---The Sun was setting and the second battle in the abandoned factory was about to begin---

Lane: So Athena, do you think you can actually win against us? Especially after i have grown so much within Project: Shadow?!

Athena: Project: Shadow.. i know all its secrets and what it will do to you, Boa told me all about it!

Lane: Boa huh? Did he tell you how i smashed his Bahamut to pieces?

Athena: Yeah he told me all about that too..

*Athena looked at Lane dead in the eyes*

Athena: Lane, how could you do such a thing? It was one thing to obsess over power and Flare but no, this time you join an organization which is very known for its awful reputation.. Ashtem is USING YOU, how can you not see that?!

Lane: Are you about finished?

*Athena looked at Lane, stunned. Lane reveals his shoulder as the Devils Mark was still there*

Lane: This mark is a symbol of my strength and just so you know, you now have one too.

*Athena took a step back in shock, there was no way she had a mark just like him*

Athena: You're lying! There's no way i could ever have something like that!!

Lane: How about you take a look at the palm of your left hand?

*Athena looked down at the palm of her left hand and in the middle of it was a small black diamond shaped marking, Athenas eyes widened in shock as her worst fears were confirmed*

Athena: H-How..?! There's no way..

Lane: It's just like you said when we were younger, We're connected... just not the way you think we are..

*Athenas eyes glow with intensity as her Flare began to glow, Lanes flare did the same as he places his bey back on his launcher*

Athena: I have to tread carefully here, i can't let this thing activate and possibly control me.. I'll go with Right Spin Attack Mode.

Lane: Knowing her, she'll probably slip up and activate that mark.. but when she does, she is in for a wild ride!

*Both bladers take position as the second battle started*

3 2 1 GO SHOOT!!!

*The beys land in the stadium and Lucifer takes the center once more with its barrier expanded out, Adeona races around the stadium at top speed as it comes in for the first attack*

Athena: Get in there Adeona!!

*Adeona pushes hard and releases a fierce barrage of attacks however Lucifer still persists as it blocks it all with its barrier*

Lane: We won't fall to pitiful attacks such as those! Attack even harder!!

Athena: You heard him! Attack even more!!!

*Adeona continues its barrage as Lucifers barrier was finally being pushed back, Adeona rushes up the stadium and comes back down and knocks Lucifer into the air*

Athena: Yes!!

*Lane grimaced as the Devils Mark began to overtake him once again, Athena felt a massive surge of pain shoot through her hand as she noticed her mark began glowing a bright blue*

Athena: Is it.. activating?!

*The mark on her hand glowed and 2 black stripe markings wrap themselves around Athenas left arm with a very intricate design at her wrist, the stripes went up her torso, up her neck and stopped at her left eye and had 2 jagged horn like markings on the top of where it stopped*

Demon Lane: So that's what her mark looks like.. not bad at all i will admit..

*Athena shrieked as her marking caused her a ton of pain, her hair and eyes began to glow with incredible intensity as her screams echoed across the factory*

Consumed Athena: PLEASE!!! MAKE IT STOP!!!!!

*Athenas flare was no longer white and it was now a corrupted red, Lane gasped as Athena was already a different person*

Consumed Athena: STOP THIS!!! PLEASE!!

*Adeona rushes towards Lucifer at top speed, Lucifers flare activated immediately*

Demon Lane: Lucifer!!!

*Lucifer dodges Adeonas attack and starts to chase after it*

Consumed Athena: DESTROY IT!! ADEONA!!!

Consumed Athena: GUARDIAN STRIKE!!!

Demon Lane: Emperor Disaster!!!

*Both beys clashed and a massive explosion sends Athena flying off her feet and into a pipe back-first, Athena fell to the floor unconscious as a nearly powered up Lane stood over the arena. Athenas mark retreats and deactivates as the bursted pieces of Adeona fell in front of her head. Lane returns to normal as he begins to walk out*

Lane: You have no comprehension of the power you now hold.. but your blading skills still suck. Hopefully you'll consider joining the Snake Pit.

---Night fell over the abandoned factory and another blader had entered the factory: it was Daina---

*Daina kneels down and shakes Athena to wake her up. slowly but surely, Athena eventually woke up and she stared up at Daina for a moment*

Athena: D-Daina?..

Daina: Yeah, Valt sent me out to look for you..

*Athena sat up and she looked incredibly sad, Daina looked at her concerned*

Daina: Is everything alright?

*Athena and Daina sit on one of the crates as they talk*

Daina: So it's Lane isn't it..?

Athena: I just wish i could see him the way he used to be so many years ago. 

Daina: Just what kind of connection do you have with him?

Athena: I want to say we are on the same wavelength but it has been a rough ride just trying to save him from that darkness.

Daina: So you two are spiritually connected?

Athena: In a way, we are siblings after all..

Daina: You know, i think you're doing a great thing. Saving your brother from darkness is something i never thought i would get to see but i did. You're incredibly special Athena and there needs to be more bladers like you.

*Athena smiled*

Athena: Thats very nice of you but i don't there will ever be another blader like me, im simply one girl and there is probably a ton of other girls out there with the same first name and possibly same interests..

Daina: I see.

Athena: I just want to see him happy again, if i can make his Flare shine then my symphony will be finished at last. I can kiss these old wounds goodbye and i can be happy with my family again.

Daina: i respect that.

*Daina held up his Bey: Hollow Deathscyther.Jaggy'.1A*

Daina: Since everybody else got in the way in the battle royale, i want to challenge you myself.

*Athena remembered her mark on her hand, she couldnt afford to activate it and possibly lose herself within it. but she reluctantly agreed*

Daina: You seemed pretty good at the Battle Royale, thats what motivated me to come face you myself.

Athena: Yeah, You didn't seem so bad yourself either.

*Daina nodded as both of their auras began to glow brightly, Daina holds up his Hollow Deathscyther as it glistened in the moonlight*

Daina: Prepare yourselves!!

[TBC]

Next Chapter: Challenging The Reaper: Daina Kurogami!!

Athena struggles with the new mark as she is backed into a corner by Deathscythers brutal onslaught of heavy attacks!