Author Note from Alexia Akurei Herself:

I am terribly sorry I have not updated in a long time. I had a small writers blog and I have been very busy with school and preparing for the SAT and ACTs. However, I have good news and bad news to inform you about.

1. Good News: I don't have writer's block anymore. I know what to put up next! ^.^ YAY!

2. Bad News: School work just got even harder.

I promise I will try to update on late Saturdays (most readers probably wont get it until Sunday) but chapters may be a bit short. We will see.

I love all you guys who are reading my fic! ~Alexia~

Chapter 9: Thatz Missing

            Raimei sat in silence throughout breakfast and even had a hard time shoving pancakes into her mouth. Even Rune seemed to be in some sort of trance while eating his meal. It was quite…too quite. After every bite she would take, Nadil’s words would fill her mind. However, the silence was quickly filled with another sound that was equally disturbing in a few days to come.

            “Brother! I believe Rath is back to full health!” Certa shyly smiled as she mentioned Rath’s name. Raimei quickly got out of her seat and held Certa’s hands.

            “Please Certa…tell me Thatz is okay and not too injured!” Raimei began to cry and hoped with her life that he was unharmed.

            “Um…He is fine Raimei and moving about. In fact, I told him to buy some food for us last night but he still hasn’t returned. I’m sure he will be thrilled to see that you are feeling better. He said he wanted to talk to you when you woke up…Honest!” Certa bowed and grabbed a plate of pancakes but made sure there was enough for Rath and Thatz to eat later.

            “What do you mean he isn’t back yet?”

            “Oh probably gambling as usual Raimei. I wouldn’t worry about it too much. He usually gives up around noon,” Certa stated as she sat down to eat.

~The next day~

            “Hey Raimei! Want to come on a demon hunt with me?” Rath grinned and poked Raimei until she would agree. He had healed rather quickly and was ready for anything. Even if it included demon hunting all day.

            However, Raimei sat in silence and didn’t even notice Rath’s constant poking until Rath started waving lemon bars in front of her face.

            “Rath…I’m getting concerned. Thatz still hasn’t returned and something could be wrong. What if Nadil is out there?” Raimei bit her lip and still continued to look out the window she had been staring out of for the last ten hours.

            Rath stopped poking her and looked out the window with her and laid his hand on her shoulder. “Trust me Raimei. If Nadil was out there we would know. As for Thatz, I would give him a few more hours before worrying over him too much,”

            “Thanks Rath, you’re so kind,”

            However, hours passed and Thatz still had not returned to the castle. Certa and Rune started getting sick which was similar to what Thatz has earlier when Raimei was gone. Their face would get pale and shake all over as in total shock. Days passed by after that and they couldn’t even eat. Even Rune or Certa’s faerie spells couldn’t work. Thatz still had not returned home and Raimei was beginning to panic. She decided to stay up all night, every night, by Thatz’s door and wait until he would come home to sleep. After a week, he finally came back.

            “Thatz-san…it looks like you are alive after all!” Raimei ran and hugged a very tired Thatz who just wanted to go to bed on an average 3:00 AM day.

            “Lose the formalities Raimei. I am tired and I wish to sleep,”

            “Aren’t you going to tell me where you have been for two weeks? We were all worried about you! We thought you were attacked by Nadil and…”

            “Don’t talk such nonsense Raimei. He may be cruel but he won’t go that far. Now can you please be quite and let me sleep?!”

            “Thatz! What is wrong with you! You have changed…”

            “Nothing is wrong Raimei…now leave me alone!”

            “Thatz! Stop this! What is wrong with you?!”

            “Raimei I am warning you…”

            “Thatz…I’m sorry I….”

            “QUITE CREATURE!” Without any warning, Thatz pulled her into the air by gripping her shirt and threw her against the wall. Summoning Earth, his eyes were filled with anger and he drew his sword and pointed it to her neck. “Miss Raimei Florite…you may be powerful young knight of thunder, but your death shall occur sooner than you expect!”

~Next chapter: What in the world is Thatz thinking?! Will Raimei be spared by the horrible death? Will Rune and Certa be healed in time before they starve to death? All next time~

Mini/Side Story: Raimei’s B-day

Certa: Ok guys! When Raimei comes inside the door you know what to do right?

Rune: Right!

Thatz: Gotcha! Hey look…cake!

Certa: Stay away from the cake…Rune and I made that for her late last night so no touchie ok?

Thatz: ::pouts:: fine

Rath: Tell me why we are celebrating her birthday a day early?

Certa: So she won’t expect anything! It will be a total surprise!

Thatz: Hey look! Cupcakes too!

Rune: ::twitch:: Don’t touch the food.

Rath: This is going to be so much fun! Hey! Are we going to play pin the tail on the demon again? Can we use a real demon this time?

Certa and Rune: NO!

Thatz: ::drooling:: and…chips too…

Rune and Certa: NO TOUCHIE!

Rath: How old is she turning?

Certa: She is MUCH younger than all of us. This will be her first birthday as a dragon knight! ^.^ I’m so proud of her.

Rune: I’ve never seen you so excited before…

Certa: Why should I not be? I have an excuse for not eating Rath’s cooking!

Rath: I HEARD THAT!

Rune: I think that was the point…

Thatz: cupcakes… ::Drool::

Certa: Quite guys! I think I hear her! Everyone! Run to your hiding places!

(Everyone hides and the door opens)

Raimei: Hey guys! I brought home some turkey for dinner tonight! I..hey? Where is everyone? Why is it all dark?

(Silence)

Raimei: Hmmm...Well, Certa probably went shopping for another sword for Rath cuz he keeps breaking it. Rune is probably running errands. Thatz is probably asleep somewhere…and perhaps Rath is on another demon hunt…

Rath: DEMON?! WHERE?

Raimei: ::blinks:: That’s funny…I think I just heard Rath…

Everyone else: SURPRISE!

(they all jump out and turn the lights on )

Everyone except Raimei: HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Raimei: Awww! You guys are so sweet!

Certa: I made a cake for you!

Rune: I helped too! ^_^

Rath: I killed a demon just for you!

Thatz: That’s a pretty sad gift..

Rath: Hey! Demon jewels are very rare to get nowadays! Open my gift first Raimei!

(opening gifts.)

Thatz: This cake is great!

Raimei: “To my dearest and best friend, may your life be filled with adventure and fun. Oh yes…and lemon squares! From your best friend, Certa.” Aw! Thanks Certa!

Certa: welcome! Open it!

Raimei: ::opens gift:: Thank you! I always wanted a yellow dragon stuffed animal!

Thunder: ::holds up sign:: Am I not good enough for you?

Raimei: ^.^ You are my favorite…don’t worry!

Thunder: No male dragon is getting close to me…

Raimei: It’s a stuffed animal Thunder…it’s not real

Thunder: Thank goodness!

Rath: You said you were going to open my gift first. ::pouts::

Raimei: Oh alright! I’ll open yours now

Rath: No…you ruined it…you don’t deserve it now.

Raimei: I’ll give you a demon!

Rath: ::hands present over::

Raimei: ::opens gift:: (there was no card) Aw thanks Rath! Demon jewels are so hard to find now!

Rath: ^_^ welcome!

Rune: May I bestow my gift now?

Raimei: :: No need to be so formal

Thatz: ::mumbles under breath::

Raimei: (too lazy to write out Rune’s card) Rune! You got me a…a sacred jewel emerald necklace? I thought….only faeries could have these…

Rune: They have special faerie power yes. They forever protect the person and saves them from death.

Raimei: ::bright red:: These are….so expensive though and so hard to find

Rune: It is no problem

Thatz: ::mumbles “show off”::

Raimei: Thanks so much for the gifts guys! I loved it!

(Night-time falls)

Thatz: Raimei…I need to talk to you for a second…before you go to sleep.

Raimei: Oh that’s fine! I was planning to only stay up and read my book for a little bit. What’s up?

Thatz: Can we talk outside?

Raimei: Sure! Walls have ears they say.

(outside)

Thatz: First of all…I..I…I like to say I’m sorry.

Raimei: For what Thatz? The party was great! Certa even said you made the pasta for dinner! That was the best part!

Thatz: ::slight blush:: I’m glad! Really! But…what I want to say is…I don’t have a really big gift to give you tonight.

Raimei: Thatz…you don’t have to get me a gift. It’s really ok! The dinner was an excellent gift enough and you talking to me tonight is even a better one.

Thatz: Yes well…I would like to give you a small gift. I just sort of felt embarrassed to give it to you in front of everyone.

Raimei: Why were you so embarrassed? I’m sure you give excellent gifts!

Thatz: Perhaps…I’ll let you decide on that.

Raimei: ^.^ I’m sure I’ll love it.

Thatz: Then please…accept my gift. ::embraces Raimei and they fall into a long kiss::

Raimei: ::bright red:: Thatz I…I don’t understand…

Awww how cute! Happy birthday Raimei! Enjoy your big day tomorrow!

~End of side story~

(Sorry I haven't updated in awhile. I have been very busy but here is the next chapter for you! ^.^)

Chapter 8: Nadil Gets the Last Word.

            Raimei screamed after what had happened. Before anything could happen to her, Thatz stood in front of Raimei and took the blow instead. A sharp pain shot throughout his body and blood started to pour from deep within his chest. Cursing to himself, Thatz covered his wound with his other hand while holding his sword in the other.

            The on-going battle between with Certa, Rath, Rune, Shydeman, and Shyrendora was not going well as planned either. Rath had a terrible wound and blood was everywhere in their area. Certa’s arm was badly damaged but at least she was still standing. Rune wasn’t hurt except for a couple of scratches and was the main fighter over there for the time being. However, the battle was getting worse for the dragon knights and they were all falling, one by one. Thatz and Rath were collapsed on the floor unconscious from lack of blood and their conditions were only taking a turn for the worse.

            With Certa’s help, Rune managed to destroy Shydeman and Shyrendora quickly and ran to Raimei’s side to help take care of Nadil. Certa’s job was to treat Rath and Thatz’s wounds so they wouldn’t bleed to death. The scent of death covered the area and Raimei grew more fearful at every moment. Where is lord L? Ruwalk? Cesia? Why are they all missing?

            “Silly, silly girl. You are far too young to be a dragon knight. How old are you knight of thunder?” Nadil chuckled as he slashed his sword toward Raimei who quickly blocked and pushed his sword away. Nadil lost his grip and dropped the sword and she quickly grabbed it and held both swords in her hands/

            “Old enough to kick your butt. Now let this be your lesson, NEVER ASK A WOMAN HER AGE!!!! THUNDER SWORD!!!!” Thunder surrounded both swords and they landed a direct hit on Nadil who smiled.

            “Nice job. You managed to get a scratch…”

            “Stay away from her unless you wish to die an early death Nadil. Leave this castle if you know what is good for you!” Rune fixed a death glare and held his sword up to Nadil’s neck. He only laughed again but quickly teleported away while saying these final words for now, “You may be powerful young knight of thunder, but your death shall occur sooner than you expect.”

~~~~~Next Day~~~~~

            “Raimei...Raimei…Raimei…do you want breakfast?” A familiar voice surrounded the room and a small smile was on his face as he gently laid his hand on her forehead.

            “Still have a fever I see. Well, I made pancakes today. You said that was your favorite right? At least…if I remember correctly. Thatz is feeling better and is his normal self. Certa said Rath is slowly getting better and she healed the worse of his wounds,” He still smiled as he looked into Raimei’s eyes.

            “Rune? Is that you?” Raimei rubbed her eyes and found herself staring into his beautiful light blue eyes. His eyes were filled with deep concern for her and she slightly blushed.

            Rune smiled as he helped her get up out of bed. However, even though Raimei was overjoyed Rune was accompanying her to breakfast, she couldn’t stop thinking of what Nadil’s parting words before he left the castle.

“You may be powerful young knight of thunder, but your death shall occur sooner than you expect.”

~In the next chapter, Raimei starts to investigate more about what Nadil meant by that quote. However, her research is cut short when Rune and Certa come down with some sort of sickness. And why has Thatz been leaving the castle for so many days and returning so late at night without telling anyone where he was going? All in the next chapter…~

Side/Mini Story: Julius Caesar

Raimei: I know! Let's do a play!

Rath: You GOT to be kidding me.

Thatz: What sick idea does she have now?

Certa: A play! ^.^

Raimei: We will perform...the Tragedy Of Julius Caesar!

Rath: You're....kidding me right?

~ A few minutes later~