A collaborative story with AngelBlackwing,Prima Ballerina, MisoNinja, BBchan and dreaming eyes.

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"Angel, what happened?" Lady Leaf frowned worriedly, one wave had barely subsided, a new one arose. Watching the struggling face of Lady Midnight, the Dark Lady scanned the ballroom again and again, trying to locate Lady Mysa, and also trying to locate the source of the indispensable sense of evil. Even the presence of the celestial queen could not ease her tensed nerve, an unseen evil was approaching...

Angel looked away from the Dark Lady as she replied. "I made...a very big mistake...a long time ago...I tried to erase the darkness lurking in my heart...but...it instead...escaped."

"Angel you'll be fine!" Lady Leaf held the young girl tight, "Whatever been done done. You must hold on now! I'm here for you, we are all here for you. Whatever evil may have been released, we will defeat it together!" The Dark Lady felt a deep guilt within, would this has something to do with the once unleashed forbidden gate? Once again the lady tried to locate Lady Mysa, but once again, she was nowhere to be found. An unsettled feeling lurked inside, could it be something happened to the blue lady?

"Isn't that sickeningly adorable?" the sinister voice said scornfully. "Yes, you're always hiding behind someone to protect you, aren't you, Angel?" On the stairs, a young woman who could almost be Angel's twin stood, smirking and bowing mockingly. The only differences were her hair and eyes. Her hair was a darker shade than Angel's and her eyes were an unsettling red violet colour.

"Go away, Arisa." Angel said, staying close to Lady Leaf, but to protect her, not to hide behind her.

"Go away, Arisa." the other girl mocked in Angel's voice. "You're such a whiny little child." Her gown, red violet like her eyes, trailed behind her as she walked up to her counterpart.

"Who are you?" Lady Leaf deepened her voice as she always does when feel threatened. The Dark Lady pulled Lady Midnight closer, she was too familiar with the red violet in this Arisa's eyes. The crimson shade of the underworld!

"Oh, didn't you listen to that sweet girl? I came from the darkness in her heart." Arisa replied, not stopping in her slow walk toward them. "I'm the other half of your sweet and innocent Angel." she smiled unpleasantly, showing a hint of fangs. "Arisa, Lady of the Blood Red Rose."

Marcella curling in shadows, listened carefully.

The Dark Lady gave a wry smile. The demoness Marcella was yet to be found, now here came an Arisa, lady of the blood red rose... What a night indeed. All Hallow's Eve had been a night of both darkness and light since ancient times, and that's very reason for the Full Moon Castle’s tradition. When kindled by merriment and laughter, the marble castle gave out a light as bright as the full moon, a light of pure joy that drove away those who lurk in the shadows. That was how the Dark Lady's castle got its name.

But a night like this was certainly not a night of celebration. The castle's light was dimming, for all that happened this night. 'Perhaps I could finally put this to an end.' The Dark Lady thought, secretly sent words through moonlight, "Lady Mysa, where are you? Be careful of Lady Midnight's roses, evil has taken over its power! Do not use it now! Speak to the moonlight if you hear me, then I will hear you!" A gentle breeze swept swiftly, Lady Leaf only hoped her invisible messager could reach Lady Mysa before it's too late. But deep inside, she feared that it was already too late...

Lady Leaf sighed, but on brighter side, her guests would be safer with the presence of the celestial queen, and less frightened. For the Dark Lady knew the best, fear, is the most effective weapon those creatures of shadow use to against the living. So the lady stepped forth, "Very well, Arisa, Lady of the blood red rose, what business brings you to the Full Moon Castle?"

Arisa rolled her eyes. "Ugh, you really don't listen, do you? Kind Angel finally decided to let me out using the very blood ritual SHE created to seal me away."

Angel looked away, ashamed.

"But you know...now that I'm out, I really don't think that there is much of a need for her anymore." her nails grew into long, dreadfully sharp looking claws. "The other demon didn't finish her job, so I guess the honour is left to me."

Marcella slipped behind a column, watching Lady Leaf’s every move. She noticed little Camile in the back, moving toward her. That gave her and idea...

Marcella suddenly took Camile by the arm. "You!" She said, "You little traitor, it's time to honour your promise. I helped you, now you'll help ME!" Ignoring Camile's resistance, the demoness grasped the young girl's wrist tighter "Lady Leaf...." She said, trying to brainwash Camille with her lies "She is a murderer. She killed my family. My mother was the original Dark Lady. I have come to avenge her death by taking back my crown! I have a plan....but I need you. Understood?" Marcella stared into Camile's cornflower blue eyes until they turned a blood red. "Yessss...." She hissed. "Now...do you see that column over there?" She pointed to the column next to a long table. "Go there. Take this with you." She handed her a vial of demon's blood. "Slip this in her drink, Lady Leaf's drink. That's all I ask..." "Wait!" Marcella called, pulling her back. "Close your eyes and turn away." Camile did what she was told and Marcella quickly slit a small cut on her arm. Marcella then pricked her finger, wincing slightly. A little drop of blood landed on Camille's cut. "There." She muttered. "That should take care of you.....now GO!" 'Almost there....' Marcella thoght. Everything was going according to plan. She needed to win.

Watching Marcella manipulate the girl Camile was amusing, but the red-eyed lady's attention was drawn away by a beam of moonlight, speaking softly into her ear. A devious grin spread across her face. She hid the red petal among the fabric roses dotting her dress. Drawing power from it, she hid her demonic changes, making sure to signal to Marcella first. Then she ran out to the Dark Lady, "I returned as soon as I heard your message." Her eyes went to Arisa, wondering if she saw through the ruse.

Of course Lady Leaf was listening, she was just finding out the ins and outs of this new disturber. Seeing Lady Mysa returning to her side, the Dark Lady signed in relief, "It's a comfort to see you return unharmed, my friend." At last the lady's message reached the blue lady one step faster, or at least she appeared to believed so. A faint shield started to form around Lady Midnight, sylphs of Artemis whispered in the Dark Lady's voice. "Angel, you must not fear her! The red rose is your dark side, you have yours and I have mine. The further you run away, the faster you are engulfed. You must FACE her, Angel! YOU are the only one can defeat her! Lady Mysa was back with the last petal, you might need it!"

Another silvery bean reached the celestial queen Forgeia, prayed in reverent, "My queen of glory, may your light illuminates the shadowy path, lifts hearts and brings courage. May your grace kindles the castle, for its light beacons the lost, and shields the weak. For your all-seen eyes have seen, long ago a mistake had been made, and tonight, I shall put it right!"

Drawing a long sword out from thin air, the icing blade gleamed as if it was forged from moonlight, the Dark Lady pointed her blade to Arisa, "Well then, if you can REACH her first!"

Angel tried to get to her feet, but her still not healed wound hindered her. "My lady, you can't! She's too dangerous!"

"Oh, now don't go spoiling my fun!" Arisa simpered, falling into a fighting stance, claws out. Lady Leaf also held out her blade, ready to meet her opponent.

"Perhaps you should worry more about yourself," Lady Mysa knelt next to Lady Midnight. "You're still wounded, and you know how strong our hostess is." Flashing a compassionate smile, the false lady felt disgusted, but the reward at the end would be worth the effort.

Angel looked like she wanted to argue, what could she do? Lady Mysa was unfortunately correct. Her wound was still too great for her to even summon roses...wait, roses! Mysa had a rose petal! She opened her mouth to ask for it, but froze as she saw it, hidden among the roses on her dress. It was already blood red. "No..." She whispered.

Found out already, what a disappointment. The red-eyed lady dropped the act, returning to her demonic form. "Yes!" she shouted, seizing Lady Midnight and wrenching her upright. "A little late to notice unfortunately." Looking to Arisa, she asked, "I assume you'll want this one yourself?"

Angel bit back a cry as she was hauled to her feet, feeling more blood seep from the wound. Arisa glanced over at them and smiled in that unpleasant way. "Her death is my honour, yes. But if you would like to ensure that she won't be able to escape, I have no problem with it..."Angel ground her teeth. Why now, the one time she was weak and unable to summon roses, was it that Arisa had escaped AND she had gotten captured by another demon?!

"Then I have a request for you," the red-eyed lady gestured towards the shocked Lady Leaf. "Someone else wants to finish her off. I'm sure she wouldn't mind you having a little fun," she stole a glance at the pillar where Marcella stood, warning her not to get involved yet, "But leave the killing blow to her. Then I won't have to take this one for myself." "So long as she doesn't get in the way while I deal with the little innocent, I think I can agree to that." Angel looked where the demon woman was looking and gasped. The demon woman who had stabbed her and Lady Leaf! She was still here!

"Release her, she demon." The voice of Lady Leaf calm down suddenly, a silvery drip burnt the hand that the red-eyed lady who was holding Lady Midnight, a thin barrier of moonlight rose and shielded Angel. The Dark Lady already cast a protection spell around Lady Midnight at the time the blue lady had returned. "Red petal doesn't go with your blue dress, Lady Mysa."

Recoiling from the silver waters and moonlight shield, the red-eyed lady could feel herself being dismissed. She had to play her trump card. "If you dismiss me, I'll never release your dear lady from her slumber!" Hopefully that would give the Dark Lady pause. She was pretty sure she could do that...

Lady Midnight completely disregarded the fact that she was wounded as she summoned rose vines to ensnare the demon. "Release her and I will release you." She said calmly, though there was an undertone of pain. A smirk spread across the demon's face. "You forget, roses help me as much as you." Draining the roses to strengthen herself, she quickly broke free, springing across the room to stand by Arisa. "I apologize, I wasn't expecting such trouble."

Angel paled as the roses were drained, draining her already dwindling strength as well. "Not to worry. She's always been a thorn in my side...nicely done." Arisa added as Angel collapsed again.

Three creatures of the shadow in the full moon castle, it was something never happened since the forbidden gate had been resealed. Lady Leaf sighed, suddenly sneered as she held out her hand, "Have you lost something, red lady?" In her hand floated a coquettish crimson petal, surrounded by a sliver light sphere. This was the LAST petal, the tainted petal that backfired Lady Mysa. Her instinct told the Dark Lady that this little thing might be the key.

A tinge of fear crossed her face for a moment as the red-eyed lady searched her dress for her petal. When did the Dark Lady take it? "It's not important, I can get another from Arisa." A lie, the tainted petal was completely different than the purely evil flowers the demon could provide. "And you wouldn't dare purge it, unless you want Lady Mysa to be trapped in her own mind forever." Stirring gently, Lady Mysa felt a light tingle throughout her body. She began to murmur, "Midnight, help me."

"Oh, really?" Sneered as she looked through the lady’s red eyes, "Were you not standing there, arguing whom to kill whom, this little thing wouldn't have come to me." The Dark Lady threw the light sphere to Lady Midnight, "I believe it is more useful in your hand."

The red-eyed lady, seeing Marcella's plan, leapt forward, snatching a blood-red rose from Arisa. Casting a hex at Lady Leaf, she started running, hoping to get to the tainted petal before the weakened Lady Midnight. Even if she were a mere distraction, she would make sure the others would get what they wanted. She would take care of everyone. 'I just wanted to take care of everyone,' Lady Mysa thought as the petal rolled toward Angel. 'I didn't mean to hurt you.

''It's all right, Mysa...' Angel's voice soothed as the girl caught the light sphere, picking it up and gaining enough strength from it to stand again. 'You did what you thought was right.' "Thank you, my Lady." she put both hands around it and closed her eyes. Slowly, the petal in the sphere started turning blue again.

"No! Stop her! Stop her!" Arisa shrieked, watching her counterpart gain more strength as the petal was reverted back to its original state. The red-eyed lady let out a desperate cry as she hurled herself at Lady Midnight. Fear of being turned out of her borrowed body brought tears to her eyes. "Please," she begged of Lady Midnight... '...I don't want to be scared anymore.' But she was only to be cast away by the protection shiled.

Lady Mysa opened her eyes, finding herself surrounded by darkness. Where was she? Was this a hidden room in the castle? Marcella! Had she done this? Memory hazy, she saw a tiny light in the distance. Hoping it was a way out, Lady Mysa started running toward it.

"No, you are the one to stop." Breaking free from the red-eyed lady's dark thorns that tangled her, Lady Leaf hindered in front of Arisa, and strengthened the protection shield around Lady Midnight. Just in case those two would put on a desperate fight, sure they will... The darker side is weakening, "Lady Mysa, my friend, please wake up, come to the light if you hear me..." The dark lady blew a mizzle of moonlight to the red-eyed lady.

Lurking in the dark, Marcella knew the tap has been turned, she cannot hesitate! Sneaking up to the Dark Lady...the demoness suddenly shouted. "NO! She is MINE now! My servant!" She charged at Lady Leaf again. "No!" Angel cried, managing to use the reverted petal to summon a rose vine to capture Marcella, dragging her back. "Don't touch her, you demon!"

"I would be more worried about yourself." Arisa said dangerously from behind her, claws glinting. Still clinging to Angel, the red-eyed demon saw Arisa appear behind the Lady. This was her chance! If blood fell on one of the roses, she could use it to keep this body. She'd never have to go back into the dark! Mysa was getting close, She had to hurry!

The light was getting brighter, and Lady Mysa could swear she heard Lady Leaf's voice floating in with it. It sounded like trouble was brewing outside. She had to hurry!

Marcella struggled through the vines. "Let me go!" She shouted, trying to break free.

"Angel, focus on Arisa, handover the demon to me!" Lady Leaf summoned aids from the sea below the castle, water came to answer the lady's call. Stretching her palm, an aquatic web spread around her as the Dark Lady's will, glittering like crystal in Luna's gaze. 'Lady Mysa, please be hurry!' Angel was about to answer as she turned to Arisa, but she was cut off as her dark side thrust her razor sharp claws straight through her stomach.

"NO!" A water arrow shot from the web ready for the demoness Marcella, dragging Arisa away from Angel, and leashed her on the web. "What have you done, witch!"

"What I've wanted to do for YEARS!" Arisa spat in Lady Leaf’s watery web, laughing as Angel's blood spread over the floor.

"Arisa... Please..." the false lady watched Lady Midnight's blood fall to the tile below. "A rose..." But it was too late, her was again rebounded and her body collapsed into the water. "I don't want to be alone... in the dark..." Then she went silent.

The light was so close, Lady Mysa could reach out and...crying. She could hear crying behind her. Turning to find the source of the sound, she spotted young women in a tattered red dress, crouching in the dark. "Hello?"

The woman's head jerked up, crimson eyes filled with tears. "I don't want to be alone anymore..." Lady Mysa looked back to the light, then walked to the woman. "Who are you?" The girl reached out to the Lady's dress, touching the fabric flowers with care. "Roses..." Her heart reaching out to this girl, Mysa knew this was probably a terrible idea. "Come with me. You don't have to be alone." She took the girl's hand, then touched the light before her.

Lady Mysa awoke in a pool of water, very confused and very wet. She didn't remember much, just the feeling that she'd been asleep for a while. Looking around, the first thing she saw was the demoness, Marcella. It was starting to come back to her, she'd found the demon. Then she saw Lady Leaf, and her angry gaze. Turning to match, she saw Arisa, and Lady Midnight, and all the blood. "Angel, no!"

"Angel, you must not give in!" Lady Leaf wanted to rush to Lady Midnight more than anything, but she must calm down! There still were two demons to deal with. Pleading in her firmness and sober anger, the Dark Lady spoke, "Lady Mysa, if you have awoke, please help Angel! For you have walked through the shadowy path, you have faced your darker side!"

Scampering trough the water to the fallen Lady Midnight, Lady Mysa searched for anything to help her. Not a single rose in sight, all withered away by the demons. If only the ones on her dress were real. Then she remembered, the girl in the darkness. Looking to one fabric rose, she found that, not only was it real, but it had changed color. It was red, but it seemed to be safe, unlike Arisa's roses. Touching the rose, she tried healing Lady Midnight, and the wound began to close instantly.

After a moment, Angel sat up, coughing out blood and gasping for breath. "What...What happened?...A-Arisa! Where did she--?!" she looked around for her dark half, not wanting to be caught unprepared again. Lady Mysa held Angel up, continuing to care for her wounds. The red rose was powerful, and the damage was erased in a few moments. Arisa was cackling nearby, and Lady Mysa wanted Lady Midnight better as soon as possible. There was no way she could beat the demon alone, but together, perhaps they could win. "You're almost healed," she whispered, "You know her best, do we have a plan?" "I need to seal her away again..." Angel said, carefully standing up. "It won't be easy..." "I'm ready when you are," Mysa followed suit, "Just tell me what to do." Plucking the red rose from her dress, she prepared to cast a spell at any instant. "We need to get one of her tainted roses..." Angel said, struggling to stand on her own. "If I can get some of my blood and hers on it, it will seal her away again..."

The demoness Marcella, took her chance and broke free her bound while Arisa attacking. In the shadow she awaits, this cunning she demon is more dangerous while calmed. 'An invisible threat,' Lady Leaf searching in her peripheral vision, but Marcella was nowhere to be found, 'is far more troublesome than a visible enemy.' The Dark Lady knew with Queen Forgeia's presence, Marcella wouldn't dare a direct clash. However, she also knew one thing, the one weakness of all demons, their greed. Lady Leaf had to lure the demoness out, with one thing she wanted most, the Dark Lady herself. It is risky, but worth taking. Too much bloodshed tonight, too much. It was supposed to be night of grandeur, just like the queen has said.

The lady grasped in air, the water string of her web swirled, suddenly tightened Arisa into a vortex. "You will pay for what you have done." Addressing to Arisa, but more to Marcella, without the web, the Dark Lady exposed herself to the demoness. She wanted HER to believe she saw her chance!

"YOU!" Marcella yelled to Lady Leaf. "Come here! There's something you should know..." Finally, the demon showed herself. Still holding Arisa in control, Lady Leaf wouldn't be so careless to move her ground hastily. "Why, a demon too frightened to approach a mortal?" In the corner of her eyes, the Dark Lady saw the two rose ladies restoring their strength. Lady Leaf felt eternal gratitude towards Lady Mysa."Spit out what you must! Stealthy always as you demons, never dare to step in light." Lady Leaf tried to infuriate Marcella, forcing her to come forth. "Plan carefully, my friends." A nimble moonlight whispered in its swiftness, to Lady Midnight and Lady Mysa, "I am holding these two demons, speak to the moonlight should you need my help."

"Alright," Lady Mysa prepared a spell, "We'll finish this before the night is out! My lady, hand over Arisa to me!" Lady Mysa got on her feet again and signaled to the Dark Lady's moonlight. With perfect team work Lady Leaf waved her hand and pushed the watery cage closer. Lady Mysa cast a spell, creating a fine net around the demon, then drawing it tight. The glassy vines bit into Arisa's skin, hopefully that would be enough to get blood on her roses and let Angel take one for her ritual. Angel rushed over, a sudden idea coming to her. If she could get some of Marcella's blood too, she could seal BOTH demons away!

In the shadow Marcella clearly saw the overwhelming situation, she had lost. And yet a demon's cunning ran deeper, still one pawn was being kept hidden, Camile. "I'll be back..." Marcella hissed, smiled cruelly as she suddenly rushed out. "These are MY servants!" Marcella demanded. "You cannot take them from me!" She cried devastatingly and lunged at Lady Leaf. Screaming in agony and trying to fight everyone off, the demoness only found herself too weak, she was such a good actress.

"Finally showed yourself!" This was the moment Lady Leaf had been waiting for. An arrow of water shot from the swirl she used to trap Arisa. The transparent flow revolved around the demoness and suddenly tightened up. Struggling though, Marcella was subdued. "We shall finish this before the night ends."

Using the glass vines to cut Arisa's arm, then to pluck one of her bloodstained flowers, Lady Mysa threw the rose to Angel. All it needed now was Marcella's and Lady Midnight's blood. Then this nightmare would be over! "Angel, we are ready." Lady Mysa nodded to Lady Midnight, who was still pale from her wound. Lady Midnight looked at her friends in gratitude, drew power from the already cleansed petal and summoned her roses. One single thorn pierced her finger, Lady Midnight dripped her blood on the tainted rose then walked to Marcella. Struggling in her watery cage, the demoness was screaming, "No, you are MINE, you are MINE!" "It's time for you to pay, demon." Lady Midnight's rose vein sliced the demon's hand and caught the dripping blood by the same rose.

Collected everything needed for the ritual, all three ladies sighed in relief. "Angel, you are still weak. Are you able to perform the ritual?" Lady Leaf turned to Lady Midnight with care. Still holding the two demons in control, the Dark Lady dare not risk moving around. "I'm fine, my lady, it's time to put an end to this." Lady Midnight took a deep breath, "I'm ready." Lady Midnight placed the reversed petal and the tainted rose together on her palms, a sphere of light lit around them and quickly spread along her arm, soon the entire body of Lady Midnight started to glow. "NO! Stop her, stop her!" The demons' faces distorted as the light grow brighter.

'Finally.' Lady Leaf saw the perfect opportunity. She swung her sword, the icy blade cut through thin air. The reality split, a corner of an ancient black structure emerged inside the crack of space. "The forbidden gate!" Someone gasped from the crowd.

"NO!!!" the demons gave out a cry of devastation when they saw the black gate. Beads of sweat dripped from Lady Midnight's forehead, "Hold on Angel, it’s almost done!" The two ladies prayed nervously, their eyes focused on Lady Midnight without blinking. "Go back, demons!" Lady Midnight suddenly held high her hands, the demons' figures, kicking and screaming, faded and twisted and were being drawn into the cleansed petal. She did it! The demons were sealed away!

"Angel, hand me the petal!" Holding the crack in control, Lady Leaf called to Lady Midnight loudly, but still her voice almost drowned in the strong suction from the gate, the edge of her long overcoat fluttered in the wind. Gathering her last bit of strength and threw the petal to Lady Leaf, Lady Midnight felt the world spinning, her sight became vague, "I...did it...". Lady Mysa rushed over, caught her fainting friend in her arms.

Catching the petal form the violent airflow, Lady leaf cast one more seal on it and let go. The petal, carrng too much blood and tear being shed this night, was whirled away into the crack by fierce wind. "Go back to where you came!" The Dark Lady wielded all her power mending the crack. The resistance was strong, as if the demons were putting on their one last fight. "From time immemorial the Dark Ladies of the Full Moon Castle had been guarded the threshold between this world and the shadow realm, I was negligent of my duty long ago, but never again will I allow evil to escape!" The Dark Lady grasped her blade, the sharp edge cut into her palm, she pointed her hand forward, a scarlet curve of blood, neglected the billowy air, shot straightly towards the crack, but was obstructed by some invisible force barrier.

"My queen," Lady Leaf closed her eyes, "I need your light..." "Certainly, my friend." the soft voice of Queen Forgeia caressed through. Twinkling dust, glowing and spinning, a fuzzy contour of a bow started to form in Lady Leaf's hand.

"It is time." Drawing blood from her still bleeding wound, an arrow glittered with ruby light forged as the lady's will. The Dark Lady pulled the arrow on the string, and the bow of light completed its formation. "May thy light guide us." Lady Leaf placed the arrow and string on her forehead. Her eyes reopened with a cold sternness, her body, stood firmly in the howling wind, her arms stretched the bow and fixed the arrow. Letting go...dragging a tail of ruby light, cutting through the chaotic scrolling air, the arrow aimed the crack like a shooting star. The crack, took in the ruby arrow, like a black hole devoured a star. 

All was quiet, the wind stopped its fearsomeness, and the sound faded, a deep breath before the sneeze. A terrible light, suddenly exploded from the crack, a stately force swept through the grand hall, all the growl and shriek and the shadowy figures bared fangs and claws inside the gate, faded, evaporated in front of this great power, the scar of the space has being mended. The castle, being kindled by its grace, shone even brighter than the daylight, illuminated the darkness like a beacon on the benighted ocean, warded away the evil lurks in shadow. "Finally, I remedied our mistake..." The Dark Lady fell on the floor.

When finally came to her consciousness, Lady Leaf found herself lying on a lounge near the wall, being surrounded by her caring guests. "What happened...I...where is Angel, where is Mysa?" Lady Leaf struggled to stand up. "My lady,you need rest, you are not recovered yet..." a young girl came up from side, assisted the Dark Lady. Lady Leaf turned to her carer, seeing the concerned face of Camile. "Thank you Camile..."

"My lady, you are awake!"  The crowd recoiled, letting the source of the voices through. They were Angel and Mysa. "My friends, so glad to see you both are safe and sound." The three ladies held their hands together, "Finally, my friends, the troublesome time is over..." Lady Leaf whispered in relief. Lady Mysa's face dimmed, as if answering her unusual reaction, a cry of sorrow came from the hallway. All turned to locate the source, a guest lady, buried her face in her hand, staggered into the dance hall. "My friends..."she cried, pointing one finger to the hollowed darkness that glutted the opening. "Marcella..." Lady Mysa lowed her head, remembering what she saw in the darkened hallway.

One, two, three, four...four cold bodies lying on the cold marble floor, covered with white sheets. A young girl, a couple and a servant. Lady Mysa wrapped a blanket around the shoulders of the guest lady who had lost her friend, while the others, being led by Lady Leaf, hatted off showing their condolence.

"Marcella..." the Dark Lady sobbed in pang of guilt, she failed to protect her friends... "My queen..." Lady Leaf gazed upon Queen Forgeia, who was overlooking the ballroom from atop the staircase, soft light billowed around her graceful figure."...my queen, as the Dark Lady I know the rules of the beyond clearly. The faded cannot pass back to the land of the living easily...But my queen, this night has witnessed too much pain and loss, I am begging of you..." She fell down on one knee, "Can you help them?"

"My dear lady..."Queen Frogeia descended the stairs and upreared the Dark Lady gently, her ethereal voice filled with comfort, "Do not blame yourself, you have succeeded your duty, the gate has been mended, the damage undone." Lady Leaf lowered her head, still depressed from the loss. "And you ladies..." Queen Forgeia cast her gaze upon Lady Midnight and Lady Mysa, "... you overcame your darker side and sealed away the demons...you have our thanks..." the two ladies stepped forth beside Lady Leaf, supporting their friend. "The rules were made for a reason but are not inflexible..." The Queen's words lit up hope in the ladies eyes, "Do not forget, on All Hallow's Eve, the wall between this world and the other thins to its weakest."

Queen Forgeia held high her lantern, her powerful voice reverberated in the grand hall. A warm golden light floated swiftly out of the queen's lantern, warmth flooded the entire room, so much similar to the powr of the healing water but ten folds stronger. Four glowing transparent figures crossed back through the lantern, they hovered above the bodies as if were waiting for instruction. "Go back, my children." Queen Forgeia blew a mist of star dust toward them. With the soul bearer's permission, the spirits spun happily as they descended and became one with their corporeal forms. "Umm..." The eyes of the departed ones shot open and they gasped the first breath in their new life. The crowd, recoiled in fright at first but soon enclosed to greet their regained friends. "Thank you, my queen." The three ladies bowed deeply to the queen, in joy and homage.

"I believe it's time to restart the masquerade." the graceful smile of Queen Forgeia illuminated the grand hall, so did the silvery light of her lantern. The pain and sorrow of this tortuous night was washed away and the music, brisk and light, echoed the castle once again.

"Angel, Mysa, my friends..." on the balcony, the Dark Lady was so happy to see her guests resumed their festivities, it ended well after all. ”...none of these could be done without you, you have my thanks." Lady Leaf held hands of Lady Midnight and Lady Mysa. 

"Angel, you saved many lives tonight..." "But you were hurt for me, my lady..." said Lady Midnight softly, "No Angel, in fact you saved us all, have you not remembered the tale of the pure-hearted blood?" Lady Leaf blinked mysteriously, "Yes, it was said to have miraculous power, but..." Lady Midnight was confused, "...isn't Queen Forgeia's arrival a miracle?"

The two smiled simultaneously as Lady Leaf turned to Lady Mysa, "And you Mysa, we both owned you our lives." "Yes, I will not be standing here without you, thank you my friend." Lady Midnight enfolded Lady Mysa in friendship and gratitude, "I won’t be here without you, either. We did it together." Lady Mysa hugged back, in her hand laid quietly a red rose, delicate but not evil, "We did it together..." Lady Mysa whispered again, glancing at the flower.

"Angel, Mysa, for all the hardship we went through together, you are now my ladies of honour..."the Dark Lady held out two sliver crescent brooches, "the Full Moon Castle welcomes you at any time." "Thank you, my lady." the two ladies bowed to their hostess. 'Finally, I don't have to worry any longer...' Angel wore her brooch. 'Yes, we did it together...' Mysa also wore hers, along with the red rose proudly. 

"And for you Camile..." Lady Leaf bend gently and placed one hand on the girl's shoulder,"...your bravery helped us all tonight, in return I own you a favour..." the Dark Lady blew a mist of moonlight towards Camile, a crescent shape mark shinned on her forehead and quickly fainted. "Should you need, call my name and I shall come to your aid." Lady Leaf smile to the young girl, "Thank you so much, my lady!" Camile jumped up held her arms around Lady Leaf's neck.

Laughing in true happiness, Angel and Mysa joined the group hug. The four figures, tightly connected. Behind them the All Hallows' full moon illuminated the night sky. But no one noticed, on Camile's face her lips curved into a sly smile, an evil red flash leaked from her tight fist but disappeared rapidly.