Two opposing forces shoot forth, each the final flash of brilliance before the inevitable end. Yet essence broils underneath, coalescing into form made manifest forming a sturdy wall that burst forth in between the two and blocking each.

A sword bounces off the wall and a spike stabs into it but does not penetrate. The earth grows once again, crawling up and restraining one whilst supporting the other as they fall.

Imeran, flanked by two men wearing flowing white robes, briefly glances at the damage to the surroundings. Waving his hand, the two accompaniments split and each head to one of the two now subdued fighters.

With quick steps he follows the one heading towards Minerva, though his steps falter momentarily as he feels his spirit being contested by Nur. His next step, more forceful than the last, resonates with the land and tightens his hold. The earth spits out a rock and soon the struggles cease.

Arriving at Minerva’s side, he watches for a moment as the robed man manipulates flowing white light that enters and slowly begins to repair the wounds sustained. Imeran pulls out a stick of incense and a small piece of metal, he brings the rod to the end of the stick but hovers his hand.

His hand shakes for a moment, but the blood pooling around Minerva catches his eye. His shaking stops, his features harden and so he manipulates a stone to hit against the metal. A spark flies forth from it, lighting the incense.

Kneeling next to Minerva, he brings it next to her face and he watches impassively as her barely conscious eyes glaze over even more. Her pupils dilate slightly and her muscles relax.

“Minerva, it is me Imeran. How do you feel?”

Her eyes roll around slightly, searching for the speaker and eventually they settle on Imeran. Her hand that had been gripping a sword relaxes, causing it to drop to the ground. Reaching for Imeran, she says,

“Pain, so much pain. But now…now I feel a little better.”

Imeran takes her hand into his free one and leans even closer, the smoke from the incense wrapping around Minerva like a coiling snake.

“It has been a while since we saw each other, has it not? I have been lonely, you know, my best friend suddenly started to ignore me after all.”

His voice was full of untold hurt and pain, yet his facial expression was hardened steel.

“I. I didn’t want to hurt you. I am sorry…but, I had to,” mumbled Minerva, her eyes fluttering open and close erratically.

“I trust you, just as you trust me. I know you had a reason; can you share it with me? You know I would never do anything to harm you. It was me who helped you run away from your family, remember?”

“I…can’t.”

The smoke condensed even more, any and all that escaped into the ether was caught by the wind and guided straight into Minerva’s nose.

“I hired so many instructors for you, remember? When you had your day of awakening, I spared no expense! You ended up freezing yourself completely, forcing me to close down one of my family’s businesses so I could monopolize those skilled in Vita to keep you alive.”

Minerva looked away from Imeran, guilt clear as day on her face that hit her like a hammer with each sentence that wormed its way into her heart.

“I stayed with you the entire time, reassuring you and even using stimulants for five days straight so I could personally oversee and ensure no mistakes occurred. I have never let you down, right? So, tell me, why did you suddenly cut me out of your life entirely.”

The sheer weight of silence reigned free for many moments, with the only sounds the breathing of everyone present and the distant sounds of the cityscape.

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Finally, Minerva looked back at Imeran with faded eyes and weakly tried to grip his hand.

“Father sent a letter. Ameus joined Aquillia…the first thing he did was bring that shit contract to them.”

Her grip suddenly tightened into iron, the temperature of her skin lowering at a rapid pace. So much so that Imeran’s hands began to burn from the cold.

“That lunatic won’t stop. You have sacrificed too much for me. No more.”

Imeran let a breath he had been holding loose, dropping the incense on the ground, and running his hands through his hair.

“Even after all we have overcome, you are still an idiot.”

He pat the robed man on the back lightly twice and in response the injured woman fell asleep, her breathing slow and even.

Tapping his foot twice, the incense stick was swallowed by the earth completely. Turning around, he walked away with light steps and a focused gaze.

“Aquillia, huh. That is indeed a little scary.”

Chuckling away at an unheard joke, he looked at the many waiting servants that were completely blocking the path.

“Clean it up,” ordered Imeran, causing a portion of the servants to break from the barricade and rush past towards the scene of battle.

----------------------------------------

The cold embrace of darkness slowly loosens its tendrils, light dominates once again, and Nur returns to the world of the waking.

He flexes every muscle in his body, feeling the extent of the damages. His eyebrow raises slightly and with incredulity he touches the exact places where dire wounds had been. All he found, however, was raw skin.

Getting off the bed, he pushed past the flamboyant tapestry that hung from the ceiling and basked in the evening sunlight from a nearby open window. He closed his eyes and tapped into his senses, enjoying the feel of the wind against his bare skin.

He looked down and to his surprise, he indeed found naught but bare skin. He rubbed his chin in wonder,

“This is new.”

Looking around the room, he found an unassuming beige tunic with a fur cloak that lay next to his saber. Putting them on, he noted how the clothes perfectly fit his body and the worn sheath was as good as new.

He opened the heavy bronze door and stepped into a small dining room, where sitting on a massive chair made from soft leathers was Imeran idly sipping on wine. He raised his hand in greeting and pointed towards a couch that had a slightly bent back.

Nur took his seat, jutting his legs up onto the table that sat in between the two. He caught a rather heavy pouch and upon looking within he was greeted by a sea of gold and silver.

“Quite a lot for a lover’s quarrel.”

Imeran coughed and wheezed, rubbing some wine that shot through his nose with a small towel.

“Brother, let us not get ahead of ourselves here. You made a magnificent actor in my play, nothing more and nothing less. Also we are not lover's, gods above forbid, just close childhood friends.”

Nur searched his memories for a moment and then recited what he recalled,

“I hired so many instructors for you, remember? When you had your day of awakening, I- “

His voice was stopped by a sudden barrier of wind that buffeted him, a haggard looking Imeran shot up from his seat and sat next to Nur. He put his arm around him, allowing a thin membrane of air to coat the two.

“You heard that? I thought you passed out from exhaustion.”

“I let a little too loose, perhaps. A hard impact to the back of my skull awoke me though,” Nur flashed a feral grin and put his own arm around Imeran, “The Republic sure is amazing. The ground here even spits stones!”

Imeran tapped on the arm that was slowly crushing him, “You cannot blame me brother. You were simply too ferocious! You were more man than beast and then those creatures you summoned, ho, those were truly spine chilling.”

Imeran pointed towards a small bell that was hanging on a nearby wall and with a flick of his finger it rang out twice.

A servant appeared from the shadow of a nearby pillar and kneeled on one knee in front of the pair, though their gaze bore sharply into the arm that was applying pressure to Imeran’s neck.

The sheet of wind abated for a moment, “Have the cooks bring out some of the Umbricius brand garum along with a pear and honey souffle.”

The sheet of wind once again covered the two while the servant stood up and walked into a nearby patch of shadows, disappearing entirely.

“Let this little meal be a token of my gratitude. I recently closed a deal with the Umbricius, and they gave me a sample of their finest quality garum. Their products are simply out of this world, with many food gourmets from across the Republic praising its quality with unending praise.”

Feeling the pressure abate, Imeran smiled lightly and said, “I hope that what you heard can remain between us as well. Take it as the last act of your job, to forget it all. If all goes well then we will be seeing each other quite often. And not to come off too arrogant but I myself am not simply a nobody, earning the favor of the great Imeran is worth its weight in silver!”

“How much silver?”

The light smile cramped on Imeran’s face, he paused for but a single breath before his eyes lit up.

“You said you were a freedman, right? This place we are in is my own personal manor that I own, it is a delightful place that allows me to be free of the influence of my own family and those they are attached to. A little sanctuary if you will. If you swear to take what you learned to your grave, then I can allow you to stay here whenever you like for the next four seasons.”

“Free from influence, huh” mumbled Nur, before he nodded and said,

“I accept.”