Mortis gazed in disbelief at the smoke rising in the distance.

The explosion had happened just shortly before and seemed to have caught him completely off guard.

"My lord?" Alsarie asked, still as confused as him. Though also a little hurt.

Mortis shook his head at her, and looked back towards the smoke cloud, "It changed nothing."

Mortis held his arm up getting everyone's attention who had also looked in his direction at the rising smoke and flames. After a moment Mortis slowly lowered his arm pointing at the city below, ordering the Black Crescent to charge.

The only ones who didn't move were the Hands of Morta.

***

Faldrid was thrown into a coughing fit.

After the explosion a huge cloud of smoke was sent in every direction. The initial blast had sent the three that were engaged in a duel flying, as well as debris that had been turned into projectiles in every which way.

Faldrid still couldn't see much as smoke still consumed the street, and his eyes stung as he struggled to keep them open.

Suddenly he felt something grip his hand. Recognizing who it was, Faldrid called out to her, "Kagi, are you hurt?"

The shockwave from the explosion had nearly knocked Faldrid off of his feet, but he was able to regain his balance. He wasn't sure Kagi had been so lucky.

Kagi started to cough at Faldrid's question, "I'm fine, this is nothing. What about you?"

Faldrid felt a sharp pain in his side, from his fight with the mayor of Lucel. Unfortunately he had gotten none of General Amian's Rena root.

"That doesn't matter right now. What we need to do is get back to the attokas!"

Every time Faldrid spoke he was sent into another coughing fit to the point where he felt like he was going to vomit, and Kagi didn't appear to be better off.

"But what about Thestra and Umbren..."

She was cut off by an explosion that sounded further away, but still close by.

Faldrid stumbled away leading Kagi, who no longer protested, "I'm sure they'll be fine." Faldrid coughed, "There's nothing we can do for them now. Not in all this smoke, all we can do is focus on ourselves." It was an excuse that made Faldrid feel better about his decision.

***

General Amian clutched his stomach in pain. He had made his way to a hole in the theatre wall dazed and confused.

"Those damn Nocturnals! Resorting to something as underhanded as this! Those beasts!" Dilem groaned, "That boy...to interrupt me in the middle of something so important! He will pay dearly for that." Another sharp pain made Dilem grunt and grasp for air. There was something he had to do, but he was only putting it off.

He smiled despite himself, "That Hand...It seems I've found a way to..."

Dilem's eyes widened as he swung his Halberd with all the strength he could muster.

The sound of metal on metal rang through the air.

Thestra, "tsked," at her failed attempt on his life. Though it had sent him stumbling backwards a little bit. Before she could do anything else, a light appeared in Dilem's hand as he held it to his wound.

He clenched his teeth so hard due to the pain that his molars almost cracked, but that was nothing compared to the worn look on his face after the light faded.

Dilem stepped out of the hole in the theatre towards the Hand, "What did you do to me!"

Thestra glared at him, "You can't just go and blame others for your shortcomings."

Dilem swung his halberd to the side in an effort to intimidate the girl in front of him, "Well then come on! Let's finish this! If that's what you really want."

Thestra looked around her at the scene of destruction. The smoke was thinner than it initially was, but it still hung in the air. Most of the theatre besides the part that she was standing in front of was in ruin. Worst of all she couldn't see any of the others she arrived with.

Thestra looked back at the general and sheathed one of her weapons, "I don't have time for this."

Dilem's mouth twitched as he saw her turn away from him, "What!?"

Thestra kept walking, not looking back at him, "I've gotten tired of you, so maybe another day I'll be in more of a mood to fight you. Besides, I have more important things to do."

The general trembled as he reached out a hand towards her, but before he could do anything debris came falling down besides him from the balconies above him, breaking his concentration. By the time he looked up she was too far for him to do anything.

"At least tell me your name!"

"Thestra." She said indifferently

"Then remember this, I am..."

Thestra cut him off, "I don't care." As she disappeared into the night.

***

Umbren didn't know how long he had been unconscious or if he had ever even been unconscious in the first place. All he knew was that when he opened his eyes he was greeted with cries. So many cries.

They pounded on his ears, begging for him to hear them. Begging for someone to save them, anyone. Though some might have already given up on being saved.

Umbren slowly stood up, his vision blurred the faster he moved. When he finally was on his feet, you could have told him he was in hell and he would have believed you.

Flames consumed everything in sight, as the sky was a reddish orange of hellfire. Umbren slowly looked to find the source of the cries, but was never able to find a definitive source as wherever he looked there was a person in tears.

A man over his wife.

Children screaming for their parents

Mothers weeping over their babes

Men and woman calling out for lost friends

others who were just sat in shock

All these cries mixed together to form one large cry that compelled one to join their sorrow.

Umbren limped forward, and felt a jolt of pain in his chest. Looking down he found a shard of wood sticking out of the leather armor that he wore.

He pulled it out without thinking. His mind was totally blank. He didn't even know if the shard had pierced his heart and he didn't care.

He continued to limp and stumble forward. He didn't know for how long or how far, all he knew was that he walked. He walked down the road with the chaos around him; a blur as he walked by.

He came upon a group of guards trying to put out some of the fire with buckets of water. He was going to go help, his current self not realizing the implications of anything.

Before he could call out his voice stuck to the back of his throat as dark blue cloaked tenebrage came in slaughtering the guards before they even realized what was upon them.

Most of them left without a moment of hesitation, but one turned to look towards Umbren, who hadn't even noticed that he was still moving forward. The tenebrage readied his kukri but after seeing Umbren close up, he hurriedly lowered his weapon and bowed.

This action stopped Umbren in his tracks as he simply stared at the young tenebrage. His hood was up obscuring most of his face. Regardless, Umbren stood there and studied him.

After a short amount of time the tenebrage stood up and ran off.

Umbren looked up at the fiery sky who's clouds were all that remained of houses that had been burnt down to nothing.

Umbren took it all in. Every single aspect of the chaos. The cries, the fire, the useless struggle of the guards, and the tenebrage that had just bowed to him. He took it all in.

Umbren threw back his hood that he had kept on this whole entire time, "It's all so stupid...I'm so stupid. Why?"

His gaze returned to what was in front of him, "Why? Why? Did you do such a thing? Those tents.."

He had noticed the man's stare. his unreadable eyes seemed to pierce Umbren's heart as his silver military jacket flew in the wind.

Ritoro grimaced, "At the time I thought it was what had to be done."

"And now?"

"I really haven't come up with what would have been a better option." Ritoro's tone was a somber one.

Umbren clenched teeth as his fist trembled, "Haven't come up with a better option?" Umbren put his arms out wide as if to show off the scene around them, "There is no mistaking it. This is Mortis's wrath. It was supposed to be poison but now this! All because...all because of me. If I hadn't been spotted, none of this would have happened!" He fell to his knees as he uttered the last words.

"If it is your fault then I must thank you."

Umbren gawked at Ritoro, "Why...why would you say such a thing! How could you thank me for this chaos!”

Ritoro shook his head, "I would never thank anyone for this. This is...an atrocity. Though it is not your fault. It is as you say this is Mortis' wrath."

"Caused by what I did!"

"You didn't make Lord Mortis do anything. Same goes for me. This was his own decision. He could have just as easily abandoned his efforts to ruin Galaris. You and I could do nothing to stop him."

Umbren didn't believe him, he wasn't even sure if he heard him. He had caused this all on his own, and there was no escaping that. Even if he tried.

Ritoro went on, "Just berating yourself won't do you any good. What matters is what you do because of what has happened. So tell me what will you do?"

"What will I do?"

Ritoro nodded at Umbren's question, "I'm trying to answer the question myself, so I want to know yours?"

Umbren thought back to everything. Everywhere he had gone he had brought destruction and misfortune. He had brought fear into the hearts of many people. Everyone in Lucel, now everyone in Sangai, and he couldn't imagine what kind of fear the ones in those tents felt. How could he make up for that?

"I guess I would try to get rid of fear." Umbren said

Ritoro's face hardened, "Is that it? Is it really so simple?"

Umbren looked around him, "I would want to prevent things like this from happening! Things that would cause despair for both sides! Tenebrage and luxcians. If possible maybe show them that better days are ahead." He had firmed his resolve.

The image of Alyze crossed his mind as he spoke. He had no idea why, or why he was talking to the man in front of him in the first place.

"Don't make me laugh," Ritoro spit.

He continued, "Even if your goal was to bring hope you would still cause more harm than good. You would still end up a villain. Yes fear is what starts a war. Just look around you. These flames and screams are proof of that. I'm sure the luxcian army will strike even harder next spring after they recoup their losses not just our of wrath, but out of fear of this happening again. Out of fear that enemy will once again take advantage of them at their most vulnerable."

Umbren clenched his chest trying to slow the beating of the heart, as the general's belittlement of his new found dream made his blood boil. Especially when he asked the question in the first place, "What does that have to do with bringing hope to those in despair! That can't be wrong! How can that hurt people!"

Ritoro shook his head, "In the heat of the moment it might seem that way, but just as I have said that fear starts wars it is also what ends them. That was the goal of your side was it not? They wanted to make sure that we luxcians would fear them and would never stop fearing them. They want to make it so the mere thought of a Nocturnal will send even the strongest luxcian soldier shaking in their boots. Am I wrong?"

Umbren bit his tongue out of frustration. The prideful man in front of him was lecturing him as if Umbren was below him. He was only lecturing him on things he already knew.

Umbren protested, "That is exactly what I want to prevent, don't you understand!? Everywhere I have gone, misfortune and terror have followed. Not just with what you did with those horrible tents, but with Kagi and the bodies she had to bury, with the flames engulfing Lucel, and finally with what you see around me. This is my biggest failure! The buildings you see around us, no, these homes you see around us being consumed by flame, the screams of terror from women and children are all my fault. What is wrong with me trying to rectify my mistake by putting them at ease and letting them see a light in the future through all the horrors of this stupid war. You don't understand at all!?"

Ritoro's look darkened as if an unpleasant memory had surfaced, "I understand completely. It is you that doesn't understand. Fear is what starts a war, but hope is what prolongs it. Do you think either side of this conflict would go on if they did not have any hope that they could win, no. The answer is no. If your goal is simply to provide hope to both sides then this war will never end. If you try to just boost the hopes of one side then you will just crush the hopes of the other. Even saints are the devils in other's stories,'' Ritoro narrowed his eyes as if peering into Umbren's soul, "If you were to do that. If you were to try to become a hero of hope, then you might as well try to become a villain of despair. If that is the path that you choose in life, the aspiration that you commit yourself to, then I might as well kill you right here, one life for the sake of hundreds of others. It's a fair trade off in my opinion."

Umbren tightened the grip on his chest and clenched his teeth to the point that his molars threatened to crack. Memories of the past week flooding through his head. Everywhere he went there was misfortune. It was there despite his efforts. Had he even tried to stop them? It did not matter anymore anyway. If he were to try to stop this conflict through whatever means, his misfortune would follow him even if he tried his best efforts to stop it. He doubted he was strong enough to do it.

Umbren glared at the man in front of him. The man who had started it all. Wouldn't it be poetic if he ended it as well.

"Kill me then. Go ahead and kill me! You're probably right. If things keep going at this rate anything I do will just bring hardship onto those I try to help, and probably many others too. It’s best , isn't it? Despite myself knowing this I don't think I can stop myself from trying. Not after what has happened."

Regrets started to flood Umbren's mind as he laid himself bare to the man he hated the most, "Kill me it is probably best. Yes, kill me! I'm just a naïve recruit who's gotten a big mouth after what he thinks is hell. I'm just a stupid boy who was so self absorb that he neglected to see what was right in front of him."

Yes. On that day which felt like months ago, he had been so caught up in his own worries about giving his first report that he didn't help Loutrin in his search, and he was so afraid that he would be punished for maybe being spotted that he had kept his mouth shut. What would have happened if he told Yorburn about the light. Surely a better outcome than this. Even after words he was so selfish, so desperate to do away with some of his guilt that he blamed the whole thing on just taking his hood off in the field. It didn't make a difference. Not one bit. The scout would have seen to tenebrage soldiers no matter what Umbren was wearing.

`"I'm an indecisive leach who was so afraid to confront his past mistakes, that he put other lives at danger and ruined many other's lives. For what? Nothing, just out of fear of punishment. Something so simple. I wonder if they would accept that excuse."

The actions that Umbren took in Lucel were self serving. He had taken advantage of Alyze's and Jarvus's generosity. He assaulted the mayor of the village in the town square, most likely worsening the reputation of that holy group and the mayor himself. Then he had the chance to leave and what did he do? He stayed and continued to put others' lives at risk. Because of what? Because he liked it in Lucel? Because he thought it was an escape from the sin he had committed? Or was he just afraid to face up to the consequences of his actions.

Did he really even pay back Alyze or Jarvus? He had continued to take and take, and was even as awful as to soul bond with Alyze without informing her of the gravity of the ritual. He did it without even fully knowing what the bond entailed. Why? Because he was rash? No, that goes beyond rash, it was almost to the point of perversion. There was no way he could redeem his rotten character after doing such a thing.

Umbren spread his hands out wide, "This is the sum of all my actions. This destruction and the chaos is the result of my selfish and cowardly actions. So kill me! It is more than what I deserve."

Ritoro walked right up to Umbren and held the tip of his sword to his throat, "No."

Umbren blinked. His eyes wide in shock, "No? Why not? I deserve it more than anyone."

"I don't understand much of what you said, but dying would just be another way to escape the consequences of what you have done. Even though you realized what you've done wrong you still haven't taken it to heart."

Umbren couldn't believe what he was hearing, "What about the things you said about becoming a villain?"

Ritoro pushed the sword into Umbren's throat and drew blood, "I used to be like you. I had dreams of stopping this war. No, even before it began I wanted to get rid of the source as to why it would break out before it even started. In my dedication to this quest I didn't even realize the war began."

Ritoro furrowed his brow, "I even became a villain in my own right. I'm sure you can understand that the most."

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Ritoro lowered his sword from Umbren's throat, "Recently I have been reminded of why I started on this quest in the first place. Now I must find my redemption and change for the better. That is why I believe there is still hope for you to find the right path. Just heed my words or the next time I see you I won't be as generous."

Ritoro sheathed his sword and turned his back on Umbren walking away.

Umbren was on the border of tears and clenched his throat, unable to believe what just happened. He reached out with his left hand at the figure of the general walking away through the smoke from the flames, "What you just can't..."

Ritoro turned and slashed his sword across Umbren’s face just deep enough to leave a scar,, “A reminder,” The general started off again, "Then again. I doubt that someone as weak and pathetic as you could become a villain, one worth remembering at that." With that the smoke finally consumed the figure leaving Umbren to his own thoughts.

Though all that remained was the increasing ferocity of the fire around him. He clutched the sword at his side, ignoring the blood running down his face

Suddenly a thought surfaced in his mind as he thought about who caused this fire. It was small at first, but in a short time it grew and grew until it was the only thing that his inner voice said.

"I hate you."

***

Mortis looked upon the burning city in satisfaction.

It was almost poetic. Sangai being burned to the ground, as the last silver of sunlight faded giving way to night.

The only ones left around him were Morta and her Hands.

Vale and Sadine stood behind Morta. Vale looked onto the burning city in dismay whereas Sadine's reaction was more akin to disgust.

Alsarie didn't even glance at Sangai. Instead she looked from Mortis to Morta as if torn.

Morta had, at first, gazed upon the city in horror, but slowly she looked darkened and fury rose up in her expression.

The disciple of darkness walked slowly to her husband. Mortis had barely taken notice of her reaction, instead opting to take in the picture before him.

Morta stopped herself right behind Mortis as if daring him to take notice of her. As if begging. Mortis never did, which only made Morta clench her fist.

Morta slowly unclenched one and gently tapped her husband's shoulder. Mortis acted as if he had been taken out of a trance, and looked back at Morta as if to ask what was wrong.

Though just as he had turned around, Morta brought her hand around and struck Mortis.

Gasps from the Hands around them went up into the air.

Morta's actions stole Vale and Sadine's gaze away from the city, and now they put their hands on their weapons, preparing for the worst.

Alsarie's expression was the most interesting of all. She had backed away visibly distraught. It was a reaction similar to that of a child seeing their parents fight.

The moment seemed to freeze in time, with Morta not letting her hand fall, and Mortis not making a movement to recover from the blow.

"What the hell Mortis." Morta asked in a subdued tone, her hand still raised.

Mortis shook himself as if to get rid of the blow and maintain his composure as he stood up, "It had to be done."

Morta compose slowly broke as she spoke, "What do you mean it had to be done? There's no justification for this."

Mortis spread his hand out towards the appalling display in front of them, "This is retaliation. This is my wrath! They butchered my men and now they pay the price," His tone was grand and demanded respect, "Besides, to think that we are so harmless, as to celebrate without thinking we would take advantage, is the highest insult one could throw on me!"

Morta's hand dropped as if she thought it useless, "Excuses! Those are just excuses. You didn't care about those men that died. You may have thought their deaths were better in the long run. Am I wrong! You probably thought that the reason they died was because of their weakness or lack of resolve! Tell me I'm wrong!"

Mortis' expression darkened at Morta's words.

Noticing this Morta went on, "You say you punish them for celebrating! You have never thought that over all these years this war has gone on. Besides saying that Galaris is disgraceful, you should know that."

Morta glared at the disciple of the soul challengingly, "You just did this because you felt like it. Nothing more. It may have been because of the reasons you spoke of, but that's really what it is. You just felt like it."

Mortis matched her glare, "And what are you going to do about it? I will only let you hit me once. That is all. You can't harm me. You lost your privilege to deny me when you lost Night."

Morta gave a start in surprise at his declaration, but before she could do anything else her eyes widened as if she had sensed something.

Seeing this Mortis motioned to her, but before he could say anything the sound of hooves striking the ground drew near.

As everyone's attention-except for Alsarie who still looked at Morta and Mortis- went to the source of the sound.

two attoka approached the group.

"My Lord, we have urgent news..."

Faldrid leapt off his attoka but was cut short as he sensed the tense atmosphere. Kagi on the other hand had not picked up on anything, "Faldrid what's wrong did something happen?"

Vale let out a surprised gasp at her entrance, "Kagi!?"

joy broke out on Kagi's face, "Mistress Vale..."

Sadine cut her off, "The lil' shrimp? What's she doing with him?"

At Sadine's voice Kagi jumped behind Faldrid as if to hide from the Hand.

"So you're alive?" Mortis did not sound pleased, "If I recall, weren't you put in charge of some troops? Where might they all be?"

Faldrid slowly took the green bundle from Dela's saddle, and she appeared to be overjoyed to be rid of it, "Well my lord we ran into some complications..."

Mortis put his hand up stopping Faldrid from saying anymore, "Enough with your excuses. You're better off having died."

Morta, who had looked at Faldrid speechlessly as if in a dream, suddenly snapped back to life, "You have no right to be scolding him for his 'excuses.' He has been through much getting here and does not deserve that kind of treatment."

Mortis looked to Morta aggravated, "I we've already settled this. This is my business. If you want to protest, you can, but now it will fall on deaf ears. Besides, how can you say that after what he did? You have to trust that I know how to handle these things. I don't want you to have to worry about any of this."

Faldrid moved around the wooden table that had been set up to overlook the city, with Kagi still hiding behind him, "You don't need to stand up for me my lady. I..."

Suddenly the bundle was jerked out of his hands as it flew to Morta, on it's way shedding Faldrid's cloak revealing it's blood red surface to all. Morta caught it and soon black veins spread throughout her entire body, but just as fast as it happened they all retreated back into the glaive. Night had been returned back to its master.

One would expect this reunion would cause an uproar, but everyone was completely speechless, as they were left in awe. The only one who wasn't was Mortis who backed up cautiously, as he looked at Faldrid in shock.

"What has changed Morta? You used to not go against my decisions ever. What happened." Mortis asked, trying to recover from how quick things had developed.

Morta swung Night towards Sangai, "You used to never burn down whole towns."

"This is war Morta."

"Have you forgotten that this is a defensive war?" Morta's tone grew harsher by the moment.

Mortis shook his head, "For your sake I've waited, for fifteen years I've waited, but nothing has changed. I've grown tired of not retaliating."

Morta nodded seldomly, "Yes, fifteen years is a long time. It was only a matter of time until things went back to the way they were."

Mortis was left dumbstruck by her words, "You can't be serious?"

Morta's face told Mortis everything he needed to know. What his response was going to be, no one knew, as they were interrupted.

"Thestra!" Kagi let the name slip as she saw her approaching on her attoka. Everyone's heads turned to the source of the voice that had called out, but they all just looked at Faldrid as Kagi still hid behind him.

Faldrid was just about to make Kagi come out into the open, but decided it would be more trouble than it was worth, and he didn't want any more attention at the moment.

Thestra slowly dismounted her attoka. She must have rushed to get here as she still held a Kukri in one hand.

Morta's hard expression broke at the sight of the Hand.

At Thestra's entrance Sadine turned and smiled at Vale, but before she could say anything Mortis lashed out.

Summoning Tenebrence, the sword of the dead, he charged at the Hand and brought the blade down with such ferocity that it scared and shocked all that laid their eyes on it.

Thestra matched both his quickness and power as she blocked the blow, using the momentum from it to jump back. As she landed she moved for her other kukri, but stopped short realizing the implications of drawing it.

Mortis didn't even give her second as he charged at her again. Thestra readied herself, knowing that running away or charging at the disciple wasn't an option.

Mortis's strikes were unrelenting. He never gave his opponent an opening. It didn't even look like he was in a fight, instead a frenzy.

Thestra did not dare assault Mortis, instead opting to dodge and deflect his blows. No one around dare get involved in their fight. Except for one.

As the fight went on Morris's fury grew as a powerful, purple aura consumed him.

Just when Thestra thought she couldn't keep up with him any longer, both their shadows spun around them, and stuck out of the ground as if they were spikes, threatening to impale them both.

Mortis and Thestra simultaneously looked to Morta holding the blood red glaive towards both of them.

"Enough!" She yelled, "How dare you assault one of my Hands."

Mortis held Tenebrence to the young Hand, "Look at her kukri Morta. Tell me that you don't understand!"

Everyone around glanced at the weapon in Thestra's hand. The kukri's hilt itself was deadly. It was sharp, sharp enough to be a weapon in and of itself. The same blade like design of the hilt, jutted out of where the blade of the weapon and the hilt met. Giving another sharp point that could be used to kill.

In other words if the blade could be described, it could be said to have thorns.

Morta's face remained unchanging, "What do you mean?"

"It's Yoshin's! How did she get ahold of our sons kukri Morta!"

At the mention of the name, all the Hands surrounding them took a step backwards, and Kagi clutched onto Faldrid as if he would shield her from the name.

Mortis continued once he didn't get a response, "Morta you know if she is his pawn, then I must kill her."

Faldrid couldn't stop himself, "Isn't the prince dead my lord?"

Mortis stared daggers at Faldrid, "He is, but that still doesn't stop him from being a thorn in my side."

Mortis looked back at Thestra with the same look, gripping his blade even harder.

Thestra looked down at the kukri and sighed. She then reached out behind her to unsheath her other kukri. As she pulled it out Faldrid paid more attention to it than he had before.

It was a simple weapon. It's simplicity is what made it almost beautiful. It had a slim design with no extra flourishes, except for subtitles in it's design. It truly was the opposite to her other weapon. Somehow it looked familiar to him.

"How!?" Mortis exclaimed

Thestra's gaze remained on the weapon, "She gave it to me."

Mortis furrowed his brow at the Hand, "Liar," he spit.

Morta still maintained the spikes of darkness that separated the two, "Not many can survive exchanging blows with you for that long. Especially when they have to hold back like she just did. If Shelta gave them to anyone she wouldn't be the worst choice."

Tenebrence surged with a purple light, "She could just have easily stolen them."

At the sight of the light Uncertainty took over Morta's expression. Upon seeing this Thestra gave another long sigh. As she began to take her cloak off, Mortis looked on, his eyes wide. It was hard to tell what her intention was. Though the most obvious conclusion would be that she was preparing to attack the disciple.

As the cloak hit the grass beneath her, the light in Tenebrence became so overwhelming that Mortis prepared to slash, destroying Morta's darkness.

Thestra's hand went to her right sleeve. She rolled it up as if she didn't have a care in the world.

As Mortis brought his sword down, Kagi came out from behind Faldrid and ran to the disciple as if in an attempt to stop him, but her effort was unneeded as Lord Mortis stopped his swing mid-way astonished.

Thestra's shoulder had been revealed to everyone present. Murmurs went up throughout the remaining Hands that had stayed, as a result.

Thestra's shoulder was so severely burnt that it no longer even looked like skin. The skin that was there was covered with permanent scabs. The parts that weren't covered with scabs either stretched out to the point that it looked as if it might break under the slightest touch. Though in other places the skin sagged, and in others it looked as if clumps of skin had bonded together.

Morta looked away from the sight as if it physically hurt her to see it. Thestra seemed to grimace not only from having to show everyone the burn, but also from pain.

Mostly everyone else looked upon her in shock and pity. The only ones to say anything were the bow sisters.

"It contained such a small area. That was no accident." Vale said.

"Now that I think about it, wasn't Shelta burnt all over? Mmm...that sort of reminds me of Loutrin's arm too." Remarked Sadine.

Mortis stared at Thestra in disbelief, sending Tenebrence back to the void in which it came.

Almost everyone waited for Mortis to break the tense silence that had taken hold, but he never did. He simply walked past Morta to continue to gaze upon the burning city of Sangai.

Everyone was expecting something, something other than that.

Morta slowly let go of her control of the spikes, and taking that as a sign, Thestra rolled back down her sleeve. Kagi tried to run to Thestra, but Sadine quickly got in her way, stopping her. In a rare moment of self control the young Hand listened.

After a long moment of silence that seemed unbreakable, Mortis spoke, "It seems as if the person that lit the fuse early is approaching."

***

"I hate you. I hate you. I hate you. I hate you. I hate you. I hate you. I hate you. I hate you. I hate you. I hate you. I hate you. I hate you. I hate you. I hate you. I hate you. I hate you. I hate you. I hate you. I hate you. I hate you. I hate you. I hate you. I hate you. I hate you. I hate you. I hate you."

Umbren kept mumbling to himself as he rode to the tenebrage camp that he had spotted on a hill in the distance.

Those words were the only thing that ran through his head. It got to the point that even Grimel was starting to become uncomfortable.

When he finally got to the camp he found it mostly empty. No doubt because most of the troops were in the city. This observation only made his anger and contempt rise.

The severity of his feelings reached a climax as he made his way to the far side of the camp. The view from it replaced most of his hate with shock.

What he saw was the city of Sangai completely engulfed in flames. He slowly dismounted Grimel, not breaking eye contact with the city below. He continued to stumble his way past figures that he didn't even take notice of, until he got as close as he could to the city and fell to his knees.

Lord Mortis was almost right beside him and gave a sideways glance, "So you're still alive. Can't say that it's the biggest surprise I've had today."

Umbren didn't even look at him. All he could do was be fixated on the city below. He could have sworn that he heard the cries of the people all the way from the top of the hill.

"Honestly I'm surprised you were the one to do this. If I recall, didn't you say that you wouldn't do what I wanted?"

At the disciples' words, Umbren clenched his fist. His heart almost beating out of his chest, "You think I did this? I would never do something as deplorable as this. Even you couldn't force me to do such a thing."

Mortis raised an eyebrow, "Is that so? Then what is this intense hate that I feel radiating off of you? I could feel it one you weren't even in ear shot," Mortis didn't get an answer, "If you didn't do this, then what exactly have you been doing this whole time..."

With every word Umbren's anger and hatred grew. It grew to the point that he was on the verge of assaulting the lord.

However, something eased his rage. It wasn't anything around him. It wasn't a sight or a person's voice, it was an innate feeling. One that wasn't his but close to his heart. One that seemed to touch his very soul. It was warm and radiated through his entire body. The feeling was like getting around a fire during a cold night.

Umbren clutched his heart, he was beyond grateful for her intervention.

Mortis' eyes widened at this and he smiled wryly, "Oh...you seem to have done a lot during our time apart."

Umbren finally looked back at his lord with a scowl, still silent.

Mortis simply glared back at the young tenebrage.

Before anything else could happen, Faldrid interrupted what was now a confrontation, "My lord, that boy helped rescue me and bring Night here."

Mortis gave Faldrid a look that said he wasn't pleased about either of those things.

Picking up what Faldrid was trying to do Kagi panickily chimed in, "He set fire to a village!"

Sadine put her hand over Kagi's mouth to prevent her from saying anything else. Which led to her saying a lot more things in protest.

Mortis' eyes held uncertainty, but also some sort of anticipation, "Is that true?"

Umbren wanted to say that it wasn't true, that it was a lie, but he couldn't. The only thing he could do was grimace as he looked away from Lord Mortis back to the city below. Suddenly it reminded him of Lucel.

"There may still be hope for you yet."

Those were the worst words that Umbren could have heard. As the sun bled red and yellow on the burning of Sangai, ashes fell all around him.

***

"Sir please calm down, we are doing all we can."

Dilem had just been embarrassed and made a fool of by a Hand of Morta, and the city he meant to protect from the Nocturnals and Mortis was now up in flames.

"Then do more! Nocturnals are running around reeking havoc, and Sangai is consumed by flames. But you stand here before me telling me to calm down!?"

Dilem was surrounded by guardsmen who would rather use him as an excuse not to help the people, and get out of this ordeal unscathed.

"The city is lost general. It is beyond our power to do anything else. Our fates are in the gods hands now."

Dilem was fuming, "No, right now your fate is in my hands."

Dilem swung his Halberd in a rage at the guard that had taken the initiative to talk, cleaving him in two.

The general looked at the others around him madly, "Is there anyone else who wants to lay down and die, or are you going to show these Nocturnals that can not shake our resolve."

The rest of the guards nodded frantically. They didn't really care about what Dilem said. That look in his eyes was all they needed to do what he said out of fear for their lives.

"Good now hurry up and..."

Dilem was cut off as he fell to the ground screeching in pain. The guards tried to rush to his side to help him, but shortly they all fell to the ground. Their blood sinking into the scorched earth below.

General Amian looked up at the source of it all, "You..."

Loutrin spread his hands out as if making Dilem take in the hellscape around them, "Look around you general. Savor the pain you are in now, and know that this is what happens when you break a deal with me."

Dilem glared at the tenebrage before him, "How dare you...how dare you, you lowly beast!"

Loutrin met his glare with a smirk, "How dare I? How dare you think that you could just break our deal and think nothing of it."

Dilem continued glaring at Loutrin not saying a word.

Loutrin matched his glare with one of his own, "Don't you remember? I will give you information on where our camp was. I let your scouts pass by without alarm. In return you would aid me in my efforts, but you failed to meet your end when you slaughtered all those tenebrage."

"It was Ritoro he made me," Dilem said in pain.

Loutrin shook a finger in front of him, "No, no, no. Ritoro butchered one tent for his own purposes, but you're the one who was behind the massacre in the other two. Just because I was blindfolded, doesn't mean I was deaf."

"You should be grateful! I let you live!

"Let me live? Oh, you are mistaken. You wouldn't be able to kill me even if you wanted to."

Dilem's rage grew to where his very blood boiled, "You arrogant bastard. You'll never be able to kill Mortis. He is my prey!"

Loutrin shrugged, "I could say the same thing to you," Loutrin slowly walked away from the general to walk away, "I show you. I'll create an army that will bring that demon down once and for all."

As Loutrin walked into the fire that consumed the city, Dilem's curses rang throughout the night.

“What do we have here?”

Five women cloaked in black, but Dilem didn’t notice.

“Looks like a general, Minary, what should we do?” One with a pointy nose said.

“It seems so,” Minary unsheathed a dagger from her belt, “Well, general, would you like to come willingly or…”

Dilem continued his barrage of curses at those he hated.

“Minary he doesn’t seem to be in the right mind,” A Hand missing a few fingers said.

Minary smirked, “Take him sisters. Morta will be sure to give us a generous reward.”

The Hands moved to apprehend Dilem, but he still paid them no attention. He paid no attention when the sound of an arrow piercing a skull reached his ears. He didn’t flinch when the sound of a spearpoint tearing through flesh was carried by the wind. The screams and groans of pain might as well have not existed.

“Father, we have something to report.”

Dilem turned back in a blind fury only to be greeted by a head landing next to him, but he barely noticed it.

Two female figures stood before him. They wore all yellow with white masks. The masks contained a carving of the sun with a spear running through it. Shawls covered their hair and they carried a spear and bow on their backs.

“Where have you been!” Dilem spit venom.

The taller of the two spoke up first gesturing to the head next to him, the previous owner of the head seemed to have a strong chin, which was contrasted with it’s baggy eyes, “This man tried to steal your prey. We took it upon ourselves to carry out your justice.”

“Look at me, why did you let this happen?” The general gestured to the stakes in his knees. His voice, unusually calm.

“We thought you would be able to handle yourself,” The shorter one spoke.

In an instant a spear was driven through her head, and she fell to the ground with a shocked expression.

“Forgive her father, she should have known her place,” The taller woman’s voice was devoid of emotion as she pulled her spear out of her comrades skull, wiping off the brain matter that came out with it.

Dilem raised his eyebrow, not even looking towards the corpse, “You haven’t answered my question.”

The women bowed, “We sought you out right after we finished our business, but we had to stop to defend the citizens from Nocturnals. To think that there lived one that could do this to you is almost inconceivable.”

Dilem nodded as a smile emerged on his face, “Inconceivable? Yes..that’s right.” A bit of laughter escaped his lips, “A mere beast...to me...HAHAHAHAHAHAHA,” An uncontrollable insane laughter filled the night.

He abruptly snapped back to normal and turned to the women, “Daughter, we have much work to do.”

“What may that be father?”

Dilem gave a toothy grin, “I intended to repay my debts. What do they say? An eye for an eye? No...no I want much more than that.”