Rowan looked at Leylia, who smiled at him. He knew what he had to do. He placed
his orb next to Kyra’s ring. The preparations were still not finished, but were
done after lunch.

He watched as Leylia shook her self and chanted in a loud clear voice. “Marfa,
Mother of Earth, Protector of those who love Life, lend me your power to help
this youth fight the demon!”

White light surrounded Leylia. White angel wings sprouted from her back. Rowan
felt not pain, but healing come from his back. He noticed that he had the same
wings, only they were streaked with midnight blue.

She nodded. He had to go fight the demon. He flew into the portal that led to
Kyra’s soul where he and Nanile finally met.

Nanile laughed evilly at the approach of the Ronin. She stood up and said,
“Welcome to my Torture Room, Rowan of the Strata.” Rowan looked at her.

The demon was a woman, with a catlike appearance. “We have been waiting for
you.” She stated, and stepped aside to reveal Kyra, in chains.

Rowan’s heart broke into a million pieces at the sight of her. She was bleeding,
and there were chain links on her waist, neck, thighs, arms and lower arms.
Nevertheless he shrugged it off.

He had to stay strong, for both their sakes. Nanile smirked. The fool. He really
thought he could beat her. She watched as he got in a defensive stance and
attacked.

Rowan lashed out with an axe kick, hitting her squarely on the shoulder. Her
fangs bared, she charged at him. He tripped her and started fighting like crazy.

Blows were exchanged like crazy, fists went flying like tornadoes. They went at
this for quite some time, meanwhile…

Sage, Neese, Leylia, and Cye were monitoring the battle’s outcome. Sage’s face
clearly said that the wretched demon wasn’t going down without a fight.

The question of whether demon was using a weapon or not had risen earlier was
stopped by the fact that both were fighting hand-to-hand combat.

Rowan was finally hit on the shoulder. As he struggled to get up, he saw Nanile
standing over him. She kicked him hard, all the while laughing like a lunatic.

They finally reached some sort of cliff. Apparently, Nanile was controlling
Kyra’s subconsciousness also. But somehow, a weapon appeared…

Rowan noticed the long dagger beneath him. By its length, he knew it wasn’t for
humans to use. And it was much to fine to be the work of humans. He grabbed and
looked at it. It was only chance.

Just as the demon was about to kick, he flipped backwards and plunged the
dagger deep into Nanile’s stomach. She screamed, and died.

He ran back to Kyra and cut off her bonds. He nodded silently to Leylia to take
them back.

Back at the temple, Kyra stirred and looked up. She couldn’t help but smile as
her friends asked how she felt. After several “I’m fines.” Rowan went to the
side of her bed and grasped her hand lightly.

In his mind she whispered ‘Thank you.’ ‘Don’t mention it. You know I would do
anything in the world for you.’

He replied. The rest of the gang looked at them. They looked so happy together.
‘And maybe they are.’ Cye thought. ‘They just don’t want to admit it yet.’