Gryphon Guild: The Waves
Final Wave

A scream reverberated throughout the cave; Orca had given up covering her ears. As cruel as it sounded, she had managed to filter it out, as she had done with much of her captive background noises. They all had, lest they go mad.

How long they had lain in this hell-hole, Orca couldn't tell. Four, five days -- a week, a month. All that mattered was keeping her sanity, her life and her fellow Guilders alive.

Their Doomhound guard came by, dispensing their only meal of the day. They all ate fairly well, with the exception of Lux, Stormy and Xolaris. The last time any of them had seen the ludrakoni had been the day they'd been captured. The screams and keens of terror from the other two lessened every day; either their captors were getting disinterested, or the weregryphoness and the cybergryph were losing their battle.

Orca shook her head and studied her meal. The same as it had been yesterday and the day before that. Nothing had changed. A chain rattled as Auslander moved closer. The marine- gryphoness welcomed the gesture. They are in silence; conversation meant nothing when you had nothing to talk about.

The Doomhound placed the last bowl next to Autumn and turned to leave. Using his halberd, he pushed the curtain aside and walked through. In that millisecond, Orca glimpsed a lab, with vials of liquid simmering over open flames. Red liquid.

The curtain caught on the Hound's halberd and he grunted, pulling at it. More of the lab was revealed: the Hooded One stood hunched over a tablet, writing as it looked over its shoulder at something. A scaled tail flicked briefly, then was gone.

Orca sighed and turned to her dinner.

Fruit and bread was passed around as Second Wave had their meal. Raena sat on her haunches near the exit, idly chewing. Her blood boiled at the sight every time she looked over the edge. As the Doomhound left, she, too, saw the lab. Dropping her bread, Raena gestured furiously. Acyd leaned over her lap, pupiless blue eyes watching intently.

"Well, that's new," she muttered around a slice of roast. "You think that's what they're doin' to Stormy and Xol?"

"Experimenting?" Aeris asked, coming over with the others. He, too, looked. "By the War God!"

Raena gestured them all in. "We can't let them seeing us," she said, tailflame flickering. They backed away, but Acyd stayed beside the magess.

"I've probably asked the before," she said, running a claw through her purple mohawk, "but how long are we gonna stay here?"

Raena glanced at the Second Wave, each occupied with their meal. "I could say however long it takes, 'Cyd, but I can't. What's best for First is not us staying here and running out of supplies. We'll have to leave soon."

Acyd's eyes hooded. "I thought so." She looked at the piece of roast in her hand. "Gods, what I wouldn't give to give this to Luxie! Damn those bastards!"

A click of claws and whispered voices caught their attention.

"Someone's coming!" Jalalith hissed fiercely.

Tyr pocketed the Tsurieth. Maly turned to Jaejoria and Talaisan. "You found Second's door?" the hematite dragoness asked, sail-finned ears perked. They nodded.

"We got it a bit open before Crystal called," Jaejoria told her. "Do you want to see?"

"Yes. Let's go."

Third followed Jae and Tal into the cavern; there they showed Maly and the others the large hewn door. Malystryxx pulled the door all the way open with one large clawed hand, peering inside. Her sharp eyes noticed the two missing torches on the near wall and the bits of ash on the floor.

Throwing up three magelights, Lady Blackmoon turned to the Third. "Are you ready?" she asked. They nodded, adrenaline pumping through their veins. "Good. Poison, you take this light and stay at the back; Xiii, I want you to be in the middle." The green-haired dragoness passed the magelights to the two, who took up their positions. The rest of Third fell into place . . .

. . . They passed through the tunnel in silence. Silence that was broken by Talaisan: "I see light," he whispered, drawing No-Dachi with barely a hiss of steel.

"Out," Malystryxx commanded to Poison's and Xiii's magelights. "I think I see someone."

"Someone's coming!" They heard a voice call out.

Tyr's ears perked up. "I know that voice! Jalalith! It's us!"

"Huh?"

All of Second Wave came flooding into the back, bristling, ready to fight. Aryante's twin broadswords came out in a flash, crossed in front of him. Raena's tailflame suddenly appeared, illuminating the darkness. Maly's face with its magelight in attendance came into view.

"Malystryxx!" Raena whispered in recognition. "Back off, Second!"

The dragoness advanced, a smile upon her studded features. "Well met, Raena Stormcaller," she said, extending her hand. "The Third Wave is here."

Raena heartily grasped the offered paw with her own, careful of the piercing backclaw. "Well met, Maly. How's the Guild?"

"You've not contacted them since the last?"

"We couldn't. The teleson went out of wack after our last transmission." She gestured over her shoulder. "There's been a lot of activity here lately."

Maly smiled sympathetically. "Well, that Soul Sister of yours and the rest of the higher-ups have been busy. You see, there are two of us, Third and Fourth. Fourth is around here somewhere." She made a gesture up at the ceiling. "Up there, I believe."

"Two?" Acyd asked incredulously. "Where's the other? In the ceiling?"

Tyr pointed upwards. "Their job was to find this place directly, as opposed to our following your path." She pulled the Tsurieth from its harness pouch. "Do you want to contact the Guild?"

"I'll do it," Jalalith said, glancing at Raena; the gryphoness nodded. The purple-winged she- wolf walked off to the back of the cavern with Tyr. "What exactly is it?" she asked.

"It's called a Tsurieth -- an elven communication device Crystal's sister Kalaki gave her. Fourth has one, too, but we can't relay messages back and forth. Kalaki only had time to have them linked to Crystal's main Tsurieth." She indicated a tiny button set into the base. "Press that and it'll activate the beacon on Crystal's. When she answers you, her pic will appear above the Tsurieth. You can talk to her normally."

Jalalith nodded and sat down, her back to the magess. Tyreenya turned and walked back to the group.

False dawn came upon the Guild. The fifth day had come upon the Wave operation -- the fifth day since First had made that fatal (or not so) journey. The stars soon faded into the rosy pink of the rising sun, obscuring the constellations and the path to Home only Crystal knew.

The Phoenix Ambassador had risen with the sun, standing by her window. Light poured into her room, casting its glory over every object.

Light.

Lux.

The ludrakoni could only withstand this day without light. After that, she would certainly die. Crystal sighed. So many lives she had sent to uncertainty, so many lives, souls she knew, called her friends. Damn her Phoenix way of thinking!

The Tsurieth suddenly came to life and Crystal whipped around, almost knocking herself out on the night stand. She hit the button and watched as Jalalith's lupine face appeared.

"Hullo, there, CP. How's the Guild?"

"Jalalith! Where are you? How are you?"

The loony lupus chuckled despite the situation. "Easy, CP! We're fine -- Third's with us in the cave. Do I have to get Raena to calm you down?"

Crystal smiled. "No, thank you. Report, please," she said, regaining her military-bred composure. Well, her species had its good points.

"Still kicking, if that's what you mean. We're low on supplies and everyone wants to know if you want us to attack." Jalalith's ears were set forward and her eyes locked onto Crystal's. "We can take 'em, Crys! Say the word and we'll do it!"

Crystal sighed. "What you're proposing is suicide, Jalalith. You against them in that tiny area. I can't issue the order if I thought otherwise, anyway. Only Tser can."

Suddenly Raena's face filled the spot above the Tsurieth. "Where's the mighty Phoenix? The elite warrior?" she told Crystal harshly. "You have more experience in this matter than Sparhawk, FeatherStorm and Tser combined! You can devise a way for this to work! We look to you, Crys, as our leader! Sis," she said more gently, "talk to them. You know we have to do this, as much as I know you don't like it. You would say the same thing if you were in our position!"

Crystal's eyes hooded and the glints shifted to the side. She's right, her conscious said. If you were there, you would lead the charge. Do it!

"If Tser wants to kick you out for it," Raena was saying, "tell her we support you one hundred percent!"

"Kick who out?"

Crystal turned to find Sparhawk, Tserisa and FeatherStorm standing in her doorway. The velvetwyrm flowed to the Phoenix's side, peering down at Raena's fierce image. "You made contact?" she asked the gryphoness.

"Yes."

Tser's ears swept back marginally. "Is there something wrong, Raena?"

"We want to attack -- now -- while they're preoccupied."

The black dragoness looked to Crystal. "And you authorized this? You think they're ready?"

"On my pyre," Crystal replied, crest and facial expressions flat.

Tser clasped the golden immortal's shoulder. "I never would have doubted you, Crystal. Third and Fourth have their instructions, right?"

Crystal relaxed, relieved of the military front she'd put up.

"Yes, they do. Raena," she said, turning to her Soul Sister. "Is Maly filling you guys in?"

Raena turned to look behind her. "Yup. We're all set."

"Then get ready," said Sparhawk, looking as fierce as he could, eyes glowing in the light of the battle. "What's that cry of yours, Crystal? Vahooks? Hookah?"

"Vahakayah -- Phoenix War!" Raena called from the Tsurieith. "We await orders, Sis!" And she blanked the device.

Tser took up the silent Tsurieith. "The conference room -- quick! FeatherStorm -- get Aeris' maps -- now!" The copper gryphoness bolted out.

Together, the three ran out of Crystal's dorm and down the hall, taking a swift left to the conference room. There, they began discussing options and calling Guilders, waiting for FeatherStorm's return.

No two immortals could have ever looked so grim as did Solarius and the Protector.

"At a moment's notice, Solarius," said Raan'lath as He passed a paw over the enaejar's surface, changing the picture. "We leave at a moment's notice."

The golden god nodded from where He sat in His chair, toying with an empty glass of liquor. Normally dry as any desert, the situation had caused even Solarius to drink. "Knock Me over the head with the bottle later, Raan; I do not want to be reminded that I ever drowned Myself in this foulness."

Raan'lath chuckled dryly. "Four-odd billion years of sobriety and You're complaining about one drink?"

Solarius cracked one eye. "I have not been a stranger to the bottle, Raan. I just said I do not like drowning My problems in this foul brew. Where did You pick up this crap? Aytharae? They make such feather-curling potions! A good Draconian liquor, or wine perhaps. Remind Me to talk to Kaevonteror about sending one here."

"The Red Terror?" the Protector commented conversationally, picking up the discarded bottle and looking at it. Putting it to His tailflame, He got rid of the bottle. As finicky as any real cat, Raan'lath couldn't stand the sight of clutter. "He is still alive? Must be nearing 10,000."

"You do not know Draconium dragons as I do, Raan'lath. They are extremely long-lived."

There was a discrete, if hesitant knock at Nefari'raesonex. The Protector whirled, looking up at His companion. "Be You friend or foe, We have no time for Your petty talk!" Solarius shouted back, placing His glass on the table beside Him.

"I have made a grave mistake, Solarius," came the voice of Lux Aeterna. "Please, may I enter? I can no longer feel Illucian."

The tone of the ludrakoni god's voice -- the hurt, the pain, the utter despair and helplessness washed over Solarius and Raan'lath both, turning their hearts and minds. "Enter, Truelight, Brother."

A thin line of drool traced its way down the side of Lux's mouth; her battered senses had caught a whiff of something familiar -- be it food or person, she couldn't tell. She would perish this night, she thought sadly. Ludrakoni were creatures born of light, they needed the strength it provided to survive. How she had managed to hold on this long was known only to the Truelight.

Truelight, what have I done?

The drool wound its way to the ludrakoni's jaws before dropping to her cell floor, mixing amongst other bodily fluids.

Another thing she had no control over -- not that she cared anymore.

"Lady Illucian?"

Lux jerked in her bonds, immediately letting loose a hiss of pain as fire lanced through her tortured muscles. Cracking one gummed-up iridescent, bloodshot eye, Lux peered about her prison: Rock, bars, rock, iron door, rock.

Bars!

A furry, feathered shape hovered concerningly behind the old vent. The vent had once ben open to the outside, but the Hooded One had had it blocked up when she was put it.

"Lady Illucian," the shape insisted, waving its arm in crazy circles, making Lux's head spin.

An odd appendage, part of her brain noticed, all webbed like a duck's.

Blinking, Lux's vision cleared. She cracked the other eye and now could see better. "Hhhhhhuuuurrr yyuuuur?" she managed to force out through her raw vocal chords.

Luckily, the being understood. "Rikiji, of the Fourth Wave."

Fourth Wave!? How many more Guilders are here?

"Hold on, Lady, I'm coming down."

"Nnnnrrrrrrr!" Lux insisted, shaking her head in what she hoped was a vehement "no" gesture.

There was a scrabble of paws and claws on stone, punctuated by a few grunts. "Don't worry, Lady. I'm quite small and quite quick. I can hide anywhere."

Lux sighed. At least she wouldn't die alone.

A flop and a bounce later, Rikiji landed on the prison floor. Turning to his harness pouch, he pulled out a container of salve, provided by -- who else -- but Malystryxx. Ambling up to Lux, he touched her leg. Rolling her eye, Lux saw her savior: no bigger than a dog, Rikiji only came up to mid-calf. He was a combination of an albatross fore and wings with a rabbit hind and head; a different type of Phoenixian war collar graced his neck, much more different than the one the Doomhounds had stripped Lux of when she had been thrown in here. The grybbit held up the jar to Lux. "I'm going to put this on your ankles, then work my way up."

"Wherrrrr th' uhhh-thrrrrsssss?"

Rikiji liberally slathered the top and bottom of one shackle with Maly's salve. "Fourth Wave -- my Wave -- is right above us," he said, flicking an ear to the ceiling. "Second and Third, I was just told, is in a cave hidden from view. They can see your comrades from where they are, though." Up, down, circular motion with the salve.

"Fffsss?"

The grybbit nodded, moving to her other ankle. "Treated well, as they report. Only Stormy and Xolaris unaccounted for."

Not unaccounted for, she thought as blissful coolness spread throughout her legs. Truelight bless you, Malystryxx. No, only not seen -- at least by the rest of the Waves. Lux had seen them through the bars of her door, as they usually passed by her cell on the way to some twisted experiment, tubes and such dangling of them.

"Ssstaaaa wi' me?"

Rikiji looked up in mid-slather. "Of course, Lady."

Candles and magelights were set up as evening took over the day. It had been a long one for the four, pouring over Aeris Windchaser's strategy maps and local charts. Crystal rubbed her eyes and shifted in her seat, folding her tail under a rung where it wouldn't get in the way.

Sparhawk paced in front of battle renditions drawn by Guild artists; Tser consulted via Tsurieth with the Waves, asking them for descriptions and details, which the artists then used to create different scenarios; FeatherStorm worked with Crystal on planing attacks. The Phoenix in gryphon form reached for another plan and studied it, using all her upbringing and 1,000 year-plus knowledge to try and see if it would work without getting Guilders killed.

As they puttered along, a piercing, pure-Phoenix call reverberated about the Guild. Everyone jerked up, looked at Crystal, who held up her hands in a "it wasn't me" gesture and then swung to the door. A tall, golden brown immortal paraded in, crest erect, tail feathers fanned. She wore a full Phoenix war collar, her rank emblazoned for all to see: purple half-circles decorated the top line, a golden orb was set in the direct middle of the collar, the Ambassador feathered-shaped golden piece hung from the orb. Her own devices completed the collar.

Kalaki Moroko Shekeira Eagle-Head, Crystal's sister.

"I bring war strategy maps from the Council!" she announced, eyes surveying the group, a look much like Crystal's on her face. "From the talons of Lord Grawn'fay himself."

Less startled than everyone else, Sparhawk reached up and deftly snatched the articles from Kalaki's harness pouch and threw them to the artists, who set upon them like a pack of ravenous wolves. Kalaki gave a snort and flowed into her preferred form, settling herself by FeatherStorm.

Tser turned to the Elven Nation Ambassador with a mixture of shock and admiration on her draconic face.

"How did you get these?" she asked in awe, fingering a plan she's commandeered from Fareme. "And why give them to us?"

Kalaki turned calmly to Tserisa. "I got them because Ythe asked me to, Guild Leader. I may live as a faerie, but that doesn't mean I suppress my Phoenix instincts which tell me to aid those in need. As to how hard it was, the War Council has long ago learned to honor the requests of Kalaki Shekeira -- she who virtually holds the key to Elven Nations!" Kalaki broke out into good natured laughter, sharing a glance with Crystal. "They're still afraid of me -- that I will cut off trade with the elves!"

Crystal shook her head. "You really ought to stop playing games with the Council, Kalaki."

"Naw," she replied, winking at Sparhawk. "It's too much fun. Besides, Grandfather gets a kick out of every time I put Valkersha in her place. Uppity old bag of pinfeathers," she muttered with a grin.

"Thank you," Tser said, watching as the artists began to frantically converse and make furious motions over the chalk boards and sketch pads.

"We have a saying, Guild Leader; more of an Oath that every new adult Phoenix takes before the Lord. The ending goes something like this: 'Phoenix heart is true, / Blood of ivory pure. / When in doubt or when in vain / To one's aid we will come.' "

Tser nodded. "Yes, Crystal has mentioned that Oath many-a-time when Guilders are in need of encouragement. Your people are truly an inspiration."

Kalaki shrugged. "We try, Guild Leader; even if it seems too hard, we try."

"Thank you again, Kalaki," Tser repeated, reaching out and grasping the faerie's hand; Kalaki returned the gesture, her grip so powerful that it took Tser by surprise.

Letting the dragoness go, Kalaki spread her hands ans a bowl of fruit appeared between them. "Thought you'd be hungry," she said with a grin. "I'm a telekinetic," she explained as she received blank looks from everyone but Crystal. "These are from my home -- go ahead, eat! They're fresh, not poisonous. Ythe's told me her Soul Sister Raena enjoys the perindals."

Ravenous looks replaced the shocked visages. Talons and paws shot out and the bowl was empty in ten seconds. The artists then retreated to their areas with Kalaki's plans, munching happily. Sparhawk started to protest, but the faerie Ambassador held up a slim hand. "No, don't worry; I can get some more. Watch." Closing her eyes, they all felt the slight surge as Kalaki reached out, found and brought to the table more food. "There you go."

As those at the table ate, the artists were hard at work: Nambroth, Fareme, Cosmo, Aubrey Osiris, Zenith, Diana, Ratha, Maggock, Calypte, Rox and others.

"Who among Fourth can do magic?" the potato-loving gryphoness, Zenith, asked, studying one drawing and eyeballing a painting of the mountain.

"SilverMoon," Ratha replied, spread out among other sketches, a pencil above one brown ear and a pen in the other. "But it only works at night, under the moon." She pulled a box of colored pencils out from under her flame-colored wing and got back to work.

Diana looked at Zenith's drawings over her shoulder, tipping her red, maroon-striped dragonhead in query. "What're you thinking, Zenith?"

The black gryphoness raised her white brows in a thoughtful gesture. Turning about, she motioned Nambroth over. The golden brown puma gryphoness came, bearing one of their scene renditions when asked. It was one of Lux's cell as described by Rikiji, set in various points of view.

"They've placed Lux about here, right Nam?" Zenith wanted to know, pointing to one of the red X's on the mountain pic.

"Yes. As good as they could get using Rikiji's information."

"And Fourth is above her, right?"

"Right," Diana answered.

"Crys!" she called over to the gryphoness. The golden immortal flicked an ear and rolled a grey eye in their direction. "Can Lux get energy from the moon?"

"I would think so. Why?"

"I have an idea. I need to work it out, though."

"Shirak! Do it, then, Zenith!" Crystal exclaimed, triumph all over her beaked visage.

"Okay." Zenith turned back to the hovering artists. Quickly, she explained her plan, and eyes widened, getting larger and larger as she went on.

As she spoke, several of the artists grabbed pads and were sketching for all they were worth. Fareme then brought the products of their scribbling to Crystal, FeatherStorm, Sparhawk and Tser. The tiny vulpegryph then perched on Crystal's shoulders, peering down at the battle plans. Crystal looked at them for a long time, every now and then meeting eyes and silently conferring with Kalaki.

"This is it."

Sparhawk took the plans and gave them a once-over. He passed them to Tser with a nod; the black velvetwyrm did the same and gave them to FeatherStorm, who also agreed.

Crystal took up the Tsurieth; looking over at the proud artists, she said, "When I'm done with this, Kalaki and I are going out and getting you guys the biggest herdbeasts we can find!"

"VAHAKAYAH!!"

Fourth Wave circled high, all save SilverMoon, who hovered above the ventilation shaft. Jooshie pointed and Alan and Kreatyl took off, ringing about the clouds, making sure no one spotted them. Then, he and Raekkenyia flew off towards the entrance to the mountain while Undine and Amethyst watched the silver dragon.

SilverMoon raised her hands, cupping them about the amulet she wore around her neck. The pendant rose, glowing with inner light. Moonlight flowed all about her, infusing into her silver scales, radiating outwards in tiny multitudes of stardust. The dragoness began to chant, a low, primal sound that started to rise as the energy began to build within her body. Clutching the swirling magic in her massive talons, SilverMoon swung her clenched fists upwards, her great jaws opening:

"ITHI-KURU!"

Great flashes of light illuminated the whole area, punctuated by the rumbling of thunder clouds. The Ithi-kuru levinbolt shot downwards, powered by SilverMoon's rage and the terrible roar that erupted from her maw.

The force of the bolt hit the mountaintop like the war hammer of the gods. Fire and rock exploded everywhere, shooting high into the night air, caressing the full expanse of the moon. It drilled deep, forced lower and lower by SilverMoon's urging.

Down, down -- ever down!

The mountain jumped and shimmied as if come alive. Those of the Second and Third had braced themselves prior to the attack, alerted by their mages' sensing of SilverMoon's casting. Doomhounds came pouring out of the woodwork, stumbling in their haste to don their armor and equip themselves. Many ran in the direction of the prison cells, others shot out the entrance. The Hooded One followed the pack to Lux's cell, leaving First unguarded.

Autumn was awakened by a vicious, jarring sensation. Auslander, Tagia and Orca were thrown against her, and Chitterz bounced along the floor beside them. The six-taloned magess shot out a paw and grabbed the tiny magpie-ferret gryphoness by the tail, hauling her close. From the chaos came the Doomhounds and the Hooded One, who paid no attention to them whatsoever.

"They're just gonna leave us here," moaned Chitterz into Autumn's silver breast feathers. "It's all going to collapse an' we're gonna die!"

"Go! Go! Go!"

Orca looked up to see gryphons, dragons and other creatures pouring from a seeming wall high up in the cavern hall. The Guild!

Flashes of silver and the hiss of steel heralded the descent of Talaisan and Aryante. The two warriors stood back to back, circling the area. Aryante had cast his voluminous cloak aside and tied his long blond hair in war braids. Talaisan had also gotten rid of his cloak and now sported flashy black and silver armor.

The form of Malystryxx loomed over Tagia and with a word, effectively broke the she-wolf's chains. A small, cheetah-spotted gryphoness came over and placed her hands over Tagia's wounds. Through eyes wet with tears, Tagia could see the ancient Healing pendant the Guilder wore. Kyara moved on to Auslander, then Chitterz, Orca and Autumn, curing them of sores and wounds received courtesy of the Hooded One.

More Guilders joined them on the floor, the rest of Third and Second.

"They haven't forgotten us," Orca cried happily, flinging her chain the length of the room and smashing her stake to pieces. A taloned hand clasped her shoulder, a blue tailflame winking into view.

Raena Stormcaller.

"The Guild never forgets its own," she told Orca.

Maly raised her voice above the clamor as another tremor rocked the mountain. "Tyreenya, Tigress, Poison, Jaejoria! Hold the entrance!"

Raena added her orders to Malystryxx's: "Nhaar, Kaletav, Aeris, Muse! Get going! Acyd, Jalalith -- help me here!"

The chosen ones jumped up and ran to their spots.

Lux looked up as the ceiling started to crumble and bits of slag began to fall on the floor in front of her. Cracks ran up and down the wall holding her chains, but she was too weak to pull free. Rikiji found solstice in the area between her neck, wings and the wall.

There was an earth-shattering BOOM! and a hole was blasted in the ceiling. Rock and dust cascaded in, spreading all along the floor. A boulder as large as Lux's head broke loose and landed, rolling off to one side. Through the iron door, Lux could hear the Hooded One cursing its Hounds, yelling at them to open her cell.

"Lux Aeterna, forever bright," she chanted the ludrakoni prayer. "Save our souls, Eternal Light. Lux Aeterna, forever bright --"

A shaft of purest moonlight came streaking down through the hole --

-- The Hooded One was banging on the door --

-- The shaft expanded, filling the whole room with life-giving light, the holiest Light of the ludrakoni. A voice full of love and power came forth from that shaft, taking over all of Lux's senses. She no longer felt pain, the chains that bit into her flesh, the cold, the floor beneath her feet, Rikiji huddled on her shoulder. All she saw, heard, FELT, was Lux Aeterna, the Truelight.

He stepped from the shaft, radiance melting off His war armor, dripping from His sword in pure sparks.

**Do you wish to live, Daughter?**

**Yes, Lord,** she replied, straining to absorb the Light.

**You will live, Illucian, Essence of My Light, Daughter. Your light must guide your companions, heal your friends, Light their way home. But to do so, you must Change.** The helm lowered and the Truelight's Eye gazed into hers.

Lux was transfixed, His Light filling her. **My friends mean everything to me, Truelight. I will undergo any change to save them.**

The Truelight smiled from beneath His helm. **I am glad you have found a home, Daughter.** He raised His clawed hands over Lux and she began to glow as the Hooded One burst in.

SKEERRRREEEEEEEEEEE!

Light burst forth from Lux in all directions, blinding the Hooded One and the Doomhounds. Rikiji was lifted from her shoulders and transported to the Fourth, much to the surprise of SilverMoon, whose's back he landed on.

The Doomhounds poured out fast and furious from the mountain mouth, straight at Jooshie and Raekkenyia. With primordial roars, the two swooped down and the battle began.

Jooshie ripped between two Doomhounds like Hell hath no fury, his eyes shining blood red in the moonlight, crest standing straight out in all directions. His right arm came around and he smashed his palm directly into the side of one Hound's head and rounded upon the other with his left. The Doomhound's skull resounded with a crack, its head bending sideways at an impossible angle; it crumpled, but the force of Jooshie's blow knocked it into a comrade.

Cupping his wings, Jooshie rose up, coasting over the score and a half of Doomhounds, all smaller than either he or Raekkenyia. With full male dragon fury, Jooshie let loose one of the most terrible roars ever heard above the Cetnes. Raekkenyia echoed him, and together, their calls shook the very marrow in the Hounds' bones.

The furred dragoness took off, skimming the Doomhounds with her deadly claws, rising high or low to escape their pikes and spears. Their thick, viscous blood rained heavy upon the ground, oozing into scale, skin and fur. Raekkenyia lashed out with her tail, cracking one back and snapping a limb -- all in one motion.

"Tag-team, Joosh!"

The huge black male smiled, his teeth already stained with Doomhound blood. "Right on, 'Kenyia!"

"RRAAAAAAOOOOOOWWWWWRRRRR!!"

Light.

Her whole body was infused with Light. Light sang in her veins, pulsed from her heart, danced among her scales.

**Ludrakoni of the highest order,** Lux Aeterna said, His voice coming from all around her. **Higher than the Transfiguration, the elite of all ludrakoni, Daughter. You are seraphim ludrakoni -- Light Dragon Angel. Go with Honor and with the Light, Illucian!**

Shining iridescence met the Hooded One and the Doomhounds; a towering statue of perfect light. An equine like head topped a supple neck that flowed into powerful shoulders. A long spiral hornslight arc; her tail ended in a spray of feathers. The crowing glory of it all was the majestic pair of iridescent wings, each feather a jewel unto itself, complemented by the tufted burst from the dragoness' forehead, curving in a ears that rose from either side of Lux's head.

Seraphim ludrakoni was legend no more.

Chains that had held Lux as ludrakoni shattered as Illucian the seraphim ludrakoni came into being. She stepped into the moonlight vacated by Lux Aeterna and swelled. A rippling from muzzle to tailtip heralded her complete Healing. Dropping to all fours, Lux advanced on her captors; bringer of Light and avatar of the Truelight she might be, but her dragon rage had been roused and it was time for revenge.

Faster than the eye could follow, Lux spearheaded one Doomhound with her horn, flung it off and spearheaded another. Ichor dripped from the glorious horn, splattering on the floor. The equine like jaws opened up to show non-horselike teeth, sharp and shining against the blackness of her maw. Rearing up, throwing her arms wide, Lux lunged forward, sweeping her arms together, crushing scuttling Hounds in their midst.

Fire and smoke erupted from the prison row, blasting Doomhounds and the Hooded One into the corridor. An enraged roar echoed along the hall, as the contingent struggled to rise and run. Illucian came galloping out, discharging electricity through her horn.

Aryante and Talaisan pulled back the curtain to the lab. The elven warrior slipped in first, one sword with the edge out, the other held upright. A feral growl met their ears as they advanced; shadows on the edges of their vision moved, and without thinking, Talaisan laid it to with the flat of No-Dachi.

It flopped to the floor, dragging a chain with it. Tal sheathed No-Dachi and advanced. A thick metal collar was embedded in the cobalt-tipped feathers; silver streaks wound their way through a sea-green belly and over the spined neck.

Stormy.

A pupiless orange eye cracked open, bloodshot and crazed. Tal could feel Stormy zeroing in on him, trying to place who he was. The serrated beak parted and a forked tongue slipped out.

"Talaisan," she croaked, tears welling up at the corners of her eyes. "Aryante," the weregryphoness said, gaze sliding to the elf. "Gods bless!" Stormy tried to rise, the weight of the chain too much for her to bear. She slid to the floor in despair.

"Hold still, Stormy," Talaisan said, taking No-Dachi out again. The zerg-infested weregryphoness opened an eye and saw the sword in his hand. She became deathly still.

There was a flash of steel and a loud ping! Using both hands, Talaisan ripped the awful symbol of servitude from Stormy's neck and flung it into the farthest corner of the lab. Infused with sudden strength, Stormy proceeded to rip other tools used by the Hooded One from her body.

Meanwhile, Aryante scouted around the back of the lab, searching for Neo-Xolaris.

"System failure evident. Time remaining -- T-minus one hour and counting. System failure. Self-destruction in T-minus one hour."

Upon hearing this, Aryante broke into a run, cursing as he dodged crates and other paraphernalia. In the far back, he could just make out a steel cage.

"System failure. Self-destruction in T-minus :59."

"Xol! Xol! It's me -- Aryante!"

"System failure. Self-destruction in T-minus :59.30."

"Dammit, Xolaris! Answer me!"

Reaching the cage, Aryante picked up a pipe and banged Neo-Xolaris square upon the head. There was a pop, a fizz and smoke started coming out the cybergryph's ears.

"System fail-yuuuuuuur -- Erk!" The gryphon's red eyes blinked on and off, accompanied by some intense clicking and internal whirring. Suddenly, the blinking stopped, and the eyes glowed consistent red. "Aryante? Did the dogs get you, too?"

Aryante put the pipe down and started working on Xolaris' cage. "No, Xol. We've infiltrated this hell-hole -- you're going home!"

The cybergryph's optic sensors picked up on the pipe. "You hit me, didn't you?"

"Had to, Xol. You were self-destructing." Twist, click, rattle.

Xolaris shifted to watch the elf more comfortably; doing so, Aryante could see a hole in his leg. He was missing a good chunk of artificial fur and plates that surrounded it. Xolaris noted his gaze. "This was what I meant by the dogs getting you. When Stormy and I tried to get away, these huge brutes caught us. They were less-gentle with me when they found out I wasn't exactly 'alive'." He sighed. "Cost me a bundle to have this done, you know. The fur and the feathers -- all to look more real. Can't see why I bothered now."

Click, click, POP! Aryante pulled the lock free and put it on the table. He grabbed the latch and swung the door wide. "I'm sure the Guild will pool together enough money to have you fixed, Xolaris. You deserve it! Now, out you come!"

The cybergryph smiled up at Aryante as he stepped into freedom. "Self-destruct, eh? Have to get that one fixed to voluntary."

Tyr, Tigress, Muse, Nhaar, Kaletav, Aeris, Jaejoria and Poison watched as one after the other, Jooshie and Raekkenyia disposed of the Doomhounds. Neither were wound-free, though. Both had sustained numerous spear-gashes and bites along the dorsal, wing and tail regions. Both had blood staining their horns, claws and teeth.

As the last Hound crashed against the mountainside, the eight made way for the battle-weary dragons. Raekkenyia cruised in first, landing in a heap of blood-stained and swear-soaked fur. Jooshie almost didn't make the landing, and had to be aided in by Poison and Aeris. He lay there, great black sides heaving, scales raised to aid the cooling process.

"Where's 'Cyd?" he asked, laying his crested head upon stained talons.

Aeris jerked his grey head. "She's inside, Joosh. No need to worry 'bout your gal!"

The big black smiled and closed his eyes; Raekkenyia soon followed her shieldbrother in sleep, there upon the enemy's doorstep.

The Hooded One and its Doomhounds ran like Hell was on their heels through the mountain's corridors. Levinbolts and other light-powered magebolts were being fired at them by a bloodwrathed seraph ludrakoni. Bodies littered the passageways, all gored or fried Doomhounds. Lux did not treat kindly those who had tortured her and kept her away from the Truelight's Light.

Maly and Raena were organizing the merging First, Second and Third Waves in the common room. All Healed by Kyara, Autumn, Tagia, Orca, Aus and Chitterz lent their hands to the cause. It was what they were picked to do: survey and report.

Suddenly, the chaos in the halls reached them. The Hooded One and the Doomhounds -- with Lux not far behind. The group burst into the large room and stopped dead at the sight of the Guilders. Lux skidded to a stop, blocking the way they'd come. Guilders rose all around, effectively circling the small group in a deadly ring of fur, feathers, scale, tooth and claw. Those outside heard and stalked in, even Jooshie and 'Kenyia, fresh from their power-nap.

Malystryxx took the opportunity to reach in with a quick paw and effectively ripped the hood off the Hooded One's head, revealing it for everyone to see.

Red tresses streaked with gold and white fell to small round shoulders; intense black orbs starred defiantly back at them from behind a silver mask. Long-fingered hands reached up to form claws, magic beginning to drip from their tips.

Before the magess could utter a word or fire a single magebolt, a silver-black levinbolt struck her dead in the chest. It felled her like a tree. Over everyone's heads leapt StormWind Pillowgryph and Neo-Xolaris. They dove straight at the incapacitated woman, faces stone and emotionless. The Doomhounds made no move to protect their screaming, hollering master. The Guilders turned away, no intentions of watching either the zerg-infested weregryphoness, cybergryph, or seraphim ludrakoni regain what was theirs.

Solarius passed a wing over the enaejar pool, closing His eye on the scene. Phoenix though He was, it was not a sight He wished to see any longer.

"Our children have performed as only We could have hoped, Solarius," Raan'lath, the Protector, observed from His couch. "Perhaps better."

"Better, Raan'lath," the golden immortal corrected. "Our Daughters and their companions have always performed better than even We could have ever predicted." Reverting to His anthro form, Solarius reclined in His easy chair, commanding glasses of alcohol-laced Phoenixian wine to the grasps of His Brothers. It was truly a time to get drunk.

Lux Aeterna raised His glass, His internal Light dimmed to suit His Brothers' comfort. "To Our Daughters and their Companions! May they forever be tied in friendship!"

Triad glasses clinked, sealing the toast, and the predictions.

Three days later, the triumphant four Waves returned to the Guild lands. As they neared the boarders, they were instantly surrounded by a Wing of twenty Phoenix honor guards. Startled, they allowed the elite to lead them to the Guild, where more surprises awaited them. Standing with Guild Leader Tserisa, Sparhawk, FeatherStorm and Crystal Phoenix was a tall, extremely distinguished-looking red and gold Phoenix -- Lord Larath Grawn'fay. Behind him were Wing upon Wing of Phoenix soldiers, all decked out in their ceremonial finest.

As they landed, Amethyst's wings dissolved. The unicorn mare quietly mourned their loss, for they had served her well. Bu she didn't have the time to dwell upon it, for Lord Grawn'fay was speaking.

The Phoenix Lord possessed a great set of pipes and his deep baritone carried long and far, for the whole Guild was out in their finest as well.

"On behalf of Guild Leader Tserisa, Administrator Sparhawk, Advisor FeatherStorm and Ambassador Ythe Shekeira, let me welcome you home!"

A great roar exploded from the group of Guilders, drowning out anything the Waves could say.

Lord Grawn'fay waited until the cheering died down before continuing. "You have all displayed immense courage and honor above and beyond the call of duty. Some of you have suffered terribly under the hands of the enemy, but you have risen above such harshness and regained yourselves and your companions. As such, I commend you and all you have done!"

The cheering rose in earnest as Lord Grawn'fay lifted his wings high, encompassing all the Waves in the gesture.

"To the Second Wave! Lady Magess Raena Stormcaller, Lady Warrior Acyd, Warrior Aeris Windchaser, Lady Warrior Nhaar, Lady Warrior Kaletav, Scout Muse, Lady Warrior Jalalith, and Swordmaster Aryante!"

Those of the Second Wave sat higher; Crystal reached down and hugged her Soul Sister tightly.

"To the Third Wave! Lady Malystryxx Blackmoon, Lady Guardian Poison of Nightwings, Swordmaster Talaisan, Lady Warrior Jaejoria, Lady Apprentice Healer Kyara, Lady Warrior Xiii, Lady Magess Dark Empress Tyreenya, Lady Magess Regal Tigress!"

Third Wave sat up and beamed.

"To the Fourth Wave! Warrior Jooshie, Lady Magess SilverMoon NyghtWing, Lady Warrior Raekkenyia Moonrunner, Warrior Kreatyl, Warrior Alan, Lady Warrior Amethyst, Warrior Undine!"

Jooshie looked down at Acyd, draping his paw over her shoulders.

Lord Grawn'fay stepped down from the hill he was standing on and walked over to the First Wave, an attendant following him with eight war collars. "To the First Wave, I am honored to give to you full Phoenix war collars and the honorary title of Lieutenant in the Phoenix Army. Come, receive your collars!

"Lady Magess Autumn Sharptalon! Lady Warrior Illucian of the Truelight! Lady Warrior Auslander Snow Grygon! Lady Warrior Orca! Lady Magess StormWind Pillowgryph! Warrior Neo- Xolaris! Lady Warrior Tagia! Lady Warrior Chitterz!

"Phoenix Army, behold your new lieutenants!"

The attendant placed each collar about those of First as they were named. Lord Grawn'fay turned to them afterwards: "Congratulations, all."

Cheers rang louder than before, echoing and reverberating about the Guild lands, free once more. And all due to the courage of those Guilders who fought to keep theirs.

As night fell, the light of the moon came flowing through the window of a certain elf, glinting off a second silver mask hanging on the opposite wall . . .

© 2001 Crystal Shekeira. All Guilders are copyright themselves; the Gryphon's Guild is trademarked to Tserisa Supalla. Kalaki Moroko is © TH. All other names, places and events are copyright to MH. Do not copy, alter or distribute