Fantasy [PRIVATE] El Stories - Wars of the past

[MementoDei]

Darhan​

The afternoon sun was slowly descending from its zenith as the caravan was stopping by what he recognized as the outskirts of the kingdom. An hour of walk to the south and there would be the first village of the kingdom which was destroyed overnight. The thought still weighed heavy on his shoulders and the smell of smoke only brought more painful memories to flood into his mind. He glanced at Yullr and found him healing some corrupted pixies. Never before he had seen spirits so clearly and he did not like what he saw all around him. Dozens of spirits were flocking towards Yullr, all grievously injured and begging for help. The young king could only stare down and try to use what little power he could muster to make them pass away painlessly.

Darhan sat besides Yullr and tried to soothe the pain of the spirits around them with magic of his own, although he could not muster as much as Yullr. One of the humans approached them. It was a young blonde girl with an eye with the grey-blue shade of ice and the other with the indigo shade of the night. She sat in front of them and cupped one spirit in her hands.

"It's easy for butterflies to die in the fall, you know? Your younger brother shouldn't be this sad 'bout it." she asked before posing the dying water pixie delicately over the ground where it froze and died, "We don't have much, but I've brought some extra beef jerkies just in case."

Darhan did not understand much of what she had said. She spoke faster than the human Elder. Yet, he watched the woman search through her belongings and offering them four beef jerkies. Darhan took them and nodded at her. "Thanks much."

Yullr was still staring at the dying spirits around him and pushed the rest away with a cry. "I can't heal you, so stop coming! I caused this! I did this to you! Why...why in the world are you still coming back to me?!"

The blonde stepped back as the spirits lifted a gust of wind that caught everyone else's attention. The human Elder who had welcomed them stepped in and put his hand over the woman's shoulder. "Is there something that is bothering your brother?"

Darhan could not reassure either the humans nor Yullr, who was hiding his tears behind his knees, his arms hugging his legs tightly. Yet, the humans could not perceive the death that was looming all around them. Even he could only see the shine of some spirits hidden beneath the skin of common animals like butterflies, dragonflies or tree leaves that fluttered with the wind.

"We...are near of the previous kingdom. It is...still weighty in the heart of ours."

The eyes of every human widened and the human Elder asked a less older man to get out the maps, calling him by words Darhan had never heard before and therefore making him lose the trail of the conversation. The painful roar of a beast, however, made everyone quiet and even Yullr rose his head up, his ears and power perking up at the sound. Darhan took Chulainn and glanced at him.

"What is it, Yullr?"

"A dragon...killed them. But the same spirit from before is there too. With a demon."

Darhan frowned and clicked his tongue. "I'll go check it by myself."

"Darhan, wait!" Yullr took his sleeve to stop him. "Maybe some spirits there are still alive there. I want to help them..."

The desperate and fragile hope reflected in Yullr's eyes left him no ground to refuse. He nodded and gave Yullr his staff.

"Are we safe?" the human woman asked.

Darhan turned around, almost wanting to smile at the sight of light hair and an indigo eye, but the illusion of Alma's faded away as soon as he saw the blonde's face again fully.

I almost can see her again asking me, begging for me to keep that promise...I let her die...

"There is spirits all in around. I and him will return soon to here."

He noticed that Yullr had noticed some of his dark thoughts, but he was quick to bury his guilt away and they headed where Yullr had sensed the spirits.

-----
​

He could not believe his eyes when he saw it firsthand. It was truly a dragon, like those his ancestors had seen and sometimes even raised during the Warring Era. He approached the injured beast carefully, lowering his weapon the most he could so he could still have the time to use it. The spirits that had survived here were protecting them from the dragon's lingering poison thanks to Yullr, but even they did not wish to step too close to the beast.

"Darhan, the spirit from last night injured it. It's far from us right now, but I don't think we should continue the route here. It'd be dangerous with humans around. Even if they're carrying some kind of Nasod weapons."

Darhan nodded but as he turned back to return, he was scared when he saw Yullr get closer to the dragon. "Hey, Yullr, dragons are not spirits. You can't-!"

"This earth dragon is what stopped the spirits here from dying." his voice was filled with a new determination as a wave of spirits gathered around him, all of them in perfect health and some glancing worryingly at the dragon. "If I let it die...I don't know if I will ever forgive myself for it."

While he admired the strength the spirits could give Yullr, that same link could make him break like before or even do something completely reckless like today. He followed him with Chulainn nearby. It was not asking for dragon blood and even if it was, Darhan doubted he could get through dragon scales as easily as armour without being heavily injured in return.

Yullr approached the dragon made of vines with a calm smile and made his magic envelop the vicious burns and healing most of the burnt flesh slowly. Darhan still watched the beast cautiously, his weapon clenched firmly. It could attack from anywhere and he might have to unveil the Spear of the Rebel if it meant protecting Yullr and perhaps destroying any remains of the demon presence in the forests.

Late

****
Ran Tervani
​

He held the Soulstone in his hands as he gathered the surviving troops with him. Thanks to this stone he was revived into a human body. His horns would grow back eventually, but other than that, he felt in full control of his power. It was as if he had not even been dead in the first place and knowing that was only a fraction of what the stone's power only made his smile grow wider with greed.

"Sir, we think there are other demons nearby." one of the glitters informed him.

"Others? Oh! The group of scouts Stirbargen sent before us. Well, we might as well wait for them and take them home with us. Our mission here should be done."

"What about the elven kids who fled?"

The question soured Ran's smile with a frown. "Excuse me? I thought that undead hound you put inside the grimoire had gone on a rampage and killed them all."

The glitter knelt before him and shook his head. "No, sadly no, m'lord. Some scouts saw them flee, but we don't know where. It was impossible to move around with so many rogue spirits at the time."

A glitter mage came rushing in with a communication orb in its hand. "Incoming transmission from Lord Stirbargen!"

"Well, put it on!"

The shadow of the red-eyed king appeared. His red eyes gleamed in the shadows around him. "Oh, is that truly you, Ran? My, one week in Ishmael's realm and you look just like them."

"I have what you asked for, my lord." Ran coldly replied. Stirbargen could and would go on a disgusting tangent if he did not stop him right there.

The red eyes sparked with greed. "Very good. And the elf whose blood can control it to the fullest?"

"You never told me to-"

Anger soon made Stirbargen's gaze menacing. "You really killed them all? I don't think my orders were that specific."

"No, Lord Stirbargen. The kid lives, but he fled."

The red-eyed king chuckled. "Well that's just what we need. A kid who we can shape and that is on the run. Make sure, Ran, that you bring back to me not only the key to the power of the Soulstone but a loyal servant. And remember I still have private business to discuss with you."

The image disappeared from the orb and Ran ordered for both glitters to get out of his sight. Once he was alone and out of earshot, Ran chuckled. "Oh, yes, Stirbargen. Your usual and sick...private business. Soon enough, you'll see the same power you threaten me with crumble under your feet. The new loyal servant will be your first poisoned gift."

*****
Ishmael
​

She could only sigh at the tiara thrown at her feet and call in her most trusted warriors along the one who made the meeting possible. In a matter of minutes, they were there and not a word needed to be said once they saw Xiopetec's crown in Ishmael's hands. Morgana was the first one to speak.

"My goddess, I would have hoped that this meeting would have ended peacefully. I was-"

"No, Morgana. Your judgement was wise. Going to war without hearing Xio's grief would have been a bigger mistake. I don't believe she, of all people, would turn against the same side she found her love in..."

The goddess explained the jist of the meeting. Ishmael fell silent, prey to sorrowful remembrance at the warrior who had loved a demon. It was forbidden for any of her Celestials let alone angels or warriors to mingle with the world they were separated from since the Great War that made Elria and many gods divide Elrios in two. It still pained her heart to take her powers away, but there could not be another choice.

"My goddess, may I speak?"

"Yes, Kalazar, go ahead."

"I understand your worries about a traitor, but as your warrior, I will see over an investigation to see if one of us went astray."

"Please do so, Kalazar."

She glanced at the young warrior who was clasping her hands nervously for the whole time. Morgana turned coldly at the young green-haired girl and asked her if she had something to report.

"W-well," she began with a nervous chuckle, "I...had forgotten that Xiopetec does not see well people bowing at her and...maybe she was even angrier before she decided to come because of me..."

Ishmael raised an eyebrow. "Knowing her and seeing her with so much rage within her heart, I am very thankful you made your way back to us with your head over your shoulders. Warrior, tell me your name."

Morgana looked uneasily at her and spoke before the young warrior had the time to answer. "My goddess, this warrior might have been lucky, but her combat abilities are still severely lacking, not to mention her recklessness is not befitting for such honour!"

Ishmael saw the angel lower her gaze and the joy in her eyes slowly fade from her grey eyes. She could not let warriors drag the achievements of others down, even if they were the closest to her. "Such are things training and battle can correct, Morgana. This mission was within the heart of the enemy territory and not to mention that any misplaced word would have put her life in danger. Were you aware of those risks, warrior?"

"Yes, goddess Ishmael."

The goddess smiled with tranquility at her. "Then, please, do tell me your name so I may thank you properly."

"My name...is Ren, my goddess."

"Ren, you are the mediator who did what she could to stop this bloodshed. Do not ever forget that. You have my deepest thanks for doing your duty so diligently."

The young warrior looked up with tears of happiness in her eyes she quickly dried them away. "I am...unworthy of such kind words, goddess."

"I can assure you, Ren, you are not. Dry your tears and raise your chin. From now on, we will head into a war on par of those from where this world was one. May I count on your strength as a member of my Court?"

Although she could see that Morgana was still unconvinced and unpleasantly surprised by her words, Ishmael believed the only thing Ren needed was for someone to believe in her power for her clumsiness to go away.

Ren knelt in front of her and looked at her with only the trace of her tears. "You may count on me, my goddess. Always."

 

[Late]

Ivy
​

At the time when the lone demon left her to die, she began to lose track of time. It was too painful for her to move and she couldn’t find any remaining strength in her to do anything at all. She was unhappy with the results and was certain that she could’ve handled it on her own with her full strength. Or at least waste the demon’s time and put it into exhaustion. But that wasn’t the case.

Ivy was worried that the demon might be too much for anyone else that was fleeing. Maybe for Kili if he isn’t too careful. Then there was the fiery spirit. If its fangs could sink into her with no problem, then the other dragons will suffer the same results. She didn’t think the demon would try to protect its pet at the last second the time the spirit got poisoned. That would’ve been great for her allies to get rid of the mutt. But now, they both fled away with one of the nasod weapon that seem identical to his own and Ivy waits for her death to reach her.

“Sorry...Kili...” she grumbled out, frowning as she became upset with herself. Eventually she felt her eyes getting heavy and Ivy didn’t bother to try and keep them open.



She wasn’t sure how much time passed but she could hear voices. Ivy didn’t want to guess what it was all about but naturally, she became alarmed. She figured she would’ve died sooner than later. It took her some time to open up her eyes and blink a couple of times when she saw spirits. Ivy doesn’t recall any of them being around before but maybe they came back after the hound left?

Ivy began to wonder how long ago they showed up and before she could let a word slip by, she finally noticed two individuals and one of them getting close. Immediately she got defensive and tensed up to let out a low growl. Yet when the spirits around began to talk all at once, she became confused on what was exactly going on and realized that she managed to stand on her own just out of panic.

Yet her legs buckled and Ivy slumped back down with a large huff, noticing how her injuries were as bad as before and she took her time to stare at the strangers. They put themselves a distance away from her and one of them was holding out their weapon, defensively. Yet she could notice the other was more attuned with the spirits around and it took her some time to realize that they aren’t enemies.

“Elves,” Ivy mumbled out, shaking her head to wear off the pain that just starting to emerge. Likely from the punch she received. She was actually glad to only get a single punch out of the demon.

Though, knowing that her injuries were somewhat better, maybe she could return back to her rider. Her heart rate increased as she realized that her absences might worry Kili so she immediately tried to get up again. Yet, her muscles were awfully sore and she can’t so much stand longer than a minute. Ivy fell back down after taking a single step forward and she let out an frustrated sigh.

“I need....to go back....my rider...” she huffed and took a moment to stare back at the elves. Ivy began to frown as she rack through her memories, ignoring their cautious and maybe surprised looks. Its all the same to her whenever she visits a new place that haven’t seen dragons before. “...are you....traveling alone?” Ivy rasped out in their language. Elven language was just one of those languages that Kili had her sit with him through yet they never got the chance to really use it since, well, elves barely need the help from dragons. But now those long, awful nights were starting to become useful.

MementoDei

Sol
​

It was a long walk to get to the kingdom and Infernal was growing tired throughout the travel. Of course, he was greeted by allied soldiers guarding at the entrance but Sol didn’t stop to say his greetings. He pushed right through and the demon soldiers seem a bit alarmed. They made an attempt to stop him but after giving one look made them stop their pursuit and awkwardly stand there as Sol made his way towards the infirmary.

His rude presence seem to alarm the healers and injured soldiers, Infernal looking quiet amused as he was being carried around through all of this. There wasn’t a lot of injured when Sol scanned around but that isn’t what he was looking for. No one tired to ask what he wanted as Sol kept walking around and finally, he put down Infernal who let out a couple of coughs.

“Poison,” Sol mumbled out to no one in particular. Yet at least one of them realized what he was talking about and it took about a minute for them to give him an antidote.

Infernal perked up when Sol kneeled down in front of him, watching him opening up the bottle and holding it for him. The wolf let out a glow when a distinctive scent from the medicine hit his nose but didn’t protest any further as Sol began to spill just enough for Infernal to lap it up.

“That’s rather wasteful, don’t you think?” Someone muttered, breaking the silence.

Sol sighs through his nostrils and looked over to the recovering soldier. His eyes bore into the demon as he let all the antidote spill for Infernal. The time he was done, he threw away the bottle and left Infernal alone for a moment. Sol walked over to the soldier as the lesser demon started to feel intimidated now that he got a closer look.

“Wasteful you say?” Sol questioned, staring at him hard. “...you’ll eventually be thankful for letting the hell wolf be healthy throughout this war.”

Moments later, Sol and Infernal left the infirmary, ignoring the scream of agony. It was just a simple burn but Sol admits that his adrenaline was still pumping after fighting around with the dragon. Infernal’s flames were slowly changing back to its original color, his head tilt upward to smell around. It was obvious that the spirit could smell the burning flesh behind them.

Later, both Sol and Infernal found themselves eating food on a table. They weren’t exactly the best kinds of food as Infernal had to keep burning the vegetables to make it bearable for him to eat, but it was enough for them to regain back their energy. Plus, Sol refuse to eat anything on what the demons made. It made him feel inferior.

He had his helmet off as he eats, his facial was now more relaxed than before and his posture was less intimidating. His weapons were off of him too, it’s easier to move his arms around when eating and it didn’t take long when a demon came by.

“Geez, you really carry those two around you? Doesn’t it get sore?” The demon soldier questioned in awe, there being a hint of fear.

“...back then, yes. Now, it feels like it’s just a part of me,” Sol answered after swallowing down his food.

“Wow. And uh...don’t you guys prefer something more...better than a handful of vegetables?” The demon was slowly getting comfortable with them. “We do have something besides the elven food.”

“No, this is fine. Thank you,” Sol replied.

“Ah, suit yourself then. Also, aren’t there more of you?”

The question made Sol pause his eating for a moment, staring at the demon soldier who slowly got nervous. He wasn’t upset about the question but maybe just a bit peeved. “You just reminded me to do something now that I am here. Thank you for that.” He figures once his stomach is full enough, he could report to Ran Tervani on his findings and about the dragons.

 

[MementoDei]

Yullr​

While he was surprised to see the dragon stand up despite its injuries, he was relieved to know it calmed down soon after. It looked as if it was looking for something or someone and he was the first one surprised to hear the beast speak their language. It sounded to him that the dragon was female and, without thinking, a nostalgic smile lit up his expression.

"No, dragoness. Not anymore, at least."

He looked back at Darhan and saw that his grip on Chulainn and his shield had loosened a little. "Darhan, I don't think this dragon wishes the humans nor us any harm."

"For now."

Yullr silently asked the pixies all around them to lend him their strength to finish to close the burning injuries on the Nature dragon's flesh. It was tiring him more than what he thought and it even caused his Family Crest to sting under the strain. He had never healed something as big as a dragon, so he told himself the slight pain he was beginning to feel was to be expected. "Those are really bad burns...I can't believe the spirit from before could be this strong"

"Maybe it was the demon around who gave it that power," Darhan replied, crouching over some burnt marks over the ground. "There are some footsteps along wolf paws. Even if the fire hound was inherently on par with a dragon's power, we have to assume at least some demons are capable of taming spirits at least. Maybe some can even use spiritual magic."

"I don't think any spirit would willingly be bound to someone who brings destruction with them. Spirits don't..."

He left his sentence hanging as he remembered the decision he had taken to spare both Darhan's and Alma's lives. Spirits dissociate from those who bring destruction and would attack those who try to destroy their homes. And yet, that had not happened when he followed the orders of that enemy elf and used the Soulstone. No, something incredibly worse happened. Yullr had unleashed a foul nature to all the spirits around him, brought death to them but a death that gave a horrid life after it. His focus drifted away from his healing spell and the pain on his hand sent him back to Selene's rage as her fur rotted away from her flesh and only her bones remained animated by a bloodthirsty red shine in her hollow eyes. Luckily, the injuries left on the Nature dragon were only superficial. If she wanted to run or fly away now, no pain would stop her.

"Spirits don't do that...", he murmured.

Darhan only sat silently besides him and put a hand over his shoulder. The Guardian looked at the dragon and asked her with a stern voice, "I believe you are healed enough to run away on your own. There's nothing more to fight for here. We're not gonna stay long either, just the time to escort some humans out of here."

Yullr did not have anymore tears to cry with, but the hole he felt being dug onto his chest made it no better as if he was sobbing again. In fact, he wished he could just cry for another night until he was too tired to think of anything, to feel anything for at least a couple of hours.

Late

*****
Ren
​

Relentlessly, she practiced day and night with her crossbow and in a matter of months, her aim had greatly improved. While she still was too shy to actively partake in the Court meetings, she found herself in the good graces of both Kalazar and Morgana, who had begun to see that Ishmael had not been wrong to grant her the honour to become a Commander. Ren had a natural talent for scouting and although she was sent to oversee the situation in the most dangerous corners of Sander, she came back to the capital safe and sound. Ishmael only wanted her to observe the situation, but given how close Behemoth was to its second awakening, the goddess had ordered her to stay and support the humans, shapeshifters and elves who were there.

The capital ruled by the Landar housed at most four hundred people. Mostly warriors and mages of all sorts who had sent their children and their elderly into the green and safety of Elrianode's fortress. Ren had used her magic to appear in a physical form and although she thought to be far from the most noticeable one, many gave her glances at her hair or sometimes at her eyes. She knocked on the Landar residence where the two elven siblings who had kept Behemoth in check lived for the past three decades. A maid answered at the door and nodded at her. Ren nodded back and showed the divine insignia of Ishmael before asking to see the two Irisse twins. The maid frowned a little at her hair, but let her through. Ren almost felt at home in the spacious residence she was now in. It was a great difference in comparison to the disorderly alleys and tightly-knit blocks of homes that made the rest of the village. The maid told her to put the hood of her white cloak her hair and, once Ren had done so, the servant knocked twice over two heavy wooden doors.

Only five seconds later, two imposing Caluso men opened the gates, their clear teal gaze and tanned skin underneath the ample white clothes let Ren see that they had seen more battles under the desert heat than what Ishmael would have liked. Everyone around the room had the same hardened gaze, be it the purple-haired Landar leaders, the dark-haired Caluso men or the two young dark elves sitting at the end of the table. The female elf got up with a long and slim pipe in between her lips. Her forest green downturned eyes almost matched those of other Caluso. Her aquiline nose only enhanced the tenacious aura her athletic and tall figure gave her. Even if her silver hair was hidden underneath a navy blue turban, the feminine style she wore the traditional Caluso warrior clothing was strangely mesmerizing. Ren had trouble believing someone so young could look as imposing as Kalazar in a society that rarely let women sit in positions of power like the end of a table. The other elf looked more timid, but the identical gaze he shared with his sister had some kind of quiet malice behind it.

"You are the warrior the priestess said would come here, I assume," the young girl began, taking another puff of her pipe. She spoke Elrian with only a trace of her native tongue's accent and Ren had more the impression she was replacing it with a Calusian accent. The doors closed behind her with a loud bang and she cleared her throat before speaking with an even voice despite the nervousness that was slowly creeping up in her mind.

"I am. My name is Ren and I assume the priestess has also told all of you the reason of my visit from the Realm of the Gods."

An old Caluso man scoffed. "Bold of you to assume we'd all come to hear the words of any woman."

Ren wished to frown at the comment, but refrained from ruining her reputation for a comment so forgettable. If there was something most Calusians believed was that women were far too emotional and therefore unfit to be warriors nor to sit to take decisions on politics. However, now that she was here, acting submissive would not help her get the attention and respect of any of them. That was certainly not the way the young elven girl had done things to get where she was. She had to try. "Well, I'm sorry to hear that, Sire. The Wind Priestess is quite frankly the only person who could negotiate with Ishmael herself for the protection of your clan even if Behemoth were to awaken. Listening to her words is as valuable as hearing those of the Lady who has you gathered all around this table."

The man was surprised the moment he heard her speak in his language and only clicked his tongue before falling silent. The elven girl smirked and returned to her seat. "Colour me surprised. I did not expect a Celestial to speak so naturally the language of people who barely worship Ishmael. We will continue this meeting in Elrian, however, for we cannot leave anyone in the dark about what will be spoken this evening. Anyone against it?"

The men around her shook their head and, after taking the last puff of her pipe, the elven girl had only to glance at one imposing Caluso men for him to bring her a silver ashtray to throw the burnt tobacco leaves in. "Very well. First of all, introductions are in order. My name is Amaranthia Irisse. Do not mistake me for a Lady. I see all the braves here as my war brothers. As such, they have the freedom of sharing or not their name or their knowledge in your presence. You, however, will have to gain our trust to have the same freedom. You may not lie, refuse my requests, nor hide anything of interest to any of the men here. I can tell right away if you ever attempt something as foul as treachery, Warrior of Ishmael."

-------
​

The meeting had ended well into the night and while Ren was left with mixed feelings. Amaranthia had made her stay after the other men of her personal counsil were gone with the exception of her brother. The harshness of her eyes left place to a glimpse of worry that the moonlight accentuated. Even if the desert nights were supposed to be cool, Ren felt suffocating underneath her cloak. She took it off and unveiled the sleeveless robe, golden bracelets and silver choker she wore underneath it. The elf twins raised an eyebrow at her, but they let her finally be comfortable in the room.

"My apologies. The desert is quite hot for me."

"Are you familiar with our language?", Amaranthia began.

"My centuries of servitude to the Goddess has given me enough time to learn the languages of Elrios."

"How many centuries has it been?" Raicaeth finally said. His voice was calm, yet the silent shine in his eyes left Ren the impression he was as explosive as a Fire Orb.

"I don't see how that is relevant information to you nor your sister."

"Must've been a long time," the teen continued with a small grin that faded as soon as he spoke again. "But you're right. We've been trying for years to reach our home. Would your pals in Resiam be so kind to stop blocking our communication devices?"

"Rai, that's just speculation."

"Yes, speculation that he died trying to confirm. And we both know banner was the head wrapped in."

Ren frowned. "I do not believe it's wise for you to mistrust Resiam at this point. I can assure you they-"

"You can't assure me of nothing but cowardly treason from them. Resiam and the Eldars weakened the power and glory of my home and left a king twenty summers younger than me to lead a war inside and outside of the kingdom. And don't tell me you-!"

"Raicaeth!" Amaranthia hissed. "Control that temper of yours or we might as well all get killed by Behemoth the day it awakens because you were an ass with the warrior who could've made the difference."

The young elf took a deep breath and stood at the corner of the room, where it was the darkest.

"Ren, Warrior of Ishmael, we wish to have some news of our home, the Myrrhian kingdom. Surely someone of your calibre in the Goddess's court knows more about the situation across the continent than we ever could."

She lowered her gaze and clenched her fists.

"The rules I've told you before the sun set still apply under the moonlight, Ren. If you bring bad news, my brother and I must be the first to hear them from your mouth. Our family has protected it since its birth."Amaranthia unveiled her left forearm and Ren could see a small mark carved in mana. It was filled with Yggdrasil's magic. "I do not have the full Family Crest, but this should be proof enough of my right to know the truth."

Ren shook her head. "I get that, but...someone as young as you should not carry that burden."

"We carry the life of the people here as our own father would have carried it. We need to know how the world is like outside for their sake too. Ren, I do not wish to use my magic on you to get the truth out."

The warrior looked at Amaranthia and saw that although she tried to keep her cool, there were more cracks showing. The imposing young Calusian leader was fading and letting through a young elven girl who feared what the truth held. Yet, Ren did not get the feeling that Amaranthia would ever let her go until she knew what had happened to her home. It was perhaps cruel to tell them as much as it would be not to. The warrior took a deep breath. She did not have to get into the details of it. "The Myrrhian kingdom is no more. An army of thousands of demons raided it two nights ago."

While Amaranthia froze in place, Raicaeth got back into the moonlight, his green gaze sinking into hers with shock. "What about the king's Guardian? And the king? Did they survive? Are there any survivors?"

"I do not know."

"No, do not give me that damn answer. We worshipped your goddess and you don't even go protect those who might have fled? Is that how your goddess treats her followers?"

"I understand you're in shock, but we have done what we could. Last time the Court of the goddess reunited, there were still far too many rogue spirits for us to intervene without accelerating the bloodshed."

"But letting a whole kingdom burn wasn't accelerating the bloodshed?" Raicaeth chuckled sadly, "I don't want to hear your sorries, nor your condolences. You let the last bit of family we had die. And nothing you say can ever change that."

He walked out of the room and slammed the door shut. Amaranthia's gaze was still lost into nothing for a long moment before she passed her hands over her face and took a deep breath.

"Please, leave this room immediately, Ren."

The girl's voice was cracking and the warrior simply smiled sadly at her and took silently her leave. Once the doors closed, she returned into her spiritual form and could hear Amaranthia quietly sobbing from the other side of the gates. Her brother had a point, the more she thought about it. Ren could not put it into words, but it reminded her of something she had felt before. Perhaps seen. It was a strange feeling she could not get rid off. She made her way back to Ishmael's kingdom and took a trip to the gardens. It was the place she usually took to reflect on things and, to her surprise, Ishmael herself was there, watering some El Roses although the moon was high in the sky. The goddess turned around and gave her a small nod with half a smile on her face.

"Good evening, goddess."

"Good evening, Ren." Ishmael put the water sprinkler can on the ground and sat on a white bench nearby, facing Ren. "I don't believe your mission is Sander is over, is it?"

The warrior shook her head and felt her chest grow heavy and yet emptier. She shook her head and, without thinking about it, sat to the goddess's side. It would have been something extremely rude under any other circumstances, but Ishmael did not push her back. "No...but I talked with the elven twins and I just have this feeling...this grief after hearing theirs as if it was my own. But I don't know why, it's just growing and clouding all my mind. I didn't want them to know what had happened because...I don't even know why I feel so emotional about it! It doesn't make sense!"

She felt some tears climb to her eyes, but she refused to let them fall.

"Ren, you came to me as a Celestial, did you not?"

The warrior nodded. "Yes, I slowly climbed to become a warrior and...well, now you gave me the biggest honour of my life, but I have never felt this...strongly about anything! This is not a symptom of corruption is it?"

"No, Ren. You may have forgotten it, but although I am the goddess of the El, I am not the absolute goddess of life. You, Morgana, Kalazar and every Celestial, every warrior who serve me are living spirits Elria created. And as such, you all walked the surface of her world as mortal beings before coming to me. You start a new life here and your spirit adapts, but it eventually remembers, bit by bit, the life you led when you lived in Elrios."

Ren took her head in her hands, her tears finally falling over her lap. "Is there any way to stop it, goddess Ishmael? With it, I may not be able to complete the mission you sent me to do. I have lived here long enough to never need such memories..."

"My missions are not absolute, especially not in your case, Ren. You might remember the strongest feelings of your mortal life first, but it's important for all those who serve me to accept fully who they are. Kalazar lived in Sander, long ago, I'll tell him to go."

"I can never apologize for this, goddess Ishmael..."

The goddess put a hand over her shoulder. "You don't need to. I know for some, their lives were not always peaceful. Take the time you need to remember every last detail and embrace it. It's part of you just as the efforts you've constantly made to serve me. If you need someone to talk to, I'd be glad to guide you."

 

[Late]

Ivy
​

The time she was healed, Ivy felt fresh and new, being able to stand properly on her own. She flexed her arm, letting out a sigh. However, as she tries to understand what they were saying, she began to frown at the mentions of the spirit. Suddenly, she was starting to get annoyed after the last word she received.

“Tch, I never asked you to heal me in the first place, I was ready to accept death right there and then. Most beings know when to respect a dragon when they see one. I am rather offended to have one heal me without my consent and the other staring me down like I am some wild beast ready to turn. ...The spirit and the demon are definitely not your average enemies. They are not part of this realm, so I am not surprised if the spirit seems to behave differently. No...what it was doing to me was natural for it,” Ivy grumbled as she recalled back. “A natural hunter who could even find those who are trying to hide... anyways, it is dangerous to know that the demon and its pet is wandering around. Since your healing benefited me, I am willing to repay back a benefit. Just make it quick, I also have humans to protect and guide-“ Ivy cut herself short in slight panic.

Just where did the demon went off to? Ivy took a moment to ignore the elves as she sniffed over the ground and remembered the hole she made right behind her. The nature dragon grumbled to herself as she used her vines to dig into the earth and using her strength the close up the ground. It took her more time than she thought but it got the job done. Afterwards, Ivy did manage to figure out where the demon and the spirit went off.

“To think that ashy scent was familiar. I was stupid to not notice it before,” Ivy growled to herself as she looked across the land. “...they headed towards the elven kingdom from what my nose picked up on. It is definitely best to get moving before something comes at our way...well like I said before, I wish to repay you back for healing me and I guess it’s proper to introduce myself. My name is Ivy, Ivy Stargazer from an organization called Elrianode Keep. We’re simply a bunch of dragons and riders who help those in need and protect the borders of Elrianode city. I don’t know if the elves know much of us since they barely ask for any help and rather keep close to those in their circle,” she huffed. “We do the helping, not the other way around so it will be proper for me to return back the favor. Additionally, we are heading east of this land. We’re trying to get talented inventors out of the demon hands and reach closer to the safety of my home.” She took a short pause after looking over the younger elf. “...we took a glimpse of the kingdom’s destruction. I am sorry for your loss and I apologize that we didn’t do anything about it. It would’ve been too great of a risk to lend our hand and leave the others vulnerable.”

MementoDei

Kili
​

They started to move after their rest and Kili admits that he felt more at ease but not because of the rest. He had a feeling that his dragon was just fine. Lucius had his rest as well and was this time leading the group along with Daniel. Aria was in the skies to do her patrolling and still, nothing out of ordinary.

Despite being all the way at the back, Kili wanted to keep an eye on the stranger, Cedric. He has been watching him during the break and notice how down right fidgety the man is, always looking around with a nervous face and often tugging around his chains to distract himself. There was a moment when Cedric seem fixated on something over the lands but his attention shifted after a minute or so. Kili was suspicious and he wants to get to the bottom of it. Maybe he can ask questions when the next break comes up.

Besides that, Kili was also keeping an eye on Lucius and his dragon. Since the training, Cornelius was starting to grow in size and Kili was sure that he’ll reach the next stage. Lucius was improving as well and his personality was shifting around. He even caught him smiling more often than before, in which is a relief.

“Kili.” Kili looked up to see Aria and Fujin just hovering above. “Fujin said he might of seen something shining just behind us. He wasn’t sure about it though since it could be the sun’s light playing tricks on us.”

“It could be nothing, really...” Fujin mumbled, yet Kili knows that the dragon was lying to himself.

“Hmm...we’ll leave it alone for now but if it comes up again and it’ still at the same distance, I’ll check on it. Continue on your patrol,” Kili said.

As the two left him, Kili was thinking back about the direction that Cedric was focused on before. He spin his staff around absently and carried it around his shoulders. Whatever it was, he was certain it was no friend following them.

 

[MementoDei]

Yullr​

He looked at Ivy with a sad smile and clasped his hands nervously. "Sorry. It was my idea to heal you, I did not mean any disrespect...It's just that..."

The young king did not find in him to continue and he figured that if he had disrespected the dragon by healing her, she would be even more insulted to see him act emotionally. Although his ties with the spiritual world had made him unafraid of many beasts, he had come to the realization that Selene could never be truly replaced. It was motherly figure that he could no longer cling to.

And it was all because I could not keep my word.

"As for our loss, well, I have more than a thousand sorries to say, not you. We know our way through these forests. As the last king of the Myrrh forests, I just ask of you that you keep the humans, our neighbours, safe during their journey. My name is Yullr. Yullr Myrwinn."

Yullr turned around to glance at Darhan, who had dropped his defensive stance, his golden eyes reflecting a complicated emotion he could not yet decipher. The Guardian looked at the dragon and nodded. "Apologies for my attitude, Ivy Stargazer. There are many threats around for me to lower my guard easily around his majesty. I am the King's Guardian, Darhan Irisse."

He took a long pause, looking down for a brief moment with the same sorrowful gaze he had had the night before. "All I can ask of you and the Elrianode keep is that we may be allies if times grow even darker."

Late

 

[Late]

Ivy
​

"Allies, huh..." Ivy repeated and tilts her head slightly. Her eyes focused carefully on both of them, staring at the weapon that Darhan held and studying Yullr's face. Her gaze softened and she let out a heavy sigh. "...I suppose that's fair for you to be cautious, Darhan," she grumbles, accepting his apology. Ivy glanced back at Yullr and hesitantly, a vine from her neck grow out with a yellow lily in its grasp. The vine gave the flower into Yullr's hands, somewhat shoving it to him before reeling back.

"Where are the humans you're traveling with then?" She quickly questioned, starting to slowly stretch out her body. Even though she was healed, she still has a sense of exhaustion in her bones. Her wings opened up to stretch, casting quite a shadow before folding back. Ivy let out an annoyed huff afterward when the friendly spirits around her seem to be getting comfortable. "And what is your destination? I can scout around to make sure there are no enemies nearby, and fight if I need to. If we're heading towards the same direction as the other riders, I'll stay until your group is safe. If not..." she trailed off as she wasn't sure what to do if that was the case. "...I'll figure something out," she mumbled to herself, shaking her head slightly. "Anyways, that is the least I can do. I will not hunt for you for food and a ride in the sky is out of the question. If you want to ask questions, keep it to a minimum of three questions. Any more than that, consider your curiosity ignored for the day. Alright?"

Before any of them could respond, Ivy perked up when she noticed a human showed up to possibly check on the elves. One thing led to another but the three of them managed to explain that Ivy is willing to help in exchange for the healing she received. Of course, after hearing where they were heading, Ivy slight frowned a bit but didn't comment on it. It was the opposite direction for sure and she doesn't want to be too far away from Kili. She almost wanted to say that she'll only stick around for a day but the demon she fought against makes her uneasy to leave the group alone afterward. For now, Ivy sticks to following from the back as the group travel towards the Feita area.

MementoDei

Sol
​

After eating down some food, Sol took his time to rethink a few thoughts that have been running around in his head. He and Infernal were waiting just outside the room where Ran was in, the fire spirit looking up at his master in confusion on what they were waiting for. Sol wasn't in any rush to report to Ran, however, he didn't so much like the demon lord. Or rather, he doesn't like anyone that stands higher than him besides his king.

When he became a netherknight, he swore to follow his king's orders, no matter how heavy or bloody they were. There was a blissful feeling for taking down those who oppose his king, feeling them squirm as death lurks around the corner. The harder the opponents are, the greater the victory is and he loved it. But now it's different. He has a leash around his neck and if he were to disobey at all, the Hellfire bloodline is done for good. There was a handful of things he wanted to do but he needs to be patient. He'll be the good dog he is and when the time is right, his fangs will be ready to pierce.

"Let's just get this over with," Sol hummed quietly, Infernal perking up.

The two walked in and there was a handful of demon glitters listening to Ran talking to them. When Sol walked in, their attention shifted to him, forcing Ran to stop talking and turn around. Sol immediately gave a strange look at Ran's new appearance as Infernal stayed by his side, looking up at his master. "I know I was looking for Ran but I didn't think I would find someone that looks more unpleasant than him," he grumbled, lazily staring over at the soul stone. "I see that you have taken a liking to look like those pathetic humans. Maybe you're more suited to look like that way. Besides that, I am here to report a few things."

 

[MementoDei]

Darhan
​

A part of him did not wish to get Ivy too close to Yullr, but he could control his reflexes from throwing Chulainn again. The Spear wanted revenge, as much as he did, deep down the grief of losing everything just the night before. And yet, his urge to die in bloodshed had faded away, at least from his conscious thoughts. He did not think on fighting waves upon waves of demons until his last breath, and yet every sense and his every move was subtly inclined to avenge the deaths of many and die himself. But he still had one duty and while it could not reconstruct what he had lost, he dared to hope that some of the court was able to flee through a portal. Maybe even Belegor could have sought refuge there. His siblings were in Sander, far away from all of this. Once he made it to the Avariel Mountains, he could contact them.

Anyone or anything to tie his will to fight and survive instead of fighting to the bitter end would be enough. He was still a Guardian. He still would bear his spear pridefully as long as his heart beat. The human who had come to them looked as old as King Dernael before his sudden death. Darhan had help him kill two rabbits on their way back and he roasted their meat over the campfire. While most of the humans had left them on their own before, the scent of meat was enough to make most of them leave their dried meat and bread behind and enjoy a piece of the second rabbit. Some of the humans were a bit more tense knowing that Ivy was nearby and while Yullr was growing more at ease with the dragon, the opposite could be said for the humans. If they had had something to hide, Yullr would have known it right away and yet, the thought of lowering his guard did not fully sit well with him. When he was not regretting letting Alma down, he worried sick about his siblings and if he would be welcome in the Avariel kingdom.

Ivy asked some questions about destination and the humans answered, some looking down, some with forced smiles on their faces. The blonde woman with the odd eyes got a strange wooden instrument and began to monologue something to the dragon, but Ivy quickly interrupted her and told her that she believed their story. The nature dragon closed her eyes with some disinterest, until Yullr and him took a bite of the meat. Then, all the eyes around them stared at them.

"Are things ok?", Darhan asked after he swallowed the first bite.

"Elves can eat meat?" the human elder asked.

"Yes. As well as humans."

"Holy El...", the blonde whispered.

The humans' eyes began to widen, which he found strange. Ivy approached him. "You don't mean to say that you eat humans, do you?"

He frowned. "Of course not, we're not savages. I meant that we eat meat as humans do."

"Well, then you'd better reword what you just said next time around." she mumbled before switching to Elrian, speaking slower so he could understand her pronunciation. It made him realize that he was not talking with elves who could infer his thoughts but rather mortals who could take a literal translation of an elven sentence as something far away from his intent. Elrian had too many words, but he figured people who were for the most part detached from the spiritual realm would need more. He glanced at Yullr and saw him treat some of the dying pixies mixing the weak magic that emanated from the flower with his own. It was a very complicated level of mana manipulation, but one would never think so by how easily he was giving back energy to the pixies around him. Seeing them fly away again, alive and well, brought a small smile to the king's face.

It was a good sign.

"Say, elves," the human elder began as he stretched and almost twisted the loaf of bread in his hands to tear himself a piece. "may we know your names? We are going to be travelling for a while, after all."

Yullr looked at him and Darhan dutifully translated to his king what he had understood. Yullr nodded and pointed at himself, looking at the other humans. "Yullr."

"My name is Darhan."

They all presented themselves. The Elder human was Aurelius, the younger man was Benedict and the woman was Adelaide.

"Yullr and Darhan." Adelaide repeated. "Do your names mean somethin' or is that only a thing bards say to make y'all seem more legendary? Like in the songs of the Spawn of the moonlight and Maiden of Water."

Darhan still had a hard time understanding her fast spoken Elrian and just as he was glancing at Ivy, the younger man that had gone looking for them repeated the question, slower, yet his green gaze was as cold as ever. Ivy seemed oddly interested in the conversation, which made him wonder if she was a younger dragon. He had often thought dragons lived as long or perhaps even longer than elves. There could not be a thing they could not know in that long lifetime. He had an answer for it, but he feared to word it wrong again. He glanced up at Ivy and asked her if she could translate for him. "You're at your second question, but since I'm curious as well, I'll let this one pass."

He squinted at the translation of the question. The young Guardian was surprised that the most legendary of beings in their history did no longer keep a memory of them. He gave a fleeting thought to a possible reality of his situation: he was parts the last bits of history of a whole kingdom. And whatever knowledge he held were the last pieces of Myrrhian legacy there would be left in the world.

His young mind still could not picture a world without any survivors but Yullr and his siblings and so Darhan shrugged that grim thought off. Even if Alma did not escape, Darhan firmly believed she had surely opened a portal to the Avariel Keep. There were surely more survivors in the cold forests at the feet of the Eastern mountains covered by snow and clouds.

"Is it too personal?"

Darhan shook his head. "No, not at all. Our names do have translations in Elrian that take their meaning from what the elven runes represent. I didn't know old legends like Myllrei and Nahrin were also well-known among humans."

Ivy translated his answer for the humans once more. He understood that all of them were entertainers of some sort and Adelaide's voice was only a confirmation as she sang what he supposed to be a verse in Elrian of the oldest of Elven myths he knew about. Benedict looked too sombre to join her, but he apparently played a small string instrument humans called violin. Aurelius did not wish to unpack their stuff until they were out of the forests. Darhan had not seen much beyond some clothing and one of their instruments, but since Benedict had brought with him a Nasod firearm to look for them, he figured they had more than just instruments with them. But that was not of his concern just yet. The moon was rising into the night sky as they all had finished their meal. The humans headed to sleep as Darhan promised to keep a night watch with Yullr and Ivy. The King got closer to him as he watched the spirits he had been healing go back into the protective darkness of the forest.

Ivy had been glancing at Chulainn for some time and once the humans were sleeping soundly. By this time, Yullr was dozing off over his shoulder, tired by the constant healing he had done. Darhan took a cover the humans left for them and put it over Yullr's shoulders. Around this time, Ivy approached him silently to whisper a question that was a tad bit too sensible.

"What is that weapon of yours, Darhan?"

"My spear and my shield."

The dragon huffed softly. "Not a simple spear as far as I'm concerned. It's giving me weird vibes."

"It's an elemental weapon. Enhanced with wind magic. We use different enhancement methods from humans, perhaps it is what makes you believe it has a weird vibe."

The dragon stared at him silently for a moment before averting her gaze. "Fair enough. Elves are as closed-up on their magic as they say."

"Not on all magic," Yullr said, "We are just very careful on some magic since the Nasod Wars."

That piqued Ivy's interest and she looked at him to listen. "Well, you see, since we are closer to the spiritual realm than the great majority of humans, we are technically fit to be closer to the El and extract its power better..."

He gave a small history of how an elven king sought to have servants more reliable than humans to give them more liberties. Since humans aged in the blink of an eye compared to them, Nasods were eventually developed between human workers, elven mages and elven alchemists. Slowly but surely, the humans gained further independence from elves and their society flourished in an unprecedented way.

"But humans eventually took things too far and, since then, we don't wish that our most powerful knowledge gets spread around."

"Very interesting. I never knew that side of history. Was it your kingdom who developed Nasods?"

Yullr looked at Darhan, not remembering much about the names of the pioneers of Nasod technology. "It was a development of all the elven nations except from the forest elves. The Avariel use it more than the rest of us, nowadays."

"Is it a taboo technology?"

Darhan sighed. "For the forest elves, yes. They stick to very...rudimentary lifestyles. They got great healers and scouts, but their nomad lives don't make them much more than that. They're the ones who don't eat meat even if they were starving. As for us, well, we use it sparingly. Mostly for medicine and communications."

"I see. I've never heard of the Avariel. Are they a tribe?"

Yullr looked at Ivy with his brows furrowed. "You haven't met one?"

"I might have been here for a while, but I have not flown with my rider all across Elrios yet."

Darhan nodded. "Humans might have perhaps called them angels. But they are not. Angels are high-ranking celestials. Avariels are winged elves. Ivy, I do not wish to come off as rude, but I thought dragons even outlived us."

"Maybe we do. How long have you two lived for?"

"340 years," Darhan said.

"260 years." Yullr answered with a yawn. "And I think I'm going to bed now. Good night!"

He laid down over the blanket and put another one to cover himself from the night's chill. Ivy looked surprised.

"My, you look quite young and you both are older than me. Closer to immortality than anything other than spirits and Celestials."

Those words brought back the thought of being the last Myrrhian elf in Darhan's mind. He looked at the fire and agreed absent-mindedly. Ivy wondered how, if they were so knowledgeable, their kingdom fell so fast. The Guardian remained silent, finding again in the flames the intoxicating smell of blue flames, feeling in the cold of the night the bitterness and sorrow of Alma's death.

"We might be knowledgeable, but even our best leaders are not immune to madness. And once a king goes mad, bloodshed follows. How can a moribund nation ever hope to face an army?" he muttered before getting up under the pretext of having heard something.

The only noise that truly haunted his mind were Alma's last and unheard words.

*****
Ran Tervani
​

He had been quickly informed of Sol's presence in the town. If it weren't for that, he would have completely forgotten him and the small unit Stirbargen had let him assemble. Their support would be crucial for Stirbargen's rise to power and, as such, crucial for his plan to work. While many refused to see it for now, Ran believed the Hellfire dynasty had no chance of ever rising up again. And while the other demon kings killed each other to claim a closer position to the rebirth of a unified royalty, he would let them. Once they were all dead, there would be no one to step over the smaller noble houses like his.

What Ran did not expect was the short notice which Sol had taken to come to him. He took the comment with a shrug. "I guess that my love for humans made me far more effective than you. Go on with your report, Sol."

Late

 

[MementoDei]

Ren
​

She trained herself with her weapon each day, harder than ever. It was not enough to aim at the heart of the practice if she missed even one shot out of a hundred. What the new warrior liked about the training room is that it had no mirrors; no distractions between her and her duties. Ren had forgotten to count the time she passed transforming her bow into a sword and a shield, stabbing moving and still targets only to leap back, transforming her weapon into a crossbow again and firing a hail of lightning arrows at the heart of her targets.

She had too much momentum this time around. The moment she spun around to fire at the dummy, her solid stance on the floor faltered. Her ankle gave in into the speed she had built up. The arrows fired into a haze of blue dummies, white floor and pale-green lights. Ren dropped on her back, feeling the burn of marble on her skin and an electrifying jolt of pain awaken her to the exhaustion of every inch of her body. She had dropped her weapon and although she figured it could not be far from her reach, Ren did not find the strength to get up. Not yet.

Warms drops of sweat drenched her clothes, sticking them to her skin just as she remained glued to the ground, panting. She stared at the lighting. The green El crystals hung from the white ceiling as if they were drops of rain frozen in time, giving a warm light into what would have otherwise been a dreadfully empty room. She had only seen a rain of light in her dreams, but that light was dreadful; it tore through a stormy sky like arrows aimed at one's heart. Cold and heartless and blind and deaf to her plea as she protected someone from getting hit by it. She had never seen who it was. Still, she always protected that faceless silhouette as the rain poured down and down, stinging and hurting. Ren closed her eyes, clenched her fists; those were dreams. This light was never going to fall over her. Those dreams were not real.


The door opened. Ren opened her eyes again to the countless small crystals that lit the room like chandeliers.

"Ren," Morgana's voice called.

The youngest warrior got up and, out of habit, knelt briefly at her superior, but she quickly got up and simply nodded at the leader of the warriors "Good day, com- I mean, Morgana."

She smiled timidly to hide the mess she had made again, but Morgana's mauve eyes were not cold and judgemental as they usually were. Somewhere in her severe expression and crossed arms was a spark of compassion. The warrior took a deep breath and took out a tissue from a summoning circle. It was said that Morgana wielded a hundred weapons into battle she summoned through those magic circles alone. Only she had achieved that mastery with divine magic.

"For your tears, Ren," she simply said, "I was told that you're remembering your past life as of late. Follow me. I need to show you how to handle it on your own."

Ren took the cotton handkerchief and swept her eyes with it. Indeed, some tears had been building up in the corner of her eyes. Morgana was already walking out of the room, but Ren stayed where she was. She knew she could easily follow Morgana, but just as she irrationally wished to hide the truth from Amaranthia and Raicaeth.

The veteran turned around, frowning slightly. "Come, Ren."

The green-haired warrior shook her head. "I...Our goddess has allowed me to consult her for that. They're only dreams. I-I don't want to bother you with that sort of thing."

The sharp steps of Morgana's sandals echoed within the quiet, breaking it in a tempo that marked the prelude of a storm. Ren instinctively took a step back, lowered her head, but the commander she had for a long time fearfully respected did not bring a storm with her. Only a soothing murmur. "Ren, we are going into a war. And it has been months since we've all last heard of Kalazar. Our goddess is mourning once again and you need to understand that you can't discard your memories as dreams before going to her for guidance."

Morgana summoned a necklace identical to hers into her hands. It was made of the same silver and golden diamond-shaped medallions hung at the centre. One closer to the neck and another one right underneath the clavicle. The stone within Morgana's necklace it was indigo like her hair. The one Ren had worn since she had come here was a pastel green, just like her hair.

"We come from the same place, Ren. You and another forty celestials, including myself, share more or less a common history. Believe me when I tell you that you must follow me. There are things hidden in history long-forgotten in the realm of the living that our goddess has sadly not forgotten."

*****
Belegor Myrlenn
​

The news of the fall of his kingdom reached him within Aevri, the Eastern capital. A deputy had had the courtesy of letting him stay since the day the Child King had exiled him. The boy was too young to have taken the wiser choice of pardonning his rebellion and letting him stay. With a court made of children, the only possible outcome would have been this.

Although two days had passed, Belegor came to the refuge that would have connected the Keep to this safe area. It was the only mourning he could do for his children. This morning marked the third day since the raid. Belegor woke up in the neat chambers he had been given and, unlike his home, the sensors all around the place made the technology in his arm synchronize automatically with his degree of consciousness. He did not have to manually adjust it to move freely his metallic fingers nor to stretch his left arm as naturally as if he had never lost it in the first place.

"Nahir," he called, "Could you recreate a Myrrhian Orchid for me?"

A chime answered, lighting the border between the walls and the ceiling with a light green. "Affirmative. Which variant do you desire?"

"A white one."

The chime repeated itself, this time in a lower tone. "Understood. The time to create an accurate replica is forty minutes. Please await."

The last true Myrrhian warrior shook his head. "Even after all the advancements, they can't make any machine speak naturally."

By the time he was ready, an orchid was waiting for him at the bedside. There was virtually no difference from the real thing, but once he picked it up, that illusion quickly broke. The stem was far too rigid and the petals were frozen perfectly in their blooming shape. It was too perfect to be natural and the fresh fragrance of the real flower was not there. It was a perfect shell of a memory. Barely the kind of flower he would leave to commemorate the death of his people. Any survivors to such a fast raid would have already made their way here.

He always followed the same morning routine. He would wake at dawn, wash, dress, eat a frugal breakfast and get into a single-person flying vehicle to reach the refuge at the heart of the Winter mountains. Aevri was a city in the sky whose buildings reached even higher. Dozens of vehicles like his moved in straight paths, their reflections blinded by the rising copper sun over the mountains. The geometric perfection between the buildings and the cargo vehicles was like the orchid: too perfect. Had the whole town been like that, Belegor would not find himself staring through the transparent moonstone window of the passenger cabin.

What drew his eyes in were the Avariel whose wings were armoured with metal, their red capes flying over the wind as they made their way through with a chaotic ease that almost looked out of place in such a perfectly ordered town. Some laughter and fragments of dozens of conversations filtered in, all overflowing with the imperfections that made nature welcoming. However, the more he got away from the capital, the more vehicles they were, flying monotonously across peaks of rock, sometimes of snow. The quiet would be reassuring if he could hear the sounds of nature. But he had no wings and the cold at the feet of the mountains was already enough to kill a dark elf that did not make it before nightfall to the human citadel.

As soon as he thought about it, Belegor glanced down and saw the citadel of grey stone castles down, the humans that inhabited it seemed smaller than ants from where he was. Belegor tried to remember the name of the first human citadel and it took him a good minute to finally get it. The Kingdom of Feita. He glanced down again only to see that the city was gone. Only the tall purple pines remained. They filled the horizon like a sea, with waves frozen in time crashing into abrupt peaks of stone they could never fully cover. The succession of three melodic chimes took Belegor away from his thoughts.

"Incoming call from deputy Camael."

"I'll take the call, Nahir."

"Good morning, Duke Myrlenn. I hope you have been doing well."

Belegor could not help to frown at the nasally voice of Camael. It made everything he said seem condescending. "I have, deputy. All thanks to your hospitality."

"I'm glad to hear it. Duke, I have heard you are quite well-versed in alchemy. More specifically crystal alchemy."

"I am," he said, staring at the circle of green light in front of him with his brows furrowed, "Is my knowledge needed by the Senate?"

"Yes and I'm afraid it is an urgent matter. I will have to remotely redirect your course to the Altar of Dedication."

"Alright," the duke said bitterly, "Tell me exactly what you expect me to do while you take me there."

-------​

Once he had landed on top of the Altar of Dedication, he was guided by a unit of warriors down the tower into underground levels he had only heard in old legends. The last floor was a cave of green crystals that grew as sharp as spears over a high ceiling made of the same material. At the centre, the chief of the senate, Chancellor Cassiel Muzania spoke quietly with what he assumed to be alchemists and mages. He walked towards them only to notice the greatest puzzle he had ever seen. The statue of crystals that stood there emanated magic he had never seen before. Yet that was not what took his wonder completely.

The statue was in fact the body of a green-haired woman whose body had been impaled countless times by the same shards that hung all over the cave's ceiling. It was as if the crystals had frozen her body in the youth of her late teens, her face had still fearful tears streaming down her face, but her closed eyes gave her the serene look of a martyr. What she seemed to protect at the cost of her life was no longer there, but whatever it had been, a single rose of El crystals bloomed there instead.

Muzania glanced at him. "Oh, you are here earlier than I expected duke," He reached for a handshake and Belegor gave his hand, "It has been a while since we last saw face to face. We don't have reasons to believe the demons could have taken the Soulstone, but we are preparing for the worst-case scenario. We'll need you onboard to figure out the way to unleash the power of the Crystal Maiden."

 

[Phant0m]

Amontillado
​

The incubus had sequestered himself into his lab as the war preparations continued. He absentmindedly mixed the same chemicals over and over, making something completely benign and useless but not finding the energy or motivation to actually make a new poison. He had a notebook beside him, and the page that he had been ignoring for the past amount of days or weeks or whatever, the writing began as neat, organized, full of depth and then devolving into scribbling and half-measures. Mother at least did not check in on him, so Amon did not have to be vigilant with trying to be convincing enough to lie, but it wasn't much of a good thing either.

"What are you doing?" Loreley demanded as she entered the lab without permission.

"Get out of my lab Loreley," He answered.

The Priestess ignored him, inspecting the lab that was becoming more chaotic as time went on. She scowled before she faced Amontillado and proceeded to let her eyes wander over his appearance.

"Amon, you look like shit."

"Great, I'm accomplishing my goal."

"Have you been sleeping? Eating?"

"No!" Amon slammed the beakers onto the counter, one of them cracking enough to let its contents leak. He stood. "Of course I haven't slept or ate, I fucking murdered my brother!" He stalked off to a random mess of beakers tossed about, sifting through them.

"Keep your voice down!" Loreley hissed.

"Or what? Mother will find out who actually committed the crime?"

Loreley glared at him. "If you keep acting like this, you're going to ruin the plan-"

"A plan that I never wanted to be a part of, but you were just so desperate for my help. I should've just followed Anrea when I had the chance."

"What's stopping you from betraying us now?"

Amon paused. "Are you so stupid that you didn't see that we already betrayed Mother? Huh, Loreley?" He glared over his shoulder. "Or are you so far in the pile of bullshit that is this plan that you still think this is right?" He returned to going through the beakers. "Get out of my lab, I'm not saying it again."

"This is going to save her in the end, Amon," Loreley argued, "I-we have to believe in that-"

Amontillado threw a beaker at her. He missed, unfortunately, but it finally got Loreley's attention. He unsheathed one of his daggers and pointed it at Loreley. "Get. Out."

She lifted her chin. "Fine." She stormed to the door and quickly paused. "Mother wouldn't like that you disobeyed her, I'll make sure of it." And she slammed the door behind her.

Amon scoffed before busying himself once more. So what if she decided to send Mother after him? She already orchestrated the death one brother...Amon paused once more. He'll be damned that she'll orchestrate another death of a sibling. The blood is on her hands as much as his, but Amon isn't going to accept the staining of his fingers any longer. He ceased the mindless task and he started a flame with one of the burner he had, grabbing a pair of tongs he used them to pick up his notebook and set it aflame, and he was slowly mesmerized by the blue flames purging his work. Later that day, the goddess entered his lab just as he was staring at his unsheathed daggers and the silver serpent armband atop the counter.

"Have you gathered the followers like I asked?" Xiopetec questioned upon seeing the incubus slouched at his work space.

His posture stiffened. "No, Mother. I haven't."

"Why not?"

Upon his silence, the goddess walked over to where he sat. She grabbed his face, forcing him to look upon her face, and he took note that her scythes were sheathed behind her shoulders.

"By me, you look awful," Xiopetec whispered as she examined his face, "Have you been sleeping? Are you having another sex withdrawal?"

"No, Mother," Amon choked out and beneath her hands he started to tremble, "I have done something terribly, terribly wrong."

"What happened?"

He started to cry. "Mother I'm terrified to tell you."

The goddess winced at the statement, her eyebrows furrowing farther on her face as she leaned closer, rubbing her thumbs on his cheeks to wipe the tears. "Amon, my little Alchemist," she tried to keep her voice level, "you don't need to be afraid to talk to me."

"You won't forgive me...but I. I can't just keep this to myself and.."

"Judgement will be passed. Confess to your Mother and the consequences will suit the crime." She grabbed his upper arms firmly, a grounding gesture as she stared into his eyes. "Confess child, set yourself free."

Amon grasped her forearms, her elbows really and his expression was imploring.

"I...I was the one who killed Lynk." And then it was like the gates were released: his whimpers grew into sobs as words started to pour past his lips. "He drank the tea that morning and I poisoned him. I triggered it, I was so stupid thinking for a second that it was the right thing to do and-and Mother I can't keep lying to you like this. I can't and I don't want to keep this charade up, it's poisoning my mind and my soul and I'm-I...I..." He clenched his eyes shut and bowed his head onto Xio's chest. "I damned myself and I need to pay."

The goddess posture was stiff, and Amon slowly felt her pull him into an embrace.

"Thank you for confessing, child," Xio soothed into his ear as she slowly rubbed his back.

"Mother I'm so sorry, I'm so so sorry."

"I know." She kissed his temple, moving a hand out of the embrace. "Your grief and guilt is genuine but your crime is great." Amontillado heard a familiar whistle of a blade being swung through the air, and felt a pressure go through his core. Then the pain registered.

He gasped for breath, clinging to his mother. "Muuh-uh-uh"

The goddess shushed him. "I love you Amontillado, my first son. Although you will never find peace beyond," she paused and closed her eyes, "Take comfort in your last moments that you have released a burden on yourself."

She buried more of her scythe's blade through his chest, scratching its tip against her own. A fuchsia glow illuminated the scythe's blade as Amontillado writhed once, gave a wheeze before coughing up patches of blood. When Xiopetec couldn't take anymore of the pained pleas, she yanked the scythe out of his chest and driving the blade true underneath his chin and until she saw it peek through his scalp.

Xiopetec slowly removed the bloodied from his body,, seeing the flickering line of a soul stuck in-between death and afterlife trapped on the blade's surface.She gently twirled the line around the blade, muttering something under her breath as the tether flickered once more before sinking into the blade. The blade gave a flash of yellow before returning to its obsidian color.

She stared at the scythe before sheathing it once more. She looked at Amon's corpse and she blinked furiously, lifting the body in a bridal fashion and slowly leaving the manor.

Once she finally found herself a decent distance away, she fell to her knees, and wailed into Amon's chest. And she cursed Ishmael's name for taking another child from her.

 

[Late]

Sol ​

Sol bit back his growl at Ran's comment, glaring at him for a couple of seconds before closing his eyes and letting out a heavy sigh. "...the small town, Ironforge, has been raided multiple times and we were just close to finishing up. Unfortunately, they managed to call for help and a group of dragons interrupted our mission. The glitter soldiers that were given to me died rather quickly and proven to be useless against beasts and their masters. However, we weren't in the fight. And by we, I mean myself and my nephews, along with Infernal and a lost individual we ran into. I rather not go into details about this man we found but if you are concerned, he is practically harmless and easy to control order. Anyways, the riders never found us and days later, they have organized an escape with the whole townspeople. They are fleeing towards the east side of the land as we speak and I have sent my nephews to follow them. At this moment, they are tagging along behind the humans. Besides that, I followed a heavy trail and fought against one of the dragons who was hiding away the humans' creations. As you can see, we are still standing," Sol grumbled, lifting up the new nasod gauntlet on his left arm. "The dragon is left to die and now, here we are. I do believe those humans are at least valuable to us for advanced weaponry, something that can give us strength in muscles rather than numbers. Nixon already tested their equipment on his own and it was satisfying to know that his accuracy is now flawless and difficult to dodge around. If we at least kept a few apes with us, I am certain we can squeeze blueprints out of them and end their misery when we have enough. I just only worry about the dragons and how large their organization is. Also..." Sol glanced over at Infernal.

"Infernal ran into two elves in the forest. A young kid and I believe the other was a young adult. I wasn't sure if you intentionally let them live but it wasn't any of my business to deal with them. I figured to let you know about that. ...I believe that's all," Sol sighed, holding back one small detail. Even Infernal seems a bit confused by this since he knows that there was something else but the wolf simply glanced at his master. Sol didn't want to reveal about one of the riders being a possible demon. He wasn't sure why. It was probably not important and that their assumptions were wrong. If they were right, however, maybe it was the best call to make. Sol doesn't trust Ran at all to know how to deal with that small information. "I suppose I am ready to hear your next plan of action here in Elrios. I am going to assume your king gave new instructions to follow. Unless we are heading back to our realm?"

MementoDei

Aria
​

"It showed up again."

Aria stared at Kili as he was thinking to himself, trying to come up with the best possible solution for this strange occurrence of a shining glint following them. On land, Aria can't really see anyone from the distance so seeing such reflected light was only possible in sky. She was actually quite eager to do something more than patrolling around and traveling with the people. Not to mention, Aria was a bit tired of her dragon constantly getting distracted by dropping a word or two to Cornelius. Not like she mind talking to Lucius for a bit, he was becoming a bit more easy to talk with, but Aria is very aware of Fujin's interest. There were a time and place for everything but now is not a good time.

"From the pace we are moving, I would say that we covered at least an eighth of our travels," Kili started to say after a couple of seconds of silence. "I want to say that it is risky to send you back there to investigate when we aren't at least halfway there but if we don't deal with it sooner, it can become a big issue later on. I would go but the protection of these people here are a priority and if I were to be injured, their survival through this travel will be lowered."

"Yeah, that seems about right," Aria hummed after watching one man tripping over a rock.

"...I am going to trust you on this Aria. Go investigate but if its anything dangerous, please return back to me. Go ahead and tell Lucius to take the skies. If anything goes wrong, he can at least tell me of the dangers if you are unable to come back," Kili decided. "But again, be careful, please."

"I will, 'dad'," Aria teased, lightly making fun of his worrying tone before flying away to talk to Lucius up ahead.

When she landed close by, Aria noticed that Lucius was walking by foot this time around. He was fixated on the boy, Salt she believed, and the strange item that he was showing off in his hands. Lucius and the boy both glanced up when she approached them, Cornelius minding his own business.

"Oh, its you," the boy said to Aria, looking up at her.

"Yeah, how you doing, Salt?" Aria asked in a monotone voice.

"It's Salvator..." the boy huffed, glaring at her.

"Alright, Sal."

"SalVATOR."

"D-did something happen?" Lucius asked, interrupting the two. He gave her a light smile and Aria swore her heart gave some sort of squeeze. She doesn't say it but she really likes it when he smiles.

Aria had to look away with an upset look. "Yeah, why else would I be here?" She replied hastily. "The damn light is still following us and Kili is sending me back there to investigate. He wants you up in the sky, just to look after for me if anything happens. Not like I need it, mind you, but Kili likes to take precautions."

"Of course, that makes sense," Lucius sighed. "Oh uh...you can show me how it works, next time, Salvator."

The boy gave his shoulders a small shrug as if he didn't care too much about it but there was a glint of his eyes as if he was looking forward to showing Lucius whatever his toy can do. Salvator walks away to be with his father and Lucius hopped on his dragon. Seconds later, they were both in the sky and Aria looked over at him. Cornelius was obviously better at flying and the two were more relaxed compared to their first time traveling. It also just occurred that Cornelius seems to be growing a bit more at a faster rate than she expected. Lucius' improvements likely affected his growth and it almost seems like Cornelius will be bigger than Fujin. That'll be surely a strange thing to witness but Aria couldn't see Fujin complain too much about it.

"Just, be careful," Lucius said to her, having a small worried expression. Aria would roll her eyes at this since Kili said the same thing to her but seeing that Lucius was now worried for her safety was different. She really couldn't bring herself to say anything in return but a nod.

Both her and Fujin fly off to the rear, leaving Lucius to patrol around the skies. They could still see the glimmering light but once Fujin started to descend, the light went out like fire. Fujin landed back down on the hard ground and Aria took her time inspecting her surroundings. She took in a deep breathe and got off her dragon, pulling out her weapon and holding it close to her in defense. Nothing seemed out of ordinary and she couldn't really find any creature or shiny objects when she checked around. However, she has to say that there was something very strange about this. Like, there was something missing to make this area to be completely ordinary.

"...hey, Aria, you hear that?" Fujin grumbled, standing still for a moment.

Aria standstill as well and strain herself to listen carefully but that was just it. There was no sound at all around them. No bird calls, crickets chirping, and the wind seems to die out once Fujin landed. Just only them and their beating hearts. Right away, it made her nervous and slowly, she could feel the atmosphere was getting thick.

"...Fujin..!" She started to say in panic and it wasn't long when an explosion of fire burst into the opening,

Out of nowhere, a demon appeared in flames, smashing down into the ground and sending back Aria a couple of feet. The flames scattered out like blades and Fujin let out a snarl in panic, jumping back as the fire burned some of his furs. Aria scrambled to get her footing right, holding her axe firm in her hands. The demon was truly demonic, something she never saw before and she could feel the heat from where she stands. The fire burned the nearby grass into instant ash and the ground below the demon are blackened. It was levitating above the ground by a few inches and swinging around its chains. From the way it's behaving now, it looked to be very comfortable of the situation, casually swinging the chain of which there was a medium-size blade attached to its end and having its glowing white eyes set on her. Just from the moment of power, the demon was radiating, it almost feels like she was surrounded by fire.

"...trēs, duo, ūnus..." The demon said, glancing over behind her.

Aria felt the hair on the back of her head rising and she quickly rolled to the side to avoid huge wave attack of energy. Fujin followed suit as well but he grimaced and reeled back his head in pain and Aria eventually felt pain in her eardrums. She took the chance to see who just attacked and was baffled to see someone stepping out of the tall grass that was probably a quarter-mile away, maybe less but still, the range of the attack was too impressive to ignore. This demon was different compared to the other one but was likely as strong.

From the look of things, she could tell that the one on fire was melee as the other was ranged. Aria couldn't see any obvious weapons from the white-haired one, or rather, she didn't have that much of a chance to. The fire demon already made its move after the sound wave attack and just by sensing how hot it became, Aria managed to duck down to avoid the incoming blade that was swung horizontally and swung her axe from below. However, it was hard to get the job done since she feels like she was standing right next to lava. It was a solid hit and it pushed the fire demon away from her and she was certain that the tips of her hair were burned from the close attack. The fire demon stumbled away as if it wasn't expecting a hit and Aria swung her axe once again to send a burst of wind. Fujin quickly aided her with the wind attack and the fire demon was even more confused by this but the other one was rather annoyed and gestured his arms around with its hand giving off a faint glow. Minerals picked up from the ground, giving off a glint under the sunlight and formed together into crystallized shards. Just as quickly they were formed, they lunged towards Aria and Fujin. Aria was able to destroy a few before they hit her and Fujin and even tried to avoid them around but they seem to have a mind of their own and had a few striking into her leg and back. Thanks to her armor, the damage wasn't so serious on the back but she could tell that they nearly broke through the metal. As for her leg, it wasn't as well protected and she hissed angrily. The shards that struck eventually exploded away and reform once again to chase for Fujin. The wind dragon was quick enough to use his strong wings and speed to blow them back.

After that, Aria knew that she could not handle these two. She didn't give it a second thought to jump for her dragon but the fire demon was quick to notice what she was trying to do and dashed forward. It pushed the two apart by force and certain areas on Aria's arm was starting to hurt from the heat. Fujin reeled away with a roar and began to open up his wings once again. The fire demon start to target the dragon at a menacing pace, swinging the chains in both of his hands and Aria felt a surge of anger.

"I won't let you!" Aria roared at the demon, getting back on her feet immediately.

She ignored the other one and lunged towards the fire demon, having no fear and it was surprised to see her getting up so fast that it wasn't able to avoid the direct hit that sent it flying into the air. In reaction, Fujin moved around swiftly to smack the demon into the ground at a distance away with his tail. It left the demon stunned for a good moment and plus, the demon's head was stuck in the ground. It was very much alive as it tried to make some sense of where it was but the flames surrounding it died out and it looks like it was just reverted into its normal state, skin and all.

The other demon already attacked Aria and it was dumbfolded to see her still moving after going for her legs. It began to shout in its language at the other demon who was stuck and began forming more crystal shards. The pain hasn't registered to Aria and she could try to fight the second demon but she doesn't want to take such chance and already Fujin started to shield around her as she tried to get on him. Once she managed to get a secured grip on him, Fujin started to rise into the air and hiss as he was enduring the shard attacks. For a moment, Aria thought it was a bit too much for Fujin to handle, even his wings were getting battered up. Right when she thought they'll fall back to the ground, she heard Cornelius' roar and spotted the white dragon diving in with his wings wide open to shield away any more ranged attacks. Cornelius' scales and wings were much tougher compare to Fujin's and she was glad for such shield. Lucius had his sword out as if he was ready to fight if needed to but the demon suddenly stops attacking.

"Aria, flee if you can! I'll try to protect you!" Lucius yelled to her and Aria nodded. She shakily humbled around with the belts she was hanging onto, her legs were starting to feel heavy with pain as she moved them around.

Cornelius didn't make any move to engage on the demon but the sudden loss of sound around the area put Aria in a panic once again. "No, wait!" She cried out, yanking Fujin to lower her down. Fujin was confused by this and his flight became messy, nearly falling back to the ground. Aria was first to hit the ground before Fujin, doing her best to ignore the fact that she was bleeding on one of her legs.

Lucius gave a confused look on why she got back down and his eyes widen when the fire demon managed to pull itself out of the ground. But that wasn't Aria's concern. She could see it now, the weapon that the white-hair demon was using. It was for sure, advance technology and it seems to be based on sound and energy waves from the way she couldn't even hear herself panting and how heavy the atmosphere was. Lucius began to notice this and it would be too late for him to act. That's why Aria had to do something to stop the attack.

With the last bits energy she had left, Aria lunged towards the demon as it began to widen its eyes in alarm. It was so focused on gathering the energy around them that it couldn't really dodge away from her attack as it must stay still. Aria swings her axe down to release an explosion of wind energy and right at the moment, the demon was finished with its attack. The combination of the wind and soundwave explosion was so much that it literally sent the two flying at a great distance. Aria was in shock by this and didn't even have a chance to register what just happened as the world seem to be spinning around her. Her ears were ringing and she swore she could hear someone calling out her name. One thing for sure, she didn't let go of her axe and before losing consciousness, she grumbled a prayer. Then everything went dark.



Aria wasn't sure how long she was out but when she was aware that she was alive, she woke up with a sharp inhale. Everything around her was so dark, and eventually, she realized that she was in a tree, tangled in vines. She does not have the slightest clue of how far away she was from the group since everything was so dark. Eventually, she looked up and saw that it was night time. Panic was pumping her heart and she realized that her weapon wasn't with her this time around. Just her and vines. When she tried to move her legs, she let out a weak whimper as they protest in pain. If she were to survive at all in this situation, the first step was to be on the ground. Luckily, she does have a pocket knife on her belt, a small gift from her father. Aria took her time to reach over for it, fighting against the vines that held her arms away and slowly, but surely, started to plan out a way to get onto the ground, safely.

 

[MementoDei]

Vaaris Eldar
​

The coming of winter brought the smell of salt even to the White Citadel. It was no longer a fresh smell of summer, but a sudden reminder that the sharp, humid cold of winter was coming. He had heard about the massacre that had ended his kingdom. It was the mistake that was on everyone's lips and it was the one thing he had never considered coming. The demons had never gone far from where their portals could be easily opened. Behemoth's Canyon and Fahrman's Peak; those places were far from home.

Those thoughts had interrupted his sleep and there was certainly no way of coming back to it. The warmth of shared bed sheets only made his rest slip further away from his mind. Vaaris opened his eyes to the deep blue that came before the dawn. The pristine buildings that shone under the sun seemed to hide their splendor under a veil of darkness.

The silence was almost eerie, isolating.

He sat down on his side of the bed and grimaced as he felt that the woman who forced marriage on him turned around.

"You've gotten up awfully early, Vaaris. What's wrong?", she mumbled.

"Nothing, woman." He coldly answered, getting up hastily to begin his day. He heard in the distance the sudden accusations she often came up with. It always turned around him being heartless, a playboy of some sort that broke her heart. He had tried to talk to her, but there was nothing worse than a stubborn woman leading a household.

Of course, what the woman lacked in common sense in relationships, she made up for it in the maintenance of a rich and almost extravagant lifestyle built mostly on her family's military achievements though he had to admit she was an stellar fighter. Not quite on the level of Belegor Myrlenn nor the Tovaris but, for a woman, she deserved her ranking as captain within the navy.

On his way downstairs, he caught a maid's attention and ordered her to prepare the bath for him. The mixed-blood blinked a couple of times and bowed. "Sorry, Lord, I...I do not understand the Great Language."

Vaaris rolled his eyes with a sigh. "Forget it. Just learn faster, girl. You have only a tiny lifespan ahead of you."

The mixed-blood nodded and rushed away, leaving him alone in one of the four living rooms of his wife's property. Rare artworks hung from the walls, some including portraits of some of the family's most notable ancestors. Above the fireplace hung the least imposing oil painting of all: a portrait of Silowen Eldar. Or rather a portrait of her maiden days as Silowen Irlafin. Nominated High Priestess of Ishmael's Church at seventeen and known for her wits that were almost the equal of her looks back then.

The only reassurance he had was that, up until her death, his mother had vehemently refused the aberration of a marriage he was now in. What would be a simple diplomatic matter settled by the patriarchs of the households became a matter of standing to the side, watching as women pretended to be as wise and level-headed in the matters of the state. Vaaris looked at the first rays of sunlight taint the ocean with rust. He could not see the busy docks nor the neighbouring commercial district, but he envied the relative freedom men of the lower classes could enjoy.

Here, a man who did not pretend to bow his will and heart completely to a woman was as despicably immoral as...almost as murder, he thought. It had barely been thirty-five winters since he had been here, only ten since his marriage. Every single sunrise of inaction made him grow impatient.

At least his brother had escaped. He had helped him find a way to forge papers of ownership and family records. It was a risky move,in a normal society, but just as no one paid a serious thought to the absence of gossipy women in Myrrhian courts, Resiam’s matrons gave little thought to his “tours” of the town. Wherever Nurelth was now, Vaaris only hoped that he had not decided to go back nor go somewhere else. The safest place in Elrios was Resiam, as much as he hated to admit it.

The rushed pace of low heels echoed through the open room. He did not need to turn around for the fake compassionate voice of his wife to begin her monologue. Five more winters like this, he thought, and he would memorize everything Ers Irlafin ever had to say in any given situation.

“Good morning, love.”

“Good morning.”, he replied as he wondered if she was either going to begin by doing small talk or repeat something he already knew. Maybe, for a change, he would be firm and make her see that her normality was nothing but foolishness. Instead, he got almost something different.

“I’m sorry for what happened there. We should have respected the Old Oath from the beginning...even if it might have angered the goddess.”

Vaaris squinted at her. Ishmael was the goddess of life. Whatever life was given to her, whatever life lived, she would not dare to end. That was the work of Xiopetec.

“And if you had angered the goddess, you would only have to get another El Lady. What the goddess of the El lets live, she cannot kill. That is the principle in her teachings.”

Ers sat down with a sigh. “That’s what you would think, given where you were born…”

“I thought you had more sympathy for Myrrh than that. Were your condolences empty?”

Her emerald green eyes, so similar to his, ignited with anger. “They’re not and you know it! By the El, why did your heart become ice when we united the family again?”

That was his chance.

“No noble should be forced into marrying a cousin. Nobody marries a cousin.”

Ers scoffed. “Well, if by nobody you mean no one in Myrrh, then yes, you’re right. But this is the Resiam Empire. We’ve had to protect humans for six generations now and a good part of our blood decided to dilute itself. It’s not like we have any choice.”

‘I can see why, given how you treat any capable man’, Vaaris thought. He could give her the chance to continue and lose her petty argument, but he would rather use this in his advantage. “I see, Ers. I had no idea some elves decided to lose their pride as pure-bloods. It’s incredible that men at the time could not see the error they were committing.”

She smiled with that annoying side smile that tried to be a seductive smug. “Yeah, well, that’s why we came to treasure good men like you a lot...”

Vaaris stopped himself from from telling her that she was sick. She had passed through another wave of anger. He could come back at the important information he had never truly uncovered before. “I’m glad it’s the case. You were telling me about Ishmael’s anger before. Tell me more about Resiam’s wonderful history, Ers.”

"Well, it begins with the love between a naiad and a druid a long time ago.", she began as if she was telling a tale to a child.

"I know the story. The naiad loves a druid but their...clans are at war and she freezes the sea to stop it from destroying the land of her beloved."

Although he replied as calmly as he could, Ers did not take that very well. "But you're missing the most important part!"

He nodded as she continued the local retelling of the story. The naiad was one of the first worshippers of Ishmael and the goddess lent her the strength to freeze the sea. In both stories, the naiad dies after she saves the land. But in the Resiam retelling, Ishmael sees her sacrifice and decides to strike the king of the sea who ordered the attack. He had supposedly said that he would listen to her, but since he did not, she turned him to atoms along the rest of those who were faithful to him.

"And the whole story is true. Ishmael made a beautiful grave for the naiad and left her as the protector of the Land. That is the Siren's Heart."

Vaaris raised an eyebrow, "What was the name of that naiad?"

"Well back then they all had weird names, so hers was Morgana Weiss. And the Imperial Guard has guarded her grave ever since we became an empire in the first place."

*****
Nurelth Eldar
​

He was up before sunlight and opened his store when the ocean was tainting itself with the saffran reflexion of the rising sun. For the past thirteen winters, he had found himself thinking more positively. Even if it was hard in the aftermath of what had happened, Nurelth saw in Resiam’s safety a natural point for the survivors to flock to. As a Myrrhian himself, he would offer them any help he could. While Rheila was doubtful anyone would make it this far, he could not picture Ylra staying in Sander after the King Dernael ordered for so many heads to roll. It was the opposite from what the Irisse would ever stand for. Specially when he was the family’s head.

He had unlocked the door to his apothecary shop as he was thinking again on his home. Just as he got behind the counter, the bell dinged. He turned around with a smile. “Good morning…”
The first client of the day was a priestess of Ishmael’s church. It was not only an unusual client in his store, but in the commercial district as a whole. The white hooded priestess either came in groups of four or not at all.

Yet there was this green-haired priestess standing in front of him. She remained silent, standing as straight as a soldier and although everything seemed off about her, Nurelth knew better than provoke the danger that he had right in front of him. He had a Nasod rifle under the counter if things turned ugly, but he hoped with all his heart he would not have to even reach silently for it.

“Is there anything I can do for you, ma’am?”

“Nurelth Eldar. Why would someone with ties to the extremist faction of Xiopetec’s followers seek refuge within the most devout civilization of Ishmael’s Church?”

The woman took her hood down, revealing to be a young girl around Alma’s age. Green-haired humans could only be half-bloods of forest elves, yet the girl’s normal ears and grey eyes contradicted that. She was a complete alien looking at him accusingly. He could not lie to her. She was hiding her hands within her ample clothing and it was more than likely that she would unsheath a weapon faster than he could fire at her. For now.

Now, more than ever, he could not die. Not only for Rheila, but also for their daughter Lara.

“I had ties with the extremists, yes. But not anymore. I have nothing but gratitude towards the goddess now.”

The outworldly young woman took a step towards him. She still seemed predatory, but the closer she came to him, the more he noticed small marks of a troubled mind over her face; tiredness in her eyes, strands of hair uncombed and cheekbones marked by hunger.

“And yet you aided them bring an army to your kingdom’s doors by infiltrating Resiam to steal something that should never fall in demonic hands.”

“If I had chosen the life of a thief, it would be stupid to think that being an apothecary would be a good cover. Not only because the small noble houses, the guards, the merchants and all the other sorts of people I treat get to remember my face faster, but also because it doesn’t leave me a lot of time to carefully plan a theft so elaborate as to steal something that valuable.”

The girl stared at him for a long moment before sighing. She took her hands finally out of her sleeves only to slam them in frustration over his counter. “Damn this investigation. I can’t fail again!”

Nurelth put a hand over her shoulder. “It’s not because you missed the culprit once that you failed. I’m willing to tell you what I know, but behind closed doors. Would you join me for some tea? You clearly need some rest.”

She jerked back and frowned at him. “A warrior of-”. She stopped herself and rubbed her temples. “Nevermind. I...I’ll accept your offer.”

------​

Although the invigorating tea he had given her would never replace the benefits of a real meal, the female warrior looked calmer. She asked him if he knew of the Naiad's Heart.

“I’ve heard the legends about it.”

She stared at him silently for a long time and nodded. "Not enough to be the thief, now I'm sure about that."

"I can never be a thief. It's not that I would not like to, sometimes, but it is physically impossible."

The warrior raised an eyebrow. "Nonsense."

"But it is true!" He took out of a table drawer a hologram of his daughter sleeping in her mother's arms. "When I look at my adorable little girl, any criminal thoughts vanish in an instant. It's a physical reaction. It's a temporary selective amnesia. A very serious spiritual condition from which there is no cure. I'm telling you, Miss. Ren. My spirit physically cannot keep a thought for crimes."

The warrior smiled. "She's adorable...what's her name?"

"Lara."

"The nymph." the woman mused.

He nodded although he was intrigued by how well the woman knew the myths of the Northern Forests. Even among the Avariel, the meaning behind the name was in a single book, almost forgotten by all that looked at the most popular myths and the history of the kingdom. The more he observed her, the more of a mystery she became.

They continued to talk about the Naiad's heart and, of course, she eventually asked him if he knew Zephyr's whereabouts.

"Last time I saw him was twenty-four winters ago. He wanted me to prove my worth as a member of his little sect by infiltrating the Imperial Castle. I refused, of course and he left me be. Had I been anywhere but here, I'm sure I would not be breathing now."

"Why were you part of his movement in the first place?"

"Every teenager wants to fit in somewhere even if it's stupid or dangerous. I outgrew that phase of my life. And I'm better off that way."

****
Ran Tervani
​

He listened to Sol's report stoically. While the silence that preceded the end of his report was very suspicious, Ran thought it would be wiser to send a man closer to him to investigate the matter. "The commanders before you should have cut Ironforge's communications. You should not have needed elite forces to deal with dragon riders, but it is useless to woe about it now."

Ran looked at the Elrios map he had laid down on the wooden table in front of him and took the wooden rectangle that represented Ironforge. "You said they're heading east. That leaves three possible destinations on their path. Two of which would refuse any refugees, let alone stand by as dragons approach." he put the block over a town named Elrianode. "Which leaves only this town as their destination. The longest travel and the most perilous one. That makes the dragon riders either reckless or part of the elite and I'd rather assume the latter, given how your familiar came here."

He looked at Sol, "I hope, for your nephews' sake, that they are at least on your combat level. I have let one of my men take the command of Behemoth's awakening. The deserts are treacherous even for the local warrior tribes. The only chance of attack we have is there. Attacking anywhere else would attract too much attention. Even if the populace doesn't have their weapons with them, letting them reach Elrianode alive is not an option. The dragon you fought...it must have been there for a reason."

He asked Sol for more details surrounding the fight and, once he had them, he nodded. "So that dragon was hiding the weapons. Good. I'll have you handle the search of the area for the rest of their weaponry. I doubt it will be all on the same spot, but we have a solid grasp on this area. There's no rush. Where did you see the two elven survivors?"

Once he got his answer, he nodded. "Very well, I'll handle that search myself. Unlike the humans, those elves could have a lot more doors open to seek refuge. Thank you for your report, Sol. You may go rest. Your task will start tomorrow at dawn."

Late

*****
Ishmael​

The goddess of the El made her way out of her court room with Morgana behind her. The goddess walked fast, her heels marking an anxious series of 'toc's on the white marble floor. Her blue hair waved in a high ponytail seemingly held together by four braids that would have otherwise crossed into an curved X. It was the hairstyle of the warriors of a tribe long gone, one before the Myrrh Kingdom was even founded. Long before elves divided into winged elves, forest elves and dark elves. Ishmael was taking with her one of her oldest warriors to the Room of Knowledge. That was the unofficial name of the observatory where she alone could see and retrieve the memories of Elrios.

Of course, it had its limits. Which is why Ishmael needed Morgana to be with her. The more information came from the battlefronts, the more the goddess had come to fear for the worst possibility. Ren had gone out of her way to investigate the assassination of Ylra Irisse by the Resiam military, but she had still not come back. She could not allow any of her warriors to die. Not after Kalazar had been so close to face death himself. He came with a terrifying report and Morgana would be the one to confirm once and for all if she had to worry about the scariest of possibilities.

In one swift gesture, Ishmael opened the heavy wooden doors and her frantic steps came to a halt. The room was completely hidden in the darkness, the El only gave a weak halo of blue light. It was enough to give a blue hue to the two first rows of white tiles around it as well as the stone railing that surrounded the gigantic stone. It was a magic amplifier that took part of the vital mana of anyone who touched it to reflect the vision of their physical body or an El Shard around their grave. The goddess took a deep breath in and glanced back at her warrior. Morgana nodded and walked into the room first. The lights around the place lit with a gentle mauve light. The same as her eyes. The runes carved on the walls came to life, filled with the increasing mana source Morgana was gifting them. When she finally reached the railing Ishmael took a step in and the gates closed behind them.

"Goddess Ishmael, I hope, for the sake of this world's future, that your hunches are wrong."

Although she shared that same hope deep within her heart, Ishmael also knew that conflicts between gods only ended in needless bloodshed. Xiopetec knew that so well and yet she persisted blindly, desperately a disproportionate revenge that was beyond Sult's own quest for supreme power. The first thing that appeared on the crystal was a myriad of Morgana's memories, all culminating in her death by Kalazar's side. Then, the El remained empty, only reflecting their silhouettes. It was darkening. The blue light was slowly turning grayer, as if ink was tainting it from within. Morgana clenched her fists, forcing an image to reveal itself within the ever-growing darkness.

It was then that Ishmael saw it: An army of shadow demons kept the Naiad's Heart bound with chains, absorbing its power to keep a portal to Elrios open at all times. A red eyed young noble came into view, ordering others around. He smiled like a fox and, because Morgana herself did not speak demonic, Ishmael could not understand a single word of what he was saying. One of the demons whispered something in his ear and his smile only grew. The demon noble turned around to face them and walked towards them. He put his left hand right above them and chuckled.

"I don't know why you suddenly have more power, but keep it up, Naiad's Heart. Once we get all 41 of you, Xiopetec and Sult will grant us an eternal victory."

"Morgana, I've seen enough. Get out and tell Ren to kill the thieves of your grave on sight."

The warrior tools her hands off the railing and the Knowledge Room returned to its former darkness. "My goddess, with all due respect, but these demons will actively look for her to get her power. If she goes hunting for them without even knowing who they are, there's more chances she'll end up as their prey."

"She hasn't remembered. They can't get anything from her and she's strong. She won't fall to them."

Her oldest warrior looked to the side and took a deep breath. "But she is slowly remembering. Goddess Ishmael, I know that you did your best to keep her safe after what master Elria did. But if your devotion to her safety still holds to this day, the worst thing you could do is making her chase enemies she doesn't know how to fight."

The goddess nodded. Morgana had a point. As much as she wished to trust in Ren's strength, if the demons could still speak the Old Languages and get a hold on the grave of one of the members of her court, they could very well force Ren to unleash her power. "Morgana, for the safety of Elrios, I'll have to seal away everyone's memories again. Not yours nor Kalazar's...it'd be too late anyway."

"Even Ren's?"

The goddess clenched her fists. "If it comes down to that…"

"You know it's not a choice. The demons are looking for her grave too. And if they get to her the moment she remembers, we'll all be one step closer to lose the war."

The goddess frowned. "How dare you speak to me in that way?"

"Because you are about to make a grave mistake if you don't erase her memories now. I owe you my life for convincing Elria and the rest to let gods like me survive through the souls of our last priests, but don't forget what I told you the moment I broke your spell."

Morgana stormed out of the room with poorly hidden anger burning in her eyes. Ishmael stood there, startled by Morgana's outburst of anger. Even so, her reasoning was a sound one. It was to be expected of the goddess of knowledge the Naiads worshipped. Even if she knew that her counsel was almost never wrong, Ishmael could not follow her advice this time. It would hurt too much to pretend she did not know Larentia for another million years. Even if Morgana did what she could to remember her true name and break free of her chains like she promised the moment she remembered her past life, Ishmael would have to let her go.

It could divide her court, it could stir up the memories of the other minor gods she had protected.

Even so, Ishmael had decided to protect them all because of Larentia, the warrior goddess of the nymphs. For a goddess of war, she and her priestess Ren were the greatest pacifists she had known. If she had never known that goddess, Ishmael was certain that she would not have learnt mercy nor the beauty of life.

"Sorry, Morgana, but even if you try to tear my court apart...you can't understand why I can't erase her memories again. You are too wise to love beyond the brotherly love you held for your half-brother”, the goddess thought to herself before heading out of the room herself, ready to call Ren back and explain everything to her.

Yet, destiny had another path in mind.

 

[Phant0m]

Zephyr​

He was heading towards to the demon camp to meet with Stirbargen and Ran, or at least that was the plan.

An arrow whistled, just barely missing his head and he paused in his movement. He looked at the obsidian arrow out of the corner of his eye, and he gave a smirk when he saw the twinkling of fuschia magic.

"Did you aim like shit on purpose? If you wanted to talk to me, all you had to do was ask."

"How could you destroy an entire kingdom like that?" Loreley hissed as she jumped down from the branch she was perched on.

Zephyr raised an eyebrow. "If I'm not mistaken...you wanted me to invade the other side. What else was I supposed to do? Push down an old lady and come back like a prepubescent child trying to perform a mediocre prank?"

The Priestess's eyes flashed with fury and she grabbed an arrow from her quiver.

Zephyr poised himself to avoid a shot, but found himself slamming against a tree trunk with the arch of the bow on his throat and the point of the arrow right between his eyes. He wheezed a chuckle, grabbing Loreley's forearm.

"Touchy touchy, why? Did I surprise you?"

"It was unnecessary to do that, you filthy heathen."

Zephyr's eyes narrowed, focusing on Loreley's face instead of the arrow. "Unnecessary? I didn't say a thing about doing what you deemed necessary. I did what I needed to do, you were the perfect excuse."

"The perfect excuse?!"

"And who's the real heathen here?" Zephyr allowed warmth to reach down to his hands and Loreley flinched away with a hiss. Oh, but that magic was only a sting compared to what he could've done.

"You heard?"

"Word travels fast, especially when Mother is upset."

"She's not your Mother anymore-"

"Neither is she your Mother if she found out what you had done. What you triggered?" Zephyr snickered.

Loreley snarled. "Y-"

And they heard a rustle.

"Oh look, prey," Zephyr whispered and he looked up, "Good looking, and she'll have quite a fall. How about you put her out of her misery? Let's see how similar we are, Loreley."

Loreley followed Zephyr's gaze and she locked eyes with the "prey." "By our Mother Zephyr, you make me sick."

Late

 

[Late]

Ivy​

Ivy watches Darhan leave and she sighed through her nostrils. It was obvious that the man was hurt and she would definitely know Kili would try to help. Though it wasn't her business to know any small personal details that happened during the fall. At the same time, she never experienced losing someone close to her. Ivy can't really imagine it.

"Hm...I wish things go well for these elves," she mumbled to herself, glancing over at Yullr who was going to sleep for the night.

The nature dragon let a couple of seconds pass before slowly pushing herself on her feet to follow after Darhan. She could at least get the two of them to rest for the night. Ivy did promise to look after them and the humans during the night, despite the fact that humans barely try to talk to her. It was understandable to be on edge with her but she did felt annoyed how they would shy away whenever she walks by. It was certainly a different reaction compared to what she was used to.

"Darhan, I think it is best for you to rest. You have a long day ahead of you tomorrow and I did give my word that I'll keep watch," Ivy called out to him, taking her time trying to reach him. "If you heard something, let me go have a look. You honestly would need the rest to survive the next day." At this point, she felt almost like a mother. When that thought came to mind, she immediately frowned at herself but tries to shake it off.

Sol
​

Sol silently stared at Ran afterward, not saying so much a word. Infernal was already standing up and ready to leave but tilts his head at his master. Eventually, Sol lets out a small grunt and walks away from Ran. It was hard for the knight to keep his desires at bay, flexing out his hand as he realized he was clutching so hard. There will be a time when he doesn’t have to take orders anymore but now it wasn’t the time.

When the two of them step outside, Sol didn’t try to pick a place for rest. He continues walking until he was just about outside the base. Infernal jumped ahead into the wide-open area and turn back at Sol with ears perked and wide iris.

“Don’t go too far,” Sol sighed, taking a seat on the ground.

Infernal jumped away to explore, leaving behind his master. Sol settled on sitting on the ground, his arms resting over his knees and he takes in a deep breath. He thought back to when he first got Infernal, a gift given to him when he rose to the highest rank in the army. It was meant to help him to control his anger back then, he has a habit of killing those who look strange at him, or even those who disagree with his decisions.

“Treat it with care and it will give you the greatest respect and loyalty.”

Those were the words he was told and it took him a very long time to get it right. Infernal started off as a wolf bone embedded with a soul who lost their way from a previous life. Sol saw it as a useless bone at first, unable to give proper care or attention to the object. However, the time he lost someone close to him, Sol finally began to pay attention to what he was doing with the bone. By then, it wasn’t long that he one day woke up by the smell of something burning and feeling the weight on his chest.

Infernal finally came to the picture and was full of curiosity. Sol had to figure out all different ways to train Infernal and it was frustrating. It came to a point of which he asked for help from the previous owner. Sol clearly remembers how happy the demon was when he saw Infernal pouncing about. Fortunately, the demon didn’t waste his time and Sol was able to command and communicate with Infernal just by staring. Apparently, the soul of a hell wolf will likely form strong links with those who have seen hell. Not a location but an experience.

Many years passed and Infernal proved to be significantly efficient in combat and scouting. Not to mention, the wolf’s curious character never fails to amuse. Infernal always stayed by his side or at least tries to. Sol can’t think of a time Infernal would try to run away from danger.

“...the greatest respect and loyalty...hm, not bad...” Sol mumbled to himself, closing his eyes and began to relax a little.

However, he opens his eyes when he heard Infernal returning back with urgency in his pace. Sol looks over and frowned on what Infernal told him.

“Xiopetec’s magic nearby? How interesting,” Sol huffed. “And you sense tension? Well...might as well check it out...” Sol slowly got up from the ground, putting on his helmet and was just about ready to follow Infernal. However, he stopped his tracks and looked back. “...I guess this is important enough to report in.”

Reluctantly, Sol walks back, all the way to Ran and told him about nearby Xiopetec magic that Infernal picked up. He really didn’t want to waste his time reporting in and out but it can’t be helped.

MementoDei

Aria​

It took some time and effort but Aria managed to cut away the vines and got herself back on the ground level. Her muscles were sore but she wasn’t one to give up so easily. After saying another prayer, she managed to numb out the pain in her leg to at least stand but she knows she would need to find something to support her weight. She can’t always rely on prayers.

After searching around, Aria grinned when she found her axe deep into a tree. She gave it a good pull, ignoring what the muscles on her arms were saying to her and freed her axe from the wood. However, she can’t celebrate just yet. Aria has no idea where is she and no idea how far she is from the group. She looked up at the sky but Aria knows damn well that she still couldn’t read the stars right. Kili would be so disappointed.

But she can’t just stand around and hope help will come to her. Aria began to walk around, wanting to find a way out of the forest as she tries to use her axe to support her. Not easy but better than nothing. At least the handle was long enough to get the job right.

Time passes and Aria was surprised to find two strangers who seem to be arguing to each other. When they set eyes on her, she was very aware how much in danger she was in. Quickly, Aria pulled out one of the potions that haven’t been broken from the fall and chugged down its contents. She was saving it in case she couldn’t find the help right away but now she needs it more than ever. It wasn’t enough to feel her leg just right but Aria could put weight and she lifted up her axe with confidence, glaring at them.

If looks could kill, Aria will surely be the first to get it done. She was sick and tired of these strange demons showing up and ruining her day. What’s worse is that this wasn’t so much a fair fight since she is already suffering her injuries but if this is where she will last stand, Aria will make sure to give them a troubling time.

“Just one after another, huh?! Bring it, bastards, I’ll show you the true might of a warrior!” Aria yelled at them, her axe began glowing in a light blue hue with a fuchsia hint on the blade.

Phant0m

Elrianode Keep
​

"Closing down for tonight?"

The clerk looked over to his fellow dragon rider and offer a small smile. "Not entirely, gotta go through these logs and letters. I keep forgetting to check by them but I'm sure everything's alright," he said. He got up on a ladder to blow out the lantern that's just hanging in front of the small building, holding the logbook in his arm.

"Seriously, Topaz? How long ago you last checked?" The rider asked, unamused.

"Um...maybe a week or so? I-It's no worries! I'm sure everyone is on track here," Topaz replied, climbing down the ladder.

"Hmm...whatever you say then. See you at dinner," the ride sighed, waving as they walk away.

Topaz hummed in response and made a quick walk to his cabin. His dragon, a small sun dragon, followed right after him once he was done with closing him. The dragon was small enough to climb on top of Topaz but still relatively heavy and large, the dragon only managing to get a piggyback ride to the cabin. He walked in and was greeted by the other riders that lived with him, a few laughing at the display of him carrying his dragon. They shared a few words but before Topaz could get to his room, someone asked him a question.

"Sorry, what was that?" Topaz asked, letting his dragon drop so he can focus. The dragon lazily sat next to him, giving out a big yawn.

"Have you seen Kili around? I thought he would be back a few days ago and I have been itching to spar with him!"

"I'm sure he is around. Probably busy up at the waterfalls. You know that's where he usually trains," Topaz replied.

"Huh...yeah, but all day?" The rider questioned, confusion thick on their face.

Topaz frowned slightly and scratch the back of his head. "Um, well...how about I have someone check on it from the night patrol? I just need to check these logs and letters for a quick moment."

They left him alone and Topaz let out a small sigh of relief, finally able to walk to his room. He closed the door once his dragon walked in and immediately went to his desk. If anything, his room was more of an office. Except, the bed at the corner just makes it more comfortable than anything. His dragon didn't wait long to climb to their own bed next to his, rolling up and letting out one last yawn for the night. Topaz hums a song to himself as he starts to open up the letters first with the letter opener. He made note of the dates that the mail was received and took his time to read through them. From the looks of it, nothing seems to be out of ordinary. They were letters of gratitude, responses about supplies, and requests for help that aren't too major. Though, the dates were strange for him. They were received earlier this week and nothing was recent. He took a moment to read through each of them carefully and was tempted to go back out to check if he probably dropped anything or missed a few back at the clerk office but his dragon would've told him that.

"Um...Lemon, did you see if I drop any mail or-"

"No, I made sure you didn't," the dragon replied, the voice was soft and sleepy.

"Right..." Topaz felt somewhat unease but he kept separating them around before moving to the logs.

He let out a sigh, casually looking through the names, the task they were given, date of departure and their arrival. Everything was filled in on one page and the next one, but when he got to the third page, Topaz immediately noticed an empty space in the column for arrival date. Seeing how the fourth page was filled and the fifth being the current page, panic began to come through. So many riders come and go, yet he felt responsible for not picking this up right away. Usually, when a page fills up, he usually brings out the next page without even taking a quick look at the previous one. Topaz put his finger on the row and drag it across to see who was missing: Kili, Aria, and Lucius, and their dragons; Ivy, Fujin, and Cornelius. The more he thinks about it, the more he realizes that he hadn't seen them at all since they left. Topaz quickly check on the mission they took and began to fear that it was possible that the demons did something to them. He is going to get screamed at for missing this and yet, he needs to let the commander now. Right now.

Topaz grabbed the log and the letters with him before rushing out the door. The riders were already starting to leave for dinner and was surprised when Topaz ran by them in such hurry. He didn't have the time to explain to them. If he did, he would definitely get an earful of scolding for not noticing riders were missing for a week. He ran up the long set of stairs, making sure to not drop any papers as he skips the steps and ran right over to a cabin which holds a yellow symbol flag. The larger dragons nearby noticed Topaz running by, mumbling to each other. One in particular, with red and black scales, stood up with a curious look on their face and followed Topaz to the building.

"If you're trying to reach for the commander...he already went for dinner," the dragon spoke, his voice was deep.

Topaz skidded to a halt, trying to catch his breath as he kneels over, already up a couple of steps on the porch. "A-ah, Vulcan. Can you actually...grab...Everett for me? This is an emergency and..."

Vulcan picked up the vibe he was getting from Topaz and gave him a small nod before walking away, being mindful of his long tail that is dragging behind him. Topaz nervously settles on the stair steps, slowly biting his nails as he waits for the commander to show up.

 

[MementoDei]

Darhan​

He was sitting down, looking at the night sky, with too many bright stars for how heavy the night was with a deathly silence. He heard Ivy's vines crawl softly towards him before he heard her voice. The young Guardian frowned and looked at his clenched fists; even in this darkness, he could still see the traces of dried blood over his sleeves. The trace of her blood that lingered to a tip of his fingernails. They were thin lines that had already rusted, almost faded to the bath he had taken not too long after meeting with the humans. The bloodstains had made some of them uneasy.

If they had seen him in his armour, they would have run. Darhan let the dragon approach, he was rubbing softly the only remains of Alma's touch he kept on his hands. First with his thumb, remembering her face.... Then he passed the nail of his thumb over it, scratching away the hideousness of death from his memory, rubbing again, then scrubbing. Before he knew it, his hands were clean again, the skin around his nails reddened, burning. Ivy was breathing calmly and somehow he got the impression she only wished for him to go back and rest. Ever since he had seen the Undead Hound, Darhan had noticed that he could use spiritual magic better.

He could not tell if it was a blessing from a cursed being or simply a curse.

Darhan shook his head. "No way I can get any rest like this." he could not shrug off the waves that drowned his mind anymore. He did not dare to say a thing to Yullr, but he had nothing to fear by letting it all out to a creature he nor Yullr would see after this night was over. "You know, they say that the sky grieves with the pains of the earth, but look at it. It's a full moon and not a cloud in the sky to hide all of those constellations. What grief does that show to all the lives lost last night? None. None at all. This night...it's the kind of night for beautiful memories."

He gulped and looked again at the starry night. His eyes were stinging. "Forget it, complaining to old folktales is stupid. I didn't hear anything, really. Nothing more than...well, what only I can hear, I guess. Which probably makes me somewhat of a madman," Darhan clicked his tongue, "And maybe that's what I am. A mad Guardian seeking his own death almost as much as protecting his King. Yullr...Yullr is the closest thing to a family I have left and yet here I am, leaving his side for no good reason."

A chilly breeze made him button his coat completely, but that did not make any difference to the cold that was numbing his arms and legs. The Guardian sighed, his breath leaving a long, puffy and ephemeral cloud lingering for an instant in the air. "This must be boring to you, Ivy, but I don't know for how much longer I can keep being the strong, brave hero both the humans and Yullr want me to be. Yullr, most of all. If I'm this close to throw myself over a cliff, I can't imagine how much more so he must feel at that age."

Darhan cleared his throat, but the knife he felt going through it was still there, "That's why I can't tell him anything. My elder sister was a bit like that. She'd listen to me and my younger siblings and she'd find a way to help us shoulder our burdens or at the very least console us. Yullr needs someone like that, for once in his life. I hope to be strong enough to help shoulder everything for him."

"You should start by having a good night's rest to reach that kind of strength. There's still a good amount of hours before sunrise."

He chuckled softly, but a part of his mind could not tell if he was laughing or sobbing without tears. "I suppose so. I'm too young to ramble like an old man. Sorry for taking up your time, Ivy. I'll go get some rest. If there's really anything, though, wake me up. I always have my weapons nearby."

With that said, Darhan walked back to the camp and laid down under a wool cover, right by Yullr's side. Although he closed his eyes, sleep came to him very slowly.

*****
Ran Tervani​

He frowned at Sol's report. "Hostility, you say?"

The possibility of Zephyr's followers turning against him was a near-zero, but if Xiopetec's main church had lax rankings, it was even more so with Zephyr's sect. He could not have the priest die on him nor be injured. Stirbargen would never forgive such a mistake. Ran called for glitters to fetch his armour and sword and his closest familiar: a shadow basilisk. He took ten minutes to be ready and gave another basilisk for Sol. The subordinate still had the Nasod weapon and he had been wearing his armour.

"We need to get there as fast as we can. This can endanger us if we don't act swiftly. Mount and let your hellhound show the way. Umbra will hide our presence until we're right behind them, ready to strike if the situation calls for it." he said as he patted the head of his mount.

Sol's hellhound finally began to dash around the forest and Umbra cast shadows so dark around them that not even sound escaped from them. From the outside, the only thing that anyone would see would be rustling leaves falling down, following a multitude of paths that could not be easily followed. There would be no footprints left behind six hours after the night waned. And by then, any humans would be too far to ever wonder nearby. Had this occurred during the day, Ran would have had to use the strange mammals humans used as mounts.

After half an hour of riding, a most peculiar sight appeared. Ran ordered his mount to hide them better. Now, its shadow magic made all of the leaves be swallowed within the natural shadows of the night.

"Sol, do you know the elf or the human girl? Depending on your answer, we might have to intervene to get the agent Stirbargen sent out of this situation."

Ran clenched the pommel of his blade, itching for a battle to erase the humiliation he had suffered at the hands of that elven brat. Behind his helmet, however, the burning desire for bloodshed couldn't be seen.

Phant0m Late

 

[Phant0m]

Loreley raised an eyebrow at the human's words, and her eyes carefully watched where the axe was being swung. Then she felt it.

It was faint, like a question or maybe a flower starting to bud, but Xiopetec's influence was on her.

"Stand down, warrior," Loreley commanded as she turned her attention back to Zephyr, "As High Priestess, I'm not going to harm a fellow child of Xiopetec. Leave."

"That's where you draw the line, Loreley?" Zephyr scoffed, flicking his tongue at the dark elf.

"Indeed but I have no qualms about shoving my arrow through your heart where you stand."

"You forgot a major detail Loreley," Zephyr tsked, "You never were for up close and personal kills."

"What-"

Zephyr's tail swiped Loreley's feet from under her, and he used her imbalance to gain momentum to pin her against the very tree that probably would have marked his grave. He pressed his forearm down on her throat as his arm glowed brightly for a moment, forcing Loreley to close her eyes. Zephyr yanked the bow out of her hand, and tossed it aside. Once her skin started to turn blue, he eased the pressure a bit to allow some oxygen to enter her lungs and he tilted his head.

"If you weren't so idiotic I definitely wouldn't be breathing, but when dear Mother isn't around you really display your worthlessness. You and Mother both share the trait of having your emotions cloud your judgement, but you are weak to them. That's why you kill your targets from afar, with no connection whatsoever," Zephyr said, "It should be me giving her counsel. Especially now that there's a war, who do you think will be remembered? Those who don't accomplish anything due to morals, or those who have done the dirty deeds necessary? The only thing that infuriates me is that fact that I still need you to make sure Mother stays on course for this."

Loreley bared her teeth.

Zephyr sighed. "You had so much potential. You actually surprised me with that meeting, and killing Lynk? Devious. But now you're gathering up shards in a futile attempt to redeem yourself. When I was cast out of our family, I at least did it with grace." He glanced at the human girl and he raised his free hand, fuchsia energy dancing between his fingertips. "Now, I'm going to demonstrate the courage to do what you can't." Zephyr spread his hand out in the direction of the human with the axe.

"NO!" Loreley wheezed and she raised her hand still holding the arrow and arced it downwards at Zephyr.

Late MementoDei

 

[Late]

Ivy
​

Once Darhan went to bed, Ivy began to patrol around the area of the camp. Her nose was sharp as ever and so far, no signs of danger. However, she couldn't help but remember the stinging sensation she felt when the strange spirit attacked her. The scent burns into her memory and Ivy started to feel peeved for getting beat up like that. It almost looks like she can't handle on her own without Kili by her side. Somewhere deep inside her, she knows she could've done better. It's strange to say but if she tried a little hard, then maybe she would've won the fight.

Time passes and she took a moment to glance up at the night sky, reflecting back to what Darhan said to her. She took in a deep breath as the stars seem to be endlessly scattered from up above and let out a grunt. "There's a lot of stars tonight, but I wouldn't be surprised if they're up there, watching. Hoping. Praying for us little ones down here."

Ivy eventually continues her patrol, not bothering to take a rest or giving herself a few minutes of sleep.

Lucius
​

It took him a couple of minutes to realize that Kili was trying to talk to him. He was still in shock about what happened hours ago to Aria. It felt like such a long time ago but he couldn't believe it. Lucius has doubts that Aria survived and yet, Fujin hasn't given up on her yet. Maybe he should do the same but there was a strange numbness in his heart.

After both Aria and the other demon got blasted away from the overflowing energy, the second demon retreated away. Likely going off to search after their comrade. Since then, the townspeople were restless. Often looking around their surroundings and causing small panics in their groups. It puts Lucius on the edge and yet, Kili somehow remains calm about the situation. They kept moving up until the landscape began to change. That was when Kili suddenly gave an assignment to Lucius.

"Sorry, but can you repeat that?" Lucius asked him, both riders taking a moment of rest.

"I need you to take Cornelius and Fujin to look for Aria. I know it's a dangerous thing for me to ask for but Fujin is confident that his rider is not dead, and we don't leave anyone behind. You having two dragons should be enough for your protection," Kili said.

"W-What about you? You won't have the advantage anymore and Ivy still hasn't come back," Lucius said with worry, unsure if he can do this job.

"I'll be fine. I'm sure Ivy is fine as well. I have a feeling that it won't be long that she'll join up with me," Kili explained with a small smile. "Put some trust into me, Lucius. I know it's been hard since we lost Aria but she is not gone forever. Fujin can still feel her, somehow. Retrace the steps and fly over the forest to see if there are any broken trees. Once you have her back, return back to me immediately. Don't try to fight any enemies unless you absolutely have to." Lucius gave his leader an unsure look but shook his head to shake away his doubts. He has to stop doubting.

"Alright. Okay. I'll leave right away then," Lucius said, standing up immediately.

"You rested well enough?"

"I...don't think I will until I know Aria is alive. I know I shouldn't be hasty but..." Lucius trails off, unsure how he could put his feelings into words. "I...will just feel better if I do something rather than nothing during the moment. If you know what I mean."

Kili slowly got up on his feet, stretching out his limbs. He gave Lucius a look before resting his hand on his shoulders. "You're getting better every day, Lucius. Its still taking some time, but it won't be long until you become a real rider. Go on, then. Take care of the dragons."

Sol
​

"The human girl..." Sol's eyes widen slightly as Inferno let out a low growl of recognition. "She is a dragon rider," he grumbled, leaning forward slightly. "However, her dragon doesn't seem to be in the area and Inferno is not picking up a fresh scent of the beast."

As he talks, an idea came to mind. For sure, Ran would be suspicious of him if he does this but it was too good to pass. Killing off a rider was the best course of action but Sol wanted to use her for something that can help him. Inferno is already picking up his intentions and took a step forward, hunching low.

"I need her alive," Sol finally said and Inferno took off to intervene Zephyr's aim, leaving the shadows.

Inferno was quick with his feet and was only focused on the attack that was about to be made towards the rider. He leaped forward to bite into Zephyr's arm, interrupting the build-up of the attack. Even though he was hard on his bite, it was as gentle as he can be. The momentum was enough to pull Zephyr out of Loreley's reach, somewhat dragging Zephyr along with him until he found safe footing. Inferno's appearance made the rider reel back her axe in surprise, losing her balance and thus, falling onto her back.

Phant0m MementoDei

 

[MementoDei]

Ren​

Her time with Nurelth Eldar was more productive than what she would have hoped. The man even offered her some tea before letting her go. As she had observed his apothecary shop, Ren realized that Nurelth was not lying about his busy schedule. He was indeed well-known among the sailors, the merchants and indeed some nobles. Most of them greeted him like a friend. Always calling him by his alias: Nicholas. Some were close enough to him to call him Nic, others called him Mr. Tureen.

As she was leaving the small corner of the alleyway she had chosen to observe the comings and goings of Nurelth's business, she noticed something out of place. It was an old mission to hunt down a killer. Yet, it had embedded within it some sort of mana. Carefully, she hovered her hand over it and a fuchsia light emerged before fading away immediately. It was no doubt Xiopetec's magic, but it was such a weak spell. At best, it could have served as an alarm and the paper that hid it was already rotting away. It had to be there for at least a decade.

Ren looked back at the shop. Four decades ago, according to Nurelth, the Myrrhian Kingdom had been thrown into a civil war. He had fled fifteen years ago when the situation was too desperate for him and the remaining Tovari. This spell might have been put as an alert for assassins back then.

Ren frowned and continued her way down the busy streets of the commercial district, her white robes getting lost among others, her green hair going unnoticed. Unlike Sander, she felt truly undercover here. Her troubles laid on finding the Siren's Heart. Her only lead was gone and no demons had been sighted in Resiam's walls since the guards protecting the Heart were massacred.

But that could not be the end of the path. She was missing a piece. Then, she remembered what Raicaeth had asked her: Why did Resiam cut their communications? Why did Ylra Irisse's head return to them packed in a chest decorated with Resiam's armouries?

If there was an alliance as old and as strong as the El itself, it was without a doubt the elven alliances. Resiam would not betray Myrrh like that. It would turn the Avariel on them, perhaps even the Forest Elves. Killing nobility in such a crude way was one of the highest offences in all elven societies. The only ones who could have profited from such a thing were the demons. But how did they come into Resiam's fortress unnoticed?

Ren turned right and made her way through until the Temple of Ishmael was within her sight.

*****
Sylfir Irisse​

She looked at her reflection with no hint of emotion in her emerald eyes. They had been a different colour, once, but she could no longer remember which. Just like her white hair. Some blue locks had appeared over the years, but she vaguely remembered that her hair had not always been white. She looked down at the table where her arms rested. There was a quill with ink in her right hand and a small parchment under her right forearm. Was she going to write something? Venus would certainly know. Her closest counsellor always remembered what she had to do.

Sylfir heard a knock at her door and turned hopefully, expecting to see Venus. Yet, it was one of the members of the Imperial Guard, Ers Irlafin. The Amazon's white and blue armour hid most of the traits on her face, but Sylfir could tell from the way she walked and the glow in her copper eyes that it could be nobody else.

"Colonel Irlafin, what brings you here?", Sylfir politely asked, getting up from her chair.

"El Lady Irisse, I'm afraid I must bring you bad news."

The young elven woman tilted her head, her hands unconsciously clenching themselves, though she could not tell why. She was confused, but her hands brought some kind of irresistible urge to weep. But there was no reason for her to cry, was it? Venus would know. Why wasn't she here?

"I'm a little...indisposed, colonel. Is it possible for you to contact my Venus Abbadon, my counsellor?"

"With all due respect, El Lady, that woman is the mastermind behind a vile scheme. I've come to inform you of the reasons behind her sentence. Besides that, we also need your help to-"

Sylfir frowned, anger slowly seething within her, "You need my help to execute her, is that so? I refuse to let you put the most trustworthy priestess within these temples to the stake. Let my decision be known to the Imperial family. The church is opposed to Venus's execution."

"El Lady Irisse, you do not understand-"

"I understand everything perfectly!" she exploded, throwing her quill like an arrow towards Ers's eye. However, the armour she wore had a magical shield that stopped the sharp, ink-covered point, to reach its target.

"I understand everything, Ers Irlafinn. Venus warned me about it. You're going to take the Siren's Heart for your army and desecrate the holiest items the Church of Ishmael holds dear! I won't allow it. You seek power like...like the demons!"

Somehow, pronouncing that word watered her sadness with tears, though, once again, she could not remember why she wished to cry about demons. They were the enemy, for sure, but the hatred they awakened within her...that hatred was personal.

"If you think so, El Lady Sylfir Irisse, you're more than welcome to see into the depths of my soul and see everything that happened. I cannot lie to you with my thoughts, can I?"

That was certainly true. She would do everything she could to get the truth out of that woman, even if her spirit broke.

"Very well."

-----​

Sylfir sat back on her chair, dumb-founded and crying at her foolishness. Of course, someone with a name like Abbadon was bound to be nothing more than a demon in disguise. Yet, she had fallen for every lie, every bad decision, including refusing to help the Myrrhian Kingdom and making all communications impossible through their territory.

Not to mention, it was very possible that when Venus had warned her about rogue elves coming from Sander that it was not the case. Come to think of it, she remembered something about her….someone, yes, someone close to her travelling to Sander. Was she writing to that person?

That was the thought that left her without any tears, just wanting to completely fuse with the El and never think about anything ever again.

"Colonel Irlafinn, do you know who I write to, every month?"

"My husband mentioned you write to your younger brother...Darhan, I believe."

"Was he in Sander?"

"As far as I know, no. El Lady, I know this is a lot to process, but there is someone very powerful who decided to visit you. It's not too late to redeem your mistakes."

"Who is it?"

"She presented herself as Ren Ishmael, forty-first warrior of Ishmael's Court. She holds the mark of all the angels."

With a cold, blood-seeking anger in her aquamarine eyes, Sylfir nodded, "I will judge that for myself. If I have the slightest doubt, warrior of Ishmael or not, I will have her mind destroyed so that Ren may not harm our world ever again."

****
Ran Tervani​

His eyes widen as he witnesses the elf woman aim to kill Zephyr. Instinctively, he used his shadow magic to duplicate his shadow and throw a superficial cut straight to the woman's eyes. With Umbra by his side, his attacks were perfectly hidden, the elven woman had probably not even seen where the attack had come from.

With only a nod, he ordered his mount to use its magic to root the elf in place. Then, he teleported himself to where his second shadow was and kicked the woman's weapons far away from her reach.

"Don't know what your petty fights are about, but I cannot let you kill this man."

He turned around to see that Sol's hound had simply immobilized Zephyr, but had not harmed him after he backed off from the human girl.

It was a gamble to let her live if she was indeed a dragon rider. Although, using her to draw the others in and kill them once and for all was not a bad plan either.

However, there was no time for such a thing today. They were only two, perhaps five if he counted Zephyr, Sol's hound and Umbra, but even in that case, it was too risky to face more dragon riders. The most important thing was to get Zephyr out. After he replaced the shadow chains his basilisk had put over Loreley, he ordered his mount to take Zephyr away. The beast, as swift as his master, bound the man to its back and dashed away with him back to the camp under the cover of darkness where no one could truly follow them nor know their final destination.

Late Phant0m

 

[Phant0m]

Loreley shrieked in pain: dropping her weapon and trying to touch her burning eyes only to be restrained and she furiously blinked, wiggling against the restraints.

Ice once more was in her veins as she heard an unfamiliar voice, jerking her head trying to locate the source of it.

"Mother! Mother!" Loreley screamed as all she can see was black, and feel that her hands were empty.

She was vulnerable.

Zephyr gave a surprised hiss at first but he quieted once he realized that it was Sol, his hound and Ran. He went along with the rescue. Once they had arrived at their destination, Zephyr removed himself from the mount and glared at Ran, spitting an irritated hiss at him.

"I did not need to be saved," Zephyr snapped as he rubbed his arms before he gave a snicker, "But Loreley's pathetic display-" He could not finish his sentence due to his laughter. "Mother!" He mocked in convincing imitation of Loreley before he cackled for a another moment or two.

MementoDei Late

 

[MementoDei]

Ran Tervani
​

He grimaced in disgust at the priestess who had just decided to cry like a child. Even he, when he had been mortally wounded by that other elf, had not stopped to fight for his objective. With his dying breath, he cursed that elf and his curse had worked. He had taken his revenge.

"You are pitiful, elven woman. I met a child of your species just a day ago. Despite his fear, that child shot his bow and froze a hundred my men until his arrows ran out. A teen, too, killed dozens of my men when we threatened a girl his age. He was injured too, but he fought on until four mages used all their mana to restrain him. It was only then that they surrendered everything to their enemy. You disappoint me."

He gave a glance at the dragon rider. It would be foolish to attack her now when they risked retaliation in a land they were still not familiar with. Like it or not, many had been injured. This was not the time to fight.

Ran covered himself in shadows and sprinted away, using magic to leap faster and catch up with his mount, glad to see that Zephyr had not fallen out. He did not like how the situation looked around the Myrrhian kingdom. He would go and find those two elves personally. The child who had brought him back could not escape. Once he had a fake king in his hands, everybody would look the other way until the demons were ready to strike.

Late Phant0m

****
Yullr​

He woke up perhaps an hour or so before dawn, the sky was already showing signs of day by dying the sky a deep blue. Fog was gathered around them, and the remains of the campfire did not even warm him, only smelling of burnt wood. He looked around for Darhan and found him already helping Adelaide packing Benedict's weapons and Aurelius's instruments. Though humans were harder to read, it seemed to him that she wished to be friendlier to his Guardian. Perhaps to make him feel more at ease with the rest of the group. Ivy, no matter how much he looked for her, was nowhere near. The dragon kept her word and had gone away at the first signs of dawn. There was still a day of travel until they reached Feita, but the path was still as dangerous as it had been before. They did not stop until two hours after midday when they reached a small farming village of no more than ten humans. Their dark skin and slightly pointed ears were the proof of their elven blood. Perhaps they were descendants of those Myrrh had exiled for falling in love with a weak race that only lived a fraction of their lifetime. Though he hoped some of them spoke elven, no one but Darhan did. Thanks to something Aurelius said, they were given more food, though he could feel the cold stares the older villagers were giving him and Darhan.

Yullr sat on a fallen tree near the road that led to Feita, suddenly yearning for a spirit, anything, to come keep him company. Darhan was...somewhere, surely speaking to the villagers so they could perhaps get a teleportation stone or contact some archmage who knew where to find it. Instead, he saw him argue with Adelaide and another girl, perhaps the daughter of the old man Aurelius had spoken to. Some spirits approached him.

'Do you wish to hear them, king Yullr?'

The boy coughed, "Yes."

The two spirits surrounded his ears and his hearing became clearer. And thanks to them, he could finally make sense of their conversation.

"No, that is not sane."

"Aw, come on. I think you'd be great! Please, just for one evening," said the girl who was not Adelaide.

"Are you not with your full mind?! Can you not understand how vile it is?!"

"Hilda, don't force him." Adelaide turned towards Darhan and put a hand over his shoulder, giving him a smile, "You can find and do anything you think best, Darhan."

The Guardian's eyes, for a moment, looked at her as if she was someone else. Yullr noticed that his fingers tried to reach out for Adelaide's hand, but he clenched his hands into a fist. Darhan shook his head and took a step back, only turning an empty gaze to the horizon. It startled Adelaide, who was left trying to reach out to him. Darhan was walking back his way. But Yullr still focused on the conversation between the two girls.

"Go after him. Have you any idea how many rich hags from Feita would love him? He's the one who'll need cash fast if he's going to stay in Feita."

Adelaide glared at her, Darhan had most likely not understood anything and just raised an eyebrow. "Darhan's good with his spear. He can find...something with the mercenary guilds. Then, he can make the climb to the Angels. I think that's where he wants to go."

Hilda scoffed, "An elf hired by the mercenaries? You know that's not gonna happen. You still got the belladonna extract just in case, don't you? It's gonna be either him making a good impression today or living in the streets."

Adelaide's gaze filled with rage and she slapped Hilda. "You're only interested in getting a nice cut of whatever money he gets. Don't think that I'm a manipulative bitch like you."

Darhan was already only a few steps away from him and Yullr shooed the spirits away, now he could not see clearly nor hear what the two girls said before Hilda got back on her feet and ran away. What kind of job had they offered his Guardian? He did not know much about what old women would like out of him, but the few ideas that were appearing in his mind were preposterous. They could not be right. His friend only nodded at him and sat by his side, sighing.

"I suppose you listened, Yullr."

"I did, but why was Adelaide talking as if she was going to stay? Wasn't she, Benedict and Aurelius going to Feita too?"

"They're all family. Benedict's Adelaide's uncle and Aurelius her grandfather. Aurelius's wife fell very ill, no healer can do much for her except numb her pain. They're all going to stay here until she dies."

"I could help. The spirits here aren't corrupted, I can use them to-"

"I'm not going to stay near Adelaide another day. I can't."

Darhan had seethed his answer, frowning at nothing but his own thoughts. He passed his hands over his face and took a deep breath. " Sorry, Yullr. I guess the trip is tiring me. If you want to help, we can stay. They're good people."

"That other girl, Hilda, is she the reason why you don't want to see Adelaide anymore?"

"No."

"Then, why?"

Darhan looked at him and, for the first time since the night where he had corrupted Selene, he seemed vulnerable. Almost to the point of tears. "I don't know if I should tell you."

"Darhan, we're like brothers, aren't we? Siblings are family, and family loves one another no matter what, right?"

Though he had not had much of that love in his family, Yullr had read more than enough stories about that unconditional love. It had to be real to some extent, and Rai seemed to think very highly and care deeply for both his twin sister and his older brother. Their family was the model of unity. And right now, they had stuck together like brothers. Nothing Darhan could say would change the fact that he had risked his life to save him, even if he had lost everything too. Including a close friend.

Darhan licked his lips nervously, clenching his hands into fists and opening them again. For half a minute, he did not say a thing, only clenching his fists until they trembled. Then, he nodded. "Fine. I can't keep it hidden anyway. Once I say it...I'll be better."

He sounded hesitant, but Yullr thought it was only because he was about to tell him a secret.

"Adelaide, sometimes, just reminds me of Alma. And I can't have a constant reminder of...of the other person I promised to save, besides you. She's human and I...would bring shame to my family if I let feelings affect how I see a complete stranger. She cannot be my friend. Elves and humans are not friends, they're allies at best."

"I see. Well, if you want to go, we'd better do so before the sunset."

Darhan's golden gaze froze on him, surprised, or perhaps puzzled, "Are you sure?"

"We're not very welcome in this village, are we?"

Darhan smiled sadly and pat his head, "No, but once we reach the Avariel through Feita, it'll be better. I promise."

Yullr still believed him, from the bottom of his heart. Darhan would always be there and fulfill his promises. Like family.

****
Darhan
​

The rest of the trip had been awful, a sudden rain soaked them and chilled them to the bone. By the time they made it to Feita, even the spare clothes they carried in a worn leather bag were wet. And there was not a single inn who opened their doors to them. Even if they had money, or even if they offered the fine silver bracelets over their wrists. If the villagers had glared at them, the people here treated them as if they were full of sickness. Their last hope was at the monastery two days away from the Feita fortress. It took them in, though the rain had rarely stopped on their way there. Some Avariel priestesses worked there and, with them, they could finally communicate with ease. After a bath and a change of clothes, quite arguably a downgrade from their fine silks, they gave them a soup and dry bread for the night.

The soup barely could be called one, it only had two slices of mountain carrots. And the dry bread could have broken his teeth. Yullr ate in silence, though he was still shivering.

"Yullr?"

The young king did not answer, his lilac gaze lost in the empty bowl of soup, shivering as he took small bites off his bread. Darhan rushed to his side and put a hand over his shoulder.

"Yullr," he shook his shoulder, "Yullr, what's-"

The Guardian could not even finish his sentence before Yullr collapsed in his arms. He was burning with fever.

"Priestess Miranda!"

He had called for her, but there was no response. Fearing for Yullr's life, Darhan dashed through the empty halls of the monastery until he found the priestess he had called for. It was the only healer he knew of, and the one who had opened the doors of the monastery for them.

-----
​

"Have you travelled with humans recently?" Miranda asked. She was an old Avariel, her wings losing their shine and her blue hair graying out one lock of hair at a time. She had closed the door leading to Yullr's room behind her, joining him in the darkened corridor outside the small medical ward the monastery had.

"Yes, ma'am."

"Then, that is why he's dying," she gravely said, "Humans have sometimes diseases they grow used to. If you're both from Myrrh...it's probably the first time you meet humans. The first time your body is put against human diseases. And your body cannot fight what it doesn't know how to fight."

Darhan shook his head and took a step back. His feet, however, let him down on the floor, "No. No, there must be a way to cure him. I can't just leave him to die. I need to save him, somehow."

"I admire your loyalty to the Crown, but-"

"I don't want to save him because he's the king!" he barked, making the old woman take a step back. Darhan got up with a deep breath. What was wrong with him? Why was he lashing out at anyone and everything now? This was unlike him. "I'm sorry, Lady Miranda."

"Why do you wish to save him, child?"

"Because he's the closest thing to family I have left. My home, my family, the woman I loved...all of that already has returned into Yggdrassil's hands."

His voice broke and, to save himself a bit of dignity, he turned around to hide his tears, "I could save him through that hell and it can't be all for nothing. I refuse. There has to be at least a legend of a miracle cure, something. Anything."

"And you are right, Darhan. But Yullr has only a week left, at most. I could make him sleep for long enough so you find the miracle. You'd have to take him with you. The waters of the Fountain the Crystal Maiden keeps cannot be moved very far from the source."

Sweeping away the tears, Darhan turned around, his golden gaze shining with new determination. "Tell me everything you know."

------
​

They were finally on horseback, and the riding classes Darhan had taken proved to be useful. The Cavern of Laments, below the mountain the Crystal maiden was supposedly buried, held waters that could heal any wound, any sickness. As long as there was still a spark of life within those who drank it. Though four days had passed, Yullr did not seem to worsen. In fact, the herbs Miranda had given him had lowered his fever. Though it was still there, and so were the coughs with the occasional blood. Once they were in, the young king woke up.

"Where are we?"

"Somewhere where there's a medicine that'll make you all better."

"Are you sure? It's dark."

That was not a good sign. They were dark elves, darkness was never something they could not see through as well as daylight. Darhan combed back Yullr's hair behind his ears, the way Sylfir or his mother would do when he was younger.

"I'm sure of it. It's only dark because the fever is making you tired. Rest well."

Yullr weakly smiled before closing his eyes, "Thank you, Darhan."

After some minutes, or perhaps closer to an hour, of only silence, Darhan found it: the faintly glowing waters of the lake. He wanted to laugh in the face of death, showing it that he had not let it take someone else he loved away from him.

****
Ran Tervani
​

For days, he had tried to find the trace of the elves who had escaped him. And they had finally gotten to towns where he had a few of his agents. They had followed them to a nearby monastery, a heavily guarded place he could not hope to attack. The Nasod technology the Avariel had at their command was too destructive. Then, a miracle happened: they left on a horse. Those were traces that they could not hide that easily through the forest. Ran could not figure out why they had been so stupid, but he would not complain about it. If Sult handed to him the puppet king he needed on a silver platter, Ran Tervani would not refuse such a gift.

He had come with twenty of his strongest men, most of them mages to hold the unstoppable rage of the spearman. They entered the dark cave, silenced by his shadow magic. Until they found a fountain. The king looked at the gates of death, now that he could take a good look at him. The spearman filled a flask with the water of the lake and gave a drop of it over the child king's lips. It did not wake him up, but he instantly looked better.

That water had cured him. No doubt about it.

And that was when he struck, ordering one of his own berserkers to throw his mace and knock the spearman out. He did so and the young man fell over, not even conscious enough to look around and see where the hit had come from.

"Sorcerers," he ordered, "the spearman is yours to experiment with. Keep the child asleep until you break that spearman enough until he's an ally or not a threat. Berserkers, you can roughen him up a bit, but not too much. Get them away from this lake. I don't care where."

"Yes, sir!"

****
Darhan
​

Day 0

He woke up in a daze, his ears ringing. It seemed as if someone was hammering his head with a hammer made of lead. He groaned, wondering if he had slipped into the water. But he could not see anything. A cloth was tied very tightly over his eyes. So much so, he feared it could blind him.

"We meet again," the voice of a male elf said. It wasn't his brother, not Nurelth, not Yullr, it couldn't be Kurlainn...just who was it?

"Who are you?" he croaked.

"Oh, I'm the one who had the honour to take hostage your precious...Alma, was it? I think it was her name. Tell you what, I can make a deal with you. Join us, and you get to live without any scars."

Darhan could not see how far he was, but from the way his voice echoed, he could safely assume the son of a bitch who had dared to threaten Alma was in front of him. And so he spit as strongly as he could.

"Fuck you."

"Woah, that was close to my eyeball," the elf chuckled, "I got almost scared you had a third eye. Well, don't say I didn't warn you. There's a lot of demonic mages who are having a raging boner just thinking about tearing apart your family crest."

"You can't take it. A blessing from the gods can't be taken."

He heard steps getting away, and at least four other sets of steps grow closer. Something was slapped over the ground and he felt the burning hit of a whip across his chest. He clenched his teeth. If he screamed, he would get those demons what they wanted. He was a proud Irisse. He would not falter.

And he lasted until the third whip. Though he could not see it, the berserkers had already made him bleed. By the fifth, he had lost consciousness and loads of blood. The demons used the same water he had used to save Yullr to heal his wounds. By the same token, it woke him up and kept him alert.

When the day was over, Darhan had gotten more than twenty whiplashes from demons five times as strong as him.

Day 1

Everything was still dark and, for some reason, he was certain the bandages around his eyes were getting tighter. He could feel his eyeballs crushed under the pressure. The pressure had a shape...thumbs. But not any kind of thumbs. No, these were scaly, long and clawed thumbs. And they were applying more pressure. How many people were around him? Where was Yullr? Where was he now? He could feel stone on his back, arms, hands, legs feet. But he could not hear anymore. Not even steps. There was something..someone over him. Sweating. Darhan could barely feel it, but there was an irritating pain somewhere down, not quite on his legs, but not in torso either. It was as if something was...inside him.

The thumbs were closer, he felt blood slowly streaming down his eyes. He smelt a foul breath near his throat, something wet and slimy slid down his neck. Every sense now clicked into place.

'No, no, no!'

How had they deafened him? He could not remember it. The thumbs caved right through his skull, cutting any thoughts short, throwing bolts of pain across his face, tensing his body into a scream he could no longer hear. Instinctively, he called for the power of his blessing to bring him the strength to fight. He grabbed the scaly head of whoever was on top of him and hit it with all his strength. It backed down, just enough for his enhanced punches to send it flying away with a gust of wind. His hearing returned and he could not only hear himself, groaning with pain but also the demons around him. They were at least ten. One of them was gurgling to his right. It was the one he had hit.

One of the heavy steps from before came back and, what Darhan could assume was a kick, pulverized his left arm with one hit. Though he screamed, he could hear that his voice was hoarse. But he had his blessing. He would always have that. Even if there were other things inside him, he still had the honour of an Irisse. He would never lose that.

"What did you do to me?! I'll kill you! I'll kill you all!"

"No, I don't think you will. Your arm was turned into pudding just now and we can do the same to the other one," The same elf from before said, calm as ever. He was chewing something. Sure enough, another kick made his other arm break into a hundred pieces. Though he stopped himself from screaming, Darhan cried due to the pain. He smelt meat, hot and freshly hunted. Darhan had forgotten how hungry he was. He wanted a bite of whatever that man was eating. And somehow, he figured it out, "You want a bite?"

"...I won't eat...anything from you,"

"We've been following you, you know? Last time you ate was...two days ago. An elf lasts only three days without water. I'll make the boys give you something good to drink. A real nostalgic treat."

The elf ordered something in demonic. It made the demons laugh. Moments later, Darhan felt some sort of lukewarm liquid poured over him, reeking of iron. It was blood. And, over his feet, there was something. A small piece of flesh. That was what scared him the most.

"You know that we know how to preserve blood really well in the demon realm? Boys all over the place saw your little breakdown with the Alma girl the commander killed. They thought you might like her company again. The girl and her child."

Darhan did not say a word, he did not even hear when the demons had stopped laughing, nor when his arm suddenly stopped hurting again. Instead, Alma appeared to his side, a baby in her arms.

"You never kept your word to me. You never let me tell you that I had your child. Instead, you chose to let us die."

"No..."

"You chose your duties over our love, Darhan."

"No...I just did what I thought was best."

"You can never love anyone, Darhan. You are as cold as death. And that's all you have left."

"Alma. No, I-"

The whiplash cut his words into a scream again.

Day Unknown

Today, there were no whips, nor the special wet cloth over his face that felt like he was drowning. At least, he could not remember at all if there had been others who had taken advantage of his few moments of sleep. Although, he always felt too conscious to ever have slept. Now, his arms seemed to have been set on fire. Right over his family crest. He could hear the demons in the distance, perhaps mocking him, perhaps just talking about how they were going to put him in pain next. At this point, he had tuned out his senses, somehow. Darhan was alone in the darkness where there were things scarier than pain: his fear-fueled hallucinations.

Next to Alma and their child, his father appeared. It seemed as if he had been decapitated, but his head was still over his shoulders.

"Look at you, son. The last heir of the Irisse covered in the blood of an affair, sullied with his own filth, letting demons get away with sapping the power of his crest away. You are a disgrace."

"Sir Ylra," Alma said, "It's what he deserves. Our gods are shunning him for the crimes Darhan has committed."

"Yes, you are correct, Lady Alma," Ylra Irisse got closer to him, crouching and pinning his head to the wall so Darhan looked him in the eye. If his father had been cold before, this version of him was worse. His amber eyes were burning with calculated rage and he threw a punch at him, breaking his nose. Then another one, and another one.

"Yggdrasil took away your mother, but it should have taken you before!"

Darhan could not remember when his senses had come back, but he felt lucid again. He heard the distant steps, the words in demonic. They were closer, but not too close. He was a disgrace, yes. But the pain had to stop. Maybe, once that went away, his mind would forget everything. Darhan called for Yullr's name, his hoarse voice quieter than what he had expected. The steps of the elf, the one that he let capture Alma came about. And someone else.

"Who is with you?"

"My name is Ran Tervani," a man said. His voice sounded familiar too. Almost identical to the voice of the human servant they kept, "Before you start screaming and crying like a madman again, I'll tell you what your condition is."

The two exchanged words in demonic before Ran Tervani spoke again.

"My sorcerers have burnt away your family crest almost in its entirety. Sharing is caring, so they used its power on themselves. Because you've so generously lead me and my men to this wonderful place, why don't you tell me more about it?"


"And you won't hit me again?"

"No. The water here seems to have its limits as well. One more day like this and I'm sure you'd starve to death. I'm willing to set you free, leave you clothes, some water and food. "

"As long as I tell you everything about this place?"

"You tell me about this place, you are only a free elf, left to die in the wild."

"What do I need to do for the clothes and the water and the food?"

Ran Tervani chuckled, "That's simple."

****
Yullr
​

The young boy woke up in a forest, tied to the trunk of a tree. Darhan was next to him, drinking from a waterskin as if he had not drank anything in days. He had a roasted hare leg within his hands. He looked healthier than ever, but there was something dark lurking in his golden eyes. Maybe it was because of the leather armour he was wearing. Where had he gotten it?

"Darhan, why am I tied?"

"Because you'd run away if I didn't tie you up. There's a reason why I took you out of the monastery and knocked you out too, you know?"

He did not even look at him as he answered, stuffing himself instead with the meat in his hands.

"You're not Darhan."

"Test me."

"What was the first gift you gave me?"

"A wooden sword. My wooden sword. The last gift I had from my mother. You fled from your birthday party, climbed on the oldest oak in the outskirts of the citadel and-"

Darhan got suddenly up, reacting to the sound of something approaching from the bushes. Yullr looked at it and his eyes widened in fear at the sight of demons. Among them, the one who he had revived that night. He expected Darhan to take out his spear but, instead, the demons looked at him with a friendly grin and threw Chulainn back at him.

"Brought back your weapon, Darhan," the resurrected demon said, "You were really nice to let us study it. Now, we have a better chance."

"The pleasure is mine. I got you who you wanted, lord Tervani."

Yullr could not believe what he was hearing. Surely, there was something wrong with this. Darhan would not sell him out, he always fought to protect him, to make his family proud. This could not be. And yet, this was the same Darhan who remembered the way they met perfectly. The same Darhan who could touch Chulainn and not die from it.

"Darhan..." the young king's voice asked, full of fear, "why are you doing this?"

The demon next to the one Darhan had called Tervani cut his ropes, only to grab him painfully by the wrists. Darhan's eyes were cold, emotionless.

"Because, Yullr, I want to die more than I want to save you. I was just waiting for the chance to get rid of you."

And, as he was taken away, he saw four sorcerers line up behind Darhan to execute him. Ran Tervani, to his side, put a comforting hand over his shoulder.

"I'm so sorry, little king. My men raided your kingdom against my orders and when I tried to stop them, your former companion killed me instead. I finally could reach you again in Feita. One of my agents guided you to the monastery. When I talked with Darhan, I told him I could give you safe passage to the Avariel kingdom, but instead, he killed five of my men and urged me to kill him. He...did not have all his head anymore. So, I had to negotiate with him so he did not kill you too. He was planning to do it, you know?"

It made sense. This was why Yggdrassil wanted him to use the King's Heart on him. And he had naively disobeyed his counsel. And the Avariels in the monastery had done nothing to stop Darhan's madness. It was only thanks to the demons he was alive. Sure, they did not have the interests of Elrios at heart, but without his home, without his friend, his brother, Elrios could burn whole for all he cared. Darhan had helped the demons a lot, anyway.

"My offer is still up, you know? I'll bring you to the Avariels if-"


"They did nothing to stop Darhan's plan, did they?"

"I had hoped the priestesses would notice and separate you, for your own good. But they did not. Instead, they kicked both of you out once you fell sick too. Our medicine cured you."

"Then they can go burn alive, for all I care. Take me with you."

Yullr did not see the brief evil grin Ran flashed at him, but his words would mark his destiny:

"Sure thing. I'm glad to have you as my ally."

 

[Late]

Sol
​

Sol wasn't sure if his ears were playing tricks with him or not. He glances over to the weeping elf, frowning in annoyance as her wails were loud and childish. He couldn't remember a time that he heard someone crying, or crying specifically for their mother. A vague memory of his mother came to mind but Sol didn't think too much about it for long. Infernal's growling got his attention and the demon finally walks out of the shadows for the dragon rider.

The rider was trying to get up with the help of her axe but Infernal was leaning over her, growling low. There was still a fighting spirit in her eyes and Sol enjoys that look. He could tell her leg wasn't in the best shape, and yet she still wants to fight till her dying breath. When Sol looms over them, the rider's struggle wanes off for a moment. He kneels down to study her out of curiosity, with his armor and helmet still on him. He imagined the rider could only see his burning eyes but it mostly looks like fear motivated the rider to move.

Sol watches as she raised her fist, fueled with some sort of magic and aims towards his face. He stops her attack with ease with his hand, holding her fist tightly as he intends to crush her bones. The knight chuckles in amusement as the rider was starting to lose conscience.

"Such a fighter. Don't worry, I think I like you enough to not cause harm. You're fortunate, human," Sol said to her, letting go of her fist as she passed out in exhaustion.

Sol studies her face a little longer before giving a pet on Infernal's head. He let Infernal carry the rider's axe and Sol went ahead to lift up the rider's body. He secured her on his mount before leaving the scene, mumbling quietly to himself.

Lucius
​

Since he left Kili to the others, both him and the dragons have been doing the best of their abilities to look for Aria. They managed to trace back to where she landed and the dragons were quick to pick up her scent, but they couldn't get any further than that. It made Lucius anxious to know the scent of the enemy lingers along with her's but the blood on the ground wasn't Aria's. They weren't sure what happened but Aria was nowhere to be found. With nobody, Lucius couldn't help but assume she was alive. Knowing the demons might keep her as a prisoner hurts him more. But what can they do? It would be suicide to search any further.

When they came to a conclusion, the sun was just about rising. Fujin was just upset about it as Lucius, unable to talk during their flight back to the others. For once, Cornelius was trying to console the wind dragon but all Fujin could do was nod. After reuniting with Kili, Ivy showed up afterward. She said very little to them and there were some scars on her body. Her ego seems deflated at the news of Aria and for a brief moment, she was angry.

"If only...I wasn't so caught up..." Ivy grumbled to herself, her eyes narrowing.

They eventually believed she was dead after a few days of traveling, as Fujin started to lose faith for his rider. Lucius, on the other hand, couldn't accept it as it is. His denial led him to train every day, wanting to become stronger if he were to take revenge someday. He does his best to keep his behavior in check though, the strange man was bothering him for quite some time.

Cedric was always quiet, eats little, and plays with his hands way too often. His clothes were changed, better than rags, but he never showed gratitude or even look at anyone in the eye. Lucius knows that the man was hiding something, and he bet Kili knows the same. Sometimes, Lucius wants to cut the man off from traveling with them but the kid, Salvator, was taking a strange liking.

"You should eat better, y'know," Salvator commented around lunchtime. Him and his father were eating stale bread, it wasn't much to eat but hearing Salvator saying that was ironic. "You always take a nibble and that's it. Surely you know what the food tastes like, right?"

As usual, Cedric doesn't provide an answer and focuses mostly on his hands. Nothing could bring a smile to his face. Lucius could see Salvator's annoyed look and opens his mouth to say something, but someone looms over him.

"Hey, Sal. Why won't you just leave the poor man alone?"

Salvator has many siblings, and the eldest one was Annabelle. She takes the other half of Daniel's job and has some great potential to come a chief someday. That's what Lucius thought, at least.

"You been bothering throughout this whole trip! Cut off some slack, won't you?" Annabelle sighed, sitting next to her young brother.

"Just tryin' to help..." Salvator mumbled, stuffing the rest of the bread in his mouth.

"Sorry we haven't been successful with hunting for the past days," Lucius apologized to them. "It almost seems the prey knows where we are already."

"You helped us plenty, no need to apologize," Daniel said. "The terrain has changed and it won't be long until we reach the deserts..."

Lucius thinks back to what he saw the last he was in the air. It was probably two days to travel through the sands but he believed that he found a place they could rest momentarily. If the people there could let us, of course.

"Yeah...let's hope the deserts will bring us good fortune."

Elrianode Keep
​

It has been two weeks since the bizarre news reached them after the discovery of missing riders. No thanks to Topaz. Once Everett heard about the news, he did not hesitate to call back all the riders that were easy to reach. However, before the meeting could be held, Everett wanted to confirm a few things before he could organize the meeting.

"I know this is an emergency and all...but do we really need to go up there and have a chat with em?" Vulcan questioned his rider, frowning at the man.

Everett was tall and strong, equipped with several different blades. He scratches his chin in thoughtfulness, his fingers brushing through his thick beard. His red hair was pulled into a bun, having a few white strands sticking out here and there. There's a black eyepatch covering his right eye, wearing studs earrings and his face holding experience of life itself. His bright blue eye stares at Vulcan as he thinks about it, knowing well that the fearsome dragon was worrying.

"Scared?" Everett questioned with a grin.

"How can you be still joking around during times like this?" The fire dragon grumbled.

Everett let out a chuckled. "It would be wise we visit the kings of the skies, Vulcan. Your ancestors. They know as much as anyone in these lands."

"Yeah, but they won't lift a claw to help us," Vulcan grumbled, leaning down for Everett to climb on.

"They have done their part hundred of years ago. It's our turn to keep things stable now. A quick visit couldn't hurt, yeah? Now put on your best behavior, we got no time to waste," Everett said, holding onto the reigns.

"Yeah, yeah, I'll show my best behavior alright," Vulcan snorted, opening his wings and flying up to the air. The dragon head towards the tall mountains just behind their establishment, Everett taking in a deep breath as they fly through the thick clouds.

 

[MementoDei]

Yullr​

It was strange to be back where he had once reigned, accepting from the same mages he had fought a mark filled with demonic mana. But there was a very good reason to do so: He did not wish to be Yullr Myrwinn anymore. Serge Debussy, the elf who had been teaching him demonic for the past three days, was the one to make him see the good of getting marked. He was perhaps Darhan's age and, unlike him, Serge had always been a friend.

"You'll have to take the family name of your saviour, of course, but it'll be like your family, right?"

Yullr silently nodded, barely glancing at the cursed needle that the glitter was approaching to his neck.

"Should I ask Ran Tervani what name I should take?"

"Hmm...", Serge's red eyes looked deep in thought for a moment, "Wanna ask him directly?"

Yullr nodded, "Today will be the big day for both him and myself. I want to name myself with something that'll reflect what I'll do to the traitors."

Serge smirked, playing with his daggers, "You have the eyes of a ruler already, Yullr. Honestly, I see the true king of Myrrh now. Not the wimpy child begging for his friends' lives."

"Those were my former friends, Serge. Former."

The red-eyed elf nodded, "I'll get the commander in a minute."

He then turned towards the glitters with a cold stare, "Stop."

The needle got further away and vanished as Serge left the tent, "Yes, sir."

Now that he was alone with the glitters, he could test his demonic knowledge. "You...know stories of conquerors? Names."

The men looked nervously at each other, muttering a demonic to fast and a bit different from what he ha grown used to. But the spirits would help. Now that they were cursed and had heard those demons speak day and night in their language, they would understand him. The corpse of a water pixie landed next to him. Then two others. He had not lost his magic, but little did he know that his family crest had slightly changed.

'Wanna...hear?'

"Absolutely," he mouthed.

And, just like he had understood what Adelaide had said more than a week ago, he understood the words from those demons completely. They were against him. They doubted that Ran's plan was a good idea. One of them even felt sorry for him, saying that Ran had crossed a line to enroll a child who had barely become an adolescent. Why were they saying such things? Because he was weak? He was a completely different person before. He still trusted traitors and left everything in their hands. Yullr knew there could not be such a thing now. Elrios had been ruthless with him and now, he would show his ruthlessness to Elrios.

"You," he seethed, "see weakness?"

A wave of mana chilled the room, undoing the restraints that tied him to the table he was on. He sat down, looking at every glitter in the eye. The pixies around him shared his feelings. They too were abandoned by the forests which they had been born in. It wanted to make them disappear as if they were invaders.

"No...sir," the first one said, instinctively bowing just a little to him. Then the other ones, one by one, denied and regretted their words. For once, Yullr felt the power of a king and, just as he was savouring the moment, Ran and Serge came back. Ran opened his arms like a proud father, Serge whistled in admiration.

"Look at you, Yullr. You've awoken the aura of a necromancer. That's the most powerful and hardest demonic magic to ever manifest in someone. I'm proud."

"Not bad at all, kid. You might give the old demonic bloodlines a new life."

Ran barked to his soldiers an order to regain their positions and end the injection of demonic energy into Yullr. They promptly sat back around him and Yullr laid back down, dismissing the pixies he had summoned. The red needle was once again near to his neck, Ran Tervani above him, combing back his hair carefully.

"You've been brave, Yullr. And I'm sure that with some training, you'll become the finest necromancer the demon realm and Elrios has ever seen. You're exceptional, a traveller and unexpected ally."

The needle pierced his neck again, making him yelp, but he did not need to be tied to stop himself from kicking or punching anyone. Ran and Serge were there. He would be healed by them, they would give him Khutulun back and then...Elrios would know that Myrrh lived on.

"You know, Yullr, in demonic myths, there is only one true hero who you remind me of. A king who went to war in an unknown land, only to return with fame and glory. A man as cunning and courageous as you're being right now. For that reason, Yullr, you shall be known as Ulysses Tervani. And to anyone who asks, you will be my only and perfect heir. You are king of Myrrh and you will be Demon King one day if you wish to."

"Ulysses..." Yullr groaned as the needle burnt the skin of his neck, "Ulysses...The Conqueror. Of Elrios. And the demon realm."

Serge smirked, "You have a load of ambition, kid."

The pain faded away and the glitters almost ran away from the tent. Yullr sat down and reached for a mirror one of the glitters had left on his chair and took a look at himself. The recent scars still hurt, the red energy was still overflowing from him, but he could recognize the demonic writing. Slowly, letter by letter, he read his new name. His lilac eyes had gotten darker and he was under the impression his voice had changed too.

"Ran, do I sound the same as when I came here?"

"No, you do not. It's a side effect from awakening your potential."

"Then..."

Yullr called the pixies back and made them cut his long ponytail off. It fell over the chair, only for the cold to consume it and break it into so many tiny shards, it seemed like it had evaporated. His bangs were freed, falling over his temples. The remains of his silver hair only got to half of his nape, curt short like those of the human mercenaries he had briefly seen in Feita. He was now combed similarly to Serge, like Ran. He would reforge what Myrrh meant to the world.

"Then, I don't have to look the same anymore."

Ran respected his decision and guided him to the bow which he had inherited. Khutulun, the Bow of Winter. Yullr touched it and felt the mythical connection to its power. The sign that made any elf instinctively know the weapon had accepted them as an heir. A cold blue light surrounded him; the power within the weapon was shifting into what he could wield better. It was only rumoured that blessed weapons could respond that well to their wielders. When the glow faded, Khutulun was no longer a bow. It was a grimoire, full of the same abandoned spirits he summoned just seconds ago. Now, he would make his kingdom rise again. And the world would know what they had coming for them, now that they turned their backs on the Myrrhian Kingdom.

****
Belegor Myrlenn

​

The past two and a half weeks had been very productive. The more he investigated the Crystal Maiden, the more he was certain he and the Avariels could use the corpse of the last priestess of the Acca Larentia as a powerful protective shield from the demons. The mana that overflowed from the Maiden empowered an underground lake, which could heal any wounds, any sickness. If only they could-

The holographic screens around him changed into an emergency alert message. Belegor frowned at the timing of it. Now, he could not continue his research. He begrudgingly accepted the emergency transmission, taking another sip of Black Mountain Tea from his metallic cup. As soon as he saw who was speaking, however, his eyes widened. His cup fell and his research got completely out of his list of priorities. The boy who was staring in front of him...those lilac eyes, the face of his father, the silver hair...

"Yullr...Myrwinn?"

It seemed like a mistake. The child who he had seen from time to time still had the bright eyes of a timid child. This Yullr -assuming it was really him- had cold eyes, eyes he had only seen in resentful killers. Like the eyes of Selene. His long hair was cut as short as those of human soldiers, his neck marked with bright red carvings he could only assume were of demonic origin. Yet, the child did not look manipulated or possessed. He could see that his Family Crest was still the same metallic purple as it had been for any normal heir. His mind was free. He was speaking honestly.

"Kingdom of the Avariel! Our closest neighbours!", his childish voice thundered coldly, "Where were you when disaster struck us the hardest? Where was your hospitality when I and my guardian knocked on every door of the kingdom of humans you so proudly called your allies? We found no one to aid us through sickness and hunger! We sought shelter from sickness in one of your monasteries and yet again, you left us alone to look for a cure. Though, that last one would have been possible if my guardian had survived the torments of his mind."

He took a pause, glaring at them with the eyes of a tyrant. What kind of catastrophe had struck them? Did...Did Darhan Irisse kill himself? No, that seemed unlikely. Although, considering that his daughter did not make it. It was possible Darhan, being so young and emotional, lost his mind over something as simple as a woman who, either way, was out of his reach.

"And my guardian, Darhan Irisse, could not survive the torments of his mind because of your inaction, Empire of Resiam! Your endless quarrels among your church and your Amazons took far too many decades. While we struggled to gather allies, you sat back, arguing like children! And my kingdom paid the ultimate price! What does that make of the alliance our forefathers kept? What does that make of the Eldars and the Irlafins who united more closely our two nations?!"

The young child took a deep breath, the anger in his eyes only getting colder, "All our allies turned their backs on us as we were brutally slaughtered by demon rebels. Men who I have already sent to be judged by Yggdrassil. Elrios turned its back on Myrrh! Elrios as a whole watched as a kingdom burnt and did not even bother to lend a hand to the two sole survivors. Even when they were the most distinguished nobles in Myrrh. Do you know who, after my guardian took his own life, offered me a cure to sickness, clothes, a shelter and a key back to my home?"

No. Something did not add up in that story. Something was wrong. But if Darhan Irisse had truly died, there was really no way to confirm just what seemed so off about Yullr's speech.

"The real demon forces did! And, as my pledge to my kingdom's true allies, I shall aid them in their conquest. None of you deserve to stay safe any longer. The Kingdom of Myrrh turns its back on Elrios. By my will, I, Yullr Myrwinn, second with the name, monarch of the Myrrh Forests and protector of its spirits, hereby declare war on all of you."

The image distorted, getting suddenly further away to a rotting hound. The true corrupted self of Selene, growling at them menacingly before the communication cut suddenly off. Belegor was still staring in disbelief at his screen when Cassiel Muzania put a hand over him.

"That...that child who just declared a war on us. It cannot be Yullr Myrwinn, could it? It must be some demon trickery!"

"Chancellor, I say we prepare for the worst. That child, as baffling as it seems, was my king. He's one-in-five generations genius with spiritual magic. And by the looks of things, I fear the demons initiated him to necromancy."

Cassiel's Muzania's eyes widened, "Oh no...Duke, what can I help you so we might defend against the biggest undead army since the warring era?"

"First, help me extract mana from this statue."

****
Ren
​

She was in the middle of her meeting with the El Lady, Sylfir Irisse when an unthinkable message entered. A young boy with the eyes of a cold-blooded killer identified himself as Yullr Myrwinn and had declared war on Elrios. He had an ancient spirit by his side, a powerful one who had been corrupted. The El Lady approached the reflection on the crystal wall with tears on her eyes and collapsed. Ren caught her.

"No...brother, no..."

Her eyes returned to what she assumed to be their original colour, one a pretty deep purple and another one bright pink. The priestess sobbed in her arms, holding onto her as if she were her mother. Ren did not remember anything about her life, yet her heart understood her pain as if it were her own. The Celestial hugged her back until Sylfir Irisse was calm enough to dry her tears on her own.

"I know...this might be selfish of me. But, could you please plead with Ishmael so my brother may return to me? Even if he's dead, I got to give him a proper burial."

Ren had no idea if her goddess would accept, but she could not say that to the El Lady, whose cycle was already ending.

"I'll convince her by any means."

"Thank you...Thank you so much, Ren, warrior of Ishmael."

****
Amaranthia & Raicaeth
​

The twin elves had just begun their day with the human and Caluso tribes of the desert when they were suddenly called into the Oval Room. That was both their bunker and communication room. They listened to the transmission made by Yullr, eyes widened and heart heavy, but they could not express their weaknesses in front of the tribal men. If they did, they would no longer follow them.

"Well, what did it say?"

"Our former king, Al-Sayyid Landar," Amaranthia began in a quiet, but strong voice, "has declared war on Elrios."

"The one from the kingdom that burnt to ashes a week ago?" the purple-haired man scoffed, "Then, that's not our worry."

Others joined in their laughter, but the Caluso did not.

"Don't be so naive, Sayyid," Raicaeth hissed, "This rogue king of ours...he has a mastery of spiritual magic beyond what we, elves, have seen in five of our generations. If the demons have half a brain, they'll teach him necromancy. And with all the thousands of corpses that were left after the massacre of Myrrh and the hundreds more that they will leave in each village they raid...we might have to deal with a million undead if they conquer the Avariel."

The room got eerily quiet.

"What can we do, then?"

The twins glanced at each other and Amaranthia, as always, was the one to pass her counsel, "We must find a way to tame Behemoth and use it as our weapon of last resort against the undead."

"That is a reckless plan, elven girl," a man of the Caluso said.

"We have nothing else to stop an army of undead," Raicaeth replied.

The head of the Landar family scratched his head, "Caluso, you may count on us. Can we count on a few harpy tribes?"

The head of the western Caluso tribe nodded, "My tribe has befriended more than a hundred of them. The other ones have befriended dozens. I believe we may have, as a whole, about two hundred fifty."

****
Ishmael
​

When Ren came back to her, she brought a most peculiar request. Something that had, once again, deeply affected her. Almost reminded her of who she had been. Ren was not asking the favour so much as the El Lady's request, but more as her soul's cry for the stopping of a tragedy.

"Alright, Ren," she said, putting a comforting hand over her shoulder, "I'll do everything in my power to bring Darhan Irisse to Resiam. He lives, you know?"

"He does?"

"Barely, but he is alive."

Ren's eyes were bright with happiness, "Then, I must tell the El Lady right a-"

"No, Ren."

"Why not?"

"Yullr Myrwinn...is not the only one to have radically changed. I...tried to keep the two survivors alive, but I could not foresee how my actions would affect their destiny. Not to this extent. Don't give that poor, dying girl false hope."

Ren laid her head on her shoulder, tears slowly streaming down her face, "As you wish it, goddess Ishmael. Pardon my rudeness...I just felt like this...is something you would allow me to do."

Ishmael passed her arm around her warrior's shoulders, "And you'd be right, Ren. I told you that if you needed anything, you could come to me."

After all, the goddess thought, Ren was everything Ishmael truly desired to protect. More than the El, more than Elrios itself. Anything that could make Ren sad had to vanish. And that had been so since the first time she had set foot on Elrios to see the last priestess of the Acca Larentia and her tragic death at the hands of Sult. Ishmael could only save the Acca Larentia's soul and the body of her last priestess. That was who Ren truly was. But Ishmael could not tell her anything because it would make her mind unravel and vanish. Ren had to remember everything by herself. All the good and all the bad.

****
Darhan
​

Once Yullr went away, the four mages were only supposed to shoot him with any kind of fire spell strong enough to vaporize him instantly. It was supposed to be a painless death. Instead, as soon as their commander was out of sight, the four mages tied him down again with chains. Although he had Chulainn in his hands, the pain of his wrist bones twisting into disarray made him let go. One of the mages kicked the weapon away.

"Please just execute me," Darhan pleaded with them, eyes filling with tears. Two of their higher-ups spoke elven. Surely, these mages had to understand what he was saying, "Your commander told me you'd give me a painless death."

"Oh, look who's crying again!" one of the demons roared, "The same asshole who impaled dozens of ours barely three weeks ago! The one who bathed in our blood."

"Kars would have taught him the lesson if he had simply stayed put to satisfy his lust. But he had to get violent and make his head explode against a wall."

"We should finish what Kars started," the third one said, taking an old, bloodied and ripped cloth from his side pocket, "I prefer women, but this is punishment. We'll gouge his eyes out at the end, just like Kars would have."

That third one took out a concealed dagger from his sleeve and approached him to rip his leather armour apart.

No. No, this couldn't be happening. He had asked for a simple execution. It was a reasonable request. He had done everything Ran had asked out of him and he promised the pain would stop. As the cloth approached his eyes, he felt his crest glow. Chulainn spun mid-air, sending a single blade of wind over him. It was strong enough to slice cleanly off the four heads of the mages. They rolled at his feet as he got up, reaching out with his right hand to catch his blessed weapon. Chulainn was angry, yearning for revenge. He looked down at the shoulders of the mages' corpses. They had parts of his family crest superficially tied to them. The Spear of the Rebel grew restless, its anger fueled with indignation. How dare those demons take a blessing gifted to my master's bloodline away? It silently screamed thoughts like that to him. Because he did not know what he was supposed to do anymore, Darhan let Chulainn's impulses take full hold over him. And whatever it did, he did not remember a thing. Except that it had brought his crest completely back. Except, it seemed different. The language aptitude it gave him was much higher. He supposed it was just a change the demons had made. One of them was perhaps a spy.

He regained his full mind when dusk was settling in and he was walking somewhere through the forests. Truthfully, he did not care where. It would be better if he got lost, all things considered. He would starve, or die of exhaustion. Dying of thirst was quicker, but there were more than enough days of rain around to make that option completely useless. As Darhan walked on through the night, he could not see, nor would have cared to notice, that pieces of guts were sliding down from his pants to his boots. Nor that his armour looked like he had been in a slaughterhouse. Most importantly, the first day passed without him noticing that his fingers were bloody and that was carrying eight crushed eyeballs in the side pocket of his pants. It was by the end of the second day that the humid rain washed some of the blood away and made him notice a foul smell on his clothes. It was already dark, but his mind was still clouded, numbed out from what he was really seeing.

Darhan took out the few short worms in his boots and the handful of maggots from his pocket, wondering how they had gotten there.

-----
​

The morning of the third day was barely rising when he still walked on. His legs were hurting, his eyelids, face....everything was heavier than usual. Darhan could not remember if he had slept at any point, he assumed he had done so while walking. The forests were growing thinner by now, just like his breath. Finally, he saw a small wooden house in the distance. There were lights on and he could almost swear there was the shadow of a woman on one of the windows. Darhan did not know why the home seemed familiar, but it seemed warm. A perfect place where he could give his last breath, once he was too tired to stand. Maybe he was not really alive anymore and the home was not really there. If he had seen his father hit him instead of the demons before, it was not impossible to assume his mind had transformed more forests into a small, warm home.

He was only a dozen steps away from the door when the shadow of the woman stopped what it was doing to stare at him. Once he was five steps away, it vanished and, by the time he was in front of the door, the woman he had seen was Alma. She was looking worriedly at him, muttering words he could not quite understand. What was she doing here, dressed like a human villager, so far from Myrrh?

It didn't matter, he finally thought, she was there, reaching out with care, speaking although he could not quite hear what. He simply needed to make sure this was not an illusion.

"Alma," he called her, pulling her close to him. If this was the afterlife, he would need to say everything he could say when she was there, "Alma, my angel. I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry, I should've listened to you. We should've left when there was time. But I'll do everything over. I'll live only for us. If my duties get in the way, I'll-"

Alma pushed him away and gave him a strong slap. And everything became clear again.

The afterimage of Alma vanished, her ears became human, her skin fair, her hair golden. And her eyes turned blue. It was Adelaide.

"Darhan," she muttered, scared, "What happened to you?"

That was an excellent question. One he could not give an answer to. All his strength vanished and he collapsed right there. But he was familiar with that feeling. It was not death.

----
​

When he woke up again, he was laying on a sofa, a woollen cover over him. He did not recognize where he was and he got up in a rush, looking everywhere for something familiar. His weapon came flying to his hand first. Someone's steps were rushing down to him. He clenched his weapon tightly, ready to give it control again until he saw the blonde hair. Then the two cups of tea over a tray and the weak smile.

"Good afternoon," she said, "You...scared me a little back there."

Darhan dropped his spear and looked down at his bandaged hand. It was probably Adelaide's doing. "Sorry."

He saw her reach out to give him the cup and he slowly took it in his hands. It was Black mountain tea. Something that had always soothed him.

"Where's your brother, Yullr?"

Darhan shook his head, feeling nothing in his heart until his tears clouded his sight. Even as they streamed down his face, he could not tell if he was sad. Or just glad. He had left all his emotions back in the Cave of Laments. He caught a glimpse of her sitting to his side and just gently putting a hand over his shoulder. Darhan took a sip of his tea and, somehow, it was all he needed to break his silence. He took a deep breath.

"They took him away. They wanted to kill me and took him away."

"But you made it out, maybe you-"

"I just need to die. I lost everything."

Adelaide's hand pulled back slowly for a moment. He took another sip of the tea, trying to make its scent kill any more words out of him. Instead, it only got him going. "Thank you for the tea, the couch and the bandages, but I don't need things like that. Just give me some poison and-"

Another slap. He looked at her and saw her in tears.

"Don't ever say that to my face ever again," she was angry, yet incredibly saddened. She shook her head and left in a hurry.

What was so wrong about wishing for his only way out?

 

[Late]

Aria
​

She wasn't sure how much time has passed since the demons took her in. It was strange for the first couple of days. When she first woke up, her hands and legs were tied down to a table. Well, only one of her legs was tied down. There was a demon medic wrapping bandages around her injured one and her first instinct kicked in quick. With a deep breath, Aria forced her leg to move and kneed the demon right in the nose. The demon hissed and shouts in reaction, holding their face as they stumble back. Aria wasn't aware there were a few demons close by and they moved in quickly to stop her from struggling. They were shouting at each other, obviously mad but Aria didn't care. She doesn't want the enemy to be even touching her.

"Get your hands off of me or I'll bite them off!" She growled, her muscles tensing up as she struggles against their hold.

Before she could even try to bite them, a booming voice spoke over them and she lost her voice for a second. A large soldier walks in the room with an upset look and the others backed off immediately. Aria stops struggling for a moment as she was frightened for a moment by his size. His armor covers his body completely and the only thing that stands out compared to his gray skin and black armor was his burning eyes. He was upset but after the whole room quieted down, the blazes calmed and the demon walks around the room. Finally, he looks over at Aria who still hasn't budged a muscle.

He scoffs and mumbles a few words to the medic trying to stop his nose from bleeding. The medic didn't move at first but after a shove, the demon hesitantly moved back in.

"Hey, what did I say?" Aria hissed at the medic, ready to knee him again but the soldier holds down her thigh. Aria was ready to struggle once again but the other hand holds down her down around the throat.

Aria realizes the demon's hands were huge enough to crush a head and fear eventually settles in as the medic finishes patching her up. The time the demon was done, the soldier asked everyone to leave and they did so in such hurry. He eventually let go of Aria and walks around once again. She coughs a couple of times, realizing how thirsty she is. That was when she felt her binds loosen and Aria could finally move.

The soldier plays around with a knife he used to cut the ropes before setting it down and leaving her alone. Aria narrows her eyes in suspicion at this but she knows her chances against him are very slim. Best to not try to even cut him if she wants to live. The time she was able to stand on her feet, the soldier returns but this time around, he was waiting for her. He had his arms folded, staring her down like almost an impatient father. Something that she was very familiar with.

Aria eventually walks over to him and stops for a moment. "What? Not going to tie my hands or something?" Aria questioned him bluntly.

The soldier stares at her and lets out a small chuckle in response. "You're no threat to me. At least, not without axe," the soldier rumbled, his accent very deep. Aria sighed at this and the soldier eventually pushed her to start walking. She learns more about her babysitter. His name was Sol Hellfire, and there was without a doubt that he wanted something out of her.

Several days passed and Aria still wasn't sure how long she was gone. She was more worried about others than herself. Most days, she was kept in a room with Sol's pet watching by. If she were to be honest, Aria wasn't exactly sure where she is. The room was cleaned out of anything that could've helped her so she was stuck for a long time. Besides that, Sol was slowly limiting how much food she was getting. Especially for every outburst she would give in an attempt to fight for freedom. Aria was afraid of him but that doesn't stop her from fighting. However, she finds herself getting choked till passing out. It came to a point that Aria simply gave up as she was growing weak from the lack of food and water.

Then one day, Sol caught her one day doing a small prayer. Finally, he started to talk to her.

"That prayer...Xiopetec is it not?" Sol questioned her, looming over Aria.

"Don't...talk to me," Aria growled, glancing over at the quiet ghoul wolf.

Sol clicked his tongue, crouching down to be at even levels with her. "You believe a goddess of assassins? or healers?" Aria doesn't answer him right away and looks about ready to pass out once again. "I think I have a fair deal to offer you."

"...a deal?" Aria questioned, frowning.

"Yes. It could benefit both of us and the way I see it...you don't have many options currently," Sol chuckled. "I need someone, a believer such as yourself, to do a little bit of spying for me. I am...curious about a few things from Xiopetec's and their followers. You could learn more than ever before if I sent you there and you shall regain back your strength. However, there will be a time when I need you back. You'll know when."

Aria frowns even more at his deal and her hands clutched into a fist. Though, maybe this was the right choice to make. Her friends might consider her already dead and they must have traveled too far for her to catch up. She has only two places to go at this point, and only one leads her to death.

"How about we shake on it?" Sol asked, grinning as he lends out a hand for her to shake.

Aria glares at him and slowly, she moves her hand carefully to his. She could manage a single shake before dropping her hand and Sol appears to be very pleased. Aria already knows what would happen if she were to try backstabbing him and she doubts that he would give her back the axe. Aria let out a deep sigh as she turns her head away, hearing Sol leaving her alone. It only took a couple of minutes for him to return back with water and plate of food.

 

[Phant0m]

Loreley
​

If she had had half a mind at the moment, she would have bared her teeth and gave a sharp retort to the owner of the voice that patronized her. Maybe she would have taken advantage of the arrow that was in her hand and gave it a home in the offending creature's chest.

But with her eyesight gone, the greatest sense she utilized taken from her in a breath, hysterics are what filled her lungs and consumed her senses. Her body trembled, little numbing spiders making her torso tingle and flutter as she continued to cry for her Mother, her Goddess. The environment faded from her, and the human girl forgotten.

It was moments before Loreley finally evened her breath and began to regain pieces of her mind from the grip of fear-induce hysteria. The binds she could wiggle out of, and once her hands were free she brought them to her burning eyes. Blood was still seeping from the wound, and her eyes for the first time in her long life were pounding. "My bow," she whispered, "I need my bow." She crawled on the ground, patting the blades of grass, trying to envision what the clearing looked like in her head and using the memory to navigate, and it took a while before she finally clasped the cool metal of her bow tightly in her grip. She closed her eyes, pointless now really but a habit, and she muttered under her breath. A familiar incantation to take her home.

Warmth danced across her skin and the scent of her floral cologne wafted into her nose. Her room, she's in her room. Of course, that where she usually lands when she teleports.

"Mother?" Loreley called out, putting her hand out to sweep the empty air. She leaned a bit too much forward and stumbled, collapsing to the ground for the second time that day. "Mother!"

"Loreley? Child? Are you-" Xiopetec's voice answered. A squeak and groan followed-ugh, if her door continues to make that sound it will drive her truly insane-and her Mother gasped and hands were suddenly touching all over her face. "What happened?"

"Zephyr." Loreley hissed when Xiopetec pressed into her wound and flinched back.

Xiopetec gave a low hiss before she started to gather her priestess into her arms to lift her to her feet and assist her on a path to where, Loreley couldn't figure at the moment. "We'll take later. Let's get your eyes bandaged before infection takes hold. Master Elria has called for a Council meeting."

"Mother then go! I'll be-"

"My children before the Council. Elria can wait." Xiopetec sat her priestess in a chair, with lavish cushion providing the utmost comfort. And it smelt like the goddess: fresh soil and expensive perfume. Xiopetec brought her to her personal quarters. "Now this may sting, but I need to stay still and brave it."
Loreley raised an eyebrow, the question on her tongue before she felt the brush of diving magic seeping into her eyes.

Xiopetec
​

"You're late," Elria said as her eyes rested on the snake goddess.

"I had other matters to attend to," Xiopetec said in a dismissive manner as she looked about the council room, glaring at Ishmael in kind, "What's the meaning of this Council?"

"A little bird chirped a song of upcoming war. This is to discuss peace."

Xiopetec almost laughed as she forced herself to take her spot beside Ishmael, the spot to mark her as Matron of the Demon Realm and the counter-goddess of sorts to Ishmael. "I'm afraid that this Council is a bit too late. The tiara is thrown-"

"Perhaps I misspoke," Elria interrupted, "You and Ishmael will make peace on this Council."

Ishmael scoffed. "Peace doesn't extinguish flames," She said under her breath. Only loud enough for Xiopetec to hear.

"Neither will it bring back the dead," Xiopetec hissed.

"You two and your squabbles," Henir sighed, "Especially you Xiopetec, you need to keep that temper of yours in check."

"Tragedies are devastating," Yggdrasil chimed in, "But unavoidable. Why dishonor the dead with conflict and insight more tragedy? You're only tempting history to repeat itself."

Xiopetec shifted on her feet momentarily, suddenly feeling the burn of a ghost in her shoes. Mention of the Warring Era always had that effect on her.

"So it is settled," Elria announced with a clap of her hands, "Ishmael and Xiopetec will agree to a peace treaty." Her tone didn't offer an invitation for the conversation to continue. Ishmael and Elria stared intently at each other before Ishmael turned to Xiopetec and offered a glowing hand.

"Peace," She had almost groaned.

Xiopetec stared at the hand for a moment watching the turquiose glow start to form half of a symbol; the feathers that framed the outer edge of a wingspan with a half halo shown amongst the delicate design.

"Xiopetec," Elria warned.

"Fine. Peace," Xiopetec said and she held Ishmael's hand, allowing her fuschia glow to intertwine and complete the symbol; coils of a serpent finishing the halo and a scythe's blade the anchor point for the feathers. Their hands clasped together for a moment that allowed the symbol of their pact to mark the back of their hands, neither goddess admitting to the discomfort of the firm grips before releasing. Xiopetec wiped her newly marked hand on her skirt to clean off an unsavory invisible stain. "Now that we're done wasting my time, I'm returning to something that actually matters."

MementoDei

 

[MementoDei]

Ishmael​

She frowned as Xiopetec went away as fast as she had come. Did she not care about the state Elrios was in? Ever since the fall of Myrrh, every other civilization had been on high alert. And the message Yullr Myrwinn had sent to the world had only made things harder for everyone else. They were preparing for the worst. And the elves knew exactly what that meant. They did too.

"You got this chance to prove you're the better goddess, Ishmael," Henir said, laying back on his chair, "I trust Elria made the right choice on making you the guardian of Elrios and the other gods who once sat here."

"You can trust me, Henir, Elria, Yggdrasil."

She looked at them solemnly, ready to take her duty no matter how much anger was still seething in her veins at Xiopetec's responsibility. Yggdrasil sighed, closing his eyes in disappointment as he shook his head.

"We must trust you, Ishmael. But, and this is with all due respect to Elria, I do not sense in you the calm and level-headedness that it will take to keep Elrios, the demon realm and the Void at peace. This council remembers your rash decision during the old war. The one Sult started."

Ishmael lowered her head. She knew her choice to save the few costed much more than what she could have saved. But she was only a small goddess back then, she could not have saved everyone, let alone Sult.

"It was the right choice back then, Ishmael. But this situation will perhaps make you face the same situation. Now that you've grown stronger, will you still take the right choice?"

Ishmael was out of words. She sometimes hated how the god of the elves could make her question just how much she had really changed since then.

Henir scoffed, "Look at you, the same little girl as back then. If you make my Voidborns or my followers suffer the same way Sult did, I will personally t-"

"Henir! Enough."

Elria's severe voice echoed through the room. "Ishmael. Lift your head. You are the goddess of a realm. You stand on the same level as the others here."

The goddess of the El obeyed, and although she could not see her expression, she trusted her voice sounded firm, "Yes, Elria," She showed them the contract that bounded her, "Xiopetec and I have agreed on leaving our quarrel out of all the realms so they may prosper. Yggdrasil, I swear upon my honour that I will not let any more of your followers die."

"Ishmael, you may be promising something far too great. Are you certain you can bound that to your honour, in front of this audience?"

"Yes."

The old god gravely nodded, "Then I wish you the best. You are very capable as a goddess, Ishmael."

"My mercy has its limits, Ishmael," Henir continued, "Elria did not let me finish, but suffice to say that I did not hesitate to bind Sult. And depending on how this situation changes, I will not hesitate to do the same or worse. To either you or Xiopetec. Or both."

Elria looked at her compassionately, "I do not think we'll have to resort to such measures. But, please, Ishmael. Try your best to diffuse this situation."

"I will, Elria."

And with those unintentionally empty words, the goddess of the El took her leave.

*****
Yullr Myrwinn​

He had been training almost tirelessly in the dark arts, barely managing to execute his enemies and empower the corrupted spirits at his command with their soul. The daily doses of demonic energy he always took helped him get better faster and quickly understand the demonic language. His magic was far from perfect but combined with Selene's might, he had enough power to scout and guard his kingdom from both airborne and ground surveillance. The first to come was an Avariel. Serge Debussy had insisted he kept him alive. Because he was his new mentor, Yullr obeyed. He let Selene's Hounds bring him back to the camp, as uninjured as possible. The man looked like a monk, considering how he was dressed. His pale pink eyes were widened in horror, or perhaps in pain. The Hounds had had fun clipping away his wings. He had bled a lot, but it was nothing Yullr could not fix. The man was muttering something in Elven, too fast, too quietly and too drowned in sobs for Yullr to make sense of any of it. The monk looked pathetic.

"Good job, Ulysses" Debussy said, patting his head, "But you made a minor mistake."

Yullr's proud smile died out when Debussy pointed out he had not done his task perfectly, "How so?"

"He's conscious. Imagine he was reporting right now our conversation to his superiors with something he could have activated from the moment you captured him."

"He had nothing like that. The hounds would have smelt it."

Debussy nodded, "I know, but he could have. If you had not had your hounds, but let say, only pixies to capture him, it's important you knock him out first and foremost. I'll teach you Live Necromancy. There's a lot of things you can do to learn more when you put what you read into practice. Come on."

The young king nodded, ignoring the tiny voice in his head that told him the Avariel's words were clear as day. He was only a priest who had walked near the Cavern of Laments to tend to his cold. He was no spy and wanted nothing to do here. The mark on his neck heated up, silencing that thought as well as giving Yullr the power he needed to perform Life Necromancy on an innocent. It muted the screams, the mana bleeding he was painfully provoking at each spell he chanted. It only focused on how proud Serge was of him. And how much he had missed words like that from the Elders and his mother. His lesson concluded with Serge showing him the Soulstone and a small, purple stone shaped too realistically like a heart.

"What's that?"

"This," Debussy began, "is The Siren's Heart. Legend has it, if you combine it with the Soulstone, the moment that man dies, the power of his soul will be directly transferred to you or any corpse of your choice."

He made a sign for a berserker to drop the dismembered corpse of Kurlainn next to the man. It had been perfumed to mask the smell, but its stench was still noticeable. Like the maggots consuming the teen's flesh.

"Yullr, we're at war. I know you can do this and learn how the magic feels. Then, you can do it on your own, without these relics."

The Avariel looked at him desperately, "You're...the king who declared war? Please, please. I'll do anything for your troops! Heal them, serve them, serve you! Don't use that on me. Please."

Yullr stared coldly at the man, "Oh, if only you and your people had listened to my own pleas when I was in your land...I might have considered your words to be true. But they aren't. You just want to escape the punishment you deserve."

For a second, Yullr hesitated. Had he really said something so vile to someone who had nothing to do with him? It reminded him of the cruel bloodshed his father ordered when he was no longer sane. The mark glowed and he charged the two relics with mana, chanting the resurrection incantations he had memorized from Debussy's grimoires. The Avariel made a scream that scraped his ears. He could feel his agony for a moment as the spell finished. Two souls wished to flee, but the heart-shaped relic bound them with chains and the Soulstone pushed both of them into Kurlainn's body, adding some of its own power. The flesh regenerated, burning all the maggots away.

Yullr ran out of mana before he felt that he had to stop. He was sweating, panting. Every mana circuit burnt underneath his skin. Yet Debussy clapped at him, putting two hands over his shoulders.

"You, little Ulysses, have surpassed every expectation we had of you. Wait until that one awakens and get some rest."

"What? Why?"

"You've created a Lost Soul. Don't worry. He won't remember anything about his past life. And he will only obey you."

-----
​

Some glitters took the corpse of the Avariel monk away and brought him a meal he had only seen the commanders get. He widened his eyes at the deer stew and dry bread they brought him. It was too big for him and, besides, he was not really hungry. However, he was thirsty. He emptied the cup of water with the plate and insisted on leaving the meal to the thin glitter.

"Lord Ran will not-"

"If you wish, I can use my spirits to make you invisible while you eat. Please. I'm really not hungry."

The glitter servant bowed, "You are very generous, Ulysses. Thank you."

Yullr held his promise when the servant went away and, not so long after, Kurlainn woke up. His skin was obviously paler than what it had been when he was alive but most curious were his eyes. They were no longer the bright fuschia he had always known. No, they burned in the same purple as the Siren's Heart. Kurlainn looked all around him, confused and afraid until his gaze landed on him. Then, he calmed down.

"Good evening."

Kurlainn nodded. It was strange to not see him even try to use his mana to write what he wished to say with elven runes. Yet, that could not be helped if what Serge had told him was true. There had to be a way to make this work. Yullr looked at the Siren's heart and took one of his old amulets off his neck. He had read about the Siren's Heart in legends. It was said it could connect souls in ways no other thing could. If he could tie a part of Kurlainn's new soul to the amulet, he might just be able to speak from there. Yullr got up and took a step towards Kurlainn. He took a step back. Yullr put his hands in the air and slowly sat down in front of the undead Scout.

"Relax. I don't wish you any harm. But I can't do much for you if you can't speak. So, I will use this stone and this amulet to help you speak. Will you let me do that?"

Kurlainn hesitated, but finally decided to sit down and nod. Yullr offered him a smile and let him put the amulet over his neck. Then, he had only to use again his magic. It would incapacitate him for a couple of weeks, but it was always good to push his limits as much as he could. After long minutes, it was over. The amulet glowed softly. Now, he only had to speak.

"Can you speak now?"

"Yes. Thank you," the voice was somewhat like what Yullr had pictured Raicaeth sounding like when they both were Kurlainn's age. Barely younger than Darhan, "Who are you to me? Do you know who I am?"

If Kurlainn was not supposed to remember anything, it would be better to not give him too much to remember things that might make him doubt how things stood now.

"Yes, I know who you are. You are Kuvira. And I am Ulysses Tervani. Your king."

*****
Ren​

She could not sleep well that night. It felt as if every breath, somehow, was painfully sapping her energy away. The few moments she did dream, she always woke up in a sweat, fearing that a thousand arrows would pierce her body. Ren decided to meditate, gather energy from a nearby El, and that eased her pain, made it bearable. But she could not go on like this. She dragged herself out of her quarters, holding the few El Shards she kept firmly in her hand. To her surprise, both Kalazar and Morgana were like her. She raised an eyebrow at them and Kalazar was the first one to find the strength to speak.

"We must see Ishmael right now."

Ren agreed, but would it not be a bother to the goddess to attend to a small audience in the middle of her rest? She was about to protest, but Morgana activated a teleportation scroll and the three of them soon found themselves in front of Ishmael's quarters. Morgana took a deep breath and pounded sloppily over the heavy wooden doors. Ren's ears rang, a high-pitched tone growing so loud that she crumbled on her knees when the doors opened. She held her head with her hands, the shards she was carrying with her dropping one by one on the ground. She saw again the flash of green flames circle her and...someone who looked exactly like her. And then the rain of fire arrows turned everything around her to nothing.

"Ren!"

She felt arms wrapped around her, the energy of the El take the pain away. And a necklace was delicately put around her neck. She could breathe better now and, after a couple of blinks, she could see everything normally around her. Ren saw tears dwell in Ishmael's eyes, sorrowful tears that reminded her of her nightmares.

"My goddess, are you crying? I'm sorry if I'm the reason why."

"No you're not. You'll never be, Ren," Ishmael swept away her tears and, from the corner of her eye, Ren could swear both Morgana and Kalazar were looking disapprovingly at them.

Ren nodded and got away from the goddess's embrace, lining with her two colleagues. Kalazar was the first to speak.

"You know what this means, Ishmael, do you not? The demons have most likely our three relics. And there's no deadlier combination, is there?"

Ishmael nodded gravely, "We must reunite the court at once. It seems to me that Xiopetec is already breaking her oath."

Ren raised an eyebrow, "Our three relics? What does that mean?"

Morgana looked sternly at their goddess, "This is what I feared, goddess Ishmael. We will not have that meeting until you have explained everything to Ren."

*****
Darhan
​

He looked for knives in the kitchen drawers or Nasod weapons stored nearby but found nothing. The bedsheets would have been good enough, but they were not enough to hang himself. And there was nothing to hang himself from. The trees were too young and it seemed more likely he'd break his legs in the attempt to hang himself from the window than to successfully die. Defeated, he finally stumbled on a room where there was a clavichord. Yet, it was different from it. It was much bigger, its keys were the reverse black over white and it was all coming from a wooden structure closer to one of a drawer than an instrument.

Darhan went closer to it and touched a white key. It sounded different from the instrument he had learnt when he was a child. Still, he could hear the same note but in a different tone. This was only a bigger and stranger clavichord. He sat in front of the instrument and took a deep breath, focusing on remembering how the songs he learnt from Sylfir went. Though he hesitated with a lot of dissonant notes, he soon picked up the melody, even changing it to lower and higher tones. It was curious just how much more this instrument could do compared to what he had known. He had a small smile on his face as he finished to play the same song for the third time in a different tone. And he heard someone clap to his right.

The former Guardian turned around and saw Adelaide standing by the doorframe, "You play piano too?"

"Piano? Is that what this is called?"

"Oh, you haven't seen any?"

Darhan glanced at the instrument and looked back at her, "No. I practiced with a clavichord sometimes."

Adelaide walked towards him and sat next to him, "I don't think I've ever heard of that one. But you surely were amazing with it, given what you played."

"Oh, it's nothing. Just some songs my sister taught me. She was the real genius on the clavichord. My younger siblings and I just loved to hear her play. She pulled off even more complicated melodies. Even by just hearing them a couple of times. I really wish she..."

The grim reminder of what had happened to her came back. And then, the rest of his pain followed. Unstoppable like a flood that choked the few moments of tranquillity he had had before. How was his family doing, after all this time? Were they still alive? Probably not. And he had lost his right to even consider them family anymore. Not after what he had done. Not after what he had let the demons do to him.

"Darhan, are you-"

He grabbed her hand before it could touch his shoulder, staring at her right in the eye "Why do you care? We've only known each other for days. We're strangers. Why would you care?"

Adelaide flinched at his seething words, but answered calmly, "Because, more often than not, when elves grieve, humans do nothing. And I don't think that's right. Ishmael's message is to help those in need, regardless of who they are. I believe in that."

Darhan let go of her hand, not sure what he could say to that. He wished to lash out, remind her that her goddess killed his sister, that her message was, in fact, a message of meaningless sacrifice. But he could not bring himself to do that. Adelaide probably did not even know how the El Lady was selected, nor what that meant. She believed in the good parts of Ishmael's cult. And he could not pretend that he knew her better. Because, after all, they were just strangers. He could only look away from her, get up and leave without a word.

And yet, doing that instead of accepting her comfort reminded him that, the way he was now, there was really nothing and no one. He'd rather reject everyone before he came to care about them. Still, Adelaide's help did not go away. She left him a meal and sat in silence in front of him, eating the same herself. Darhan barely touched his plate, but managed to thank her before going outside.

"Where are you going?"

"I need to bathe."

"I have a bathroom. With hot water. Well, not hot, but lukewarm. It's better than to go in the freezing waters of the lake. Especially with this chill coming around."

For some reason, Darhan went against his common sense and accepted her invitation. The bath she had called was strange. It had some kind of Nasod system to it made of keys that turned for the water to fall. He closed the door and undressed before turning the key for what he assumed was the hot water and a controlled rain poured from the head of the Nasod system. He stepped in and found it somewhat pleasing. Until he closed his eyes.

It smelled of blood around him again and he had to open his eyes wide to see there was no blood. Just water. The temperature was all wrong. Without any hesitation, he closed the hot water and took a bath as cold as the rains that had soaked him to the bone as he travelled. He was shivering by the time he was out, but he felt better. Any cold, blue fingers and even any sickness was better than to be reminded of that day ever again.

 

[Late]

Everett
​

Vulcan lands on a flat surface, his wings picking up a breeze before settling. It was a large cavern they landed in, there only being one way in and out. El shards were growing around them, making a path towards a dark cave. The shards energy was enough to light up the cave and it's a beautiful display. Everett spots several lesser dragons running around, a few carrying shards in their mouths as others seem to be minding their own business. He couldn't help but smile when spotting a pair playing with each other, always finding them to be rather adorable. Besides that, there were several ancient carvings on the walls that tell the history of the dragons though Everett couldn't understand them all. He knows some of them don't relate with the dragons but he wasn't here to learn more about the past. Everett gestured Vulcan to walk along the pathway.

A few steps later, a small drak comes running up to them and circled around Vulcan. The fire dragon ignores them as he keeps walking but Everett gestures the creature to climb abroad. The rider grinned as the drak first hops on the long tail before climbing along, reaching to Everett's shoulders and nuzzling against his face.

"These guys are sometimes annoying," Vulcan huffed as Everett was scratching under the drak's chin.

"Oh come on, I think they're neat," Everett said as the drak chirped.

Vulcan kept on walking until he reaches an opening. The drak flies off of Everett at that point and the rider took a moment to study the language engraved around the edges before letting Vulcan move forward. It was a dark tunnel but the dragon was aware where he was stepping. Everett could hear several rocks dropping for every step his dragon takes and eventually, there was a drop of which Vulcan uses his wings to glide down. He could never tell how far down it is but Everett took a brief glance up to see there was a small opening towards the sky. The sun never really reach down in this area and if it ever did, it would only be for a brief moment.

The sound of the wings' final beat told Everett that they made it to the bottom and he lets out a sigh. Vulcan lets a small fire in front of him and there was a large crystal of which it immediately absorbed the flame and light up the darkroom from the magic it gathered. Other crystals stuck against the walls light up in reaction and both of them could finally see their surroundings. They were in the heart of the mountain, home to the dragons that built this environment surrounding Elrianode. There was something elegant on how the crystals were shining and the textures of the walls. Everett got off his dragon finally and it wasn't long he heard a gust of wind from above.

"Commander Everett."

The ground rumbles as a dragon lands in front of them, dust picking up from the landing as the wings fold up. The dragon was large and intimidating, making Vulcan look like a simple lizard in comparison. His scale palette of blue and white was almost enough to blend in with the colors of the walls and there were a number of scales over his body. Quills gather from the back of his head down to his rear and have multiple horns around his head. At his presence, Vulcan starts to bow down and Everett follows with a kneel.

"Keyne, it's good to see you still well," Everett greeted the dragon, standing back up after kneeling.

"Likewise. What brings you here?" Keyne questioned him, looming over them with his eyes focusing on the rider.

"You must have heard some news within the winds about our missing riders and dragons, Keyne," Everett said. "We plan to send out a search and rescue party but there has been news about demons appearing..."

Keyne starts to pace around the area, looking around the glowing crystals. "...I have heard about the news, and about the demons. So far from what I heard, a demon army was successful taking down an elven kingdom, close by to where your missing companions took their mission in. It occurred weeks ago." The dragon took a pause for a moment. "I wonder what has happened on that day. Either way, the demon's attacks have been relentless for the past weeks. As for your companions, I noticed a large community has been heading towards our direction. So far, they reached the edge of the desert, going into Sander. They have our dragons within the group, so it's best to assume that our missing riders are there."

"Great. I think we know how to plan out our best course of action then," Everett sighed out.

"I do want to warn you that it may be possible that the demons could be in pursuit after them. I heard rumors that this particular group specialized in nasod weaponry. You might as well send your best riders to bring them back home," Keyne suggested quietly.

"Hey, I don't mean to sound disrespectful but where the other two dragons?" Vulcan asked curiously.

Keyne turns his head to look at Vulcan and the smaller dragon slightly shrinks back in reaction. "...Glacier was first to learn about the demon army invading on Elrios' grounds. She is now with Denif and the other El Masters to discuss and share some thoughts on what the future might bring to them. As for Perkisas...only Ishmael would know what come of him," Keyne grunted. "He is blowing off steam after a recent argument. I am not certain if he cares for this land as much as we do but we'll see what will happen when the El is in danger."

"I'm certain young Perkisas will understand soon enough. I am assuming he doesn't like the idea of being sitting ducks?" Everett asked. Keyne only let out a sigh in response. "It happens in all of us. Plus, he hasn't had much of an adventure compare to you and Glacier. May I make a suggestion?" Keyne stares at Everett and nods his head. "You both had great riders before. Glacier with Phillip Kernstar and you with Lilac Goldwing. Both made history before reaching their end and you continue keeping Elrios safe for many years since then. It may be wise to pair Perkisas with a rider, just so he could see what it feels like being part of the Keep. A feeling of having a close friend, and showing on just how important it is to have the duty of keeping Elrios safe from danger."

"Perhaps you're right. Perhaps he doesn't like the idea of being cooped up in here...I'll think about it. However, I do worry if there would be any good potential riders out there for him. Things are not the same as how it was back then," Keyne grumbled, starting to turn to leave. However, he stopped for a moment. Everett took the time to get back on his dragon but he was concerned if Keyne wanted to say something or not. "Funny...just the other day I thought I caught Lilac's scent in the mountains when I was patrolling...Everett, if those riders ever return back home, please bring them to me."

​

Everett was confused for a second on what business Keyne would have with the three riders but the dragon finally took off, leaving them behind as the lights around them start to fade.