Now, something that could and could not be seen, or felt, was missing. The hobbled feeling followed by an uncomfortable drift carried by the wind. None moved, what emotion or thought running beneath leather and face remained hidden from searching senses. They were well trained, easily more then common bandits or soldiers. But even still their eyes could be felt, he could feel them. Tossing left and right, at the very least to confirm what had just occurred, what he had willed so simply. Astral aimed his grey eyes to the fourth, slowly lowering his hand back in his bottom’s pocket, but only inches of change was needed to inspire a tightened grip on the sealed trinkets sitting on the hip of the wolf and fox. While the first, already with a blade unsheathed stood firm with the last faceless figure.

"What kind of trickery ... what kind of majik?" said the autumn fox at Astral’s left, whose tone leaned more in the direction of curiosity then fear. Even still, the words brought a grin to the trickster’s face. He knew that truly there was only one composed in this odd predicament. Even the less then half the average man, and more convincing intruder tensed slightly when his hand moved.

"Do you mind conversation?" The words stood out in the pale air. Blunt and diligent, while hollow as the rest. Astral’s brow rose. "Not at all."

"What is your name?" the most interesting out of the lot said. Astral’s eyes flipped right and left. "I cannot answer."

"I see."

"What of you? What title do you claim among your people?"

"Eden," the slim intruder replied. The three separate figures inevitably moving to the words’ owner as a king bends his kingdom. It seems I am not the only one who has learned something new. "You say this village … hidden away from the foundation was weaved by one boy?" Astral returned his eyes to the now named individual standing more then a couple steps ahead. "At one time the land did exist, along with it’s warmth. I simply re-imagined it."

"I’ve never heard of such advanced illusion majik where the touch of sun can be imitated," Eden said. Astral snickered, shaking his head. "Nor have I, for a time what you saw was quite real." A pause appeared in their exchange in word. Maybe because his words were not believed, or could not. Or, evidence of a simple tide curving, instead of pressing fourth like neighboring waves was the case. Regardless, soon Astral spoke again, ready to continue the discussion as he found himself more entertained then he imagined himself upon their arrival.

"Why are you here, Eden?"

"I expected you to ask who gave our orders."

"I did." Eden’s mask lowered for moment, raising again when word seethed again. "To eliminate all life tainted by unregistered majik within the region." Astral raised his chin within the withering fog, now nearly moist against his skin. His eyes swiftly finding the doused blade in the hand of the fox. Tainted?

"I must ask, were you alone? Aside from what was … re-imagined."

"No," the boy surprisingly said. "But the village and majik you've come to burn is already no more."

"Your asking for us to leave without altercation." The trickster returned his sight to the interesting intruder ahead. "Further altercation. Enough life has been wasted, anyhow." Eden hesitated, "that depends."

One of the four began to fidget after those words. The sound of grass crunching grazed ears as a foot inched further away or closer. which, Astral could not discern. Frankly, he was surprised the others had even allowed the conversation to grow this fruitful without interruption. "Are the others that fled like you?" The boy’s eyes moved forward again. "If I answer that question, then bloodshed can not be avoided."

"Not too fond of lies I see. You may be right, but you being here already answers my question, doesn't it?" The trickster sighed. "Though, I believe something can still be worked out-"

"Enough," spoke the hollow voice from Astral’s right. "You have been allowed to speak out of courtesy, but your time is up." Eden raised a gloved hand passively while still facing the surrounded. "It seems our conversation is coming to a end."

"It seems so."

"Join us. As of now I speak for the largest organization regarding majik in any plane. With strong ties to the worlds of old and new. You and your people would be safe and treated well." The autumn fox who had stood quiet for some time gripped one of the wooden handles with enough strength that blood flowed from contorted palm, blanketing blades of thin grass below. Ignoring the act, the conversation continued. Outside aid then.

"Thank you, but I must decline." Eden gave in to a humble laughter. "As I thought." Astral's eyes flipped from the stained blades before his final question. Forcing his brow and jaw to harden with his eyes. "Eden, will you be going after them?" The way the lone voice said the name gave off the impression the two could have been friends for years. And with it the air’s tension molded into what felt like a scale, the following paths being chosen by the following response. The heavy scale could not be felt by all near, but it’s existence couldn't be denied. Eden breathed. "I would enjoy battle with you ... but there is more pressing matters that must be dealt with." One could swear a voice sighed in relief behind one of the five masks as Astral, with appreciation written on his face smiled. "Thank you, trul-"

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"My Apologies, Eden," said the intruder now intervening at Astral’s left. Prompting Eden to turn away from the cornered boy. "For?"

"I believe your interest in bringing them to the Magistrum holds true, but you do not speak for the titans of Greyharbor. Our orders are clear, him, and anything like pose too great a threat, and are to be eliminated. And until otherwise, we will continue on until our objective is complete with swiftness."

"I am aware of your orders, Vincent, but that does not mean a discussion cannot be had."

"But it does. Our existence is to provide safety to all in our borders, and nothing comes before," said the voice of power held by the Red Fox. He and Eden seemingly holding stares before the masked one exhaled, now the once welcoming visibly fighting to keep composure underneath it’s breath. "They pose as great a threat as they do allies." No matter how composed, a hint of anger still bled into the air, even through the facade of a voice. Like their eyes, Astral could feel it, likely just as the others.

"As any of our enemies. Again, apologies, but your opinion has been overruled three to one. You may take your leave. Your reliability at this moment must come into question," the wolf behind Astral said as the fox began to turn at his right. Joining the wolf’s side, his back now facing Astral’s as the declaration was made. "I would rather watch," said Eden. "As you wish," the titan mumbled while whipping his blade clean to his left, and raising it slowly into the air.

"With clarity, I speak to the strongest above, I speak of the level of danger that is or could prove toward our homeland. I, Vincent Carter III hereby declare the third article of Davith upon all survivors of the village of Lafeya. All able titans must and will immediately eliminate the threats if able or on sight." The hollow voice faded into a man’s as his words were spoken. But like the hollow coat, something else covered his lips. And the air sung because of it, growing thick until a pop flew wide. A crackling noise that made the ear twitch. A signal. A message. The air quickly fell back to normal, but the calm appearance of the fourth could no longer hide the anger within. Whatever had just occurred, Eden did not expect or wish it. "You two deal with the blind magi, I will hunt his allies. If I were to guess, none of them wield his level of strength."

"What makes you so certain?" the titan to Vincent’s side said. "Why else do you think he is alone?" The cry of steel swept ears as the titan to Astral’s left let his dormant axes free. "So this may be our greatest chance to strike-"

"Before any become like him," Vincent finished as he began forward. But among those intended steps, with space gained between he and the wolf, the fox came to a halt. Eden stiffened.

For a moment Vincent was unable to move, each attempt bloomed a jolt of pain that went rampant through his core. As if a foundation was cracking. His vision blurred close to immediately after taking that step. And when his chin lifted, he could feel something wet leaking out of his mask. Seconds after, when his vision began it’s return, fear surfaced. All in view was the eyes owned by nothing humane. A boiling yellow and rose red swirled in each eye. As blood flooded the ground, Vincent's stare still connected to the one before him, who let a grin form with his lips, sending a chill through the air in seconds. The speed it moved with ... was close to, if not blind to the naked eye. Eden’s mask lowered, eying Vincent's impaled back, and half of the magi’s arm that laid still after piercing through.

"You should have listened to her, Vincent. Now tell me," said the grin’s owner as he grew closer to the frozen titan before granting a whisper in his ear. "Do I still resemble any magi?" Vincent tried to put some sort of words together, failing, only able to weave harsh noises with his brush of paint. But before the painting was complete, the arm was ripped out the center of his chest, and with it, the man tumbled in what seemed a ever growing puddle of red. Meanwhile already, it’s eyes were set on the next prey.

"I didn't think so."