"It's close" a soft feminine voice called out through the night air as she ran alongside two others on the roof tops of the small town, a loud ear piercing screech echoed through the quiet quickly followed by a young girls scream. "Quickly!" the girl called out as she increased her pace, disappearing from their side to the next roof and jumping onto the ground before a grotesque monster, two golden chakrams appeared in her hands as she deflected the monsters attack.

The monster was in the form of a tarantula that was the size of a large house, looking hungrily at its prey with glowing red eyes as it bared its fangs and thick bone covered its back for protection as it's eight legs pierced the concrete ground.

"O sanctum vincere tenebras lux mihi donum!" she chanted, her body glowing golden with her spiritual power as she threw both weapons at her opponent at blinding speed and catching them when they returned to her. As the monster unleashed it's final ear piercing scream, its body disintegrated into dust and was swept away by the cool breeze.

The two chakrams began to golden before turning back to their dormant form of rings upon the girls slim pale fingers before she turned to look at the young girl she had saved. "Are you alright?" she asked softly, bending her knees to look into the girls scared blue eyes, her own brown eyes filled with kindness as she held her hand out towards her.

"Wha, what was that thing?" the young girl stammered as she took the hand and was pulled up to her feet where she was able to look at her saviour properly. Cream robes covered her body that fell like waves along her body, golden scale pauldrons covered her shoulders alongside vambraces upon her lower arms and a large golden band wrapped itself around her waist. Fiery red hair fell on her shoulders in waves was pinned back from her eyes and framed her face by golden hair clips.

"It's alright now, you're safe-"

"My Lady! Are you alright?" a strict demanded from behind her, turning around she saw her two companions kneeling on the ground looking up at her in concern. The smaller girl was wearing a dark leather bodice over a forest green shirt coupled with leather shorts and boots, her armour was similar, her pauldroms and vambraces were silver and two daggers rested upon her back. Her hair was also a fiery red but cut short so only her lopsided fringe brushed her chin.

"I am fine Natalie" replied the 'Lady' exasperated, "it was a low level dagra after all" she looked at the larger woman who knelt besides Natalie and smiled kindly, trying to sooth the worried expression from her face, "Amy, I'm fine."

Amy looked down to the ground and sighed in relief, her black hair was pulled back into a french braid revealing her warm green eyes that shone against her dark skin, a golden piercing shone brightly in her brow. The sound of metal moving softly sounded through the quiet night as she stood towering above them all. Her body was covered in traditional armour, minus a helmet and attached to her hip was a large war hammer that seemed unrealistic to wield.

"Wha's ya name spirit?" Amy grunted roughly as she watched the spirit whimper and hide behind her Lady.

"Em, Emily" she whispered casting her eyes to the ground as she clutched at the soft cream material of her saviours robe, "what's your name miss?" Emily asked softly looking up, sadness reflecting within her eyes.

The Lady looked down with a smile, "I was named Ariel. You understand that you are a spirit correct?" she asked receiving a nod of confirmation, "I am here to be the bridge for you to pass on to the Other world" she explained kneeling down to the girls eye level.

"Are you a reaper then?" Emily asked backing away in fear.

"No, we're not" Natalie said intruding on the conversation, "we are The Ladies, we are living beings who help you pass on" she appeared behind the girl and placed her hand upon her head. "Deus lux est, transitum de hoc mundo in alterum anima" as Natalie chanted, her hand began to glow a soft green light causing Emily's spirit to disappear.

"Well Lieutenant that was rude" chuckled Ariel as she placed her hands on her hips, shifting her weight from one foot to the other.

Natalie shot Ariel a look of annoyance before scoffing and turning away, "My Lady, we do not have time to waste on being pleasant" she motioned for them to follow her before jumping back on the roof, "now let's get home before the other ladies start to worry."

Ariel sighed as she turned to Amy as she pinched the bridge of her nose, "very well, come Amy" she muttered tiredly before following Natalie with Amy silently following her as they ran over the roof tops towards the temple at the very top of the hill by the small town. The temple was well cared for due to government funding towards maintaining historical landmarks around the UK. Many did not know of the temple's origin or the purpose it possessed, only that it was of a Eastern design but that fact did not deter tourists from visiting the site to enjoy its relaxed atmosphere and the gardens.

Standing at the steps of the temple stood several women in modern clothing and at their feet sat Ariel's, Natalie's and Amy's bodies, waiting for their spirits to come back, their lifeless eyes staring at nothing.

"Good evening My Lady" said an elderly Chinese woman as she bowed in greeting, her companions following her example, "I am glad you have come back unharmed" a sigh of relief left her lips as Ariel touched her body allowing her soul to be absorbed. The three lifeless bodies became animated once more as their spirits were returned.

Standing, Ariel smiled at her welcome party, "it was a low level dagra, so there was not much for us to do. Thank you for taking care of our bodies" she said gently before walking inside her home, breathing in the incense as the sound of their steps echoed against the empty hallway. "I shall retire now, you all may leave" she said formally as she watched them bow before leaving her presence.

Turning to go into her room she was stopped by Natalie gently grabbing her wrist, "it's almost that time of the month" she said causing Ariel to chuckle and look at her in amusement.

"What time of the month are we talking about Nat?" she asked, her voice filled with mirth as Amy rolled her eyes before walking away when Natalie frowned in displeasure at her joke.

"Farther will be here in a week" her voice tight with frustration, "why can't he piss off and stay in the Other World?"

"He misses us-"

"He misses you"

Gently taking her sisters hand, Ariel pulled Natalie into her room and motioned for her to sit down on her desk chair, not wanting them to talk about this issue outside where they could be overheard. "Nat, you know he's trying to make up for the past" she said softly, trying to calm her sister down.

"It's too late My Lady," she growled, resting her arms on her knees to support her upper body as she lent forward, "you're the only one who ever treated me like I was part of the family, like I was a human being. So don't take their side now" her voice breaking.

"Nata-"

"Don't" she whispered, her voice choking as she gripped her ripped jeans tightly, her face scrunching up in anger and despair, Ariel's heart clenching tightly in her chest when she saw tears slip down her cheeks "You're my only family, I only need you. We were bound together since the day I was born. Don't get me wrong, I'm proud to be your lieutenant and your sister but why couldn't we have been a normal family? Why did I have to be the one they regretted?"

Quickly moving to her younger sisters side, Ariel pulled Natalie into a tight embrace, making soothing sounds as she rubbed comforting circles into the younger girls back. "Never think they regretted you Nat, it's my fault. It's my fault that I was sick a sick child" her voice was soft as she spoke. Pulling away she pressed a kiss to Natalie's temple before wiping away her tears with her thumbs, "my strong little sister, our fate was sealed before we were thoughts in Mum and Dad's minds. But we'll be together in this life and the next, I'll never be far from your side."