Howls of pain broke the quiet night. The stars shimmered light lights above the dark sky. A feather glowed bright between a black paw. It grew into sword, meeting another one sword, it's holder a red coated wolf. She snarled and kicked the wolf off, so her wings bursted away from the wall and she flew at the red coated male, slashing at his chest. He caught it with his sword and peryed it. She backed away, her wings flapping violently.

"Arahhh!!" the male yelled, having his sword behind his back and he slashed fast at the female. She turned, but wasn't quick enough. The blade sliced her right arm to her back. Feathers flew in the wind and she fell a good thirty feet toward the ground. She opened her wings, her wings crippled and she slammed into the brush. The male skimmed the tips of the trees, looking for the black female. She was no where in sight. He growled and flew off. His dark silhoute clouding the full moon, until he disappeared from sight.

A white wolf's head flopped through the bush. She looked around. She saw the wolf fly wolf. She licked the blood from her wound and limped off to find a den.

In the middle of a huge battle in a field spanning miles, A Demonic-looking creature covered only in white flames was pulverizing countless grunts and mediocre swordsmen with a large and powerful Claymore. For what seemed like hours, the mere weaklings struggled to take out the inhuman beast with what little strength they had; even in their numbers. After slaughtering several others, the creature (Dragon) plunged his sword into the earth, recited a strange incantation, then incinerated the pathetic excuse of an army with an earth-shattering blast created from the very Hellfire that engulfed the creature. A few moments afterward; the creature looked around, and began to change into what appeared to be it's more common form: A huge, heavily-built, solid black Timber-Wolf with strange red markings, and blood-red wings that matched the intensity of his red eyes. "These pathetic worms keep getting weaker and weaker....What must I do to get some challenge again?" The wolf then spread his wings and flew into the black, starless skies...

Neschume limped further into the forest. She stopped, hearing a distant battle. She rolled her eyes and layed down by a river. She licked the wound on her arm. She sighed lowly and looked up at the sky. he shook her head. She caught a slight glimpse of another Niwa flying across the sky. A shiver ran up her spine. She stood up, her tail flicking back in forth. She closed her eyes and opened them. Once they were open they were the dark shade of purple. Her fur changed and wings ripped from her shoulder blades.

Black feathers flew into the area. She lifted herself in the air and soared across the sky. She lightly skimmed the faint clouds that lingered across the sky. She studied the Niwan that was about a couple 100 yards in front of her. "What would a Niwan be doing way out here?" she asked herself and flapped her wings, but didn't head toward him. She could see the coloration on his wings. He was one of the Niwa's she didn't really want to come across. She had already taken a heavy beating from brother.

She huffed and flew across the sky, casting her shadow over Dragon, but ignoring him. The moon was still in the sky, casting a luminious glow on her black wings. She let out a light howl and continued to fly out.

Dragon was soaring in the cold air, thinking about what other villiages he could use as a base of sorts; as he surveyed the land. As he was lost in thought, he felt a chill run down his spine. Normally to others, chills indicated fear; but to him, it meant something was close. Real close. "New blood...By the smell it's a female...and injured.." Dragon said to himself. He then heard a weak howl not far off, confirming his suspecions. ""The female's a fool if she thinks she can just fly around in her state...But something seems so sad..No..I can't care..It's not right..But...hmmm..." Without a second thought, Dragon instantly made a U-Turn; to observe the female from a distance and make sure she didn't somehow injure herself agian. And if possible, she could lure him to some new 'Victims'..

Neschume landed on a low cliff. She groaned when her wings sunk back into her flesh. She sighed, her head low. She glanced at her arm, blood dripped down her leg. She sighed and looked down at her paw. She looked up, scenting Dragon coming near. Her fur bristled a bit, but she didn't want to start a fight, not in her condition. She sighed and licked her wound for a bit.

She turned her head, hearing wings, they didn't belong to Dragon either. She growled, already knowing how it is. She stood up and growled, her wings ripping back out, blood sprayed in the air and dripped down her back. She turned around fully to see the same Red coated wolf. He was perched on a branch and smirked down at the female. He already has sword drawn. "Ahriman!" she growled, her fur bristling.

"Neschume." he said calmly and lifted from the branch, but not attacking yet.

From a distance Dragon could see the wounded female confronted by another male who more-or-less appeared out of nowhere. Dragon quickly determined that judging from the stupid-beyond-imagination-looking grin on the males face, the male was the one who attacked the female. And out of all the things he hated; the one thing that disgusted him the most is when a male has the adacity to strike ethier a female or a pup, and one Dragon always saw as an unforgivable mistake...Despite that he knew nethier of them, the male had earned Dragon's undying hatred...

Neschume growled angerily at her brother. She held her wings high, ready to take off into the skies. The male didn't waste no time in attacking. With a swift movement, he met Nes's sword. She kicked him hard in the chest and flew high in the sky. Sher almost blended in with the night sky. She growled angerily, watching her brother, gain his stance back. Before attacking, he looked around. He must've sensed Dragon was near. He let out a snarl that sounded like a hiss. His wing flapped, lifting his body off the ground. His sword weilded.

He howled out an attack and swiped at her wing. Black feathers flew in the air around them. Neschume growled in pain and before he took another attack, she swiped at his leg. He backed away, flapping his wings furiously. He flew at her with a high speed and slammed her into a tree, pinning her with his sword against hers. Her wings crushed painfully on trunk of the tree. She scratched his stomach and flew back, slashing out. The blade pierced her shoulder, running through it. Her wings whipped out and made an arrow and cut into his own wings, sending him falling to the earth.

He crashed into a bush and got out, his black fur glistening with sweat. His stomach and hind leg bled. He growled, looking up as his sister kept hovering over him, ready to attack if wanted to resume this stupid fight. Ahriman only growled and limped off, disappearing into the shadows of the night.

Neschume let out an exhausted sigh and slowly floated down. She slid to the earth, her wings hung limpy beside her. One wing was cut and dripped a dark red. She sighed. She'll have a hard time flying till the wound is healed. She went back to her spot and layed down. Her wings soon went back into her flesh, leaving only two slits on the shoulder blade where they had came out. She looked around, now sensing Dragon also. Her fur began to lighten, first to a grey, then to a white, but of course with red mixed into it, where new wounds layed.

Seeing enough, a furious Dragon swept from the sky and let out a blood-chilling roar as his body transformed into more of a were-wolf than an actual wolf; then his body combusted into white flames as he landed about a hundred yards away from the two others. The second he laid his eyes the male Niwa, Dragon mysteriously summoned his blood-stained Claymore (Which Dragon called 'Vindicator') from his Hellfire body, and roared again as he stormed toward the male whom Dragon promised himself to place his severed head on a lance...

Ahriaman hissed at the male. He continued to walk off, soon disappearing from sight. He was in no shape to fight anyway. He was one to forpheit if he knew he would lose. He glared at his sister, then to Dragon. His eyes made a promise that he'd be back. He then fled off. The brush crushed under foot and soon disappeared. He was gone.

Neschume turned her head and looked at the new Niwa. He was the one she had seen flying. A chill ran up her spine. She hoped he wasn't planning on a fight. She was in no shape as well, but would fight if she had too, no matter the wounds. Her wounds did burn like fire. She curled her neck and began to lick the wounds caused by the blade. She kept eyeing Dragon to make sure what he was doing. Her hackles bristled, but not in anger or in rage.

Dragon stared at the wounded female for several seconds, then discarded his unholy weapon and changed back into his normal form. 'That pathetic male is a coward after all...disgusting..' Dragon thought as he slowly walked toward her and sat; trying not to make sudden movements. Dragon then asked sternly "Are you alright....? Can you stand?"

Neschume looked at him. "I'll be fine." she said. She shifted a bit and sighed heavily from the fight. She looked back at Dragon. "I'm Neschume." she said while dipping her paw in the creek and washing her wound, trying to get her fur cleaned up. She sighed, feeling the sing of each wound. She growled and cursed her brother. I'll get him back she snarled and washed her last wound and stepped away and shook her pelt dry, then sat back in her spot.

"Neschume? Beautiful name..." Dragon replied "Mine's Dragon..." Dragon then laid down as he asked "Why were you flying alone in your condition, may I ask? You could've been killed hadn't I intervined.." he then stretched out his blood-red wings and folded them back up.

"I don't know. I had to get out of that area." she said and shuffled her paws. She looked up. "Yes and I think you." she said and wagged her tail a bit. She looked to the side for a moment. "You're a Fire Niwa." she said and studied his wings for the moment he had them out. She looked at her "pink" coat. She smirked and twitched her ears.

Dragon had no clue what she meant by that remark. Dragon looked at her and asked "Correct me if I'm wrong, but from your wings you're a Dark Niwa? Never seen one up close..." Dragon got up to stretch his forelegs; as they were a little sore from the one-sided battle in the field. Dragon faintly grinned as he said "And I didn't mean to alarm you with my Demon-form...I was trying to scare that pansy of a Niwa away from you...Has he no honor at all if he thinks he can pick on a wounded, like he tried with you?"

Skull, a rogue Niwa; or a Fallen Angel, walked along everything was on his mind from revenge to just plain out killing he shook his head and troted along a dirt path as he passed, he noticed two others he growled under his breath, he hoped up in a tree and stalked them. Than thinking of a plan he jumped from tree top to tree top trying not to blow his cover finally he got to a tree that had just enough leaves so that they coulden't identify him as a Dark Niwa he held in his snarl and watched from the darkness.

"No, he has no honor." she smirked, her tail curled. She stretched her claws and looked around. Her ears pressed forward, her nose twitching some. Her eyes narrowed. The wind brushed past her, bringing new scents. She rubbed her nose and turned her head. her eyes narrowed to slits. Someone is here, but it's not Ahriman. Who? she thought and scanned the trees and their tops. "Someone is here." she whispered and stood up.

"You could smell him, too?" Dragon whispered back as he slowly stood up and furrowed his brow. "Judging from the scent, it's another Dark Niwa...and itching for a fight..." Dragon looked at Neschume and whispered "Should another fight break out, I want you to hide somewhere and don't come out of hiding until I say...You're hurt bad enough as it is..."

Skull heard the talking that was going on he smirked and jumped out of the tree he hid down in the shadows his fur bristled he waited for the rite time to approach them but untill that time he stay put still stalking, he walked closer up but stepped on a few branches causing them to crack. "Dang, there goes my cover." he threw him self behind a bush as trying to regain his cover though he knew that was very slim.

Nes eyed Dragon. Was he protecting her? she rasied an eye brow, but turned her head. Her tail flicked. "We know your there. Your not a very good stalker!" she called out to him. Her ear twitched. Her eyes glowed, turning a light shade of purple. Her blinked and they returned back to their original color. She sniffed, taking in a big whiff of the scent.

Skull laughed to himself he still refused to show his appereance to them he still stay in the darkness. "Yes but where am I?" He called out loud he than pushed his claws out of his paws, if they would just try to approach him he would attack no matter the circumstances.

Nes smirked. She curled her tail and grabbed a small rock. She wrapped her paw around and and threw in the air. The rock landed smack on his paw. She could hear the dull thud. "That be where you are." she smirked. Her tail wagged a bit. She had a smug smile on her face. Her tail kept wagging till it wrapped around her paw.

He grabbed the rock and threw it back at her as soon as it hit the ground he pounced out of the bush and landed ontop of her growling he bare his bloodfangs as his eyes burn red but he shook his head and tucked back in his claws as his eye color wen't back to normal he thought to him self than shook his head again.

Neschume snarled loudly as he landed on her. She snarled and rolled over, kicking him off her. She stood up and snarled angerily, her fangs bared.

Angered by the Niwa's actions, Dragon roared at him as he changed into his Demon-Wolf form and growled "You....Have made...A very serious and fatal mistake.....Prepare for you inevitable journey...To the Underworld!!!!!" Dragon roared again as he summoned his Claymore, The Vindicator , and charged at the male Niwa like a rabid bull...

Skull growled and fliped over Dragon "Is that true, we'll than if it is lets get it on." he spread his wings and flapped them causing a huge gust of wind picking up dirt, rocks, and sticks that was causing havock and blindness. He than flapped his wings again and sen't the sandstorm straight to dragon while he looked at Neschume with a cocked brow..

Neschume looked away as the wind blew up the debrie. She looked back at Reaper. She narrowed his eyes on him. Her tail whipped from side to side. She growled and ignored the pain that racked her body from the wounds on her torso. She clenched her teeth and looked at Dragon. He ahd told her if it were to become a fight, she would run and hide. She snorted. She was no coward and would not show it. Her fur bristled as the two males got ready to fight.

Dragon quickly grabbed the Niwa by it's throat and slammed him into the hard ground. Dragon then punched him several times in the gut and threw him once more onto the ground. Dragon grabbed The Vindicator and prepared to impale the Niwa; Dragon growled "Any last words...Pathetic mortal? Any last tears to shed? Your soul is unjust...Unclean....This place...Shall be...Your grave! It's time for your punishment!!!"

Neschume twitched. Her tail lashed. Her jaws cracked. "Stop!" she barked angerily. "Dragon, stop!" she barked again and pushed herself between the two males. "Please, stop." she said in a calmer voice. "I want no martious. I want no one killed." she said, her fur layed flat on her shoulders.

"Wh-What are you doing?!" Dragon demanded "This abomitable swine has no reason to live! He shown me that the moment he attacked! It's obvious that he wants to die! He---GRRAAHHH!" Dragon then cupped his head and fell to one knee. After several shocking moments, Dragon had forced himself to change back into his normal form, Dragon heavily panted as he slowly got up and looked at Neschume and said "I'm sorry...I'm sorry.." and he walked away and sat , still panting heavily...

Skull smirked and growled as he pulled himself back up and gained balance "We'll that was unpleasent" he said while laughing to himself he spread his black wings out and lifted up into the air he glare down at both of them, his red eyes gleaming and his scars shineing. He shrugged and flew switlly threw the sky untill he came to his landing spot.

A mentally weakened Dragon slightly looked up at the Niwa as he flew off. Dragon thought to himself 'You've done a smart thing by running away when you had the chance, Niwa. But if we ever meet agian, I promise...I'll break you in half....' Dragon looked at Neschume and at the sky once again...

Nes growled at Reaper as he flew off. She turned back to Dragon and put a hand on him. Her black fur faded and her wings disappeared. "You okay?" she asked, placing a gentle paw on his shoulder. Her tail flicked. Her bristled gently, but only from the fight and what could of happen to Reaper if she hadn't stepped in between. She looked back up as he flew off. He owes me his life she snorted and looked at Dragon.

His Niwa blood runs hot. It is fueled by anger. Just like mine. she thought and studied him, but then started to lick her wounds, even if they weren't bleeding.

"I'm sorry you had to see that.." Dragon said "My Demon-form and...The Vindicator...can both get the better of me sometimes..." Dragon then stated "That was actually the first time in...forever..that the Demon-form went beserk like that..I don't know what would've happened....I thank you for stopping me when you did...." he then faintly grinned...

Skull awoke from his sleep he streched his wings out and yawned than walked up to a watering hole and managed to get a few quick laps of water in, he cracked his back and let a sigh out while walking through the forest ground.

Neschume nods. "Pleasure to help." she said and soon layed down. She curled around in a ball, her tail wrapped by her face. She fell into sleep. Though it was about noon-ish, she felt really tired. She sniffed and soon went intoa deep sleep.

Dragon could see that Neschume was still hurt, but just a little. For a while, Dragon had kept watch over her, in case any more cowardly Niwas showed up. About a couple hours later, Dragon noticed from the corner of his eye at least a dozen warriors not too far off. From the look of their armor, Dragon had predetermined that there were somehow survivors of last night's encounter; and they were obviously looking for retribution. Dragon then thought to himself 'I can't let any of them near here...Near Neschume...There's, after all, a great chance of them deciding to try and turn her into a fur coat...I won't let that happen..I won't let her pay for MY mistakes....Never!' Dragon stretched out his wings and flew at full speed at the location of the warriors. While flying, he remembered the Nechume said that she wanted no deaths on her account. Altough he hadn't known her for very long, the least he could do was respect that one and only wish. In mere seconds, Dragon turned into his Demon-form, summoned The Vindicator, and brutally attacked the warriors...

Neschume opened her eyes. The gust from Dragon lifting off had woken her. She stared up at him as he vanished. She stood up and shook her pelt. She looked around. He ahd stayed with for the few hours she had slept. She smiled faintly. She wondered where he was going. She sniffed the air and scented humans and already blood in the air. "Another battle?" she asked herself and hung her head, white wings suddenly ripped from her shoulders. She flew off into the sky in search of Dragon. She still had her white coat.

Nes landed on a near tree and watched the battle. Her wings disappeared and she eyed Dragon. She smiled. He wasn't really killing them. She smiled brightly, her tail wagged. She watched the humans, her eyes glowing brightly.

Unaware that he was being observed by Neschume, Dragon kept knocking down the humans as if they were dominoes. The warriors managed to surround him, but it didn't matter. It would never matter. Dragon then took The Vindicator and wholely shattered their flimsy swords like pebbles. Horrified of the seemingly invincible demon, the humans began to shoot at Dragon with poison arrows, but to no avail (and to no surprise) Dragon then proceeded to beat at least half of them within an inch of their lives with their own arms and legs, then finally grabbing several of them by their legs and swinging them aroung like rag dolls. Half an hour later, the horribly beaten warriors fled as they admitted submission, and this was confirmed by Dragon roaring out of victory "GO! GO AHEAD AND RUN, YOU STUPID SISSIES! COME SEE ME WHEN YOU ACTUALLY KNOW HOW TO PROPERLY USE WEAPONS!", the humans could do nothing but fling their arms in the air, stupidly wail, and run off....

Neschume shook her head, but stayed put. She looked around, studying the area. She yawned and flicked her tail. She watched as the humans fled. She turned her attention to Dragon.

Dragon scanned the area for any more humans before changing back into his regular form. Dragon thought to himself 'Another day, another battle.....But at least Neschume's safe..That's all that matters..' As he began to slowly lift off, something happened. Dragon's look of stone turned into horror as he grasped his heart and fell to the ground with a hard THUD...

"Dragon!" Neschume yelled and leaped and landed beside him. "Dragon, whats wrong?" she said and looked at him, her eyes clouded with worry. She pushed her nose to some of the wounds and licked them. She then looked at him, her eyes staring into his.

Dragon's body was shaking violently as he let out ungodly roars. His eyes turned bloodshot as his pupils faded. His fur bristed and his blood ran white-hot. Unknown to Neschume, Dragon's Demon-form was trying to overthrow Dragon's humanity and take complete control of the mysterious wolf. Dragon got up as he fought his darker side. He managed to keep it at bay in a couple agonizing minutes. Dragon's eyes rolled into the back of his head and passed out in front of Neschume....

"Dragon!" she yelled and put her pawson him and shook him. She thought he was going into shock. Her fur bristled and licked his head trying to wake him.

After several minutes, a horrificlly hurt Dragon weakly opened his eyes as he looked at Neschume. He barely had any energy to say "N-Nes.....How'd you get here...Wh-What happened...?..."

Neschume smiled and licked Dragon's face. "You'll be okay." she said and sat up and looked down at him. What was this feeling she had. She wagged her tail, happy that he was awake. Her eyes were kind and she smiled happily.

Dragon could barely move. He weakly looked into Neschume's eyes. For whatever reason, at that moment he felt safe. For the first time in years, he felt safe. Dragon faintly smiled at Neschume, his newfound friend....his only friend.

"Stay here, I'm going to go get some herbs." she said and ran off. She looked back at him, then vanished into the forest. She looked around. She sighed, trying to think what herbs did which.

Dragon had begun to breathe normally again as he began to think about what had just happened to him 'What was The Vindicator doing? Am I not allowed to care anymore? Not allowed to fight for good? To think for others for once? To protect others like.....like Neschume?' Dragon then paused at the thought of her name....Something about her eyes, her smile....It not only calmed him down, but it reminded him of someone he knew long ago. As Dragon continued thinking to himself, he drifted off into a deep sleep...

Neschume returned, but he had already fallen asleep. She smiled a bit and put the herbs in her mouth and she chewed them to a paste and layed them on nearby stone. The moon was already rising over the two wolves. She sighed and dipped her paw in the herb paste and spread it on his wounds. She kept ehr paw still for moment, just to feel his fur on hers and feel his hearbeat. She smiled a bit and when she was done and she curled up for the night.

Dragon woke up several hours later and looked at his side to find Neschume curled in a ball right next to him. He looked up to see a starry sky as he thought 'How long have I been out?' He scanned the area for any threats. He looked at Nechume once again. He looked at her for a few minutes, spellbound by her beauty. Dragon faintly grinned to himself as he fell back asleep once more...

Neschume yawned when the heat of the sun woke her. She squinted her eyes closed and rubbed her eyes of sleep. She yawned again and stood up, shaking the dew from her pelt. She yawned again and stretched, her bones cracking noisely. She flicked her tail and looked down at Dragon. She smiled and stretched again before she headed into the forest to go look for breakfast for them...

In a dream Dragon was having, he was walking in a wheat field that was lighted by a dawning sun. the breeze felt good against his black fur. But then; that breeze kept getting colder and colder....Dragon turned around to see what was going on. He saw the breeze begin to manifest into a physical form; a white fox with a grey tilt. Dragon's look of confusion turned into one of hate and anger as he quickly reconized who it was. Dragon growled "Zellion....."

Zellion smiply smirked at him as he said in a strong, British accent "Dragon...Dragon...Dragon...Did you really think you could run away forever? I thought we had a deal..."

"A deal?!" Dragon barked "That was no deal! If anything, what you did to me was more of a screwjob!"

"Calm yourself, Dragon..." Zellion said "You might burst a blood vessel, if not a dozen....I just came to tell you three things...One, I'm coming to the real world to live up my end of the deal. Two; You're still under my employ. Three, this is my personal favorite, wheter you like it or not you're going to do what you promised! And, if I know you correctly, you NEVER break your promises!"

"And what if I do?!" Dragon demanded

Zellion faintly grinned "Then I'll make you....Maybe I could butcher that new friend of yours...What was her name? Neschume?"

Dragon growled "I don't ever want to hear her name out of your wretched mouth..If your value your life, stay away from her...Or you'll have me to deal with..."


"Your choice" Zellion growled back "And.....AWAKE!"

The imp was a little to fast for Dragon at first; as it used it's claws to cut Dragon's left eyebrow and left shoulder. Not big cuts, but they were clean ones too. Dragon quickly regained his composure as he took the imp by it's head and slamming him as hard as he could into the ground, killing the imp with one shot. With that out of the way, Dragon began to run and search for Neschume; praying that Zellion was bluffing about Neschume...

Zellion watched Dragon from afar as Dragon ran off after killing the impish creature...Zellion furrowed his brow in anger and disgust as said to himself "So that's why Dragon's being so defiant....He cares about the female..How romantic and yet so sad.." Zellion then summoned several more imps "Follow him. And bring me the female...alive.." Zellion commanded as he sent the imps off; as Zellion faded into mist...

Neschume was oblivious to the attack and or the waking of Dragon. She sniffed around and sat by a river, growling in defeat. "Something must of happened..This is always full of life and prey.." she said and looked around. She sighed and shook her pelt. She walked over to the rver and stepped her front paws inside it and drank from it. The cool water feeling good on her dry throat. She pricked her ears and she raised her head and looked around, her eyes narrowed.

Dragon was charging through the forest in hopes of finding Neschume. Blood was starting to get in Dragon's eye, so he was more-or-less half blind. He finally noticed Neschume by a small river. "Nes!" he barked out, but not before several imps jumped from a bush and viciously attacked Dragon...

Nes growled and launched herself at Dragon. She landed beside him, ripping the imps off of him, throwing them into trees or eachother. She growled baring her fangs at them. "Nice to see you awake, you okay?" she asked without looking at him. Her fangs ripped another imp off him, throwing it into a tree.

"I am now.." Dragon said as he backhanded a couple imps. He then changed into his Demon-Wolf form as he pummeled several more imps. Dragon suddenly felt a cold chill in the air... Dragon thought to himself 'oh no..' and turned to Nes and said "Nes, stay behind me! Something bad's going to happen!" then turned around to see an angry Zellion hurl some energy pojection into Dragon's face...

Neschume growled, black wings ripped from ehr shoulder blade. She bared her fangs at Zellion. "Leave him alone!." she growled and threw a black feather ino one Zellion's shoulder. The feather turned into a dagger in mid air that stabbed into Zellion's arm. Neschume growled, stand beside Dragon, protecting him, her fangs bared angerily.

Zellion staggered and growled...but began laughing as he pulled the dagger out of his shoulder and broke it in half right in front of them..."Do you really think that could stop me?" Zellion stared at dragon and said "You disappoint me, Dragon...Consider this your release!"

Dragon looked up and growled "Happy to distress you....Leave, or I'll"

"Or you'll what?!" Zellion demanded "Poke me with that flimsy piece of junk you call a sword?"

Zellion stared down the female and growled "Do you want a fight? Want to bark me to death? Come at me if you think you're strong enough...." His eyes started to faintly shine a light blue as cold air started to whip it's way around him...

Dragon snarled "Shame on you, Zellion...trying to pick on a female? That's low, even for you..Nes, don't...He's far too powerful..If he could hurt me, just inmagine what he could do to you.."

Neschume looked at Dragon with different eyes. "I will protect you. I can take of myself." she said kindly and nuzzled Dragon then launched herself at Zellion. She immediantly wrapped her jaws on his leg and bit hard on it till she heard a faint crack. She raked her claws against his face. She let go and backed away, but hovered just a few feet out his grasp. Her wings flapped hard. She growled down at Zellion.

Zellion looked at his leg. It looked to be broken. Seconds later, the broken leg appeared to have healed itself up. Bat-like wings tore out of Zellions shoulders as he launched himself into Neshume's stomach, knocking her right out of the sky...

"NES!!!" Dragon roared, he looked at Zellion and roared "YOU'RE A DISGRACE TO NIWAS!!!"

Neschume yelped and she grabbed the top his shoulder, near his neck and bit down hard. She let out a grunt as she hit the ground. She growled and raked her hind legs on his stomach. She growled and clawed his muzzle. She then kicked him over her head and she stood up, her legs shaking.

Zellion growled as he got up "So...You want to play this game the hard way.....Looks like I'll have to teach both of you a lesson...." His body started to bulk up, while his eyes and wings began resonating. Zellion growled as he slowly circled both Neschume and Dragon.

As Zellion roared, Dragon summoned what little strength he had to turn into the Demon-Wolf form and summoned the Vindicator; ready to fight off Zellion. "Stay away from her..." Dragon growled "Or I'll drag you back to the abyss where you'll always belong.."

Zellion stared at Dragon as he sneered "You're willing to throw your life away...for a MORTAL?! You're just as pathetic as you were when I found you! I gave you power beyond your wildest dreams..and this is how you repay me?! You'll pay for this! You BOTH will pay with your very souls!" Zellion and his imps then turned into mist and blew away, leaving Dragon and Neshume alone......

Neschume sighed and shook her pelt, her wings disappearing. She looked at Dragon. "You okay?" she asked, her voice low.

"No...Not with Zellion running around...I thought I had gotten rid of that plauge long ago...." Dragon calmly as he reverted back into his wolf-form. He turned around to see that Neschume had a small cut on her shoulder; most likely from an imp. "You're hurt......" Dragon walked over and licked Neschume's wound. "I'm sorry that I'd gotten you involved in this...A conflict between demons is never meant for a mortal's eyes...." Dragon looked into Neschume's eyes as he thought to himself 'No matter how beautiful they are...'

"I'll be fine, just another scar on my hide." she smirked and sat down. She looked into his eyes and smiled a bit. "Don't worry, I'm stronger than I look." she said and rubbed her shoulder. "I went to go get food, but I guess we won't find any now, not after that fight." she frowned and looked down at her paws. Her tail flicked and wrapped around front paws.

Dragon looked around for a moment. It had been a few days since he last ate. He then said "Whenever I'm here, this place is derserted...But I have struck gold more than once near the mountains...Care for goats?"

Zellion was fuming over the loss of his 'employee', Dragon. "That stupid, hollow shell thinks he can just go back on our deal? I'll put him and his stupid girlfriend through the most unspeakable tortures......All I need is some help..." He then stopped "Yes! That's it! I could 'hire' someone else! But I must find someone worthy..."

Her stomach growled. "I coud eat a horse, goats are fine." she grinned. She stretched her legs and looked around once more.

"I'm sure we can pick off a horse or two also.." Dragon chuckled as he spread his wings and stretched them out; to make sure nethier of them were broken. "Let's go.." Dragon said as he slowly began to lift up...

Neschume opened her wings and she leaped into the sky. She flapped near Dragon and waited for him to lead the way.

Ahriman sat in a tree. He was watching the whole thing. "Hm, I guess everyone has their antaganist." he smirked and looked around, his wings shaking in the wind that blew through him.

Dragon nodded as he began to fly slowly enough for Neschume to catch up...

From a distance, Zellion noticed that another Fire Niwa was spying on Dragon and Neshume. Zellion immediately became interested in this new one; as he had observed his fighting several times in the past..."Perfect..." Zellion grinned. He then sent his mist form to the Niwa and materialized in front of him, saying "Greetings and salutations.....My name is Zellion, and you've just been selected to help me tie several loose ends...."

"Ooh, I feel sooo lucky. What's in it for me?" he asked, his tail flicked. Ahriman had his ways, almost similar to Zellion, always out to get someone, or doesn't like to be betrayed. His ear flicked and he watched his sister fly off with Dragon. He sniffed.


Neschume caught up and they flew off..

Zellion faintly smiled "I see you're eager....You have hate, you have anger...I can help you use them to their fullest extent.....I can make you a Demon-Form more powerful than then I had made Dragon....A Demon-Wolf made entirely made of black fire; the strongest of all Hellfires....In return, you'll carry out my bidding whenever I aquire and you'll answer to me and only to me....Understand so far?"

Dragon flew next to Neshume, telling her directions to where they were going. "After you go near that creek, turn northeast; that'll lead you right into the heart of the mountains. All of the prey that live there rarely leave...They start to dwindle down a bit about late-fall to early-winter, but the amount then would still be sufficent for a few packs, so you'll have nothing to worry about.."

Neschume nodded and looked down as the flew above the ground. She smiled as the wind blew through her fur, cooling her off from the sun.


"So, I'll be your slave?" she growled, his brow furled in anger. "I bend no knee to anyone." he snorted, his fur bristling.

"Is that so?" Zellion grinned "Well, I'm ..not...ANYONE!" Zellion roared as his arm mistified into a demonic tentacle and surged toward the Niwa and wrapped itself around his neck like a vice. "I'm Zellion...I'm the one who can give you the power to destroy! To decimate all in your way! To make Dragon beg for his life!...And finally grant you the bloody satisfaction of seeing your sister die...And rather as a 'slave', I perfer the term 'apprentice'....All of that for the price of your very soul....Accept my offer, and you shall have enough power to slash this pathetic world into ribbons...What's your answer? Live..or Die..." he growled as the tentacle slowly cranked on the Niwa's neck...

Dragon glanced at Neschume. 'She's a graceful flyer...' Dragon thought. He then looked over to a shady spot near the mountains. "That's the place, Neshume." Dragon said as he slowly hovered over to the spot...

Ahriman did not flinch nor grimace as the "tentacle" wrapped around his neck. "Very tempting offer. I guess I'll except." he said with smug smile. He then twisted around his neck and bit hard on tentacle and ripped it off his neck, then he fluffed up his chest fur and sat silently.

Neschume nodded and flew down toward the shadey spot. Her wings flapped silently on the wind and she finally landed softly on the ground. She shook her ruffle pelt and her wings disappeared. She opened her mouth to drink in the scents.

"Fearless..." Zellion smiled "And I can see that you're not a crybaby...Not like Dragon at all" Zellion then said "In order for me to grant you this power...I'll need your weapon for a few seconds, or otherwise the transformation won't work..."

Dragon laid down as he landed. He had always liked this place. The cool air and the soft grass always welcomed him here and provided him shelter. Dragon sighed "It's great to back here..." he turned to Neschume "there's a small creek over there in case you're thristy. And there should be some goats any minute.." seconds later, he spotted several of them. Dragon sneaked around them and took out a couple of them and carried them over to Neschume.

Ahriman smirked. He opened his red wings pulled out a red glowing sword from his wing. He handed the hilt toward Zellion. "Be careful, she doesn't like handlers that aren't her own." he smirked.

Neschume chuckled. She shook her pelt and sat down under the shade.

Zellion ingored the comment. He placed the sword in one of his paws and looked at it. His eyes began to glow; and then mist began to engulf the sword as the mist too began to light up. a few seconds later, the Niwa's sword had been transformed into a freakish-looking rapier that looked skeletal and was blood-red in color with a black, curved blade. Zellion smirk as he handed it back "Behold...your new weapon; The Lunatic...."

Dragon laid down next to Neschume. The twenty-zillion battles he had today had drained him of his Hell-Powers, and he didn't know how long it'd take for them to fully recharge. Dragon took a couple bites, and said "After that tumble we had eariler, I'm assuming you have a few questions to get off your chest..."

Ahriman's eyes glowed with a lust for power as he saw his blade. "Brilliant." he mused and gripped his new blade and showed it in the light as to bask in it's glory. "Wonderful trick." he smirked and the blade disappeared into feather that went back into his wing.


Neschume looked over at him. "Only a few. Who is this Zellion and why is he after you?" she asked and looked at him.

"Hold on...Keep it out. I'm not finished yet.." Zellion said "Take the blade, and cut your right paw..."

Dragon looked at Nescume as he sighed and said "This may sound hard to believe at first, but Zellion isn't a normal Niwa...He's in fact an angel who was banished from Heaven for trying to overthrow it...And he's after me because long ago, I was forced to make a deal with him; and I refused to continue my end of the 'deal' "..........

Ahriman pulled the sword back out and held it. He looked at Zellion as if he was crazy, but he did it anyway. He sliced his right paw, letting the blood linger on the blade and drip down to the hilt and onto the ground.

Nes didn't press the matter on what the deal was. "That's, a bit harsh." she frowned and shuffled her paws.

Zellion cut his right paw and gripped Ahriman's as if he were about to shake it. Mist began to form around their paws as it crept around the Niwa, changing him into his second form, forever removing his first form. Zellion grinned as he growled "We...Have...A DEAL!" Seconds later, the mist turned into black Hellfire and engulfed Ahriman. Zellion let out a manical laugh as the black fire transformed the Niwa. Half a minute later, what was once Ahriman now stood a creatue that looked exactly like Dragon's Demon-Wolf; only that this one was bigger in size and that it was made of black fire, as opposed to Dragon's white fire. Zellion smirked "Now that I have granted you Hell-powers, Ahriman, You need a name that will install fear and terror wherever you go....I shall dub thee....Viper...Yes..Viper.."...

Dragon paused for a moment as he looked into the skies. dragon said "Stars are beautiful things....So mysterious..I've heard tales about some kingdom that resides in the stars...But, because of Zellion, I'll never see it.."

Ahriman now formerly known as Viper smiled wickedly. He turned himself around, staring at his new features. "Perfect.." he smiled as he stared at his bat like wings. His teeth shown in a smile. "So, what's next?" he grinned, ready to show his new powers.


Neschume smiled, but it quickly turned to a frown of pain. "Ahh!" she let out as if she were being attacked. She clutched her chest. She hung her head down in agony as sharp pains jutted into her chest near her heart. She growled, heavily panting. Her eyes flicked to a dark purple, then back. The pain faded and she found herself lying on the ground, still writhing from the pain.

Zellion smiled from ear to ear , saying "Well, there are a few things you must know. One; you can run at astonishing speeds and can laep up to well over forty feet in the air. Two; When your power's at it's zenith, you could have enough strength to uproot huge oak trees if you wanted. But, there is a couple small catches; Although Black-Fire is the strongest possible Hellfire, it's also the most difficult to control...But given the fact that your transformation went smoothly, that shouldn't pose a problem..And Hell-powers have little-to-no effect on any type of sacred ground. This includes churches, burial grounds, monistairies..you understand." Zellion walked around the newly dubbed Viper and grinned "Now..to test out your power.." Zellion waved his paw...Then 10,000 imps appeared out of nowhere...

"NES!" Dragon said in shock as he went to see what was wrong with Nescheme. Dragon put his paw on her fur....And it burned him..Dragon realized something was very wrong..

Viper smiled wickedly. "Barely a challenge." he smiled and opened his wings wide, the Lunatic appearing in a black flame. He smiled and lifted in the air, then swopped down on the imps and stabbed the ground; also stabbing about 2 imps. Then a large black dome formed and hit all the imps, making them sizzle and turn into scorch heeps.


Nes growled in pain, still clutching her chest. "What's--arrh!--what's wrong with me?" she asked, grunting in pain. She howled in pain as the sharp pains came back making her twist and turn. A black flame appeared on her right arm and crawled itself up her it till the flame stopped at her shoulder, turning her arm ebony black. She growled, her muscles tensing so much they looked they'd pop. She panted, the pain disappearing and her head thudded on the ground. Her sides heaved up and down..

Zellion faintly grinned. He clapped his paws and said "Good, Viper...Good. Now that you've proven your strength, I have a mission for you...."

Dragon stared at the weird design on Neschume's arm. Dragon paused in horror; as he knew what it was. he rushed to a tree, and lifted a root; inside contained a vial of a clear, colorless liquid. Dragon rushed to Neschume and slowly poured it in her mouth. Minutes later, the mark on her arm began to fade away. Dragon cradled Neschume's head in his arms, saying "It's okay, Nes..It's okay..Everything will be alright.." Dragon knew what had happened. Someone tried to put a Death-Curse on Neschume, and Dragon had a very good idea who...

"And, what might that mission be?" he smirked.

Nes coughed when the liquid wet down, but her body soon relaxed. She opened her eyes and looked up at Dragon, a weak smile came across her muzzle. She swallowed, a shiver ran down her spine. She looked up at Dragon as he craddled her head in his arms. "Thanks.." she whispered. She was tired..and weak. She glanced at her arm that once had the mark. The mark had disappeared and she smiled smiled and she closed her eyes.

Zellion sat down as he explained "Across this land, there's a large village complete with a mountainous castle. The king has posession of an extermely powerful sword known as..Excaliber..Find and bring it to me. But before you do, wipe out every last man, woman, and child. You'll be surprised at what you and your sword can do...But remember, do not hesitate, and show no mercy!"

Dragon breathed a sigh a relief...Neschume would be alright. She just needed her rest now. Dragon started to slowly stroke Neschume's head as she began to relax.

"I'll get right on it." he smiled lustfully and opened his wings flew off. He stayed within hearing range incase he needed to add something. He didn't ask no questions why he wanted the sword, but he may be able to get it off his hands eaisly. He smield and disappeared into the clouds above.

Nes smiled, her eyes opened a bit, just to look at him. "What happen?" she whispered, her fur still hot from the "attack". She shivered in his arms as he held her. She sighed, her breath shaking. She thought she felt the pain return, but it was just her mind spinning from the recent events. She closed her eyes, just for a few minutes. While her eyes were closed she had a flash.

"Find Excalibur. Found on a mountainious castle. Kill all who abose you." Then she saw Viper soar through the sky.

She gasped a bit and opened her eyes. "Excalibur..Find Excalibur.." she whispered in a daze. "Someone is going after Excalibur." her voice sounded distant, and still weak.

"Excaliber..You'll be mine at last.." Zellion whispered to himself as he faded into mist...

Dragon looked at Neschume as she mentioned Excaliber. "Excaliber? Someone's going after Excaliber?!" He then thought to himself 'No....How could Zellion have found out about it's location?!' He then turned his head. He sensed another Demon-Wolf..."Zellion, you unholy monster..." Dragon growled. He hoisted Neschume on his back and went to the tree. He slowly put her down and said "Nes...I need you to stay here and rest..I'll be back" He then nuzzled her "I promise..." Dragon then turned into his Demon-Wolf form, spread out Bat-like Wings and jolted into the sky, ready to confront the new Demon-Wolf; Vindicator in his claw...

"No! I can't let you near that sword!" Dragon yelled back "I don't know what Zellion told you, but Excaliber isn't just another sword! You'd die the second you touch it!" Dragon looked at their weapons as he said "I don't understand why you had to sell your soul to him...Zellion's a cheat! He may have promised you the key to immortality now, but he'll do nothing but drag you straight to pain and suffering in the end!"

"I'd take that chance. And, don't you have something mroe to do, then block my way to get what I want? You know like, protect that girl of yours. My sister, Neschume?" he asked with a cocked brow, his wings flapped hard as he hovered in the sky.

Nes panted heavily. She looked up, sensing another Demon-Wolf.

Dragon glared at this Demon-Wolf. "Wait a minute! You're that stupid Niwa who chickened away from me a few nights ago, aren't you?" Dragon pointed and mockingly laughed at him "So, what brings you here? Up for another game for chicken?" Dragon then thought to himself 'so now I know who this is...I have to keep him diverted away from Nes and the sword!' Dragon continued mocking Ahriman/Viper "I don't have a clue as to what Zellion saw in you, unless it was some power-hungry doofus who could be expended at anytime!" Dragon pointed at The Lunatic and cawed "I'm not so sure about you, but that has to be the weirdest-looking TOOTHPICK I've ever seen!"

Neschume grunted and stood up. Her legs shook. She limped through the forest. She looked up, seeing parts of the two Demons; Dragon and Viper. She groaned, the pain starting again, but limped on through the forest. She could see Excaliber's holding place. If she could get there before Viper and or Zellion, she might be able to get a leverage over both of them. She growled and fell to the ground, holding her chest, the pain returning. She stood under the cover of the trees. She panted heavily. She knew Draogn told her to stay, but the sword won't be safe. She pulled her wings out in effort. She could get there quickly if she flew, but it could make extra weak and vaunerable for an attack. She didn't care, she was going to protect the sword and Dragon...


Viper growled. "I have more power than you and my sister put together. When I get Excaliber, I'll be invincible!" he yelled and held Lunatic out. "Wanna back that talk up?!" he snarled.

"When YOU get Excaliber?" Dragon smirked "I don't think that your new Master, Zellion would approve of such a cliche'd comment like that! You really think he'll just let you have the sword as soon as he's done with it? Zellion may have given you strength, but it's now become evident that he didn't enhance your intelligence!" Dragon then backhandlely comment "And besides, even if you did storm the castle, the king wouldn't be stupid enough to hand it over to some whiney boy-lover like you!"

Viper growled. "He sent me, I'll get Excaliber." he smirked. "And, I will kill anyone who doesn't hand over the sword." he smirked. He was about to attack him.


After many minutes of flying Neschume fell to the ground in front of the castle. Her wings ached, along with her chest. She groaned weakly, her wings disappeared. She stood up and walked toward the castle. She had to get to the king.

"Oh really? How frightening..." Dragon said sarcastically as he rolled his eyes at Viper. "Could you sound any more boring than you do now? If you do somehow get the sword, the closest you'll get to have it is when Zellion rams it through your heart! That is if the sword's power doesn't tear you in half first!"

Viper smirked. "And why would Excaliber kill me?" he snorted.


Neschume stopped when two guards stood in front of her. "State your buisness." they both growled. Nes opened her wings and stared at them. "I am here to see the King. My buisness deals with me speaking to him about Excaliber. It is in danger of being stolen." she said and looked at them.

"Excaliber can't be stolen. It is very well protected with the king." Guard 1 said, his tail flicked.

"Yes, now off with you, before we throw in the dungeon." Guard 2 snarled, taking a step toward her.

Nes backed up. "Please, I speak the truth. Excaliber will be taken by dark forces. Please let me see the king!" she begged.

Guard 2 stood up to her and raised his hand/paw to her, ready to strike her down. "I said off with you!" he yelled, but was stopped by a mighty voice.

"What rucus is this?" asked the voice. A large pure white wolf walked over behind the Guards and stood beside them.

"Your Magesty, we were just about to punish a trespasser that rambles about Excaliber being in danger." said Guard 1 in highest respect.

Nes looked at the white wolf, who turned his head to her. That's the king? Then I must speak to him. "Your Magesty," she bowed her head. "I speak the truth, please believe me." she begged lowly looking up at him as he towered over her.

"That's enough!" Guard 2 yelled and attacked Neschume, pushing her to the ground and he pulled out his sword. "Don't worry, sir. I'll smite her where she stands!" he yelled about to strike.

"No, do not touch her. Young lady, please come with me and we will discuss this." he said, his voice full of understanding. As he said this the two guards stepped aside as Neschume and The King headed into the castle, where they talked as they walked and he sat on his throne and stared down at her.
----------

"If what you say is true. Then, how am I going to protect Excaliber?" he asked looking down at her, a serious expression on his face.

"I'll protect it your Magesty. With all my life." she said, bowing her head. She could see Excaliber in it's white sheath on the King's side.

"Ha! A female weild Excaliber? That's outrageous! It's a scandel!" shouted the Guard 1 and 2.

"Silence!" the King said with a mighty voice, that didn't yell, but echoed in the walls of the castle. "I can tell by your scars that you are a well trained fighter. I believe that you can weild Excaliber and behold it's glory." he said and the Guards looked at him as if their king were crazy.

Neschume bowed her head as the King waltzed up to her and stood before her. "Neschume of the Dark Niwa's. I grant you The Mighty Sword Excaliber. Protect and guard it well. You are the new weilder of this sword." he said and unhooking the sheath from his belt and handing it to Neschume.

"Sir, do you--" Guard 2 started, but the King quickly looked at him. "I believe young Neschume will be a great defender of Excaliber." he said with a smile.

"Thank you, sir." she said putting the belt around her back and hooking Excaliber's sheath to it. "I'll protect it." she said and turned away.

"Good luck." The King whispered as Neschume walked out of the castle.

"Because Excaliber is an angelic weapon..The strongest ever created...It's said to have been created by the tears of countless Gods..." Dragon explained "Viper, angelic weapons are the only surefire way to kill demons..It's light will burn you alive and destroy your soul...This may be hard for you to fathom, but Zellion sent you on a suicide run. He's most likey laughing to himself right now thinking how he suckered you out of your life.." Dragon sighed as he said "Even if you survived the sword's power, you still wouldn't have long to live......"

Viper growled. "Oh, he'll pay. He'll pay!" he yelled and lifted off and flew back toward Zellion to give him a piece of his mind. "Oooh, I'll show him." he grumbled.


Neschume's wings crippled on flight and she fell about 20 feet into some bushes. She growled and stood up. She didn't know what would be worse. Running into someone that wants the sword, or seeing Dragon when he figures out that she left the tree. She shifted the sword on her back to her left shoulder, since her right was starting to burn again. She saw the tree where Dragon left her and flew that extra 500 feet and landed on roots and layed there, her eyes closed. She was exhausted. She breathed heavily and waited for Dragon..

Viper growled. "Oh, he'll pay. He'll pay!" he yelled and lifted off and flew back toward Zellion to give him a piece of his mind. "Oooh, I'll show him." he grumbled.


Neschume's wings crippled on flight and she fell about 20 feet into some bushes. She growled and stood up. She didn't know what would be worse. Running into someone that wants the sword, or seeing Dragon when he figures out that she left the tree. She shifted the sword on her back to her left shoulder, since her right was starting to burn again. She saw the tree where Dragon left her and flew that extra 500 feet and landed on roots and layed there, her eyes closed. She was exhausted. She breathed heavily and waited for Dragon..

"Dragon!" Neschume yelled, opening her eyes at the light. She took the sword from him and wrapped her arms around his body. Her body shook as his did. "It's okay." she said and licked his head as she embraced him. She grabbed a herb that she collected and placed it on his hands in paste and rubbed it on them. Also giving him a liquid to help the pain. "You'll be okay." she whispered, placing the sword in her spot where she layed.


"Zellion!" Viper yelled as he landed in the spot where he left him. He growled angerily, his fur standing up.

Dragon shook terribly like he had been in a snowstorm. He could barely breathe. After a few minutes, Dragon had no choice but to black out from the pain...

Mist began to emerge around Viper as it manifested into Zellion. Zellion stared at Viper and growled "Why didn't you kill Dragon when you had the chance? He was on a silver plate, and you just had to throw down your bloody rattle and run away!"

"I don't care about that. What I care about is that you sent me on a suicide mission!" he growled, his tail whipping to side to side.


Nes sighed and gave another herb remedy to Dragon, to help him relax. She licked his head and she looked down at him worried. She smoothed out his head fur as she layed by him. She had the sword near, but not touching Dragon. She wondered what had happen, it wasn't the same thing that had happened to her, it came because of the sword. "Hmm"

"What are you babbling about?!" Zellion demanded "I sent you to do one thing; to get a BLOODY FREAKING SWORD!!!! You know, a shiney hunk of metal with a point used for stabbing things with?! Almost identical to what I'd given to you about an hour ago! Not to have tea and crumpets with my MORTAL ENEMY!!!!"

"Dragon said that once a demon touches the sword, he can immediantly die or can die after touching it." he explained, his look smug and pissed. "Besides, Neschume already as the bloody hunk of metal." he snorted. He didn't know how he knew that she got it, he just knew, just like she knew about Excaliber and it's location without even hearing about it.

Zellion gave Viper a quizzical look...He had to think of something and fast "Viper....YOU IDIOT!!! He lied to you! You fell for the oldest trick in the book! Even a braindead child could've seen through that fog of lies!"

Viper saw right through his mask. "If you are so powerful, then why don't YOU go get the sword?" he said his eyes narrowed. His fur blew n the wind that raged through the forest. He stared at Zellion. He smirked, wondering how Zellion would get out of this one.

Neschume had her head rested on Dragon's form as they both rested. She still had Excaliber near to her.

Zellion grinned.He smirked "Is that a challenge?" Zellion put his head down and started to laugh; then the laughter began to sound even more demonic. His body began to twist and contort. His eyes and wings began to strongly resonate with one another. Zellion's body was bulking up at an alarming rate; all the while he was also growing bigger in size.....

Dragon groaned a bit as he curled up into a semi-ball; as it appeared that he wasn't in any real pain...

You could swear you could see Viper's eyebrow start to twitch rapidly. He swallowed, but didn't dare take a step back.

Nes smiled and licked his head. She stood up and grabbed her sword and headed off into the forest. She didn't go far though. She stood by a nearby creek and lowere dher head and drank from it thristfully. She raised her head and licked her lips. She reached her hand to her back and pulled out Excaliber. She smiled as she bathed in it's angelic light. She grinned and put it back in it's sheath. She sta by the creek and just stared at her reflection.

Zellion grew further. You could swear he was over 20 feet tall. Zellion looked more and more like the Devil himself, but only white. He had multiple bladed chains out of his back. His jaw was ajared with pointy, jagged fangs. He had horns on his head, a whip-like tail, vicious looking talons, Dragon-like wings, and burning red eyes.

Neschume, flicked her ears. She yelped and clutched her chest again. "A demon..a very powerful..demon.." she grunted and hung her head, the sharp pains returned. She growled and opened her wings and lifted off. She hovered for a few minutes and looked back at Dragon. She knew he'll be out for a bit. She flapped off and headed toward the demon auror. She clenched her teeth, the closer she got, the more pain that ripped through her chest. She finally landed in the shadows near Zellion and Dragon. She gasped lowly when she saw Zelliona dn she clutched Excaliber.

Zellion growled at Viper "You DARE defy me? You dare defy the power of The Heretic?" A black mist began to creep around Zellion's claw; and seconds later, it formed into a huge and monsterous Claymore. Zellion stormed over to Viper and grabbed him and held him up like he was a mere toy. "Listen to me, Viper....You work for me now and I'll tolerate no failures or defiance of any kind! So stop acting like you have a choice and DO WHAT YOU'RE TOLD!"

Nes lowered herself to the ground and watched.

"Ye--yes, s-sir." he said, his voice shaking. Ahriman wasn't one to scare easy, but the thought of losing his life was the most scary. He stared into Zellion's large red eyes.

"Very good...." Zellion smirked "Forget about the sword for now...I have another mission that, for your sake, you WON'T fail!..It's fairly simple...BRING...ME...DRAGON!!!"

Neschume snarled and lifted into the sky. She pealed Excaliber, the Angelic light shimmering and she flapped a foot out of Zellion's reach. "Touch him and you die." she growled, holding out Excaliber.

Viper looked up at his sister.

Zellion dropped the frightened Viper and snarled "YOU FIRST!" and swatted Neschume right of the sky like a bug...

"Oof!" she fell, but open her wings to catch her and she rammed Excaliber through Zellion's hand as he swatted her. She flew back up and growled at Zellion.


Viper open his wings and Lunatic came out. He smiled and got ready.

Zellion snorted at Neschume as he saw the sword lodged in his hand. He smiled "Why...Thank you for such a lovely gift!" He pulled it out "This saves me alot of trouble finding it!" He then turned backed into his fox form. He turned around to Viper and said "Ignore her for now...Just get me Dragon.." He then said to Neschume "And this....IS COMING WITH ME!!" He turned into mist and disappeared; along with the Excaliber...thinking he held it, but it was only one of her wing swords..

Neschume, still having the sword in her hand, ripped it from Zellion's grasp. She snarled and lifted into the air and flew back toward Dragon to warn him. Viper growled and flew after Neschume. He gained on her fast. He pulled out his sword, ready to slice off on of her wings. She turned on her back and their swords met. She swiped the sword across Viper's chest.

He roared in pain and fell from the sky. "You son of, *****!" he yelled at her as she flew off, sheathing Excaliber.

Nes landed and gently shook Dragon awake.

Dragon groaned a little as he slowly opened his eyes. "What is it?..." He then remembered the sword. "Excaliber! Where is it?! How'd you find it?!"

"Don't worry, Excaliber is safe, but we need to leave. Zellion is sending Viper after you. I'll explain when we get to a safer place." she said shifting the weight of the sword on her back.

"Don't worry about me....I'll...I'll take---" Dragon staggered and fell; as he was still severely weak from the Excaliber. Dragon tried to get up, but all of the fighting from today had finally begun to take their toll on him, He could barely even lift his wings...

Neschume sighed. They had to move quick, before Viper or Zellion showed up. "I'll have to carry you then. There is a cave 11 miles from here." she explained and looked at him. She shifted her sword again.

Dragon slowly got up and growled as he forced himself to change into his Demon-Wolf form. He turned to Neschume and said with kind eyes "Neschume...Please..Get out of here. I'll hold him off..." He spread his wings and slowly began to lift himself high in the air. He saw Viper coming at him and Dragon roared "You want me? Here I am!"

Nes growled. "I'm not leaving you!" she yelled at him, also going into her form. She flapped near Dragon. She growled as Vipper stopped and hovered a few feet from them.

"Stay out of this, sister. I come here for Dragon, not for you or your precisious sword." he growled and glared at Dragon. "You gonna come quietly or do I have to knock you out?" he smirked.

Nes growled, but didn't attack, even though she could probably kill Viper without any effort.

"And are you going to leave quietly, or do I have to send you back to Zellion in a casket?" Dragon retorted as he summoned his Vindicator. Unknown to Viper and Neschume, Dragon's strength was slowly fading and his vision was starting to blur; but his remaining strength was enough for an inexperienced Demon-Wolf like Viper.

Nes lowered to the ground and watched.


Viper growled and flew at Dragon, his sword hitting his Vindicator with a thunderous strike. He growled and pushed hard on Dragon, smacking him into a tree. "I see your strength draining. I can see it in your eyes." he whispered, pushing the Lunatic against the Vindicator, that was pressing on Dragon's chest as Viper pinned him to the tree.

"True...You got me there.." Dragon grunted "But I've just noticed something about you....You leave yourself too open!" Dragon then kneed an unsuspecting Viper in the groin and headbutted him. Dragon wailed on Viper's ribcage as he continued "Not to mention you're slow...." He grabbed Viper's wing "And CLUMSY!" as he began to smash his sword's hilt into the part of the wing where it connected to the back...

Viper howled and fell to the ground. He snarled. If he left now without Dragon, then he'd be punished, or worse be killed. Viper snarled. He then looked at his sister, who began to growl angerily. A sinister smile crept on his face. He looked up at Dragon. "I may be slow, but I'm just a devilish as the next guy. And you, you allow yourself to have weaknesses. Like this." he said and lurched forward.

Nes growled and leaped at her brother, but was stopped in mid leap. Blood trickled down the Lunatic and dripped off the hilt. Viper whispered in his sister's ears. "Your brought this upon yourself. Staying with a wanted Demon." he said and pulled the Lunatic from her stomach.

Nes dropped to the ground in a heap, breathing heavily, but holding her stomach where the Lunatic was stabbed through. She growled in pain and anger.

Viper looked up at Dragon as he held the Lunatic inches from Nes's back. "Now, you come with me, or your girlfriend dies." he smiled evilly.

"You bastard...." Dragon growled. He hovered back to the earth, saying "Alright...Alright Viper, you win....Just let her go, and I'll come quietly." Dragon walked towards them, eyeing down Viper.

Viper smiled. He lowered Lunatic and sheathed it. "Say goodbye to her, so we can leave." he said and waited for Dragon.


Neschume looked up at Dragon. Her eyes pleading him not to go. Blood rushed through her finger on her paw and dripped to the ground.

Dragon reverted to his wolf form as he walked over to Neshume. He sat next to her and placed his paw on her wound. A few seconds later, he lifted the paw; showing that he'd somehow healed the wound. He then propped her up with his wings....Smoke started to form around him as he said goodbye....Then smoke started to form everywhere...It began funneling like a tornado around Dragon and Neschume. Minutes later, Dragon and Neshume were in the very cave Neschume had mentioned eariler. Dragon had somehow teleported them both, and left Viper in the woods to deal with Zellion's wrath. "Oh...." Dragon stumbled "It's been a long time since I last used that move...Are you alright, Nes?"

Viper growled. He flinched. "I better find them, before Zellion finds out." he said to himself and ran off.


Nes smiled and looked up at Dragon. "Yeah, I'm fine. Are you?" she asked and looked up at him. Though the wound was no longer there, it still pained her.

Dragon faintly grinned "I've felt better....." He laid down and stretched himself out. He then wondered about the sword "Nes....How exactly did you get that sword? I don't think that the king sent it to you as a gift..."

"While you were away I went to the castle. I told him the truth and he gave me the sword for me to protect." she said with a grin. "I'm guessing no demon can touch it." she said and looked at him.

Dragon nodded. "No demon hand can touch it...Just staring at the blade alone could kill us...But since Zellion was an angel once, he can bypass that law without any worry...I know he has big plans for that blade....First thing tomorrow morning, we have to give the sword back to the king..If Viper knew about you getting the sword, then Zellion knows...And that, Nes, means that you've painted a huge target on your chest. And I don't want you to have any more brushes with death as long as I'm still breathing...And we must outwait Viper also, as he doesn't have long to live anyway....."

So, that's why when I stabbed him it did nothing.. she thought and looked down. Her teeth clenched together. She raised her head to look at Dragon. "I told the king that I would be able to protect the sword. He intrusted the sword with me. I'm stronger than what, you, Zellion and Viper think. I can take care of it. I had protect it from Zellion once, I can do it again." she said and stood up.

Dragon got up "You don't understand Nes....It'll never matter how strong you are...Zellion is a fallen angel! He has the strengths of both angels and demons, and none of their weaknesses! He's practically INVINCIBLE, Nes! He's been searching for that sword for a whole millenia, and now that he knows for sure where it is; he's going to send all of Hell after you until he has it in one hand and your heart in the other! He'll never stop until you're DEAD!"

Nes closed her eyes, her ears back. She sighed. "And what would Excaliber grant him?" she asked and opened her eyes. Now that he said what he said, returning the sword back sounding tempting. Her mother and Father used to tell her stories about Excaliber; that he was somehow alive. "It had choosen the King once." said her father when she was 1 month old. Nes lowered her head and looked down at her paws.

"Excaliber...is the strongest angelic weapon ever created...It's in fact the reason Zellion was banished to begin with.." Dragon began "And the sword he has, The Heretic, is the strongest demonic weapon ever created...Legend has it, that should the power of both swords somehow combine, they'll merge into the ultimate sword; The Overlord.....Zellion plans to use this power...Like he explained in the deal....."

"Then we can't let him get the sword. Bringing it back to the king will make it too easy." she said and sat down, thinking. She closed her eyes. "How do we kill him?" she asked, her eyes still shut.

Dragon laid down and sighed "We can't.....The only way a fallen angel can die is if he kills himself...By stabbing himself in the heart with the weapon that ended his original life....And I don't know when that was....And I don't think Zellion intends on doing that soon.." Dragon closed his eyes as he tried to get thoughts of Zellion out of his head. Dragon said "Nes...I want to thank you....For being there when I needed someone the most. I also want to thank you for not screaming and running away from me because of who I am..."

"Your welcome." she said with a smile and nuzzled his neck. She sat by him and looked around. She looked outside. It was starting to get dark. She sighed. Excaliber was still strapped on her back. Her ear flicked. She sighed and looked back outside.

Viper crawled through the forest, trying to find the god-forsaken cave that Dragon and Neschume were in. "When I find Neschume, I'm going to wring her neck and make Dragon watch." he growled cursing the two wolves. He stopped and sniffed the air. He looked around. He felt like any second now, Zellion would appear out of nowhere.

Dragon laid his head down in Neschume's arms and drifted into a much needed sleep...

Mist formed out of nowhere. Seconds later, Zellion appeared out of nowhere; his eyes demanding an explanation of Viper's second consectutive failure...

Neschume licked the top his head, but she stayed awake.


Viper lowered his body to the ground and looked at Zellion, but stood back up. "I know I failed you again, master. Dragon is cunning, he took Neschume and himself somewhere. I have been trying to find them, but cannot." He said and bowed his head. His tail tucked a bit.

Zellion sighed "Normally, I'd be smashing your head on a jagged rock right about now..But since you TRIED this time, I won't....But I must know this; If you really are trying to find them...then why are you GOING THE WRONG BLOODY DIRECTION?!"

Viper bristled. "I told you. I cannot sense them!" he growled, but quickly bowed his head in an apology. "What are we going to do once we find them. You ging to stick around to make sure I get what you need?" he huffed.

"Uh...No." Zellion replied "That's YOUR job...If I have to hold your hand so you don't get lost, that tells me you're nowhere near worthy of your powers....I have other things to attend to...Oh, your power runs on energy, so you'll need to feed sometime soon, so I brought you a little snack..." Mist formed and what manifested was a small child; bond and gagged by a rope...

Viper was hungry and did not care what he ate. He leaped on the child, bit it's neck and eatting through it's chest, gulping down meat. He looked up at Zellion. "I'm guessing you still need Dragon?" he asked, licking the human blood off his lips. He ripped off the arm and chewed on the meat and spat out the bone.

"Yes..I still need him." Zellion said "But, like you said, he's extremely cunning. And he won't give himself up without a fight...." Zellion grinned as an idea popped into his head "By what has happened today...Chances are they'll go to the king sooner or later....Viper! Go to the castle and round up everyone! I'll be there first thing tomorrow!"

Viper nodded and flew off.

In his sleep, Dragon began turning and groaning as if he were having some sort of nightmare..He kept muttering "No.." and "I'm sorry.."

Neschume looked down at Dragon, her eyes lids were already falling, but she forced herself awake. She slid her paws from under Dragon's head and she walked out of the cave. She had to wake herself up, she didn't feel right sleeping. She always wanted to keep alert, speacially now. She looked back at Dragon and walked out of the cave. She walked to a near river near the cave. The moon was already starting rise, so she would surrounded in darkness and pretty much hidden.

She lowered her head and drank from the river, her ears back. She looked up, water dripping from her lips. She then slipped off Excaliber and leaped in the river and shook her pelt. She leaped straight back out. She place dher paw on Excaliber and shook her wet pelt. She had to wake herself up somehow. It didn't really do much, but she wouldn't be falling asleep soon. As she was touching it, she noticed Excaliber glowing dimmly, she took her paw off and it didn't glow, she placed her paw on it and it glowed. "Hmm" she slipped Excaliber back on her back and she walked through the forest, but stayed near the cave.

Dragon's nightmare was intensifing by the second. He found himself in a hellish dreamworld. Lava began bubbling up near him as it grew taller and taller. The lava formed a huge hood and cloak. It hissed at him with a demonic voice "DRAGON!!!!! YOU HAVE NOT BEEN LIVING UP TO YOUR END OF THE BARGAIN!!" "No!" Dragon barked "I want nothing more to do with you or Zellion! I want to start my life over! Why can't any of you accept that?!" "BECAUSE YOU OWE US, DRAGON!!" The Monster growled "YOU MADE A PROMISE TO US AND WE DEMAND THAT YOU KEEP IT!" "No! I'm not going to be your **** puppet anymore! I'm through doing your dirty work!" "YOU HAVE NO CHOICE!!!" The Monster roared "ONE WAY OR ANOTHER, YOU WILL SERVE YOUR END OF THE DEAL!" "I don't care about your stupid deal anymore!" Dragon roared back "You can take the deal and shove it!" "IF THAT'S THE CASE..." The Monster growled "THEN YOU WILL DIE!!!" The ground began to break apart. Firey chains wrapped themselves around Dragon and began pulling him down....

In the real world, Dragon's body was starting to shake violently as blood began foaming from his mouth...

Neschume was just walking in, when she saw Dragon. "Dragon!" she yelled and ran forward. She shook him, trying to wake him. "Dragon, wake up! Wake up!" she cried, shaking him. Her was bristling, what had happened?

Dragon's body was still shaking from the 'nightmare'. His blood was getting hotter and hotter...Minutes later, the shaking went to a complete stop, and Dragon silently laid there..

Neschume's eyes widen. A shiver ran through her body. "Dragon!" she yelled and check for a pulse. "Dragon, you can't die on me.." she said, her voice cracking. "Please, Dragon, wake up.." she said, her voice weak.

"Please Dragon! Please Dragon, wake up!" Zellion mockingly squealed out of nowhere as he casually struted into the cave "Shut up already! You can shake and lick him all you want, but your precious boyfriend won't wake up!"

Neschume growled and turned around. She glared at Zellion. "What did you to him?!" she snarled, her teeth bared. Her eyes turned the dark purple of her Niwa form. Her tail lashed.

Zellion sat down and said "Since when do I answer to you? Did you really think there wouldn't be any consiquences of interfering with a Demon out for something?" Zellion stretched himself out as he were making himself at home. Zellion smirked "Well, Ms. Neschume, aren't you going to sit down and have a chat with your guest or what? I've always been a sucker for current events..." He poked at Dragon's body....

Neschume only approached him to slice his arm. "Keep your bloody paws off him." she snarled. She pointed the dagger at him, till she got to a safe distance away from. She still the held the dagger in her hand as she sat down. "So, what do you want?" she said, her face still distorted with anger and irriation. Her tail lashed and her purple eyes glowed brightly in the dim light from the moon.

Zellion watched the wound close up by itself. He turned to Neschume and smirked "I want to make a deal with you, of course...But first, I'll explain what just happened to tall, dark, and stupid over here; Dragon made a deal with the Dark One, and the Dark One decided that it was the time to collect his due....."

"So, Dragon is dead? What's the deal?" she snorted. Her bristling, already knowing it, but she was prepared for it. She glanced at the sword at her side. She watched Zellion with intentness, watching his every move.

"You're not entirely right" Zellion said "Dragon isn't dead. His body is, but his soul is in a bit of a limbo..." Zellion continued "The deal I have in mind is this; meet me at the castle tomorrow morning. Give me Excaliber...And I'll restore Dragon's worthless soul.....Oh! It's also a ONE-TIME offer....Sound interesting for you?"

Neschume remembered that if she gives him Excaliber, he will combine it with his other sword. She sighed and touched the sword at her side, which is Excalibur. She looked back up at him. "How do I know that you'll keep your promise, you are a demon." she growled. Her tail flicked.

"Yes." she said. She still looked at Zellion. "So, are you going to keep your promise or not?" she asked. She tapped her claw on the ground.

"I will. I'll bring the sword." she said and looked down at her paws. She hoped she was doing the right thing. She closed her eyes and wished Dragon was here. Then, suddenly she remembered something her father said to her. "If a Niwa Angel has bonded with another, they are able to share souls." She hoped it was true. She looked at Dragon's limp form, then abck at Zellion.

"Good...." Zellion said. He went to Dragon's body and picked him up on his shoulder and back. "see you soon..." Zellion then faded into mist; taking Dragon with him....

Nes sighed. She decided to head to the castle. She picked up Excalibur and headed off into woods, the sword clanking against her side. She stopped once to take it out and check it, being bathed it light, and she sheathed it once again and headed toward the castle, taking her time.

Zellion materialized in the courtyard of the castle. He saw that Viper took his precious time destroying the village. Imps were everywhere, terrorizing the villagers; much to his delight. Zellion called out "Viper!!!! I'm home!!!! And take a good look at the bacon I brought!"

Viper appeared from a smoke cloud. He had blood on his lips and claws and chest. "What did you bring?" he asked and sat down and looked at the form he was carrying. His head tilted to the side. The moon was already high in the sky and was lowering for the new dawn.


Neschume shifted Excalibur again. She really hoped Zellion kept his promise. She saw the river she had crossed while going to the castle, she was getting close.

Zellion remarked "The one thing you can't ever seem to catch" and dropped Dragon to the ground. He cracked his neck and shoulder; as he was sore for lifting the big lug of a Niwan Wolf. "Nescume will be here soon with Excaliber" Zellion explained "I need you on your best behavior, should she try anything foolish..." Zellion turned around and summoned several of his strongest imps. He rounded them up and whispered something to them for a minute or so. They giggled, lifted up Dragon, and ran off somewhere. Zellion turned to Viper and said "I want you to bring every survivior here; especially the king....For we're going to have a show" Zellion smirked and walked off, ready for Neschume's arrival....

Viper nodded and flew off.

A few minutes after Viper flew off, Neschume walked out of the bushes. She stood in front of them and glared at Zellion. She glanced at the sword at her side, she sighed. She prayed that Zellion kept his promise. Her tail flicked and she waited.

Zellion looked around the courtyard for a few seconds. He slowly waved his paw around; mist began to form anywhere and everywhere in the entire courtyard. The mist grew higher and higher; and a few minutes later, the courtyard had been transformed into a miniature theatre; complete with a curtained stage and seats. An imp rushed to whisper something in Zellion's ear. "Perfect...." he grinned at the imp "Soon we can set everyone in their seats, wait for our guest of honor, and then we can begin....."

Nes shivered. She shifted the weight of the sword and headed toward the courtyard. Her stomach twisted and tied itself in knots as fogs began to surround her. She shook her head and soon arrived in the courtyard "theatre". She stood there and narrowed her eyes, looking around. The ridges of her back were standing straight at the air, she had a bad feeling.

"Ahh...Neschume!" Zellion said from nowhere "I must say your here eariler then I expected.." He began to slowly her like a shark. He then smirked "Now we just have to wait for the others if we are to have a nice, peaceful transistion....Do you agree?"

Nes pinned her ears, "I just wanted to get this over with." she said, her tail flicked and she turned seeing Viper land. "Okay, everyone is ready." he whispered and glanced at Neschume, who bristled, her teeth showing, but her mouth was closed.

"Then arange them some seats..." Zellion said "Make sure Neschume and the king go to the front row...." He walked away to the back of the stage..

Neschume watched him leave with narrowed eyes.

Viper lead Nes to her seat and he walked away, bringing the prisoners. He sat the king next to Neschume.

Several minutes later, everyone was put in a seat. Mist formed around the stage and Zellion appeared, saying "Ladies and gentlemen and gentle...imps? My name is Zellion and I'm about to put on a show..But, before we do, let's put our hands together for our special guests; the king...and Ms.Neschume!"

Neschume narrowed her eyes, What is up to? she thought and watched him. Her ears flattened a bit. She sighed.

The King looked around. "What is this all about?!" he snarled.

"I'm getting there, your Majesty..so please....SHUT UP!" Zellion snarled. He cleared his throat as he said "I want to tell you all a little story...."

"Many, many. MANY years ago" Zellion started "There was a warrior by the name of Helix....He was a mercenary that was trying to find total enlightenment....When we met, I offered him power...Power that had the potential to tear apart the fabrics of time and space! He accepted...under the condition that he gather souls on the Dark One's behalf....And so, the 'Deal' was made..." Zellion winked at Neschume...

Neschume snorted. She watched him and waited,

The King looked at Neschume, then back at Zellion. The King noticed Excaliber on her back. His eyes widen.

Zellion continued "In time, who was once a proud warrior...Slowly dwindled down to a whiney, smelly, MORON! A dolt! A flea-bitten simpleton!" Zellion smirked "We can all thank Ms.Neschume for that!" Zellion then said "Ladies and gentlemen! I....Give you.....DRAGON!" The curtains went up; to reveal Dragon's body had been strung up like a large, furry puppet...

Neschume growled and bristled. Her fur stood on end. Her heart lurched when she saw Dragon. She snarled and looked at Zellion. Her ear twisted when she heard the King.

"Don't give him, Excaliber. Dragon would have wanted it this way." he whispered.

Nes glared at the King. "For all the smart things you have said to me, that was a pretty stupid to say. I have to do this.." she whispered abck to the King. The King sighed and looked abck at Zellion.

Zellion nearly bursted out laughing at the look on Nescume's face....But he continued "So, Dragon....How are you feeling this loving morning? Do you feel like you have...no strings?" all of the imps started laughing at this, Zellion said "Do you feel like dancing?" a string made Dragon's head bobble up and down, "So you do?" Zellion smirked "Then what are you waiting for? Dance! Dance! DANCE!" all of the strings holding Dragon began moving him around and up and down in such a stupid fashion; Zellion and his imps bursted into an infectious laughter.....

Neschume growled. "Stop it! Just STOP!" she yelled. She hated to see this. She was doing this for Dragon, why couldn't Zellion just get to the point. She growled angerily.

The King looked over at Nes and looked at all the imps laughing.

Zellion grinned devilishly. His plan was working. "You're just a grand dancer, Dragon! Look! It's your friend and crush, Ms. Neschume! Want to say hi to her?" Dragon's head bobbled up and down as his arm was waving back and forth at Neschume; sending the Imps into yet another laughing uproar...

Nes was about to leap at Zellion, but the King caught her arm. "Don't, he's just trying to get you mad." he whispered. Nes sighed and watched Zellion. She pulled out her sword, showering the theatre in it's light. "You want this or not?" she said, holding it up.

The king looked up at Nes and, then looked down.

Zellion faintly grinned at Neschume "Yes. As a matter of fact----" He pricked his ear up and turned around to Dragon. "Oh, what was that?" he growled "You don't like me playing mind games with your sweetheart? Oh, you want to CHALLENGE me?" Dragon's paws went up like he was in a boxing match. "Accepted.." Zellion said as he then flicked Dragon in the head. Seconds later, Dragon flopped on the ground. Zellion looked at Neschume, awaiting her reactions..

Nes bristled, but she closed her eyes. She stared at Zellion, but didn't react much. She looked back at the King, who's head was still lowered. "You'll have to forgive me." she whispered to him. She looked back at Zellion and sheathed the sword.

Zellion propped up Dragon and smiled as he held out his paw "The sword, please...I haven't got all day, you know....."

Nes flew to the stage, but stood there. "Return his soul and I'll give it to you." she said with a smirk. Her tail lashed. She did not trust him at all. She did trust him that he'd keep his promise.

"GIVE ME THE BLOODY SWORD FIRST!" Zellion commanded in a very deep and demonic voice that thundered around the theatre. "IF YOU WANT HIM, THEN GIVE IT TO ME NOW!!!!"

Nes closed her eyes and a shiver ran up her spine. She sighed and rubbed the hilt of the sword. "Fine." she said and swallowed. She walked up to Zellion and handed the hilt of Excalibur to him. "Take it, now return his soul." she growled.

Zellion looked at the sword in his paw. He had been searching for it for a whole Millenia...Now he had it....He placed his paw on Dragon's chest as light resonated from him. A minute leter, he took his paw off...

Dragon gasped as he opened his eyes. His voice trembled as he took in air...His soul had been restored..

"Dragon!" she yelled and ran at him and hugged him. She smiled as she looked at Zellion. "Well, now we can go." she said and started to undid the ties of Dragon. "Are you okay?" she whispered to him. She had a plan and she hoped that Zellion would let them go, but she ahd a feeling there was more to this.

"Hmm...It appears that we must go your seperate ways...." Zellion said as he walked towards them. He glanced at Dragon and said "Goodbye, dear friend..." And with that, impaled Dragon with the Excaliber; all in front of Neschume. Zellion had a cold smile on his face; it had been a trick the whole time.....

As he went strike, the sword disappeared into smoke. Neschume smiled widely as if she were an evil demon. "Never try to break a deal with me, demon. You'll truely lose it." she said and slapped his face with sheer force of her wing, knocking him down. She stood beside Dragon. "That wasn't Excaliber, it was a spell. I have learned spells from my father. Rest his soul." she smiled and stared at Zellion, but then stood in front of Dragon, incase he tried to attack Dragon again.

'It was a trick?!' Zellion thought to himself as he got up. His body and wings glowed and his body bulked up....Zellion slowly inhaled and exhaled as the entire theatre began to shake..Mist formed around his twisting and contorting body....

Neschume growled. "Dragon, please leave." she told him as she opene dher wings fully and made them like a sheild in front of Dragon. She watched as Zellion grew bigger and grew more twisted. Her tail lashed. I will kill, Zellion. One way or another.

Zellion had finished transforming into his Demon-form. He summoned the Heretic and growled "NO ONE TRICKS ME AND GETS AWAY WITH IT!!!" He raised his sword to strike, but Dragon jumped at the last second...

"NO!" Dragon roared as he switched into his Demon-form and whipped out the Vindicator. The two then engaged in a vicious duel....

Nedschume could not watch this. She pulled out a sword, but it was not Excaliber. She stood near them and waited. She watched them closely, made sure she could help Dragon if he needed it.

"You thought you could make a laughing stock out of me, did you?!" Dragon snarled as his blade clashed with Zellion's. "You thought you could break Neschume?! She's stronger then you think, Zellion!"

"SILENCE, YOU STUPID CUR!" Zellion roared at him as he kicked him like a soccer ball.

Dragon landed on his feet as he thrusted out his left hand. Firey chains shot out and wrapped themselves around Zellion's neck. "Did you forget, Zellion? You taught me everything I know about Hell-Powers!"

Zellion smirked "True, Dragon....But I didn't teach you everything that I know!" he then jolted into the sky; with Dragon holding on...

Neschume pulled out her sword and flew after them. She was behind Zellion. She stabbed her sword through his chest, poking out where his heart should be.

Zellion let out an ungodly shriek as he swatted her like a fly.

"NES!" Dragon shouted. He charged toward him "YOU BASTARD!!!!!!" Dragon began slashing at Zellion with the Vindicator like a madman.

Zellion grabbed the Hell-Chains around his neck and started spinning dragon in circles; finally flinging him to the earth and sending him crashing into the ground. "NOW I HAVE YOU!!!" Zellion roared as he dived after Dragon. At the last second, however, dragon moved out of the way; letting Zellion plant his own head into the ground..

Nes growled and gained her posure back. She flew toward Zellion at 50 mph. She ahd her sword at her belly and she ran her sword into Zellion's back, but it didn't pierce through. She snarled angerily and pulled her sword out, she looked up at Dragon.

Zellion angerly spun around and knocked the sword out of Neschume's hands.

"Nes..." Dragon glanced over "See to the king...."

Zellion roared "VIPER! IMPS! ATTACK THEM! MAKE THEM SUFFER!" Then almost 200 imps came rushing towards them...

Nes saw her sword disappeared back into a feather. She growled and she pulled out a sword that had a gold hilt and bathed the entire place with light. She swiped at the air in front of her and a white wave washed over the imps and they all disinergrated. She growled and turned to Zellion. She snarled, the Excaliber glowing brightly.

Viper flew toward his sister, the Lunatic glowing with a black light. He clashed it with Excaliber, the light blinding them both. She pushed Viper away, but he he rammed at her again and stabbed at her arm. She howled and clutched her arm and swiped at his leg, slicing it. He howled in pain and the wound burned him. He screamed in the shrill pain.

"Now, it's your turn, Zellion." she growled, turning back to him.

"NES, WHAT ARE YOU TRYING TO PROVE?!" Dragon, who flew a good distance away from the light said "YOU CAN"T KILL HIM, NES! HE's---"

"ENOUGH!" Zellion yelled. He stared at Neschume and growled "If you really want to perish by my blade...So be it....." He slowly circled Neschume like a frenzied shark.

"NES! GET AWAY FROM HIM!" Dragon yelled "GO! GET NOT OF HERE! I'd never forgive myself if something happened to you!" He rushed in between Neschume and Zellion "GO, NES! Get out of here while you still can! If etheir of us dies, it'll be ME!!! I'LL NOT WATCH YOU DIE! DO YOU UNDERSTAND?!"

Nes growled. "And do you think I want to watch you die?!" she yelled and glared at him. She stood beside Dragon. "If we fight, we fight together. We die..we die together." she said with a smile. She looked at Dragon with a determined look. You said that if he is stabbed by his own sword by him he dies? she thought telepathically to Dragon.

It's not that simple, Nes.... Dragon telepathically said to her. Zellion must willingly take his own life...By the very weapon the ended his original life..... Tears began to form in his eyes. The very same weapon that ended my life... Dragon then held out The Vindicator....

The Vindicator ended his life..so..I think I have an idea.. she said. She looked at Zellion. She fluddered her wings and watched him.

Dragon looked at himself...He reverted to his wolf form as he turned to Zellion and pointed his sword at him "Zellion....Let's have one last battle. No Demon-Forms, no Hell-Powers, Just us and our skills.."

Zellion nodded, and reverted to his fox form as the point of his sword touched Dragon's.

They began to clash their swords with newfound fury. Zellion was fast and agile; but Dragon made up for it in strength and sheer will.

Neschume knew she could not interfere with this fight. She sat there and watched them, Excaliber sheathed. She watched them fight. If Dragon needed help, she'll be there in a pinch. She turned just to catch Viper's sword.

"I'll make sure I run that phrophecy blood out of your veins!" he yelled and slashed at her. She caught is sword with hers. "Then I'll kill you before all the blood runs out of me." she growled pushed on his sword.

Zellion's sword locked against Dragon's. Zellion sneered "Why, Dragon? Why? Why fight? Why keep fighting? You'll never escape your past..You'll never escape the deal...now that I think about it...You've killed more people then I did...It was you who'd offered yourself to the Darkness...Face it, Dragon, You're no different then me...We're the same...Cut right down the center...."

That awoke something in Dragon. "No....You're wrong...I"M NOT...LIKE...YOU!!!" Dragon knocked him down and wildly slashed him with the Vindicator; saying "I'm NOT! I'M NOT! I'm NOT LIKE YOU!!!!"

Neschume turned her head and stared at Zellion and Dragon. She sighed and yelped when she felt the hilt of Viper's sword on her head. She fell to the ground. Dark was closing in our vision. She snarled and kept her eyes open. This was the final fight for all of them, she had no choice, but to kill her brother. It was now or never.

Viper smiled and he stood behind his sister. "It's over." he smiled and put his sword down toward her chest. She hit it away and attacked Viper. Viper yelped and went backwards. They clashed again and Vipper pulled another sword from nowhere and smacked her with the other blade(not Lunatic). She fell to the ground, her cheek bleeding. She touched her cheek and leaped at Viper.

Blood trickled down both sword's hilts. A bright light showed and Viper let out a yell of pain as he exploded from the angelic light of Excaliber. "Got you.." she gasped and layed down. She layed and watched Dragon and Zellion, keeping her eyes opened as much as possible.

"Vi--VIPER?!" Zellion said "What did you do to my apprentice?!" He looked at Dragon and gulped

Dragon, Who was driven mad with anger, changed into into his Demon Form and brutally mauled Zellion. He strangled him with his chains. Dragon roared "I"M NOT LIKE YOU!!!!!!" And repeatingly slammed Zellion's body to the ground.

"No....Spare me...Don't kill me...please.." Zellion weakly stammered with tears in his eyes

Dragon growled "Sorry....I'm not the sparing kind.." And repeatingly stabbed Zellion with the Vindicator

Nes smiled and closed her eyes. Blood trickled from the wound on her side. She sighed, her tail was wagging back in forth. She watched as Dragon killed Zellion, till she closed her eyes. She body was slowing down a bit. The fight took a lot of her, using Excaliber was hard work, but she knew she could handle it when she gets stronger, but now, all she wanted to do is rest. She didn't care about her wound, sleep took over since she had not slept for two days.

Dragon breathed a sigh of relief.......Zellion was dead. his curse was over. Dragon reverted and picked up Neschume and carried her into the castle. He had some direct him to the guest chambers. He placed a sleeping Neschume on the bed and quietly walked out. He went to the king. "Are you alright your Majesty?" Dragon asked "How are your people?"

"They are fine and well, thanks to you and Ms. Neschume. I thank you from the deepest part of my heart. You two are welcome any day in my kingdom. If you have any requests, I'll make it." he smiled.

"I have one...." Dragon said "I want you to find seperate holy grounds to bury Zellion and the Heretic....If he's somehow revived; he'll be mortal without the sword.I'd do it myself, but I'm a demon, so the Holy ground would hurt me..." Dragon sat down and ran his paw over his head.

"Yes, I will do that. "Well, you and Neschume are free to stay here till dawn. Then you are free to do as you will." he smiled and bowed his head. He told his guards to go to Zellion's body and bury his body in holy ground and bury Heltric on the most holiest ground in the kingdom; Camelot.


Nes was curled under the covers, the sheets were turning pink. She did not wriggle in pain from the wound. As if she were in a trance. She let out a silent sigh, her eyes still closed.

As Dragon walked back into the room; he placed his paw on Neschume and healed her wounds. He took the "pink" covers, and switched them with fresher ones. He flopped next to Neschume, stretched out his belly; and drifted to sleep. And for once, he could sleep with both of his eyes closed...

Neschume felt the bed bend under a new weight. She opened her eyes lightly and she smiled as she saw Dragon sleeping beside her. She grinned and rested her head on the pillow and fell back asleep. She was glad it was over...

Dragon yawned and the weight of his body sank into the bed...

And Nes and Dragon both slept, but oblivious to the new dangers that awaited them.....