Grisham stumbled as he clutched the stump of his left arm, fatigue and his other injuries that had not yet healed were catching up with him as his breaths shortened and his pace slowed. He felt weaker and weaker as he walked through the burnt ruins of the village he burned down. Grisham then sat down beside the ruins of a stone building.

“I… don’t know what to do, please… Please tell me. I… Need you!” He said to his unresponsive left shoulder. “No… No! You… can’t leave me! Not you! I need… I need someone!” He started to slowly punch and strike his left shoulder with his right hand. “I… need to see it! I… Have to see!” He began to punch harder and faster, desperately trying to elicit a response. “This is fate… Yes, this is a plan, a part of fate. I… am fate’s chosen. I… will be the victor, I will rise again… Yes, yes… I just… Need to wait, soon all will fall in to place.” He remarked, looking down and breathing slower and slower, waiting.

Kieron swiftly ran through the rubble and narrowly avoiding the crumbling and falling rubble. “Ah! Is that… Is that you Grisham?” Kieron was shocked as she recognized the one before her, but only barely; as half of him including his face had been burnt and misshapen and his crimson hand of fate was now severed from him. ‘He’s… In even worse shape than I’ve seen him before… And his arm! Felkin… He’s the only one that could have done it! But… His injuries…’ “Hey, Grisham, can you hear me?” Kieron asked. Grisham seemed to ignore her and kept incoherently mumbling to himself.

“Maybe you can’t hear this, but… I’ve decided to go to my own path. The times we had were… Like a dream, like a childhood fantasy where everything went our way. But I’ve realized whatever your power brings is not what reality is… Its not for me to say if you were right or wrong, or if it was really your fault what happened, but… Our actions have consequence and… I’ll face mine.” Kieron reaffirmed her convictions, before continuing on. As she left, Grisham raised his head and mumbled: “Kieron? Is that you… No. Where… Where is everybody? I need… I need somebody to tell me what to do, somebody please…” Blood from his severed arm slowly began to trickle down the floor.

“I… Need to take, I’m… a taker… I’m going to take everything… Everything? I… Don’t need everything… I just need… You guys…” ‘We’re right here with you!’ A voice said to him nearby. ‘Yeah! Don’t worry… We’ve been right along with you all this time!’ Another voice tried to cheer him up. ‘We’ll always stay with you, we’ll live in our own kingdom together!’ Grisham looked around him and saw faint outlines, like specters of memories past. Kieron, Rennon and Isha were beside him… And many more of those who followed him.

“Everyone! I… Need you guys! I… tried to bring you back, to bring everyone back. With… my gift. I’m the most important… chosen by fate, I… nobody will stop me… everyone must…” ‘You… don’t need to worry about that anymore, you just need to rest now.’ “This… Maybe this is my fate… Maybe this is what I deserve… What everything is leading up to, maybe my fate is to…” He fell silent, looking down towards the ground.

Another set of footsteps that were heavier, walked up to Grisham. He wore a dark hooded cloak and had dark blue gauntlets and leggings that could be barely seen underneath his cloak. He had a pin that looked like a white flower, or a rose affixed to the front of his cloak. “Hmph. So, this is what the path you chose resulted in… You’re utterly pitiful.” Grisham did not respond. The one before him looked down upon Grisham with great indignance, his blue eyes glared sharply like freezing icicles. “I suppose you were only a mere pawn, a fool entrapped by a greater power, taken advantage of. But if we were to blame all but ourselves… Nobody shall ever have accountability for our actions.” Grisham did not respond to his words.

“Now that I have renewed purpose and found knowledge… I can see where all of our paths began and led to. If you had not possessed your power as a child, we wouldn’t have made it a day in our escapades. We would have likely just gone back to begging or roaming the streets after facing disappointment or after one of us got hurt, but… It's because of your power we continued. We treated fighting and killing like playing, we gathered up others like us and banded together like some little game… It’s like giving gunpowder and a lit match to an infant. But this is the real world… And everything worked out until it didn’t.” After hearing no response once more, Rennon glowered towards him before raising his left hand and stretching his fingers briefly.

Slender, almost-imperceptible steel threads sparkled in the reflection of the flames of the village. The threads shot out with lightning-speed and penetrated through Grisham’s neck and back out of his nape. Blood spurted out of his mouth as his head shot back. Rennon’s teeth were gritted in great rancor, but as he pulled back his threads and began to walk away, he heard something from Grisham. “Papa… Ma- ma…” Rennon turned around quickly, but he was unsure if it was simply his imagination.

As he emerged back into the roads of the town, Jura was waiting for him on a rooftop with his arms crossed. “Those injuries he had would have killed him.” He said to Rennon. “Jura. So, you’ve been waiting for me.” The old man jumped down and walked by him as Rennon continued. “You’ve been too lenient, what if he had survived and remained a threat? And you’ve been too fast and loose, with the actions you’ve let take place… And your obeisance to orders.” “So, they’ve sent their most trusted pawn because of it?” Jura responded, invoking Rennon’s ire for a millisecond but he quickly recovered with a smile.

“They simply want results, and I was called in as a response. And I myself do believe that this… Boy, Felkin… He’s much too dangerous to keep alive, his existence is unpredictable, and only provides opportunities for him to be taken advantage of by the other powers.” Rennon weighed his opinion to Jura. “Hmm…” “From what you’ve reported, you went out of your way to protect the boy in the decaying realm of sand, and you’ve removed his friends from harm in a few occasions. You must have taken a liking to them. But if you’re so intent on helping others, why not lift a finger for what happened tonight in this town?” Rennon asked. “I’m just doing my job, same as you. My actions are for the sake of the cause. And for this town… This little fire isn’t going to affect this kingdom much, I can’t go help with every single minor incident like this, and after living such a long-time kid, I’ve seen worse than this… Many times. Although… If they failed tonight, I suppose we’d have to step in.” Jura said, before looking towards the horizon, the dark smoke and the fires that rose high above the buildings, and then he once again hopped upwards to a rooftop.

“I’m going back to the base house. Are you coming?” He asked Rennon. “I’ve no interest in your little playground family, and there’s plenty more that’s been tasked to me, so I’ll be leaving this town soon enough.” Rennon remarked, before swiftly jumping away elsewhere. ‘Hmm… For them to send another in just a short period of time. They must really think this matter is pressing… I can’t blame them.’ Jura sighed.

Felkin, Ellyn, Yuria, Kieron and Serafion were attempting to escape from the pursuing shadow knights, as well as Alroc and Seruvia. “There’s no time, let’s go!” Serafion remarked, as she supported Ellyn who no longer had her prosthetic arm and was fatigued. ‘She seems familiar, like I’ve seen her from somewhere…’ Ellyn said to herself, although she pushed away her thoughts and focused on escaping. Felkin carrying Yuria on his shoulder led the group and Kieron ran alongside him as they ran from the place, they fought Grisham in.

“You chose to follow me to the capital, I… respect your decision for doing so.” Felkin said to Kieron. “Uh… yeah! Anyway, what are we running from? Are some of his bandits still chasing us?” She asked. “We’ve invoked the ire of Lodeleth’s most skilled and most infamous death squad, dozens of them will be swarming and wiping us all out.” Serafion answered on Felkin’s behalf. “Uh, seriously?” Kieron asked. “Well… It’s a very long story.” He responded. “I honestly thought after turning over a new leaf I’d be long away from being pursued by the knights and the law, but… Oh, well.” Kieron exclaimed.

Shadow knights closely followed and were running parallel to the group, with two groups giving chase and had Felkin and the others in between them. The knights were in separate streets and there was a layer of buildings separating them from each other, but they were running fast enough to gain on the group, and then could converge in front of them at the end of the road. As the shadows emerged from the left side, Felkin quickly slashed his sword towards them. The lengthened blade dragged across the ground and slashed through the houses, throwing debris and dirt upwards. The shadow knights leapt out of the way and avoided the attack and were momentarily deterred.

“What if there’s people in those houses?” Ellyn quickly asked in which Felkin replied with: “It’s fine! All the people here have been moved elsewhere!” Another group of shadows ran in from the right side, and Felkin quickly stomped with his right foot and the shotel on his waist glowed bright blue. A blast of ice emerged and spiked up from the ground and came between the group and the group of knights. Nox’s blue specter emerged momentarily to freeze the ground and was surprised to see Kieron nearby. “Kieron, I believe? Were you present earlier?” He asked. “Hey! You’re… How-“ Kieron couldn’t form a proper sentence. “Later!” Felkin exclaimed.

The knights from the left side quickly leapt and passed through the debris and were quickly approaching; they readied their short swords and held out their non-dominant hands as a ball of fire appeared above their palms. Felkin raised his lengthened sword upwards and slammed it down towards the knights, but they saw through the attack and stepped out of the way. The flames in their hands coalesced as they prepared to launch fireballs at the group and at that distance, they could be able to lunge and catch up within seconds. Before the shadows could continue their assault, a flurry of daggers flew towards them.

Kieron’s attack was merely deflected and dodged by the knights, but they were distracted and held back long enough that they could not retaliate and dodge as Felkin whipped his sword upwards. His sword struck against the solid black armor of the shadows and sent them flying backwards. He turned around, and retracted his sword and caught up to the rest of the group. “Thanks.” Felkin said to Kieron. “No problem.” She replied. But the ice blockage created at their right side began to shatter and melt away as the shadow knights there used their flames to get through. Felkin looked to the right only to see a barrage of throwing daggers and fireballs were thrown towards them. Surprised, he quickly raised his sword and lengthened it to deflect the projectiles only to see that there were three of the shadow knights quickly advancing on their position with weapons drawn. “Incoming!” He exclaimed to Kieron as he swatted away the balls of fire and the flying daggers.

Kieron drew a short scimitar from her person and rushed in to meet one of the shadow knights. As the knight raised their sword and thrusted it towards her, she focused her entire attention onto the blade and heightened her senses and reflexes to the maximum, and time seemingly began to slow down. ‘I need to focus all my attention on the blade. I… won’t close my eyes to it anymore!’ Kieron quickly fell to the ground and ducked, avoiding the knight’s attack. The knight then slashed downwards to strike her, but she jolted towards the knight’s back and struck at their back with her curved sword. The blade bounced off after striking the knight’s tough armor, and Kieron ducked once more as the knight turned around to slash at her. ‘The armor’s too thick!’ She remarked to herself.

Before the knight could attack her once more, Kieron struck upwards using the hilt of her weapon at the knight’s throat, which incapacitated them. The two that remained rushed quickly towards Felkin and the others. He was still busy with protecting the group from the continuing fire from the knights at a distance. “Look out!” Ellyn yelled and pointed as one of the approaching knights threw a dagger towards Felkin. He quickly brought his sword in near his face to block the swift attack, but the hit was not completely deflected, slicing his cheek ever so slightly and drawing blood. He quickly slashed and the knight in front of him was sent hurtling away, but another volley of projectiles flew towards them, and one more shadow knight quickly rushed towards them.

Felkin quickly raised his lengthened sword and formed an arc with it to block all the projectiles and as the last shadow knight lunged towards him, Kieron quickly grabbed a spear from one of the fallen knights and threw it. The shadow knight turned to block the spear and sent it flying away, but Kieron quickly maintained pressure and clashed with the knight using her curved sword. The knight was quickly overpowering her, but she pulled out a dagger with her other hand and struck the knight’s hand, disarming them. Before the knight could use their flame or pick up their weapon, she slashed them across the chest and pushed them backwards. Kieron turned to Felkin, who kicked and sent a blast of golden energy towards the group of shadows in the distance before they could attack once more. Kieron and Felkin both nodded to each other before pressing on.

“What’s the plan, where do we go?” Kieron asked them. “Well… Any ideas?” Felkin asked the others. The specters of Solis and Nox floated nearby Felkin. “Hmm… I would think that this your territory, and I’d leave this decision up to you.” Solis answered. “I see two options: to escape or to directly contend.” Said Nox. “Escaping from here, preferably.” Serafion replied. “Can’t we go to your place?” Ellyn asked her. “No… I’m afraid I’m out of juice, and its quite a long distance away from here.” She replied. “So is our only option to fight them all?” Felkin asked. “But even when we can shake off the shadow knights, the town’s surrounded by a kingdom’s worth of forces.” Kieron replied. “I have an idea.” Said Ellyn. “Let’s hide here.” She said as she stopped running with the others, walked into an upturned and destroyed house, and then crawled beneath the roof which had fallen.

“Come on.” She whispered, as one by one they entered and crouched, with Felkin still carrying Yuria over his shoulder. As the footsteps of the other pursuing shadows grew nearer, Ellyn whispered to Felkin. “Throw that rock to over there.” Although somewhat confused, Felkin picked up a piece of a nearby rubble and swiftly threw it towards a distant direction creating a loud crash. The sounds of footsteps went towards the sound as the group quietly hid. They listened for a while, and when they heard no activity, Ellyn spoke up. “Your face… You got wounded protecting us earlier.” “Ah, this wound… It’s nothing, I can recover quickly from it.” Felkin said touching the cut on his cheek. “How about you, you gave up your arm… I don’t think you can grow one back.” He said in concern to Ellyn.

“I’m fine, it’s not like I gave up an actual arm of mine. I can always build another one later.” She said, though there was a twinge of sadness over the destroyed invention that Felkin sensed. “It's… Quite lucky that you came to their aid, I think we would have been annihilated if you were not present. And that weapon of yours sure is nifty, I presume it is a relic?” Serafion was intrigued and fascinated of Felkin’s presence. “Uh… Yes, I think it is. Thanks.” He replied, confused. After a few seconds of silence, Kieron whispered towards Ellyn. “Do we have a plan here? Or…” “Shh… Yes, there’s… A place nearby. A place that I can guarantee would probably still be standing even through something like this.” She remarked, thinking of Jura and the others’ retreat.

“Is it fine to go out now?” Kieron asked. “Take her for me.” Felkin said as he slowly lowered Yuria from his shoulder and gently handed her off to Kieron. “Oh, okay…” Kieron responded. Ellyn paid close attention and noticed the level of trust Felkin put into Kieron. Felkin stood up and slowly made his way to the edge of their hiding place to take a peek at the surroundings. As he poked his head out, he looked from left to right and surveyed the area. Suddenly, a group of the shadow knights who were still patrolling the area went around the corner and came face to face with Felkin. “Tsk!” He quickly raised his sword and was ready to fight when they suddenly went limp, and their heads hung down towards the floor. “What? Are there enemies?!” Ellyn asked. “Wait.” Felkin replied.

The orange haired boy emerged from the shadows and approached Felkin with his palm facing up expressing non-hostility. “Don’t attack. I’m your ally.” He said to Felkin. “Ally?” Felkin asked as the group of knights turned around and started to walk away. “We need to go; I can’t hold them for much longer. I… assume you’re with the others.” N said as Ellyn emerged from the hiding place as well. “Hey, kid! You’ve… Grown! And… you’re here.” She said to the boy. “You know this person?” Felkin asked, still cautious. “Yeah. In fact, I’m planning on taking us to where he's from.” She replied. “Alright, there’s still a lot of them out there so we need to hurry.” The boy remarked. “My name’s… N.” “Mine’s Felkin.” Felkin said as he walked forward, but the boy was wary and stepped back, appearing to be some sort of reflex.

“What’s wrong?” Ellyn asked. “Felkin… So, it really is you. This presence I feel… Its overpowering…” N remarked to himself. “No matter. Let’s get moving.” He exclaimed. With that, Felkin returned to the hiding spot he crawled in and picked Yuria back up and slung her over his shoulder. “Mhm… Urgh…” Yuria mumbled, like she was having some sort of bad dream. As he retrieved Yuria, Serafion asked: “Is it safe out?” “I’m not too sure… But it looks we’re going to be led to a safe place.” Felkin answered. And as Kieron and Serafion followed him out, N was looking at the group expectantly and started walking. “We’re… Following a… Child?” Kieron asked. “It is strange, indubitably… But I’ve chosen to no longer question what is happening. What I’ve seen in my studies… It’s convinced me that there’s realms of possibility beyond our reach. All I’m doing know is trying to intake the overflowing of information before me.” Serafion exclaimed.

They stepped through the ruins of the town and were moving in the cover of building to building to avoid detection. The flames that were set alight earlier in the night were beginning to die down now, and the group was worrying that the other knights were closing in on the town. “Are you sure you can walk alright? You look to be injured?” Kieron asked. “Well-“ “Oh, I’m fine… Just a few scrapes and bruises.” Serafion cut off Ellyn as she answered. “Oh, I apologize. I thought-“ “No, I understand… And if I was the one being asked, I’m pretty much unscathed.” Ellyn replied. “If everyone’s fine, that’s good to hear.” Kieron added.

Felkin was silent as he followed behind the boy, his mind focused on something else. “It’s through this alley.” Said the boy. Felkin sensed an unusual clarity and intellect from N, as well as a feeling that the boy was not quite human. “This street? No offense, but this place seems to be desolate and empty even before the fire tonight.” Serafion remarked, slightly wary. “I remember. This is the spot.” Said Ellyn, clutching her arm with her free hand. “Hmm…” Kieron exclaimed, appearing to be looking over her shoulder and listening for something.

“What’s the matter, are you hearing something?” Felkin asked. He looked upwards towards the rooftops of the mostly abandoned street and the others stopped walking as Felkin did so. The boy stopped and looked upwards as well, and then said: “Is there someone-“ A faint glimmer, a reflection of light from a fast moving metal object flying towards them at an almost imperceptible speed. Felkin saw it, and moved as quickly as he could to stop and intervene the projectile’s movements. He quickly stepped in and swatted the thin dagger away. From the rooftops, a voice spoke down onto them. “Hmph, little rats… You squeak so noisily in the night. Unfortunately for you, the raven has descended to feast upon its prey.” Alroc taunted them from above and prepared to throw another volley of his daggers. “Hurry to where your hideout is, I’ll stay behind to drive him back.” Felkin whispered to the others. Serafion, Ellyn and the boy then proceeded to run down the street. “Your hideout huh… You’ll never get the chance!” Alroc yelled as he threw a volley of daggers towards the three, and then Felkin quickly twirled the extended blade and deflected them, allowing the group to continue.

“Be careful! He coats his daggers in acidic chemicals!” Serafion warned Felkin. ‘Acid?’ He remarked to himself as he looked upon his blade, covered in some sizzling liquid. He quickly swung his blade to remove the liquid, and it splattered onto a stone wall which dissolved and crumbled. He looked at his blade which was unscathed. He turned to Kieron who had her curved sword in one hand, and a dagger of her own in another trying to ascertain Alroc’s position as he hid behind the rooftops and leapt from one roof to another. “Take her and go with them!” He said to her. “But… I want to stay and fight.” She remarked, still trying to track the beaked mask shadow with her eyes. “I… Need to put her out of danger. I trust you fully to do that.” Felkin said, referring to Yuria. “Alright.” Kieron said, and then put her weapons away and receiving Yuria as Felkin handed her over.

“Wide open.” Alroc remarked, as he dove downwards from the roof and thrusted down with his rapier. Without turning around, Felkin extended his sword and curved it behind him, blocking Alroc’s attack. With a determined glare, Felkin quickly turned around and swung a compacted coiled sword towards Alroc as Kieron ran to follow the others. Alroc parried the blow with his rapier, causing the attack’s force to be minimized onto him. He quickly backstepped to avoid another swing and hopped up to the rooftops to evade an extended slash from Felkin.

“Where is it?” Serafion asked as she ran and looked upon the old and vacant houses along the street. “Here.” The boy said pointing to an empty space between houses. “Here?” Serafion asked in confusion. The boy held his hands out and then Jura’s house appeared before them. He quickly opened the door and Serafion and Ellyn quickly entered, the latter looking out worried for the ones who were left outside. Felkin extended his sword upwards and struck a piece of the roof near Alroc was standing. The shadow knight jumped to another rooftop and then whistled loudly. He then clicked as if he was trying to communicate to distant allies.

Felkin quickly threw a stone from the ground and sent his extended blade upwards to attack both at once. ‘He… Must be calling allies.’ Felkin surmised to himself. Alroc caught the stone with one hand, and then quickly sidestepped to avoid the blade. Felkin’s blade narrowly missed a direct hit, cutting through a part of his cloak and was deterred by Alroc’s armor. Felkin quickly raised his other weapon, the ivory shotel and sent out an arc of golden energy which Alroc dodged. ‘He’s using a relic. Did he steal one from the castle’s keep? And that other weapon, it controls some kind of energy but not fire. Is that a relic as well?’ Alroc said to himself as he jumped to another rooftop to avoid an attack.

‘If all he can do is projectiles, then I’ll go up close!’ He lunged downwards but Felkin swung his shotel, creating an ice wave as Alroc landed on the ground. He quickly threw a vial of acid that melted away the rapidly encroaching frost. ‘Ice as well? It would be difficult tackling him up close.’ Alroc thought as he considered a different approach. ‘This power… I can feel it welling up and being stored within me, that’s why I can use it even without this weapon. But… I can feel it affecting my body like the power of the abyss before. I’m… Merely borrowing something else’s power once more.’ Felkin thought to himself.

As the boy was still at the door, Kieron quickly ran carrying Yuria and then spoke to the boy. “He’s… Still out there! Can’t you… Can’t you do what you did to that group of knights earlier?” She asked. “I need to be close to them to do it, and if its faraway, I need to put this crystal in their pocket for me to control them at a longer distance.” He said as he held up the orange crystal in his hands. “Perfect. Hold her for a second for me.” Kieron quickly nabbed the crystal and gently lowered Yuria at the base of the house’s interior. “Wait- Hey!” The boy yelled as he and Ellyn pulled Yuria inside as they looked at Kieron who was rushing as fast as possible away. “Stay inside.” The boy said to the other two who nodded as he closed the door behind him.

Kieron rushed forward to see Alroc narrowly avoiding Felkin’s attacks and keeping up with a flurry daggers and thrusts. ‘The others… They’ve responded to my call, they should be arriving soon and we’d be able to dispatch of this lot.’ He looked down towards Kieron who was running at full speed before throwing the crystal straight towards him. ‘That girl from earlier, what’s this crys-‘ Alroc caught it in his hands as a reflex but suddenly stopped. Felkin looked up and was surprised. “N!” He exclaimed as he looked back towards the boy. “Hurry! I can’t hold him for long!” Felkin and Kieron heard the clamor of what seemed to be the movements of many of the shadow knights rapidly approaching from the roads, and the rooftops. They then rushed to the house where the boy was outside and was straining himself trying to control Alroc from afar.

“Hurry… His mental fortitude’s… strong!” “What about your crystal? I won’t be able to accept myself if you didn’t get it back.” Said Kieron. “I… Might have an idea.” Felkin remarked. Alroc stood still and was frozen in place, held firmly by N’s control. ‘Stop. Don’t move. Don’t. Stay still. Still. Freeze. Stop walking. Stop.’ A multitude of voices, piling and overlapping with each other and seemed to take control of his conscious and prevented him from moving. ‘Urk. I… can’t move! What’s… stopping me from moving! That crystal I caught… It has the same scent as that boy… Why, why did I move to attack him first. No… matter. I just need to break free…’ He said to himself as he struggled. ‘Raise. Raise hand. Open palm. Open. Let. Let go.’ He opened his palm and let go of the crystal which fell from the rooftop towards the ground.

The shadow knights soon jumped from another rooftop and landed behind Alroc, while another group was below him in another street. “Alroc! You called us, does that mean you have found the enemy?” Alfred asked from down below, while he carried Seruvia on his shoulder. “That’s right, we found many of them injured as we went here so you must have followed their trail.” She asked Alroc. “The enemy…” Alroc said, who was confused for a moment. “What’s wrong?” Alfred asked. “The enemy, they’re down this road! Quickly, go after them!” He yelled, Alfred and the others followed.

The door of Jura’s house was slightly ajar and Felkin pulled his extended blade from the outside through the small opening, with the tip of the blade coiled backwards clutching the orange crystal. After Alroc dropped it, it landed and was grasped by the end of Felkin’s blade on the ground and he quickly retracted his blade back as it was covered in shadow at ground level. As the end of his blade entered the door, Felkin closed it and the boy raised his hands rendering the house as a mere empty space to the outside. Indeed, it was only an empty space as the shadows ran down the street in search for them.

Alroc was still standing in place, though free from the crystal’s grasp and was in deep thought. “So, the enemy just slipped past… It’s not common of you to stop pursuing. Losing your touch, maybe?” Seruvia asked. “I was simply awaiting backup to ensure my victory against the enemy. Simply mindlessly charging oneself against foes is simply an optimal strategy to get killed. Sometimes observing from a distance is the best course to take.” Alroc answered. Two of the shadow knights returned and emerged from the shadows before kneeling at Alfred’s feet before speaking and reporting to him about their findings.

“They say that a cursory search through the street and its houses have turned up nothing, though the others are still rigorously patrolling the area.” Alfred said to Alroc. “Let’s keep searching. They just went past my line of sight so they couldn’t have gone far. Search the street for more clues, for hidden basements or cellars, or paths to secret passageways elsewhere.” Alroc ordered towards the shadows. He then jumped down, his feathered cloak slowing down his descent as he slowly floated downwards. “You seem sure about this particular street holding their location.” Said Alfred. “I overheard them saying that their hideout is just around the corner, and they disappeared thereafter.” “Don’t you think they might have said that to throw you off their trail?” Seruvia questioned Alroc’s assertion.

“Hmm… I was following and listening to them for a while before they realized I was in pursuit. You may be overestimating them in stating that they would talk amongst themselves about an incorrect location.” Remarked Alroc. “Overestimating? We have been actively underestimating them all this time and they’ve eluded our grasp and repelled all forces we have directed towards them. To think that they could pull such a tactic must be expected.” Seruvia exclaimed, slightly frustrated. “In any case, sitting around here is not going to do us any favors.” Alfred remarked. “Agreed. Let’s spread out and keep searching, I can feel them as if they are just around the corner.” Said Alroc, before he blended into the shadows and Alfred proceeded down the street.

“Phew…” Kieron breathed a sigh of relief as she leaned and slid down a wall of the hidden house. “I’m beat…” She exclaimed. Ellyn and Serafion were standing near the door and were cautiously looking and preparing for any outside attacker to enter and were not paying attention to the interior of the building where they were. As Felkin handed the orange crystal back to N, the boy sighed and then turned to the others. “It’s safe here now. They won’t be able to find us, let alone see or go to where we are right now.” He reassured. The two breathed sighs of relief and Ellyn stumbled before sitting on a wooden chair nearby.

Serafion looked up and around the area, curious about the abode that they were taking respite in. “What… Is this place? It looks quite well-stocked and well kept, for the surrounding area that is.” She exclaimed. “It’s a larder, armory, gathering place… It also serves as a library. It’s… a little less used right now than it was before.” The boy answered. Felkin looked around in silent intrigue, and walked forward to look around, at the tables and chairs, at the ornamentation, and a glance up the stairs into the rooms. As Kieron sat on the floor and leaned on the wall beside the door, she opened her eyes as she rested and became curious because of the light shining through the windows of the abode. “Wait… It was still nighttime earlier, right? Or even if it was early morning, sunsets don’t usually cast that much light…” She remarked and called attention to the bright rays shining through the windows.

Felkin was curious and walked to the window to observe the outside. ‘Wasn’t there a wall behind this place? Why is it so bright outside, is there a large light…’ “What… Whoa!” He suddenly stepped back and was shocked at the vista before him. Kieron ran to the window and stood beside Felkin and marveled at the view. “We’re… at another place again. At least… It’s not a hot desert…” Kieron remarked. The floating spirits of Nox and Solis emerged and were in awe of the sight as well. “Another realm…” Said Nox. “This place… It feels close to us even though we haven’t been here before” Remarked Solis. “This place seems different.” Ellyn exclaimed slightly surprised.

Serafion slowly walked up to the window. “Oh. Oh… “ She looked outside the window, at the magnificent and wide white fields of leaves that encompassed the entire landscape, forming hills and large walls that stretched up to the sky. She looked at the two floating spirits nearby Felkin, and at the boy sitting before Yuria unconscious on the floor. “Oh… I… can’t. I think I’m going to have a headache. Is there somewhere to rest upstairs?” Serafion asked. “Uh, yes. Do… you need something to drink, water maybe? You can help yourself.” N answered. “I think I’d prefer wine. Or something stronger.” She remarked as she climbed up the stairs.

Ellyn looked towards Yuria and N, and asked: “How… Is she?” “She’s… Incredibly weak… She seems to have expelled most of her life force, and her energy…” the boy answered. “I… The reason I wanted to go here because I hoped that someone or something here… Can help her.” Said Ellyn. “I’ll… See what I can do.” Said the boy, after looking around the first-floor room. ‘Looks like the others aren’t here… I wonder where they are right now…’ He thought. “But first she needs rest. I’ll need someone to help her upstairs and to carry her to bed.” Said N. “Oh, I’ll… Carry her.” Felkin said, walking away from the window and lifting Yuria up and walking upstairs with the boy following him. “Feel free to rest and recuperate, if you guys have any injuries, there’s supplies here. Just… tell me how I can help.” Said N.

Kieron looked outside once more, before looking up at Felkin carrying Yuria and making her way towards the second floor. “Are… you okay? You seemed to be struggling to walk a little back there.” She asked Kieron. “I’m alright, maybe I twisted an ankle or… Have a few bruises but the others fared much worse than me. Metas… and that girl Iris… They’ve taken a lot of hits for me and… We don’t even know where they are right now and Yuria…” Ellyn sighed. “It's fine. I’ll just be resting here. Thank you for your help earlier… I don’t know why I was slightly hostile.” She added. “You’re… welcome.” Kieron replied, trying not to draw too much attention to herself as she had an inkling of why Ellyn might have been suspicious of her earlier.

As Felkin lowered Yuria down onto the bed, the boy nearby held his hands over her and a warm light radiated over Yuria. “Hmm… I’m surprised her hat hadn’t been dropped or lost in all that scuffle.” Kieron commented. “!” Felkin had not noticed, but Yuria had tightly clutched and held close her hat with the remaining modicum of her strength left. “Me… tas… Fel... kin...” she muttered weakly. “It’s… working!” Kieron exclaimed. “Barely. It’ll still take a while.” N answered. “You two should rest as well. If you have any injuries or if you need to eat or sleep, now’s the time.” He added.

As the two of them exited the room, Kieron pointed out Felkin’s injury. “Your face is cut.” “I’ve… Had far worse injuries.” Felkin answered. “Can’t you heal your injuries?” Kieron asked. “I can, but… I… don’t want to.” Felkin answered, looking down towards the ground. As they walked into one of the upstairs rooms, Kieron asked another question. “I hope you don’t mind me asking… But… Why?” “I… Don’t think its fair.” He was disparaged. “Fair?” “Everyone… is getting injured, and I’m… Not. I… have something that others don’t, I’m… different. I feel… ‘fortunate’.” He said, sitting down in the room’s bed. Kieron sat beside him and continued listening.

“Until a few days ago… I was living… Surviving at some ruins, beneath an enclosure of dead trees. I had nothing except my name, and my sword. I followed a man out, and ever since… We’ve encountered monster after monster, disaster, tribulation… I’ve seen and learned so much… And I’ve been unsure, but the only thing I could do was move forward. The people I’ve seen, I’m different from them. They get injured and suffer, but I’m still fine. They go tired, but I can still keep on going. I feel… strange. Like… I’m not- Ack!” Kieron put a wine dipped rag onto Felkin’s face. “Not human?” She asked. “Yes… That is… wine, yes?” Felkin was slightly sullen.

“I got it while you were busy talking. Well… you look human to me. And you need to eat and drink water, right?” She asked. “Yes.” “And you sleep at night, right?” “Well, less than the other people I’ve seen, but yes.” “That… still counts.” “And what’s beneath… It’s red, so you have blood like human.” “I suppose- Hmk!” Kieron studied the wound up close as she dabbed the cloth to Felkin’s cheek. “This wound’s deeper than I thought.” She remarked to herself. She searched through the drawers and boxes for more medical supplies. She brought out a kit that had suturing materials. She sat down beside Felkin again.

“You look like you’re used to handling those.” Felkin remarked. “I… Had family who taught it to us. She… Was always good at patching us up.” She answered. Felkin sucked in air and gritted his teeth as the needle punctured through his skin. “I still… Can’t get over the pain…” He remarked. “Mhm… Pain, another point for human.” Kieron exclaimed. “Right. Argh!” He got cut off. “Right now… You’re unsure. You’re confused. You’re sad, you care for others… Right?” “I… have to agree to that.” Remarked Felkin. “Well, some people are just stronger than others. They can endure more, fight more, and do more… But that doesn’t make them less than human. If they’re strong, that just means that they can use their efforts to protect others. But… That’s just what I think. My own personal feelings…” She remarked.

Felkin appeared like he was struck by an epiphany and perked up. But it caused him to pull at the threads being stitched onto him, causing him to exclaim in pain. “I’ve… Also seen others who seem to think differently. So, I’ll… Decide on my own.” He said with conviction, his sword rested against a wall nearby twisted and coiled. She snipped the thread after the hook-like needle had been taken out and the procedure had been completed. “Done.” Kieron remarked. She was quite close to his face. “You’ve… changed your hair.” He remarked. “Oh… You noticed?” She exclaimed stepping back.

Her light brown hair had been tied behind her head in a ponytail, but two grouped strands ran down both sides of her face. “I noticed when we met earlier. I suppose it might have been a strategic decision to keep your hair from distracting you in combat.” Felkin answered. “Maybe. But I… just remembered a friend who had a similar way of tying her hair.” Kieron remarked, slightly shy. “Your friend that was good at suturing?” Felkin asked. “Yeah…” Kieron’s voice trailed off as she looked past Felkin and seemed to be in recollection of memories. They were silent for a while, with Felkin in wordless observation, but after a period of silence he spoke up. “Thank you, for stitching me up.” “You’re welcome.” She responded.

Two faint wisps of gold and indigo flowed upwards from the ivory sickle. Kieron noticed and said: “I… was wondering why you two weren’t appearing.” The full spirits of Solis and Nox fully appeared above Felkin. “Well, we didn’t want to interrupt…” Solis cheekily answered, but Nox tried to elbow her but as their states as spirits, his arm passed through her body. “How… Are you guys here? Didn’t the desert get swallowed up by darkness? And how can he use your powers?” She asked. “We’re…” “Not entirely sure.” The twins completed each other’s sentence.

“Felkin?” Kieron asked. “I… don’t know, myself.” He answered. “By the fact that he was able to utilize our powers himself, he might be able to absorb and utilize energy he comes into contact with.” Nox surmised. “Do you mean… He might have been to absorb us somehow and transfer us into this weapon?” Solis asked. “When could that have happened?” Kieron wondered. “Maybe… When was I consuming the desert’s earth?” Felkin exclaimed. “The desert itself was our source of life and was linked to our existence. Maybe the life force was stored in Felkin somehow.” Nox added. “And combined with Dagran’s… Gift for us, maybe something happened because of it. Memories, feelings, emotions, they are a form of energy as well!” Solis stated.

Their conversation was interrupted by Kieron stifling laughter. “I’m…” She exhaled deeply. “Sorry. But… I just remembered you eating dirt.” Felkin held back a chuckle. “It's… alright. It’s really quite strange that I did something like that. It was almost like…” “An instinct?” Nox asked. “Yes.” Felkin exclaimed, standing up in affirmation. “When we emerged… We acquired a whole bounty of information, we hadn’t even experienced or seen for ourselves. Maybe, you experienced something of the same.” Solis remarked. “I’d hate to interrupt your serious discussion now, so…” Kieron said, turning around to leave the room.

“You’ve… Actually, been very helpful, we probably couldn’t have realized quickly the link of me… eating the sand to whatever might have happened here.” Felkin said towards Kieron, trying to ease her disparagement. “But if you want to leave… That’s fine.” He added. “Thanks.” Kieron turned back towards him and said in earnest. “And, oh!” Felkin remembered something and got to his feet. He summoned a small piece of ice in his hand, and then wrapped it around a nearby rag he picked up, before giving it to Kieron. “I… actually heard that Ellyn might have hurt her foot. So… If she needs it.” “Alright.” Kieron remarked. As she exited the room, she passed the other rooms on the second floor. “Aw… My dress is torn up even more now… There are some things I miss about being in the-“ Serafion was saying to herself as Kieron passed, both looked towards each other and locked eyes, before Kieron walked forward without saying another word.

Serafion was seated on the bed as well, but was surrounded by many of the room’s books and tomes. As she passed the next room, she saw the boy, still had her hands over Yuria. “Ellyn…” she muttered. Kieron noticed and continued downstairs. “Hey, for you.” She said to Ellyn still seated and holding her leg in her remaining hand. “Thanks.” Ellyn answered, taking the ice rag, and applying it onto her foot. “Tch.” She exclaimed. “How are they?” Ellyn asked. “They’re… Alright, I guess. They’ll recover.” Kieron answered. Both looked towards the fantastical landscape outside in silence. “Hey, you know why you might have recognized me?” Kieron asked. “Hmm?” Ellyn remarked. “It’s because… I am… I was… a… ban-“ “I… I knew it!” Ellyn exclaimed and grasped firm the ice in her hand and was unusually expressive.

“Wait, you said bandit, right? Not… a-bandoned, or… a banker?” Ellyn said, cautious about assuming. “Yeah…” Said Kieron. “So, you’ve helped us with the encounter earlier. And you don’t seem to be against us right now. And ‘he’ knows and trusts you, even though I’m not closely familiar with him, myself. In normal circumstances… I would consider that you might be our enemy… But these days, allies are in short supply. So, for the time being… I trust you… Bandit lord.” “Ah!” Kieron exclaimed surprised. “So… you’ve heard of me…” She said, feeling ashamed.

“I suspected it when I saw how you fought, and compared it to what I’ve heard about you… A swift attacker using a curved blade and throwing knives. And the most apparent clue is your appearance… I had my suspicions before you even spoke.” “My appearance? But in my short time as a bandit, I…” “Yes, you were a masked warrior. And there were many rumors about you. A disfigured madman, a witch who possessed mystical abilities, but I knew better than the rumors from the start. That day, I can still remember it clearly… In our snowy village, bandits attacked and many of the boys and young men were captured. Among them, was a foreigner girl who frequently spent her time with the village boys. When they were caught and dragged away… Many of them came back later, but some didn’t. Then I… was forced to defend the village with an invention the old man made after the bandits did away with the village’s hunters. That was when I last saw the girl. She wore the garb of a mercenary, or a brigand. And at a distance I mistook her for a bandit. I prayed that my shot would miss… But I never knew as I never saw you again.” Ellyn told and recollected a day she defended the village long ago.

“I… The missing arm, You… You’re Ellyn right? The old eccentric’s daughter, the one who always kept to herself! How… How could I forget! That was so long ago! So… So long ago. And that day… And… what happened since…” Kieron lit up as she recognized Ellyn but became quieter and silent as she recalled the day she fled from the village. It was another home, another place she ran from. She was quite used to living from place to place, but she was driven away one way or another. And that was the day she took someone’s life for the first time, and the second… The other being an innocent. Kieron sighed deeply, there was plenty of sighing lately, through the remembrance of regrets, a regretful sigh was the only way to express the emotion.

Ellyn continued her story. “After that though, the number of bandits grew less and less. And because of that, merchants and traders passed through more often, they attributed the safety of the area to a group of young mercenaries clearing camps and their leaders out because of the bounties placed on them. Well at first, I thought nothing of it except I was glad that the area had less danger. But after a while, I heard something peculiar from a passing trader. He described a dark-skinned and light brown-haired girl who accompanied him once among others in a protection gig, and that she was a surprisingly ferocious combatant. I… hoped it was you.” Ellyn lowered her head.

“For a few years it was peaceful… There were barely any attacks. But then we heard news of a large mercenary group turning traitor, the one who rose through the ranks earlier. Their leader had freed some bandits and amassed them with their own force and gathered the small outlier groups and then the rate of pillages and attacks rapidly increased. I… hoped, you weren’t a part of it. But later, I heard that there was a fleet-footed mysterious masked bandit that had recently joined the ranks of the group. Somehow… I felt that it could be you.” “How… Why did you think it was me, I… easily could have run away or went somewhere else. And… Why did you care? We… Barely knew each other.” Kieron answered. “Well, it was just a gut feeling. And… I’m not sure why I cared, maybe it was just because we’re from the same village. But my intuition was correct, and we met once again. Maybe… Some higher power or fate guided me to that assertion.” Ellyn wondered.

“Fate?” Kieron was suddenly agitated. “My old man believed that everything was connected like a large machine or creature, that everything was leading up to something and had purpose. Like things are just parts of a larger whole.” Said Ellyn. “I… think our fate should be in our own hands, and not of… some other grand being’s.” Kieron answered assertively. They were quiet for a while, Ellyn remembered Grisham’s ramblings and opted not to continue while Kieron took some time to calm down.

This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.

"Well... Have a seat. If you're not injured, there's not much we can do except talk and rest." Ellyn remarked. Kieron walked behind the wooden counter and crouched down. "Are you thirsty? I think that boy might have mentioned that this place might have food and drink... But all I've found are brews and wines..." She remarked. "The old man liked to pop open a bottle or two when he'd make a particularly extraordinary discovery, but... I didn't like the smell, and he himself said it clouds the mind... But he still partook in it nonetheless. If you can find some water, I'd prefer that." Answered Ellyn. "Hmm..." Exclaimed Kieron. She brought out a wooden jug and grabbed two cups. "Ah, water... You never fully appreciate a cold glass until you've been stuck in a scorching desert with no land in sight." She said.

"You've mentioned that earlier... There aren't any deserts nearby, did you travel to a foreign land?" Ellyn asked. "It's complicated. Ah... It looks like there's a place where a table should be here... But..." "Just do it on the counter. Pour a glass for me too." Ellyn responded. Kieron poured two cups of water, walked over and handed one to Ellyn and sat on a nearby chair. Kieron drank a big gulp of water and sighed in relief while Ellyn sipped slowly from the cup. She sat cross-legged and looked out the window as some large blindingly white creatures flew far overhead. "A few days ago... I was living normally, but it just became stranger and stranger since... This... Feels like a dream, like a fantastical tale told to children in storybooks. And with every passing encounter, things feel less and less real." She exclaimed.

"But you have to make sure to remember it's reality. I... could say that I've seen stranger than most... But even if I looked in awe at the sights I saw, I remembered that it was still reality I was seeing. I saw people suffer, be in pain, get tired... People... People die. The exceptional people you look up to, those that seem like they were plucked straight out of legend... They're human too... I... forgot to see clearly once..." Kieron exclaimed in melancholy. Ellyn looked down at her missing left arm, though she didn't have it as far as she could remember... When she acquired her prosthetic, it was as if she had never forgotten to use her arm. "What's real..." Ellyn said to herself as she touched the stump of her arm and lamented the loss of the prosthetic which was part of her in more ways than one.

In one of the upstairs rooms as Kieron left, Felkin started a serious discussion with the twins. “We feel… That you’ve a lot to talk about.” Nox said warmly. “I know you guys might be unfamiliar with this world, but you two are as good a guide as any in terms of the higher powers and gods I’ve encountered… So many things have been happening… And it’s been overwhelming…” said Felkin. “Just… let’s go from the start and we’ll see what to make of it.” Solis remarked. “I… can only recall up to a few days ago. Any further back and I can barely see fragments of memories, like dreams that disappear once the morn breaks.” “Wait… No memories? If it's an injury, then it would be rare to simply impair your memory and nothing else. It makes magical effects as a plausible cause.” Said Nox. “Oh, sorry. Please continue.” He added.

“I was living… Surviving in an area, it appeared to be some kind of ruins… In a marshland, surrounded by the cover of dead trees. I… have no clue how long I spent there as every day felt monotonous… Doing nothing but gathering food from small creatures nearby, making fires, drinking from a puddle, and sleeping. I think I might have been waiting for someone…” Felkin said, confused and pondering. “That is certainly…” “Strange. I assume even in this world such an occurrence is unusual.” The pair replied. “Maybe a spell was placed upon you that left you to continue in a certain way after losing your memories? What happened next?” Nox asked. “All the while, I had this.” Felkin said as he raised his sword. “Your weapon, it’s quite extraordinary.” Said Solis, recognizing the value of the tool.

“I had it with me, and it feels like a piece of myself. It has the ability to extend and possesses an abnormal amount of power and durability. Another unusual aspect I have rarely seen anywhere else. I think it can also absorb and utilize energy but through what conditions, I’m pretty unsure…” He said, studying his own weapon. “Let us see it.” Solis remarked. Felkin held up the sword to her, and Solis clasped her hands around it, but the sword phased straight through surprising her. “Just hold it up.” Said Nox, studying the sword up close. “These inscriptions on the blade… They’re similar to the weapons of that old man. And from what we’ve heard from Dagran and the other desert folk… The ancient warriors had ships and implements with a similar fashion of construction. And its abilities, its most likely forged in a special way or imbued with magic.” He remarked.

Felkin paused, he was struggling to say something. “Dagran. I... I’m sorry. If it wasn’t for me…” “It's fine. It’s not your fault.” Said Nox. “He’d be glad to give his life and… We expected no less than death for ourselves in the desert.” He added, somewhat forcing the words out. Felkin noticed his hand was trembling wildly, and though Solis’ hand could not physically touch her brother’s, she grasped tightly until Nox calmed down. “That’s… What Raln and the others said as well.” Felkin quietly said. “Well, let’s test the ability of your sword to absorb energy since you know little of it… How about you use our energy imbued in the curved blade...” Said Solis.

Felkin hooked the shotel onto his sword and it immediately began to glow with blue energy and began to freeze his blade. “Hmm… Doesn’t seem like the simple application of it will work immediately.” Nox exclaimed. Felkin put the shotel around his waist and indirectly used its energy and held his sword as a golden glow emanated from his hand. The ice melted away, but the sword didn’t change form and appeared not to be in its activated state. “Before, the bandit we fought wielded it and the runes glowed with the color of his energy, and I was briefly able to use it like he did too. But it looks like I haven’t quite mastered it yet.” Felkin remarked, studying his weapon, and making the energy from his hand dissipate. “Maybe there’s a certain condition to be met? Or is it the amount of energy expended…” Solis remarked.

Felkin looked at his arms, his left was covered in a sheet of ice while the right radiated warmth. “Your arms… There seems to be an effect by the energy you use that is actually entering your body.” Felkin looked down onto his arms. “I can feel it coursing within me. Like the energy from the shotel is flowing into my body as a conduit. But unlike my sword I seem to be ill-suited for the effects of the energy, as I can be affected and harmed physically by the energy I use.” Felkin then put down his sword and held both of his hands together, causing the ice to melt and the warmth to be less apparent.

“Even though I expel the energy I use, if I continued to try to expel it all I’d be wasting it if I didn’t use it in combat… And even though it harms me… I’ll need my strength for the next wave of enemies and challenges that will come my way.” He said, a faint disheartenment could be heard in his voice. “I believe that your choices are your own, but as for advice… Your strength might be a requirement if the conditions outside are still the same, and with your powers and presence… It’s likely that you will have to defend against others still, may they be gods or your fellow men.” Nox surmised. “Where were we in your story? It seems like we’ve barely begun to discuss your recollection of events before we strayed off course.” Said Solis. “I then, met a man… Metas. He’s a few years older than me. You saw him earlier, he was the one who used flames and a relic that had been activated as he made use of his abilities. But then him and my other friend Iris, disappeared suddenly.”

“Hmm… A sudden disappearance in a flash of flame… Using and producing fire out of thin air… It’s likely that he’s also one manipulating the elements via supernatural means.” Said Nox. “About that, Iris also told me about an event where she was visited by a ‘herald of flame’, an ominous dragon armored rider who appeared to inform her about a coming event that would occur at the capital. A gathering of the heirs of flame to decide and contest with each other to earn it…” “Heirs… It could be that a source of divine power from another realm imbued people here with there power, and is now enacting their will upon them? But for what reason?” Said Nox. “Wait… Did you say dragon? That was the name of…” “The great beast.” Nox finished Solis’ words. “Yes, from what I’ve seen of a dragon beforehand, it appeared to look similar to the solidified being in the desert.” Felkin answered.

“Fascinating that you met a similar beast. But how did you encounter it? And was it the same kind of being who made the desert flourish in our homeland?” Nox asked. “I’m not sure. We encountered it only briefly, but that occurred a little later…” said Felkin. “Alright, continue your story until we get to that part.” Said Solis. “After we met, it was dark and he produced flame from his hands to create a campfire. But at dawn, we were attacked by a beast. It didn’t feel alive nor dead, and seemed to originate from darkness… We killed it and moved on.” “A being of darkness and shadows…” Nox said to himself. “Yes, that being originated from a realm of darkness we stumbled into. An abyss. Those werewolves and other shadowy creatures attacked us at dawn in the days since. I only found respite after I slipped into your realm… And through by some means after…” Felkin replied.

“Beings of abyss. Its similar to the stain of darkness we can sense within you.” Said Nox. Felkin looked surprised. “You noticed. I… think the source of those things and my main source of strength are the same. But this force… I recognize that it’s a corruption… Anyways, we reached civilization and went to a village at the outskirts of the cities. Metas, he… He was a knight, a warrior belonging to the cause of this kingdom. Perhaps at first he thought I was somebody lost in the wilderness and was willing to accompany me to the nearest town. But after the encounter with the creature, I suspected that he might have been keeping an eye on me for his masters. From what I’ve seen, he was part of a secret order that undertook in missions that the kingdom did not want the public to be aware of. And his presence investigating and expunging dark forces and creatures may be something the kingdom doesn’t want to be known officially.” Felkin surmised.

“Knights and kingdoms… As long as there’s a large group of people, it seems like they will naturally form a defensive force to protect themselves from threats. And their leader will have mounting pressure to make the right decision, which would lead to them doing acts that others below them would view undesirable…” Nox exclaimed, putting one hand on his chin in thought.

“The village was crowded full of people, many of which were living in rotting and barely standing houses or spent their lives on the streets. They occasionally held stake burnings, executing witches, those who they believed to be in the grasp of dark powers. They were in unfortunate states, it was likely that they didn't get support from the kingdom at large... And they attributed much of their problems to these infernal elements they executed in the town square. Not that they were wrong that there weren't dark forces at play, but the choosing of their target seemed... Random, on a whim. We then met Yuria, she appears to be maybe slightly younger than me though I'm unsure. She's the girl in the next room who drained her own life to help with the battle earlier. When we met her, she had conceded to her execution, although she could have escaped their grasp easily. Although... She easily could have been the source of the possible misfortune, or maybe beasts of darkness flocked because of her influence and that the villagers could be more at ease at her death, I felt... An unfairness. I rescued her with the pretense of helping Metas investigate, and as we did so... We were set upon by the executioners and the mob of townsfolk. Right there and then I realized... That their judgement of punishment was flawed. Not that we posed no threat to them and what we did seemed like an apparent crime... But people only see what their eyes view at a first glance." Felkin paused and the room was silent.

From the other room, the boy could listen close even if the walls were quite thick. N healed Yuria, but felt a deep connection to Felkin's words. Felkin shifted as he sat in the bed, although it was a soft and comfortable surface, sitting still in one position was bothersome. The specters of the twins could not feel any longer and were unperturbed floating in the air. Likewise, the boy stood for an extended period of time and had his hands raised over Yuria, but his legs and arms were not getting stiff nor sore from doing so.

Light shone through the dust covered windows and into the rooms. It was of an ethereal nature, seeming like it came from the environment itself instead of a singular source like the sun. It illuminated the floating dust particles in the air, and made the nearly imperceptible cobwebs between the books in the shelves and up in the corners of the wooden room's ceilings apparent.

"As... we were trying to escape from the mob, we were cornered and she was forced to create a portal to that deep, calm blackness that those creatures stemmed from. I suppose I could have fought through them, I'd be only defending myself from them. But... I didn't feel it was fair." "Fair?" Nox asked, finally talking through Felkin's words. "Because they were innocents?" Solis asked. "Well, No... Maybe, it was because I was still unsure of defending or attacking either side, or maybe it's because I didn't want to act without knowing everything yet..." Felkin looked down, uncertain. "Continue." "We were lost in darkness. The ground was wet but was shallow, like thin water over a soft but firm floor... Maybe like flesh? But in the eerily calm, those beasts attacked us again. Wave after wave of them set upon us, and me and Metas managed to fend off their advance. I thought it was strange that we immediately went up to arms against them. Maybe because of their fearsome appearance, or that their aura didn't feel alive to begin with. Metas would have raised his weapon quicker than I against the villagers, but the beasts were threatening our safety all the same. As we were struggling against them, Yuria had opened a gateway back to the world, but we had exited into another environment entirely, into a land of blindingly white ice and snow... I thought the same was true for when I first emerged into the desert realm, and I feared I may be thrown into another environment if I went back. As we tried to manage the cold and unforgiving landscape, the two others trudged on."

'Hmm... Although the desert is unforgiving as well because of its daytime heat, something alike the cold of desert nights present and worsened even in the daytime is quite different, but unforgiving all the same.' Nox thought. 'Oh, I just didn't want to interrupt.' He said in his mind to Solis, who glanced at him. Felkin sensed there was communication ocurring but carried on. "Metas... I wonder where he would be without my interruption. I unwittingly uprooted him from his life and dragged him through turmoil, but not once did he complain, and he defended us all the same..." Felkin looked up at the roof and wondered.

"And then that's when we encountered the dragon. A large flame breathing beast was awakened as a mountain like creature that emerged from the snow." "Flame. Another connection to the herald you mentioned." Solis remarked, with Felkin nodding in response. They continued to discuss Felkin's experiences at length, and followed his lengthy journey through the last couple of days that would mean a short length for any other living an ordinary life. In their passing into the snow village, and meeting Ellyn. And with their battle and eventual killing of Siegmund. "So that's how you two met her..." "And that's where Metas truly chose a side and comitted a betrayal." The two commented.

He recounted the day after encountering the bandit leader, and escaping into the forest after. "Hmm... People who prefer to take advantage of others instead of working for themselves... I suppose some of them might have no choice but..." "They must have understood the risks, and the consequence of retaliation they should have considered." Nox stated, and Solis followed up. "Well, after we fought and escaped from the bandits, we went into the nearby forest, which was a place that was feared by and mysterious to the nearby denizens." Felkin continued. He continued on wutg the nature of the mysterious forest and Pharros, the being of light that told them about an unknown fate, and battled them thereafter.

"A being of light... Who spoke ominously about fate..." Said Nox. "Their aura, seems to be strangely similar to the feeling I get from this realm outside." Remarked Felkin. He proceeded into his fight and "death" at the hands of the blue demon immediately after. "So... You died, that makes three of us who somehow cheated death. But how exactly?" Nox asked. "Uh... My memory isn't clear on how, and I just woke up." Though there were some truth in his words, Felkin felt inclined not to speak about the wrapped girl he kept encountering, and his experience in the abyss prior to his resurfacing. The two sensed something wasn't entirely right, but did not interject.

"When I woke up, it was more of the same. I met up with a group of knights, of the more official capacity. They were returning to the capital after finishing a welcome and though they were also initially untrusting of me, I was accompanied to a nearby village. That village was attacked by bandits that night. More of the same." Felkin sighed before continuing. "I... could have left the town be, the knights with me were considering leaving as the force of the bandits were too numerous and are battle could further endanger or risk the town. But it felt unfair... And I felt I had to intervene. In that town, that's where I met Kieron and fought the crimson hand bandit once again. Our fight led to some of the knights perishing, and I... somehow convinced Kieron to escape with me, we ran into the forest and away from the pursuit of that bandit. It was there we had to rely on Kieron's ability to escape not because of the crimson handed bandit, but one of the creatures of darkness who wasn't affected by any of our attacks. That was when we slipped onto your desert realm." "And the rest... Is history." Solis Remarked.

"This was a whole wealth of information... And I'm afraid we aren't capable of helping or understanding it all alone. Maybe its time we told the others?" Nox asked. "The others... I... don't want them to be involved anymore..." Said Felkin. "Well... That's not your choice to make..." Said Nox. "The decisions and actions I've made... They've led to people I've involved to get hurt, killed or have their lives changed irreversibly. It would be best for their involvement with me to stop to ensure their safety." Felkin remarked.

"Who are you, to decide on their behalf their own safety?" Solis asked. "Who are you to decide what to do for me? I make my own decisions, same as them!" Felkin answered, raising his voice. "They won't have a choice if your actions deprive them of theirs!" Solis answered back. "That's enough." Nox remarked sternly. "You're right in that we can't control what you do, only you can choose for yourself. But, you have to think about if it's the right decision, and if it's what's fair to them." He added. "..." Felkin squeezed and clenched his fist around the bedsheet as he sat, and his sword twisted and coiled without him holding it. He was silent and in contemplation.

The silence was palpable, the flight of the unseen creatures could be heard, as well as Kieron and Ellyn's conversation downstairs. "I've decided!" He suddenly jolted up to his feet, and his sword jumped up slightly as he reached and grabbed it, and then briskly walked out of the room with Solis and Nox floating behind him. He used great heavy strides and exited the room and walked up to the railing of the stairs towards the downstairs area. Kieron and Ellyn looked up at him, and as he was opening his mouth the front door suddenly flew open.

Felkin immediately pointed his sword at the door. Kieron quickly raised her weapons, and Ellyn snatched a nearby knife and readied herself. "Hey kids." Jura calmly remarked, and patted at his legs removing some kind of bright crystalline dust from them. He closed the door behind him, and he took his tools off his back and lowered them by the entrance. As he walked towards the counter, Kieron spoke. "Old man! You're here! Great, you can help us!" She exclaimed. "Wait, you know old Jura?" Ellyn asked her. "Yeah, he helped us a great deal earlier." Replied Felkin, as he walked down the stairs.

"Hmm..." The pair who floated by Felkin wondered. "Why... Are you here?" He asked Jura. "Because this is sort of where I live." He replied, going down behind the counter and grunting as he bent down to pick up a bottle. N stepped out of the second floor rooms and said: "You've returned." "So you're here too. Is 'she' here?" Jura asked. "No... I thought you would know where she went." N answered. Ellyn noticed the lady in white's absence and noted it internally. "Old man... The reason why you helped us, why you're here... There's a lot of unknowns and paths intertwining with each other." Said Felkin. "Ellyn here said that they helped them escape after you... 'died'..." Kieron's voice trailed off. "I see you two have been acquainting well with each other." Solis commented.

"And he let us stay here before we went outside to find Metas' siblings, and before the bandit attack happened." Ellyn added. Felkin had a serious look and thought earnestly. "Clearly, there's a lot of things at play... And the most important thing for us to do now... Is for us to discuss. I'll... try to tell you guys everything I know." Said Felkin, walking up to Ellyn and Kieron. Solis and Nox had the tiniest satisfied smiles on their faces. Jura poured liqour to halfway of a tiny glass and gulped it down. He sighed. "Great... Talking." He remarked to himself.

In the room upstairs, Serafion put down one of the dusty books she was reading. 'Whew. Reading... Always calms my nerves. To understand something, is to be sure and know about it. And what's outside... Is far beyond the reach of my understanding.' She laid the book on a stack on the desk in front of her and observed the collection. 'The selection they have here is quite extensive, though seemingly not of one category. Books about magic, survival, and combat... But also books on myths and legends...' She looked up at the ceiling, at the desk and at the bed behind her. 'This place... It seems like a base, like a place to gather information and rest... But for what purpose was it built? It seems like its quite old...' She thought to herself. She stood up and pushed the chair she was sitting on backwards. "I've decided. I've rested for too long, and its time for me to face whatever's actually happening. I'd be doing nothing if I continued to stay cooped up here." Serafion said as she exited the room and proceeded downstairs.

"So Metas and Iris, and the princess have been forcibly taken into the realm of flames." Said Kieron. "Correct, the purpose of which is to decide an 'heir' for the purposes of inherting the strength of the elementals..." Nox replied. "Though the purpose of doing so is unclear..." Felkin remarked, before looking up expectantly towards Jura. He sighed before saying: "Alright. The court of flames that presides over their realm selects candidates for a ceremony that they'll conduct to see which would be a suitable heir. Typically, its citizens of Lodeleth, their representative kingdom with its descendants having access to their powers of flame. But there's likely some exceptions... With the one you travelled with, its confirmed. It's likely that they'll use this avatar to exert control and widen their presence over this realm, but the how's and why's of it either I don't know... Or I can't say." Replied Jura.

"W-What are you talking about? R-Realms? Court of flames?" Serafion asked, confused as she walked down the stairs and approached the group. "I haven't seen you yet, but you look to be of some authority. I'm... Serafion." She raised her hand to shake Jura's, which after a few seconds, he reluctantly reciprocated and shook her hand. "So... What is this strange conversation about?" She asked the group. They all looked at each other unsure, and Solis shrugged saying: "Well she's here now... Might as well tell her now." "Hey kid, put her up to speed." Jura said to Felkin. The others continued talking as Felkin turned to Serafion and separated from the conversation.

"Me? Uh... Ehem." Felkin coughed and prepared. "I am... A human, enhanced somehow by a power from another realm, a world seperate and beyond this one." "Wait, another world?" She blurted out quickly. "Maybe it would be better to explain the current relevant situation at hand?" Nox suggested. "So, Metas, Iris, the kingdom's princess and we suspect a few others suddenly disappeared in a flash of flame after they all gathered here, or outside here in the kingdom's realm." Said Felkin. "Okay..." Serafion exclaimed, processing the information. "Well, it's because the source of power of the Lodeleth knights, is a force or a being outside the world, and is in a realm of flames which they govern over the aspect of flame in our world." He added.

"Govern over flames? So all fires made and set alight are controlled by them? What about fires made on realms except that one and our own?" Serafion asked. "That's... A good question, are they responsible and control all flames?" Solis asked Jura. "As... Far as I know, they can freely manipulate flames and can grant 'the strength of flame' to humans, but aren't responsible for every fire." He answered. "Hmm..." Serafion was in thinking. "Alright, what's next." She added. "You've acclimated well." Solis remarked. "I... know what I'm seeing right now is reality, all that's left to do is to accept and understand it. From my studies, there's always been speculation about the origin of magic and the powers we call from. And the mystical origins of the powers of flame... With that, all that's left is add the pieces together." She said, looking down and drawing from the wealth of her experiences.

"Well, since they disappeared, we suspect they might have been put in some ritual, or competition in order to create a new heir for them, an avatar in which they'll grant them power with." "Go on." "Now the problem is, Metas and Iris have been injured and beaten down after the fight earlier. And I don't doubt they can hold their own, they might not be able to handle if they were pitted against others, or if they were to face some kind of extreme trial, they might not be able to last." Said Felkin. "So your hope is to rescue them." Said Serafion. Felkin was slightly taken aback. "Well, yes." He answered. "The problem is, we aren't exactly quite sure how to get to that realm." Ellyn chimed in.

"Myself, the girl upstairs: Yuria, and the old man have the ability to travel between realms. But me and the girl have only travelled between one realm, and she's drained of her powers, and I can't control mine. And we aren't even sure if we two can travel to elsewhere except the one place we were able to go to." Kieron exclaimed. "And the old man, er... What was your name sir?" said Serafion. "Jura." He answered, with his arms still crossed. "Uh... why can't Jura take you there?" She asked them.

"Well..." Felkin started but the old man continued. "I can't be involved in an official capacity. Meaning I can't be seen or involved there myself. I... Have my reasons, doing enough here is the best I can do." He had a sharp look in his eyes that flashed between his grey hair and metal steel mask. "And so that's where we are right now..." Said Felkin. "This conflict... This chaos, I... Don't want to be any part of it." Serafion commented, surprising Felkin. "Don't... Get me wrong, I want to help... But what I've done earlier, I don't want to risk my life more than I already have. Everything's quite overwhelming..." She added.

"That's alright... Your decisions are your own, so is ours." said Felkin. "Okay." Serafion sighed deeply, pulled a chair and sat down. "What about the boy, where is he? He made this place go from that street to here, right?" She asked them. "After seeing the old man, he went right back upstairs to healing Yuria." Said Ellyn. "That won't be of use. He only relied on this place's ability to shift between that realm, and this one, so he won't be able to take you to the realm of flames either." Jura replied.

"Let's think about possibly replicating your method of travel..." Serafion remarked. "I think he used his the tools he always carries around to travel between realms." said Felkin. "I'm sorry, but you can't borrow mine..." Jura answered. "Wait... Your weapon, its appearance... Its nature may be similar to the old man's." Kieron remarked. "The runes on the blade, the enchanted metal of Felkin's blade, its similar to the ships once used by our ancestors to travel to our once lush verdure lands. If it's of a similar nature to Jura's tools then..." Nox exclaimed. "That's doesn't necessary preclude that they can do the same things." Said Jura. "Enchanted tools, weapons or relics however you call them, have powers granted, empowered and blessed with magic and can do a variety of different things. Transportation, is only one of those things, and it doesn't mean that one item can do it, another can do the same thing." Jura said, sipping from his glass once more.

"But... It doesn't mean... It can't, right?" Said Felkin. "That's... Right! It could still very much be possible!" Kieron exclaimed, standing up from her chair. "Could be." Jura commented. "So let's get to work immediately." Said Ellyn, standing up as well. "Let's do this outside... I don't want to accidentally lose another table." Jura remarked, uncrossing his arms and stopped leaning on the wall behind him.

"Let's go." Felkin said, standing up and walking to the front door. He raised his sword and cautiously opened the door with his left hand, looking up towards the "sky" before stopping from going outside as he looked down at the ground of white leaves at his feet. "Don't fear, the ground outside's pretty solid, but don't walk too far or you'll sink deep and we'll never be able to find you." Jura commented. "Alright..." Felkin became slightly nervous at his remark, but took his first step outside, with Ellyn and Kieron behind him. "And the flying creatures outside?" Ellyn asked Jura. "They won't even notice you, provided you don't attack or pose a threat to them." He added. Kieron gulped. "A floor of leaves that we can't distinguish solid ground from pitfall, large flying creatures in the sky that'll attack us when we pose a threat..." She nervously said to herself.

Felkin opened the door fully, and took his first steps outside. He cautiously stepped outside slowly and held his sword close to him. He looked around for any threats, and then upwards to see if any of the flying creatures were overhead. He covered his eyes from the bright light that was shining from above, and then rubbed them before talking a better look at the landscape. "Whoa..." Kieron remarked, as she and Ellyn followed Felkin outside. All three of them had wide eyes as they looked around the vast area. It was like they were miniscule insects in a spacious cavern, that stretched higher and farther than they could see.

The walls and the ceiling was covered with white leaves and could might as well be the sky and the horizon with their height and volume. Great circular arches and concave walls stretched high above, but there was an opening that shone down a bright white light downwards covering the realm in its entirety in radiance. Felkin inhaled and exhaled deeply, as he did so he closed his eyes and savored the air. "The air here... Maybe because we were in the burning village earlier and there was a lot of smoke. No, it seems... the air's much cleaner here!" He exclaimed. "It's... so peaceful." Kieron remarked. "Yuria... She would have loved to see something like this." Ellyn said to herself. "And Metas... I'm sure he would have liked it too." She added.

Felkin turned to Ellyn and Kieron behind him and had a determined look on his face. "That's why... We need to move fast." He remarked. Serafion looked out from the inside of the house, peering from the window and the doorway, and was apprehensive to go outside. She moved away slightly to let Jura pass, who walked outside with his arms still crossed in a neutral expression. He calmly stepped out and walked up to the three outside. "So, let's start! How... do we start?" Kieron exclaimed. "Well... How exactly do you guys travel to another realm?" Ellyn asked. "For me, its kind of an instinct." Kieron said. "I think its a feeling... I, think about safety, disappearing, and instinct drawing me back to where I was from. I could see the desert even before I knew what it was... It was like an instinct." She exclaimed, trying to explain the vague experience she felt. "Though I doubt it's going to be the same with this instance..." Kieron added.

"Visualization. You visualize your destination and focus, before feeling and utilizing your medium of choice to undergo the process. Typically though, you will need to have to travel or see the place you're going to first so you can imagine and visualize it later." Said Jura. "So you need to go to the place you're going to, before you can go to it?" Ellyn exclaimed. "Visualization..." Felkin said to himself, looking down at his sword. "Maybe instead of seeing the location first, maybe you can describe the place to me so that I can see it in my mind? Wait, that'll only work if you've seen the realm of flames yourself, or you've been there before." He added. "You're correct. Although I can't officially intervene in the court's matters right now, I've travelled to the place before." Jura answered.

"The court?" Ellyn asked. "Tch." Jura remarked, slightly irked. "Well, no sense hiding it now, Its not like describing a place could be such a hassle." He added. "Please do." Said Felkin. "Well, the realm of flames is aptly named. And since the realms don't have names officially assigned to them, we use the most descriptive factor." "Flames..." Kieron said to herself as Jura spoke. "The realm itself is hot... With a name like the realm of flames that was expected. The landscape is barren and devoid of life, its rocky with a black stone surface of the land, like burnt coal. Plumes of flame erupt from the ground, openings leading to beneath the earth release blasts of fire up into the air. Pools of magma flow and cover depressions in the earth like lakes or rivers. The sky is black and smog fills the air. Its a place you'd think no life would thrive in." "But... How then?" Ellyn asked.

Serafion stepped out and said: "The environment would be hostile to organic life... But there are other forms of living beings." "What do you mean?" Kieron asked. "The two spirits with the boy, are you there?" Serafion asked, before the wisps of Solis and Nox emerged from the shotel around Felkin's waist once more. "What is it?" Nox asked. "I was wondering where you guys went?" Kieron asked Solis. "Projecting ourselves into being for an extended period of time makes us lose energy." She answered. "I was wondering where you guys disappeared to." Kieron remarked. "And that lies therein our answer." Serafion exclaimed. "Hmm?" said Felkin.

"You two, you are incorporeal, correct? And as such live in a form without flesh, composed of energy and consciousness alone." Serafion remarked. "Yes, though it wasn't like this until recently." Nox answered. "Your point being?" Solis asked. "Water nymphs, flower fairies, wind spirits and golems of the earth. All mystical beings of legend, though in the forms of the elements and not in flesh and bone. Their existence was contested and sightings of them rare, but with what I've seen now, beings of flame in a place called the realm of flames may be plausible." Serafion surmised. "Correct." Jura answered. "But although the realm is mainly presided over by flame elementals, you'd be surprised over the types of flora and fauna that survive in that kind of environment." He followed up. 'Hmm... I'd love to learn about what types of plants and animals that can live there.' Serafion thought curiously.

"Tell us about the court, are they the ones who gathered Metas and the others?" Ellyn asked. Jura walked a few steps and breathed deeply. "The court... They're a kingdom that has existed and thrived there for a long time. They're beings fundamentally different from humans, but not too dissimilar. Without the burdens of needing to eat or sleep, they're able to achieve and create many things and they built quite the kingdom for themselves. Advancement of their society and fulfillment of the court's highest purposes are their sole goal. The lower ones of the kingdom can be likened to drones in a hive, working hard not for themselves but for the ones at the top. The elementals vary in strength, size and power, and are pretty much animate flames." "Wait... I'm just curious on when an elemental is considered a living being. Can a simple spark be considered sentient?" Serafion asked.

"For something to be considered alive, it has to have a will and a conciousness... Where that line is, don't ask me." Jura responded. "And the court?" Felkin asked. "As you could have guessed, they're the royalty of the realm, and they're responsible for taking away and pitting the heirs against one another. They're a bunch of powerful and ancient elementals that I wouldn't advise crossing... But it seems that your minds are all made up." Said Jura. "Yeah... If we're going up against things that powerful..." Ellyn remarked. "I'll... handle it." Felkin responded. "So... If the court is the one responsible for taking them, then are they keeping them in their domain, maybe a castle of some sort?" Serafion asked.

"They've created quite the home for themselves, they use their lack of need for nourishment and their flames to create a technologically advanced, well... For the lack of a better term, city. The dukes and nobles have a keep in its center, a castle of sorts, that they use to inhabit and conduct their official business in. Their architecture reflects the land and their flames, dark red and black walls and ceilings from the stones they gather around them. They have banners and ornamentations displaying the crests of their royalty: a dragon breathing flame." "That seems to be something distinctly human that they do without practical reason." Nox commented. "Dreadfully human. It's an expression of pride." Jura answered.

"And then?" Kieron asked. "That should be a good enough description... Isn't time of the essence?" Jura exclaimed impatiently. "He's right. We already spent too much time here, something... Might have already transpired." Felkin exclaimed, worriedly. "The realms exist apart from each other, and time is distorted as we travel, meaning you all could arrive there before anything even happens..." Jura remarked. "Or we could reach there and the whole ceremony could be over." Said Solis. "So we'd better leave as soon as possible." Replied Ellyn. Felkin exhaled deeply, closed his eyes, and held his sword flat to his forehead. "Wait, are you trying to do it now? Is it going to be like a gateway, or is it instant transport? If its the latter, then..." Kieron exclaimed, grabbing Felkin's shoulder.

"Are you two staying or going, if it really is instant transportation you better decide now." Jura remarked. Felkin appeared to be struggling and exhaled from his mouth. "I... can't... Nothing's... Happening..." He quietly said to himself, frustrated. "I'm... Staying. I can't thank you all enough for helping me out earlier, but I won't risk my life again. I'm sorry." Serafion asserted. Felkin's grip tightened on his sword, as his teeth clenched and he squinted his eyes further. "Maybe, maybe we need an energy source to activate his weapon. You two, can you empower the blade with your energy?" Kieron said to Solis and Nox.

The two immediately went to work and held their left hands up and they made Felkin's blade glow, one side glowing gold, and the other emanating dark a dark blue hue. Ellyn clutched the stump of her arm tightly and said: "I've decided... I'm going to stay... I... wouldn't be of much use and... I don't want to be a burden." "It's... Not working! I can't... I have to do it!" Felkin was beginning to be panicked. Jura was watching silently with his arms crossed, with a serious and neutral expression. "Guys, please... Don't beat yourselves up." A soft but sickly voice called out to them. Felkin opened his eyes immediately, and Ellyn quickly turned around. "Sorry, I... couldn't keep her upstairs, she just wouldn't allow herself to sit still." N was standing behind the doorway, as Yuria stood holding the side of the door.

"Yuria!" Ellyn exclaimed, quickly running back towards her, throwing up leaves in the air with each step. "Whoa!" Yuria exclaimed, as Ellyn hugged her. "Don't hug her too hard..." The boy remarked. "I... Was so worried about you." Ellyn said, as she released her grip and stood back up as she crouched hugging Yuria. "I'm... just fine..." Yuria responded weakly. She was relying and holding the door for support, and she appeared pale. Felkin walked up to Yuria, with Kieron standing nearby watching. Serafion observed curiously, and Jura's expression appeared to have lightened ever so slightly.

"I'm... glad you're fine as well." Felkin remarked, stretching his hand out for a handshake. Yuria emulated Ellyn and suddenly wrapped her arms around him, doing a sort of half-jump towards him. Felkin was surprised, but his right sword arm remained raised, while he gently patted her back with his left. "Hmm..." "She's looking lively." The twins remarked. "I... didn't get the chance to thank you earlier. If you... didn't come to help us earlier, we could have lost, or all died..." Yuria said to Felkin. "It's... Not a big deal, I did what I had to." He answered. Yuria looked up to Solis and Nox and said: "You were with us as well earlier, I don't know who or what you are... But I'm Yuria... and thank you!" She exclaimed cheerily although her circumstances. She then turned towards Serafion and raised her arms towards her. "Miss... You're the one who we encountered earlier, you're... Here too!" She remarked, and started towards Serafion.

The academic woman raised her hand towards Yuria. "I'm fine... It's good to see you're doing well too." Yuria stopped in her tracks, and then smiled and nodded. She turned around towards Jura and said. "Old man, you rescued us twice before and... I think this is your place, but... Wow, where we right now? This place... Its amazing!" She marvelled and looked towards the horizons and the farthest reaches of the realm but it stretched out into far our of sight. She looked up and around, and then raised her arms towards Jura before walking forward. "Hmph." Jura raised his gauntleted arm up and gently stopped Yuria by holding her hat back, causing it to start to fall backwards. Jura caught it, and then placed it back onto her head, slightly ruffling her hair.

"Um... You are Yuria correct? I... think you might be able to help us." Kieron said to her. "Who... are you?" Yuria asked, curious and cautiously. "I'm..." "She's a friend." Kieron started, but Felkin completed her sentence. Kieron tried to hold back a shy smile as Felkin walked forward towards Yuria. "She's right. We might need your help for opening a portal to another realm." He remarked. "Another realm... N here told me that Metas was taken... If I can help, I'll help in any way I can! But I don't think I can use anymore magic in my state..." said Yuria. "You don't need to transport us yourself, but if you can tell us about how you open portals, then you might be able to help." Answered Ellyn. "Right, I'm trying to go to the realm where Metas is staying, but... I can't somehow seem to do it." Felkin remarked.

"How I use my magic... It's through powers from the dark abyss that I use it. I need parts of things from the abyss, but although it didn't take us to a different... Place? World?" "Do you mean realm?" Nox remarked. "Yes. Even though her magic didn't take us to another realm like the abyss, didn't it also transport us as well?" Yuria asked, pointing towards Serafion. 'Tsk.' Serafion thought. "Oh, right...." She answered. "That's right, I forgot!" Ellyn exclaimed. "Uh... I didn't think it would be relevant to pose it since it was transportation across only one single realm, and its untested, and requires risky methods and..." "Just tell us how, and we'll take care of the rest." Felkin asked Serafion in earnest. "Talk." Jura said, with a calm and serious tone.

"Well I... Draw energy from the abyss itself, I place runes on specific places I would want to go to in the future, almost like instructions or... desires I imbue with the energy in order to accomplish what I want... That includes transportation. Though I need to place my runes on the place I'm going to, and envision going there first so... Not that different from his instructions." Serafion answered. "Yuria, how did you go about the process?" Solis asked. "The time I opened a portal back in the village, I... had a piece of an abyss beast as a source of energy, and I suddenly felt a feeling... I accepted what was going to happen to me, but I... suddenly wanted to do something else, to be alive!" She exclaimed, with a warmth welling up inside of her.

"Maybe that's it! Maybe we need a strong desire to kickstart the process." Ellyn exclaimed. "But its not like I didn't want to take myself to where Metas is..." Felkin said, looking downwards. "Yes, but... Maybe you need to focus..." Said Yuria. "I'm..." "And calm down..." She added. "Breathe..." Felkin closed his eyes and inhaled deeply, before exhaling. "Think about what you want to do. For the things I create from the darkness I notice are a result of what I want, and what I feel in that very moment..." Yuria said softly to him.

The others outside were silent, and the flight of the creatures overhead could be heard, and white leaves slowly descended and floated through the air, they were the most in motion as the others were still. 'Emotion... Desire... What I want for myself... What I want to do... I want to save Metas, Iris... I want to save my friend... I want to unshackle the others, whatever that might mean... I want... A rest from this conflict, even though I know it might not come...' He held his sword up to his face, the cold steel pressing against his forehead. N gestured over towards Jura who walked over to him.

"So, we didn't get the chance to speak earlier..." N whispered to him. "Is... Henry alright?" The old man asked the boy. "So you cared enough to notice, but not to help?" N commented. "Hmph." Jura muttered. "He's fine... They were rescued by the knights of the town." "Good." Jura quietly replied. 'Take me to the realm of flames... So I may save my friends...' Felkin thought deeply and envisioned the sights described to him. 'Then your humble request is mine to fulfill.' A familiar voice chilled like a cold breeze to his ears. "!" Jura quickly leapt back and assumed a stance ready for combat, and N readied himself, both reacting to an overwhelming presence that appeared only briefly. A red glow flashed beside Felkin, which immediately disappeared. "Guys... Was that just me, or did you feel that too?" Kieron asked, nervously.

Yuria began to stagger, before falling backwards and being caught by Ellyn. "Hey, are you alright!?" She said to Yuria. "I'm... Fine. Felkin..." She muttered as Ellyn gently lowered her to the soft leafy ground and turning towards Felkin. He was strangely still, almost lifeless. He turned around away from Ellyn and slashed the air in a calm but dispassionate manner, like a man possessed. His slash created a red streak in the air, that appeared to be sucking in air. Felkin's head raised as he was suddenly freed from his stupor, and after taking a quick glance at the slash, he turned around to Ellyn and the others. "Your eyes!" Kieron remarked, and Felkin quickly turned away to look at his reflection on his sword. His eyes turned into a faint shade of maroon, but as he stared back at his reflection he was surprised at his sword which had become activated.

The runes on his segmented sword as well as the spaces between the segments glowed bright red. He then looked at the tear, which suddenly rapidly enclosed within itself. He ran up to it and stuck his sword into it, stopping the tear's disappearance but struggling to hold it open. "You two, help me!" He cried out as Solis and Nox emerged and held their hands out, producing energy that helped stretch the tear open. "He... Can't keep it open!" Ellyn exclaimed. The boy and Serafion quickly ran in, with N exuding a radiant energy, and the scholar quickly carved a rune into the ground.

Their combined efforts tore the portal open further and further, until it was a sizable diagonal tear, looking into it one could only see darkness, with air rapidly being swallowed into it. "Is this going to lead into the realm of flames?" Kieron asked, raising her voice against the vacuum of air. "I... Don't know. But... It has to!" Felkin responded. "Listen everyone, I'm going! Take care of Yuria for me!" He yelled as he walked to enter the rift. "Wait, you're not going in alone!" Kieron yelled. "The gateway's getting smaller, I have to go!" Felkin replied. "She's right, you need somebody who's willing... and able to help you!" Ellyn followed up.

Felkin looked at Ellyn, and then back at Kieron, before handing her the ivory sickle. "Can you two still use your powers?" He asked the twins. "Yeah!" "Certainly!" Solis and Nox replied. "Alright, let's go!" Felkin exclaimed as he entered, with Kieron following. As they walked through the tear, it closed behind them, leaving them moving forward in a haze of darkness. ‘Is… this place the abyss? The environment seems dark like it… But this place feels… Empty.’ Felkin remarked to himself. He turned around to see Kieron clutching her weapons close to herself, looking around nervously as she followed him. “Is something wrong?” Felkin asked her. “No! Well… Is this really going to lead us to the realm of flames?” She asked. “Yes, I… believe that we’ll reach it. We’ll reach that place.” Felkin answered confidently and reassuringly.

He turned back around and proceeded forward. ‘She’s right, is this really going to lead to that place? That voice earlier, it was the girl from the abyss… She might have lead and tricked us here for her own purposes, no… Those words of her earlier, they were genuine… I believe, and hope we’ll reach it…’ Felkin thought to himself. “Say… It's likely we’re about to face some pretty powerful foes, right? Without preparation?” Kieron remarked. “Well… We’ve faced some strong contenders ourselves… But since time is of the essence, I admit that we’re shorthanded and at a disadvantage without preparation.” Said Felkin. “But… With Metas and Iris injured… We would be avoiding direct combat, as engaging with the enemy directly would only endanger them further. It would be better if we were to take them and escape immediately.” He added.

“How would we be able to escape?” Kieron asked. “It would be back the same way we came, through my ability. And if that doesn’t work, we’ll try your ability, and if push comes to shove… With the two of them with us, we’ll be able to devise a plan to escape even in enemy territory.” Felkin answered. “You’re… Fairly confident in them… And you’re willing to jump straight into danger for them…” Kieron remarked. “They’re my friends and allies after all… I’ve fought alongside them, and it doesn’t feel right just to leave them be after all they’ve done for me. But what I’m not sure about, is why you were so willing to save people who you don’t even know.” Felkin answered.

“From the few things you’ve said about them, I believe they’re worth saving as well. And… Once I thought that I was just repaying a debt, but since you’re my friend, I’m going to help you if you need it. That’s what friends do, right?” Kieron answered. Felkin smiled. “Right.” They then reached a red tear in the darkness, pulsing eerily.

“Is this it?” She asked. “It should be.” Felkin responded. As he touched the tear in the air, his eyes started to glow a brighter and deeper red, and a bright light flashed and swept over them. “You two, protect her.” Felkin said to the twin spirits. “We will.” Solis and Nox replied. Determination and fear swirled in Felkin’s head. ‘Power and ancient enemies… An unfamiliar realm… I’ve faced every challenge along the way but only barely won… Will I really keep running headfirst and succeeding every time? I… can only try.’ Felkin thought to himself.