A sudden, ominous feeling washed over Ryella like a wave. She stiffened, lightly pulling away from the boy's embrace and staring out toward the sky. She could sense something, a sinister presence seemingly closing in. Clement looked between her and the direction she was facing, puzzled by her reaction.

"What is it?" he asked. "What's wrong?"

"There's something out there coming this way. I sense a threat of some kind." She abruptly rose to her feet. "I have to go."

Clement was quick to catch her wrist before she ran after it. "Wait, I'm coming too. I'm a hunter, after all. It's my job to help people."

Ryella only nodded, and the pair both sprinted away. They wound up in front of the manor with a clear view of the sky. They both halted, seeing a dark object rapidly flying toward them. The girl gasped as the creature came within range. She stared wide-eyed at the black dragon that sailed over them.

"That's..." She was so in shock, she could barely find her voice. "A-another Guardian...

The dragon was solid black, had a long, whip-like tail, and had the largest claws she'd ever seen on a beast. The creature had four, forward-facing horns and a wide mouth with jagged teeth that jutted out from under his lips. His eyes glowed an eerie crimson color.

(This is what the dragon looks like)

Despite passing over them, the Guardian stopped himself in midair. He twisted around, his red eyes locking onto the girl below. He snarled and drifted down, landing before the two. The gusts from his massive wings nearly blew them back, but they managed to stand firm. The dragon began growling at them.

"Wait, I'm a Guardian too!" Ryella explained, not wanting to fight another of her kind. "I do not wish to fight with you! I'm not a threat!"

Her words only made the beast stalk toward them. Clement got in front of the girl protectively while they both backed away. "I don't think he's listening!" the hunter exclaimed.

In one swift movement, the Guardian swiped his claws at Clement, ripping through his flesh and knocking him out of the way. The boy rolled across the ground, leaving a trail of blood in his wake.

"Clement!" the girl screamed in horror.

She tried to hurry to his aid, but the dragon stomped a hand down in front of her, keeping her from going to the fallen hunter. She fearfully met the Guardian's red orbs and listened as he seemed to laugh at her. She'd never actually faced another Guardian before, and was afraid of doing so. The black dragon was focused purely on Ryella, amused at how scared she seemed to be of him. He suddenly yelped in pain and twisted around. Ryella peered around his form, catching a glimpse of the familiar scale patterns she knew best.

Reynard had the unknown dragon by the tail, his teeth digging into the flesh as he yanked the beast away from his sister. The black Guardian reached back, scratching Reynard's snout and forcing him to let go. Enraged, the dragon flared his wings and let out a roar. From his wings spread a black mist. It swirled about, creating a haze that covered the area and blocked out the sun's light. From the darkness around the dragon, daemons emerged.

Reynard snarled, ignoring the daemons and focusing on his target. He lunged at the black dragon, biting at his throat. But once again, the other beast used his long claws to rip apart his attacker's face, making Reynard release his grip once more. Reynard flew up into the air, his face clawed up and bleeding. The other Guardian flew after him. An aerial battle ensued. With her brother keeping the dragon at bay, Ryella rushed to Clement's side, knowing she'd only get in the way of the fight above.

She fell on her knees beside him, lifting his head a bit. "Clement!"

The boy groaned and hissed in pain, the deep gashes across his torso bleeding profusely. "R-Ryella..." His brown orbs focused on her and he forced a weak smile. "I'm glad...you're okay...at least." He glanced down at himself. "This sucks...I still had...half an hour with you..."

"Don't joke about this," Ryella lightly argued in a panicked tone. "This is serious. I-I don't know what to do."

"Just...stay with me," he breathed out.

She nodded, hugging him tightly in her arms, not caring if she got blood on her. Up in the sky, the battle raged on. There were multiple large pools of water floating about, trapping the black dragon. Reynard used his agility in water to his advantage. He leapt from bubble to bubble, swimming about and swiftly attacking his opponent. Reynard took a brief glance down at where his sister was. The goblins and imps that had emerged were heading for her, drawn to the scent of blood.

Reynard manipulated the water, creating serpents that shot out from the pools. They raced down, scooping up the daemons and dragging them to the pools to drown. Reynard focused, closing the bubbles in on the black dragon. The pools of water merged into one gigantic bubble, trapping the Guardian inside. Reynard circled around like a shark honing in on his prey. He darted in, taking quick swipes or bites as he passed by the black beast. He repeated that method multiple times to whittle away at his foe, but the other Guardian was beginning to predict his movements.

When Reynard charged in again, the black dragon caught his throat between his claws. Reynard struggled about, swiping and snapping, but the beast wouldn't release him. His concentration breaking, the bubble fell apart, falling like rain. The black dragon quickly caught himself, flapping his wings to stay in the air as he inhaled sharply at the ability to breathe again. His strength was incredible to be able to still keep his grip on Reynard. With his claws digging into Reynard's throat, he used his free hand to rip into his opponent's chest. Reynard slowed, the Guardian's sickle-like claws piercing his flesh and stabbing deep into his chest.

When Reynard's struggles ceased, the dragon finally released him, letting him plummet to the ground below. Ryella looked up upon hearing a crash and the snapping of tree limbs. She was in complete shock and terror to see her brother crashing to the ground.

"Rey!" she screamed but didn't move from her spot.

The black dragon roared in triumph, covered in bites and scratches from the fight. He glided down with ease to land before Ryella once more. The girl fearfully hugged the injured boy closer. More daemons seemed to appear at the mere presence of the beast.

"Wh-why are you doing this?" she asked with teary eyes. "Wh-who are you?"

The dragon flicked his wings, causing more black mist to surround her. Listening closely, she could hear what sounded like whispers. They were faint and repeated a single word over and over---Nero. The mist cleared and the girl found herself staring up at the creature.

"N-Nero?" she muttered in a questioning tone.

The dragon growled once more, closing in with numerous daemons at his side. A sudden blinding light overwhelmed them all. The daemons disintegrated with squeals of pain while the dragon reeled back with a hiss, covering his face with his wings. Ryella squinted, trying to see through the light. The light dimmed a bit and Ryella could see the source. Luna briskly approached, her trident in hand. She went to stand by the brunette, frowning at the black dragon.

"Ryella!" she said, her tone loud and commanding. "I share my power with you! We can combine our light and drive away the beast of darkness!"

Without saying a word, Ryella complied. She closed her eyes and focused on Luna, absorbing some of her magic energy. Golden light poured from the Oracle's body like dust, flowing like a steady stream into Ryella's form. The stream of light ended and the girl opened her eyes, which now glowed a brilliant white. Luna lifted her trident, a golden light shining from it. Ryella then utilized the energy given to her and summoned forth her own orb of light. It was like a tiny silver sun glowing in front of her.

The dark haze was completely obliterated from the intense light illuminating the area. The black dragon screeched, blinded by it all. He swiftly spread his wings and flew up into the sky, escaping the two and fleeing from the light. The light faded from them both and Ryella's white eyes returned to their normal green hue. Luna had to catch her breath, having sprinted out as soon as she realized what was happening. With the danger gone, Ryella turned her attention back to the boy whose head still rested on her lap. His breathing was shallow and his eyes were closed.

"Clement," the girl quietly called, lifting his head into her arms.

The boy opened his eyes partway and smiled weakly at her. "Y-you're...still here."

"Of course I am. And you don't have to worry, that Guardian is gone."

The sound of trees rustling caused Ryella and Luna to both turn their heads. Reynard stumbled through the greenery, a hand over his bleeding chest. The dragon approached them before finally collapsing. His breathing was heavy and he gazed over at his sister and Luna. The Oracle clutched her chest, feeling overwhelming sadness and worry from both her Guardians. She circled around Reynard's large figure, examining his wounds and lightly tracing her fingers around the deep punctures in his chest. With his snout right by his sister, Ryella reached back, placing a hand against his muzzle.

"Rey." She looked between the two males. "Both of you just hang in there, okay?"

"I...don't think I can..." Clement choked out. Ryella turned her full attention to him as he spoke. "Everything's...fading..."

"No," the girl argued, tears beginning to fall. "You can't go."

"Ryella...I'm not going to make it..." His vision began to go dark. He had already lost too much blood. "Stay strong... Live on for me... May you find...happiness..." His eyes closed. "I...love you...Ry...ella..."

His breathing stopped and his body went limp. Ryella burst into quiet cries of pure sorrow. After a moment, Reynard gave a low groan. Luna stood by his head, running a hand across his snout.

"Ryella." The brunette turned her head, looking at Luna through watery eyes. "I don't think Reynard is going to make it either."

The girl froze for a moment, processing that information. She carefully laid Clement down and scrambled over to her brother. She went to where Luna stood and clutched onto the dragon's head, gazing into his blue-green eye. Tears continued cascading down her cheeks and her clothes were soaked with blood.

"Rey, don't you dare leave me too! I can't lose anyone else!"

With tears welling up in her eyes as well, Luna suppressed her sorrows and placed a comforting hand on the girl's shoulder. "He fought bravely to protect both you and Clement. He's a hero, and a true Guardian." Luna locked her gaze onto Reynard, moving her hand over to rest against the side of his face. "And you always will be, Reynard."

The beast gave a tired smiled. Although he couldn't help Clement at all, he was relieved that both Lunafreya and his sister were safe. Blood covered the ground around his chest. He too had suffered a fatal injury. Reynard wanted nothing more than to give his sister one last hug and tell her how much he loved her, but he hadn't the energy to move, let alone transform. He instead purred at Ryella.

"Rey, please don't go," she pleaded, her voice quiet and shaky. "The role as Guardian was shared between us, I can't do it alone. I'm not strong enough to do this on my own."

Luna could feel Reynard's strong feelings at that moment and tried her best to convey them to the girl. "Ryella, your brother believes in you, and so do I. All these years you've learned and trained under Reynard. You were even gifted with a unique and powerful magic all your own. There isn't a doubt in either of our minds that you will be---no, you already are---an excellent Guardian. Always believe in yourself, because we certainly do, and we love you dearly."

A single tear spilled from Reynard's eye. He silently thanked Luna for speaking for him. Ryella kept her hold on her brother, still sobbing and watching as his eye steadily closed. With one final breath, his life was gone. Ryella's cries grew louder and Luna pulled her into a soothing hug. In that one day, Ryella lost both her brother and her boyfriend. Despite the shining sun in the sky, it was quite a dark day for the Oracle and her last remaining Guardian.