Chapter 7

All feelings of exhaustion disappeared as the Winx and Specialists prepared for battle.

"Specialists! Draw your weapons! Protect the girls while they transform! Hurry Girls!" Sky yelled as he ran into battle; followed shortly after by the rest of the specialists.

"You heard him girls! Let's get this show on the road!" Stella said as she gathered with the rest of the Winx and together they cried "Magic Winx! Sirenix!"

Once transformed the Winx rushed into the heat of battle to help their guys, who were already exhausted but effectively destroying many of the statue soldiers.

"Neptune's Sting!" Layla called out and took down a soldier that had been poised to attack Brandon's back.

"Thanks Layla!" Brandon said over his shoulder.

"No proble- Holly shit! Brandon look out! My attack didn't kill him!" Layla screamed and Brandon quickly turned and cut down his opponent.

"HaHa! Silly fairies! I told you! My creations are resistant to magic! Your spells and enchantments have no effect on them!" King Mikahl laughed maniacally as he turned to exit threw one of the clearing's openings "Enjoy your last few minutes of life!"

"God Dammit! He's gone! Winx we have to- ahhh!" Bloom was saying, but was interrupted by one of the statues running straight towards her. "Dragon Punch!" she cried and sent the soldier flying! After that the girls realized that their offensive attacks weren't going to make a dent but their defensive spells were still useable. With that in mind the girls quickly changed their battle strategies and fought more effectively.

It seemed like ages but only about 7 minutes had passed since the start of the battle and they had cleared a little over half of the soldiers. Even though they were outnumbered and exhausted, they still put up one hell of a fight. It seemed to them that they could win this fight no problem, that is, until the tables turned.

Musa had one of the soldiers pinned behind her 'wall of sound' and was about to attack when she heard a gurgled scream to her left. Turning to the sound she saw something that made her blood run cold as she let out her own strangled scream. Flora stood sideways to Musa, giving her a clear view of the soldiers that stood in front of and behind her. Two of the soldiers had effectively distracted Flora while another one came up behind her and struck her with his sword. Flora's face was help an expression of shock, one of her hands gripped the sword's blade as the soldier repeatedly jerked his sword upward, tearing a bigger hole into her abdomen.

Feeling a sharp pain in her side Musa turned to see that the soldier she had pinned behind her wall of sound had managed to escape and had just slashed her with his sword. Funny, she saw a lot of blood but she felt only a slight pinch. She couldn't think about that now though! She had to help Flora. Quickly disarming her attacker with 'Music Kick' Musa ran toward Flora to save her. Flora still had the sword threw her middle, blood trailed down the side of her mouth, and one of the soldiers in front was poised to deliver the killing blow.

"FLOOOOORA! NO!" Musa screamed at the top of her lungs as she raced to Flora, tears running down her face. Helia and Roy heard Musa scream and finally became aware of what was happening.

"OH! FLORA!" Helia cried and he and Roy rushed to Musa and Flora's aid.

Musa was closest and reached Flora first, getting there just in time to push her off the soldiers sword and out of harm's way. By doing that though, she was now the receiver of the killing blow that was meant for Flora. Letting out a scream she felt the sword strike her flesh and pain seared through her body. As she slummed toward the ground, toward her motionless and bloody friend, Musa lost consciousness. The last thing she saw was Roy and Helia Rushing towards her, wearing matching expressions of horror, as a wall of soldiers surrounded her.

"We Couldn't reach her! God dammit! Just as Musa Fell a hoard of those stone soldiers blocked our way! We fought our way through but it took too long! By the time we got through them all, they were gone." Roy said into his hands.

"What do you mean gone? Gone where?" Stella sniffed and wrapped her arms around Brandon

"Don't you think if I knew I would chase after them already?!" Roy yelled and jumped to his feet.

"Roy calm down. Please. It's not your fault. Well... well find them. I know they will be okay. I just know it." Layla sobbed and threw herself into Roy's arms. He held her close and buried his face into her thick hair, his body shaking with guilt.

The battle was won. All of the stone soldiers had been defeated and they lay in rock piles all over the cavern. No one was celebrating though. King Mikahl was nowhere to be seen and Musa and Flora were gone. They didn't know where but wherever they were they were both seriously hurt. The gang knew that from Roy and Helia's tale as well as from the giant pool of blood that they had left on the floor.

Helia stood next to the blood and cried. He couldn't get the images of Flora's last moments out of his head: Flora with the sword through her stomach, Flora lying motionless on the ground.

"Oh! Flora! I'm sorry my love! I'm sorry!" Helia sobbed and his legs crumpled beneath him, his knees landing in the blood.

"NO!" Riven yelled as he stormed over to Helia and pulled him up by the front of his uniform. "No! You're not allowed to do this! Not yet you bastard! Flora needs you! Well find them! I know it!"

"Riven be realistic! How would we find them in these catacombs? And look at all that blood! They're dead Riven. Musa and Flora are gone." Timmy said and sadly shook his head.

"WHAT THE FUCK TIMMY?! You of all people I thought would agree with me! Remember when Tecna went into the Omega dimension?! We all said she was dead and did you give up? No! You kept looking and look! Here she is now alive and well! You felt she was alive and followed your beliefs. I feel it too Timmy! I know Musa is alive, I know it in every bone in my body. She and Flora are alive and they need our help." Riven yelled; shaking with anger, and Timmy looked away not wanting to meet Riven's eyes.

Bloom came forward and placed a comforting hand on Riven's shoulder. "Riven..."

"No! Shut up! All of you just leave me alone!" Riven grumbled as he shook off Bloom's hand.

"What do we do now guys?" Stella sighed and wiped the tears from her face. "We can't stay here."

"I may have some good news. By using my handheld I believe I can retrace the footprints of those stoned soldiers. Whether they lead to an escape from these tunnels, I can't say for sure, but I do know that they will lead us to King Mikahl. Well make that bastard pay!" Tecna said with such conviction that you almost missed the tears that shined on her face and the slight tremble that ran through her arms.

"I agree with Tecna. Guys! We may never leave these catacombs. Would you rather die running away with our tail between our legs or die avenging our friends?" Brandon challenged. "We can't let this bastard get away with what he did!"

"Brandon I think we're all exhausted. We can't avenge anyone if were passed out. I think we should go after that bastard but only when were all well and rested. Girls do you guys have enough magic to conceal us with a cloaking spell while we sleep?" Sky asked.

"Yeah but are you suggesting we stay here and rest?" Bloom asked casting a nervous glance to Helia staring vacantly at the puddle of blood. "I don't think that's such a good idea Sky."

"Well have to just deal with it Bloom I don't want to venture any deeper into the-" Sky was cut off by Helia suddenly Jumping up and running toward one of the tunnel entrances.

"Helia? What is it?" Riven asked and he walked over to stand next to Helia, who was stopped at an entrance. "I think I hear Musa can you hear her?" Helia Replied but kept his eyes focused on the tunnel.

Just then they all heard a loud scream that could easily be identified as Musa. Riven wasted no time and ran down the tunnel at full speed, Helia followed close behind.

"Well, so much for resting!" Layla yelled as she and the rest of the group followed Riven and Helia, using Musa's screams as a guide through the catacombs.