A/N: The music might go along with most of this chapter, depending on your reading pace. Otherwise, feel free to listen to it after you finish reading. I hope you enjoy!

The celestial power of the full moon coursed through Maeyune's veins. She could feel it. It seeped from every pore of her skin, radiating past her silver armor to lace the air in a white brume.

These nights were her favorite; she was in tune with the Moon God and his magic. These nights, she felt alive.

While the sky continued its vicious brawl between human and Wobeck, the street harbored silence. Awestruck eyes fastened onto the silver creature who stood inside the ring of lifeless Wobeck.

But Maeyune gave her attention to only one. The sight of him encouraged a smile. With the moon's power gracing her body, she drifted her way toward Reo.

He, Meera and Clover were the only ones who stood firm. The rest stumbled back, wide eyes blinking against her light.

When she reached him, she held out a fist and unfurled her fingers. On her palm rested the Castells' family heirloom, warm and glowing in the presence of the sun dragon.

"I believe this is yours," Maeyune spoke, a smile on her silver lips.

Reo recognized the sun ring and returned her smile.

His eyes never leaving hers, his warm fingertips brushed across the cold skin of her palm as he accepted the ring. Without delay, he slid the ring onto his right hand's ring finger. Then, with hand turning to fist, he summoned its stored energy.

All but Maeyune stepped away as empyreal brilliance encompassed him. She waited for him to reemerge, waited to see the red warrior.

But when she peered through the smoky blaze, she glimpsed armor that was not the blood-crimson of nightmares. Instead, it claimed a muted red, almost gray. His antlers were also no longer black, but taking on a bronze shine.

She had only a moment to ponder the curious sight, when gold flashed and blinded her.

She turned her head to the side, shutting her eyes tight. Exclamations sounded from everyone on the street. But over their staggered shouts, she heard Reo, his voice prominent.

He released a sound that was halfway between a warcry and spirited laughter.

When his light finally disappeared, she witnessed the result. Eyes widening, she took in the sight of the unfamiliar creature standing before her.

Her breath caught in her throat.

His armor, his antlers, his scales and his eyes...

They were gold.

Reo was gold.

With mouth agape, Reo's astounded eyes scanned the golden, plated armor that now framed his body. After a moment of disbelief, he let loose another laugh.

His joyful eyes met Maeyune's. There was a glimmer in their gold depths that stilled her heart.

His smile faded in an instant, and he directed his eyes to the sky. Maeyune followed his gaze, her ears finally hearing the blasts that struck the city's shield.

Directly above them, the city's lights revealed the underside of several large Wobeck ships; she counted four. Their plasma continued its barrage against the shield, aiming to overwhelm Bresnia's defenses.

Stunned, Maeyune hardly felt the air beside her grow warm. When she turned her head, she found Reo waiting for her. With his celestial sword in his right hand, he held out his left.

"Care to dance?"

His voice was soft. And yet, it forced all other noise to recede.

She forgot her friends and the humans watching eagerly from a safe distance. She forgot the city, the Iron Prophet, and the impending danger. Everything retreated from her senses.

In that single moment of her lifetime, he was all that she could see.

Her eyes found the lingering hint of rage in Reo's soul. But it had nearly disappeared, placed under control - caged.

Now, all he was, was light. His eyes trapped her. Engrossed in his golden image, she felt something burning in her chest.

She realized it was hope.

A playful smile dangled from his golden lips. Her heart began to pace.

It felt like an eternity before she remembered his hand waiting for her. With the Moon God's shield materializing on her left forearm, she lifted her right hand. Tentatively, she slid her hand into his, and his warm fingers enfolded hers.

He pushed from the ground, and they drifted up toward the heavens, gliding like silver and gold feathers in the wind. While he generated a shield to protect them from Wobeck aircrafts, Maeyune's eyes never left him.

He was never meant to be red, but gold, she thought with awe. This is the Sun Goddess's warrior. This is the boy whom I am destined to fight alongside.

It was as if he felt her stare. He peered down at her. "Ready?" he asked.

Maeyune at last comprehended the city below them, their bodies parallel to the tops of the tallest structures. They now hovered just feet underneath Bresnia's shield. The imposing Wobeck ships were aloft, their attacks ceaseless.

"Yes," she replied. The tip of her lips rose into an askew smile. "Ladies first?"

His gold face sported a broad grin, and she watched it reflect in his eyes. "My thoughts exactly."

He turned his body, pulling her around him in a circle. His turn gained momentum, and as she completed a full revolution around his body, he tossed her upward.

A silver bullet, she soared through the city's shield. At the peak of her flight, she positioned her shield in front of her. The nearest Wobeck ship fired against her.

A second later, Reo catapulted over her. While her bright shield drew enemy fire, he arched his sword. The blade extended with light, and it slit open a section of the Wobeck ship.

The ship struggled to remain airborne. Reo landed against Maeyune's shield, and for an instant in time, their eyes met.

Mutual acknowledgment travelled between them, and she waited for his next move. He kicked off from her shield, separating them. He flew forward to finish the first ship and pushed Maeyune toward the second.

From her next target, smaller alien aircrafts accelerated to deter her path. She deflected their plasma fire, but their blasts managed to send her off course. As they closed in around her, her shield morphed into sword.

Her body fell into pattern, her muscles calling upon memory. Attacks came from every angle, but she was prepared.

With her left hand summoning shields for defense, her sword delivered offensive attacks. She obliterated craft after craft. The swarm of alien vehicles in the sky eventually began to disperse. She caught Reo in the corner of her eye performing similar - if not the same - variety of motions.

Their battles drew them together. When the distance between them closed, they grasped hands and twirled apart again into the open. Alien fire divided, unsure of which target to destroy.

A moment later, Maeyune and Reo came together a second time. Again, they separated, forcing the Wobeck ships and aircrafts scrambling for a target. Several of the Wobeck destroyed their own allies in the attempt.

And when Maeyune and Reo caught each other's hands a third time, she contemplated their synchronous movements.

They came together and pulled apart, only to come together once again. Like...dancing.

And he was her partner.

She could not miss the glint in his eyes or the mischievous smile on his face. Just inches more and their armored bodies would be touching.

"Two more ships to go," he informed her. They had already destroyed two out of the four.

Explosions thundered underneath them, acquiring their attention.

Blocking alien plasma, they both glanced down into the city. Another of the shield's towers was destroyed. Its disappearing beam spawned a hole - a gateway.

Before the shield could extend and close the hole, the two remaining Wobeck ships descended. Together, Maeyune and Reo dove in the air to obstruct the ships' paths. In response, both ships generated their ominous, red light.

The incarnations charged forward, and the ships released their beams.

One beam forced Reo to a stop, his golden energy halting its progression. The other aimed for Maeyune, but she flipped her body to the side, thrusting herself out of its way.

She quickly peered over her shoulder. The beam surged past her and into the city, striking the Council Hall. It ruptured the hall's foundation.

As the large, steel structure collapsed, Maeyune spared no moment. She pushed forward. With one clean swing of her sword, her power sliced off the ship's nose. Its red beam faltered, and the face of the ship spouted flames. It crashed against the city's shield and slid down the dome, reaching its demise on the ground.

The hole in the shield repaired itself.

Maeyune faced the fourth and last Wobeck ship. Reo continued to hold back its beam.

Just one more, she told herself. Just one-

Darkness tore apart her thoughts, and a tremor sped down her spine. Startled, her body froze.

A new sensation overpowered her senses. It permeated her mind, her heart, her life force.

Fear.

Shivra's fear.

She spun in the air, eyes finally gripping the sight of the Council Hall's remains. The building no longer stood. But a monstrous, black fog undulated in its place.