Queen Serenity waited patiently in the antechamber for the Earth prince to receive her and her guardians. The dynasty was a surprise to those of the planetary kingdoms for few thought much could come from the Earthlings. They were seen as backwards barbarians by most, particularly the aristocratic citizens of Venus, but from what Serenity had observed so far that perception couldn't be farther from the truth. The Rose Kingdom had done well for itself. It was thriving and strong and Dios, the Rose Prince, was well loved by the people. Serenity had sent Mars and Jupiter to Earth as envoys to discover what the people thought of their ruler and there was little dissent much to their surprise. She had arrived that morning to meet the prince and to test his sister who could likely be like the sailor senshi, who were all princesses of their respective planets. It was hoped that if this were so then making alliances would be all the easier. "His highness will see you now," a voice said from the door. Serenity exchanged a glance with her senshi then rose to her feet, her silver white skirts flowed out around her and the ornamental wings glittered in the candlelight. On this trip it was only she, the soldiers of Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto, as well as a handful of attendants, guards, advisors. Considering what power she held it was a small group of people that came to greet the prince, but sometimes simplicity was preferred and she didn't feel she needed to show off for him, in all honesty it would be his kingdom that needed her, and not the other way around. Much of this would rest on the girl anyways. That was why they were here after all. "Shall we go and greet the Rose Prince then?" she said in a bemused voice. The senshi nodded their heads and rose to their feet, taking their places behind her, two of her guards took their places in front of her and led the procession through the doorway. They traveled at a distinguished pace through the great hall and Serenity could see the throne at the end, simplistic in style but still possessing of great elegance, vines of gold and silver roses wrapped around the arm rests and the legs. In fact the motif of roses was everywhere. Dios himself sat on the throne, his body held with pride, his pristine white uniform like that of the noble white rose. He smiled warmly at them and apologized for making them wait. Serenity took notice of this, this was a sign of a good ruler, but it was also a sign of one who could hide their motives well, but so far she sensed nothing of danger from him. "As you know," she said in her crystalline voice, "We are here to test your sister. It is very likely that she is destined to be a guardian of this realm and in turn one of my guardians." "You said as much in your message but I must admit to some reluctance at this, you see she is quite needed here and I do not think we could bear for her to be absent." "I understand your feelings on the matter, her position being what it is, but I assure you that if she passes our tests and enters training she will become an even greater asset to your kingdom." "We shall see," Dios said plainly before turning his head to the side, "Anthy." Quiet footsteps betrayed the fact that someone had entered the room, as they grew nearer the delicate sound of cloth also fell upon their ears. The entourage then saw a girl emerge from the shadows and deduced that she must have entered from a side door hidden behind the drapery that surrounded the throne. She was dressed in red, her deep plum tresses almost seemed alive as delicate curls of hair surrounded her face and traveled down her back. "You wished to see me onii-sama?" Anthy asked in a quiet voice. "Yes, this is Queen Serenity, I told you of her visit today," Dios said, gesturing to the visitors with his gloved hand. "Hai," she bowed to the visitors, "Greetings Queen Serenity, Senshi of the Moon Kingdom, we are honored by your presence here." "Do you know why we have come?" Serenity asked, her voice strong. Anthy faltered a bit and looked back at her brother, uncertain as to why this woman was addressing her when it was her brother who ruled. "I thought you wanted to speak about integrating Earth into the other kingdoms." "Yes, and a part of that," Serenity explained calmly to the girl, "Is that there must be someone from this planet to act as representative...as a guardian in my entourage, and protector." "We think that it might be you," Pluto said stepping forward, "If so, then you will come with one of us to train your powers." "With these powers you will be better able to aide your planet," the copper haired senshi of Jupiter said. Anthy folded her hands in front of her and looked back at Dios with questioning eyes. "They wish to speak to you imouto, feel free to say as you will, it is your decision to make." She nodded and turned her attention back to the visitors, opened her mouth and delivered a simple and clear, "No." There was a brief silence. They had not been expecting this! They had expected something more along the lines of, 'perhaps', or 'I cannot be certain,' but not just a simple no. Serenity was the first to regain her composure and she smiled at her, "Certainly you cannot mean 'no', surely you must be interested in becoming a guardian." "No." She said again, more forcefully before turning her back on the party and taking a place at her brother's feet, her rose red skirts spread around her legs like spreading blood. Dios placed his hand on her shoulder, "What you ask of me is to play the prince, I am no prince. I am no guardian. If you wish such a thing then ask it of Dios, not of me." "That is her answer then," Dios said plainly. "May we at least test you? We must know at least...for records," Serenity asked, still taken aback by her lack of desire to join them. "If you must, but I tell you now that I bear no such mark as what you are looking for," Anthy said plainly, her eyes unwavering. It was obvious that the girl was untrusting and would not go to them and Pluto resigned herself to going to the girl instead, while the other senshi hung back, ready to protect their queen at the prospect of any danger. "It will only take a moment," she said softly as she kneeled before the girl, her black silk dress brushing the floor and her time staff comfortable at her side. She placed her hand on Anthy's forehead and closed her eyes in concentration, waiting for a few moments while Serenity and the other senshi held their breath. Serenity hoped that perhaps the girl would join them if she was convinced she had an ability to help her people, that perhaps her choice to refuse them was driven by a fear that she had no power to use. The longer they waited though, the more Serenity's hope diminished. There was no symbol appearing on the girl's forehead, but something was wrong, she could tell by how tightly Pluto gripped her staff. "Pluto, stop." The Time soldier's body slackened and her dark hand fell from Anthy's face. What she had felt! What the time stream had shown her...a future for this girl and her brother more heart wrenching and filled with blood then...anyone. "She is not destined to be a senshi," She said plainly doing what she could to keep her voice from shaking...swords, millions of swords, it was all she could see for several long moments. She had barely heard Serenity telling her to stop. She staggered to her feet with the help of her time staff, her violet eyes meeting the dark green eyes of the girl, "The time stream has already planned something for her...something that only she can change if she chooses. There is nothing we can do about it." "Pluto..." Serenity's voice trailed off and she nodded with some hesitance. "I am sorry that we did not meet up to your expectations but we will be honored if you choose to stay here for another few days to learn more about my realm," Dios said in a pleasant tone, pausing a moment before adding, "You will find that I am adequate enough a guardian for this planet, it is perhaps not what you were expecting but here the princes hold their own...and rescue those in need." "You must understand however that one alone cannot do much," Serenity said patiently, "But we will do as you request." Dios smiled, "Wonderful, we will have a ball this evening, Anthy, please show them to their rooms." Anthy rose to her feet, "Follow me please," she said softly as she walked past them and the guards opened the large rose engraved doors for her. When the doors slammed shut she spoke again, "You are lucky to be able to see my brother, he is often gone." "Oh? Why is that?" Serenity asked as the girl led them through the long hallways. "He is this worlds guardian, the princesses cry to him, their own men unable to save them. We are often gone for days at a time." "We? You mean you go with him?" The Moon queen asked in a curious voice. "Yes. This is why I refused to go, no one else can draw his blade but me, and it is his blade alone that is strong enough to protect us all." "His blade?" Mars inquired, tucking a strong of her blonde hair behind her ear. "Hai. His blade, the Sword of Dios. It is a part of him. I cannot leave his side." "But...why can't someone else draw it? Surely someone..." "No. Only me. Only the one who can draw upon the heart can pull the sword." "That seems...odd," Jupiter said cautiously. "Female warriors are as strange to us as this is to you." Anthy retorted calmly. "Himemiya-sama!" A page dressed in pale blue stood breathlessly before the entourage, "Gomen but, you are needed." "Hime?" Anthy asked cautiously. "Hai. No one there knows what to do, there are bandits and they have kidnapped her." "Now?" "Hai, I know you have important guests but..." he stopped speaking when Anthy held up her hand. "Does Dios know?" "Yes, he is preparing now." Anthy sighed, her green eyes darkening, "He just got back." The page looked down, "I know my lady...It can't be helped." Anthy nodded and let her head fall a bit. "If there is anything we can do to help," Serenity offered. "No. We don't need your help," Anthy responded sharply. "Let one of us watch then, to see how you do things," Pluto offered, ignoring the looks from Uranus and Neptune, "I will go." Anthy paused for a moment then nodded, "Very well, but do not get in the way." "I don't think that will happen Himemiya-san," Pluto said to assure her. "Please, your horse is ready my lady..." the page insisted. "Hai," Anthy bowed to Serenity, "Gomen nasaii, but, one of the servants will attend to you." "I understand, good luck." "Will you change clothes my lady?" the page asked as he followed Anthy. "Is there time?" An embarrassed look crossed the pages face, "Not really, but if you prefer it..." "I'll be fine, leave now, I know my own way to the stables." "Yes my lady." The two walked quickly in silence, Pluto following Anthy's every move until they reached the stables. "Himemiya-sama! He's already gone, you need to catch up," a stable hand said as they entered. "Hai, is there another horse ready?" The stable hand nodded, "We can get one ready." "Do it." "Yes my lady." Anthy paced a bit, worry obvious in her eyes as they waited for the horses. "I'm sure they will be fine," Pluto said in a comforting voice. "He just got back," Anthy said in a soft voice, "Did they even try to rescue her?" "I'm sure they did all they could..." "But...Bandits!" Anthy clenched her fist, "It's only bandits." "My lady..." the stable hand interrupted, "the other horse it ready." "Arigatou," Anthy nodded and mounted one of the waiting horses, wishing briefly that she had taken the time to change into riding breeches, she could change by other methods but it would be unwise to waste her energy in such a way. She didn't wait for Pluto and urged the black horse into a canter in hopes of catching her brother. "Is that him?" Pluto asked in a loud voice so she could be heard over the pounding hooves. "Yes," she watched his white cloak as it billowed in the wind, tendrils of pale violet hair flowing. "Onii-sama!" She goaded her horse to move faster and she could tell that he had momentarily slowed. Pluto noticed the relief in his eyes as he turned and saw them approaching, were they truly so dependent upon each other? "Baka! You could have waited!" "Gomen Anthy, but...it's in Kaoru's realm...the bandits have had her for a day now and Kami knows what has been done to her." "Did they at least try this time?" "Of course! Of course they tried! You know he would not call on me if they hadn't." "It's only bandits though! How..." "They have mages." Anthy paled, "Do you...do you want me to, make it a half day ride instead of two?" "Would you?" he asked, relief and gratitude obvious in his eyes. "Hai onii-sama." "Wait what do you mean?" Pluto asked, wondering why, yet also glad, that the horses were not moving. "Quite please," Anthy said, her eyes now closed. Pluto felt a cold rush as the air shifted around her. Her stomach lurched and she felt faint as she clung to the reins. "What...?" she pushed her self up to see Dios at his sister's side, pressing his water skin to her lips. "We will rest a moment," he said to Pluto, "Are you alright?" She nodded slowly, her head still reeling a bit. "What happened?" "We're in Kaoru's realm now, he has called on me, he says these bandits have been kidnapping princesses for sometime now and they've been doing all they can. This can't be helped now," He turned his attention to Anthy who was watching him with a bit of a frown, "It can't be helped," he insisted. "We should get going," Anthy said in a resigned voice. Dios nodded and remounted the white horse, "You are alright then?" "Hai..." she said flatly, "it doesn't matter." Dios paused as if he were about to say something to the contrary but just nodded again and urged the horse into a gallop. Anthy and Pluto followed behind in silence. It was pointless to try to hold conversation at that speed. ** They had been riding for hours at a hard pace to try to cut the half-day ride into only a quarter day ride and they were now approaching the center of Kaoru's realm. While Dios ruled the entire Earth realm, it was split into guardians and those guardians did what they could to keep peace and if it went beyond even them...then they called Dios to help. A page rode up to greet them, "Dios-sama!" Dios slowed his horse and Anthy and Pluto followed suite, "What is going on now?" the prince asked. "They...the bandits took two more girls, including lady Kozue." "Kozue?" Anthy whispered, "How did they get..." The page squirmed, "She was out on one of her escapades." "Ah," She nodded. Kaoru Miki's sister was known for her lusty nature and had often taken her conquests out to remote areas. "He tried to get her Dios-sama but they've got a shield up and there's nothing we can do." "I know, where are they?" "Follow me." The trio urged their horses to move just a little further until they reached the camp. They could see Miki standing over a table examining a map of the area, his eyes betraying his distress. "Ya Kaoru!" Dios called out, tugging at the reins of his white horse. "Dios-sama!" Relieve flooded the young mans face, "You made it!" "Of course...I hear they took Kozue, I am sorry." Miki sighed, "As am I. We tried everything but...I don't know what they plan to do. We can't get through." "So I was told." "Who is that riding with you? I don't recognize her," Miki said inclining his head to Pluto. "She is a member of Queen Serenity's party, Senshi Pluto." "Queen Serenity?" Miki's blue eyes widened, "Are we going to join with the moon kingdom?" "I don't know yet, I am only meeting with her for now and discussing the possibility of alliance, I did not see a need to bring you four from your respective duties until things were further along." Miki nodded, "I understand, ah Himemiya-san," His face brightened. "Kaoru-san, good to see you," Anthy inclined her head to Miki politely. "Somehow I do not think that you speak truth my lady." "Under the circumstances, perhaps not," she admitted. "Gomen nasaii, we tried everything possible." "So I heard," Anthy said, her tone tinted with ice. Dios placed his hand on her should and gave her a hard look. Anthy sighed and turned away, rejoining Pluto. "Gomen Kaoru, she means nothing against you personally," Dios said apologetically. "I understand," Miki replied as he rolled up the map, "Kozue was no happier about this, but then," he shrugged, "I am not called away as often as you." "Did you have a plan in mind?" Dios said abruptly. "Ah...yes," Miki pulled out another map and unrolled it, "They are hiding here," He pointed to a section located in the woods, "The shield extends around here, the area surrounding the forest and nothing we've done can breach it. Perhaps Himemiya-san could try...or the sword..." "Excuse me," Pluto said coming from behind them, "Perhaps I could help." "Ah well," Dios said turning around to address the senshi, "certainly if you have any ideas my lady." "I think that I can breach the shield." Miki glanced at Dios, "It is worth a try." Dios nodded, "Do what you will then my Lady." "Get everyone away," Pluto ordered. "Hai," Miki nodded then raised his voice, "Everyone! Away from the shield." "Onii-sama what's happening?" Anthy placed her hand on her brother's arm. "Pluto is going to try to break the shield," he responded simply, "then we'll charge in and take the camp, we may need you to hold off the mage, are you prepared to do that?" "Hai," Anthy pressed close and kept her green eyes on Pluto who had by some power altered her costume from the black silk dress to something a little more suited for fighting in though barely. The Senshi held her time staff over her head, her dark green hair billowing about her, tendrils of power circling her body. Slowly she brought the staff forward, her garnet colored eyes hard and focused, "Dead Scream..." The words were barely audible but they resonated through the area as a large sphere of energy formed at the tip of the time staff and then flew towards the barrier. All present closed their eyes against the bright light as the energy collided with the shield. Pluto stood still, holding onto her staff, waiting for the smoke to clear. She exhaled, glad to see the hole that was made in the shield...it wouldn't disappear until the mage took it down or was killed and they had to hurry or he would repair the hole. "Everyone!" Miki called out, "Go to the camp this opportunity won't last long! Remember our goal!" "Anthy!" Dios mounted his horse and held his hand out to her, she grasped it and he pulled her up behind him, "Hold on." She clung tightly to him as they charged through the hole. "Senshi Pluto...we could use you," Miki called out, reining his horse and moving it towards her, "You can ride with me." "Arigatou," she said mounting the horse, placing her dark arms around his waist. They barely made it through before the hole sealed shut once again leaving most of the army behind. "Damn," Dios cursed beneath his breath as he assessed those that did make it through, "Not many of us." "Onii-sama...should I pull the sword now?" Anthy asked peering around. Several of the soldiers looked at her and took steps back in fear whispering 'witch' beneath their breath, staring at her or averting their eyes. Anthy gave them a hard look and then pressed closer to Dios. Miki glanced at her and frowned at his troops, his gentle blue eyes uncommonly cold, "The next one who speaks that word in her ladies presence will be arrested and court marshaled, is that understood?" He looked around, "I said is that understood?" There was grudging response. Dios shifted in the saddle and dismounted then placed his hand tenderly on Anthy's, he could see how desperately she was trying to hold back her angry tears, how much she hated the name that the world had given her. "Anthy..." he said in the softest of voices, "the sword." She nodded, her green eyes never leaving his as he placed his white-gloved hands around her thin waist and lifted her down from the horse. Despite the mutterings of the others she pressed close to him, her hand on his chest. Pluto watched carefully, her eyes widening as a brilliant glow formed beneath Anthy's hands. She had thought it only a touch of affection but no...it was greater. "Roses of the noble castle, we beg of you...reveal yourself to us." Dios closed his eyes tightly and Pluto's widened as the hilt of a sword pushed through his chest, Anthy's hand hovered over the bejeweled pommel, drawing it out as of by telekinesis. Dios wrapped his arm around Anthy as she fell backwards and Dios began to fall back himself until the blade was fully removed. Pluto did not see quite how it happened but Dios righted himself and held Anthy's body, which was bent almost in half, the sword from his chest in his other hand. Miki tore his eyes from them and turned his attention to Pluto, "We all can do that...but we need the right person to pull the sword, someone who can pull at the heart...the soul. My own sister draws mine but she is captured, probably for that reason." "Why can only one who can pull at the heart remove the sword?" "It is the sword forged by the soul...the stronger the soul the more powerful the sword, but it is a delicate item, a powerful one as well...the attributes of ones being lay in that sword...the rumor is that the if one who can remove the sword is soulless, or entranced...they can take upon them the fighting abilities of the person that the sword is from." "What if the sword breaks?" "Eventual death...one cannot live soulless." Pluto nodded her head slowly, "The same if it is not returned? How can he use his sword like that?" "Well if the owner of the sword uses their own sword there is no harm done." "I see," Pluto said, her attentions back on the siblings. This was something to keep in mind. The group traveled until they reached the spartan camp of the raiders. Anthy's eyes narrowed as she sensed the strong use of magic around her and Dios tightened his grip on his sword. "I don't like it onii-sama," she said in a soft voice looking around, "It's too quiet, there's no one calling for help, no sound of gambling...no story telling..." Dios nodded and Miki looked around adjusting his grip on the rapier he had brought with him. Pluto held her time staff in a guard position and scanned the area, "I sense no one..." she said in a quiet voice. There was a rumpled sound and all eyes turned towards it. "Kozue!" Miki's blue eyes widened as he saw his sisters still form on the ground, "Kozue!" He began to run towards her body. "Miki wait!" Dios called out. Before anyone could move an arrow lanced out from seemingly nowhere and pierced Miki in the arm. He cried out and staggered clumsily towards his sister as another arrow struck him in the leg. Soon there were arrows everywhere but none of them could tell exactly from where they were coming from. A scream escaped Anthy's lips as an arrow hurtled towards her then her body hit the ground hard. The wind was knocked out of her but she was safe, Dios had pushed her away in time. She coughed and gasped for breath while he moved from her to better examine Miki who was holding his sister now...oblivious to the one sided battle around him. "Kozue," he shook her gently, "Kozue...wake up Kozue...Kozue! No..." He stared down at her pale face noticing small cuts on her face, her arms...bruises...wounds covered her lithe body. Hot tears fell from Miki's onto her dead flesh and anger surged through him. It seemed to pulse through him though it may very well have been his heart beat, his wounds throbbing, aching. He slumped forward and his body recoiled as another arrow hit his right shoulder. "Anthy!" Dios called to his sister who was slowly sitting up and regaining her breath, "Can you make a shield?" He cleaved through several arrows with his sword. "Hai!" she closed her eyes while Dios stood as close to her as he could...at last she constructed a small shield that would protect their group from the arrows if only a moment so that they could assess their damages and losses. The soldiers gathered around Miki as he continued to cradle Kozue's body, his blood seeping through the white of his uniform. Pluto continued to look around, she wished she had brought her communications device with her, they could use some help...she was certain Mercury could pinpoint where the other girls were being hidden. She would have used Dead Scream long ago if she had thought that she wouldn't harm them in any way. They had lost five soldiers so far, seven more were wounded, Miki was wounded and Kozue was dead. There were fifteen more soldiers, Dios, Pluto and Anthy though her resources were slowly being depleted by having to hold up the shield. "We need to send a scout over to see where the girls are or at least where those arrows are coming from," Dios said. "I'll go sir," a young man volunteered, "I have little to leave behind if something happens to me." Dios nodded, "Very well then. I wish you luck." "Yes sir," he walked through the shield and stealthily made his way towards the general direction of the arrows. They were all faintly aware of Miki's stifled sobs. Anthy opened her eyes slowly and shakily made her way to him, the shield was established enough that she didn't have to focus on it completely. Dios was talking with the other soldiers anyways and wouldn't need her. She kneeled next to him...his body was still riddled with arrows but he was in such a position that no one could remove them. His body shook violently and his face was pale and she saw that he was having difficulty breathing. "Miki..." she said softly. He remained still for a moment before lifting his head to look at her, "It's my fault...I should have been there for her. I failed her...Kozue..." "You did what you could Miki...that's all anyone could ask. You tried to save her..." "I...I didn't do enough, I should have...tried to protect her, shouldn't have let her wander around like that...I should have known better..." "Would she have let you lock her away? Would she have appreciated you over protecting her? There was no way you could have known this would happen..." "Anthy open the shield," Dios called to her...was their scout back already? She nodded and thinned the shield for a moment and the young man pushed through, collapsing on his knees and gasping, an arrow through his side. Dios and the others converged around him protectively and tried to get what information they could before the young man fell into the arms of unconsciousness...or death. Pluto stood to the side observing, hoping that somehow the others would come despite the fact that she hadn't called for them. "Lady Pluto," Dios said turning to her. "Yes?" She drew closer to the group, "what can I do?" "You're attack..." Dios turned his attention to the map that lay between him and the soldiers, "what range does it have? How far can you spread it?" "As far as needed," She said plainly, "why?" "You see that tree?" Dios pointed and the senshi nodded, "Use that for cover then," he pointed at the map they had drawn in the dirt, this area here is weak attack from there, once their reserves are weakened then we will go in...the girls are a distance away...there's no risk in harming them." Pluto nodded, "I see...I'll do it." "Thank you," We will be in your debt. "No thanks needed," she smiled, "Its what I do." "Good then," Dios nodded, "Everyone knows their place?" The soldiers nodded. They knew that they should listen to Dios...Their regional king was unable to lead them but he would be safe. "Anthy." Anthy looked up from Miki and over to her brother, "Yes?" "Lower the shield...then hold it up for yourself, Miki and the wounded, we'll be back, don't worry." "Hai...be careful onii-sama," she looked at him with worried eyes. "I will," he brushed pale violet hair from his eyes while she lowered the shield. He knew that she worried about him, that she hated to see him fight but it was his duty. They waited while Pluto ran towards the tree dodging arrows that flew at her. Once safely there she launched several consecutive attacks of Dead Scream and they could hear the cries of the bandits. "Now!" Dios cried and they began their attack. Anthy remained behind as she was told and got Miki to release Kozues body. She could tend to his wounds, at least remove the arrows. "Hold still Miki...this will hurt." "Hai," he said taking a shaking breath and bracing himself though he felt that any pain would be nothing compare to the hollowness in his heart. Miki had been lucky, the arrows had struck him with such power that the arrowhead had gone all the way through. That would save her the work of pushing them through which would be a very painful act that she didn't like to do. She pushed the shaft of the arrow a little to get a better grip on the arrow head so she could break it and Miki gasped as she did and then pulled the shaft from his arm. He shuddered and fell forward onto her gasping in pain. "Only a few more Miki..." She continued her work and the young man was near unconsciousness from the pain. She used torn pieces of cloth from her dress to bind his wounds and staunch the blood and once that was done all she could do was wait. She sat in the shield saving her strength, keeping the shield at minimum level. She couldn't believe they had killed Kozue...what would that mean for Miki? Who would draw his sword now? The young man lay next to her, his breathing shallow. They would have to be careful...if it took too long to get him proper attention then they risked losing him as well. She continued to wait until at last she heard cries that grew louder, she saw some of the soldiers running towards her and she sat up, extending the shield for them. Pluto could be seen doing several more attacks and Dios was next to her. They were fighting something big it seemed. She pressed her hands against the clear walls and watched nervously. "Onii-sama..." she said softly before she looked at the captain, "What's going on?" "I...I don't know m'lady...something big just...there was nothing we could do, Dios-sama told us to pull out." "Wait here," she said in a focused voice, her green eyes hard. "M'lady you shouldn't go out there...please," he placed his leather gloved hand on her arm and looked at her pleadingly. She glared at him and he backed away as she pushed her way through the shield. She smelled something burning in the air, a sharp stench likely caused by the excessive magic use. She saw Dios charge forward only to be flung back, his body hitting a tree and he fell to the ground with a thud. "Onii-sama!" She cried out and ran to him. "Anthy!" he struggled to sit up, "Go back to the shield..." "Let me bless the sword!" "Anthy..." "Dead Scream!" Pluto called out, her voice soft but echoing all around, "Dios-san we cannot continue this..." "Anthy I can't ask that of you..." He looked between the two women. "You have no choice onii-sama..." He sighed and realized that she would not back down and at last he gave in and held the sword to her. He hated asking it of her, already he had asked too much of her power, she was getting weak and he knew that this would take what was left of her energy. Still, he held his blade out to her and she caressed it gently with her hands then pressed her lips to the cold metal, feeling a great deal of her strength leave her. She leaned against the tree, her body trembling but she couldn't give into it, she had to stay strong, if she passed out she would be a liability. She could see the monster they were fighting through hazy vision, a great lizard, mage conjured most likely. She looked around for the mage, she could sense him...she felt his eyes on her and she frowned. She caught her brother's eye and motioned weakly with her head towards the direction of the mage. He nodded and shifted the blade...he saw him...prepared to attack. Pluto attacked the beast and Dios charged it before leaping backwards and with the power of his sword he killed the mage and the beast vanished and the forest shield disappeared. Anthy breathed a sigh of relief and let the shield down from around the soldiers before collapsing to the ground. "Anthy!" Dios ran to his sister's side and caught her as she fell, his own body tired, worn from the fight. She raised her head weakly and looked at him through half closed eyes. "Baka," he said softly, running his shaking fingers over her cheek. "Ne you are not much better onii-sama," she said, smiling weakly at him. Her vision began to fade and her body sank into his arms. "Is she okay?" Pluto was kneeled next to him now, he did not look well either and she could feel her own adrenaline leaving her body so that all remained was a tired husk. "Hai, she'll be fine," he said gathering her in his arms. One of the soldiers ran towards him. "I will carry her for you sir...you're tired from battle...it would be an honor certainly..." Pluto noticed that Dios was reluctant to let her go but in the end handed his sister off to the soldier who carried her towards the other men. "She'll be fine, they won't harm her certainly," said the senshi of time. Dios' eyes had not left his sisters prone form. He always feared for her, the world did not understand certainly, it was afraid of her, of what she could do. "Yes, perhaps," he said at last, following after them. His sword vanished in his hand much to Pluto's surprise, "Thank you for your help." "Certainly," Pluto walked along side him, "It's what we Senshi do."