Cold Blue Sky

It was no time to be in Adenna.

With the completion of the swimsuit contest and the departing of outsiders, things were finally lulling back into a quiet familiarity. The snow was melting here right as Rhy'Din's was settling in, being that their seasons were a little different. Kindness and normalcy were abound in market trades, door-opening gestures, neighborly deeds and other things. But it was no time to be in Adenna.

It was with this subtraction of attention upon the city that one man saw it most proper to get about his business, and his business was to leave the city as quickly as possible. In his room at the castle, Mage furiously packed his belongings into his bag. He wanted to be sure not to forget anything. He didn't know when he'd be returning to the city. Survivalist gear was apart of a Winterhill traveler, which he was noted for being on more than one occasion. A hunting knife, flint, basic sword, pot, pan, change of clothes and water purification tablets filled that bag quicker than anything. He equipped the All-killer separately. It wouldn't be fitting in that bag.

He readied to leave, taking one last glance over his shoulder at his room. He'd be leaving his armor behind. Where he was going he didn't need it. Where he was going he couldn't reach it fast enough with it. He pulled the door to a close and shadowed the cuirass and gauntlets and things he was known for wearing.

Out in the hall his great escape would begin. He would make for Winterhill Underground. No one could see him leave. This part would be the most crucial. Once he was halfway outside the city, he'd be a ghost. He started down the hall. Mage was not like most Adennian swordsmen. He was quicker than them, he was smarter than them, he was quieter.

Guards watched the castle at all hours. And the lamp posts illuminated their posts as did the openings in the sky that shone starlight down faintly. They were very much on guard, but they wouldn't notice a man making his way down by Ko'Rudoche's chains, the great sword that wrapped the castle in its aetherial bindings. Dropping down a more than safe distance away, Mage gave one last look at the large of the city he wasn't sure when he'd be seeing again.

At the entrance of the tunnel that led either to the outside island or the deeper, darker recesses of underground Adenna, Mage had already developed a continuous pace. He recalled the note he'd scripted and then immediately incinerated to his fireplace. The purpose of writing it of course to go to his fellow clansmen who retained the Future's Gaze.

?Brothers and Sisters,

I often forget my place in this world.
I often forget my place in this city.
I do not often forget that I have no real friends.
My gift and my curse maintain these things I do and do not remember.

The time has come again to return home.
This is not a place I can stay at another second.
It is no time to be in Adenna.

Send an emissary to accompany me back.
We have much to discuss.
I start my journey immediately.

My mind is plagued.

~Mage, The Battle Prophet?

It only reminded him to up his pace. Just another few steps and he could round the corner and be even swifter into the darkness of the night.

?You've done this once before, Mage. You've left without saying anything and disaster's followed. You only came back during the coup of these five islands dropping upon our city. You know something's about to happen. And you can prevent it. Don't you think we stand a better chance knowing what's coming at us than just waiting for it to come after us when we're off-guard?!?? Chris took his sword with both hands and pointed it at his friend.

?No,? Mage said with a mighty frown, never taking his eyes off of Christopher Andan. ?Telling you won't prevent anything. It'll only cause more harm and devastation. I don't want to hurt you, Chris. But if you won't let me go, I will use this Future's Gaze of mine to defeat you.? he dropped the sack he carried over his shoulder off to the side. The drawing of the All-killer was something you never forgot, and you definitely didn't forget it if it was drawn against you. A stalemate existed for a set period where the two faced weapons at one another. The cold slowed it down even further.

?You'd rather leave and let people die than lift a finger. I can't let you do that. Not when you know what is about to happen. You will tell me.? Chris abandoned his two-handed hold and proceeded to walk much more carelessly towards the Battle Prophet, much more intent on fighting. Mage waited until the last possible moment to meet swords out with Chris' slash and force a lock. If he didn't have to fight Chris, he'd try not to.

?Chris!! Let me go! I have to get to Abastumanani!? Mage shouted desperately across their swords.

?What happens, Mage! Who dies!? Who must suffer THIS time?! What happens, MAGE!?? Chris got in a cut on Mage's arm, causing him to retreat back quickly.

?This is why I can't stay. None of you understand the Future's Gaze. You risk more lives by being prepared for the future. The future is nothing but fixed points, Chris.? Mage had held onto the cut on his arm long enough. He couldn't afford to go without holding onto his sword without both hands any longer, especially because he was facing Chris.

?If that was true, then there would be no point in you.? Chris said.

?There is no point in me.? Mage replied, starting Chris' walk back after him again. This time Mage met him. If he remained on the defensive he'd only lose his life. He couldn't afford to avoid hurting Chris anymore.

For the Greater Good

?Brothers and Sisters,

I have been given this; a test upon my sanity.
Whether or not I carry out my agenda is of an
unknown nightmare I dare not imagine
for it makes the man within me scream even now.

I have chosen to commit a horror to prevent
an even more unspeakable evil.
I may never return from this continuing darkness
I have grown adept at seeing.
After I have performed my task, only then will I know
if I have welcomed in the sun or oblivion
by my own sword.

~Mage, The Battle Prophet?

The letter was quickly incinerated.


The All-killer walked the grounds of Doro Tenma's isle with unchanging pace. A bootprint left in the mud was quickly erased by the land itself. Mage had support in his schedule, a necessary support, an unwanted support. Still, he carried it out. Only a few people ever knew the location of the Jikangais. Eizou, Atae, Rahea, Daichi, Bernard Dearing, and one representative from Abastumanani; always, one representative from Abastumanani. Since Kamonbak and Mage were both from the city, it harkened the question which of the two got to know the whereabouts?

Past a certain point, Mage began regularly checking if he was being followed in the slightest. Just a single pair of eyes could not be permitted to turn loose, no matter the innocence, no matter the age. Fortunately, he had made it to the great frozen lake without sensing any unwanted presence. He assumed if anyone had been out, the mud demon would have his back. Now time came for the most crucial of evasions.

He drew his large sword and walked out into the open, outside of the forest's protection. There was no time to dillydally. Every second out was a second he could be easily seen from a great distance in such easy contrast with the white ice openness. Haste was the only option. He swung his sword down upon the ice, and then he would do it again, and again, until he had made an opening.

A stare was given to the freezing water. It wouldn't be easy. It wouldn't even guarantee his life. But if it was either of those things then it wouldn't be the perfect location. He took the deepest, loudest breath he could muster, and plunged beneath the opening he created for himself. Like a truly hot flame, there was an instant coldness followed by the burn. The timer of his life started. He pulled that sword like the anchor it was to keep him submerged while he walked. It could only get darker and more spacious from here, and it did.

?How much further is it?? Mage asked himself. He was beginning to lose feeling in his body the further he walked. This pace was horrendous, as well. If he kept going like this he would surely die. With squinted eyes trying to hold on, he pressed forward, but just barely. Said eyes soon turned to a barely closed open and he hunched forward even in the water and lowered his hand to the lake floor. Lifeless, it floated down and brushed with a muck-covered link apart of a long chain resting on the lake bottom.

Life returned to him.

Seizing the chain in his hand, he rose tall once again and began pulling himself to a 3x pace faster to his goal. At the lake center had been a faintly glowing globe just a few shades lighter than the color of its surrounding water. A purposefully faint magical bestowment. A Jikangai.

Mage reached out for it with numb hand and his fingertips passed through it, the last of him to do so being his sword.

Storytelling

"Still up?"

The Siovanui's voice came from behind that door, a door that soon enough opened to allow her strong figure passage into the room. Of course he had been up; obvious by the way light still illuminated the room, along with the sound of paper pages of a good novel being turned.

"Thought you might be hungry." Chuckle let loose from those smirking lips. Held balanced against fingers had been a plate, and on top of that plate? A bowl of something that looked pretty steaming.

One of his favorite places had been the bedroom; and for wholly different reasons than one might suspect, too. It was warm and peace-instilling to him. A place where you felt "at home" was a cherished thing to him. And there in bed, noticing his toes flexing under the sheets at the foot of the bed, Dyarhk would put one of his first ever purchased Tendered volumes down to his lap to regard his new company. Peculiar. He thought he'd been the only one up.

"Huh..?" His eyes drifted down to the plate and bowl in her hands. "That's scary. I was just thinking how I'd like some soup." He laughed softly.

"Oh? Could it be that I'm a mind reader?" Her brow perked up to give off a serious sort of expression. One that didn't last and was instead taken over by that smile once more. "You've been in bed sleeping all day." Nodding while she ventured into the room. That plate found the side table before she carefully reached out to grasp at that book. Seirichi closed the novel, but only after being sure to slip that bookmark into place. "Everyone's sleeping back at my place." Snickering. "I couldn't help but stare at Corea's resting face for a few minutes. She really is innocent."

"Hey, hey, hey... when you say it like that it doesn't make me sound as smart as being in bed reading all day." He'd watch her round the bed while he sat up and grabbed a nearby pillow and throw it on-top of the two he had been laying on so he could sit up. "Aw. I wish they didn't have to stay away from me. I haven't been this ostracized from girls since my prescription-glasses days." Maybe now he could get a closer look of what was in that bowl. Of course he made room for her to slide in on the side of the bed. Seirichi, the only person unafraid to catch his fever. He'd look to her sweetly with that last statement of hers. "Wouldn't guess she was a killer, would you? I wouldn't think killer and innocent could be used together if I didn't know her." He smiled.

"She's not that anymore.. and that's all that matters. Right now, she can be as innocent as she wants." Palm found Dyarhk's thigh in a few quick pats. Book placed off to the side before she returned to settle herself down at the edge of the bed. "And you need to get better. Or I'll just have to steal her away." Waggling a finger in his direction. "Now get ready.. and don't even make that face, I'm not the one who made it." Making sure Dyarhk knew as she brought about that plate and placed it down into his lap. "Chicken soup. Prepared by Nayun herself.. and reheated by me." The way she said ``reheated by me`` sounded like it was a harder task than the cooking.

He had quite the fit of shivers. His body was on fire, and when he was reminded of that by the exposed air, he shivered uncontrollably. Something he could make lightly of, however, and would. The pain was perhaps the easiest thing to hide. The Great Pretender, pretending he's doing well. "You're just like Corea, you know. Sweet, caring, beautiful, unique, unforgettable." Some sparks just never left. No, he'd likely always look at Seiri in a more-than friendly light. But it was fine. He cared about her on a deep enough level to never add a new chapter, be it good or bad, to their perfect story.

"Oh! Good Luck with that one. I'm not a man who's easily forgotten." Seiri probably knew he would have said more if he were sick. But none of his bravery and confidence were lacking, however brief his words. His smile while he waddled to a perfect position showed this. "You reheated this? Really?" Nayun deserved credit, but she wasn't in the room. Seiri was. "Wow. Thank you. It looks delicious. Just what I need to get back on my feet, too."

"Hopefully soon. Last thing we need is for you to stay in bed all throughout Christmas. Who's going to play Santa then?" Then a look of thought struck her face. ".. Mom has the stomach for it, she could try." Now, now - it was alright to poke fun at her Mother's baby weight.. when she wasn't in the room. Or on the same street. Yes, it was the perfect time to do so. "Either way. The sooner you get better, the sooner it'll feel more like Christmas." Leaning back then. Her legs freely kicking about off the edge of the bed while body propped itself back against bed held palms.

"I'm not white-headed yet." To the Santa accusations. He got right away to busting some saltines up in his soup. And besides, with this latest challenge of hers his train of thought shifted. "How'd your fight go?"

"Ehh..?" The fight? It took her a moment to realize what he meant. Her mind seemed to have been focused on other things that moment. With a few blinks she'd respond. It first came with a shrug, and secondly with her body leaning back more, this time against elbows. "I won. Did you honestly think Harris could beat me?" She didn't sound exactly thrilled - maybe even a slight bit disappointed. The fight was over, she had nothing to look forward to. It was like the day after your birthday, everything was just returning to normal. "Should of seen how bloody his face got.. and oh boy, the way the crowd turned the moment that final score was called." She'd laugh then. It was amusing to her.

"You didn't have any fans in the audience, huh. I wish I could have been there. I would have cheered for you." Seiri was a tough cookie to beat, absolutely. But Harris had plenty of legitimacy as well. He recalled Tetch telling him how he'd survived a fight with her on two separate occasions. One when he used the actual Pathfinder's abilities and another with all raw materials: Table-tops, chairs, beer bottles and agility. Inspiring, really.

Dyarhk took a spoonful of soup into his mouth and enjoyed it rushing down with that hot temperature. "You finally did it, Seiri. After all that pestering him on the corkboards." He laughed which brought out his cough. "Do you have the opal, yet?"

"Guess I did. Now it's over and I got no reason to go back. Harris was the only reason I wanted to fight, you know? Beat him at his own sport." She met Harris well before venturing into the duels after all. The Ichi turned her head and looked to Dyarhk. "Nah. Asking him for it would of been pretty mean. I mean, sh*t, I was already called a b*tch tonight." The cough caught her attention. She tried her hardest not to look slightly upset by it. This sickness did bring worry to the Siovanui, especially since Rijn hadn't been able to pinpoint what it was. "Hopefully he'll turn it in and I can just pick it up later. I'm not too worried about it."

"Yikes," Hearing she got cussed out again. "...well that's nothing new." He laughed and quietened up to softly slurp some more soup. ?I think quite a few of you women are opal holders, now. Dizzy defended hers recently, if I remember correctly. You two should get together sometime, and you should definitely, definitely be friends. I know a lot of Rhy'Din's female population is out to yank your hair and catfight you, but there's some of them that are really incredible, and tough, and worth knowing. I think Dizzy is one of those.?

Seiri wouldn't sigh. That would give it away. Nothing against the girl, whoever she was, but she wasn't in the business of making friends like Dyarhk had been. Feigning interest or indifference at best was all she could do. ?Oh??

?You bet. You two have a lot in common. You're both strong and very caring on the inside. I know this because Dizzy doesn't hold back in the rings. I'd sure hate to fight her. But also, however crazy or off-the-wall it must have sounded, she accepted my invitation to dinner one night,? he snickered, ?I bet the invitation's still good. I'd gladly pass it onto you. She strikes me as a woman true to her word. You could make better use of it than I could. You don't need a friend in Rhy'Din, but it might be good to have someone who doesn't call you a b*tch every time you walk in the doors.? Dyarhk knew she wasn't a girly girl or anything like that. So the fact she'd accepted his dinner invitation those months ago really stuck with him. His opinion of her was very high.

He wasn't going to make light of it, was he? That time she did sigh, but she would still give him some sort of benefit of what he spoke. ?If I ever see her and manage to remember her name, you got it, Dyarhk.? idly fixing the top corner of his bedspread.

"Well what are you going to do now that you've beaten Harris?" He asked her.

"Nothing." It came without much delay or thought. Hand rose up to run nails through brown locks of hair. "Beating that Rooster was all the motivation I had to duel in those rings. Without that, what do I got? Rhy'Dins for Rhy'Dinians. I got no reason to hang around there. That's like going to the zoo to just watch the monkeys. Something you do once or twice a year."

"Good decision. You did what you set out to do." He patted her thigh. "This is good news. Now I don't have to worry about anyone bad-mouthing you anymore. We belong here. It was funny, though. They are right about one thing. You do have a big mouth."

"It's all apart of the game." The Ichi gave a chuckle then while shaking her head. "If you're not trash talking, what's the point? Mind games. People need to understand that." She then gave a grin and bit her bottom lip - as if something crossed her mind. ".. Then again, I did toss Harris from the ring after it was over.. I guess that could of been seen as b*tch worthy."

"If I lost a title after five-hundred days, I would have wanted to go out in style. At least you didn't love-tap him for the win." He snicker-coughed.

"I gave him style." Grunting out. "Ugh.. don't get me started on love-taps.. The people who fight that way are seriously f*cking stupid. You're here to fight, not to have casual conversation."

"Hey now. I love casual conversation. In-fact it's saved me from fights. I'm having one with you right now." Waiting just the moment before placing the spoonful in his mouth.

"Hey, back at you. I don't think I'm about to punch you here, alright?" Pushing herself with those elbows so that she'd hunch forward at the edge of the bed then. Arms crossing over her legs. "Enough about the duels. That sh*t's over with. I won, it's done. You need to be more focused on eating right now."

"I'll be fine." He reassured. "This is just some head cold, or something. Or maybe I walked outside one too many times without my coat on." He laughed.

Seirchi huffed out then.. she wanted to believe him, but she did have that worried sort of feeling. Head cold, anything. He already almost died on her once, and even something that could be considered small like this made the Siovanuis skin crawl. You couldn't beat up a sickness, you know. She felt powerless. At least, however small, the soup seemed to be helping. "Corea's got everything covered at my place.. so, I'll stay here for the night. How does that sound? Can keep you company till guard duty calls."

"I'd like that. I still wish they were here, but I don't want to get anybody else sick. If anything this is a temporary vacation for me. You and Corea have all the hard work with the kids. And you've never been good about that sort of stuff, have you? Remember when Kellie crawled into your room and you thought she was lost? You almost turned the city upside down looking for her." He was storytelling with his hands now and obviously looking very unbelonging in that bed with that smile he was wearing.

"How about the time I went to sleep and woke up and you and Corea had become best friends literally overnight? You got stuck together cause you each had a sleeping infant in your arms and didn't want to risk moving and waking them. So all you had to do was talk. Or remember when. . ." Dyarhk didn't even feel sick anymore. He continued telling his stories and recalling pleasant memories. Seiri sat up there on the side of the bed with him and put her chin into her palm to regard him in this way, and they'd go on into the night with memories that either made Seiri smile or laugh, something he took great enjoyment in fishing out, and something she took great enjoyment in giving him.

Silent Night

Security was increased. Senses were heightened. Expectations were even more. But there were some things you could never prepare for.

A looming silence slowly spread over Adenna. Street corners hushed that were otherwise talkative, the roads were empty when they should have been trafficked, and things needing saying awaited absolution that would never come. There was not even a mouse that lurked in any wall cracks or house anatomies. Only dead silence.

And suddenly Dyarhk awoke.

Sprung to sit up in his bed, his rag fell from his forehead and his eyes surprisingly assessed the room he was in. It was his bedroom, same as he'd last seen it, last time he had been awake. Corea asleep in a char beside his bed was the first thing he took notice of, and removed his covers to scoot over and just touch her. He had tried to wake her up, but figured she had been by his side for far longer than perhaps she should have and fatigue won her, just like his headache won him. He still did not feel very well at all.

?DYARHK!!?

Flung back to the headboard with surprise, Dyarhk tried and make sense of the door flying open and a white-bearded man standing in the doorway.

?There's no time, boy! We have to hurry!? Bernard shouted.

?Bernard?? Dyarhk asked confusedly.

?Something horrible's happened, boy. You must come with me!?

?Slow it down, Bernard. Let me just wake Corea up first.? Dyarhk tried to calm down the words of the fae elder with a soft hand gesture before turning to Corea and giving her shoulder a shake.

?She can't hear you or feel you, boy. You don't know what's going on. The entire city's asleep. And they're not going to wake up. Not unless we do something.?

?I don't... no. What?? he took hold of his forehead and a handful of his bangs and tried to coax his fever some.

?Fever's not getting any better, is it,? Bernard said coldly, creepily, getting Dyarhk's attention with widened eyes. ?You're freezing, but you also know you're burning up inside. Feels like you're on fire, doesn't it. You couldn't talk to Seirichi or Corea earlier, and now you really can't because they're under his enchantment. You want to know why you're the only one awake, don't you??

?What's happening, Bernard??? Dyarhk frowned mightily sad.

?Your Lifestealer's Folio has been damaged,? Bernard began, and right away Dyarhk's heart sunk. ?You can't control the Siovanui energy flowing into your body. It's why you're sick. You can't use your spiritual link to commune with Seiri or this woman. Your life-force was weak enough for his charm to bypass you. It's just you, and thanks to your connection with my son, me as well. Now, Dyarhk. It's time to go.? He told him.

?Who is it, Bernard? Who's done this?? Dyarhk asked.

?A man I used to call my friend... long before this city stood. Daichi.?

Dyarhk's heart sunk in his chest. He looked to Corea who seemed to be sleeping just as normally as she ever did, only she wouldn't wake up when he tried and stir her. He moved her from the chair to his bed and fixed her hair and cupped her cheek; preparing his resolve to go with Bernard.

?Grab your axe.? Bernard looked to the corner of the room where the golden thing rest.

The Great Slaughter of Adenna's Future

A small town's alarm rose. To a very small minority, it was known as Taulmathia. To everyone else, it was the training grounds, where siovanui in-training sweat and bled and cried over their dreams. When their alarm rose, there was no electronic chirping or bell ringing. Taulmathia was an ancient temple with decrepit old huts and muddy swordfighting circle, not much else. No, when their alarm went off it was the womens' voices echoing out, alerting one another of an intruder. It was the wild dogs barking that stayed in the gulch because they were courteously fed scraps on odd days. But nothing got the warning out like the womens' own strong voices in likewise strong protest of the crime committed before them.

?Sword!! Give me a sword, Cassidy!? A strong Adennian woman shouted in the doorway with her hands on the sides.

Cassidy, the woman in question, rummaged furiously through an armory chest for the swords with edges that were not spatulated or training swords. Perfectly forged things revealed themselves beneath an itchy quilt, constructed to be the best and do the most for their women swordsmen.

?Here, Elliot!? Cassidy shouted, tossing her the sheathed weapon. Upon being caught, it was no longer sheathed, and Elliot was off to face their intruder.

Outside the women had already gathered in-front of the mud circle where fists were thrown and ideals were made stronger by fighting. This place meant everything to them, and it meant the beliefs of them and their ancestors. It would be fought to the death for. There was Cameron out there waiting with Aumara and Tiserra, and the remainder of their warriors behind sent back to protect the temple.

?Become your steel, sisters!!? Alana shouted with her halberd in hand.

Ahead of them was a short Asian man with a beautiful face and womanly eyes. Wearing nothing but a black muscle shirt and white pants, he proceeded to walk casually and with poor posture to the congregation.

?If you value your life, turn away now!? Elliot shouted with risen sword.

The man made no differences in his pace.

?You are not welcome here!? Stated to the profile of a man upon their sacred grounds.

?When was the last time a man set foot on the training grounds?? Cassidy whispered to Elliot.

Elliot only shook her head, keeping her eyes on the man, knowing something was up. ?A very long time, Cass.?

?You've received your final warning. You will pay for this unholy passage with your life.? Alana relayed once more to the man.

Again, there was no change in the pace at which he walked closer still to the women.

The distance closed was too much now to warn him any longer. He had forfeited his life as far as the women of Taulmathia were concerned. So first it was Elliot who would rush at him with her sword out and Cassidy behind her. Closing the distance entirely with the man, Elliot executed a lethal lunge from close proximity that went in-between the man and his arm. She was gripped around the throat by this arm and bent around backwards with her eyes facing the sky for a time of reflection while he would fight Cassidy with what of him wasn't locking her up.

Cassidy's swung sword hand was gripped and snapped upward noisily, and then her sword was claimed and rightfully discarded to the side. He then proceeded to lift Elliot suddenly by where he held her, which had been around the neck, and snapping it, as well. The lifeless body dropped to the dirt, he was free then to extend a quick hand, grab Cassidy by both her cheeks, and jerk her gaze suddenly behind her back while keeping her still facing him. She dropped as well.

?No... no!? Alana cried out quiet and painfully at the unexpected sight of this before rushing off to fight him herself.

Inside the temple, Seirichi crowded around one of the pillars with her fellow countrymen and tried to make sense of what little of the village the huts they could see. They were usually out of their confidence zone since they were instructed to defend the temple instead of fight the threat, something that made little sense to them. But they heeded it. Word had come from Scarlett, the alpha female of the grounds, and the woman whom they all looked up to, and had put in charge. She stepped up to Seirichi while quiet whispers were going on around them.

?You want to go see what's going on, don't you?? She asked.

?I want to know why you disagree with my going to see what's going on, actually.? Seiri replied, looking seriously over to her.

Scarlett's hand came up to rest on Seiri's shoulder. ?Our strongest must always guard the temple when we have an intruder. That's the way it always has been. If you left and we were attacked here, absent of your strength, the temple could see destruction, and that we cannot allow. These stones can never be rebuilt. They can never be knelt to for prayer like they are now, and turn out the Siovanui they already have if they were destroyed. It is worth dying for.? Scarlett explained.

Seiri laughed soft and brief. ?It can't be that serious. But I'll wait if it makes you feel better. No, I won't need that.? she placed her hand on Scarlett's other that was offering her a sword.


A small collection of fallen women had collected at the frightfully handsome man's feet as Taulmathia's defense continued to pour attackers into his wake. Stepping over a white-dressed blond woman, he perfected his timing to snap another neck of an oncoming woman almost effortlessly.

?This really is getting tiring.? He said, extending his hand and rushing the same sleep over Adenna over those here. More white-dressed forms fell to the mud and the dirt and tarnished their perfect cleanliness.

The temple was his destination as those ten to fifteen footsteps were taken through the circle and lining him up with the edifice perfectly. From the temple, Scarlett could make out that it was a man they were losing to, but she did not know who it was. She stepped back with her gaze on the only door he would have to pass through and prepared for him to do just that. Her and all her sisters prepared for battle. Seiri stepped up ahead of them all. She'd protect them.

But he never came.

It was because outside on the uphill where he had started to climb up to go there, he had been called to.

?Daichi!?

He looked over the naked shoulder of his muscle-shirted arm and then turned to face his caller. It was Bernard.

Bernard Dearing and the Star Sword

?That's as far as you go, you engineer of chaos.? Bernard said, no bigger than two foot. But it was clear as if he were seven feet, he wouldn't let Daichi pass.

?You knew before I built this city what I wanted. This isn't a community of a people with choices. If they've ever had choices, it would be because I gave it to them.? Daichi replied.

?I knew before you built this city you wanted to create something great, and you've long done that. But greatness is not made through ruination, not any longer. People are only dying because you deem it; something I will not allow any longer!? The elder fae spirit brought blackened-lens goggles down upon his eyes that made even Daichi surprised.

?Afraid of ultra-violet rays, Bernard?? Daichi asked him.

?No. But you will be.? He answered, drawing from a thick sheath blinding light.

A light so bright was held up by a hilt and swiftly executed all shadows.

?Close your eyes!? Scarlett shouted within the temple wherein the light even penetrated. Reaching to cover Seirichi's eyes, her hand was only jerked down by her.

?If I'm going to die, I'll do it without hands held over my eyes, Scarlett.? Seiri said full of scorn. She stood up and began heading for the temple entrance.

?Seiri! Wait!? Scarlett shouted, covering her own eyes with one hand and reaching out with her other.

?I've had enough of whoever this is. If he wants to take over the greatest city then he'll have to defeat the greatest.? Seiri held up her arm and clapped down on her bicep before continuing to powerwalk down the temple entrance.

Outside in-front of the temple, Daichi had barely managed to escape with his head after the bright light of his earth spirit opponent's sword had snuck in close to him, and then a second time when he had seized a fallen Adennian woman's sword that splintered immediately upon colliding with the light weapon. Eventually, he was forced to leap back some and continue to visor his eyes.

?Is that the Star Sword? It is brighter than I remember. I have not seen it in a while.? Daichi said, incredibly pale in the starlight.

?I have not had a reason to shew it to anyone until now.? Bernard answered him, landing in ready position with the sword held out, unbothered by the light with his goggles on, the only things that the light did not affect.

?The product of the only smith able to forge a star onto a grip. It couldn't have been left in better hands. Well... save for someone that might live long enough to pass it on.? Daichi said eye-squintingly, still aggravated by the brightness.

?You know about it, aye. But it is not just the brightness of a star it possesses, but also their awesome heat.? Bernard enlightened before leaping out suddenly and closing their distance just as sudden, this time with fiery gushing violence.

Seiri couldn't see. It was too bright. It was that bright. The outside temple wall served as a good enough guide until she ran out of it. Then it was openness and only the awareness that she was going down hill to tell her that it was the right direction. Down the hill were the huts where the women cooked, ate and slept. They did little else in them.

There were no noises for Seiri to follow; something she had been counting on greatly. But the Ichi didn't think things through all the way; an Ichi rarely did. She was completely at the mercy of her attacker if he were silent and around her right now. All she could do was visor her eyes with her arm almost against them while using her outstretched other to feel out the space ahead as she walked. She may not be able to see, but that won't matter if she can get a grip on him or her, even if she's attacked first, she welcomed it. She welcomed her opponent showing where he was.

In the quiet did the place become less bright and less bright until it could be said that it was actually getting darker. Soon enough Seiri could actually remove her arm readjust her eyes to a normal brightness. She blinked out, wanting to see what her eyes insisted she wait on until the rainbow colors cleared her view.

Ahead of her, Daichi had just finished sheathing the last bit of a sword made of sunlight like it were a finished task. He had been crouched, and likewise finished carefully removing the fallen Bernard's goggles from his face and exposing a cute slumbering face of an elderly man with barely noticeable freckles of blood on one of his cheeks. Daichi laid the goggles before him and the sword in his hand with a silent pat. Then he stood.

Seiri looked on very briefly horrified, and soon with a much longer-lasting rage.

?Ah, there you are, granddaughter.?

It was a safe time to be in Adenna.

Like awakening from an afternoon nap did the city itself stir and rub their eyes like nothing had happened. Christopher Andan awoke from his desk with a curious demeanor. Aurast Dagger Sasc awoke on the floor. And the warrior women of the training grounds sat up from their fallen positions. Scarlett awoke in the temple and stood outside to assess just what had happened after their enchanting slumber.

Orders were issued to the remaining body to care for and provide proper burials to their fallen sisters and Bernard Dearing, the great elder fae spirit that gave his life in protection of them. The large axe's fate was thus far undecided. The women moved it out of the temple. And there Seirichi had stood up on the hill. Scarlett approached her and inquired about the happenings. The shortest story ever was told by the Siovanui. There were no words of consolidation. What Scarlett had spoke to her up on that hill had been in vain, and was scolded furiously.

It was a sad time to be in Adenna.

Seirichi wasted no time in scaling most of the training grounds. In little ways did reality begin to take grips with her, such as when she punched a tree, such as when she realized she had already checked a certain area once before. What she knew inside was a punchable offense coming from the lips of someone else: He's gone. She just wasn't prepared to settle with that just yet.

She walked down a path with her thoughts just time enough to plan her next course of action. Where to look next? What to tell Corea? What to tell the kids?

?Seirichi...? a voice spoke.

Seiri immediately stopped and jerked her head to the woods.

In the bush had been a cloaked figure with an enormous sword. He stepped forth slowly and removed his hood. It was Mage.

?Mage? What are you doing here?? Seiri asked.

?I've come to ask for your forgiveness... and to repent,? He began.

?What are you talking about.? Seiri asked in a low tone of voice, her eyes sharply upon him.

?I fled Adenna during this crisis. I fled because of what I saw before it was seen by everyone else. But most importantly... you deserve to know that it was I who tarnished the Lifestealer Folio in the Orrery to set these chains of events in motion.? He admitted, stepping out before her.

In running theme with the day, Mage's throat was seized and Seirichi began choking him with sorrowful rage, the most dangerous sort. Mage similarly clung to her wrist in desperate begging for his life. ?I ca... I came back..! ...to tell you..! To tell you!!?

Seiri loosened her grip.

?The end of my vision... it was after Dyarhk was dead... but he was in the piano hall. He was playing with the children!? Mage was released upon admitting this information. He coughed and coughed some more, returning farther from the thin red line of life and death.

Seirichi processed this very sporadically before taking off. It was back to the city. And it was some run to get there.

?Hurry! Hurry!!? Mage coughed some more.

Down the street, Corea had awoken in that chair beside the bed in a most peaceful setting. The sun shone out the bedroom window and her bedroom was perfectly set. But one thing was out of place. Dyarhk was not in the bed. He had been sick, she recalled. And just like those nights she spent every moment beside him, somehow time had slipped away with her and he had sneaked out on her. She had no knowledge of the events that had taken place just the hour ago.

She got up and stepped out in the hall.

?Good afternoon, Corea.? Eizou said, walking past her.

?Good afternoon...? she replied, tiredly rubbing her eye and still looking as if she could make no sense of how Dyarhk had gotten past her. ?Eizou,? she called him back. ?Have you seen Dyarhk??

?Hm. Did you check the Piano Concerto Hall??

?I just got up. I haven't checked anywhere. What would he be doing there?? She asked.

?That... ..is a good question,? he began before lowering his voice and becoming much more serious. ?I would rush over there right now. That was one nasty cough he had last time I saw him. Go on. Go!? He said with a gesture of his head. Corea thought he had gone about that strangely, but there was no way she was going to question it because the subject matter had been rather important. She started down the hall. A walk turned into a slow jog. Outside, a jog turned into a confused, worried sprint.

?Hey, what's the rush?? A citizen asked.

?Slow it down!? Another spoke out.

Corea sensed a pertinence that had upped her pace considerably. Bursting into the double doors of the Concert Hall, she gazed on in awe at the empty stadium that seated music lovers in warm seats and beheld a magnificent stage down the way that currently sat her two daughters and Seirichi.

?Corea!? Seirichi exclaimed, hopping from the stage and bolting for her.

?Seiri?? What's going on? Where's Dyarhk??? Corea asked as her wrist was taken.

?You have to come with me right now.? Seiri said, leading her down the central way by her wrist.

?What's going on?? Why are you crying??? Corea exclaimed, coming into proximity now of Kellie's crying. It seemed she hadn't stopped yet. ?What's going on??? She asked again, but nothing from Seiri. Finally, Corea jerked her wrist out of her clutches and shouted. ?I said what's going on!!??

Seiri had to turn. ?Dyarhk is right behind those curtains... now come with me!!? She smacked her hold onto that wrist once more and led her up the instrumentalists' stairway onto the stage and then back to the curtain.

Corea was flabbergasted. Wide-eyed, and tearing up herself because the profound unknown partnered with the tears of a person she never saw cry bode only a horrible sort of news. It was with much less resistance did she let Seiri lead her now. Back through those curtains, across a short way's and then Corea was thrust from Seiri's clutches and given the last bit of distance to make on her own over to the person she sought out.

He was noticeably faded. This was something Corea realized only as she literally crashed into his breast from this pace Seiri had been leading her by. Her wide green eyes blinked at his chest; his chest that she could partially see through. The grains of sand in the hourglass ticked slowly as his hand came up to caress the top of her blond head of hair.

?Corea...? He said.

?What's happening to you, Dyarhk?? Corea whispered with tear-filled eyes.

?The city's safe. Everyone's safe. This is the price I paid.?

?You can't leave...? she took a hold of him.

?I'll never leave... I'll always be by your side. When the sun warms you ? ?

She began crying.

? ? when the wind blows... when a star sparkles down at you. Nothing is so strong it will ever undo how much I love you, Corea.?

?I love you.? she cried.

?I love you too, Corea... my Corea... the marksman that nailed me square in the heart.? He smiled, dipping down to her lips. A brief stare was exchanged before their lips connected and their eyes closed. A few seconds passed and Corea did move past him; through him. His physical form was gone now.

Seirichi could not fight the urge any longer to give them privacy. She stopped biting her finger and stepped forward.

Dyarhk looked left and right sadly. ?I had so much more I wanted to do.?

This got Seiri going again. If that resonated with anyone deep inside, it did with Seiri.

?I'm so sorry to leave you both with Kara, Marissa and Kellie...? he tucked in his lips. ?Seiri... you got your hands full with those girls. But it's Kara you're going to have to worry about. Raise the boy right.? he began to vanish now.

Seirichi stepped up to Corea and took hold of her, who was reaching out for the phantom image, bringing her up against her and rubbing her opposite arm vigorously while she tried and keep it all together; her makeup, her jewelry, her composure. Corea's braceleted hand came up and trembled over her mouth and running nose.

?I don't have a doubt in my mind. You'll both do a great job. Be there for one another. Be strong. I'll see you again. Somewhere.? He winked before smiling brightly before them and laughing brighter and brighter, though they could no longer hear him as that concluded the life of the siovanui-burned image of him.

Seiri turned to bring Corea to face her then and give her collarbone to the crying woman. Looking over her shoulder, a myriad of thoughts plagued her mind. What now? How to tell the kids? When to tell them? What now?