*Ash finishes the song as a dark energy hits her causing her to stumble but remains standing despite how much her neck and heart seemed to burn. The Phoenix just slowly moves close to Ash and pulls her on to his back*

I'm sorry, but we can't wait any longer. Do you think that you can handle a few more? If you must rest we'll help you kill the effected newly reborn brothers.

No.. I can do this.. only I can do this... I can only eat this cursed soul and its residue...despite how much I must carry.

*The Phoenix nods and takes flight with Ash on its back to his home. Once there Ash sees the two that where taken by the evil energy that was slowly killing them, wanting to force death on them so when it was reborn it would be under it's control. The burning piles where ready. Flare quickly sees Ash and leads her to a clearing*
you must hurry.

------
*Night gives a kind smile to the waiter* I'll have some grape juice and a glass of water.

*The waiter then nods to keep back his flushed face from turning any redder.* right..aa away..
*The waiter then leaves still stumbling over his foolish reaction. Night then grins at Wraith*
So, I'm your girl... I'm so glad.

*Wraith blushes slightly for a moment and turns away, before smiling to himself as he closes his eyes slightly.*

Oh don't get me wrong, that was just to get that annoying waiter out of the way. With your looks, I'm going to have to be fighting off every shallow male in the countryside.

*While Wraith unknowingly compliments Night about her beauty in his sentence, in his mind he has already started planning his next move. About ten minutes later, the nervous waiter returns with Night's steak and the drinks. Wraith turns back to face Night and sips his water slowly, before leaning back and sitting with his arms crossed.*

Considering the length of the trip, we'll probably need to put up a night in the forest. That, or we could rent out a room here, and spend the afternoon around the area, before returning here to rest and then setting out first thing in the morning.

*Wraith looks at Night and smiles, as he waits for a response.*

*Night smiles and then leans in close to Wraith* I think staying here would be fine, and if money is the issue we can always share the room.

*Night then leans back grinning and looks at the steak* I think chilling around would be just great. I haven't been around people for quite a while, it would be nice to relax for a little.

*Night then takes a big bite of steak*

-----
*Ash follows Flara quickly and sees the plagued Phoenixes with the horrible aura surrounding them. It reminded her of what plagued quite a few people over the centuries. Ash slowly clenches her teeth knowing full well what she was about to do was going to push her limits. However, it didn't drive her away because of sense of duty to the old ways. Ash sighs*

Everyone must leave the area I can't guard everyone simply because there's three that are affected.

*Flara nods and tells everyone to leave. Once everyone was gone except those who where effected Ash quickly pulls out a charm and begins to chant. The Phoenixes begin to flame up as everything starts to darken. Then as if on cue the very world seemed to shatter revealing the other side, which Ash has always seen when her eyes gave off a glow. Now she entered the world and there standing before her was the young man that betrayed her*

Impossible... I ... I ate your soul...
Not all of it. Ash, my love. You need to more compliant to the requests of your loved one.

*The soul slowly moves closer as Ash's heart starts to ache in seeing his face and remains frozen. Before Ash could say anything else the man was holding her slowly sliding his hands up her sides in a twisted lover's embrace*

I still love your skin, you haven't changed much. I'm sorry for leaving you like that.

*Ash's body starts to become limber as her breathing starts to become erratic from his movements almost intoxicating burning starts to run through her*

why..why did you? why did you ... try to kill me?... why are you here?
*The voice gives a slight chuckle causing Ash to tense and push him away before he could give an crushing blow to Ash's neck, but ends up burning her arm.*

Reveal yourself!!
*The figure laughs coldly as two others appear surrounding her*
Make us. You know you can't win ether way Ancient, or should I say the Soul Eater Princess of the Ancients,
The Gatekeeper of Pluto
and the Graveyard Immortal... The Purple Queen...
I wont eat you... I'll BANISH YOU!!
I want your soul!

*Ash quickly draws out her metal fan and infuses her energy into it as all three come at her. Ash quickly opens an holy gate to suck in the souls however Ash feels it tugging on her making her close it imitatively.*

I already have ... a part them in me...
*the figures laugh as the go to claw at Ash. Ash dodges quickly but curses at herself for not catching that she was set up from the beginning. The only way for her to get rid of them she'll have to eat them sense she wasn't done killing off the old aura from the village.*

I hate you!
*Ash then gets teary as she lowers her fan letting them rush at her. Once near a giant flash of light it seen and Ash feels the horrible amount of evil energy hit her as she absorbs them. Ash the stumbles to the ground as she reenters the physical world.*

FLARA! *Ash starts to shake as tries to deal with the demons within her own soul. Flara quickly is next to Ash and sees what she has done and sighs*

I thank you princess... tell me what you need.

*Ash doesn't say anything as she begins to fade into a feverish sleep. Only to mumble*
Terra...I don't... want to...
*Flara turns his head to the side and looks at his brothers and nods.*
Take her back to the house.
*The phoenix nods and takes Ash up in hits claws. Before long Ash was back at the house laying on the grass with the Phoenix by her side*

*Wraith chuckles softly as Night looks up at him with a mouthful of steak, then shakes his head.*

I don't suppose a short 'vacation' would hurt. No, money isn't the issue. I just think it would be...best if we stayed in separate rooms.

*Wraith catches Night's eye and turns away, instead looking at the distant wall.*

No offense intended..

---

*Terra's eyes widen slightly and he closes his mouth mid-sentence, sprinting out of the library without a word and opening the door to, sure enough, finding Ash lying on the grass next to a great phoenix.*

Ash!

*Terra rushes up to Ash's side and checks her breathing and her pulse, before moving her so that her head is resting on his lap. Terra then turns to the phoenix, as he places a gentle hand on Ash's forehead, and a soft green glow spreads from his hands into her.*

What happened?

*The great Phoniex tilts its head as it looks at Terra*
you must be Terra... Lady Ash removed some evil aura from some dieing brothers of mine that pleaged them after our guardians village was destroyed. It seems like she couldn't banish it and she has to eat it the cause of it all.

*Ash twitches as a cold sweat starts to cover her and her nightmare worsens.*
no... don't... *Ash's hand shakes as her breathing becomes erratic.*

Looks like she has to fight her own demons or to make her soul be balance quicker eat a few "good" souls. I'm not sure on what she does, she never had issues until today. I recall just being around the village she grabs her neck as if it was in pain. Never seen that before...

...Terra...

----
*Night takes another big bite of food* I guess it couldn't be helped. If you remembered a few things...
*Night gives a play-ish grin and couldn't help chuckle when Wraith gives a "stressed" look.*

I'm just teasing you. I'm just wondering what we can do for fun in this town.

*Terra slowly scoops Ash into his arms and sighs before turning to the great phoenix.*

I'm not strong enough to purge all the miasma (a result of the evil souls Ash had absorbed) from her body, but I can at least keep her alive. Barely. Impossible, Ash would never consume any souls of pure heart and deny them passage to the afterlife. I can't believe she would...she told me she didn't want to hurt anyone else...

*Terra looks gently at Ash's sleeping face and runs his fingers softly over her cheek.*

I won't believe it. But I can't just sit here doing nothing but ensuring she doesn't die...

----

*Wraith relaxes slightly and shrugs to himself, his face once again expressionless.*

There are a few job posters on the wall for sweepers (sweepers being slang for bounty hunters), I might go and capture a few targets to net us some extra cash. Meantime, you're free to wander around and do whatever you want.

*Azrael laughs teasingly at Wraith, inwardly.*

You like her already don't you?

Don't be ridiculous. I'm not used to a female accompanying me, that's all.

*Wraith then stands up, walks adjoining wall next to the bar, browses through several WANTED posters, before selecting one and ripping it off the wall, returning to his seat opposite Night.*

Here's an interesting target. " Weiss Rozenkreuz, leader of the group known as Annihilatus. Wanted for numerous counts of manslaughter. Extremely dangerous. Reward: Dead or Alive, 10,000,000 gold coins."

*Wraith looks curiously at the poster portrait of the man known as Weiss Rozenkreuz: A strikingly handsome, fair-skinned man, with jet-black hair and a fringe that covers part of his right eye, cold, fiery-orange eyes which betray no warmth whatsoever. Wraith then turns to Night and grins.*

Sounds like fun.

---
ELSEWHERE...

*Inside a dimly lit cathedral, a hooded figure makes his way up towards one of the mosaic windowpanes, where another figure waits, seemingly examining the artwork on the windowpane: The fall of the angel, Michael, at the hands of
Balnazzar. The hooded figure steps up close behind the other, and bows slightly, before drawing back his hood, revealing the sharp handsome features of Wraith...revealing him to be none other than-*

Altair. Why have you come?

*Altair straightens up and raises his gaze slightly to look at the figure, clearly his superior in terms of rank, his icy-blue eyes indiscernible from Wraith's, his hair the same dark navy-black, though longer than his host's own.*

Christopher is dead. His...remains were found washed up on the shore in a nearby village.

*The unknown figure laughs coldly, and turns very slightly to Altair, enough to gaze at him with a single, pale green eye.*

So it's finally begun. We are being hunted yet again. Interesting. How very interesting...

*Altair bites his lower lip slightly.*

With all do respect master, it is unwise to leave things as they are. Dawn and Yukie have yet to make contact with us. For all we know they could already be dead.

Do you think so lowly of us, Altair?

*Out of the darkness, Dawn walks out gracefully towards Altair and the figure, smirking at him coolly as he steps up beside him.*

Yukie is currently out on reconnaissance. She will send word back to us when she has located Priority One.

*The light from the windowpanes casts a soft, coloured glow over Dawn, who's peerless beauty almost make it impossible for any male to attack her without staring, frozen, in utmost awe. Altair scowls and turns slightly away.*

I was almost hoping you'd been annihilated. Perhaps then-

Enough.

*Both Dawn and Altair bow slightly as the figure turns around to face them, his face still hidden in shadow, revealing only his pale-green emerald eyes.*

We let him come to us. None of you, and I repeat, none of you are to pursue him.

*The figure laughs softly and casts his gaze slightly upwards.*

This is the Wraith I know. He will find us. And when he does, we'll be ready for him.

*the great phoenix nods and then turns to take off*
I'm sure you'll help her. This is just the only time an Ancient would be vulnerable... My brothers and I think something is up. Just call for one of us if something happens.

*Before Terra could reply the phoenix leaves, while Ash continues to have cold sweat run down her face and tears seem stream down.* ...I...can't...

*Meanwhile in her mind Ash keeps on reliving her nightmares and all the deaths she has caused, while a burning sensation is running through her veins*

I need... *Ash gasps as within her she sends a shock to hold back the evil that hisses in her mind.*

...Stay... back...Terra

------
*Night looks at Wraith*
I see...
*Night grabs the posting and then grins* I should join you on this one, I need need the excitement.

*Night then takes a huge gulp of her drink* plus, it looks like you're going for the leader. Something that has to be fun to do.

*Terra bites his lower lip and places his hand on Ash's forehead, chanting so quickly that he appears to be muttering nothing but gibberish. There is a glow of purple light that envelops him and Ash, as an arcane circle appears on the ground around him. Terra then draws a symbol on Ash's forehead, and mutters under his breath.*

...and seal her body, but cage not her soul...

*There is a sudden burst of light as etheral chains burst out from the circle beneath Terra, wrapping around each of Ash's limbs, before dragging out what appears to be her soul. Terra then mutters another command and the circle fades along with the chains, as quickly as they appeared. Terra then draws Ash's soul into his body, cringing slightly as it enters him. Gasping slightly for breath, Terra then walks back into the house, going into Ash's room and putting her now empty (soulless) body on the bed, before sitting down beside it and speaking to Ash's soul within himself, as he feels her stirring.*

I'm sorry Ash, I sealed you temporarily to prevent you from hurting yourself, and at the moment, my body is the only one capable of containing you within me. Are you okay? Talk to me. What happened...?

---

*Wraith rolls his eyes slightly and sips his water.*
That may be so, but first we'll have to find him. Annihilatus has been at large for quite some time.

*Ash tosses around in a slightly panic state* I can't believe you did this, I can still hurt you.

*Ash then feels another pull with in her as images start to flash through her "mind", before she could do anything she was already feeling another sicking pain hit her.*

if you want this... to stop just eat a good soul... no..

*Then almost instinctively Ash connects with Terra's mind letting him see what she was mentally seeing*

**IN THE NIGHTMARE***

*Ash is walking in a foggy village that seemed to be deserted with a dark figure up ahead. As she gets near it becomes clear that it was girl. Ash goes to touch the girls back.*
Are... *Then the girl turns around suddenly to reveal a stone face with blood coughing up. Ash jumps back and looks at her hands to see the red blood covering her and then in a flash she sees herself reflecting in some metal paneling, with her eyes glowing deeply purple with red tears.*
No! I didn't... I...
*An evil voice laughs as her mind goes to her home town* Remember the pain.. remember the deaths...

-----
*Night sighs* Well, it shouldn't be that hard. We'll just follow his attack pattern.

*atea and lili stand at the door ...atea is pale watching terra and ash..she fidgets and then turns away and heads back into the house...she walks into ash's room and preps her bed*

*lili stays at the door and watches what's happening staying very still and keeping a blank expression*

*Terra falls to his knees clutching at his head as he cries out, seeing the graphic images fill his mind.*

ARGH!

*Terra starts to breathe deeply and shakily as he sees what Ash is seeing, and he clutches at his throat as though gasping for air.*

I...won't let you...

*Terra's eyes meet Atea's, who is standing at the doorway, and he raises his hand, causing the door to slam shut, as he continue to writhe on the ground in agony.*

---

*Wraith shrugs and looks at Night.*

In any case, this means that you'll have to scout for some information again, though I doubt they'll be anywhere near here. From what I've heard, Annihilatus only attacks large cities. Smaller towns like this, they tend to leave alone.

*Wraith signals the waiter for the bill, pays him before standing up.*

Perhaps there's someone in the town who knows something.

*Ash starts to cry out in pain when it becomes too much and feels almost tempted to breach Terra's inner wall to take over his body*

I...

*Ash hesitates from her sudden urge. Causing the sudden stabbing feeling within her and a sudden image of her holding a child covered in blood and people screaming at her not to talk the child's soul, causing her to shake and jump ahead to a slaughtered village*

Mankind doesn't deserve to live... they deserved this...USE HIM.

I won't...
*Ash's mind flashes to Terra holding her, being close and healing her neck causing the evil to recoil and try to send images of the young man holding her close and then going for the sudden killing attempt. Ash then starts to feel like she was chocking*

Terra... he's your enemy... just like NO!

*Ash sends a shock wave against the evil causing Ash to breach the spiritual wall that Terra has causing him to turn inward at to see Ash filled with tears*

----
*Up in the mountains an old woman simmers to herself in corner. Her hair was gray and her body looked like it belonged to those who should be dead. Yet, with her twisted age it was clear in her face and eyes that she was beautiful in her younger days and before what was afflicted on her. Then in corner of her eye she sees an young man walk in*

It's done
*The old woman grins* Finally, I will get you, Ash.

----
*Night smiles* Now your thinking positive
*Night then gets up and moves towards the door* Well lets head out then.

*Terra chants between gasps and closes his eyes briefly, before opening them again, his breathing slowing.*

Isoform.

*Terra's consciousness then effectively isolates itself from his mind, and a spiritual image of himself appears standing next to a spiritual Ash, who is crying silently to herself. Terra walks up beside Ash and crouches beside her, placing an hand on her arm.*

Ash...it's me. You're going to be alright. This isn't the first time I've had to seal anyone. Tell me, what's going on?

---

*Wraith nods and gets to his feet, following Night outside, relishing the sweet air of the countryside, before looking around the place.*

I seriously wonder if anyone is going to have any information in this town, I mean-

*A bunch of kids run past, spot Wraith, then crowd around him as they start to chatter excitedly.*

Hey mister! Cool outfit! Can I take a look at those swords of yours?

*Wraith turns to Night, unsure how to handle the adolescents, and turns back to them, forcing a playful smile onto his face (which, as it turns out, looks like a cold-blooded "I'm-gonna-kill-you" grin)*

Sorry young ones, you could hurt yourself if I draw this blade.

But I wanna see! I WANNA I WANNA I WANNA!

*Wraith turns to Night and grimaces.*

I'll have to leave them to you for awhile.

*And without a word, Wraith vanishes in a blur, leaving the kids staring in awe, while Night stands behind them.*

*atea glares at the door and starts to pace ...she doesn't say a word but wrenches the cloth of her tunic in her hands..her nails shredding the cloth*

*lili watches atea silently and stares out the window next to the door..watching ash and terra*

*Marcell walks up behind Lili and wraps his arms around her, cuddling her gently.*

What's going on?