The Queen and Saran had been riding for more than three quarters of a day. The mid-day break at the peak of the sun's rise had already come and gone, and Saran was beginning to need a rest. Cyan had slowly been able to put her dreams of the night behind her, but was still bothered by the intense powers her mother possessed.

"Thanks for letting us take horses this time." Cyan said with a smile.

"Well, considering where we are, I'd rather move as fast as possible. Plus, in the middle of the night, the horses can make a nice wall of defense if need be." Saran laughed and then pointed up ahead.

"Speaking of which. Those caves up there should help with the other three walls. And, before the Queen here gets a little more aggressive in her pursuit; might I remind you that my butt isn't completely healed."

Cyan smiled at Saran and shook her head slowly. "I'm sorry Saran. I know how hard I was pushing us to ride today, and I should have been willing to slow the pace. I guess I'm just anxious to get where we're going."

"Or just anxious to be further away where we left." Saran finished quietly. Cyan looked at her and Saran smiled at her friend. "It's okay Cyan; I understand."

"Thanks Saran. I know I have never told you this, but every now and then I do appr….." before the Queen could finish, her horse reared up in the air and dropped her flat on her back.

Saran looked around quickly and saw the various figures beginning to appear from out of the cloudy dusk that seemed to consume every inch of this realm. "I'm really beginning to dislike this place." She mumbled to herself.

Cyan slowly rose up on one elbow and rubbed the back of her head. She felt the point of a sword at her neck and could make out the face of the ugliest man she had ever laid eyes on. "Well, I certainly don't think it's ever going to catch on as a vacation spot." Cyan said finishing Saran's original train of sarcasm.

"Get to your feet peasant woman!" the man jabbed Cyan in the shoulder and she saw a small trickle of blood start down her already wounded arm. She thought briefly about Vorpax's warning and reconsidered the counter-attack she had in mind. She might be beyond mortal wounding, but until her powers evened out, she didn't see any reason to spend the next couple of nights in little bitsy immortal pieces. Saran must have been thinking the same, because she dismounted without a word when the other men closed in.

"Where did you find these horses?" the man yelled at Cyan, roughly yanking her to her feet. "Women of your means could not have gotten them through any other way but theft. These horses belong to the kingdom of Kahn and you will be punished for your crime."

"You idiot," Saran began. "These horses wouldn't follow any man with a face as ugly as yours. So, why don't you just……." The back of the man's hand came crashing across Saran's face and sent her to the ground. Cyan moved towards her friend, but was stopped almost instantly with additional pressure by the sword at her neck.

"Pick her up and bind her hands." The ugly man ordered to his group. "I'll tie this one myself." he said with a knowing grin.

Cyan twirled and removed a small blade from the man's belt. She flipped up and over his head thrusting backwards as she landed. The ugly man fell face forward into the earth, his own blade protruding from his back. She quickly grabbed two swords from the on-coming soldiers, slicing through them as they advanced. Saran had already taken out three of the remaining soldiers, leaving the Queen and her warrior an even fight.

Cyan threw Saran a sword, and watched it as it fell to the ground beside her. Saran looked at the Queen strangely, and turned back to face the charging thug. A slight smile came to the Queen's lips as she turned back to her own enemy. "Saran didn't take the sword." Cyan thought to herself. "The dream had her holding a sword." Cyan shook her head in annoyance. "Of course it had her holding a sword. It was only a dream. Get a grip Cyan, dreams are nothing more than godly manipulation."

The Queen watched as the last of the ugly man's thugs rushed her with his sword. The Queen was amazed at the speed and strength that the OutWorld warriors possessed. It was more than just her slower powers she thought; the fighting in OutWorld was harder, more intense somehow. The Queen heard the sound of a body dropping to the ground behind her and knew instantly that Saran was waiting for her Queen to finish up. A sudden rage swelled within Cyan and she felt the building of the last weeks suddenly rise to the surface. She thrust forward with all her might; watching as the man collapsed in front of her. The sword had gone all the way through the thug's body and was bloodied to its hilt. She turned and saw Saran staring alternately between her and the sword. Cyan dropped the sword down on top of the man's chest and turned to her horse.

"Let's go." Cyan said; not wanting to discuss anything.

"Why don’t you go up to the cave and make camp; I’ll take care of the bodies." Saran had already begun to move the bodies of the fallen thugs.

"I said let’s go." Cyan was a mixture of anger and eagerness; she wanted nothing more than to be away from this place. "And let's just hope those weren't the helpful guys my mother was talking about or this is going to be a very long trip."

Seeing the Queen’s agitation, Saran walked over to her horse, grabbed the reigns and handed them to Cyan. "I don’t know what’s wrong, but leaving these bodies here will only bring attention to us; eventually. Besides that, the cave is probably the safest place for us tonight. Go ahead, I’ll clean up while you set up camp." She had tried to keep her voice conciliatory, and was hoping that Cyan would not take it in the wrong way.

She knew Saran was right, but she also knew Kahn would find them soon enough. The Queen was growing weary of playing these games of OutWorld. Cyan’s voice dropped to nothing more than a flat unemotional tone, "Are you disobeying me Saran, or trying to babysit me? I can assure you neither one will work."

"I'm doing neither. I’m only trying to follow your advice." Saran then backed up and bowed her head to Cyan. "We have been riding all day, and this little excursion has taken its toll on both of us. Please my Queen. Let me finish here and I’ll be up at camp soon."

Cyan looked down, realizing that Saran was only doing what she needed to do for their safety, and what she herself had said to do before they had left. Cyan dropped the subject and turned the horses, making her way up the hill to the cave.

Saran stood and watched Cyan for a few seconds before doing the grisly job of cleaning up. It wasn’t something she did often, but she knew that if they left the bodies here it would cause more problems than it was worth. As she cleaned she saw the sword Cyan had thrown to her in the middle of the skirmish. "What were you thinking Cyan?" The thought didn’t last long however, she had a lot to do before she could meet Cyan up at the camp.

**********

Cyan reached the caves and made sure it was secure. Pulling the bedrolls and saddlebags from the horses she set up camp for the two of them. As she busied herself, she couldn’t help but go through the events of the day, especially the last thug she had killed. Saran was right, she was tired, and the fight didn’t make it easier. So she continued to set up the area and decided to cook them dinner.

The stew was almost ready when Saran walked into the camp. She pet both horses, checking to make sure they were each cooled after their long day of riding. She was hesitating coming closer to the fire when she heard Cyan speak to her.

"Dinner is almost ready." Cyan had laid out the bedrolls and was currently sitting on hers while cutting up some bread.

"Good. I’m hungry." A still weary Saran sat down on her bedroll and began to dish out some stew.

Cyan looked over, watching as Saran seemed to inhale the food. "Thanks." Saran nodded her head at Cyan, not saying anything more. Cyan felt that she should say something. If those thugs hadn’t shown up. . .No. She couldn’t do that, she couldn’t wish for what wasn’t to be. "You're right, I’m tired. I think we should make an early night of it."

"I was thinking. I’ll keep watch the first half, and sleep later." Looking at Cyan, Saran raised her eyebrows. "We are keeping watch, right?"

"Of course, but are you sure you want the first watch? I mean, you must be tired after….. after cleaning up?"

"Yeah, I'm sure. I’m just not ready to sleep yet."

Cyan didn't argue any further. She could barely keep her eyes open at all, almost as if something were forcefully dragging her into the night. She laid down, once again falling into a restless sleep.

*********

Saran made small designs in the dirt as she sat watch. The Queen wasn’t sleeping well, but still she thought, any sleep at all should help at this point. Saran thought back to something Ashana had told her once not long after coming to the Island. "In all the years I have known her Saran, I have never once seen the Queen sleep well"….

Cyan sat up in a cold sweat. Saran looked over to her "ok?" Cyan nodded her head and then laid back down. She struggled to keep her eyes from shutting but slowly she slipped back into the night.

This time Cyan got up off the ground and began to pace. Saran was no where to be seen, but the horses were still there. She bent down to throw another branch into the fire, but none were left. That was when Saran walked back into camp.

"Up already? I looked around, no one but us here." Saran said as she added the wood she had gathered during her reconnaissance mission.

"You're on watch. Where have you been?" The anger in her voice couldn’t be hidden. Something she regretted as soon as she heard herself.

"I just thought I told you. I was making sure that no one else was around, and gathering wood." Sitting back down on her bedroll Saran watched as Cyan continued to pace. "Are you ok? Anything I can do?"

Cyan stopped her pacing and looked down at Saran. "No. Thanks though. I was just having a bad dream. You weren’t here and I guess I over reacted."

"Understandable. Since your up, and it’s about time for your shift, mind if I go to sleep?"

"No. . .no. . .go ahead, get some sleep." Cyan then walked out past the horses and looked up in the sky. "Someone should." She quietly finished her thought.

********

The Queen shook her head and walked a cup of coffee over to Saran's bedroll and left it silently alongside the sleeping warrior. Soon its aroma began to bring Saran out of her deep sleep and into the land of the living.

"Hmmm. . . something smells good. . .coffee?." She finally said, somewhat surprised.

Cyan laughed, "Believe it or not Saran; the first thing I learned as a Queen was how to make a good cup of coffee. It's my first line of defense. And it’s decaf! At least yours is." Cyan smiled, Saran’s addiction to caffeine was well known, and rather dangerous to anyone around her. She paused before continuing. "Saran, about last night…."

"Don’t think about it. From the way you were sleeping last night, well let’s just say I understand and leave it at that. Anyway, I’m surprised we can actually sleep in this place." Saran smiled and took a sip of her coffee.

The Queen smiled back gratefully, and stared at her warrior. "Saran, have you ever had dreams that are so real you actually feel like you're living them?" Cyan took another sip of her own coffee.

"Sure." Saran said, not really thinking twice about the Queen's comment. "I think it happens to everyone at one time or another, and maybe some of us more than the rest. The Dreamworld is a strange realm Cyan, but at least one you can wake from." Saran got out of her bedroll and began to get ready as the Queen walked outside of the cave to finish her coffee and take one last look around.

"And if you don't feel like you're truly waking from it Saran; but instead you feel as if you bring a piece of it with you each time you come back; what then?" Cyan shook her head and tried to harness her thoughts. OutWorld was its own challenge, she certainly didn't need to bother Saran with the weight of her dreams. The Queen threw out the last of her coffee and disappeared back inside the cave to finish getting ready.

********

"We have been watching the streets and marketplace for more than an hour now, I think they lied to us Cyan."

"Be patient Saran. The men we met are the right ones, and if they truly are aligned with Kitana, they are well aware of my powers and abilities."

Saran rolled her eyes and went back to leaning heavily on her arms. "Well, let's just hope they think those powers of yours are at full strength Eunice, or we're both sittin' ducks out here."

Saran was right. If the men didn't hurry up, they would have to leave soon anyway. By this time, Cyan was sure Kahn knew she was here and it would not be long before Daddy to the 12th power decided to have a little chat with his prodigal daughter.

Just then two robed figures moved up silently behind the Queen and her warrior. "Don't make a sound, either of you. Get up and walk towards the building down to your left." The robed figures shoved Cyan and Saran forward, hurrying them down the street and into a small building with a large wooden gate. Once inside, the figure to the left pressed his sword sharply at the base of Saran's neck. "Who are you waiting for Outlander?"

Saran glanced briefly at the Queen and then back at the figure. The other robed individual continued to stare at Cyan and slowly lowered the sword of the other. "Cyan?" came the whisper, as the robed figure lowered her hood. "It really is you." A brilliant smiled shown from the face of a young woman who seemed to be no more than in her twenties.

"Immortality has been kind to you Kitana." The Queen and her friend laughed as they embraced in a long and heart felt embrace.

Saran looked on with quiet amusement. It was good to see the Queen smiling again. She suspected it had been far too long since the Queen had felt the love of a close or childhood friend that didn't haunt her with dark memories. The princess was indeed beautiful and most certainly immortal. She had raven black hair and eyes like the ocean. Her skin was far darker than any Saran had seen with hair and eyes the color that she had. She suspected that Kahn had quite an attraction for his step-daughter, which explained why Kitana had been allowed to live.

"This is my friend Saran, Princess; a good friend."

Kitana shook the warrior's hand and smiled warmly. "I'm sure she must be to follow you to the likes of OutWorld. I promise you Saran, at one time this was a beautiful place to come, and with your help, maybe one day will be again. Come, I have safer places not far from here in which we can talk. I hope that you will stay the night, but more than that neither of us can risk Cyan."

The Queen nodded, and she and Saran followed the Princess out a back entrance and through the streets of the village.

*******

Kitana's followers were very receptive to the Queen and her friend. They had spent the night laughing and dancing, and recounting the years of OutWorld before Kahn had come. Saran had to admit, she could see now how Cyan had once been happy here. The Princess was as mysterious as she was beautiful, but there was something even more different about her than Saran could put her finger on. It was a sense of hope that seemed to shine through everything she said and did; it even seemed as if the graying skies didn't touch her the way it did the others. "What is it?" Saran thought to herself; but before she could answer she was swept back up in the laughter of the rooms.

"I'm afraid I must return to Kahn's castle or the streets will be swarming with his men." Kitana explained. "I will return first thing in the morning to see you both safely on your way. My men will not be far from here and you both will be safe as long as you stay within the confines of these walls."

The Princess hugged Cyan fiercely and kissed her on the cheek. "I have missed you for so long Cy; I am glad you have finally come home." Kitana smiled and turned towards Saran, "And you; you better keep your eye on her, she is a rebellious one!" Saran laughed at Kitana's irony and clapped her new friend on the back. "Good night Princess, and sleep well."

Kitana put on her cloak and walked towards the door as the Queen turned to sit down by the fire. The princess touched Saran's arm as she went, "Sleep well my friend, for it is often difficult, when one must sleep with both Death and War so close to your heart."

Saran's look of shock came only seconds after Kitana's departure. "How did she know that?" Saran mused to herself. "This place is getting too freaky." Saran turned to face Cyan.

"Why don't you get some sleep my Queen; you are looking quite tired. Perhaps tonight's sleep will be much less restless with such happy memories fresh on your mind. Besides, Kitana's men are surrounding us as we speak, so neither of us will need to keep watch."

The Queen smiled and rose from her chair. "You're right Saran. I could use the sleep and I'm sure that the dreams will be much more fun this time around."

Saran and Cyan each laid in their beds silently, with their backs toward one another. Both sets of eyes were wide open, but each for a different reason. Saran needed to know why Kitana was the way she was, finding where she lived usually could answer that question; and Cyan, she began to dread more and more the thought of slipping away into the night. Soon though, one pair of eyes gave into its fear, and the other got everything it desired.

*********

Saran waited until she heard Cyan’s breathing pattern change. Silently she slipped out of the bed and to the window. Looking out she tried to ascertain where Kahn’s castle was in comparison to here. Before disappearing, she looked over to where Cyan laid sound asleep. "Forgive me, but I really need to know more about this friend of yours. I can’t just take your word."

She slid down the wall to the ground, silently. Watching over her shoulder, she then headed out towards the middle of the city. Most kings kept their residences in the center of town; more people to go through before you can kill the king. Figuring that in this respect, OutWorld was not much different than Earth, Saran’s logic was sound. She found herself at the gate within minutes, cursing the fact that she hadn’t been here before, she looked for an opening.

As she crept along the side of the building, she heard voices.

"Get out of here with that! You would think that by now you’d know what was required of you?"

"Yes ma'am I’ll be back soon, I’ll do better, swear."

"Don’t you swear at me boy. Get on with you. Don’t forget to lock this door when you're through. This time I won’t be able to spare you!"

"Yes, ma'am.’"

Saran managed to get close enough to see that the exchange of voices came from a cook and the scullery boy. Sitting there watching, she waited until the boy returned. Following close behind him, she managed to see what kind of lock was used on the door. As soon as she could no longer hear noise in the room, she felt in her pocket for her most prized possession, a pickpocket kit. "The only weapon needed is a lock pick." The old phrase came back to her as she picked out the right tool to do the job.

********

Cyan turned quickly, dislodging the dream from her mind.

*******

Saran cut through the kitchen and into a hallway. Quieter than a cat, she stalked through the halls looking for stairs that would lead her to the living quarters. Pausing every few feet or so, making sure she wasn’t seen; Saran pressed herself against a door to wait. As she stood there, unmoving, she heard voices coming down the hall. Silently she opened the door and entered the room.

It was a study of some sort, bookcases lined the walls and there were a couple of chairs and a couch. The furniture was arched around the fireplace, which had a steady flame burning in it. On the table, situated in the middle were some half drunken cups of tea, and a few opened books. Off to the side of the door was an indent in the wall, going over to investigate she managed to press herself into the darkness when she heard the door open. The same voices that she heard in the hall where now entering the room, and for some reason both sounded vaguely familiar.

*******

Cyan again flipped over, dislodging the vision from her mind.

********

Saran watched as Kitana walked into the room, followed close by Aphrodite. The mixed emotions Saran felt was pushed aside so that she could listen to what they were saying.

"Well duh? What did you expect Kitana? Someone taller?"

"Yes! You’ve seen how tall both Ares and Celestia are, how can she be so. . .so short?"

"Well, you have a point. But trust me, that’s her. I should know, I practically raised her." Aphrodite had gone over to the couch and sat down; forcing Kitana to sit across from her with her back towards Saran.

"Then what are they both doing here? Kahn would love to get his hands on Cyan, but at least his hands are tied by the laws of the realms when it comes to her. But, if he got his hands on both of them. . ."

"We’d all pay the price. I know Kitana, but you need to keep the faith. You need to believe that there is a reason for all of this. I was as surprised as you to hear Saran was here, but we need to get both of them out of here before anything happens."

"Dite, I know, but what do I tell them. Cyan will want me to return with them, and I can’t." Kitana leaned forward into her hands as Aphrodite moved closer to her.

"Cyan knows you must stay here, but you'll need to think of something to speed her along. She is as stubborn as her mother sometimes, and quite a bit more powerful. We have to keep them both away from Kahn and make sure he doesn’t try to use Saran against Ares."

"If Kahn intends to use Saran against Ares, Ares will certainly take Olympia." Kitana began to pace around the room. "Olympia must not be harmed Aphrodite, or it will change the balance of everything. I can assure you, Kahn will not stay out of Earth Realm if he finds his daughter missing or dead. And by that point, I am sure not even Cyan will attempt to stop him because of her own anger."

"I know that Kitana; but Olympia's death will bring more than just Kahn. Bajarat will have no choice but to return to Earth Realm after her daughter's death. Once Cyan learns that her own niece was slaughtered by an Olympia god, Kahn will use it to bring her rage to all the realms. I know Cyan, and if she feels she has been backed into a corner and tricked, she will begin to focus her powers on her own sense of justice. If that happens Kitana, everything we've been fighting to undo will be lost."

Saran felt as if she had just gotten kicked in the stomach. She no longer wanted to be here, but she had to learn more.

Kitana then got up from the chair. "I need to go, if Kahn finds you here he’ll. . ."

"I know." Aphrodite said as she stood up and hugged Kitana. "Go on, I’ll leave as soon as I know your safe in your room."

Kitana looked at Aphrodite for a second, then turned and left the room.

********

"So Saran, are you going to say hi to your Auntie Aphrodite?"

Stepping out from the indent, Saran glared at her aunt. "Take it you knew I was here the entire time?"

"Well duh?" Aphrodite smiled at Saran, then rushed over and drew her into a hug.

"Aphrodite? It’s not really a good time for a family reunion; Ok?" Saran pushed Aphrodite away so that she could look at her. "Olympia is the daughter of Kahn, and Bajarat is her mother?"

"You're so good! I knew I could count on you to figure that out? So, now that you know, what are you going to do?" Saran was too busy thinking to notice that Aphrodite had asked the question with slightly more than a hint that there was far more to what she had asked than she intended to reveal.

"I don’t know." Saran frowned as she thought over all that she had heard.

"You know, you’re much prettier when you smile. Maybe you should smile more?"

Smirking at Aphrodite, Saran asked. "Aphrodite, why are you here?"

"I have to have some secrets from you Saran. So, do you remember where you’re staying?"

Saran nodded her head, she barely finished when Aphrodite moved her hand making the two of them disappear.

*********

Cyan sat up in the bed. The darkness of the room seemed to fill her senses but did nothing to slow down her breathing. She turned to find Saran lying in bed, breathing deep and even; obviously sleeping soundly.

Saran opened her eyes, keeping her breath even as to not make Cyan suspicious. Aphrodite managed to bring her back here, depositing her in the bed moments before Cyan awoke. Keeping still, Saran closed her eyes, hoping against hope that Cyan had no clue that she had left the room that night.

********

"Are you sure your powers are back?" Saran was lying on the ground catching some 'sun' through the dank of OutWorld as Cyan "practiced" using her powers. Ok, so it was more like Cyan was standing still, with sweat pouring from her brow as she continuously stared at a rock. The Queen had allowed Saran to talk her into this stupid practice session in the hopes it would help to alleviate some of the uneasiness Cyan still felt from last nights' dreams.

"For the umpteenth time Saran, yes. I felt more alert and agile during our last bout." Cyan was concentrating so hard on the rock, she didn’t bother to look over to Saran. Which, truth to be told, was probably a good thing.

Saran was busy battling her ability to hold her laughter in. She really did feel for the Queen, learning to harness your abilities was hard enough, but it was even harder for someone who had denied them for so long. Not knowing what exactly Cyan’s powers were made it difficult for Saran to do much to help. She knew that some of the powers were the same for everyone. The ability to throw someone for example was a basic power. Saran’s teleporting ability seemed to be linked with Ares, and some of the other Grecian gods. With Cyan’s mixture of pedigrees, what powers she had were a mystery to both of them.

Saran got up and walked over to her friend. "So what’s the problem here? You didn’t seem to have a problem sending me across the room."

Cyan let out a sigh of frustration before looking down at Saran. "Yes, but the rock here isn’t pissing me off either. So, either make it piss me off, or get lost!"

Saran bent down and looked at the rock. She mentally made the rock move about an inch from it’s former position. "Now rock, I understand the fact that you don’t have an intelligence of sorts, but Queenie here would like you to piss her off so she can throw you." Saran then stood up laughing. Looking fondly at the Queen, she said. "Well, apparently the rock doesn’t want to move; heck it only moved an inch for me. So why don’t you pick another subject? Like me."

Saran then proceeded in taunting Cyan, trying to get her to use her powers. Cyan wasn’t biting at first, but after a while Saran really started to dig in and get on the Queen's nerves. It seemed to be a natural tendency; one that she and her warrior were going to have to work on. Saran continued to push Cyan's buttons until suddenly she felt her feet leave the earth and found herself flying backwards about fifty feet and landing on her still sore bottom. "That’s it! See, you can do it! I knew you could."

Cyan started to walk towards Saran. "Sure, so anytime I want to use them, I just need you to make me mad?! Saran that’s not going to work!"

Saran, seeing Cyan walking towards her held up her hands to stop her. "Stop coming towards me." Cyan stopped. "Good. Now tell me exactly what you were thinking when you sent me flying."

"I was thinking how nice it would be to see you up in the air and flying backwards about fifty paces!"

"Ok, so now, think about how nice it would be to see me picked up and brought closer to you; a little more gently this time."

Cyan looked at Saran as if she had lost her mind; however she figured that it wouldn’t hurt to try. So she closed her eyes and concentrated; she imagined Saran being lifted into the air, brought over closer to her and being placed on her feet in front of Cyan. Once she had finished her imagining, she opened her eyes to see Saran standing before her.

"You got up and came here on your own, right?"

Saran smiled at her. "Nope. I was lifted into the air and floated over here, only to be placed on my feet before you. Is that what you imagined?"

"Yes. But how. . ."

Saran stopped the Queen from continuing. "Now, look at the rock, imagine what you want it to do, and will it. Only this time, don’t close your eyes."

Cyan looked over and imagined the rock exploding into a million pieces, almost before the image had left her thoughts, the rock exploded.

"Whoa! Ok, I think that can be considered a start." Saran looked up at Cyan. "Just don’t ever imagine me exploding please."

The two of them looked at each other and dissolved into laughter.

"So, this was your new and improved plan Saran?" Saran continued to laugh and nodded her head. The Queen rolled her eyes and pointed her finger at the warrior. "You and me….. We have got to work on our communication!"

*******

Kitana hugged Cyan tightly as she said goodbye to her childhood friend.

"I will be back you know." The Queen smiled at the Princess and picked up her satchel. Kitana had given them plenty of food and coffee to get them back to the castle ruins. Saran turned and grasped Kitana's forearm and held it tight.

"Thanks for everything Princess." Saran smiled and grabbed her bag as she turned and headed for the horses.

Kitana waved and called after the warriors as they began to ride off. "Stick to the route I mapped out for you. Kahn's men should not be traveling there regularly, so a chance encounter will be very unlikely."

Cyan laughed. "Well, that pretty much sealed our fate of hitting more trouble; knowing our luck."

********

The Queen shook her head as she and Saran looked down from the hilltop into the village. "I don't even think they know we're ahead of them by the way they are riding. I think they are only coming for the village."

The Queen and Saran looked away from the village, and off into the distance where thirty to forty men on horseback were making their way through the hills.

"We need to stop them Cyan; let's go."

"I know Saran, but we need to warn the village first. By my count we still have some time before our full powers return, and if I'm not mistaken, that gang headed our way is about twenty more than we need right now." The Queen mounted her horse and began to descend the hilltop and into the village. Saran followed closely behind, occasionally glancing over her shoulder to keep an eye on the thugs.

Cyan and Saran walked towards a local shop and stopped a boy just outside its door. "Where can we find an official, or military leader, boy?"

"We don't have a militia lady, but there are some fighters in the tavern down the way." Saran and the Queen looked at one another and headed for where the boy had pointed.

Cyan pushed open the door on its squeaky hinge and was met instantly by the smell of liquor and smoke. "Let's hope they're not too sauced to give us a hand or we're really…."

"Eunice! What are you doing here?" From out of the corner came a figure making his way through the smoke.

"Theron?" Cyan and Saran both asked in surprise.

"I had hoped our paths would cross again Eunice, but I certainly did not think it would be in an establishment the likes of this one." Theron arched an eyebrow seductively. "You are certainly an interesting one."

"Theron, listen." Cyan pulled the man over to a place where they couldn't be heard. " I need to talk to you; it's important." Theron could tell by the urgency in her voice that the something she had on her mind, was not the same something that had been on his only moments ago.

"Kahn's men?" he asked, almost dreading the answer.

"Yes," Cyan said. "About thirty or forty of them; all strong and on horseback. Also, there's something else." Theron sighed, obviously not prepared for more bad news than he had already heard.

"Our names are not Ethel and Eunice. I'm Cyan and this is my friend Saran."

Theron and Saran couldn't help but burst into laughter. "What?!" Cyan whispered harshly to the both of them. "The names….. they were really starting to bug me, okay?!"

The laughter subsided. "It's nice to meet you Cyan." Theron turned to his left. "Saran." He arched an inquisitive eyebrow, "I assume there was a good reason to your using different names?"

Cyan laughed and looked at Saran. "Well, we thought there was; but it turns out that it was a little less warranted than our egos had thought."

Theron yelled to his men. "Grab your weapons! Kahn's men are riding this way. We will need to secure the locals and make sure the houses are barred. Go into the streets and make sure everyone has been cleared of them." Theron and his men headed for the door while Cyan and Saran followed closely behind.

"Saran." Cyan said as she stopped the other warrior. "I can't exactly explain this, but I need you to trust and support me on something."

"Right now?!" Saran said. She stopped and explained herself further. "It's not that I don't trust you, but I think we really need to work on your timing here!"

"I know, I know. But listen, this may sound weird, but I have a crazy plan that I think might just work. The thing is, I need to do something; something power wise, that up until a minute ago I didn't know I could do. But, at the same time, I know I've done it before; I just can't remember when." Cyan stopped a minute. "Okay, that confused even me, but I swear Saran, I know I can do it; trust me!?"

Saran took a deep breath and grabbed her friend by the shoulder. "Well, come on then. Let's get Theron."

*******

"You want me to what?!" Theron asked incredulously. "That would leave this village completely unprotected and at the mercy of Kahn's men."

"I know how it sounds Theron, but you have to trust me." Saran nodded her support to the plan, but her eyes suggested that she herself was just a little short of convinced.

"The power to do that is impossible. There has never been a power in all of OutWorld that could distort the realm like you are suggesting! Not even Kahn's"

Saran stood and looked at Theron. "You either lead your men into the woods on the other side of this village, or I will." Theron looked at Saran and that back at Cyan. He finally stood and yelled for his men to mount up. Saran smiled at the Queen and flipped into her own mount. "I'll see you on the other side of the villa…., I mean, pass; right?"

Cyan smiled gratefully as Saran rode off with Theron and his men. She knew that Saran was not easily obedient to any kind of authority figure. Her willingness to not only obey, but to accept Cyan at nothing more than her "gut instinct" had not been lost on the Queen. A lot had changed between the two of them while in OutWorld, and Cyan was glad Saran had decided to come.

The Queen looked around the abandoned streets. She was sure that all the locals would stay safe inside their homes; if not, this plan would be a disaster. Cyan made her way to the end of town and the entrance of the woods that Theron and his men had hidden deep within. She stepped behind a large tree just left of the path that led into the woods. Closing her eyes she pictured the re-shaping of the town in her mind.

The main street of the village slowly began to dissolve. Soon it became nothing more than a worn traveler's path, leading directly into the mouth of the one that already existed. The houses and storefronts were slowly replaced by trees, rocks, and growth found only in the local forest. Saran, Theron, and his men stared in disbelief as they saw the village disappear before their very eyes.

"I can't believe it." Theron whispered quietly.

Cyan opened her eyes and hugged the tree tightly as she heard the approaching horses. From the sounds of the gallop, Kahn's men had not slowed their pace since coming over the hill. The Queen smiled as she watched the men ride down the center of 'town' and into the real woods that began at her side.

Saran smiled wickedly, and nudged Theron in the arm. "Well, she got her part done, now we do ours."

Theron raised his hand and prepared to give the signal to attack once Kahn's men had moved beyond the confines of the village. Now that the battle had been brought outside the village, Kahn's men would only have one option, to fight warrior against warrior.

Theron gave the signal and his men rose from their positions and attacked. Saran could not help laughing at the surprised look on the lead man's face as she flipped through the air; knocking him flat on his back. "Wakey, wakey." She said with a smile as she helped the man to his feet. Before he had regained his full balance, Saran flipped backwards through the air catching the man's chin with her feet. His body slumped heavily to the ground, as Saran turned to find her next victim. "Nighty night."

Cyan heard the clashing of swords behind her as she watched the rest of the village return to its original shape. "Okay." She said, drawing her sword. "Now, if I can just keep myself from being re-shaped!" She flipped into the tree above her and began to run the branches until she spotted the heat of the battle. She dropped down to the ground and brought her sword across the neck of a man ready to take Theron from behind. Theron twirled, sword raised; only to be stopped by the metal of Cyan's sword.

"Relax Theron; same team, remember?" She smiled and yelled into the air. "Come on! Give me somebody!!" Flipping backwards, she landed in front of two approaching thugs. Theron arched an eyebrow in pleasant surprise and gave the woman and approving once-over, before swinging his own sword.

******

Saran breathed heavily as she wiped the sweat from her brow. She was wearing the widest smile Cyan had seen on her warrior in quite some time. "Now that!" Saran exclaimed. "Is how to fight a battle!" The Queen and Saran laughed like two children who had just opened countless gifts on the Solstice.

Theron and his men stared at the two warriors as they laughed and talked. Neither seemed to realize that they had been battling for almost two hours, and the small wounds that they had incurred, seemed to be healing right before their eyes. Theron slid his sword into its sheath and walked towards the women.

"It seems I greatly underestimated your abilities in our last battle; both of you. I don't know by whose powers you are able to do the things you do, but I promise you, you have made a new ally today." Saran and the Queen smiled at the man, while Cyan put her hand on his arm.

"I'm sorry that we cannot explain Theron, but I can tell you this, both Saran and I will be back one day." The Queen looked at Saran and gave her the sign that they would be leaving straight away. Saran walked off to get their horses, while Cyan turned her attention back towards Theron.

"You are leaving aren't you?" Theron asked, noticeably disappointed.

"Yes." Cyan said. "but I promise you, your battle with Kahn is also ours. One day I will be able to explain more, but for now, just trust me when I tell you that our battle lies somewhere else right now." The Queen turned and mounted her horse. She and Saran finished saying goodbye to the others, and began to ride when Theron called out.

"You will look us up if ever your battle comes this way once again, won't you?"

Saran rolled her eyes at the love-sick puppy, while the Queen did her best to stifle a smile. "Of course Theron, but until we do meet up again; I suggest you tell no one that we've met." Theron looked at Cyan, slightly confused, but finally began to nod his head in understanding.

"The reason for the different names right?" The Queen nodded, and she and Saran rode quickly out of sight.

*******

Saran and the Queen had finally stopped riding for the night, and had figured out that they could be back at the castle ruins by mid-morning the next day. Each had eaten well, and continually commented on how wonderful it was not to feel the full extent of mortality anymore.

"Please my Queen; you sleep. I've still got a bit of energy left, and after today's fighting, perhaps you will sleep all that much better."

Cyan had to agree. She had not been sure that morning that sleep and she would be able to agree come nightfall; but after the fighting today, Cyan felt pleasantly exhausted. The Queen laid her bedroll out and said goodnight to Saran who was busy re-building their fire.

"Sleep well Cyan." Saran stared at the Queen as she thought back to all she had heard the night before. She had many questions for Aphrodite, but apparently they were going to wait until returning to Earth Realm.

Cyan slipped into the night……..

Saran sat quietly watching the Queen. Cyan had not been asleep more than an hour before Saran had seen little beads of sweat begin to form on her face. Suddenly Cyan twitched, and then settled once again into the night……

Cyan was twitching again, and Saran was just about ready to shake her awake, when the Queen seemed to settle down once again into sleep………

Cyan sat up in her bedroll, breathing heavily and wiping at her shirt. She felt a stickiness that had not been there before, and pulled her hand away only to find it covered in blood. She threw back her blanket and stared in horror at her shirt. She felt her chest, but could find no wound. She looked around the cave, but saw Saran nowhere in sight. Cyan tried to shake the dream but it continued to hang in the air until Saran's voice filled the cave.

"I thought you might be up. I heard some noises while I was out getting more firewood. It doesn't seem like sleep is coming easy to you Cyan."

Cyan wrapped her blanket around her body, feigning a chill. She could barely form the words to answer Saran, and she wasn't even sure she wanted to.

"Just another bad dream, that's all. I think OutWorld is really starting to get to me. Why don't you get some sleep, I'd prefer to sit up for a while by the fire."

Saran opened her mouth to respond, but after thinking for a moment, said nothing and headed towards her bedroll. "If you need anything Cyan, wake me."

The Queen mumbled an acknowledgement as she tightened her grip around the blanket and moved closer to the warmth of the fire. Once she heard Saran's breathing change, Cyan slowly loosened her grip on the blanket. She looked down to her shirt, only seeing a fading red spot where the blood had been earlier. She watched in a shocked like trance as the remains of someone's life-force disappeared before her eyes.

Cyan didn't have any idea of how long she had been sitting there, but the fire had long since gone out. The sunlight of OutWorld was slowly making its way into the mouth of the cave. Cyan looked over at Saran who was still sleeping soundly.

"I better make a fire for breakfast." Cyan thought to herself, "Saran will want to leave first thing." The Queen rose to her feet and thought about gathering the wood for the morning fire. Before she had walked more than a few paces, new wood was atop the old and a brilliant blaze was burning full force. The Queen stared into the blaze, while feeling the rest of her body draining of its warmth. She peeled her eyes away, and began to make her way outside. At the side of the entrance Saran's satchel and pack were piled in a heap. Cyan dropped the blanket that had been hanging from around her and stooped down to look at the warrior's things.

"It must be here." Cyan said to herself, rummaging through the pack. Suddenly the Queen shook her head and began to shove the bags contents back into their home. "I'm losing my mind." she said to herself, and walked outside into the morning sun. "Saran never carries a sword." The Queen paused yet again, "at least I don't think she does."

********

The morning had passed incredibly quick considering the two warriors had said not more than a dozen words between the two of them. Cyan was anxious to get back to the castle and talk to Vorpax. All she wanted to know was what she needed to get rid of the priests, and then they would be leaving. The Queen was really beginning to dislike OutWorld, and the fact that there now seemed to be days when she wasn't even certain she had truly woken from her dreams.

Saran had rode in silence, thinking heavily on all she had heard between Kitana and Aphrodite. She was glad that the Queen had not wanted to chat much; it had given her time to think.

"There it is." Cyan's voice broke through the silence and grayness, and Saran could see the castle ruins up ahead.

"At last." The two warriors rode their horses to the castle gates, stabled them, and disappeared inside the palace walls.