Chapter 9: The Empty Sarcophagus

"Eh what in the world could be you three possibly say that's such big news hmm?" Its late like very late and yet this can't even wait till morning?" The tired Clest days as Runi and the other two girls walk into the Brigand leader's room. They each sit down in some wooden chairs. Beattiz and Minikio look to Runi to tell Clest the bad news they recently heard of.

"Ok ok what exactly is going on that has gotten your skippies in a bunch huh?" Clest asked the three girls impatiently. She had bags in her eyes and felt very tired. Runi thought maybe they should hold off till morning,but whatever they were there bow and had Clest's full undivided attention. "Ok so In bot even gonna sugar coat what's happening okay. So we three saw just recently on the Neo News some very informative and juicy stuff." Runi said.

"I'm listening." Clest replied. Runi continued and told Clest the info that seem to intrigue her. "Sparing the details of course, according to the anchorwoman, they found within Fafir's Red Palace a red sarcophagus. It was rumored that's the exact place his deceased daughter Destiny was placed in. Weird thing is though. When we paused just a split frame before the footage could cut away. It was empty. Could it be that Destiny herself is alive still?" Runi wondered. Clest raised a eyebrow and wondered herself what this could even mean.

"Perhaps nothing really, maybe Fafir is keeping her existence a secret and the Destiny we rarely saw was a fake? That or she did indeed die,but was taken somewhere far off. Who knows for sure really." Beatriz added. She bowed her head in front of Clest and also introduced herself. Clest was impressed with her attitude and giggled a little.

"Also Fafir himself escaped, any guards, scouts,sentinels or even warriors of his have abandoned that ruined palace for good. Don't think they'll come back. However,if they so do,well Luna and her motley little crew will handle them. " Minikio said happily.

Clest was very happy to find out some more news and sent the girls to the Living Quarters, the trio slept in beds of their own and they each fell asleep. Soon all was quiet and calm. No sound excepts the wind and the gentle breathing of each of the Brigands members as they slept. Well except Clest. As the interim leader,she had a big responsibility to keep her fellow Brigands and Dalidstadians safe.

What could she do. What would she do? If time couldn't get any slower. "Perhaps Luna should know of this. That or I could sent a small party out to the ruin palace. Maybe they'll find something.

Or maybe they won't find anything. I don't know.'' Clest thought out loud. With a quick glance at her window to check the weather, she realized that it wasn't the best time either. But it wasn't raining anymore and it looked like the sun wouldn't start rising for another few hours anyway. So she got up from her bed and began her usual morning routine,while she was thinking of things to do later.

She went about with her daily activities like the others. "Alright you two,you know the deal. STRIP!!" A female Brigand guard said making sure Runi and Minikio held there and of their punishment. For three long days and three long nights, the pair were to be in the nude.

Both of them grumbled under their breaths and hoped the punishment would be over soon. Beatriz looked away and was given a offical Brigand garb. It featured an pleated leather brown skirt with metal plating adorn to the side, a brown crop top,a black jacket and knee high boots that were a dirty brown. Beatriz happily put it on and wonder what if her two friends?

"Well don't you look spiffy Beatriz. Heh. Figures your already getting accustomed to this place. Ignore these two for a moment. Won't you take up some training lessons? My buddy Mei and her two mute sisters Kay and Winlow and whip ya right into shape. " Clest informed. Beatriz wasn't really a fighter,but she figured if she says no then she too will be punished.

"I..I..okay. Couldn't hurt..Right?" The shy blue hair girl asked. Clest simply giggled and Mei had Beatriz follow her to the training room as for the two naked girls. Clest made them clean the walls,cafeteria, carpets and even the living quarters themselves. Runi and Minikio were embarrassed, yet reluctantly they continued to serve their punishment.

"Maybe next time, you two will follow orders. Now I need to think on how I'm gonna break this sarcophagus news to Luna. Hmm..Perhaps Ember can be reached. I just hope that green haired idiot isn't causing everyone too much trouble." Clest says as she folds her arms.

Meanwhile back at the Hidden Base. Lunazou is still in one piece. The fused girl is already getting along well with all the inhabitants of the Hidden Base. Silvia holds Lunazou's hand and smiles. She made her cookies and also lemonade. "I hope you like it. Also your very cute with those green eyes of yours hehe." Silvia giggles. Lunazou messily eats the cookies and hugs her friend. The other girls crowd around the fused girl and wonder just how powerful she is.

"It is interesting that you two have been one for nearly two weeks almost. Doesn't it get uncomfortable?" Ivanka asks. "Well we do miss being just Luna and Azou,but this is like a bonding excercise, plus..Azou is my best friend and so is Luna. I can't separate from them." The girl cutely replied.

"Such a sweety. Sadly you'll have to become two people again. Miss Lunazou, just remember that it was two sisters equal love,bonding and joy that made you." Saruna said as she sat in front of the taller girl. Lunazou noticed Ember was on a call and figured she needed company.

The blue girl gently brushed passed her friends and floated in the air to see what was up with the lonely Ember.

"Hi Ember,how are you doing today?" Lunazou spoke with a soft tone. Ember was a little shocked by the things she heard over the phone. She was so enveloped with the stunning news she just received she did not hear Lunazou. That was until the girl tapped her shoulder. "Ember? You okie? What's wrong?" Lunazou asked concerningly.

"Oh uh..Lunazou..um I got some info from Clest. Three girls just enrolled into our Brigand ranks not too long ago. Which is good and all that, but that's not the concerning news." Ember paused. "Then what is?" Lunazou responded.

"According to Clest,she was told by the new recruits, that..Fafir escaped the ruined Red Palace. That's not all,but a sarcophagus was found in the midst of the rubble..what could that mean?" Ember wondered. Shocked by this news Lunazou immediately split back into Luna and Azou. The two sisters were now themselves again. But there was little time to celebrate that fact.

"Hold the phone. Are you saying that..Fafir is on the loose?" Azou asked Ember. The green haired girl nodded and mentioned more details on the sarcophagus. "According to the Neo News. It was a red sarcophagus, rumors have been speculated that it was once holding Destiny in it. If that is true then..where the heck is Destiny herself?" Ember concluded.

Luna pondered this and thought of the first person to ask. "Since Papa is Lord of Death,maybe he knows of her. It couldn't hurt to bring it up. Wait here you two." Luna stated. She flies off and lands in front of a ecstatic Silvia. She hugged and squeezed Luna so tight. The girl couldn't breathe.

"I'm so glad your not Lunazou anymore mmm..My purple girlfriend is back. And ya know what that means?" Silvia happily sanged. She held Luna's small feminine hands and looked her into the eyes with the most sultry grin. "Uh..not right now okay Silvia..I gotta ask Papa something very important. " Luna said trying to free herself from her girlfriend's clutches.

"No no no..I've been waiting for weeks and I'm sure you have Luna. Whatever it is. It can wait now come on..We need some..Us time." Silvia said. She had a good grip on Luna's arm not letting her go. Not even for a moment.

"Come on..Silviaaaa..Honey please..I just need to talk with Papa for a few minutes. I promise I'll be quick okay?" Luna pleaded. Silvia wasn't budging. Though Luna was vastly stronger than her significant other she didn't want to hurt her by accident. So she used her small fingers to reach under Silvia's arm pits and tickled her until she let Luna go. This gave Luna just enough time to find her Papa and have a little chat with him.

"Mmm..that was dirty..FINE..I'll be waiting in our bedroom, but you owe me big Luna ya hear?!" Silvia yelled. Luna begrudgingly shook her head and rushed off to her father who was reading a good book.

"Hi Papa. Um sorry to bother your reading,but Ember hit me with some pretty big news." Luna says with bated breath. Her father lowers the book and looks at his daughter with his grey eyes. "Do tell my youngest daughter, what news could be of such importance?" The deity asked.

"Basically Fafir escaped the ruined Red Palace, prisoners and all those who served him also fled the scene. What was interesting according to Ember and the Neo News. A red sarcophagus was found and lead to be believed that's were Destiny was placed." Luna concluded.

Zuma placed his book on the coffee table and wondered for any additional news. "What else my daughter?" He asked. "Well um..the sarcophagus was found..empty. " Luna said nervously. "What!! Empty..then that means she could more than likely be alive. I have no records of a Destiny McFringe in my Soul Record. I have checked when Fafir blamed you that one time." Zuma says giving Luna the nessacary info she needed.

"S..should I tell Nea this Papa?" Luna asks. Her father lifts her off her feet and kisses her on the cheek. "Do what you think is right my daughter. I have faith that you. You Luna Senla Louise Hrotha will do the right thing." Says her father with a chuckle. He places Luna back down on her feet and sends her on her way.

Luna figures the next thing she should do is talk with Nea and her son Psion. She hoped they have a idea on what to do next.