TRAPHERE

APALORN

Rouxevierre Rozalynne Roxalli, third commander of the Apalorn Guard and personal protector of the Mayor Amaria Apalorn Cixtridri, ignored the bad omen of a flock of deloovians flying overhead as the blue Galsertian train came to a halt before her. Her long chestnut hair extended in three complex plates which united at her waist-level. She wore pinksteele armour with the Apalorn crest; a sword pierced through a pink rose; attached to her thigh was a long in diameter saya; a scabbard which contained her long single-edge bladed kutyna, the Terradine; one of the many chosen weapons of the renound class of the Mazmurai.

Although she carried many titles, she preferred to be known simply as Rouxve.

The kutynas wielded by the Mazmurai were mystically programmed by the means of complex magics upon creation and acted as a random-access memory to the entire index of abilities stored within the Mezhido; the record of every ability ever mastered by the Mazmurian style since the development and formation of the first kutyna.

Standing promptly, she observed twelve Thetier instructors sort three hundred Hecatiers into six lines of twenty each. Rouxve smiled in spite of how worn she truly felt. The last couple of days had kept her busy indeed. Nevertheless, she stood proud to represent Mayor Amaria on behalf of all Apalorn;

It was unprecedented for scheduled guests to not be greeted by the Mayor; who ruled the city of Apalorn, but situations at hand would have placed Amaria under the protection of the best security the city had to offer.

Rouxve had designed the exam the Galsertians were to pass in order to acquire their Aventier level; as Apalorn hosted at least one of Galserta's exams per year, and with the Apalornian forces to be on high alert for the next couple of following days, it was perfect to make use of the three hundred Level Hecatiers from Galserta. She nodded when all had come to a calm before her.

"Blessed Asduel, students of Galserta," said Rouxve loudly for all to hear to the colorful onlooking crowd of Galsertians. "My name is Rouxevierre Roxalli; third commander of the Apalorn High Guard. I am here to welcome you to Apalorn and to disclose your mission for the next dantian. You are to refer to me as General Rouxve from hence.”

"As you have been informed: the Politea military has broken their trusts with the Lion’s Alliances and there is strong suggestion that they may have sided with the likes of factions that make use of the forbidden magiks and forces capable of mass destruction.

"We here at Apalorn have made use of affordable Politea services; up until a dantian ago, we had fifty low-ranking blue soldiers and eight of their midlevel red soldiers under our employment. The red soldiers have all deflected to our ranks; swearing oaths of loyalty to our mayor. They have provided us with the intel on which we have based all strategies going forward. The blue soldiers, however, were all nowhere to be found when the news reached us.

"The information we received are as follow: the Politea are planning an invasion by means of guerrilla warfare. They will attempt to breach the outer defenses of Apalorn's third rim, Sinderblom on the sixth hour of the night in the morrow with a full army of blues.”

She waited for a moment; there was a somewhat uneasy shuffling in the crowd of Galsertians. Sylus snickered behind Chrys. He rolled his eyes as Lelie in front of him looked from left to right to see whether or not others were as nervous as she was.

"Bet you that's a fierce kutyna," Nady whispered next to him.

Chrys’s eyes moved down to the long saya at Captain Rouxve's waist. If the length on the outside did any justice to the blade it beheld then Chrys was sure it would prove to be longer than the Fyrevere was.

"Do not fear, Hecatiers,” said General Rouxve with a smile and a nod. "They underestimate the Apalornian forces. We have not requested for Galserta to come and fight our battles, but merely to stand guard at Apalorn’s beloved and sacred heritage sites.

"There are twenty avenues that surround the last rim and wall of Apalorn; Primadorn, which is structured around the central palace’s grounds. In these avenues are our most sacred heritage sites. These grounds will be guarded by twenty High Guards of Apalorn.

“At the ends of the avenues your Thetier Captains will be on standby if combat were to ensue; as ready as I am sure they will be, do not forget that they are there to observe your progress over the course of your stay to determine the results of your Aventier upgrade-exam.

“What is to be expected of you is to act as security, and to guard the blocks to the avenues in between the two walls of Primadorn. You have until the third dial of the first hour of the night to decide yourselves in to formations of fifteen.

“The sword formation as you know; must consist of at least two medically adept students; five close combative orientated and five rangers. It is also highly recommended to have the aid of a protectionist employed.

"Your first shift will begin at the rise of Samsora in the morrow; your first shift will be worked as a full formation; you are expected to sort yourselves into a shift basis from there on out over the next five days.”

Rouxve felt in to the vibrations to establish that her audience was listening; she continued:

“I can assure you that Apalorn is prepared for the onslaught from the Politea. However, all of you must be alert, for in the unlikely event that the blues infiltrate pass Sinderblom, battle will be sure to ensue. However, it must be noted that the blue soldiers sent to siege Apalorn are of the lowest ranks. They may be abundant in numbers, but they are usually Mastrial drop-outs. Most are said to have started training under the military without a Tier.

"Therefore, it is estimated that as current Hecatiers, you already outweigh the army in strength." Captain Rouxve then nodded and smiled. "That concludes your briefing for your Aventier Upgrading Exam. I will now proceed to lead you to the hostel you will be occupying for the remainder of your stay in our city."

Rouxve turned and led the large crowed through a large gap in between the gigantic iron wall that separated the city of Apalorn from the outside world. They walked for a while before the city came in to the view; the set of Samsora casting but a glaze of pink in the depths of the sky to give sight to the shadowy vision of the city. The sight and vibration of its vastness had Chrys gulp with a level of sensory overload. Sylus chuckled almost excitedly behind him. He slapped himself mentally to remind himself to not show any weakness.

The Hecatiers went about chatting to one another at different paces as they followed Rouxve four blocks down an avenue and then around a corner. The Galsertians scanned their surroundings with mixed feelings of despair and anxiety. It was as if the excitement they had felt before leaving the train was dissipating the deeper they went along.

Although there was still some light left from Samsora to share over Dellfelldell, the walls that barricaded the enormous city would block him out to cast its secrets in constant shadow. The towering buildings of Sinderblom all gave off an aura of dilapidation; with rubble scattered around the littered filled brick streets and paint peeling off every structure in sight; Chris did his best to suppress the nauseating sense of over-population, poverty, and grime.

Passing numerous locals; who all seemed morbid, unfriendly, and uninterested in the colorful crowd. It also seemed to Chrys as if the city took a modest approach to technological advancements, when he observed a carriage being pulled by two white horses carrying somewhat more upper-class lenders; dressed slightly smarter than the others but with their noses pulled high up in the air.

It suddenly made sense why Apalorn had such a pungent aroma; it smelled almost like the horse stables and farmyards back at Galserta; but with less intelligence behind the odor of the waste.

To make matters worse, Chrys had spotted plenty deloovians flying around; sometimes even within a close proximity of the Galsertians. The streets of Apalorn were filled with the cries of the morbid quails of the avian; Dell-oo! Dell-oo!

Chrys had read that deloovians, a national bird of Dellfelldell, were dangerous blue and orange plumage and white winged birds that unleashed an explosive magik as an evolved defense mechanism. A few students to his right screeched as another of the deloovians swept a little too close for comfort over their heads.

"The Apalornians regard them the worst of omens," Chrys heard Que tell Nady. "Apparently they love to build their nests in these regions and the mayor has yet to do anything about it in the duration of her reign.”

"I think they're pretty," Chrys heard Lelie mutter.

“In Pheax we regard them as symbols of hope and new beginnings; like a spark that erupts a wildfire,” Nady smiled.

Chrys did his best to put his mind to rest as it formed judgements in accordance to the culture shock he was experiencing. Lelie turned to him with her nose pulled up and her eyes empty. "I certainly hope the rest of Evalend isn't like this...."

. "We do our best here at Apalorn," called General Rouxve, as if picking up on the vibration of the collective. “You may have heard the worst of things about our city, but I assure we do our best to assist the mayor in the safekeeping of its mighty history.”

After another turn, they found before them yet another long wall that stretched around another division of the already overbearing city. Rouxve nodded at two guards, who stepped aside and opened the gates to them.

“We have now left Sinderblom and are within Midalorn,” she announced.

The feel of Midalorn in comparison to the separated Sinderblom was instantaneous in terms of space and vibration as the Galsertians carried on their path in the mid-section of Apalorn.

“Sinderblom runs illicit black markets due to the lack of entry permitted to the outsiders; Midalorn homes the market sections as well as lenders who can afford a safer and cleanlier lifestyle.” Que explained to raised brows of Nady.

As stars began to reignite upon the heavens, their surroundings lit up with street lamps as they went about, and in the distance another enormous wall became apparent; beyond its hedge the tall Apalorn palace became apparent for the first time.

"That doesn’t look anything like what we just walked through," Lelie sighed rather loudly. A few students turned to face her in surprise; Chrys admired that she said what he was sure everybody else had to be thinking, but noticed that nobody around her seemed to appreciate it. He had made the same observation the deeper into Apalorn General Rouxve led them. The more inwards of the circular city they went, the more upper-class it seemed to get.

Sylus snickered at this fact.

After another ten-minute walk they finally reached a tall dull building with many windows and a sign that read "The Audac."

"The Audac hostel; where you will be staying," Rouxve announced. “Enter and register your weapon licenses at the front desk and get your rooms assigned. Remember to return to this hostel with your formation members sorted and registered with an instructor by the first dial of the night in three dials‘ time. You are free to explore up until then. I will see you at the rise of Samsora in the morn of the morrow. Good-luck Hecatiers. Thetatiers, please follow me for further instructions."

Chrys watched her leave, the twenty Thetier instructors following behind her; as the Hecatiers began to cue into the hostel.

"Excited Kion?" Sylus asked him. Chrys, as always, chose to ignore him. Sylus snickered again; knowing how much this annoyed his rival. "Follow me at all times if you want this over and done with as soon as possible."

Chrys furrowed his brow. What did Sylus mean by 'as soon as possible'. It was an exam; Sylus certainly had no control over the span of time it took.

He slapped himself mentally as he remembered the conversation, he had overheard on the morning of the day he received the Fyrevere; the sword had seemingly taken up that much mental space.

Death or forfeit. Chrys sighed as the loop re-sprang in his mind.

Chrys put his sheathed Fyrevere down on the bottom bunk of a bed and seated himself with a sigh.

"Get us the best bunk," Sylus said to Calus close by. "We’ll need the rest the most."

Spiere snorted and then looked furious as Calus made a move to the only double bed in the room; which consisted of three bunk beds and one single double. Chrys shared in the sentiment and he was sure he would have retaliated if his Fyrevere was not on the line.

"That is for Borrin!" Spiere protested at once. Calus threw a look of spite back at him, but Borrin came to stand next to Spiere; towering above the already tall boy.

Sylus snickered; tossing his belongings on the top bed of the bunk the furthest away from Chrys; there was no sight of the Fyrevolt, which led Chrys to believe that Sylus had probably inscribed his Flareswords within a Dwelvish scroll.

"Come Calus," Sylus said, smiling and not looking to at anyone else as he made his way to the door. "We have better things to do than to commune with these amateurs. Oh Kion; I'm assuming you'll do the dirty work finding us a formation. I have bigger things to concern about."

He had not looked at Chrys as he had said this; Calus joined them and they left together.

"What a tool," said Spiere; Borrin chuckled as he nodded next to him.

"Never liked that guy," said another occupant of the room. He was tall and lank with thick and dark red-tinted skin, and was currently dressed in flowing red robes. Upon his head, he donned a pointy red cap; which hid most of his thick and dark wiry hair, highlighted with blondes and shiny reds. He had harsh features, large ember-like eyes of yellows and greens under thick bushy brows; whilst his ears were predominantly big as well; his long nose and his chin protruded a bit further out than the other boys. A long red tail, with a sharp and hairy end, wagged out from under his robes. Chrys wondered how he had never noticed such an unmissable character back at Galserta.

Spiere and Borrin nodded and the boy came forward.

"Karliscle Flintus Agnitius," he said; holding out his hand "Call me Flint."

They shook hands and introduced themselves; Tomo, who was also partied with them, joined excitedly yet another familiar face made their way over to where Chrys was currently sitting.

He had icy blue eyes and round, big and purple lips with defined and high cheekbones. His skin as white as snow, as was his hair; his bangs folded neatly next to his face. He wore robes of white and blue and smiled almost seductively at Chrys as he approached. He walked with sass which gave him off a somewhat effeminate impression.

He came a little too close for comfort and put his luggage on the top bunk.

"Although I would have loved to be at the bottom!" he giggled and winked at Chrys; who gulped inwardly; feeling uneasy as an understatement. "Now to finally use the lavatory!" he announced; waltzing to the bathroom door with such finesse and presence that all the boys looked on after him with a variety of different expressions.

"Whisper Wildomier," Flint said afterwards with a naughty smile. "Windt-Magi."

"And you're a Fyre-Magi, right?" Tomo piped up.

Flint nodded at him proudly.

"What exactly is a Magi?" Borrin asked, plopping himself on the double bed; which broke underneath him, causing all the boys to laugh; all except for Chrys, who rolled his eyes.

"Magis are short for magisters; titles assigned to those who dedicate their studies and lives to mastering and uncovering the greatest secrets of spelnamtics or magiks of specified fields or elements in hopes to flourish into high levelled Elmasors," Flint said, wiping some laughter from his eyes. "Ah. In the case of Whisp over there, his fields of expertise include the study of Windt Magik. As for me, I dedicate myself to the Magiks of Fyre and Vlam. “

Borrin nodded; it was hard to detect any emotion in his scaled face, but Chrys felt that there was a certain comforting aura that the reptotoid emitted about him. Spiere rubbed his chin with two fingers.

"I'm pretty sure that Whisp guy was flirting with me while we were cueing for rooms," said Spiere with wide eyes.

Flint chuckled. "I'm pretty sure he was, he has charmed me before in the past too," he smirked. "I think he’s cute."

Spiere grinned. "So, who are you guys teamed with then?"

The fire in Flint's aura was suddenly dampened. "Eh, I was going to ask Whisp to be a part of my formation... I don't really have that many..."

"You're with us then," Spiere smiled. "Tell Windy he can join us too."

Tomo and Borrin gave nods and approval. Flint smiled brightly. "Gee thanks guys!"

Whisp came out of the lavatory with a huge sigh of relief.

"Yo Windy," Spiere called. "You want to team with us?"

"Oh," said Whisp putting his hands to his chest flattered. "Of course, you fellows can pair with me. Gosh!" His pail skin became a shade of pink.

There was a knock on the open door as Nady appeared and entered, followed by Que; behind which was yet another little lender.

She was close to Que's thigh in size; and Que was already pretty short. She wore her bright yellow hair in two pigtails and had a rounded nose with plenty of freckles on her tiny face. She had eyes of blue and greens. Chrys had easily missed her over the course of his life at Galserta, but recognized her to be a Dwelender; or dwelve for short.

Dwelves were one of the ancient inhabitants of Evalend and, like most of the different species, they came in a large diverse varieties, mixes, and shapes. They were known makers of fine inventory by the means of combining the technological advances of Evalend with their fine arts and magiks.

"Found us a new team member," Nady said, smiling kindly down at the dwelve. "Wallans, this is Halori Meandre Forestar."

"Hullo," she said, smiling; the lines on her face did not move her brows in the smile; but her big eyes twinkled.

They went in a circle introducing each other.

"Chrys," Chrys said finally, but Halori was already nodding at him.

"I know who you are," she said. "Our whole Tier is abuzz, talking about you and Sylus getting those Flareswords."

Chrys sighed inwardly; he was not sure he appreciated that bit of information. Blinking awkwardly when all of persons in the room seemed to be staring at him in that moment.

"I was thinking we should go out for supper," said Nady, cutting right through the awkward vibration. "On me, of course."

"Hell yeah!" Spiere thrust his fist to the air.

"That would be divine," Borrin licked his lips with his sharp pointy tongue.

The room was filled with excitement.

"Lead the way!" Nady chuckled at Que. They left. Chris, finally alone, let out the longest sigh; which Nady caught half way as she returned a couple of seconds later.

"Oi, Chrys! You aren’t coming?"

He looked up at her and did not have to wait too long to see that she would not give up even if he tried. Making sure to have his back turned to her as he picked the Fyrevere back up and rolled his eyes; it was not like he was not hungry, having not had any breakfast that morn and having declined the snacks his fellows had offered him back on the train, he had to dig deep. Nady was smiling from ear to ear; and for a brief moment they connected so vigorously that Chrys had to look away. Nady turned and fanned her face as she led him out to catch up with her comrades. Feeling slightly as if she was forgetting something.

Lelie sat with her arms folded over her knees; pouting miserably. She knew it had been too good to be true. She nearly thought she had made friends; she had finally spoken to Chrys for the first time, even walked alone with him for a couple of moments.

It had felt like she had waited forever to do that.

The excitement she had felt was greatly overshadowed by the fact that Quezen and Nady had barely met the Dwelvish girl, Halori, before Nady had suggested they go and invite the boys out for supper.

'Are you going to invite Chrys' Lelie mimicked Que soundlessly.

Lelie relished in self-pity. Unlike Nady, she had no Delly; the currency of Dellfelldell. It was partly why she could not wait to upgrade to Aventier; as students would finally earn the privilege to be paid salaries for completing missions and tasks.

Lelie had never owned a Delly in her life. She was tired of picking up clothes by the mill or having to stitch her own together; tired of not knowing what the snacks and varieties of foods and juices from the tuck back at Mastria tasted like.

To stop herself from falling into an even more depressing state, Lelie decided to start observing the other two remaining girls in the room. Ida, of course, had left to the call of her master, Sylus, almost as soon as she had entered.

Now Lelie was talented in most of her classes; which usually went unnoticed as she was never quite the best. One of the things that Lelie was very skilled in, however, was the art of observation.

Lelie knew almost every name of the rest of the current Hecatiers.

She watched as Rizara Penolople Coventina, who preferred to be called Ripple, unfolded her Galserta uniform carefully.

Ripple was of the Evlender-Aquelvian; her was smooth as porcelain yet emanated a glow of gentle softness whilst her long pointy ears stuck out from her hair; which shone light blue going into darker strands the longer it flowed, clipped back on one side and left to dangle wildly on the other. She was wearing a dress of soft blue too, and had intense dark ocean-like shining blue eyes with faints specks of gold.

She was busy humming a delightful tune underneath her breath.

Lelie understood Ripple to be a Water Magi; but was also aware that she took classes for range-combat and archery.

From the outside, Ripple appeared to Lelie almost as if she was perfect. She was prompt and stern and yet well-mannered and intelligent; but with a distinct lack for certain sense of humors, it appeared that back at Galserta other students avoided Ripple.

Lelie understood what that felt like, and saw a much softer side to Ripple, even now as she was straightening the creases of her uniform. Ripple, however, did not seem as affected as Lelie was when it came to rejection. She admired that secretly.

The other girl was tall and wide in frame; with dark brown, almost bronze skin and deep black eyes; she was at least six foot three tall and was more muscular than any of the other boys in their Level and was dressed in a variety of fierce animal skins that Lelie thought to be very fashionable, but quite unusual. Her thick black hair was locked in fifteen dreads that she tied up for it to only dangle down to the middle of her back.

Her name was Mogadi Mohlabeni; she was a classified barbara, otherwise known as a berserker and Lelie had never heard her speak before and therefore assumed she did not.

Mogadi was looking from the Dwelvish scroll to her massive barbarian club; seemingly at a loss at what to do in order to get the weapon into her scroll as the she had seen the other students do.

Lelie accidentally laughed out loud; Mogadi turned to her. Ripple, however, continued humming a tune as she unpacked more things from her luggage.

"Eh, let's be team-mates?" Lelie smiled guiltily at Mogadi; who raised her eye brow in confusion.

"Oh, hello to you too, Lelloney," said Ripple with a small smile; finally turning to her.

Lelie frowned but her expression quickly jumped when Nady appeared in the door frame.

"Nady!" Lelie faked a very large smile that was very easy to spot. "You just caught us old friends catching up... They have actually just decided to join our team."

Nady looked to Ripple and Mogadi and nodded. "Ripple, Mogadi – we have combat classes together..."

"Yes, Nadanae Pharon,” Ripple gave a slight bow of the head and Mogadi smiled and nodded.

"Er, did you forget something?" Lelie asked.

Nady shook herself and looked at Lelie with big intentional eyes.

"Yes, actually," she said; "You! Apolothanks; I got so distracted chatting to Hal... "

Lelie jumped off of the bed with a serious look on her face. "No problem! Can my old friends come too?"

"Why of course," said Nady. "We now have a complete formation... it calls for celebration! See you cats down at reception."

Ripple and Mogadi turned to Lelie; who smiled cheekily.

"Really Lelloney?" Ripple asked shaking her head but smiling kindly nonetheless.

Lelie smiled and walked over to Mogadi; who was still holding a club in her one hand and an unrolled scroll in the other.

"Here," she said; showing Mogadi how to inscribe her weapon into the dwelvish scroll. The smile faded in Ripple's features softly.

"Be honest with yourself, Lelloney," she said. "You have so very little to be shy of."

Ida and Calus exchanged dark looks as Sylus licked the last bit of gravy off his fingers. They were sitting on the pavement two blocks down from where the hostel was located. Apalorn was abuzz as the middle class of Midalorn scurried from shop to shop to stockpile supplies for the pending dantian of scheduled lock-down.

Sylus had spoiled his companions to Apalornian fast food with some of Sauxuar’s riches.

Although Calus and Ida had very much looked forward to some Apalorn delicacies, as they too were only ever use to the kitchens of Galserta, they both suddenly found it hard to muster an appetite. What Sylus had just told them had a rather sharp impact. He however, did not seem to share in on their fear.

Sylus caught them in the moment and shrugged; the excitement fading off his face.

“It's just...” Calus always struggled to find words when it came to Sylus.

Ever since Calus and Sylus had met in the second level of Dauntier when Sylus has saved Calus from an embarrassing situation that had occurred with a set of older boys in a bathroom stall back in their early Academia years; Calus had greatly revered and respected Sylus as his closest friend.

It was Sylus who had taken him from the depths of the loneliness he had felt growing up at Galserta. Sylus had helped him to master his designated Scythian twin-blades, trained and laughed with him ever since.

As the years turned Sylus began to entrust his hopes and dreams into Calus and Ida, and they had begun to share in on them with him.

Over the last two years, Sylus had begun to entrust him with his family's greatest secrets. They had been getting increasingly darker as time had gone by.

Now. Here. In Apalorn. Both Ida and Calus felt the weight of what they agreed to. They had forgotten what fear had felt like in Sylus’s shadows. “It's... becoming pretty real isn’t it. I mean. What if someone... or one of us dies?”

Sylus snickered again; Calus narrowed his eyes at this

“Don't tell me you care about any of these losers, Calus?”

“What if it’s one of us -”

“How dare you doubt the Hellsuns!” Sylus was outraged; his nostrils flared and his electric eyes seemed to catch ablaze.

"Sylus that is not what I -" Calus protested.

Ida jumped to her feet when Sylus drew the Fyrevolt.

“You doubt this sign from the Cries of the Crows?” Sylus asked.

Sylus burned Calus with his glare; but this was not enough for Calus to stand down. He was not always brave enough to stand up to Sylus, but with the matters at hand and Ida's life depending on it, he did not break Sylus's gaze.

“Chrysleon has -”

“How dare you suggest Kion -”

“Please calm down...” Ida spoke softly.

It took a couple of long seconds before the tension broke.

Ida was small and fragile when the boys saved her from a horrific occurrence one day when they were training in the early years in the Ored woods. Calus had taken pity over her, but Sylus had taught them to never consider themselves as victims, and had somewhat taken Ida under his wing and she trained along with them.

It was Sylus who had motivated her brave enough to take up archery and encouraged her to request a generic evflish bow from the Mastria. He had helped her to learn how to use the weapon; he had also inspired her to uncover her connections to the realms. He was her reason for becoming strong.

She was second in her classes only to Ripple. Amongst the evflish at that time, it was considered almost a taboo for an evflish child to be without parents. Sadly, it was the child that bore the brunt of the perception. Sylus and Calus, however, did their best to make her feel equal to them.

Sylus did hold a soft spot for her, even if he rarely expressed it. He sheathed his Fyrevolt and looked away from both of them.

“Think about it,” said Ida; mustering a small smile, “our dreams are finally coming to light."

Whether she meant the enthusiasm or not, as Calus suspected, Sylus seemed satisfied.

“Finish your meals so we can go get some Apalornian yce-crème. Before this place is burnt down to brimstone. My brothers should be arriving soon.”

“Apalorn is one of the oldest cities in Therom,” said Que to a table full of fellow Hecatiers. Chrys knifed away at the steak before him. Seated next to Flint and Spiere, he was pleased that a conversation was flowing strongly enough for him to not feel the pressure of having any attention inverted upon him. Except perhaps for the occasional glare, he caught from Lelie.

The formation as it was, excluding Sylus, Ida, and Calus, sat around three tables that were pulled together at a restaurant called Maanroos; a fancy place in the richest corners of Midalorn. The menu was of expensive foods but Nady had not batted an eye as Borrin ordered something almost the size of the little Halori. Chrys simply repeated what Spiere had ordered; a succulent steak of some kind that was difficult to pronounce. A conversation had started centered around Apalorn and Que had put a napkin to her chin and started explaining.

“Before it was overtaken during the aftermath of the Salvation war, it was known as Great Andregora; built in honor and worship of the Omnevlion of War and Combat, Valhardt. Its communities were well devoted; they were lenders who shunned technological advances; a tradition which seems to seep through even today.

"All the ancient temples and architectures of worship were destroyed when Szaltore's armies infiltrated and destroyed Andregora. Renaming it instead Ubustrasville.

“In the last Salvation War, two and a half centrevels ago, when Szaltore was finally defeated, Andregora was reclaimed and was yet again renamed after the last remaining ancestor of the last Mayor of Andregora. Mayor Larzabelle Amaria Apalorn the Azunth. The tradition is said to come to an end after this Mayor’s death though, as she has not borne a daughter; or any heir for that matter, as ownership of Apalorn is said to be contracted through inheritance.

"Apalorn's growth has been rocky ever since it was reclaimed. in the last twenty years especially, it was dubbed the City of Chaos as those who had faith had rebelled against their kingdom as the Maraenne had broken the age-old tradition of ensuring Evalend an Apalornian daughter.

"The damage that Szaltore had done to the faith had made them hard and critical and have thrown them into hypocrisy and delusion and the mistranslations of the Andregorian religions have led them...”

“Now that's a bit bias I would say!” Spiere said, putting his fork down on a clean plate. “My mother still believes in old ways of the Valhardon Codes and I wouldn’t call her narcissistic...”

Que seemed struck by grief by what she had said. “Apolothanks Spierey! I didn't mean to... I was simply repeating a stand point from a historical point of view. “

Spiere shrugged. “It's fine. It's not like I'm one to talk. I grew up here. In the outer rim; Sinderblom. I was sent off to Galserta just as the protest and rebellions began to lead to crimes."

Spiere saw that all his companions were looking at him for insider's point of view.

"We, er, we got broken into and robbed in our apartment. My dad lost his life that day and my mother lost her husband. They got away with all of his prized weapons and treasures. Nearly got away with my lancerian too. Dad lost his life protecting it. Valhardon code of the Wyvernite: the parent of a Wyvernite shall protect the lancerian by any means necessary; even by price of life."

Lance hung his head. Chrys was shocked. Que gasped.

“Kind of why I don’t believe in following the ways of any Omnevlion codes. I still respect them though."

“Thank you for sharing, Spiereatore,” Ripple said.

“Why didn't you ever tell us?” Nady asked suddenly. Her eyes concerned.

“We’ve never really had time outside of Mastria. You always leave home over integration periods…”

“Which reminds me,” said Borrin. “I heard you mention back on the train that you go back home to Pheax?" He was asking Nady.

“You have always avoided the topic of home whenever I have asked," remarked Que.

Nady gulped down her last bite of cinampkin soup and looked back to Que with almost guilty eyes.

“Oh um. Well, what would you like to know?”

“Everything!” said Spiere.

“What is it your parents do that have allowed us all to dine so finely this night?” Lelie asked; rubbing her tummy in circles.

“Have you met Kindraught?” Halori piped up. Her cinampkin portion seemed too big for her to finish so she shifted it over to Borrin who gulped it with a tiny sip.

Nady avoided all eye contact and Chrys found himself wondering why for a moment.

“I have met Kindraught,” she said. “He taught me the foundations of awakening my mother's healing abilities inside my genexes – Halori over here also studies the Valephorus Choruses of Healing.” She said to others, who were all focused on her at this moment. Que narrowed her eyes suspiciously at her friend.

Halori nodded smiling. “As well as the Dwelvish philosophies and takes on it. “

“Is that why you asked her to team with us?" Lelie asked Nady absently. Everybody seemed curious by the question. As if it went against the flow of the current. When Lelie noticed she straightened herself. “I mean... every sword formation must have two healers. It is stipulated."

“Actually, Halori is more than just a healer, as am I,” Nady winked and looked over to Halori. Who nodded.

“My parents are very hard on me to get well versed in all Dwelvish arts; I also aim to specialize in Dwelvish-Tinkery, Smythicism and the studies of tools and artilleries. “

Lelie blinked at her. Unsure what any of those terms meant. She became instantly aware that, even though she had known Halori Forestar existed at Galserta, she had never quite gotten the opportunity to properly observe her.

“We have that in common,” Que said. “My parents are also hard on me. I mean I broke my brain mastering telekinesis in Teratier when I wasn’t proving any of my parents' combative talents.”

“Telekinesis takes great mental strength,” Ripple remarked. “I have tried to wrap my brain around it myself but find little capacity for it. It is difficult to hold link with the Aquaelom; never mind attempting to thread my neuropathology with the world before me.”

“I find Evlish and Dwelvish Magicks so interesting!” Flint said; he was seated next to Whisp, who was still spooning his minty cinampkin soup. “The Evlish are said to develop connections to connect the different Elms of Magick that weave through Evalend's Biomagisphere, right? Where we use our biomorphomagus to accumulate the recipes required to produce, or summon magik via the verbalization of spells, the Evlish are fine tuned to the very dimensions, or Elms, that thread into our world. They evolve and lend according to what their choices and journeys lead them in to.”

Ripple nodded. “It is not uncommon, however for an evlender to connect with more than one Elm. Or all of them for that matter.” She added.

“I was wondering,” said Whisp with twinkling eyes. “Is it true that the evflish are born without gender?”

Lelie nearly spat her mouth full of water in to Chrys's face.

“It is so that we become what we choose to become,” Ripple was smiling. “I developed the animus of a famzel at a very young age, when I started frequenting with the Aquaelom actually.

Chrys saw Lelie take that in with high interest.

“That's beautiful,” Whisp clapped his hands together

“Very cool,” Flint winked.

“Us Gator-Reptotoids are appear as waleons in our animus, but we are all selfdelex. We spawn our own children and rarely partner.” Borrin said. “Me mefathren is currently due other hatch-ling in the middle of Luthane’s next glyph. I will request special permissions from the Masters to visit my home in the Krokotore swamps.”

“That's wonderful Borrin!” Nady said. Her eyes twinkling.

“Thank you Nady,” Borrin smiled with his vicious rows of teeth showing.

“Well, I was born and raised in the icy Ludenvales; at the bottom of Mount Forever in Everton,” said Whisp. “I am the late younger sibling of three older sisters; however, my mom says that I far excel their understanding and ability for the flows of Windt. What about you, flamen-boy?” he asked over to Flint; resting his chin on his hands. “What are your secrets?"

Flint chuckled. “Homlendian mom who had a one-night stand with an Impir-Ifriatus. They are still good friends to this day however. Dad's my hero, my greatest teacher. Mom's a hard-working Level Ciotier soldier for the Fredominion of Dustaphen.”

“Dustaphen!” Tomo gasped. “Nonthonomew was forged by the Smythics there for my thirteenth soulclys!

“Nothonowhat? Lelie said. She hiccupped and blushed at Chrys.

“My spellblade,” Tomo grinned. "To those of you who don't know, spellblades are designed to learn and store magic within them. I have only managed to teach it a few spells though..." he finished insecurely.

"Ooh I love spellblades!” said Halori. “I have designed a few in my spare time... “

“No way!" Tomo brightened up. "I would love to see them!"

Halori blushed.

“So where are you from, Mr Lone Wolf?" Whisp asked.

This time Lelie actually spat her water back into her glass. It took Chrys a second to register that Whisp was asking him, but with twinkling eyes. The air was suddenly very heavy and not a single occupant of the table was not feeling it.

“Er,” time slowed down for Chrys. “I don't actually....”

His voice trailed off. He could feel the air closing in on him. He was going to have to get up and leave.

“I have been at Galserta ever since I can remember," said Lelie. Chrys was grateful as he felt the attention shift purposefully. “Apparently I was picked up from the train by Nurse Lotrier with nothing but my namesake.”

Lelie expected a wave of pity; but instead, most at the table were smiling encouragingly. Her eyes rested on Que. “Discovered my talent for chain-blading in my last year of academy and jumped right on it at as Level Azotier began."

“Chrys and Lelie are usually way up there with Que and I when it comes to class scores," Nady told the table. Chrys felt the air thicken again and she noticed it “What a colorful team. I am so happy to have shared some space with all of you. I look forward to our mission together!"

There was a vivacious sound of someone clearing their throat. They all turned to see Mogadi look at them all with one raised eyebrow.

“You lot aren't going to ask Mogadi about herself? “

Whisp nearly screamed and Lelie almost fell of her chair. Her voice was a lot gentler and softer than Chrys had expected. She was so much bigger than him that it was strange to hear a voice softer than Halori's.

“Goodness Mogadi!” Nady chuckled. “I think I speak for all of us when I say that we thought it a sign of respect towards you."

"Y-you actually talk?” Whisp looked absolutely flabbergasted. Lelie was glad he was the one to ask the question.

Mogadi hung her head. “Forgive me comrades. Mogadi has never been included in conversation. When listening to you all of you share and speak and ask and learn... Mogadi feels her voice is welcome. Mogadi would very much like to share with you."

"Shoot for the stars," Flint beckoned.

Mogadi smiled a precious smile. "Mogadi was born and raised in the northern Barbarian mountains of Nxolomier. Her mother; Neretti, taught her about the art of beserking. The berserkers are those who do not use technique and skill in battle. Mogadi just loses it. She beats everyone. Mogadi also knows how to tune into the seismic energies of Mother Evalend."

"Wow," said Whisp. "Does that mean you are a Magi of the Ardons?"

The ardon being how the lenders of Evalend understood their earthlike elements.

Mogadi nodded. Chrys had recognized Mogadi from a few classes; even he was surprised with the number of words she had spoken. Nady had a tear in her eye.

“Mogadi you are always welcome to come and hang with Spiere, Borrin, Tomo, Que or I...” she said. She turned to look at all of the lenders sitting at the table. Her eyes rested on Chrys. He looked away.

He was not including himself as much as he thought the others believed. Or maybe it was that he was more included than what he could possibly allow himself to believe at that time. “That counts for all of you. I mean it. Right, Que?" Nady said.

“Uh,” Que's face was filled with horror as she looked at her hordial. “Nady... it’s half past the third dial... We are late to register our formation!”

Nady swore loudly. The twelve of them all jumped to their feet. Nady left a couple more Delly notes than what was due and they rushed back to the hostel without another word and at the speed of bullets.

“Goodness kids,” said the Thetier Kosan Goagon; the simlender who had given Chrys his kit. “I was just about to call a body search." he said. “Not safe out there around these times.”

“Apolothanks!” Nady yelled as she and the rest rushed in. “It's all my fault... I -"

“Relax Pharon,” Kosan was still smiling a monkey smile. “Save your energy for the morrow. Mr Hellson, Verlorehart and Sielsone have already checked in. They had no idea who their team mates were but I have just assigned you all together. You are henceforth to be known as Team Azby for the remainder of the exam and I of course will be your instructor and will henceforth be known as Captain Kosan or Captain Goagon; whichever you prefer.

"I strongly recommend all of you get to your rooms before I have to assign your team a penalty for

lateness. We have a long dantian ahead of us. Best be up before the rise of Samsora in the morn to be prepared. I will see you then."

“We can't let you in,” said the Apalornian guard at one of the main pedestrian entrances to Sinderblom; the first rim of Apalorn.

“What do you mean you can't let us in?” asked Tamoria. “Three defenseless famzels and an innocent little kitten? Where is your honor?"

The guard seemed full of regret. But remained stern.

“Apalorn goes into lock-down at the mid of night. We closed access to the city two hours ago."

Allaana, Tamoria, Luciana and Pawnick had travelled for more than just the day on end to reach the City of Apalorn. It had costed them a train to an out-skirt town which had been a long three-hour walk away. They were tired. Allaana could not afford to be turned away at that moment.

“Soldier please,” said Allaana. “Please allow us a night of rest within your walls. We are hours away from an inn. We are barely late. “

The guard looked at the three girls almost pondering hard.

“You are two hours late, madam. Lock-down starts in one hour.”

Allaana bit her lip; thinking hard.

There was a horrendous screeching growl sounding from the distant sky at that very moment. The three girls, the guard and Pawnick all turned to the direction where they saw what seemed to be two large winged monsters flying at tremendous speeds towards the city.

“What is that?” The guard whimpered.

“Those... they look like wyverns...,” said Luciana.

“What is going on? What are you famzels up to?" the guard asked. Reaching for his sword.

“Wait... no...” Tamoria started.

“They're about to breach…” Luciana pointed.

“Oh my..."

Suddenly the sound of hundreds of men roaring came from the distance; the surrounding woods in front of this particular part of the kingdom.

“It's an ambush! Allaana!” Tamoria yelled.

“Ladies get inside and seek immediate shelter,” the guard called.

“T-thank you!” Allaana breathed.

“But Allaana! Apalorn is under attack -”

Allaana pulled her through the gate as the guard opened it hurriedly.

"Waleons!" He shouted; looking up the wall. "They are here! They are attacking! Signal the-”

Just then a deafening yell as a soldier fell right before them. Luciana and Tamoria yelled. Pawnick meowed in panic. Allaana pulled them by their hoods and they began to ran. She turned back to the guard. He was greatly outnumbered. She found herself worrying about him.

“We don't have any other options,” Allaana pulled Tamoria towards herself. “Let's go to the Rose Museum and get this figured out. It must all mean something. I don't believe she would guide us here for no reason. “

“Whose she?” Tamoria asked with a confused expression.

Allaana had no time to explain. The roars of the onslaught were getting closer. From top of the wall the Apalornian guard were yelling as if fighting a monster. There were battle cries coming from men in the direction they were running in as well. Allaana pointed to an alley and the three girls ran into it and as deep into Apalorn as they could. As far away from the battle as possible.

"Let's try find an inn in the Midalorn rim," she said breathlessly. "Let's say a prayer for Apalorn and hope that whatever in the hell is happening doesn't affect us until we have the Keys of Destiny."

Tamoria rolled her eyes behind her; wondering what on Evalend had they gotten themselves into now.

General Rouxve climbed onto the tallest tower at the outer rim of Apalorn. Two guards were found standing there, waiting for her.

“Officer Lynn. Sergeant Jasper." General Rouxve acknowledged.

“General Rouxevierre,” said Sergeant Lynn. She had served Apalorn longer than Rouxve had. “Thank you for coming.”

“All seems well and clear here?”

“Indeed, Commander, but Sergeant Jasper says he may have more intel for you."

Rouxve turned their back to them and investigated the night sky. The grounds and fields that surrounded the Apalorn lands were completely shaded out in the darkness. The stars above were twinkling. A flock of Deloovians flew overhead; crying their horrendous songs of Dell-oo! Dell-oo!

With Lock-down being enforced in an hour’s time, and besides for the chaos of noises provided by the outer districts, Apalorn seemed as peaceful as could get.

Rouxve looked over to sergeant Jasper. Unrecognizable in Apalorn gear. She had always ever known him in his red Politea uniform, but he is not worth describing. "I am listening, cadet."

Something screeched horribly in the far distance. Lynn's eyes widened and Rouxve turned around. In the distance in the direction the screech had come from, two specks of darkness were approaching at lightning speed.

“What is that?” Lynn asked.

Captain Rouxve's stomach dropped. “What is it you wanted to tell me, Jasper?"

The sound of a blade being drawn and a horrible gasp from Officer Lynn as her last breath released in an immobile scream.

Rouxve drew the Terradine so fast and attacked so suddenly that Jasper was halved the next moment.

She heard the screech of the horrible beast a few meters away and not too far above her; her instincts had her leap from the tower and she flipped in mid-air.

Not too far above her; two large scaled and bat winged beasts flew overhead. Another shadow broke free from the likes of an overhead wyvern.

Her name was Meryll Shades; hooded in the night she reached for the two gwens stationed in their holsters strapped around her thighs mid-dive; and although Rouxve, falling from altitude with her back pointed towards the ground, could not perceive Meryll twirling the shooters in her hand and aiming directly at her, the loud bang that followed was enough to activate her Mazmurian instincts instantly.

Rouxve swung the Terradine and four silver bullets ricocheted off the pinksteele blade; deflecting into the Apalorn around her. She twisted around again, landed light-footed on the edge of a building, and pulling her Terradine back, she launched herself into the sky and swung the Mazmurian blade at her hooded opponent; who herself had twisted in such a way that her boot landed against the dull side of the blade. She thrust; both girls bounced backwards from the velocity. Landing on two opposite buildings.

Rouxve noticed at that point a few things at once as she deflected another couple of bullets and broke into a trot. Her opponent did the same and carried on shooting.

First, was that the Politea soldiers had betrayed them, as she heard the screams of the other Apalornian guards as they were thrown from their towers.

Second, was that one of the wyverns had breached the second rim of Apalorn.

Third, is that she would have to get close to her opponent if she wanted to dispose of her as quick as possible.

Rouxve made a running leap and swung the blade down at her opponent; who rolled out of the way with both of her gwens still pointing. Rouxve could now see her face. Her skin was tanned brown with brown brazen eyes but the rest of her face was hidden behind a black mask.

“Right where you were scheduled to be, Commander Rouxevierre,” said Meryll with a tight malicious smile. Rouxve held herself stern. She was more fearful than she had ever been. Realizing that she had walked right into a trap. It was then that the sound of many charging men filled the air.

“The air strike worked,” Meryll grinned. “We have successfully breached Apa- argh!'”

She jumped back just as the Terradine sliced through her left forearm; she dropped one of the gwens and Rouxve sent a hard kick to her stomach. Meryll flew backwards off the building and Rouxve darted and dived after her.

Bringing the Terradine up she was about to deliver the fatal strike.

Something caught her by the arm and bit down furiously; Rouxve screamed in anguish. It was the same green scaled; leathery bat-winged wyvern Meryll had ridden as access to Apalorn. It spun in mid-air and flung Rouxve hard into a building. She crashed to the ground as collateral collapsed all around her. She mustered enough strength to turn around and tried her best to reach for the Terradine. But her arm was hanging by the treads of its muscle. Blood pouring from the wound. Rouxve could feel the venom instantly; it was spreading rapidly too.

She watched in hopelessness as the wyvern landed before her. Its head crested and flat. It’s scaly body its big hind legs were green; it's leathery bat-like wings attached to its forelegs; it's five-foot-long tail crashed hard to the ground behind it.

Meryll landed on her feet. Clutching her bleeding arm with gwen still clutched in her right hand.

“You vortistivix!” Meryll swore. She pointed her gwen at Rouxve; her eye met the barrel of the gun. There was another horrible screech as the other wyvern landed. This one larger than the first; but blue with streaks highlighting the odd shimmering scale. A man with a black hood, his dreadlocked hair revealing slightly from the sides; carrying two long lancerians, one in each hand, somersaulted off the wyvern and approached the two women.

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“My father will kill you if you don’t follow his plan,” he said to Meryll.

Meryll's furious eyes glared down at Rouxve. Reluctantly, she holstered her remaining weapon. “She caused me to drop my other gwen...” she spat in Rouxve's face.

“Don't let my father hear about that,” he said. “There should be plenty of time to fetch it though; the blues have breached the first wall and the top defenses of Apalorn have yet to be alerted.”

Rouxve closed her eyes. She hated herself in that moment for the lack of consideration she must have displayed ever since the Politea had announced their defection. She had failed her city. Failed her Maraenne, thus she began accepting her demise.

“We have the subject; I will now call my father..."

"Wait! S’veare!" Meryll protested. "We can't let him see me like this!"

S’vearance Helsoyn ignored her. He pointed his palm next to him and a vortex swirled out from nothingness. Rouxve watched in horror as three figures stepped out from its midst. One tall, taller than S’veare, and the other big, but slouched, as if he had a hunchback. The last was a young female; Rouxve could not see any of their faces.

Rouxve's heart beat alarmingly against her chest as she struggled deeply to find the things she wanted to think as her final thoughts; struggling because it was against the Mezhido Code to surrender or give up.

“Rouxevierre Roxalli, captain of the Apalorn knight; I am Sauxaur Salvatore Hellsun. I am your new Supreme."

Rouxve looked up at him and attempted to laugh by mustering a bloody smile. Meryll sent a boot flying to her skull. The Mazmurai spat blood next to her.

“I will only ask you once,” said Sauxaur. “Where is your mayor?”

Rouxve, as broken as she was, her head spinning, tried her best to make a move for her Terradine. Meryll put her foot down hard on her wrist; Rouxve gasped in pain but did not scream.

“Very well then, Sybil?"

The young hooded girl made her way over to Rouxve. “Hold her up for me, I must see her eyes. “

Meryll did as she was told and held Rouxve up. She mustered the most hating look she could when she found she was looking into the electric yellow venomous eyes of a very young girl... no older than twelve

Sybil's stare penetrated through Rouxve's pained hazel eyes and her black worm-like telekinesis slid into the neurological pathways and entanglements of Rouxve's mind. When she found the connection, she was looking for, she snapped it.

Consciousness faded behind Rouxve's eyes. Sybil smiled. She replaced the pathway with a seedling of her own consciousness and turned to Sauxaur proudly.

“This should do,” she said.

Rouxevierre made her way to her feet. Broken. Damaged. Her expression zombie-like as she looked up to Sauxaur.

“Go on then, take her for a spin." Sybil nodded excitedly.

“What is your name?” Sauxaur asked.

“Rouxevierre Rozalynne Roxalli,” came the absent voice of the Mazmurai.

“Ah. And who do you serve, Roxalli?”

There was no response; the air was filled with the chaos of Apalorn, not too far away from them; the sounds of many lenders screaming in all sorts of fashions, from pain to war cries; the noises of explosions as Magick clashed. Sybil narrowed her eyes and pulled on the thread with sharp intention.

“I serve... the great... Sauxaur. Uh! Sauxaur Salvatore Hellsun. Obediently and until my last breath."

Sauxaur laughed. S’veare nodded proudly at his young sister and smiled with tremendous and spiteful glee. Meryll mustered a grin as she clutched her bleeding arm. Trying her best to hide it from Sauxuar’s focus. She was, after all, not one of his children. She was but a mere friend, in search for the types of power he promised. But first she was told she would have to prove herself to him. She at that moment did not understand why she was hiding her injury; she would have to get healed soon. She certainly had underestimated the speed of the Mazmurai and had not expected to get injured so early on in the siege.

“Pick up your kutyna, Roxalli,” Sauxaur demanded.

The Mazmurian knight did as she was told. Taking the Terradine in her uninjured strong arm. The other arm hung uselessly. Green puss forming at the edges of the wyvern's bite marks.

Sauxaur smiled triumphantly at the success he was having so far. Looking the knight dead in her empty eyes he finally commanded:

“Take us to your Mayor, Roxalli.”

EVYPENTO

THE CITY OF CHAOS

"Dude wake up!" Chrys was being pulled from side to side; he had never been woken up before and he hit the ground running with punches. "Ouch! Chrys!"

Chrys jolted up straight with his hand tightly gripped around Spiere's wrist. A second ago Spiere had been Sylus; taking his sword away in a dream scene full of fire and brimstone.

The real Sylus however, was laughing at the scene as he put on his blue Aventier pants for the first time; flicking his long black hair from his face. It took a moment before Chrys let go of Spiere, and yet Spiere still looked vividly upset.

"Why are you not panicking!" Spiere exclaimed. Chrys looked around bewildered to see all the other boys were scurrying around in a flurry of white as Flint thew on his blue blazer and Borrin tied blueteele kneecaps around his short and stubby legs.

"Don't think he heard you over there," Tomo piped up; pulling his belt tight.

"What is all this noise!" A pair of legs came flinging down from the top of Chrys's head; followed by the sound of a loud yawn. "I was having the most flamemantic dreams..."

"Apalorn's defenses have been breached!" Spiere shouted so loud that Whisp yelled in response. Sylus burst out laughing.

Chrys shook himself to life. It was chaos.

"Nady woke me up with the news," Spiere said, pulling at his hair. Chrys sure wished he would calm down. "Apparently General Rouxve is dead ..."

"Hecatiers Litentide, Kion and Wildomier, why are we not in our uniforms?"

Captain Kosan was standing by the door with his hands behind his back; he wore the grey and gold Level Thetatier uniform and his wild hairs were styled together and around his head he wore a red ribbon. Nady, Que, Lelie, Ripple, Ida and Halori followed in after him; fully garnished in armor with their hairs all clipped tight.

At first Chrys did not recognize Lelie when he caught her. Her face was powdered and her eyes shadowed with paints for war. He turned and was ashamed to have to put on his own blue and yellow uniform in front of the ladies; luckily most of them looked away. Lelie could not help herself and blushed sheepishly all the way through it. When the remaining three boys were uniformed and armored, they stood around Captain Kosan.

"Okay kids, this is it, after this I'm going to get very official with y'all. The other instructors are out there calming the other two hundred something Hecatiers down. It’s chaos out there, you all ready?"

They all looked around to one another; Sylus was smirking with his arms folded; Ida and Calus appeared the same shade of scared; which was slightly peculiar; thought Chrys.

"At attention Galserta Hecatier Team Azby!"

The fifteen of them stood up right with their chests out and their two fingers pointing outward against their foreheads.

"Herewith the updated mission rapport as received by the Apalornian High Guard. General Rouxevierre Rozalynne Roxalli has betrayed Apalorn and has handed the mayor over to the enemy. They are holding the defenses so your mission is to proceed as normal, but the risks are certainly higher. If Primadorn wall gets breached, fight to protect the ancient heritage sites with your life!"

There was a gasp from Lelie; Captain Kosan nodded sadly.

"If the defenses are breached, summon me at once," he said. "I can take care of them easily. This will prepare you for the world of Evalend my friends. I wish you the best of luck. May whichever Omnevlion you pray upon rain their blessings on your mission ahead."

Chrys was stationed with Nady and Sylus on the third block of the ninth avenue in the third and final rim before the last and smallest wall around the Apalornian castle, Primadorn. A flock of deloovians flew around the tallest tower of the palace up ahead; not too far behind the last wall which stood at the end of the ninth avenue. It was shorter than the rest of the walls leading from the outside coming in; Chrys figured because it was probably that less security was needed the deeper into Apalorn it went. It was all the signs of what could have been a peaceful day; but the echoes of struggle not too far away were eminent in the air.

They were guarding Le Muxiulion de Valende Roos; translated as The Museum of Fallen Roses; a safe guard of artefacts and showcasing of all the late Mayors of Apalorn. Here in Primadorn, the streets were more fixed up, and the buildings much more maintained and intact. It almost seemed a strange injustice. Even the air smelled cleaner.

Chrys jumped when three hooded girls sudden appeared around the corner. The purple hooded girl jumped when she almost walked into Sylus. Nady straightened herself.

"Oh... um. Apolothanks," Allaana said. Her friends silent behind her. Chrys could not see her face from this angle. "Is there um, anyway we can get inside the museum?"

Sylus laughed at her; she noticed the hilt of the Fyrevolt behind his hair. A sense of strange familiarity fell over her.

Chrys suddenly felt an intense pressure banging in the center of his head; nearly blinding him, he held his hand to his forehead.

"Sorry madam," said Nady sternly. "You may have not heard, but Apalorn is currently under lock-down. You ladies best be off to safe-"

"Look," said Tamoria bluntly. "It's very import-"

"I won't tell you again," said Nady sharply. "Leave at once or I will have to arrest you..."

Chrys felt he could faint; Sylus gasped. Clutching his forehead too. Allaana, Luciana and Tamoria eyed them suspiciously. Suddenly the Fyrevere felt like a ton of bricks on Chrys's back. Allaana looked over to him.

"What's wrong with them?" Tamoria asked.

Nady looked from Sylus to Chrys worriedly. "Guys... Look ladies... please go. Apalorn will be under lock-down for next five days – perhaps you should return then..."

Allaana felt so close to the answers. Her eyes were frozen to Chrys's sheathed Fyrevere. Twin swords... She was sure she had read... she was sure she could remember...

"Argh!" Sylus yelled.

There was a horrible screeching roar coming somewhere from the heavens nearby; followed by an explosion. All around faces turned in that direction. Luciana let out a small yelp.

"Calus! Ida!" Sylus called; clutching at his forehead. "Get ready... it's coming!"

Chrys wished this staggering pain would fade; he felt he needed his focus urgently.

"Sylus," Nady shot at him urgently. "What are you – oh my ...!"

Nady felt its presence shortly before it flew overhead; its jet-black wings sounding as if it ripped through the air in which it glided; it was tiny in compared to others; but at least four times larger than Borrin. Everybody watched in frozen horror as the Hellblitzer-Drakeon soared over all the avenues to signal the onslaught and blitzed right to the towering castle to deliver the statement. Clutching his claws deep into the architecture; pieces gave way and crashed from the building. Allaana, Luciana and Tamoria all exchanged looks of horror and made a run for it. Simultaneously, the headaches that both Sylus and Chrys were experiencing simply slipped away. Sylus burst an into malicious laughter.

"That's his sign!" Sylus called. "Let's go!"

He darted off; Chrys watched in confusion as Ida and Calus sped off after him. He drew the Fyrevere almost instantly.

"What are you – Hellsun! Hellsun get back here!"

Que and Lelie, who had been stationed with Calus, and Spiere and Borrin, who were stationed with Ida, came running to where Nady was standing.

Chrys sped off after Sylus before he could stop himself.

"Chrys! Oh, Pheax weeps!" Nady shouted hopelessly.

Lelie, not sure what had come over her herself, darted off following Chrys.

"Fine!" Nady shrugged; she reached into her apouche and revealed a small inched pole; she flicked it at nothing and it extended. "Que, go inform Captain Kosan that Chrys, Lelie and I were forced to abandon mission to go and catch Hellson for some reason."

"What?" Que shook her head.

Spiere and Borrin exchanged a nod. "We'll come with you," said Spiere.

Borrin smiled a wide smile full of endless rows of teeth. "We protect you like our sister."

"Guys!" Que called after them but they did not look back. As the remainder of Team Azby came to see what was going on. Que pulled at her hair.

"They don't have radeovices!" she cried.

"I have one," Ripple nodded. "I'll follow them... Halori, you have yours?"

Halori reached into her blazer pocket and revealed a little black box with an antenna inside. "Testing..." she spoke into it and her voice came back through Ripple's pocket.

Ripple nodded and sped; she made a huge leap and landed on one of the roofs of the building. Que, frantic, turned to Halori.

"I'm pretty sure this is not how this is supposed to go," she said.

"Captain Kosan," said Halori into her radeovice. "Requesting urgent presence."

A block away; the shadow of Ripple leapt over Allaana, Luciana and Tamoria. Allaana looked around and, hearing the onslaught off battle nearby, she made a run to a ladder that led to a rooftop.

"Allaana you can't be serious!" Tamoria yelled after her; putting Pawnick in a pocket inside her red hood.

Allaana ignored her as Luciana followed pursuit.

Sylus, Ida, and Calus reached the gate that separated Primadorn from Midalorn. With skilled leaps; they flung their legs over and hopped to the other side. Chrys swore inwardly. Just on the other side of the gate he could see evidence of battle. Nonetheless he sheathed the Fyrevere, jumped, grabbed, and flung himself over.

"Yo Chrys, wait up!" Lelie shouted somewhere behind him.

He did not wait.

"Borrin, can you take down that gate?" Nady asked, running slightly behind Lelie.

"Get out of the way Lelie!" Borrin shouted. She did and he darted; dived and hit the metallic gate with such a force that it bent just slight enough for all of them to fit through.

"Chrys!" Nady called. He wasn't slowing down.

He ran around a corner and suddenly he was in the middle of chaos. He saw Ida and Calus disappear somewhere ahead of him. Around him, People, civilians, and soldiers were fighting all over the place; attacking and falling and yelling and screaming. A soldier spotted Chrys and charged at him with his blade at the ready.

Chrys drew the Fyrevere; blocked the strike and pushed the soldier backwards. An iron pole came somewhere from his side and smacked the soldier square in the face. He fell to the ground completely defeated.

Chrys turned to see Nady pull back her extendible pole with a grin on her face. Lelie was wearing the most serious look Chrys had ever seen and Spiere had his lancerian unfolded and attached together. The long pole had one long sharp blade protruding from at least half of it and ending to a sharp point. His weapon was named the Oseni; at its dull end it beheld a blue crystal called a Qnite which sourced all of the spectacular abilities the weapon could access to its wielder. Although Spiere still had much to learn, the Qnite glowed a luminescent blue before a magnific helm formed around Spier’s head.

Nady's eyes widened and Chrys flung around and slid the Fyrevere through another blue attacker. Then there were another two; Chrys swung again to block the strikes. With one mighty growl and pounce Borrin tackled both of them and with a furious swipe he nearly took both of their faces off.

Suddenly there was nothing but blue around them; as at least ten soldiers circled the five of them; each with a different weapon or length of sword. The members of Team Azby were standing back-to-back; weapons at the ready. Chrys felt Lelie shuffle slightly next to him; feeling the gusts of her chanades as she swung them in spirals to her sides; silver blades swooshing on the ends of golden chains.

"Al right!" she called. "Duck in tri... dua... uni!"

Chrys and the other three did so. Lelie extended her chain-blades; wrapped thoroughly around her wrists; they were golden goldsteele blades attached to three-meter -long silver chains. She spun around and the blade flew through the ambushers around them; defeating them all in an instant. She put her hands together and the chains spiral-wrapped around them; pulling her hands out of the center she shortened them and held them at the ready.

The path was clear for the minute; Chrys darted after Sylus again; the four of his team-mates following.

"That was amazing, Lelie!" Nady said chuckling. "You took out all of them in one shot!"

Chrys could not help but agree. If it had not been for Lelie... however, he was uncertain as to why they were endangering themselves by following him. He wondered for a moment why he was busy endangering himself following Sylus. Two blue soldiers were running towards him; Spiere made an enormous leap and his Oseni came down piercing the soldier to the left right through his stomach; with another skillful jump Spiere twisted and flung the soldier into his companion. Chrys jumped over their bodies and caught site of Calus disappearing into the door of a building. Four more soldiers came charging at them from down the street.

"Why didn’t they attack Calus?" Lelie shouted.

Nady and Spiere charged; as did Borrin. The Oseni pierced the one to the right as Nady's stick thudded her target so hard against the jaw that it shattered. Borrin took both soldiers in the middle by their necks; swung around and flung them into nearby buildings.

Chrys made no effort to thank them and froze as he got to the black paint-peeling door he was sure Calus had disappeared through.

His hand froze on the doorknob.

"Why are you guys following me?” Chrys stopped abruptly before the door. He turned to see Lelie, Nady, Borrin and Spiere looking back at him, breathing hard, eyes filled with battle. Their uniforms, like his, were no longer white on any square inch. He was amazed, however, that they, like him, were completely unharmed by what had just occurred. They were stronger and much more impressive than he had thought.

That, or he had simply underestimated just how weak these Blue Politea Soldiers ought to have been.

" I don't think this is about you Chrys," said Spiere.

"We need to retrieve our team members before they get themselves killed," Lelie said.

"Right," said Nady.

She pushed Chrys slightly aside and opened the tall building's door.

They entered to find a large passageway with many doors; but before them stood Calus. When he saw them, he turned and dashed the opposite away; leaving the door open behind him this time. It appeared as if the door was another exit to the building.

"What the hell," said Nady running after him.

But Chrys had a funny suspicion that Calus had been waiting; for him especially. To assure that wherever Sylus was going, Chrys would be able to follow.

He did not take the time to think about it; running in between Spiere and Lelie, they ran out of the building in the same exit Calus had left through and found themselves in what seemed to be a courtyard; in front of a tall, white, marble cast building with two large pillars holding up a balcony. On which seven red uniformed soldiers stood. In the center of the seven was a Reptotoid almost twice the size of Borrin.

"Salandrias..." Borrin gasped lowly; referring to the genus of reptotoid, a distant cousin from his own genus of the gators; the Salandrial Reptotoids were said to have evolved around rough environments such as volcanoes. Chrys had but a brief moment to take the soldier in as the seven jumped from the balcony and landed effortlessly before them. He was armored in redsteele which had upon it the Politea Insignia; the colors green white and blue behind a sprouted Protea. His shiny skins were of glazed red iron-like scales with yellows in glistening in-between. His eyes were much unlike Borrin's friendly gaze, rather they were filled with a sense of deep hungry. His head was crested in the shape of a salamander, saliva fell in chunks from the side of his teeth bearing mouth.

"Welcome to the Palistrier," said the monster before them. "You are right on time for the slaying of the mayor!"

Nady swung her stick; sounding completely unafraid. "What do you mean? Where are our team mates?"

"Nady," said Lelie in a desperate whisper. "I think they led us here..."

"You are here at the only old architecture of the Great Andregora that hasn’t fallen in the tumultuousness of war. Hidden behind your average day to day life, by the selfish Mayor herself, it is her usual resting place while people burn and die in the city. The last place people would look is in the alley of an abandoned stinking hotel, right? It has never let her down before. Until this day. "

The six soldiers behind him chuckled happily.

"The mayor is in there!?" Nady gasped. This was a little beyond her; her heart beating against her chest. "What has Sylus got to do with this! "

Chrys wondered how the Mayor of Apalorn and Sylus could possibly be linked. What exactly was Sylus up too. It dawned on Lelie because Sylus would possibly want to lure them into such a horrific trap.

" The Fyrevere... " she said as her life flashed before her eyes.

Nady gasped. It suddenly became apparent to all the Galsertians just the amounts of trouble they were truly in.

The Red reptotoid clucked his long claws against one another; looked at Chrys with demented eyes, and with a horrendous growl, he pounced...

Borrin dived; grabbed the monster around his slender waist and with tremendous effort swung and tackled the beast hard to the ground. The most awful noises of a combination of growling and the snapping of jaws lashed into the air but Chrys had no time to focus as three soldiers, swords drawn, appeared before him suddenly and he swung the Fyrevere just in time as their blades came down for him.

He pushed; but they were stronger; as one lifted his sword at the physically occupied Chrys; his blade was suddenly ripped from his hands as Lelie's chains wrapped around the edges and she disarmed the soldier whilst her other chain spiraled around his hand as she pulled and then began to drag him towards her.

Chrys made a mental note to thank her as suddenly he was in control of the struggle; he pushed hard and both soldiers stumbled. He began to swing but suddenly Lelie gasped horribly - an arrow had hit her in the thigh; not too far from her Spiere and Nady were dodging arrows as well and Chrys ducked just in time as it occurred to him.

They were far outnumbered. He had led his team and himself straight into their deaths.

Both soldiers before him lifted their blades in execution when suddenly, what appeared to be a sharp shard on ice, shot right through the soldier on the left's ear, the only open spot in his helm. He toppled into the soldier on the right and Chrys had a split-second to get to his feet to see Ripple roll to her feet gracefully; having dived down from a high rooftop behind them; she pulled her finger back on her string-less Evlish-bow; a carved and bent from traditional elwood. Another shard of ice formulated at the point where she was pulling and she aimed; her new formed arrow of ice shot through the wooden arrow darting at her from the opposition; her shot was about to hit the target when suddenly it erupted into flames and disappeared. Ripple readied her bow as the Politea Magi finally stepped into the battle; with a wave of his hand and a push he unleashed another fire-orientated explosion towards her.

The explosion never reached her, however, as suddenly the fireball was caught in a whirl of wind; it swirled and twirled until the soldier's spell folded out of existence with a puff of useless smoke.

Ripple smiled as suddenly Flint and Whisp appeared by her side; seemingly appearing out of thin air; Chrys noticed, ducking a swing from his opponent, and attempting a strike of his own, which got blocked.

Whisp held his right hand to his left palm and made a swirling motion; smiling with raised eye

brows he shouted

"Swirzen Twirzen Diwinzen!"

Another small tornado erupted like a spinning-top from his hand; it sped in violent, fast circles towards the Magi who made a reverse motion with his hand as the mini-tornado vanished into nothing.

Whisp raised his eyes in surprise.

Flint dodged another arrow as he tried to focus on another spell; Ripple herself was struggling with the target. The Politea Red archer was just as skilled in dodging as he was in archery.

The Politea Magi grinned. Although they were suddenly outnumbered, he could very much feel the odds still in their favor.

He held out his hand and a rod appeared in his grasp. He held it up to the sky and shouted:

"Teroope Trianiri Dri Wizzeling!"

A surge and thin bolt of lightning cracked out of the atmosphere and struck the tip of his rod. The electricity moved through him and he cackled in vibrations as he pointed his other palm towards Whisp; "Ztrate Nizitiriz!" eyes open in horror as the electricity shot through the soldier's hand and straight towards him.

Tomo rolled in front of Whisp in the nick of time; he held out the bluesteele blade of Nonthonomew and just as the bolt struck the edge he shouted;

"Absalate!"

The bolt moved through the blade; the hilt and finally through Tomo's body. He yelled as his blonde hair stood at static ends and his skeleton flashed through his skin; the electricity pulsating through him; he suddenly laughed as he landed on his feet.

Having successfully absalated the spell in his spellblade. He pointed Nonthonomew and shouted; "Ztrate Nizitiriz!"

He was pointing at the Reptotoid soldier; who was busy giving Nady, Spiere and a very bloodied Borrin a very hard time. Luckily for them; Tomo's new spell brought the Salandrias Reptotoid to his knees.

Nady delivered three hard whacks of the stick but it seemed to do nothing. Borrin readied his axe for execution but suddenly Spiere fell to the ground. Gasping for air. Nady yelled. An arrow was pierced right into his chest.

The red Reptotoid regained his feet and tackled Borrin to the ground; it took everything in Borrin to keep his vicious attacker's teeth away from his neck. Tomo made a run to help him with Nonthonomew at the ready.

Chrys could not help but notice Lelie losing a lot of blood as he blocked another pre-emptive strike from his opponent. He wished he could get out of this melee and help her; as the soldier she was fighting was dodging all her half-cocked attacks; he wasn't gaining any ground on her yet, but with the arrow still in her thigh; it was only a matter of time.

The Red Politea Magi, now side by side with the archer, had gained momentum over the three Magis; who could barely counter any of their attacks, and just narrowly dodged them.

Ripple rolled out of the way of an arrow and focused her glare on the spaces between her opponents; with focus she held the spaces between particles of carbon dioxide and hydrogen; then, entangling her own connection to the Aquaelom whilst binding the elements; she over-layered her focus around her targets and shouted:

" Vodacopolos: Copol Opologotos!”

An enormous puddle formed at the feet of the soldiers and suddenly a burst of water soaked them from below, and in the clash of the wave they streamed in separate directions.

"Oh, enough child's play!" the Politea magister shouted. Rolling to his feet wet, he pointed his staff, twirling his free hand around the white knob.

"Maigita Eldia Eleminnistras Jorithoth!" an enormous amount of energy; which shifted into a large stream of water; a gust of wind, and an explosion of fire twirled around one another and burst right into Ripple, Flint and Whisp. They were thrown into the air and landed hard a couple feet away. Soaking as the fire caught around them. They were completely knocked out.

The Red-Magi laughed at his success and turned to the rest. He wondered who he would assist as it seemed that they had already won. The Red Reptotoid was biting furiously at Borrin. Tomo was lying knocked out not to far away. Nady was focusing hard with a bubble of white light pressed into Spiere's chest and Chrys was engaged in vicious battle; he would not be able to save Lelie from the swing of the blade whilst she breathed heavily, defeated and on her knees. To make matters worse, an array of arrows was coming all their ways.

The Magi smiled at Chrys. Perhaps he would present Lord Sauxaur with the Fyrevere himself.

Perhaps he would claim the Fyrevere for himself.

"Quick Que, we can't miss these ones!" said Halori under her Dwelvish invisibility shield.

The arrows seemed to shoot into invisible barriers the Politea-Magi narrowed his eyes in suspicion. As the sword came down for Lelie, it stopped inches away, and then flew from his hands.

Mogadi's club whacked him so hard across the face that he never saw the light of the dantians again.

"Oh no!" shouted one of the archers but Mogadi was before him in the second. Her club hit him so hard across the head he flipped sideways.

Everybody turned to glimpse the commotion. Halori and Que materialized. Que deep in concentration. She pulled on the red soldier’s sword and it flew out of his side. Lelie jumped to her feet and flung her chain around his neck. Pulling as hard as she can. The remaining archer tried to shoot an arrow at Que but with little success as a flying Oseni pierced him hard.

Spiere made it to his feet and hugged an extremely relieved Nady as he ran after his lancerian.

The momentum was back. Chrys aimed a kick into his opponent who was suddenly flung by another enraged smack from Mogadi's bat.

There was only one opponent left. The Reptotoid stood up from what seemed to be a barely alive Borrin.

He faced Chrys, Fyrevere at the ready; Lelie, swinging her left chain-blades round and round, Nady, holding her stick in combative motion and Spiere, who pointed the Oseni threateningly.

"They've got this," Que said to Halori. "You need to heal the injured."

"Right," Halori nodded urgently. She went as fast as her little feet could take her. The three magisters from her team lay not too far away from them. All twisting and wriggling in pain.

Chrys charged first; the Fyrevere stroked, but the Red Reptotoid dodged and grabbed Lelie's chain-blade around the chain. He pulled her in and smashed her into Mogadi just as Mogadi charged. The Reptotoid turned around just as the Fyrevere swung again, this time followed by a stab from Spiere. Both missed and Nady made a leap. Her pole came hard on the opponents face but it had no effect whatsoever yet again. The Reptotoid double close lined both Spiere and Chrys and head butted Nady so hard she crashed head first backwards into the hard Apalorn brick work that gave way behind her.

Que gasped just as Whisp moaned himself back to consciousness. The Reptotoid had turned to her, smiled at her, and then charged.

A flying kick came from nowhere; the reptotoid crashed into the ground as Captain Kosan flipped onto his monkey feet. He stood in a combative pose and hopped slightly from left to right.

"Get up you big bully," Captain Kosan smiled.

The Reptotoids got to his feet. A little staggered. Wiping a bit of blood.

Kosan bounced from left to right on his prehensile feet. His long flexible tail wrapped around his waist. The reptotoid grinned as finally drew the sword to his back.

"You look like one feisty lunch," the monstrous soldier growled.

Captain Kosan chuckled. He dodged a strike pro-actively and then sent a skilled kick with his foot flying against the chin of the reptotoid who stumbled slightly backwards. Then Kosan jumped, span in mid-air, and sent another flying kick. The beast fell to the ground and groaned. He flung his sword up as he got to his feet. But Kosan jumped, and levitated... And then flew even higher. He put his hands together in a prayer mudra and closed his eyes. Suddenly his body emitted a large amount of energy as his fair flowed to vibrate at end as a pure white glow escaped his subtle systems to radiate out of his aura. Then Kosan brought his hand apart to reveal an orb of white illumining combustion.

The reptotoid below tried to make a run for it. But Kosan pointed both his hands and the concentration of kitheric energy blasted into the monster; ending his fight with an explosion that flashed of white around them.

Captain Kosan landed before Team Azby as his aura simmered down to normal.

"Quick, heal Pharon," Captain Kosan ordered Halori. Ripple nodded her thanks at her as she, Flint and Whisp got to their feet; their uniforms scorched by the elements of battle. "I'll get to Alisaleos. He's badly injured…” Kosan sped off to the bloody mess which was Borrin.

Chrys staggered to his feet up at the same time as Lelie. Both felt the throbs on the back of their head. They exchanged glances and Lelie smiled at him. He nodded back at her.

When Nady was recovered she pulled the arrow from Lelie's thigh and put her hands over the wound.

"Oh Lelie," Nady was in tears. "You did so well..."

Lelie looked away. Blocking her emotion.

"Chrys, you took a hard hit," Nady said over to him. "I'll get to you as soon as Lelie's cells have accelerated..."

Halori and Captain Kosan got hard to work on Borrin. His Reptotoid regeneration aided them in binding his torn skin back together; the burn of the white healing orb seared away at any harmful bacteria whilst its radiation encouraged the might acceleration of the healing process. Surprisingly it did not take too long before the big guy got back to his feet with a sigh of relief.

"You guys are in loads of trouble," Captain Kosan laughed.

"What took you so long!" Nady demanded. "We nearly lost -"

"You abandoned your mission Missy," said Captain Kosan, holding up a monkey finger. Then he smiled. "But I'm happy you did. It isn't safe in Primadorn anymore. I had to fight my way through and then hopped from building to building looking for all of you. Luckily Halori took a radeovice with her so I could figure out which building she had been talking about. It's a mad house out there. Most civilians had taken to the rooftops to escape the chaos in the streets."

"How did you guys find us? " Lelie asked Ripple.

I hopped from building to building after you guys. It wasn’t easy. I had to take at least four blues down."

"We followed by foot after Captain Kosan instructed us too. Under Halori's invisibility spells. Ripple gave direction but since we had to be in physical contact with Halori it slowed us down." Que told.

"Tiny legs, "Halori mumbled miserably.

Lelie gasped suddenly.

"There was a hooded guy just now on that balcony!"

Chrys had almost forgot. His head still scrambled from the hard knock to the back of his skull. He did not think twice before dashing to the building. He kicked the door off its hinges and entered. It was time he got to the bottom of Sylus's game. They had defeated the red soldiers. Surely Sylus could not have any other defenses stronger than that.

"Kion! Pharon... Oh common you guys!" Captain Kosan called as Lelie, Nady, Mogadi and Spiere ran in after them.

"Stop right there!" Captain Kosan ordered Ripple as she made a move after them. "Forestar, heal Elistrier over there and the rest of you stand guard. We have to arrest Hellson, Verlorehart and Sielsone when they come out of there."

Chrys ran up a spiral staircase and another large door stood before him; this was sure to be the room that led to the balcony. He knew Sylus was in the other side of the door. The Fyrevere grew heavy in his hand. Chrys had no time to think. The moment he felt Nady and Lelie's presence beside him, he kicked down the door.

The five of them entered and Nady and Lelie gasped in horror.

What they found was an elderly lady, on her knees with her hands tied behind her back. Her face bloodied and blue, whimpering. Puddles of blood scattered around her. A broken tiara of rose-gold lay in three pieces not too far away from her.

Behind her stood General Rouxve; her eyes staring before her emptily. Her left arm bandaged and stained with red and green. In her right hand, her long bladed pinksteele kutyna glistened threateningly.

Behind Rouxve, were six hooded figures. The tallest of them stood somewhere in the middle, and next to him was Sylus.

Glaring back at Chrys emotionless. Almost hungrily. The invisible fire between them electrifying. The Flareswords grew heavier in both their hands.

"What are you doing Ida?" Nady demanded as Ida, standing in the left of the room, pulled her finger back of her string-less Evlish bow; a darkness materialized and formed almost in the structure of solid iron in between her grasps – she was pointing straight at Chrys.

Next to her Calus revealed his Scyther blades; held by a small handle; the blades were forged into the handle in a curvature that stretched up Calus's forearm in length.

On the right of the room Meryll cocked her gwen and pointed them both at Chrys as well.

Everybody was focused on Chrys.

"Greetings Chrysleon Kion," said the tallest as he stepped forward. "We will make this simple. My family and I have plenty to do with such little time."

Chrys tightened his grip on the Fyrevere.

"As you can see, we greatly outnumber you in strength and number. Surrender your sword or all of you die."

"Chrys... No..." Lelie whispered.

Chrys felt cornered one moment but the next he did not know what came over him. He jumped and swung.

His blade clashed hard with the Terradine and Rouxve sent a kick which sent him flying into Lelie. Mogadi made a movement for Rouxve.

"No!" Nady shouted as Meryll pulled the triggers and Ida let go of an invisible string.

A bright golden light shone from both Flarezwords in Chrys and Sylus's hands; blinding the entire room save for three. The blades emitted a vibrational force so sharp in frequency that it sounded like a harp being strung to smithereens; it clashed against the bullets and arrow; both perfectly aimed at Chrys's heart, and stopped them in motion.

Chrys looked up to see most of the opposition covering their eyes or blocking their sights; but not the hooded man; and not Sylus; his eyes were frozen to Chrys; but Sylus was not staring from beyond him; golden peacock like feathers almost glistened within those electrifying eyes; Sylus was smiling in a way completely unfamiliar...

Before him Sauxaur, apparently not blinded either, pointed his hand to the back of Mayor Amaria Apalorn the Third’s head.

From his hand emerged a black force; almost electrical in substance; it burst into the mayor’s being and Chrys watched in horror as she wriggled and yelled and turned a violent shade of black from the inside.

The golden lights flared out of the atmosphere; behind him Chrys's team-mates screamed in horror. Captain Kosan at that moment burst into the room; palms pointing at Sauxaur.

"No!" Captain Kosan yelled as his eyes found the mayor.

Sauxaur laughed and turned to Kosan before pointing a finger. A bolt of black lightning shot into the simlender and he was thrown into the ceiling. Crashing hard to his face.

"Open the portals, my children," Sauxaur called to the nine others with them in the room.

"But Father, the Fyrevere..." Sylus was no longer what Chrys thought he had seen a couple of seconds ago; He was looking at Chrys with sheer hatred.

""Sinobia do as I say!" Sauxuar demanded.

The female figure to the right of Sylus waved her hand across the room as multiple vortexes swirled the dark portals into the vicinity.

Sylus shot one hating last look at Chrys before he stepped back, and he, amongst the many others, vanished amid the shiny darkness as it whirled back into nothingness.

Chrys, Mogadi and Nady both dashed with their weapons at the ready as Sauxaur took off his hood. He's long black hair was dreaded to his back; he had a sharp goatee and electrifying eyes on his old face; wrinkled and twisted with the malice of his past. He looked Chrys dead in the eye as the Fyrevere came swinging.

"You have complicated things, young wallan," he said. The ruby red blade inches away, Sauxaur simply stepped back into another dark portal.

The Fyrevere swiping through the air where he had previously been standing.

HECTAZES

THE HELBLITZER

Apalorn was on fire.

The rooftops were crowded as far as the eye could see. The air was filled with the clashing of steel; the cries of anguish, the roars of combat and the glazes of flames.

Allaana, Luciana, and Tamoria had climbed their way up to the top of the last building they had seen the Evflish Galsertian jump down from. This building; just like all the others on this block, had no feet upon them, thanks to the excellent archery of said Galsertian.

They had witnessed the entire battle; having looked down to find the Palistrier in a squared off section in between seemingly empty and abandoned buildings and before the giant wall in-between of Sinderblom and Midalorn. It was that these rooftops were usually well guarded that the secret was well kept with soldiers that were busy defending their city that Allaana and her friends would stumble upon this secret as the followed the unsuspecting evlish-girl in the Galserta uniform; who had skilfuly taken out any obstruction in her way as they had hopped from one building top to the other.

Allaana had managed to convince herself that she was following her instincts, albeit blrindly. She could not help but sense that something was pulling on her...

"Allaana," said Tamoria. "You still haven’t told us why followed these Galsertiers through a god forsaken war-zone?"

Allaana sighed turned to face her; the journey so far had been tiring and tumultuous; it had occurred to her as they dodged and dived in between numerous battles to make it as far as they had come, the amount of danger she had put her friends through.

"The keys of destiny," said Allaana. "I'm pretty sure ... Well, I feel like I'm on the brim of figuring it out... almost like I'm on top of it."

But up until a few moments ago that had only been half true; for after the amazing flare of golden light from the building below; from which an overwhelming sense of fulfilment erupted in Allaana almost curiously, the feeling sort of... cooled down... or halved....when the afterglow had disipated.

Tamoria at this point, folded her arms stubbornly.

"Enough of this Allaana," she said. "We need to get out of here. I sense it only a matter of time before that thing joins the battle..."

She was referring to the Hellblitzer-Drakeon that flared its wings without moving much more of an inch; still seemingly waiting on the tallest tower of the distant Apalorn palace; a mere two giant walls away.

"Tamoria, we have come much too far to just-"

"Allaana, I think I have made up my mind...."

Allaana looked at Tamoria intensely; she could tell that her friend had indeed made up her mind in the sense that if Allaana or Luciana did not join her, she would go alone.

"I knew I shouldn’t have asked you famzels to come with me!" she groaned in frustration. "Tamoria, you have resisted me every step of the way!"

Tamoria pulled off her hood and glared at her best friend ragingly.

"That's not fair, Allaana," said Luciana. "I have followed you blindly with a heart full of faith..."

Allaana regretted her last sentence. She nodded at Luciana apologeticaly an turned back to Tamoria. "Look, I can't stop you, but I can't just let you wonder off into a war-zone!"

Tamoria lowered her eyes as she realised it.

It was then met with a familiar screeching GWOOOR! and explosion; and the girls suddenly turned to see the Hellblitzer-Drakeon was no longer at its spot upon the highest tower of teh distant palace. It was now flying at tremendous speed across the scape of Apalorn; blemishing black-fyre upon everything underneath him. It spun and whipped itself in the air and as the girls looked on with little words to describe the horror; a quarter of the Apalorn before them destroyed in less than three minutes; they stepped back in disbelief as the raging beast flew ever closer;

As if Tamoria had manifested it from her very own nightmares; it came straight towards them; fyre raining down as the screams of Apalorn conjoined to the most horrendous cries for help. No person was safe anymore.

"Is it... It's coming for us!"

"N-no!" gasped Allaana but it was true. The Drakeon was heading straight in their direction. Allaana could not help but wonder why. She then realized that they must have seemed to the beast like they were guarding his actual destination; the Palistrier down below.

Luciana released a horrible scream as suddenly the beast was before him; its golden and red eyes carried no hint of consciousness; it seemed devilishly wild and fatally dangerous. Flapping its enormous bat-like black wings; its scaly skin shone in the light of Samsora; it sped around and dived below and the entire building shook as it crashed itself into it.

Allaana and her friends wobbled in that moment as suddenly the Helblitzer was before them again; inhaling with such a force that the girls were pulled forward; Allaana could tell they were about to be burnt to crisp.

As the building gave way beneath them; Luciana pointed her palms and shouted something just in time as the raging black-fyre pulsated against the protection spell she had just conjured; but the blast of it sent them rocketing; falling with the collateral of an entire building all around them.

Rouxevierre fell to her knees. Light flickering back behind her eyes.

Captain Kosan jumped to his feet. "Rouxevierre Roxalli, by the authority of the Apalornian High Guard I hereby place you under arrest for treachery and conspiracy in the murder of Mayor Apal-"

"What!?" Rouxve shot her gaze around the room and found the Mayor.

"No!" she dived to her side. "No! Mayor Amaria! No no no!"

Captain Kosan looked over to Nady, who shrugged miserably. Tears streaming down her face. Mogadi helped Lelie to her feet and Spiere cradled himself by the wall. Chrys could not comprehend any of this. He thought things had been crazy on the first day of the new term... But leaving the Galserta gates had turned out to be more nightmarish than he had initially expected...

"I must alert the authorities," said Captain Kosan. "I have no idea what’s going on any more. This is far bigger than us."

Then there was a mighty roar; followed by an explosion and a horrific echo of screaming. They ran to the glass door that separated them to see three different hooded girls falling to the balcony; rubble from the same tower the party had entered through collapsing all around them.

As Nady worried about the rest of her team on the outside; they suddenly jumped back at the sudden appearance of the Hellblitzer-Drakeon; a jet of black fyre raining down on the girls; who seemed to be pushed against the wall just outside of the room; under the protection of a rapidly-fading green forcefield.

"Que!" Halori shouted from below.

Que looked around to find she had successfully protected all her team-mates with telekinetic shields as the building they had entered through crashed all around them. The appearance of the Drakeon made all their stomachs drop; it seemed to be distracted by somebody on the balcony. Que said a silent prayer as she pushed a force field to whomever it was the Helblitzer was blasting.

Suddenly the spell around the three girls started to tighten; Luciana sighed in relief as the pressure loosened in her chest. Tamoria, holding a meowing Pawnick in her arms, could not help but suspect their doom.

Pawnick however, seemed to be challenging the monster beyond the black-fyre with vivacious meows.

"It's those three girls again!" Nady gasped.

Rouxve looked at the scene unfolding before her with hateful eyes. As far as she was concerned, Mayor Amaria was already dead, her life did not matter.

She got to her feet and picked up the Terradine with her remaining strong hand.

What did matter is that the last sacred spot of Andregora got to survive to see the future; And that no more people be hurt before her in the city she had vowed her late Mayor to protect.

She kicked the glass door to the balcony into shatters and the Drakeon momentarily cooled his flaming breath to turn to see Rouxve dive over his nostrils and onto his long body; the Terradine pierced through his scales and into his neck; but not deep enough to kill. Aimless blasts of black fyre spewed in every direction; the members of Team Azby on the outside dodged just in time and the jets of fire knocked into the pillars that held up the large balcony; the one to the left suddenly snapped in half.

Nady and Lelie screamed as the part of the building they were standing in lunged forward and toppled before them as the pillar gave way. They, along with Chrys, Kosan and Mogadi ran for the balcony and dived as it crashed to the ground.

Chrys saw Allaana and the three girls remain behind on a bit of balcony still held up by the remaining pillar.

The drakeon, Rouxve still on its back, sped up into the sky and crashed into yet another building; it gave way in the opposite direction and revealed the streets of Apalorn ever so slightly again.

The scene around them was of dust and fire; as black-fyre surrounding ignited anything it touched into flames.

Kosan jumped to his feet and looked over to whoever was close by enough; it happened to be Whisp, Ripple and Flint, all looking back at him horrifically.

"I need to follow that Mazmurai!" he shouted. "Orders of the Apalorn High Guard."

He launched himself into the air and, much to everyone's surprise, flew after the Drakeon and Rouxve. Rouxve on the other hand held on by the scales as much as her injured arm could allow her. She swiped and stabbed her katinna as much as she could, but it did little damage against the strong and metallic-like hide of the beast. She held on for dear life nonetheless.

"The Mayor is dead? " Que yelled at Nady.

Nady nodded darkly. Watching as Kosan blasted a wave of Ki-concentration at the drakeon; her face tiwsting in horror as the beast whipped the monki with its tail to send him crashing to a building rooftop. In the monster’s turn to face Kosan it swooshed its yet again tail to slap Rouxve right off him; her Terradine flying after her.

"Quick!" Nady yelled at Flint, "we need to save Kosan!"

"Black-fyre is a very hard fyre to counter," Flint looked back at her with concern. "I only know one whyte-fyre spell... I would have to cast at least double the size of the frequency I can muster if I hoped to do even the smallest amount of damage."

"What if I helped?" came Tomo; drawing Nonthonomew. "All I need to do is guard against a spell successfully and Nothonomew will teach itself how to produce it.”

"That may work, "said Flint nodding.

As Nady watched Kosan, seemingly carry Rouxve in his arms, dart off into the sky, the Drakeon, snapping its jaws and spitting blasts of black-fyre after them; Something caught her eye...

A flock of Deloovians were soaring urgently away from the monstrous Helblitzer. Nady blinked; it was almost as if the flock was throbbing, ever so slightly on her own consciousness.

Perhaps it was that her energy fields were on such high alert that her mind was open enough to feel the full weight of them. Her plan formulated just as Flint shot the “Vyitiniovlam ” spell at Tomo's defending spellblade. The bluesteele caught the magnificent whyte-fyre which absorbed into the blade and sent a shiver of coolish warmth up Tomo's hands and through his spine.

"Wooh!" he released in pleasure.

"Chrys, Que... Everyone... Get ready... I have a plan to bring this thing down..."

"What's it?" Whisp asked. "I’m too afraid to do anything. It will require a high-level tornado to affect that thing. It will only cause damage to all of us."

"Spiere... Can you get me on top of that building?" Nady asked. Spiere looked back at her with worry.

"You hit your head? Why could you possibly want to get closer to that thing?"

"Just trust me!"

Spiere groaned as he took Nady into his arms. Pointing the Oseni's Qnite to the ground, Spiere went “Poh!” and they launched into the sky; landing safely on another tall building.

Nady pointed and stretched her consciousness in the direction of the flock of at least a hundred deloovians as she linked... Her eyes went the same shade of red as those of the birds‘.

Dell-oo! Dell-oo! Echoed the noises in her head.

Allaana mended Tamoria's broken arm with a powerful myracleon incantation before her eyes searched between the destructions and rubble to find the blonde-boy swing his ruby-red blade down below; the fires of the surroundings flickering in the reflection of something silver that caught her eye.

"Hello." said a sweet voice; melodic in her tune.

Allaana, confused, turned to look at Luciana and Tamoria; whom looked back at her obliviously.

Who is that? Allaana thought.

We'll get to that, for now just call me Fury. Said the voice, apparently in her head.

It seems you are in a pickle... may I make a small suggestion?

Allaana nodded stupidly. The voice in her head rang of a sweet chuckle.

Reach out your hand... yes ... you feel the atoms vibrating around your fingers? Good... push against your furthest sensation… Just beyond that you should feel the Naveah...

Allaana was shocked to find the vibrations and buzz that filled them back at the Silvetron temple, return around the right side of her body.

Reach just a little further...

Something solid but invisible blew against the hairs on her forearm.

I am going to borrow you one of the Fathoms. Ah...

Allaana's vibration touched something solid; floating in synchronicity with the automatic motions her arm and hand were making, as they seemed to pull something out of the dimension Allaana's energy was merely gracing; a flareon golden spear; transparent in appearance, but heavy in frequency, span around Allaana's side; before and around her arm.

"What the ...!" Tamoria shouted in complete mystification.

"Allaana!" Luciana called.

This one was one I traced off an old friend. I call it the Spear of Satya. Look...

Allaana looked to see teh drakeon dive down towards the nearest lender; Borrin, who held his shield to his defense as black-fyre rained down upon him; but there was something else that became instantly apparent:

She could see the beast's entire subtle system; the chakras and meridians it was using to produce the black-fyre of destruction. As if instinctively, she pointed her hand in the direction she most saw fit. Pulling back, and then pushing forward – The spear launched and rocketed through the Drakeon; through his fourth chakra; ripping apart the threads of its Magick and sealing it away by the time it came out the other side of him. Vanishing along with a large percentage of the monster’s auric weight.

The drakeon coughed upon realising the disapation of its magik before turning to Allaana’s direction; releasing an anguished “GWHOOOOR!” before shooting in her direction.

We can take him, said the voice. As if possessed by a force of uneasuravke strength that embraced her with the lightness of a feather, Allaana's body launched forward and she pulled back a mighty fist; her eyes wide with amazement. Her fist collided with the snout of the hellblitzer; who shot backwards; its horrendous body twisting midair.

Chrys watched in speechlessness since he had from the moment Allaana had conjured the transulcent golden glowing spear. It was a Magik unheard of in these times; and with the force that her punch emitted; the shock-wave almost blowing against his skin; it froze him in the moment with his jaw hanging open in amazement.

The drakeon regained its balance; twisting before diving yet again towards Allaana just as her feet touched down.

An arrow of ice flew straight into the Drakeon left eye. It roared in shock; throwing its cries to the smoke blackened sky.

Ripple sighed and shook her head, having intended to take out much more than just an eye.

"Now, Tomo!" Flint shouted; waving his arms and bringing his hand together. Tomo pointed Nothonomew and simultaneously they shouted " Vyitiniovlam!"

The spells of majestic white-fire balls burst in the direction of the helblizter; who emerged from the collision with its leathery wings caught alight.

At that moment the cries of hundreds of Dell-oo! Filled the air; and suddenly one by one they crashed into the Drakeon; it tried its best to fly away from what first seemed to be an attack of annoyance but was followed by an array of fire-works and explosions.

"Sorry fellows," Nady realized the extent of discomfort her move had to be costing the deloovians.

When the explosions were over; the Hellblitzer-Drakeon emerged from the disbanding flock of angry deloovians, it fall back first from an enormous cloud of smoke. Spiere cheered next to Nady but prematurely. As suddenly the Drakeon broke fall and dived. Dived right to where Chrys, Lelie, Borrin and Mogadi were currently standing.

Borrin grabbed Mogadi and dived from its way. Chrys waited until Lelie's chain blades had wrapped around the monster's neck before he pushed her out the way in the brink of time.

He flipped; landing on the Drakeon's long body; the Helblitzer crashed head first into the ground with such velocity that Lelie was pulled forward by her chains.

Its head stuck in the Apalornian earth; Mogadi jumped to her feet and stomped her foot down on to the ground; her vibrations reached down from her stomp in to a seismic wave somewhere deep below her; she hugged it with her frequency and then she directed the quakes to where the Drakeon's head was stuck with her focus and the ground around them rumbled beneath them all as suddenly the Drakeon's head reared up in to the sky.

"Now Chrys!" Lelie shouted; pulling tight on both of her chain-blades to reveal a vulnerable spot.

He did not hesitate. Running on the long back of the Drakeon he dived and swung his Fyrevere.

The blade ripped through its harsh skin and its body regurgitated a stream of black bloodt as its horrible head crashed to the ground; followed by its body, which had toppled sideways.

Allaana turned back to see Chrys. He looked up to see her finally. They caught each other's eyes for the first time. A wave of emotion so strong irrupted in both as the moment seemed to crystallize inside him forever.

With Fire and brimstone all around him, his eyes frozen on her. Allaana could not explain what it was she was seeing. What it was she was remembering?

"Let's go!" Tamoria urged.

Allaana looked to her and then back to Chrys. He was still looking at her. Frozen in time.

She waved.

Then she turned and disappeared over a mountain of rubble.

"Why is it that every time we see those girls, trouble seems to follow?"

Chrys shook himself to life and turned to face Nady, standing next to Spiere. She was not smiling as brightly as he was.

"Forestar! Pharon!" Captain Kosan called not too far off, sitting next to Rouxve, who was coughing blood. "Need some help over here! The Mazmurai is about to perish!

VENSTESVEN

THE CITY ON FIRE

Commander Kosan radiated the white force of healing over Rouxve’s chest. Her eyes flickered in and out of consciencess. It had been the instruction of the Apalornian Guard to arrest Rouxevierre at any given first sight. But something seemed strangely off. There was an innocence about her. His honour would not allow the Hellblitzer-Drakeon to destroy her as it was one jaw-snap away from doing. Rouxve did her best to breathe as slow as possible in order to not panic; there was enormous amount of pressure on her chest; she was sure most of her ribs had been broken.

Yet before the pain had demanded most of her focus, hope had arisen in her heart. She had witnessed it for herself.

Halori dropped by Kosan’s side, panting at the high demand on her tiny legs.

"Where is the Hellblitzer?" asked Captain Kosan.

"We beat it," he heard Que as she kneed to his side.

In spite the pain, Captain Kosan laughed, even as Nady's radiance of healing and rejuvenation washed over him.

"Doesn’t mean you lot are any less in trouble..." he joked.

Rouxve released an anguish cry; and Kosan understood why, but this was a good sign. It meant that she would live.

"I'm pretty sure she was being controlled," said Que as Halori bent down to assist with Kosan.

"I must agree," she said. "Her arm hasn't been healed at all. I struggle to think they would allow their own to suffer like that."

"Nady, can you see what you can do? I have healed the wounds... But the infection... It isn’t disintegrating..."

Nady rushed over to the Mazmurai's side.

"They... Made... I beat her!" Rouxve screamed.

Chrys felt sick to his stomach as he watched Rouxve, who stood firm and strong upon their arrival broken down to such weakness. His own head buldging with the influx as all of Evalend seemed to slow down around him.

He lost his balance and he fell to the floor.

"Chrys!" Lelie’s shout was a distant vibration before blacking out completely.

A flash of wings and fire and he opened his eyes to see Nady, Lelie and Halori all standing over him with looks of mighty concern.

"You idiot!" Lelie exclaimed. Tears in her eyes.

"Got to agree Chrys," said Nady shaking her head. "You rushed into the Palistrier without letting either Halori or me heal you. The Omnevlions know how many times you may have hit your head in the last couple of dials!"

Chrys felt fresh as can be as the effects of both Halori and Nady's medical Magicks had him feeling almost better than ever.

Rouxve appeared above him and offered him a hand. He took it and she helped him up.

"Right Captain Zarbon, I am on it, Kosan Goagon Galserta Thetatier over and out." Captain Kosan appeared saying into his radeovice.

"Over and out," came a voice back over the small black device.

"Commander Zarbon!" Rouxve exclaimed. "I must speak with him."

"You will get your chance too, Commander, " Captain Kosan nodded. "We are to meet up at the last rendezvous. According to Captain Zarbon the Politea military started retreating the moment the Hellblitzer left his spot at the castle. Almost as if it were a signal. The remaining Guard are out looking for the Mayor, or you, as you are usually the only one to know the Mayor’s safe haven during warfare... "

Rouxve sobbed. "Does he know...?"

"No, " said Captain Kosan shaking his head. "Not the kind of news you broadcast over a radeovice. I have however told him that I am bringing you. "

Rouxve nodded. "We should hurry." She looked back to the rubble of the Palistrier; her stomach hurled as she considered the mayor’s remains.

"So, The Politea have withdrawn?" asked Tomo.

"We won?" asked Whisp rather stupidly.

"We lose." said Mogadi shaking her head. "the Mayor is dead."

The twelve remaining members of Team Azby made their way through the destroyed section of Midalorn; the second rim of Apalorn. What was once a middle-class section of dull colours, was now lenders climbing off buildings; showering water spells in every direction; tending to the injured. Removing bodies from rubble.

They travelled in silence as they reached the gate Borrin had bent earlier; now completely off its hinges.

Chrys was shocked to find that the once decent streets of the third and final rim of Apalorn, Primadorn, was now but a morbid scene of fire and destruction. They passed the Le Muxiulion de Valende Roos, which he had previously been guarding with Sylus and Nady, only to find that it along with the three buildings next to it had completely collapsed in on itself. The damage the helblitzer had done on its way to The Palistrier was phenomenal. In less than ten minutes the Drakeon had destroyed a good quarter of the city. And most of the third rim, if visual evidence served correctly.

The gates to the castle stood open for any of the injured. They were met with guards and Galsertians alike with healers darting in every direction.

Commander Zarbon, a tall with long silver hair and armoured in pinksteele, noticed their arrival, and pointed. He, along with two guards, rushed over to them and Rouxve held up both her hands. They pulled her and held her hands behind her and she groaned in pain and Commander Zarbon began:

"Rouxevierre Rozalynne Roxalli, I Commander Zarbon Aubodere, first commander general of the Apalornian High Guard, hereby place you under arrest."

A guard restrained her by folding hand-cuffs over her hands; she gasped in pain as her injured arm throbbed.

"Commander Zarbon," said Captain Kosan coming forward with a kind smile. "We implore you first to listen to this famzel; things are not -"

"Why have you not arrested her, Captain?" Commander Zarbon shot at him. "I did give the order, did I not? Where is the Mayor if Rouxevierre is here?"

Kosan's eyes dropped. Rouxve began to sob. General Zarbon looked from the Galsertian to the Mazmurai.

"She's... she..."

A defeaning silence followed as the eyes of each Apalornian Guard and Galsertian student focussed upon them.

"She perished at the Palistrier!" Rouxve cried.

There was a gasp in the crowd that echoed as it hit them. It became an uproar almost intantly.

"That certainly cannot be true," said General Zarbon shaking his head. "Who can confirm this?"

"I witnessed it," said Captain Kosan, eyes to the ground.

"As did I," sighed Spiere.

"Lelie, Mogadi, Chrys and I did too," said Nady.

General Zarbon eyed them and when it dawned upon him drew a sword on his back and turned to Rouxevierre.

"You cost Apalorn her only Mayor! In the name of Amaria Apalorn the Cixtridri, I sentence you to execution!”

He walked over to her and raised his blade; she closed her eyes as Commander Zarbon's shadow fell over her; several onlookers screamed.

"Commander Zarbon, I speak to you now in the Regal name of Getrienne Pharon of Pheax!" said Nady very sternly. "You will hear this famzel out before you as much as say another word to her, or I will strip you of your titles!"

Chrys himself was as confused as Que was as she narrowed her eyes behind her spectacles.

The captain looked aghast. He looked from Nady to Rouxve and then fell to one knee.

"Up to your feet at once," said Nady. "Get this famzel the best medics available. We were unable to heal the venoms in her system! Then question her kindly and take a rapport before you make such another dire-mistake again.”

General Zarbon jolted up and followed the instruction; nodding to the guard who had Rouxve restrained; he loosened the handcuffs and put his hand on her shoulder.

“Apolothanks, General Rouxve,” said the soldier as he began to lead her into the castle. General Zarbon did not as much look back at Nady as he followed in after them. Emotions and confusion were high in the atmosphere; with countless eyes upon her and her team-mates.

Captain Kosan laughed. "Oh but of course, Saraenne, " he said. "Should have put two and two together ages ago."

"Nady? " Que uttered in confusion.

"Not now, Que," Nady shook her head sighing.

"I think I need another healing session," said Lelie sighing, observing her surroundings. Galsertians sat in the groups they had formed during the previous day. Some of them, Lelie was shocked to see, also did not contain fifteen members any more.

Captain Kosan, as if reading her mind, appeared by her side, and said:

"The Masters have called for us to evacuate Apalorn at once," he said. "Galserta suffered fifteen casualties today. It was more than we bargained for the entire exam."

"H-how?" Tomo asked standing nearby.

"According to Captain Loperstand, Team Azste’s Captain, Galserta fared well against the onslaught of around two hundred Politea Blues, but when the Hellblitzer attacked...."

Chrys's stomach dropped. He failed to imagine what could have happened had he not ran after Sylus.

For a moment he realized and was utterly grateful, his team had all survived.

The weight of Apalorn began to disperge the moment Chrys stuffed his battle stained uniform into a dwelvish-scroll along with the rest of his baggage. They were permitted to shower before giving their full rapports of the mission they had endured.

Chrys filed his own rapport carefuly before handing it to Captain Kosan; it had taken a lot of detailing and a certain intent to miss certain aspects of the rapport. But Chrys dotted down everything from the start of the mission to the decapitation of the Hellblitzer; everything except that Sylus had lured him into a trap to claim his sword.

"You good there, Chrys?" Spiere called as Whisp followed Flint out of the room.

Chrys looked at him and blinked. He nodded. Not sure if it were true. Not sure he would tell Spiere if it weren't.

"Been a bumpy road," Borrin sighed; inscribing his melted shield back into a scroll.

Nady, Lelie, Halori and Que waited for them outside and they followed the large bunch of Galsertians, all morbid and ragged, out of the Audac Hostel.

"Wait up you guys," came a call. They turned to see Rouxve run after them. She too was without any amor and had bathed thoroughly inbetwen; her strong arm in a slinger.. "I'll walk you guys to the station," she said "I myself have to catch a train to Sarmia."

"To the Mazmurai community?" Que asked.

"Indeed," Rouxve said. "Captain Zarbon's order. They have taken my statements fairly…” she bowed her head in respect and thanks at Nady. “I have to go home to figure out this venom that damn wyvern left inside my body..."

“Woah!" said Spiere in horror. "You were bit by a wyvern?"

Rouxve nodded. "You are a wyvernite, right? Have you manifested your wyvern yet?”

Spiere shook his head almost sadly. "Not even a sign of the Lanceam," he said. "Two classmates back at Galserta have manifested theirs. They are still tiny though."

"The Wyvern that bit me was one of the biggest I had ever seen," said Rouxve, her eyes tightening against the memory. "Nobody can tell what venom it's infected me with..."

"They couldn't even figure it out at the castle?" Halori asked wide eyed.

"They suspect it's Experion venom..."

Que gasped. "No! That means..."

"Don't fret young one," Rouxve said, looking away.

"What is going to happen to Apalorn?" Borrin asked.

"Don't know," Rouxve admitted with a sigh. "Right now, there is not much of a city left. Perhaps a palace. But no Mayor. No heir. And with my arm out of action my skills are halved. I am as good as dead already."

Chrys rolled his eyes. He meant it not out of rudeness. But his thoughts were with Sylus. The Fyrevolt. And the girl with the black hair... who had fought alongside them against the Helblitzer. He had not mentioned in his rapport that Sylus had tried to lure him into a trap. Rather he had mentioned that he had run after Sylus for purposes of the formation. He did this as he did not want to invite any more meddling into his affairs.

Besides, Chrys held little respect for the High Guard of Apalorn. Their city and how they had treated Rouxve was evidence enough for him to see that they did not particularly know what they were doing.

They reached a gate to the first rim, Sinderblom. Chrys was amazed to find that the lower-class region was still mostly and ironically intact. It still smelt an awful lot like pollution and dung, however, even with the smell of smoke hanging heavily over all of Apalorn. It had not been destroyed during the onslaught. Lenders were in fact going about their lives as if nothing had even occurred. Some lenders were even standing in groups around a fyre cast into a dumpster.

"I wanted to ask you," Rouxve said. "Chrys right?"

Chrys turned to her and nodded. He knew the question before she asked it.

"Is that the Fyrevere?"

Chrys nodded and looked away to try and indicate that he did not want to talk about it.

"Although Nezirac has claimed my Mayor upon this day; Valhardon smiles upon these moons," Rouxve said with a smile. "We Mazmurai have a prophecy amongst - Oh hello Captain Kosan. I was hoping to get a chance to properly thank you."

Just as Chrys's focus had flared, Captain Kosan appeared, clean as a new day and wearing his casual wear. He was accompanied by Mogadi; her dreadlocks no longer tied together, she too looked much better than when they had departed the previous night.

"Just Kosan," said Kosan. "The mission ended the moment I filed the copies and handed a rapport to General Zarbon. Besides. It’s the young ones that deserve the thanks. Even mine."

"We followed our instincts...." Nady said.

Lelie giggled almost as if she had her own agenda behind it but when Nady turned to her, she nodded innocently.

"Have you guys heard anything yet of those girls who fought alongside us at the Palistrier?" Rouxve asked suddenly. "Were they students of Galserta?"

"No," said Nady. "I thought they were from Apalorn." Rouxve shook her head. "Why do you ask?" Chrys picked of annoyance in her tone.

"I am pretty sure I saw her perform a piece of Magik said to have vanished off the face of Evalend ever since the death of Parliot Wincrest at the end of the last year."

"So, then that was a Fathom?" Kosan said, sounding amazed.

"It certainly felt and looked like it to me too, " said Que. "From what I had read about them, of course."

"What's a Fathom?" asked Chrys. Surprising even himself. Nady looked at him in such a way that even he questioned his own curiosity, although all present were listening with high interest. They had all seen the girl with the violet-streaked black hair pull a majestic weapon from out of nowhere.

Rouxve stopped. They had finally reached the Apalorn train-station.

"Fathoms were said to be traced from the remaining energy of a soul before they leave this physical world we live in," said Rouxve. "With the last physical emanation of their souls, those who can touch the Angelic Realms are said to be able to formulate their essences into a weapon, which they can thus call upon. They are said to be stored in the highest vibrational fields of existence... And can only have conjured and wielded by lenders well versed in Mirrace Magicks; or so it is rumoured. Parliot was said to manifest Fathoms and is was the only remaining proof of such things until his untimely death."

"That’s impossible though," said Que. "Parliot was said to be the only one who understood the secrets of the Mirachilies."

Rouxve nodded to this as well.

"I will be researching the records at Sarmia to make sure of my facts," said Rouxve. "If we are dealing with a bunch of renegade Hellsons with the access to the powers of the Experions, then we could really use the help of some Mirrace wielders."

The sound of the steam train sounded and they turned to see the blue- and whitesteele Galserta train full forward. Flint spotted them and he pointed as he, Tomo, Whisp and Ripple came to stand by them. They all looked peculiarly morbid.

"Ah, Team Azby is finally together," said Kosan proudly. "I have arranged for us a private cart so we can process this hellish visit together and a little away from the rest of the crowd," he announced.

"Apolothanks," said Rouxve almost guiltily. "Before I go find my train... May we exchange names?"

They did so.

"Well, may the Omnevlions shine the light before you on this journey," said Rouxve. "And may we meet again soon."

Chrys was the last one to board the train and he turned back to the Mazmurai as she walked away with her long katinna bobbing at her side. A flock of deloovians flew overhead. Chrys in that moment could not decide whether he agreed with Nady or with Apalorn's take on them as symbols.

Chrys took a seat across from Lelie. He was surprised to find that she not seam morbid at all. In fact, it seemed rather as if she were excited. She smiled at Chrys from cheek to cheek.

"Uh, are you okay? He asked.

Her eyes glistened with stars. She shook her head but giggled.

"I can't even believe you are actually asking me that," she said.

Suddenly came a loud sob and Tomo broke out in to tears. They turned to see him crying into Mogadi's shoulder. Across from them sat Ripple, her head on Flint's shoulders. Whisp's hand on her shoulder. She was comforting him as well by stroking his white hair with her free hand.

"Rin and Rina Visicle. Team Trirdri... Killed by the Blitzer. Friends of Tomo... Classmates of us all.” " said Que lowly as Lelie's eyes formed the question.

"The electrical twins?" Halori gasped.

Que nodded sadly. Wiping a tear from her eye.

"I was so excited to show them my new electric spell!" Tomo cried.

The train took off with a jolt. Nady pushed her luggage into the cabinet and took her seat across from Spiere and Borrin, looking rather upset herself.

Chrys, who did not know the names but was almost sure he could put his finger on who they were talking about, was sure Nady was being affected just as hard as they were. But then ...

"I just can't help but feel those famzels got us into loads of trouble by luring the drakeon to us," Nady said to the onlookers.

"Lure is a strong term there, Nadanae," said Ripple.

"That girl saved us!" Flint protested loudly. "Whatever her Magik was... That monster would have fried us of we she hadn't sealed away its Magick..."

Nady rolled her eyes. "I think we would have been fine without her."

"That's almost very unlike you to say,” remarked Lelie with a raised eye-brow.

Chrys stayed silent. Truth be told he had struggled to get the girl who had looked him so into his soul off his mind. He felt a surge of resentment building up towards Nady. She caught his eye and seemed to almost read his mind.

"General Rouxevierre went as far as to say she could help her..." Nady clucked her tongue.

"Is that jealousy in your tone," said Whisp playfully. Lelie giggled.

"Oh, shut up!" Nady said suddenly. The room fell silent.

"What's your problem Nady?" Chrys asked suddenly before he could stop himself. Nady, shocked to hear her name, turned to him with wide eyes. As did everybody else. "I struggle to think what would have happened to any of us had all of us not been there at that exact time."

Nady struggled to find the words to say. He did not look at her with judgement. Instead, she saw the finest hint of a sentiment. He was talking to her with reason. Her heart softened.

Her ego, however, was bruised.

"Apolothanks team mates," said Nady. Taking a breath. She got up and left the compartment without another word.

Borrin and Spiere looked suspiciously over to Que.

"Give her a moment," she said. "None of us have had any space for ourselves to process everything. It's natural for us to leak every now and then. "

Chrys had to agree judging by his last reiteration. He too craved his bedroom and solidarity back at Galserta.

Kosan entered the compartment looking back over his shoulder at a teary Nady who had just stormed pass him. "All okay here? " He asked, then noticing the crying Tomo he sighed.

"Kosan, if I may, what does this mean in terms of the actual exam?" Que asked, straightening her spectacles.

"Well now what on Evalend do you mean, Missy? The exam went on ahead as normal..."

"Does that mean we all failed? I mean... The exam was to go on for much longer...." asked Ripple.

Kosan blinked at her and then looked out the window.

"The time of a field exam is the duration between leaving the Godfordt and arriving back. The actual terms and conditions to passing your first Upgrade Exams are to make it back to Mastria alive."

Que gasped.

"For my Hecatier exam we had to catch a herd of escaped Elephi. We suffered four casualties. One Elephi escaped into a settlement and caused havoc. I still passed." Kosan continued.

"But we broke our mission..." Que pointed.

Kosan scratched his monkey head. "I think you guys did a pretty good job. I will be telling Meastre Garbell that myself. Essentially what you guys walked into was what Mastria is training and preparing you for. As your Captain I am thoroughly proud of you.”

Tomo looked up as he said it. He had never heard pride expressed over him before.

"I don't feel like I deserve to pass when so many have fallen in the aftermath," he sniffed and wiped at his eyes. Mogadi looked at him and put her hand on his yellow hair.

"When Mogadi was five, Mogadi watched as her mother, Narreti, died."

Tomo looked at her sadly but she shook her head. "Narreti taught Mogadi how to reach into the seismic waves of Mother Evalend and how to direct and call the Ardon’s Magick into command. Whenever Mogadi touches the seismic energies... Mogadi sees mom Narreti. She sees... When Tomo touches the electricity... He sees his friends!" She smiled at him nodding. "We remember; that is the aftermath!

Death is never the aftermath."