The war and it's aftermath

'Alright everybody time to head out.'

When they were riding for 15 minutes Marika and the soldiers separated.

'Contact us if you get new information or have trouble.'

"We will Queen Yumaria, stay safe on your journey Your Majesties and Your Highness."

"We will, good luck."

Richard, Marika and Canus resumed their way to Alta Rubra.

They arrived at the point where they would set up their decoy camp and then moved out to set up their real camp.

"Why are we camping out in a cave?"

'Well this cave is special and we are actually going to camp out right under them, quite literally, plus I have been here before so I know where to go and let's be honest, those vampires are not the brightest of people so they won't even think about checking it.'

"Ahaha, your right Mari."

"But what about the horses?"

'The space is wide enough and high enough so they can come in with us.'

"Then show us the way sweetie."

Marika fount the entrance and Richard and Canus fallowed her.

After 15 minutes the arrived at a y shape in the tunnel and the middle point was quit large.

Marika took out some dry food and water and a few blankets.

'This should do for tonight.'

"Well I have camped out in more uncomfortable places, so this is quit the luxury."

Richard started to laugh "That's so true, remember we had to deal with The Griseo Wolf Clan."

"Yeh the weather was wet and cold and you couldn't have a decent sleep."

Marika looked at the two of them reminisce about a battle where they fought side by side.

Marika gave them something to eat and drink, they thanked her and kept on talking about the past events.

Marika smiled and walked in to the passage that would lead her to the barrier.

Richard saw which tunnel she took so he knew where she went if she would call for help.

Marika came up to the barrier and test a few thing.

She picked up a rock and threw it with a lot off strength, and it went through.

Marika had a worried look on her face, If she cracked open the ground debris would fall down on the people, and since she could not warn them, casualties or even deaths would surely fall.

Marika threw another stone and another till there were no more left, she then picked a crystal from her pocked that had her energy in it and threw it. And to her surprise it went through.

She then saw faintly that the light of the stone was getting dim, and that meant something or somebody had picked it up, she threw 3 more crystals and the last one was close at the barrier.

The figure who appeared in front of her, she recognized as Callan.

The man saw Marika "Queen Yumaria!, Why are you here?"

Marika couldn't hear his words, so she casted a spell and took out two note books and tied a stone around and hoped it got through.

The note book went through and Callan picked it up.

Marika started to write down.

'This barrier gives me a headache, nothing can pass through unless its stones or crystals with energy in it, and now I find out that stuff can pass through with a stone having energy inside, but magic won't work on it.'

"I think that has something to do with the big energy stone in the middle of our cave."

'What do you mean?'

"For some reason a spell was placed on the stone to read out object hitting the barrier and can tell if they are natural or unnatural."

'Well a sword is made from metal and metal is a natural resource so why does the barrier register it as an unnatural thing?'

"So we can't get weapons and break the crystal or the barrier."

Marika casted another spell and pulled out her special made sword, she carefully pushed it against the barrier and the tip when through.

Marika smiled.

'Can you guys use magic inside the barrier?'

"We can, but the type of spell you just used we can't"

Marika didn't hesitate and pushed her sword through.

'Keep this sword save, I need it for when I come through the barrier and get you guys out.'

Callan nodded.

She then written down her last few words.

'Since I have no clue on the time difference between my side and your side… Please evacuate everybody from the main cave room because the ceiling will soon collapse by my hands and I don't want to kill or injure innocent people.'

'And don't kill anybody that will fall down before or with me, we need them to escape.'

"I'll warn the others."

"Thank you Guardian for getting us out of this place."

Marika smiled and turned around and left for Richard and Canus.

Callan ran back to the cave where everybody was going about their day.

He went over to the head of The Blue Dragon Clan and The Brown Dragon Clan.

The people saw Callan running towards the clan head and holding a sword.

"Clan head Caligo, clan head Liro excuse my rudeness but we don't have much time."

Both man saw Callan holding a sword and the word that were written on the blade shocked them.

On the blade was written Custos Trium Mundorum (Guardian of the Three Worlds).

"Callan where did you get that sword?" Caligo asked him.

"The Guardian gave this to me, it seemed it could pass through the barrier and she asked me to keep it safe until she would come down here."

"You mean The Guardian of the 3 Worlds?"

Callan nodded "But we need to evacuate everybody to the tunnel shafts right now."

"Why is that?" Liro asked him.

"The Guardian told me the ceiling will be coming down soon and she warned me because she doesn't want anybody to get injured or killed."

Both man had no reason to doubt Callan's word, because they have heard Marika's calling twice before and now a sword appeared with the words written on it and it was a sign they finally could leave this rotten cave after so many years.

"Let's evacuate everybody to the shafts." Caligo head of the blue clan said to Callan.

"Do you know when this collapse will occurs?" Liro the head of the brown clan asked him.

"No, because she said there is a possibility the time flow could be different at her side and ours, she couldn't tell."

"Fair enough."

"Callan keep that sword save; as she asked you, we are going to evacuate right now."

Suddenly a young boy came running inside, "Father! The ceiling… the ceiling is crumbling, dust is falling!"

"Callan how long ago was it you spoke with the guardian?"

"Not long it shouldn't have been more than 2 minutes ago."

The three came to the conclusion there was a big difference between the time flow on both sides.

The three man and the boy came out side "Evacuate to the shafts! The ceiling is collapsing!

All the people gathered only things that were important and some food and rushed to the shafts.

Richard, Canus and Marika road up to Alta Rubra holding their flag.

A few meters before the small city Marika and the others stopped.

'Trash-hael! Get down here! You wanted this war! Now that it's at your front door, you get your ass outside and play with me!'

Canus and Richard laughed at Marika's words.

The gates opened and Reinel, Raphael and a few other middle age man came out side with 100 soldiers.

"You finally decided to fight me."

'Tsk, tsk, tsk, You all are so dumb, I stalled you guy's on purpose.'

And Marika had a smirk on her face, 'And the best part of it all, you didn't even figure out what I was doing.'

'I stalled for time so I could get my magic back and prepare for releasing the two dragon clans that are hidden under your city.'

'You all are such fools, thanks to your stupidity I have all the means to free them on the spot.'

'And you also gave me time to sharpen my weapons…so you don't have a chance of winning.'

The group of middle age man heard her and one of them started to mock Marika.

"You and what army!?, You three won't stand a chance against 200 soldiers."

Canus now started to laugh, "Really?, if I'm not mistaken I have a reputation of the bloodthirsty battle freak."

Canus was standing next to Marika and the man grew pail.

Richard who was also standing next to her "I'm only here for some exercise, since I've been sitting around a lot ever since I got the throne."

Marika signals to Richard she needed his sword for a moment.

Richard gave it to her.

Everybody at the other side looked at her and started to laugh at her.

"Do you think she is able to hold something like that?"

"Nah look at her build, the only thing she could hold is butter knife at most."

Both Canus and Richard didn't react to their comments, because they knew they would shut up soon enough.

Marika took off her earrings, bracelets, belt and necklace.

Richard and Canus could feel the immense energy coming from Marika and they got goosebumps because of it.

She handed over her jewelry to Richard, 'Give this to Arthur' she whispered.

Richard nodded.

Richard put everything in a pouch and whistle for Felix.

"Go to Ray's castle and deliver this to Arthur."

Felix flew off to find Arthur.

Marika took a deep breath and focused on the sword and channel her energy to the sword and casted a spell the same time.

Marika lifted the sword in to the air and everybody on the other side was shocked.

Marika put a lot of force in the down ward motion, and the earth started to crack and split.

In mere seconds a deep and wide crack was formed in the ground and ran all the way through the city.

Now that she had made a crack in the ground she splitted of the forces that was standing before her moments ago.

Marika handed over the sword back to Richard.

'Now the crack has formed, this is the last battle I will face right now and I'll free them all.'

Richard gave her a kiss. "Let's bring back Williams family."

Marika nodded.

Canus looked at the crack that was formed in front of him and then looked at Marika.

"Uhm Mari…

'What is it brother?'

"Well this crack you made is over 600 meters."

'Are you sure? Because I really tried my best to keep it as short as possible, I even casted a spell to keep the crack short.'

Canus nodded.

"You even casted a spell to keep the crack short?"

'Yeh, because since I estimated that if I could produce 300 meter radius damage, when I was at half capacity it would be 600 now I'm at full capacity.'

Canus was quickly calculating "Uhm sis…If you didn't casted that spell, I think this crack could easily be a little over a kilometer long."

'Ah well after this I will be suppressed again, so don't worry. But I do think I need to see how much my capacity is when I'm suppressed and if it's sufficient enough then I will keep my battle magic suppressed for the rest of my life if it makes you feel saver to be around me.'

Raphael heard everything and signaled the soldiers to attack, now that they were distracted.

Marika saw this 'Canus, have fun and do not touch any of the Sanguis.'

Canus patted her head, "I'll head out first sis."

Marika smiled and nodded.

Richard took out his sword Marika gave him as a gift and kissed Marika on the head, "Have fun sweetie."

'I will, and don't get hurt.'

Richard laughed, "Like they even could put a scratch on me."

[Down in the cave]

Callan and the other came back to the center of the cave since the noise had died down.

"Anybody injured?"

'We are all fine thanks to your warning.'

Callan shook his head, "It's all thanks to the guardian…"

'Yeh but if you weren't curious about the sounds you heard and check it out you wouldn't have spoken to the guardian and warn us all.'

One of the children looked up to the ceiling of the cave 'Daddy, what are those shining little dots in on the ceiling.'

Everybody looked up and saw the night sky for the first time in a very long time.

The man crouched down to his daughter "Those are stars sweetie."

'Can you eat stars?'

"No but you can make wishes to them and maybe one day your wish will be granted."

'Than my wish will be that The Guardian of the 3 World will come and visit us.'

The man smiled to his daughter "Hum… that would be nice."

[Battle field]

Marika, Richard and Canus were almost though the first wave of soldiers, When Marika suddenly was hit with a sharp pain.

Marika knew that either Dante or Kevin was in trouble.

Marika mowed down anybody who was standing in her way and rushed in to Alta Rubra.

She saw the soldiers dealing with The Whit Fox Clan together with Kevin and the mercenaries of Licentia.

She then saw one of the Sanguis bowing over Dante and was still holding the sword that was stabbed in Dante's heart.

Marika then lost it completely.

She was so fast nobody knew what had happened but Marika cut of the arm of the man and kicked him aside.

She then crouched down Dante.

She pulled out the sword from him but knew he was dying if he didn't drink blood soon.

"Brother, please drink my blood.' Marika offer her arm but he pushed it back.

Marika looked at her brother and tried to hold back her tears.

'Dante please…Don't be stubborn now…Please just a little…'

Dante looked weak "Sis…I…don't want that..."

"It's alright…I met my father and you…I have no regrets and lived the most happiest life for the last six months."

Kevin came running up to them and saw his brother.

"What the hell brother…you promised me you would let her…"

"We don't want to lose you, I don't want to say goodbye to you just yet."

Dante patted Kevin's head "I know…"

Marika had a cold look on her face 'Kevin pry his jaw open.'

Kevin did what she asked and Marika made a cut in her arm and left the knife in her wound so it wouldn't close up and let her blood drip in his mouth.

After a few minutes his wound started to heal and his eyes started to turn red, Dante was awakening his vampire side that was dormant for his entire life up until now.

Marika took out the knife from her arm and started to heal up, Kevin let go of his brother, but if he knew what Dante would do to their sister after he let him go, he wouldn't have.

Dante wanted to attack Marika and drink more of her blood.

Marika reacted and slapped Dante back to his senses.

'What? You want to suck your sister dry?'

Dante came to his senses "I'm sorry sis…"

Marika and Kevin both hugged him 'It's alright, you just awakened your vampire side, so it's only natural to act on instincts.'

"Brother if you ever need blood you can drink mine."

Dante looked at his little brother "I redder starve, than to drink your blood or sisters."

Kevin pouted and Marika started to laugh.

"Well your strength is currently double from before… and if you have trouble with your blood drinking urges eat these, it should help you with it.'

'But do talk to your father, because he can help you the most.'

'And if you run out of this medicine go find Luca he has more of those.'

"I will sis, and…"

'Stop it, it's not your fault, it's my fault for forcing you like that.'

Dante hugged Marika "No sis thank you for not letting me go, you to Kevin."

Marika helped up Dante, 'Go whip out those pests and you have my permission to kill that bastard who stabbed you, but only that bastard.'

"No worries sis, I'll take my time and let him enjoy a little torture session before he leaves this world."

Marika smiled and ruffled Dante hair.

Kevin you too, make them suffer for what they had done to you and me'

Marika who was now covered in the blood of a Sanguis transformed in to a dragon and took off to go back to Richard and Canus.

Marika landed at Richard and let out a warning roar at his opponent and whipped her tail up and down.

Canus who was also done with the first wave of soldiers came up to her.

"Sis."

Marika downed her head to Canus 'Go to Dante and Kevin, they need you more than we do.'

"Why is that?"

'A moment ago Dante almost died, and I fed him my blood and awakened his vampire side.'

"But shouldn't he instinctively attack the person who gives him blood."

'You don't have to worry about that, I slapped him back to his senses, because I'm well aware of what would have happened because Dantis told me.'

"Alright sis."

Canus gave her a hug. "See you when this is over."

Marika nodded.

Raphael signaled for the second wave to push her, because she was now in her dragon form.

Richard stood defensive in front of her, to act out the play they had worked on for the last couple of weeks.

"Sweetie whatever happens I protect you."

Marika nuzzled Richard.

The second wave pulled Richard away from Marika and half of the group of soldiers managed to push Marika to the edge of the rift she had created.

Marika kept her act up all the way and so did Richard.

When Marika was at the edge of the rift her eyes changed 'You really think I'm that scared of you, you really are dumb.'

Marika took off and flew over to Raphael and Reinel and plucked them from the ground and then made a small cut and dropped them down in to the rift.

When Marika turned around she was hit with a giant net that prevented her to fly and she dropped to the ground.

Richard saw this happen and fear was written all over his face, because a fall from that height could kill her.

But Raphael didn't calculate her weight and the speed she would have by falling down, the fix points were letting lose, and one of the Sanguis yelled to the soldiers to grabbed the rope.

Marika noticed the holes in the net were very big and if she changed in to a child she could slip through them.

Marika looked down to time her escape.

When she was near the edge she changed in to her child form and slipped through it and hang on the edge of the rift.

She changed back to her adult self and saw a few people falling down with the net.

Richard saw Marika was slipping from the edge of the rift and rushed up to her.

Marika lost her gripping and fell down, but Richard got there in time and held arm.

Marika looked up and saw Richard lying on the ground holding her arm tight.

Marika tried to pull herself up and Richard had a relieved look on his face seeing her pulling herself up.

But then she drew her sword and pointed at him.

"Sweetie?"

Marika stabbed a soldier who was ready to stab Richard who was defenseless.

'Your back is wide open, you know that right.'

Marika put back her sword and swung her empty arm around his neck and came close to his face.

She started to kiss him.

'Take care of the kids for me and Khai will let you know if he is able to communicate with his other half and let you know if I'm alright.'

Richard heart started to beat out of control, out of fear what she would do next.

He knew this day would come, and even he know he had to let her go he just couldn't bear it.

But if he didn't Williams family could never come home to him and then there was still the Astrum clan, they would find other means to get rid of her and this would cause more stress for her.

Richard finally decided to let her go because she promised him she would come back, and she is The Guardian of the 3 Worlds so he had no right to stop her.

He smiled at her and kissed her one last time.

"Come home soon sweetheart, you now have my heart and soul."

Marika smiled at him 'See you in a year my darling husband.'

Marika pulled herself out his grip and fall down.

"YUMARIA!!!"

Canus, Dante and Kevin heard Richard yell to her and rushed up to him.

Richard face was in utter shock and grieve.

Marika saw her brothers looking over the edge and she closed her eyes for a moment.

'I'm sorry you guys, but I'll be home soon.'

Marika looked down and saw all the Sanguis people had passed through the barrier.

She transformed to her 7th stage and her wings spread and acted as a glider to slow down her fall.

She never used them before and didn't know if they were even functional to begin with but she focused on keeping her wings spread.

As she was half way down she couldn't keep it up any more and her wings started to fold back.

'Ah sh*t…'

Marika's falling speed started to increase again and there was no way she could stop it now.

But just as she was about to hit the ground she was caught from the air by a young dragon.

Marika saw a smaller version from Wade so she knew she was save now.

Marika laid down on his back 'I'm sorry… but I need some rest, so I answer any questions later.'

Marika fell asleep on the dragons back.

[3 months late]

Above ground 3 months had already past and Richard was still grieving over the loss of Marika.

Cinis and Luca handled matter in Virtus et Caeruleus Viridi, Aron got Queentia back to how it was before, and Kevin was now starting up the shadow brigade.

Dante was with Dantis and learning to control his vampire side.

Solis and Caelum together with Sophos were busy teaching Owen and Vita.

But it was noticeable that Marika's presence was gone from the world.

The people of Virtus et Caeruleus Viridi and Lunae Lumen were hoping she would return soon because to them there was no better queen to the two countries as her, and they would never accept anybody else then her.

Richard got a message from Rector, that Luna was about to give birth.

Although Richard was still grieving, he knew that if he didn't go over Marika would yell at him when she got back and was told he didn't go over.

Richard called for Genus and Luca to come with him.

"My eldest daughter is about to give birth to her first litter and knowing Marika she wants us to go to help if she needed any medical attention if the birth was going to be complicated."

Luca and Genus nodded and William opened a portal and went with them so he could record it for Marika so even though she had to miss out on it she was able to look back at it.

[3 hours later]

Marika woke up from her sleep and was surrounded by a woman and her daughter and son.

'Go get your father and the clan head Liro and Callan.'

The girl nodded to her mother and stood up to leave the room.

Marika started to sit up and the woman handed her a glass of water.

Marika took it and drank it empty.

'Thank you.'

'Guardian can I asked you a question?'

'Marika… my name is Marika and my dragon name is Yumaria just call me by either of the two, as for your question sure.'

The woman smiled at her.

'Have you by change met a young man, he should be around your age.'

She then showed her a picture of him and gave her his name.

Marika jumped of the bed and her face turned in to shock.

The woman didn't know what to do, because Marika looked panicked at his moment.

The young girl came back with the 3 man and they saw what happened.

'How long is he been missing for?'

'He disappeared 3 days ago.'

Marika looked horrified at this point and fell through her knees.

She now realized that every hour that passes it would mean a month had passed up there.

'How long have I been sleeping?'

"3 hours guardian." The boy said to Marika.

Marika looked at the boy and saw a resemblance of William in him, and she started to calm down a little.

*knock, knock*

'Guardian, I brought over the clan heads and Callan, is it alright for them to enter?'

Marika nodded.

"It's alright you guys can come in."

The 3 man enter and Marika saw Callan and ran up to him, 'Is everybody safe? Are there any injured people?'

Marika still looked spooked and panicked.

"No, everybody got out in time, we only lost a few houses."

Marika sighed a sigh in relieve.

'What about the Crystal that is standing in the middle of the cave?'

"It was buried but we are digging it out as we speak."

Marika then looked at Caligo, Liro.

Marika saw Caligo and he looked exactly like William, she reached in her pocked and gave him the ring she got from William just before she left.

"What's this?"

'I was asked to give this to the family of a good friend of mine if I found them.'

Caligo opened the pouch and saw the ring and recognized it as there family ring.

He read the note that was with it.

To my family,

My name is William Clericus and I accidentally escaped the cave because of my portal magic.

Thanks to the person who gave you this ring, I was able to awaken my stages and found our old home in the human world.

She also was able to tab in to my memories who were sealed as a side effect for stepping through my portal and passed the barrier.

There is a lot more I wanted to tell you but then you would have to give you a book.

Please take care of this girl and help her out so you all can be free again.

Also the crystal that in the center needs to be destroyed so the barrier will lose his efficiently by 70% and this will help out her significantly in destroying it.

She is my dear friend, please protect and aid her in any way.

I'll be waiting for the day you are all free and come to find me.

With kind regards

William Clericus.

Caligo was chocked up a bit and hugged Marika, "How is my son doing."

Marika had a surprised look on her face for a moment but turned in to a warm smile.

'He is doing fine, he is a scholar and also an assistant and friend of His Majesty Richard Lunam.'

Marika looked at the woman 'Did your son William disappeared at the age of 20?'

'Yes he did, he should be 20 years old.'

Marika looked a bit dejected and then said. 'This may come as a shock to you all, but the time flow down her is very different from up there. I calculated that one hour down here is one month up there.'

'Your son William is now 26 years old.'

"So your saying one day down here is 2 years up there?" the boy asked Marika.

'It seems so, and this is a problem for me, because I promised everybody up there I would be back in a year, and since 3 months already have passed up there I only have 9 hours left to get you all out of this hell hole.'

Marika then shifted her focused on Liro.

'Do you by chance have a brother called Carl?'

"Yes I do Guardian."

Marika smiled, 'Just so you know he and a few others never gave up on finding you guys and they are waiting for your return.'

'But he is under the sharp eye of the Astrum clan at the moment and he can't do much, he and the others have to hid their identity. Because if they are found out then you guys would have been in more trouble then you are now. So please don't be angry on him, because his movements and word are restricted it took him quite some time to get my help.'

'Now we need to round up everybody and start preparing for leaving this place.'

'I need to know who can and can't fly, and find a way to carry them.

'Are those people who came down before me still alive?'

"They are and we put them in a cage for now in the middle of the settlement." Callan told Marika.

'Serves them right.' Marika smiled.