"Incredible," Yuriko whispered. "Simply incredible." A small smile now spread across Yurikos face as she studied Ayami and Akira. Yuriko now began to use her psionic abilities, searching the memories of her friends.
"Darren," Yuriko asked. "I have one favor to ask. Allow my friends to remember their lives before your spell."
"Why," Hannah asked. "I mean didn't we just do something good."
"Most likely yes," Yuriko stated. "However, Rexie, Ayami, and Akira are family. I had not dared alter their forms out of fear and respect. I would like to hear their opinions on this."
Darren nodded as Yuriko watched carefully. Slowly she could see a glimmer of realization flash in each one of their eyes. As that happened Ayami and Rexie studied themselves, the angel gasping in surprise as she looked at her husband.
"Akira," she whispered. "Do, do we have a child?!"
Akira was speechless, the kitsunes eyes growing damp as he studied his family. "It is true," he whispered. "I had never thought it possible. I, I never took the cure, penance for attacking Yurikos family and betraying the clan so many years ago."
"That was an entirely different lifetime," Yuriko stated. "Since my birth you've been a man of honor, protecting children with magic."
Akiras lip quivered as he now thought of his daughter, a child he had wanted but resigned himself to never realizing. Slowly he now approached the teens, bowing his head. "I thank you," he said, his voice choked with emotion.
"So I take it you approve of these changes," Yuriko asked, a small smile on her face. Akira, Ayami, and Rexie nodded causing Yurikos smile to broaden. "Thank you Darren you have done something truely wonderful. Now follow me."
Darren, Hannah, and Steven now followed Yuriko as the elderly wizard led the teens to her study. As they walked Yuriko explained not only her history, but the history of the Rings.
Yuriko and her friends had grown up in relative peace, watched over by the Catalyst of that time. The next generation grew powerful, their magic shaping the world on a positive manner.
Unfortunate the peace was short lived, the children of the next generation did not take their responsibilities to magic as seriously as their parents. Yuriko's children had no talent for magic, however, others did. It was those others that had nearly destroyed everything they had built.
A conflict was inevitable, the ending tragic. It was at this time that a decision was made. The Rings would be locked away, kept safe so that a similar tragedy would be avoided. Fate, however, seemed to have other ideas.
"So," Yuriko stated as she closed the door to her study. "Your lessons begin today. Remember though Darren, your will shapes the world. The previous Catalyst used her powers for good. I hope you will do the same. However, know this, the darkness is always watching. Lingering in the shadows waiting to strike."
"Is the darkness stronger," Hannah asked.
Yuriko chuckled, shaking her head as she remembered a line from an old movie. "No," she laughed. "You have to excuse me, remembered a line from an old movie. No the darkness is not stronger."
"So what do you want me to do," Darren asked.
Yuriko smiled, as she now asked Darren to.....