"He's waking up now ma'am..."

Hunuki slowly opened his eyes, wincing. The world around him was fuzzy and quiet. He winced, pain running through his entire body. He blinked a few times, a flash of that woman looking down at him, smiling came back to him. He bolted upright, shaking and looking around. Burning pain shot down his chest and face. He held onto his chest, looking at the bandages there. Illiya came in quickly, immediately running over, kneeling down. "Thank the dragons you're safe!" She was still covered in ash. Not even noticing the state she was in. "Take it easy. You were unconscious when I found you.." She held onto his hand tightly.

He looked to her, confused. "W..why are you covered?" He started to reach up but she stopped him, looking down to the sheets. "There was an attack of some kind. E..every district was hit. We don't know the number of deaths.. but almost no one is left" Hunuki stared at her in disbelief. "W..what? Attack??" He winced, holding his face where the vine was branded into him. She looked at him worried. "What happened to you?" He was quiet for a moment. His fists clenching tightly. Rage building in him. "She did this, and the attack. She did it all.. that women from my dreams." He moved a hand up to his head, holding it. Her smile and laughter echoing in his mind, but most of all her eyes looking straight through him. "She did all of this!"

Illiya was quiet, thinking the situation over a bit. "Like.. Aslandus?" They both looked to each other, nodding. "She planned all of this. W..wait my mother and father?" He said, trying to sit up, but her hand rested on his shoulder, pushing him back down. "Safe. The castle wasn't a target for some reason. They've set it up as a medical center for the survivors" She smiled faintly, knowing it wouldn't help much. He relaxed a bit at her smile. "Alright. I'll be fine.. go help the others ok? Really I'm alright" Illiya watched him, knowing him well enough to know he needed time. She leaned in, kissing him before standing up. "I should get cleaned up." She headed out to tend to the others. Hunuki watched her leave, looking down at his hand. He held it out, palm up. "Ba-" He winced, clutching his neck. The brand glowing bright gold, sending pain through his body. It subsiding slowly, gone after another moment. He panted weakly, trying to catch his breath. He looked to his palm. "Or-!" Another jolt of pain as he tried to speak a spell. He was shaking, sweating as he stared at his palm. "I can't use magic anymore.." He said quietly.

THREE DAYS LATER

"My lord. The estimated deaths have been calculated. Every district of Belfeia was hit by this attack. It is unknown what the spell was, though survivors say it was both fire and lightning. Nearly 85% Of Belfeia has been destroyed. With it, the loss of life is estimated to be 420,000,000 We have begun search and rescue efforts. The destruction, and spell used falls in line with the Aslandus incident a few years ago which resulted in another 300,000. We have also begun reconstruction, but given the massive loss of life we currently cannot do much. Resources are scarce, the few remaining mages have spent the last three days creating enough food and water for everyone left."

The throne room was silent as the numbers sank in. The King gripped the arm rest of his throne in anger. The Queen hid her face, crying quietly. Illiya comforted her as Hunuki stood there, his hand running over the brand on his cheek, feeling it subtly burn in pain. "You are sure, that it is this woman?" The King asked, looking to his son. He nodded quietly, looking around at them. "I had the mages already get a composite spell of her. We are sending out the wanted posters, and news of the attack all over Varnalia as I speak." He looked over to Illiya. "She has also taken my ability to use spells of any kind.. obviously branding me with this" He felt the brand again, looking back to his father. "I'm going after her for this, She must be brought to justice and answer for these atrocities" His father was quiet, His mother looking to him, about to object the the King raised his hand. "You will. You are the only one that has truly ever seen her. I know you will find her. That being said, Illiya will accompany you. If you cannot use magic you will need her. Besides, I don't think she'd ever let you be by yourself again" He lowered his hand, sighing. "I am also authorizing that you take the Nail of Cessation" Hunuki stared at him. As did the rest of them in the throne room. "But father that's..." The King tossed a black gemstone which Hunuki caught. "Our royal weapon. It is time I pass it along" Hunuki was quiet, looking the gemstone over. He pressed it against the underside of his wrist, watching the stone sink under his skin, settling there like it had always belonged there.

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He raised his arm to his side. The gemstone shimmering as a rift screamed opened around his hand. He pushed his hand inside the violent tear in reality and yanked back a Scythe. The rift sealing. He looked at it, it was black, no light reflecting off of it. It distorted the light and space around it as he moved it. He turned it over slightly, feeling the heavy weight of the weapon. He looked back to his father, bowing to him. "Thank you father.. I'll take this burden as best as I can." The King nodded. "Prepare yourselves and depart when ready. I would recommend meeting up with your brother. He's in the North with Alex. He's the only one that might be able to heal our kingdom and bring life back to our home." Hunuki nodded quietly Illiya joining him as they left the throne room. He looked back, watching his father comfort his mother.

"It's heavy.." He said as they entered their bedroom, rubbing the gemstone now in his wrist. She looked to him, starting to pack clothes for them. "It is a massive and dangerous burden. I'm not surprised of it's weight. Hopefully we never have to use it." He looked up to her. "Except on her.." Illiya was quiet, but nodding. "I would rather deal with her myself then it having to come to that." She set the clothes aside, going over to him, slipping her arms around his neck. She smiled gently, brushing hair from his face. "We stop her together.. I don't need you going on some rage filled solo mission here." He relaxed, putting his hand on her's. "It would be a bit cliché I suppose." She chuckled a bit. "Of course it would. You have a perfectly good wife. We can go on our revenge together." She kissed him. He returned the kiss, resting his head against her's. "She'll pay for this. We'll make sure of it."

By the next morning the carriage was packed and ready. Hunuki looked at it, gently petting one of the Equid. Illiya set the last bag inside, looking over to him. Her hood pulled over her head. "Not so fast prince." Came a gruff voice from behind them. Grune was standing there, holding his spear, dressed in his gilded armor. His helmet under his arm. "Yer mother said you ain't leaving without me." Before either of them could object he climbed onto the rider's seat, grabbing the reigns. Hunuki sighed a bit, looking up at the seasoned soldier. "You know.. I'm sure my great attitude will soften you up on this very, very long trip" Grune glared at him. "Just get in the damned carriage before I change my damned mind!" The jewelry on his face jingled as he yelled. Illiya gave a small chuckle before getting in, Hunuki joining her. The carriage started out shortly after. It riding out of what was left of Belfeia.

Hunuki stared out at his home. The devastated city seemed like a scar now. The tall buildings and constant noise of people coming and going was now silence and sorrow. He clenched his fist. That woman's smiling face coming back to him. His hands shaking before Illiya's hand rested on his "It's ok.." She said, smiling. He relaxed as he looked at her. He held onto her hand tightly, looking out at the ruined capital city once again. It getting smaller as smaller as they headed down the road.