by Lucky Charms

Disclaimers: See Part 1.

Feedback is always welcome: luckycharms@e-scribblers.com.

Copyright © 2004 by Lucky Charms. All Rights Reserved.

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Blaize and the rest of the captives gasp in shock as the tree holding them begins to wilt away and they are slowly released from its grasp.

"What’s going on?" Stewie asks, gazing into the light.

"I-I don’t know." Mary Ann replies.

Lisa and Fran snarl in frustration as they turn toward the source of the white light. Aeryk takes the opportunity to leap down, pluck Minerva from the ground and take her to safety by her friends.

"It’s you!" Minerva cries as the strange man lowers her to her feet.

Aeryk remains silent as he turns toward the light just as it begins to fade out. "Jocelyn..." He whispers.

Jocelyn gazes at herself in complete shock as the light that emitted from her body slowly forms two small orbs in front of her.

Fran and Lisa sneer at the young woman. "You little bitch!" Lisa roars as she and her comrade charge Jocelyn.

Jocelyn cries out in fear just as the two evil women approach her, and the two balls hurl themselves at the assailants forcing them to fly through the air several feet, ramming into a wall before they collapse to their knees.

"Tch, let’s get out of here." Fran grumbles then she and Lisa vanish into the night.

The group walks over to Jocelyn cautiously and gaze at her in wonder. "Are you alright Jocelyn?" Minerva asks.

"Y-yeah." Jocelyn replies. "What was that?"

Ares jumps down from the rooftops, sincerely happy that the thunderclouds undoubtedly created by Zeus are gone, and walks over to Aeryk. "We better go." He whispers.

Syl hears the two talking and calls out just as they start walking off. "Just a moment, where are you going?"

Minerva and the group turns. "Wait a second," Minerva says as she makes her way to the front of the group. "I didn’t get a chance to thank you for saving my life. What’s your name?"

Aeryk looks at Minerva sullenly, turns to Ares who only shrugs, then turns back to the woman. "Enochlisi." He mutters.

"Come again?" Blaize asks.

"Enochlisi."

"Enochl, what now!" Stewie cries.

"ENOCHLISI!"

"Oh, Enochlisi!" The group says in unison.

Ares chuckles, and Aeryk shoots him a nasty look. "I’m glad you’re alright." He says turning to leave.

"Wait a moment!" Minerva cries again. "Why are you following us?"

Aeryk sighs, still facing away from Minerva, and slumps his shoulders. Ares decides to step in and stands before Aeryk. "Don’t question the will of the Gods." He says harshly.

"You know, I’ve had just about enough of you." Blaize snaps as she pulls out her blade and aims it at Ares.

Ares arches a brow and crosses his arms. "Oh really?"

"All you’ve done since you’ve arrived is be nothing but condescending and rude. Not to mention how horrible you’ve been to poor Aeryk!"

"Yeah!" Stewie steps in. "What did he do to you besides make you fall into a pile of horse dung." She snickers.

Ares, his pride wounded, pulls out his own sword and storms toward the offending mortals. Blaize rises to the challenge, but the group tries to hold her back.

Aeryk whirls around and grabs Ares’ arms. "Stop it." He orders. "There’s no need to fight."

Ares shrugs off Aeryk’s hold and glares at Blaize. "Yeah, right." He then turns on his heel and walks off.

Aeryk gives Minerva and the group an apologetic look then rushes after Ares, calling his name.

"Looks like Ares has got him whipped." Blaize says with a hint of distaste.

"Forget about it." Colleen says placing a hand on her friend’s shoulder. "It’s not worth it."

Aeryk pads up and gazes up at Jocelyn. "Why hello there firefly." He snickers. 

After witnessing all the inhabitants of Daakland slowly return to their normal state, Minerva and her friends begin making preparations for their journey to their next stop.

Aeryk leaps into Jocelyn’s saddle bag, ignoring Ares’ look of displeasure, and looks up at his troubled friend. "You okay?"

"I’m still wondering what happened earlier." Jocelyn admits softly as she and the others begin their trek to Marinia.

"Oh, just ignore Ares. He’s a bit of a hot head." He grins as the top of his head bursts into flames. "If you know what I mean."

Jocelyn chuckles. "It’s not that. I’m talking about me."

Aeryk sneezes and the flame dies out. "It’s always about you isn’t it?"

"Aeryk!" Jocelyn complains.

"I’m only joking with you." Aeryk replies. "Has this happened before?"

"Yes, Aeryk, bright lights are always coming out of my body." Jocelyn retorts sarcastically. "Of course not!"

Aeryk chuckles. "Alright, stupid question. Any ideas what it might be, or what might’ve caused it." His eyes widen. "You didn’t eat any strange herbs while I wasn’t watching did you?" He gasps as if Jocelyn already admitted it. "Jocelyn, you herb friendly hussy!"

Jocelyn darts a dirty look at the feline freak in her saddlebag. "No I haven’t!" She pauses a moment as a thought crosses her mind. "Come to think of it, I have been feeling a little strange since we’ve left Ashmire."

"Ashmire?" Aeryk exclaims. "What do you mean?"

"Well," Jocelyn begins. "I’ve been having this slight tingling sensation in my body ever since you’ve given me that medicine to cure me of that Siren’s disease."

"Ah-ha." Aeryk mutters. "Wery interestink."

"Then you know what happened?" Jocelyn asks hopefully.

Aeryk shakes his head. "For all I know you can be slowly transforming into a hideous steroid mutant Amazon woman who can bench press chevies!"

"Chevies?" Jocelyn asks, perplexed.

"Chevies? What are you talking about?" Aeryk asks. "You’re talking crazy! A witch!" The cat accuses.

Jocelyn rolls her eyes and ignores the cat’s ravings. "You’re no help."

"Quick, someone save me! She turned me into a newt!" Aeryk continues to wail. 

The next morning Lisa and Fran awaken in with stiff backs and a horrible stomachache.

"Did we have to sleep in the trees Fran?" Lisa moans. "My back is killing me."

"What else could we have done?" Fran grimaces as she clutches her aching stomach. "Damn, what did that girl do to us?"

"I don’t know, but we’re going to have to change our strategy." Lisa says. "Any ideas?"

Fran shakes her head. "None, they are a strange and formidable bunch."

"So we have the knights, that girl, and maybe that strange cat." Lisa announces.

"The cat?" Fran snorts. "I highly doubt we have to worry about him."

Dark Sisters! A familiar female voice rings through the forest.

Lisa and Fran nearly fall out of the tree and gaze around them. "M-majesty?" Fran stammers.

Have you succeeded in eliminating Minerva and her knights yet?

"Not as of yet, Majesty." Lisa replies. "We ran into some unexpected problems, but we will solve them."

You had better. I will not stand for any more failures.

As soon as Fran and Lisa feel it safe to speak again, they make their way down the tree and gaze at each other. "What do you think?" Fran asks.

"She’s definitely watching us now." Lisa says. "We better think of something or we’re dead."

"They’re heading to Marinia." Fran begins. "And we have at least a half a days lead on them, we should start soon."

The two begin their journey toward Marinia. "I’m a little scared." Lisa admits. "What if we don’t succeed?"

"Don’t think like that." Fran scorns. "You’re just tempting the Fates. Think about winning, not loosing. It’s all we have right now."

Lisa frowns. "Don’t you ever get tired of it?"

"Tired of what?" Fran asks.

"The life we lead. I mean sure, we are the best in the business and we are feared and respected throughout the Mindom, but doesn’t it get a little old?"

"Sure it does, but what else is there for us? This is our fate, our destiny." Fran says.

Lisa scowls. "Destiny..." The woman thinks back to her last moment when she felt truly happy. 

Lisa’s home village is just beginning their annual weeklong celebration in honor of their patron Goddess, and everybody’s spirits are high.

Lisa and her fiancé gaze about the fine wares local and distant merchants have brought to the village in hopes of making great sales.

"Would you look at this?" Lisa tugs at her fiancé who was busy looking elsewhere. "Wouldn’t this look great with my gown? Oh please, can I have it?"

Lisa’s fiancé, Jordyn, looks down at the simple piece of green silk. "But the price..." He begins, and then sees Lisa’s face darken with disappointment. He lets out a sigh and begins speaking to the merchant about purchasing the silk.

Lisa lets out a squeal of delight and wraps her slim arms Jordyn’s body. "Thank you!"

The merchant happily hands over the silk to Lisa and she clutches it close to her chest. The joy-filled woman thanks Jordyn again and lands a kiss on his cheek.

"I’m going to drop this off at home, I’ll see you at the dance okay?"

Jordyn nods and Lisa rushes off, smiling from ear to ear. This is so great! I can’t believe I’m actually getting married soon. I hope I can make Jordyn as happy as he makes me.

Later that evening the village has become alive with music, dancing, and laughter. Lisa and Jordyn have spent most of the evening dancing with each other, but saying very little.

"I’m going to get something to drink." Jordyn says after they finish a dance.

Lisa smiles sweetly. "I’ll be over here." She points to a small vacant section near a dimly lit alleyway.

Lisa smiles at a few friends as she walks by and finds a seat. She lets out a sigh and gazes into the star filled night sky. Could tonight be any more perfect?

Lisa turns and looks into the alleyway as she hears a sound. "Hello?" She asks. She calls out louder a second time, thinking the loudness of the high-spirited villagers prevent anyone from hearing her.

Lisa slowly enters the alleyway and looks around for the cause of the noise. "Is anyone here?" She travels further and further into the alleyway.

Lisa cries out when a pile of boxes suddenly collapses before her and a cat dashes out. "Oh, just a cat." She pants. Lisa chuckles slightly at her foolishness and turns to go back to the party when she nearly runs into a tall imposing man. "Oh, sorry. Excuse me." She takes a step aside, but the man follows suit. Lisa takes another step in the opposite direction, and the man repeats her actions. "Excuse me, but I really have to go now. My fiancé will be waiting for me and he’ll be worried."

Lisa tries to shove her way past the unruly man, but he shoves her back. "Hey!" Lisa cries in outrage. "Do you have a problem?"

The man takes a step forward and reaches out for the panicked woman. He smiles widely, revealing sinfully dirty teeth.

Lisa lets out a yelp of fear as the man grabs her and forces her into a wall. "Please, stop...!" She pleads.

The man places his hand over her throat, preventing her from screaming for help, and begins to have his way with her.

Tears stream down Lisa’s face as she struggles feebly against her rapist. Somebody please, help me!

Lisa turns her gaze away from the darkness and looks out toward the party, hoping someone will see her. What she does see, however, shatters her torn soul.

"Jordyn..." She sobs as she watches her fiancé dance with another woman and lands a passionate kiss on her neck.

The next morning, well after the villagers left for the safety of their homes and the man has left her, Lisa lays staring at the brightening morning sky. She winces in pain as she rises to her feet, her legs bruised and bleeding.

Lisa stumbles through the alleyway, her eyes swollen and her hair mangled with filth and mud, the man became more violent the night before when her struggling failed to cease. An unconscious shiver runs through her and she hugs herself closely trying to find what warmth she can from her spent body.

Why didn’t anyone see me? Why did it have to happen to me? "Jordyn...?" She calls like a small child searching for its mother. "Don’t you love me anymore?" Visions of Jordyn dancing and lusting after that woman flash through Lisa’s mind and she chokes back a sob.

Lisa finds herself back at her home and she silently makes her way up the wooden steps, her bare feet blue from the cold.

The next thing Lisa knows she’s standing above her bed, staring mindlessly down at her husband and the woman he slept with the night before, their bodies slashed and bleeding profusely.

A sudden wail of comprehension and terror escapes Lisa’s lips and she drops the knife from her hand. "NO!" 

I’ll never forget that night. Lisa says to herself as she and Fran continue down the path toward Marinia. I’ll never trust another man again. I’ll never trust humanity again. It’s too late for me.

Fran ducks under a low branch and heaves out a sigh. So much walking, why didn’t we bring any horses? I wonder what Lisa’s thinking about. Couldn’t be further from what’s on my mind, the past.

Fran looks to her side and sees a man and his daughter floating peacefully on a small fishing boat.

"Daddy," The little girl says. "Where do the fish come from?"

Fran tears her gaze away and continues down the trail. Family... 

Fran sits on a tree stump and watches her father tie up the family fishing boat and collect the large amount of fish they have caught just moments before.

"Quite a day for us, huh Fran?"

Fran beams up at her father. "Yup! Mommy’s gonna be real happy we caught so many." The little black haired girl skips up to her father, grabs his hands, and walks with him back to their shack.

As they reach their home, Fran calls out for her mother. "We caught a lot of fish today Mommy!"

The moment the two enter their home, they are instantly torn apart and shoved further into the house.

Fran looks up and sees her mother bound and gagged in the corner, and her father quickly becoming the same by a strange man.

The little girl cries out when a pair of large hands grabs her from behind and forces her on her feet. "Hey there little girl." Another man grunts. "Seems to me like your mommy there wouldn’t tell us where you hide your money. Now, how about you be a good girl and tell us where the money is."

Fran’s mother and father stare helplessly at their daughter with fear in their eyes. "W-we don’t have any money." Fran says softly.

"Oh, that’s too bad." The man says, and motions to his partner. "Has anyone ever told you what happens to little girls who lie?"

Fran’s father’s face darkens with fury and struggles as he’s forced to his feet. "Now I’m going to ask you one more time, where is the money?"

"I told you," Fran snaps. "We don’t have any money!"

The man holding Fran shakes his head and lets out a long sigh. "Okay." He says lowly and his partner lodges a large dagger in Fran’s father’s back.

Fran’s mother, seeing this, lets out a groan of horror as her husband falls to the ground.

Fran tries to rush to her distressed mother, but the man holds her fast. "Ah-ah, you’re not going anywhere sweetie."

The other man walks over to Fran’s mother and stabs her back without a second thought.

"Mommy!" Fran cries out, struggling against the man’s grip.

"What’s the matter little girl? You’ll be with your parents soon." The man laughs.

Fran rams her foot on the man's toes and quickly makes her escape when his grip is loosened. "Damn it, get her!"

Fran pumps her little legs as fast as she can and makes her way into the surrounding forest and clamors up a tree.

"Did you get her?"

"No, she just disappeared."

"Damn it! Oh well, let’s just get back there and take what we can." The two men chuckle as they walk back towards Fran’s home. 

I was too young then to fight them Mom and Dad. I’ll never forget what they did. I tried to find them, but I failed. I hope you understand and forgive me for the life I lead. I love you both still.

"We better hurry up a little if we’re ever to get to Marinia before they do." Lisa mutters.

And this time, they both say to themselves. We won’t fail. 

"Say, has anyone seen Aeryk Jr.?" Aeryk asks. The young kitten pokes his head out from Stewie’s saddlebag, his face covered in panties. "Where have you been?" The young kitten mews his excuse, and Aeryk’s eyes widen in shock. "Don’t say such things to me young man or I’ll take you over my knee!"

Stewie laughs heartily. "What did he say?"

"Something even I wouldn’t repeat. He’s getting to that age, mind you."

The entire group, minus Ares, erupts with laughter.

"It’s too bad we didn’t find another knight in Daakland." Mary Ann says. "How much further until we reach the capitol anyway?"

"A few more days actually." Blaize responds. "And a good thing too, I’ve been itching to face Jane for a long time."

"For the dishonor she has placed upon my lady," Colleen adds. "I, too, am eager to meet her."

"Say Minerva," Alice begins uncertainly. "What do you plan on doing with the Empress once you get there?"

"To be honest, I haven’t thought of one thing I would do or say to her." Minerva replies. "Obviously I would do what I can to stop her from killing off all the Lurkers. I do, however, want to avoid any serious conflict."

"But why all the knights?" Alice continues. "Why would Gaia have you take all these knights with you if you were to avoid any conflict?"

"Smart girl." Syl comments. "Maybe it’s your destiny to fight Jane."

Minerva nods, her face dark with concern. "I don’t want it to come to that. We all have so much to live for." She casts a glance back at Rie and Beth. "Those two make it painfully obvious."

Rae rides up to Minerva. "I think that’s the reason why we’re all here with you Minerva." The young woman says. "We all want to fight for a better future, and I think we all are ready to sacrifice anything for it."

Minerva nods and smiles at the squire. There’s so much wisdom and caring all around me, it’s amazing. Here I am, friends with all of these men and women and we barely even know each other. Yet we talk as if we’ve known each other for years! Blaize and Crys, Rie and Beth, Catt, and me and now Mary Ann and Alice. She chuckles to herself. Those two try so hard to hide it, but it’s nice knowing that they can find love in times like these. It gives us hope. We all have something or someone important to us.

Minerva turns as she hears Jocelyn and Aeryk bicker at each other for no real reason. Friendship and loyalty. Gods I’m so lucky to have these people around me. I don’t want to disappoint them.

"I don’t know Stewie, I’ll ask Jocelyn." Aeryk turns to his friend. "Say, do we have anymore Insta-Harnesses?"

Jocelyn blanches. "Why, who wants one?"

"Stewie." Aeryk replies, with a hint of mirth.

Stewie rides up to Jocelyn. "I, uh, just wanted to know. Morbid curiosity and all that."

Jocelyn’s eyes gleam maliciously. "Oh we have some, and more than you can handle." She says in a deep sultry voice. "We have leather and animal skin, all with varying colors and textures. We also have hypoallergenic skins just in case."

Stewie pales. "Really? I mean it’s not for me. I have this cousin who..."

Jocelyn laughs knowingly. "Of course."

Aeryk suddenly finds himself in Ares’ saddlebag and he scowls. "What?" He snaps at the God of war.

"You know you owe me a thank you."

Aeryk gasps. "A thank you? You nearly got in a fight with one of the knights!" He hisses.

Ares holds his horse back. "I meant about how you were about to reveal your true self to them."

Aeryk stops himself from snapping at Ares again, knowing he was right. "You’re right, thank you." He mumbles.

"So what’s going on with your friend?" Ares asks.

Aeryk shocked that Ares didn’t use the word ‘mortal’, stammers for a moment. "Uh, I don’t know. I could’ve just been a one time deal."

Ares nods. "Well, she at least saved your butt. Zeus was about to let you have it."

Aeryk faintly remembers a mass of thunderclouds forming above him. "Oh yeah!" He chuckles nervously up at the sky.

"Um," Ares begins after a moment of silence. "Since we’re busy apologizing to each other, I guess I owe you an apology too."

Aeryk’s eyes widen. "What for?"

"For what happened between us."

Aeryk turns away, not wanting to relive the situation again. "Oh, it’s okay." He mutters.

Mary Ann and Alice, hearing Ares and Aeryk’s conversation look at each other in confusion. "What do you think happened?" Alice asks.

"I don’t know, it’s a good thing Blaize asked us to keep an eye on Ares. Something is definitely up." Mary Ann replies.

"Should we tell Minerva about Aeryk?" Alice asks. "She should know."

Mary Ann casts a quick glance back at the two. "Lets ask Blaize first, she’ll know what to do."

The two young girls rush up to Blaize. "Hey, we got something interesting to report." Alice says.

Blaize looks at the girls in shock. "Already? Wow, how about we wait until we get somewhere more private."

The girls’ nod and hold their horses back. "Is this right?" Mary Ann mutters.

Alice shrugs. "I see what you mean. But why would Aeryk want to hide something like that from us?"

"Maybe he’s ashamed of it?" Mary Ann replies. "What I wanna know is what happened between those two."

Alice shakes her head. "It’s best we not bite off more than we can chew for right now. If it’s something worse than Aeryk hiding his Godhood from us, we should let him come to us first." 

After a good day and a half of riding, the group finally makes it to the grand coastal city of Marinia.

Stewie takes in a whiff of the sea air. "Mm, smell that air."

Aeryk makes a face. "Smell that fish."

Aeryk Jr. mews slightly and he nuzzles up against Stewie. "A boy after my own heart. How about we all go find some place to eat!"

"You guys can go on ahead," Blaize begins. "I’ll find us a place to stay for tonight. Mary Ann, Alice can you help me out?"

The two girls nod and wave as the rest of the group rides off. "So what did you find out?" Blaize asks.

"Well," Mary Ann begins uncertainly. "We found out that Aeryk’s a God."

Blaize nearly falls off her horse in shock. "A what? You’ve got to be kidding!"

Alice shakes her head. "Remember that storm cloud that appeared back in Daakland?" Blaize nods. "Ares said that was Zeus about ready to punish Aeryk."

"Then Aeryk must be," Blaize trails off shaking her head. "I don’t believe this. Why would he hide it from us? And all this time he could’ve helped us and didn’t!"

Mary Ann places a calming hand on Blaize’s shoulder. "He must have his reasons. Beside, Aeryk has his own problems to worry about."

"What problems?" Blaize asks, nearly spitting out the last word.

"Something happened between Ares and Aeryk." Alice says.

"We know, he tripped up Ares in some big race a while ago..."

"It isn’t that." Alice interrupts. "Ares was the one who apologized."

Blaize pauses a moment. "I see."

The three find a modest looking inn, smiling sweetly to a regal looking brown haired woman and her two oddly dressed companions, and walk in.

"What should we do now?" Mary Ann asks.

"Confront Aeryk, or Enochlisi, or whomever he is." Blaize says, stopping before the front desk. "Don’t say anything to anyone else until we talk to Aeryk first."

Mary Ann and Alice nod. "Okay, we’ll talk to you later then." The two walk off in silence.

"Can you believe this?" Alice mutters, clasping her hand in Mary Ann’s.

Mary Ann smiles at the sudden warmth swimming through her body. "Not really. I wasn’t expecting to deal with this to tell you the truth."

"How do you think Aeryk is going to handle us knowing the truth?"

"Who knows? How about we go enjoy a nice meal and some time by the beach?" Mary Ann asks.

Alice rests her head on Mary Ann’s shoulders. "Couldn’t think of anything else better to do." 

Stewie and Ares slam down another huge mug of beer and stare at each other. "You’ve got nothing on me." Ares grins.

"Pah, I can drink a fish under the table!" Stewie retorts.

Ares bellows out for more beer. "Lets see about that."

Syl and Aeryk shake their heads. "How long do you think they’ll last?" Syl asks.

"Not too much longer I hope." Aeryk replies.

Minerva rests back in her chair and surveys the area. She smiles at the small group of lovers, Rie and Beth, Alice and Mary Ann, and lets out a sigh. Her grin widens as her eyes pass over the battling drunkards Stewie and Ares. Gods save me from those two. Her smile fades slightly when she notices Blaize still gazing awkwardly at Aeryk. What’s with her all of a sudden?

She then turns her attention to Colleen and Jocelyn, who are having a lively conversation about new ideas for Jocelyn’s shop. I think we all deserve a night like this. It’s been a rough ride for us all. I hope we don’t run into those characters again. What am I thinking? Of course we’ll see them again.

Rae giggles as Aeryk Jr. tickles her with his tongue. "You’re nothing like the other Aeryk." She chuckles.

Minerva grins. "I don’t think anything in this world is like our Aeryk. But, we love him nonetheless."

Rae places the young kitten on the table so he can eat the rest of the fish Rae left out for him. "How are you feeling about this quest?"

Minerva takes a thoughtful drink off her drink. "You know, no one has ever asked me that question before. I don’t know really, I’ve never thought about it."

"I’ve talked to Blaize before and she said that she’s really excited about it. She really wants to make a difference in this world, kinda like everybody I guess. I also think that everybody wants you to become the Empress when this is all over with."

Minerva nearly spits out her drink. "Me become the Empress? I don’t think I can do that."

"Why not? I think you have excellent leadership qualities. We all do."

Minerva blushes. "I just don’t think I’m cut out for that kind of leadership, Rae. Granted I’ve done alright with you guys, but we’re talking about an entire nation! Beside, I’m sure the Princess Patty will do just fine."

Rae shrugs and turns her attention back to the kitten before going on. "I think you’re just selling yourself short. I saw how you handled the situation with those two psycho women, which showed compassion. You also refused to give up, that shows heart. Those are good signs of a true leader."

Minerva smiles faintly and gazes into the waning drink. "Thanks." She mutters.

"No!" Aeryk screams. "Get this thing off of me."

Jocelyn cackles as she wrestles with the surprisingly strong cat. "Ah come on, you’ll look cute in this."

Aeryk howls as Jocelyn manages to place him in an elaborately frilly pink tutu. "Minerva!" He whines. "Look what they did to me!"

The entire room erupts with laughter at the cat and he gazes around the room, beyond furious. He literally tears off the tutu with his claws and a flurry of pink and lace flutters about him.

"A plague upon both your houses!" Aeryk bellows as he jumps off the table and pads outside the Crimson Wave Tavern.

Blaize rises from her seat and follows the emotionally scarred cat into the darkened streets.

"Say Aeryk," Blaize calls as she rushes up to him. "Can I talk to you?"

"If you’re going to ask me to try on any more feminine garments I promise you’ll be tossed into the very pits of the Underworld where your soul will writhe in eternal torment." Aeryk says darkly, slowly turning to face Blaize.

There’s no other way for me to say this. "Are you a God?"

Aeryk gawks up at the woman for a moment, in pure shock. Umm, wah happen? How did SHE find out?

Blaize crosses her arms. "Well...?"

Aeryk bows his head. "Yeah, I am." He mutters as he slowly changes into his human form.

"Why didn’t you tell us?" Blaize demands.

"I didn’t want you to treat me like I was one."

"There are times when we needed your help you know! Like just the other day in Daakland...!"

"I’m not supposed to interfere with mortal’s lives." Aeryk interrupts. "You know that."

Blaize snorts. "To hell with that. You saved Minerva’s life in Raidon, isn’t that considered interfering?"

"That was a mistake. One I almost paid for."

"I don’t get you Gods, you say one thing and do the exact opposite."

"You don’t understand!" Aeryk pleads. "This is why I didn’t want you guys knowing! The moment I first met Minerva I knew how special she and all of you are. Revealing my Godhood would only makes things difficult. You all have to do this on your own."

"Don’t give me that." Blaize retorts. "You’re in this just as much as I am, God or no."

Aeryk turns away. "I’m sorry Blaize."

Blaize sighs. "You know, I should be more than pissed at your for lying to us, and I am. I also can tell that you care for us better than any God I know of, for which I am thankful."

Aeryk looks up at the woman, his eyes wide in shock. "You...?"

"Listen, if any God cared as much for us "mortals" as much as you do..." She shrugs. "Just make sure there isn’t anything else you’re not telling us okay?"

Aeryk smiles faintly. "Okay. So I guess I’m going to have to..." He trails off, and Blaize nods her head. "I got you."

"Good." Blaize replies simply. "So what’s the deal with Ares?"

Aeryk blanches. "Well he, uh..."

Ares stumbles out of the tavern and bellows out for Aeryk. "Enochlisi! What are you doing talking to that mortal in your normal form?"

Aeryk and Blaize scowl. "I’m sorry about that."

"Enochlisi?" Blaize asks. "Should we be calling you that now?"

The God shrugs. "Whatever." He starts walking toward Ares. "I’ll handle him."

Just as the two Gods disappear toward the coast a massive explosion tosses Blaize to the ground.

Shortly afterward, Minerva and the rest rush out and air their friend. "What happened?" Minerva asks.

Blaize coughs. "I don’t know."

A several beams of arced energy appear from the dust. "Watch it!" Stewie calls out and she, along with Rie and Colleen, stand in front of Minerva and Blaize with their shield out in front of them.  The energy blasts reflect harmlessly off the shields and a pair of haunting laughter rings through the night sky.

"Fran..." Stewie snarls.

"Lisa..." Colleen states.

The two emerge from the lifting smoke. "We may have lost the battle..." Fran begins.

"But not the war!" Lisa cries as she and Fran assault the group again, this time managing to pluck Syl and Beth off their feet.

Colleen and Rie roar out in fury and they, along with Rae, charge at the two assailing women.

Just as they are about to meet their targets, and unseen forces them away. Mary Ann, Stewie, and Jocelyn rush to their friend’s side.

Fran chuckles pompously. "You can’t touch us."

"Try as you might, we will win this time." Lisa says. 

Meanwhile, Aeryk follows the drunken Ares onto the coast. "That wasn’t called for, what you said earlier." Aeryk mutters.

Ares brushes the comment off. "Who cares?" He grumbles.

Aeryk shakes his head and gazes out onto the moonlit sea. "It’s so nice here, don’t you think?"

Ares snorts. "It’ll do." He says sitting heavily onto the soft sand. Aeryk sits next to him and stares out into the night. "Are you alright?" Ares asks sounding genuinely concerned.

Aeryk smiles faintly. "You sure are concerned about me recently." He chuckles.

Ares frowns and turns away. "It’s only a question, nothing to get your hopes up for."

Aeryk smiles to himself. He’ll never change. Aeryk is startled out of his thoughts when he finds Ares running his finger along the side of his face. "What are you doing?" 

Blaize lets out a grunt of pain as Fran sends another energy blast at her stomach. A torn and bloodied Stewie rushes over and helps her friend to her feet.

Fran laughs manically. "Give it up, you’re no match for us now."

Jocelyn grimaces as the strange tingling sensation runs through her body again. "Uh-oh..." She moans as the strange light begins to shine around her.

Lisa and Fran catch the light out of the corner of their eyes and are instantly on guard. "Not this time honey." Lisa grumbles.

Suddenly two orbs of light hurl themselves toward Lisa and Fran but are instantly reflected back to Jocelyn and she is shoved to the ground.

Lisa cackles. "Nice try, twit."

Minerva holds her side in pain as she and the rest of the group rises to their feet. "We’ve got to do something."

Damn, where’s Aeryk when you need him? Blaize curses.

"It’s over Minerva." Fran calls. "Accept your fate and make things easy on you."

Lisa steps beside her partner, her sword glowing ominously. "Shall we?"

Fran grins, understanding fully Lisa’s intention. "Of course."

The two clash their sword together with a loud clang, and their swords begin to glow brightly and hum with power.

The group of knights and friends watch in horror. "We have to protect ourselves." Minerva gasps.

Without a word, Lisa and Fran send a tremendous amount of energy toward Minerva and it slams into the ground before her. Minerva groans in pain as the ground explodes and sends her flying through the air and onto the solid earth below. Blaize and the others gasp in horror as their friend and leader lets out a chilling cry.

"This will be the end of you." Fran says darkly.

Minerva struggles to rise. "Why are you doing this?

"Why?" Lisa snorts. "Isn’t it obvious? You’re in the way of our Empress and must be eliminated."

"No, that can’t be the truth. How can anyone willingly follow someone who has evil intentions?" Minerva says, her breathing heavy and labored.

"Yeah," Jocelyn calls. "A friend once told me that deep down, everyone has a good heart." With the obvious exception. "You both must realize that what Jane is doing is wrong!"

Fran’s resolve falters ever so briefly before she sneers down at her enemies. "Enough of this crap," Fran snarls. "You all will die very soon!" She lets out a roar as she sends another blast of energy at Jocelyn, who collapses to the ground like a rag doll.

Fran aims her sword at the entire group. "This nation belongs to Empress Jane!"

"How can one with such and evil heart, rule those who are just and good?" A voice calls from the shadows just before a circle of energy slams into Fran and Lisa.

A stately young woman with short black hair and deep brown eyes walks into the moonlight and slams her battle staff on the ground. Minerva looks at the staff and notices two large diamond shaped stones on both sides of the weapon, one an opal, the other a diamond.

Lisa slowly rises to her feet, clutching her stomach. "You think we will go down easily?" Her sword hums with energy and she assaults the newcomer.

The black haired woman, seemingly with little notice for her personal being, aims the part of the staff with the opal on it at the beam of energy. Much to the shock of everyone the energy is sucked into the opal and the diamond suddenly begins to glow faintly with power.

"You do not know why you fight Lisa and Fran." The dark haired woman says confidently. "Yield to us now, and we will spare you."

Fran lurches to her feet. "To hell with you!" She snarls, her gray eyes dark with fury. Fran lets out a roar as she slashes her energy blasts at the mysterious warrior.

With a blasé sigh, the black haired woman absorbs the energy again and the diamond begins to glow brighter. "You’ve had your chance." With a graceful twirl of her staff, she slams the diamond half of her battle staff and a thin beam of light snakes along the ground and splits it two just before the two assassins and wraps around them tightly.

Three more individuals appear from the darkness. "Thank you Sarah." An elegant woman with brown hair and sad green eyes says. "I’ll take it from here."

Lisa looks up as gasps. "Princess Patty!"

"Are you willingly fighting against your own sister?" Fran cries.

"That woman is no longer my sister." Patty says evenly. "She has been possessed by greed and hatred." She walks up to the entrapped women and stops, gazing at both women with a calm, determined demeanor. "I ask that you stop this right now and see Minerva and her friends for the heroes that they are."

"They wish to usurp the nation, Princess." Lisa says. "They are the enemy!"

Patty shakes her head sadly. "Are you so blinded by your own pains and the lies Jane has plagued your mind with?"

Fran and Lisa remain silent at those words and bow their heads. "We cannot go against our Empress’s wishes." Fran mutters.

"She is the reason why we are here today!" Lisa adds. "She is our savior."

"She helped us when we had nowhere else to go, we owe her our lives." Fran says.

"My sister has raped you of what ever good you had left in your souls." Patty says. "Please, let us help you rid yourself of the darkness that has consumed you." She waves her hand at Minerva and the others. "They are the new light for our nation. They will save us from the evil."

Sarah steps up to her cousin and places a hand on her slight shoulder. "We better hurry. There are clouds setting in."

Patty nods. "Alright." She turns to Lisa and Fran. "I offer you a choice to see the truth. If you take it, you will be spared. If not..." She trails off.

Lisa and Fran look at each other for a moment, then nod acceptance to the Princess. Patty then closes her eyes in concentration and Fran and Lisa slowly shut their eyes.

The world around the three suddenly becomes light and filled with happiness. Young children rush about without a care at all while their parents are busy shopping in the marketplace.

"Where are we?" Lisa asks, looking around. "I have never seen people so happy."

"We are in the Mindom." Patty replies softly. "This is our world."

"I do not believe it." Fran mutters. "Everyone is so happy and care free."

"This is what the world will be like with Minerva." Patty says, motioning to the space around them.

Lisa gazes around and a smile creeps on her face. "Everyone is so..." She gasps as a little girl falls down and scrapes her knee. Her mother is instantly by her side and comforts her little girl.

"How can one person make all this possible?" Fran demands.

Patty sighs. "Then see what our world will be like if Jane were to continue her reign." In a flash of light the world becomes dark and empty. Very few people wander around the market. No children are seen, and horrible looking monsters roam about in the darkness. A young woman cautiously races through the street, her eyes darting in every direction, when suddenly two men leap out and drag her into the alley way.

Lisa lets out a cry and tries to aid the woman, but is unable to move. Patty places a warm hand on her shoulder. "It’s painful I know. You both have had traumatic experiences in your young lives."

Fran turns on the Princess. "This is a lie!" She bellows. "You’re trying to poison our minds against Jane!"

Patty, her concentration broken by Fran’s sudden anger, looses her control over the spell and they all open their eyes and find themselves back in Marinia.

Suddenly the binds around Lisa and Fran vanish and Minerva and the other knights are instantly on their guard.

"Fran, I..." Patty begins.

"No!" Fran snarls. "You are a traitor to her Majesty, Patty." The group rushes up to protect the Princess and Lisa lets out a warning cry to her partner as she attempts to strike at them.

"No, not now." Lisa pleads. "We will try again."

Fran nods. "Your tricks won’t work on us, Patty. Next time we meet, we will be enemies." She turns on her heels and storms off, and Lisa gives the Princess one final sad look and mutters something incoherent before following her partner into the darkness once more. 

Next time on MINERVA: WARRIOR EMPRESS

The joy of finding another member of the Big Round Bed knows no bounds, as new and interesting love interests begin sprouting. But all the happiness is shattered as Minerva and her friends meet up with Lisa and Fran in the city of Skylark for the last time. Will our heroines manage to defeat the Dark Sisters once and for all? Found out this and more in the next chapter...

The Final Decision: A War Fought is Lives Lost

Continued in Part 8

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