Hell Awaits. 62

Sounds of crashing and Furniture being destroyed could be heard echoing all through the underworld as Muerte ripped and torn the the palace. She had been disappointed again by agents she sent out to ravage Keanna. Once done rampaging through the palace she went and sat back down on the throne. She had one more idea. She had millions of spirits at hand to use. The could be sent out to cause havoc and distract the dragons until she was ready for them and started her death walk. She got up from her throne and walked out onto her balcony. There was not a soul in sight. She smiled. That's good she thought. That means they fear me. But her will was supreme here so her voice would be heard through out the realm.
" TO ALL OF YOU IN PRIVATE HELLS. I'M RELEASING YOU AND SENDING YOU OUT AMONG THE LIVING TO TORMENT THEM AND KILL AS MANY AS YOU CAN. I GIVE YOU BACK YOUR PHYSICAL AND ABILITIES. GO DESTROY KEANNA. I COMMAND IT."

Azeal Tyr listened from the palace he used for his command with Baron Valkar at his side in what was once the Celestial Fields, home of the blessed. They looked at each other knowing this meant trouble. Together, they ran from the marble estate Azeal calling for his aides.
" Talin, Lucien! " He called.
From up of the crowd of thousands two spirit came sailing from the crowd to see what there leader wanted.
" You called Azeal?" Lucien bowed to the werewolf
" Yes." He said. " I need you to take a force to the gate and stop anyone from leaving or thousands of murderous spirits will be out terrorizing the world above. I think the time to move is close."
" Yes sir!" Lucien said. " This isn't going to be easy. Some of us spirits won't make it through this. "" We know. But our families will be safe if we can stop her." The Baron told them." That's whats important."
" Yes Lucien. We swore to help stop her." Talin put his hand on his friends arm. " my great grandchildren deserve to live out there live. She wont let the do that."
" I know. Lets get going." Lucien said. " Gather some warriors. We don't have much time. They'll be going out any minute now.
" And I should get back to the Manor." The Baron told his old enemy turning to leave. " There going to want to know about this turn of events."
" Baron." Azeal stopped him." I can't do this along. Only Nestor or one of the others can stand against her. Otherwise, this is all for nothing and she will win."
" I know Azeal." He said." So does Aramis. He made it clear to me he planned to free Alea and Nestor. I've just been so busy here with you, I don't know whats going on in the real world. But don't worry, I'll be as quick as I can with answers."
Willing himself transparent Baron Valkar took to the air and headed for the gate back to the world above. Bellow him he saw all the men they had assembled to fight Muerte. There were thousands of spirits down there. He hoped it would be enough. Ahead of him he saw the gate. A great crimson spiral that was usually one way. But Muerte had opened it so souls could leave now. Stepping through the gate Baron Valkar recognize someone. It was someone that served him when he was alive. Wyland his court mage. One of the most evil men that he had ever met. This wasn't good at all. He knew he would go right back to attacking the werewolves. He had to get Lucien to the gate to stop anyone else from leaving.
[ Lucien!!] He called out. [ You have to hurry. there a line at the gate of spirits leaving.]
[ Here we are!] He heard. [ No one else will be leaving!]
The Baron looked back as he pasted into the gate and saw a battle waging. Lucien had arrived with his troops and was fighting them back. Baron Valkar breathed a sigh of relief. He knew he better hurry. She could make her move anytime and Lucien wouldn't be able to stop her.

Back at the Manor, Aramis stood at the gate with Nestor and Ono. He sent out his probes to try and locate Baron Valkar. He found him on his way back to the Manor and called.
[ Baron. How is everything in the underworld?"
[ Desperate.] He said as he materialized. [ Azeal and I have gather an army to fight Muerte. But we need someone to lead it with godly power.]
He looked at Nestor then back to Aramis.
[ My lord.] He bowed. [ I'm pleased your free.]
" I've been told good things about you and Azeal." Nestor looked at him sternly. " You have my thanks. Both you and Azeal."
" Perhaps we should be on our way." Aramis held out his hand and called to Jax to send him Hazzard. The flaming sword appeared in his hand. " Ready?"
[ Just a minute.] Baron Valkar turned to Ono. [ I have a warning for your father. Tell him Wyland Rusk is free.]
The look of shock on Ono's face told him he knew the name and the history.
" How is that possible?" Nestor asked. " My spells on the gate prevents anyone but those I have exempted from leaving there."
[ Muerte has opened the gate.] The Baron told them.[ We have guards fighting to keep everyone in, but a few made it out before they got there. Someones going to have to catch them and send them back.]
" I'll let everyone now." Ono said. " You better go before she does something worst."
" Wait." Aramis said looking at Hazzard in his hand. " Once we appear in the underworld. Muerte will know we're there. Can you defeat her, Nestor?"
" With that I can." He said reaching for Hazzard. Aramis pulled it away.
" I can't give this to you." He stepped back.
" But that was a part of the plan." He frowned. " I can end this with that."
" No you can't." Aramis told him. " Not down there. If you do, she will become so powerful she will win."
" How do you know this?" Nestor shouted at him
" Father told me." He shouted back." You believe him? Is his word enough for you?"Nestor looked at him in surprise. Rimnar hadn't been heard form in centuries. But if his son said he talked to him, he believed him.
" Lord Rimnar's word will do." He said. " What do you want to do then?"
" If we make a duplicate, do you think she'll know?" Ono asked.
Nestor and Aramis looked at Ono in awe then they both burst out laughing.
" I don't think she'll let it get close enough to tell the difference." Aramis clapped Ono on the back. " She must know how Cressca died by now. She knows we have it I'm sure. It might work. Thank you my prince."
" I can conjure a fake." Nestor said.
" Good. Ono, you get going. You father and Jandar need that information." Aramis gripped his shoulder. " When he and Rage wake. Tell them to be ready.
Lets go."

" Who is this woman?" Angela looked her over. She saw the resemblance between the two of them. Alea had long dark hair and Angela's was pure white now ,but otherwise they could be twin sisters.
" Atol." Alea said. " Is this...?"
" I knew the minute I saw her." He smiled and nodded.
Alea walked around the stunned woman admiring her.
" Can one of you please tell me what is going on here." She was beginning to be annoyed.
" Angela, this is my sister Alea." He said. " Goddess of the moon. And she's.."
" Stop." Alea took her by the hand and walked her to the couch and they sat down, She reached up and touched Angela's face. " Your so beautiful."
" Who are you?"
" I'm your mother." Tears ran from Alea's eyes as she grabbed Angela and pulled her into a hug. Shocked, she just sat there and let this woman hug her, But what she said made no sense to her. How was this possible?
" How can this be?" She asked her. " It can't be true."
" It is true." She pushed the hair from her face. " Years ago I found I was with child. I didn't tell anyone other then my parents who foresaw my greats enemy torturing and killing my child. So I had to hide you from everyone. I think you know what I'm talking about."
" What do you mean?" Angela asked.
" I met my granddaughter outside." She said. " Didn't you do the same thing? You hid her from the exact same enemy. Muerte. I watched Athene for years from above even though I couldn't do much to help. I gave her her dream abilities to protect her. I even sent Jandar to protect her when she needed help."
" What about me when I was imprisoned by my husband?" She asked. " You didn't try and free me?"
" I've been imprisoned too." She said. " And my powers were so limited. But I did send Adam to be your guard and influencing Balthazar was no easy task." 
" I tried to find my parent for years with no clue who they were." Angela was on the verge of tears. " You left me nothing."
" I knew who you would marry. One of her disciples." Alea took her hand. " If he had any idea who you really were what do you think would have happened? Tell me, what would he have done?"
Angela thought for a minute. For years Balthazar had raged about how his goddess hated the moon and the werewolves the moon children. She knew the answer to her question.
" He would have killed me in the most horrible way." She looked deeply in her mothers eyes. She could tell what she was hearing was the truth. " I not sure now to react to all this. I mean what am I? A vampire, a goddess? What?"
" Neither." Atol said as he sat across from them. " I know you've fed all your life on cattle blood. But both your parents are gods. You will need to be presented to Rimnar and Saila to be confirmed."" And then?"
" Then your godly abilities will be available to you." Atol stood and looked at the mother and daughter. " But until then, I want you at New Keanna. The dragon's manor is the safest place for you."
" Why?" Angela asked. " Prafa is safe. Theres no one after me."
" Yes there is." Alea looked at her with worry. " He still wants both you and your children. And if he finds out your my daughter. He will do anything to turn you over to her. Please all three of you should go to the dragons. He wont attack there."
" I will do as you wish mother." Angela hugged Alea. " When do I meet my father?"
" As soon as the underworld is free I will bring him to you." She looked out the window and noticed it was late. Alee would be surprised to see her. " It's time for me to go. Be safe my darling. "
In a flash of light, she was gone. Angela looked at Atol smiling at her.
" I guess your my uncle then?"
" Yes I am." He said. " And so is Jax, Aramis and Alee."
" What do I tell my children about this?" She asked.
" Nothing." He said getting up to leave. He kissed her. " I must go too. Just get them to safety. We'll meet you at the Manor. "
Atol walked toward the door and faded away. Angela sat there thinking about what had just happened to her. She couldn't believe it still. She looked out the window and watched her children talking at the gate. Balthazar had no idea where she was. There was no hurry getting to New Keanna. She would leave in the morning. She walked to the stairs and headed up to her room to rest. Up in the rafted a vampire bat unfolded his wings and dropped down and flew out the window. He had a report to make to his master.

Dragon against Dragon. 61

The council building doors flew open and Insa came running out leaving a trail of smoke behind him. He had just got a warning from Jandar about an eminent attack on Winterhaven by dragons. As he ran down the cobbled street he shifted to smoke and flowed between the people going about there daily business on the streets. He had warned the council, now he was on his way to the city gates to activate the city defenses. as he approached he shifted back to human form and surprised the guards on duty.
" Councilmen Insa." The guard looked at him in dismay. " Is there something we can do for you?"
" Yes." He said. " We're about to be attack. Activate the shields at once!"
" At once sir!!" Spinning on his heels the guard ran to the gate house and started issuing orders to all the guards within. Suddenly a hum could be heard growing through out the city and the skies developed a golden hue as the magical shield covered the city. Just then Fiero dived out of the sky spewing flames at the gate. Everyone on the wall dived for cover as the flames hit the shield and were reflected back at him. Fiero roared out his anger and slammed himself against the shields. As Insa watched the guards all went running from the walls of the gates into the city in terror. The only one to stay at his post was a young elf named Morganz manning the shield controls. Insa quickly ran into the gate house.
" When you hear my roar." He said. " I want you to turn off the shield then switch it back on again."
" Your not going out there?" Morganz said grabbing Insa's arm. " Its suicide."
" Don't worry son. I can handle myself." Insa patted his shoulder. " On my roar. Off, then on, got it?"
" Yes sir." He saluted.
Shifting back to smoke, Insa flew out and up onto the wall. As he watched Arik attacked battering at the shield then pulled back so Fiero could dive in again to flame the shield. The shield was taking a really strong beating. Insa wasn't sure if it could hold out until Rage and Jandar got there. In his smoke form he watched both Fiero and Arik streak back up into the sky to ready another assault. This was his chance. Insa roared and the shields fell. Quickly he took off out of the city as the shields came back on behind him. Now it was up to him to hold off the dragons until help arrived.
[ Rage, you better hurry.] He sent. [ I don't know how long I can hold them.]
[ Insa?] Jandar sent. [ What the hell are you doing?]
[ Giving you time to get here. The shields won't take there attack much longer. Just hurry!!]
[ We're over the bay.] Rage sent. [ Two minutes.]
Soaring up into the sky, Insa formed claws out of his smoky essence and slashed at Fiero's back. Fiero roared in pain as he banked to the side to avoid the smoke cloud. As he pasted he sent a stream of flame at Insa. Quickly becoming smoke the flame went right through him as he turned himself again to slash at the fire dragon. But twisting in the air Fiero managed to angle himself out of the way. Suddenly and a great gust of wind caught Insa and defused his smoke leaving the dragon exposed. As Insa looked up he saw a gout of flame coming at him that he couldn't avoid. This was it, he thought. Suddenly Rage flew out of no where and blocked the the flame with his own. Behind Rage, Insa saw another dragon. This one was golden. He thought it was Shine, but his crest was totally different. This had to be Valen, the first dragon.
[ Get back to the city.] Rage sent. [ You've done your job. Thank you old father! Jandar, take the others down to nthe city. Valen and I will take care them.]
[ Love.] Jandar sent to him. [ You can't kill them. There innocent dragons being control by Muerte.]
[ Then what do suggest I do?]
[ I know exactly what to do.] Jandar sent to both Rage and Valen. [ It won't be easy.]

After explaining his plan to them Jandar,Dreik and Jade headed down to Winterhaven to watch from the gate walls as they took off to battle the two dragons.
[ Valen, you take Fiero.] Rage sent. [ Try and contact him. He's in there fighting to be free, I can feel it.]
[ I know.] Valen said. [ I feel it too. ]
Diving down at Fiero, Valen reached out to see if he could feel his mind. He felt the pain that was driving his brother mad, and a spark of intelligence. He was fighting her. Valen called out to him.
[ Fiero!] He sent. [ Little brother. Its me Valen,]
Fiero shook his head as if to knock the voice out of his mind and sent his flame at the golden dragon. Valen didn't even try to avoid it. He didn't have to. Fiero's flame couldn't hurt him. It never could.
[ Fiero, you have to remember me and your sister Jade. Please!]
[ Sister?] He sent. [ Jade? Remember? No!!]
The red dragon launched himself at Valen only to get knocked away with the batting of his golden wing. Valen wasn't sure talking was doing any good. Maybe Jandar's plan was the only way. In his fist Valen held a piece of the Salvation stone. He would have to get close enough to plant it in his head. He wasn't sure Fiero would let him get that close.
Rage flew head on at Arik and sent a stream of flame towards him that he easily flew around. But as he did, Rage reached out and grabbed his leg throwing him off course. Arik tumbled through the air but caught himself and sent a hard blast of air at Rage. Folding his wings, Rage dropped like a rock until he was under Arik and kicked out hitting him in the chest. Arik roared out in pain and veered of to catch his breathe. But Rage wasn't going to give him that much time. Angling his wings, Rage dived down and slammed into Ariks back then launched himself away.
[ Come and get me Airbag!!]
And Rage took off. Angered, Arik gave chase after him. Unknown to Arik, Rage had just dropped Denner on his back in the form of a spider. So small Arik never noticed he was there. Increasing himself in size, Denner crawled as quickly as he could along the dragons back. As Rage sent gout's of flame back at Arik to keep him distracted from feeling Denner and shaking him off. Denner kept moving. Crawling along Ariks back, Denner found himself on Ariks head. He shifted back to human and slammed his Salvation stone down onto the dragons forehead then dived off shifted to eagle and flew off.
As the Salvation stones magic took affect Arik howled out in pain and dropped fron the sky shifting to human as he fell.
[NO!! ARIK!!] Fiero screamed. Seeing his brother fall was all he needed to destroy the spell. [ Valen save him!!]
Rage dived down folding his wings to his back and was like an arrow moving through the air. As he approached Arik, he reached our and grabbed him out of the air then opened his wings and sailed over the surface of the water. Suddenly a large column of water shot up and Maxius the water dragon appeared. Turning west Rage turned aside to miss him. Looking back he saw Mortimer riding Maxius's back. He climbed forward until he reached his head and place a blue stone on the top of his head. Rage saw him wave as Maxius howled then slipped back under the waves.
[ I got him!] Rage heard. [ Don't worry. I'll get him out of the water and back to shore. Call someone to pick us up.]
[ I'll meet you there and give you a lift.] Rage headed for the shore to wait for the Merman and the passed out dragon.

Opening his eyes Fiero looked up to see Valen sitting in a chair next to his bed. He rubbed his eyes not sure if he was dreaming. He looked around not sure where he was.
" It's not a dream." Valen said leaning over and wiping Fiero's forehead. "Your free of her. She'll never get in your mind again. I promise."
" Arik?" He said. " I saw him fall?"
Valen pointed to the beds next to his. There he saw both Arik and Maxius sleeping soundly.
" Are they alright?"
" They're fine. Slip into there dreams and see." Valen smiled.
Fiero looked at his brothers and remember all that had happened to them. Tears began to run down his face as he turned away from Valen and cried.
" Little brother whats wrong" Valen asked.
" I failed you." He said. " I couldn't protect them."
" Nonsense." Valen said as he got up and sat on the bed next to him." If it wasn't for you. Both of them would be brain dead. You kept them alive and you fought so hard you broke her spell on your own. I felt the pain. Jade and I both did. We know what you endured. I am so proud of you."
" What now?" Fiero asked.
" You three get some sleep." He said. " You need it. You haven't slept in weeks. Let us deal with her. That's an order."
" I don't think I can get out of this bed anyway."
Valen get up and pulled the covers up over his second the ran his hand through his hair.
" Go dream with your brothers. I'll come check on you later." He said as he headed for the door. " Sleep well little brother."
Outside the door Cutter waited for him. Valen held up his finger to keep him quiet and walked him down the hall.
" Does he remember yet?"
" No." Valen told him. " You can make sure they never remember?"
" Yes." Cutter told him. " Don't worry. They won't remember what she made them do until you can help them with the memories."
" Good." Valen said. He looked sad as he turned to head down to Rage and Jandar's study. Muerte had made Fiero and the others do some horrible things. He knew it was time to end this. She had to be stopped.

Lost Again. 60

Restful sleep found Fiero, Arik and Maxius at last. There dreams were of rolling through the skies and the ocean and of days when they were all younger. But still there was something missing. Fiero kept seeing flashes of two unknown dragons in his dreams. A golden one and beautiful green one. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't recognize either of them. But for some reason he didn't feel any danger from them. Atleast he and his brothers were free and the pain was almost gone.
As he flew high over the mountains he heard someone call to him. A chill ran through his mind. He knew that call. It was her. The bronzes sweet call that froze his mind and put him back under her spell. He tried to resist but she was more powerful then he was. Fiero concentrated on his brothers and found that he could keep a small part of himself free of her control. He knew the more he fought, the more he may be able to finally break free. But for now, he knew he was back in her control.
[ You are my weapon now.] She said. [ Take your brothers and destroy. Destroy every city and town you find. Kill everyone you see! Go now!!]

[ ARGGGGHHH!!! ] Valen screamed in pain and fell from the sky. Rage and Denner dived down after the falling dragon and caught him before he crashed into the ground. Gently the two dragons lowered him to the ground where he shifted to his human form. As Jandar jumped from Rages back Dreik brought his boulder down carrying him and Jade to rest a few feet from the stricken dragon. Jade jumped down and ran to her leader.
" Valen!" She called lifting him into a sitting position. " What happened?"
" Its our brothers." He said. " She's got them again. There minds are searing with pain again."
" Got damn!" Rage slammed his fist into Dreiks boulder." This his got to stop!"
" Easy love." Jandar took hold of his fist to make sure he hadn't hurt himself. " Don't do that again. Hurting yourself won't help." Jandar scolded him.
" I know." Rage said as he kissed his mate. " Its just so frustrating. Every time we think were close, she finds a way to thwart our progress."
" Can you still track them?" Denner asked.
Valen closed his eyes and concentrated. He saw Fiero carrying Maxius with Arik next to him flying. They were attacking a small city. Burning and causing tornadoes to rip apart the city.
" We have to hurry." Valen said. " Its happening again. There on the attack."
" Then climb on and rest." Dreik said. " I'll do the flying now."
Jandar and rage both put an arm around Valen and helped him to the huge slab of rock Dreik was controlling. jade helped him settle himself in a position that was comfortable.
" Your sure the tree of us is not to heavy?" He asked.
" I could lift a mountain if i have to now." Dreik smiled. " You just rest and let me take care of it."
Rage shifted and Jadar climbed back on his back. Denner transformed into a large eagle, he spread his great wings and took off.
[ Lets go.] Rage sent. He took off then Dreik lifted his boulder and easily took them into the air after his companions.
[ How far away are they?] Denner asked.
" Just over that ridge ahead of us." Valen answered.
Climbing higher they noticed how grey the sky was. There nose told them it was smoke. Something was burning over there. They all had a feeling they knew what was happening over there.
" Please tell me that's not what I think it is." Jade said. She strained to try and see over the ridge.
" We'll know in a minute." Dreik said.
In a line they breached the top of the ridge. What they saw shocked all of them. The town below them was totally covered in flames. Every house on shop was a blaze. They saw no running people, but they did see burning bodies.
" Heaven help us!!" Jandar whispered.
[ Who could have done this?] Denner sent.
" Fiero did this." Valen told them. " I can smell him in the air."
[ No, Muerte did this.] Rage said. [ Fiero doesn't have this in his heart. I doubt Polan would do this.]
" She's that powerful?" Dreik asked.
" Havnt you been listening to Aramis and Jax?" Jandar asked. " Goddess of death. Yes, she's that powerful."
[ Then what chance have we got against her?] Denner asked. [ She can take control of us just as easily.]
" No she can't." Jandar reached up and touched the salvation stone embedded at his throat. " This prevents her from controlling us. And you forget. We have Aramis on our side. Life will overcome death."
" You hope so." Dreik called out.
" Wrong. I know so." Jandar said. " Its one of the first rules of magic. Good overcomes evil and life overcomes death. We'll win this battle, we just have to keep fighting."
[ There not here anymore. We move on.] Rage said. [ Which way Valen?]
[ North and hurry. There heading for another town.]

Far in the north the trio of dragons saw in the distance a large city. Fiero groaned in his mind.
[ Not again!!]
Arik flew up next to his brother and looked over at him. His mind was so jumble he could no longer send his thoughts, All he could do was obey what she put in his head. Fiero could see the tears of pain in his eyes. Deep in his mind he knew he was screaming for Fiero to help him. Fiero pushed out out with his mind and sent soothing thoughts to both his brothers. A stabbing pain came back at him. He pushed it away seeing the relief come over there eyes. There pain had been relieved for the moment. Now to the task below them. Winterhaven.

Realizing when they were, the dragons put on more speed. There could only be two destinations for the dragons. New Keanna or Winterhaven and both meant disaster.
" There heading to Winterhaven." Jandar said to Rage. "We have to stop them before they get there."
[ I'm calling Ono to be on watch just in case. He can put Ariel in the bay to stop Maxius.] He sent back to his mate. [ You call Insa. Have him put the city on alert. They have magical shields that should hold them off until we can get there. Denner, Dreik we have to move!! Lets go!]Prafa was quiet since the attacks from Balthazar had stopped. And that put the whole city on edge. Tanis and Athene were on the gate talking with Adam when they heard from Ono what was happening there.
[ We can be there to help in an hour.] She sent to Ono. " Tanis, get mother. we have trouble at the Manor."
" Whats going on?"
" A dragon attack."She told them.
" Dragons fighting dragons?" Adam shook his head. " What can we do to help?"
[ Nothing.] Ono said. [ Your safe there. Besides I don't trust Balthazar. This is the perfect time for him to attack. Stay there and keep your eyes open.]
[ If that's what you want.] Athene sent. [ Promise to let me know what happens.]
[ We will.] And he was gone.
" I'm scared Tanis." Athene sat down on a bench on the wall. " Father's been to quiet. I know he's up to something."
" So do I." Adam told them. " And I think I know what."
Both Athene and Tanis looked at the large friend. Tanis still amazed at the change in him. Last time he saw Adam, he was the warrior Sting. Strong and simple but loyal to his mother. Now look at him. Tall and handsome with a clear thinking mind again.
" What are you thinking?" He asked.
" I think he's building a army fashioned after my warrior form. Can you image that?"
" I hope not." They heard out of the air. A second later Atol appeared smiling standing next to a woman with sparkly hair the looked a lot like there mother. The three stood there with there mouths open staring at Alea. A little uncomfortable at the stares, she smiled and greeted them with a nod.
" You see it to I guess. Atol looked at Alea to.
" What in the world are you talking about?" She frowned.
" You'll see." He said. "Where's you mother?"
" In the house." Tanis stammered. Atol and Alea started down the stairs and Tanis and Athene went to follow. Atol stopped and looked at them.
" I think this is going to be a private meet." He said. " You two stay here."
" But mother might.."Athene started.
" Stay!" He turned and led Alea down and up the street. Alea was by now getting a little annoyed by all the secrecy. And goddesses weren't really good with annoyance. The walked to the back of the town to a small house with a sign that read Blacksmith. Atol knocked at the door. An elder bald vampire opened the door and greeted them
" Lord Atol." He said." I'm pleased to see you. Come in. Who is this beautiful..." His mouth dropped open.
" That's it!" Alea said." Whats going on? Whys everyone so shocked when they see me?"
" Usher," She heard. " We have guest?"
Atol stepped out of the way to reveal a beautiful white haired woman that could be her twin. Alea and Angela stood the in shock staring at each other.
"Angela, meet Alea. The goddess of the moon." Atol smiled. " I thought you should meet."

High on the tallest mountain on Keanna a magical light flashed and a tall handsome god appeared. Aramis stepped out and walked out aways and looked up into the sky. In his mind the saw memories of his home on Fortis. All his brothers and sisters. There homes and palaces on that beautiful mountain in the sky. He remember his parents, beautiful Saila, goddess of the heavens and Rimnar the eternal one. He was in need of there help right now. For his only they could advise of how to destroy his own wife, Muerte the death goddess. Aramis sat himself on a ledge overlooking a distant range of mountains. It was beautiful up here and quiet. A perfect place to find them.
" Father, Mother!!" He called out. " I need your help. I can't forgave all the death she has bought of the world. All her evil deeds. She has hurt some of us and destroyed many people. What do I do? Binding her powers and imprisonment is not an option anymore. She would just find a way to free herself and it would start all over again. I have what I need to bring an end to her. But I won't do that without your council. Father?"
Lightning flashed and the mountain rumbled as clouds rolled in and covered the sky. A single beam of light broke through the clouds and shine down on him.
MY SON, YOU KNOW WHAT MUST BE DONE. SHE HAS BROKEN EVERY LAW I EVER MADE FOR US. AND MUST BE PUNISH.
" But death father?" Aramis said. " Is that the answer?"
IT IS HER WAY. SHOULD HER PUNISHMENT BE ANY DIFFERENT THEN WHAT SHE WOULD HAND OUT?
" I don't know." He said.
: You once loved her my son. Can you condemn her now?:
" She destroyed that love, Mother." He said. " She is the one forcing my hand here. This is not something I want to do."
THEN YOU HAVE YOUR ANSWER MY SON. YOU KNOW WHAT TO DO. SEND HER TO US. WE WILL CARE FOR HER.
" Yes father." He put his head down. " I know what to do."
ARAMIS. YES I KNOW YOUR NEW NAME. IT PLEASES US BOTH. DO NOT LET HER DIE IN THE UNDERWORLD.
: If she does, she will be unstoppable:
The clouds began to break out as there voices faded.
FAREWELL SON. BE CAREFUL. SHE IS POWERFUL.
And they were gone.

Back at the Manor. 59

Death walked the halls of the manse of the lord of the underworld. Not one spirit would dare enter these hall for any reason unless called by there new mistress for all feared her anger. Muerte had seen the last of her agents beaten. Kearn was now imprisoned in a volcano and useless to her. She should have expected they would all fail. They were all lucky the dragons and her brothers had taken care of them instead of her for they were far more merciful then she would have been. The only one left free was Dirod and she could tell he was fading in to oblivion. He had not even tried to do her bidding, instead he hide himself in his mountain and just gave up. All she had left was the dragons of Valen's clan.
" Fine." She said out loud. " They can wreck havoc across the lands."
She knew exactly where they where. All she had to do was get to them before Valen and the rest of the dragons did. They were a little confused, but she could reinforce her spells and get them back to killing for her.
Muerte walked to the front entrance and left the palace. With a wave of her hand she disappeared in a flash of darkness heading for the world of the living.

In a flash of light and magic, Aramis appeared in the courtyard of the Manor in New Keanna with Atol, Alea and Nestor. He had made contact with Ono and Shayn telling them they were coming so they were waiting in the garden for them. As they appeared Shayn and Ono dressed in there finest tunic and leathers came over to greet them
" My Lady." Shayn bowed as Ono stared. He elbowed him back to his senses. " My apologies." Ono said bowing. " Welcome to New Keanna."
" Alea, Nestor." Aramis introduced them smiling. " This is King Shayn Whitehall and his mate Prince Onoacio Tyr my brothers."
" We're pleased to meet you." Alea smiled. " You must be something special for my brother Vita, I mean Aramis to consider you brothers."
" You have no idea sister." He said. " These people protected me and cared for me like family from the moment Jax and I stepped through there cities gates."
" I wish to thank you all for that." Alea reached for there hands. First Shayn. She took his hand in hers.
" A white dragon." She said, " Very impressive. White ones don't come along very often. You my friend will be very powerful."
Shayn smiled not knowing what to say. Next Ono stepped up and she took his hand. Alea started to speak and thank Ono when she stopped. She looked deeply in his eyes.
" Your destiny is not here." She said frowning as her eyes clouded over.
" Not here at all. You and your mate will do great things somewhere else. Somewhere far from here and away from your clan."

Protect the white and grey.
For they will cause the end of a thousand
years of tyranny and enslavement.
There power and courage will doom
the high ones and bring freedom to
all that suffer and fight with them.
The mark of the wolf and dragon will be the sign.

As her eyes cleared she saw everyone staring at her. She blushed and smiled at them.
" Shall we go in?" Aramis said guiding them towards the entrance of the Manor. Together they followed Aramis in. Once inside Ono stopped in the foyer.
" That was a prophesy wasn't it?" He asked.
" Yes it was." She told him.
" What does it mean?" Shayn asked. " We're going somewhere?"
" I can tell you no more." Alea told them. " I don't know how or where your going. I just know the two of you will leave here in the future.
" Forever?" Ono asked. The look on his face told her she had scared him. But she had no more answers to give them. She was sorry she had told them what she had. But her prophecies had a life of their own and had to come out.
" I don't know the answer to that." She tried to comfort them. " I think things will work out for you. I don't see death, just what I've said. Only you can make your futures what you wish. But there is something you will need. That jewel you both wear. There is a larger piece yes?"
" Yes." Ono reached up to touch the salvation stone at his neck. " It's in Jandar's study. Why?"
" Trust me." She said. " It's very important that you carry the big piece, very important."
" Enough with the prophesies." Atol said as the entered the first floor study and made themselves comfortable. Aramis poured brandy for the adults and wine for Ono and Shayn then sat down.
" How did the other mission go?" Aramis sipped his brandy." Jax, Alee and the others?"
" I'm fine and Cressca is no more." They heard from behind them.
" JAX!!" Aramis leaped up and hugged his brother. " I was worried about you red one."
" The god of justice will prevail." Jax smiled releasing his brother. " At least with the help of his friends."
Jax went and greeted and hugged Alea and Nestor then got himself some brandy and sat down. Ono stood in the front of his guest and told them what had been happening with everyone else.
" Jayce and the shadows with Ariel and Toric defeated Pelis and put him back in his confines in Tir Na," He explained. " Only now he's not in a zoo. He's in an enchanted cell in the old castle were he shouldn't escape again. "
" Bravosa is being cleaned of all the snow." He said looking at Alea. " Thanks to Alee and Nautica. Don't worry, Alee is fine. He defeated Kearn on his own. They should be back soon. Jax, as you can see helped save everyone in Azia and Cressca is no more. "
" Yes." Jax said. " It's dead at last. Cressca won't be bothering anyone ever again. But I didn't kill him. Athene did. She ran him through with Hazard.
" Selena's Blade?" Alea asked.
" Yes," He said. "I called out to her and she sent it to me."
" Where is it now?" Alea asked looking towards Ono.
" I put it in a safe place." Jax told her. " I can't let the wrong person get there hands on it. Could you imagine if she got it?"
All around the room heads shook in agreement. Muerte could not be allowed to get Hazard for she had the ability to use it. Not everyone did. That thought in mind, Atol remember something.
" Jax." He said. " Where is Athene and Lady Angela?"
" In Prafa. Why?"
" I think Alea needs to meet them." Atol looked at Alea remembering the day he met Angela and how much the two resembled each other/
" I think we have other things to discuss right now." Aramis said. " Like getting Muerte out of the underworld."
" I agree." Nestor nodded his head. " There has to be a way for me to get back down there and take back my realm."
" There is." Aramis said standing up. " What if you lead a rebellion of the souls down there against her? Would that help you reclaim your throne?"
" Yes." He said. " But I can't get down there to organize something like that. The minute I appear, She will know I'm there."
" Then it's a good thing we've already got things started for you." Aramis smiled. " You know Baron Valkar?"
" Of course I do." Nestor looked at Aramis confused. " He was the most evil vampires ever to exist. He turned and murdered thousands. Caused millions of deaths in his time. I've been punishing him since the day Azeal Tyr sent his soul on to me. What's he got to do with this?"
" He and Azeal Tyr have been working together to organize the underworld for your return."
" Are you serious?" Nestor asked. " Baron Valkar Zlenka? The first vampire did this for me?"
" The second vampire, dear." Alea corrected him. " She's the first. Muerte is the original source of vampirism, and that was my mistake. My curse on her. I never should have cursed her like that. Look what I did. I caused a whole race to be born out of my anger."
'" No Alea." Jax said. " They're a very proud race now. No longer curse to kill to live. You will meet some very special people once we can get them all together."
" Like me and my people." Ono spoke up. " If it wasn't for your curse, Jandar and I and my whole race would not exist. My people had a hard time at first being the slaves of the vampires, but we overcame that just like many other race's without curses did. So please don't blame yourself for what's happened. We are proud to be what we are. And speaking for Valkar of the vampires. So are they."
Alea with tears in her eyes looked around the room. She looked at Ono and saw the truth of his words in his eyes. His was a race caused by her actions and as far as she saw they were thriving, and so were the vampires. But Muerte was still out there and her corruption was spreading like wildfire. It was time to put an end to all her evil plans.
" So what do we do?" She asked.
" Nestor goes back to the underworld to reclaim it." Aramis told them all. " If he takes Hazzard with him I know she will either fight or run. I think she will run. She won't take a chance against Hazard. She knows what it can do. Once she's back on Keanna I will deal with her."
" And our clan?" Shayn asked.
" Don't worry." He said. " I'm sure she has something else up her sleeve, like Balthazar and those missing dragons. That's where the rest of you will come in. Ono, Shayn get in touch with Jandar and Rage and fill them in. Find Valkar and warn him, cause all hell is about to break loose."
" And what can I do?" Alea asked.
" Come with me to Prafa." Atoll said. " You can meet Athene and Angela."
" If you think it's important."
" And us?" Shayn asked.
" You both stay here." Aramis said. " Some of your clan will be coming back from their missions. Fill them in on what's happening and be ready. I'm sure we'll have surprises in store for us. Jax, I think one of us should stay here in just in case something happens"
" No!" He said. " I stay with you Aramis."
" Jax." Aramis put his hand on his brothers shoulder. " If Nestor's task goes well, Muerte will be free back in the world up here. There's no telling what she might do. I need you here."
" Where are you going? He asked.
" To see Father." Aramis said. " I need his advice."

Summer's Return. 58

Being the faster of all the snowdogs, it didn't take Runner very long to reach Jona and Viggo at Kearn's mound. They found him sitting out front with the rest of the dogs all around him with his head down. Together Sarah and Runner walked over to him. Runner nudged his favorite human feeling his pain and loss. Sarah sat down next to him and reached for his hand.
" I'm sorry Jona." She squeezed his hand, He looked over at her tears flowing freely down his face.
" It's my fault." He said. " I never should have left her alone."
" It's not your fault." She told him. " You had no idea there were snowmen there or that Kearn would take her."
" But I wasn't there when she needed me." He put his head down in his arms and cried. " She was my wife. Protecting her was my first and most important job. And I failed."
" Nothing I say will change how you feel about what happened." Sarah lifted his face to look into his eyes. " But this isn't your fault. Your not the one responsible for any of this. Kearn and Muerte are the ones that did all of this. I know you hurting now. But help us end it. Help us put an end to all there deranged schemes."
Jona wasn't sure what he should do, but he knew Clea would want him to do all he could to help stop Kearn from doing this to another village or town.
" I'll do what I can. " Jona told her. " Clea would want me to."
" Good." She smiled at him and got to her feet. " Where is she? We can't leave her here. We should get her home."
" In there." He said. " Rush can show you where she is."
" Rush, show us where she is."
{ Come.} He took his head from Jona's lap and headed into the mound. Sarah and Viggo followed him in gazing all around at the drabness of what Kearn calls his home. Soon they found themselves in Kearn's throne room. Sarah could feel strong magical energy coming from somewhere in the back of the room.
" Feel that Viggo?" she looked around.
{ Feel magic.} He answered.
" Its coming from that ice wall there." Together they made there way towards the back. There they found Clea frozen in a wall of ice. But something was wrong here. The ice wall was glowing and throbbing with magic. All dragons could feel magic, but it took training to understand the spells. And Sarah wasn't trained in that way. But she did know something strange was happening here. As they watched the magic began to throb stronger and stronger. Soon it was so strong they had to back away not knowing what would happen. Suddenly cracks began to appear in the wall. They grew bigger and longer until the whole wall shattered. Viggo pushed Sarah out of the way to safety shielding her with his body as ice shards wouldn't penetrate his hide.
Shocked at what had just happened Sarah climbed back to her feet and brushed snow and ice from her leathers and looked over to the wall.
Sarah couldn't believe what she saw standing there. She called out in her mind to Jona.
[ Jona get in here now!!]
It didn't take but a few seconds for Jona to come running in to see his wife standing there free of the ice but change. No longer was she the beautiful vibrant woman he remembered. What stood there was a blue skinned woman devoid of any heat her body once had.
" Clea?" he called. He stepped closer to get a better look at her. Clea's skin was an ice blue in color. She no longer had pupils in her eyes, they were a snowy white now. Her hair was now black as coal and framed her face. Jona could feel the cold radiating out from her. She smiled at him. But he knew she was different now. This was not the woman he married. She stepped forward out of what was left of her ice cocoon.
" I can feel your warmth." She said. " Come warm me my love. Give me all your warmth, I need it."
" Jona!" Sarah reached out and grabbed him to pull him back. " Don't touch her.!!"
Excited to see her free of the wall of ice. Rush trotted forward to greet her.
" NO RUSH!!" Sarah yelled to him. " COME BACK!!"
" To late." Clea reached out and grabbed the snowdog and pulled him into her embrace. He yelped as she drew all the warmth from his body and left him a statue of ice. She laughed as he crumbled in front of them and blew away like dust.
Viggo howled and readied himself to leap at her when Jona grabbed him to stop him. He growled at her in Jona's arms.
" Come on." Sarah said. " We have to get out of here. There's no room to move."
Pulling Viggo with him Jona followed Sarah out of the mound as Clea's laughed echoed through the palace.
" What the hell did he do to her?" Jona asked as they backed away from the mound.
" He infused her with his cold energy and changed her into that thing in there." Sarah told him. " His bride is what she has become. Just as cold as he is. is."
" We can't leave her like that." Jona pleaded.
" There's nothing the two of us can do." She told him. " Maybe with the others we can figure something out. How to cure her. But right now, we should go and get help. Maybe Alee can help or Jandar, or Aramis."
Jona knew she was right. His magic was no where near powerful enough to help her. All he could do was hope he could convince the others to help him.
" Lets go." He climbed on Runners back and waited for Sarah to mount Viggo. As he watched Clea came out of the mound. Jona looked back at her. She stood there with an evil look on her face.
" I'll be back." He told her. " And I'll find a way to cure you, don't worry."
( If you come back. Sweet Jona.) She sent to him. ( I'll enjoy your heat and kill you. So why don't you both stay with me."
Clea thrust out her hand and sent an intense blast of cold at them. Sarah and Jona leaped from the backs of the dogs as they bolted out of the way of her blast. From the ground, Jona raised his hands and sent his own blast of magic at her. Forming a circle in the air before her, Clea formed a shield to block him. His blast hit her shield and was deflected away.
" You can do better then that love." She called out.
Sarah got to her feet and shifted to Nautica. She roared out her anger then used her water abilities to extract the moisture from the snow around her and send it as a frozen ball toward her.
[ Your not the only one with power over ice.] Nautica sent.
Thinking fast, Clea made a slicing movement with her frost covered hands and split the ball in half pushing it away from her. Viggo, Runner, and Geo began to circle her snarling there anger at the death of there brother. Geo charged forward howling his shock vibrations at her. The ground around her shook as she stepped back covering her ear from the sonic shock blast. Viggo and Runner added there howl to Geo's causing Clea to scream. Behind her the mound began to shake and fall in on itself as the snowdogs continued there assault on the ice queen. Soon Kearns palace lay in rubble behind her and the snowdogs stood growling.
" I'm not ready for this battle." Clea said gathering a cloud of snow to her to take her away. " Back I'll be back for you my dear husband. And you will die! Farewell my love!"
Nautica, Jona and the dogs watched as her cloud rose and flew off into the mountains. Nautica shifted back to human as they all stood and looked at what was once Kearn's palace.
" She's gone." Jona said.
" But she'll be back." Sarah told him. " You can bet on it. Let's get out of here."

High over the snowy plain, Alee shined like a star. He had powered up earlier and now was ready for anything Kearn could do.
" Ahhh so I see the dragons have someone they think can beat me huh?" Kearn spread his arms and formed a cloud to take him high in the air to confront the sun god.
" Think?" Alee smiled. " I don't think I can beat you, I know it."
" That's pretty bold talk." Kearn said as winds picked up and snow and ice began to fly all around him from his cloud. " So soon as I take care of you and your dragon friends. Your sister Muerte will be next. It's to bad you won't get a chance to warn her."
" You really think she would have set you free if she thought you were a threat to her." Alee blazed with the power of the sun. " Your just as stupid as you are evil cold one."
" I guess we'll see."
Kearn lifted his hands and sent snow from the ground streaking at Alee. He didn't move an inch as the blast of snow came at him and evaporated a few feet before it touched him
" You can do better then that." Alee smiled.
" You bet I can."
Out of the air giant icicles formed, with a wave he sent then at him. Alee raised one hand and waved them aside and blew them into ice crystals that rained down on the field of combatants below. Kearn stared into Alee's eyes not sure what to do next.
" That it?" Alee asked. " Where's all that cold power you said you possessed?"
" Here!" Kearn reached out with his freezing magic and in cased Alee in an instant block for ice. The smile dropped from Alee's face as he fell to the ground. But feet from the ground the block exploded and Alee soared back up at Kearn to attack him. Swinging a fiery left and right, Alee connected knocking him back. Kearn flew back at Alee with his hands glowing blue with freezing power to fight back, The battle in the sky raged on with blow upon blow at each other. Kearn seized Alee and tried to send his ice directly into the sun god. But his heat prevented his ice from doing any damage. As they held on to each other Alee turned up the heat. Kearn's hands began to sizzle where he touched him.
" You think your cold can overcome me!" Alee yelled as fear began to show on Kearn's face. " I ride high in the sky bringing light and heat to this world. I have kept your freezing forces from destroying this world since my father Rimnar created this world. Now you will feel the true force of the sun. The winter is over for you!!"
Sweat ran from Kearns face as he tried to wrench himself from Alee's grip as he grew hotter and hotter. Alee poured more power into his hold shining brighter and brighter. Kearn screamed as steam rose from him and he grew weaker.
" Stop please!" Kearn cried as his cold field fell. " Your burning me. please stop!"
" Look at what you and Muerte have don't to Bravosa." Alee's eyes glowed with power. " You want mercy? Did you show any? Any at all!!"
Kearn couldn't take much more of the heat Alee was radiating. He slumped in Alee's arm powerless. Alee realized he couldn't take much more. He had an idea of how to keep Kearn from attacking anyone else.
He turned down his power.
[ Blaze.] He sent. [Kearn is finished. I know what to do with him. Can you deal with the snowmen?"
[ Yeah.] Blaze told him. [ The snowmen are almost finished. What do you plan to do?]
[ Your a red dragon.] Alee said. [ Follow me and find out.]

Deep in the thermal caves ran the heart of an active volcano. In a flash of heat and light, Alee arrived with Kearn in his arms and Blaze at his side. In the distance he saw an island in the center of a lake of lava and landed there. He sat Kearn down and smacked his face to wake him.
" What?" He looked around dazed until the heat hit him. " Oh no! Where are we?"
" This is your prison." Alee smiled. " Your new home."
" I can't stay here. the heat will kill me. " Kearn cried. " Take me out of here!w"
"No, I'll enchant this island so you can generate some cold to live." Alee said. " But if you move beyond the boundaries I set. The heat will kill you."
" No. I can't stay here!!"
[ If I was you.] Blaze said. [ I'd start generating that cold now. Make yourself a nice little ice palace so you can be comfortable. You'll be here a long time.]
Alee and Blaze took off from the island as Kearn froze the island over and formed a throne in the center of his ice dome. With a last look Alee took them out of the lava chamber and back to the surface.
[ You think he'll ever get out?] Blaze asked.
" Good luck with that." Alee laughed. " Come on. We still have to get rid of all that snow and clean up in Bravosa."

Winters End. 57

The snow had stopped falling in Bravosa, but it was still freezing cold. There was no one moving in the deep snow but snowmen and there mounts. Kearn had created out of a large mound of snow left by an avalanche his own palace hollowed out by magic and his snow men. Inside he molded a beautiful Ice home for himself. A large entry hall complete with ice statues and ice walls with magnificent cold furniture. A frozen chandelier hung from the ceiling that sent off sparkling light from the almost invisible walls. Kearn's palace was the perfect place he thought to rule the world from once he was rid of his enemies. And first he would start with these dragons. That would make Muerte pleased enough for him to get close enough to put an end to her. He looked over to the corner and saw Clea dressed in a beautiful gown he had conjured for her. Over that she wore a full length fur coat to keep her warm until he was finished with her rescuers. Then he would take her and make her his. He wondered how long they would take to try and rescue her.The clouds over Bravosa had thinned out and the sun was trying to break its way through. Deep in the forest Rush and Geo were on a scent they had found back at the battle sight and were following it. They knew just what the scent was. It was there old masters. There was no mistaking that smell. Running quickly over the snow it didn't take them long to follow it to where the Kearn had taken the snow men. From being a large group of tree tops, the snowdogs watched. Walking along the front entrance they saw two snowmen briskly patrolling. Slowly they crept closer to the mound. Their white fur causing them to blend in with the blinding snow all around them. From inside Geo saw Clea sitting in Keans throne room with her head down. He tried to reach in with his mind to her, but Kearn had set up some kind of block that stopped his probe.
{ Found man's mate.} He sent to Rush. Rush made his way over to him and looked in. He could see she wasn't hurt but she was scared.
{ We stay and watch.} Rush sent as he settled down in the snow.
{ I tell Viggo what we see.}

Sitting on his throne of ice, Kearn watched Clea shiver in the cold. He smiled at her distress but he thought she was so beautiful. He stood and walked over to where she had sat down as far away from him as she could. He stood and looked down on her, then knelt to look her in her eyes." So beautiful." He smiled at her. She pulled away from his cold touch with disgust and spit in his face. Kearn reached up and brushed the frozen dust away.
" You don't like my touch?" He asked standing back up. He raised his hand and willed ice to start forming at her feet. She jumped up and tried as hard as she could to pull herself free from the floor. But the ice kept forming all around her. The entire corner she stood in was beginning to fill with ice.
" What are you doing?!" She screamed in horror. "Stop! Please, Stop!"
" Don't worry my sweet." Kearn smiled at her." It won't hurt. You'll just go to sleep. And if you wake up, well then things will be all different. You'll be my Queen with a frozen heart just like mine."
The ice had risen to her chest by then. It was getting harder for her to breathe. She couldn't move anything at all by then except her mouth.
" I'll never be your Queen." She said. " And my husband and the dragons will come for me and kill you when they find me dead. So enjoy you last hours you ice freak." Kearn laughed as the ice covered her head.
" Never say never,"
He walked over and tapped on the ice knowing for the moment she was still aware. He kissed the ice covering her face then turned and walked out of the room laughing.
" Snowmen, to me." He called. All around his palace they came running to his call. Once outside he found ten snowmen and there dogs waiting for him. He walked out to stand in front of them.
" We have work to do." He told his slaves. " I want the dragons here so I can destroy them. To do that , we must draw them out. That cave you found would but perfect."
He walked over to the snowman that had captured Clea. He stood straight for his master.
" You can find that cave again, right?"
" Yes master." He nodded his head.
" Good." As Kearn walked away from the snowman he waved his hand at a snow pile and ten more snowmen formed. He went over and placed his hand on each of there frozen chest and sent life into them one by one. With a gasp they took there first breathes and bowed to there god before them.
" We have people to kill." He smiled as he caused a cloud of snow to form around them and take them off to do his bidding.

Watching from the forest Rush and Geo sniffed for scents to see if any snowmen were still there. Neither dog could find a scent in the air. That meant Clea was all alone.
[ Stay.] Rush sent to his partner. [ Tell Viggo, I go see wo-man.]
Padding to the front entrance, Rush looked around to be sure there was no one around. He pasted through the entrance and followed his nose through corridors checking all the places Clea had been until he came to Kearns throne room. There he found her. Slowly the great dog made his way into the throne room and up to the wall of ice. There she was frozen deep in the wall of ice. Rush could detect no life coming from her frozen form but he could feel the magic still lingering all around her. Maybe there was still a chance he thought. Quickly he turned and bolted from the room and out of the mound. By the trees he found Geo waiting.
{ This bad.} He sent. {Wo-man in trouble. Get Alpha here fast.}
{ I call Viggo.} Geo nodded his agreement.

As the three dragons and Alee talked with Jona in the tower, they heard Viggo start howling outside. Everyone turned to Icicle wondering what was happening. They all ran for the wall to see what was wrong. Viggo and Runner bound back and forth in excitement. Icicle called them to him.
" What is it?" Icicle asked.
{ Wo-man stuck in ice place.} Viggo sent to them. { Ice man not there.}
" This is our chance to get her out." Jona said. " We have to go."
Suddenly Viggo started barking again and nudging Icicle.
{ Ice man at cave now. Mia see him.}
" Chuy is there all alone. " Blaze said. " He'll be killed with the whole town. Jona, you take Viggo and go free Clea. We'll deal with the cave. Alee, I hope you can handle Kearn."
" With a little sunlight at my back. I don't think he'll be a problem." Light shined in his eyes.
" You go see about the cave. Give me a little time to tan and I'll meet you there. "
Alee walked over to Jona and handed him something.
" Whats this?" Jona asked. He looked at the red stone in his hand. It had strange symbols carved into it.
" Just in case you have to move fast to get away from Kearn." The Sun god smiled at him. " Put it on Viggo's chest and send a spark of magic into it."
" What is it?" Jona asked again.
" You'll see." He said as he began to glow until there was nothing left of him but an orb.
" Hurry." Icicle called after Alee as he streaked through the wall. Nautica followed them to the wall. Blaze stopped and looked at her.
" I don't think we'll be needing you in this battle." He said. " Stay here."
" Why? I'm a fighting dragon just like you and Icicle."She said sternly. " I can hold my own in a fight."
" I know you can sister." Blaze explained. " But I won't let you get hurt."
" Blaze." She looked into his eyes. " All of you protect me like I'm some kind of frail crystal figure that will shatter if anyone touches me. I'm not. I can fight just as hard as any of you and maybe even harder. Ask Denner, he'll tell you."
" I'm just trying to protect you!" Blaze threw his hands up in desperation.
" I don't want you protection. " She put her hand on his face. " I want your trust. That's all."
" Blaze." Icicle stepped over to them. " She's right. She's as powerful as any of us and deserves to be treated with respect, not sheltered."
" Ok." He said. " I understand. But I still don't want you facing Kearn. You can go with Jona to help. Will that do?"
[ No it won't.] They heard Rage send to them. All three dragons jumped at his intrusion.[ Nautica is your sister and you will respect her wishes. And she's almost as immune to cold as Icicle is. You can use her help. Now stop arguing and get moving. People need your help. Do I make myself clear?]
[ Yes Sire.] Blaze answered.
[ All of you be careful. Kearn is no joke.] Rage sent. [ Get going!!]
[ Yes sire.] They all intoned and walked through the wall.
Outside Jona mounted up on Viggo and asked if he knew when Rush and Geo were.
{ Yes. We go?}
" In a second." He turned back to the dragons. " I'll call once we get there. Good luck."
" You to." Icicle called to him. " Bring her home safe!"
" We will." He patted Viggo's side. " Lets go!"
With that Viggo took off out across the snow plains to find Clea and bring her home.
" Sarah, we'll fly." Icicle said as he started to shift. [ You ride with Runner. Lets get going.]

Viggo followed Rush and Geo's mind trail through the ice and snow for more then an hour until they found the site of an avalanche. Viggo stopped and sniffed the air.
" Whats wrong?" Jona asked.
{Rush and Geo.} Viggo told him. { Something wrong. We hurry.}
Holding on tight Viggo took of running with all his speed around the mound. There they saw the two Snowdogs waiting outside of Kearns mound. Skidding to a halt, Jona jumped off and ran to the dogs.
" Where is she?" He asked.
{ We grieve,} Rush sent, then he threw back his head and howled. Viggo and Geo joined him.
" What the fuck happened!!" Jona screamed. " Where is she?"
{ Come.} Rush trotted off with Jona and Viggo following behind him. They went into the mound and brush led them to the throne room.
{ Here.} Rush laid down and whimpered. With Jona in front, he and Viggo entered and looked around. Everything was made of ice in here. It was freezing cold. There wasn't much furniture . Just Kearns throne and a table and two chairs. From the ceiling hung a beautiful crystal chandelier with snowflake crystals reflecting light. Jona looked towards the back and saw a ice wall. It looked strange, like the was something in it. Viggo's ears perked up. He had found Clea's scent and barked. Jona strained his eyes to look at the wall. But he couldn't tell what it was from there, so he walked forward. Jona walked right up to the wall but still couldn't tell what was in there. He reached up and wiped away the frost and to his surprise found his wife's frozen face staring back at him.
" NOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

A horrible stab of pain ripped though Icicles mind and almost knocked him out of the sky as they made there way to the thermal cave. Blaze looked back not see his cold brother riding in pain. He rushed back to see if he could help.
[What's wrong?] He asked.
[ Its Jona. Somethings wrong] Icicle shook his head.
[ What?] Blaze asked.
[ I don't know.] icicle told him.
[ Is he hurt?]
[ I don't know I said!] Icicle snapped as they hovered in the air. [ I'll call Viggo and see.]
[ Viggo!] He called out.
{ Yes Alpha?}
[ What's wrong with Jona. He's in pain.]
{ His mate.} He answered. { DEAD. In ice.}
[ Blaze. Clea's dead.]
[ How?] The fire dragon asked. [ What happened?]
[ Kearn froze her in ice killing her]
Tears ran down Icicles snout and formed frozen drops that fell to the ground.
[ Jona's going to need us.] Blaze sent. [ We can't go to him now, But Sarah, you can. I need you to trust me this time. Jona needs help. Go to him please.]
[ Runner and I are on our way.] She turned an headed off towards the mound.

Clouds filled the skies as two men guarded the front entrance to the thermal cave. They were bored and cold being up in the snow. There was at least two more hours left for them to be out there and the small fire they had burning wasn't doing much for them.
" I'm freezing." Rab told his companion shivering wrapped in his furs and blankets. " I want to go back inside."
" We can't."Garic said frustrated. " We have two more hours to go."
" We could just go inside the entrance. Its warmer in there."
" And what if those snowmen come back and we're not here watching?" Garic asked him." Then there's no one to warn the others. You want that on your head?"
" No." Rab said. " But I don't know how much more of this cold I can take."
" Then go on in and get warm. We can take turns." Rab smiled and turned towards the heat.
" Hey." Garic called. " Don't fall asleep."
" I won't."
Garic pulled his blanket tighter to him and looked out over the snowy fields. he was terribly cold to but he knew how important watch was. He had children in the cave and this was his only way to protect them from those frozen monsters out there. The reached down to heat his hands in the fire and thought he should put more wood on it before it died on him. He needed the little heat the fire gave off. Just around the corner there was a huge wood pile they had made to keep there sentries warm. He stepped away from the fire and turned the corner to gather a few logs. A blast of cold wind hit him immediately and he shivered as he bent to grab a few splits of wood. As Garic stood back up he saw a flash out of the corner of his eyes. He stepped back a little so the light from the fire would hamper his vision. Straining to see what was out there, Garic squinted his eyes. He saw shapes heading there way. Many of them. They were big, bigger then men. He knew they could only be snowmen coming for them. Dropping the wood, Garic ran back into the cave and found Rab on the ground sleeping. He grabbed him yelling.
" There coming." He said shaking his friend. " Get up now. We have to hurry!!"
Rab woke with a start with Garic shaking him. Quickly he got to his feet and ran after Garic. Running deeper into the cave Garic made his way to find Chuy who was helping heal the wounded from the last attack.
" Chuy!!" Garic called. " There coming!!"
" Get the men armed." Chuy ordered. " I want the woman and children in the back. I'll put up an illusion to hide them. Garic, I need someone watching the entrance so we know when there going to attack."
Out of the back carrying a small child, Kara and Kuan made there way over to Chuy. Kara reached up and tugged his sleeve.
" Master Chuy." She said. " You can't fight them all off by yourself."
" I have the men here to help." He said.
" Do you think that will be enough?" She looked up at him worried.
" Kara, I have help coming."
" Jona and Clea?" She asked.
" I don't know if they'll be here." He didn't want to tell her of Clea's abduction. That was information she really didn't need at the moment. Hopefully, Jona and the others could get her away from Kearn and back home.
" But Chuy." She said. " There here, and we're trapped in a cave with no way out."
" Calm yourself." Chuy stepped down from the platform he had been working on." We're not trapped. Theres a way out. But its not easy. It's only in case of emergency, and a last resort. So help me keep all these people safe. Get the woman and children to the back for me please."
" I'll do as you ask." They turned to leave. Chuy stopped Kuan.
" Kuan, I'm going to need your help too." He turned Kuan in a different direction. " I need you to join with Garic in organizing the men. I'll be in front with you using magic to help protect you."

From behind cover on the side of the cave, Mia and Tug watched Kearn's snowmen advance on the entrance with there mounts at there sides, Deep in there throats Mia and Tug began to growl there annoyance with the rest of the dogs still under snowman control. Mia reached out to there minds.
{ Brothers, sisters.} She sent to them. { Snowmen bad. Hurt us many times. Why you help them hurt? That not good. You not bad like snowmen. Help stop them. Be free like us. New Alpha, Not evil. Not hurt others. Come be free with us.}
Out on the snow field all the snowdogs stopped there advance on the cave. They looked at the snowmen in front of them and remember the beatings and the hunger from not being fed and being caged up. Outrage began to fill there hearts at there past treatment. Growling began to grow deep inside there chest. There eyes glowed with contempt for the snowmen.
{ They masters.} The lead dog sent back to her. { What we do?}
{ Fight snowmen with us.}
Looking back the snowmen noticed there dogs had stopped and were growling at nothing.
" Move!!"
One snowman reached out and struck his dog in the snout knocking him to the ground. Blood ran from his muzzle as the dog climbed back on his feet. All at once the great beast turned to the snowman and barred there sabre teeth at him. Shocked the snowman raised his hand to strike and teach the dog a lesson about there defiance.
{ Will dogs still follow snowmen?} Mia asked.
{ No! We hurt no more!}
Suddenly two dogs jumped on the snowman and forced him down ripping and tearing him apart. Pieces of his icy form flew as they dug into him as he was killed on his back.
" Stop!!" Kearn ordered.
With a wave of his hand he sent the dogs all flying towards the cave. Mia and Tug stepped out of the shadows and stood with the rest of the dogs as the climbed back to there feet. Ten snowdogs stood at the entrance of the cave now growling there defiance at there enemy.
{ Alpha. We protect cave. You hurry or we dead.} Tug sent out a message to Icicle as the snowmen came at them with raised weapons.
[ We'll be there in a minute.] He sent back. [ I'll have Chuy come out to help you.]
{ No!} Mia sent. { Him stay with people. We fight.}
Mia and Tug trotted out to the front of the line of fifteen snowdogs against twenty or more snowmen. They were joined by the other lead dog. His name was Pen. A large bold male with a dark streak across his chest and threatening eyes. Pen stood between Mia and Tug as they attacked. The first snowman swung his axe and Mia. She jumped aside and barrowed into him and slashed up with her long knife like teeth. She ripped off the arm he held his axe in the sent him to the ground biting into his neck.with a quick twist it snapped and he was dead. As another tried to launch itself at her, Pen stepped in and leaped on it. Roaring in its face causing powerful vibrations that shook the snowman until it shattered into a thousand pieces. All hell broke loose as the snowmen attacked. Several dogs were beaten and a few killed as they fought for there freedom. Kearn watched the combat as the two forces clashed. But as the snowmen had superior weapons, they seemed to be coming out on top. As the winter god watched, men came pouring out of the cave. All armed with swords and axes to join the fray. In the back of the group an elder grey haired men called out to the humans.
" The snowdogs fight with us.!" He said. " Destroyed the snowmen!!"
Kuan ran out and parried a blow meant for Mia and ran the snowmam through tearing his chest open. With a quick swing of her paw, Mia snapped its neck and slammed down her paw crushing its head.Thinking the fray was heading towards a win for the wrong side, Kearn called more snowmen from the snow. Sending his breathe towards his new recruits that came to life.
" There are your enemies!" He told them. " KILL!!"
From the snow, thirty more snowmen came running into the battle. Mia looked up and saw them. This was more then they could handle and she knew it. Alpha was there only chance now.{ ALPHA!!!}
Suddenly a gout of flame came from the sky and melted a snowman about to stab Tug with his blade.
" Here Mia!!"
Looking up Mia saw a great red dragon and Alpha coming out of the sky to join the battle. Blasts of flame and ice were sent at the snowmen melting and freezing snowmen. Icicles breathe was so cold the snowmen froze in place and all it took was a single blow to shatter them. Things had changed now and the snowmen were losing. Chuy in front of the cave sent bolt after bolt of energy at the snowmen blowing them apart. Mia and Tug went from one to the next with Pen tearing them apart while Kearn kept making more as they destroyed them.
" Pathetic Dragons." Kearn spat out at them. " You can't defeat me. I'm a god! Don't you understand!!"
A sudden flash of heat and light filled the sky making everyone shield there eyes, Over there heads glowing like the sun, Alee hovered in place looking down at them.
" I know who you are." Alee smiled. " And you defiantly don't scare me."

How They Fall. 56

Standing face to face across from each other, Jax and Cressca stared menecingly at each other with weapons ready. Behind them Sting, Athene and Angela arrived and were attacked by Cressca's guards. Adam grabbed one man with each claw and smashed them to the ground killing them quickly then moving on as another tried to stab him in his carapace. The spear bounced off and Sting kicked out at him knocking him into two other guards crushing them. Firing bolt after bolt of mystic energy, Angela advance into the courtyard followed by Athene in her wolf from.
" This is over Cressca." Jax called to him. " We turned the villages away from your hellish pyramid. You've failed your mistress."
" Not if I kill all of you." He strecthed out his wings and then pulled them tight against his back. With a horrid scream Cressca raised his spear and ran at Jax thrusting at his chest. Jax spun around and slashed at Cressca's back to cut into his wings. Cressca screamed in pain and bought his spear around and hit Jax in the face with the shaft. Jax stumbled back almost tripping on a dead guard. Seeing his chance, Cressca jumped into the air with his spear ready to impale Jax. Using his speed, Jax hurried out of the way and slashed out at Cressca's side as he passed leaving him with a deep cut in his side. With a quick criss cross slash Jax cut the membrane in Cressca's wings making them useless then kicked him in his back sending him face down into the dirt. As Jax stood over Cressca, he walked around the downed monster.
" You've killed thousands of the people here." Jax said as flame erupted all along the scimitar. " This ends now!"
Cressca rolled over onto his back and sneered up at Jax. " Go on! kill me! I'll be back in time!"
" Not this time you won't. See this blade?" Jax held out the flaming scimitar. " It was made for Serina, the goddess of war. All her weapons are spelled. You know what that mean? They kill immortals."
Cressca's eyes grew wide as it sunk in that this will be the final death if he loses. Scramblig to his feet Cressca spread his wings and tried to escape by air. But because of the damage to his wings, he couldn't get very high. Jax jumped up and grabbed his leg and threw him to the ground. As Cressca crashed to the ground he sent a blast of energy out into Jax's face blinding him and knocking him on his back blinded. Hazzard flew from his hand and off behind the two combatants.
" Well god of justice." Cressca laughed. " I guess I get to please my mistress after all. Thou I dont know how pleased she will be when I retreive your weapon and use it to make myself the new death god. With Nestor gone, once I kill Muerte. I'll stand un oppose in the underworld. Even Jandar and Rage won't be able to defeat me then!"
" Yes they will." Jax said rubbing his eyes, blinking to clear them. "Monsters are made to be destroyed. And thats all you really are. Nothing but a fucken monster! Your no god! You force people to whorship you so you can devour there lifeforce.You'll never take the underworld. They'll stop you!"
" You won't be there to see it." Cressca raised his spear for the killing blow and advanced on Jax.
" Good bye God of Justice!!"
With the a sinister smile on his face and the spear ready to be driven into Jax's chest. Cressca took a step forward and screamed as Athene drove Hazzard into his back from behind. From his eyes, mouth and the wound in his chest screams began to escape as all the souls Cressca devoured were released. Like ghost they flew from his body into the air to find peace atlast. Cressca screamed as he began to fade into nothing and Hazzard dropped from Athene's hands. Angela ran to her daughter and helped him put down the sword. Sting shifted back to Adam and went to help Jax up. They were silent as the took in the last few minutes.
" Cressca's dead." Jax said. " Atlast were through with him."
" Yes," Angela said. " We did it."
" Im exhausted." Jax smiled at them. The others came over and stood with him looking pleased.
" Theres one more thing to do." Athene said. " Bring down the rest of this pyramid. Jax?"
Jax reached out and took Hazzard from Athene and walked to the ruins. He raised the scimitar and bought it down and sliced through the rock pile. The ground began to tremble as he stepped back. Like a small earthquake the ground openned and the ruins began to fall in on itself. Soon there was nothing left but a large hole.
" I'll get Dreik to fill it in later." Jax said, " Lets go home."

High over Relos, Ariel met Jayce while they look for any traces of Toric or his father. She could feel the termoil going on inside of Toric. Battling his own father she was sure was not an easy thing to do.
" Have you seen any site of them?" Jayce asked.
[ No.] She answered. [ But I know there down there somewhere.]
" Whats that?" Jayce pointed off to the west where they saw something coming out of the trees. arirl looked where he was pointing. She saw a flock of all types of birds coming towards them.
[ I think were in for a fight.] She sent. [ Pelis sent them to slow us down so he can do with Toric what he wants to.]
" Its not going to work." Jayce told her. " I have a fast solution to that problem."
[ Then you better move fast. There almost here.]
[ Graym!] jayce sent. [ I have a problem here. Look up, See that flock? Its heading my way. Send your sunbirds to intercept them.]
[ We're on our way.] Graym sent back.
Out of the sun flecks of light quickly began to fly towards the mass of avians flapping there way towards Jayce and Ariel.
" Dive into the tress!!" Jayce told her.
[ No. I dont have time for this.]
Ariel called out with her powers to the wind. She made it grew stronger and stronger until there was a wall of air between them and the flock. There was no way the birds could pierce that wall. As they watched, the sunbirds caught up with the flock and tore into them. Feathers flew as they ripped them apart.
[ Those are some deadly little things arent they?]
" You should see what they do to vampires." Jayce smiled. " We should get to looking for Toric."
On the ground Pelic searched for Toric and Pelis. With a wave of his hand he parted foilage out of his way as he searched the area he was in. Hearing noise and growling he thought he had found the battle. So he rushed in. He was wrong, what he found instead was a clan of cave bears waiting for him. Pelic stopped where he stood. All the bears were snarling and slowly advancing on him.
" This isn't good."
Suddenly the lead bear leaped for him. Pelic thrust out his hand and repelled the bear sending it flying to land on his back. Without warning the rest of the clan attacked. Pelic harden his body to its absolute density as they tried to rip into him. He didn't want to hurt them, he knew Pelis was making them attack him.with another wave of his hand, he pushed them all back away from him. Once they were clear, he spread his arms and floated up out of there reach. Below him they all were belowing at him trying to reach him. As he sailed away they followed bellow him giving chase. A thought came to Pelis as he watch the bears leaping to grab him.
[ This is great.] He said to himself. [ If I find Toric, I'll lead these bears right there to help Pelis.]
[ Then take them somewhere they'll be safe.] Jayce told him. [ We'll find Toric then call you.]
[ I'll put them to sleep in there cave then find you all.]
[ Hurry.] Jayce sent. [ We may need you.]

Toric stood and watched as his father got to his feet towering over him. Pelis began to growl in raged as the beast took over him. With a mighty leap and his claws stretched out,Pelis came at his son. The look on his snarling face was horrible. Toric threw up his hands and put a force shield between him and his father, Pelis slammed into it then used his fist to beat on it trying to break through. thrusting out, Toric expanded the shield throwing him off. Like a cat, Pelis landed on his feet and rushed back. He summoned a powerball and slammed it into the shield causing it to crack. The strain of holding the shield together was painful on Toric. He didn't know how much longer he could stand the assault. Again and again Pelis bashed at the shield making it weaker and weaker. It wouldn't take many more hits before it fell and Toric was exposed.
[ Tory.] He heard in his mind. [ You have to hold on. Jayce and I will be there to help in a few minutes. Just hold on!]
[ I don't know if I can.] He sent back. [ I don't have much left to fight with.]
[ Toric, your a collector.] He heard in his mind. It wasn't Ariel this time but another voice. A familar voice. His mother.
[ I know you have never used your powers to siphon power before, but thats the only way. Siphon his power and use it against him. Do it now!]
The shield was almost destroyed and that would be his end if it fell. Could he do it? there was only one way to find out. Toric reached out with his mind to his father and slipped into his mind. What he saw there was a blazing core of power. He reached for it and made contact with his fathers center of magic. Power began filling into him, his spained akle healed and he felt stronger. His shield began to strengthen as Pelis's strikes became weaker.
[ What are you doing to me?] He backed away feeling his strength fading from his body.
[ Im doing what you've done to us for years.] Toric stood and drew more and more power from him.
[ No! Stop it right now! I order you to stop!! You can't do this to me. Im your father!]
[ Why not?] Toric yelled back at his him. [ Did you ever just once show a bit of mercy on anyone? Did you? You tortured your own wife for years! Not to mention all the others you killed!! Why should I spare you, you monster!!]
At that moment Ariel and Jayce landed near the pit. Ariel shifted and they ran over to them. Toric stood over the howling beast draining his lifeforce. Ariel reached out and touched his shoulder. Her love began to overcome his hate for his father
" Tory." She said. " Stop. You don't have to do this. Not this way. He's beatten."
" But he's hurt so many." Toric said. " He has to be stopped for good."
" And we have stopped him." Jayce said. " Look at him."
Toric looked down at the weakened form of his father on the ground whimpering his tongue hanging from his mouth. Toric released him and he whined. Ariel pulled him into her arms as he started to cry.
" He'll never hurt anyone again." She said as she soothed him. He looked up at her.
" Don't bet on that." He whispered to her. " He'll find a way. I know it."
" Then we'll be there to stop him." Ariel kissed him. " You and I."
" No." Jayce said. " All of us."

Ono sat up and rubbed his eyes then look to Shayn laying next to him sleeping with a smile on his face. He was dreaming. And Ono had seen the dream. Jax destroyed Cressca. that age old death god was dead was gone forever. And Pelis was under Toric and Jayce's control again. This would please Jandar and Rage. Some good news atlast. Ono moved over to Shayn and kissed his face and ran his hand across his chest. He rolled over and smile at him.
" There ok." He said as he pulled Ono down to him.
" Yeah they are." Ono kissed his lips and took him into his arms.
" You know I love you." Shayn pushed the hair from Ono's face to see his smile.
" You better." He said. " You know its not over."
" I know." He ran his hand down Ono's back pulling him even closer.
" But We're winning."
" So far we are." Ono kissed him again. " Dream us something nice this time."
" Why don't you help me." Shayn smiled and pulled the covers over there heads.
" You are my dream." Ono whispered kissing Shayns neck.