Umbra walked along the beach, the tide went in and out. The sun was still low on the horizon and she yawned streaching. She had watched the moon all night, making a wish on each star that caught her eye. Hoping, that someday her greatest wish would come true. Her halberd made a fine line in the sand, trailing from where she had lied awake all night. She sighed, knowing that today was another day; another day she would live in constant torment of the brand that had been placed on her at birth.

Although it was morning the beach had yet to be visited by anyone. She sighed again and colappsed on the ground in a sitting position her halberd layed across her legs so her hands were both free. She seriously considered to stay here all day and just watch the waves like a human would. But she knew that was not her way and she placed her hand over her heart. It still beat to the same rythem it did the previous morning. She looked at her hands, still clean. Not a drop of blood or dirt on them. A gust of wind blew her hair and it flowed in the breeze. Suddenly she heard something. Someone was comming, and she knew that scent well... She turned towards the person who came towards her.

Zenith Meria had went to the Eastern Coast having been in a large battle. He was now looking for a little break but had still come ready for battle just incase. His Resplendent Armour glimmering within the sun light as he seen a figure in the distance. The young arch angel then walked forward towards to the figure, Zeniths hands lowered onto his Blade of Balance and Holy Blade incase he would need to battle in the end. Luckily for Zenith had had learned a few new tricks since his last battle as was ready to use them as a moments notice.

Soon the figure ahead was seen to be a woman and she was looking towards Zenith, thats when his detect evil spell kicked in. He felt it now, this woman had evil within her and it seemed as though Zeniths little break was now at an end. He drew ever closer to the woman and then said in a soft voice, "Hello Miss... I dont think I have ever met you before. My name is Zenith Meria. An Arch Angel and a Divine Protector of the Goddess of Life. May I ask who you are?" Zenith thought however that he had met this woman somewhere before, yet he could now pin of the location that he had. The young Arch Angel then awaited on a reply from the woman before him, still ready incase a battle was to unfold.

Umbra recognized the figure as an Angel before he approached her. She wondered what kind it was. But deep down inside she wanted to run and to stick a sword through his heart. She watched him with narrowed eyes as he approached. The smell of Angel quickly came to her. "Hello Miss... I dont think I have ever met you before. My name is Zenith Meria. An Arch Angel and a Divine Protector of the Goddess of Life. May I ask who you are?" he said. She gripped her halberd tightly, oh yes...She had heard of this one. Zenith the Archangel was also a member of the Keepers. She had met her worst nightmare in real life, second only to the Guardian of Holiness himself.

She gave him a strange look as if he was crazy. An Archangel asking a half demon for her name. How STUPID does he think I AM?! She thought to herself. Still he asked nicely so the least I could do is humor him. Even if he is an Archangel. She got up but left her halberd on the ground. "Well. I normally don't give my name to an angel but since you asked nicely I will tell you. My name is Umbra." she said, resting her left hand on the hilt of her dagger, also ready. However unlike him it was more of a comfortable resting than almost cluching, but she knew that if needed she could easily pull it out and protect herself easily. But her smile soon turned to a glare of defence, "So...Zenith right? Humph, I have heard of you. A member of the Keepers, so did your Guild leader send you to take care of me or did you decide to do it yourself?" she asked. She was waiting for him to answer. She did not trust this Archangel. She had seen angels work before, especially how a Fallen Angel worked. She did not care for angels, her mind trailed back to eight years ago. She knew this angel most likely was not among them but she was not going to let her guard down.

Zenith listened to the words of Umbra, thats when he started to remember her. Yes she had been in Lómëdor when the city had been attacked. Now Zenith knew for sure that this Umbra was the evil he could feel. The hilts of his blades feeling the urge to battle yet Zenith held back for now. He knew that Umbra would not want to listen to him so in turn it would be pointless to try and convert her to the Holiness of Arda. Then Zenith heard Umbra say, "So...Zenith right? Humph, I have heard of you. A member of the Keepers, so did your Guild leader send you to take care of me or did you decide to do it yourself?" Hearing this Zenith answered truthfully with the words, "I was not send by anyway, Infact I was not ever trying to find you Umbra. But I guess it is good that I have, now I can get the message further passed on that the Holiness of Arda is a powerfull voice to battle. And it looks like you are my next battle." After saying this Zenith moved his footing so his stance was more of a battle stance.

Slowly Zenith then drew out Salvation, his Holy Blade, and Judgement, his Blade of Balance, into his hands ready for the battle before him. His grip slowly tightened upon his blades and soon both Salavation and Judgement began to glow a light blue as Zeniths Bless Weapon spell took effect upon them. He then said to Umbra, "Well then, Miss Umbra. Since you are a follower of the darkness with Arda, It looks as though I must battle you. Shall we?" Zenith then awaited on the moves of Umbra, Zenith never liked to make the first stike.

Umbra was not surprised in the way the Angel regarded her. "I was not send by anyway, Infact I was not ever trying to find you Umbra. But I guess it is good that I have, now I can get the message further passed on that the Holiness of Arda is a powerfull voice to battle. And it looks like you are my next battle." she stayed quiet waiting for him to say the magic words.

Zenith took out his swords and they glowed blue. She sighed knowing what would happen next, he would challenge her and he would do his best to kill her. As those who judge people by their looks did. She had yet to judge the angel. Only his actions, and right now he was no different than other Angels. "Well then, Miss Umbra. Since you are a follower of the darkness with Arda, It looks as though I must battle you. Shall we?"

She sighed and looked at the ground the sand benith her feet sparkled in the rising sun. Knowing that she had no escape. She might later on but now she had to fight. "I am no follower of Darkness, Sir. I have never been and I doubt I ever will be. I do not follow the teachings of Raku. Just because I have demonic blood within me does not mean I am truely evil!" She said and looked up at him, placing her foot under her halberd's staff and tossed it up catching it. She held it behind her and held her other hand in front of her in a defence position. "And if I must fight you to make you believe it... THEN SO BE IT!" she said waiting for his attack

Zenith heard Umbra say, "I am no follower of Darkness, Sir. I have never been and I doubt I ever will be. I do not follow the teachings of Raku. Just because I have demonic blood within me does not mean I am truely evil!" If anyone knew this could be true, it was Zenith. After all, the one he was in love with had a demonic half, but Zenith always stayed by her side no matter what. Slowly the angel closed his eyes and let out a small sigh, It was too late to turn back now. This battle would in turn let Zenith know if Umbra was really evil or not.

He seen the woman take up her halbred and stand in a defense postion. Zenith nodded to her as she did this then said, "Very well, Let us begin your test Miss Umbra. Good Luck." The angel then slowly moved forward and soon broke into a run, but that was not all. Once going into the run Zenith became nothing but a blur as he had cast one of his spell. Quickly he appeared to the left side of Umbra and ran his Holy Blade through the air towards her side. Not seeing if his attack had went through Zenith then leaped into the air and cast his second spell of this battle. The spell he cast this time was a basic Magic Missile spell.

The battle had only began and Zenith was still only warming up. It would indeed be a nice start, and it would be nice to see umbras battle skills as well.

Umbra watched Zenith sigh. She was not sure if he was regretting having to fight her or that he was the one to deal with her. He seemed interested in what she had said. She watched him nod to her, apparently he listened to what she said, He listened...Thats a first. she thought as she waited. "Very well, Let us begin your test Miss Umbra. Good Luck."

She stood at the ready and nodded at his wish of luck. No clue why an angel is wishing me luck. Test. Hmm, if he wants to know I am not evil then I guess we are going to fight to prove it. I won't lose. she thought as he moved towards her slowly, but he quickly gained speed. She braced herself as he became a full blur. She knew this spell well as she used it often. She followed the blur as he appeared on her left side and swung his blade at her. She moved her halberd blocking the attack but he had already moved. She looked around and then up at the angel who launched magic missle at her. She tried to move but it was too late the arrow hit her foot while dodging and threw her back, she slind across the sand and shook her head getting up. Sand covered her entire left arm and leg; small scratches from rubbing against the sand appeared on her. She got up and gave the Archangel an impressed smirk. She had yet to see a fighter who started off like that. "Not bad. But you better be able to do better because if that is your best shot then we are both wasting our time." she said and gave a smile as she raised her hand, "Adjoré Mirona Rauak!" she said and threw her hand down. Suddenly out of the clear sunrise painted sky rubble and debris entered the atmosphere burning up as it fell. It headded for the beach and the Archangel in the air. I hope you are ready to fight Zenith of the Keepers. Because if you are not then I will never prove myself to the world. she thought.

With his first strike blocked and his first magical attack going through Zenith looked down towards Umbra awaiting her move. He then heard her speak the words "Not bad. But you better be able to do better because if that is your best shot then we are both wasting our time." It seemed that Umbra was impressed by Zenith and in turn that made the angel happy. Umbra then cast a spell to attack Zenith. Some burning rubble and debris were now falling from the air heading towards the angel. Seeing this attack Zenith had a plan.

He placed both of his hands out to his sides and made a shimmering, transparent globe of protection around himself that would block any magic attack sent to him. Of course this would only last a few moments but that was all the angel needed. With this shell Zenith smirked from under his helm as he cast his own spell to attack Umbra.

Bright, sparkling stars started to rain down from the sky as Zeniths Falling Stars spell took effect. These stars where headed towards Umbra and if they were to hit they would cause powerful light and celestial damage. It was a usefull spell that Zenith had within him, yet the angel had not used it that often in battle of yet. Still Zenith used more of his energy to keep his shell up until Umbras spell stopped and he could once again attack head on. This battle was going to be an interesting one, that Zenith knew.

Umbra watched as Zenith created a protecting globe around him. Even though it would last a few moments the spell would be over by the time it finished, Great. With him in that globe I can't attack. Looks like I am on the defence for now. she thought as the globe protected him from the debris that fell where he was. She gritted her teeth moving a few times to dodge her own attack. The debris created clouds of sand as they impacted with the beach and those that hit the water made large splashes with steam rising from the water from the heat of the impact. She looked up as sparkles appeared in the sky, she watched them with narrowed eyes. This angel was not fooling around. She smiled, now they were fighting. And now she could prove to him that although she was a half demon there was more to her than meets the eye.

The falling stars fell with an even greater speed than the ashen shower did. An orange glow appeared on Umbra's right hand as she lept up, her ring of jumping aided her in moving out of the way. Small explosions of sand and light appeared as the falling stars spell hit the beach. Greater explosions happened when the Ashen shower debris collided with the falling stars. Umbra jumped out of the way of one, and unknoingly landed in the direct path of another. Unable to move quick enough she felt the direct impact of the spell. "Argh." she said as she fell to the ground. Two more also collided with her. She groaned, this was going to be harder than she thought. She looked up at Zenith, she felt the pain of all three stars and groaned in disbelief. How could she have made such a miscalculation? She took a deep breath and let it out throwing herself back on her hands and pushed herself to a standing position, her feet sinking a centimeter in the sand. She looked up at the Keeper of Sacred Deeds determination on her face. There is no way I am going to let him beat me. I won't lose, I can't lose! If I lose this fight....No forget about losing, focus on the task at hand. She told herself. She readied again for a defence. She could not attack while he was in that globe and she certainly would not play dirty, that would confirm everything he thought she was.

Zenith looked on to Umbra as she began to dodge the magic that was running through the air, she was doing rather well until one of the stars Zenith had sent smashed into Umbra, following by some others. Letting out a small sigh Zenith thought to himself, "This is no time to be within this shell. I need to battle like normal!" The young then seen Umbra raise to her feet once more and he then used his Teleport magic to appeat behind her, the shell he had been in slowly turning into nothingness within the air.

Once behind Umbra Zenith used yet another one of his new found spell combinations. First of all chains shot up from the ground heading towards Umbra in an attempt to hold her down onto the ground. After casting this Zenith began to run towards the figure of Umbra. Thats when four spinning blades appeared around him as his Blade Sentinel took effect within this battle.

Two of the blades then shot forward towards Umbra as the other two began to spin around the body of Zenith to protect him. It was clear Zenith was now proving he was not a pushover. Suddently the other two blades also shot towards Umbra making this attack even worse. Zenith was not sure what Umbra would be able to dodge so he then used his Teleport spell once more, this times appearing above Umbra as he charged up his next attack.

Umbra tried to reach for her chakram to attack but Zenith had dissapeared, the glowing orb dissappeared in thin air. She turned to try and find Zenith but suddenly she found herself bound by chains. She struggled but found herself unable to move. She watched as Zenith ran towards her. Four blade sentinals surrounded him moving quickly as he ran.

Suddenly two of the blades broke suit and spun rapidly towards Umbra. She knew she had made a terrible mistake by staying at the beach. If she had left earlier that night she would not be figting. But her human side was pushing for her to continue, if she was not here then she would never have the chance to prove who she was. She braced herself for the impact. The two blade spun towards her, one slashing her on her arm the other on her leg. Two red stripes adorned her severed clothes as blood flowed slowly through them.

She watched him release the other two and fly up to power up again. She knew that this was bad. No...I cant lose. I won't give up! I have to keep fighting! she thought closing her eyes. "I will Never give up...STARU SHAORA suddenly in a second the last two blades slashed through iron...and air. Umbra teleported out of the chains and stood sword in hand.

"Zenith you are a worthy opponent. I know that you are stronger than I am by far but do not think I will give up! I will fight untill my wish is truth! Untill my dream becomes a reality! Even if I must die doing so!" she said waiting for his attack. I will never give up Zenith, not untill you see me as who I am truely. she thought.

Zenith continued to charge his attack as he seen the blade rip into Umbra below him. He then seen her manage to get free from the chains, this made Zenith somewhat happy as Umbra was proving to be a good battle for the young angel. Umbra then began to speak and Zenith did the respectfull thing and listened to the words from the young woman. It seemed that Umbra wanted Zenith to see her for what she really was inside, not for what she seemed like on the surface. This in turn made Zenith respect Umbra more.

Umbra then seemed to wait for the attack by Zenith so the young angel softy said out to her, "Umbra, I respect you dont get me wrong. But either way, I must test you to your very limits. Thats why I must use this attack. I hope you are ready, And I also hope my first thoughts when starting this battle were not true. Good luck Umbra!" Zenith had a small smile under his helm as he looked down to Umbra.

She was different to the others he had battled, she was more like Adia, someone with a demon inside them, the demon in turn being a totaly different person that wanted nothing but chaos. If Umbra was able to control this demon like Zenith thought then she would only be an enemy of his if she was to kill inocent people within Arda, but somehow Zenith thought he could trust Umbra and was hoping he was right.

Thats when sent out his attack to Umbra. He pushed his right hand down towards the direction Umbra was in and a large powerfull blast of holy energy shot from the angels hand as he used his Sacred Hand abilty he had learned from the Goddess of Life. This was one of the most powerfull attacks Zenith had, but yet the blasts had not been charged to full power.

Fallen Arc Angel moved forwards, structure remaining almost completely hidden from the sight of Zenith and Umbra, she watched with a slight curiosity, seeming to be slightly amused by the fight at hand, watching with a close eye upon the matter her frame remaining almost perfectly still, a smirk playing upon her crimson lips. She frowned slightly, her usual icy gase seeming to have glazed over with the sands of the time inwhich she had lost in her travels.

"Not long since I have returned and a battle is at hand, time indeed does not stand still for I, as I expected Umbra has kept herself alive and surviving, not much less could be expected from a friend such as her, even at the doors of death she would probably stand proudly and fight." She uttered to herself as she watched the fight in process. Her crystal orbs shifted upwards to the skies with a slight pondering thought upon what she had indeed been watching. One word was now playing upon her mind.. 'death'..The whole conscept of this word seemed to bring about otherwords, which she could relate back to Umbra.

Brave.. She smirked slightly, gaze shifting back towards the battling figure of Umbra, bravery..Umbra was indeed one of the bravest. She was surely one of those who have the clearest vision of what is before them, glory and danger alike, and yet not with standing, go out to meet it; Even with no chance of winning, they would fight for what they thought was in some conscepts 'good' or..Ofcourse, the right thing to do.

She smirked slightly, allowing this thought to play upon her mind for a further few moments, Umbra had indeed been a good friend to one of Fallen Arc Angels' greatest enemies...Kurotsume Iora, one that never let the poor girl down.

Fallen Arc Angel frowned, gaze shifting towards ther ground as if slightly ashamed by the mere memory of what she had done in the past, of the death she had dealt The Descendant, the trip in which the Angel had enrolled upon, the journey in which she had taken months ago and only just returned from had given her time to think, to ponder upon her past rncounters, her fears and her regrets.

She gloanced towards the battle at hand once more, as if being pulled out of her state of thought, she shook her head slightly, strands of her hair seeming to fall across her face as she watched on, "Lets just hope it helped.." She murmered as she remained a bystander towards the ongoing fight.

Umbra watched with knowing eyes at the Archangel, he stood still. She figured he did not listen to what she had said but was surprised when he commented. "Umbra, I respect you dont get me wrong. But either way, I must test you to your very limits. Thats why I must use this attack. I hope you are ready, And I also hope my first thoughts when starting this battle were not true. Good luck Umbra!" he said. Good luck to you too....Zenith. she thought not sure why she was wishing an Angel good luck. After what happened when she was a child she had a hard time trusting any angel, save Aero but he was a different case.

She watched holding her sword at ready as he pushed his hand out towards her. Her eyes widdened as a blast of white pure energy flew towards her. She braced herself as the energy hit. The blast hit hard and she grunted in pain as the holy energy went through her. She gritted her teeth as it finished, she looked up at Zenith gasping for air as she struggled to keep standing, her legs were shaking as the ability ended. She felt the pain even after it hit. The Sacred Hand ability...Not very many have that. A true follower of the Goddess of Life. He is going to be stronger than I thought. she thought as she took a few deep breaths and retook a stance with her sword. She took a few deep breaths and stood straight, she thought of her battle with Shadow and Aero, this would have to be like them, she would have to think outside the box if she wanted to defeat her opponent.

Zenith watched on as Umbra took his attack, and he was glad to see her still standing by the end of it. The young angel then nodded a little and thought to himself "It is good to see a warrior with such passion for battle. Her passion towards this fight is equal to my own, Its amazing." Zenith then smiled from under his helm as Salvation and Judgement formed within his hands once more, with these two blades he was ready to take this battle on to a whole new level. The Holy Blade and Blade of Balance had gotten Zenith through many battles, and he was hoping they would do the same here.

Zenith then pushed himself forward and vanished, he had used his Teleport spell and appeard behind the form of Umbra, his blade of balanca moving through the air heading towards her side with some force while his holy blade was heading right towards her shoulder to try and stop Umbra from being able to use one of her arms during the battle. It would be interesting to see how the woman would take or avoid these attacks.

Umbra stood strong as she regained her balance from the previous attack. She was still hurting but she would not let up. She watched him as he pushed himself towards her. She ran towards him but before they could exchange blows he disappeared. She stopped and looked around trying to find his smell. She watched as her shadow got bigger. She spun out of the way as Zenith tried to slash at her side with the Blade of Balance. However as she moved she did not notice his Holy Blade untill it was too late. It sliced into her right arm and she felt the strength of it in her arm as it broke her bone. She used her left hand and pushed him off her and made a backflip using her jumping ring to get away.

She winced from the pain as crimson blood trailed down her right arm as it hung limp at her side. The pain was intense and she could not move her arm. She had lost the use of her arm and now she could not defend herself easily. She was now one weapon to his two and as a Divine Protector he had the power of the Goddess of Life. She was truely at a disadvantage now. As pain jolted her arm she tried to center it outside of her body as a friend once taught her, Focus the pain into a ball and set it out on something that you see she told herself. She looked at the waves behind Zenith and focused the pain there on the waves being pulled away by the undertow. It seemed to work a little and she was able to stand it more. She had to think of a way to get on the offensive and she sheithed her sword and replaced it with her dagger. It felt cool to the touch and she was able to weild it better with one hand then a sword anyday. With any luck she would be able to think of something. She gripped the hilt tightly with her left hand and electricity soon jolted up and down the blade as she formed a plan in her mind.

Zenith seen as his Blade of Balance missed its target of Umbra, but the Holy Blade managed to deal damage to the young woman. Zenith seen the bone of Umbra break and knew that it had to hurt her, on some level he felt bad for the pain she was going through, but she was still to fully prove that she was not totaly evil. Zenith knew all to well not to judge people on their first appearance, since the one he was in love with was also part demon. The young angel smiled as Umbra jumped back, and he let her take her time and regain some strenght. The angel was not one to attack someone when they were unarmed.

He seen Umbra place her sword away to bring out a dagger. Soon the dagger was covered in lightning and it gave Zenith another attack idea. The young Keeper placed his blades back into their holsters upon his back then said. "You are doing very well Umbra. But im afraid I still hold two attacks that you must be tested with. I am sorry it has come to this, but I now have no choice!" The angel, now with no weapons in hand, began running towards Umbra at great haste ready to use two of his most powerfull spells.

The first spell he used as he was running towards Umbra was Retribution, this spell would punish the target for their misdeeds with a searing lash that can cleave flesh from bone. The more evil the target, the greater the damage done. Each lash made by this spell would sting with powerful holy magic. Right after casting this the angel used teleport to appear above Umbra casting the second of the two spells, his Purge spell.

With the Purge spell cast a large bolt of Holy Fire came down towards the ground with Zenith, the power of this was so much that it would make the ground crack upon smashing into it. The most effective thing about the Purge spell was the fact it would not hurt good those of a good alignment, it really was the ultimate test!

Umbra's vision grew blurry and went in and out. The battle was taking its toll on her, she had only taken this kind of damage once before and she barely lived through that fight. She had gained some strength, her arm hung limp at her side doing her best to ignore the throbbing pain. Man, I don't know how long I can keep this up...He is just too strong. I have to...No I won't Give up. If I lose now it means I have lost absolutely everything. All of them....No Umbra get your head into the fight. There is nothing at stake here. That fight was years ago. Focus your mind. I have come too far to give up now. she thought. Although the voice that told her to focus did not seem like her own she knew it was right. The battle with Akito had been years ago, he was dead and she and the others were alive still. She held her stance with determined eyes, she was not going to stop here. She had too much to prove.

Zenight put up his blades, she strengthed her grip on her dagger as she shifted slightly digging her feet into the sand. "You are doing very well Umbra. But im afraid I still hold two attacks that you must be tested with. I am sorry it has come to this, but I now have no choice!" he said and ran towards her. She was about to start her attack when she felt a burning sensation in the skin on her back, suddenly a blast of holy energy cut through her skin and the cloth of her shirt making a foot long stripe diagnoly across her back. She let her stance fall as she gritted her teeth trying not to call out in pain or surrender. The wound was not that deep but the fact of its length made it hard on her. She watched as he dissappeared again and she turned following his scent which was strong and saw him cast another spell. She braced herself and felt the full force of the firey holy energy that flew through her.

The energy pulsed through her entire body and she called out in pain from the injury as rocks and sand flew in every direction. When the sand finally settled Umbra was wincing at the pain barely standing, but the last attack was too much and she felt herself fall on the cracked earth. She shook and gasped for air, her muscles ached and her arm throbbed she looked at it through barely open eyes, it was purple around the cut and sand was in it and around it. It had begun to swell and was about the diameter of a baseball. She groaned a little, I am alive...I thought that last attack would have killed me. I must be pretty close then...I can barely move. she thought.

She moved her good arm in front of her and felt something cold and hard. She looked up and found her hand resting on the clasp of her old cloak. It was made of steel and had a red trim on the face of it there was a flame with a blade pointed downwards, the symbol of the flame blade fighters. She sighed as she remembered the words of Dagger. Your destiny will be a great one Umbra, not because you will be the strongest or the fastest but because you will not give up. You are one who will keep on fighting in order to find the one reason you should stop. That may be your greatest falt but it will also be the reason that someone may respect you. You are that kind of person, one who keeps fighting no matter what the outcome looks like and you make the best of it. Your strenth Umbra is perseverance. She gave a slight chuckle but winced. "You are right old man...Your right." she said to herself.

She took a deep breath and used her good arm to push herself up. She winced as inch by inch she went into a kneeling position. She found the hilt of her dagger half burried in sand and pulled it out. She looked at Zenith and gasped as she moved one foot and put it underneath her and pushed herself up to a wobbly stance. If one was to pass by they probably would think that if a strong enough wind blew it would knock her backwards. She gasped for air as the fight went on. "I am not evil Zenith, yes I have done things I am not proud of, and granted...There is a darkness within me that I myself do not know much about...But I am not evil...this battle is more than just me proving that I am not evil...it is me proving to myself that there is some light inside me...Not just that darkness that floods my dreams" she whispered to herself not even sure if he heard it or not. She took a deep breath and put her dagger in front of her, she was ready and she had a plan. She knew it would put presure on her but if she could see that light then it would be worth it.

Zenith used his Teleport spell once more after his attacks. He rested on the sand looking on as Umbra took damage. It was clear the woman had alot of spirit within her and that was something Zenith liked to see in another person. His hands were still free from weapons and he was glad that Umbra had put up such a good battle for him. Once the flames died down Zenith seen the form of Umbra laying on the sand and was about to run over to help her when he seen her moving. She was still alive, that was all the proof the young angel needed.

He watched on as Umbra struggled to her feet, Zenith was not going to help her up, and that was for only one reason. He wanted to let Umbra keep her pride, it was one thing Zenith would really remember her for. The angel then seen her take the dagger out of the sand and say, "I am not evil Zenith, yes I have done things I am not proud of, and granted...There is a darkness within me that I myself do not know much about...But I am not evil...this battle is more than just me proving that I am not evil...it is me proving to myself that there is some light inside me...Not just that darkness that floods my dreams" what she had said was in a low tone, but still the angel managed to hear her words clearly.

Zenith smiled from below his helm from hearing this, the young angel then slowly walked over to Umbra, still with no weapons in his hands. Once drawing closer to Umbra Zenith kindly said to her, "You have passed the test Umbra. I am sorry I was so harsh on you. But I shall help you just now to feel better ok?" The angel then nodded to the young looking woman before placing his hand onto her shoulder. Suddently the hand of Zenith began to glow as he used the spell Superior Heal on Umbra to help her wounds.

Zenith then said to the young woman, "I hope this shall not be our only battle Umbra, Maybe with time we can battle again and test your skills." The angel then nodded and awaited on the womans reply.

Umbra gasped for air struggling to just stay standing. She knew this was it, she had lost. But determination still pumped with the adrenaline, she was not going down on the ground. She looked up, her dagger barely held in her hand as Zenith appeared in front of her, he seemed startled but quickly regained himself as she got up. He walked slowly over to her, she readied herself for an attack, 'Great, he is going to finish it. Well at least I am standing, well almost.' she thought as she braced herself for his final strike. "You have passed the test Umbra. I am sorry I was so harsh on you. But I shall help you just now to feel better ok?" he said kindly. He nodded to her and then put his hand on her shoulder and took a step back. His hand began to glow and she felt the healing power flow through her as her wounds dissappeared one by one, she felt the bone in her arm mend quickly and become usefull once again, she would have pulled away but she was too stunned by the act of his helping her that she could not move, or even say anything. She watched his hand as the healing stopped and she pulled away.

She looked at him confused as he nodded to her again, "I hope this shall not be our only battle Umbra, Maybe with time we can battle again and test your skills." he said to her. She looked away not sure if she wanted to fight him again; her arm felt weird after being healed, but something else seemed different...She herself was different somehow. She then realized it, he may have not known it but somehow or another she had seen one glimps of a light. It was faint and barely noticable but she had seen it. She gave a half smile as she held the once broken arm and turned to look out at the ocean. She was still speachless from the act of healing. She finally gave a smile as she examined her dagger. There was a long silence then she spoke up. "You know, I owe you an appology. When we first met...I thought you were like those other angels, but now...I see that I was wrong. You aren't like those other Angels I have encountered. So...I am sorry, and I hope you can accept my appology." she said finally. She shethed her dagger and looked out to the waves then back at Zenith, "And I also owe you a thanks, somehow, you helped me see a glimmer of the light I have been searching for and I thank you for that...Maybe now I can find what I have been searching for my whole life." she said to him. She looked out at the waves again. He probably does not understand a word I just said...But maybe he does. He defenately deserves the credit I'm giving him, even if it is more than needed.' she thought.

She looked up as Seagulls flew over them, "And as for that rematch...I think I'll pass for now. Maybe some other time, later on...After I find my light." she said walking past him picking up her halbeard where she had left it. She watched the sea roll in and out, watching as they kept on changing even though they seemed the same, cleaning the beach of their battle.

Zenith seen Umbra pull back once he had healed her, she then looked onto the ocean and said "You know, I owe you an appology. When we first met...I thought you were like those other angels, but now...I see that I was wrong. You aren't like those other Angels I have encountered. So...I am sorry, and I hope you can accept my appology. And I also owe you a thanks, somehow, you helped me see a glimmer of the light I have been searching for and I thank you for that...Maybe now I can find what I have been searching for my whole life." Hearing this made Zenith happy, he had helped Umbra and that is what the angel had set out to do from the start of the battle.

Zenith looked up to see some birds flying over head before hearing Umbra then say "And as for that rematch...I think I'll pass for now. Maybe some other time, later on...After I find my light." Zenith seen Umbra pick up her weapon as she walked by him and the angel then said, "I am happy that I was able to help you find some of your light my friend! If you are ever in need of help, just call out and with luck I will hear you somehow, or feel that you are in need of my help. I dont let my friends struggle in thier battles when I can aid them in some way. So please just call on me!" The angel then smiled towards Umbra and looked up into the sky, a thick rainbow appeared from nowhere and Zenith knew what had caused it.

Soon a large, mainly purple bird flew down from the rainbow towards Zenith and landed on the angels shoulder. Zenith then looked toward the anima on his shoulder before looking once again to Umbra. The angel then said, "This is my Anima, Heru! He has been watching out battle from the start." The angel let out a small laugh as he waited on a reply from Umbra, the fight had indead been good, and Zenith had also helped another soul see the light within them.

Umbra looked at the blade, it was covered in sand but still good. She would have to take care of that later. She still had her back to Zenith when he spoke up, "I am happy that I was able to help you find some of your light my friend! If you are ever in need of help, just call out and with luck I will hear you somehow, or feel that you are in need of my help. I dont let my friends struggle in thier battles when I can aid them in some way. So please just call on me!" She tensed a little, Did he just...he did. He called me "friend" Hmm. You would think with Malisaro, Shadow and Blade calling me that I would be used to it by now. But maybe...If what I feel will happen does happen I could use a friend. Even if it is an Angel. she thought to herself as a thick rainbow appeared. She saw a bird fly down and land on Zenith's shoulder.

She looked at the bird and recognized it by its colour immediately. "This is my Anima, Heru! He has been watching out battle from the start." he had said. She nooded, "The chosen bird of Threnody. Noble colour, symbol of peace, her chosen bird. Quite rare...The first I've seen out of a book." she said. She let the blade of her halberd fall to the ground in a relaxed position. She watched them for a moment then looked out to the horizon. It was still early, probably around ten or eleven in the morning. She moved some hair from in front of her eyes and looked at the Anima one more time before adressing Zenith again, "Well Zenith, it was great battleing you. I hope the next time we fight in the same battle it will be on the same side. And the next time we meet face to face, I hope it will be as allies." she said then looked at the small clasp that was in her hand. The sun glistened off it as she remembered what happened years ago.

She shook her head, that was a long time ago. And those who survived had patched up their lives and went on. She nodded, it was time she did the same. "It is time to move on. Forget the past and patch up what you can...Never letting the memory go but forgetting to remember it." she said quoting an earth elemental. She replaced the clasp in her pocket and looked at Zenith. "If I need you; you can count on me turning to you for help...And I hope you know that if you need my assistance all that is required is you asking for it...my friend. But it is getting late, and I have someone I must see. So untill the next time we meet Zenith Meria." she said and turned and began to walk off amazed at herself that she had called a being she once so hated friend.

It seemed as though Umbra knew about the Anima although she had said that Heru was the first one she had seen other than in a book. This brough a small smile across the lips of the angel as he looked upon his new found friend, another half demon. The first half demon Zenith had met became more than just his friend, but the person he loved. Adia had always stayed by the side of Zenith, and Zenith by the side of Adia, in the angels eyes they were meant to be together really.

Zenith was soon broken from his thoughts as he heard the voice of Umbra once more as she said, "Well Zenith, it was great battleing you. I hope the next time we fight in the same battle it will be on the same side. And the next time we meet face to face, I hope it will be as allies. If I need you; you can count on me turning to you for help...And I hope you know that if you need my assistance all that is required is you asking for it...my friend. But it is getting late, and I have someone I must see. So untill the next time we meet Zenith Meria." Zenith then nodded to Umbra happy he had made a new friend and a new ally. The young angel watched as Umbra walked away, she was indead a powerfull warrior and the angel was wishing she would one day find the light that she needed so badly.

With that said the angel turned on his feet and Heru grew in size, large enough to be a mount for Zenith. The young angel got onto Heru and began to rise into the air. If Umbra ever needed his help he would be there, he would never let her be alone in a time of need. It was the way of a Keeper to help all those that needed it, and to aid there friends at all times. The anima began to fly faster away, Zenith Meria had now left the beach with the memories of Umbra fresh within his mind and the feeling of joy that his first thoughts of her had been wrong.