There was an emotion overcoming Vanemar that had manifested in so many of his previous bloody endeavors, nervousness. It always came upon him suddenly like a sickness, bringing thoughts of failure and death. It presented itself on the day that he arrived at Raverna with the mage. Before, he had believed that this day would bring him elation, joy of bringing something to an end. But on the day of it, that had not come true. He was instead filled with worry that he would somehow fail, that he would trip onto the tip of someone's sword and impale himself. Although he realized that it was only a passing feeling, he continued to comfort himself with deep breaths as he stood on the deck of the Shipjacker's cruiser.

The crew had grown accustomed to him very quickly. He would appear rarely before retreating back to his bunk to practice magic while those around him watched with idle curiosity. He was preparing himself to use the magisword. While he carried it since the Turbulent Hills, he was too nervous to ever use it. So he continued to practice. He practiced each day until a painful headache forced him to stop.

Not wanting the vessel of the Brighthawk Emperor to die in an accident on the deck. The High Mage had been keen to hide Vanemar’s identity and fitted him in the uniform of a Honean corporal, declaring that he was a special military asset found in some wreckage. While the soldiers didn't believe it, they did so for reasons besides Vanemar’s bounty.

As the ramp of the ship finally came down upon Raverna’s port, the High Mage approached Vanemar. "I will move slowly so that you and your lizard friends can join us when the fighting begins."

Vanemar nodded. "I will be as quick as I can but be aware that I will not be coming through the front doors.”

"As long as we do not do all the work I will see it as satisfactory cooperation." He offered his hand. "I suppose this is where we part for now. I wish you good luck."

Vanemar took the mage's hand firmly. He held high respect towards him, for more than just saving his life. "And to you."

Vanemar promptly left the ship, seeking Ulstairos’ aid. Even though he was more or less concealed with his military uniform, the amount of wanted posters stuck to crowded news boards and tavern walls kept him alert. Every nod that he received from a passing guard made him more on edge and caused him to unconsciously place his hand on his weapon. The tradeoff of this was that civilians would clear a path for him, fearing his grim expression.

The deck of Ulstairos’ ship was empty. Vanemar came to the top of the ramp to find that only one crew member was there, cleaning the deck with a mop and bucket. Vanemar waved at the Reptile who looked at him with wide and fearful eyes. "What are you doing here?" He said, attempting to sound confident.

"I'm looking for Ulstairos, is he around here?" Vanemar asked casually.

"I'll go get him!" The reptile answered, nearly falling down the stairs as they left.

Vanemar sat himself against the edge of the ship while he waited. He hoped that Ulstairos would still be willing to help. If all had turned out well back in the hills, Captain Yevera would still have a formidable force of mercenaries at her disposal that could prove difficult for the Honean marines. Ulstairos would be putting himself and his comrades at great risk if he were to help him. So in order to start off the meeting well, Vanemar gave the reptile a big smile as he ascended the stairs.

"Ah, Vanemar!" Ulstairos said with a grin. The reptile from before sighed in relief at his leader's reaction and went back to work. "That is quite an outfit."

Vanemar stood up to embrace the man. "I can explain it all to you later. Right now, I need your help. Spidon has the Fist of the Emperor."

Ulstairos gasped, "So it's real!"

"I'm going to need help from you and your men. I already have gotten help from some Honean marines but I know they’ll have trouble Spidon’s mercenaries.”

Ulstairos shook his head and placed a hand on Vanemar's shoulder. "You need not worry yourself too much friend! Do you forget how much I despise Spidon? I will gladly assist you and your new Honean comrades. My men are ready and willing to follow my orders at any time. So then, are we going now?"

"The Honeans are already on the move."

"Then I will get my men ready at once. Stay here and rest for the moment, I will make sure they are quick!"

As Ulstairos retreated below, Vanemar laid himself down on the ship's deck. All of his worrying was making him exhausted. So he spent the time motivating himself with thoughts of what would come afterwards. A brand new life where he would no longer worry of his old sins.

When Ulstairos returned to the deck he did so with about twenty cultists. They were well prepared, adorned with spears, bows and chainmail. It would prove a formidable force to the mercenaries, especially with Vanemar at the front of it. "You know the layout of the headquarters better than I do." Ulstairos said as he made last minute adjustments to his armor. "What is your plan?"

Vanemar sat himself cross legged on the deck. "In the main hall there is a balcony that overlooks it and two large staircases that surround Spidon's meeting room. If we were to get to the second floor without being caught by the mercenaries, then we could give them a good surprise."

"That’s good. We were lucky to find another way in when you were gone."

Vanemar raised a brow. "But how? There are no other doors besides the main entrance."

Ulstiaros smirked proudly, "There is a tailor connected to the headquarters by a single door. One of my men encountered it during their usual scouting. When they had entered the tailor they saw a politician walk through a door between the headquarters and the building. The tailor paid no heed to them either, not even a glance. It is a trick on the eyes so that respectable people are not seen around the unrespectable."

"Then we go there. No need to be inconspicuous when I’m in this uniform." Vanemar stood up to show that he was ready. "Breaking through a window would have created a bit of a scene anyways."

The reptile gave a chuckle. "And breaking down a door does not?"

Vanemar shrugged, "less than a window. Is everyone ready?"

"We have been waiting for this day for a long time, the day where our cult is freed from Spidon tyrannical hands. For this, I would be prepared on any day."

"Then let's give that bastard the knife, the least he deserves." The Reptiloyans gave out a great battle cry, loud enough to startle anyone that was near the ship. A grin was plastered to Vanemar’s face. There was good reason for him to be nervous, but a little hope would not kill him.

Vanemar had a difficult time imagining anything that would attract more attention than a military officer leading a group of armed Reptiloyans down a busy city road. Perhaps the same officer breaking a window at the same time. He could see that everyone was watching them intently. At Least it meant that they would have an easy passage to the headquarters as the crowd continuously broke apart like a herd of deer startled by a pack of wolves. He was surprised that no one had recognized him yet, even when walking near posters of his own face the crowd did not place them together. But then again, who would say something like that to a military officer? Especially one who walked with a large group of what appeared to be Reptiloyan mercenaries in tow. To them it was obvious that a cruel fate would await whoever questioned Vanemar's credibility.

The tailor shop was a small square building that did not appear out of place from all the other small businesses lined along the street. A perfect place for a secret entrance to be hidden. Vanemar felt lucky that Ulstairos had found the door by coincidence, as they now had the easiest and most inconspicuous way in. As soon as he entered the place the woman at the counter froze up. She stared at them with wide eyes as they attempted to fit inside. "Hello." Vanemar said as he confidently strided towards the woman. "By orders of the governor you are to show us the entrance into the cultist's headquarters."

The woman gulped as Vanemar's mischievous smile widened. "I-I don't know what you're talking about."

With a sigh, Vanemar pointed toward the door in question. "That door, I want it opened."

"You will need a key and I don't have one." She was quivering fearfully now, but Vanemar immediately looked away and shrugged. "I guess we'll go with you're method now Ulstairos."

With a quick gesture, Ulstairos urged a reptile holding a warhammer over to the door. They immediately began to smash it in enough that a giant whole remained in the center. "Lead on corporal." Ulstairos said with a smirk.

Vanemar shook his head as he began to quietly creep through the frame. They were at the end of the left wing. To his left was an empty hallway that led to a dead end and to his right was the staircase. "Lucky indeed." He thought as he gestured for the rest to follow him. It was a lumbering ascent. When he reached the very top of the staircase Vanemar crouched down and checked both ways. He could see the mercenaries to his left, the corridor was wide open from one end to the other. There were six of them. Six men firing crossbows down into whatever was happening in the main hall. Vanemar's heart began to increase its pace now. The Honeans needed help. "Run quietly." He said to the others. The sounds of fighting would mask their own until they got close.

It was an unnerving charge. The only sound that came from it was the thumping of many boots and the clinking of mail and weapons. Vanemar unsheathed his magisword and held it tightly. It had been a while since he last touched a two handed weapon and the fact that he had never used the magic part of it made it a very deadly way to practice. The fact that the mercenaries were so close to the railing gave Vanemar a plan. When he was close enough to see their faces clearly he readied a swing.

The crossbowmen did not have very much time to react when suddenly Vanemar appeared behind them, screaming his head off with a glowing magisword in his hands. It was the perfect moment for him to test out the full extent of his new weapon, so before the mercenaries could turn their crossbows to him, he focused on bringing magic to the sword and swung into the air. Without a second to spare a bright blue arc of wind magic appeared, slamming into four of them. They were lifted off their feet as if hit by a wagon and flew down into the main hall where a battle was now raging. Vanemar held his head immediately afterward, he had just used a lot of magic. It was giving him a headache more terrible than any of his practice sessions. Fortunately for him, the Reptiloyans were inspired and quickly charged at the last two mercenaries with shields raised, running through them without issue as they pathetically attempted to hold them back with their crossbows. Vanemar grunted as he held onto the railing and got a good view of the action. There were nearly eighty bodies crowded into a hall that hardly supported that many. The Honeans had formed a wall of shields at the front entrance and were attempting to break through the mercenaries who did the same in front of the council room. The mercenaries on and near the stairs were the first to notice the newer visitors. Spear and bowmen alike quickly rotated themselves to meet the mass of charging bodies that plowed through them, cutting them up while others fired their arrows into them. This in turn gifted a newfound bravery to the Honeans who violently crashed into the mercenary line.

Stolen story; please report.

With his headache now gone, Vanemar joined the Reptiloyans who were helping the Honeans rid of the mercenary threat. He cut and thrusted through them until he finally came face to face with Captain Yevera. She went wide eyed as soon as she saw him. "You should be dead!" she said in frustration as she swung her halberd towards him. As Vanemar parried the attack he concentrated his magic towards the Captain's swing. The halberd did not even make contact with his sword before Yevera’s arms were thrown in the direction of an incredible gust of wind. It gave Vanemar only a second to react but he made sure he was efficient with his time. Before the woman could pull away the tip slid through her neck, quickly ending her and the fight around them.

Those who had survived stared at the field of bodies with ragged breath. "I'm surprised you can use that sword so well." The High Mage was the first to say when he approached Vanemar. He was straight backed but was sweating profusely. "I did not expect your entrance to be so spectacular. Seeing those men flying through the air was quite theatrical. Your lizard friends fought well too, the plan went perfectly.”

"Good to see man and reptile united for something isn't it High Mage?" Ulstairos said with a bow. "I must thank you for bringing my friend here back to life. I was beginning to lose hope when I had heard word of his death."

"It seems that he was necessary in both our cases. And since you already know who I am, may I have the pleasure of knowing my current ally?"

"Ulstairos, current leader of the Reptiloyan sect."

"Of the same cult that we fight today?"

"Yes, the very same one. We are as close of friends to Spidon as you are to the Tavaraneans.”

The High Mage nodded. "A pleasure but I believe we’ll have to cut this conversation short. Our job is not done just yet." Vanemar grunted, while he respected both men greatly he was becoming greatly impatient. He could see it in the Honean captain's face as well, poorly attempting to conceal his frustration.

The fact that the door was unlocked meant that the Honean soldiers were quick to kick it open. There were many faces to be seen inside, politicians, mages, and familiar faces that attempted to conceal the excitement of seeing Vanemar's return. Spidon was at the very back of the room, a hand laid upon the Fist of the Emperor. All those who entered looked upon it with astonishment contrasting Spidon's stern expression that did not yield. Before the leader could open his mouth, a man dressed in exquisite multicolor robes did so first. "I hope you know what you're doing, you brutes!" The man said. "It is against the law of this nation to enter the property of a citizen without reason! You are trespassing and causing a violent scene in this place!"

"Shut your mouth mayor!" The High Mage loudly yelled at the man, causing him to jump back frightfully. He glared at Spidon, "If you’re attempting to find a way to legally end this intrusion, you should consider we have proper evidence of treason against the republic to your name. A crime punishable by death!." He crossed his arms and waited for Spidon's response.

Spidon’s face scrunched with anger, "What evidence?" he quickly responded. "I am starting to develop the belief High Mage, that you have come here with lies only because we are the Cult of the Lost! You have no jurisdiction over me! The laws enacted during the purge have all been voided!

"Then how does that explain your letter to the Tavaraneans!" Jioh said, jumping out of his chair. "How does that explain you interfering in foreign affairs!"

Quis, who sat near the man, attempted to pull him down but was quickly met with Vanemar's knife around his throat. "Forget about me?" He said menacingly.

The man's eyes nearly popped out of their sockets. "But... I-"

"Killed me? You should have made sure I was dead."

Spidon arrogantly cleared his throat. "I have not seen any evidence of me ever writing such articles."

"Then how about we go have a look inside your secret stash." He pointed in the direction of the room that had been cleverly hidden. "And see for ourselves if you are really telling the truth!"

Spidon shook his head in frustration. "You two are nothing more than annoying children! But sadly, you are too late to try and stop me." He began to reach for his glove.

"Stop him!" The High Mage yelled. Immediately, the two soldiers nearest to him began to charge with spears forward.

"Too slow." The man said as he squeezed the handle of his new magigauntlet. Unexpectedly, the two men froze in mid jump. Their bodies shook, attempting to resist the magical force but with no effect.

"Impossible!" The High Mage shouted. "How are you able to control biological matter without Life Magic?"

Spidon's expression was impossible to read. "Because this is no ordinary magic." He said as he looked at the two vials that were connected to the guantlet, one the green of Form magic and the other a black substance similar to that of the Emperor's snake form. "This is the antithesis of all magic. A magic created to break the rules established during the forming of this world." The two men that were held up were suddenly flung out of the room with an astonishing force that immediately rendered them unconscious. "And only I know what to do with it. Don't you see? The breaking of this world occured as soon as the first Highland was created. It was a mistake of the Emperor's foresight that caused this world to slowly rip apart from the seams. Now that we see the result of his actions a millenia later do you not think that it is time to act? The end of the Highlands will bring the world back to the stable form of its creation. You must know that too don't you High Mage? You are a man of great intellect and skill, surely you have noticed that something is wrong with the current state of this world."

The High Mage shook his head. "If you are attempting to recruit me, I will not budge. Your hubris is revolting."

"Fine." Spidon said with a shrug. "Then leave."

No one had even a second to react before those who had not been sitting were flung out of the room and the doors were slammed shut. They fell on the ground without elegance and with headache inducing pain. The soldiers who stood watch outside quickly came to their aid. "I could have already guessed that diplomacy would not work on that man." Ulstairos said as he held his throbbing head. "Did you have another plan for this new tool of his?" He asked hoping that anyone would answer.

"Yeah, we brought the real owner of the gauntlet to help us." Vanemar answered, getting confused looks from Jioh and Silves who had both been standing at the wrong time. "It's hard to explain, so you're just gonna have to see it for yourself." A black substance exited Vanemar's mouth like a snake being pulled out of its den. It quickly expanded and twirled in the sky before meeting Vanemar's eyes with its own crimson dots.

"Have you reached the dwelling of the man you wish to kill?" Everyone was able to see it now and those who beheld it for the first time backed away frightfully.

Vanemar pointed towards the doors of the meeting room. "He's in the very back of the place. He has the gauntlet, you can't miss him."

"I don't." The Emperor flew in a straight line towards Spidon, creating a giant hole in the doors and splitting the table in half. Nearly everyone outside ran to see through the hole towards the events that were occuring within.

There were screams of terror and many inside began to run for the doors. "Make sure they don't run off!" Yeon ordered his men as they began to pour out. The rest were silent, making sure to hear the final words of the hated cult leader.

Spidon had fallen over from the surprise that the Emperor had given him. He attempted to get back on his feet but the snake was always hanging too close to his face for him to do so "What are you!" The man said in annoyance as he futilely attempted to use his new abilities on its gaseous form.

"I am the rightful owner of that gauntlet."

"The Emperor? But how have you obtained such a form?"

The snake began to inch closer and closer to Spidon's face. "That is not for you to know. I am here to take your life and pass it on to the heavens as a favor, all you have to do is stay put."

"You can't!" Spidon quivered with many emotions. "My plan has not yet come to fruition, the world will end if I do-"

"Those who use that gauntlet can only shorten Deskaly’s lifespan. I am an example of that."

Spidon laid his head down on the ground in defeat. "But m-" Without warning the snake rammed into his body, creating a bloody mess that could not be looked at for very long.

Everyone stared silently as the Emperor slowly returned to them. Vanemar had not even come to terms with the fact that it was all over. Everything that was happening was too strange, as if it were all a dream. In the span of a few months he had gone from escaping his home to watching a man be killed by the inhuman form man who had died a millenia ago. His mind was attempting to rationally sort through it all. "That is all you asked for I assume." The serpent said.

Vanemar nodded very slowly as he stared at nothing in particular. "Yes, you can help the High Mage now." He said as he turned to look at Giris who was scratching his head thoughtfully.

"This ended, in a less frustrating manner than I had expected. I guess this is a farewell to you all. No need to worry about the gauntlet any longer." The mage opened his mouth and the serpent entered the same way it had done to Vanemar, although Vanemar still cringed at the sight.

"Wouldn't it be better just to destroy the thing?" Jioh asked the mage as he stepped through the broken pair of doors.

The mage looked back at him silently for a moment, "Would you burn the last book of its kind because the contents supported a harmful ideology? The gauntlet may be dangerous but it is the only source of information we have on the creation of the Highlands and the power of the Emperor."

"Why don't you ask the emperor yourself then?"

The mage's expression suddenly brightened. "How could I have never thought of that? I hope he doesn't mind answering many questions." He said as he disappeared into the crowd of soldiers and captured cultists.

"I suppose this is the end of our business relationship." Jioh said to Vanemar and Silves. "This must be where we say our farewells."

"I must return with Ulstairos to the headquarters." Silves informed them. "There is work to be done now that Spidon has passed."

Vanemar shrugged. "You pay me, I move to somewhere in Nelympionis where no one will ever find me. Live the kind of life I should have stuck to after my father died. What about you? You never told me what you would do after today."

"I don't know really." Jioh said with a frown. "All my chances of fortune here have passed and I believe I am now a wanted criminal." A hint of a smile appeared on his face. “Just like you.” He looked around before his head finally trailed back to Vanemar. "I've been thinking. Would you mind if I accompany you to Nelympionis?"

Vanemar looked at him strangely. "Are you trying to use me again?"

"No, it's nothing like that. You’ve already done enough for me to ever consider bothering you again. You see, there's a whole different sect of the cult that would probably allow me into their ranks quite easily. There is also the issue with Felinebar to the north, strange things have been happening there that I have become very curious to see for myself."

"Well I suppose it wouldn’t hurt to have a free ride there."

Jioh sighed. “So while apologies won’t work I would at least like to say that you’re the most genuine and trustworthy man that I have met in my entire life.”

Vanemar raised a brow. “Are you sure you’re speaking to the right person?”

“Without a doubt.” He offered a hand. “If we stay any longer we’ll have to deal with Honean Bureaucracy. Shall we start heading out?

Vanemar shook it with a slight smile. "To new lives then."

“To new lives.”

Vanemar had not been so happy in his entire life. While many tainted memories would remain in his mind, he would no longer have to dread waking, he would no longer have to dread living.