She had closed her eyes for only moments, and she'd found herself once again on that cloud soaring up to her heaven. It wasn't that far of a ride, just a 'hop skip and jump'; but she didn't want to go there now; not now. Denae closed her eyes, she didn't want to go there, she would cry. But she had no choice, she arrived.

She opened her eyes, looking up at the place where the once beautiful Ivory Cloud Palace stood. Denae only gaped, she had once stayed in those walls. She looked up at the dark, dusty and dirty palace walls. It was horrible. Walking up those familiar steps brought the stabs to her chest all to quickly. Once inside she walked the dark halls, shadows loomed all around her.

She jumped at the sound of a puppy bark. Denae looked to the ground to see Jr. running to her happily. She fell to her knees and scooped the small pup in her arms and held him close. "Oh Thank god...what happened here?" she asked, knowing he couldn't answer. Jr. only yipped and jumped from her arms, running in circles, wanting her to follow. She only nodded and watched as the puppy ran down one of the halls. She ran after him, down the hall out the balcony door to the maze outside. The Dina Gardens were burnt to the ground. The tears were pushing out, she could barely hold them in. It took everything to walk over the burnt down bushes and stubs to follow Jr and not collapse.

Finally she was out in the meadows, running out toward the mountan infront of her. She didn't stop untill she could see the family cabin looming in front of her. He was standing on the porch waiting for her.

Denae didn't stop untill she was in his arms. He held her and let her cry into his chest. Asking nothing, saying nothing, only soothing her.

"What the hell happened here, Orion?" she asked softly.

"Cornelio came and destroyed everything, not even the Palace is fully standing."

"I saw, Jr. found me and lead me here."

"I'm so sorry," he whispered into her ear, "I wish you didn't have to see that." She shook in his arms, there was something else she was upset about. "Denae? Whats wrong?"

"Why did you send me that dream?" she said finally. She felt his arms loosen around her, she looked up at him. Orion looked ashamed, almost sorry. "Why, Orion?"

"You were so happy," he looked lost, "I thought if I became him you'd be happy."

"I was happy when I thought I'd found you!" she exclaimed as she struck his chest. He only gaped down at her, he truly didn't know what to say. "Orion, did you really think I loved him?"

"You kept thinking about him, kept planning these plans...what else was I supposed to think!?"

"You listened into my thoughts!?" Denae pushed past him into the house and sat on the chair in front of the fire place. This would be her future home, is she found away to stay here...if she could end the compromise. If Cornelio would die. She couldn't believe this was the first time Orion and she had fought since she was with Perseus, and it was about his belief in where her heart remained. Orion had followed her in slowly, walking to behind the chair. He didn't say a word. "Orion...how could you think -" she paused "How could you break my heart like that? Did you ever think that the guy you chose didn't like me? That he might not be looking for what you want? What you need? I still can't see how you'd think I was in love with him!"

"I don't see you, I can't be with you, you need someone with you to take care of you when I'm not there. Some one to protect you if Cornelio finds a portal."

"But I'm not asking for your replacement!" She stood and faced him. He looked so hurt, she couldn't do that to him. She touched his face, gently let her fingers cares his cheek. She went to open her mouth to speak, only find herself being pulled back from the meditation. The teacher was calling them back. "Orion I have to go..." she choked. He shook his head, reaching out to her, taking her in his arms as she started to walk backwards out the door.

"Denae, stay a little longer."

"I'm in class...We'll finish this tonight." she stated as she was halfway out the door. Orion quickly pulled her into his arms and pressed his lips against hers. It was enough to let the flood gates loose. She was sobbing as she climbed back onto that cloud and returned to her class. No one understood, no one knew. And she didn't know how to explain. And she never could.

Three days passed.

She couldn't help but look at her finger, how empty it felt. He asked her to do it, he'd said so. Denae couldn't help be confused and hurt, the last time Orion had spoken to her, he said that he had to close the gateway to Luranna.

"But that means..." she'd started, he didn't even let her finish.

"We can't see each other any more." He looked like he was trying so hard, so hard to keep strong so she would accept his choice. He was supposed to be dead, no one knew he was still alive...not even his family. "I think it's safer for both of us," he'd said. "Cornelio will come soon to the gate and try to find you, and if its any time soon...I wouldn't be able to come and save you." he'd been hurt, he didn't have the strength to leave Luranna. "So I'm closing the gate."

"But that means we can't see each other, Orion," she repeated. "God dont' you grasp that?"

"If you can't handle it then I think we should-" he tried to form the words, tried to say them himself, "take a break from us." the words hit Denae like a knife, and what made it hurt worse was that he looked in pain as much as she.

"You'd...you'd, no Orion..." she was stuttering, she couldn't believe this was happening. "Orion we've been through worse! We've been together for four years! Why are you giving up!?"

"I'm not, I just think it would be safer for both of us if we stopped seeing each other, just for a little while...until Cornelio loses track of you." Denae couldn't look Orion in the face, she was to busy trying to hold in her tears. She was shaking, holding her hands tight together looking down at the ring that ment so much to her. She felt Orion's arms close in around her. "Please, Denae, please understand..."

"You think, that taking back this ring will keep us both safe?" she whispered, her voice wasn't strong enough to speak normaly. "Dont you think that would have the opposite effect? If you and I aren't together...it would give Cornelio the 'go-ahead'...I'll be in more danger..."

"Not if he cant break through the gate." Orion responded. Denae couldn't believe he wasn't fighting himself for this. "Denae I love you to much to hold you back. You have a life down there with out me, I don't want you to miss out on opportunities to make you happy because you're waiting for me...because you're holding back for me." he took her face in his hands and forced her to look up at him, she kept her eyes closed; he only kissed each lid like it were a soft flower. Denae started to cry.

"Orion please..."

"You have men down there, closer to you, they care for you. They will protect you when I can't. I don't want you to push them away in fear of offending me."

"Orion, stop...please..."

"I love you, please understand, Denae...I have to do this," and before she could object again Orion tenderly pressed his lips against hers, taking the ring he had placed on her finger four years before and holding it in his palm. She was sobbing now.

"Orion..." she felt the leather tie slip around her neck, he'd placed the ring there.

"Don't forget me, but don't stop your life for me..." he gave her a gentle push, enough to wake her from the dream.

Denae woke in her bed sobbing, it was 4 in the morning, the sun hadn't risen while the moon had just set. She was alone in the darkness...her ring was still on her finger, but it made her cry. She slid from her bed, stood before her jewelry box. It took so much effort to take the ring off, and she took her time at it too, before she placed it in the drawer and closed it.

Days passed and she replaced the ring with a small simple silver ring. Her hand felt so plain. And she was in so much pain still. She needed some one to fill the newly made void.