It had been a long night, there looked noticeable bags under my eyes, but no one asked, which I was thankful for. We continued to ride for what seemed like eternity, but I knew it was actually just a few hours. We eventually needed to stop in a city, DragonClaw. We had to rest the horses, get them fed, and get a few needed supplies. I walked into a small café, I needed something to wake me up. Jade said that she wanted to meet up with me here as well, saying that she needed to recharge Jade Slice, and get her repaired. I smiled slightly at the thought of back when we fell into the he End, how Jade landed on Levin. That was definitely something I wouldn't forget. I walked over to the corner table, wanting to not stick out like a sore thumb. Soon enough, a nice lady, whom ran the place, came up to me. "Hello miss. What can I get cha today?" She asked, her voice low and sweet. "Could I get a herbals tea please?" I asked. "Sure thing Miss, would you like Jasmine in the tea as well?" She asked. I glanced up at her when she mentioned the word Jasmine, I knew she meant nothing but to ask my preference, but it sent a weird pang through my body. I looked down slightly, nodding. "Yeah, sure. That would be nice." I said. "Okay, it should be down in five minuets sharp." She said, smiling as she walked away. I breathed a shaky breath, calming myself down. "She didn't mean any offence, she didn't know, just.... relax." I mumbled to myself. I looked out the window, sighing slightly. The nice Lady came back with my tea, and smiled at me as she set it down. "Here you go miss! That'll be a diamond." She said, I pulled up my bag, and grabbed the diamond that was required and handed it to her. "Here you go, thank you." I said quietly. She smiled and walked off. After she did so, I groaned to my self, having the flash run through my mind. "What is wrong with me....?" I asked myself, covering my face with my hands. I heard nothing, the murmuring of the people in the café dulled out to nothing. I was just lost in my thoughts. What does that even mean? Am I just delirious? Did I just not get enough sleep? What if that happened before..... no.... then everyone would recognize me....... then wh-...

"Is this seat taken?" A voice asked. That snapped me back to reality. "Huh?" I asked looking up to see who it was. It was a wear wolf, he had purple hair, pale light purple eyes, and a dark purple ears and tail. My eyes widened for a moment, before I spoke again. "Oh, no it isn't, take a seat if you wish." I said, picking up my tea and sipping from it. He smiled at me. "Thank you." He said, sitting down in one of the three remaining chairs. "Why are you all alone?" He asked kindly, I set my tea back down on the table, looking at him. "Oh, uh... just waiting for my friend to arrive.... she shouldn't be much longer." I said, pausing as I watched him look at me from head to toe. My tail flicked, and he seemed to be mesmerized by its movements. "Oh, where are my manners. I'm Cyrissa, pleasure to meet you-..?" I began, as he was quickly snapped from his weird trance. "Kalven." He said, leaning his head on his hand. "Pleasure to meet you Kalven." I said. "Same goes to you Cyrissa." He stated. I took another sip of my tea, as another werewolf entered the café, only with black hair, pale blue eyes, and dark grey ears to match his tail. "Kalven there you a-.... who's this?" The new male asked, ears bent back with confusion. I sighed, as I set down my tea, and this new werewolf boy sat down in another one of the seats. "Quin, this is Cyrissa. A fellow traveler I believe." Kalven said, looking back at me. "Yes, actually." I said, Quin seemed intrigued by my ears, because every time I moved them, he seemed to follow their movements with his eyes. I finished my tea, and seen Jade just a little ways outside of the café and got up. "Well, it was nice to meet you bu-.." I began, before they both almost panicked. "Your leaving?" Kalven asked. "Uh... yeah, my friend isn't two far away from here, I think I'm gonna meet her half way." I said. "Well, how about we walk you out?" Quin asked, trying to be a gentleman. "Yeah, wouldn't want any weirdos to give ya any trouble." Kalven added. I sighed. "Sure, thanks for the offer." I said, knowing once a werewolf made up their mind, there was no refusing their wishes. We stood from the table, and we began to walk to the door, when the two of them stopped, and jumped through the window, and by that, I mean..... literally, they jumped, broke the window, and landed outside, without a single scratch! I stood there shock written on my face, I quickly dug throw my bag and pulled out three more diamonds and handed them to the Lady who served me. "I am so sorry, I didn't know they would do that!" I said. The old lady shook her head. "Don't worry dear, those two have a tendency to do that..." she said. "Wait... so their regulars?" I questioned. "Well... they've been here for the past two months, so yes I believe they would be considered that." She answered, I sighed. "Well, I hope the diamonds will cover its replacement." I said, as I walked over to the window to see the damage. Kalven popped his head up and looked at me through the window. "You comic' or what?" He asked. "Uhh... yeah." I said, he stretched out a hand. "Here let me help you." I gave him a confused look, grabbing his hand, as he hauls me through the window, gently setting me on the ground outside. "Thanks..?" I said, somewhat unsure. "No problem!" He said, smiling. Quin looked at me, then at Jade not to far away. "Is that your friend over there?" He asked pointing to her. "Yes it is!" I said, smiling to myself, and walking up to her, the two of them trailing behind me. "Hey Cy! Sorry I took so lo-.... wait.... Kalven? Quin?? What are you two doing here!?" She asked surprised, I looked at her, shock obvious on my features. "Hey Jade!" "Long time no see!" Kalven, then Quin responded. "You know each other?" I asked. "Yeah! We were at the academy together for a while, that is.... until the head guard trainer threw them out for breaking the Academy's property." Jade said turning to me. The two males smiled at me and waved. I face palmed. I should have seen that once coming.... it's Jade after all..... I thought. "We should go find the others." I said, Jade nodded. "Aw..." the two of them wined like little pups behind her. "C'mon you two might as well tag along as well." I mumbled, they almost cheered, following me and Jade like lost puppies. "Did they give you any trouble?" Jade whispered to me. "They broke a window, but aside front he fact that I paid for the damage, no, they didn't." I whispered back. "Hehe, yeah, they haven't changed a bit." Jade whispered again, smiling and giggling slightly to herself.

Eventually we found the other three of our group. "Hey boys!" I yelled, they all turned their heads to look at us, while their faces twisted into confusion as they looked at Kelvin and Quin. "Who's the new competition?" Levin asked, crossing his arms. I gave Levin the Really... just really? Face. Jade was just staring him down. "Heheheh.... we're sorry you see us as competition Mr." Kalven said, laughing nervously. "Yeah, we're just friends with Jade and acquainted with Cyrissa." Quin added. "Levin just back off okay? It's bad enough that we've been in battle already." I said in an overly strict tone. "Bad enough that we've been in battle already..? What?" Darien asked confused. Why did I say that!? I thought. "Sorry.... I'm just tired.... what I meant to say was, that we're going to be in battle..... seeing as how there's going to be repercussions to saving Garrick..." I said, pinching the bridge of my nose in frustration. "Geez.... sorry Cy...." Levin said. "No... no... I'm sorry I shouldn't have snapped.... let's just.... get the horses out already." I said walking towards the stables. "What about these two?" Donovan called after me. "We'll bring them with us.... they'll be able to help us." I said. "How can we-..." Donovan began, only to be cut off by me. "Jade seems to trust them, and I trust Jade's judgement..... and once in a while... I trust mine too much." I mumbled out the last bit, opening the gate to my horse, and patting her lightly. Everyone else came in, gathering their horses, which, amazingly the two wolves also had their own horses as well. And without another word we road out of DragonClaw traveling until night fell again.

"Let's stop here..." I said, pulling my horse to a halt. I was tired, and lacking any better judgement at the moment. "Cyrissa.... we're in the middle of the field, there's a forest not to far away from here, about another five minutes. Let's at least get to the edge of it." Levin stated, I sighed, nodding. "Your right.... sorry..." I mumbled, sending my horse back into a gallop, as I followed the others whom went slightly faster then I did.

_-|Mean While in the Village|-_

Slowly but surely, a man in black strode into the village. He was a tall, but thin man, and he had a hood placed atop his head just enough to hide his appearance in the darkness of the shade it gave off. He eventually stopped by a person. "Excuse me..." He said, his voice scratchy. "Hmm?" The person turned, and gave a confused look to him. "Hello." Said the person. ".... have you seen this girl?" Asked the black cloaked man. He held up a drawing of the all too well known in this village. "Oh? Lord Cyrissa? She's currently not here. She's on a business." They said. "Where at?" He asked, putting the drawing away. "She didn't say. I'm sorry sir." They said. "Thank you..." he grumbled, before walking away, he cast a small spell, and his path to her was clear. "I'm coming to find you...." he said, walking away following the trail to his goal.

-_|That Night With The Search Party|_-

"I'll take first watch..." I said standing up. "WHAT!?" Jade yelled at me. "You guys need to sleep. Besides... I can't sleep." I said. "No Cyrissa, you have bags under your eyes, and you began saying random stuff ever since we left DragonClaw." Donovan said. "Guys it's fine." I said, walking past our fire. "No! Cyrissa! Your going to sleep! You'll have like.... the last watch. We don't need you to be sleep deprived! Especially when we're going to go get Garrick back!" Jade added, sitting me back down on my sleeping bag. "Fine... fine... I'll sleep..." I muttered, laying down. "Good! Okay guys, who wants to go first?" Jade asked. Kalven raised his hand. "I'll go." "Thank you Kalven." Jade said, smiling. "I'll go second" Darien said. "I'll go third." Said Quin. "Then I'll go fifth." Jade said. "That means I'm going sixth." Donovan said, looking down at me, a worried expression written in his face. "Okay, you all go to sleep. I'll see you in a bit Darien." Kalven said patting Darien's back before going back to his watch. Although I had no intention of sleeping, my eyes dropped closed and I drifted off into sleep. My dreams were my own, but, soon faded into the white once again.

~~~Flash~~~

The room was white once again. I was sitting there, and I was confused beyond belief. "Where am I? What am I doing here?" I asked aloud. Well I was sitting, someone, with light steps, walked up in front of me, I looked up, oddly enough, to see...... myself? "What the-.... what's happening...... why do you look like me??" I asked, panicked. "Hush dear. You shall know in due time. Now. I have something to show you." She said, beginning to walk away. I stood, and looked at her, asking. "Who are you?" She stopped, and turned to me with a smile. "Well.... we've met quiet a while ago.... but I shall jog your memory. I, am Sapphire." She said, taking a small bow. "You..... your the one.... was I seeing through your eyes?" I asked, she looked up and smiled. "Perhaps." She then straightened her posture, and turned on her heel walking out. "Come along Cyrissa. There is much you must see." Sapphire said, I quickly sped up, and followed her out.

Colours began to come into view, and what I saw........... what I saw seemed like a nightmare. "W-what is this!?" I shrieked, looking at the war being ravaged right before my eyes. "My world wasn't always like this.... my world once was a bright and happy place. Much like yours." She said, looking at me. She soon led me back through the white room type thing.... back to a place that had colours. I looked, and my eyes widened. The world was bright, green, and.... living. "Wow..." I breathed. "Yes... this was my world before the huge war destroyed all the living majicks..... when that happened... well... you already seen the product of it." She said, a sad tone in her voice. I looked at her. "So where do I fit into this?" I questioned. "I'm getting to that." Sapphire said. I remained silent awaiting for her to continue. "Well... a while back, the other Demi-Warriors fled our dimension while I held off Asteral.... they came through here, but when they did, they were split into two, they all had smaller, childlike versions of themselves, so when they fled they took them to the other dimension you now call home." She said, I looked at her shocked. "What..? So... Garrick.... Jade.... Darien, Donovan.... their all.... other versions of..... of the Demi-Warriors!?" I shrieked. "Yes... now hush child, I mush finish what I'm telling you." She hushed me. I huffed but allowed her to continue. "In doing so, they knew the only way to get me back, was to come to my aid in trying to convince Asteral that he didn't need to be the way he was, and that if he stopped.... he'd be forgiven." She said, emphasizing forgiven. "Well... you know what happened after that." Sapphire said, a hint was laid over her features as to what she was saying. "So I was seeing through your eyes! But wait... you were knocked out... by this... 'Asteral', and the others banished him.... where did he go?" I asked. "He was banished to the realm you know as... 'The End', there he reins over the End Knights." She said, her tone becoming a sad one. "But there is a thin layer between you and the end, thus why his little minions are able to come through to your world." She said again. "Oh my... Sapp....hire..... wait.... Are you the Sapphire!? The one everyone worships!?" I asked, a small smile tugged at her lips. "You are!" I said. "Oh my-... this is amazing! But ho-." She put her finger to my lips. "There is not much time left. Let me finish, child." She said, I hushed again. Taking a seat in the white floor of the room. "After that, it had been a few weeks before I dared step foot in this room. Which, when I did, I was too, split. But my other self.... didn't turn into a child.... she turned into a young adult. When I looked into your world, I seen those other selves had grown up. So what I did, was I took her into the forest outside of a village in great need. I laid her sleeping form down, and waited until she began to stir awake before I left." She said, I sat there for a moment, before I clued in. "W-wait... that other self...... th-that.... was that me!?" I shrieked, almost making no sense of anything. "Yes.... when you awoke... you didn't have any memories of who you once were.... all you knew was a name. You didn't even know it was yours.... and I'm sorry I hadn't given you a life to remember." She said. I sat still for a moment, studying my hands, before I looked up at the woman..... the goddess, Sapphire, whom stood before me. "So... I don't have anything to go back to really... do I?" I asked, she looked at me, confused. "I have no life before the village, so what point is there going back?" I asked. "The point is, you have changed the lives of many, and for that, you've brought together people who wouldn't be friends with out you. If you don't return, the world would be broke, and you'd be leaving your friends behind." She said, I blinked. "I never thought of it that way...." I said, she crouched down to me, and lightly patted my head. "Don't worry Child, there is much to come for you yet, and you have a heart for adventure. Don't let yourself be weighted down, for you have greatness a head of you and your friends. Don't forget that." She said, smiling at me. I smiled as well. "I-I won't try." I said. "Now, it's time to get up kitten. Your turn for watch has come." She said, before everything turned black.

~~~End~~~

I awoke with a jolt, gasping slightly. "Huh..?" I asked, looking up. "Sorry to wake you Cyrissa, but it's your turn for watch." Donovan said, looking down at me with a smile. "Oh, thanks..." I smiled back, stretching a little bit. "You look better." He said, I looked at him. "Are you saying I looked bad?" I questioned. "Wh- no, no no. I-I never meant-." He began in a panic, I laughed quietly. "Don't worry, I'm messing with you. Thank you for waking me up. Now, you should get some sleep. It'll be morning within a few hours." I said, he nodded, and hugged me. "I'm glad your acting like the Cyrissa we all know and love again." He said, I hugged him back gently, before he pulled away. "Yeah.... me too....." I paused looking up at the night sky. "Me too." I stated, looking back at him, before smiling again. He smiled, then went to his sleeping bag, falling asleep shortly there afterwards. I sighed leaning back on my hands, and watching the surroundings closely.

~Day 56~
"Wake up everyone!" I said loudly, waking everyone else up with a stir. "Huh!? What???" Quin said, startled, and Kalven got up sleepily. "Oh it's morning..." he said, stretching. Jade got up almost immediately, followed by Donovan, then Darien, then lastly Levin. I looked from the werewolves, back to the four others, and back again, giggling slightly. "What?" Jade asked, re sheathing her sword. "It's just.... Kalven and Quin have bed hair... and we don't!" I giggled more, as Jade and the other three looked over at the two sleepy werewolves whom were way to tired to bother to fix their hair. "Pfft." Donovan began, but held in his laughter. "Heheheh..." Darien began as well, quickly bitting his lip to stop himself from laughing, Levin doing the same. Jade just completely lost it and I ended up joining her. Kalven and Quin had been so tired that they actually fell asleep sitting up, but soon stirred due to our laughter. "Hmmm?" They both said in unison, confused. We were in stitches so we couldn't respond, so instead we pointed at there heads, they looked at each other and shrugged, re-fluffing their hair until it looked like normal again. Soon our laughter died down, and we got up and dusted ourselves off. "Ahem... now that that's over with..." Jade began. "We should get moving." I finished, and Jade nodded in agreement. We then got our stuff all together, onto our horses, and rode off west, in hopes to arrive in Ro'Hargrove soon.

My mind ended up wandering as we rode, I couldn't help but think about how me and some of my friends.... were other versions of the... The Demi-Warriors. It was shocking, but what Sapphire said made a lot of sense. How I didn't have any memory.... no past, no knowledge of any life before I awoke in that forest. I didn't even know my own name. But I made one for myself, and fixed together the greatest friends I could ask for.... no matter how annoying they could be at times. I was then once again pulled from my thoughts. "Hold up." Levin said, slowing our pace. "What is it Levin?" I asked in a hushed tone. He quickly jerked his horse off the path, and a little ways away. The rest of us exchanged glances at one another before following. "What was that all about?" Jade asked. "Yeah no kidding, that was totally uncalled for." Donovan said. "I'm sorry, but if you'd like to go be caught by Ro'Hargrove mercenaries, be my guest." He said, I turned my head to look at the road we were once on, seeing a hole patrol of about 150 guards marching. "Holy mother of Sapphire." I muttered. "Yeah... no kidding... good call Levin... although... how did you kn-..." Darien began. "You could hear them a few yards away, metal is easy to hear once you've been trained to detect it, also you could see the birds flying away in their wake." Levin answered, crossing his arms as a overly proud look appeared on his face. "Okay Mr.Icanhearmetalclinkfromyardsaway, where do we go now?" Jade asked, degrading his small amount of pride within instant's. "Well.... judging how badly we stick out, is say we'd have to travel around the guards, even then that's hard to do. But if we waited out their pass, we could be back on the road within a few hours." He said, puzzling over any other ways we could keep moving. "We can't spare that time.... the longer we wait, the less time Garrick has until he's pulled into something that we won't be able to drag him out of." I said, looking back at the road. "Well.... there is another way we could get around them." Kalven said. "How??" I asked. "Simple, cast an illusion spell in front of them, and then let them be distracted by the illusion!" Kalven said, smiling. "Can you cast majick?" I asked. Quin gave me a quick smirk, as well did Kalven. "Of course!" Kalven said. "What did you think? Only witches and warlocks could cast Majick spells??" Quin asked, I shook my head. "That's not what I meant..." I mumbled. "Don't worry, this will take but a moment." Kalven said, cracking his knuckles, Quin following suit. They began to mumble ancient words, and an illusion of a walking circus popped up ahead of the marching Guards, hustling them as they all drew their swords. They all had their eyes fixed on the circus encase it became a threat, giving us a free window to ride by them all unnoticed. We put our horses into a full on gallop and rode past the group.

-_|With ???????|_-

The man clothed in black was still on her trail. He'd find her no matter how long it took. He needed just one last chance.... just one.... to see her again. Hopefully for the last time. As he walked Shadow and Darkness trailed behind him, creatures fleeing from every which way to escape the inky blackness. The man then halted, feeling a tug at the base of his cloak. "Hmm..?" He hummed turning to see what had grabbed him. There stood a small girl, raven black hair, eyes as pure as gold, and pale skin. "What?" He asked, pulling his cloak away from her. "Are you lost mister? Momma said that if a person is lost that their looking for something. Can I help?" She asked, an adorable smile appearing on her face. The bleak darkness began to disappear around him, as he knelt down to the little girl. "I'm looking for someone. I have no means of travel, could you help me with that?" He asked, looking at the young girl with his dark red eyes. "Oh! Yes!! Momma has horses! C'mon mister, momma should be able to help you with that!" She cheered happily, grabbing his hand and leading him away.

-_|That Evening With The Party|_-

I sat and watched the fire, my thoughts racing through my mind. I was thinking about how I felt for Garrick.... I remember in the past I admitted to myself that I might like him.... but now... my emotions are all jumbled.. what with all the Demi-Warrior stuff going on. I can't feel that way right now... for anyone.... not until I have everything all sorted. Garrick is just my friend and Guard... and that's that. I thought, and agreed with myself on the fact. I continued to watch the fire as it burned, thinking into the Demi-Warrior situation.... that is, until I was pulled from my thoughts by the sound of footsteps. I looked in its direction. "Oh.... hello Donovan..." I mumbled. "Hey, Jade sent me to come get you..." he said sitting on the log I was. "What? Why didn't she just come herself?" I asked. "Uhhh.... well..." he began. "Let's just say she told me to come get you if she decided she was going to kill Levin again.... also she didn't ask Kalven or Quin because their cheering her on, and she didn't ask Darien, because he's sleeping." He said laughing nervously. "Oh boy.... okay let's go..." I said getting up and walking immediately to our camp site just a little ways away. There was the site to behold... Jade was chasing Levin and swinging at his back while he kept dodging like crazy. "JADE PLEASE CALM DOWN!!" He yelled back at her. "NEVER!! CYRISSA IS NOT YOUR GIRLFRIEND!! STOP TREATING HER LIKE SHE IS!" Jade yelled back, and ... just as Donovan said, the two werewolf boys were cheering on Jade... fuelling her rage fit, and Darien was passed out cold on his sleeping bag. I rolled my eyes and quickly ran over to Jade. "JADE!! I HAVE COOKIES!!" I yelled and held up the small bag with the delectable chocolate chipped delights. Jade halted in her steps. "Cookies??" She asked, and I nodded. "Yep, I bought them fresh this morning, and if you want any, you have to stop chasing Levin. Deal?" I asked. "Bu-." "Deal?" I asked again, cutting Jade off. She groaned. "Fine.... Levin your only spared because I want cookies!" She yelled. I smirked at her and she came over to get her share.

After the entire ordeal we all went back to the fire and sat to eat. Proceeding to go to sleep there afterwards. My dreams were filled with blackness... and nothing came to me, until a cloaked man appeared he had dark ruby red eyes, and dark-ish coloured skin. He smiled, and opened his mouth to speak when I jolted awake, sitting up on my sleeping bag. I looked around frantically, until my heart stopped as my eyes landed on the being from that dream. He smiled at me. "Hello Cyrissa." And then he came closer to me and I froze. "We need to talk."

~TO BE CONTINUED IN DAY 57~

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