《The Chosen: Colossus of Evil》


 Prologue

    The taste of ash and death surrounded the town of Soulguard, and a mere sniff to the air brought up the stench of smoldering suffocating sulfur. Fire blazed in all directions throughout the town as the sight of dead and dying was to all angles of the eye. A tall sinister creature took the lives of the brave men guarding the town with as much effort as squashing a bug, following him were short dwarven looking followers that flooded devastation behind him like a rush of water, setting the town a flame and ending battle cries and shouts of mercy to those still alive. Nature aided where she could, pouring down rain from the mixed cover of black smoke and dark cloud with no success, and as lightning flashed through the air vision to all saw the horrific nightmare of the unforeseen conflict not going well.


    His boots sank into the mud, followed by his knees along up to his face as he fell to the deep puddle at the end of the dirt steps, his mud buried vision made out a figure approaching back at him with haste.


    ¡°Hurry Cloud keep up¡± the figure bolted and turned with two little ones cradled in his arms keeping pace with another.


    ¡°Right away father¡± the boy coughed sucking himself out from the mud increasing his pace to match. Into crowds of people, he slalomed through the dead and alive, crying and dying, but stopped to see a girl no older than him, covered in blood not from her own body was she clinched in a protective curl to a man half covered by her cape. It must have been her father by her protective actions to conceal him from the world, her face held a broken look of defeat and fear as she gazed around, terrorized by the sounds of pain and battle. Cloud realized that he must have been dead for a short while, he held out his arm, extended like a branch toward her. He looked at her and then to her arms that held cuts and scrapes from some attack earlier on, he noticed a dangling golden bracelet draped to her dainty wrist and held tightly to her palms was an elven bow that must have belonged to him. Cloud went close to her but she curled even tighter at his approach, ¡°I won¡¯t hurt you but we must go, come with me¡± Cloud replied but the girl shook her head, ¡°I can¡¯t leave him alone¡± she cried back half scared to speak


    ¡°You cannot help him now, he is past healing aid by herbs and what he requires is not capable in this town¡±


    Staring to him the girl saw Cloud with a warm welcomed intension, she looked to Cloud and then to the man, Cloud knew it was hard for her to leave¡­he must have been someone very close to her. ¡°I never knew him¡­but I know he would¡¯ve wanted you to survive, to be something great¡­he will always be with you¡± Cloud said softly extending again his hand.


    Lifting his arm to shed his finger of a ring, the young girl looked to the warrior¡¯s eyes raining her fingers across his face and staring intently at his body. She recalled the final slashes to his chest that echoed in her mind as she remembered him telling her to stay hidden, and rehearsed his words ¡°Don¡¯t be afraid Alise, it¡¯s going to be alright¡± were his final dying breaths, tears appeared to her eyes as she gripped his blood soaked chest starting to cry.


    ¡°Please come back to me I can¡¯t live in this world alone¡­not yet¡±. Cloud came over at a slow pace and picking her up did he take her to the shade of a near by cabin, ¡°Who was he? ¡­Do you have any where to go?¡± he asked and looking at him with a glaze to her eyes did she grip him tight to a hug, not even noticing the shaded figure to his back approaching.


    ¡°It was her watcher boy and she now will be coming with me¡± a figure horsed deeply commanded, Cloud scanned quick to the cabin side and picking up a pitch fork leaning to the wall Cloud turned bolting ¡°You¡¯ll have to get through me first!¡± with his body put in front if the girls for protection.


    Laughing quietly he moved his sword to his riding hand, lifting his hood to reveal his face.


    ¡°Duncan!¡± the girl sparked running to the horse, brightly in a soft deep voice she heard the words from his lips ¡°It is good to see you alive Alisianna¡­riding here I saw the remains of your fallen guardian and feared the worst, are you all right, are you injured?¡± Duncan spoke worried looking at the blood clotted on her clothes, she shook her head ¡°good¡± he replied, ¡°Then to add some light to your dark world let me show you something¡± and he lifted his cape that was draped over the horse¡¯s rear to reveal a boy clinched to his waist.


    ¡°Aries¡± she said happily at her brother¡¯s sight and turning to Cloud with the farm fork still in his hands Alisianna explains, ¡°This is Duncan, my brother¡¯s watcher and this is my brother Aries¡±.


    ¡°Only one who is strong in skill would have the confidence to think he could unhorse a veteran knight¡± Duncan paused ¡°you hold the look of him, and indeed the strength of his blood runs through you. You must be Dalamar¡¯s son Cloud aren¡¯t you?¡±


    ¡°I am¡± Cloud said lowering the weapon slowly


    ¡°Well, continue down this path of courage Cloud and I¡¯ll be looking for you to take my place young knight¡±


    Duncan takes the hilt of his sword and presses it to his forehead bowing slightly. Cloud returns with a nod and Duncan sheaths his sword, holding out his hand for Alisianna to grab, she reaches for it but pauses. Quickly she runs over to Cloud and kisses him on the cheek then runs back to take Duncan¡¯s hand. Lifting her up to place her firmly to his back they ride past Cloud with her waving to him as they went. ¡°I thank you for your kindness Cloud¡­I will never forget you¡± she yelled to him as she blows him a kiss, a small grin rises to his face as he watches them disappear to the darkness.


    Shaking his head back to the present a striking thought beams to him again of his parents. Cloud leaps over logs and through fiery openings leading to his home, he can start to make out the sounds of blades clinging against each other and his pace quickens as he reaches the gates of his home. To his surprise was the gate bashed open as if it had been hit with a huge hammer, walking to the opening and putting his hand through the bent bars Cloud recoiled his hand, ¡°The wards have been removed¡± Cloud said in wonderment to who could be more powerful than the combined strength of his parents who put them there. He hears the scream of a woman and runs to the back of the house following the clashing weapons, his feet take him to the open field in the back where Cloud watches a battle rages between his father and a sinister looking monster.


    With a serious focus, his eyes pierced the mortals he fought, striking upon them with a dark sense that would reveal all skills they knew. The outer rim of the eyes beamed with an intense indigo aura and adding to his terror was the fine curved obsidian horns arched aggressively to his skull. A Minotuar he was as he held a thundering height of eight feet, all of his body was made of a normal human except his head that held the look of a bull. Brownish black coarse bristled fur landscaped to his body from head to feet, and with such a look held a muscular build that could bring down a giant without issue barehanded. His arms and legs held a circumference only a well-aged tree could match, and to his tight gripping palms were twin battle-axes that wielded like a pair supper forks. He held a form too dark to take from any known nightmare and such a sight topped off with a sinister smile that to any who held its look would agree his mind held massive intellect.


    Turning with pride Cloud focused his vision to his father, clashing hard to a blade lock the Drow stood against him, two feet shorter but even with unbalanced height did the bull not hold sway in the power struggle. The Drow fought the beast even in strength and as he pressed, back in challenge his deep gray sweated hair sit half draped to his face. He glared back at the bull with his sharp sight with one eye holding a fireball style scar across it from previous battle. Cloud had seen many after made encounters, and such a scare never slowed his will or skill. A hooded cloak that was deep black in color embraced over his armor, a shinny silver toned scale-breasted plate mail with a tinged of blue light radiating from it. His gauntlet covered hands grasped firmly to a two-handed sword with a sparkling silver blade and a demon headed hilt.


    Fixed on the battle that seemed to go on forever, Cloud focused his eyesight to a distant detail leaning against a tree base, his mother. Side legged to its thick base holding her right bat like wing did he marked out her physique into his mind. She had blood red permed hair curtained across one half of her face which to him could only be described as goddess like features, the resonance off her soft milky skin would start to hurt his own eyes if he looked to long and her deep amber eyes held any aggressive soul at bay. Her skin was a light olive color which was from the incased demonic curse laid upon her body she endured in the past, for a succubus she was in full sight. Baring the blood of a deadly demon that used lust and passion to kill male champions of good, but with her mother barring life before the curse was upon her body was her mind free to the hate of men, especially every time her eyes were touched by the sight of her children. She was wearing a corset shaped top that formed down across her hourglass figure and continued halfway past her thigh¡¯s, which ended in a skirt made up of scales. Finally, around her neck hanging down in the cleavage of her breasts was a star sapphire jewel.


    Lifting her head like an eagle she seen her son and in a blink of an eye she phased into a puff of smoke appearing beside him, hugging him like she hadn¡¯t seen him in years she pulled away and checked him for injuries, and seeing no harm to him she smiled. Removing the jewel around her neck she then passed it to his while disappearing again into smoke with him away as well, appearing to the inner sight of their stables Cloud`s shown to a location where his younger brother Rain and infant sister Dawn reside. Placing Cloud near them she turns to the stable wall and with her demonic sight peers through to observe the battle, contently seeing her husband alive and sparing strong she turns again to Cloud


    ¡°Cloud, I need you to do something for your father and I ok can you do this¡± she says to Cloud whose face starts to fill with coldness as he nods his head ¡° I need you to look after your sister and brother until this threat is gone ok¡± she softly says


    ¡°But¡­ But your coming right back right, who is that guy?¡± Cloud asks with an ill feeling.


    ¡°His name is of no concern. He just came for something your father and I weren¡¯t going to part with¡± she reassured him smiling, Cloud grabs her to a hug and pulling himself close embeds his head to her chest ¡°Don¡¯t leave mother please¡± Cloud weeps out and closing her eyes does she stroke his head softly with a touch that calms him in an instant. Pulling his head up does she see the watery stare on his face, and fighting to be strong for wishing to do it herself does she hug him close again


    ¡°Hey... Hey it¡¯s going to be ok, when has there been a challenge your father and I couldn¡¯t beat huh¡± Cloud shrugs ¡°This is just in case, but you promise to me what I told you ok¡± she replies with a cracked up voice as she wipes the tears from his face.


    ¡°I promise mother¡± Cloud strains from his hurting lungs


    ¡°That¡¯s a good boy,¡± she says softly and no longer able to hold them back do the tears now run down her face,


    ¡°We love you so much and we¡¯ll always be with you¡± she ended kissing him upon his head and lips, she goes to Rain and kissing him the same does she repeat it to the baby she only gave to the world months ago.


    Turning one more time to Cloud she looks with a look of sadness and fear ¡°If that man comes near you I want you to take that stone and throw it on the ground as hard as you can ok¡± Cloud nods and she rains her hand across his face as she phases from sight to again help her husband.If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    She appears out to see Dalamar pushed to the ground after being in a moment of a blade combat with the Minatare¡¯s weapons. Conjuring a blue bolt to her hand she throws it at him, the attack blocked by a dark energy bolt that erupts from his hand bringing Laurona still shocked from the reaction.


    ¡°Surprise, I beat you didn¡¯t think I had that in me did you, so how are the children, reassured they¡¯re safety I hope; told them that mommy & daddy would beat this threat¡± He responds laughing


    ¡°Laurona go to the children, keep them safe and secure¡± Dalamar gasps as he clutches his side; ¡°Only after you are¡± Laurona states coming to his side not taking her eyes off the beast, the bull fakes a weep ¡°That¡¯s just so touching, I think I¡¯m going to cry¡± with a sniffle to his tone.


    ¡°Go to hell Griffon you¡¯re not getting what you came here for¡± Laurona blasted to him and laughing loudly he looks to her ¡°Oh I¡¯m sorry you said Griffon, nope no Griffon here better TRY AGAIN!!¡± he ends with a demonical shudder change in his voice.


    ¡°It¡¯s Colossus,¡± Dalamar suggests


    ¡°It can¡¯t be he¡¯s dead,¡± Laurona corrects


    ¡°Dismembered me from my physical form yes but killed, you weren¡¯t even close to having enough power, and after I finish you off your hidden little maggots well be next¡± Colossus shouted then suddenly and calmly snapped ¡°oh about that comment regarding hell, it is a lot harder to get to the top of that hole than you might think¡±


    ¡°Then allow me to send you on a one way barge right to the pit¡± Dalamar commanded hastily to his feet and lunged into battle, joining in without hesitation was he followed by his wife into a skirmish that seemed to yield no hope, every spell thrown by Laurona was blocked and every blade swing by Dalamar was countered. A pause in battle occurred as they tried to retrieve a solution from their minds to solving the mystery of his massive increased strength and power as well as the skills to use them so flawlessly.


    Catching her breath Laurona quizzed ¡°I see you have improved since our last encounter Colossus¡±, smiling Colossus replied as he gazed to her beautiful lushes figure.


    ¡°You merely needed to ask, you see after our first encounter I decided unwaveringly to adjust my tactics, to incorporate not only magical mastery but combat as well so I took over this illed willed cow leader, killed off his clan and used the brute to collect souls for the blood strength to maximize in magic and combat ability. To an end of finally over powering my rivals¡±


    While Colossus spoke to the couple Laurona gripped the staff she had overloading it with energy, throwing it like a spear it hit Colossus¡¯s chest plate and blasting as it hit did all his magical defenses leave at once while the concussive blast blew him into a tree that up rooted. Landing a distance in the field, his face grinds in the dirt to a descending stop. Laurona who was also blown some feet away spread out her wings to shield Dalamar from the blast as it erupted toward them, scalping herself from all hair to her head and melting the skin down to the very bone upon her face did Laurona land hard to the dirt from the potent impact. Getting to her feet Laurona saw Colossus through lidless sight already to his own, but held a shuddering stability.


    Knowing he would recover quickly Laurona already felt her skin regenerating and hair, growing back, she was a succubus but as it came to knowledge well, she was an immortal as well with only one weapon in power to end her life. She got to the air and flew to Dalamar drawing her blade; her lidless sight that was almost fully-grown back took sight of Colossus teleporting back before she could reach him. Colossus appeared in front of Dalamar and dropping one axe Colossus picked Dalamar up by the throat, while boomeranging the other axe toward Laurona¡¯s flying arrival. It slammed to her gut driving her to the ground, but in the toss, Colossus did not see the spell launched at him, which cracked across his neck to a gapping wound that did not seem to make him flinch. Forcing the blade from her gut the wound healed rapidly and gazing to Colossus Laurona changed her tactics. She released a dagger with a poison tip the held potency enough to end even him and with the sight of his skull to her eyes Laurona lunged to a low torpedo like flight.


    Dalamar kicked Colossus in the gut and playing along Colossus leaned over as if injured, Dalamar reached for his sword lying beside him and taking it to his grasp thrusted straight at the bull. Colossus shifted his body to the right and Dalamar¡¯s sword embedded into flesh but having her stop in mid flight Dalamar froze to a horrid look as his blade struck in to the torso of his beloved wife. Colossus lifted his head with a grin and shoved Laurona off the sword blade to the mud.


    ¡°NOOOOOOOOO!!!!¡± Dalamar screamed until his breath was gone and laughing intensely Colossus smirked


    ¡°I figured that the only blade capable of keeping her dead was yours, thanks for the assistance partner¡± and with haste to his motion Colossus tipped the sword from Dalamar¡¯s hand into his own embedding it through Dalamar¡¯s chest plate. Dalamar felt the cold steel run through him but all he could see was his love on the ground with the wound she now had that he knew wouldn¡¯t close. Throwing him down next to Laurona Colossus turns around to stare at them both, bleeding to death they were, satisfied with the sight Colossus motioned a stretch, cracking his back.


    ¡°Now where are those children¡± Colossus thought half ignoring the presence of the two while rubbing his neck that now began to heal from his own magical power, thinking for a moment and baring a quick thought he walked to the house.


    Hearing no more noise Cloud peaks his head around the stable door to the open field to view his parents on the ground, seeing them on the ground with blood all around Cloud bolts to the site and following him with shaking arms as he held their baby sister Rain followed.


    ¡°Mom ¡­ Dad¡± Cloud quivery spoke seeing them lying there barley moving, forcing themselves both parents arched to a upright posture, Laurona took Rain to her arms and with her wings wrapped them around him tightly crying as she looked to Dawn¡¯s crying face. Dalamar took Cloud to his grasp and hugged him firm ¡°Son, the task must fall on you to keep safe your siblings like your mother asked, can you do it.¡± Cloud nods with Dalamar smiling as a tear runs down his cheek ¡°Good boy¡± he says patting Clouds cheek. The children switch spots hugging the other parent and as they did were the hands of the parents tightly gripped to each others love.


    ¡°Know that we lov-(cough¡­cough) love you very much, we have to part from you but I promise it won¡¯t be forever. While we are gone always remember that everything you do in life will be right to you if you are true to you heart¡± Laurona says smiling to them all and then to Dalamar, passing along final kisses to them all, the loves look to one another. Laurona kisses Dalamar with a final breath in pledge to their love and slowly do they both fall to the ground blanketing there arms over their children. Cloud sees an explosion come from the house and the roof erupts in flames.


    Colossus emerges from the fiery flames and in panic at seeing the bull appear Cloud shakes his fathers arm ¡°Father he is still here and he¡¯s burning the house¡± Rain looks at his father¡¯s lifeless face and hears Dawn again starting to cry.


    ¡°Father he is still here you have to make him leave, Father! Please! Please get up¡± Cloud whispers kneeling over onto his father¡¯s chest starting to cry. Rain crawls up to his mother¡¯s side and wraps her arm around his body as if to hide from the dark giant approaching them. Cloud turns around and looks at Colossus who beams upon them his dreaded sight ¡°Leave¡­Leave us alone¡± Cloud says coming to a stand with unseen courage


    ¡°On contraire my little one I made your parents a promise and I plan on keeping it¡± Colossus said in a dark voice as lighting erupted from his eyes.


    ¡°Get out of here, your evil¡± Cloud spattered at him


    ¡°Didn¡¯t you learn never to talk to the unknown without permission?¡± Colossus grinned


    ¡°My father told me never to be afraid of anything that threatens me, that such a being is angry about me being alive and living better than they are, and jealous because of it¡±


    ¡°And so true are those words little one, for as long as you breathe the air I can be defeated or so the prophecy says, but as of this moment that issue is one that I can bring to a close¡±


    Terrified beyond belief Cloud turns his head away and toward his mother, if he comes near you I want you to take that stone and throw it on the ground as hard as you can Cloud replays to his mind. Cloud takes the necklace off and throws in to the ground creating a blinding flash that makes Colossus shield his eyes. Colossus stops his casting and looks to the remnants of smoldering ground where they were and in a single thought of understanding what happened Colossus broke to a raging growl.


    ¡°A RECALL STONE! Damn that bitch of a witch!¡± Colossus snarled then gazed to the sky ¡°Mark my words I will finish what I have started and no member of the Blackblade family will stop me!!¡± he shouts out raising his arms toward the sky as lightning flashes behind him casting a image of terror and fear from his unending evil and power.


    Arriving from the bright flash to a stone chamber Cloud, Rain, and baby Dawn remorse over the loss of their parents that accompanied them, hearing voices coming from the corridor outside the room Cloud runs to his father¡¯s side and grabs the sword. Unable to lift the hilt of the blade he calls Rain over to help him raise it into the air, whipping his eyes Rain complies as he places the bundle his sister was in tightly to Laurona¡¯s arm.


    The footsteps get louder and louder until they stop outside the door; Rain and Cloud hold perfectly still and wait only a moment as the door explodes open to the left side of the stone. Five men rush in, Drowish in characteristics and the lead figure comes to a stone stop, a metallic ring rings out from his sword as it hits hard to the ground, and following his blade in pursuit the leader dropped to his knees in front of the children. With wavy parted light grey hair his cape folded upon the ground, the man had a shoulder shield strapped to his left arm and it matched in color to his cape and armor that was black with silver trimming. His skin was dark like light colored coal and his eyes were narrow like an eagle¡¯s; his jaw was broad and so was all of his features to his face and body, and for a dark elf was he a towering five foot nine inches in height. His physique bared the look of a veteran worrier and scares were upon his hands and face from long ago battles. Cloud holds strong to the hilt having the blade aimed to the man that bared no attack.


    ¡°Dalamar¡­Brother ¡°the man says as his face turns white and sick, footmen to his back follow suit in a bow to the fallen Captain and his wife, and looking up through the show of respect did the lieutenant watch the leader crawling like a toddler up to the feet of the boys. With his arms open and limp the Captain raised them out ward like a beggar at the direction of Dalamar¡¯s body; he was able to muster one word that came out only in a faint whisper ¡°who¡±.


    ¡°C-Colossus¡± Cloud crackly pronounced


    ¡°Star¡± The leader says getting the attention of his lieutenant who jumped to his feet ¡°Get me two soul stones from the cathedral, quickly!¡±


    ¡°But Lord Straud you need permission from high priest May¡­¡°


    ¡°Now¡± yells Straud with heat upon his words, ¡°Y-Y-Yes sir¡± the footman says half startled and takes off running out the room


    ¡°The rest of you get these children some food and drink as well as blankets,¡± the Captain ordered and looking to the children again the Captain bowed in request to take the blade from their hands,


    ¡°My young gems, I am Straud¡­your uncle, it wasn¡¯t to be long after this time that we were to be introduced as a family,¡± he said softly and looking to his fallen brother Straud closed his eyes


    ¡°I now bare the task of your safety¡±


    ¡°That job is mine, given to me by my father¡± Cloud said sternly and the Captain looked upon the boy with a bow ¡°Forgive me young master, please permit me the task of it. To train you and your siblings to accomplish the act¡± Straud ends with pleading words; Cloud looks to Rain who through his tears nods in agreement.


    ¡°Alright¡± Cloud says still suspicious to the Captain¡¯s actions and then bares a question ¡°what is a soul stone?¡±


    ¡°It is a device that will house your parents¡¯ spirits to keep them out of Colossus¡¯s reach. For he wishes to use such energy to add to his own power and such an act to such good souls I can not allow¡±


    Straud explains as he leans over to kiss the cheek of Laurona, Straud then whispers,¡± I will teach them wisdom, patience and love¡± kissing the forehead of Dalamar he whispers¡± I will teach them strength, courage and strong will¡±


    Running back to the room returns the footman with the stones as well and a very angry priest in his wake. Holding the normal look to a Drow cleric the long yellow colored robes sweep just above his feet, the robe had no sleeves and down both of the priests¡¯ arms were holy symbols adhered to his training and teachings like tattoos in similarity, accenting off his green eyes and jet-black hair. His skin was a burnt grey color. Matching it was his mood at the time which was less then pleasant, entering the room the high priest demanded to know what is going on but upon seeing the sight on the ground he changes his tone ¡°Did he do this¡± Maylor questioned, the high priest who was titled Arbiter for his position of power in the clan.


    ¡°Yes¡± Straud replied putting to his arms the body of Laurona.


    ¡°Follow me ¡°Maylor responded taking to his arms the enfant child Dawn and lead them to the cathedral, the lieutenant took hold of Dalamar¡¯s body and the boys followed in their father¡¯s trail.


    Captain Straud and the elders of the Clan cremated the two bodies in a beautiful ceremony, and after the fire had gone out were the children taken to morn their loss in peace as well as protection. The elders had one last order of business to attend to which was to follow the final wishes of the children¡¯s mother. Laurona had been working on a very powerful protection spell for the better part of her and Dalamar¡¯s years but one ingredient was missing, there essences. Taken down to the fire forge they were equipping. The elders took the ashes of the parents and molded them into an amulet created by Laurona herself, after the magical words uttered, the amulet imbued itself with an emanating bluish white humming glow and divided using a magical hammer to three parts that from that moment on placed to the neck of each child.

 Chapter One

    15 Years later¡­.


    Symbolizing soul protection was a reaper looking pendant forged and divided into three parts, the first was a hooded skull figure, which finds its home tucked around the neck of the youngest sibling Dawn. Who has assumed the role as a priestess, the second and third are right and left scythes that bind on either side of the figure when united and are around the necks of the two brothers. The eldest brother Cloud has taken his father¡¯s footsteps became a Paladin, while his brother Rain took a different path, becoming a Sorcerer like his mother. Guided and safe guarded the three now live out their lives in the refuge of a drow society known as the Bloodhawk clan, moving on a constant from the ever wishing grasp of the Matriarch. The Matriarch was born leader by blood to the Shadowell nation of Drow. This faction of the real society fights by isolation and hiding to better them as a completely new side. The historical rift with the surface realm elves their ancestors have brought upon them over centuries of war and discrimination. Times have not been kind as scouting war parties sent on a continuous motion by the dreaded queen of the Dark elves to rid the infection she claims and worries could damage her solidified ruling. Cynn, the pure blood sister to the Matriarch leads the rebellion to their goal, with great knowledge as well as magic powers that seem unlimited has she held the attacks. Remaining to the under depths of the realms surface do they dwell in a place not found by any, including the tracking even from the great Colossus. Who has relies now on the aid of Dark dwarven units called Droknor¡¯s; blinded to greed these tainted forgers are and only have the whites to the eyes savored by continuous deeds paid in gold by the bloody mess war only could bring.


    The knees and hands of the caped figure impale the muddy ground beneath; his razor cut ash colored hair mudded by the splash of the impact made when he fell. Wiping off his sleek elven featured face of mud that curved hard around his nose line he turns his wolf shaped eyes up to his opponent and stands to a height of five foot seven. With a complementing muscular physique that was solid as a bear, and endurance holding as strong as the steel blade he held did the years of hard training and high inspiration seem now to slowly pay off.


    ¡°Now you see what happened there?¡± Straud questioned


    ¡°Yeah I¡¯m pretty sure you hit me and I fell¡± Cloud said seriously toned with annoyed grief.


    ¡°I gave you duel Pella slashes then went for a shoulder thrust, (sigh) again, and remember to look for the future attack and not be so focused on the one occurring now¡±, Cloud nods and they start again sparing and after little time has passed Cloud hits the mud again, wiping it and the newly dripping blood from the left comer of his mouth he again rises to his feet.


    ¡°Your still looking at my hands, that¡¯s not where the attack is coming from¡±, harps out Straud and starts to move around


    ¡°Watch my shoulders only and remember when you face an enemy with a blade¡­¡±


    ¡°¡­you face the enemy and not just his blade¡± Cloud ended wiping the mud from his eyes and Straud nods twirling in his grip a practice sword, sparing this time for a while they clang their swords in a center stance, holding a look of impression does Straud stop and back off


    ¡°Good, good, that¡¯s enough for today, your father¡¯s strength and sharpness are solidly in you, (standing in silence for a moment and lowering his head to sheath his sword) your father would be very proud Cloud¡± Straud boasts nodding his head, and smirking to his own self gratification Cloud is interrupted by a voice laughing.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know about that, he might be a little concerned about the plants having enough dirt for this season the way you¡¯re always wearing it¡±


    Sheathing his blade does Cloud center his sight to the sound coming from a form leaning against the post of the fence bordering the practice ring; a cloaked male drow holding a height of five foot four. His Dark grey hair wetted down to his neck with a waiver front part in its middle revealing his fare skin and long rigid face with a nose and jaw to match. His amber colored eagle eyes had a jagged misshapen claw like tattoo that circled above his left and below his right, and gave off from them a cold sharp stare of deep vision; to his hands, permanent burns that held raised up scratches and scares from failed attempts of castings on spell power out of his knowledge and league. He had a disposition and attitude to match the scare baring face from a history of spells gone wrong, and held a massive hatred to the world at large for the imperfect society they themselves been subjected to. Cloud approached the fence to an elbow lean on the top beam and spouts off ¡°Care to go a round if you¡¯re feeling so bold brother¡± Rain looked back baring a small chuckle to the thought of the normal answer any fighter type would give, still he replies


    ¡°Oh you know me Cloud I only pick the battles I can win¡± as he waves his hand at him with lightning arching across his fingers.


    ¡°How went the scouting Rain?¡± Straud asked


    ¡°I don¡¯t know where you guys got your information but there¡¯s nothing out there, not a single sign of a Drowish raiding party¡± Rain reassured Straud and nodding his head he exited the ring and made his way to the barracks tent with Cloud and Rain following behind when the encampment warning horn sounded all of them to alert


    ¡°Droknor att¡­¡± was ended abruptly when the scout fell from the tower to the ground in front of them with an axe buried in his back. Hearing the broken call Straud turns face just to have the blood sprayed to his chest plate from the fallen guard, spotting up his pale face and long grey hair. Straud gripped a bone horn from his side and with deep breathing blew to it unleashing a bellowing sound that waved across the encampment and partial town. Barracks and tents emptied flooding the ground with men in full war armaments, some with vests and swords and some baring only a blade; stampeding to the gates and wall sides. As the dreaded backstabbing and strong will survive ways were now gone from there minds, the drow rebels fought with a new resolve, their devotion and unwavering wish to undo what had been done.


    Straud bolts up the tower stairs with Rain and Cloud in pursuit ¡°I saw nothing on scout patrol¡± Rain said while running ¡°Please uncle you must believe me¡±


    ¡°Of course I do Rain but there must be a reason for their cloaked arrival¡± Straud says climbing to the steps and reaching the top of the tower dodging arrows impaling the wall Straud peers over to see a shadowed figure waving its arms about and chanting in a familiar voice.


    ¡°Drakon¡± Straud says with focused eyes to the mage dressed in black and silver trimmings, and then turns to the boys ¡°Cloud give word to the guard at the Citadel, bring them to the courtyard; Rain go to the temple get and escort your sister and Feldon to the Citadel, the elixirs she is gathering will be needed and keep her safe¡± Rain nods and descends the stairs quickly with his brother in trail, ¡°How did they find us here¡± Cloud asks


    ¡°The one uncle called Drakon, he¡¯s drow, a powerful mage so I¡¯ve read that sells his knowledge and skill to the highest bidder, Colossus must have gotten to him¡± Rain hypothesized in step ¡°Or promised him something in return¡± Cloud added, running out to the encampment did fires erupt to the outer walls and the sight of the Droknor were struck to the boys¡¯ eyes. Darkened skinned they had holding a height of only four feet but thick and stout they were in body, they bared white pupils to the sockets that held a possessed over glaze and bleach white hair draped to their backs in pony tails. Wearing thick leather armor baring studs to the outer skin a massive double-bladed axe rested to their battle worn hands. Arrows pierced their chests and back from the sharp shots brought about by the Drowish defense, but not even slightly did it slow their lust for blood and war. Rams struck the outer doors to the camp border and fighting back Cloud and Rain looked to the homeland fighters not backing down from the tiny devils.


    ¡°Here¡¯s where we split; you go get Dawn and we¡¯ll meet up at the courtyard, then head for the citadel¡± instructed Cloud and Rain nods with a firm forearm shake to his brother ¡°Be safe¡±,


    ¡°You too¡± Rain replies and watching Cloud bolt off like a deer in the woods, Rain bolted to a sprint toward the temple that only held small years in age.


    Up at the temple is a young girl grabbing elixirs to take to the Citadel, she was about five feet tall and has shoulder length curly silver blue hair, and along with having elven rigid eyebrows, slender nose and mouth she carries deep swan shaped, long lashed silver eyes. Her facial physique is carried by a frame and build similar to that of a common milkmaid in any town, and to know that she is the sister is given away by the reaper looking pendant hanging to her neck. Soft milky aquamarine skin she holds under her sleeveless silver tunic and a bright blue leather skirt to go with it is complemented by a water lily flower in her hair.


    ¡°Just the cures and the healing elixirs Feldon don¡¯t worry about the rest of them¡± called Dawn, a sudden thud in the room adjacent to hers brings her to stop packing and peer around the corner to witness two Droknor¡¯s slitting the throat of Feldon, quietly she gasps and runs to grab a spear mounted on the wall, tearing it from it¡¯s racking she rushes out to the next room to confront the two dark dwarves. Hitting the first dwarf with the hilt she turns the spear quickly to thrust it in to his chest and then again in to the throat, pulling the spear she turns and ducks the swinging axe coming from the second Droknor and keeping her rhythm she spins to trip the dwarf from the back. Keeping him staring at the ceiling she leans in to a thrust with the hilt hitting him on the bottom of his jaw breaking his neck. She runs over to Feldon¡¯s body and helplessly examines that she can¡¯t help him, closing his eyes she weeps saying a small prayer for him but is interrupted by a voice she doesn¡¯t recognize.


    ¡°It is not wise to draw blood in a temple, gods tend to frown on that¡±, She turns to see a bigger Droknor holding twin throwing axes standing at the temple entrance, then seeing an axe released at her she grabs the spear, ducks, and swings redirecting the blade; to her success she lodges the axe into a pew and notices that the attempt also claimed the blade of her spear. Thinking of a quick solution Dawn runs into the next room, shutting and barricading the door with her spear rod. Hearing ramming heaves on the door by the dwarf she adds support to the brace with her own body and tears start to trickle down her cheek. She closes her eyes for a silent prayer and within moments the bashing to the door halted, she could hear the mutter of another voice in the room behind the door, but the door was too thick to make it out as it went on for some seconds then ending with violent raises in the tones. A scream was yelled and light flickered under the door crack, it became silent again and a knock emerged on the other side of the door. Confused and cautions Dawn grabs a mace, she positioned herself on the other side of the door and opened it while swinging to the open area of the doorway, dodging out the way the cloaked figure dodged out of the way holding her wrist in place to prevent another swing and looking up she saw her brother¡¯s face. Dropping the mace and grasping him tightly she called Rain¡¯s name and started to mutter and babble about the events that just happened. Rain blankets her with his arms and calming her down he says ¡°Hey, hey Dawn it¡¯s ok, I know you never wanted to kill those men but you had no choice ok, it was you or them, you were just defending yourself¡± she looked down at her bloodied hands and shook like she was having a seizure, Rain held her tight and kissed her forehead moving her smothered head. Looking to where the smoldering charred dwarf now laid Dawn questioned ¡°What happened to him?¡± Rain smiled


    ¡°I was just enlightening him on the ways to treat my sister and it was more then he could take I guess¡±, smiling for a second and looking at Feldon¡¯s fallen body Dawn grabbed the elixirs she gathered and then headed out to the courtyard figuring they will have to bury Felix later.


    Seaming through the battling bodies making their way towards the courtyard Rain and Dawn witness a fight between Drakon and Straud, releasing her hand and moving to intersect the mage and fighter battle Dawn rewraps his hand¡± Where are you going¡±


    ¡°I need to help Uncle, he can¡¯t fight the mage by himself¡± Rain snapped


    ¡°Stay with me please Rain, I¡¯m scared¡± she pleaded, Rain nodded easing her terrified look, seeing a dwarf coming up on Straud¡¯s blind side Rain conjured an arrow dripping of acid to his hand and hits the Droknor in the back. Straud turns to his surprise to see the impending dwarf cringe from the hit and stabbing him in the gut he looks with a quick glance to see where the assistance came from. Seeing Rain¡¯s hand smoldering he salutes and continues with Drakon, as Rain and Dawn catch up with Cloud who is with half a dozen men fending off a group of the raiding party in the courtyard out front the Citadel. The three along with the men fall back to the Citadel and through out the night defend their tribes¡¯ existence.


    As she looked on to the battle unfolding upon her encampment her cape flowed to her sprint at the doorway, a silver chain was linked a cross her chest holding the satin banner baring her family crest in place. Her ash blonde hair was tight baring twin very lengthy pony tails that came almost to her mid back and her eyes were a deep blue, holding both the gentleness and sharp focus that an artic wolf held able to handle anything that came at them. Her outfit was a champagne white silk that draped to her shoulders with beaded straps and matched her cape which was white with a silver border trim. Waiting at the open arch to her great hall hurdling women and children to its welcome she saw young soldiers barring the Bloodhawk insignia in retreat only to a more suitable place, seeing the group being chased by Droknor¡¯s close behind she takes action. Her eyes cindered up with a fiery red color flaming at her pupils and arching up her arm it spontaneously ignited into flame blazing out from her wrist to elbow, releasing the flames in a fan like wave did Cynn send them out toward her own men. The flames went through the soldiers causing no harm but hitting the Droknor¡¯s they instantly ignited to flames collapsing in low ending yells to an untimely fire burning death.The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.


    They emerge victorious as the sunlight of the new day hits the trees and in to their camp buried deep within the valley cliff side of whisper willow forest. Gathering the wounded to the temple and what is left of supplies to the courtyard Rain notices that one of the wounded is unaccounted for,


    ¡°Where is Uncle?¡± Rain says in a panic, and without waiting for an answer he bolts to the last place he saw him with Cloud at his heels. Piling the dead to a corner Dawn comforts a soldier that was just healed while thinking to herself what great evil had they become to merit such a fate. To the outer wall Rain and Cloud travel to see a familiar face laying in a puddle of blood, rushing to his side to see if life still sparks within him the boys are relieved to see Straud still taking in air, quickly and carefully they move him to the temple.


    ¡°I don¡¯t understand this deep green coming from your leg uncle¡± Cloud inquires


    ¡°It¡¯s man scorpion venom from a dagger Drakon had on him¡± Straud explained


    Seeing the wound from his side Rain asks ¡°No offence but why didn¡¯t Drakon finish you with a disintegrate spell or something if he thought you were such a threat?¡±


    ¡°You try casting a verbal spell with a broken jaw and see how well it turns out for you, he tried and caused the flowers to grow uncontrollably, and after that failure he cursed me to die a slow death teleporting away laughing¡­well sort of I think you know his jaw was broken¡± Straud recapped. Getting to the temple Straud heard a familiar soft elven voice ¡°Uncle!¡± Dawn cried out and ran to give him a hug and check his wounds, disappointedly alerting him ¡°uncle I can¡¯t treat these wounds I¡¯m not powerful enough¡± grunting a little shriek of pain Straud instructed her to go a get the Arbiter Maylor to handle the mending.


    After a visit from the Arbiter and a couple days rest for everyone to the encampment the council conveyed together for new action. The council members enter the courtyard lead by Judicator Cynn followed by Arbiter Maylor and lastly the guard Captain, Straud. Entering to the meeting room he held no emotion to his face but under his skin both rage and uncertainty battle for the surface, taking his seat that rested to Cynn¡¯s right side Straud looks to see Cynn holding a sorrowed gaze, ¡°How many brave souls did we lose Captain¡± Cynn asked not fully wishing to know, ¡°Five, one was my second lieutenant, Tamarius¡± Straud said slow and quiet, taking a moment to honor the dead the council bowed their heads to silence, but after only a short couple of seconds, the slam of the Strauds fist upon the table brought Cynn¡¯s head up to alertness. ¡°I didn¡¯t expect him, Drakon!¡± Straud ended heated to his words.


    ¡°He must be in league with the Matriarch, her attempts have turned desperate if she is to trust in him again¡± Maylor added


    ¡°He¡¯s not allied with her, Drakon came with the Droknor¡¯s, always has he been known to sell his skills to the highest bidder¡­he¡¯s with Colossus, and that changes everything¡± Straud said as the council goes to a hum of low conversation,


    ¡°We must move again our encampment¡± Maylor brought up to which Cynn nod¡¯s in agreement, ¡°I agree but new tactics to the shift must be implemented, if Drakon is with Colossus this whole section will be searched by his men. We can¡¯t hope to fight off the Shadowell force¡¯s and evade Colossus¡¯s grip on the children¡± ends Captain Straud in deep thought, ¡°What options have we¡± The judicator inquires. an answer sparks from a council member to relocate to the other side of the realm, that it¡¯s their only option now, Maylor argues that even though it has to be that way they¡¯d never make it unnoticed, ¡°We¡¯d have to be nearly invisible¡± Maylor ended his concern and from it sparked Strauds mind with a thought, ¡°Only nearly though Maylor¡± Straud said having his face come alive, ¡°What are your thought¡¯s Captain¡± Cynn questioned.


    ¡°We need to travel light and small, hide to the druid grove and over a coarse of time make our way through the realm to the other side¡± explained Straud, ¡°How small of gathered groups¡± Cynn asked.


    ¡°Don¡¯t know, six¡­maybe ten at most, we need to stay to a location for timed intervals, the whole thing may take us five, six months to complete¡±


    ¡°Six months!¡± Bolted Maylor in objection, ¡°This needs to happen Maylor, soldiers will accompany their families and a council member will go with each group. we will separate as well¡­.and absolutely no contact, we use the druids to relay messages to cover our tracks¡± Strauds ends and seeing the form of a well laid out plan Maylor finally came to a nod in agreeance, ¡°The children will need you with them Straud, and some of your best men for they will be a big target¡±


    ¡°I know which is why they will get no one¡± Straud said back


    ¡°No one! Straud have you lost it, they will not survive in the woods for that long¡±


    ¡°I know, that¡¯s why we won¡¯t send them to the woods, we send them to Silverspire City¡±


    ¡°The Human Capital, now I know you got hit hard¡± Maylor said with rebuttal


    ¡°Hear me out Arbiter, it¡¯s a move they¡¯d never see us make or think we¡¯d risk, sending our one hope according to lure out from our protection to a City we¡¯d never trust¡­they¡¯d never look there¡± Straud says half proud, Maylor clings to his logic while shaking his head still not convinced


    ¡°Captain, Dawn has been under my training for years, she is very naive to the world at large and even I can¡¯t shake that from her mind, Cloud is strong willed yes, but over protective to his siblings. And Rain¡­ need I even say more¡­that young high strung sorcerer is a storm waiting to explode, they are children Straud, and they can¡¯t handle the pressure of a city not to mention they would be hated, spit on and possibly strung up because of them merely being drow!¡± Maylor closes.


    ¡°We have done all we can for them, and in that city they wouldn¡¯t even be noticed as long as they hold cover to their actions and their will¡± Straud says while Cynn motions out worry upon her face


    ¡°They¡¯re more mature than you give them credit for and keeping a low profile is something they have done ever since they got here, I have been like a father to them for fifteen years and I can tell you with absolute certainty that they can do this¡± Straud debated sternly


    ¡°And when it comes time to bringing them out from there, you have about as good of chance as finding a marked coin in a dragon horde than you do finding them in that city¡± Judicator Cynn said concerned


    ¡°We won¡¯t have to, we just instruct them to find us, and find us they will¡± Straud said with pride ¡°If we want them to grow in power both mentally and physically and do it hastily then they need nothing but our absence not our help, and like trees in a forest they will grow off each other through triumphs as well as faults & failures, and grow fast (now standing in front of Cynn) Please let them prove this to you and to me¡±


    Standing beside him Cynn touches his cheek ¡°You must love them very much to be so proud to freely want to do this for them¡±


    And holding back the hurt of making such a pledge does he lower his head to a honored bow ¡°I do ¡­I love them like they were my own¡±


    She smiles at him ¡°Then we shall grant your wish, as well as the joint responsibility along with Maylor to divide our clans to appropriate sized groups, but you should be the one to tell them this news Captain¡± she ended and with a nod he agreed.


    ¡°Now, that it is settled about them where do we meet after the elapsed time has past?¡± Cynn asks, and Maylor raises his voice ¡°The Onus Isles¡± Maylor says to which Cynn nods but looking to the Captain, Straud shows no agreeance, ¡°Any other thought¡¯s Captain?¡± Cynn asked out to him


    ¡°The Isles are a good thought, dense with gazer pressure and hard for any to find us by magic¡­very wise, but with now both on our trails we know by experience that Colossus has many other weapons to his use in locating something besides magic, if he or the Matriarch find us there, there is no way out from that spot¡­it will be our last stand¡±


    ¡°Have you another thought¡± Maylor pushed out in annoyance to which Straud replies ¡°The Golden Glade Mountains, they are harsh for any sizable army to come through and any that do manage to make it we can take on with a smaller number for the peaks will have our height advantage and there great fatigue¡­plus she holds her lair to the highest peaks among them¡±


    ¡°She is who¡± Cynn inquired


    ¡°The Silver Dragon¡­Lalandra¡± Straud brings out and again does the meeting erupt with low toned chatter on concern, ¡°Lalandra¡­Lalandra¡¯s an ancient mythical Straud and-¡°


    ¡°Not a fan of either of our enemies, which we hide from Arbiter, she has aerial layout of the place to which we can barter for in a pact to stay there¡± Straud added


    ¡°You know as well as I the recruitment of Dragons and it¡¯s easier to sway the help of the younger ones, she is a legendary beast of power at status and so runs high her thoughts of absolution with no involvement on mortal affairs, however grave they might be¡± Cynn respectfully defended on the arbiter¡¯s side.


    ¡°I understand that and with those principles we can use them to our advantage¡± The Captain sparked


    ¡°How¡± Asked Maylor still in disbelieve,


    ¡°She has a problem as well, her eggs I have been told have been taken¡± says Straud, ¡°You know of this for certain¡± Cynn questioned


    ¡°I don¡¯t but I keep in the know of her status and issues since our time together, they were taken by another of her kind, a rival I suspect. Look they are the same with help as us, they get none ever but if we were to aid her on this, it¡¯ll be a mark her rival would not see coming and with the recovery of her young would give us sway to legislations¡­a weak chip to bargain I know and the information might not even be true but it¡¯s our best hope and so are the Golden Glades¡± the Captain finished ending his statement. Cynn takes moment to recover from the talk and made her motion to side again with the Captain, stating to the council that the Mountains were their new destination Cynn then dismisses the council.


    Setting them to a nice dinner in the home stead they had called home for many years Straud then gathered the courage to tell them of the events to come, and the looks to there scared faces told the only story Straud was ready for, Straud told them they were ready as much as they could be for this new stage to their lives and all held a hidden state to there souls until the time length was told to them.


    ¡°Six months¡± Dawn barked in protest


    ¡°Dawn¡¯s right uncle; that¡¯s a long time in Silverspire, and it¡¯s a human city what if something happens to us before then¡± Rain said concerned ¡°It smolders with the smell of fear and weak-mindedness¡­humans are so pathetic¡± Rain ranted on.


    ¡°You guys stick to your training and together, you¡¯ll be fine, believe me, as I believe in you and trust me, you wouldn¡¯t be doing this if I didn¡¯t think you were ready. The amulets you wear will hide your tracks from Colossus¡¯ sight; now if all your stuff is packed and stomachs are full meet me up at the temple¡­ I have some things to give each of you¡± Straud ends and goes down stairs, proceeding where they were told the children waited for their uncle to show. A short time passed when Straud finally emerged in the door carrying a large rolled bundle tied in the middle. They gathered by him to see what was inside and opening the sack they stepped back standing silent, gazing to their sight was the weapons of their parents, Cloud focused deep to the shiny blade his father held tight and brought to death all who ever meant to harm his family and way of life¡­all but one. Dawn stared to a staff she did not know was to the bloodline for she as far as she could remember was the first to take up the call of the clerical ways in a long time. Rain¡¯s eyes beamed to the blade his mother held to her immortal hands and a sudden hate grew and crawled beneath his skin, it¡¯s stylish curve to the blade shape burned to his mind as he had seen it before, and looking to it¡¯s hilt with the bright silver palm bend embedded with sapphires Rain had it to his mind like a living nightmare.


    ¡°Cloud¡± Straud said motioning him forward and presented him with Dalamar¡¯s sword in it¡¯s sheath, ¡°I was going to give these to you later, but as this situation arose I figured this was a better time¡± Cloud holds the jeweled hilt with a demon head, Cloud unsheathed it to revel a brightly silver steel blade with a faintly white glow surrounding it. ¡°Your father¡¯s blade Cloud¡± Straud explained ¡°it¡¯s a holy sword that¡¯s power will increase as your own does through the coarse of your days with it¡± looking down in utter awe did Cloud not bare the nerve to unfold the steel free, the hurt even though years ago was still too close to handle and putting it away again he steps back. Dawn is motioned forward and is given a staff with her holy symbol on the top incased in silver and standing tall down the fine crafted red oak rod was a silver spear head, looking confused Dawn spoke puzzled to her uncle ¡°This isn¡¯t from my parents¡± she said half asking to him,


    ¡°No, it¡¯s my wife¡¯s, since there was no priests in your family I had to improvise¡± giving it back to him she shook her head, and placing his hand over hers he pushed it back again ¡°Please Dawn, I know Crysonia would have wanted you to have it if Colossus hadn¡¯t taken her from me on our first march to his death¡± she smiled with a tear trickling down and accepted it. Finally turning to Rain he showed him the blade that was all to familiar to his eyes, backing up toward to door Rain shook his head ¡°Rain, step forward son ¨C¡°


    ¡°Get that damn thing out of my face, I don¡¯t want it nor do I ever want to see it again ¡°


    ¡°Your mother...¡±


    ¡°GET IT OUT OF HERE I DON¡¯T WANT IT¡± Rain screamed and ran out of the temple all the way to the courtyard, hearing his name shouted to return Rain ran faster until there was only silence.


    Sitting against a tree tears began to flood his face and Rain looked up at the sky screaming ¡°Why, why did you do it, huh, why did you leave us in this futile existence (falling to his side still shouting) I hate what I¡¯ve become and it¡¯s all your fault¡­¡­.You could¡¯ve ran away, If you only would have ran away things would be different¡­.why didn¡¯t you just run away¡± Rain ended almost to a whisper and to his back Straud approached in silence,


    ¡°Because that¡¯s not the kind of parenting they wanted to instill in you¡± Straud said hoping his voice wouldn¡¯t make him again bolt away and raising to his feet shakily with sheer hate almost to his face Rain looks to his uncle¡¯s gentle sight.


    ¡°They wanted you to stand tall and proud, not fear what comes at you no matter how dangerous and scary they are Rain, they wanted you to have all the confidence and courage in the world, and what better way to show that then through their own actions for inspiration¡± Straud continued


    ¡°It¡¯s pretty hard to accomplish any of that when they¡¯re DEAD!¡± Rain bolted still shouting


    ¡°They¡¯re doing it through me Rain don¡¯t you see, I¡¯m doing only what they would have wanted¡± Straud replied back at Rain


    ¡°It¡¯s not enough¡± Rain barked back calming down a little ¡°I want to see and hold them again¡±


    Rain sobbed standing there crying furiously, Straud came up and hugged Rain barring Rain¡¯s head in his chest ¡°I hate her, I hate her because I love her so much¡­both of them so much¡± Rain cried out practically limp to his uncle¡¯s grip, joining up slow beside Straud came the two other siblings who aided in the hug ¡°Not a day goes by when I don¡¯t think of what life would be like if they were here¡± Straud says looking at Rain with tears now running down his own face ¡°but if they were watching, I¡¯m positive they wouldn¡¯t want you to quit and give up Rain, they would be so proud of how you turned out, how all of you turned out just as much as I am¡± Straud smiled wiping the tear¡¯s from Rain¡¯s face and Rain smiled.


    ¡°Now, let¡¯s give a second chance on that blade¡± Straud suggests and Rain nods looking to his uncle¡¯s hand that held tight his mother¡¯s blade in his grip, Rain slowly takes it to his own hand admiring the beauty it carries as he thinks of his mothers face and the lethalness it carries by the memory of power his mother had, Rain vowed in silence to bury it in to the head of the bull bastard personally. As they all got their bindings together again the three turned around to leave when Straud said ¡°One more thing I have to give you all¡± and turning intently they listened, ¡°Remember the song I taught you guys to put you to sleep¡±, they all nod and he continued ¡°It¡¯s not a song but a spell, and it goes together when you hold one of these (pulling a stone from his pocket) this is a soul stone that in case god forbid any of you are killed must be used to safe guard your souls and powers from Colossus¡¯ clutches, sacredly agreeing to what he said the three each take one and follow their uncle up to the house for a last night together of comfort and warmth.

 Chapter 2

    He walked alone down the cold stone way forged by those he knew well, his own blood parents. Fire lit to his sides as he past by the dim light from the wax made ages ago, and dim to it¡¯s shine did the crest of his family brightly shine with high resonance of magic upon the gold cape cuffs and cross chain linking them across his darkened chest. His armor was thick black steel but he moved with it, as it was only a cloth covering upon his body. Coming to the only door at the end of the only hallway Colossus said simple stated words, the double oak door barring a magical seal blasted open almost off there hinges stopping the council in session on the other side. Seven sets of eyes beamed at the door¡¯s violent rupture that upped all to their feet, and about to question the sudden intrusion all held a gasp and short silence as they gazed to a sight known to be long defeated.


    ¡°My god, you¡¯re alive¡± said one dressed in wears clearly who lead the others in the room, Colossus grinned ¡°Call me such if you wish, but even they won¡¯t save you now¡±


    ¡°We can sense the power you hold within you, you are not the warlord to whom you reside sight with, Colossus¡± the head one said again drawing his blade known be Colossus to contain serious magic. Echoes of battle erupted to the walls that moved the council¡¯s sight to wonderment, Colossus¡¯s units had started the fight to the levels above, but this one was only for him.


    ¡°Indeed, and this time I will finish what I started, the Crystal Crown Council will not get in my way again¡±


    ¡°Your methods of achieving your udder solution was unjust Colossus, you needed to be stopped¡± the head of council said back not showing any fear, the rest joined in arming there hands both with blades and spells to their palms and gazing to the room, Colossus drew to his own the dreaded axes from his sides.


    ¡°You may have taken my former form but I vow to you the resolve I hold is far greater than even death can reach¡­but so my mistakes aren¡¯t made twice¡± Colossus ended did the chamber roar into battle. Standing in force the seven engaged his power striking at him both fast and fierce, the seven were strong, very strong, but with addition to his own blood strength from the countless of souls and powers he had already collected was he not even remotely impressed. Spells and blades bounced away from Colossus¡¯ armor like pebbles to stone, lucky hits lay upon him but even such devastating spells did not slow him down. Nothing was enough to put to rest this giant of terror. As Colossus finished to a slow pace walk upon the badly hurt council leader Colossus placed firmly to the wizard¡¯s chest his heavy metallic greave. Colossus stepped slow crushing the last of his breath as well as the mage¡¯s larynx under his heavy pressed steel. As the mage came to a blood gurgling mouth of an end, the sinister bull looked around to the sticky mess he created, carved like birds and pigs for a feast they lay dismembered on the floor. Grabbing his side and breathing heavily Colossus leans up against the wall and waits for his body to regenerate itself.


    ¡°Now only one remains left alive to reap my vengeance from my untimely death I was rewarded for my efforts¡­the one who ended my life, my executioner¡± he heated hiding the pain he felt.


    Hearing footsteps of lightweight origin Colossus looks toward the open door, his vision stuck to a woman with fiery red permed hair, earth tone skin complete with intense seductive eyes and a slender nose with narrow formed lips. Her big breasts barely covered by her golden-rimmed red velvet bikini top that held an identical styled piece in the form of a long cover cloth draping from just below her belly, going evenly down her thighs to the tops of her matching red boots to her feet. Her red fingernails as well as her toes complemented in color to her eyelashes and lipstick; and filling the air around her grew the intense scent of cinnamon.


    Colossus only could at first stare trying desperately to hold back the drool from his lips at the sight of her delicious look.


    ¡°You have chosen a most interesting form, one I must say is quite becoming and very nice on the eyes,¡± Colossus said not taking his eyes from her heaving breasts.


    ¡°Well I am only allowed one form to take so might as well let it have all the extra¡¯s¡± she replied as she strutted towards him.


    ¡°But still as beautiful as you are you¡¯re still late¡± Colossus said sternly


    ¡°Better late than never, besides I did have to run that errand for you remember¡±


    ¡°And do you bear what I seek?¡± Colossus questioned


    ¡°Yes the heart, eye and (shuddering for a moment) brain of the high priest are all here¡± she said placing the bag to the floor and with magic from her fingertips slid it across the stone floor. The blood based bag left a steamy fresh trail line of blood as it moved towards Colossus and picking it up with it¡¯s contents leaking onto his hands and down his forearms Colossus placed it to a tight grip.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry I have nothing to offer you at the moment until my zealots find the books I need¡± Colossus says regretful


    ¡°Oh it wasn¡¯t all for nothing, I did enjoy feasting on his flock he had as well as the parts of him you didn¡¯t require¡±


    ¡°How delightful that you caught him tending his yard at home¡± Colossus said smiling at her as she ran her hand along the wall she stopped suddenly and turned to look at him


    ¡°Oh I didn¡¯t, he was at church¡± she smiled, and thinking about it for a second Colossus belts over for a quick laugh and his low tone voice echo¡¯s through out the tower chamber ¡°That¡¯s what I admire about you Sephinroth, you never do a job half asked¡±


    ¡°Well I¡¯ve had nine thousand years to get it right and experienced that the best way is to leave no trace or mess, as well as I find it such a unique indulgence every time I come across it¡± Sephinroth smiled and with a tight small chuckle..


    ¡°Being a Red Dragon of your stature I imagine you have your share of tactics under your ¡­uh belt¡± concluded Colossus. Checking his side to see if it has fully healed yet his face grows impatient. A laugh squeaks out of Sephinroth when she mutters, ¡°That¡¯s what you get when you try to take the whole council on at once¡±This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    Looking up at her, his face grows more intense than usual, walking past her and out the door Colossus says out ¡°A small price for the glory I seek¡± following him out and down the corridor she snaps ¡°you just remember you side of the bargain on what you owe me or you can get your next high priest party bag yourself¡±


    Blasting the double iron doors wide open to reveal the zealots, Colossus¡¯ personal aids that were nothing more than fallen souls strapped into servitude, working through bookcase after bookcase of tomes and Librium¡¯s to find what Colossus was looking for. Startled by his entrance does a zealot drop a potion from a shelf, and its concussive blast blows him in to the wall embedding him to misty evaporation of death. Shaking her head Sephinroth shakes her head ¡°Amateurs¡±


    ¡°What have you found¡± Colossus commanded to a black heavy cloaked figure that keeps a black shade overcasted to the opening, the zealot approaches holding out his misty blue formed hands to show a crystal ball. Glossy glass like in texture and detailed with symbols its insides show a picture of storm clouds, Colossus takes it from him and holds it in his hands, ¡°Is that what I think it is¡± Sephinroth spat out looking intently at the stone.


    ¡°The Orb of Desire, and thanks to the recent eviction notice I gave the last tenants here it is now mine¡± Colossus stated glazing to its wonder


    ¡°And what is that going to be of use to you, everything you ever want you seem to get¡± Sephinroth stated


    ¡°My ravishing red reptilian there are things in this realm that even I need assistance in obtaining¡± says Colossus, and after his words two other cloaked figures emerge from the isle ways of the bookcases carrying two black tomes each and lay them on the table beside where Colossus stood. Colossus holds the Orb in one hand and touches the first book with the other and in a flash of light the orb glows brightly as it emits a projected like image that covers the whole room, all the zealots stop to gaze on the image of a plane rittled with fire as well as fiery beasts roaming around a pedestal with a single black chest on it. ¡°That¡¯s the elemental plane of fire¡± Sephinroth says shockingly


    ¡°Sometimes I¡¯m truly baffled by the extent of your intelligence you know that¡± Colossus mocked and lifting her middle finger toward him Sephinroth then observes a hilt extending out of the chest, gasping she steps back ¡°Is that the hilt of the blade I think it is¡±


    ¡°Yes it is, its part of the Azurewrath set¡± Colossus explained and touching the other books they reveal the air, water and earth realms, Colossus then looked to Sephinroth.


    ¡°This is why I need you, I had a feeling that the pieces wouldn¡¯t be on this plane and since I¡¯m -¡±


    ¡°DEAD!¡± she interrupted holding a sharpened grin


    ¡°INCOPORIAL¡± Colossus quickly corrected as he removed his hand from the book but still holding the orb does the image alter, it revealed to her eyes Colossus strangling the last of the three children Rain and dropping him to the ground dead.


    Putting the orb down the image vanishes away and Colossus concluded ¡°I require you to obtain them for me¡±


    ¡°What is so important about those children anyway¡± she inquired


    ¡°From my assault on countless mage towers, libraries and through seers, I¡¯ve been shown this image; of three children born from two champions of my first demise to bring about my finial dissolution from this realm, and incase any of it is true I will not take any chances no matter how pitiful they seem. It is the power that they may posses that scares me and I will not allow such a prophecy to come about¡±


    ¡°So just go and kill them then¡± Sephinroth concluded


    ¡°I can¡¯t find them, I can¡¯t see their souls, and I can¡¯t scrye for them, not even any seer can find out that they exist, they are being hid from me¡± Colossus says irritated


    Starting to laugh Sephinroth replies ¡°You mean to tell me that these tiny children are evading you, the mighty Colossus and vivid terror to the realm; and with all the power you posses you can¡¯t get to them¡±


    ¡°They¡¯re getting help from their clan of course, they could not pull this off on their own¡± Colossus yelled heated with annoyance


    Her smile finally turns to a serious face of thought and looking at the books and the orb she looks up in excitement ¡°Wait a minute since you have full control over dying souls and getting your hands on the sword in conjunction with the three evil essences that goes with them, (she smilingly looks at him) your going to take out the rift barrier that the keepers of faith are guarding-¡±


    ¡°Bringing all the souls from haven down to the neither realm and granting me total control over the celestial powers placing me directly into godhood¡± Colossus concluded grinning


    ¡°But attacking that post if they feel it is weakening will send support, most likely a Solar which I shouldn¡¯t have to remind you is the highest ranking angel they carry¡± Sephinroth points out


    ¡°I¡¯m bloody well aware of that, so I don¡¯t need a history lesson¡± Colossus bolted


    ¡°I will however need additional support and since the sword can resurrect I can create my own help from the past¡±


    ¡°And who do you have in mind¡± she asks


    ¡°Remember what you said about the evil essences¡± Colossus says with a grin


    With a frightened look on her face she states ¡°You can¡¯t it¡¯s too dangerous you can¡¯t bring the prime evils back to life, that¡¯s more stupid then the diabolical insanity you already have planned, (moving toward him) Those evil are the root of all evils and were locked away for good reason, bringing them back to help you won¡¯t work they will just kill you and take haven for themselves, what is to stop them?¡±


    ¡°Orders¡± Colossus replied ¡°You forget that whoever resurrects them is their master and as powerful as they are, their evil essences are incased inside the swords blade putting them under my control. With that I will slay any barrage of angelic muscle the haven can conjure up and claim the souls as my own¡±


    Hearing a terrible scream outside the tower Colossus face grows with a scared uncertainty ¡°The Grim¡± Colossus gritted through his teeth with a shudder in his voice


    ¡°What is The Grim¡± Sephinroth asks


    ¡°Cloaked skeletons dripping with the venom of agony, their leader¡¯s the shade king and has sent them after me ever since I took the Lazarus tower as my new home, he can¡¯t attack me on his own plain but when I¡¯m here¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re a target, so just give him the tower¡± concluded Sephinroth


    ¡°It¡¯s a sanctuary inside the neither realm so he can¡¯t send me where the other damned souls go you pithy red whore, I need it to live, but the farther I plane travel the stronger my essence is and the faster they find me and even them I can¡¯t defeat.


    They would take me down due to their immunity of my powers from me being only a spirit and lock me up with the rest of the eternal damned souls¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s why I need you to get me the shards and hilt of the sword, the elemental planes are too far for me to travel, they will catch me there before I even emerge on the other side¡±, (interrupting himself he orders his men to take the books and orb back to his tower)


    ¡°Colossus I want this tower as well as the eggs of Lalandra or find another partner, I need its laboratory for my work and research to blend her eggs with my blood magic strength,¡± Sephinroth barks giving him the ultimatum.


    ¡°Done¡± Colossus agrees and teleports away projecting his voice. Listening outside for the screams of the grim, they too disappear with silence in their wake.


    Dancing daintily around her new dwelling, she looks around while thinking to her mind.


    ¡°We shall see who rules who after my engineered babies are born you slab of beef, they will not just be under my power (putting her hand across her chest) I will be their mother and everyone knows not to mess with someone¡¯s mother¡± and laughing with an evil intent Sephinroth disappears in a waking stream of flame.

 Chapter 3

    As light of the new day approaches Dawn¡¯s bedroom window she awakes, stretches and following a yawn, covers with a robe to head downstairs to join her brother¡¯s and uncle. Sleeping in a chair by the supper table Straud awakes to the creek made on the stairs by Dawn, and joining the eye opening is Cloud lifting his half flattened face that was pressing against the wood on the table with a drink cup still grasped to his hand. Lifting while looking at it Cloud tosses it over his shoulder and hits Rain in the head, the sleeping spell jammer lifts his head from the impact and then at the cup that rolled upon the ground.


    ¡°Did you just hit me with that?¡± Rain snarled looking to his brother


    ¡°Sorry¡± Cloud said yawning ¡°wasn¡¯t looking¡±


    Laying back down Rain grips his head, ¡°I¡¯m sure that wasn¡¯t what caused this pain in my head though¡±


    ¡°Nope, that was caused from whatever we were drinking last night, it¡¯s called the day after getting drunk¡± Cloud replied gripping his own head leaning back in the chair he was setting in.


    ¡°Blood wine, aged sixteen years, made it when you arrived in my life for this very occasion for when you kids were leaving my guardianship¡± Straud addressed getting up.


    Touching the base of the stairs Dawn scoped the common room ¡°looks like a dwarven bar aftermath in here¡± she says watching where she stepped on the ground.


    The day sparks into late morning and clan members all around are hugging each other, saying their good byes for the months that they will be apart. The children gather their good byes to everyone they knew well; saving their uncle for last and standing around him beside their horses filled with gear they all hug Straud one final time. Rain being the last one to the hugs looks to his uncle¡¯s face after the embrace and says ¡°Uncle, about yesterday, about my parents, I meant no offence to you uncle, you have done a great job of being their for us, whenever we needed you, you were there and I just want say that, you¡¯re the closest thing to a father any of us could have hope for and I¡¯m glade you were ours¡± Rain ended smiling


    A tear runs down Straud¡¯s face and he hugs Rain again ¡°Thanks, Thank you, now you¡¯d best get moving if you are to reach Silverspire before your rations run out, (helping Dawn up on her horse) I¡¯ll enjoy seeing your faces again in the mountains¡± ends Straud and kissing Dawn¡¯s cheek side Straud pushes Dawn¡¯s horse to ride on, the others follow waving to him as he shrinks in the distance and they disappear into the deep wood of the forest.


    Two weeks pass without provocation but as they round the last couple days in the woods they travel through until the fourth day of the second week, Cloud awakes looking around franticly. ¡°Something is wrong¡± he said waking up Rain, grabbing his bearings on the welcome of the new day Rain sits up, yawning he spills out ¡°What is wrong what are you doing?¡± Rain gasps out with his arms stretched to the sky.


    ¡°Our tracks from last night, the ones our horses made they¡¯re gone¡± Cloud said and jumping to his feet he snaps ¡°What!¡± and startled by the sound Dawn awakes.


    ¡°Everything ok¡± Dawn questions still half asleep watching her brothers move around,


    ¡°Apparently someone has covered our tracks ¡°said Rain checking the ground with Cloud


    ¡°Why, why would someone do this?¡± Dawn said getting concerned ¡°I thought uncle said no one would know we would go this way or know who we are¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t think that is the case Dawn,¡± Cloud said


    ¡°Well why would anyone do this that doesn¡¯t want to kill us¡± she snapped


    ¡°Because we are still alive¡± Rain interrupted


    ¡°Exactly, they would have just killed us when we slept¡± finished Cloud


    ¡°Well that¡¯s cryptic¡± Dawn blurts out ¡°THANK YOU WHO EVER YOU ARE!¡±


    Running up and closing her mouth with his hand Cloud says ¡°SHHHHHH, damn it girl what the hell is the matter with you¡±


    ¡°Well you said-¡±


    ¡°I said that I don¡¯t think it¡¯s after us but I wasn¡¯t certain¡± Cloud gritted out uncovering her mouth roughly.


    Coming up behind them Rain bolts ¡°I foun-¡± and with a quick yelp from both siblings they stagger to a quick turn


    ¡°Sorry guys (looking down at his boots) elven feet, I found something you should see¡±


    Following him to some bushes Rain reaches in to pull out a sign rotting and weathering away. Rain attempts to read it and comes up with Pearle that he figures must be a town name. Figuring that it¡¯s a town near by they pack up and head in the direction of the sign to find out what it is.


    Another day¡¯s ride takes them to a clearing in the forest with a fork in the path they found half way through the day, keeping to the shade of the trees they covertly move closer to see the town.


    Removing the bushes by the border Cloud reveals the small town of Pearle, some dwellers were elves and dwarves but mostly human¡¯s populate the town. A small sign identifies the village ahead as Pearle, home of the feathered serpent statue. Like other villages deep in the forests, this one has a rustic but quaint appearance. Most of the buildings are made of timber, with roofs of thatch that have weathered to a mottled gray color. A low mound of earth topped with a wooden stockade surrounds the settlement. On the left side of the street about a quarter of a mile in from the entrance of the town sits a tavern with a sign hanging above the door that presented THE TAP. Pointing toward the sign Cloud says ¡°We should head there first, the town seems like it¡¯ll host us ok¡± nodding his head Rain agrees then turning around to get on his horse he looks around ¡°DAWN¡± he says, ¡°Where did she go?¡±


    Cloud now turning his head repeats her name with no answer ¡°Damn it she took off¡± he said pointing at foot marks in the ground leading back the way they came, they follow them leading them right to her sitting in the bush looking up the other path in the fork they came too.


    Turning around and seeing them coming up behind her she whispers ¡°There you are come here and look at this¡± waving them up to her position and already being mad at her the brothers go up to see, the three witness a chest of gold being taken up The path to the ruined temple winds through wooded hills choked with thorny undergrowth. The terrain seems firm underfoot, and some bits of stone pavement have survived here and there, but evidence mostly in the form of freshly cut branches overhanging the trail suggests that the way has been cleared only recently.


    ¡°Yeah so what is wrong with this?¡± Cloud says with a blank look.


    ¡°Everything is wrong with it¡± Spouts off Dawn quietly ¡°Look, the chest is gold bearing; you don¡¯t take the wealth of a town and donate it to a church or temple situated outside the town¡±


    ¡°Why not¡± Rain ask


    ¡°Because the symbol of serenity and peace is always situated where the whole town can see, not hiding in some bushes¡±


    ¡°Maybe they do things different here ¡°Cloud suggest


    ¡°No something¡¯s wrong¡± Dawn replied shaking her head


    ¡°Well Rain and I think we¡¯ll check out the tavern called The Tap, maybe we can get some answers there, and a meal for the night¡± Cloud insisted patting her shoulder and complying she followed the boys to the Tap. On their approach Rain witnesses starring upon himself from several townsfolk, as he past them they kept their glares fixed on him even as he past, ¡°What¡¯s your problem?¡± Rain spouted off at them.


    ¡°Rain don¡¯t¡± Cloud scolded


    ¡°What they¡¯re glaring at me¡± Rain defended and turning to the folk Cloud only smiles to them saying nothing.


    Going in to the tavern making sure their hoods were up and cloaks were totally covering them they go and have a seat at a table, looking around it was no different than that of a normal tavern they past through on their travels or for at least the boys anyway. For Dawn this was her first time and she was looking around more intently. A serving girl came by to see what they wanted, and waiting on them gets very short mouthed and blunt, not making any sort of small talk at all. She takes their drink and meal orders fast pacing back to the bar counter, looking back every once in a while to the children followed by everyone in the bar.


    ¡°Ok what was up with that and what is with all the starring from these people¡± Dawn says scooting up closer to Cloud


    ¡°We¡¯re Drow,¡± said Rain ¡°The reputation we hold isn¡¯t the best up here¡±


    ¡°Yeah I know but is it this bad though, I mean yikes, I¡¯m scared to cough or sneeze with out being stabbed or something¡± Dawn said worried. Looking around once more Rain perks up ¡°She is right Cloud this is a little worse than normal don¡¯t you think¡±


    ¡°Yea I agree the looks they¡¯re giving us are a little worried but mostly they looked scared but not of us, their emotions look more rooted like this is normal to them¡± Cloud hypothesized


    Minutes later the serving girl comes back with their order and the bill which was about twice as much as any other tavern has charged them.


    ¡°Three silver are you kidding¡± Rain said about to stand up when Cloud¡¯s arm reaches over clinging him steady.


    ¡°Here you go¡± Cloud stated quietly tossing the maiden four coins of silver telling her to keep the change. She takes it quickly heads back to the bar and looking at Rain Cloud gives him a glare.


    ¡°Keep a low profile and for that we might have to pay a higher price¡± Cloud says sternly, tapped on the shoulder quickly by Dawn, Cloud turns ¡°What¡±


    ¡°Look, everyone around even when Rain said how much our meal was, no one blinked an eye, or even had a shocked look, its like it¡¯s a normal price around here¡± Dawn whispered.


    They enjoyed half of their meal while the whole time getting stares from different tables, and at the small talk from the surrounding tables they over hear topic¡¯s mostly about them. A man wanders up to their table that halts Cloud in mid speech, he was terribly dressed with leather clothing smelling like stale ale and a face unshaven for going on a week or two that grew over top of his scared up cheek. Leaning up against the table with his long stringy black sweated hair dangling in Cloud¡¯s face he spouted in his foul breath ¡°Why don¡¯t you pointy pale faced people go back from where you came from¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll be gone in the morning sir, I assure you now why don¡¯t you have a drink on me¡± Cloud said as he flipped a coin toward the bartender. Slamming his hand down on the table shaking their goblets and spilling Dawns on her lap the man glared, Dawn backs up to wipe off her cloak while the man engrossed his sight to her tight firm cleavage pushed up from her vest opening that brought a grin to his face; the man looks to her and smiles.


    ¡°Maybe we can come to an arrangement if you¡¯re willing to pawn off your lady friend to me for the night,¡± The drunk slurred


    ¡°Not a chance¡± Cloud stared


    ¡°She is a very sweet thing, I bet she¡¯s soft¡± the drunk continued as he reached over for a quick touch, flipping him from his front to his back allowing his eyes to now stare at the roof with a dagger blade gently against his cheek let Cloud lean to his face.


    ¡°I don¡¯t think you heard me I said not a chance¡± and throws him from the table to the floor. The drunk gets to his feet and slowly walks to his table motioning to one of his comrades to toss him a dagger. He is passed one and suddenly turns to lunge at Cloud, hearing the ting of the dagger pass Cloud turns around facing his lunge and extending his arm, clotheslines the drunk to the floor disarming the dagger from his hand. With a second motion Cloud draws his sword and places it at the drunks¡¯ throat already pinned down by his foot. The entrance to the tavern is blown open by three guards followed by one other who looks like a Capitan ¡°Alright what is going on here¡± the Captain coarsely yells


    ¡°These elves were causing a ruckus and nearly killed this man,¡± the bartender said


    ¡°We weren¡¯t causing a ruckus; this man was going to inappropriately touch me and my brother intervened, and when he got embarrassed because he couldn¡¯t have what he wanted he tried to kill my brother who was only defending himself¡± Dawn bolted


    ¡°Is this true bartender¡± the Captain questioned?


    ¡°I just want them out of here Captain Larris¡± said the bartender with his head looking down.


    ¡°WHAT?¡± Dawn bolted louder


    Interrupting her Cloud grabbed Dawns hand and looked at the Captain


    ¡°If you want us to go we¡¯ll go Captain¡±


    ¡°I think for your sakes that would be a wise move¡± commented the Captain as he motioned for his men to part the entrance way; nodding his head Cloud led the three out of The Tap and back to where they were planning to make camp for the night. As they left back on the town streets a group of people again placed stares to them; but this time Rain didn¡¯t stay silent,


    ¡°My god what¡¯s with you people, I¡¯m a Drow¡± Rain said gripping his hair and pulling it out and tight ¡°See the white hair, am I that shocking to you or something¡±


    ¡°Brother enough!¡± Cloud barks at him, Rain halts his actions and letting go of his hair walked fast to keep again in pace with Cloud and his sister.


    ¡°Rain I don¡¯t want to draw attention to us¡± Cloud sighed


    ¡°It¡¯s too late for that Cloud¡± Rain said back ¡°Without saying anything would we have gotten just as much¡± and halting his words did a woman pass them wearing a busty corset and leggings in black ¡°Nasty!¡± Rain blurted having the woman toss a look back at him knowing the comment was for her ¡°At least you can tell it¡¯s a human town, look at that whore¡± Rain rudely blurted out gesturing a tongue gag.


    ¡°Rain not all women dress like whores, and some are quite pleasant, of coarse you¡¯ll never know, you won¡¯t give a single female a chance¡± Dawn argues as they leave the town borders tossing a half wave to the guard patrol.


    ¡°They are bloody distracting to groups like us trying to survive in this world Dawn, plus they are just plain ugly¡±


    ¡°Ugly!¡± Dawn bolts


    ¡°Human¡¯s Dawn I meant human girls¡±


    ¡°I find some human males quite dashing¡± She smirks having seen a few,


    ¡°The male¡¯s have half a chance they at least can stand for something¡±


    ¡°But the women can¡¯t is that right Rain¡±


    ¡°Only are needed for one thing which is why there¡¯s so many of them around¡± Rain said with Dawn giving him a look.


    ¡°You¡¯re telling me that love making is something you¡¯d never want to experience?¡± Dawn asks him


    ¡°It¡¯s something I can live without sister, there are more important things in life to devote time too¡± and holding a look of uncertainty to her brother¡¯s bleak future did she then smirk.


    ¡°All the same it¡¯s probably better this way for you with your books and scrolls; if a woman came to you you¡¯d probably not know what to do anyway¡± she giggled with Cloud joining in, Rain gave them both a look,


    ¡°I could do the task just fine Dawn, it¡¯s not like I have had all the extensive experience you possess¡± Rain said with Cloud glaring at him and Dawn baffled at the insult.


    ¡°I have never been with a male as your saying I have Rain, so you think I¡¯m a whore too is that it?¡± she blasts at him harshly


    ¡°Dawn your not an ill looking girl you have turned quite the number of heads in our clan¡± Cloud said with a grin, she looked at both and stopped her tracks.


    ¡°Girl here brother¡¯s I¡¯m a girl of sixteen years! Not some women horny in my prime, just because Shasha screwed that young tower watcher and got pregnant doesn¡¯t mean all of us go by the rule¡­how dare you say that about me¡± Dawn huffed


    ¡°Dawn I meant nothing to that end about you, you know that¡± Cloud said to her and looking to Rain he just shrugged.


    ¡°Hey you know me, I¡¯m blunt and speak my mind, tell me off and think what you want, that¡¯s what everyone else does¡±. Dawn said nothing to him and finally reaching the site of their camp out, they got the gear ready for the night.


    ¡°I can¡¯t believe they kicked us out, we didn¡¯t do anything no human would have done¡± complained Dawn as she undid her bedroll. Looking to her Cloud spoke up


    ¡°You know Dawn maybe just till were clear of this town you should change clothes¡±Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.


    ¡°I don¡¯t have any other clothes Cloud, what you thought I brought a bag of them or something, I¡¯m not a lady of a royal court¡± she huffed out


    ¡°Hey easy don¡¯t get mad at me, then just do up your vest to the top collar, to maybe avoid¡­starring¡± Cloud ended embarrassed a bit.


    ¡°It is done up to the top button, It¡¯s not my fault there big¡± Dawn said annoyed slightly


    ¡°This treatment we¡¯re getting is stupid Cloud we shouldn¡¯t have to be ashamed of what we are¡± Dawn said to him getting into bed.


    ¡°We are drow so you¡¯d better get use to this treatment; at least for like a hundred years or so until we can prove we are not of the same blood as the rest of our race¡± said Cloud


    ¡°Then we should show them we are different¡± Dawn said


    ¡°How¡± Rain inquired


    ¡°We¡¯ll help them with this problem they have¡± she explained


    ¡°Fixing humans that¡¯s a huge undertaking even elves can¡¯t handle¡± Cloud laughed


    ¡°Not that, the money going to the temple; I bet anything the Captain is in on it; the way that everyone was looking at him how could he not.¡± speculated Dawn


    ¡°That¡¯s their problem why should we worry about it¡± Rain added


    ¡°Because that is not what a church should represent¡± Dawn sternly said


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter, we¡¯re here to hide out and save our own asses, who gives a shit about their problem especially when it doesn¡¯t pertain to us anyway¡± Rain argued


    ¡°Spoken like a true DROW¡± Dawn frowned


    ¡°You know we could have left your ass in the hands of that drunk you little-¡°


    ¡°Hey! (Starring at Rain), never would we have done that¡± interrupted Cloud


    Moving over by Cloud Dawn grabs his hand ¡°Cloud, I know we have to hide and be careful who we trust but the only way we can earn trust is to first give a little; and look they don¡¯t look like they¡¯re followers of Colossus, but they do look scared and I want a chance to change that for them; I don¡¯t want to help every village we come to but if we are in a clan that is trying to prove that we are different to the Drow, we have to start somewhere so let it be here¡­.for me. Please¡± Dawn ended


    ¡°Alright¡± Cloud winced ¡°But the moment and I mean moment we are going nowhere here with this we pull out agreed¡±


    ¡°Agreed¡± Dawn said excitedly, Cloud and she then looked over to Rain


    ¡°Agreed Rain, common we all need to agree if we¡¯re to do this¡± pledged Cloud


    ¡°This is so pointless¡± Rain said quietly to himself


    ¡°What was that¡± Cloud Asked?


    ¡°I said fine!¡± Rain loudly preached


    ¡°Ok then, first light after breakfast we¡¯ll look for the source of this despair and remember; they already don¡¯t care for us being here so be cautious and covert¡± Cloud stated and giving him a smile did she kiss his cheek, Dawn went by Rain and looked at him.


    ¡°Thank you brother¡± she said leaning to him and pecking his forehead with her lips, Rain watched her as she retired to her beadroll and then gave a cold look to his brother.


    ¡°She¡¯s right you know Rain¡± Cloud said reading through his look


    ¡°Do we need to do this act so early in our trek¡± Rain whined and getting up from his seat he only said good night to his brother signaling the end of what Cloud knew could be an all night dispute.


    The next morning they head up to the temple with Cloud in the lead and their sister in the middle, Rain followed the rear. Single file, they walk up the old short flight of steps leading up to a pair of moss covered wooden doors. The right-hand door stands open. Many cracks and pockmarks scar the stone steps, but they otherwise seem solid. Stone balustrades about three feet high, just as weathered as the steps themselves flank the staircase. Two armed and armored humans and a deck with flowers stand rigidly before the doorway. The three bow before the guards to be allowed passage in to the temple, the home of the great Couatl the savoir of the village. The scent of flowers perfumes the air in this lofty but somewhat dank chamber. The scent seems to come from dozens or perhaps hundreds of flowery bouquets heaped on a massive central altar, which resembles a low ziggurat with three tiers, each perhaps ten feet high. The altar and the double rows of moss-covered wooden pews flanking it fill the chamber¡¯s center. A steep flight of stairs runs up one side of the ziggurat.


    The many gaps in the high, vaulted ceiling leave the chamber open to the elements. Random shafts of sunlight create a dappled effect on the walls and floor, a magnificent feathered serpent lies coiled among the flowers atop the altar, gazing out over the chamber with a glare of utter self-assurance. Its feathers look particularly dazzling where the light strikes them.


    Looking around the temple for signs of something wrong the state of the place is already a concern for Dawn; she continues to look around by the serpent altar and just glancing up to view the creature again the light hits it in a way that discolors the scale on the Couatl to a dark blue, gasping and looking down again she quickly moves to find her brothers wishing to leave.


    Descending the stairs at a quick pace she tells Cloud and Rain what she saw; Rain still tailing the rear stops sharp and looks to the trees, ¡°Rain what it is?¡± Cloud asks and starring just in to deep bush Rain shakes his head ¡°Nothing, I just thought I saw something¡±


    ¡°Well we¡¯re should we look first¡± Cloud said looking at Dawn and giving him a look of uncertainty of what to do Rain suddenly spoke up ¡°Lets head there¡± he said point to the guard house down the street and keeping their cloaks up they walk through the town to the guard house. This fortified log house is three stories high and has a roof of sawed planks. It is off limits to the public, but anyone is free to come here and ask for help. They move up to it and ask to speak with the Captain, Larris shows his face and they engage in conversation about all the gold going to the temple and the prices being so high; after about half an hour of bickering the conversation has gone nowhere. The Captain reveals nothing to help their cause and they are forced to back away and leave by sword point. Cloud about to draw his, stopped by his brother.


    ¡°Don¡¯t, Cloud I¡¯m sure there are other places to look¡± (gesturing his head to go around the building) and following Rain¡¯s lead they leave to go around the corner. ¡°Ok Rain what¡¯s up?¡± Cloud asks


    ¡°Those soldiers as well as the Captain look almost like they¡¯re defending the thing, but before we can do or prove anything we need to find out what this thing is and how long it¡¯s been here¡±


    Smiling a little grin Dawn perked up ¡°What¡¯s with the change of vision brother?¡±


    ¡°Lets just call it intuitional exercise and I like to keep my mind fit,¡± replied Rain


    ¡°So where to¡± Dawn asks


    ¡°The town records¡± says Rain and looking for a while they are guided from common folk to a building beside an old ruined church.


    Searching for a couple of hours through references and records Rain finally finds something that peaks his interest.


    ¡°It says here that the Couatl has been a savoir for this town for over two hundred years and has guided and assisted the church in town with curing fatal drinking water and doing blessings at services for the priest, Reverend Talus; and according to these records Talus died six months ago in a fire that destroyed the church¡±


    ¡°So what¡¯s so great about that¡± asked Cloud


    ¡°Think about it, you¡¯ve got this creature that loves religion and good deeds that sticks around for two-hundred years to assist the people of this town and when the church goes up in flames he is completely alright with what has happened, it doesn¡¯t even leave, in fact moves to a temple located outside the town and using the guards as his muscle has all the wealth of the city brought to him¡± Rain explained, Dawn comes up beside them with some other papers in her hands and throws them in front of her brothers.


    ¡°Their was a Captain before this guy Larris that was in charge of the town but he and a inspector were killed by get this, a bear mauling out side of town; they were investigating the church burning and were killed by these animals two weeks into the investigation¡± Dawn included


    Finding papers to a report from another book Rain grabs it to read the location of where this happened.


    ¡°That¡¯s all very good speculation and interesting arguments but we need hard hand proof if we are going to crack this for the inspector,¡± said Cloud


    ¡°I know, I know¡± added Rain and leaning up against the edge of a book shelf starring out the window he noticed a graveyard behind the guard house located down a hill a little ways. Rain sees there are four rows and five graves in each row; closing his eyes Rain leans his head toward the roof and opens them again taking a second look to the papers to reveal the numbers of the location of the reports to the investigation row four, section four. Getting a brain storm Rain bolts closer to the window to make out the name of the grave in that spot. Rain then smiles.


    ¡°Cloud, Dawn if you wanted to keep something hidden and I mean from everyone, where would you hide it¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know in a vault I guess,¡± replied Cloud


    ¡°A tomb or sealed chamber¡± added Dawn


    ¡°How about a grave¡± Rain suggested and brings the two over to the window, Rain points to the graveyard explaining how he linked the row and section numbers to the grave sites.


    ¡°And guess who¡¯s name is on that grave; Reverend Talus¡± Rain boasted


    ¡°That¡¯s brilliant¡± added Dawn.


    ¡°I know¡± added Rain


    ¡°Well we can¡¯t go there now we will have to wait for dark¡± insisted Cloud


    ¡°Well I want to go check out that church anyway¡± said Dawn


    ¡°And I want to check the location that the Captain and inspector died at¡± Cloud added


    ¡°Rain I want you to go with Dawn and we¡¯ll meet back at the camp before we make another move agreed¡±. They nod their heads and part ways wishing each other good luck and split off. Skewering around the burnt rubble of the church Dawn and Rain looked around, ¡°What did you inspect to find here sis?¡± Rain asked


    ¡°I don¡¯t know but I didn¡¯t want to leave this place unchecked,¡± replied Dawn


    Moving to the front both of them poke around a little more until Rain finds a door and attempting a couple times Rain releases its hold to the ground and peers inside. ¡±I¡¯m going to take a look in here ok Dawn¡± Rain states as he moves inside; minutes go by and Dawn walking up and down the front of the church alter is startled by a voice behind her.


    ¡°What are you doing in hear?¡± the voice said, turning around Dawn focused on little common girl. Dawn recognizes her from the tavern The Tap, ¡°I was just looking around¡± Dawn said ¡°Hey you¡¯re the girl that served us at the tavern yesterday, what are you doing hear¡±


    ¡°I was just coming here to pay my respects to the priest who lived here,¡± She said stuttering


    ¡°You do know that he died six months ago right¡± Dawn inquired


    ¡°Yes I do, I used to be a student practicing under him to learn the trade.¡±


    ¡°So why would a student that knew he died six months ago, be paying her respects, unless you were watching us and that was the best excuse you had come up with¡± Dawn questioned and franticly not having anything else to say the girl turned to leave.


    ¡°Wait!¡± Dawn shouted ¡°Sorry I didn¡¯t mean to accuse, but please wait; umm my brothers and I are here just passing through, but when we noticed something was wrong just by all of your peoples actions here, we took it upon ourselves to figure out why¡±


    Calming her down and getting her to sit for a minute Dawn learned that the girl was the daughter of the inspector that was killed here, and was only trying to save the money to get out of here, looking around she felt uncomfortable eyes watching her and scared she ran out. Moments later Rain emerged from the other room.


    ¡°Who was that I heard?¡± said Rain


    ¡°That was the serving girl from the tavern last night and she is actually the daughter of the inspector,¡± Dawn whispered


    ¡°Well I found nothing in there¡± he whispered back ¡°And why are we whispering¡±


    ¡°She said that she thought she heard someone watching us¡± explained Dawn


    ¡°Common lets meet up with Cloud back at the camp¡±


    Going back to the camp Rain and Dawn are surprised to see Cloud already there and was carrying something in his hands as well as a worried look on his face.


    ¡°Did you find anything?¡± asked Cloud


    ¡°No, how about you¡± replied Rain


    ¡°Yeah actually but I hope that I¡¯m wrong, when I went there I saw the huge imprint of something long and scaly that has been laying there for some time; and looking around I found these¡± Cloud stated as he throws three scales toward Rain. Catching and examining them quickly Rain concludes ¡°There from the Couatl at the temple¡±


    ¡°No I don¡¯t think so; I think it was murdered by whatever is in the temple now playing the part of the Couatl¡± Explained Cloud


    ¡°And it has all the town guards under its control getting the gold from the town and bringing it to itself¡± added Dawn ¡°But what is it¡± she added again


    ¡°I think the answers we seek are in the grave of the priests¡± Rain said


    ¡°Well lets gets some rest before we go grave digging, it could be an all night escapade¡± Cloud ordered and they settle down for a quick nap before sunset.


    Dusk approaches and they arise like vampires to head to the graveyard to confirm their final suspicions about the town. Heading down did they feel an uneasy feeling like they¡¯re being watched and reaching the graveyard they look toward the section Rain told them. The last three graves in the row had been recently buried by the grave of the Reverend, looking like it they been bothered after buried the first time.


    ¡°Looks like your guess was right so far Rain¡± his brother commented


    ¡°So far¡± Rain said back moving to the shack built to hold supplies for digging in this area. Rain comes back with a shovel and starts digging with his brother standing guard, looking around sporadically Dawn questions.


    ¡°You don¡¯t suppose there¡¯s anything creepy crawly living here huh¡±


    ¡°Probably just the usual you know, rats, bats and spiders¡± said Cloud watching his sister jump on top of a gravestone to look on the ground ¡°SPIDERS¡± she snaps, and stopping his digging Rain looks up ¡°My god you can¡¯t tell me you are afraid of spiders¡± and Dawn shakes her head vertically ¡°DAWN, You¡¯re drow you practically have the blood of a spider running through you¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t worship Loth remember, and besides who would want them as allies anyway they have eight legs, like a hundred eyes and they¡¯re just gross looking eewww¡± and she starts quickly wiping herself as if they were all over her.


    Starting again on the digging Rain continued until he heard a thud coming from his digging spot.


    ¡°I found something,¡± Rain said as he threw the shovel aside and was assisted by Cloud to bring up the coffin; lifting the lid off the coffin, they see letters and reports in the inspector¡¯s handwriting.


    ¡°JACKPOT¡± Rain said excitedly and spending an hour roughly on the material Rain stumbles upon something.


    ¡°It¡¯s a Naga, a spirit Naga, the creature in the temple¡± Rain explains


    ¡°How do you know that?¡± Cloud asks


    ¡°In this journal entry he states that he sees the creature in its full form at night counting the gold from the chests he received; and that¡¯s not all, the new Captain that took the post wasn¡¯t even ever a member of the town, he was a wood strider, a Ranger of the woods¡± Rain Exploits


    ¡°So all we need to do is take out the Naga and the charm hold it has over the guards should be broken,¡± says Dawn


    ¡°But what about that ranger I bet he has been behind the church burning as well as the murders of the other Captain and the inspector; and he has probably been having his eyes on us ever since we got here ¡°Rain inquired


    ¡°We can probably be guaranteed to see him before we get to the temple so keep your guard up ¡°Cloud cautioned


    Getting ready to leave the graveyard does the ground suddenly shake with tremor like vibrations having the three fall to the ground, and as fast as they came the tremors stop ¡°What the hell was that¡± cried Cloud and seeing movement under ground followed by the hand of a skeleton reaching from inside his grave Rain blurts out ¡°The sound of undead coming to life¡±


    Reaching to the upper ground did the skinless corpses uncover the dirt to a standing pose and seeing a total of nine holding a circle around the three Cloud drew his blade followed by Rain, the boys stayed a tight unit with Dawn between them and engaged as they advanced, the undead moved slow but with amplified strength knocking down the shifting three to the ground when they attempted a block. Seeing a crushing blow coming to his shoulder Cloud shifts his body to have the bone fist miss but getting into the path of another he braced for impact when the fist came to a halt, Cloud opened his bracing eyes to see a vine attached to the limb of the skeleton¡¯s driving arm, and swinging to dismantle it of it¡¯s stable structure, he looked to why it happened and in the shadows of the outlined woods stood a cloaked figure.


    ¡°A druid¡± Cloud said to himself ¡°Rain we have help¡± Cloud said looking to him but turning back Cloud noticed the figure had gone, vanished without a trace.


    The vines attached suddenly to the rest providing grief to the undead and not waiting for a reason Dawn, Rain and Cloud dispatch the skeletons quickly, Rain from his side sights a figure up on the hill adjacent to the cemetery lining up an arrow shot; seeing the target he yells out


    ¡°Dawn Duck!¡±


    Dawn not hearing Rain turns to him to see if he¡¯ll say it again and sees the arrow in flight toward her, she grips her spear and swings to hit it away; seeing she missed and hearing the cry of a deep voice in pain she looks back to see Rain with the arrow in front of her head but through his hand and bleeding bad. Rain yells to Cloud ¡°Cloud its Larris, he¡¯s heading for the temple¡± and Cloud like a deer pounces through the trees after him.


    ¡°We need to catch up to him he¡¯ll need help¡± Says Rain watching his sister put her hands on top of his, pulls out the arrow and with a faint white glow stops the bleeding.


    ¡°Thanks Dawn¡± Rain said grateful


    ¡°Right back at yea¡± she replied smiling ¡°Can you still fight?¡±


    ¡°The magic I use only needs to come from one hand so I can still due some damage¡± they turn to go catch up with their brother only to find the entrance to the graveyard filled with six armed guards not allowing them to pass.


    ¡°We don¡¯t need to kill them¡± Rain said quietly and with that advice Dawn lowers her head and chants some words, the first three guards advance to attack them but stop and drop their swords from the heating feeling of their hilts. Rain quickly jumping on the actions of his sister, casts a sleep spell which puts the armed and unarmed guards all out of commission. They fall into a deep slumber and Dawn and Rain then go on to meet up with Cloud. Lurking in the shadows of a nearby building, watching them is a figure who witnesses the events taking place and keeps pace to follow them. They join up with Cloud a few moments later to see him and Larris facing off with swords touching each other tips.


    ¡°Give it up Larris, no cavalry is coming to help you¡± Rain says with a grin ¡°it¡¯s their nap time now¡± Rain adds


    ¡°It¡¯s no use Rain the Spirit Naga¡¯s mind holds on him is too strong¡± bolted Cloud and starting to laugh Larris speaks up ¡°You idiots! You think I¡¯m under her power of mind manipulation; Well I¡¯m not I do what I do willingly¡±


    ¡°Why, why kill the Couatl and the rest of them, to what end¡± Questions Dawn


    ¡°Simple, Money¡± Larris states ¡°Do you know how much those scales sell for around here LOTS!; But I knew that the town would grow with suspicion if their savoir suddenly went missing so I found a Spirit Naga that was willing to take it¡¯s place. Of coarse it had a plan too that got me even more rich so I went along with it but to do that one we needed to eliminate some key players from the town; and finally when I killed the Captain I assumed his post to prevent any further interruptions¡± Larris concluded


    ¡°You greedy disgusting son of a bitch, you killed the Couatl, the savior and symbol of peace and serenity for this town for MONEY!¡± yelled Dawn furious with anger.


    ¡°And I would have done better than this if you Drow would have just left liked you said and we can¡¯t have you foiling up our plans anymore, SCARLET! We have some uninvited guests¡± Larris executed, and started to combat with Cloud.


    ¡°Go in to the temple and stop that thing¡± said Cloud dodging Larris¡¯s attacks, bolting Rain and Dawn head in the temple.


    Going inside the two saw nothing at the alter, ¡°She¡¯s here somewhere, oh and before anything happens she¡¯s also a ¨C¡±and before he could finish Rain was interrupted by lightning hitting a pew in front of them. Quickly grabbing his sister and hiding behind a pillar support structure he finishes ¡°A Mage¡± Rain cries ¡°Oh great¡± says Dawn grabbing her spear ¡°Now what¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll flank her from two spots, you go left and I¡¯ll go right¡± Rain ordered and getting up and moving they heard a voice


    ¡°You would attack your savoir!¡± the Naga bolted


    ¡°Your not even close you scaly little parasite¡± Dawn yelled and attacked, coming up from the shadows of the trees toward the temple hearing the commotion inside and out from battle the cloaked figure goes running up the stairs and enters the doors of the temple just to witness Rain getting hit in the torso from a tall swing and thrown into and through a pew. Dawn yelled out to him and ran over to assist but when she did she too was hit from the entrance of the door landing to the alter at the front of the main chamber. Looking franticly for her weapon Dawn finds it behind the creature at the entrance of the doorway, sitting up from the blow she took Dawn wipes the blood running from the corner of her mouth and slowly backs up like a injured animal. Looking over to see Rain knockout she closes her eyes to say a spell and is struck in the leg from the knife cutting edge of the Naga¡¯s tail, screaming in pain and closing her eyes to not see the finale done to her, she hears an impact of something flying through the air and feels the dripping of blood from the Naga¡¯s mouth coming from the point of her own spear that entered the back of the Naga¡¯s head. Seeing it fall Dawn rolled to the left to dodge out of the way of its falling death. Looking up to see what caused the miracle, Dawn sees the tavern girl standing their and they smile at each other, their moment was quickly interrupted by a sharp cut of the back of the tavern girl¡¯s leg from Larris¡¯s blade who glanced over to witness the death of the Naga. Turning back to fight Cloud his gut was met by Cloud¡¯s sword and imbedded deep into his chest, Larris falls to the ground and keeling over does Cloud whisper in his ear ¡°And she is going to live knowing that your greed of pain ends here¡± Cloud pulls his blade out of Larris and goes to tend to the girls.


    A day passes¡­The tavern girl along with key members to the community were standing at the edge of town to wish the new saviors of the town good travels. Kate the tavern girl told the townsfolk everything that had transpired.


    ¡°Thanks for all that you have done, your services will not be forgotten here today nor any other¡± said the town Mayor with praise


    ¡°I only wish we could replace what you have lost¡± Dawn said with a sigh,


    ¡°But you have by saving our young Kate who has now agreed to take the post of the late Reverend¡±


    Smiling at her Dawn gazed with a sight of confidence ¡°I know she will do well¡± Dawn added


    ¡°Thanks to you three¡± Kate said back


    ¡°Time to go¡± Rain said in the background and waving to their disappearing departure the town sees to the three until out of sight.

 Chapter 4

    Arriving to the Lazarus tower holding the first piece of the sword artifact, Sephinroth appraised the architecture. The halls and corridors had cobblestone in a sandy red color, covering the floors and stone walls was of a deep cold blue with imprinting of skeletons and trapped souls, sculpted in various and deformed shapes. The chambers in the tower all had pillars erected with a ghostly light blue haze reaching from the floor to the ceiling, looking as if to hold the roof in place like support beams. Opening the door to the way of the great hall was she shocked; it held a look as if it was built by the people of a King in memory of his greatness. Perfectly placed grey stone bricks were to the walls and fresh cut smelling heavy oak beams completed the ceiling, and to the center of the rafters hung a great golden chandelier with skull faced candle holders numbering a total of six.


    Entering the main chamber she gazed upon Colossus sitting in his bone throne with great fire bowls to either side, she came up to the long fine crafted table in front of him and placed the black human skinned made chest at the end of it. ¡°Here¡¯s the hilt to your weapon of power,¡± she said in a slow lush¡¯s voice.


    ¡°So I see you went to the fire plane first, not that I didn¡¯t see that one coming¡± Colossus replied with a grin ¡°Must have been easy since your immune to the element¡±


    ¡°Not as easy as you would think the place was crawling with fire guards not to mention that the chest itself was in the fire king¡¯s chamber at the foot of his bed¡± She noted to him while walking away along the table.


    ¡°So how did you acquired it¡± Colossus asked curious


    ¡°Oh don¡¯t worry it¡¯ll be hours before he awakes and before he realizes that I stole it, knowing the way I worked on him in bed I¡¯d be impressed if his up before night fall¡± She said smiling


    ¡°Wait, let me get this straight; you slept with him and then stole the chest¡± Colossus questioned with a disturbing look, and having her nod her head he replies ¡°But I thought you were only able to take one form, how is that possible?¡±


    ¡°Well I have my magic¡¯s Colossus, I merely changed using them instead of my ability when I held Dragon form and well I think you can picture the rest of it¡± She replied grinning.


    ¡°Yes an with that will I forever be scared, with a man of his stature I would¡¯ve figured him to break you in half¡± he added laughing a little


    ¡°I didn¡¯t look like this I changed to a giant in size you cerebrally stunted cow¡± She huffed


    ¡°I realize that my dear, I¡¯m so glad my orb didn¡¯t capture me the live version¡±


    ¡°Too bad for you, with my extensive experience to the bed I¡¯d imagine you to only jot down notes with envy¡± she laughed with a small smirk but growing a sneer and deep focus Colossus housed a question.


    ¡°Speaking of seeing, hearing or even knowing, there isn¡¯t a book, lore or even rumored tale about you, it¡¯s like you don¡¯t exist not to mention that even my seer I have didn¡¯t even know where you were when I asked where you went¡± he ended with a concern


    ¡°I think you¡¯d better get a new one that one doesn¡¯t seem to work right, not that any other could tell you any better¡± she boasted


    ¡°Why not!¡± commanded Colossus


    ¡°Because it¡¯s the thing that make me unique; awe what¡¯s a matter don¡¯t like it when you¡¯re not in complete control, having to rely on trusting someone at their word?¡± she asked smiling more


    ¡°ESPECIALLY when it¡¯s a evil being, NOW WHY NOT!¡± he heated out


    ¡°Because I don¡¯t like being watched like a dog so you are just going to have to have some ¡­.dare I say it¡­.FAITH in me to get what you want and finally play your game on a level playing field¡± she bolted


    ¡°Is it some sort of magic?¡± he ask calming down


    ¡°Spiritual arcane magic with a sacrifice on the side, which I had to voluntarily provide¡± she stated


    ¡°Dragon magic¡± He asked


    ¡°No dwarven¡­..of coarse dragon magic; anyways with everything I had done and was planning to do the realm already knew enough about me, hated me so much that I had dragon slayers awaiting me around every teleport, so I cast a spell and used some pretty powerful mages to help do it¡±


    ¡°Cast what!¡± Colossus inquired with impatience


    ¡°A spell to erase me from everyone¡¯s mind, book and legend, even from also ever further being located by any means; but it came at a price which for me (bowing her head with a sigh) was the maternal bearing of any children¡± she concluded


    ¡°You won¡¯t ever be able to have kin¡± he asked and she shook her head


    ¡°So you don¡¯t have to worry about me giving birth to some hellfire baby from the fire king, even if I could with his big flames he wasn¡¯t very good anyway¡± she protested and shaking his head to jumble up the metal picture thrown back in to it he stared away


    ¡°Just want to know if I can expect a litter, never can be to cautious you know¡±


    ¡°Speaking of being stabbed in the back where are my eggs? You know the silver ones you promised me, I get one now if I¡¯m counting right!¡± she demanded


    Colossus got up out of his chair and walk toward her ¡°There coming, the agent I have getting them has been most difficult to find first of all, but by the time you get me the second piece you will have two eggs here waiting for you; you have my word¡± he said with confidence to his speech to end from her any suspicious thoughts.


    ¡°Well I better and just who exactly is getting them here? You shouldn¡¯t let some half demon get them because you know they wont last¡± she said sharply


    ¡°His name is Login Silias¡± Colossus replied


    ¡°Wait; your getting a vampire to get me my eggs I think I have a better chance by just asking for them¡± she shrugged


    ¡°Not just any vampire, this one can¡¯t be killed and is the leader of a well respected group called the Hand of Nod¡± Colossus explained


    ¡°I know who he is¡± she interrupted still not impressed at the choice


    ¡°Then you know that he can¡¯t be killed by any normal vampire means such as stakes or decapitation or the best part sunlight¡± Colossus gloated some what


    ¡°How?¡± she questioned not knowing his immunity


    ¡°He had his heart removed and placed in a silver chest in the astral pocket plane, lore has is that you need to stab the item in the chest with a wooden stake to kill him otherwise he is just short of invincible¡± Colossus smiled


    ¡°Well I can see your team recruiting skills have not gone down hill¡± She added holding a contemplating look she stared to him deep focused to his eyes, attempting to find sign¡¯s of a alternate plan, but seeing none to his surface she agreed to get the next one holding him at his word. She leaves in a raise of fiery flame erecting at her feet and watching her flame from sight Colossus then shimmered away to continue his plan.


    Closing the forth day away from Parle at yet another cloth and stick made camp the three dwell in focus on a problem that seemed to just come up in a short time.


    ¡°Have you guys found any familiar trails yet?¡± Dawn asked


    ¡°Nothing yet¡± Said Cloud


    ¡°I don¡¯t get it nor does it make sense, how do we just lose the trail we¡¯ve been following for three days?¡± Questioned Rain getting restless


    ¡°Calm down Rain we¡¯ll find it ok¡± Cloud eased out


    ¡°But Cloud we¡¯ve ran out of food¡± Dawn pointed out


    ¡°Then I¡¯ll hunt¡± Cloud reinforced getting a bit harsh to his words


    They get comfortable and spend the night with the problem by the fire while finishing the last of their rationed food.


    The next morning Dawn awakes to see Cloud perched on a tree limb scouting over their sleeping heads, looking up at him in the tree as she rose to a up sit posture she calls up to him ¡°Have you been there all night¡± Cloud responded only in silence, ¡°Look Cloud even you need sleep¡± and waiting for an answer to which she got no reply she turns to him again ¡°We¡¯ll at least come down and I¡¯ll cook the rabbits you snared for breakfast ok¡±


    ¡°What did you say?¡± he asked with a shot of surprise


    ¡°Yea I know it¡¯s hard to believe but I do cook¡± Dawn said


    ¡°No not that; I didn¡¯t snare anything last night in fact I never left this spot¡± Cloud snapped and looking around the two peered in to the bushes when they started to rustle and crack. Dawn froze her eyes to the bush only moving her arm to reach the sleeping mound of her brother Rain but feeling the spot did she find it empty. Cloud drew his blade slow making nearly no sound and as the tip came from the sheath the rustling came to a pause, leaves exploded from the bush as the sight of a jungle cat emerged air borne straight at Cloud. It pounded upon his body blowing him off the branch he sat to and upon impact to the ground his blade was lost from his grip, landing hard to the ground Cloud found himself pinned down at the shoulders by the strength and weight of the black panther. Dawn turned sparking from her small lungs ¡°Rain! Cloud¡¯s under attack¡± and turning again to see the progress of battle not going well Cloud shifts his head fast at the timed lunges the panther made. Rustling this time from the brush comes again but more fierce. Dawn gazes upon a white wolf leaping out of the woods attacking the first cat and slamming against it¡¯s side does both rolled to an claw swinging stand off to Clouds left side. Rain appears by a heavy run from around the near bushes baring a flame in his hand and just before he releases it into the cat fight does Dawn pull down his arm,


    ¡°No! don¡¯t Rain¡± Dawn cries ¡°Look¡± and gazing for a moment longer the wolf fends off the panther leading it in to the bushes. Stopping before disappearing into the woods after the panther the wolf looks at Cloud.


    ¡°Thank you¡± Cloud says to it, but holding in return a silent look back with deep bronze eyes the wolf again takes off into the woods after the panther. Exhausted by battle does Cloud watch to the woods at the wolf leaving until fatigue gathered by no sleep and heavy battle brings him to pass out.


    Awaking by a fire with Dawn preparing the rabbits for breakfast and Rain throwing a cold cloth on Clouds forehead does Cloud look around.


    ¡°How long was I out?¡± Cloud asked as he felt the coolness upon his skin


    ¡°Couple of hours¡± Rain replied


    ¡°Sorry¡± Cloud said


    ¡°Don¡¯t be you needed the rest¡± Rain insisted


    ¡°What was that?¡± Dawn asked


    ¡°I don¡¯t know but one seemed to be on our side¡± Cloud pondered


    ¡°We¡¯ll here come and eat boys the hares are ready¡± Dawn called to them and gathering around the fire side did they enjoy their first heated meal since the tavern in Parle.


    At a distance on a hill as they ate a cloaked figure observed them in silent; to a tree side lean with intense eyes bearing just over the rim of his hood he watched them close. Appearing out of a tree that seemed to suddenly phase from focus like a gateway was yet another baring the same cloaked look. ¡°What are you doing, you could have killed them¡± comes from the second one that emerged holding a soft female voice.


    ¡°I see now you are feeding them¡± the male snaps back, ¡°I have instruction from the elders not to have any harm come to them, to watch them in their travels not see them travel in circles now return the path to their eyes, or shall I turn you in to a lily pad and for the rest of your days you can sit on water to support the asses of toads for a living¡± she demanded as she sighted his bow that strung tight across his back. She then counted his arrow pack to see if any were missing from it but all were accounted for.


    ¡°I just wanted to see there skills in battle, I wouldn¡¯t have killed them, and besides your hiding their path too¡± he argued back taking a sight to her


    ¡°I was only hiding their trail not their path¡± putting her hand on his shoulder she continued ¡°I know that your parents were killed by drow but these are not of the same blood¡±


    ¡°And how do you know!¡± he snapped


    ¡°Because once a long time ago they helped me¡± she explained ¡°Now go and return to your scouting guard, I will undo the hallucination you have given them¡± he apologizes and accepting it with a nod of her head he leaves and she begins and quiet but lengthily chant. Before their eyes the three stop their eating to witness the ground, air and trees slowly change and fall out of focus to now reveal a path and clear vision to the city of Silverspire, standing no more then half a days ride from them.


    ¡°What is going on¡± Dawn boasted


    ¡°I think we have an ally somewhere in the mists of the woods who just regained control of our fate¡± Cloud put softly peering to the woods, but saw nothing.


    ¡°But before it changes lets finish our breakfast and head for it¡± Cloud continues as Rain takes an eye full of the city ¡°Awe yes the land of humans¡­of whores, this should be so enlightening¡± Rain complained, and Dawn taps him hard on the shoulder while rolling her eyes.


    ¡°Finish up women hater and lets get moving¡± Dawn quietly laughed as they ended their meal and started for the city.


    Tensions are high in the city of Silverspire that¡¯s mixed with the races of many who dwell in the realm; with humans taking the majority of the population. The city is a way bigger version of the town Parle but the building structure is the same. Starting off at the entrance into the slums, the Drow children sketch out the low end homes. Clothing that was no more than mere rags were upon the moving bodies that roamed the streets and the strong stale smell of both ale and body odor filled their noses upon entry. Figuring that it¡¯s the best place to have a dwelling to stay away from any trying to locate them they kept watch to the buildings. Cloud notices a tavern that has rooms for monthly rent and goes in to see about vacancy, telling Rain and Dawn to stand across the street and not to start anything obnoxious while he¡¯s in. Strolling up to the front desk he is denied a room due to no vacancy and quickly shrugging it off he asks if there¡¯s anyone in the place that is giving him grief and bad business. The man points to an ill figured man close to the look of the guy he held issues with in the Tap tavern, taking a look to study the man for shape, build and combat skill does Cloud then stroll over to him. ¡°Hey you, you got a room here and I would like to take it off your hands¡± Cloud announced to the man. The man turned to look at Cloud only coming to his shoulders in height and with his companions around a table they all started to laugh.Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings.


    ¡°Why sure you can¡± the man said as he drew his sword and the bar quickly became quiet, Cloud moved up to the man¡¯s blade not removing his own while calmly replying


    ¡°That¡¯s not what I meant; I don¡¯t want you to hurt anyone in here by trying to kill me so I have a better deal for you¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m listening,¡± he said and motioning him to come to the doorway, he points over to Dawn.


    ¡°Fine girl isn¡¯t she?¡± Cloud inquired pointing to his sister across the laneway


    ¡°Wow she¡¯s gorgeous; nice tits and a great body¡± the man gawked in full focus of Dawn.


    ¡°Here¡¯s the deal, lets arm wrestle for her as my ante and the room as yours¡± Cloud grinned


    ¡°So if I win I get her?¡± the man asked


    ¡°To fool around with as much as you want until she¡¯s sore¡± Cloud struggled out in response


    ¡°Deal¡± the man agreed and Cloud shook on it ¡°I¡¯m warning you nothing funny¡± the mad cautioned serious


    ¡°I will just call them as I see them¡± smiled Cloud with a hidden meaning. They get ready to square off for the muscle show down and got a serving girl to say go for them to start. She says it right away and they trade strength for about a minute with their arms shaking against one another, their knuckles went white in color and both held a straight look to one another¡¯s face.


    ¡°You¡¯re pretty strong for an elf¡± the man says puffing


    ¡°You¡¯re not bad yourself¡­..wow would you look at the chest on that girl¡± Cloud barks and with the man turning around to see for himself Cloud uses all his remaining strength to slam the man¡¯s arm almost through the table. Losing his balance the man falls to his side, bringing him crashing to the floor and with disorientation setting to the man¡¯s head Cloud reaches over and takes the key from his belt.


    ¡°But not good enough¡± Cloud says laughing and keeping him in sight incase he wants quick judgment with his sword, the man gets up looking intently at Cloud with a miserable look and drinks his drink while leaving the tavern. Cloud smiles while throwing up the key up in the air and catching it goes to the front desk again.


    ¡°We have three horses out front that are carrying equipment that needs to be brought to room twelve¡± Cloud replied looking at the number on the key.


    ¡°Right away sir¡­ and thanks¡± the tavern keeper humbly said back and nodding his head Cloud returns outside to tell his siblings the good news.


    They went up stairs to unpack after a meal at the inn discussing the next course of action and coming up with the thought of finding some jobs to do while in town, the children went to bed for their first good sleep they hadn¡¯t had in days.


    Cloud getting up to the second level last with his shower towel in hand joins the other two getting ready in their rooms.


    ¡°How did you guys sleep last night?¡± he asked


    ¡°It¡¯s noisy here¡± Rain grumbled ¡°Took me half the night to get to sleep¡±


    ¡°I had a good sleep, but by the way how did you get a room in here, the guy at the front desk kept saying that this place is full?¡± Dawn asked


    ¡°I quite literally arm wrestled a guy for his key¡± Cloud said


    ¡°He gave up his key for that!¡± she answered laughing a little ¡°What did you promise him in return for him to do that? We didn¡¯t have the coin they were wishing for the keys?¡± Cloud stood there smiling and just stares at her. Catching what had now transpired Dawn throws her clothes down on the bed showing her anger growing upon her face ¡°You bet me!, I can¡¯t believe this¡­how could you¡±


    ¡°Hey Dawn don¡¯t worry I won didn¡¯t I¡±


    ¡°But what if you didn¡¯t Cloud, I would be just getting up out of bed from being that guys bed bunny, wait a minute the guy that stormed out last night when we waited for you that had a look on him just as fowl as he smelled was that ¡­..¡± and with out finishing her sentence she grabbed her robe with a shuddering shake to her body and stormed out to go get a shower in before she went out for food. Cloud let her go by and just smiled with a look of certainty that she¡¯ll get over it and goes to unpack himself.


    As hours go by for the three Rain went with Dawn while Cloud set off on his own to find a job to bring them some decent coin to at least make their rent cost and some extra for food. Cloud arrives back to the upper common room of the tavern to see Rain staring into a book by the fire side, ¡°How¡¯s the job hunting going¡± Rain said not lifting his head as his fingers flip to the next page, ¡°I think I have got something, stable work, not bad considering-¡°


    ¡°We¡¯re Drow!¡± Rain ended for him abruptly to which Cloud nods, ¡°You?¡±


    ¡°Some half senile elderly man got my uses as a aid for his alchemical shop, the place is a dump and unorganized enough for me to take it out of sheer pity¡±


    ¡°From you¡­wow it must be bad, and here I thought you had only two levels of emotion, anger and annoyance¡± sparked Cloud with a small grin and gazing to the room did one lay in a miss ¡°Where¡¯s Dawn?¡± Cloud asked and Rain told to him she was in her room, ¡°She¡¯s fine but¡­¡± Cloud gestured cliff hung to the words, ¡°She had an issue today, you should speak with her¡± Rain said finally looking to him. Rain held to his face a concerned look Cloud rarely sees and from it Cloud left to her room. He knocked upon her door to hear nothing in recall, ¡°Dawn?¡± Cloud said opening it up slowly hoping she wasn¡¯t in the middle of changing but to his sight Cloud saw Dawn clothed laying upon her bed staring to the back wall away from his image.


    ¡°Are you alright¡± he said soft looking to her skin for any signs of attack, ¡°Rain was busy in the alchemist shop; he was taking a long time so I¡¯d thought I¡¯d go for the food on my own, simply walking down the street to the promenade was I looked upon like a whore. (Cloud stayed silent to her speech) five places I went to just get some bread, two more tries did it take for me to get the apples and a sac of cooking meat¡­yak I think it is. I wanted to make a pie for you boys but I couldn¡¯t get anyone to sell me flour¡­I¡¯m sorry¡± Cloud took a look to the bundle she had in the room corner and in it was the food she gathered with what coin they had left. It wasn¡¯t much but Cloud never held a second thought ¡°This is plenty Dawn, thank you for getting it¡± he said in a helping voice to boost her spirit but with only a quick glance over her shoulder she housed a cold nod in reply, Cloud tightened the bundle again and asked what was bothering her. She still never moved to see him, ¡°When I was coming back did a little boy run into my back side and losing his balance he fell dropping his fruit he was carrying, he was small and so very cute, I helped him up and getting his fruit I rubbed it with my tunic to wipe away the dirt from the street, his mother saw me hand it back and grew angry. She tossed the fruit from his hand out to the street again calling me a vicious slut and accused me of poising the apple to kill the child. (She sniffled a bit) she was afraid I was going to kill him Cloud¡­me a priestess. You¡¯ll never know how much that hurt¡­Rain tried to talk to me on the way back but all I could do is ponder questions.¡± She ended finally turning to his face, her eyes were red from the tears she still had to her face. ¡°This is real isn¡¯t it, how feared and evil our race has become to this realm?¡± and Cloud came to her side sitting to her bed¡¯s end. ¡°I¡¯m ashamed to even be called a Drow, I wish I had never been born to this race¡± she stated starting to again cry. Cloud leaned in giving her a comforting hug. ¡°The road to our redemption is a path that is hard, uncle said that remember. We are going to have to take this treatment and quick judgment until we earn the right for different treatment and that right may not come soon¡± Cloud said gently wiping her tears.


    ¡°How Cloud? No one here will give us a chance!¡± she stuttered in speech


    ¡°Opportunities will appear sister I promise you, and when they come we must act for hiding in fear of change will make us no better than them¡±


    ¡°On my way back with Rain I saw the temple of Silverspire, I want to offer my aid upon it¡± Cloud smiled ¡°I figured you might take that style, it¡¯s brave of you to do it¡­take Rain with you on your way, I don¡¯t wish those commoners to think you¡¯re alone, just to give me peace of mind¡± Dawn agreed and giving him another big hug Cloud wished her to rest through the night, for the next day would be a big one for they were to integrate into the ways of the city.


    The first day out to the work force was holding very little excitement for Cloud as he just had a normal uneventful day. Rain however was sorting through some items and complaining that this shop should be out of business for how the man kept his inventory organized. While working Rain heard a squabble outside followed by some spell fire, he ran outside to see on a ledge one dark red robed wizard firing back at two blue robed elven wizards and a human woman who was taking cover behind them. She had silky shiny brown hair that held a shoulder length level bob to it and was parted down the middle of her head. Her face was filled with features very similar to his own sister¡¯s apart from her skin and was wearing a corset top brown in color that exposed the tops of her breasts. A full length skirt bottom that held the same color draped from her hips right down to the tops of her feet exposing her hour glass figure as well as her well toned stomach. She was trying to talk the wizard in red into giving up when one of her men ignited a flame arrow to the red mage¡¯s feet causing him to go unbalanced, and then fell to the ground as the arrow explodes to a fire upon his robes.


    ¡°We need him alive!¡± she scolded turning to look at the one who conjured it, and in the second she turned the red mage puts out the flames to his body, pulling a blade, the mage readies a spear toss aimed for the woman and witnessing it Rain acts quickly. Casting magic missiles Rain¡¯s fingers fanned out having four light balls leave his finger tips. They hit him blind sided except one that strikes a barrel of oil that causes a minor explosion killing him instantly. The woman and the two men following her run up to the corpse and gaze to the charred form he was now in. Bowing her head in discouragement the woman¡¯s eyes turned cold, looking now upon Rain who knocked him down and approaching Rain with a hasty walk she stood up to Rain holding the same height as he did.


    ¡°Do you have any idea what you have done? Now it¡¯ll be weeks before we can find another operative in this city to track their movements!¡± she bolted to his face and not waiting for him to reply at all she stormed off with the two mages in her wake.


    ¡°Hey! I saved your life just now¡± Rain barked back with her stopping in her tracks she turned back at him


    ¡°You drow are always causing trouble in this city, you think this act makes you different¡± she says to Rain harshly


    ¡°I am different¡± Rain defended with sternness


    ¡°You have always been the type to act before thought, that man you killed had information we needed and because of your incompetence the men he killed as well as his clan go unpunished for it!¡± she states to him with striking words at a sharp tone. Rain looks again at the corpse ¡°Seems to me he¡¯s punished¡± the woman glared to Rain ¡°Stay out of our business and my way from now until your life ends and we should do fine¡± she spouts back spinning around again to leave.


    ¡°Trust me if I knew it would have been that inconvenient for me to act as I did I would have left you for dead, Bitch!¡± Rain replied loudly and he walked back into the shop.


    Across town was Dawn headed to the church and by herself, being by herself this time and trusting no one she kept her head down and hood up. Walking with a quick pace to get there as fast as she could Dawn noticed across from the church was a guard post and three guards standing there, gawking and making comments about her looks and breast size that were erupting from the tunic¡¯s top.


    She looks over at them with shameful disgust and then up toward the sky ¡°Thanks Mother, you know it¡¯s bad enough that I stick out in a crowd being Drow but I didn¡¯t need to inherit your figure too¡± smiling sarcastically and about to keep walking with her cloak now folded over her body Dawn got an uneasy feeling someone was watching her. Looking back over at the post she remembers that there were four guards there yesterday, quickly running up the stairs of the church and in through the doors Dawn went for full building concealment. A figure coming out of the shadows goes up the stairs behind her quickly and peers into an empty hall of pews confused. Walking down the center isle wondering where she went he is taken by surprise with Dawn behind him gently running a dagger to his back. Reaching around Dawn then placed it under his chin. ¡°Who the hell are you and why are you following me!¡± Dawn bolted.


    ¡°Damn, I knew I should have taken those stealth classes¡± the man said turning around and lowering his hood to revel a rather handsome outlook. Six feet tall the solider stood with short black bed head hair and rugged facial features housing unshaven scruff to the bottom half of his face. His deep green eyes never failed to glance away from hers and to his body was he wearing a royal red cape that was covering his shiny silver suit of armor. The man carried a shield strapped to his right shoulder and a one handed sword still sheathed at his side.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry I didn¡¯t mean to scare you I was just doing my job¡± he replied in a calm deep soothing voice


    ¡°Oh I¡¯m sorry I didn¡¯t realize that raping girls in a church was a job in demand, maybe I should let you get back to it¡± Dawn said intensely still not moving the dagger away. Their conversation was interrupted by the sound of swords being drawn behind Dawn.


    ¡°Just put the dagger down miss and come with us¡± a man who was designated the leader commanded


    ¡°No it¡¯s ok at ease, put your swords away¡± the man on the dagger¡¯s edge said calmly


    ¡°But sir...¡±


    ¡°Now! Leave the church¡± he commanded


    ¡°Yes Captain¡± they replied and vacated the church immediately


    ¡°Whoa wait a minute; Captain¡± Dawn repeated puzzled


    ¡°Still think I¡¯m going to rape you, I mean don¡¯t get me you wrong your cute in fact your beautiful, but I don¡¯t think it would be in my best interest in fact it would be bad for my rep. don¡¯t you think¡± and having Dawn slowly backing away still with the dagger at the ready, he shows her his insignia on the sword


    ¡°You¡¯re a Paladin?¡± Dawns says dropping her dagger to the ground covering her month.


    ¡°And Captain of the guard in Silverspire¡± he said smiling


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry; but with me being what I am¡­¡± she ended abruptly still shocked at what she had done.


    ¡°I could only imagine a girl holding such loveliness would have many matters to stay on a look out for¡± he said back to see her slowly changing her facial look, ¡°I meant me being Drow¡± Dawn came out soft


    ¡°Oh, well all races are allowed in the city as they wish¡± he said back


    ¡°Common folk don¡¯t think as you do¡± Dawn muttered still hurt


    ¡°And for such times I see you must have already had here I¡¯m truly sorry, the public eyes are blind, but their ears are easily swayed¡± he says in common voice bringing her aggressiveness down a little more.


    ¡°So why were you following me?¡± questioned Dawn again


    ¡°I hadn¡¯t seen you around here before and when you went into my church I was just being precautious about things that matter most in my life; but seeing how you handle intruders I now know I¡¯ve got nothing to worry about, and now another reason to protect what this church cherishes. Well I think before my men start thinking I¡¯m dead I should go kill their suspicions¡± the Captain explained and watching him leave she quickly bolted


    ¡°What¡¯s your name?¡±


    ¡°Sir John Frost, may I have the honor of your name¡± John asked


    ¡°It¡¯s Dawn¡± she says back politely


    ¡°And what a beautiful bright sight it is to be held¡± John bowed ¡°Well again thanks for the threatening introduction, I enjoyed it thoroughly¡± he added as he left the church doorway. Picking up her dagger to put it away Dawn takes to a lean up against a pew end, watching him go did feelings of warmth hit to her like staying in the sun too long. She smiles to herself and starts her first shift.


    Finishing off the first day Cloud walks in seeing Rain sitting in his room studying a book he had at the shop.


    ¡°Hey so how was your day?¡± Cloud asked


    ¡°Oh not to exciting until I saved someone that I probably should have killed myself¡± explained Rain and intrigued due to his day being shatteringly boring Cloud asked Rain to go in to detail.


    Couple of hours later Dawn walked in their room humming a happy tone


    ¡°But I see someone¡¯s day seemed to have topped mine¡± Rain said aloud as the brother¡¯s take sight of Dawn¡¯s good mood


    ¡°Oh you had a good day too?¡± Dawn asked


    ¡°Eye opening would be more the phrase I would use¡± Rain replied


    ¡°Well I got to meet the Captain of the guard today; actually I threatened him cause I thought he was stalking me¡± Dawn said continuing until she was finished and getting a cold look from Cloud she asked ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡±


    ¡°Stay away from him Dawn, Stay away from all humans¡± Cloud cautioned


    ¡°He won¡¯t hurt me he¡¯s a paladin like you, what do you think Rain?¡± Dawn asked him and looking over to her brother who had lost interest in her topic after the first three words was Rain deep in reading to a page in a book he got from the shop.


    ¡°What are you reading¡± she said coming to look at the page which had an unusual symbol on it ¡°Weird what is that?¡± She asked again


    ¡°It¡¯s the symbol of the Nod, which is a group of assassins and mages who have bonded together forming a deadly guild that is bent on one law¡± Rain composed adding they have deep roots to this city.


    ¡°At that law is¡± Cloud pushed on


    ¡°That anyone who doesn¡¯t seem to go by their law of doing what they want should pay, and some of the ways they have described in here are pretty nasty¡± concluded Rain, Cloud watched his sister skipping off to her room and turning back he looks to Rain, ¡°You didn¡¯t escort her to the temple did you!¡± and Rain said nothing.


    ¡°Damn it Rain I told you to watch her¡± Cloud heated and got to his feet moving towards her room, ¡°Cloud what are you doing?¡± Rain asked ¡°Something I really didn¡¯t want to¡± Cloud ended going in to Dawn¡¯s room, ¡°Cloud! I was about to change¡± Dawn spouted with shock, ¡°Dawn you can¡¯t see that Captain again¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not seeing him Cloud¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t want you even talking to him¡± Cloud added said shutting her door, ¡°Didn¡¯t you hear me before Cloud he¡¯s a holy knight, like you¡±


    ¡°Human¡¯s are not the same even in the profession Dawn, they are cunning and devious, they will lure your aid and your heart and some will work for years to do it, just for the simple fun to break you of all you know¡±


    ¡°Would it help to say he¡¯s also the Captain of the guard in the city?¡±


    ¡°Dawn damn it what if he¡¯s testing you, you know our reputation up here, humans tend to try to block out their own evil past some times¡±


    ¡°Isn¡¯t that what were doing¡­trying to prove were something other than what our past has laid out to the world¡± Cloud paused growing annoyed at her wisdom


    ¡°Cloud I¡¯m not blind to the dangers¡±


    ¡°You just don¡¯t respect them fully¡± Cloud lashed back ¡°I¡¯m taking you to the temple tomorrow and I¡¯ll be picking you up¡±


    ¡°Cloud I¡¯m a grown woman I can do the walk myself¡± Dawn lashed back


    ¡°Not another word Dawn¡±


    ¡°Cloud-¡°


    ¡°Not¡­another word¡± Cloud ended wishing her a quick good night and left.

 Chapter 5

    The next day Dawn, accompanied by her brother went by the guard post; was waved at by the guards at the post,


    ¡°Pigs¡± she thought to herself while keeping concealed in her cloak. She went to go water the plants when she saw a note left by the head cleric for her to grab a few items from the market, so packing her things she left right away.


    Coming into the stables Cloud worked for a time until he noticed that the horse master was not in, Cloud remembered being told that for ten years had he never been late. Paying no never mind thinking there was a first time for everything Cloud opened up and began his day. Hours went by and Cloud started to get concerned. The master¡¯s home was connected to the stables so with a quick thought of worry, Cloud hoped the man wouldn¡¯t take it as an act of disrespect as called out at the door and then entered his home. The door was unlocked and Cloud heard voices coming from the upstairs, going up quietly he peered open the door to where the horse master was looking over the blankets to a child in bed. The horse master turned seeing Cloud and escorted him out in to the hall. ¡°My daughter is very sick!¡± the master replied worried ¡°You¡¯ll need to take on the job yourself today¡±


    ¡°I know of a healer, actually it¡¯s my sister¡± Cloud said


    ¡°The head cleric has come and gone and told me that it¡¯s a very deadly disease that can be treated by a spell but when he told me the price I knew that I couldn¡¯t afford it¡± the horse master explained ¡°Your sister is young to the act as you have told me, I doubt she would hold the knowledge¡±


    ¡°Is there no way to get the money needed¡± Cloud said again


    ¡°There is one way that I know but I could never do it¡± he said


    ¡°What is it?¡± Cloud insisted on knowing


    ¡°There is a Jousting match that is held in secret from the eyes of the law, the prizes are great and are rated in the value of a jewel. I know of the matches from a mutual friend down at the tavern but I could never get in to it and even if I did never could I win. The jewel this year is a blue emerald and would be the right amount to pay for the curing¡± he said lowering his head


    ¡°You leave that to me¡± Cloud said ¡°I¡¯ll get you that money¡± and looking back in to the room where she slept the man sobbed ¡°She¡¯s all I have since her mother died, I don¡¯t want to lose her too¡±


    ¡°You won¡¯t, trust me¡± Cloud convincingly said and went back to his work


    Back in the market just finishing up the shopping list Dawn drops one of the items and before she can pick it up another hand covers it first. Looking up to see the Captain¡¯s face she glows a deep bashful color and then going to get the item notices the chain mail covering his wrists was raised up slightly revealing a symbol on his wrist. Remembering the symbol from the book page she makes and quick thank you and mentions that she needs to get back, but not taking the hint John accompanies Dawn back to the church.


    ¡°Look, I thank you for the escort here but I have a lot of work to do so can I talk to you another day¡± Said Dawn


    ¡°Of course you can my dear, until that day comes¡± he finishes with a bow of his honor and leaving the steps Dawn smiles a fake smile and shuts the church door


    ¡°He¡¯s part of the Nod clan¡± she says to herself and finishing her shift at the church and for the rest of the week she avoids the Captain and makes up excuses why she can¡¯t talk to him at every moment he does try.


    Rain has an uneventful rest of the week which after his encounter with the girl seems to be just fine except for the constant way the alchemist organizes his shop.


    Cloud had been training a horse on his off time to get it up to speed with the rest, but with the shape the horse was in they would need a way longer time on the diet Cloud put the horse to, with the race now only a week away.


    Rain sitting in the shop gets a visit from his brother Cloud


    ¡°What are you doing here¡± Rain asks


    ¡°I¡¯m here to ask a big favor¡± Cloud said


    ¡°And what would that be?¡± Rain questioned


    ¡°I need to make a horse fit real fast but she doesn¡¯t have enough time to do it naturally, I have no more prep time to get her ready¡± explained Cloud


    ¡°The best and easiest way I could think of is to imbue the horses shoes with a valor spell¡± answered Rain


    ¡°Can you do it?¡± Cloud asked


    ¡°Yes, but the only snag is that I need fairy dust to complete the spell and this lame excuse for an alchemist doesn¡¯t carry any here¡± Rain concluded


    ¡°How can we get some?¡± Cloud questioned


    ¡°Well we could go out a kill a unicorn and grind down the horn¡± answered Rain with a small chuckle and taking a glance Cloud stared at him in disbelief ¡°You have got to be kidding¡± Cloud said ¡°Afraid not unless we wait for one to naturally die which could take up to five hundred years though¡± Rain continued


    ¡°Ok I¡¯ll get the dust; you get the rest of the ingredients together because I need these shoes¡± and just about to leave Rain quickly asks


    ¡°Why do you need this horse imbued Cloud?¡± Rain says with suspicion


    ¡°There is a little girl that is sick, she needs a spell to get better; and with our sister not powerful enough to cast the spell herself I need to win her the money from a race¡± Cloud explained and turning around to see the skeptic look of approval as if to say you should find another way, Cloud adds ¡°Oh and by the way don¡¯t tell Dawn what were doing, I don¡¯t want her losing faith in me¡± and he exits. Gathering what he needed around the shop Rain¡¯s hands became full of items; with the last one placed to his mouth Rain hears the door to the shop open. Rain twisted around his head to see Dawn holding a disconcerted look on her face in the doorway and spitting the one item from his mouth to the table Rain looked surprised ¡°Dawn?¡± Rain said ¡°What are you doing here?¡±


    ¡°I need to see that book again; the one with the symbols of that group¡±


    ¡°The Nod clan¡± Rain questioned


    ¡°Yea¡± Dawn answers and Rain grabs the book passing it to her, Dawn flipped through it violently to the page with the symbol ¡°That¡¯s it, that¡¯s the one¡± she sparked


    ¡°Yes it is, why are you so concerned about it¡± Rain asked


    ¡°I saw this symbol on the wrist of the Captain this week when he went to pick up something I dropped¡± Dawn explained and Rain grew worry to his face.


    ¡°This symbol, you saw this symbol¡± Rain said pointing to the page


    ¡°Yes¡± replied Dawn


    ¡°You listen to me Dawn, you stay your ass away from this guy ok this clan is extremely dangerous and it makes sense that he would assume the post of Captain to the guard to get some of their plans executed in a city this size¡± Rain lashed in warning


    ¡°Look I have been avoiding him Rain but I want to make sure that all this is what it looks like¡± Dawn said calmly


    ¡°And how are you going to do that ask him¡± Rain said laughing


    ¡°Yea actually¡±


    ¡°Then I¡¯ll be there when you do¡± Rain bolted


    ¡°No I can¡¯t have you or Cloud there, he¡¯ll be spooked if he is working with them; but think about it, it takes a long time to become a paladin knight and to go through all of that just to get in here I don¡¯t think the clan would have patience enough to pull that off, there¡¯s something else going on, something that were missing and I want to find out¡± Dawn concluded


    ¡°You damn well be careful Dawn¡± Rain cautioned hard to her


    ¡°Wait your not going to fight me on this¡± she asked


    ¡°Why bother you just go do it anyway but with spite just like you did sneaking off with that soldier boy¡± Rain said


    ¡°Hey! He loved me¡± Dawn defended


    ¡°He loved your body Dawn and especially here you must learn the difference on that and learn it fast¡±


    ¡°How?¡± she asked


    ¡°You make them earn your trust and your love by putting them through a gauntlet, teaching them that they get nothing until they want everything you have to offer¡± Rain explained, Dawn was half shocked that he knew so much on true relationships ¡°Thanks Rain¡± She said smiling at him and taking off to leave she turned around quickly ¡°Oh and one more thing don¡¯t tell Cloud about this; I¡¯m sure that he will go through the roof if he knew¡±


    ¡°That or put you through one¡± added Rain laughing as she left ¡±There wouldn¡¯t be one wanting a secret kept with out the other, I should have seen that coming, I hate being the middle child¡± Rain spoke out to the empty room as he finished gathering the components for his brother.


    Leaving the last shop that would have carried the dust he needed Cloud was about half way back to the tavern when two men stopped him by an ally, asking for his attention.


    ¡°What do you want?¡± asked Cloud suspicious as he would be to any that won¡¯t show their face. ¡°Just to help you with your problem¡± said one man


    ¡°We know your looking for dust to make horse shoes of valor¡± says the other man


    ¡°So what of it¡± asked Cloud and with that the one man smiled at the other and threw Cloud a bag containing in it the dust he required


    ¡°What the¡­¡±


    ¡°Why are we doing this for you; (Cloud nodded) simple we need the horse when you are done and that will be the trade of payment for the dust¡±


    ¡°How do I know you won¡¯t use the horse for some thing evil¡± Cloud added


    ¡°Oh that¡¯s simple too; You don¡¯t, but isn¡¯t the life of that little girl worth more to you right now¡± the one bolted out, Cloud knew it would be used for evil but he could stop them later the horses gifts would bare voice enough for him to track them down, ¡°How do I find you to give you the horse shoes?¡±


    ¡°Just leave them at the final jousting match, we¡¯ll get them on our own¡± said one voice and hearing in the shadows the movement of feet Cloud peers to the darkness with his heightened sight to see them run off.


    Putting the door key to the lock of the back rooms did Dawn just finish up when John showed, ¡°Hi Dawn¡± John greeted with a salute of his Captain¡¯s helm,


    ¡°Captain¡± she exhaled wary to his look


    ¡°Can I take you home¡± John replied


    ¡°Why?¡± she asked


    ¡°Cause it¡¯s a full moon out tonight, lots more cultists out then usual¡± John insisted and sighing with no good come back Dawn agreed. Taking the quickest way home with them not speaking almost half of the trip John finally broke, ¡°Have I done something to you?¡± he asked. Looking around she felt this was as good of place as any to asked what she needed out of him. Waving her hand over a ring on her finger making it glow dark purple for the presence of a detect lie spell she turned to him.


    ¡°I have a question to ask you¡± Dawn said turning to face him and with her hand she takes to her grip the dagger she carried without notice,


    ¡°Finally¡± John spoke with relief


    ¡°I saw your mark on your wrist and I know what is stands for¡± Dawn explained


    ¡°Oh!¡± he gasped ¡°I can explain that¡±


    ¡°But can you do it honestly¡± Dawn said tightening her grip to the hilt


    ¡°I used to be an agent for the Nod until¡­until they asked me to do a job¡±


    ¡°What job?¡± Dawn inquired


    ¡°There were three kids that were the target, I was suppose to eliminate them as a threat¡±


    ¡°What threat could three kids¡¯ poses¡± Dawn asked


    ¡°Separated they were nothing but together they were the single most powerful seer the realm had seen and our leader wanted them dead¡±


    ¡°Who was your leader?¡± said Dawn


    ¡°I never saw his face nor recognized the speech, but I was brand new to the clan then and for reassurance that I would complete the job he threatened to kill my whole family, so ¡­¡±


    ¡°YOU DIDN¡¯T!¡± bolted Dawn


    ¡°I thought I had no choice, and seeing the future our leader knew that a new recruit with still a pure soul could get close to the three without red flagging any warning to the kids so I killed them¡± stepping away from him Dawn held a look of terror upon her face.


    ¡°Oh-my-god¡± Dawn gasped with almost no voice


    ¡°I got my mark that night and learned after; while I was doing the job my family was still being butchered under the leader¡¯s orders. Finding that out I left to make what was left of my life mean something¡± John explained


    He continued to say that he hunted all agents that he could find that worked for the Nod clan and after a repeated amount of times of being captured, beaten and tortured for his incompetence. The leader kept letting him live knowing that being alive would hurt him more then death for what they took. Learning his lesson quickly he went to a knight of the holy order to be better prepared to fight the clan and all Nod agents, and in so doing climbed the ranks of the army very quickly with each passing successful interception of the plans involving the clan until he became Captain. He knew that all the good he did and all the lives he saved and spared would not bring back the three innocent lives that he took from the world nor would it silence the screams of their cries John heard in his dreams every night. But he would not want it to anyway for it would slow his want, his need for continuing on with his mission. Dawns emotions immediately changed from anger and terror to pity and comfort as well as compassion. Getting her to the front of the tavern and before going inside she turned to him thanking him for bringing her home, she kissed him on the cheek and told him that for someone who is good and on the side of good shouldn¡¯t be driven by so much hate. She then left him thinking while she went inside; hanging over top of them out his balcony window Cloud looked down on the end of the meaningful walk they shared but kept his thoughts and comments about the matter to himself, for the time.


    John is interrupted with news about some activity from the Nod clan talking with someone new and exchanging a bag of something in an ally way, getting a description of the new target John knew that it was actually Cloud the brother of Dawn. Against John¡¯s better judgment he has a unit tail Cloud, to be followed and Cloud¡¯s progress involving anything with Nod to be updated as it comes in.


    Through the night comes a terrible crash that alerts all to full alertness in the tavern, going to Rain¡¯s room for the view of the commotion was best from his window, Dawn and Cloud come running in to see the issue. There is a fierce battle waging to the streets just in front of the tavern involving agents of Nod and the Silverspire high guard with Captain John leading the attack, but as the battle progressed to the eyes of the three Drow does Dawn spot from a unseen corner with her infravision a second Nod group closing in.This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.


    ¡°Cloud, there¡¯s more men moving on the Captain, there see them¡± Dawn points and Cloud nods, Dawn wishes to call out but knows that her mere voice could break his combat concentration, endangering his vary life. ¡°Please Cloud, you and Rain could help them¡± Dawn pleaded with her brother Rain holding an odd wonderment.


    ¡°Why, this fight is not about us¡± Rain says as more of the battle comes about.


    ¡°Then do it for the sake of what we wish to be then¡± Dawns pushed looking to Cloud who sigh¡¯s at her good reasoning, ¡°She¡¯s right Rain, he could easily be overtaken, lets change that end¡± Cloud ended going to his room at a sprint for his blade, Rain followed suit although not at all happy to put again his life on the line for a cause not of his own. Heading out the back door way of the tavern Rain sees the units covered by darkness, acting with a striking spell from his hand to expose their act of fatal surprise. Joining up with the Captain¡¯s guard¡¯s Rain and Cloud combine their fierce combat ability with that of the Captain¡¯s, as the Nod units from the dark merges with the other already in the fight. John and Cloud¡¯s team easily fiend off the opposition but in killing the last of the gang members John is injured in the attack. Dawn runs to his side and when she heals his arm she¡¯s moves up the sleeve of his chain to revel to Cloud the mark on his wrist, covering it back up quickly seeing in Cloud¡¯s eyes that he might have seen it he gets up and thanks Dawn and departs. Stopping for a minute to thank Cloud for his help, for he would have lost more than one soldier if he wasn¡¯t there and John then moves to shake Cloud¡¯s hand. Gripping it tight Cloud glared to the Captain and both hold a sense of aggression for the other, conflicted in thinking they already knew what the other was about on the inside.


    Cloud leads his siblings back to bed and taking Dawn to her room Cloud stops her at the door. Dawn sees the look to his face and stops him before he even speaks, ¡°I¡¯m a big girl Cloud and I need to be allowed to make my own choices¡± Dawn shuts the door on her brother and back to his own room Cloud slams his fist into his wall cracking the wood a bit in a small rage, but holding to his emotion Cloud decides in secret to use his sister¡¯s new found love relationship as a trap with her as the bait. Finish off the week with no other incidents occurring do the next few nights bring John by asking if Dawn would share some evenings with him which she naturally agrees. In those nights Cloud takes off after they leave the tavern to follow them and to keep a watchful eye on his sister and the non trustworthy Captain. Cloud returns every night just before Dawn does and heads to bed and the tension between the two grows high for neither of them speaks as they always did. Talk was short and even Cloud¡¯s cautionary words that Dawn liked to hear from his mouth every morning before she ventured off were never again said as she left the tavern. At the end of the week Rain came to the stables ¡°Cloud, your set of horse shoes ¡°Rain speaks as his puts the bag to the side of the stable table,


    ¡°Just put them on the bench over there¡± said Cloud who was just grooming the horse for today¡¯s joust.


    ¡°I know that look on your face Cloud, I¡¯m worried about her too but she is at the age where the more we act massively to protective the more that she will rebel against it, why you don¡¯t think she¡¯s¡­ you know, with him¡± gestures Rain


    ¡°No I know she isn¡¯t doing that¡­.I¡¯ve been following her the last couple nights that she¡¯s gone out with the Captain¡± said Cloud


    ¡°You¡¯re doing what!¡± Rain snapped ¡°Does she know?¡±


    ¡°No! I¡¯ve been home every night before she has¡± Cloud said


    ¡°You have to let her make choices on her own¡± Rain explained


    ¡°Yeah well when you¡¯re the oldest sibling then you can make that choice for yourself ok¡± Cloud snapped ¡°This city is full of problems and at the moment none of them need to be ours¡±


    ¡°She is our baby sister Cloud but she holds the wisdom to out weigh us both, she wouldn¡¯t just run off not learning from her past mistakes¡± Rain barked


    ¡°Rain please I have a lot of work to do before match so can you leave me to it¡± Cloud said shoeing the horse


    ¡°Yeah sure, good luck with the match¡± Rain ended slowly leaving the stables


    The rain poured down and snorting with an unstable nigh did Cloud¡¯s horse rear growing restless; laying his hand to her shiny coat did he gleam his gentle touch across her mudded and wet neck. Whispering words of elvish calm they bring down her hooves to again settle upon the ground, ¡°I need you girl¡­you can do this¡± Cloud said in not so many words but she took it out through his soft tones. It was day two of the jousting and the final day as well, like he had gave his word to the stable master did Cloud reach the end¡­but he needed to, the little girl¡¯s life was fully in his hands.


    Securing his helmet to his head Cloud griped tightly to his lance brought to him by the young soul in care of the task. The water rained down hard but looking to the group hosting the event Cloud knew the rules¡­there were none. You rode in the weather that was to your trial, only cowards backed out in their world and Cloud had never been one in his life. These monsters didn¡¯t scare him one bit, to the group Cloud stared seeing the prized emerald on the royal red pillow inside a opened iron box, guarded by four heavy armored men that in the state of weather Cloud knew he couldn¡¯t take. Tightening his thighs firmly to the saddle, a sinking feeling starts to take to his steed, shaking the reigns Cloud commanded her to chop back to the muddy surface and readjust. Full bonding ship of a steed and rider is absolute, and with the dreaded face of the last one in Cloud¡¯s jeweled path did it count for everything. Laced in black gold metal was the armored knight Cloud was to face. His steed was black and both drew heavy with a look of victory torn to his defeat, never had he been unhorsed or beaten was Cloud told before the match¡­he was their undefeated champion in the joust and fully ready for the match he was.


    Both took to their places on the well lined path and looked to the boy baring the ready flag signaling there take off, arching there wrists did they signal to him their readiness. Escaping his sight off past the boy Cloud¡¯s eyes changed coarse to the sight of a figure in the dense part of the deep woods. No one he was told knew of such a place¡­a druid was the only one who could¡¯ve known, such beings only care about the bent blades of grass ripped by the horse shoes, the waste of their lives to foolish challenges wasn¡¯t an issue to them. The flutter of the flag was missed to his ears but the rearing roar of the black horse brought Cloud snapping back to state, he was now behind in the speed race. Snapping at the reigns did mud at his back fill the air as his brown mere maiden sprang to a sprint. Spitting through his helmet visor did the rain sprinkle upon his face as the jolting charge tossed upon him the rush, breathing heavy Cloud heaves to the mouth guard until the final passing where all breath seemed to stop, the wood splintered and cracked as the lances smashed upon each rider like rams in a territorial conflict. Hitting Cloud did Cloud¡¯s body bend backward from the lance flattening upon his chest plate allowing his spin to touch the mare¡¯s rear as the lance of the knight hit him square. Taking a glance through the air filled with wood Cloud only got a glimmer of the hit he made as the knight already was halfway recovered from the blow which hit only to his shoulder.


    Stopping the horse to a skidding halt Cloud pulls his helm from his face and with a swift toss ridded his hand of the broken lance. Cloud makes a wipe to his eyes clearing them of the rain water, and gazing again to the shade on the hillside the figure still holds a spectator look. What were they doing their Cloud wondered as he took his new lance to his hand and put to his head again his helm. Nodding that he was again ready did the flag flair up to the sky and both now took off the lines, smashing again to the eruption of wood spraying to the sky Cloud hits hard upon the enemy chest plate but with the hit came a price. The black knight¡¯s lance skidded up after its chest hit and with the serrated edge it peeled the helm off Cloud exposing his face to a violent scrape across it. Dropping his lance stub Cloud placed his hand to his face as the rain water coming down made it sting, it was a shallow cut but hurt just the same as if being hit by a rearing horse. The rules Cloud knew stated that the match must end and if any defensive armor was lost it can not be regained until the match was done¡­and one round still remained. The black knight took his own helm from his head for a show of respect; he tossed it to the ground, but was holding an evil grin for even though the strike wasn¡¯t intentional it was still good to see. The sight of the little girl ran through Cloud¡¯s mind, he must succeed and gaining a thought on how to hit him without now being hit did it come like lightning to his mind. Taking to their final stances, Cloud readied his lance and stared deep to the eyes of the black knight who only stared back, the flag was lifted and so did the front hooves of the steeds. Cloud saw the raise upon the knight¡¯s lance¡­it was aimed to his face for a fatal blow. Cloud hammered on the brakes slowing his steed fast in mid sprint and the skidding hooves brought a rush of mud to the front. The black knights steed rushed straight into it and tossing the lance to a side grip Cloud tossed the lance striking the knight as his horse reared up to protect her eyes. With the angle and speed the knight was now at the thrown lance only had one outcome remaining, and slamming hard to the muddy dirt the black knight fell to his back losing of the match.


    As the girl shivered to the small bed he built the horse master took a cold cloth to her forehead. Knocking upon the door brought the horse master to see Cloud holding a cut to his face and to his hands bared the emerald jewel. Cloud placed it to his hands and in a massive sight of joy was Cloud¡¯s deed repaid in full, the cleric was brought that night to cure the girl and with some left in the cost did the priest aid to a cure on Cloud¡¯s face as well.


    Cloud left the home with a sense of goodness bubbling in him when he spots the men who wanted the horseshoes across the street. Seeing that they had them to their grasp they toss to Cloud a hand gesture of concluded business; Cloud didn¡¯t even look back for he couldn¡¯t imagine the use they might be now for. Just ignoring the issue for the time Cloud returned home to his siblings, but not before the high guard to his tail saw the small event that he now returned to report.


    That evening when Dawn gets ready to go out with John, she sees Cloud at her door way ¡°Hi¡± she says short to his sight as he notices earrings to her ears that he hadn¡¯t seen, John must had brought them for her. Just smiling at her he walks up to her and holds her hand ¡°Just observing¡± Cloud says


    ¡°Ok that¡¯s kind of creepy¡± she replies


    ¡°I¡¯m just observing how beautiful you have grown over the years I¡¯ve been your brother, and I¡¯m not here to tell you not to hang out with this Captain John, I just want you to be aware that men will do anything to get want they want¡±


    ¡°He is not like that Cloud! Can¡¯t you see that yet!¡± she snapped turning away to comb out her hair ¡°No I can¡¯t, how can I when my job over the years has been to protect you¡± Cloud says leaving the room, thinking he is still their she turns to say she¡¯s sorry for snapping but sees nothing but an empty doorway, and hanging her head with guilt Dawn finishes getting ready.


    Cloud watches her go and instead of following her he heads out for a much needed walk for himself, but on his returning way home decides to swing by the guard house to see what kind of evening the Captain has planned tonight. Cloud goes to an area of the roof where he won¡¯t be spotted to witness the Captain talking to a bunch of assassin dressed men all wearing the mark of the Nod, making out what he can in the conversation hearing phrases such as I want to know weaknesses in the unit structure, and where to do to the most damage. Cloud fills with rage but before he could jump down and act he sees Dawn looking up where he sits yelling to him but not fully making out the figure being her own brother, only the shadow she saw.


    Cloud is startled and with quick thinking heads off into the shadows trying to lose her sight of him. She runs into the guard house to warn the Captain when she sees all the assassins, gasping she turns to run out when her arm is grabbed by John


    ¡°Let go of me you bastard!¡± she cries


    ¡°I can explain Dawn¡± he says and then turns to his men ¡°Show her¡± and opening up their assassin clothing to reveal their guard uniforms John explains that they are his men undercover trying to locate the big section of the Nod hiding out within the city.


    ¡°You have nothing to worry about Dawn ok now lets go have a nice evening, by the way you look beautiful tonight¡± John compliment, with a believing smile Dawn gives back they head off for their evening.


    Rain is awakened by the sound of metallic rustling in his brother¡¯s room and going to it gets the sight of Cloud suiting up with weaponry, ¡°What are you doing?¡± Rain says half asleep


    ¡°That son of bitch John has Dawn wrapped around his finger and he¡¯s been working with the Nod clan this whole time plotting to undermine the city and take control from the inside¡± Cloud barks


    ¡°Where the hell did you get that from?¡± Rain asks franticly and Cloud explains how he over heard a conversation with the captain and the assassins.


    ¡°Well you¡¯re not going by yourself I¡¯m going with you¡± said Rain getting his stuff and meeting him outside.


    ¡°Where to¡± Rain asked and Cloud tells him about a building he sent the men to.


    ¡°We¡¯ll sit in the rafters and wait tell he shows up then we¡¯ll take them with a surprise attack, I¡¯ll finish off that bastard once and for all¡± Cloud burns from his voice as he snaps the straps on his horse hard to head off to the building.


    Enjoying a nice midnight picnic by the shoreline John was about to tell Dawn about her brothers behavior when John¡¯s men came riding up on horses behind them.


    ¡°Sir!¡± the one man cries ¡°The governor has been taking hostage into an old abandoned building by Nod, they got past his guards by means of a fast riding horse, we couldn¡¯t even keep up to it.


    ¡°We must get him out of there¡± commands the Captain


    ¡°I¡¯ll come too ¡°Dawn says


    ¡°No It¡¯s too dangerous¡± John replies


    ¡°You might need a healer again and I see no one else stepping up for the job, I¡¯m going¡± Dawn insists and she passes him to get on to her horse.


    ¡°Fine¡± John says with reluctance getting on his horse ¡°You stick close to me at all times¡± She nods with a smile and they take off to the building. Spraying dust down to the dirt floor below, Rain and Cloud get set up in the roof beams and see the governor tied in to a chair.


    ¡°Hey Cloud isn¡¯t that your horseshoes¡± says Rain pointing to one horse tied up


    ¡°They must have brought the governor here with it, that¡¯s why they needed the shoes; the speed was to jump the moat around the governors building¡± Speculated Cloud


    ¡°John is going to use the governor to gain access to the rest of the city¡± guessed Rain when suddenly they hear a sound out front like a battle was going on, with it quickly spilling in to the building corridors and moments later in to the room they were hiding Cloud and Rain witness the battle coming to a close.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go the next room and help the fallen men get their rebellious revenge on their leader¡± Cloud whispers and Rain follows him to the next room. They drop down to see four men in assassin clothing looting the dead, and with lightning fast skill Cloud kills two of the men with single hits and Rain follows by shocking one to death, Cloud takes down the last one with an little sword skirmish that bares Cloud¡¯s blade deep to his upper chest.


    ¡°You see what you can find about future plans on these guys I¡¯m going to deal with John¡± Cloud says as he leaves to the main room. Checking the bodies for plan papers or special items Rain opens the robes they were wearing to reveal Silverspire guard uniforms underneath them


    ¡°Shit¡± Rain sparked and he checked the rest.


    Impaling the last to the room John looked around¡± Well I think that¡¯s all of them¡± John huffs to Dawn killing the last man guarding the governor.


    ¡°Not yet I see one more¡± Cloud barked entering the room


    ¡°Cloud¡­What the hell are you doing here¡± Dawn shockingly said


    ¡°Saving the life of you and the governor ¡­. From him¡± Cloud snapped point his blood dripping sword at John


    ¡°Dawn stay with me¡­..Remember what I wanted to tell you earlier it was about your brother¡¯s involvement with the Nod¡± said John


    ¡°My brother¡­Nod! He¡¯d never go with their side he¡¯s a paladin like you John¡± Dawn said trying to calm things down


    ¡°He enhanced horse¡¯s hooves to make it more powerful.... strong enough to take the governor from his home and kill his guards, to get access to the city from within¡±


    ¡°TO SAVE A LITTLE GIRL¡±S LIFE IS WHY I DID IT!!¡± Shouted Cloud


    ¡°If I wanted to kidnap a governor like you did I wouldn¡¯t have needed the horse¡± Continued Cloud


    ¡°Dawn, get the governor out of here¡± said John aiming his sword at Cloud


    ¡°Rain is in the next room Dawn go there¡± Cloud demanded ¡°No! Go out side the rest of my men will get you to the guard house Dawn go there¡± John braked louder


    ¡°Shut-up and Stay away from my sister¡± Bolted Cloud


    ¡°Don¡¯t listen to him Dawn your brothers evil¡± John said


    ¡°What, Evil?¡± Cloud said baffled


    ¡°How dare you get so involved with her and in her life with that evil strain that is running through your vanes!¡± snapped John


    Laughing a little Cloud barks ¡°That¡¯s good, did you practice that one in the mirror a few times or is it that much easier to say when evil is purely staring back at you¡±


    ¡°Stop it you guys, stop it¡± Dawn cried out getting scared at their intent


    ¡°I¡¯m so far from evil and way closer to god than you will ever be¡± yelled John


    ¡°You¡¯re not close to god, looks to me like your trying to replace him¡± bolted Cloud


    ¡°AHHHH!¡± said John as he swings at Cloud to start the fight. Dawn starting to panic runs the governor out of the room and tells him to go outside to meet the guards, seeing him off Dawn turns and runs to the other room to get Rain.


    Turning to see his sister enter the room Rain sparks in shock,


    ¡°Dawn what are you doing here, never mind we have to get you out of here Cloud just went to kill John, Dawn, John is evil¡± Dawn gazed to the ground seeing the dead men to it and covering her mouth Dawn gasped ¡°Those are his men¡± she snapped


    ¡°Who¡¯s¡± Rain questioned


    ¡°JOHN¡±S¡± Dawn cried and babbling while crying to tell Rain about the cover operation and why John thinks Cloud is evil, Rain tells her back why Cloud thinks John is evil.


    ¡°We have to stop them or they¡¯ll kill each other¡± Rain bolted and both hurried to the main room.


    The two fought their way over furniture and all around the room until Cloud trips over a chair behind him, losing his balance as well as his sword. Cloud falls to his back upon the ground with John a winning smile.


    ¡°Now it¡¯s time for you to die!¡± John says standing over him and turning his sword around holding it with two hands John raises it into the air to drive it in to Cloud¡¯s chest. Rain and Dawn come running around the corner to see Cloud on the ground about to be ran through, ¡°John no!¡± Dawn shouted as she bolted to cover Cloud but fearing for her life Rain grabs her ankle. Falling to the ground Dawn¡¯s dagger slips from its sheath and slides across the floor towards Cloud¡¯s side. Coming toward him, Cloud grips it with John¡¯s chest open for attack and thrusts it into John¡¯s Armor piercing it through to his heart. Spinning backwards to get to his feet Cloud grabs his sword and goes up to John¡¯s side. Looking up and seeing what transpired Dawn screams out while struggling free of her brother¡¯s grip to run to John¡¯s side. Pulling out the dagger she tries to heal him but the wound won¡¯t close.


    ¡°I can¡¯t stop the bleeding John¡± Dawn says crying by his arm ¡°I¡¯m not strong enough¡±


    Cloud getting to his feet and holding his side walks over to Rain who holds a bad look back to his brother ¡°Those men we killed in that room Cloud, they had guard uniforms under the robes, they were his men in the middle of a cover operation, John was on our side the whole time¡± Rain explained at a whisper as they watch John¡¯s final moments to life with Dawn to his side.


    Throwing his head back against the wall and closing his eyes Cloud huffs out a breath of stupidity ¡°Then his mission is now mine¡± and with a small limp does Cloud move slow to up to his sister. Dawn watches John¡¯s final breath move his body limp and covering his eyes to close them did a tear run to her face, but changing to a scowl Dawn glared to Cloud on his approach ¡°Dawn, Rain just told me I¡­..¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t¡± Dawn said wave her hand at him ¡°Don¡¯t you DARE! Try to apologize to me you narrowing thinking simple minded Drow! That¡¯s all you are to me right now is one of them and he¡¯s dead because of it¡± she gets up and runs out of the room, reaching to grab her arm she pulls away yelling to him ¡±Don¡¯t touch me and stay out of my LIFE!!¡± and runs out. Going to go after her Cloud is stopped by Rain ¡°Let her go Cloud, she doesn¡¯t need us right now, let her be alone¡± The brother¡¯s stand still hearing her cry through her fast paced run and Rain looks to the look of his brother that only holds shame.


    As Rain came home did he see Dawn staring to the common room fire, he could see the tear streams had dried to her face and only a cold look of hurt remained, ¡°You miss him a lot don¡¯t you¡± Rain said pulling back his hood but her look she gave brought no words, ¡°Is Cloud home?¡± Rain asked ¡°Don¡¯t know¡­don¡¯t care¡± Dawn replied in monotone.


    ¡°I know you loved him I¡¯m sorry¡± Rain sympathized to her, ¡°I didn¡¯t love him Rain¡±


    ¡°You go to a mid night picnic, with new earrings and new intent¡­Dawn please your not fooling me¡±


    ¡°It was what his mission was that I enjoyed, his statement in life¡± she snapped back annoyed


    ¡°So looking they way you did was to impress his mission then, I¡¯d think you¡¯d find the relationship one sided¡± Dawn glared and said nothing back, ¡°He¡¯s a human male Dawn¡­and you¡¯re a female¡±


    ¡°God Rain I wasn¡¯t having sex with him,¡± Dawn snapped in defense


    ¡°No need to get mad or hide anything Dawn¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not alright!¡± she scolded and coming to him Dawn slapped him in the face and took her leave of the room.

 Chapter 6

    A Day passes¡­


    The morning banner breeze blew light and swift rushing through the air as the flaming arrow was lit for the marksmen archer. Aiming it high and with a slow release did it signal the end of a pleasant ceremony of a great soul, as the arrow struck the wood filled mound of the late Captain John Frost.


    Gazing upon the fire Cloud looks over to his sister¡¯s sparkling eyes as the fiery flame reflection echoed to her watery sight, he killed him Cloud thought. He had might as well had put the dagger to her as well for what she believed, for it seemed to hold the same pain as he gazed to the hurting look of her face. Holding her right hand tightly cuffing her elvish hood under her chin did strand¡¯s of her hair highlights leak out and catch the gentle rush of the wind¡¯s grasp, she stood right at Cloud¡¯s side saying nothing, not even a mere small look to him.


    As the mound burned down to a half ashes state Dawn turns her back to take her leave of the area and Cloud watched, going back to the inn to cry a little he suspected until the sight of a approaching soldier holding a blue strip to his armored left shoulder caught her attention by speech. Asking her about the issue that happened the night ago for she had not yet been questioned, the man apologized for the bad time he had to address it but it needed to be done. Addressing back with only a straight face did she reply ¡°Name it¡±, the lieutenant wished to know her side of what happened, who really killed John was the question to her and frozen in a moral dilemma was Dawn halted in speech to the soldier. Then she looked back at Cloud who only stared at her saying nothing¡­she had to choose.


    ¡°It was very clear who struck him dead¡± Dawn said, and adding that the marking of Nod was clearly to the wrist of the murderer the lieutenant nods again holding his condolences for her loss and took his leave. Cloud released the tense breath he had at the hearing of her answer but looking back Dawn still sparked no smile.


    Seeing a figure pass his sister¡¯s stance Cloud moved to and right passed Dawn mouthing that ¡°this needed to end now¡±, Dawn never understood his words but as Cloud drew words to call for a small section of the king¡¯s time Dawn grew unstable to her stomach, but still never moved.


    ¡°Milord, milord please only a quick word¡± Cloud said, and a guard to the King mentioned to his highness¡¯s back that it was the man who was at the seen of the captain¡¯s death and turning the King hears Cloud¡¯s plea, ¡°Yes young man¡± the King replied, ¡°Milord I have held something that by my nature of profession I can¡¯t bare to hide no longer¡­.milord I have for you a confession¡±


    ¡°Cloud no please!¡± Dawn barked jolting to a run at her brother¡¯s location but at the drawing of the guard¡¯s blade Cloud waving his hand stops her feet cold. Cloud closed his eyes for a moment and Dawn knew his confession would bring upon him a swift execution, ¡°I hold to myself regret that in such a time I couldn¡¯t save this man, a brother of the banner. I wish to take upon myself with your blessing his post and purpose as Captain to set clear this city of the Nod filth¡±


    ¡°Brave and bold young elf but such a task is past to only the best of my soldiers, and you don¡¯t ever bare the cape of the army¡± the King said coming to a small thinking state ¡°But as with what has happened the late Captain told me of your exploits in dealing with the units in the streets and by his own words did he mention you hold great skill with a blade¡­I hold this option only to you Cloud, a test against my best men has always determined my new Captain in the past and this brings no difference. I will allow you a chance to join in the trials¡± guards to the King¡¯s aid hold a small chuckle as they measure up Cloud¡¯s height, he was at least two third¡¯s their height at best. But Cloud never even held a gaze to them only bowed to the King in thanks at the chance and turned to leave. The lieutenant took a dagger from his belt holding a bit of a smirk to his own face saying out to Cloud ¡°You need this to get in the royal gates and soldier grounds¡± and releasing the dagger fast to Cloud¡¯s back Cloud spins upon hearing it fly, step kicking a stick by him to his hands Cloud stops the dagger having the blade stab in the wood. The guards went silent from the act and reefing it from the wood Cloud noticed a note wrapped to the hilt, ¡°Thanks¡± Cloud replied turning to his sister who had already gone from the street, and walking off did he depart as well.


    Rain witnessed the scene unfold and with his hawk eyes and scare baring face shook his head, ¡°That better had been a bloody show of good will¡­and a joke¡± he whispered to himself, taking one last look to the mound in respect. He glanced over to see her still standing there bowing her head in grief, the woman that wasn¡¯t worth his raised hand to save. Rain only shook his head of the annoyance he felt now every time she came to his sight, but as the sudden breeze caught her face the black veil she wore peels back releasing her delicateness to the mercy of the winds. She moved her eyes to see his for only a brief stint, and seeing her look Rain held to his own secret mind a single thought, she was a woman¡­a human woman, but held stunning beauty none the less.


    Going up the stairs to the rooms, Dawn returns from a much needed time alone. Going passed Rain¡¯s chamber first did she peer into it to see him still deep to his books as he always was and to his night stand was his usual cup of tea, in his favorite mulberry flavor. Coming to Cloud¡¯s room Dawn saw the door closed, she went to its side and ran her hand to its cold surface not making a sound while building up the courage to face him again. With a deep breath she opened the door to only be shocked at no one inside, puzzled by the empty state she returns to Rain asking him if Cloud was home, ¡°I think so¡± Rain said not shifting his face from his page, she was still too mad at her brother to ask what he was into and leaving his room Dawn went to her own. Opening her room door Dawn stops sudden to see Cloud sitting up right on her bed. He was in his lounging robes and peering to his face did hers go soft. Cloud¡¯s held a look baring so much guilt for what he had done. Dawn shut her door and taking off her cloak to the hanger in the corner did she stare to him, taking another breath she sits to his side while staring at the wall in front of them.


    ¡°I won¡¯t apologize Dawn, I did what I thought was right¡­ I¡¯m sorry that its costs was hate from you to me, I know you held feelings for him¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t love him Cloud¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t say that you did, I know that¡¯s what Rain thinks but not me¡± Dawn holds silence until she moves her head to see his eyes, ¡°So to make it all better you go and join the high guard of Silverspire, promoting our presence to this city on a big scale, what happened to keeping low in sight¡±


    ¡°Because I understand what your saying now Dawn, we can¡¯t make up for the past of our people by not acting until we are safe in some mountains, we need to start here, now¡± Cloud said softly looking to her focused, she started to tear at the eyes and Cloud rubs them clean, ¡°I¡¯m so sorry baby¡­this was the last thing I wanted to do to you¡±


    ¡°I want to do more in his name Cloud, for John I wish to join the ministry of the Silverspire temple¡± Cloud smiled to her damp glassed face ¡°Alright you sleep on it tonight but for now sleep is all you do, and I¡¯ll join you in the morning¡± Cloud ended to her nodding with no hug, it was too early for reassurances yet.


    Rain gets up the next morning to see Dawn and Cloud already awake and almost dressed; he quickly gets dressed himself and joins them.


    ¡°Hey where you guys off too?¡± Rain said running into the street to catch up.


    Not saying a word and him repeating himself about five times Rain just gave up with annoyance to his own question, they reach the gates of the city great hall and Cloud turns around.


    ¡°Ok remember what I said about John¡¯s mission now being mine¡±


    ¡°Yeah¡± Rain replied uneasy


    ¡°Well I¡¯m going to join the royal guard¡± said Cloud


    ¡°And I¡¯m joining the Temple Ministry¡± added Dawn


    ¡°WHAT!¡± Shouted Rain ¡°Whoa, Cloud, Dawn look I know you are feeling somewhat responsible, but what happened couldn¡¯t have been avoided and getting involved with the humans on this level is not what we as a family need¡±


    ¡°No Rain it is exactly what we need to do¡± said Dawn


    ¡°Remember what I said about picking the battles you can win¡± said Rain and recalling it they both nod, ¡°Nod is not one of them you can take down by joining this little¡­.tree house club¡±


    ¡°Why not we¡¯ve done well so far¡± cried a voice from the stairs of the hall, and looking up and through the town gate bars to the royal grounds Rain saw the woman he saved weeks ago.


    ¡°You!¡± the woman says on her entry, not realizing who it was.


    ¡°You have got to be bloody kidding me¡± Rain says softly to his brother under his breath,


    ¡°You two know each other¡± says Cloud to him as she comes to get the gate unlocked,


    ¡°Yeah he¡¯s and arrogant prick who cares only about his own well being¡± responded the woman


    ¡°And your that prostituting bitch who I saw working the corner last week¡± replied Rain, ¡±So tell me did you sleep with the King to get this spot or did your homonymous manners get it for you¡± Rain battered at her and looking to his brother Cloud didn¡¯t share his aptitude.


    ¡°Look we are going to do this with or without you Rain¡± said Cloud and with that Rain turned and walked back where they came.


    ¡°Where are you going?¡± Cried Dawn


    ¡°To prepare for the fight with him¡± said Rain


    ¡°What about picking the battles you can win¡± shouted Cloud


    ¡°This one isn¡¯t by choice Cloud that¡¯s the difference¡± Rain bolted


    ¡°Rain¡­.¡± said Dawn calling to him


    ¡°No don¡¯t Dawn he¡¯s made his choice, we can¡¯t change it for him¡± interrupted Cloud, turning to the woman who extends her hand to each of them in a welcoming gesture.


    ¡°I¡¯m Elanee Kerrigan Marshal of the Ministry, come I¡¯ll show you to your new quarters and training centers but knowing what I do about you, you won¡¯t be in there for long before given posts¡± Elanee appraised as they follow her into the hall.


    ¡°So Rain is the other one who left¡± Elanee asked in travel


    ¡°Yep that¡¯s my prideful brother, but from the looks I think you have met him¡± Cloud said knowing the answer already


    ¡°He saved my life but the information from the man he killed was worth more then it¡± She said


    ¡°I guess my brother didn¡¯t share your out looked opinion¡± Cloud said back keeping pace with Dawn behind


    ¡°He doesn¡¯t know what is needed to be done in this city, it is harsh and sacrifices are to be made for it to survive¡± Elanee pushes to him


    ¡°I agree but if I was in his place I would have done the same act, such an outlook needs to be kept alive for it drives fear to the crime here¡± Cloud soothingly said which brought a smile to the marshal¡¯s face


    ¡°Thanks for the thought¡± Elanee said and reaching the quarters Elanee opened the double doors ¡°This is it, Dawn your¡¯s is the next door down and if you need anything mine room is five past Dawn¡¯s¡± Elanee ended and nodding Cloud was about to enter his room when Elanee stopped him.


    ¡°And Cloud¡± Elanee said with him looking back to her ¡°Tell your brother thanks¡­from me for saving my life, I wasn¡¯t very appreciative to it before¡± she said and turned away she then leads Dawn to her new quarters. Cloud nodded with a smirk to himself from a thought running in his head as he shut the doors to get settled in.


    With a loving watchful eye Cloud leaned to the fence posts of the stables as the girl who was back to good health was upon her young colt riding in the training grounds, this time was his last arrival for work. The cloth of the Silverspire guard lay upon his body and the cape barring the crest of the king laid draped to his back, he was indeed a soldier and even though he beat the rest of the men in the combat challenge, Cloud still wasn¡¯t granted the rank of Captain¡­that still needed to be earned.


    ¡°Cloud!¡± sparked the little girl during her horse riding as he watched; she dismounted and came running to his side baring a big hug. Seeing the joy of her well Cloud scopes her to his grasp with a smile, ¡°You¡¯re a soldier now¡± she commented with her cute little girl tone while pointing and tugging to his new cape, Cloud nodded ¡°Are you this because of what you did for me¡± she asks with innocence to her tone.


    ¡°My actions were never to gain this from the sickness you had Stephanie, that was done out of caring for you and to see you hold a future you alone get to make, and let it be long and good¡± Cloud ended when the voice of Stephanie¡¯s father echoed to his back ¡°Her sickness was one my love this time couldn¡¯t heal, it was because of your pure will that she can do this again Cloud¡±


    ¡°I only finished the small portion your skills didn¡¯t bare, but your love and loyalty kept her holding on until it came. I¡¯m glad I could be apart of something so great¡± Cloud said smiling to the girl that smiled back with a hug even tighter to his hold, ¡°And with such acts do I see you now baring the colors of our royal guard, both am I saddened and proud to see it on you, I couldn¡¯t think of a finer choice, but I guess this is that last of your days here¡±


    ¡°If ever you need aid around here please come get me, I hold much in your debt to the kindness you showed upon looking past me being Drow¡± smiled Cloud shaking his hand, he set down the girl saying that his new duties started in a short time and he should get going. The little Stephanie places a small kiss to his cheek and beaming with warmth to his soul Cloud motions so long to the stable family that now had become his own to depart again for the guardhouse.


    Cutting around the corner of the buildings fast on horseback the crowd parts as the man flew past baring the mark of Nod. Right on his tail was Cloud on his steed racing him down ally ways and into the main street starting to catch up. Snapping to his reigns Cloud¡¯s steed snorts hard as her hooves brought him up along the man¡¯s side, and a cut to Cloud¡¯s face held dried blood as winds ripping by sealed it on the surface. Leaping from his steed on to the agent of Nod Cloud¡¯s flying weight drives them both from the horses pounding them hard into ground. Recovering fast the Nod agent draws two small swords fast and swinging wildly he lashed out upon the new recruit of the Silverspire high guard. Dodging the blade tips as they came to his body Cloud through the swings drew his own blade, cutting the man¡¯s swords to a halt only a short time passed till the man was upon the ground in submission. Pressing hard to the man holding him in place the sounds of horse shoes bring both to see the rest of the high guard in approach lead by the lieutenant of the high guard and Marshal Elanee, ¡°You¡¯re pretty quick on horseback Cloud¡± complemented the lieutenant with a small grin, ¡°As well as with a blade, is there any skill you don¡¯t posses?¡±


    ¡°Good mannerisms when dealing with scum I guess are one¡± Cloud replied applying more pressure bringing out a cry of pain from the Nod unit, ¡°Ah! We can over look that¡± he snickered back but the marshal held no such joy. Elanee dismounted from her steed and walked up to the man held to the ground, she looked to his masked face that held a tiger slash marking of the Nod clan to it and with a swift motion ripped it from his head to stare to his face that held a sinister smile. Elanee glared at him ¡°Where is she, I know you took her you vile vermin now where¡¯s Katharine!¡± she demanded in a sharp tone that made Cloud blink from the harp. Cloud raised him up for him to speak back and still holding his smirk he chuckles a bit ¡°You know what you have to do to get it from me, so do it¡­unless you don¡¯t have the stomach for it¡± Cloud looked to the marshal for he didn¡¯t know what was meant by the remark ¡°What does that mean Marshal, what do you do?¡± Cloud asked puzzled but saying nothing Elanee takes off her gloves from her hands and placed a hand upon his forehead.


    Cloud watched as Elanee¡¯s eyes closed then saw them flick and flutter under the lids as if a wild scene was playing before them. Cloud never even had a clue that she possessed any abilities; flashing from the trance like she was violently jolted with a shake she went to one knee taking in deep breaths. Looking back to the Nod agent he held only a smug look as if he was proud to what she saw, ¡°You bastard¡­. She was only seventeen years old¡­you¡¯re sick¡± she breathed out with heated words of disreputable disgust. Elanee then looked to the lieutenant to tell him where the girl they seeked could be found and about to go after the location Elanee stops him one more time ¡°Lieutenant¡± Elanee said with a heavy exhale of breath to which the lieutenant looked back ¡°Look to the walls when you get there, she is speared to one at her shoulder with a sword blade in it when he rapped her¡± the lieutenant joined in with the vile look to the Nod agent, ¡°Take that piece of shit to the¡­no wait¡± he said stopping and dismounting from his steed the lieutenant took the man from Cloud¡¯s grip, shoved him against the nearby building wall and with his dagger slit the man¡¯s vile throat. The lieutenant watched as the man fell to the ground choking on his own blood until he stopped in motion,


    ¡°Stay here with her Cloud¡± he said back to which Cloud nodded and he and the rest of the guard left to locate the girl. Shifting to fast steps brought Cloud to see Elanee bolt for the shaded corner of a building and moving to a crouch Cloud sees Elanee throw up on the ground holding her hair back. Bringing her head back up she saw Cloud¡¯s look holding both pity and puzzlement, and as she wiped her mouth of dripping saliva that strung to it she spoke ¡°He rapped her slow, he took his time after he broke both her legs¡­I can still hear the crack of her bones so that she wouldn¡¯t move. He took his sword and with it pierced her right shoulder binding her against the wall¡­and removing her clothes with her crying in pain for it all to stop there he defiled her again and again¡± Cloud was with no words, just shock and she kept going ¡°Last week he was cheated in a card game, for retribution he tracked down the man¡¯s home. He locked the doors to the front and back then set flames upon the roof, and watched as the man¡¯s three girls, wife and family pet scream out there final breath¡¯s to violent ends¡­I can smell the stink of burning flesh as if I was there myself. Going further back he raped two more girls, and butchered three men to who¡¯s bodies now lay in a farmers soil south of here¡± Elanee ended with a look of disgust to her face and to match it was one now upon Cloud¡¯s, ¡°I¡¯m done with this spot if you want to throw up next¡± she said passing him holding her head and watching her as she went by, Elanee looks to see a look on Cloud¡¯s face as if he wished to asked Why?....How?


    ¡°It¡¯s been my skill since birth, if I ever touched someone I got a mind full of things they had done in there life, good¡­or bad, growing up in the orphanage I didn¡¯t know what was wrong with me and eventually I couldn¡¯t be in contact with people all together. Never could I touch any one¡­never could I ever have a life of love, boys were to afraid of me¡± she laughed small ¡°I didn¡¯t learn to control it till later and was recruited to the castle for the power I had¡± Elanee said but leaning to the wall side she breaks down and start to cry, sliding down against the wood frame until she was sitting on the ground. Cloud came to her side sitting down. ¡°Who was she?¡± he asked ¡°The head of the orphanages¡¯ sister¡­I don¡¯t know how to tell her¡± Elanee said crying and Cloud took her to a hug in his arms, ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I¡¯ll go with you when you do¡± he said back, Elanee looked to him trying to hold back her tears to see him with an uneasy look ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I have total control on it now Cloud, I can choose when to use it and I only do it to judge someone¡¯s innocence or guilt on tasks their accused of¡±Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.


    ¡°A justice system with no error, such flawlessness I am happy to be apart of¡± he said smiling, ¡°Only to the ones we know and can catch¡­nothing¡¯s perfect¡± she said wiping her eyes and Cloud got to his feet with an extension of his hand to hers ¡°It¡¯s a start¡± says Cloud again smiling.


    Over the course of the next two months Dawn and Cloud involved themselves heavily with the Silverspire forces, interrupting and intersecting plan after plan in the ranks of the Nod. Cloud grew quickly in the favor the army and eventually got his own unit and the right to changes on the training of the men. Elanee liked to use the two frequently as they helped much and worked well as a team blindsiding the Nod at all passes. Keeping busy and to himself Rain was still asked periodically by each of his siblings to reconsider and join them but every time were they meet by resistance and the fatal answer no!. As one day grows hot to the city streets Cloud came by the Potion shop with good and exciting news.


    ¡°The answer is still and will always be no Cloud¡± said Rain


    ¡°I didn¡¯t come here to asked you anything I came here to say I got promoted for our efforts¡±


    ¡°To what¡± asked Rain as he polished a glass vial free of spots.


    ¡°Captain¡± replied Cloud, looking up Rain saw the gold strip upon his armored shoulder and turning away for a sec he puts it down on the table with the others shaking his head.


    ¡°Tell me something brother are you insane or just plain stupid?¡± spitted Rain turning again to look at him, ¡°How can you not see what is going to happen or has already happened if you continue this charade¡± barked Rain who had grown tired in his face of hearing and seeing the act,


    ¡°I¡¯m tired of living under the radar here Rain but more tired of when we have the skills to help these people we do nothing¡± Cloud argued back


    ¡°That is to save us Cloud our people or have you forgotten about our kin¡±


    ¡°No I haven¡¯t!¡± Cloud bolted not seeing that Elanee and Dawn have just entered the door way and stood in silence listening behind him,


    ¡°Well then remember harder, don¡¯t you see that Colossus may be monitoring this city and when he finds out that three drow have been assisting the city riding it of evil he will put the two together and come for us, and when he finds us he will butcher us and this city like cattle. Your little venture Dawn has accompanied you on was for one reason in my sight Cloud, closer for yourself for what happened to John¡± Shouted Rain


    ¡°Shut up Rain¡± bolted Cloud


    ¡°You think these little fights and arrests will prepare us for the battle with him, they won¡¯t they¡¯re just for you and Dawn. Thinking that this little extra will count on some cosmic level for the fight with good and evil well let me tell you something it won¡¯t, now one little bit!¡± Rain yelled


    ¡°And what are you doing here Rain, looking through your pitiful little books to make some vial to what end, vanquish him is that it! Well that won¡¯t work either¡± Cloud yelled back


    ¡°I¡¯m combing through history books Cloud not making potions¡± argued Rain


    ¡°To find what?¡± yelled Cloud


    ¡°A way to kill that son of a bitch for what he took from us Cloud, our parents or have you forgotten about them too¡± Rain ends with only a cold look upon Cloud face back at his own, ¡°Then maybe if you weren¡¯t such a coward that hid from your fears you¡¯d help me¡± Rain snapped, Cloud moved to Rain violently pushing him backwards into and through a table filled with glass vials ¡°I¡¯m not a coward!¡± bolted Cloud watching him land with a crash


    ¡°Cloud!¡± yelled Dawn running over to Rain and pushing her off of himself he gets up and barrels his body full force into Cloud¡¯s chest plate knocking him and Cloud through the shop window and into the street. Cloud gets up rolling off from his brother and standing to face him Cloud yells out ¡°What the hell is with you, have you lost it!¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s with me? What¡¯s with you and these human¡¯s¡­there useless Cloud alright useless, they¡¯re good for nothing but repopulating like a plague, that¡¯s why they run this land¡±


    ¡°You egotistical bastard, can you care for anyone but yourself!¡± Cloud lashed back


    ¡°I can for us and our future, these human¡¯s will follow anyone with power, with the single hope to one day control it all, all they know is control and anything they can¡¯t control they fear¡±


    ¡°Shut up its not true!!¡± Cloud harped


    ¡°Your so unbelievably naive it hurts¡± Rain yelled to him getting to his feet ¡°They kill what they don¡¯t understand¡±


    ¡°They¡¯re a noble race Rain and that¡¯s something you¡¯ll never understand¡± Cloud barked having the girls watch to the side saying nothing for they never thought they¡¯d see this happen


    ¡°Your own idea¡¯s have made you so unbelievably arrogant that your useless mind can¡¯t comprehend any realistic thought, there not evil¡­not all of them and need to be given a chance¡± Cloud threw back with a crowd gathering to hear the debate.


    ¡°They are leading themselves to their own extinction; I will not go down with them!¡± Rain bolted ¡°You go ahead and meet death as they will, lead our sister and the whole clan to it for she follows you and is just as dumb¡­but I won¡¯t no longer¡­I quite!!!¡± Rain ended turning his back, Cloud sprinted to grip his cloak and spun him around just for Rain¡¯s knee to be buried in his lower gut dropping his brother, Rain went for a second swipe with his hand but gripping it Cloud jerks him to the wet ground.


    They grab each other about to start into a full fight when a cry is heard from a patrol scout yelling DRAGON! Following after was a huge explosive blast seen coming from the orphanage down the street. Cloud dropped his brother to the ground and stood above him extending his hand out to pick him up, Rain glared back at him and Cloud shook his own head


    ¡°Rain please, Damn it you¡¯re my brother and I care for nothing more then you and Dawn, we must stand for what were about and this¡­.aiding human¡¯s who fear us to a possible and ultimate loss is that path; please!....please brother I need you now¡­they need you¡± pleaded Cloud holding out his hand to Rain¡¯s, and looking up at the dragon hovering above the city and hearing this screams of the citizen¡¯s Rain thinks for a second.


    ¡°For god sake Rain fighting over what you think about this race is not what we¡¯re about; but this is (pointing at the dragon) saving the city from this is what we do, if we are to prove we are not them (pointing down to the earth representing the Drow race), Please brother, help me¡± and holding out his hand again it is grabbed by Rain¡¯s who pulls him up and hugging him tightly Cloud whispers ¡°Thank you¡± Cloud then pulls away and says to the girls and Rain ¡°Who the hell has the power to conjure this beast?¡±


    ¡°It must have been conjured because it appeared out of nowhere¡± added Rain looking around


    ¡°It must be Braxis the summoner¡± Elanee replied ¡°We must have really done a number to his forces here in the city for him to attack directly¡±


    ¡°Elanee you and Dawn get to the orphanage and evacuate the children Rain and I will find this Braxis¡± the girls head off towards the burning buildings and Cloud and Rain bolt to a clearing to locate Braxis


    ¡°Look there¡± Rain pointed to the dragon biting a man but him not being bit, instead his hair turns bright white and he falls to the ground dead. Rain thinking for a second says ¡°It¡¯s a phantasmal killer Cloud, if they believe that the dragon is actually there then the attacks on then from it would seem real and they die¡±


    ¡°Rain carry on finding Braxis, I¡¯ll go warn everyone I can not to believe in the dragon¡±


    ¡°Easier said than done Cloud¡± laughs Rain


    ¡°I know but I have to try¡± Cloud said running to a group of men and shouting not to believe it.


    Rain starts climbing the stairs of a building to see if he can locate the wizard, and in the far distance sees a figure dressed in red and gold robes throwing fireballs from his hands and laughing.


    ¡°Gotcha¡± Rain says running to his location.


    Jumping out of the burning building with two kids one in each of the their arms Dawn and Elanee place them where the rest of the children safely were, with Dawn turning again to bolt back into the building one more time.


    ¡°I thought you said that was everyone ¡°Elanee snapped huffing, running behind her.


    ¡°I saw one more in there on our way out I need to get him, you wait here and keep the others calm¡± Dawn turned to say as she jump back over the flames of the entrance and back in to the building. Elanee goes back to the crying children and tries to calm them down while waiting for Dawn to reappear. Looking around in the flame covered structure Dawns covers her mouth to breathe as much air as possible while she searches for the child. Moments go by when she sees him standing in an open area of a room with no flames but below a ceiling about to collapse. Quickly she grabs him just as the ceiling was coming down and turns to run out of the building, seeing the entrance to the building she jumps though the opening but her head is struck by a flaming ceiling board that dislodged from one side of the roof. The child is thrown into the air and caught by Elanee who quickly sets him down. Elanee runs to Dawns side and lifting her head she sees blood free flowing from her ears and mouth.


    ¡°DAWN!¡± Elanee screamed as she puts her own head to Dawns scorched chest to hear nothing.


    ¡°Oh my god she not breathing¡± Elanee snaps as she opens Dawns top two clasps of her corset and starts breathing into her mouth and pushing on her chest.


    ¡°Common Dawn!¡± she cries ¡°Wake up Dawn common!¡± she shouts in a quivering voice after repeating the state multiple times. Still having no breath coming from her mouth Elanee pulls Dawn towards her chest and closes her eyes. Elanee feels her own eyes and hands warm and looking down to them glowing bright white Elanee applied Dawn¡¯s healing power to Dawn herself. Noticing the blood on Dawns face starting to recede, Elanee¡¯s hands diminish with the glow and Dawn suddenly regains consciousness followed by a deep breath of coughing.


    ¡°What happened?¡± Dawn huffed coughing


    ¡°You saved that boys life¡± Smiled Elanee


    ¡°I thought I was dead¡± Said Dawn


    ¡°You were for a second¡± explained Elanee


    ¡°Then how?¡± Questioned Dawn


    ¡°My powers¡± said Elanee ¡°I tapped into your consciousness and borrowed your healing power and used it on you¡±


    ¡°Well aren¡¯t you just full of surprises¡± laughed Dawn aching at the stomach pain she had


    ¡°Here let¡¯s get you somewhere not so warm¡± hurried Elanee as she helped Dawn up by the children.


    Pacing fast on foot a group of Silverspire guards turn flank to witness the mythical beast hovering to their rear side, crying out to a diving defense they hear the breath exhale from the winged beast but as the next moments past by they held wonder as to why they still were alive. Pointing out with a call one spots Cloud down to a knee with his father¡¯s sword into the dirt, getting up after the dragon was done breathing Cloud looks at them ¡°The dragon¡¯s not real¡± Cloud says as he grabs a flaming board from an already fallen building and throws it through the dragons body ¡°SEE!, now go and spread the word because the ones who do believe can die from the fear¡± Cloud explains and runs off fighting the Nod members he finds along the way.


    Getting to the roof of where Braxis was standing Rain grips to grab his mothers blade, Braxis held a war paint looking face baring the Nod symbol upon it. He wore no top to his chest that also held paint upon it and Rain snickered to the little muscle that he had. The paint upon his chest was a different color, blending through stages of blue to black then red. He was almost completely bald to his skull, all by a pony tail that was at the back of his head and black leather breeches wrapped to his legs that carried a red line down each leg. To his body was a bladed sword that¡¯s metal blade held a yellowish tinge to it and strung tight to his grip was a staff that held a head piece resembling a small dragon. Rain at its sight figured it must be the conjuring tool for the illusion. Staring intently at Braxis¡¯s back as the mage over looked his destruction on the city below Rain channeled his power, crawling up his legs was the look of rock covering Rain¡¯s skin that climbed from his toes all the way to his face. With one hand holding his mother¡¯s blade Rain¡¯s free hand arced lightning to its palm and lining up a strike Rain releases the charge. Rain held a stunned puzzled look as the bolt only went only a few feet from his location slamming into something unseen. But with it dissipating Rain only caught a glimpse of the figure that was hit, when a massive force struck Rain¡¯s face sending him air born into a tool shed build in the corner. Completely does it collapse upon him on impact, and coughing as Rain pushed the debris off of himself Rain now looked like he was made of rock as he gets to his feet.


    ¡°Thank god for the stone skin spell¡± Rain says fanning away the dust to look to what hit him, knowing that he wasn¡¯t close enough to hit a protective spell of Braxis¡¯s Rain is surprised to see a shimmer uncloak from where he was hit. He now looks at a nine and a half foot tall giant toad minus the warts that has fuzzy fur in its place, it¡¯s bluish white in color and has three foot long duel bladed metal looking claws coming from the base of its knuckles, as well as twin nine inch long over biting fangs hanging out of his mouth. Its hazel eyes are fixed on Rain¡¯s every motion as Rain walks around it to size it up.


    ¡°Do you like my body guard; sorry about the surprise he was invisible before, it¡¯s to prevent my untimely death from my back¡± Braxis laughs


    ¡°We¡¯ll see about that¡± Rain says as he puts away the sword clenched to his fists and Rain runs towards the creature as fast as he can impacting it¡¯s stomach with all of his body weight. Rain is stopped by the creatures¡¯ hands and lifted into the air by one giant palm while being hit backward from where Rain was by the other and slamming hard to the roof Rain lands just by the ledge of the roof.


    ¡°Bartuc has a bit of a weight advantage, you being made of stone right now still has no effect on a creature of his size¡± Braxis said laughing ¡°Finish him Bartuc, while I show this pathetic city what happens when they cross the Nod clan¡±.


    Coming closer to Rain who tries to defend himself against the over bearing muscle brute again and again Rain is continuously pummeled as the creature sparks his great claws against Rain¡¯s stone bodied defense.


    ¡°I can¡¯t wait to see what happens to your skin when your spell runs out¡± Braxis said, picking himself up from the fifth hit from Bartuc¡¯s brutality is Rain¡¯s mouth bleeding from internal injuries. Rain looks over down below to see Cloud finishing off a clan member with a stab to the head.


    Pulling his blood dripping blade from the dead Nod unit at his feet Cloud sees the running approach of Dawn and Elanee, ¡°Cloud, behind you¡± huffed Elanee heavy to breath seeing a figure to Cloud¡¯s back, ducking to a dodge at her warning the figure misses with a swing of his dagger and loosing his balance came to a stumbling recovery. Cloud took a grip of the figures cloaked shoulder as the unit passed to Cloud¡¯s front side and with a swift jolting yak tossed the agent against the near by building wall. The agent that Cloud saw was a mage in status and took another swing at Cloud, but putting his chin boot up to stop dead the mage¡¯s arm. Cloud kicks and holds the mage in place. Pulling with his off hand the standard issue short sword given to him by the lieutenant months ago Cloud stabs the blade to the shoulder of the mage, pinning him to the wall as the blade went into the wood. Cloud pelts the hilts end one more time thrusting it in further with the mage crying out in massive pain, ¡°You, stay¡± Cloud scolded with a combat grin and telling the girls to remain on the ground Cloud runs up the stairs to the roof Rain was battling on.


    Taking a focus to the battle raging above Dawn stares to the mage Braxis and to his staff he held tight to his hands, ¡°That staff must be the power for the dragon¡± Dawn said in study to it, and looking around in horror to the fighting all over the area Elanee sparks ¡°Uh so, what good does that do us?¡± and Dawn looked back smirking


    ¡°Much¡­the staff is made of metal!¡±


    Taking his final step to reach the roof top Cloud witnesses Rain again to the air then hitting hard to the roof surface does Rain come to a grinding stop. Cloud looks to the creature that tossed him and pulling his father¡¯s blade Braxis¡¯s hears the metal release and turns around, ¡°Bartuc, leave the mage for me¡­get him¡± Braxis¡¯s commanded pointing at Cloud, Cloud grinded his boots to the roof and readied his maneuver as the creatures readied it¡¯s great claws and sprinted to a charge. Braxis tossed his sight to the slow moving mage getting to his feet still with his mother¡¯s blade to his grasp, gazing to his body Braxis smirks at the sight of flesh now coming to parts of his body revealing the sign of his defense coming undone. Braxis put his staff to his back harness and drew his mage blade as he walked towards Rain with a pompous strut.


    ¡°Time to die little Drow¡± Braxis said as he notices Rain¡¯s hand raised tossing a weak low end spell, ¡°And you call yourself a mage, your probably not well enough to spell the word¡± chuckled Braxis¡¯s blocking the spell lining up a strike, coming down fast Rain puts up his blade to block Braxis¡¯s in mid strike and clanging to his Rain steps to his feet pushing the blade off his own.


    ¡°I¡¯m not a mage¡­and I think you spell it, A-S-S¡±


    ¡°For a small elf you have a big mouth¡± Braxis¡¯s lashed back in contest but swinging again Rain deflects it off and with a spin kick drive Braxis¡¯s blade quick to the ground, ¡°What¡¯s with the pony tail, trying to get in touch with you feminine side, you do throw a sword like a girl¡± Rain laughed back as Braxis¡¯s got up to his feet, ¡°Then let me show what doesn¡¯t come out like a girl¡± Braxis¡¯s ended with a spell blast that Rain¡¯s blade block blew him across the roof side sliding to the edge. Walking fast with hate to his eyes Braxis looks to his creature bodyguard cut and bleeding in the fight with Cloud. Cloud held a gash to his right arm that Braxis saw wasn¡¯t slowing Cloud down. Approaching Rain Braxis drives punches to both Rain¡¯s face and stomach, and with blurry bloodied vision Rain gets held to Braxis¡¯ yanking grasp firmly close to his face ¡°Time to finish you off¡± ended Braxis¡¯s that brought a sound to Rain¡¯s ear down below, ¡°You hear that¡­spikes have grown from the ground to escort you to death¡¯s take, but is it real or an illusion, how good is your faith in your ability you could only suffer the pain of a pounding fall or stab wounds all over¡± Braxis¡¯s said laughing when the smell of burning skin brought sudden pain to Braxis¡¯s face, letting go of Rain Braxis scampers wildly to unhook the staff from it¡¯s holder and tossing it to the ground he sees the metal heat to a red hot state. ¡°Rain, Rain are you alright¡­are you alive¡­.move or something please!¡± yells Dawn at the base to which Rain waved his hand over the side for her to see, coming to the side Braxis saw the girl¡¯s below and with a flame ignited to his palm he holds a stare.


    ¡°You little Bitch!¡± Braxis snapped and Rain shook his head of enough blur to see the act, ¡°No!¡± Rain yelled coming to his feet gripping Braxis¡¯s arm to overshoot the spell hitting the building the mage was held to, ¡°Cloud the staff!¡± Rain said in a gripping hold to Braxis.


    ¡°What about it¡± Cloud said back in evasion from the massive claw attacks, ¡°It¡¯s charging to its final phase from the heat, it won¡¯t hold together¡­.it¡¯s going to blow!¡± Rain bolted and seeing it with a head dodge from the creature. Cloud ruptures out an idea, racing to the staff he sees it would be hot and looking to the beast on approach to him Cloud lodged his toes under it, sizzling fast Cloud feels the build up of heat to his foot. He acts fast, flipping it up to the creature who takes it to his hands in capture. Cloud bolted quick to the beast and striking his blade into the ground Cloud pole-vaults into the air driving a kick to the creature knocking it off balance, stepping back to brace itself it had no more roof to stand on and falls backward crashing through the wall side of the adjacent building. Fighting back blade on blade the mages engage to combat but when the building to the side explodes with a great ground shudder, Rain was thrown from the building heading to the spikes.


    ¡°RAIN¡± Cloud cries out and the girl¡¯s who are now just below the building see Rain coming down the multi-story building. Dawn gasps and Elanee looks to the mage nearby on fire, touching him she casts out a spell, and falling fast to the ground Rain suddenly comes to a slow descend arriving to a full stop just above the spikes. Rain having his eyes tightly shut opens one slow and then the other with a suspended look of puzzlement to his face, putting his hand down to the spikes it went right through ¡°An illusion¡± Rain huffed with relief. If it went according to plan would his fear have ended him. Rain looked up to the girls and saw Elanee at the mage¡¯s side, her arm catches a flame from the burning building and jolting from heated fright she waved it about. Doing so lost her magic hold to Rain who crashes hard to the ground. Gripping to the side of the building Braxis¡¯s sees with a bloodied up face Rain still alive, he got to his feet and summoned a black bolt to his hand ¡°This time it isn¡¯t a damn illusion, you die for real¡­go to hell¡± he said pulling back his throw, a thrust hit him hard at his back; looking down Braxis sees the tip of Cloud¡¯s blade out front to his undefended chest, Braxis juddered his head back ward slow to see Cloud right to his face ¡°You first¡± Cloud ended ripping his blade from the back of his stomach to drive it across his shoulder¡¯s decapitating Braxis¡¯s head from his body.


    Gasping with recovery Cloud gets to the ground and aids the rest of the Silverspire high guard finishing off the rest of the battling Nod members, with the added training Cloud had offered the losses lessened in the great fight and in mere hours was the remaining Nod fended off. Cleaning up the wounds of the fallen solders Elanee makes her way over to where Rain is standing. She stopped when he saw her and thankful to his well being she smiles to him, but he held no reply back at her and shook his head, ¡°Your race has always fought amongst yourselves and you¡¯ll never learn until you¡¯re all dead¡±


    ¡°You fight your own clan even now, how are you different?¡± Elanee bolted loosing her smile fast when Rain was about to leave


    ¡°We are fighting to better ourselves¡± Rain said ¡°To become better than we were¡±


    ¡°As are we¡± Elanee snapped at him


    ¡°Killing the rest of your race off to be the only ones with an opinion with your own isn¡¯t the way to do it miss Kerrigan! Race¡¯s need to choose for themselves¡±


    ¡°They only attacked us because our ways are a threat, we are just defending them by eliminating there hold to us¡± she sparked back and with the statement said Rain turns back holding a smirk.


    ¡°Yet another point to aid my argument¡± stared Rain not showing emotion at all, and rolling her eyes she was about to walk away when she turned around bolting


    ¡°I want you to remember this moment Rain, that a girl ; a human girl saved you from being killed¡±


    ¡°Then were even¡± Rain tossed out with calmness walking away.


    Catching up to Rain walking towards the tavern Cloud called to him, ¡°Hey, how you doing after that beating?¡±


    ¡°Dawn fixed me with a healing so just need a few days of slow rest¡± Rain told to him and Cloud goes awkwardly silent,


    ¡°Ummm about before, with our fight, I¡¯m sorry I never meant to hurt you¡±


    ¡°I know¡± Rain said


    ¡°Rain I still want you to join us, the King wants to start an elite group of people whose soul purpose is to watch over any big problems his city is in and I want you on it¡± Cloud again asks and looking to his brother¡¯s grip Rain stares at a red mage cloak draping with the Silverspire symbol to it¡¯s back that was in Clouds hand.


    ¡°Cloud¡± Rain sigh¡¯s sipping to his tea that steamed to his hands ¡°my answer still stands¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not about the small little factors of these jobs brother: I haven¡¯t forgotten about our kin I swear to you on that, when that pass opens in three months it doesn¡¯t matter what I¡¯m doing I will get up and go¡±


    ¡°Even if this place is in a major war that only you can save¡± Rain asked


    ¡°If it comes to that then yes; even then, but Rain what we just helped save, that is what were about, I never wanted to destroy the whole clan just it¡¯s presence from this city, please join your family¡± and thinking about it Rain reached out and grabbed the cape Cloud was holding for him ¡°I will under one condition¡±


    ¡°Name it¡± Cloud inquired and looking to him again Rain gives off a half smirk ¡°I want a different color, Red isn¡¯t me¡±


    Laughing a little Cloud agreed ¡°Great the fours of us are going to make a huge difference¡±


    ¡°Wait did you say four of us?¡±


    ¡°Yeah Elanee is joining us too¡± Cloud stated with Rain rolling his eyes with somewhat of an approval as he walks away ¡°this is going to be a long three months¡± Cloud goes the other way smiling while to himself thinking ¡°Maybe, but I bet you¡¯ll grow to like her¡±.

 Chapter 7

    Clouds cover the sky and rain pours upon the city, but as the storm rages to the Silverspire streets does another one come down the hallway of the guardhouse where the newly formed elite group dwells. Nestled to his chair Cloud listens as Elanee and Rain bicker on there return from a joint ventured assignment.


    ¡°This was your fault¡± says Elanee shaking her head of the pouring rain as she enters through the doorway, ¡°It was not¡± Rain lashes lifting off his dripping hood


    ¡°Yes it was¡± Elanee bolted sternly firing around her wet hair glaring at him


    ¡°Elanee he wasn¡¯t going to talk anyway,¡± Rain said getting to her face draining his cloak of the rainwater


    ¡°That¡¯s why I have my power,¡± Elanee argued back


    ¡°Of what Incompetence!!!¡± snapped Rain


    ¡°My mind powers you dolt,¡± Elanee barked back holding a stare at him


    ¡°He would have fabricated something to throw you off the trail of the weapons cash¡± Rain combated, ¡°Well now he¡¯s dead thanks to you, and we¡¯re now no further ahead in finding anything are we? And that¡¯s not how my powers work; they read real thoughts not fake ones¡±


    ¡°Then why don¡¯t you read mine right now¡± Rain hissed getting to her face and by passed her to get to his room, ¡°I¡¯d rather not¡± Elanee said in trial of him. Approaching Rain¡¯s room, Rain opens his door watching Elanee walk passed, about to shut it closed Rain pokes his head out again, ¡°Oh and before I forget, scout Mazy was saying earlier that he was having some trouble sleeping, why don¡¯t you use your¡­other talents, and relax him¡±


    Firing her head around she snaps back at him with a heated glare ¡°You are the most irritating, insulting, self-deluded Drow I have ever met!¡± and again walks away with almost visual sizzling from her anger, ¡°You forgot intelligent¡± Rain muffles through the door as it shut, shrugging it off and ignoring his rude comment Elanee went into the room where Cloud was sharpening his sword blade.


    A cozy fireplace made of cold grey stone complimented the room which was his quarters now. Elanee came in and sat to an opposing chair across from his own staring at him.


    ¡°Something wrong Elanee?¡± Cloud asked


    ¡°You sure he¡¯s your brother Cloud, he¡¯s nothing like you your kind and caring, selfless and he¡¯s so¡­¡±


    ¡°I know Elanee I heard you in the hall¡± responded Cloud with Elanee half embarrassed running down Cloud¡¯s own blood.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry Cloud but really he won¡¯t even give me a chance to repair our bad first impression, he has such an evil resentment for me I don¡¯t know why¡±


    Laughing a little Cloud stopped sharpening; setting his sword to the side of his chair Cloud looks to her ¡°Elanee when our parents died sixteen years ago, it hurt us all pretty bad, but when Rain lost our mother it didn¡¯t just kill him it killed his very spirit for loving life, for weeks after there death he spoke to absolutely no one not even us or uncle Straud, he had to be forced to eat food by Straud and to even get up and basically live.¡±


    ¡°What was he like before that?¡¯ Elanee asked


    ¡°He was a boy who loved life more than the average Drow of our status, Rain spent every waking moment with our mother following completely in her footsteps of becoming a sorcerer, he was naturally good at it, hell he was great at it. Our mother was so impressed at the spells he could master at such a young age but it was his love for his life that gave him that power. When she left, he quit the spells and magic in protest for taking her away from him, for 3 years after that he never touch a book nor said a simple spell¡±


    ¡°What changed him to go back?¡± Elanee said completely engrossed with his story


    ¡°Shortly after the three years had passed Dawn was kidnapped by some orcs and was taken into a cave, we searched for day¡¯s until we found it, Rain was already in there and when we went in side to get her out, all the orcs were dead; mutilated and slaughtered and to the middle of the pile of blood and bones stood my brother with a glowing hand. You see he had never used his magic to kill before and when that happened Rain ran out. When we got Dawn back home Rain was in tears at the house. He said that mom died and left only the evil demon that she was inside him and for months we had to reeducate him but in the end nothing worked, that is until he got the dream¡±


    ¡°The dream¡± Elanee inquired


    ¡°He got a vision of our mother in a dream and Rain said that she came to him to say that she was watching us, father and her; they said that they were so proud of what we had become, but she also came in that dream to reshow Rain what he had been missing in his life, his love for it and after that he came back to the brighter side of it, maybe not totally but closer than we got to see in a long, long time. So don¡¯t feel that he hates you Elanee he hates everything this world stands for since he lost her, and everyday Dawn and I fight to show him that it can be different, that it can be what he loved about it again¡±


    ¡°Then I will do my best to show it to him too Cloud, and perhaps a little more humanity in the group is what he will need¡± She said hugging him


    ¡°I hate to break up to touching moment but the king wants to see us Cloud, the group (Rain air quotes) is getting there first mission¡± Rain says and then leaves the doorway


    ¡°How long have you been there Rain?¡± Cloud asked


    ¡°Just got here, don¡¯t worry if you two want to be alone have no fear I just ate anyway and it would be a shame for it come back up so soon¡± Rain said leaving the door way


    Cloud looking back at Elanee just smiled ¡°Give him time he¡¯ll come around¡± and they went to go see the king.


    Back in the Lazarus tower Colossus waits impatiently for Sephinroth to return. She remerges through a wake of flame just to fall to her knees, Colossus looks upon her burnt scorched body that is still smoldering from her hair which looks roosted, frayed and sticking out every which way. Coughing as she climbs to her feet she dangles the second shard to his sight and sits to a chair at the table.


    ¡°What the hell happened to you?¡± Colossus asked


    ¡°Cloud giants¡­I was told that there would be Cloud giants!¡± she said sternly dropping the bag holding his item to her feet, she slowly dusted her hand of soot and flaking skin from her own hands to hold an evil glare to his face.


    ¡°Was I wrong?¡± he questioned to which she held a quick little chuckle, then leaning against the long table she plucked burnt hair strands from her head ¡°What happened¡± he droned out in annoyance.


    ¡°Everything was going fine until the child saw me entering the garden way, naturally I killed it knowing it would alert the parents and then I prepped for combat, seconds after I engaged them, I noticed they didn¡¯t hold skills used by Cloud giants, but power word spells and banishment attempts¡­skills like those are held by the giant folk titled Titan¡¯s¡­Titan¡¯s Colossus!¡± she heated out with striking sharpness.


    ¡°Is that what took you so long¡± Colossus question and holding no reply she only glares to him, as he came over to grab the bag she conjured up a bowl of water and dosing her blood coated hands and started to scrub them off.


    ¡°Ever fight off a family of god like guardians¡­ (rolling her eyes) yes it took me all this time¡±


    ¡°Why is your hand so bloodied I thought you heal fast¡± He inquired


    ¡°I do but dried blood that is not mine takes some scrubbing to get off¡±


    ¡°Well why do you have titan¡¯s blood on your hands and that far up your arms¡±


    ¡°It what was needed to be done to get you your toy¡­it was in the mother and when I say in I mean in!¡± Sephinroth emphasized


    ¡°Nasty!¡¯ he replied


    ¡°Had to interrogate a singing harp to get that info, her singing still haunts my head¡± she continued ¡°But on a plus side my horde is bigger¡±


    ¡°So how is living at that tower¡± he said


    ¡°Not bad except for a colony of man scorpions living near it which after killing a couple dozen soldiers are now keeping there distance¡± she smiled


    ¡°You know this took you longer than I expected it to, perhaps you¡¯re losing your touch of locating items¡± Colossus questioned half igniting instigation.


    ¡°Well I¡¯m sorry that I don¡¯t visit the elemental plain of air very often and after getting these bolt burns all over my body from their lightning abilities I¡¯m thinking of keeping it off my vacation list for awhile; and speaking of items taking a while getting to me where is my eggs¡± Sephinroth asked getting up and giving Colossus a scowl with her arms folded. Just then a Zealot opened the double doors and informed Colossus that his visitor had arrived. ¡°Right on time¡± said Colossus as he ordered the Zealot to bring him in.


    ¡°Who¡¯s your visitor?¡± Sephinroth asked and looking to the open door Sephinroth sees a man in a full suit of armor draped housing a black cape with a wolf head engraved in a blood red color upon it. He had smoked blue wavy hair parted down one side of his head and a spiral of patters painted on his face with the same blue color as his hair. He was very muscular from what Sephinroth could tell and had twin swords sheathed on his back as well as two more sheathed on his sides. Walking up to Colossus and past Sephinroth he quickly looked toward her and back saying ¡°I thought you said she was beautiful, looks like a harpy to me¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m just having a rough day, but even so another one of those comments at me¡­being tired do I still have enough testosterone left in me to take you out¡­Logan Silias¡± snapped Sephinroth in no mood for jokes at the time.


    ¡°I thought women had estrogen in them, or is their something your not telling us¡± the man laughed


    ¡°I am a woman but the man in me is probably more than you¡¯ll ever have¡± Sephinroth barked


    ¡°You know sarcasm is the recourse of a weak mind Sephinroth¡± he smirked


    ¡°At least I didn¡¯t die at the hands of someone who simply promised you a good time Logan¡± she smiled


    ¡°I was left to die by that insolent Drow Straud after promising to help him clear out the nest of vampires which by the way is the reason that I¡¯m doing this, him moving around has made it very difficult to track down so that I may reap my revenge¡± Logan stated raising his voice.


    ¡°Calm down both of you¡± Colossus shouted ¡°Logan do you have what I asked for¡±


    ¡°Yes although I lost five men getting this because of her defenses on the mouth of her cave¡± Logan added


    ¡°Then bite some more mortals to replenish your supply, quite complaining and give it to Sephinroth, it¡¯s for her¡± Colossus commanded and reluctantly Logan nodded to his two men to place the liquid metal looking eggs over by Sephinroth, grabbing one from the henchmen¡¯s hand and having the other placed beside her she stroked the egg¡¯s smooth surface saying ¡°Finally!¡±.


    ¡°Now I need you two to work together for the next shard piece¡± Colossus stated


    ¡°I was doing fine and don¡¯t need no help¡± She snapped


    ¡°The next realm is the water elemental plain, your weakness for cold might take you longer than usual so I want Logan to accompany you¡± Colossus explained


    ¡°Fine¡± Sephinroth bolted


    ¡°I do this but I better get my shot at revenge Colossus or I¡¯m warning you-¡±


    ¡°Calm down you¡¯ll get it I give you my word as a bonding pledge, and it would be foolish to break it before your done helping me agreed¡± Colossus said


    ¡°Now go while I meet with Drakon apparently there is some disturbance in the city of Silverspire that requires my attention¡± Colossus continued


    ¡°Silverspire; I have a guild there that would of told me of anything going on and I haven¡¯t heard anything¡± Logan stated


    ¡°Then I shall keep you apprized to the situation¡± Colossus concluded and shimmered away


    ¡°Apparently ¡®I¡¯m not the only one who might have lost their grip on the world¡± Sephinroth said smiling while leaving to her tower in a wake of flames.


    Calling over his guards Logan ordered them to find out what is going on in the city and let him know as he and them exit the room of the chamber.


    The King¡¯s court filled with the members of the newly formed group as they were giving an assignment to check up on the town of Phalanx, a small peaceful population of all humans which has not reported in for some time and neither has the scout that the King sent away to check on it. Gathering their things they set off on horses to the town about a day away. After a while Elanee starts to grumble about losing the assassin to Rain¡¯s killer spell and how they should precede.


    ¡°Why don¡¯t we send you in under cover Elanee, I¡¯m sure after a day with you they¡¯ll come screaming to the king of all there wrong doing¡¯s¡± Rain snickered


    ¡°Well it would be better than you going in there, in mere minutes they would be slitting their own throats with your words of how life sucks¡± she barks back, ¡°At least mine gets us the weapons cache¡± she prompts


    ¡°Would you get off it¡­?¡± Rain starts and growing louder and louder during the trip Elanee and Rain snap word¡¯s at each other.


    ¡°Enough!¡± shouts Dawn quieting them both down ¡°God you two really, your like a couple of young knights trying to impress a maiden and arguing over who¡¯s man hood is bigger or something¡± Dawn says shutting the two up having them for a time only holding glares at each other with words coming to their minds that would send a priest to suicide. They carry on a little longer until Elanee breaks an awkward silence.


    ¡°Who is Colossus?¡± She asked


    ¡°An evil being among other things¡± added Dawn


    ¡°He is a creature of great and terrible power¡± Said Cloud not looking directly at her


    ¡°Can he be killed or stopped?¡± she asked


    ¡°Not that we know of yet¡± Cloud continued


    ¡°Well how did he come to be; what is he exactly?¡± Elanee pride on


    ¡°Why do you even care, he doesn¡¯t concern you!¡± Rain bolted


    ¡°Rain its ok; from what we know through what our uncle tells us he is a very powerful mage in the body of a Minatare¡± Cloud saidReading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.


    ¡°What does he look like¡± She inquired


    ¡°He¡¯s about eight feet tall, black horns with demon eyes, a physical build that could match a titan and has the intellect of a phoenix¡± Cloud stated


    ¡°Pretty descriptive¡± Elanee said


    ¡°I¡¯ll never forget what he looked like¡± replied Cloud as he closed his eyes, opening them again when suddenly his blade started to glow deep green.


    ¡°Cloud your blade,¡± said Rain looking down at it; Cloud stopped his horse suddenly and dismounted. He started to walk around a bit like he was lost.


    ¡°Cloud what are you doing?¡± Rain asked him


    ¡°Remember that prayer I said last night, well it was to detect something¡± said Cloud to which Rain nodded silently


    ¡°Like what¡± said Dawn


    Quickly reaching in some bushes by the trail Cloud brings out his hand holding on to a cloaked figure, raising it into the air in the middle of the trail with his sword blade at its throat.


    ¡°Like woodland beings that have been following us for a while and since that druids are part of that group, they would make my sword shine the brightest,¡± Cloud said still holding her.


    ¡°Cloud what the hell are you doing they are good put her down¡± Dawn bolted getting off her horse


    ¡°Stay up there Dawn, these mages wouldn¡¯t harm a woodland creature even to get at you and since horses fall under that category your safe on the back of it. Watching it struggle to get a breath of air squirming to be free of Clouds tight grip she speaks.


    ¡°I...I been helping you since you left your camp (Gasping for another breath) before you reached the town and city¡± the druid gasped again


    ¡°Well no longer (throwing it to the ground but still holding the blade at it) you listen to me we don¡¯t need you¡¯re¡­.¡± And stopping to look at her frightened half covered face he sees an item he has not seen in years, a small gold bracelet dangles from her delicate wrist and Cloud has a flash back of the girl he saw the day his parents died.


    ¡°You¡­you¡¯re the girl¡­the girl from my town?¡± Cloud asked with a half confused look on her face and getting to her feet standing four inches taller then Cloud she pulls down the hood of her earth colored cloak to reveal a girl roughly the same age as Cloud. With long Brown hair tied in a pony tail excepted for two strands of hair running parallel down each side of her face in a half moon shape curve, she had dark brown eyes with shimmering bronze flakes as well as a dainty nose and lips. Carrying elvish styled ears she had a natural sparkle upon her face and body skin that resembled moonlight hitting the calm surface of water at night. She had a scent of fresh roses coursing her toned trimmed bodily curves and wore a full leather armored garment that covered her heavily overdeveloped breasts.


    Nodding her head, she said ¡°Yes Cloud it¡¯s me, the girl you saved back in the village where you grew up¡±


    ¡°No, that¡¯s not possible she was Drow¡± Cloud protested


    ¡°Your right, I was at that point in time, but it was a spell covering my natural looks so I could blend in with the rest, my name is Alisianna¡­Alisianna Goldmoon,¡± she announced with introduction.


    ¡°I don¡¯t understand¡± Cloud said lowering his blade finally


    ¡°My father was Drow but my mother (Turning her back to him) was a nymph,¡± she said


    ¡°Oh what a load of horseshit, that kind of relationship can¡¯t exist,¡± snapped Rain shaking his head


    ¡°You along with me know that type of relationship is possible Rain or do you forget the races of mom and dad!¡± Cloud barked at him, and whipping the smirk from his face Rain became very silent. ¡°Go on Alisianna¡± Cloud motioned to her.


    ¡°Well my father knew that the Matriarch would never condone such a union so they lived and loved one another in secret until one day he was followed and found out, they¡­.. (starting to cry) they hung her body from the temple making my father and I watch, they allowed him to continue living but he had others that knew about the union and were still loyal to him, one was Duncan. Duncan was told by my father that if he were to die to take me to the home of my mother and be raised out there¡±


    ¡°What happened to your brother Aries?¡±


    ¡°Half brother and full Drow, Aries is a Captain in the loyal army now, and got the position for killing Duncan after Duncan brought me to the Mere to learn the druid ways, my brother is pure evil now, all the good in him from my fathers teachings is gone¡± she sobbed


    ¡°I¡¯m so sorry Alisianna¡± sympathized Dawn


    ¡°So what brings you to stalking us¡± questioned Rain


    ¡°I was told by the elders of the mere to watch over you and protect you through the forests until you reach the mountains¡± She explained


    ¡°Wait how do you know of what were doing?¡± asked Cloud


    ¡°Lord Straud sends his regards to you¡± she said smiling ¡°His group went through our Mere a few months ago and wanted us to keep an eye on you three until your reunion¡± and smiling with gratitude they all got a warm feeling just knowing that he was still alive.


    ¡°So what are you guys doing out here?¡± Alisianna asked


    ¡°We¡¯re going to check on the town of Phalanx, they haven¡¯t been giving the city a progress report for some time¡± Cloud stated


    With a grim look on Alisianna¡¯s face Rain asked


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong druid?¡± inquired Rain with annoyance


    ¡°It¡¯s the town¡± she replied, ¡°it¡¯s been deserted for a couple days now and no one knows why¡±


    ¡°Then maybe we can help figure it out¡± said Cloud and with agreement they followed the druid to the edge of the town to see a misty haze covering the ground and the smell of ash and rotting flesh filling the breathable air. ¡°What the hell happened here?¡± Elanee spoke out.


    ¡°The druid scouting this land found it like this only two days ago and it was normal before that¡± Alise explained and dismounting off his horse with Rain following the action Cloud searched the ground and entered the town holding his horse by the reigns. They move a bit passed a couple building which looked like homesteads.


    ¡°Looks like everyone just got up and left¡± said Cloud


    ¡°Uh not everyone¡± replied Rain pointing to some grey-fleshed humanoids that were hairless with an elongated skull along with a nose less face and white empty eyes. Letting go of there horses Rain and Cloud take a defensive stance which was joined by Alisianna holding a bow that was familiar to Cloud as well. They engaged the creatures in battle and slicing one across the torso and turning to stab another in the head Rain backs up from the two and lobs a fireball between them, burning them to bubbling grey ooze.


    ¡°Well they can be killed¡± Rain said. Having Cloud strike on contact, his sword glows a white color followed by a ghostly blast that run through the creature¡¯s body killing it. Cloud turns to Dawn on her horse ¡°They¡¯re undead ¡°Cloud added and hearing the comment Dawn lifts her hand saying a word that causes yet another of the creatures to implode on itself, smiling she looks at Elanee who gave Dawn a confused look


    ¡°I can turn the undead being a priest but if I concentrate hard enough I can kill them one at a time¡± Dawn explains, having Dawn and Elanee stay on their horses Rain, Cloud and Alisianna fight another six creatures off to notice twelve more coming out of buildings and around corners of the town to their location.


    ¡°There is too many of them¡± said Cloud pulling up his green blooded sword out of a creature; backing up to the horses Cloud looks up at the sky.


    ¡°Too bad we don¡¯t have some sunlight it normally hurts creatures of the undead pretty well¡± he ends and swinging her head around to him Alisianna smirks, ¡°Well why didn¡¯t you say so¡± as her eyes start glowing a hazel color with vines coming from the ground anchoring themselves to the feet of the creatures, following does she part the cloud in the sky having an intense beam of sunlight strike upon the creatures burning them all to an oozing goop on the ground.


    ¡°Now that¡¯s sunburn¡± said Rain looking over at the druid ¡°Impressive¡± Cloud replies


    ¡°Thanks¡± Alisianna responded shifting her eyes again to normal.


    ¡°We should continue looking for why this has happened¡± replied Cloud


    ¡°Lets try the town scholar he would have the info we seek but they are generally located in the middle of town¡± responded Rain with a bad look on his face


    ¡°Of coarse it would be¡± Cloud said sarcastically and sheathing his sword they walk their horses to the middle of town.


    Reaching the building without incident the group looks in the town¡¯s library for any key as to why this has happened. While in the middle of that, a crash heard from the next room and running in there, first Cloud fends off the creature¡¯s unwelcome presence finally staring at the creature face to face Cloud lends his sword in to him killing it. Relieved everyone lowers their weapons except Cloud.


    ¡°You all right Cloud?¡± Rain asked and watching him turn around with a lifeless look on his face his falls dead weighted to the floor, Rain looks to Cloud¡¯s eyes that were turning bleach white. Running up beside him, Dawn and Alisianna check Cloud¡¯s body for wounds, finding none.


    ¡°He¡¯s dead!¡± Dawn said shaking while coming to a stand backing away.


    ¡°I don¡¯t think so Dawn just calm down if he has no markings of wounds then it must be some unnatural catatonic state¡± Rain said baring some worry and uncertainty


    ¡°For what purpose¡± Dawn bolted


    ¡°Until he changes into one of them¡± Added Alisianna


    ¡°Makes sense on how they would reproduce themselves so quickly, it looks like no one did leave the town, they¡¯re just those thingies¡± Rain concluded and nodding with agreeance they pull Cloud away from the window and into the next room. They spend the good portion of two hours combing through the journals and reports of what has transpired over the last two days, Rain was in a corner by himself when Elanee came over to check out the progress he was making.


    ¡°Any luck yet?¡± She asked him


    ¡°I¡¯m pretty sure that he was a necromancer but didn¡¯t tell anyone¡± Rain explained and having Elanee sit down by him she quickly giggled.


    ¡°Stuck with a comatose brother and three women as your only help it¡¯s miracle you haven¡¯t tried to kill your self yet¡±


    ¡°Believe me it¡¯s taking so much mental power just to stay in this room¡± Rain spoke with a straight face, ¡°You know it wouldn¡¯t kill you to show a little emotion for you brother in the state he¡¯s in; look at Dawn she is devastated over what has just happened¡± Elanee said staring at him; closing the book violently Rain looked at Elanee intensely.


    ¡°That is why I don¡¯t show emotion; Dawn has enough to deal with right now and it falls to me to be strong for her to get through this, so if you¡¯re done analyzing me I suggest you go find a book and help find a solution for the problem!¡± He said sternly


    ¡°I¡¯m going to see the elders quickly and see if there is a way they can help¡± said Alisianna and she took off into the woods out back through the door with Rain cautioning her to be careful.


    Waiting for hours to go by she finally returns baring news.


    ¡°Ok they¡¯re called Bodaks, your right Rain they¡¯re undead and are created by evil presence of death¡±


    ¡°Which means he must still be here, somewhere, (thinking for a minute Rain snaps his fingers) the town hall, it¡¯s the most defensive building here probably¡±


    ¡°Well the elders said that reversing the spell by saying it backwards will bring the curse to a close but the people already Bodaks will die there are no saving them. Cloud was infected because they have a gaze attack which the one used on Cloud being so close while killing it¡± Alisianna explained, Rain gets to his feet ¡°But we can save my brother though right?¡±


    ¡°YES; but there is one catch, to say the spell it has to come from someone with a fortified faith whatever that means¡±


    ¡°It means that Dawn will have to say it¡± Rain says walking to the door


    ¡°Where are you going?¡± Elanee asked


    ¡°I¡¯m going to get his spell book, we need it¡± Rain said


    ¡°You can¡¯t go alone Rain¡± Alisianna said


    ¡°I¡¯ll go with you¡± piped up Elanee


    ¡°And what are you going to do?¡± Rain expressed with a sarcastic look


    ¡°I can fight Rain, just not very well but you or Alisianna should stay here with Dawn to give Cloud solid protection¡±.


    ¡°Well I can¡¯t say that I can argue with that¡­¡­.ok fine but stay close to me ok¡± and nodding her head they race off.


    Sitting with Cloud for a while longer both start to notice that Cloud¡¯s skin is turning more grayish with a transparent tinge.


    ¡°I hope they hurry up¡± Dawn tiredly says


    ¡°They will, I can see it in your brothers eyes he won¡¯t fail you Dawn he¡¯ll bring back your brother¡± Alisianna said smiling placing a damp cloth to Cloud¡¯s forehead.


    Two Bodaks fall dead victim to an arrow made of acid one in each of their heads, Rain picks himself up out of a pile of wooden rubble he was launched into by the sheer zombie strength of the Bodaks ¡°That should be the last of the guards¡± said Rain dusting himself off


    ¡°Are you ok that was one hell of a hit you took¡± Elanee said worried


    ¡°I¡¯m fine let¡¯s just get that book¡± and entering the building they creped up to the second level to find the necromancer mixing a potion.


    ¡°Ok¡± Rain whispers ¡°Lets be smart about this¡± and nodding her head she grabs Rain sword and walks out in to the open stating that he will pay for what he has done. Looking up startled the Necromancer lobs an energy bolt at her; Rain runs to grab Elanee dodging the bolt at her head and out of the way. Squeezing her up between the wall of the building and himself he bolts quickly ¡°NOT THE PLAN I HAD IN MIND!¡±


    ¡°Trust me if I wanted to be this close to you I would¡¯ve taken my clothes off¡± Elanee snapped


    ¡°That would only accomplish me running off the realms land mass¡± said Rain combating by tossing spells back at the mage, smashing the vials he had on the table.


    ¡°Well nothing else would have worked, he would have seen us anyway¡± she snapped again.


    ¡°Here keep my sword, I have an idea¡± Rain stated creating stone again upon his skin, Rain bolts towards the mage. Looking up shooting another bolt the necromancer strikes Rain¡¯s center chest sending him toward a wall, the mage then walked over and grabbed Rain tossing him into and through the table he was working on. Rain staggering to his feet looked up only to see a force bolt spell drilling him again and Elanee covers her eyes at the sight of Rain being air born into the wall.


    ¡°Did you really think you would stop me¡± the mage snapped laughing watching Rain slam to the ground again from bouncing off the wall side. The Necromancer moved to grip Rain¡¯s stone figure and with a strength power casted upon himself he raises Rain into the air, jolting Rain¡¯s hanging body with lightning.


    ¡°You pathetic little Drow, once I lower your stone skin your life is over, this was pointless, your shitty attempt to end me was ill conceived¡± the Necromancer mono-logged to him. Rain looked with a hidden smile seeing Elanee behind the Necromancer tightening her small hands to Rain¡¯s blade.


    ¡°First it wasn¡¯t my shitty idea, and second I wasn¡¯t the one that was going to end you¡­she is¡± Rain comments holding his focus while nodding to Elanee, the Necromancer spins around half seeing the nod of Rain¡¯s head just as Elanee made her sword stab. She thrusts it into his stomach piercing through hitting Rain¡¯s rocky gut; the mage fell dead against Rain¡¯s body and asking her to pull out the blade did the mage slide dead to the floor.


    ¡°Oh my god I¡¯m sorry¡± she said unstitching the blade from his rock like chest


    ¡°That¡¯s ok I knew you wouldn¡¯t hesitate to stab me a least once today¡± He said running over and grabbing the book.


    ¡°You know Rain it¡¯s not like a hate you or anything but you piss me off sometimes with your arrogance¡± she barked


    ¡°I know that¡¯s why I knew that this plan would work¡± he said leaving in front of her to the exit, and following him she rolled her eyes with frustration.


    Getting back to the building Rain shows the others that he has the book he throws it toward them and getting it off the ground Dawn turns and is startled by Cloud getting up of the floor, about to hit her Cloud raises his grayish claw-like arm and is about to swing when Rain smashes into him from the side knocking them both on to the floor and turning around Rain bolts ¡°Find the spell he¡¯s starting to change!¡±


    ¡°He has some memory Rain try talking him back¡± Alisianna shouted


    And being thrown in to a wall but still protected by the stone skin spell Rain gets up.


    ¡°Cloud listen to me this isn¡¯t you, you have to fight this¡± dodging an attack he continues ¡°Cloud I¡¯m your brother were trying to help you¡­.ahh!¡± Rain end while being pounded into the wall having debris flutter to the air, getting away from him and turning around behind him Rain looks at the girls ¡°Have you found it yet?¡±


    ¡°Not yet¡± said Dawn


    ¡°Well take your time I¡¯ve got all day, oh and I don¡¯t think the talking thing is working very good¡±


    ¡°Just keep trying Rain¡± Alisianna insisted and looking back at Cloud whose eyes were now an empty white Rain is hit again and blown through a table. Dusting himself off he yells to Cloud ¡°Cloud don¡¯t do this you made an oath to our parents remember, (Cloud stops for a moment to listen) you made an oath to protect us ¡­.Dawn and me from everything you could¡± standing still and going through a seizure state standing up right Cloud tries to fight the curse. He came out of it for a few seconds only to fall again back to it¡¯s submission with gathering strength Cloud pummels Rain into the roof of the building with one blow flipping Rain in the air landing face first down on the floor dead weighted.


    ¡°He¡¯s to far gone¡± Alisianna said


    ¡°Ah! I found it¡± Dawn said excitedly ¡°Just a few more seconds Rain¡± Dawn asked and getting to his feet again coughing while whipping his mouth covered in blood he repeats ¡°Take your time, I got all day¡± Rain lashed out with sarcasm but looking at his hand after whipping the blood reveled Rain going back to normal skin, he looks up at Cloud holding a worried look ¡°Uh maybe not ladies¡± Rain said backing up slow to evade his brother. Getting knocked to the floor and pinned down by Cloud, Rain hears in the back ground Dawn chanting the spell ¡°READ FAST SISTER!¡± Rains groans fighting off Cloud¡¯s claws, Dawn finishes and is surprised to see no change in Cloud¡¯s state.


    ¡°What happened?¡± Cried Rain still pinned fighting Cloud¡¯s claws from reaching his face, ¡°Nothing¡± said Dawn ¡°He¡¯s gone¡± she cried to a frozen gaze fixed to her brother¡¯s


    ¡°No he would have died¡± Elanee added ¡°Right¡±


    ¡°Right, something went wrong¡± Alisianna thought


    ¡°Well I¡¯m so glade you have time to debate this¡­.AHHHH! (closing his eyes) do something and do something fast his trying to gaze me¡±


    The girls think for a second and Elanee gets an idea ¡°Wait Fortified faith, means a priest with full trust¡± and looking with a confused look the two girls look at Elanee and not having time to explain Elanee grabs Dawn¡¯s hand and starts channeling her power through her own body. Picking up the book Elanee tries the inscription herself and with a moment after the spell is cast Cloud returns to his form, but returns on top of Rain and naked. Dawn get to her feet followed by the other two girl who are engrossed by the sight of Cloud, gasping as well as closing her eyes Dawn lifts her hands to cover the eyes of Elanee and Alisianna and leads the girls out of the room. Smiling for a moment until realizing that he¡¯s naked Rain scampers to his feet saying ¡°Whoa man ...Damn why you naked¡­Ah don¡¯t matter your back and that¡¯s all that matters¡± taking of his cape and covering his brother¡¯s body, Cloud hugs Rain saying thanks for everything he did and keeping Dawn¡¯s hope in tacked, Cloud explains he could hear everything that was going on but couldn¡¯t control anything that was happening. Finding his armor which they took off while treating him, Cloud redresses and goes out to see the girls holding a look as if to still imagine him with nothing on, all but his sister who seemed to be in a world of puzzlement.


    ¡°I don¡¯t get it, why didn¡¯t it work when I cast the spell?¡± Dawn questioned


    ¡°Because of what I did to John¡­.uh guys could you give me a moment with Dawn¡± Rain, Elanee and Alisianna nodded and went off by themselves.


    ¡°I know what you did Cloud but that doesn¡¯t mean I wanted you to die¡± Dawn said


    ¡°At one point in time you wanted it¡±


    ¡°Cloud that¡¯s not fair, my mind was clearly on trying to get you back to life¡± she protested


    ¡°But your heart wasn¡¯t, deep down you still blame me for what happened and that¡¯s ok, you said it your self that it would take time¡± Cloud said coming close to her to hold her hand


    ¡°But I never wanted to kill you, I wanted to save you¡± Dawn sobbed


    ¡°I know Dawn, I just hope you will be able to forgive me¡± Cloud pleaded


    ¡°Today has shown me that I can¡¯t hold a grudge for ever, but it also gave me the courage to say this, you protect us from everything Cloud including stuff you haven¡¯t experienced yourself and you¡¯re going to have to let us make some mistakes¡± Dawn said


    ¡°So I¡¯m just supposed to let you fall and fail¡± Cloud sternly said


    ¡°In order for us to learn as well as you will, you have to trust us too Cloud like today¡± She said and taking a long pause he turned to her face again and smiled.


    ¡°OK, I¡¯ll do better to stay back more and watch, but if I know you¡¯re heading down a dark path I¡¯m going to intervene¡±


    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t want it any other way Cloud¡± Dawn said hugging him tight


    ¡°So were good¡± Cloud asked


    ¡°Better than that, where great¡± Dawn smiled back and they got up to meet the rest


    ¡°So you staying with us now that your exposed¡± Cloud asked Alisianna


    ¡°No I better head back to the elders to tell them what has happened, I¡¯ll be watching you guys¡± She smiled walking away into the woods


    ¡°Don¡¯t be a shadow next time, walk with us not around us¡± Rain said


    ¡°I will¡± she replied and disappeared into a tree.


    ¡°Man natural magic is creepy,¡± Elanee said and they got upon their horses and headed back to Silverspire.

 Chapter 8

    Giggling as the young daughter to an elder at the druid enclave was conversing with her bodyguard Brook, did the shadow of an evil creep upon them. Being escorted with her guards on a hunting endeavourer did the hawk of her bodyguard ranger fly to his shoulder. Katie was talking about cooking fish with certain spices using hand gestures when her words were halted by Brooks hand upon a final cooing of his hawk.


    ¡°Brook what is it?¡± Katie asked but he said nothing, unsheathing his blade did he give a silent command for his men to fan out, some rose upon the trees staging there bows to the ready and the rest drew their blades and scanned the brush line. ¡°Brook!¡± she said again worried when the cry of pain was heard by a ranger from his flank.


    ¡°It¡¯s an ambush¡­Droknor¡¯s!¡± cried out a ranger to his clan member¡¯s aid,


    ¡°Defend Katie, defensive perimeter now¡± Brook ordered as he summoned a shield made from bark to his side arm hand.


    Returning from Silverspire Alisianna hears the sounds of vicious battle in the depths of her woods, echoing to her ears was the druid language she knew well and snapping on twigs in her path, she bolts to its location. The sounds of blades colliding and violent explosions of spells indicated a heavy war party and the only thing out there she knew was a hunting group and a boarder patrol group; none of which could handle such an attack.


    As she grew closer to the sounds they rapidly decreased in loudness and for some would it indicate that the battle was moving but she knew better of the worsened implication that it wasn¡¯t moving, it was ending. Sifting through the bushes she heard the battle sound come to a close but not before a violent scream from a young girl was echoed through the trees shuttering to her very skeleton. She arrived to the sight only to be horrified by a sight that spun her head, she took a breath and turned again slow to see the devastation that laid before her; bodies of her clan numbering twelve lay lifeless on the dirt floor. Mangled they were and impaled by throwing axes and thick fashioned crossbow bolts but some baring the insignia of the dreaded mage Drakon. Placed on the shafts of his conjured bone spears that would¡¯ve been summoned by his dark black magic were they driven through some of the bodies in the worst ways ever displayed. Alisianna scanned the grounds but was puzzled by the missing body of the girl she heard screaming, hearing the sudden moaning of a man she looked to one moving ever so slowly lying in a puddle of blood, she came to his aid and going to a kneel placed his upper torso to her legs.


    ¡°Brook¡± Alisianna wept glancing to his mortally wounded state


    ¡°Alisianna¡± Brook said in a broke and quivering voice, his body was beaten and his skin grew colder the longer she was with him.


    ¡°What happened, where¡¯s Katie?¡±


    ¡°Taken by Drakon, we were ambushed¡± Brook said coughing up blood to his mouth,


    ¡°You need curing you must get back to the Enclave¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s too late for me Alisianna, listen to me you must find Katie; Drakon wishes to know the route where the Soulguard clan is going on to pass his sight and took her for leverage to force the clan to reveal them¡±


    ¡°What did you tell them Brook?¡±


    ¡°Nothing, not even when Drakon cut the tongue of Keith to sway me¡­¡±


    ¡°Brook stay with me¡± Alisianna said tapping the side of his cheek while applying pressure to the wound in his gut.


    ¡°Alise they plan to kill Katie by suns end, find her Alise¡­promise me you¡¯ll find her¡±


    ¡°I promise but we need to get you¡­Brook¡­BROOK!¡± she said watching his head go limp in her arms she cradled him to, ¡°I don¡¯t know where she is Brook¡± Alise wept to his corpse.


    ¡°Maybe I can aid you there¡± said a voice in a ghostly tone riding the very winds,


    ¡°Who are you, where are you¡± Alisianna barked looking around.


    ¡°Just a messenger with a message, to find Drakon is easy for he means not to remain hidden, follow the rocky path south until the marsh hills and he dwells in the second mining entrance on the right side, got it!¡±


    ¡°How can I trust your words?¡± Alisianna said listening to center his location. The voice only replied with a hideous laughter to her statement and dissipated to the air with a haunting feeling left to her. She looked again to the carnage left only to see two Droknor dead amongst the rest; the attack was well planed and executed. Alisianna knew the enclave was too far to reach with the time she was given by Drakon¡¯s deadline but her new found friends might be her only hope, for she alone couldn¡¯t pull off the rescue. Saying a prayer to the dead and Brook for it was all she had time for, Alisianna traced back her trail to Silverspire in a motion no less than a full run.


    As she sat in the chair in the middle of the room, Katie stared calmly at the only door to her dingy lit room. Infested with rats that scurried along the cavern wall side she saw the two dwarven guards who held no emotion from her suffering. Bowing her head she looked to the blood splattered upon her leather vest that was not her own and closing her eyes she tried to lose the recurring nightmare that happened just a short time ago. After the call of danger she felt the strong arm of Brook forcing her to her knees and out of the way of the bolts and spells; she was trained in the art of the druids but only had the first initial year under her mind and such a limited skill wouldn¡¯t have aided the battle she was in. Katie admired and awed at her guardian¡¯s skill at defending her name and life as his shield and blade deflected all that came their way¡­until the impact of the bone spear struck his back, her bloodcurdling scream echoed throughout her head as the blood sprayed from Brook¡¯s gut to her face and clothes like a pail of water. Both fear and panic boiled to her surface as Brook¡¯s final protective moments landed his body on top of hers as a last attempt to hold her safe.


    Being jolted from her day dream of the hellish recall did the sharp screeching sound of the steel door grind to her ears as Drakon opened the door to her chamber. He walked to her with a pompous sway in his stride and coming to her front Drakon only glanced down at her terrorized figure.


    Striking her right cheek side with a swift and solid backhand Katie bite her tongue from the force of the blow, and shifting her head back with a violent tug on her blood soaked long pony tail Drakon gazed to her frightful eyes.


    ¡°Do you know why you have been taken child?¡± Drakon said staring at her, his putrid stink of death and dried blood were almost too much for her nose to bare and from his look she knew that his appearance mattered not at this point. Looking to him as strong as she could she held a scorned stare back, curling her bloodied tongue to fill her mouth Katie spat what blood she could gather at the mages cloak and neck.


    ¡°They will tell you nothing Drow pig!¡± she harped to his face, but he only looked to her with a sinister curl to his lips and moving his arm to reef again on her hair was he granted a weep from her voice as the pain from the yank rang a sting from the nerves of her scalp.


    ¡°Don¡¯t be so stubborn in strength to dictate the iron will of your so called druid clan; having one of their precious own on the execution table is far greater a sway of such information¡± Drakon spat to her face as he released her hair, he backed off and snapped his finger to have one guard bring to her feet a bucket of water and lifting her bound legs did they get submerged, Drakon raised his arm charging a spark of electricity to his hand and seeing the bright arching flowing through his hand Katie took a deep breath to calm herself. ¡°Now lets see what you have held in that mind of yours¡± he chuckled with a devilish tone as Katie watched his hand making a slow advance nearing to her chest.


    Racing to the front gate Alisianna yells out, ¡°Guards I need to speak with Captain Cloud, its urgent!¡±


    ¡°He is in the temple recovering Miss¡±


    ¡°Where¡¯s Rain, his brother?¡± she responded fast


    ¡°Miss we need to clear you first by the gate master, hang on¡± Said the one guard as he left the arch top. She knew time wasn¡¯t on her side and looking to the trees did she take a look through the portcullis to the tree in the yard of the temple. ¡°Maple!¡± she said and looking to the woods did she run off into the brush, the guards watched her takes some slow steps to a tree close by the brush line and stepping into it they watch her disappear. She emerged through it by a tree in the yard and smirking for she had past the gate and then run into the temple.


    ¡°Alisianna¡± Said Dawn seeing her entry and seeing her look on her face, she asked what was wrong. Alisianna told about the attack of her hunting party and how the assault was brought on by Drakon wishing to know the location of the Drow from their Clan as well as saying that Drakon had taken one of the elder¡¯s daughters for ransom.


    ¡°Drakon¡± Dawn sparked out with Alisianna nodding


    ¡°How far is the site you said they took her¡± Asked Rain with Dawn giving him a look. She told them the trail pass and sitting up from listening to the conversation Cloud says out, ¡°The horse master will have some fresh horses to take us there; we can be there easily under the time given¡±


    ¡°Guys this is Drakon, the man who beat our uncle, the Captain of our guards¡± Dawn protested.


    ¡°He did a surprise attack Dawn, our uncle wasn¡¯t prepared¡± Rain said back


    ¡°He is beyond our skill of handling and you know that, why are you all of the sudden able to take on such power when a pair of wagon wheel sized boobs asks you to¡±


    ¡°Excess me¡± Barked Alisianna offended in a huff,


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry Alisianna I mean no disrespect¡± Dawn calms ¡°But seriously in the short time you have been with my brothers I don¡¯t think they even know you have a face¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re not pigs Dawn we know she has a head!¡± Cloud harped out to her ¡°She has aided us in trouble and has spend a portion of her time keeping us away and hidden from Drakon and his forces, we owe her this¡± Cloud argued


    ¡°Well go then, toss away your lives¡± Dawn said folding her arms no going to move


    ¡°Please will you come with us Dawn¡± Rain asked softly ¡°We need your skills, I promise we¡¯ll avoid the mage at all costs, he can¡¯t watch the girl forever ¡­you have my word that we¡¯ll get in and out with as little confrontation as we can¡± Rain says and looking to his comforting sight Alisianna held a smirk to him.


    ¡°Fine¡± Dawn heaped giving in to the cunning of her brother¡¯s gentle speech and getting ready the group sets out, at the gate way to leave the city Elanee catches wind of the mission and wished to join, and against Rain protests was she welcomed along.


    They set out hard riding fast through the woodland trails but as the over growth grew too much for the horses to keep their hastened pace they slowed to a gallop.


    ¡°Your pretty good on a horse¡± Cloud complimented Alise as she rode along side him on his right and Rain taking up her company on the left,


    ¡°You too¡± she said back


    ¡°Yeah after falling off his horse till he was twelve he finally learned to stay on it¡± Rain piped getting a chuckle from her lips,


    ¡°And you no better with your skills brother, in his youth he was unable to cast a fireball with out burning his clothes off his body¡±


    ¡°Hey I only did that twice¡±


    ¡°Once at the town founding festival while dancing with mother¡± Cloud laughed out with Alisianna joining in the chuckle and Rain gets embarrassed. The brothers continued back and forth talking to Alisianna and asking the young druidess about her life and training, and through the conversation did Dawn and Elanee hold their own with Dawn growing a look to her face; Elanee could see that the brothers actions were getting to her and leaning close Elanee whispers ¡°Like a couple of dogs in heat eh?¡±


    ¡°They¡¯re embarrassing, I have never seen them like this for one girl¡­and Rain...I mean she¡¯s a nymph I know but she¡¯s not that pretty, is she?¡±


    ¡°Dawn she¡¯s a nymph, rarely do they make them ugly and pretty are you kidding, I¡¯m a girl and I¡¯m attracted¡± Elanee added ¡°I¡¯m just waiting for Rain¡¯s untimely humble attitude to kick in¡± Elanee says again.


    ¡°You may by waiting a while he has a thing with big boobs¡± Dawn said getting Elanee to look down to her own chest, ¡°No wonder he¡¯s holds dislike to me¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it¡± Dawn said and then she leaned to Elanee ¡°my uncle said until he was three Rain was breast feed, he said he didn¡¯t need it but my mother told him she thought he just liked the big nipples¡± Dawn ended as Elanee held her mouth shut to keep from laughing aloud.


    As they grew close upon the entrance Alisianna grew nervous and worried, ¡°Don¡¯t worry Druidess we¡¯ll find her, Rain looked to the two with a disgruntled digression for he knew she had been talking to Cloud more then himself.


    ¡°Never fails with women¡± Rain mumbled softly


    ¡°What¡± asked Cloud not hearing him


    ¡°Nothing, just talking out loud¡± Rain covered,


    Dismounting to the east of the entrance the group looked to the two guards in the brush line, Cloud drew his blade and Rain whispered to him ¡°Better not miss or they¡¯ll have reinforcements all over the place¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll take them out¡± Alisianna said and controlling the bushes to the west grasping the Droknor¡¯s attention, wondering over to them Alisianna¡¯s eyes went hazel and the vines gripped tight strangling the dark dwarfs to a slow uneasy death.


    ¡°Natural magic is creepy¡± Dawn said emerging to examine the bodies to confirm death,


    ¡°I find it interesting¡± Rain spoke out


    ¡°I bet you do¡± Elanee said behind him as she went past to follow Cloud as he drew his blade leading the way into the mine. They took to the darkness with stealth and caution into the tunnel, and avoiding the Droknor guards with time elapsing along they came to a break in the path forking off two ways.


    ¡°Should we split?¡± Asked Rain


    ¡°We can stay more covert if we do¡± Cloud added


    ¡°I¡¯ll take Dawn and go left you three go straight ¡°Rain said


    ¡°No wait Rain you go with Elanee and Alisianna, I¡¯ll take Dawn with me¡±


    ¡°Why?¡± Rain inquired as he knew Cloud lusted for Alisianna as much as he did,


    ¡°Because I need to be close to do damage and you don¡¯t¡± Cloud said back


    ¡°Hello they¡¯re dwarves Cloud kind of immune to magic remember¡± Rain batted back


    ¡°You think quickly of your feet Rain I¡¯m sure we¡¯ll be fine¡± Alisianna complimented to him smiling and having to agreeing for he knew she was right did they proceed with the spilt.


    As Dawn and Cloud headed down their way was the Droknor presence everywhere. Hiding in shade and around cave growth wherever possible, they finally reach a door made of new oak. With the half moon arch to the top did it hold a barred window, looking like a holding cell. Dawn notices it and calls quietly to Cloud, but with no response did she see him looking into another room, Cloud witnesses a bloodied young women with green leaves in her long red hair being interrogated by a Droknor with others watching.


    ¡°Cloud, come here¡± She whispered


    ¡°What is it Dawn¡± he said


    ¡°I think there is someone in here¡± she added and grabbing the bars she receives a jolt of fire that burns her. ¡°Owww!¡± she bursts out loudly and quickly running to grab her Cloud hides both of them behind some spiked cavern growth as the door opens with two Droknor appearing to scan the area, ¡°You see anything¡± one asked, Cloud and Dawn remain still and silent.


    ¡°Nope, how about you?¡± the other replies


    ¡°Nah nothing lets go back to the druid whore, Drakon said not to leave her alone for too long¡± and searching for a couple minuets and having Cloud and Dawn keep absolutely still the Droknor¡¯s come up empty and go back into the room.


    ¡°Damn it I thought I said don¡¯t touch anything¡± Cloud yelled whispering, and letting her go roughly she brushes off some dirt from her clothes saying ¡°Well I didn¡¯t think the bars would have been protected too!¡±The author''s content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    ¡°This is Drakon were dealing with and he probably has the whole place trapped so be careful¡± Cloud said


    ¡°I was the first time you said it¡± Dawn spouted


    ¡°Then be more careful ok¡± he repeated


    Walking in soft motion with Rain in the lead, Alisianna and Elanee come to a hairpin turn around the cavern wall, walking into an open area they hear two voices having a heated conversation, finding a spot concealed they squat down still to listen.


    ¡°So what was so pressing for you to tell me Drakon¡± Colossus says appearing in thin air behind him giving Drakon a scare


    ¡°My lord I have a means to what you wished of me, a druid girl I hold in my grasp should aid me in the ritual for the wilderness power for the sight to all the woods in the area, they won¡¯t hide from me no longer¡± Drakon said getting a grin from the Bull


    ¡°That¡¯s good to hear Drakon, how long will it take?¡± Colossus asked


    ¡°Till nightfall I need to prep the spell, I told the girl she¡¯s to be traded by her clan¡±


    ¡°Did she believe you¡± questioned Colossus


    ¡°Of course and also has a development of word approach me of some Drow at the Silverspire city¡­three children Milord, could they be whom you seek?¡±


    ¡°That is obscured that they would be here, they are under constant guard and some protection from their clan preventing me from¡­unless¡­¡± Colossus speculates


    ¡°Unless my Lord?¡± Drakon says inquiring


    ¡°Unless they have a charm of some sort that is mobile to protect them wherever they are, which would mean that the best way to keep them safe is to hide them where no one of there clan is with them, a human city because the best way to find them is to track their clan and follow their movements¡± Colossus hypothesized with deep contemplation.


    ¡°I won¡¯t test this theory on a whim, you find out for sure if the Drow children are the ones and if they are, kill them and bring me their heads¡± Colossus ordered shimmering away but stops at a question of Drakon¡¯s.


    ¡°My lord don¡¯t you want the honor of killing them?¡± Drakon asks


    ¡°I cannot be swayed from my plan especially for vengeance and with the Grim tracking my movements here as we speak I can¡¯t afford to be seen here long, kill the intruders you have in your cave and follow the Bloodhawk trail¡± he concludes and shimmers out


    ¡°Guards, check on our guest and make sure we don¡¯t have any more; Logan Silas would be so disappointed if I were to not have his greatest pain in the ass in a cell block¡± Drakon ordered and moved past the ones hidden to check on the druid girl.


    The three get up from hiding and Alisianna says ¡°We have to find Dawn and Cloud, Elanee agrees and they start to head out when they stop.


    ¡°Rain you coming¡± Alisianna says


    ¡°Rain you ok?¡± Question Elanee


    ¡°It was him¡± Rain stated not moving from his spot ¡°Him who?¡± spoke Alisianna who came back, ¡°Colossus¡± replied Rain ¡°It was him, I haven¡¯t heard that voice in sixteen years but I have never forgotten it¡±


    ¡°Rain there is nothing we can do about him right now we couldn¡¯t take him anyway¡± Elanee said touching Rain¡¯s shoulder and just in a cold induced trance focused on the figure did he finally look to Elanee nodding for she was right, he was too strong for any of them to take on.


    Rain found a closed door and in an attempt to open it his hand is stopped by an invisible barrier, ¡°I can¡¯t get to the handle to open it¡±. Alisianna tried with the same effect,


    ¡°Ok guys let me try something¡± Elanee said and going up to the wall by the door she touches it to see if it was shielded too, having nothing happen she touches it and closes her eyes, her eye lids glow a bright red and she speaks ¡°There is treasure in the room as well as potions and ..Oh my god...mage boots¡­he has a pair of mage boots¡± she replies excited


    ¡°Yeah so¡± Rain replies


    ¡°So I¡¯ve wanted a pair forever and they are extremely hard to come by¡±


    ¡°Is the druid in there?¡± questioned Alisianna


    ¡°No, sorry¡± replied Elanee with her eyes back normal


    ¡°How did you do that?¡± responded Rain


    ¡°It is an extension of my sight sense, I can transcend my vision into another room through a wall that I¡¯m on the other side of¡± Elanee explains, just after her explanation a group of Droknor guards come in through the entrance of the room and draw weapons.


    ¡°Keep Elanee between us Alisianna¡± Rain says drawing his sword


    ¡°Why don¡¯t you use your powers Rain¡± asked Elanee


    ¡°Droknor are mostly resistant to magic, having a spell hit them would cause barely any damage if any¡± Rain says and Alisianna draws her bow and with two arrows she takes down the first of four. Rain runs up and engages two of them while Alisianna blocked the Droknor¡¯s axe swings with her bow and moving around behind him she slowly chokes the last one with the string. Alisianna turns to see Rain being held by a dwarf and about to be cleaved in two by the second, shooting the axe baring one in the back of the head he falls and distracted by the death of him. Rain breaks out of the hold and stabs the other. He gets up grabbing his leg which has been gashed by an axe hit, Alisianna comes over with Elanee in pursuit and leans over to his leg putting her hand on it and with healing light seals the cut, Rain looking at the large cleavage exposing from her leather top says ¡°Impressive, I¡­I didn¡¯t know you could heal¡±


    ¡°Druids have some healing power but no where near what your sister can do,¡± she said


    ¡°I think you healed me just fine,¡± Rain said with a grin on his face.


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter what race, men are all the same¡± Elanee says shaking her head at Rain¡¯s rude staring gesture as she moves past them to find Cloud and Dawn.


    Blood drips fast off the blade of Clouds sword that lets the last of the dwarven guards fall to the ground after he and Dawn ambushed them while eating. Dawn and Cloud come to the side of Katie and Dawn almost cries at the sight she was in, her wrists and ankles were burned bad from the electrical shocks and her jaw had been broken from the slugs and slaps to the face, she was bruised almost everywhere and healing her as best as she could as Cloud stood watch.


    ¡°Are you ok?¡± asked Cloud as he untied the druidess,


    ¡°I¡¯m ok but we should go quickly he doesn¡¯t leave me alone for long, he¡¯ll be back¡± Katie swiftly said


    ¡°Good memory, and here I thought you knew nothing?¡± Drakon said laughingly appearing at the door, standing in front of the druidess Dawn and Cloud draw there weapons and stand to face him, ¡°Drakon¡± Cloud says staring at him ¡°Ah I see you do know me, so nice to see my essence has touched your home¡± Drakon says laughing, ¡°Soulguard was my home, is my home¡± Cloud responds drawing his blade at him, ¡°Oh! Really oh I do definitely feel your pain¡­that place was a dump¡± Drakon said summoning a ball of flame to his hand, ¡°You will now share that pain as I burn it to you¡± Cloud says pointing the blade at him and looking in a odd eye cock did Drakon see Dawn aiding the druid girl to her feet and away from the midst of the room.


    ¡°Ah,Ah,Ah¡± Drakon said waving his finger ¡°I¡¯m not done with her yet, and as for you¡± Drakon ended firing his fireball spell at Cloud. Bracing it with a block the fireball pounded into Cloud who deflected it to the wall blasting the hardened rock to pebbles while knocking his sword from his hands. Cloud tossed a stunned look to the Drow mage that now held a smirk ¡°Not your everyday garden variety mage am I¡± and summoning another ball to his hand did he toss to the cowering girls an evil grin ¡°Now I¡¯ll show you why---Ahh!¡± Drakon blurted as his flame was extinguished by the rupture of impact to his back; he turned as he fell to see Rain with Elanee and Alise at his side and noticed Rain¡¯s hand was smoking from the spell that hit him, getting to his feet Drakon dusts off his cloak and cocked his head cracking his neck.


    ¡°Well that was rude¡± Drakon said waving his hand to the air to make an alarm sound and following it was the sound of dwarven feet, ¡°Droknor¡± Cloud said gripping his blade again to his hands, ¡°Dawn get the druid girl out of here, Alisianna see them out safely¡± Cloud instructed and Alisianna nodded. Turning to go Elanee hears the sudden yell of a male in a cell.


    ¡°Help me please, I can fight, I can help you¡± she peered inside to see a young male of unknown age housing reddish amber eyes, short jet black hair and small red tinged horns on his skull. He was dressed in ninja like wears wrapped all over him and chains dangled to his arms and legs. ¡°Elanee we have to go now!¡± called out from Dawn with Alisianna taking point of defense and summoning flame to her blade Alisianna readied herself by having her skin change to hardened bark upon her body. The sound of guards grew louder to Elanee¡¯s ears and in a snap thought Elanee acts,


    ¡°Take my hand quick¡± Elanee called extending it through the bars


    ¡°Careful don¡¯t touch the bars¡± Dawn warned seeing her reach for the male as she equipped her staff, the rouge shifted his hand jiggling the chain to touch her hands and with a connection did she tell him to concentrate on how to get out of here. He did and using his thoughts and skill temporarily she pulled the dagger she had to the key hole, saying words in the rouges demonic tongue did the door open up, neat said the prisoner and still touching him Elanee then picks the lock to his chains.


    Blades clang together and lifting her head Elanee saw Alisianna fighting the first wave of the guards, she was good and quick even in the tight spaces of the mines and wriggling free of the bunched up chain¡¯s the rouge grips the blade Elanee had on her belt, pulling the short sword rushing out the door leaping to the air over Elanee¡¯s figure. Alisianna turned around in a block the spear-tossed sword that flew past Alisianna¡¯s head to impale between the eyes a dark dwarf about to cleave Alisianna¡¯s head in two. He lands by her pulling out the blade fast from the dead dwarf and looking to her the girls notice whipping marks to his back, Elanee still in the cell was still getting over the images she saw about the rouge and his life before this lock up, he was a high end assassin but flipped when something went wrong, he held good to his heart and peace to his soul which have guided him to this marking point by the Nod group¡­for in his past she saw did he used to be one of them.


    Dawn, Elanee and the druid girl watched as the rouge moved with stealth and massive speed having almost every hit he made a vital one causing immediate death, and with his agility unmatched here the male captive battles freely without even getting hit once.


    Circling the evil mage the brothers heard the commotion out side the door but didn¡¯t let it bother them, Rain readied a light ball to his hand and Drakon¡¯s hand gestured him to act, Rain fired it off and Drakon simply placed up his hand extinguishing the ball effortlessly. Rain looked with shock at evasion seeing Drakon grin replying ¡°My turn¡±.


    Drakon fired a shot hitting Rain hard with a blue flamed skull rocketing at him, hitting his torso it launched Rain into the air and brought him down through a table in the room.


    ¡°Rain!¡± sparked Alisianna looking back when it happened. Cloud glared at the mage with heat rising to his arms and looking at him Drakon waves him on ¡°Your turn¡± Drakon taunted bringing Cloud bolting towards him in a charge, Drakon remained still but put up his arm as Cloud swung at him; the blade connected with a sound like hitting rock and not dismembering him Drakon grips the blades end with his bare hand still not injuring himself, Drakon drilled Cloud to the stomach with his free hand and letting go of the weapon did a spin kick follow driving Cloud¡¯s body to the ground, ¡°Ha, this is pathetic, this is what Colossus was afraid of, there¡¯s nothing here to fear¡± Drakon said walking to Rain¡¯s location, he picked Rain to his feet and slammed him against the side of the wall hard, having arks run to his hands Drakon drives jolt of jolt into Rain as he squirmed helpless to the mage¡¯s evilness.


    Drakon watched as the life slowly drained from Rain¡¯s body causing blood to trickle from his nose and mouth, a sudden tick sound hit his head hard and Drakon turn his neck just to see a second drive down by Cloud¡¯s blade upon his head, the hit made Drakon roll his eyes and as the third hit came to hit Drakon stopped the strike with a hand, he drove a spark into Cloud who shuttered at the feeling and tugging him close Drakon deep throated gritting ¡°Wait your turn¡±. Then with a thrust backward he used force magic waving off a thrust causing Cloud to fly into the air pounding to the wall on the other side. Turning his head back to face Rain who was half past dead and exhausted beyond belief Drakon grinned, ¡°Now where were we, oh yes your untimely death and with it my rise to power¡± and summoning again the lightning to his hands nothing happened. He did it again and still nothing came around, Drakon held a puzzled look of wonder when a voice behind him said, ¡°Lose something¡± and spinning his head Drakon saw Elanee grasping his cloak and along with it his lightning that arced through her hand, ¡°You have some nice powers, let¡¯s see how you like them¡±. She ended with passing a jolt through his body making him cringe. His hold to Rain was gone as Rain fell hard to the ground coughing and choking with his cloak still smoking from the electrified heat, ¡°You little, Ahh!¡± Drakon cried out again as Elanee ran another voltage through his body and spinning him to the middle of the room Elanee hovers his body to the air only extending him as far as she could hold the cloak stretched. Then waving her hand Elanee force pushed Drakon across the room as he did to Cloud, having Drakon slam into the wall opposite the door, sliding down hard Drakon scrambled to his feet summoning anything to his hand to see if power still flowed through him, as it did Drakon smiled an evil scorn looking up ¡°Bitch you¡¯ll pay for¡­¡±


    Drakon stopped as the bodies to the room became many, the Rouge, Dawn, Katie and Cloud blocked his way from leaving the room with their weapons drawn, Elanee and Alisianna went to Rain¡¯s aid getting him to his feet again and counting the powers he was up against he knew his defeat could come around. Drakon cut the air with a scissor hand gesture blasting with an invisible force the four in his way against the walls then bolted to a run out of the room.


    ¡°This isn¡¯t over, not for me but I see you like to work as a group on things, great for you cause now you get to be buried as one as well¡± he ended with a evil chuckle as he ran down the bloodied dwarven bodies that littered the hallway, touching each support beam as he past it did Drakon cause it to disintegrate in the middle and as he applied the spell to more and more of them did the roof above start to shake and shudder. They felt soil and stones fall from above and Alisianna bolted to the first beam to repair the damage by redrawing the wood again, ¡°Damn it it¡¯ll take to much time I won¡¯t be able to halt this place from coming down¡± she shouted back, ¡°Who are you¡± Cloud asked staring at the new companion, ¡°Artanis, Artanis Zen is my name¡±, ¡°Artanis do you know you any other way out of here?¡±


    ¡°Yes¡± he nodded ¡°good take point and we¡¯ll follow you out¡± Cloud said taking Katie in his arms for her walk was too slow for them to hold pace, Dawn placed a short time heal to Rain and only to his legs and taking up the middle did Dawn, Elanee and Rain follow Cloud, ¡°Alise can you slow it down?¡± he asked moving past her, and changing tactics she used ground roots as an overhead net to bind and slow the crushing soil ¡°Not for long at a time, it¡¯s too much weight¡±


    ¡°Move it along as you follow us out¡± Cloud says back and taking up the back Alisianna holds strong to her powers as she moves the netting over the group all the way out, as they approached the fork to the cavern Elanee notice the other section hadn¡¯t been affected yet, Elanee bolted down to it saying she wanted those boots and Artanis bolted after her yelling her name and that it¡¯ll be coming down right away.


    ¡°Elanee!, Elanee it¡¯s not worth it get back here¡± Artanis shouts running for her about half way into the tunnel until he sees cavern rocks above ready to come down on top of her. Picking up speed to catch her Artanis grips Elanee¡¯s arm pulling her back just as the rocks begin to fall, he throws her down to the floor and covers her body with his own. The rocks come barreling down and misses their location by inches except for Elanee¡¯s leg which Artanis still had exposed was beaten upon by rocks.


    ¡°NOOO!¡± yelled Elanee pushing Artanis off and digging into the cave in


    ¡°Common we got to go¡± Artanis says thrusting her to the entrance and seeing Alisianna gone they noticed Rain holding the debris with simple holding spells but it was buckling, ¡°Hurry up!¡± Rain yelled and jumping out as the rocks came down as Rain¡¯s spells failed did dust fill the outside air covering the group. Drawing his blade Cloud scrambled to search for the mage ¡°I think he¡¯s gone¡± Cloud said looking to Alisianna who was tending to Katie, ¡°You ok¡± Cloud asked them both and nodding to him they kept to them selves as Alisianna checked out her wounds. Seeing the rouge beaten up with some scrapes from the escape Elanee glanced to him with relief.


    ¡°How is he¡± Rain says walking over to Dawn healing the masked rouge


    ¡°Well his back is pretty lashed up and his arm was cut from the rocks but he¡¯ll be ok¡± replied Dawn, Rain reaches over to his face and is about to unmask him when Dawn grabs his hand. ¡°Uh Rain a little privacy he¡¯ll show us who he is when he¡¯s ready¡± said Dawn looking at him and shrugging her hand off his arm and looking back at her he unmasked him anyway, looking down he jumps up and has his hand glow with lightning


    ¡°Privacy my ass, back away Dawn he¡¯s a Tiefling¡± snapped Rain


    Cloud got up from the side of the druidess and walking over did he draw his blade,


    ¡°What¡¯s a Tiefling?¡± inquired Dawn looking down at the young face, he had a tribal marking over his eyes and half way up his forehead was two three inch long ash-red horns curving up to the soil black hair on his head that was parted down the middle.


    ¡°In a word¡­a Demon¡± said Rain still holding the spell in his hand ¡°They are evil beings of secrecy and deceptive backgrounds that always take the paths of thieves or assassins that are in guilds of the worst kinds¡± he continued and removing his left arm wrapping reveled his worst fear, the tattoo of the Nod clan. Coming to after the speech from Rain Artanis sat up just to see sparks coming from Rain¡¯s hand, shocked Artanis began rambling ¡°WA Wo Uh..I¡­ I thought I was safe with you guys¡±


    ¡°Safe ha! Were not on the same side pal¡± snapped Rain


    ¡°Cloud, Rain what are you doing?¡± said Elanee


    ¡°It¡¯s all a rouse to get us to trust him you know get a spy in our mists so Colossus can kill us¡± Rain bolted ¡°He¡¯s a member of Nod, and as we have seen Nod works with Colossus¡±


    ¡°And how do you know all of this Rain?¡± questioned Cloud


    ¡°Because I saw him brother, clear as day¡± Rain said shuddering to him


    ¡°Colossus; you saw¡­.Colossus¡± Cloud spoke in half fear to saying the name


    ¡°Yes the son of a bitch that killed our parents I saw him talking to Drakon before we came to you¡± explained Rain with his sword aimed at Artanis, Cloud kneels down by him ¡°I¡¯m only going to ask this once and if I don¡¯t like what you say I¡¯m going to aid him in killing you; WHO ARE YOU AND HOW DID YOU GET IN THAT CELL?¡± interrogated Cloud


    ¡°Artanis Zen is my name; and yes I used to work for Logan Silias the leader of the Nod clan but no longer¡± states Artanis going to a story about how he got there.


    ¡°I don¡¯t believe him Cloud,¡± said Rain


    ¡°He was locked up Rain,¡± Elanee said to him


    ¡°And if evil doesn¡¯t trust him why should we¡± Rain said back


    ¡°He¡¯s trying to repent for the wrong¡¯s he has done and simply got caught, you never even gave him a chance to defend him self¡± Elanee lashed back then looked to Artanis, ¡°I can¡¯t help what I have done and the horrors I have inflected upon endless lives, but I didn¡¯t do it free willed, I was being controlled¡± Artanis replied in calm reason.


    ¡°Not selling me here pal¡± Rain barked back and smacking his shoulder did Elanee hush Rain¡¯s speech, ¡°I only wish to work with good now and if I have to force myself to show you I mean well then I will I give that oath to you, I will help your cause¡± he ended staring directly at Cloud and Rain


    ¡°Give him a chance at least¡± barked Elanee ¡° You may not trust his words but it¡¯s hard to fake memories which I saw through touching him and what he said is true so if you don¡¯t believe him than how about me¡± taking a long pause Cloud puts his sword away and grabs Rain¡¯s shoulder ¡°Stand down Rain; Rain come on put it down or don¡¯t you trust her¡± says Cloud staring at him, turning around and closing his hand dispelling the lightning to it Rain coldly glares to his brother.


    ¡°Besides you and Dawn I trust no one¡± and walking over to the druidess Rain asks her ¡°So why are you in all of this besides what I¡¯ve heard already (the druidess looks toward Alisianna for what to say) come on honey we don¡¯t have all night¡± Rain pushes out and being pushed aside from Cloud, he looks to Rain ¡°Rain back off¡±, Cloud turns to the girl with shame ¡°I¡¯m sorry about him, now do you know why Drakon took you miss¡± Alisianna looks to Cloud with sincerity and smiles a comforted smile as did the girl who starts talking ¡°He wanted to perform some ritual on me granting him more power over the woodlands I think; so that he could find you three, to impress him¡± She says


    ¡°Him who¡¯s him; Colossus¡± stutters Cloud and she nods, Cloud gets up and moves to a tree motioning Alisianna and Dawn and Elanee to gather over ¡°If what she says is true than Colossus is still trying to find us and with Drakon out here to give him proof that we¡¯re out here Colossus give Drakon an army to march on Silverspire to bring us to him¡±


    ¡°I need to get her back and inform the elders of what has transpired¡± said Alisianna


    ¡°And we¡¯ll come with you to make sure you get there¡± added Cloud and smiling a gratifying smile Alisianna nods in agreement, she looks over to see Rain tending to his body injuries on his own, going to his side does she kneel and help him while saying he really needs to give more people a chance, ¡°Our Race gave the realm a chance to see our new side and we¡¯re being hunted for it with no remorse¡±, she said nothing back and seeing the one shoulder strap fall to her side did Rain put it back up on her, she looked to him and smiled.


    ¡°Thanks¡± she said finishing his poor excuse for bandaging as Rain looked back saying it was one skill he never learned and that she was pretty good at it, getting into her having lots of practice on the manners Cloud yells out that Artanis was gone, he must have gotten free and escaped.


    ¡°I told you we should¡¯ve killed him¡± Rain barked getting up with Alisianna barely finishing.


    ¡°Yeah well we can¡¯t worry about him right now but keep your eyes open for him, I bet this won¡¯t be the last time we see him around¡± cautioned Cloud


    ¡°Being good and healing him even, the guy gives me the creeps; I don¡¯t like him¡± Added Dawn getting ready to move. They pack up and kept a wary eye as they made there way to the Mere without any more trouble and warned the elders about the massive growing threat of Colossus, being cautious they order Alisianna to stay with the group until the threat of this area is over and despite hating the city life and having her presence there she agrees with their wisdom and heads back with them to Silverspire to warn the King.


    Later does Cloud arrive out of a meeting with the King and council with the others in the guard house laying in wait, he returns and as they questions about what is the next move, Cloud explains that the King has called across the sea to bring an ambassador from the coastal capital of Stormguard to offer some assistance in the fight against Colossus and Drakon, he will be here a month to discuss the treaty. He also adds that since Elanee has been the tribute body of escorting people of importance in the past he would like her to be our representative here to show the ambassador around, she agrees and Cloud takes her to the promenade to a tailor to be fitted with a new garment to meet him.

 Chapter 9

    As she took to her routine Alisianna combed the woods out by the Silverspire city, off in the deep woods in a clearing where a field of plains lay she spots Rain making weird and odd hand gestures with his arms. She stood by watching him wave them all different ways while saying the same words over and over again and it started to become quite humorous. She noticed him getting frustrated and annoyed; she had watched him in battle and even in his short time she noticed his rise in power and determination, she admired it about him and combing her dainty hand through her hair then resting it to her chin she wondered how he felt about being determined on other matters.


    ¡°What are you doing, catching birds¡± she laughed saying it loud enough for him to hear, Rain turned around and just a glimpse of her sight caused him to lose all focus, ¡°I was uh¡­uh trying to re caste the spell Drakon did when he made that powerful fireball¡±


    ¡°How¡¯s that working¡± she replied folding her arms head nodding a grin, ¡°Not well¡± he responded with a grunt, she watched him and growing an interest Alisianna offers out if he wanted advice, ¡°Please¡± Rain said surrendering the stage to her as she came out to stand by his side, ¡°It¡¯s looks like the motions your doing are similar to one we druids use for growth on plants¡± she pulled her cloak from her body dropping it to the grass and standing as he did she says ¡°Try this¡±, Alisianna raised her arms to the air and shifted her hand at the wrists then moved them on an angle, but Rain lost focus to her hands when the movements she made caused her breasts to jiggle like ripples to a water pond. She ended the motion and then looked to him, ¡°Now you try¡± she said crossing her arms looking to him, Rain scratched his head and with a absent minded look asked her to do it again, she turned to start the motion again saying ¡°Now watch closely¡­and not at my chest¡± she ended smirking, ¡°Sorry¡± Rain said watching only her arms and hands and performing she blurts it was fine. Rain copied her motion after she was finished and saying the words as Drakon did only brought to his fingers a minuet flame, it was small but distinctively there but as it flopped out from his hand did it get extinguished from the minor breeze before it landed to the ground. Rain huffed but not with frustration for it did work, he just needed more power, he tried again with more focus and this time a ball of flame erupted to his hand firing out igniting a tree nearby. ¡°Hey you did it, I knew you could¡± Alisianna said and leaning to him as they both watched the flame grow bigger did she whisper ¡°Now please put that out before I have to kick your ass, this is my forest you know¡± Rain moved quickly to stomp out the flames and looking to her she smirked ¡°So Rain¡± she said rubbing her foot to the ground back and forth looking down at first ¡°What is in store for your life after this is done¡±


    ¡°Probably death, for this task will most likely kill me before I see it through¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t think so and when you do defeat Colossus, what will be your plans, love maybe¡­to a woman¡± looking to her Rain knew the direction she was going but he had the thought drawn to his mind, he knew his brother held her close to his heart and if he did; Rain didn¡¯t stand a chance. ¡°By the way you weld your weapon I would have to say you have more in common with my brother than me¡±


    ¡°I caste spells too you know¡± she said coming to his side as she looked deep to his eyes with Rain¡¯s pupils trying to escape anywhere they could just not at her.


    ¡°You share the same love for life he does, I can see it with all your actions¡±


    ¡°I can see the same in yours as well¡± she said drawing her finger along his face, pulling his attempt to shade his face back up to her, ¡°I¡¯m no hero Alise, I barely got through basic blade training, I find it useless just as useless as trying to save this city¡±


    ¡°There are good people who live here just as there are bad ones Rain¡± she said and he separated from her sight to gaze upon the city wall half faded by far sightedness, she looked as he moved watching him walk away, ¡°Your brother thinks they¡¯re worth a chance and I agree with him¡± she said to him as a sudden gust of wind caught the trim of his cloak whipping it in the wind.


    ¡°If I had my way and the power I¡¯d burn this stone plague of filth to the ground¡­I thank you for your aid with my spell casting Alisianna, but in all fairness must I say that if mine and Cloud locations were reverse on our meeting, I probably would¡¯ve snapped your neck¡± Rain surrendered looking back hoping that she came to him with a slap to the face. The scent she gave off was intoxicating and arousing to say the least which is part of why he left her side, she came closer to him looking him in the eyes.


    ¡°Now¡¯s your chance, you hold the power of fire in your hands now, engulf me in flames¡± she ended with a pause, ¡°Never Alise¡± Rain responded shocked at her request, ¡°You¡¯re a kind and beautiful soul¡­I couldn¡¯t ever harm you¡± and the sentence brought a smile upon her face. She put her lips to his kissing him deeply and slow, then released the lock to slide her hand to his cheek side, ¡°See what happens when you give souls a chance to prove themselves, I¡¯ve got rounds to make but you keep practicing¡± she ended with him thanking her again and as he watched her walk away he knew he had a shot with her and for the utter lifelessness in him could he not figure out why he let her go.


    Mid day approached the city and in the rising heat of a warm summer day, the gate guard patrol that were on duty were oblivious to the figure nesting under the elder aged trees. A figure approaches Drakon standing on a hill over looking the city by them and informs him that the ones he requested were captured and taken to the canyon where he instructed, Drakon nods with approval. Drakon then sends the body away and casts a shadow stalker to his presence. ¡°Listen to me carefully, I want you to follow her and give her a stalkers profile to be feared upon, make her feel she isn¡¯t safe nowhere but don¡¯t kill her¡­not yet I don¡¯t know her powers fully and she might be useful later¡± hearing this, the shadow bows and disappears away.


    Back at the promenade Cloud takes Elanee to the tailor. ¡°Hey watch with that rope, your supposed to measure me not feel me¡± Elanee bolts to the tailor


    ¡°It¡¯s his job to get as close to your figure as possible Elanee¡± said Cloud standing in wait


    ¡°Yeah well close doesn¡¯t mean to run your hand up between my thighs¡± suddenly she hears a voice in behind her (¡°Nice ass¡±)


    ¡°Cloud¡± Elanee barked


    ¡°What?¡± Cloud sparks in defense


    ¡°You¡¯d better stay behind the curtain if you don¡¯t want a fat lip¡± Elanee combated with Cloud completely stunned and confused, for he was behind the curtain.


    ¡°I am Elanee¡± Cloud defended again


    ¡°I heard you, the nice ass comment¡± she conciliated


    ¡°I never looked at your ass¡± Cloud defended with her giving him wary eyes.


    ¡°Well ok I have but not here and now¡± he stuttered out getting a little warm under the collar.


    ¡°You sure¡± Elanee questions concerned


    ¡°YES!¡± Cloud sparked again and moving her eyes to the ceiling and walls did she look around.


    ¡°You ok in there?¡± Cloud asked


    ¡°Yeah¡­I¡¯m fine¡­ Can we go¡± Elanee asked worried a bit


    ¡°Yeah were done here I think¡± Cloud said looking to the tailor who nods in agreement and they leave. Half way home she hears the voice again coming from a shadowed ally and ignores a sentence said by Cloud to run over and look in it. Running over Cloud asks what she is looking for ¡°Nothing I guess I thought I heard something, did you hear anything just now?¡± Asked Elanee


    ¡°No¡± replied Cloud with a strange look on his face ¡°Look you haven¡¯t slept very well the last couple of days why don¡¯t you go to the guard house and get a hot tea in you and go to bed¡± Cloud says with comfort and nodding she goes off, Cloud who was just interrupted by a guard goes off with him to see what¡¯s the matter.


    Elanee heads to her room and undresses into just a robe tied at the waist, and sits in a chair to read a book and drink a hot tea. Some time goes passed and startled awake she looked down to see her robe partially undone and with her breasts showing, she look around to see if someone was in the room with her but not seeing anything she tightened it up again and went to refill her drink. Going to refill her glass she is startled by the voice again laughing with an echo of a sound, which she heard earlier in the tailoring shop.


    ¡°Somebody there¡± Elanee says with a confused-scared look on her face


    ¡°Maybe; I don¡¯t know why you cover yourself up you have such a nice body¡± the voice says and closing her robe to her neck she shouts ¡°I don¡¯t know what your want but you won¡¯t get it from me¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m already getting my satisfaction from you Elanee¡± it says again laughing, and running out of the room she runs into Cloud out in the hall scaring her to a scream.


    ¡°Hey you ok Elanee, I heard you yelling in there¡± Cloud looked at her half scared to death face


    ¡°There¡¯s someone in my room, I think someone¡¯s spying on me or something¡± Elanee said uneasy, going in there with a drawn sword Cloud checked the room using his sword to detect any thing and coming up empty he turns to her.


    ¡°There is nothing here Elanee are you sure you saw something?¡± he asks


    ¡°No but I heard something, I know I did¡± she said


    ¡°Well there¡¯s nothing here girl maybe you just dreamed it, you have been busy the last few days why don¡¯t you get some sleep, and to be on the safe side I¡¯ll post a guard detail outside your door tonight ok¡± Smiled Cloud looking at her


    ¡°Thanks Cloud¡± she said but with still a look of uncertainty on her face, he leaves and she goes to bed.


    Going into Dawns room he knocks ¡°Dawn you up¡± Cloud whispers


    ¡°I¡¯m praying Cloud¡± Dawn said sternly


    ¡°Sorry about that but I have a favor to asked¡± Cloud said


    ¡°Name it¡± Dawn replied seeing the concerned look on his face,


    ¡°Elanee was acting weird today in the promenade getting tailored, and again tonight in her room claiming something is watching her, I checked but saw nothing and I have to go check out a disappearance of some children I heard about today with Alisianna, anyways I was wondering if you could check up on her tonight just to check for any presences in there¡± Cloud explained


    ¡°Of course I can¡± Dawn said, ¡°Is she alright?¡±


    ¡°Thanks and she¡¯s fine, I think just stressed from the new task she was given¡± and smiling he goes to meet up with Alisianna.


    Meeting up with Alisianna, Cloud and her check out the area, after a couple of hours they find a dagger on the ground by a wagon wheel of a side street in a dead end alleyway; matching up the symbol on the dagger to one known to Cloud well as the Nod clan symbol.


    ¡°Damn their persistent on pissing me off¡± replied Cloud picking up the dagger


    ¡°Well it¡¯s too late tonight to ask around for any action that happened¡± said Alisianna


    ¡°We¡¯ll have to start tomorrow, if they had taken them to the woods do you think you can pin point there location? (She nods) Good then I¡¯ll ask around town tomorrow and see if I can get a lead¡± says Cloud bowing his head looking at the dagger ¡°They¡¯ll be sorry if they hurt those kids¡± Alisianna comes to his side smiles rubbing his shoulder lightly ¡°They¡¯ll be ok¡± she said and they walk off to the guard house.


    Without any other problems until morning they all awake and start their day, Rain is researching in his room with his books, Cloud is asking around town about the children, Alisianna goes to the edge of the woods and calls animals to aid her in the search of the forest and Dawn and Elanee are heading to the horse stables to help break in a few wild stallions. The two girls get to the stallions when Artanis pops out of the shade of a roof by them and scares them.


    ¡°Sorry¡± he says ¡°I¡¯ve been following you guys for a few days watching you in the dark seeing how and what you do, pretty interesting stuff not to mention high ranking positions¡± he continues and with a quick reflex Elanee slaps him across the face¡¯


    ¡°You pig how dare you!¡± Elanee said


    ¡°How dare I what? Not to mention owww!¡± Artanis questions while rubbing his cheek


    ¡°You¡¯ve been spying on me in my room when I was undressing¡± she added


    ¡°Did you Artanis¡± Dawn asked


    ¡°NO! Well I followed you up to your room but not inside¡± Artanis defended


    ¡°Yes you did because you were whispering words into my ears that night about liking the view, and you always being around¡± Elanee continued


    ¡°Ok first no thief in their right mind would ever talk while they peeped on you getting naked nor after, it¡¯s not our way so before you go blaming me let me prove my worthiness before the judgment please¡± Artanis said and thinking for a minute Elanee asked ¡°Well what do you propose¡±


    ¡°How about I help you with the horses, you¡¯re training them right¡±


    ¡°Yeah, but training some animals is a far cry from going to be good and second no more shadowing us, you walk beside us if you are with us not behind¡±


    ¡°Deal¡± Artanis says and the three start training.


    After a full day of horse training they finally got them broken in for a start, walking back to the guard house Elanee covered in mud from a bucking accident close to a slough, she tells the rest to go ahead and after a bath in the lake she¡¯ll catch up.


    Cloud finished his search and coming up empty he meets up with Alisianna who has some interesting news, apparently there has been some activity recently down at the southern pass which hasn¡¯t been used for some time. The tracks support that of some small children and larger men traveling on light feet. Figuring that it was the group they were looking for they armed themselves and head into the woods.


    Stopping for a sec she taps Cloud on the shoulder and asks ¡°Shouldn¡¯t we get the others¡±


    ¡°We could lose their trail or the children could be harmed; I don¡¯t want to take that chance and beside were going on your turf now they¡¯ll be no match for us¡± Cloud explains and smiling to him she says ¡°You know all these deeds you¡¯re doing; when Rain said their all for nothing nor would they matter, he was wrong they do matter at least to me¡±


    ¡°Well thanks Alisianna and they mean a lot to me too, (he then sniffs) what is that fragrance ¡°he concluded adding the smell smelt like roses or the like.


    ¡°Me; I smell like roses during the day and jasmine at night, part of my Nymph side¡± Alisianna said


    ¡°Smells nice¡± he said and riding off on horses did a silence arise to the two of them in travels, ¡°Look Alisianna you don¡¯t have to stay with me on this¡± Cloud said killing the quiet.


    ¡°Oh really Cloud I don¡¯t mind¡± she replied


    ¡°I¡¯m sure you have duties to attend to, I know you druids are kept very busy plus your husband would probably like to know where you are¡± Cloud said


    ¡°I¡¯m not married¡± she replies quickly to him


    ¡°Your betrothed or lover then¡± Cloud refersThe tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.


    ¡°No to both of those as well, plus anything disturbing this forest is my duty and this seems to rank high to my attention right now¡± Alisianna says trying not to blush.


    ¡°You have no one in your life¡± Cloud blurts out


    ¡°I have lots of people in my life holy knight!¡± she says calmly to him


    ¡°Sorry I didn¡¯t mean it like that it¡¯s just¡­¡± Cloud goes still thinking


    ¡°Just what¡± she says looking at him waiting for an answer.


    ¡°Well look at you, your beautiful, smart and caring¡­hard to imagine you¡¯re not at some powerful male¡¯s side¡±


    ¡°You mean to say that I couldn¡¯t handle this work on my own, Paladin¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m so sorry I only meant that I would¡¯ve thought men would go to the ends of the world for your hand in love¡± he says getting a smile to her face


    ¡°Well who¡¯s to say they haven¡¯t and just haven¡¯t returned¡± she said laughing, Cloud gave a chuckle and then the silence took over again but broke with her words this time.


    ¡°I just haven¡¯t found the right one yet, someone who holds the same values as me, all I have found is the type that know me for my appearance and know so little about me that asking them for my eye color draws a blank to there minds, they rarely look that high up¡± she says


    ¡°Really¡­such men are pigs and I¡¯m shock to here that they exist in the natural realm¡± Cloud says drawing a hard swallow while taking his own sight off her breasts.


    ¡°Just a thought¡± Alisianna says turning her face away from his ¡°What color are my eyes¡± she asked


    ¡°I am not such a man Alisianna¡± Cloud defends politely


    ¡°And yet you avoid the question¡± Alisianna pushes on, Cloud then grows a straight face and looking at her long lightly flowing brown hair on the back of her head Cloud speaks calmly.


    ¡°They¡¯re brown Alisianna, an autumn soft light brown and with the beauty that resides in your heart, mind and on your body, I would think any man would exchange their soul for one that would match yours¡± Cloud responded, getting a red glow to her face with yet an even bigger smile that she tried to conceal.


    ¡°And would you make such a claim, and change your soul¡± she asked


    ¡°I couldn¡¯t give up my soul as tempting as such beauty is I have a higher calling that must be answered even if my life is empty of love, my duty to my clan and family hold my standards true on this path, I cannot fail them¡± he goes deep in thought and in so doing captures Alisianna¡¯s focus to the point that a tree branch gets her hair caught in it, she cuts the branch off untangling her hair while still riding and says to Cloud.


    ¡°Such a sacrifice with not lose love to your life, there are those who¡¯s seek such a hero in there dreams¡± she says


    ¡°But the path that I run on, such women of stature are not in¡± Cloud says to her with a little sadness, she then rides closer to him and looks intently at his face, ¡°I think you look to hard Cloud, some are closer then you think¡± she throws out the double meaning to him which he fails to see and thanking her for the comment, she clear¡¯s her mind of the quick lust and regains focus to the mission at hand.


    Looking around for a while to make sure no one else was here Elanee slips her clothes off and dives into the water of the lake, swimming around for a while she is startled by the voice again (Think you¡¯re safe now) it says and keeping only her head above the water in an attempted to cover up she desperately looks around for anyone who would be looking, the voice laughs and speaks (You won¡¯t find me Elanee) franticly swimming for the shoreline she gets out of the water and goes to her clothes to find them missing.


    ¡°Where are my clothes¡± she asked


    ¡°Oh there around you¡¯ll have to look¡± it speaks, and scared of someone seeing her she looks quickly around the trees and in bushes; skewering the brush and ground she comes up empty and engrossed deep in her search does she not even hear the steps of the cloaked figure approaching around the corner.


    ¡°Whoa- holy shit!¡± bolted Rain who was in the cloak, seeing Elanee¡¯s naked rear blast around a tree to hide.


    ¡°Oh-my-god the one person I didn¡¯t need to run into, did you see anything¡± Elanee gasp


    ¡°Uh no I closed my eyes when I saw parts of your body normally covered¡­what the hell are you naked for out here¡± Rain barked hiding behind his own tree from her view.


    ¡°Well it wasn¡¯t to show you that¡¯s for sure, you¡¯re the last one I want to show this to, I was training horses and¡­.never mind I was taking a bath and I heard a voice so I thought to get out and¡­and (Rain nods his head to want to hear more) and my clothes were gone¡±


    ¡°Wait a minuet someone stole your clothes¡± he asked


    ¡°Yeah and I know who¡± she said


    ¡°Who¡± he said


    ¡°Artanis Zen¡± she belted


    ¡°Well that¡¯s not possible¡± he replied


    ¡°And why not¡± she stated


    ¡°Because he¡¯s with Dawn helping her with some church rubbish to get in the good books a little more¡± he explained


    ¡°Well then I don¡¯t know¡± she replied and laughing Rain turned to walk away ¡°Wait Rain!¡± he stopped ¡°You can¡¯t leave me like this¡± she says having him stop holding a bizarre look to the tree Elanee was behind.


    ¡°And why not?¡± Rain replied


    ¡°Because (shaking her head) I mean to say could you help me find them please?¡± she asks in a quite young girl voice, and Rain shakes his head looking at her with incompetence then changing it to a nod he agrees, it takes a couple minuets but he locates them behind a bush close to the city limits and brings them to her, closing his eyes he hands them to her and she takes them swiftly.


    ¡°Your welcome¡± Rain states walking away again


    ¡°Thanks¡± she replies in a pleasant voice and hearing the laugh again she stops Rain again ¡°Rain, could I um borrow your cloak to use as a change wall¡­..please¡± and coming back rolling his eyes he goes to set up the wall with using his cloak to find that no two trees around are close enough.


    ¡°Um small problem it won¡¯t fit any where¡± Rain said


    ¡°I can¡¯t believe I¡¯m going to say this (rolling her eyes) could you just hold it for me¡± she asked whipping his head around shocked Rain replied


    ¡°You want me to what!¡±


    ¡°Just hold it up, look I just. I just don¡¯t feel safe being by myself right now ok I think someone¡¯s bothering me so¡­.please¡± Elanee said not believing the words that she just said, Rain looks down and shakes his head in disbelief of him agreeing to it, walking over to the open path across from her Rain lifts up his cloak reveling his well formed torso and black breaches, she walks up while quietly admiring his body frame and smiling to herself she looks at his eyes ¡°Don¡¯t peek!¡±


    ¡°Trust me I¡¯m fighting the will greatly¡± he says very sarcastically and rolling her eyes


    ¡°I¡¯ll have you know I¡¯m very well formed for my size¡± as she throws down her clothes and dresses. They head back to the guard house and before they enter the door Elanee stops Rain and says ¡°Um about before, let¡¯s just keep what happened between us ok¡±


    ¡°Um sure¡± Rain said shrugging it off, going inside they part to their separate rooms. Elanee stopped at hers but Rain¡¯s was farther down the hall. Elanee opens it slowly peering inside, seeing nothing a feeling creeps to her like hands rattling a cage she closes it and catches up with Rain.


    ¡°Can I ask a favor of you?¡±


    ¡°I think you¡¯ve gotten enough favors from me for one night Elanee¡± Rain replied harshly, Elanee held a cowering face as she turned to go back to her room, his guilt hits him like a hammer bringing him to a halt ¡°what would you like?¡±


    ¡°Just be around you for tonight, I won¡¯t get in the way I promise¡± she weakly pleads to him, Rain turns slowly looking at her, no one ever voluntarily wishes to just be around him.


    ¡°Elanee what¡¯s going on here you¡¯ve been acting strange lately especially around me?¡±


    Thinking for a sec on how to say it she just blurts it out


    ¡°I think I have a stalker following me, but no one else can see him, I hear him all the time but only when I¡¯m alone and for the past few days it¡¯s been happening and I¡¯m getting really scared¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ll be bored Marshal¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t care at least I won¡¯t be alone¡±


    Sympathizing for her a bit he lets her join him in his room and asked about what has been going on. She looks around his room in fascination on all the books, scrolls he had and alchemical product as well, taking to her hands a book Rain never had in use she peels through the pages for about an hour, sitting by him barely staying awake, sleep deprivation begins to cling to her as her body starts to shiver. Glancing over a couple times to see her shake Rain slides up closer to her throwing his cloak over her like a blanket, looking behind her and up to his face worried


    ¡°I¡¯m just scared to fall asleep¡±


    Truly feeling sorry for her Rain stared to her worried look


    ¡°I won¡¯t let it get you, you have my word¡± and smiling for the first time at him she asks what he¡¯s researching about. Turning to explain the first bit of what it¡¯s about Rain asks if he¡¯s going to fast and looking over to her Rain sees Elanee fast asleep using him as a upright pillow. He keeps quiet and a sharp look out for this creature that has been haunting her.


    She awakes from a gratifying sleep that was fit for a queen and sitting up she notices an arm draped around her, turning around she sees Rain asleep beside her and lifting his arm to put it off to the side brings to young sorcerer alert, getting up quickly from her side he looks at her franticly ¡°I¡¯m sorry I fell asleep¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s ok Rain nothing happened¡± Elanee said getting up trying to shrug the good vibe given off and at the door of his room leaned in Dawn


    ¡°Awe how cute you guys are bed buddies¡±


    ¡°I can explain this Dawn¡± interrupted Rain


    ¡°Calm down I know why you did it and frankly I¡¯m impressed I didn¡¯t think you had a sympathetic bone in your body ¡°Dawn smiled


    ¡°Well you know I like to keep people on their¡­..¡±and suddenly before Rain was done talking he was hit by something and blown over his study desk onto the floor, being hit a couple more times around the room Elanee hears the voice again (You thought you could hide from me with another)


    ¡°It¡¯s the voice again¡± Elanee cries


    ¡°That stalker thing¡± Rain questions getting to his feet slowly after the third hit ¡°Wait that¡¯s it!¡± he said again ¡°Dawn cast a see invisibility spell on the room¡±


    She does and reveals a shade it the left corner of the room ¡°Oh my god¡± Elanee says


    ¡°A shadow stalker¡± replies Rain and throwing magic missiles at his walls trying to hit it while blowing books off the shelf as the girls throw their arms up in defense of flying objects. The shadow pushes the girls out of the way and runs out of the room disappearing again when out of the spells reach.


    ¡°Damn it I missed¡± said Rain, coming over to him and giving a big hug of gratification for him Elanee looks at him ¡°Rain are you ok¡± she asks watching Rain suddenly collapse on the floor, getting him to his bedroll and coming around again Rain asks why Dawn was there in the first place.


    ¡°Cloud hasn¡¯t come home yet and I¡¯m worried about him and Alisianna¡± she said


    ¡°Well let¡¯s go get them ¡°said Rain and trying to get up but fell back down in pain


    ¡°You¡¯re not going anywhere Rain¡± Dawn announced


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong with him?¡± question Elanee


    ¡°When your hit by a shadow you life force is taken temporarily leaving you weak, if enough force would have been taken it could kill him, he would turn into one himself, he¡¯ll be ok in about a day or so but he can¡¯t go with us, I wonder where Artanis is?¡±


    ¡°Right behind you¡± Artanis spouts ¡°I heard the commotion and came to see what happened¡±


    ¡°Artanis can you go with my sister and Elanee and find my brother and Alisianna we think they¡¯re in trouble¡± Rain inquired


    ¡°No I will stay here¡± Elanee reassessed


    ¡°No they could use an extra hand out there Elanee you go with them I¡¯ll be ok, I can hold my own¡± Rain reassured her and Dawn grabs a stone from her belt and cast the spell of seeing invisibility on it and gives it to Rain


    ¡°This will let you see it if it comes back¡± Dawn said giving it to him he takes it and tells them to make haste to find Cloud and they leave, Elanee takes one more look to Rain before leaving the room and he again reassures her he¡¯ll be ok, she nods and moves to catch up with the others.


    Reaching a fissure deep to a canyon at the edge of the forest Cloud and Alisianna arrive at the location where a wolf told Alisianna the children were.


    ¡°Is this the place Alisianna?¡± asked Cloud


    ¡°Yep¡± she replied and looking around for a time, finally locating the children tied to a tree but not seriously injured, moving quickly to untie them and check their injuries Cloud is tapped on the shoulder repeatedly by Alisianna


    ¡°In a sec(Tap)¡­one more sec(Tap)¡­ what¡± says Cloud turning around to see a giant-like creature ten feet tall, grey in color and hairless the massive beast was muscle toned from top to bottom with arms dragging to the ground like an over sized gorilla. Six eyes it carried to it¡¯s cranium that stared a deep focus toward them, drawing his sword slowly Cloud tells Alisianna to lead the children to a safe place while he covers their escape. Backing up slowly does the creature see Alisianna moving back toward the children, but misses the act of her casting heavy cloud cover to the sky around the area.


    Moving quickly through the forest the three in pursuit of Cloud and Alisianna see the storm building from the peaceful calm sky they knew was a second ago and change course to follow the changing weather.


    Uprooting a tree, the creature begins swinging it like a bat aiming at Cloud, nearly being hit every time Cloud attempts to slash the beast with no sign of it doing any damage. Suddenly a massive bolt of lightning from the sky hits the beast causing him to stumble backward missing a clear shot it had at Cloud. Alisianna gets to Cloud¡¯s side to see if he is alright, nodding with assurance Cloud gets to his feet and engage the beast a second time with the druids added aid.


    ¡°I think I see them,¡± cried Dawn running out of breath coming to the fissure clearing.


    ¡°I¡¯ll hit the tree tops and see if I can help them sooner,¡± said Artanis heavy to breathe and with agreement, he takes off into the treetops with great haste.


    Slamming into a tree trunk Cloud hears his arm dislocate and his sword falls to the ground, grabbing it with his other hand he looks up to see Alisianna losing her balance with just standing, ¡°You alright Alisianna ¡°


    ¡°I¡¯ve caste to much, it¡¯s draining me¡± she heaves with a gasp, Cloud¡¯s eyes go big with horror ¡°Alisianna HEADS UP!¡± shouted Cloud to see the tree bat hit her center in the chest sending her airborne into the bushes, running over hastily Cloud gets to her side and laying his sword down he pulls her head to his lap, blood runs from the corner of her mouth and her right arm looked broken, lifting her tunic a bit but keeping her covered he looked to her bluish coated stomach, showing signs of internal bleeding. Seeing she was unconscious was a massive shadow suddenly cast over them and to the air did a great stink come to Cloud¡¯s nose.


    Cloud knew without looking it was the beast, holding his tree up in the air the beast draws all his strength about to swing when Artanis leaps from a tree onto the shoulders of the beast, with a quick sword move he embeds one blade into the neck of the creature and being thrown off does he land like a cat on his feet with his hands to the hilt of the second blade still sheathed


    ¡°Move around or you¡¯ll be hit for sure Artanis¡± yells Cloud


    ¡°That¡¯s the idea¡± replied Artanis smiling


    ¡°Huh?¡± questioned Cloud and watching the swing of the bat from the beast does Artanis dodge the swing, gripping the club as it went by he climbs it like the tree it was, reaching the underbelly of the beast and standing to balance himself off the arm he climbed to Artanis draws his other sword and strikes it in the jaw sending his steel through the skull of the beast. Weaving back and forth like a pendulum the creature finally hits the ground face first throwing Artanis a fair distance away, but again landing on his feet he comes over to Cloud while flagging the girls to their location.


    Arriving immediately does Dawn start healing the wounds of Alisianna, tense moments go by until Cloud sees the sight of the druid again look upon him; smiling he tells her not to speak and that she¡¯s going to be alright. Dawn with Elanee beside her mend and bandage up Alisianna to a walking capability while Cloud goes over to Artanis who is attempting to pull his swords out of the beast.


    ¡°Damn it it¡¯s jammed¡± said Artanis trying to get he second sword free


    ¡°Allow me¡± said Cloud coming over and with his one good arm releases the sword form the skull of the beast with a quick swift twist, ¡°Thanks, I¡¯d leave it behind but I love these swords¡± huffed Artanis sheathing the second one and with a smile of gratitude he hugs Artanis


    ¡°Thank you for this; for coming for us, we¡¯d be meat scraps right now if it wasn¡¯t for you three (looks around quickly again) hey where¡¯s Rain¡± questions Cloud


    ¡°Well it turns out that the stalker bothering Elanee was a shadow demon and Rain fought it off but got hit a couple times and the hits brought about a weakness effect to his body, he¡¯s resting it off but don¡¯t worry he¡¯s fine¡± Artanis said with insurance to his voice, and with a comforted nod the group gets moving with the children again safe back to the city.


    The next day Cloud walks towards the temple from being asked to help unload a big supply shipment when he spots Dawn getting help from Artanis, he watches for a time and seeing a gleam to Artanis¡¯s eyes when he looks to his sister, Cloud then approaches.


    ¡°Thanks for the help Artanis¡± says Dawn taking in a small box to the temple.


    ¡°Hey it¡¯s what I do,¡± boasts Artanis taking the larger one; he walks to the temple steps when Cloud calls him over to the side, asking quickly to speak to him on a matter of concern.


    ¡°Now look Artanis, you have helped me so far, and you may not be showing any signs of evil intent but that doesn¡¯t mean that a hidden agenda doesn¡¯t still lurk within you¡±


    ¡°I assure you Cloud I mean nothing but good intention to you, Rain and Dawn¡± Artanis defends


    ¡°Speaking of Dawn (Cloud looks to she if she¡¯s coming before continuing) let this be a warning to you ...friend, don¡¯t move on her in any way unless she moves first, I may be on the outs with her right now but I will always protect her no matter how she feels about my actions, and if that means ending the life of a pretty boy demon like yourself¡­trust in me, I won¡¯t lose any sleep¡± Cloud finished


    ¡°A thought of such nature has never crossed into my mind Cloud¡± Artanis said with fear looking at Clouds blade glowing dark green in representation that a demon was near.


    ¡°Let¡¯s keep it that way shall we¡± Cloud says patting his shoulder leaving the steps.


    ¡°Look Cloud I may be demon on the skin but that¡¯s how far the evil in me goes, believe me¡± Artanis says sternly


    ¡°You want to gain my trust¡­prove it and aid my cause¡± Cloud finalizes seeing a nod from Artanis¡¯s head, Cloud turns to leave but stops when a strong voice hit¡¯s his ears


    ¡°Cloud, you better tell me what I just walked in on, and now¡± Cloud bowed his head in him getting half caught and turning his sees Dawn¡¯s heated stance with her arms folded


    ¡°Dawn I¡­¡±


    ¡°Please Cloud¡± Interrupted Artanis ¡°surly she not suspecting you of guarding her personal life to close again as you told me before¡± Artanis responds shielding over Cloud¡¯s actions.


    ¡°That is exactly what I was thinking Artanis, is it true?¡± she replies looking at Cloud focused


    ¡°Cloud was just telling me that I should take more direct action in wanting to help and offered me a chance to aid your team in cleaning the city¡± Artanis said and looking at him with an unbelievable look Dawn turns to Cloud.


    ¡°Cloud you are the oldest in our family and it¡¯s protector but that doesn¡¯t give you the right to run my life. If I find out that this was anything more; defeating Colossus with both hands tied behind you back will be easier than trying to regain my trust, of that I promise you¡­stay out of my personal life, Artanis was just being nice and that was all that is going on here alright¡± Dawn snaps and taking another box roughly to her grip she storms into the temple.


    ¡°Thanks Artanis, and I accept your little offer for help here in the city, look I¡¯ll let you help her today¡± Cloud says walking away shaking his head at the fact he should¡¯ve known better.


    A knock comes to Rain¡¯s door and opening it Rain sees Elanee standing there.


    ¡°You¡¯re supposed to be resting up¡± Rain says seeing her in traveling wears


    ¡°It¡¯s been a full day I think I¡¯ve rested enough and I have also come to ask you about yesterday¡± she says calmly and looking with a growing look of worry to her face ¡°You didn¡¯t tell anyone about¡­you know¡­seeing me naked¡± she blurts off and shaking his head Rain turned from her view to go to his desk.


    ¡°And here it was almost gone thanks for bringing it up again, I¡¯m sure the nightmares will continue for another night now¡±


    ¡°Well don¡¯t let my repulsiveness make you lose sleep¡± Elanee snapped out ¡°anyways that is not why I have come I have a question¡± half ending her speech, waiting Rain gestures his head to her ¡°Well???¡±


    ¡°Could you train me in combat so that I can defend myself in the future?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re asking me? I¡¯m a Sorcerer Elanee or did you fall on your way over here, those stairs can be slippery¡±


    ¡°You know what forget it, I thought maybe after recent events you might have grown some humanity in you but I was obviously wrong¡± and walking out Rain stops her with an


    ¡°Elanee Wait!¡± she stops and turns around, Rain moves from his table and walks around thinking.


    ¡°Look¡­I just wasn¡¯t expecting you to ask me something like this but if you want me to train you¡­I can¡±


    ¡°Tomorrow at dawn or do you need your beauty sleep¡± Elanee adds holding a small smug grin.


    ¡°Tomorrow will be fine¡± Rain says still trying to fathom why she would asked him of all the choices


    ¡°Good¡± she says and turning to leave she turns around to looks at him again ¡°Rain¡­thanks for doing this and for before I (stutters) I really appreciated it¡± Elanee ends with Rain gesturing to her for the first time a sincerely honest smile.

 Chapter 10

    Appearing in a wake of flame followed by Logan reforming through foggy mist. Both he and Sephinroth wait in the main hall of the tower when moments later they were joined by Colossus shimmering into their presence. Looking at the two, he sees Logan ringing out his cape pouring water all over the floor.


    ¡°Did you retrieve it?¡± Colossus asked with an odd look of inquiry, showing him the part as she pulled it from her cleavage Sephinroth waved it up.


    ¡°Yes we got it, and with relative ease,¡± said Sephinroth


    ¡°Easy for you to say you weren¡¯t ripped in half by a kraken¡± Logan added rubbing his waist in memory of where he was ripped.


    ¡°Oh I don¡¯t know why you¡¯re still on about that you can¡¯t die anyway¡± she said


    ¡°I maybe can¡¯t die by I still felt the pain of the overbearing thrust that snapped my spine in two, although killing and feasting on those mermaids and mermen was sure satisfying, ah the sweet saucy taste of immortal blood; it¡¯s like chocolate¡± Logan replied smiling a sinister smile


    ¡°That is disturbing and gross¡± shrugged Sephinroth as she hands Colossus the third portion of the sword,


    ¡°Excellent!¡± he says grabbing it, when suddenly a zealot enters the room


    ¡°Sorry to disturb you master but he has returned¡± it says


    ¡°Good bring him here,¡± commands Colossus and with a look of confusion on Sephinroth and Logan¡¯s faces they see Drakon now enter the room,


    ¡°Oh what the hell is this, were working with Drow now,¡± said Logan


    ¡°Just when I thought we couldn¡¯t get any lower then dirt¡± smiled Sephinroth looking at Logan ¡°Now we¡¯re going lower than dirt, the Underdark, how quant¡±


    ¡°Enough!¡± bolted Colossus ¡°Drakon what have you to report¡±


    ¡°After they infiltrated my cavern, I left them for dead but they escaped with my prisoner, they match the description you gave me in the letter Colossus; they¡¯re the three you seek¡± Drakon explains


    ¡°Where is the prisoner, where is Artanis?¡± snapped Logan


    ¡°Clean the water out of your ears better, didn¡¯t you hear me I said they helped him escape¡± Drakon bolted and throwing his sword into the wall of the tower in a quick yelling cry of rage he turns back to Drakon


    ¡°You were supposed to bring him to me immediately after you got possession of him¡±


    ¡°My orders from Colossus were more pressing at the time¡± Drakon shouted back


    ¡°Kiss ass¡± said Sephinroth


    ¡°Damn you I need him back¡± Logan sneered and started to pace


    ¡°Oh calm yourself Logan we will get your little run away equity back¡± Colossus added


    ¡°What is so important about this member of your club anyway¡± Sephinroth asked taking a seat to Colossus¡¯s throne. Logan takes a seat at the main table and plants his feet upon it leaning back on the chairs hind legs.


    ¡°He is an elite member of an order I created in my clan. I take on new recruits periodically and the ones with powerful auras are put into a group; I give them missions to do and after the mission is completed I erase their memories until I need them again to prevent revolting and backstabs. I erase the memories because I give them my combat expertise with the weapons they hold making them masters overnight and rivaling me but under the power of mind control, I didn¡¯t have to worry until him¡±


    ¡°Him, oh the suspense is killing please go on¡± Sephinroth said sarcastically while eating some grapes from a bowl levitated to her mouth and giving her a look Logan continued


    ¡°Artanis was part of a Zen cult that was strong in the ways of mind manipulation and had resistance by the control I tried and as he grew far in distance his connection to my hold weakened. Artanis was one my best assassin¡¯s to the unit I made but most operations were near by and relatively secure until the last one, so when he got my skills and the target it was the farthest I had ever lead him off too and when the connection broke he kept up the act until the moment was in his favor. The sneaky demon waited till he was out of harms way from me; killed the other members of the unit I had with him while they slept and told the target what was happening and then ran off¡± starting to laugh hard Sephinroth spoke up


    ¡°Oh my so let me get this straight; this juvenile delinquent got your sword swinging ability and told your enemy of your plans to kill him¡±


    ¡°This is no laughing matter he not only has my abilities but my memories as well including how to kill me and where I keep the dagger, if he gets to it I¡¯ll be finished¡± Logan explained having anxiety set in.


    ¡°See that¡¯s why I trust no one fully¡± Sephinroth said finishing the grape bowl with a burp, ¡°Except men (Shrugging) and that¡¯s only for sexual reasons¡­actually not even then, I mostly have to do the work myself to get the ending I want so¡­¡± ¡°Enough!¡± Colossus pleaded staring at her, and looking to him she cocks her head ¡°What¡¯s a matter, jealous?¡±


    ¡°Hardly; I¡¯d break you in half if such a time occurred¡± Colossus said waving off the topic, Drakon also explains to Colossus that the king of Silverspire is calling forth some help to defend the city.


    ¡°Drakon I want you to gather forces necessary to attack the city against these new allies, do not let the ambassador have troops moved there or taking the city will be much harder than I first thought¡± stated Colossus


    ¡°I will join with you so I can take care of the little maggot with them¡± bolted Logan


    ¡°You will do no such thing! I will not have your blinding vengeance put my plan I have worked on for years into plain sight of their eyes,¡± Colossus shouted


    ¡°He¡¯s is a threat to me¡± Logan lashed to him


    ¡°And they¡¯re a threat to me but I¡¯m not going off blinded as you are, he will be back in your grasp in due time fear not my dear Logan, but we need to hold, and use my steps for caution¡± Colossus issued back at him.


    ¡°Fine¡± Logan walked over to Drakon and handing him a crossbow bolt ¡°Use this on him and I won¡¯t have to worry anymore¡±


    ¡°What is it?¡± pondered Drakon as he gazed at the unique design of the bolt that held a Kriss blade look.


    ¡°It¡¯s a bolt that is cursed, so make sure it hits him and know that due to knowing my tricks he can re deflect arrows and bolts from crossbows pretty well¡± Logan cautioned


    ¡°Logan I want you to go to the earth elemental plane and retrieve the last part of the sword, I entrust it shouldn¡¯t be too difficult for you to move through this realm by yourself¡± says Colossus and with agreeing both Drakon and Logan depart.


    ¡°And what about me; do I get the day off boss¡± smirked Sephinroth


    ¡°Hardly, I have needed your assistance to decipher where the locations to the three evil essences are and to this there are some books from your tower I still require¡±


    ¡°Those will cost you,¡± she added


    ¡°You will be paid in full for your efforts,¡± Colossus said as he walked up behind her, placing his hands just above her breasts. Pushing away his grip and pushing off from the table she was leaning against she walked some distance between them and turned to him.


    ¡°Lets get something straight here Colossus I already got what I needed from you and just so we are on the same field, I¡¯ll never bed you no matter how enticing your¡­manhood is; I¡¯ll get you your books and meet you in the library¡± she ended and in a wake of flames she disappeared.


    ¡°Maybe not me but I think I still have use for your bedding abilities yet¡± he smirks to himself and shimmers to the library.


    Getting into the Drow encampment that is located deep underground and his appearance altered to that as one of his scouts, Drakon moves through the camp toward the Captain¡¯s tent. He enters and looks upon a rather tall imaged Drow dressed in shiny bright steel armor that is draped with a midnight black colored cape with a bright silver spider stretched across the back, he had very keen elven sharp physical features and a brooding dark look of emotion on his face wearing a headband made of blue metal. His bed head hair lifted still with his back turned to the mage and with one move he drew his sword holding it firmly toward his throat.


    ¡°Why the hell have you come back Drakon you know your tricks won¡¯t work with me wearing this headband of true seeing?¡±


    ¡°Nice to see you too, Aries¡± Drakon said moving back away from the blade ¡°I¡¯ve come to-¡°


    ¡°I don¡¯t care why you¡¯re here just leave before I have you killed¡± Aries interrupted


    ¡°Fine if you don¡¯t want revenge on your sister and end the tainted line of blood cursed upon your family that¡¯s fine with me¡± Drakon said and walked out of the tent, following him out he stops Drakon


    ¡°Wait! You mean you know where she is?¡± Aries asked


    ¡°Perhaps and in aiding me with my problem gets rid of one in your side for a long time, I need your squadron to attack an ambassador ship liner coming into dock at Silverspire, there will be an elite force guarding them and in that force is your sister¡± explained Drakon


    ¡°When will this be happening¡± Aries questioned


    ¡°It needs to be TONIGHT!¡± stated Drakon, Aries motions a maiden to his tent wearing only a skimpy bra and a thong, ¡°Interesting servant¡± says Drakon with a cocked eye. Aries tells her to inform the commander to ready his strike force for action tonight and without question she leaves.


    ¡°I¡¯ll be ready and together we will destroy this threat¡± Aries said smiling and returning the smile Drakon disappears.


    Moving and fussing as the cloak draped thick and uncertain to his look Artanis gazed upon the mirror. ¡°Cloud I don¡¯t know about this¡± he said back worried


    ¡°Artanis trust me this is the going to work¡±


    ¡°Yeah but making me your lieutenant surely there is someone in your division that is better suited and less of a you know¡­demon¡±


    ¡°Your race has no concern to me or the King, your help by showing us the inner workings over the past week and a half of bringing down the rest of the scattered Nod clan presence has proven not only trust but respect from me and the men that I lead¡±


    ¡°I know but lieutenant?¡± Artanis said again


    ¡°I think its great¡± complimented Dawn


    ¡°Me too¡± replied Alisianna and shifting around in the uniform he turned to Cloud


    ¡°I want to still be able to wear my wraps after this arrival ceremony¡± whined Artanis


    ¡°Fine but you have to wear the cape with them¡± said Cloud


    ¡°Agreed¡± said Artanis and they all leave to go and get ready for the arrival.


    ¡°I can¡¯t believe I let Cloud and Dawn talk me into wearing this stupid robe¡± Rain complained to himself in the mirror ¡°They¡¯re going to be sorry; I don¡¯t look good in red¡±


    ¡°You might be able to pull off the look if you actually smiled once in a while¡± said a female voice coming from the door, looking over he saw Elanee in her Ambassador robes. They were blue velvet with gold detailing all over the corset style top she normally wears and a matching skirt that draped to the middle of her thighs, she smelled like sweet wild berries in early spring and had blue Lillis in her hair, and as the wind blew from the open door it rushed past her into the room. Elanee¡¯s hair was pulled to a ponytail that held curls to it as it draped covering down to her neck.


    ¡°Wow¡± Rain said in a stun ¡°You look¡­¡± Rain held no other words,


    ¡°Speechless I see, well coming from you I¡¯ll take that as a compliment¡± Elanee smiled


    ¡°What are you doing here anyway¡± asked Rain


    ¡°Cloud wanted me to check up on you to make sure you didn¡¯t run away or anything like that¡±


    ¡°Wouldn¡¯t want to miss Prince perfect coming to town¡± Rain mouthed


    ¡°Rain¡± giving him a bit of a glare


    ¡°He just sounds so pompous and high ended¡± Rain says abruptly with a hint of caution,


    ¡°Is this Rain showing concern¡­for a girl¡± she said covering her mouth.


    ¡°Don¡¯t tell anyone I don¡¯t want to wreck my arrogant public face¡± he said to her


    ¡°Well with the combat moves you¡¯ve been teaching me I should be ok¡± she said smiling, for they have been training for a week after the stalker incident in self defense.


    ¡°Which brings me to a question, why me train you; why not Cloud, Artanis or any other muscle bound brute with a messed up history of fighting?¡±


    ¡°With Cloud training his own men and Artanis always on the look out for the Nod clan members they were to busy. Besides Dawn told me you did basic and advanced hand to hand combat training anyway and with being stuck in your books I thought why not see if you would, and I thought you would jump at the opportunity to beat me around a bit¡± she concluded smiling ¡°You do it with words so why not a hand or two¡±The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.


    ¡°With how fast of a quick study you are it¡¯s getting harder each day; you¡¯re improving greatly¡±


    ¡°Wow two compliments I¡¯d better sit down because I think I¡¯m going into shock¡± she said laughing as she saw him struggle with his robe collar bow


    ¡°Here let me help you with that¡± coming close to him to tie it under his chin. As she finished tying it she gazed to his look,


    ¡°How does it look¡± Rain said back as he followed her eyes watching them drop to see the entirety of his look. Elanee moved her eyes up to his face to see a lock of hair out of place, licking her fingers she resets it back, she stared to his face and into his eyes; Rain only stared back saying nothing but felt heavy to his breath as she felt her blood begin to rush.


    Boowong! Came the loud horn signaling the final approach of the Ambassador¡¯s vessel to port that snapped back both to reality and caused them to spin from one another¡¯s sight.


    ¡°Well we¡¯d better get out there hey¡± she said patting her chest to calm herself down and grabbing his staff he shook his head to bring himself back to reality. Rain followed her out to the rest of the group, and taking to their positions they waited for the ship to anchor.


    The ship docks and an impressive sculpture covers the front of the bow of a man holding a bow pulled back with a bolt of lightning in the string, it had three masts and a double deck body equipped with ten ballista¡¯s on each side. When the ship came to a stop the boarding planks went out to reach the docks and men in chain mail uniforms colored in blue with gold trim came off. Following them was the ship herald announcing both the Ambassador and the head Captain of the army from the city of Stormguard. First the captain gets off and is greeted by Cloud and Artanis the Captain is dressed very similar to the bar expectations of a normal Captain, full suit of armor, cape draped on the back with the same colors as the men with a cloud imprinted on the blue background with gold etching along with a bolt coming out of it, as well as a long sword strapped to his side. He is announced as Captain Tristan Dole. The second is the Ambassador being announced as Lord Namor, and coming off very upscale like, he is dressed with a full robe equipped with a collar covering his back portion of his neck and around the sides with colors matching the Captain¡¯s cape. Namor had gold rings on his fingers, and an amulet hanging around his neck with a pendant that a family portrait of could fit into. He had gleaming platinum blonde hair that was raised up perfectly in half and had wavy rooted bangs draped to either side in the front of his face. Namor¡¯s face was promoted with godlike features and he acted as such in his walk down towards the Captains. Trailing after him was a beautifully colored and shaped white tiger that when met with the Captains went to the side of Tristan. Rain looked at Dawn and Elanee of his group who were gawking at the ambassador like young girls over brooding muscled soldiers. With men of each city single filed down the edge of opposite sides of the dock towards the King, Elanee anxiously awaited the arrival of the ambassador to her and the King. They get to them and the King gives a speech of the gods giving good passage to the voyage and an introduction to the group. Starting with Elanee and explaining that she will be his counterpart through their time spend there he kneels and kisses her hand and glorified at her radiant beauty he almost completely ignored the introduction of the rest of the group the six have formed until the King told of Rain and him being a sorcerer.


    ¡°Did you say he was a mage?¡± Namor questioned again


    ¡°Yes¡± replied the King


    ¡°Does that bother you¡± asked Rain staring emotionless into his eyes


    ¡°No it¡¯s just that our mages in our land have but one task which is to imbue weapons for our men, and important events are hardly worth mentioning, I myself who don¡¯t require a weapon have no use for them at all¡± he explained staring back at Rain


    ¡°And do these mages imbue weapons that change the tides of battle to your favor for a victory?¡± Rain inquired


    ¡°Yes¡± Namor said


    ¡°Then I would say they are of great importance to mention, not caged up down in a cellar like a beast¡± he sternly said back giving an even deeper stare, breaking the stare off Elanee grabbed the arm of the ambassador and escorted him into the castle. Watching them walk off Elanee passed by Rain housing a look as if to say, don¡¯t blow this. His concentration is broken up by the hand of his sister touching his. ¡°Hey don¡¯t worry about his opinion we all know what you¡¯ve done for us and that¡¯s all that matters to us, now do me the honor and escort your stunning sister to the castle¡± she said smiling, taking her hand he contemplated all the power in that city wasted on making just a few weapons glow.


    A couple of hours pass while they are taken on a tour of the castle and the city highlights and getting settled the captains of both cities as well as Rain, Artanis, Dawn and Alisianna are taken into the discussion courtyard. A few minutes pass and they are accompanied by the King and Elanee on the arm of the ambassador. And sitting down the king says ¡°And now to business at hand¡±


    ¡°Well by order of our king he has laid onto me a manner of assessment of what I deem necessary to send to your aid based on facts and proof of your threat¡± said Namor


    ¡°Well now that he knows that were here the attack from Colossus should be immanent¡± replied Rain


    ¡°You mean you¡¯ve never confronted him¡± asked Tristan


    ¡°No, kind of hard to do that when he is dead to start with¡± said Rain


    ¡°Rain!¡± added Cloud


    ¡°Wait a moment, are you saying that were dealing with a ghost¡± asked the Ambassador


    ¡°Not anymore, the mage inside of him transcended his spirit into a warlord leader of a Minatare clan and using his body to be alive again he has revised his ability to get rid of us¡± said Cloud


    ¡°Us¡­you refer to only you three Drow¡± Namor staggered in disbelief


    ¡°Yes¡± Cloud said


    ¡°So I¡¯m suppose to send an army to fight a battle which you three are only involved in¡± questioned Namor


    ¡°No we will need them because he will attack this place just because we are here in the first place, whether we are here when he does attack or not¡± speculated Dawn


    ¡°My dear I think the forces of Stormguard can defeat one wizard¡± boosted Namor with pride


    ¡°I don¡¯t think you understand what you¡¯re up against here-¡±Cloud said


    ¡°I have been fighting battle since before your conception my dear boy and this one is no different¡± Namor interrupted


    ¡°No different huh (laughed Rain) this mage Colossus is not going to meet you on a field of green grass, talk truces, and then fight. He will come when your men aren¡¯t ready and will wait for months for you not to think of him as a threat and then he will attack. And not by mere men but by demons and dwarves and other Drow and others that we don¡¯t even know exist. Your magical weapons will only delay the inevitable if he is allowed to gain this power¡±. Rain bolts


    ¡°And what great power is he massing?¡± asked Tristan


    ¡°You really think anyone knows what he¡¯s up to, that is what makes him so dangerous¡± replied Rain


    ¡°I will not help a cause if there is no proof of a conflict and threat to my own land¡± the Ambassador shouted


    ¡°Yes that¡¯s right! Colossus only has been planning something for twenty years for the soul purpose of taking over this little piece of rock, come on Ambassador wake up! His power will consume this realm as well as yours in a manner your men have no way of defending against, and after I¡¯m dead and my spirit is floating around in the sky I will surely enjoy watching you die by his very hand¡± Rain snapped


    ¡°Rain that is enough¡± Yelled Cloud


    ¡°Permission to leave the room¡± Rain barked as he got up and walk out slamming the doors as he left.


    ¡°I¡¯ll go speak with him¡± said Dawn swiftly following his trail.


    Sitting on a hill outside the city Dawn joins her brother, ¡°This kind of evil is a lot for a new realm to understand at once Rain¡±


    ¡°For not embracing magic or at the very least believing that it exists, that idiot in there will never understand, maybe I should show him¡± Rain said getting up and making the motions to removing his amulet from his neck.


    ¡°RAIN NO!¡± Dawn shouted grabbing his hand away from his own chest ¡°You know that will draw us to his vision and into his reach¡±


    ¡°Yeah so, at least that fool will see for his damn self the proof that he requires and what will kill him¡±


    ¡°Yeah and us in the process, I would like to exist a little longer if you don¡¯t mind, at least until we have the combined strength to finish him off¡± added Dawn


    ¡°You really think we can Dawn¡±


    ¡°I know we can Rain, deep inside of me I feel our purpose and it is strong¡± she clenched her hands together and held them to her chest; Rain came over and put his hands over hers and apologizes for his rash actions. Talking about the past a little bit to pass the time to ease Rain¡¯s mind foot step brought both to see Alisianna.


    ¡°Well should I start packing up¡± asked Rain


    ¡°No¡± said Alisianna ¡°Cloud and the King were able to calm him down and convince him to stay for the course of the next few months but you are to stay away from him and you¡¯re not permitted to any more meetings while he is here¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s unacceptable Rain is a hero for saving this city from Braxis ¨C¡±and stopping his sister in mid sentence he nods in agreement to the terms. Alisianna nodded with his answer and went back to tell Cloud


    ¡°Since when do you take words like this lying down Rain¡± asked Dawn


    ¡°I won¡¯t but I need to show restraint if we have a hope to get an army from them and an army we will need for nothing else but to slow him down¡± Rain explained


    ¡°Well I¡¯m going to go see the plan until our demise happens ok¡± Dawn ended and kissing Rain on the cheek she went off to the guardhouse. Staring by the river bordering some woods nearby on the other side of the hill, Rain glances hard at some motion in the air but seeing nothing he shakes his head and goes to his room.


    Appearing where Rain was looking Drakon uncloaks his invisibility with Aries at his side. ¡°Damn that was close I thought we had been spotted for a second their¡± said Drakon, Aries motioned to his men to get in position for the attack. ¡°Don¡¯t make a move until I say got it, we only have one chance lets not blow it.


    ¡°Fine but don¡¯t make me wait too long old man, I lose patience fast¡± Aries bolted and hid back amongst the bushes while Drakon goes cloaked again to move in. Finding a good spot to cast from Drakon throws a fireball into a concentration of scout guards on the gate front area, they are thrown and killed in the air and landing away from the door Aries¡¯ men move in to open the gate.


    Cloud and Rain along with the rest of the group are in the center chamber with Cloud interrogating Rain for his actions earlier. While giving a lecture to Rain Cloud is interrupted by a guard telling him the center gate is open and the guards are dead. Hurrying out to the site Cloud and the group gaze upon the fireball force of Drakon, looking through the scorched and scolded Cloud finds one who is still alive. Rising up very slowly he tells Cloud through coughing and a speech impediment that men came through saying they need to take out the ambassador. Giving the order Cloud orders his men to reach the west tower of the castle and aid the ambassadors¡¯ men in their defense while telling Dawn and Alisianna to remain here and heal and help who they can.


    ¡°Elanee¡¯s with the ambassador now¡± Rain ended short bolting to the keep tower with Cloud and Artanis behind him.


    They reach the door to the tower to see men of their own as well as the Stromguard guards on the floor with their throats cut.


    ¡°There are not a lot of them¡± replied Artanis


    ¡°How can you be sure?¡± asked Cloud


    ¡°Because men that go for throats and key points to render instant death travel light in numbers, to avoid detection¡± Artanis explains


    ¡°We¡¯ll their doing a good job¡± Rain stated and hearing two more swords clang to the ground they hurry towards the sound to catch up with them.


    Hearing these sounds the Captain of Stormguard, Elanee and the ambassador barricade themselves in the chamber of the ambassador while men outside fight off the incursion of Drakon¡¯s force, seconds only go by before they hear a spell being chanted and the door blasting it open. Standing in the opening of where the door was, was Drakon starting to laugh ¡°I was kind of expecting more of a fight from your men seeing how this city went to the trouble of calling for you, but I see now that this attack was for nothing¡±


    ¡°How did you beat my men, their weapons should have cut you down¡± bolted Tristan


    ¡°Oh they did hurt the first two of them, but after I gave them immunity to magical weapons, your men were pretty easy pickings¡± smirked Drakon ¡°And now it¡¯s time to finish you off; Oh hello, Elanee isn¡¯t it, I hope that my shadow didn¡¯t cause you too much trouble¡±


    ¡°You son of a bitch, that was yours; I hope you rot in hell for that¡± Elanee spouted off


    ¡°Indeed he will¡± said Cloud¡¯s voice being heard from behind the forces of the drow


    And turning around quickly Drakon looks to them ¡°You¡¯re no match for these soldiers¡± and looking around for Aries he spits out again ¡°Damn that man he takes revenge on his sister too seriously¡±


    Cloud putting together quickly what Drakon just said tells Artanis to go check on the girls and without hesitation Artanis bolts to the exit of the tower. Engaging the forces of Drakon, Cloud and Rain along with six men fight the seven Drow assassins while Drakon is bombarded by attacks from Captain Tristan.


    Back at the gate only a quarter of the men were saved by the druid and priestess, healed as well as they could be. Alisianna was about to move on up to her feet when a thud was heard behind her, she looked to the ground to see Dawn face down in the dirt with blood trickling down to the ground from the back of her head. She continued to turn to see the hilt of Aries¡¯ sword smeared with the same blood and with a quick move Aries throws a dagger into the man Alisianna was holding killing him off.


    ¡°I see Drakon missed a couple¡± Aries said laughing ¡°How are you sister, still playing in the woods I see¡±


    ¡°Aries?¡± she shockingly said setting down the dead guard and drawing her bow.


    ¡°In the flesh, I hope I¡¯m not intruding on anything I just had to drop by and finish what I started¡± Aries continued


    ¡°Please brother there is still time to turn from this path and join us, father didn¡¯t want this for you¡± she said


    ¡°FATHER¡±S DEAD!¡± he shouted ¡°he was weak and a fool not to mention a disgrace to the family name of Drow, but happily after his death by my hand I have partly corrected that mistake I only need to finish you off and my rebirthing into the good name of the Drow will be cleansed¡± he continued


    ¡°Please brother I don¡¯t want to kill you¡± she sympathized


    ¡°Well now I have heard that you¡¯ve grown in power and in looks I see too, maybe I¡¯ll go a round with that body after I knock you out before I run you through¡± and lunging toward her she blocked the first couple of attacks but disarming her bow from her hands he laughed again ¡°You really think that a bow against a sword is logical¡± and removing her cape she exposed a scimitar sword that she unsheathes and saying a word the blade suddenly fills with flame ¡°Not overly but I think this will even the odds a bit¡± she replies and lunging back they engage in a battle.


    Back in the tower Tristan is hurt in the battle between him and Drakon and severely cut in the arm leaning against the wall in a corner of the chamber room. Drakon leaves him to finish off the Ambassador and putting a fatal stab into the last Drow Cloud looks calling to Rain who has a lightning bolt ready, he pauses in his strike for a second while witnessing the mage holding the Ambassador upon his knees about to run him through.


    ¡°RAIN NOW!¡± commanded Cloud and releasing the bolt hitting Drakon center in the hands dropping his sword, Drakon looks to Rain, ¡°This isn¡¯t over¡± and disappears in a mist and throwing his sword to stab him Cloud is surprised that his sword goes through the mist and into the wall behind him.


    Rain walks up to the ambassador who is comforted by Elanee and looking at Namor he stares at him ¡°I hope you remember that today you were saved by a spell at the hands of a sorcerer and not some stupid sword, turning to Elanee with a look of disgust that she would go to his side first Rain leaves the room. Getting up and following in his wake Elanee yells to Rain to see if he is ok and turning around again to show a cut on his eye and a blooded up mouth he says ¡°Nothing my sister can¡¯t fix¡± and continues walking away. About to say something she stops, leans up against the wall in the hall and closes her eyes, taking a deep breath she returns to the room to aid the Captain and Namor.


    Driven to the bloodied dirt Aries looked over his sister, her flaming sword knocked from her hand, Alisianna shifts her hand to form roots at Aries¡¯ feet but jumping back extending metallic claws from his gauntlet Aries shreds the roots to mulch. Alisianna reaches for her sword but her hand is stopped at the wrist by a whip lashing around it, she looks to see Aries holding the other end firmly with a grin.


    ¡°Do you think I became Captain of the Matriarch¡¯s army by useless little tricks¡± he smirks staring to her bloodied face that he caused, he then moves his eyes to her torn leather suit from the battle showing a part of her front, she pulls it up holding a half scared look while staring back to him.


    ¡°Aries please, why have you become this, this raw hatred to me; I don¡¯t understand what I¡¯ve done¡± she pleaded to him


    ¡°What have you done?¡± Aries shouted ¡°You were born and ruined my life you nature hugging bitch!!¡± Aries spat at her. Finally gripping her blade she swings upward to cut the whip holding her bond, Aries retracted the whip back and lashing it again he cut her across the face, she went down as the cut was near her eye and assaulting again he wraps up her one leg twisting it with a violent thrust which brought her to the ground hard and on to her back. Alisianna glared to his heavy boots that strutted closer to her; looking up she saw him with his blade resting on his shoulder.


    ¡°You are seriously pathetic, but a nuisance that I can finally ride myself of¡± he smiled and raising the blade high to the air for a fatal blow she acts, summoning roots to grip both sides of the sword he had in the air, commanding them down as soon as they wrapped to it the blade comes down into Aries¡¯ shoulder piercing his armor and wedging in deep to his shoulder.


    ¡°AHHH!¡± Aries cried in pain as the blade indeed goes deep, he moves slow to pull it from it¡¯s holding, gazing around he notices Alisianna already on her feet and with her bow in her grasp holstering a arrow pulled tightly back aimed at his head.


    ¡°Your blade is indeed sharp to penetrate that thick Armor brother, well made if I do say so myself¡±


    ¡°Nature made whore! I¡¯ll never repent to your side! Your tainting of our family will hold me hunting you forever!¡± he yells at her while attempting to grip to his weapon.


    ¡°Then I am done trying to save you in this life brother, I will save your soul the only way I can now¡± She¡¯s says sharpening her vision while gripping her bow for a fatal strike.


    ¡°Go to hell Bitch¡± bolted to her ears, being struck by a fist to her face knocking her again to the ground the arrow releases shooting off into the night air. Alisianna shakes her head to see the mage sprinting passed her and upon touching Aries the two vanished via teleport. Artanis rushes to her side seeing the bloody mess she was in and Dawn awakes shortly after with all the noise and tromping guards shortly after.


    ¡°Alisianna are you all right?¡± Artanis questions her


    ¡°No, No I¡¯m not¡± she says staring at the place her brother was standing. Artanis gets up and moves to the side of Dawn who is just starting to come to.


    ¡°Ouch what happened?¡± Dawn asked


    ¡°You were knocked out by Aries¡± Alisianna explained


    ¡°Are you ok Alisianna?¡± Dawn inquired


    ¡°I¡¯ll be ok¡± she said smiling and helping Dawn to her feet while limping herself they get back into the guard house. The rest of the night went by with Cloud, Rain and Artanis bringing the dead to the graves dug for them and Dawn and Alisianna performing the services for them as best as their conditions will allow. After the memorials they discuss where to find out in the morning what had gone down tonight and attempt to find Drakon and Aries first before he attacks again.

 Chapter 11

    The next day Elanee came swiftly and rising from his bed Rain awakes to see Elanee sitting in a chair waiting for him to open his eyes.


    ¡°Raise and shine¡± she said in a soft voice


    ¡°What are you doing here? Aren¡¯t you supposed to be babysitting the overdressed clown¡± Rain said yawning.


    ¡°Not yet I¡¯m here for training remember, and just so were clear I have to be around him that much¡± she explained and seeing the gash to his eye she gets a concerned look, ¡°Rain are you ok that looks like it hurts¡± she added going to feel for a bump.


    ¡°Then by all means don¡¯t let me stop you¡± he said stopping her arm with his and getting up Rain gripped and placed on his robe.


    ¡°Rain you didn¡¯t need to be so combative yesterday at the meeting¡± she said


    ¡°You¡¯re defending that prick; he treats his mages like god-damn slaves Elanee¡±


    ¡°We don¡¯t know exactly what goes on in that city, things are different wherever you travel, and you know that¡± she says a little heated while Rain takes a drink of left over water in his cup from yesterday,


    ¡°Well at least we know where your loyalties lie¡± he combats to her


    ¡°To this city and don¡¯t you forget that Rain¡± she defends with a stare to which he returns, ¡°What are you doing here so early anyway, pissing me off doesn¡¯t start till after breakfast remember¡±


    ¡°I came here also to say that I feel terrible for what I did; leaving you till second to be checked on by me I mean, but the King wants his priorities to be first in line and anything else to sway him to help us¡± she continued


    ¡°His priorities¡± Rain laughs out ¡°I can only imagine what long list he has, but I¡¯m glad you¡¯re willing to see that they¡¯re all met in name of this city, it shows¡­oh what shall we call it¡­integrity I guess¡± laughing again as he scopes her from head to toe and giving him a disgusted look at the thought of what Rain might be thinking she says ¡°I¡¯m not willing to go as far as you might be thinking, now are we still going to spare or not Rain?¡± she concluded


    And thinking for a second he turns away from her ¡°Sure you can fit it in your busy schedule¡±


    ¡°Damn it Rain stop it¡± she huffed out and seeing she was annoyed he halted,


    ¡°Meet me in the courtyard at quarter rise sun and we¡¯ll continue¡± and shaking her head while passing him as the thought of what he was thinking runs to her mind, she goes to get ready.


    Walking to the church Cloud being accompanied by Alisianna talks to her about the recent encounter she had and gives her his word that he will do what he can to keep him from her, smiling at him she thanks his kind gesture and leaves to go check on her forest.


    Cloud goes up to the church door to see Artanis again helping Dawn with the daily upkeep of it and calls him over for a word with him


    ¡°Yea Cloud¡± he responds


    ¡°Artanis, I see you and my sister are getting close, and I¡¯m not blind to the moves of your eye rouge demon¡± he says suspiciously


    ¡°Well she¡¯s a great person to be around¡± and looking to the ground then back at her and then to him again he finishes ¡°Look Cloud she told me about other men in her life, and I just want to say you don¡¯t have to worry about me, I may have some feelings for her but she has none of the same back to me¡±


    And thinking about what he said Cloud asks him to take a walk with him, and going down the market street he starts again ¡°That¡¯s not why I want to talk with you, it¡¯s the ambassador; I don¡¯t fully trust in his being here for what he simply is saying and believe me you are the last one I wanted to ask to perform this task-¡°


    ¡°You want me to spy on the Ambassador to see if he has a hidden agenda¡± states Artanis finishing Cloud¡¯s sentence; Cloud nods with regret ¡°Hey no sweat, look Captain¡± replies Artanis to which Cloud gives him a look.


    ¡°Never call me that Artanis, you are my equal not my underling¡±


    ¡°Sorry and thank you Cloud, this task won¡¯t make me revert to my old ways so don¡¯t worry and the answer yes, because I¡¯ll be honest I don¡¯t fully trust him either¡± and nodding to him with a smirk Cloud pats his shoulder and goes to the castle, Artanis goes back to the church to tell Dawn his new task and finishes helping her.


    Getting dressed in his robe and meeting Tristan downstairs in the tower wing of the castle he has a talk with Namor.


    ¡°Well it¡¯s clear that they need some help¡± said Tristan


    ¡°Yes but that wasn¡¯t the threat they were talking about; none the less this place would be a good trading partner for the future of our kingdom to prosper with, and I must say the choice they made for a counterpart to work with me is excellent not to mention beautiful. I¡¯m sure it won¡¯t take me long to win her over to my favor.¡± ends Namor holding speech as if to implore together a plan.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry Ambassador, are you trying to say you want to keep Elanee¡±


    ¡°Well yes of course did I stutter?¡± asked Namor


    ¡°I think she is happily settled here Namor,¡± Tristan says


    ¡°Yes, well we¡¯ll see about that, it¡¯s that mage that¡¯s the problem, I¡¯ll have to keep him out of the way for it seems that they have a little bond to one another¡± Namor plots to himself, as Tristan gives him a suspicious look; interrupted by Cloud appearing to escort the two to the keep hall.


    ¡°Where is my counterpart Elanee?¡± asks the ambassador


    ¡°She is training in the courtyard in the mastery of self-defense,¡± says Cloud


    ¡°I want to see her,¡± commanded Namor and with a shocked look on Clouds face he agrees saying ¡°Right away¡± and takes them there.


    ¡°Now watch me not your feet ok, watch for my moves at the corner of my joints on my body and move first to defend then bring in to attack¡± instructs Rain to Elanee, nodding her head they begin the sparing match, blocking Rain¡¯s attacks very well Elanee comes into her attack position and throwing a couple of punches she then spins her leg connecting to hit Rain in the face, Rain falls to his knees and Elanee shocked tossing her hand to her face in fright rushes to his side.


    ¡°Are you ok?¡± she says worryingly


    ¡°I¡¯m fine; nice hit¡± Rain replies and moving back into position he attacks her again and sparring back and forth for a while she catches Rain¡¯s feet with a leg sweep and pins him down to the ground giving Rain a clear view at her chest. She sits on his with her arms holding his down and her knees locking his legs ¡°How good did I do¡± she said with a little seductiveness thrown into her words


    ¡°Pretty damn¡± Rain nods ¡°You can let me up now¡±


    ¡°Maybe¡± she says staring deep to his eyes, quickly startled by the words of the ambassador that brings her sight to Namor¡¯s attention.


    Getting to her feet with a hidden smile inside of her, she asks Rain if he wants to go again. Rain gets to his feet and seeing the Ambassador he says ¡°Maybe some other time looks like your duty has come to see you, but you are doing well¡±


    ¡°Well of course she is; there¡¯s no physical contest between a mage and her; but if you want to train in combat perhaps my Captain could assist better than your mage friend here after all, who knows more about combat then a guard Captain right¡± the ambassador conveniently says


    ¡°Really that¡¯s fine-¡±


    ¡°Yes a fine idea¡± interrupts Rain and with Elanee giving him a look of confusion he continues ¡°I mean what do I know about combat right¡±


    ¡°Actually a lot Rain¡± she sternly says to his face


    ¡°Now Elanee we don¡¯t want to slam the offer of the good ambassador now do we¡± says Rain with a fake smile put on his face ¡°Besides I need to work more on Drakon¡¯s movements anyway and can¡¯t do that with aiding you¡±


    ¡°Didn¡¯t know I was such an inconvenience¡± she said with hurt in her voice and turning to the Captain she asked ¡°But if you don¡¯t mind I would love to be taught by you¡± she finished with a fake smiling face. A look of awkwardness went over Cloud¡¯s face as he looked at his brother¡¯s defeated face knowing he couldn¡¯t help.


    To a table at the keep library Rain sits, with maps and scrolls out on the face, he combed through a book to cover the paths Drakon may have taken, but when a tap and a tug came to Rain¡¯s cloak side he turns to see down to a young girl no older than seven years of age. Rain watched as the girl¡¯s eyes fixed to the sight of his hands, she look with much wonderment and asking if she needed something she looked up at him, staring to his eye scar. ¡°When they come out, does it hurt?¡± she asked in a cute manner to him, housing the look of a common girl to the town Rain looks back to the girl, ¡°Does what hurt?¡± Rain said back confused.


    ¡°The spells you make, you know the ice and fire¡± she went on, ¡°Only to the ones that it¡¯s directed at¡± Rain said back straight to the point, the girl didn¡¯t even seem afraid as most did to his appearance and with a cock to her head she continued to examine his out look, ¡°The ones that try to hurt me¡­and my mother?¡± she said back with adoration and smiling to her cuteness Rain nods, ¡°Then why the scars?¡± she asked again.


    ¡°It¡¯s from me trying spells not to be used at my age, ones that require more time¡±


    ¡°Then why try them?¡± she asked fast, Rain held a freeze, she was bright for her age and the reply almost stumped Rain in response, it was very logical. ¡°To see if I¡¯m ready¡±


    ¡°But you¡¯re not right, or you wouldn¡¯t have them¡±


    ¡°But I¡¯ll never know if I don¡¯t try, it¡¯s how we users of magic learn and grow in strength¡± Rain said back, the little girl took a hand from Rain and in her own grasp she looked close to it, planting a small kiss to it she rubbed it softly, ¡°There does that feel better?¡± Rain smiles ¡°Yes very much¡± he ended turning back to his book, flipping the page with his side sight he sees she¡¯s still there and again he looks back,Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.


    ¡°Can I sit with you¡± she asked, Rain sat shocked from the offer, ¡°Umm sure you can, just try to keep silent for I¡¯m trying to work¡±


    ¡°Ok¡±she said excited and took the chair next to him, ¡°What cha reed en?¡± she asked


    ¡°A book¡± Rain said focused


    ¡°What¡¯s it about¡± she questioned


    ¡°Things¡± Rain mouthed a little disrupted


    ¡°What kind?¡± replied the girl and Rain rolled his eyes with minor annoyance ¡°Little one if you plan to stay here you must stay quiet¡± he told to her


    ¡°Ok¡± she sparked happily and swung her legs between the chair pillars while staring to the pages as Rain reads.


    ¡°Lisa!¡± came the spark of a mother¡¯s harsh tone that half startled the little girl to alertness and Rain the same, ¡°Mother!¡± the little one said back, ¡°Come here right now, leave him be¡± she scolded, Rain watched as the mother¡¯s fast reaction took Lisa by the hand and off the chair.


    ¡°I¡¯m so very sorry about this magistrate, it won¡¯t happen again¡± she pleaded half scared to him and Rain look to her with disconcertment ¡°Miss it¡¯s quite alright she was doing no harm here, she only was curious¡± Rain said in defense to her. The mother gazed back with brief puzzlement, ¡°You¡¯re not mad?¡± the Lady tossed back ¡°No¡± Rain said with the mother still wary, ¡°I¡¯m sorry most mages are furious with such issues happening and generally is followed by derogatory remarks to myself¡±, Rain gazed a look to the woman holding a middle aged appearance, young in beauty and housing a fit figure with deep seduction to her face. ¡°I don¡¯t require much concentration so it was no bother for her to be around¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re different than most of them in here, and not nearly as rude, thank you for showing not all of them are so bad¡±


    ¡°I must admit she is quite the brave little thing, most of such ages fear us Drow for our history is not the best¡±


    ¡°Her father taught her to be mindful and to first study a unit before passing judgment, it was the words of her father¡±


    ¡°And good ones to live by, a smart man he was and he would be where?¡±


    ¡°Dead¡± the mother said back, ¡°Going on three years this coming winter¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry¡± Rain said sympathetically ¡°It¡¯s a guess why Lisa here is attracted to the sight of them, her father was one and she wishes to be one as well, she holds around them to see if she can learn the magic¡¯s to rid her of the nightmares she has ever since the death of him, she witnessed it happen¡± the mother sighed looking to her. Rain looked as well and then got to his feet and took to a kneel, with his hands Rain arced yellow lightning to his hands and finishing the simple spell a lantern emitted to his palm with a yellow ball floating to it¡¯s inner glass housing, he gave it to Lisa who took it to her arms and with great focus she gazed at it. ¡°Maybe this will help Lisa, it¡¯s a lantern of peaceful slumber and as long as you have it nightmares you have will stay away¡±


    ¡°Really, truly¡­thanks!¡± Lisa said engrossed to it¡¯s appearance and seeing the bright smile lit as bight as the floating ball the mother held a look to Rain, ¡°Thank you so much¡­ (Whispers) it¡¯s not a real magic like that is it¡± and Rain shook his head ¡°No but merely saying it will put the images she sees to rest if she believes in its power, and when she becomes of age she¡¯ll have calmed from the horror of it¡±, ¡°I must repay you for this kindness, dinner tonight, at my home?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not necessary Milady, it was no issue to do this for her¡± Rain smiled


    ¡°I must insist, I haven¡¯t seen such mannerisms in a magic-user since my late husband, it¡¯s good to know they still exist¡± the lady pressed on.


    ¡°I would if I didn¡¯t have pressing matters to work on, really I¡¯m sorry, I¡¯m sure you cook well¡± Rain kindly declined as he looked to the lust filled strike to the mother¡¯s eyes, Rain needed to end the mixed message. Adding to him that if he ever wished a good meal or time away from issues too great, her home was only two blocks from this library. Lisa hugged Rain thanking him for the gift and adding a kiss upon his cheek the mother takes her daughter¡¯s hand and departed. In the loom of darkness made by the bookshelves Artanis emerges seeing the whole thing happen and with cold ale to one hand and Rain¡¯s hot mulberry tea to the other he approached setting it to the table, watching as she left Artanis takes sight to her tight formed butt swaying away through the door, ¡°That woman had been approached many times by countless men and your brief time took ownership to her heart with simple words¡­you do know that dinner invite wasn¡¯t all she wished for right¡± taking a sip of his tea brought to him he looks to Artanis, ¡°I know but a woman that holds such teachings and high morals deserves a man like my brother to her side, not me¡±


    ¡°Seems to my sight that what she was looking for in a man she found in you, there are more to hero¡¯s than the god following type Rain¡± he ended swigging some of his ale, ¡° I don¡¯t deserve such beauty or love, even if I hold the power she wishes in a man¡± Rain says defeated


    ¡°And what do you deserve then Rain¡± asked Artanis to which Rain only lifted his head saying nothing. ¡°The butt that just walked from here needs the love of a man to hold it and you were it, and being the type she trusts and loves why should you feel bad?¡­because of your fear of being double standard to your vows and words Rain, because it might show weakness¡±


    ¡°Weakness can be exploited¡± answered Rain sipping again his tea, ¡°Rain your not perfect, you have faults and many of them are shown here, arrogance and rudeness, solitude and hopelessness¡­your weaknesses aren¡¯t hidden to anyone Rain, and a time will come when you wish for a love and it will be much harder to turn down¡­only know that you can¡¯t feel bad or hold from yourself that your doing wrong by taking it in. Your only weakness is when you betray yourself from the truth¡± Artanis patted Rain¡¯s back downing the last of his ale and getting to his feet he leaves Rain to his work.


    As he sits to a deep glare the wind howls out a ghostly chuckle upon them, ¡°Damn it we lost¡± Aries said smashing his fist into a tree somewhere in the woods that Drakon warped them to.


    ¡°Caught that did you, I thought maybe that being so nearsighted by rage that you didn¡¯t see that¡± Drakon bolted


    ¡°She is going to PAY! For what she has don¡¯t to my family¡± Aries screamed


    ¡°You almost got us killed with your little vendetta of yours¡± and going up to him and hanging on to his collar on his armor he brings Aries¡¯s eyes into his ¡°Now this time you do as I say and no letting your revenge get in the damn way this time¡± Drakon snapped and letting him go harshly he turns to looks at some bushes


    ¡°Let¡¯s go see your boss and get some more troops to attack them¡± suggested Aries


    ¡°My god being down in the dark has made you blind, did you not see what happened, how organized they were; not to mention I told Colossus that I was going to take care of this already, going back now would mean certain death for me, no we have to clean this mess up on our own¡±


    ¡°You mean you do, this isn¡¯t my fault¡±


    ¡°No it¡¯s not but you will not get another chance at killing your sister without me¡±


    ¡°And why not¡± Aries questioned


    ¡°Because if you don¡¯t help me I will hide her from your sight for the rest of your life¡± Drakon threatened and thinking for a moment and giving Drakon a scowl he looked up at him ¡°Then what do you propose we do, we are out of men and good luck me trying to get more from my queen¡±


    ¡°We need to set a trap¡± smiled Drakon ¡°And this is how we¡¯re going to do it¡±


    A week almost goes by for Silverspire and the group continues their everyday activities in the city with the only difference that being Rain avoiding Elanee at every possible turn. He starts leaving conversations ended with blunt remarks and making excuses why he can never spend time with her or anything. The end of that week came with a little celebration on behalf of the victory defending the group organized in honor of the ambassador¡¯s arrival.


    Dawn catching up with Elanee at the market while leaving the Church wanted to know who she was going with.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know, probably Namor¡± Elanee said with a not so happy face spelling the words


    ¡°Things not going well in the land of the rich¡± Dawn said giggling


    ¡°Not as well as you might think, I¡¯m always around him and don¡¯t get me wrong he is a good man, but I never have gotten the chance to see you guys much with all the prancing around I have to do with him¡± Elanee stresses to her.


    ¡°Then go with someone else, like Captain Tristan, he¡¯s cute¡± suggested Dawn


    ¡°Maybe but I¡¯ll think about it, oh I have to go this way so I guess I¡¯ll see you at the guard house later ok¡±


    ¡°Sure¡± Said Dawn and they break off to go different ways. Taking a long pause Elanee finishes what she is shopping for and goes to the potion shop where Rain at times still comes to.


    Rain was just deep reading as usually into a book about enchanting items of high power when Elanee walked through the door. ¡°Hey Rain you busy, for a second I want to ask you something, before Namor and I go on that tour of the towns around the land¡± quickly putting the book away and sweeping something under the table before she could see, he gets up to put some things away looking very busy while he talked. ¡°Well if it¡¯s who during the trip should be on top in bed I don¡¯t think I¡¯ll be much help¡± he spouted off, with a shocked and hurtful look on her face and standing there with nothing to say; Tristan just happened to be walking by the shop window when he caught a very big wind of Elanee¡¯s defense statement.


    ¡°Is that what you think I¡¯m doing with him all this time, being his personal little concubine¡± and stopping what he was doing to look at her now she just explodes with words ¡°I am not some whore Rain, and further more I didn¡¯t choose this to happen to me ok, it just did¡±


    ¡°But you did love the opportunity¡± said Rain


    ¡°If that is your sad twisted way of trying to say that I¡¯m in love with him you¡¯re sadly mistaken, I¡¯m more afraid of him than anything, due to the fact that with all I¡¯m able to do lately is things only with him, and I¡¯m not allowed to say anything because I don¡¯t want anything provoking him to leave and go with out aiding us¡± she says with a crying voice in the making. ¡°I can¡¯t believe you just said that, you know what, about what I was going to ask¡­forget it your not worth it¡± and walking to open the door violently she turns her body one more time to face Rain ¡°And the secret you told me about not letting out that your a nice guy to protect your public rep; don¡¯t worry, your arrogance of being a top grade ass has pretty much covered that up¡± and she leaves but taking just a few steps she runs into Tristan outside and catching her before she fell she grabs him.


    ¡°Are you ok Elanee what¡¯s wrong?¡± he asks


    ¡°Fine I¡¯m just having a bad day¡± and thanking him quickly she leaves his sights with her head down to cover the tears and goes to the guard house.


    Rain takes a little longer than usual to clean up the shop thinking about what he has done.


    Elanee arrives at the house and meets Dawn in the study room.


    ¡°Hey you ok¡± Dawn questions


    ¡°Well I was actually going to ask if Rain wanted to go with me instead,¡± Elanee continued


    ¡°Really what did he say?¡± asked Dawn


    ¡°Well I don¡¯t know the answer because he decided to call me a whore for what I¡¯ve been doing lately instead¡± Elanee finished and when Dawn¡¯s jaw dropped like a pile of rocks she brings Elanee over to the couch and asked her to explain the whole story.


    Tristan waited outside the shop and when Rain finally came out, he approached him


    ¡°Rain¡± Tristan said


    ¡°Oh you, aren¡¯t you supposed to be babysitting your master¡¯s slippers or something¡± Rain chuckled


    ¡°He¡¯s not my master Rain, us two are equals at this touring trip to your home through he doesn¡¯t like to say it much, anyways I was here to ask you something¡± he said


    ¡°Oh lord not you too!¡± Rain sighed


    ¡°Probably not the same thing Elanee was going to ask you don¡¯t worry but, I was going to ask you about her, why are you keeping your distance from her lately when she has been trying to get in touch with you so fiercely?¡±


    ¡°Just trying to avoid complications, she¡¯s trying to not do anything wrong to screw up this meeting with him, and with me in the picture and her wanting to be around me¡­look I¡¯ve noticed the way he looks at her and it¡¯s not just as a rep. I just don¡¯t want my presence voiding any chance we have at this army boost for this city, that¡¯s all¡± Rain explains


    ¡°That¡¯s all¡­.there¡¯s nothing more to it Rain?¡± Tristan asked inquiringly


    ¡°No there isn¡¯t why, what were you trying to get out of me?¡±


    ¡°Just a clearer picture of what¡¯s going on that¡¯s all¡± Tristan said


    ¡°Well don¡¯t ok it¡¯s starting to piss me off a bit¡± and he finishes by storming off down an ally, Tristan smiling to himself, does not follow and continues back to the castle tower.


    Reaching the guard house Rain is greeted by Dawn at the door giving him one of the coldest stares he has ever had endured from her ¡°Something wrong Dawn¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m looking at him, what the hell is wrong with you? The way you have treated Elanee is unfair! She has been guilty of nothing but kindness to you ever since your first meeting and you regarded her with disrespect and derogatory comments; she has done nothing to deserve that¡± Dawn barraged Rain to his face


    ¡°Well you know me, I¡¯m quick to judge and I¡¯m not going to be sorry nor change; but if it bothers her that much generally she has some insight that it¡¯s the truth and she just doesn¡¯t want to hear it¡± Rain barked back WHAP! Came the swiftness of Dawn¡¯s hand across Rain¡¯s face ¡°You apologize to her and you do it tonight because not one shred of it is true, none of it!¡± Dawn bolted then stormed off.


    The group all arrive at the celebration except Rain who is contemplating going at all and if he does he will have a favorably late entrance, an hour almost goes by before he gains enough courage to go and arriving late but staying in the shadowing part of a hill sitting by himself Rain hears Alisianna¡¯s voice as she sings. Her voice was soft, like that of a Siren and just as such almost captivates the crowd with her musical lungs, after a few more performances Rain is about to leave when he sees Elanee get up to sing. Rain sits to wait quickly to see if she will sound like a harpy or a herald but is soon drug into a trance from her soothing crisp vocals. She carries notes like a song bird with a combination of gentle low tone keys, to crisp coiled high end ones, when she was finished she was applauded loudly by Namor who quickly came into hugging distance and danced a few slow song dances with her afterwards. Shaking his head in anger and proud pride that he was right Rain went to the guardhouse and hasty throwing a lightning bolt at the wall in a quick rage. He calmed down instantaneously with the knowledge that this was his own doing, still not accepting that Rain went to bed.

 Chapter 12

    Getting up before the crack of dawn, Cloud and Artanis are in the guardhouse common room discussing soldier formations and marching schedules when Tristan walks in with a rather disconcerting look on his face.


    ¡°Excuse me guys might I have a word with you two¡± Tristan said not trying to butt in their conversation


    ¡°Sure¡± said Cloud


    ¡°I had a group of men doing some scouting of my own and they haven¡¯t returned yet and it¡¯s been well over the due date they were supposed to report in¡± Tristan explained


    ¡°Well I know you have training of new recruits to do as well today Cloud,¡± said Artanis


    ¡°I can move the time up later enough to check this out¡± Cloud recessed


    ¡°You know Cloud that¡¯s why you have a lieutenant remember, so you don¡¯t do everything yourself¡± Artanis reminded him ¡°So I¡¯ll go check it out¡±


    ¡°I would like to come along if that¡¯s alright¡± Tristan added and thinking about it for a time Cloud agreed ¡°Fine but I want you to take Dawn with you¡±


    ¡°Why?¡± Artanis questioned


    ¡°Because if there is anyone mortally wounded you won¡¯t get them here in time¡± finished Cloud


    ¡°If they are that injured they are going to be dead anyway before we get there¡± and looking at Tristan he added ¡°No offence Tristan¡±


    Shaking his head Tristan said, ¡°None taken your probably right¡±


    ¡°Doesn¡¯t matter but then take her for your own safety alright¡± Cloud insisted and nodding his head Artanis and Tristan get ready to go.


    At the church Dawn getting word of her new participation in a scouting operation cleans up and is about to close the doors when Elanee comes by on a horse.


    ¡°Hey, well I¡¯m leaving on the round trip tour of the towns with Namor and was just saying good bye for the days I¡¯m gone¡± Elanee stated


    ¡°You know those towns are small and boring after the first couple of hours being in them, I wonder what you¡¯ll do in the mean time¡± Dawn said smiling and having a look of crude thinking going on in her head


    ¡°Nothing like that¡± Spouted off Elanee ¡°Or have you been talking to your brother¡±


    ¡°Hey that¡¯s not fair you know I¡¯m only kidding¡± Dawns said losing her smile


    Giving a half smile she frowns a bit ¡°I only wish Rain was too¡± Elanee adds


    ¡°Still hasn¡¯t said sorry to you has he?¡± and shaking her head she gets a serious look on her face ¡°You don¡¯t worry about him, when you get back I guarantee he¡¯ll be waiting with one¡± Dawn seriously promised


    ¡°He is a real closed book isn¡¯t he¡± said Elanee


    ¡°You have no idea¡± replied Dawn


    ¡°I just thought I was making progress with him trusting me as he trusts you, and changing his outlook on us a bit¡± Elanee explained


    ¡°You mean humans, umm that will take a lot of work if your starting with him¡± laughed Dawn


    ¡°No not humans; women¡± she concluded and just nodding Dawn smiled a bit with a facial expression saying good luck with that one. ¡°I just thought he was changing and maybe he was, until Namor came here¡± finishing with a rolling eyes look.


    ¡°Hey don¡¯t bad mouth Namor, I saw your face when he showed up here, you like him don¡¯t you¡± Dawn smirked


    ¡°Oh don¡¯t get me wrong he¡¯s handsome and very gentleman like but way too political, and the more I¡¯m with him the more I know there isn¡¯t really anything between us¡± she explains


    ¡°But there is with Rain; whoa wait a sec you don¡¯t¡­you know¡­LIKE my brother do you Elanee?¡± questioned Dawn


    ¡°Oh no I just find him interesting to try and figure out, and he needs to be shown that the world isn¡¯t bad anymore or at least as much as he thinks and I can show it to him if he¡¯ll let me¡± Elanee says now folding her arms by the neck of the horse and placing her chin on top of them. And changing her position she rose up again ¡°Well Namor is probably wandering where I am so I¡¯d better go¡±


    ¡°Oh yes, wouldn¡¯t want to keep him waiting¡± Dawn smiled winking her eye and responding with a half baked smile in return Elanee waved and rode as Dawn went to the guardhouse to grab her things for the scouting trip.


    The sound of swords clang together as a young man human in race falls to the ground; he climbs to his feet and grabs his sword again that flew from his hand.


    ¡°Now this time come in low and watch your left side carefully, I¡¯ve notice that you favor the right¡± Instructed Cloud standing ready for the second round of training with the new recruit and sparing again this time for a while longer, Cloud still brings him again to his knees and smiling at him he congratulates the young knight to be on a well instrumented fight. Going over to a pool of water and splashing his face Cloud looks over at Alisianna outside of the practice ring. She smirks at Cloud as she was watching the skirmish from the side while tending to some plants around the training grounds when a little girls tugs to her druid cape from the rear;


    ¡°Excuse me are you an angel?¡± the little girl asks


    ¡°No little one I¡¯m not¡± Alisianna replies with a smile at the compliment


    ¡°I only ask because your are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen, I hope one day I will be as pretty as you¡± the girl says extending her little arm to give her a rose she had picked, as Alisianna bends down to take it did the girl¡¯s eyes grow huge, ¡°those are the biggest breasts I have ever seen¡± the girls states as she holds focus to Alisianna¡¯s chest, holding a mild redness to her face she picks up the girl to her arms, ¡°Your beauty is beyond mine already¡± Alisianna says back bending down again to pick an undeveloped rose from the hedges, she blows to it¡¯s closed pedals and the flower blooms in an instant opening with a fresh moist rose scent that fills the young girl¡¯s nose. She gasps with a cuteness that makes Alisianna grin and placing it to the little girl¡¯s hair does a massive smile come to the little one¡¯s face, ¡°Would you spend some time with me, I have some flowers I have been tending to and my friends think I¡¯ll kill them¡±


    ¡°Kill them, with a love to life like your¡¯s I find that so hard to see happen¡± Alisianna replies softly, she looks to the girl¡¯s face which held a concentration of dimples and acne. Hearing the little girl complain that she didn¡¯t think she was pretty at all Alisianna wipes her hand across her face feeling a tingle to her face skin the girl felt the power of her natural abilities, finishing she strolled with the young one to the well centered to the side and peering to the calm water surface of it the girl¡¯s reflection gazed back to her, she gasped again at her face now flawless. Touching her cheek she felt it ¡°I¡¯m¡­¡±


    ¡°Beautiful as I told you were, and you grow in it every moment you are alive, now lets go see your garden, I¡¯m sure it¡¯s wonderful¡± Alisianna replied carrying the little girl off as she gave direction in her gentle grasping hold.


    With a motherly bond well in the view she turns to see Cloud and smiles, his heart warms in the sunshine reflection of her hair blowing in the wind as it gleams off the light. It is captivating and for a moment, Cloud loses his focus to her beauty as he watches, her swaying hips leave baring the child, tapped back into reality by the next soldier wanting to spare he almost jolts like being awoke and noticing it the soldier comments with a grin.


    ¡°You¡¯re not the only one she does that to sir¡±


    ¡°Her beauty is troubling without a doubt¡­but it¡¯s one that I could live with for the rest of my days,¡± Cloud says back getting back to his training session.


    Reaching near the site of where the scouts were supposed to be Dawn, Artanis and Tristan talk about various topics when they suddenly are drawn to a morbid silence, they look around at horrifying site as Tristan gazes upon the brutal slaughtered corpses of his fellow men, some dismembered and scattered about and some slashed beyond identification. Dawn gasps with her hand covering her mouth as they release themselves from the barring backs of the horses to scourer the area for signs of the battling foe.


    Looking around for a few moments Tristan pipes up ¡°They were shown no mercy, no mercy at all¡±, Dawn continues to be silent and looking around she has no words to bare comfort.


    ¡°The blood of these men is not totally cauterized yet, means they were killed not too long ago, the perpetrator might still be here¡± inquired Artanis and following Tristan¡¯s lead in drawing a weapon they spring to the center of the voice.


    ¡°You are correct, we recently showed these men what happens when humanoids travel upon our turf¡± answered a creature standing about seven feet tall being accompanied by four more behind him. The creature wore tattered leather armor and a cleaver the size of Dawn that dripped of fresh blood. They had orcish looking face features and oversized top teeth that fanged down over their jaws, and held a bear like similarity in body as well as the natural over amount of hair growth on the face, arms and legs. Overbearing muscles held their weapons with ease as they approach fearlessly toward the three.


    ¡°Bugbears, terrific¡± Spouted out Artanis as he got battle ready and within seconds, Tristan and Artanis engaged in battle without negotiations. Dawn following suit tried to dodge and block as many attacks as she can evading them when ever possible.


    A Figure watching from the bushes of a tree limb and covered by a thick cloak held a bow strung back, aiming an odd formed arrow at Artanis¡¯s head does he patiently wait. Sparring some attacks and delivering some devastating blows Artanis with his added vampirism training dispatches his bugbears with ease. Seeing one still remain in battle with Tristan, Artanis moves to aid when a funny feeling of being watched comes over him, turning around at the whistle in the air to see an arrow targeting his position, with grace he acts redirecting the bolt away from him. Turning back around Artanis sees the remaining bugbear hit the ground from a fatal blow from Tristan¡¯s sword.


    ¡°Everybody ok¡± Artanis says and looking toward Tristan he nods


    ¡°Dawn?¡± he repeats and looking around he spots her with her back to them and turning to face them his heart skips a beat as he visualizes the arrow he deflected has impacted her shoulder, ¡°Um guys¡± Dawn quietly says when she suddenly falls lifeless to the ground.


    ¡°DAWN!!¡± yells Artanis ¡°Dawn, wake up!¡± he says to her shaking to open her eyes, but with no retinal response he picks her up.


    ¡°Pass her to me Artanis, we need to get her back quickly¡± bolts Tristan and getting on his horse holding out his arms he takes Dawn, cradling her in his lap and with Artanis in his waking strides they race back toward the city.


    Watching this transpire the figure leaps down from the tree and unhoods himself to reveal that he was Aries, waiting for a moment until they were gone from sight he says ¡°They¡¯re gone¡± and forming from smoke arrives Drakon.


    ¡°You missed him¡± bolted Drakon smacking Aries to the shoulder side


    ¡°Well it¡¯s not like I didn¡¯t aim for him¡± Aries replied


    ¡°The arrow was meant for Artanis from what I was told from Logan, but hitting one of the Drow can¡¯t be a bad consolation, it¡¯s obviously meant to kill so killing her renders Colossus¡¯s worries neutralized, but we shouldn¡¯t celebrate yet, not until we know the girl is dead¡± Drakon explains


    ¡°I want revenge on that bitch of a sister of mine¡± snaps Aries


    ¡°And you¡¯ll get it, because this success will get us more forces from Colossus which we can use to eliminate the rest of them, but one step at a time¡± Drakon says calmly and disappears with Aries again


    Sitting on a bench commonly bonding with his fellow soldiers, Cloud stops in mid sentence when the horrified sight of Artanis and Tristan carrying Dawn¡¯s fainted body on his own comes hastily through the city gates toward them. Soldiers running up to Tristan¡¯s horse take her from his grasp and he orders her to be taken to the city temple, following Tristan Artanis informs Cloud and Alisianna of what transpired and Cloud orders for Rain to be brought to the temple too. Before his arrival the priests and clerics do every cure in their knowledge to break Dawn from the purplish black infectious color that seem to be growing to her shoulder area and steadily through her body.


    Rain arrives in a flash throwing open the doors to see the sight of his sister and grabs Artanis throwing him into the temple wall.


    ¡°You we¡¯re supposed to protect her¡± Rain barked immensely in Artanis¡¯s face


    ¡°Rain don¡¯t this isn¡¯t his fault¡± Cloud says running to break the hold he has on Artanis and looking at Cloud intently he asks for the arrow so that he may try to find a reason and possibly a way to stop the infection. Cloud hands it to him and Rain leaves to go to work. Day turns into night and Cloud goes to Rain for the fifth time to get an update on the progress of his work, going into the door of the shop he witnesses an explosion following the air lifting sight of his brother being thrown in the air and into a table destroying it. Going over and helping pull the debris off his brother he asks.


    ¡°How¡¯s it going¡± and brushing the wood chips off himself Rain responds with a grunting tone ¡°Whatever this shit is it¡¯s powerful and potent, but on a good note I¡¯ve ruled out poison or diseases however you¡¯re not going to like what it might be¡± Rain explains going over to his work bench and grabbing a book crested open to a page with an unmistakable title.


    And reading it causes Rain to turn away from his brother¡¯s face ¡°Lycanthropy¡± Cloud blurts out


    ¡°Yeah¡± said Rain turning to him again ¡°But not like a werewolf or anything conventional like that¡± Rain continued


    ¡°Then what¡± Cloud commanded


    ¡°I don¡¯t know, yet¡± stated Rain and calming down he grabs Rain¡¯s shoulder while walking past him and out the doorIf you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    ¡°Come lets get some sleep, you¡¯ve been at this all day and half the night you need rest¡± Cloud says turning back to him and shaking his head Rain goes back to work at the bench ¡°Rain come on¡±


    ¡°No I¡¯m getting closer but I need more time,¡± Rain says wiping the sleep from his eyes


    ¡°You can¡¯t expect to find the solution in this state of mind Rain¡±


    ¡°I won¡¯t just stop Cloud, if I stop then for that moment she has no hope; and I can¡¯t leave her like this, I...won¡¯t¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to either-¡±


    ¡°Then let me work Cloud please¡± Rain interrupted


    ¡°What do you have right now as a theory Rain¡± inquired Cloud


    ¡°I think I have to cast a lifting curse spell while adding a powerful chemical agent to her arm and that should lift it¡± Rain explains


    ¡°Any side effects of it not working right¡± Cloud says staring at Rain


    ¡°In some cases of the cursed venom being more powerful than the alchemist there have been results of deterioration of the mind, insanity ¡­¡­and death¡± Rain responds with a concern look on his faces and Cloud then shakes his head ¡°No find another way¡± Cloud dismissed the thought


    ¡°There isn¡¯t time Cloud,¡± Rain says raising his voice


    ¡°I will not lose two siblings in two days¡± Cloud snaps and storms out, Rain turns and throws papers from his desk onto the floor and sits down grabbing his forehead with his hand and thinks intently.


    Cloud makes his way to the temple to see his sister, he orders the guard of six men to step aside while he sees his sister one more time before hanging his sword up for the day. Drawing it to place the blade down to the ground he puts his head to the hilt to see the comatose look of his sister¡¯s peaceful rest, and only wearing a bra like top to keep track of the infection which has now engulfed half of her arm he preys in her name to not stop until this evil is reversed.


    ¡°Cloud¡± Artanis says to him standing at the entrance way of the Temple,


    ¡°What is it¡± responds Cloud not turning or even moving an inch.


    ¡°I might have an alternate solution to the problem Rain seems seem to have hit¡± Artanis says and nodding for him to continue he first apologizes for sneaking up and listening to the conversation him and Rain were having at the shop and then explain to him about Alex Colten. He says that he was a low-end thief but as luck would be on his side, he found a lamp containing genii inside, knowing that he got only three wishes he wished to be the leader of his particular guild he was in at the time and from there through cunningness became a very rich man. Artanis continued that Alex¡¯s second wish was to put a cursing word on the lamp so that anyone used the lamp would need to pay him a fee to get the word to use. Also adding that the word could not be changed in an attempt to patent the idea it made him very wealthy as well as powerful for he has never used his third wish keeping the genii in his possession.


    ¡°And you want to use a wish to lift the curse¡± finishes Cloud and nodding with commitment Artanis goes to his side by Dawn¡¯s tome like bed and holding her limp hand he kisses it ¡°It¡¯s worth the risk Cloud¡± Artanis adds to the silent given to him by Cloud and growing impatient with no response from Cloud, Artanis gets up and heads to the door saying in his wake ¡°At least to me it is¡±


    ¡°WAIT Artanis¡± Cloud says looking back at him for a moment and then nods his own head with agreement, ¡°Be safe and watch your back in his presence, I¡¯ll send six men with you to-¡±


    ¡°No Cloud, I need to go alone, he¡¯s not one to trust in groups¡± Artanis stops him


    ¡°Well I don¡¯t trust him at all,¡± said Cloud with a serious look


    ¡°I agree with you but at the moment we have no choice Cloud, we have to¡± Artanis sighs


    Taken a quick second to think Cloud agrees and sends him off for the day journey to get there.


    For the whole night Cloud returns and doesn¡¯t sleep, he sits in the lounge area and being comforted by Alisianna at his side he gets teary eyed at the fact that he can¡¯t this time contribute nothing to help.


    Letting the next day pass with nothing new to report Artanis arrives at the guild with guards posted at the door, he explains who he is and is about to de-weaponize himself when he¡¯s told not to, confused he proceeds inside. Waiting inside is the leader Alex Colten, built very small and short he also had about eight gladiator sized guards around him as he sat to his throne like chair.


    ¡°The look on your face my dear Artanis suggests that you don¡¯t know why your still armed, well allow me to elaborate, the weapons you have shown you will not use to kill me so there is that many less places for my guards to watch while you are here talking to me, because everyone always kills with a concealed weapon not an exposed one ¡°Alex explained with a grin ¡°And now down to business cause I am very busy you know¡±


    ¡°Yes I bet you are¡± Artanis says ¡°Look I¡¯m here for one reason¡±


    ¡°Let me guess, for the genii I have am I right,¡± Alex says with a look of wonder,


    ¡°Yes, I need a curse reversed,¡± explained Artanis


    ¡°And I don¡¯t really care one bit about that, all I want to talk about is the price of a fair trade my genii for your services¡± He grin¡¯s again


    ¡°And what do you need from me¡± Artanis inquired


    ¡°There is a mage imprisoned at your castle dungeon and I need him back free, and with your Captain and you at the helm of guard training my men have found it shall we say next to impossible to infiltrate the area undetected, they¡¯re simply too good¡± Alex stated


    ¡°And you want me to free this wrongfully accused man¡± smiled Artanis


    ¡°Oh I never said he was wrongfully accused or that he was even a man, he is a lich and murdered a pile of people deserving what he got, but I still want him free and you accomplishing that will earn you the wish from the genii¡± Alex concluded


    ¡°You¡¯re mad if you think I will do this task, Malice the arch lich is locked up to a Tran dimensional cell that requires-¡±


    ¡°A lot of work on your part to be done, yes I know how tightly locked up he is, but those are my terms and my only reason I¡¯ve agreed to see you and well I imagine that if this girl of yours needs a cure you should make haste to get him for she probably won¡¯t last long¡± Artanis gives him a surprising look and laughing he adds finally ¡°You don¡¯t think I haven¡¯t been watching the city for everyday happenings do you?¡± and waving him off to go is he escorted out, angered at the thought of what he must now do does he strike to his will what is more important but getting no level to his thoughts he rides off back to the city.


    That same night another explosion is caused in Rain¡¯s shop and again for the countless time he is blown through the air slamming hard again to the ground and into the wall side. Getting up Rain combs his hair from his face and shakes his head, he needs to do something; going to the guard house he saw Cloud and Alisianna asleep on chairs in the common room. Going up to Cloud Rain leans over and whispers to him ¡°Forgive me brother but there is no other way¡± as he touches his hand lightly with his own, leaving quickly letting the door shut hard Alisianna awakes, she goes to the window to see who was there and sees Rain ride off on a horse on his way out. Looking to Rain¡¯s brother she makes a thought and letting Cloud sleep she rides off after him, thinking he went to his shop she races to find no one there but his books all open to what he has been doing the last few days, worried at a thought of what he is planning Alisianna races to the temple to cut him off.


    At the temple Rains look upon the sight of his sister almost half covered in the black purplish infection, he now sees a black misty haze surrounding her shoulder and in observation quickly writes something down on a piece of parchment and lays it upon her body. Taking some blood from her hand and some from his own he starts casting the reversing counter spell to combat the curse flowing through her veins. Alisianna arrives shortly after to see Rain¡¯s horse out front of the temple followed by a blinding white light and him screaming to death, running inside she sees Rain unconscious on the ground beside the tome bed where Dawn lays and running up to Rain¡¯s side screaming his name she grabs him and putting his top torso half against her chest. Leaning his head on her chest she pulls back her hair behind her ears and with teary eyes she closes them placing her forehead against his to pray, a quick breath is felt across her hair from Rain¡¯s mouth relieving her thought that her worst fear to him had transpired and with a smile she looks at him.


    ¡°Rain, you scared me are you ok¡± and looking up at her face Rain opens his mouth to only reveal garble coming from his lips and drool runs down his face and crawls onto her breasts. Not understanding what has happened she picks him up and starts to carry him toward her horse when she sees the paper roll on top of Dawn with the words LACANTHROPY- NIGHTMARE SHADE written upon it. She stops to grab that roll and takes both to the guardhouse. She awakens Cloud who is shocked to see and hear from Alisianna what has transpired, summoning the head mage to the guardhouse the mage explains to them Rain has been induced with enfeeblement to his mind roughly the age of a toddler with the same mental stability. They put him in his room and go to his shop to see if they can understand what has happened and to learn any better and how to help Rain. Cloud stays there all night while Alisianna goes to the guardhouse to take care of Rain, wiping his face and feeding him she glanced down to his breeches at his waist line and holds a silent hope this will be over before she needs to change him. As she leans to fill his mouth with a spoon full of food she sees his eyes focus to her breasts, a look of hunger glazes to his face and Alisianna holds a look of disconcertment. ¡°Sorry honey but having a toddler¡¯s mental state doesn¡¯t mean you get all the pleasers, these aren¡¯t for you¡±, she lays beside him and tells him a story about the woods magical powers and slowly he falls asleep, Cloud awakes from sleeping at Rain¡¯s desk but seeing no sight of Alisianna, heads to the house. He goes to Rain¡¯s room to see Alisianna there sleeping beside him and Rain curled up to her like a son to a mother, seeing that brought a smile to his face but only for a moment for he was interrupted by Artanis¡¯s return and not with good news.


    Instead of telling Cloud what he had to do, he told him that he refused to help in anyway, knowing that sharing the info would only get them in a fight morally. Cloud then explain to Artanis what has happened since he left and his spirits start to fail, Artanis wishes to be excused and he¡¯ll come to help out later, needing to take a walk to sort out his thoughts, nodding Cloud lets him go.


    Morning turns to a mid day and Captain Tristan meets with the return of the ambassador and Elanee return from their county sightseeing trip.


    ¡°Hello Tristan¡­ what¡¯s wrong¡± said Elanee and without revealing much to them leads them to the temple.


    About a half an hour later Cloud and Alisianna show up to see Elanee at Dawns side, shortly after that Artanis shows up and asked Cloud if he can pull the prison shift tonight.


    ¡°But you hate that area of the city, why do you want to guard their tonight?¡± asked Cloud


    ¡°I can¡¯t be around this right now ¡­it¡¯s too hard for me to see,¡± says Artanis and sympathizing with Artanis, Cloud allows him to take the shift.


    ¡°Wait where¡¯s Rain?¡± asked Elanee and showing her to his room she looked with a stunned glance upon him, she then turned to the herald that was with her and told him to cancel her appointments for the next day, and to inform Namor that she will be here helping where she could.


    ¡°But Elanee he will not like this¡± said the Herald


    ¡°I have been all over this land while my friends lay in their death beds, I don¡¯t think it is too much to ask to be a couple days from him¡± she snaps at the herald


    ¡°I¡¯ll tell him Elanee,¡± said Tristan smiling ¡°He¡¯ll understand¡±


    ¡°Thanks¡± she said and goes to get new rags for their heads and being together all day with them Artanis fights to gain the courage to do what he must. The day falls to dusk and Artanis starts his shift. He first waves most of the guards away from the empty cell at the end of the hall and with no one looking he chants the incantation he found in the King¡¯s chamber earlier today and opens the door to reveal a set of stairs leading down to a dark room. Descending the case of stairs takes him to a chamber with a bottomless pit for a floor and only a foot wide stone bridge leading to the center of the room where a stone island is set in the middle of the island is a lich chained and bond by magical links to conceal his powers. Walking carefully to the middle he stands before him with uncertainty, looking up at him the lich responds ¡°What are you staring at, by the way what the hell you doing here any, my sentence is one of those forever ones you know¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s about to have a very early parole if you get my meaning¡± Artanis says waving the key to his chains in his hands


    ¡°And what do you get out of this¡± Malice asked


    ¡°I have a friend that is feebleminded and I need you to lift it off of him,¡± Artanis said


    ¡°Agreed now get me out of here¡± Malice demanded un cuffing him the mage pushed him aside and holds a laugh ¡°You fool I help no one for charity¡± and raising his hand to finish off Artanis Malice sees that nothing appears at his hand ¡°what the?¡± Malice says confused ¡°What have you done to me I¡¯m nothing but a skeleton without my powers¡±


    ¡°Just a little safety precaution, in case you know you pulled something like this, your powers are here they are just still in the chains and I¡¯ll release them to you provided you do this little act of charity for me¡± Artanis smiles and thinking with a grumpy look on his face he agrees.


    ¡°Now give me my powers now!¡± bolted Malice


    ¡°Um no; you see we are going to make a potion to bring Rain out of his childhood not a spell¡± said Artanis


    ¡°But that will take hours¡± barked Malice


    ¡°Then you¡¯d better get started¡± smiled Artanis ¡°Because it will be that long before they realize your gone¡±


    Artanis takes him out of the castle and to Rain¡¯s shop, and complaining about the order of the place while he works. Malice works fast to finish well ahead of schedule and as it comes to pass does Artanis struggle in his soul to retell his mind that this is the right course of action.


    ¡°There it¡¯s done¡± Malice boasts and gives it to Artanis


    ¡°Wait here¡± Artanis instruct


    ¡°Why? Oh no you said you would give me my powers back, now!¡± Malice shouts


    ¡°I¡¯m going to see if this works or if it¡¯ll kill him, and I wouldn¡¯t yell so loud if I were you, being who you are and having no powers you wouldn¡¯t last long with the guards¡± Artanis cautions and goes to the guard house hiding in the shadows. He puts the bottle on the desk of Rain¡¯s bed table with a note to drink it and waiting for a while until he looks over and sees it, being the child that he is he reads it barely and drinks it up.


    It works quickly to bring Rain back to his normal state and satisfied Artanis returns for Malice and before he relinquishes his powers back to him, they go to Alex¡¯s guild house.


    Making the trade Artanis tells Alex about the phrase he needed to say to bring Malice back to power and will only say it after his wish is granted. Agreeing ungratefully he allows Artanis to make his first wish with the genii and getting the cure in his hands he makes his second wish to have it teleported to her and telekinetically poured into her mouth from here, and for his last wish he stops and says that he will save it, Alex tells him that he will have to perform another task to get a chance at saying his last wish in the future and agreeing with that he then proceeds to give back Malice¡¯s powers. He then returns to the temple to check out his heroics and betrayals. He sees her recovering nicely and with inner gratitude he goes down to see her


    ¡°How are you feeling?¡± asks Artanis


    ¡°Better, much better thanks¡± Dawn says sitting up


    ¡°Hey it was my fault; you were turning into a nightmare shadow demon¡±


    Moreover, shaking her head, she goes to hug him and he backs away ¡°What¡¯s wrong¡±


    ¡°How I got you back, now I want you to understand this; it¡¯s not your fault but I had to do things that I¡¯ve sworn I¡¯d never do again and I betrayed your brother¡¯s trust in the process,¡± Artanis explained


    ¡°So what will happen, to you?¡± asked Dawn


    ¡°I¡¯ll have to go away for a while but I want you to know that this isn¡¯t your fault¡± Artanis says with comfort and starting to have tears roll down her cheek she hold his hand


    ¡°Did, did you kill someone¡± she asks


    ¡°No but I broke someone out of prison that will kill people¡± he said with his head down and turning around she spoke ¡°You should¡¯ve let me die that let him go¡±


    ¡°It wasn¡¯t a matter of good verses evil it was what was at stake and right now you and your brother¡¯s life was more important than his release¡± Artanis concluded


    ¡°My brother Cloud¡± sacredly asked Dawn


    ¡°No, Rain but he is ok, you should go see him¡± and explaining to her what he did for her and having a little bit of a touching talk about what they have learned from one another she goes to leave to see Rain when she stops and looks back


    ¡°Will I ever see you again¡± she with a look of sorrow and hurt


    ¡°I promise you that¡± Artanis smiles and edges her to leave.


    Artanis takes a deep breath and heads out side the temple and walking a couple of steps he feels a sharp blade at the back of his neck, and turning around he felt roots and vines from the ground bind his hands forcing him to his knees.


    ¡°Are you going to kill me Cloud?¡± says Artanis knowing it is him, at his side view does he catch sight of Alisianna to his right ¡°Alisianna how¡¯s Rain¡¯s recuperation¡±


    ¡°He made a miraculous recovery over seconds coming back to normal¡± She replied


    ¡°And then shortly after that I heard that Malice has escaped from an inescapable cell, how could you do this, do you have any idea what that pile of bones has done¡± Cloud said raising his voice


    ¡°As I told your sister in the temple it wasn¡¯t a choice of good or evil it was what¡¯s at stake and your siblings were more important alive for the emanating threat of Colossus who I think is way worse than Malice¡± said Artanis


    ¡°Malice was responsible for killing the last King of this land not to mention half the army of his doing the task, so how¡¯s that for what¡¯s at stake¡± Cloud yelled in his face


    ¡°I still stand by my choice Cloud and I think you would agree with it some what or you would have killed me by now¡± calmly said by Artanis removing his lieutenant cloak and tossing it on the ground ¡°I¡¯m sorry this had to happen this way but it was the only way to save them in time Cloud¡±


    ¡°You understand my position in this Artanis, I may agree with you and god knows I¡¯m thankful but a punishment must be carried out and served¡± stated Cloud and nodding to Alisianna to draw her sword Cloud and her then turn to the guards and with a swift hilt hit they strike the two other guards with them knocking them out. Confused a little he turns to see what happened


    ¡°Alisianna unbind him please¡± Cloud asks and she does, Artanis holds an uncertain look to Cloud while rubbing his hands ¡°Jail then?¡± he sigh¡¯s


    ¡°I¡¯m letting you go¡± Cloud explains cutting himself on his arm making it look like they had a fight. ¡°I still owe you for your acts that brought about my freedom, I¡¯m not leaving your side until my debt is paid in full,¡± Artanis says back to see Cloud nod.


    ¡°Outside of the city I will look for your assistance but you must understand you cannot return here, I will be forced to lock you up if you¡¯re caught or worse, executed on the spot¡± Cloud finishes and nodding his head he shakes Cloud¡¯s hand and hugs Alisianna, about to take off to the shadows Artanis is stopped by Cloud yelling his name and turning around, Cloud thanks him one last time for what he has done, nodding his head again Artanis disappears.


    Cloud and Alisianna go back to the guardhouse to see Rain and Dawn in perfect health and to explain what has happened.


    Rain then perks up ¡°We¡¯re going to need some help with Drakon, and Malice and Aries know about us too¡± Rain said concerned. And in agreement from Cloud does a scout guard come to the door with a message saying there are three drow outside the gates wanting passage inside.


    ¡°Did they give out names?¡± questions Cloud


    ¡°Yes Lord Straud, Arbiter Maylor and Judicator Cynn¡± and in hearing the names Rain gave the order to let them in as the three rushed to the gate.

 Chapter 13

    ¡°Sorry about this¡± Drakon comments turning his fist into iron and violently striking Aries¡¯ face brining a cracking sound breaking his jaw. Aries falls to the ground in massive pain and looks up a Drakon with shocking anger, ¡°I can¡¯t have you saying something wrong in front of Colossus¡± Drakon ends with a serious look as he teleports both to the tower.


    Seeing Colossus for the first time intimidated Aries but when Drakon gave Colossus the news of their first failing attempt at finishing off the three children Colossus grew a nightmarish look. With lightning sparking across his horns and in his eyes he lifted Drakon from the ground telekinetically into the air and in joint use of another spell began to melt parts of his face and arm skin with an acidic sizzle, screaming in pain Colossus looked to him,


    ¡°You didn¡¯t KILL them! I want those children dead not excuses¡± Colossus yelled in a demonic tone shaking the infrastructure and seeing the terror displayed by Colossus, Aries shifted his sight to the side of the room to have his vision captured by the ravenous beauty Sephinroth, leaning against the wall she turned to his direction hosting to him a winking smile. Snapping up his attention again Colossus raised Aries into the air bringing him towards him, Aries stared deep to the frightful vision of Colossus¡¯s lightning blue eyes as he heard the words Colossus said clear as crystal ¡°Who are you?¡±


    ¡°His jaw is broken¡± Drakon groans out barely being able to speak through the pain he bared and with a telekinetic thought did Colossus realign Aries¡¯ jaw to speak.


    ¡°Aries¡­I¡¯m Aries¡± The Drow stuttered out ¡°leading Captain of the under realm led by Matriarch Sophie, who if you permit me can bring you those whom you seek¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re lying,¡± responds Colossus and he slowly crushes Aries¡¯s windpipe


    ¡°I¡¯m not my lord¡± he gasps and to his eyes Colossus sees Aries fearing him as much as his own Matriarch, releasing both to the ground having both gasping for a breath Drakon speaks up ¡°I didn¡¯t know that he had an army at his disposal I swear¡± Drakon pleaded out and Colossus snapped to his plea, being struck now by a bolt of lightning through his body Drakon cries out in agonizing pain as the open bleeding wounds dripping to the floor left by the acid cauterize closed.


    ¡°Silence you fool¡± Thundered Colossus as he walked back up to Drakon who was lifted again to match Colossus¡¯s eye height ¡°I spent years looking for virtuous evil partners to aid me in this quest and from all the potential power I picked you, and this list of disappointments is how I get paid in return, under the word of this one I will give you one final chance at redeeming yourself but heed my warning, if you don¡¯t succeed this time you had better wish you die at the hands of the enemy for it will be minor in comparison to what you will suffer coming to me again with yet another failure¡± and ending his speech does Colossus flick his hand sending Drakon into the wall of the great tower. Shaking his head Drakon looks to the stance of Sephinroth to who he was thrown beside he sees her smiling and an offered hand to let him up ¡°You should have seen him earlier when his Droknor first told him you failed, that was gross¡­poor Droknor, all he got to say was you failed¡± she mentioned as Drakon get to his feet on his own accord.


    ¡°Now leave my sight and don¡¯t return until those children are on this table¡± Colossus commanded and with a wave of Colossus¡¯s hand did he teleport the two from his sight. Looking at Sephinroth with annoyance his eyes followed as she strutted to the table to take a seat, Colossus senses pick up a feeling and with his eyes back to normal he guides his purplish pupils to a shadowy corner at the south end ¡°I can smell your vampiric power a realm away; have you brought me what I seek¡­Logan¡± emerging from the darkness Logan came to the light of the flickering flames with all swords strapped to there holdings and his grip with the blade piece Colossus wished for.


    ¡°I have it¡± replied Logan who tossed to the air the item. Catching it to his massive palms did Colossus gazed to it¡¯s unique design, Logan held a disgruntled look to his face and as Colossus studied the part to his grip he spoke up ¡°I have been informed that my foothold to the city of Silverspire has been lost¡­I¡¯m taking a short leave to reclaim it¡± Colossus snapped his sight again to the vampire ¡°Aries and Drakon are on the task, you will remain to my side unseen for now¡± and striking with a look of heat Logan lashed out ¡°It¡¯s my city and my ways are set there already, those young fools will only screw it up getting you your idiotic infants, I won¡¯t let that happen¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s more at stake than your hurting pride or the regaining of a minor revenue source, you will stay away from there until they¡¯re done you here me¡± Colossus said sternly and Logan only glared back at him with serious eyes, spinning fast putting his back to the Minatare did Logan¡¯s cape spray to the air beaming to Colossus sight the Nod symbol he held to it and saying nothing Logan dissipates to a misty exit.


    Back on the regular existing plane Drakon and Aries stumble to their feet; with furious eyes Drakon grabs Aries holding flame in his hand so close to Aries¡¯ face it scolded him.


    ¡°What the hell are you doing Drakon I just saved our lives¡± pleaded Aries


    ¡°You have a whole ARMY at your disposal! That would have worked better then your camp group we started with¡± Drakon bolts off at him


    ¡°We needed to act quickly I remember you saying, it¡¯s all I had at the time¡± and thinking for a moment he releases Aries and turns his back to him in disgust.


    ¡°Oh and by the way I am evil, not really in the mode for sharing resources,¡± Aries barks back


    ¡°How many men do you have, and DON¡¯T lie to me again¡± Drakon angrily snaps


    ¡°Three¡± says Aries and turning Drakon throws the fireball nearly hitting Aries; head, ¡°Thousand¡­Three Thousand men Drakon god your touchy; thought you could figure that one¡± snaps Aries rising from his fast crouch


    ¡°Well forgive me; having half my face burned off hasn¡¯t got me thinking straight right now¡± Drakon heated out in sarcasm


    ¡°Perhaps I can help you two out¡± says a voice coming from the shadows, and seconds later revealing him.


    ¡°Logan Silias¡± Drakon spouted rudely from his lips ¡°What are you doing following us, aren¡¯t you getting that sword shard for master horny¡±


    ¡°Tension aroused between you and the boss I see, actually I was already done my job so he gave me the night off, but I¡¯m bored and hear that you two are planning an attack, mined if I join in the fun, don¡¯t worry I know it¡¯s a bring your own army party so I¡¯ll bring the vampires¡± he says smiling a bit


    ¡°You know Colossus won¡¯t allow you to be seen as his ally before he wishes you too, he¡¯ll have Droknor¡¯s watching us¡± implies Drakon waiting for his response.


    ¡°Yes I know about the don¡¯t do anything without daddy¡¯s approval rule, never was good with them however, I was good at breaking them without getting caught though¡± Logan tossed out cockily and walked out into the sunlight not even starting to smoke like a normal vampire, Logan then turns to see the bewilderment that comes over Aries¡¯s face.


    ¡°Don¡¯t you guys hate sunlight or more importantly die in it by now?¡± pondered Aries very puzzled and Drakon crossing his arms surfaces a look knowing what he is.


    ¡°He¡¯s deformed or defective; Missing parts or something like that anyway, he can¡¯t die he¡¯s immortal and invulnerable,¡± says Drakon being snotty about it.


    ¡°Colossus really knows how to pick them out,¡± says Aries impressed


    ¡°Yeah a real winner we got,¡± says Drakon rolling his eyes


    ¡°Awe common now Drakon don¡¯t be jealous, I¡¯m envious of you too, after all it takes some skill to screw up as many times as you have and still be alive¡± Logan smirked with a chuckle


    ¡°You going to help us or not Logan¡± barked Drakon


    ¡°Yes my young sibling rivals I will help you out but first I need to take care of the Droknor¡¯s first, I will meet you at Shadowell¡± looking at Aries who nods ¡°I¡¯ll be there in four days with a head of five hundred vampire warriors¡± and about to fade away, he turns back to Drakon ¡°Oh I almost forgot you should really get that sunburn of yours looked at Drakon, looks like it could get infected¡± laughing as he fades away Drakon lashes out, summoning a bone spear to his hand Drakon sends it straight at Logan¡¯s smoking disappearance but passing through it parts the smoking cloud hitting the tree behind where he stood.


    ¡°I hate that immortal, immoral pile of shit,¡± roared Drakon


    ¡°But he will increase our chances immensely and that¡¯s all we need from him, now lets go we have a lot of work to do¡± said Aries and nodding with agreement Drakon and Aries head for the under city of Shadowell.


    Having the gate opened, the three excitedly await the horses baring the leading members of the Bloodhawk clan and their hearts. Elanee and Alisianna rush behind them to catch up and are warmed by a family reunion sight. Watching Straud unhorse him self Dawn runs to him calling to him like a toddler, he turns around to face the calling only to be exploded upon by a hug from Dawn that made him reposition his feet to keep balance, watching Dawn get all the attention the brothers then walked up to him and embraced him as well.


    The others in the party unhorse and the children bow down in respect to the Arbiter and Judicator, wearing robes hosting a silver hawk head and silver tears running down the face it showed meaning to the clan name Bloodhawk, walking to them Cynn lifts them to eye level


    ¡°I¡¯m not your leader today, we have come to seek you out¡± Cynn says


    ¡°Yea speaking of that why are you here, not that I not grateful to see you but aren¡¯t we suppose to meet you in a couple months time?¡± asked Rain


    ¡°As a precaution that we wouldn¡¯t be ready in time for your arrival, the way we traveled takes only two months to reach where we¡¯re going and we needed you out of the way to build up defense for your protection¡± explained Maylor


    ¡°Maylor we can fill them in at a briefing with the King about all that has happened but I see two bright beauties behind us that you have yet to introduce¡± said Straud, bushing at the cheeks the two girls bow to Straud in respect, ¡°Arise ladies please there is no need for that here¡± Straud motioned lifting them up


    ¡°From what we have seen in resilience shown by these three Lord Straud, there is great need for it¡± added Alisianna


    Introducing themselves Straud kisses their hands and compliments each on the aid they have given to the three.


    ¡°What about this need to see us Uncle¡± comes the concern inquired by Cloud who tells a guard to send for the King to set up an immediate meeting in the courtyard., agreeing with Cloud¡¯s action Straud, Cynn and Maylor follow the rest to go to the courtyard; Rain breaking off heading to the guardhouse is stopped by Cynn asking where he was going


    ¡°I can¡¯t participate in the meetings due to my discrepancies I have toward the Ambassador¡±


    ¡°Today those discrepancies will go out the door and if there is any objection; they will be dealing with me in battle,¡± Straud said sternly, and turning around to see Straud gesturing him to return by his side Rain falls back into the group.


    Introductions made as they sit to the meeting with the king honored to have such role models to the young savers in his city, Trailing the King was the Ambassador and getting settled for talk Namor remarks to the dismissal of Rain¡¯s presence.


    ¡°I said he could be here¡± says Straud


    ¡°As I have told this council before, I am in charge of bringing more troops to help this city and the decision of how many is determined by their cooperation to onside help and compliance¡± Namor stated, ¡°So let me get this straight, to find out how many soldiers they get from you is totally determined by how much they¡­.kiss your ass, is that right?¡± states Straud


    ¡°How dare you imply that-


    ¡°Because it seems to me¡± Straud continued interrupting him ¡°That these miracle soldiers you call them with godlike power in their blades were defeated by a handful of drow carrying nothing but simple daggers and rags¡± and finishing Straud raised his voice to drown out any come back statement Namor might have ¡°Putting your men on the front lines with the upcoming battle with Colossus would be like throwing a newborn pup in a cage with a veteran killing wolf¡± and overwhelmed by the statement given to him, Namor gets up and leaves the room, Tristan gets up to go but turns around and just tells his men to accompany him out and wishing to hear on from a elder of the blade he sits back in the discussion.This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    ¡°What are you doing Straud¡± Cynn scolded demanding an answer from him


    ¡°My apologies My liege but he would not have been able to help in this case anyway, Your highness there is an army on route to your city that will be here in fourteen days, this army is combined of 3000 Drow and vampire warriors, without help you will be defeated and I¡¯m sorry (looking to Tristan) but our over seas friends will not be able to assist in time¡± Straud explained with Tristan in full agreeance


    ¡°So what do we do¡± inquired the king


    ¡°There is an army of high elves that march to this location as we speak, they needed a little bit of influence on our part but we got them to help, and in four days the head of 1500 elven fighters will be at your door to assist with the battle¡±


    ¡°Who leads the Drow army¡± asks Cloud and they all look up to him in wait of an answer


    ¡°Two¡± Maylor replies ¡°Drakon the Arch-mage, and Aries the high Captain of the Shadowell city, they are his Drow marching here¡± And hearing his name Alisianna collapsed with terror,


    ¡°My brother¡± she screamed and left the room, Rain went after her and Cloud about to follow was stopped by Straud


    ¡°Let Rain help her through this son, I need you to get your army ready for battle training and I will assist with new tactics on how to fight the Drow more effectively¡± calmly said by Straud


    ¡°And I will assist with the army as well, after I get the training first¡± added Tristan in respect


    ¡°Thank you, your assistance will be greatly appreciated¡± commended Straud


    ¡°I get why you are here uncle by why are Cynn and Maylor here¡± Asked Dawn


    ¡°That¡¯s easy, to train you and Rain my dear in the advances of magic you have been going though¡± answered Maylor


    ¡°So wait you are here to train us, whoa wait a minute Arbiter if you will train me and my uncle will train Cloud then who is training my brother?¡± and standing up behind her Judicator Cynn replies


    ¡°I am Dawn¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t know that you were a mage¡± she surprisingly said


    ¡°You don¡¯t believe that she got to be our leader simply by talking swiftly¡± Added Maylor again apologizing quickly after the disrespectful remark of his words Maylor restated ¡°She is one of the most powerful Sorceresses I know of that exists¡± smiled Straud ¡°So I think Rain will be in good hands¡± the King dismisses everyone to their stressful tasks and they vacate the courtyard.


    Walking in her trail Rain stared to her leaning upon a tree side worried with fear on her face, ¡°Your brother I hear is quiet the fighter¡± Rain spoke startling her to a swift turn at his sight ¡°Only the best amongst the Drow army¡­he is so evil Rain, I don¡¯t understand how we¡¯ve strayed to such different paths in life¡± Rain stood thinking for a moment


    ¡°If it helps, your looks are something you have in common¡­not that I find him attractive or anything, you take my vote on the better looking one¡± Rain ended sparking a small but sudden smile to her face that left as fast as it came, ¡°I¡¯m scared Rain, I wish so badly to bring him to this side¡­there¡¯s no hope for him anymore is there¡± she asked with a watery look coming to her eyes, ¡°Some you can save¡± Rain says walking toward her slow not wishing to prompt her to a run ¡°But some are to far off for us to reach anymore, I give you my word Alisianna that will not be your fate¡­I¡¯ll protect you even if it costs me my life¡± she looks at him with a smile and approaching his face kisses his cheek side, Rain could smell the aroma she gave off towards him and so massively he wished to just turn allowing their lips to connect, but he held his restraint, ¡°Your path is for a higher calling Rain; the words are nice to hear but to your own self do we both know they¡¯re not true¡± she said back stroking her hand down his face and bowing her head, Rain took his fingers and pulled her sight back to his ¡°I promise I won¡¯t let anything hurt you, ever Alisianna¡± Rain recoiled back with confidence, She took his hand with a smile and held it within her own, ¡°Thank you, I¡¯ll be alright¡­I just need some time alone¡± she ended letting him go and walking off Rain sees her out of sight not moving his feet to pursue her.


    For that afternoon Cloud and Straud had skirmish matches in the practice ring and for the whole time the guards are astonished that their Captain can¡¯t take down the visitor, talking amongst themselves that they have never seen the Captain fall to an opponent before, gathered around the ring the crowd of guards from Silverspire and Stormguard parted as the Ambassador came through, and watching for a moment he calls to Straud.


    ¡°My good Captain I would like to challenge you on your prideful claim you have judged upon my men¡± and turning to Namor, Straud looks at him breathing heavy from separating in the sparing match with Cloud


    ¡°Then grab a sword and lets have it out¡± Straud pushed to him


    ¡°No my dear Captain I don¡¯t fight I leave that to the heroes of Stormguard, but I would like you to fight three of them at once if you so say we are so pathetically weak¡± and shaking his head Cloud move to disagree knowing that the Stormguard men are not that much worse then Cloud himself, patting his shoulder Straud asks Cloud out of the ring and looks to Namor


    ¡°No!¡± he replies and smiling Namor turns his back and walks away smiling


    ¡°Give me six Namor, after all we got to keep the teams even¡± Namor turns giving him an insane look of shock, but with a grinning smirk agrees.


    The battle ring fills with Stormguard soldiers and looking to them as they entered Cloud advises Straud on how to beat them the best, tapping his shoulder Straud smiles to him ¡°They¡¯ll be down with one move son¡± Straud boasts as he enters the man filled ring, with his eyes to the weapons Straud sights the magic resonating from their blades, magic¡¯s of fire, cold and lightning were all around him, the battle is started and with only one move along with a word in Drowish Straud throws his sword into the ground and a emanating pulse waves from the sword in a 360 degree pattern knocking down and out all of the men in the ring. Everyone stops talking and just gazes on the demonstrated devastation Straud was left standing in, grabbing a sword from one of the fallen Stromguard units Straud throws the blade toward Namor in a spinning fashion and catching it in an attempt he cuts himself. Namor holds the blade but only for a second finding that it was extremely hot to the touch he drops it and looks terrified to the face of Straud who climbs from the ring.


    ¡°The men we will be fighting in two weeks time have powers equal to mine, so I suggest you let us train your men and close your mouth to your registered claims; believe me when I say your fighters are far from ready for the men they face, extra training they¡¯re going to need to if they wish to keep their lives as well as fight for the most important one¡­.yours¡± Straud ends with a quick glance up and down the ambassador and holding a chuckle walks passed him to the water fountain to cool himself off.


    Cloud follows and Straud looks back and him


    ¡°Come with me I have something for you¡± Straud says and following him to Strauds horse, Straud pulls from a saddle bag a cape with their clan crest embedded in it


    ¡°There are two more for Dawn and Rain but this one is for you Cloud, it wasn¡¯t finished when you left home, but I see you fight with different passion in your eyes and it has given you much strength since our last matches, and you are now ready to bare this symbol¡± and taking it from his hands he looks upon it and turning around Cloud saddens


    ¡°Uncle I¡­I have made some terrible mistakes in my time from you, one of which was caused the death of a fellow holy fighter¡± and going to his side he takes him to a barrel stump and sits him down.


    ¡°Cloud you are not a god, nor should you act like one trying to bend other wills to match that of your own, you are going to make mistakes, and I hoped that you would, it is the only way to grow¡±


    ¡°But I killed a man Dawn loved, you should have seen her face¡± Cloud said lowering his head


    ¡°I did see her face; today at the courtyard and it showed nothing to me but pride and strength in her belief of you¡± Straud continued ¡°Cloud your family name is split up with different symbols representing a different part of the name in each of you; Dawn is a symbol of spirit in the Blackblade name, Rain is the mind, and you Cloud, you¡¯re the heart, shield and protection of it and some tasks are harder and hurt more than others but look where she is now, still after it is all history she is by your side, and that bond will never die¡±


    ¡°Mother told me the day she¡­..she told me that as long as I believe in my decision that it would always be the right one¡± and smiling at him Straud is joined by Alisianna coming around the corner


    ¡°She was right¡± making Cloud look up to see who said it ¡°You may have made bad choices but you¡¯ve made good ones too and the balance of that has caused Rain and Dawn to still follow you, and me as well¡± Alisianna finished and being comforted by both he puts on the cape, holding in place Alisianna went to his front to tie it secure, wanting to show her feelings for him she holds back the thought for the time and stares smiling ¡°You look very heroic¡± she compliments with pride.


    ¡°Doesn¡¯t he¡± Straud adds smiling and says that he needs to get a bath in from all the training and giving a sword solute that a Captain always did retreats down to the lake.


    Elanee who was already down at the lake bathing in private just finishes as Straud comes around the last corner of the path; catching a glimpse of her he spins around closing his eyes and as she did before jumps behind a tree.


    ¡°Straud¡± Elanee questioned catching a blurred fighter Drow


    ¡°I¡¯m so sorry, Elanee right?¡± Straud says back to the air way, Elanee sighs with a deep exhale and closing her eyes she shakes her head in disbelief ¡°Yea; like father like son¡± she says quietly


    ¡°Actually I¡¯m their uncle¡± Straud replied hearing her as he turned away


    ¡°I guess that makes it better¡± she says with sarcasm


    ¡°So Cloud saw you like this I assume¡± Straud said on


    ¡°Not him¡± Elanee answered putting to her body her clothes


    ¡°Rain?¡± he says back in shock


    ¡°Yep¡± she says while continuing to change behind the tree, taking some moments to finish up she come out ¡°I¡¯m done¡± she informs and letting him turn around glances to see Straud not wearing his armor or a shirt. Revealing to her a very well built upper torso, she¡¯s captivated for a moment staring to his tight formed abs and nicely carved pectoral plates upon his chest, shaking her head of the sight and momentary bad thoughts she breaks the silence saying she is needed back. She thinks to herself in passing holding a little smile then stops, another thought enters her mind and turning Elanee asks him why Rain hates women, bank bathing with splashes of water to his chest Straud went into detail about how Rain didn¡¯t always used to hate them and in fact had a bond with one for a time, he went on to say it was at a time when Cloud and himself were out on a two month hunting party trip; the girl and Rain grew close, no one even really caught on to them for awhile, but on the day of their return the girl saw Cloud for the first time. Rain had always been the type wishing a girl to notice the inner good in him and didn¡¯t spoil her as other men would¡¯ve; she began to show more interest in Cloud then in Rain and being how Rain was type never put up a fight for her. Rain hoped her to see reason and maturity on what Rain and her already started but it wasn¡¯t the case in the end.


    ¡°So it was basically a simple case of jealously and women being disloyal¡± Elanee pointed out


    ¡°In a manner of speaking yes and no, after that Rain harshly thrashed all girls into showing them that they only care about exterior looks first and his first mistake as always is his constant thinking that he knows more that anyone else¡± concluded Straud.


    ¡°Believe me I get that point, he is so hard to work with¡± Elanee said to him


    ¡°I have tried to tell him women can¡¯t read his mind and that they need signs to know a guy likes them, simple things like flowers and pleasant compliments out of the blue sometimes, but he thinks it¡¯s unneeded¡± Elanee stood quiet while processing what he just told her and then ask to him why Rain held such a different and more radical attitude to his siblings.


    ¡°My dear lets take a walk¡± and going around the lake and into the forest onto the other side he explains to her that Rain unlike Cloud and Dawn was born with a little extra Demon blood in him than the others which cause him to have a more extremist view on the world in general and which is also why he has taken the path of spell casting to a sword, in regards to his mother and there in lies a danger which Straud has heard from talking with Cloud is said that Elanee was helping him with.


    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t say lately that I have been helping him on that, I¡¯ve tried to keep in contact with him but he pushes me away with excuses why he can¡¯t do anything at the moment¡± Elanee explains and thinking about it for a minute he laughs and Elanee inquires as to why


    ¡°Rain¡¯s biggest fear¡± he says


    ¡°What¡¯s that¡± questions Elanee


    ¡°Having weakness and letting it be known as an easy picking target for enemies to get to him without engaging Rain himself¡± Straud says


    ¡°Everyone has a weakness even if we don¡¯t know we have one it¡¯s still there¡± wisely said by Elanee but confused at the same time


    ¡°Weaknesses that are like phobia¡¯s Rain can fight off, or for an enemy to exploit them, they need to fight Rain directly, but externally ones such as caring for someone else Rain would feel vulnerable with relying on others help to achieve victory over it¡± Straud carries on


    ¡°Whoah you think Rain cares about me, ha yea right, just days ago he called me a whore and from pushing me away time and time again proves that false¡± Elanee argued


    ¡°Not false just that he¡¯s fighting it by letting someone like the ambassador win you over, he¡¯s trying to fight it off in his mind, now there might not be intimacy there but there is a bond that he doesn¡¯t want to have exploited¡± Straud added


    ¡°Then why doesn¡¯t he just tell me what¡¯s going on in his head?¡±


    ¡°Being part demon to his bloodline Rain feels compelled to do things on his own and has little trust or faith in others to accomplish any task¡± Straud concludes, shaking her head and moving her eyes she states Rain has caused her to develop a headache from his style, Straud laughs for only a moment which then turns into and deep serious look to the trees.


    ¡°Something wrong Straud¡± Elanee asks looking around herself, suddenly covering her nose is Elanee overwhelmed by a intensely gross smell of sewage and rotting animal corpses ¡°What is that smell?¡± Elanee gasps trying to take in the uneasy air.


    ¡°Ogres¡± replies Straud drawing his sword and tells her to get close, not seconds later three hulking brutes come through the trees standing almost ten feet in height holding spiked clubs, Straud runs away to a big rock and gets Elanee behind it while he fights the Ogres off, complying with his orders she hides as best as she can but enough so that she can watch the fight. Showing a massive display in sword mastery Straud takes to first two Ogres down in a couple of blocks and counter attacks and the third one disarms Straud and Straud extends the invitation by doing the same to him. Fighting bare handed Straud finally got the brute to his knees and in a strength struggle to choke one another Straud emerges victorious by snapping his neck, letting him plummet to the ground, Elanee immediately comes from behind the stone to hug him for his bravery and checks him for injuries.


    The act lasted only a moment when Rain and Cynn teleported in the area where they were standing


    ¡°Good Rain that¡¯s telepor¡­.ting¡± Cynn finishes her sentence slowing down looking to see Elanee and Straud in each others arms, Rain holds only a disturbing glare to both and saying nothing does Rain teleport away ¡°Rain wait this isn¡¯t what it looks like¡± Elanee says stopping her words as he vanishes out of sight, Elanee again closes her eyes while lowering her head in shame for what he now thinks ¡°Great, so much for trying to prove to him that I¡¯m not a whore¡± she says concerned


    ¡°What are you doing here Cynn?¡± asks Straud


    ¡°Teaching Rain teleporting and he used a image of you as his destination point¡± Cynn explains and looking to Elanee he tells her that it¡¯ll be ok and he will talk to him about this and more as well as telling Cynn what they were doing.


    ¡°Well since I have to get back to him, um need a lift¡± asks Cynn and agreeing she teleports them to the city castle.


    That night Straud goes to Rain¡¯s accommodations and talks with him through the better part of the night about his fears of weakness, and arguing as well as agreeing with each other they gain some ground of an understanding as well as him knowing that Elanee and him are nothing to being a couple they settle the water for the days to follow.


    The three start some intense training in their own private areas Cloud learns some technique in fighting blindly and one handed, Dawn learns more advance cures and attempts a raising the dead spell but doesn¡¯t have the energy to complete it, and Rain learns some new spells such as chain lightning for hitting multiple enemies and altering his appearance to look like anyone as well as invisibility.


    When Elanee can get away from Namor¡¯s presence she goes to watch their training, Rain¡¯s in particular, Alisianna when she is not consorting with the elders follows at Cloud¡¯s side and Artanis occasionally drops in the shadows to see their progression, following up more on Dawn.

 Chapter 14

    Up in his room Namor is discussing with Tristan how many men to bring over preliminarily until this threat from the coming army when the herald walks in to ask why he was summoned, Namor gives him instruction to gather some men to help him carry Elanee¡¯s things into the room across the hall from him.


    ¡°Did she asked this to happen Namor?¡± asked Tristan


    ¡°No but it¡¯s time that she and I got closer¡± Namor said back


    ¡°In what way; she is already at your side most of the day consulting with you,¡± Tristan said


    ¡°Time to move things ahead¡± Namor stated and sent away the herald


    Rain was working on some last minute things when the herald came in the door telling what he was told by Namor, and not questioning it one bit Rain lets him carry on.


    Not long after Elanee is told what transpired when she went to her room in the guardhouse to find it empty and when she reported a robbery is when the herald told her.


    Marching up to Namor¡¯s quarters she stormed in


    ¡°Namor, what is the meaning of this?¡± she protested ¡°You don¡¯t just make the decision to move my stuff without consulting me first¡±


    ¡°I thought we had talked about this before and you were ok with it then, I just moved things along, do you want everything put back Elanee?¡± he asked


    And sighing a little she said ¡°no everything is here now already, I just wasn¡¯t ready yet but if I stalled I might never be, wait how did you get the stuff out of the guard house, someone had to be there to give you permission?¡±


    Interrupting the herald spouts out Rain let him in and even got some more hands to help.


    ¡°He did, did he¡± and thinking for seconds getting madder she excused herself from Namor¡¯s room and went to the training grounds, with Namor housing a big grin on his face ¡°She¡¯ll be mine yet¡± he said to himself.


    Elanee goes out to the ring where Rain is finishing some summoned monsters off with his chain lighting spell and watching them sizzle and hit the ground Cloud claps


    ¡°That never gets old¡± Cloud laughs


    ¡°Nice job Rain¡± Elanee sarcastically smiles ¡°Is that your encore or is selling your friends out the limit you like to go to¡±


    ¡°What are you talking about Elanee?¡± asked Cloud


    Staring at Rain the whole time she barks, ¡°I¡¯m talking about having my things moved to the castle tower with out my consent¡±


    ¡°I told the herald he could, because I thought that is what you wanted,¡± replied Rain not even looking at her grabbing a wooden staff for combat practice


    ¡°As I told Namor just now, if that is what he wanted to have happen he should have asked me first not send his herald to do it on a whim¡± she bolted


    And sparing with a common soldier while talking Rain continued ¡°I don¡¯t know what you¡¯re complaining about he¡¯s got everything you want in a man, money, looks and a silver tongue, god what more do you want, well maybe a little more muscles eh?¡± he finished with a small chuckle.


    ¡°My god¡± she whispered ¡°How bloody shallow to you think I am Rain, I never thought that you consider me that repulsive¡± and stopping with a block move he looks to her with serious eyes ¡°But I guess I was wrong¡± she said and backing up almost crying she turns to walk away


    ¡°Elanee wait!¡± Cloud shouts


    ¡°No don¡¯t Cloud, I don¡¯t want you hating me too¡± and she walks off, furiously Cloud looks to his brother


    ¡°Your dismissed soldier¡± Cloud says to the man in the ring and he gets out and leaves ¡°Rain come with me, Now!¡± and slowly getting out of the ring with a show of fake pride he follows Cloud to the nearest building for storage and pushes Rain inside following him in Cloud slams the door behind him.


    Moving quickly past Dawn and Alisianna who is watching Dawn learn her new cure and healing techniques they call to Elanee finding out what¡¯s wrong only for her to reply that she need to get settled in her new accommodations, stopping what they¡¯re doing they catch up to her to find out more.


    ¡°Do you mind telling me what¡¯s wrong with you?¡± Asked Cloud to Rain


    ¡°Nothing¡± Rain deflected


    ¡°Then why all of this aggressive pushing on Elanee, she¡¯s part of the team Rain¡± Cloud said


    ¡°She hasn¡¯t been part of the group in a month¡± Rain reminded him


    ¡°Maybe not but she¡¯s still in it regardless, wait are you jealous?¡± he asked


    ¡°Of whom¡± Rain questioned


    ¡°Namor¡± responded Cloud


    ¡°No¡± Rain defended


    ¡°Do you have feelings for Elanee?¡± asked Cloud


    ¡°HELL NO¡± Rain snapped


    ¡°Do you really find her that unbearable to be around?¡± Cloud inquired


    ¡°NO!¡±


    ¡°Then what the hell is wrong, Rain¡± Cloud blasted at him, and Rain loses his patience ¡°SHE REMINDS ME OF MOTHER ALRIGHT!¡± Rain barks heating off on a walk finding a crate to sit on ¡°All of her caring to me, words of comfort that try to get me to open up¡± Rain continues in a lower tone


    ¡°Rain I had no idea-¡±Cloud says stopping in mid sentence


    ¡°Well now you do¡± Rain says lowering his head ¡°You have no clue¡­no bloody idea how this is, what it¡¯s like Cloud, having demonic blood running through you¡­the hate¡­the raw energy of un channeled power, this stupid gut instinct I get, she left it to me and with no training for it¡­she left me with nothing but this as a memory, Elanee¡¯s the same as she was¡­the stupid same good heart that won¡¯t quit on me¡± Rain ends in a huff and heat of frustration.


    ¡°Rain, mother maybe gone but she is still with you, with all of us¡± Cloud comforts


    ¡°No! Brother you and me differ there¡± and quietly Straud comes to the door listening to the conversation a while ¡°Mom is dead to me, I don¡¯t bend to the faith of words that she is with me in spirit, I need proof. That¡¯s what makes me an outcast in this family is my logic over faith¡± Rain explains


    ¡°Well that¡¯s fine, you believe what you want but that still doesn¡¯t help your cause in explaining why you hate Elanee¡± answered Cloud, and Straud being bombarded by Dawn and Alisianna behind him holding furious looks asking where Rain is, Straud shows them inside the building but tells them to hold their anger for a second and remain quiet until the conversing between Rain and Cloud is over, agreeing they wait and listen as well.


    ¡°Seeing her everyday brings that hate back to me, I don¡¯t mean to lay it so thick but¡­¡±


    ¡°Brother regardless of what you want mother is here to show us the path we need to keep on¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t need the talk Cloud¡­I have no path like you and Dawn have laid out in light, mine is hidden from me with bushes of thorns¡­and I¡¯m blind in the darkness, you two cast powers of healing and kindness, I hold only death and destruction to my grasp, mother was the only one to hold words that kept it at bay¡±


    ¡°Elanee seems to hold the same trait, I have seen her keep you calm as she takes the lashes to go with it¡­like I remember mother doing for you, Brother¡­do you hold care for Elanee, love even?¡± Cloud ended and Rain in a silent gaze stared to him, ¡°I don¡¯t understand, the fight our parents were in¡± Rain said back changing topics in effort of avoidance and for the time did Cloud not push on.


    ¡°The fact that she didn¡¯t run, because if she would¡¯ve they could¡¯ve both been here today raising us like normal parents not dead and dust in the ground¡± finished Rain throws a bolt towards a crate blowing it up


    ¡°You know why they stayed¡± Cloud replied


    ¡°Yeah and it still pisses me off¡± says Rain turning away from looking at his brother, Cloud recalls a visual picture in his mind of what happened that day ¡°You should¡¯ve seen her Rain, her powers matched Colossus¡¯s with equal stride, when their spells collided the ground shock thunderously like an earth quake¡± added Cloud


    ¡°Doesn¡¯t help the fact that she was too weak to beat him, she still died and my only link to stability died with her¡± sobbed Rain and turning around with a shocked look on his face Cloud stared at his brother ¡°My god Rain is that what you think happened¡± spat Cloud back at him


    ¡°Well if my interpretation is incorrect than please, correct me brother¡± Rain stated not backing down ¡°Well???¡± Rain added impatiently waiting


    ¡°Colossus couldn¡¯t kill mother Rain! She was an immortal¡± Cloud snapped


    ¡°She was what?¡± Rain said


    ¡°An immortal ¡°Straud repeated having both brothers spin their sight to his slow entry


    ¡°How long have you been there¡­? Dawn, Alisianna¡± Cloud added seeing them trail to his walk with a different look to their faces¡­a look of sympathy ¡°Long enough¡± Dawn said


    ¡°Rain¡± Straud continued and explaining that his mother was an upper level demon that used knowledge to subdue her weaknesses to all attacks against that were hurtful made her almost invulnerable, all but one the blade of her husband; the love of her love life that brought her to the good side through the eyes of another evil who helped himself along the way with helping her, Cloud then joined in the conversation with saying how she really died. Rain confused and having a gut wrenching feeling loaded with bad karma asks


    ¡°So why did you say that she died at his very hand uncle¡±


    ¡°I did it so that you won¡¯t feel as hateful to your parents as you do thinking it was best, but I was wrong, I didn¡¯t expect that you would revere them as fool hardy fighters that had no consideration for your future¡± Straud sadly sits to finish


    ¡°Your heart was in the right place Lord Straud,¡± Alisianna added


    ¡°I don¡¯t think I¡¯m worthy right now of the lord term, druidess¡±


    ¡°Well you are worthy of this uncle¡± and Dawn ends her statement with a kiss to his cheek and a hug ¡°and you were only looking out for our clear headedness so we wouldn¡¯t go at this with vengeance¡±


    ¡°I let my justification of how I preserved what happened get the better of me, and you all paid the price of my blinding arrogance, for that I am so sorry¡± Rain says standing up giving it like a speechThe tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.


    ¡°While I accept the apology Rain were not the real ones hurting here¡± Cloud said and nodding his head with agreeance Rain excuses himself to go catch up with Elanee.


    Having a brief moment of compassion Cloud states suddenly ¡°There is one thing I don¡¯t get uncle, you come here early with the judicator and arbiter to warn us about a pending attack and then start furiously into training new techniques and abilities but why and how did you know about the upcoming attack?¡±


    ¡°There is something I have not yet told you¡± said Straud and going into detail he explains that the legendary silver dragon Lalandra has agreed to allow us to set up our new enclave surrounding her mouth of her cave entrance but she has a favor to ask of first as a token of good faith. The eggs to her latest batch of young were recently stolen and knows were they are kept, but do to the Rasha holding arrows of silver dragon slaying in their possession she cannot get close due to if one arrow hits her anywhere she will die instantly, the arrows are identified by a wooden carving of the creature embedded on the hilt of the arrow amongst the feathers. Straud then explains that they wanted you children back for the undertaking of the mission but her seer ability revealed not only where you were at the time but the upcoming battle you were to fight, and the outcome.


    ¡°And what happens to us?¡± asks Dawn


    ¡°You don¡¯t survive and the city burns to the ground,¡± Straud said not looking at them at the time ¡°I¡¯m here with Cynn and Maylor to change that outcome along with the elf army arriving tomorrow, and change it we will¡± Straud finishes.


    As Rain runs up the tower stairs of the castle where Elanee got relocated, she is moving things around in her room when the door opens.


    ¡°Namor what are you doing here, we don¡¯t meet for a couple more hours¡±


    ¡°Oh I know I just wanted to see how you were settling in?¡± asked Namor


    ¡°Ok considering the manner in which it was brought upon me¡± Elanee stated


    ¡°May I look out your window?¡± he asked


    ¡°Sure¡± Elanee said


    And going over there she meets up with him to enjoy it and get some air, admiring the view he looks to her ¡°The view is much better here than in my room¡± he says looking at her, smiling to him an uncomfortable smile back at him she continues to look out the window.


    ¡°Have I ever told you how beautiful you look today Elanee¡± he says and backing away quickly and heading to fold some more clothes on her bed she changes the subject


    ¡°Well ambassador I¡¯m sure you have a lot of things to do than sight see with me¡± and turning around to escort him out she is meet by his face following a passionate kiss laid upon her lips and pulling away for a moment she speaks ¡°Namor please I¡¯m flattered but I don¡¯t think¡­.(turning her head to the doorway)¡­Rain!¡±


    With an uncomfortable feeling on himself he attempts words ¡°Sorry for interrupting but could I talk to you for a second Elanee¡­in private¡±


    ¡°Sure¡± says Elanee and not seeing Namor move an inch Rain gesture with his head to talk out in the hall way, following him out she starts


    ¡°Um Rain what you seen in there with me and Namor¡­the kiss I never wanted you to see; I mean I didn¡¯t want to¡­¡± and stopping her with his hand he finishes ¡°Elanee you don¡¯t have to justify your actions to me, it is I who have to do that to you¡± and folding her arms with some confusion she leans against the wall for him to explain. He starts from the beginning and finishes with the comparison to his mother with everything she has done for him, and talking through the hallway they make there way down the stairs to the lobby of the tower and she sits on a chair when finally Rain conclude his explanation.


    ¡°I see, so you always picture your mother when I am around¡± she questions


    ¡°Yeah¡± Rain answers


    ¡°Always, you don¡¯t see me different a little¡± and hoping for a different answer she waits


    ¡°Well, you misunderstand I don¡¯t visually she her I see you just flashes of what she was like in comparison to what you are acting like at the time and it¡¯s very similar¡± he says


    ¡°Oh¡­ well I guess I always wanted to be a mother figure, now I am one, just not how and who I expected to be for it¡± she says with a saddened voice


    ¡°And finishing what I needed to say, Elanee I¡¯m sorry for all the hurt I¡¯ve put you through¡± and taking a long pause with an uncomfortable silence he breaks it ¡°Well I¡¯d better let you get back to Namor, don¡¯t want to worry him¡± and walking away she tries to think of something to put his mind at ease that she didn¡¯t want to kiss him but could think of nothing to counteract what he saw; Elanee lets him walk out watching him go from her sight and goes back up the stairs.


    Pushing Namor out the door of her room making up something that she had to take care of just to get him away from the uncomfortable situation he put her in.


    Meeting the elves the next day Straud, Cloud and Tristan show them to their temporary area where they will be staying and through the first night they are welcomed by a big celebration to commemorate their arrival, everyone goes except Rain who again sits on a hillside to watch the action in private, Artanis knocks out a guardsman to get a dance in with Dawn but when caught by Cloud is told after the dance to leave from there immediately. Letting Tristan set up some guard watching duties for a couple of days Dawn, Cloud and Rain are woken up early one day with Cynn, Straud and Maylor at their sight Alisianna goes back to train a little more with the elders of the woods as the days to the battle near closer.


    The first to be trained is Rain and Cynn takes him to a remote location outside the city,


    ¡°So what am I learning today, lifting things with my mind, or turning someone to dust instantly, oh or maybe flying am I getting closer¡± Rain asked kind of excited


    And laughing a little she turns to him, none of those Rain those are upper mastery powers that you need a little more time to learn and even I don¡¯t know them completely yet, but there is one who does¡±


    ¡°Colossus¡± replied Rain and nodding her head she continued


    ¡°And that¡¯s why we have to get you prepared as much as possible and finishing the sentence she summoned a sword to her hands


    ¡°Whoa!, what is that¡± Rain said shocked


    ¡°This is called a meta-blade or a sorcerer¡¯s sword; it is a material reflection of your power and can be used as such¡±


    ¡°But I¡¯m no fighter how will that help me in a battle with a sword master¡± asked Rain


    ¡°The blade is a symbol of the power you posses Rain, the stronger of a bond you have with your magic in you the easier it will be to use your sword like you have been training with it your whole life¡±


    ¡°Ok how do I conjure mine?¡± Rain questions


    ¡°Just concentrate on what you would like to represent you¡± Cynn finished and Rain then closed his eyes for a moment, thinking deeply he felt his power gaining strength inside him and feeling very warm he felt something appear in his hands, looking down and opening his eyes he gazes at the blade that would in the future be his metal might in battle and with a confused look on his face he looked to Cynn again.


    ¡°Why did I get my mothers blade in my hands again I left it over th..¡± Rain stopped in speech looking to where it was, he focused to the grass where his mother¡¯s blade rested to see the grass flatted where it was, and smiling to him Cynn comes closer


    ¡°I thought this might happen, your mothers blade is part magical and can be used as such a blade, and holding it at eye level Rain feels the hilt staying warm like holding his hand over a fire from a couple feet up In the air


    ¡°The warmth you are experiencing is the power you have in you being channeled through the blade Rain, now it is at it¡¯s normal potential, now lets do some drills to get it familiar to you, remember the blade is part of you, you only need to imagine that you are blocking an attack and you will do so, If an opponent is stronger by physical ability then don¡¯t be troubled; for your magic as long as you channel it through the blade will counteract and reinforce the strength you lack¡± ended Cynn and nodding with some certainty of what was just told to him they start some sparing.


    Back in town in a building adjacent to the fighting areas where Dawn can see Stormguard soldiers and Silverspire soldiers fighting against one another for battle tactics, watching for a time Dawn then turns to Maylor.


    ¡°Ok so what are we doing here?¡±


    Maylor smiles ¡°We my dear are going to teach you a very special ability called a battle enhancement, you being a priestess can actually enhance the performance of a solders ability in battle by tapping into desire and will and influence them on a positive scale; in turn it will actually improve his fight ability¡±


    ¡°Too what?¡± she inquired


    ¡°What ever you are capable of granting to the barer, ¡°Strauds wife could enhance a base soldier to the level of a veteran knight would fight at or also even Strauds level himself, he always hated losing to a rookie soldier when she did that, but that was only when they had a disagreement¡± and laughing a bit she calmed down and knelt on the floor


    ¡°But this sort of thing is Elanee¡¯s department I want to tap into the minds of others¡± and trying a few times with no results shown, Maylor leaves and returns a few minuets later, Dawn then hears some laughing going on down at the ring and looking to the window she observes a young kid holding a blade against an overpowering opponent


    ¡°That¡¯s not even fair he will be hurt if not killed, Master Maylor can you do something¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry child he went there of his own will¡± and turning from him to see the battle start Dawn sees the kid losing terribly, being hit from one side of the ring to another and blood starting to appear from his mouth with the added laughter from the Stormguard men at the small Silverspire rookie soldier. Dawn grew angry and closing her eyes had a light blue glow emanated from her body and the rookie suddenly and drastically improved his ability, not knowing what was going on himself the rookie continued to fight until he pinned the Storm guard knight to the ground disarming his sword as well. Opening them again she looked out to see him victorious and looked to Maylor, smiling he explained that her abilities are tied to her emotions and the stronger they are they more power the level of casting she can do. She then continues practicing the ability for the remainder of the day.


    Out in the woods Straud leads Cloud deep into the forest and out of it again in to a clearing


    ¡°Are we there yet uncle¡± Cloud whined out in question stopping to relief himself for the second time in a bush


    ¡°Shouldn¡¯t have drunk all that water Cloud¡± Straud said smiling back at him


    ¡°It¡¯s a good thing I did or I¡¯d be on the ground collapsed way back there¡± Cloud stated and looking to see Straud finally halt his strides Cloud breathes a relieving breath


    ¡°Ok this should do it¡± said Straud


    ¡°Do good for what?¡± asked Cloud


    ¡°For calling you mount¡± replied Straud


    ¡°Excuse me¡± replied Cloud ¡°My mount?¡± he stated


    ¡°Yes with your sword¡± said Straud waiting for him


    ¡°I think that walking this distance has clouded you thoughts, this sword here is used for fighting and slashing and blocking-¡°


    ¡°And in the hands of a Paladin knight they can be used for mount summoning¡± interrupted Straud ¡°Trust me, Cloud you can do this¡±


    And putting his word blade into the ground like instructed he says a word and the blade glows green in color and fading away he looks to his uncle ¡°See I told you it wouldn¡¯t work¡± and smiling in front of him he tells Cloud to turn around, doing so revealed a brilliant and beautiful white mare horse complete with feathered wings and three unicorn looking horns that in a row went down the face, it was about nine feet tall and had a pure white mane over lapping down the left side of her neck, deep long lashed eyes and a perfect physical form, being engulfed by the beauty of the beast Cloud tries to explain some things about the miracle mount when Cloud speak up


    ¡°Chalice, her name is Chalice¡± says Cloud


    ¡°How do you know that¡± questions Straud


    ¡°She told me in my mind¡± replied Cloud still mesmerized and smiling he then explains to Cloud the horses ability to communicate through a mind link. As well Straud also enlightens Cloud as he mounts the horse that the link can also be used to guide the horse through obstacles and obstructions, and for the remainder of the afternoon they train Cloud with the beast riding.


    A blast is shot through the air and hitting him hard he slams into the ground rolling several times before sitting upwards, getting to his feet he shakes his head back to reality and looks to her with a bit of intolerance


    ¡°OUCH!¡± Rain shouts to Cynn


    ¡°Remember that you can deflect spell blasts with you sword Rain¡± reminded Cynn


    ¡°I know I know I just wasn¡¯t expecting that¡± said Rain


    ¡°You need to anticipate the move of your enemy if you hope to survive Rain, now I want you to show your partner ability to this weapon¡± and showing him what to do he hits her with an energy blast and stopping it with her own she speaks ¡°This is called Spellbinding and holding it for a while she explains that it drains energy on a higher level and if to much is drained when in a defensive stance; the person your fighting could die¡±. Rain then gets a try at the defensive stance but proves to be much harder to hold against then the offensive one, Rain is told how to break out of it and when he does he is hit by the blast of her spell, being thrown into a tree he falls to the ground, Cynn runs to his side to check him for wounds, and getting him to his feet she tells him how to break out of the bind without being hit, then cautioned him that there are some mages and wizards that have learned how to keep an opponent in a bind unwillingly causing death forcefully. Nodding his head with understanding the risks they practice again until dusk.


    Cloud was riding up a cliff side with a shale based rock for ground cover, Straud makes a motion to guide him up the side and Chalice slips, losing her footing she slide down the shale and has her back leg impaled by a branch of a tree, throwing Cloud off and falling to her side in pain Cloud gets up to rush to her side. Seeing what happened, Straud gets down to them quickly and tells Cloud to remove his gloves and lay his hands on her wound, doing that Cloud feels a warm feeling and sees the wound glow a deep bright yellow and seal shut with no visible scar even left. Straud then tells Cloud about the healing aura he can do to heal his mount and he keeps that in mind hoping that he doesn¡¯t have to do that again.


    Evening rolls around and watching her closely Maylor sees that Dawn has exemplary mastered the task shown to her and witnesses an extraordinary event, Dawn trying to hard was actually causing all the fights in the ring as well as the neighboring ones to increase in the fighting ability and at an alarming rate, he watched as she turned a bright blue in color and observed the soldiers operating a veteran knight level, holding this for a time she then collapsed to the floor unconscious and was taken to the temple very hasty by Maylor. She awakes in her bed in the mourning of next day with her two brothers watching over her. They smile at her recovery and talk at breakfast about what they have been trained at, going back at the training the next day and repeating the process for the final days before the fight.


    Clouds darken to the spires of the Lazarus tower as Colossus grows impatient with his messenger gone longer than anticipated, finally arriving back a while later Colossus has brought before him two of Logan¡¯s vampire lieutenants


    ¡°Where is Logan?¡± Asked Colossus


    ¡°He went to the surface. Lord Colossus¡± one replied


    ¡°For what purpose, I told him to stay out of sight,¡± said Colossus


    ¡°Well he was following Drakon and ¨C¡°


    ¡°WHAT!!!¡± Colossus interrupted with a grim look on his face ¡°He went to the battle¡±


    ¡°He said he was tired of waiting for his moment to strike,¡± added the other vampire


    ¡°Then you tell him¡­no wait¡± said Colossus and waving his hand he turned them into dust and let their ashes hit the floor, ¡°I¡¯ll tell him myself¡± and he walked out and back to his work.

 Chapter 15

    Day turns to night; the cloud to the sky was heavy; the air was stale and with his eagle eyes Straud¡¯s sight saw the units of Shadowell appear at the sound of a marching rumble upon the ground from the darkened tree line. The forces of Silverspire, high elves and was Tristan had from Stormguard gather outside the walls for a long awaited battle that looked to merit no quick finish. Drakon, Logan and Aries meet at the back of the army lines and discuss their battle tactics.


    Calling over the vampire commander Logan gave his orders


    ¡°Kabul I want the unit to be placed in the back of the ranks and tell them to keep their cloaks up until they are in the city walls, if I know the enemy they might be on to us having part in this and will use sunlight to take them out¡±


    ¡°Very good sir I¡¯ll see that it is done¡± and Kabul departs


    ¡°Why did you do that they would be more effective up front with the first wave of my troops, or are you a coward to let your men die¡± provoked Aries


    ¡°Don¡¯t test my patients Aries, yes they would be more effective but not if they¡¯re dead, and knowing that they have druids as well as priests on the walls that will have sunlight spells ready, my men will be in dust at your men¡¯s feet before they touch the wall¡± and walking away to look at the forming ranks of the enemy high elves he gazes for a second on the three Captain¡¯s coming to the city wall walk and carefully tries to make out the middle one, ¡°Mage cast a vision spell on me¡± and with a Drow mage doing so Logan then looked with binocular like vision to the man ¡°I¡¯ll be damned¡±


    ¡°Yeah we know you¡¯re that, tells us something we don¡¯t know¡± said Drakon


    ¡°How about the man who put this infernal life upon me is at the wall walk right now, my god I can¡¯t believe I almost listened to Colossus and didn¡¯t come here, I would have missed this opportunity¡±


    ¡°For what¡± said Aries


    ¡°Vengeance!¡± bolted Logan


    Flipping to progress of the other side the king prepares a speck of inspiration for the soldiers and Straud hands out the orders, he tells Tristan and Rain to go with Cynn and Maylor to get Dawn set up to do her Battle enhancement on the army, when that is done Tristan and Rain depart to go help Elanee and Namor with the evacuation of population to different sections of the city incase of breeches, Straud instructs that Cloud and him will stay here coordinating the attack with the king.


    ¡°The arms are locked on the table¡± says Cloud


    ¡°And the muscle is pretty evenly matched on both sides¡± added Tristan


    ¡°It¡¯ll be a matter of how we turn our wrists that we¡¯ll determine the victor of the match¡± finished Straud and smiling to each other they draw swords and clang them together in a wish of luck and depart to their various tasks.


    With the first waves colliding and swords hitting the battle has begun and in a bright flash of blinding light druids and priests cast sunlight spells to sorts out the living from the dead. Alisianna sheaths her blade and goes to a knee, closing her eyes the sky fills with clouds only letting through the streaks of sunlight rays, and not long following is heavy rain.


    ¡°Told yea they would do that,¡± said Logan to Drakon and Aries and giving the order the vampires slowly start into the second and third waves of men into the battle.


    Also not seeing any change in the army Straud thinks that the vampires are still cloaked.


    ¡°I thought of that too uncle¡± Cloud said


    ¡°You did¡± replied Straud surprised and nodding his head Cloud then looks to Alisianna who starts casting a severer wind storm in an attempt to flip their shrouds off there heads, adding to that Straud tells the druids to do random sunlight attacks all over the battle field in a effort to weaken the enemy. In doing so, they witness vampires low in number busting into ash. Alisianna adds to the mayhem by casting lightning strikes down on areas of the field clustered with evil Drow, and blowing dirt and dust into the air, cheers from Stormguard and Silverspire soldiers are heard from seeing bodies fly into the sky.


    An hour goes by and finally the door gives in to the wrecking sound of a ram.


    ¡°PROTECT THE CITY!¡± Straud calls out having Silverspire, Stromguard and High elven soldier¡¯s band together to dispose of the threat.


    ¡°Well fellows it¡¯s time to part ways and end our destructive conflicts and vendettas¡± says Logan and putting on his cloak he disappears into wave of Drow.


    Aries looks to Drakon and then down to his arm, Drakon notices the large metal aberration on his hand and asks about it


    ¡°It is a gauntlet build from Drowish ingenuity and high craftsmen ship¡± and squishing his hand while clenching his fist five blades come out of the wrist area like claws that are nine inches long and then retracts them


    ¡°Interesting¡± said Drakon


    ¡°It¡¯s for my sister¡± he says smiling ¡°a gift if you will for her terrible sweet departure from this life¡± and putting his cloak on as well he runs into the woods and Drakon looking back to where we went he calls to him


    ¡°Aries battle is that way¡± and getting no response he shakes his head and says to himself, leftovers are fine by him and teleports away


    Getting Dawn to a safe place and standing guard over her Cynn and Maylor hold the feebleminded Drow at bay from their location. Namor, Elanee, Tristan and Rain head a bunch of children and women to the guard gates before the castle courtyard, getting everyone through until Rain hears a taunt coming from behind him; turning around Rain sees three Vampires one holding a whip another a war hammer and lastly one with two small swords


    ¡°Rain common, we got to go, leave them¡± barked Tristan


    ¡°They will hunt us down, if we do¡± replied Rain and Tristan coming back to get him is stopped by Rain summoning his sword and cutting the rope to the portcullis, the metal gate between the wooden doors comes down separating the two of them.


    ¡°Rain¡± Cries Elanee coming back for him, while Tristan tries to lift the gate


    ¡°JUST GO!¡± yelled Rain not taking his eyes off the enemy, ¡°I¡¯ll catch up¡± and prying Elanee off the gate wall Tristan and her catch up with the others


    ¡°Spread out, he can¡¯t take all of us at once¡± said the Vampire with the hammer, and surrounding his location Rain jumps his vision back and forth through the Vampires seeing which one will start.


    Fighting down below by the front gate Cloud and Straud are back to back fending off attacks from everywhere and looking around at the bodies littered on the ground he is reminded of the day his village was under siege, a clanging sound from his blade is made rattling off an incoming blade at his head when Cloud snaps back to reality and hears a terrible scream of help, looking up Cloud sees Aries on the back of a Manticore winged beast. This is a monster in every sense of the word, it has the head of vaguely made out humanoid, the body of a massive lion and the terrible wings of a dragon, and it has a back filled with jagged barbs and a space in the middle of it for a rider which Aries now occupies. Its tail which is being swished around dangerously has a set cluster of spikes that is easily piercing the body armor of the archers along the wall. With a quick motion Aries reaches for his sister with success and grabs her, squirming and shimmying herself off the beast she is suddenly stopped by a violent backhand to the face by her brothers iron gauntlet knocking her out cold, and flying away to a secured location to finish the job Cloud watches as she is carried off.


    ¡°ALISIANNA¡± Cries Cloud and barrels off to get her


    ¡°Cloud NO!¡± yells to Straud but ignoring his cries Cloud continues to open ground, finding an decent space he slams his sword hard into the ground summoning his steed, Chalice arrives and with an attack imminent to her back side, Cloud runs to her side but is too late, Chalice already disposes of the Drow with a fierce back kick breaking their necks.


    ¡°Right a mind link¡± Cloud says to himself and climbing abort he says to her ¡°we need to catch Aries¡± and nodding in agreeance Chalice leaps to the skies.


    A thunderous crash is felt by Rain¡¯s body impacting the gate of the door hard and sliding to the ground his blurred vision makes out the two vampires left the third that was made short work of now lies in a pile of dust of the ground


    ¡°Damn it, his Stone skin spell is still on, how many times have we hit him like ten¡± and agreeing with him he smile


    ¡°Pick him up again¡± the vamp with the hammer says and nodding his head he whips the whip strap around Rain¡¯s body again thrusting him in the air and like a ball being pitched to a batter the vampire swings his hammer again impacting Rain¡¯s torso and driving him into a nearby building.


    Getting up again Rain sees the sight of flesh on his bloodied hands


    ¡°Finally he normal again¡± Quickly whipping Rains neck not allowing him to breathe, the sky gets darker and the faint feeling of death creeps closer to his fingers. A cloaked figure suddenly lands on the top of a roof holding twin swords; then with a quick thrust to the whirling hilts throwing them razor cutting the air do they impale both vampires in to stone walls.


    Being released from the deathly hold of the whip Rain falls to the ground and sees the vampires immobile, not wasting any time he grabs a piece of broken wood and jams it into the first vampire, dropping his whip the Vampire bursts into flaming ashes raining to the ground; the second one breaks free and grips his hammer charging toward Rain.


    Cynn suddenly teleports to the location where Rain is and lifting a broken spear with the wooden part aimed at the vampire and using telekinetic powers she fires it into him. Rain simultaneously was trying to accomplish the very move himself and having it happen as he wanted Rain looked at his hands after the ashes from the final vampire hit the ground. Cynn; smiling at what fake confidence she placed in Rains mind teleported away before anyone knew she was there. Rain looking around at who hit them swung his neck upwards to see a wrapped figure standing above him on the roof top, telling Rain he should hurry; Artanis tells Rain he saw some Drow baring down on Tristan¡¯s location Rain picked up his mother¡¯s blade and teleported around the gate and ran towards them.


    Still following in his wake Cloud desperately follows Aries in the air, seeing that he can¡¯t seem to shake him anyway he moves Aries goes low and into the trees dodging bushes and large trunks to block and cover his path. Alisianna regains consciousness and sees that Aries is in the woods, keeping quiet not to alert him she silently casts a spell. Dodging a couple more trees and coming up to a old oak, a large branch on the tree moves ever so slightly causing decapitation to the Manticore sending Aries and Alisianna hurling to the ground.


    Landing hard and barrel rolling for some time before stopping Aries shakes his head and moves quickly over to Alisianna¡¯s spot, where she is out cold again from the fall. Griping his blade tightly he goes to swing when Cloud fly¡¯s down and leaping from his horse drives Aries into the ground; rolling to get to their feet they disclose a deep stare to each other then start sparing.


    The battle goes for a couple minutes until Alisianna regains her thoughts again to see the two battling fiercely; cutting cheeks and arms letting blood fly all around. She grabs her blade that was a short distance from herself and moves in to help Cloud; she stops when suddenly Cloud strikes Aries in the stomach and sliding the blade out of his chest Aries backs up and smiles to him


    ¡°Nice shot¡± said Aries and Cloud watches, as the wound is sealed shut


    ¡°What the?¡± said Cloud and looking to his face he notices two puncture wounds on Aries¡¯ neck ¡°You¡¯re a vampire Aries?¡±


    ¡°Yes with the help of Logan¡¯s fowl mouth, he gave me the strength to beat you both and reap my revenge without problems. Making another stab attempt which is blocked by Aries¡¯s gauntlet Aries delivers a vampire style punch to Cloud¡¯s chest plate driving him into the air backwards; and hitting the ground. Leaving him slow winded to get up. Alisianna sees the failed attempt by Cloud and bringing flame to her blade hoping that it will kill him, she runs toward him and aiming at his neck and swings. Blocking her attack with lighting reflexes against his gantlet yet again Aries turns to her smiling.


    ¡°Now it¡¯s time to end you¡± he belts out backhanding her in the face once more, she spins around and with her back to him he grips a bunch of her long brown hair wrenching her head back with his free hand. Extending the blades of his gauntlet Aries drives the blades deep to her back skin; exposing them out her stomach. Retracting them again he kicks her in the ass knocking her bloodied body to the ground, trying to gasp for air but only getting mouthfuls of blood she spits it out trying not to choke and getting weak and wary falls to her side.


    Looking up at Aries he sees Alisianna not moving and blood pouring from her stomach


    ¡°NOOOOO!¡± cries Cloud and grabbing his sword with a rage he engages Aries in battle again, trying to speak as the fight Aries taunt¡¯s Cloud by saying


    ¡°One down, one to go¡±


    ¡°You will burn in the forever flames of hell for this I swear to god Aries¡±


    ¡°Now, now it¡¯s not nice for your kind to swear Cloud¡± Aries smiles and angering him even more, they fight for a time until Aries smashes Cloud¡¯s sword out of his hand severely cutting his arm having Cloud collapse to the ground in pain. Aries walks up to Cloud towering like a giant towering over his body.


    ¡°Now for you Cloud¡± Aries says raising his blade into the air for a sure impaling strike when Aries is struck from behind and risen into the air by Chalice, losing the grip of his sword which falls to the ground Aries looks to the three Horns driven into his back coming out through his chest for Aries to see the glimmer of their elegance. Starting to smoke Aries panics ¡°What?¡­what the hell is happening¡±.


    ¡°You don¡¯t know Aries; my steed¡¯s horn are blessed¡±


    ¡°NOOOOOOOOO!¡± are his final words as he combusts in a big explosive cloud of dust leaving the world of the living.


    Huffing heavy from running to her side Cloud gazes on Alisianna and relieved at the sight of her still breathing.


    ¡°Hang on Alisianna¡± Cloud says and taking off his gloves he tries his healing ability on her gapping wound.


    ¡°I don¡¯t get it, it should work, why isn¡¯t it working¡± Cloud says with tears coming down his cheek


    ¡°You healing power is only for your steed Cloud, not others¡± she chokingly says coughing blood from her throat, Cloud sheaths his sword and picks her up; crying in pain she puts her arms around his neck


    ¡°Then we¡¯ll get you to one who can¡± Cloud says calling over Chalice


    Mounting them both to the back of his steed he says in Chalices ear, ¡°I know that you weren¡¯t created to carry two for a long time baby and for this I¡¯m sorry but her life is fading fast so please make hast¡± and with those words driven into her mind Chalice takes to the skies again.


    ¡°This way¡± shouts Tristan leading the group of kids and women to the location himself Elanee, Namor and Tristan¡¯s Cat are suddenly surrounded by Drow numbering up to eight,


    ¡°Drop your Weapons we have you surrounded¡± one Drow designated as the leader says, they do as they are told.


    ¡°Good ¡° says the Drow ¡°Kill them¡± he commands the others ¡°We are to take no prisoners¡± he says louder to them as his men ready their weapons for a blood bath slaughter when lightning strikes the drow soldiers all at once and shaken by electrification they fall to the ground.


    ¡°Good final line to go by if I don¡¯t say so myself¡± says Rain appearing behind the Captain Drow as he dropped and stepping over the bodies Elanee runs to hug him


    ¡°Rain ¡°she says gripping him tight ¡°I thought you were-¡±


    ¡°Dead?¡± Rain finished and nodding her head and bringing a smile back to her face


    ¡°Not him he¡¯s too strong¡± smiled Tristan and gathering the people up again they make their way through the final door and to safety for the children and women, going back for another group of people, they get about half way through the courtyard when Rain stops to see a figure standing there behind him. He quickly keeps up with his party following them out of the courtyard and then he stops to fall back there, seeing him again he shuts and locks the door behind him


    ¡°Awe, how quant, like a Sheppard tending to his flock from the fangs of the wolf¡± says Drakon locking the other entrance in to the area ¡°I¡¯ve been waiting to fight a worthy spell caster since the battle started¡± Drakon dictates as he summons to his hand his black bladed sword with a hilt made of bone.


    ¡°Then I better not disappoint you¡± replies Rain and he summons¡¯s his mother¡¯s blade to his hands ¡°And I didn¡¯t want the others to be apart of this¡±


    ¡°You have grown in power since out last encounter, but I promise you this; only one will arise from the ashes of this tome¡± he finishes and throws a lightning bolt to start the fight between them. The battle starts at a fast pace throwing bolts of lightning and flame at one another in between the clanging of blades; they match each other¡¯s attacks for pacing blocks and battle furiously through out the courtyard; spilling each other¡¯s blood and skin when they are able.


    To save their magic and in the midst of blade sparing Drakon hits Rain with the hilt of his sword and the two of them fall into the mud, rolling around getting caked in the wet dirt they take turns slugging the very sense from each others bodies, bloodying up their mouths and faces, Drakon gets a lucky blow in. Hitting Rain hard between the eyes Drakon gets up still hanging on to Rain¡¯s cloak, he drags Rain to his feet and pounds Rain¡¯s body into the side of the courtyard stone wall slicing up his back, getting a firm slippery grip to his neck Drakon starts choking Rain.If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.


    ¡°I¡¯m going to bleed you of your very life for the marks of pain you have caused to me tonight¡± and finishing his statement Drakon squeezes as hard as he can, Rain bracing his arms between Drakon¡¯s attempts to hold them apart from crushing his throat and with a swift strengthen kick to the stomach breaks from Drakon¡¯s hold rolling to the side escaping his cornered doom.


    Elanee and Tristan along with Namor head back to the guardhouse were Dawn is performing the Battle enhancement; Maylor and Cynn stop them at the door to find out what is wrong


    ¡°What? Rain didn¡¯t return here,¡± asked Tristan


    ¡°No¡± said Cynn ¡°I thought that he was with you¡± she added


    ¡°We got separated,¡± said Namor


    ¡°We should try to find him,¡± said Maylor


    ¡°Maylor, you and Elanee and everyone but Dawn go to Straud he will need the man power to finish driving back the Drow from the city,¡± Cynn ordered ¡°Dawn and I will go find Rain and meet up with you¡±


    ¡°You mean we are winning the battle,¡± asked Elanee


    ¡°Yes but we need to drive them back fully and with injured men already littering the ground we will be hard pressed to do it¡± Cynn finished, and splitting up they head their own ways.


    Running out of magic and endurance fighting, Drakon sees the hopeless despair coming to Rain¡¯s face and take the time to act, Drakon embeds his sword to the ground and throws a wave of magical raw energy at Rain, reacting with a defensive magical brace Rain finally gets into a spell bind with him. Holding it for as long as he can, Rain starts bleeding from his eyes and ears due to the massive power that Drakon has. Rain tries to break out but Drakon holds him in the energy field; with Rain falling to his knees. Rain slowly loses strength while Drakon inches closer to him imploring more and more power upon him. Having him almost right over top of him Rain makes one final attempt with all his might to break free, doing so and throwing Drakon¡¯s magic to the wall blowing rubble and debris into the air. Rain spins around and draws his actual none summoned sword impaling Drakon in the chest. Drakon stops casting almost instantly and falls to the ground lifeless spilling blood from his mouth.


    Rain turns around to hear the voices of Dawn and Cynn yelling his name


    ¡°I¡¯m in here¡± Rain cries and goes to the door to unseal it, weakness and fatigue roll in on Rain¡¯s body as he struggles to open the door.


    Not knowing that from behind Drakon rises to his feet and out of the mud he was dropped to, from a contingency spell that brought him back to life that he cast before the fight began. Drakon draws a dagger from his belt and wiping the sweat and blood running down his face, his utter lacking defeat not with standing he grows to an angry rage and throws the dagger at Rain¡¯s shadowed back.


    Seeing him get to his feet Cynn yells to Rain to look out and turning around Rain only sees the dagger coming right for him. Trying to dodge out of the way Rain strafes to one side and missing his heart the dagger hits Rain in the shoulder, piercing his flesh straight through to the other side. The dagger blade pokes out through the front side of Rain¡¯s body only to have green ooze dripping from the wound.


    Cynn runs past Rain and casting a green orb like sphere she throws it directly at Drakon, not having any magic left to block the spell Drakon covers his face and screams a blood-curdling scream as he is disintegrated by the orb slowly and his ashes hit the ground. Cynn runs back to Rain who already has Dawn at his side.


    ¡°Its Manscorpion venom¡± weeps Dawn


    ¡°You are going to have to treat it Dawn¡± Cynn says


    ¡°I¡¯m not strong enough, we need to get him to Maylor¡°


    ¡°We won¡¯t make it Dawn Rain is weakened badly and the poison is working fast, he¡¯ll die before we can get to him, it¡¯s up to you Dawn¡± Cynn states


    ¡°But I don¡¯t think I can¡±


    ¡°You have too,¡± Cynn says and giving it a try Dawn lays her hands upon him but cannot stop the process


    ¡°I can¡¯t do it¡± Dawns cries and looks to Cynn


    ¡°You have always been able to do it, the only thing holding you back is you Dawn, you just need to believe in yourself¡± Cynn pleads and nodding her head Dawn tries again. With tears in her eyes she looks to Rain who has lost consciousness and praying to him not to leave her, she feels a slight glow that turns to a bright white light and closing her eyes to concentrate she thrusts the venom from his body. Opening his eyes again to see her face, she smiles to him


    ¡°Rain¡± Dawn says excitedly still crying


    ¡°Dawn¡± he whispers to her in a soft voice, ¡°I knew you could do it¡± he smiles to her touching her cheek gently and getting to his feet with help from Dawn and Cynn as they walk back to the outer wall.


    ¡°Can¡¯t we just teleport there¡± asked Rain


    ¡°I drained myself to low defending Dawn¡¯s position¡± Cynn replied


    ¡°Sorry about that¡± Dawn apologizes


    ¡°No need Dawn, your ability helped greatly in turning the tide in this war¡± she smiled to Dawn and left with then to make haste to the wall.


    Straud falling back to a guard tower to gain a better outlook on the battle is followed by three men, hearing the hurling of a blade in the air he gives the order to take cover, one ducks the blade while the other two are slammed together by the blade and moving backwards are embedded into the stone side, going up to see the men Straud notices the hilt design and not believing what he is seeing he dashes to the other man to get out of the area. He turns to see his last man standing having his throat cut by a shadowed faced cloaked figure, stepping over the corpse and walking through the fresh blood being poured from the throat of the soldier the figure then approaches Straud.


    ¡°The ages have grown you soft Captain; siding with humans¡± the voice from the cloak said ¡°But then again you always did fancy an ally who you could easily out run¡± and with vampirism speed the figure ran forth toward him delivering a massive elbow hit to Strauds face, laying him out flat to the stone floor, ¡°Oops I guess that¡¯s not the case this time¡± Logan laughs and goes to retrieve the blade holding the two men to the wall, looking to make sure they¡¯re dead he then pulls it out and watches their bodies hit the ground.


    ¡°Who are you?¡± Straud said getting to his feet and picking up his sword.


    ¡°I thought that jolt would have jogged your memory, but I see it only damaged more of your already brain dead mind¡± and turning to him after taking out his sword he continues ¡°You always used to be able to block that move whenever I tried it during our training sessions together, I see now that my skills have improved (chuckling a bit), but then again who knew life after death could get any better¡± and lifting his hood off his head he revealed himself.


    Growing weak with uncertainty from his own mind, thinking that it might be playing tricks on him he cocked his head and questioned the man,


    ¡°Logan??...Logan Silias??....... but you¡¯re¡­ you¡¯re¡­¡±


    ¡°DEAD!!¡± finished Logan ¡°I assure you that I¡¯m quiet alive¡­well sort of anyway¡± he smiled


    Lifting his sword pointing it at Logan in defense of what he was beholding Straud spoke, with only mutter to his voice and not even matching the attack Logan answers ¡°Speechless I see, what¡¯s with the look of fright old friend, you look like you¡¯ve seen a ghost¡±


    ¡°This can¡¯t be real, I saw you die in that mine shaft¡± Straud said


    ¡°NO! What you saw was me being stuck in that god forsaken mine, while the entrance was collapsing¡± Logan snapped


    ¡°I tried to uncover the rubble Logan but there was too much, my men even had to peel me off the rocks to stop me digging for you¡±


    ¡°You should¡¯ve tried harder rather than leaving me to die!!¡± Logan yelled to him ¡°You see after the cave in at the doorway I tried to out run the rock by going back but my legs were pinned down in the rubble underground, and when the rest of the vampires tried to get out the same way and saw me laying there, they saw it fit to turn me into what I despised so very much¡±


    ¡°I still know what happened to your family Logan; you don¡¯t have to remind me of it¡±


    ¡°Well from turning my family into vampires during their early year raid on my village, and making me kill my own son, daughter¡­wife, you then must have no damn idea on how much I hated them, I first killed off the rest of their pathetic clan when I was strong enough, and then thought that maybe just maybe my clan would be compassionate toward me for revealing me new nature and how it happened¡± and turning his back to Straud he continued ¡°They locked me up Straud, and they were going to execute me, in order to save my soul they told me again and again, I then escaped them and started to plan their executions for the kindness they showed me, I went back that night and one by one I killed them off, all of them, right down to the screaming children¡±


    ¡°You... You were the murderer of the Asmairian clan; Logan how could you they were your FAMILY!!¡± Straud lashed out with a judging tone.


    ¡°A family that gave up at the first sign of no hope¡± Logan barked


    ¡°There is no cure for the vampirism curses Logan you know that¡± Straud sternly replied


    ¡°Did you even bother to look after I died, or so you thought I did¡­? (Straud says nothing)¡­I thought not¡± and drawing a second blade behind the vision of Straud he said ¡°You know Straud it is known amongst the Asmairian clans to honor allies as clan members themselves, and as soldiers, giving up someone to the enemy is the same in our culture as killing them yourself, so on that note of treason against me I shall enjoy reaping the repayment you owe me from your everlasting corpse¡±


    And with a back flip toward Straud with his blades drawn he engages him in battle. Colliding blades with one another, sparks are made falling to the ground, with the sheer strength and power each of the fighters posed. The struggling balance goes on for what seems like forever, with both fighters showing styles of sword mastery not even known to most masters in the art, blocking a direct strike to his head Logan blocks with crossing his blades and smiles to Straud in a holding stance.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong friend can¡¯t keep up¡± and with the continuous light show of the blades the battle carries on.


    Jumping off the towers edge and landing on the ground evading yet another attack Logan runs off into the battle mass killing Silverspire guards and rebel Drow in his path. Straud right behind him leaping over the corpses in his wake give chase to him, cutting him off down a path with a dead end corralled by houses. Straud then charges at Logan, but using a quick dodge and massive strength Logan flips Straud upside down and flying in the air towards a building side. Landing on his shoulders Straud loses his grip to his sword and going to grab it again he sees the point of one of Logan¡¯s swords aimed at his neck.


    ¡°It¡¯s time to end six hundred years of revenge and with it all bottled up this could hurt a bit¡± Logan said raising the blade into the air, and bringing it down to cleave Straud in two length halves, it comes down for only a short distance and is stopped by a blade suddenly being thrown into the wall above Straud blocking it, looking to see who threw the blade at an adjacent building, a dark looking figure jumps from a rooftop on to the ground in front of him.


    ¡°Artanis Zen¡± Logan says taking his eyes off Straud ¡°You little elusive leech mark my words, on this night I shall bury you back in the insignificant dirt you were born from¡± and Straud making the move to grab his sword using a rolling motion and joining up by Artanis, the two circle around Logan pinning him between them two. Flipping around and cart wheeling between them Logan uses grace and perfect proficiency to evade their combined efforts in striking him, blocking and counter attacking where he can Logan is then brought to one knee blocking two separate attacks with each sword. Straud and Artanis use under baring force to break their swords through to Logan¡¯s torso but doing a back flip with his vampire agility, Logan then tosses the two men with sheer momentum to their backs.


    Walking up to finish the two off, he is disrupted by a sound of a bunch of fast pace footsteps coming at his rear. Turning around Logan sees Tristan charging at him, with Elanee and Namor lingering in the background.


    ¡°What the hell???¡± says Logan rolling his eyes while blocking the charge attack and sparing with Tristan ¡°You mortals are like cockroaches¡­Where the hell is everyone coming from, a crack in the ground I don¡¯t see¡± and catching their breaths helping Tristan. Straud and Artanis then join in the fight again. With a showing of miraculous agility and tremendous feats Logan fights all three, through the mists of the fight Artanis pulls a dagger from his belt and hurls it at Logan but having it Ricochet off Logan¡¯s own blade sword it hits Tristan in his side driving the great Ranger down to the ground.


    ¡°You should know that doesn¡¯t work on us¡­ or at least me¡± Logan says smiling and with lightning reflexes he tosses one at Artanis, attempting to block it Artanis fails and it strikes Artanis in the shoulder blade. Backing out of the fight and leaning against the wall Artanis drops his sword and tries to take the dagger out of his body.


    ¡°Looks like it¡¯s just you and me again old friend¡± says Logan and going at each other with their blades ready Logan suddenly drops his blades gripping Straud¡¯s arms with his hands. Thrusting Straud back Logan strikes Straud hard with a fierce spin kick to the face dropping Straud to the ground in a fast drilling like spin.


    Arriving back from the fight with Drakon to meet up with the others, Cynn and party run past the street fight with Logan down the ally; stopping to take a second glimpse of the brawl she stops Rain and Dawn dead in their tracks having them almost running into each other. Following back to Cynn back, Cynn sees Logan standing amongst the bodies of Straud, Artanis and Tristan on the ground with Elanee and Namor close by them, picking up his swords Logan looks to Cynn appearing to him.


    ¡°Logan??¡± Cynn says confused


    ¡°Cynn, nice to see you again after all these years, and still looking fine I see, have you lost weight?¡± Logan conversed with a grin.


    ¡°Judicator my staff head, it¡¯s glowing and it only detects undead creatures¡± added Dawn


    ¡°That¡¯s because he¡¯s a vampire¡± Cynn said ¡°Don¡¯t trust him¡± she answers quickly turning to the two behind her.


    ¡°What are you doing here; Logan?¡± She asked him


    ¡°Oh I was just here visiting my old friends, don¡¯t worry I¡¯ve brought gifts too, but I always forget¡± Logan says reaching for a hilt behind his cape ¡°Did you prefer expensive or shiny?¡±


    Furious with seeing everyone on the ground battered and beaten Cynn conjures an energy ball of lightning and throws it at him; pulling the hilt revealing a mirror like blade attached to it, Logan holds it like a shield bouncing the spell back at her. Dawn casts a protection spell shield to block the ball but Cynn¡¯s magic is far stronger then the defense spell and smashing the shield Dawn cast, the three are blown into the air and pummeled hard to the ground knocking them out cold.


    Smiling at the outcome of the plan and looking at the body count he has placed to the ground he puts the blade back and walking to Straud he says.


    ¡°Right of course, shiny things how did I forget¡± Logan chuckles and again picking Straud up with one arm Logan moves dragging Straud toward Artanis, then grasping a hold of the little demon Logan raises him with the other arm and lifting both high into the air Logan smirks.


    ¡°I can¡¯t decide which to take out first so I guess I¡¯ll just kill you both at the same time¡± and finishing his statement his hands grow a dark blue mist around them and growing weaker the two fighters feel their life force slipping away from them.


    Looking around at the devastation he has caused Elanee goes toward Logan.


    ¡°Elanee no, he¡¯s too powerful¡± Namor says pulling her back to his side.


    ¡°I will not stand by and watch all my friends be slaughtered before my eyes¡± Elanee replies thrusting away Namor¡¯s arms, Elanee moves quickly and quietly toward Logan¡¯s back and completely engrossed with the draining of the two fighters lives, Elanee gets right behind Logan; and gripping his neck Elanee tries to use her powers to stop him.


    Getting a flood of images flowing like ocean water into her mind that center around Colossus and the sword, Elanee lets him go dropping to the ground in a seizure like state for a short while until passing out.


    ¡°Ahhh!¡± Logan says dropping Artanis and Straud to the ground and gripping his head he scream in pain from the migraine he just received. And looking behind to Elanee on the ground in a dead state he yells to her ¡°FILTHY HARLET!!!!, what did you do to me,¡­..what did you see¡± and going to stab her torso with a blade from his side he suddenly sees a pentagram symbol erupting at his feet in fire and traveling up his legs it engulfs Logan¡¯s body, with burning skin he scream in pain in a undead high pitched tone and escapes the searing pain in a cloud of puffy smoke.


    Wondering how that happened Namor looks around to see a scorched black line on the ground from Logan leading right to Maylor, with his hand to the ground and his staff glowing bright white in color.


    ¡°Elanee¡± shouts Namor in worry to her limp body, and coming behind them Maylor checks her out.


    ¡°She¡¯s fine Namor she just passed out, he then goes over and pulls the blade from Tristan¡¯s gut, healing him minor but leaving a scare he says sorry that he doesn¡¯t do better but he¡¯s trying to keep as much magic unused as possible, he then checks out Artanis and Straud who seem very weak but fine slowly getting to there feet again, and finally Maylor goes to Cynn¡¯s party and with a potion vial from his side he waves the opening of the bottle under there noses and they each quickly awaken. Cynn then passes out again from over use of magic.


    Flashing like a lightning bolt Chalice raced through the tops of the trees, Cloud looked down as Alisianna came to consciousness, she looked to only see his face beaming down at hers holding a look of massive worry.


    ¡°My brother, Cloud where¡¯s my brother?¡± she asked looking at his face that said it all, she shed a tear for his defeat and staring at him noticed the cut to his cheek and the bloody lip Cloud was housing on his face.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry I couldn¡¯t save him¡± he said softly


    ¡°You did in a way Cloud, thank you¡± she ended coughing


    ¡°Hang on Alise, where almost there¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s taking all I have to see you now Cloud the wound is deep¡­too deep, I just wanted to say thank you¡± she ended closing her eyes again.


    ¡°Alise stay with me¡­Alise!!¡± Cloud harped to her, but no movement to her eyes happened, Cloud put his ear to her chest to hear the beats of her heart slowing fading.


    ¡°Chalice please faster baby, were losing her¡± Cloud said and taking a jolt pushing the wind currant a little more did his horse press on.


    Finishing the Drow left in the city some drow managed to run and retreat away back to the under city from whist the dwell, and as the priests and Clerics check on the wounded and move the dead, Tristan and Artanis hobble back together , while Rain carries Cynn when he comes conscious to the guardhouse and following him is Namor holding Elanee, Dawn helps some near by soldiers hurt badly on the field, Straud gets to his feet from hearing an awful yelling from a familiar voice he hasn¡¯t herd since the start of the battle. He looks over the wall to see Cloud riding hard and fast carrying Alisianna in his arms and with blood running from his hand and down the side of Chalice both he and Maylor go to the front gate field.


    ¡°MAYLOR! DAWN! I NEED YOU¡± screams Cloud jumping off the mount to the ground, Chalice collapses to the ground exhausted to the point of motionless and with a word from Straud does the beast get unsummoned to save her strength.


    ¡°My god Cloud what happened¡± Straud said running to him


    ¡°Aries he had ¡­.spike thing. Stabbed her¡­pulse is very weak¡± Cloud hyperventilated trying to make sense of what was said,


    ¡°Cloud she doesn¡¯t have a pulse my son; she¡¯s dead¡± responded Maylor touching her neck to feel no beats, he then opens her top and sliding his hand to her bare chest does he lift his head with a shake and he retracts his hand from her skin.


    ¡°I failed her¡± Cloud said with a cracked voice, ¡°She¡¯s dead¡±


    ¡°Son listen to me this isn¡¯t your doing¡± Straud said gripping his shoulders, he then looked to Maylor and nodded his head toward Maylor,


    ¡°I can try but I¡¯m weak Straud, I just don¡¯t know if I can do this now¡± and he immediately went to her side.


    ¡°Try Maylor please we owe her this¡± Straud said as Maylor got ready.


    Cloud waited as the spell drug on and on in length and watching Maylor¡¯s hands glow for a long time he asked what was taking so long


    ¡°It takes time and energy Cloud to bring back someone from the dead¡± explains Straud gripping his shoulder ¡°But I¡¯m so glad your ok, why didn¡¯t you fly here Cloud?¡± he then asked


    ¡°I couldn¡¯t after Chalice hurt her wing coming back here, the weight was too much for such a distance and she slowly descended until catching it on a tree limb ¡±And looking to her he continued ¡°but she never slowed down one bit¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s what¡¯s good about mounts compared to actual horses, they feel your pain from your heart and try to help where they can, I only hope it is enough¡± Straud comforts Cloud


    ¡°Me too¡± responded Cloud


    ¡°While I know it was¡± smiled Maylor feeling a breath taking in from Alisianna¡¯s lips and she then passes out, and moving to her side Cloud is again confused


    ¡°What happened is she dead again¡± asked Cloud


    ¡°No my dear boy she is quite alive but exhausted from being dead for a little while, just as I am for that act took the last bit of magic I had left and now I need the rest as well¡± Maylor says as he gets up slowly from the spell sickness he is feeling, standing up and hugging Maylor Cloud thanks him and smiling back from the gratitude he accepts his thanks and retires for the night. For the rest of the night and part of the next day the soldier¡¯s give help in the clearing of bodies and burying the dead, putting out fires in the city and relocating civilians back to their homes was secondary. Finally Straud tries to get more information about Logan from Artanis but he claims that he knows little more than he said last night although some believe he knows more than he is letting on and will only need time to let it lose.


    Elanee was next to explain what she had seen and what was to be heard by the group and high councils was disturbing at best, she described the sword fragments being put together and the Lazarus tower from where Colossus dwells. The news is shocking and not fully knowing what it is about set out to find out, but needing the enclave up and structured first. Lalandra¡¯s task was first on the list before this, and before all of this was a great celebration in memory of the soldiers who gave their lives as well as the victory itself.


    Retiring to the workshop where Rain had worked did he sit upon the work desk chair, as he sat nestled to it¡¯s hardened comfort he gazes first to the mirror, a reflection of a broken mage stared back at him housing cuts and bruising that was in line to be repaired, the dead and dying were first to the list. Getting to his feet Rain walked to a corner of the room and removing some bricks loosened by his own hands and effort for a hidden storage he pulled to his cradling grip a bag, placing it¡¯s contents to the table did he again take a seat to the chair and gaze to the finished product that stood on it¡¯s own as a pair to his desk top.


    The overlaid ankle flaps perfectly folded like her leveled shoulder hair, the body skin was a medium brown¡­her favorite color, slashing stripes wrapped around the body in a stunning style like she did at a moment¡¯s glance his eyes ever laid to her, and were blue like the stunning deep focus of her eyes. The edges were sown sharp like her mind that he both hated and loved to be around; and the laces themselves were red, the beaming color she blushed to from complements or disgruntled times he generally caused her, and they held tight and form fitted much like her bodily physique that he never let went unnoticed. Perfect he thought, flawless he thought as his golden eyes held a tragic gaze to them, but at the coming of a long yawn he placed the boots back to the deer skin holding they were in for the time and back to his feet he got to place them again to the hiding place. I wish I could¡¯ve just made them through pure magic and not with my alchemical skills he thought to his mind placing them to rest again, moving back to the desk he sat to a state of remorse and reflected relation to her love; like the spells he lacked to make them by magic essence so was her love out of his grasp.

 Chapter 16

    Back at the tower Colossus waits impatiently for the return of Logan Silias, emerging from his smoke was Logan only half reformed when Colossus grips his chain shirt throwing him airborne across the table. Bouncing off landing on the other side Logan gets quickly to his feet drawing his swords with a stream of panic to his face.


    ¡°What the hell is with you¡± Logan spouts off getting to his feet out of a roll.


    ¡°I told you to stay here, a simple instruction that you couldn¡¯t even adhere to¡± barked Colossus


    ¡°You¡¯re not my boss Colossus, we¡¯re partners and no one told me that Straud would be there not to mention Artanis Zen, I couldn¡¯t let that opportunity pass me up¡± Logan said back at him


    ¡°And what did you get for your effort hmmm¡­ nothing that¡¯s what or you wouldn¡¯t be here right now, you let them get through your fingers didn¡¯t you, and that¡¯s why I didn¡¯t want them to see you, if I wanted them to have a level playing field I¡¯d show them all the players in the game at the start¡± Colossus bolted back


    ¡°Did you tell them anything, were you caught?¡± Colossus questioned


    ¡°Hell no¡­. just detained against my will for a few minutes, I revealed nothing but we might have a problem¡± said Logan


    ¡°LIKE?¡± snapped Colossus when Sephinroth entered


    ¡°Um you see they have this woman and when I was detained she got close to me and I think she read my mind, I think she¡¯s a seer or something like that¡± continued Logan


    ¡°You have got to be kidding me you pale faced low life, do you know what they could know now, EVERYTHING!!¡± Colossus thundered


    ¡°Did you say a seer?¡± asked Sephinroth to Logan


    ¡°Yeah, maybe, I don¡¯t know, all I do know is that I tried to resist her but she was very powerful, I stood no chance of blocking it¡± Logan responded and getting a worried look on her face she starts to pace a bit thinking to herself


    ¡°What, what is wrong with you¡± said Colossus angrily


    ¡°Hey don¡¯t get mad at me he screwed up remember, it¡¯s just when I here of a seer I get a little uncomfortable that¡¯s all¡± she explained


    ¡°Why¡± Colossus belted


    ¡°It¡¯s probably nothing, don¡¯t worry about it¡± Sephinroth said concerned


    ¡°Well I do, my paranoia has kind of kicked in to high gear at this point so spill it already¡± Colossus snapped


    ¡°It happened about fifteen hundred years ago, before I made the deal to erase my existence from all records¡± Sephinroth began to explain and going to detail about how she hunted down both celestial and demonical beings to retrieve their powers, she said she took the powers to create a super being of great power to be her body guard against other dragons and beings trying to rid themselves of her, it took over a hundred and fifty years of hunting down these beings but she accumulated what she required for her transformation and now all she needed was a host. Finding a human girl from a village she thought was flawless she took her for the experiment. And with encasing the powers in the vessel she became as Sephinroth wanted, and for a time she was unbelievably powerful and helpful until the day came when adolescence began to manifest in the girl turning her to a women and revealing a most interesting and terrible chain of events.


    Sephinroth did some research on the being to find out that she was destined to be an oracle, a most advanced form of a seer capable of not only seeing events in past and future time but controlling minds and taking memories and gaining other telepathic powers as well. Going through this process the girl became uncontrollable and not only having the Telepathic powers but the powers she was given by Sephinroth, she was driven mad and confused. With that the girl went on a rampage destroying everything she saw and with the added bonus of wielding hellfire flame and celestial lightning at will and command, not even demonic or celestial beings could stop her.


    In the end Sephinroth only knew of one thing that could undue what had been done, the scepter of the Dragon lord, but to track down such an artifact required seven pieces and parts to put it together and when years had passed and the girl had made a name for herself as the demon queen Larissa Black staff, Sephinroth finally gathered what was needed to reverse this terrible evil she headed off in a crucial battle against her and using the wand sent her entombed into the child¡¯s inner essence, she was too powerful to be destroyed so a seal was placed over the embodiment child that if she was to ever feel a passionate love for a short time the creature would then be released. Knowing that oracles can¡¯t be in love she figured she was safe to move on, so she erased all evidence in time that this mistake was hers and carried on living.


    ¡°And you think that this girl might be this vessel¡± inquired Logan


    ¡°Yes¡± Sephinroth said back


    ¡°She could be a most worthy weapon¡± pondered Colossus


    ¡°You can¡¯t be serious Colossus; I told you what she has done¡± she protested


    ¡°Yes you did, but to distract the Drow I may yet need such a being¡±


    ¡°She will threaten your rule as well when you gain your powers¡±


    ¡°I will not even be on this plain, so what do I care if she in the end has this one in her possession¡±


    ¡°She would find a way believe me¡±


    ¡°Speaking of finding a way to me, I have another task for you since we are getting nowhere by our own knowledge of how to put together this sword, I want you both to take the remainder of my Droknor guards and go to the Crystal Crown Citadel, there is a chamber in the lowest levels of the tower that contains a gate room to almost every realm in existence, but more off to this one¡± Colossus explains that he wants them to destroy the Citadel and bring back one book that describes that it should hold the key to putting the sword together.


    ¡°How do you know of this place Colossus¡± Sephinroth questions ¡°you do realize that it is magic dead zone around the area to prevent any spell casters from getting into it¡±


    ¡°I do because I was once a member of the place¡± Colossus explains and handing them a ring with an insignia on it he tells them to place it in the door to the gate room and it will get them in.


    ¡°I will bring some vampires too¡± added Logan


    ¡°Do whatever you need to but I don¡¯t want to see you until I hear that the places is in flames and destroyed, as well as me getting that tome¡± and they all depart leaving Colossus sitting down in his chair thinking to himself.


    At the city; soldiers and citizens get ready for the party hosted in the evening before the remaining high elves leave to go back home. Rain knowing that Namor was planning to give Elanee a very nice gift tonight teleports where the herald was getting ready.


    ¡°You scared me Rain¡± said the herald all jumpy at the startling site of Rain¡¯s arrival.


    ¡°Sorry about that; so is this the gift¡± asked Rain and the herald nodded and opening it up to show Rain a hand embroider necklace littered with jewels that were worth more than he could possibly muster up in his whole life, Rain smirked


    ¡°She won¡¯t like it as much as Namor thinks, trust me she¡¯s not a jewelry type of women, this is what she wants¡± and opening Rain¡¯s carrying bag he revealed a set of boots


    ¡°What are they?¡± asked the herald


    ¡°Mage boots to add to her powers as a seer, and trust me they are of far greater value to her than that necklace¡± said Rain telling the herald to add the gift to the other one from Namor.


    ¡°Why don¡¯t you just give them to her?¡± he asked in question


    ¡°I¡¯ve screwed up my relationship with her already from day one, she has something with the Ambassador and this will definitely seal the deal of love between them¡± Rain adds and looking at the boots made of material that he even knows can¡¯t be found around here ¡°I want her to have them, even if I can¡¯t be the one giving them to her¡±


    ¡°These were made with love, Rain; are you sure you want Namor to have the credit for this¡± and Rain nodded his head ¡°Yea, I¡¯m out of chances with her now, but I want her to be happy, and with him she can be¡± Rain said about to leave when the herald stopped him with calling out his name


    ¡°She very lucky to have a friend like you¡± he said and holding a straight look of half disappointment did Rain phase away from sight, and the herald took both gifts to the ambassador¡¯s chambers.


    Going back to his shop Rain flips through book after book trying to find out where Colossus might be from what was described from Elanee, when the door to his shop opens revealing his brother in the archway ¡°Elanee is here to see if you are going to the party and what you are wearing¡±


    ¡°Nothing¡± replied Rain


    ¡°How disturbing¡± Cloud said


    ¡°No; not that I¡¯m wearing nothing, I¡¯m not going¡±


    ¡°But you never go to these things Rain you need to just once, just one time¡± asked Cloud


    ¡°Finding Colossus¡¯s lair is more important right now¡± barked Rain


    ¡°Ok, I¡¯m not going to push it, you don¡¯t want to go fine, do you want me to tell her?¡± Cloud asked


    ¡°Yes please¡± said Rain burying his face in a paragraph of a book, and Cloud shakes his head and leavesIf you come across this story on Amazon, it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.


    Later on that night Namor goes to Elanee¡¯s room where Tristan was in presence and talking with her


    ¡°Oh Namor would you like me to leave?¡± Tristan said


    ¡°No you can stay¡± Namor smiled and holding a box wrapped up he gave it to Elanee


    ¡°What is this¡± she asked and without waiting for a response she opened the package to see the necklace wrapped around the boots.


    ¡°Oh my god¡± Elanee said whispering and tossing the box with the necklace still inside she took the boots and put them on her feet ¡°MAGE BOOTS ARE YOU KIDDING ME¡± she yelled excitedly walking to a mirror and feeling the enhancement of her powers grow almost instantly ¡°Wow they work I can feel my powers growing in strength, where did you get them?¡± she asked


    ¡°Yes Namor, where in deed?¡± Tristan added with a look of suspicion on his face


    ¡°Now, now a magician never revels his secrets¡± Namor says and running to him she kisses him with a thank you kiss. Namor holds her for a longer period kissing her more, and Tristan stands there uncomfortable looking at the ceiling and folding his arms while the lip lock is in place.


    ¡°Oh I have to go show Dawn and Alisianna this¡± she says and she runs out like a six year old at Christmas time, laughing as she went Namor had a look of victory on his face.


    And getting serious Tristan moves closer to Namor ¡°Funny thing, I have always known you to hate mages, so why would you go to one for something like this¡±


    ¡°Did you see her face light up, tell me that isn¡¯t worth it to you¡± said Namor


    ¡°No don¡¯t get me wrong it is, but she never mentioned the boot to you not once, trust me I¡¯d remember that, so how did you know to get them¡± inquired Tristan


    Snapping the Ambassador says ¡°The herald set it up with out me knowing about it¡± and after that Namor exits the room, away from the interrogation, and smiling to himself he says ¡°So you in other words have no idea about this and just took the reward, so who would know about the boots¡± he thought and left to go get ready.


    Cloud, Straud, Maylor and Artanis were waiting at the guardhouse door for the girls to get ready and when they all came down they were breathless at the beauty bestowed upon them from Alisianna, Dawn and Cynn. And complimenting them as they came down Cynn asked where Rain was and shaking his head Cloud answered her


    ¡°He doesn¡¯t go to these things he just closes himself off like a hermit in his shop trying like always to figure out how to save the world¡± thinking for a moment Cynn tells the rest that she will catch up with them at the party, and giving them the excuse that she forgot something she leaves splitting up from the rest.


    Rain heard a knock at his door again and told Cloud through the door that he wasn¡¯t going,


    ¡°It¡¯s not Cloud, it¡¯s Cynn¡± she says and moving to the door quickly to open it he apologizes for the mix up and gazes on her look, she was wearing a silver and blue color mixed sleek dress with sleeves draping under her arms and by her side only connecting on the arms at the elbow joint and wrist using a gold bracelet to do it.


    ¡°Wow you look amazing¡± Rain states


    ¡°Thanks and you look¡­not ready¡± she replies


    ¡°I don¡¯t go to these things¡± he says and walks back to his desk ¡°So you go and enjoy your self¡±


    ¡°Oh believe me I will but I need my date to come with me first¡± she smiles at him


    ¡°Your what¡­oh ¡­oh me, oh god no I¡¯m not date material (she stares at him) I...I can¡¯t dance nor can I socialize, I¡¯m a party mess¡±


    ¡°Mess or no mess you¡¯re coming now go get dressed¡± she bolts and Rain doesn¡¯t move and goes back to his work, walking up to his desk she leans over throwing her breasts in his face and says again ¡°I am leader of your clan even here so don¡¯t make me command you to do this Rain¡± she says sternly and laughing for a second he looks at her, but when she doesn¡¯t laugh back he stops and looks at her with a bit of concern ¡°Are you serious?¡± he asks


    And smiling back she says sternly ¡°Very!¡± waiting for a period of time until he was ready, the grumpy grumbling sorcerer made his way with Cynn at his side to the event taking place in the city courtyard and surrounding areas. Cynn had to do most of the work by dancing with him and introducing his heroics which Rain felt no comfort in taking. He finally broke down and started to enjoy himself for a while talking by Straud and Cloud as well as Artanis who was for the time allowed to join the party for his participation in the fight.


    Then she came to the seen, all dressed up in blue and white colors pick by Namor and wearing the boots Rain had made her she showed them up to Dawn and Alisianna, Cloud and Artanis, as well as Straud, Cynn and Maylor. Getting finally to Rain she posed for him to show him and smiling at the sight of them he told her they were amazing to see on her.


    ¡°Thanks, I love them so much¡± She blushed


    ¡°And may I say nice necklace you have on¡± Rain complemented


    ¡°Its ok I guess, I¡¯m not one for the glamour¡± she said and laughing he agreed


    ¡°Do you think I¡¯m ugly or something without it Rain¡± she asked questioning his laughter


    ¡°Oh god no, your beautiful tonight¡± and tightly holding his hand he walks away


    ¡°What¡¯s that¡± she asked


    ¡°Oh this, nothing I was just going to give it to you to night but you¡¯ve gotten enough gifts and it won¡¯t go with what your wearing anyway¡± he said trying to get away from embarrassing himself


    ¡°Can I see it¡­..please¡± she asks like a small child and opening his hand he reveled a beaded necklace on a string woven around some shiny stones with markings on them


    Awed at its simple elegance she takes it from him ¡°It¡¯s lovely; what is its purpose?¡± she asked


    ¡°They¡¯re tribal markings of good will and fortune that I learned of a time ago, as it is said these stones are written to have powers of clarity for personal guidance in ones life¡± Rain explains and looking at it she turn her back to him and asks Rain to take off the necklace that she had on.


    ¡°Elanee that is worth more than the ship Namor traveled here with, don¡¯t take it off¡± Rain protested and nodding her head she then put his necklace on and being they were the same length it covered Namor¡¯s up.


    ¡°What do you think¡± she asked


    And smiling a little he boasted ¡°It¡¯s nice¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s it, NICE I think it¡¯s a little more then that, Elegant is the word I would use¡± She defended it and agreeing he then smiled and retreated off to grab his drink, having a seat near the table he then took a sip when he saw Elanee come up to him again asking for the seat beside him.


    ¡°I¡¯ve already told the others and should tell you that earlier today Namor asked me to go back with him to Stormguard in replenishment of more troops to bring here, as a token of good faith I said that I would go¡±


    ¡°Good, we wouldn¡¯t want to break the good ties we have with them right¡± said Rain actually sincere about the statement just made.


    ¡°Yeah¡± she said and twiddling her fingers together sitting by him for a couple moments Elanee built up the courage asking Rain ¡°Could I get a dance from you Rain¡±


    And having his mouth filled with drink he quickly swallows and replies ¡°Elanee you know I don¡¯t dance¡± and accepting the answer she remains a bit longer listening to the slow moving music, rolling her eyes she grabs his hand thinking ¡°oh what the hell¡± in her mind and jolting him from his seat she pulled him to the dance area, Rain spilling his goblet from being pulled stands by her shocked. Putting her arms around him he looks up ¡°Please just one, you just have to move your feet¡± Rain smirks as he lays his arms lightly around her waist and responds ¡°Elanee I said I don¡¯t dance, not that I can¡¯t¡± and for one song she laid her head to his dress robes, she was overwhelmed with an aura feeling safer now than in the presence of twenty armed guards; embracing the silence of the complete security with him for the brief couple minutes the song went on for.


    Seeing this happening from a distance Dawn went to Alisianna and tugged her over to where they could see Rain and Elanee and watching them with an awing face came over the two of them as they saw the couple dancing. Finishing the Dance with a smile on her face Elanee held limp to her hands Rain¡¯ s palms that were still clung to hers, ¡°Are you staying in the city¡± she asked with her smile still beaming that seemed to strike right to her soul, ¡°I¡¯m heading off with my brother and Dawn in the morning, can¡¯t wait to get away from this place, and leave behind it¡¯s thoughts¡± Elanee held a small look of disbelief ¡°Oh come now surly there was some part of this city that came to your liking and appeal¡± she said back with a stunning gaze, Rain grew flushed and his heart began to race; it was to the tip of his tongue and this was his best chance¡­Rain opened his mouth.


    ¡°Might I cut in¡± said Namor over Rain¡¯s slipping breath that kept Rain¡¯s confession silent, he turned only to hold a glare to Namor, but never did hers leave the sight of the sorcerer. ¡°Of course¡± Rain said handing her hands off to his direction and taking to the trade did a moment of sigh hit Elanee¡¯s face as she accepted the invitation of dance. ¡°Just was warming her up for you¡± Rain said trying to hold good sport and kindness for it burned his being inside.


    ¡°Well, now she can get ready for a real man who can dance eh¡± Namor said again with a blow to Rain¡¯s skills that responded, ¡°Indeed¡± taking the defeat, Rain looked to her face again that still held a smile for him, ¡°Thank you for the dance¡± she said to him and nodding Rain stares only to a witness the two with Namor¡¯s guiding went to the other side of the dance floor, about to leave as they left his sight Tristan came up to Rain after the dance, ¡°Your not bad, she seemed to like it¡± he said and Rain held a nod again, ¡°Nice boots you made for her Rain¡±


    ¡°What, Tristan I think your mistaken, it takes an alchemist of great power or insanity to make a pair of those and I¡¯m not either, I¡¯m nothing more then a firework demonstrationist when it comes to matching up to someone who makes those¡± Rain said smiling and patting him on the shoulder, accepting the answer for now he says to him


    ¡°I want you to know that I¡¯ll look out for her as long as her feet are on our soil Rain I give you my word¡± Tristan promotes with sincerity.


    ¡°And why do you think that would be needed, she is in good hands with Namor¡± says Rain full knowingly lying to himself.


    ¡°Yes I¡¯m sure that¡¯s what we both think, don¡¯t we¡± Tristan says patting Rain¡¯s shoulder wishing him good luck on the mission for the egg hunt and returning the good will of the voyage home Rain goes back to his drink when the music changed pace to a more fast set of notes; Rain gazed out to the dance floor to see Namor and Elanee practically owning the dance floor giving her spins through out the steps and the occasional dip that even Rain knew was for a quick glance to her chest did Rain focus more to Elanee smiling face, she was truly enjoying herself and Rain was growing sick of the ambassador¡¯s sight with her, about to leave Rain hears a most pleasant voice hit his spin halting his feet ¡°Excuse me; did you really think you could get off from the evening without a dance with me¡± said Alisianna to his back, Rain turned and the sight of her unfolded hair in full wavy volume stunned his eyes, She was dressed most beautifully in a light brown strapless dress that hugged like a tub top formfitting to her perfect curves starting above her big breasts and ending half down her thighs, it then draped to the ground with a small ankle slit on the right side to let it sway around, she had elbow length gloves of a golden color and to match was a hair piece golden circlet around her forehead. Rain stared to her perfection but really only seemed to be half aware at best for his thoughts were clouded, especially around her, ¡°Or is the dance from a fair marshal of Silverspire more pleasure that you can handle in a night¡± she grinned ¡°I would be honored to dance with your body¡­.I mean beauty¡± Rain corrected growing embarrassed, Alise laughed and extending her hand he took her to the dance floor as yet another slow tone erupted. ¡°With the dance he just gave her mine is already forgotten¡± Rain said taking her hands to starting places, Alisianna glances over to Elanee¡¯s location and smirks back ¡°She hasn¡¯t forgotten anything Rain, trust me¡±


    ¡°Trust in that I find hard to close¡± Rain said as they started off slow, clasping his hand to her waist did her skin feel so soft to his hands, like touching liquid warm water it was and the sent of jasmine she pelted out from her neck did Rain inhale, closing his eyes for a moment he focused his mind to keep his dignity for her, but his feelings for her could almost never go off without a show. ¡°Like males Rain, women have event markers to there minds as well, males generally go for the ones baring a great killing strike of battle victory, some go with the glory of creating a new spell or becoming a great leader or king¡­but for women Rain it¡¯s different. It¡¯s a first walk, or encounter with a person that melts their heart at first sight¡­and a first kiss is a big one, but also is a first dance¡± Alisianna finished as her mind left to images of Cloud and her first encounter with him.


    ¡°A lot of first I see¡± Rain said back as they went on ¡°There¡¯s nothing like them Rain, the rush of not knowing what will happen fully and when they know it¡¯s so right does the memory imprint straight to their hearts, forever¡± Rain¡¯s hand had slipped down taking hold her butt but as she looked to his face did she see he didn¡¯t even notice it moved, she said nothing about it and just enjoyed the dance as she rested her head upon is shoulder and closed her eyes, it wasn¡¯t quiet like his brother¡¯s hold but it was comforting. As the song ended she came back to his sight and Rain now realizing where his hand was did he realign it, she smiled thanking him for the dance and kissed him on the lips lightly not to instill a mixed message, and saying that he was good at holding a woman in his arms to send out a feeling of safety she added it was indeed worth holding to a memory. As they left the dance floor she went to see if Cloud wished for another dance and in what Rain felt was yet another defeat over a woman he retired back to his chambers at the guard hall and continued his work on Colossus.

 Chapter 17

    The next day come swiftly and as the last of the high elves leave the ships at the port on beginning to set sail. Cloud and Dawn wait to see off Elanee while Cynn, Straud and Maylor said their goodbyes already and are on the path waiting to embark back to the enclave, Elanee Namor and Tristan come to the ship and with a rehearsed good bye from the king they go to the dock to board the ship, Namor goes walking by both Dawn and Cloud only nodding his head for his good bye while Tristan¡¯s gives them both a hug and shakes Cloud¡¯s hand for everything they did. They pet the tiger of Tristan as it went by and finally they saw Elanee.


    ¡°Are you sure you want to go with him Elanee?¡± Cloud said softly to her in a hug.


    ¡°No, but it¡¯s for the city and that¡¯s all that matters right¡± she responded and giving them each a hug and a kiss to Cloud¡¯s cheek the group watches Tristan take her hand aboard the ship¡¯s hull.


    Up in a corner building overlooking the ships Rain watches Elanee board the ship and his heart sinks a bit wondering if he will ever see her again, she looks around scouting for Rain¡¯s face and finally spots him in the building cargo window sill, smiling in his direction she blows him a kiss and waves good bye and tossing his hand lightly to the air Rain gestures a wave back for it one he didn¡¯t wish to let go.


    ¡°Where¡¯s Alisianna, Cloud¡± asks Dawn


    ¡°She left early today to go train with the elders a bit more now that we are leaving the woods, she can no longer be with us right now¡± Cloud explained


    ¡°Oh¡± Dawn said with a sigh


    ¡°But we will see her again I promise you¡± Cloud smiles to her saddened face


    ¡°You like her; don¡¯t you Cloud¡± Dawn said with a grin, and not saying a word just a smile he turned to walk off the dock ¡°Oh it¡¯s more then that is it, due tell¡± Dawn harasses him all they way off the docks and up to the meeting place of the clan. Rain joins up with all of them at the same time and they head off for a second until Cloud tells the clan to stop.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong Cloud?¡± asks Straud


    ¡°Were missing one¡­ok you can come out now Artanis we know you¡¯re up there¡± Cloud bolts and coming out of the trees he falls down right on the back of Rain¡¯s horse


    ¡°Holy shit¡± Rain jumped get scared suddenly


    ¡°Sorry, didn¡¯t mean to scare you Rain, mined if I join you on your horse¡±


    ¡°Sure why not the more the merrier¡± Rain says rolling his eyes and going a fair distance they finally cross the outside line of the woods.


    They are surprised to see Alisianna standing there waiting for them and getting off his horse Cloud goes up to her, they say a personal goodbye to each other wanting to see each other again and Cloud turns to go to his horse when Alisianna spins him around and kisses him. It lasts seconds until clearing his throat loudly Straud says they should press on.


    ¡°I¡¯ll see you when I get back¡± Cloud says whispering to her


    ¡°I¡¯ll be waiting¡± she smiles and disappears into the woods,


    ¡°Something you want to tell me Cloud¡± Straud says


    ¡°Nothing you¡¯d want to hear uncle¡± Cloud says


    ¡°No need, anyways if you wait until night fall you can hear it all you want and sometimes when you don¡¯t¡± Rain smirks knowing that it¡¯s not true and giving him a glare Cloud changes the subject and they move on.


    Getting a day away they reach the foothills of the mountains, Cynn and Maylor turn around and tell them that this is where they split off and go their separate ways teleporting away to the enclave. Straud then explains to the group that Lalandra will only allow the clan members who she has already seen stay their, leaving the three Drow children, Artanis and Straud who continues that they need to get back the eggs before they are allowed to join the enclave.


    ¡°Believe me I argued this point of your safety with her for awhile and she is very persistent on getting her eggs back before lending out anymore trust¡± Straud says and telling them that to get the eggs back they need to go south for a distance. The young group then prepares for a long trip with Straud at the helm.


    For three days they camp and talk amongst themselves, reminiscing about past events that happened before and after the city life. As midday hits the high skies does the group arrive to the area; led by the veteran Drow Captain they gazed upon some old ruins from a distance.


    ¡°Is this it uncle?¡± asked Rain looking at the site of rubble ¡°Doesn¡¯t look like much¡±


    ¡°No not on the surface their base is under ground¡± replies Straud who already had gone into detail on the foe guarding the eggs; a race called the Rasha.


    ¡°What can we expect from them uncle?¡± inquires Cloud


    ¡°They are good fighters and most of their ranks are made up of warriors and rouges, so be careful and Artanis we might need you to watch for any sneak attack coming at us(Artanis nods) but they do have some sorcerers, so watch for spells too¡± explained Straud


    ¡°What do they look like¡± questioned Dawn


    ¡°Like big tigers in a humanoid stance, their leader is a white tiger and all his followers are yellow and black striped, they also have a likening for expensive clothing¡± Straud adds and slowly they creep up to the rubble ruins noticing a couple of guards making rounds through out the area, trying to get closer Straud point out a Stonehenge like stone structure with a door in the middle part telling everyone that must be the entrance to the base. As they start moving closer an alarm sounded and the Rasha take a defensive stance. Straud has everyone hide behind the rubble in the area in an attempt not to be seen. Some Rasha start moving around looking passed corners to locate whoever set off the alarm, closing in on their position one Rasha peers around Rain¡¯s rock and Rain throws a lightning bolt into his face blowing him back and on his back. Looking around at the tiger Rain is surprised to see him alive.


    Laughing a bit and getting to his feet the Rasha shouts out ¡°Your spells won¡¯t work on my kind Sorcerer, you¡¯re useless here¡±.


    Rains notices three more baring down on his position and casts a fireball at their feet blowing all of them in the air, seeing them land and get up again Rain rolls his eyes and falls back to where his uncle is hiding.


    ¡°You want to find out the hard way that¡¯s fine with me sorcerer but you¡¯ll be weakening your self while you don¡¯t accept the truth right away¡± the Rasha continues and about to cast another spell Straud spots his hand


    ¡°Rain no!¡± he whispers ¡°They¡¯re right it won¡¯t work they¡¯re immune to your spells¡±


    ¡°Then why am I on this egg hunt if I can¡¯t be of any help¡± Rain franticly whispers


    ¡°Cause I didn¡¯t know for sure, I thought it was only a rumor that they were¡± continued Straud and while they reassess the situation two other Rasha come from the door wearing robes throwing fireballs at random areas trying to flush them out.


    ¡°Oh joy they can hit and kill me but I can¡¯t do anything to them¡± Rain bolted


    ¡°You have a sword Rain, use it!¡± snapped Cloud


    ¡°Well then you go first and don¡¯t blame me when you get fried before getting to them¡±


    ¡°Enough both of you we need a plan¡± Straud interrupts them.


    While hearing the spells being fired all around but mostly in their direction Straud thinks fast. There is more movement through the doorway and five more Rasha emerge from the shadows of the base and engage them in a fight using crossbows and missile spells the Rasha pummel the area where Straud, Rain and Cloud are concealed at with Dawn and Artanis a little ways behind. Artanis quickly moves Dawn back to the brush line of the trees.


    Watching further Artanis and Dawn witness the first bunch of Rasha moving in around them to get a cross attack, Dawn makes her hand glow with a flame but is interrupted by Artanis holding it down.


    ¡°What are you doing they¡¯re going to catch them off guard¡± Whispered Dawn


    ¡°I know that¡¯s why I moved back here, they haven¡¯t seen us yet¡± replied Artanis


    ¡°I won¡¯t sit here when I can do something¡± and moving to attack Artanis grips to hold her down ¡°Let me go!¡± Dawn squirmed


    ¡°Wait¡± and letting her up they watch as Straud and her brothers are over run, disarmed and taken inside ¡°Ok look Dawn now we only have to deal with one guard and they don¡¯t know that we are here¡±


    ¡°But they have my family¡± Dawn whispered with a gritting teeth look.


    ¡°Yes they do and as much as I don¡¯t want anything to happen to them the longer we sit here, the less time they will be alive¡± Artanis explains, and nodding her head with a face of fear about her family¡¯s well being they move up to the guard post. With the knowledge of Vampirism stealth and quick sword moves Artanis slits the throat of the guard. Letting him fall slowly to the ground in an effort to not make much noise Dawn closes her eyes at the sight of the cruel act.


    They open the door and peer inside the complex, lined with brick walls and an elegant display of candle wall sconces spaced evenly apart, the twin way halls run deep with a slight degree of a down angle.


    ¡°Well I didn¡¯t expect this to be the lining for their base¡±, said Dawn ¡°Which way do you suppose we should go?¡± she asked, and putting his hand down to the floor, Artanis feels the ground on both sides of the entrance way.


    ¡°We go left¡± responds Artanis


    ¡°How can you be sure?¡±


    ¡°The floor is still warm from their feet passing by¡± he explains quietly, and keeping their footing light as they go down the hallway hiding in the shadows cast by the fiery light of the sconces they make their way down.


    They reach a closed door with an open room to the left of it, perking his hearing Artanis takes focus to voices from the closed door, and brings his ear to the door listening in.


    Straud, Rain and Cloud had been gagged and blind folded coming to this room and when their sight was returned to them they saw six Rasha with the one white colored leader before them.


    ¡°Who are you¡± the leader bolted and Straud tells the boys to say nothing, and being yelled at and spit on for a little bit on what will happen to them if they don¡¯t talk Rain finally loses it.


    ¡°All right already, we came with a contingent of men fifty I think; soldiers all of them¡± Rain blurted out


    ¡°You idiot¡± said Cloud ¡°I can¡¯t believe you; (and staring at him Cloud smiles) actually it was more like seventy five I think all in the tree line right now¡±


    ¡°Right seventy five, never was good with math was I¡± added Rain and getting slugged in the face both of them are given bloodied lips for their lack of cooperation.


    ¡°My lord what if they were sent by Seph-¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t say her name in front of them you moron, we don¡¯t know if they are with her or not¡± said the leader


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry I didn¡¯t quite catch that name could you say it again please¡± asked Straud in a sarcastic nice voice


    ¡°Yeah I thought as much you are here for them aren¡¯t you?¡± the leader replied


    ¡°Here for what sorry¡± Straud continued the charade, and just smiling to him the tiger leader told the other guards to check the tree lines for their friends, if spotted kill them.


    In hearing the soldiers coming to the door Artanis tells Dawn they need to hide and running back down the hall they can hear footsteps coming from that way as well. Thinking quickly Artanis grabs Dawn¡¯s hand leading her into a open room, going around the corner of the door they wait for the guards to go past, looking around the room they see it has tables and chairs.


    ¡°Must be a mess hall¡± said Artanis quietly while hearing the other pack coming their way; Artanis goes to one of the two doors adjacent to the room.


    Moving up to the first one he hears men inside clanging around with metal objects


    ¡°Armory¡± Artanis says and takes Dawn toward the other one, opening the door just as the Rasha enter the main room; Artanis and Dawn quickly run into it.


    Like a swift wind the door blew open and a rotten stink came to their noses, it was dank with a moldy putrid smell of rotting flesh and the sudden rise in both humidity and heat from the room only enhanced the smell more. It smelled similar to fresh pig manure spread over a field and carried a thickness in the air that could almost be tasted.


    Looking around they gazed at the sight of partially deformed and skinned corpses hung suspended in the air attached to thick ropes coming from hooks on the ceiling that covered the middle of the room. Lying on the ground was small parts of hands and feet as well as organ portions and dried blood all over the floor making it hard to not step in anything when walked on.


    Putting her nose up and turning to the sight of what the smell was, she was both horrified as well as shocked, fighting the urge to regurgitate but failing, Artanis turns her to the wall as she threw up, looking to him when she was finished she saw Artanis only closing his eyes and turning his head.


    Dawn whispers ¡°How does this not bother you Artanis?¡±


    ¡°Oh believe me this does every time I see it, I have just seen it more often than you would like to know and it doesn¡¯t bother me to your extent¡± he responds


    ¡°I¡¯m so sorry for you that you had to grow up around such sights¡± she adds


    ¡°So was I¡± he says


    ¡°What is this place¡± she asks


    ¡°Looks like a food storage area¡± Artanis guesses


    ¡°What kind of food?¡± shivers Dawn


    ¡°Human¡± says Artanis disturbed a little


    ¡°Oh god; I think I¡¯m going to be sick again¡± she says getting the urge back, and Artanis comes over to her and hands her a bag


    ¡°Here breathe from this¡± he suggests and in doing so her senses are filled with the scent of pedals from roses, tulips and lilies and looking in the bag curious to the source of the pleasant scent Dawn sees the pedals.


    ¡°I always carry something like that on me in case I¡¯m in this situation¡± Artanis continued


    ¡°What situation are we in¡± asked Dawn


    ¡°A very shitty one, no pun intended¡± concluded Artanis


    Artanis then starts to quickly look around for a way out, as Dawn tries to change the subject in attempt to ease the stinky smell. Breathing into the bag again she continues while Artanis found something in the residue of a corpse.Love what you''re reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on.


    ¡°Why did you do it Artanis?¡±


    ¡°Do what?¡±


    ¡°Let that Lich go, back when I was sick, I mean he had done so much wrong and he¡¯s going to kill more people now that he is loose again, have you been tracking him?¡±


    ¡°I was but I lost him after about two weeks of doing it, just before the battle at Silverspire¡±


    ¡°If he kills anyone Artanis I swear I¡¯ll blame myself for it¡± Dawn says staring at him, and stopping his examination in the book he found he comes to her and grabs her slimy covered hands


    ¡°Look it doesn¡¯t matter what was done¡± he says lifting her chin to look in her teary eyes ¡°All that mattered then was what was at stake, and that you were more important to be kept alive then him let out¡± he smiled under his mask ¡°and besides if we can catch him once we can do it again and easier this time now that they know how he fights right¡± he added and Dawn nods her head, Artanis then hands her the book


    ¡°What¡¯s this¡± she questioned taking it while having a mossy substance fall from it ¡°Where did you find this¡± she asked


    ¡°You don¡¯t want to know, but it might help us a little bit it looks like a journal from a scholar or something and pushing some body parts to the side she sits on a open area to read it.


    ¡°How long do you figure we can stay in here¡± Dawn questions


    ¡°Probably a little while, they don¡¯t look like they come here to often except after eating¡±


    ¡°Lovely¡± replied Dawn faking a smile to him, they hear some voices outside the door in the mess hall and Artanis then squishy foots his way to the door and stands to listen.


    ¡°So are those intruders telling the truth about more men outside¡± one guard Rasha says


    ¡°No there¡¯s nothing out there, no fifty men at least like the mage said¡± another finishes and thinking how Rain would have said that to them makes Artanis shake his head a bit with a smile


    ¡°Well then are they from Sephinroth?¡±


    ¡°You dumb ass you¡¯re not supposed to say her name, ever!!¡±


    ¡°What! The intruders are locked up and if they continue to not tell us anything Goron is going to kill them anyway so who cares¡±


    ¡°Yea lighten up a bit¡± another says biting into some meat still talking ¡°I mean since when did knowing a name of something bring down a whole masterful operation, especially one from a legendary Red Dragon¡± they all laugh a bit making fun forms of that happening; finishing their meals and leaving the room they open the room where Artanis and Dawn are to toss their scraps. Running to Dawn he shouts quietly ¡°Dawn HIDE!!¡± and looking around she says to him


    ¡°WHERE?!!¡± and watching him jump on the side of a corpse hanging from the roof where it¡¯s not facing the door, she looks at him with disgust


    ¡°You have got to be kidding; I¡¯m not jumping on one of those¡± Dawn strikes out in a whisper


    ¡°They¡¯re coming Dawn¡± and hearing the door open swiftly she closes her eyes and jumps on the hanging meat sack, her head splats into the side of it as ooze and slime runs down her hair and face to her body leaving a skin trail of a sticky residue. The guards take turns throwing their scraps and as the last one throws he then turns back around to sniff inside the room, waiting a second and closing their eyes to concentrate on not making any noise the Rasha shakes his head.


    ¡°Does it ever stink in there we should clean that out soon¡± he says shutting the door, and being relieved Dawn and Artanis let go of the sacks jumping to the ground.


    ¡°THAT WAS GROSS!¡± snapped Dawn


    ¡°You know one thing baffles me, how they can stay so neat after seeing this; truly amazing that is¡± and waving her hand as if to brush him away she goes back to the book


    ¡°Come here¡± Dawn says ¡°I think I¡¯ve found something¡± and going to her side she pulls her hair back to read while picking some body bits out of her hair.


    ¡°This guy was studying them I think listen to this; from my understanding a bolt true of spirit can slay these creatures of stripes and whiskers, the bolt must be fired from a cross bow and like an arrow of slaying any where on the body will kill them; Blessed, he must have meant to bless a bolt before it is fired at them it¡¯s the only thing that makes sense¡± Dawn said with a grin


    ¡°Good thing I¡¯ve still got me a priestess, and might I say a most beautiful one¡± and giving him a look of non belief she says


    ¡°Oh please I¡¯m covered in crap and scraps of things I don¡¯t want to know about and smell like I don¡¯t even know what¡±


    ¡°Well I know something¡± Artanis interrupts ¡°Those Rasha were using crossbows earlier and the weapon storage is right beside us¡± and smiling at where he¡¯s going with this they open the door slowly and with seeing no one there they creep out and move to the other door.


    Back in the interrogation room Cloud and Rain along with Straud are being occasionally pummeled and with bloodied up faces and cut arms Straud finally speaks up


    ¡°Fine, fine enough already we are here for the eggs ok the eggs¡±


    ¡°Uncle¡± Cloud barks


    ¡°Shut-up Cloud¡± Straud says to him, and going up to Straud¡¯s side the White tiger Goron goes to a small laugh


    ¡°You can¡¯t get them anyways; they are in a sealed room that needs me to open the door¡± and smiling a bit Straud laughs


    ¡°You guys are always so easy to get the locations out of you realize that and now I know it will only be a matter of time before we get loose and obtain them¡± and hearing a ruckus outside the hall Goron turns to Straud


    ¡°We shall see¡± and with the door being blown open by a Rasha corpse Dawn and Artanis emerge from behind it walking through the doorway and into the room, they are holding crossbows one in each hand while Artanis also has two strapped under his forearms for added attacks.


    Seeing that the crossbows are lined with the dragon figured bolts Goron starts to laugh


    ¡°Those won¡¯t kill us they¡¯re only for a dragon of silver color¡±


    ¡°Oh really¡± says Artanis and firing one at a guard that suddenly dies from only being hit in the foot.


    ¡°How¡± Cries Goron


    ¡°Ah right forgot to tell you, umm these bolts are blessed, by her you know the priestess¡± and being angered Goron calls for the guards to attack them, and displaying some acrobatics and leaping around Artanis gets over to Straud, Cloud and Rain and cutting their chains loose they join in the fight.


    Shooting some of the Rasha mage¡¯s and slashing open the swordsmen they battle the Rasha in the room, more in moments fill the room and they keep engaging them until Straud seals the door with twin spears through the door locking hinges.


    Standing alone with Straud and the rest closing in on the room he has to his back Goron stares and the Drow Captain.


    ¡°Like I said you need me to get what you want, but as of now your luck has run out¡± and finishing his sentence Goron takes a flaming blade from his belt and suicides himself with a stab to the chest, they all cover their eyes from a bright fiery flame that disintegrates his body to nothing.


    ¡°Well I have to say, I didn¡¯t expect that as a outcome¡± says Rain uncovering his head


    ¡°DANM IT now what do we do we need those eggs¡± cried Straud


    ¡°And we will get them uncle¡± responded Rain and looking confused Cloud pipes up


    ¡°But we needed his body to open the door Rain¡± and smiling Rain leads them to the door, and asks Artanis to touch the door knob, seeing no harm he carefully touches it and the knob suddenly turns to sand and the wall reforms into a solid stone wall matching the rest of the room. And expecting as much Rain then approaches the door himself


    ¡°So how are you going to get in there Rain¡± Straud asks and turning around he explains


    ¡°Lucky for me I think I¡¯ve studied his body structure from being interrogated long enough to do it¡±


    ¡°Do what?¡± impatiently said by Cloud


    ¡°This¡± Rain replied and altering his appearance he changes into Goron, looking shocked at Rain never performing this magic before Cloud asks if it is still him, he says yes and that it only changes what Rain looks like on the outside.


    ¡°How disappointing¡± Dawn said


    And going to the door Rain could touch the knob and open the door entering he grabs one egg at a time and hands them out, one to Straud and one to Cloud, Dawn seeing something in the room worth taking goes to go through the door but is block by an invisible force field stopping her from entering


    ¡°It¡¯s protected, only allowing Goron to be in here, why is there something you want Dawn?¡± and letting her point to some prayer beads hanging from a hook on the wall he takes them and gives them to her


    ¡°They have many uses, healing, curing and can also be used for missiles like Rain can throw¡±, standing beside her Rain puckers his nose


    ¡°What the hell is that smell?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s us Rain, we had to hide and-


    ¡°That¡¯s all I need Artanis thanks¡± Rain interrupts him by waving him to shut-up and with hearing a banging to the door from the other side, from more guards using what sounded like a battering device to get inside Straud asked if Rain can teleport them all from here to the surface. Shaking his head with uncertainty they all join hands and he flashes out.


    Emerging in the light after being down their for hours, Rain hits the ground of the sunny surface with an added feeling, like being punched in the stomach Straud looks to his nephew with concern.


    ¡°You ok Rain¡± says Straud


    ¡°Yeah just took a lot out of me that¡¯s all¡± gasps Rain holding his chest ¡°Never teleported a group before¡± and patting his should with gratitude Straud helps him up followed by a hug, they travel back for a little while when Dawn jumps off her horse and runs through the bushes, the rest confused dismount to see what happened and going through the bushes see her in a river splashing water all over herself, Artanis right behind her joins in. After a good clean up from all of them they carry on to the enclave.


    With no further complications getting there they arrive at the mouth of the huge cave, Straud takes both eggs in his arms and following him in to the opening they enter the cave, moving through the cavern of mazes in the rock they come to an opening into a huge treasure chamber, laying in front of it rests Lalandra.


    They all gazed upon a flawless beast of liquid mercury in color and having to not look directly at her due to such brightness she bestowed they took short careful glances. She had long symmetrically shaped horns arrowed dynamically perfect, and had deep silver toned eyes. Her mouth was largely based with evenly spaced apart teeth six feet in length filled and embedded on either side of the jaw line. When she exhaled the air filled to a winter fresh scent causing a chill to their skin as it went by; she arose to a eighty foot height and held herself up with a muscular physique speaking in a soft but a commanding voice


    ¡°You have brought me what I required young Drow guard Captain of the Bloodhawk Clan¡± Lalandra inquired, and bowing to her in a royal manner he extended his arms showing the eggs. She then transformed in to a humanoid form to look less intimidating to the group, and matched that of a noble lady like woman with shoulder length black hair in a crimped style that held silver strands through out. She had light tanned skin and held the looks of a human in respects to her ears and mouth, her eyes were silver as well as her long lashes and she carried a scent that smelt of peppermint. She wore a black tank top with a silver outlined rim and a skirt wrap color matching bottom that had a black laced cover piece that draped to the floor; she gripped the eggs with her glove covered hands and took them to a secured area of the cave.


    She then returned quickly to converse with them, first she took Strauds hand and lifting him up off his knee she then went to hers kissing his hand at the return of her eggs.


    ¡°You have helped me again, young Drow Captain¡± and with a spell cast she then tells the others that they are now welcome in the enclave.


    ¡°Again¡± asked Rain


    And answering his skepticism Lalandra explains that about eleven hundred and fifty years ago an evil red dragon cast a holding spell on Lalandra keeping her in human form, she could last in that form for a little while, if enough time was to pass though would they start to lose their dragon lineage. In the form of a little girl at the time but not remembering why she was lost in the woods and getting scared and starting to cry, she was found by Straud.


    Taking her back and finding evidence to support her claim of what she used to be Straud offered his wisdom and patience to make her whole again, it took many years and a bond between them grew very strong until the day they were triumphant enough to restore her back. There was heart break after for she knew that she had to stay in her dragon form for a time to regain her powers and with Straud in the Rouge clan by this time they could not been around each other for a long time, as for tracking a dragon¡¯s presence would surly expose them to the Drow hunting them down.


    ¡°Now if I only knew who was behind this¡± Lalandra said


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry but Goron never revealed the name to us¡± Straud said


    ¡°What about someone called Sephinroth?¡± Artanis blurted out, and just hearing the name brought a blood curdling anger grew through Lalandra¡¯s vines as the name echoed through her ears. Even through she was silver based being did a tinge of red began to color her face; Lalandra turned to Artanis and with an obsidian dark scowl mouthed out.


    ¡°What was that name again?¡± she replied heated


    ¡°Sephinroth¡± he replied and she grew again more upset


    ¡°Something wrong Lalandra, who is that anyway,¡± inquired Straud


    ¡°A Red Dragon of massive power as well as older than myself, more specifically she was an alchemist of sorts that used creatures and powerful abilities instead of mixing and matching potions and oils¡±. Lalandra faced all of them and continued ¡°And she is the only one responsible for putting me in my childhood hell; no offence lord Straud¡± she finished


    ¡°None taken, such an act would anger me as well¡± Straud added


    ¡°When I find her and find her I will I guarantee that slut of a bitch will pay for what she has done to me¡±, and pausing for a second she looks at Straud ¡°I¡¯m surprised that you haven¡¯t heard of her Straud, given the age you are you surly must have crossed paths with her name somewhere, and if you had you wouldn¡¯t be relinquishing you services so free and foolishly¡±


    ¡°I thought Silver Dragons were stronger than that of a Red Dragon?¡± boasted Rain


    ¡°RAIN!¡± yelled Straud


    ¡°What it¡¯s a fair question¡± said Rain


    ¡°No please Straud it¡¯s ok; you are correct young sorcerer we are more superior when a fight is one on one, but when I went to comfort her proposal she had made me for control over a part of land, she had another with her at her side. Wielding Celestial lightning and demonic flame bursts she displayed a showcase of immense power and combat knowledge, and to that end I was quickly overwhelmed and outmatched¡±


    ¡°Who was this being¡± asked Straud and thinking for a moment with her back to all of them she answered


    ¡°Larissa, Larissa Blackstaff I think¡± and turning to them giving her a look of somewhat disappointment on her memory ¡°Look it happened over a millennia ago give me a break; in fact it¡¯s been such a time since I even have heard Sephinroth¡¯s name being said or remembering that of Larissa and her power, I wonder where she went or Sephinroth for that matter¡±


    ¡°Then it is clear that a conflict is arising with her again¡± said Artanis


    ¡°And for that I fear, for I am not yet at full strength¡± Lalandra responded


    ¡°Huh, wait you¡¯re still recovering from the last battle?¡± Rain asked very curious


    ¡°Understand this Young Rain, we as Dragons when at birth spend centuries in the eggs we are concealed in forming our magical heritage that we are bonded to and honor, we simply don¡¯t have such powers that come to us over night or in nine months¡±


    ¡°On that note, sorry to interrupt but are your younglings ok?¡± asked Dawn


    ¡°They are unharmed, it takes a great deal of power to crack an unhatched Dragon egg so do not be worried my dear¡± Lalandra replied with a smile


    ¡°So why are you still recovering from the battle anyway don¡¯t you heal quickly¡± asked Cloud


    ¡°It¡¯s true that our material bodies given to us can heal at a great pace but our magical essence that we cherish is much more fragile, draining our powers or having us in a mortal humanoid form for a long period of time as I was imprisoned can have long term magical deterioration, in the battle with Sephinroth and Larissa I was mortally wounded and hid in a child form to escape their magical tracking radar, Sephinroth knew that I would do such a thing as she has seen in previous battles that we had and that¡¯s when she implemented the curse on me, being in the state I was in for almost three hundred years my Dragon abilities were almost nearly torn from my being¡± Lalandra explained


    ¡°Until my uncle found you¡± replied Cloud


    ¡°Yes, I merely had only months left¡± she finished


    ¡°And what would become of a Dragon if they remained in the form forever, wouldn¡¯t they just turn into that form then?¡± asked Artanis


    ¡°No, we would die¡± Lalandra concluded and leaving the cave she said that she needed to find out why Sephinroth hasn¡¯t shown up in centuries and once again welcomes them to the enclave.


    Straud then shows them around the enclave and the three along with Artanis then pitch in their help with finishing the settlement setting up.


    They stay for a couple weeks building shelters and setting up a courtyard as well as a temple. During this time Dawn growing more and more curious about the battle her uncle and Logan had finally asking him what kind of history they had.


    He explains that for forty seven years before the tragedy happened, they were partners in sharing a camp together. The rebel Drow worked with the Asmairian¡¯s to be shown an easy way of life down the right path. And during that time the two grew a bond of unwavering friendship and always fought back to back with each other, a week after the tragedy happened, Straud went to check on the Asmairian camp when he noticed the whole place had been decimated, everyone killed and displayed in a terrible manor to almost say a message. Straud now knows that the message was for him from Logan thanking him for trying to save him after the incident.


    ¡°Well then here¡¯s another question uncle why hunt Artanis so passionately¡± Dawn asked with a worried face, and not having a clue Straud really couldn¡¯t answer her.


    ¡°Because he is a Tiefling Dawn¡± said Lalandra who was coming up to them from behind, she explains to both of them how Logan bites a low end recruit and with the bite done a certain way can he transfer knowledge to them without saying a word, like transferring information such as the name of an enemy and where to find him he can have his orders carried out with even enemy spies in his mist. She continues to say that he had only ever done the process to humans because of their easy corrupted will power, but when he had a recruited Tiefling join him he couldn¡¯t resist the opportunity. She goes on to say that since forever Tiefling and Asmairian races have hated each other and rightfully so that they are opposite side of the same coin. Tiefling¡¯s being the demon side of the race closer to evil and the Asmairian¡¯s being half celestial beings having some healing powers, long life and other abilities but above all being on the side of good. So when Logan tried to give him his knowledge he lost control of his mind when Artanis went to far away and with his own demonic resistance he had he fought the mind link and won. He then betrayed Logan to his enemy he was sent to kill and the leader almost got a fatal blow on Logan himself, angered by such an act and having all the knowledge that Logan possessed; he then used a stealth experience given to him to hide away from Logan.


    ¡°Some say that Logan cannot be killed and has relinquished the vulnerabilities left to a vampire making him absolutely invulnerable and impossible to kill, but from what I have learned he has a secret that is the key to his undoing¡± Lalandra concluded


    ¡°Would Artanis know this as well?¡± asked Dawn


    ¡°I believe he does¡± Lalandra said


    ¡°Then why won¡¯t he tell us?¡± Dawn ponders


    ¡°It¡¯s called levels of trust Dawn and with him none of us have reached that one with him yet, but I believe that in time he will get to that point, we only have to keep doing what we are doing now¡± Straud responded


    ¡°Was that why you came over here Lalandra?¡± questioned Straud


    ¡°No I have some news about my findings, that I have shared with Cynn and now I want you to know, there has been no records of activity with regarding Sephinroth and more so the being Larissa, except that she had went on a rampage after separating from Sephinroth. Sephinroth then was rumored to have collected the parts of an artifact known as the Dragon jeweled staff, seven jewels that when put together could grant one cosmic wish to the holder and after it is granted the staff is separated and needed to be found and assembled again in sought out.¡±


    ¡°And you think that she used the staff¡± added Straud


    ¡°Yes to erase the history of all she has done after the Larissa disaster, the girl¡¯s fate was intertwined as well and the demonic possession of the girl was from my knowledge buried entombed deep within the girl never to be released again¡± Lalandra explained


    ¡°So what happened to the girl¡± asked Dawn very curious about all she was hearing.


    ¡°The girl from what I remember was incased in ice, frozen but not killed due to her power she could not die that way, and remained concealed for all this time until she was found by the fate of chance about twenty years ago¡± the silver dragon stated


    ¡°Wait a minute wasn¡¯t the girl a young women when you fought her all those years ago she would have aged right?¡± asked Straud


    ¡°I imagine that when the power of the staff changed and rewrote history and when the power of the Larissa was reverted, she was de¡¯aged if you will to the time of the enchantment, and that would have been a little girl, putting her on ice would have been done magically so age would probably not have taken place¡± Lalandra finished


    ¡°So this little girl is some young girl in her twenty¡¯s running around with all this power held inside her, wow and I thought having Colossus running around was enough on our plates¡± added Dawn


    They break away from their group huddle and go back to their work and finishing in a couple of weeks they have a little celebration for the enclave¡¯s new conception.

 Chapter 18

    Blood drips off his sword as he pulls it out of the monk¡¯s neck and lets his body drop to the ground, looking around to see vampires attacking every part of the Crystal Crown Citadel. Looking to the sky, he sees the shadowy figure of a red dragon breathing flame, destroying buildings, and occasionally snatching monks up for a quick snack. Holding a deep breath she blows a huge wake of flames toward the temple building; one of the largest structures in the area and it crumbles to the ground after just one belt of fire.


    ¡°Show off¡± smiles Logan as he slays yet another monk to the bloodied up dirt and looking for the progress of his minions, he then commands them to take the Citadel in the middle of the city of Crystal Crown. Mages take to the towers in an attempt to thwart off Sephinroth¡¯s fire but having her hide so old and thick as well as massive arcane resistance she`s pummeled by spells that do nothing to slow her down.


    Logan fights his way to the Citadel steps and is joined by a thunderous thud of a landing by Sephinroth who breaks up some of the stone as she lands.


    ¡°All of the Droknor are dead, and I think they died before we even got through half the city¡± Logan looked to Sephinroth


    ¡°I just don¡¯t think Colossus wanted them around anymore that¡¯s all,¡± she said and looking around she asked, ¡°Where are all your vampire buddies¡±


    ¡°Most of them are dust, apparently they knew how to defend themselves from such an attack and the remainders are in the temple clearing it of guards,¡± replied Logan


    ¡°I guess they just don¡¯t make them as they used to eh?¡± she said laughing a little while breathing a few fire cones to eliminate the oncoming crowd of monks ¡°Go inside Logan I will barricade us inside to prevent any more interruptions, we need to find that tome¡±


    Logan bolts inside as Sephinroth with her gigantic forearms tumbles down rocks and boulders to the entrance door sealing it up.


    Already inside the library¡¯s oldest section Logan and his vampires start skewering the shelves looking for the book. Minutes go by until Sephinroth join¡¯s up with them


    ¡°How did you get inside the door it was sealed and magic is useless outside of the temple?¡± Logan asked


    ¡°Apparently not in the old drain system they had built,¡± she answered smiling and looking on the opposite shelf, Logan began to search as well.


    ¡°You know Sephinroth I¡¯ve been wondering, I¡¯m getting my revenge on old friends, Colossus is getting godhood, what are you getting for helping him in this endeavor?¡± Logan curiously asked


    ¡°A life¡¯s pursuit and wish fulfilled¡± Sephinroth responds


    ¡°Care to elaborate on that one¡± Logan edged her on and while he and she looked for the book, she divulged


    Telling about her past and how she was regarded as a rogue dragon for the obscure life blending she did with powers of different creatures. Just wanted to know how everything worked but that was not good enough for the dragon clan she was apart of. The other red dragons hated her for the massive attention she was giving herself and the clan, attempting to stop her for years and building up a rage of hate from their constant intersection she grew angry and annoyed.


    One night, while a gathering came about in the bowls¡¯ of an ancient volcanic crater, and in a blinding act of fury, she killed the clan while they slept and searching around for valuables in the remains. Unveiling a secret chamber hidden by the leader that carried inside a ruby tablet like stone with draconic ruins on it, telling of a draconic queen that carried the powers of all dragons and called itself the Ultimo-dragon, she also had the power to turn any dragon that merely looked upon her eyes under her power and complete control. Slowly but steadily this dragon queen created an army and being a neutral based being she was unchallenged by the fates for taking over the realm to herself but keeping the rules of the cosmic balance in tacked.


    ¡°So how did such power become extinguished?¡± asked Logan being a little intrigue about the whole thing


    She went on that the Dragon¡¯s name was Kahn and she fell in love with a young knight when she portrayed a mortal. Later on in the years to come this knight learned of his conquest and tried to sway her not to continue in the name of their love and upon refusing such an offer. He had no choice and rallied all the forces of the realm to rise up against her and untimely she was defeated and the power of the crown was lost and never found. Sephinroth intends to find the crown and lay claim to the power herself.Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there.


    ¡°You¡¯re not afraid of the same fate, you know falling in love or is that only a good dragon trait,¡± said Logan


    ¡°You misunderstand evil disregards love and accept it only when it works on their side, dragons are neutral and as such we can love like mortals do, I just find it useless and will never come to such a fate with the constant reminder of power in my eyes¡± she boasts


    ¡°So than what was up with the bazaar experiment with the girl?¡± Logan asked


    ¡°There was one last line in the text engraved on the tablet saying that if a future dragon wished the power that they would have to face the ruined guardian, and needed a champion to do it for the guardian is immune to all dragon abilities.


    ¡±I just wanted to seal my chances by making a super champion so to speak,¡± she explained


    ¡°And how did you intend on finding the artifact hmm?¡± he questioned


    ¡°By using the dragon jeweled staff the first time I had it but when my champion went haywire I needed to banish her first and fix my mistake¡± Sephinroth explained


    ¡°So why didn¡¯t you just go find it again right away?¡± Logan inquired


    ¡°It¡¯s not that easy the jewels you see have to buried and forgotten for a millennium before text and lore would reveal their next location, kind of like a security measure so beings of the present time don¡¯t abuse the power not to mention is takes that long for the jewels to rekindle their power themselves¡± she concluded


    ¡°With that settled, what is with you wanting the eggs from Lalandra¡¯s lair, I thought you couldn¡¯t have a dragon as your champion¡± stated Logan


    ¡°I can¡¯t, it¡¯s just for a personal reward for something I haven¡¯t had in a long time and miss,¡± she said starting to develop a disappointing look on her face ¡°and you not being a mother, would never understand¡±


    ¡°Children¡­you wanted offspring, why not just find a mate and do it the normal way?¡±


    ¡°Well for one thing I can¡¯t, kind of a hidden clause in my willing to rid the world of my background history, it required a sacrifice from me on a personal level and at the time it didn¡¯t bother me, and two all dragons are female and reproduce asexually so again a most difficult obstacle to overcome¡±


    ¡°Wow! So when you told me before you had testosterone in you, you really weren¡¯t kidding, I wish I knew I was running this raid with a she-male before I took this position, how uncomfortable I suddenly feel¡± Logan says backing away from her a bit


    Shaking her head, she snaps, ¡°Well I don¡¯t expect you to know how I feel, you¡¯re not a mother¡±


    ¡°Well that was a really good story¡± Logan says yawning a bit ¡°but you still didn¡¯t answer my question beings how you can accomplish your goal still on your own, why are you in league with Colossus?¡±


    ¡°He promised me a more powerful binding spell to trap the powers in a being more easily and concrete since he was half way to the dead already he has better understanding of the binding power spell than I ever could¡± Sephinroth said


    ¡°I see,¡± replied Logan suddenly finding the tome they needed ¡°Well I just found the tome we need, so I wonder how much extra Colossus would give me with the added thought of you plan¡±


    ¡°Probably nothing because he won¡¯t know about it¡±


    ¡°And what makes you so confident that I won¡¯t tell him¡± Logan says as they move from the library to a much bigger room, and suddenly changing into a dragon again Sephinroth extends her claws and slams Logan to the wall stabbing a claw into each of his shoulder blades pinning him to the wall.


    ¡°Because I will eat you right here and now and just tell him that you fled,¡± Sephinroth thundered to his face breathing hot steam from her breath on him scolding his skin a bit


    Laughing while trying to resist the burn he says to her ¡°You can¡¯t kill me, I¡¯m immune to such acts, or does turning into a lizard lower your brain capacity to hold intelligence¡± and smiling a bit with her teeth showing she replies sinisterly


    ¡°Logan from my point of view you have two choices, you can either touch the orb I give you to erase what I have just told you from your mind. Living out your days on this realm as you see fit, or stewing for all eternity in my digestive track, it¡¯s your choice¡± and getting a glimpse of fear running through his cold arteries of knowing that she doesn¡¯t bluff he agrees to the first option


    ¡°So where is this orb?¡± says Logan and watching her regurgitate for a second she brings up from her stomach the crystal orb ¡°Grrrroossssss, ewwww I¡¯m not touching that thing, it¡¯s got you all over it¡±


    ¡°TOUCH IT NOW!¡± she bolted and sliding it up to his pinned hand he does and with a flash of light, he does not recall the conversation or anything in the last half hour that transpired. She then takes it back into her stomach.


    ¡°What, what happened?¡± said Logan unpinned from the stone and turning back to mortal form Sephinroth grips the book and says to him


    ¡°You found the book but it had a protective spell around it and it blasted you into the wall knocking you out for a sec¡± she smiled and shaking his head, he scrambles to his feet and recalls his vampire to retreat for now to his guild. Sephinroth and Logan then in a wake of Sephinroth¡¯s flame teleport to the Lazarus tower.


    Reflecting on her face were the blazing fires set upon Crystal Crown, a figure over looking the waking flames bringing down what was left of the city held closed her eyes only to have them suddenly open at the sound of light armored Mithril formations.


    ¡°Did you find them Matriarch?¡± says a voice from a guard standing beside her,


    ¡°Yes but they vanished their presence away suddenly, probably a teleport of some kind, and a most difficult signal to follow, even with my mind power¡± she turns her half cloaked face toward her guards and tells them to fall back to the keep to wait for her return as she takes to a slow walking strut.


    ¡°What is your destination Matriarch?¡± says a guardsman


    ¡°To make a deal with a certain arch mage, and bring those who have strayed from us long ago back home,¡± she says smiling to them


    ¡°Now go, leave me¡± and watching them go she then says to herself ¡°as I now bring about the end of the family blood feud¡± and in a flash of a bright light with an evil laughter echoing across the air she shimmers away from plain sight.

 Chapter 19

    Colossus waits impatiently on the arrival of Sephinroth and Logan back to the tower and at the rise of Sephinroth¡¯s flames Colossus stands from his throne to meet them. He then takes the book from Logan¡¯s hands and looks at him noticing Logan was carrying a sick look, even by vampirism standards.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong with you?¡± Colossus says lifting the book from Logan¡¯s grip.


    ¡°He grabbed the book before thinking and was pummeled by some defensive spells,¡± Sephinroth says smiling at his misery.


    ¡°Well come on I want this thing together, I¡¯ve waited enough years for it¡± Colossus said sternly and told them to follow to the laboratory chamber. The sword fragments placed to iron mold to be reformed, ten mages followed in their wake and all held the title of arch-mage, housing power much greater than that of normal mages. Hands raised up as they went to the front of the three and with a thrust of magical initiation they combine their streams that struck upon the molding, first a magical weld was needed to be placed to restore the blade to working order. The beam moved slug like across the broken shard cracks and rolling her eyes with arm folded impatience Sephinroth watched as the stream began to slow even more, the mages as powerful as they were, started to lose power and moving from her stilled spot Sephinroth noticed two of them landing unconscious to the floor. Looking down Sephinroth moved one with her feet to take his place and thrusting her one stream upon the blade Logan focused to the ripple made across her open chest. Colossus witnessed the stream empowering more powerful than before, most impressed he was at her show of magical strength as the other mages had now weakened to a state beyond aid to the cause, the weld moved almost three times the speed before, she held so much power and much more than ten arch-mages. Seeing the weld round the final bend Colossus saw Sephinroth not even flinch or show any sign of mortal draining from the effort¡­she was indeed worthy to hold the title legendary Dragon.


    Coming to the end the males approach one to either side of the red beauty as her hands lowered again to their sides from completion, they smoked at the finger tips from the heat and intensity she was holding but even for such power level brought did her hands bare no sign of weathering or weakness. The three lined up in front of it as Colossus floats the book to the front of their sight telling them to read aloud simultaneously for the reforming incantation. Starting to read do the three right away feel a power draining their very life force having a smoky midst form around their bodies. Whisping toward the sword that seems to be taking it in, it starts to glow an orange color as the chant moves along as getting through most do all three fall upon their knees.


    ¡°What is happening to us¡± quivers Sephinroth ¡°I¡¯m feeling weaker by the second¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s taking our life energy to reform the blade, one life essence, one dead essence and one undead essence was needed¡± Colossus struggled from his mouth. They continue to chant for a couple more moments longer and upon their knees graveling in pain they witness the blade coming together as one. Upon its completion, the blade stands vertically suspended in the air hovering by its own massive brilliance.


    Struggling to his feet Colossus goes to the blade first and upon first grip of the embodied evil blade a surge of energy runs through his body and the blade suddenly has a misty black haze continuously swarming around and through-out its structure.


    ¡°HAHAHA, Amazing¡± said Colossus diabolically with a sinister grin about his face ¡°The power is unbelievable¡± and casting a lightning bolt to hit the wall blows to pieces a wall column pedestal, that for his normal power would take several tries.


    ¡°I thought you were able to command chaos energy into your spells, I didn¡¯t think they would look the same¡± said Sephinroth


    ¡°You¡¯re correct, I need to merge the evil essences to accomplish that feat for only they hold the true limitless power, and then will I finish what I started so long ago¡± stated Colossus still smiling at what has just been done but his glory is short lived as a small young Drow woman stands at the edge of the chamber room. Leaning up against the wall, blowing her nails like they had been freshly polished does she capture the attention of the great Mage.


    She has long hip length pearl white hair with front bangs cut evenly just above the forehead, pale grey skin complexion and a straight figured body style. Slim and small narrow facial features decorated her face, with eyes that held a stunning dark purple around the sockets like eye shadow. Her lips were full and moist holding the same color but textured like lipstick. She wore a bikini like top that barley covered her breasts and was also dark purple in color as it spidered off attaching to her sides. Dressed to her hips was a very short skirt to match but was covered with a black mesh of lace overlapping the silk material. For wardrobe completion she had on elbow length gloves that were midnight black and had cutoffs at the finger tips, knee high boots of the same color to match, and finally around her shoulders slithered a black viper snake to which her dainty fingers stroked to the head ever so lightly.


    ¡°So this is the Lazarus tower, well I could see where I would have changed a few things around because it is far too bright in here, you really should accommodate for the guests you have over, after all it is the least a host of your stature could do¡± the woman says walking with a very distinctive hip sway toward Colossus.


    ¡°Who the hell are you and how did you get past my guards¡± barked Colossus wanting an answer immediately


    ¡°Oh you mean them¡± the women says perkily as she points to the two zealots on the floor with their eternal undead flames extinguished ¡°I thought they were just rude bus boys, my goodness if only I had known¡­.I probably wouldn¡¯t have cared any more than I do right now¡± she said changing her tone from sarcastic to a serious one


    ¡°Then I shall educate you on the laws of trespassing¡± said Colossus throwing a lightning bolt right at her, but when the bolt passes right through her hitting the wall, Colossus holds a look of shock. Logan grips his sword approaching her from the rear and is about to grab her when his hand starts to disintegrate, dropping his sword and backing off with a snuff of pain to his voice his hand regenerates and Sephinroth holds a smirk ¡°If I had a sister it would be you¡± she said staring to the woman trying to place her, ¡°Then you might be dead instead of standing where you are now, for I have killed all of mine¡­parents too¡± the woman smiled and looked at Colossus who aims the dark blade towards her ¡°You don¡¯t scare me Colossus, nor can you defeat me so don¡¯t try¡± she says to him.


    ¡°Maybe but why would I, now that I see the error of my ways, your Matriarch Sophie¡­Queen of the Drow¡± He spouts off with greatness to the title


    ¡°Your reputation of knowledge proceeds you Colossus, I¡¯m impressed¡± Sophie responds


    ¡°As am I, for finding this place when I wish to be hidden is very difficult¡± Colossus adds


    ¡°If I want something I get it¡± Sophie snaps


    ¡°And what do you want from me, Matriarch¡± Colossus asks


    ¡°The location to the Drow rebels I have been looking for and trying to defeat¡± she replies


    ¡°And why would you want such revenge, aren¡¯t you above that, Matriarch¡±


    ¡°The leader of the group is my half-sister Cynn¡­I need to get rid of my bloodline¡± Sophie continues


    ¡°What is with you Drow and family massacre?¡± questions Sephinroth


    ¡°It¡¯s called concealing power, and backstabbing is part of our history¡± Sophie added


    ¡°Maybe we can help each other out, it seems my complication intertwines with yours and if we work together we could eliminate both problems at once¡± Colossus proposes and listening to the offer given to her and the background of how the three Drow children have evaded him in the past she agrees to bring him the kids in exchange for the location of her rebellious sister.


    ¡°Logan knows of the where about to it¡± Colossus says and turning to him in a motion for him to share he declines.


    ¡°She BURNT my hand off, to hell with her she can find her own way to them¡± Logan snaps, Sophie puts a grin to her face while slowly walking up to him swaying her hips provocatively she lures him into a corner.


    ¡°You¡¯d better be willing to work for it girl¡± Logan grins off but getting close to him Logan starts to have his skin burn off from the front of the face, arms and legs to the back of them. ¡°Ahhh! You bitch¡­forget it¡± glaring to her with a half skeletized face, Logan spits to her skin blood and oozing flesh that dripped into his mouth. Wiping it from her she stares a deep cold look at him and with her boots takes yet another step burning the rest of his face off. Logan cringes in pain screaming as he looks to his hands now only seeing bone gives her the location as a skeleton of what he was. Sophie move her hand patting his would be cheek side,


    ¡°That¡¯s a good boy¡± she ends satisfied backing off again allowing Logan¡¯s regeneration to kick in again.


    ¡°How is it possible for you to do that to him¡± Sephinroth asks


    Sophie explains to them that she is the only one in her clan with the mind powers and if she was to have a girl which only Drow matriarchs give birth to as a rule it would be a threat, so as a failsafe from being in a word rapped against her will and forced to give birth, implanted in her was a stone jewel in her chest that held a curse. To any males who ever come too close would be disintegrated, although in Logan¡¯s case just his skin would melt off. Logan holds a devious smile ¡°Man, cursed to never again feel a man¡¯s¡­touch eh! With all that pent up sexual frustration I too would hide underground¡± Sophie looks to Logan ¡°The process was done at my request¡± she snapped back


    ¡°You cursed yourself?¡± Logan said back


    ¡°Temptation can still be caught like a sickness, evils such as us are not immune to it, not even a vampire; I only did it to strengthen my ruling hand¡± Sophie explained, ¡°And have probably gone mad from the lust you now have I would imagine¡± Logan snickered back, ¡°My powers allow me to imitate such¡­needs if ever I crave them but after a time they do dwindle off¡±


    ¡°So it¡¯s true what they say about the Drow queen, you really are completely mental¡± he ended laughing at his own joke, growing a look of disgust she moves to take a step at him, ¡°Damn it woman calm down¡­it¡¯s just humor¡±


    ¡°I have no time for enfant games¡± she harped at him, ¡°No kidding¡± Logan said under his breath shaking his head.


    She then is about to take her leave when Colossus speaks up


    ¡°How do I know you will keep your word Drow? After you get what you¡¯re after I¡¯d better get what I want¡±


    And smiling she says back to him ¡°My word is my bond Colossus¡± and disappears, Colossus shakes his head


    ¡°Of all the evil in this realm why does the most potent have to be part of dysfunctional families¡± Colossus snaps


    ¡°Just lucky I guess¡± grins Sephinroth and closing her eyes for a minute she sighs with a complain afterThis story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong¡± Logan says


    ¡°I got problems back at my tower, apparently those man bugs are attacking my defenses again, I¡¯ll be back to help decipher the locations to the essences in a while, I have a barbecue to host right now¡± she says and in a wake of flame she leaves.


    Logan and Colossus go to the library to start working on deciphering the text in the newest tome in their possession.


    As the fall season rounded its mid-point, the settlement was doing some last minute finishing touches to the place; Rain was hammering some boards together when Cloud came to join his side.


    ¡°So do you miss Silverspire yet?¡± Cloud asked


    ¡°No, I mean there are things I miss about it; but the city itself no way¡± Rain replied still hammering


    ¡°Well I can¡¯t see you being a handmaiden here forever and I know that Lalandra hasn¡¯t let you in to her alchemical cove or her library¡± Cloud added


    ¡°She thinks I¡¯m too young and not experienced enough for the powers in there; eh what does she know anyway that I already don¡¯t¡± said Rain stopping to wipe his bloody hands in a bucket of water


    ¡°Probably a lot she is a dragon after all; and come on Rain I know that the shop interested you a little bit even though you hated the organization of it you enjoyed being able to run it for the old man, what was he anyway seventy?¡± Cloud conversed


    ¡°Eighty two actually and he looked over two hundred, every time he coughed I thought that he was going to drop right there¡± Rain said growing a little smile on his face


    ¡°Well I miss it, a lot actually and would like to go back¡± Cloud thought up to the sky


    ¡°Well tough shit, we are here because we are needed for a bigger purpose and here is where we will die¡± Rain finished his speech with a final hammer to embed the spike into the board ¡°There done¡± and hearing all the conversation Straud now comes into sight and interrupts them


    ¡°And for your reward I want you two to pack up your things; you¡¯re going back to Silverspire¡± Straud says


    ¡°What why?¡± asked Rain


    ¡°You guys have done great with the work around here; your sister too but I see now that it is not where you are needed and will do the most good¡± Straud continues.


    ¡°What are you talking about uncle of course it¡¯s where we will, Colossus has targeted this place now as well as the Drow Matriarch¡± says Cloud


    ¡°But not for your selves have you convinced this fictional fact and that is all that it is; I have seen the work you do there and the longing for the purpose and the making of a difference you have made, not to mention the glory and honor of achieving goals that has caused you to keep on growing into the powerful kin we clan members hold in such high regard and respect now more than ever that you will one day fulfill the prophecy of defeating Colossus¡± Straud says placing a hand on the shoulder of each of them and nodding with excitement Cloud smiles to him


    ¡°Then let Cloud and Dawn go back, they do have vital duties there to uphold and continue, but I will stay here; I have lived long enough amongst the filth of humans and their weak-mindedness disgusts me to no end uncle¡± and removing his uncle¡¯s arm from his shoulder he goes to grab his hammer, turning around he is confronted by his uncle stepping in his way.


    ¡°Ok Rain make me a deal, just go back with them ok and if it is still unbearable to be there then you may return, but having been there¡±, Strauds says starting to walk away from them he stops ¡°and seeing your position, you were far from filth of any kind from where I saw¡± and walked away, looking at him leave Cloud then turns to Rain.


    ¡°Rain we have friends there we miss, don¡¯t you want to see any of them again¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll miss Artanis but he¡¯ll be around here far more often than I probably will want so I can see him whenever. And Alisianna well I¡¯m sure you¡¯ll bring her around here enough too¡± he says walking away not even looking at him ¡°And Elanee what about her¡± Cloud says out loud


    ¡°What about her¡± Rain questions ¡°She¡¯s not even here¡±


    ¡°You know that she is coming back in a few days Rain¡±


    ¡°And what makes you think I even want to see her¡± Rain snaps ¡°I¡¯ve told you what I think of her, what you think I¡¯ve been lying this whole time¡±


    ¡°Yeah but not to me brother I know how you feel¡± Cloud says turning to his brother¡¯s face


    ¡°I don¡¯t have feelings for-


    ¡°Oh stop already Rain for crying out loud; you haven¡¯t been able to lie to me since you were six and even then you were shitty at it, love is not a weakness Rain¡± Cloud says


    ¡°It is too¡± Rain argues


    ¡°NO IT¡±S NOT!!, (calming down) it¡¯s what separates us from him¡­Colossus and all other evil beings out there bent on obtaining power to fill their unbelievable huge voids of emptiness they have made for themselves¡± Cloud breathes heavy waiting for Rain¡¯s response and for moments Rain just looks to Cloud with a look of sorrow at him saying nothing ¡°Rain if you like her, tell her, but don¡¯t hurt her and shut her away just to cover up your personal problems for not being able to control your feelings.


    ¡°I can¡¯t even if I want to¡± sighed Rain


    ¡°Yes you can all you do is go up to her and say Elanee I ¨C


    ¡°You moron, I saw her kissing Namor when I was apologizing last time, so like I said before there¡¯s no point¡± Rain sternly said interrupting him


    ¡°Oh; I¡¯m sorry Rain I didn¡¯t know¡± Cloud sighed to him


    ¡°It¡¯s my fault right I pushed her away; well we¡¯d better get ready uncle generally makes us embark the day after he makes a speech like he did¡± finishes Rain and he walks off


    ¡°Yeah, look I¡¯ll go tell Dawn the good news and meet you in a while¡± Cloud says and Rain makes a hand gesture to him of agreeing as Cloud jogs off.


    With excitement overwhelming her Dawn is up the next day at the crack of dawn and has the horses packed for the brother¡¯s already, getting a sleepy awakening Cloud and Rain get out there and with Artanis by their side they move out back to the city. Being escorted by Bloodhawk guards till the tree line of Alisianna¡¯s forest they part and go the rest of the way on their own, seeing a look of disappointment on Cloud¡¯s face Artanis concerned asks what is wrong


    ¡°I just thought she¡¯d be here¡± said Cloud


    ¡°Well you don¡¯t expect her to wait like a dog for you now did you Cloud¡± Artanis question and responding with shaking his head he says nothing and stares into the trees.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry brother she hasn¡¯t forgotten you one bit, she¡¯s probably busy with the elders learning new abilities¡± Rain comforts him


    ¡°You think so¡± Cloud asks


    ¡°I know so, you can¡¯t skip the look she has in her eyes for you Cloud, trust me other women can tell¡± Dawn inspires and comforted by their backup he smiles again as they continue to the city with no incidents and with the city in sight Artanis makes for the trees noting he will see them later.


    They are meet by guards who quickly let them in and are brought before the King with open arms and their previous posts awaiting them, all but Rain¡¯s. The King informs Rain of the death of the shop keeper he was working with from age, as well as the death of one of the high council advisors. The King looks to Rain and with a gesture of his hand in the royal manner offered Rain the post.


    ¡°Uh me my lord, no that wouldn¡¯t be a wise move as an act of advice from me to you¡±


    ¡°And why not¡± the King asked


    ¡°Because I¡¯m blunt, rude, and overly critical of flaws, the biggest outspoken Drow that even I have heard of¡± Rain answered


    ¡°And I¡¯ll take those qualities in exchange for the good ones like, honesty, quick thinking in tight times, your problem solving and determination for finishing a task with professional efficiency¡± boasted the King


    ¡°Wow¡± said Rain blushing a little bit


    ¡°No kidding; you can see all that my lord¡± questioned Cloud


    ¡°Well my lord I¡¯ll have to think about it and what about the other advisors up for the position¡±


    ¡°None of them had an idea for the battle we fought and won; not to mention you will have complete and unlimited access to the royal library and the alchemical storage labs here¡± The King replies with a grin


    ¡°And I¡¯m done thinking¡± Rain says agreeing to the terms


    ¡°There¡¯s that quick thing I love and admire my new scholar of the Silverspire advising council¡± The King decrees and giving him the robes of the royal advisors Rain was then shown to his new quarters as was all of them from the guard house to the castle keep.


    The next day Cloud sends a messenger to the woods to leave a note on a marked tree that he and Artanis have used for communication to one another telling Artanis to go back to the enclave and tell Straud that they all will be staying for the time being. Settling in for only a half a day they are all told of the early arrival of the Stormguard ship returning to them. When the arrival occurs Rain is again not there, hiding away in his new tower home he watches the docking of the ship from his window and the welcome home party, Elanee and Namor along with Tristan and his loyal cat Anubis get off first and are escorted into the main hall. Time passes quickly to the newly appointed scholar as through the reorganizing of the chamber Rain loses all track of time.


    ¡°So I hear that you are the new scholar; that old man didn¡¯t know what he was doing anyway¡± a voice stated and as Rain looked up to his doorway he saw Elanee pretty as ever standing in his doorway. Rain, with his arms full of books turns to her gesturing a small welcome home greeting through the form of a grin but getting back to what he was doing snapped off that he had a lot of work to do.


    ¡°Again the organizing of you human¡¯s baffles me to no end¡± Rain said with his back to her


    ¡°Need some help¡± she said grabbing some books and taking them lightly from her hands he smiled


    ¡°No, I¡¯m ok I¡¯ll just get this section finished and I¡¯ll be down for the evening meal don¡¯t worry¡± Rain rebuttals putting Elanee quiet for a second, she backs away slowly to the door and is about to leave when the light words escape from Rain¡¯s lips.


    ¡°It¡¯s good to see you again Elanee¡± Rain says still not looking and taking a deep breath


    And turning to him again she smiles ¡°You too Rain; I¡¯ve missed you¡± and she leaves, closing his eyes for a moment he gathers his thoughts not fixed on her and continues to pile books on the shelves.


    Meeting Elanee, Namor Tristan and his siblings as well as the King at the royal dressed table Rain is announced in and they sit to eat. Namor tells stories of humorous things Elanee did over in Stormguard and Rain now notices that the two have even grew closer than before, not close enough to only require one bedroom yet but as close as it can be for there was some scenes of uncomfortable kissing between the two during the meal. The meal and the reunion were a great success and following brings an evening dance with all participating, all but Rain. With a book to his hands Rain lightly reads its pages in a half shaded corner attempting to become as transparent as he could. Tristan comes up to Rain with an apology for his loss at a chance with her explaining in a puzzling voice that he just was perfect to her over there and she fell in love with him.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry over it Tristan things happen for a reason and it¡¯s time for me to move on, besides she¡¯s just a friend Tristan¡± Rain said patting his shoulder and walked away still trying to conceal the relationship, with a quick thought Tristan spouts off


    ¡°One of Elanee¡¯s boots has some loose threads, any suggestions?¡±


    ¡°Just come by my room tomorrow I still have the prints to the ¡­.set, damn I can¡¯t believe I walked into that one¡± Rain said lowering his head from the backlash of the lie he told


    ¡°I knew it, you did make the boots¡± Tristan said smiling ¡°There not wrecked at all I just wanted to know, I now want to know why Rain?¡±


    ¡°I may have had feelings for her in the past but the boots were a going away gift¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re a crappy liar Rain, but why back out of the race for her heart why not fight for her, her beauty and wellbeing is worth it¡± Tristan argues with him


    ¡°Because there is war going on Tristan, and it concerns us all and I have to set my priorities. And in the middle of this Namor wants to create a personal spat over a woman¡­..than he can have her because there is bigger things at stake than love right now¡± he says concludes looking to Tristan


    ¡°Ok then ¡°Tristan finishes backing up a bit and bowing to him ¡°Again my congratulations on the promotion Rain I¡¯m sure you will do fine at it, and I¡¯d better leave you to your tasks because right now nothing is more important to you¡± Tristan ends with double meaning and disappointment as he leaves.


    ¡°What was that about¡± asked Cloud coming over with Dawn to Rain¡¯s side


    ¡°Nothing worth mentioning, what¡¯s going on with you two, going somewhere?¡± asked Rain


    ¡°We decided to go back to the enclave just to catch up with uncle on things, want to join us¡± Dawn inquired


    ¡°I¡¯ll go in the morning; there are so many things I need to reassemble in that mess of a chamber they gave to me. I¡¯ll see you there at first light tomorrow¡± Rain said rolling his eyes


    ¡°Suit yourself brother¡± Dawn says and with a hug to him and left.


    Coming to the cave entrance at night and being accompanied by eight Drow guards Matriarch Sophie goes to enter it when an invisible wall is keeping her out, the men try too with no success ¡°Damn it all a force wall defense¡± she says and closing her eyes touches it again ¡°And it¡¯s way beyond my magic to lower, we¡¯ll need to find another way to get to them, and thinking for a while she leads them away to the north of the enclave saying ¡°Follow me¡±


    Crouched in the grass lands Sophie and her men gaze on a scout guard patrol for the enclave. Killing two of the men but leaving one alive barely, she then kneels beside the scout and tells her men to keep watch, controlling someone¡¯s mind takes some energy and she will be vulnerable to attack. Closing her eyes again she concentrates and a red glow comes from her eyes into the scouts. Minutes later she brings him out of unconsciousness and she now can see through his eyes as if they were her own and controlling his body and actions she makes him take off back to the enclave. Upon reaching the cave hoping the magic won¡¯t be that specific she smiles when the scout can still enter through the opening, and then runs him to the enclave.


    Arriving on horses at night Straud greets the two with a smile and looks to his niece and nephew for only a second when the reunion is broken up by the scout from the north returning, spinning a tale of being attack by umber hulks Cynn comes out to hear the distressing defeat and organizes a pack of hunter Drow along with Straud to suppress the situation, Cloud and Dawn join along the ride out to where the battle took place but going to the location Cynn gets an evil feeling something is terribly wrong.


    ¡°This is it, this is where the battle took place¡± said the scout


    ¡°Where are the corpses?¡± asked Cynn


    ¡°Oh we hid them, they make for a tacky look in a trap situation don¡¯t you think¡± said Sophie revealing herself and her fellow Drow, without warning she kills the puppet scout she had under control and engages Cynn¡¯s hunting party and the rest.

 Chapter 20

    Spells and blades fly back and forth, and in the crossfire do innocent trees and wildlife catch a flame. Fighting for a while and dwindling down both sides in numbers, Sophie down to three men then starts in the battle herself. Using psyonic energy blasts from her mind she starts killing of the hunters one by one. A charge attack by Straud is met by a force wave from Sophie¡¯s hand and he¡¯s thrown back into the bushes, and then uses another wave to bring down Cloud and Dawn. Sophie then watches her rival sister snap one of her high guards by the neck as effortlessly as breaking a twig, leaving no other bodies between the sisters. A looming cold feeling falls upon the area as both glare deep to one another, in anticipation of trying to read one another.


    ¡°Your powers don¡¯t scare me sister¡± Cynn drew out holding her ground


    ¡°Nor do yours on me, sister¡± Sophie equaled back to her, ¡°you have grown weak since your departure from the mother land, there was a time when your powers could bring death to all my men at once¡±


    ¡°My powers haven¡¯t decreased in measure, just your narrow minded outlook has slanted even tighter¡± Cynn combated back, an ill silence comes to both females and focusing her sight Cynn tries to uncoil her sister¡¯s telepathic orders. Snapping her hand out quick to extend her right arm Cynn draws down her limb a power ball spell that escapes fast from her finger tips impaling the chest to Sophie¡¯s hidden guard that lurked to the green brush. Leaves crack and branches break at the sound of the guards collapsing death to the ground but not relinquishing her sight Cynn still holds her eyes to Sophie. Sophie lashes back with a quick thrust of her head jolting out a blast to which Cynn counters with a simple one worded spell, smashing to a sparkle of displacement do both attacks heat the air around neutralizing each other into nothing. ¡°Always with the predictable moves sister¡± Cynn grins with Sophie holding a stern cold look. A flick of Sophie¡¯s wrist brings Cynn quick to defense conjuring up a frontal shield, but as fast as it came up Sophie sees it dematerialize with Cynn dropping hard to the dirt ground from an impacting tree limb upon the back of her head. Sophie gestures her hand to raise the limb up again at its natural place and holding cockiness to her stride walks to Cynn.


    ¡°That¡¯s because my new ones leave you like this¡± chuckles Sophie and with a finger motions for her lieutenant to check Cynn for life, placing his hand to her wrist the Drow elite closes his eyes in concentration.


    ¡°Does she still hold life¡± Sophie asks to which the elite opens his eyes with a nod.


    ¡°Yes my lady, she is a strong one¡± he replies putting Cynn¡¯s form to his arms.


    ¡°Take her and the children with us¡± she orders


    ¡°What of the guard Captain my lady¡± the elite asks


    ¡°Leave him here, someone needs to survive to tell the others of their soon to be fatal reuniting, plus I still need the other child¡± Sophie finishes when she hears a sound in the woods, suddenly vines from trees grip the Drow including Sophie and tries to strangle the life from their bodies, turning quickly to shoot another mental mind blast from her skull she hears after a little thud having the vines go limp allowing them free from their binding grips.


    Skewering the ground for a couple of minutes a Drow guard finds the body of Alisianna and calls the Matriarch to his findings.


    ¡°She must have been spying on us¡± said Sophie and going up to her she looks to her wrist laced with the bracelet ¡°Well I¡¯ll be¡± she finishes with a smile ¡°There is a dead Captain of mine who will for the rest of his afterlife enjoy seeing you suffer for what has transpired in your family tree¡± she spouts off to her unconscious body ¡°And suffer you shall, bring her too¡± and in a flash of light Sophie groups her men carrying the bodies of whom she needed and teleports away, coming awake moments later Straud gets to his feet, checks the stilled bodies for signs of life and when none showed hope he continued back to the enclave on foot with haste.


    The rest of the night passes by and Rain leaves the city in the morning and about half way he is accompanied by Artanis who wishes to join with him, agreeing without having a real choice Rain and Artanis then continue to the enclave to receive Rain¡¯s worst nightmare has been hatched. He is greeted by his uncle with an ungodly hug of relief that he wasn¡¯t taken too by the Matriarch and is then told of the events that happened last night, he then spends all day with his uncle, Artanis and Arbiter Maylor along with Lalandra trying to figure a way to get them back. Some of their plans would work but they would need one final problem to be solved, a way in the Shadowell city which Straud knows by great experience is very well guarded and sealed.


    Requesting to go back to the Silver Spire city in an attempt to find more information up to date on the Drowish city, Rain is allowed but only by himself and Artanis for the scrying for them will be more successful if any more are with him. Returning quickly to the city by passing the guards regular sign in checks Rain races to his old tower to check out new information while Artanis stays by the city wall cloaked in shadow waiting. Elanee comes to see him when she sees him in a fluster of about nine books opened on his table and looks to her like he is reading them all.


    ¡°Is something wrong Rain?¡± she asks


    ¡°Cloud and my sister have been kidnapped along with the leader of our clan Cynn and Alisianna the druid¡± he said quickly and like being blown off her feet she was taken completely by surprise sitting for a second to replenish her thoughts.


    ¡°H-how, w-when Rain, by¡­by who?¡± she stuttered


    ¡°The Matriarch of our ancestral home, Shadowell; she finally found us¡± and looking hard in his books he picks one up and throws it to the wall ¡°Damn it!, there¡¯s nothing here on the city of Shadowell, but being human I¡¯m not surprised your human¡¯s only care about what is in your control¡± Rain snaps and falls into his chair, Elanee ignores the comment and comes to his side sitting right close to him, holding his hand she looks at him


    ¡°Rain, we¡¯ll get them back and in one piece trust me but whatever we do we can¡¯t lose focus or we won¡¯t be able to help in time¡± and picking him up she looks to him in his eyes ¡°Now I have stood on the side lines while you fight for your lives long enough, I want to help again and by all things stacked against you, you need me right now, I will go cancel my plans with Namor and I¡¯ll meet you outside the gates, I¡¯m sure Artanis is there right, I didn¡¯t hear that he was captured now what was the plan after you got the information you needed¡±


    ¡°I was going back to the enclave¡± Rain replied


    ¡°Then that is where we must go¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re not allowed in their Elanee¡± Rain snaps


    ¡°Now is not the time to argue Rain, my powers even though aren¡¯t combative might be useful in getting us inside now let¡¯s go¡± and she ends the sentence with her back leaving the room fast. Having nothing else to say he then leaves to wait for her with Artanis out by the city wall. She gets out to meet them and Rain then decides to teleport them to the cave instead of riding there to get there quicker.


    ¡°But I thought Straud said not to use magic, especially that kind or it could be tracked¡± said Artanis


    ¡°I don¡¯t give a shit the sooner we get to the enclave the sooner we can get them back so let¡¯s go¡± shouted Rain and not saying a word they each hold one of Rains hands and teleport to the entrance of the cave.


    Arriving but to close Rain and the others hit the force shield of the cave opening and flying back a few feet hitting the ground, picking themselves up Rain apologizes for screwing up the target zone


    ¡°Your under stress Rain it¡¯s ok¡± said Elanee trying to calm him down, they see Lalandra a few moments later and through a screen test that Elanee is put through she is granted access to the enclave. They join the rest of the Drow council in Lalandra¡¯s personal meeting room to discuss the situation further, and through high tension did vocals spark and arise.


    The bickering goes on for about an hour till Rain loses his patience


    ¡°We wouldn¡¯t be having this problem if they hadn¡¯t been captured in the first place¡± Rain belted out ¡°I mean how did they find us anyway¡± and looking to Lalandra he snapped at her ¡°I thought your charms to this place was supposed to protect us from Colossus and any other threats¡±


    ¡°Rain That is enough, this is not her fault¡± Straud yelled


    ¡°It was the Matriarch who took them remember, and let me remind you she did not get that position from playing nice with her peers; she murdered her whole family to obtain that power and will continue to do it to keep it, the whole reason she is so adamant about hunting us down is the sheer fact that letting us go would make her look weak in front of her clan, and she will not show any of that¡± stated Straud walking toward his nephew ¡°But I swear to you Rain she will burn in the forever fires of the infinite hells for what she has done as well as all the blood she has spilt, but this victory will not come lightly, she has powerful rivals that are possibly greater than Colossus¡¯s and is not afraid to use it on Judicator Cynn by making her an example¡± Straud finishes


    ¡°Which then brings us back to our initial problem, how do we get in the city?¡± questioned Maylor. They think for a little time until Artanis gets enough courage to bring up a thought


    ¡°We could always infiltrate the Blood Harvest¡± the words come from his tongue


    ¡°No Damn way in hell can we be seen there, they¡¯re hunting everyone here¡± Lalandra added


    ¡°Just the ones who are Drow¡± Artanis inquired with Straud holding a look of curiosity


    ¡°So what are you proposing Artanis?¡± Straud asked


    ¡°We send two of us in there to act like a couple that is part of a family just to get in and snoop around till we can get the others out¡± Artanis suggests and shaking her head Lalandra skeptically cautions.


    ¡°The ball is reformed for couple that are man and wife, nothing else is allowed, now I can change physical form to go but if I leave the defenses at the enclave will shortly go down, as well as the ones at my cave so I¡¯m out, and changing a man to another guy type is one thing but changing them to a woman requires a lot more magic plus training in the way a lady walks and talks so that means-¡±


    ¡°I have to go for sure¡± Elanee blurts out and everyone turns to her, ¡°What! Do you see any other girls who have been a high end noble around here, I¡¯m the best one for the task, I just need a makeover to look drow, and for them it¡¯s no hesitation¡± she says talking about Cloud and company that are captured ¡°I will without a thought¡± she finishes


    ¡°Ok now we need a Male, someone who is rude and blunt and can go in there and blend well with the pompous crowd of Drow leaders¡± Maylor added


    ¡°That¡¯s easy, Namor is our guy, plus he is with Elanee anyway already¡± Rain brings in and Elanee grows a little embarrassed over the comment


    ¡°No it won¡¯t work¡± Lalandra says


    ¡°Why not, he¡¯s a noble¡± argues Rain


    ¡°But not a magic user, and if in their too long the forms they have will start to fade, they might need up keeping¡± Lalandra states


    ¡°Well that rules you boys out that are fighters as well as me¡± Maylor states ¡°Cause even with my power I don¡¯t have the altering form power¡± he added again and slowly they all turn to Rain, and looking up to see everyone looking at him he gets a shocked look on his face with a surprise


    ¡°Oh no, no way, forget it, find another sorcerer to handle this, Simtel, he can go he is a great Drow mage and he has the power¡± Rain says trying to put him off the spotlight


    ¡°But he¡¯s not at your power level yet, you¡¯re the most qualified Rain and you know that¡± Straud says to him and having no words to argue with he just sits there rolling his eyes and nods holding heavy reluctance.


    ¡°Good now that we have that settled, and a plan in motion, let¡¯s get you two changed up with looks¡± said Lalandra


    ¡°I need to see Namor just to inform him of what is going on ¡°Elanee said to them and agreeing but not wanting her to take too long they get Rain to teleport her back quickly.


    She talks with Namor about the plan and furious about the whole idea offers himself to perform the task but when told about needing a mage he asks if Rain was to be the male husband. She nods her head and Namor asks to talk to Rain in private, Tristan escorts Elanee out and Rain comes in to his room. Closing the door Rain is fronted with a most insinuating glare from Namor¡¯s accusing eyes.


    ¡°Now let¡¯s get one thing straight Mage!¡± says Namor addressing Rain harshly ¡°You lay one hand on her inappropriately and I swear to you, you¡¯ll be floating down the nearest river straight to hell¡±


    Rain smiles and calls him closer, placing his arm around Namor¡¯s shoulder Rain whispers to him ¡°Let me put it to you this way Namor, if Elanee¡¯s corpse and mine were laying together I find quickly the means to animate my corpse just to move it away from her own¡± and shovels Namor away from his face ¡°I can¡¯t stand her just about as much as I can¡¯t stand you, and the thought of you two together puts a smile on my face knowing that other innocent people aren¡¯t wasting their lives with either of you¡± Rain finishes


    Over hearing the last thing Rain said, Elanee lowers her head to the wall with hurtful shame and seeing him come out Elanee asks what Namor said to him.


    ¡°Just not to touch you, a worthy concern¡± Rain said smiling to her and returning with a fake smile of her own she adds


    ¡°Well he shouldn¡¯t have to worry, I mean with the sweet talking gift that you have I should be able to keep my hands to myself¡± and walking away while giving Rain a look of utter disgust. Realizing that she overheard Rain lowers his head with a thought of him going back down the road of mistreatment he gave her before, he quietly follows behind her housing good space from her for what he just said. The walk seemed long and cold even though only several dozen steps were made and getting outside the city walls Rain teleports them back to the enclave where Lalandra is waiting to perform the cosmetic spell surgery.Stolen story; please report.


    Working on Elanee first Lalandra lays sparks to her fingers while drawing upon the new Drow image and begins with her face. Giving her shoulder length white hair lifted in the front and parted down the middle, she added to Elanee red eye-shadowed mesmerizing eyelids and ruby red lips. Grafted upon Elanee elf ears as well as a dark tanned grey skin complexion; bringing completion to one stage. Lalandra looks to Elanee¡¯s figure only increasing her breast size while adding a little more of a muscular physique to her frame. Finishing with giving her a Drow priestess ensemble she adds a set of diamond earrings and some rings on her fingers. Lalandra looks to the necklace wrap to Elanee¡¯s neck and goes to remove the necklace to replace it when Elanee stops her hand


    ¡°Could I keep this on with how you are changing me, it was a gift¡± Elanee asks and smiling Lalandra nodded, proceeding to the clothing Lalandra fabricated boots and gloves of a deep red color. Then looks to the torso, giving Elanee a silk blood red dress that hugs to her figure with a reveling slit up one side running up to her hips; giving the dress a glimmering sparkle.


    ¡°There you¡¯re done¡± says Lalandra, having Elanee stand to a mirror given to her she covers her chest.


    ¡°I can see through my dress Lalandra¡± she replies to her a little embarrassed


    ¡°That is how the Drow nobility wear them¡± Lalandra says and feeling very uncomfortable leaving the cave she asks Lalandra for a coat of some sort, reluctantly she obliges conjuring up a unicorn mane fashioned into a short covering wrap and hands it to Elanee.


    Elanee emerges from the cave and Rain¡¯s jaw almost hits the dirt, pushing it back up with a bit of a face smacking Straud smirks


    ¡°Breath Rain she¡¯s already your wife, didn¡¯t realize she could clean up so good did you¡± and regaining his morality and senses Rain goes up to her stumbling with any known speech he can muster Rain bears out she look different, ending with it¡¯s a lovely look Rain is then escorted by Lalandra to be worked on himself..


    Rain is first given hair the same length as Elanee¡¯s but added a silver toned headband circlet around his forehead, she then changes his hair to have a part also down the middle but folding it over the headband housing a champion messy front bang look. she changes his eyes to a deep green and added a sinister evil look to them and changes Rain¡¯s scar for a dragon tooth looking one to cover one half of his face. scruffy shaven facial growth for ruggedness is added to his face along with a way more toned and muscular look, adding a couple of tattoos down one arm under a silver chain linked vest to cover his torso that was black in color. Matching the vest she gives him a chain linked cape on his back with armored greaves to his feet and plated gloves on his hands. His pants were fashioned black with dagger blades down both legs held with a double buckled belt and a two handed sword sheathed on his back.


    He comes out to show off his new look and Elanee stops in mid-sentence to stare upon a most decent creation of lust and desire.


    ¡°Here we go again¡± Straud says shaking his head


    ¡°They need to look appealing Straud¡± Lalandra defends


    ¡°Well I must say husband you look good enough to eat¡± Elanee slithers out with a seductive tone, ¡°Excuse me!¡± Rain backs up holding an uncomfortable shock


    ¡°Isn¡¯t that how the Drow talk¡± Elanee questions thinking she said it wrong ¡°Straud has been giving me some pointers¡± Elanee smiles ¡°And speaking of which I was going to ask you what you thought of my look but I already know¡± she stares at him


    ¡°Speech therapy eh?¡± Rain replied leaning to look at his uncle with an eyebrow raised glare while reevaluating the way he looks ¡°you know it is hot right now, why do you look so cold or is my look chilling to the eyes¡± Rain grins seeing her breasts getting a little more perky then usual and gasping and what she was showing she covered with the warp and they both turned away from each other


    ¡°Now they need names to go with their new looks¡± Maylor added ¡°As well as a sharp blade to cut the sexual tension growing around here¡± he whispered under his breath


    ¡°Got those covered¡± said Artanis ¡°there was a couple who was going to the harvest but was killed before they got to the city, the male was Soden and the female was Kityana¡±


    ¡°Kityana, I like that name, it¡¯s pretty¡± Elanee said


    ¡°Soden eh well doesn¡¯t matter to me¡± Rain replied


    ¡°Good then it¡¯s all ready, and remember the time Rain if you start to see regular features coming to the surface you need to recast the spell, understand¡± Lalandra stated with a nodding from Rain.


    They spend a couple of hours before leaving to the location learning how to act more Drow, while Straud and Artanis get the location spot from a nearby known thieves guild.


    The city of Shadow well is buried deep underground, requiring port gates to get to. These gates are normal door arches but made out of black glass material crossing at the top that have a constant opening to them and lead to another set of arches on the other side. A second arch set goes in and through the interior of the city, most can be activated by anyone triggering the device, but for higher clearance like to the council chambers, war room or to the private chambers of the Matriarch herself; special privileges are needed. The inner corridors of the city are lined with glossy obsidian stones, every chamber and hall opening has great statues made from marble with their hands extended holding blue balls of light lighting the under city. Every hall and normal room as well as chambers have solid liquid looking crystal pillars that act as support beams as well as d¨¦cor for the rooms, fine high grade oak wood sheets are in place between the pillars to be as walls and are decorated with paintings of past heroes as well as leaders on the council at the time. Furniture found anywhere is made out of wood or granite stone and beds are laced with sheets of silk and pillows of swan feathers. The blinding elegance hides well the city security as hallways are lined with guards that are of high end training and skill, the port gateways have four guards posted at each one consisting of a mage, a priest and two fighters and skills of the units are based on the level of the gates importance.


    Down in a lower level of the city dwells cells for the imprisoned and forgotten, in a cell at the end of the hall Dawn is curled in a ball against the room¡¯s corner. With her knees together she waits trying not to make a sound for the bruises on her brings ever constant pain and dried blood to her face bare the reminder of her not so silent self-earlier on. With the thought of giving the interrogating Drow priestess no information that she wished Dawn holds strong that her still being alive brought a complication and a yet yielding hope that slowly again dissipates.


    The door to the cell is opened and with twin guard fighters present at the time Cloud is gripped firmly and thrown inside, cuts on his already bonded arms to his back he lands scraping his face against the cold stone floor, hitting his head against the opposing wall coming to a ferocious stop.


    ¡°Cloud¡± Dawn shrieks and moves to his side, peeling him off the floor and into her pillow like thighs she gazes upon his beaten and sliced chest, and then to his face hosting a swollen left eye and cracked bloody lips.


    ¡°Did you tell them anything Dawn?¡± Cloud asked looking up to her with his one good eye.


    ¡°No Cloud, N-nothing¡± she replied with a whisper to his fragile ears


    ¡°Good¡±, he said with trying to smile a bit stroking her cheek ¡°We have to stay strong, show no signs of breaking down ok¡± and having tears of sorrow for what might have happen to him Dawn nods holding tight to his broken down body.


    ¡°I¡¯m so scared Cloud¡± she squeaked talking through her broken voice and putting his head against her own he whispers to her


    ¡°I know Dawn, but we still have a chance, I mean with Rain¡¯s intelligence and our uncle¡¯s perseverance, and motivation not to mention Maylor¡¯s cunning working for us on the outside, we will be free in no time¡±


    She helps him to lean against the wall and curling up into his chest she closes her eyes with a small ray of hope held tightly in her mind, not really believing in his words however soothing that they were a wave of serious concern and fear floods his face and thoughts. ¡°Have you seen or heard from Cynn or Alisianna Dawn?¡± he asks and with a shake of her head he leans back his head holding silent concern.


    Screams of echoing pain and yells of torturous anguish tunnel to the ears of the pure hearted druid as Alisianna is strapped to a table face up with spider bite marks to her neck and puncture wounds to her arms. Her face and body in similar shape to her comrades but adding to her pain was a dazed state over her face where the whites on her eyes were all that were showing.


    Matriarch Sophie enters moments later, and going up to Alisianna¡¯s table side she grabs her chin to grade her condition. Sophie then looks to the reaper looking Drow, hooded to hide away his face in the corner of the room saying nothing that was standing perfectly still.


    ¡°Did you use spider venom with the cure vial in behind it?¡± Sophie asked him


    ¡°No your highness she was immune to it giving that she is a druid, so I changed to a man scorpion venom instead¡± he replied with a scratchy voice


    ¡°You Fool! You could¡¯ve killed her, I need her alive¡­.barely but alive, and a dead slaves doesn¡¯t fetch a good price on the market¡± she snapped


    ¡°I assure you my lady I was very careful in the mixture, she is unharmed in terms of resale, just worn thin and starving¡± he replied with a bow to his loyalty


    ¡°Very well, un cuff, disrobe and hang her from the vents¡± and bowing again he takes out a knife to cut her clothing off, using a key he unlocks the bindings and drags her to the steam vent trap located on the floor, using corroded and rusted heavy course linked chains he wraps up her wrists in them and hoists her in the air exposing all of her body above the vent grate. She was bleeding under her finger nails and at her toes from the heavy stress upon her body from the toxins, doses that were too much for anyone to ever bare and from the savageness came the bursts of blood vessels.


    The Matriarch then uses her powers to bring Alisianna back to consciousness Alisianna¡¯s eyes slowly opened hoping that the pain she still felt was from a vivid nightmare, but viewing where she was and her disrobed condition tears run down her face, for the nightmare was indeed real.


    ¡°Torture me all you want Matriarch I will reveal nothing to you¡± Alisianna barked out with resistance housing an already cracked up voice, the Drow Queen looked upon her with minor puzzlement and shaking her head comical laughter came from Sophie¡¯s lips.


    ¡°My sweet beauty enhanced, delicate druid; I don¡¯t need any confession from the likes of you, just your suffering in here is enough music to my ears¡± Sophie moves up putting her face to Alisianna¡¯s and glares to the druid that holds a frightening look back ¡°You see after the untimely death of my highest ranking Captain, Aries. The task of retributive action and punishment for your despising birth into a full blood Drow family fell to my guidance and clarity¡± Sophie then moves to a walk circling Alisianna ¡°And after I have gotten my fill of the scrumptious sound your screaming lungs will bear, I will then sell off your rusted and desecrated corpse as a slave to another like me¡± Sophie smiles to conclusion as she lays a gentle kiss to her left cheek, Alisianna holds a stern willed face watching Sophie walk to the door but stopping one more time to turns around, giving her a gentle smile that turns to a gruesome stare Sophie spouts off ¡°And believe you me, after today druid you will know why the Drow are so infamous and feared¡± then departs from the room leaving to Alisianna¡¯s final sight a lasting sinister smirk from the Queen¡¯s pushed and puckered lips.


    The hooded Drow then approaches Alisianna, using a dagger he begins making tiny slotted cuts all over her body that were clean and quick, spaced in length for the maximum amount of pain from her tearing face. Moving to a lever attached to the floor he then pulls it to release engulfing clouds of steam that curled upward surrounding her body brining to it a scolding burn, pulling the lever closed he returns and starts to peel her skin from her body at the cut openings, like tearing wallpaper from the drywall some he rips right off in sections and others he leaves half way finished. Blood fills the open wounds and runs down her body as a blood curdling scream from her mouth fill the Drow¡¯s ears with resonance. He then douses her with another cloud of steam, with the heat creeping deeper to the open skin burning the second and third layers now exposed. Screaming until she loses her voice as he repeats over and over the savage process she cries to him, telling him anything that might cause him to halt his work¡­but nothing stops his pace.


    Strutting her leather boot heels upon the glossy trimmed floor did they echo out striking fear to the captures who rooms she passed, to the end of the hallway she went; to the last door at that contained inside it her most sought after possession and highest prize. Sophie turned the heavy iron handle and upon sight to the inner chamber guard Sophie with a gesture of her hand silently commanded him to guard outside. Sophie closed the door tight as if not to allow even the unwanted entry of air to disturb her as her sights shifted to gaze upon a female Drow cuffed to a strenuous standing pose facing the stone wall.


    ¡°And now for you my sweet half-sister, I must say you have caused much grief and huge expenditures of resource toward locating you and your circus roster of freaks¡± says Sophie delicately hearing sudden screams of Alisianna through even the thick stone walls..


    ¡°Where are my companions Sophie¡± commanded Cynn


    ¡°They are getting massages and hot pool baths; you know the royal treatment for guests of your stature, but it will be nothing that you will not be granted, in time; so have no worries about not getting the full package here during your stay, I promise you sister that you will feel the full hospitality of the Drow¡± The Matriarch stated picking up from a flame engulfed open stove a red hot tipped rod with the Drow symbol of traitor imprinted to it. Sophie then thrusts it to Cynn¡¯s right shoulder branding it deep in her skin with Cynn yelling out in agonizing pain. Sophie takes in the searing sound of her sister¡¯s flesh; Cynn takes only a quick breath as she then receives it again upon the other shoulder blade. Throwing the rod to the floor in the corner of the room Sophie then unravels a heavy leather whip that hung from a hook on the wall, whooshing it around a couple of times Sophie strikes Cynn¡¯s back slicing open her skin having the clothing that Cynn wore pushed deep to the wound.


    Holding courage in one hand and valor in the other Cynn makes no sound of crying during the lashes, she closes her eyes to concentrate on controlling the pain. The slices were deep and the heated air in the chamber made them sting with a mountain of ringing discomfort as the cracks from the black lashes came again and again.


    ¡°The more you scream dear sister the sooner I will stop¡± Sophie says continuing


    ¡°Forget it Sophie I will not give you what you desire and tact lushes pleasure from¡± Cynn bulks up enough strength to get out of her lips


    ¡°You are a strong one I¡¯ll give you that sister, but not even your strength will save you from me unleashing your worst fear upon you, and unleash it I WILL¡± Sophie moves up to whisper the words in her ear


    ¡°What are you talking about¡± Cynn interrogated


    ¡°The demise of your clan of course but not by my hand by your own¡± and throwing the whip down Sophie goes to the wall and scrapes some of Cynn¡¯s splattered blood with her finger off the wall, looking to Cynn Sophie licks it off into her own mouth, ¡°Mmmm; strong taste, that will require some work on my part to break that spirit of yours. In so doing I will turn you into my slave and as first act you will return to your clan to massacre them, you will have the mind of a drone but your soul will be under it seeing and feeling everything that will happen, powerless to stop it. And after that I will replay the moment in your head again and again reliving the terrible deed in your life every day until the sheer realization of you not being able to kill me kills you¡± having tears run down her cheek Cynn tells Sophie to stop the hunt, that she has the prize she wanted.


    ¡°I cannot afford to have your clan attack me again and quite possibly take more to their cause¡± Sophie barks out


    ¡°What¡¯s a matter sister don¡¯t trust your leadership skills, enough to keep your people loyal to you¡± Cynn says smiling as good as she can without it hurting


    ¡°Not since I have their minds under my control, it took a while believe me but now they are all mine and with unflinching loyalty¡± Sophie explains


    ¡°That¡¯s why for a long time you haven¡¯t come to the surface to attack personally, you needed the mind link to stay strong so you stay here getting useless lackeys that get you no progress in our capture to do it for you¡± Cynn solves out loud


    ¡°Very good Cynn I¡¯m impressed, and for a while that problem eluded me but now that I have you, with one fell swoop I will take out my problems once and for all¡± Sophie smiled


    ¡°Yeah well mother always said I had all the talent¡± Cynn interrupted her


    ¡°Yes don¡¯t remind me of her useless words¡± bolted Sophie


    ¡°If mother could see you now-


    ¡°MOTHER¡±S DEAD! And died by my hand slitting her throat as she slept as well as my two rival sisters and after long sought after effort our father who I hung, for allowing such a irreparable ingrate of a sister to be born¡± spattered Sophie in Cynn¡¯s face and being interrupted by the guard outside Sophie addresses the man harshly ¡°What Is It!!?¡±


    ¡°Your highness I just got word that the guests are awaiting your approval to the blood harvest¡± he stutters


    ¡°Very well tell them to be escorted in and screened for identities, I shall be there soon¡± and turning to Cynn she smiles ¡°well sister this little reunion was nice but it will have to be finished later, I have a ball to host¡± and leaving Cynn snaps to her


    ¡°Our friends will come and if I get free Sophie I swear to you I will strangle the life from your miserable throat until it breaks in my hands¡±


    ¡°Strong words for a rebel but perfect for the closing line of a Drow leader, sister¡± and she leaves.

 Chapter 21

    In the final stretch before the Port gate location where they enter the ball room to the city, Rain and Elanee now Soden and Kityana are talking of what to do, they are taken in a carriage to the location that is being driven by Artanis cloaked as a driver, arriving at the sight Rain gets out first and looking around as if to eye everyone up he extends his arm into the carriage to take mistress Kityana¡¯s hand, watching her get out he notices a dagger blade tucked away high up the leg of her thigh, and while man from all around stop in mid-sentence for a moment to gaze on her beauty Rain leans toward her ear and whispers


    ¡°What is with the blade Kityana?¡±


    ¡°A women can¡¯t be too careful, and you might not be around me all the time¡± She replies and they nod to Artanis to drive away


    ¡°Trust me I¡¯ll never let you out of my sight¡± Rain says to her and smiling she kisses his cheek and then pinches his side


    ¡°Ouch what¡¯s was that for¡± Rain cries


    ¡°For looking up my dress¡± Elanee snapped


    ¡°I just glanced¡± Rain said lightly


    ¡°It was concealed very well and takes way more than a glance to be noticed, but I¡¯ll hold it as a complement for now¡± she finishes and then gasps ¡°Ewe what the hell is that thing¡± she asks pointing to a floating apparition of skin and many eyes connected by stems of nerves to a central body where one big eye is seated above a huge mouth. Slime from its skin and eyes ooze down below it and covers the ground and the eyes themselves seem to emitting their own energy each one unique from the others. It stands guard in front of the archway with two Drow guards on either side of it; it hovers there waiting for a sign to move.


    ¡°It¡¯s called an eye tyrant¡± Rain says ¡°its eyes are all different and each one casts a different spell making them very deadly and way out of our league¡±


    ¡°So how does one die¡± Elanee inquires


    ¡°Your traditional hack and slash method to the body when you can get close to it¡± Rain explains and nodding her head and she then leans on his body and poses to the other Drow men teasing them a little, moving her back up straight Rain cautions


    ¡°You know we are supposed to be at a respectable relationship stage remember¡± and sliding her finger down the front of his chest she whispers ¡°I¡¯m just playing the part Rain, and don¡¯t worry I¡¯ll try to keep my hands to myself¡± she finishes with a little eye gesture and a smirk, then stands by Rain until they are allowed through the gates.


    The guests are finally allowed into the city and Soden and Kityana are let in almost last, getting screened by a true seeing spell from the eye tyrant just before entering they stand still hoping the magic of the dragon is more potent than that of the creatures, with success they are granted a clear pass in. They enter the hall filled with guests and Elanee grips Rain¡¯s hand tightly going down the steps to the main area, there are Drow all around already mingling and having drinks and Rain looks to his fake wife raising her hand he pats it lightly


    ¡°You ok Kityana¡± Rain says ¡°Just be calm and act as we have rehearsed and we¡¯ll get through this quick and easy, and like I said before I won¡¯t let you leave my sight¡± Rain tells her to go get some drinks and watching her leave he then throws his sight around for guards that are patrolling the ball hall, moving up to one Rain strikes up a conversation with him about the city here and how it came to be. Seeing Elanee coming up to his side with a drink, Rain introduces her to the guard leader, lightly touching the leader Elanee tries to get into his mind for a quick glance at any information about where their friends are being held, but getting a vision of the leader having some sensual fun with two maidens at his quarters before the ball, Elanee turns her head with a sickly notion coming to her face followed by disgusted, Rain excuses himself from the conversation wishing a word with his wife alone.


    ¡°He knows nothing about their location or how to handle a women properly either¡± Elanee says about to drown the ill sight from a sip of her drink when Rain pauses her hand


    ¡°This is Drowish wine Kityana and Drow are known for being able to handle strengthened alcohol¡­it¡¯s pretty harsh stuff¡± Rain advises her


    ¡°I can handle my drinking Soden¡± says Elanee and as the first bit of liquid enters her mouth, she halts to motion. Her eyes grow big as her mouth begins to burn and slowly swallowing hard, the sensation lessened with the adding of coughing to clear her throat. Rain laughs out loud to drown out her coughing spell and when she was done he takes her glass


    ¡°Well that was graceful of you¡± Rain stares to her


    ¡°That stuff is potent, not to mention the burning all the way down¡± she gasps wiping some of the drink from the corner of her mouth


    ¡°Let¡¯s just stick to mingling with the folk and-


    ¡°Who is that¡± Elanee interrupts with Rain looking behind him to see a figure at the edge of the ball room leaning against the wall with a mistress at his side similar to his own look staring at him intensely, dressed high end warrior like wearing a black cape with gold trim around the border of it.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know, but he looks like he knows me¡± Rain said with a worried look


    ¡°And not in a good way either¡± Elanee adds


    ¡°Well let¡¯s watch for him and keep up the charade for now, we¡¯ll deal with him later if we have to¡± Rain encourages and leads Elanee over to another group role playing up the same action as to the guard. Standing close by them again she gets a vision of the guard and a couple more slaughtering some thieves in a old run down shack, almost tasting the blood she quickly lets go and shakes her head lightly toward Rain giving him a sign of another busted lead. Rain, stuck to deep combat asks Kityana to refill his drink and seeing Rain unable to be pried away without looking wary obliges to keep up face.


    Going up to the drink table and looking around Elanee spots a guard looking at her intently and walking by him to get to Rain, she quickly touches him to reveal a thought of the guard and her in a bed naked having sex, losing her balance she clings to his arm for support and holding her for a second longer he smiles ¡°You know later if you¡¯re bored with this ball I have a thought¡± he suggests with a grin.


    ¡°And if your smart you¡¯ll keep that thought in your head, cause if my husband Soden finds out about it your lose it guaranteed¡± and pulls away, ¡°PIG!¡± she harps and moves quickly back to Rain putting the wrap across her chest covering up. Seeing Rain who was just able to pry away from the group does she walk over to his side.


    ¡°Soden, Hunny, I hate this job, I¡¯m seeing way more than I want to and the guard in the corner has some sick thoughts in that skull of his¡± Elanee complains and suddenly hearing a horn signaling the entrance of the Matriarch herself Sophie then enters with a speech welcoming everyone to the ball and an introductory greeting about why the Drow families should congregate here.


    ¡°Wow that¡¯s the Matriarch, not bad¡± says Rain and getting hit in the side swiftly by Elanee he regains his focus on what they¡¯re doing, and motions to Elanee to keep an eye on the closest guard to Sophie, suggesting that he might be the best one to read for the info they seek.


    The speech goes on for about an hour and after Rain sees the gold caped Drow talking to a Stag Demon; a blue skinned human with gold pants and matching vest made of silk whose sole purpose is to determine a couple¡¯s aura to see if they¡¯re pure. If he determines that they are like a married couple all is well, but found to be failing the task, both will be killed. The Stag demon hears what the caped Drow has to say and motions for a servant of his to tell Rain to get his wife a drink.


    ¡°Excuse me Lord Soden is it¡± asks the servant


    ¡°Yes, and you are ¡°says Rain


    ¡°Oh just a humble servant of the mighty Demetrious the Arcane¡± he replies and then the servant points to where the Arcane is standing ¡°I was here to deliver a offering to you and your wife inviting out a coupling taste to a new brew of blood wine, would the lady wish a taste¡± and Elanee nods.


    ¡°She does, does she¡± Rain answers knowing full well she won¡¯t drink anything more tonight, he then suspects he is being challenge about his marriage so accepts the offer and proceeds to grab Elanee a drink.


    He moves to her location and then with a motion of his hand the Arcane commands the first challenge to take place, another male Drow takes a drink to Elanee ahead of Rain and offers it to her while making conversation. Rain seeing this then pauses trying to figure out the test, making a decision is his mind he then proceeds to her and interrupts their conversation


    ¡°Here you are dear¡± Rain says handing to her the drink in his hands and looking at the other drink he then says ¡°Offering my wife a drink, a little inappropriate don¡¯t you think¡±


    ¡°Well lord Soden I saw she was by herself and with no drink in hand so I thought-


    ¡°Ah you see therein lies your mistake, and if you want to keep thinking with that head of yours¡± looking to his crotch ¡°Or the other one, I¡¯m not too sure which one is in control at the moment, but I do know that to keep them both you should leave my presence and hers¡­Now!¡± Rain¡¯s ends with a harsh tone and with his head motions him to get lost. Elanee appropriately thanks Rain and take his drink offer putting the other one down. The Drow then comes back with a wounded pride to the Arcane


    ¡°He did well my lord but not convincing enough for a married couple¡± informs the Drow


    ¡°Then we¡¯ll have move to the next phase¡± Demetrious says and nods his head to start some dance music at a quick pace motion. A couple approaches Rain and Elanee and asks if they will be their double partners for the dance and knowing that they were still being tested Rain obliged, walking up to the dance floor Rain tells Elanee in her ear that they are being called on their bluff as a couple, and getting into position to dance which starts off as a slow dance with each other Elanee goes into Rain¡¯s arms. She asks if he knows how to really dance, saying that anyone can move their feet but this dance was going to a tango like aggressive one.


    ¡°Umm I might have exaggerated to you before then when I said I can dance, not like that¡± Rain finished and started to get worried


    ¡°Hey, hey calm down, I can teach you ok¡± and closing her eyes half enjoying the embracing moment in his arms she taps into his mind, it was suddenly flooded with knowledge of steps, turns, spins and movement patterns. Rain never imagined she held so much skill and mastery to the art of dance, Elanee¡¯s power infused to his mind like the feeling that he had known it all since his birth.


    ¡°Wow I didn¡¯t know you knew to dance to Drow songs¡± he said


    ¡±They¡¯re all pretty much the same just with slight differences, don¡¯t worry I¡¯ll watch for them and add them in your head when I see them¡± Elanee said smiling and nodding to her slightly he then waits for the time the song picks up, they switch partners a couple of times and spinning the wives around and adding some dips in between they show off their foot work and the twin couples almost own the floor for the song¡¯s duration. Finishing with a final dip, Rain is held in a pose to stare at Elanee¡¯s breasts during the applauses of a great entertaining performance. ¡°Don¡¯t get any idea¡¯s¡± echoed Elanee¡¯s voice to Rain¡¯s mind.


    Applauding himself and coming over offering Elanee a fan to cool the blood rush given to her, Demetrious introduces himself as the entertaining host of the evening with clearly a French accented voice.


    ¡°I must say quite a stirring performance; I have to admit I haven¡¯t seen such a dance in years, you moved so gracefully as a couple but if you¡¯re married is still to be determined. You see I have been testing you off and on the side, and where you might have been successful in first respecting Kityana as a women not a materialistic object Soden, the dance was a sure clincher for me to see your desire, but nothing proves more assuring to me to know about a couple¡¯s relationship than a kiss¡± Demetrious concluded


    ¡°Ok¡± Rain said ¡°Thanks¡± and going to talk with Elanee for a second he was rudely interrupted by a violent clearing of the Arcane¡¯s throat


    ¡°No good sir, I would like you to kiss her for me¡± The Arcane stated


    And laughing for a second and not seeing an expression change on the Arcane face, Rain¡¯s face drained of color.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Right now¡± Rain asked


    ¡°Is that a problem¡± Demetrious questioned


    ¡°Well um I¡¯m just not a public affections kind of Lord that¡¯s all¡± Rain said growing a little uncomfortable and Elanee turned her head to cover her mouth from getting a huge grin to her face.


    ¡°Now, now Soden¡­husband, we don¡¯t want to anger the man he¡¯s just doing a job; now kiss me¡± Elanee said turning again emotionless


    ¡°Ok then¡± Rain said and moving to her face he gives her a quick kiss to the lips, he backs away and she lowers her head but seeing the shadows of the guard being instructed to take arms. Elanee, knowing that Rain failed the test grows a deep scowl to her face and swiftly slaps Rain¡¯s face stopping the crowds conversing around them.


    ¡°You call that a kiss!!¡± Elanee belted ¡°Now I know you have been away on missions massacring villages over the years, finding comfort in the arms of all those tavern wenches must have made you soft if you think a kiss like that will stand with me¡± Elanee finished turning around and folding her arms


    And looking at the arcane with his unwavering face of not being convinced Rain turns back to Elanee ¡°I¡¯m sorry Kityana¡± Rain said and having so many thoughts running through his head of disbelief of what he was about to do he takes her arm spinning her to his face and locking to her lips kisses her for seconds on end, dropping the fan she had and lifting her back leg she falls limp in his arms. Releasing the kiss she slowly opens her eyes smiling contently while glowing a bit with satisfaction.


    ¡°Awe there we go now that¡¯s what I was looking for, for the kiss of love is when the women will open her heart to your love exposing all of life, and the senses run wild with passion¡± he continued ¡°very good and well done, I see that I¡¯m wasting my time here¡± the Arcane adds and leaves the area to go talk with the gold caped Drow who held a most baffled look to his face.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry Boden but they are well enough to me to being a married couple¡± the Arcane says to him and walks away


    Boden gains a sinister look to his face and says to himself ¡°I¡¯m sure he is but that¡¯s not my brother out there, he can¡¯t dance for one and I just killed him days ago for another¡± looking to Rain and Elanee again he adds ¡°I¡¯m going to find out who those two are and why they¡¯re here¡± and he then disappears into the crowdThis text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.


    Elanee picks up the fan and fans herself again, ¡°nice job¡± she said to him shaking her head with the image still burned in her mind and the feeling racing in her blood.


    ¡°Well it needed to be convincing right¡± said Rain feeling stuffy in his vest downing a whole glass of blood wine in his hand, gaining his focus Rain looks around again for soldiers.


    He suddenly taps Elanee on the shoulder and says to her ¡°Hey I think I know who knows what we¡¯re looking for¡± and staring at a captain standing a few feet from the Matriarch Rain recognizes a metallic glove with blades on the wrist of it from Aries¡¯ description Cloud told him.


    ¡°Now this is want I need you to do¡± and whispers to Elanee a plan.


    Down in the cell block beneath the city lights of the ball Dawn and Cloud sit, huddled together trying to keep what strength they have left from the agonizing tribute of starvation, they hear a deep voice outside the room and seeing the door open to their cell room the Drow guards then back away from the opening. In emerges Colossus towering over their half awakened state and gazing upon him gave Dawn a terrifying chill running down her spine, she shakes awake Cloud silently and focusing to the towering black bull Cloud¡¯s eyes widen like being run through with a huge sword.


    ¡°It¡¯s Colossus¡± Cloud stutters from his lips and moves in front of his sister


    Colossus looks upon them from a distance and laughs ¡°Finally!, I have to admit you¡¯re not what I expected but I¡¯ll take what I can get¡± and reaching down to grips Clouds neck he is meet by a unique situation, the necklaces around Dawn and Clouds necks begin to glow a bright white color and form a bubble shield around each of the children, acting as a force field to Colossus¡¯s hand. Trying to push it through Colossus is met with untimely resistance and effortlessly being repelled he stops with a huge blank look upon his face.


    ¡°Apparently your mother had foreseen such an event possible and put in place a contingency plan to protect you, but I have a backup plan of my own¡± Colossus says grinning to them and summons to his hands the dark blade he had fashioned together. Aiming it to Clouds heart he then thrusts it against the shield and forcing it through a bit the blade comes to a stop before hitting Cloud.


    Holding it in place Colossus takes a breath and pushes harder, bulging out his massive muscles his hands start to shake with not budging the blade any farther


    ¡°AHHHH!¡± He shouted gathering some adrenaline to go on his side and giving it one final thrust with all his might he then takes a breather lowering the blade ¡°What the hell is this magic?¡± he says out loud


    ¡°The kind I love right now¡± Cloud adds and growing impatient Colossus backs up and launches a bolt of dark energy at the children, the shield reflects the bolt and getting out of the way of his own demise the bolt hits and kills the two Drow guards behind him outside the doorway


    ¡°Damn it all!!¡± he snarls and thinks for a second while unaware of the Matriarch¡¯s entry to the room holding a most angered look on her face.


    ¡°What the hell are you DOING? You killed my guards¡±


    ¡°Not my fault they have a slow reaction time, you trained them¡± Colossus spoke back holding sight only upon the children.


    ¡°And the reason you killed the ones guarding the closest gate to you getting here was???¡±


    ¡°I was getting impatient with waiting on your damn progress, so I decided to take an initiative on the matter myself¡±


    ¡°Let me get one thing straight here Colossus; you don¡¯t tell me what to do in my own city¡± Sophie shouted getting closer to him she starts to melt off his skin


    ¡°Ahh you damn bitch stay away from me¡± Colossus said backing up


    ¡°You will get your prize when I get mine but only when I get mine first¡± and with her talking Colossus moves to the door way ¡°Now do me a great favor and GET OUT!!!¡± finishing her statement she erupts a mind ball from her head going through the air hitting Colossus, trying to block it Colossus is tossed effortlessly in the air slamming hard into a crystal pillar smashing it, coming down hard to the ground Colossus sees huge chunks of crystal about to split open his skull and shimmering away quickly avoiding them hitting him and slamming into the ground. Furious with anger Sophie calls for six guards to come to her and with two of them she gets the dead Drow carried out and leaves the other four guarding the cell. Sophie looks to the children that for the moment hold almost a thankful gaze.


    ¡°Don¡¯t think I did this for you¡­your time will come but at my choosing, and never will it be so quick of a death¡± Sophie ends and then departs to go back to her hosting.


    ¡°Cloud are you ok¡± Dawn says after everything is calmed down


    ¡°Yeah I think so, I not too sure what happened just now¡± Cloud said


    ¡°Mother must have made it so Colossus can¡¯t attack us directly on his own¡± Dawn suggests and then grew some tears to her eyes with a strike of fear on her face ¡°My god he is so much worse than from what you guys told to me¡± and holding Cloud tight she started to shake a bit.


    ¡°Hey it¡¯s ok Dawn he¡¯s gone now and Rain and I would never let him touch you ever, you have my word¡± he comforted her ¡°But it looks like Colossus and the Matriarch don¡¯t see eye to eye and with the show of power we just saw from Sophie, I think were protected at least until she get what she wants¡±


    ¡°And what is that¡± Dawn asked


    ¡°I don¡¯t know yet, but I¡¯m sure we¡¯ll find out soon enough, and hopefully we can do something more than what we have been to help stop it all¡± Cloud finishes


    The Matriarch then goes to the room where Alisianna is hanging and unconscious, skin ripped from her body in two dozen places as well as more only half ripped and hanging on her face and torso.


    ¡°She lasted about two hours my lady before collapsing out of this world from the pain¡± the Reaper looking Drow said


    ¡°Kind of pathetic for a powerful druid that¡¯s half Drow blood¡­.oh well, have her dressed in slave robes and brought to the ball room, it¡¯s time this nature bitch made me some value in return for the grief¡± and walks out.


    ¡°Shall I clean her up too Matriarch?¡± the hooded Drow offered


    ¡°Nonsense she has just been steam cleaned, that¡¯s good enough for them¡± and laughing she continued out


    Arriving back to the ballroom Sophie then announced that there would be a slave market for all the guests that came, shortly after ten slaves came out and were displayed for show and sale.


    ¡°What is happening Soden¡± asked Elanee


    ¡°There is going to be a slave sale¡± replied Rain


    ¡°I know that, what is it?¡±


    ¡°Simple if there is a slave that we like we bit for it by giving up a valuable item for a trade, the one who has the most valuable item in the crowd starts and picks the one he or she wants¡± Rain explains. The slaves are brought out and shortly after that while drow are looking through them an eleventh slave comes out for show, the guards brush by Rain and Elanee and whipping back the hood on Alisianna¡¯s cloak she stay¡¯s silent and still. Elanee then tugs on Rain¡¯s cape and Rain nods that he sees her.


    ¡°We have to free her¡± Elanee says


    ¡°SHHH!, not so loud if they hear that we show sympathy for the slave we¡¯ll be next on the block, we¡¯ll have to buy her from here¡± says Rain


    ¡°And with what I left all my valuables at home Soden¡± Elanee snaps whispering


    ¡°Something that none of these drow have and will let us pick first¡­..Your mage boots¡± Rain said


    ¡°WHAT!!¡± Elanee barked out raising her voice a little more


    ¡°Shhh!, it¡¯s the only way to guarantee us getting her is by picking first and those boots will give us the leverage we need¡±


    ¡°Well I don¡¯t exactly have them on me Soden...Remember¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t need them I can recall them to your hands¡± Rain stated


    ¡°I thought the recall spell needs an item that you have studied for over a week, you¡¯ve seen them once¡± Elanee inquired


    ¡°Don¡¯t mind the details besides I¡¯m a quick study of detail I can do it¡± Rain says and closing his eyes he concentrates on an image of the boots in his mind and poof! They appear in Elanee¡¯s hands, the man then comes around taking their bidding item and takes down their names and item for bidding.


    ¡°Soden, item is Mage boots¡± Rain said


    ¡°What style?¡± the Drow asked and gulping his throat Rain said ¡°Celestial¡±


    ¡°The highest grade of boot there is and in her hands, may I warn you lord Soden that the penalty for falsifying a clam is death, so you¡¯d better not be kidding¡± he cautions


    ¡°Does it look like I¡¯m kidding you insufferable ingrate for a shopkeeper, now get out of my face¡± and seeing the serious look stared upon him the Drow quickly moves on.


    ¡°Sometimes I think your enjoying this acting thing too much Soden¡± Elanee says with a worried look.


    ¡°It has to be real, darling¡± Rain replies and tallying the total Elanee is shocked hearing from the Matriarch that Rain is allowed to pick first, Elanee tosses her look to Rain who only puts one of pride back at her and pointing to Alisianna Rain shouts.


    ¡°There that one, yes the one fresh of the torture table¡± and bringing her over to them for assurance Rain nods and is told that she¡¯ll be taken to their guest quarters and Rain is given a key for the room.


    Rain and Elanee stay for a little longer until the slave sale is over and then head to the room and a relatively quick pace. Opening the door to the room they see Alisianna bolts to a corner curling to a ball shaking with fear. Running to her side Elanee says to her ¡°Alisianna it¡¯s ok it¡¯s me Elanee, that¡¯s Rain were in Drow form to get in here and take you¡­.home¡± she finished as she lifted her hood on the slave robes to see the scaring and peeled flesh ¡°MY GOD, what did they do to you baby¡± Elanee said crying to her face and grabbing her she squeezed her with a loving hug and told her everything will be fine and they¡¯ll get her better. A sheer look of pity went to Alisianna from Rain¡¯s face and quickly shaking his head from the sight he asked Elanee which way to the port gate she saw when she touched the Captain.


    ¡°Down the hall and to the left, second door on your right¡± Elanee instructed Rain only holding sight to the shattered druid.


    ¡°I¡¯ll see what we need to go through to get out from here¡± ended Rain leaving


    ¡°Rain¡± she says before he shuts the door ¡°Hurry back¡± she smiles to him


    ¡°I¡¯ll knock three times Elanee ok twice first then a pause before the last one, do not let anyone else in here¡± Rain explained and nodding her head he then took off.


    A few moments later Elanee hears the knock combination at the door, wondering to herself that it hasn¡¯t been that long since he left maybe something is wrong, she answers and to her surprise she sees Boden who grips her at the neck as he enters the room. Alisianna tries to intervene but with being so weak she is tossed aside and hitting the wall is knocked out.


    ¡°So you are the slut that is with my brother tonight, I find that so difficult to believe due to the fact that I killed him three days ago before the Blood Harvest¡± and holding up a necklace he shoves it in her face ¡°You see this, it was around his neck during the time that I killed him and it held some personal value to us since we each got one from our father, I guess the person who masked you guys up didn¡¯t know that, what a pity¡± and violently he throws her stumbling across the room and onto the bed.


    ¡°We¡¯re not here as your brother and his wife on purpose we just needed the identities to get in and rescue our friends¡± pleaded Elanee holding her throat.


    ¡°Your business does matter to me, but my brother died because he stole my wife from me¡± Boden stated coming closer.


    ¡°Wives don¡¯t leave when the grounds are good, you obviously weren¡¯t giving her what she needed, and seeing this reaction I know why she left¡± Elanee snapped


    ¡°No matter he got to have my wife so it¡¯s only fair I get to have his in bed too¡± Boden finishes and getting to the bed Elanee tries to get up and away. Struggling and squirming a bunch he over powers her and pins her to the bed cot by sitting on her middle torso and holding her arms over her head.


    Tearing her dress down between the breasts he goes for a knife from his belt, Elanee stops struggling, closes her eyes and steals his knowledge of combat. Finding a move he knows to free herself she then curves her legs back and slides her feet under his neck, tensing her legs she tries to turn his neck in an attempt to break it. Boden then releases her hands to stop her feet. Elanee getting free acts quickly, grabbing the concealed dagger from her thigh and with a swift motion thrusts it into his neck side. Dripping blood all down the front of her Boden chokes for seconds on his blood until finally falling dead on top of her; using all her weight she tries to move him and getting herself out from under him she then goes to see Alisianna. Checking her for injuries she hugs her and waiting a while with her she then hears a familiar knock at the door again, grabbing the sword from Boden¡¯s belt she answers it and whoever is there is greeted at sword point.


    ¡°Whoa Elanee it¡¯s me¡± Rain gasps and looking at Boden¡¯s dead body lying on the bed face down he asks what the hell happened. Elanee grabs Rain tight and hugs him as if not seen him for a long time and after a brief explanation Rain then picked up Alisianna into his arms ¡°You¡¯ve been through enough not to walk this anymore I think eh?¡± Rain said smiling and telling Elanee that the guards are not many they should be able to overpower them they move to the port gate.


    Knocking out the guards by the doorway Elanee and Rain proceed through the prison block with virtually no resistance due to no one ever escaping before. Elanee goes up to the doors arch and touching each one she then throws her eyes into the rooms searching for their comrades, by them being placed on the walls inside each room and looking like through her own she looks for them. Finding first the weapons storage Rains goes in locating their weapons, loads up and passing them to Elanee Rain again takes up Alisianna to continue.


    The next room is a bust, and so is the next one, carrying on another one had potions in it. Rain then goes in and finding potions of full recovery for the weak grabs some. Inside the cell where Dawn and Cloud lay the two heard some ruckus outside their door and having a couple of thuds being felt against the door, eyes then appeared on the wall,


    ¡°They¡¯re in here Rain¡± Elanee sparks and opening the door Elanee enters, looking confused at not knowing who they were Elanee then leans down to un cuff Cloud¡¯s bindings, telling them of their plan Cloud looks down at Elanee leaning over and to her exposed outfit pushing out her breasts when he¡¯s hit in the shoulder by Dawn.


    ¡°Not now Cloud¡± she says shaking her head seeing Rain enter with Alisianna in his arms. Cloud is giving a potion and upon drinking it feels at full strength.


    ¡°Rain, is that you, wow you look good¡± said Dawn drinking her own potion and handing them their weapons they look at Alisianna


    ¡°I tried to give her potion but she won¡¯t drink it, she¡¯s too assumed from what happened¡± Rain explains and nodding his head Cloud takes the burden of her weight from his arms and into his own, stroking her forehead Cloud kisses it and then whispers to her words of comfort. Elanee explains that from the vision she got from the Captain there is a back way to the ball room that should be empty.


    ¡°Wait where¡¯s Cynn¡± asked Dawn


    ¡°She must still be in a chamber we haven¡¯t checked yet¡± Elanee added


    ¡°I¡¯ll find her¡± Cloud spoke up,


    ¡°No, I¡¯ll do it¡± Rain hyped back in argument


    ¡°Rain I feel fine, I¡¯m faster with a blade than you are at casting¡± Cloud reasoned but Rain shook his head ¡°She¡¯s immune to them Cloud¡±


    ¡°Same with your spells Rain don¡¯t fight me on this¡± Cloud battered back belting to his waist his blade Rain gave him, Lashing up his buckle Cloud held a distressing look recalling what Sophie did to Colossus, ¡°You can¡¯t take her on Rain¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to, I¡¯ll find Cynn and teleport both of us from their¡­I¡¯ll be fine brother¡­they need you more than I can give them¡± Rain said back gesturing to the girls who all held looks of exhaustion. Cloud looks to Rain hard ¡°Rain your family needs you here¡±


    ¡°And our clan needs it¡¯s leader Cloud, we¡¯ll be at the gate way out¡­I promise¡­with or without Cynn I¡¯ll be there but I need to try¡± Elanee¡¯s eyes brighten from Rain¡¯s heroism as Cloud shakes with reluctance from his head, ¡°You better be there¡± Cloud ended with Rain nodding as Cloud went off with the girls.


    Rain checking the last two cells to the level finds Cynn in the last one, opening the door he is meet by a gruesome sight of her lashed up back and dried blood all around, hanging by shackles and barely alive.


    ¡°My god what has she done to you Cynn¡± Rain angrily said and using his mage sword he builds up strength to cut the chain¡¯s holding her to the wall, collapsing from the wall into his arms Rain feeds her the potion and her eyes become widened with life again.


    Rain gives her a quick over view of what has transpired since her abduction and saying that it¡¯s time to leave Cynn has a last pit stop to make first, telling Rain along the way to Sophie¡¯s personal quarters that she knows this city pretty well herself, she takes Rain on the path of least resistance to Sophie¡¯s quarters, they then hear an alarm sound as they enter the room and running to the wall behind Sophie¡¯s bed Cynn says some words in Drowish to revel a secret compartment. Opening a box inside lies a necklace made of obsidian stone and gold linking chains, she puts it on and turns around to see Sophie at the doorway.


    ¡°I should¡¯ve killed you as soon as I saw you, you ungrateful bitch¡± Sophie spat to her and building up some energy in her mind Cynn perks to Rain to get behind her, when the mind blast was released from Sophie it hit Cynn but having the amulet glowing the blast was reflected back striking Sophie in the torso. Smashing through a solid oak table and crashing to the ground, Cynn then came to her side and with a dagger held it to her throat.


    ¡°Do it Cynn¡± Rain edged her on and wanting such gratified happiness from it Cynn backed up and said to her ¡°I¡¯m not going to become you, I don¡¯t kill my own blood¡± and tossing away the dagger, she then spotted some boots on her belt and quickly snatches them from the clasps ¡°But I don¡¯t mind borrowing from you¡± Cynn smiles and tossed the boots to Rain, running together they left the room and headed toward the ball room.


    ¡°There is going to be guards everywhere¡± said Rain still hearing the alarm


    ¡°Yeah but the guards on the inner walls are always the newly trained ones, the high skilled ones are guarding outer doorways to keep people out from here¡± Cynn explains while running and dodging the arrows being fired at them, meeting up with the others they continue dodging missiles of arrows and spells quick paced as fast as they can jumping one by one through the gate vanishing away.


    To the other side before the escaped occurred Straud, Maylor and Artanis along with a strike force of Drow warriors fight the gate guards to clears the path outside. Maylor displays an incredible amount of power helping greatly to their cause, rarely shown for he isn¡¯t a battle cleric by trade. Finishing off the last Drow which was the cleric on the gate guard, Maylor grips an amulet from his neck and closing his eyes the rest witness the ground literally open up and a huge grim looking demonical hand reaches up beneath the evil cleric gripping him tightly drawing him into the ground closing up behind it.


    ¡°Whoa¡± says Artanis looking to Maylor


    ¡°Talisman of pure good¡± Maylor says dangling the amulet ¡°It does that to evil clerics¡±


    ¡°Good to know¡± Artanis replied with a frightful look upon his face


    The sight of all that needed to be rescued was relief to Strauds heart but he gets over it quickly when Cynn tells them they are right behind them wanting to come through the gate, running up to it Straud then tells Cloud to get in position on the other side of the gate with his sword and together simultaneously they hit both sides of the archway destroying it.


    Taking some time to comfort one another they then head back to the enclave.

 Chapter 22

    Colossus blows open the door to his throne chamber and throws his sword in the wall screaming out loud, Logan slowly follows behind him.


    Sephinroth lying across the throne chair relaxed is startled with Colossus¡¯s entrance.


    ¡°Something wrong?¡± she asks Colossus who looked at her while huffing to catch his breath.


    ¡°Apparently he got his horns pinched by some certain Matriarch, who caught him trying to break the pact they had by getting his prize early¡± smiled Logan


    ¡°Awe did the big bad bully get put in his pen by the little cowgirl, well that¡¯s what happens when you stick your snout where it doesn¡¯t belong¡± Sephinroth laughed


    ¡°Curse that bitch Matriarch, she has them locked up in a cell but to just let me kill them was asking too much apparently¡± and looks to Sephinroth ¡°get anywhere with the book you got?¡±


    ¡°No¡± she said sighing ¡°Apparently we need first hand help with this cryptic shifty text if you are to get what you want, and in turn us as well¡±


    And thinking for a second Colossus then looks again to Sephinroth grining an evil smile ¡°Well I hoped that it didn¡¯t have to come to this, but it seems that we are out of options, and I¡¯m running out of time as well as patience to allow this to drag on any further¡±


    ¡°Ok, spill it what nifty notch do you have for me to untie this time¡±


    ¡°An infiltration into the enemy line and allow them to solve this for us¡±


    ¡°Uh did you hit your head with bricks when you were scrapping with the misses or something?¡± Sephinroth questioned the chaotic statement


    ¡°Crystal actually, but that is not what caused the thought¡± Colossus said


    ¡°So how did the barbecue go at your place¡± Logan asked Sephinroth


    ¡°Oh you know me, when I throw a party it¡¯s to die for¡± she chuckled


    ¡°Shut up both of you!!¡± Colossus shouted, ¡°Sephinroth I need you to go in as an innocent relative of the tower you dwell in and allow them access to it to find for us the essences¡± Colossus explained


    ¡°WHAT! My home that¡¯s your Colossal plan, to bad¡± she halted his thought ¡°I have a better one why not let them come here instead, that way I don¡¯t have to haul all the reference to my place¡± and with an evil glare he gave to her she rolled her eyes ¡°Ok, ok fine, but if I end up sleeping with them all don¡¯t blame me for exploiting the enemy¡± and getting up to get some books Colossus stops her.


    ¡°Oh and one more thing, the moment you get all that we need and the opportunity arises to dispose of one of them do me a little favor, don¡¯t hesitate on it!!¡± he snarls


    ¡°Why is that (and gasping) did they beat you¡± she smiled


    ¡°No of course not, they were barely alive when I saw them but their necklaces gave them some protection from me, I can¡¯t seem to touch them nor can I hurt them directly¡±


    ¡°So let me get this straight these kids can hide from your vision, and now you can¡¯t even for the life of you even touch them, I¡¯m starting to think that I¡¯m on the wrong side, good thing I¡¯m leaving¡± she smirked and leaving Colossus gets Logan to assist her, watching them go Colossus just stares a deep annoyed stare to Sephinroth¡¯s back.


    Rising out of the rubble that she threw herself into the Matriarch gets up and looks to observe the loss of men and the destruction left behind by Cynn¡¯s escape. Leaving her newly appointed Captain in charge of the cleanup, she goes to meet an old acquaintance.


    In a blink she arrives in a marshy waste land and moving through it goes to an old cave entrance, upon entering she sees a big dome structure inside and a six and a half foot tall humanoid with the head of a squid complete with eight tentacles where the mouth should be, housing a unique third eye wedged at the center of his forehead and wearing heavy black leather robes with various skulls hanging from it. It lifts its gangly grey slimy liquid skinned hand and points to the Matriarch, ¡°You, what are you doing here¡± it¡¯s says through its tentacles that sounds like someone who has a bad cold trying to inhale a deep breath.


    ¡°It¡¯s nice to see you to Felix, so how have you been; it¡¯s been a while hasn¡¯t it¡± Sophie grinned


    ¡°Ninety seven years to be precise and I see you have grown since our last encounter¡± he slithery said


    ¡°You mean when you kidnapped me as a child and tried to blank slate my mind to fit your own agenda¡± added Sophie


    ¡°And I would have gotten away with it too if it wasn¡¯t for your mother¡± he angrily flayers


    ¡°Yes the whole banishment for all eternity to this desecrated place was a bit much, but she was my mother and she loved me so much¡± she said dramatizing it out, ¡°The whole mother daughter bonding was so disgusting to my youth and for that I will be forever scarred, but sadly I¡¯m happy to report that things are being run different since you have been updated¡± she smiled


    ¡°Your mother is not the Matriarch anymore¡± Felix questioned


    ¡°Not since I slit her throat, and crowned myself the new one¡± Sophie pushed out with a prideful tone


    ¡°How noble of you¡± He said with a pity comeback ¡°So have you come to exact your revenge, because if so I¡¯m ready to die than; to be taken from this insufferable existence is a welcoming song to my ears¡±


    ¡°Do you even have any ears¡± looking at the side of his head ¡°you Kopesh are a weird looking bunch;¡­anyway that¡¯s not way I¡¯m here, actually the opposite in your case, you see since my mother¡¯s passing, the prison you¡¯re in has been passed on to my will, and for a certain deed done I¡¯m willing to let you free again¡± she offers


    ¡°I¡¯m listening¡± he replies


    ¡°You see there has been this Drow and in recent events they have been a major pain in my side but with your help I¡¯m sure they can be brought to the brink of insanity¡± she explains and nodding with accepting her offer the Matriarch then gives Felix the details on what to do with the insufferable Drow.


    Having things as normal as they can be at the enclave Elanee and Rain are changed back and Elanee takes ready to return to the city, Rain helps her on to a horse and looks at her.


    ¡°Uh Elanee about the kiss at the dance¡± he says


    ¡°You¡¯re not going to tell Namor are you Rain?¡± asked Elanee


    ¡°Not if you don¡¯t want me too, I got a better idea how about you explain everything you want him to know and I¡¯ll just go along with it¡± Rain said with a clear head ¡°Just tell him that I kept my distance the whole time and when I did touch you I had my gloves on, and with that you not even lying¡± Rain adds


    Looking to the ground for a second Elanee pipes up ¡°And about the kiss¡±


    ¡°Not even worth mentioning, besides compared to a noble ambassador it doesn¡¯t even compare right, so forget about it; I pretty much have already¡± Rain blurted out


    ¡°Yea your right¡­.it¡¯s not even in the same league as his¡± she says smiling to him and turning her head away she continues ¡°Y e a h¡­I¡¯ve forgotten about it already too¡±


    ¡°See everything¡¯s fine and nothing has changed¡± said Rain and beginning to walk away from here he stopped ¡°Oh and Elanee¡±


    ¡°Yes Rain¡±


    ¡°Thanks¡­thanks for helping me get my family back and for saving my clan, I couldn¡¯t have done this without you, especially getting through that ballroom¡± and smiling a truly happy smile she said to him ¡°It was my pleasure Rain, so we¡¯ll see you guys back in a few days then eh¡±


    ¡°Yeah you got it¡± he nods and smacking her horse to start a gallop she waves leaving the enclave being accompanied by a couple of Drow guards for a safe journey back.Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.


    In the city Namor meets with a Dark figure that come to his room after hours, seeing him there Namor then speaks.


    ¡°You¡¯re late¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry my lord they took longer to make than I first thought and a great deal of magic was required for them, the blood from your Captain Tristan is potent in the warrior skill¡± the figure says and handing him a set of gloves that look identical to his own he takes them


    ¡°He doesn¡¯t bleed often, I needed to take it from a cloth when he cleaned his last wound, but it was a little time ago, now they will do what I ordered right¡± Namor asked looking at the craftsmanship


    ¡°The increase to your combat and strength will be great maximizing out in just a few days¡¯ time of wearing them¡± the man said extending his hand for payment, Namor holds a sack of coins wrapped to a black bag and tosses it to the figure not showing his face.


    ¡°And we are in agreement that we are to never know each other nor ever speak unless absolutely needed ¡°Namor says sternly to the man who issues back a nod understanding while escaping through a gate of shadow. Looking at the gloves Namor then tries then on for a perfect fit


    ¡°Since money and holdings is not what Elanee is after¡­ perhaps it¡¯s time to show her more colors of what the aggressive Namor has to offer the community, then I will perhaps win her over from the indisputable excuse for a mage RAIN!. She is forever running to him for help, but no longer¡± Namor finishes as he takes a seat to his chamber chair already starting to feel the gaining strength upon his body and mind.


    Taking his first steps back into the enclave Rain sees Cloud in a frantic searching state


    ¡°Something wrong¡± Rain asked


    ¡°I can¡¯t find Alisianna, she was supposed to be at the temple getting healed but Dawn and Maylor haven¡¯t seen her and I don¡¯t know where she has gone¡± Cloud replied


    ¡°Then we¡¯d better go look for her, knowing what mental instability she has been under there¡¯s no telling what she might do¡± Rain said concerned and they split off to search around the outer rim of the enclave. Rain checked out the woods while Cloud went to places that she knew of to go to for her own personal moments.


    After about an hour of searching Cloud finally heard a whimpering sound coming from the edge of a pond nearby, parting the bushes and moving a tree branch Cloud sees Alisianna crying, making no sounds Cloud moves up behind her and gives her a moment to herself before saying anything he looks on her back with a pitiful face.


    ¡°Alisianna¡± he says softly having her turn around quickly as she was on her knees at the pond¡¯s edge.


    ¡°Cloud, what are you doing here?¡±


    ¡°Looking for you¡± he replied, he moved up beside her and slowly going to his own knees he sits at her side ¡°You know Dawn and Maylor have been looking for you and getting worried when you never showed at the temple¡±


    She looks on to his face and seeing the scar baring face she had along with some dried half peeled skin caking up her neck and cheeks Cloud looked to her and smiled


    ¡°Why are you out here?¡± he asked and hearing a sound from the woods he looked back to see Rain at the tree line, looking at Alisianna he held up his hand to stop Rain¡¯s advance as if to say give us a moment, understanding the message Rain sat up there to stand guard for the peace talk.


    ¡°I came out here for clarity from my head, I¡¯ve been wondering why this has happened to me, what did I do to merit such a fate of such utter disgusting per portions¡± and wiping the river flowing tears from her eyes she continued ¡°When I was small growing up with the Druids they told me that since I was part nymph that I had extraordinary ability to control natural and be one with it. I loved that feeling so much, being one with nature and seeing plants and flowers grow through the seasons as well as animals flourishing over the years, it was heaven to me. They said that it came from the beauty essence I had and now from what happened it¡¯s gone forever¡± she finished and started to cry again, putting her head against his chest he looked to Rain who smiled a little and nodding his head he left them alone.


    ¡°It¡¯s not gone Alisianna, your judgment of what happened has covered your will to see the ability, it is inside of you and is part of you, not just on the surface¡± Cloud ended and wipes the tears from her cheeks carefully looking upon her eyes.


    ¡°You know what I see when I look at you, (she shakes her head) the most beautiful woman I¡¯ve ever laid eyes on, even now with you like this, for it is the beauty of your soul that captured me not the surface look you possessed, and your power for compassion on the natural ground is still there at your will¡¯s command, you¡¯ve only suppressed it with what has happened, but it is still there waiting to do good, it simply needs your orders¡± Cloud smiled


    ¡°You know I can see the pity looks you give me and it shows that you don¡¯t feel for me the same as when I was pretty¡± she says


    ¡°Only feeling sorry for your willingness to give up so easily on something so powerful to your soul, but if you need proof here it is, because what I feel for you is deep, deep love¡± and moving to be on only one knee he takes her scarred up arm and holds her hand, standing up with confusion she tries to back away but Cloud doesn¡¯t let go of her hand. Reaching to a pouch on his belt he pulls from it a ring with a crystal blue sapphire on it and slowly places it on her ring finger.


    ¡°What are you doing Cloud¡± she gasps at the sight of the stone covering her mouth with the other hand


    ¡°Through the time we have spent together I have fallen for your beauty, your grace and humble compassion for life, I would love to keep sharing those moments with you for the rest of my life if you would have me as your husband; Alisianna will you give me the unwavering pleasure of having you as my wife¡± he concludes and lets go of her hand and feeling the rock on her finger she looks to him with tears on a smiling face.


    ¡°This is not the time for this¡± she replies


    ¡°I beg to differ to you my love for this is the perfect time for this; for your beauty is not any less that you have ever shown me before, regardless of its appearance¡±


    ¡°Where is this ring from?¡±


    ¡°It was my mother¡¯s, my uncle gave it to me thinking that I would wed from it first, he was right; besides my brother would probably use it for an ingredient in a spell and blow himself to high hell¡± he said laughing and getting serious again he looked to her getting right beside her ¡°And from the beauty this ring harnessed from my mother, I see it in you¡± and leaning in to kiss her lips she accepts and holding the moment for a while they then walk back holding one another¡¯s hand to the temple to repair the visual scarring damage done to Alisianna as well as telling the announcement of their joining union.


    As Rain looked on from a distance at the happy betrothed couple, he bowed his head in an angered shame for his feelings to the nymph ran deeper than anyone knew of; weeks went on and as the couple got into the planning of their future wedding all wished to be a part of the aid, all but Rain. Rain trained on off times that his brother did to hold his distance from him and never even let Alisianna see his face, he was invited to dinners and group gatherings at the tavern tent but never accepted any of them, and even the simple gesture of a talk was rejected. He eventually warmed up to his brother in conversation but the moment the topic of his bride came up Rain almost ran her down, it started to worry Alisianna and grew a soft annoying rage to his brother Cloud. Helping Dawn one night late at the temple they built, Rain offered to fill the basin, hauling buckets of water from the river just by them Rain steered clear of intersecting with Cloud and Alisianna. Pacing down to the river bend¡¯s small hill for his last bucket Rain scoops the water the last time and turning to go up the path he saw through the night light a reflection of himself in the armor worn by his brother Cloud.


    ¡°Brother¡± Rain said walking up to him and wishing to pass him Cloud moved to block his way, ¡°Uh move please¡± Rain spoke


    ¡°uh no¡± Cloud shot back


    ¡°Why not¡±


    ¡°We need to talk¡±


    ¡°About?¡±


    ¡°Alisianna and why you hate her¡± Cloud said, Rain stared to his face and placing the bucket to the ground he knew he couldn¡¯t run this time,


    ¡°I don¡¯t hate her¡± said Rain


    ¡°Then what is wrong with her¡±


    ¡°I hate her for liking you¡±


    ¡°For liking me¡­Why¡­do you like her Rain¡± Cloud asks and saying nothing Cloud gets the answer from Rain¡¯s look.


    ¡°Rain why didn¡¯t you say anything¡­how long have you liked her?¡±


    ¡°Couple of days¡­after we first meet¡±


    ¡°Rain I never thought you liked girls¡­you¡¯ve hated them all through growing up¡± Cloud stated with Rain shaking his head holding a small chuckle, ¡°Rain I swear to you if I knew you had any feelings for her I wouldn¡¯t have proceeded on her¡±


    ¡°You know brother you are the bravest, densest person I know, you know that¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t understand Rain¡± Cloud pleaded wishing to know what he meant.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t always hate them Cloud, I hate only how dumb they are and Alisianna is no different¡±


    ¡°Hey! What¡¯s wrong with her?¡± Cloud bolted


    ¡°She¡¯s just like the rest and is so superficial it¡¯s sick, all they care about is that¡± gesturing to Cloud physical look ¡°They don¡¯t give a shit about how the mind of the male is only by what they can lift¡±


    ¡°Rain they¡¯re not all like that¡±


    ¡°Oh please give me a break from stupidity for one night Cloud at least¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m serious!¡± Cloud pushed on


    ¡°So am I, I have liked girls in our clan but every time they take a glance at my older brother they only join up with me to see you, you¡¯re so bloody naive to your looks and charmed persona it hurts Cloud¡­they are just like human¡¯s flocking to power¡±


    ¡°Why didn¡¯t you act on your feelings Rain they¡¯re not blind but they aren¡¯t clairvoyant either, they can¡¯t read how you feel, you are such a closed book and hold such a dismal exterior that they don¡¯t want to waste their time¡±


    ¡°You know Cloud books¡­powerful books have an ugly look to them which most overlook, but to the ones who wish to see the true look of them they take the risk of chance¡­girls don¡¯t; they¡¯re selfish bitches who only care about what will make them look good on the outside and the realization is that between you and me Alisianna would rather have you by her side then me!¡± Rain sneers out from his mouth and Cloud stays silent, ¡°You know I¡¯m right and that goes for all women to this retarded landmass¡±


    ¡°No you¡¯re not, Elanee¡¯s not like that¡± Cloud fights


    ¡°She¡¯s with Namor you moron¡± Rain harps back


    ¡°Not by choice¡­not at first, looks don¡¯t matter to her¡± Cloud says


    ¡°¡­.not at first but they won out in the end¡± Rain said back with again Cloud saying nothing back.


    ¡°So what does this mean then Rain, for Alisianna¡­your just going to never speak to her¡±


    ¡°Hey she¡¯s your wife not mine¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not fair Rain; she didn¡¯t even know she had a choice¡±


    ¡°Then she should¡¯ve looked harder!¡± Rain barked to him


    ¡°Well now it¡¯s you who doesn¡¯t have the choice, she¡¯s going to be in your life so you better get used to it¡­she¡¯s family now¡± Cloud said shaking his head leaving


    ¡°Yeah tough shit for that coming around¡± Rain said louder to him and turning back to the path Rain sees Dawn who was silent, she gave Rain a scolding look of disappointment for she came to see what was keeping him and walked in half way through the conversation. She took the pail of water from the ground and with a swift thrust to the bucket the water left the pail to coat Rain to a dripping state, walking off Rain called to her wishing to apologize for he didn¡¯t mean it upon her but she didn¡¯t stop. Spitting the water from his mouth looks to his drenched robes, ¡°Good one Rain; your gloating words of always being aware are truly¡­insightful¡±.

 Chapter 23

    Over the course of the next three weeks Cloud, Dawn and Rain get integrated back into city life getting involved with their newly positioned jobs, Alisianna gets the guest quarters inside the castle as she visits seeing Cloud most of the time and getting ready for a much deserved wedding with Cloud. Artanis keeps to himself but sneaking in to check on things every once in a while as well as starting a guild of his own, Dawn has a higher spot in the Temple church as well as second in command to running the cave temple in the enclave that keeps her quite busy. Cloud and Tristan do routine checks around the towns nearby, and are shocked at the continuous participation Namor gives them in accompanying them on the excursions. Asking to be trained in weaponry and military combat from which he has done exceptionally well, but having gloves forged magically to adapt to the skills he needs and keeping them a secret from everyone it¡¯s no surprise. Elanee seeing a more physical aggression done on Namor¡¯s part begins to add him to her life, more and more around the areas of helping her with problems she went to Rain for in the past. Rain, seeing the change in him and her affection for Namor growing keeps his distance again as he did before making excuses as she asks for his availability with certain things to keep himself elusive. Adding to the already high end affairs at hand Rain is starting to receive bad dreams in the nights through the darkness of his shuddering eyes, his feelings on matters small in scale seem to amplify and grow like a tainted plant. Awakening night after restless night Rain is left with no answers or remedies for the continuing disturbing thoughts.


    Hearing the door open to his chambers does Rain not even look up for he was expecting the interruption, ¡°Just put the books on the table Jacob, I¡¯ll get to it when I¡¯m able¡± Rain said writing on some parchment while cross-referencing some information, he didn¡¯t hear the books land to the table or him leave and wondering Rain raised his head from his work to see why, ¡°Jacob did you not¡­Alisianna!¡± Rain said shocked to see her standing at the doorway with a look he could only think was not a good one. ¡°Do you need something?¡± Rain asked


    ¡°An explanation¡± she said back


    ¡°Well then I¡¯ll need to know the question, there are lots of those¡± Rain said proceeding back to his work room when her words stopped him dead still.


    ¡°Why didn¡¯t you tell me about your feelings for me?¡± she asked


    ¡°I¡¯m going to kill him¡± Rain said softly to himself knowing how she found out, ¡°Because I chose not to¡±


    ¡°You mean it¡¯s true¡­you love me?¡± she inquired to him and with a silent glance to her Alisianna stood shocked, she didn¡¯t know what to think from his hidden confession. Alisianna¡¯s stomach started to turn circles and with it came an aching discomfort; she was lost for words thinking how this would play out, marrying one brother when the other who saved her from Shadowell held feelings for her heart as well. ¡°I¡¯m marrying your brother in a weeks¡¯ time Rain, why didn¡¯t you tell me, show me a sign¡­anything!¡± she ended with a worried snap to her voice.


    ¡°Why does it matter to you?¡± Rain said back turning around ¡°You¡¯re marrying my brother, thoughts of other men¡¯s feelings shouldn¡¯t even enter your mind¡±


    ¡°They do when the act could rip apart a family Rain!¡± she said starting to shake at her hands, she just couldn¡¯t believe where she now stood, a problem that held no solution, except one.


    ¡°That won¡¯t happen¡± Rain said back half calm


    ¡°Maybe not at first Rain, you¡¯ll fight it as you have done everything else, but after time your feelings will turn to hate every time you see us together¡­and I won¡¯t let that, happen. Your lives as one family are much too important to cause any rifts now¡­I¡¯m going to leave the group, it¡¯s the only way¡±


    ¡°No Alisianna you can¡¯t, my brother deserves your love, he¡¯s earned it¡±


    ¡°So have you¡± Alisianna said back coming close to take his hand, but Rain pulls away from her touch, ¡°I won¡¯t let my brother suffer with rewards for my own personal battles, time will heal my feelings for you, I¡¯ll admit they won¡¯t wane away fast but I¡¯ll come through it¡± Alisianna looked at him with a face of pity shaking her head ¡°Why¡­why didn¡¯t you just act Rain¡±


    ¡°Because he was the one you picked¡± Rain bolted at her


    ¡°I didn¡¯t know I had a choice Rain¡± she battered back at him


    ¡°It was a Sorcerer against the heart of a holy knight, and with what you look like the solution was pretty transparent¡±


    ¡°So you just gave up, Rain I didn¡¯t even know you had feelings for me¡± Alisianna harped


    ¡°Not like it would¡¯ve mattered you still would¡¯ve chose him¡±


    ¡°No I wouldn¡¯t have, I liked you first¡± She barked and then grew her eyes to the door, Rain went silent as he watched her shut the thick oak for no one else to hear them.


    ¡°You liked me first¡± Rain gestured with shock and she nodded her head, Rain held a small chuckle ¡°Guess I missed out pretty big huh¡­oh well it¡¯s not like my chances were great with a muscle brute in the other corner¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not lying¡± she barked


    ¡°Alisianna creatures like me don¡¯t get girls like you, perfect in every way possible especially looks; you only wish to have that in return¡±


    ¡°Man I ought to slap you for that insult¡± Alisianna bolted ¡°I know about your book analogy Rain and I hold a big exception to it, I don¡¯t care about the looks Rain I never have¡±


    ¡°Please, if we both were the same you would¡¯ve sided with him because of them¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t switch men to gain more from one than the other, if I was with you I would¡¯ve stayed with you¡­I¡¯m no power gripping slut¡±


    ¡°I know you¡¯re not Alisianna that¡¯s why I liked you¡­I don¡¯t like many girls so take it as a compliment¡±


    ¡°Then why didn¡¯t you take a chance¡­¡±


    ¡°Because I don¡¯t deserve it¡­I didn¡¯t deserve you¡±


    ¡°That is not you choice to make Rain¡±


    ¡°Well then you would¡¯ve made the wrong one, because you deserve better than me¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re wrong there Rain, you¡¯re the same as your brother in your passions I can see it, just a different course is what you took¡±


    ¡°Yeah the lone road¡±


    ¡°Rain I tried to stay with you but you kept pushing me away like you had lost to him from the start¡­no I won¡¯t stay with you on that action cause I didn¡¯t feel wanted¡± she bolted again ¡°Look we could go at this all day and I wouldn¡¯t stop either¡­I came to beg your word that this won¡¯t destroy your love to one another¡± she stared to him and looking back he give up.


    ¡°It¡¯s fine!¡±


    ¡°Rain¡­¡±


    ¡°I said its fine alright! Now go I have work to attend to¡± Rain said going to his room and plopping into his chair hard, she came to his doorway and said softly,


    ¡°Rain I still do care for you¡±


    ¡°Pity isn¡¯t an emotion Alisianna¡± Rain said not looking at her


    ¡°No it isn¡¯t but dedication and strong will is, and that¡¯s what I see in you¡± Alisianna says leaving his sight.


    Dropping the corpse with his sword Cloud looks around at the dead goblin and smiles at the fact of not losing any life of his men, against the process of stopping the raid to yet another caravan traveling to the city with trading goods. He looks to Tristan who assisted and then to a bloodied face Namor who was now in light battle armor and a sword in his hands


    ¡°I got to hand it to you Namor¡± Cloud said ¡°You¡¯ve really stepped up these last few weeks to address problems shall we say more directly, and in so doing I have lost far few man on stopping raids with your continuing assistance¡±


    ¡°Well what can I say I just got tired of sitting on the side lines while certain parts of my life passed me by¡± Namor replied and after gathering and burning the carcasses of the raiders they headed back to the city.


    Rain saw the group coming back from his window and watching an anxiously awaiting Elanee who ran to her man, embracing him again after worrying for his safety.


    Rain looked to them kissing each other as well as Alisianna kissing Cloud; he closed his eyes as if to tame the violent thoughts on the surface of his mind going from the window to bury his head in books.


    ¡°Damn it¡± Rain said slamming down yet another book to the table


    ¡°Nothing in that one either eh¡± said a fellow scholar helping him find references on the sword Elanee described to him after the city battle.


    ¡°It¡¯s like this sword doesn¡¯t even exist as a whole¡­as a whole¡­wait that¡¯s it¡±


    ¡°It is?¡± the other scholar said confused


    ¡°Yes the sword must have needed to be put together to make it, it didn¡¯t just come in one piece, Damn ...why didn¡¯t I think of that earlier¡± Rain said thinking very fast to himself


    ¡°Maybe because you¡¯ve been thinking about-¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t even say it Camden¡±


    ¡°But you have been having thoughts about her off and on you can¡¯t deny it Rain you like her¡±


    ¡°Well like Cloud told me I have to move on and I am, sometimes I get a weak moment but only for a second, then it¡¯s gone, and their getting less frequent so she¡¯s almost gone from my head anyway, stop distracting me we need to concentrate Damn you¡±


    ¡°So sorry, I know how my babbling can get you sometimes¡± Camden says rolling his eyes and saying it in a laughing sort of way, he gets a quick glare from Rain, losing his laugh he looks to a book. ¡°So what exactly happened when you to were at Shadowell, if you do not mind me asking¡±


    ¡°We were there to retrieve my brother, sister, Alisianna and Cynn¡± Rain said to him


    ¡°Well I know that I meant what happened to you two¡­You and Elanee!¡± Camden gestured on, Rain explained about the tests they needed to endure and getting to the last one Camden almost fell out of his chair, ¡°So what did you do?¡± he asked Rain completely engulfed.You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.


    ¡°I got her drink, and then we danced¡± Rain said walking to the window ledge again to see her with her hand clutched tightly to Namor¡¯s, Elanee then looked up to see Rain in the tower window and firing her vision back to Namor with not even a returning smile did Rain close his eyes in a defeat.


    ¡°And then we kissed¡± Rain finished opening his eyes again to see her moving slow, Rain could tell that she was fighting an erg to look up at him again and again.


    ¡°You kissed her¡± Camden replied with Rain nodding to it, ¡°Well how was it¡­the kiss¡± Rain closed his eyes again to answer with a clear thought.


    ¡°It was just a kiss Camden¡± Rain reinforced


    ¡°Just a kiss, Rain please from her it had to be more¡± Camden pushed, opening his eyes again to see her Rain focused on her hair blowing in the heavy breeze and watching it cover half her face did Rain reassess ¡°It was like I was in a trance for an endless moment Camden, and nothing else was there in it; only her¡­right then if she was to ask the world of me I would have given it to her on a plate of gold Camden¡± and just hearing the softness in Rain¡¯s voice describing it grew a smirk upon Camden¡¯s face ¡°She¡¯s the one Rain¡± Camden stated


    ¡°The one what¡± Rain replied


    ¡°Your hearts match mate, it¡¯s her; Elanee¡± Camden said to him


    ¡°Who, Elanee; Camden please gather your eyes and see we have nothing here¡± Rain stated


    ¡°Rain the signs of love are hard to see sure, silent most likely but linking you both together, unquestionable¡± Camden went on sternly


    ¡°I do care for her Camden but love her¡­I don¡¯t know if that strength is there¡±


    ¡°Rain you know it¡¯s there and true to the bone but your move is next and what you do with it is up to you¡± Camden said and staring outside again Rain shook his head of the deep topic,


    ¡°Well let¡¯s not dwell on things not within our grasp, back to work¡± Rain said grabbing a book and seating himself down again at the table.


    Kneeling in her preparation room given to her, Dawn starts to pray in her own solitude, Artanis sneaks inside and goes quietly in the room to see her not making any noise


    ¡°You¡¯re not supposed to bother me when I¡¯m praying¡­¡­Artanis¡± she says smiling not even looking to him or opening her eyes.


    ¡°How did you know it was me?¡± Artanis shockingly asked


    ¡°Lucky guess, plus I have a silent detection spell put up to alert me in my head for an opening of the door¡± she replied in a soft voice


    ¡°Sneaky¡± he grinned to her back


    ¡°Why are you here¡± she asked


    ¡°I¡¯m here for confession on my soul¡± and taking a breath as if to jump an impossible jump he continues ¡°And because I haven¡¯t let my heart be honest for a while now, about you that is¡±


    ¡°Artanis please don¡¯t finish¡± Dawn interrupts him turning around looking at his face ¡°For I already know what you are going to say; I have notice your attempts, but I was hoping that you have notice me noticing and not acting on them too. And don¡¯t get me wrong I do have feelings for you but; they aren¡¯t as strong you would have them returned to me¡±


    ¡°So there¡¯s nothing there then?¡± Artanis inquired half defeated in tone


    ¡°Our souls have not bonded in a way for me to love you intimately, and for that I¡¯m sorry but I need the love of a soul to love true¡­. So no Artanis what you seek is no to be had¡± Dawn said with a tear to him ¡°What you had to do for your heart must have been brave, and for your efforts on rekindling the path to truth and wisdom. I wish that we¡¯ll always be friends; close friends and I don¡¯t want to lose that for a chance to be closer ok¡±


    And smiling to her he said ¡°That will never happen my dear priestess, right now I would like nothing more to stay unchanged than that¡± and walking out to leave her finish praying she stopped him for a second.


    ¡°Oh and one more thing; never call me priestess it¡¯s still Dawn to you¡± and smiling again he then bowed to her and disappeared.


    She then finished praying and went out to the training rings to join Elanee with some free time just watching the men practice.


    Rain on his way to the guard house with more about the encounter with Colossus passes by the training rings with two scholars at his side, watching for a quick moment up to one ring that has Namor fighting a guard from Silverspire. Shortly, Rain sees the guard drop to the ground and a roar of applauding explodes. Taking a drink of water Namor sees Rain at ring side.


    ¡°Think me a worthy opponent now Rain¡± Namor shouts to him ¡°How about a quick match of wits if you¡¯re man enough that is, for fun of course¡±


    ¡°But of course¡± replied Rain and motioning to his fellow scholars that he¡¯ll meet up with them at the guardhouse in a little while, he sends them off and climbs up to the ring to enter it. Gripping a practice battle staff he sets it to the side while he takes off his robe. Namor seeing that Elanee and Dawn are at ring side watching pipes up to him ¡°How about some incentive Rain, to the victor; a kiss from the lovely ladies¡± he suggests pointing to the girls and looking over to them Rain stares at Elanee


    ¡°You what Namor, beating you will be thanks enough to me¡± says Rain getting into position and nodding Namor does the same. They start combat and for a while it¡¯s a stale mate of blocking each other¡¯s strike attempts, finally Rain is hit first and goes down from a blow to the side of the face. Wiping the blood from his mouth he looks to Namor who smiles a bit with the satisfied hit ¡°You know I heard you have a speech to give today, maybe we should stop before you are too beat up to make it there¡± and jumping to his feet Rain then advances an attack to him to keep the match going.


    ¡°Guess not then¡± Namor says blocking the moves and this round they each add some martial moves to the stick fight and Rain is hit a couple times more, fighting to stay on his feet he continues to give Namor a challenge while moving around. Rain is hit hard to the stomach and leaning over to breathe Namor then swiftly strikes up hitting Rains face and standing him up straight and spinning around sliding the staff to the ends of his hands and thrusting it hard. Namor smashes the staff against Rains chest cracking it in half sending Rain plummeting to the sandy ground face up. Namor then takes a breath and throwing his head side to side cracking his neck bones, he then walks up to Rain¡¯s side and tossing the half of staff still in his hand away he looks down to him with a grin.


    ¡°Just so you know Rain; I always get what I want one way or the other¡± and walking passed him, Rain turns over to just see Namor grip Elanee by the waist and unexpectedly lays a big lavish kiss on her lips in plain sight of Rain¡¯s vision.


    Getting up and spitting out blood from his mouth again he watches Namor get out of the ring.


    ¡°That¡¯s enough for me today guys¡± Namor says to the guards watching and clapping at his victory. And with Elanee tightly latched to his side he turns to Rain one more time ¡°Oh and Rain just so you know you got a little something in the corner of your mouth there, you should clean up before your speech today after all, you want to make a good impression right¡± he laughed and walks away with Elanee looking back to Rain with a sorry look on her face.


    Getting to his feet Dawn enters the ring and goes to Rain, ¡°He¡¯s getting good isn¡¯t he¡±


    ¡°Oh yea a real class act¡± Rain said and casting a detect magic spell to his eyes, they now quickly glow with a faint blue tinged and looking to Namor he sees that his hands are glowing bright white. ¡°He cheated me¡± Rain snuffs


    ¡°What?¡± Dawn questioned


    ¡°He¡¯s wearing magical gloves¡± Rain added looking at her and shaking her head with a look of disappointment to her face she spoke sternly to Rain.


    ¡°Now I know you don¡¯t like him Rain, but he has been very noble since his return and more involved with what we¡¯re doing here, he has trained very hard and long to get this far and you haven¡¯t trained in the ring since we got back, your out of practice and he beat you, but don¡¯t smash him down because your jealous¡± and reaching to his side she goes to heal him


    ¡°Jealous!¡± Rain snapped and pushed her away from him ¡°One thing I¡¯m not is jealous of that overdressed pi?ata¡± and putting on his robe he looks to her ¡°you know what, believe what you want you¡¯ve always been naive about what¡¯s going on anyway, looking for more good in people than they actually have¡­even me, and suddenly your healing doesn¡¯t even seem that appealing to me, I¡¯ll heal naturally this time¡± and he storms out of the ring toward the guardhouse.


    ¡°Rain¡± Dawn cried out but not looking to her he leaves the ring area, lowering her head with frustration she climbs out and goes to the temple again.


    Going into the guardhouse Rain was met by Cloud and Alisianna in the middle of a kiss. Seeing them startled Rain and he turned to leave, Cloud stopped kissing and called to Rain.


    ¡°Hey wait! Rain what happened you look like hell¡±


    ¡°Yeah well I just got my ass handed to me in the ring against Namor¡± and smiling Cloud looked at him with a small grin.


    ¡°Yeah he can beat about half of my elite guards too, he¡¯s getting pretty good¡± Cloud replies and about to tell Cloud that he¡¯s cheating Rain stops ¡°Yeah, yea he is, so why don¡¯t you get in the ring with him and kick his ass back to reality that he sucks¡±


    And laughing Cloud says ¡°No, I only fight for a challenge and if I let him beat me his head might explode with his ego growing too big, and I was being serious are you ok, I mean you look worse than just getting a beating, how are you sleeping?¡± he asked


    ¡°Not good, I¡¯m still getting those dreams¡± Rain says


    ¡°What kind of dreams?¡± asked Alisianna?


    ¡°Weird ones, there is a flash of light and I¡¯m in a swampy area and I go into a cave, I don¡¯t want to but I do anyway and then I see this thing with three glowing eyes and then nothing¡­I just wake up, and feel so drained¡± Rain concluded


    ¡°Huh that¡¯s strange¡± said Alisianna


    ¡°Yeah tell me about it, I¡¯ve tried finding anything on such a dream or nightmare but nothing of any sort comes up¡± Rain says tired and wore out from thought,


    ¡°Maybe you should see if Elanee can get it out of your head¡± Alisianna suggests


    ¡°Hell no, I just need to keep my distance from her and her oozing over MR. HERO!¡± Rain sarcastically spates


    ¡°Hey Rain, look I know you¡¯re trying to get over Elanee and staying away from her is a method of losing her from your mind but, don¡¯t shut her out of your life, she is still a part of our side in this whole fight. Maybe you should give her a chance to help you, I know she would if she could, after all she has done a lot recently to show she is more powerful than we give her credit for¡± Cloud stated and changing the subject Rain talks to him about the encounter with Colossus and wanting to know more about the amulets power around their necks. They talk through the rest of the day and when night fall comes Cloud and Alisianna depart from the guardhouse. Rain stays behind to think a little more about it adding for him not to stay up too late, Cloud leaves with Alisianna, with thoughts running through his head for almost for three hours Rain then starts to fall asleep.


    Combing her hair getting ready for bed Elanee gets a knock upon her door, she rolls her eyes as she goes to answer it saying in her head my god Namor can¡¯t you spend one hour away from me when you¡¯re here, but opening her thoughts rush away. ¡°Dawn!¡± Elanee said surprised


    ¡°Elanee is this bad time¡±


    ¡°No but it is late¡± Elanee reassured her


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry just had a busy day and I have only been around guys all day¡­need some girl bonding time¡± Elanee smiles and motions for her to enter shutting the door behind her,


    ¡°So what¡¯s going on?¡± Elanee asked


    ¡°Actually my question was what happened; between you and Rain in Shadowell¡± Dawn said seeing Elanee get a little uncomfortable.


    ¡°What do you mean; we went there to save you¡±


    ¡°And grateful you have no idea but also curious on the how part was executed? Look if I crossed a private line¡­¡± Dawn eased out


    ¡°No; in fact I was needing to tell someone else about this for a time and this is better than any I have thought up¡± Elanee said going to her bed and sitting heavy on it did she go into detail about the evening the two had as well as the tests they needed to pass. Dawn laughed at the part about the drink he interrupted from the other Drow saying that was pretty much a trait he held high¡­rudeness.


    ¡°And then we had to dance with one another, that was awkward I thought he knew how to dance¡±


    ¡°He never thought to learn, how did it go?¡± Dawn asked


    ¡°Messy at first but as I implemented the steps to his mind he learned fast and grew a very good rhythm, better than most I know of¡± Elanee complimented ¡°And then we had to kiss each other¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry did you say kiss, as in with lips¡± Dawn asked and nodding did Elanee talk about the first little peck she received and how embarrassing it was not to mention it didn¡¯t pass the test, Elanee then told Dawn of her slap and voicing insult to him which got them laughing for a short time, but stopping Elanee then said.


    ¡°And then he griped me with a spin and kissed me again¡±


    ¡°And¡± Dawn waited dangling like a worm for the next few words to hit her.


    ¡°And what¡± Elanee said smiling


    ¡°Well how was it?¡± Dawn bolted


    ¡°It was¡­different¡± Elanee stated and getting a pushing on look from Dawn Elanee then explained her feelings, ¡°It was as if everything around me disappeared and all that remained was the feeling and his touch, I couldn¡¯t even think of anything and then feeling¡­I¡­felt like I was flying¡± she ended with Dawn having her hands supporting her chin while lying on her stomach engrossed with the description.


    ¡°Wow!¡± was all Dawn could say to it at first ¡°Didn¡¯t think that he was capable of that¡±


    ¡°Is it true he has never kissed a girl¡± Elanee asked


    ¡°Not like that anyway, me and him have kissed but I was seven at the time and it was a dare; not the same effect though I¡¯m happy to say¡± Dawn said ¡°So he¡¯s a good kisser?¡±


    ¡°Very, very good¡± Elanee said almost getting aroused at the thought of it again. ¡°So what¡¯s going on with you and Artanis¡± Elanee says to her stopping her intense thoughts, Dawn told her about the incident that occurred that day and Elanee was at first stunned.


    ¡°Dawn I thought you liked him¡± Elanee sparked


    ¡°I did¡±


    ¡°A lot¡± Elanee said again


    ¡°I do¡±


    ¡°So¡­¡± Elanee motioned now with her dangling for more.


    ¡°It¡¯s just complicated¡± Dawn scampered for an answer


    ¡°What part?¡±


    ¡°All of it, well none of it (Elanee gives a confused look) I just need more time to get over things that¡¯s all¡±


    ¡°Like him being evil and you good, Dawn he¡¯s not evil he just had a hard start that¡¯s all but don¡¯t let that stop you from giving him a chance as well as yourself one too¡± Elanee voiced out with Dawn giving her a look that knew she was right¡± the girls went on through half the night talking about guys and relationships enjoying and sharing the time well spent.

 Chapter 24

    In the cave the Felix was bound to, he kneels in front of a podium he made from a black wood and having the engraving of a dark ritualistic symbol upon it he closes his eyes to meditate. About to start Felix is rudely intruded by the phasing entry of the Matriarch inquiring on the progress to his work,


    ¡°Slow¡± Felix replies ¡°this creatures mind is very strong and well-defended when he sleeps¡±


    ¡°That is way I chose him for he is the strongest and will be the hardest to break from when hold him to your control¡± Sophie smiled


    ¡°And any of his companions will be powerless to help for the anger he possesses is a great one¡± Felix concludes and Sophie then nods


    ¡°Just notify me when the first stage of the task is complete and complying with a gesture of his hands she leaves.


    That night Namor asleep in his room awakens suddenly from a cold touch to his left cheek, he looks to the cause and is started beyond speech at a dark cloaked figure with a sword to his throat, wearing black leather gloves covering his exposed hands.


    ¡°W-w-what do you want¡± Namor cracked out of his mouth and coming closer to Namor the figure leans over and says in a dark sinister voice


    ¡°Backlash!¡± with a hurling fist from the figures left side, it impacted Namor¡¯s face and to Namor¡¯s sight; all goes black.


    With his eyes slowly focusing from the blurry state they hold, Namor arrives again to the realm of the conscious with a headache ever growing in pain. He wakes up in a small burrow from a large cave and having no bars to his hollowed cell he attempts to leave when he is startled by two giant figures acting as guards. They stand about eight feet tall and look like giant ants but with big crab like front claws for arms and keeps Namor in his area.


    ¡°What is this, where am I, who are you¡± pointing to Felix


    ¡°My humble abode, and to be a proper host I bid you welcome¡± Felix states and Namor then looked to the cloaked figure who is still cover too much to identify, seeing however a cloud of dark mist coming from its face it is told by Felix to leave and giving him a letter that is to be placed where Namor was, in a flash of light the creature was gone.


    ¡°And to answer you good sir, the purpose to your abduction is to force a certain Drow leader Cynn to surrender her tribe to the Matriarch Sophie, and if not watch the desecrating destruction of the city of Silverspire due to her patriotism, for if you die the reinforcements that are promised to them will be disbanded and the city will fall at the mercy of Colossus¡± Felix explains and with a nod of Felix¡¯s head the guard punches Namor¡¯s already bruised face knocking him out again.


    ¡°Humans, their curiosity will be the death of them¡± Felix sighs and continues his work.


    Tristan goes to Namor¡¯s room in the morning to find no sign of him and just a note left on the bed where he slept. Quickly running to Cloud and explaining what has happened, Cloud then sends out search parties to look for Namor while he tells Alisianna, Dawn and Elanee of the situation, stunned and concerned for his well-being due to the good he has recently done they help search.


    Checking the Guardhouse Cloud busts in and awakes a sleeping Rain passed out in the chair he was in last night.


    ¡°Rain get up Namor¡¯s missing¡± Cloud barks and Rain yawning a little raises to the day, ¡°Maybe he¡¯s just out for a morning run and good lost in the woods, you know how it is to keep his awesome figure in shape¡± Rain finished by getting up, coming up to his side Cloud jerks him awake more and explains to him the note of his abduction.


    ¡°I hope you don¡¯t think remotely that I had a hand in this cause I assure you I didn¡¯t¡± defended Rain


    ¡°Judging by how you slept last night, you would have had a war pass you by without knowing, so yes I don¡¯t think it was you¡± said Cloud looking through the house as Rain followed and lending a hand.


    They all searched all day and with no success of anything to show, they all reconvened at the guardhouse for new action, talking amongst themselves they decided to all get a good night sleep and start on a plan to get into the Drow city to get Namor out. About to leave Cloud stops Tristan only and keeping him held back from the others.


    ¡°Something wrong Cloud¡± he asked


    ¡°This maybe an attempt to divide us for when Colossus attacks and holding Namor well insure us of getting no reinforcements¡± Cloud said worried, putting his hand on his shoulder Tristan smiles


    ¡°It won¡¯t come to that Cloud I assure you that you will have the forces you need trust me¡± he states, sensing that Tristan has a message in that statement hidden but too tired to figure it out he ignores the matter for now, and tells Tristan of a hidden plan regarding the king¡¯s safety for he might be in danger in this ploy.


    Later that night Rain has yet another dream, and during the night during the king¡¯s sleep with two guards posted at his bedside the dark cloaked figure appears in his room. Seeing the twin guards he pulls the dagger from his sheath and creeps up to the first guard, not making a sound he goes to stab the guard and is shocked to find he is awake and dodging the attack to his chest counters with and sword attack of his own. The second guard joins the attack and appearing a blade in the cloaked figures hands he battles both guards awaking the king in a frantic state. The figure shows great challenge in blocking and avoiding being hit but is finally struck with a tackling from the one guard and is pinned to the floor. The guard stays on top of the figure while the other unhoods him, shocking to see Rain¡¯s face with his eyes bellowing with a shroud of black smoke giving off a zombie like state of expression. Pulling their helmets off Cloud and Tristan both hold looks of shock and confusion.


    Felix in his cave breaks the mental link with Rain¡¯s mind and shakes his head in frustration


    ¡°DAMN!!!¡± he cries


    ¡°Something wrong¡± Namor says


    ¡°Yes but it¡¯s nothing a short trip won¡¯t cover¡± and Felix then calls in his mind for Sophie to his lair, arriving she asks.


    ¡°Have you acquired what I asked from you?¡±


    ¡°Not yet, there was a complication involving the agent you told me to dominate¡± Felix explains


    ¡°Such as¡± Sophie questions


    ¡°Apparently he lacked the ability to duel with a sword as well as the Captain of Silverspire and got himself caught, if you still want this to work I need him back¡± he stated


    ¡°I see and you probably need to leave your hovel to do this?¡± she asked


    ¡°Well it does help¡± and walking up to him close, her snake then slithers around off her neck moving toward and onto his. ¡°I guess I could let you go out on a day pass¡±


    ¡°And as my word as my bond I will not betray you by running¡± Felix adds


    ¡°Oh don¡¯t worry about that I know you won¡¯t run, after all you don¡¯t become the Matriarch of Shadowell without having everything in your favor¡± and finishing up her quote the snake then bares its long fangs into Felix¡¯s neck side, hitting the snake off quickly rubbing his neck he feels a strange sensation running through his body, then with an inquiring look stares at Sophie, and smiling she explains.


    ¡°My baby¡¯s venom is magically induced with an anesthetic that is harmless to only one end, it gives off a locator of where you are and can only be traced by my mind, I then know where you are at all times and on any plane so don¡¯t even try it¡±


    ¡°You diabolical ¡­.B-¡°


    ¡°uh ah carefully listen before you accuse, for when you complete what you have started in motion I will remove the serum from you body¡± and disappearing in a flash she then blows him a kiss laughing as her ghostly form disappears.


    Rain having the link broken now stares at his brother pinning him to the ground and shakes his head.


    ¡°What happened, (looking at his position) where am I¡­what the hell!!? Is going on here, get off of me Cloud¡± he shouted to him and looking around he then realized he was in the King¡¯s Chamber. Extra guards being called in the room gathering around them,


    ¡°Rain, is that you¡±


    ¡°Of course it¡¯s me you idiot, who else would it be¡± he snaps at Tristan


    ¡°Your eyes, it was like you were possessed or something¡± Tristan explained and tossing his brother off of himself Rain gets to his feet, and still holding the dagger in his hands he drops it wondering why he had it in the first place.


    ¡°What is going on here¡­Cloud¡­Tristan¡± Rain said slowly


    ¡°You tried to assassinate the king tonight Rain¡± Cloud said to him when they heard some light footprints pacing down the hallway to the room, and in arrived Elanee.


    ¡°I heard the king was attacked, who was the¡­..Rain!??¡± she boasted


    ¡°Apparently¡± Rain said ¡°We should figure this out and now¡± Rain said and going to the door Cloud nodded for the guards not to let him pass.


    ¡°I agree Rain but this task will need to be done without you, guards seize him¡± Cloud commands not looking at his brother.


    ¡°What the HELL ARE YOU DOING? GET OFF OF ME!¡± Rain shouts to the guards and holding a flame in his hands to get the men to back off Tristan and Cloud aim their weapons


    ¡°RAIN DON¡±T, you were under some influence while you were in here and as clear to me as it is that your back to normal right now, there is no telling when the change will occur again. I¡¯m sorry brother but you are as of this moment under arrest for treason against the king, and quite possibly the kidnapping of Namor¡­.take him to the Arcane hold and bind his wrists with spell chains¡± Cloud commands bowing his head in shame.


    Watching him be drug off Tristan comes to Cloud¡¯s side and grabs his shoulder ¡°It was the right call Cloud and you know it¡±


    ¡°Doesn¡¯t mean it makes it any easier¡± says Cloud defeated and turns to Elanee ¡°Please wake my sister and tell her of what has happened¡± then meet us in the courtyard¡± staying quiet she nods her head and slowly walks out.


    Cloud wakes Alisianna and they all meet up.


    While discussing matters involving Rain inside the house, on the outside and going around inside the castle walls to get Rain out is Felix. Sneaking around and manipulating all minds that he comes across, creating a mental image in each of their heads of him looking and talking like a Silverspire guardsmen, Felix works his way into the prison area getting just outside the door where Rain is being held by Artanis. Being hired quietly by Cloud to guard the door as an act of higher priority, Felix transforms his body into that of the king he saw in Rain¡¯s mind. Getting close to Artanis he asked him to release the prisoner and that he will take him from here on in.


    ¡°What¡¯s the password my Lord¡± says Artanis


    ¡°Password ¡­uh there is none¡± Felix said to him


    ¡°Wrong my liege for if you remember its traitor¡± said Artanis shaking his head for a second ¡°And you wouldn¡¯t be this calm seeing me here if you were the actual King, because I was kicked from the city you imposter¡± and moving to his sword Felix then throws a minds blast to Artanis¡¯s head in an attempt to dominate his mind. Fighting it with his will Artanis tries to attack Felix but missing him a couple of times, Felix quickly gets the upper hand. Concentrating harder on him Felix then subdues Artanis into submission and forces him to release Rain chains and restore his powers. With him now under his total control Felix then tells Artanis to chain himself up and toss the key to Rain. In so doing Rain with just a word from Felix¡¯s mouth is back under his control and both teleport away.Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.


    A while passes before the guards to the entrance of the prison tower see Captain Cloud approaching them, he asks how it¡¯s going and if there has been any unusual activity happening, the guards say no and just as Cloud was about to leave one guard perks up and asked about the third guard¡¯s reason for being here.


    ¡°There was no third guard just you two that I assigned¡± Cloud responded


    ¡°Oh ok then, maybe we were seeing things Captain sorry about that¡± the guard said, and nodding his head Cloud turns to leave when it dawns on him,¡± seeing things¡± he said to himself


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry Captain¡± said the guard asking him to explain


    ¡°No time follow me¡± Cloud commanded and following Cloud down into the prison block they reach Rain¡¯s cell to see the door opened, upon entering they see Artanis chained up instead of Rain and commanding his men to skewer the city for Rain¡¯s presence, Cloud returns to the guardhouse to inform the rest of what has happened.


    The group and Tristan go to Artanis and attempt to release him, Elanee then goes into Artanis¡¯s head to restore his sanity and bring him back to the real world. Digging the knowledge, she tries to pick the lock but doesn¡¯t have the skills to do it herself.


    ¡°I can¡¯t get it unlocked, and Rain has the key¡± Elanee says from looking into Artanis¡¯s mind


    ¡°Then we¡¯ll have to find out where they¡¯re going¡± Tristan said


    ¡°How, they could be anywhere¡± added Dawn ¡°How are we supposed to narrow it down?¡± she continued and smiling to them all Cloud laughed to himself and shook his head in disbelief


    ¡°Elanee a mind link, could it take a while to establish¡± asked Cloud


    ¡°Yea¡±


    ¡°Like maybe a couple of weeks?¡± Cloud inquired


    ¡°If the mind was very strong¡± Elanee added


    ¡°Like my brother¡¯s¡± and hitting the wall of the cell he unearths a quick cry of anger.


    ¡°Cloud what¡¯s wrong do you know something¡± Alisianna asked in worry


    ¡°Dreams, son of a bitch, Rain has been having dreams for like two weeks and I didn¡¯t even see the connection, that was the creature trying to connect to his mind and now he¡¯s got it, using Rain as a puppet¡± and suddenly smiling he continues ¡°But I think we know where to look, Alisianna is there swamp lands somewhere in this area, a deep one?¡±


    ¡°Yes but it¡¯s filled with mist and has been abandoned due to it being haunted¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t think it¡¯s haunted, that¡¯s where the creature is hiding or living¡± Cloud rambles out.


    ¡°What are you talking about Cloud¡± Tristan asked


    ¡°In Rain¡¯s dreams he sees a cave in a swamp it must be him going to his lair¡± explains Cloud


    ¡°Ok and how is he getting there so quickly we have skewered the land for miles around and there is no sign of swamp lands anywhere¡± questions Dawn


    ¡°Teleporting¡± Alisianna blurts out ¡°Right, Rain said that he sees a bright light first, which must be himself teleporting there¡±


    ¡°Alisianna can you get us to those swamps by tree jumping¡± Cloud asks


    ¡°I¡¯ll need an elders help to do a mass group but yes¡±


    ¡°Then go and see to it while the rest of us prepare to get back my brother¡± Cloud tells her and she runs off to see it done. Tristan goes to gather extra weapons to his side for the fight, Dawn goes for protective amulets and turning to Artanis Cloud looks to him hold a hidden grin.


    ¡°Guess I¡¯ll just hang around here till you get back¡± chuckles Artanis, ¡°I¡¯ll get you free from here Artanis¡± ads Cloud.


    ¡°Good thing, not that I¡¯m a worry wart or something but if the King sees me in here, I¡¯m sure he¡¯ll have no trouble signing it off to me as a permanent residence¡± with Artanis holding some concern.


    ¡°It won¡¯t come to that pal, I have you gone from here before then¡± ends Cloud with the group exiting the chamber leaving Artanis to himself, ¡°Could I get a scroll or something till you get back¡± and laughing not looking back Clouds heads for the armory.


    Elanee follows Cloud to get a sword for the fight and asks Cloud a question lingering in her mind.


    ¡°Cloud¡± Elanee perks with Cloud addressing her call at attention.


    ¡°What if Rain¡¯s¡­you know...gone for good¡± she asks ¡°And he won¡¯t see reason¡±


    ¡°Then we do what must be done¡± Cloud says quietly


    ¡°But kill him; I don¡¯t think I could if I get the chance¡± Elanee says


    ¡°None of us know what we are capable of until the opportunity arises to challenge that fate¡± Cloud says looking to her face ¡°That is when our very morality is put to the test and we see truly who we are on the inside, I trust you¡¯ll make the best call you can at the time¡± and smiling to him she nods.


    They meet up outside the city gates by the nearest big tree and with an elder helping them Alisianna and he open the rift to the swamp land, passing one by one through the big oak, they meet up on the other side at the edge of the swamp lands and begin looking for the cave.


    In the cave already Felix and Rain together begin to brew a potion for Felix to get rid of the venom inside of himself.


    ¡°Rain what is wrong with you snap out of it¡± said Namor trying to see what they are doing ¡°The rest of his group will know about you now Felix, they are probably on their way here right now¡±


    ¡°Then know that since certain events have happened, there really isn¡¯t any reason to keep you alive now is there, Rain! Kill him!¡± and raising a lightning bolt to his hands and with his eyes bellowing with black smoke Rain throws the bolt of lightning at Namor. Hearing the spinning of some object in the air Rain sees the bolt being ricocheted off an incoming shield and is driven into the cave wall blowing some rock into the air.


    ¡°Rain stop DON¡¯T¡± Cloud yells from the cave entrance. Felix looks to see the shield thrown by Tristan and commands the guards to attack the intruders.


    ¡°Finish him later Rain, first deal with these intruders¡± Rain then casts a sleep spell hitting Namor knocking him over. Then turning to Cloud¡¯s group Rain grows angry with hatred ¡°That¡¯s right Rain feel the hate growing inside of you towards them, now release it¡± manipulates Felix and Rain starts hurling bolts of lightning and fire toward them, ducking and dodging the attacks from his brother Cloud tells Tristan and Alisianna to deal with the guards, Dawn is told to hold back in case she is needed for injuries and Elanee is gone to get Namor body out of harm¡¯s way.


    Cloud slowly walks up to Rain and tries to talk.


    ¡°Rain it¡¯s me, your brother come back with us, come back to us, don¡¯t give in to this he¡¯s using your feelings against you Rain FIGHT IT!¡± he shouts and summoning his blade Rain then yells to him and clanging his sword with Cloud¡¯s they fight.


    ¡°Rain this isn¡¯t you, we¡¯re your friends, your family don¡¯t do this¡± Cloud reasons trying to get through to him and breaking the fight for a second Rain looks


    ¡°Cloud¡± questions Rain


    ¡°No!!¡± Felix says recharging the domination of Rain¡¯s mind and yet even more black swirling eye shroud smolders to Rain¡¯s sockets, Cloud looks to Tristan who drops the guard he was fighting and tells him to take out the squid thingy, unsheathing a dagger Tristan throws it at Felix¡¯s head but Rain stops it with a deflection spell. Angered a bit more Rain throws a bolt of energy at Tristan hitting his chest center blowing him off his feet into the wall. Dawn sprints to his side with glowing hands to heal his injuries. Rain then adding spell energy to his next attack with his blade hits Cloud¡¯s blade and knocks him back a bit, then dismissing his blade Rain hurls a stream of energy towards Cloud. Gripping his sword tightly Cloud use a spell dissipating ability he learned to stop the spell, making his sword act as a shield having the spells energy bombarded away like rushing water.


    ¡°RAIN STOP PLEASE I DON¡¯T WANT TO KILL YOU¡± Cloud cries as he holds the spell stream at bay ¡±RAIN THIS ISN¡¯T YOU, FIGHT THIS!¡± Cloud shouts to him, Rain then increasing the power starts to make Clouds feet slide backwards on the dirt digging him a trail of boot grip.


    ¡°FIGHT IT RAIN!!¡± Cloud yells again as blood runs down his hands from the blades back lashing force was cutting through his chain gloves into his skin.


    Elanee seeing everything runs up to Rain¡¯s blind side in an attempt to touch him, moving fast quiet Elanee stealth¡¯s her way closing in on Rain¡¯s location. A final move is all that is left an extending her focusing her sight, readying her mind for the quick link Elanee doesn¡¯t notice Rain¡¯s other hand nor hears the echo that Rain¡¯s has in his mind from Felix warning him of the creeping attack. Snap gripping a tight hold to Elanee neck line she gasps at the sudden loss of air and with a grunt from Rain voice Elanee is hoisted off the ground.


    Cloud feeling the power starting to lessen to a manageable hold tells Dawn to attack Felix; and keep him busy. Dawn¡¯s hand fade from the last heal made to Tristan but even with the wounds sealed did the head impact leave the ranger weak and ill for battle use.


    Focused now on ridding himself of the continuing threat, Felix draws from his black heavy robes a short bladed sword and advances on Cloud. Only step were taken from his feet when they were again halted by the sight of Dawn to intervene. ¡°You arrogant troglodyte, the sheer thought of you thinking you could defeat me is disgusting¡± Felix lays out with a judgmental tone, Dawn gazed for a moment upon Felix¡¯s slimy appearance and grew an unsettling face that turned quickly aggressive.


    ¡°You¡¯ll pay for what you did to my brother¡­ (Looks to his bladed weapon) I¡¯m going to make you eat that thing¡± Dawn ended gripping tight to her staff battle ready. Hearing a sound to her left Dawn moves only her eyes to notice nothing around, but seeing the eye shift Felix lunges with a striking swing that Dawn dodges. Following through with another swing Dawn puts her staff to block and locking their weapons Felix puts to his fishy complexion a growing grin, ¡°What¡¯s wrong, hear something¡± laughed Felix ¡°let¡¯s see how loyal your mind is under the strain of battle¡± Felix added swinging again and again while filling Dawn¡¯s skull with haunting distractions.


    ¡°Rain stop it your killing her!!¡± Alisianna yells dropping the beast to the ground with her blade still in his head. At the sight of Elanee¡¯s lifeline fading fast Cloud catches on to the emotional way of attack Felix is using and in a final verbal lash tries one of his own,


    ¡°You¡¯re going to kill the woman that you care for, that has bled to keep you alive, that has sacrificed everything just to get a single smile on your face; she has saved your life; you repay her now by taking hers, IS THAT WHAT YOU WANT!!¡± Cloud shouts to him seeing Rain drain the very life from Elanee¡¯s throat.


    ¡°Feel the pain she has cause you Rain¡± said Felix smiling while fighting ¡°The pain from your mothers greedy selfish death¡± Felix says and puts a vision into his mind.


    Looking to Elanee Rain get a flash picture of his mother and being twisted with anger he shouts to her ¡°This is your entire fault mother, if you didn¡¯t die I wouldn¡¯t be in this mess, why did you die, you should¡¯ve been stronger, more powerful, THIS IS YOUR ENTIRE FAULT!!!¡± Rain screams to her with tears running down his face and holding Elanee up in the air she grips his arms in an attempt to loosen the grip and catch a breath.


    ¡°Rain, please I can¡¯t breathe¡± Elanee whispers to him ¡°I only want to help you Rain, please let go¡­.please¡±


    ¡°This is your punishment for dying mother¡± Rain says again and almost losing consciousness Elanee closes her eyes and draws some of Rain¡¯s power. Remembering he told her that with being a Sorcerer his spells weaken him she begins to rapidly cast fireballs and lightning bolts into the wall. Rain¡¯s power stream begins to fade softer and softer and realizing what is happening Rain compensates for it increasing it again. Cloud now bearing gloves covered by blood is starting to lose strength to hold the block.


    ¡°It¡¯s working Elanee but you need to work faster¡± Alisianna sparks while guarding Tristan¡¯s body.


    Casting a stone skin spell to herself to halt the choking from killing her Elanee keeps up with the spells, throwing lightning bolts and fireballs into the cavern walls. Elanee gazes to Rain¡¯s face to see such a blinded anger housing such an overbearing command on his mind, and her heart suddenly bleeds a sad sympathy of sorrow to him. But seeing Cloud nearing exhaustion she closes her eyes one last time having her and Rain both disappear.


    Dawn continuing to fight Felix gets her staff disarmed and is slammed up hard, pinned to the wall with Felix¡¯s tentacles,


    ¡°Time for you to feel some pain my dear soft skinned beauty¡± Felix renounces to her as he throws into her mind thoughts of death and agony from his passed kills, screams unleash from Dawn¡¯s lungs from the rapid flashing sight of terrorizing death visions and hoping that it will cause a brain aneurism Felix pours on the pain.


    Blood leaks from Dawn¡¯s ears at the pain but the visions end quickly from a sharp stab in the head to Felix from Alisianna¡¯s blade. Felix then falls lifeless to the floor and Alisianna pulling her sword from his brain catches Dawn and carries her to the pile of broken hero¡¯s, Tristan goes up to Cloud and seeing the blade all most half way into his hands pry¡¯s the blade out swiftly, picking Cloud up back to his feet he goes to grip Namor and carry him back. Waiting for Dawn to recover and bring healing to Cloud¡¯s hands they move to the edge of the swamp and with again the elder¡¯s aid are taken back to the forest outside Silverspire city.


    Having not heard back from Felix in sometime, and knowing that he was in his cave Sophie goes to visit him.


    ¡°Felix¡± she says with a gentle greeting tone and walking into the cave ¡°Just thought I¡¯d get a progress report for y-¡±and interrupting herself she stares at the Kopesh lying in a pool of his own blood, she sigh¡¯s a disappointing sigh and shakes her head ¡°Damn you Felix what did you bring down upon yourself¡± and leaning close to his head she smiles ¡°Hmmm, let¡¯s find out shall we¡± and touching his cold lifeless body, getting some coagulated blood on her hands she gets some images of the final moments he had left as well as his own demise, letting his skull go she wipes her hand off and stands up.


    ¡°Well I got to admit they¡¯re a resourceful bunch, Cynn and Straud have taught them well, and these extra¡¯s I¡¯ve seen now show to be formidable allies on their side, but no matter most of the thrill in the kill lies in the hunt¡± she thinks to herself and then disappears again.


    Reaching the city gates the battered and bruised group return. Cloud asks the guard at the gate where Elanee and Rain are situated and need to be informed that they are back. But shocked to hear that they have not yet returned, wondering and worried about where they might have teleported to, Cloud then goes with Alisianna to tell Artanis some disturbing and bad news.


    ¡°Hey Artanis how¡¯s it going in here, comfy?¡± Cloud says cheerfully and the emotionless stare from Artanis¡¯s face tells his answer.


    ¡°Ok your mad I can see that, but we have hit a little bit of a snag in the rescue mission¡± explaining to him the battle and the outcome Artanis gets a droopy look to his face and stares at the floor. ¡°When he gets back here, first I¡¯m going to thank him for freeing me; then I¡¯m going to kill him¡±


    ¡°Better stand in line¡± says a voice from behind them all coming from the door way and all look to see a very pissed off Ambassador.


    ¡°You¡¯re up quickly I see, so how¡¯s the nap?¡± Artanis says to him and ignoring his comment Namor turns to Cloud.


    ¡°Where is my Elanee¡± he demanded


    ¡°Your Elanee¡± sternly said by Alisianna folding her arms


    ¡°She teleported with Rain when it happened and they aren¡¯t here, we don¡¯t know where they are¡± Cloud explained


    ¡°She went with him¡± Namor grew louder in his angry tone,


    ¡°In order to attempt to save his life¡± Alisianna added abruptly, and standing furious with an empty glare to the two of them Namor storms out and down the hall.


    ¡°We¡¯ll have to deal with him later, we need to find out where them two might have gone, they could be lost or worst¡± Cloud concluded and telling them that he will go to the enclave and see if Lalandra can find them faster, Alisianna adds that she will go to the elders to see if he is deep in some woods afar. They break off and follow Namor¡¯s direction down the hall.


    ¡°Good work guys, I¡¯ll stay here and pledge my many thoughts¡± Artanis says with a sigh and hanging there goes limp and starts to sway.

 Chapter 25

    In a flash of light Elanee and Rain arrive at their destination, a thick lush jungle forest setting with a sweet dank air smell. Surrounded by bush and tree line so thick it would be virtuously impossible to figure out where they are for a good time.


    Falling hard to the ground from the transport Elanee crawls to her knees, and seeing that the stone skin spell didn¡¯t stay with her she rubs her throat and coughs trying to breathe some air into her deflated lungs. Getting to her feet moments later she goes to Rain¡¯s side and looking at his motionless body she shakes him a bit trying to wake him.


    ¡°Rain...Rain! wake up¡± checking his chest to see if he¡¯s alive ¡°Oh no, please don¡¯t be dead Rain, I didn¡¯t go through all of this just to let you die here, now GET UP!¡± and waiting a little longer she hears a beat of his heart and is filled with relief, knowing that he¡¯s only unconscious.


    She suddenly hears a rustle in the trees and sounding like footprints getting louder she goes to Rain¡¯s side again, shaking him again with some panic she whispers in his ear.


    ¡°Rain, please wake up I need you now, there¡¯s something here, Rain¡± and seeing no change in his condition, she then looks to Rain¡¯s belt spotting his mother¡¯s sword sheathed in the belt, pulling it out she then stands and looks to the noisy trees.


    Hearing the noise get closer and closer she takes a breath and starts rambling to herself, ¡°Elanee, you can do this, you have training, good training, think back now, Rule #1 don¡¯t show you¡¯re afraid cause relaxed muscles can react better than tensed ones, #2 let the enemy make the first move, #3 watch the footing and the arms for that is where the attack is coming from¡± and repeating the steps she grips the sword tightly and waits.


    Finally with the rustling at its peak the creature emerges from the bushes, and standing about three feet tall holding a four foot spear in his tiny hands, the creature has a striking resemblance to a goblin but just smaller. Taking a breath of relief she then says calmly ¡°Oh you¡¯re not so bad I can handle you¡± and finishing her sentence with three more of the critters showing up surrounding her she closes her eyes for a second, ¡°Damn it, way to go Elanee, get your hopes up falsely¡± and getting into position to fight them she makes sure that she doesn¡¯t stray far from Rain¡¯s body.


    Watching them carefully she waits until the first strike comes to her and with one trying a charge attack the battle begins¡¯, she whirls around in a circle having the spear miss her torso and having the minion run past her she takes the blade and drives it deep in the back of the creature, killing it. The second one advances and trying some pokes at her with some spear thrusts, she quickly dodges them and deflecting the last thrust attempt she quickly thrusts back impaling the creature in the chest. Pulling out the sword she turns to the last two who join up on a single attack, swinging and thrusting their spears, Elanee dodges for the first couple attacks until she can start blocking the moves, finally getting one lucky hit in she deflects a spear high to the left, and bringing her blade back across she slices his throat having blood fly into the air.


    It goes into her hair and on her face and having the creature fall to the ground she looks to the last one, looking at his fallen comrade he drops his spear and takes off into the trees, without concerning herself with the chase she runs to Rain¡¯s side and sees if he was injured from the fight. With him unscathed Elanee takes grip of his arm pulling his body to the bushes and covering him with branches from the ground she says to him ¡°Sorry about this Rain but I need to find us a camp area, and can¡¯t do it with you on my back¡± and still carrying the sword then goes off to find a place to camp.


    Taking another bite of his food being hand feed from Dawn, Artanis chews and swallows.


    ¡°This is unjustified and disconcerting¡± he says in between mouthfuls


    ¡°Well you did get put in this situation yourself, having locked your own hands here¡± Dawn says with a smile but turning it quickly into a frown she has thoughts of Rain and Elanee¡¯s condition.


    ¡°Hey don¡¯t worry about them, they¡¯ll be fine, Elanee¡¯s a tough girl she¡¯ll make sure they stay alive, and she has Captain training that counts for something right¡± Artanis says looking deeply at Dawns face and seeing a smile again it quickly turns to a small laugh.


    ¡°What¡¯s so funny?¡± he asked


    ¡°Oh I thought you knew with all your spying and watching us¡± Dawn said ¡°Elanee never went to a lesson from Tristan, not one single time, she made up excuses why she couldn¡¯t always go, so she really only has Rain¡¯s teachings to go on by¡± Dawn stated and being silent and taking another bite of food from Dawns hand they sit quietly.


    Back in the castle great hall Cloud and Namor along with Tristan have a heated verbal battle.


    ¡°Namor you can¡¯t do this¡± Cloud says


    ¡°The hell I can¡¯t, he kidnapped me, tortured me and almost succeeded in killing me off!¡±


    ¡°It wasn¡¯t his fault, he was under a trance or spell or something¡± Tristan added


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong in here¡± says Alisianna just coming to the room


    ¡°Namor want¡¯s Rain put in prison for this act for the rest of his life¡± Cloud bolted


    ¡°What! Namor it¡¯s not Rain¡¯s fault¡± Alisianna pleaded


    ¡°No matter, if Elanee is not with Rain when her returns¡­if he returns, I swear to you I¡¯ll end his life for good!¡± Namor barked and started to leave the room.


    ¡°The king won¡¯t let this carry on Namor, Rain has risked his own life to save this city, and that act won¡¯t go unnoticed¡± Cloud defended


    ¡°We¡­ shall¡­ see¡­Captain!!¡± Namor said with a convincing tone and slammed the door on his way out.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about him Cloud he¡¯ll calm down¡± Tristan smoothed over


    ¡°I don¡¯t think so Tristan, not this time and I¡¯m worried a bit, I think I¡¯ll go see the King now and make sure that my brother won¡¯t be put on the execution block as a welcome home present¡± Cloud ended with Tristan and Alisianna in his wake following Cloud¡¯s lead to the King.


    Rain awakes at the sight of evening dusk seeing fire crisping to the air with Elanee tending to it; trying to sit up Rain makes a little moan as he grips his head and seeing him awake Elanee emits a smile on her face,


    ¡°Hey, how do you feel¡± she asked


    ¡°Very weak right now mentally and physically; and like I was trampled by a carriage with a team of fifty horses¡±, and looking around he gains a confused look ¡°Were not in Silverspire are we¡±


    ¡°No not really, not a far as I can tell¡± Elanee replied ¡°I was hoping that you could tell me, I dug this image from your mind¡±


    ¡°How long was I out for?¡±


    ¡°A while¡± Elanee said and turning to the fire to put another log on Rain noticed the marks on her neck that formed deep bruising.


    ¡°My god did I do that¡± asked Rain in a worry


    ¡°Yes, but it looks worse than it feels¡± she replies hiding the constant pain.


    ¡°Elanee I¡¯m so sorry, I could see everything that was happening and¡­.oh my god Namor¡± he finishes with a shocking frightful look ¡°Did I¡­¡±


    ¡°No he¡¯s alive and fine, don¡¯t worry Rain, Hey it wasn¡¯t you that did this, not by your own will anyway¡± Elanee responded


    ¡°Doesn¡¯t excuse what I did¡±


    ¡°But you are not to blame for the outcome Rain I hope you can believe that¡± and turning to the fire again she looks back at him holding his side. Lying back down in pain Rain holds focus, recalling through his mind what he has done. ¡°Hey get some rest and tomorrow hopefully you will be well enough to walk, and we¡¯ll figure out a way home¡±


    Nodding his head he closes his eyes ¡°Elanee¡± he says


    ¡°Yes Rain?¡±


    ¡°Thanks for saving me, and keeping me alive, I owe you my life¡±


    ¡°Get us out of here tomorrow and we¡¯ll call it even, now shhh, rest Rain¡±


    The night gets cold and the next morning comes swiftly to them, the streaks of first light hit¡¯s their eyes opening them and Rain opens his to see nothing but locks of brunette hair, moving his head back and sitting up he sees Elanee curled up in his robe with him to keep warm through the night. Getting up and moving around a bit feeling the pull of sore and bruised muscles he slides out of the robe wrapping the part he had around her, and goes to start a fire. Elanee gets up a short while later seeing his back arched and feet squatted warming his hands.


    ¡°Morning¡± she says yawning


    ¡°It got cold last night, hope you slept good¡±Find this and other great novels on the author''s preferred platform. Support original creators!


    ¡°I was fine, slept really well actually¡± she replied to him


    ¡°We will return as soon as I can teleport, though I am still too weak right now we should probably leave out that we slept together, Namor has enough on me to watch me hang for a year¡±


    ¡°I promise to you Rain I won¡¯t let that happen¡±


    ¡°I just don¡¯t want him thinking nothing else that isn¡¯t true¡±


    ¡°Do you still regard me as a whore Rain?¡±


    ¡°No, of course not you¡¯re a one man girl now and that¡¯s good¡± Rain states and shaking head she looks at him again ¡°Do you think I¡¯m that easy Rain¡±


    ¡°Hey what¡¯s with the defense, you¡¯ve known him for a while now¡±


    ¡°Yea well there seems to be a part missing that I feel I don¡¯t know yet¡± she explains


    ¡°And that¡¯s why you have separate rooms, for some space from your togetherness¡± asked Rain


    ¡°You miss understand Rain, we don¡¯t have separate rooms because we don¡¯t want anyone to know that we are sleeping together, it¡¯s because we haven¡¯t slept together¡± and getting up she harshly tosses his robe back to him and goes by the fire. Feeling again bad for speaking his mind he changes the topic


    ¡°You asked me yesterday about this place and thinking for a while I think I know¡±


    ¡°Ok where are we then¡± she asked without looking at him, just to the flames that seemed too grew in heat as she was.


    ¡°My mother used to take me here to be just with me, to bond as mother and son, it was nice¡± and looking to him she gets a sorry filled look to her face. ¡°I think there¡¯s a pond just over here that is if you didn¡¯t stray too far from where we arrived¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t¡± she shot out in defense not knowing if it was needed and then followed him.


    With the next morning hitting the city, guards at the gate get a messenger from the enclave baring a note to Cloud from Lalandra, meeting him in the guard house Cloud sees the Drow and hears some disturbing news,


    ¡°Cloud she says that they are not even in this realm right now¡± the messenger replies


    ¡°Well that doesn¡¯t help Rain can¡¯t be tracked¡±


    ¡°But Elanee can, and she is following her life force¡± the Drow answers and accepting the information the guard stays until new orders are given and Cloud informs the rest of the news.


    After about an hour Elanee and Rain arrive at the pond and Elanee goes to the water line to drink and Rain follows suit. Elanee runs her head under the water to wash out the dried blood in her hair, and both hear some noise coming from the woods.


    ¡°I wonder if that¡¯s more little people coming¡± Elanee said


    ¡°What???¡± Rain blurted out ¡°You fought people here already¡±


    ¡°Yeah using your teachings¡±


    ¡°You mean the lessons from the Captain¡±


    ¡°No I mean yours I never went to a lesson from Tristan¡± and looking to the bushes, the ground starts to shake a bit as three jungle dressed giants part the trees and look down at them. Spouting off that they were angered when Elanee killed some of the jungles folk and that they are there to reap compensation for their loss, Rain and Elanee start to run through the woods with the giants giving them chase.


    Dodging near misses from arrows being fired from their massive bows and clear cutting trees above them in an attempt to lob Rain and Elanee in half, they lead the giants on a chase for a good couple miles until they come to a cliff side. Being cornered by the giants, they look at each other,


    ¡°You still can¡¯t teleport Rain?¡± questions Elanee huffing for air


    ¡°No I need more energy¡± Rain vents back heavy for breath


    ¡°Do you need a specific type or just plain energy?¡±


    ¡°Just energy why¡± Rain replies puzzled


    ¡°I have an idea¡± said Elanee ¡°But I need you to trust me, and hang on to my hand¡± and looking to her he nods. She leads him straight toward the giants, dodging their massive axes cleaving into the ground, they stumble a bit from the rumble they create and running up to a leg of one giant Elanee touches it. Closing her eyes and concentrating hard she drains the life energy from the giant and throws it through her own body and into Rain¡¯s. Like getting a battery replaced Rain suddenly gets a huge jolt of energy and with an axe baring down on top of them Rain then closes his own eyes and flashes out of existence, the axe then hitting the ground pelts dirt and stones into the air and when the dust settles the giants looked shocked and confused that the two little humanoids are nowhere to be found.


    Arriving at the gate front Rain and Elanee appear and hanging onto one another in a bear hug motion they open their eyes to look around at the familiar sights. Guards yell to summon Cloud and the rest to the gate and arriving there Cloud hugs his brother tightly, followed by Dawn and Alisianna. Namor and Tristan arrive moments later and Namor embraces Elanee.


    Then growing with insane anger while fixing his eyes upon Rain, he pushes Elanee to the side and barrels toward Rain, tackling him at the stomach and losing their balance the two crash to the ground, and throwing fist after fist at Rain¡¯s face Namor yells to him.


    ¡°Take this you son of a bitch; you have any idea what you put me through¡±


    ¡°You guys STOP IT!!¡± cried Elanee


    ¡°NAMOR!!¡± said Tristan and together with Cloud they peeled the two apart; binding their arms to their backs they still motion to each other to wanting another round at it.


    ¡°You guys stop this right now, for the love of god Rain just got back¡± cried Dawn


    ¡°I¡¯ll tell you this Rain you from here on in, stay away from me and Elanee, she has me to help her with any future problems now and there¡¯s no need for you anymore¡± Namor snapped


    ¡°You want to know why he took me Namor you piece of shit, because I had the strongest mind as well as the most anger, I couldn¡¯t stop what I was doing those nights, believe me I tried¡± Rain yelled at him


    ¡°And you think I¡¯m just going to let this go because of that, oh no no no, you wait Rain, when I¡¯m done talking to the king you¡¯ll either be at the end of a rope hanging in the town square, or locked up for all eternity with me as your only guest¡± and shifting his hand to be let free Tristan releases him and grabbing Elanee¡¯s arm he walks back into the city.


    Cloud then let¡¯s go of his brother and wiping yet more blood coming from his lips Rain says ¡°Can¡¯t I go a couple days without bleeding from the mouth, hey what about the Kopesh is he¡­?¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s dead Rain¡± Alisianna assures him


    ¡°What happened out there?¡± asked Cloud ¡°Why didn¡¯t you come back here?¡±


    ¡°Elanee thought that if she could teleport me far enough away that I would be knocked out and break the mind bond¡± Rain stated and smirking a little he continued ¡° She¡¯s pretty smart and powerful, she drained a giants life force to recharge me to be able to get us back here, without her we¡¯d both be dead¡±


    And being escorted back into the city gates Dawn stops


    ¡°Oh no we forgot about Artanis, Rain do you have the key?¡± and reaching into his robe he gives it to her, she says she¡¯ll meet them at the guardhouse and goes to free Artanis.


    Rain is told by Tristan that the king will have a word with the council and Namor to determine his fate, and he is to remain at the guardhouse, under guard until he is summoned. The night is long and Rain stays up all night thinking of what will become of him, finally he is brought before the council and for hours they discuss with Rain, possible avenues.


    After the meeting Cloud goes to find Rain to see what happened and looking for him everywhere he finally finds him up in his quarters of the scholar wing packing up his things.


    ¡°They sacked you from the council!!¡± and about to storm out of the room Rain stops him with calling his name


    ¡°Cloud don¡¯t they didn¡¯t sack me, I dismissed myself voluntarily¡±


    ¡°What why for what propose?¡±


    ¡°Yours and Dawn¡¯s as well as everyone else¡¯s wellbeing, I¡¯m a liability now with what has happened and I need to be cut loose, don¡¯t worry about it¡± Rain said trying to give him some closure on the matter


    ¡°It was one time Rain, this could¡¯ve happened to any of us¡±


    ¡°But it didn¡¯t Cloud it happened to me cause my mind was the strongest, they knew that I would be the hardest to turn back, my demonic blood allows me no reason in such a state, I won¡¯t be used like that again¡±


    ¡°Where are you going?¡± Cloud asked


    ¡°The enclave with Lalandra, she agreed to house me and even let me use some of the books I¡¯ve been annoyingly asking her to borrow, I¡¯ll be safe there from any harm I could ever do to you guys¡±


    ¡°And any harm we can do to you right¡± Cloud said back with Rain halting his packing again,


    ¡°Cloud I¡¯m sorry for what issues happened when I was under that hypnosis; I hurt a lot of you more than I could ever take back¡±


    ¡°So the part about me and Alisianna was in there too?¡± Cloud reassessed


    ¡°Yes¡± Rain said blankly lying right to Cloud¡¯s face for he knew that was false,


    ¡°So you don¡¯t hate Alisianna then?¡±


    ¡°No Cloud¡±


    ¡°Do you still have feelings for her¡± Cloud asked and Rain grew a look,


    ¡°They may not be lustful feelings any longer but I still care for her Cloud¡±


    ¡°And what about Elanee¡­¡±


    ¡°What about her¡± Rain said packing up again.


    ¡°Rain please I¡¯ve seen your attraction to her, she means more to you than you¡¯re letting on, don¡¯t shut her out of your life like you did Alisianna, she deserves better¡±


    ¡°Your right¡± Rain said packing up his sack and latching it to his backside ¡°She deserves a man like him, and she has it¡­she was holding me back anyway¡± Rain ended leaving the room and wishing to pursue him Cloud knew it would make no change, watching him go Cloud just shakes his head.


    The next night Cloud and Alisianna get ready for their marriage, doing the ceremony in a druid fashion in honor of Alisianna, there is only the great druid conducting the ceremony along with Straud and Cynn as Clan member witnesses.


    There are twin aged oak trees bend to an arch shape and covered in jasmine flowers giving a soothing scent through the speaking of the great druid preaching and reciting their vows to one another they seal it with a kiss. Calling his mount thereafter they fly off to share a romantic evening and night with one another. They fly out to a location only known to Alisianna, and arrive at a hidden lake, it had old trees of all types in growth around it and the lake seemed to be the draining spot to a half circle pattern of small waterfalls, Cloud thought it was perfect. They land and at first they lay together by the lake side in each other¡¯s arms.


    ¡°You know Alisianna, from the moment all those years ago when I first saw you, I was in love with you, your hair, your eyes, your lips; your mind¡±


    ¡°My body figure¡± Alisianna said to him giving Cloud a sarcastic eye gesture and laughing Cloud nodded his head, ¡°And I you my love, for your loyalty, determination and devotion to your life and calling has captured me¡±


    ¡°And my body¡± Cloud gestured back to her in question


    ¡°Just a bonus¡± she smiled at him stroking the side of his cheek and giving him a passionate kiss to the lips. Cloud goes to slide her dress off her shoulders when she stops him. ¡°Uh ah!¡± she waves her finger to him ¡°First a swim¡± and back flipping from the shoreline, sliding right out of her dress before Cloud could see anything she dove into the water. She immerges to the surface only revealing to his eyes her face and top torso leading only to the top of her breasts that were hidden in the water.


    ¡°Common the water¡¯s warm¡± she called to him


    ¡°Are you naked?¡± Cloud asked with a nod from her head and turning around she said again ¡°I won¡¯t peak I promise¡±.


    Cloud then stripped from his clothes and splashed to the water, it felt as warm as a hot tub for the mountains around the trees were from past volcanic action that still gave off heat, swimming close to her, she backstroked away from him smiling and he kept trying to advance closer but with every attempt she swam away.


    ¡°You know this only intrigues me even more¡± Cloud said smiling


    ¡°I know¡± Alisianna said seductively and staring at him for a short time she then gathered some water to her hands and splashed it at Cloud, he splashed back and the two played around in the water giggling and laughing until he got close to her and in a spinning move turned her to his side and held her close just staring at her and her to him.


    ¡°My god your beautiful¡± he said to her and smiling she said back ¡°Maybe it¡¯s not polite to tease a holy knight, but it is fun¡±


    ¡°Especially one who just saved you from drowning¡± Cloud smiled to her


    ¡°Really is that a fact¡± she looked at him intently ¡°Well then I guess you¡¯re ready for your internally grateful reward now aren¡¯t you¡± and chemically induced to his eyes as she closed hers she started to kiss him from his lips down along his neck and then to his chest and up again, sliding him to his back floating in the water she mounted his torso as he used his arms to keep afloat, slowly he swam to the shore line and flipping her to the grassy edge did he run his hand along her body. He stared at her perfect form and the scent of her jasmine aroma seems to intensify even more when they engaged in a sexual lust that could not be helped. Kissing her lips and chest he smelt the deep jasmine scent that she gave off as her skin grew warm and warmer that lasted thought out the evening moonlight.

 Chapter 26

    Weapons clash on a volcanic mountain side; brimstone sparkling clouds fill the skies deep to the level of hell and a dank smoldering sulfuric smell burns anyone¡¯s nose with a fuel scent. A thunderous clap of an impact is heard as Colossus falls to the ground bleeding from the edge of one of his horns.


    ¡°Come on Colossus, you came here to challenge me for my army; and this is the combat level you bring, please this is pathetic even for you¡± his opponent states laughing a little.


    Standing nearly ten feet tall making Colossus feel like a dwarf, he had a head of a jackal with long narrow snout and exposed razor teeth. Pointy black ears deadly soul penetrating cat slanted eyes incased to a demonical muscular form with gangly hands and sharp claws. Wearing to a draping hang was a gold hood on a black cape housing souls swirling about it screaming to be free from damnation. His well ridged feet come up and catch Colossus¡¯s throat, and squeezing down a bit on it he lifts it off, grinding his foot beneath his body he throws Colossus with his foot high into the air, slamming Colossus again into lava stone rocks. Getting up Colossus fights again throwing spells that are effortlessly batted away from the Demonic Prince, he moves close to the prince engaging him in close combat and interlocking weapons again, Colossus¡¯s twin axes are finally broken with a hard connection from their weapons coring Colossus¡¯ face to an evil grin.


    ¡°I like those axes Siravithor, but I want your Shin doe Clan army more¡± Colossus said as he pulled from his back the dreaded blade Azurewrath,


    ¡°No one in countless centuries has ever gained possession of my army and I will not break the cycle now; not with the likes of you mage!¡± Siravithor bolted


    ¡°We shall see, do you like this blade it¡¯s the Azurewrath and you will learn it well for it will be the ending of your rule and the rising of mine¡± Colossus broke from speech striking metallic blows until breaking Siravithor¡¯s Hellrazor blades into pieces.


    ¡°Oops I seemed to have turned your blade into scrap metal what a shame¡± and looking to Colossus with anger he pulls from his own back a duel axe handed with half-moon shaped blades to both sides.


    ¡°You know what this is Colossus¡­its Soul bringer the legendary rune axe much similar to your own blade but with a difference, it¡¯s mine!¡± he growled to Colossus


    ¡°You got to do something about that breath, I¡¯ll take your storm cloud stink any day before that; now any last words before I bring you down pooch¡± Colossus grinned


    And saying nothing to him Siravithor charged Colossus and with his axe engulfed in flames, and against Colossus¡¯s sword with dark lightning energy an explosive boom was heard when the blades meet, the ground shakes with the colliding weapons, and stretching on for a time, one was finally hit, going down to the stone near a lava flowing river Colossus grips his stomach wound that went deep.


    ¡°Damn it all, what¡¯s taking them so long to get here already, I can¡¯t last against him much longer¡± Colossus says to himself quietly


    ¡°What¡¯s a matter do you need a time out??¡± Siravithor laughed shaking the blood off his axe head, and hearing a screaming sound coming from the skies Siravithor looks up to see the grim flying toward them.


    ¡°Finally, took them long enough, this place is well shielded¡± Colossus whispered to himself and looking to Colossus Siravithor says


    ¡°Looks like visiting hours are over Colossus your guards have come to take you back to your cell¡±


    ¡°The only way I¡¯m going back is at the head of your army!¡± Colossus yelled striking his axe again he fights Siravithor until the soul shrieking sound of the Grim come in close proximity, dodging the attacks of the Grim Colossus circles around the prince to put him in the way of their attacks.


    And taking his eye off Colossus for a second to block a shot from the grim, Colossus wastes no time and embeds his blade in the back of the prince.


    ¡°NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!¡± cries the prince erupting in a spectacular show of black fiery flames which then explodes. Killing the grim in its area, Colossus then looks to his chest which glows with the added obsidian jewel that embeds itself on his chest.


    ¡°At LAAAAST! The Shin Doe Army clan is MINE!!¡± Colossus thunders raising his arms in the air holding his blade high, approaching the sight over the cliff side to the mountain he then witnesses the army of the Shin Doe littering the ground. Thousands of men similar but smaller versions to the prince now kneel down and bow to Colossus; their new leader.


    ¡°When the time comes my children I shall come for you but until then remain here and wait for my beckoning call¡± and looking around for more grim which he sees none he smiles and disappears.


    Reappearing in the Lazarus tower Logan is waiting in the hall, sharpening his sword he sees Colossus shimmer in and collapse into his throne chair bleeding all over the place.


    ¡°What the hell happened to you Colossus, were you attacked, followed?¡± Logan questioned him and holding his sword waiting for an intruder, waving his hand away at him for a ridiculous gesture Colossus spouts off


    ¡°No I wasn¡¯t followed, just putting into motion a secondary initiative for future plans¡± he says taking a deep breath holding his sides waiting for his magic to regenerate his flesh, and looking up at the roof closing his eyes from the pain he went through.


    ¡°Why an alternate addition to the plan Colossus¡± Logan asked


    ¡°Because when performing an evil task such as this, a proper leader when bluffing knows also when to back up his threatening statements with muscle at his back¡± Colossus says ¡°Is Sephinroth in place to infiltrate the Drow children for the plan¡±


    ¡°Yes she had to redecorate a bit for precautions but she is ready and sent her invitation out to them¡±


    ¡°Good¡± Colossus said feeling relief more and more with the regenerating process


    ¡°I want you to watch her carefully Logan, and report to me disloyalty she might display¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t trust her¡± the Vampire lord inquires not shocked at all


    ¡°I don¡¯t trust anyone, that¡¯s why I¡¯m still alive¡± Colossus says and about to leave again Logan is called close to Colossus for a second, and moving up to him Colossus makes a quick motion cutting him on the arm with the blade.


    ¡°OUCH! What the hell was¡­.hey I¡¯m not healing¡­WHY!¡± Logan snaps with a grunt of hurt and a quick growing sense of worry, ¡°Because this blade stops the regenerating process on beings as well as other things¡± Colossus smiled


    ¡°Like what¡± Logan inquired¡±


    ¡°Like killing you off without me needing your special weapon that¡¯s hidden away¡± Colossus said


    ¡°So what does this mean¡± Logan states taking a hard gulp.


    ¡°It means that you are now my puppet and should not fail me any longer for if you do I swear the consequences will be dire, now go be a good watch dog and keep an eye on our little whore¡± Colossus commanded and for the first time ever Logan showed fear to Colossus and left with a little disturbed look to his face leaving Colossus in peace to heal until fully regenerated.


    Logan arrives at Sephinroth¡¯s Tower to see that it has changed a bit to match that of an ancient Egyptian look, with gold symbolic trim at the top and base of the walls. The wall sides hold glyphs engraved by gold with a background filled to a deep royal blue color. The halls are decorated with golden statues of cats and heads pieces on clay white pillars, and various pictures of art from her treasure horde are placed on the walls. Going into a main meeting chamber area Logan sees Sephinroth laying provocatively sprawled out on a bunch of deep red colored pillows. Getting fed from a created servant with some dark grapes she eats a couple and motions for Logan to enter.


    ¡°Boy don¡¯t you look comfy¡± said Logan heated on approach


    ¡°Not to mention tired¡± she added ¡°You have no idea what amount of energy it takes to conjure up the old soldiers for this place, as well as the servants¡±


    ¡°Well I¡¯m glad to see you¡¯re taking it easy for a while, you did send the message to them right¡± he asked with a little worry in his eye


    ¡°Yes of course I did, they should be getting it any day now why, what¡¯s wrong with you?¡± she said looking at him with a more serious look


    ¡°Can I talk in here without anyone seeing us¡± he asked


    And laughing a little she responded ¡°Yes, Colossus¡¯s seer needs to focus a lot of energy to reach into the walls of this place to hear anything, she won¡¯t do it unless she needs to so don¡¯t worry, and the chance she is watching right now is very slim¡±


    ¡°Colossus he¡­he cut me with his sword¡± Logan said showing her the mark


    ¡°Why didn¡¯t you heal it¡± she asked


    ¡°I can¡¯t heal it! The swords power can hurt me even with me being invincible¡± he said with a strike of fear and laughing somewhat she replies


    ¡°Awe what¡¯s wrong not feeling so glory baring anymore that you might be able to be injured, well welcome to the world of the living again honey!¡±


    ¡°He found this out only recently and now he¡¯s barking orders at me like I¡¯m some lap dog!¡± Logan said getting angry


    ¡°Well I see now you have discovered that your now needing to watch your own back, fun isn¡¯t it, but don¡¯t worry you¡¯re not the only one feeling this way, if I don¡¯t follow I don¡¯t get my babies I want so we are in the same predicament¡± she said with a small sarcastic grin and gets up to get a drink of blood wine left out on the table.


    ¡°So what do we do?¡± asked Logan


    ¡°WEEEE DO nothing I have my own plan, the god acting bull is moving too fast in his own head by barking godlike orders without having the power to back it up¡± she said taking a drink


    ¡°He came back this last time injured badly, I think he¡¯s up to something without telling us¡± Logan explained


    ¡°Of course he is!, what you didn¡¯t think evil was actually going to share power did you? He¡¯ll cut us loose before the end¡±


    ¡°So what should we do?¡± said Logan again


    ¡°What any normal smart associate of his would do¡­.plan an escape route to get out before the fireworks start and, save your own ass with some collateral in hand¡± she explained to him


    ¡°And what are you going to do?¡± Logan questioned


    ¡°Nothing that your ears will hear that¡¯s for sure, I have my own agenda and it doesn¡¯t include you¡± she said sternly ¡°Now leave me! They will be coming any time and since they¡¯ve seen you, you can¡¯t be around here any time they are¡± and waving her hand she motions for him to get out.A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.


    ¡°Well yes of course Sephinroth¡± he said doing a fake bow to her leaving.


    ¡°Oh and Logan¡± she said stopping him ¡°The name you now address me as is Eve,¡­Eve Templaris the High Templar as well as the newly promoted Templar Guardian of the Zenith Tower¡± and turning back he smiles to her, bows again disappearing.


    Snapping her fingers to a servant of hers she says ¡°Make sure that little blood hound can¡¯t ever get in this place without me knowing about it, I don¡¯t need him peeking on me when I¡¯m having a bath or something¡± and finishing the command the servant bows and leaves to make the adjustments.


    Getting up to a cold brisk morning Elanee grabs her robe and sits at her mirror table to start combing her hair, she thinks about the tasks she has to do that day while humming the tune of the Drow city dance in her head.


    Trying to keep focus of the day¡¯s agenda in her mind, it wonders, and after multiple times of wondering she puts down her brush throwing her arms on the table burying her face saying to herself ¡°Damn it Elanee it wasn¡¯t that good of a kiss¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know about that you seemed very into it in your dream¡± said Tristan standing in the door way.


    Startled by the voice she turns quickly to Tristan tightening her robe glaring a deep look at him, ¡°Have¡­have you been watching me Tristan?¡± and laughing at the remark he shakes his head,


    ¡°No my dear you were just loud enough to hear from out in the hall, and I was guarding your door this morning. I heard you get up and when you got to your table I opened the door hoping that you were dressed¡±


    ¡°Oh well¡­thank you and good morning to you¡± she said feeling a little ashamed at the accusation,


    ¡°And morning to you as well, I¡¯d say good in front of the greeting but from the sound of how you were calling his name, good just doesn¡¯t quiet cover it¡± Tristan ended smiling


    ¡°Well Namor is a handsome man¡± she said turning to the mirror again getting a little red in the face,


    ¡°While I don¡¯t share your same opinion on looks, he is quiet a womanizer, and by the way nice cover, but that¡¯s not the name you were calling to¡­was it??¡± he stated


    ¡°Of course it was you just must of miss heard, anyways I don¡¯t know what you¡¯re talking about¡± she said with a straight face combing her hair again.


    ¡°Ok how about who I¡¯m talking about then¡± he says and stopping her comb she looks to him again saying nothing. ¡°Come on Elanee, would it be so wrong to just let him know how you feel?¡± Tristan says moving into the room shutting the door behind him; she puts the comb into her lap and gives him a bashful look still saying nothing. ¡°Ok then¡­ let me ask you this, do you love Namor?¡±


    ¡°I have feelings for him, strong ones¡± she replied


    ¡°Well that¡¯s good, but that¡¯s not what I was asking¡±


    ¡°Look love is a strong word to me that I don¡¯t use lightly, so I just don¡¯t know right now if I love him¡± Elanee said to him ¡°I¡¯m sorry, that¡¯s probably not what you wanted to hear from me¡±


    And smiling at her he said ¡°Don¡¯t be sorry Elanee, not to me, I only want you to be honest and true to yourself and your heart, no matter who is hurts¡±


    ¡°But siding with Namor will give Silverspire the troops they need to defend themselves, that¡¯s all that is important no matter the cost¡± Elanee stated


    ¡°Even if that cost is your life Elanee, look Elanee you honestly believe this is worth sacrificing the rest of your life for, for a future with someone you don¡¯t even know if you love?¡± He said getting a chair in the room for himself and putting it by her.


    ¡°Can you guarantee me that the men we need will come on your word alone or does Namor¡¯s overrule yours¡± she asked him


    ¡°¡­..¡± Tristan sits and says nothing lowering his head,


    ¡°You see that¡¯s why I do this Tristan¡± she defends and grabbing her hand gently Tristan peers to her with an appeal,


    ¡°Elanee, Stormguard will defend Silverspire no matter what your choice for love is, and listen to me when I say that your decision may save the city from devastation this time, and maybe for a hundred years after this, but eventually a time will come when all that changes and this city and kingdom will fall, that Elanee is the destiny of all kingdoms¡± and upon hearing these words a couple tears come to her eyes ¡°Please Elanee¡± he continues ¡°You are a pure soul, and a beautiful women, don¡¯t waste your future on a promised duty for a city of limited hope and prosperous peace¡± he conclude letting her hand go and smiling to her as he leaves her to her thoughts.


    ¡°These people are my duty Tristan, to protect and serve¡­I would give my life for them even it merited only one more day of peace¡± Tristan turns back again shaking his head gently in amazement,


    ¡°If I didn¡¯t know you as I do, I¡¯d swear you were already a queen¡± and continues again out of her chambers.


    Thinking to herself, wiping the tears from her face she calls to her a guard, when one shows she asks him to put in place a meeting in private with her and a magical forger.


    Later that day Cloud and Tristan along with other off duty guards from both cities played a game similar to football in the royal park area of the castle. Commoners from around the city came to watch the mighty warriors play and Dawn and Alisianna join the spectators. Just scoring a point for his team, Cloud is interrupted in his celebrating with the sight of a post guard at the side lines, running over to hear the news Cloud is informed that there is a band of men at the gate wishing passage into the city, and telling him to let them in Tristan joins at Cloud¡¯s side as Cloud goes to meet with them.


    They meet with the five horsemen in a few minutes time and seeing those bearing heavy cloaks, they appeared to be of human appearance. ¡°For first relation safety in the city of Silverspire I must ask for relinquish of your arms to my guards¡± states Cloud on approach and reluctant to comply the leader gives in first handing over his weapon. The guard is electrocuted when he touches the hilt and having both the guard and weapon fall to the ground; Cloud and Tristan draw their weapons and tossing his arms to the air the leader protests with a plea.


    ¡°No stop!!¡± the leader motioning for his own men to surrender their arms ¡°I apologize for the hostile act, I forgot our weapons have a personal defense on them that don¡¯t allow anyone else to use them, it¡¯s a self-reassurance to us because of our weakness¡±


    ¡°And that is?¡± asked Cloud still with a hand bolted to his hilt


    ¡°Our weapons are the only ones that can hurt us¡± and not believing the statement just told to him Cloud laughs ¡°Yeah right, I¡¯ve never heard of such armor that only one weapon can pierce¡±


    ¡°Then let me prove it to you, good Captain, please allow one of your guards to attack me using a bow, I will not move¡± and looking at him with uncertainty Cloud nods to one guard to strike him, aiming for the chest plate at almost point blank range he fires the arrow. Upon hitting the armor a field of force surrounds the armor and the leader redirecting the arrow has it impale into a structure beam.


    Shocked at the outcome Cloud questions ¡°How is that possible?¡±


    ¡°The guild I represent has many secrets, but even one such secret amongst us remains elusive and we believe that you have a man that can help us solve it¡± responds the leader ¡°So we asked permission to speak to your highest classed magistrate and scholar¡±


    ¡°What kind of secret¡± Tristan says wary of their motives


    ¡°That will be shown to you as soon as we are shown that your man can help us¡± the leader concluded and without further delay Cloud told the guards to escort the men to the courtyard, leaving their weapons at the guarding capabilities of Cloud and Tristan¡¯s men. Weapons are put to the ground by the horsemen to avoid any more harm to the guards and then the men are escorted as instructed.


    Waiting in the courtyard for some time the head scholar finally shows up and Dawn and Alisianna come in behind him wondering about the visitors they heard about.


    Looking at the man the horsemen whisper amongst themselves for a moment and the leader then addresses the Captains with a question.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry there seems to be some sort of a misunderstanding we will be leaving now¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s the problem?¡± asks Tristan


    ¡°We were expecting someone else to be in the position, an elven man¡­.a Drow actually is what we were told was the head scholar here¡± said the leader, and putting his head down for a moment Cloud spoke,


    ¡°Recent events had caused us to relocate him¡±


    ¡°You mean he¡¯s dead?¡± asked the leader


    ¡°No I mean just what I said he¡¯s been dismissed but if you want his help you only need to ask¡± Cloud said


    ¡°We were told that he possesses great knowledge at a very young aged mind, and may hold the necessary thinking to unlock the secret we hold?¡± replied the leader ¡°Unless of course this one can tell me what this is¡± he stated throwing Cloud a star shaped sapphire embedded with a symbol of a crest not known to many. Handing it to the newly appointed scholar who has a deep look of confusion on his face when looking at it, he then shakes his head with no knowledge of what it was and hands it back. Cloud then looks to Dawn who hands Cloud a golden bluish stone and gripping it tight Cloud disappears. Shocked at his disappearance the leader asked where we went.


    ¡°It¡¯s called a recall stone, and he used it to go where Rain the scholar you seek is located at¡± Dawn said.


    Minutes later Cloud emerges from the light again with Rain showing up behind him from a teleport, ¡°This had better be good Cloud I was in the middle of researching about-¡±


    ¡°Here look at this¡± Cloud interrupted tossing Rain the stone, Rain grabs it and with one good look chuckles to himself and laughing a little he throws it back.


    ¡°Well this was a waste of time¡± Rain said getting ready to teleport out


    ¡°Wait Rain!, what¡¯s wrong, why is it a waste of time¡± and rolling his eyes at Cloud¡¯s questioning he goes up to Cloud and taking the stone from his hand he explains,


    ¡°You see this groove here, and this arched ridge here, when you put them together it makes a symbol of a place that doesn¡¯t exist, it¡¯s called the Zenith Tower¡± and hearing those words put a smile on the leaders face and he tells his men to sit down. Looking to the leader Rain tosses the star stone back.


    ¡°Sorry my friend¡± Rain says laughing ¡°You got taken for a nice joy ride, this place doesn¡¯t exist¡±


    ¡°I assure you scholar it does¡± the leader says smiling at him


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t!¡±


    ¡°Yes it does¡±


    ¡°Are you brain dead or just plain stupid for having treasure blind you of your common sense, the place was created to ward off treasure seekers and useless adventures away from the actual places of great history and intrinsic value¡± Rain finishes shaking his head and walking away.


    ¡°Rain!¡± says the leader, and motioning to the rest of his men to take off their cloaks as well he does the same while talking, ¡°I don¡¯t make the claim of knowing it exists because I want to go there¡± throwing his cloak to the ground Rain now looks to golden chain mail armor that he is wearing, and the leather armor of golden color his men are dressed in with the same symbols as the star sapphire, ¡°I say it because we are from there, and need your help¡±


    ¡°With what¡± Rain asks still not convinced


    ¡°First answer me this riddle and we shall see then¡± the leader says getting ready to recite it


    ¡°I¡¯m found without seeking it¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m known without knowing it¡±


    ¡°I help but give no aid¡±


    ¡°Corruption is our weakness¡±


    ¡°Power is our enemy, what am I?¡±


    Sitting for a second to think the leader gets up and tells him that he¡¯ll be back in a couple of days to see what Rain will come up with, turning around to leave with his men Rain perks ¡°No need¡­..the answer is Enlightenment¡± and stopping in his track he turns and smiles to Rain, ¡°The very words we live by, my dear elf¡±


    ¡°Now it¡¯s your turn, what the hell do you want¡± Tristan blurts out growing very impatient, and telling his men to once again have a seat he then explains.


    ¡°Some time ago, a city known as the Crystal crown had been attacked and against over whelming odds it was destroyed but not before they got what they needed¡± he said


    ¡°Who are they?¡± Asked Alisianna


    ¡°A group running the banner of one called Colossus; he got into his possession a book capable of putting together a sword called-¡±


    ¡°The Azurewrath¡± Rain finished and smiling to him the leader nodded and continued ¡°We were then alerted to the enormous threat looming over the horizon and the newly appointed Templar Guardian, Eve Templaris was released from her slumber to look into the stopping of this threat, the guardians need to sleep for the power they hold is great, and would act as a beacon to seers and power swindlers alike if they wished hard enough to find the Zenith Tower. The secret we hold is actually two but one; we have no idea where to look for, so that¡¯s why we seek your help. We have figured that for the sword to reach its full destructive power, it needs to be blended with three essences of evil that are found inside shards of crystals, but our problem lies with being unable to figure out their locations in time. If Colossus finds them first who knows what he will use them for¡± the leader concluded.


    Looking at the leader very seriously Rain then asks ¡°How do we know what you say is your true intentions, not just some elaborate ploy to get us separated as a family and vulnerable?¡±


    And returning the look with one very serious of his own he replies ¡°You doubt my word and honor?¡±


    ¡°Just your motives and orders¡± Cloud spoke up in defense ¡°If you are so in need of his assistance, then perhaps you would be lenient enough to allow for actual introduction with this Templar Guardian of yours?¡±


    And not responding for a second to think and convene with his group he then turns to them with a response ¡°Very well but it will not be on the grounds of any land the banner that this city has domineering control over¡± negotiates the leader


    Thinking for a second Rain suggest an idea ¡°How about the ruins of the Crystal Crown place¡± and getting a looking of utter blunt insanity from the leader Rain continues ¡°What! Colossus has already been there right and gotten what he wanted so there won¡¯t be any reason for us to think we¡¯re in danger there, besides he burnt the place to the floor; and to add more assurance the place is a dead magic zone which will place me out of the running for a backstab, along with taking power away from magical weapons on both sides¡±


    Absorbing what was said the leader then convenes again with his party and turns around again with a nod of his head ¡°Very well, I will alert my Lady of the travel arrangement, but I am going to leave one of my men with your group for reassurance of no dishonorment on your end¡±


    ¡°And we would like to do the same with one of our men, so I¡¯ll go with your group to see the same on your end¡± stated Tristan


    ¡°I would allow it if it were possible but only those cleared by the Lady herself can travel to the tower, besides it would be foolish for us to attack you now or ambush you at the site until we have gotten what we wanted from you isn¡¯t that right?¡± the leader says


    ¡°Is that a promise for things to come¡± said Tristan griping his weapon at the hilt but being stopped by Cloud, tossing a look calming the ranger at bay.


    ¡°Tristan just wait, they haven¡¯t gone bad on their word yet, and they need us; we¡¯ll just watch our backs during this partnership¡± Cloud says sternly to the leader


    ¡°As we¡¯ll be watching ours¡± the leader says leaving the courtyard.

 Chapter 27

    Upon leaving the city Cloud tells Straud of the arrangement made Cynn, Maylor and Straud all join at the gathering of the meeting for the wealth of knowledge could be great and prosperous. Also joining is Rain, Cloud and Dawn along with the rest of their companions as well as Namor, Tristan and a handful of guards as well as the attendance of the man left behind by the Zenith leader. Waiting for a time, clouds to the sky suddenly go dark creating lightning hitting one spot in the air with the clouds beginning to spin in a circular pattern. The wind picks up causing a vortex in the cloud to occur forming them into a tornado like shape sideways. In seconds appearing from the wide end of the cone is Eve, with a squad of twelve men following in her wake, the portal closes and she then begins to just stare at the group of heroes having a smile emerge on her face.


    ¡°She could have at least worn more clothes, she looks like a whore¡± Elanee whispers leaning to Alisianna¡¯s ear and amused by the statement both Alisianna and Dawn quickly laugh.


    The men start to stare deeply at her flawless beauty and turning to Cloud Alisianna pushes up Cloud¡¯s lower jaw to meet the top of his mouth, smiling to his blind side ¡°Remember honey, your married now¡± she finishes with a hurtful pinch to his side jolting Cloud back to reality, Cloud stands up straight and shouts to the other guards to stand at attention.


    ¡°Greetings contingent of Silverspire, my name is Eve; Eve Templaris, high Templar of the Tower of the Zenith clan and protectors of the realm¡± she looks around and speaks again ¡°Who was the one who solved the riddle¡± and pointing to Rain the leader of Eve¡¯s guard then says ¡°HIM! My Lady¡± and motioning Rain to step forward he then casually walks up and laughs a bit.


    ¡°What is so amusing to you young Drow¡± Eve says to him


    ¡°Nice entrance but it still proves nothing of what you have claimed to us¡± Rain says.


    ¡°Then maybe enough talk has be exchanged I will now take you to my tower and you can judge the structure for yourself, you may pick of this gathering five other to accompany you to the tower¡± Rain then chooses his siblings as well as Cynn, Maylor and his uncle for it¡¯s their original goal to see Colossus fall. Cloud then turns to Tristan to give him the Captain power to the city until his return and then to his wife telling her he loves her and that this Eve has nothing over her, he then kisses her and smiling with a glow she wishes him good luck and watches him go. Eve then says a word ¡°Krebbleos¡± and the doorway portal opens. The leader then turns to the rest and says to them ¡°Do not try to open this portal for it would be pointless in case of need to reach one of these comrades, the portal will only open for a guardians command or the descendant of one of the Clan members¡± he concludes entering it and the gateway disappears.


    And following Tristan¡¯s lead, the group then goes back to the city. Artanis remains behind at his own leisure to see the groups return on schedule, while the others take the near two day journey south to the city. Upon hitting the city at nightfall Tristan asks Alisianna if she wished to spend the night at the castle, and tired from the long ride home she agrees to the invitation.


    Going back to her room Elanee then has a visitor in there waiting in a chair and about to call the guards he stops here ¡°Please don¡¯t my Lady for you had me summoned remember, I am a forging mage, and was told that you had need of my services?¡±


    ¡°Yes, of course forgive me for misjudging you¡± and bowing his head he waits for her order ¡°You see I need an item to be fashioned to prevent a dear friend of mine from falling under mind control again¡±


    ¡°A most difficult procedure that is my lady and the materials to create such an item are hard to come by¡±


    ¡°What do you require?¡± Elanee asked


    ¡°Well the easiest way to have the protection and most effective is a headband or a circlet if you want the proper term, and the materials to fashion this item is a valuable metal preferably Mage steel which is a hefty amount of gold, I have some but will need a valued item in exchange for its use¡± he explains and thinking for a second she snap her fingers


    ¡°I have something that will be of trade¡± and going into her wardrobe she then grabs the jeweled necklace Namor gave to her and hands it to him, he takes the necklace and casts a spell to appraise the item.


    ¡°This item will do but if I may my lady this friend of yours, is he your lover?¡±


    ¡°Lover... oh no, he wishes¡± she laughs while seeing the figure remain serious,


    ¡°My lady¡± he says again ¡°this is a very nice necklace the man who gave this to you wasn¡¯t him was it?¡±


    ¡°No?¡± she replied


    ¡°Do you want to think about this, the outcome I mean?¡±


    ¡°No I have already and he is important to me, I¡­I mean this realm and he needs to be protected by anything that could exploit him¡± and hearing this, the mage then nods his head.


    ¡°I also require the blood of a seer to blend the process with the circlet¡± and smiling she says


    ¡°Well you¡¯re looking at one my dear forger¡± Elanee boasts bringing a look of shock to his face at her answer ¡°A truly unique set of events have occurred here tonight my lady for finding both materials in one area is an act of the gods, or a woman who truly could be set on the right path¡± he smiles and grabbing a dagger from his belt and a vial from his pouch he then comes close to her ¡°Are you sure about this my dear for when this circlet is placed on his head, he will be forever immune to your powers¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sure¡± Elanee says nodding and quickly cutting a corner of her hand she grips his cloak from the pain, ¡°Sorry I apologize for the discomfort¡± he replies as he tips her hand to drip the blood into the vial, I shall have this made for you in a few days¡¯ time my Lady and about to leave he then asks ¡°who¡¯s necklace was this before it was giving to you?¡±


    ¡°An Ambassador named Namor¡± she answered and shocked due to the name she then asked why.


    ¡°He had a rip in his gloves and he asked me to fix them for him¡± the mage smirked


    ¡°Oh you do wardrobe repairs too?¡± Elanee questioned


    And smiling a bit he responded ¡°You could say that¡± and he disappeared wishing her a good night.


    Entering the tower, the initial looks to the tower was overwhelming; they all were impressed by the pristine construction and d¨¦cor of the place. Getting a tour of the facilities great hall first, then moving through to the chambers while getting a speech on the inner workings of the place from Eve.


    They then come to the room where Colossus disassembled the real clan members of the tower, and even cleaning as good as she could Sephinroth still couldn¡¯t get off all the scorch marks made by his awful spells.


    ¡°What happened in here?¡± asked Cynn


    ¡°Well if told to you that this place was a sanctuary I would definitely be lying¡± Eve said ¡°This place has seen its share of battle, triumphs as well as losses¡± and looking around carefully some group members grow suspicious of the Guardian but for now keep it to themselves, the group is then shown the final features of the tower including the forge which captures the attention of Cloud and Straud gazing at the wondrous weapons and armor crafted in the place, the magical workbenches and craft labs which takes the attention of Cynn, Maylor and Dawn. Leaving them to their areas, Eve then takes Rain to his haven, the great sanctum library of the Zenith clan. Rain is awed at the height of the cases reaching higher than he can see and witnessing more bookcases then he can count. Reading some titles of books on things he had never known existed, he is brought to a table with a book, bright golden covered and showing symbols on the front that look truly defining he then picks it up, and smiling at him she then says to him ¡°I¡¯m going to check on the rest, you going to be ok if I leave you here¡±The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.


    ¡°Oh yeah, I¡¯ll be fine Eve, and thank you for such an opportunity¡±


    ¡°Solve this riddle of a puzzle with us and the honor and thanks will be all mine my dear Drow¡± Eve says as she leaves the hall.


    Due to being his wife, Alisianna is given a guard detail from the elite guards of Namor¡¯s own to stand watch at her door. Getting disrobed and ready for a bed sleep, she lets out he hair holder clips and letting it down she stretches before bed. She then goes into a sitting position to do a type of natural meditation; the guards outside her door try to get a glimpse of her natural nymph beauty by looking through the keyhole of the door. Having one guard peeping into the hole the other stands close by listening to the description of what the other was seeing until a dagger stabs into the door just above the peeping guards¡¯ eye. Turning quickly around they draw weapons to see who attempted such an act, and lowering with shock they salute a very sinisterly angry looking Captain Tristan.


    ¡°Captain I didn¡¯t ¡­..¡±


    ¡°Shut Up!! You pigs, do you have any idea what an honor it is to be able to have permission to guard another Captain¡¯s wife¡± and taking the dagger from the door Tristan slices a cut mark very swiftly across both the men¡¯s faces just missing their eyes.


    Graveling in pain quietly he whispers to the guards ¡°Your lucky I don¡¯t take your eyes for such an immature dishonor and respect, now go switch guard duties with the prison guards of Silverspire¡± he bolts to them harshly


    ¡°Prison duty, we elite guards don¡¯t watch criminals and we are not under your command anyway¡± one guard replies back and without a blink Tristan unsheathes his sword and puts it to the guards¡¯ neck,


    ¡°That¡¯s a pity, because one such as you should be first in line to guard one of your own kind, now unless you plan to challenge my orders with a rebellious sword, I again politely asked you to do as I say¡± and shoving the guard off his blade end the two scamper away, one stopping to asked ¡°But who will watch the lady?¡±


    ¡°Not that it is any of your concern but I am from here on in until Cloud gets back¡± Tristan replies and they continue to go make the trade, shaking his head Tristan then knocks upon her door and only wearing a sheet to hide her figure Alisianna answers


    ¡°Tristan, is something wrong, where is my detail?¡±


    ¡°Something has come up Alisianna and they had to be removed¡± he replied to her


    ¡°Will I have another one?¡±


    ¡°Yes actually, I will be doing it for the rest of tonight after I make my rounds, and I was just checking to make sure that everything was alright¡±


    ¡°Yes everything is fine, and you don¡¯t need to waste the time guarding me I¡¯m sure I¡¯ll be fine¡±


    ¡°My dear the only way I know you will be fine is doing this very act myself, and I¡¯m sorry for disturbing you in such an unready state, please go back to what you were doing¡±


    ¡°OK¡± and about to close the door she opens it again¡± Oh and Tristan thanks for getting rid of them, I¡¯m sure they got their fill before you stopped them¡± she said and with a look of embarrassment on his face he nods to her and closes the door. The Silverspire guards show up some time later and being told to watch the hall until his return Tristan goes to check the rest of the halls.


    Finishing up all the halls except one he goes down Elanee and Namor¡¯s wing with his cat at his side, coming up to Elanee¡¯s door he sees Namor outside of it looking through an opening in the door seam, shaking his head and covering his eyes with his hand in disbelief he walks up to him ¡°I now know where they got it from, the king of swine himself¡± Tristan comments quietly to himself.


    ¡°Are you lost Namor?¡± he says out loud startling Namor¡¯s concentration


    ¡°Oh no Captain just getting some good night treats before bed¡±


    ¡°Wouldn¡¯t it be easier to just asked her to disrobe in front of you rather than spy¡±


    ¡°Easier yes but far less satisfying¡± Namor replied and shaking his head again he moves Namor aside and knocks on Elanee¡¯s door,


    ¡°What the hell are you doing Tristan¡± Namor demands from him and looking to him with an emotionless face he says very directly ¡°MY JOB AMBASSADOR!¡±


    Answering the door in a quickly wrapped up robe, laying out evidence that she was also naked Elanee addresses the disturbance.


    ¡°Oh hi Tristan¡±


    ¡°Milady, just making sure everything is good before I leave shift here¡±


    ¡°Oh everything is fine, Captain¡± she says to him pushing the wet hair from her eyes ¡°Just finished having a bath and was combing my hair before bed, and nodding his head she goes to close the door when Tristan sees the cut mark on her hand pushing the oak door shut, stopping it from closing with his foot she opens it again with confusing ¡°Something wrong Tristan?¡±


    ¡°Your hand, what happened¡± and looking down at it she looks up at him again


    ¡°Oh that, that¡¯s nothing I was grabbing my mirror and you know wet hands¡± she laughs ¡°I dropped it and it broke, then picking up the shards I cut myself that¡¯s all nothing major¡±


    ¡°You dropped your mirror¡± Tristan repeated with a suspicious tone of not believing her, he then moves into the room checking the closets and storage areas as well as out on the balcony, and while check he continues ¡°Look um with Cloud gone for a few days and maybe longer I¡¯m in charge with security, and you are an important watch to me so with your permission I would like to leave Anubis with you during this time just in case¡±


    ¡°Ok I¡¯ll take him off your hands, he is so cute¡± Elanee says rubbing Anubis¡¯s chin and getting a prrr of acceptance Anubis then jumps up to lay on Elanee¡¯s bed.


    ¡°Good, Anubis is the best guard cat I know, and with me watching Alisianna myself I need someone I can trust to do the same with you, after all you don¡¯t know who is watching you and at the most uncomfortable times¡± Tristan says staring at Namor hard and blushing a bit she then notices Namor standing in the door way.


    ¡°Namor what are you doing here?¡±


    ¡°Oh I was just going by and heard talking in here, umm good night Captain¡±


    ¡°Good night Ambassador¡± replies Tristan not even looking at him and going over to Anubis Tristan then says to him ¡°Do me a favor boy; if that slime ball Ambassador tries this act again, bite him¡±


    And going to leave her room Elanee kisses Tristan on the check ¡°You¡¯re so sweet for giving me your cat, thank you Tristan¡±


    ¡°Good night, Lady Elanee¡± he says leaving the room, Tristan stares at Namor.


    ¡°Out as well for you too ambassador for she needs her rest¡± and sending him out of the room, Namor then goes grumbling to his own chambers. Watching him go to make sure he doesn¡¯t come back Tristan then goes to guard Alisianna¡¯s door again.


    As nightfall hits the city Artanis sits at the ruins of Crystal Crown, waiting for the Drow group to return, waiting for hours to go by he gets impatient.


    ¡°How long can a tour of a tower take anyway they don¡¯t cover that much space¡± and walking around a bit he then starts to rehearse what the leader said to them about not allowed into the tower and pretending to be the Guardian he puts to the sky his arms mimicking the Zenith leader announcing out to the air ¡°Krebbleos¡± to his amazement he then has the portal open up to him, ¡°What the hell??¡± Artanis says with utter confusion upon his face but letting his curiosity get the best of him, he enters the portal.


    Checking out the other parts of the tower where the Drow group is in, Eve is interrupted by a guard to inform her that an intruder has been detected in the tower but doesn¡¯t know where.


    ¡°Damn it all, it¡¯s Logan again, that impatient cow can¡¯t honestly think I have the essences already, I¡¯m not even close¡­.not matter, find him, check everywhere¡± and she then goes back to see Rain.


    Returning to the library chamber she sees Rain¡¯s head sitting on the cover of the book.


    ¡°You know I¡¯ve tried that already and the information has to be read for it to go into your head¡± she smiles to him ¡°Hungry?¡± she asks getting a servant to bring some food and drink, and goes over to the table he was at.


    ¡°I¡¯ve been through this book and nothing in it makes sense at all, the numbers and letters don¡¯t match to anything later in the book and the sentences are all out of sequence as well as order¡± Rain explains not even lifting his head. Having the rest of the group come in to the room Cloud whistles at the sight of the room.


    ¡°Wow this is big, no wonder you haven¡¯t left here Rain¡± Cloud said and then Rain lifts his head to his brother with a beaten over look to his face, seeing his head rise up Dawn starts to laugh a bit.


    ¡°What¡¯s so funny Dawn?¡±


    ¡°Oh nothing just you have the imprint of a part of the cover on your forehead¡± she says


    ¡°Well I hope it¡¯s amusing as well as nice looking, hope I got the whole symbol, maybe it¡¯ll brand into my head so I can understand this stuff better¡± Rain exhaustedly said


    ¡°Well it kind of looks like the symbol here on the floor¡± she points out, and looking toward where she pointed he smirks a sec,


    ¡°Well that¡¯s just¡­.¡± And looking again at the symbol he then grips the book and walks fast up to it holding the book beside it ¡°Holy shit¡± getting an idea bred into his skull he turns to Cynn ¡°Can you lift me into the air here Cynn?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, but why¡±


    ¡°Just trust me please I have a theory, raise me up like twenty feet¡± Rain asks and doing so she raises him in the air, looking at the book cover again he shouts ¡°Higher Cynn¡± and again she raises him, ¡°Higher¡± he keeps shouting looking at the book cover every time, and nearly sitting almost 150 feet in the air he say ¡°Ok that¡¯s enough¡± and looking again he smiles a big smile down to them though they can¡¯t really see him. ¡°It¡¯s a map, the cover of the book it¡¯s a map of this room¡± and opening the cover of the book he reads the numbers in the first page ¡°Oh my god!, the book I have is a key stone to the tome text, the numbers here are locations to books all over the library, Cloud go to case four, shelf six, book ten¡± going to where he said he grabs the book


    ¡°Ok now what¡± says Cloud


    ¡°Open it to page two-hundred and ten, and read me the start of the second paragraph¡± Rain dictates to him, and upon reading it Rain laughs ¡°It works, hahaha it WORKS!¡± Rain says asking Cynn to lower him down, Rain then takes the book from Cloud and they all go to the table Rain was at so he could explain, he says that the golden book is a reference key to books all over the library, they have the missing pieces of text to finish the tome text in the back half of the golden book he demonstrates by taking the book Cloud had and using the paragraph from the page he open to, Rains uses it in between the two first paragraphs in the golden book to make sense of what he is reading.


    ¡°The next book must have the next paragraph for it¡¯s between the next two sections of text in the gold book too, and so on and so forth¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s a brilliant finding Rain¡± Eve said excitedly


    ¡°It¡¯s just the beginning though for this will take some time to find all the books as well as try to figure out where we need to look¡±

 Chapter 28

    Entering through the portal Artanis finds himself in a hallway similar to that of a Greek set up. White column pillars with grassy green vines and tree leaves wrapped around each one, going slowly down the hall looking for a door he sees no guards and torches light along the column¡¯s sides as he passes them. Artanis then reaches the end of the hallway to find one single door, light emanates from the edges of the door seam bright and gripping his blade tight at his side opening the door Artanis is blinded from the light until his eyes come into focus.


    Uncovering his eyes when the light doesn¡¯t hurt anymore he then sees a most breathtaking sight. An alter sits in the middle of the room, or so what he still thinks is a room for the pillar columns now make a connecting stone ring at the top of them. No walls hold the chamber in tacked just miles and miles of ocean scenery all around is surrounding this little island like room, blue sky in the air above him with a gentle wind blowing and the sun shining down. Artanis sees a pedestal in the middle of the alter, going up to it he appraises the pedestal material, ¡°It¡¯s diamond, the whole pedestal is fashioned from diamond, my god this would be worth more than all the gold in the world any king has¡± Artanis says loudly and through the pedestal¡¯s clarity does he notice a book closed on the podium. The book looks like it could be from a simple shop for nothing amazing stood out; it just looked like a simple book. Artanis then strokes the side binding on the book and just looking at it he hears a voice.


    ¡°Go ahead pick it up¡± echo¡¯s from the island room and drawing his sword quickly Artanis spins around stopping the blade at the cloaked figures throat, or so he hopes, ¡°My, my you are a fast one aren¡¯t you¡± it echo¡¯s again,


    ¡°Who are you?¡± asked Artanis not removing the blade just yet.


    ¡°My name is of no consequence and for as to what I am, that¡¯s a little tricky, in simplest terms I¡¯m a consulate of this room and of its message to be passed on to leaving descendants of the members of the Zenith Tower¡± the figure said unmasking himself to reveal a normal human looking man with a fatherly look to him.


    ¡°To consulate who? And for what purpose?¡± Artanis then inquired


    ¡°Why for you Artanis¡±


    ¡°And why me, I¡¯m not of this place nor am I anyone¡¯s kin¡±


    ¡°I beg to differ for you are of this place or you would simply not be here, and for being no one¡¯s kin well that¡¯s wrong too¡­.for you are mine¡±


    Raising an eyebrow Artanis judders out with a small laugh ¡°I think you¡¯ve been haunting here too long¡­I¡¯m not your son¡± the figure says no reply, only raises his left hand revealing it and a ring wrapped to his index finger. Staring at it Artanis holds a glare as the color drains from his face, ¡°Where did you get that¡± Artanis demanded


    ¡°It¡¯s mine son¡±


    ¡°You lie¡± Artanis gritted with heat, ¡°I hold no reason to deceive you son¡±


    ¡°Shut-up!¡± spat Artanis jolting his blade in intimidation, Artanis move backward toward the door and feeling for the handle he turns it and quickly spins to exit. Slamming the door hard his head hits the wood and Artanis holds deep thought, clearing his mind once more Artanis goes to leave but opening his eyes does he see he still stands in the same wall less chamber. Artanis holds a glare for still to his eyes is the figure, ¡°Son¡­¡±


    ¡°What the hell is this¡± Artanis interrupts and spins to again leave only to walk again to the same room and the sword falls from his hand clanging to the floor, Artanis lifts his shaking arm to point a finger at the man.


    ¡°YOU! YOU ARE NOT MY FATHER!¡± he bolted ¡°That¡¯s impossible¡±


    ¡°No Artanis just improbable¡­..please let me explain before a judgment is past¡±


    Going into a story of how Artanis was born, the man said that it started with him working on some things in the lab when he heard the alarm sound, going around and detecting life in every room he finally found the intruder a woman, Tiefling in nature, she was a thief and judging by what she had taking the best he had ever seen, she had weapons and scrolls from the armory and enough magic to use against him in a battle, they fought for some time until finally she was beaten, exhausted from wasting almost half of his magic he was to say the least curiously impressed, with her knowledge of the craft and hearing the guards approaching, he knew what would become of her so in the short time he had to think. He made a decision that would forever alter his life; he let her go, and taking back the items she stole. Telling the guards that she escaped while he was confronting her about the items, days later she returned but instead of fighting she confronted him about a problem she had with another. Weeks went by and he eventually helped her through the troubled times and in so doing they started to fall in love.


    The relationship being unlawful to the code he lived but mattered to him not, and stretching across years they always meet in secret. One day, a child was conceived through their love, the start of their problems than begin; for the council was then magically alerted to the crisis at hand. They had a seer in the membership who told what was happening and finally he was confronted about it, not lying because of not being ashamed for what he had done he told the council the truth. He was told that his union of togetherness was forbidden and as for desecrating their laws, even further by having a child, he would then be punished. He had to choose between his family and his involvement with the Zenith clan, but loving his family as much as he did he could not bring himself to resign from the group. He told his wife that they had to stay apart and not understanding the reason for his decision as any wife would she grew angry. She would do as he was asked under one condition, that he cast a spell to remove his fatherly involvement from their child¡¯s mind, and understanding that she didn¡¯t want emotions of hate to hinder upon his son¡¯s life he reluctantly agreed. And they were never seen again.


    Sitting on the floor with his mouth open Artanis was speechless as well as shocked beyond all thought, finally after a long couple moments passed he then asked


    ¡°So are you umm alive?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry son I was among those fighting against Colossus when he attacked the tower, he killed all of us, I am a spirit but due to the fact you are still alive and carry my blood you have the right to be in this tower¡±


    ¡°This is a little much to handle for me right now, I would like to go and come back when it is sorted through my head¡±


    ¡°Very well my son, with you still being alive means that I will remain until you fully understand you position here, but before you go please take the book with you and keep it safe¡±


    ¡°What is it?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s called the Tome compendium of Celestial Arcane, and it is the most complete record of events in the timeless continuum, you simply need to touch it and upon thinking of what you want to know the pages will appear with the information you seek¡±. Taking the book he then tries it out, thinking of something he opens the book to see three words written there, Your fathers Magic, and turning around Artanis asks his father ¡°I thought of how my defilement from Logan was possible, and this came up¡± he said showing him the page and reading it for himself Artanis¡¯s father answers him


    ¡°It must have been from when I blocked your mind from my images of being your father, and against his blood control they must have counteracted with each other¡± Artanis¡¯s father explains. Absorbing the explanation although still not understanding any better, Artanis then leaves the room with the book.


    The next morning at the castle Alisianna is out for an early ride on a horse at the stables when Elanee goes out to meet her with Anubis in tow, watching Alisianna ride for a time by herself Elanee then waves her over.


    ¡°Hey new day to you¡± says Alisianna to Elanee riding up to the fence, and getting on a horse herself she asks if she can join her


    ¡°Sure, is Namor coming too?¡± Alisianna asks


    ¡°Nope just me and Anubis¡± replied Elanee ¡°Apparently Tristan is over concerned for my welfare and not being able to guard me himself he gave me his cat¡±


    ¡°Well sorry I stole him away¡± Alisianna said laughing


    ¡°Where is he anyway?¡± Elanee said


    ¡°Oh he went hunting with a band of men at the crack of dawn¡± and showing a look of worry she then thought to herself for a second


    ¡°Hey he¡¯ll be back soon, don¡¯t worry you can have some of my bodyguard till he gets back if you want¡± Elanee smiled


    ¡°It¡¯s not that¡± she replied


    ¡°I¡¯m sure Cloud is fine Alisianna, besides the elders are there with him to make sure they didn¡¯t get mislead¡± Elanee comforted


    ¡°It¡¯s not them I don¡¯t trust¡± Alisianna stated


    ¡°I know, I don¡¯t trust her either, I mean when has Rain ever gone with a girl he hardly knew without getting some rude punches off on them first¡± Elanee said concerned


    ¡°Hey there¡¯s only room for one worried and suspicious lady over here Elanee, besides why are so uptight about her anyway, she¡¯s with Rain not Namor¡­..unless your worrying is not for that purpose?¡± she says to Elanee with a confused but small grin.


    ¡°I have no idea what you¡¯re getting at¡± responded Elanee kicking her horse to start riding and Anubis then follows, and following her Alisianna catches up


    ¡°I think you do¡­Elanee¡­do you have feelings for Rain?¡± and Elanee says nothing ¡°Elanee, come on its me here, you can talk to me¡±


    And pausing for a moment Elanee then answers her ¡°Ok, remember what I told you and Dawn about the tests at the Shadowell dance¡± and nodding Elanee then goes on ¡°Well, I left one on them out, you see there was a kiss we had to share¡­¡± and interrupting her Alisianna gasps and covers her mouth excited likeThis content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    ¡°You and Rain had to kiss, well how was it, did you like it?¡± she asked and looking around and getting a little bashful she nodded her head


    ¡°It¡­it was the best I had ever had¡± and growing a worried look again she lowered her head a bit ¡°And therein lies the problem, I¡¯m so scared and confused I don¡¯t know what to do, after that kiss I have saw Rain differently, and not just physical either I mean how he thinks, talks, makes direct eye contact¡±


    ¡°Do you love Rain?¡± Alisianna asks her


    ¡°Maybe, no, I mean I care for them both a lot and¡­..god I¡¯m so confused¡± Elanee says


    ¡°Well as your friend Elanee, if you love Namor, don¡¯t risk anything to jeopardizes that, stay with him, but if there is no feelings of love don¡¯t string him along¡±


    ¡°And what about Rain¡± Elanee asks


    ¡°Do yourself and Rain a favor, forget about him, I¡¯m not saying that it will be easy but it¡¯s right Elanee, but one things for sure if you try to hold on to both you¡¯ll lose both, you need to choose and choose soon¡± and understanding Elanee and her then ride off down the trail.


    Writing out the sections of text on scrolls Rain then spends time studying them while everyone else spends their time enjoying the rest of the tower. With Cynn busy reading a book intently Rain suddenly perks up, ¡°Hey! I got it¡± Rain said standing up scaring Cynn and making her drop her book, ¡°Sorry¡± Rain said going over to her and Eve joins in the group, ¡°You see this marking, and the description of misty hills, and then finally this saying, they who would walk for a second lifetime¡±


    ¡°Yeah¡± Cynn replies thinking of where he¡¯s going with this


    ¡°I think the first essence is at the shaded hills¡± Rain said excitedly looking to Cynn who returns to Rain a most distressing look of worry, ¡°Something wrong, Cynn?¡±


    ¡°Well, there¡¯s something you don¡¯t know about the hills there¡± she stated


    ¡°Look I know that they¡¯re rumored to be haunted but really you believe that?¡± Rain asks


    ¡°NO, but believe me Rain it¡¯s much more than a rumor, you see about seven hundred years ago, two small keeps ran by two wealthy lords lived in the area. They lived in peace and harmony but the armies didn¡¯t understand why, one night both armies rose up against one another without the approval of the lords and they attacked each other in those very hills slaughtering almost everyone. Returning from a battle that gained no ground for either side the lords were furious with their men, so at night when all the men left were asleep the lords crept in to their rooms killing off the rest of them, burying them with the others out in the hills, the two lords then put a hex on the ground telling them they could never rest until the armies forgave, and could work together toward a common goal that was mutually benefiting for both parties¡± Cynn explained


    ¡°Wow, interesting tale, I¡¯m surprised I¡¯d never heard that one for a bed time story from uncle¡± Rain said interested


    ¡°Oh he would have if it wasn¡¯t for us camping there a few nights not at first believing in the tale ourselves, then one night nine of our men disappeared from watch, we searched everywhere to find them thinking they wondered off, and then it happened¡± Cynn elaborated


    ¡°What, what happened?¡± asked Rain totally grossed with the story


    ¡°We were attacked by skeletons we had never encountered before, they were very skilled fighters matching skills with Straud himself, and even more stressing is that some of them weren¡¯t affected by magic at all, but could cast it, priests were of no use due to the fact they were cursed which at the time we didn¡¯t know, I think now if Maylor was to lift the curse he could then use his holy word ability to destroy them. But even more distressing about the situation was that we had thought some of us saw a Mummy of great power who dwelled there¡± Cynn finished ¡°You might not know of the tale but of the other name the hills have been called, the tome of the restless dead!¡±


    ¡°Hey, I have heard of that¡± Rain replied


    ¡°So what essence is said to be there Rain¡± asked Eve after hearing the tale


    ¡°Um¡­.Fear I think, it says that it is forsaking to be touched by any other than that of a cold embrace, whatever that means, I don¡¯t know¡± Rain says


    ¡°Well we¡¯ll have to figure it for ourselves, but we should gather the others and tell them what you have found out¡± and about to leave Cynn turns to ask Eve ¡°You wouldn¡¯t by chance know if this place keeps maps of these places somewhere would you, for those hills have catacombs buried underneath and we¡¯ve never been down in there¡±


    ¡°It could take days to find them in here Judicator¡± said Rain, ¡°but Silverspire carries some from a quest they did there, that well didn¡¯t go very well¡±


    ¡°See if you can get them and I¡¯ll bring our clan up to date¡± Cynn commanded and Rain was escorted by Eve out of the tower to the exit gate.


    ¡°Just walk through and picture where you want to be, the gate will send you there¡± Eve explains and upon thinking of it Rain is transported to the Silverspire gates, he is greeted by men armed from seeing the portal of clouds open and not knowing what it was, he is then granted access and let in.


    He is met by Tristan who informs him of Artanis still awaiting their arrival back, Rain then quickly teleports to his location and telling all about the tower and first that everyone is ok and unharmed. He explains his findings and about where the first essences is, telling Rain that Logan has been there with having memories of the place, Artanis partitions to be able to accompany them, ¡°That¡¯ll work good because they are immune to spells which renders me useless¡­again and also this way I can work on finding the location of the next one by the time you return from getting the first¡± and putting the plan into motion they teleport back to the city.


    Meanwhile Elanee coming back from a busy day to her quarters is scared again by the forge mage, who has her item requested in hand awaiting her return.


    ¡°I thought you said a couple of days, it¡¯s only been one?¡± Elanee asks


    ¡°Actually I have been done for about half the day with this; your blood is truly great, it bonded almost instantly with the headband which is odd, they generally take more time than that¡± and handing it to her she takes it and thanks him for the service, also she tells him that she wants this kept a secret from anyone knowing she created it for him and nodding saying most customers like it that way. He¡¯s used to keeping his mouth shut, gesturing her to use it wisely he leaves in a puff of smoke. She sits down to write a letter to Rain explaining the use of the headband and upon finishing it sees Captain Tristan entering her room, knocking he asks if he could disturb her to tell her that Rain has returned from the tower to grab some maps.


    ¡°He¡¯s here...Now!¡± she says crumpling up the note and tossing it away, ¡°Where?¡± she asks


    ¡°In the Library, Lady Elanee¡± and going up to him and apologizing for not talking with him she explains she must see him and with Anubis on her heels she goes past him. And smiling to himself he continues down the hall.


    Rain and Artanis are in the mists of gathering the maps of the known areas of the catacombs, Artanis was unusually calm and quite which got Rain to inquire as to what was wrong.


    ¡°I met on my return here an informant that has been left to notify me of guild activity from you know who¡¯s band that we eliminated from Silverspire¡±


    ¡°What you mean the Nod Guild?¡± said Rain


    ¡°Yeah¡±


    ¡°And¡± gestured Rain for more


    ¡°Well there was talk that some members were wanting that cache of weapons that Elanee and you broke up last year, not being able to locate you for retribution they know she is here ¡­¡±


    ¡°Where are they?¡± Rain scampered for an answer


    ¡°I don¡¯t know¡±


    ¡°When do they plan on attacking?¡±


    ¡°No idea¡±


    ¡°Artanis¡± Rain hyped out


    ¡°Hey Rain it¡¯s only talk, but if it is true¡±


    ¡°She won¡¯t even see the attack coming¡± ended Rain ¡°I need to protect her but with Namor lurking around every turn she makes I can¡¯t even get close¡±


    ¡°To hell with that pile of worm goop, you do what you need to Rain, this is Elanee were talking about¡± Artanis ends huffed with Rain calming him with motions of his hand that someone was coming.


    As Artanis organizes them by levels he sees Elanee come in to the room.


    ¡°Elanee¡± says Artanis and Rain lifts his head, she waves to him and he nods to her while he keeps looking for more maps and scrolls.


    ¡°Could I have a moment with Rain in private Artanis?¡± she asks him, replying Artanis grins ¡°Sure, I needed to go and make sure the torches in the hall were perpendicular anyway¡± and leaves the room.


    Going up to Rain Elanee takes a breath and holding the head band in her hands she says to him.


    ¡°Going on a treasure hunt, or something¡± and looking up at her he laughs


    ¡°Treasure hunt no, I found the first evil essence and need some maps of the area to navigate quickly through and beat Colossus to it¡± he says and going past her he notices the item in her hands. ¡°What is that?¡±


    ¡°Oh this, it¡¯s for you, I had it made¡± she said and putting down the scrolls he gently takes it from her offering hands and looks at it.


    ¡°Is this what I think it is Elanee, is this a Circlet of mind shielding¡± and smiling she answers ¡°Yes it is, and to get it made took more effort than I thought, that guy needed some of my blood to finish it¡±, standing there stunned Rain just looks at it.


    ¡°Is something wrong Rain, is it made poorly?¡± she said worrying


    ¡°Oh no it¡¯s fine, actually it¡¯s amazing, it¡¯s just no one has ever does this kind of thing for me before¡­..Thank you Elanee¡± he says going up to give her a hug.


    ¡°You¡¯re welcome Rain¡± she replied ¡°It was supposed to take longer but the ¡­.person who made it for me said my blood was very strong for a seer, and it only took half a day¡± and snapping his fingers Rain bolted out


    ¡°That reminds me of something¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°It was the thing I was looking in to before all this happened¡±


    ¡°And that was?¡±


    ¡°You actually Elanee, your seer abilities, Lalandra¡¯s tome collection is really quite amazing¡­.anyways I don¡¯t think you¡¯re a seer at all¡±


    ¡°Really¡± she said taking a chair to listen


    ¡°No, you see seer powers don¡¯t advance like you have said yours are, plus they aren¡¯t found in girls anyway, only males carry the seer ability, something in their makeup I think, anyways¡­Elanee I think you¡¯re an Oracle¡± he says


    ¡°A¡­Oracle? What is that?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s like a seer but you have the power for the time you are connected to another to borrow their powers like you have done, and dig through minds like you have also done, seers don¡¯t do those things they can only see things that have happened and some future premonition powers but nothing like you have done¡± Rain explained excitedly


    ¡°And how many of these Oracles are there?¡± Elanee asks


    ¡°Only one born a generation per realm, a very rare, rare find you are Elanee¡±


    ¡°Well thanks, I think¡­¡± Elanee says and saying nothing Rain breaks the uncomfortable silence, ¡°Well I should be heading off here¡±


    ¡°Is that other girl coming too?¡±


    ¡°You mean Eve¡± Rain says ¡°No, I¡¯m not going either me and her are staying back to locate the second one¡±


    ¡°Rain I know we have had our differences and I know that you don¡¯t like me that much...¡± thinking of the words to state her worries,


    ¡°Hey, you¡¯re wrong Elanee, I do care for you, especially after all we have gone through together to save my family¡± and smiling at Rain¡¯s words she says


    ¡°Rain I don¡¯t trust that Guardian I don¡¯t trust her one bit¡±


    ¡°Eve Templaris? Why?¡±


    ¡°She just gives off a bad feeling for me, and since you now say I¡¯m an Oracle, just be careful around her ok¡± she said sympathetically to him


    ¡°Alright I will Elanee, but I don¡¯t think you need to worry, I¡¯ll be fine¡± and nodding her head she goes to leave but closing her eyes and stopping her tracks she turns around.


    ¡°Rain, one more thing¡­.a question actually¡±


    ¡°Yes¡±


    ¡°Back at the Shadowell city dance when we had to you know¡­kiss¡­did you¡­did you feel anything¡­for me that is, after that?¡± and having his back turned to her he closed his eyes and took a breath ¡°No! Nothing outside of the regular feelings I have for you, why?¡±


    ¡°Oh nothing I was just wondering¡± and walking away again Rain stops her with the same question.


    ¡°Did you feel anything different for me Elanee¡± turning around she looks at the ground not making eye contact she answers him,


    ¡°n-No¡± Elanee stutters out, ¡°just after the kiss I thought that maybe the other was thinking something that wasn¡¯t true, that¡¯s all. Just wanted to clear up any misunderstandings¡± and concluding her thoughts she then looks up at him with a disappointing look to his back, ¡°Sorry to break up any intimate moments that were going on but we really should get going Rain¡± Artanis interrupted entering the room again, with both Rain and Elanee warding off such a guess of his. Artanis picks up half the scrolls in his hands and with Rain doing the same teleport away. Elanee seeing them off after the light show goes to leave when she hears the falling of a book to the floor, turning around she sees the book Artanis had, that seemed to have slipped out of his belt under his wraps from gripping all the scrolls, picking it up she reads the title tome of Celestial Arcane to herself and figures that it is Rains book, she takes it with her out of the room to hold it for him till he returns, and goes to her own room then after.

 Chapter 29

    The next few days that passed Elanee was told of Namor helping at the orphanage, she was told that he was playing with the children as well as aiding where he could. Elanee couldn¡¯t believe such acts were possible so on one day not scheduled to go there she went any way hoping to catch him in the act, and catch him she did, he eyes widen as well as her heart warming to the thought that change in everyone is possible.


    In later days to come she would pass by him with both in route to duties and not giving away that she knew anything gave him a kiss periodically in their travels, having Namor turn not knowing why such gestures were shown. During the next week while getting supplies for the orphanage Elanee was finishing up with the market and on her way back there before heading home a strange feeling came over her, she would turn every once in a while to see if someone was following her but never seeing any figures that she was just being paranoid. Almost to the orphanage she dropped something and picking it up did she see someone from the corner of her eyes approach her swiftly from behind. She heard a blade being unsheathed from a belt and dropping the items she had she went to stop the striking arm, holding but losing the strength battle the blade drew ever closer to her throat, she saw a being from her left appear as if out of nowhere in her defense. Focusing to her aid she saw it to be Namor, stopping the assassin¡¯s hand Namor fired it back at the assassin hitting himself with it and dislodging the blade from his hand. Swinging around Namor tossed the creation into a nearby building knocking him out. Elanee called to him with a pointing finger as three more men attacked him from behind. Drawing his blade Namor showed to Elanee¡¯s face his battle skill that she didn¡¯t know he had, subduing the assassin¡¯s with great haste and speed. After the final one fell Elanee came running to his side for safety, backing away for a moment Elanee noticed Namor gripping his shoulder that she saw was bleeding.


    ¡°You¡¯re hurt!¡± she cried


    ¡°It¡¯s nothing Elanee just a scratch, a worthy price to pay to see you still breathing¡± Namor said smiling while holding in the pain of the stab wound. Guards then came from around the corner asking what happened and if Namor was ok, he said he was fine but requested that Elanee be escorted home from here, for fear of another attack.


    ¡°Why don¡¯t you take me home?¡± she asked


    ¡°Those Assassin¡¯s all carry a mark, I want to know if there are more around, maybe I can get a lead on them¡± Namor replied and in shock Elanee asked to go with him warming even more to the thought that he was now interested in her master field.


    ¡°Please Elanee I wish you to head home now, for the further you are from harm the clearer headed I can think¡± smiling to his concern for her well-being Elanee nodded and complied with him and going steps with the guards she then turned to him.


    ¡°You know you sound like Rain saying that the way you did¡±


    ¡°But he wasn¡¯t here to save you today, me and my non-magical weapon did¡±


    ¡°Yes you did¡± Elanee smiled and carried on with the guards


    Watching her go until vanishing from sight Namor went around the buildings corner and in a cloud of smoke that surrounded him he changed forms, Rain emerged from the mist and leaning his head back holding his arm he saw from the corner of his eye a guard witnessing his change, teleporting beside him Rain jolted him against a wall side demanding to hear from his lips to a secret of he had just saw, the guard nodded with a shot of fear and Rain let him go to run off about his duties, turning around leaning against the wall Rain banged his head against it with anger for what he had just done.


    Finishing up with a meeting from the minister of economics representing Silverspire, Namor retired to his chambers, but opening the door he got a surprise of candlelight neatly placed around the room, and lying on his bed was Elanee and a table tray filled with a dinner for two.


    ¡°Tough Day you had eh!¡± said Elanee getting up and showing Namor her dress which was a sleek purple gown cut but very revealing. Namor entered with both a very puzzled and lustful look as he gazed upon her form, ¡°I thought after everything you had done today that you might enjoy a quiet dinner for two¡­well theoretically speaking¡± Elanee giggled as she poured some wine and taking a sip she then ran her finger down the front of her dress between her breasts. ¡°What do you say?¡± she ended with an enticing look.


    ¡°I¡¯d have to first point out that your health may be flawed, are you feeling ok¡± Namor said arching his eyes in wonder and deceit.


    ¡°Oh Namor please don¡¯t be coy, your modesty is admirable but starting to grow tiring, I¡¯ve been watching you the past weeks and I must say most impressed I have been¡±


    ¡°Elanee I have been in meetings all day¡±


    ¡°Oh I know you have¡­you probably needed to sit after this morning little exercise¡±


    ¡°Exercise¡± Namor worded still puzzled


    ¡°Saving my life from those bandits, did you ever find out who they were¡± Elanee came up to him stroking his chest with her hands.


    ¡°Oh right the bandits well no leads as of yet¡± Namor said playing up the role


    ¡°I just thought a nice dinner and then maybe if you¡¯re not too tired¡­some desert¡± she said seductively walking away and lying provocatively onto the bed again.


    ¡°Dinner sounds great, I¡¯ll just change out of this¡± Namor said quickly as he rushed to the back bath room to change.This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.


    ¡°Don¡¯t keep me waiting¡± Elanee said


    Outside sitting on the ledge wall of the keep watching in on Namor¡¯s room, Rain sits cloaked by shadow and his own hood watching the two enjoy a night of feasting off each other¡¯s hands through Namor¡¯s chamber window. Rain endures his biggest nightmare as they finish eating and get comfortable while kissing each other slowly disrobing one another, getting undressed they slide under the covers about to start the desert phase of their evening. Rain closes his eyes periodically to avoid mind scolding for he knew that this he had been brought about himself, but then notices shadows moving in through the chamber window into the room.


    Rain taking initiative action disappears in a mist; the assassin¡¯s draw blades startling the two lovers into hiding their naked bodies by use of the sheer thin sheets. Elanee crawls behind Namor who is frozen with fear as one thug puts the lock board on the room door. Rain appears in the shadows of the room¡¯s corner telling the thugs to leave or die, refusing they attack Rain. In his own form summoning his sword Rain makes short work of the thugs frying the first with a bolt of lightning and another with an arrow conjured of acid, he takes down the last two men in a bloody lengthened scrape to the death, finishing the last one by cutting his throat. Rain unlocks the banging door from the guards on the outside; getting in to see Rain who explained what happened. Rain leaves the lovers company for his vision couldn¡¯t take anymore, and exited out the room and down the hallway.


    Elanee quickly put on a robe and ran to catch up with him, ¡°Rain Wait¡± gripping his wounded shoulder to slow him down; Rain grips it with a shot of pain running to his face, Elanee let¡¯s go with shock ¡°Your shoulder¡­what happened, I didn¡¯t see you get hit there during the fight¡±


    ¡°This nothing, just hurt myself earlier that¡¯s all, you alright¡± Rain quickened back


    ¡°I¡¯m fine, it¡¯s funny Namor had an injury on the same shoulder today, in there tonight I checked on it but he seemed to have healed fully¡± she said thinking


    ¡°Good for him¡± Rain broke out cold then proceeded to walk away again when Elanee took to a pondering thought,


    ¡°He has changed in action so much as of late that it¡¯s like it wasn¡¯t him at all¡­it was you wasn¡¯t it, you shoulder injury is when you saved me earlier, right¡±


    ¡°Saved you earlier Elanee what¡­¡± Rain says shaking his head looking to see her face full of betraying discovery


    ¡°Rain, don¡¯t lie to me¡­ (Rain goes silent) you saved me didn¡¯t you, and you looked like him when you did, it¡¯s been you these last weeks¡¯ hasn¡¯t it saving me and at the orphanage¡­why?¡± Rain knew his cover was blown and he had nothing to save it, he huffed as he now finally failed on it


    ¡°I got a tip from Artanis that the old thug group we tried to take down regarding the weapon cache was going to take you out, you needed protecting and being in his form wouldn¡¯t aroused suspicion¡±


    ¡°Except by me Rain, didn¡¯t you think of that?¡± Elanee grow louder, Rain¡¯s tone turned to a serious address


    ¡°It was what you wished for all this time anyway, all that was lacking was a little more to take that last step¡±


    ¡°I did this tonight because I though he had changed Rain, I thought he was trying to become the man I¡­¡±


    ¡°Wanted¡± Rain finished ¡°Well that¡¯s what I gave you, the man of your dreams handed to you on a silver platter¡±


    ¡°But he hasn¡¯t changed Rain you did those things, it was you doing the good deeds and you who saved my life!¡± Elanee shouted


    ¡°El-


    ¡°Shut-up Rain, I¡¯m not finished¡± she scolded ¡°you glimmered up a show that he played on and that I bought into fully, I don¡¯t know who of you two I hate more right now¡±


    ¡°Me don¡¯t confuse that¡±


    She hissed out a hurting laugh ¡°You would simply like it that way wouldn¡¯t you; well it is not that simple Rain. I¡¯m not some game piece you can just move around a board Rain, I have a soul, feelings and up until now I had trust¡­in you!¡±


    ¡°Ha! You¡¯ve never trusted me¡±


    ¡°Yes I did, more that you know¡± she spat back in frustration, she shakes her head ¡°do you have any idea what I was about to do in there¡­you do don¡¯t you, you were watching me¡­us, that¡¯s how you got there in time, you knew that I might¡­¡± Elanee goes silent and closing her eyes she leans up against the wall tilting her head back in shame ¡°This is your fault¡± she said almost weeping in shame.


    ¡°If everything is my fault then why do you still wear that?¡± Rain blasted pointing to her necklace he gave her.


    ¡°Because it means¡­something¡­to me (looking at its design, and then reaching to her robe pocket pulling out the mage boots she looks at a symbol similar on both things) this isn¡¯t a luck mark, it¡¯s a wizard mark¡­your mark, but it¡¯s also on these boots and¡­Rain did you make these¡±


    Thinking of a way out of it Rain comes up empty,


    ¡°Yea, I did¡±


    Elanee was baffled at the discovery that everything Namor has done and said to her was a lie to bring her close to him, she then sees the guards leave with the bodies Rain disposed of and the sound of Namor¡¯s voice calling for her to return.


    ¡°I see prince charming is hoping to finish the evening, better not disappoint him now¡± said Rain walking away ¡°and your welcome¡± he adds leavening. Elanee wanted to say something but nothing came to mind as she just watched him go, she put the boots away and walked back to Namor¡¯s chambers saying nothing of the conversation she just had and the knowledge she now knew. Namor started kissing her once again and stopping him she says if they can continue this evening another night for the battle gave her a headache, Namor reluctantly agrees feeling annoyed that he came so close to what he wanted. Elanee then retires to her room with a thought that Rain¡¯s feelings for her might not be as he said and if not, how long has he had them.


    Sitting in her room, with Anubis on the bed beside her she looks through the book she found to see nothing but blank pages, putting it down open on her lap she then thinks about what Rain said to her about being a Oracle, suddenly text appeared on the pages in the book open to her and looking down the pages revealed all about Oracles.


    Picking it up again she reads for a time; it tells of a prophecy of an Oracle that was found in a cave, rescued and then raised to maturity by a knight¡¯s code, taught through the hands and mind of an instructor leading an orphanage. Realizing the identical resemblance of her own history she then continued with a knotted stomach. She got to a portion about a event that happened some time ago, the book had kept the recordings of the event Sephinroth tried to delete from the history books, but the Tome was able to override the magic and kept it written in secret amongst these pages, reading farther she then got to a passage about the physical description of the adult host for this cursed being, getting very uncomfortable as she read that the description was identical to her own looks, down to the smallest detail. As she read a finale part about the trigger to unleash this evil again, she dropped the book and ran to get some parchment to copy this information down, taking a good portion of the night she used page after page to get every single sentence down. Closing the book up the information on the pages in the book disappeared and putting the book away, she re-read her notes she took and tried to think if there was some way that it couldn¡¯t be about her. Worrying and stressing her poor mind, speculating scenarios about it for a time she finally through exhaustion falls asleep

 Chapter 30

    With Rain gone for a short time back to the city, Eve excuses herself to retire in to her quarters for some time until he returns.


    While lounging, she gets a visit from Logan who appears in her room.


    ¡°So how¡¯s it going with the family, found out anything yet?¡± and smiling a little she walks over to him sweeping his legs out from under him, bringing her other leg to his neck she holds him to the floor pinning him in a way that he can¡¯t reach his weapons ¡°Why are you spying on me, and why are you showing up when they are here, you know that could be disastrous¡±


    ¡°What the hell are you talking about; this is my first time here since I left¡±


    ¡°You lie¡±


    ¡°Not this time I¡¯m not, I¡¯ve been doing nothing but attending to Colossus¡¯ whim and words since I went back, and with the¡­shall we say edge he has on me I really have no choice¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s fun being under someone¡¯s foot making sure that you don¡¯t do anything to get squashed isn¡¯t it¡± Eve said smiling


    ¡°I prefer to do the pressure pushing myself, and speaking of pressure let me up¡± Logan gasp and releasing him up to his feet Logan holds his throat, while Eve continues the interrogation


    ¡°So you weren¡¯t here earlier¡± she asked him again


    ¡°No already¡± harped Logan rubbing his throat


    ¡°Oh quit whining you don¡¯t breathe¡±


    ¡°No but the windpipe is still needed to talk and I still do feel pain, I don¡¯t know how many times I have to remind you of that fact¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t, I just love to hear it¡± Eve smirked


    And smelling with his nose Logan then inquires to the weird smell he is sniffing, ¡°It¡¯s that damn sister sibling of theirs, her perfume is all over me from how close to me she gets when she asks a question, quite nauseating really¡± and changing her thoughts she then said again ¡°So if you weren¡¯t here earlier than¡­¡±


    ¡°You have a rebel spy, proving that they don¡¯t trust you¡± he said sternly interrupting her.


    ¡°Well I know that; you can see it on their faces, trust needs to be earned, but by the end they will, don¡¯t worry about that. I just wonder how they got someone past my guards and in here¡±


    ¡°Well I¡¯ll leave you to your detective work then Lady Eve¡± Logan said laughing as he puffed away in smoke.


    Eve then goes back down to meet the others in the great hall, and coming from the laboratory Maylor carries back some potions.


    ¡°Ok, I¡¯ve got some healing elixirs but only one resurrection scroll, so let¡¯s make sure only one of us needs to lose their life or the others get a permanent rest there¡± he states packing the vials in a bag strapping them to his side.


    ¡°Sorry we¡¯re late Elanee had to talk to me about something¡± Rain says clearing his arms of the maps he was carrying to the table edge, Artanis then starts to put them in a scroll case while Rain tells them of a new plan to start looking for the next essence with Artanis taking his place.


    ¡°What, Rain we may need your abilities down there¡± Dawn said coming to his side,


    ¡°There¡¯s is nothing but units of fighters down there Dawn, and half of them are immune to my spells, I¡¯ll be nothing more than a liability for you guys and you need to be straight focused if you¡¯re to acquire the item in swift time¡± Rain reassures her with an arm to her shoulder, hugging him and wishing each other good luck the group then packs up.


    Being escorted out by Guards, Eve and Rain; Rain watches them go and has a moment of guilt run to the surface of his skin.


    ¡°Perhaps I should join them¡± Rain says after they left ¡°They might just need an extra body¡± and shaking his head he replies again ¡°Nah, they¡¯ll be fine¡± and walking beside Eve they go to the library again.


    ¡°So¡­¡± Eve says breaking the silence they created on the walk there ¡°You said earlier that you had a talk with a girl Elanee? Is she and you¡­married, is she your wife¡±


    ¡°Elanee! Oh god no, were not even the same race nor have the same mind link, we would never be able to have that¡± Rain stated quickly,


    ¡°Oh so you are just in a relationship then¡± Eve inquired


    ¡°Wrong again, she and I are only friends, we know each other only from having common interests with Colossus¡¯s threat¡± Rain explains


    ¡°Well if I may, do you have anyone in your life, young Drow?¡±


    ¡°No, with all that I have endured and gone through, I have little hope of living a comfortable life with love keeping me warm at night¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s too bad¡± Eve said ¡°Love makes your will stronger, Allows you to see hope when there is none, it gives you internal strength found through times of great terrine and suffering so that you may again see it before your end¡± Eve says softly her words of inspiration.


    ¡°Look Eve, forgive my rudeness but I really don¡¯t care about all that, just making Colossus pay for the unbelievable loveless life he left me with will be a payment I most direly quest for¡±


    ¡°Revenge can¡¯t be your only reason for seeing his end or you will never see it, it will only fuel your own anger after that climax. You will not be able to be stopped until it consumes your soul¡­and then your life, but not before you hurt everyone you love and care for first¡­or worse, you¡¯ll kill them¡± Eve says lowering her head with a sorrow filled face. Seeing her expression Rain grew a pitiful look to his own face as he drew closer to Eve¡¯s side


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I didn¡¯t mean to bring up old feelings for you through my own pain¡± Rain said


    ¡°It¡¯s ok¡± Eve said putting on a smile to shine away the hurt inside her ¡°We all have made choices we don¡¯t know are wrong and unjust till it¡¯s too late to correct them¡± and changing the topic she then asks Rain about what he has been working on before all this was shown to him.


    ¡°Actually, I was researching on Elanee, she was or so she thought she was a seer, but my recent findings and the growing of her powers suggest she¡¯s more, I have concluded that she is an Oracle¡± Rain stated and stopping with a look of fear thrown over her face, Eve freezes in her steps.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry did you say ¡­Oracle¡± Eve said stuttering the words from her mouth,


    ¡°Yes why is something wrong¡­ you look scared?¡± Rain said concerned


    ¡°No, I was just thinking about a past event, and sometimes my emotions run with them¡± she says starting to walk again


    ¡°Yeah that happens to me too¡± Rain says as they continue to walk into the hall.


    Sun rays hit the city of Silverspire for the dawning of a new day and rising up from her dreadful restless night Elanee gets to her feet, she hides the scrolls she wrote out as well as the book she has, kept high on a self-ledge they are sheltered away from plain sight.


    Namor comes to her room to tell her that breakfast is ready downstairs, seeing her in just a robe gown; he makes a move on her as he slides up to her side and kisses her neck.


    Elanee nudges him away with the body language that she¡¯s not interested this time but Namor not taken the hint lightly goes at her again and this time she turns to his face.


    ¡°Namor don¡¯t ok, I¡¯m not in the mood¡± she says to him, and pushing by him he has a concerning look to his face wondering why any woman would shy away at such an opportunity, especially with him


    ¡°Is something wrong Elanee, are you ok¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m fine; just a rough night last night that¡¯s all¡± Elanee said as she went to her bathroom to get ready, she sat at her chair brushing her hair as Namor continued the pursuit, going in after her; starting to rub her shoulders attempting to remove her robe.


    ¡°Namor enough ok, god what is with you¡± she snapped shoving away his hands and getting a growl from Anubis standing now in the doorway of the bathroom, Namor gently backs off leaving the room and chamber without another word discussed. ¡°Men!¡± she said to Anubis who looked at her and then the door where he left and curled up to lay down beside Elanee. Elanee then placed her arms down on the counter top of the table and pummeled her head into her hands; full well knowing that it¡¯s hard to push people away from you without them understanding it. For the rest of the day like a deer being hunted by a wolf, Elanee kept her distance from Namor, careful not to push him away but completely avoiding close emotional contact she steered clear of all opportunities giving to her.


    Tristan going about his busy day, hears a cry from the front gates of what sounded like a child¡¯s voice; racing to the gate he sees a young girl not any older than five years being held back from entering the city by a guard,


    ¡°Let me go, I need to see Alisianna¡± the young girl shouted.


    ¡°Let her go soldier, it¡¯s ok¡± commanded Tristan and upon releasing her she ran up to him,


    ¡°I need to find Alisianna, its important¡± said the girl and smiling he knelt down and looked at her.


    ¡°Now miss what is this about¡±


    ¡°Please a druid is in trouble I need her, she¡¯s the only one that can help¡± and hearing it his thoughts changed to urgency and he and the girl to the courtyard, finding Alisianna pruning trees. Alisianna turned from the rustling of the steps to spot the young girl out of the corner of her vision


    ¡°Lilly!¡± Alisianna cried out hugging her tight as she ran into Alisianna¡¯s grasp ¡°What are you doing here, where¡¯s Stark?¡±


    Huffing hard trying to catch her breath she explained ¡°He¡¯s been taking by something with wings, we were studying in the forest when it can from the sky he fought but¡­¡± and she stopped to wipe the tears from her eyes, not saying any more Alisianna asked where they were.


    ¡°By the canyon side, north of the river, we were studying some flowers and¡­¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s ok honey; it¡¯s going to be ok. We¡¯ll find him¡± Alisianna said to her holding her tight and Tristan nodding his head calls for a guard to assemble a search team.


    ¡°There¡¯s no time Captain we need to go now, we¡¯ll be lucky if we get there in time¡± and nodding again he still gives the order for the men to be assembled and follow their tracks to catch up. Grabbing the nearby horses they ride off through the gates, the girl rides with Alisianna, and hanging on to Alisianna¡¯s waist tightly as she picks up pace the two ride their horses hard for half a day. Hitting heavy brush Tristan falls to the rear from starting in the front, and watching Alisianna guiding her horse through quick judging rough terrain he is amazed at the feat of a bond they share. The two drive on swiftly and getting full of tiny cuts from blocking overhanging plant growth; they then reach the sulky razor rock side of the canyon.


    Unhorsing herself aiding a hand with Lilly¡¯s dismount, Alisianna then takes to the ground, placing her hand in the area Lilly said Stark was taken she looks to the frenzy of prints sculpted into the ground. Tristan getting off his horse draws his sword to comb through the bushes for signs of a creature.


    ¡°You won¡¯t find anything in there, Captain¡± Alisianna says looking to him and then looking up ward toward the side of the cliffs


    Seeing her looking up he joins the search to the sky ¡°What are you looking for?¡± Tristan asksThis novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source.


    ¡°Caves¡± she says ¡°For a nesting place¡±


    ¡°For what¡± Tristan asks


    ¡°A Wyvern, these prints on the ground match up with such a creature¡± she explains ¡°Now I just hope that¡­¡± suddenly stopping her sentence she draws her blade and looks to the brush.


    ¡°That what¡­?¡± Tristan questions thinking he missed what she said, and making a shushing motion with her finger to her lips she points to the bushes, Tristan mouths the words ¡°it¡¯s down here¡± to her and nodding they both look around eyes sharp and concentrated like an eagle trying to focus on a small object. Alisianna hears something crack on what sounds like thistles and looking past the clearing where Lilly is standing, she gazes on a pair of deep venom green filled eyes in the far bush.


    ¡°Lilly get down!¡± Alisianna shouted to her and turning to her Lilly looks to her back to see the Wyvern barreling toward her, getting to her first Alisianna grabs Lilly and spins around throwing her towards Tristan.


    Catching Lilly in her stumbling steps he then sees Alisianna get stabbed in the left shoulder by the piercing sharp tail of the Wyvern, then spreading it¡¯s wings out it¡¯s lifts off the ground gripping Alisianna by its talons it pulls its tail out from her shoulder. Blood and an olive green colored ooze drips to the ground as the tail is wrenched out. Tristan goes to swing at the creature resembling a gangly looking small dragon but with soft skin spikes draped to the side down the long neck; but with a strong quick stroke of its wings the sheer force exerted by them throws both the charging Captain and the girl backward on the ground.


    The Wyvern lifts into the air carrying a hurt and pain screaming Alisianna gripped in the unbreakable bond grip of its claws. Getting to his feet quickly the Captain watches the creature take to flight where it finally lands about high up on the side of the cliff.


    Looking to the young girl Tristan comes to her keeling down at with eyes contact ¡°Do you know how to get home from here, Lilly¡±


    ¡°Yes, but¡­ the creature¡­¡±


    ¡°Lilly, I will keep it busy, it will come for me don¡¯t worry about that you get safely home, and try to stay in the heavy brush where it can¡¯t get to you, try to get help¡±


    ¡°But there was no one there, that¡¯s why I came for Alisianna¡±


    ¡°Then wait till someone shows but going there I know you will be safe ok, now go¡± and turning her around he smacks her bottom to get her moving watching till she was out of sight. Tristan takes off a boot of his and tosses it to the open field away from his location, then climbs a tree.


    Coming back just as he knew it would the Wyvern lands close by the boot, walking around it while looking into the trees the Wyvern carefully sniffs the boot.


    ¡°You¡¯re a cautious, clever thing aren¡¯t you¡± he whispers to himself sitting motionless in the tree, and waiting moments longer till the creature was close enough Tristan grips his sword leaping from the tree limb down baring his blade; high above his head the ranger swings with all his might driving his blade deep into the wing of the Wyvern.


    Letting out a deafening squawking shriek of pain the Wyvern then spins around, letting loose of Tristan and his blade from the impalement. Tristan flies into the air and having the added pain of a swinging tail hit him like a bat, he flies even farther until he comes crashing to the ground.


    ¡°No more lunch for you, you piece of shit! You can¡¯t fly now!¡± Tristan yells to it as he climbs back to his feet.


    The Wyvern then looking to him intently starts to move closer to him, out reaching his arms the Wyvern extends his claws, and fangs from its mouth; the young Captain scampers away in a circular motion keeping the creature in sight, they have a stare down at each other and while trying to keep space between them they continuously keep moving.


    The Wyvern makes some snapping attempts at Tristan but shifting out of the way he dodges the attacks, countering them with decapitating swings to the neck of the beast which were dodged as well they keep at it, dancing around poking and slashing at one another during a dodge maneuver the tail of the Wyvern came around and tripping Tristan.


    Falling to the ground losing the grip of his sword, Tristan spins to his back just to witness the incoming baring teeth of the Wyvern to his body, bracing the impact with his feet; the ranger holds the mouth of the great creature at bay with one foot on each side of the jaw bone. Reaching for his sword which was out of his extended arm reach, Tristan begins to shimmy his body weight over closer to the sword, with every move his feet give a little more to the impending strength of the Wyvern¡¯s mouth muscles. Fighting to keep his footing from slipping due to the massive drool coming from the mouth of the Wyvern, his legs now feeling like jelly start to grow weak, making one last attempt at his sword he was still not close enough.


    With a tempt of fate he releases his feet and rolls to the side to where his sword lay, snapping his mouth finally closed, the Wyvern misses the bite attack and turns to snap again.


    Tristan rolling right over his sword grabs it as he rolls by it and swings at the same time to cut the inner side on the Wyvern¡¯s mouth from the second bite, the Wyvern¡¯s head snaps high into the air and Tristan rolls to his feet, not even catching his breath the Captain runs to the creature¡¯s underbelly and thrusts his sword into it. Pulling it out and backing off he sees blood run from the belly and also dripping to the ground from the corners of the mouth cuts, in a rage the creature charges towards him waiting till the last inch of space between them. Tristan brings his blade down into the top skull of the Wyvern and through it pinning him to the dirt ground, jerking his blade back and forth he waits for the Wyvern to shriek its last yelp of pain until death.


    The Captain pulls the blade out and tossing it on the ground he leans over to grip his minor slashed side and catch his breath. Gaining some strength realizing that Alisianna¡¯s life is hanging on; Tristan picks up his sword sheathing it to his back. Going over to the cliff side Tristan takes one more look to the creature to assure himself that it¡¯s dead, and seeing it still lifeless on the ground he starts his climbing.


    Catching his chainmesh skin armor sleeves on every jagged rock and twig sticking out from the side, he jumps down the few feet he made up and takes off his armor, re-strapping his sword to his cloth shirt he goes up again.


    Gripping what rock ledges and ridges he could, Tristan climbed the endless heighten wall. Losing balance and grip time and time again due to the walls smooth glass finish and with every growing scrape and nick stinging to his skin like small peaking birds; he at lasts makes it to the cave entrance ledge. Pulling himself over the top he took a quick glance to locate Alisianna, he saw scattered bones from long dead corpses that he could only assume to be old warriors and soldiers of the Silverspire guard patrol.


    Praying that Alisianna had not succumbed to such a fate he got quickly to his feet and began to look in farther; to the darkness of the cave he strolled, losing sight of everything for seconds while his eyes adjusted to damp foul breathing darkness that followed, and in moments of regaining his sight and off in a corner two figures laid.


    One being Alisianna and the other was a human male; he had a very muscular physique, and the leather clothes that he wore barley held in the massive bulging skin. Tristan came closer to the group only to see a massive area of dirt under the man covered like a blanket of dried clotted blood. Looking onto Alisianna to see if the blood was hers he then viewed one of the man¡¯s legs were broken, he could make out the bone of his left leg pushing on the skin of his thigh like a stick holding up a pitched tent. Tristan knew that if the bone wasn¡¯t reset and soon that it would be a certain fate that Stark, who Tristan presumed the man was would never be able to walk with it again, shaking the worry of Stark¡¯s leg off his mind for a second Tristan went up to both and tried to see Alisianna¡¯s condition.


    As he grew closer to them Stark put his tree limb sized arms around Alisianna and drug her closer to him, trying to cover her view from his Tristan stopped and put his hands helpless in front of him waving


    ¡°Please don¡¯t be afraid, I¡¯m with her¡± Tristan said trying to calm him


    ¡°Who¡­Who are you, it doesn¡¯t matter you must leave and leave now the Wyvern will not be gone long, please just go and save yourself we cannot be helped from this fate¡± Stark spitted to Tristan


    ¡°The Wyvern is dead, he right now lays lifeless on the canyon floor, from my very blade was this done and know I must help where I can¡± Tristan said to Stark coming right to his side, and looking to the wound on Alisianna¡¯s shoulder which even and he watched grows a darker shade of purple with every second that passes.


    ¡°She has been poisoned, by thy tail of the wyvern and if not treated soon will die¡± Stark explained in small words


    ¡°There are men following us and a child, Lilly has gone to the dwelling of her home to seek help, one of them will surly have and bring medicine to combat this vile venom¡± Tristan replies


    ¡°But not in time knight, she will surely die before they can reach this place, for this venom is a fast acting and aggressive¡± he says to Tristan


    ¡°My name is Tristan and I¡¯m a Captain from a city beyond the sea¡±


    ¡°Well Captain Tristan we need to act fast, for her life now sways in the pendulum of fate, and it is now leaning closer to her final breath. You now need to act as our healer and cleric, all the ingredients for curing the venom are found on this mountain side¡± Stark explains as he quickly grips his side, finishing his sentence with a weak voice from a shoot of pain that drove up his leg. Tristan knew he needed to be fixed first and looked around for a large stick, ignoring Stark talking about the items needed for the cure he found a stick by the ridge line of the cave; breaking it off to the size he needed he went to Stark¡¯s side.


    ¡°What are you doing, Alisianna needs aid now Captain!¡± Stark commanded


    ¡°And she will in a few seconds but first we need to fix your leg¡± Tristan said


    ¡°Forget about me I won¡¯t last anyway, I have lost too much blood, save who you can¡­¡±


    ¡°I intent on saving you both now please bite down on this¡± Tristan says holding a smaller twig in front of Stark¡¯s mouth, upon grabbing the twig with his teeth Tristan grips the back part of Stark¡¯s leg with one hand, and leaning his forearm of his other to his splintered leg he looks to Stark, ¡°I¡¯m very sorry but this will hurt¡± and nodding to the pain he will receive Stark braces himself and with a violent loud crack like someone stepping on some sticks; the bone grinds and aligns back into place. Drool erupts from the sides of Starks mouth following a very loud yell that could have been heard for miles, and adding quick yelps in between taking breaths Stark closes his eyes to calm his already fast beating heart.


    Removing the stick from his mouth Stark thanks Tristan¡¯s healing hands.


    ¡°Now about her¡± Tristan says ¡°What again do I need¡± as he takes off his shirt to tie it around the stick splint he crafted for Starks leg.


    ¡°There is a plant down of the cliff side I saw it on the way up, you need the petals from it¡± Stark explained again, and for the second time going down the cliff side adding cuts to his torso Tristan reaches the flower described by Stark. Plucking it from its resting places he straps it to his belt and comes to the ridge again. Stark tells Tristan to grind the petals with a bald flat faced stone and using his water skin filled with fresh river water, Tristan is instructed to mix the pasty petals juice with it; doing so makes the water turn to a murky muddy bluish paste.


    ¡°Good Tristan now since you¡¯ve slain the creature, use the blood from your sword and dip it in the water mixture, it requires blood from both the violator and the victim¡± and dipping his sword into the brew cause the color to change to red,


    ¡°Good Captain, now for hers¡± Stark says looking to Alisianna, and taking a dagger from his leg side Tristan goes to her arm and looking to Stark for approval, he nods his head for him to cut. About to make the mark Tristan stops, ¡°Why do we need her blood, she is as you said the victim in this, how does harming her more help her¡±


    ¡°Her blood has in it half nymph, and nymph¡¯s blood can be used for cures of any venom or poison as long as you mix the blood of the violator with the nymphs¡± and accepting the answer given to him Tristan then continues.


    ¡°Ok now what¡± as Tristan takes the fresh spilling blood from her arm into a cup made by his hand, hearing no comment he looks to Stark who has closed his eyes.


    ¡°Stark!¡± he shouts and opening his eyes wide from the tone he looks quickly to Tristan, ¡°Don¡¯t you give up on me now, I need you¡­she needs you Stark, please stay awake¡± and nodding for him to put to blood in with the rest he then councils Tristan to mix the brew again, as he mixes Stark looks to Alisianna who is starting to shiver and shake,


    ¡°Please, Tristan, please hurry she is close to death now¡± Stark pleads for the Captain to make haste.


    ¡°And you stay with us Stark, knowledge and guidance in such a time is worthy of saving at any cost, I can see you are a great man in you clan, and from the look on your face you are thinking of someone¡± Tristan says while he finishes and seeing the brew now turn to an ivory white.


    ¡°Place it on her wound Tristan, for it is ready¡± Stark advises him, moving to her side Tristan removes the left strap of her top exposing the top portion of her breast to see a deep infectious shoulder, a deep purple almost black color surrounds the area; being very careful and rubbing the salve on her trying not to touch any part of Alisianna¡¯s woman defining attributes, he waits and watches for the results. She stops shaking but nothing else transpires ¡°Nothing is happening Stark¡­Stark¡± he shouted again going to his side and shaking him gently waking him again,


    ¡°Please stay with me Stark¡­please¡± Tristan says softly


    ¡°Captain, look at me, the blood¡­my leg¡­ I can¡¯t going anywhere but to the cold hugging of death¡¯s arms¡± and pulling a necklace off his chest and neck he holds it out to Tristan ¡°Here take this¡±


    ¡°No!¡±


    ¡°Tristan please, I¡¯m dying; there is no stopping that now, but grant me one last wish¡­take this when you are rescued to Lilly hands¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s you daughter right?¡± asked Tristan


    ¡°Yes that¡¯s my daughter¡±


    ¡°Then keep it and give it to her yourself¡± Tristan said smiling


    ¡°Tristan don¡¯t be naive, I¡¯m already dead and¡­¡±


    ¡°That girl; your daughter was out of lifeless breath when she came to us for help, she never gave up hope that you were still alive Stark, Please¡­please don¡¯t give up on the hope she started for you, I will be damned if I¡¯m going to leave that girl without a father so young, no one should have to go through that¡± and pushing the necklace back to his chest Tristan smiled again ¡°Please Stark, hold on¡­hold on to faith, we¡¯ll make it I swear to you we will¡±


    Looking to some activity from Alisianna, she starts to shake again,


    ¡°Her blood is too cold to get the cure to travel through her system fast enough, Tristan you are going to have to warm her blood with yours¡± and taking off his cape Stark hands it to Tristan,


    ¡°What do I do with this, well I don¡¯t want to see you two in natural form¡± Stark snaps and motions with his eyes.


    ¡°Wait¡­you mean me and her have to¡­under this! Oh no¡­no way¡­here you do it with her¡±


    ¡°You misunderstand Tristan you¡¯re not making love to her just sharing body warmth, my blood is too cold to help her but yours isn¡¯t¡± Stark says quickly


    ¡°She is married to a fellow Captain as well as a good friend, I can¡¯t do this to him¡­I won¡¯t¡±


    ¡°Captain, Listen to me, I know that this is a lot to ask and hard for you to do, you feel you would be violating your codes and vows; but think, you made an oath to protect and preserve innocent life¡­that¡¯s Alisianna, innocent life lying in front of you and doing nothing but letting her die¡­would violate your highest vow. You wear the title of Captain for a reason to save life at all cost¡­this is that cost Tristan please; save her with you warmth of life¡±


    Looking at her, Tristan¡¯s heart goes cold and stomach begins to knot up. He takes his dagger and cutting the clasps to the rest of her outfit he exposes her naked figure, closing his eyes and taking a deep swallow he removes the rest of his clothing and under the cape he covers the both of them, shimming close beside her he pulls her to a bear hug state and holding her tight. Only moments go by before the shivering already starts to slow, getting cold and tired himself he looks to Stark who has closed his eyes again, not knowing if he is alive or dead he closes his own eyes and holding Alisianna¡¯s head under his, Tristan prays in hope that this works.

 Chapter 31

    Waking to the sound of trickling water into a pond, Tristan¡¯s eyesight gets clearer. His vision shows him a young human girl ringing out a cloth, and the dripping water into the shell looking bowl sounded to his head louder than it was. Around the girls neck was a familiar necklace shown to him not long ago, and closing his eyes he goes into a state of disappointing agony for the thought that Stark did not survive. Sitting up and opening his eyes again from laying in a hammock, Tristan looks around to the sight of trees and the sound of singing birds of exotic display, thinking that he is deep within a forest and has no chance of finding a way out himself he turns to the girl.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, for Stark he tried and hang on as long as he could, he wanted me to give you that necklace¡± Tristan said moving his stiff sore back to look to her better.


    ¡°I know it¡¯s ok; it was hard to see him like that but he is now blessed, and all is well¡± Lilly said with a smile and putting the cloth over Tristan¡¯s forehead again.


    ¡°Well I got to admit your taking this very well for a girl of your age, considering you just lost your father¡±


    ¡°You mean this father!¡± cried a voice from the trees and focusing hard Tristan could make out a very big man coming at the north of his cot.


    ¡°Stark?¡± question Tristan not fully trusting his vision,


    ¡°Yes, it is me you stubborn Captain, because of you I had to give her the necklace myself¡± and coming up to his side he grabs Tristan¡¯s hand, shaking it firmly he turns it into a hug ¡°And what a great feeling it was to do¡± Stark smiles


    ¡°Is Alisianna¡­.¡± inquires Tristan


    ¡°She is alive and well, she waits for you down at the pond when your mobile enough to move¡± and turning away from Tristan¡¯s sight he lowers he head with a concerned thought ¡°I warn you though she wasn¡¯t happy to be told how the saving of her life went about, so go easy and choose words carefully with her¡± he concludes looking back up at Tristan, and nodding his head Tristan thanks him for the rescue,


    ¡°Thank me! It is I who has to thank you, for if it wasn¡¯t for you the elders that Lilly got to wouldn¡¯t have had nothing to try and heal, and as you can see I¡¯m on both legs standing tall¡± he smiles after his thanking speech and leaves Tristan to rest quietly.


    A while later Tristan makes his way down to the pond, seeing some elders along the way they thank him for executing the situation well and award him with a song of honor. Accepting this humbly he then proceeds to the pond; close to the waterline she sits on her knees head down looking like she was praying. Tristan walks up slowly to her and sees her holding the ring Cloud gave her tightly in her hand, she looks at it intently and then putting it back on her finger, thinks to herself while spinning it around. At first Tristan says nothing just watches and waits to see if she will face him.


    Not moving an inch he knows that she knows he is standing there, but doesn¡¯t have the courage to look, taking a deep breath he then talks.


    ¡°Alisianna, look I know that you don¡¯t probably want to see or even talk to me, you don¡¯t have to look at me but please just hear me out.


    I¡¯m sorry; for how it happened but not for what happened up there, for I was given a great choice to make; to either save your life risking a very prosperous friendship or save the professional Captain bond of brotherhood Cloud and I share. I made my decision and if given another chance to redo it all again, if I had to I would, and I wouldn¡¯t change a thing that transpired. Now you may not agree with it and be angry for how the final result was, the truth is you should, it should eat away at you every time you look at me and you know why; because you¡¯re a loyal loving wife to Cloud, and right now he is all you should be thinking about¡± with that said he turns to leave but is stopped by the soft sound of her broken hurt voice


    ¡°Tristan, please wait¡± she said turning to finally look upon his face ¡°From when I first started to know and understand Cloud, I fell hard for his compassion and his enduring will of self-sacrifice for life, and I now see that in you; I don¡¯t mean that I love you but when it comes to safety, there are now two men in my life that I will now place full trust in¡± she finishes with coming up to him and embracing him with a big hug and a peeking kiss to his cheek. ¡°I know how uncomfortable you were when you got close to me, and could feel how disloyal you felt to Cloud when you did what you did, and that was most important to me; it showed to me that you are very worthy to the title of Captain and I thank you for it¡± and concluding her sentence she then walks past him but he doesn¡¯t follow behind her, he waits to let some moments and space come between them and smiling to himself he then moves to follow.


    Arriving at the desecrated hills; Cynn, Maylor, Straud, Artanis, Cloud and Dawn take a quick look around the area. Seeing sights of unearthed graves and pushed back tombstones, the ground was covered by a misty eerie fog not settling on the ground but moving as if alive, a sharp cold chill followed the group everywhere they went and a disowning discomfort perched in their stomachs warning them not to be here.


    Cloud and Straud find the first catacomb entrance and Cynn gets a funny feeling with having no conflict, so far it seemed too easy for her. Going in and down a flight of stairs which went on for a short while taking them about fifty feet below the surface the group arrive to a mausoleum like room, dead lords and ladies now lay in stone beds with great stone covers to protect them. Their names are carved into the sides of the tomes and a single motion of their greatness now rests, a carved display of such power by a single still image imprinted on the stone face representing them.


    ¡°Looks like this is a preparation room for the afterlife journey¡± stated Maylor and not spending another moment in the room they press on, the catacombs have a musty damp stuffy smell to the air, the old grey stone walls and floor where covered with cobwebs and old lantern fire torches that the group had difficulty lighting up. But as the tunnel cavern seemed to widen the group enters a room that is fairly large and high.


    ¡°Looks like a training room of some sort¡± Straud says drawing his blade with a weary feeling coming over him, joining him is Cloud and Artanis and searching around for a while longer the door they entered closes shut. Artanis walks quickly paced to the door and with reefing attempts tries to open it,


    ¡°It¡¯s locked¡± he blurts out


    ¡°Someone knows we¡¯re here¡± Dawn says pulling out her staff spotting Dread knights; skeletons from the cursed stories of the massacred men with armor and magical weapons emerge from an opening door across the room, and hold high resistance to magic from both schools mage and priest alike.


    ¡°Spread out¡± Cynn commands ¡°Don¡¯t let their knights see us in clusters¡±, and not giving them any time to react and plan Cynn casts spells right toward the door, ducking and dodging varies spells countless warriors pour into the room and combat the Drow. Weapons and spells erupted all around and as blades smash together, the Drow group starts to over skill and beat down the Dread knight fighters, getting close to one another Dawn and Artanis go back to back fending off the foes.


    A distant Dread knight seeing the two judges their positions on the ground and hitting a lever along the wall, the floor beneath the two gives way. Artanis and Dawn disappear into the dark hole in the floor with only a faint scream to be heard that is drowned out to the rest from most of the battle going on around.


    Waking up at the base of the fall, Dawn rolls over and slowly opens her eyes, she sees Artanis still knocked out and hears the battle through the opening they fell through raging on above. Shaking awake Artanis who then opens his eyes, he looks to Dawn staring at him


    ¡°Are you ok?¡± he says sitting up and shaking his head to jog his senses back alive,


    ¡°I¡¯m ok just a bit bruised¡­you?¡± she replies


    ¡°Having some trouble breathing but I¡¯ll be fine¡± Artanis shorts out from his mouth and holding his side he slowly climbs to his feet,


    ¡°Sorry that was my fault from landing on you, you broke my fall¡± she said helping him up


    ¡°Well that¡¯s me, always there to try to do something good¡± and looking up Artanis hears the shouting of Cloud and Straud fighting above ¡°We should try to find a way up there, they¡¯re going to need our help¡± and trying to support his own weight from wind loss, Artanis and Dawn move from the room they were in to a large open cavern adjacent to the one they were currently in.


    Moving into the large cove like cavern the two gazed upon the giant sculpted spike stone rocks, which molded out from the floor and the ceiling of the room. They saw pretty much nothing else as well as no door way up and even out. Dawn looks intently with her dark elf vision allowing her to see almost as clear as day down in such a dark cove spotting a statue across the cove; it has a great height and carries a general appearance of a huge orc. Over bearing teeth came from its stone shaped mouth and a monstrous head formed on its shoulders, showing no carved out hair it looks bald and broad build, it had two humanoid legs and two arms that where extended straight outward from its body holding a black glossy egg like object in its clawed like hands. Its eyes were carved to a deep stare which to Dawn looked as if it peered into her soul. Moving over to get a closer look with her Artanis is distracted by a glimmer in the corner of his eye; he moves his head to reveal to his eyes a small pond of water making a perfect half-moon shape at the corner of the room off to the left of the statue.


    ¡°Hey Dawn check this out, I found some water and maybe a way out of here¡± said Artanis racketing his voice off the stone dome structure hoping that she would hear it.


    ¡°You should see this statue Artanis, it¡¯s a demon of some sort and it¡¯s holding something, I¡¯m not sure what though¡± and about to touch the object in its clutches Dawn suddenly is torn away from her studying to the loud sound of her name being shouted.


    Spinning her head toward Artanis she sees him gripping his left hand and rolling around on the ground in pain, running to his side she pries his right hand from holding his left one to see Artanis¡¯s skin being dried out flaking to the ground, almost having vision of muscle and bone from his hand Dawn carefully covers it with her own hands and starts a healing chant to repair the damage.


    ¡°Ahhh!¡± Artanis cried out again ¡°It burns like acid and heat¡± he said again to her and only seconds past before the glow from her healing ability began to slow his breathing and calm him down, by the look on his face the pain seemed to have been lifted and removed and staying there for a while longer Dawn removed her hands to see that the heal was working, placing them back on till his hand was fully healed she asked him.


    ¡°What happened Artanis¡± Dawn questioned


    ¡°I just put my hand into the water to test it, as soon as I did it my hand immediately started to smoke, I felt my hand starting to burn, when I lifted it out of the water the gloves were alright but my skin under it was on fire¡±


    Dawn looks to the pool of water and spits into it, waiting for a reaction nothing happens, Artanis is told to place the blade of his sword into the water, and doing so reveals nothing.


    Dawn then takes her staff and places it in the water to again reveal nothing, finally she pokes her finger into it and gets the same acidic burning feeling to her tip as to his hand, closing her burnt fingered hand she heals it up and helps Artanis to his feet and away from the pond.Stolen story; please report.


    ¡°It seems to only affect living tissue¡± Dawn speculates and taking a dagger from his side Artanis cuts his hand and moves to hang it over the pool,


    ¡°How about blood¡± he says squishing his hands closed and having it drip blood into the water. As soon as it touches the blood seems to evaporate and disappear from the clear watery substance while looking to Dawn¡¯s face to see if she can know anything by it, she shrugs her shoulders


    ¡°I guess blood is alive too, it replenishes itself when we get cuts, makes sense¡± she said ¡°Let¡¯s leave that for now, come here I want to show you something¡± and they move back to the statue Dawn found, going over there Artanis listens carefully to the blades clinging together up above for a sign that their friends and family are still alive, and moving to the front face of the stone beast Dawn points to the jewel it is holding.


    ¡°What do you think it is?¡± Artanis asked


    ¡°I don¡¯t know¡­oh but look above the beast has an inscription, I¡­ I can¡¯t read it¡± Dawn said looking harder at it.


    ¡°I can¡± Artanis blurts out looking at it himself and having the words just flow into his mind he reads and translates it to a tongue Dawn knows, Reading allowed in Drow he speaks,


    ¡°The light to me is black as night,


    To feel its warmth I am to feel its blight;


    I thirst for life thick as mud,


    For the endless life thou seek is blood;


    Strong as a bull and quick as a flash,


    I¡¯ll be the last you spare with and clash;


    I hold the key to the clear watered pond,


    For fear and me hold a great bond¡±


    And holding a mass of confusion on his face Artanis looks to Dawn ¡°And I have no idea what I just said¡­do you know what it means¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a riddle Artanis and the answer is Vampire, though I don¡¯t know what the last part means¡±


    ¡°Well this is good, we have the answer to it, that¡¯ll help right?¡± he says to her


    ¡°Knowing the answer and understanding the answer are two different things, and unfortunately for us my brother Rain is the one who can always figure these out¡±


    ¡°Well he isn¡¯t here so we are just going to have to do it¡± Artanis says


    ¡°That¡¯s what I¡¯m afraid of, he is almost never wrong with knowing the meaning behind things, but I on a constant always misread things¡±


    ¡°Then we¡¯ll figure it out together Dawn¡± Artanis says and smiles to her placing his arm to her shoulder and walking around and back and forth they focus on trying to solve the puzzle.


    ¡°The stone!¡± Dawn said after some time has passed


    ¡°The stone, how did you come up with that thought?¡± replied Artanis


    ¡°Well the last part talks about me and fear hold a bond, me being the statue and bond being him holding it; and the stone is the fear essence; the one that were trying to find¡± Dawn concludes and goes up to grab the stone.


    ¡°Dawn wait!¡± said Artanis but already Dawn had gripped the opal in her hands and taking it from the statue she goes back to Artanis¡¯s side.


    ¡°See no problem¡± Dawn said smiling and then heard a voice coming from the stone work mouth of the statue ¡°For the pursuit of power must come one¡¯s life¡± and just then the statue comes to life.


    Dawn ducks and thrusting her out of the way Artanis draws his blades and combats the stone giant. The giant moves slow and clumsy, easily Artanis and Dawn dodge the impending attacks from the monster; but one lucky stroke from a solid hit of its left arms drills Artanis air born and flying across the room. He hits the stone wall hard, dust flies into the air and some stone rubble falls to the floor along with Artanis.


    ¡°ARTANIS!!!¡± Dawn cries to him and seeing him motionless she dodges another attack and moves to his side, checking his neck she feels a faint but steady pulse and returning to her feet she looks to the statue with sheer anger; her eyes turn a deep dark orange and her staff glows a bright purple color as she chants some words of doom.


    ¡°I call, to this ancient stone, its life style to match my own, give it skin, bone and blood; bring this creature straight to life!¡±


    Moments later the creature starts to change and morph; it stretches it arms to the sky and legs wide apart as the newly formed skin wraps to his body and the stone crumbles to the floor, waiting till the moment was right Dawn grips one of Artanis¡¯s blades and holding it firm in a spiral tossing form with the blade end out, as the skin begins to form she sees the torso but the heart is in skin and then, pulling back with her arm like a sling shot she then throws the blade straight at it, being distracted by the changing of its form the creature knows nothing of the blade hurling toward him, and not making any attempt at a block it pierces where she aimed and stabs into the creature¡¯s chest deep. Hoping that the creature¡¯s heart was in that place she waits and watches the creature losing strength and life as it slowly falls to the ground, first it¡¯s knees, then holding itself up by its arms shaking without sufficient strength for the massive weight barring body it opens its mouth and speaks to Dawn


    ¡°For the pursuit of power¡­must come one¡¯s¡­life¡± and drops dead to the cold stone floor.


    Sitting for a moment puzzled by the speech it gave her she shook it off and went up to Artanis, trying to shake him awake he was groggy but staring to come around, feeling a shaking feeling of her own she looks to the cause and sees the black stone moving,


    ¡°Artanis the stone its moving as if¡­it¡¯s hatching¡± she finished and tossing away the stone egg she views a piece of stone shell come off and hit the ground, slithering out was a black cobra looking snake and coming up fast to Dawn she grips her staff and tries to bat it away.


    Dodging all the attacks due to its quickness the snake strafes and shimmies around her staff and arms until getting close to her legs, with lightning haste the snake wraps up her legs and moves to her chest, dropping the staff Dawn grips the raised ridge part of the snakes skin neck just before the head and holds it from biting her, the snake moves the rest of its body to wrap around her neck and cutting breathe from her lungs the snake slowly suffocates Dawn, losing strength she loosens her grip on the snake and it moves from her grasping hands.


    Falling to her knees Dawn holds up her arm to Artanis and calls his name ¡°Ar¡­Artanis¡­help me¡± she says but barley a whisper come out of her lips, and falling now to her side the snake moves its body to expose a small portion of Dawn¡¯s neck side to its sight. Waiting no more the snake bares it¡¯s twin venom dripping fangs into her neck side, the venom flows into her blood stream but instead of letting go the snake seems to be filling its body with her blood, growing bigger and bigger until its sheer weight almost crushes Dawns bones it then moves off of her so not to kill her. It massively slithers away from the two of them and moves to where the statue first was, undergoing a change it transforms into a stone creature, a replica of the first and taking the other statues place it moves into the spot under the inscription of the wall; making a choking and hacking up sound it throws up a black egg stone from its throat and holds it in the position of the first again motionless.


    Putting through his staff to the rib cage of an undead knight Maylor says two words to finish off the last skeleton in the room and Cloud suddenly sees a glow of a red tinged coming from his necklace


    ¡°What the¡­¡± Cloud says stunned and looking around to see if anyone else is seeing this he notices that Dawn and Artanis aren¡¯t anywhere to be seen ¡°Hey uncle where¡¯s Dawn and Artanis, and what¡¯s going on with my pendant its changing color¡±


    ¡°Red is the color most used for danger or death¡± said Maylor


    ¡°Here! over here I found a trap door passage, they must have fallen down it¡± and leaning over from her find Cynn calls down the shaft ¡°DAWN!!! ARTANIS!! CAN YOU HEAR US¡± and quickly covering her mouth Straud shushes her, violently moving his hands away from her mouth she bolts him


    ¡°What! What are you doing¡± Cynn demanded


    ¡°If they are being followed we might give away their position Cynn¡± Straud says


    ¡°But we do need to get down there¡± Cynn said and not wasting any time they have Cynn transport them all down.


    Looking around in the tunnel and then heading to the big cove area they find both Dawn and Artanis lying on the ground


    ¡°He¡¯s alive¡± said Maylor checking Artanis¡¯ neck pulse


    ¡°Oh my god¡± Straud says backing up and away from Dawns body ¡°She¡¯s¡­she¡¯s been bitten, by a vampire; that¡¯s what your necklace picked up Cloud, Dawn¡¯s life force, they must be connected to them somehow¡±


    ¡°Her pulse is erratic but it¡¯s weakening, if we kill her I can¡­oh no¡­NOOO!¡± says Maylor looking to his pack


    ¡°What, what is it Maylor¡± Cynn concernedly asked


    ¡°The blades¡­ the blades of the Dread Knights they must have been swords of a magical sharpness, that why I had to treat your stinging cuts right away up there¡± he went on


    ¡°Why do you think that Arbiter¡± Cloud asked


    ¡°Because only blades of such sharpness could do this to a scroll of resurrection¡± he finished with tossing down twin haves of the scroll, showing that it had been cut in two.


    ¡°Quickly spread out and see if you can find anything that will explain what has happened down here¡± commanded Cynn, and rushing to his side Maylor uses a vial to bring back Artanis to them, lifting his head fast Maylor slows him down.


    ¡°Easy Artanis you were knocked out and good¡±


    ¡°DAWN¡­¡± Artanis spouted off and getting up he went to her side, he was blocked by Straud who hold him back ¡°Let me go I must see her!¡± he shouted


    ¡°Dawn has been bitten Artanis, by a vampire and has little time left, do you know what happened down here¡± he asked him


    ¡°Bitten by a vampire¡­¡±


    ¡°Artanis focus NOW, what happened¡± again said Straud shaking him


    ¡°There was a stone creature it hit me hard against the wall¡­.Him¡± pointing to the figure back in its spot


    ¡°What about this one¡± asked Cloud pointing to the fleshy mess on the ground with one of Artanis¡¯s swords in its chest.


    ¡°What? there are two now¡­no that¡¯s not right, there was only one and its right there that is where we found it¡± said Artanis pointing to the one standing under the writing.


    ¡°Maybe it came through here¡± added Cynn pointing to the pond of water and putting her hand close Artanis yells to her


    ¡°NO DON¡¯T¡± and pulling her hand away being startled she stands up questioning ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°Because it¡¯s like acid or something, I don¡¯t know but it decays living tissue¡± and accepting the answer she moves away, ¡°Then what is this¡± said Cynn again pointing to the writing,


    ¡°It¡¯s a riddle Dawn figured and she solved it, the answer is Vampire¡±


    ¡°How convenient¡± said Straud looking at Dawn now sweating profusely and making mumbling motion sounds while she moves around,


    ¡°The change as well as death is nearing completion¡± Maylor says touching her forehead


    ¡°Maylor can you cast a spell to bring her back to us, without the scroll?¡± asked Straud


    ¡°I¡¯m weakened but I have enough energy left in me yes although I must warn you that you¡¯ll probably have to carry me out of here after, and I¡¯ll be of no further help for healing purposes¡± and drawing his blade and holding it over Dawn chest Straud looked to him


    ¡°We¡¯ll have to take our chances¡± and raising it into the air his hands are stopped by Cynn¡¯s holding his forearms still ¡°Wait please¡± she pleads out


    ¡°This needs to be done now or it will be too late Cynn¡±


    ¡°Artanis were you hit before you knew about Dawn?¡±


    ¡°Yeah?¡±


    ¡°That means what?¡± Straud asked Cynn


    ¡°That this creature left him alive and alone for a reason, Artanis read me the script on the wall, you said you could right¡± and complying, reading aloud Cynn listens carefully while holding on to Straud¡¯s massive arms. Finishing up she thinks while holding on to Straud with Artanis perking up.


    ¡°Oh the creature said something too, he said for the pursuit of power must come one¡¯s life¡± added Artanis and thinking a while longer she let go of Straud¡¯s arms.


    ¡°Get up Captain, you too Arbiter¡±


    ¡°What why?¡± Straud said


    ¡°Because we have to let this play out, she has to turn¡­she needs to become a vampire¡± Cynn explains


    ¡°No that¡¯s unacceptable, I won¡¯t stand by and watch my sister die, Arbiter save her NOW!!¡± yelled Cloud


    ¡°NO!¡± Cynn yelled back ¡°I figured it out Cloud, the pursuit of power is the essence, the fear stone we are looking for and the only one that can get it is by a vampire¡±


    ¡°How, the pool hurts tissue¡± said Artanis


    ¡°Living tissue Artanis but vampires are dead, the tissue as well as their blood are dead too so they won¡¯t be affected¡±


    ¡°But the prophecy was said that we needed to be alive to kill Colossus Cynn¡± said Cloud and going up to Cloud side she runs her hand to his cheek ¡°Please trust me this will work¡± and thinking for a moment he then nods his head to agree, kissing his cheek she thanks him for his faith and Straud speaks up


    ¡°A little far-fetched don¡¯t you think Cynn, all of this?¡±


    ¡°So is a man ascending to godhood before his rightful time, but Colossus seems to be doing that feat quite well wouldn¡¯t you say?¡± Cynn says back to him and having no argument he says again


    ¡°I¡¯m just saying that were killing an innocent child here, if this doesn¡¯t work...¡±


    ¡°It will Captain¡­¡± she says looking only at Dawn and her final moments of life, Dawn struggles and sweats for long but short lengths of time and then goes limp and lifeless. The pendant around her neck starts to glow a bright and intensively white color that almost blinds everyone, and then goes to a dim but constant glowing white color and she opens her eyes.


    Cynn pushes everyone aside and goes up to her ¡°Dawn, I know that you want answers but right now we need something from you, go into the pool and retrieve what is there for us, I know about the water curse but it won¡¯t harm you¡­ not anymore¡±


    Shaking her head focusing her eyes, Dawn looks to all in her company; she feels no air upon her and holds a great sensation of great energy. Like having a great night sleep, having many thought to her mind Dawn complies with Cynn¡¯s command and without saying anything she goes up to the pool. Dipping her hand into the cold water she neither feels nor sees nothing, looking back to Cynn she smiles to her with a motherly look and smiling back Dawn gains new confidence and dives into the water.


    Time elapses by in long spurts and finally Dawn emerges out of the water with a black looking emerald jewel shining with a fiery red glimmer to it, Cynn is certain that it is what they seek out and took it, put it down and extended her arm to help Dawn from the water.


    ¡°It must be magical¡­ the water; for it was a very long swim but I could hold my breath for like ever and I felt like I had more strength to myself for traveling though it was very easy¡±


    ¡°Interesting said Cynn not admitting to nothing yet¡± and picking up the stone she hands it to Straud, he takes it and gives her a very distinctive scowl as he puts it in his belt pouch.


    ¡°Now let¡¯s get out of here shall we¡± says Cynn outreaching with her arms for everyone to grab them


    ¡°Wait teleporting¡­from here¡­kind of far down wouldn¡¯t yea say, can you judge the distance Cynn¡± questioned Straud


    ¡°Of course I can¡± and having everyone grab her arms she and the rest through a bright phase of light disappear.

 Chapter 32

    They emerge on the surface right smack in mid-days light and upon stepping into the light the group hears a terrible blood curdling scream coming from Dawn¡¯s voice, like acid the light hits Dawn¡¯s skin and starts to immediately burning and melting it from her body, with some flames starting to erupt on her Cynn telekinetically sends Dawn hurling into the shade of massive over growth.


    Coughing up clotted blood from her half eaten away throat she waves the smoke from around her sizzling skin.


    ¡°What happened to me down there, look at my skin it¡¯s¡­growing back¡± Dawn stopped herself to witness the very skin on her hand reforming and grafting to her bones and flesh, ¡°Eww spiders¡± Dawn screams and flicks one off her shoulder, seeing another and another landing on her shoulders and up her legs she starts to go frantic and jump up and down shaking to release their eight legged grip. Coming up to her was Cloud and Artanis and going to meet them in the light, Dawn was told to stay back there


    ¡°Why?¡± she said stopping and growing a look of despair to her eyes.


    ¡°You have undergone a change my dear sister¡± said gently from Cloud¡¯s lips to her ears.


    ¡°Dawn, you¡¯re a vampire¡± bolted out Artanis to her


    ¡°ARTANIS PLEASE!¡± shouted Straud to him


    ¡°Well there is no point in hiding it from her, or we risk her harming herself further¡± snapped Artanis back to him, and going past the two young men Straud un cuffs his cloak and drapes the oversized sheet over Dawn¡¯s body.


    ¡°I¡¯m¡­I¡¯m a vam¡­vampire¡± she stutters the phrase from her hard to swallow throat which tries to choke down the words.


    ¡°Not for long, Dawn I promise you¡± Straud says turning Dawns chin to stare into her eyes ¡°I give you my word we will fix this, and you will be whole again¡± he hugs her cold skin body and kisses her, and leaving an imprint of his lips on her forehead from the warmth of his body he holds her close and walks with her. Straud stops and looks to his side where the hilt of his sword now rests, Dawn gazes over to see the blade glowing a bright blue tinged and knowing that it¡¯s a call sign from the weapon, letting Straud know that undead are close she closes her eyes to shy away.


    Saying some words to himself the blade stops glowing and turning around to face Cloud he tells him to do the same to his blade.


    ¡°She doesn¡¯t need a constant reminder of what she is now¡± Straud spouts to him.


    ¡°And what am I Captain Straud?¡± Dawns says with tears of sadness in her eyes


    ¡°You are the daughter I never had and wish I did, and you call me uncle now and forever, for you are someone who I hold dear to my heart and love very much Dawn; that is who you are¡± Straud says rubbing away the tears from her eyes


    ¡°Does the forces of good hate me Uncle, have I done it wrong in such a way to merit such a fate¡±


    ¡°It and the fates have chosen you Dawn¡± said Cynn coming to her side smiling ¡°For only such a strong hearted will; equipped with a steel blade of integrity could handle such a foe as this and strive on to achieve their goals written out by your will and soul¡±


    Standing up for a second from her she calls over Artanis, ¡°Yes Judicator¡± he says


    ¡°Please remove Dawns necklace from her neck¡± and giving her an uncertain look she motions for him to do it, he does as she asks and a force stops him from taking it.


    ¡°Good¡± Cynn said ¡°Now try Cloud¡¯s¡± and going to his location Cynn says to Straud ¡°I think I know what the bright light we saw was¡± and going silent they watch as the same thing happened again with Clouds.


    ¡°What does this mean¡± asked Artanis


    ¡°The necklaces need to be willfully taken off by the user, and can only be taken off otherwise by someone else if that person is deceased¡± and turning to Dawn she continues ¡°So for your case rest easy, for your soul is still in you waiting to do much more good in this world, for when this method came your soul was kept inside by means of the necklaces power, away from Colossus¡¯ reach¡± she explained still smiling.


    Smiling back to her with yet even more newly inspired confidence she nods her head to her, and receiving a kiss on the cheek from Cynn they all move on to journey home. Just before the well-worn path to the cave reaches their eyes, a free flowing river needs to be passed as they all know, Dawn seeing the river says out loud ¡°Finally some water I needed to clean up¡± and taking off with vampire speed out running the rest as well as a blurred voice from her uncle shouting what sounded like a warning she reached the edge of the river and diving in she was repelled away like a force field was holding her back, looking upon the water with confusion she waited for the others to catch up.


    ¡°I can¡¯t go in, uncle, Maylor, Cynn why?¡±


    ¡°Because dear child, water is a life giving element and¡­¡± lowering his head Maylor finishes ¡°Undead creatures may not pass through it on their own¡±


    ¡°Oh¡­I didn¡¯t know that about them¡­me I mean¡± said Dawn


    ¡°Not you Dawn them you were right the first time¡± Cloud uplifted to her,


    ¡°No me too Cloud I need to realize that I have to accept my current condition, and live with it¡± she said to him


    ¡°But not be brought down because of it¡± blurted out Straud who came up behind her and lifted her into his arms


    ¡°What are you doing uncle?¡± Dawn said bracing herself in his arms


    ¡°Raising you above a challenge¡± he said to her smiling and carried her across the water.


    Going now up to the mouth of the cave she is blocked again by the passage due to her new undertaking


    ¡°Old and familiar terrain but all new obstacles and barriers to overcome¡± Dawn said shaking her head and folding her arms in a shameful self-loathing sadness.


    ¡°But can have new bridges to be built in a fraction on the time now you know where the parts and plans are to do it¡± Cynn said to her, ¡°Captain please go and explain to Lalandra of our newly developed situation so that Dawn may pass again¡±.


    Upon hearing such a tale from both Straud and Artanis and then finally from Dawn who fills in the blanks after Artanis was knocked out, she gave Dawn a big hug and quickly allowed her passage inside again.


    Upon entering the main area that sat an equal distance away from each other Alisianna and Captain Tristan both stood as Alisianna ran to her husband hugging him tightly, smiling and returning the embrace Cloud kissed her and thanked her for being here when they returned.


    ¡°There is something I¡­I mean Tristan and I need to tell you¡± Alisianna said into his ear, ¡°Dawn?¡± Alisianna said letting go of Cloud and moving past him to see her entering the cave opening to another part of Lalandra¡¯s home, she is grabbed by the hand from Cloud who holds her back from going further to Dawn


    ¡°What has happened, she is so pale, and why is Dawn wearing Lord Straud¡¯s cloak, is she sick? Cursed, poisoned Cloud please tell me what¡±


    ¡°Later Alisianna, I will explain later¡± Cloud told her


    ¡°The Judicator and Arbiter said that we need to keep Dawn out of the light¡± and shaking his head at the oxymoron Artanis just said to Cloud, he thanked Artanis for the message and asked to be left with his wife for a moment, and agreeing he left.


    Tristan and Alisianna welcomed the rest back except for Dawn who at the moment they were not allowed to see, they then took Cloud away to a place in the enclave where they could talk in private, and taking turns throughout a long epic story Cloud was told what had transpired between Tristan and Alisianna.The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.


    Needing time to process all that had come from their minds and mouths, Cloud thought for a moment and asked questions to each about stuff he didn¡¯t understand the first time around.


    ¡°And in the end to warm you up, Tristan had to lie in the bare skin to help you warm up is that right¡± Cloud said to Tristan growing a look of concerned anger when he heard a voice from behind him.


    ¡°That was only after a lot of verbal pushing not to mention he had to fix my leg before that¡± and turning to his back Cloud looked to see Stark standing behind them,


    ¡°And who the hell are you?¡± said Cloud sternly


    ¡°My name is Stark and I¡¯m only here for two reasons first to again thank Tristan for saving my life and two; to save your marriage to this woman of natural beauty for the tale I overheard was a true one¡± Stark says to Cloud, and coming up to him Alisianna greets him with a hug.


    ¡°And why should I believe you, druid¡± Cloud inquires to him


    ¡°Because we elders don¡¯t get the positions like we have by lying and being unfaithful and if these two were older I would promote them right now, for they have been true to both claims, Captain Cloud¡± Stark said to him shutting him silent and calming him down. ¡°Now that I have said my words I must take my leave for I¡¯m needed elsewhere, I thank you again Captain Tristan¡± and waving good bye he disappears into the woods.


    ¡°I need some time with this¡± Cloud said to Alisianna as he passed her getting up and walking away from both of them. Alisianna follows him while Tristan stays where he sits.


    As nightfall comes Dawn walks again in to the enclave of her home, she walks up to the mausoleum which they had built for the passing of warriors as well as her parents, and going up to their grave tomes she kneels in front of them to pray and cry.


    A soft wind blows to complement the pleasant peaceful night that was given to the enclave, blowing through her hair and pushing her bangs up to dance in front of her face she wipes away newly made tears of hope and sadness made from thoughts in her mind.


    She then looks to her side and then to a shady spot in the corner thinking that she heard something move, ignoring it she goes back to her side to view a hobby she made herself during the day, picking up the sharpened wooden stake she grips it tightly in her hands; holding it firmly in front of her chest she takes a deep breath and closes her eyes to recite a final prayer to and for herself.


    She jerks the blade swiftly forth toward her but is blinded by pain of not her own doing, and as she opens her eyes again she sees a dagger rushed through the sides of her hands holding the wooden stake in place. She hears footsteps that are quickly made getting louder and louder, and trying again she thrusts the stick toward her torso, she feels an invisible force holding her back from the fatal blow and looking to her left she sees Artanis using his hands to hold back hers.


    ¡°LET ME GO¡± Dawn says crying while fighting his grip


    ¡°DAWN PLEASE; DON¡¯T DO THIS¡± Artanis says struggling to hold her strength enhanced forearms at bay ¡°You have much to live for don¡¯t you see, don¡¯t you know this¡±


    Artanis then gives a swift elbow to the side of her head, and knocking her to the side he then lays on top of her to pin her down; pulling the dagger out of her hands Artanis then looks to the wooden dagger and throws it away.


    Angered at her foiled suicide she then throws Artanis off of her; picking him up after getting to her feet she tosses him effortlessly through the air, landing on top of a tome stone breaking it in half from the impact of his back. Artanis then rolls off and again onto the dirt floor,


    ¡°GET AWAY FROM ME!¡± she yells to him


    ¡°NO DAWN I WON¡¯T, NOT LIKE THIS¡± he bolts back to her


    ¡°You know nothing of this pain I feel nor do you care, none of you do you just act like it¡± she yells to him again


    ¡°You wrong Dawn I do know and understand, better than anyone what you¡¯re going through, you need to fight this, fight the aggression, fight the anger, fight it all to reach the one trapped inside, your soul Dawn; get to your soul¡± and building up a burst of feelings inside of her she crumbles to her knees again and screams out toward the endless night sky, running fast to her side Artanis falls to her level and grips her tightly against his chest.


    Dawn breaks down and starts to cry hard for a time and holding her tight Artanis tells her just to let it out, sobbing for a time she then sniffles to stop the endless tears running down her cheeks and chin, they have soaked Artanis¡¯s front side of his robes and he just looks at her with a deep stare, looking back at him she then turns away and whispers out.


    ¡°What good can come of this evil that is inside me, I¡¯m broken and only a shadow of what I used to be¡±


    ¡°Dawn please, please look at me¡± and turning to him he finishes ¡°My horns, my red demon eyes, the pulse pumping blood in my veins that if put into a cure will become a fatal toxin; and most important of all I am allied with good doers¡±


    Dawn gets to her feet and off Artanis to stand up and turn to his face again


    ¡°I¡¯m a soldier of evil now Artanis, not to mention half dead whatever that really means, how can I do good and right without feeling it¡¯s rewarding warmth to my heart, I can¡¯t feel the breeze on my face or the free flowing water between my fingertips; I¡¯ll never feel the warmth of a kiss¡±


    ¡°You just described people that have such problems, so you are not alone in this¡± Artanis tries to comfort her


    ¡°They are all different people Artanis but I am all their despairs wrapped into one being¡± she says sobbing again, coming to her side he rubs her shoulders with his hands,


    ¡°Just because you can¡¯t feel it, doesn¡¯t mean it¡¯s not helping¡± and staring off into the night sky Artanis holds his arms around her interlocking them together with one another and joins in the stare, ¡°Dawn, when I die my soul will greet the lords of creation, not destruction, this much I¡¯m sure. For good and evil don¡¯t own our souls they merely guide them to a path willfully chosen by us mortals and immortals; I have chosen mine and not from aggression and arrogance of myself, but from purity and righteousness from what I have seen in you and still do. Please don¡¯t show me the error of my ways through such an inconvenience that a curse of alteration has done. Evil may show you its power by distorting your vision and laying claim to your body, but it doesn¡¯t own your soul; such a gift cannot be taken only given. Through your will as its baring hands will it be passed on to the lord of your choice not theirs¡±. And finishing his statement he looks to her hair still blowing gently in the night air, laughing a little bit she giggles


    ¡°You should have been a priest instead of a demon with such a speech¡±


    ¡°Believe me I¡¯m doing my best at redemption to get there¡± Artanis says to her and finally she turns her head to his face


    ¡°Thank you¡­thank you for such acts and words, you are my savoir¡± she finishes with a kiss to his cheek and the cold brittle lips fill Artanis with a feeling of heated passion that he struggles to keep at bay, and she lets go of him to walk away and out of the Mausoleum.


    ¡°You¡¯re welcome¡­my love¡± he says very quietly to himself as he follows slowly behind her.


    Wildling away at a stick with a knife from his belt, Tristan sits in a guest cabin the clan built. The door swings open and enters the Drow Captain, Cloud; he stood at the foot of the entrance way holding a dagger in his hand.


    ¡°Do you stand by every word that you have told me human¡± Cloud sternly stated


    ¡°Yes¡± Tristan replies getting to his feet and walking up to Clouds standing position ¡°Do what you want but I hold true to what I said earlier¡± Cloud then cuts a clean line in his left hand and hands the blade for Tristan, while extending his hand out for a handshake, Tristan first confused with what was happening then cuts his own hand and shakes Cloud¡¯s


    Smiling Cloud speaks ¡°I now from this moment on I greet you not as a friend, not as a Captain¡­but as a brother of blood to my clan and family¡± and pulling Tristan close for a hug he says in his ear ¡°I will never forget the acts of such loyalty you have shown to me on the past day of this event, I am forever in you grace¡±


    And nodding his head Tristan can¡¯t bring himself to smile on such a relieving ending ¡°Something wrong Tristan?¡±


    ¡°Umm yeah I heard that Dawn had some bad luck¡± he stuttered out ¡°And I¡¯m sorry for the situation truly but I have to be honest with you¡­she and I can¡¯t be around each other anymore with her now being a vampire, being a ranger I have what we call racial blood enemies, it fills me with a rage of hate that is very hard to control and¡­¡±


    ¡°Vampires are one such enemy of yours¡± Cloud finishes


    ¡°Cloud I am so¡­sorry for doing this and having this curse happen to her, but to save our relationship and her life you cannot ever fully trust me around her¡± and he ends with holding his head down at such a statement, tapping his shoulder Cloud thanks him in advance and tells him that he will let Dawn know of the added tree in the forest of problems she already now has. He then leaves and Tristan packs to depart for the city once again.


    Artanis hears a knock to his door and upon answering see a figure not expected.


    ¡°Maylor, what are you doing here?¡± he asked


    ¡°May I speak with you, are you alone¡± Maylor asked


    ¡°Yes¡±


    ¡°Good (pauses before speaking) you know Dawn and all the good she has done and tries to see¡± and Artanis nods ¡°I need your help to keep her there, you have been the only one to reach her in this state to a calm level, she is precious to both of us and she needs to still have guidance and protecting, but as of right now she also needs to be watched¡±


    ¡°Is she resisting her vampirism?¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s trying but falters some times, I¡¯ve caught her twice trying to feed off members of the clan while in route with me to wounds healed, she smells the blood and can¡¯t control herself, she is displacing out bursts of rudeness and short tempers which are to be expected but Artanis I can¡¯t be with her all the time especially with these events intertwined¡­I need your help¡±


    ¡°What do you need from me Arbiter?¡±


    ¡°To take the night watch and be with her as much as she will let you, teach her to grow strong and resist the evil temptation that lingers in her to act on unwanted fear and hate¡­and above all; don¡¯t let her drink, she has animal blood at the temple which she utterly dislikes but needs for nutrition to keep going¡±


    ¡°I will aid you in this till she is cured¡± Artanis pledges


    ¡°I warn you my son, I know you have feelings for her and deep ones, but understand that she may never come around from this curse, I just don¡¯t want it to consume her loving soul¡±


    ¡°I give you my word Arbiter that will never come to be¡± and tapping his shoulder Maylor takes his leave and tells Artanis that tomorrow is when he should start.

 Chapter 33

    Sitting in her room, Logan again appears to her ¡°Oh what are you doing here¡± Sephinroth snaps at him and he only returns with a look of displeasing annoyance.


    ¡°Oh my, touchy are we, Please tell me the issue, so that I may show a false sign of compassion while I try to care¡± and giving him a dirty look she just waits for his answer, ¡°Ok; Colossus is growing tired of waiting¡± Logan steams out,


    ¡°Tell him to stuff it, I¡¯m working as fast as I can, but you can go to him with the happy thought that I¡¯m moving ahead for they have gotten the first essence¡±


    ¡°Really, wow that is amazing¡± Logan sarcastically shot back


    ¡°And so is that look from you, you have improved your skill of fake caring¡±


    ¡°Sadly hearing that news is really a show of happiness¡­I¡¯m so tired of bending to that ape¡¯s every whim and willfully command, that I¡¯m pretty much ready to spear myself while walking into sunlight for a tan¡±


    ¡°And what may I ask are the chores the all mighty bull has bestowed upon you?¡±


    ¡°Just gathering vampires¡­well humans and turning them into vampires, I tell you I¡¯ve bitten so many my fangs hurt, but on the bright side I have never been so full in my whole endless life¡± moving to pose from a side view to her he says ¡°Do I look fat to you, have I put on weight, don¡¯t lie to me I want the truth now¡±


    ¡°Oh just shut up and go bite or suck something I don¡¯t care just leave¡± she says turning her back to him, and stopping his useless babble he then grows a different look, one of concern and asks


    ¡°Now what is really going on with you?¡±


    ¡°There was an incident involving the retrieval of the essence and something happened to Dawn¡­she was changed into a vampire¡±


    ¡°Wow really¡± Logan said excitedly ¡°gee maybe I should meet her, and give her a welcoming family button, what do you think¡±


    ¡°That you¡¯re an idiot but that is beside the point, Rain just got the news and is taking it rather hard, I didn¡¯t have any words of comfort because well I really couldn¡¯t find it in me to care but¡­¡±


    ¡°Wait a second here, are you actually sad for him, are you showing compassion for this Drow!?¡±


    ¡°NO! Of course not; I¡¯m just saying that his concern is right now mine too¡±


    ¡°Awe, that¡¯s sweet¡± Logan sarcastically propped bringing together his hands,


    ¡°As well as it should be yours too, for if he isn¡¯t here he also isn¡¯t finding the essences, which then puts you at Colossus bidding for¡­ oh I don¡¯t know the rest of your unnatural long life!¡±


    ¡°Like I said before, mourn with him, kiss him¡­hell bed him, do whatever just get him on finding those evils¡± and ending off his sentence fast Logan smokes away.


    Sephinroth sulks by herself for a while before being given the news from her slave of a new comer by the name of Elanee Kerrigan arriving, allowing her to be let in to the tower Sephinroth goes to meet with her.


    ¡°Elanee, Welcome to my home for I think you are one of the last of your circle to enter these walls¡± Eve says to her ¡°Have you come baring news from Rain or other means of information about our cause here?¡±


    ¡°No I¡¯m sorry for I don¡¯t bring such words, but I must say I love the interior of the masterful manor you have built¡± Elanee replies


    ¡°No, please I don¡¯t deserve such credit, for I only guard such a master piece, thou did not create it¡± Eve states


    ¡°Well anyway my concern is not for the manor but for one who is inside, Rain.¡± she says to Eve


    ¡°And how is he doing after such a hardship to bare¡± Eve questions


    ¡°I have recently seen him and given him my condolences as well as my help with anything that he may need from me to assist in the easing of this burden; but more over to that end is why I have come to see you, having been at Rain¡¯s side for some time now I have found that he has a certain bittersweet taste for woman no matter their race or rank¡± Elanee explains


    ¡°Really, my I hope he doesn¡¯t see that in me for I haven¡¯t such acts of distastefulness in him¡± Eve adds


    ¡°I know and there lies the concern¡± Elanee says sternly


    ¡°My dear Elanee are¡­are you threatening me¡± Eve says putting on a shocked look


    ¡°Let¡¯s just call this a preemptive friendly warning between two ladies of structure and integrity, for knowing Rain as I do and seeing him behave so cooperatively, compellingly toward you in such a short time has aroused some major suspicion in my mind. And with him in such a heartfelt fragile state given the grief sought out from him, plus the added part of him blaming himself for not being there at his sisters unpleasant cursing¡­¡±


    ¡°Listen I love to hear such accusing tales as much as the next but really is there a threat in there somewhere or are you just here to bore me?¡± Eve says interrupting Elanee


    ¡°I am warning you that if you move in emotionally just to quicken the pace of your goal and hurt him in the end for false leading his heart, no force in good or evil will stop me from hunting you down like the dog you will be¡±


    ¡°Oh believe me, I won¡¯t do such a thing again for I know the repercussions all too well¡± Eve says concerned


    ¡°What do you mean again?¡± Elanee questions with a suggestive face.


    ¡°I¡­I meant that I have done it before ¡­with¡­with another yes another and I have seen firsthand on toying with such power, I mean emotions can leave me barely living through such times¡± Eve said turning around not facing her as she spoke


    ¡°Then I have said my peace and shall now take my leave¡± Elanee said turning to leave


    ¡°Such an act for someone who is only a friend is nearly impossible to find little own believe; I wonder if your feelings and heart speak louder than your mind on this matter hmmm?¡± And looking to her quickly but saying nothing in response Elanee gives her a deep look of concern and a shot of fear runs through her face


    ¡°I give you my word Elanee I will keep my distance with my heart to his if I don¡¯t plan on using it, for I fear as much to hurt him as I do to hurt you¡± Eve states finishing the topic


    ¡°Thank you for your word and I trust that I can hold you to it¡± Elanee says almost staring to show tears for the idea of losing Rain


    ¡°You can¡± Eve reassures her, and nodding her head Elanee finally departs for the tower.


    Coming into the cave library Artanis sees Rain sitting in a chair reading or at least pretending too.


    ¡°Rain, you wish to see me?¡±


    ¡°Artanis, how is Dawn doing?¡±


    ¡°Staying out of the sun as she¡¯s told, she¡¯s in the mausoleum right now, that sentence is so weird to me; keep Dawn out of the light ¡°


    ¡°Yeah that phrase still doesn¡¯t make sense to me either no matter how many times I run it through my head¡± Rain says


    ¡°It¡¯s not fair, for the fates to do this especially to her, she is such a bright person so full of light and good, why take a swing to corrupt all of that¡±


    ¡°Maybe they feel she still has a lesson to be learned that only being on the other side of the line can teach her¡± Rain speculates


    ¡°Why the necessity to learn in such a manor, it¡¯s so harsh and barbaric, it fills me with hurt and anger¡± Artanis says gripping tightly his fists for a moment


    ¡°Some lessons are harder to learn than others ¡°Rain says closing the book and standing up ¡°Then again maybe this lesson just isn¡¯t meant for her, but for all of us¡±


    ¡°Like¡± Artanis asks gesturing his arms waiting for words of such intellect to inspire him,


    ¡°Like trying to find the cold hard truth in a mountain of heated lies¡­I don¡¯t know I¡¯m just babbling on anyway, so do yourself a favor, don¡¯t listen¡­oh the reason I sent for you¡± Rain finished and picking up the blank paged book he hands it to him, looking at it and knowing what it was Artanis goes to his side where he had it placed to see it¡¯s not there


    ¡°Shit I must have dropped it when we left here last time, thank you so much¡± Artanis says gripping it tightly from Rain hands


    ¡°What is it¡± asked Rain


    ¡°It¡¯s a¡­a notebook, I just like to doodle once in a while that¡¯s all, jot down key points of entry to a room or into a keep or strong hold¡± and giving Artanis a gesture of his hands not to bother with a reason so deep, he tells him that he found it in the city library and Elanee gave it to him when she came here to give her respects to the incident.


    Leaving his sight Artanis thanks him again and left from the arriving sight of Cynn to Rain¡¯s table, she tells Rain that the time has come for him to get in lessons on advanced magical casting and putting down his book he had, he quickly packed up his things to begin the training under her guidance; Cynn teaches Rain new abilities that he has been anxiously awaiting to be taught. Working on them for the better part of two days, Rain had already shown a great leap in the Telekinesis ability by lifting things with his magical powers well beyond that of someone else in his class.


    With Rain¡¯s absence from the Zenith tower Eve attempts to on her own, decipher the text of codes to the location of the next essence using techniques learned from Rain, she struggles with it and knowing that her expertise is not in this field she continues on, not knowing when Rain will be back.


    Straud, Artanis and Cloud meet in the enclave mess cabin talking about past and present plans, walking in on them not meaning to interrupt their meal Lalandra she speaks up to him saying that the unique training item he had requested was finally finished, thanking her and finishing his meal Straud welcomes the others to join him as he leaves the cabin to her cave. The curiosity weighs heavy on the two of them and they follow Straud. Traveling behind the Captain and Dragon the two are taken down a new corridor never aloud down before, looking to the side of the tunnel which were made up of very old placed brick and stone, Artanis spouted off saying that this must be hundreds if not a thousand years in age. They go deep into the earth and arriving at large arena like opening all of them gaze upon a figure holding a blade at the center of a circle, embedded by a ring of stones inscribed with ruins on the floor shaped into a perfect circle. Looking carefully they focus on the figure who reveals himself as Logan Silas, startled and caught off guard both Artanis and Cloud draw their blades and in their advance are stopped by Straud getting in the war path,You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.


    ¡°No wait, stand down boys¡± Straud commanded ¡°it¡¯s not actually him¡±


    ¡°What? Then who or what¡­?¡± Cloud says confused


    ¡°It¡¯s a magical reconstruction of him Cloud¡± Lalandra adds ¡°It took the better part of my free time to create this, after the initial encounter with him Straud came to me asking if such a thing could be created for training purposes; it is exactly like him in physical features as well as strength and mobility but the tricky part came when I needed to have him fight like Logan Silas¡± she concluded


    ¡°For that we needed Elanee¡¯s help¡± Straud added ¡°She took the images and knowledge of the fight we had from my mind and transferred it into Lalandra¡¯s so that she could finish him, making Logan the most advanced training program ever conceived. We at first didn¡¯t think that Elanee could do or handle such a task, but when confronted she humbly agreed knowing that it could bring about his terrible reign of terror. I got to admit she is far more powerful than even Lalandra and I have ever first thought and given her credit for¡±


    ¡°So how¡­how does this work, do you just fight him?¡± Artanis asks


    ¡°No not quiet, you see there are commands to be taken and obeyed and only can be said by me, so I need to supervise the fight training¡± Lalandra explains. She then gestures Straud to enter the ring which he does drawing his sword. Lalandra commands Logan to prepare for battle drawing his own sword standing ready, they begin combat and in a matter of seconds Straud is on the floor about to be run through from Logan¡¯s blade.


    ¡°STOP!¡± Lalandra commands ¡°Stand down¡± she says behind the first command and Logan then lowers his weapon backing off to the other side of the ring. Straud gets to his feet and shakes his head, ¡°I think you made him faster than the original Lalandra¡±


    ¡°And all I foresee from that outcome is better training¡± she replies


    ¡°True enough¡± Straud says and waits to go again, starting up again Artanis then asks,


    ¡°What if the Logan in there overturns your commands, not that you would let it happen but¡­¡±


    ¡°Well I had thought the infiltration of my lair by a summoner mage and if he ever took control of the figure I have implemented a failsafe if you will. The runes on the floor in the circular pattern mean to keep him concealed inside, and if he was ever commanded to leave the circle a conjunction spell would trigger thus disintegrating him instantly¡± she finishes, satisfied by the explanation Artanis and Cloud stand quiet for the most part to watch time and time again Straud hit the ground at edge point of Logan¡¯s blade, watching a little longer Artanis then asks Cloud,


    ¡°How¡¯s Alisianna, I heard that she wasn¡¯t feeling good lately¡±


    ¡°Well she¡¯s ok I guess, she has been vomiting a bunch lately, in the morning and almost every time before we go to bed, she tried herbal medicine that she knew from the forest but nothing helps, Maylor said that he couldn¡¯t find anything wrong with her except for a raise in her eating habits¡±


    ¡°So what is going on? is she sick or something, I thought that being a druid she was immune to getting natural sickness from cold or hot weather, as well as poison from the plant life¡± added Artanis in inquiry


    ¡°She is¡­they moved her to the Druid enclave again for the elders to look at her, and see if they can figure it out¡± Cloud said worrying


    ¡°I¡¯m sure it¡¯s nothing Cloud really, they¡¯ll figure it out and she¡¯ll be back to normal in no time¡± Artanis said comforting with words and patting his back


    ¡°Look I¡¯m going to get some air, it¡¯s kind of stuffy in here you want to join?¡± Asked Cloud leaving the area


    ¡°No I want to stay here a little more and learn for myself the moves of this half dead lunatic¡± responded Artanis as nodding his head Cloud stepped off to the surface.


    Arriving up to the bright light of high noon, Cloud covered his eyes quickly as his eyes adjusted to the light, looking to his right after about ten steps from the cave entrance Cloud saw a barrel standing by itself and then heard a yelling voice.


    ¡°LOOK OUT!!!¡± cried the voice and moving quickly to the ground a green orb like ball past over top dripping sparks of green lightning like gel to the ground; the ball impacted the barrel blowing it to splinters raining them to Clouds body. Removing his hands from his head and uncurling from the ball he was in Cloud looks up to see Rain charging to his location helping Cloud to his feet.


    ¡°Are you ok Cloud¡± Rain said concerned


    ¡°Damn it Rain you almost blew me up, my god haven¡¯t you gotten the disintegrating spell under hand yet¡± he bolted wiping the splintered shavings from his leather shirt.


    ¡°Well it¡¯s not like casting a fireball Cloud, it takes much more focus and power¡± Rain snapped back ¡°But are you ok?¡±


    ¡°Yes I¡¯m fine, just a little shaken up that¡¯s all¡± Cloud replied harshly and looking back to the mutilation of the barrel he asked Rain ¡°Isn¡¯t it supposed to you know¡­turn in to ash or mush or something with that spell?¡±


    ¡°Yeah¡± Rain sighed ¡°This is what happens when you don¡¯t get it right¡±


    ¡°Seems pretty effective if you ask me¡± Cloud said smiling a little


    ¡°Yes¡­but it¡¯s not what is supposed to happen and until then¡­¡±


    ¡°I know, I know, you won¡¯t be happy with the results, but you should be happy with achieving this or you won¡¯t be able to reach the real ending, but I¡¯m sure you¡¯ll get it, you¡¯re the most gifted mage or sorry¡­sorcerer I know and trust me, you¡¯ll get there just give it time. Besides Cynn says you are doing superb with the telekinesis, she said that you almost lifted a cabin today¡± Cloud adds with enthusiasm


    ¡°Well I shook the foundation anyway¡± Rain said and tapping his shoulder Cloud says to him ¡°Now that¡¯s power Rain, and a great type too, be proud¡­I am¡± and telling Rain that he was going to see Alisianna for a while he tells him to contact him when Rain has located the next essence, nodding to him Rain gives his best to Alisianna and continues his training.


    Putting his signature seal to documents of importance from the tabled wood of Silverspire city, a knock appears on Ambassador Namor¡¯s door.


    ¡°Enter¡± Namor says and in walks Captain Tristan


    ¡°You asked for me Ambassador¡± Tristan says


    ¡°Yes please come in and sit Captain¡± Namor says to him, Tristan sits in a chair across from him and is offered from a servant girl a drink, politely refusing while smiling at him, the girl turns growing a serious look while offering the same to Namor. He gestures his hand to for acceptance and pouring his drink Namor takes a glance down her outfit, feeling his eyes upon herself the maid grows comfort putting to her eyes the sight of Tristan and finishing her job leaving the room, the ranger grows intolerant to Namor¡¯s rude manner as Namor focuses on the girl¡¯s backside as she left.


    ¡°Besides tea, Ambassador why have you called for me¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s Elanee¡± Namor replies


    ¡°Elanee, what has happened is she alright?¡± Tristan says worriedly


    ¡°Alright in the sense that you worry about but mentally I just don¡¯t know¡± Namor explains ¡°I can¡¯t say for certain, the past week she has been avoiding me¡±


    ¡°But I have seen you two together just this morning sharing breakfast¡± says Tristan


    ¡°No my dear Captain, I am talking a little more personal, you see I can¡¯t get near her to have an intimate moment, she won¡¯t let me kiss her even touch her and having that bloody cat around of yours upon her every waking side doesn¡¯t help matters either¡± Namor ends to which Tristan brings to his face a devilish grin.


    ¡°Anubis is there to ensure her wellbeing, from ALL predators that may be lurking about, and seeing how she is your lady, I trust that my concern for her in such a manor was prudent enough for you to fully agree with the action I have taken¡± Tristan responds


    ¡°And in deed it is Captain, don¡¯t get me wrong with your recommendation, I agree as well as applier it greatly, I¡¯m just getting frustrated with how to approach her recently, not to offend her¡± Namor replies


    ¡°You just need to show more detailed interest in her and her activities Namor, women love the men who focus on the little things in their lives¡± Tristan explains


    ¡°My dear Captain, I¡¯m an ambassador not a nurse maid or servant girl, I have many demands on my time that cannot be ignored¡± Namor says


    ¡°But she can be!¡± Tristan heats up his words ¡°Look Namor if the only reason you have called for me is to reveal to you the secret to getting her in to bed, then your efforts have been in vain¡± Tristan says standing up ¡°So now I asked this¡­do you love her and I mean really love her; because if she is to wind up another arm accessory for your wardrobe like the others you have stashed away in your manor than I swear to you¡­¡±


    ¡°My accessories as well as personal intentions are none of your concern CAPTAIN! And if you won¡¯t help me with this, perhaps I should take this relationship to the next phase¡± Namor heats up as well, standing to meet Tristan face to face.


    ¡°Elanee isn¡¯t like the traditional women you have known and met, she has been appointed with responsibilities here. She cannot just up and leave to simply be replaced; laws from our home lands don¡¯t apply here Ambassador!¡± Tristan huffs


    ¡°I never asked you here to be barraged at by your blistered insult filled tongue, I called you here because of you closeness with her, you seem to be the best candidate I know to reach her on a level she knows and respects, I ask that you find out from her for me what is bothering her and a method I can use to put her mind at ease¡± Namor finishes and shaking his head with disgust Tristan leaves to the door but stops to turn around once more.


    ¡°I will do what I can, if I have time, for my new duties until the return of Cloud have left me little time to think for myself little own act on anything¡± and calming down Namor gets a hold of himself emotionally


    ¡°Thank you Captain, it will be much appreciated¡± and nodding a Captain¡¯s bow Tristan leaves Namor¡¯s chambers.


    Going to the orphanage Tristan sees Elanee playing with some kids as she has done for the past week with all of her free time,


    ¡°Has anyone told you, you have a mother¡¯s touch with them¡± says Tristan coming up to the building side watching her play a chase game with some girls.


    ¡°Once or twice¡± Elanee smiled to him holding a small child in her arms after catching her ¡°Since you and Cloud have done such a good job holding the crime down, my investigating skills are being shelved for the time being; What are you doing here¡± she asked


    ¡°Well I had a chat with Namor just a time ago, and he asked me to come by to see you¡± Tristan said, hearing this Elanee puts the child down and tells her to run off for a short time and keep busy with the others.


    ¡°He did, did he¡± she replied not sounding enthused about it


    ¡°Look Elanee I didn¡¯t come to find out what he wanted, but for myself, is something wrong, you have been acting very distant from all of us lately¡±


    ¡°I wish I could Tristan really but this problem I have as of late I can only solve through my own thoughts, I just need more time¡± Elanee presses on


    ¡°You mean to choose between the loves of Rain or Namor right?¡± Tristan says


    ¡°Actually the choice is if I should love at all¡± says Elanee


    ¡°To love at all Elanee what¡­¡±


    ¡°Captain¡± a soldier calls to Tristan from horseback that was never heard from his ears,


    ¡°Yes footman, what is it¡± Tristan responds professional


    ¡°Trouble sir at the border, there is a dispute of land by the northern clans and they are threatening to retake their misused lands by force¡± the footman says and Tristan¡¯s face goes to a frustrating look and Elanee looks to him


    ¡°It¡¯s ok Captain, you need to go¡± she pushes


    ¡°I know but, look we should talk more about this later ok, wait for me to return¡­I don¡¯t wish to see you give up¡± he responds to her, and nodding he commands for his horse to be brought to him and a strike force be assembled at the front gate, following the order the footman rides off, and following him is Tristan on foot.


    Elanee goes about her day for about a couple more hours when she sees Cynn join her side in a flash of light, looking frantic about trying to find something as Elanee addresses with a pleasant hello.


    ¡°Oh god¡± Cynn says looking to the sky


    ¡°What, what happened¡± Elanee asked and join her in the look she then sees it, Rain falling freely from the sky. Waving her hand about Cynn panics


    ¡°Can you judge where he is about to land?¡± she asks Elanee quickly


    ¡°I think around the stables, but why?¡± and finishing her question she is yanked at the hand by Cynn who runs to see the landing.


    ¡°Ahhhhh!¡± is yelled by Rain ¡°BOOM! CRASH! BANG!¡± echoes out in an immediate area which brings people from the vicinity running to the stables, nahing horses gallop swiftly from the shelter and some wagon wheels roll out from the debris, of hay, wood splinters and boards that go hurling into the air.


    Both Elanee and Cynn turn the comer just to lay witness to Rain plummeting into the roof rafters of the stables, blowing a large hole through the ceiling in his spectacular landing.


    ¡°Rain! Rain are you ok, say something¡± Cynn shouts out as she and Elanee run into the stables waving their hands in the air to settle the dust in their faces blocking the vision, and as the dust settles they see a figure in the corner. Elanee looks up at two holes made by his landing, one through the roof and one through the loft to the ground, helping Cynn move some boards of the area they heard Rain coughing and finally clear their sight to see him while starting to laugh loudly. Covered in water and noodle limp hay sits Rain in the middle of a large horse trough, his hood draped over his face with water draining off the brim, he raises his head slowly showing them a look of embarrassment.


    ¡°Rain, are you¡­¡± says Cynn covering her mouth not to laugh


    ¡°Fine!¡± Rain finishes looking at her with a dirty scowl


    ¡°Hey don¡¯t get mad at me, I told you that the line of focus is very difficult as well as similar to that of the teleport spell didn¡¯t I¡±


    ¡°What happened¡± Elanee whispered holding in her gut aching laugher


    ¡°Rain was trying to fly by means of a spell¡± Cynn says to her smiling


    ¡°Wasn¡¯t trying, I did fly¡­just couldn¡¯t get the landing down properly, but it¡¯s not my fault there was some kids running around the area I was in and I got distracted with their safety¡± Rain snapped pulling some limp hay strands from off his face and cloak


    ¡°Hey don¡¯t blame the kids, it¡¯s not their fault you¡¯re not mentally coordinated to do two things at once¡± said Elanee helping Cynn get Rain out of the trough.


    ¡°Ahh my back¡± Rain says moaning as he got to his feet


    ¡°Better than us picking up pieces of you¡± says Cynn


    ¡°Yes of course I should be grateful to the fine building hands of the human crafting age, so sorry I thought of myself for a second, for my attention should be to the smiths job they now have at patching up my landing zone¡± Rain grumbles grabbing his back rubbing it.


    ¡°I¡¯ll get some ice for that¡± said Elanee going to walk away


    ¡°No that¡¯s ok Elanee, Rain and I will just go back to the enclave, he needs to get back to the tower anyway so I¡¯ll just get Maylor to heal him up¡± Cynn stated to her


    ¡°How did you fall here anyway?¡± she asked Rain


    ¡°Well when you fall your mind wonders and mine wondered to a soft landing of the back of a horse and then poof I was moved to the area of a horse, not exactly what I had in mind though¡± and laughing a little more Elanee saw Rain and Cynn again teleport away.


    Walking back to the orphanage Elanee is met up by a couple of guards who tell her that the King wishes to see her.


    ¡°With the Captain away there is a matter which requires his attention but you are next in line being the chief investigator¡± the one guard states to her and jumping on the back of a guard¡¯s patrols horse she is hastily taken to the castle.

 Chapter 34

    Going back to the Zenith tower after some work done by Maylor, Rain arrives to the main hall asking the guard not to be announced inside. Wanting to surprise her he enters himself, going to her working area he sees books open to pages spread all over tables she has been to. Smiling to himself at the sight reminding him of his own work areas when trying to find out something he continues on till he sees her deep in thought about some calculations.


    ¡°Your servants have become slack as of late¡± Rain blurts startling her jittering her concentration to nothing, screaming a high shriek Rain covers his ears and reacting she then covers her mouth for the sound scared herself.


    ¡°Oh Rain I¡¯m so sorry about that I didn¡¯t hear you come in¡± she said seeing him uncover his ears


    ¡°That¡¯s ok I meant to surprise you¡± Rains said putting his finger in his ear attempting to stop the continuous ringing going on inside.


    ¡°I think I have found the next location but I want to run the work by you first¡± Eve said and hearing her explanation in terms he used for the most part, Rain grew a smile on his face watching her move from book to book as he had always done. Explaining what she had done in each book. Taking a seat to her last table Eve was going about the calculations to him looking up expecting to see him rewrite it down to do them himself, but she instead saw him in a mesmerizing stare right at her.


    ¡°Rain, aren¡¯t you going to check my figures¡± She asks


    ¡°I am¡­I mean will¡­I will¡± Rain said grabbing some parchment and a quill pen but still smiling to himself.


    ¡°What are you smiling at¡± Eve asks coming over to his shoulder side as he sat down to write,


    ¡°Just how you have learnt so much in such a short time¡± Rain said jotting down the notes


    ¡°Well I am a quick study¡± she replies to him and being quiet for some time Rain finishes the calculations, turning to her Rain gets a full view of her cleavage as she leans over viewing his approach to solving them. Rain shakes his head quickly to disrupt the view and looks up hoping she did not see his wandering sight.


    ¡°Well looks like your figure are¡­well rounded and balanced¡± Rain says clearing his crooked throat from the embarrassing gesture he made.


    ¡°Well that¡¯s good, now you see here and here where the two locations intersect¡± Eve continues and reaching her arm past his face pointing on the map Rain again glances to the skin on her chest.


    ¡°Yeah I see them¡± Rain says this time not turning away from her body.


    ¡°I think that if you cross the two points you will find¡­the point of entry¡± and finishing her explanation she looks to him staring at her chest, smiling a little she adds ¡°You know they don¡¯t talk right, that act is done further north of them¡± and shaking his head he stands up.


    ¡°I¡¯m so sorry, I didn¡¯t mean to offend you¡± Rain said backing up


    ¡°If such an act from the males offended me I¡¯d be wearing a monks robe, relax Rain it¡¯s ok, it¡¯s a compliment really¡­ that you think I¡¯m worthy of being look at in such a manner¡± she said


    ¡°And you most defiantly are, you are one of the most beautiful females in this field I have ever seen¡± and growing a blush to her face she grew a shy look and thanks him for the remark. Starting to put away the books that they were using she grabs her neck from a sharp pain running through it, dropping the book she was holding Rain hears the sound and comes to her aid.


    ¡°You ok Eve?¡± Rain questions


    ¡°Yeah I just have a pain in my neck, that¡¯s all¡±


    ¡°Here sit down, do you know what it¡¯s from¡± Rain asks


    ¡°This mortal body¡± she thinks but replays that she doesn¡¯t know, ¡°Well here let me try something¡±


    ¡°No it¡¯s ok¡± she says but not letting her up Rain starts to massage her neck and feeling a relief of the pain, she forgets what she was thinking about before and relaxes going almost limp in the chair ¡°Oh! That feels so good,¡± she says enjoying it and thinking how every time she had a small problem Rain has been there to help her understand. She looks to him and smiles a deep smile of appreciation and in turn, he smiles back. They share a deep moment of staring at each other before the time was interrupted by the announcement of a servant bringing to them Elanee.


    ¡°Well I¡¯m sorry to break you two away from¡­such deep thoughts about our essence crisis but I have one of my own that might need your assistance¡± Elanee said with a broken voice of embarrassment and shocking deceit. Coming over to her Rain takes his hands off Eve¡¯s neck and approaches Elanee


    ¡°So what¡¯s going on¡± He asks


    ¡°First of all I¡¯m sorry about intruding¡­I didn¡¯t know about you two yet¡± said Elanee softly


    ¡°Us¡­oh you mean¡­oh no, no, no you misunderstood that she just had a sore neck, that¡¯s all¡± said Rain trying to mend the situation


    ¡°Oh¡± said Elanee ¡°Now I feel really embarrassed¡±


    ¡°You had a situation Elanee???¡± said Rain again


    ¡°There have been some reports that a dragon may be moving into the area west of here. Some farmers have had their homesteads destroyed and herds of cattle eaten, normally Captain Tristan would handle such a matter but he is preoccupied with a border dispute right now, that could grow to an ugly situation itself. I being the chief investigator have been asked by the king to check it out and¡­¡±


    ¡°And you want some back up¡± finished Rain


    ¡°Well I have Namor and his elite guards to aid the soldiers I have¡± she adds


    ¡°Umm yeah like I said you would like some actual backup¡± Rain replies and gets a smile from Elanee face ¡°Sure I think we can help¡± said Rain


    ¡°We¡± Elanee answered


    ¡°Yeah Eve and I, she is more than capable of handling herself in a tight situation and not just a book worm¡± and asking for her help as well she agrees to assist happily, after hearing that a dragon might be involved. Knowing that it could take over her rightful territory she jumps at the chance to dispose of it.


    ¡°I will go to the Enclave with the new location that you found Eve, tell them about it and I¡¯ll meet up with you girls at the city¡± agreeing with him the girls take off their way as Rain heads to the Enclave.


    Lead by Cynn down the passage he had never took; Rain was brought into the chamber where Straud was combating the Logan replica.


    ¡°Brother, how are you¡± asked Cloud watching the skirmish alongside with Artanis and Dawn


    ¡°I have found the next essence¡± said Rain and seeing a blade fly against the wall; Straud again hits the ground, ¡°How many times has he¡­¡±


    ¡°Thirty-two¡± said Artanis


    ¡°This hurts I could have taken him down in half the time¡± added Dawn ¡°Uncle never seemed so weak to me before like he does now,¡± she says with the males staring at her cocky rude comment. ¡°What!¡± she says looking at their gazes.


    ¡°Does he rest?¡± asked Rain shaking off his quick thought to her.


    ¡°Only for mere hours in between beatings¡± said Cloud ¡°You said you have found the next essence brother¡±


    ¡°Yes¡± Rain replied going into detail where it is, they talk and watch the last fight Straud will go into for the day but again getting beaten Lord Straud limps from the battle arena holding his side joining them.


    ¡°Good progress Straud¡± said Lalandra ¡°You are doing well, and there is a saying I have heard in the past, what doesn¡¯t kill you, will make you stronger¡±


    Laughing a little Straud rewards up ¡°Let¡¯s hope so or this has been for nothing, I overheard that you have found the next evil stone Rain¡± to which Rain nods,


    ¡°Then Cloud, take Artanis and Dawn with you to retrieve it; I need to stay and train and Cynn will go to Alisianna¡¯s side to protect her in your absence¡±


    ¡°Shouldn¡¯t we have more men uncle¡± Dawn asks


    ¡°With your new found strength you are more powerful than five elite troops Dawn as well as a gifted healer according to Maylor. With the amulets you carry you¡¯ll be masked by anything attempting to find you, stealth will keep all of us safe for the time being¡± Straud says


    ¡°And you have our blades as well Dawn¡± adds Artanis smiling


    ¡°Trust me Artanis, as sweet as that sounded it¡¯ll be me helping you two¡± she stated


    ¡°How is Alisianna, Cloud?¡± asks Rain changing the topic againStolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    ¡°She¡¯s ok, but gets unnerving by any little thing that doesn¡¯t work perfectly through the day, she changes her moods so fast; it¡¯s weird¡± Cloud explains


    Rain¡¯s tells them of the disturbance with the countryside dragon and had the ok to help aid where he and Eve could; he hugs his sister and brother for luck on their journey, as well as a nod to Artanis. Cynn takes the venturing group as far as she could without weakening herself too badly and gives them a recall stone to return, she leaves mere hours for them to travel on but across heavy rock will it take time.


    Rain heads back to the city to meet with the party for the Dragon hunt and Cynn heads off to be with Alisianna.


    Arriving back to the city in a flash of light, Rain greets the twelve soldiers with Elanee and Eve, adding five Drow guards of his own to the group.


    ¡°These men are compliments of Lord Straud to aid the task¡± said Rain ¡°Where¡¯s Namor, still putting on his war paint¡± Rain laughs,


    ¡°Getting his affairs in order for his absence¡± Elanee says to him


    ¡°Really, I was kidding about my remark, didn¡¯t think it was true¡± Rain added


    They wait for moments to go by and then see him arrive on horseback, ¡°Ok are we ready to embark on our¡­my I don¡¯t believe we have had the honor and pleasure of introducing one another¡± Namor says embedding his eyes on Eve.


    ¡°That pleasure you will never see from her I assure you; and as for your honor¡­well you can take that and shove it up you¡¯re¡­¡±


    ¡°Alright you guys stop it¡± Elanee bolts out ¡°We have a town in need that can¡¯t wait for your pity little verbal war you have with each other, now just this once can you put aside your differences and be civil, please; for me¡± begs Elanee hopeful,


    ¡°Of course¡± said Namor


    ¡°Fine¡± snapped Rain


    ¡°Now Rain can you teleport us there?¡± Elanee asked


    ¡°No the party is too large, doing so would most likely kill me¡± Rain states


    ¡°Then by all means give it a try¡± Namor belts out


    ¡°You know I could however send you ten feet lower then where you stand now¡± Rain replies


    ¡°ENOUGH¡± Elanee barks and shakes her head with disgust ¡°We will then go by horse but we need to go now!¡± and kicking her mare she gallops ahead of the rest getting away from the squabble of the two. They move following with Elanee keeping speed, traveling west to the town of Falcon.


    Reaching their destination and having sore feet Cloud climbs the last rocky sculpted cliff face to reach where the others have already been waiting, Dawn being the vampire was first there followed closely behind was Artanis. Cloud arrives breathing heavy and looks to the others.


    ¡°Aren¡¯t you guys tired?¡± he asks


    ¡°No not really but I¡¯m used to this kind of climbing, done it all my life¡± spouted Artanis


    ¡°Well good for you¡± Cloud replied


    ¡°And I¡¯m vampire which is turning out to be kind of neat with the powers I¡¯m granted, I got over this gully of rocks as nimble as a fox¡± Dawn boasted


    ¡°Well good for you two, I have to say traveling at night is a lot harder than I thought; if it wasn¡¯t for our night vision I¡¯d still be back in the middle of that rock maze¡± Cloud huffed out


    ¡°But you¡¯re my brother, that wouldn¡¯t have stopped you¡± Dawn smiles to him


    ¡°Don¡¯t be so happy and content with you newly founded powers Dawn, for all we know this could be a test of weakness of the mind and will, you need to bare these abilities as a curse not a blessing Dawn, use them as only when absolutely necessary you must or they will consume your soul¡± Cloud advised her


    ¡°You don¡¯t need to preach to me Cloud, I know what I must do, OK! I can handle this on my own!¡± Dawn snapped and Cloud and Artanis looked to her with shock ¡°Now come on let¡¯s keep moving Rain said that the opening was just up here¡± she finished bolting off ahead.


    ¡°We have to watch her closely Artanis, we must keep her on the path she wished and has wanted¡± Cloud looks to him with the wind of her swift walking clouding her hearing


    ¡°I agree, and I will do all I can, even if it costs me my life¡± Artanis replies to him staring at her quick exit


    ¡°Well let¡¯s hope it won¡¯t come to that end¡± concludes Cloud as they move to catch up to her.


    They all arrive at the entrance to a cave at the base of a large mountain and notice some words carved in the wall side.


    ¡°Only those pure of heart may enter the test of righteousness and truth¡± says Cloud


    ¡°Why every time we have these things to decode Rain is not here, this is staring to piss me off,¡± says Dawn getting frustrated and walking in to the opening Dawn is thrown back in the air a few feet landing hard on her side.


    ¡°Well for sure you¡¯re not pure of heart right now, your dead!¡± said Artanis who then takes his turn in trying and has the same result happen to him. He scrapes himself from the floor and looks to the cave ¡°What the¡­ It¡¯s like an invisible force that just tosses you away, and why me? I can see about Dawn but me?¡± Artanis repeats


    ¡°Bloodline¡± says Cloud ¡°Your blood is tainted by death¡± he says to Dawn ¡°And yours is tainted by demonical presence¡± he says to Artanis


    ¡°Well that¡¯s not my fault, I was born this way¡± Artanis replies


    ¡°And I was bitten, I didn¡¯t will this upon me¡± Dawn added


    ¡°Doesn¡¯t matter blood is what it is, but I wonder if ¡­¡± and taking a few steps into the cave Cloud smiles at he can only pass through, he turns around and wipes the smirk from his face ¡°I guess I go the rest of the way alone¡±


    ¡°You can¡¯t Cloud, not by yourself¡­lets us go get Lord Straud to assist you¡± Artanis said


    ¡°There is no time Artanis, just wait for me here, please; and take care of Dawn if I should¡­¡±


    ¡°You won¡¯t Cloud¡± Dawn intersects ¡°I need you¡­we all, need you¡± she says  ¡°Then go Cloud, and good luck¡± nods Artanis and nodding back Cloud turns to the darkness and walks in. He paces for only about fifty feet until he comes to a wall, looking at it, it seems to have no top, it just keeps going up, and seeing no other way to go he decides to climb it. His elven features allow him to keep his fine crafted armor strapped on unlike Tristan¡¯s ascent and as he climbed, Cloud noticed some block grips were a golden color. They stuck out more accessible then the regular grey stones, but upon touching a golden stone was he welcomed by the feeling of extreme heat, the metal chain gloves he wore quickly grew hot and before Cloud had reached the next gripping stone his hand was starting to burn from the hot metal. Shouting out a cry of intense heated pain Cloud braced his footing to take off the glove and shake his hands to cool it.


    ¡°That¡¯s why they¡¯re placed there so conveniently, to sort out the easy way climbers from the ones who think that they need to work for all goals the hard way¡± Cloud told to himself taking a brief time out to mend his hands with a cloth covering under his gloves just in case an event should happen and starts up again.


    Making his way up for what seems like hours, Cloud begins to feel fatigue wearing into his body, his limbs strain to their peak from holding up his body weight with added equipment for so long, and looking down with a bloodied up vision from having some razor rocks cut him occasionally, he sees a change in the ground. Then the base of the floor grows with stone spikes growing from the very ground and bricks that he has already gone past start to retract into the very wall. Seeing such an act he implores his hurtful tired body to quicken its pace as he ascends faster to the top, out climbing the bricks retracting in the wall. Cloud now notices a change in the stone grips above, some staying the same but the most convenient grey stones now change to match the other golden ones. ¡°¡­great¡± Cloud states as he keeps his pace, focusing his eyes that are being caked in river running sweat he moves till at least he can now see an ending to the wall. Judging he is about twenty or so feet from it the rest of the grey stones now pulse back and forth from gold to grey touching one such stone starting as grey but changing while he has a grip on it. Cloud now feels an extreme cooling sensation as his gloves turns frosty bluish white freezing the cloth and his hand inside, bucking up the stinging cold hurt, he loses focus for a moment and grips a golden stone, and is struck by energy like being hit by a bolt of lightning as a surge of electricity runs through his body. The armor he wears helps nothing short of amplifying the effects, fighting the pain to raise his body higher Cloud then grips the next grey stone and catching his breath he looks beneath him to see only feet is now between him and the retracting rocks.


    Judging being ten feet from the top Cloud sees the stones going to a golden color. Cloud looks quickly at the enduring pain he is about to feel and taking a deep breath he starts his final and maybe fatal moments. Gripping stone after stone enduring and reliving the pain of flame, cold and electrocution repeatedly, Cloud finally loses grip to the last stone on the walls embrace that held his feet. With all of his might Cloud pulls himself up and over the top rolling over the ledge, smoking frosted and surged with life, Cloud lays motionless to hear the final blocks close to the wall. Moving slow Cloud takes off his chain gloves to see scars from the elements that mark his skin deeply; and letting everything go dark Cloud passes out from the agonizing pain he suffered.


    Reaching the outskirts of the Town of Falcon, Elanee, Eve, Namor and Rain along with men in their wake arrive to see the town untouched, they ride through the town on horseback and up to the town hall that has its front doors swung open with the town magistrate running out.


    ¡°Thank the good lords you have arrived¡± he shouted to them ¡°We knew you would come and not leave us to her talons of terror¡±


    ¡°Who¡¯s talons, what are you talking about¡± Namor commanded


    ¡°This is not your land Namor hold your bloody tongue of demands¡± snapped Rain


    ¡°The Blue Dragon, Calisto is her name¡± the man says to them


    ¡°Blue Dragon¡­CALISTO!¡± said Eve aloud and toning it down Eve turns to hide her face from the others ¡°Why that reptilian bitch pig, if she is moving in on my lands I¡¯ll¡­¡±


    ¡°You know her Eve?¡± Elanee asks her with a look


    ¡°Know her¡­only of her¡­my mind wondered while Rain was away and frustration settled in on the calculations, I found a passage in a book that described the beast in blue, and quite gruesome it was, if it is indeed her we face, we must tread carefully¡± Eve states to her


    ¡°Any helpful advice in the passage to fight or fend her off?¡± questioned Elanee


    ¡°They¡¯re immune to energy and bare a breath weapon of Lightning for starters¡± Rain added


    ¡°That¡¯s right¡± smiled Eve ¡°And I think she has an intense craving for um¡­virgin males¡±


    ¡°Well that¡¯s out¡± Elanee said abruptly and turned to the man ¡°Did she say anything to you or relay a message of demands¡±


    ¡°Y-yes gold she wanted and her name to be spread about as the ruler of the land¡± the man said


    ¡°Hah, she wishes¡± Eve said aloud again and acted quickly to cover it up ¡°I¡­mean only because we will stop her right?¡±


    ¡°Yes of course we will, now how much gold did she request¡± said Elanee not taking her eyes off Eve


    ¡°Almost all of it my lady, and wanted it to be left in the middle of town at the well¡± the man explains


    Moreover, thinking for a moment Elanee says to the man to gather the amount requested and do as she asks, running off in compliance he does as he was instructed.


    ¡°We need a plan to take her down, any options?¡± Elanee says to the group


    ¡°From what I have read she will not come to town on her own or fight by herself, she tends to bring along for the ride a few giants¡­stone or cloud ones to assist in killing any resisting her rule or to help carry the tribute of gold¡± Eve says to them ¡°The cowards¡¯ bitch¡± she says silently to her own mind


    ¡°So we just need to lay an ambush for her, that¡¯s all¡± Rain said


    ¡°It won¡¯t be that easy Rain¡± Elanee says to him ¡°Dragon¡¯s from the little I do know of them, can smell fear yards away and if we have all our troops in an area she won¡¯t even make an attempt to take the bait, due to the little fear she will smell¡±


    ¡°So we have some villagers out there and hide the actual soldiers¡± Eve suggested


    ¡°Where do we hide them?¡± Namor asked, and thinking for a moment Rain snaps his fingers ¡°In plain sight!¡± he says excitedly


    ¡°What, how¡± Elanee asks


    ¡°One unique feature about the Templar guardians is the ability to polymorph items¡± Rain says and get a look of utter confusion from almost everyone continues ¡°uhhh¡­changing regular items to something else and vice versa, but in this case we will change the soldiers to barrels, ladders and other items found around the area of the well¡±


    ¡°And when she comes in, we change them back into an instant ambush that even she won¡¯t be ready for¡± finishes Eve


    ¡°Exactly, what I was thinking¡± Rain said to her,


    ¡°Well, I¡¯m glad you two are in such a mind meld together¡± Elanee snickers ¡°Well it sounds do able so let¡¯s get started¡± she finishes and orders the men to disperse getting all townsfolk to the homestead cellars for safety. Eve comes up to Rain in the moving and shuffling and gives him a kiss on the cheek, ¡°Nice idea¡± she says going to start the polymorph spell on some men, and turning away she gets a worried look ¡°Good thing I have the ability naturally or this whole plan of Colossus¡¯ would have blown up in our faces¡±

 Chapter 35

    Waking up from a restful recovery Cloud opens his eyes again to find nothing has changed, and getting to his feet again he move to the next area.


    Coming away from the cliff side he walks toward another ¡°Well that was a short wall, I¡¯m impressed that it stands on its own¡± Clod sparks in shock and looking at the new edge he sees a stone bridge starting from the new cliff edge stretching outwards to the darkness of a now roofless cavern. He steps to the first stone brick of the bridge and sees blades about thirty feet in front of him start to swing from side wall to side wall, holding an enormous blade size that rivaled a small home in width. Cloud looks to examine the next test phase that he has now determined he is in, and sees that the axe blades and hammer heads are attached to chains from each side of this dreaded looking gauntlet. He goes through this test dodging and pacing himself as he weaves through each blade and hammer that is at least ten times his own size.


    Getting about half way nearest he could tell, he suddenly hears the added whistling sound of arrows; looking to his body to see if he is shot he finds nothing but then hears stones grinding behind him.


    Looking back he sees that the arrows are impacting the sides of the stone making up the bridge and they are then falling to the blackness below, hurrying his judgment in between shuffles he goes for a distance again keeping ahead of the falling bricks until he steps on a brick that glows blue. ¡°Well that was weird¡± Cloud says to himself and starting to move again he bolts through about ten bricks going past two more swinging heads in the blink of an eye Cloud digs his heels to the stone stopping for the next one which nearly cuts him in two. ¡°a speed spell was caste on my feet¡­neat¡± Cloud says and moving through a bunch more quite fast he then hits another brick right in the path of one axe blade, the stone caste the reverse to Cloud making him super slow moving and seeing the blade coming at him he jumps very slowly but enough to dodge the blade landing face planted on more further ahead bricks. ¡°Oh great¡± Cloud says and pulling out his sword he says some words to lift the slowness curse from his feet. Moving again through more at normal speed Cloud continues to go but this time being cautious about each block, stepping on it and moving back in case of a side effect, the falling blocks behind now catch up pending Cloud¡¯s falling doom sooner then he wanted.


    Cloud now seeing the other edge side in his view loses focus on the stones beneath him, and pressuring without backing up the stone under his feet glows white. He lose feeling in his feet and looking down as to why he sees his feet turning to stone, waving his arms back and forth to keep his upright balance. Cloud looks behind to see the bricks hiding his path to the black oblivion below almost upon him, thinking fast Cloud judges the swing hammer coming just in front of him and reaching out for it, Cloud grips the handle the head hangs by, lifting him swiftly into the air Cloud hangs on to the rod letting it bring him close to the one wall side; Cloud sees that the handle and the head piece go into the wall thus leaving him nothing to hang on to.


    Bracing himself for a painful impact Cloud hits the wall hard but doesn¡¯t fall, he grips a small ledge that is made between the slits in the walls where the blades and poles come out. Hanging while shimmying across he looks back to the bridge that is now completely gone; waiting till the blades have retracted Cloud then shimmies over the slits of the doom bringing blades till at last he sees the ledge of the other side just to the right of his feet. Running out of ledge Cloud then swings his sore stretched body back and forth straining his arms yet even more. Letting go and floating in the air he lands hard and rolls on the new ground busting concrete all over the turf freeing his feet from their motionless prison.


    Once again getting to his feet Cloud gets up and now starts to wonder when these acts of proving himself will come to an end. He looks around on the new surface to which he landed on to only see one way to go, this time through a solid wooden door similar to the ones in the castle of Silverspire. Walking up to the door Cloud touches the handle for only seconds and then pulls back and away expecting something to happen. When nothing results from the action he continues to open the door the whole way, his darken filled eyes were then filled with light emanating from torches spaced around on the wall in the room resembling a huge dungeon area. The light to him is bright but dark compared to most and the floor is now laced with stone plates and stone bricked walls, emerging to the room Cloud only sees two things; first a large portcullis like seen from the inner layer of a draw bridge and a young female elf with both arms chained heavily to an alter like sacrificial chamber. She was wearing a pure white toga dress that was ripped and torn from the cause of what looks like deterioration of aging, and had golden blonde hair draping down past her face half way past her shoulders. Strands of her hair were braided in a rope fashioned like a wreath, and was tied around her head housing an elegant if not a royalty look. She had some cuts on her face and wrists from trying to escape, and even covered in dirt her elven features seemed to push through the murky mess like sun shine through heavy cloud cover. She heard his entry but didn¡¯t flinch a lift from her head it to see who had just shut the door. Cloud gases to the ravenous beauty and putting away his blade Cloud runs to her side trying to undo the chains holding her captive.


    ¡°Are you hurt, who has done this to you?¡± Cloud questions the young elf


    ¡°I¡­I don¡¯t know¡­I mean I don¡¯t remember¡± she says and looking around Cloud notices decayed bones of past heroes to her rescue,


    ¡°How long have you been here?¡± Cloud asks her


    ¡°A time¡­hundreds perhaps thousands of years it has been¡­so long it has been, since I¡¯ve seen the crisp air, the warm sun, the world¡± she finishes


    ¡°You mean in that time none have come to your aid¡± Cloud inquired to her


    ¡°I didn¡¯t say that ¡­just none have survived the beast¡± she replies and stopping with the chains Cloud looks to her


    ¡°What beast!¡± he says having moments past before he hears a noise, Cloud turns to see the metal gate raise up from the shadowy corner and a set of sinister red glowing eyes pierces through his body and into his soul, striking a bone chilling amount of fear running his blood filled veins cold, Cloud swallows hard his courage.


    ¡°That beast¡± she says to him and advancing out of the darkness the creature has a head like a small dragon reaching his gangly long thin neck out to get a clearer look at Cloud.


    ¡°Oh¡­that¡¯s it¡± says Cloud regaining his lost pride thinking he misjudged the creature¡¯s evilness ¡°He¡¯s not so bad¡± and griping his sword to his strong arm Cloud advance to it.


    ¡°That¡¯s not the head to be worried about¡± the women replies


    ¡°Not the head¡­how many heads does this thing have¡± and following his speech Cloud sees three more dragon like heads advance from the darkness and following enters its large body where all the necks convene and join.


    ¡°Oh great, a hydra¡± Cloud says


    ¡°They carry the scourge of the elements¡± the girl cries out to him and now pulling his shield from his back Cloud renders closer to the beast.


    Getting ready itself, the Hydra extends its massive claws from the hidden skin of its paws growing about a foot in length, as well it uncovers a razor sharp spike extending from the tip of its tail, and seeing the tail spike dripping some vile looking red venom from its tip Cloud moves distantly around the Hydra watching the move of the tail carefully.


    Snapping at Cloud from one mouth of the Hydra the battle begins, moving around and dodging the biting heads and swing slashing of the tail, Cloud swings when he can, and the girl grits her teeth at the close encounters.


    ¡°Watch the tail! The claws!! Behind you!¡± she shouts to him


    ¡°Would you let me do the fighting¡± snapped Cloud and turning away from the Hydra for a moment to look at her the Hydra throws a head into Clouds shield bashing him into the air and slamming into the wall.If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    ¡°The Fire!¡± she cried to him, and looking up Cloud raises his shield for the pending flames barring down to his body, breathing the intense heat upon him Cloud rolls to the side swinging a lob severing the neck. Having the head plummet to the ground, turning quickly Cloud swings rapidly to the rest claiming the same result.


    Having all four heads impact the ground, Cloud takes a breather and goes to the woman.


    ¡°I¡¯ll have to cut the chains to free you, so please wrap this around that rock so you don¡¯t jolt back to me from the force of my cut; she does and waiting with her eyes close and face scrunches up Cloud throws all of his might into the swing sparking flicker all around, the blow causes the chain to light up with a white glow and the chain doesn¡¯t break,


    ¡°What the¡­¡± said Cloud disturbed at the chain not coming in two, he tries again and again not having any luck breaking it.


    ¡°I don¡¯t get it, why won¡¯t it break¡­the Hydra is dead¡± Cloud said again


    ¡°Oh No!!¡± cried the girl who was looking at the corpse of the beast, and turning around Cloud witnesses the Hydra regaining its footing and growing more heads in where the others were cut, two now sprout where one was before. The beast now stares eight sets of eyes angrily down on Cloud¡¯s position.


    ¡°GET DOWN!!¡± Cloud yells to the girl who curls up in a ball, Cloud runs from her spot luring the beast away and with a bunch of acrobatic flips and rolls, Cloud evades the breaths of ice, fire and lightning directed at him; but seeing one final breath hocked up from the throat of the last head Cloud raises his shield to have a thick sticky film coat and cake itself on the metal, turning it over quickly from the sizzling sound the shield was making, Cloud saw the body shape of his shield melting into a metal puddle dripping into the ground.


    Tossing it away before the acid hit his hands, he looked to the beast intensely. It¡¯s a Leannean hydra Cloud thought in his mind, the regenerating head kind, and the only way to kill them is to go for the body.


    Getting a good running start Cloud uses his sword tip and pole-vaults himself up and onto the body of the beast, wasting no time he hacks and slashes through the flesh pouring blood on to the ground and himself. Slowing the Hydra down but not enough, Cloud is hit by the tail and knocked again into the wall, getting up Cloud looks to his gut which was cut by the tail razor edge and notice the vile red venom leaking into his stomach.


    His vision goes blurry but he shakes it off and goes again, getting back up to the Hydra¡¯s back, Cloud remembers the move his uncle did to the Stormguard guards in the ring and with that thought Cloud turns his blade around impaling the blade deep into the creature. Closing his eyes he says the words to apply the force ability and the sheer velocity of the power blows the Hydra to pieces hurling parts all over the room, coating walls, torches and even the girl with the extremities of the beast. Falling to the ground hard Cloud lays motionless but turns his head to see the chains of the girl¡¯s glow blue and unclasp from her wrists, she throws them off and runs to his side. Holding up his head in her lap she looks to the gaping wound in his torso.


    ¡°You have been poisoned dear knight, but don¡¯t worry I have the power to cure it from your body and soul¡± she smiles to him as his vision grows dark again ¡°this is not your end¡± Cloud hears the words echo in his head as he passed out.


    Cloud awakes and comes around a time later or so he thinks, opening his eyes he hears the sweet sound of gentle music coursing through the voice of the young elf. Moving around to sit up Cloud sees that his armor has been removed and put to the side, his shirt was missing and replaced with a damp cloth wrapping from her toga dress, wrapped around his wound. Looking over to her Cloud sees the tear in her dress that she made to form the bandage, and laying back down Cloud made some noise that disrupted her singing


    ¡°You¡¯re awake, thank the lords¡± she said to him smiling and coming to his side ¡°The bandage around your waist is to slow the flow of blood thus slowing the venom¡¯s spreading wake¡± she explained


    ¡°What is your name?¡± he asks


    ¡°Serena¡± she replied


    ¡°That¡¯s pretty¡± Cloud says smiling to her


    ¡°Thanks, it was the name also given to my grandmother before me; it means perfect harmony¡±


    ¡°As I can see with no argument¡± Cloud flirts and makes her blush a bit, ¡°How long have I been out?


    ¡°Two days¡± Serena answered


    ¡°What¡± snapped Cloud startling her as he jumped to his feet, moving to the door where he first came in, he budges it ¡°Damn it¡¯s stuck¡±


    ¡°Actually I think it¡¯s locked, when you defeated the beast the door made a sound and I think then it locked shut¡± she said to him, and gripping his sword he smashes on the door with his blade to splinter it lose,


    ¡°I¡¯ve took the liberty to try that myself when you were out, I think it¡¯s protected by magic¡± she went on, Cloud then looks to the metal gate where the beast came in and sees it¡¯s shut tight again.


    ¡°Well we need to find some way to get¡­ahhh!¡± Cloud said falling to the ground and dropping his sword,


    ¡°What, what¡¯s wrong?¡± she asked coming to his aid


    ¡°My legs, I can¡¯t feel my legs!¡± Cloud panicked


    ¡°Then I must act now!¡± Serena says and moving her right hand to her shoulder straps of what was left of her dress she lifts them off dropping the dress to her waist.


    ¡°Whoa, Serena what are you doing?!¡± Cloud said starring at her chest for a moment then looking to her face,


    ¡°For me to cure you, I have to give myself to you for my blood carries the cure and it¡¯s the only method to transverse it to yours¡± Serena says


    ¡°Serena I can¡¯t do this¡­I¡¯m married to a beautiful woman that I love¡± Cloud says


    ¡°But it has to be done; you will die if you don¡¯t get the cure¡± Serena pleads


    ¡°There has to be another way Serena, my brother back home is the best alchemist there is and he has never known this way to cure someone; although he has often dreamt of such an event¡± Cloud explains


    ¡°Well there is other more none prosaic ways to do this but the ingredients are through that door to make the concoction, but in your current state door open or not you would be dead before we could get them¡± she replies putting Cloud quiet for seconds ¡°It won¡¯t hurt¡­of that I promise you¡± she smiles and moving closer to him Serena make a gesture to kiss Cloud.


    Cloud stops her advance and looks to her ¡°Your wife will never need to know this Cloud and you¡¯ll be alive to tell her that¡± reasons Serena discouragingly


    ¡°No¡­no she won¡¯t¡± and getting close to his lips she is stopped again ¡°But I will, and that¡¯s enough torture for me, I couldn¡¯t do that to her and I won¡¯t¡­I¡¯d rather die than betray my vows to her¡­I¡¯m sorry Serena¡± Cloud says prideful to her and giving him a very serious look she bolts to him ¡°So Be It!¡± she stands and watches the rest of his body go to a numbness state and breathes his last breath until all goes finally dark to his eyes.


    Feeling a patting to his cheek Cloud opens his eyes again, ¡°Cloud¡± he heard Dawn speaking to his ear, and turning his head Cloud sees his sister by his side


    ¡°Am I ¡­.dead?¡± Cloud asks her


    ¡°Not exactly¡± Artanis says to him, who was to his left


    ¡°How long have you guys been here, wait I¡¯m still in the cave how are you two in here?¡± he asked again


    ¡°After you went in, we waited for a while and then saw a bright light from your direction, we tried to go in again and we were allowed in this time, we followed your trail and found you only about eighty feet from the entrance on the ground passed out¡± Artanis answered


    ¡°No that can¡¯t be right, I¡¯ve been in here for two days already¡± Cloud corrects Artanis


    ¡°Umm, Cloud it¡¯s only been a few minutes, since you went in, we saw a flash, and then the force field was gone¡± Artanis reassured Cloud and still not believing them Cloud got to his feet and heard a clang on his back, reaching back there he felt his shield that was melted when he fought the Hydra, Checking his stomach under his armor that was also back on he sees his skin unscathed.


    ¡°What the hell happened to me?¡± Cloud said to the air with a bewildered look to his face.


    ¡°Perhaps I can shed your puzzlement, young Drow Captain¡± echoed a familiar voice and the three looked up to see Serena standing before them just further in the cave.


    ¡°You have got to be kidding me¡± Cloud said with a tone of disbelief ¡°This was a test, wasn¡¯t it¡± he asked


    ¡°You are correct, Cloud¡± she said smiling


    ¡°Who is that¡± responded Artanis locking to her beauty


    ¡°A young girl I thought, I had to save¡­¡± replied Cloud to his question


    ¡°And save me you did, but the ultimate goal was for you to save your soul, and passed that challenge you did¡± she said walking toward them ¡°For this series of tests was to prove to us four key features we look for; Fortitude¡­Resourcefulness¡­integrity¡­and loyalty; and you Cloud were the first in ten thousand years to prove to us that such qualities all exist inside one soul. For the essence of corruption is the worst amongst the stones, and could only be entrusted to someone who is fully resistant to all the charms¡± she concluded


    ¡°But¡­I was down there for days and they say not, how is this possible¡± Cloud inquired


    ¡°This test took mere seconds to them, but during the flash they saw we entered your mind and wrote scenarios to you taking days in your own thoughts to solve and master, time is all relative in the mist of the mind¡± she answered


    ¡°But why my mind¡± Cloud asked


    ¡°That is obvious, why corrupt the body when the mind is the center of control¡± she says to him and finishes by changing forms into a pedestal made of crystal and sitting on its center is the Amber jewel they seek, going up to it Cloud hears an echo of her voice once again ¡°Congratulations, and may good guide your path now and always¡± he smiles saying thank you to the wind that blows when the echo stops and going to grab to stone he looks at it. It had a black misty swirling shroud on the inside of the shell.


    ¡°Hey¡± bolted Dawn ¡°That pedestal is the same one as I found at the bottom of the pool¡±


    Picking up the stone Cloud gently puts it in his pouch and turns to his group ¡°Let¡¯s go guys, I¡¯ve had enough of this place¡± and nodding in agreement they all depart.

 Chapter 36

    Evening falls over the town of Falcon as a heavy fog rolls in at the estimated arrival of Calisto, ¡°It¡¯s one of her abilities¡± said Rain from under the cloak he was wearing standing behind the magistrate. They¡¯re also by him was Elanee, Namor and Eve under cloaks as well, accompanied by the Drow guards; the regular men brought by Elanee were along the walls or leaning up against them to the area where the tribute of gold lay. Still with the charm upon them acting like brooms, ladders, water buckets and any other miscellaneous objects waiting the word of Eve to be said for the springing ambush.


    Winds pick up pace and the flapping sound of dragon wing¡¯s is heard coming from the south position,


    ¡°Scan to the sky in every direction where the sound is coming from, it¡¯s another blue dragon trick, she can project sounds in any direction to fool someone of her arrival¡± said Eve from under her hood


    ¡°There to the west¡± shouted a guard pointing to the sky, and watching her grow bigger from getting closer she gains actual size and lands near the tribute with a pounding earth tremble as her feet touched to dirt. Calisto was smaller than Sephinroth but not by much, she had deep royal blue scales and gleaming sapphire eyes, her neck was as thick as a hundred year old oak tree at the base which stretched for about thirty feet to her head, which was as large as a great woolly mammoth. She exposed her perfect shaped razor teeth that gave off a surge of lightning all through them, her body build was similar to all dragons but her wings were sleek shaped and wide.


    When she landed she sniffed around for a little while not speaking, just admiring the tribute made to her and with a nod of Rain¡¯s head Eve called the word softly, releasing the men from their suspended states they then charged her position. Having wolf like hearing Calisto angled her head to the men coming at her and with a swift graceful leap into the air, flapping ferociously and violently with great thrust, she threw wave upon wave of impacting force to the standing spots and despite their efforts to avoid the hurricane winds Rain, Elanee and the rest were blown effortlessly into walls and closed doors of the town square, hitting them hard and fast were they all rendered unconscious. Calisto viewed the carnage and dropped again to the ground but when the dust settled one figure remained unshifted, crouched down avoiding the gales was Eve and rising to her feet again she then looked to everyone knocked out and removed her hood from her face.


    ¡°Enjoy the blow job boys, or was it too much for you to handle¡± Calisto sparked thundering from her mouth looking at Rain and the others who lay motionless on the ground ¡°Humans, Elves they¡¯re all so weak and pathetic, not even worth my time engaging¡± she snickered


    ¡°Then why don¡¯t you pick on someone your own size¡± spitted out Eve and rearing her massive head behind her she glared at who would challenge her words, Calisto looks curiously at Eve for moments then like an amazing thought entered her mind her eyes grew big with surprise.


    ¡°Sephinroth¡­can it really be you! I thought I had heard the name Eve being put to your face¡± she said cocking her head slightly ¡°You really think you will be welcome amongst them again, after everything you have done, to them; TO ME!!¡± she hatefully ended blowing dust toward Eve and flapping her cape in the exhale of Calisto¡¯s voice, ¡°You don¡¯t mean to say that your still mad about the little thing I did to you, my lord you do carry a grudge and well I might add¡± Eve laughed


    ¡°LITTLE! You took my hatchling daughter from my lair and dissected her to harvest her lightning ability! You reptilian whore¡± Calisto thundered putting her large head right near Eve¡¯s body showing the difference in size which was a lion to rat comparison.


    ¡°And well worth it to be sure¡± said Eve not flinching or showing an inch of fear, ¡°For it worked well in the new host; although she couldn¡¯t be controlled¡± Eve said quietly to herself


    ¡°I will send you to a far reached death well deserving for you acts Sephinroth¡± Calisto breathed out to her


    ¡°I still don¡¯t get the big deal anyway? You have had more children within the hundred years or so and this minute act was an inconvenience to you; haven¡¯t you¡­you¡¯ve had more hatchlings so quite being so melodramatic¡± Eve says calmly with sarcasm


    ¡°Well what¡¯s wrong with your¡¯s¡­oh that¡¯s right; I forgot¡­you can¡¯t have any, well after I¡¯m done with you, to show you the same consideration you gave me in the experimenting advancement sense I think I¡¯ll make new cave paint for my walls out of you¡± and having been angered by humiliation at the hurtful remark, Eve changes form in to her dragon self as her eyes glow dark ruby red and scales grow to her skin, seeing Calisto taking to flight away from the town Sephinroth takes to her trail.


    ¡°Destroy the town¡± Calisto says to the giants parked outside the walls that were back up in case of the very situation,


    ¡°You have always been a coward; you should learn to fight your own battles Calisto¡± Sephinroth replies as she takes in a fiery breath aiming at the giants, breathing a fireflood of flame toward them, they take cover but lose the middle of their group in the flames, leaving two to destroy the city.


    ¡°I do what I need to survive Sephinroth¡± says Calisto echoing her voice behind her flight path.


    Flying through the sky the two exchange heaves of flame and lightning at each other, making only nears misses the attacks rake the ground causing fire to erupt everywhere, having the greater speed but not near the endurance of strength Calisto starts to slow as Sephinroth gains ground. Gaining enough to grip her back talon Sephinroth turns her weight to free fall bringing Calisto down with her crashing into the ground. Raking each other with talons, teeth and tails, they spared and skirmish on the ground rolling around throwing strength at their bodies.


    Finally getting a good hold and firm grip to Calisto¡¯s throat Sephinroth attempts to squeeze the life from her, fighting and struggling Sephinroth slams her neck to the ground repeatedly putting her into a daze, trying to make out Sephinroth¡¯s fuzzy image, Calisto sees Sephinroth taking a breath to burn her to a crisp death and closing her eyes Calisto teleports the two away.


    Arriving back into town the two monstrous masses crash into the ground toppling some buildings on the south end of the town, changing forms to mask their entrance and avoid attention they revert to humanoid form and pick themselves up off the ground from the distant fall.


    Getting to her feet first Sephinroth gets a first glimpse of Calisto¡¯s human form. She had jet black hair banded into a pony tail and wore a full leather cat suit in an oriental styled body frame. Her eyes were a deep sea blue and gave off a dark sparkly crystal skin complexion from the corner of her eyes to the brim of her jaw line.


    ¡°You defiantly have the battle advantage in the skies, but grounded¡± Calisto paused doing a spin kick to Sephinroth¡¯s face sending her spinning to the ground ¡°I reign supreme¡± she finishes driving another leg high leather boot shot to the stomach of Sephinroth sending her flying into some barrels.


    Being tickled by dusk to her face and waking to the sound of low tone thumping Elanee opens her eyes to the sight of a guard tower teetering toward her, having no time to act or scream she closes her eyes again to brace for a quick painful death; seconds go by that she knows she shouldn¡¯t have and opening her eyes from not hearing the crumbling of the tower on to her, she looks to the tower being held in place not moving. Confused she looks around and sees Rain beat red in the face, his arms are in the shape as if to lift a barbell and his legs are bent as if buckling under mass pressure.


    ¡°ELANEE MOVE QUICKLY¡­I don¡¯t know how long I can ahhhh! Hold this¡± Rain grits the words through his teeth and rolls out of the way Elanee stands behind Rain as he then lets it finish pounding to the ground.


    ¡°I¡­I never know you could¡­umm¡­ was that hard¡± she asks


    ¡°Huh, uh huh, what you couldn¡¯t tell from my expression or something¡± Rain replied hold his knees catching his breath,


    ¡°Sorry I just never knew you could do that¡± she replied to him smiling


    ¡°Me neither, I never tried that amount of weight before, and hope fully not for a while again¡± he says huffing and climbing upright again.


    ¡°Wait where¡¯s Namor he was right beside me and¡­oh god¡­No!¡± she said covering her mouth at the tower rubble


    ¡°Relax, he¡¯s over there¡± Rain said pointing to a figure laying in the corner by a building, running to his side she checked his pulse and relaxed again ¡°He¡¯s alive, thank you for this, I know it must have been hard for you¡± she said


    ¡°Not really, surprisingly he¡¯s very light for how much I have seen the man eat¡±This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    ¡°That¡¯s not what I meant Rain¡± Elanee said with a look


    ¡°I know, and I know how much he means to you so of course I would have saved him¡± Rain says and moving to her side Rain picks Namor¡¯s body and telling her they should find more soldiers, the pummeling sound came from the giants laying siege to the town¡¯s gate wall.


    Running to the front gate carrying Namor and having Elanee trail close behind, Rain called to Eve not knowing where she was since the fight began, they got to the front gate and saw archers on the remaining parts of the wall firing arrows into void of the fog. Rain rests Namor down and tells Elanee to continue to try and wake him up, Rain rushes to the wall top and meets up with the guards being led by a Drow lieutenant brought by him.


    ¡°Rain, they are hitting this place hard, there is no telling how long this will stand¡± the lieutenant said and having Rain think for moments the boulder launching assault suddenly stopped.


    ¡°What the¡­ why did they stop¡± asked the lieutenant who look at Rain, suddenly a thought jumps to Rain head and he run to the inside of the guard wall yelling to the guards by the door to brace the gate. Slamming their bodies into the doors, Rain and others heard the sound of stomping steps followed by a massive bashing impact against the door. Sending the guards into the air from the bending impact of the door, more guards assist the holding that couldn¡¯t hold off another blow. Elanee awakes Namor and he is at first dazed wondering what has happened


    ¡°No time to explain¡± Elanee said


    ¡°Elanee!¡± cried Rain seeing him awake ¡°Take Namor and get the people from their homes and out of the area, these giants are going to be coming through any minute!¡± he ordered with his body pressed to the doors and nodding her head Namor and her run into homes evacuating the people.


    Rain and the others hold structure to the door for a couple more hits but splintering more and more from the continuing onslaught the gates finally gives way. Letting the doors fling open the guards and Rain who casts a stone skin spell on himself engage the giants. Tossing the guards like rag dolls until only Rain was standing, Rain summons his blade while throwing a fireball to one giant and dodging the massive swings of the other. The fireball is blocked with a club turning it into a fire bat and lining up a shot unknowing to Rain, the giant swings with all of his might and like hitting a golf ball sends Rain hurling into a building side having his blade separated from his hands.


    Crashing through the side, the foundation gives way and collapses on top of him,


    ¡°RAINNNN!¡± Elanee yells to him seeing the event happen holding a young girl in her arms but she is soon relieved to see the rubble moving, pushing the boards off Rain climbs to the top of the debris pile, Rain unleashes an unearthly anger in his eyes.


    ¡°I¡¯m tired of being pelted around like a sand bag¡± he grits fueling up with a deep rage and walks toward the giants. Growing sparks in his eyes and arks to his fingertips when the two giants came at him raising the clubs for another blow Rain released his anger, sending lightning toward them knowing that they weren¡¯t immune like the dragon, they light up like a couple of lighthouses. They resisted the electricity but Rain implored on watching them start to weaken, hearing the crying pain Rain continuously poured more and more power upon them until they dropped to their knees releasing their clubs. Changing spells Rain throws twin green orbs toward them, dripping ooze to the ground as they flew toward them the orbs impacted the giants turning them into nothing but steamy cesspools¡¯ of gooey remnants¡¯ on the ground.


    Turning his head to Elanee breathing heavy from the power exerted, Elanee gave him a mesmerizing look of awe from the destructive power he just showed. She and the other men stood looking at him wondering if they should bow or run from him for the look wasn¡¯t gone from his eyes.


    ¡°Rain¡± Elanee said putting down the girl and walking toward him ¡°It¡¯s ok, Rain you did good, they¡¯re dead, you can come back now¡­too us¡­Rain¡± she said and seeing him shaking his head he look to her again with innocent eyes


    ¡°Elanee¡­I¡­what happened¡± Rain said looking at the mess of the ground ¡°Did I do that¡±


    ¡°You saved us Rain and that¡¯s what counts¡± she said going up to him and embracing him with a hug slowly. The comforting moment only lasted for a few seconds when they all heard a scream from a woman


    ¡°Eve¡± said Rain startled ¡°She¡¯s in trouble, we have to find her¡±


    Walking toward her bruised and battered body, Calisto picked up Sephinroth again and slugged her bloodied mouth rapidly dripping more and more of it to the ground for the punches and kicks seemed to hit her faster than the lightning Calisto threw. On the verge of passing out Calisto shakes her awake,


    ¡±You die when I say you can¡± Calisto huffs throwing violently into some already broken wooden crates from her before. Crawling on the ground to try and get away Calisto follows behind her like a wolf hunting a sick wounded deer, she picks Sephinroth up again and this time raises her into the air.


    ¡°Time to meet your end, BITCH!¡± she says and surging voltage through her arms to her hands she starts to electrocute Sephinroth in spurts allowing her to breath in the pain after each jolting.


    Hearing her scream in pain Rain yells to her again ¡°EVE!!!¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s no use Rain we can¡¯t see in this fog, we need Alisianna¡¯s winds¡± says Namor to him


    ¡°Or maybe just a magical beacon, Rain you can detect magic right, well she¡¯s magic and made of a lot she should shine like a lighthouse to us to find her¡± Elanee suggests and smiling liking the idea Rain tries, sure enough the spell works and a bright light shine a block away.


    ¡°Were coming Eve hang on¡± Rain yells to her in the air.


    Hearing and smelling the group closing in Calisto stops striking Sephinroth, ¡°Saved by quick thinking aid of a mage, how fortunate you are as well as resilient, most dragons should have died from my lightning by now, but no matter; let this be a lesson to you and a promise¡­I will have my revenge, and next time no one will be there to save you¡± Calisto sparks and in a bright blue flash disappears just before the group rounded the last corner to see Eve near death and passed out on the ground.


    Getting to Eve quickly Rain gently picks her up, her body still smoldering from the final attack made by Calisto, ¡°My god! What has she done to you¡± said Rain who takes her to the town church. Elanee and the Drow lieutenant organize a cleanup crew to save the wounded and bury the dead, Namor assists where he could, feeling like an outsider knowing that this isn¡¯t his area of expertise. Getting people relocated back to their homes Elanee joins up with Rain again back at the church, Rain applies a damp cloth to Eve¡¯s forehead that is lying in the head priests¡¯ bed for the time.


    ¡°I hope Father Stachuck doesn¡¯t mind sharing his bed for a while¡± said Rain coming to the door to see Elanee,


    ¡°To tell you the truth I don¡¯t know, Rain Father Stachuck is dead, he was killed by the giants during the raid¡± Elanee replied ¡°And Tristan and his force won¡¯t be able to show for yet another two days,


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry to hear that¡± Rain says ¡°I guess we are on our own then¡±


    ¡°How is she doing¡± Elanee puts out softly with some concern.


    ¡°She¡¯s alive but barely; how¡¯s the wounded, is there a lot?¡± he inquired back to her


    ¡°Well Kyle has a broken leg, and besides some bad cuts and minor bruising everyone else seems ok, the Father was the only fatality; thanks to you Rain¡±


    ¡°To me¡± Rain questions


    ¡°Yeah, that was some display of power out there tonight; your abilities are most certainly growing at an amazing rate Rain¡±


    ¡°This was merely the cause of me losing control Elanee, my mother spoke to me long ago of such a weakness where if I didn¡¯t control my emotions, my blood would boil filling with a massive rage build-up causing my powers to become for a time; supercharged. That happened to night and I¡¯m sorry that you had to see it¡± Rain explained disappointed.


    ¡°I for one am grateful for the power boost you got or I¡¯d probably be dead right now; well I think I¡¯m needed outside so I¡¯ll leave you two alone¡± cutting the awkward silence in two and departing Elanee leaves the church archway,


    ¡°Elanee wait¡± Rain said stopping her movement


    ¡°Yes¡­Rain¡± she said turning around


    ¡°Thank you, for bringing me back to this side again, it was your voice I heard after killing the giants that calmed me down to focus again, bringing my boiling demon blood to a simmer¡± Rain said to her with a hug ¡°If you hadn¡¯t been there¡­¡±


    ¡°Then you would have come back on your own Rain you must see and believe that in yourself, I do¡± she finished letting him go and with a light kiss to his cheek she walked away again.


    Hours pass until Eve¡¯s eyes finally open again and to greet her is Rain who for the whole time never left her side, ¡°Rain¡± she said when her vision was cleared enough to make out his blurred face.


    ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s me, how are you feeling?¡±


    ¡°Sore¡­very sore and weak¡± she whispered out to him ¡°You know you didn¡¯t have to watch over me¡±


    ¡°I needed to make sure you would live, you haven¡¯t been seen by a cleric yet and I was worried about you, besides my magic is drained and I¡¯m weak too, I¡¯m more of a hindrance trying to move things out there anyway¡± Rain smiled to her ¡°Can I get you anything?¡±


    ¡°Maybe a bath area; I feel so dirty and gross¡± she suggested and Rain personally took her on his horse to a nearby pond to let her wash up. Helping her dismount he took her to the shoreline and left her to her privacy as he walked back to the horse to wait.


    ¡°Rain¡­could you help me, I don¡¯t think I can reach my back¡± Eve said to him


    ¡°Ummm¡­yeah ok I could do that¡± Rain¡¯s voice became uncomfortable and shaky as he paced back to her, gently removing her straps holding up her top Rain¡¯s hands were shaking with a feeling of desecration to her, feeling his vibrations Eve reached back and held his hands bringing them to a pause, ¡°It¡¯s ok Rain I trust you¡± she said softly; helping with the rest she took off her top tossing it to the ground and with a cloth Rain dosed her back with water.


    ¡°Ouch!¡± she cried and Rain stopped


    ¡°Sorry¡± Rain said quickly


    ¡°It¡¯s ok¡± Eve took in feeling the water bringing down the blood from her back to the ground ¡°Keep going¡±. Rain kept at it for a time cleaning her up as good as his gentle touch could do. Eve turns back to him and they look at each other intensely until they close their eyes and kiss one another, the kiss lasts a couple of seconds when Eve could smell a Sulfur like substance in the area. Not ending the kiss and opening her eyes Eve stared at a familiar face, for behind Rain in the woods stood Logan smiling a sinister smile at her, her mind flooded with thoughts and a single one stood out to her, staring back at Logan she reached into her belt to pull from a concealed section a dagger from it and rising it into the air unaware to Rain¡¯s senses.


    Grinning and giving her a nod Logan disappeared, and looking to Rain again Eve¡¯s mind grows clouded with emotion and feelings. Holding the weapon firm above his head she closes her eyes again and drops it to the ground, hearing it stab the earth Rain stops the kiss to see what happened, he looks down to the dagger and then looks to her who holds a scared for impending judgment on her face. Rain gets up and wraps up Eve in his Cloak.


    ¡°Someone¡¯s here¡± Rains shouts and takes off to check the woods, Eve turns around and drops to her knees again picking up the dagger. Holding it in her hands she looks back at Rain who was combing the grounds while a warm feeling ran to her heart when she just held a glimpse of his figure to her eyes, and following the feeling tears flowed to her eyes.


    ¡°I can¡¯t¡­I just can¡¯t¡±

 Chapter 37

    Arriving by his normal smoke haze, Logan goes to the throne room to see a gathering of high demon officers that Colossus organized. ¡°Colossus I think we might have a¡­.Complica¡­tion¡± Logan slowly says seeing six demons standing around Colossus who towers over them holding a demon commander very tightly in his one hand high in the air, blood drips from Colossus griped hand from splitting the skin of the commander¡¯s neck stopping him from voicing his opinion on the matter. Logan quietly looks from the rear of the room as Colossus¡¯ arm turns a deep green color and starts to glow.


    He drains the very flaming life from the demon and like slushy water hitting the ground, the demon¡¯s skin, muscle and body tissue drips to the floor; having the green light glow until only the skeleton head of the creature remained in his hand. As the rest fell splashing into the remains, Colossus then tossing it aside looks to another demon.


    ¡°Rebellious insolent, they never learn; you¡± he says pointing to the demon ¡°You are my new commander, now get this out of here and carry out the plans I have given¡±


    ¡°Yes my lord right away¡± he says grabbing the skeleton corpse and hauling it away leaving Colossus alone with Logan.


    ¡°What happened, what did he do¡± asked Logan stopping the demon carrying the corpse bones.


    ¡°He questioned the Lords work and plans, and worse he stated an alternative way to do it¡± the demon replied moving again out of the room


    ¡°I see¡± Logan replied


    ¡°What is it Logan¡± said Colossus turning Logan¡¯s head to him ¡°What is this, complication¡± he said


    ¡°It¡¯s Eve¡± Logan informed him


    ¡°Has she been found out?¡± questioned Colossus


    ¡°Attached is more the word I had in mind¡± Logan corrected as he went in detail about her and Rain¡¯s continuous connected chemistry.


    ¡°Then perhaps I can find a way to refocus her loyalty base¡± Colossus said grinning. ¡°And you might want to sharpen up your skills dear Logan¡±


    ¡°What, why?¡±


    ¡°From what my seer has shown me, your counterpart in the living, this Drow Straud has been training with a new trainer and is improving quiet drastically as well as quickly, to match even you¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t need practice Colossus¡±


    ¡°Now, now no need to get testy I am merely passing on what I have heard, no need for you to die so swiftly before your due time¡± Colossus says staring at him as he vanishes to Sephinroth¡¯s tower.


    Eve and Rain have their moment in the one night and the next day is brought to ease by the sight of Captain Tristan who led his party all night to reach them. Arriving and helping where he could, Tristan leaves his healers behind to help mend the town guard as well as Falcon as he headed back to Silverspire with the rest.


    Getting to the city Rain and Tristan went to the enclave and Eve went to the tower to check on the status of her own affairs, sharing yet another kiss to Rain¡¯s lips still in private they pledged their passion to each other before she left.


    Arriving at her tower Eve looks to two servants from her Hatchery area,


    ¡°Why are you here?¡± she asks


    ¡°Well M¡¯Lady the lord Colossus he is here and¡­¡± not letting the servant finish she flamed into the hatchery to see and hear the sweet sound of a baby dragon, she was fumbling around and making cute squawking sounds all about the cave like area. Eve runs up to her to see her when Colossus got in her path and picked up the baby first.


    ¡°She¡¯s beautiful¡± smiled Eve with a motherly glow all about her


    ¡°Yes she is; life is such a cherishing moment to see at birth as well as death¡± said Colossus looking to Sephinroth with a serious look of disappointment. And letting the foot hold of Colossus arm be removed the baby dragon hangs with its neck tightly in Colossus grip.


    ¡°Careful Colossus¡­hold her up she¡¯s choking¡­Ease up she can¡¯t breathe¡­COLOSSUS!¡± she said shouting to him and with a quick motion of his wrist Colossus snaps the baby¡¯s neck bone, hearing a dog yelp of pain from the baby¡¯s lungs it then falls limp and lifeless in his hand.


    ¡°NOOO!!!!!¡± Eve shouted running towards him with a fireball in her hand, but not being able to release it in time Colossus backhands Eve¡¯s faces throwing her into a stone wall. He steps over the young hatchling walking toward her curled up figure, and drawing his sword he extends the blade to her throat.


    ¡°This place is not easy to get to, and at first I couldn¡¯t after you replaced the defensive auras to it but with this¡­¡± he explains spinning the blade hilt in his hand ¡°It assisted in ways I never thought possible¡± he said laughing


    ¡°You son of a bitch, she was a NEW BORN DRAGON, she didn¡¯t deserve that¡± Eve yelled at his face and with tears running down her cheek bones


    ¡° I have heard of some events that happened recently, that have led to you showing signs of mercy, remorse, and even caring for the Drow¡± and looking back to the baby¡¯s body he says ¡°This is a warning Sephinroth, for that is who you truly are¡­Fail me again, and you will not only witness the death of your second unhatched daughter, but the fruits of your deceitful Dragon ways that will die with you, and your hearts greed for that which you sacrifice so many millennia ago¡± Colossus stated to her harshly


    ¡°I admit that this task has caused me to take¡­extra steps and measures but I assure you that the goal I was given will be achieved, and just as you requested¡± Eve stutters


    ¡°Good, I can¡¯t have you getting the line of trust and loyalty blurred so close to achieving my goal, so finish the task and you shall have what we agreed on¡±


    Colossus said to her


    ¡°Bring her back first or I will go no further¡± Eve back talked with a demanding tone


    ¡°Not this time or the threat of my warning will go without fear, do as I ask and you can keep your other alive¡± he said turning his back to leave the hatchery.


    ¡°You have crossed a line this time Colossus, and mark my words you had better tread carefully for I will take your blindside when I can¡± Eve said sternly


    And laughing to her he turned to face her again ¡°There is a difference between us Sephinroth, my threats are real¡± he said as he leaves shimmering into the dark


    ¡°We shall see¡± she says to his fading face and going to her baby who lies on the ground she picks her up and holds her tightly sliding her body down to the ground against the stone wall ¡°I¡¯m so sorry my baby¡± she says crying as she hugs her ¡°I¡¯m so sorr..rrry¡± she says with a broken tremble to her voice, kissing the head of her dead new born she places it in the nest area and in searing flames disappears.


    Arriving back at his tower, Colossus goes to the training room to find Logan doing just as Colossus suggested, he sees Logan fighting seven vampires at once and laying waste to the pitiful attempts to hit him. Stabbing one vampire with his sword and having it cry out in massive pain Logan looks to the room entrance and stops fighting.


    ¡°Dismissed¡± Logan said to the men ¡°And pick him up on your way out, he¡¯s dirtying the floor¡± added Logan


    ¡°I see you went with my recommendation, very wise of you¡± said Colossus


    ¡°Do you have a task for me or is this just a social call?¡± asked LoganIf you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    ¡°I need you to keep an eye on Sephinroth for me¡± Colossus advises


    ¡°I thought I already was?¡± Logan questions


    ¡°No, I need a closer more continuous watch¡± he explains


    ¡°But I can¡¯t get in without her knowing about it, and she can track my location while I¡¯m there¡± Logan corrects him


    ¡°Not for long¡± Colossus grins ¡°I have learned new powers from this weapon and I can now change your appearance and mask your essence for a time making you invisible to her radar protection spells. I only ask that you report to me as soon as you have the location of the third essence known, and not after she has already acquired it, understood¡± Logan nods and they walk towards the seer¡¯s chambers


    ¡°I will monitor the progress once in a while from here and¡­.huh¡± Colossus stops mid-way as he gazes upon the dead bloodied body of his seer laying on the floor with a very distinctive knife wound to the back of her neck.


    ¡°Guess she didn¡¯t see that one coming¡± smiled Logan and Colossus turns to him with an evil glare ¡°But who could do this to me not knowing about it, there is no one that I can¡¯t detect here except, NO! ... SEPH ¡­ IN ... RROOTTHH!¡± he thundered to the ceiling above and smiling from a corner where she could see his reaction Sephinroth stays in his panicking view for moments longer


    ¡°You hurt me, I hurt you¡­welcome to a level playing field in war, Colossus¡± as Sephinroth disappears.


    Coming back at night to the Druid homeland called the Mere, Artanis, Cloud and Dawn arrive at Alisianna¡¯s shelter to check on her condition. The two druid guards at the door allow them to pass through and they enter to see her peacefully sleeping, awakened by their entry Alisianna opens her eyes sitting up.


    ¡°Hey¡± Alisianna says in a friendly welcoming voice ¡°Did you get the stone, is everyone alright?¡± she progressively asks them,


    ¡°We¡¯re fine Alisianna don¡¯t worry, and yes we have the stone, we¡¯d just thought to come by to check on you¡± Cloud said comfortingly


    ¡°Oh¡­I¡¯m fine just hungry and all the time it seems¡± Alisianna adds


    ¡°Maybe it¡¯s an advancement of your powers or something¡± Artanis suggested


    ¡°Too what end, become FAT!¡± Alisianna scowled to him


    ¡°No! That¡¯s not what I¡­ ¡°


    ¡°Shhhhh!¡± said Dawn interrupting him ¡°Can you here that¡±


    ¡°Hear what Dawn¡± asked Cloud


    ¡°Yeah what, I can¡¯t hear anything either¡± said Artanis trying to hear carefully


    ¡°Well listen then!¡± Dawn snapped as she moved around the room trying to locate the source. ¡°It sounds just like¡­Heartbeats¡± Dawn explains and getting close to the sounds location she looks up to see where she is, and staring in front of her face is Alisianna¡¯s stomach. Putting her ear to her tummy Dawn jolts her head back up and looks to Alisianna¡¯s face ¡°Oh¡­My¡­God!¡±


    ¡°What, what is it¡± Alisianna replies getting scared


    ¡°Is something in her Dawn¡± Cloud said


    ¡°How we can¡¯t hear anything¡± Artanis protests


    ¡°But my vampire hearing allows me to¡± Dawn says to him but turning to Cloud she grows an excited look on her face and nods her head to him with a small smile. Cloud calls for a guard to bring an elder to the tent, and says that they may have a possession upon Alisianna.


    ¡°No! Cloud don¡¯t, wait¡± Dawn commands calling the guard back ¡°She has something in her but you can¡¯t summon it away or get it out¡­at least not yet¡­not for another seven months or so¡± Dawn explains calming him down.


    ¡°Than what are you talking Dawn¡± Cloud says impatiently and turning to Alisianna¡¯s face Dawn smiles to her


    ¡°Alisianna¡­You¡¯re pregnant¡± Dawn announces


    ¡°I¡¯m pregnant!¡± Alisianna shouts ¡°No¡­no that¡¯s not right nor possible, nymphs can¡¯t get pregnant like this, only at a certain age can we give birth to another female of our race, I¡¯m just not old enough¡± Alisianna explains


    ¡°Yes but then again you¡¯re not full nymph are you¡± Dawn adds ¡°And with the Drow part inside you that is how we do it, through mating I mean¡± Dawn convinces her


    ¡°Oh, my god¡­that makes since, the hunger, the powers all weird and even me being sick¡±


    ¡°Not to mention the mood swings¡± added Cloud


    ¡°I haven¡¯t had any mood swings?¡± Alisianna says growing defensive


    ¡°Well that¡¯s what Rain said anyway, I didn¡¯t believe it either¡± replied Cloud trying to dodge a bullet of spotlight and then a shocked look falls to Alisianna¡¯s face and she looks directly at Cloud


    ¡°I swear that I haven¡¯t messed around in your name behind your back Cloud please you must believe me¡± she pleaded to him and coming to her bed side Cloud grips her hand tightly to show he knows of such truth and still puzzled she says again ¡°But how?, I mean we haven¡¯t made love to one another for months I mean how does it show up now, the signs of it?¡±


    ¡°Did you forget that night three weeks ago by the pond¡± Cloud said smiling to her and smiling back she grows a blush to her face


    ¡°Oh¡­ that, right!¡± Alisianna responds quietly


    ¡°Please Cloud I¡¯m still in the room¡± said Dawn a little disturbed as well as disgusted.


    ¡°So that would make Cloud a¡±


    ¡°Father¡­¡± Cloud finished Artanis¡¯ statement with a bewildered look to his face.


    Arriving back at the tower Rain goes inside to see a very frustrated Eve trying desperately to uncover the last known where bouts of the third and final essence. Watching her for a few seconds Rain moves closer to her,


    ¡°This is pointless!¡± Eve yelled out loud tossing a fireball from her hands in a angered rage toward Rain who dodged just in time, waiting for the flame to impacted the wall and blow fiery shards of wood to the stone floor Rain gets up and goes to her side.


    ¡°Eve I told you to wait for me¡± Rain said to her and shocked at his presence she looked up quickly


    ¡°Oh Rain; I¡¯m sorry did that fireball get you?¡±


    ¡°No I didn¡¯t get me, it¡¯s a fire¡­ball Eve, you get me you kill me¡± Rain said to her ¡°now why didn¡¯t you wait for me?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m so tired of him being alive it sickens me Rain, I want him dead and I want it now!¡±


    ¡°He has taken from both of us Eve, but that¡¯s no reason to act rashly, it¡¯s what he wants from us¡±


    ¡°THAT¡¯S EASY FOR YOU TO SAY YOU NEVER LOST A CHILD TO HIS HAND!¡± she snapped to him


    ¡°A child Eve, you lost a child; I¡¯m sorry I had no idea¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s just get on with this, please¡± Eve stated and not saying another word Rain agreed. Going around a table and looking at her work he stops suddenly at the area of a map she had circled.


    ¡°This can¡¯t be right!¡± he said


    ¡°Why do you think I¡¯m so pissed off, of course it¡¯s not but the decipher and the coordinates all point to this area, I don¡¯t know where I¡¯m going wrong¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re not wrong Eve the location is right, but it¡¯s just umm unfair for us I mean¡± explained Rain loosely


    ¡°What do you mean?¡± inquires Eve


    ¡°Have you ever heard of the Mandarians?¡±


    ¡°No, why who are they¡± she asked again


    ¡°They are a race of humans with amazing abilities, they have angelic like wings and a rapid self-healing capability, but their most known trait is their mastery of all magic healing and destructive alike, not to mention that they have a high skill level in weaponry¡± Rain explained


    ¡°But they are just human, right? They can die by normal means like severing their heads off or massive damage to the chest?¡± she asked him


    ¡°Well yes but¡­¡±


    ¡°Great then what are we waiting for, let¡¯s go see them¡± she insisted


    ¡°We should get the others involved with this¡± said Rain


    ¡°We need to act now Rain, not hold off until a debate happens, while Colossus gets more powerful by the second, and besides they will gladly give up the location of the stone to us when we tell them what it¡¯s for right, I mean everyone wants to be a part of saving the realm anyway, so they will jump at the chance¡± and looking at her with a wary look in his eye Rain bends to her request and taking her hand they flash away to the closest point he can get. Overhearing this and dressed as a slave in her tower, Logan smokes away to reveal to Colossus what he has heard.


    Arriving near the encampment Eve looks to him


    ¡°You know of these creatures personally that you can get this close?¡± she asked


    ¡°Not by choice, it was an accident¡± but rather than getting into the story the two carried on to the camp outskirts.


    Upon reaching the guard post Rain asked to see the Captain on an urgent matter to be discussed, and giving them great respect by a bow which was reluctantly followed by Eve, they were given passage inside.


    They met with the chief of the area and Rain went on in a big spell about the power Colossus was gathering and the essences needed to defeat him, and giving the chief a sketched drawing of the stone jewel they had the chief then looked at him. He said to the two that the last jewel was a worshiped item that has been in their possession for centuries and was a main cause of their power, though was unsure as to how, Rain asks to see the stone but was not allowed access to it. Rain then informed him of the grave natural danger that not having the stone would bring but the chief would not listen to reason and kindly asked him to leave.


    Growing angry and impatient with Rain¡¯s kindness and long delegating Eve turned to the chief on her own and showing very little respect to him yelled out.


    ¡°We need that stone regardless of what you believe and will do anything in our power to get it¡± she threatened and shocked by her outburst Rain grabbed her quickly and gripping her tightly warped them out of the camp and back to the tower.


    Arriving in a pile of shimmering smoke Logan went to the throne room and stood before Colossus.


    ¡°What took you so long, not having my eyes on the realm has made me a little more cautious and alert¡­I was beginning to worry¡± Colossus says to him snapping out loud. Logan then says to him about what he saw and overheard and Colossus smiled a big grin.


    ¡°This could not have gone more sweeter than if I was already a God and planned it myself¡± said Colossus getting up a walking out of the throne room, following Colossus to his personal quarters in the tower Colossus goes to a black metal box on a bone made shelf and plucks from it two rings. Walking back to Logan he places both of them in his hand.


    ¡°Take these rings and here is what you are going to do¡± Colossus says to him still grinning adding a sinister chuckle to the end of the told plan.


    Appearing again back in the tower Rain looked to Eve


    ¡°What the hell was that Eve!¡± he bolted to her


    ¡°Your ways weren¡¯t working for me¡± Eve stated to him


    ¡°You could have killed us¡± Rain said to her


    ¡°But I didn¡¯t thanks to you¡± she smiled to his scowled face, ¡°We can still get the stone Rain¡± she pushed on to him


    ¡°Not without outside help now¡± barked Rain ¡°We need to inform my brother and the clan of our findings and hope we can settle this calmly¡± he says to her turning away to leave for the door


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry about what I did Rain, I¡¯m just tired of him being alive and from all that he has taken from me¡± and going back to her side Rain shows sympathy,


    ¡°I know Eve, but have faith in my family as I do, we will kill Colossus and bring our nightmares to a final end¡± and looking at him with watery eyes she nods her head and watches him go.

 Chapter 38

    Getting back to the enclave Rain goes to the training center where now both Artanis and Cloud have joined in on training, Lord Straud has gotten to the point where his skill is almost matching the trainer created but wants to now work on teamwork to bring Logan down much more effective.


    Rain enters the room and watches for a while as the two youngsters get pummeled by the clone again and again, finally interrupting them from their beatings Rain informs them all about locating the final essence.


    ¡°Good now we can end this rabble once and for all, Rain where is the last stone¡± says Lalandra and upon explaining to them where it was and who has control of it, Strauds face grows serious.


    ¡°We need to tread carefully and think of a good way to convince them of handing it over to us¡± Straud said thinking a bit until Rain spoke up again


    ¡°We kind of have a problem with that part¡± Rain said quietly, and then explained that he and Eve had already had a first encounter with the group.


    ¡°I can¡¯t believe this Rain¡± said Straud falling back into his chamber chair ¡°You know better than that, to go up against such people on your own is beyond conventional sense Rain¡±


    ¡°I wasn¡¯t alone uncle, I was with Eve¡± spouted off Rain


    ¡°Who from what we know has helped us this far but we don¡¯t know yet her true intentions¡± argued Maylor


    ¡°You mean you think she¡¯s evil!¡± Rain defenses to him


    ¡°What we mean to say is for the time being you should return to her to make sure she doesn¡¯t do anything serious¡± notes Cynn to him


    ¡°She has lost too in this fight against Colossus, she doesn¡¯t do such acts out of sheer sport¡± bolted Rain


    ¡°And do you yet remember our loss to his blades¡± spoke up Cloud


    ¡°Yes, our parents and nothing so far have given me a clearer outlook to hold back my anger, but try losing your daughter and see how long you will hold out?¡± Rain threw in Clouds face


    ¡°She lost a child to him¡± Dawn said saddened


    ¡°She wants what we do¡± added Rain


    ¡°Then do as I ask Rain, and watch her, use your words to keep her at bay from acting out¡± Cynn said to him


    ¡°But¡­¡±


    ¡°Those are my orders Rain now heed them out¡± Cynn snapped at him


    ¡°Yes Judicator, as you command and in doing I will prove you all wrong¡± Rain says leaving the chamber building


    ¡°Do you think he will try anything foolish Captain¡± Cynn ask Straud


    ¡°No, Judicator he will obey your commands, he has had nothing but the utmost respect for you especially and will hold loyalty above personal gain in your name¡± said Straud


    ¡°Lets us hope so for his sake for we have lost enough in this war against Colossus, such a loss to me would be unbearable. Now to plans at hand we should go to the locations Rain gave us and seek out these Mandarians¡± she said to the rest and they then departed to suit up for the mission.


    Gathering outside the Mandarians camp through a teleport done by Cynn, all were in attendance except for Rain who was watching Eve. Elanee held back at the city attending her duties as well as Tristan who was holding down the Captain¡¯s badge for Cloud. The group looks around to see burned tents and smoldering fire ashes all around the complex of what was left of the camp site.


    ¡°What the; what happened here¡± said Cynn looking around shocked at the condition of the camp ¡°Did they leave after their encounter with Rain?¡± she continued looking around still but more to Straud¡¯s face to get a reaction, picking up some ground rubble and looking around carefully Straud shook his head


    ¡°No, they were attacked by something, I just can¡¯t tell if the bodies were burned or stowed away somewhere else¡± he said


    ¡°That doesn¡¯t make sense, who could do this so quickly, I thought that this race was very powerful as well as old¡± inquired Dawn holding her hand over her face to cover most of the smell from being attracted to her heightened senses.


    ¡°Maybe¡­¡± says Maylor gesturing to the group the notion that Eve had a part in this


    ¡°No way, Rain would have been back here to say something or at least come back to find us to say she was missing¡± defended Cloud to him


    ¡°He could be under a mind spell like before; it has happened¡± added Maylor


    ¡°But again impossible, Rain was given a circlet from Elanee to protect from future attempts and I saw him wearing it when he left, regardless of your argument to that end Maylor, her powers cannot simply be mimicked without out notice of small flaws¡± barked Cloud back at him


    ¡°Hey don¡¯t get me wrong I love Rain like a son but I am just saying ideas, and probably everyone else¡¯s as well¡± Maylor concluded


    ¡°Ok that¡¯s enough!¡± snapped Cynn ¡°Let¡¯s find some evidenced for your accusations before we act on such thoughts¡± she commanded and nodding their heads silently they obeyed.


    ¡°Then maybe we can help you out with such proof¡± said a voice in the air and suddenly appearing out of thin air Mandarians came out of invisibility with swords drawn and pointed toward them all, blocking all paths of escaping and pinning them down faster than even Dawn could get armed. Cynn¡¯s group signals mercy full into the air to show no attempted at resisting.


    ¡°Who are you?¡± Cynn asked


    ¡°Not friends of yours but of the fallen ones here, I am and have been waiting for such a party to come along so that I may reap my retribution for what your clan has done to mine¡± the winged man spoke harshly


    ¡°We are not responsible for this atrocity done here I assure you of that¡± Cynn says to him


    ¡°I will surely remember those words as I cut them from your lips¡± he says raising his sword to her exposed neck


    ¡°WAIT!¡± said Straud ¡°we are honestly not to blame, we came here in peace asking to negotiate for a certain stone you keep in high regard¡±


    ¡°Well your too late for such talks little Drow, for it has been stolen and carried with its swift absence the loss of many of my brethren sworn to the temple¡¯s command to guard it¡±


    ¡°Stolen! How! When!¡± struck Straud with a massive shocked look to his face


    ¡°Your face speaks the truth for such one is hard to hide from our people; you truly are not from the same group that attacked us not more than mere hours ago¡±


    ¡°No, not at all¡± added Maylor


    ¡°But you bare the same marking upon your back side as one who came before you¡±


    ¡°He must be talking about Rain¡± said Cloud


    ¡°Yes Rain that was his name as well as a scantily clad dressed human with red hair carrying a different symbol¡± answered the man still holding the blade to Cynn¡¯s throat


    ¡°We came here in defense of his betrayed rudeness for he spoke not from my willful command but from his own heart¡±


    ¡°Then he must be hunted by you as much as me, for it was soldiers baring her symbol who attacked us led by a cloaked man in a blue who fought through and stole the stone of power from us¡± the Mandarian continued slowly letting down his blade


    ¡°Rain could not have and would not do the thing you say he has¡± snapped Straud


    ¡°And the woman¡± the winged man bolted to him


    ¡°We cannot speak on her behalf for any of this¡± spoke up Maylor


    ¡°The stone of power, is it a ruby colored jewel with swirling black shroud in its center?¡± asked Dawn to him


    ¡°Yes¡± he answered


    ¡°Damn it¡± said Cloud ¡°why would she take it like this and from us, she can¡¯t use it without the other two¡± he finished and pausing in his thoughts Cynn spoke quickly ¡°I have to go check on the other stones, for if this was her plan she could be attacking the enclave as we speak and all hope will be lost¡± and not waiting for an answer of approval she disappeared.


    ¡°Where is she going¡± barked the man raising his blade again to Straud


    ¡°Just to make sure we won¡¯t die very soon¡± Straud added ¡°but in the meantime why don¡¯t you take us to the battle site so that we may see the carnage you so adamantly think we caused¡±


    Seeing no danger to that end the man nods for his men to lead the group to the battle site to see the remains.


    ¡°Oh my god¡± covered the mouth of Dawn to the sight of such carnage that laid before her, bodies of the fallen temple disciples lay slaughtered and lifeless on the ground bringing a count to around twenty men. The rest of the dead were as the Mandarian said, dressed in the robes and armor of Eve¡¯s personal guard pierced with their own weapons and dismembered on the ground.


    ¡°You knew to kill them with their own weapons, impressive¡± added Straud


    ¡°That was difficult to figure out from the beginning but after some of them fell we started to think differently¡±


    ¡°Where are the rest of your dead?¡±


    ¡°This is it, we are difficult to kill my dear Demon¡± he says answering Artanis¡¯s question ¡°Forgive the accusations given to you by my quick judgment, your actions and reactions to this event show me that you are not responsible for this¡± and sheathing his weapon he turns to Straud


    ¡°You look like a forceful leader, my name is Falcon, Lord Marshal Falcon, leader of this clan¡± Straud bows and introduces himself as well and pledges a word to help find the creature who did this and bring them to justice. Honored by the act Falcon allows them to leave to see if they can offer more help on their own clans end to find this person, but gave them a warning for if they can¡¯t find the culprit his clan will not rest until Rain is brought to justice for he is the only one who showed hostile traits and collaborating with the enemy. Helping them out with a teleport through his own magic the Mandarian sends them back to the enclave to reassess with Cynn.You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.


    ¡°Hello!¡± says Rain waiting for a guard to escort him into the Zenith tower, ¡°Where the hell are the guards¡± Rain says to himself letting moments go by, with Eve greeting him looking very stressed and worried


    ¡°Eve what¡¯s going on!¡± Rain echo¡¯s as he is quickly pulled into the tower portal by her, getting to the other side he jerks his hand away from her


    ¡°Ok, Eve what is happening, why are you acting like this and where are your guards¡­and your servants¡± he finishes looking around at a homely empty hallway


    ¡°I don¡¯t know, seriously Rain I¡¯m scared, none of my men or servants were here when I returned¡±


    ¡°None of them Eve¡± Rain questioned to her frightened face that Rain saw no deception from,


    ¡°No, not one was here, it¡¯s like they all vanished!¡± she said franticly


    ¡°Well did they leave a note or some sign of where they went?¡± asked Rain


    ¡°They¡¯re not kids Rain¡± she boasted out ¡°They¡¯re men and servants, no I have no idea where they went to, but something frightens me more than that even. These men are loyal only to me, they are under my control due to the fact that I created them centuries ago, and the thought of them being swayed to another¡¯s control terrifies me to no end¡± she said and closing her eyes she covers he face thinking of a possible explanation, Rain comes close to her and shields her with his arms telling her that it will be ok.


    ¡°These men are master killers of many arts, I¡¯d hate to think what someone would bring them to do¡± and lifting her head suddenly she looks alerted to something


    ¡°What is it now Eve¡± Rain scampered


    ¡°Someone is at the gateway¡­Straud and Cynn, and more¡±


    ¡°The meeting with the Mandarians clan must be done we should go and see what they have found out¡± and nodding her head they go to meet them.


    They exit the tower through the portal and upon entering normal terrain and are greeted by six men from which two quickly slap upon Eve¡¯s wrists blue energy emitting cuffs,


    ¡°What the hell is going on here¡± Demanded Rain as he was pushed aside to stand by Straud


    ¡°Relax this is only a precaution Rain for we have some disturbing news from the settlement¡± explained Cynn ¡°It appears that our young Eve here has had men recently attacking the settlement and made off with the stone we seek¡±


    ¡°WHAT! ME! That¡¯s obscured why I would betray our alliance in such a manner¡± Eve blasted out loud


    ¡°That¡¯s what I would like to know as well, but until your innocence is proven those cuffs stay on you¡±


    ¡°What are these anyway¡± Eve asks


    ¡°I won¡¯t tell you how they work for fear you will disable them, but they keep your powers at bay from use¡± Cynn says to her


    ¡°This is insane if Colossus is somehow watching this now, he will attempt to assassinate me and I will be powerless to stop him, not to mention that you will lose a great ally to your cause¡±


    ¡°Then we will assign someone to watch over you until¡­¡±


    ¡°That will be me and I will not be argued on it either¡± snapped Rain to Cynn¡¯s face interrupting her tongue from reprimanding his insubordination of respect, she glares to his look of hot headedness and slowly agrees to his offer knowing the verbal battle would never be ended.


    ¡°Ok, how can I prove my innocence¡± Eve asks Cynn


    ¡°By allowing us to search your home for a deep and thorough inspection first of all¡±


    ¡°Done!¡± she stated ¡°Do you wish to go now¡±


    ¡°Yes¡± Cynn said to her


    ¡°Do these cuffs block my mind links?¡± Eve asks


    ¡°They shouldn¡¯t¡± reassured Cynn and closing her eyes Eve reopens the portal and the group then enters the tower.


    Searching around shelves and working towards the main library the group comes up with nothing, Rain refuses to search for the item self-knowing that she had nothing to do with the heist.


    They open the doors to the main room of study to find a blue cloaked figure standing in front of them, its face was covered and it had a reddish black glow resonating from behind him.


    ¡°There you are my master I have beginning to think that you have forgotten about me¡± the cloaked figure states to her


    ¡°Master I¡¯m not your master who they hell are you anyway¡± Eve bolts to him


    ¡°I am your head Captain Milady surly you remember or have you lost your mind, anyways I have what you requested just as you ordered and will take my leave like you commanded¡± and spinning it¡¯s cloaked in a circle it falls to the ground leaving a bluish smoke dissipating from the head hole with a laugh echoing as it left. But sitting on the table behind it was the stone they were searching for.


    ¡°Oh my god¡± Eve says in disbelief ¡°That is not my doing I swear ¡­¡±


    ¡°Shut up! Eve¡± shouted Cynn ¡°I have heard just about enough of your lies¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s not lying Judicator, I bet my life on it, she returned to find her tower abandoned and empty¡± Rain protested


    ¡°And did you arrive with her Rain or after she was already her¡±


    ¡°After but I¡­¡±


    ¡°Enough Rain!¡± Cynn said to him, ¡°Captain! Take Miss Eve into custody and hold her until we can arrange a meeting with Lord Falcon.


    ¡°Your guarding time is over Rain¡± Straud says gently pushing Rain aside to grip Eve¡¯s wrist


    ¡°Eve you have nothing to fear, I swear to you I will find the true culprit behind this¡± Rain says to her softly and knowing that nothing she could say would sway Cynn¡¯s command she keeps quiet and cooperates fully with them. They take her to Silverspire city where the last cell designed for superpower mages is still empty and is put into it shackled up. The stone is placed with the rest but then brought by itself for trading purposes.


    Waiting in the main hall of the court chamber until Falcon arrives Rain sits impatiently along with Cloud, Dawn, Artanis, Tristan and Straud who is really only there to make sure Rain does nothing rash.


    ¡°Where are they?¡± Rain says impatiently pacing back and forth


    ¡°Oh Rain please would you stop that already, you¡¯re making me dizzy¡± spouted Dawn to him


    ¡°I don¡¯t understand why you can¡¯t even speculate the fact of Eve having something to do with this Rain¡± stated Cloud to him sitting in a chair leaning back a bit


    ¡°And I don¡¯t see how you can say that with the sheer proof of her solid cooperation thus far¡± Rain spat back at him


    ¡°Rain, you said it yourself that she is the only one who can mentally control her men, she made them after all¡± replied Cloud to him


    ¡°Yeah well when you and the rest were gathering up the stones, I was around her a lot more and leaned much, and just maybe if you did the same you might see my view¡± Rain argued


    ¡°And if you were around her less like me you would see mine, look we can sit around and discuss this all you want but will come to no compromise; so let me ask this. Is it possible that your personal feeling for her are clouding this issue?¡± asked Cloud


    ¡°Personal feelings, Cloud the woman lost a child!¡± shouted Rain to him


    ¡°And we lost our parents so don¡¯t use that, look I¡¯m sorry for her loss truly I am but that is still no reason to justify illogical rash actions¡± Cloud snapped back


    ¡°Boys¡± said Straud


    ¡°She wasn¡¯t acting out, she was set up Cloud¡± Rain bolted


    ¡°By who Rain huh, no one else knew about this¡± Cloud blasted back


    ¡°None that we know of any way¡± added Artanis


    ¡°Cloud let¡¯s get one thing straight you are now a father and congratulations for it, but make no mistake; you¡¯re not mine! So do me a favor and let me deal with this my own way¡± Rain says sternly and then walks to a distant corner of the room and standing up Cloud yells to Rain


    ¡°And let me tell you, you pull anything like this again and I will always intervene to protect our family, because I¡¯ll be damned to see you throw it away for some enticing girl you have only known for the better part of a month¡± and finishing Straud yells at the two of them to stop this quall and stay quiet. Cloud sits back down and gives Rain an evil glare and Rain one back. Time seems to pass slowly for a while longer until the council comes through the door and passed them into the courtyard, following them is the emissary from the Mandarian Clan and following him is Cynn and Maylor who Straud goes to catch up to and walks beside into the room. The doors shut behind them and the young group waits outside for they this time were not allowed in.


    Eve sits in her cell shackled at the wrists contemplating her situation and its conclusion among other things.


    ¡°Well you knew this might happen, and since they now have all the stones your time with them has come to an end¡± Eve thinks to herself ¡°Besides this is probably the best way to end the infiltration anyway¡± and walking back and forth around her small space given to her she thinks deeply to herself and grows tears that run down her checks. She wipes them from her face and shakes her head ¡°Man girl get a hold of yourself, you¡¯re a bloody dragon for crying out loud¡­stop thinking about him he¡¯s a damn Drow and more over your enemy¡± and having a serious saddened look come over her face she thinks ¡°No, this can¡¯t be happening you don¡¯t have feelings for the mortal you¡¯re a dragon, it¡¯s retarded you don¡¯t love him¡­do you?¡± Thinking deeply to herself she hears a voice from the entrance of the cell door


    ¡°Oh my, Sephinroth what have you gotten yourself into this time and why the long face, you know blue really isn¡¯t your color¡± Logan laughs softly


    ¡°Why are you hear Logan?¡± she asks


    ¡°I heard that you found the final stone, pretty much landed right on your kitchen table isn¡¯t that right?¡± he smiled


    ¡°You bastard it was you wasn¡¯t it, you set me up and used my minions¡± she said


    ¡°Well not me it was actually a demon that did the mind control of your minions but yes I helped a little bit, got to hate those delivery men always showing up at the most unfortunate times eh?¡± and growing red with anger Logan perks up ¡°Now that¡¯s more your color Sephinroth and gees that took nearly no effort at all, I knew I should have been a cleric¡±


    ¡°Get the hell out of my face you impudent speck of dust¡± she demanded


    ¡°I will but first I have a request, where are the stones being kept¡± Logan asked


    ¡°They¡¯re in¡­waiting, since I was left out of the loop on this little charade I¡¯ll leave him out as well, tell him if he wants those stones, come and get them¡±


    ¡°You traitorous deceitful bitch, I ought to bleed you dry right now you little¡­¡±


    ¡°Oh and what are you going to do bite me!¡±


    ¡°The thought had crossed my mind¡± and hearing someone coming towards them he stops talking and mouths the words ¡°This isn¡¯t over¡± and dissipates into a blue haze laying low to the floor venting out into the hall and away just as Elanee enters the room.


    ¡°Elanee, What are you doing here¡± Eve asked her


    ¡°I¡¯m here to represent you by investigating your innocence Eve¡± Elanee says with little enthusiasm


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry you had to be burdened with such a task, just tell them you found nothing and let me die, I know it¡¯s what you want¡± Eve snaps


    ¡°I don¡¯t hate you Eve despite what you may think, I only just don¡¯t trust you and believe you me there is a big difference that is why I offered to do this¡± Elanee says to her


    ¡°Then why is my next question¡± Eve states to her


    And ignoring the question Elanee continues ¡°But before I go any further with this I have a question for you; I want a straight answer Eve honestly¡­do you love Rain?¡±


    Thinking for a second hard on her answer tears again come to her eyes and wiping them away she aims her head down ¡°Yes¡± she says and lifting her head up she looks directly in to Elanee¡¯s face ¡°Yes, I do love him¡± and nodding her head with now knowing the answer Elanee turns to leave the chamber ¡°I¡¯m sorry Elanee¡± she says making Elanee stop turning around again to her ¡°That he picked me instead of you, you have a good soul and you would have made a beautiful couple but I can¡¯t control his feelings on this¡±


    ¡°I will inform you of any updates as I make progress to your case, good or bad¡± Elanee says as she continues out the door.


    ¡°You can¡¯t be serious about those terms¡± says Straud standing up in the courtyard directing his comments to the emissary,


    ¡°I assure you I am Captain¡± says the emissary


    ¡°So let me make sure I got this right, if we don¡¯t get the stone back to you and if we do not comply with those terms then you will openly attack this city in retribution¡± replies Cynn


    ¡°That is correct¡± nods the emissary


    ¡°THAT¡¯S INSANE!¡± shouts Straud ¡°How can you justify such acts as lawful justice¡±


    ¡°Ok look we have the stone¡­¡± says Cynn explaining but is quickly interrupted by Straud ¡°But it was destroyed by the accused when she attempted an experiment on it¡± he finished while getting a look from Cynn that could make him crawl into a hole for the rest of his days


    ¡°That is unfortunate, but we require proof of its destruction¡± the emissary continues


    ¡°And if we present you with the remains of the stone as well as the accused will that be enough for you to forfeit the attack on the city?¡± asked Maylor


    And thinking for a second the emissary nods ¡°Yes, that will be suffice¡±


    ¡°Then we will reconvene in one day on which the Drow clan will present here tomorrow the accused as well as the remains of the stone to Lord Falcon¡± said promptly the human court elder and dismissed the group.


    Dawn with her advanced hearing could listen in on the whole conversation through the wall, as she listened she said the words of the sentences out her mouth and seeing this Rain knew that she was eavesdropping on the meeting so he watched and read her lips to find out for himself what was going on. Happy that she never broke her habit she has carried since she was young Rain learned about the ultimatum given by the Emissary and the fate that would become of Eve, slipping into an invisibility form when no one was watching him Rain left the waiting chamber to do something on his own to help Eve.


    Coming out of the courtyard Cynn turned her angry glare to Straud and spoke very stern


    ¡°What the hell was that Captain, the stone is not destroyed so why did you lie to him?¡±


    ¡°Because even if we gave it back to them do you really think that we would have been able to use it anyway, they wouldn¡¯t have gave it up to us¡± Straud replied to her


    ¡°The only thing that is clear to me right now is that disobedience runs deep in your family tree Captain¡± said Cynn


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry Judicator but this time I have to agree with Straud on this one, if we have Lalandra forge a fake stone to replace this one we will be in the clear¡± added Maylor


    ¡°Well that¡¯s a first¡± said Straud surprised at Maylor¡¯s worded defense to him ¡°As well as handing over Eve as well¡±


    ¡°I hope it doesn¡¯t come to that or we¡¯ll have one mad mage on our hands¡± Cloud said entering the conversation


    ¡°The King has allowed Elanee to conduct an investigation into her innocence and hopefully find clearing evidence before Falcon gets here tomorrow¡± Explains Cynn and gathering up the rest Cynn explains to the group about the meeting results when they see that Rain is missing.

 Chapter 39

    Cloaked in his invisibility shroud Rain approaches the guard tower and precedes silently like stale air behind the guards that open the doors down to the bottom level where Eve is held. Careful not to hit anybody for fear of being noticed Rain sees Elanee leaving Eve¡¯s room, letting her pass right by him he gains an idea and changes his look to match her.


    Rain reproaches the guards by Eve¡¯s door and when asked why she was there again so soon Rain says through her voice that he forgot something in the chamber, he was allowed in and as soon as the door was unlocked he cast a sleep induced spell into their faces knocking them hard to the ground. ¡°Sleep tight guys¡± Rain said


    ¡°Elanee what the hell are you doing¡± Eve said seeing the attack


    ¡°Eve it¡¯s me Rain¡± he replies changing back to himself and entering the room he is hit with a yellow light that shines around him dropping from the roof pasting a symbol upon his chest.


    ¡°What the¡± says Rain confused


    ¡°That¡¯s an anti-magic symbol on you, your spells are disabled¡± Eve explained


    ¡°Damn it¡± said Rain trying to cast a small spell with no success ¡°It¡¯s too late to worry about that now, I need to get you out of here; they plan to give you to the clan anyway and I¡¯ll go to hell before I let them have you¡± Rain bolts out and taking the armor of the one guard Rain puts it on and takes Eve by the chains ¡°Follow my lead and I¡¯ll get you out of here, and back to the tower, we¡¯ll figure out our next move from there¡±


    ¡°And what about your clan Rain I won¡¯t let you tear your ties from them for me¡± Eve states to him,


    ¡°That¡¯s my choice not yours, now come on¡± and leading her out through the doors telling upper level guards that she was being moved they let him pass with her in tow. Getting to the tower gates they find a horse outside and taking off the armor Rain gets on first and pulls Eve up, throwing her still bonded wrists over and around Rain¡¯s chest Rain¡¯s rides off down an alleyway toward the city wall gates.


    Minutes later Cloud and the group get to the guard tower thinking that it was where Rain was headed, the guards tell the group that she just left with the prisoner moments ago and pointing to where they exited Cloud follows the trail to the guard stables where he finds the ditched guard armor.


    ¡°Footmen, sound the alarm and alert the gate guards to close the portcullis and double the wall archers Rain is not allowed to leave the grounds understand¡±


    ¡°Are we to fire on him if he refuses sir?¡±


    ¡°Only as an absolute last resort, let him make the first move¡±


    ¡°Understood sir¡± and the footman leave to carry out the orders; Cloud goes by the fallen armor suit and shakes his head.


    ¡°You made the right call Cloud¡± says Straud coming up on his back


    ¡°We¡¯d better split up and try to find him, he¡¯ll be moving fast¡± Straud said breaking the members of the clan into groups


    ¡°Why would he do this the plan was to help her right¡± asked Dawn


    ¡°I don¡¯t think he stuck around long enough to hear that part¡± added Artanis


    ¡°I agree¡± stated Straud ¡°Now let¡¯s move¡± and they break off.


    Drilling the hooves of the horses¡¯ feet deep into the dirt Rain raced to reach the gate before his brother could mobilize the guards. Dodging guard patrols where he could and out riding others sending them into barrels and hay stacks Rain out maneuvered the ones on his tail as Eve watched the rear side. Rain reached the half-way point of running through the city before the first alarm horn was sounded indicating Eve¡¯s escape. Continuing to watch the rear Eve spots Cloud high in the air riding on the back of Chalice and warns Rain about him, turning his head quickly Rain looks to Cloud and hears him call to him ¡°Rain, Stop your making a mistake!!!¡± he yells to his ears, and turning away ignoring his call Rain rides on,


    ¡°Maybe you should listen to him Rain¡± says Eve


    ¡°They¡¯re going to let you die Eve and I won¡¯t sit idle by and let it happen¡± Rain finishes and nudges the horse to the ribs to move even faster and harder, Cloud then descends to the ground and continues to give chase to Rain on the ground. Leaping over his own men and around obstacles placed in the roadway by Rain as he passes them Cloud tries talking to Rain again and again, yelling to him to stop and just talk to him. Rain doesn¡¯t even look back and seeing the gate within his sights all focus is laid upon reaching it.


    ¡°Rain stop this please, I don¡¯t want you hurt¡± cries Eve from the rear


    ¡°No¡± stubbornly Rain bolts and riding by to grip a pole by a nearby building Rain aims and throws it javelin like into the lever pulley system of the closing gate, stopping the portcullis half way down he and Eve both duck as they pass under the gate clearing the city border and continue into the woods.


    Following close behind them Cloud could see a barricade made by Straud, Cynn and Maylor to block Rain¡¯s continued escape. Grinding the hooves halting his horse Rains turns to go in the heavy brush but Cloud blocks his path, and hearing movement down the path he came Rain sees it filling with Tristan, Dawn and Artanis. Eve and Rain look around at the present company and Rain gives them all an evil glare.


    ¡°It¡¯s over Rain please, comedown off the horse¡± Straud softly spoke


    ¡°I won¡¯t let you trade her for that pitiful stone, you¡¯ll have to kill me first¡± Rain barks to them all


    ¡°Rain¡± says Dawn shocked by his statement


    ¡°Rain lets us explain, please¡± says Cynn trying to calm him down


    ¡°Explain what judicator, huh that this is best for the group, of course it would be for us we get what we want but she gets death¡± and looking around Rain tries again to cast a spell but finds his power still unusable ¡°Forget it! All you care about is the stone, not her or her way of life, you stayed her friend just until you got a hold of what you wanted and then considered her a threat and accused her of acting out rash to not even attempt to accommodate her of what she might want from the generosity she has shown to you, you don¡¯t care about her you never did and the mere thought that I am on your side right now sickens me¡±


    ¡°That is it Rain!¡± blasts Cloud drawing his sword and drawing his own Rain gets ready a fight turning his skin to stone.


    ¡°Enough of this please Rain¡± Eve shouts out loud hurting his ears with her shriek turning towards her, ¡°Your family and stopping Colossus is more important than my life, I¡¯m sorry that you don¡¯t agree but that¡¯s not your call to make now¡±


    ¡°Your right Rain¡± says Straud ¡°We never gave her a fair chance to prove herself around us, but at the same time we are not just going to sit by as you said and watch her die for a crime she didn¡¯t commit¡±


    ¡°Then you do believe me¡± says Rain


    ¡°Yes, from your resistance to see her innocence has opened my eyes but it¡¯s not me you need to convince to let her live in peace, as we speak Elanee is off to the battle site to try and gather evidence to prove her innocence to Lord Falcon, please Rain you need to trust us now and take her back¡± appeals Straud waiting for Rain to answer.


    ¡°We won¡¯t let her go without a fight Rain¡± adds Artanis


    ¡°You damn right I won¡¯t¡± Rain adds and having his face turned again to see Eve¡¯s teary eyed face, she looks into his eyes and kisses him ¡°I love you Rain, I want you to know that, but running away from this is proving nothing but my guilt not innocence, please don¡¯t go back on your words I have trusted. I have nothing to fear for I know that I¡¯m innocent right?¡±


    ¡°Yes¡± replied Rain in agreement, Eve gently smiles at him, ¡°Then take me back¡± She spoke. To his own hard path he made Rain took Eve back to her cell, and as the dreaded spell locking chains were again applied to her wrists. Rain choked down the treatment with a hard swallow which lasted only seconds until the unbearable sight forced him pushing his brother from his way out the chamber.


    Rain was told later that he wasn¡¯t allowed for the time to see her until the meeting with the Mandarian Lord had come to pass, agreeing even though he didn¡¯t have a choice Rain was allowed to stay in the guest tower until such time. Sitting by himself he waited to hear a word from Elanee and her news. Hours went by and he grew restless until the door open and he saw her face, she had a look of disappointment and defeat passed over it and she only could look to Rain¡¯s face for short periods of time before she would turn away.


    ¡°You didn¡¯t find anything did you?¡± he asked


    ¡°Rain, I swear I looked under every rock and branch there was out there and with the men on the field all dead so was any chance of me to read their minds¡­I¡­I¡¯m so sorry¡± Elanee said to him having her faces well up


    ¡°Please don¡¯t cry Elanee, I believe you honestly, I know that you tried, you¡¯re not the type not to give up¡± Rain said coming to her to give her a hug


    ¡°I was the last chance you had to save the woman you love and I failed you¡± she said crying out loud into his shoulder


    ¡°Hey it¡¯s ok, you still have to explain to him what you found, now I¡¯m not allowed in there when he comes, but before her end comes I want you to give Lord Falcon this message, Prema Nocktomb in my honor¡± Rain says to her and wiping the tears from her eyes she asked what that meant, ¡°First justice¡± Rain said and nodding her head she said she had to leave to get ready.


    Quickly having a bath in a pool do to being gone for the better part of the whole day, and beaten down with tiredness Elanee mustered the strength to finish her task. She got ready and met up with Lord Straud, Cynn and Maylor who had the fake stone from a rush order done by Lalandra to fool Falcon. Seeing him they meet into the throne room and exchange the stone as well as Elanee having her final say pleading for Eve¡¯s innocence, hearing it all but having no effect Falcon ordered for the accused to be brought before him. Eve was brought in by command and set in front of him on her knees; Falcon unsheathes his sword and holds it to her neck. Straud stood to his feet unleashing his own blade as Cynn raise her voice in shocking question ¡°You¡¯re going to kill her here, now?¡±


    ¡°I hate baggage, especially kinds that I don¡¯t even like¡± and raising his sword to give a clean dismemberment of her head he says to her ¡°Any last words?¡± as Straud steps tactically to block the strike of wrongful judgment.


    Eve stands silent and just looks sadly into his eyes, ¡°I DO!¡± shouts Elanee and rolling his eyes with reluctance Falcon lowers his blade ¡°Very well what is it¡± with Straud holding his counter move ready.


    ¡°Prema Nocktomb in Rain¡¯s honor¡± she said to him


    ¡°WHAT??? Ahhh¡± says Falcon sheathing his weapon again ¡°Very well, have Rain at my domain in three days from now and we shall finish this¡± instructed Falcon ¡°Now anything else, although I don¡¯t think the day can get any worse¡±If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    ¡°What is that the meaning of that phrase¡± inquired Cynn


    ¡°It means First justice, in which a champion of my choosing will now fight Rain for a last attempt to free Eve from her crime¡± he then goes on to explain that Eve will be strapped to a stake, and a burning magical fire touch will be placed in the middle of an area where my champion and Rain will fight, the goal is simple; get to the torch and do what you will with it, burn her or put it out in a pool of holy water located beside her.


    ¡°No way in hell is he doing this¡± said Straud sheathing hard his blade again


    ¡°Too late¡± bolted Falcon ¡°The challenge has been issued and accepted, unless you want us to attack the city you will abide by it. Three days; Rain is at our door or we¡¯ll be at this one¡± Falcon heats out leaving.


    ¡°How could you say this Elanee?¡± asked Maylor


    ¡°I didn¡¯t know, Rain asked me to say it, I thought it was a farewell term¡± she defended


    ¡°But he knew, he knew what he was doing¡± explain Cynn


    ¡°He won¡¯t let her go without a fight, damn it I should¡¯ve saw this coming¡± said Straud clenching his fist in hidden anger


    ¡°What do we do now¡± asked Elanee


    ¡°The only thing we can do, get him ready for the fight¡± says Straud and he walked out


    Blasting the door open to Rain¡¯s guest room Elanee goes into the room and slams the door shut behind her,


    ¡°I¡¯m surprised that door is still on its hinges, after what Uncle did to it entering¡± said Rain staring out the window not looking at Elanee


    ¡°You used me¡± she snapped


    ¡°She was going to die and like I said before I won¡¯t let that happen, not without me doing everything in my power to stop it¡± explained Rain and going up to his side Elanee looks to him and holds a small nod, but looking to him again Elanee slaps Rain across the face only staring back from his recoiled neck does she then give him a big embrace.


    ¡°I know what you are doing, and I would do the same if I were you so I¡¯m not mad, I only hope that someday I can be as proud of my man as I am with you¡± and kissing his check she leaves him to get started on his training.


    Eve is told of what has transpired by Straud and tells her that there is nothing he can do to change Rain¡¯s mind when she asks.


    The first day goes by with Rain having no courage to see Eve; he trains all day in weapons and spells and tactics by Maylor of the combat use of priests spells. That night guards come to Rain¡¯s chamber saying that she wants to speak with him, and knowing that he needs to see her, Rain goes. He is taken into her cell and for a couple moments she just sits there across from him not saying a word until she then comes clean with her thoughts.


    ¡°Please Rain back out of the challenge you are the only one who can issue it¡±


    ¡°No Eve¡±


    ¡°Please Rain for me¡±


    ¡°No! You¡¯re innocent!¡±


    ¡°Yes, I am; but I did not accept my fate so lightly so that I could watch you die on the battlefield moments before I do¡±


    ¡°Eve I¡¯m not going to die out there¡±


    ¡°Rain what you propose to do is insane ok, you cannot hope to defeat the Mandarians battle champion, he has your powers plus more¡±


    ¡°Eve I will not just sit by and do nothing, you know that¡±


    ¡°Rain listen to me, you have given me compassion and caring I thought was never possible to have, and now that I have had that I¡¯m happy to die with a pride you won¡¯t understand, but please don¡¯t fight him¡±


    ¡°EVE!¡±


    ¡°Rain he will kill you!¡± Eve starts crying and Rain goes to leave saying that he will see her tomorrow


    ¡°Rain wait please¡± she says wiping her eyes ¡°Don¡¯t leave like this, you have showed much and risk everything for me please, stay here tonight and let me return the favor¡± and going up to her they start kissing and share each other¡¯s company through the night.


    Elanee, who through the majority of the next morning was looking for Rain, finally goes to the cell chamber to see if Eve knew where he might have gone for he was late for his training exercises. The guards tell Elanee before entering the room that she wasn¡¯t to be disturbed but she didn¡¯t listen and flinging the door open she saw the two on the floor covered under Rain¡¯s cloak, looking to the side she saw Eve clothes lying on a messy pile and knew what happened.


    ¡°Oh god, I¡¯m so sorry¡± she said turning around waking up the both of them. Startled and groggy Rain arose and saw Elanee over them and quickly jumped to his feet.


    ¡°Shit I¡¯m late!¡± he cried and thanking Elanee for the wakeup call he kissed Eve¡¯s cheek and ran past them.


    ¡°Well at least he was wearing pants¡± she said relieved and going herself to leave as well she was stopped by Eve¡¯s voice telling her to wait a moment.


    ¡°Yes Eve¡± Elanee said to her waiting


    ¡°Sorry you had to see this, we didn¡¯t mean for you to¡± Eve replied


    ¡°Hey you guys don¡¯t need to justify your actions to me¡± Elanee says sarcastically


    ¡°Give me a break Elanee I¡¯m dying in two days ok, like you wouldn¡¯t be doing the same if you were in my position¡±


    ¡°Well I¡¯m not in your position ok Eve¡±


    ¡°And that¡¯s why I want you to wait for a second ok¡± Eve says getting to her feet and holding the robe over her naked body while she ties it up. ¡°I want you to be in this position when I¡¯m gone¡±


    With a stun look on her face one word comes to Elanee lips ¡°HUH?¡±


    ¡°Look Elanee he may have picked me but he does still love you¡±


    ¡°Yeah right¡± Elanee says brushing off the comment


    ¡°Just listen to me, with me Elanee he sees my mind as companionship for a common interest, that¡¯s why he¡¯s attracted to me but with you he looks much deeper. Your heart and soul is what he views and longs for when he looks at you and in the end it is what he will need; not me¡± Eves says lowering her head


    ¡°Eve that¡¯s not true¡± Elanee says sympathizing to her


    ¡°No, it is Elanee and with that you must promise me something, when I go the first face he is to look upon is yours for comfort and help to carry on, for he will need it, and so will you¡± Elanee then gives Eve a comforting hug and Eve asks to be alone for a while, Elanee lets her be and leaves to come back later with some refreshments to eat and drink.


    Rain continues every night to come to see Eve and comfort her through the night¡¯s cold chill, his training is hard during the days and fight¡¯s the thoughts continually running through his mind that Eve might just be right and he isn¡¯t strong enough to show her innocence to the world. Everyone is on a knife edge with stomachs turning from the closing in on the battle lingering in days, until finally the last day comes into light.


    Rain wakes up the final morning at Eve¡¯s side and opening his eyes he sees her staring at him, she kiss his forehead and thanks him for everything he has done and will do, and the time is sharply interrupted by two guards opening the door requesting the time has come to take her to the Mandarian camp. They get ready to go and all main group members are in attendance except for Lalandra who wishes him luck. Cynn and Rain use a combined effort to transport all of them to the camp and the final moments before the fight begins to count down.


    Logan and Colossus arrive away to the site upon a hilltop near the battlefield to witness the group arriving with Eve in chains, being strapped to the pole. Shaking his head with amazement Logan looks to Colossus


    ¡°Everything is as you planned it would¡±


    ¡°Well of course it is, I planned it but now it¡¯s time to finish this, I want you to take the warrior¡¯s place on the field and take this Rain on yourself¡± said Colossus


    ¡°But I thought you said he won¡¯t fail¡±


    ¡°I know what I said but I¡¯ve changed my mind about wanting the young Elf dead¡±


    ¡°You want him to live?¡± Logan questioned with surprise,


    ¡°Just long enough so that I can kill him myself, but I¡¯m sure the warrior might finish him off right here and now¡­what an early pity that would be as well as so much less satisfying¡±


    ¡°So you want me to fight him, but not kill him¡­how unfair you are to me, can I at least beat him up a bit?¡± Logan asks


    ¡°Do whatever you want but keep him alive for me, now go!¡± commanded Colossus and with a nod of understanding Logan smoked away leaving Colossus¡¯ deep indigo colored eyes fixed on the battlefield, but keeping a wary eye open for the never failing followers of the Shade King; The Grim.


    The warrior who was actually fighting Rain was in his tent awaiting his command and meditating when Logan silently appears behind him, creeping up slowly Logan grips his neck tightly and breaks it without the fighter making a sound or putting up a resistance. Helping his heavy corpse to the floor Logan takes a dagger from his own belt and jabs it into the chest of the warrior, saying a word in Drowish the warrior¡¯s body suddenly disintegrates into nothing leaving Logan a clean fresh murder. Taking the time to strap on the fighter¡¯s armor, Logan carefully makes sure all of his body is covered leaving only a shadowy lens to cover his face for secrecy.


    ¡°Sorry buddy your alternate is going to be in this game, while you take a load off¡± Logan says laughing a little, and hearing a horn sound Logan knows that it¡¯s his call to approach the field and gripping the dead warrior¡¯s sword Logan leaves to meet Rain.


    Rain holds out on the field waiting to start the conflict, his robes replaced with a tightly made hard leather vest around his upper torso with still his usual breeches upon his lower part. His magically called sword is already in hand and his face holds an anxious look to get this over with. All his company is along a marked sideline waiting as well as him to see the outcome as finally Logan shows up, looking down at his ringed up hands he thinks to himself.


    ¡°This spell you gave me better be good Colossus¡± and approaching Rain¡¯s opposite side he smiles to him glancing quickly to look at Eve.


    ¡°She¡¯s pretty is she yours?¡± he asks Rain who only holds a glare back at him,


    ¡°Good I like it when it¡¯s personal; it hurts you so much more when you lose someone you love¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s you who¡¯s going to lose warrior¡± bolted Rain


    ¡°And yet somehow I don¡¯t seem to find that phrase threatening¡­I wonder why¡± Logan concludes and backs up to position himself for the fight and Rain the same, the signal is given and the battle begins.


    Rain watches him carefully holding his sword up sturdy to Logan¡¯s head and Logan has his relaxed and by his side looking at Rain as if to appraise his worth.


    ¡°Let¡¯s see what you got Drow!¡± egged Logan on to Rain, Rain has been told time and time again by both Cloud and his uncle to never engage the fight and for once he listens to the headed advice and stays put, knowing to do the same Logan stands neutral as well and for moments on end the two don¡¯t even swing.


    ¡°Well this is boring¡± says Logan stabbing his weapon into the ground and smiling as he turns his back to Rain he walks to the torch and Eve. Rain throws a fireball at his back and turning around again Logan holds the first ring to Rains attack deflecting the spell back at him. Rain deflects it as well blowing the ball in to a nearby tree blasting splinters everywhere. And swinging immediately after Rain inadvertently starts the fight, Rains tries not to waste his energy but every move he tosses towards the warrior seems to be blocked with ease, not even breaking a sweat Logan turns his sword to lock up Rain¡¯s blade with his own and brining his face in close gives Rain a swift cuff to the face with his free chained glove hand. Backing off letting Rain get to his feet Logan fights a while longer, Tripping Rain and dodging his oncoming attacks again and again letting Rain meet the dirt rapidly, Logan hopes to embarrass him enough to lose interest. Rain changes tactics and tosses some spells at him but using the right gloved hand Logan blocks everything tossed his way, with his other hand throws some added surprises back having Rain use even more energy just to block himself and survive. ¡°I could get used to this style¡± smiled Logan to himself and moving fast he moves to Rain close fighting him martially throwing kicks and punches into Rain¡¯s face and stomach. Logan draws a little blood and then splatters a bunch of it tossing a final upper blow knocking Rain to the ground hard. Walking over pompously Logan grips Rain tightly and lifts him into the air


    ¡°This is your chosen fighter Milady!¡± he shouts to Eve ¡°Not much to work with, I expected more from someone so beautiful and stunning, as well as the power to consume a quarter of my clan lives¡­oh well I guess beggars can¡¯t be choosers eh¡± laughing a bunch still holding Rain, Rain lifts his head revealing arks in his eyes and says a simple line to Logan


    ¡°I may not have fighting skills to match yours but I do have knowledge warrior¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Logan says still holding laugher


    ¡°Metal is very conductive¡± finishes Rain and gripping his armor Rain fills Logan with voltage, weakening his grip lowering Rain to the ground Rain builds up his throw rage and spinning Logan around in the air he tosses him free floating into the sky.


    Not waiting to see him hit the ground Rain bolts off to the torch and upon landing Logan rears his head in Rain¡¯s distant direction, changing his facial look to a angered annoyance Logan pulls a second blade from his back throwing it like a boomerang. Rain trips on it between his legs cutting him up and causing him to fall to the ground. Logan quickly catches up to him and getting to his feet Rain pulls his blade again, Logan does the same and shows now leniency to him this time cutting Rain¡¯s arms and legs up while driving the hilt of his sword into Rain¡¯s jaw bone multiple times.


    Elanee watches helplessly from the side lines squinting every time blood is thrown from Rain¡¯s body, Alisianna buries her face in Clouds chest telling him to let her know when it¡¯s over, and under the shade of a tree Dawn watches holding a tight grip to Artanis¡¯s hands while the battle rages on.


    Finishing Rain with a violent cut to the stomach careful not to pierce any vitals, Logan sees his limb body drop his sword and pushing him back a bit Logan performs a massive spin kick driving Rain¡¯s head whip lashing backward into the air; losing his hearing and sight for moments Rain impacts the ground harshly. Smiling with a satisfied finish Logan sheathes his blade knowing that Rain isn¡¯t returning to his feet and goes to the stake post where Eve dwells, gripping the torch firmly he walks up to the bound and gagged helpless women smiling to her.


    ¡°Time to go, and may I just say this¡­job well done¡± Logan states tossing the torch into the air, turning to see if Rain is watching.


    Rain looks up in a horrifying sight as Eve is consumed in flames from the prepared wood beneath her feet, throwing her head back screaming in a shriek of violent pain as the flames wrap around her body. Rain turns his head away from the unbarring sight, Elanee covers her eyes and Dawn turns to Artanis for a sight shield. And with everyone cringing at the sight Eve makes her final performance and teleports away having her flaming escape covered by the natural ones, and as fast as it exploded in flame the fire dissipated and the one called Eve was gone.


    Rain lays out a bellyaching scream of Eve¡¯s name as he runs toward the charred remains, gripping a handful of ash and burnt wood he repeatedly says to it that he was sorry and a river full of tears flows from his eyes. Straud goes to grip hold of his nephew but getting close to him Rain teleports away. Colossus sees the whole escapade and smiling in pride he too shimmers out of sight, Logan states to the field full of shameful mourners that justice has been done and moving out of sight goes around some campus tents and smokes away himself.


    The rest with added help from Falcon accepting but not happy with the result aid¡¯s Cynn in bring everyone else home.

 Chapter 40

    Arriving back at the Lazarus tower Sephinroth appears bearing a massive feeling of sorrow and guilt, walking slowly; brushing her feet along the floor she holds the image of Rain¡¯s last look deep in her mind. Getting her thoughts disturbed she turns to the blasting open of the main hall door with Colossus leading Logan. Clapping fiercely his hands together she hears his voice ¡°Bravo! Bravo! A magnificent performance my dear truly spectacular, I could not have done a finer job myself¡±


    ¡°Did you get what you needed from my tower?¡± Sephinroth snuffed out with annoyance


    ¡°The jewel wasn¡¯t there¡± said Logan


    ¡°They must have moved it somewhere else¡± added Colossus looking to Sephinroth


    ¡°Silverspire city, they must have it there. That is the last place I know they took it¡± she replied


    ¡°Then to the city is where I will go to retrieve it¡±


    ¡°NO!!!¡± she shouted ¡°I have done enough for you, it¡¯s time to pay up and pay up now!¡± Sephinroth demanded holding out her hand


    ¡°But of course my dear, after all I am a ma¡­or bull of my word¡± said Colossus waving his hand about in the air reaching into a magic made hole merely cut from the air to pull out a black smoldering scroll and hands it to her ¡°Here you are, one rapid dragon aging spell as promised, you take care of that youngling carefully we don¡¯t want to make the same mistake twice, do we¡±


    ¡°As long as she¡¯s out of your demented dominance she will be fine¡± Sephinroth smiled sarcastically and walking away she holds the scroll tightly but stops, over hearing a bet made by the two ¡°What did you say?¡± she asked them


    ¡°Oh I was just telling Logan here that he owes me a bag of gold for losing the bet¡±


    ¡°What bet?¡± she questioned


    ¡°Whether you would fall in love or not and with whom, we both thought you would but he chose Rain so I lost¡± Logan replied


    ¡°And you chose Cloud?¡± Sephinroth questioned back


    ¡°Actually I chose Dawn, the girl cause after all your entire race is all girls so¡­¡± walking swiftly up to Logan Sephinroth slaps him abruptly cutting his check from the impact while giving him a look of hurtful eyes, she just shakes her head to both of them ¡°You are both despicable beings that I am so glad to done dealing with¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t go too far, I my ask for you before long Sephinroth¡±


    ¡°Nothing you could do or say anymore would sway me to work for your cause anymore, enjoy your time on this retched world while you still can¡± as she vanishes in to flames.


    She goes back to her tower lair and into the basement where her dragon egg lays, holding the scroll open she wipes the tears from her eyes thinking sparkly of Rain and what she did to him, reading it aloud she tries not to crack her speech saying the words clear and correct but half way through she breaks down stopping the chant and dropping the scroll she falls to her knees covering her face with her hands ¡°I¡¯m so sorry Rain, I didn¡¯t mean for us to go so far, I never wanted to hurt you¡­not like this¡± she cries for a time before attempting to pull herself together again. Trying a second time with her emotions more under her control she finishes the spell and watches joyfully as her egg begins to hatch. Holding her second newborn tightly in her arms she looks to the grave of her first remembering what Colossus said about making the same mistake twice, thinking for a time she comes up with a plan and looks deeply to her baby ¡°I¡¯m sorry I hope you forgive me but I can¡¯t allow this to happen twice, you¡¯re all I have left in the world and I won¡¯t let anyone take you away from me¡± she glows her eyes and hands and transforms her baby into a human infant then disappears out of the tower.


    A flaming entry brings Sephinroth to the town of Parle, the first town the three visited on their quest to the city and here is where Sephinroth disguises herself to do a thing she is against; abandonment. She goes to the town¡¯s newly renovated church which was left to ruin by the Naga serpent. Sephinroth goes to the door and asks to speak to the head of the church, and waits while the zealots bring to her a robed woman.


    ¡°Hello there I am Kate, can I help you?¡±


    ¡°More than you know¡± Sephinroth explains, telling Kate about certain problems she is having in her life which are of course fabricated to gain the pity of the church and it¡¯s help, she asks for her child to remain until such time that she will come to claim it again. Requesting for guardianship by Kate to be placed for this baby in her arms, Kate uncovers the babies face and falls in love with its young beauty instantly happily agreeing to the offer. Kissing the youngling¡¯s forehead Sephinroth places a small blessing as well as a carefully covered spell upon the child that will allow the girl to recognize Sephinroth as her rightful mother when she comes later. Sephinroth; wiping back some tears of an unhappy break away leaves the church, baring the baby into the giving arms of Kate.


    ¡°Captain¡± Yells Colossus back in the tower


    ¡°Yes master¡± replies a voice formed from fear and obedience


    ¡°Gather your best strike force members but keep it small, we have an errand to run¡± Colossus laughs as he gets ready to attack the city for the stone.


    Elanee is brought with the rest of the group to the camp hidden to the lair of the Silver dragon and immediately looks for Rain, she runs to his most likely location in the cave of Lalandra¡¯s walking in on him tossing about his furniture, throwing spells as they are airborne blasting them to nothing screaming and yelling that he is to blame. Dodging splintered chairs and carefully stepping around broken glass, Elanee tries to reason with Rain verbally with no success. She stands for a while watching Rain trash his study and finally seeing him slowing down running out of energy, coming closer to his side she sees him stopping his rant leaning up against a wall hanging his head and catching his breath.


    ¡°Rain stop please¡± Elanee pleads to him ¡°I won¡¯t sit here watching you trash your study and harm yourself anymore¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s dead because of me Elanee, it¡¯s my entire fault¡± he says not raising his head to her gripping tightly his fists ¡°Maybe if I was better prepared¡­more powerful¡±


    ¡°Then yes things might be different, but maybe not Rain¡± Elanee says closing in enough to place her hand on Rain¡¯s shoulder stopping his gripping hands from shaking ¡°But fate has taken her from us not your failure¡±


    ¡°TO HELL WITH FATE! It has brought to me and my family nothing but fear and misery¡± he snapped


    ¡°Do you think Cloud would agree to that¡± she said smirking to him


    ¡°Dawn would¡± he combated


    ¡°Rain¡± leaning now next to him staring into his sweated hair covered face ¡°When I saw the torch from the warriors hand fall, I looked to Eve¡¯s face and you know what I saw?¡±


    ¡°Terror¡± Rain smartly answered


    ¡°No Rain; a smile aimed at you, she was proud of what you had done for her¡­what you tried to do, her end is regrettable and heartfelt but at the same time, she died with a single most comforting thought¡±


    ¡°Yeah and what¡¯s that¡± Rain asked with his eyes looking into hers


    ¡°That the one man she loved and shared with believed in her to the absolute end and put his own life on the line to prove her innocence, and that was the single best thing you could have comforted her with in that last moment Rain¡±, Rain turns away to stare at the wall across the room and giving a little smirk he just lowers and shakes his head slowly.


    ¡°Why anyone in such gloom and darkness would attempt to be good and pure is beyond me, all they receive is disappointment and deceit¡±


    ¡°For the hope Rain¡± Elanee replies ¡°Hope that one day the world will return to what it should be¡±


    ¡°I miss her so much Elanee, and with all the recent events taking place I now see the terrible side effect of misjudgment and negligence¡­I¡¯m sorry Elanee, I really and truly am for what I put you through since the day we met, you are a good soul and I see the good in you as I did in her¡±


    ¡°And I you Rain but you don¡¯t need to apologize, you have had much toil and hardship in your life that was no fault of your own, you were just acting out¡±


    ¡°But it shouldn¡¯t been against you, not someone I lo¡­like and care about so very much¡± Rain finished and smiling to him she gets up from her spot and leaves him slowly and softly to his thoughts in peace, knowing that some things need to worked through alone.


    Sephinroth stands on a hillside overlooking the town that bears her hidden child when smoke appears behind her, knowing the familiar scent she didn¡¯t even look back.


    ¡°What do you want Logan I didn¡¯t order comfort food and on a plate you would only rate as garnish anyway¡±


    ¡°I couldn¡¯t help but notice your lack of enthusiasm on how the extraction went down¡± Logan says upon her rear sided view.


    ¡°Well you are mistaken, this resentment I have is from being bathed in humanity for so long, it has sunk into my blood and not even a hundred baths in a fire pool will get rid of it¡±


    ¡°Perhaps it is you that is keeping the stink upon you¡± Logan speculates


    ¡°These ravenous uncontrolled emotions of hurt are sickening to my stomachs, why would I keep such a burden willingly?¡±


    ¡°Maybe it¡¯s because a certain Red Dragon is in¡­¡±


    ¡°Finish that sentence and I¡¯ll burn you down¡± Sephinroth turns angrily at him ¡°I¡¯m not in love nor is it even reasonable to a dragon to make such a bond¡±


    ¡°All living things feel as you do including vampires; granted with us it is a lustful hunger that will never cease but none the less it is there. And if not acted upon and closing the issue in your mind, it will forever destroy you.


    ¡°Pain and pleasure of any kind is pointless without a purpose and reason for its side effects¡± Sephinroth argues


    ¡°And love to a man is such a pointless purpose to you?¡±


    ¡°It is one of the worst kind, for it carries both pain and pleasure time and time again, pointless for me yes due to I don¡¯t need the pleasure of a man to conceive a child¡± she says to him


    ¡°The bond may be pointless to your dragon side but it completes what you long for and miss at night as a woman, when your own internal flame won¡¯t keep you warm during the front of evening¡¯s chill¡± Logan goes onUnauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.


    ¡°And what would a vampire of the countless ages know of love, more importantly why do you care, yesterday you were finishing a beat mocking my relationship¡±


    ¡°I was not fully aware of its severity at the time, realize that I was once a man and as an Asmairian in racial nature; we lived longer than traditional humans. For two-hundred years I was married to my wife and raised my child and for the entire time I loved them fiercely, and yet even after centuries of their passing I love them still, regardless to the contestation of anyone¡¯s argument love is an internal blessing and strength, not a weakness¡±


    ¡°And all this time I thought you to be heartless and shallow Logan, you surprise me yet again¡± she smirks


    ¡°Make no mistake Sephinroth, I follow Colossus for my hateful revenge not my unwavering loyalty to my family, I will love none other than my wife nor have I ever and if I was placed in your position, such a decision would weigh heavy on my mind as well¡± Logan finishes fading away to her staring at the tree behind him, and looking to the town again she thinks to herself,


    ¡°But which love is stronger to me, the one to Rain or my child¡± sitting there by the tree having flashes of both she loves, conflicting emotions run through her mind.


    Joining in Namor¡¯s chambers the Captain, Namor and other head leaders from Stormguard take part in their weekly meeting in private of current events pertaining to the city back home and their involvement here in Silverspire. They talk about battles going on back at home and the encounters during their stay here as well, they finish up the topics after about two hours as horns blow signaling the return of Elanee and the Drow leaders from the enclave. The leaders and the Captain are dismissed from Namor¡¯s chambers having Namor go to the window seeing Elanee arrive. Tristan is the last to leave the room but holds back to watch Namor¡¯s reactions; Namor sees Elanee and Rain enter the city riding at horse side with one another laughing about something.


    ¡°Ah!¡± spouts Namor ¡°She is always with him, feeling sorry for his hardships and recent pain, what about my pain! The mere sight of them two talking hurts my mind and stomach, all these men at my disposal and I can¡¯t seem to be the one woman in this city I deem worthy, when it seems he could do it with no effort at all¡±


    ¡°Maybe it¡¯s because you won¡¯t give her the one thing she wants¡± came Tristan¡¯s voice from behind him, startled and turning around quickly he looks to the Captain.


    ¡°And what would that be; with me she can have everything and anything she wants, what does he offer that I can¡¯t¡± Namor argues


    ¡°How about a life of her own, around him she has a purpose besides being your lap dog that is on call whenever you wish, making her your personal escort has kept her from the one thing she enjoys and loves¡­children and the orphanage¡± Tristan explains


    ¡°She can have that back at home¡± Namor states to him


    ¡°She doesn¡¯t want to leave here Namor¡± Tristan bolts back at him


    ¡°She will with a marriage proposal¡± Namor smirks


    ¡°You wouldn¡¯t dare, Namor you already have two wives or have you forgotten from your extended absence from them¡± the Captain glares


    ¡°No I haven¡¯t but multiple marriages are not a sin or crime now are they, and with us married she will under the loyalty oath not wish to associate with him so personally¡± Namor continues


    ¡°You bastard this ends now¡± snaps Captain Tristan and he turns to storm out of the chamber


    ¡°I¡¯m warning you Captain, you make one motion to inform her about my marital status and I¡¯ll have you removed from title immediately, and shipped back to Stormguard wearing slave robes and ship deck scrubbing brushes, and with your new born son waiting at home for you as well as your loving wife Penelope, you¡¯ll be hard pressed to keep their comfortable life style in tacked with the reputation you¡¯ll be granted by me!¡±


    ¡°You son of a bitch you would threaten my family¡¯s life to keep your own filth secured in the shadows¡± Tristan barks to him


    ¡°I will do whatever is needed for my own survival my dear Captain, now give me your word or else!¡± Namor says and sweating, he waits for an answer from his Captain, who takes some moments fighting a battle in his mind.


    ¡°Fine you win, but watch your back Namor for she is as much my sister as blood to me now and if you harm Elanee you¡¯ll be sinking to the sound of a frozen water funeral¡± and Tristan turns to storm out


    ¡°That sounded like a life threat my dear Captain but I¡¯m sure I heard wrong¡± Namor boldly said


    ¡°You¡¯re right it wasn¡¯t a threat it was a promise my lord¡± as Tristan walks out


    As nightfall comes to pass Cloud and Alisianna enjoy a peaceful picnic by the sea shore and during the meal Alisianna tells her worries to him about if the child they have is going to grow up in the right life style, he get her close and reassures her about that he would have it no other way than how it has played out, as well as nothing will falter the birth or raising.


    To Silverspire¡¯s east woods, a mighty rustling in the bush is heard as heavy paced footsteps grinned through the dense brush of the trees.


    ¡°Hey can we take a break Dawn¡± Artanis says slowing his jogging pace that has been kept up for several miles, and slowing to a mild walk she turns to him not even huffing


    ¡°You¡¯re tired already Artanis¡± she smiled to him ¡°Are you going soft on me¡± she asked with a grin.


    ¡°Me never it just must be the dreaded old age setting in on me that has caused me to slow down¡± he says huffing hard to her getting out the words ¡°Cause I know that it couldn¡¯t possibly be the fact of you having unlimited endurance for being a vampire¡±


    ¡°Oh god I¡¯m sorry, I didn¡¯t mean it that way Artanis I just sometimes forget that I¡¯m a¡­ you know¡±


    ¡°Hey that¡¯s ok, I pretty much was worn out 5 miles ago but that butt view that you have so kindly given me has kept my mind busy of the dizziness of no blood flow, talk about your potent painkillers¡± he said smiling to her seductively. Brushing off the comment from being uncomfortable but blushing to her feet from the words, she says that she would like to keep going a little longer. Artanis waves for her to go on without him and he¡¯ll make up for the easy out on tomorrow¡¯s run. Watching her leave Artanis stretches out his beyond sore muscles and patting his back he feels the book he got from his father. Seeing no one around Artanis takes the chance to see him again and carefully secures the area, saying the word to open the portal, he takes one more look around and enters it. Going down the hall way he went before he is surprised to see his father meeting him at the arch way of the door.


    ¡°Hello son¡± he said


    ¡°Father, it¡¯s good to see you again¡±


    ¡°So you have accepted that I am your father and not just a mimic¡±


    ¡°It took some time but I am now coming around, yes¡±


    ¡°How unfortunate to hear at such a critical time¡±


    ¡°What is the matter, what has happened?¡±


    ¡°Colossus happened and has been accelerating his plans to a point that I can¡¯t wait any longer to postpone this act¡±


    ¡°What act father what are you talking about¡±


    ¡°Son, I love you now and always but I must ask something of you that will be difficult to bare on such short notice¡­but understand it has to be done; son you need to destroy this tower, the chambers upstairs, the great hall and study, this room, all of it¡± he goes on


    ¡°Father please there must be another way, there is still so much I need from you, guidance and history of myself and memories¡±


    ¡°Our time is not ending my son only the time of the tower is, for my guidance and memory you only need to look to the skies and your heart my son, for as long as you need me, I¡¯ll be there¡± he put his hand on his son¡¯s shoulder and tears come to Artanis¡¯s eyes ¡°But for Colossus to fail fully this place must lie in ruins, now can I count on you Artanis?¡±


    ¡°How do I do such a task?¡±


    ¡°With your mind son, you merely need to think about it and it will be done, and being that you are the last living blood descendant here there will be no one opposing your thoughts¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve have recently often wondered how such a mortal man could mass such power without opposition or knowledge leaking to others, do you know father¡± Artanis inquired and turning his face away from Artanis his father thinks to himself and then lowering his head in what seemed to be a shameful stance he speaks softly about a shocking truth.


    ¡°Our lack of judgment lead us to this fate, for Colossus was one of us, our leader actually and if we had only stopped him earlier none of this would probably be happening¡± he said to Artanis ¡°I¡¯m not supposed to be telling you this but not being a mortal on this plane anymore I see no harm, if anything it should have been said long before now¡±


    ¡°He was your leader¡­father¡± Artanis said with a look of shock to his face


    ¡°Marcus Kane. That was his name before the darkness took him and created that which is now called Colossus¡± Artanis¡¯ father went on having Artanis take to a seat as his father laid to Artanis¡¯ ears the story.


    He went into detail about the past history of Colossus¡¯s family; the Kane family was humans and also half celestial beings. The only difference to normal humans was their capacity for understanding that which not many mortals could, Marcus¡¯s parents created the Zenith tower and called it home for many years, and in that time created many items of power that were sought out by evil on countless occasions. When they had born their only son Marcus to the world; they found through his raising that he developed an incredible capacity for magic using, mastering spells at a much faster rate than even elder instructors had done. For a time well into his young adult life he lived with his family in peace, but one night a secret group of high level demons attacked the tower again seeking the items. This time the Demons were much more prepared, dealing critical blows to the tower¡¯s defense they were able to penetrate the outer defenses and breech the tower. During the struggle to keep what was theirs, Marcus¡¯s parents were killed in the assault, but not before hiding their son where he would not be harmed. For years he lived in solitude seeking no grieving help from all who knew and called him friend. Until one day something snapped in his mind, Marcus grew angry with the constant evil he was hearing about, as the destruction the Demons were causing from the items which had been taken. He then formed a group under him at the tower consisting of only the most powerful Mages and Sorcerers of the age. Marcus and the newly formed Zenith tower mages banded together to fight the evil plaguing the realm using his parents own items and devices against them, but even after the Demon¡¯s demise it was not enough. Marcus then used all his tower resources and the magic of all the Zenith order to create a sword that would unite all evil under its wielder, making them obey the users every will and command so they would stop their mighty attacks. But the power came with terrible price that lingered undetected in the darkness after the forging of the weapon. The will of Marcus was the final ingredient to the weapons creation and there also was the binding of his very doom. He started to see normal mortals with no more of a grey line of learning but as either good or evil, he started big, the murderers, rapists, traffickers of rare items found only by the killing of pure creatures, were all slain under his blade. But Marcus grew more and more personal as the big threats of evil dwindled, even mere people arguing to each other now was the sought of his wrath and in protestation to his actions. Marcus then accused his own group of evil traitors, he fought them but lost due to the sheer number in question and by the declaration of the Zenith mages, and Marcus not willing to change his ways he was banished from the tower.


    For betraying his judgment and loyalty Marcus changed his name to Colossus to mask his work for a time, but the name and acts came together eventually as Colossus continued his massacring. Figuring it out the council mages tried to stop him, only this time Colossus had learned and studied many more feats and abilities that now ran through his thick blood. He defeated the mages the second time and recalling the hurting number back to the tower they called out to all who would help put the mad mage to his end. The tower brought together other powerful being including those of Dalamar and Laurona, parents of the Drow children to end Colossus¡¯ life. But they were deceived for Colossus had learned the arts of life after death through necromancy magic and gripping the embodiment of Griffon the Minotaur, he then continued his plans for revenge. The sword; after bringing death to his first body was carved and dismantled; scattered throughout the realm for safeguard, and as he searched for it he vowed to destroy all that attempted the horrific and vile act on him.


    ¡°The other events you already know and have lead you to this very point my son¡±


    ¡°But why destroy the tower father¡±


    ¡°It holds one last secret that if found by Colossus, will grant his fulfilling victory¡±


    ¡°What is it?¡±


    ¡°That I am sworn even in death to not reveal to anyone¡­I am sorry son, all that I can tell you is that our council believed strongly in balance of life, for all evil created or born flesh and blood comes with it an opposing form in good¡± his father concluded, understanding the phrase told to him clear as mud Artanis accepted the statement and proceeded to follow his father¡¯s wish of the destruction of the tower, it took some time to learn the mental disciplines of the tower but with his father¡¯s guidance he caught on fast.


    Sephinroth puts to her eyes pages from a book when suddenly a fierce tremor erupts under her vary feet, summoning a servant from a snap of her fingers the servant tells no one is attacking the tower; it¡¯s simply losing structure and falling apart. Cutting a hole in the vary air in front of her Sephinroth uses magic opening a pocket hole that was used as a special trunk holding items she wished no one else to know about or have. Floating fast to her hands key books she deemed worthy of keeping as well as weapons, items and other valuables Sephinroth took sight that she didn¡¯t have much time. The Zenith tower was collapsing fast, maybe from catching on to an evil presence and it being a fail-safe but truth be told she had no idea why it was happening ; she only knew she had little time left there and a crumble of that magnitude Sephinroth fully knew she could live through.


    Taking the tower apart piece by piece, it crumbled one section at a time until only the room he was in remained. Artanis¡¯s father nodded for him to end it all and sending himself out of the tower at the same time he closed his eyes and brought the room to rubble, appearing once again where he was after speaking with Dawn.


    Flames rise to a beachside as Sephinroth plummets from a quick needed escape from her newly claimed tower that from no warning or wonder fell to instant ruin. ¡°What the bloody hell?¡± she replied putting herself to her feet from landing into the shore water, she shakes her hands free of dripping water and runs it through her sopping red curls unleashing the dripping liquid draining across her face, ¡°Good thing I didn¡¯t fully move in there¡­that couldn¡¯t have been Colossus, he said he needed me and dead probably wasn¡¯t the option he had¡± she ended with a thought of contestation and having almost not a care about the loss of the Zenith tower Sephinroth vanishes in a flaming exit to her original lair.

 Chapter 41

    As night hit its middle point, Cloud and Alisianna fell asleep cuddled in each other¡¯s arms by the bayside, the crashing waves sound soothing to their ears through the filter of soft chirping song birds at night. They take in the moist cool air from the ocean waves as their skin is soften by the light gentle splashing spray from the battle of water on the dockside.


    Rain seated comfortably in a chair catches up on some night reading in the castle library, after trashing his own study still attempting desperately to diminish the massive guilt of failure residing in himself. Straud and Cynn along with some elven guards brought along, help the night watch as they too take posts around the city walls and streets. Tristan appreciating the help gives Cloud the night off and takes up duty in the main keep where Elanee, Namor, the King and assorted nobles sleep soundly in their beds.


    Out in the forest heading back to the city walking at a less than normal pace was Artanis; weighed down with the thought of what was said earlier to him by his father about Colossus¡¯s life before the chaos, and how it resembled the same struggles Rain was going through now. Looking up at the clear night sky with the stars shinning bright he thinks a comforting thought in his mind to the notion that his father was looking down on him now. A sudden spark of guardsmen ship landed to his mind and as he stared to the black brightly lit sky he makes a vow, not to allow Rain to falter and fumble down the same path. Not to become that which he hides and hates so passionately against and derives such resilience and courage to fight from. With the new goal set firmly in his mind he gains new energy and starts a paced jog toward the city gates.


    Dawn takes the night shift at the temple to any night commoners that might seek forgiveness and is in time joined by Maylor who has no other pressing plans, he helps her clean up from mass earlier that day and makes small talk about any recent events coming up. Leaving the room where they were in to put away vials and water pitchers, Maylor contemplates to himself while Dawn is away. Bundling up a cloth blanket to a roll form Maylor hears the door to the room creek open, spilling in inches off the floor into the room was a hazy blue smoke that when seen drew an eerie chill down Maylor¡¯s spine.


    ¡°Dawn is that you¡± Maylor pauses for a response only to hear nothing but the wind blowing through wooden chimes of various homes singing the city to sleep. He goes to the door and closes it again and then hears a voice echoing his name ghostly around the room and into his head.


    ¡°Nice try Dawn but the vampire ability scares got old about a week after you became one¡± he shook his head and went back to bundling. Rattling a book from its spot on the shelf it falls to the ground behind him spinning Maylor around alert and aware, his ears perk up and his face grows serious.


    ¡°Dawn it¡¯s not funny anymore come out now!¡± Maylor bolts getting put on a knife edge while slowly picking up the book and setting it on the table where he worked, waiting around in silence he hears a voice in the form of a young girl laughing childishly around him.


    ¡°Dawn! Enough!¡± he shouted and moments later the door swooshed open and in popped Dawn¡¯s head around the archway,


    ¡°Yes Arbiter is something wrong?¡±


    ¡°Wait your there then who is ¡­¡± and with an instant the smoke formed a massive hand and gripping to Maylor¡¯s neck, Maylor raised his hands to brace the crushing grasp while his eyes watched more of the smoke taking form shaped like a bull,


    ¡°And from so much age I thought came wisdom high enough to see this coming¡± said a darkened deep devil voice, with the sentence said the smoke then formed and solidified the rest of Colossus¡¯ body finishing with his flesh. Fighting the pressing grip of his arm Maylor gasps the words to Dawn to grab the stone and get it away, no hesitation came with the command as she ran right to the table and grabbed the stone jewel, Maylor watched as Colossus eyes followed the girl while planning his own elusive escape, glowing his hands red with heat Maylor burned his way to his release and ran to Dawn¡¯s direction. Angered by annoyance Colossus judged the running distance to the exit bringing his hand glowing green with magical energy Colossus unleashed it toward the stone baring girl. Seeing the spell rushing toward her Maylor yells to Dawn


    ¡°Duck¡± stopping to hear him again she sees her impending doom.


    Jumping in front of her to the oncoming path of the green sphere he emits a white glow to his hands as he is impacted with the orb, Dawn is blinded by the white flash for a second and then her sight appears.


    The stone falls to the ground as Dawn relinquishes a mighty scream from her lungs to the sight of Maylor¡¯s cindered ashes flaking to the ground. Quickly Colossus levitates the stone into the air and toward his hand, Dawn reaches jumping in the air to snatch it but his magic was too great, the stone land firmly into his grip and looking at it carefully he snaps his head shifting his vision to Dawn,


    ¡°Where are the other stones, girl¡± Colossus demands from Dawn and hasting to her feet she springs out of the room running from the temple arch into the street. ¡°I hate chasing down leads¡± grumbles Colossus watching her leave and follows behind her at a slow cocky pace.


    Dawn runs into the street and is met by Cynn who was patrolling around the area, Cynn stopping Dawn only by a hugging tackle brought both to a tumbling halt, and looking into Cynn¡¯s face Dawn has a ghostly look to her even fainter then her vampire self.


    ¡°Maylor and I were in the¡­and then I left and¡­he told me to grab the stone¡­he tried to save me and¡­¡± she rambled out burying her face into Cynn¡¯s silk robes trying to shake out the horrified image burned to her mind.


    ¡°Calm down, slow down, Dawn say that again¡± Cynn asked picking Dawn and her to their feet, footsteps behind them brought Straud running.


    ¡°I heard the scream what happened¡± he replied with his sword drawn, as four footmen followed far back in his tracks. Cynn shook her head implying that she doesn¡¯t know but with the glowing closed arched doorway of the temple entrance heating up; he came in to focus. Colossus blows open the doors to the temple standing before the group with an evil grin to his face.


    ¡°Dawn go get to your brothers and Artanis, go now!¡± Straud urged to Dawn, she runs off past the coming footmen with Colossus not in pursuit, just staring to a group he knew well.


    ¡°What have you done with Maylor?¡± Cynn bolted to him


    As the soot from the high Priest¡¯s remains flacked off Colossus¡¯s greaves the great mage embraced the long awaited reunion,


    ¡°Ah, you are here I would like to open with much important news, we have lost a dear friend today¡± he said lifting his right metal boot to shake off more of the charred ash he slowly approached closer ¡°For some of us he is still here¡­in one form of another¡±


    ¡°Colossus¡±!


    With a wave of his hand he placed a finger across his lips ¡°Shhh, please I wish for a moment of silence in respect to mourn the loss of¡­¡±


    ¡°Say his name and it will be the last thing you speak¡± Cynn greeted out, Colossus read the look and nodded to her.


    ¡°Very well this dear friend and colleague, and now to formerly address, how are you Cynn, Straud it¡¯s been a while¡±


    ¡°You killed sixteen wizards of the greatest respect before you went down¡±


    ¡°You mean sixteen with the greatest power¡­I was good then wasn¡¯t I¡­ I¡¯m better now¡±


    ¡°I think the mere thought of me standing in the same room with you is beyond words I have for disgust¡± Cynn replies to him sternly as Straud grew angered with self-struggle,


    ¡°You evil bastard I vow to you now I will finish what my brother started¡± Straud snuffed moving to a battle ready stance.


    ¡°That¡¯s funny, I don¡¯t remembering him starting anything¡­just dying¡± Colossus said laughing to him calmly


    ¡°You don¡¯t scare us Colossus¡± Cynn bravely stated


    ¡°Oh I don¡¯t do I, then maybe I should try a little harder¡± he ended clenching his fist with a yellow bright glow tossed high in the air like a flare, creating a dark cloud cover flooding the skies peaceful wake. ¡°You probably fear me the least amount Cynn, since it was you who brought the final strike upon me ending my life¡± and hearing the statement Straud turns giving a shocked look to Cynn, and Colossus gloated seeing the reaction ¡°What¡¯s this, she didn¡¯t tell you¡± added Colossus,


    ¡°I never told anyone I was with the council at that time¡± Cynn replied not happy about the statement


    ¡°You told no one, surly such an act would be worthy enough to hear and yet even more, be proud of¡± Colossus said ¡°For hiding a disintegration sphere inside of another spell forcing me to block it instead is quiet an impressive feat, there was only one other sorceress that possessed such power but sadly she died at the blade of her own husband¡±


    ¡°You show such remorse as if she would have joined your cause¡± Straud snapped to his face


    ¡°You forget that she was once evil as well lord Straud, her only flaw was to have a loving heart for that brain dead brother of yours that brought about her demise¡­what a pity¡± and smiling he looks to the fast moving clouds that bury the open clear sky now streaking down to the city raining patches of blue flame, they impact the ground and change shape forming into a black leather skinned humanoid jackal¡¯s, carrying various shaped weapons of destructive power they begin to wreak havoc on the city guards as well as killing and slaying commoners they find.


    Cloud and Alisianna awaken to the thunderous sound of the storm as well as a nearby landing only a foot away from them. Forming quickly to its dog like terror it instantly towards the two baring a spear in its claw like hands, it aims to Alisianna but Cloud rolls to cover her having it impale its tip to the right side of his shoulder. The blade goes through his skin exiting out the front but stopping before it pierces the chest of his wife¡¯s heart. Wrenching it out and moving for a second more fatal shot Cloud spins around drawing his wife¡¯s cape covered sword from her holster Cloud drives it deep into the torso of the demon cleaving it in two.


    Shocked from the sudden attack Alisianna is speechless gasping at the open wound to her husband¡¯s shoulder.


    ¡°Are you ok?¡± Cloud asks her holding the wound to stop the blood flow from pouring out.


    ¡°Cloud your shoulder it¡¯s¡­¡±


    ¡°Fine, but are you?¡± he asks again to see his wife¡¯s face nod quickly, she puts her hand to his cut and closes her eyes to use what natural magic she has to tighten the wound closed, she finishes not completely stopping it but slowing the blood to almost a halt. She looks to her blade that was put into her hands by Cloud as he draws his and notices the part that cleaved the monster was frosted over from what appears to be an instant chill. Shaking off the inspection she gets to her feet and follows Cloud as both sight multiple landings of creatures all around the dockside.


    Viewing the attack from the outskirts of the city Artanis dives into a heart pounding run and hurtles brush and slaloms trees to get to the gate.


    Hearing the crashing sound of wood frames and screaming women and men, Rain slams his book shut running to the chamber window; he views the carnage only for seconds before tossing the book to the ground and heading for the door. Elanee awakes to a disturbing yelling and screaming tone from the hallways, getting up and grabbing her robe she heads to the corridors to see what the commotion is all about. Chaos is laid suddenly upon her eyes as she sees nobles being led by soldiers in the hall, feeling an arm touch her shoulder Elanee turns around seeing Namor¡¯s face who hugs her tight.


    ¡°Thank god you¡¯re safe, come on my men will take us to the King¡¯s personal guard room, and we¡¯ll be safe there¡± Namor explains taking her hand leading her quickly down the corridor.


    ¡°What is happening?¡± Elanee asked


    ¡°The city is under attack, now come on Elanee keep up to me, just down this way¡± he says to her leading her to a guard room filled with elite guards, nobles and the King. Rain runs passed the very room Elanee was in asking a guard by the door where Captain Tristan was, hearing the conversation Elanee turns to see him


    ¡°Rain!¡± she says and turning to the familiar voice Rain looks to her


    ¡°Elanee, stay here you¡¯ll be safe¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d rather go with you¡± she says to him worried


    ¡°Look Elanee I don¡¯t know what we¡¯re dealing with just stay here ok, so I know you¡¯ll be ok, they¡¯ll have to come through me to get to you¡± and telling a nearby soldier to not let her follow him he runs off


    ¡°Rain, be careful!¡± she yells to his running back and remains like he asked her.You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.


    Getting to the keep gates, Rain sees the doors are still open with a view of the courtyard expose to him; he sees Tristan with some men fighting the dog like beasts out there and joins in the battle tossing lightning bolts and energy balls from afar. Seeing Tristan knocked back off his feet on to his back and a beast raising its weapon for a life ending strike Rain casts a green orb toward him blasting the creature to bits. Tristan smiles a little and turns around knowing who he would find, ¡°Rain!¡± Tristan yells to him running to his location


    ¡°What the hell are these things¡± Rain spoke grunting out another heavy hitting spell.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know they started attacking about an moments ago, were trying to get all women and children inside as we find them but they¡¯re closing in on us, we can¡¯t hold this position for long¡± Rain assists and aids in the fight but enviably they fall back to the great hall, barricading the door with logs across the sides holding it shut as well as using their own bodies softening the blows from the enemy attempting to ram their way through.


    ¡°Anything more as to what they are Rain¡± asks Tristan holding a section of the door beside him


    ¡°They have flame on their bodies, they must be some fire based creature¡± Rain says gritting his teeth upon each further blow he holds back. A soldier reports that all non-military personal are in the guard room and nodding his head Tristan orders his men to set up a perimeter around the room to encase the beasts as they enter.


    ¡°The door won¡¯t hold another blow Rain we have to move, now¡± Tristan says to him tugging on his shoulder to move him.


    They get clear of the final blow to the door blowing wide open and Tristan¡¯s men start firing all they have at them. Arrows, throwing daggers and hurling axes are tossed in the beast¡¯s direction as Rain and the Captain look for cover, hiding behind pillars in the hall; the beast¡¯s numbering six engage the men at close range. Rain fights with Tristan tossing ice based attacks into the face and chests of the creatures but they appear to have no effect. They fight for a while longer until Tristan hits a critical slash to the creature bringing it to its knees, Rain eyes follow his blade which shows him a built up of frost on it and then a thought hits Rain¡¯s mind like a gust of wind.


    ¡°Ice Striders, there ice striders¡± Rain says to Tristan


    ¡°Oh well now I feel better¡± he says dodging an attack and rolling his eyes to Rain¡¯s comment ads ¡°AND WHAT THE HELL IS THAT!¡± Taking on another one,


    ¡°Ice creatures with fire looking characteristics¡± Rain finishes by tossing to the beast a fireball while watching it almost die instantly from the impact, Tristan finishes it off with decapitation of its head and Rain asks for his blade. Tossing it to Rain¡¯s hand Rain imbues the weapon with flame qualities and tosses it back, and runs around the room doing it to all the soldiers¡¯ weapons one by one dodging attacks and throwing flame having the battle reduced to mere minutes. The creatures are taken off guard by the sudden advantage; not long until they¡¯re pinned down in the hall by Tristan¡¯s orders. Cutting them down fast are they reduced to nothing but frosted corpses, and enjoying the victory only for seconds a soldier comes running through the gate out of breath carrying a message. catching his breath tells that a bull like creature is causing massive damage to the city temple, and knowing what he speaks of Rain bolts into the courtyard and towards the temple. Tristan orders for all men available to follow Rain and give aid with Tristan bolting fast to catch up to Rain¡¯s distant lead.


    Getting to the gate Artanis sees the gate blasted open partly and climbing through the wreckage he sees Dawn running passed him trying to get to the keep center. Artanis calls to her and stopping almost instantly she turns around running to him embracing his arms with a frantic hug of thankfulness.


    ¡°Artanis, I can¡¯t Cloud or Rain¡­Colossus is here, this is his attack force¡±


    Looking to all the open flames coming from various buildings around the city Artanis takes her hand bolting off to the city¡¯s east side ¡°This way hurry¡±


    Running to the docks knowing that it was the last place Cloud and Alisianna were at, Artanis and Dawn see the married couple fighting back to back against the enemy demons. Alisianna casting lightning bolts from the cloud cover up above and using her flame bladed weapon she batters back the enemies almost as well as Cloud was. Not doing enough damage to them, Artanis and Dawn race across the wall walkway to meet them when Alisianna gets an idea to make them all go at once, she pushes back the one she is mangling with and stabbing her blade into the ground she brings her arms high into the air making her finger tips light up a blue tone color. Water from the ocean comes crashing over the docks and floods the docking area except where they stood. The water comes like a stampede of horses smashing into the dogs and slamming them up against the dock wall walkway where Dawn and Artanis were, seeing her doing such magic Artanis stops moving in awe of the raw power she was producing as was Cloud who lowered his blade witnessing the carnage. Alisianna leaves the water flooding there for minutes to drown the life from the enemy¡¯s lungs, and resending it back to the dock border they notice the minions still rising to their feet.


    ¡°They must be water based creatures¡± suggested Cloud raising his blade again


    ¡°Really?¡± said Alisianna smiling a grin and not understanding why Cloud then concentrated his vision on the minions closing in on him again. Hearing a spark of an explosion behind him Cloud turned his vision again to Alisianna who was turning the dogs one by one into dust, letting them scream in agonizing pain for a second before each combust. Working around the docks until all were vanquished she lowers her hands to retrieve her blade still imbedded in the dirt, sheathing it again she calmly smiles in a self-satisfying comfort and pulls her hair hanging in her face with some fingers while turning to look at her husband¡¯s face. Cloud was baffled and amazed at such an attack and only sparks of words came from his lips.


    ¡°Alisianna¡­how¡­they were getting up and poof¡­dust?¡± he finished his inquiry looking very puzzled


    ¡°Well some priests and mages can turn water into wine or rum, I turn it into dust and when you said they were water based I just thought¡­¡± and not being able to finish she was interrupted with a kiss from her husband who after looks to her deeply


    ¡°I love you very much and I give you my word¡­¡± he says pausing to see the water still receding from the dock area ¡°never to piss you off¡± and smiling to him she kisses him back and then saw Dawn and Artanis coming to join their position. Dawn tells them that Colossus is here and Cloud hears no more, following Dawn to where he is Dawn leads the group to where Colossus is battling Cynn and Straud.


    They follow the great flames of the burning city all the way to the temple grounds where the four of them witness a most terrifying sight, the monstrous high rise Colossus baring an energy beam from his fingers directly at Judicator Cynn and Captain Straud. The two elders nearby attempt to repel the energy but holding it at bay for only moments they then feel their feet starting to slip back from the sheer force of his power. Blood comes from Cynn¡¯s eyes, ears and mouth from trying to push back the indescribable force and Straud hands just as Cloud¡¯s were cut by Rain¡¯s power are his cut too by the deflecting blade maneuver. Deeper and free flowing the blood rained down to his chain boots caking the tips and sparking flicks of fire from his sword blade grinding through his iron gloves. Holding it steady the four try getting to the others as fast as they can, Colossus sees them from the corner of his vision and smiling a grin he sends a massive burst of energy through the stream exploding when the elders try to stop it. Sending them flying into rubble and remainders of wall left from their already intense battle. Straud and Cynn stumble to their feet and see the backup of the four coming to their aid.


    Smiling as they approached Colossus makes a snap comment to Straud


    ¡°You know I think your brother would have lasted this long too if he wasn¡¯t so busy killing his own wife at the time¡±


    ¡°You SON OF A BIITTCCHHHHH!¡± shouted Straud in a blind rage charging at Colossus and waiting for the strike, he hears Cynn calling for Straud to stop his assault, not listening he clangs his sword hard against Colossus¡¯s but spares only moments until Colossus gains the mastered upper hand. Knocking Straud¡¯s sword away leaving his torso open to be struck, Colossus closes his fists delivering a massive punch to Straud¡¯s ribcage sending Straud flying backwards back to his group. Cynn and Cloud run to pick him up and spitting out a quart of blood from his mouth Straud looks dangerously deep eyed at the bull.


    ¡°Be thankful, I could have killed you right then but you¡¯re missing one from your group and him the most I want to see you fail¡±


    ¡°You can¡¯t take all of us Colossus our number is too great¡± replied Cynn


    ¡°You won¡¯t win Marcus¡± added Artanis and with the name came a snap of shock to Colossus face


    ¡°How the hell do you know my name, you ill soiled cockroach?¡± he questioned


    ¡°Through my father¡¯s confession for he was one of your council members¡± Artanis went on


    ¡°What? How do you know this Artanis¡± said Dawn curiously to him


    ¡°Wait¡­Artanis Zen¡± snapped Colossus ¡°The son of elder master Zen, well that would explain a lot for having hardly any brains to produce a maggot like you was the quick cause of his death, he used very little of them when he confronted me¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m through with you people¡± spouted Colossus and building up a force of energy he hurls it towards the group Cynn gets to her feet and with Dawn and Alisianna¡¯s aid they redirect the bolt to the stone wall, it smashes into it and nearly disintegrates the whole section. Growing angry and ill-tempered Colossus draws his doom blade charging it up with energy of his own, during the charging Straud grips a chain around his neck and closes his eyes he says a silent prayer, the ground shakes terrorizing loose bricks in wall section and rattling free solid foundations in homes and building structures. Colossus¡¯ eyes glow red and the blade beacons with dark blue energy emanating through the cold steel.


    About to release its doom bringing power, a shot is laid upon Colossus¡¯s face leaving him with only half skin and the impacted side having bone showing with face tissue dripping to the ground beside him, replenishing the skin fast back to his skull Colossus turns to see Rain standing with Tristan at his side and a band of men behind them.


    ¡°Ahhh!, you ungrateful little MAGGOTTT!!!, I¡¯ll show you the meaning of the word POWER!!!¡± Colossus¡¯s voice storms deep as he turns his energy blade toward the ground in Rain¡¯s direction. Slamming it hard into the ground the impact causes the ground to break apart splitting the stone walkway towards Rain.


    ¡°Your mother made an error when she crafted that amulet to your neck, take it from one who knows the craft at a master level, it will stop my powers yes but¡­¡±


    The cobblestone fell to an endless pit of darkness below cracking quickly towards their location. The earthquake causes buildings surrounding Rain and Tristan¡¯s party to crumble and fall collapsing upon them, Rain grips Tristan in an attempt to make an action but it was too late¡­¡± Environmental damage is always a loop hole¡± ended Colossus laughing. Dust and debris filed the area and when it settled only the devastation remained.


    ¡°Rain! NOOOOOO!¡± screamed Cloud gripping his sword tightly he sat up from being shook to his knees and stared at Colossus.


    ¡°Oh what a pity he didn¡¯t make it¡± said Colossus as a smirk formed at his mouth from the sarcastic tone, ¡°Guess you win some, and you lose some eh¡­oh what is this you pathetic creations think you can take me, two of you are handicaps now and two well¡­¡± looking again at the rubble ¡°Are now sparkless flames¡± he laughed, but his words don¡¯t detour them from surrounding the bulls massive body getting weapons at the ready. They all attack him at once throwing spells and blades at him fast and hard, dodging the blades as well as blocking ones needs to be, Colossus¡¯ protections against the pelting magical attacks prove invaluable as none of the spells harm him. Alisianna grips his arms and legs with vines from the dirt in an attempt to slow his evasion. Flexing his raw muscles he breaks from the living restraints and with a quick hand motion lasso¡¯s Alisianna with her own weapons to his grip, combat comes to a halt at the scene of a hostage situation. No one moves and Colossus tosses out a grip holding a death lock to the druid.


    ¡°Do you know that I¡¯m not going to kill you my dear¡± asks the big brute turning her face to face his, she says nothing but he could tell that fear was forming fast in her ¡°do you know why?¡± and threw his tight grip she forces a head shake motion. ¡°The answer is simple look upon your friends your group, to their very eyes. There is fear building as it is in you as well as uncertainty, courage and valor are their too, but they need time to catch up¡±


    ¡°They will take you down with me if they have to¡± the druid sparks and Colossus belts out a quick loud chuckle,


    ¡°That is a bold lie and you know it¡­if you die here now, they will most certainly charge me becoming unpredictable also opening their best window to taking me down, they have lost enough for one day and like I said earlier the task I hold now is simple. I don¡¯t have to worry about them taking your life; all I need to focus on is you not trying to take your own¡±


    ¡°So what are you waiting for¡± Alisianna spits to his face, Colossus breathes in deeply,


    ¡°An energy recharge, I was using too much to fast¡± he ended tossing her to the group again, having her stumble into Straud¡¯s grip. ¡°Forgot who I was up against¡­ready now though¡±


    Fending them off one at a time sending them pounding to the ground unable to continue the fight, Colossus finds himself left with two to contend with. He throws an orb towards Alisianna, and countering it Straud throws his blade to ricochet the spell away, anticipating the move Colossus then teleports beside Straud and lays a violent backhand to the Drow Captain¡¯s face having Colossus stand over him with his blade to Straud¡¯s throat,


    ¡°This was too easy, but I assure you Straud that nothing from this moment on will give me more satisfaction than ending your family tree¡± Colossus heats out raising his blade to the sky to see the look on Straud¡¯s face before his end, staring at him he sees Straud smiling and bringing the blade down it ends short of him piercing his body; stopped by a force of some sort, pulling the blade away Colossus looks with puzzlement,


    ¡°You know Colossus I always thought that you longed for nothing more than to learn to fly¡±


    ¡°I assure you I¡¯ve mastered that feat¡± Colossus barks back


    ¡°Really how about long distance traveling¡± Straud still grins, and growing a massive shadow covering the two of them Colossus turns quickly to see the cause; Straud scampers out of the way and the ground tremors a second with the landing of Lalandra in Dragon form, her silver toned eyes turn sparkling and gleaming bright as she breathes quickly deep, unleashing a penetrating freeze upon the magic master¡¯s body, Colossus shouts loudly as he holds his sword sideways to block the impact. Finishing the breath Colossus was reduced to an ice sculpture, not wasting any time Straud goes for his sword and runs to the statue. Swinging hard he smashes the ice sending it in crystal looking shattered parts raining to the ground. Nodding to the result she wings off into the air and disappears back to the enclave.


    ¡°How did she get here¡± asked Cynn getting to her feet slowly


    ¡°I called her using this necklace given to me by her long time ago, she stopped his sword with a force spell and then the rest you saw¡± and smiling with the ending she goes to him embracing him with a thankful hug. They look to Cloud who has an injured back during the assault with blood draining from his torso, trying to plug the wound with her clothes Alisianna calls for Dawn who gets to her feet and speeds to his side. Artanis frantically calls out while digging through the debris for Rain


    ¡°Rain! Rain can you hear me¡± Artanis says but suddenly is thrown off the pile by Straud who bared a very angered state, Cynn follows behind him but doesn¡¯t restrain him back, crawling backwards backside him Artanis looks to Straud


    ¡°What are you doing?¡± Artanis barks with a groan from the landing


    ¡°HOW! Do you know Colossus real name Artanis¡­HOW?¡± Straud says with his blade still tightly in his grasp


    ¡°I told you he killed my father¡± Artanis said back moving his hand close to ready his own blade


    ¡°And he killed my brother¡­their father and just tonight one of my dearest friends¡± Straud ends holding his blade to Artanis chest


    ¡°What you think I¡¯m on his side, Colossus?¡¯¡± he blurt out panicking ¡°I¡¯m not ¡­I¡¯m not besides he dead now¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s not dead you fool he¡¯s alive or those storm clouds would have dissipated by now¡± and waiting for a response with Artanis¡¯s silence all of them gaze to the skies to see a form massing in the clouds, it forms a great bulls head and it¡¯s eyes glow bright with lightning swirling around them, the mouth opens and a thunderous voice is heard all throughout the city.


    ¡°Make no mistake, this isn¡¯t over I will one way or another have what I want and when I do, I will rain upon your pathetic souls plagues of pain and despair for next time, I march a legion of what you just tasted to your walls¡± and finishing with a chaotic laugh as the cloud cleared from the thunderous speech. Colossus¡¯s words echoed to all who heard its vial promise penetrating and piercing their very bones and minds with worry and fear.


    ¡°And you think that I¡¯m with him, don¡¯t you think that if I was I would be gone from here by now, forget this for every second I argue with you Rain if he is still alive is closer to death¡± and pushing away the blade from his body Artanis goes back to the pile of building wreckage digging desperately for Rain.

 Chapter 42

    Elanee and Namor come with another Captain of Silverspire and a group of men behind them, seeing only the debris of the buildings as well as Artanis on top of it calling for Rain and Tristan while digging. A feeling a lost hope falls to the pit of her stomach hearing the cries to Rain¡¯s name and Elanee sprints to the wreckage, climbing up by Artanis she drills her hands into the mess and snow blowing pieces of wood and metal behind her like a dog digging a hole she joins in to the search, Elanee looks behind and orders the men to look for their Captain, digging profusely for minutes on end Artanis come across a stoned arm, recognizing the arm band as one Tristan wore Artanis called out his find and extra guards help him uncover Tristan¡¯s body.


    ¡°He¡¯s got the stone skin spell upon him¡± says Straud helping Artanis with the last piece as a show of forgiveness and trust, dragging Tristan out of the pile and away from the debris Artanis looks to where he was to see Rain in one piece but unconscious who was buried beneath him.


    ¡°Over here¡± shouted Artanis picking up Rain¡¯s body carrying him out, noticing that his amulet was now glowing as Dawn¡¯s did at the time of her vampire change; Elanee runs to his side hurting her ankle in the process. Artanis places him gently down on the ground and looks him over, sliding to his side Elanee listens to his chest hearing no breathing, checking his pulse Elanee feels nothing and panics rushes to her face, she puts her mouth to his and starts trying to give him breath pushing on his chest after each puff of air. Artanis watches as does Straud and both look upon Elanee with no understanding.


    ¡°What are you doing?¡± questioned Artanis


    ¡°Elder elves taught me this healing technique years ago on their passing through our city after a similar incident left a victim breathless¡± she hastily huffed wasting no time looking to any around her. She repeats the process three times every time begging him to breath and come back to them, on the third time tears came to her eyes when she thought it was too late for him, Rain gasped to the smoky air having life sparked in his eyes as Rain opened up wide, leaning back with relief Elanee closed her own eyes thanking the elves in silence for their knowledge. They cleaned his face and limbs from the severe cuts by the collapse, Tristan was ok just knockout and unconscious from lack of air but awoke fine and confused on how he awoke at all. Cynn explained to him that Rain caste the spell on him and using him as a shield for the rubble saved himself as well, but regrettably informed him that the other men with them died from the cave in.


    In the next two days to follow the clean-up and burying the dead were the top priorities of the city as well as Cynn and Straud taking the ashes of Maylor to the ceremony held at the enclave in honor of Maylor. Artanis was told to remain back from the rest going to the city to aid them while he came clean about his hidden blood ties to the tower and the book he was given by his father. Cynn also comes clean about her involvement unknown to the Drow clan in the first killing of Colossus and that was another reason that for so long the Clan had been in his cross hairs for retribution. The city was cleaned up well and fast and everyone was planning to move ahead and on with what had transpired until the knock came to her door.


    ¡°Namor¡± Elanee says answering the maple striking call


    ¡°Hi Elanee¡± he replies to her


    ¡°You all set to sail off?¡± she asks


    ¡°Yep about two more days and we hit the open waters to go home¡± he replies


    ¡°Well it has been a most precious experience, I wish I could see you home again¡± Elanee says to ease the mood


    ¡°Well, that¡¯s why I have come to see you Elanee, I would like you to come back with me as my wife¡± and getting to one knee in front of her he holds out to her hand a ring that easy would be worth more than the boat they would travel on.


    ¡°Namor¡± she gasps to him and as he is about to slip the ring to her finger she stops him, ¡°I know we have grown close in our time together but¡­I¡¯m just not ready to leave behind all of this, the children at the orphanage, all my friends¡±


    ¡°Rain¡± Namor says rudely getting up


    ¡°Yes Rain too, he is one of my friends Namor and I know you hate him for what happened but he has saved your life after such a terrible event as well, that should count for something¡± she pleads to him


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t, nothing but my love for you matters and I would hate for the mere lives of a handful of companions to come between that of the whole city of Silverspire¡±


    And turning her sorrowful face into a serious frown she looks to him sternly ¡°You would lay the lives of this city for the men they need on an answer to your wedding proposal¡­you selfish bastard how could you throw such a threat upon me¡±


    ¡°Because my love for you is so strong that I will do anything to have you for myself Elanee¡±


    ¡°I am a woman not a piece of meat Namor you can¡¯t lay claim to my soul you¡¯re no better than Colossus himself¡±


    ¡°How dare you match me to that beast! I¡¯m nothing like him¡±


    ¡°Could have fooled me¡± Elanee spouted back


    He grips her hand and forcefully places the ring to her finger base and whispers to her ¡°I entrust you will make the right decision, we both know that you would give up your life to see this city saved once more, I¡¯m calling that bluff¡± and letting her go he walks to the archway and stops ¡°Say no to my proposal, the men won¡¯t come, say a breath to this to anyone else and the men won¡¯t come, I do love you Elanee and I¡¯m sorry to do this to you but I won¡¯t pass up an opportunity for a wife like you, and for the rest of my life I promise to become the husband you have always wanted¡± and he leaves her, she runs to her bed crying at the sudden change of events that happened so fast, she looks at the ring and taking it off she throws it across the room. Like a haunting call from lingering ghost she then goes back the ring and picks it up. Holding it tightly in her hand she thinks to herself and the burden that lies down upon her.


    Time passes a couple hours by as she then gathers herself back together and accepting what she had to do she went down to the courtyard where Cynn and Straud had come to arrange a meeting with the King to discuss further action. Cloud and Rain were in on the meeting as well as Tristan and Namor, Elanee comes to see Alisianna, Dawn and Artanis who were waiting outside of the meeting due to prior engagements. Alisianna was the first to sight the ring attached on Elanee¡¯s finger and rushed over to find out all about it, Elanee explains to all of them of Namor¡¯s proposing to her and her accepting it but informs them she has to leave with him on the allotted time, all were happy and saddened to hear the news and bear hugs to her in congratulations, and recall the time with Elanee while they wait for the meeting to come to an end. When the council members come out Artanis, Dawn and Alisianna help Elanee announce the engagement to the rest, and Tristan turns a deep cold stare to Namor. Walking up to him stiffly he shakes his hand with no emotion wishing him good luck and includes a half-baked smile with the approach, the rest also pass around thanks and support to the couple and after the talk Elanee comes up to Straud alone.


    ¡°Elanee, something wrong¡± Straud asks seeing a different look upon her face


    ¡°No I just had a question about the defense of the stones¡± Elanee inquired


    Straud goes into how they will leave the other stones to the enclave, but Colossus probably knows that the stones will be there anyway, thinking he will bring an army to get them this time Straud is confident about a sure good fight he will have due to the massive men that will be supporting their cause. Smiling about it to herself she says that¡¯s good to here and walks away not letting him see the tears coming to her watery eyes. She knew he was there but couldn¡¯t find him anywhere for a time,


    ¡°Where is Rain?¡± Elanee asked to Cloud who was taking a drink of some water for his dry throat.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know he was here a moment ago¡­you haven¡¯t told him yet have you¡± he asked followed by her shaking head, he thinks for a moment and guides her to the study room for he normally goes there to think and be alone. Opening the door slowly to the study chamber did she see him, with a single lit candle was he sitting in his chair buried in a book to fake his real thoughts on his mind. Rain had seen the ring to her finger but couldn¡¯t bear to seal a smile to her face in congratulations; he never thought she was so naive to the simple show of his actions.


    ¡°I¡¯ve been looking for you everywhere¡± she said entering, he could smell her perfume he knew Namor had bought her for some useless occasion, like a victory over strapping on his shoes or finishing a big meal.


    ¡°Well you found me, now did you seek me out to once again announce you are engaged to that pompous brat, cause I did hear about it already plus I can see the reflection of the diamond off the dingy grey stone wall¡­pretty impressive when it can do that in this room¡± Rain said with her going silent,


    ¡°What are you reading?¡± she asked and looking up at the wall away from her Rain shakes his head, ¡°I have no idea¡± closing the book turning his chair by magic to face her, ¡°Answer me this much¡­do you love him? Because the Elanee I knew for the short time I have wouldn¡¯t fall victim so easily to this act, she would¡¯ve needed more proof of spirit¡±


    ¡°Maybe he has and your own hate won¡¯t see it¡± she weakly defended


    ¡°You didn¡¯t answer my question¡­do you love him.¡± Rain said again, she looked to the ring and changed her face that Rain could without training see her do,


    ¡°Yes, I do love him. He has flaws yes but so do you¡±


    ¡°I have never diminished that fact; I have some of the worst ones known¡± Rain said bowing his head to stare at the floor, ¡°I just thought that you and I had¡­¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Elanee asked with a small shot of hope running to her face,


    ¡°Had gotten through those issues to be better friends¡­I thought you trusted me Elanee I thought you would¡¯ve heeded my warnings about him¡±


    ¡°He is a major player in this army raising Rain and with me being the chief bargaining chip I¡­I did what needed to be done¡±


    ¡°What do you mean by that¡­Elanee is this a payment for the army¡± Rain said sternly rising to his feet.


    ¡°No! of course not Rain I love him, he has a soft side he doesn¡¯t show many people, he is constantly berated by politics and in that fact can trust no one to get close to his heart but reaching that point have I seen the good in him¡± she states with words not even convincing herself,


    ¡°Well it hasn¡¯t convinced me, none of this has¡± Rain waved his hands meaning about the marriage ¡°And I don¡¯t think it has with you either, but I won¡¯t sit here watching you fall, you walk this path alone. I stop here¡± Rain ended giving her an embrace of congratulations.


    ¡°I...um I want you to come to my wedding¡± she forced out from her lips


    ¡°Elanee¡­¡± Rain said with a head gesture showing his known answer


    ¡°Please Rain!¡± she pleaded


    ¡°You know I won¡¯t¡± he said straight on to her eyes


    ¡°You hate him that much¡­or is it me you hate now¡± putting her hands to her chest,


    ¡°I could never hate you Elanee, he has evidence on him in plain sight that you are choosing to ignore; things that show his true colors in life¡±


    ¡°Rain Enough! I won¡¯t stand here why you wordy assault my betrothed¡±


    ¡°Say what you will you¡¯re the head marshal of investigation in this city¡± Rain says getting right close to her face ¡°Why don¡¯t you investigate!!!¡± Rain ended soft and hard with him leaving the chamber. Elanee watched him go unable to say anything that would help or halt his movements, she went to the chair still warmed from his heated blood and sat in it while another run of tears floated down her cheeks.


    Walking in solitude down to the shore line and along the beach sand did Straud reminisce old times about the contribution¡¯s the Arbiter had made, he had saved Straud¡¯s life countless of times and remembering the moments spent in his home drinking wine and sharing memories brought deep emotion to his face, seeing a flicker of shine up above Straud noticed Cynn¡¯s bright brilliant gown shifting in the wind. She had always moved so graceful and her mere balance was enough to cape his heart to a deep trance. moving up to Cynn who was down on the wall walk looking out to the ocean side Straud slowly brings about his hands rubbing her shoulders to relax her tense posture she had in the meeting.You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.


    ¡°I kept looking in that empty seat thinking he would just be late¡± Cynn said staring to cry and turning her around Straud lets her weep in his arms ¡°We failed him Straud, we did¡­Colossus; he got what he came for and¡­¡±


    ¡°Hey shhhh, we haven¡¯t failed Maylor yet, Colossus will be put down for this I swear to you he won¡¯t see glory come to his vision¡± comforted Straud to her with his words


    ¡°For four hundred and fifty seven years he has been by my side as our father and healer; and suddenly he¡¯s gone and it only seems like I¡¯ve known him for an instant¡± Cynn wept out finally surfacing her bottled up grief.


    ¡°Life is funny that way, no matter how long you¡¯re together when death comes, it¡¯s never enough¡­or fair¡± Straud says to her flowing hair that held a rose scent to it ¡°But we can honor him in continuing his mission and ours which is one in the same and we will not fail him Cynn I promise¡± Straud says solidly bringing Cynn¡¯s eyes to meet his own they spark a resilient moment that can¡¯t be held back and they merge to a kiss for the first time. Pulling away as fast they went together Cynn steps back and covers her mouth,


    ¡°I¡¯m so sorry to discrete the memory and loyalty of Crysonia like that Captain please forgive me¡±


    ¡°You have done nothing wrong Cynn, she has been gone for a while and though I love her, there is still life left in me to love again. She is watching me now and would be disappointed in me for letting blind love that stares me in the face go unnoticed and unanswered, she would not want me to go on living alone¡±; hearing the words Cynn moves to him slow, sliding her hand to his cheek side she kisses his lips and with a gentle rest of his hands to her waist Straud returns the hidden affection.


    Gazing upon a new batch of highly crafted weapons made by their own clan forger Cloud is torn from his metal appraising to the sight of Rain walking through the enclave going to his study. Quick jogging over Cloud sees no reason to hide what must be asked, ¡°You ok about this Rain, about Elanee and her marriage I mean¡±


    ¡°Well there¡¯s nothing I can really do, Namor I guess is what she really wants¡±


    ¡°Do you still have feelings for her even after Eve?¡± Cloud asked keeping pace


    ¡°I had them before and during, yet even now I do, they were just different from those for Eve but they are still there¡±


    ¡°When my first relationship fell through I took it hard but I moved on and I know you will too you just got to realize that¡­¡± and stopping in mid-sentence to watch some attractive Drow priestess their same age walk by, Rain and Cloud wave watching the girls wave back giggling to each other like a bunch of school girls. And finishing with an eye gesture to the girls he smiled to Rain.


    ¡°Wow those twins developed early¡± Cloud added gawking


    ¡°Girls in the Mavadio Family usually do¡± Rain surfaced staring for a second until shaking his head ¡°What was it you were saying Cloud¡±


    ¡°That there are plenty of options out there Rain, however different, they are all unique¡± and smiling when he finished he taps Rain roughly on the shoulder and goes off jogging.


    Two days pass bringing the dawn of the ship¡¯s voyage homeward for Namor, Tristan and Elanee. Cloud, Rain and the rest of the group all wait by the dockside as they come out for their final goodbyes. Rain hasn¡¯t spoken to her since he was told about her marriage outside of the meeting and holding his head high and feelings deep inside he smiles as she come to each one of them hugging saying farewells. Leaving Rain till last she approaches slow bearing an untamable surge in her stomach, Rain shakes Tristan¡¯s hand hoping that he¡¯ll see him again and gestures to Namor on a safe trip hiding hope to never see him again, and then finally Elanee.


    ¡°Well, this is it¡± Elanee says to start


    ¡°You take care of yourself ok¡± says Rain hugging her and holding him tight in return she begins to water up in her eyes, promising herself this wouldn¡¯t happen she breaks from the hug and receiving a kiss to the cheek bone from his lips, she walks down to the boat glancing back to see his face one last time, waving a farewell to the rest she boards the ship.


    The ship launches and sets sail letting Rain watch the aft drift away smaller and smaller, he looks up to see the sun setting quickly and smiling at the calm skies they will be sailing in Rain slowly walks away.


    Perched on the dock side at the aft of the ship Elanee leans up against the boat ledge hearing the crashing waves being slit by the ships carving point bow. Looking to the calm waters she sees dolphins swimming alongside of the ship, being amused by the sounds they make she tries to hear the song they are singing to one another as time slowly passes by.


    Tristan goes top side and sees Elanee one last time, ¡°You have an iron will to do such a brave task for your people Elanee, I want you to know that I will visit your home every day to see that this sacrifice will not go unnoticed or ill remembered to him¡±


    ¡°Thank you but I¡¯m sure that I will be fine Captain, he is a good man and I¡¯m certain good will come from this union¡±


    ¡°One last question Elanee¡± Tristan tries to get out when he is intruded and given some documents of parchment by a sail mate, saying that they need to be destroyed by order of Namor for they are old orders ¡°Do you love him¡± he asks Elanee while he rereads the documents,


    ¡°I have to, I¡¯m sure that he will grow on me when I give him the chance to¡­is everything alright¡± Elanee ended her words seeing a growing look of distress upon Tristan¡¯s face, grabbing Elanee by the arm he says excited and angrily to her


    ¡°Everything is not and if I¡¯m right you won¡¯t have to show him that chance ever¡± Tristan says to her asking her to follow him immediately to Namor¡¯s boat chambers, she does and Tristan demands that his door be open, losing patience for the wait Tristan breaks the door latch on it to see Namor signing some papers,


    ¡°The servant was getting there Captain, what is the meaning on this¡± Namor asked


    ¡°This!¡± bolts Tristan slamming down the documents hard to the table in front of him, looking quickly at the title Namor grew uncomfortable about knowing what it pretends to ¡°Now Captain just calm down and let me explain, with everything that was happening I didn¡¯t want another burden to be put on you so I just kept it a secret for peace mind on you¡± Namor escaped politely.


    ¡°With news of this importance you should have come out on the battlefield yourself and told me¡± heated Tristan


    ¡°Calm down Tristan please, what news¡± asked and negotiated Elanee


    ¡°That as of three months ago, half the decision for the men coming to this city was now mine, but you knew that me knowing this would lose your influence to the city and for that you kept you mouth shut!¡±


    ¡°Captain you must understand that an undertaking of this responsibility should be given in time and on something that doesn¡¯t weigh so much thought on your mind¡±


    ¡°You mean just until you milk the city for all it is capable of giving you!¡±


    ¡°One more outburst like that and I¡¯ll have you arrested, Captain¡±


    ¡°Tell me something Ambassador, when you proposed to Elanee did she says yes or did the threat you said you would use had to be implemented¡±


    ¡°I warned you what would happen if you said anything Tristan¡­¡±


    ¡°To hell with your threats you don¡¯t have the power now Namor, and you needed my signature on this documents to make this binding real, you were going to wait until we were on home soil to do it weren¡¯t you? So that once again you were holding all the cards rather than telling the truth for once in you snakiest little life¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s it Captain, Guards!¡± Namor called from his chambers


    ¡°And while we are on the topic of truth Elanee has he been honest to you, about his life¡­about his other wives!¡± Tristan barks out, Tristan¡¯s word flooded to Elanee¡¯s ears and her blood started to boil like water. Hearing the guards coming to the chamber Elanee grew angry from the uninsured comment and turning around she kicked the door shut putting the blocking board across it, keeping the guards out.


    ¡°Elanee what are you¡­¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re married!!!¡± Elanee snapped halting his words


    ¡°I am not, he¡¯s lying¡± Namor desperately said in defense


    ¡°If I am Namor then you won¡¯t mind a little test¡±


    ¡°What test¡± worriedly mouth Namor with a slight shudder of fear


    ¡°Let Elanee read your mind, she can tell if you¡¯re lying, it was her job before this remember¡± spouted off Tristan,


    ¡°Very well¡± said Namor agreeing at first, Elanee skinned up her sleeve moving closer, Namor backed into his chamber chair and as her hand almost touched his skin Namor collapsed on his rubber backed will ¡°Forget it, there are other secrets in here that I can¡¯t afford to let go¡­yes Elanee I¡¯m married¡± he confesses and her heart sinks from disloyalty. Tristan opens the door telling his men to stand down and looking to Namor he agrees, Tristan orders the boat to be turned around and Elanee taken back.


    ¡°Not so fast Captain, this boat is still under my control and at my command only will it change its course¡­and change it will not!¡± Namor gloated watching Elanee bolt for the upper level. Elanee runs up to the top deck and to the rear of the ship, looking to her home and lowering her head a feeling of guilt comes over her.


    ¡°What have I done¡­I didn¡¯t even tell him¡± Elanee sobbed


    ¡°Swim back Elanee!¡± Tristan says to her following in her wake to the stern.


    ¡°What! Swim? I couldn¡¯t possibly make it this distance, it¡¯s over Tristan¡± she says defeated


    ¡°Maybe you just need some help, Anubis!¡± Tristan shouts having his cat come upon the call, with Elanee looking puzzled. Tristan orders Anubis to aid in the swim to bring Elanee home, he says to her that the men they need will come and soon he gives his word. Hugging him tight she takes to the side of the ship and jumps into the water splashing a wave upon impact. In follows Anubis and hanging onto him Elanee looks up to Tristan who says he¡¯ll be back to get his cat; smiling up to him she nods and starts her swim back to homeland.


    Breath stroking for some time Elanee grows tired and hitches a ride on Anubis clinging to his coat by wrapping her arms around his thick muscled neck. Cloud, helping the docking crew clean up the ropes and ties from Namor¡¯s ship hears a shout from a sailor from the dock extension port. Running over to where he was Cloud sees Anubis trying desperately to get secure above the dock wood but slips constantly from his claws being wet and moist. Cloud grips tightly on the paws pulling him up over the top, and looking to him with scared wonder. Anubis turns around and shaking the water from his fur goes to the dock ledge and lowers his neck, strengthening his paws pulls Elanee up and over to the dockside. Coughing up water from her lungs Elanee is helped to her feet by Cloud who asked what has happened to the ship.


    ¡°It¡¯s fine Cloud, but I am not; I need to find Rain¡± she said to him with dripping wet hair in her face ¡°I couldn¡¯t leave without him knowing how I feel about him¡± and smiling a big grin Cloud helps her to dry land and requesting a horse from a footman he climbs aboard with her behind riding off quickly to find what is left of Rain¡¯s love.


    Artanis throughout the night goes looking for Rain finding him in a most unusual spot; the tavern which the children first embarked to when they met the city has Rain perched to a chair firing back drinks thinking what he has done wrong to deserve this. Artanis joins up with him and standing by the table where Rain sat he asks to join him, Rain says nothing; just pushes back another ale down his throat and with his foot pushed out a seat for Artanis to sit on.


    ¡°You ok Rain¡± asks Artanis and going into a spiel about how he doesn¡¯t understand women and how they work, he carries a self-pity act throughout some hours of the night. ¡°Rain, trust me you¡¯ll find someone (Looks up at the doorway)¡­or maybe someone will find you¡± Artanis says mono talking toward the door.


    ¡°Ah! Maybe this was all for the best, I¡¯ll be focused again with work and she gets to be with the prince that she deserves¡± said Rain with his drunken back turned to the door slamming back another drink of ale.


    ¡°Isn¡¯t that choice up to me¡± said a voice Rain knew as well as his mother¡¯s that makes him go stiff, he must be imagining and turning slowly Rain catches a view at the door side he never had thought he would see again. Elanee dripping wet from head to toe, her silk dress was torn from swimming such a distance and beside her was Anubis who laid down the moment she stopped, on her feet was the boots he had made for her, and still around her neck was the quickly fashioned necklace he forged.


    ¡°El-Elanee...What-


    ¡°Am I doing here? I couldn¡¯t do it¡­I couldn¡¯t marry Namor without first you knowing how I feel¡±


    ¡°Feel¡­about what¡­who¡± Rain said confused but holding open hope


    ¡°I love you Rain¡± she replies as Cloud appears at the doorway smiling and Artanis puts together that he must have brought her here when she arrived by the docks.


    ¡°You¡­you love me?¡± Rain replied shocked


    ¡°Look I knew you should¡¯ve known before now but with Namor having control on if the men got here, I didn¡¯t want to mess anything up¡­but now I ¡­I just don¡¯t care¡± Elanee stated


    ¡°When did this start?¡± Rain asks


    ¡°After the dance at the Shadowell ball, when you kissed me, I¡¯ve been looking at you differently, so the question is do you feel the same?¡± Elanee impatiently waits and taking another swig of his ale Rain slowly puts down the glass turning his back to her and taking a breath he turns around lightly taking grip of her face putting a kiss to her lips, ¡°Yes I do love you¡± he says pulling away for a second and kissing again Elanee is suddenly hit with a most distressing feeling.


    Flame sparks and swirls momentarily crawling across her eyes and an unbelievable intense feeling of chaotic anger roars through her body, she pulls away with a sudden look of terror realizing that the curse on her was real, the one she read from Artanis¡¯ book.


    ¡°No¡­not you, Namor or the king of this land but not you¡­NOT YOU!¡± she cried out backing from the tavern into the street, Rain gave the only look at hand; complete confusion.


    ¡°Elanee what¡¯s wrong what¡¯s the matter...Elanee!¡± Rain finishes as she bolts passed Cloud and into the street.


    ¡°I have to go¡± Elanee echoes running from the tavern


    ¡°Artanis keep Rain here, I¡¯ll get Elanee¡± said Cloud running after her and following into the street crying out her name at her heels. He follows her to a dead end that she went down, Cloud witnesses Elanee acting as if possessed, tossing about her arms looking lost and confused beyond any rational thought. Turning around she sees him, dripping wet from the rain coming down hard Cloud¡¯s armor makes tinkling sounds. Elanee what¡¯s going on!¡± he asks her


    ¡°It said that this would happen but I didn¡¯t listen, I didn¡¯t want to, Cloud I love him¡± Elanee shouted above the pouring rain.


    ¡°It is what, what are you talking about¡± Cloud inquired quickly


    ¡°I¡¯m cursed Cloud, there is a demon of some sort in me and if I show my love to him it will be unleashed upon this world¡± and running up to Cloud she grabs his sword hilt attempting to pull it from his sheath, stopping her hand he shakes his head, ¡°It won¡¯t end this way Elanee¡±


    ¡°It has to Cloud, please kill me, I can¡¯t let this evil win¡± and breaking her hold from the hilt Cloud covers her wet face in his arms; she cries holding them tight,


    ¡°Elanee listen to me this won¡¯t happen to you I give you my word, we will find a way to beat this curse on you, my brother and your love will help. Elanee he loves you and has for a long time, don¡¯t give up on him now, he needs you tonight as much as you need him if even just for a comfort embrace but take it Elanee please¡± continuing to cry in his arms she babbles that life isn¡¯t fare, saying that she has been raised in a good home and done nothing to deserve such punishment.


    ¡°This hasn¡¯t happened to you because you¡¯re evil Elanee, if anything it¡¯s because you are strong, and stronger then this evil itself, but give us time to combat it Elanee, trust us please¡± she calms down at the sight of seeing Rain and Artanis running to their location, and breaking away from Cloud he gently pushes her toward Rain, she hugs him and apologizes for her actions and saying it wasn¡¯t necessary Rain holds her tight like his favorite toy but hears the voice warning of his brother


    ¡°Don¡¯t act on anything with her Rain, she has something to tell you, to tell us all¡± Cloud says pushing back his blade from being partly released. Rain nods as he throws his cape over Elanee to shield her from the rain and looking at his face did Elanee smile at it, she grips his hand tightly looks again to Cloud who nods with a smile and upon taking it do the three take Elanee personally back to the enclave.


    Saying a final good bye to the city and relinquishing their duties from it the King says that they will be welcome anytime giving one last shot at halting their sudden decision. Cloud said the upcoming encounter¡¯s that they now face could put the city and its people in mortal danger by them just being in it, the battle must be fought away from such loss and risk.

 Chapter 43

    Retreating to her old lair to escape any follow-ups from Colossus, Sephinroth reevaluates her approach to getting rid of or just escaping the continuing hounding of the evil master mage. Interrupted by yet another member of Colossus¡¯s group coming to seek an audience invitation from the mage yet again, but fearing her position of being exposed she takes drastic action.


    Sephinroth goes once again to the Lazarus tower. Inquiring to what the message was about but does so fully aware. Any tricks or traps that may lay down, she goes through the front gates for once and escorted to the throne room where she`s announced and greeted. Sitting on his throne of bone the mighty Minatare, holds to his hand the first of three stones.


    ¡°I see you received my invitation Sephinroth, in truth I didn¡¯t know if you were going to show?¡± Colossus says surprised


    ¡°You¡¯re as shocked as I am, but the message was shall we say fulfilling to say the least¡± she said standing at the edge of the table in the chamber scrutinizing the room for an ambush


    ¡°Wait, did you eat my messenger? Damn it all Sephinroth he was my captain¡±


    ¡°What can I say, I was lacking some iron in my system,¡± she said filing her nails on the tableside


    ¡°Then just eat the armor, nah scratch that it was worth more than his life anyway¡± waved off Colossus and growing impatient Sephinroth stared at him sorely


    ¡°Why have you yet again seek me out Colossus?¡± she barked


    ¡°I have another proposition for you¡± he replied


    ¡°If its desk work like before I¡¯ve paid my dues and am through helping you, get your leech to do it¡±


    ¡°This task is somewhat too grand scale for Logan to handle, that is why I have asked you back, I need your help¡± Colossus went on standing up. Walking toward her holding the stone tight ¡°I¡¯ve been told of an old enemy you had, or war shall I say with a Silver dragon of great power and age; she attacked me at the city unexpectedly preventing me from gathering all the stones¡± he added


    Chuckling to herself, she laughingly spat out ¡°You fought the Drow and lost, again¡± and rolling his eyes with heightened rage, he quickly calmed down and ignored the comment


    ¡°As I was saying, I offer you a second opportunity to finish your encounter with her¡± he replied


    ¡°Finish the fight, the fight I had with Lalandra is long past done and so is she, so you are lying through your rotting teeth,¡± Sephinroth stated abruptly


    ¡°Maybe you¡¯re not as efficient as you might think, the dragon I fought last night was of an age rivaling your own as well as her potent icy breath, for which I still bare the frostbite to prove¡± Colossus went on cringing as he recalled the icy blast done to him


    ¡°Impossible! Lalandra couldn¡¯t have survived the assault I laid upon her¡­unless¡­was she helping the Drow¡± and looking to Colossus who nodded she grew angry ¡°DAMN IT ALL! They must have nursed her back to health¡± she blasted out swiftly


    ¡°Listen to me Sephinroth, you can finish what you started long ago and regain your revenge, kill her as you accompany me on my assault at her lair for I¡¯m sure that it¡¯s where the stones are going to be kept, as powerful as I am a dragon of her class and power could cause a deep breech in my plans¡± Colossus intriguingly tried to focus her hate in his favor


    ¡°You might still be bent on revenge Colossus but I ended mine when I thought I ended her then, I have new paths to pursue and henceforth you are on your own¡± and she started to walk out


    ¡°Not so fast Sephinroth¡± he commanded stopping her stride


    ¡°You going to kill me¡± she said not even turning around


    ¡°Of course, not that wouldn¡¯t be good business. but what makes a good player knows that sometimes you are always holding all the cards, since you have a strong mother baring burn again, perhaps I can make that fire grow stronger¡±


    ¡°What the hell are you getting at?¡± Sephinroth snapped


    ¡°Simple¡­I can bring back your other hatchling that you thought I had killed¡± he smiled to her backside which hastily spun around in a sight of shock and wonder


    ¡°She¡¯s alive¡± Sephinroth stutters out


    ¡°In this¡± says Colossus pulling a crystal shard from his belt pouch and holding it in his free hand ¡°I transferred her soul from the body to this after I snapped her peony neck¡±


    ¡°Talk ill of her again and I¡¯ll snap yours¡± Sephinroth barked to him taking the shard quickly from his grasp, and waving his hand he brings to the table top an opened scroll that had some writing on it.


    ¡°This is the scroll need to restore it to her body¡± added Colossus and wasting no time she goes for it but has her hand runs through it like it wasn¡¯t there, and with the act comes a laugh from his snout


    ¡°Do you really think I¡¯d give you both parts now, you get the other after your help is done with me¡± Colossus stated sternly


    ¡°Give it to me now Colossus or I refuse to help you¡±


    ¡°Then grow old watching your youngling¡¯s soul float in there till your end for all I care, you help me and then I¡¯ll help you¡­so do we have a deal?¡± he finalizes and nodding her head in a tone of ungrateful shame for the thought of once again on his side turns her stomachs she agrees. Before leaving again she is stopped again from a warning through his words


    ¡°And one more thing Sephinroth, don¡¯t cross me this time, the stakes are much higher than before. That stone is on a trigger spell that if tapered with by another means other than this scroll, it will be destroyed along with her soul, permanently! Help as you have done before and you will have what you seek¡± and turning to him to show a first scared sight on her face she nods and leaves being told that he will contact her when the attack is ready.


    Being summoned at her very polite request he arrived through the gate portal into Shadowell city; dressed and draped with a thick heavy leather cloak engraved with a golden strip down the middle of the backside, and a golden skull emblem on each front shoulder side, he was lead in to the Matriarchs¡¯ personal chambers from the grand room by four elite heavy armored Drow guardsmen, the guards grew tired and more wary the longer they stood around his close proximity. He stood roughly seven feet tall towering over the minuet guards surrounding him and continuing to follow the guide given to him, was lead to the bathing room in her personal quarters.


    He looked upon the Matriarch still occupying the bath pool who was getting a private sponge bath by her female servant, upon entering the room the guards following him drew their curious eyes away from her beauty for even a mere glimpse upon her natural figure is a crime in disobedient respect. The Matriarch¡¯s back was to the guard party and him, but he not being a Drow himself indulged in the view, she was sprawled out extending her arms along the rim of the bath pool side. She tosses back her head to gaze upon the bone divinity that was under the cloak from her upside down view and then turned her head to face him, moving her finger slightly in the air she signaled the servant to stop the bathing of her body.


    ¡°Malice, I¡¯m glad you have accepted my request for an audience¡± she says getting out of the pool and fully into the bone eyed vision of the lich, he stared profusely at her righteous flaming figure that could only be described with one high end term ¡°perfect¡±. As she made her way strutting her body across the marble floor to the left side of the room she grabbed a robe from a hanging rack and looked to him while she wrapped herself. As she put it on she waved for the guards as well as the servant to excuse themselves from their presence, and watching them go she looked upon the guard¡¯s faces to see that they were feeling the effects of long term exposure of being in the presence of the lich. They showed signs of nausea and headaches as well as turning a paler color than they were built with, but watching the effects quickly wear off as they left his location she shook her head with Mel contempt.


    ¡°You know acting the way you do doesn¡¯t leave very much to the imagination¡± said Malice


    ¡°And this phrase is coming from a walking, talking pile of bones that¡¯s only covered by a cloth¡± replied the Matriarch ¡°Still haven¡¯t shaken that plague curse you have upon you I see, my men were ready to puke¡±


    ¡°They were just posters of amateurs who can¡¯t handle the presence of great power¡± he cracked back with a small chuckle ¡°And with all that power comes a great cost doesn¡¯t it¡± she covertly shot back as she reached for a crystal goblet off the table by her towel rack and poured herself a glass of blood wine, ¡°So I¡¯m not wrong in thinking that you haven¡¯t sheared the goal of demi-lich power hunting yet have you?¡± she asked taking a sip from her glass ¡°Must be hard to complete, with you recent convicted escape being publish and public all over this realm, as well as having everyone growing sick to death around you must make it difficult to stay in one place to long¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s your point Matriarch?¡± Malice grumbled out


    ¡°Maybe we can help each other out a bit, interested?¡±


    ¡°Perhaps; what do you have in mind?¡± he inquired to her


    ¡°Oh I¡¯m sorry where are my manners, would you, like a glass¡± she smiled pouring another goblet of the wine ¡°oh right I forgot you can¡¯t hold it in, must be the lack of shall we say stomach strength¡± she chuckled to his face and taking another swig of her own, and looking to his face Malice grew impatient with her vivid jokes. And rolling her eyes from his lack of humored enthusiasm she went on.


    ¡°It seems to me that you are in need of seven children that each needs to possess a natural unique gift to be sacrificed in a ritual sense for you to achieve this correct?¡±


    ¡°Have you been keeping tabs on me Sophie?¡± Malice questioned


    ¡°Let¡¯s just say I like to keep a scout full watch for talent in my same league, but with your escape posted at every village and city the chance you won¡¯t be suspected when everything goes ill in the area will be slim¡± she went on


    ¡°I¡¯m listening¡± added Malice


    ¡°I could get your children for you, gift wrapped even but I need something from you in return, what do you say?¡± Sophie replied


    ¡°I¡¯d say what¡¯s in this for you?¡± says Malice


    ¡°I require items¡­set of them actually from the astral plane and very few mages I have found can get there without dying a horrible death, every one of them actually but you¡± she stated


    ¡°And just what do you need from this Templar location might I ask¡± Malice questioned her further


    ¡°The ruin stones of the dragon ancients¡± she replied


    ¡°That¡¯s quite a tall order Sophie, you understand this¡± Malice said


    ¡°Yes I know but then again so is demi-lich mage powers of countless proportions wouldn¡¯t you agree¡± she grinned to him


    ¡°And for what purpose do you require such powerful items¡± Malice asked


    ¡°That is not your concern¡­but if you must know they are only needed so that I can gain access to the treasury in the high elven city of Lavairius, in there are scrolls that will undo the power on my sister¡¯s necklace and grant the full ability to destroy her once and for all¡± she explained


    ¡°Wow, that¡¯s heartfelt I think I¡¯m going to cry¡± and shaking his head at her goal he adds another comment ¡°Look I may be a lich and got this way from a wrong made spell that blew me into a living wall but seriously even I¡¯m not insane enough to take on the defenses¡¯ at that city. I wouldn¡¯t survive and neither will you unless you have something under that robe of yours capable of granting, total victory¡± and ending his comment he sees her say nothing but a smile as she finishes off her glass of wineA case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.


    ¡°That¡¯s my little secret¡± she only says to him


    ¡°Ok, then how do you plan on getting my payment or do I need a Shadowell membership to have that answer as well¡± Malice looked to her ¡°Not that I would want one anyway I do trust you even if we are partners Sophie¡±


    ¡°Nor I trust you, a pile of rusty bones that has been aged with disgrace and has a sickening stench to go with it, a trail that can be as easily hunted as a herd of wild beasts, but that¡¯s beside the point are you in or are you out?¡± the Matriarch ends her statement, ¡°I want the tablets when you¡¯re done¡± Malice says agreeing with the temporary partnership


    ¡°Why do you want them?¡± inquires Sophie


    ¡°The history of Kahn has always been interesting to me; such power research is difficult to pass up¡±.


    ¡°Indeed¡± Sophie replies and snaps her fingers, following the crisp clicking sound comes a creature similar to the Bodak. It has no nose or mouth and it¡¯s head it widened at the top of the skull, it¡¯s eyes were a deep red with a slightly emanating glow to them, it came dressed with clothes similar to a common fighter of the Drow army and stands like a regular human and at a height of nine feet tall. Malice looks at the creature and cocks his head like a dog to one side,


    ¡°Now what the hell do we have here?¡± he says with a puzzled laughing tone


    ¡°My bloodhound so to speak, he will track and trap your payment to wherever you want to make the drop¡± says the Matriarch


    ¡°Ok, that¡¯s great but what is he, she¡­it!¡± Malice asks with hand gestures


    ¡°You mean you don¡¯t know I thought you knew everything¡± Sophie smirked


    ¡°I only care to know what involves with me gaining what I want or need at the time and with him I have never had a use for¡­what is it again¡± says Malice


    ¡°It¡¯s a race called doppelganger and his name is Teremicus, his abilities are shape shifting, and if they touch a target they also receive their memories and pasts experiences making them practically indistinguishable from the original copy. Also they don¡¯t carry or inherit the abilities the target has or empowers but with its added silver-tongued talking wisdom they rarely would have need for it.¡± Sophie explains


    ¡°I¡¯m impressed Matriarch, this might just work out after all, but how does he talk¡± and finishing his question the Teremicus transforms into Malice and speaks


    ¡°Like this my good sir, I gain the language of my reflected upon shifting into them whatever or however the difficulty rate of learning the language¡± Teremicus says and nodding with acceptance Malice comes to the table passing the doppelganger and shaking his head at the realism of the fake, taking the glass poured for him by her he holds it up toasting their partnership and downs the drink into his ribcage through his mouth, the blood wine runs along his backbone and hits the marble floor splashing when it spilt and showering the Matriarchs feet.


    ¡°Thanks for the drink, I¡¯ll need two or more days to complete the portal traveling device and will alert you when it is ready¡± Malice says wiping his jawbone dry and setting the glass goblet down, he turns after giving a sorry excuse for a bow for an added insult and walks to the door leaving the Matriarch with a serious look of annoyance to her face.


    ¡°Well what are you waiting for, go get ready and start your hunting of the children, so that I can get this skinless disgrace out of my plans¡± she snaps to the doppelganger and swiftly he exits her sight, and looking down at the mess she sighs ¡°Well that¡¯s no good now I need another bath¡± and snapping her fingers again she gets the servant back in to finish her bath.


    A cold winterized chill blows firmly in the air as the arriving soldiers from Silverspire and surrounding towns under the banner come to the newly formed encampment outside the enclave. The ringing of smith hammers and maces echo throughout the enclave. As the camp buzzes to get the extra support structures built for the impending attack and weapons and armor are being forged in mass amounts. In the main cavern of Lalandra¡¯s lair sat the group Cynn, Straud and Lalandra; Elanee gave her speech about the book she found after Artanis dropped it and of the history ties between her and the great evil being Larissa Blackstaff.


    She explained to them all how the key to her transformation into such a creature was showing a full embrace of love to a single being, and when she kissed Rain the last time she first felt the power trying to get out.


    Artanis then took his turn on the spotlight to reveal to them his complex bloodline and his ties to the zenith tower, he explained fully about how the book works and that lastly by his father¡¯s order was he told to destroy the tower.


    ¡°Ok that all makes sense but the one thing that eludes me is the relationship with Namor you had Elanee, I mean you have kissed him countless of times but you never changed then, why?¡± Straud asked


    ¡°Because I wasn¡¯t really in love with him¡± she replied


    ¡°When we cure this curse of yours and if you have a child together with Rain, would your child gain the oracle power as well¡± asked Cynn


    ¡°Well I really didn¡¯t know how to say this yet but since you asked, unless I¡¯m willing to give up my life for the child¡¯s I can¡¯t give birth to one, in the past oracles have never had companions for that soul reason, but if it ever happened when the first breath of the child is taken it would also be the last breath of the mother¡¯s life, the transference of power is woven so tightly with the body of an oracle that transferring the power forfeits one¡¯s life to the new one¡± Elanee said shamefully


    ¡°So if one lives one must die, how is that fair¡± protested Dawn


    ¡°The power we carry is so potent and strong that only one being of such power may exist and one time on the realm¡± Elanee replied to her and sitting down between Rain and Dawn, Dawn gives her a hug to show her hurt for the unbarring pain Elanee has to carry.


    ¡°Well now that we know and the tell session is over with we still have the colossal problem to deal with here and now¡± said Cloud


    ¡°How long till he could get here¡± asked Dawn


    ¡°A couple of days working fast and organized which we are granted he will and a week at the most¡± Lalandra replied


    ¡°Are we even sure he knows that the stones were brought here?¡± Artanis asked


    ¡°Cloud and Dawn saw him at Shadowell city which means at one time the Matriarch and him did work together, and she does know where the location is¡± Straud added


    ¡°And she would give up that information to him willingly?¡± Artanis asked again


    ¡°In a heartbeat if it meant getting a chance to end her sister¡¯s life¡± Straud said again


    ¡°But this is Colossus, he trusts no one what¡¯s makes us think that he even has an army¡± boasted Cloud


    ¡°In my brief time up in the battle with Colossus at the city, I did recognize the followers he had with him, they are striders of different elements and more than that they are part of the Shin doe clan, and if they came with Colossus then the high powered demon prince Siravithor is dead, this threat is real¡± she added painfully


    ¡°Then even the backup being sent by Stormguard will prove unmatchable to a demon army at his disposal, even adding our own troops we have it won¡¯t be enough¡± Cloud said and having a moment of silence thinking amongst themselves Artanis speaks up abruptly


    ¡°Or maybe just a book¡± he says holding it up for them to see two phrases burned on the pages as he was thinking of what could be done, as DRAGON RUINS and ASTRAL PLAIN were written on them.


    ¡°What the hell does that mean¡± Rain rudely said


    ¡°I hoped that those wouldn¡¯t be needed but now that they are shown¡± said Lalandra she explains their reason. She says there are each two stones made into two and were carved from the heart of the first dragon ever born to this realm, they have many powers but the one that would benefit them the most was only said; the shield power it can generate actually keeps out all spells and evil enchantments in the sphere created by the stones. As well as any demonical presence in the sphere when the stones are activated will be utterly destroyed, the stones need to be geographically perfectly set apart in a cross like shape of equal distance from each other and needs to cover the whole enclave and her lair in this case. She goes on to say they are in the astral plain and are guarded by beasts yet to be defeated by anyone who has seek them out, and since they haven¡¯t been outmatched any knowledge thus far has not been gathered. She concludes that she can open a portal to the forgotten realm but it requires great energy and time elapsing over two-three days, complying to do the task before she was even asked.


    Trying to think of other options that didn¡¯t end in mass suicide the group came to no other option and agreed it would be the best and only course of quick action to take. They break up the meeting and go about the camp outside the enclave helping where they can to hasten the building and prepping of the defenses before the great attack happens.


    Working hard for the majority of the first day the younglings of the group take a well-deserved break and retreat to spots to regain their lost strength. Elanee goes to the pond nearby the enclave and is later joined by Rain. Laying there with Elanee leaning against Rain¡¯s body his hugging arms around her, they watch the pond¡¯s calm movements in the water as fish swim around and the birds sing from overhanging tree limbs. Having thoughts to herself Rain sees Elanee making a half smile and then shakes her head with a thought that lingers deep in her mind.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong¡± Rain asks


    ¡°Just thinking how everything has come to be¡± she replies staring into the pond


    ¡°Just the right way I think¡± Rain says giving her a quick squeeze.


    ¡°Oh yeah you got real lucky, to fall for a woman that can only every be this close to you, to never be able to embrace the full love we share for on another, for fear of an unspeakable evil that could result¡­to never be able to bear a child with you unless I sacrifice my own life¡± she says starting to get teary eyed ¡°To never be able to see my children grow up and witness his or her first thoughts on the world, oh yeah you got a good deal¡± she says trying hard not to cry.


    ¡°Elanee I have thought about our life and what it will be like and I¡¯m not afraid of this only being as far we can go together, because we get to do it together¡± Rain says turning her face to see his


    ¡°You mean this could be enough for you to live life for¡± she asked and gets a nodding response from him, ¡°As much as I want to accept that Rain I can¡¯t feel the same as you, I want to kiss you again, share close moments together and make love to you¡­I want a child with you and to watch it grow I¡­I want to live a full life Rain, what have I done to receive this punishment, this curse¡±


    ¡°You have done nothing but follow your will and heart Elanee, and it always has lead you down the righteous path of truth and caring, this recoiled sickness is not because you have rooted evil in you but because of your unflinching iron will to fight it where others would fail, and I promise you Elanee I will find the means to make the life you wish and dream for to come true¡± Rains says to her smiling a sunlight beam of hope to her eyes and ears and nodding she turns again to the water and lowering her head she says to him.


    ¡°With that I request another promise from you Rain¡±


    ¡°Name it¡±


    ¡°Promise me that if all goes ill and the hope of curing this is foiled and through failed will I turn into that which I fear so much, you will end my life before I take another¡¯s¡± she says to him


    ¡°Elanee don¡¯t talk that way, you can¡¯t think like that¡±


    ¡°Rain please; I don¡¯t want to hurt anyone¡±


    ¡°You talk as if there is already no hope for you Elanee, for us¡± Rain replies heartfelt


    ¡°Colossus is at our doorstep with a demon army of immense power behind him, and through all the material I have found on this evil in me, there has been no use of the words curse or cure, it just exists in me¡± she says to him


    ¡°Elanee I tell you now that I won¡¯t stop trying to save you, not even until the last breath in me is taken¡± Rain replies and stopping her sorrow wording speech she looks to him with a first smile he thought he would never get.


    ¡°That¡¯s what captured me to you the first time I saw you, your determination to not stop until such an end has come to your understanding, it¡¯s what made me fall in love with you, you had gasped my heart with your passion for knowledge and it¡¯s why I choose you, it¡¯s why the evil would only be released by you; and it¡¯s why this is so hard to get through¡± she ended and holding her tight to release the evil dread from her mind.


    The two lay by the pond for some time until the clutter of metal footprints and separating grass lines alerts them both of nearby visitors, getting up to address them the winding path for the men to travel through reveals to Rain and Elanee soldiers from Silverspire but not of the military joining their cause. There were three of them and approaching Elanee they go to one knee and bow in respect, moving quickly to them she grips the shoulder plate of the Captain and raises him up


    ¡°Please there is no need for this commander, I am no longer with the city council and need not to be issued as one¡± and standing tall again followed by his men he explains the seeking out of her need.


    ¡°Miss Kerrigan, it is upon your old title for why I have seeked you out Marshal, we have a situation that could use your expertise and if you hold time your attention as well¡±


    Walking back to the enclave he explains to her about two murders that have happened in the town of Parle, he says that the couples to single children were brutally slain and the children were taken, for there was no sight of them anywhere. Elanee¡¯s heart goes out to the thought of the poor children and what must be going on in their head if they are still breathing at all.


    ¡°You should go and help if you can Elanee¡± suggests Rain to her and looking at him shocked she answers


    ¡°But Rain the defenses here?¡±


    ¡°Look there is lots of hands around here to make sure they are ready but this is your field of expertise, the town needs you and so do those kids, do this and bring what hope has faded from you soul back in view, if anything arises we will contact you I promise, but you should do this¡± Rain said pushing the idea to her and nodding her head she accepts and Rain says that she will be there in one day, grateful to the assistance the guards party leaves back to the town. Rain finds Cloud and Dawn to explain what has happened


    ¡°I will go to Elanee for Rain¡¯s sake; my blade will be your shield¡± offers Artanis who¡¯s help is accepted by Elanee with a smile


    ¡°Take Alisianna with you as well¡± adds Cloud and his wife then looks to him with a confused look, ¡°Just for added safety Alisianna, I would like you to be away from this threat as long as possible for peace of mind for my focus¡±


    ¡°So me going to a town housing a murderer will give you comfort, gee thanks I feel so much better¡± Alisianna says growing a glare to him


    ¡°A murderer not looking for you is better than one who is¡± Cloud states ¡°And I trust Artanis, he won¡¯t let anything happen to you girls, but my uncle will not let us three leave for our necklaces being the only thing needed to keep Colossus from what he seeks, us leaving for only a moment is all he may need and we can¡¯t risk that, I love you but for me to be willing to die is knowing that you live on and with our family alive and well¡±


    ¡°You dying is not acceptable for me or our family, now you promise me that it won¡¯t come to that Cloud¡­and promise me now¡± Alisianna sternly adds and agreeing with it he does hand over the word, and with that she goes to get ready as does Artanis after a quick hug to Dawn, who is starting to show a little more affection then she started with towards him.


    They get ready and the three depart to the town of Parle after a quick goodbye.


    In the depths of her cavern Lalandra gets her ingredients and items ready for the long drawn out process to build and create the portal and has a visitor while the gathering of her things takes place.


    ¡°Straud, everything ok¡± she asks him seeing a worried look upon his face


    ¡°I¡¯ve been thinking, about what you said about these ruin stones and I have to ask, will these affect Artanis and worst yet Rain?¡± he inquires to her and giving him no solid look of confidence she replies


    ¡°I don¡¯t know Straud, with Artanis it¡¯s possible that he will need to leave the area, but for Rain I¡­ I just don¡¯t know if his blood is potent enough to have his life at risk, we need his magic and his necklace to fight Colossus back, I¡¯m sorry Captain I just don¡¯t know¡± and nodding his head in a silent sadness from the lingering thought he left her to her work.

 Chapter 44

    Arriving at the town of Parle, the three go into the atmosphere of an eerie feeling, a sudden cold of silence and alertness comes over them as they pass through step by step into the town square and to the mortuary, where the bodies of the murderer¡¯s wrath now laid. Elanee gives the order to pull the sheet covering the first one back and in doing so Alisianna gives off an unsettling gasp and buries her face in Artanis¡¯s chest. Artanis has no facial reaction from growing up in a dismal past about such events but is shocked to see that Elanee also carries the same iron skin. She starts to examine the body to determine the cause of death.


    ¡°It is certainly a knife wound; it entered through the back of the neck¡± she starts ¡°And then repeated down along the front, so whoever did this after the first stab, they must have held her to continue from the front side¡± and moving to the second corpse she looks upon it intently and gives her analysis


    ¡°This one was strangled; see here, the jaw bone was held tightly and turned to the left side hard and fast snapping it and killing them instantly¡± she finished still having no big emotional disturbance showing


    ¡°How does this not bother you Elanee?¡± Artanis asked


    And flipping the sheets back over the victims she answered,


    ¡°About seven years ago I ran into the lord at the time to this town, and I was still new to my abilities and wasn¡¯t able to control when I had a vision. I saw a flash of him brutally killing a young woman from town earlier that month I heard that she had died from a mugger, I knew that my view was real but saying anything would have lead him to hang me so I kept quiet. The next day I went about my day at the tavern where I worked, trying to block the images out but it was no use; then he came in and walking up to me he asked for a drink, bringing it to him he touch me while paying and another vision from his mind flew into my head but this one was different, I saw what he was about to do or in this case kill and seeing the two girls in the bar. I warned them to leave and go straight home quickly; they looked at me funny and worse didn¡¯t listen. After they did leave I saw shortly then the lord went as well and taking a quick absence from my work I snuck out the back and followed him, catching up to them in an alley barely light by town torches I saw him chocking the first victim and the second was already dead, not knowing what to do I did the first thing that came to my mind, I hit him to free the girl and with them taking off and screaming also came to us the town guard patrol. The lord accused me of assaulting him but fighting through the guards restraining grip to take me away I got a hold of his arms, and flushed the screaming pain of the women he did murder to the surface of his mind. He at first fell to his knees in the agony of seeing her face and begged me to stop it. I told him to confess or it would haunt him until death, and finally he did and with the use of a truth stone to show my innocence he was rightfully convicted of the crime. Of course the punishment for his action being in his position as lord was death anyway, but I didn¡¯t feel bad, not for him, and after that I was offered the job of investigation marshal from the king himself and humbly took it and have been at it ever since; she concluded with a shot of pain to her face after the explanation.


    ¡°Wow Elanee I¡¯m sorry I asked I didn¡¯t know how painful that must have been for you¡± Artanis apologized


    ¡°That¡¯s ok Artanis, but it was that moment on that I learned that having title and wealth doesn¡¯t give you right to take judgment into your own hands, only truth can do that. And that some of the past lords shouldn¡¯t be given the honor and respect that they demand and think they deserve¡± Elanee adds


    ¡°But I can only imagine that convicting them is harder to do than merely walking up to them and with a touch, seeing them pay¡± Alisianna replied


    ¡°Your right about that but keeping the streets as clean as I can makes them have to do the dirty work themselves and easier to be caught in the act¡± Elanee said just when the Commander and the three were interrupted by another guard telling them of yet another recent murder. Following the guard to the location, Elanee sees the guard point to two more victims outside the home of the deceased, the guard says they were not found together. One was by the stables and the wife was at home, Elanee brings her hand over each of the victims and gets a flash seeing their last images and possibly the killer. She gasps at the end of the images when each of them dies and after the second one, she gets to her feet with a bewildered look to her face.


    ¡°Something wrong Elanee¡± asked Alisianna


    ¡°What I saw can¡¯t be possible¡± she replies to her and redoing the vision search she comes to the same conclusion


    ¡°What¡¯s not possible Elanee¡± Artanis re asks


    ¡°How they died, they killed each other¡± she went on ¡°The husband snapped her neck and the wife ran him through with a pitch fork¡±


    ¡°Well the husband could have snapped her neck, she was at home¡± reassured the guard to her


    ¡°And him dying to a pitch fork she was holding after she died, doesn¡¯t that sound a little farfetched to you?¡± she barked back with frustration,


    ¡°Did they have a child?¡± Alisianna asked


    ¡°Yes a single boy, he was adopted by the orphanage, but as of now he is missing¡± finished the guard commander and having a moment of silence to process a reasonable explanation for this.


    Anubis who was still at Elanee¡¯s side picks up a scent leading from the home into the woods, he moves toward the tree line homing his vision to look at anything moving, a rustle in the tress catches his ears and everyone¡¯s else¡¯s and in a flash Anubis bolt into the brush. Bulldozing down thistles and berry bushes Anubis follow the fresh trail left at the murder seen with lightning speed around the trees and through the overgrowth until suddenly with a sharp paced halt he stops, sniffing around at the base of a large tree he looks to the limbs to only notice a squirrel gathering nuts and a bird perched to the edge of one limb. Anubis loiters around for some time until the group huffing hard catches up with him


    ¡°What is it Anubis did you find anything¡± asked Elanee to him and patting his head gently she watches his eyes which gives off a lost scented look


    ¡°Looks like just wildlife to me¡± adds Artanis and checking around a bit more to find nothing out of place there they all head back, except Alisianna who stops to look at the bird,


    ¡°What¡¯s up Alise?¡± Says Elanee


    ¡°Nothing I guess, just that bird isn¡¯t singing, they always sing; it¡¯s probably nothing¡± she says shaking her head from a dumb notion and walks away, the bird eyes up the group closely till they are out of sight and glowing it¡¯s eyes, Teremicus flies away.


    Coming back from the forest chase with Anubis, Elanee leads the way with Artanis, Alisianna and the commander in toe. Elanee hears a cry from a familiar face and runs to the scene; she sees Kate the newly appointed priestess buried in the arms of a nearby guardsmen by the murder sight of the family couple as she cries from the horrified sight.


    ¡°Kate¡± said Elanee to her ears and turning her beat red face, Kate draws her attention to an old friend.


    ¡°Elanee¡± she replied changing her embrace from the guard to her own ¡°I knew the Cornwall¡¯s Elanee, they were a kind and good Family, they have never done a thing wrong, nothing to deserve this¡±


    ¡°I know Kate I knew them too; I still remember walking home from school and the apples given to me from Mr. Cornwall¡¯s cart every day on my way home, he was a sweet man¡± Elanee agreed with her.


    ¡°You find them Elanee; you find who is responsible and make that son of a bitch pay for this atrocity¡± barked out Kate still teary eyed looking at their motionless movement.


    ¡°I will Kate you have my word on it¡± Elanee reassured her


    ¡°Where¡­where is the child they had?¡± Kate asked


    ¡°She¡¯s missing too¡± added the commander


    ¡°Oh¡­that poor little elven girl she must be scared to death¡± Kate said covering her mouth with fear and thought of the condition of the child


    ¡°Elven girl?¡± repeated Elanee in confusion


    ¡°Yes, they adopted one a few years ago from the orphanage due to not being able to conceive one of their own, and have done a great job of raising her to be their own, that is until now¡± Kate explained


    ¡°Just like the first couple that was killed they had a adopted child as well¡± the commander added again


    ¡°This can¡¯t be a coincidence¡± said Elanee thinking out loud ¡°Was there anything special about the children that would make them targets?¡±


    ¡°Umm no besides their natural abilities as being elven children they carried not heightened powers of any kind¡± replied Kate thinking. The commander moved the bodies to the morgue with the others and the group moved their discussion to the town hall building where records of history were kept and for Elanee¡¯s sake, hopefully hold the key to this mystery.


    To relive tension of scouring pages in books and records Kate assisted and began to ask Elanee about resent happenings in her own life,


    ¡°So Elanee¡­seeing anyone recently¡±


    ¡°Well there was Namor¡±


    ¡°Oh I remember him, he was cute and what do you mean was Namor, didn¡¯t it work out?¡± Kate asked


    ¡°No, I found out he was married to two other women¡±


    ¡°Oh!¡± Kate answered with a shocked looked


    ¡°After he proposed to me as well¡± Elanee added


    ¡°What a horny, collective pig!¡± Kate said slamming his name to the floor ¡°Well I think I have found you someone if you¡¯re interested, he is really cute and right up your line of men, he is a holy knight and elven, a Drow actually; he came through here about a year ago and I still remember his perfect carved facial features, rigid rough face with calm eyes and a gentle smile, Cloud was his name¡­you¡¯d like him¡±


    ¡°I think his soul searching days are over my dear sorry to disappoint you¡± interrupted Alisianna


    ¡°Oh really, and how would you know that Alisianna is it¡± Kate asked and nodding her head with getting her name right she replied ¡°Because he is my husband¡±


    ¡°Oh I¡¯m sorry Alisianna I had no idea ¡°Kate asked her and nodding with agreement Kate chuckled a little, and whispered to Elanee¡¯s ear ¡°I thought that a guy like Cloud would go for someone a little more slim figured¡± she added and shutting the book hard growing a darker color to her face she turned away and went to talk to Artanis fully aware of what comment was said.


    ¡°What she is still very pretty¡± Kate said looking to Elanee


    ¡°Umm Kate, she¡¯s pregnant¡±


    ¡°Oh my god, are you serious¡± Kate says embarrassed and shocked and she goes over to apologize, coming back to Elanee she looks to her again, ¡°Well is there anyone in your life now!¡±


    ¡°Actually there is¡± Elanee responded blushing a bit


    ¡°Really, you haven¡¯t acted like this since you went on that stint with the blacksmiths son¡±


    ¡°Kate!¡± Elanee scolded with embarrassment


    ¡°Oh I remember him he was cute to and you two would go off behind the windmill and¡±


    ¡°Ok that¡¯s enough down memory lane¡± Elanee interrupts her


    ¡°Oh come on now, you shouldn¡¯t disrupt such a good story Elanee¡± commented Artanis eavesdroppingThis tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    ¡°Oh I think if I want to keep what dignity I have left I do¡± she smiles to him


    And shaking her head Kate leans in to Elanee¡¯s book ¡°So who is it?¡± she continues to barrage


    ¡°You haven¡¯t acted like this since we went to school together you know that and if you must know its Cloud¡¯s younger brother, Rain¡±


    ¡°The mage¡± Kate blurts out


    ¡°Sorcerer to correct you and yes him¡±


    ¡°Really¡± Kate replies with question to her tone


    ¡°Something wrong with that?¡± asked Elanee


    ¡°Oh no just you never struck me for the weak and intellect type¡± Kate said


    ¡°A mind is not weak!¡± says Artanis defending Rain


    ¡°I meant no disrespect to him, Artanis just a shocking turn for her image that¡¯s all¡±


    And working throughout the night¡¯s flickering candle flames, the three and Kate went through every book and record ever written and recorded in the hall about anything remotely similar to this problem, but after hours they still came up with nothing until a knock from the old oak wooden door was heard, Artanis opened it slowly and peering around the open slit he saw an elderly lady holding an infant in her arms.


    ¡°Excuse me sir is Kate with you¡± she asked him and nodding his head he opened the door for Kate to see her too.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry Kate but I tried putting her down for the night and she just won¡¯t stop fussing¡±


    ¡°Awe that¡¯s ok she probably wondering about what¡¯s going on, babies have a keen sense about these things¡± Kate responded taking the little enfant into her own arms, and giving her up the elder nanny dismissed herself for the evening. Kate swooshed the enfant very slowly and gently back and forth rocking with her side to side, the candle light flickered in the baby¡¯s eyes which made them glow an intense but calm fiery red color, and above each eye sat a light but distinctive tattoo marking of red outlined drawn flames starting at her eyelid and running to the middle of her forehead, Kate said nothing about such markings not finding them wrong or questionable in any way, and was only concerned about putting the youngling to sleep.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t know you had a baby Kate¡± Said Elanee getting up to see her up close,


    ¡°I don¡¯t¡± she replied ¡°She came with a woman to the church about a week ago and asked if the temple could watch over her until her return¡± Kate continued and still trying to calm the baby down with no luck better than that of the nanny.


    Alisianna moves to see the baby and makes a comment to her,


    ¡°I think she¡¯s hungry Kate, watch her mouth when you move her head close to your chest¡± she smiles to the child.


    ¡°I have been giving her water and soft bread, but that¡¯s not enough is it, I think we have a problem; I¡¯m not in the nursing state¡± and smiling and making funny faces to the little girl Alisianna speaks up,


    ¡°No, but I am¡± and gesturing the notion for her to feed the baby Kate hands the girl to her, taking her firmly in to her cradling arms Alisianna moves to a corner of the room away from sight and moving to a chair to sit towards the wall she exposes her breast for the enfant to feed, and almost instantly the baby takes it and stops her fussing.


    ¡°She¡¯ll make a great mother¡± added Elanee smiling while watching Alisianna rock the baby back and forth while nursing her, and joining in the prideful moment Kate agrees with a wonder in her mind.


    ¡°I thought that you need to conceive a child before being able to nurse¡± she asked


    ¡°Being part nymph has given me the ability to hold the nursing milk since birth for my kind nurses infant animals in the wild when the mother¡¯s cannot¡± Explained Alisianna, Artanis held a grin as he on looked to the breast feeding.


    ¡°Now there rests the most fortunate soul in the realm¡­lucky baby¡± Artanis said softly and getting a rolling eyed look from the other girls he shrugs his shoulders¡± I hope that little tyke realizes the golden position she is grasped to, men of all types and skills have spent countless dreams to be in such a state that little one is at just by being a baby¡± adds Artanis snickering


    ¡°All this talk about children has got me thinking of a certain crime dating back before I was even born, of a wizard who needed children for something¡± Elanee explained vaguely


    ¡°You mean that some flesh and blood mage might be responsible for this unearthly act?¡± questioned Kate and thinking for a second Artanis who was leaning up against a wall smacks his head to the cold bricks and gaining the attention of all in the room,


    ¡°Maybe he¡¯s not flesh and blood at all; damn it why didn¡¯t I see this, I¡¯m so mentally blind it hurts¡± Artanis bolts out


    ¡°Well any hurt would be aimed at your head right now are you ok and what are you talking about¡± Adds Alisianna still nursing the little one


    ¡°Nothing that my broken pride and sword won¡¯t mend that is if he is behind this and we catch him before he reaches his goal¡± Artanis riddles out


    ¡°Who are you talking about Artanis, who could be behind this?¡± Elanee demands


    ¡°Malice the power lich!¡± he answers


    ¡°Malice, The lich you freed to save Dawn¡¯s life¡± Elanee inquired


    ¡°The same, after I let him free, I did extensive background checking on him to learn about what he was about and what he might still want, he is trying to gain himself to demi-lich power or god hood in a sense and needs to sacrifice seven children with natural or magical powers in a ritual to accomplish it¡± Artanis goes on


    ¡°Wait I heard about him too, but Artanis doesn¡¯t he have a curse about him something like a deadly sickness that follows him around like a call sign¡± added Elanee


    ¡°Yeah¡± Artanis says


    ¡°So it can¡¯t be him because no one is sick or have even shown any signs in weeks of anything of the sort¡± Finishes Kate and thinking a second Artanis shakes his head with a smirk like smile to it,


    ¡°He¡¯s using Colossus¡¯ M.O; why do the work yourself when you could be protected and unsuspected in the shadows, he has a lackey doing the grunt work for him but who or what I don¡¯t know¡±


    ¡°Well whatever or whoever it is must be keeping the children somewhere, and maybe close by in the forest¡± suggested Elanee and letting the baby fall asleep Alisianna gives the enfant to Kate who will stay behind, while Elanee uses the support of the commander and available guards to search the tree line and forest for caves and caverns to locate the children and hopefully the culprit to the murders. Splitting off into two groups the one having Elanee Anubis and the commander along with some guards tailing up the rear, and the other consisting of Alisianna, Artanis and the rest of the guards; each group skewers and scathes the trees and rock for signs of anything remotely accessible to the target, but the both come up empty after hours of searching.


    But coming back and forming one group again Anubis picks up the scent of something faint, drawing his claws out right and tunneling swiftly into the bush he disappears to follow it, Artanis draws his blades and follows him in with Alisianna in close pursuit. Anubis is followed to a close clearing cut off from the main path and Artanis emerges behind him to see a large human figure standing there crouched and checking the ground, the figure turns around quickly drawing his own sword and stares at Artanis not making any aggressive moves, Alisianna files into the sight of a bladed standoff between the two and moves quickly toward them crying out to Artanis.


    ¡°Artanis wait, he¡¯s a friend¡±


    ¡°Alisianna¡± says Stark holding his blade tight


    ¡°Yes, Stark it¡¯s me¡± she replies and looking closely to her he rambles off something in a tongue unknown to Artanis, Alisianna looks puzzled at the notion and replies back in the same tongue with an added speech of her own, he then in turn answers her and smiling from the outcome lowers his blade and bows to her, and returning the gesture she does the same. Not knowing what happened just now Artanis doesn¡¯t remove his blade so soon; he keeps it fixed to Stark¡¯s direction and then asks Alisianna.


    ¡°Ok girl, what memorable event just occurred?¡± he says to her


    ¡°It¡¯s a druid code for identification reasons but Stark why¡­?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m hunting a most troubling enemy through these woods, a doppelganger to be precise and in truth due to its shape changing abilities I needed to make sure you were you¡± Stark went on and hearing the footsteps of more company he turns to see the rest of the scouting party and Elanee in the lead.


    ¡°It¡¯s ok guys, everything¡¯s alright, he¡¯s a friend a druid elder named Stark, what is a dopple..¡± asked Alisianna


    ¡°Doppelganger¡± corrected Stark ¡°It¡¯s a shape shifter and a master at unarmed combat, they have unlimited amount of forms which they only need to see the target to take its very shape, and an undistinguishable one to the original at that¡± he went on ¡°I am out here searching because of my daughter who has gone missing, and I know he is the cause for some hunters in our clan said they saw me leave the mere with her not more than an hour ago¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s our lackey¡± added Artanis ¡°He must be working for Malice, collecting the children¡± he finished finally sheathing his blades with trust.


    ¡°If only I was watching her better this wouldn¡¯t have happened¡± Stark said lowering his head in shame


    ¡°Hey, Don¡¯t blame yourself Stark, we¡¯ll find her I promise¡± Alisianna said with a worded comfort to him


    ¡°What do you mean a lackey¡± Stark asked Artanis


    ¡°We think Malice is behind the child kidnappings and that this creature is only helping him get them¡± Elanee explained ¡°This town your by has had twin cases itself with the same happenings to it as well and that is why we are out here now¡±


    ¡°That is unfortunate to hear¡± says Stark ¡°Malice was dangerous in his day and now that if what you say is true and he is free, he will be hard to put down, his magical undeathness is immune to most physical attacks and his spell casting powers can overpower even mine, I must right away inform the elders of what has come to pass and¡­¡± stopping in mid-sentence Starks focuses on Alisianna¡¯s stomach ¡°Alisianna, are you pregnant?¡±


    ¡°Yes¡± she blushed ¡°I am¡± and getting a hug from him in congratulations he quickly throws a worried look to his eyes for her and looking around the group he aims his voice to Artanis


    ¡°Artanis is it, I have a special request from me to you, I know that you are the guards of these two beauties and for that I¡¯m thankful; but stay with Alisianna at all times for the child in her womb although not yet born can still be targeted for use in his sacrificial ritual¡±


    ¡°You know about his past¡± Elanee inquires


    ¡°Yes I do, and he might quiet possibly be closer then I fear for others from the forest have lost children as well, three that I know of thus far, and now little Lilly¡± he sighs ¡°Now I must go and if I don¡¯t return to you in time good luck I wish upon you all¡± he concludes and with that he molds a portal through a thick three base and disappears through it.


    ¡°Ok, Artanis how many children is needed for the ritual?¡± Elanee questioned


    ¡°Does it really matter Elanee, let¡¯s just find them and those kids¡± protested Alisianna


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry Alis, but if we are to do something I need to know if time is on our side for now¡± Elanee said back to her


    ¡°Seven Elanee, he needs Seven¡± Artanis answered


    ¡°And with Lilly taken that so far makes six he has, great only one more does he need¡± they meet back at the town hall again to reassess their spot, the facts and create a new course of action.


    Holding her hand tight to support the thought of total security, a stark looking figure takes Lilly to a portal gate, and upon entering it is taken into a cave dwelling area which was followed by a room with five of the children in attendance. He lets go of her hand and looks into her eyes


    ¡°Now remember what we talked about, as long as your here your safe, right¡± and saying the words to her she nods with a smile.


    ¡°Yes, I understand father¡± she replies and leaving again he tells her to stay behind and that he loves her and will be back when the monster is slain and all is well.


    Changing his form to that of his true nature Teremicus leaves the room occupied by the children and heads passed the portal gate he and Lilly came through and down a long corridor. He comes to a room guarded by two skeleton warriors dressed in heavy armor and body shields reaching from the top of their six and a half foot height to the floor, gazing upon the blades they carry he goes by them full knowing their life stealing power making them deadly adversaries in deed. Moving to the solid metal door they guarded they make no attempt to stop him as he touches the door to open it, he slides the door open and stops to see the reaction from the guards, having nothing happen still Teremicus proceeds inward.


    He enters to find Malice concocting a brew using two vials of liquid and pouring them carefully into one, Teremicus comes up on his back side and seeing him pour the potions he waits till Malice is finished, upon completion Malice puts down the vials and not turning around at all speaks aloud.


    ¡°I told you not to bother me Teremicus, you would think that a creature with a head of your size would carry in it some amount of common sense, but I guess not¡±


    ¡°You knew I was here¡± Teremicus asked shocked


    ¡°Of course; now what do you want¡± Malice demanded


    ¡°We have a problem, in the town¡± Teremicus added


    ¡°Were evil; of course we have problems it¡¯s how we deal with them that make us worthy of books and stories, now what¡¯s the matter have you been found out or do you just have an itch you need me the reach?¡± Malice said impatiently


    ¡°There was a group that came at the request of the town guard to investigate the murders I made, and this woman with them; she can see things, she saw how exactly they were killed¡± Teremicus went on to explain, Malice hearing this got thinking and scratching his chin with his bone fingers he pondered on it.


    ¡°Well then I suggest that you get rid of them as quickly as possible for if they find you and read your mind to locate me Teremicus, you will have my word that the next sight you see will be scrolls and rats after I turn your head into a paper weight for my desk. You said there were others as well, describe them to me¡± he commands of Teremicus and in doing so Malice over hears the faint resemblance of the one called Artanis and stops him in mid speech, Malice ask him to repeat the description and then smiling a little he gets a look of wonder from Teremicus


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong Malice?¡± he asked


    ¡°Nothing, just irony is bittersweet, this one was my aid to freedom, and as I told him before I don¡¯t share the same notion of mercy as he does, kill him with the rest¡± he ordered from the doppelganger and obeying his command Teremicus leaves the lich¡¯s sight.


    Going once again past the dread knight guards conjured up by Malice himself as his last line of defense, and moving slowly down the long corridor Teremicus thinks to himself about how to dispose of the menacing group that showed up.


    ¡°I¡¯ll get rid of that cat first of all and then maybe the commander and that Artanis fellow¡­hey who are you¡± says Teremicus looking to a figure that was at the archway of the portal, draped in a black Drow looking cloak he turned his head and threw back his hood to reveal his identity; ¡°Captain Stryker, a thousand apologies I did not expect¡±


    ¡°Me to come here¡± Stryker finished


    ¡°Yes, sir I mean Milord¡± Teremicus stuttered out of his lips


    ¡°You had best take heed to who you address in such manners Teremicus; your tone could very well spark your death, now on your feet. I have new orders from the matriarch for you¡± he commands and in absolute obedience Teremicus gets to his feet from the hastened bow he gave and listens intently


    ¡°You have six of the seven required children yes?¡±


    ¡°Oh yes, and the last is going to be a most prized catch, a young enfant just recently sparked with life and for the size and time alive she carries with her tiny frame a buildup of great power¡±


    ¡°Wonderful I¡¯m so pleased¡±


    ¡°Really¡± Teremicus sparked


    ¡°No! Now shut up and listen; you are to take the child to another location and¡­¡± stopping in mid-sentence the captain leans over to see if Malice is holding a watchful ear to the conversation


    ¡°Milord its ok he can¡¯t hear from in the room and the guards are not able to understand¡± says Teremicus and ignoring the servant the Captain speaks again


    ¡°You will take the child to another location where it will stay hidden until Malice has finished his end of the bargain and delivered the stones, understand¡±


    ¡°As clear as crystal Captain Stryker¡± Teremicus answers and nodding his own head the captain replies


    ¡°Good the sooner we get out of this partnership the better¡± he finishes and takes his leave of Teremicus through the portal again.

 Chapter 45

    Returning through the portal, the new Drow captain goes to the throne room of the Matriarch and gives his report about the new orders given; pleased with the review Sophie thanks him when scouts burst into the room to tell the Matriarch of recent movements involving Colossus¡¯s army


    ¡°Milady Colossus is on the move to the enclave of the Dragon Lalandra and the rebel Drow¡± said the leading scout


    ¡°No doubt going to finish his collection of the stone¡± Added Stryker and not even taking some thought to the situation Sophie orders that half the military be brought to ready state and prepare to march in sync with his.


    ¡°Matriarch I mean no disrespect but I¡¯m curious; should we not wait for the results of the lich¡¯s efforts, we have spent a great deal on this little escapade¡±


    ¡°Which will all be for nothing if Colossus retrieves what he has gone there for and leaves a pile of bodies in his wake; if that includes my sister¡¯s then my vengeance will be in vain as well as unfulfilled and pointless. If I need your council and let patience be my guide and she is killed make no mistake captain the only being that will then need to fear me is you¡± and getting her servant to fetch her armored wears Sophie get suited up in the throne room ¡°While I¡¯m gone Captain carry out my orders and don¡¯t veer off the plan, I will go see Colossus to negotiate my assistance and be back soon to lead our clan to victory¡± she dictates to the room and with a strong cheer to her words the soldiers mobilize her newly formed command.


    Sitting in his chair Colossus witness an untimely visitor to his chambers, as Sophie appears flaunting her figure ever so gently toward the center of the room moving closer to him, raising an eye brow in a look of unfathomable wonder to her as she approaches he sits back and places his forearm on his throne chair side,


    ¡°Now what the hell are you doing here?¡± he mutters out of his mouth


    ¡°Well that was rude¡± Sophie spouts back and smiling she continued ¡°My scouts have just informed me of your recent endeavor and I thought maybe I could tag along¡± listening to the proposal Colossus smiled and then laughed a bit


    ¡°You¡¯re so predictable; you would only be doing this so that you could have a hand in the ending of Cynn¡¯s life, a stupid title for a life tossing cause of some of your soldiers but I highly doubt that you even care¡±


    ¡°Say what you want, do you want my help or not?¡± she bolted impatiently


    ¡°Very well and how many men would you be contributing to the cause


    ¡°Ten thousand heavy armored men plus mages and priests¡± she went on


    ¡°And why might I ask would I need your help anyways, I thought that you had gotten what you aimed for already since I haven¡¯t heard or seen you since that time?¡± Colossus inquired


    ¡°The bitch proved to be more harm than harmless and with the buildup of certain friends and allies she managed to escape my grasp the first time, not to mention the retribution to her allies then selves have been thrown back upon me with disappointment. But no longer; this time she will die and with our forces combined they will have no chance of holding back our title force¡± she monologues and looking for his answer to his face she looked to the newly promoted guards ¡°I see that you have upped your security since my last arrival to this place, I actually broke a nail getting in here this time¡± she said stunned


    ¡°You¡¯ll have more than that broken I assure you if you leave me high and dry this time around¡± Colossus violently promised her ¡°And changing the subject back to scouts, mine have been on you as well and see that you too have sought outside help, but seriously Malice he¡¯s so¡­dead inside, he only cares for he¡¯s own personal gain¡±


    ¡°Then we share something in common¡± she smiled


    ¡°And what has he promised to get you¡± he asked


    ¡°That would be telling but it was to speed up Cynn¡¯s death sentence a bit, then I heard of your jump on the camp and thought what the hell, plan B!¡± she replied


    ¡°How thoughtful, taking the quick and easy road out of a situation; always a predictable step for a woman with power in her sights¡± he marks laughing to her and looking at him she draws to her face a serious look of temperament ¡°Ok fine I accept your offer and enjoy a long and fruitful fight side by side¡± Colossus says sarcastically and rising out of his throne chair ¡°Besides I can always use more front line fodder¡±


    ¡°Perfect! It¡¯s a date then, and just so you know Colossus my men will be beside your when we fight not in front, so until the starting horn march to victory I shall drink to my sister¡¯s hastened death and your rise to unriveting power¡± she smiles


    ¡°Too Shea, we march to the base in two days¡¯ time, be ready¡± he replies and watching her flash out of his sight he turns his happy face to a serious one, and shakes his head ¡°Women; can¡¯t live with them, can¡¯t do anything without them knowing about it, and killing them off ends the race bah! A problem even I can¡¯t find a solution for¡± he says walking out of the room scratching his head with annoying torment.


    The day is a heated dry, moist less dessert as the men slave through the final day of setting up the extra defenses for the upcoming battle. A small but ever present cool breeze comes in to feeling from the wide open ocean bearing at the east of the enclave and over hanging a massive cliff side to one side of Lalandra¡¯s lair. To the bitter north from where the savage slaying will most likely commence is a barren ocean field of green grassland plains, the rippling waves through the tops of the green bladed water brings into scent to a rich mint evergreen which clouds every breath of air taken in by surrounding life. To the western side and stretching into the south lies the Wicket Mere forest home of the Druid elders and the teaching ground for Alisianna¡¯s past. Straight south like an arrow of thorns from a high god view sits the thunderous mountains of Willows front and the longest lasting guard wall in the history of the Silverspire country. For this barrage of thick rocks ledges and sharp spikes laid canons have been great asset for centuries of the known time of the legendary city. But not a rock compares to the chilling touch of Lalandra¡¯s presence found in the heart of the rock filled realm.


    Finishing up tying down the last of many logged crafted portable wood walls, Cloud is interrupted by men of his own clan and race to confer onto him a growing compliant.


    ¡°Commander Cloud may we have a word with you sir¡±


    ¡°Yes, of course men please tell me what is on your mind¡± Cloud says grunting a bit in his voice while tying the last rope strap down to the ground.


    ¡°It¡¯s about Dawn¡± one says


    ¡°Is something wrong is she ok?¡± Cloud asks concerned


    ¡°Oh she¡¯s fine but¡­¡±


    ¡°Yes¡± Cloud inquires on to the men


    ¡°Well we have had her helping some of us with the raising of support beams and has been tossing out comments of weaker assistance on our part, I mean she has the strength of three of us now and sometimes gloats about it more than required¡± and hearing the response brings a silent ray of humor to his eyes and a smile to his face which he tries desperately to hold from turning to a laugh.


    ¡°These are times of war footman and we all need any help we can receive right now¡­but I see your point I will do what I can to bring other help to you and with her to restrain the use of her new found abilities as much around us as possible¡±


    ¡°Thank you Commander and sorry for the disrespect for I mean none to your family¡± and nodding his head Cloud motions for them to return to work, grabbing a cloth to wipe dirt from his hands Cloud goes off toward the temple for knowing that was the last place she said she¡¯d be.


    They clash their blades together and strafing around the circle lunging and counterattacking where they can. Flipping around and using their blades like batons they attempt attacks from which no common footman could hope to accomplish, finally striking him hard in the left leg, he falls to the ground and standing over him with quickened movement he holds the blade firmly in his hands and drives it deep into the heartfelt chest of the knight splitting open his armor and severing the lifeline of his opponent, the sound of scrapping metal is heard as he draws the blade from the chest plate of the fallen and in the background a clapping sound is voice from the hands of the judicator.


    ¡°Three times in a row, you have definitely improved Captain¡± Said Cynn smiling with pride


    ¡°Thanks¡± Replied the sweaty wet headed Captain, pushing off his sword hilt and lifting to his feet again and looking to the rear of Cynn he sees the young Drow walking down the stairs toward them ¡°Rain! What are you doing here?¡±


    ¡°Lalandra asked me here¡± he replied


    ¡°Why?¡± Straud asked


    ¡°I need him to help me with a separation mixture¡± says Lalandra


    ¡°Well if it¡¯ll help speed the process up to gaining those stones who am I to stand in the way, I could use a break anyway and maybe if a priest isn¡¯t busy a healing oil massage as well¡± and laughing a little Cynn smirks


    ¡°I¡¯ll go and arrange it in the temple¡± Cynn answers and taking Straud up and out of the deep cavern dwelling arena and back to the enclave Rain walked up to Lalandra and picked up a vial of liquid


    ¡°So what am I helping you separate again¡± he asked


    ¡°Nothing but I had to talk to you in private Rain, look I know that your uncle hasn¡¯t told you because he didn¡¯t want you to worry but I figured that you should be told the truth about the risks of the stones¡± Lalandra responded and taking the empty flask out of his hands she took him to a side room off the arena area and shut the door


    ¡°Ok what risk¡± he asked concerned


    ¡°There is a chance that setting up these stones could spark the blood in you to be affected as well and if it does you will die with the demons when the stones activate¡± she goes on to explain to him ¡°However when we retrieve the stones, you and Artanis should be the ones to set out the stones, and from that moment you and he need to stay clear of the area engulfed no matter the outcome of the battle¡±


    ¡°I will not stand by while my family is murdered along with you Lalandra¡± Rain replies harshly


    ¡°There won¡¯t be a massacre if you and Artanis get the stones set, the minions of Colossus will burn instantly to their fiery deaths and the tides of battle will easily turn to our favor¡± she reassures him and thinking he nods in agreement and then a puzzled look come to his face


    ¡°Then why are you telling me this in private if there is no danger¡±


    ¡°Cause that¡¯s the part I haven¡¯t got to yet, Rain this portal is taking me longer that I thought and judging by my best estimates I need two days from now to complete it, and that¡¯s not counting you guys finding it in the realm after that, now if you get back and the fight has already started the problem still arises with you and Artanis getting to the distance. Now I can help clear a path but when the stones are planted you need to realize that you two will be on your own with demons not in the area, you¡¯ll have to hold out until we get to you, this thought has been on your uncle¡¯s mind but he hasn¡¯t got the nerve to ask such a task of you, so I am; Rain can you do this for your clan, for this realm¡±


    ¡°I will do what is needed, and if my life needs to hang in the balance then such a price must be paid¡±


    ¡°Rain please don¡¯t let them take the payment without a fight please, you have grown onto me as a student in my wake and as a friend¡­I don¡¯t want to lose you¡±


    ¡°You won¡¯t I promise, and victory will be ours this day¡± and smiling to her he goes to leave and she moves to embrace him with a hug, he turns in surprise and facing her she kisses him on the cheek, ¡°For luck when the time comes¡± she smiles to him and smiling back he nods and leaves, watching him take his final steps from her sight she goes back to finishing the device.


    Some time passes and arriving at the front of the half stone half wood crafted temple that he helped build Cloud goes inside, he finds his sister packing up some things belonging to an old friend now passed and seeing the lost directed look on her face Cloud searches his thoughts for the right words.


    ¡°You were his most promised student; did he ever tell you that¡±This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.


    ¡°No, but somehow I knew he held me higher than the rest¡± Dawn replied not looking back to him casting his armored shadow deep down the aisles of the pew laid walkway ¡°I miss him Cloud, so much and so many times have I recently found myself falling down that path of temptation toward the none living, and each time I¡¯m finding it harder to come back, the strength, the added agility and the sheer thirst for blood, it¡¯s so intoxicating¡±


    ¡°But you do come back Dawn you must see this, your will is strong¡± Cloud uplifts her spirit


    ¡°But it¡¯s slowly weakening in my own eyes Cloud , Maylor with just key simple words could bring me fully aware and back to where I was, but now that he¡¯s gone¡­.¡± She says lowering her head to the box of Maylor¡¯s belongings she was putting away,


    ¡°All you have to do is look inside Dawn¡± said Cloud coming up to her and placing his hands on her shoulders ¡°He is still there in your heart and always listening as he always did, but he wasn¡¯t taken from you because you cannot handle this Dawn, your more than capable of handling it and Maylor knew that himself. He has always taught you to believe in your own soul, Rain and I have been told the same thing, though sometimes I to find it hard to believe but when I close my eyes I see him and he lifts me to the height I need to confront my fears face to face, but as of late he is not the only one who has help you through this time¡± responded Cloud so softly her elf eyes had to perk to catch all the words


    ¡°I know Artanis has been with me but it¡¯s not the same, he is not the same¡± Dawn added while placing more in the box, and walking to a shelf letting Cloud hands slide down her back he watches her putting the box on it and pushes it to the back


    ¡°Look I know I¡¯m your brother and have on occasion taken it too far in the means of your protection, but I have learned as well and will try to keep my distance and let you mature at your own pace, however fast it is¡±


    ¡°What are you talking about?¡± Dawn questions him with a turned look of uncertainty


    ¡°Artanis, and the way you feel about him, I¡¯ll try not to get in the way¡± he responds


    ¡°I think you have got the wrong idea there Brother¡± She replies passing him and getting another box she fills it more hastily


    ¡°I¡¯ve seen the way he looks at you from time to time and in return the way you cherish his advice as if it came from Uncle or Cynn, or perhaps someone closer to your heart¡± he adds


    ¡°Were in war Cloud, there is no time for such love¡±


    ¡°I got married?¡± he quickly answers


    ¡°You¡¯re different¡±


    ¡°How¡±


    ¡°You didn¡¯t marry a demon!¡± she bolts to him turning around looking at him in the eyes after throwing something hard into the box


    ¡°That¡¯s what this is about Dawn; you won¡¯t show your feeling because of him being a demon, because you have loving feelings for a demon¡± he astonishingly asks


    ¡°Please don¡¯t tell him Cloud¡± she pleads


    ¡°Dawn you can¡¯t let appearances be the deciding judge to your decisions, Artanis may be this on the outside but that scar only runs skin deep, inside he is a holy knight and through observation as well as conversation have I found and seen that he deeply cares for you as well¡± Cloud protests to her


    She turns away from his sight and looks to the temple roof rafters ¡°Well I do care for him but¡­this is so hard to deal with¡±


    ¡°Look Dawn no one can force you to a decision; it¡¯s your choice and yours alone, but love comes in all types evil and holy looking, but evil is more than skin deep and evil he is not¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m so new to this, how can I hope to understand everything¡± Dawn says with frustration resting her hands on the table and lowering her head ¡°There is so much to my priest hood not shown to me, that Maylor hasn¡¯t taught me, how can I hope to advance without guidance and wisdom far beyond my years¡± and starting to cry Cloud comes up and turning her around he pulls her to his embrace and rests his head on hers


    ¡°I know he has always been there for you your whole life Dawn, this circle is harsh going down to its middle but it¡¯s a circle not the less. Maylor felt as you do now when he lost his mentor as well, he was devastated, lost and scared of the future, but thanks to the circle itself he too had follows to lead that looked to him and that made him the man he is today, and the same will happen to you¡± Cloud went on


    ¡°How, I¡¯m a vampire remember, no longer can I attend first light prayers as the rest that follow the path when death is it¡¯s rays, how do I preach that I cannot do¡± she says with a cracked broken voice and looking to her brother he does nothing to answer her but shows her a gentle smile


    ¡°Dawn, I would put my life in your healing hands before all others that wield the power¡± and smiling from the comment she looks to him with a slight glow of wanted warmth, ¡°Trust me Dawn, you¡¯ll be what you seek so dear to your heart and then you¡¯ll be the master and the circle will again be complete¡± moving his hands to hers and grasping at her chilled fingers, he spreads them into his own and holds it tight, she throws her other arm around his shoulder giving him a half hug and thanks him for being there for her.


    ¡°Anytime¡± he says ¡°Anytime at all, oh and before I forget when you¡¯re helping the men; try not to put all your strength into the effort¡±


    ¡°Why¡± she replies pulling away


    ¡°It¡¯s leaving them shall we say a little questionable in the male sense on being a male¡± and hearing the words a spark of humor hit her face making a cracked laughter come from her mouth,


    ¡°I¡¯ll try to hold my power in then, for the men¡± she added


    ¡°For the men¡± Cloud said leaving the temple ¡°And in doing you will save not only lives¡­but masculinity as well¡± and smiling he leaves her to her work.


    Being lead into a chamber adjacent to the temple Straud gets ready taking his armor off and lying on a table for a heated oil massage by a nursing priestess on duty.


    ¡°Not too much, I still want to be alert¡± says Straud lying face down, and dipping her hands in the oil she moves to approach him when a hand touches her shoulder, nodding her head she leaves with the replacement taking her place, again dipping her hands in to oil she starts to rub him down in the midway of his muscle strained back and slowly moving up to his broad shoulders.


    ¡°Awe that¡¯s nice, you have a firm knowledge on the body it seems¡± Straud comments relaxing quickly.


    ¡°Well I have been around for nearly ten thousand years¡± the voice spouts off and recognizing the chuckle he turns his head to view Cynn and her oiled down hands clasp to his back.


    ¡°Cynn what?¡± and moving to his lips she kisses him again, ¡°But I thought what happened between us was only to be shown once¡± and smiling to him she looks deep into his confused face


    ¡°I searched my whole life for a soul balanced companion and found none more worthy of the post than you, and I know that I¡¯m wrong but¡­I¡¯m tired of waiting¡± she concludes and looking to her eyes Straud uses his muscled arms, grasping her hips he slides her light weight bound body on top of his and engages in a passionate kiss. Intertwining their lips to one another¡¯s face he reaches for her shoulders and slides her silk blue dress passed them, stopping for a brief moment to show a smile of acceptance to him she turns to the doorway and using her powers shuts the door and locks it. Gripping her gently Straud and her embrace one another and show a love that has been covertly bottled up from each other¡¯s sight for some time. Showing a peek of what was to come from the outside of the temple, a temple maiden watches past the temple room smiling a face of heartfelt sympathy to the two knowing that in these times everyone deserves someone, and calling to the guards at the temple gate she asks that that room as well is not disturbed.


    Getting through their passion and heated pleasure, Cynn lays effortlessly and exhausted on top of Straud¡¯s body with his captain¡¯s cape being their only covered cloth. Lying sweated and heated from their involvement Straud lifts his head to see hers firmly attached to his right bosom, drawing her finger slowly up and down his chest plated peaks and hilling over his abs, she shares thoughts to him of fear and wonder.


    ¡°Do you think we can really beat Colossus, he is so strong, smart and powerful, he has matched us at every turn?¡±


    ¡°We have to Cynn, for the realm¡¯s needs¡±


    ¡°Even when no matter of good attempts, we will still be treated as outlaws and rebels to not now only our own clan but yet for a long passing the world as well¡±


    ¡°Yes, especially when the stakes are that high, everything counts for something when you choose at the end to fight side by side with them¡± he says to her


    ¡°And when we have gone or if future battles take us from the clan who then, who then will the children look to for guidance, for support and unending hope to help them?¡± she wonders


    ¡°Why to each other, for that is the true nature of our clan that sets us aside from the mother group that has been condemned, they spat and claw at one another when they could be ten times stronger if they work to a common end, the three will help each other and through them will grow to a force no evil can break¡±


    ¡°I hope you are right Straud for I do have faith but I love them so much I fear for their survival not only against Colossus but from each other, they spat and squabble to one another just as the clan in our past¡±


    ¡°Yes Cynn but they also forgive, and that forgiveness not being from the edge of a knife is what separates them from the rest¡±


    ¡°Your hope and heart for our future has warmed my soul, and is the sole reason for my closeness to you and I want you to know before our end that I thank you for such an outlook¡­and love¡± she finishes and they again engage in a heartfelt kiss.


    Hovering on the rooftop deep in the heart of night, the twin ever red emitting eyes fixed on a room slotted window, and like a shambling shadowed strider, Teremicus crept down to overhear any plans the group might have. Hearing babble about not trusting any in the town for fear that any could be him he sees their motives for now are unclear as to how to track and trap such a foe as him, happy with the notion he moves quickly to the dark and prepare his revenge starting with their furry beast.


    Resting comfortable outside the town hall building Anubis is alerted to a scent which drives him to his feet, throwing his head to the tree line he spots a grazing dear in it and licks his chops for the hunt earlier has caused him some serious hunger. He crouches down to a leaping charge state, the dear is startled by another sound and looking up it spots Anubis and bolts into the trees and giving out a brief roar Anubis gives it chase.


    Running out from the noise when Anubis hit the bush Artanis and Alisianna came to check on the source, looking for Anubis Artanis sees the bush still moving and goes to it to see where Anubis might have gone. Alisianna comes to his side and looking down to the ground she feels the fresh made prints, smiling a reliving look she arises again and informs Artanis that it¡¯s just deer tracks and Anubis was probably hungry.


    ¡°He¡¯ll be back after he¡¯s done eating¡± she opposes his fear and walks off toward the town hall door, Artanis stares an uncomfortable view to the woods for seconds longer and decides to join her again.


    Traveling swiftly through the trees the young cat rushes to catch his prey but is visually foiled by deceit. He stops after taking a sharp turn in the pursuit to see nothing but more trees and brush, he stops and sniffs the ground to pick up again the fresh scent, but not finding it he looks intently through the trees. Perking his ears he listens and picking up a sound from a wounded animal he rushes to its location, he looks around a bush bend to find the same dear hurt with a gaping wound in its leg thinking with his stomach that he would gladly put it out of its misery Anubis moves closer to confirm a kill as he always did. The deer stops wining and looks to Anubis inching closer to it, it inspects Anubis almost to judge his position and with its right hoof pushes a rock and releases a rope. Anubis looks up to see a rope woven net bearing down on him and edged in it was intertwined rocks to support the muscled catch from escaping. Roaring a bit to gain extra strength Anubis tries desperately to claw free but then witnesses the deer transform to Teremicus who is holding a long metal spear.


    ¡°Now to end your sniffing little radar from my mists¡± he says driving the spear deep into the gut of Anubis, he yelps in pain again and again as Teremicus repeatedly stabs the poor helpless companion of the ranger no longer in aiding distance. Attempting to cry out loud for others to hear he finds that the aged trees kept his cries private.


    Teremicus finally finishes his slashing of the beast and seeing Anubis alive but near death, he waits for his defeated eyes to close to confirm the kill.


    ¡°One down, three to go¡± says Teremicus tossing the spear into the deep woods and takes off towards the town.


    A knock was made at the door of the town hall record chamber and Artanis answers it to the yawning atmosphere of Alisianna and Elanee sleeping, having both weapons drawn and over watchful to the girls he passes the sword to the other hand freeing a palm to grasp the old iron handle, opening the door revealed a distressful commander with an impatient agenda.


    ¡°Something wrong Commander¡± he asked him


    ¡°My west point guards just reported the beast making off with two other children into the woods on horseback! Please we must hurry!¡± he huffed


    ¡°Say no more and get ready to ride commander¡± Artanis informed him and going back Artanis wakes the sleeping beauties to alertness.


    ¡°Artanis, what¡± said Elanee coming around to the living ¡°What¡¯s happened¡± she says again more alert


    ¡°I¡¯m going with the commander, the creature has struck again this time with two children at once, he headed into the woods and if we hurry we can catch him¡± she jolts up and he holds her still ¡°Please stay here, when I track I can¡¯t defend you girls at the same time, I just wanted you two awake and aware¡± he compelled to her and understanding she agreed with a nod he smiled and left their sight heading fast out the door and to a horse to meet up with the commander.


    They rode together into the woods and along broken tree limbs made fresh by a recently passing rider,


    ¡°Where is your men commander?¡±


    ¡°Still guarding their posts, I had not time to call them so it¡¯s just you and me on him¡± the commander replied taking the lead and following the trail.


    They ride hard and fast to a clearing in front of an open cave, and dismounting fast Artanis drew his blade and combed the area with his eyes with the commander to follow.


    ¡°I don¡¯t see anything Commander, just horse hooves but no sign of dragging tracks from squirming children¡± he added still intently looking


    ¡°He must be around here somewhere¡± added the commander looking to the bushes with his hands and then stopping he came to Artanis¡¯s side.


    And hearing the silence behind him Artanis begins to think of short misguided points and finding a key one quickly he responded loudly, and grips his second blade.


    ¡°Funny thing, I don¡¯t remember knowing the creature was a male¡± said Artanis hearing the sound of a sword slowly leaving the sheath of its home and turning around he sees the motion of the blade barring down to his head. Stopping the blade with his own Artanis dislodges the swords hilt from the so called commander¡¯s grip and fires it to the bushes. Watching his weapon being tossed from his hands Teremicus clenches his fists tight and dodging the incoming slashes from Artanis very flawlessly, and adding his own combat movements he manages to release Artanis of both of his own blades as well as throwing some violent hits to Artanis¡¯s ribcage and face.


    Artanis tries to fight back but the martial skill of the doppelganger is greater than his own even with the combat knowledge given to him by Logan. While flipping and swirling his legs kicking Artanis repeatedly, Teremicus didn¡¯t not stop after the first time Artanis hits the ground. Picking him up Teremicus beats Artanis to near unconsciousness, splitting him open with gapping wounds across his face, hands and stomach bruised from colliding with the gauntlets of Teremicus¡¯s fake form. Teremicus delivers one final spin kick firing Artanis from his feet to his back, landing hard Artanis coughs up sheer amounts of blood from his bleeding ribs, and hearing the footsteps of doom approaching him he turns his bloody blurred vision to see what he could of the imposter, Teremicus picks up Artanis and holding him firm pulls a blade from his belt and holds it to his neck.


    ¡°No!¡± says Teremicus to Artanis ¡°I can¡¯t leave a body count behind this time, not with that vision bitch watching how I do things, no I¡¯ll hide you instead¡± he replies and putting him down harshly to the ground, he sheaths his dagger and binds Artanis¡¯s hands behind his back and gags his mouth with a bloody cloth made from his own blood that soaked on Terminus¡¯s shirt. Dragging him across the little battle field they had he slaps bushes in Artanis¡¯s face as he pulls him through the dense brush. Artanis watches as Teremicus throws a rope over a high thick tree limb and catches it on its descent. Tying it to Artanis¡¯s hand binding. Teremicus pulls hard on the rope hoisting the beaten warrior into the air and hiding in the mists of the tree tops foliage is where Teremicus leaves him. Tying the rope off tight he bows to his departure and leaves Artanis sight.


    ¡°Until we meet again young horned defender but I don¡¯t imagine that will be any time soon¡± Teremicus laughs to him as he mounts his horse again and ties the other one to his, and rides off.


    Artanis struggles to free himself with what strength is left in him but proven no use Artanis gives up the escape and thinks of other solutions, while catching a great needed rest from the battle, but not trying to sleep for fear of never waking up.

 Chapter 46

    Being called from his post the commander is lead from a guard to the town hall where Elanee and Alisianna have been getting worried. Traipsing into the room he adds his entrance with a remark,


    ¡°Have you found something?¡±


    ¡°Did you and Artanis find the children?¡± asked Elanee


    ¡°Me and Artanis what are you talking about?¡± he says


    ¡°You were with Artanis right?¡± added Alisianna


    ¡°No, since last night I have been guarding the west gate front¡± he replies


    ¡°You were here earlier today to take Artanis with you and go off to find some children¡± Alisianna says to him again


    ¡°No! I tell you firmly I never left my post¡± he says to then


    ¡°Oh my god the doppelganger, he was here¡± cried Alisianna


    He knows were on to him, we need to find Artanis¡± responds Elanee grabbing her travel cloak and swinging it over her shoulders


    ¡°But we need to stick together, for fear of him trying to fool us again¡± Alisianna adds


    ¡°Actually all we need is me; for every time we speak and then depart and return again I will just simply read the mind of those who return as a means of identification¡± she explains and nodding her head in agreement they look to the commander silently


    ¡°What¡± says the commander ¡°you don¡¯t think I¡¯m the doppelganger do you¡±


    ¡°We won¡¯t know for sure until I see your mind, unless of course you don¡¯t want me to¡± she says ending her statement with Alisianna gripping her blade,


    ¡°Whoa, ok fine do what you need please¡± the commander pleads to them with his hands in the air waving about and backing up. Moving close to him Elanee touches his face and runs images through his mind to hers, the process last only seconds and pulling away she stops.


    ¡°It¡¯s him¡± she says to Alisianna who lowers her hand from the hilt of her sword, but adding to the mess and without provocation she smacks the commander¡¯s shoulder with her hand, and adds a look of disgust to her face for him to see.


    ¡°What the¡­¡±


    ¡°How could you commander she wasn¡¯t even of age yet, but because you have a rough day at work, you would take advantage of a young tavern girl whose loneliness gets exploited by your sudden weak minded sexual impulses¡± she get out breathing hard


    ¡°Shit! That¡¯s what your power does I thought you just read the thoughts of one¡¯s mind, not memories¡± his shocked face barks to his defense.


    ¡°Christine was only fifteen years old commander; I used to watch that girl after school¡±


    ¡°Really she looked older¡± he replied


    ¡°That¡¯s only if your judging by her bust size, she only works there to earn the coin needed to pay Kate, to perform the medical healing on her sick mother¡¯s illness which only then keeps the sickness at bay for the month¡± Elanee explains


    ¡°My god I didn¡¯t know¡± he says in a soft embarrassing voice


    ¡°Why don¡¯t you consider getting into someone¡¯s past a bit before suddenly only having the urge to jump up under their skirt, you might learn something pig! Now get out, and when we have new information to give you, I¡¯ll relay it to you¡± Elanee finishes very upset, and nodding with a look of pour shame he turns and leaves the room.


    ¡°Men¡± Alisianna lashes rudely


    ¡°Yeah¡± Elanee agrees in the same tone and thinking a second she shakes her head to focus, ok we need to find Artanis and since when did we have a cat in here¡± she said pointing to the feline by the window and turning to a large figure Stark then appears,


    ¡°I hope you two never get mad at me like that your scary you know that¡± and doing the druid phrase to Alisianna again they confirm their originality to each other and Elanee and he then explains why he is back,


    ¡°I hear that you lost Artanis, well I never found him but some hunters reported seeing the doppelganger heading to the woods and going to a Drow archway, my guess is that¡¯s where the missing children are and if we hurry we can get the where bouts of what he might have done with Artanis¡±


    ¡°All I need is to touch that cretin and I¡¯ll drain what information I need from his useless demented mind even if I liquefy his skull to do it¡±


    ¡°Then stay here Elanee, I¡¯ll go with stark and when we found the location will come get you¡±


    ¡°Be safe¡± says Elanee to Alisianna and nodding her head she leaves through the doorway


    ¡°She¡¯ll be in good hands, don¡¯t worry¡±


    ¡°Well this is best, you can protect her better now than I can with Artanis missing, and I hope he¡¯s not¡­¡±


    ¡°He isn¡¯t he¡¯s a strong fighter he¡¯ll stay alive until we find him trust me, but we must hurry for his sake¡± Stark finishes and jumps into a cat form and again out the window.


    Moving quietly but constantly through the trees Alisianna and Stark approach after searching for the entrance the arch way; they look and examine the defense to find that four heavily armed skeleton dread knights hold the peace at the crystal arch gate. Dressed in common cloths and covering their bones to all who don¡¯t take a real good look to see the bone structure formed under the wears, they appear as common travelers in the woods leaving any suspicions from outsiders afar.


    ¡°We are going to need more men Alisianna, just us two can¡¯t take these armed knights and I won¡¯t risk any harm coming to you, I¡¯ll gather up more druids for the onslaught you stay here and keep out of sight, I¡¯ll be right back¡± and through the wood he traveled and disappeared.


    She waits only minutes until his return,


    ¡°That was fast she whispered¡±


    ¡°There were some very close, over here we will attack the group from around the back¡± and following his lead Alisianna was lead around the back side of the arch door.


    Waiting for the reinforcements to arrive Stark made some small talk.


    ¡°You know, I wasn¡¯t going to say anything but I used to think that someday you and I would of¡­you know gotten to be better friends¡±


    ¡°I guess some things can¡¯t be laid out by nature¡± she replied trying to change the subject


    ¡°You had such a look when I was you teacher over the years Alisianna your calmness, your clarity in sight, your sheer beauty¡± he finished running his hand down her cheek side and moving away from it she look to him


    ¡°Well I¡¯m married now to Cloud, like I said things change¡± she said growing uncomfortable


    ¡°Did you ever, think about me that way?¡± he asked, and boating a strong look to her face she turned to him ¡°Yes, I admit there were times I felt compelling lust for you, but I was changing into the woman I am now and had emotions running ramped¡±


    ¡°You know we always could continue our¡­relationship Alisianna, you are still a sight to behold¡± he added running his hand up her arm and staring at her canyon made cleavage running down the middle of her chest, separating the leather shirt quite vividly. Covering them up by pulling her shirt tight she stood up behind a tree away from sight.


    ¡°You just have to keep you manhood in your cloth Stark, I am married now and I won¡¯t betray that not even with you. I can¡¯t believe that you being an elder would even make such a advancement on me knowing what I have concealed in a marriage¡± she sharply states to him and looking around at no wild life in or around his presence she backs up slowly, ¡°¡­.unless you¡¯re not Stark¡± she suspected and saying the druid phrase to him he looks to her and is about to speak when he stops.


    ¡°Oops got me¡± he smiled and she bolted off into the woods, with Teremicus short behind in the pursuit, running around trees and through bush to lose him anyway she could she realized that she couldn¡¯t break the per suiting bond he had.


    She turned around quickly to ensnare him with vines back catching up to her he gave her a swift backhand to the face sending her head first into a thick oak tree truck, smacking it hard she hit the ground instantly knocked out cold and walking up behind her Teremicus drew her own blade from her belt and looking at her got a thought


    ¡°Ah maybe just a session of passion before she dies, after all she is very attractive¡­no, no I don¡¯t have time, which is a shame to waste such beauty to the decomposition of nature¡± he ends raising the blade high to run her through. A shot of pain is felt in his arm as he drops the weapon to see an arrow in his arm, and looking over to the attacker he sees the real Stark pulling back yet another wooden missile. Changing into a ferret to escape the next shot and makes a quick escape from sight, Teremicus takes off into the woods. Stark runs up to Alisianna¡¯s side and touches her neck for a pulse, getting one he picks her up and carries her off.


    Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.


    Hiding in thick overlay Teremicus still in the Ferret form watches them go,


    ¡°I¡¯d better get that baby before something goes wrong, and I know just how to do it and I think it¡¯ll kill the two last birds I have on my tail with one stone¡± and he takes off.


    Getting Alisianna back to the hall chamber he is met at the door by Elanee with a horrified look to her face and the sight of Alisianna in his arms,


    ¡°ALISIANNA! Is she¡­¡±


    ¡°Not she¡¯s alive, the babies as well, strong heart beats I am getting from both¡±


    ¡°How did this happen, what happened¡±


    ¡°We found the entrance but it was too well-guarded, I went to gather more hunters¡­I wasn¡¯t gone for more than a few minutes, damn it! I should¡¯ve taken her with me, that bastard must have been watching us from a distance the whole time, if I didn¡¯t get there in time that doppelganger would have killed her¡­I fear for Artanis¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d better get to the temple; Kate is meeting me there and was going to hide the baby. Can you stay with her?¡± Elanee asks and nodding his head he agrees to stay with her, as Elanee heads out swiftly through the door and to her horse.


    Reaching the temple first Kate enters and waits for Elanee to arrive, a short time later she hears foots steps leading to the door and leaving the baby on a pew bench she answers it.


    ¡°Elanee, thank god¡± she says opening the door


    ¡°Do you have the baby?¡± Elanee asks


    ¡°Yes¡± she says pointing to the pew where she left her sitting, and smiling to her Elanee goes to see her, ¡°Where are we going to hide her Elanee?¡± Kate asks as Elanee picks up the child.


    ¡°I know of a place¡± Elanee says taking the child out of the temple and in her trial followed Kate who was stopped at the door way by Elanee


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡±


    ¡°Oh one more thing¡­you¡¯re not coming¡± said Elanee, pulling a dagger from her side and impaling Kate in the chest, pushing on the hilt Elanee pushes Kate back in the temple and shutting the door Elanee puts the locking board across the entrance. Elanee grabs a torch from the side and chucks it into the temple¡¯s window; she waits and watches the place go up in flames, and departs from the flaming sight at the sound of Kate screaming for her life as the flames ignite her body.


    Seeing the flames emanating from the temple roof Elanee speeds fast on her horse to the gates, she sees the board on the door, and hears the screaming cry on Kate¡¯s voice ¡°KATE!!!¡± she yells from the outside and moving to the door she grits her teeth as she removes the sizzling board from the door hinges, tossing it to the ground she opens the door and sees her friend badly burned and bloody in the isle way, dragging her out to the safety of the open air, Elanee holds Kate in her arms. Looking dreadfully to the sight of the gaping wound in her chest; and the bad burn marks allover her face and arms.


    ¡°Elanee¡± Kate says barely opening her eyes


    ¡°Save your strength¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry Elanee, it looked like you, thought it was you, it has the baby and I¡¯m sor¡­¡± and going limp in her arms Elanee shakes her.


    ¡°Kate¡­Kate¡± says Elanee looking to her lifeless friend and staring at her intently tears come to her eyes, ¡±Noooo!¡± Elanee lets out to the sky above and burying her head against Kate¡¯s, Elanee starts to cry and heaving between her breaths, during her mourning a sight from Kate¡¯s mind flashes to Elanee¡¯s of her death and the sight Elanee being the cause, causes her to cry even more and more.


    Hearing the cry from her voice and seeing the flaming sight the commander comes to her aid with men behind him, he stops to see the priestess lying lifeless on the ground clutched tight in the arms of Elanee, he dismounts from his horse and comes to her side.


    ¡°I know I¡¯m the last one you want to see but please let me carry her back for you¡± and looking to the commander with watery eyes Elanee nods, letting the commander pick her up she shakes her head and the sight of her dead school yard friend.


    ¡°I was her killer Kyle, I was the last thing she saw before that dagger went into her gut¡­I know she knows now but for a split second I betrayed her to her death¡± Elanee says to him putting her shaking hand over her mouth to stop from crying again.


    ¡°This is not your fault Elanee; we are dealing with a sadistic son of a bitch¡±


    ¡°But he¡¯s smart¡± Elanee adds ¡°So we need to be smarter¡± says Elanee and she goes with him to the town hall.


    Meeting with Stark and seeing the dead girl Stark goes to Elanee for emotional support,


    ¡°There will be time for grieving later Elder, right now I need you to get Alisianna to the enclave please and bring Rain here for the attack on the arch¡± but touching his face Elanee speaks to Starks mind and tells him to ignore the last part about Rain. Nodding without showing confusion as instructed Stark makes off with Alisianna telling Elanee that he¡¯ll be back tonight and nodding to his words Elanee says she will wait here for their return.


    Teremicus knowing not what Rain looks like fakes the form of the commander and through the doors of the town hall enters the room chamber,


    ¡°Elanee, How you holding up¡± he asks


    ¡°I¡¯m ok commander, Kate had such a full life ahead of her, that beast will pay for what he has done¡± and touching her shoulder with an motion of sympathy Teremicus scans Elanee¡¯s mind for the image of this Rain; feeling the sparks of the connection to her own mind, she tries to keep certain events from escaping to his skull, pulling his hand when he was through he walks to the door,


    ¡°I¡¯ll be back later to check up on you ok¡± he says to her and nodding to his kindness she watches him leave, her face of sobbing disappears almost instantly and giving a dark smile to the doorway she says, ¡°And when you do I¡¯ll be waiting¡± and moving out of the room, she tells a guard posting at the town hall door that she¡¯ll be in the home of the late Kate for when Rain arrives to let him know.


    From the request of Elanee did Stark take Alisianna to the enclave, there he was met by a Drow guard patrol that took him directly to Straud and Cloud. Seeing his wife¡¯s state Cloud loses it almost instantly and blows out a barrage of questions to Starks face.


    ¡°What happened? Is she ok? Get her to the temple immediately!¡± Cloud shot from his lips running to feel her forehead.


    ¡°She is fine Cloud, the children she bares are also in perfect health, she is only sleeping from massive fatigue for how you would react, she has been under my constant guard since we embarked from the town¡± Stark calmed him down


    ¡°And how did she say I would react!¡±


    ¡°Pretty much like this¡± Stark said


    ¡°What happened Stark¡± asked Straud


    ¡°The events at the town are being caused by the work of a doppelganger¡± Stark replied


    ¡°Where¡¯s Artanis, Anubis and Elanee¡± Straud pressed on


    ¡°Elanee¡¯s fine she¡¯s at the town hall, and has a plan for drawing him out, but as for Artanis and the cat Anubis¡­I don¡¯t know my hunters haven¡¯t been able to locate them¡± Stark said to him, hearing the arrival of Alisianna being carried in the arms of Stark brought both Rain and Dawn running to the group; he told them of who was still missing and relieving Rain at least Stark then worked on keeping Dawn¡¯s terrorized fear for Artanis¡¯s health at bay.


    ¡°I¡¯m going to help her¡± Rain bolted out


    ¡°You will stay here Rain¡± Straud commanded


    ¡°She¡¯ll die up against that thing she doesn¡¯t have enough combat experience¡± Rain persisted


    ¡°Just this once do as you¡¯re asked Rain¡± added Cloud


    ¡°And look at the outcome Cloud, Alisianna is hurt and Artanis and Anubis are now missing, I¡¯m going¡± and moving to a horse Elder Stark stops him a second,


    ¡°Rain wait, she told me to relay to you that she can¡¯t especially have any contact from you, she said that you are a crucial point to her plan but you can¡¯t be there, and don¡¯t trust them or me even but trust in her, for her plan to work you above all others can¡¯t be there¡± Stark explains to him


    ¡°But how is she to get close enough to do anything without it attempting to take her life¡± Rain asked but got only a blank look of unknown from Stark.


    Busy packing some of Kate things, Elanee stumbles across the journal of Kate and reading some future plans from it tears again come to her eyes, hearing a knock at the door she wipes her eyes and puts the box away but leaves another black wooden one clearly open and on the table, opening the door she sees him,


    ¡°Elanee¡±


    ¡°Rain you made it¡±


    ¡°The guard told me I could find you here and I came as soon as I heard¡± Rain responded


    ¡°Stark is already waiting for you at the Drow gate, he will not proceed until you have arrived¡± she went on


    ¡°Then I¡¯d best be going, are you ok I mean about Kate?¡± Rain asked


    ¡°I¡¯ll be fine I just hope that Artanis and Anubis are alive somewhere¡± Elanee sigh¡¯s


    ¡°I know we¡¯ll find them Elanee¡± Rain says and nodding his head to her he proceeds to the door when a call from her stops him.


    ¡°Rain you forgetting something?¡±


    ¡°Umm know what?¡± Rain replies


    ¡°How about a kiss silly; for luck of course¡±


    ¡°Right I¡¯m sorry baby¡± and moving close to her to plant a kiss to the lips Elanee returns and kissing him Rain suddenly open his eyes wide,


    ¡°Elanee, what the¡­¡± Rain stutters as he looks down to his abdomen embedded with a sword blade, and gritting her teeth she charges Rain still holding the hilt into the wood wall and driving the open blade that went through him into it. She steps back to see him stuck and swarming around to get free with blue residue running from the wound to a mess on the floor, scrabbling to get loose Teremicus hears her voice


    ¡°Did you think I was that stupid TEREMICUS! Yes that¡¯s right I know your name for I stole it from your mind when you took Rain¡¯s form from mine, I knew it was you for if Rain kissed me I¡¯d be a demon right now¡±


    ¡°AH! I¡¯m going to rip your beating heart from your putrid chest cave you little harlot!! ¡°As he continuously tries to get loose


    ¡°Not before you¡¯re a pile of cindering ash¡± she replies pulling open a scroll with magical text on it,


    ¡°You¡¯re not a magic user, ha! You can¡¯t even use that!¡± Teremicus smirked with a small hurtful laugh, but is quickly silenced with a splash to his face with sparkling dust from Elanee¡¯s hand,


    ¡°Pixie dust¡± she smiles to him ¡°allows me to cast any spell at any level of difficulty as if I was one myself, found it in the black box of Kate¡¯s private things¡­you know Kate the girl you slaughtered, she had the luxury of being born and raised to a very wealthy family who pretty much owned at least one of everything¡± she continued the chanting and Teremicus pressed on the wriggle free though getting weaker as the time grew on. He heard her coming to a finish and feeling his flesh start to burn he closed his eyes and with all remaining strength walked towards her location, driving through him the rest of the blade and hilt and seeing such an acted Elanee stopped her casting and ran to the door. Teremicus hit the floor in agonizing pain be stopped to focus on her bolting for the door. He changed into a black panther and grinding his claws into the wood gave chase; he lunged to her to pound her fragile body structure into the dirt, but Elanee turned around and as she was pushed to the floor used his own momentum she flung him into the air and through the open window of the house with her feet as the spring board. Getting to her feet she raises her hand to finish the spell to see it¡¯s gone from her mists. Running to a window view she sees Teremicus ripping the parchment apart with his teeth and looking to her fearful face leaps back into the room, Elanee opens the door and runs where he was and out into the street, Teremicus follows but pursues her in his natural form.


    Following her through the streets at night Teremicus hears a sharp sound whistling in the air and looking to the left sees a spinning blade coming at him, he jumps as the blade slams into a stone home wall behind him and he continues on. He soon hears another one and jumps again to dodge but in the mists of air he sees dead in his sight the broad bladed part of a scimitar already in the stone wall and connecting hard with his face goes flipping backwards swiftly the ground. Blowing up dust as he lands Teremicus quickly shakes his metal rattling head only to witness a spear going through the left side of his torso and exiting out the right into the stone of a home. Holding him in place Elanee stops to see Stark and the commander at a distance with Stark beside Teremicus holding him steady.


    ¡°I am guessing that this all was part of your plan¡± Stark smiles


    ¡°Of course¡± Elanee replied ¡°Everything went by the book¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sure¡± the commander added, and coming back to Terminus¡¯s location she bent down beside him and grasping his skull went through his thoughts on where the others were, the location of the children and who was behind the whole thing. Gasping at the horrors in his mind Elanee finds the location of the children and the horrible state Artanis was left in, she closes her eyes from the dead sight of Anubis and flashes of both the faces of the Matriarch and Malice runs into her mind. Teremicus knowing his end is near smiles for the final sight and reoccurring death of her friend Kate which he floods into her mind, she lets go of him screaming and wasting no time Stark pulls a blade from the stone and decapitates the head from Terminus¡¯s body, dropping the sword Stark grips Elanee who starts to cry from the pain and holds her tight as if to shield her from the world.


    She gains her mental strength and looks to Stark,


    ¡°I know where the children are but we need to fight Malice first¡±


    ¡°Then let¡¯s not keep him waiting¡± the commander adds ¡°I¡¯ll gather my men¡±

 Chapter 47 and 48

    They attack the Archway with a full druid company of hunters and spell casters as well as the aid of twenty armed soldiers from the town; the undead are fiercely overwhelmed and being taken by surprise show almost no resistance to the attack. The group fights their way down the corridors freeing the children when they come to the door and Lilly runs to her father, he holds her tight thanking the woodland spirits for keeping her alive and getting a hunter to take her back to the mere continues with the group to take down Malice. They blast open the door to his private room and witness the sight of a swirling portal that has just been created,


    ¡°HAH; your too late you bunch of tree huggers!¡± Malice barks turning to see the group


    ¡°Teremicus is dead it¡¯s over Malice¡±


    ¡°Not by a long shot Stark, there¡¯s more than one way to skin a cat¡±


    ¡°Take him down!¡± Stark commands and firing arrows, spears and blades toward him they stop, pummeling into an invisible barrier stopping short of his face and body.


    ¡°Oh my god¡± Malice laughs to them, ¡°You really believe that I wouldn¡¯t be prepared for this attack, you¡¯re more pathetic than I first thought¡± and hearing the silent sound of a rouge who snuck behind Malice¡¯s force wall defense lunged to backstab him. Malice takes the impacted shot to the head from the blade of the rouge and turning around quickly he backhands the druid into the force wall dropping him to the ground, looking upon him in stupidity Malice shakes his head which pulling the blade from his skull. ¡°But none of them are more idiotic then you my friend¡± says Malice picking him up and raising the failed assassin into the air effortlessly. Malice¡¯s eyes begin to glow a royal amber color and screaming for his life the rogue feels an implosive cold going on in his body, a blue mist escapes from his mouth and into Malice¡¯s free hand leaving the body lifeless in his firm grasp, ¡°Now to put you worthless life to good use¡± says Malice tossing the body to the side and with a baseball toss throws the blue ball through the force barrier and into the crowd of gathered druids,


    ¡°LOOK OUT!¡± cries Stark diving out of the way, and incinerating two druids when the ball erupts into an explosion, the rest are blasted various directions into the air of the chamber, impacting the force wall itself druids wall paper the stone bricks and ceiling, some lose their lives from the blast,


    ¡°The power of life is a beautiful thing¡± Malice laughs and waving so long he steps through the portal and it closes behind him. Elanee moves Stark¡¯s blanketed arm that wrapped over her when he dove to protect her from the blast,


    ¡°Malice He¡¯s escaping, can we pursue him¡±


    ¡°Not a chance there is no one powerful enough to reopen that portal, I¡¯m sorry¡± said Stark getting slowly to his feet and pick some rocks off his back


    ¡°Not here¡± Elanee said, than a thought ran through her mind ¡°ARTANIS!¡± she barked out and runs out of the rubble room with Stark behind her.


    Searching the woods from her mind and with Starks woodland knowledge they locate Artanis still hanging in the tree foliage,


    ¡°Artanis can you hear us¡± Elanee shouts to him and seeing his eyes open, she closes hers with relief ¡°Stark he¡¯s alive¡± she calls to him and changing into a jungle cougar Stark leaps against the bark of the tree and begins to climb to his location. Getting level to his position Stark goes out on the limb and looks to Artanis who has a very sleepy look to his face,


    ¡°Stay with me Artanis, when I cut your rope I want you to swing your arms to your front and around my neck, I¡¯ll take you down myself¡­blink once if you understand¡± and seeing the agreeing blink from his eyes Stark proceeds, using his claws he cuts Artanis free and swinging as he was told Artanis wraps his banded hands around Stark¡¯s think cat neck; taking him down slowly he is laid down and untied and ungagged. Looking at his arms Stark notices that both shoulders were bent back a bit if not treated now could be wrecked his whole life,


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong¡± asked Elanee getting some water for him


    ¡°Wait on the water his arms are dislocated and need to be realigned¡± Said Stark and holding down Artanis¡¯s chest with Starks massive foot he holds Artanis¡¯s arms tight and pulls fiercely till he hears a crack from them, and a cry from Artanis.


    Elanee gives him a drink from a water skin to replenish his thirst and strength,


    ¡°Thank you¡± Artanis whispers to her


    ¡°Not that I¡¯m not grateful to see you alive but you were missing for over a day, how did you live through this¡± she asks looking at his dried up bloody face and purple tanned arms and legs from the deep bruises setting on his skin.


    ¡°I know of a technique shown from my mother, to slow my heart rate to almost nothing to foil the quickness of death, proved to be very useful in such a case¡± and smiling to his light faced humored self she hugs him lightly, a sound is heard from the bushes and outcomes two druid hunters carrying the body of Anubis limp and lifeless. A gasp comes from Elanee¡¯s mouth and turning her head Stark motions for the body to be taken away,


    ¡°We will bury him Elanee; he died for a noble cause¡±


    ¡°Hopefully his master thinks so¡± says Elanee ¡°He belonged to Tristan¡± and thinking for a second he calls back the men to change his mind and recommends them to take it to his camp quarters for now, mentioning that he himself will do the preparation on Anubis for the afterlife journey. The children were also taken to the Druid homeland for safekeeping for the moment; as soon as Artanis gained his movement to his legs they started to the enclave taking tree portals when they could to hasten the journey, for Malice had the head start and upper hand on them. On their way to embark to the enclave some hunters stop them to report a misjudgment, they say that one child is still unaccounted for and were not with the others, going back through her mind Elanee located from the knowledge gained by Teremicus of the last spot he was with a child and Stark takes her there leaving Artanis in the guarding hands of his hunters until they return. She finds the baby in an old waterwheel house outside the town that was abandoned for some time. Elanee finds her inside the wheel center nestled tight and secure in amongst her blankets and unharmed, going to pick her up and carry her out Elanee is blasted with a mind thought from the child of its mother, Elanee shakes her head and looks again at the image and realizes that the child¡¯s mother is Eve!


    ¡°Everything ok Elanee, you look pale¡± replied Stark waiting for her at the river side bend,


    ¡°Yeah I¡¯m fine¡± Elanee said not giving away her findings just yet but messing in her mind that the baby couldn¡¯t be Rain¡¯s doing for she wasn¡¯t even pregnant, but looking at the markings on the little girl her mind fills with wonder and worry for what will happen to the child since the mother is gone.


    Shimmering to a jungle setting Colossus gives off a stunned look to his face,


    ¡°What the hell? Where am I? This isn¡¯t her lair¡±


    ¡°No it isn¡¯t, very observant of you¡± said the voice of Sephinroth as she appeared out of flame,


    ¡°How was this possible, I aimed for your lair and I never have missed my target before¡± he said curious


    ¡°Well that¡¯s a dreadful shame to put a black mark on your perfect score, but I did feel that too many people realized where I live so I decided to revamp my defenses¡± she said ¡°Sorry that you didn¡¯t get the memo, I thought your seer would have told you that¡± and snapping her fingers she looks up ¡°Oh right, your seer is dead isn¡¯t she¡± and shrugging off the insult he carries on with his business


    ¡°The Matriarch and I are going to march on the enclave in one day, we¡¯ll be there in four days, so be ready by then to meet us at the west side plains then¡± he commanded


    ¡°Why can¡¯t you just teleport there and take them out before their ready?¡± she asks


    ¡°There is no mage on the record of time that can hold enough power including me to accomplish such a task, it¡¯s not possible¡± Colossus explained


    ¡°And here I always thought you were above the average, what a pity¡± she smiled


    ¡°Don¡¯t push me Sephinroth¡± Colossus scolds getting irritated


    ¡°Oh learn to lighten up you big stiff, you¡¯re starting to go grey in the hair from all the stress¡± she replied


    ¡°If there was any stress on me it was all from you¡± he snarled


    ¡°I¡¯ll take that as a compliment¡± she smiled ¡°But very well I¡¯ll be there in four days, oh this isn¡¯t a black and white event is it because I love to wear red¡± she added and growing heated to the point of losing it Colossus shimmered away, ¡°Well that was rude!¡± she said and giving herself a little smirk she flames out of sight.


    Getting back to the enclave, Stark walks with Artanis for during the trip home he had to rest and needed support, Elanee carried the child for giving it to a hunter for safe keeping caused her to cry and fuss until she was back in the arms of Elanee. Coming over the last hill the traveling group bared witness to a massive fleet of ships landing and clustering off the shore line and barring the flags of Strom guard Elanee knew that Tristan had returned. They saw thousands of troop pouring off like liquid from the ships and dressed in the colors and banners of the Stormguard name spilled into formal groups.


    ¡°Tristan¡¯s here¡± said Elanee swallowing and hard swallow for the news she will bare to him is far from good, they approach the borders of the enclave and are greeted by a guard¡¯s patrol welcoming them back, quickly they were lead to the captains tent were Tristan, Cloud, Straud and Cynn were convened and organizing the men as well as discussing battle plans. Seeing the group enter through the heavy cloth Cloud stopping to get Elanee and greeting hug, she smiles from the warm welcome and a guard outside is told to bring his siblings to the tent. Artanis and Stark enter second and hugging Artanis lightly he is asked what happened, Elanee moves around the barrage of close company to see Tristan and about to give her condolences for his loss he didn¡¯t know yet and she is astonished at the living site of his cat by his side.


    ¡°Anubis!¡± she said shocked and hearing the call the cat came to her side planting his paws to her thighs and gave her a wet loving lick, ¡°Your alive!¡± she said again


    ¡°Alive?¡± replied Tristan with a look of wonder


    ¡°Yes, Tristan I don¡¯t or didn¡¯t know how to break it any lighter but Anubis lost his life at the hands of the foe we just faced¡­how is this possible¡± and thinking for a second she turned to Stark who held a small smirk to his lips,


    ¡°They worked faster than I thought they would¡± Stark replied ¡°For when I found out that this massive beauty was the nature companion to Tristan, I told out a special request to have him brought to life again, for being a druid elder; it is in our power. And because of the sheer fact that he saved my life this was my chance to repay him¡±


    The warm look of gratitude from Tristan to Stark was abruptly interrupted as Rain and Dawn entered swiftly to the tent, Elanee handed the child to Stark and running to Rain she griped him tight and buried her face to his shoulder,


    ¡°Elanee¡± Rain said happily ¡°I thought I might never see you again¡± he said with almost tears in his eyes, and looking at him wanting so badly to kiss his lips she fought the erg and said back


    ¡°There was a moment that I felt the same, I love you so much¡± she added hugging him again


    ¡°I love you too¡± and holding her tight Rain saw as Dawn hugged Artanis,


    ¡°What happened to you, are you ok?¡± Dawn said worried


    ¡°Oh yeah I¡¯m fine, I just fell a couple times coming back here¡­damn muddy terrain¡± he smiled to her and taking his hand he wipes her tears from her face, ¡°Dawn your crying¡± he laughed ¡°I¡¯m honored to be held with such worry in your heart¡±A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.


    ¡°I thought...I thought that you might have been killed¡±


    ¡°Hey, I wouldn¡¯t be able to say good bye if I was and I will always say good bye first¡± he replies with a smiled added to her face, and seeing the romance between them Cloud added his own.


    ¡°Well if everyone is reacquainted I think I¡¯ll be off to see my daughter¡± Added Stark about to leave when he heard a call from Elanee


    ¡°Wait! Stark I want to thank you for all your help, I would have died out there against that thing if you weren¡¯t there¡± she said giving him a hug as well, and separating he nodded,


    ¡°You¡¯re welcome, and I¡¯m sorry that we couldn¡¯t get Malice¡±


    ¡°Excuse me, did you say Malice!¡± added Cynn


    ¡°Yes¡± he replied


    ¡°You mean the Arch lich Malice that one?¡± Straud asked


    ¡°Yeah him, he was partnered up with the doppelganger for he needed the children and before we could stop him he went through a portal and escaped¡± Stark explained


    ¡°I also saw the Matriarch Sophie in a vision from Terminus¡¯s head as well, I think he works for her¡± Elanee added


    ¡°Which means that Malice and Sophie are working together¡± Cynn said closing her eyes and rubbing her forehead with concern


    ¡°As if we never have enough problems with Colossus and his impending army of doom on its way here, now we have them to deal with as well¡± Said Cloud


    ¡°You don¡¯t think they¡¯re all working as one do you¡± asked Rain


    ¡°No, I don¡¯t think Colossus would trust Sophie after screwing over Colossus with trying to get what she wanted with giving him his prize¡± says Cloud


    ¡°But if the notion was there to eliminate us with overwhelming force by combining their force she might consider it¡± added Cynn ¡°At least if not for only a chance to kill me again¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll cleave her in two before that option arises¡± snapped Straud with a comforted smile by Cynn for the defensive remark


    ¡°Man I thought I was already in pain from the brutal beating from¡­falling¡± Artanis says looking at Dawn ¡°But the added thought of the words Colossus, Sophie and screwing kind of put me over the top¡± he laughed


    ¡°Artanis this is serious, all jokes aside we have a real problem¡± said Cynn not humored by the comment ¡°Malice is probably after the stones as we are and if he is already in the plain we must act swiftly if we are to beat him to them¡± she explained


    ¡°We¡¯re going to have to split up and go after him, Cynn needs to stay to completes the spell defenses, Tristan, Cloud and I need to organize the attack with the men, so that leaves Rain, Artanis, Dawn and Elanee you four need to go after Malice¡± issued Straud


    ¡°But I thought we shouldn¡¯t leave because of our power over Colossus¡± said Dawn


    ¡°We need to take that chance that you¡¯ll be here in time¡± Cynn answered


    ¡°And if not¡± said Rain


    ¡°Then six thousand troops from Storm guard, four thousand from Silver spire and eight hundred of our own men need to hold the enemy at bay until you do¡± Straud responded


    ¡°Count me in to¡± replied Stark ¡°I¡¯ll go to my daughter and then be back here with a group of our best druid warriors for our mere is at stake as well as your home¡±


    ¡°Thank you Elder¡± replied Cynn and hearing the cry of an infant Stark looks at the child, Elanee comes to his side and requests to take it from him, and from the exchange the baby almost instantly settles down.


    ¡°My word Elanee, you have the touch of a rightful mother, for your cradling arms hold a truly natural power¡± Stark says to her and as she looks upon the child she has a shine of a humble glow watching the little life move in her arms. ¡°You have been the only one to calm her since we found her¡±


    ¡°Found her?¡± asked Rain


    ¡°She was being cared for by my friend Kate from the town of Parle, when she was taken from her and hidden by the doppelganger; I don¡¯t know what to do with her now though¡±


    ¡°Why can¡¯t Kate take her back¡­Oh you mean she¡¯s. Oh god Elanee I¡¯m so sorry I know how close you and her were growing up¡± sympathized from Dawn


    ¡°She has no home now¡± and looking at her squirm and giggle in her embrace Elanee grew a small smile ¡°And I thought that maybe since I can¡¯t bear children for myself that maybe I could care for her as her mother¡±


    ¡°Well you certainly have her vote¡± Artanis said


    ¡°I think she wouldn¡¯t be happier anywhere else but by you Lady Elanee¡± replied Stark ¡°And I think nothing would be more comforting to your friend than taking her most precious baring gift in her passing¡± he added


    ¡°I agree¡± said Cloud ¡°But since you have to depart for Malice maybe you should give her to Alisianna for safe keeping until you return¡±


    ¡°That works for she is familiar with Alisianna as well¡± Said Elanee


    ¡°If you only know how close their bond was my dear commander¡± added Artanis looking to Cloud with a smirk and solving all problems and setting plans in motion they set out to separate and meet at Lalandra¡¯s chamber that bare the finished portal device in a while.


    Getting off his shift from taking the south end troops to their camps, Cloud retreats to his quarters which is now being shared by his beloved wife Alisianna, who at the moment is the care and custody of the young child, he enters his quarters to see her in a corner room chair with the baby in her arms being rocked back and forth.


    ¡°I see that she didn¡¯t take long adjusting to you for as much trouble she gave Elder Stark¡± said Cloud coming in and putting his blade against the wall and walking up to her.


    ¡°Oh were old friends¡± she replied ¡°And it¡¯s a fact that younglings can detect aggressive behavior and are turned away from it¡±


    ¡°I heard that before you were nursing the child, I thought you can¡¯t do that until you give birth yourself¡± asked Cloud


    ¡°As I told them before, being a nymph we carry the ability to hold the milk our whole lives, for feeding the enfant animals of the woodland realm is one of our sworn duties¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s quite a public service you provide there¡± Cloud said laughing


    ¡°As well as an honor to accept the part raising of all woodland life¡± she added and watching her for a while care for the baby Cloud finally spoke his mind,


    ¡°Alisianna, when this battle comes to the enclave I want you with Dawn, she¡¯ll be down in the depths of Lalandra¡¯s inner caverns performing her battle meditation for the battle as well as watching over the woman and children who can¡¯t fight themselves¡±


    ¡°Cloud I didn¡¯t join your cause to run and hide during the hard times¡±


    ¡°But your pregnant Alisianna, and those children in your belly are our biggest concern right now, so if you are trying to save lives please stay with them and save two more¡± and holding her hand down on one knee as if again to propose, she nodded to his pose with agreeance.


    Packing up some final things to take the portal journey with, Rain dressed in his wizard¡¯s cloak and mother¡¯s blade strapped tight to his side along with several other pouch bags, sees a shadowy figure overwhelmed his position from the entrance of the cave study where most of his time was always spent. Turning to look at who it is he puts his sights to Elanee walking toward him, wearing a light weighted battle armor accenting her figure and a custom blade crafted over time by the enclave itself, and barring the necklace made by Rain tightly laced around her neck, she bares down on his location.


    ¡°You almost set to go¡± she asked him


    ¡°Yes, just grabbing a few extras, I don¡¯t know what that menace is capable of¡± Rain responded and looking at a stern look of uncertainty on her face he asks her what is wrong.


    ¡°There has been a question or more over a request from you that I wish but I¡¯ll understand if you don¡¯t want to¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t tell you the answer if I don¡¯t know the request Elanee, what is it¡± Rain says softly to her


    ¡°You know I want to be the mother of this child¡±


    ¡°Yes, and a fine one you will be I¡¯m sure of that, I think it¡¯s a great investment in your life¡±


    ¡°Then I shall ask, Rain would you be her father figure in life?¡± Elanee poses unknowing of what she might have unleashed


    ¡°Her father, Elanee I just don¡¯t know about it, I have so many burdens, so many unresolved issued from my own past that to place such influence from myself into a child¡¯s life, is that wise? I don¡¯t think I¡¯m father material Elanee¡± he said to her


    ¡°Rain you carry an outlook of life not known by many men. Wise men in some cases never reach the understanding you have and it¡¯s that ability that I ask this from you; for that understanding has made you the man you are and the man I love and the type this child needs¡±


    ¡°This child? Is there something different about it or something?¡± Rain asked


    ¡°No¡± she quickly covered ¡°I meant it only in a general sense¡± Elanee ended not yet having told him of the true birth mother of the child for fear in what it might spark.


    ¡°Can I have some time with the request Elanee; it¡¯s a lot to ask and needs some thought¡±


    ¡°Of course¡± she replies and says she¡¯ll meet him in the portal room she leaves him to his packing.


    As she pulls her hand away from his face, the warm yellow glow dissipates from his body and sitting up from lying on a stone table he gains a feeling of instant regenerated energy. Touching his face he feels the freedom of a scar less, cut less face.


    ¡°That¡¯s amazing Dawn¡± says Artanis in sheer wonder and gratitude as he looked to his arms that were removed of all bruises and blemishes,


    ¡°It¡¯s called the Nordame spell or full heal ability in common understanding, it was that last thing taught to me by Maylor before he¡­¡± and turning around to shield Artanis¡¯s eyes from the continuous pain drawn to her mind every time his name is said, he comes up behind her to show his sympathetic condolences.


    ¡°It¡¯s not easy to lose some large influence in our lives, but we move on in time¡± he says


    ¡°I keep thinking if only I had been quicker, I could have done something. I could have saved his life¡±


    ¡°There is nothing you could do Dawn, on your own you would have died going up against Colossus you must see that¡±


    ¡°But I was the invincible one!¡± she shouted to him ¡°I was immortal! Artanis intervene! Why did he have to die!!¡± she yelled tearing up and turning around she cried in his arms.


    ¡°So that you wouldn¡¯t Dawn, so that you would go on to stop Colossus and his reign of unstoppable terror¡± Artanis said softly


    ¡°All this strength, all this speed, all this power and I feel so vulnerable¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not because I am hiding that I joined with you and your cause Dawn, I believe as Maylor did about your goals and fighting the evil of not just Colossus or Sophie but the world and how they perceive certain judged races. That they can¡¯t see any good coming from them, I know that it is hard Dawn but his death was not your fault or you¡¯re doing, please don¡¯t blame yourself¡± he says holding her tight and feeling the wet tears run down his body he hugs her tighter.


    ¡°You don¡¯t know what it¡¯s like Artanis to see death and think it¡¯s your fault¡±


    ¡°And there you are wrong Dawn for a long time I blamed myself on my mother¡¯s passing¡± said Artanis and wanting to hear about his mother for he never talked about it Artanis agreed and taking to her the table where he laid he told her of her.


    He started with him growing up with only her, for his father was unable to see them, but it never stopped him from sending a gift to him. He was always taught right and good as best as his mother could explain for being a demon herself but for the love she shared from his father it was an attempt she had to try. The gift he got was a physical training device that every day he would work on, every while his mother would advance the level on it making it difficult more and more and every time she would she added that he needed to complete the test or he wouldn¡¯t get a supper meal. She was kidding but sometimes he didn¡¯t know for sure. One day when she changed the setting to the machine she gave him a big hug followed by an unforgettable mother¡¯s kiss and said that she would always love him, and was proud of him and how we had lived different than all other¡¯s. He didn¡¯t understand the true meaning of the statement like he did now but enjoying the compliment he went off to train, ¡°Remember no meal if you don¡¯t finish Artanis¡± she said to him and full knowing he went off, the machine was up at its highest level ever and beat him the first try and the second too, it took him nearly all day but he finished the level test and headed home. Tearing up a bit Artanis continued his tale, he said he returned home to see the door half open to the kitchen and opening the door he saw his mother on the ground dead with a puddle of blood exiting her stomach. Artanis ran to her side begging her to wake up but she didn¡¯t move, he knew that no one would help them due to being different from the rest and then he saw it. A bowl set out on the serving table where he sat to eat, it was still steaming and knowing that it had been just prepared fresh Artanis then realized that she had just been killed. She had seen him finish his test, he ate his meal she made him and getting a blanket he laid with her lifeless body till mourning, from that day on he grew an insufferable anger in him for a large blame on himself for not finishing the test earlier. ¡°If only I had gotten done sooner this wouldn¡¯t have happened¡± he would say to himself and growing up with the fuel of vengeance for the killer that took her he set out for revenge. He found them after a time and learned a most terrible truth, his mother knew they were coming for them and she on purpose set the machine that day to its height, knowing that he would take all day to finish. She did it so he would have been out of the danger and that is all that mattered to her, for the men he saw he would have been no match for and would have died with her. Meeting them at his elder age he finished them off the same way they killed his mother but not solving his hate or making the pain go away he heard of a way to see his mother again through a spell that was most expensive to have done. To obtain the amount needed Artanis embraced his demon side and killing for money as well as becoming a professional thief did he acquire the funds. The spell only brought to his vision her sprit again but able to see and speak with her was a comfort to his hurtful soul, and the words she said he would never forget ¡°Artanis¡± she told him ¡°If I had the chance to redo what had happened I wouldn¡¯t, for I was proud to see the man you became, but I have seen the darkness in you and you must turn back for that was not from your raising and not part of who you are, honor me Artanis and live a good life¡±


    ¡°And if Maylor was able to do the same he would also have said the same to say to you Dawn¡± Artanis said sadden from the memory recall


    ¡°Oh Artanis I had no idea¡± she replied giving him a hug, when a knock came to the temple door,


    ¡°Time to get suited up boy¡± Straud said


    ¡°I am ready Lord Straud¡± he replied but seeing Straud holding an armored blood hawk clan Drow uniform in his size, Straud¡¯s words had a different meaning.


    ¡°You have done so much for this clan that it is high time that your efforts be recognized, now pitch your wrappings of pain and suffering and replace them with draping cloth of honor, and that¡¯s an order¡± he said smiling as he left the doorway leaving it leaning against the archway.


    Meeting up at the portal device Cloud, Straud, Cynn and Tristan sit awaiting the travelers and as they arrive Cloud is surprised at Artanis¡¯s new look, having chained gloves and boots to match, he carried a chain mesh shirt under heavy plated across his chest finished with a cape holding the clan colors on his back.


    ¡°Nice skins¡± said Cloud


    ¡°There different but I think I can get used to it¡± Smiled Artanis


    ¡°I think he looks great¡± Replied Dawn following him


    ¡°And what else would you say to him¡± added Rain as he entered with Elanee at his side laughing to the quote


    ¡°Nothing that your ears are allowed to hear¡± she said to Rain


    ¡°Remember, Get the stone and get out and avoid Malice if you can¡± repeated Cynn and coming up to Rain Lalandra requests to have a mind link with him using Elanee¡¯s power to transfer an image, allowing it she sends to Rain¡¯s mind an image of a device that she calls the sphere of timeless torment. She explains that it was lost to the plain for ages and if there could be the best way to defeat him, the device can be activated with an aggressive spell, but is warned that the vortex created by the device can imprison any in its area of effect. Rain nods to the added help and warning and the group stands ready to precede the gateway.

 Chapter 49

    Cutting the air with his feet as he practices his martial arts for final prep, Logan is interrupted by Colossus¡¯s entrance. Colossus sees Logan dressed in full plated shiny silver armor that covered his torso and back, it was full plated right from his gloves to his boots not giving him an ounce of unprotected flesh. Seated on a chair beside him was a full face visor helmet in the same metal, on one side of the chair rested a full body dragon shield that in battle would cover his whole body if used, and leaning on the other side was a sparkling bladed long sword with an etching in its hilt from the mind of Colossus was easily recognized. Seeing the same golden Celtic cross proudly displayed on the front of the armor, Colossus confirmed his suspicions about the holy symbol.


    ¡°I¡¯ve never since you have been at my side seen you wear such bright noble marks of truth, doesn¡¯t that burn you?¡± Colossus asked


    ¡°It needs to touch my flesh to do any damage, so it doesn¡¯t¡± Logan replied strapping the shield to his back.


    ¡°An interesting way for a vampire to enter a battle don¡¯t you think, where did you get it¡± Colossus questioned


    ¡°It was always mine Colossus before my days of endless night, for if you don¡¯t remember I was once a holy knight of the order and in facing Straud for I¡¯m sure he will be there, I should be at my best¡±


    ¡°I agree you ready?¡± Colossus states to him and gripping the holy blade on the chair side he feels its pain as his hand burns and sizzles with the similarity of touching a hot frying pan fresh from the fire pit. The feeling throws to his mind the final seconds of the cave in of the cave where Straud had left him to die, and where his unending pain began.


    ¡°Of course¡± answers Logan sheathing his blade quick and hard trusted to his side and having a smoking cloud arises from its release, with an angered look to his eyes he rips the helmet from the seat and slams it to his head showing a look of an enemy champion that through the ages no man could defeat.


    ¡°Then let¡¯s move out¡± says Colossus


    ¡°Yes lets¡± bellows a voice from the distance and looking to the source the two males feast their eyes to Sophie¡¯s arrival. She was dressed with chain armor of a dark blue color that drapes just below her butt leaving her toned thighs exposed seductively. She holds a weapon strapped to her side barring a metal blade with writing chiseled into the tip. Wrapped across her torso is a whip made of black leather bundled tight, and lining her hands and feet were boots and gloves wrapped with fur from a unicorn¡¯s mane. She has hair that¡¯s tied into five braded tails laced with a string from the top of her head resting on her right shoulder.


    Colossus is covered in deep black armor covering him from his thick bull neck. Across his massive arms and legs and incasing his massive muscular build at the torso, his dreaded blade is strapped to his back. As well on his head is an aggressive crafted helmet with holes to release the sharp tipped horns embedded to his skull. His eyes glow an indigo blue color from the inner shade of the helmet and even lets out a glare of fear that shudders Sophie¡¯s stance just a bit.


    ¡°Your men are prepared Matriarch, none with cold feet I trust¡± said Colossus to her


    ¡°They have been ready for centuries for this fight, and the only cold they have is in their hearts for the enemy that they will face¡± she replied


    ¡°I love positive thinking¡± barked Logan


    ¡°Then let¡¯s move out, the sooner I have the stones the better¡± Colossus says as they leave the tower.


    Emerging through his crafted portal Malice looks upon the Astral Plain.


    ¡°What a dump¡± is his expression as he scans the wasteland barren plain surface. It had a sky of pure midnight that showed no sign of a sun side. The land seemed to be broken up as well created into little isles no more than a couple hundred square feet in area and these lands were positioned at various heights from each other as well as different lengths apart. Walking out across the first land mass Malice was stopped from a floating figure in the sky aiming a sword at him This creature was covered in yellow skin and had boils covering larger sections of his humanoid body, the creature had an eagle slant eyed look with the same deep stare that the bird carried as well as it stood about five feet tall.


    ¡°Your kind is not welcome here, LICH! Turn around and leave now!¡± spouted a nasally voice from the creature


    ¡°A Psylock! Got to admit I¡¯ve never seen one of your kind up close before, you are an extremely ugly race you know that¡± Malice curled his skull in disgust


    ¡°As are you undead mage master¡± the creature lashed back


    ¡°Yeah true, well what can you do, with power comes ugliness I guess, which would mean that you must be a god cause damn! You¡¯re really¡­¡±


    ¡°ENOUGH! Cretan leave now!¡± bolted the Psylock


    ¡°Fine I¡¯m going¡± replied Malice and turning around he charges lightning in his hand away from the sight of the Psylock ¡°Oh just one more thing, how much do you weigh?¡± says Malice and raising his non light up arm he summons the creature forcefully to his hand. Catching him by surprise Malice turns around with his lifeless sockets peering to the Psylock igniting flames that form to eyes for a fearful look. Malice repeatedly electrocutes the creature, smoking and frying his body with countless volts of raw power. Malice then grows a grin to his skull as he slowly sees the life of the creature dwindling away at Malice¡¯s inescapable grip. The smell of burning flesh seeped up his bone bearing nose holes but with his actions Malice welcomed the scent.


    Coming to his quarters she beholds a look of awe on her beloved Captain. Wearing his old armor Straud¡¯s chest plate was a dark grey color with a trim of ruby red outlining to border its form. In the center of both the back and front was a bright colored silver shield with three painted claw marks that looked to slash through the middle of it. The slash marks were colored in the same ruby red color as the outline. Strapped tight onto his right arm was a kite style shaped shield with the same logo imprinted upon it. Straud just put on the second of the two chained boots with his already covered thick chained gloves, and reaching for his trusty holy blade the metal reflects Cynn¡¯s face in it and Straud looks to the doorway.


    ¡°I haven¡¯t seen you wear that armor since you came back from losing your clan partner Logan¡±


    ¡°The days of fighting the old war I thought were behind us, and thinking it was the case I had no more use for it. The old war is still alive just in a new time, and it¡¯s time that it ends. Speaking of old relics I see you are carrying one as well¡± Straud replies as he looks to her hands holding a blade similar to the one Sophie had held ¡°Vailrath, right!¡±


    ¡°Your memory is impressive dear Captain; yes the blade that my mother carried on her person she wanted to have passed to me on her passing. The other companion blade to this one, the Dark star was given to Sophie for she loved us both until the end. She wanted me to take up her place on her passing days that was her dying wish. It¡¯s funny the way things turn out, me being the leader of opposition against the empire my mother built and grew up knowing¡±


    ¡°Your mother was a leader Cynn, she followed the old ways and upheld the laws of her people but she was a good loyal mother to you. She raised you strong willed and guided you to learn off your own inspiration. She was a good woman, and if she never would have died the way she did we might all still be under the old ways and customs for she shielded us from pain as well¡± Straud said to her sheathing his blade to his left side and gripping his helmet he looked upon her, for she was wearing a similar armor to her sister Sophie. Hers has accented dark blue lace in the black based armor color and grey wolf fur outlining the trim of it in a skirt like style covering her bottom torso. She wore her fur lined chain gloves and boots tightly around her skin and having her mother¡¯s blade strapped to her left side she and Straud went out for final prep. Meanwhile the other group going up against Malice had already gone.


    Arriving through the beaming blue light Rain and Artanis passed through the swirling void to the desolate plain first. Taking a quick look around and seeing nothing but the same Malice saw, they help the ladies through the portal by grabbing their outreached hands as they appeared to them and helped guided them through. The gate closed after they all emerged but left a small trace of peppered dust on the ground below where it closed signaling the presence of where it could be found.


    ¡°How do we get back?¡± asked Dawn


    ¡°With this¡± Rain announced holding in his hand a vial of liquid that was attached to the device, there is only enough to get us all through at once so when we return we all need to be here.


    ¡°How do we know that Malice hasn¡¯t come and gone¡± asked Elanee


    ¡°I think we would have had a creature waiting for us from chasing after Malice if that happened, we should stick together no wondering off in here, it looks pretty easy to get lost in¡± said Rain advancing forward


    ¡°This is like something out of my nightmares¡± added Artanis following him but having the girls go between them both. They move as a group for a while until Elanee stops the corpse of the creature Malice fried with his electrical grip. They examine the body and touching it reveals to Elanee¡¯s mind the pain and screaming the creature made from his final moments alive and fixed to his vision was the dreaded look from Malice¡¯s flaming eyes. Letting go swiftly Elanee shakes her head from the sight.


    ¡°It was him, Malice. He killed this creature¡± she said getting to her feet and grasping her hand Rain asked if she was ok, ¡°I¡¯m fine¡± she smiled to him and asked to press on. They find during their travels more of the race all killed brutally and leaving the same trace in their minds as a calling card for the dreaded undead wizard, to the imprinted mind of Elanee. Carrying on a walking pace for miles upon miles tracking across bridges they have found connecting the lands masses Dawn speaks up,


    ¡°Are any of you tired, we have gone a while on foot and I know I can go this long but how about you guys?¡±


    ¡°This place carries different laws of time and space¡± replies Rain ¡°For the longing of rest will be sought out by now one here for time is at a standstill, bodies required no rest and if poisoned, the venom will not start moving through the body until we reach our own time¡± he states


    ¡°We are on a level playing ground my dear care for a run¡± Artanis asks Dawn smiling


    ¡°Maybe later¡± she replies growing a grin ¡°but how about a test of long jump¡± she says overlooking the edge of the land mass where no bridge can be seen by the trail and firmly continues on the other side. The gap is far too big to be made by any normal jumping ability and even Dawn doubts his enhanced skills with uncertainty of making it.


    ¡°Wow¡± says Artanis whistling at the distance ¡°so how do we get across this?¡±


    ¡°No sign of a bridge Rain¡± says Dawn looking down her own side with her heightened sight.


    ¡°There must be some way across, how would of Malice gotten across¡± said Elanee


    ¡°With magic¡± Rain answered her, ¡°A Teleport to be precise, everyone take my hands¡± Rain issues out and following his lead they all latch on to his grip with their own. With a bright flash they disappear and emerging on the other side Rain looks to see himself alone,


    ¡°What the¡­?¡± he says and sees Artanis over about fifty feet to the north, Dawn to his right, and Elanee nowhere to be seen.Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.


    ¡°What the hell happened?¡± shouted Artanis


    ¡°I don¡¯t know my magic must work different here¡± Rain yelled back and looking around Artanis then asked where Elanee was, Rain shrugging his shoulders from not knowing and sound getting louder was heard in the air and looking up Rain sees her falling.


    ¡°ELANEE!!¡± he yelled seeing her coming down screaming between the two masses of land into the dark oblivion below. Taking off Rain and Artanis both run to the edge of the ground toward her, getting there first Rain leaps into the air for as if to catch her. Artanis changes his target from her to him and aims to grip his legs leaping also over the cliff edge. Running up behind them both was Dawn who got to the edge too late to grab anyone, tossing the rope she brought with her to the ground she quickly tied one end to her arm and using small amount of magic she animates the rope to follow after Artanis; it catches his legs and Dawn makes it tie tightly around it and digs her feet to the ground hard to embrace an anchoring resistance. Rain reaches for Elanee¡¯s hands which she sends out for him and gripping on to one another.


    ¡°I¡¯ve got you Elanee hold on!!¡± Rain bolts free falling fast


    ¡°RAIN!!¡± she yells back to him with a look of pure fear in her eyes,


    ¡°Hold on to her tight Rain! I think we¡¯re coming to a fierce stop!¡± Artanis barks to him grasped tightly to his ankles and having the rope come to a sudden tightened stretch, Dawn holds with all her might but has her feet slip upon the stopping impacted. Sliding herself toward the edge she draws a dagger from her belt and stabs the blade deep into the ground, hanging on to the hilt hard and feeling the rope burn as Dawn tightens her one handed grip to the slipping strand, the descent is brought to a sudden stop.


    ¡°AWH!¡± said Dawn as she was stretched waist wide to become the human anchor for the group. ¡°Rain the vial¡± shouted Artanis seeing it leave Rain¡¯s belt pouch,


    ¡°ELANEE NO LEAVE IT!¡± blasted Rain to her as she released her firm hold to his hands in an attempt to grab the vial floating passed her body. While flipping around to grab it Rain catches her feet with a solid hold and not letting go he doesn¡¯t give Elanee the leeway she needs to grip the glass vial. The vial slips past her hands and she watches it fall to the darkness below crying out.


    ¡°NOO!¡± she says as she again comes to a stop but has her chain skirt and leather flap underneath fly up to her torso revealing to Rain and Artanis her woman hood between her thighs,


    ¡°Whoa!¡± said Artanis out loud slamming his eyes shut, and following was Rain.


    ¡°Time to put that strength of yours to good use darling¡± Artanis says to Dawn ¡°Can you pull us up¡± and saying yes she applies the added strength for their return.


    ¡°Don¡¯t let me go Rain¡± Elanee frightfully says


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry Elanee, I¡¯ve got you¡± responds Rain with confidence and reaching the hard surface again, Artanis breathes heavy with relief as does Elanee who is clutched to Rain¡¯s body and shaking hard as a result from the episode.


    ¡°I¡¯m so sorry Rain, I should¡¯ve had it¡± Elanee apologizes to him


    ¡°And I¡¯m sorry as well. To all of you for this, I should¡¯ve known better¡± he said angered from his rash actions,


    ¡°No apologizes needed guys, we are here and alive, that¡¯s enough¡± Artanis lays out in words


    ¡°But the vial, I missed it it¡¯s gone, were never getting home¡± Elanee saddens


    ¡°Oh yes we are¡± huffs Rain ¡°we just need to work for it a bit¡±


    ¡°You mean steal it¡± Dawn ads and getting a huffing nod from her brother she shakes her head, ¡°So much for avoiding Malice¡±


    ¡°If we got the stones he would have been waiting for us anyway, an encounter was inevitable Dawn, and nodding she agrees ¡°And you!¡± Rain says looking to his love ¡°You don¡¯t ever let go of my hand, that vial was not worth your life Elanee¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry Rain¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s ok. I¡¯m just glad you¡¯re safe¡± Rain finishes with a firm grasping hug to her body and a gentle kiss to her forehead, hopping that it wouldn¡¯t spark her evil, which in the lingering time showed no changing results.


    ¡°Are you ok?¡± asked Artanis going to Dawn¡¯s side as Dawn rubs her outstretched arms,


    ¡°I¡¯m ok¡± she replies and sitting there Artanis come to her side and gives her a gentle shoulder massage to ease the tense muscles,


    ¡°We¡¯ll rest here for a short while for we aren¡¯t good up against Malice half dead and short of breath¡± declared Rain, and having Elanee wrap herself in his arms she falls to a quick slumber to rejuvenate herself. She opens her eyes a quick second to readjust and sees Artanis giving her a short smile, throwing her eyes up she motions to him,


    ¡°Artanis¡± she says smiling


    ¡°Yes¡± he replied


    ¡°Enjoy the view¡± she said again


    ¡°Never would I ever enjoy such a ravenous sight¡± he winks to her


    ¡°Well in case that you did and decide to share your enlightened experience with anyone, I will promise you that for a month you will every night relive your worst nightmare in your dreams¡± she ends with a sinister little smile, and taking the smile from his face, Artanis looks to her closing her eyes again suspicious to her in wonder if she would actually go through with such a horrid threat.


    The final ship embarks to Silverspire city as it drops off the last loaded cargo to the enclave. Tristan who was in the middle of a Captain¡¯s meeting with Straud, Cynn and Cloud was interrupted by a guardsman claiming to have an urgent message from his wife Penelope.


    ¡°Excuse me Captain but your wife would like a word with you¡± the footman said to him


    ¡°Send the message that she will see me on the first light after the final day of this battle is passed¡± Tristan says back to him


    ¡°That¡¯s not good enough Tristan¡± said a female voice from behind the tent wall on the outside.


    ¡°Penelope?¡± said Tristan coming around the heavy set sheet to see a woman with black hair braided and looped in the back, covered with a satin white veil being held by golden rope colored trim. She wore a bright blue cloak with Tristan¡¯s family crest embedded on its back, overlaying a yellow slim fitting haltered dress underneath which was tied behind her neck. She held gentle flawless features like long eyelashes, and slender lips complemented by a tiny narrow nose. She had a mole on the left side of her cheek bone that was presented very fashionably, for its only purpose was to enhance her beauty even more. And finally strapped to her front side under her average sized breasts was an infant barring hammock made by Tristan himself holding his most prized possession. ¡°I told you to remain at the city until the threat was over!¡±


    ¡°Forget it, I never brought your son and myself over to this foreign land to be watched by more personal guards, if that was the case I would¡¯ve stayed home¡± she replied to him abrupt as she dismounted from her horse with two other females in toe behind her, and hearing the conversation Straud, Cynn and Cloud came filing out to see what was happening.


    ¡°Penny, the war to this enclave is coming at any moment¡± said Tristan


    ¡°Then find me a place to stay with your son till it¡¯s over for I¡¯m not leaving here Tristan¡± she said to him not budging


    ¡°Penny, please go back¡± pleaded Tristan and having her fold her arms she stood with a straight face look to him,


    ¡°Tristan you told me once long ago, when we were first together that you would watch over me against all odds for living alone without me would be unbearable to have happen; I feel the same way. Tristan, I feel more secured by your side and then under your guard even at a war front than, in a peaceful field with a patrolling footmen¡± she responded to him and hearing the cherished moment Straud told a guard to escort her to the refuge caverns with Alisianna and the rest.


    ¡°Lord Straud? She needs to go back to the city¡±


    ¡°Tristan, this is your wife! I¡¯m not going to turn her away from our shield, she won¡¯t feel safe on this land except by your side and I¡¯m not turning away a Captain¡¯s wife that I respect as much as himself, besides the roads are too dangerous to have her travel on now. There could be spies from Colossus on them ready to pounce on any advantage they would see¡± and nodding his head with a silent thankfulness Straud passes him and goes to the young lady, taking her hand Straud kisses it and welcomes her to the enclave.


    ¡°Milady I would give my life to see your beauty last a thousand years further upon these lands¡±


    ¡°Ok, my turn¡± said Tristan growing a little jealous as Straud steps aside with a joking grin to Tristan, Tristan moves to his wife and kisses her lips welcoming her to his arms of defense.


    ¡°Oh before I forget¡± Penelope said stopping the kiss ¡°They also wish for protection as well as a new life here at Silverspire city¡±


    ¡°Who are they?¡± asked Cloud


    ¡°They are the mistresses of Namor,¡± said Tristan


    ¡°They left him after finding out about what he asked from Elanee and his plan to get what he wanted¡± Penelope added


    ¡°What happened to Namor?¡± asked Straud


    ¡°He¡¯s been relocated and reassigned,¡± replied Tristan


    ¡°He is still in command of something, still in power,¡± barked Cloud surprised of the result


    ¡°Yes, but he is heading up the northern border gate keep on our land¡± believed Tristan


    ¡°Not much activity I presume¡± questioned Straud


    ¡°The only thing that attacks that gate is the flu, winter winds and snow,¡± laughed Tristan, and getting a chuckle from all of them. Tristan kisses Penelope and his son¡¯s head and helped with the escort of them to the caverns.


    Shifting around, tossing and turning Elanee sprung awake and looked around franticly. Gripping the closest thing she could she barred her face in it and looking up after she saw Rain¡¯s face and being comforted she smiled,


    ¡°You ok Elanee¡± Rain said calmly


    ¡°Yeah, bad dream¡± she replied and getting up she was told she only slept for a little while. Packing up they moved on getting ready for the attack by Malice. Tracking for miles they cross a bridge different for the rest, it seemed more worn and traveled as well as built more secure and solid. They cross it to find they were now on a much larger land mass then even the rest put together, it stretched father than Rain could judge and going along it has well-beaten path the group stumbled across clusters of dead Psylock bodies. They ripped apart from Malice¡¯s magic and evil willed nature. The group came across many groups of the dead, some they could tell the cause of death but others, needed a seer to relive the horrid moment, and even those bodies Elanee would not touch. Showing up more and more frequently along with the metallic smell of blood staining their nose hairs from its strength and freshness, the path leads them to a series of foothills to climb over and pass. Making the pass over them Dawn was the first to see in the distance a massive tower looking dwelling built firmly to the ground. It was made of metal and held a great many towering spires coating the roof structure also formed from a metal unknown to her eyes. Sparks of light flashed at the base of the building and the group hurried their movement for Malice they surly guessed was the cause. Making their arise over the last hillside Elanee gasped covering her mouth and holding Rain¡¯s hand as she embraced the sight of the carnage Malice unleashed to the guardians who opposed him. Malice snapped the neck on the last of the moving hurtles in his way and he drops the body hard to the ground at his feet as he smiles at the sight of the group reaching the base of the hill.


    ¡°I must say you are a most persistent group, more troubling then most I would wager, but no longer will you follow in my waking trail,¡± he concludes as he summons an energy ball and throws it towards them.


    Bashing it to the side like hitting a ball with a bat, Rain sends the ball from his swinging blade off to the hillside and lets it affect the ground violently.


    ¡°AH! I have no time for this, I lost enough time on getting here, and I was going to save this for a special occasion. But I guess after getting this done I¡¯ll be at my goal anyway of demi-lich power¡± Malice finishes sending an obsidian black shiny rod from his cloak to his boney grip Malice conjures with it the presence of a great monster. Smoke erupts from the head of the rod and swirls into a massive cloud between the group and Malice to form a most hideous creature in the dissipating dust; it is a deep grey color standing a colossal sixty feet in height. With a twenty-foot long tail laid out along the ground behind it which showered by cave-sized spikes on its surface. It¡¯s rigid arched back looked to have a hide as thick as iron, and it¡¯s two arms and legs laid in place the same as a human¡¯s were as long as draw bridges and as thick as corner guard towers. Making large roars that shook the ground and drove fear into the hearts of the group. Dawn quickly cast a remove fear spell to realign their courage and shake there motionless doubt, a feeling came over her however while casting. She and Cloud like their brother Rain held demonic blood through their veins, but unlike Rain, it was not nearly the same concentration or potency. There was enough however passed on by genetic choice by their mother to amplify their own abilities and like Rain sometimes they couldn`t be controlled.


    The feeling was strong, drawing her focus away from the danger temporarily. Dawn`s focus to her craft was one not rarely taken on by most to the holy cloth, devoting her discipline to the arts of clairvoyance and auras she is able to influence individuals or large groups as her skill has grown to already. Granting them a bonus to skills, they already possess, that she can link too. Dawn can also do an opposing channel not used as much, she can read the energy around a being to form an answer on how to harm them the most with littlest effort¡­in short she can sense an opponent¡¯s weakness whether it be elemental energy, certain magic or a type of metal need by a blade. Instantly a beacon of magical essence homed in on her center, it was powerful and high end, coming from not far away, and Dawn attempts to center on it.


    ¡°You guys take on this, kill it if you can but avoid it if possible, find the stones¡± Rain commands to them staring at Malice as he sees him bolting for the buildings courtyard, Dawn`s concentration breaks from the focus by Rain`s words bringing her back the battle.


    ¡°.Where are you going¡± Elanee sparks losing grip of Rain¡¯s hand when he teleported away, ¡°Rain!¡± she yelled to the open air as she knew that he went to confront him alone.


    Running through the only open gateway Malice poured a force barrier over the opening for no others to follow him there and turning around he saw Rain standing in his way, Rain¡¯s sword was drawn and aimed toward Malice, Rain stated that he would not succeed.


    ¡°Give me a break¡± Malice laughed ¡°none of you can match my power¡± he said putting the rod away in his cloak, ¡°For in the realm of magic my dear Drow, I reign supreme!¡± he finishes with throwing ball after ball of lightning, fire and ice toward Rain¡¯s position, batting each away without faltering his stance Malice then cocks his head ¡°Well, well, well, I see there is still challenge in the land of magic for me. Thank god I was getting kind of bored just killing everyone I saw¡± and smiling an evil grin Malice conjured a blade of his own. The magic brought to his hands a weapon with a thick blade and has a serrated but aggressive and course look. It was golden in color, the hilt dipped in jewels that at the top and bottom held the design of skulls. About six feet long looking to weigh at least a hundred pounds, which Malice held firmly and with ease in only one hand. ¡°Your time for breathing in this world is over, time to embrace your new home¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s funny I was going to say the same to you¡± replied Rain whose confidence must have been increased with the spell to enhance his already undisputable large ego. Angered by the remark, Malice cast spell upon spell at Rain as he charged into a heated brawl.

 Chapter 50

    Thunder was felt as the tail from the creature at the front of the tower slammed to the ground in an attempt to crash the group battling it, dodging out of the way Artanis tried firing a blade into the hide of the creature, just for it to break upon impact. Elanee stuck close to Dawn whose aggressive powers also seem to be having no effect.


    ¡°How do we kill this thing?¡± shouted Artanis coming to meet the group by flipping over a swinging tail attempt by the monster.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know it seems to be immune to everything we hit it with¡± Dawn says back


    ¡°It¡¯s not intelligent that¡¯s for sure it keeps trying the same attack,¡± adds Elanee


    ¡°If only I had more training from Maylor, if he were here he could just banish the beast since it was summoned¡± and looking to Dawn, Elanee¡¯s face grew with a ray of hope and inspiration,


    ¡°Do all you priests carry the spell ability to do this¡±


    ¡°Yes? Why¡±


    ¡°I have an idea, but I need you to keep it busy¡± and having Artanis huffing as he comes over to the group Elanee tells him to quickly come with her and she bolts the direction he just came from, rolling his eyes in annoyance he follows with Dawn heading it the opposite direction.


    Dawn catches the major attention of the beast; narrow escapes by fate keep Dawn to her feet, moving with haste to keep its vision on her. Going from corpse to corpse Elanee touches all the victims of Malice¡¯s hate to see if they match up to her idea,


    ¡°What are you looking for Elanee?¡± Artanis questions


    ¡°A high level cleric, from a vision of the first one I touched they have a society similar to ours, they have classes that include mages, fighters and clerics¡± she says moving from body to body.


    ¡°Umm, he looked powerful what was he¡± Artanis asked


    ¡°Look out!¡± cried Dawn as Artanis turned to see the creature barring a claw down upon them, touching the corpse quickly and then Artanis, Elanee and him disappeared. Smashing the area into nothing the creature lifted his hand in puzzlement, as he did not hit anything.


    Flashing to an area further on the left, Dawn breathed a heavy sigh of relief as Elanee and Artanis reappeared in one piece.


    ¡°A mage¡± ended Elanee as she immediately looked for more bodies, and Artanis felt his body to see if he was in one part.


    ¡°Dawn¡¯s getting cornered¡± Artanis points out, seeing her attempt a maneuver to escape the beast, hit from the back by a massive backhanded hook shot Dawn is sent flying helplessly into the air.


    ¡°DAWN!¡± shouted Artanis with Elanee looking up to see her hit the stony hill side hard and sliding down not moving was a blood spotted impact print left in her sliding trail, ¡°Dawn!¡± shouts Artanis bolting off to her location


    ¡°Artanis Wait!¡± shouted Elanee but cutting the air fast in his sprint Artanis hears nothing Elanee says. Elanee changes her tactics and looks for symbols on the dead to show a sign of priesthood she pops up her head to reassure herself that Artanis is alive as he battles his way through the lunging attacks of the beast to get to Dawn¡¯s side. He races to her not taking his eyes off hers that seem flickering less and less.


    Seeing the motion in her eyes drops Artanis`s guard and pelted by a swinging attack from the beast drives him the same way as Dawn, hit to the stone he too slides down the shale hillside.


    Dawn opens her eyes fully to see the creature not pursuing her location and peering to her left, she sees Artanis on the ground. Lifting her head she feels her head to feel gashes to the back of her head, ¡°Artanis she whispers for saying anything louder is impossible for her state, she sits helplessly as the beast bears towards Elanee with its massive steps. Finally finding a body with what looks to be a prying symbol of some sort and seeing the body dressed in fine wears Elanee takes a chance, slamming her hand to the head of the dead she hopes that it isn¡¯t been to long past death. Closing her eyes she cycles through the mind and locating what she needed she stares hard to the beast and muttering words not fully understanding the beast with his raised hand for a striking attempt to her proofed away in a cloud of black smoke leaving a large symbol scorched in the ground where he stood signaling a completed transaction.


    Elanee runs to Dawns side but midway to her Dawn points shaking to where Artanis now lays, she warps to his location and skidding on her knees cutting them open to his side and feels his neck, finding no beating she checks his chest. Upon touching, she feels broken bones, and franticly pulling up his chain armor, she sees internal bleeding everywhere.


    ¡°He¡¯s dead! Dawn¡± she cries to her and shedding some tears Dawn motions her to come to her, Elanee runs to her side and Dawn tells her to drag her over beside him and uses her powers to heal him like she had done before. Agreeing she does but it has no effect, she tries again and again weakening Dawn every time, Dawn kept on trying but finally Elanee stops her ¡°I¡¯m sorry Dawn you¡¯re not strong enough to bring him back¡± with tears in her eyes Dawn starts to cry, lowering her head in failure Elanee is sparked with another idea.


    Leaving Dawn¡¯s side she goes to the dead clerics body and dragging it over tries using her powers to bring him back, she attempts it again and again and looking to Dawn she says that he is too far gone to use the magic,


    ¡°What about both of us¡± questions Dawn ¡°My magic and your power level?¡± she suggest


    ¡°But Dawn the tries I have made from your power already have weakened you to the point of near death, doing this could kill you¡±  ¡°It¡¯s worth the risk, Elanee¡±


    ¡°No Dawn I¡¯m sorry¡± and gripping her arm not tightly Elanee is drawn to Dawn¡¯s hopeless face from the grip


    ¡°Please, He¡¯s all I have left for hope Elanee, you must try¡± nodding her head Elanee agrees. Closing her eyes and taking both arms of the priestesses Elanee channels the remaining magic and with a bright beaming light, the sound of bones mending and flesh redrawing instantly enables. The light at first is blinding to Elanee¡¯s eyes and checking on Dawn to see that she¡¯s not withering from the rays, she turns back to see Artanis breathing the free air once again.


    ¡°It worked¡­Dawn it worked¡­Dawn¡­DAWN!¡± she yells to her holding her head.


    ¡°Whoa, what happened? Dawn!¡± he cried looking to her in Elanee arms ¡°Elanee is she¡­¡±


    ¡°No,¡± smiled Elanee ¡°She doesn¡¯t have a pulse due to being already dead, but she¡¯s just knocked out from exhaustion, and seeing his shirt Artanis asked what happened and where the beast went


    ¡°Long story that will have to wait, I have to go help Rain, stay with her,¡± Elanee asks and agreeing he does. Elanee goes to the field of force guarding the wall and remembering a corpse she found earlier she goes to a mage close by and cast a reversal spell to the field. The force tore from the gateway. In rushes Elanee seeing Malice having his way with Rain. Landing on his back from the sheer force of Malice¡¯s strength behind the blade, Rain blocks the slicing swing and with his other free hand Malice grips Rain¡¯s cloak collar and flings him into the air. Landing upside down in midair against a stonewall Rain slides down landing on his shoulders. Rolling to his feet Rain dodges the near missing energy attacks released from Malice¡¯s hand.


    ¡°You¡¯re a shifty little bastard you know that, but your weakening just the same, soon you¡¯ll fall permanently¡± Malice smiles as his walking pursues Rain¡¯s hasting distance run to draw some distance between them.


    ¡°You can run for me sorcerer but you can¡¯t hide. I smell your power like vampire smells fear and blood strength, and your power is quite potent, like sweet nectar it is always leaving someone wanting more¡± says Malice as he skewers through long narrow corridors in the courtyard for the young mage who knows he is out of his league. Malice continues his verbal barrage to Rain¡¯s ears as he masked his own footsteps in his search, turning a corner Malice spots the Drow curled to a corner that bolts off to a new location. Malice launches a green orb towards his area and turning to block the impending doom ball Rain redirects it to a nearby wall. Stone flies apart as the spell crashes into the wall blasting Rain to his back side from the force of the impact, scampering to his feet quickly he keeps backing up towards the end of the hallway not taking his eyes off the lich. Spell after strenuous spell launched from Malice¡¯s hands each blocked and brings more debris to the narrow walkway between them. As Malice floats over the rubble continuing his attacks, Rain grows weaker with every passing defensive maneuver. Reaching the end of the walkway Rain blocks a final spell tossed his way but loses his balance and topples to one knee after the block, stone flies into his faces causing minor cutting and half blindness, he staggers to his feet and disappears around the corner and then zigzagging around a couple more to buy some time.


    He catches his breath leaning up against a wall and wipes the rushing blood from his face cuts, looking back around the corner he came from to see if Malice was near he felt a touch to his other shoulder and spun around with his blade pointed at the foe;


    ¡°Elanee!¡± he whispered with excitement as he gave her a quick hug, lowering the blade with ease from Rain¡¯s exhausted state he looks at her with a worried look. ¡°How did you get in here, the way was shut¡±


    ¡°Got lucky,¡± she replied


    ¡°But the monster¡± Rain said


    ¡°We killed ours, how are you doing,¡± she asked half knowing the answer


    ¡°My power is almost gone Elanee, I¡¯ve been using everything just to stop his spells from killing me, I haven¡¯t even thrown an attack back at him, he is so powerful and fast I ¡­I can¡¯t beat him Elanee¡± Rain finishes taking in another deep breath.The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.


    ¡°Not here anyway¡± said Elanee with Rain looking at her in wonder, ¡°I know where the stones are from a guardian that I touched earlier, but it¡¯s located in a chamber beneath this courtyard, can you teleport us in there?¡±


    ¡°Elanee, my powers work differently here, you know what happened before¡± Rain signed


    ¡°We have no choice we need to beat him there,¡± she barked back to him


    ¡°I¡¯m so weak right now¡±


    ¡°Please Rain try,¡± she said with a vote on support that brought a nod to his chin


    In a flash they were in a chamber and together as well, Elanee felt herself up checking for any missing parts to herself and smiled.


    ¡°Thank god, I¡¯m in one piece. Oh sorry Rain, I didn¡¯t mean that harshly¡± and smirking to her he grew a serious face and griped his side. ¡°Are you ok Rain?¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s just find the stones and I promise I¡¯ll feel much better¡± and smiling to the light joke she started the search, ¡°We need to hurry that power I used Malice will quickly trace and join up with us soon¡±


    ¡°There!¡± said Elanee pointing to a pillar holding twin stone cases that hold two crystal shard looking stones in each,


    ¡°That¡¯s them, nice eye¡± said Rain going up to the cases and picking up the shards placing one at a time in his cloak, gripping the last one he hears a silent scuffle behind him and focusing the reflection in the shard he makes out Malice¡¯s face.


    Rain turn¡¯s around to see him holding Elanee high in the air by the neck with just a hand, hers are supporting his to not strangle to death and grasps what air she could to keep breathing.


    ¡°Thanks for the help you saved me loads of time¡± Malice smiled to him ¡°Ok, I¡¯ll makes this easy on you half delusional self, the stones for the girl¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t do it Rain¡± says Elanee gasping but hearing the proposal ¡°He¡¯ll kills us anyway after he gets what he wants¡± and tossing down to the ground the one shard Rain raises his blade in the air.


    ¡°Let her go or I break this stone Malice¡±


    ¡°Break it and I break her in half sorcerer¡±


    ¡°Rain just go¡± Elanee says with struggle to her posture


    ¡°No I¡¯m not leaving without you,¡± Rain said to Elanee


    ¡°Awe how touching, THE STONES NOW!!¡± Malice commanded and turning around to pick up the shard Rain¡¯s blade caught a lightened glimmer of an object among a pile of trinkets, reaching down slowly to pick up the stone he look closer at the shiny ball to confirm it was the sphere Lalandra talked to him about. Following Rain¡¯s wondering eyes Elanee saw the sphere as well and grew an idea in her mind,


    ¡°I passed that first Psylock you killed coming here Malice, I saw what you did to that poor creature, I hope you have a timeless torment to think it over¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a matter of survival my dear, his or mine so I chose¡± Malice said to her not taking his eyes off Rain. Hearing the words from her lips Rain knew she saw the sphere as well and hoping she was on board with a quick unrehearsed plan Rain acted and summoned a small light level spell flame to his hand.


    Malice assess the situation with wonder on what Rain was up to when his focus was broke from a question from Elanee, ¡°Hey Malice¡± she smiled to him ¡°How much do you weigh?¡±


    ¡°What?!¡± spouted Malice to her giving her a deep glare when he saw Rain¡¯s hand move tossing the fire flame at the sphere. He spun around stabbing his blade far into the dirt, whatever remaining strength would allow. Hitting the sphere, the ball shattered creating a pocket black hole floating up to the middle of the room. The hole started a vacuum vortex sucking everything not anchored securely into it, Malice lost quick grip of his sword, which flew past Rain and into the black emptiness.


    ¡°A riddle all mortals wave to their minds Malice, how do you destroy an indestructible being, you don`t¡­you exile it¡±


    ¡°A sphere of timeless torment¡± bolted Malice letting go of Elanee¡¯s throat and teleporting away, the force of the vortex was too strong for Malice to escape. The spell unraveled and reformed Malice to the chamber again. Flying towards him Rain extended his arm to grip Elanee¡¯s hand, catching it she held on for all she had as the title forces pulled Rain and her horizontally levitating in the room toward the blackened space.


    ¡°What! NO!¡± shouted Malice realizing where he was, gripping the ground with his hands to stop from being sucked in. His hands moved again with the ground piling between them, slipping as the forces pulling him outweigh his own free-lanced strength. Malice reached the lip of the night full vortex and looked to Rain firmly anchored to his blade stuck in the ground,


    ¡°This won¡¯t kill me Rain! You hear me! This is not my end but the start of yours Drow! This¡­ISN¡±T¡­OVERRRR!!¡± Malice blasts, pulled to the crushing black oblivion.


    Starting to lose her grip Elanee shouts, ¡°Rain I¡¯m slipping¡±


    ¡°Just hold on, it must be ending soon¡± Rain battered his voice over the howling vortex. They held on for all they were worth and seconds later the suction came to an end, dropping the two hard to the ground they clustered close together with their hands air locked together and slowly opening their eyes they looked around. All that was left in the room was them and a pile of black tarred muck on the ground which they could only figure was the remainder of the sphere. They looked at each other and seeing Elanee smiling she took some seconds to stay in Rain¡¯s protected arms.


    ¡°Do you still have the stones Rain¡± and looking to his cloak he confirms all accounted for. ¡°We did it¡± she replied


    ¡°Yes we did, now that that¡¯s over and you knew how to find this place, I¡¯ll be blunt; I¡¯m out of power so do you know a manual way to the courtyard from here¡±


    ¡°Follow Me,¡± she stated to him getting to her feet and leading him to the surface.


    Still over watching Dawn, Artanis sees her arm come up, speech then comes from her mouth.


    ¡°Dawn, oh thank god you`re alive¡± her hand again rest to her side and she says no more, ¡°Dreaming eh¡­I wish this was a dream girl¡­you would be wearing something much different I can assure you¡±


    Artanis combs his hand to his face, at least she`s alive he thought, slow but steady recovery. His eyes squint a bit dim as light shines through his fingers that cover his face, moving his hand he sees a halo aura of light crowning over an area of dirt only a dozen yards away. He looks back at Dawn, a warning system do you have in you girl, thinks Artanis readying his blade again.


    He takes no chance for an encounter, he holds up his blade for a quick first strike driving it deep into the ground; it suddenly stops as if he had struck something. Artanis pulls up the blade, no blood as he thought would be there¡­but instead there was a chip in his swords metal.


    Artanis looks back to Dawn; she remained, comfortable with his cape rolled under her head like a pillow. Artanis puzzled by the incident begins to dig. Shoveling for a time, he had gone down into the ground almost his entire height, when finally his hands scrapped to something. Small it was, a chest bound in leather but by a sniff of his nose, he knew it was humanoid skin wrappings. Artanis move it to more light, then he saw it, gasping it`s trueness he thought he¡¯d never see it in his time. His mind recalled the design as if it happened yesterday, hands placing it inside the chest then closing it was the combination on its front created. Artanis reversed the sequence and tripping up the lid bared to him a treasure he wished for all for so long, plucked from the black skinned chest Artanis put to his palms a weapon very blank and plan in design¡­ the dagger to end Logan¡¯s immortality. A dagger of a Kris design, the blade has a wavy form to it and the hilt has a slight curve leaning to the right holding a balled ruby at its end. The hilt and blade formed from pure gold giving off the symbolism of everlasting high rising endless life, staring at the dagger Artanis then hears a voice in the air and turns to see Dawn calling for him. Grabbing the blade, he tucks it away, goes to her awakening side.


    Struggling to get to her feet Artanis stops her attempts, ¡°Hey, don¡¯t get up yet, you were hurt pretty bad¡± he says putting his hand on her back, gently ease her back to a laying down position.


    ¡°You¡¯re alive¡± Dawn replied softly stretching out again and smiling


    ¡°You bet how you feel¡­everything working alright?¡± he asked


    ¡°I¡¯m ok, just really sore and a little tired, but on the regenerating mend though¡± Dawn sees the chest open and empty, ¡°It`s what I sensed earlier, I felt it even as I slept¡­what was it Artanis¡±


    ¡°You used magic to light the path to it, it`s a weapon and one that will turn the tide in our fight to come¡± she smiles to him, still weak but with her hand she strokes his cheek


    ¡°Guess the powers I have still need to be trained, are you alright¡­last I saw you weren¡¯t doing so well¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m right as rain¡± he smiled then caught a glimpse of Elanee supporting Rain¡¯s left side as he used his mother¡¯s blade to support his right on his approach to the other¡¯s, ¡°Ok maybe not, Elanee what the hell happened. Wait, where¡¯s Malice?¡±


    ¡°Somewhere where he won¡¯t bother anyone for a long time¡± Rain replied still holding his stomach to talk,


    ¡°Rain and I sent him through the sphere of timeless torment but almost lost ourselves in the process¡± explained Elanee gently setting Rain to a seated position, looking to his right he saw his sister in just as much pain,


    ¡°Man you look how I feel¡± Rain said looking to her


    ¡°Nice to see you too Rain¡± Dawn punched out with a half-smile easing the pain of her talk,


    ¡°Did you find the stones?¡± Artanis asked and opening his cloak Rain showed Artanis the four shards, he took two out and handed them to Artanis who took them with hesitation.


    ¡°They shouldn¡¯t be together for long, others might be looking for them as well,¡± Rain stated and nodding Artanis slipped his set to his belt revealing the dagger,


    ¡°What is that?¡± asked Elanee fixated of the golden blade


    ¡°It¡¯s Logan¡¯s lifeline to immortality, I realized sitting here with Dawn that this was where he stashed it so I poked around and found it¡± he said pulling it out and handing it to Rain who gestured his hand in wanting to see it up close, moving it around to examine it a bit Rain gave it back smiling,


    ¡°This fight will be one to remember¡± Rain said hurting and proud and nodding his head Artanis agreed.


    Not wasting too much time in their slum, the group pushed forth back to the doorway, and half way there, Rain soul dropped to his legs,


    ¡°Oh No! The vial¡­I didn¡¯t get the vial¡± and approaching him softly Elanee smiled to him,


    ¡°You mean this vial¡± Elanee said reaching into her bust and pulling from between her breasts the vial filled with soapy water substance, looking at it Rain nodded his head but looked to her as if to ask how. She then explained that held by Malice in the air she saw it tucked deep in his pocket but could not reach it, and then when he turned to watch you attack the sphere she was able to move enough without him knowing and grip it away from him.


    ¡°You are just full of surprises aren¡¯t you,¡± Artanis said looking upon her with a grin, she smiles back ¡°You have no idea¡±


    ¡°Well actually I¡­¡±


    ¡°Shut up Artanis don¡¯t ruin the moment, right now I still like you¡± she said with a half smirked grin walking past him and following her movements he smiled as she went past him, following her was Rain who moved close to Artanis¡¯s face and whispered to him.


    ¡°When we rest before we leave wake me up there is something you need to know¡± Artanis looked to Rain¡¯s serious intended face and nodding slowly he then kept back up with Dawn who could now move on her own.


    Through the abandoned dessert winds of the astral plain they walked, and though the wind was soft and warm it held a dust blowing disturbance that made the travel profusely long. They went for miles crossing the same area as before but not as far as across the death loathing canyon that nearly took Elanee¡¯s life the first time. The group rested before Rain attempted it again. Giving him some hours of sleep Artanis woke up the Sorcerer softly and reminded him of the words he wanted to say, Rain looked to the girls who Artanis assured him were sleeping, after a most hard filled day and moving to the side Rain explained.


    He told Artanis of what Lalandra told him about the potency of the stones power and how they needed to clear of its effects especially Artanis. Rain told him how far they needed to be and what land marks the stones need placing to make it work, due to the revealing fact that Artanis and Rain would be planting the device. Nodding with compliance in doing the task Rain turned away to get more sleep when Artanis stopped him with a question.


    ¡°Wait Rain What if we get back and the battle has begun¡± he whispered not to wake the girls, and Rain saying nothing but a focused look gave Artanis the understanding that this needed to be done whether they had an army to fight through or not. ¡°Whatever is takes Rain, we¡¯ll do this¡± nodded Artanis with confidence and Rain nodded back


    ¡°Whatever it takes my old friend¡± Rain replied and went to rest with Elanee, Rain felt her arm move around his torso for a comforting notion that he was there when he heard her speak in his ear,


    ¡°I don¡¯t know what you said to Artanis there Rain, just promise me that you won¡¯t leave me¡±


    ¡°I promise Elanee, I¡¯ll always protect you¡± he kissed her forehead and smiling she went to sleep. ¡°I love you,¡± he whispered to her for a final thought before she passed to dreamland.


    Gaining some more hours of rejuvenation Rain felt ready to try the teleport spell again, it went off with a hitch this time and happy in that notion they made it over and all in one piece they made haste to reach the portal gate quickly.

 Chapter 51

    Banners from the gathered clans and city nations blew high in the morning northern filled wind as the fourth day since the group embarked to the astral plain started. The men grew restless with the impending attack from the fierce miniature mage whose reputation not written in vain, scout return from the vision quest to report a severe storm system headed their way at a great speed never charted before. Straud issues to the enclave for a full readiness command for the day, the day they were waiting for had come.


    ¡°But uncle Rain is not back yet¡± Cloud questioned, issuing the command to his own troops.


    ¡°He¡¯ll be here,¡± said Straud, looking to Cynn who had a worried look to her face in fear about their safety. ¡°I know Cynn, Rain is a power young growing Sorcerer but Malice is fiercely powerful, I fear for him¡­I fear for my son, but hold hope with him till the end¡± and smiling she agrees through not showing it to well for the fear on their own lives held heavy weight to her heart as well. Tristan gave the order as well and the women and children staying with them escorted to their caverns, Stark showed up with a group holding in the range of about thirty Druids who got given common soldier garments to hide the power usage from Colossus eyes during the battle. The leaders meet on the top of the guard wall facing the north of the field and already there was Tristan. Cloud smiles at the look Anubis had with his cat shaped battle armor and leg coverings. Tristan armored in a full suit stood alongside the rest as they waited for the impending army of darkness to approach.


    In the caverns, Alisianna sat with Penelope and her child, holding the little one Elanee adopted she holds a strong look of calmness for the surrounding company. The wait comes not in vain, a short time spent as the last remaining troops line up for their posts come the rolling storm clouds, colored in a heavy dark blackness. The clouds streaked quickly across the sky and held sections of deep rosy red pockets in about the blackened doom.


    Two mages appeared to the outer limits of the battleground, beginning to cast spells. Archers and watch captains ran to Cynn`s side alerting her of the sight they`re elven eyes saw, ¡°We shall take them down Judicator¡±


    ¡°No¡± Cynn posted ¡°This is the start we all knew was coming¡±


    ¡°But judicator, our assassins are out there waiting for the signal, they`ve been there for two days on such an event¡±


    ¡°And Sophie has hers out there as well, posted there for over a week scout Captain, don`t send our men to die for an issue that can`t be saved, this battle will happen and this pre-scene is the way to it¡­back to your stations, and luck of our names protect us¡± the men nod, bow and take to their positions. Two more mages appear as the casting goes on from the first, shields, protection spells erected to the mages, and the power begins to work. Two pillars of light grow up to the sky, distancing them about a half mile apart. Lightning arched between both pillars and the ripping hole widened to show Cynn again the front gate of her home city Shadowell, having the tele-portal linking the front gates to the battlefield.


    ¡°The trans portal of Vensive, I almost forgot what it looked like, mother only ever used it once¡± looking to Straud who looked back at her ¡°To solidify her power and make her queen, crushing a no chance rival army to nothing inside their own stone castle walls¡±


    ¡°A useful tool, to minimize casualties and maximize damage¡± Straud said back half impressed already knowing of its power.


    ¡°A tool of destruction I will destroy once this fight is over and my sister is beaten¡± Straud leans to her ear ¡°True leadership knows when such a devise is prudent to keep around, just fight wiliness to use it¡±


    Cynn lens back whispering in tow ¡°Your brother said that about his wife¡­and through his blinding wish to preserve her¡­it killed him in the end¡±


    Straud stands again normal looking to the army starting to come through ¡°Point taken Milady¡±


    The trembling sight of thousands of footmen filled the ground as Sophie¡¯s army marched beneath the cloud cover, worse yet was the silent sound their elven dexterity and footing gave them. Sections of Vampires were slotted into the ranks and by rough count Logan¡¯s guard numbered in total around twenty-five thousand as Sophie`s came in at half a million. The cavern walls shook with an echoed deep rumble that sprinkled dust from the cavern roof onto their heads, inspiring nothing but sheer fear.


    The leaders watched intensely as the clouds started to light up with lightning and small explosion erupting inside the black mass itself. Streaking down to the ground swiftly, comet tails patterned with black, blue and red colors. Impacting hard to the ground the beast that attacked the city before emerged once again from the hellfire risen home to the battle field, the streaks at first were few and far between but not long did the sky bring them falling to the ground like rain drops in a pouring storm. Numbers massing in the countless thousands spread to the surface of the plains littering as far as the eye could see. The men of all banners looked upon the mass of evil with bone chilling doubt of their survival rate for the number outweighs theirs by a landslide.


    Then they arrived, Sophie shimmering, Logan smoke-phasing to the front, then to a building up red sparkling haze Colossus appeared as the mists moved to form his body shape that put a shade to Logan and Sophie`s. His sword tight to his grip and as none of Sophie or Logan`s men have seen Colossus before all by him were in awe to his sheer mass, size and power that any could feel was upper being potent. The ranks of Sophie and Logan were mixed while Colossus¡¯s forces were to the front, tension grew high as the allies could barely keep the hatred of each other at bay. A single Drow shifts his eyes and hands slightly to equipment check and upon a gentle non-noticeable nudge to any human, the vampire to his aft acts with hostility. A blade pulled swiftly goes under the Drow¡¯s chin, the vampire feels in the same quick action a blade as well to the back of his neck, the woman to that sees in her peripheral sight an arrow to her head side and at that vampire was there a sharpened wooden axe shaft ready the impale at the back of the neck down to the heart. This chain reaction spilled across nearly forty bodies all lining death strikes to one another, upon the movement of the group Sophie and Logan and made aware of the scene. The Matriarch giggles a bit ¡°Looks as if our forces don¡¯t like each other¡± Logan looks back at her with a straight face glare of intimidation,


    ¡°Good, we may stand as one unit now but when the battle starts¡­it¡¯s every army for themselves¡± Sophie turns with a look back at him of almost full on respect for a first time.


    ¡°Agreed¡± announced in rebuttal. Sophie mind links to her units forcing them to subside retracting their blades, the vampires look to their master Logan who with a very unnoticeable hand motion commands the same¡­the vampires withdraw, slowly.


    ¡°How are you going to fight off the Enclave and the Grim?¡± asked Logan


    ¡°Trust me, I have enough cover spells to hide this part of the land from all existence, but to aid your worry the Grim attack through life sense, the sheer number of men here will block even my strong aurora for a long enough period to finish this battle¡± said Colossus


    ¡°How pathetic, the number is a joke, this will be won within the hour¡± smiled Sophie towards the two males


    ¡°Don¡¯t underestimate them¡± barked Colossus


    ¡°What¡­are you scared?¡± she threw to Colossus¡¯s face


    ¡°Preemptively cautions are the words I would as they most certainly have a plan¡± he responded with an intense look for a trap. Logan closes his eyes and slams his smoking gripped sword to the ground down, summoning his holy steed. Arriving in a bright brilliance a gleaming white resonating stallion wreathed in a holy blue flame. With a wingspan rivaling large rooftops it flapped down to a level from which Logan could mount, sheathing his weapon again he sits hovering overlooking the battle for a familiar foe.


    ¡°Now there¡¯s something I never thought I¡¯d see; a vampire riding a holy steed¡­wow, this world really has gone downhill,¡± Sophie laughed in the patheticness of her surrounding comrades. At the final fall of his last arriving army member Colossus too lowered his head and closed his eyes, the storm clustered to gather to form once again the evil view of Colossus¡¯s face in the darkened nightmare sky,


    ¡°I offer this one chance for a peaceful resolve, hand over the stones and you will be spared from my wrath. Resist and a most certain strenuous death will follow to your clan¡± dispersing the cloud cover once again to the open sky, he waited for their answer, and in minutes of silence and not acted upon response Colossus received it.


    Through a fear unknown to most and duty that is slowly being stripped away from the clearheaded importance, the men sway the vision to the leaders they follow, Cynn Straud, Tristan, Cloud and Stark all look to the conjured terror with no fear or shudder of a second thought. Seeing such bravery shields the men from first doubts until the last member of Colossus group enters the field.


    A mighty wind breaks the regular breeze and bringing uncomfortable warmth from the continuous flapping of mighty red wings she lands to the front side of the army standing against the clans.


    Unleashing a mighty hatred flame from the depths of her throat it blankets the sky, the men standing with the enclave clan shudder at the mere sight of the massive muscle being displayed outright as Sephinroth thunders to the ground shaking the realm.


    ¡°I was beginning to think you weren¡¯t going to show up,¡± said Colossus regaining his control of his body, opening his eyes again.


    ¡°I am a dragon of my word; I said I¡¯d be here and here I am¡± Sephinroth passed the deep heated words from her mouth altering the air with her thunderous echoed voice.


    Gazing to the sheer magnitude of the red dragon the men lose faith as a cold chill they now feel erupts around them. An artic wind hits the air around the enclave pushing away the boiling air and replacing it with a winter mint freshness. Hearing a second flap followed by a shrilling shriek coming from the south behind the clan has faced formation they all turn to gaze upon a most relieving sight. Slamming hard upon the rocky surface on a heightened peak standing proudly on the side of the clan members was Lalandra. Resonating with her shiny silver brilliance from her scales repelling the heated air; Lalandra arched her neck upright to let out a standing roar, it pulsed throughout the encampment from her deep bellied breath sending a bone striking wave of inspiration and strengthening resolve to the men defending her home. From the men to follow came a cheer gaped from every fighting mouth on the fielded keep, shouting, screaming and the yelling of battle cries from the enclave filled the field¡¯s air, the side baring the enemy was silent, focused and ready to die.


    ¡°Shall I give the attack order master¡± questioned one to Logan`s upper leadership, Colossus snapped to the comment ¡°And what fool orders an attack, read that in some ridiculous tome did you, orders and given and followed by action¡­now I want what`s mine!¡± barked Colossus tossing his great blade to the sky.


    The blade glows white hot and upon impact, it unleashes a wave of hellfire flame stretching in front of the Drow, Vampire and hell beast army. The wave launches forward in the form of raging fire elementals sprinting to the enclave defenses. In response to the initiation, the army charges with no charging battle cry to war.


    ¡°Paint the field with their blood,¡± added Sophie raising her own form into the open air. Like a water breaking tide, they charged heavy toward the standing men at the single order of the blade,


    ¡°Hold!¡± yelled Tristan and Straud commanding the groups loudly, he repeated the command over and over waiting till the charging army was in reach, and seconds before impact the order changed,


    ¡°NOW! FIRSTSTRIKE!¡± Straud shouted and the men laid out their weapon for a short range impact.


    Smashing upon the army like water on rocks they smashed, pummeled and collided into one another, the elementals burned and incinerated the standing shield bearers, which triggered the second wave of defense slamming blades together, into flesh demon and humanoid alike.


    ¡°Archers!¡± cried Cloud from above commanding the bows to be loaded with a string tightened volley, druids amongst them used streaks of flame to ignite the metal in the tips and letting them loose they imbedded to the enemies reinforcements behind.


    Mages from both sides¡¯ unleashed swarms of spellbinding attacks upon the flooded field of armor, blasting holes that quickly are filled with moving men some mages attack while others disperse defensive attack laid directly upon their spell casting positions


    ¡°Time to die sister!¡± said Sophie lowering again to the ground walking into the army barrage,


    ¡°Wouldn¡¯t it be faster to go right to her?¡± shouted Logan


    ¡°Yes, but far less satisfying¡± she smiles as passing through the men she lays to her feet a continuous empty open path from her stone residing in her chest causes men of all types to suddenly disintegrate in a full-fledged implosion, some just losing parts of themselves getting away from her presence. Seeing the terror of her presence causes her nothing but sheer unadulterated pleasure, and closing her eyes and embracing the screams of death rousingly, she continued through the mass walking with a swaggering strut.


    Logan closed his visor and with a rearing starting gallop from his fire-embedded steed he rode hasty into the battle smashing his way through, hoping for the final confrontation he had waited his whole life; extended existence to have come to him.


    ¡°Bring me the stones¡± Colossus blasted from his vocals as he too joined in the chaos unraveling into the realm; simply walking up to his blade he pulled it from the ground and to notes of battle tactics.


    The Drow rebels fought unusual Colossus noted seeing they broke into group of four men and women; never did they attack the rival in front of them but always the one to a partner¡¯s front. Clever it was as none to such a battle would expect to always be fighting two on one, they swapped weapons mid-battle as well. Tossing weapons to one another as they needed them to only more confuse the enemy, Straud had multi-trained the army to use all type of weapons. Blades, pikes, daggers, hammers, maces, battle-axes and even heavy short range cross bows would be used switched through and reloaded during the constant conflict.


    The combat capability made the groups fast and efficient, as no enemy as they approached could ever fully be ready for the attack. Sophie`s forces were trained in both weapon combat and spell combat. Watching in impressive speculation as areas concentrated by rebels bombarded, as fire and lightning spells from many areas of the field erupted from the Shadowell hands.


    Colossus gaze to the scene was almost mesmerizing until an arrow shot from the tower keeps rained down upon him; a dozen arrows impaled his skin at his face, neck and torso. Colossus looked up the sharpshooters¡¯ setting with fresh blood oozing from his wounds that produced no pain. The arrows came pulling out of him and from his free hand they spun in the air aiming back to the sources, his fist closed tight lacing the arrows with dark energy and as his fingers extended did they fly back. Each archer struck exploded having parts of insides and skin coating the tower stone. Colossus shook his head and simply carried on to the enclave with wounds almost healed instantly.


    Gripping a firm grasp to the ground Sephinroth takes to the skies, throwing flame-striking attack upon flame strike to the clan infested areas of the battle. Lalandra flaps to the skies and seeing her rise Sephinroth bears down towards her position. They fly fiercely at one another squinting their eyes at one another and embracing in a body collision, the two flap to keep a flight and having claws unbuckled and tail spikes extended they attack in midair, combating over the battle.


    Her blade pulls jarred from the Vampire she impaled, having blood pour out from the sliced open jaw she makes one last reef to free it, having the vampire fall dead at her feet. Her sights change to the coming of the dreaded one and by a signal call of a word does her battle group rally behind her, following her to the encounter. As the dreaded one approaches the female captain gives orders for her group to stand their guard. Sophie stands stopped as the female battle party block her path, ¡°I know of your powers, of your closeness from men¡­it won`t work on us Matriarch¡±


    Sophie just stood there, a little confused, ¡°really¡± she stated to them, simply cocked her head to the side, the Matriarch¡¯s powers worked in a devastating manner non ever could see. Her mind links with a victim the stronger willed the target the more power she needs, Sophie can muster anything to a targets mind making them see, feel, experience anything Sophie brings to her will. In this case Sophie didn¡¯t feel the need for a lavish thought¡­she quiet simply shut down the female¡¯s brain overloading it with a mental blast that cooked it outright. The female captain dropped to her knees saying nothing. Blood leaked out from her ears, nose, mouth and eyes, the rest watch as the leading comrade falls silently dead to the ground. The matriarch stands still¡­waiting for their move, ¡°You`d get me in a rush but know that one more shall meet the same fate before that end¡± Sophie warns to them. They move against her and with room between them Sophie readies herself; picks at her teeth, blade distance comes and half way through the backs of their swings, all female fighters drop ¡­toppling bodies meriting the same fate as their leader. Sophie looks down at them ¡°oh I forgot to say, you`d get me in a rush, if I wanted to actually fight a bit¡±. Laughing as her knee length boots squish and sludge through the fresh leaking blood puddles, moving on to her goal.


    Cleaving bodies in half and blowing other apart just for sheer entertainment Colossus reaches the main gate of the enclave. His magic raises the portcullis, and from the great weight, the use of one arm fully needed for it. Human men bannering to their shields the symbol of Stormguard block his path, half draw blades while Colossus lays sight to the other drawing back bows, equipped with holy fire arrows he does the only thing he can¡­drops his sword.


    The human eyes follow the blade to the ground, seeing it do they miss his action. Flicking his free wrist, hellfire lash flames erect from beneath each one. The flames whip to the souls of each one dragging the spirits out of their bodies and into the fiery ground, to follow was the limp soulless bodies that burn out of life. Stepping one foot further Colossus drops the gate again to a crashing close and picks up his blade.


    Cloud, Straud and Cynn banned together keeping the enemy at bay from bolting into the caverns for the magic on the entrance now weakened with Lalandra¡¯s attention on her mortal enemy. Fighting for a time the three see fighting in the rear behind a group of attackers and going to join with them they have their hopes reunified.


    ¡°Rain¡± yells Cloud bringing to the ground the last demon monster to the area,


    ¡°Cloud¡± Rain responds with a gesture of his head getting off horse back from what brought the four to their spot and Straud runs to give him a brief hug,


    ¡°The stones, Rain were you able to get them¡± Cynn said franticly and revealing to all the group the belt attached to his hip containing two of the four stone shards they grin with joy.


    ¡°And Malice¡± added Straud


    ¡°Dead¡± said Artanis showing them his two shards as well, ¡°And I must say I am hurt that you started the battle without us,¡± changing his smile to being serious, Straud gave some new quick orders,


    ¡°Cloud escort Elanee and Dawn to the caverns, Dawn start your battle meditation for the armies sake, Cloud defend her and the rest while that is going on. Cynn and I will aid the front lines where I hope Tristan and Stark are still with¡±


    ¡°Rain where are you going¡± Cloud asked and seeing the look in his eyes Artanis knew what was coming as did Straud and Cynn. Rain turns to face the battle and breathing deep, takes off his amulet.


    ¡°Brother; do you trust me?¡± Rain asks him


    ¡°You know I do¡±


    ¡°Rain!?¡± Elanee adds


    ¡°Then if this works and I don¡¯t make it know I¡¯m always with you¡± Rain said coming to him, placing it in his hand palm. Cloud looks down as Rain turned to leave, seeing what was given to him, the amulet he was never to take off. Panicking he walked to catch him, stopped by Straud who held him back.


    ¡°Son, no! he needs to do this he¡¯s the only one who can¡± Straud says to him


    ¡°Rain¡± Elanee runs to him but is held by Cynn ¡°Rain I love you please; don¡¯t do this¡±


    ¡°I have to Elanee, please trust me on this, I love you¡­always remember that Elanee¡± he says to her and a single tear rolls down her face


    ¡°RAINNN!!¡± Cloud yells trying to break free but his heart is overwhelmed and fails on the strength needed to break free of his uncle¡¯s hold,Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.


    Dawn goes to his brother¡¯s side when Artanis¡¯s hand holds her back; she turns to him knowing that from his face this all was planned. ¡°Rain¡± she yells to him and turning to his sister Rain smiles.


    ¡°Be careful ok, I don¡¯t want to lose a brother¡±


    ¡±You¡¯re the best little sister anyone would ever want Dawn, I love you¡± and lowering his own head Artanis lets go of her hand and walks to his horse, about to mount he stops.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry my dear but you need to know¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Dawn says interrupted by a kiss from his lips


    ¡°That I love you, but I can¡¯t let hero¡¯s die alone, I¡¯ll be with him¡± Artanis says running to his horse that he brought back from the entrance they came from in returning to this plain, he mounts it and rears it to the air blowing her a kiss ¡°If this is good bye, I go with honor my love¡±


    ¡°Artanis!!!¡± she yells to him stopping his tracks from moving ¡°I love you too¡±


    ¡°I know¡± he replies with a smile and gallops off to catch Rain¡¯s untimely lead.


    ¡°Cloud please he knows what he¡¯s doing¡± Cynn comforted


    ¡°He¡¯ll die out there with no help!¡± Cloud yelled at her


    ¡°He¡¯ll die here if those crystals are activated with him inside, it¡¯s due to his blood, the protection sphere would kill him,¡± Straud said to him, and thinking of the dire outcome Cloud lowers his head.


    ¡°Cloud please honor him and his sacrifice if that happens, and protect his love and your own, while Dawn helps the battle, shaking his head but getting to his feet Cloud nods and runs off with the girls to the depths of the cave. Cynn moves to aid the castle defense and Straud heads out following her to the field.


    Sparks flash to his face with darkness again covering it; sparks and darkness repeatedly he falls back with his strength slowly weakening from the blows of the foe. A simple stone catches his heel and falling back the ranger holds steady the vampire steel to a lasting hold back to a fatal strike, inching closer to his heart a strike of flame lights up to the rangers face. The druidic blade meets him as Starks sword runs through the vampire fully; the druid fans through the dust the puffs upon its death, reaching through to pull the ranger again to his feet.


    ¡°Pointless to die so early in the fight Tristan, you won`t be remembered at all that way¡± the ranger moves fast, pushing the face of the massive druid aside, placing his slayer blade over the druids shoulder and into the mouth of a demon beast that lunged for a gorging bite. Dying in mid jump the demon corpse lands piling all three on one another, ¡°Who can know with all your babbling, it¡¯s a wonder you`ve lasted this long¡± Tristan sparks back; both heave the dead off them and gather to their feet.


    Side by side they had been since the battle commenced and yet another wave comes at them do they hold skill, fending them off. Looping and jumping while switching opponents the tag team the group horde raining down body after body to the bloody dirt floor.


    ¡°Well that was easy,¡± boasted Tristan, taking to a knee catching his breath. It was dark already, and then suddenly a cool shade added even more. Stark turned around to snap shot a great hammer coming down, pushing over the ranger into an evading roll Stark jumps to clear the smashing hit.


    Dust blows up in the air; Stark waves his hands clearing his view to a sight of a massive demon. Long black shiny horns curled to the sides of his face, his body was a course black obsidian color layered with scales he knew no normal weapon could pierce. The demon`s eyes were ruby blood red glowing bright, his spin continued into a long tail and both held great spikes all down the middle lined perfect. Stark glanced to Tristan, the ranger curled and looked as if injured from an unknown fight. The great druid`s worry wasn`t about the features the demon had, nor the hammer. It was the sheer build of the beast general as the hammer recoiled at least twenty feet to the air, resting back to the demons shoulder`s. Starks weapon glows blue and the demon moves to challenge him, calling up a shield of unknown potential. Using a druid spell magically induce his weapon Stark throws his blade, hitting the barrier it dissolves to nothing.


    ¡°I`m Mindbender, general to Colossus`s forces¡± he laughs to Stark, Stark draws two spells to his hands both different but just a powerful. Mindbender slams down his hammer to the ground; Tristan slips getting to his feet and the Demon grasp his leg hoisting him to the air. Dangling like a worm on a hook, Stark still baring his spell power waits for a clean shot.


    ¡°Just take the damn shot Stark, kill him,¡± snapped Tristan swaying like a pendulum. Tristan looks to the attacks Stark had casting resistance to attempt living through the hits. ¡°Do it!¡±


    Stark over hand through both spells, one hit then the other and with each strike the shield lit up, Tristan yelled out in pain as the spells surged all over the demon channeling into Tristan. Mindbender strikes back, swinging his hammer near-missing Starks face many times; summoning his flame blade to his hands again and again Stark lashes strike after strike with Mindbender`s defense taking it all in.


    Mindbender laughs, ¡°My shield halts all impacting hits adjusting to their counter¡±


    Tristan draws his blade, ¡°Stark hit with something, anything¡±


    Stark tosses a bolt of lightning, channeled from the sky and waiting until it hit the shield Tristan swings his blade. The bolt hit, then the blade. The shield took both hits without error, blowing the ranger`s blade from his grip it stuck in the ground.


    ¡°It must have been two separate hit¡± the druid thought, ¡°wait Tristan`s blade, that should work¡± lit up the druid with an idea to his head, conjuring his flame blade again he knew wouldn`t do anything, and was counting on it. Taking another hit Stark in put to the air, part of the plan he didn`t appreciate but needed the distance. Stark scrambled to his feet drawing his blade again, rolling once close he tosses it. Flipping a dodge to the hammer, he does it again with the hammer blocking the strike, and then Stark gets ready. Stark puts a ball of light to his hand and tossing it, Stark ignites it just before impact making a blinding flare in the demon`s face. Stark bolts gripping Tristan`s sword to his palm and quickly he wraps the steel with flame, masking the look to match his own. The demon shakes his head from the blinding and glares to the druid standing ready again,


    ¡°The definition of insanity is preforming the same act over again expecting a different result¡­and your that druid, go ahead take a free shot you pathetic being¡±


    ¡°Thanks¡± Stark replied throwing the blade, the demon puts up no hammer counter, the blade hits and the shield blocks the fire, allowing passage for the ranger blade that hits the demons throat.


    Massive pain rings to the demon, loosening the grip on the ranger, Tristan climbs up the arm. Wild swishes from the hammer hand erupt and the druid takes evasion, Tristan reaches the shoulder and leaps to his stuck in sword. Gripping some scales Tristan forces the blade in more; the demon loses its balance leaning back.


    Tristan takes to a pogo stick jump pounding his blade all the way in to the demon`s neck going right up to his hilt¡­the demon choking to a slow death on its bubbling out blood fall to the ground. Tristan heaves out his sword and walking still on the body impales it through the chest multiple times, blood flings to the air covering the ranger with Tristan continuing until the demon moves no more. Tristan slides down the belly side of the beast and falls to a lean against it, grunting still to the crushing grip it had to him. Stark moves to his location fast ¡°Are you alright¡±


    ¡°I`ll live, nice plan you had there¡± thanked Tristan, a jerk to the body sprang Tristan to his feet, reacting with quick slashes to the demon`s side.


    ¡°Tristan it`s dead, no shield¡­stop!¡± restrained Stark on the ranger, ¡°Bodies twitch when the die don`t you know that¡±


    ¡°Well yeah but it`s a demon, and I thought healing¡­or something¡­man I think I just pissed myself¡± ended Tristan with a smirk from the druid, Stark turns to the battle scene and pulls the blade from the demon handing it to the ranger.


    ¡°Breaks over my friend, time for more war¡± announced Stark at the sight of demon`s fast approaching to avenge the fallen general.


    The elven rebel looks upon her three members to her battle party, slain upon the ground. Then to the three vampire¡¯s quick footed on her approach, her eyes moved to each one, while filling with both sweat and fear. Footprint hit the dirt behind the three and turning quick did two of them¡­then with a shoulder nudge the third looks back to see him, the vial betrayer of their master Logan Silas. The woman shines a smirk to the sight of the rouge demon,


    ¡°Here¡± cried Artanis tossing in the air a blade to the girl, the vampires¡¯ sight on the blade and as one fanged brethren swipes it out of the air they look again to see Artanis not there. A Vampire leans to his comrade and pushing him off back upright the vampire falls the other way freely to the bloodied grassland. With a throat cut almost all the way through the falling impact shreds it from his shoulders, franticly they spin their eyes to the women¡­that Artanis is now standing by. ¡°Go¡± Artanis motions her and with a gentle kiss to his cheek she takes off to join another battle group, armed with twin daggers offered by the Tiefling.


    ¡°Nice trick¡±


    ¡°Wait till my next one¡± Artanis smirks charging at both; applying some acrobatics given to him by Logan himself Artanis engages both. Dodging the dreaded blades of the enemy Artanis evades and exits the combat spin flipping to safety away. Artanis is with heavy breath pointing at the feet of each of the men ¡°that must hurt¡± the rouge says having the vampires roll their sight to daggers in each of their feet.


    Laughing fills the immediate air from the two ¡°You¡¯ve been away far too long tool boy¡­that doesn¡¯t hurt nor will it kill us¡±


    ¡°Umm boys¡­ (Artanis rears back his battle robes to them revealing his dagger bandolier and only two of them missing) those went to the girl¡­guess where yours came from¡± Artanis finishes with a smirking nod. The vampires with haste check their stuff to find the dagger hostlers empty, ¡°now correct me if I¡¯m wrong but does your battle equipment from our great master come with enchanted daggers of disintegration?¡±


    Artanis in a shot jump tumbles rolling between the two reefing the blade from the feet of the old comrades; and getting again to his feet spins quickly to just see them break into sudden dust. Artanis refills his bandolier with the new blades. ¡°That¡¯s what I thought¡± he states getting back on his horse.


    Riding hard and fast with Artanis in tow to the front lines of the battle did Lalandra catch them moving, and fighting free of entanglement with Sephinroth, Lalandra broke loose and headed toward them, she flew low and above their position and breathing a stream of wintry blizzard she parted the crowd holding them at bay. The monsters not able to handle the harsh blinding ice moved out of the way and as they moved along behind it both Rain and Artanis move through the open areas and through the armies.


    Getting Dawn secured down in the cavern she immediately went to her kneeling position for instant meditation for the armies¡¯ added confidence,


    ¡°I can¡¯t believe he did that¡± barked Cloud hugging Alisianna as she saw him alive and well,


    ¡°Who did what?¡± asked Alisianna


    ¡°Rain rode out to place the stones for the artifact with Artanis alone and with no guard,¡± he added still holding her


    ¡°Cloud he did what was needed¡± said Elanee trailing slowly behind him with a worried look ¡°Would you have done any different if the situation needed you¡± and in a stone silence Cloud said nothing, gave Elanee a look of knowing that she was right. Alisianna gave Elanee a hug saying to her that Rain is strong and that he will not be killed easily, that he will make it back and with Artanis at his side. Elanee hugs her back, trying to show no fear for his well-being but a looming threat growing in her mind that haunts her absurdness of it.


    Straud marks a symbol in the battlefields matching that of Logan of his old flaming steed. Straud places his sword to the stone ground to summon forth his own steed, and erupting through the yellow fire a midnight black horse came forth. He was beautiful with hooves perfectly balanced with the mane hair braided down one side showing signs of elder age. He was in a roaring yellow flame that cooled to a blue tone when Straud rested to him.


    ¡°I need you old friend, once again I call upon your wisdom and strength to aid me in this quest¡± and looking to his master the horse unfolded his mass muscled wings and carried them off to the raging carnage below.


    To Lalandra`s home the rebel Drow build laneways and towers, carved into the vary rock of her mountain dwelling. To purpose as an early warning system and archer snipe spots. Carved nearly twenty feet wide and five feet up, battle now littered them deep with Drow against Drow, Human`s, Vampires and Demonic breeds of many. She rounds the steps calmly, never needing to lift a finger now issue a threat, her swagger is one well known and all who see and know her bolt from her sight. The aid from Stormguard and Silverspire rally up against her and always will it be their last, piles of bone and disintegrating dust follows to her wake from the men that attempt to challenge her.


    Sophie waves her hands allowing her black cocktail dress elegantly flowing to the stone way; she takes a pause in stride at her latest ignorant foes that lay in bone at her feet. She looks as if to study their pattern, a sudden echoing scream draws her eyes up to yet another body hurling to her form, the dust again flies to her presence and again the bones tumble down but as the cloud clears Sophie sees a male figure standing at a distance. The cape a cowl of Soul guard¡¯s insignia to its silk, Sophie quickly looks again to the new bones noticing the brand of her army symbol to the arms¡­one of her own, tossed to her against his will.


    Rising her hand Sophie extended it forward, the rebel Drow dropping immediately to his knees, but baring massive resistance, he gives in clawing at his armored torso`s back screaming in agony. Under his armor, his skin starts ripping slowly tearing using his spine as a fault-line. Sophie took her time, making sure the skin would come off in one full piece and ending the pain at the rebel¡¯s fingers the skin floats to her hands. Blood leaked from the steel from every crack and hanging at the open ends was living tissue and bone.


    ¡°My men don`t die by my doing¡­but you most certainly will¡± wiping the one bead of sweat she made upon her brow with the rebels own skin. She was shocked and impressed as the rebel`s helm moved upward to see her again, his lidless eyes stared to her with him greatly grunting the pain. Jance was the name of the Drow, a lieutenant to Straud`s forces and known mostly for having a very high tolerance for pain.


    ¡°I must say I¡¯m very impressed, not many even to my own army can take this kind of discipline for pain, which I can only think must be terribly great¡± spotted Sophie, taking to a slow advance she stops short again when a blue tinged envelops the rebel under his armor, molding to him line a skin. The rebel breaths relief and in a flash is gone from Sophie`s sights, the dark queen tosses to her lips a smirk.


    ¡°Finally you show you face¡­sister¡± Sophie states turning around knowing she was there, also seeing a group of female guards to Cynn`s front. ¡°Oh, you brought friends, how quant¡± she chuckles giving her wrist a gentle flick.


    Around the eyes of each of the female guard do they emanate a yellow, making the defensive spell casting of Cynn`s power to protect their minds from Sophie`s power. The smile leaves the matriarch very fast, ¡°Well arn`t you a potent one, I assume it was you that saved the other, indeed you have power not very many poses¡±


    ¡°It`s enough to be rid of you¡± Cynn barks back with Sophie growing laughter


    ¡°My dear sister, you think my mind power is all I have¡±


    ¡°You rely on it too much Sophie, these are trained fighters by my Captain and sword on sword I know can be beaten¡± Sophie walks back a bit, her gentle hands grasp to a hilt latched to her waist belt. Prothinteist sister, the blade of our dear mother, I shall use it to carve the truth to my great skill into each of these servants of yours¡± Sophie spoke with a sinister smile,


    ¡°I have never been afraid to fight you one on one Sophie, but you have never till tonight been at an area without guards around to show enough respect for a fair fight¡±


    ¡°Well a queen needs to take measures to ensure her life is safe, and you could have fooled me with being afraid, I can sense the fear coursing through your vines like sap it¡¯s so thick¡±


    ¡°Actually sister that¡¯s courage but I can see how you would get the two mixed up for you never ever carried that one¡± and smirking at the remark that left no scare she moved her sight to Cynn¡¯s hands which bared her mother¡¯s blade tightly in its grasp


    ¡°Ah! Vailrath, so that¡¯s where that blade went to. I was looking for it, figured on my failed attempts that you might have had it¡±


    ¡°I got it as instructed from her personal servant as a passing gift when she died¡­by your hand!¡±


    ¡°You know that was one thing I never could yet still understand, why you and our other sister, why have another child at all after me because let¡¯s face it I was born perfect!¡±


    ¡°I used to think it was because she had so much love to give out that she needed more children. But as the truth unfolded it was not that at all, all it was¡­was disappointment¡± Cynn smirked back at her and hearing the comment brought a scowling face to Sophie¡¯s eyes and a dark focused look,


    ¡°You¡¯ll pay for that as you will pay for all the torment and expense you have ever cost me since your betrayal¡±


    ¡°You are the betrayer Sophie, when you murdered my mother and younger sister in cold blood, you vicious, coward little bitch¡±


    ¡°I admire your resolve and valor but this is pointless to attempt Cynn, you and me both know you can¡¯t beat me fair fighting ground or not¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re not invincible Sophie, you may think you are but under that vial corrupted skin lies only one thing¡­blood! You bleed like everyone else and that means you can die¡±


    ¡°I assure you Cynn before this night is over and before my troops destroy what little hope your pitiful clan has left, your blood and freewill shall cover these stone walls¡± having Sophie dive into the guards for combat.


    Dawn covers her eyes at the bright arrival of Jance upon the spell of Cynn`s teleport, the glowing protection leaves again and again Jance cries out in massive pain, Cloud, Elanee and Dawn rush to strip him of the armor.


    ¡°Stop!¡± commands Alisianna half seeing the scene under the metal; ¡°he has no skin, my god what kind of being would¡­Sophie¡± she ends with hatred.


    ¡°If we finish he`ll, heal him as is we have to now¡± Dawn states, Elanee and Cloud carry him to a corner, Dawn applies a silence spell to calm the crowd of the horrible scene unfolding. Cloud holds him down; Elanee uses her power to render him unconscious, keeping nearby monitoring by touch Jance`s life coating her hand to his bloody skull. Alisianna goes to the women and children, calming them again as Dawn starts her healing magic quickly.


    Swooping down slaying demons in his landing area Straud looks to the field as his horse impales it is hooves into the ground for a slowing descent. Fiery dirt flies to the air caking some demons and men around, blurring their vision in combat with one another. Straud strikes at the demons while bringing time to his men to clear their eyes and fires on their capes. Deep to the field trotted Logan slaying men of Straud¡¯s like chickens while on the back of his holy steed, the holy sword smoking in his grip. He looks up from an up stricken blow to see his greatest challenge awaiting him down field. Logan gives a motion to his horse and with it; the horse lowers its head, firing back dirt to its rear from the front hooves in prep for a charge. Logan re-adjusts for the sprint tightening his grip, his greaves while moving his shield from his back to his right forearm. Straud sees this and signals his horse the same motion to prep as well; he grips his shield tight and steadies his sword hand. Blood dripping from the helm slits of both masks cleared for a perfect focus both will need.


    ¡°Yah¡± echoes from both as they command their steeds to take to grounding takeoff speed, their hearts race as they pummel towards each other, sweat streaks from the under mask of each knight¡¯s foreheads as they grew closer and closer to each other. They pass by ricocheting harmonic sounds of metal as the two knights hit. It tuned a high pulse wave note like a sting from a guitar humming after release.


    Logan and Straud both rear their horses toward each other¡¯s face to see a stalemate in the charge that had occurred. Raising his visor Logan stared a deep hatred at Straud who did not even touch his helmet.


    ¡°I see you have been practicing, no one has ever been able to match me in horse combat, not even when I was alive¡± Logan smirked looking at his blade for fresh blood


    ¡°Logan I wish that you¡­that none of this had ever come to pass, every night since out last encounter I have prayed for your soul to finally bring you peace and forever rest¡±


    ¡°Why, scared to face me again? Save your prayers for the weak and those who are in need of it. I¡¯m stronger than I¡¯ve ever been and I really owe it all to you¡±


    ¡°I know you didn¡¯t want this, that message you send is only out of battle anger; I would trade places with you in a heartbeat if I could¡±


    ¡°Says the knight with the black horse, your words have been a comforting poison long enough Straud and tonight I will lay both them and you to rest¡±


    ¡°Logan please it¡¯s not too late; please stop this come back to our side, where you belong. Your wife would have wished that¡±


    ¡°How dare you speak about my wife you useless swine¡± Logan says shifting his head, slamming his helmet visor hard to his chin ¡°yah¡± he shouts as he blitzes toward Straud once again with his horse blazing blue flame from its snout. Closing his eyes Straud once again says a prayer; ¡°Have your soul go in peace my brother¡± finishes Straud as he drives his horse towards Logan. The realm soil travels to the air again in the wake of their sprint, closing in fast Logan changes his act; he aims his sword discharging a bolt of energy from it straight to the ground in the path of Straud¡¯s flaming steed. In blast into a cloud of thick dust, covering Straud`s sight, the holy rebel knight tones his ears. Logan throws his weapon to the fog, lobbing it to a cutting motion, straight shot to Straud`s throat area. Straud recalls the move on many high-end foes, he ducks hearing the swooshing blade rezoning just over his crinkled body. The eyes of Logan go focused, seeing the shimmering to the fog`s movement¡­Straud was still as one. With vampire swiftness, Logan draws his second primary blade.


    They connect, slowing down as they meet, entering sword combat, fighting while on horseback and rebalance as their horses fight as well. Rearing up on two legs each horse drives its flaming hooves to each other throats. The knights show once again pure skill at their own level, as they almost never break sword form even with the changing ground structure.


    Helping Rain and Artanis ride through the clusters of enemy lines beating down hard against the clans on her own side, Lalandra sees them clear the mass of the first wave and enter the more spread numbers of the second and third ones. Slaloming through the numbers like slow moving trees Rain and Artanis clear the waves and head for their locations splitting up upon exiting the last bunch, and wishing to gain speed on his trail does the glowing hands of the young sorcerer apply a haste spell upon his horse for extra speed. The silver dragon backtracks. Her step as she once again blankets the enemy unit with her secondary breath weapon of paralyzing gas clouds; seeing as the numbers hit is decimated by the fatal blowing hits of her own men.


    Being larger and less speedy that Lalandra, Sephinroth does not give chase when Lalandra bolted to aid Rain. She in turn moved onto the enclave mage defenses and caked the walls with waves of flame toasting what mages she could hit. Lalandra watching her home on occasion sees the havoc and returns to engage Sephinroth as the red dragon knew she would do. Sephinroth retracted her attack to speed a charge at Lalandra, for this second round of the battle will go much different. Sephinroth knows that even in battle, she and Lalandra hold equal challenge but the tricks she will spring hopefully give her the bigger edge. Colliding in midair they go at it again raking and clawing each other apart, slashing her one wing Sephinroth throws her weight on top of Lalandra and drives her into the ground hard. Lalandra¡¯s back scrapes the ground tossing silver scales into the air, blood runs fresh from her back to the ground and adrenaline flows through her arms and body as she removes Sephinroth from her pinned body with her legs. Tossing her into the air Sephinroth slams thunderously to the ground and leaping up upon her once more they hack and slash with teeth and razor claws.


    As Dawn focuses her concentration with Cloud watching her back so does her power giving to the army, having much more power than before Dawn increases the level of combat to the men to a noticeable level from Colossus¡¯s point of view. Wondering if the stones are responsible for the change in power, he quickly moves to an unseen location of the enclave to search for the source, having Lalandra weakened enough from battling Sephinroth he is now able to penetrate her shielding wards to the inner areas. Colossus goes to a tower position quickly taking out the guarding mages to get a bird¡¯s eye view of hidden spots when he spots a rider moving to a location fast on horseback,


    ¡°The stones, he has the dragon ruin stones¡± Colossus shouted for Sephinroth¡¯s attention


    Colossus bolts his vision to Sephinroth, under the sheer mercy of Lalandra¡¯s grip. Colossus sees Lalandra about to finish the life from Sephinroth¡¯s body with an unbreakable chokehold around her massive neck. He generates a dark bolt of energy and aiming carefully launches it at Lalandra¡¯s back, the bolt of energy hits her in the back dead center and losing the hold fast Lalandra falls to Sephinroth¡¯s side convulsing from the pain of the blast.


    Sephinroth looks to where the shot came from and sees Colossus standing there,


    ¡°Get the rider Sephinroth. The rider¡± he blasted from his distance


    ¡°Not until I have my revenge!¡± she spitted back


    ¡°Now or the reunion of you and your child will be only a memory¡± he stated as he held an illusion of the scroll burning up in his hand for her to see,


    ¡°Well if I can¡¯t take your life I¡¯ll know a comfort that hell did¡± she said and ending the words she appears to her right claw hand a stone of a bluish color, Lalandra looks to the stones and gasps a whispering word as it was placed to her chest scales,


    ¡°A recalling stone!¡± and with a flash of light Lalandra was taken from the battlefield,


    ¡°Enjoy the abyss my dear silver back¡± she smiled as she grinded rocks and dirt into her talons from getting ready to take off and go after the rider.


    Clinking his metal weighted boots to the cold stone floor he grew closer to the enclave refuge cavern, he was masked by shadows keeping his image in the dark until he emerged from the hallway to the great chamber where women and children in hiding resided,


    ¡°Mommy, what that¡± asked a innocent voice pointing to the shadowed figure and looking up at it Alisianna went pale,


    ¡°Oh my god Cloud it¡¯s him; it¡¯s Colossus¡± she says moving to Cloud¡¯s side


    ¡°Hello, Cloud¡± he smiles ¡°Give me what I want and I promise you an instant death


    ¡°Go to hell Colossus you¡¯re not getting the stones; I know you can¡¯t hurt me¡± Cloud calls back at him


    ¡°Maybe not but I¡¯ll slaughter the innocent down here one by one until you do¡±


    ¡°Not this time¡± and in a thought out of nowhere Cloud decides to put on Rain¡¯s medallion leaving his own on as well for the thought of added power but what was about to happen he nor Colossus did not expect.

 Chapter 52

    The amulet fell to his neck and connected with the other scythe symbol crossing the two weapons. Cloud feels warm glows to his body and Alisianna gasps at him starting to emit a weak white light. Suddenly a shadowy angelic echo emits from behind his body mimicking his every move, and like having invisible latches it attaches to his own form. It causes upon his head a ghostly hood with a misty white light appearing and on his back drapes forth a cape over his own in the same light. Puzzlement is his only expression as he waves his hand about, like moving in front of a candle his hands shadow itself with a misty echo that dissipates quickly. Cloud moves his hand to his throat and suddenly drops his head acting dead, a second passes having him regaining life in moments. He looks to Colossus who is in puzzlement as well in belief of what just happened, Cloud then spoke.


    ¡°Hello Colossus¡± in a commanding deep voice of shuddering power


    ¡°Cloud¡± Colossus question the holy looking figure, pulling his blade from his side whirling it around in an recognizable motion Colossus backed up for the first time in over twenty years with a hint of fear. ¡°Dalamar¡­¡±


    ¡°You may have killed me but I now return with my son as my greatest ally and strength Colossus, you¡¯ll never be rid of me as long as our blood line remains, and this time you won¡¯t win¡±


    Colossus pulls his blade from its resting place yelling to him,


    ¡°Ghost or not I will this time kill you indefinitely Colossus concludes as he charges Cloud¡¯s body and smashing their swords together causes women to scream and cover the children. Dawn in such deep concentration doesn¡¯t know of the event unraveling around her and seeing her in the midst of the battle Elanee and Alisianna run to her.


    ¡°Will moving her break the bond¡± asked Elanee gripping her under the arms


    ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± replied Alisianna watching the battle closing her eyes every time the blades collide ¡°Is that my husband or my father in law¡±


    ¡°Right now a bit of both I think hum¡± replied Elanee dragging Dawn to a corner watching her facial expressions hoping not to do any damage.


    ¡°I want that stone,¡± repeats Colossus trying to reach it with their blades locked,


    ¡°You¡¯ll never win Marcus¡± says Cloud¡¯s body driving a fist to the face of the great bull and doing a back flip Cloud kick¡¯s Colossus to a corner wall, hitting it hard he drops to the ground. Snorting away dust and dirt as he got to his feet Colossus drew upon a dark energy and blasted it at Cloud, his body creates in his none sword arm a silver shield in the shape of a kite. Being pumped by the force of his incredible spell power Cloud¡¯s body holds itself at bay, not moving front or backwards Colossus stops his assault seeing nothing happening, ¡°This¡­this is impossible my power is absolute¡±


    ¡°But not godly Marcus and if I can help it will soon only be a memory¡±


    ¡°NEVER!!!¡± shouted Colossus charging at him again.


    They start combat with Colossus throwing spell upon spell during his charge and having them batted away just as easily as they were cast, Dalamar matches Colossus with every move he threw upon him,


    ¡°Elanee, Alisianna get the women and children out of here¡± he says while he and Colossus grind blades together, the girls then show all the women and children in the cavern to the rear and as far away from the battle as possible. They give the baby adopted by Elanee to Penelope to hold in trust while the girls watch over Dawn¡¯s position. The two warriors battle it out throwing spells at each other and slamming each other hard to the ground and walls, the swords smash together with an energy bolt repelling their power away causing spark to spark where ever the clash.


    Getting to his first position and seeing Rain get there too, Artanis tosses the spear shaped shard to the ground and hitting the soil it lights up with a green glowing tinged. Rain does the same and the same result occurs,


    ¡°One down, one to go¡± says Rain seeing Sephinroth barring close to his position he bolts off, for his next stop is a far distance away.


    Artanis gets to his second stop and tosses the shard down to the ground again he looks to seeing Rain still moving and taking a judgment call decides to help in the battle field, he charges into the plains and spots the horse fight with Straud and Logan raging wildly in the air. Artanis squints his eyes to line up the shot for a dagger throw, he pulls the golden blade from his belt and staring at it he looks to Logan¡¯s back which has been exposed to his sight,


    ¡°Block this Logan!¡± he says letting it lose towards him, the dagger makes no sound at all in the air cutting the wind to cover the sound of the battle to cover it closing in on the target.


    To the sky the blades ring loudly, the generals to the armies lash out in continuous heated battle, swooping and climbing to the air with maneuvers rarely seen in a horse and rider. Logan in chase to Straud`s steed tightens his feet, he leaps from his steed flying in the air baring straight to the helm of Straud. Straud`s blade moves for the sighted impact, Logan`s light agile form lands his legs to the shoulders of the holy friend¡­Logan locks a leg hold to Straud`s chest plate as his arms thunder down a viscous strike to split Straud¡¯s skull in two.


    Logan`s metal grinds, sparking against Straud`s. Logan`s strength is great, he presses the blade harder with Straud on full resisting defense. Straud¡¯s blade was crossing Logan`s and lined up to his own neck, Logan`s pours on the strength like flowing water pushing the blade back in attempted for the holy knight to sheer off his head with his own sword. A thrust to his back occurred, Straud backs up and watches as Logan looks to his hands and body that turns a black shadowy haze, the haze leaves his body and swirls into the air.


    ¡°My immortality¡± Logan cried out in a panicked state as he gave chase to regain it but the floating figure raised much faster than he did to the night sky and then imploded into a small explosion.


    ¡°What? My invincibility Nooooo!¡± he screams in the air and looking around to see how it had come to pass he spots Artanis baring a smirk to his face ¡°You disloyal ingrate, I¡¯m going to rip you apart¡± interrupted by Straud throws him off his mounted steed to the ground. Jumping off his mount in midair Straud goes to bare his holy blade to Logan¡¯s chest knowing that something made him mortal again, Logan seeing the blade coming down upon him disappears in smoke and Straud¡¯s blade buried it¡¯s tip deep in the dirt. He pulls it out and looks to see he hit nothing, closing his eyes in shame. Knowing that their conflict is not yet over, he then looks to his aiding partner Artanis who nods, he nods back and motions for him to get clear of the impending wave, complying Artanis takes retreat.


    Littered to the cold stone they lie dead, Cynn¡¯s personal guard. Bodies mangled and beaten cut and carved by the viciousness of blade combat with the Matriarch. Spells and power flicker not far from the gruesome scene as Cynn and Sophie face off; immunity to each other¡¯s powers well known to them. However, the power to apply their skills also well known, influencing the environment they fight to, hoping a result to give them an edge.


    Sophie`s mind power is put to nearby men fighting, dominating them to mindless slaves she puts them up against her sister. Forcing Cynn to engage her allies and friends, Cynn extinguishes spells from her repertoire to subdue and incapacitate them breaking the mental connection.


    Cynn counters the compliment, moving the very stones and pillars they build not long ago placing Sophie on an acrobatic evading defense, adding to ground tremors Cynn floats to the air weapons of the fallen around her, making Sophie block against multiple blades.


    They know each other well, countering the tactics as they come up. She lifts her head from a vicious hit and the blood drips from her mouth, she gets to her feet and looks to her and stares deep cold look as she wipes the blood from her mouth.


    ¡°See I told you, you bleed¡± said Cynn and retaliating against her bloodied up sister they continue their battle, Sophie looks to the scene, at a ledge opened on the mountainside they fight. Dodging attacks and using martial skills the sisters drive shots to one another`s body, Sophie ever changing position to guide her sister backward to the opening. Losing her grip Cynn drops her sword; falls to her back nearing the edge of the tower and the view of the crushing cliffs to her eyes.


    ¡°This ends here Cynn¡± Sophie says lifting her blade to a final strike, Cynn in a last attempt rushes to her feet and grips the blade baring to her open chest. They spin around in the single spot trying to move the blade position one way or another, moving so Sophie now faces the open water. They grunt tiredly and pull the blade higher in the air their bodies grow closer together, finally they touch and the amulets swing abruptly past each other during the strength struggle. Amulets touch to one another and glow a deep red color when it happens, but separating again, they dissipate the glow. They hit again this time cauterizing on impact, and they again glow. The power builds, and instantly both sisters begin to loose strength, feeling weaker with great haste. Sophie attempts to free them by her mind power with no success; Cynn tries to the same end.


    ¡°My powers, they`re weakening¡±, Sophie replies ¡°Mine as well¡±, the two buckle under the strain of the drain. Dropping the weapon they both fall to their knees still stuck to each other,


    ¡°We must¡­break¡­free¡± Cynn spoke, Sophie extended out her leg to Cynn`s torso, Cynn does the same.


    ¡°Cynn push¡± Sophie yells at her, no effect happens as the amulet still glows brighter ¡°Push free you weak harlot¡± Sophie snaps again overwhelmed by complete exhaustion.


    ¡°I am, nothing is moving¡± Cynn replies in panic, they grunt one last time pushing off from one another; the amulets begin to recede in color, and then separate fully.


    They fall to the ground hard, away from the edge both are slow to replenish. They feel once more their powers returning slowly. They then glare at one another with heavy breath,


    ¡°What the hell was that?¡±Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site.


    ¡°An enchantment to the amulets I think¡± replied Cynn ¡°Mother must have placed it upon them, aimed for a moment like this one¡±


    Sophie glared at her, blood again flowing fast to her veins. Her sister is greatly weakened, venerable and within her grasp. The words of her sister were heard, if they got close it would probably again happen¡­but she didn`t care.


    Sophie finds enough strength to rise to her feet ¡°You Bitch!¡± sparked Sophie bolting at Cynn, both without weapons, barley powers and again engage. Sophie leaps onto her sister like a pouncing cat, slapping Cynn across the face she sees the open cheek and bites into her sister like a hungry predator, Cynn screams as the skin peels from her face. Blood running down Sophie mouth and neck she spits it to the ground again taking to the assault, both claw, slap, kick punch and bite one another in a vicious ground tumbling brawl. Moving again closer to the edge of the open stone, Cynn tried to watch the sway of the necklaces but is was no use, they again collide, this time molding to a single unit.


    Cynn was on the bottom as Sophie reefs on her necklace almost to a stand, the buildup was fast, Cynn passed out¡­the necklaces explode apart sending Sophie helplessly off the cliff side miles in the air, pounding into the waves below. From the rupture of the blast, Cynn`s body jolted off the boarder walk down into the midst of rebels below. Landing hard to a tumbling roll men baring her signet flock to her side noticing her out cold, maybe dead. The Rebel leader held sight to the missing skin on her face, scrapes to her body and soul as if mauled by a tiger, forming a protective circle around her some cast wards, as the rest get ready to transport her to safety.


    The cave wall shook from the violent hit Cloud¡¯s body received from Colossus¡¯s body check, holding him tight only for a second Colossus grips his chain shirt undercoat to toss him away and into the air. Cloud¡¯s body rolled to a stance in supporting the throwing fall as Colossus rushes towards him with a hateful rage; taking a mighty swing but missing Colossus leaves his back wide open for a counterstrike that Dalamar took full advantage of. With a spinning kick to his muscled bonded torso side Colossus is blown off his feet to the ground several feet away and his evil sword companion dislodged from his grip.


    He brings it to him again summoning it to his hand it floats into the air towards him again; but charging his own blade with holy energy Dalamar spins Cloud¡¯s body and delivers a massive hold bolt centered to his abdomen. Hitting him square on; it blasts Colossus almost to the entrance of the cavern as his dark doom blade misses its target and goes clanging to the floor skidding to the ground near a wall. Shaking his focus back to his head Colossus sees Cloud¡¯s body sprinting toward him with a ready swing in his eyes, growing a quick idea to his mind Colossus using a massive amount of spell power dislodges the sturdy rock ceiling from above Dawns area shielding all the girls and having it come crashing down towards them. Dalamar comes to a skidding stop to witness the horrible sight as well as a sudden halt in the stones movement, screams echo from the girls with the giant rubble debris grinding a dusting to a stop in midair.


    Dalamar looks to Colossus holding his arm extended toward it and shaking a bit from the heavy hold.


    ¡°Let¡¯s see about your loyalty now, give me the stones¡± bolted Colossus with blackmail command


    ¡°Never¡± Dalamar thundered righteously, and from the response Colossus releases the boulders again, stopping them slower than before from a drain in his magic he shouts again with his arms strained even more.


    ¡°It¡¯s getting very heavy, probably can¡¯t stop it again, the stones NOW! Or they die¡± Thinking for a second Dalamar looks to Clouds belt to see the glimmering stone residing in its tight holdings, pulling it from its spot he holds it out to him.


    ¡°Throw it to me¡± Colossus shouted, and doing as he was told Dalamar tossed it in the air but higher than needed, and concentrated on its flight path Colossus reared his eyes from Dalamar who spin around charging his blade again and blasting a bolt toward the hovering dooming debris. The bolt hits it blasting it apart leaving only a fine blinding dusty cloud in its existence. Dawn comes to reality for the explosion over her head caused her to jolt out and seeing nothing she starts to cough waving her hands like the other girls.


    Seeing it still floating in the air for Colossus cannot seem to summon it to his hand. Cloud¡¯s body spun again slamming his blade to the floor drilling the point into the stone, saying a word known only to paladins Dalamar sends forth upon Colossus a ground rolling running wave of holy energy moving fast toward him. It connects with his boots blowing Colossus off his massive heavy greaves and bringing him pounding to his back. Bolting fast as the crystal stone hits the ground Dalamar scoops it up and then Cloud¡¯s body leaps into the air with his arms raised over his head in a spectacular leap to reach Colossus quickly. Raising his head to bear witness the impending doom at blade point from Cloud¡¯s sword, Colossus waves his hand to force Dawn to his position. Dawn was flung into the air helplessly between Colossus and Cloud¡¯s descending blade, screaming in her free floating state and hurling fast paced toward them, Dalamar saw the danger and acted.


    Dalamar released his swords grip letting it fall to the ground and extending his arms catches Dawn in midair. He embraced her fall but as they over shadowed Colossus location he spotted Dawn¡¯s stone tucked in her back side pocket, gripping it from its rest Colossus smiles and disappears into darkness as the two land where he just was. Cloud¡¯s body lands to one knee and opening her eyes Dawn beholds to the holy angelic sight, hard brightness hits her eyes from the deep stare and squinting a bit she gazes further to him.


    ¡°Cloud?¡± she inquires ¡°Is that you?¡±


    ¡°You are so beautiful Dawn¡± says Cloud¡¯s voice caressing her cheek


    ¡°Father?¡± said Dawn even more freaked but was moved from his lap to look at an empty floor, Cloud look to the corner that held Colossus blade and that was gone to.


    ¡°What happened¡± said Dawn feeling herself for wounds when she had a ghostly look come to her ¡°The stone, my stone it¡¯s gone!¡± Dawn panicked and touching her again Cloud said ¡°It¡¯s ok Dawn, I still have mine and he can¡¯t do anything without it¡±


    ¡°Are you my father?¡± Dawn asked and giving her a quick kiss on the cheek Cloud lowers his head as he stood to her presence Cloud¡¯s mind came back to his normal self and back under his body¡¯s control. But getting a fierce hug from his wife he held a comforted smile to his face that only he could fully understand as the amulets lost their intense glow and the holy shroud around his mortal form faded away.


    Like the wind Rain races to beat the Dragon on his tail, Artanis sees the pursuit and leaping to his horse he tries to get to Rain¡¯s aid. Sephinroth bears down to his location, flying to his right swooping down baring her great teeth to the rider and strafes sideways to snatch him up. Rain calls his mother¡¯s blade to his hand and as the mouth was over him he slashed at her jaw line skin cutting it open, yelling in pain Sephinroth regains height and distance from the rider from the foiled attack.


    Rain makes it to a cliff side and riding alongside it towards the bridge, he views the great red dragon anticipating the move, and she flames up the bridge causing it to lose structure and collapse to the deep cradled ocean stream below. Rain stops to think as she comes around for another pass; growing an idea to his mind he backs up and pets his horse,


    ¡°You have to trust me girl, I promise we¡¯ll make the jump¡± Rain comforts as he sees the dragon coming up on his back ready to breathe, Rain gives the signal to bolt to the edge of the cliff and leaping into the air as Sephinroth blankets the cliff side with flame. She looks to a missed shot with no target, reappearing from his teleport Rain lands with the horse alive and trotting away with haste.


    Angered by his annoying evasion she takes high to the skies to give chase. Dodging bolt after bolt of fiery flame from her throat, his cloak and hair blowing in the passing winds he sees her baring down for a close up attack and judging the distance behind him as she open for a deadly flame strike Rain beats her to the punch and sends an icy backward impacting deep on her throat. Driving nose first to the dirt Sephinroth crinkles her body like an accordion from the impact, lifting her head she sees him speed off and slamming her claws to the ground with an intense anger blazing hot steam from her snout she rips a load of soil from the ground; squeezing it through her hands like melted butter and launches like a rocket to the air again. Rain sees his target area up ahead and holding the shard tightly in his hand he waits till he is in range. Seeing the act Sephinroth knows she must finish the rider now, and judging the shot she takes aim just as Rain does as well.


    She fires the ball from her right snout hole blasting pebbles and rocks into the air from the explosion, but emerging from the unsettling dust he crawls out. His horse that was incinerated by the blast blew him to distance of where he needed to be and placing the shard into the ground with a knife throw does the ancient device activate. It starts enveloping all demons within the globe of blue color instantly; Drow all over the battle front stop their fighting to see the event who are confused for a second are signaled for retreating regroup at Shadowell city, cleaving them down as they run Straud makes the command not to follow but to attend to the wounded.


    Colossus sees his army engulfs in flames and lets out a yelling ¡°NOO!¡± Of utter defeat from a hillside where he retreated himself as he shimmers to his tower scorned from flesh to soul.


    Lying near death and with burns scorned to his under tissue Sephinroth gazes upon the rider¡¯s face, and with a gasp she whispers.


    ¡°Rain¡±


    The wounded and the victory chant came to the refugee cavern and soldiers came to their wives hugging as well as embracing sorrow filled sadness to the ones who lost their loved ones. Dawn was gathered by other healers from the battle fields to perform the heals that they could in order of seriousness, Cloud, Alisianna and Elanee help organizes the wounded as they came in and the ones with having only minor cuts they helped as well.


    Penelope franticly worried for the sight of her husband wasn¡¯t seen for a time, she saw Stark alive and well approaching with the sword of her husband strapped to his belt and the cat Anubis at his side, Penelope screamed out loud at the sight not seen but her voice was lost amongst the others in mourning, running with her son held in her arms toward Starks location she then saw a arm draped across his neck and having the crowd move to her clear vision she then saw Tristan limping but alive with a severe gash to his leg.


    ¡°TRISTAN!¡¯ she yelled to him and as he looked up she brought her arms to his face, kissing him with the enfant between them he kissed his son¡¯s head and smiled to both of them.


    ¡°Oh my god¡± said Tristan losing his joy at the sight of Straud carrying Cynn limp and lifeless to the room.


    ¡°Dawn, come here quickly!¡± he shouted and seeing who it was parted the Drowish crowd in a saddened silent rustle, she came running ¡°CYNN!¡± she shouted sliding to her side and checking her pulse


    ¡°She¡¯s not dead right, Dawn please tell me she¡¯s not dead,¡± Straud pleaded with tears to his face


    ¡°She¡¯s alive¡± Dawn said relaxingly and went to heal her with a full heal but nothing changed, her wounds were cured and burns were removed but she didn¡¯t wake up.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Straud asked


    ¡°I don¡¯t know, it worked, she¡¯s healed but she¡¯s not waking up¡± Dawn says, Elanee came to their side and touches her forehead and confused she pulls her hand away.


    ¡°This is weird, she¡¯s not communicating with me in her mind, conscious or not she should be able to do it¡± Elanee says looking to Straud with a worried but wondered look ¡°I don¡¯t get it, it¡¯s like she¡¯s¡­brain-dead¡± and looking to his love Straud bows his head with grief,


    ¡°Has anyone seen Lalandra?¡± he asks and with no one answering the paged question Cloud speaks up,


    ¡°She¡¯s a silver Dragon uncle she¡¯ll be alright; she¡¯s just probably making sure that the enemy is disposed of from her land, I¡¯m sure she¡¯ll be home by nightfall¡±


    ¡°I hope your right Cloud, nice work with Colossus, with that amulet power we now might have a chance again,¡± Straud says standing to his feet again and carrying Cynn to a more private location.


    ¡°Has anyone seen Rain or Artanis¡± asked Elanee


    ¡°Not yet¡± said Cloud and helping the group with resituating the men wounded and repaired for close to yet another hour, the men had stopped coming in and with no sign of Artanis or Rain Cloud begins to worry, as does the rest.


    Finally, he comes stumbling in to the chamber, bloodied and scathed from battle he walked slowly to the room¡¯s center, his head buried in his wet sweated hair and hearing Cloud¡¯s concerned voice he lifted his head. His eyes and face wet with past tears not long made and his expression showed to all what no one wanted to hear or question, Cloud¡¯s sword echoed throughout the chamber from hitting the ground as a guard removed Artanis¡¯s cloak to find Artanis¡¯s hand gripping the Blade of Cloud¡¯s mother, Rain¡¯s blade. Cloud hit the ground to his knees and Alisianna went stiff with no thought. Elanee¡¯s face iced over like a glacier not moving, just watching Cloud¡¯s reaction. Dawn stopped mid phrase at a cure she was casting to a footman¡¯s broken leg and she went pale, almost sick from the sight of the horrified news.


    Rain was dead.

 Chapter 53

    Arriving in a smoking state not by his ability Logan used his other hand to pry the burning blade hilt from his skin. The blade fell to the ground and he knelt to catch his breath from the heated battle on the floor of the throne chamber. Arriving not long after him was Colossus who warped to his chair and gripped the armrest for support as he clenched his side, badly wounded from the battle for the stones.


    ¡°Well that was unfortunate,¡± Colossus groaned


    ¡°Unfortunate! We got our asses kicked Colossus¡± Logan shouted strapping off his body shield and putting it tight to his hands Logan slammed it to the ground hard ¡°I got the highlights already from a fleeing Drow commander in Sophie¡¯s army, your army was incinerated by the ruins protection ability, Sophie was blown sky high into the ocean, I LOST! My invulnerability power cause of that idiot Artanis finding my dagger somehow, Sephinroth is missing presumed dead, and lastly¡­oh yes you only able to retrieve one of the two stones!¡± Logan finished breathing hard from trying to get all the words out at once.


    ¡°I¡¯m very much aware of the losses Logan but thank you for restating them to me¡± Colossus scowled to him still holding his side and closing his eyes he took a breath. ¡°But you¡¯re correct about Sephinroth, where did she go. She should¡¯ve met up with us after the battle¡±


    ¡°Maybe it wasn¡¯t worth her while after killing off Lalandra,¡± Logan gasped


    ¡°No, she¡¯d not have walked out on this deal willingly unless¡­¡± said Colossus thinking to himself then took to his feet to his chamber containing his books.


    ¡°Unlesss¡­?¡± Logan said following him ¡°I lost my entire Vampire army, we both lost nearly our lives and you go off down here like someone with an attention disorder¡± Colossus stops his pace and turns to Logan, looking down to match eyes. ¡°Sometimes these introductions don`t always go as smooth as one would hope, but they are a necessity¡±


    Logan blanks a look back, void of thought for a moment ¡°Introduction! Listen bullyboy I didn`t have a damn herald riding up to me with an invite to a dinner party out there¡­I went for War!¡±


    ¡°Then you went for the wrong reason Logan, this wasn¡¯t a battle¡± nods his head ¡°Well yes it was but not for what any of them or you knew for, this was a battle of wits¡­of knowledge. You see I needed to see and know what they did and now that I do, the next phase of the plan can go through, the loss was great but it was a necessary loss. You¡¯ll have to replenish your memberships¡±


    ¡°Hey, I¡¯m no breeding pit for you Colossus, those men had training and skill, for recruitment and mind state alone I¡¯ll need years plus training locations¡± Logan snapped back


    ¡°From what I saw you`ll need decades, they were cut down in mere hours¡±


    ¡°That was no house warming party we went up against you moron¡±


    ¡°Oh stop you¡¯re sniffling, this always was a possibility¡±


    ¡°Not for me Colossus, I won`t do any more until you tell me the whole plan¡± Colossus again stops his walk, turns to him with a deep stare that rendered Logan silent and a bit nervous.


    ¡°You talk as if this fight wasn`t a fair one, that`s what I never got with you Paladins, your code of ethics and honor, It means nothing in the grand scale. You want a fair fight go into a practice ring, you wish to win battles and wars¡­eliminate the opposition from time and lore, you win any way you can. By any means available, you wish to know my plan do you, you plan on alterations and I have, you keep your focus and I will, but what you never do is share command¡­¡± gets close in Logan`s face ¡°It`s never a good idea!¡±


    Logan watches him take from his face back down the hallway ¡°Where are you going¡±


    ¡°To conform a suspicion my dear boy¡± Colossus ends wafting away into a puff of red smoke. Logan grips tight his blade and with a roar of blustering anger throws it into the hallway stone still with rage of the outcome that the talk never subdued.


    Water trickles against the steady rocks of a waterfall and folds back toward the ocean as Captain Stryker of the Drow and his elite guard search for their missing Queen, told from a scout that he witnessed her fall from the tower down to this area.


    ¡°Captain¡­Here Captain I¡¯ve found her!¡± said a searching guard who pointed out to the ocean at a glimmering peace of armor floating on the surface of the water, Stryker judged it to be about a quarter mile out from the shoreline and stripping his armor off he dove in swimming quickly toward her. Nearly reaching her body her knew about her evil curse over men and slowly put his hand towards her body from a close proximity. Seeing that nothing had happened he feared the worst had come to pass and swimming beside her folded her arms around his neck and backstroked to the shoreline with her clenched to his torso. He pulls her from the watery tome she was left to as water runs free of her body draining off to the wet salty sand.


    She was a cold as ice and seeing the bludgeoned red marks under her skin indicated to the Captain bleeding under her skin, he drug her to the sandy shore and checked her lifeline.


    ¡°She¡¯s alive men!¡± he announced with a happy tone, he then ordered the striping of her armor to allow her more air as the Captain ripped his cape from his back to wrap her in. Stryker looked helpless to her emotionless face to see only a peaceful sleeping sight residing on it.


    He pulls back her soaking wet bangs covering her face to get a momentary glimpse at her stunning beauty; leaning over with a shocking look from the guards he places a light gentle kiss to her blue tinged lips.


    ¡°She must be in some sort of deep trance¡± he says to the guards as he orders them to prep his horse to carry them both to Shadowell city, he places his hand on hers and holds it to his chest


    ¡°Stay with us my Queen, the city needs you, the men need you¡­I need you¡± he whispers holding his deep gaze to her slumbering state when the guards tell him his horse is ready, picking her up in his arms he climbs to his horse holding her cradled in his grasp.


    ¡°Retribution will be yours when your strength returns Matriarch¡­I swear this to you, and if not from your hand it will come from my own¡± he says as they ride off and away to the city.


    Throughout the next day and then another following grew an unsettling silence in the encampment that no amount of joy or hope could ever shed. People worked as needed but showed no emotion for interest in it at all. A cold front wind blows and shivering icy clouds grew in the sky as winter and the first snowfall were finally here. Taking almost a day to himself to get over the initial shock of his brother¡¯s death, Cloud was visited by numerous parties who witnessed his miracle heroism, bearing thanks and unlimited waves of gratitude. Kind it was to see but not in need for as big as the compliments were it showed no sway to his heavy heart from the loss of his brother. Comforted by his wife and sister who also had a hard time trying to work through the difficult time, their time and skills were needed greatly. Dawn¡¯s abilities were relied on heavily over the next few days so she had to do as much as possible to bury her feelings to show rightful hope to the group as a whole; but time to time Dawn found herself breaking down at her personal exclusive sanctuary in the mausoleum. As well as in the mist of some curing sessions, but during any heartfelt time she was supported and comforted by her new expressed love; Artanis. He as well blames himself from time to time over the days on his part that he felt he could have done more in Rain¡¯s security, although no one else second-guesses him being able to have done any more than he did.If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    Stark stayed to aid with the clearing and burying of the bodies from both sides as well as the traditional funeral burnings, laying down fresh soil that was it covered with the natural chilling snowy white blessing of the realms condolences. Stark and less than half of what he brought with him reconvened back to the Mere from whist they came and wished the enclave well and if they needed anything in the future not to hesitate on the call of nature¡¯s aid.


    Looking to the common places she retreats to for time alone, Cloud looks for the one who has spent days steering clear of everyone¡¯s path. Cloud looked to the pond and the riverside where she and Rain spent most of their time together, but coming up empty, he goes to the one place he had yet to look.


    Entering the opening of Rain¡¯s study he finds her, huddled like a child in the corner of the room leaning against a bookshelf with her hair blanketed over her face.


    ¡°This was his favorite spot, to be when no one would listen to him or if he was tired of the task,¡± said Cloud to Elanee¡¯s folded figure, walking ever slowly but closer to her ¡°There is a dinner plate with your name on it that when you¡¯re ready can be heated for you¡±


    Catching a glimmer shine from his sheathed blade it reflects off her face. Cloud sees that she has not even shed a tear since the hearing of the tragedy or during the emotional time of Rain¡¯s funeral; he focuses to her hands gripped around a thick blue-glassed crafted bottle that he knows holds the contents of the harsh Drowish drink blood wine.


    ¡°Elanee did you drink that whole bottle, that stuff is not meant for human consumption, especially in the amount you had¡­was it full?¡± he questioned her concerned


    ¡°As long as it doesn¡¯t touch your tongue going down your throat, you can dilute its effective strength allowing you to even drink a dwarf under the table¡± Elanee replies in a defeated soft mono tone voice


    ¡°That¡¯s right¡± Cloud responded going around the work table to see a clear view of her and looking up to his approach she smiled.


    ¡°Rain taught me that on the night of the Shadowell Ball, he showed me a lot even though he didn¡¯t teach it to me in direct words I watched him¡­I learned a lot¡± she said getting to her feet and walking around Cloud¡¯s figure to the openness of the chamber. Strolling up and down the book shelves Elanee walked and bared thoughts quietly to her mind.


    ¡°The first time we met we hated each other¡± Elanee laughed and Cloud smirked ¡°He called me a bitch even though he thought I didn¡¯t hear him, and under my breath back I said he was a arrogant prick, I never thought that it would lead this far¡± she said looking upon Cloud¡¯s saddened face.


    ¡°He has always loved you Elanee, even when he first spat out your name in a harsh sense it sparked in him an undying love for you¡± Cloud said to her as she again smiled to him running her hand across the dusty books lining the shelves of her fallen love¡¯s study. Then perching her rear against the study table side she held the bottle in her hands.


    ¡°It¡¯s ok to hate him Elanee, you can hate him for what he did¡± and looking to Cloud again she smiled a straight cut smile,


    ¡°I don¡¯t hate him Cloud, I¡¯m proud of him¡± she replied swallowing hard air down her throat ¡°It took a lot of eternal strength to do what he did even knowing what the outcome could be¡­what he¡¯d be leaving behind. I admire his courage, I really do¡± and holding a moment of silence to her thoughts she just said she then goes for another taste of the harsh drink to find the bottle empty, pulling it from her lips she looks to it and her left eyes draw a single tear, quivering her lips she throws the bottle to the wall smashing it into pieces. She buries her face to her hands while letting out a stomach turning cry, Cloud races to grab her trembling body and going limp to his grasp she leans heavy on his chest. Groaning cry after crackling cry she takes her strengthless hands, pounding them without any force against Cloud¡¯s chest ¡°HE PROMISED!¡± rang to his ears gasping for air to speak


    ¡°I know Elanee¡­I know¡± Cloud whispered slow


    ¡°He looked right at me and promised he wouldn¡¯t do this to me. Why! Why did he do this to me¡± she ranted as a river of tears ran down his cloth shirt soaking it along with her escaping saliva from her mouth.


    ¡°To save us¡­ to protect us¡­to protect you¡± Cloud said calmly as he held her vibrating body


    ¡°I don¡¯t care, I want him back, I want him in my arms!¡± she barked brokenly to Cloud, and holding her firm Cloud calmingly shushed her and gently rocked her like a enfant back and forth as she continued her tearful assault. She could nothing but cry and as the emotion came to Cloud again a tear of sorrow came to his cheek side.


    They hear footsteps approach from the entrance and sniffling up her draining mucus Elanee wipes her tears to see who was there. Alisianna stands with Elanee¡¯s adopted enfant cuddled to her arms, walking into the room Alisianna looks to the two grieving separate from each other at her sight.


    ¡°Hey¡± Alisianna whispers softly ¡°This little one was wondering if her mother was going to be ok¡± Elanee walks to her child and being passed to her Elanee grows a warm smile to her face.


    ¡°I¡¯ll be ok don¡¯t you worry none¡± Elanee says to the child squirming in her arms. Going to her husband Alisianna embraces Cloud while watching Elanee with her baby, Cloud looks to Alisianna¡¯s belly and rubs it with a smile,


    ¡°I want ours Cloud¡± she said


    ¡°So do I¡± he replies and looking at the child while Elanee was smiling brightly thinks to herself,


    ¡°I had asked Rain to be the father for this child before we left to intercept Malice, he had not given me an answer before this¡± she blurted out to them.


    ¡°I think we know what he would have said Elanee¡± Alisianna smiled to her and grinning back she nods,


    ¡°Have you chosen a name for the child yet Elanee?¡± asked Cloud


    ¡°Yeah, I want to name her Kityana¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s pretty¡± Alisianna compliments


    ¡°It means ¡°Eternal strength¡± Elanee adds, and having a silence Alisianna reminds Cloud of the walk they were going to take and extending the offer to Elanee she declines, saying that she would like some more time alone to think. Thanking Cloud for the talk, Cloud and Alisianna leave Elanee to her solitude. Sitting to Rain¡¯s desk with baby Kityana in her arms she looks around the room to its elusive presence that Rain left behind and then looking to her child she thinks to herself, it won¡¯t be that bad as tears stream again down her face.


    During the next two days emotions start to lighten up a bit as both Penelope and Tristan leave to settle in the city of Silverspire for a permanent home, he puts his commission to join the army there and is offered the leading position for his past assistance as the new head Captain of the guard, gratified by the honor he accepted it.


    Down in the temple, sectioned off from the rest of the sick and recovering was Cynn, lying peaceful on a quilted stone laid pad for her motionless comfort. She was visited upon daily by Dawn in tending to Cynn¡¯s flowers and recanting Cynn¡¯s water scents in the fountain nearby, but none were at her side longer than that of Straud. Day in and day out Straud would watch her body in a feeling of sheltered howled mourning for there was nothing he could do to help her sleeping state. Every day he would go to her side in the morning and place his blade point down in front of her, kneeling to say his traditional prayers he gripped his blade tight with his bare hands until blood from his palms would run down the folded inlay grooves of the steel. Dawn was never allowed to heal the reopened daily wounds for they were a constant reminder to him of what was important in his life. ¡°I will find the wisdom to reverse this crystallize state your beauty has been frozen to my love, until the last breath in my body is taken I will make this pledge¡­this vow¡± he would say to her at the end of every prayer session and everyday grew more impatient with not having the wisdom come to pass.

 Chapter 54

    At first opening, his vision was blurred; only being able to make out fads of light and dark images in the room. His eyesight strengthened and his focus then came upon a great joy. A beautiful painted scenario of cozy fiery warm torches burned on cave settled walls and appearing to his immediate location was a bed setting. He was wrapped in a red satin sheet and his heavy rested head was nursed upon to big white fluffy pillows, the bedding was laced with a bed made of oak wood and had a canopy draped with fresh cut Orchids¡¯ and roses to scent the air. His back was resting on warm water skins of water that made up the mattress of the bed, and to his right sat a woman with a familiar but ever stunning renowned look with red shiny hair. She had an amber glow surrounding her and as she reached for a cloth in the steamy water bowl to lie to his forehead he smiled.


    ¡°Somehow I knew you would be waiting for me¡± he said to her


    ¡°Your awake¡± Sephinroth replied with a spark as she rose to her feet beside him, combing her hair from out of her face she leaned over to check his skin temperature on his head.


    ¡°How long was I out?¡± Rain asked shifting his eyes from the view of cleavage she exposed through the middle of the robe she was wearing to her elegant sculpted face.


    ¡°Four days¡± Sephinroth replied ¡°How do you feel, your wounds were severe from the battle¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m fine now¡± Rain said smiling to her ¡°Although I have to say this setting is not what I had in mind for the afterlife¡± Rain said looking around in his bed, looking again to Sephinroth he saw a heavy thought dwelling upon her mind. ¡°Eve? Is something wrong?¡± Rain questioned her


    ¡°Sore throat¡± she said touching her neck wrap was scared short term from the ice blast he shot at her, and turning away from his face she went to re dampen the cloth and ringing it out she closed her eyes and took a deep breath. ¡°Rain there is something you need to know; first you¡¯re not dead I brought you here after the battle for you were near death¡±


    ¡°Not dead! Eve what are you talking about of course I¡¯m dead I mean you¡¯re here and sorry to break it to you but so are you if from all this time you are unaware¡± Rain says with a smirk and a smile but seeing no return laughter Rain grew serious again.


    ¡°Rain, I¡¯m as alive as you are¡­I¡­I never¡­died in that fire you saw me blaze away in¡± and going to reapply the cloth to his head he stops her hands from the action,


    ¡°What, Eve your alive!¡± Rain said exploding with puzzlement and confusion ¡°How, how is this possible?¡± he rambled to her


    ¡°God this is so hard to say to you Rain¡± she said lowering her head but raising her chin with his hand Rain spoke to her in an inquiring look,


    ¡°Try¡± he said to her


    ¡°Rain I¡¯m not Eve I never have been, she never existed at all¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re in a lair Rain, I brought you here after the battle, I had to save you¡± she said getting to her feet and walking away from him. Rain sat up from his restful state and putting his elbows to his knees placed his head cradled in his hands to think.


    ¡°Lair¡­you mean Dragon lair¡­you mean Sephinroth¡¯s Lair¡± Rain said out loud thinking.


    ¡°Yes Rain, I¡¯m Sephinroth¡± she answered him turning to see his face, ¡°Please Rain you must underst¡­.¡±


    ¡°What!, understand What! Sephinroth works with¡­you work with Colossus, the enemy YOU¡¯RE THE ENEMY SEPHINROTH!¡± said Rain rising to his feet but away from her he shimmied away from her area to put distance between them, ¡°The stones¡­your aid with us, was that all a plan?¡±


    ¡°Colossus couldn¡¯t figure out how to find them so¡­¡±


    ¡°He sent you to infiltrate our ranks and get me to solve it when he sent you, all this time it¡¯s been you! My god¡­Maylor¡­all those lives lost at the battle just made, they¡¯re dead because of you! This is your entire fault!¡±


    ¡°Rain, please this wasn¡¯t supposed to happen¡± she pleaded to him trying to get closer to him but he keeps backing away,


    ¡°What wasn¡¯t supposed to happen? All of this?¡± Rain shouted


    ¡°No me falling for you, falling in love with you¡± she wept out to him


    ¡°Oh please. As if I am supposed to choke down that line willingly; you don¡¯t have feelings for me that was all a rouse to gain my trust!¡± Rain barked to her and bringing a cold chill to his hand and in glowing an intense bluish tinged he looked harsh to her face ¡°I should end you right now; you deserve nothing but death for what you did to me, to my clan¡­my FAMILY! I can¡¯t believe that night that you were injured I interfered, I should¡¯ve left you¡±


    ¡°But you didn¡¯t Rain you saved me¡± she cried to him


    ¡°Yeah, and a lot of damn good that did¡± he bolted back


    ¡°Maybe not in you, but it started something in me, for after that night when I started to fall for you. I wasn¡¯t in control of how the plan was to unfold either¡± she barked to him


    ¡°Everyone has a choice Sephinroth, right up until they lose the will to do what¡¯s right we all have a choice¡±


    ¡°Not when your child¡¯s life hang¡¯s in the balance, when you have children Rain and their lives are in mortal danger, then you can preach to me about having a choice!¡± she snapped at him ¡°I watched as my youngling¡¯s neck was snapped like a thin stick by Colossus¡¯s hand, her life long life full of freedom and freewill was cut to nothing right in front of me. That was my leash being tugged on from when Logan ratted me out about having my allegiance being swayed¡±


    ¡°How¡± Rain responded


    ¡°From not finishing what I started, I was going to tell you everything about my infiltration and acting performance, but before I could my child lost her life to keep me in line¡± Sephinroth spitted to him


    ¡°So you lost a child big deal, you can have more that¡¯s what dragons do¡±


    ¡°Not in my case¡± she said to him


    ¡°You reptilian bitch, I worked with you, I trusted you¡­I loved you¡±


    ¡°Rain everything I have said to you has been the utter truth, about me, my past, my losses¡­my love to you; it is all real I swear upon my soul, just my presentation was false¡±


    ¡°With half a mind Sephinroth I should kill you right now!¡± Rain blasted out to her, she then walked slowly to him holding out her arms extended.


    ¡°Then save me the torment of waiting for your mercy, do it and be done with it¡­I won¡¯t move; between loving my child and you I have made my choice, and for failing to report back after the battle to save your life I have surely doomed my other child¡¯s rebirthing¡±


    ¡°Awe common Sephinroth do you think me so heartless of a person to do that to you¡± said a voice from a shaded cave area and moving to the torches light Colossus showed his presence ¡°After all you have held your end of the bargain in bringing me the mage as agreed¡±


    ¡°What Colossus how did you get in here! I made no such pact I swear to you Rain this was not my intention¡±


    ¡°Please Sephinroth don¡¯t lie to the boy any longer, he has gone through enough as it is¡±


    ¡°No! Rain this wasn¡¯t agreed please believe me¡± she pleads to him as she looks to his once again defeated look of betrayal,


    ¡°I think he has heard enough of your useless words Dragon¡± Colossus smiled


    An evil glare comes to Sephinroth¡¯s face as she stares at Colossus ¡°I don¡¯t know how you got in here but you¡¯ll be barbecue when I¡¯m through with your corpse¡±


    ¡°An unlikely outcome for I only came to trade him for this¡± Colossus finishes holding the scroll in his grip and tossing it to the ground he summons Rain¡¯s body to his hand, not being ready Rain flies to his monstrous grasp and Colossus with him firmly held disappears.


    ¡°RAIN!¡± she shouted as he was taken away, and glowing her face red with a heated anger she moved to the scrolls resting place and picked it up, ¡°This is the last time you cross me Colossus, this act is not going unjustified this time¡± she says fading away into burning flame.


    Appearing into his towering homeland Colossus tosses Rain from his grip to two of his zealot¡¯s caring hands. Rain threw as he stumbled toward them his chilling readied attack that as he seen it coming toward him was batted away with ease, Colossus redirected it hitting a wall that Logan was near. Rain then was taken but tried to fight his way free when Logan came to his sights and backhanded him to a half awareness state.


    ¡°You almost hit me with that spell¡± Logan snapped at Colossus


    ¡°Oh relax Logan it was cold based, you wouldn¡¯t have been hurt¡± Colossus waved off to him.


    ¡°And as for you, I really don¡¯t believe we have had the immense pleasure of a proper introduction¡± said Colossus going up to him and kneeling to his levelThis tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.


    ¡°I know who you are¡± muttered Rain ¡°The beast that killed my parent¡¯s, my friends and gave me no normal life¡­and I do promise that your end will be by my hand¡± Rain finishes weakly raising his head to meet Colossus¡¯s eyes


    ¡°Do you even know why I¡¯m doing this task?¡± Colossus inquired to Rain


    ¡°Save your unpleasant disreputable dialogue Colossus, I don¡¯t want it nor do I have use for its power¡±


    ¡°Ah but there you are wrong for you being the type you are, your thirst for such explanation and better understanding, and so you shall have it, but first a question to you. If you were given the army from my grasp I¡¯m curious? What would you be pressed to do?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d send it back against you for the ultimate insult, to be destroyed by the very thing you instrumented for as its purpose¡± barked Rain gaining his focus back more and more


    ¡°Rain you have no idea how similar you and I are¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m nothing like you, you demon breed infectious insect¡± spitted Rain to him


    ¡°The only one who has a demonic parental background here is you, try not to get the history between us backwards, my heritage is strictly from the light side for my parents were both celestial beings¡± Colossus barked back at him


    ¡°Celestial¡­but wouldn¡¯t that make you¡­¡±


    ¡°The same, I am celestial as well¡± Colossus added interrupting Logan¡¯s statement


    ¡°That¡¯s why you had such a problem getting the demon army to follow you it¡¯s not that you weren¡¯t of sufficient power¡± Logan said


    ¡°No, only my background prevented me from entering the lower levels with ease and swaying control over evil beings was even less than promising¡± Colossus continued


    And throwing his hands to the air Logan shook his head ¡°All this time I¡¯ve been fighting for the wrong side, how confusing, you really need to get your priorities straight Colossus¡±


    ¡°They have never been changed only mislead to your eyes¡± Colossus looked to Logan


    ¡°You don¡¯t want to get to the throne of hell to take command, you want to reach the haven celestial land from above¡± said Rain


    ¡°Very good Sorcerer, and with your help I can achieve the goal we both want to see in the end sooner¡±


    ¡°My help!¡± said Rain


    ¡°His Help!¡± cried Logan looking as shocked as Rain from the implication


    ¡°Join me Rain, I can teach you things you couldn¡¯t learn from the bound limitations of your present masters¡±


    ¡°To hell with you Colossus, I¡¯m not being swayed to your retarded spin on what you call a noble act, not while my friends and family are alive and in your path to success¡±


    ¡°And there lies your only weakness, do you really think a small band of lives matter in the great design of the world¡¯s evil deeds, you would place the lives of those you love over the populated world of goodness, the balance is not even¡± Colossus explains


    ¡°No it isn¡¯t but I have now learned that everyone can¡¯t be made to see the light, and even if they do; they shouldn¡¯t have to give up their free will and souls to do it¡± Rain proudly stated


    ¡°So be it, Drow! Guards take him to the prepping room; it seems the young master has chosen the path of plan B!¡± Colossus smiled watching him as he was taken by the Zealots away kicking and screaming down the hall.


    Arriving in a flaming flash just as Rain¡¯s last belly scream was sounded out Sephinroth dodges behind a pillar to avoid being seen, looking around for her own personal mission to break Rain out of his uncomely getaway she begins to sneak around covertly to locate him.


    Nearly being seen on a couple of occasions she passes by a hall where Colossus went down himself, he stops as he passes her hidden shaded hiding stop and feeling an untimely power house presence near him he orders that extra guards be placed where Rain was being kept. And waiting for his awareness to lose its effect she moved on as soon as he was out of sight.


    ¡°Rain, where are you¡± Sephinroth said closed mouth as she moved through the lower levels searching spots she figured he¡¯d be but always coming up empty.


    She moved passed a room guarded by two guards outside with the steel door closed, seeing torches being lit by the two of them she closed her eyes and made herself disappear. Hoping that her assumption was right she appeared only as twin eyes in the fiery flames of torches burning on the inner side of the door, looking around to survey the room¡¯s interior she saw two more guards on either side of a pillar holding a scroll.


    ¡°An infectious curse scroll! What is Colossus planning to do with that¡± she says identifying its authenticity, and hearing the door open to the room she sees three mages approach the guards.


    ¡°Leave¡± they command to the guards who obey and move out of the room. Waiting till they depart the three say they need to hurry to finishes this before the young mage regains his full spellbinding strength, for it to be imbued upon him at that state would pose to be difficult.


    ¡°They¡¯re going to put the spell on Rain. But what for, what purpose; why not just kill him, unless¡± she says laughing to herself ¡°he never got the stones, oh no! Colossus is going to trade Rain for the stones, and with the curse attached he¡¯ll give him back to the clan letting Rain spread the infection and killing the rest of the clan¡± she then returns to her form outside the room and continues to move through the hallways ¡°I have to find Rain and free him before the end comes to his group, they are the only ones now that can stop him now¡± she rambles to herself during her on going search.


    She finds a heavily guarded corner area in a lower level of the tower¡¯s super structure and using her fiery eye ability again to scope out the area she finds that which she was looking for, Rain was chained up against the wall of the tower with a full company of men to watch his safety, Sephinroth knew that in that close of a space her dragon form wouldn¡¯t be able to be shown, and to fight a force like that in her human form would prove to be suicide.


    ¡°Oh Rain! What has that bastard done to you my love¡± she said looking from where she could at his helplessness. She then reverts to her form from the fire and thinking around a shaded corner she comes to one conclusion.


    She moves back up to where she was before to the room with the scroll and waits till the guard shift change. Sitting down with her knees bunched to her chest she finally after some hours later hears the sound of a second set of guards coming down the hall, she sneaks a peak to see that it¡¯s the set of men sent to replace the first and dusting herself off she gets ready to attack. When the first group leaves the sight of her eyes she attacks the newly brought guards, and being unaware and taken by surprise Sephinroth quickly over turns their position outside the door, trying to keep it as quiet as possible. But failing to do so resulted in the mages coming out of the room, she then used magic against their own to take out the spellbinding mages and when the smoke had settled only she remained on her feet.


    ¡°Well that was fun¡± she smiled but looking at the scroll turned her victory to a short willed win, she moved toward the scroll and interlocking her hands to quickly crack her knuckles she then fluttered her fingers while thinking of what to do.


    ¡°Now let see if I can undo what has been done here in a manner that Colossus won¡¯t know or see till it¡¯s too late¡± and shutting the door and locking it she went to work.


    As the sharp winter wind blew through the camp during the rebuilding phase scouts came back from the southern post with haste and barring a grate discovery.


    ¡°That¡¯s it men just a few more pulls, that¡¯s it one more; there stop! You three secure that rope there to stabilize the support¡± issued Straud to some men when the scout¡¯s horse rode right to his location.


    ¡°Captain Straud, Captain we¡¯ve found her¡±


    ¡°Who scout?¡±


    ¡°Lalandra Milord she¡¯s alive¡± said one scout as a concerned look fell to the other scout looking at the first one


    ¡°Show me!¡± Straud commanded mounting his steed summoned and following the scouts.


    They arrived in a short time to the southern mountainous passage, the two scouts, Straud with Dawn on his mount, and Cloud on his own as well. But what they found was traitorous to all their eyes that were in the guarded care of two Drow left to its side.


    Battered and bleeding silver blood from all parts of her body they saw the great Dragon lying in an open area barely moving. Her eyes were slashed to a point beyond her to see a thing from them, and Dawn clearly noticed and pointed out to her left wing stem which was missing half of its structure. Her tail had parts greatly ripped and bitten from it, and from the great pain she bared softly to herself she rolled to her side to show the massive gapping slits of raw flesh hanging from her underbelly. Almost all of her horns that were a divinity of her great beauty were cut, broken and bleeding the silvery sap of life she had in her from their rooted sockets, and hearing the moans from her defeated voice caused all to be put in a shocked silence. Dismounting first Straud followed by Dawn went to her side slowly; a rush from the forest came to their sights. Alisianna covered her mouth at the first sight of the horror; Cloud then dismounted and went to her side shielding the view of the beaten creature.


    ¡°Lalandra, what happened¡± asked Straud


    ¡°Uncle her jaw line is broken, I don¡¯t think she can talk¡± replied Dawn in a diagnosis of the damage done to her.


    ¡°Perhaps I can help¡± said Alisianna ¡°I can commune with her and share her thoughts¡±


    ¡°You can do that, I only thought that Elanee could¡± replied a scout


    ¡°She can do it to all but I can do it with neutral based creatures of nature, and dragons fall under that title¡± Alisianna then approaches and looking for a dry spot to touch she placed her hand to her body and closed her eyes. ¡°She was fighting Sephinroth when she was warped by her from a recall stone to the underworld of hell. There she was met by demons that were drawn to her arrival, and this had all been planned. She fought them off but through the unending battle and time was she eventually overwhelmed, Lalandra was beaten and battered by the beasts until she could summon only enough strength to teleport away¡±


    ¡°But she has been gone for five days, where has she been?¡± asked Dawn


    ¡°In the underworld dominion hiding until she could gain enough energy to make the teleport to here on the surface, but having little strength she could not risk teleporting to her home for the miscalculated rocky terrain could send her to her death¡± Alisianna finished and then got another request. ¡°Dawn, she asked that you stand at the foot of her mouth to look for something¡±


    ¡°What is it¡± Dawn said going to the position, and struggling to her feet Lalandra coughed and heaved from her throat yet even more silvery blood and sticky saliva that brought about a stench that made Dawn almost vomit right there, and covering her face while Lalandra waiting for the investigation to end, Dawn and Cloud helping her shifted through the muddy goop for anything that she had in her.


    ¡°Alisianna I don¡¯t know what I¡¯m looking for is it a weapon, stone or¡­¡± she then stopped at the sight of an egg shell. Bending down and picking it up she knew it had broken, looking around she saw more pieces of the shells making more than one egg scattered in the muddy substance and falling to her butt and sitting in the blood.


    ¡°They¡¯re dead! Her young are dead¡± Dawn repeated to Cloud who looked over and saw the shells shattered and broken.


    Alisianna looked to the mess and dropped her head in shame,


    ¡°Is there a way to bring them back¡± she asked Dawn ¡°Surly a potion or spell can restore them¡±


    ¡°If they were hatched yes but, they weren¡¯t fully developed yet¡± Dawn answered


    ¡°What should I say to her?¡± asked Alisianna


    ¡°The truth, for however painful it is, it¡¯s all she ever wants to hear¡± responded Straud and nodding she closed her eyes and communed with her again. Lalandra let out a belly aching grown of a cry that shuttered the ground and brought sadness to all in her presence. At first the great dragon was too weak to move but as time and healing from Dawn¡¯s hands went on throughout the day Lalandra eventually got enough movement and strength to return home. She then had a request that only Dawn could grant to her which was the use of her wings and body again. At first Dawn said that it¡¯s not possible for her to do it, but having Lalandra after her jaw was healed taught her the ways of regenerating flesh and bone as well as some encouragement from her family and friends, she gave it a honest try. Trying for the first day proved to be useless and as heavy frustration and mistrust in her abilities set in Dawn struggled greatly. Dawn could repair the tissue damage to Lalandra¡¯s underbelly and horns as well as all the scales but for the tail and wings she was at a loss.


    ¡°I can¡¯t, I just can¡¯t do it¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re getting closer Dawn please try again¡±


    ¡°NO! This is pointless, look I want to help I really do it¡¯s just that¡­¡±


    ¡°You feel you¡¯re betraying Maylor from learning advanced magic from me, is that right¡± she looks to Lalandra and nods her head,


    ¡°Dawn he would have wanted you to keep going and learning from another is not an evil deed especially to Maylor, now please from the extensive time I have known him he has always strived for his peers to seek knowledge from the sources that help them best learn the task, he can¡¯t teach this to you anymore but I can Dawn please¡­try again¡± she thinks for a second and knowing what Lalandra says to be true she nods to her for yet another instructed attempt.

 Chapter 55

    Evening comes around for the second day from Dawns attempts at the regeneration process and she gives word to Artanis that she will meet him and Elanee at the common hall in a while, as Artanis and Elanee sit down from another hard passing day from Rain¡¯s loving touch Elanee thanks Artanis for his help to her she has been given over the last days.


    ¡°Hey it¡¯s the least I can do for the loss you have been given¡±


    ¡°Artanis, I thought that we had agreed that it wasn¡¯t your fault and you wouldn¡¯t blame yourself anymore¡± she stared at him until he apologized for the self-inflecting worded wound, he did and they continued to enjoy the evening meal and share embarrassing and humorous stories between the two.


    Dawn comes in a while later and sitting down beside them she brings to her table front a glass of blood. Taking a sip of it she gives a bashful look as she puts it down.


    ¡°Dawn I wish you¡¯d stop that¡± said Artanis ¡°You need to consume nourishment just like the rest of us and so what if it¡¯s blood¡±


    ¡°I know, I know it¡¯s just that¡­I don¡¯t think I¡¯ll ever get used to this stuff, it tastes terrible and great at the same time¡± Dawn replies


    ¡°You will¡± added Elanee and continuing their conversation with Dawn adding her voice they quiet down a bit from the restless debates going on in the rest of the commons room. Soldiers in the room group into common interest groups to discuss paths that the clan should take now that the battle is over.


    Some believe that we should launch a counterattack to Colossus¡¯s gate when found of course and some say they should relocate. Others say they should stay and just forget what has happened thus far to carry on about with their own affairs, but as they discuss louder and louder the discussions turned into windfall battles as they poured into each other interests to voice to all that their suggestion was the battle of the listed ones.


    This carried on for a time and with Artanis, Dawn and Elanee trying to ignore the common tongues Elanee grew more and more irritated by the barking all around and finally stood up.


    ¡°Would you guys just shut up and listen to yourselves!¡± Elanee shouted to the hall ¡°Your comrades and families blood and sweat still wet the grass field and you all want to start bickering and squabbling like their lives meant nothing, some of us do still mourn the ones lost and your insults to their names aren¡¯t helping¡± she ended with a glare to the room that now held a still voice.


    ¡°But we need a new plan of action, and with the Captain not showing us the way we are all curious¡± a soldier states to her


    ¡°When lord Straud is ready he will give the orders you seek¡± Artanis spoke up


    ¡°But we need to be ready now!¡± states another one who has clearly been drinking ale far too long.


    ¡°Then why do you go back to Shadowell if killing and fighting is all that you thirst for, because to me, you have shown no sign of being different from that of the Drow you all have strived so hard to prove you¡¯re not¡± Elanee bolts out, men jump from their seats at the horrid remark and drawing their weapons to show disobedient fear. One lunges at her bearing his weapon upon her but is stopped suddenly as Artanis¡¯s fist as it¡¯s buried into his face, hitting the floor hard the man feels Artanis¡¯s dagger blade sliding slowly and light upon his throat.


    ¡°You want blood, I¡¯ll give you blood¡± Artanis whispered to his ear


    ¡°Artanis don¡¯t!¡± Dawn shouted and picking him up slowly Artanis tosses the man away then pulling his sword from his sheath and standing in front of Elanee,


    ¡°She has just lost the love of her life to this battle, who if you don¡¯t recall was the soul person that is allowing you to sit here and eat and bark away as you do, if he hadn¡¯t done what he did none of us would be alive right now, NONE OF US! So show her some respect and pride for her loss and let her be¡±


    The speech puts into sight of all the men who quietly calm down and go about talking in shame and hurtful pride, Elanee leaves the hall with Artanis and Dawn following in pursuit.


    ¡°Elanee are you ok?¡± asks Dawn outside the hall


    ¡°I¡¯m fine, I just need some air¡± she replies


    ¡°Don¡¯t listen to those rallying dogs, they don¡¯t understand like we do¡± Artanis says to her.


    ¡°I know Artanis and thank you for defending me¡± she said away from his sight


    ¡°Always will I my dear, always¡± he repeats to her, and turning giving them a smile she says that she¡¯s going to go for a walk just to clear her head and wants to go alone, heeding her wish the two let her go and reseed back to the hall to have a conversation on their own.


    The next day as Dawn went to attend yet another session with Lalandra on her recovery rehabilitation. Cloud and Straud were out for a brisk winter stroll talking about new formed plans. Cloud pressed the matter of pushing forth to find Colossus and end his repulsive life but his uncle had taken the thought of a revamp plan and scout around for more alternative ideas leading to the same goal. They argued to one another as to the plan to take when they were interrupted by a scout holding something in his hand and bewildered with a look of mal contemned.


    As Captain Straud reared closer to the hand of the scout he saw it was a lock of hair,


    ¡°That¡¯s my brother¡¯s hair¡± cried Cloud in shock ¡°Where did you find this Scout?¡±


    ¡°Down at the beach front sir¡± he replied to them both and holding a note as well he explained that it was attached to the lock. Straud ripped the letter to read it for himself and crunching it in his tightened grip he grew angry and looked to Cloud


    ¡°What is it uncle, what did it say?¡± asked Cloud


    ¡°A trade, the fool wants to trade¡± Straud responded grumbling to him


    ¡°Who Colossus, he wants to trade for what?¡±


    ¡°The stone¡± Straud said


    ¡°The stone, uncle no way don¡¯t do it, besides what would he have that would be of value to us¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know Cloud¡± Straud answered staring at the lock of hair still in the grasp of the scout, ¡°I don¡¯t know, but there¡¯s only one way to be sure, the note says to meet him at the beach front by mid-day today for a trade of value, and be there we shall¡± ended Straud walking with the scout and Cloud back to the enclave in heavy thought.


    The sun reaches in heightened point and waiting at the shore line as instructed was Straud, Cloud and a handful of men lined to a defensive standing position. Not having to wait long the simmering power of Colossus were shown to the group as he appeared to their eyes carrying something hidden to them, arriving to his right was Logan draped in a heavy black clock for his sun immunity was now gone.


    ¡°Lord Straud I have to say this is a pleasure in itself¡±


    ¡°Now what the hell is this on about a trade for the damn stone, of course the answer will be no!¡± said Straud to Colossus


    ¡°I¡¯d figure that¡¯s what you¡¯d say so as any good player of a game of strategy would do, always be one step ahead of the rest¡±


    ¡°Why don¡¯t you just come and take it from us¡± sparked Cloud


    ¡°The thought had crossed my mind but I unlike most idiotic mages learn from my mistakes after the first failing round. I have noticed that your medallion isn¡¯t glowing this time maybe this time it¡¯ll be fair and I¡¯ll bloody the sea with you and take it for myself¡± Colossus ends but doesn¡¯t move nor draws his blade this time, but watches Cloud unleash his.


    ¡°Easy Cloud, just take it down a notch¡± waved Straud for Cloud to back down


    ¡°I see that you¡¯ve brought your bodyguard with you, how wise¡± Straud says taking a worded assault at Logan who just sits calm and doesn¡¯t say a word. ¡°You say that you hold in your grip an item of equal value, I couldn¡¯t possibly know of such an artifact that would hold value to what you have taken from us¡±


    ¡°Easy, this!¡± as Colossus lifts with his one hand in the air the unconscious body of a whole Rain Blackblade for all to see, and with the moments passed Straud and Cloud drop their jaws.


    ¡°Rain¡± Straud says in half disbelief


    ¡°Brother!¡± Cloud shouted


    ¡°How is this possible, he was disintegrated by the dragon flames¡± Straud asked


    ¡°Or so you thought, but resent transactions have given me the opportunity to repair him to full health for a worthy trade, so do we have a trade or not¡± Colossus snorted to them.


    ¡°A moment Colossus, to consider your offer¡± said Straud


    ¡°How do we even know its Rain¡± asked Cloud in a huddle back away from Colossus.


    ¡°Rain¡¯s mother¡¯s blade, hand it to me; the blade was only meant for him and if it¡¯s not it¡¯ll glow a pale blue color to indicate an imposter¡± explains Straud and taking the blade he asked to have it placed to his hands which allows the blade to view to all eyes no glow.


    ¡°It¡¯s him uncle, it¡¯s my brother¡±


    ¡°Yes, Cloud it¡¯s truly him¡± Straud replies taking the blade back ¡°Cloud, give me the stone¡±


    ¡°Uncle no¡±


    ¡°Now Cloud¡±


    ¡°Uncle his army is dead, he has no threat that he can back up this time, why now is he negotiating¡±


    ¡°Your brother¡¯s life hangs on this trade would you risk that on such a claim Cloud¡±


    ¡°No, but he would uncle¡± Cloud says pointing to Rain ¡°Uncle call his bluff¡±


    And thinking while looking at Rains body Straud¡¯s mind goes blank with any thoughts but one ¡°The stone Cloud¡±


    ¡°Uncle Trust me please don¡¯t do this¡±


    ¡°Cloud If you don¡¯t honor my family ties as your uncle for trust then honor my rank as Captain, I order you to give me the stone¡± and going limp with no words to combat back Cloud looks to his hand holding the red and black swirling jewel; closing his eyes with a shame to his face Cloud hands it to his Uncle.If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.


    ¡°Now to business Lord Straud, give me the stone¡±


    ¡°First my son, give him to me¡±


    ¡°Forget it! Captain¡­at the same time then in the air¡±


    ¡°Very well¡± agreed Straud and on the count of three, they both tossed the items into the air, Colossus caught his and turning his back to them he disappeared right away. Straud threw his blade in the direction of Logan who also smoked away before the blade could hit him. And landing hard to the compacted sand was Rain limp but as told by Colossus unharmed and unscathed. Grabbing his blade and then Rain, Straud kissed his forehead welcoming Rain back to his arms and the group returned to the enclave moving straight to the temple grounds.


    Cloud gives back to his brother the part of the necklace that he gave to him and as they reach the inner sanctum of the temple to where Lalandra laid, Dawn stopped what she was doing, running to her brother¡¯s presence tears of joy flooded her face as she called his name running to him. He was still knocked out but she gripped her long lost brother¡¯s body tight with a joy that could not be explained. Cloud went to retrieve both Alisianna and Artanis to tell of the their latest find, the two came bolting also to his side for a proof to their own eyes but when Artanis saw him he fell to his knees and prayed to the great creator above for the deliverance of an error in vow. As Rain came to under a comforted guard from his family he was confused to see their faces until the exchange was explained to him, he told them that he knew very little about what went on for the week he was away in the tower for he was not awake for most of the time, he told of the swaying offer given to him by Colossus and of the espionage duty of his once loved friend Eve who actually was the evil beast Sephinroth. Cloud with a smile said that he would go to find Elanee to bring her to him but he requested that he find her during the next day, Cloud smiled in agreeance to his request and throughout the night let him rest until first light when Rain went on his own two feet to rekindle his love¡¯s broken heart.


    The next day brought about a warm winter day, as some snow was starting to melt from the heat, Elanee was assisting the horse master in the enclave with training new colts to be ridden when she was asked to bring more water for the horse trough by the leading stable master.


    Grabbing a bucket for the water she went down to the river to fetch it, and struggling a little from the weight of the pail and having heavy thoughts run to her mind about her love, she walked with her head down and bumped into an elderly man on the return trip, the bucket spilt about half the water out before she got it back to her hands and bringing herself to one knee she looked to the cloaked man.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry elder, that¡¯s was my fault¡± Elanee said going to pick herself back up


    ¡°That¡¯s quiet alright my child no harm done, here why don¡¯t I help you with that¡± the man¡¯s voice crackly came out as he reached his hand for the bucket.


    ¡°Oh sir that¡¯s really alright, I could use the exercise and I don¡¯t want you¡­to¡± she stopped in mid-sentence when the hand gripping the pail handle revealed a ring she had known to be on the finger of only one man.


    She moved closer to him and pulling his hood back revealed to her eyes Rain¡¯s face, gasping in shock Rain stood up and Elanee screamed walking backwards.


    ¡°Stop, please stop haunting me¡± Elanee cried out to him and she ran into a nearby cabin, Rain followed her in and there she stood staring at the doorway as he came closer.


    ¡°Stay back! Just leave me alone, why won¡¯t you just leave me alone you¡¯re dead¡± Elanee screamed at him


    ¡°It¡¯s me Elanee, Rain¡± he threw his hands in front of him ¡°I¡¯m back; I¡¯ve come back to you¡±


    ¡°No! No that¡¯s impossible you¡¯re not real, I¡¯m dreaming this up just go away¡± Elanee said and she bolted to the back of the room, Rain pursued her quickly catching up to her and grabbing her arm to stop her


    ¡°Get away from me!¡± She screamed at him and he brought her close to him hugging her tight, she started to cry and looking at his face she said


    ¡°Is this real¡± Rain looked to her and taking one hand he removed the circlet from his forehead ¡°See for yourself¡±


    She then closed her eyes to read into his mind unrevealing all the memories she also shared with him and going limp in his arms,


    ¡°Rain it¡¯s you it¡¯s really you¡± she cried into his arms flowing tears from her face to his cloak, ¡°Yes baby, it¡¯s me¡­it¡¯s me¡± he replied holding her tight hugging and rocking her back and forth in his arms as she continued to cry.


    ¡°You died and left me all alone¡± she whimpered to him and peeling away for a moment she slaps him across the face, ¡°That¡¯s for pulling that stunt during the battle and breaking your promise to me¡± she scorns to his face and then hugs him again. ¡°How did you escape; where have you been all this time¡± and sitting her down on an old barrel Rain began the tale again that he explained to the rest.


    ¡°That son of a bitch took a pop shot at me¡± Logan said emerging back in the tower from his smoky retreat to hear the loud echoing laughter of Colossus, get louder and louder as he looked to his hand holding the last and final stone, he threw his arms to the air and yelled out loud ¡°AT! LAAAAST!¡±


    ¡°I can finally complete my mission again on this reached evil corrupted realm, and now there is no one to stop me¡± he finishes with another sinister laugh, ¡°but first retribution¡± he interrupts himself as he snaps his fingers ¡°and if everything goes as planned and if the spell bound correctly, that miserable little Drow Rain will wish he had never been born¡± Colossus devilishly chuckles as he leads a group of Zealots to his library with Logan in tow.


    As nightfall rolls to the enclave, Rain had gone for a walk to clear his busy head and perhaps recall any information that took place when he was at the tower. Elanee who wanted to spend every waking moment with her love knew this to be true and the best way for him to think, so she let him go off alone.


    She began to get her bed ready for the night when a thought passed through her mind and she stopped. She got undressed and into her nightgown and went to Rain¡¯s room for they still shared the same cabin. A rake of flame appeared in the infants room where the young Kityana was asleep in her crib, as Sephinroth approached the sleeping baby she felt a world of relief for when she had made a stop to the town of Parle to find the temple in ashes she felt the worst had come to pass. Watching her sleep for a short time Sephinroth just smiled at her presence, a cold steel blade touched Sephinroth¡¯s left shoulder skin from behind.


    Turning around the blade was pushed through her skin in the front and wedged deep into her shoulder blade, trying not to make a sound for not to wake the child Sephinroth looks to her attacker, and standing in front of her was Elanee. She held a stone cold look of anger to her as she forcefully pulled the blade from her shoulder and backing up Sephinroth fell to the ground softly holding the wound. Elanee backed up and put the blade to Sephinroth¡¯s chin lifting it to aim Sephinroth¡¯s eyes at her.


    ¡°I knew you¡¯d come for her eventually, Sephinroth!¡± Elanee whispered


    ¡°How¡­how do you know of me?¡±


    ¡°Through Rain¡¯s mind scan he let me do yesterday when he got back, but I got to admit I had always had my doubts about you¡±


    ¡°Elanee please I did not come here for your child¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s good for this child will be raised on my vision of love, righteousness and strong will¡±


    ¡°Say what you will Elanee and raise her as you wish but they become as they want and this child of yours I feel will have the heart of a dragon¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t you mean your child Sephinroth¡± as a look of shock raked to Sephinroth¡¯s face, ¡°Oh yes I knew the child is yours and believe me the chance of you having her back or next to nothing if not less than that, you are an evil bitch that can¡¯t sink any lower then you already have. As I told you once before¡± Elanee continued to whisper but putting the cold induced blade to her neck cutting it a bit ¡°You hurt Rain in any way and I will reap retribution¡±


    ¡°How did you know I would show up here¡± Sephinroth asked


    ¡°Easy, you¡¯re a mother and worrying for her safety shows that your maternal instincts are strong¡±


    ¡°Not as strong as you friend it seems, you know Kate¡±


    ¡°Talk ill of her again and this conversation will be over, and I¡¯m sure from Rain¡¯s emotional memories he would be happy to see you fall right here¡±


    ¡°It is because of his return that I have come to you tonight, Rain is not as he seems, and he is cursed¡±


    ¡°Cursed and why should I even believe you traitor¡±


    ¡°Because like you I love him too and only wish for the best of his life¡± and listening to her plea Elanee sees the sincerity in her face and lets her speak


    ¡°What curse?¡± she asks and Sephinroth goes into detail about the plan Colossus had played upon him for the trade. ¡°So how do I stop it?¡±


    ¡°I interrupted the spells continuous effect with a failsafe by restoring the host to full health, but the cost is very extreme due to the nature of the curse¡¯s damaging capability¡±


    ¡°What is it?¡±


    ¡°A single kiss from your lips and yours alone¡±


    ¡°A KISS! Forget it, you bimbo you know what happened to me better than anyone if that were to happen¡±


    ¡°And I¡¯m truly sorry for the event but the curse needed such an event to restore the host and any infected to cleansing¡± Elanee backed up slowly and looked at Sephinroth with a baffled look


    ¡°You¡¯re lying, this is a trick and I don¡¯t believe you¡±


    ¡°Believe what you want but the truth will come to your eyes sooner or later and when it does I truly hope you have the strength to do what you know is in your heart to be right¡± and finishing the speech Sephinroth went to her child kissed it¡¯s head with a smile and disappeared in a flash of fire.


    ¡°That bitch is lying I know she is¡± said Elanee putting away the weapon at Rain¡¯s bed end but thinking of what she said a lonely look of terror crept into her mind.


    A short time later Rain returned to the cabin, not having any more luck of solving his lost memory problem but decided to get some sleep, he went by the child¡¯s crib and kissed her on the cheek careful not to wake her, and then to his room chamber.


    Opening the door he saw Elanee sparred along one side of his bedside, she was sitting provocatively on her right side staring at him with one hand holding her head up with her elbow and the other draped across and along her cured figure. Rain stared for a moment at her gown which was a dark blue color and had an open v neck shaping which exposed much of her breasts to him, wedged between her cleavage was still the necklace that he gave her from the dance. Her hair seemed to be done up with pins and put into a couple of buns.


    ¡°Elanee I think you¡¯re in the wrong room, yours is across the hall¡±


    ¡°Mine was cold so I thought that I¡¯d stay here for the night¡± she said running her hand up and down her body


    ¡°Elanee, you know we can¡¯t¡­you know¡± Rains gestured to her hoping she could fill in the blanks


    ¡°Have sex!¡± she stated to him and growing a little red in the face with embarrassment from the called out term he quickly nodded ¡°I know, but I just want to be with you tonight, please¡± she asked and getting undressed out of his robe but making sure his pants stayed on he crawled into bed and she snuggled up to his side. She rolled his one arm around her shoulder placing her head beside his and his arm was moved to latch across her top torso and his hand landed on her right breast.


    ¡°What are you doing Elanee?¡±


    ¡°Getting comfortable, and as close as I can to you, for I¡¯m not allowed anything else¡± she grumbled to him


    ¡°Is that still bothering you?¡±


    ¡°Still¡­always will it bother me Rain, I love you and want to show it to you¡±


    ¡°I know you do and hey I¡¯ll be honest I was tempted just for a moment right now to take you here and now¡±


    ¡°Really¡± she replied smirking to him seductively


    ¡°But we have to stay strong willed, for the worlds sake¡± Rain smiled to her


    ¡°I know, it¡¯s just so hard sometimes¡± Elanee finished and not telling him about her little encounter earlier she and Rain fell asleep with each having on their minds worry and doubt.


    Getting up late the next day Rain rolled to his side for a first new light look at his love to see an empty area in his bedroll, he looked to his pillow she laid on to notice a freshly cut rose placed where she laid. Getting up and dressed Rain then left the cabin and to the front gate guard post where his brother was on shift taking an early morning watch.


    ¡°Cloud¡± Rain addressed to his brother


    ¡°Hey sleeping beauty your finally up I see¡±


    ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s weird I never sleep in that late usually¡± replied Rain


    ¡°Where you headed to?¡± Cloud asked


    ¡°Do you know where Elanee is, I need to asked her something¡±


    ¡°Yea actually not too long ago, she went to the stables again today I think, she slept in too, why?¡±


    ¡°Nothing big I don¡¯t think she just left this rose on my bedroll this morning and I wanted to know what it meant¡±


    ¡°Probably a thank you gift for a good night, you two sleep together or something¡± Cloud said joking as he tightened a gate rope support.


    ¡°Actually¡­¡±


    ¡°What!¡± Cloud burst and snapped the rope he was holding in half.


    ¡°Oh calm down we didn¡¯t you know¡­sleep together, she just wanted to be close to me¡­you know I don¡¯t understand why she¡¯d do that¡± Rain said scratching his head.


    ¡°Do what¡± Cloud asked back


    ¡°Why she would aggravate the intense emotion between us when she knows what will result?¡± Snickering to Rain Cloud tapped his brother¡¯s shoulder,


    ¡°Take a walk with me brother¡± Cloud replied as he and Rain took a small tour around the post border ¡°Rain look, she¡¯s trying to cope with what has been dealt to you two as well as she can¡±


    ¡°With what?¡± Rain bewilderedly asked


    ¡°Not being able to love you the way she wants too, it¡¯s hard for her to deal with¡± Cloud continued on ¡°Be there for her and help her through it¡±


    ¡°How, I don¡¯t get it¡± Rain inquired


    ¡°Rain, women get a different outlook on a relationship then men do, to them it hits more deeply and personal in whatever happens from giving her flowers to giving her a child¡±


    ¡°So what do I need to do¡± Rain asked


    ¡°First show her that this problem with separation is affecting you as well, it helps if they know they don¡¯t suffer on neutral ground by themselves, she has already lost you once don¡¯t let it happen to her again¡±


    ¡°I won¡¯t, of that I can promise you¡± Rain replied


    ¡°How do you know of this¡­all of these things about women¡± Rain asked in wonderment


    ¡°Trial and error Rain for I didn¡¯t have failing relationships for nothing¡± Cloud smiled ¡°Look I¡¯ve got to be getting back to shift work but I¡¯m off mid-day, I¡¯ll see you later ok¡±


    ¡°Sounds good¡± replies Rain ¡°Oh and Cloud thanks¡± and nodding his head he smiles and looks to the sky breathing a deep breath of air


    ¡°So this is what it feels like huh¡± Cloud said as he left


    ¡°What does?¡± Rain questioned stopping


    ¡°When you know more about something than other people, feels good I have to admit¡± and laughing Rain shakes his head ¡°Don¡¯t let it fill you up for its sure not to happen between us too often¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s good to have you back brother¡± Cloud smiles again as he walks off and Rain goes to find Elanee.

 Chapter 56

    Rain gets around the next corner of the enclave to have a pain splitting headache hit him hard, he goes off the walking path to a cabin side and leaning up against it he rubs his temples to try and relive the pain,


    ¡°Are you alright Rain?¡± said a voice and looking up Rain saw one of the twin sisters of the priesthood carrying a pail of water and holding a look of concern for him, she put it down and came to his side with worrying comfort.


    ¡°I¡¯m fine Sorena thank you, just a little headache that¡¯s all¡± Rain said forcing a smile to her through the lip biting pain, and smiling back she backs up to retake her pail still fixated on him when she bumps into another Drow walking. Shaking her head and apologizing to the Drow she bumped into she regains her focus and grips her pail to keep going periodically looking back to she Rain¡¯s condition. Rain then stands up and continues on fighting the splitting pain which on a constant pattern begins to whine and dissipate away.


    Rain goes to the stables where he was meet and welcomed back by the horse master of their clan. He told him that Elanee was on the far end of the stables down by the creek and taking a horse Rain rode down to meet with her. He saw her sitting on her knees cleaning the horses¡¯ hooves and talking to it, asking it if that felt pleasant and what kind of feed it would like today. Rain approaches her and turning around she went up to give him a hug after he dismounted.


    ¡°What are you doing here Rain?¡± she asked and Rain replied with an explanation of how he felt the same feeling on their personal life problems, she didn¡¯t mean to feel joyful about such a remark but she said it sounded nice however selfish to hear such a statement. He told her was trying to fight the feelings, to bury them so that she wouldn¡¯t see them and think less of his iron will, but she only smiled and told him that this made him more of a man than she knew him before. Having relief hit his soul on the matter now brought out, he helped her finish grooming the horse and then proceeded to tell her about his advancement on her condition she had. She closed his mouth with her finger saying that she didn¡¯t want to hear any more about it right now for she knew that what Rain had to say wasn¡¯t anything good. For the rest of the day Rain left it at that, just spending time with her laughing and playing around harmlessly was enough for them both. Rain did however hold a secret for his headaches continued to get worse and worse off, being stopped by concerned folk around the enclave every time he had a bad episode which he just shrugged off and told them it was nothing.


    Dawn spent the remainder of the week aiding Lalandra in her regeneration which was finally finished at the end of the week. Artanis and Cloud under direction of Straud were both made full lieutenants in the clan and given army groups of their own. Alisianna continued caring for the child of Rain and Elanee while they were away on daily duties.


    Colossus was told that his transference to a higher being would require precise timing and great sacrifice. He and Logan gathered over the next two weeks what was needed for the ritual while the Zealots prepared the incantations for the event.


    A week and a half went by without any disruptions to everyday life, as well as the finalizing rebuild of the rubble structure from the battle. They had a period of celebration commencing the event as well as the full recovery of Lalandra which Dawn had finished up with. She couldn¡¯t yet take human form as her magical energy was far too weak but relying on the forces of the Drow clan to defend her home. It allowed for a secure home that wasn¡¯t as good as she hoped for as Lalandra¡¯s spell blocks and location masking powers were far too strong to keep up in her currant state.


    The party went on all through the night, and at the head table was the main group laughing and telling old and embarrassing stories about one another. During a refilling of his drink up at the ale table, Rain grew most uncomfortable; he felt dizziness and sick to his stomach as well as the headaches came rushing back this time knocking him off his feet. Crashing into the drink table spilling a bunch of them Rain landed hard on the floor going unconscious. Elanee witnessed the fall from a far and went rushing to his side, ¡°Rain, Rain¡­Baby are you ok¡± she said to him trying to wake him up but not showing any sign of coming around Straud ordered him to be moved to the temple where Dawn preformed an intensive magical scan to determine what the cause was.


    The next day Elanee spent every waking moment beside her love, talking to him about what was happening though his unconscious state was unresolved, she knew he couldn¡¯t hear her. She made small talk to him at his side about the last week with him being a changed man. With all the time they spent together she tried to sow threads of hope to her own mind that he¡¯ll pull through this tragic event.


    ¡°This is not what I¡¯m thinking, it can¡¯t be the curse it just can¡¯t¡± Elanee kept to herself about the visit from Sephinroth which grew stronger and stronger in her mind, then the call of more clan members falling under the same sickness as Rain came from all locations of the clan¡¯s enclave. Ranging from soldiers to temple maids were now falling ill to the effect, but unlike Rain¡¯s stable condition the others continue to deteriorate in the physical sense, having their skin starting to crack and bones weakening to the point of breaking while even just being moved.


    The plague rolled through the enclave like wildfire and within a mere day one third of the clan was under the effects, the next day brought about more sickness and even capturing that of Cloud. The next day brought not only the last remaining Drow to the state including that of Dawn and Straud but the ones first with the sickness were now dying one by one, and with Dawn in the effects as well the hope dwindled from minor to none. Against her wishes Artanis not being drow and remaining unaffected took Alisianna out of the enclave through taking several wording and some force to bring it about, and with Stark¡¯s help took her to the mere for protection. Artanis went too and Elanee said she would meet him there. She for a time didn¡¯t move from Rain¡¯s side but knew no help could come from sitting here and getting up she turned around to see a most horrid face.


    ¡°You! What have you done¡± yelling at Sephinroth who was in the doorway


    ¡°Nothing¡± The red Dragon said calmly but looking around she showed signs of half knowing this to come about


    ¡°That I can see for myself, you said you could stop this?¡± Elanee asks harshly ¡°Then do it¡± Elanee lashed out again


    ¡°Not stop reverse, and that can only be done with your help, for if you wait until the end the last one to go will be Rain¡±


    ¡°What do I need to do?¡± Elanee says


    ¡°You know what you need to do, Elanee¡± Sephinroth says to her coming closer to Rain. Elanee stands up and moves in front of him.The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.


    ¡°You stay away from him! You have done enough to him; to me, to all of us with your tricks, and I¡¯m warning you Sephinroth if this is another trick¡­¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not I swear, you don¡¯t think I hate Colossus I do, he killed one of my children and did it because I was on the verge of betraying him. I want his plans to fail too Elanee believe me¡± and seeing the first time sincerity in her eyes Elanee believed her, but hearing yet another clan member dying on her watch Elanee moved to Rain¡¯s side.


    ¡°You need to do it Elanee and fast before more clan members die¡± Sephinroth pushes


    ¡°I know what has to be done, just leave me alone with him ok¡± Elanee snaps at her and backing off she leaves the young couple alone. Elanee grips Rain¡¯s hand and tears run down her face. She pulls out a letter she made earlier on from her pocket and sets it on Rain¡¯s chest with a rose freshly cut laid on top of it.


    ¡°Rain¡± she whispers to him ¡°Rain it¡¯s me again, look I know you can¡¯t hear me and maybe that¡¯s good for you wouldn¡¯t agree with what I¡¯m about to do. Understand that I had no choice Rain; I didn¡¯t want to sit here while your family legacy goes up in smoke because I lacked the courage to do what was right. I love you so much Rain; now and forever¡­please forgive me¡± And growing close to his face Elanee closes her eyes and kisses Rain¡¯s lips. She opens them to see no change in her body and hears cries outside the temple she runs to the doorway to see the sickness draining from their skins and smiling in the knowledge that she stopped it she turned to see Rain still unchanged.


    She felt a thrust in the pit of her stomach and trying to reach her loves side again she falls between the doorway and him from the pain.


    She falls to her side convulsing and screaming in pain, as a bloody black substance drips from her skull at the roots of her hair. Draining down through her hair it paints her hair to the color black leaving not a strand untouched. The ooze runs on to her face covering her eyes leaving symbols black in color and lightning bolt shaped through her eye sockets. Her eyebrows went black as well, and as the ooze past down to her breasts and a pentagram symbol was left on her chest between her breasts. Her clothing went to a black leather material and form fitted like a cat suit to her figure with tube top, gloves, knee high boots and a long layer silk skirt running down to her feet with multiple slits on every side of it. She wore black lacy underwear to cover her womanly part to any who tried to catch a glimpse. Her skin grew in muscular structure to accommodate her new strengthened body. And her eyes grew the pattern of the yin yang symbol to them in the colors of half red and half black with her pupils being the opposite color in either side.


    Getting to her feet she looks at her hands and feels her hair closing her eyes as she runs her fingers through it erotically, opening her eyes she sees a familiar face.


    ¡°Well it¡¯s about damn time I was freed from that lustless filled tramp, and as for you¡± says the woman in Elanee¡¯s body she raises her hand to Sephinroth having the dragon''s hands grasp upon her throat as the woman in black psychically closes her windpipe.


    ¡°Wait¡­please Larissa¡­ (Gasping for air)¡­I¡¯m¡­I¡¯m not the one you want¡­ (Gasping again)¡­a man, a mage¡­powerful¡­Colossus, he threatens your ruling empire not me. I freed you my dear please, allow me to live and serve at your side¡± and thinking for a second she then lowers her hand and Sephinroth hits the ground coughing for air


    ¡°You can live¡­for now¡± Larissa states to her as she comes close to her side and manually grips her dress tearing a bit ¡°But lie to me about this Sephinroth and I¡¯ll have your fingers around my boots and your eyes as a necklace, now where do I find this Colossus¡±


    ¡°You need to travel to the neither realm for his tower dwells with in the land of the dead¡± Sephinroth explains


    ¡°Very well until we meet again Sephinroth when I shall hold you to your vow as my dog in tow¡± and in a flash of bright blue light Larissa disappears


    ¡°And now that you¡¯re gone, I shall disappear from your radar my dear and all is now well for me to act on my own desires¡± and warps into flame before any clan member sees her there.


    One by one the clan members come around all with headaches and no knowledge of what has transpired. Cloud and Straud come to the temple as soon as they were able, looking for familiar friends. Dawn arrived shortly after them for she had been placed in her cabin, they all wait and watch as Rain finally rejoins the living and is in massive pain at his head. Looking around Cloud started to worry when his bride was nowhere to be seen, he and Dawn who also was worried about Artanis went in search of them but instead found a druid that had been a scout for the enclave. He emerged to tell Cloud what had transpired and where Alisianna and Artanis had been securely placed. Cloud asked if they could be brought back to the enclave and as quickly as the druid nodded he rushed to carry out Cloud¡¯s wish. Soon after Stark arrived with the two outsiders in his presence and Cloud rushed to hug his wife. Dawn greeted Artanis the same who gave her a kiss as well and the two explained that they were going to find help for the clan, as well as Alisianna regretfully told Cloud that she feared for the safety of the babies inside her for they were part Drow as well, but due to not being full Drow the effects only applied to pure bloods and they were exempted. Artanis asked if Elanee was still here but as a scout group was sent through the encampment to look for her they came back with news that she was nowhere in sight.


    ¡°Well where did she go?¡± asked Cloud ¡°Surly if she went for help she would have let us know somehow¡±


    ¡°And indeed she did Cloud¡± said the voice of Straud joining the group riding up on horseback but dismounting they saw a grieving look to his face that couldn¡¯t be ignored.


    ¡°What is it Straud, what¡¯s wrong¡± questioned Alisianna and walking up to all of them he handed Cloud the letter that was addressed to Cloud¡¯s brother.


    My loving Rain,


    By now you have regained consciousness and I am probably not there, if this is true I am truly sorry for the burden on you I must place. For I have changed to the one we have all come to know as Larissa Blackstaff. When the clan started to get infected and was dying it didn¡¯t come to a shock to my eyes for I was told by Sephinroth herself that this would come to pass, it was all an evil plot done by Colossus during the trade for the stone that brought about this curse. Sephinroth tried to stop it but her only way to ensure your safety was for me to kiss your lips for a trigger of a reversal was entombed by Sephinroth in the curses scroll. She tried to nullify the scrolls power first but it was too great and needed a great event to occur just for the reversal to happen, the event was me Rain. The choice was not a hard one for seeing you and the clan suffer over the hastened passing days was like a spear to my own heart, but even being hesitant at first on what I needed to do I knew it was right. It is how you had told me¡­the needs of the many out ways the wants of the few. And in me taking this great act I asked not even for your forgiveness but one thing in return Rain, remember the walk we took down to the riverbed and the talk that followed you made a promise to me Rain; and with all my shattered pieces of my heart I wish you to follow it through. I trust that you will honor your word and save me as I have saved you my love. Know that I don¡¯t blame you on what you must do and only bless you on the strength to do it. Know that my love and soul will always be with you and that I love you with all of my heart, you and no other¡­until the day when we meet again my love, cherish me, honor and remember me.


    Truly yours forever and always


    Elanee.

 Chapter 57

    With things gathered and the sacrifices prepped for transformation, Logan stands to the side while the zealots start the ritual. Six of the misty men start chanting the phrase ¡°As I wait for the title force to take upon my body and soul I shall fear no darkness, I shall fear no death for, I shall embrace the holy aurora of the light¡±


    As the chanting continued Colossus stood in the middle of a drawn circle to the floor of his library that had been remodeled to accommodate the ritual. White silk garments coated the walls with various symbols of holy writings embedded in gold upon them. Bright silver candle stick holders were positioned accordingly around the room on pedestals of marble rimmed with brass, and for the sanctity of the power involved in the room much to Logan¡¯s dislike was blessed with a holy word, it hurt for him to be in the room but being as powerful as he was he was able to resist the power of the blessing, mostly anyways.


    The circle was painted to the floor by the blood of seven sacrificial demons, who gave their lives voluntarily for the cause. The sacrifices of one Manticore wing, one elder vampire provided by Logan, a unicorn¡¯s horn grounded to a fine dust and one phoenix natural blessing which was hard to come by but with leverage was willing to comply with Colossus. The items and the phoenix were placed around in a circle who was instructed to caste its blessing on the final line of the ritual chanting. Colossus then placed his blade on a alter made of pure gold with the stones at its side, as the speech carried on one by one the stones connected to the blade in an ordinary fashion and uniqueness. With each one gripping to the blade Colossus was infused with a jolt of energy from the dark power of the stones. The power intensified greatly each time a stone connected and when the last one fused to the blade, an intense beam of bright white light emitted through the tower from the roof right down upon his location and engulfing him with it. Logan quickly covered his body and face with his thick magical blackened cloak and with a spell of a globe of darkness also around him for good measure. The defenses seemed to hold the light at bay but just barely for the holy light was the strongest Logan had ever felt before. The beam then disappeared and after the blessing so did the phoenix for it would not stay in the presence of evil at all, but Colossus was left beaming a white glow around his body not revealing an ounce of flesh to any eyes which seemed to be moving and forming into something.


    ¡°The power¡­The absolute POWER¡± Colossus cried out during the transformation as angelic wings began to grow upon his back. They were as thin as silk and looked like strands of ripped flags as they fluttered freely in the air growing to a length of twenty feet. A hood was created upon his head covering his whole face and only left a black shaded masking shroud to be seen. His arms and legs were engrossed with a bright sparkling white light that appeared to show him as a swirl of ghostly white energy in a humanoid form. His hands and feet looked as shadow with glowing ruins that were embedded upon his chest area in a golden shine and formed the trinity symbol. Finalizing the transformation Colossus grew in height to an even ten feet and stood in the presence of all swaying his wings back and forth with a ghostly presentation.


    ¡°Amazing¡± Colossus spoke and felt his voice had changed to a deep command that echoed a bone shudder that would demand obedience. He started to laugh and his voice echoed a resonance about the structure of the tower it grew louder and louder until Colossus threw his arms into the air as if to grasp the very sky striking out the words ¡°It worked (laughing) the realm is mine to command¡­to control!!!¡± he thundered shaking to tower rattling dust of support pillars and door archways.


    Logan who was still shading himself from the sizzling light of death given off by Colossus, he stood in awe at his presence as well as a massive amount of fear flowed through his body. Colossus then turned his head to and walked to his blade looking at the ground along the way to see scorch marks in the ground following the painted blood and ashes where the sacrifices once were.


    Logan who was by the alter looked upon it to see Colossus¡¯s beloved blade. It looked the same but for one main difference, it carried on its surface veins now that spidery out like a web all over the face of it on both sides. It held within the veins yellow neon ooze that coursed through them like blood.


    A rising heat came to his back as Logan turned to see Colossus approaching him, ¡°Stand aside if you would Logan¡± and complying with out a second thought Logan crept backwards from his way. Colossus reached for the hilt and upon its grip a spark of black bolted energy coursed through him and then back to the blade, momentarily immobilizing him. ¡°Incredible, it¡¯s talking with me, in my mind¡­I hear it so clearly¡­it says that we are one now¡± he replied to Logan and with a look of disgruntled confusion Logan posed a question.


    ¡°Colossus, why are you a being of white power; why are you a¡­¡±


    ¡°Celestial being, you were expecting a tail, horns and a devilish completion weren¡¯t you¡± corrected Colossus with Logan¡¯s head nodding to him, ¡°Because my friend before all of this if you remember, I was a celestial human, and though I have changed over the years my mind tissue and blood line strength cannot ever, so in the great balance of all that needs a side whether good or evil¡­this is my side, and I intend on holding to position well¡± and then looking around the hall to see his beloved followers on their still full knees at his greatness. Colossus spins his blade to point the blade down and touching the ground with it unexpectedly disintegrates all of them in his sight.


    ¡°Colossus what the¡­you killed them¡­why?¡±


    ¡°They were now a liability and for where my path leads they couldn¡¯t follow anyway, but now that that¡¯s over with, on to you!¡± Colossus stated staring at him.


    Logan waited motionless for him to finish the job half expecting him to cleave Logan in half but instead Colossus snapped his fingers and appearing in his massive hand palm laid a black chest.


    ¡°Open this Logan¡± Colossus guided him and unlocking it and lifting the lid Logan picked up out of it a chain with a metal, made with a blue color,


    ¡°What is it?¡± Logan askedThe story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.


    ¡°Your reward for your loyalty served, but it¡¯s not finished yet; for that to have been possible this had to be reality¡± Colossus said pointing at his new form, and taking the heavy linked chain from Logan¡¯s grasp Colossus puts his hands around the chain in the middle and running his fingers along it right to its ends a blue pulsing glow followed in its wake, he finished and then gave it back. ¡°This Logan is the War chains of Celestial Binding, placed it on the ground in any shape you desire by connecting the two ends then think of an opponent you wish to fight and when he finally meets you within the chain, neither one of you may leave till the death of one is granted. You being already dead, means that the dusting of you will also null the chains effects so take heed and care. Straud may know of this devise so hiding it within the ground would be best I imagine¡± Colossus concludes and rolling the chain which spanned over a great distance, well enough for a large fighting area Logan thanks him for a sufficient reword and started his way to the doorway.


    ¡°And Logan¡± said Colossus went the bone chilling call to Logan¡¯s ears, and thinking to his mind as he turned around to face him for the impending backstab was imminent Logan mustered the voice to reply


    ¡°Yes¡± he said


    ¡°Well done¡± responded Colossus with a nod to his hooded face, and nodding back Logan wasting no more time with words of movement smoked from his presence.


    After Logan departed from his sight, Colossus began to disperse and hide his items and property from his tower to all over the realm. He made frequent trips from the tower all over the place and on his last return trip Colossus while packing up the last of his things thought he had felt a rumble throughout the structure of the tower. He ignored it at first and continued with his final preparations but felt and heard the noise again and again getting louder and louder, shaking more and more. Finally he witnessed the great throne room door starting to crack down the middle and when the fissure got big enough an explosion blew the door apart. Colossus covered himself from the blast and removing his wings from shielding him from the blast he saw the figure of a woman with muddy black hair.


    ¡°Who the bloody hell are you, how did you get here and find this place?¡± Colossus demanded as he stared down to her towering high over her casting a shadow engulfing her body in shade, the redness in Larissa¡¯s eyes pulsed red with a fury never seen as she spoke.


    ¡°A little firefly told me that you¡¯d be here, and here you are. My purpose is to evict you from this realm and away from mine. I have heard there might be a challenge against me from you¡± she sparked back with a little grin not seen.


    ¡°Not yet¡± Colossus replied with his blade at his backside away from her vision Colossus charged the blade¡¯s power to a massive blast, and spinning around he unleashes it against her.


    She takes full impact and is blasted backwards against the hallway door and out of the throne room entrance; she is put through two more walls and is piled by thousands of pounds of rubble.


    ¡°I hate to be interrupted by moronic demons¡± spat out Colossus finishing his task, but the freedom was short lived when he once again heard the rumble of his tower. The debris was thrown off her body and Larissa emerged once again to her feet, floating up to a vertical stance, and growing angry Colossus once again charged his blade.


    Larissa shook the dust made from the rubble from her hair and parting her level hair down the middle stared deeply in annoyance to Colossus, ¡°That was a mistake you pathetic excuse for an angelic being, but happily one that will not occur again¡± she finished her statement with Colossus once again unleashing another bolt of powered energy twice as potent as before against her, and hurling toward her and the speed of sound Larissa simply raised her hand to the blast and it stopped just in line with her eyes.


    ¡°HUH?!?¡± said Colossus with a bewildered look and cocking her head to the right a bit Larissa sent the bolt back at him with the same force. Colossus leaped to the side to strafe from the blast attack and Larissa compensated by tossing a flame blast from her own hand at his calculated location. He was hit high in the torso dead on and from impact was blasted high to the tower ceiling crushing through the roof and was hurled to the open realm of the dead lands. The bolt deflected off the pile of items Colossus gathered and from the sheer magical potency of the combined items it blew the tower completely apart. A huge explosion echoed throughout the land ringing into even dead ears but not moving from her spot Larissa embraced the collapse. When the dust settled she still stood, unharmed and unscathed with her face to the grayish dead sky, she closed her eyes and took a deep breath and a look of ungrateful gratitude fell upon her face.


    ¡°His life signs are strong¡­he is still alive¡­but not for long¡± she smiled cackling as she disappeared.


    To avoid having to land outside his unprotected realm of the land of the undead and be at the mercy from the grip of the shade king, Colossus teleports to the main realm land on his flight down. He arrives on the plain but still falling he impacts the ground hard and quickly looks around to see where he was. A dense forest held hidden his body and slowly getting to his feet Colossus only makes a few steps when weakness over comes him. He shakes to his knees and then plummets to the ground in pain as he holds his chest looking at the wound Larissa gave him.


    ¡°I don¡¯t understand¡± Colossus worries in his mind ¡°It won¡¯t heal it¡¯s like I was hit by hell fire flames, but she¡¯s no demon, I sensed a humanoid presence¡­wait firefly; did she mean Sephinroth¡­no, no I can¡¯t go that way. No human carries the power of the hell flame and such a potent level of power¡­but what if¡­¡± Colossus grows to his thoughts the speech Sephinroth made about her creation of such a human girl and with the wound not healing and growing weaker by the second Colossus moves quickly to a new location. Realizing that he could die at her hand he hastily advances his plan to starting the entrance way ritual to the celestial but only said the words. The speech emanates a glow to his hilt capable of sending him up there and raising his hand to cut a hole in the air above him to finish the ritual his hand was suddenly stopped. Colossus moved his arm back and forth trying to budge the blade when he heard a laugh in front of him. Appearing from invisibility was again Larissa smiling to him,


    ¡°Leaving so soon Colossus, we haven¡¯t even finished our date yet¡± she concludes moving her hand and levitating him into the air. Colossus is peeled away from his sword and is tossed harshly into the trees smashing through them to his dirt faced landing. Having a bit of fun she does it a couple more times clear cutting the forest with his body; and upon hitting the ground for the third time Colossus says some words in celestial and her telekinetic powers lift from his body. He stands as well as he could, staring at her.


    ¡°Well I have to admit, not many Celestial beings carry the power word to suspend my powers, you have quite the gift¡± and warping beside him she lifts him from his massive holy belt hoisting his ten foot body two more feet higher into the air using only one hand, and spinning around she throws him once again into the brush. Landing hard to the ground and near death Colossus looks to his most fortunes right side to see his blade lying by his side. Gripping it fast he swings it above his head cutting a hole in the thin air exposing a bright light in its wake, and gaining all left strength he leaps into the void just as Larissa was about to make a deadly strike. She looks to the void and proceeding to follow she was repelled by forces unknown to her. And just looking to the void as it closed she smiled.


    ¡°One less paying rent¡±.

 Chapter 58

    At the enclave silence comes to the chamber of the Drow sorcerer, Rain goes over and over material containing any information relating to the one called Larissa and her evil defeat. Days turn into weeks as Rain constantly eludes almost all who he holds dear to him in an attempt for complete concentration for his research. He accompanies his family at meal settings but seems to always be in thought about topics rolling heavy in his mind. As time grows long he begins to sway from joining with them during these short times, his family begins to worry. His uncle Straud begins to order him to eat and sleep laying him down a schedule to follow but ignoring it from time to time using spells to keep his mind focused and his body running. Sleep potions were placed into his food and drink to force him to abide to the call. Rain catches on to the hidden delusions and hides away where they can¡¯t for a time locate him; but figuring that he must be reclusive somewhere in the wild Straud asked for the druids to locate Rain for him. When found Straud asked that Alisianna take him food and keep the line of communication with Rain open to them, she brought him food and drinks and stayed at his side until Rain finished the meals.


    Dawn also did some research of her own after aiding Lalandra to a self-recovery state; she allowed Dawn access to her library and to tomes of priestly reference to help aid her in her training of advanced magic. As she watches over Dawn from time to time Lalandra notices an intense lingering focus to her eyes and was curious as to what she was doing. Peering over her shoulder and making small talk from time to time Lalandra would piece together the reference material she was in to figure out what Dawn was so determined night after endless night to form, but realizing her goal brought a warm glow to Lalandra¡¯s heart for she knew it could not be done.


    Finishing her studying Dawn caste multiple spells in a connected sequence to make her plan a reality, she went on for a long period of time growing weak after each one caste more and more. Reaching the end of the trial Dawn was seeing the result she wanted; reaching the panicle peak of the exercise Dawn was shown a result she didn¡¯t expect nor want and as the spell deteriorated and lost power. Growing angry with frustration Dawn threw the books off the prep table and knelt to the floor in defeat.


    ¡°And here I thought that all the rage of this family was bottled to one person¡± said a voice from the open cave door, turning her head Dawn saw Lalandra walking slowly over to her.


    ¡°Hey you¡¯re a Drow,¡± replied Dawn shocked to see the reformed dragon


    ¡°My powers are coming back faster than I thought, thanks to you¡± she smiled to Dawn, ¡°Dawn, I know what you¡¯re attempting to do but even if you held all the power of the ages in your grasp, it still wouldn¡¯t work my dear¡±


    ¡°What are you talking about?¡± Dawn asked


    ¡°The spell to revive my children Dawn, I know that is what you were doing¡±


    ¡°I did everything right, I don¡¯t understand what went wrong¡± said Dawn


    ¡°Time my dear time went wrong for the eggs, and they needed to be fully developed and they just weren¡¯t there yet¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not fair¡± bolted Dawn to her ¡°You didn¡¯t deserve to lose your children¡±


    ¡°I know, I miss them so much but I need to move on or the threat of despair will rot my soul into blind revenge¡±


    ¡°How long¡­how long until you can have another set of eggs¡±


    ¡°Dawn please don¡¯t worry yourself about things of such grievance¡±


    ¡°How long Lalandra¡± snapped Dawn and with a growing silence the answer slipped softly from the dragons lips


    ¡°A hundred and thirty seven years plus recovery time from this massive attack¡±. Dawn went quiet and a look of shock went to her face. She was speechless until some tears of sorrow ran down her face, and seeing them caused Lalandra to tear up at her sight bringing them to hug one another in comfort.


    ¡°My god I¡¯m so sorry Lalandra¡± Dawn cried


    ¡°Sweetheart, I thank you for the love you have shown me¡± Lalandra replied just taking a moment to hold her tight and recoil through her mind the thought of her fallen children.


    Changing her thoughts to better use, Lalandra pulled away from the embrace and looked at Dawn.


    ¡°I would like to show you a new technique for gratitude of you aiding me to health again Dawn¡± she asked to the Drow


    ¡°A new technique, in what field?¡± asked Dawn


    ¡°One you have no training on yet, Clairvoyance¡±


    ¡°Clairvoyance, what¡¯s that¡± she asked the dragon


    ¡°I will show you my dear if you would permit me to be your trainer, I know that you have not fully taken yourself away from the grievance of your master Maylor, and know that I do not wish to replace him but honor him with adding wisdom to his own¡±


    And smiling to Lalandra Dawn spoke while putting her finger up to stop Lalandra from rambling on in defense, ¡°its ok I know you don¡¯t wish that and I know you won¡¯t, I have come far on his death acceptance and would love to be trained in this field, but what will it allow me to do?¡±


    ¡°Follow me¡± said Lalandra smiling as she led the young student out of the room and into her own private study chambers.


    Lalandra starts by lighting candles in a circular pattern around Dawn who is seated on her knees in the midst of them.


    ¡°Now close your eyes Dawn and concentrate only on hearing my voice¡± instructed Lalandra; she does and is told to retreat to a place of complete relaxation and peace of mind.


    ¡°Now feel the life force of the trees in the mountains Dawn; feel how they grow, and the grass through the mists of the plains and fields; feel them blow, and the free flow of the streams and lakes view the clarity of the water and the crisp air. Now Dawn I want you to rise like a bird above all of that, rise up to the sky¡± she lectured Dawn in a slow calming voice not pushing influence.


    ¡°I can see it¡± Dawn replied excited


    ¡°Keep focus and calmness Dawn¡± Lalandra calmed her again


    ¡°I¡¯m rising to the sky, everything is growing small¡± Dawn said again


    ¡°Now rise to the clouds Dawn, and let the forces of the winds of fate guide you along the realm¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m being pulled through the clouds, I¡¯m passing mountains; so fast I¡¯m traveling so fast Lalandra¡± Dawn said worried


    ¡°Don¡¯t resist Dawn you¡¯re in no danger just let the clairvoyant winds carry you¡± instructed Lalandra again.


    Dawn describes being taken over tall old trees, following flowing rivers and ponds; sailing along the endless grasslands and suddenly stops.


    ¡°Now where are you?¡± asked Lalandra


    ¡°A town¡­Celtic is the name¡± Dawn said with her eyes clearly making movements under her eyelids as if trying to look around the areas. Her head suddenly shoots backwards and a quick gasp of air comes from her mouth,


    ¡°Dawn what is wrong¡±


    ¡°Fire, I see fire all around the town, it¡¯s burning¡­the buildings are burning all around¡± and hearing the disgruntled image Lalandra tries to press Dawn to describe everything happening.


    Dawn talks about the pain she feels for the townsfolk; she says they¡¯re running in terror from a source she can¡¯t yet see there is so much pain and fear she keeps saying, bodies litter the ground in pieces and blood is sprayed everywhere and then as if the picture becomes clear Dawn starts to focus on the faded image.


    ¡°It¡¯s so evil and full of hatred, chaotic hatred unguided and has no purpose¡± says Dawn


    ¡°Can you see the source Dawn¡± pushes Lalandra


    ¡°I¡¯m trying, it¡¯s like she is blocking my view of her, so powerful¡± replied Dawn


    ¡°It¡¯s a she?¡±


    ¡°A woman it¡¯s¡­it¡¯s¡­so powerful¡­ (Gasp!) Oh my god¡± finished Dawn opening her eyes and coming out of the focused state and gripping her chest fast she strives to catch her breath almost at a hyperventilating state.


    ¡°What¡­Dawn¡­.What did you see!¡± Lalandra inquired


    ¡°Elanee, Lalandra I saw Elanee!¡±


    As she recovered from the vision Lalandra summoned the group to the meeting chambers to discuss what just occurred, Dawn asked Lalandra why she would see such a thing and if it was true. Lalandra replied that the techniques only reveals current events taking place and being that Elanee and Dawn had a close friendship bond, that¡¯s the reason that Dawn honed in on the event at that time. Lalandra also notices that Dawn medallion started to glow when she concentrated harder to see the view of the evil Elanee causing the havoc, and sense that there was a connection to the two but didn¡¯t yet understand what it was.Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.


    With the group assembled but taking extra time for Rain to show up, Lalandra explained what had occurred with Dawn¡¯s vision.


    ¡°That¡¯s impossible! She¡¯d never sir come to that¡± protested Rain to the accusation,


    ¡°I know that Rain but I also know what I saw and what I felt, it was her Rain it was Elanee¡± said Dawn to him


    ¡°And I know Elanee!¡± bolted Rain in defense ¡°and I tell you here and now that this act is both not capable or is she powerful enough to pull it off¡±


    ¡°No she isn¡¯t but Larissa is Rain¡± said Straud speaking up and standing to his feet Rain look around the room at the group


    ¡°I didn¡¯t come here to listen to this, she is not evil!¡± he blasted and walked out the door.


    ¡°RAIN! GET BACK HERE¡± ordered his uncle but ignoring his words Rain left the room, Alisianna went quickly in his waking heated steps to follow him and the rest continued the discussion letting him go.


    She follows him to a cliff side overlooking a valley and seeing the pain in his eyes she moves to his side just as Rain out of grief summons a fireball to his hand and tosses it over the cliff yelling as he threw it.


    ¡°You¡¯ll find a way to bring her home Rain¡± Alisianna said calmly to his ear as she griped his shoulders and looked to his face from the side.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know any more Alisianna, I don¡¯t think I can. I didn¡¯t mean to storm out from there but I knew what Dawn said was true, I love her so much but she¡¯ll die anyway from my failure to aid her¡± said Rain saddened


    ¡°Rain she knows you are trying and she knows you won¡¯t give up; even if this Larissa has control of her body and thoughts she will never have the one thing you hold from her¡±


    ¡°And what¡¯s that?¡± asked Rain


    ¡°Her soul Rain, which was given to you along with her heart¡±


    ¡°How can you say such things with such evidence to show no hope Alisianna?¡±


    ¡°Through faith Rain, it must be up kept when all hope is lost; her soul is aiding your determination Rain and seeing it in her eyes I can tell you that they gleam over for one Drow Rain¡­You, don¡¯t give up on her Rain, don¡¯t give up on your love¡± Alisianna finishes with a light tap to his shoulders, Rain looks to her with a remade spark of life and grew a smile to his lips toward her ¡°Thanks Alisianna¡± Rain replies and taking his hand Alisianna leads Rain back to the meeting.


    ¡°Hey did you see that¡± said Alisianna quickly spotting something out of the corner of her eye like a figure cloaked or something.


    ¡°See what Alisianna?¡± replied Rain looking around and scouring the area she then sees nothing, ¡°must have been my imagination¡± said Alisianna with a have worried look ¡°the babies must be playing mind tricks on me¡± she says again walking back with Rain.


    They return and again together and debate for some time the options and solutions for the newly developed problem at hand. They come up with only one option which was to find Elanee and comfort her for not knowing her weaknesses as they must figure out any way of bringing her home.


    Breaking up from the session Rain says that he will try and track her movements from later visions that Dawn will get and hopefully find a pattern from which to establish and crossing ambush. Dawn catches up with Rain on his way to the study in Lalandra¡¯s caves for a one on one talk.


    ¡°Rain I didn¡¯t mean to upset you earlier about Elanee, she isn¡¯t evil Rain I¡¯m sorry¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s ok¡± he replies


    ¡°You believe me though right, she has proven herself to be not only a good friend but family and I didn¡¯t mean it the way it came out¡±


    ¡°I know¡± said Rain and walking for a while he sees a worried look on her face from what she saw and trying to bury it he changes the topic ¡°So how¡¯s your new training going?¡±


    ¡°Good, and the research about helping Elanee how¡¯s that front¡± she responded to him


    ¡°Not so good¡± Rain said


    ¡°We¡¯ll figure this out Rain, she¡¯ll be back in your arms in no time, you¡¯ll see¡±


    ¡°I wish I could fully accept that Dawn but as time goes by I feel that hope slipping away more and more¡±


    ¡°You need to re-strengthen that resolve Rain, for her to believe that she can come back to you¡± and as they come to the front entrance of the study chamber Dawn reaches to his cheek and gives Rain a kiss, she then smiles to him and walks away.


    ¡°You know recent events Dawn have brought out visions of mother in you, with the words you say and the actions you do¡± she then turns from the comment to see him again and with a smile growing bigger to her face she thanks him for the warm comment and keeps on walking.


    Over the next few weeks Rain sends out Cloud and Artanis with military support on one lead after another compiled of information through his findings on Larissa. Assured by Rain that she must be looking for something the two young fighters follow his steps and go on the hunts. But failing the first couple of times and arriving there too late Rain extends his knowledge. He travels to Silverspire and then to other places around the realm gathering more and more knowledge on the evil that has trapped his beloved, but even with the extra credit the attempts were coming up short. Rain¡¯s actions lead the group into a search lasting months and as the hope whines thin on Rain¡¯s head the children¡¯s birthing from Alisianna¡¯s womb grows closer each day. Cloud begins to pressure Rain into trying harder with fear that he has no desire to raise children in such dark times.


    ¡°How long are we going to keep this up Cloud¡± said Artanis coming into the meeting area like he has week after week for their weekly reporting update.


    ¡°Until we find her Artanis¡± replies Cloud taking a sip of his drink while the two wait for the others


    ¡°Maybe more to the point, we should be discussing is what are we to do when we find her; salvage what we can or¡­¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t say it Artanis!¡± snapped Cloud to him ¡°Rain will be here soon¡­what¡¯s the body count at now¡± asked Cloud


    ¡°Over two-thousand and growing by each assault, Cloud, Colossus doesn¡¯t even leave this mass of a call sign in his wake, this is serious¡±


    ¡°I know but what else can we do¡± Cloud finished as the rest poured into the meeting room, lastly entering was Cloud¡¯s wife who had a look of worry upon her face.


    ¡°Alisianna you ok¡±


    ¡°I saw that cloaked figure again, just for a second but it was there¡± she replied


    ¡°That¡¯s the twelfth sighting for you to date¡± Cloud said concerned


    ¡°Dawn tells me it¡¯s nothing, just in my head¡±


    ¡°Are you taking the guard escort when you leave Alise?¡± he asks


    ¡°Yes Cloud¡­Where¡¯s Rain, isn¡¯t he coming¡± she pipes up


    ¡°We¡¯ll start without him for no new sightings has he come up with anyway¡± responded Straud sitting down to start the meeting


    ¡°I¡¯m worried about him¡± Alisianna says


    ¡°I¡¯ll talk to him after the meeting¡± said Straud and getting into the session they discuss new business.


    After the meeting Straud walks to Rain¡¯s chambers to pay him a visit, he enters the cabin and strolls through it to find Rain lying with the baby on his bed. Straud watches for a moment at the doorway as Rain watches her sleep on the bed curled up against Rain¡¯s warm body. A smile crosses his face but is shrugged off when Rain makes eyes contact, seeing his uncle Rain realizes that he missed the meeting and puts the baby to sleep in her home made crib that his uncle built.


    ¡°Rain when I call a meeting I expect you to show up¡± he said walking with his nephew out of the bedroom to the main room of his cabin.


    ¡°Sorry uncle didn¡¯t think there was anything new to report¡± Rain said pouring a glass of ale to drink, he offered his uncle the drink but he refused


    ¡°There wasn¡¯t any this time but that was not the point¡±


    ¡°I know; uncle I¡¯m at a dead end with my research I¡¯ve been over the material a hundred times, she has no pattern of how or what she¡¯s doing what she¡¯s killing it¡¯s just¡­¡±


    ¡°Chaotic¡± Straud finishes


    ¡°Yeah¡± replied Rain


    ¡°Rain I want you to do something for me, go to the temple with Dawn I have asked her to teach you a meditation method for relaxation of your mind, you need it above all of us¡±


    ¡°Forget it uncle, leave that serenity garbage for the monks that¡¯s not my style¡±


    ¡°Rain, do as I ask¡±


    ¡°You mean quit and give up¡±


    ¡°No Rain! Just take a break, you have done all you can with what you have, even Elanee would agree with this¡± concluded Straud and not hearing a response Straud goes to leave the chamber room when he stops ¡°Don¡¯t make me issue the order¡± says Straud again leaving and sulking in his ale Rain reluctantly gives it up and heads to the temple.


    Rain emerges at the temple entrance with a slight knock to the door,


    ¡°Rain¡± Dawn answered


    ¡°I¡¯m here for my treatment¡± Rain replied


    ¡°Rain you make it sound as if this is a punishment but it¡¯s not; just a little relaxation for your mind¡± she says coming to the door wearing her dress robes ¡°look at the bright side of this, we have almost never had time to ourselves for one on one bonding, it¡¯ll be fun¡± she finishes excitedly with a little giggle and taking his hand she leads him to a chamber in the temple with a circle of candles she prepped for them.


    Following the instructions given to her by Lalandra they both sat cross legged facing each other and holding hands. She guided Rain on how to relax but his mind at the beginning started to wonder, she kept on him to focus and clear his thoughts and through an hour or two he began to slowly relax.


    Taking his mind on a journey through space and time Rain¡¯s body almost went numb to feeling, he opened his eyes careful not to alarm her on it and just watched her sitting there and smiled at how much the recent times of harsh living had made her grow into a woman of such beauty and understanding. Rain listened as Dawn¡¯s iron willed mind lead him into a deep state of concentration and then it happened. The two minds were taken just as Dawn¡¯s was taken before, racing across the clouds to a place unknown to them both, they were surrounded by ruins of stones and with some time passing just looking around the image given to them they saw her; Larissa. Walking around slowly she was towards the area as if she was spooked by something. Then a flash came to their minds of a bright call from Elanee¡¯s voice. ¡°Help ME!¡± she cried out and disrupting the vision the relaxation was broken and the two Drow returned to the cold walls of the temple chamber.


    ¡°Dawn was that¡­did you see what I did¡± asked Rain shaking his head


    ¡°UNCLE¡­LALANDRA!¡± Dawn cried out running with Rain to the temple door where the loud call was answered with a hasting run from them both.


    ¡°Did you see it Dawn¡± Rain asked while following her


    ¡°Yes, Elanee¡¯s cry for help¡± Dawn answered running hard to the door


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong Dawn¡± said Straud


    ¡°We must hurry, Rain and I had a vision of Larissa with a cry from Elanee for help, Rain can you teleport to that location¡±


    ¡°If it¡¯s not out of my range I can¡± responded Rain and ordering the group to assemble their gear for a conflict they agreed to meet up in minutes to travel to the location.


    As the group gathers to go Cloud is shocked to his wife in attendance.


    ¡°Alise what are you doing here?¡± Cloud said


    ¡°I¡¯m going¡± Alisianna responded


    ¡°No you¡¯re not¡± Cloud said


    ¡°Yes I am Cloud¡± she barked to him


    ¡°Alisianna your pregnant¡±


    ¡°Yeah and your point¡±


    ¡°Alisianna you¡¯ll be a prime target if you¡¯re seen¡± added Artanis


    ¡°So I¡¯ll stay out of sight¡± she argued


    ¡°Alise¡­No!¡± Cloud finalized


    ¡°Excuse me¡± replied Alisianna folding her arms ¡°Cloud; Elanee is family to me and if she died when my power could have done more to keep her alive and with us I would never forgive myself¡±


    ¡°Forget it Alise, it¡¯s too dangerous¡± Cloud stated


    ¡°Too dangerous; Cloud have you forgotten what we have been through, don¡¯t lecture me on danger. And let¡¯s get something straight Cloud I¡¯m your wife not a common soldier to whom you orders will be followed, you orders to me are suggestions and with that said the suggestion is acknowledged and noted¡­but I¡¯m still going none the less¡±


    ¡°Alisianna¡± Cloud sighed


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry Cloud I¡¯ll watch over here¡± said Lalandra coming up to join the group dressed in a battle armored uniform.


    ¡°Lalandra you can¡¯t seriously be at full strength for this endeavor¡± cautioned Straud


    ¡°What is with you guys and thinking we women are made of glass¡± bolted Alisianna


    ¡°It¡¯s ok Alise, I may be not at full strength but I¡¯m close enough to provide a challenge for even this demon inside our friend¡± smiling to Rain for support and smiling back Rain begins to cast when Alisianna grips her side,


    ¡°You ok Alise¡± Dawn whispered to her not to alarm Cloud


    ¡°Yeah just cramps I think¡± Alisianna shrugs off to her and looking at her pain Dawn begins to worry as the spell comes to a close and the group flashes out of sight.

 Chapter 59

    Walking around the stone ruins Larissa looks intently around,


    ¡°I know you are here so show yourselves¡± she demands and appearing in sight through both lighting flashes and ground rising flames was two celestial beings being accompanied by two high level demons.


    ¡°I was beginning to wonder how many deaths it would take to merit your audience¡±


    ¡°Stop this now Larissa!¡± bolted a celestial voice


    ¡°Ummm¡­no this is my realm, my turf which allows me to kill who I want when I please¡­and I do understand your reasons for bothering my fun but why are the demons here¡±


    ¡°You attacked an outpost guarding a gate to a lower level of our realm¡± crackled the voice of one demon.


    ¡°Oh that little shack was an outpost, I thought that they were supposed to give a challenge to keep things away¡± she sparked to the demons with an ignorant attitude ¡°and speaking of challenges is that what you are all supposed to be,¡± laughing to them


    ¡°Stand down Larissa or be slain where you stand¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t take well to threats you oversized light bulb¡± igniting her arms one with lightning and one with hell fire flame moving into a defensive stance. The Celestials summon their swords to their hands and douse the blade in holy flame; the demons do the same but coat the blades with dripping vile venom.


    ¡°Attack her¡± the order came from a Celestial and the battle then begins, the demons aid the side of the angelic beings and the battle grows quick and fierce paced. Fighting with a masterful art and power know only to a few of the realm¡¯s powerful wizards. The warriors of the opposite factions try desperately to dethrone the diabolical evil inducement of the one called Larissa. But as well trained as they were the power and multiple numbers were not enough to gain the upper hand to the great possessed soul. For one by one Larissa had the end come to each one both destructive and equally as cruel, demising the numbers down to one Celestial being she caught the great power in her grip and slammed it¡¯s body hard to the ground dismembering its grip from its sword. She wrapped her hands around its throat and with a single swift tug wrenched the head and spinal cord from its torso. The sparkling royal blue blood dripped to the ground off the back bone, Larissa lifted the remains in her hands above her head and unleashing her tongue ran it along the bones of the great beings spine. She trapped the blood into her mouth, and filling her thirst for the blood lust she craved Larissa swallowed the holy nectar and smiled to the head.


    ¡°Nothing is quite like a divine blood boost to start the day¡± and then she froze in her movements, sensing that an added life presence was around she turned her view to a distance to gaze upon the group coming into focus to her location.


    Seeing the sight of Elanee¡¯s actions brought sheer horror to the groups face; Larissa tossed away the skull head and stepped into the celestial blood on her advancement towards them. Alisianna backed up with Lalandra and Dawn guarding her view from Larissa¡¯s path of sight, and measuring up each member of the group carefully Straud then reached for his weapon. Cloud and Artanis did the same. Larissa looked to the group for the first time with worry as the power level they held together was more then she had ever encountered at once.


    ¡°Elanee, Elanee can you hear me¡­.It¡¯s Rain¡± Rain tried to say and hearing the words she stopped her movement, lowering her head to shade her face with her wet jet black hair she raise the black curtain again to have an innocent look to her face and then she replied.


    ¡°Rain, oh Rain is that you¡± she pleaded to Rain


    ¡°I¡¯m here Elanee¡± responded Rain with a hopeful look from hearing the voice that sounded like Elanee¡¯s.


    ¡°I¡¯m so scared Rain¡±


    ¡°Fight it Elanee, fight her bind over you¡±


    ¡°Rain I can¡¯t¡­she¡¯s so strong¡­.help me¡± Elanee¡¯s voice reacted and reached for Rain¡¯s hand, extending his back Straud spoke up ¡°Rain don¡¯t!¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s ok uncle¡± Rain assured him as he kept moving toward her and grasping his hand tight she lowered her head.


    ¡°I can¡¯t I just can¡¯t¡± she kept on


    ¡°Yes you can Elanee together we can stop this¡± and with his free hand Rain touched the chin of Elanee and raised it to his own but then saw a sinister smile grown on her face.


    ¡°I can¡¯t believe you actually fell for that pity run of words¡± she laughed as she raised him into the air, ¡°I thought you Drow were smarter than that, don¡¯t you know you shouldn¡¯t talk to strangers¡± she laughed again ¡°A mistake you can have lots of time to rethink in death¡± as she charged her hand and unleashed a loud thunder crackle as a surge of energy flooded Rain¡¯s body. ¡°Elanee¡¯s gone you ingrate, her body and mind are mine, and now so are you¡± she said tossing him away but hitting the dirt hard Rain caught clearing his lungs from the smoke and Larissa snapped her head back toward him, ¡°You can¡¯t be alive¡± she spouted off and charging her hands again she bombarded Rain¡¯s body with her hellfire flames but still had no effect, ¡°This is impossible¡± she said and trying to raise him telekinetically to the air made Rain¡¯s headband glow white.


    ¡°That¡¯s the power I was waiting for¡± said Straud slamming his blade to the ground and a wave of energy emitted from it, Larissa taken off guard by Rain¡¯s immunity was hit by the blast at full force and like a volcano erupting she was launched into the air. She landed hard to the ground and picking herself up she looked to the other and waved her hand about, but doing nothing she looked at it.


    ¡°My telekinesis, what have you done to my power¡± she screamed at him and seeing a toss from her rear view she looked to see Cloud grab something, Cloud caught the necklace from Rain¡¯s throw and as he placed it on he transformed into the angelic being again.


    ¡°Oh good more fun¡± Larissa said rolling her eyes and charging her arms the group engaged Larissa in battle. Lalandra at first didn¡¯t help in the fight as she and Dawn carefully watched over Alisianna but as the battle grew fierce and the group began to get pinned into trenches of old stone ruins hiding from Larissa violent attacks she left to aid them. Dawn left her side only by a few feet as she cast spells to create protection shields from the flames and lightning shots to her love Artanis.


    After some battle attacks striking Rain¡¯s body in various places he learned that he was completely immune to all of her energy based attack and drawing his blade Rain lashed out from his place of hiding to bear down a charge to her location. Seeing this attack Larissa used martial moves to separate Rain from his weapon and using his own momentum against him she flung him in the opposite way flying into the air and landing into deep brush, his sword slammed into the dirt far away from him but bringing the ambushed from the attack no one could check on him.


    ¡°Is this all your group can muster how pathetic¡± Larissa said with overconfidence as she continued to pour on the attack quick and powerful. Cloud then sprinted toward her with his natural quickened haste and forced her to draw her own blade and start into close combat. Artanis and Straud joined in as they left their trenches of hiding and Lalandra attempted attack of cold from afar thinking they would distract her concentration. She was successful but unknowing of the thick carapace she now possessed as some attack from the paladin blade even though they connected bounced off her without a scratch, some created minor cuts but most attacks if not backed with full strength proved useless in harming her.


    Battering them back a few feet one at a time to create some breathing room for herself Larissa was beginning to tire, but the members just scampered to their feet again and came flying back to engaged her once more, she got a lucky hit on Cloud and sending him flying in the air and impacting solidly into some heightened stone laid ruins. She shot a lightning attack toward to rock pile creating a fissure crack in the base of the structure; the crack crept up and collapsed on top of Cloud burying him under thousands of pounds on rock.


    ¡°Cloud¡­CLOUD!!!¡± shouted Artanis glancing over to the arm of Cloud not moving under to rubble pile.


    ¡°One by one I will kill you all¡± Larissa belted back as she poured on the melee attack at the remaining members and continued to block the attacks of Lalandra range assault.


    Lifting his head and shaking away the dizziness Rain brought into focus Alisianna in a great deal of pain and a clear wet liquid running down her legs.


    ¡°Dawn¡­Dawn! Come here quick Alisianna¡¯s been hit¡± Running towards the call Dawn lands to her knees and skids to their side she checks Alisianna condition and grows a shocked look to her face as she turns to Rain.


    ¡°What¡­What is it Dawn can you heal her?¡± panicked Rain


    ¡°Those pains she was having before we left to come here wasn¡¯t cramps the were contractions¡­Rain Alisianna¡¯s in labor¡±


    Watching Dawn move to Alisianna¡¯s head side she lifts her head and places it on top off her thighs using them as a pillow.


    ¡°Rain bends her legs up and unbuckles removing her skirt¡±


    ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°You have to help me deliver the babies¡±


    ¡°Whoa what oh hell no, where¡¯s Cloud¡± Rain says looking to the battle area but looking to a the pile of stone burying his body Dawn looks to him


    ¡°He¡¯s busy right now, Rain I need your help¡±


    ¡°But I have never done this before Dawn¡±


    ¡°Rain please were out of time, if this doesn¡¯t happen now she and the children will surely die¡±


    Rain¡¯s hands tremble as he tries to undo her skirt belt as a sense of moral disloyalty flows through his mind. But soft and gentle does Alisianna¡¯s hands touch his and looking up she smiles to him.


    ¡°I trust you Rain¡± she says to him and growing some comfort Rain nods and continues. Removing the skirt Rain as instructed places his cloak under and around her hips covering her exposed areas and her lower torso.


    ¡°Now Alise I need you to breath slow and steady breathes ok¡± and nodding she tried as she held tightly to Dawns hand.


    ¡°Why is this¡­happening¡­now¡­it¡¯s too¡­early for them to be coming¡± Alisianna says exhaling her first breath through the contraction.


    ¡°It¡¯s the twin factor Alise, with two your birthing time speeds up¡± Dawn explains to her as she breaths.


    ¡°Now Rain you are going to have to get your hands dirty¡± and she nods for Rain to reach up into her womb and aid the babies release, Rain lifts his cloak and his eyes grow big as he looks back at Dawn,


    ¡°Rain grow up for once in your life¡± she whispers to him as the groaning pain of Alisianna drowns out her voice ¡°can you see anything yet¡±This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    ¡°There¡¯s a lot of fluid and tissue here Dawn, wait! Yes there¡¯s a head ¡°


    ¡°Ok Alisianna you¡¯re going to have to push for me ok¡± and following her lead Alisianna does, grunting all she can and through thrusting motions does Rain update that the baby is coming out.


    ¡°Ok , I got it¡­I mean uh her¡± said Rain and needing something to wrap her in Rain conjures up a mink skin blanket to bundle the newborn in tight and secure, he places her beside him gently as he uses a dagger given to him by Dawn to cut the umbilical then goes for the second one.


    ¡°Ok Alise now for the second one¡± and following Dawn¡¯s voice Alisianna proceeds.


    ¡°Uh oh¡± says Rain


    ¡°What¡­what¡¯s wrong?!¡± asked Dawn


    ¡°The baby it¡¯s coming out backwards¡­like feet first Dawn, what do I do¡± he asks her.


    Alisianna pushes again but loses her breath ¡°I can¡¯t¡±


    ¡°Yes you can Alisianna you must¡±


    ¡°Ahhh!¡± Alisianna groans ¡°Come out of me you stubborn little thing!¡± and in the intense moment a blast of lightning from Larissa impacts the ground near the group.


    ¡°Was that a blast, was it close¡± asked Alisianna and looking about ten feet away from where it hit Dawn turns back to her, ¡°No it was far off, not even close, keep pushing Alise you¡¯re doing well girl¡±


    ¡°It hurts so much¡± Alisianna complains to her and she grits her teeth again to push.


    ¡°Dawn?¡± Rain asks with a voice of concern


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong Rain?¡±


    ¡°I think the baby is stuck¡±


    ¡°STUCK?¡± cried Alisianna and laying her head down for a moment Dawn comes around to check her.


    ¡°Its neck is around the umbilical cord¡± and looking at Rain she whispers to him ¡°I need to cut an insertion to finish removing the baby but I can¡¯t do it here¡± said Dawn ¡°If we don¡¯t get it out soon the baby will drown in its own fluids, it¡¯s too far out to move her anywhere now¡± and hearing the dilemma Rain thinks for a second and rising his head again he looks to Dawn


    ¡°I have an idea, Dawn¡± he replies as Dawn moves back to Alisianna¡¯s head side.


    ¡°Like what¡­RAIN LOOK OUT!!!¡± cries Dawn seeing a bolt of flame heading towards him from the battle field and gripping the young child wrapped in the bundle Rain disappears just as the bolts passes by him, Dawn covers Alisianna¡¯s face with her body to shield them from the impact of the bolt as it hits a group of trees splintering them into flaming debris.


    Continuing the assault and flinging Straud off to the side the group attacking Larissa pincers her between them. Larissa looks to all of them and knows that she could be defeated right here, for she used up too much power in the previous battle. And making a motion to attack her Artanis swings at her and in her defense Larissa flees in a flash of bluish light.


    ¡°Cloud, are you alright¡± says Artanis yelling to him as he and Straud run to uncover him from the rocks. They unbury Cloud to find that he is still in the angelic form whose protective power saved his life most assuredly, he was only knocked out but wasn¡¯t crushed and coming to a few moments with breathing the clean air again his form reverted to his own once more.


    ¡°Huh what¡­What Happened?¡±


    ¡°You tripped and fell¡± said Artanis and smiling as he and Straud brought him to his feet Cloud shook off the feeling and looked around ¡°Is she dead, where did she go¡±


    ¡°She escaped¡± replied Straud


    ¡°But we beat her good¡± Added Artanis


    ¡°Dawn!...Alisianna! sparked Lalandra running to their location to see Alisianna laying on the ground her hair all sweated up and draped against her face, she was followed but the guys who saw her and immediately Cloud leaned to her side, Dawn explained to all of them what had happened and getting to when Rain left she stopped.


    ¡°Where¡¯s Rain¡± questioned Dawn growing worried


    ¡°Where¡¯s my babies¡± bolted Alisianna ¡°Did he make it away from the blast are they alive¡± she grow quick paced with her words. And looking to the mangled trees Dawn and Alisianna saw no ruminates of bodies.


    ¡°I¡¯m right here¡± Said Rain¡¯s voice ¡°And I¡¯m fine along with two very brave new born children¡± Said Rain carrying both babies one in each arm both wrapped in mink bundles crying up a storm. Dawn ran to him the see the children, and looking over the faces and bodies she placed her hand to each of them and lifted it off with a smile,


    ¡°They are in excellent health¡± Dawn announced and taking them to Alisianna¡¯s arms Rain passed them to her, she smiled as she watched them crying their first breathes to the world.


    ¡°How did you get him out Rain?¡± asked Dawn and Rain explained that simply teleporting the baby out would have been the easiest way in the beginning.


    ¡°But not as satisfying¡± said Alisianna, ¡°I would not have given up that pain for the world, they are so beautiful¡±


    ¡°Yes they are¡± said Cloud over shadowing her watching them squirm and smiling at his wife¡¯s sweated glowing look.


    Cloud went to Rain and gave him back his amulet thanking him for it as well as giving him a hug for what he had done for his future family, Rain smiled back happy to see the gratifying look from his brother¡¯s face and feeling for a moment that life might not all be bad. The group crowded around the newborn and during that time Rain went to retrieve his blade, he found it stabbed into the dirt and reaching his hands still with the embryonic fluid still covered on his hands, slipping with one hand he griped it with both and pulled it out swiftly, but turning around to return did he see Straud behind him.


    ¡°We¡¯ll cross her path again son¡±


    ¡°I know we well Uncle but I saw it in her eyes. She is gone, consumed by the evil that now resides in her; I only hope I have the courage to do what is needed on the next encounter¡±


    Leaving the area with their new bundles of joy they escape to plan out the next move, And wanting to spend some time alone with their newborns. Cloud and Alisianna escape to the wilderness for some quality time. Rain goes back to the temple with Dawn to attempt to contact the evil though he did believe that the mind that reached out to him was in fact Elanee herself. Dawn healed any wounds to the group after the battle and helped Rain with his distance connection. Artanis set up a guard posting with Straud¡¯s help to keep him busy and the area secure.


    While taking care of his little beauty Kityana Rain starts to get regular sleep but they soon turn into nightmares when recent developments cause him to have dreams of only Larissa, always saying the same thing, she is doomed and he has failed her. Ending with a touch from her to his head in an attempt to lift the headband from his head he always resists the motion but it grows harder and harder each time for him. He wakes up in a sweated state every time and feeling his head realizes that his headband is coming off further and further each time. Until one night he decides to try something and during the nightmare, he doesn¡¯t resist the act and lets her removes the headband to see an astonishing thing happen, Larissa changes to Elanee.


    She explains that she was only able to connect to Rain in this manner after the first encounter and every time Larissa sleeps, she gains control of the mind, learning over time her telekinetic power she said she used it to trans-lay the message over a distance for the attempt to reach Rain¡¯s mind. She says that Larissa is moving through tomes of research libraries to figure out why Rain was immune to her powers and how to reverse it. But the conversation was interrupted when Larissa awoke and terminated the connection and when he awoke Rain noticed that his headband was on his lap. For the next day Rain keeps the new information to himself and tries to find a way to help from his end.


    In the meantime the newly born twin got a daily walk out to a sheltered area in a wonderful designed basinet made by Straud as a gift. It was made from thick hardwood and was covered in maple thistle to ease the beating hearts of the children as they slept. Alisianna went out as she always did to lounge in the grass for her daily sunny time and on this day while out with her armed guard of four Drow soldiers she noticed something she never did before. A flower lay on the ground where she normally sat and from its pedals looked very fresh, it was jet black in color but held a beauty that was rarely found in a rose. Alisianna picked it up and looked at it while setting down her children¡¯s basket she plunged to a kneeling position and took a sniff of it¡¯s sent, it was sweet and coarse but held a rich overlay of honey and on it was thick dew only noticed from a close sight. Flowers this late in the day doesn¡¯t have dew on them Alisianna thought, and placing the flower again to the ground she began to grow tired and a little dizzy. She stretched to a laid motion she grew heavy in trying to up hold her eyelids and not feeling so well suddenly collapsed to a dead slumber.


    The day grows into the evening and knowing that sometimes Alisianna loses track of time while with the kids Cloud gives her some leeway on coming back but as it grows cold he begins to worry about her. Cloud sends out Artanis and six men to find her and only an hour goes by when the group returns requesting healing aid from Dawn. Three out of the four guards were killed and the one left badly beaten to a bloody mess. Dawn quickly get to him; heals his wounds and hears as the guard explain to them about a cloaked figure who ambushed the group. He goes on to say that his men guarded her sporadically so not to be taken off guard but it was as if someone had been watching their every move for a while to have coordinated the attack so well. Straud comes to Cloud¡¯s side reassuring that they will regain her back and the children unharmed for whoever has done this must have had a good but sadistic reason. Cloud goes to Rain¡¯s chamber and Straud goes to his to gather his arms. He reaches his personal equipment to find the same black rose lay upon his sword and seeing this draws a heavy thought to his mind. Artanis follows Straud in his own shadow to ask him something but when he sees the rose all of his questions are answered.


    ¡°It¡¯s him isn¡¯t it Lord Straud¡±


    ¡°Yes Artanis¡± Straud replies as if he knew he was there ¡°Do me a favor young man, you need to take Cloud to the forever spring and grab a vial of the water for it is the cure to the poison Alisianna inhaled¡±


    ¡°And what are you going to do Milord?¡±


    ¡°Please Artanis don¡¯t call me that, to you it is just Straud¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t forget your armor Straud¡± says Artanis seeing him leave with only his weapon, and stopping in his tracks he turns to Artanis.


    ¡°This is a call Artanis, a challenge held by the Asmairian¡¯s to another fighter for a trial of fates¡±


    ¡°What fate is yours issued by Logan Straud¡± he inquired


    ¡°Betrayal Artanis¡­Betrayal¡± he and Artanis went to the front of the house of Straud and there they met up with Dawn and Cloud he tells Cloud of who is behind this and what is needed to be done Cloud goes with Artanis to find the cure and Dawn is told to stay here and relay the message to Rain when he is found for Cloud couldn¡¯t locate him. Straud hugs Cloud and tells him that he has been the best son he could have ever been blessed with and the same to Dawn but with an added gesture. Straud slips blue toned crystal in her pocket during the embrace and tells her that he loves her.


    ¡°You sound like you¡¯re not coming back uncle, you are coming back right¡± and as Straud smiles he turns to go when Dawn grabs his hand and turns him to her again ¡°Right?¡± she says again and smiling to her he nods saying ¡°of course Dawn, of course¡±


    As they all scamper off only Lalandra remains to his sights.


    ¡°You will take care of them for me won¡¯t you old friend¡±


    ¡°Of course I will Straud, but this isn¡¯t the end for you old Captain of the Drow, of the realm and of my heart¡± and turning to leave her she pulls him back for a kiss to her lips and he returns the embrace with a cling to her body. They kiss for a moment and then separating Lalandra watches him go with a tear to her eye.


    Rain who found a private spot to cast his sleep spell over and over again until he got a mental connection with Elanee again, he reaches her and she explains to her that he has a plan to lure Larissa out. Rain says that he wants to imprison her again but needs her where abuts to do it, they pick a stop to spark the plan and Elanee gives Rain some reassurance that her power of suggestion to Larissa¡¯s subconscious holds some weight. They agree on the location and then they break off. Rain returns to see his uncle getting ready to leave and when he called out to him Straud turned to him with a smile.


    ¡°You are the finest Sorcerer I have ever seen Rain, such passion and power in you, I trust you will be a great man and held in high regard by your fellow people¡± Straud says to him


    ¡°Uncle¡± Rain asked concerned at him ¡°Why do you say such things, what¡¯s going on¡±


    ¡°I have come to realize that it doesn¡¯t come much as I had hoped it would from my lips and for that I¡¯m sorry to you and you siblings, I love you all like my own and I hope you know that¡± Straud said to him


    ¡°I know that uncle, we all do¡­I love you too¡± said Rain and getting a hug from him Rain held him tightly not letting go at first,


    ¡°Uncle, you sure everything is alright¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll find her Rain I promise you that¡± Straud says to him and mounting his horse Straud sheaths his sword and rides off into the forest.


    Rain watches him go then returns to his chamber to gather his sword; he turns after mounting it to his belt to see his sister standing in the doorway.


    ¡°Rain, I¡¯ve been looking all over for you Alisianna¡¯s missing and¡­why are you armed?¡± she asks


    ¡°I¡¯m going to help with the search¡± and walking to the doorway Dawn doesn¡¯t move


    ¡°For who Alisianna...you¡¯re going to find Elanee aren¡¯t you, and then what you¡¯re going to kill her Rain¡± Dawn said raising her voice


    ¡°I will do what I must¡± Rain responded and trying to go past her she moves in his path


    ¡°Put your weapon away¡±


    ¡°Dawn get out of my way¡±


    ¡°No! Your weapon first¡±


    ¡°DAWN!¡±


    ¡°This is what you have come up with¡­just kill her; let her die¡±


    ¡°I have tried all I can Dawn but¡­¡±


    ¡°Try harder, and keep trying till you find some way to bring her home¡± Dawn protested


    ¡°And how many more people Dawn, how many more should we sacrifice just to please our own way of life, these acts of death are stripping away what is left of her from humanity¡± Rain grew heated and louder.


    ¡°One more look Rain that¡¯s all I ask¡± Dawn pleaded


    ¡°You don¡¯t think I have been all over Lalandra¡¯s books, Silverspire¡¯s, hell the whole realms Dawn; there is nothing Dawn nothing on Larissa remotely close to revealing a cure, it¡¯s like she doesn¡¯t exist¡± and almost shouting Dawn puts her hands up to calm him down.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry Rain¡± she says calmly ¡°I know that you have tried all you could¡±


    ¡°But it wasn¡¯t enough was it, all those times I needed her and she was there, to save me¡­to save us all, and yet the one time she needs us her destruction is our only solution I failed her Dawn. The only woman I have ever truly loved, I failed¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll come with you Rain¡±


    ¡°No Dawn you must stay away from this, the headband Elanee made for me I figured out that it¡¯s the only thing stopping her powers from harming me, I am the only one in this realm that can bring her to an end¡± and backing away from his path she lets him go.


    ¡°I know it doesn¡¯t help¡± she perks up as he goes through the doorway ¡°But you¡¯re doing the right thing, I just wasn¡¯t ready to admit it¡±


    ¡°Then why does it feel so wrong¡± Rain says looking one final time to his sister before he disappears in a flash.

 Chapter 60

    Arriving to the pond on Chalice Cloud and Artanis, dismount quickly and Cloud runs to the pond, he opens the vial to grab some of the water when a shout comes from Artanis.


    ¡°Cloud Wait!¡±


    ¡°What¡± he responds to him with a harsh tone, and Cloud waits for Artanis to get to the side with him, Artanis cans the surface and moves Cloud backwards a bit.


    ¡°Artanis what are you doing, we need the water¡±


    ¡°Look at it Cloud the green tinged to it, it¡¯s been tainted¡± said Artanis and tossing a steel bar taken from his belt into the water they both watch as it¡¯s dissolves rapidly to nothing.


    ¡°Now what do we do?¡± asked Cloud


    ¡°Knowing Logan he has the vial of it that we need already, he wouldn¡¯t go back on a bluff like this without having some part of it being true, we need to get to him¡±


    ¡°And where would he be¡± Cloud asked again and thinking as sifting through the memories implanted to his skull by the vampire Artanis figures it out.


    ¡°Where this all started for him for both of them¡­the abandon mines where he was created into a vampire, I know how to get there lets go¡± he pressed to Cloud and mounting Chalice again they flew off.


    Coming around to her senses Alisianna wakes up, her hands where bond by thick rope and to her right she sees the cradled basinet of her children hanging above a pit of darkness.


    ¡°Ah! You have awaken, good¡± says Logan voice to her


    ¡°Where am I?¡± Alisianna asks


    ¡°In a mine, a very special mine¡± Logan says and watching Alisianna get to her feet Logan draws his blade and aims it at her,


    ¡°Ah ah!¡± he says ¡°Don¡¯t even think about it¡±


    ¡°My children let them go¡±


    ¡°If you insist¡± says Logan winding up a swing to cut the rope holding the basket above the hole


    ¡°NO!¡± she screamed ¡°not like that please¡±


    ¡°Make up your mind then¡±


    ¡°Why have you taken me, what do you want from Cloud¡±


    ¡°Cloud, Don¡¯t be silly my dear I don¡¯t want anything from him, just Straud. And for that I needed some insurance¡­you; make no mistake my dear sweet nymph this is not about rank or reward but revenge, the final chapter to his book is written and I intend to be on the closing act of it¡­of him¡± Logan concludes and looking her up and down he then smiles ¡°but he might be a while so why not a little fun before he dies¡± and cutting her dress down the middle of her chest he stares at the cleavage that was exposed, he places he sword to the ground and goes up to her, he starts to kiss her cheek and whispers to her ear that he is quite good at being a man and assures her of gentleness. She says nothing but spits to his face and wiping it off he goes to caress her breasts when a horse is heard outside the mine entrance trotting to a slowed paced stance.


    ¡°Guess our one on one time will have to wait until after the family feud, can¡¯t wait¡± Logan says grabbing her butt and lifting her up and hangs her bonded hands over a wooden leaver, he then tugs on a rope that moves Alisianna body across another darkened hole via a pulley system crafted by what looks to be dwarves.


    ¡°Oh and my dear don¡¯t try to get free¡± Logan says taking a stone and dropping it down the hole to the sound of nothing ¡°It¡¯s a very long drop, and I know you can¡¯t fly¡± he chuckles and gagging her mouth he grips his sword and goes out to greet his challenger. Watching him go she looks to her children and grows a worried and scared look to her face.


    As Straud dismounted off his horse he grew a very familiar feeling to the area as well as a memorial flash back to the day he was there. It flashed to him the battle between his band and Logan against the vampires and then the fatal collapse of the mine trapping his friend inside. He closed his eyes for the reenactment seemed so real to him that he took a deep breath and walked toward to open mine entrance that had looked to be recently excavated and cleared, he entered the mine to see torches lit and burning bright and in the depths of the darkness he saw him waiting with his sword reflecting off the torch light.


    ¡°This is where it ends for you Captain¡± Logan cried out


    ¡°I am done apologizing for what happened to you Logan, this is not my fault¡± said Straud walking toward him and into the dark, ¡°Where¡¯s Alisianna¡±This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.


    ¡°She¡¯s in the back see for yourself¡± and without a second thought Straud races past him to the sound of the woman gagged. Straud goes to Alisianna and sees her ripped and torn dress state, he finds the lever to release Alisianna from her suspended prison and that of her children, Logan lets them pass him again and head for the exit to the mine, as Straud goes to leave he is stopped by a brutal and violent field of force keeping him in the mine.


    ¡°What the hell?¡± says Straud unknown to what is happening,


    ¡°You look confused Straud allow me to explain, it¡¯s a devise that keeps you here until the event happens that will release you from its hold¡±


    ¡°And what event is that Logan?¡±


    ¡°When one of us dies Straud, and what better way to decide our fate than a murtook battle theme¡± says Logan turning his blade around and stabbing it into the ground.


    ¡°Very well, Logan I¡¯ll play your game and it will be your last¡± says Straud going to the spot beside his blade and placing his own in the dirt beside it.


    ¡°Straud no, it¡¯s what he wants¡± yelled Alisianna holding her babies again and worrying outside the field, as she watches she begins to cough more and more and placing the babies back in the basket she coughed a more violent hack covering her mouth, but lifting her face she looked to her hands as blood coated the inside of them.


    ¡°What is happening to me¡± she asked very frightened


    ¡°It¡¯s quite simple my dear you¡¯re dying¡± smiled Logan


    ¡°Give her the antidote Logan she has no further part to play in this¡± snapped Straud


    ¡°The antidote is not with me but when he gets here and hopefully in time I will tell him where to find it and save the day for his wife¡±


    ¡°Cloud?¡±


    ¡°Yes Cloud will be told and then we shall see how fast he is, but for now let¡¯s see how fast you are¡± and ending his monologue Logan begins mortal combat with Straud to start the fight.


    Alisianna watches as the two veteran¡¯s battle it out in a complete dead lock, spouting off to one another that each will not come out victorious and will never live to see another day, the evening rolls to early dusk and Alisianna grows weaker and weaker and eventually passes out. A short time later arrived Cloud and Artanis to the scene and going to aid Straud Artanis is stopped by the field, while Cloud checks on his beloved.


    ¡°Ah you have arrived¡± Logan says breaking from combat for a moment ¡°Took you long enough she¡¯s near death I would think but you can end that for her by reaching the cure, Logan explain that the cure is hidden against a tree truck down the path of this place and that it needs to be consumed before the high rising of the moon or she will be beyond aid. Cloud takes off on Chalice to the area told to him while Artanis watches over her and looks helpless as he can do nothing to aid Straud. The fighters switch to blades and swinging with perfection and precision clanged together every single hit. The battle whines long and tedious as the two are of equal match, but fate folds to the side of Logan as he disarms Straud¡¯s blade from his hand, moving fast Logan kicks the blade out of the entrance and trying to toss it back Artanis is met with the same force field stopping the blade going back to him.


    ¡°The field works only one way my friend, things can leave the area but nothing can come back in¡± smiled Logan lining up his next shot, he lunges toward Straud who dodges the attack and one swing after another Straud moves and strafes away, a slip up on Logan¡¯s part allows Straud to kick the blade from Logan¡¯s hand and down one of the many holes of endless depth. They spare again hand to hand but growing close to the force field Logan pins Straud to the field and like pounding his face against a brick stone wall Logan repeatedly slams him against it. Cutting Straud open and having blood leak from his face Logan uses the time to pummel and dominate the battle front. As Straud manages to feed back some attacks to Logan, Straud begins to tire.


    ¡°This battle is over Straud you can¡¯t possibly hope to win out now¡± says Logan smiling to him and at the sight of Cloud¡¯s return and an idea sparks to his minds, Straud notices the beams reaping dust upon them during the battle and figures that some of the mine is within the battle area. Cloud goes to his wife¡¯s side and gets her to drink the liquid almost reviving her immediately.


    ¡°Cloud¡± says Straud


    ¡°Yes uncle¡±


    ¡°I want you to know that I love what you have become, and know that I couldn¡¯t have been a more proud uncle¡­or father to see you develop as you have; but the time has come for you to take my place as watcher of our clan¡±


    ¡°Uncle what are you¡­¡±


    ¡°I will always love you and always will I watch over you all¡­protect them Cloud¡± Says Straud having a single tear run down his face, he gets to his feet and body checking Logan to his back charges a support beam holding the main portion of the roof up. Straud slams into it snapping the great wooden beam in half and hitting the ground he feels the ground above starting to give way.


    ¡°UNCLE NOOOO!¡± yells Cloud running to his location but stopping him was Artanis who tackles him to the ground


    ¡°Cloud no wait¡­you have to wait its coming down¡±


    Logan sprints to his feet as the ground trembles at his boots, but his foot is caught by Straud¡¯s hand and tripping of the stretch Logan falls beside him.


    ¡°We go together friend¡± says Straud


    ¡°NOOOO! Let me go! Ahhhhhhhhhh!¡± were the final words of Logan as he witnesses a wooden beam puncture his chest stopping his movements and closing his eyes Straud embraces the falling collapse of the mine on top of them both.


    ¡°STRAUUD!!!!!¡± yells Cloud shoving Artanis off of him and running to the rubble pile, Cloud claws like a fast paced dog to unbury his uncle and Artanis is right behind him trying to pull him down and off.


    ¡°Cloud; Cloud it¡¯s still unstable, Cloud please come here¡± and turning to Artanis Cloud slugs him in the mouth and spins around to continue shoveling the dirt. Artanis get quickly to his feet and peels Cloud off the pile.


    ¡°Cloud he¡¯s gone¡­he¡¯s gone Cloud¡¯ and finally giving in to the resisted pulling Artanis cradle Cloud in his arms, Cloud goes limp and cries in his arms loud and hard almost not breathing. ¡°NOOOO!¡± he cries out and Artanis holds him tight.


    ¡°I know brother¡­I know¡± Artanis looks to Alisianna who nods to him as tears rolling down her face holding the children close. The ground again starts to tremble and seeing the cracking to the ground they knelt on Artanis drug Cloud away.


    The mine then collapse to a huge dark canyon below that must have been located over it, and as the debris fell to darkness the three watched as the body and enemy of their great friend was lost to all time.

 Chapter 61

    The night was dark and cold, the wind blew with a constant eerie feeling and the snowy ground echoed the moonlights bright rays, Rain walked around the old town he grew up in for only a short time, and walking up to the town sign he read it aloud.


    ¡°Soul Guard¡± he said and strolling in he kept a watchful eye, nothing seemed to be changed through the twenty odd years that had gone by, seemed to hold the town in a time bubble but moving through and across the ages his stomach began to hurt as he grew closer to the location he and Elanee set up, his home.


    Rain crept to its structure and just touching it brought about painful memories that filled him with anger and hurt. Hearing a sound coming from the back area of it he drew his weapon silently and snuck around its perimeter. He saw her clear as spring water looking around through the stables where he hid so long ago; Elanee had planted to her mind that a book of secrets was hidden here that held the key to her mystery she wanted.


    ¡°Found what you were looking for demon¡± Rain spoke up and turning to face him brought about a bright light to her eyes she had to dodge quickly, she did and the lightning bolt flew past her face and impacted the ground.


    ¡°You know that wouldn¡¯t have hurt me mortal¡±


    ¡°Then why move creature¡±


    ¡°To throw mortals off my natural defenses and the ones that do hurt me¡±


    ¡°Or maybe it¡¯s because the one that surround you throws your ability to sense danger off a bit¡­you know¡­the cold¡± Rain smiles


    ¡°Someone has been talking to you I think¡­but no longer¡± Larissa finishes and charges his position. Rain raises his blade as she drew her own and the two spare for a time, Rain can feel her weakening while the longer she is exposed to the cold. The two berate each other with hurtful words and cold metal is heated as the blades continued to collide, but a standoff as the blade connect for a few seconds causes Rain to have a bright light blind his vision for a second and then vanish leaving him in an open summer field filled with flowers and mountains surrounding the prairie lands, and the sound of water falls flowing into a circling lake. Then he saw her walking up to him in a sparkling white gown, hearing Elanee`s gentle voice across the air, ¡°Hello my love¡±.


    ¡°Is this real?¡± says Rain with shock looking around, he was about to contest that it was even her but the essence he felt just by seeing this form was different. It wasn`t the same as what he felt moments ago it must be her.


    ¡°Sort of, it¡¯s a mental meeting constructed in my mind, she is using so much power to try and kill you that I was able to tap into your mind, but when this ends only a mere second will have gone by¡± Elanee explains to him


    ¡°You don`t have powers like that Elanee¡±


    ¡°No, but she does, she has empathic power as well as telekinetic strength¡­she is so strong Rain, it is taking all I have just to do this now¡±


    Rain bolts to her body grasping it with his arms thrusting her to a embrace she doesn`t hold back from ¡°It has been so hard without you¡± she pulls slightly, only to rest her gentle eyes upon his face, a smile grows to his sight as she takes his hands to her own.


    ¡°I know Rain I¡¯m sorry what I did, I had no choice you must see that but this needs to end now Rain, she needs to end and to have that happen we both must go¡±


    ¡°Elanee¡­¡±


    ¡°I will create a feedback surge into her mind, it will be like a massive headache to her and cause her to be stunned momentarily and when that happens you must act, I will only be allowed this one chance Rain you must take it¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t¡± Rain gasps with shock


    ¡°Rain please don¡¯t make this harder that it needs to be, (a single sparkling tear rolls down her cheek) I can¡¯t go on like this anymore; I see them Rain, every soul that I have taken¡±


    ¡°Larissa killed then Elanee not you, Elanee listen to me now that I¡¯m immune I need just more time-¡±


    ¡°Seventy thousand Rain, seventy thousand lives I have taken, I saw the terrified looks on each as they were brutally killed¡±


    ¡°Malice has killed more and was locked up; we can do the same until we solve this Elanee please¡±


    ¡°Children Rain¡­I`ve killed children, she picked them first. I spent my life at the orphanage to protect them and she knows it, one I even skinned to the bone¡±


    Rain closes his eyes as the shame to her face was momentarily too much for him to see ¡°It wasn¡¯t you Elanee please understand that¡±


    ¡°We are one in the same Rain, for one to die we both must, and it needs to be done¡±


    ¡°There is another way; we can freeze you again Elanee like Sephinroth did before, giving us more time to find a way to solve this¡±


    ¡°Imprisonment again, it won¡¯t work this time she won¡¯t allow it, you cannot subdue her to unconsciousness Rain she can only end by taken her life here and now¡±


    ¡°Forget it Elanee I won¡¯t¡­I can¡¯t¡± he says to her growing weak to his stomach


    ¡°Rain, I don¡¯t have to explain to you how powerless a person feels when they have no control over their own actions, but those actions have taken innocent lives Rain. Even if imprisonment was possible, that torture of killing my soul couldn`t bear, and if you truly love me as you say¡­you won`t let me ever endure that. You made me a promise to do this act if this fate became realized and now I hold you to that promise¡±


    ¡°And what about a certain promise you made to a child¡­our child. To be her mother and I her father, that vow holds no less weight¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t think I want to see her grow Rain, to see her first step and speech¡­her first love. Those acts now have to be reflected through you on my behave Rain, she needs you as much as you need her, and shall be with you Rain I give you my word as well as my heart¡± she bleeds out with heavy emotion


    ¡°And I to you for if you are slain here and now my love goes with you, I have never met anyone like you Elanee and never again will I. My heart will close to the world for what it will have shown me and all that is will have been lost¡±


    ¡°My death cannot be then end of your love Rain please, you promise me that you will find love again and when you do that you will never let her go¡± Elanee pleads as she starts to welt up


    ¡°Elanee there are things in this world that I never could¡¯ve understood without you, things that I won¡¯t understand without you, your loving eyes allow me to see them and if you leave me now they will become blind to me once more¡±This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.


    ¡°Oh Rain,¡± she says staring to cry


    ¡°I will always be with you in every decision you make¡­in every step you walk. (Tears roll down her face) in every breath you take¡± she then cracks a small chuckle ¡°Geez I didn¡¯t think I could cry in this form¡± and in only looking at his face tears complimenting her own run down the cheek of his face, only able to bring silence to his lips from her words. She then grows close to him and touches his cheek with her hand and the warmth of her skin causes Rain eyes to blur and close only for a moment. ¡°I¡¯m going to miss you, and I¡¯ll always love you¡± she cries the words to him. In the moment she kisses his lips holding him tight, and after she pulls away Rain shakes his head.


    ¡°I can¡¯t¡­I just can¡¯t¡± and smiling to him, she kisses him again, grasping to his hand with hers and with the other holds tightly around the one baring to its palm his blade.


    ¡°Know that in this life I choose you and no other Rain¡± and she keeps kissing him breaking away to speak words to him ¡°Be strong, show me once more you have the courage to do what is needed (kiss) now strike (kiss) Strike Rain (kiss) now (kiss)NOWWW! She screams as the vision of paradise warps him back to the face of Larissa. A pause in her movement leaves her open to attack, Rain closes his eyes, thrusting his shacking blade forward into Larissa ending her life.


    No great explosion occurred, no massive displacement of energy, black blood surfaced in the corner of her mouth streaming down her chin and the great light of life to Elanee`s eyes slowly went out to a still nothing.


    Rain catches her body ¡°Elanee! Come back girl you can do it¡± nothing happens; putting his lips to hers as she did to revive him. His first breath took in much blood that he coughed to the ground, he goes again breathing to her body.


    ¡°Come back Elanee please,¡± breathing again


    ¡°Lllliiiiivvveee! Sweetheart please¡± time gives him only silence, no remark came from her lips. Rain buried his head in her chest having her body fall and his on top of hers, with a shacking hand he looks to her lifeless face closing her eyes. ¡°Forgive me my love¡± Rain bumbles out with quivering speech ¡°I`m sorry, I¡¯m so sorry¡±


    He lays up her body to his arms, pulling the blade from her torso, watching just blood coated to the blade. Rain lays her down and holds tight to his weapon, rage builds to his souls and body. ¡°AHHHHHHH!¡± he screams out throwing it to the air, he takes a shot with pure energy from his hands sending a shot right at it. It hits it hard sending the blade flying across the now dismal field but indestructible to his own magic it hits the ground unharmed. Rain assaults the side of his family barn, smashing upon it spells of immense power screaming as he thrusts out each one, persisting until weakness overwhelms him, falling to his knees he continues until his barn his father built now lay to ruins.


    Rain on his knees, moves to her body, barely breathing from emotion and exhaustion. He stared at her motionless movements for a time, having flashes of his time with her right from the first meeting they had until now.


    Exhaustion puts Rain to a sleep, resting for hours beside his fallen love. Awaking only again to see her, the feel to her skin was now cold¡­she was truly dead.


    Scooping her to his own weakened arms, he moves her body to the ruined stables of his home, laying it upon some wood and straw; slowly he griped an unused torch and lit it up. The flame came alive like the torch just made and walking close to her corpse Rain again drew tears to his face, the final time he would look upon her beauty. Kneeling down to the straw and wood, he leaned in the flame to ignite her tome when a winter fresh chill came over his body blowing out the torch. Rain spun around to see what the cause was and was shocked to see Lalandra standing at the rear of the scene. Rain knew dragons held a high sense of life, no tears or sobbing was upon Lalandra but a saddened look of loss was defiantly there.


    ¡°A body burning is fit for a king Rain; she was worth much more than that. I can constitute a proper burial for her one that will incase her beauty and cherish her memory throughout the ages, a tome of crystal¡±


    ¡°She didn¡¯t deserve this Lalandra,¡± said Rain, staring at his love, she approached slowly and calmly speaking as she walked,


    ¡°We only live the life given to us by the fates¡±


    ¡°They chose for her to live, only to die¡± the Sorcerer snapped, ¡°She didn¡¯t even get a fair chance at a life guided by her own will¡±


    ¡°That is the fate of all of us Rain¡±


    ¡°You know what I meant¡±


    ¡°She was given a choice, Rain¡±


    ¡°What choice! To be a demon and then die by the hand of another!¡± barking to her, getting to his feet.


    ¡°To love you Rain, your love gave her strength and resolve she never even knew she had¡±


    ¡°Even loving me couldn¡¯t change what was done to her, she never did love herself after the truth was faced to her, she didn¡¯t love Namor¡­Me¡­No one. She always felt alone¡± Rain said, clinching one fist he grew mad ¡°But I will make this vow to you and her Lalandra; she will be known by all by the strength I have seen and felt¡±


    ¡°And that Rain is why she chose you, don¡¯t you see that for someone who hated the world, you even still found time to love a small part of it. Your love had always been there just covered in ice but it was her warmth that brought it shining back that was as alone as you¡± picking up her body Rain again looked to his love, to her gentle angelic carved face, her full lips and a perfect woven hair.


    ¡°I make you this promise Elanee; I will find who did this to you. They will die a bloody mess in my hands¡­I swear it¡±


    Lalandra wished to say her peace that Elanee never would wish that from him in her name, but they would just be wasted and lost to the air. She placed her hand to Elanee`s forehead saying a passing in Draconic then kissed it.


    ¡°I wish to do this now Lalandra, with no one else present¡±


    ¡°Very well¡­lets us begin¡± the great ice queen ended with a frosty portal opening for them to announce a lasting farewell.


    Entering the inner sanctum of the enclave Rain is greeted by a wave of sorrow in the air, the burial was now completed. Secluding for a moment to a hillside tree did he place his arms against it to think. He heard footsteps he knew well and turning his head, he received a fist to the face dropping him unaware to the muddy cold ground.


    ¡°I told you not to pursue her on your own, Damn it Rain why? Why can¡¯t you just wait for once¡­?¡± Cloud ended with a fist from Rain¡¯s hastened swing clubbing his brother back dropping him into the same muck. Hearing a jawed grunt from Cloud brought Artanis out from a building where the rest remained.


    ¡°Oh shit!¡± he said running to the fistfight.


    ¡°You selfish son of a bitch¡± Cloud said again hitting his brother, Rain crawled to a shoulder sprint slamming to his brother¡¯s chest bringing him again to the ground and tumbling around in the mud did the two lash out against one another.


    ¡°She was calling out for my help, I had to go¡± Rain yelled at him with a slug to his face,


    ¡°Alisianna was calling to me¡± Cloud reprised


    ¡°And our uncle paid for the call with his life!!!¡± Rain said again


    ¡°It was a setup,¡± Cloud shouted back


    ¡°So was mine¡± Rain rebutted, a sudden force peeled them from one another with both feeling the aggressive cold to the air by Lalandra¡¯s hands. Artanis took a hold of Rain¡¯s arms, Could lashed out one last time through the magic but attempting one last hit Alisianna step in Cloud¡¯s way. Cloud stopped his hand before hitting his wife and she glared to his muddied up face and clothing.


    ¡°Stop it both of you, can¡¯t you see what is happening, no one is to blame but one and he¡¯s winning every battle in this war¡­please stop this¡± the druid pleaded to them with a cry let out an infant to her arms. She stares to Cloud¡¯s face, huffing with the rush of adrenaline and fast moving blood in his veins, Cloud wiped the mud from his face and hair.


    ¡°We need to work as a group if we are to take him down¡± Cloud said staring back at his wife in shame,


    Rain still to Artanis`s grasp stared at his brother, to his beloved wife that flocked to his side ¡°To hell with you brother,¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°Damn you and Damn your perfect life as a Paladin¡± staring at his family to his side, ¡°You get the combat training and the words to speak to God and nothing happens to you, you are always the good holy knight seen by all as a figure to look up to like a damn monument. (Looking to Alisianna) Always wanted by females as the perfect love and lover while others never even close to your greatness, ones like me are just pushed back to our dark holes and towers¡±


    ¡°That`s enough Rain¡± sparked Dawn who he just simply ignored turning back to the sight of his brother


    ¡°You preach that we need to work as one well it`s easy to talk when nothing of yours is on the line¡±


    ¡°I lost him too Rain¡±


    ¡°I`M NOT TALKING ABOUT UNCLE!¡± Rain blasts shaking loose of Artanis`s grip, ¡°I stared at her, to the tears running down her face as one hand was to hers and the other on my mage blade¡± Rain walks close to him with all watching his moves, not fully knowing what he would do. Rain came to Cloud`s side looking him dead in the eyes.


    ¡°Look at her brother¡­LOOK AT HER! Look to the great beauty of your wife. Imagine her eyes glowing dark and death only in her wake¡­then pulling your precious blade that has saved countless lives, thrusting it through her like butchering a cow. You have no bloody knowledge of what I¡¯m feeling so don`t even try to bleed off words of relevance¡± Rain ends looking to Alisianna holding her young ones, he shakes his head


    ¡°God Damn you and your pathetic luck¡± walking away in complete disgust.

 Chapter 62

    They all took the deaths hard, at first Cloud, blamed Rain for not waiting till the kidnapping of his wife was ended and not helping in the problem as well, which to Cloud could have saved the life of their fallen uncle. Rain and he separated for some time after going days without speaking to one another.


    Rain went into seclusion after Lalandra concealed Elanee into a crystallized tomb. Dawn went on as best she could to continue her daily duties to uphold the moral of the shaken and shattered clan with having the temple open for any who seeks solitude. Cloud was having trouble adjusting to the soul fact that he now through bloodline and being the eldest family member held the leading rank to command the clan. Alisianna tried to help him cope with the new adjustment but he mainly for a time wished to be alone to condone his thoughts.


    The fires to the pit burned bright as Rain walked into the enclave commons room, the sorcerer`s fiery sight looked upon his young sister nested like a small child to the cradled hold of Artanis. Rain noticed the ranking insignia to the demon`s cape cuff, ¡°Captain I see¡±


    ¡°Your brother bestowed the honor to me, and not fully wanting it enough people are against him right now¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re a good choice I don`t deny that¡±


    ¡°What have you been doing for the last three days, no one has even seen you¡±


    ¡°Is my sister fully asleep?¡±


    ¡°Yes¡­what have you been up to Rain?¡± asks Artanis again, Rain walks up to the fire just staring into the flames.


    ¡°Making a plan¡± Rain answers slowly, ¡°Put my sister to bed and gather your gear Captain¡±


    ¡°Where are we going?¡±


    Rain turns to him with a seriousness that puts Artanis stiff with nervousness ¡°Tell no one you¡¯re going and let no one see you leave¡± The user of the magic said while taking to a depart again from the room.


    ¡°Where are we going¡± Artanis asked again


    ¡°Hunting¡­¡± Rain said walking through the doorway.


    Colossus who was wasting no time high above the hatred and suffering finished what he started so long ago, and with the dreaded rune blade at his bane, he had the upper hand against all angelic beings that opposed him. He slaughtered them one by one sucking their power, absorbing it, adding it to his own, until only the soul keeper himself remained alive. The soul keeper ranked the highest amongst them carrying the power to distribute the souls where they needed to be. Colossus approached him, the great celestial being saw a change in him. Colossus had been changing, becoming tainted by the power, he consoled in himself and through it all changed his very look. Coloring him, a twinge of red ever growing darker as he absorbed more and more power making it more concentrated with everybody that fell before his own. As their blades collided on the open skylines of the thin air, Colossus battled fiercely with the soul keeper until his last stand when Colossus drove the holy blighted blade from the celestial¡¯s great grip. Hovering above the being ready to drive the final stake to finish his great and long path, Colossus looked deeply at the being of power.


    ¡°Any last requests¡± bolted Colossus ¡°You were the toughest I have conflicted with, sense my time here, that does entitle you to some respect¡±


    ¡°Only these words Colossus; heed my warning, with this power comes a great responsibility but when that power is corrupted only the chosen can turn back what wrong has been done¡±


    ¡°The chosen, what chosen I am the chosen one¡±


    ¡°The power you wield is great Colossus and almost unmatched, but not absolute. We believe that no one being should ever hold all power. With that the chosen have been created and shifted through time not even knowing the power they hold¡±


    ¡°You talk in riddles ancient one, tell me who I must eliminate to ensure the power of mine to be only mine¡±


    ¡°The power to us is held together and apart by three¡± and not understanding at first Colossus strikes the blade to the chest of the being finishing him off. The power flows to him like a river of energy and as he absorbed it, the red grew to a royal blood red. He laughed as the final stream of it touched his body and in doing so shook the very sky, his power was complete all but one thing stood in his way and having an idea of what it was he went to confront it.


    The rustling hum of the hidden den goes unnoticed to the occupants outside the doorway; Rain combs his hand to the old style maple, three inches thick. To the rear of the sorcerer`s shadow was Artanis half cloaked in shade, hands and feet put to a blade ready stance.


    Rain`s mind rushed through the events that lead to this point, this rash voted act to both retrieve information and shorten the list of partners Colossus and Sephinroth will have. Artanis peered around to the wilderness of a nameless area, no guards needed, as the location was too hard to find¡­for most.


    Rain`s eyes close, first was the learning of his loves condition made done by the red headed furry Sephinroth. Second was the letter of his love following the lip-sealed act of the release of Larissa Blackstaff, Fiend of Chaos.


    Artanis only sees a rock formation to Rain`s front view, Rain he thought must know more was to it. Rain`s right hand lay to the stone that felt wood and his hand began to glow an ember red color, pulsing brighter and faster with each passing second. Artanis had seen this sign twice before, and only a bloody massacre was following them, he felt in combat Rain had changed, darker he was more desperate each time he took a demonic life¡­or any life in the dwellings they assaulted.


    Attack from them was imminent as the newly pronounced Captain to the rebellion unveils half way his blood stained blades, the kinetic energy Rain was drawing in was almost ready to be unleashed¡­as the first wave of their surprise engagement. Rain knew there would be wards and glyphs to the door; he also knew none would stop this from going through.


    The door explodes inwards with part of the framework with it, wood; dirt and super-heated smoke fill the initial ten feet in. Demons of pure and partial blood lines holding professions of thief, assassin and mercenary, ready in a blink of an eye to the attack upon them. As the smoke is slow to clear¡­nothing transpires. Their weapons in the form of Bo¡¯s, blades and spears take the company`s entire arm strength to keep a hold of as the start having a force being exerted to them. Like one pulling them from their vary grip they all begin using all limbs they have just to hang on as more and more force to pry them in added; but all battle ended in defeat.


    Weapons were ripped from all grips and them in front of all eyes they were turned to face their masters, pulled, aimed and lined up for fatal strikes to each creature. In walked Rain holding a look of pure anger and hatred to his trail followed Artanis. Artanis held his swords to his hands ready and wary to all in the room, even Rain; whose power had become linked to his demon side that gave him power to back up his plays. Rain simply looks around the room, a sword moves stabbing into the neck of one who falls to their knees. Rain looks to the thief dying on his left; Rain twists the blade opening the wound making the creature choke until death on its own blood. Rain power was strong, enough not to have any other weapons move as a single one is used, and then it happened. Secondary weapons drawn from the silence to engage the others and the fight began. Rain retracted the blades to a defensive circle and Artanis again went to work dispensing the danger, using magic of ice, fire and lighting as well as blades floating to his command. Rain and Artanis went only mere minutes until a group numbering four.


    One Assassin gripped to her side, stopping the wound ¡°Wh-what do you want?¡±


    Rain looked at her cold ¡°Colossus¡­where is he¡± with the blades in the air now centering to the final four.


    ¡°You told me we`d spare some Rain¡±


    ¡°I`ve changed my mind, I don`t even care if they know him¡±


    ¡°Rain no; show me you still have some humanity in you¡±


    ¡°You forget I¡¯m a demon Artanis¡±


    ¡°So am I! Your killing her memory with this, we`re not like them Rain and they`ve done nothing wrong¡­they don`t deserve punishment¡± Artanis ended with Rain changing his sight to the Captain


    ¡°Don`t get in this¡±


    ¡°I already am in this, this assault for no necessity Rain¡± coming to his side pulling the arcane book to his hand ¡°It`s in here Rain, it will tell us¡±


    ¡°Nothing¡± Rain snaps back snatching away the book gripping it to his grasp ¡°It`s useless Artanis, we`ve asked it a hundred times in multiple languages how to find Colossus, how to kill Colossus. It`s a waste of all of our time¡± ending the ranting huff firing the book spraying open to the floor, Artanis glares to the pages suddenly filling with text¡­an act it never before did.


    Rain looks as well and his eyes focus upon the writing, ¡°Crystilline Tower¡­Conviction¡±


    ¡°What the hell¡± Artanis adds, a chuckle escapes from a voice of one to the ground and still alive, a blade rushes close to her ear lining up to be driven to temple.


    ¡°Your thoughts, tell me or I¡¯ll spill them out on the floor¡±


    ¡°Only if you spare my life,¡± she replied with no fear, Rain stares to her hard, thinking.


    ¡°Why did it work this time?¡± Questioned Artanis


    ¡°Because he did it, and if you kill me without knowing, you have no idea what you¡¯re going up against now, my life for the information¡­that¡¯s my only offer¡±


    ¡°Hey what about me, your brother¡±


    ¡°Survival bro, find you own life latch¡±


    ¡°We will spare all of you for the information, our word¡± Artanis states with Rain snapping to his focus


    ¡°No, your word means nothing, you don`t control this dog with spell power, his word or nothing¡±


    Rain grumbles a moment ¡°¡­Fine, Done! Speak!¡±


    ¡°I have heard stories about the arcane book, asked it a question on anything and it`ll provide you a solution¡­it has an obvious flaw, logic. Guess you can`t kill something that is already dead eh¡± Rains hand begins to burn with fire to the palm as his annoyance to things he knows runs high. The girl leans close to Rain ¡°Guess if that says text then dead he ant no more¡±


    ¡°And that means what¡±


    ¡°He finished his goal¡±


    ¡°Which was¡± intruded Artanis


    ¡°To enter the Celestial plane and take it over, take control of all the souls, empowering them to himself¡­allowing now him to have no equal and god-like power¡±


    Rain moves close to her face too, almost touching noses unleashing out his breath softly ¡°Impossible, only Celestial beings can cross the threshold¡±. She smiles back


    ¡°Guess what he was before he died¡± blades hit the floor as Rain`s thoughts went wild, he grips his forehead wiping back his hair, the flame to his other hand extinguishes.


    ¡°How can you authenticate this?¡± Rain says, the thief¡¯s eyes glow purple and the horn to her head recede, her skin begins to change and her face goes elongated. ¡°You¡¯re a damn Gith¡± she nods


    ¡°One who infiltrated Logan`s ranks, been there apart of them since he took his journey to my plane to hide his heart¡±


    ¡°So can we go¡± speaks another who also changes to a Gith¡±


    Rain looks up to Artanis with horrified shock followed by a blank notion ¡°He`s celestial¡± Rain speaks out having the other blades fall to the ground. Artanis motions a nod to allow the others to stand being spared, and as Rain finally got to his feet, the mission changed rapidly and both rush back to the enclave.


    The candles lit, and soft oils smelling of passion fruit and lavender burn a potent sent to the air, it was the first in many weeks Cloud and Alisianna had time to themselves. With the children fast asleep to the crib Straud built for them, the two nestled down for a night of passion, her neck kissed and her eyes closed to the feeling of the paladin wishing to set the mood right.


    She pulls to a raise, sitting up halting Cloud`s smooth progress,


    ¡°Alisianna, is something wrong¡±


    ¡°Your brother Rain, I¡¯m thinking of him¡±


    ¡°Well that`s a mood killer¡±


    ¡°I`m worried Cloud aren¡¯t you¡±


    ¡°My brother is headstrong and impulsive, but far from dumb and irrational¡­he`s probably at Silverspire`s library blowing off some steam, please my love I have missed you in my arms¡±


    ¡°I just hope you two will get past this, I wish for him to a uncle to our children, one for them to look up to¡± she ends with Cloud baring out a chuckle.


    ¡°A figure to look up to, Rain?¡± Alisianna you hope for much


    ¡°Not at all Cloud, your brother brought those children to this world, he loves them I know he does¡­and I wouldn`t want to be the one who has in target if something happened to them¡±


    ¡°My brother is scary that much is true, he just needs to learn to control himself¡± Alisianna looks at Cloud, housing a look of wanting her bad.


    ¡°Control himself¡­he lost Elanee Cloud, he killed her, it`s just a pity he won`t let us in to help him through this¡±


    ¡°I`m sorry Alise¡­I didn`t mean it like that, I give you my word when he returns I¡¯ll set things right with him¡± she looks to his sincerity and it held a genuine hold, she smiles


    ¡°Thank you¡± leaning again to him, pushing the hair from his eyes ¡°Now where was we¡±


    Thump! thump! thump! Comes a sound to their door, both gasp out breath of irritation, ¡°Yes guard can I help you¡±


    ¡°Sorry sir, but you have been requested to a council gathering,¡± says the voice to the other side of the doorway,


    ¡°I`ll be there soon¡± Cloud replies and Alisianna looks to him, ¡°Guess their ready to vote for new command to the clan¡± she smirks a sly lustful grin.


    ¡°This time they can wait¡±


    Approaching the gate to the enclave, Rain and Artanis look as if they have been through hell and back, covered in blood of different colors. The guards open without hesitation, Rain and Artanis head out on horseback straight to the temple built partly by the new Captain himself. Landing to their feet the quick pace up the steps opening the duel doors and to their sight was Dawn and Elder Struma, the next leading cleric to Maylor. She gasped in sight of their condition, bolting to Artanis hugging him tight with shock.


    ¡°My god where have you to been? Are you alright? Is that blood?¡±


    Artanis looks to his clothes ¡°That`s blood yes, and there too, that there is some vomit¡­that`s urine there and that is¡­I¡¯m not sure, supper I think¡±


    ¡°He`s fine Dawn¡±


    ¡°And you brother¡± Dawn says hugging him too


    ¡°We`re both fine¡± Rain ending the hug and moving Dawn to a side, looking to the elder ¡°Where is my brother¡±


    Dawn interjected ¡°With Alisianna, having some time alone finally¡±, Rain smirks shaking his head ¡°I find it ironic and funny that a sorcerer comes back covered in blood from eliminating much of the demonic presence to the area. While the great holy fighter is cowering safe to the protective bosom of his wife¡±


    ¡°Rain, this is a holy place and no desecration of fellowship from shall be heard, even if it is your own blood my son¡±


    ¡°My apologies Elder Struma¡­we need to talk¡±


    ¡°Walk with us then Rain, we take summons to the council¡± Rain looks around puzzled ¡°Summons, now¡­Elder you never go to a meeting if it`s during you praying, you have always said its importance¡­¡± Rain stops to think and changes his thought ¡°Elder it`s happened hasn`t it, you have felt it¡­your praying to no one¡±


    ¡°How did you know¡± Dawn asks, ¡°Something is wrong, we had a feeling of cold when we started our words¡± Dawn spoke again, the elder just looked hard to Rain and Rain looked back.


    ¡°Elder you are sworn to truth if asked¡±The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.


    ¡°I am yes¡±


    ¡°I asked now Elder Struma is Colossus, Marcus Kane¡­A Celestial being¡± the Elder pauses before his replies, his hand grasps to his symbol draped to his neck. ¡°The one Marcus Kane, now known as Colossus is my son¡±


    ¡°It can`t be true¡± Dawn said out, a voice states a conjunction from the corner and all turn to see Lalandra on approach, the Elder bows in respect and so does Dawn, Artanis follows but Rain just stands there.


    ¡°This is insane, how do we fight him now¡­we bearing could in his dead form¡±


    ¡°I tried to consult with a friend that is Celestial themselves, they never showed and the feeling I got was eerie¡±


    ¡°We need a new approach, Milady Lalandra, we move to a council meeting for new leadership¡±


    ¡°I`m aware for I was called to perform the blessing to them¡± Lalandra says, Rain notes that they should address the council to the new findings and looking pissed Rain stated he would do the talking.


    Rustling from in the chamber was high with emotion and opinion, members numbering fourteen argued over the new way to go, some protested the old ways as with the fall of lord Straud the new appointed leader was to be the one with the oldest bloodline¡­Cloud`s bloodline.


    Cloud sits to the seat of his uncle, Alisianna as his wife sits to his right, and unsure to the laws of the council fully she remains silent as the contestation continues throughout the chamber. Cloud addresses nothing, not feeling he deserves anything. He begins to sweat, the pressure to lead was too great, and he looks to the room; members attacking his placement with others defending it.


    ¡°Cloud, are you alright¡± Alisianna says gently placing her hand to his in worry. Suddenly the door burst open drawing all eyes and a rushing silence to the added figures entering. Cloud stands at the sight of his brother and Artanis coated in a thick line of blood, tissue and skin hang from their clothing and hair, ¡°My god Rain what happened¡±


    ¡°Rain¡± Alisianna cried out in a shriek at his scene covering her mouth in shock.


    ¡°The issues and debt of the new leadership is now in session¡± opened Lalandra taking a substitute seating in Cynn`s chair and to her left where Maylor sat now Elder Struma takes position.


    ¡°One thing before¡± Rain says walking to the table, Artanis stays at his side; Dawn joins Cloud and Alisianna standing behind them.


    ¡°Brother sit we need to-


    Dawn places her hand to Cloud`s shoulder ¡°No Cloud not yet, let him talk¡±


    Rain`s hand slams hard to the table, rattling cups and plates ¡°How many of you knew about him, how many sit here knowing what he was before he died¡±


    ¡°Who brother¡± Cloud makes note, Rain glares up to Cloud straight and focused,


    ¡°Colossus¡­Marcus Kane...who here has lied to us in silence over the fact of him being what he was¡­a Celestial being¡± nothing but silence hums to the chamber. Rain laughs ¡°Even now you lie, you all do. Well congratulations your ignorance has cost us our existence. He has finished what he started¡±


    ¡°Impossible¡± says a member to Rain, the enraged sorcerer leads his feet over to his face, stares deep to the Elder and the Elder looks to him, blood sprayed to his face and dried skin hanging to his long hair.


    ¡°I`ve killed enough demons tonight to find the answer, and it was clear¡±


    ¡°That`s where you have been, hunting demons¡± Alisianna gasps out, you could`ve been killed. Rain looks at her ¡°I`m too mad to die yet¡±.


    ¡°Thank you Rain, the address will be the first for resolution after the new judicator has been elected¡± speaks Elder Struma, Rain nods and looks all around the council, sweat from his speech makes some dried blood again run streaking down his face. ¡°Now please Rain allow us to repay the effort you and the Captain have done, relax and get cleaned up¡­you are excused from this summoning by order of me¡±


    ¡°I wish to accompany them Arbiter¡± Dawn says out to which she is granted by Elder Struma`s nod, Cloud watches them go shaking his head.


    The debt finally takes to a start, running heated by heavy discussion, positions and sides are drawn on the question of Cloud`s future leadership ability. All members were allowed a turn to make their case and choose their side, then with one last to speak Lalandra takes to a stand.


    ¡°I have heard your complaints and comments, by notice I see that over half is against the power of leadership going to Cloud becoming the new judicator, I agree¡± a bustle rolls over the council but raising her hand for silence they calm for here to continue. ¡°I however have an alternative proposal to present, a table that all of the blood to the elder line be a joint body holding the judicator rank¡±. One stands in protest,


    ¡°All three rule! Please they can`t even agree on decisions for an evening meal little own the fate of the clan, I for one decline this ridiculous idea¡±


    ¡°And to the simple weakness of their individuality lies their great strength, why should they agree their siblings, but we can`t simply be blind to what they have done¡±


    ¡°They have scrapped by on every occasion¡± the council member states again


    ¡°And have we been so different with our encounters against Matriarch Sophie¡± speaks Elder Struma, the member takes to a seat put to reluctant silence on a resembling matter.


    ¡°These three have overcome much¡± continued Lalandra ¡°Escaping from Shadowell city after mounting a infiltrating rescue of one to their group, banishing the legendary Archlich Malice, have gone toe to toe against my vicious rival and without reprisal and dare I mention them having done battle with Colossus himself¡­who is currently the biggest threat to the realm¡±


    ¡°They have done this yes, but with a personal consultation to their side¡­Cynn, Maylor and Lord Captain Straud have been guiding them¡­last I checked that whole roster has been eliminated, not to desecrate their names in respect¡± spoke another


    ¡°And to that end does it show they are not with arrogance, they will asked for aid as they have done in the past, this council will act as there guide now¡­unless you as a group are too high for such a calling¡± Lalandra words out in judging conflict. The council begins to stir again with talk and Lalandra states once that this was a bloodline not afraid of each other nor any evil that has come to them, such a group is needed and should take heavy consideration in thought.


    A bell of recess sounds to depart the council to reflect and make a decision, from her heightened hearing; Lalandra hears her voice brought at least the council to a half now in favor, who is chosen is still fully not known.


    Cloud gets from his chair heading straight for the side chamber, opening the doors Dawn, Rain and Artanis notice him pacing right for a water pedestal. Hand scooping water to his face and neck Cloud leans to it, dizzy and overwhelmed to the talks. Alisianna takes sight to Dawn attending Artanis, his top clothing removed to the scene of a deep gash made from a magical blade, Dawn`s magic slowly at work to mend it. Rain sits to a bench close by, his one arm cradling his other to a hold.


    She comes to his sight, kneeling to level face to face with the sorcerer, ¡°Are you alright Rain¡± he nods, pulling back her hand she slaps him across the face with an echoing strike to the chamber.


    ¡°OOWWW¡± he heats out pulling back his face to see her pissed off look, ¡°How could you have done that, gone off alone like that¡­we have lost enough from our side in a short time. Pull a stunt like this again and I¡¯ll bury you in the ground myself¡± Rain doesn`t even look at her as she speaks but she knew he heard her, ¡°what happened to your arm¡±


    ¡°He came from this without any more than some scratches, so I dislocated his shoulder,¡± Dawn said to her, Alisianna looks to her with shock ¡°Dawn hasn`t he been through enough?¡±


    ¡°Please, you just slapped him, he`s almost had enough¡­I¡¯m waiting till the pain subsides. Then I¡¯ll place it back¡±


    Alisianna looks back at Rain who has taken sight to her ¡°We would`ve help you Rain I promise you¡±


    ¡°In time yes, the act needed to be done now, your time to prep and ready would`ve gave them time to leave. I went unready as they were and got the information we required, go tend to your husband Druid he needs you now more than ever¡± Rain ended getting to his feet and walking from her nauseating words.


    ¡°I...I can¡¯t do this¡± Cloud spoke to himself, splashing up water ¡°I just became a father to a family of four, I¡¯m not ready for this responsibility¡­the pressure is too much¡­ (Closing his eyes) what am I supposed to do¡±


    ¡°Make mistakes Cloud¡± said Alisianna coming by him with Dawn and Lalandra in her strides


    ¡°What! Mistakes, they won¡¯t follow me if I fail to guide them¡± said Cloud to his wife


    ¡°Cloud they don¡¯t want a man of perfection who can do no wrong, they want a leader and to be that you must take risks like this and they all start from somewhere to become as great as they are¡± Alisianna calmly said to him


    ¡°Rain¡­I shall pass the task of our fate to you¡±


    ¡°The hell you will forget it, I¡¯m too cold for that job Cloud,¡± Rain protested


    ¡°Cloud they need someone who will treat all the lives to his care as his own¡± Lalandra explained ¡°And that love comes from you, you would throw your life away for the safety of anyone from this clan and that is what they look for, not battle and endless victories¡±


    ¡°You will make mistakes Cloud but you will learn from them and as that happens more and more, faith will be placed to you from them in the future,¡± added Dawn


    ¡°You are a warrior of good faith and iron will to not back down to any who threatens the security of this clan Cloud¡± pushed Artanis


    ¡°And even the most stubborn and blind would see that their life is safer in your hands than any other to choose from¡± concluded Rain


    ¡°And what happens if a situation arises that I can¡¯t tackle on my own?¡± Cloud barks out still in disbelieve


    ¡°Then you shall do what Cynn and Lord Straud have done in the past¡± smiled Alisianna. ¡°You will look for help, asking for it makes you the best leader; for admitting that you need others to aid you is the most comforting feeling you can grant to your clan, and to their hope that one day you will be the leader they wish to see¡±


    ¡°And help you we will Cloud¡± Artanis spoke up with the group nodding in compliance, and thinking for a moment he then shakes his head.


    ¡°No! I can¡¯t lead this group on my own,¡± Cloud says


    ¡°Cloud¡­¡± sighs Lalandra


    ¡°I will only take this post if my family stands beside me not as friends or advisors¡­but as joint leaders to the clan, Rain¡­Dawn what do you say? You are blood after all¡± and holding out his arm for them to connect to it Dawn is the first to hold it, Rain walks slowly to him and cocks his head.


    ¡°You know there will be fights for the right course of action sometimes,¡± Rain says


    ¡°I know¡± Cloud replies


    ¡°And sometimes we will not always agree with what must be done but hold our trust to the side of another¡± replied Dawn


    ¡°Agreed¡± Cloud said and smiling to him Rain lays his hand down to the top of the others ¡°Then let the new age come¡±


    Time passes as the group wait to the ballot vote of the council, snapping his shoulder back into place Lalandra approaches Rain with a smile seeing the pain he was in, Rain looks up at her ¡°You can hit me now¡±


    ¡°I want to learn from you about what you leaned, about this tower and Conviction¡± Rain rolls his arm groaning a bit as it moved, ¡°It`s a tower from what I have found and the Conviction is actually a blade that I read about in Eve`s library¡­Sephinroth¡¯s library¡±


    ¡°Where is the tower?¡± Artanis inquired


    ¡°The realm of the Dead, this place it describes and the layout instructions is to the land of the dead, I studied this realm in the tower of ¡­Eve¡¯s library, but the layout is similar to where¡­¡±


    ¡°Where what Rain¡± curiously added Dawn


    ¡°Where the Lazarus tower is¡­Colossus¡¯s tower¡±, the inscription here says that the Crystalline tower is the sister tower of it and it¡¯s located directly below it¡± Rain looks up and then moves to leave.


    Dawn thinking for a moment snapped her fingers ¡°I got it¡± she blurted out startling Artanis ¡°I have been told while in training for priesthood that the conviction method was the only know repercussive treatment to punish other enlightened beings from bad deeds they might do¡±


    ¡°Enlightened?¡± ask Artanis


    ¡°Angelic holy beings Artanis¡± Lalandra corrected and nodding in an awe state he still did not get it. ¡°Dawn are you suggesting that Colossus has to be killed by this blade Conviction?¡±


    ¡°Yes, it makes sense after his terrible past and it follows his thinking, why not punish gods for their crimes to him by gaining a hold of their own wrathful right hand and using it against them¡±


    The chamber doors open and in their opening wake come the Elder. Cloud takes a deep breath, knowing the ballots have been counted. ¡°Has a leader been determined Elder¡± he asks, the Elder nods.


    ¡°You will not be leader Cloud, not any of you¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Alisianna blurts out with shock ¡°They are the best for it¡±


    ¡°My child of the woods I agree tenfold with you, but as you may not know I cannot enter the ballot myself, only be a neutral figure or I would have been at the post¡­one was voted above all the rest¡­Lalandra¡±


    ¡°Me?¡± the dragon speaks caught off guard, the Elder nods ¡°The council feels it best that the elder blood doesn`t hold sway yet, Cynn our judicator is not dead thus can`t be turned from the title¡­they wish for you to lead in her absence¡±


    Cloud takes to a knee at Lalandra¡¯s feet, ¡°My sword is yours Guardian of our clan and hopes¡± Rain rolls his eyes as Lalandra takes a hand bringing Cloud back to his feet.


    ¡°Do you accept the role great silver dragon?¡± says the elder, Lalandra looks to the group and then back to the elder. ¡°I do, and as my first act to this role I leave the concern of Colossus to you Cloud, Rain and Dawn¡­I will gather what I can for I¡¯m sure Colossus with such power is coming for us¡±


    ¡°You must be anointed to the power Lalandra, this way to the council chamber please,¡± says the Elder, watching them go from the room. The door closes and Cloud turns again to his brother, holding a look of annoyance, Rain walks up to him, smiling.


    ¡°Still just Captain Cloud, disappointed even a little¡­want to hit me?¡±


    ¡°Would it do any good?¡±


    ¡°Probably not, but it`ll make you less lawful, I¡¯d like to see that¡± Cloud just looks at him ¡°Where is this place again, Realm of the dead you say huh¡± to which Rain nods.


    ¡°But how do we get there, your magic is not strong enough to teleport us over realms?¡± Alisianna asked, Rain moving his eyes to the wall begins to think.


    ¡°Now what do we do asked Lalandra to get us there¡± Dawn spoke up, Alisianna shook her head ¡°She`s too weak for that kind of magic power, she said it herself she`d need much time to recover.


    ¡°There is one other who could do it,¡± Rain said looking again to Cloud and shaking his head after keying in to who he meant Cloud protested.


    ¡°Forget it Rain, she¡¯s nothing but a problem, not a solution¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s the only other one we know with the spell power we need to pull this off¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t trust her; she¡¯d most likely kill you before helping you, besides she hasn¡¯t until recently even shown up and that was only to finish me off!¡± Lalandra barked reentering the room.


    ¡°That¡¯s not entirely true,¡± said Rain to her and not backing down she looked at him.


    ¡°What the hell are you talking about¡± she said and clearing his throat Rain went into detail about how she has been acting under their noses as Eve being at first in league with Colossus all this time but was betrayed just like everyone else and worse had fallen hard in love for Rain.


    The group was speechless accusing Rain that he should have told them the moment he knew but in Rain¡¯s defense, he did not know until he had his death faked. Lalandra asked for time to think about the offer for it was the only one they had for getting to where they needed to be. Some of the group went to Rain after the meeting to ask if Rain still loved or ever loved Sephinroth, he said he did but only as whom she portrayed, but after knowing the truth, he said his feeling for her have now changed.


    Only hours went by when Rain heard word from a servant of Lalandra that she requested his presence; so off he went.


    ¡°Yes, Lalandra¡± said Rain as he entered her personal quarters


    ¡°You are certain of her feelings for you Rain¡±


    ¡°Yes Lalandra she has desired me even after I left, and felt hurt when she was set up by Colossus for going against his wishes, but by what I would think of the situation and how it looked though she betrayed me again¡±


    ¡°Then my decision is for you and you alone to contact her Rain; for I will not allow her to have full accessory to the rest of the group until her intentions can be solidified by you¡± Lalandra explain and heatedly cautioned


    ¡°I know this is difficult¡±


    ¡°Difficult does not even begin to describe what I feel for this situation Rain I assure you, but as you said before ¡­we have no other choice¡±


    ¡°I will be back within the hour Lalandra, she won¡¯t hurt me I can promise you that¡±


    ¡°She¡¯d better not or I will sit idle by no longer holding my ravage feelings against her at bay, please Rain; please be cautious for me¡±


    ¡°I will¡± Rain finished as he left exiting her lair once more and getting prepared not fully knowing how exactly to contact her. He went off teleporting, throwing her image deep into his mind in an attempt to be sent as close to her as possible.


    He arrived in deep brush forestry landscape, and as the biting insects had their feast upon Rain¡¯s open skin, he called to her by name.


    ¡°Sephinroth¡­it is me Rain, I mean you no harm but request a favor and granted the pain you have caused me it is upon you to allow me this one chance, a chance for me to forgive you and see a color to your soul. I would not have wanted to see beyond the scars of your past, will you allow me this!¡± Rain finishes his speech and waits for a time until a hideous beast comes into focus beside him; he was like a goblin only very hairy and smelled as if he had been in this forest his whole life. Rain plugged his nose at its entrance as he followed the beast. To a cave Rain was led where upon walking into it was teleported again to a massive dark open cavern riddled with lavish that he had seen before when he was recovering from death. The air was sick and filled with sulfur, and emerging from the depths of darkness was the great red beast Sephinroth in the scales. Rain gazed upon her Dragon form; she raised her head to the darkness above revealing only her intense red glowing eyes as she spoke deep and penetrating.


    ¡°Why did you seek me out mortal?¡±


    Rain gestured his head to one side ¡°Sephinroth please you know me and from your feelings I¡¯m sure we can stay on a first name bases, you lied to me remember; never did I lie to you!¡± she snuffed her nostrils and in a flaming flash changed her form to her humanoid physique.


    ¡°Better?¡± she said


    ¡°Much, I¡­we need your help¡±


    ¡°With what¡±


    ¡°We need a gateway to the realm of the dead, Colossus¡¯s tower holds a key to ending his life and we need to get it¡±


    ¡°How?¡± she inquired, Rain about to speak the answer stopped his words


    ¡°First things first will you help us¡± Rain asked


    ¡°Perhaps, but what is in this for me¡± she questioned


    ¡°The satisfaction of Colossus¡¯s death for one and a start to me forgiving your sins against my heart¡±


    ¡°I never meant to hurt you Rain,¡± Sephinroth said with a sigh


    ¡°I know Sephinroth, please help me¡± and nodding her head she agrees;


    ¡°Meet me at the shoreline of the Silverspire beach front in one hour, I shall aid you there¡±


    ¡°Thank you¡± Rain said and as she turned to leave, Rain approached her side leaning in to her face; gives a kiss to her cheek, then turns to leave teleporting away. Stroking her cheek side Sephinroth shows a faint smile that rolled to her lips in a sign of hope.


    Rain returns to inform Lalandra and the group that she will aid them and gathering their gear to depart in an hour, they get ready. Cloud tells Alisianna that she will not be going for the sake of the children¡¯s safety he only trusts her taking care of them. She says that she will not leave his side but through a heated discussion, Cloud tells her that he has to go but does not want anyone who does not need to go to be going.


    ¡°Cloud you promise me that you will be careful and come back to me in the flesh and safe¡±


    ¡°Only if you promise to wait faithfully for my return¡±


    ¡°I would wait through the living ages for you; with them at my side for support¡± Alisianna replied looking to the babies ¡°your family needs their father Cloud¡±


    ¡°And for me to have the strength to take this trip I need to know you will be out of harm¡¯s way, please will you go with Tristan to the city for safe keeping and please¡­please Alisianna for gods¡¯ sake no heroics on your part¡­I couldn¡¯t bare living without you¡±


    ¡°Nor I you¡± Alisianna answered him with a big hug of reassurance that she will agree to his terms. He sends her away with Tristan and then heads out with Dawn, Rain Artanis, and Lalandra who draped in a cloak much like Dawn to hide herself from Sephinroth¡¯s view.


    They all proceed to the Shoreline, while Lalandra voices her concerns


    ¡°Are you sure about this Rain, about her intentions?¡±


    ¡°I am Lalandra, she was wishing to repair the trust in me she lost at all costs¡± Rain answered


    ¡°I hope you¡¯re right,¡± Cloud added as they approached the location. They waited for a short time until the water by the spot started to bubble and rising from its depths was Sephinroth in Dragon form. She looks to the group carefully and thinking that Alisianna was under the cloak housing Lalandra she changed to human form and held a scroll in her hand. The group was stunned at the actual sight of her looking exactly like Eve in every sort and shape.


    ¡°I can¡¯t believe what you did and how we felt sorry for you,¡± barked Dawn in shame.


    ¡°I did what I needed to do my dear and for that I¡¯m sorry,¡± Sephinroth stated


    ¡°I bet you are,¡± said Lalandra from under her cloak flipping her hood off, Sephinroth steps back with a gasping shock.


    ¡°Lalandra!¡± says Sephinroth softly on an exhale


    ¡°What¡¯s the matter Sephinroth surprised to see me alive,¡± spouted off Lalandra waiting for a comeback remark


    ¡°You¡¯re a hard one to eliminate, I¡¯ll give you that¡± Sephinroth grew back her confidence and boasted while hiding her worry. ¡°Or maybe I just underestimated your runner up priestess¡± she said looking to Dawn


    ¡°You killed her children you monster¡± Dawn bolted to her in a built up rage


    ¡°Really, well I hope the abortion was painful¡± Sephinroth grinned


    ¡°Ok let¡¯s break this up¡­Sephinroth the gateway if you please or did you come here to start a fight,¡± Cloud said breaking up the heightened emotion.


    ¡°No¡± Sephinroth said looking to Rain¡¯s scowling face ¡°I¡¯m a dragon of my word and I¡¯ll prove it¡± she added pulling the scroll strap off to unroll it.


    ¡°When this is over Sephinroth I assure you; you will pay for the grief you have caused me and your last breath will come from a scream that only I will enjoy¡± Lalandra promised to her.


    ¡°Oh please Lalandra give me a break. I have beaten you time and time again and the next encounter will be no different, not that it is any of your business but the screaming I have done has only been from the power of another¡­right Rain¡± she finished shifting her eyes to Rain enticingly and walking by him Sephinroth slid her finger along his chin.


    ¡°Oh that¡¯s just wrong¡± Artanis cringed


    ¡°You slept with her,¡± Dawn said with a sickening shock, and shrugging his shoulders Rain defended


    ¡°Well I didn¡¯t know it was her¡­ (Dawn gave him a look of utter disgust)¡­she was dying and it was her last request, I had feelings for her¡­I couldn¡¯t say no¡±


    ¡°Oh Rain trust me, that night I was dying and the word no never came around but the other one well¡­¡± Sephinroth smirked while overlooking the text she needed to read and Dawn rolled her eyes.


    ¡°Oh god now I¡¯m going to be sick,¡± Dawn added


    ¡°Enough!¡± Cloud snapped out loud ¡°The gateway Sephinroth please!¡± and nodding her head Sephinroth began to chant, clouds darkened above them and lightning began to flash more and more and as the words of Draconic came to a close a final bolt struck the water creating a spinning whirl pool at the shallow water shoreline.


    ¡°That¡¯s it,¡± asked Artanis


    ¡°Yep, just jump through and you¡¯ll be in the realm of the dead; for any way to the dead needs to be made through the element which brings life, how ironically retarded eh¡± Sephinroth concluded shaking her head.


    Cloud goes up to Lalandra, ¡°if I don¡¯t make it out of this tell Alisianna¡­tell her¡­¡±


    ¡°I will Cloud¡± she replied smiling and with that he jumped into the void disappearing, Artanis followed with Rain next and about to go Sephinroth pulled him to the side and planted a kiss to his lips. ¡°If you get through this alive, I want to talk about¡­us¡±


    And taking Rain by the shoulder form he wasn¡¯t moving on his own for a second, Dawn shoved him through the pool, ¡°Let¡¯s go lover boy¡± Dawn said pushing him and following him through the portal closed and only the dragons were left.

 Chapter 63

    ¡°Well it¡¯s all up to them now¡± said Sephinroth getting a glare from Lalandra ¡°What, did I say it wrong or something?¡± she asked and Lalandra about to say something gets a feeling another presence is watching them, they both turn to see the blue dragon Calisto. Sephinroth wastes no seconds and gathering a ball of flame to her hand, she fires it at Calisto¡¯s head, Lalandra counteracts with a frost beam to freeze the flame ball and Calisto blows it up with a bolt.


    ¡°What the hell are you doing, I wasn¡¯t attacking you¡± Sephinroth snapped


    ¡°And she didn¡¯t attack you¡± replied Lalandra


    ¡°You good dragons and your untouchable morality and honor, I¡¯m the one that¡¯s sick now¡± Sephinroth complained not continuing her attack and just folds her arms.


    ¡°Calisto why are you here?¡± questioned Lalandra


    ¡°Who cares¡± snapped Sephinroth getting another look from Lalandra ¡°She almost killed me last time we saw each other¡±


    ¡°Doesn¡¯t feel good does it¡± quoted Lalandra


    ¡°Oh fine! Calisto why the hells are you here anyway¡± barked the question again from Sephinroth sternly and receiving a finger pock tipped with frost from Lalandra to Sephinroth stomach side she jumps at its biting cold.


    ¡°Ouch! Why you winter weather breathing Bit...¡±


    ¡°Solstanenice!¡± Calisto broke up the two bringing them to a stunned silence.


    ¡°What did you just say¡± said Lalandra slowly shocked to hear the word, Calisto said it again and Sephinroth stepped forward.


    ¡°That remark if a hoax is punishable by death, bolt brain¡±


    ¡°I agree¡± responded Lalandra in agreement


    ¡°A hoax it is not; the draconic council is convening to mount an assault on Colossus who has arrived on this plane not long ago but has done much damage since his reappearance, his power is unlike anything ever known¡±


    ¡°He did it!¡± said Sephinroth under her breath shocked and surprised but kept to herself.


    The two follow Calisto in dragon form to the meeting spot but taking to the air for only seconds does Lalandra notice smoke rising from the mountains near where her lair dwelled.


    She raced towards it with the others in tow and getting closer she sees buildings on the enclave on fire, bodies of Drow littered the ground and their blood coated walls and towers from defensive positions, ¡°They died ready and in combat¡± she thought to herself landing and looking around she sniffed the ground to find residue of fire and ash, picking some up while the others landed behind her she smelt it¡¯s charred ruin to catch a hint of sulfur in its remains. Lalandra¡¯s nose ran cold with frost steaming from it and her eyes narrowed with a heated pure white chill as if possessed by a holy being, Lalandra spun around quickly knocking Sephinroth off her feet and pounding her massive body to her backside, dragging her scaling corpse to Lalandra¡¯s front side Lalandra griped her throat and started to squeeze.


    ¡°YOU! THIS WAS YOUR DOING!!¡± Lalandra thundered


    ¡°Me I had nothing to do with this¡± Sephinroth said trying to loosen the hold.


    ¡°Don¡¯t lie to me this was your fault, you knew this would work with me and the group away from the lair; free for him to walk in and attack, this was all a setup¡±


    ¡°Lalandra I know nothing¡±


    ¡°THE TRUTH¡± Lalandra shouted rattling buildings with her tone, and applying more pressure to Sephinroth¡¯s throat Calisto saw that Sephinroth couldn¡¯t back out,


    ¡°Lalandra please¡± Calisto pleaded ¡°As much as I would like this to happen we need her at the meeting¡­we need her power to defeat Colossus¡±


    ¡°Lalandra please¡­I didn¡¯t do this¡­but if¡­if you let me go¡­I will aid your assault on him¡­we¡­we will have vengeance from this¡± Sephinroth gasped


    ¡°Lalandra she isn¡¯t lying¡­look at her eyes¡­she¡¯s frightened to die with no knowledge of why¡± and looking at her hard and sternly Lalandra slowly released her hold allowing Sephinroth to breathe again.


    ¡°Calisto please take Sephinroth and go to the meeting place, I will be there in a while, I must check my lair¡¯s interior¡±


    ¡°Very well!¡± said Calisto and taking flight the two great dragons leave her home.


    They fly to the dessert area of the realm and land by a cactus and a large rock. Taking human form the two each touch the stone and say their name in draconic tongue to then be teleported to a great forest with a camp made and a roaring fire at its center. Walking toward the fire Calisto and Sephinroth see four other humans¡¯ girls there that stand at their presence. A tall black skinned woman with short black hair and a dress that runs up and down her arms, her name was Morandrea the black dragon. Rothwintess the green dragon was a short brunette with childlike features and a playful personality. But Istalauria was not; the white dragon was a blonde haired woman and carried an attitude of a rich snob. Standing at the end of the fire circle was Terashayden; the gold dragon and the eldest of the group living for over 300 centuries she had seen it all, she had the look of an Amazon leader with golden hair and having it tied in a high raised pony tail.


    ¡°What is she doing here¡± barked Istalauria


    ¡°All dragons holding the status of the eldest and most power of their clan were summoned you know that, we need all the bands on this task, Istalauria¡± replied Terashayden


    ¡°She is only the eldest for what she has done to her clan¡± snapped Rothwintess


    ¡°They tried to kill me first; it was merely my last resort in self-preservation¡± Sephinroth calmly defended.


    ¡°They had just cause for their action upon you, your ideas were insane and you only thought of yourself¡± Istalauria preached


    ¡°Not my fault they didn¡¯t see my future advancing work as a good thing¡± Sephinroth spoke as she came to the fire circle blowing on her nails.


    ¡°You spoke of having the power and rank of the leading dragon for each clan Terashayden, Sephinroth cannot even birth her kind to populate this realm again¡­Still think your knowledge was worth the price¡± Istalauria slammed her final words to Sephinroth¡¯s face who looked upon Istalauria with a deep feeling of shame and disappointment to her own self.


    ¡°Enough¡­All of you! Yes we have our qualms with one another on the more personal level and hate each other by sheer blood but that must be put aside right now to focus more on the growing evil to this realm that only a combination of our efforts will take away¡± winded Terashayden


    ¡°Where are the rest of the clan leaders? Spoke a voice from the dark as Lalandra walked toward the flamed light, they all sat with Calisto and Sephinroth sitting on other side of Lalandra and to Sephinroth¡¯s right sat Terashayden, for she didn¡¯t trust the others up close. They all sat and convened the situation.


    ¡°They¡¯re all dead Lalandra¡± spoke Morandrea


    ¡°All the rest are gone!¡± Lalandra said shocked


    ¡°He brought his power by force and haste¡­we were unprepared and unaware¡± added Rothwintess


    ¡°He must be thinking we are his only challenge to this realm or he would not bother seeking us out¡± Calisto said


    ¡°It¡¯s good to see you alive Lalandra¡± respectfully said Terashayden ¡°I heard about your lair and it being the first attacked¡±


    ¡°I was the first?¡± she asked


    ¡°Yes¡± Morandrea replied


    ¡°We must find out what he is after and stop him¡± Terashayden announced


    ¡°He is not after us¡± Lalandra spoke up and looked at Sephinroth


    ¡°The children¡± Sephinroth said seeing Lalandra nod her head ¡°He thinks were hiding them from him¡± she added but getting a look of confusion from the others.


    ¡°What do you know about this Lalandra?¡± Terashayden asked and going into detail Lalandra explained about the prophecy that the three children could be the ones to kill Colossus as a reborn man and probably still even with his power. Sephinroth adds his dealings against them in the past and how he has never won. Lalandra tells about him collecting the stones but is careful not to mention Sephinroth¡¯s aid to Colossus side for that would bar her from the group and all power is needed to take him out.


    ¡°What should we do?¡± asked Rothwintress


    ¡°A diversion and an ambush would work the best¡± said Sephinroth


    ¡°And why would that be best?¡± bolted IstalauriaIf you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.


    ¡°Because it led to the deaths of the twelve elders in my clan, I¡¯d say the result speaks for the outcome¡± Sephinroth cockily put out. As they were discussing what they will do under the breath of the gold leader Sephinroth thanked Lalandra for keeping her ties to Colossus a secret.


    As Cloud and Artanis emerge upon the other side to the realm of the dead, Rain arrives hitting the ground hard from being pushed into the portal. He rolls over just to be landed upon by his sister coming through, she laughs thanking him for the cushioned landing and shoving her off Rain gets to his feet. They all look around to see the desolate place that they were in. They look out to the rolling dry dusty winds displayed over the arid dull looking hills, plains and valleys that stood between them and their imposing goal. The air was heavy and hard to breathe as well as the moisture of their skin seemed to almost start to fade instantly in an attempt to blend them to the image itself, their eyes watered for the wind carried on it a dust that felt acidic and heated. From such a layout came another problem for every direction looked the same, they threw their hoods upon their heads and as they made their first steps along the new soil a glow seemed to slowly erupt from the pockets of Cloud and Dawn.


    ¡°What the¡­¡± said Cloud taking off his belt pouch the soul stone was in and tossing it to the ground, Dawn did the same and all four watched as the stones lifted into midair. They each saw with a bright glow of their own color and covering their eyes the children and Artanis looked away till the immense light grew dull.


    Looking back the group was in awe at the after effect, for standing before them in full physical form with the stones embedded to their chests was Straud, his wife Crysonia, Dalamar and his wife Laurona. When the four emerged they hugged their loving partners for seeing them again brought about an internal joy that couldn¡¯t be contained. Dalamar took his brothers hand and tossed him to a hug and the twin wives hug each other as well. They broke apart to look upon the children and the faces of Dalamar and Laurona lit up brightly.


    ¡°Straud, are they¡­¡±


    ¡°Yes brother¡­your sons and daughter¡± Straud replied


    ¡°My god!!...look how they¡¯ve grown¡± Laurona said covering her mouth with her hands and having a tear of joy run down her face.


    ¡°Holy Shit!¡± said Cloud


    ¡°Cloud who are these people¡± Artanis asked


    ¡°Our parents¡± he replied in awed confusion


    ¡°Mother?¡± Dawn said with a scared look to her face and growing a spark of indescribable happiness she ran like a small child into her arms, Laurona gripped her tightly and sprung her around lifting Dawn from the ground.


    ¡°Mother, Mother is it really you¡± Cloud said still unbelievably overwhelmed,


    ¡°Yes baby it¡¯s me, oh god you have grown so much, you¡¯re so beautiful¡± Laurona said holding her tight, Cloud was embraced from his father but still held a look of uncertainty, Dalamar looked to his son who slowly grew a smile to his face and then lit up for a second hug much stronger then the first.


    ¡°Father, but how is this possible¡± Cloud asked


    ¡°We must be in the realm of the dead, right Cloud¡± Straud asked and he nodded; Straud went on to say that the stones Laurona created can cause the spirit to appear as it did on the other realm if it was brought here.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t know if it would really work, I didn¡¯t get a chance to test it¡± Laurona said smiling with tears and laughing to the face of her daughter as she stroked her face. Straud motioned to Dalamar and Laurona of one other who they know and pointing to Rain, they moved past Dawn and Cloud to see him.


    ¡°Rain¡­Son come here¡± said Dalamar holding out his arms, but Rain didn¡¯t go, he backed up scared and shook his head.


    ¡°No¡± Rain said to them, ¡°You¡¯re not here¡­you¡¯re dead!¡± Rain said sternly


    ¡°Yes we are Rain¡± Straud interrupted ¡°but in this realm I assure you that we are as real as you are¡±.


    ¡°Rain¡­baby come here please¡­let me hold you¡± said Laurona softly


    ¡°Forget it, I¡¯m not as easily swayed as my siblings¡± Rain muttered


    ¡°Rain it¡¯s them¡± Cloud said to him ¡°I felt it in their touch¡±


    ¡°Then go ahead and have them all you want, the dead are still dead¡± Rain said and then teleported out of sight. Laurona turned to face Cloud and Dawn, ¡°where did he go?¡± she asked and all they did was shrug, she then closed her eyes and phased away herself.


    ¡°Where did she go?¡± Dawn asked


    ¡°Your mother always had a life coiled bond to you three, she simply needs to concentrate and she¡¯ll be taken to where ever you are¡± Dalamar explained and asked for Dawn to come to his arms, she did and gave a hug she thought would never be possible. Crysonia held the hand of her husband and he looked back at her, he focused to her perfectly parted white long hair that split down the middle and her gentle bright blue eyes that always captivated his own. He looked to see she was wearing the dark golden yellow toga he bought for her as a birthday present so long ago and the necklace she wore around her neck that was carved from his own hands. Dawn approached Crysonia and held out the staff given to her by Straud, she smiled and pushed Dawns hands back,


    ¡°You keep it Dawn, it¡¯s yours and if I was alive I would have been honored to hand it off to you besides¡­(and flashing to her hands another staff of the same look she smiled) I have my own, for this realm allows us to carry replicas of the things we held in life¡±


    Sitting by himself on a rock ledge face, his legs dangling off the edge of a cliff side not too far from the side of the others Rain placed his fist against his lips and grew an angered look to his face.


    ¡°Rain please¡± Laurona said appearing behind him causing Rain to leap to his feet and spin around facing her ¡°Please don¡¯t fear us¡±


    ¡°Fear you, Fear you¡­I don¡¯t¡±


    ¡°Then what is wrong my son¡±


    ¡°DON¡±T CALL ME THAT!!...I¡±M NOT YOUR SON!!!¡± Rain blasted to her face, Laurona started to cry with a look of confused terror.


    ¡°What do you mean of course you¡¯re my son¡± she replied tearing up


    ¡°NO I¡¯M NOT¡­YOU LEFT ME...YOU DIED AND LEFT ME!¡± Rain shouted growing tears to his own eyes; Laurona was speechless, Rain started to pace when Laurona spoke out.


    ¡°Rain I understand your pain¡­¡±


    ¡°YOU UNDERSTAND NOTHING MOTHER!¡± Rain continued to bolt at her ¡°Do you have any idea what it¡¯s been like for me¡­huh¡­to have this blood flowing in me and having no idea how to control it! To contain it! I have hated everything in this world for what you have given to me¡±


    ¡°Rain I wanted to teach you¡± she bolted back at him ¡°I wanted to show you how to hold it in and control it, but first I needed to save you¡­from him, I thought I did but when I knew I hadn¡¯t I had to place hope in you to figure it out, and you have done well baby, you have done so well. Your power has grown so strong and you did it yourself, and not because of hate¡­but because of love, yes Rain I know you hold love in your heart¡­you wouldn¡¯t be so resentful of me if you didn¡¯t¡± Laurona slowly walked toward him hoping he wouldn¡¯t run. Rain lowered his head cloaking his face


    ¡°She was the only thing in this world that mattered to me; she made it all hurt less no matter how bad it was¡± Rain said growing a sniffling nose and tears to his eyes, he looked up at her and started to cry, Laurona moved in fast and held Rain tight. ¡°She died because of me, because of being with me¡­it¡¯s all my fault¡± Rain cried to her ears.


    ¡°Oh baby no it¡¯s not, you loved her and that¡¯s all that matters¡± she said pulling his face to see the river tears on his face, and seeing it she smiled to him ¡°Trust and Loyalty have many levels, and are forever a changing bond¡­but truth of spirit never lies¡±


    As she held him close she induced his feelings to her skin, he was so angry and filled with so much hate that it overlaid any foe she had ever faced before. Her eyes watered from the notion of him growing to such power with only rage as his fuel source, she could feel all of his loneliness and hurt upon his very soul, and then a massive buildup of energy he had inside him that only needed a spark to release it, so leaning in close to his ear did she calmly say


    ¡°Baby it¡¯s ok to have this in you, it¡¯s ok to have hate in you for what has happened¡­it¡¯s ok to be mad for her dying, to hate for me dying¡­just let it out baby¡± she whispered to him and feeling his body warm to the touch did her skin begin to as well, she could feel his massive charge redlining like a overloading generator and laying out a yell of inner pain did Rain scream out, a nuclear like explosion erupted from his body spraying out in a nova form from the two of them.


    As Laurona and Rain start back on foot they see a bright flash of light in front of them and appearing was the group from a spell caste from Crysonia. Drawing their blades the males look around; Dalamar runs to his wife and touches her shoulder.


    ¡°Are you alright, are you both alright?¡± he asks


    ¡°We¡¯re fine guys, the nova you saw was power from Rain ¡­he had something to get off his chest¡± Laurona says smiling at him. Artanis grips his head and Straud asks him what is wrong.


    ¡°It¡¯s nothing just a little head ache¡± said Artanis shaking it off


    ¡°Artanis I told you about keeping in tone with those long distant run exercises¡± cautioned Cloud to him


    ¡°No Cloud it¡¯s not that it¡¯s this realm; for the dead to be here is not a problem but for the living to be in here does has a rapid aging curse come about that in minutes passing is equivalent to a day¡­an hour or so a year¡±


    ¡°Are you saying that if we don¡¯t finish what we came to do in less than a day¡­?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll be dead from old age¡± Artanis added finishing Dawns statement


    ¡°Here Artanis, I¡¯ll take you home¡± said Laurona


    ¡°No¡± replied Artanis ¡°I can do this, you need the help besides; I live longer than humans with my part demon lineage so I¡¯ll be good for a few more hours¡± he smiled


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry Artanis we¡¯ll get you home in time; that is if we can find the Lazarus tower¡± Crysonia reassured him


    ¡°Last time I was here it was somewhere south¡± Laurona went on


    ¡°That sounds right¡± added Dalamar


    ¡°Whoa, what, Wait a moment you two have been here before¡­when...not to mention why?¡± blurted out Straud but getting no response and just a blank look of not wanting to reveal why Artanis then spoke up.


    ¡°Well come on now let¡¯s not keep the elderly waiting, south is it?¡± he said and agreeing with him the group moved on to the south. The group walked the rest of the way to conserve their powers but to stay on the path directly southward Laurona and Crysonia teleported the group across great fissures and canyons that arrived in their way. During the hike the group makes small talk to rekindle their lost past as best as possible, Crysonia talks about not being there to even see them born and talks about some things relating to her for the children to know. Dawn especially takes interest for being in the presence of such a great priestess was a high point to her life. Dawn then reveals about her being a vampire from certain acts that followed, and they start accusing Cloud and Rain of their responsibilities for keeping her out of harm. Straud steps in to defend them from Dalamar¡¯s speech saying that it wasn¡¯t their fault, but his own call. Straud was asked about anything changed in his life and hiding his relationship to Cynn from his wife he just went on about being kept busy from Colossus and his continuing threat to the three. He also tells about how he dies for his brother was curious about it, and hearing it brought a saddened face to his wife. The kids speak of Maylor¡¯s death and Cynn¡¯s status though no answers from their parents helped as to how to reverse Cynn¡¯s condition. Straud told them to wish her well and that his sprit will always protect her as a captain though the children know he meant more from the speech. Dawn tells of her relationship to Artanis and being taken to the side Dalamar goes on to him with a fatherly talk about making sure she¡¯s safe and how her needs must come before his own. Cloud says that he has in the dark times found love married a woman and has children of his own. The bolt of joy to his parents¡¯ eyes was unflawed, Laurona goes to his side and uses a spell to see an image of her and shares it with all who haven¡¯t seen her.


    ¡°She is so beautiful Cloud¡± says Laurona and gives a blessing upon his hopeful future with her. Dalamar finally asks about if Rain has anyone and his mother steps in to aid in the delicate conversation explaining his deep dark history with her.


    Attempting to ease the tension the three and Artanis change the subject to more ease and talk about embarrassing stories that happened to them and the parents did the same. Dawn also grew a close attachment to Crysonia and was asking about her healing techniques. Crysonia looked to Straud with a smile seeing the bond Dawn was trying to form with her so quickly; she noticed as well and answered Dawn questions as much as she could but ultimately tried to enforce to her mind the importance of self-reliance.


    They came to the final climb of the last large hill and as they arrived at the top the Lazarus tower started to show to their eyes. It was greatly deteriorated and destroyed and though the group knew not why Laurona said she would scout ahead and advised everyone else to stay out of sight as well as quiet.

 Chapter 64

    With Colossus¡¯ magic drained from the tower, the black shaded guard of the Shade King could not infiltrate the tower again for the defensive magic had been lowered. She looked as her double vision gave her and added detailed scan to see numerous shades that at a high mastery level for fighters and magic users would be hard pressed to take down. She knew that by eliminating them it would allow the children and Artanis a clear path to the inner structure of the complex. This would also pose another problem for if that amount of his guards were to parish the Shade King himself would most likely show to eliminate the threat.


    Laurona returned to tell the group of the detailing trouble and how the best way to go to get down there without being seen in advance.


    ¡°Maybe the elders should go ahead first, I mean no disrespect but you are after all already dead¡± Artanis pointed out


    ¡°You misunderstand Artanis, you see in this realm the dead are as much alive and hold their powers as they did in life on the realm but can die again just as you but with a very evil difference. For if we die and I mean any of us including all living beings here, we lose both our lives and spirits to the blackness of oblivion, allowing a terrible truth of certain banishment from the existence of time¡± explain Crysonia


    ¡°I didn¡¯t know that was a risk I just thought you know, pop in have a few laughs with the deceased grab our sword and be gone¡± Artanis said shocked


    ¡°Do not worry friend for none of you will die here¡± Dalamar said ¡°We will sacrifice ourselves if need be to see that dream come true¡±


    ¡°And I promise you father that seeing you die again for us is unacceptable and we will do everything possible to see that end not come again¡± Cloud said sternly ¡°I could not bear the sight to see you two fall again for us¡­not again¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s what being a parent and guardian of you loved ones means baby¡± said Laurona touching his cheek side ¡°But these creatures are not Colossus, and we carry a time for preparation and surprise¡± she smiled and getting ready for the battle to come Crysonia was the first to arm herself. She gripped her staff at its center and twisting the section she revealed a spear blade at its head. The tip seemed to phase in and out of focus like it was being blurred by something, and was clouded by a thick white gas.


    ¡°What is that?¡± Dawn asked with immense curiosity, she told Dawn to do the same and say the word shockwave in Drowish tongue, when she did the same tip emerge upon her staff head as well, ¡°What is it, what does it do¡± she asked


    ¡°You¡¯ll see¡± replied Crysonia, grinning as the Drow fighters armed themselves and as Straud and Dalamar cast a see invisibility sphere around the group members, Cloud was told to save his energy for the fight and tower. As Laurona got ready, she was tapped on the shoulder by Rain, she summoned her blade at his sight and Rain saw her blade looked the same as his, she saw him holding it as well and smiled to him with a happy thought.


    ¡°Yes Rain¡± she asked


    ¡°Mother I have to know something, I have been told about how you and father died that night saving us and was always wondering if it was just you verses him¡­¡±


    ¡°Could have I beaten Colossus in a fight¡± she finished


    ¡°Well¡­yeah¡± she asked Rain to come closer to her and leaning to his ear she whispered to him ¡°with my eyes closed, but don¡¯t tell your father or his need for protecting my every step would be not necessary and I do love the attention¡± Rain gave a quick smirk but it changed to a frown and a heavy thought weighed to his head, she touched him and closing her eyes felt his pain and knew his concern, she laid down her sword and pulled him close to her, she unfolded her wings and wrapped then around Rain if to have him only in her sights.


    ¡°Rain, sweetheart listen to me; it is our ability for you and me to resist our tainted blood power that makes us strong¡­not weak as you might think or a reason not to be closed to emotion and fellowship. But make no mistake Rain it has it¡¯s uses to us for if mastered and controlled can enhance your abilities and even allow you to access new ones¡± she started to grow sad and broken in her speech ¡°I am sorry that I wasn¡¯t there to teach you the path and seeing your soul in such pain puts mine to so much grief, and I know that I won¡¯t be there to help you any more than I have but when I left your side I knew that you would find a way¡­you are so strong Rain, and you will learn the powers I speak of in time and when that time comes I¡¯ll be watching you with pride¡± she says tearing up again ¡°¡­I¡¯ll be watching you all¡­always¡± and giving him a hug and tightening her wings around him in an attempt not to let him go she releases Rain to finish getting ready and Rain does the same.


    They descend down the hillside with Laurona and Dalamar leading the line in through the lurking shadows of the hill, the Children and Artanis filled the middle and Straud and Crysonia took up the rear side. As they approached the base and seeing that only hundreds of feet were between them and the tower crumbled entrance Dalamar turned to his children,


    ¡°We will pave the way for you kids to get in to the tower, move fast and stick to the shadows until you are inside¡± he stated


    ¡°You are coming with us aren¡¯t you guys¡± Cloud asked


    ¡°We can¡¯t Cloud, being spirits we can¡¯t enter this place¡± added Straud


    ¡°But we will be waiting for you upon your exit we give you our word¡± adds Crysonia


    ¡°Time to show them what is like to have the whole family under one sky¡± says Dalamar getting his blade ready, and moving through the open area the grim warriors guarding the tower side are locked to their approach. The grim draw near and Crysonia requests for all to step aside, as they do they see her slam the tip of the spear to the ground and watch a light bolt rip along the ground towards the grim fighters, as it passes beneath them the light emerges to form great white hands and gripping the two grim on approach they tighten and slam them to the ground causing a flash and leaving a result of only white powder left where they were hit.


    ¡°Neat!¡¯ said Dawn but seeing more she got her staff ready,


    ¡°Watch for lurkers!¡± cries Dalamar


    ¡°What are they¡± asked Rain


    ¡°Invisible energy drainers that when touched can drain your strength and life force causing you to turn into one if killed¡± Dalamar said quickly and seeing one approach Straud takes a swing to killing the beast. Dawn then feels a grip wrapping around her throat and growing tighter, Dalamar and Straud turn to see another lurker behind her shielding himself from any attack from them. Dawn¡¯s eyes turn a bright blue color and point to her teeth begin to erupt and extend; she then grips the arm by her neck and pulling it away she twists it quickly flipping the lurker over his own body and onto his back, he leaps to his feet to attack but is meet by the foot of Dawn¡¯s spin kick which sends him flying ten feet in the air. Landing but not staying down he races at her again, grabbing her staff Dawn swings it hitting the lurker with a clipping swipe of the spear tip, but as the tip hit his body the staff pulsed a light through the shaft and upon it connecting with the lurker caused a blast of force to emit on impact. The creature was blown backwards and in two parts dying instantly, Dawn then looked at the staff in amazement ¡°Whoa¡± she said with awe.


    But seeing more figures now bearing down on their position the group gets ready for a battle. Straud, Cloud and Dalamar concentrate on eliminating the lurkers and shades fighters that are in melee range. The shades mastered in magic try to eliminate the magic users of the group, Crysonia casts protective spells and ones to enhance abilities to aid the group while Dawn and Artanis using the quick arts and sleek dexterity of their training to dispatch away any shades with the rouge traits. Rain who is stuck to the side of his mother takes point as the group tries to maneuver towards the entrance way of the tower and through the open valley of shadow. Demonstrating her massive power Laurona takes to the air and as her eyes glow a bright amber red cloud suddenly appear and raining down bolts of fire and flame strikes against the continuous shadows blockading their path.


    As the skirmish grew ever great the .Blackblade family was able to hold the flooding numbers at bay, but in so doing started to spread from their tight knitted form.


    Dalamar finished off a lurker beast and noticed up ahead that grim now lie in their path.


    ¡°Laurona the grim¡± he shouted and looking down at her son¡¯s position she knew he was getting to close and unaware.


    ¡°Rain, look out!¡± she cried and turning to heed her warning Rain fired bolts of lightning and fire at the imposing grim defenders. Their personal spell bubble they had provided adequate protecting from Rain¡¯s attacks and sent the spells back at him, Rain dove out of the way from his own attacks, and rolling to his back Rain saw the grim floating towards him slowly but directly. Rain summoned his blade and getting to his feet he was consumed by their fear aura and froze in his stance. From the corner of his eyes Rain makes out balls of blue light coming up from behind him and closing his eyes not to see his own doom Rain cringed. The heated orbs flew past his head and opening his eyes again he saw the grim impact in front of him, the balls dismember the floating shades causing them to combust in a blue intense flaming death. Turning around for the fear effect to his mind was gone Rain saw the extended arms of his mother with her fingers resonating smoke at their cuticles.Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    ¡°Stay away from my son¡± she bolted to their corpses and looking at him Rain only showed a look of awe to her, ¡°Are you ok Rain?¡± she asked and shaking his focus of her power he replied ¡°Yeah I think so¡± and looking him up and down seeing no visible harm she smiled.


    Dalamar and Cloud who were fighting back to back as Cloud had always dreamed they heard a scream come from Dawn¡¯s voice. Straud who was guarding his wife looked to the sky to see a grim hauling Dawn away into the sky, draining her life as it went up and up.


    ¡°Dalamar¡­Dawn¡± Straud said pointing to the grim in the air, Dalamar took to one knee and rising his sword he asked Cloud to defend him while he aims, and Cloud battered back the lurker nearing his father Dalamar closed his eyes and Cloud watched as his sword blade charged up. The light to the blade grew to a blinding white glimmer and Dalamar then released it upon the grim warrior, it shot out hitting the grim turning it to nothing but a poof of white dust. Dalamar then conjured his mount for Dawn¡¯s scream was now echoing to all ears as she was free falling hundreds of feet. Dalamar order his winged steed to catch his daughter and obeying without hesitation it took to the sky. Dawn felt her decent come to a slow and felt the hair of the horse tickle her skin as it landed her safely upon its back. Cloud¡¯s eyes grew big as he looked to his father with his blade still smoking.


    ¡°Holy bolt son¡­holy bolt¡± Cloud¡¯s father informed him


    ¡°Mine doesn¡¯t do that¡± replied Cloud


    ¡°Give it time¡± Dalamar laughed running to the landing of his horse where he dismounted his daughter into a hug, ¡°Are you alright Dawn¡±


    ¡°Yeah¡± she replied holding him tight ¡°Thank you father¡±


    ¡°Anytime baby¡± he said into her blue tinged hair that covered his face.


    He sets her down as the group watched to remaining grim take to the sky, and chanting in their shadowy vocals they started barraging the group from the air with bolts of black shade, but the attacks only make it half way when a barricade of invisible force seemed to be stopping them. Looking around to the aid Dawn sees Crysonia eyes glowing white and her hand held up in the bolts direction, as the bolts hit her shield Crysonia looks to be getting pushed back like she is actually holding back the bolt herself.


    ¡°Ok boys anytime you want to finish them off is fine by me, I don¡¯t know how long I can keep this up for¡± Crysonia said in a strained voice, Straud gets Artanis to defend his wife as he Cloud and Dalamar take to one knee to line up their holy bolt attacks. Laurona aids as well casting spells at their hovering spot and after the bolts start flying it takes little time to pass before the grim were defeated. As the killing of the last grim comes to pass the clouds in the sky immediately start to darken. The wind picks up and a smoldering black smoke start to form as a tornado barring right towards them.


    ¡°Laurona, get the children out of here...he¡¯s coming¡± shouted Dalamar


    ¡°Who¡­the Shade King?¡± asked Rain


    ¡°Yes¡± she replied taking a hold of him and shifting through a puff of smoke to Cloud and Dawn¡¯s location beside Dalamar, the two parents tell the children the time has come for them to enter the tower and hug them all tight.


    ¡°Father please not yet we can help¡± Cloud says to his father ¡°I can¡¯t lose you again¡±


    ¡°We can hold the Shade King¡¯s attack at bay, but I need complete focus to do it and that won¡¯t come until I know you are all safe in the tower, he can¡¯t reach you there so please son go¡± Dalamar says looking to the eyes of his beloved who know he was lying about stopping the Shade King. He gives them all a kiss to the forehead and says that there has never been a more proud father than him, they back away saying they love him and opening her wings wraps them around the children and Artanis shifting them back to the gateway.


    ¡°Ok in you go¡± she says giving then each a kiss for luck and looking at her Dawn grows weepy ¡°Mom¡­¡±


    ¡°Dawn please you must find that sword and defeat Colossus or this has all been for nothing¡± says Laurona pushing to her sons. Artanis grips her arm pulling her too them and after they cross the open doorway Laurona seals the passage with a magical barrier of iron.


    ¡°Ok now where too?¡± asked Artanis


    ¡°I don¡¯t know¡± replied Cloud and then they all look at Rain


    ¡°Hey don¡¯t look at me, when I was here I was blindfolded and half dead remember, not exactly an expert, but I do know we need to go down for the sister tower is beneath this one¡± Rain explains and they split up looking for a way down. Cloud finds one and calling them over to him they gather up but listen to the impacts of spells and the roaring of the great Shade King as their family assaults him.


    ¡°We should be out there¡± says Cloud in shame


    ¡°Yes we should¡± said Rain ¡°But mom¡¯s right; we will have done this for nothing without that blade¡±


    ¡°Oh Artanis¡± responded Dawn looking to his hair of his head turning from black to red streaks,


    ¡°It¡¯s the sign of getting older for the hair on demons is red when they are elders¡± said Artanis


    ¡°Then let¡¯s move on¡± said Cloud uplifting himself and leading the group down the flight of stairs. As they went down Artanis commented on their Blackblade family being the most powerful group he has ever seen fight, he said they fight like gods and seem to be scared of nothing. The children hold the comment high and smile to it but lose the grin when at the base of the stairs they come to a long hallway with only a yellow portal gate at the other end.


    ¡°I guess we go through¡± Rain said and as Cloud and Rain went through first Dawn gripped Artanis¡¯s hand tight, he looked and gave her a return look that everything will be fine and together they went through.


    ¡°What the?¡± says Cloud emerging to the other side to find himself alone, he waits for a little time to pass thinking that there might be a time delay between passing through but no one else comes through.


    ¡°Rain¡­Dawn¡­Artanis¡± he calls out and hears no response, ¡°Where the hell did they go, he looks around to see he is in a room covered in snow and ice but strangely enough it isn¡¯t cold at all, he walks up to a ledge that is about 40 feet from where he entered this place to see a message on a board, and four stair cases made completely of ice, the message reads


    Through a soul filled with hate, and a history of evil


    All heroes are in seek of such a gift


    Though through life tells a story that however much good is done


    None is equal to fill the pure and endless thirst of this acts true sacrifice


    Cloud then sees at the bottom of the message for words chiseled in the ice: Reflection, Forgiveness, Resentment and Atonement


    Cloud the sees the four words imbedded in the ice steps making up the four stair cases. He goes up to the first step on the word forgiveness and stepping on it the ice cracks and breaks, Cloud jumps back to solid ground and watches the broken shards fall to a darkness with no end. ¡°Why is it always a never ending darkness¡± Cloud thought to himself and then a spark hit his mind, of course he thought Atonement. And going up to the letter A he steps on it and sees at the height of the stair case his wife bound and gagged to a stake burning pit. Cloud step to the next brick and ants suddenly come crawling from under it and on to him. Cloud freaks out and runs back to the beginning wiping them off and spinning around to rid himself of them, he then look to see himself clean but smells burning wood and sees the pile start on fire at Alisianna¡¯s feet. Cloud runs back onto the bricks and at the second one is again covered by the ants, this time he closes his eyes imagining they are not there and continues to the letter T but is puzzled when nothing happens. Pushing forward reaching the letter O, the ants disappear and the fire to Alisianna does not advance but doesn¡¯t go out either. Cloud steps to the N and a flash to his eyes renders him blind, ¡°What the hell¡± says Cloud growing again with fear and hearing the mumble of Alisianna¡¯s voice he realized that the fire started again. Cloud went forward but felt the edge of the brick and stepping down felt nothing, ¡°wrong side¡± said Cloud as he thought of which way to move and turning left a little he reached the next block. His blindness went away and he saw the fire to his wife had moved up to the next wood tier. Stepping to the letter E did nothing so Cloud walked to the M and a flash to his mind sent him to the moment when he stabbed John Frost with his sister¡¯s dagger, a sharp pain hit his chest and looking down Cloud sees the stab wound he made to John on himself. Cloud drops to the ground in pain and short of breath, this is a test he thought John¡¯s death was not on purpose; it wasn¡¯t my fault. Cloud keeps saying the message over and over in his head as he tried crawling to the next block losing more and more blood and his life growing shorter. He reaches the E and another memory flashes to his head with him punishing a fellow soldier for bad judgment, and striking the man in the face Cloud was then too hit, another flash to another punishment act was felt by him and another and another, every time he struck a fellow man he is now feeling the effect of the abuse and struggling to resist his own abuse and self-inflected pain Cloud drags his body to the next brick. When he reached the N he was taken to the sight of his uncle¡¯s defeat and the pain of losing him came rushing back, but in this state he was back before he died and running through the shield put up by Logan Cloud raced to aid him. Cloud took a swing to Logan missing; Logan then thrusts his blade deep into the gut of Cloud¡¯s stomach. Cloud flashed back to the ice room and felt the pain of the stab wound but this time didn¡¯t bleed. The flames to his wife¡¯s wooden trap grew again nearing the end of her life and running to her Cloud crossed to the final brick where he was again transported. He closed his eyes and told himself this was a test, only a test and if he fails his wife will die, he opens his eyes to the most horrific scene his mind could construct. He looked to his body and he held the form of his eight years old self and was standing in the barn of his home, he looked to the young boy of three and to his baby sister nestled in the arms of himself, he moved to the window to see his parents fighting Colossus again in their back pasture area and moving to the barn door as he did so many years ago, the famous incident reoccurred. Cloud watched as his mother was again pierced through the heart by his father¡¯s sword and then that same was done to him. Cloud turned his head and stayed strong thinking to his mind this is how it has to be, tears ran down his face at the sight of his parents lying lifeless to the ground. Cloud turned his body away from the sight and went to his brother and taking the stone his mother gave him Cloud again smashes it to the ground. He opened his eyes to see himself back in the ice cavern and in front of his wife lying on the last letter T. She was now unbound and ungagged, smiling at him. Cloud reached for her but in a gleaming light she left and a door appeared in her stead. Cloud went to the door which opens automatically to reveal another portal gate and looking back to the test he smiled at the message sent to him and went through the gate.

 Chapter 65

    ¡°Huh!¡± said Rain arriving at his location and seeing no one around him or in his fifty by fifty foot room. Rain looked around the stone walled room and walked along its same tiled floor to notice a blue crystal glimmer resonating out between the grit of the stone, thinking it meant nothing but splashy d¨¦cor he went on.


    ¡°Dawn¡­Cloud¡­..Artanis¡± Rain called looking for them and after waiting figuring that no one else was showing up.


    Rain saw across the room an open doorway that as he walked to towards it being the only way he could go, it closed sealing the opening with a portcullis grate locking Rain inside. Rain ran up to it and tried to budge it open using his own strength but nothing gave way. While struggling with the gate Rain saw Dawn and Artanis emerges into adjacent room, it looked like a quick put together laboratory with a crude simple set up, it had one table with only a handful of ingredients on it and some empty containers.


    ¡°What the¡­where¡¯s Rain and Cloud¡¯ said Dawn looking around the room.


    ¡°Dawn!¡± Rain shouted from the bars, and coming over to him she looked puzzled and asking what happened and where Cloud was.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know, can you lift these bars¡± Rain asked


    Dawn using her vampire strength tried to lift the grate but only the sound of metal grinding to a lock was hard, she then tried to bend them width ways but still no success.


    ¡°This doesn¡¯t make sense, why put us in separate rooms¡± said Dawn


    ¡°Ah!¡± barked Artanis getting pricked by a dart to his right arm, he pulls it out and shows Dawn the dart but dropping it he then falls to his knees.


    ¡°Artanis what¡¯s wrong you ok?¡± she said


    ¡°Ah, my skin it¡¯s heating up and burning¡± Artanis replied undoing his armor and leather shirt, he takes them off and looks at his skin to see nothing wrong. ¡°It really hurts¡± he says again rubbing his chest to stop the stinging sensation.


    ¡°Artanis, you ok¡± Rain said through the bars looking as good as he can ¡°Dawn, what happened¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know Rain he¡¯s in a lot of pain¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s see the dart¡± Rain requested and bringing it to him Rain looked closely at its design ¡°It¡¯s an Ambionic toxin dart¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s that¡± Dawn said


    ¡°A devil conversion poison for easy translation¡± Rain said


    ¡°But I¡¯m already a demon¡± said Artanis groaning a bit


    ¡°But not a devil, devils are pure evil and run off hatred¡± Rain says and hearing this Artanis looks to the wall by him to see shackles connected to the stone, he goes to them and links his wrists and ankles to them.


    ¡°Artanis what are you doing get out of those¡±


    ¡°Dawn if I¡¯m changing I don¡¯t want to hurt you, this is for your protection¡±


    ¡°What can I do¡± said Dawn, Rain asked her to go to the table and list off to him what things are on it, ¡°But I don¡¯t know alchemy Rain I¡¯m no good at it, I can¡¯t even cook!¡±


    ¡°This must be a test of some sort of test on our weaknesses, Cloud must be going through the same thing but why am I in here this all seems (hearing a sound behind him)¡­too¡­easy (turning around slowly) HOLY SHIT!¡± ended Rain dodging a swing of an axe blade from a suit of armor animated and attacking by itself, the suit looked to be about twelve feet tall and throwing around an axe twice Rain¡¯s size. The striking miss brought a ringing sound to the bars of the blocked doorway startling Dawn as she skimmed through the items.


    ¡°Rain are you ok¡­Rain?¡± Dawn said again seeing the monster.


    ¡°Dawn the items, on the table what are they?¡± Rain snapped out as he moved from the iron golem ¡°This must be a test of weak points yours being alchemy and mine being melee combat, we need to help each other to save Artanis¡± Rain went on and tossing a spell at the golem it did as he thought it would; nothing. Rain then caste a stone skin spell to himself to live longer against such a mass while Dawn says to him the items.


    ¡°Rain, there¡¯s Wolf¡¯s bane, Bloodroot, water¡­uh (hears a thud against the stone wall in Rain¡¯s room, then hears Rain groan) Rain you ok¡±


    ¡°Fine¡± he answers getting up and dodging another attack ¡°What else¡±


    ¡°Toad Clove, Gaboria juice, poison ivy leaves and dove feathers¡­Rain did you get all that¡±


    ¡°Yeah¡± he replied¡­..¡±Well can I make anything?!!¡±


    ¡°Shut- up I¡¯m thinking¡± Rain snapped dodging another attack ¡°Hexoagen¡± Rain said aloud


    ¡°What!¡± Dawn said


    ¡°A common ailment used for all sorts of treatments but will cure any curse if used with the blood of the victim¡± Rain explained ¡°Mix what I tell you ok¡­Dawn (sees her watching Artanis) Dawn focus or he won¡¯t be there¡± Rain bolts and running to the table she asks what needs to be done.


    ¡°First mash the bloodroot into a bowl¡± Rain says and doing it Dawn looks to see Artanis sweating and groveling in pain hanging from the chains, ¡°What¡¯s next¡± Dawn says finishing, ¡°Add three parts toad clove and one cup Gaboria juice¡± Rain says now drawing his blade to block some swipes from the beast making his stone armor last longer¡­¡±You finished yet¡±


    ¡°Almost¡±


    ¡°Hurry Dawn¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t rush me Rain please!¡± she barks back looking at Artanis who now has his eyes changing color as he strains the chains to their limits from the pain. ¡°Finished what now¡±


    ¡°Next is uh! (Blocking an attack) the wolf¡¯s bane and¡­ah! (blocking another swing) ivy leaves!¡± Rain shouts, ¡°What about the feathers¡± questions Dawn ,¡±There¡¯s no need (huffing from exhaustion from evading the beast) for the dove parts here¡± Rain says through his breath, as Dawn does the next step she hears a change in Artanis¡¯s voice to more a demonic tone and he yells through the pain, as a second pair of horns emerge from his head piercing his skin and running blood down his head at the incision mark, ¡°Hurry Dawn or there will be nothing left to save¡± , ¡°Rain you¡¯re not helping¡± Dawn snaps, and finishing up she sees the mix turn from its mossy green color to a clear blue liquid, Rain tells her to add some of his blood and the mix should turn yellow and it¡¯ll be ready for him to drink. She goes to him and dodging his thrusting actions she cuts his arms spilling some drops to the mixture, she backs away and waits till the change in color takes place but nothing happens.


    ¡°Nothing¡¯s happening. It¡¯s not changing. Rain!! ¡°She then hears a violent thud against the wall this time shaking dust off the stone in her chamber. Rain grumbles as he rolls to his knees and hands spitting up blood through his stone structured lips recovering from the horrific toss and slow getting his feet; ¡°Rain!¡± Dawn cries


    ¡°I¡¯m here Dawn¡­it might need to be cleansed¡± Rain said suddenly getting gripped by the beast at his throat.


    ¡°Cleansed what cleansed?¡± ¡°Blood¡­ (Gasping) Not¡­ (Gasping) Pure¡± Rain struggles to her


    ¡°Blood not pure (snaps her fingers) put the blood in holy water, ok I get It I know what to do¡± says Dawn running to Artanis again and taking another sample of blood, she sees a mucky pasty substance now accumulating to his back as he is lying face down almost on the verge of passing out. As Dawn recites the words to making the water potent enough for cleansing Rain groans again hitting the ground hard from yet another assault ¡°Whatever you¡¯re doing Dawn speed it up, I don¡¯t know how long I can last over here¡± she concludes the cast and puts the blood to the water watching it boil from it impurity almost instantly, she then adds it to the mixture to see it turn yellow rapidly. ¡°It¡¯s working¡± she says excited and taking it to Artanis she sees the paste ooze off of him and reveal bat wing that take its place, she leans him back and holding his head up pours the mix to his lips, he coughs at it¡¯s disgusting taste and texture but Dawn holds forcefully keeps it at his lips until it was gone from the bowl. Dawn then looks to his skin to see it turning back to his normal skin color and the horns receding back, she smiles for a second until the changes stop after that and the eyes and wings remain


    Artanis then comes to clearing his throat and hearing his voice is back to normal she smiles sort of, ¡°What¡¯s wrong Dawn¡± Artanis says with concern ¡°The potion, it worked but not completely¡­oh god I messed up¡­I¡¯ve ruined you¡±


    ¡°No Dawn you haven¡¯t¡± Rain said leaning tired against the bars looking at them ¡°The curse was very strong and potent, this backlash of a result sometimes happens, if you didn¡¯t concoct it right Artanis would be full devil by now¡­you did good Dawn¡­really good¡± said Rain with relief looking to his own chamber and seeing the golem lying lifeless on the ground. Dawn held the horrid look to her face and Artanis hugs her tight ¡°I¡¯m sorry Artanis¡­I¡¯m so sorry¡± she wept crying to his arms,


    ¡°Hey shhh its ok we¡¯ll get through this, Dawn this is nothing¡± Artanis says to her scared face when the ground begins to shake, the table vibrates and vials smash to the floor.


    ¡°What¡¯s happening?¡±


    ¡°Earthquake¡± Artanis says, and the ground opens beneath him and pushing Dawn to solid ground Artanis falls into a deep dark pit, ¡°ARTANIS!!!¡± Dawn yells looking down, when moments later the ground starts to give way around her. Rain pushes for all the strength he has finally dislodging the bars to the ground and barreling towards his sister location. Rain dives to grip her hand but falls short and Dawn falls as did Artanis to the deep pit below. Artanis while in free falling grips his sword and wedges it into the side wall, stopping himself instantly, he looks to see Dawn coming behind him and wrapping his legs around the hilt of his blade he stretches out his arms to catch her. Dawn reaches for him and grips his arms, but the force of her weight is too much for the blade to hold up and it breaks at the hilt and they both continue to fall. Artanis pulls Dawn toward his torso and spins to have himself hit the ground first, the impact drives Artanis hard to the cold floor which was made of ice. He cracked it upon impact and Dawn bounces off him as she lands on top, she rolls to the side and quickly gets to her feet to see Artanis. She looks up for dust was sprinkling down on her and pulls Artanis from his landing just as stone rubble pounded the landing site. Artanis then coughs with blood dripping from his mouth. Rains calls from the surface after all the debris hits the icy floor and Dawn answers that they¡¯re both alive, Rain says that he can¡¯t teleport down there for something is disrupting his spell. Rain tells them he¡¯ll find a way down and for them to stay where they are and agreeing Dawn goes back to Artanis¡¯s side, she tells what plan Rain has and Artanis complies.


    Dawn goes to heal Artanis¡¯s wounds but the spell seems to be failing; ¡°I don¡¯t get it why isn¡¯t this working, you have no spell resistance as a demon¡±


    ¡°But devils do¡± Artanis points out ¡°I must have kept that ability, how unfortunate¡­plus the cold I know is not good for devils either, kind of a natural weakness for them¡±


    ¡°You hang on Artanis ok¡­you hear me, you¡¯re going to be ok, Rain will be here soon and we¡¯ll get you better¡±


    ¡°I know you will Dawn¡± he smiles, he sees her shiver and yawn, ¡°Hey come here Dawn, come rest beside me you have been through so much, and let¡¯s see if I can make these things work¡± Artanis replied as he tried moving his wings, she snuggled up to him and he wrapped his new leather flaps around the two of them as a blanket.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry it took me so long¡± said Dawn


    ¡°For what¡± Artanis asked, ¡°To admit my feelings for you, I¡¯m sorry I kept pushing you away, I wasn¡¯t thinking. My heart wanted you but my mind told me to keep on the mission, didn¡¯t realize I could have both till it was too late¡±


    ¡°Dawn you¡¯ve always had me even when you were pushing me away, I love you¡­now get some rest, I¡¯ll wake you when Rain shows up ok¡± and nodding her head she kisses him and then lying up against his chest she closes her eyes.The author''s content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    Hearing a soft voice that gets louder as Dawn regains focus, she makes out Rain¡¯s voice from the hole they fell through, he says that he found a rope and he¡¯ll bring it down to them not finding another way to get there.


    ¡°My brother; Always so punctual and thorough Dawn says sitting up and stretching her arms from a good warm sleep she moves Artanis¡¯s wing to his side,


    ¡°Well time to go Artanis you ready¡­ Artanis¡±


    Dawn goes to him and shakes his arm to wake him up, his arm slides to his side limp; she feels his face to find it¡¯s as cold as her own and a thin shocked panic stretches through her.


    ¡°Artanis!¡± she says again shaking his shoulders to see his head shift to one side of his body, ¡°Artanis wake up! (Tapping his face lightly)¡­Artanis no¡­wake up¡± she says again with a plea to his ears, ¡°Wake Up!¡± she says with a violent shove and a louder tone. ¡°Artanis!!¡± she repeats with a whimper and then pulls his body to a stretched lying position, she kneels by his head side and opening his mouth begins the treatment Elanee did to Rain at the city, she repeats it over and over again until with no change she stops and looks upon him crying.


    ¡°Artanis¡­Not now you can¡¯t leave me¡­not like this¡± she weeps and suddenly gets a thought to her head, she lays her hands upon his chest and closes her eyes, tears run down her face as she tries to concentrate on the power of the spell, her hands then glow a deep green color and lift from his body coating an aura around him in the same color.


    ¡°Artanis...please¡­I didn¡¯t tell you my true feelings just so you could die on me¡­now WAKE UP!!!¡± she screamed at him and throwing every ounce of power she had left into its power and pressing down forcefully, Artanis¡¯s body jolted like being pulsed by a powerful voltage.


    She removed her hands to see no change to him and letting her tears run like a river she cries into his chest hard.


    ¡°Noo!¡± she cried


    (Gasp!) Is heard from his mouth and turning to his face Dawn saw Artanis take a deep breath of life then sat up coughing; Dawn gasped as well looking at him and shifting her body by his face she leaned over bear hugging her arms around him tightly.


    ¡°I¡­I thought you were dead (she looked at his face, and lightly slapped his arm) don¡¯t you ever do that to me again¡±


    ¡°Dawn¡­ (Still coughing) I was dead. After you went to sleep I felt my life coming to an end and then nothing¡­you brought me back¡­Dawn you did it!¡± Artanis smirked and giggling to her own success the two of them shared a kiss until a rope then appeared and dangled from the holes bottom end spoiling the moment.


    They climbed up to the top surprised to see Cloud extending his arm to bring up to the surface, the brothers then explained that after Dawn fell a portal gate opened back in Rain¡¯s room that going through for help did he find Cloud waiting for him back at the hallway area they first started in. Since they had completed the tests they were allowed to roam through the room freely coming back to this one to save them. Dawn blurted out that she could now resurrect, and wondering how she found out she explained what happened to Artanis down there as well as telling Cloud what happened to him earlier.


    They went back through the portal gate and the brothers told Dawn that this is not how the left it. The room had changed to a great hall looking room filled with white pillars rounding the border of it and sheets of marble were between them, the floor was solid black slate and the roof they could not see or even knew if there was one. One thing stood out to them all and that was at the center of the room, there stood a massive statue of an angelic figure holding what they needed, the blade of Conviction. As they went up to it they saw an inscription that could be read by all of them for it was carved in the common Drow language. It said that for the weapon to be grasped it must be held by the chosen and then for the blade to reach full potential does it need to be infused with the embers of righteousness which will glow brightly when located. Cloud moves up to the pedestal and attempting to grasp the weapon a shine glows to the blade, he pulls on it and it doesn¡¯t move. Rain then tries with no luck and then came Dawn, she approached the weapon and it started to gain an electrical charge to it as well as its glow. She touched it and the blade¡¯s hilt glowed brightly not allowing her to let go, Rain and Cloud pulled on her body to release her when a gas formation seemed to leak from her body into the blade itself.


    ¡°DAWN!!¡± cried Artanis knowing that he shouldn¡¯t get close grips on to her and was blowing backwards some feet away and was knocked out, when the gas finally finished being pulled from her the hilt blasted her and the brothers backwards as well and landing on top of them she looked at her body, she frisked her body up and down with wonder as to what happened but when she got to her upper chest she stopped and held her hand by her heart¡­it was again beating¡­she was alive. She climbed off her brothers feeling her pulse to find that it was there again to and starting to get excited and jumped up and down yelling, ¡°I¡¯m alive¡± Rain went into thought and determined that it must be the blade itself that cured her and needed her cured for the blade to work with her. But again trying the blade with now worked the same as Cloud and Rain¡¯s attempted the same result occurred. Dawn went over to Artanis who started to get up slowly but felt numb all over, Rain got the idea and gave his amulet to Cloud thinking that he needed to be in that form as he was before to grasp it, Dawn did the same and going up to the blade again Cloud was about to put them all on when he stopped, he called over his siblings and gave them back the medallion parts again.


    ¡°Cloud you need these to pick out the weapon¡± Rain went on,


    ¡°No Rain not just me¡­us¡±


    ¡°Us?¡± inquired Dawn confused when the Cloud went to detail about the prophecy being about all of them not just him. He told them to connect the parts together but still wearing them separately and doing so they all converted to the form that Colossus went to first before increasing his power and becoming just as tall. Artanis felt an acidic burn to his body and backed up away and slowly it dissipated from him. He figured it must be a holy aura that is harmful to devils and demons and looking on from a distance he lowered his head in shame but knowing it¡¯s not his fault. The chosen went to the blade again and upon touching the blade it detached from its resting place.


    ¡°Whoa, is this what it feels like when you changed the other times Cloud?¡±


    ¡°Yep¡± ¡°Hey who just thought of the combining skill idea?¡±


    ¡°I did¡±


    ¡°Who said that?¡±


    ¡°Me Cloud¡±


    ¡°Who¡¯s me?¡±


    ¡°ME!¡±


    ¡°Who?¡±


    ¡°RAIN STUPID!¡±


    ¡°Oh my god guys¡­we can read each other¡¯s thoughts and memories¡± ¡­¡­¡­.¡±Rain! You think that way about Alisianna, I never knew (Dawn giggling a bit)¡±


    ¡°Rain (Cloud bolted)¡±


    ¡°Hey don¡¯t yell at me, not now since I now know why you took so long getting water for uncle during the promenade celebration 5 years ago, tisk tisk Cloud both the twins at once, if their father knew about that he¡¯d tan your¡­¡±


    ¡°Ok enough let¡¯s just stay out of each other¡¯s¡­oh¡­my¡­god! Dawn!¡±


    ¡°What!¡±


    ¡°Logan Silias! Of all people to think as attractive¡­Him!¡± thought Cloud


    ¡°Grooooos!¡± Rain added


    ¡°Well I¡­that is to say¡­I only meant it as¡­well he¡¯s not¡­not attractive¡± Dawn sparked out


    ¡°Eww!¡± Rain added again


    ¡°Oh you lay off you married woman thinker¡± (Cloud grumbled to in his head)


    ¡°Hey leave me alone, besides you had her at the throat for a first time meeting¡±


    ¡°Guys please we need to focus; now how do we leave this form now that we have the blade¡±


    ¡°You just think of separating and it just happens¡± Cloud went on and following his thoughts the three come out of the form fast and land to the ground hard, falling to their hands and knees the three shake their heads looking drained and exhausted.


    ¡°Wow that¡¯s draining¡± said Rain stumbling to his feet


    ¡°Yeah using abilities is worse, but we need to prepare ourselves for the next time we do that it could be for the fight against him¡± said Cloud getting to his feet with no problem. Artanis come to Dawn¡¯s aid helping her up and saw the three looking at one another when strange looks from the mind blend.


    ¡°What happened in there, the form looked so confused¡± Artanis said


    ¡°NOTHING!¡± the three bolted at once, and backing up Artanis lifted his hands


    ¡°Sorry I asked¡±, Cloud then took the sword and held it tight as the group left the tower when they saw the entry way was not blocked anymore. They then ran to the outside of the ruin tower fearing the worst had come to pass. As they cleared the rubble stone to the deserted open plain beyond, they scanned franticly around to see signs of their family, the first look brought around nothing but small distant voices were heard by Artanis when he took to the skies and looked from above to the south. He told the rest of their position and running to their location the children and Artanis were glad to see everyone accounted for. Taking a breather from the battle and recovering from the healing spell performed by Crysonia by some rocks in shadow. The children asked them what had happened to the Shade King and they happily reported that he had been defeated but not destroyed, they said in his own dimension he is only temporarily taken down until he, recharges like they are doing now. Cloud shows the parents the dreaded and holy blade of Conviction and it brings to the parents a deep inner light of hope. Artanis looks closely at Laurona and she inquires why the look as well as what happened to him.


    ¡°That¡¯s easy milady the same that happened to you¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know what you are talking about¡± Laurona replied to him turning around not facing him and checking Dawn for injuries


    ¡°I saw while I was in the transformation all the beings that had been changed before me and you were the last other one in there, it makes sense now about you knowing where the tower was for you have been here before correct¡± Artanis asked and turning her head in shame she nodded, Straud was speechless and baffled.


    Laurona then explained as while as Dalamar helping her about how they had been here to quest for the blade before to rid the world of Colossus the first time. They shared in its tale about entering the tower portal holding hands and warping to the room where both Dawn and Artanis were, and there they met their doom. For Dalamar didn¡¯t know the cure and was forced to watch the entire transformation of his wife into such a beast, but he knew of another for getting some of her blood before her transference was complete Dalamar cursed his blade into being the only one that could end her life and with it killed his own wife. He then used his power to bring her back for her life wasn¡¯t totally drained from her body and Paladins at the elite master level with enough training can do such a task, Cloud was engrossed at such power being in his field and didn¡¯t even know it could be done. Straud told Cloud that he didn¡¯t even know of the power himself and for some time thought Dalamar didn¡¯t either. The final story about their mother shocked the children but not in a shameful way, just how the background happened. Once they finished the story Laurona said that she had enough power to transport them back to the portal gate sight where they emerged and they should not wasn¡¯t any more time here, for time wasn¡¯t on their side, agreeing with the statement they all left. Cloud as they approached the area looked over to see Rain talking with his uncle and knew what about.


    ¡°Rain did you just¡­¡±


    ¡°You were alone with the twins doing what! I thought you were getting water Cloud¡± snapped Straud


    ¡°You bastard!¡± Cloud barked at his brother


    ¡°Cloud¡± Laurona defended


    ¡°He had impure thoughts about Alisianna, a lot!¡± Cloud stated


    ¡°Rain!¡± Dalamar scolded


    ¡°He¡¯s not the only one¡±


    ¡°Straud!¡± said Crysonia¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry honey she is a very attractive nymph ¡° he said to her


    ¡°Wait, (Grinning) she¡¯s a nymph¡±


    ¡°Dalamar¡± Laurona scolded


    ¡°And you Artanis are you in the group as well!¡± Dawn said folding her arms


    ¡°Me Dawn please, only you are ever on my mind¡± and glowing from the compliment Dawn hugs him and seeing Rain giving Artanis a look of disbelief Artanis mouths the word silently to Rain¡¯s face (Alisianna¡­all the time)and Rain stared to chuckle.


    For some tense moments the group looks to one another with stern looks and then breaks out in laughter from the shared family moment that passed.


    ¡°This was nice¡± said Laurona laughing, but interrupting her own happy laugh the group then grew silent for the time had they all knew what must now come to an end. Cloud then saw and pointed to the soul stones on the chests of the adults glowing brightly as did the blade of the sword and looking at one another the children knew what the motion was saying.


    ¡°No¡± said Dawn walking to the blade and looking at Cloud, ¡°There¡¯s a mistake we have to be able to get the powers somewhere else¡±


    ¡°It is not a mistake Dawn¡± said Laurona


    ¡°We were chosen and told at our death of this quest and future and honored by it we are¡± added Dalamar


    ¡°Dawn, we must go¡± said Crysonia coming to her with a hug


    ¡°Please Crysonia, there must be a way to bring you back, bring you all back¡± Dawn pleaded and looking at her mother and aunt who were looking at each other Dawn knew that they knew of a way. ¡°There is! Please tell me I will do it. I¡¯ll do anything to have you back in my life¡±


    ¡°To what end Dawn¡± replied Straud


    ¡°To what end, so that your with us once more of course¡± Dawn said with a tone of malcontent


    ¡°What Straud is saying Dawn, is that it is now not necessary for us to be among you,¡± Dalamar added and looking at her brother¡¯s for support they understood what the elders where saying where she could not see it.


    ¡°But¡­¡± Dawn whined


    ¡°Baby listen to me¡± said Laurona ¡°The reason you are as powerful, smart and beautiful as you are is because of the events through our absence not our help, you all have grown wise and true looking to our stars as a guide to make us proud¡±


    ¡°And proud we are¡± added Dalamar


    ¡°But we never got to know you, to love you¡± Dawn said


    ¡°You have always loved us Dawn, or you wouldn¡¯t be the way you are¡± Laurona smiled to her coming close and baring a motherly hug to her body, ¡°And just because we didn¡¯t share physical love to one another doesn¡¯t mean that this kind is any less strong¡±


    The brothers came close to Dawn and Laurona separated from the hug to look upon them all ¡°My Children. If we were to reemerge to you again, you would lose your independence for all future problems you would then consort with us for help and wisdom when you already poses the knowledge yourself, you would in short become less then you are now and that we can¡¯t be part of¡­no parent could¡±


    ¡°Mother¡­please,¡± says Dawn starting to cry and hugging her tighter then before Laurona starts to tear up as well,


    ¡°Oh please don¡¯t cry I can¡¯t stand it anymore to see you sad Dawn, this is not the end for we shall meet again and be together once more¡­all of us (pulling the hug apart again) but until that time has come you must continue down this path and grow how you have been¡± she finished. Cloud then went to his father and hugged him one last time feeling every bit on his embrace Cloud closed his eyes to hold back the tears, but wasn¡¯t successful and looking to his son¡¯s face Dalamar smiled ¡°You wouldn¡¯t love us so much if you weren¡¯t sad Cloud (patting his back )¡­take care of your siblings¡±


    ¡°I will father¡± Cloud replied wiping his eyes, Rain then hugged his father and grew soft as well ¡°I¡¯ll miss you father¡±


    ¡°And I you son¡­and I you¡± Dawn ran and hugged him tight as both Rain and Cloud embraced their mother


    ¡°You boys protect her, and each other, you need to protect each other¡± she said and having a moment hugging their uncle and aunt one last time with Artanis joining in.


    They put on strong faces as their hearts wept when one by heartfelt one the stones diminished the sight of the family image it was holding, sifting into the blade of the weapon imbuing it disappearing from sight. The children burned to their minds the last image of their faces of the family as the blade grew brighter and brighter each time until the last soul was entered, as it did they saw the look upon Laurona''s face as she vanished slowly from them, with the look of pride.


    Going up to the blade that was standing by itself on end Cloud griped it and held it tightly and turned to the rest, ¡°Lets finish this¡­for them¡± Cloud said holding his amulet out for the other to connect and in doing changed to the form of the chosen guardian, using the blade to literally cut through like a sheet an opening to the other realm there they went through being followed by Artanis to meet Colossus for the final battle.

 Chapter 66

    Alisianna arrives at the city and then proceeds to the home of Captain Tristan and his wife Penelope, she came bringing her young and Rain¡¯s daughter as well as the help of the twin Drow sisters. They all enter and Alisianna begins to tell Tristan of recent events including both deaths of Straud and Elanee. He grows in anger at the words and states that such life is not fair to no one especially not the three. Alisianna puts an end to his rant by saying that grief and hate can come later for Colossus draws near to them and will most likely think they are here, she warns Tristan of his new power he wished to possess and if he shows up, he might be thrusting it. Tristan understands and sends scouts to advise the people to make their families safe in storm shelters and hide outs for protection, because war is upon them once more.


    Tristan makes precaution to the King, knowing the damage Colossus can now cause. He gives orders for Tristan to make battle ready the forces, about half way through out the next day Alisianna is told by Tristan that Drow soldiers fleeing the enclave are coming to the city for safety, but even though she requested they be let inside Tristan already cleared the order and had them to attended to in advance. They healed as many as they could for the battle force would enhance with their help and experience. As night rolls to its peak, the cloud cover turns red and shrouding the land below from sight. Tristan alongside the King is standing at front point on the wall walk of the castle above the gate waiting for the great power to rear its ugly head.


    Sparks flicker in midair to Tristan`s right, Lightning begins to burst out harmless to all around and finally with a short shot of light one emerges, Calisto the great Blue Dragon in human form. Cold iced over another section of stone to the wall walk, a frosty thick wind brought a cool mist forming another, Lalandra. To the front of the young King grew up ward from the stone an archway wreathed in flame, flame hot to the skin grew up in the door way and from the gate came the great Terashayden, Legendary Gold Dragon. Istalauria came next, the Rothwiendle, the Black beauty emerged next. In a puff of red cinder smoke appeared finally Sephinroth who looked to all that was present, ¡°Ah the King am I correct¡±


    He nods ¡°You are my Reptilian Angel of flame¡± Sephinroth looks at Tristan unsealing a smirk,


    ¡°Oh he`s good, are you trained his son this well ranger¡± Sephinroth looks again around to her company ¡°as I stand here I can`t help but comment family reunions like this don`t come around as often as one would hope¡±


    ¡°We wouldn`t be here at all if it wasn`t for you being you, this is your entire fault¡± Calisto sparked at her. Flames heated at the gold dragon`s feet, ¡°Enough, blame is irreverent at this point, please all of you call upon your kin¡­battle is nearly upon us¡±


    The King took a second to process what was about to happen, then he sparked with great excitement ¡°They are calling for the dragons, all dragons are fighting with us¡±


    ¡°And a sharp mind to problem solve as well, my oh my do we have a catch here Tristan¡± Sephinroth spoke as her arm leans to his shoulder; he looks at her, serious and battle ready.


    ¡°Don`t you have kin to call¡±


    ¡°Nope, killed all mine¡± the King snapped to her sight with an appalling gaze, ¡°well if you can`t stand the heat¡­hey don`t judge me, Terashayden isn`t calling anyone either¡±


    ¡°Mine are dead cause of being hunted and from they`re doings Sephinroth¡± Sephinroth shrugs of the comment and to her right Terashayden felt a presence take kneel, the King.


    ¡°I had heard of you, and read about you¡­from some tomes in our library older than the city itself. Even to those pages were you clamed to elder age¡±


    ¡°I am old yes King of Silverspire, I am sorry our first meeting is to the start of a battle to hold the realm in balance¡±


    ¡°I treat this is a most welcoming meeting, as I stand on the side of you and your kind¡± Terashayden looks over to him with a small smile growing.


    ¡°Indeed I agree with Sephinroth, you have been well rehearsed in conversing¡±


    ¡°This city is not worth your protection and time you take here and now great creature of legend¡± Terashayden looks back again to the open field that will soon be filled,


    ¡°You`re right, but this is part of the realm, that of which I have pledged an oath to protect in a whole, now rise King ¡­time for aweing at power is not here¡­your men await your leadership¡± she states to which he takes again to his feet, returning to Tristan`s side. Sephinroth peaks over her head to the King,


    ¡°Have you heard of me Milord?¡±


    ¡°I told him of you¡± Tristan intruded, Sephinroth looks to Terashayden who almost showed a chuckle,


    ¡°Well that sucks¡± Sephinroth replied


    Time seems to move slowly to the minds of the fighters until the bolt of lightning from the churning red storm unleashes its dark knight. Colossus comes striking to the ground, emerging from the blast standing tall, draped in his infrared beaming new angelic look. All who gazed upon him shudder with spineless fear, his face hooded, shrouded by evil. Colossus drew his mighty blade, slammed it to the dirt creating a shockwave that rattled the dust from the wall stone when then, he spoke.


    ¡°Silverspire hear me! Give over the three known to all as Cloud, Dawn and Rain Blackblade of the rebel Drow clan and I shall repay thy hospitality with no harm to your city. Don¡¯t comply and (waving his hand up to the sky a fire ball bigger than ever seen from a mage comes striking from the sky and blasts a home to nothing) I shall take your dear homes apart¡± finished with a demonic shudder to his voice.


    The city remains for moments after motionless, silence, and letting it go on for a short time Colossus says again ¡°So be it, your fate as well your city will be sealed by flames and death¡± Colossus rips his blade from the ground and kneeling to a knee, starts a chant.


    Streaking from the sky appeared apparitions and abominations of celestial beings, deformed by the demonic power Colossus also infused with these creatures were with wings of angelic nature but the edges were as the demonic style. Feathered into a bat form with an edge of razor sharp bone-metal, the beings had armor like that of a holy knight but the skin of the creatures was a gassy blue and black smoke. A call from scouts ring out amongst the army,


    ¡°Look to the north,¡± cries one, ¡°Dragons are coming!¡± shouts another


    ¡°We¡¯re doomed,¡± says a third and closing to the city fast the dragons begin their assault on not the city but the demons feeding upon it, breath weapons of all kinds fill the sky and lifeless bodies of the winged terrors fall like rain to the ground hitting it hard. The crowds cheer at the aid and grow quiet as the great beasts land at the front of the castle blocking the path of Colossus¡¯s sight.


    ¡°Well if it¡¯s not the realms own mother council here to pass judgment on to my actions; how do I rate¡­high I hope¡± Colossus inquires with a sarcastic hum, Terashayden herself floats into the air aggressing his claim.


    ¡°I think you can already answer that Colossus, and you will pay for this innovation with your life¡± Terashayden responds to him


    ¡°Ha don¡¯t make me laugh it disrupts my concentration, but in all fairness these powers could not have been acquired if I didn¡¯t gain the aid of one of your own and as they always say the best assassins are the ones on the other side, and for a kill like this realm a great one is needed. Wouldn¡¯t you agree Sephinroth?¡± he says with a hint to them of a grin, Sephinroth says nothing in defense.


    ¡°She was only acting through a holding feared grip you had voiding her of any self-blame¡± Lalandra boasted, shocked beyond words Sephinroth looked to Lalandra.


    ¡°Look at me, neutrality side baring fools, I took down the entire upper realm of the celestial home land, what chance do you think you have that could challenge me!¡±


    ¡°Our right to choose to fight¡± Terashayden replies taking to the air again starting the combat, and the rest of the Dragons follow.


    ¡°And let those be your final words¡± Colossus states, Thunder clapping his hands together.


    ¡°Flashpoint¡± Sephinroth sparked, Terashayden and Lalandra join with Sephinroth on reaction, Colossus`s hands send out a globe of light that upon mere sight by any mortal being would cause blindness instantly. The three elder`s snap together their mystical efforts forming a shield to the front of the city, in an attempt to weaken the power, the other elders in delayed reaction join the effort.


    Hundreds of feet before the front wall erect a dark blue wall of air, the flash reaches critical and all look upon it through the blue screen, the dragon¡¯s magic strains against the power of Colossus to save the sight of the Silverspire army. The flash subsides and the dragons subdue their magic, Terashayden looks back at the men who close their eyes from the flash, but open them moments later at the sound of Colossus unit starting a surprise assault.


    ¡°They¡¯re coming¡­ everyone at arms,¡± a cry from a captain on the wall, Terashayden is relieved at the success of the counter that gave the men only a temporary blurriness.


    Her focus grows narrow, to the sight of only Colossus, ¡°Sisters¡± she commands sending pairs of elders to each of the Silverspire wall sides for defense. Each one takes seconds to call upon their weapons of choice for battle and suiting up with armor in the own ways. Upon disperse of the winged goddesses Terashayden reshapes her form, battle ready to take on the fallen celestial.


    His angelic form feels her presence; it beams on him like standing to close to a roaring fire. Colossus turns to her confronting his first challenge; she went in dragon form, but a small version of her own self¡­still holding a height of fourteen feet.


    ¡°Only one other has that dragon form ability, I do recall reading in a tome on how you killed him¡± Colossus poked at her floating in midair as she was.


    ¡°Misguided he was, as are you¡± she rebutted to which Colossus replied with action, laying in the first swing from his blade. Thunder strikes out a deafening doom, as her suddenly summoned spear connected against his deadly blade stopping it dead in motion.


    Colossus even with a concealing shaded hood gestured a posture of confusion, floating back a distance trying to understand ¡°Impossible! No weapon can match mine¡±


    ¡°Forged by mortals no¡­this is the eye of Omniscience, the spear of the infinite¡­forged by me¡±


    ¡°A twist indeed that you possess a weapon to which I know nothing about¡±


    ¡°Your arrogance blinds you Colossus, thinking you know all there is in life, the power you contain against your soul is great. Angelic power is truly strong, but my age extends past many of those beings you now hold in essence slavery¡±


    ¡°And your impudent thoughts to my limited knowledge is insulting, I carry to my mind the answers to riddles that dangle even to your skull¡± Colossus thrashed back, there is a still pause to both parties, then the whirl of her spear laying the first strike starts the combat.


    There combat takes to flight, his blood red razor-silk feathered wings against the fury of her flaming phoenix laced scales, bolts of lightning crackle down from the collisions of the weapons. Allies and foes struck dead from the bolt blast below them matter not in the heat of battle, using skills and tacks in many forms, they each try to test the combat limits of each other. The contest rain`s heavy to subdue the other but as it went onward does one start to wane and tire, Colossus was losing ground against Terashayden. Spells and combat were not knew to him but the level of power he was hosting and channeling was, however she was a master to the art and the level of power. Colossus threw strike after strike against her and blocking them each time Colossus quickly appraised the condition of her spear, it`s strength never lessened. His spells were countered and hers as well, he never expected this from a dragon.If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.


    Jointing his blade to the ground with a shudder, Colossus flew straight at Terashayden gripping his hands to her spear, the strength to disarm her wasn`t there.


    ¡°This is over for you Colossus, once free my spear will strike you dead¡± Terashayden scolded reefing it free from his grasp, in a split second did it impale to his angelic torso, Colossus reacted with a grunting pain. Breathing heavy on the end of the spear Colossus catches air only to respond in laughing, Terashayden cocked her head in puzzlement.


    ¡°You should now be ash¡±


    ¡°And you should not be so dumb, all knowing Dragon¡­I can`t die except by one blade, my own, and right now it`s building you a conciliation prize¡±


    Terashayden throws her spear still with Colossus attached on it into the ground, the flies downward to the Asurewrath.


    The ground starts to crack and rip open and showing in the bowls of the fissure was two great red beaming eyes, two massive claws grip the side of the ground and pulling up and to the surface was a great Dragon looking creature. It was black and red swirling with a shadowy evil feeling, Terashayden watched the great Dragon as it took flight she followed to engage it.


    The beast that was bigger than Terashayden herself drilled the great gold dragon with claw swipe that would drop any normal dragon to their death, her blood dripped to the ground but still on its body, she extends her hand summoning to it her mighty spear. Thrusting free from Colossus, his body flips from the retracting force, landing to his feet again, he quickly heals the hole to his gut, walking over to grip his blade.


    ¡°That`ll keep you out of my hair for a time you reptilian bitch! Haven¡¯t you ever known a superior offence is an always successful evasion?¡± Colossus takes again to flight finally attempting to start his reprisal.


    The battle pours everywhere. In the streets and in the skies do bodies dead, alive and dying litter the surface on the city like a nightmarish portrait.


    Watching the horrific sight from the town house, Penelope looks to Alisianna seeing a look of helplessness upon it; Penelope walks to her taking her children from her arms with the druid giving the Captain`s wife a look.


    ¡°Go Alisianna, they need you out there, the two priestesses will watch me and we will protect the children you have our word, go they need you¡± she says again and gripping to her bow, then tucking tight to her blade Alisianna kisses the children and takes off out to the battle.


    Dealing with the great beasts was of no challenge to Colossus he could beat them in flight and dodge every breath weapon and claw swung at him with ease, lifting and tossing the occasional one out of his way, all but one. Heated battle with one until the members of the council saw the great green beauty fall heavy from the sky hitting the scolded ground dead. The Dragons continued the assault but victory seemed lost for breath weapons when even a strike hit seemed to hold no affect not even a moment in slowing him down. Landing to the ground in a moment to cast a spell, Lalandra dove to hit him. Anticipating the attack Colossus turned around, grappling with the silver Legend until finally Colossus brought Lalandra pounding to the surface lying on her back. Floating above her torso Colossus holds his blade high to his head and looks down to her ¡°Time to finish this¡± and jointing his thrust down Colossus arms don¡¯t move, he turns up to see a red tail gripped to his wrists and looking back was Sephinroth¡¯s face only inches from his own. Her head was three times his whole body and staring at him with a deep heated beaming ruby-eyed look, steam rose from her teeth line as Colossus felt the full intensity of her hatred to him. Sephinroth shifted her body launching Colossus through the air fast and into a nearby forest. Smashing through old oaks and stumbling into the bushes and ground hugging boulders did Colossus come to a violent halt burying his face in the ground line about a foot. Pulling his face from the dirt and shaking his head Colossus got to his feet, sending out a bolt of red energy from his hands clear-cutting the trees blocking his view of the red horned annoyance.


    Colossus barrels a flight path right at her, digging her claws to the ground she springs to a spiraling drilling motion right at him; colliding are they surrounded with clouds of dust from the impact.


    As the demons pour into the city Alisianna does all she could to save it, stopping earthquakes and using trees and plant vines to hold together homes while townsfolk flee the structures, she also using the bow of her father shoots to their deaths multiple demons. One grips her leg unnoticed and pulls her flipping around upside-down into the air, she uses the bow¡¯s string to slice the demons foot letting her go, but is caught by another who subdues her arms and holds her still, he flies over a spire tower and positioning himself above the steeple Alisianna knows that the impalement would kill her. Alisianna hears a yell from below, and looking down does the demon only see a view of a fast moving fist coming up at it. With a violent blow, the demon`s hit and falls freely to the steeple itself being impaled by the tower top. Alisianna falls quickly to the ground and closing her eyes then feels a slowing in her motion, she looks to the amber eyes of Artanis gripping her tightly, descending her gently to the ground.


    ¡°Artanis¡± she said in whispered shock


    ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s me Alisianna¡± Artanis responded as if half waiting for judgment,


    ¡°What happened?¡± she asked looking upon his physical changes in a bit of terror.


    ¡°Long story tell you later, need any help¡± and smiling at his familiar face sort of the two alongside save which they can when they can. Artanis again takes to flight engaging the winged beast and saving those in free falling plummets as Alisianna pulls her bow and with sniping accuracy lays out vital hits to nearby demons. They eventually go back to the town house to check on its condition, seeing it still standing but viewing an attack coming down upon it from a set of demons do the two intercept to give aid to the priestesses.


    As the dust settles to the ground, Colossus walks to Sephinroth seeing her still, lying there motionless on her side knocked out.


    ¡°This is too easy, but I¡¯ll take the kill,¡± laughed Colossus readying his sword at her heart when a yell comes from his left side; Colossus looks to see the impossible. A shimmering pure holy white figure came streaking down towards him, like a ball of flaming white fire, holding the blade out to block. Colossus connected and was blown backwards into a hillside, for a moment dirt and dust filled the air again but settling fast was only the outline on his entry to the hill, clawing his way out he got to his feet and looking up he saw his opponent¡­The Chosen.


    The Chosen looked to Lalandra and spoke through a mind link to rally the other dragons to cleanse the city, she nodded and pulling Sephinroth to her arms Lalandra took flight away from them.


    ¡°Well well well, I see you have finally showed up from hiding and you have changed your look Cloud, I think you¡¯re taller¡±


    ¡°We will finish you Colossus; the power we carry is greater than your own¡±


    Colossus hears the echo in the speech, then puts his one hand to a fist ¡°Your power is great, I sense many to your form, your entire bloodline no doubt. Terashayden might have bested me before but I`m on a god-like learning curve, two of you I care not but for you Rain, know that I`m very disappointed¡± Colossus tones out with a thundering echo. ¡°You and I are the same like it or not, we hold the same thoughts, the same reactions¡­refusing my proposal doesn`t make you any less different. But on that note I can`t have another like me as a currant rival so¡±


    Colossus hand lights up firing a red bolt at them, the chosen counters with a white bolt of their own, the two hit the bolts cancel each other creating a force wave felt to all from the power of the bolts. Colossus charges the Chosen into final battle striking himself to aflame of bright red fire and again The Chosen charge in a white flame. They connected swords and energy blasts erupted from each blow dealt and blocked, they fought on the ground and in the air, putting each other through forests and hills with massive throws, while using chaotic amounts of strength. The power each used upon the other to common eyes seems unlimited but also equally matched. Colossus regains his power ground and the Chosen uses knowledge from a long line of ancestors to hold the power at balance. As they continue their oblivion to one another, Colossus tosses the Chosen away from himself and blasts The Chosen with a beam of pure energy. The Chosen shields itself with its own energy for defense, the impact of the two beams cause such a force on the ground that it begins to shake from the sheer power of the two.


    Fighting all over, the city shortly halts combat as axis and allies try stay on their feet, the intense power ever flowing but never moving causes the ground to slit and fissure.


    ¡°Earthquake¡± yells many voices all over, Lalandra looks to the cause and quickly peers away,


    ¡°Celestial Convergence¡± she says to herself, ¡°The power can`t move the angels¡­so it`s moving the realm apart instead, I never thought I¡¯d be alive to see such a combat. Lalandra as much as she wished to watch, knew the sight of it would melt her eyes, lucky for mortals they can`t witness such an event.


    ¡°Hold on guys¡± ¡°I¡¯m trying¡± ¡°He¡¯s so¡­strong¡±


    ¡°Aughhhhhhhhhhh!¡± shouts Colossus


    The two power totems implore more and more power on to one another trying to break the power struggle. Growing weak with endurance the Chosen aims its beam to the ground deflecting Colossus¡¯s down as well, and the blast from the two beams blows the two backwards into the air. Landing hard and severely weakened both struggle to climb to their feet. Getting to his hind limbs first Colossus teleports to where the Chosen kneels and grips quickly the throat of the hooded hero, tightening with all his might Colossus tries to drain the life from the Chosen and holding his arms apart the Chosen try to resist, and looking over to the city the Chosen saw the damage Colossus has done. The city is erupted in flames, people screaming and massive panic follows as the guards are everywhere in attempt to hold back the demon storm. A quarter of the city is decimated and lies in ruins and seeing such atrocity caused by one figure and the bodies of the fallen heroin Draconic maidens, the Chosen grow angered; breaking free from the gripping hold of Colossus the Chosen slugs Colossus and close combat begins. Exchanging kicks, punches and flying body slams the two completely brutalizes one another until a final viscous hit drives the Chosen again hard to the ground. Gripping the Chosen tightly Colossus lifts them to the air as the Chosen looks to the flaming city and then Artanis in mid-flight who comes to a halt for as a thought from the Chosen penetrates his mind. Artanis looks to the two angelic warriors and flies directly to them not worrying about anything else. Colossus¡¯s arms glow blue and a surge of energy is pulsed through his arms and into the Chosen again and again he does this bringing the Chosen ever closer to death. Barely awake and moving the Chosen speaks,


    ¡°Colossus¡­¡±


    ¡°Ha the words of the hero will now be heard, go on give me your final statement!¡±


    ¡°The diff¡­¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°The difference between us, between good and evil¡­¡±


    ¡°Yes?¡±


    ¡°Evil works alone and that¡¯s why they will always¡­lose¡±


    ¡°Foolish sentiment and yet even more of a pathetic final phrase¡±


    ¡°Colossus one last time surrender¡­surrender the power with your will¡­turn back before all of your soul is lost¡± the Chosen preaches through pulses of the blue energy and focusing past the Chosen just a hair, Colossus sees Artanis flying straight towards him with the Azurewrath Blade firmly in his grasp. A flash runs to Colossus¡¯s mind that he did not pick it up when he teleported, throwing the Chosen in between him and the blade. The Chosen makes their final move; they spin around with their wings putting Colossus now in the path of the blade just as it enters his back. Dropping the Chosen from his grip to his knees with a driving blow to his torso does Colossus move to pull the blade from his back, and in that time the Chosen waste no time. They summon to their grip their own blade and plummets the blade through the chest as Colossus is distracted and backs off away.


    ¡°You think this would hurt me¡­you fool nothing can injure me now, but it¡¯s time to close the chapter of your lives to my great legacy with an exclamation point death from my hand¡± Colossus says scooping the Chosen up with his massive red flowing wings.


    Colossus reached to his back to pull the blade from his body when a halt to his tug stopped it from moving, to his surprise, the blade stationed itself like cement and within moments the blade began to power up using the immense power of Colossus like a super battery;


    ¡°Your own power is your weakness¡± Said the suspended Chosen ¡°The blade wants what its master wants but doesn¡¯t care of the type¡­ type of power¡±


    Colossus started to panic letting go of the chosen pulling with his wings on the hilt and pushing on the exposed tip at his chest with his hands. Seeing surges of black lightning flowing like currants all over his body, beams of white light begin to break through his red shaded form and release to the air. Colossus holds his hands over the beams as if trying to hold down leaks on a boat.


    ¡°JUST DIE YOU BASTARD!!!¡± yelled the Chosen


    ¡°No, this can¡¯t be, no! This isn¡¯t over¡­.I was sooo cloooooosse!!!!!!!!¡± Colossus screams as he combusts into a nova wave of white energy marking the finalization of his defeat. As the energy past and subsided to the realm floor the cloud above begins to part and clear. The remaining demons in the city melt like acid to pools of residue and then evaporate into nothing but the damage to the city remains a lasting nightmare. The Chosen unfolded their wings from shielding themselves from the blast and moving to the Azurewrath blade grip it quickly. Touching it causes their hands to burn and smoke. They toss it into the air and gripping their own blade they swing at the falling doom blade blasting it into white powdered dust. Then falling to their knees and completely to the ground the Chosen unleashes their final breath¡­as one.


    Cheers started to erupted to the city, men called out in celebration as the unit under the fallen`s command turned to vapor. They`re bodies, weapons and armor dissipate like steam from a cauldron, and as more and more dissolved to nothing, the cloud cover itself change to a mild stormy appearance. As the enemies began to lessen, the great beasts of beauty started to vanish, teleporting each in their own ways back to their normal living state once again.


    Tristan, baring cuts to his body and scorch marks from battle with the enemy seemed to be all in all alive, he looked to the sky, to the sight of the great dragon leaders but his eyes brought no news to his mind. ¡°They must have already gone, the ones still alive,¡± he thought. He then looked to Silverspire, his new home now blazing with heating flame in all regions, screams of horror and fear still rang loud and clear. Loss of loved ones and incinerated memories built to homes were now in full bloom, and to the corner of his hearing, Tristan catches the sound of celebration, walking to the group of men shaking hands and hugging in triumph.


    ¡°What is this?¡± commanded Tristan


    ¡°Captain we`ve won¡±


    ¡°You think we have won here today? Thousands of our brothers in arms are dead, homes and memories forever will be haunted on this recall¡±


    ¡°Captain I didn`t mean-


    ¡°Yes you did and thinking as you do is why you only still hold the rank of footman and I¡¯m in charge, now aid in putting those fires out¡± Tristan bolted in command as he didn`t even break stride passing them in disgust.

 Epilouge

    ¡°Dawn! Dawn you alright¡± Artanis voice echoes to her ears shaking her body, she opened her eyes slowly to see her brother arising to his knees with aid from Alisianna and Rain still not moving. Dawn slid to a sitting position for she felt groggy and very weak. She heard a moan and turning to him again saw that Rain was now moving around. Rain moved to his knees and hands and then to his feet looking around to see his sibling already awake. Alisianna bolts to the reaction to hide Dawn from the sun but sees the light touch her for the first time and is shocked to see her not instantly combust, she is then told about what happened to her as well and Alisianna grew a giggle of relief that good souls are always punished.


    ¡°What happened¡± Rain questioned


    ¡°It worked Rain, Colossus is defeated,¡± Cloud said


    ¡°How did you guys know to have me grip the evil sword?¡± asked Artanis


    ¡°Asked you girlfriend, it was her idea¡± Cloud added


    ¡°Well when you touched the good blade and were hurt by it, I figured that the evil one wouldn¡¯t affect you, but it would hurt us as well¡± Dawn concluded and smiling to her Artanis kissed her lips, Alisianna kissed Cloud and seeing the passionate moment Rain got to his feet and walked away from the aurora. Moments later a hand slid upon his shoulder, and turning his head, he saw her face.


    ¡°She would be proud of you Rain,¡± Alisianna said with a smile


    ¡°I know¡± Rain replied sniffing himself that a known fragrance of the one Sephinroth has been near him and upon his lips, but looking around he sees no sign of her.


    ¡°Look!¡± pointed Dawn seeing the holy blade lift by itself into the air and emerging to its side and handling its grip was an angelical figure, bigger than both Colossus and the Chosen and taking the blade it sheathed the weapon to its own harness.


    ¡°Greetings, Chosen¡± it spoke in a deep commanding voice ¡°It is an honor to see and meet you at last, you have done a great deed and will be forever remembered it time for it¡±


    ¡°Who are you?¡± Rain asked


    ¡°I¡¯m known by many names, titles and stories but holds only amongst them one true purpose that shapes all my glorification together as one; but to you I would be known as the keeper¡±


    ¡°The keeper, the keeper of what¡± Cloud said


    ¡°The keeper of the Chosen and its path through the ages of time, for its needs to be shifted and continuously moved for the balance it holds and protects is a forever moving foe¡± the group listens to the brightly cloaked figure resembling themselves in the form and then looks to Rain he turns to them all with a shrug to his shoulders.


    ¡°Hey don¡¯t look at me, that line was beyond my comprehension¡± Rain replied and turning away carrying the blade with no effort the being lifted itself into the air cutting a portal to its own dimension, and about to leave the being stopped and looks to the group one last time.


    ¡°For the pain you have suffered let the mend begin and the wounds be cleansed for the most powerful passion of all never dies, rebirth is inevitable and what better place to start a new then in the dwelling of the old¡± the being then disappears. The group looks upon each other wondering what the comment meant and in the mist of thinking Cloud looked around.


    ¡°Where¡¯s Rain?¡± He said


    Appearing in the abandoned town of Soulguard Rain showed in a stream of light, he looked around franticly in the town for he knew what the beings secret meaning was, coming up with nothing searching the blacksmith¡¯s shop, the backer and the weapon crafter holds a stop he hadn¡¯t check strikes like a bolt to his mind, His own home.


    Racing to where the settlement was Rain went to the front gates, they were still bashed the way that Cloud had describe them in the stories he told them in young and going past them to the back setting Rain then came to a massive halt along the cobblestone walkway leading to the it. His sword that was firmly in his grasp came to the stone resonating with a metallic ring echoing around the area and jointing from surprise the white gowned figure turned its head facing him. Standing in the exact stop his parents died.


    ¡°(Gasp) is this real?¡± she said


    ¡°Elanee!!¡± Rain replied


    ¡°You can see me, I thought¡­I thought I was a¡­¡± and not finishing her speech Elanee ran toward him she leaped into his arms and catching her softly did Rain spin her to a slowed stop and into an embracing hug.


    ¡°Is this real¡± she said again


    ¡°Yes Elanee it¡¯s real¡± Rain said into her fine flowing brown hair, Elanee squished tighter never wanting to let go, but then pulled away to gaze a glimpse to his eyes.


    ¡°Is it over, is¡­¡±


    ¡°Yes Elanee Colossus is dead¡± she laughed giggling and hugged him again, this time with Rain pulling them apart and looking at her he smiled.


    ¡°I have prayed that this miracle would come to pass that I may see you again,¡± he said and about to kiss one another Elanee stopped, she pulled away and took some steps back.


    ¡°What is wrong?¡± Rain asked


    ¡°I feel the beast¡¯s presence not holding sway to me anymore Rain, but it might be still in me, I still might hold the curse¡±


    ¡°Elanee the celestials elders brought you back to me, they would have cured your curse as well¡±


    ¡°But can I be certain to risk it all¡± and stopping his speech Rain thought as he bowed his head, ¡°You have asked me once if ever would be selfish and just take what I have been given, that time is now Elanee¡± and approaching her again she held her hand out stopping him,


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry Rain I can¡¯t¡± she said backing away, she turned from him to walk on when Rain gripped her arm and spinning her as he did during the dance he placed a kiss to her lips as he did then, she felt her knees go weak and heart race but no evil. She stopped it only to give Rain a smile for then she knew she was cured; she kissed him again and again laughing for her dream had come true¡­enjoying the moment Rain broke from the time.Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.


    ¡°What is it, what¡¯s wrong Rain?¡± Elanee said seeing him back up from her


    ¡°Nothing, (he said laughing) nothing at all but I must hold my word that I gave to a woman when I found love again, and found it I have¡± Rain finished going down on to one knees and taking her hand, she grew tears to her eyes and a bright smile upon her face.


    Months flashed by it seemed as the sound of wedding bells rang out through the city now rebuilt. Rain waited with a glorified heart as his bride came down the aisle way, she had her hair crimped and parted perfectly being complimented by golden strands of bailey leaves veining throughout her hair. A half vale covers the back side of her head and a slim fitting dress hugged her angelic figure as she walked towards him. She looked to him as she stood beside him; they shared the vows to one another Rain went first,


    ¡°Elanee¡­this world is filled with darkness and hate and corruption, but also light, truth and beauty. Elanee you are my light¡­my beauty¡­and my truth to my world that binds me to it and forever I will love and honor you for that gift.¡± Elanee then proceeded


    ¡°Rain¡­you are my best friend, before you I never had a best friend and though we have been through times of annoyance, hatred and then caring for one another I see that the war we went through and the peace after it could not have given me what you have brought to my heart and that is your soul. I love you so much and for the rest of my days will honor that pledge¡± they then kiss and the celebration begins. The party with Tristan and the group runs throughout the night and later Elanee and he depart from the crowd to retire to a night of just them.


    Finishing their passionate evening together, they lay in bed wrapped around each other¡¯s love and stare into one another¡¯s eyes ¡°Rain this has been the most memorable night to my heart, but the time has come for you to awaken Rain¡± she replies shaking him


    ¡°What?¡± Rain said confused


    ¡°Wake up Rain¡± she says again shaking him, ¡°Rain! Wake up¡± he hears as he jolts awake to see standing over him Cloud fully clothed and armed.


    ¡°Rain you ok?¡± says Cloud seeing Rain look at him then lies back down to his bedroll putting his hands to his head. ¡°You were dreaming again,¡± Cloud added


    ¡°No Cloud it was a nightmare as usual¡±


    ¡°The Thought about Elanee again huh¡± Cloud said seeing Rain nod ¡°It¡¯s been over a year and still they are that strong?¡± Cloud asks with Rain nodding again and looking to his right he stares to the young beauty lying beside him slumbering away to dreamland of her own. Cloud looks to the little Kityana and smiles.


    ¡°But you know Cloud for everything that went bad, it is true what they say when you are repaid in full¡± Rain says stroking the little ones hair from her face, she moves around but stays asleep, as Rain quietly moves out of bed, and gets dressed.


    ¡°Go on without me brother¡± Rain smoothed out with softness in his voice, Cloud moves to his side, placing a hand to his shoulder.


    ¡°She needs this of you, it`s been time long coming, and this time you can`t say no¡­I¡¯ll wait for you outside¡±


    He meets Cloud outside in a short time taking a moment to recap what happened after Colossus¡¯s demise for the being did come to the sights but never turned back as Rain dreamt he did. The King, Rain was told was killed through a poison Rain did not know he had for the King kept it a secret to hold morale but in the end claimed his life. In his last will and testament was written from the King¡¯s hand to lay the fate and protector ship of the city and kingdom to his son and heir but not being of age yet, it was to be held by Tristan and to be taught to his son through the master of good will. Through the time statues of Straud, Crysonia, Dalamar and Laurona were carved and crafted in the new mausoleum where the home of the Blackblade family resided from the burned images from the Chosen minds. In the town of Soulguard which with Lord Tristan¡¯s resourceful aid was rebuilt and once again home to the Drow of the rebel faction, Cynn was incased in a crystal casing from help of Lalandra who survived the battle and was placed in the center of the four statues as a symbol of hope to one day return to lead them. In the under dark was a similar crafted casing created to honor the title of the Matriarch to the Shadowell city, that for the time being has Captain Stryker taken hold of leadership, with an ever continuing vow in Sophie¡¯s honor to bring down the faction that broke from them. Sephinroth seemed to have just disappeared from all sight and for the year passed on never has been sighted.


    Meeting the rest of the group with Lord Tristan alongside them, they all go to the Mausoleum to pay the anniversary respects for the full year revolution of their fall. As the group gathered to the burial site they all stared with massive emotion to the statues of fine carved stone forged to their beloved guardian images. In the middle of the stone statues laid to a peaceful slumber their mighty leader and guardian mother to all Cynn; to her left was the trusted healer and most trusted advisor Arbiter Maylor; and to her right was the Captain to her strong arms forces and keeper of her own heart Lord Straud. In the back area behind Cynn¡¯s solid crystal casing were the two images of the Children¡¯s great parents Lord Dalamar and Lady Laurona whose name had now been passed to the new daughter of Alisianna and Cloud; and in the middle of these was one who they all shared in pride to call an adopted daughter Lady Elanee Kerrigan.


    They lay to their graves fresh flowers of arrangements they each adored in life as they did at the dawn of every new coming season but this time was different for it was the first that Rain had come with them. They all took time to sorrow and remorse over the time with each one and some had a harder time than others. Dawn fell to her knees in a cry over the grave of Maylor as she thanked him for the great gift he gave her and being her mentor through all the rough times, Artanis aided her pain by resting his hand to her shoulder side holding a time for he knew it had to be hard. Alisianna held the twins to her tucking arms as she watched Cloud pull his blade out and use it tip down to the ground saying a prayer as he sat between the statues of his parents. Tristan with his wife beside him holding their son Casavir to her arms waited as he said a farewell thank you to the mighty Captain as did the rest for he was the closest thing they shared as a father and with Rain being the last one to see her perfectly stone sculpted face Rain approaches the place where his best friend and his trusted love Elanee laid. As Artanis looked on holding to his arms and under wing Rain¡¯s adopted daughter Kityana did Alisianna hand to Cloud the twins. Walking slowly behind him for she felt his unwavering hurt she could see him hold a stumble to his walk, back tracking to his thoughts all the times he spend with her from the rivaling meeting of their soul till the loving pain of the separating end did Rain hold strong his course to her white silent form. Looking at the image of her life ending by his own hand did he fall upon her feet like a bag of stones crying.


    ¡°I¡¯m so sorry¡­it¡¯s my fault¡­I should¡¯ve tried harder, I should¡¯ve been stronger¡± he stuttered from his broken speech, Alisianna gripped his cloak from behind and Rain fell to her comforting offer like a child, he looked up to see her face wet with tears as she saw for the first time in a year two streaming rivers down his; ¡°It¡¯s been so hard seeing you in such pain Rain¡± she said to him softly so no one could hear ¡° And if I could change my marriage to be with you to end this pain I wish to every new morning would end, I would¡¯ve been with you, I wish you weren¡¯t alone¡± Rain smiled to her face for the words said and through sobbing to hoist both his and Alisianna¡¯s body to their feet again, he looked upon the grave of his love one more time.


    ¡°It¡¯s been too long, I should¡¯ve been here sooner¡­I just couldn¡¯t¡­¡±


    ¡°Hey its ok,¡± said Alise wiping there tears from Rain¡¯s face ¡°We all took our own time to get here and now you did too¡±


    ¡°Can we please leave¡± Rain asked and nodding Alisianna helps him to his feet


    ¡°Hot tea and bread were awaiting them in our home,¡± Alisianna announces to the group. Filing out one by sorrow filled one and being the last to trail behind them, Rain looked back one final time. His cloak lifted from a swift warm breeze catching it and blowing the cloak over his daughters face he looked to her with her housing an innocent new look back as she so gently clasped to his finger to suck on it. Rain looked back to what he thought was a faint whisper to his name in a voice he had not heard in a time¡­but it was only the wind. He looked to the endless sky and held a grin to his face


    ¡°You¡¯re right, I know you¡¯re with me,¡± he said softly to it and then his eyes shift to his child in his arms, ¡°And I know I¡¯m not alone¡± Rain then walked to the home of his brother, and by his best judgments looked to be a most promising, peaceful day.