several long minutes, but she finally got her wish. At first her sleep was undisturbed, but then soon images began to appear before her in a dream. She could see a man in a brown cloak, his gray hair tied into a ponytail behind his head, his face full of a mustache and beard. He seemed to be praying over a fire. What was going on? Why was she seeing this? Suddenly the fire jumped high into the air and it seemed to be turning into a person.. Her eyes widened. The figure looked.. looked like..

Cye himself was having a similar dream. In it he was running down the street when he saw a burning building.. He could hear screams. Knowing his armor was water based he sought to use it to help the people, but then suddenly, he was pulled away by someone. He couldn’t see the person very well, but he saw blond hair. Was that Hana? Sage? Thunder? He couldn’t tell.. And then suddenly the inferno seemed to build up, and was about to explode when he noticed a figure that seemed to be made of fire stood before the building. It raised its arms and then a command came out of its mouth….

Hana tossed and turned on her bed. After healing everyone she had gone to bed, completely exhausted. And now she was inside a dream. She could feel incredible anger and much much power, more than any power she had ever felt before. She had no idea where it was coming from, or what its intention was. So far it didn’t seem to be evil, but how could she tell that? She didn’t trust anything anymore. Whenever she did it turned out to be evil or even hopeless to defeat.. So what was this new power? And then suddenly she heard a voice.

‘The time shall arise when the Chosen One has come to help. The powers of fiery faith

will rise up and all evil shall be conquered.’

Hana blinked. What did that voice mean? Who was it talking about? There was no answer to her question.

Kento wasn’t having much sleep either. He had been dreaming the same dreams over and over. In it he was in the city of Germany, helping his fellow Ronins fight against the evil. He could hear the screams of the people, the burning of the flames, the uproar of the battle. It was getting all intense, and there didn’t seem to be any hope left. Ryo saved him from an attack, but his leader wasn’t spared the next attack by the enemy. He screamed Ryo’s name as Ryo hollered in agony before falling down face first in a pool blood. It seemed as if they were all losing. What were they going to do? Tears ran down his cheeks as he gripped his nanjinta tighter, his eyes flashing. He would make them pay! They would all pay! And then he heard an unfamiliar voice whisper to him.

‘There is one amongst that can end this war.’

At the same exact time, all four woke up, sweat pouring down their faces, and their eyes wide open.

Amaya had woken up with Kento and looked over at him. She saw that her fiancé had sweat pouring down from his face and was breathing hard. She scooted closer to him and wrapped her arms around his shoulder, "Sweetheart, what's wrong?"

Kento looked at his girlfriend with his big, dark blue eyes that were filled with fear and worry, "It was horrible…horrible! Ryo…he…he saved me and died…then, the fire…it was everywhere…"

"Shh…" Amaya said as she pulled him closer and let him rest on her shoulders, "It's okay. I'm here now."

Josephine had walked out of the bathroom in time to see Cye shoot up from the bed. His face was paler than normal and his breathing was shallow. Tears had started making its way down his cheek. She immediately ran to his side and examined him, "Cye?"

"Jo?" The Torrent Bearer asked through his tears, "Is that you?"

She stroked his cheek softly, "Yeah, it's me. What's wrong?"

"The dream…it was so real. The images were so vivid. I just want all the fighting to end. I don't want anymore of my friends hurt!" Cye exclaimed as he grabbed his fiancée and pulled her closer.

Hana had ran into the bathroom and splashed her face with cool water. She looked in the mirror to make sure she wasn't dreaming. She was on the edge of tears. That power she had felt. It was unimaginably strong. The anger kept her sixth sense in a chaotic state.

"'The power of fiery faith shall rise up and all evil shall be conquered,'" Hana repeated the line from her dream, "What in the hell is that suppose to mean?!"

The leader of the Lady Ronin Guardians had jumped out of bed and headed for a window just in case she was going to be sick. The images still repeating in her mind were driving her to the edge of either sickness or a mental breakdown. The person of fire had reminded her of someone. She knew it looked like…

"Rekino?" A voice called out from behind to door. She turned around and saw Rowen opening the door, "Are you okay? I heard you scream and I thought that…"

"It's okay," Rekino managed to get out, "I just had a bad dream, that's all. I'm sorry if I scared you, but the dream was so horrifying…so real," She left the window and walked to stand in front of Rowen, "She was so powerful. She had so much anger…hate…rage…"

"Who?" Rowen asked. He didn't get an answer because Rekino had flung himself into his arm. He wrapped his arms around her quickly when she started crying, "Rekino?"

"Oh God…I'm so sorry, Rowen. I'm so sorry," Rekino managed to get out through her blurry of tears.

Rowen pulled Rekino's face up so he could look into her eyes, "I already know. Ryo told me. I'm the one who should be sorry. I should've never said something that I didn't mean. You know I don't like to lie."

"You mean?"

"Marry me."

Rekino smiled. For the first time in two days she was actually happy. With the weight off of her shoulders, she brought Rowen's face down to her and kissed him passionately. She pulled him closer and he shut the door with his foot as he led her closer to the bed. The couple enjoyed a sweet reunion that night.

Back at the German castle, Borya sat on the balcony of the royal bedroom watching as the streets were set up in flames. He had been in thought since he had called Sage off. The boy had ignored his command and kept killing people. Not that he didn't like seeing the Germans writhe in agony, but Sage hadn't listened to him. His mind wandered to when Alina told him that her half of the gem was destroyed.

"I may just have to restore my half to full power, but how?" Borya asked aloud. He didn't want to lose Sage's power. Then, his thoughts floated to Alina and Thunder. The young prince had looked like he had been through hell, while his wife was smiling happily. He seared at the thought, "I hope she didn't do anything to the boy. If she did…" He shook his head to get rid of the thoughts. He decided that a warm bath would soothe him.