"...Seiri." he put a hand over her own, and gave her a serious gaze. What she had done surely spoke for itself. Nima saw this movement of handholding, and grinned softly.

"...I think I will see to the newly stationed guard towers. Would you like to accompany me, Master Dwarf?" she asked to Crall, standing at the entrance of the tent with his axe.

"Hm? OH! OHH! Aye, Your Highness. And you there, try not to get yourself kilt this time. Or maybe you'll find it's harder to fall down when someone's hold'tn onto yer?" the dwarf commander said, opening the tent for Nima and walking out. Dyarhk instantly slipped into a state of worry, grabbing on Seirichi's arms and looking her blood-stained clothing over. "What is all this? Were you injured??"

"The only that was injured was my wallet.. I have to buy a new coat." Sigh. Her jacket looked to have gotten the most damage of her person. Rips and tears, obvious sword slashes.. but none seemed to bare any of her skin. "If it weren't for you falling over like that I probably would of only had to have worried about a dry cleaning bill.." Her voice a bit low, as was her expression as she looked to the side. ".. Are you alright with this? This.. whole thing.. I mean, what me and Nima did.. You would have died if we hadn't and I just couldn't stand to lose another person I love.."

He was quiet, softening his worrisome hold on her the longer she talked. But her words did not want to make him hold onto her any less. Finally, he huffed out a little laugh. "Am I worried..? Heh. Of course I am. Do you know how hard it is going to be now to get away from someone whose spirit mine is bound with?" he adoringly brushed his thumb past her cheek under her eye several times before lowering his voice. ".....very hard." he said softly.

"... Yeah." Shaking her head. What was she so worried about? Did she think he'd hate her for it..? Who knew. But right now all she knew was that she saved the man she loved -- and that's all that mattered. "You better not run away then.. or else I just might have to cut you off from all of this." A pose taken while fingers pointed to herself. But, her moment of ego-boosting came to a close as she dropped her arms and just looked at him.. That's all -- just looked. A gaze that seemed to show that everything was right at the moment..

"I think it would be pointless to worry about my going anywhere at this point..." a soft smile as his hand rained down the side of her and caught her own at the end of its fabric and skin assessing journey. "You're far too hard to look away from as it is." he pressed her hand against his lips, and then held it against his cheek strongly, glinting green eyes wetly looking up at her. It was one of the ways he showed seriousness. Seiri cussed, he opened up the waterworks. "You think I don't know what you did for me?" he said, unfaltering in his tone, as he had focused so hard to make sure. He rose, and enveloped her in his arms and chest. And as their embrace tightened, the once calmed marking on his arm began to shine warmly.

".. Oh.. oh c'mon.. stop with that.." But she was grateful. It showed all over her features as she saw him simply open up in such a way to bring tears to his eyes. Another hair-swaying shake of the head as she took in some air and let loose a slow, yet content sigh. Strong arms wrapped about her form and she was drawn in.. standing there against him. Her eyes couldn't help but close as she tried to enjoy the moment.. but then they opened, growing wide as she looked to his face. Her own showing she had remembered something.. ".. Dark.. we're leaving for Adenna.." Worry once more overtaking her. ".. Our fight here is over."

"What, leaving?" he blinked, a hand on his thigh. "Town Hall... it was not pretty. I believe most of it went under. But... Rhy'Din City still stands a chance... just like this camp. Wait.. this camp. New guard towers? Has the barrier come down??"

"Liltu can't stay any longer. The council has said Mommy is asking for all able-bodied Liltu mages to come to Adenna at once.. Something is going on Dark, we can't stay here.. Even Crall agrees with the idea. The dwarves can handle the camp on their own."

"All these people..." he turned and faced the desk he had been on just moments ago; life-changing moments, that happened during the course of an embrace. He covered his mouth, his eyes calculating it all. "Men, women, and children dying. Such a tragedy had always inflicted a deep wound within me. It did not matter that I joined battles with those I did not know, and did not know me, nor care for me. I did it for the people. My kind heart still exists, but I can feel myself... changing. There is one person in my life now whose value I hold above all others. Her wellbeing concerns me before anyone else. And if her journey takes her to Adenna, then it takes me there as well."

"Then we'll go. Together." Reaching out to take his hand into her own. An offered squeeze given moments after as she looked to him once more with her own burning gaze. "Whatever comes our way.. big or small, Dark.. I want you to know -- I'll always be there beside you."

"..!" he gasped, looking back at her. There was something he saw before him, that he had never seen before. A flame, and a roaring one at that. And what stood it apart, was that it burned for him. This surprised him more than anything ever had. 'Is this what I have been searching for all my life? This feeling? Is this the feeling of that which I have longed for, and pursued? This is what it feels like?' he allowed his hand to be held, before it became a joint effort and he turned to her. "... ." wetting their feet with one another's comfort was a point they had gone far and beyond. They had drowned in it. Their held hands were broken so that he might hold her form ever tightly as he kissed her lips.
A kiss he had never given before. A kiss that said a hundred things: I am here, I will never leave you, thank you, I love you. It was a unique series of factual statements that were spoken through a hot physical feeling to the tune of lips regaining their hold of one another. It was more than that, though. He seemed to ' ' feel ' ' what she felt. It must've been their interwoven spiritual link, which would have explained a lot, because when he stopped hungering for the touch of her lips, her eyes had opened the same as his, expectingly looking into his own. "You have my heart, choppy-haired warrior..." he grabbed onto those brown locks of hers that were so fond of swaying recently to let her pay notice to what he referred before releasing with a smile. One final kiss, savoring the godly wine in the bottom of his glass only for it to be magically refilled when he opened his eyes again. "...It is settled then. Help me dress my armor." turning, and going to the suit that faced him in the corner. A suit, like Crall's golden armour, that had been left behind in the attack on Town Hall.

Recovering from the kiss as well, she needed a few moments to just.. soak it all in. But, upon returning back to world of the here and now.. as well as hearing his request; she'd respond. "I'd tell you to relax.. but right now, I'd rather see you dressed for battle." It was how she liked her men. How she loved to picture them. You could take a woman out of Adenna -- but you can't take Adenna out of the woman. "Crall said he had something to speak with you about as well.. I'm not sure what, but it's important." Taking hold of the chest guard momentarily before moving to place it over his head and fasten it about his upper form. "Nima's waiting to port us, then she'll be going to Liltu.. So it'll just be you and me going through the portal."

"I'm not looking to impress your mother, Seiri. I'm merely hoping these things help defend me against her."

Crall laughed at that, just as a hand found a cocked hip of Seiri's. " .. And you, Crall. " She couldn't just forget the dwarf, "You're one hell of a warrior! But I guess even a warrior deserves a nice rest." She reached out for his hand. "It was nice working with you."

"You Ichi's are a make of woman our neck of the mountain wouldn't mind having! You're as strong as any war captain I've fought with, Seirichi." shaking her hand. "You take good care of this man! He's a little foolhardy, but he's got a big heart, and that'll go miles on the battlefield. I hope we meet again someday! Hahaha!" he laughed, grabbing his wrist behind his back, as he began walking through camp, the opposite direction they would be heading. Dyarhk backed beside Seiri, and gave a worried look. "Are you okay?"

"Good luck! " Calling out. Watching the dwarf walk away at a steady pace. But then her attention drew back to Dyarhk. "Huh..?" Yes. He was worried about her.. he probably saw how she looked during her own inner conflict. A curse to herself given before she shook her head and gave off a smile. "I'm fine. Don't worry so much, alright? I'm tough as nails." She gave a pound to her chest. "You heard him. Strong as a war captian." A change of subject. That's what she wanted -- and it's what she'd be asking for as she spoke. "We're all ready to go, right? Got everything you'll need?"

"Where are you going.. this conflict is far from over, Dark. Miss Wong will not be pleased with this.." Came the voice of Nella as she stepped onto the scene.. but she wouldn't be the only one. The short-haired Corea could also be seen next to her. "You haven't even brought this up with me!"

"Got everything you'll need? " he sought out her hand, locked-on with her eyes. "I do." whispered softly as he was then approached by Nella and Corea. He looked their way, before assessing Corea, and then looking back to Seiri. "A moment. See about Nima and our portal." a squeeze, and he then released her hand, presenting the all of his back and that glorious axe glinting and reflecting even, back at her amidst the black of his cloak. He stepped up to Nella and Corea, the vast majority of his body concealed by how this cape was fastened to the same shoulder, so only his right arm and some of his side really shewed. "...Nella I am taking up arms in Adenna. The Ichi's were an ally long before Wong and I met. If you feel the situation no longer profitable, then go home. You've already helped a great deal." he looked to Corea, assessing her emotions very briefly, before looking back. "But I would imagine anything still being recorded could only add to her image at this point back on the tiers. Nella... might I have a word with my bodyguard?" he asked, now giving his full attention to Corea.

"Understood. Excuse me, I have a call to make." The conversation was left just then as she turned herself about and made way for the MedBus. As for Corea; she looked rather pissed. Her expression showing anger, while at the same time uncertainty. She disliked being left out of the loop -- and this? This had her pretty damn well outside of it. "What is this all about Dark? You can't seriously be thinking about just going off to fight in some new conflict? First you start going out on on the field without me.. Then when you arrive back at camp you're near death and I wasn't allowed to bring you to Nella for treatment. Now you're talking about leaving? I can't just up and go wherever I please. You'll need to give me some time to speak with Miss Wong." It seemed the Bioroid had come to the conclusion that she would be going with him.

?Now the fighting was for the best. 'Least I could know was that you weren't in danger.? He smiled softly, taking her hand, and escorting her the short few steps to a slightly quieter locale. ?Corea..." brushing that cherry-chocolate hair one more time. He took a deep breath, over-exaggeratively. "I gave it a shot. That life's just not for me." a simple shrug, apart of a formula he was presenting, to purposefully look formulaic, like this were a simple conclusion. "These hands of mine weren't meant to hold a gun. And my wounds aren't meant to be treated with advanced technology. And my heart... is meant, for another." simple conclusions, however, were only so many.
"Thank you, for letting me close. But your destiny lies far beyond this. I was just, a shadow, that got in your way." he reached, and procured from her pocket, the same pocket she always gravitated to, when it came to placing her hairpin. It was a simple, white, plain hairpin. But since she had been growing her hair out some from its regular shortness, she had been keeping it out of her way. He showed the item to her. "Let me keep this. So I might remember the moment you started to change. When you tore down your walls and began letting people see you. Such a thing I do not want to forget. Wong gave me your termination code, remember? That means I have ownership over you. And now, I give that ownership to you. Your life is your own, Corea. And don't let Wong touch that beautiful mind of yours. Because it is just that, beautiful. And should never be ruined again by the sameness of indifference. Come here."

He put his chin over her shoulder in embrace, and closed his eyes. "I won't forget you. But, go home. Create a life for yourself, and no other. Do that, and that is where you will call home." This was it. All this time they spent together -- and this is how it would end. For a bioroid; even she couldn't help but stunned by this moment. Termination code.. ownership. She was now her own person. Or so he said. Those arms took her once more for what could possibly be for the very last time. " ........ " Her body broke away. Slow, steady steps took her away from Dyarhk so that she could give him a last once over. ".. Dark." Yes.. this was it. Her chest rose as she took in a breath; as well as her arm as she brought it up to salute.

"It was a pleasure working with you, Sir." It fell quickly, just as fast as it had risen.

He saluted her back. "The pleasure was mine." his saluted arm came back down, and almost as if the cloak were alive, ate his arm and made it once again apart of the black domineering figure that was the golden axeman. He turned and began back for his tent, never looking back. Eyes of his that carried such a torch even when the spirit of his life force had all but diminished. The black claw-like fingers of his gauntlets wrapped around one of the ropes that made up the entrance of his tent. Seiri was not here.

Three cracks of lighting right off, and an ongoing rumble of thunder. His face was pelted almost immediately by the bullet-like rain that poured down. It was a monsoon, and the shade of night masked him all around. 'THIS is Adenna?' Dyarhk summoned his hood from behind his neck and protected his face from the rain, squinting one eye. Trying to understand where in Adenna he was, none of this looked familiar. He stood on sand, not cobblestone streets. And certain it was day, it appeared to be night. And that was when his eyes bolted open. "..!"

The nightfall cast upon him was that of many islands' shadows cast down from above, and a nightmare of a storm brought about by the shrieks of a monster. Hearing such shrieks again, he recognized it all too well. It was the sound of a guardian. These islands around him, the famous floating islands of Adenna's guardians, had crashed. "....."

"You there! Move it right along! We're directing portal traffic!?

"Join the others in the alcove! We're setting up shelters!" Adennian knights, fully-armored, and dry inside, issued out the orders, grabbing Dyarhk's arm and leading him before he jerked his arm out of his grip. "Hey!?

?Huh?" the other looked back to see Dyarhk helping Seiri through the portal. Wearing far less clothing than she probably should in this weather, it was still beneficial, as the knights did not recognize her. "Alright you two, move it right along! It's still dangerous here, you know!"

"Come on." Dyarhk said, putting an arm around the shorter woman, and in-effect, his cape, which shielded her from the rain and the cold, and permitted warmth and dryness, and the closeness of him. He walked with her through the sand towards where the many flames were in the distance. Cabins setup, and smoking chimneys running the scents of foods cooking. He kept her wrapped warmly, tight. "Dear Gods, what could have done this?"

"........ What.." It's all Seirichi could mutter. The sounds of the crying beast. Instantly knowing who and what it came from. A beast she had gotten the best of oh-so many years ago with her Sister. The darkness, the rain.. everything feeling rushed. Everything going by so fast, she couldn't wrap her head around any of this. Hurried along by Dyarhk as she tried to focus in on something, anything.. and yet the only thing she could was the feeling of warmth brought to her by that draped cape. ".. What the fuck is going on... Dark, I need to find my Mom!" She broke away from him. Boots smacking against the wet ground as she started to break for a run.

"Seirichi! WAIT!" he yelled out as she left the protection of him. He clenched his teeth as he began to pursue her. This new weight was already making itself known as a serious challenge. She wouldn't get far.. another guard was spotted, this time with a royal blue hood shadowing his features. His illuminated form was tall and reaked of Liltu magic, something Seirichi hadn't been expecting. She stopped and took a step back in confusion. Why was a Liltu mage here.. No, they were getting help from them -- but why was he in Adenna armor?!

"Ma'am! You cannot leave the area!" He warned with a stern voice. "Mistress Crane and Suresa the Hunter Captain are currently battling the sea beast with archery teams! You MUST take shelter!" Another step back. She was out of her element.. This must been how those who ventured into camp felt after being rescued from battle.. but right now -- instead of being rescued from it, she was thrown right into it. "How did this happen?!"

"I have no time to explain! I order you to make for the shelters now!" Ordered? A liltu mage.. was ordering her ? here?!

Hearing the Liltu person bark their orders as he finally came up to them, he stood beside Seiri, both his arms inside his cloak as he questioned the mage. "Where exactly are we? I see the islands, but I do not recognize the ground we walk."

"That is because it did not exist prior to this catastrophe. It is a breakaway of the great islands. This alcove was formed by the islands' crash. You will find there is much about Adenna that has changed. Now, please!"

"Do we have a problem here??" another Liltus knight walked up.

".. No. We were just heading for the alcove." he came up and put a hand on Seiri's shoulder and got in close. "There is too little we know about this. Maybe we can find less resistance down there." he would walk with her again, the rain blasting their backs and the wind giving them a little bit more step in their walk. Dyarhk's cloak soon came around to envelope her once more, his arm inside it draping her as well. "Maybe someone you know is down there." he squinted an eye to the harshness of the storm, a squint that diminished the closer they came into this somewhat protected area. It was apart of one of the islands that seemed to have been burrowed into and almost instantly felt warm, a heat trap, produced by the smoke from the many fires.

".. How could this have happened.." Was this what Havelast warned them about? Was.. no -- this had to have been. "I should.. I should have been here.." She said. But her tone so low that the echo of the beast and the rattling of the rain drowned it out. Her body moved closer to Dyarhk's. This was.. too much of a shock for her. ".. Adenna.. what has happened to you..?" Fingers curling, squeezing.

"Ah... good. You've brought Dark with you."

"Senator." Dyarhk nodded in greeting, obscuring the doorway with his size, partially due to his axe.

Atae calmed somewhat, guiding Seiri's hands down to her sides and then putting her own on the girl's shoulders, walking her away from the steaming heat from the kitchen and into the doorway leading to an open space, not fully blocking off the winds as they still whistled quietly through cracks in the walls and an open doorway leading to a wide balcony that was meant to overlook the area easily. Atae lowered her voice, and checked her sides before speaking secretly to Seirichi. Dyarhk stepped closer to them, very curious as to her method.

"..?"

"And Havelast... He is heading all of these efforts, on all five islands. He is at the Adenna main court with your mother beneath the mud guardian's isle. We are all waiting, waiting to hear word back from them. All transportations are cut, and for good reason. Going out on your own is too dangerous. The only way to reach them is on foot, and is how we were currently divided. We had to split up, to control the guardians from wrecking the city. Crane and Suresa are helping me here with Yajuu Kai, but as you can see, it is a fearsome effort."

"Atae, what if the worst has happened? Will we continue to wait? Our friends', your husband's life may be in danger at this very moment."

"No matter what, we have our orders.? she shot him a glare. ?However, that is unlikely, because the guardians are being suppressed. If Eizou is unable to control the magma lord, then we would have known about it by now; same goes for all of Adenna's heroes. They have earned their reputations appropriately, Dark." looking him down, who only tsked to the side. Atae laid her eyes back down on the girl she watched grow up through the years. "Seiri... I know how much of a fighter you are. I am sorry. But you must understand, it is much too dangerous to leave here on your own. But do not worry. We will hear back shortly from the court. I'm sure if you are willing to help, they will place you. Please rest, while you wait. Even if you are not tired. Please sit down. Rest your mind. I'll bring you both something hot to eat." Atae opened her arm to present this open space to them.

Dyarhk was watching, and had been watching a young boy, fishing through a crack in the floor for something he must've dropped. He took Atae up on her offer, grabbing the doorway with his armored hand as he passed by both her and Seirichi. "...." weaving around some men and women walking, guiding his axe as well as he did so, and careful to step around people warming themselves with blankets on the floor he walked. The boy was making red the skin around his arm just as the quaking man's boots came to a stop behind him. He looked up, and terrified, just blinked with his jaw dropped at the Palliator looking down at him.

"Lose something?"

"..!!"

He drew his rhinoceros giant's knife, and caused one of the women, probably the boy's mother, to gasp. Stabbing the knife down at a fast pace, he brought up and back through the crack, a wooden knight, now brandishing a new cut as shown when Dyarhk easily worked his knife out. The boy began to look a little upset by the damage as it was handed back to him, but Dyarhk held out an armored finger that amazed the boy long enough for him to speak. "Your warrior has a new battle scar now. Only the toughest warriors wear them. Be careful with him, now. He has many more people he must protect."

The boy blinked in amazement, a defacement turned into a welcomed change. He smiled, finally. "Thank you!"

Dyarhk flattened his hair with his palm as he ran out of it and into that woman's arms while he sheathed that knife. He drew that axe very procedurally, flipping its blade down and laying it against the wall as he then laid against the wall beside it, looking around at the many frightened Adennians that looked at him fearfully. He could only close his eyes to them, unwanting to see himself regarded as some kind of foe. He wanted to preserve his powerful will to help them. "........."

Waiting, paid off. Instead of being off fighting the aquatic guardian of Adenna, they had stayed in Atae's care, and long enough to be found by Eizou. Dyarhk gave a respectful nod to him in these desperate hours, coming to a stand now with Seirichi as both he and his wife came over to them.

"I was wondering when you would get here. I'm glad you came." Eizou smiled to Seirichi. "And Dark, also? Our old ally, your services would be greatly appreciated. There's no safe way to Adenna City at the moment. But by the end of the day I plan on having a working connection from here to it. But with me, I think I could smuggle two aids in." another smile from the great doctor and scientist of Adenna. Atae put one of her own on as she looked over Seiri. ?How about it, Seiri. Would you like to see your Mom?"

That's right, Tetch was in the city somewherre, keeping the bridge dragon at bay. Dyarhk thought on this while he watched a woman approach with tears in her eyes. "Eizou?? You can reach the city? Take me with you, please! My husband was there when the attack came! I have to know if he's safe!"

Atae crowd-controlled. If Seiri and Dyarhk were getting free passes and others were not, this had to be mediated very quickly. "Now, now. I am sure he is fine. Remember, no one was killed in this attack."

"But people are still missing! What if he is dying? Or is already dead!" She bawled some more, but Atae was there for her, as was she for so many women of Adenna. Seldom was a citizen or person out of her motherly care. Dyarhk slipped his fingers into the aperture on the face of his axe, still grunting to command its mighty weight. Fitting said slot of said axe onto the lower golden spade at the back of his shoulder armor, he began working his cloak enchanted by Lilith partially over it.

Eizou looked over his new attire, liking what he saw before he looked over to Atae who was still calming the woman. "You have to stay here, where it is safe, just a little while longer. She is one of our Siovanui. She has to go." Atae patted the woman's hand she held. The woman seemed understanding, but it didn't make her cry any less.

Eizou looked back to the two of them; Seiri who looked ready, eager; and Dyarhk who looked prepared to do what he had to. "...Let's get you two to the city." he walked back to the doorway, and a transport post immediately rose out of the flooring,and timed perfectly for the hawk figurehead atop it to communicate with his magical energy. A portal opened. "Watch out for falling debris." he looked back to them.

Dyarhk walked past him, but not before a pat on the shoulder in doing so. "It is good to see you, Eizou."

"Get on with that thing!" Eizou said laughing and giving him a friendly shove poking fun at the size of his axe. On through the portal he went.

Though she felt for the bawling woman.. she knew it had to be this way. Seirichi had to go. As Atae said -- she was a Siovanui. She wasn't here when the attack had happened.. but she was here now, and she needed to get as close to the conflict as possible to try and do some good for the city she had forsaken. "Thank you, Eizou."
It's all she could really say as she looked to the transporter. A step was taken, but then she fell still. Dyarhk had already gone throught he portal before her.. and would probably be waiting for her to exit out of it as well -- but he'd have to wait a few more moments as Seirichi turned to look at the crying woman. "You. What is your husband's name? I will ask if anyone has seen him."

The woman held her hands together to help maintain her composure. There was a rip in her apron and her face was dirty. What a radical change from the brightness of most Adennians. And although their worry fell just as stranger on them, their hope was something that remained with them all. She slowly looked up to Seirichi, the only Siovanui that had ever spoken to her. She blinked, before her eyes began to well tears once more. "Oh thank you. Thank you. Charles is my husband's name. Charles Raet. He is one of Adenna's finest carpenters, and a loving father. Please, see that he is alright. Bless you." the woman grabbed Seirichi's hand and, shakily, hurried it to her lips for a kiss, rubbing it also shakily.

Atae saw this opportune to put her hands on the woman's shoulders and guide her into her embrace while she gradually looked to Seirichi. "...Go on, Seiri. Your age is showing." Atae said in a hushed voice, something just between them. A smile to her.

The Siovanui kept silent. Taking in all the information the woman had given her.. Name, occupation. This becoming a personal mission she wouldn't allow herself to fail as well. The city, the people -- this is what she could do to make it up for them. "Don't worry." As the woman was taken back by Atae. Seirichi rose a hand and curled those fingers into a fist before her thumb rose up. "You have my word. I will find your husband." That, along with her arm dropping, would be the last the woman would do before turning herself around and entering into the portal.

"Yes, I can make much better progress dirtying my hands than commanding with them. You go on ahead." Havelast waved her off before placing this beam up. It would find a home, eventually. But for now, it was just in place, ready to be used. He looked to Dyarhk now, who had helped him move this beam, now with free hands as well.

"Havelast.... watch my axe." he said as he now paved through the men, but did so much more appreciatively, not unlike Seiri, patting shoulders and shaking hands.

"I'm sure such rulings of the court will only bore a man such as yourself." Anthony suggested.

"Rahea and Vic are pretty cool, usually. I think I can handle it, Sir Knight." a look to Seirichi they both understood. It was obvious Anthony did not know of his relationship to Adenna. Not that he should have, but he seemed surprised by repeated objections.

"Suit yourself. Come, Princess." he offered his arm again just as Dyarhk came up beside her other side."

You heard him, Princess. Move along." a grin was barely noticeable on his face as he would slowly start to pass her. It was evident he found this procedural nonsense a little misplaced. The thought of saying something along the lines of ``What're you grinning about?!`` came -- but that was the time she caught the attention of Sir Antony. Seeing his arm held out for her.. a soft blink of those eyes given. The thought of taking the arm was no problem to her, but she just liked keeping her own freed for anything that could come up. "Thanks, but I think I can handle it myself." Seirichi placed her own arms behind her back just then. Fingers taking to one another; holding them palm to palm as she began to follow the golden-shouldered man already on his way to the castle.

"How're those two doing, anyway? The stress from all of this must be pretty huge for them." she cutely called back to him.

Anthony shot a glare of angry blue eyes upon Dyarhk taking the lead to the castle before looking away from him altogether. Seirichi had taken his attention, and again, he was surprised by her resistance. "O - Ofv.. course." He signaled to his men with another hand gesture to move forward, and thus, their journey began. The walk to the castle was a somewhat lengthy one to the eyes, but in reality only a matter of minutes. Crossing into the openness of the district where all the trade usually trafficked was barren and ghastly now.
Anthony showed his commanding hand held high when they reached the Ko'Rudoche obstruction, causing many of the archers posted up on the castle walls to switch stances from a ready position to a lowered one. It was not as if they had been aiming at them, but was more of a courtesy, as was much of Anthony's policies thus far. Passing under tunnel of wood what partially suspended one of the links of Ko'Rudoche's chain to create a cold walkway. Coming out from it they were presented with lush green lawns and foliage, white paths, colorful flowers and gardens, and a natural sunlight that seemed to emit from them. Such was the mysteries of this castle, and its many secrets.

Anthony's cape shone true here, a purple back with gold interior, and his white armor with dark blue Adennian script upon it. He looked back to Seirichi with a warm smile. "Welcome Home, Princess."

Dyarhk navigated the obstruction, and stepped into the cold of the tunnel as he passed through to fully see the courtyard of the great castle. It was partially wrapped in the giant chain he had only heard about when Techichi had taken her guardian trials. Seeing it was something else entirely. He popped the hand of a captain what grabbed his wrist if just to tell him not to worry about him being so close to royal quarters unchecked. But who knew, maybe it was something else entirely.

"If you will come with me." Anthony said to them both, leading them up the beautiful white steps; steps that slowly became shadowed by the chains gripping the face of the castle and obscuring the beautiful stained glass and windows of the many rooms; they were truly something to behold. But once inside, things seemed perfectly normal.

"I don't think our attackers planned on Adenna's resilience. This place looks brand new." Dyarhk said, looking around. A captain however, became quite infuriated with him.

"Are you trying to say Adenna did not suffer great losses?! Need I remind you, outsider, that you are one of the only present here unrelated to our city. Liltu is apart of our Queen's marriage to the Lilith, and thus our marriage of military power. But all you are, is being kept an eye on." he pointed a finger. Dyarhk stared at him seriously, surprised to hear such a thing. But Anthony stood up for him.

"Now, now. Forgive him, axeman. -- " Dyarhk blinked at him. " -- Adenna is a very shy country. It is hard for her to make friends. Please, allow me to offer you a seat while we go before the royal court." Another face from Dyarhk. This man commanded authority, and the fact his information on him was what it was, was disconcerting. He shot a glance to Seirichi, seeing if she had caught onto this as well. But either way, he figured he best go along with the tide, or heaven forbid face charges of treason.

Dyarhk walked to the hall and slowly sat, looking for approval sarcastically. "I hope you are comfortable. Any of our servants may be called upon to bring you a drink, a refreshment. But if you'll excuse me. Guards." he called the two knights from the front door to this crossing of two hallways to stand guard there; stand guard where Dyarhk was. Anthony then, instead of offering Seirichi his arm, gestured for her to walk down the hall, and he would walk beside her. The castle was as maintained as anyone would recognize, and Anthony's confident walk through it suggested it was perfectly safe.

"Sit there and be good, Dark. Best behavior." She gave a grin his direction. All he needed to do was sit tight.. once all of this was over she could grab at 'em and they could go back out among the people and help rebuild. Plus, hey, he was a friend of the families -- what could he do that she or her mothers couldn't get him out of?

"Yeah. yeah." he felt about the sturdiness of his golden shoulder plate, running his hand over the catch in it, realizing he had yet to hold the axe over it like it was meant for. He pondered, something else on his mind as well, as he watched Seiri and Anthony move down the hall together. "....."

With his legs crossed, Dyarhk closed his eyes while he tried and mentally rush these proceedings along. A door then opened down the hall. Those large double doors he had heard Seirichi and Anthony enter. His green eyes opened for him to look down the hall with. Sir Anthony stepped out, his helmet under his arm, and he then turned to face Seiri who only stopped briefly to say something before heading to the widening staircase at the end of the hall. Anthony however, turned and began coming Dyarhk's direction. Combing a hand multiple times through his blond locks, he stopped before the Palliator.

"That woman is far more amazing than I ever remembered."

"...Yeah, she's weird."

The order-issuing twosome of knights at the front door of the castle shouted. "Who goes there?!" -- "ARCHERS!!" Men shouted, arrows launched, and magical bullets rained upwards from the front yard of the castle. A spike-protruding sphere of magic, having launched hundreds of magical spear-like needles up into the archers, and the two door guards at the front, was briefly seen before being recalled into the hand of a dark robed mage. Beside him, a faceless man, dressed all in black came up beside him as the two began to ascend the stairs up to the front door of the castle. The two guards joined Dyarhk in looking to the front as they were the first to stand to their feet, drawing their swords. As they did so, the black-dressed question of a man beside the black mage ran inside and took stance, extending both his arms and yanking them back. When he did so, he held the knights' very swords in his hands, and flung them out at blazing speeds from such average-looking arms. Steel penetrating steel. Their armor spilled blood at the waist from their wounds to the chest; it merely collected there, and they fell. Dyarhk fearfully looked on, before angrily turning to look at the men. '...I don't have my axe.' he thought.

The two men were fully inside now, facing only two men now after the servant was sent into a series of gurgling chokes with a tiny refreshment spreading knife impaled in her throat. The fingers of that black-dressed man slowly lowered, and his arm with them, back to his side, where he seemed expectant of hitting such a mark. Dyarhk hadn't even seen his attacks, only their aftermath. This unnerved him. Anthony finally rose to a stand, and drew his white sword. His hair a mess, as it seldom was, and often signified a losing battle. "We have to inform the council! Come on!" Anthony shouted to Dyarhk, yanking his shirt at his shoulder. He began to run, Dyarhk turning to watch him with surprise. The black mage then extended his arm, showing his handsome jaw under his hood, and his evil frown of indifference.
The heavy stone roof began to crumble, and drop down on the two men many tons of hard stone. Anthony dove forward, Dyarhk back. The hall filled with dust, and once cleared, Dyarhk could be seen picking at the now barrier of debris. "Anthony? Anthony where are you??" armor bouncing, boots sounding. On the other side, he was running. Dyarhk slowly brought his fist down upon the wall of rubble, shutting his eyes tightly. "....."

"Maybe you can help us..." the black mage began. Dyarhk's eyes opened, determined. He slowly turned to face them. "We are looking for the dark therapy knight. Maybe you have seen him."

Dyarhk drew the rhinoceros giant's knife, and prepared to do battle with them.

"...I guess not." The mage said simply at the sight of his blade. The man he entered with brought back his hand, now having that precise weapon, and hurled it out with much more speed than the swords that had weighed more. Dyarhk's eyes became wide as the sound of flesh was sliced, and blood went spewing onto the beautiful white walls.

?Sh*t.!? It echoed throughout the castle walls as Seirichi made down those halls. "Come on, Dark.. " She could feel him.. Dyahrk, his life.. it was dwindling away. That small flicker of flame that only needed the softest of blows to be put out forever. Ever since Nima placed that bridge, that connection between the two of them.. Seirichi only understood that aching in her heart as one thing and one thing only. He - was - dying. The castle, it was one place.. one place in Adenna that she thought she could have no worries.. But if even the treasure vault had been breached, what could stop enemies from waltzing into these hallowed halls?

?His life is meaningless. You cannot protect them all.?

A cold sweat broke out just then as she felt her knee give way. Her body quickly rocking to the right. Thankfully the wall had been there to catch her shoulder as she slumped against it momentarily. ".. What.. was that.." spoken with wide eyes. Goosebumps overtaking her skin.. but. "No.. F*ck, no! Hold yourself together!" yelling to herself as she pushed off from the wall and continued on. Questions arose in her mind.. What WAS that..?! But that ache in her heart pulled her back to what mattered the most. Boots skid across the hard floor as she turned the hall; and there she saw it. The rubble of the attack.. the destruction, she could even smell the bloodshed as well. Death.
"God dammit, Dark!" Yelling out with worried frustration as she followed that gut-feeling. The same feeling that led her to the fallen stone mound that plagued the hall. "He's.. Nn." Low.. in-between strong grunts as she began to grasp and throw back the fallen ceiling piece by piece. "You better not be dead. I'll be really pissed off if you gave up this easily..!" The process was quick.. Clearing this kind of wreckage was nothing for a Siovauni, but time was still of the essence.. Even the smallest time wasted could mean death for the man she'd known so long, and cared so deeply for.

But then, she could make out something.. It was his arm. ".. S.. sh*t.. Dark..!" shoveling more and more of that rock and foundation out of the way before she finally took in his own form. ". D.. Dark.." Seiri stuttered out as shaken hands reached to grasp onto him. ".. Oh.. Oh sh*t.." she kept repeating as she felt over him. Her hands touched something wet, and when she pulled it up to look.. Red -- it was his blood. ".. You.. you.." caught up. A lump in her throat, all she could do was let out a hiss of anger as she hunched over him. Fingers curled.. grasping tightly. ".. Come on." No. She wasn't going to lose another one. Not like this.. She saved him before -- she could do it again. "Stay with me.. Just f*cking stay with me.." The Siovanui spoke as she shut those eyes tightly.

'Visualize.. visualize the energy -- push it into him..' Repeating the words she remembered Nima saying.. It made things easier for her to understand.. And so, she did it. She focused on that ball or burning ember that appeared within her mind's eye.. and she visualized herself pushing it. Thump, thump, thump.. A heartbeat. She could hear it. As if it were traffic on the busy streets of Adenna.. she could hear it. Everything else left her focus -- that heartbeat, as of now, was all that mattered. 'Focus, Seirichi, focus..' The warmth of that Siovanui energy began etching its way into Dyarhk's core, his very own being.. Seiri could *see* it.. Spreading from that connection between the two of them made by the Lifestealer's mark. The heartbeat rose, it was no longer drifting away.. and with a gasp, her eyes opened.

".... Dark..?" she spoke out; but finding no response.. but the only response she needed was that he was no longer bleeding out. Feeling against the wetness of his wound, but finding no more of that crimson liquid expelling from it.. and that heartbeat, that living -- powerful heartbeat. It rung in her ears. It told her everything would be okay. "Ha...! Hah... See? What'd I f*cking tell you, dipsh*t..?! You can't die that easily....." crying out happily as she grasped hold of Dyarhk's unconscious form and held it close to her own. "... I f*cking told you.." A sniff back.. her eyes welling up with tears. Sleeve covered arm found her eyes as she gave them a wipe before reaching back down to get a better grasp at him.

"Making a woman carry you.. who do you think you are? .. You better wake up soon, you hear me?" Hoisting his sleeping form up and into her arms as she began to stand. A loud bang filled the air soon later as a quick boot gave Seirichi access to one of the many bedrooms of the royal castle. Quickly, she carried Dyarhk over to the made bed and placed him down directly over those soon not-so-clean sheets. After letting him go, she rose her own arms and made a motion to unzip and discard her jacket off to the side. "... This worked once.. and Nima's never failed me before.. All I need you to do is wake up, Dark.. Can you hear me? Just wake up.. I need to f*cking know if you're okay.." Seirichi said as she leaned over the bed and felt at his face. Teeth began to grit.. it shouldn't TAKE this long.. ".. I need you.. Don't just lay there all quiet.."


"Let me through!" the booming voice of the black knight shoved his way through the chaos of citizens moving large stones of the great castle and capitol of Adenna, looking for survivors of a tragedious attack. Of the center of attention to this crowd, was a noteworthy knight of Adenna seated to the side where he was being treated for a rather serious gash to his forehead. The knight was Sir Anthony, not so recognizable with his sunny blond hair and decorative armaments chalky and grayed by debris.

"This wound is nothing. Make haste, so I can go back to my men." Anthony said, cringing at the final clippings of his stitches by a seasoned medical woman.

"Anthony. What of your company you were escorting??" Havelast easily stepped through a path of men what paved itself, to the other knight.

"There was a devastating attack. I barely made it away with my life. There were only a few men. The castle is --"

"What of the foreigner!! Dyarhk!!" Havelast roared, balling a fist at him. Anyone who had ever seen the black knight's clenched grip was wise to fear it. Sir Anthony was no exception. "..... I do not know." was his response, unsure of his personal safety after having said that, but sighed thankfully when the black knight flung that fist away and left the same direction, going for the castle.
Anthony watched his departure with sharpened eyes, swatting at the hands of the nurse who tried and finish her job on his temple. "GO!"

Havelast found it hard to keep his fists unmade while he walked. He couldn't shake the idea from his head, that amidst all this chaos, he may have lost a very dear friend. He couldn't even shake the idea that, at any second, another attack could come. The face of a warrior trying to meet with such things as worry, sorrow, and the unknown; it was as rare on him as was this city in turmoil, and the people saw it. An old lady tending to an injury on a knight who must've been her son, and the able men carrying bodies near death or already dead to their groups. Havelast's mind was a million places at once as he ascended those broken stairs where he was able, and upon seeing the great hallway partially demolished his eyes widened. There he saw several men helping several more men.

Walking through that hall he was so used to being flawless was a chore now, placing his hand on the wall for stability the closer he came to the fissure where the ceiling had crashed. His free hand unconsciously extended to the hopeless looking men that reached for it, held it briefly, and then let go as he moved on past them. What kind of power could it have been to inflict damage on the already magically influenced stones that built this castle? Now on the other side of that fissure, he walked down the hall, of bedrooms to the one cracked door among so many closed doors. He raced over.

"Seiri!? What in ?!! " taking in the sight of Dyarhk that she held, because no one else would. He rushed in, moving for his bedside all too quickly before realizing she wouldn't let him. It became apparent she wanted responsibility of him. ?....Heavens.? Havelast looked around the man, seeing how his clothing looked as though bricks had shattered against him. Sandy stone mixed with blood down his arm, on his chest, and his forehead. The black knight did not know what to make of this sight, nor the sadness of Seirichi also a blend of anger and focus, something he had never seen before. The black knight took a few steps back to the window.

".." gazing out to the relief, ever coming in, no matter the size of the attack. "Is he okay..?" his hand slowly placed upon the window pane as he nervously looked toward his shoulder to Seiri across the room.

Seirichi placed her hand along his face to check for warmth before combing some of that mess of hair from his forehead more presentable. Dry blood caked it from a head injury, and one eye was very forcibly closed and just as blood lathered. Below that, a few broken ribs and a fractured clavicle. He was a mess.
" ... He's fine, Havelast.. He'll pull out of this -- trust me. " Spoke Seiri as she held onto Dyarhk's hand from her position seated beside him on the bed. ".. he's not the type to give up so easily.." Her tone was serious. As if she knew for a fact that this wouldn't be the end. Fingers curled and grasped more onto that hand as those dull grays closed with a bow of her head.

Havelast didn't need to watch her long to understand she had things under control. ?I'm entrusting his life to you, then.? he said, his hand leaving the desk by the window for him to begin making for the door.

?...? She closed her eyes to Havelast's departure as she sat there in silence, focusing once more after the door had closed. They were alone. An illumination of light; small, only seen if one focused enough on the sight of her body. But it indeed was there.. Fading, and glowing like some sort of pulse. ".... It's only a little more, right?" A small smile as she spoke between herself and the sleeping man before her. Forced smile then turned to the smallest of frowns as she looked to the side. Tick, tick, tick.. that clock continued to move.

Nightfall. Back in Adenna, the castle was refortified and camps setup more outside of the ever-expanding demolition. A city so beautiful that it was a travesty to bury it away under so much earth, but despite it all, it still withheld an eerie beauty. The lanterns Adenna was known for had been lit, and much more plentifully because of the encampments. Many of the castle bedrooms were occupied with wounded that would not have otherwise graced the priceless bed linens. Dyarhk was among them, and beside him the one woman who hadn't left his side through the whole ordeal. His eyes delicately clenched before openly slowly, and taking in the blurry wood color of the bedroom, and the familiarity of the woman that dabbed his face with a wet rag. Still out of it, he regained consciousness suddenly, grabbing her wrist with the only hand he could make use of that wasn't slung, and confusedly looking at her. His grip loosened, and then, softened. "..Seiri." he whispered, looking at her, sounding surprised she was okay. Her, of all people, and him, with his arm in a sling.

"Who else would it be..? You cheating on me already? " Even as she joked the woman seemed a bit stressed.. it could be heard in her voice, seen on her face. But Seirichi had been trying her hardest to at least give him a smile to look at as his vision fully returned to him. "How're you doing..?? He'd now find her repositioning his grip to her hand with a soft squeeze given as well in response. The girl looked at least cleaned up since he had last seen her.. No longer in her blood splattered coat. For now she had been wearing a white, long-sleeved wool turtleneck. Along with what could only be described as puffy-looking slacks that were a more lighter blue. ".......... I'm sorry, I should be saying something more caring, huh?" she smiled again, only this time it was real; and he saw the difference.

"Don't worry yourself about it." The man of a thousand smiles picked one out especially for this situation, knowing something that Seiri did not, but was curious of. He just found her adorable, and her not knowing that's what he was smiling about was part of the reason behind it. They were both new to this venture they had both undergone, so it was only right to be lenient. "Just let me see you for a moment..." was the first thing he said when she posed that question. And with that lone hand he held, he held it against his cheek for a moment, expressing thanks for what could have been no less than saving his life; again. "I think... you've proven your caring, many times over."

Feeling the warmth of his cheek against her hand, she couldn't help but curl those fingers and give it the smallest of pinches as she leaned closer. "Well you can thank me by trying not to have a near-death experience in the next couple of weeks? That's all I'm asking for. Already the second time I've brought you back in the last seventy two hours.."

"No kidding. When those two guys came up the steps, I'd never felt closer to death in my life, and I'm fairly certain I've crossed that line at least once. But no matter how hard the rain is, my flame hasn't gone out, because you've been there keeping it strong. I can't die if you're with me." he said, sitting up and finding it easier to do so than he had predicted. He looked over himself, miraculously cleaned up and perfectly cared for. He then looked at her, losing her hand. Then there came a knock on the door.. the same one that happened time and time before. It caused Seirichi to look up and peer over to it. "Dark.. there was a problem on one of the islands.. Rijn and my Mother haven't reported back.." She looked back to him. ".. I've been ordered to go."


"Lilith? What kind of trouble could your mom have gotten into to require help..." he was looking in a problem-solving direction before Seiri looked back to him and told him of her orders, calling his eyes right back like the trained dogs they were. "Go.? Seiri... ..well I'm going with you.!"

"I'm hoping it's nothing more than an illusion.. but with everything going on." A soft sigh left those lips.. and then -- the look of confusion couldn't help but strike her features as she stared at Dyarhk. ".. Going? You have to be kidding. Dark. You almost died back there. You should be resting right now." She rose up from the bed in that instant. Taking a few steps away as she looked to the rest of her gear that had been boxed on a chair. "I'll try and be back by morning.."

"You're not gonna make it out that door without me if I have anything to say about it... and I will!" he grunted, but shoved off that bed and came to a stand. Looking her seriously with a lively face, made that way by her own replenishing power. The marking on his arm shone the outlines of its inscribing, the power of the woman he approached. "I don't wanna hear any of that." he seized her hand, and held it up between them, lined up with their chests while he looked her in the eyes. "What about all that togetherness crap you fed me? Does that not count here? 'Cause I was under the impression we had a deal. We do it together, or not at all." he said, turning his brows angry.

?...?? Seiri looked into those eyes she had waited for so long to open back on that bed. Now that they were open, she realized why she had longed for them. They spoke a truth, and argued an argument she could not win, did not want to win. When he looked like that, he was serious. ?Heh.. I guess you're too stubborn to follow simple orders, aren't you?? she looked back at him seizing a one-shouldered chestpiece with a grin.

?You know me too well.? he smiled back.

A sword sung to a closure as it was sheathed by Dyarhk's side, now partially dressed with armaments of Adennian flag and patterns. Two bracers, one gauntlet, a royal guardsman's breastplate and a standard sword and belt. ?...?

Seirichi watched him fasten that belt on, taking in the sight of him with an appreciation she was beginning to summon more and more often. She even had to snap herself out of it when he turned to look curiously at her. ?What is it.?? he asked, fastening his cloak on.

?... Let's get going.? she smiled to him, grabbing up her bag of belongings that also carried her sword, also a standard of Adenna's. The two walked out into the hall to see a variety of door positions: open doors, cracked doors, closed doors, and the several women carrying tiny flames in and out of them on candlesticks. Some men groaned quietly to their treatments, others quietly took the pain, and then there were those too weak to do anything but rest. Still, it was a time of healing for Adenna. You could feel the warmth. Dyarhk's lone armorless arm was grabbed then, bringing his attention away from simple ponderings and onto her. ?...? he was ready.

On down the hall they walked together, Seirichi clearing them of the new guard that protected the doorway to the hallway out. Giant wooden doors were opened for them, and out they slipped for the home stretch out of the castle. She tugged his arm closer to her. ?Just stay close to me, okay.? I won't let anything happen to you again.? she sounded serious, but it got a smile out of him.

?I'm not going anywhere.? he reassured, pushing that final door open to the outside with his free arm.


The Ice Spider's island, he was dressed warmly for it everywhere but his arms that were naked, but the cloak he had on would help greatly with that. Getting that thing on with the aid of one arm had been the trick, and he seemed to have just gotten it together by the time Seiri had met with him out at the bottom of the steps of the castle. Arm slid into that winter coat and stretched out as she pulled the warm fabric along her limb all before doing the same with her opposite. She let it hang loose for now. It wasn't that cold, but right when they breached the isle; that's when she'd feel the need to zip it up. "You're going to listen to whatever I say, Dark. This is my world.. I'm not having you fall under the spider's illusions, so stay alert." she tugged him by that arm, leading him now.

"Don't worry...I'm alert." he spoke words of comfort, but inside he was more serious than ever. As they walked, following that winter coat in-front of him, he couldn't imagine the thought of losing her. That premonition Bernard had shared with him, he would never let it become a reality. It was this he focused on during their walk through town, the only thing sticking out from his cloaked form being a hanging hand from his sling. "I have no problem doing what you say." he upped his pace, however painfully to keep up with her, and hid it perfectly. And still she also probably knew he was doing everything he could to keep up. "..?"

Seirichi was busy slipping gloves over her hands and flexing her fingers about as she made sure they were nice and snug against her flesh. "..." A look around for life forms and then they'd continue on down the street.. a few people every now and then seen, but most seemed to be busy helping reinforce the city behind them. "Put your hood up.. you don't need to freeze off your face."

He grabbed his hood but held it there, not putting it on as they grew closer and closer to a group of Adenna elites who had been waiting for them. "Huh? Who's that?? coming up beside her just in time for them to stop before the gathering that stood on the thin red line of Adenna, and it no metaphor. A line was clearly drawn. Eizou stood with a team of royal mages lined beside him, and Havelast at the end of the line, holding The God's Edge.

"Ah, you made it. Just in time. I just finished drawing the farthest outreach of Shiji Kumo's illusion. Cross over this line, and I can pretty much guarantee you'll see a lot of things that aren't." he laughed loud, but brief. It was all procedure with this one, running through the processes. "Now you know how to get there Seiri, so you don't need any special equipment or a guide. And since you're one of the only citizens that displays immunity to the spider's charm, that's why you've been selected. Now, are you taking Dark with you?" he asked, making a curious face at the man, unsure of his condition to even be out and about.

"I'll be fine. I know what I'm capable of." Dyarhk spoke for himself, getting another laugh out of Eizou.

"Okay then! Well. Good luck! Go on straight ahead, and climb the side of the canyon that's got all the cold white stuff on it. That's probably your island. Ports are still no good. Had to close my line with Atae. But we'll have 'em back and working again in no time. Again, good luck!" Eizou said patting Seiri on the shoulder as he moved past her. "See you in the magma lord's den, Havelast!" he said, walking back into town. But Havelast did not answer. He merely remained still and stared down Dyarhk who had sluggishly made over to him.

"..."

"...."

"I believe I have something that belongs to you." The enormous axe sat down between them, Havelast showing some of the strength necessary to wield that which not many men could.

"Sure you don't want to come.? If I can go, surely you can." Dyarhk replied, putting his hand on the axe and nothing more. Havelast merely ceased holding it. "I will have to entrust things to you this time, palliator. Don't let anything happen to Seiri. She's a little too headstrong for her own good."

"She'll be fine." Dyarhk said, leaning the axe over so it was not so much between them any longer, allowing space for them to embrace briefly.

"I'm counting on you." Havelast said, handing him Crall's shoulder as well. Dyarhk blinked at the sight of the thing, and accepted it, fastening it to his only unarmored shoulder. "Same here." he replied, heaving the axe up with a painful grunt, fastening it on the back spade of the golden shoulder. He met back up with Seiri, their feet on the edges of that red painted line. "..." looking at her, again seriously, as he put that hood on after all. "Now I'm ready."

"Yeah..?" She'd start. Fingers working at her coat before finally that low zip sounded out as she brought the zipper all the way up to the coats neck. Half of her face now hidden thanks to the collar that wrapped about her lower features. "So am I." That red line.. Seirichi looked to it -- and then past it. All it took was one step and they'd be on their way.. she had nothing to fear past that line.. yet, the one beside her.

?We're doing this together.? That's all she needed to think to herself before she took that one step across it. " Come on, Dark.. We have a lot of walking to do."

Propping herself before using her right foot down onto those cupped hands. With that, she'd be pushed up. Hands rose as well and made quick work at grasping at the edge. Upper-body strength used, and she hoisted herself easily up and over the ledge. Shifting, rolling onto her tummy next while arm reached down to offer a helping hand.

With the utmost care he saw her up and over, keeping his hand following that last leg of hers just in case. He blinked softly, she had made it. One obstacle overcome, and one more closer to the one that would try for her life. That dream of fearsome torches, and the guardian, the very one they now made for. He was a little on edge, but remembered Bernard's warning of total secrecy. He saw her reach down for him, establishing a soft connection while they crossed skin until the perfect grips were made and then tightened. "..Not one fat joke. Got it?" he smirked up at her as he reached up and readied to make the rest of the distance after she got him close enough.

"Nnngh.. so -- HEAVY..!" Oh she couldn't help it as hands took wrist, and Dyarhk's did the same with hers. Lips wouldn't even part to give the slightest grunt as Seirichi helped him along. Soon they'd be side by side once more before the woman rose up, a small bunny hop included, right back onto her feet.

"Let's see.." Turning herself about to peer down through the darkness before them. "It shouldn't be that long.. The feeling's still a good few hours or so away, but we're going the right way." A look back to Dyarhk before a thumb gave gesture down the burrowed hall. "Let's get going. No time to rest, tubby."

"You couldn't resist, could you?" he asked up at her, still seated on the floor of this new level. Scratching his nose with the back of his wrist, he took in the new sights before pushing up and coming to a stand as well. "I don't think either of your parents know you're actually here, do they.? This ought to be a nice surprise." he grinned at the idea, passing her now to take the slow lead down the only pathway for the time being. It was a long tunnel, and sadly, it went down, not the ideal direction they would have liked to be heading in. Dyarhk tensed his muscles and uncovered his arm to better light the way. "Stay close, now."

"Stay close? You're acting like I can't handle myself.. Let's try and remember who saved who about.. Let's see.. Three times already? Or do I need to start counting past years?" Seirichi laughed as she walked on in full confidence. Shoulders rose and fell as she decided to answer the other question. "Who knows. Mom'll probably find out once she gets back into the city.. As for Mommy, well.. We're going to be surprising her, I guess." a soft blink of dull eyes as they came to where it seemed that they would be unable to go any further. Good thing they had the light, or else she might of gone face first into the wall. "... Well, shit.. this isn't right."

"I never said that..." even though it had been a joke, he addressed it while surveying around with that light on his left arm. "I just worry about you is all. People do that ...when it's someone they -- " Dyarhk wasn't about to arrive at another dead end on-top of the one they were already in. Seiri surely would have her fun, or seriousness, either of which were more prodding of emotions he felt were particularly sensitive right now. He looked about until he heard her again. "... Well, shit.. this isn't right."

"..." It was a perfect ending to a cave, nice and circular, just the place to be expecting a monstrous bear or dragon to be slumbering. Rearing his head back to examine the roof, he saw high above them, an opening letting in additional moonlight. With several elbows nudging the woman beside him, Dyarhk gestured above their heads. "Here, Seiri, give me your back." he said, tearing his gaze off of that cave opening above them to dig through her belongings in her pack, grabbing her short sword to hold it aside with some other items until he came out with a rope fixed with a grappling hook.

"Hey, hey...! I'm trying to thin--." A blink as eyes followed that gesture.. and with a soft exhale, she'd shrug her shoulders once more. "See? I knew we weren't lost." Happy with herself, and also thankful for Dyarhk's eyes.. it would of possibly took her a good minute of searching before finally coming across it. Body turned and back was given to him as she went from peering over her shoulder, then up above at the tunnel's ceiling once more. "Ehh.. You might have to take a few steps back." Oh yes. She wasn't expecting him to use the grappling hook. She even took it from his hand as it came out and into the open.
She sized up the ceiling just then.. her tongue peeking out from between her lips as she readied herself. Spin, spin, spin began beside her as that metal end gradually began to sing louder whisping through the air. Fingers working the rope as wrist continued to rotate so that she could speed it up.. and then, with a release, she'd allow it to fly through the air. The grappling hook disappearing through the opening.. and then, once slack was made, she knew it landed. Soft tugs given at first, a bit more slack.. and then she gave a tug. The robe only went a few more inches before it seized up. Yes, it had caught onto something. Perfect.

Rope was dropped and hands found one another.. Craaaack. Knuckles popped as she prepped herself for the rope climb ahead. "This is turning out to be like some fitness test.. Now we have the rope climb, huh?" Offering Dyarhk a grin before she took hold of the rope and began to climb.

He watched her do this with ever-amazed eyes at her display of power. And once she was done, he approached her and gazed up the rope she was beginning to climb. "Don't fall now. I'd hate to have to catch you." He knew she'd be fine, but it paid sometimes to let someone know you were there verbally even if they already knew. A last look paid around to this unique burrow paved by the bridge dragon before returning to watch Seiri conclude her climb. "..Those are very nice pants." called up.

"Shouldn't you be saying `Nice ass`?" Calling back down as she continued her climb. "Because, you know.. I have a nice one." Up she'd go.. and then, she'd disappear once more. Seirichi would be met with a small gust of wind and the sight of snow just outside of the small cave they had climbed into. She even forgot about Dyarhk for a split second. Just -- looking out at the whiteness that looked to span for eternity outside.. But, she'd shake her head and peer back down through the large hole. Down at the man with the glowing mark. "C'mon, Dark. Don't let that big ol' axe slow you down."

"You've got enough ego for the both of us, Seiri." he saw her to the top with a sigh now, alone and as the lone glimmer of light amidst so much darkness. She'd disappeared, and beginning to worry him the longer she stayed gone. What could she be seeing? What was up there? "Seiri? Seiri??" he called up. And there popped her head out from the cave.

"C'mon, Dark. Don't let that big ol' axe slow you down."

"...." He smirked before grabbing a hold of that rope and pulling himself up with his arms. Right away he could tell this was going to be a chore. That pain in his arm that had been lying dormant showed itself suddenly, and that sling he had slipped out of now made a whole lot of sense. He gritted his teeth. "This might... grr.! -- take a while."

She ducked out once more, looking back to the snow. Gauging how much difficulty it may take to continue their hike. It shouldn't be too bad.. not for a few hours, at least. The vision of Seirichi came back once more for the climbing Dyarhk -- but upon seeing him not only going slow.. but not even AT the point she hoped he'd be at? The siovauni let out a sigh and took hold of the rope as well. "Stop climbing and just hold on." would be her only warning before she began to easily pull him up.

"I got this.! If you think I need more of your help, you must think I'm pretty damn useless. I -- hey.!" he had no choice but to do as she said or else falling would be the only option. He held on as he looked up and saw the ease at which she was hoisting him. Before he knew it he had gone up quicker than either she had or he would have normally. Coming up to the new surface, he planted his hands in cold snow and looked beside Seiri, regaining his breath as he grabbed onto his arm. "...Thanks."

His attention being taken from him by the inspiring mountainscape that expanded out from that tiny cave opening. He stood up and went to check it out for a few seconds of awe before the cold wind got him covering his arms up in that cloak. Night still well with them, but the snow was easily lit, and the moonlight shone a great deal. "...We made it.?

"Not just yet.. we still have a lot of walking to do." Hands placed against hips as she looked out into the whiteness once more. Dyarhk would find a quick pop against his armored stomach from the back of Seirichi's hand just then. "You need a break, old man? Or are you ready to go?" Pulling her hand away to help wrap that rope back up -- all before passing that to him once more and exposing her backpack to him once more. Hey, he took it out; he might as well be the one putting it away. "I'm thinking we keep going for maybe an hour or two.. and then setup camp."

"Sure thing, kiddo." he neatly placed the rope back in, and then Seiri would hear the cute zipping of the pack and a conclusive pat on it and her shoulder as his boots then sloshed several steps in the snow out into the night. "We'll go on as for as long as you can. You've got Siovanui strength, remember? Techichi once said it was like a fire always burning through every part of you. We have no reason to break as much as a normal expedition." he grinned back to her at the idea of such an advantage. It was an empowering thought, one he began the hike through the snow with.

"Yeaaah.. but, you see.. Mom and I usually don't have a slowpoke like you worrying us." A poke given to Dyarhk's chest just then. No, two pokes to get her point across. "Ah.. I'm just bustin' balls, don't worry about it. Keeping us nice and safe is job number one." Hoisting her backpack up once more, getting more comfortable before reaching to grasp for her hood and placing it right up and over her head.

"Let's find your mom, Seiri." journey motivation. He smiled over to her as they began on their incredibly challenging trek through the deep snow.

Havelast's Christmas


?Heave, Men!!?

He wore armor much thicker, rarer, and larger than any of the other knights that surrounded this effort in the Adenna Plaza. Havelast Dagger Sasc, the dark therapy knight, grit his teeth helmetless but otherwise fully armored. ?Almost there!!?

The enormous brace was finally put into place, and it grumbled to its core with the weight of one of the islands diverting its mass to it. The men sighed collectively.

?You've done a good job. Return to your families for now. We all need rest.? he said, pointing out from his impressive cloak the black crow shine of his armored arm. The men did as instructed, some passing by the man DeCausey, a known tailor in Adenna, doing his part in this tragedy handing out large blankets to those who now had none in these harsh winter months. Havelast watched them do this before seizing his black helmet and carrying it under his arm across the center of the plaza.

?Havelast...? Sir Anthony said, coming to meet him in that decorative garb of his, bright with color and once again clean and flawless as if it had never been chalked and dusted by the debris of the collapsing castle roof. ?...Anthony.? Havelast nodded, never faltering in his travel.

?Techichi continues to battle the dragon of the bridge, no doubt saving our city of further devastation. But what if we are come under attack in her absence?? the blond knight spoke with worry.

?Place more faith in your Captain. I know the opponents of which we face. I know their tactics. They will not challenge us with both Eizou and myself still here.?

Anthony listened to this, walking with him and unsure of that which the dark therapy knight had nothing but the utmost confidence. ?...What is there for me to do??

Havelast looked at him briefly before going back to his direction of destination. ?We have set the foundation for a long road of work ahead of us. We do not know how long the chains will be with us, nor do we know the damage that will come with their removal. We can only assume Adenna shall be like this for some time. Tomorrow, we will continue to make breathing room within these earthen walls. Just because we are encased does not mean we have to be prisoners.? he took on a serious gaze and departed from the direction and speed at which Anthony was traveling.

?Is this really a time to dismiss the work teams??? Anthony stopped, sensing accurately Havelast was done talking with him. But this he had to know.

Havelast never stopped walking away, but he did look back to him over his shoulder. ?Don't you know? ...It's Christmas.? he said, leaving the blond knight to his own thoughts by the inoperable central fountain of the plaza.

Everywhere the dark therapy knight looked he saw efforts being made for family, for togetherness. If something would please him, he would let it be their spirit; a spirit whose example he tried to follow. It was his home he clanked his heavy metal boots toward, and down one of the cleaner streets of Adenna, he was nearly upon it.

He never dropped his guard. His eyes intently on the shadowy nooks and hiding places surrounding him as he passed by. To have to do this in his own city, it angered him. To have to repeatedly say battle plans over and over in his mind: the location of Atae, Crane, Suresa, Eizou, and the others; their roles in this tragedy. It was not a happy time.

?..!!?

Havelast froze suddenly at the sight on down his street. In-front of his home, it was Rahea and Victor, the joint rulers of Adenna. 'What are they doing here?' he thought, picking up his pace to go over and meet them.

Rahea did not long pick up the sight of the large warrior given the rank of Captain of the city's knights. ?Ahhh, Havelast. Your unarmored face comforts me. Do you move onto another task of importance?? he queried pleasantly.

?I do, Your Highness. All that can be done today has been. I intend to see my wife on Christmas.? he replied.

Rahea hummed, nodding repeatedly at hearing that. It seemed he understood, but disapproved by that tone. ?... It is understandable how a Captain as busy as yourself might wish such a thing. But need I remind you we are at war, and the collapsing of any of these island bottoms would surely seal our fate.?

Old Victor faced him now, no longer burning a fiery stare through the side window of Havelast's home, no doubt where a curious Nayon had been watching from the cover of the drapery. ?.....?

?I suggest Your Highness scout, or send a scout along the perimeter of our city limits. You will find sufficient bracing all along our confines. There is much more to be done, but we will only halt the work by overworking already worked men.? Havelast gathered the two sides of his cloak together in his fist and sealed himself up inside of it for additional warmth. He had intended to be inside by now, but certain men in Adenna were unrefusable.

?The process is halted regardless, Captain. Adenna has never ceased to protect us from outside forces. There will be time to recuperate when the city is once again safe. Until then, I must insist you and the others push on.? Rahea said, earning a never before taken look from Havelast.

?Is there something the matter, Captain?? Victor asked a baited question, burning a fiery stare now upon Havelast.

?....As you wish. I'll return to one of my other posts, but first I need to deliver instructions to my wife.? Havelast said, keeping that fist at his chest, concealing him within that gargantuan cape. He meant to walk past them now.

?Very well. But be brief. I am sure you already know this. You are not our shining defender without cause. Come, Victor.? Rahea said, beginning the two's walk on down the street.

?..... ..? Havelast looked back at them with a most suspicious look before making into his yard and to his front door, immediately greeted by the long black-haired woman who was seldom without a serious demeanor these days.

?What did they say.? You can stay a while, can't you?? the woman asked, crossing her arms.

?Diane...? he was rarely without words, but Adenna's state of affairs and the method of its rule had left him in such a way. ?I'm going back to the hot rocks to help Eizou. The Kings need all the hands they can get.?

?Havelast... come inside.? Diane said, grabbing onto that frightening black steel where somewhere his wrist lie underneath and pull him in. Once inside, she closed the door behind him and stopped to hold her hair back and take a deep breath. ?..?

?There is something peculiar going on, Diane. Adenna is danger. I will have council with Eizou and Atae when I meet with them, and see if they have noticed anything strange about Rahea and Victor. They are not acting themselves...? Havelast began, looking to the side, having noticed Nayon standing in the doorway leading to the small library they had and where the window was he noticed her watching him from.

?Nayon, get back in the room.? Diane waved, turning back to Havelast with a worried expression on her face. ?...Our Kings, whatever do you mean??

?I do not know... But something is amiss. We are at the mercy of whatever foe is wreaking havoc upon Adenna. And I fear the worst is yet to come. I will get to the bottom of this.? Havelast assured, seizing Diane's arm and drawing nearer to plant a kiss on her cheek before moving past her and then approaching Nayon. The young silent woman watched him near her and place his comforting hand on her shoulder and inspect her, looking for things only his eyes could catch: fear, worry, uncertainty, sadness. Even more remarkable, he could locate these things upon her, who masked her emotions so well it was as if she had none. She understood his ability to do this. She had lived with him much of her life. She knew he understood her.

?Nayon... listen to me. You and Diane stay inside. If anything should happen, please protect her. I know how strong you are.? he looked back to his wife, and then put his second hand on her other shoulder and led her back a few steps into that library room. ?You mustn't hate her. She can't help who she is. Understand, she's been through a hell worse than we can imagine to get her physical body back. It's something neither of us will ever be able to understand...? he looked sadly into her emotionless eyes, when in-fact he was mirroring what he read in them. ?Nayon? What's wrong??

?..........It's Christmas. You said we'd spend it together.?

?..Nayon.! Nayon, what's wrong?!? he asked, holding her so long as that steel grip of hers refused to loosen him.

?.....I don't want you to go.?...I'm only safe when I'm with you.? she hushed out her final words. Never before had she sounded so worked up. Nayon's eyes glistened up at him, and she refused to release the shoulders of his flowing cape from her clutches.

?Diane... you can stay with Diane.? Havelast said, grabbing a hold of her arms as she fought with him one of the very few times she ever had in his life.

?No.! No..... ? With you.....I have to go with you.? she protested. She couldn't tell him that it was Diane that struck her, that beat her fragile state of mind to a pulp. Havelast loved Diane, and who was she to try and change that. Of course, this made the situation very confusing for the Dark Therapy Knight.

?..... Nayon.? Havelast begun, and in a tone very expecting of someone about to tell you why you cannot have your way.

?I'm coming with you!? Nayon interrupted, another rare occurrence. Havelast just exhaled, breath spent thinking instead of speaking the words it was taken for.

?Oh thank you, thank you my Lady of Liltu.? a young knight did bow several superfluous times before the white-robed woman before her, ever recalling his hand to his person having accepted her offering of a stringed charm.

?You are welcome, brave knight!? Nima giggled. ?Put it to good use, and protect this city.? she said, winking seductively to the man, as was expected of her reputation. She was one of Adenna's hottest icons, and was well-known for her beauty. It would have been out of character for her to tarnish the man's image of her, and this she realized. ?Byeeee.!!? waving to the blushed warrior who moved to join the ranks. Now he would tell two men who would tell two other men and onwards just how dreamy she was. She smiled. ?... ? ..Oh.?? taking sight of Nayon in the middle of the street, and better still, taking sight of her tears.

?...Nayon. You are a capable fighter, I would not deny that. But there is no time. You must return home.? he stood now, looking down upon her lovingly but with authority.

?Havelast.............? it took a great deal of strength for Nayon to oppose this man, whose opinion she held higher than any other's, and whose word had always been law until now. Nima had walked sneakily up to eavesdrop on this exchange, and just when things were about to turn Nayon down a road she was incapable of, Nima jumped in.

?Nayon... ? ? Havelast began.

?Ohh.! ? Nayon, is that you.?? I've been looking all over for you, why didn't you tell me this is where you'd be.?? Nima said, coming onto the scene now and grabbing the girl's arm as she leaned cutely into her and to face Havelast now, who was blinking at her. ?I am so glad you found her for me.! We were just......? she looked at Nayon, silent, and completely submitted to whatever Nima might spout. ?...going to check on my mother at the teahouse. She's been kind of sad lately, so Nayon and I thought we might cheer her up with a little Christmas spirit.!? Nima energetically fist pumped.

?...? Havelast didn't know what to make of this. Clearly Nima was up to something, but what it could have been was no such a threat as the one he had been ordered to go and face. ?..Fine. But you both be careful. We are more open to attack than ever before. We do not have the eyes looking around our corners for us we normally have. This time they are upon us.? he assessed Nayon once more, silent and with cheeks shining with tears.

?........?

?...I have to go. But when I get back, we will talk this over.? he said, repositioning his hand on the grip of that golden hilt and half-turning back to the direction the men were all headed.

?...Yes Sir.?

?..Hm,? Havelast forced a grin, before completing the turn and continuing on his march toward the more established of dug tunnel systems. Scaffoldings and wooden braces abound with hung lanterns and recuperating men seated to large unused braces. So much fatigue, so many problems. Havelast put on the face of strength and determination; his men needed to see it. And like that, his large back disappeared on down the road.

Nayon looked to Nima, who gave her a very sisterly wink, holding onto both her shoulders beside her. ?Now, just what was that all about.??

?....................? Nayon was busily grabbing at her hair, returning it to the style that it had taken many years for her to find a liking to; a style that was disturbed when she was drug out by it. Nima pursed her lips and looked at her curiously. ?..Well fine, you don't have to tell me anything. But still......? she waited patiently for the shy girl to notice her smile. ?.I think you should come with me.? Nayon's lips parted, surprised. She had nowhere to go when suddenly Techichi's daughter arrived and gave her a place. She resolved to this new duty. ?.....Okay.?

?Great!!? Nima said, flowing with life. ?Come with me,? snatching her hand and tugging her the opposite direction of the march, leading her through oncoming traffic until they had gotten to the sidewalk and began passing many homes and stores. ? ? We have to pick up a few things.?

Yaaaaawn. Havelast masked his open mouth with a hand, returning to an alert medium as he walked with the many men around him, no longer in Adenna city limits. Grass was flattened under their boots as they trekked on up into the night air, coming up to the red glow of the Magma Lord's volcano, simulating a bloody sunset, and very easy on the eyes. Also in sight simultaneously with this was that of the various tents setup ahead, and the sight of his dear friend coming to greet him with a mighty grin.

?Havelast.! My dear friend!? Eizou exclaimed, alerting his men seated around camp that a band of reinforcements were approaching.

Havelast smiled, ?Hey old-timer. I heard you and your boys needed help.? coming up and into embrace with the man.

?You heard right.!? Eizou laughed going over his shoulder. But it pretty much became serious right after that when he returned to look him in the eyes. ?We do... but why have you come.??

?... Rahea and Victor ordered it. Something very unusual is going on, Eizou. I am keeping my eyes open.? Havelast said, and to Eizou's nod. ?..As you should. It is not with ease we have this war. Come, talk with me. I want to hear more of our kings' suspicious behaviour.? an arm around the Dark Therapy Knight, he led him to the many tables put together where men were busy eating. Morale did not come often during this campaign of guardian suppression, and their faces gradually voided of life and happy thoughts. But their will was hard broken. There was a job needing doing. They accepted this eagerly.

Their many eyes livened up at the sight of not one, but two of Adenna's commanding figures joining them at the tables. It was surprise more than anything, but something to pay attention to. Them being nearby was only comforting in a secondary sense. Slowly, they got their spoons back into their bowls. Havelast took a sighing seat, accompanied by Eizou's silent one opposite him. ?...? he looked down the tables, assessing the volume at which his conversation would be picked up by the men. They were down only a single empty table from them, so he minded to hush his words so as not to over-worry them. ?Eizou... you know Rahea as well as I do. He has always pledged his life to this city, and saw it through many hardships. But since this attack, he has not been himself.?

?How so.?? Rahea put an armored elbow on the table, making closer their distance.

?He divides our forces. Right now, the castle is unguarded. We are sent about too meaninglessly, and with his unwavering command. If an attack were to befall the city right now, ?? a hand went to Havelast's forehead. ?We would not make it in time.?

?Both our Siovanuis are occupied.?? Eizou asked.

Havelast thought a moment. ?Techichi is with the bridge dragon. Seirichi has just left with Dyarhk to the teahouse. Rijn and Lilith may even be in danger. We know nothing, and our kings' orders are only an additional hindrance.?

Eizou looked away, but not far from the Dark Therapy Knight. His eyes focusing on the gold of that hilt over his shoulder. ?..Liltu's aid has been undeniable. Their mages keep back the monsoons from rushing over the city. Havelast... if Adenna is flooded, the earth we have been bracing, all of it will be for naught, and the city may very well crush under the weight of the isles. This cannot happen.?

Havelast stilled, ?What is there to be done? The great chains of the aethers cannot be removed without demolishing the remainder of our city.?

?This is true. But it is also true that the chains cannot stay. Havelast... let me ask you your thoughts on the oracle.? Eizou said seriously, and receiving a look back just as serious.

?.....I am unnerved by her.? Havelast blasphemed, just between the two of them. Such thinking was treasonable as no one objected to the divine trust of the kings in her. But he could trust Eizou, because above all else they were sons of Adenna, and both Lily of the Valley at one point. Their duty to the city came before all else.

?As am I. I had to be certain you shared my thinking. Here.? Eizou slid a tiny wooden disc across the table to him. It was half of the Lily of the Valley's insignia, which without its other half, was a new and definition-lacking mark. ?I am holding a secret council meeting tomorrow night. Those of us feel a strong sense of wrong being done who have not been reeled in by the oracle's proclamations. Our people are dividing. Come to the door down Good Walk Avenue with this marking after the night's second lanterns are burned. We will get to the bottom of this.?

?..? Havelast had much athink about Eizou's apparent efforts at righting this peculiarity. But what it meant was that they could easily be filed for conspiring against the thrones. The harshness of it was such, but because of it was all the more reason to hold the meeting. In that regard, he accepted the identifying token almost immediately. A task needing doing; a necessity.

?AAAAAHH!!!? a man's scream lifted all the heads of the sorrowful at camp, and the ever-prepared to help ones of Eizou and Havelast. It had come from the road that went on to the volcano, and beyond its end where work had not yet reached. A horrific sound; Havelast slipped the token into his his breastplate at the neck. ?Who has permission to be out there??

? ? No one! ? They were going to move in with my company.!? Eizou up and raced the direction of the road with Havelast not far behind him, hurdling over the table.

?These are Adenna's final moments. OH how bright they will be!!? Amonas shouted charging after Eizou before the slow-flowing lava reached his heels. The face of the volcano was now red and smoldering, flooding over with the Magma Lord's belly flop down it, turning itself into a wave of fire. Havelast's sword met with Amonas's, but they would not fight for long. The rushing lava rapidly took over their battleground, and Havelast was forced to issue retreat orders to his men.

?Go now.!!! Get out of here.!!!? fighting back that poisonous sword. The men looked one another, hesitant to leave, but they did so. Back to the camp was where they would go, bestowing their trust in the two renowned protectors of the city. Some shut their eyes painfully, as painful as it had been to leave them. But they knew what to do, that being obey either of those men.

?Let's finish what I begun with you, pupil. Let's fill the rest of you with the darkness. Let's complete you.? Amonas Jei said to a very angry Havelast; a Havelast who was run out of options. ?Havelast... don't let him get to you.? was what Eizou had told him, but that was not working anymore. In a corner with a sword in his hands, and nothing to do but swing it. A powerful roar, and Amonas Jei was sent back, covering the crack in his shoulder armor with his hand. ?...??

?I will never be like you, Amonas. Do you hear me.!?? Havelast roared again, running at the man who was not so prepared for him as he had been when he come down from the volcano. ?That's it,? Eizou muttered, his face stricken with sweat. He was concentrating immensely. ?Amonas is not an easy opponent for you to face. Stay strong; just a little longer. Heh...? Eizou smiled to the lake of lava ever-advancing toward him. ?We are both running out of time.? shooting his eyes open suddenly and opening an unusual-looking gate to the Jikangai. A most peculiar opening to the layer of space Adenna hid its most unspeakable valuables. The opening fluctuated as if unstable before widening to a near sky-sized hole. It filled the overhead of the three men, and Havelast and Amonas were forced to pause their duel at the sight of a magnificent angelic being gliding down out of the opening.
Magical feathers of white rained down upon them as darkness also covered them in the form of a winged beast, only it was no beast. It resembled a swan with its white body, long neck and elegance. Only difference was that it had a left wing tremendously larger than that of its more normal-looking right.

?...I don't believe it.? Amonas said, observing the creature. He had understood Eizou's plan now, looking to the man in question who was indeed out of energy from summoning such a monster, but he was smiling confidently toward it. Havelast watched as well, but he watched differently from the other men. He did not grasp the intention of Eizou's plan. What could this mammoth bird possibly do? It beat its wings over to the lake of fire, coming down softly between it and Eizou, and not without whipping up a harsh wind until it landed. Eizou watched it, coming to a stand now and observing its efforts. Seating itself tightly and tucking its head and neck against its body, it made a strong defense, and then dug its oversized wing into the earth like a blade, and it reached from the ground up going even taller than the trees of the forest.

Now was the technical part. Eizou returned the beast to the Jikangai through a dimension he himself created. A perfect creation, in that it was purposefully built with a handicap; an imperfect perfection. Doing just what the Jikangai does, only in poorer quality, he began sending the mythical swan back. But in doing so, it only half-returned, overloading the magic that he was operating under. The lava rushed upon the wing and the body of the bird, and slowly it turned to a hard earthen rock until that very wing reaching skyward was stone and the all of it encased this lava flow. Eizou took a much needed lean to his sword, now a makeshift cane. He had done the impossible.

?No... this is.. ? .!!!!!? Amonas could not believe his eyes, and next, could not believe the sword thrust into his pectoral region. He grabbed the blade, but Havelast was already well onto shoving him back and to the ground with it. Pinned, his poisonous swordhand stood on, he gazed up at the man with his second hand on the pommel of his golden hilt. ?You and your kind will learn one way or another, Adenna will not founder.?

Amonas growled, ?This is not done yet. This is not done yet!? he shouted, diminishing into exact darkness and dispersing in a toxic cloud, forcing Havelast to leap back. He joined back with Eizou, overlooking the risen monolith.

?..Well done.? Eizou complimented, smiling weakly.

? ? Is there any victory to be had here.??

?...? Eizou dropped his smile, looking at him.

?When the fight is so close to home, and so much damage can be done... our enemies win even if they lose.? Havelast sheathed that sword to his back once more, walking, heading back for camp. Eizou watched him sadly go. ?Homes can be rebuilt..! ? Havelast.? he called out to him, but muttered his name. The man was wounded inside.

Formation of the Resistance

The following day the townspeople that were not off providing some sort of aid to this citywide devastation were befallen with a further hit to their morale making it little more than their actual numbers themselves. And there were few. It was a blessing in a way that those who received the ?news? were working. They could continue their work and keep their mind off it. The elderly, the young, and their dependent caretakers were not so fortunate when Rahea rode into the center of town to deliver word ahead of a distant eruption.

?Mothers. Sons and daughters. It grieves me to tell you that our latest band has come into confrontation with our great enemy. They were engaged, and, unfortunately, behind the power of the Magma Lord, our forces were greatly disadvantaged. We are still... scouting for survivors, but understand that the site is still very dangerous until the Magma Lord settles. We would only be throwing more men into its carnage at the moment.

?What I ask of you now is to grieve for our fallen fathers and sons. They have done their part as men of Adenna, and will not be forgotten. I also ask that you consult your homes. Those of you who have found yourself unable to swing a sword for many years, but could yet again in lieu of this threat that threatens our city, we call upon you to aid us. We call upon you to aid us like we call upon our builders and tunnelers helping make this city livable again while this goes on. We need every pair of hands. We are even calling our Siovanui eligible back from the Training Grounds. We have never done this before. But we are breaking many molds to save our great city.

?Your prayers are needed. Another team must and will be formed and prepared to head back out to the position plagued by fire. The post must not be surrendered to the enemy. Your loved ones may not return from this great service... so they are counting on your prayers. Continue to do all you can. Adenna is All.? Rahea ended his address and began departing with his knight guards he rode in with.

The reaction to his words hit painfully hard with the listening women, working men and the like. Many of their faces so shockingly saw that their very people vanishing before them. Many saw the end of Adenna; approaching slowly. One woman, a mother of only sons, could hold back her emotion no longer. Dropping her woven basket filled with rations for the workers down by the dangerous tunnels, the woman prepared to rush over and cry for reconsideration before Rahea.

The elderly woman had already lost two sons to this tragedy. One of her sons had been posted at the Magma Lord's fort. And now it seemed another of her few remaining boys would be standing in line next to lose his life like all the others being sent to that post. She did not, however, reach Rahea and his guard. A large hand reached out from a brown and tattered cloak to take her shoulder and stop her.

A tear-strewn face desperately sought out who might stop her from pleading for her boy's life. The hooded figure, his face hidden in shadow, brought that hand from her shoulder to present a hushed suggestion to her with a finger to his lips.

?Miss. What are doing?? the man asked quietly, as if disguising also his voice.

?This war effort will claim no more of my sons. Excuse me.? she said with composure; something that took her a great deal of effort to do. Turning, she prepared to go for Rahea once more, but was again, stopped.

The man's large arm took hold of her own this time. ?You object to what is going on here?? he asked with great seriousness. Seriousness that thirsted for an answer in the hushed parts of the gathered citizens.

?My family has lived three generations in Adenna. This is not how we do things.? she replied back with her arm held in the man's grip still.

There seemed to be a decent time of thinking going on from the stilled man at hearing the woman's words. ?Come with me.? he suggested with some urgency, pulling her to a nearby alleyway. And it was here he pulled back and exposed who he was. It was Havelast Dagger Sasc, and looking very different than he had been the day before. He looked focused. But perhaps some of that may have been the carefulness given to making sure they were not being watched.

?Sir Havelast!? the woman exclaimed quietly.

?I had to be certain that you also felt as I do. You are right. Adenna is not herself. And something must be done. But we cannot trust our rulers to do this, anymore. You want to save what family you have left... come here... at the seconds immediate after the midnight stroke.? reaching that hand out again this time to hand her directions to a building in one of the city's districts. It had been written upon a seemingly defaced Adenna crest of the Clovered Cross. Three of its four leaves had been colored in black. The new emblem of the newly established resistance of Adenna.