Sarka slowly opened his eyes.

What just happened? He slowly sat up, feeling that his limbs were incredibly heavy. He slowly looked up and around.

"What?" He struggled to get to his feet, but fell down. He looked up, seeing the shattered remains of the fire cornerstone. The base of the red crystal was still intact, but the rest of it was in pieces all around him. Oh, by the Elements...

He blinked.  What have I done?

He heard Joshyn's roar to the east. Sarka swallowed hard.  Whatever I've done... I'm sorry...

He tried to stand. He knew this was not good, and tried to move, but he fell down again. Great...  

He lay on his back, looking up at the sky. I'm stuck here!

*****

Orlyn knocked on the door to Anya's room. She answered wearing another gown again.

"You know, you don't have to wear those if you don't want to," Orlyn said.

"I know..." she sighed, "It's becoming habit now."

She snapped her fingers and she was now in a pair of jeans and a blue tank top. She grinned, "Is that better?"

He smiled. "Aren't you more comfortable now?"

"Yeah," She reached behind her and began to braid her hair, "So where are we going to work today?"

"I was thinking we could take the corvette to one of the moons."

"Okay, I'll just tell Jiolyu where we are going."

"Okay, cool."

She completed her braid and willed a black tie on the end of it to make sure it would not unravel. She smiled, "well ready when you are."

"Let's go then.” He looked up for a second. "Got us a pilot. He'll just stay on the bridge, so we have free reign of the ship."

He took her hand, and in an instant, they were on the observation deck of the same corvette they had used. She held his hand, "So which moon?"

"How about the red one? Kyye?"

"Sure."

"Okay, cool.” He looked over at the seats by the window. "Maybe after we're done we can have that second match.”
The papers detailing the treaty were already there, waiting for them. She smirked, "Really, so I could beat you again and say you won?"

He chuckled. "Was wondering if you'd say anything about that."

Orlyn walked to the seats, and picked up the papers.

She walked over and took a seat. "Well I was waiting for you to say something."

She turned her attention to the stack in between them with a sigh, "There's more today..."

"Yeah." The craft began to rise into the air, before the engines fired, and they flew into the stratosphere.

Orlyn glanced up at her from the papers. "So... Are your friends behaving?"

"For the most part... Soi is still angry."

"She's always angry it seems."

"She does have some good points to be angry... but still she's a child." Anya winced as a headache began to form.

"Want me to block 'em?"

"Well, they aren't talking... I just got a bad headache..."

"Okay.” He opened a hand, before a pair of painkillers appeared in his hand. "You want some water to take with them, or you just wanna swallow them?"

She just took them and swallowed them. "Thanks."

"You're welcome."

The headache just got worse. Anya sighed, "Orlyn, could you block them."

He closed his eyes, with a slight chuckle.  "Done."

She blinked as her headache vanished as quickly as it came, "Well... Soi can make me have headaches now..."

"Great. Another talent to add to her repertoire.” He sighed, looking over the papers. "So, anything new on your end of demands, so to speak?"

"No, just the same ones, you?"

"Nope. Just everyone's unsure about the Mekans and your own people."

She rolled her eyes, “figures.”

He smiled. "How about we have that match now?”

Orlyn closed his eyes and their saber and katana appeared in the room, next to them. She grinned, "You know you never have beaten me yet..."

"There's always a first." He picked up his saber and pulled it out of the scabbard. She got up and held her katana for a minute.

She then got into position. "Ready when you are."

"See? You couldn't fight in a dress."

"I bet I could..."

He chuckled. "Bet you could too, but would you want to?"

"Well, there wouldn't be much of the dress left when I get through..."

He laughed. Orlyn raised the saber. "Let's begin then."

She raised her katana and grew serious. Orlyn waited, keeping his blade ready. Anya attacked quickly, not playing like before.

HELP!Niaya shouted.  

Orlyn backed away, only to have the flat of her blade slap against his temple hard. "Ow!"

Anya stopped and rubbed Orlyn's now forming bump. "Hey... it's very unlike you to lose concentration like that."

"I know...” He looked up at her.    

Drayn found us! Niaya replied again  

Orlyn's face became shocked. What?  

We're under attack!

Anya grew worried, "What's wrong?"

He looked up at her. "It's Niaya. Drayn found her."

"Then there is no time to waste," Anya gripped her katana tightly, "Luckily I am all ready."

"Yeah, but you'll need some armor.” He looked over to the floor. In an instant a few large crates appeared. He walked over and opened one. Inside was a vest, shin guards, gauntlets and other gear too. "I don't wanna be caught off guard like last time."

Orlyn grabbed one of the vests and pulled it on, followed by a pair of gauntlets. "Suit up. This stuff is good."  

Orlyn opened the other crate. Inside were a few guns, including a concussion rifle. She closed her eyes and she then re-opened them, wearing an armour suit unlike any thing Orlyn had seen.

It fit her figure well. It had raised plates over the chest and legs. On each of these panels was a single glowing gemstone, ever shifting in shades of color. There were two gauntlets as well, which another small gem on them. The boots looked like they were a part of flared pants. Orlyn's jaw dropped.

She looked at him confused, "What?"

"Wow," was all he said in a single breath.

She chuckled, "You know most guys wouldn't get all flustered about a girl in full body armour... usually it is the less clothes she has the more they drool."

Orlyn slowly stood up, still not speaking. He closed his eyes and then slowly opened them to look at her. He began to smile. "Let's go."

"Okay." She blinked.

The corvette's thrusters faded, before the craft began to turn, and then they fired, full blast. It rocketed into the void, towards the Mekan system.

*****

Joshyn flew overhead, almost sick at the sight of the land below him. Due to the Fire cornerstone, not only the shield to the city destroyed, but also the stones' power over the weather and vegetation. The forest was completely gone, the farmland and all the crops were gone as well. Everything was one big desert, now. The tribes' livelihood was now gone, hundreds of years of work taken away the instant that crystal shattered.

The pain of this and the thoughts of his brother was his fuel to keep going. He burned another pod of zombies as he helped the other two dragons deal with Drayn's black dragon. The dragon seemed to have grown stronger, but Joshyn fought tooth and claw just to keep the other dragon from damaging the city more.

He was bleeding, so was the other two dragons, there was not much time left. They had to defeat this beast and fast before more zombies get into the city. Niaya... stay safe... I must defend my home to my end...

*****

The corvette glided through the void, entering the Mekan system. The second it was, the Quayan stealth system was engaged. The corvette vanished from any sensors and sight.

Small groups of Drayn’s ships were in orbit above the world. There were two frigates accompanying his personal cruiser, and a destroyer to detect craft with cloaking devices. The Quayan stealth of the corvette however could not be detected. There was also a long, oddly shaped ship, with several large pods on its sides. It moved a little in orbit, before a group of the pods was detached and rocketed toward the planet.

Orlyn finished adjusting a gauntlet of armor, and looked out the window. He took a deep breath, before picking up the concussion rifle again. Anya stood next to him, just looking out the window.

"Nervous?" he asked her.

"No," she smiled, "I am actually looking forward to it."

He gave her a nod. "I hate the time before the battle. The waiting and everything."

Orlyn grabbed two large cylinders from a case, and loaded two canisters into the rifle. "Seeing Drayn I'm betting is what you're looking forward to?"

"The look on his face will be priceless."

"Hope I get to see it too."

"We're entering the atmosphere," the pilot said. "Should I send for reinforcements?"  

Orlyn looked at Anya. "Are we going to need help?"

Anya shrugged, "I don't know. I will have to see how bad the battle is."

"Okay.” He looked up. "Not yet, but stay on alert."  

"Yes sir!" The corvette flew through the atmosphere, before flying over the desert.

"By the Gods..." Orlyn said, seeing some of the devastation.

Anya blinked, "...this is not good."

"Set us down.” The corvette's landing gear opened, and the craft set down in the sand.

A dragon flew overhead. A trio of Ameynite fighters chased after it, but they did not notice the corvette at all.

"Okay you two," the pilot said. "I can't open the ramp with the cloak on. So, I need you two ready to roll out, so I can get it on again."

"Okay..." Anya was ready.

Orlyn raised the rifle, and cocked it. "Ready when you are."

He looked at Anya for a second. "Be careful, okay?"

The ramp to the corvette fell open. Anya jumped out almost in an instant. Orlyn ran after her, keeping the rifle close to him. They were in the desert now.  He looked back for a second, seeing the ramp fold back into the belly of the ship and the thing fade into nothingness. He knew it was still there, because of the cloak. There was a slight movement in the sand, and he knew it was taking off again.

He looked over at her. "Let's go!"

Gunfire clicked, along with cracks of magical energy. An Ameynite fighter glided over the two of them, chasing after another dragon. The dragon's silver form did another wide turn as Joshyn came into view. Within seconds, the fighter was caught in a torrent of flame.

The craft was torn apart from the inferno. The red dragon seemed to be looking at the two specks at the ground. Orlyn?

Orlyn blinked.  Joshyn?

Ah, it is good to see you. Who is with you? The silver dragon flew off as Joshyn landed near the two. There was blood seeping through his scales and it was hard to tell if it was his or another’s.

Joshyn...He looked at the blood. Are you okay?

The dragon's yellow eyes widened, Lady Anya is alive!

Anya smiled, listening in as well. Yes, it is nice to see you again. What is wrong with the shield? Is one of the cornerstones destroyed?

Joshyn took to the air at a loud whimper from another dragon. Yes, the one of fire. Sarka is no where to be found either.

"Orlyn, please take me to the village."

"Right," he said, taking her hand.

"And unblock Soi..."

"Okay.” He closed his eyes. Her requests were finished by the time they opened again. They were now standing in the middle of the village. Some buildings were completely rubble, and those standing were still at risk from not only the invaders but also the defender’s own magic. Some houses were on fire which no one available to put them out. The remains of the destroyed cornerstone covered everything, in dust and in assorted sizes of shards.

Anya looked at the remains. She turned at looked at the other three crystals, "There losing their light now..."

"What do we do?"

Anya closed her eyes and looked into Soi's memories. "Soi was one of the ones who created the cornerstones..."

He knew what she was planning. "Will she help?"

Of course. The Mekans are cool and hot. Soi quipped in his mind.

"Good..."

You owe me, buddy. the bossy personality mumbled.

Anya turned to a shard of the red crystal and held out her hands. Slowly all the pieces around her began to rise from the ground. She closed her eyes and the shards, even the small dust-like ones, began to fly into place. As soon as the last piece found its place, a red beam of light shot up from the crystal like a beacon, with the other three crystals following suit. "Orlyn... can I barrow some of your will magic?"

"Yeah." He offered her a hand.

She kept her eyes closed, but reached out to hold his hand. Instantly, he felt the drain of his magic. He dropped to his knees in the process. She let go of his hand as the white shield once again surrounded the city. She opened her eyes and fell to her hands and knees.

"It takes that much out of you too?" Orlyn began to choke. With a hack, some blood dripped out of his mouth.

"Orlyn..." Anya quickly wrapped her arms around him, worried, "Are you okay?"

"I-I don't know..." he said, with another cough.
"Just give me a minute..." She stood and helped him up, slowly giving him back some magic with the touch. The transfusion of magic immediately gave him strength. He got to his feet with her, slowly. "I took too much at one time... I'm sorry."

"It's okay...” He knelt down and picked up the rifle again. The earth began to quake violently again. Joshyn watched in amazement as the forest began to grow back rapidly. He had to dodge the sprouting trees from impaling him.

Once clear of the forest, the rows of the tribe's farmland was back just as if Drayn did not come. An Ameynite fighter flew in front of him, before a sprouting tree drove straight through it.

Joshyn took a deep breath, feeling his strength return to normal. The Gods be praised...

The red dragon returned to the fight, ready to free his land of these invaders for the last time.

A large shadow passed overhead followed by two more. Anya caught a glimpse of large black wings followed by red and green ones before the force of their speed knocked her to the ground. Anya quickly got to her feet, now seeing where Sarka was laying. She teleported and knelt down next to him, "Sarka?"

"Help... me..." he whispered. She nodded, and touched his forehead gently, closing her eyes. She sent healing energy through him as well as restoring some of his magic.

He gasped for breath, and swiftly sat up. She placed a hand on his shoulder, "better?"

"Much," he said. His vision was getting a little clearer as well, and he saw the female Quayan.

She gave him a smile. She looked very familiar to him. That smile... impossible. She is dead.

"Now, you better help your brother. The other dragons' strength returned but they will still need the fourth dragon with them.

"Right..." he said, still trying to reason if it was really her.

He got to his feet, and began to change. Water began to condense around him, before he jumped into the air. A pair of giant wings appeared and was beating against the wind. His Elven features changed to more lizard-like, as he rose high into the air. Sarka was soon in his dragon shape, his blue-silver scales reflecting the light and making it dance as flew off.

Anya summoned her katana to her right hand and looked around for Orlyn. He was right behind her. She gave him a big smile, "Feel up to meeting Drayn?"

"You know where he is?" he asked.

"He's on the planet or that black dragon of his couldn't be here."

"Okay."

He raised the concussion rifle, and cocked it. "Let's go get him."

She nodded and used her magic to transport them to the middle of the battlefield.

"LOOKOUT!" Orlyn shouted. He grabbed her and pulled her into a crater that was a foot away. An Ameynite fighter soared the earth above them. The crater itself had four bodies in it, each one dismembered and blown apart. Blood pooled in it, up to their ankles. The sound of gunfire echoed around them along with the crackle of energy. There were one-or-two screams around them.

"Maybe I was a bit too rash teleporting here..." she crinkled her nose at the gore that she was now covered in, "Why did you have to land on top?"

"Sorry," Orlyn said. He stood up, pulling her to her feet in the process. There was a shriek above them, as a missile blazed across the sky. "Drayn really went all out for this one!"

She snapped her fingers and the gore on the both of them were gone. "Apparently..."

Two Mekans ran above them, using their spells against Ameynite soldiers. There was a loud scream from one of them.

Orlyn crept up the crater, aiming his rifle at one of the soldiers. He pulled the trigger. A bolt of ionized air tore through one of the Ameynites. He screamed, while the bolt practically tore him in two.

Anya slithered over the edge of the crater  and closed her eyes, trying to quickly heal the Mekan while sending a jolt of lightening through the other two soldiers.

"C'mon!" Orlyn shouted. Anya followed, sending out magic and cutting anything in range with her katana.

She finally got to some zombies, but did not use her katana. Instead, she simply touched them and absorbed them. All the zombies disappeared in an instant. Anya smirked and entered Drayn's mind, You're getting sloppy Drayn...

Drayn eyes grew wide and his jaw dropped. Not only was his summons turned away, but also it was her voice. You... you're...

Oh, no. I am here and you had better begin to worry... She opened her eyes and looked at Orlyn. "I know where he is now."

"Where?" he asked.

"He's about a mile out, to the southeast." She looked up as the black dragon was still fighting with all four of now un-occupied dragons. Joshyn, I need you to give me a ride.

"Uh, us," Orlyn said.

She shook her head, "No, I need to touch the black dragon to absorb it."

He understood what she was getting at. "Be careful, okay?"

"Of course," she stated with a smile. Joshyn landed not too far away and got on his side.

So, what is happening... all the zombies are gone... Joshyn asked, And why do you need a ride?

Anya ran over to him and then began to walk up his wing. I'm going to do the exact same thing I did to the zombies with the black dragon. But I need you to get me close enough to touch it.

Joshyn stood as soon as he felt she was on his back. Ah, I think I can... but are you ready?

She smiled as she snapped her fingers. A large leather saddle buckled itself around the dragon’s midsection. A long leather bridle wrapped around his head with a thin crystal bit comfortably resting in his jaw. Now I am.

Joshyn blinked but took to the air, flying towards the other dragons.

This is a much better ride, now. You should try it Orlyn. Anya entered only Orlyn's mind, which was full of worry.

Just be careful! he practically mentally shouted to her.

She was about to tell him there was no problem when suddenly Joshyn spiraled downwards. She grabbed onto the reigns tightly as she was now in the middle of a dragon dogfight. All five dragons slithered around each other to evade and attack at the same time.

A black wing caught her eye and she reached out towards it, only to watch the dragon change position. Joshyn turned left sharply and then jetted upwards. She let out little yelp as the reigns slipped from her hands. She tried to regain balance and grab a hold of the reigns again, but Joshyn now spiraled downwards and moved to his right.

Anya! Orlyn shouted mentally.

She tried to grab onto anything, but the red-orange blur seemed out of reach as she began to fall. It was if everything slowed down for just one moment before everything seemed to rush pass her. She closed her eyes, trying to think of some way to get herself out of this situation only to land on her back.

She opened her eyes to see a cloudless, bright blue sky. Her back stung from the impact and she sat up only to realize that the ground she landed on was moving. Then everything under her vanished and she felt gravity push her down again.

In an instant, she landed on the ground, with surprisingly no wounds or broken bones. Orlyn knelt over her. "You okay?"

She nodded, "I guess so..."

"Good.” He exhaled sharply. "You really scared me there. You landed on the black dragon’s back for a second and then it just vanished."

"Oh... well that clarifies things… I absorbed it without realizing it." She got up quickly, though a bit shaky. "Remind me that riding a dragon during battle is a bad idea."

"Don't worry, I won't let you forget."

A missile blazed through the sky, before crashing into the ground. Bodies flew into the air from it. The dragons swarmed to disable any more missiles from firing. Each one went after a single fighter.

Orlyn looked upward, seeing Sarka dodge fire from a fighter firing at him. He spun around, before breaking it apart with a forceful blast of water.

Drayn growled to himself. This cannot be happening. He looked to the commander next to him, "Get the remaining troops out."

"Yes sir!" he shouted. The Ameynite pushed a hand to his ear. “All troops fall back!”

Running away now? The mighty planet killer is reduced to a simple idiot... how sad.

His eyes narrowed at her voice taunting him in his own mind. The only sad thing is that you are living...

You will pay for the crimes you have committed, by the hands of many...

And if that would happen I am taking Orlyn and you with me. Drayn used his remaining magical strength to teleport his soldiers and himself back onto his cruiser. I will make you suffer... you will beg for death before the end...

"You wish..." Anya mumbled under her breath as Drayn's mind closed to her.

"What happened?" Orlyn asked.

"Drayn and his soldiers are gone."

He breathed a long sigh of relief. "Good..."

Anya smiled, "You missed my taunting Drayn in his own mind."

"Was he mad?"

"After the shock wore off, yeah."

He took her hand. "So?"

She gave Orlyn a kiss on the cheek, "We should help heal the wounded and get the city back in order."

"Right."

*****