Author's notes; It is currently December 29, 2015 as I write this. I have made changes to this and the last chapter. I will likely do the same for the other chapters at some point but nothing too major. Just smaller things that i think i would make the story better. Anyone who has read the original version of this may spot the differences though. I prefer this version since i was not too experienced with writting stories before and feel i did a better job this time around. That is all.

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Lilith stood inside a large hall.

" if we're doing this it has to be now. i can sense them approaching. it wont be long till they arrive. "

A voice called out to her, calm yet betraying a faint hint of unease.

"Are the preparations complete? "

Seeing a tall figure stepping in from the shadows, Lilith was able to put a face to the voice, one she knew well. Closing the doors behind him, the figure spoke once again.

" Yeeh. Call James inside so we can begin. As for myself, i'll let Reina know we're ready. "

" Will do. " The gold-haired boy replied.

After seeing him off, Lilith walked to the other end of the hall where a large dais was raised. it was there that her sister Reina stood, her long blood-red hair set ablaze by the light streaming in from the gigantic stained glass window which dominated the wall behind her.

As a child Reina always cried easily, always shrank at the slightest provocation. She was weak. Even when others laughed at or ridiculed her, she never stood up for herself or spoke a single word of protest. That was a type of strength, but not one that mattered.  Not in the place they lived.

In the worst cases she bore everything silently until she was alone, and only then would her tears come.

It was not a choice, rather, it was something that couldnt be helped.  Reina was not in a position where she was able to defend herself.

And so Lilith took it upon herself to protect her sister, to be her knight when it was required. It was a duty she took seriously. Because it was what she felt she owed her little sister... Because Lilith was living the life she should have had.

If not for the difference of a few months, their lives would have been reversed. Born of different mothers, if only Reina had been born first, she would be the one to recieve all the care and attention. At least, for the first few years.

of course Lilith would be facing the judgement and sneers of others, but she was strong, talented. She would have thrown those sneers back at them.

If not for the other Reina she had gotten to know over all this time, Lilith would think there was no hope for her sister to ever be fine without her sister to guide her.

But now, looking at Reina stand upon that dais bathed in sunlight, in Lilith's mind she  looked so solitary, so alone. Unreachable.

Lilith's throat felt raw, her eyes starting to burn with unshed tears.

Taking  a moment to calm herself, she called out to her sister.

" Everything is in place, we're just waiting for you. "

" ... It's okay, I'm already done here."   It was a soft, pleasant voice. "The spell requires a lot of concentration, so i was just preparing myself. Don't worry, i'll be fine, Lilith. We all will" she said upon seeing my expression.

For a moment, it felt as if Lilith's  heart would break. But, even with the risks involved, none of them would live past the day at any rate. Only knowing that, could Lilith allow her sister to go through with something like this.

"How can you be so sure?" she asked. " Nothing has been alright so far"

Reina shook her head.

"Im not sure. It's just a feeling I have. I feel. . . Peaceful. Safe. Dont you? Cant you feel it as well? This is the right thing to do, Lilith. I cant explain it, but im certain everthing will be fine."

"I wish i shared your certainty. But I dont like the idea of it. Finding someone else to save us. We cant be sure anyone can save us anyway. Or would even want to help at all.  Not like we even have much choice at this point."

Lilith know how she sounded, but the words came out unbidden.

" Perhaps. But even still, I cant help but have the sense that things will turn out for the best. I dont know who will show up, but i have faith in that person"

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Lilith wasn't convinced.

" You havent even met the person yet. Having such baseless faith, that isnt like you."

Reina suddenly seemed troubled.

" I know that. But . . . "

"Well, it doesnt matter, i suppose. Having a bit of faith is all any of us can do at the moment." She smiled gently. Lilith chose not to question her sister any farther.  

If this faith of hers gave her some comfort, then Lilith didnt want to take that away from her. Rather, she wished that she also had such feelings. But, the reality of the situation made that difficult.

"Did you tell Saren to bring his brother back in?

"Yeah,  here they come now. "  

As they walked in the two brothers didnt say anything. Their tall, blond frames were a familiar sight and offered some slight reassurance.

In their long journey together, they had both proven to be trustworthy and reliable. The family that Lilith and Reina never had.

Saren, with his fierce protectiveness and unyeilding attitude was like the older brother that would go to any lengths to protect the other three.

James, quiet and thoughtful, was one who listened only to his own ideals. For them, he would make war with the world itself. He had often been both the most troublesome and clear headed of them all, never willing to admit defeat.  

For her part, Reina had been the one needing the most protection. Yet, she kept the group together in the darkest of times. Weak, yet strong. The contradiction was something Lilith had never noticed before their journey began. It was as if she had two personalities inside her.  

One was the little sister who couldnt fend for herself, and the other was a person  who needed didnt need anyone. The one who could take on anthing by herself.  

The one who seemed infinitly more real.

Perhaps, that was who  Reina would have been if things were allowed to take their natural course  without interference.

Once they climbed up the few steps of the dais, the four created a small cirlce. Seeing them holding out their arms toward her, she grabbed their hands.

Lilith felt the strong current of their mana reaching out for her own, mingling together. having that much power coursing through her was exhilerating. suppressing the feeling, she held a palm out to her sister, ready to transfer the power that was neccessary to start the summoning.

When their hands touched, it was like something was sucking the energy right out of her at an astonishing rate. It was like a vast, bottomless abyss with infinite hunger. Lilith saw her sister's irises glow a bright silver. A large magic circle appeared on the dais, illuminating the entire room. It seemed as if everything else faded from existence.

Although Reina performed the spell, Lilith could feel the enormity of the universe. No. . . Not just this universe, but others as well!  

It was a odd feeling, with no words to describe it. Could this be what it felt like to be a god?

It was too much. It felt like her head would explode, like her soul would be ripped apart and thrown across the endless void of time and space. Too much. Too much. Too much.

Reina must be feeling this far stronger than myself. Her mind, how could it withstand something like that?

Is it worth it? What they were doing, would it help at all?

Perhaps not. They, from the moment of their birth, their destinies had been planned out.

Their bodies, even, had been designed to meet only one purpose.  Once that purpose was met, what would they become? Husks. Shells of their former selves.

They knew that. That is why, in our selfishness, we had came up with this insane plan. Because, they had no other choice.

And yet now, after coming so far, her  heart is filled with doubts. So many things we could have done instead. None able to give us what we want.

Will this?

What they were doing right now, was even this included in their calculations?

Was their current actions truly their own choice or was it simply all going according to "their" plans?

And just when the thought entered her head, the doors exploded.