A rumble rose up in Zemi’s throat, his eyes locked on the Sygnus.

“Kudako…” Zemi’s voice cracked as he spoke the name.

“Zem,” AsaHi took his arm in a comforting motion. “He’ll be alright. I’m sure.”

“No… He isn’t alright,” the Dreigiau turned his gaze downward, face pale and strained. Words didn’t have to speak the feelings that were emanated.

SoYa didn’t have to hear it. He knew. The Dragon Warrior had fallen and would not be returning to them. And despite the power of the great Watcher from the Time Before, he had doubts that even Aur could hold up against the darkness and death of the wild-minded Sygnus.

So many. We’ve lost so many… is there really nothing left for us to do but run?

“Lord Dragon! Please hold your concentration. You too, Lady Wolf!” NaDo’s voice cut through the moment of mourning.

-Excuse you! My name is Lady Zazo. Get it right, Earthian!-

It was enough to draw the Arweinydds’ attention back upon the task at hand. Everything that had been said about the Vision Stone was true. It rose up before them, a pillar of brilliant blue light that shown straight up into the sky. Where its light shimmered, even the darkness did not touch. Something about the glade surrounding the Stone felt safe and protected — but SoYa could not say how much longer that would last.

The machine that NaDo set up next to the Stone was a marvel of technology, even more so than his ships and the endless lines of gadgets that ran the length of the walls of the Shellab. All wires and hums and tall flat looking screens, it somehow managed to tap into the vast energies of the tall Vision Stone. Under the right hands, NaDo had said, the Stone’s power might even be bent to the user’s will.

It’s hard to believe that a little boy can trigger all this…

KiNa’s hands were little, but the right ones. The moment the child placed his palms against the slick touch pad of the machine, the stone had burst into a brilliant light. The distant sound of ancient song rustled through the winds of the glade. And the tallest crystal face along the side of the Vision Stone had flickered with an image.

Just as NaDo described…

The picture wavered, glowing before them. A land that was not their own. But a living world just the same. There was no sight of city nor structure. Just a rolling forest and long green hills. A place that gave the feeling of peace. Perhaps safety, if hidden away from the searching eyes of the Dark Sygnus.

As the three Arweinydd focused their powers around the machine next to KiNa, the image of the distant land became more and more clear. More stable. The shimmering ripples of a riftway had spread across the face of the stone. It had become a gateway into this strange new world.

And now, the winged people were filing through this rift as quickly as they could. Women and children were assisted by the soldiers, feet shuffling up the slick crystalline incline that lead to the rift. Their faces were haunted with the fears that hung just over the edge of the forest — they could feel the pressure of the prowling death coming ever closer. No one dared to hesitate — even a completely alien land was less frightening than the Dark Sygnus’ wrath.

There were so many people. So little time. And knowing that Kudako and Aur could only hold the Sygnus at bay for a short while, SoYa didn’t know how they would get everyone to safety.

“AsaHi,” the Athrylith took her by the shoulders and started nudging her towards the stream of moving people. “I want you to go.”

“What? SoYa! I’m not leaving you here!” she protested instantly, just as he knew she would.

“Please! I’ll follow you. Don’t worry! I just have to know that you get through safe,” he tried to reassure her. At this point, they both knew that nothing could be promised.

“Don’t leave me, SoYa…” AsaHi hung on to his shoulders, tears in her eyes.

“I won’t leave you. But I have to help make sure everyone else gets through safely. That includes you,” he told her.

A broken sound. An uncharacteristic sob. Her strength had finally been spent in the face of so much death and loss. AsaHi threw her arms around his shoulders, burying her face into his tunic. It was the hardest thing he could do to force her to let go. But he did, giving her a gentle kiss on the forehead.

One of the soldiers saw his plight and took AsaHi by the upper arm, “Come with me, Miss.”

“No!” she tried to struggle. But he was far stronger as he led her towards the rippling face of the Stone.

SoYa could only watch, his heart aching.

AsaHi turned and reached back towards him. She called his name frantically, but he couldn’t hear her voice above the hum of the machine and the rift winds. Then, in a flash of soft blue light, AsaHi had stepped through, fading into the crowd of winged people. Lost to his sight.

“Keep going,” NaDo coached. “We’ve almost got everyone. We’re doing a lot better than I had hoped.”

Despite the positive words, SoYa could only glance back over his shoulder with a worried frown. The shadows and mists were moving again. And approaching fast.

“NaDo… Maru… you should take KiNa and get through,” Zemi’s tone was concerned. He, too, saw the motion in the forest behind them.

“Just a little bit more, Lord Dragon,” NaDo assured him. “We have to make sure the machine is properly dismantled and the rift shut… or there’s a chance we can be followed. That would defeat the purpose, wouldn’t it?”

As the last of the winged people gathered through the gateway, SoYa saw a lone figure holding back. A figure he recognized instantly.

“JouKa, what are you doing?” he rushed over towards her. “You have to get through the rift.”

“We’re beginning the dismantling process,” NaDo announced. “Everyone get ready to make a run for it!”

JouKa turned with a silent, haunted face. “I’m not goin’.”

“What? You can’t stay here!” SoYa protested. “You’ll be killed.”

“Then I will. But I’m not goin’. This is my world… my ‘ome. I’m not lettin’ some winged freak push me outta it!” she gave him a hard glare.

He took her arm, “Be reasonable! You’ve got nothing to gain by getting yourself killed here.”

She jerked her arm away quickly, backing away with a snarl. “Gain? Everything is gone! KoGu is dead! TsuYa is Marked! Our ‘ome is destroyed. People are dyin’! Tell me what’s worth seein’?”

“Power down, eighty percent!” NaDo’s voice warned.

“JouKa!” he reached for her again.

She dodged back, “You don’t order me around, Neffie! Go save yer own skin. I’ll take care of myself!”

“Seventy-five percent!”

SoYa drew in a frantic breath. He could see that nothing short of forcing her was going to work… and they just didn’t have the time.

Before he could reach out for her again, a deafening crack broke the sky above. The shadows and mists rolled in, struggling to press upon the brilliant blue of the Vision Stone. But the Dark Sygnus strolled forward, unaffected, long glimmering black blade held ready in one hand. It dripped, heavy with gore and blood.

JouKa gave a horrified scream, reeling away from SoYa’s hand. He could only stumble back in shocked astonishment as the girl whirled around and took off running. Not into the rift of the Vision Stone. But into the depths of the forest, the opposite direction of shadows and mists. He shouted her name, watching helplessly as she vanished between the trees.

The Sygnus’ laugher was chilling as he advanced. His smile was hollow and void of any emotion. His voice low and level, “Zemi Dreigiau… you sent your pets to do an Arweinydd’s job. And then you mourn their death. How hypocritical.”

With a flick of his wrist, the Dark Sygnus heaved a heavy, curved sword forward, tossing it at the Dreigiau’s feet. It glittered with a deep golden sheen, decorated by the etchings of a long, majestic lion. It, too, was splattered with blood.

Zemi’s face contorted at the sight of it. A sudden rage burned in his eyes, focus breaking away from the rift, shifting to the harbinger that stood before them.

“Zemi! No! Don’t — crud! Energy levels dropping drastically! We need to get out!” NaDo shouted a warning.

“Hypocritical. Just like everything you’ve ever said to me,” Lucci hissed.

“No! It was never like that! Never!” Zemi snarled, moving towards the Sygnus with a deadly furor. “We took you in! Cared for you! Gave you a home and even trained you! How could you turn on us like this?!”

“Did you really think that your so-called care,” the Sygnus drew the word out in disdain, “Could stop what I was meant to become? I didn’t kill these people, Dreigiau. Your idealistic hope did!”

A rumble rose up in Zemi’s throat, his eyes locked on the Sygnus.

Lucci lifted his blade, ready. A sickly smile crossed his face, “That’s right. Let me drink your power, Arweinydd. You would give me far more than these little Earthians have.”

“ZEMI! RIFT IS CLOSING!” NaDo’s voice bellowed, trying to break through the rage.

Zemi didn’t flinch. It was as if nothing but the Sygnus existed to him at this moment — the clashing of wills, a face-off of natural enemies that stretched back into ancient times, back to the Time Before.

Sygnus and Arweinydd.

And if legends spoke rightly, the Arweinydd would lose.

I can’t just stand and watch this! I have to do something!

SoYa thrust his staff forward, focusing his power into the stone. The staff that his father had once helped him craft… back when he had first learned what it had meant to be what he was, an Athrylith. And all that time they had spent recently… Father training him so hard. Teaching him. And Tsu.

Tsu…

And Aunt SaRa. Now Kudako. Aur. They would never see the light of this new world, the memories and sacrifices lost to the old lands. They would not be there to guide the struggles of the refugees that would have to work to start all over again. He was the last of the Ya family line. He alone, would have to lead the people.

And it’s all… your… FAULT!

A pulse of multi-colored power lit the staff’s stone, sending a shaft of light straight into the fray, slicing between Sygnus and Arweinydd. Unexpected, Lucci reeled back from the blast, a crackling pulse spreading across his shoulder, smoking where he was hit.

“ZEMI!” NaDo demanded.

Finally, the Arweinydd jerked his head around. He stared at NaDo, then at the wavering rift in realization. Whatever had held the Dreigiau captivated had broken as the Sygnus’ attention swung about, focusing with a terrible intensity on SoYa instead.

“You… the son of ZenToYa…”

It felt like the breath was being crushed out of SoYa’s lungs. Shifting tendrils of mist crept over the ground, towards his feet. But no matter how much he fought and threw his will against it, he could not find the strength to move.

“You think you can fight me when your father could not?” the Sygnus sneered taking a slow step forward.

Searing pain raced through his limbs, shadows moving over him, gripping him. For a fleeting moment, SoYa was reminded of the shadows that had taken his brother.

“Would you really give your life for your people? What would you risk to defend your homelands?”

“Every…thing…” SoYa croaked, fighting for breath.

“Then you shall be bound to share the tainted fate of Nefol,” the chilling voice cursed him.

The Sygnus’ silver eyes bore into his own, stripping away all the warmth in the world. SoYa doubled over, the pain becoming too intense for him to bear. His shaking hands struggled to keep grip of his staff, knees trembling and dropping him to the ground. His watery eyes could make out the darkness that had begun to stretch across his skin, spreading from his fingertips and up his arms.

“Power at 30 percent! Now or never!” NaDo’s voice edged with worry.

Faintly, SoYa could hear Maru’s pleading voice. “Take KiNa! Take him, Lady Zazo!”

-Don’t you think I have enough to carry?- the She-Wolf growled as she bore the Marked Champion towards the fading rift.

“He’s just a little boy! Please, take him!” a mother’s cry.

Even Zazo couldn’t seem to deny that. With a huff, the Arweinydd clamped down on the back of the child’s tunic, lifting the boy between her teeth.

“Mommy!” KiNa cried, little wings stretching and straining, reaching for his parents. “Daddy!”

“GO! GO!” NaDo shouted, slamming his fist on the machine as if to keep it running just a few moments longer.

The She-Wolf whipped around, lunging for the rift, carrying child and Marked through the final flickers of the blue Vision Stone light.

SoYa felt himself lifted from behind. Strong hands pulling him up, off his feet. The world jolted around him as his senses faded in and out of awareness. Distantly, he could see Zemi above him, carrying him.

“Lucci! You don’t have to do this!” Maru’s voice echoed from what seemed an immeasurable distance. “We know this isn’t you! This isn’t what you’d want!”

The Sygnus’ step faltered, but only momentarily. His voice was grave, “It’s too late for that.”

“No! No it’s not! You have to stop this!” NaDo begged.

SoYa felt the trickling light surround them as Zemi ran, carrying him to the rift. He reached back towards the wavering images of NaDo and Maru as they moved forward. He watched as they put themselves between the Stone and the Sygnus.

“I can’t!” Lucci cried and lunged forward, his fevered silver eyes locked upon the retreating Dreigiau.

The black blade lifted.

The sounds of screams. A crack like thunder split the air. A brilliant blue light.

The sensation of falling. Burning agony and choking breath. A terrible pain ripping through his body. Pain so overwhelming that drove his thoughts and senses to nothingness.

His mind reeled, struggling to keep hold of himself. But then that, too, was washed away.

There was no sensation left… followed by a deep, dark sleep.

“I’m alright. Don’t worry about me.”

AsaHi’s tiny fingers folded over the back of Zemi’s broad hand as he strained to draw the rifting energy into the Cynosure chamber. He was shaking. Every now and then, a spasm racked his body, nearly causing him to fall. And every time, Kudako or Aur were there to offer him strength to stand.

The loss of Zento was more than just a painful, emotional void for the Arweinydd. He had lost a part of himself, his binding Champion who shared his power and bridged the connection to the planet itself. What had once been so easy and so careless to Zemi now took his full concentration to even attempt. It broke AsaHi’s heart to watch the Dreigiau struggle so hard just to fail… again and again as the rift energies seemed to slip right through his fingers.

All she could do was stay by his side and offer him what little strength she had left. It had been so difficult to keep herself from breaking down at the news of Zento’s death. Even though nothing had been formally finalized, the winged warrior had always treated AsaHi like a daughter. He had brought hope and guidance to everyone who knew him… and to those who even knew of him.

And SoYa…

She almost didn’t want to think of it. She had watched the strained composure on his face as he had reached out to comfort Zemi in the midst of his own grief.

He’s become so much like Zento… But I know he must be hurting so much right now.

She couldn’t imagine what it felt like to be in his shoes… to watch his family be torn away, one by one. It was the reason why AsaHi didn’t have the heart to argue when he had raced away on the back of the She-Wolf in desperate attempt to save his brother, the last true family he had left. If there was anything left there to save at all…

The sound of murmuring from the far side of the chamber caused AsaHi to peer back over one shoulder towards the entrance. Her mouth opened a bit, though no sound escaped as her eyes blinked, trying to figure out what it was she was seeing.

The She-Wolf Zazo padded into the room with a scoffing look, nudging her way past any of the winged people who weren’t quick enough to give her the space she desired. Draped over her back was a dark, slumped figure, streaming black ooze across the Arweinydd’s hind quarters. The moment her eyes locked upon him, AsaHi could feel the prickles of fear racing over her skin.

TsuYa..? They really found him. They managed to capture him! But how?

The answer appeared, only a moment later.

I don’t believe it..!

It was SoYa. His clothes were torn and shredded with the struggle of battle, lines streaked across his body where wounds seemed to have once been inflicted. Somewhere along the way, he had lost his hat and his hair hung about his shoulders in wild wisps of untamed curls. His eyes were deep and penetrating, flickering with an internal light that she had often seen when looking at his father. A pair of vibrant white wings arched from his back, shimmering with a luminosity that few other Awakened seemed to have.

Something awful must have happened…

AsaHi could remember how SoYa had hesitated the first time he had seen her wings. She remembered the look of awe and doubt that spread over his face. How he had stammered with uncertainty, trying to find the things to say.

She felt that way now. Everything she had always known he was deep inside was now so plain for the world to see.

There was also battle-worn exhaustion written on his brow and in the way SoYa leaned against his staff for support. AsaHi felt her concern outweighing her doubt as he stumbled up to the rifting stone, stopping to stand silently next to her. Everyone was watching him, though he seemed too tired to notice.

“SoYa…” her voice seemed tiny to her ears. “Are you hurt?”

He shook his head slowly, “I’m alright. Don’t worry about me.”

AsaHi reached out and gave his arm a gentle squeeze. When he turned to look at her, she forced a weary smile. Quietly, he returned her smile – it was the same SoYa-smile that she had always known, warm and comforting. No words were needed between them. Her fears were put to rest.

“Should we not find shackles for the Marked?” Kudako’s low voice intoned from somewhere behind.

-Shackles? Are you implying that I don’t have this completely under control?- Zazo gave a snuff.

“No, Lady Zazo. It is just the thought of precaution,” the Dragon bobbed his head politely.

-Well, for your information, everything is fine. Or perhaps your little Earthian eyes cannot perceive that,- she continued gruffly.

“He appears to be dripping on your fur,” Aur’s commentary was so smooth that it was impossible to accuse it of being the humor it really was.

-I know that!- Zazo barked. –I gave him permission to!-

“I see,” the Watcher lifted his eyebrow and gazed drolly at Kudako. The Dragon just nodded and crossed his arms.

-Overgrown mountain lion!- the She-Wolf sneered, bringing her burden up to where the Dreigiau stood. -Zemi. What’s the hold up? Haven’t you gotten that rift open yet? Your Sygnus pet is going to be here soon!-

“I’m trying, Zazo,” Zemi muttered.

-Not hard enough!-

“Would you like to do this?” the Arweinydd scowled.

-If I were doing it, it would have already been done,- she retorted.

“Then how about giving me a hand?”

-Fine! Since you can’t do it yourself!- Zazo barked back. Then, before anyone could say another thing, the She-Wolf poked her nose forward, right into the small of the Dreigiau’s back.

AsaHi jumped, yanking her hand away as the Arweinydd’s form burst into a brilliant shaft of white flame. She shouted his name, backing away, but everything that had been Zemi and Zazo were lost within the sudden vortex of light.

The runes along the floor began to pulse as the chamber rumbled. Multicolor tiles spread throughout the room casting up brilliant shafts of energy, bounding and rebounding from the etched glassy walls. Finally, the light merged and centered, feeding into the luminous glow of the rifting platform before them.

AsaHi’s breath caught in her throat as the wild spiral of light and shadow drew inwards for one short, shaky moment. Then with a wind that smelled of salt and sea, the huge spiral rift burst open, streaming sunlight and a vast arch of blue sky above them.

The darkness of the Wyndor caves melted away, the earth shifting under her feet. As she felt herself dangling in a moment of misplacement, her hand reached frantically for something solid and firm. She fell back, only to be caught and righted by SoYa’s strong arms.

What just… happened?

When AsaHi finally caught her breath, her green eyes flicked around in wonderment. She was leaning heavily against SoYa’s chest, her knees quavering more than she wanted them to. SoYa, too, looked a little stunned and disoriented as the cooling sea breezes ruffled through his hair.

Soft dunes of white sand billowed out in all directions around them, the quiet sound of rushes and reeds playing in the wind. The sea forests shown brilliant green, vivid and full of life — so different from the fear and decay of the underground chambers they had just come from. As the seascape stretched out in a quiet majesty before them, it was hard to believe that anything they had just experienced was something more than a bad dream.

“I know this place,” JouKa’s voice was hardly above a whisper. “We’ve been ‘ere before.”

“Yes,” Aur agreed. “We have.”

“Lord Zemi… can you walk?” Kudako inquired, reaching down to gather up the drooping Arweinydd.

Zemi had returned to his normal form now. Only the slight sparks of energy lingering in the air showed that anything had happened at all. Zazo, on the other hand, had taken the appearance of a summer time poof-ball flower. Her fur stood on end in every direction except for where the oily black blood of the Marked continued to drip.

-Sure. Sure. Be concerned over him,- she grumbled. -No thanks to me for getting us here.-

“Thank you, Lady Zazo,” SoYa offered quietly.

-Did I tell you that you could speak to me?- the She-Wolf huffed and stuck her nose up in the air. -We’re wasting time. Let’s go.-

“Go where?” AsaHi asked.

-To that ridiculous Shellab place. Where else?- Zazo began to pad across the sand, flicking her feet and grumbling.

“What’s a Shellab?” AsaHi whispered back over one shoulder to SoYa.

His puzzled look and slight shrug spoke his own confusion on the situation. Instead of answering, SoYa simply walked forward and offered Zemi his shoulder for support from the other side. The Dreigiau gratefully took it.

Then Zemi did a double take, teal eyes opening wide. He exclaimed with just as much surprise as anyone else, “SoYa! You’ve Awakened!?”

The Athrylith gave a calm laugh in reply as they made their way forward over the sands, “Well maybe… just a little bit?”

“Zemi,” Zento murmured, holding his globe up to inspect the nearby wall. “Come check this out.”

NaDo looked like he was about to have a heart attack (as the Earthians often stated). His pen flew across the surface of the writing scroll, detailing each and every happening there within the Lion’s Keep. Every now and then, the winged man would mutter under his breath. Something that sounded like, “Amazing. Absolutely amazing.”

It hadn’t taken them long to figure out how to use the key stone that ShinRe brought. The Spiral Leader had been determined that the entrance to the Stone Lair was there within the Keep. So they had searched the chamber over, looking for some kind of passage or doorway.

Instead, they had found a blank spot in the center of a mural on the wall with an obviously tear-drop shaped indentation in the center. When they fitted the stone into the spot, part of the wall had rumbled and slid aside, offering a clear path down a narrow and dark flight of stairs.

That was the point when NaDo had lost any shred of self control. The scientist had paused in collecting his data and was now shaking Zento around by the shoulder.

“Don’t you see?” he exclaimed. “Don’t you see what this is?”

“NaDo, no. I don’t see!” the warrior grumbled at being shaken around. “Why don’t you explain?”

Zemi wasn’t so sure that was a good thing to ask. Afterall, his curiosity was piqued by the waiting passageway in the Keep’s wall. And the scientist could get awful long winded when he had something uber exciting to share.

We all adore you, NaDo. But you just can’t keep things to yourself.

“This here–” NaDo waved his hand over a patch of wide green on the mural, right around the place where the key stone had been inserted. “It’s a forest, right? And this here, this blue looks like an ocean to me. What do you think?”

Zento squinted with a frown, “I guess it could be. Why?”

The scientist stretched his palms forward. “I was right! There is a connection to this and the Vision Stone. This mural – it’s a picture of the forest and the ocean around our lab! And this little stone… see, it’s sitting in the middle of the forest as a representation of the Vision Stone itself!”

“Oooookay…” the warrior glanced over his shoulder.

“Are you sure of this?” Zemi asked, finding himself growing interested, too.

“Of course I’m sure, Lord Zemi,” NaDo told him. Once again, his pen was working over the paper, this time sketching out the image on the wall. “I’ve lived there for years. I know what it looks like.”

“Hm…” the Dreigiau rumbled a bit under his breath. He glanced over towards Aur with an inquiring look. But the Watcher would not meet his gaze.

He’s not giving anything away. That means NaDo must be right. There must be some sort of connection. I wonder why Aur won’t throw us a bone about it.

“Are you going to stay here or are you going to follow us down?” Zento asked with a sly look.

Instantly, the scientist perked up, losing interest in the wall. “Oh, by all means. I’m coming down.”

“That’s what I thought,” the warrior peered over at Zemi, handing over the situation without further words.

The Dreigiau nodded quickly, “Alright. Let’s get g–”

“Wait,” Aur spoke.

Everyone froze. All eyes turned towards the Watcher curiously.

“Only a few should go this time,” Aur told them simply.

“What? Why?” NaDo’s excitement had turned into disappointment.

“I understand that you want to study the phenomenon. But there are very important things that will happen the first time that the Stone Lair is opened,” the Watcher explained.

“That’s exactly why I want to be there to see it,” the scientist pouted.

“You will have plenty of time to study these things,” Aur reassured him. “But for now, Lord Zemi should choose a few to support him.”

The Dreigiau blinked around, at a loss. All of the Earthians here were good and supportive.

How am I supposed to choose?

“Zento,” Zemi began, the logical choice being his own Champion.

The winged man bowed with a slight grin on his face.

“AsaHi,” the Dreigiau then turned towards the girl. After what had almost happened to him, in the grips of Zerom’s Chaos, he was concerned about not having her at his side.

The girl nodded and stepped forward.

And where there was AsaHi, Zemi knew there had to be another. “SoYa.”

The young Athrylith straightened, seeming surprised that he was chosen. He didn’t say a word. Instead, he came to stand next to AsaHi, sucking on his bottom lip.

Zemi gave an abashed look at Kudako. He could already sense that he had probably chosen more than the “few” that Aur would have suggested. But he didn’t want to leave anyone out – especially not his most loyal of servants. The Dragon, however, didn’t seem offended.

“I will wait for you here, Lord Zemi. If you require my assistance, just call and I will come,” Kudako told him.

The Dreigiau nodded, thankfully. Then he turned towards Aur again. “Will this do?”

“It should be fine,” the Watcher replied with a nod.

“What about you?” Zemi asked.

Aur gave a hint of a smile. “I will not be going. There are secrets that you must find for yourself. I would do nothing but distract from the focus of these secrets.”

“I see,” the Dreigiau frowned.

Always talking in riddles. Darn Watcher is worse than us Arweinydd.

“Okay… are we ready?” Zemi turned and looked at his Earthian support team.

“Let’s do this!” Zento pumped his fist, already making his way towards the narrow passage ahead.

AsaHi nodded quietly while SoYa looked somewhat uncertain. But they both moved forward as the Arweinydd did. Zento led the way, spinning a soft blue light between his fingers. Carefully, he shaped the light into a small glowing sphere that hovered just over his shoulder — a “Zento globe” as he was so fond of calling it.

The stairway ahead of them was illuminated, soft blue on the golden stone. It was hard to tell how old the structure was, but it was obvious that it had been a very long time since anyone had opened the passage, much less traveled down the stairs. Long streams of silver-white cobwebs choked the air, getting tangled stickily in Zemi’s hair. In places, the dampness had soaked through the stone walls, spilling dark mosses and delving mushrooms.

The air was stuffy and gritty to breathe. AsaHi had already pulled her collar up around her mouth and nose while squirming to brush away any cobwebs that touched her.

“Ew! Ew… I sure hope there’s more down here than bugs and dirt,” her voice was muffled through the cloth.

“Yeah, me, too!” SoYa agreed, his own hand covering his face.

“Don’t worry… if Aur believes there is something to this place, then we should believe it, too,” Zemi told them. He brushed his own fingers through his bushy mane. “I just wish it wasn’t so hard on the hair.”

As they continued downward, it felt as if the world was lost for any light. The pressure of the Keep grew heavier above them. The smell of the deep earth and musty closure was all the air they had left to breathe. After a while, even Zemi started to have his doubts.

I wonder what is down here that would be so important? Maybe it’s not here anymore.

His companions didn’t speak another word of doubt. They simply followed the blue light deeper and deeper into the heart of the Keep.

If we don’t find something soon, we’re going to have to turn back.

Eventually, it came to the Dreigiau’s attention that the air had begun to grow cleaner and less gritty to breathe. Though it was difficult to tell due to the color of the Zento globe, he thought that the stone of the stairs had changed, too — becoming darker and cleaner under their feet.

“Zemi,” Zento murmured, holding his globe up to inspect the nearby wall.  “Come check this out.”

“Hmmm?” the Dreigiau responded, walking forward. He could feel AsaHi and SoYa following not too far behind.

The blue light of the globe illuminated tiny patterns of light and darkness that spread over the face of the stone, high above their head. It was hard to make out what it was they were seeing, but Zemi could recognize the same type of gem-encrusted mural work as the walls in the Keep above.

“Zento, can you give us more light?” Zemi reached out with one hand, brushing the thin layer of grim from the stones.

The Champion nodded, releasing his existing globe, already going to work on creating another. And another. And another. Until the whole passageway above them was lit by the glittering blue glow. The pictures on the walls glittered and sparkled with a surreal quality, tricking the eye to believe they were moving, even when Zemi knew they really couldn’t.

“What are they..?” SoYa breathed, staring up.

“Dragons,” AsaHi answered, holding tight to his arm. “Dragons… but they’re different?”

The mural portrayed with majestic beauty Dragons of every color. Wings wide, they seemed to glide with scales sparkling in the blue glow. Between them were sparks of light that appeared to be stars resting within the sky. The image left him with a profound feeling of inner peace and unity, though the Arweinydd didn’t know why.

“Yes. They were different,” Zemi told them, sadly. It had been a long time since he had thought of the Dragonkin, the first living creatures that he had met there upon that world.

“You knew them?” AsaHi asked.

“It was a very long time ago,” the Arweinydd answered. “They taught me how to take a Dragon form. They taught me a lot of things besides that… It was partly based upon their culture and civilization that I decided to found Nefol and Ceiswyr.”

“Dragon civilization?” SoYa asked with a furrowed brow.

“Indeed,” Zemi touched the wall, running his fingers over the length of one of the graceful Dragon images. “They, too, were creatures from the Time Before, originally. They never told me how they had come to be here or how they had survived as long as they did. All that I know about them, came and went in too short a time. Some died… but some vanished. I have never found another real Dragonkin since.”

“Dragonkin,” AsaHi breathed, touching the wall, too. “Is that what these are?”

“I think so,” the Dreigiau answered. “Dragonkin and Arweinydd.”

“Really?” Zento squinted. “Those look like stars to me.”

“They are Arweinydd.”

“How do you know?” the Champion gave him the arched eyebrow.

“I just do. Don’t argue,” Zemi shrugged and continued walking.

If there are images here on the stairwell, certainly we are getting close to something.

Zento just huffed and followed, silently ordering his army of globes to move along with them. Before long, the mural images began to change, as if depicting the passage of time.

It looks like there was some sort of fight.

The feelings of peace had faded away. The images of Dragons and Arweinydd became more and more at odds with each other, until the sky was awash with the colors of battle and war. The stones glittered more and more brightly, clashing with a light that was almost painful to look at. Until finally, the wall was covered with the brilliance of a great final eruption where the images of both Dragons and Arweinydd withered and fell. Followed by darkness.

The Mistake…

Zemi felt prickles over his form, not realizing he was shivering until he felt AsaHi’s soft hand on his arm.

“Is that…?”

“Yes,” there was a lump in his throat as he answered.

“That’s terrible…” SoYa whispered.

It was unspoken. But they all seemed to know what the images depicted.

“It doesn’t stop though,” Zento’s voice carried back to them. “Look at these!”

They all rushed forward just to stop and stare. What shown before them was almost impossible, given how long the images had to have been there.

“No way…” AsaHi breathed.

A star. It became a white dragon. And that dragon came to live with the Earthian peoples.

There were battles between the different kinds of people and many dragons that came to protect them. Then finally, a great cleft that was struck, breaking apart the lands and ending the war. Cities were built, both on the ground and in the sky.

Then a girl appeared, freeing the dragon and releasing him into the world. But shadows followed.

“Zemi,” Zento exclaimed, face pale as he stared up. “Zemi… this is about us!”

"I hope... there is more for you than just a single purpose. I hope there are things that bring you some happiness," she told him.

The heavy doors to the Lion’s Keep rumbled inwards, admitting the small group under the great stone arches.  AsaHi spun slowly around and around as she walked, trying to take it all in. Up until then, all she had heard were the stories and legends — especially the account made by ZenToYa of the pivotal battle between himself and Aur that led to the Guardian joining them in a struggle against the Chaotic Arweinydd Zerom.

Wow… it’s huge inside!

A vast circular room built of tawny colored stone unfolded before them. The walls were decorated with mosaic murals that depicted various strange runes, graceful interlocking spirals and lion-like images. The art studded the walls with a rainbow of glittering gems that seemed to glow with an inner light as Aur led them forward.

Long drapes of black and gold spun down from various vaulted arches that rose and fell in pillared rows. The stone floor was one vast multicolored spiral that began at the center of the room and spun outward. It, too, was flecked with crushed gems that were embedded into the stone, giving the whole surface a luminous quality. Looking closer, she could see that tiny runes had been etched in each glittering square.

I wonder who built this… and how long it’s been here.

Zemi seemed to have the same impression as he strode up to one of the ten huge, golden braziers that lined the walls, following the motion of the Keep’s circumference. Each stood nearly twice the Dreigiau’s height, etched with a large rune that would have been illuminated by the light of flame inside. Though now, they were all dim.

When the Arweinydd reached his hand out, a golden light sprang from the depths of the brazier. He cocked a wide grin as the keep lit up, “Not too shabby, Aur.”

“Why not try spending an immeasurable amount time locked inside of here and see if you would really like to come back,” the Watcher murmured with a slightly droll look. It seemed that he had been catching on to the idea of sarcasm and sense of humor more and more lately.

“Point taken. But this is where ShinRe said we could find the passage,” Zemi answered.

“Yes. He is correct,” Aur nodded slowly, peering around with hooded eyes.

“If he doesn’t have a heart attack before we even get him inside,” Zento added with a quick laugh. “That was a pretty crazy thing you did out there, Aur.”

“What was?” the Watcher inquired calmly.

“Singlehandedly installing a brand new leader at the head of the Spiral,” the winged man answered. “What made you suddenly do something like that?”

“It was not sudden,” Aur informed him simply.

“Well… it… kinda seemed like it was,” Zento pointed out.

“No,” the Watcher disagreed.

“No?”

“No,” was the final answer.

Zento leaned back with his hands folded behind his head, exchanging funny looks with NaDo. The scientist had jumped at the chance to explore the inner structure of the Lion’s Keep and had vehemently asked to be included in the group’s expedition – for the good of science, he proclaimed.

“You make it sound like it was something that you knew would happen,” Zemi approached from a different angle.

“Not exactly. But it was something I had hoped would come to pass,” Aur told them. Most of his attention was now fixed upon the glittering mural that spanned across the nearest wall. His fingers slowly stroked over the soft gems that depicted green grass, blue sky and violet trees.

“Then you really did know about ShinRe?” the Dreigiau prodded.

“Yes,” the Watcher answered. “We had exchange conversations many times before his exile. I knew the kind of leader he was. I made a point of knowing where he had taken the exiles to… until my energies began to fail me. It was my hope that he would return one day to overthrow the rule of the Armsmaster. But it seems ShinRe was content to live apart in his own encampment.”

“Auuuur!” Zemi nudged the Guardian with a growing grin. “You are such a plotter! I didn’t know you had it in you!”

“Excuse me?”

“You’re telling me that set all of this up!” the Arweinydd put his arm around the Watcher’s shoulders with a fake, melodramatic sniff. “You make your Patron proud!”

Aur responded with a long, quiet look. There was still some humor he didn’t quite grasp.

“That’s wonderful and all… as long as he doesn’t die of shock,” Zento grinned, too, rocking back and forth on his heels.

“He will not,” Kudako’s voice entered the chamber, stern. “ShinRe does not back down from his agreements. Even if this was all a contrived plot to put him into power.”

Blue fin ears were folded back. The Dragon didn’t look too happy at the way everyone else was gloating about the situation.

“Come on, ‘Dako,” Zemi answered easily, trying to smooth out the situation. “You can’t tell me that your brother isn’t the best man for this job. He’s straight and honorable… a man who knows the difference between the cruelty of the Armsmaster’s rule and the way people should really be led. Not to mention, he will quite likely be willing to aid us in the fight against Zerom.”

“That is all completely besides the point,” Kudako scowled. Then he murmured accusingly, “Lord Aur, I’m quite surprised at you.”

“I apologize,” the Watcher answered, looking as abashed as he appeared able. “I am not proud of situating things the way that I did. However, I feel that ShinRe is the most capable of seeing your people through our current crisis. My thoughts are always about protecting the Spiral people. Both ShinRe and the populace were given a choice in the matter.”

“Not much of one,” the Dragon answered, though significantly less miffed than before. It seemed that Aur’s council still affected his outlook on things, as well. “You knew that should the Golden Lion speak and name a new leader, then it would be so. You also knew that my brother would not turn down the leadership of his people in a time of need, based on his honor below.”

“Yes, I knew. I was counting on these things,” Aur admitted, brushing his hands over the mural one last time. “It is a troubled time, KudakoRe. We all have to make our sacrifices. I know that you know this, as well.”

Kudako lowered his head and turned slightly away. “Yes. I know. I am willing to make my sacrifices.”

“Then let your brother choose to make his. For the good of your people,” the Watcher told him gently.

The Dragon was silent for a long time. Finally, he nodded. “I understand and will say no more.”

For a time after that, no one spoke. They all waited, swallowed within the maw of the great Lion’s Keep. What they were waiting for, AsaHi didn’t quite know. Though she glanced at SoYa and Zemi from time to time, she didn’t dare break the silence to ask. She had learned long ago that happenings revolving around Arweinydd and Awakened and Watchers and Champion all had their own way of working out in awkward timelines.

So she spent the time studying the glittering pictures upon the wall, paying special attention to the one that Aur had been touching earlier. It was not very long before she felt a large presence at her side. Looking up, she saw the golden-eyed Watcher gazing on the mural once again.

“This has always been my favorite one,” he told her.

The statement took her by surprise. In order to have a favorite, one had to be capable of attachment and fondness – emotions that AsaHi didn’t think that Aur was capable of until just lately. But none of these things passed beyond her thoughts.

“I can see why. It’s very pretty,” the girl complimented.

“Yes,” Aur answered, his tone growing somewhat somber. “It always reminded me of what these lands were like before…”

The way that he left the statement hanging, AsaHi couldn’t help but ask, “Before what?”

“The Mistake,” the Watcher answered simply.

The girl felt a curdling feeling in the pit of her stomach at the word. Such a simple word. Such an understatement for what she could only sense really had happened. Something that so few of them knew anything about… except maybe Aur, himself.

Then it occurred to her, “We aren’t… doing the same thing over again. Are we?”

The golden eyes flicked over towards her. But he didn’t answer.

So she expanded on the thought with a frantic, quiet breath, “We aren’t doing things that might lead up to another Mistake. Or are we?”

Seeing her alarm, Aur spoke calmly, “I was left here in this Living World to see that such a thing could never happen again. That has always been my purpose.”

Something about the resigned tone in his voice made AsaHi feel really sad for the Watcher.

He must have seen so much… lived through so many difficult things. And yet, he’s still here, still working against all these big and frightening powers.

She reached her hand out, but paused, not daring to touch his arm. Or offer a kind squeeze on his fingers. Or any sympathetic motion that she might have given anyone else. She had always been reserved about Aur. But she didn’t know why.

“I hope… there is more for you than just a single purpose. I hope there are things that bring you some happiness,” she told him. The best offer she could make to let him know that she cared.

The Watcher gave her a quizzical look, as if he didn’t understand a single word that she had just said. He quietly shook his head, “My happiness is not as important as the promise of life to the Arweinydd and Earthian peoples. Without them both… and the bonds they can share… life may be lost once again.”

“But you’re a part of this life, too, Aur,” AsaHi argued softly.

“I have lived my life,” he told her gently. “I have no regrets. I will give myself to my purpose to ensure that the Chaos that would devour all does not succeed. In doing that, I have my happiness.”

AsaHi sighed, knowing that she was not going to win that debate. Instead, she lightly touched his arm, telling him in a tone of deep respect, “You are one of the noblest people I have ever had a chance to know. I hope that you will find something that brings you joy in time. Even if it is something you don’t expect or believe you need.”

Aur just responded with a quiet smile. It might have been one of the most genuine smiles she had seen from him.

It wasn’t much longer before the great stone doors of the Lion’s Keep grated open once again. This time, ShinRe walked through, carrying something between both of his hands.

“I’ve finally located it,” the Leader announced with a hint of relief. “I apologize for taking so long.”

“No problem,” Zemi grinned. “We couldn’t get the party started without you.”

“Party?”

“Er… nevermind,” the Dreigiau waved his hands to dismiss the train of thought. “So what is it that you brought for us? And are you sure this is where we should be?”

“Yes. This is where the entrance to the Stone Lair is hidden. I’m sure of it,” ShinRe nodded with pursed lips. Then he unfolded his hands to reveal a strange, tear-drop shaped stone. It reflected the dim light in the room, flickering with a gentle blue glow of its own. “And this is the key that opens it.”

AsaHi leaned forward with her mouth agape and eyes wide. The stone had a presence all its own, almost as if it was a living thing. Something in the back of her mind compelled her to reach out and touch it… to explore the answers to the mysteries that it would offer her. Judging from the expressions of everyone else, they, too felt drawn for the same reason.

“Hedd-ynad!” NaDo suddenly exclaimed, mirroring their unspoken excitement. “It’s… it’s…”

“It’s what?” Zento urged him.

“It’s just like a miniature Vision Stone!” the scientist blurted an exaltation.

"People of the Spiral, hear my words," the Lion roared again, seeming to shake the heavens.

“These Dragons of yours are quite fascinating creatures,” ShinRe remarked to at Zemi. He brushed his shirt front off with one glance over his shoulder at the Dragon who had just flown them into the Spiral Proper. The way he watched the creature, it was obvious that he had seen few before, if ever, and none so close up.

“Why, thank you,” Zemi answered with a wide fangy, grin. “I think so myself.”

SoYa noted that Zemi was leaving out the fact that he, himself, was also a Dragon. If one couldn’t tell by the name.

As they walked back towards the town, ShinRe leaned towards Kudako. With a smile, he asked, “So you are one of those Dragons, too?”

Kudako almost missed a step. He quickly covered it by clearing his throat and a hoarse answer, “Not quite the same as that…”

“Oh?” the Leader looked curious. “Well, you’ll have to show me.”

“Maybe one day,” Kudako answered grimly. He then walked forward with a quickening pace, leaving his puzzled brother to stare after him.

“Did I say something wrong?” ShinRe asked, looking over at Zemi.

“‘Dako’s just a bit sensitive about certain things,” the Dreigiau replied. He offered no other explanation.

There wasn’t time for it as SoYa could see people coming out to greet their return. He could at once make out the large shimmering form of the She-Wolf, Zazo, watching them with a sharp face. Father was at her side, already making his way forward with comments for Kudako. There was even a hint of a smile on his face.

He’s looking a little bit better… I wonder what happened.

There was another winged man standing not far from the Arweinydd, a face that was somewhat familiar to SoYa. Though one he hadn’t seen in many, many years. As the Athrylith approached, Father pulled him over for an introduction.

“NaDo,” Father intoned, one hand clapped on his son’s shoulder, “This is my eldest boy, SoYa.”

“Well, now. Look at you!” the other man exclaimed with a wide, easy grin. “I remember back when you were just knee-high! Little SoYa… all grown up!”

The Athrylith just smiled sheepishly, trying to place where he had heard the name before. Based off of his father’s behaviors, it was one of Father’s friends from long ago. But Father had a lot of friends that came and went over SoYa’s younger years. Some of them were hard to remember.

“It’s good to see you again, Sir,” SoYa decided it was best to play along. Especially if this man had anything to do with helping Father’s recovery.

“He’s so polite,” NaDo just laughed and elbowed Father in the side. “Now where does that come from, I wonder? Couldn’t have been from a scamp like you.”

Father just smiled quietly. Then he glanced over at Kudako, “So… are you going to introduce me to your company, ‘Dako?”

The Dragon opened his mouth, but was quickly overridden by Zemi’s excited chatter. The Arweinydd took ShinRe by both shoulders proclaiming, “THIS is Kudako’s brother, ShinRe! He’s an old Clan Leader who has been at the head of the exiles that left the Spiral back when the Armsmaster took control here.”

SoYa could only wince at the way the Dreigiau’s voice carried. Nearby Spiral people who had not already stopped to watch the group curiously did now. Their blue eyes studied ShinRe’s from with hesitation.

“I…. see….” Father said slowly, obviously noticing the attention they had garnered from the Spiral commoners. He quickly extended his hand, “I am known as ZenToYa — Kudako has been my teacher and friend for a very long time. It’s an honor to meet you, ShinRe.”

“ZenToYa…” ShinRe repeated in a quiet voice. Then he took Father’s hand with a low dip of his head. “Your stories have carried to the ears of my people. It is I who is honored to meet you.”

Father gave a soft laugh, “Now I see where ‘Dako gets it from.”

“Perhaps,” Kudako answered simply. Then he began to walk, following behind Zemi, who was already making his way down the street.

We must be quite a sight…

Spiral people watched from either side, faces wary but curious. With two Arweinydd – one in the shape of a giant wolf – winged people, Dragons and Aur, there was no getting through the town without gathering a crowd. Which is exactly what they did.

People paused in their daily tasks to turn and watch the procession. More often than not, they began to follow after, at first at a distance. Then as more people began to gather, they dared to come a bit closer, only a few paces behind Aur who brought up the rear.

Judging from Zemi’s expression, this was exactly what he wanted to happen.

ShinRe, however, didn’t seem so certain. He leaned over to Kudako in concern, “Is it really such a good idea to let everyone here know who I am?”

“Relax,” the Dragon answered. “No one is going to try anything… not with Lord Zemi and Aur here.”

The Leader didn’t look completely convinced. But he didn’t say anything against his brother’s lack of unease.

As SoYa got a good look at their surroundings, he realized that Zemi was leading them directly towards the tall golden pyramid of the Lion’s Keep. SoYa had not been inside personally, but he knew from Father’s stories that this was the place where he had found Aur… where the Golden Lion of the Spiral was said to reside. Though Aur was no longer there, it was still a place that the people of the Spiral looked upon with reverence. A place of gatherings, meetings and important announcements.

I wonder what Zemi is up to now…

One step at a time, the group ascended the wide stairs, rising above the growing numbers of the gathering crowd in the street. People watched from below with a strange hush, sensing that something important was about to happen. Anticipation almost crackled through the air. SoYa could feel it rising around him with each step that he took.

When they finally reached the top of the flight, the stairway opened up to a wide gold-stone platform, a place once used for announcements made by the Spiral leaders. SoYa instantly found a place somewhere in the back of the group of bigger men, out of sight as best he could be. He then observed the quiet exchange between Aur and Zemi.

“Lord Zemi,” the Watcher intoned quietly.

“Is this what you want to do?” the Dreigiau asked with pursed lips.

“Yes. It is what should be done,” Aur answered. His golden eyes glimmered for a moment before he added, “One final roar.”

“Fine by me,” Zemi grinned widely. “Have at it.”

The Watcher nodded quietly before turning to the rest of them, inquiring politely, “Will you please step back?”

The others responded with a curious frown, but did as they were asked. No sooner did they clear the platform than Aur’s form burst upwards into a great flame of golden light.

What!?

Startled, SoYa pressed his back against the side of the Lion’s Keep. Below, the street was filled with sounds of awe and surprise. A wave of Spiral people on hands and knees, bowing low to the growing apparition at the top of the stairs. Even ShinRe had dropped to his knees, head dipped low in reverence.

A tremendous roar shook the stone under SoYa’s feet. He stared up in mute shock at the vast form of the Golden Lion, the legendary protector and guide of the Spiral lands. Aur had become the creature he had once been, deep brazen voice carrying to the far reaches of the town.

“People of the Spiral, hear my words,” the Lion roared again, seeming to shake the heavens.

SoYa grit his teeth, hands cupped over his ears at the rumbling reverberation in his head. He doubted that anyone couldn’t hear. Anyone who wasn’t already falling over themselves to bow to the great Guardian beast certainly was now.

It’s just like the story that Father told us.

Shimmers of golden light flecked away into the breeze, contesting the sun in brightness. Squinting, SoYa could almost make out the Guardian’s hazy form – the huge paws… the long, swaying tail… streaming mane… and deep, deep eyes. But at the same time, there was something wavering and ethereal, as if Aur was fighting to hold on to his once-majestic form with all of his strength.

“It has been a long, long time since I have last come here to address you. But I have always been here, watching. Hoping for a time of freedom and understanding for all tribes great and small,” his voice grew calmer, much like the Aur that they had all come to know. “I have come again as a great darkness has begun to spread across our lands. A darkness that I had forewarned against a very, very long time ago.”

The silence within the square was almost deafening. No doubt that when Aur chose to speak, he had his ways of getting his words heard.

“That does not mean that it is a time to let our fears of the shadows overcome us. But it may indicate that it is a time to break away from hindrances that would chain us to the past – especially past hate and prejudice. We must be forward-looking if we are to secure a future for ourselves and our posterity,” the Watcher rumbled, unblinking eyes gazing across the crowd below. “We must come together with newfound allies from over the Cleft. And we must come together internally, healing the divide amongst your own people that serves no purpose but self defeat.”

“Oooo…” Father whispered to Zemi with arched eyebrows. “I’m taking some notes.”

“He’s good, isn’t he?” the Dreigiau admitted. “But then, he’s been at it longer than we have, that’s for sure.”

SoYa leaned forward, trying to hear beyond the banter of the Arweinydd and the Champion. He was captivated by the speech, despite the fact that Aur was not targeting him with the profound and elegant words.

“Only if you are willing to do these things can we have a chance to secure the future. So, now tell me, is this something you are ready to attempt?” the Guardian’s tail swished slowly as he approached the question… words that resounded upon each individual there to make their choice. “Can we choose to come together and fight alongside of the North Peoples against the darkness that would threaten us all? Can we choose to welcome those of your own blood who were separated from you under a rule of tyranny?”

SoYa glanced quickly over at where ShinRe still remained, bowed down upon the golden stone. He could see the tension in the man’s posture and sense the cold edge of friction in the air. Aur may be the great Creature from the Time Before… but what he was asking was something big and difficult for a whole nation to embrace.

Aur’s right, though. There’s so little time to gather our forces. If we can’t come to a consensus, we’re all going to fall under the weight of Zerom’s shadow.

“These are not questions that I expect answers to immediately, of course. These are not choices that can be made with the lack of strong leadership or holistic goals. And no matter your opinion of me, I do not believe that I am the one qualified to lead your plight,” Aur’s tone had begun to change.

For the first time, quiet murmurs of concern rippled up from the crowd below. This was not what they were expecting to hear from their legendary Guardian.

“Having freed yourself from the Armsmaster, it is only natural that your people would search for another leader in his stead,” the Watcher spoke slowly. “During this time, I have acted as an ambassador and a guide, working to mend relations between the Spiral and the people of the Inner Realms. However, my intention was never to step up as the leader of your lands. My nature is that of a guide and guardian… which is why I have decided to offer my guidance in suggesting the man to consider as the next leader of the Spiral.”

SoYa found himself releasing a breath that he didn’t even realize he had been holding. Green eyes wide, he watched as the enormous paw lifted, motioning carefully to the man who had remained bowing throughout the whole revelation.

“ShinRe has proven himself as a skilled and innovative leader to those who were exiled during the Armsmaster’s reign,” Aur introduced. “He is a Leader from the old Clans. But a man who understands the balance between the old ways and what is needed for the survival of his people.  I believe that he has the wisdom and knowledge that it will take to face the trials that are yet to come.”

ShinRe looked like he might hyperventilate right there. Though in the face of all of the Spiral, he couldn’t let it show. As he was urged to his feet, his voice was slightly jittery, “L-Lord Aur. You honor me with your glowing compliments and kind words. But I did not come back to the Spiral to claim it under any sort of rule.”

“I understand that. This is my suggestion, but your leadership will be your own choice… and theirs,” the Guardian replied. “But know that the situation as I have detailed it is the truth. There are hard times ahead for us all… and if we do not have strong leadership and clear vision, times will be all the more difficult.”

“I understand that, M’lord. But…”

A sound was rising from the square below, something like the crashing of the high ocean tide. The people had begun to cheer, whether it was for Aur’s speech or the introduction of ShinRe, SoYa didn’t know. It was hard to say how long it had been since the people had been given a chance to accept their own leader… how long it had been since there had been fair and true leadership at all.

“It seems your people are speaking. What will you do to listen?” the Guardian asked.

ShinRe stood on the gold-stone platform, his face pale as he stared out at the cheering crowd below. If there was fear or uncertainty, he did not show it. He took one step forward, a glimmer of determination in his blue eyes. “I will do what is needed.”

The Spiral’s trust in the guidance of the Golden Lion was unwavering. And it was not hard to see that they were all very willing to embrace his council… and face the new age that had come upon their lands.

Wow… that’s has to be the most complex way I’ve heard anyone say “Let’s be friends.”

The morning light shown peacefully upon the Exile Encampment leaving dappled patterns across the wooden platform where SoYa stood. There was a delicate wood railing on this overlook, for which he was grateful. It helped to give him the courage to take a moment to look out over the edge.

When he did, the view took his breath away.

It felt as if he was standing upon the roost of the world. Below him the Encampment stretched out along the ancient winding branches in every direction. He could see the small figures of the clans people moving along the ramps and out on the wood balconies of their home. Though they faded off into the distance through the shimmering leaves, there were some that SoYa could make out well enough to identify.

Off to the right, he could see Kudako and his brother ShinRe, taking breakfast out on the Leader’s morning overlook. They sat quietly, each on their own side of a smaller round table. SoYa couldn’t tell if they were talking, eating or just sharing company. But he couldn’t help but feel glad to know that Kudako had been reunited with his older sibling.

The Athrylith sighed softly, fighting to try to keep thoughts of his own brother from surfacing too much.

We’ll get there when we do… one thing at a time.

To another side, he could hear the cheering laughter of children. SoYa took a few steps forward, peering curiously over the edge. Down below, a group of children stood ringed around Zemi, watching him with delighted faces. The Athrylith couldn’t make out what was being said, but he could see the children clapping and cheering at whatever the Dreigiau was entertaining them with.

Somehow… that’s not surprising. Zemi strikes me as the kind to enjoy the company of children.

Much to their elated amazement, the Dreigiau snapped his fingers before them, a spark of light appearing above his hand. The light slowly stretched and took the form of a small glowing dragon – one that SoYa had seen Zemi create before in the past. This one, however, was pale and transparent… lacking much of the vibrancy of the Arweinydd’s usual magic. The children didn’t know this… so they cheered all the more.

SoYa, however, couldn’t help but feel a tinge of worry.

Has Zemi really become that much weaker? And if so, how can some shards of magic stone from the Spiral be of any help to us?

“You of all people should know that there is often more under the surface of things that it first would seem,” a deep, quiet voice told him.

SoYa turned to see Aur approaching, walking towards him from the other side of the platform. He felt a momentary loss of words – besides a short time in Wyndor, SoYa really did not have a lot of contact with the creature from the Time Before. And even less so since the Watcher had become the ambassador between Ceiswyr and the Spiral.

But none of this appeared to concern the big man as he stopped to stand silently next to the Athrylith. The golden eyes remained unblinking, staring out over the Encampment just as SoYa had done only moments earlier.

“It is a pleasant place,” the Watcher remarked.

“Yes… it is, Lord Aur,” SoYa answered, fumbling to figure out what extreme of formality he should use when addressing the man. The Athrylith chose to go with over formal rather than under. Afterall, the way that the Watcher held himself in everything he did spoke of wisdom and knowledge that deserved recognition.

Aur’s reaction seemed to disagree, “Since when has it been mandated that you address me with such a title?”

“Well, I just thought…”

“I hope that we can establish a level of companionship… similar to that which your father and brother have established with me in the past,” the Watcher wasted no time getting straight to the point.

Wow… that’s has to be the most complex way I’ve heard anyone say “Let’s be friends.”

SoYa’s eyebrows arched as he still struggled for a loss of words.

Aur paused, glancing over with hooded eyes. “I apologize. I should not have mentioned TsuYa…”

“No,” the Athrylith shook his head. “No. It’s alright. I have to face the reality sometime. There’s no need to avoid talking about things.”

The Watcher stood silently, gathering his thoughts before he asked, “Then, would it be alright if I talked with you… about this situation.”

“Sure..?” SoYa furrowed his brow. He didn’t know what was more surprising – that the Watcher was seeking out conversation from him, or the tone of voice that hinted at deep and quiet emotion behind the golden eyes.

“It is difficult to find the words,” Aur began. “I hoped that Athrylith could understand.”

He nodded in return, “I’ll do my best. Just say whatever is on your mind.”

“It is awkward to ask for concern… when I feel as if I have wronged you and your family.”

“Wronged us?” SoYa frowned. “How?”

Aur took a long breath through his nose and explained slowly, “Your father came to the Spiral, as you know, to find me and to bring me back to Zemi. He held great hopes that I would be able to protect TsuYa from the shadows through my enchantments. And though I warned your brother near the end to be careful… my strength was not enough to pull him through. And for that… I am deeply regretful.”

The Athrylith’s mouth had fallen ajar in an expression of mute surprise. He struggled to gather up his thoughts before replying. The Watcher was content to give him the time that he needed.

“Aur…” he started, almost wincing at the lack of formality. “I don’t believe this happened because you lacked strength. I don’t believe that you have, in any way, wronged my brother or my father. And I don’t think anyone else believes that, either.”

The Watcher didn’t reply. He simply peered down in contemplation that spurred SoYa to continue on.

“If anything… you gave Tsu a second chance at things. You gave him more time to fight and search for an answer,” the Athrylith looked down sadly. “You gave the three of us a chance to be a family for a little while… but more time than we would have had without your help. You did all you could. If anything, we should be thanking you.”

Aur appeared to reflect on the words for a while longer. Then he responded, “Your words are kind. You are much like your father in that way.”

“No…” SoYa shook his head with a sheepish face. “It was always Tsu that was most like Father.”

“You might be surprised,” the Watcher told him with a serious frown. “There is a reason that you were asked to journey here in his stead.”

The Athrylith leaned forward on the rail, cupping his chin in one palm. “I had a feeling that it was more than just because of the wing issues.”

“That was a consideration, too. But you are correct,” Aur spoke heavily.  “There are many who are concerned for your father’s well being. We felt it would be better to leave him to his thoughts than to request his attendance on this journey.”

“I see,” SoYa pursed his lips. He felt worried knowing that even Aur and Zemi were anxious about how well Father would be able to overcome the loss. But at the same time, he was a bit honored, too, knowing they had chosen him to stand next to them as the representative of his people in Father’s stead.  ”I hope I’m doing this right. If anything can help to ease Father’s burden… I’ll do whatever I can.”

“I wouldn’t worry too much about that, SoYa,” the Watcher offered him a slight smile. “You are well liked and well spoken of. You honor your people without needing to try… you are a natural leader. Like your father.”

“I am?”

“Of course,” Aur responded to his surprise with gentle encouragement.

“But I’m not the great warrior like he and Tsu are…”

“You are a good leader in a different way… in a way that suits you,” he explained. “Just like in so many things in life… leading your people begins with an understanding of yourself. Both strengths and weaknesses. Don’t underestimate the potential that you have simply because it does not match the potential of those who have come before you.”

“Wow,” SoYa mused with a smile of his own. “Where do you find all these big things to say?”

“I have been around for longer than I probably should have been,” Aur answered, a hint of amusement in his voice. “So, do the ‘big things’ I say help… just a little?”

“Yeah. They do. Especially considering you were the one that wanted to talk to me first,” the Athrylith rubbed the back of his neck.

“There is nothing wrong in exchanging encouragement,” the Watcher said. “We need more of that if we are going to pull through these troubled times.”

“I know…”

Before SoYa could expand on the train of thought, another voice joined them, interrupting the calm, reflective moment, “Hey! There you are! Guess what!”

They both turned to see Zemi making his way towards them with a wide fangy smile on his lips. There was a hint of excitement to his step and a faint twinkle in the depths of his teal-flecked eyes. The moment that the Dreigiau came within arm’s length, he gave them both a vigorous shoulder shake.

“He said yes!” the Arweinydd announced as if it was the answer to all the problems of the universe.

“Who? What?” SoYa just stared up, dumbfounded.

“ShinRe!” Zemi exclaimed. “He’s agreed to come back with us and help us locate the source of energy within the Spiral! Isn’t that great?”

Aur let out a long breath. “I had expected as much.”

The Dreigiau waggled a finger at the Watcher, “I assume that you expected just about everything here. Didn’t you?”

There was no reply. But Zemi didn’t seem the least bit ruffled.

“That’s fantastic news!” SoYa responded, trying to muster up as much enthusiasm as he could for the obviously self-stoked Arweinydd. “So what’s the plan?”

“As of the moment, we’re just waiting on ShinRe to get things together. Once he’s ready, we’re going to head back to the Spiral and see what we can figure out,” Zemi answered.

He makes it sound so easy… but this couldn’t have been simple for ShinRe to choose. Not after having been in exile for as long as he has. I doubt he’s even had any contact with the Spiral until now.

But the Athrylith kept such thoughts to himself, not wanting to dampen the turn of good spirits. It was true what Aur said… in times like this, every bit of encouragement and good will was needed.

Keeping Zemi in good cheer is important, too.

SoYa smiled slightly as he watched the Dreigiau parade around the platform, piecing together impromptu dance steps. The Athrylith could only hope that it was a sign that things were starting to look up.

Hanging out with the locals might just be a bit of fun after all.

“ShinRe,” Kudako shook his head slowly. “I thought you were dead… killed in the Raze!”

“I could say the same about you, Kudako,” a welcoming smile spread across the Leader’s face. He wasted no time in embracing his brother and ushering him through the doorway. “I looked for you, but I never found you. I could only assume you had been lost to the flame.”

Well, that’s a good sign.

Zemi arched his eyebrows and followed, making a subtle motion at the two behind him. There was no need to waste a perfectly good invitation and opportunity.

In fact, this is working out better than I could have hoped for.

The Dreigiau cast a quiet glace at Aur as they walked through the door. He couldn’t tell if the Watcher had known of the relation between Kudako and the Clan Leader before now. And none of Aur’s reactions offered a hint to what he was thinking. But it was very hard to believe that it could be coincidence.

We’ll discuss it later. There are more important things to attend do.

Like everything else in the spiral, ShinRe’s home was circular in build. And much like his younger brother, he appeared to have no lack in cleanliness and organization. A round woven rug fit snugly within the circumference of main room, looking to have once been speckled with many colors that had dulled with age. A heavy round table stood in the center of it all, lit with the flickering light from a few slender candles. There were books there, many books that lined a narrow shelf on one wall. Another wall was dedicated to a myriad of unusual looking musical instruments, all crafted from warmly painted wood.

The guards who had escorted them there were already rearranging the circular stools that ringed around the table. A few baskets of nuts and fruits had been placed out for them as a sign of welcome.

“Please,” ShinRe motioned forward. “My home is your home.”

Zemi picked a seat opposite of the Leader’s chair, hoping to get a chance to observe the man that Kudako called brother. They had hardly sat down before the clans men appeared again, placing broad, wooden dishes in front of each of them. One at a time, they began to fill the dishes with a soft blue colored liquid.

When the servant came to Zemi’s chair to pour, the Dreigiau quickly put his hand over the top of the dish.

“Please, Lord Dreigiau. Allow me,” the clans man asked politely, looking a bit concerned at the denied hospitality. Maybe even worried that he had done something wrong.

“No, no… don’t waste it,” Zemi told him in an assuring tone. When the man looked all the more puzzled, the Arweinydd added, “It’s alright. I don’t eat.”

“Uh…” clearly, the Dreigiau’s explanation only confused the man all the more. He glanced over at the head of the table for instructions.

ShinRe was also giving Zemi a rather strange look. The Arweinydd simply offered a smooth smile and shrug in return. The Leader then nodded and the clans man moved around to the next unfilled dish.

Hanging out with the locals might just be a bit of fun after all.

Once they were settled, ShinRe spoke again, blue eyes studying his brother momentarily, “How did you manage to find us here? We have done much to remain secure and separate from the rest of the Spiral.”

When Kudako opened his mouth to reply, Zemi quickly interjected, “Lord Zemi Dreigiau knows many mysterious things.”

The Dragon warrior turned towards the Arweinydd with a droll frown. One ear twitched, but he held his tongue.

ShinRe responded with interest, seeming to be impressed, “Then Lord Dragon of the North Clans is just as wise and cunning as the stories have said.”

“Or more,” Zemi’s fangy grin grew wide.

“Modesty is not one of his stronger virtues,” Aur murmured under his breath.

SoYa sniffed to cover his chuckle, flicking an amused glance across the table.

“And you said you are a warrior of the Nefolian Patron?” ShinRe asked quietly.

“Yes,” Kudako finally found a word in the conversation. Only one.

“I have heard that Lord Dreigiau bestows upon his servants great gifts of power,” the Leader’s statement held a hint of underlying question.

“It depends,” the Dragon answered, picking a fruit from the basket and biting into it.

“That would explain the… ah… changes…”

Not one to beat around the bush, Kudako stated quickly, “I’m a Dragon.”

“Dragon?” ShinRe echoed, eyebrows lifting.

“Dragon,” Kudako confirmed, taking another bite out of the fruit. Then he added shortly, “It was the agreement.”

“You agreed to become a Dragon?” he asked.

“It was better than the alternative,” came the answer. Then a short pause before, “I will have to discuss it with you at a later time. There is business to attend to.”

ShinRe leaned back in his chair, a quiet half smile playing over his broken lips. “Always business, Kudako. Some things never change.”

“We’ve been working on him,” Zemi offered waving a finger in the air. “Just taking him time. But we’ll get him there.”

“I should like to be there the day that you do,” the Leader laughed, a quiet near soundless laugh. But there was a tiny speck of mirth in the depths of his eyes. An openness that wasn’t seen often in the people of the Spiral.

This one isn’t so bad, really. I think we can get along.

“Before I forget my manners,” the Dreigiau said, as if he had manners to forget, “Let me introduce you to a few fine fellows.”

ShinRe sat watching with the appropriate amount of polite interest.

Zemi waved his hand around, “This is SoYa, the son of ZenToYa who is my Champion and founder of Nefol. And this is Aur, who is acting as the ambassador between the North Clans and the current Spiral establishment.”

“I welcome you both to my home,” ShinRe said before he pursed his lips. Then he continued, “Am I right in hearing you say that some sort of negotiations have begun between Nefol and the Spiral?”

“Yes,” Kudako answered. “The Armsmaster has been slain. Nefol has been working with the people to reverse the effects of the Implants. Aur has done a satisfactory job in working to make connections between the cultures, as difficult as that can be.”

“This is… a very interesting turn…” the Leader leaned forward again.

“The Spiral is finally free, brother,” the Dragon told him quietly. “It is as you would have wished, is it not?”

“It is good to see your optimism, Kudako,” he said. “But do you think the deep old magics that bound the minds of our people can be undone so easily?”

There was a moment of silence that was only interrupted by Aur’s subtle clearing of throat. At first, Zemi didn’t pay it much mind. Until Aur did it again. The Dreigiau shifted his attention to his Watcher with a thoughtful frown. The golden eyes flicked towards ShinRe, then back to Zemi again.

Did I miss something?

The Arweinydd paused, mulling over the Leader’s last few words, looking for the secrets that the Watcher seemed to indicate he should see. It took a few minutes. But then it came to him.

“Did you say magic?” Zemi found the words on his lips before he pondered the consequences of asking.

Magic was not something widely known or used by the Earthians. In fact, it was Nefol that claimed the first real magic users in the known history of their lands… something that Zemi had to help nourish from the start.

If there was something that could be considered magical within the Spiral that dated back that long ago… it must be something pretty significant.

“I don’t know if it was technically magic in the same sense the Nefolians use, but it was certainly something supernatural in nature,” ShinRe replied.

“You seem to know a lot about the Nefolians… for having lived in the Spiral all this time,” SoYa ventured, completely missing the important topic at hand.

Can’t blame the boy for trying.

“Well… that’s because I learned as much about the Nefolian providence as I could. Most of it was hearsay, of course, as I could never really see the city,” the Leader answered with a whimsical smile. “How I would have loved to… But. As it is, I used what I heard about your government and education as a foundation, if you will, for our own Encampment. I hope you don’t mind?”

“No, sir. Not at all,” SoYa shook his head. He, too, seemed curious about ShinRe and his methods of adaptation.

But that would all have to wait for another day.

“Can you tell me more about this… supernatural phenomenon that you say existed in the old Spiral?” Zemi folded his fingers into one another and balanced his chin on top.

“I will tell you as much as I can, Lord Dreigiau,” ShinRe’s expression grew more somber. “Our father was taken from us far earlier than I would have liked. Being the eldest son of the Clan’s Leader, I moved up to take his position. I didn’t have much time as the Leader before the Razing took everything from us. But during that time, I was brought into the circle of Elders and taught some of the Mystic Ways, as they liked to call it. I will repeat… I didn’t have a lot of time to learn of the secrets that the Clan Leaders passed through generations. But what I do know, I find no fault in sharing with you.”

“Thank you,” the Dreigiau tilted his head. “I know that I’m asking a lot… I don’t mean to poke my nose in things that are considered clan secrets.”

“Those days are over,” he spoke slowly. “The secrets that were held… were dark ones. Ones that were dictated by the intimidation of the Armsmaster over the family leaders. Perhaps it is time that the Spiral comes to know the truth of our history… so that such self enslavement never be repeated in future days.”

Pretty heavy stuff.

Zemi pursed his lips and nodded. There wasn’t much he could add to that. So he just let the Leader keep talking.

“There are, indeed, sources of energy locked under the surface of the Spiral that one might call almost magical in nature. We don’t know where these sources came from. But we do know that there appeared to be some connection to these energies and the great Golden Lion that offered our people council and guidance,” ShinRe explained.

Zemi glanced over at the Watcher. Aur was playing a poker face to die for.

“Did you ever get to see this Golden Lion?” the Arweinydd asked with a teasing grin.

“A few times, actually. Yes. Yes I did,” the Leader replied looking somewhat proud. Then his face grew somber again. “The people of the Spiral were not good listeners. They took the council of the Lion and chose to twist the message into something that they wanted to believe in. I really do not believe that our Guide would have wanted us to wage war against the Clans of the North in the way that we did. And he would not have wanted to see the use of Implants in our warriors in order to achieve this emotionless so-called perfection that the Armsmaster claimed it to be.”

“You are right,” Aur spoke quietly. “The war nature that the Spiral grew into was driven by one man’s bloodthirsty drive for pointless violence.”

“Yes… exactly?” ShinRe furrowed his brow at the Watcher curiously.

Aur said nothing more, hooded eyes watching the Leader in silence.

Seeing that the Watcher had nothing more to add, ShinRe continued, “The Implants… were structured from tiny fragments of a crystal-like stone that held a strange, magical property. Initially, these fragments allowed the Armsmaster to have unnatural suggestive control over the Spiral warriors… somewhat in the manor that mind mages are said to have.”

SoYa blanched and sucked on his bottom lip.

“But the prolonged side effect of the Implants caused people to grow more and more emotionless. Soon, the Armsmaster saw this as a great perk… for warriors without fear or true remorse were nothing more than killing machines at his command,” the Leader paused and gave Kudako a long, sad look. “Just as you have seen with the Annihilators who crossed into the Inner Realms borders.”

“So, it’s fragments of this stone that were implanted into the warriors to cause this?” SoYa’s face had grown more and more pale the more that he heard. “Does that mean that Kudako was…”

The Dragon frowned sharply, “A sliver of stone does not dictate my fate nor control my allegiance.”

“No… no… of course not,” the Athrylith swallowed and fell silent.

By now, Zemi had other interests. He was starting to understand why Aur had directed them there. “So tell me, do you know the origins of this strange stone?”

“Not precisely,” ShinRe answered. “I never had the chance to visit the Stone Lair. But I heard enough about it to have an idea of where it can be found.”

The Arweinydd didn’t speak, mulling over the proper words for the situation. Then he said, “I know it is a lot to ask of you… after you have already shared so much of your history with us. The outsiders as we are. But our situation is difficult and somewhat desperate…”

The Leader frowned at the sudden turn in the conversation.

“There is a darkness brewing on the other side of the Dragon’s Cleft,” Zemi explained. “A darkness that not even the proud and brave of Nefol could stem. Our people and cities have fallen to this foe. And it now stands on the other side, attention bent on finding a way to reach into the Spiral.”

“This is… grave news that you bring, Lord Dreigiau,” for the first time, a hint of concern shown in ShinRe’s eyes.

“I tell you this because we have very little time to mobilize our peoples. We must find a way to work together to stop this darkness…”

The Leader nodded in understanding.

“I also must ask that you help us to find the source of this ancient power you’ve told us about,” Zemi placed his palms on his knees, leaning forward. “I know it has been a source of sorrow and destruction to your people. But I believe that there are secrets that have yet to be unlocked… and under the right hands, may prove to be a power that we can use to protect your people instead.”

ShinRe seemed a little less understanding about this. He glanced over at Kudako, as if seeking his input.

“I cannot tell you what you should do with the Spiral’s secrets,” the Dragon told him quietly. “I stand by Lord Zemi, however. I believe as he believes. I hope that you will consider joining and assisting us. I have seen the destruction that this Chaos can create. I don’t want to see it pass into these lands as well.”

The Leader leaned back with a grim, thoughtful expression. He remained silent for a long time. When he responded, his voice was heavy with uncertainty. “This is… a lot to ask. May I have the night to sleep on it before I decide?”

Gnawing impatience pained the Arweinydd at the answer. But he knew there was nothing he could do to urge the Leader. Not at the risk of losing the already shaky alliance.

“Of course,” Zemi dipped his head slightly.

“Thank you. I will make my considerations tonight,” relief colored ShinRe’s expression. He then lifted a hand to them. “And we will make accommodations for you until the morning.”

Zemi dipped his head in a polite bow again. There was nothing else he could do but wait.

Tiny runes and spiral patterns traced the hem of the silken cloth that wrapped around his shoulders and neck, obscuring the lower half of his face.

“Remember what I said,” Kudako’s quiet voice echoed back to them as he strode towards the light of the Exile Encampment. “These were Clans of old. Let me do the talking.”

SoYa shifted nervously from one foot to the other. Letting Kudako do the talking was not a problem for him. Not at all. Exactly how he had come to get mixed up in this procession to begin with, the Athrylith couldn’t really figure out. Something about him being one of the few Nefolian representatives who didn’t have wings.

I suppose I don’t blame them… it would probably be a bit creepy for the old Spiral Clans to see a bunch of white haired invaders from the north flying down.

It helped a bit that Zemi was there, walking just to SoYa’s right. And Aur was there as well, walking to his left. It was Aur who had known of the existence of this old Clan, claiming that these people had been in exile on the fringe of the Spiral for many, many centuries.

I hope that the Clan Leader has the information that Zemi is looking for. Or else, we could be sticking our neck out here for nothing.

It was especially true, SoYa knew, for the Spiral Clans of the older times. He was never quite certain why the Spiral and the Clans of the North, his ancestors, had started fighting to begin with. History was murky in the nomadic cultures, often passed down through oral traditions. So little of it had been written down. So little had been fully documented. All that they were left with today was the common knowledge that the people of the Inner Realms were stark enemies of the Spiral Clans. And that the Spiral Clans had often trained and sent in Annihilators to kill and destroy.

And now, here we are. The people of the Inner Realm taking refuge within the Spiral… where we have just fought to liberate them from the iron rule of their Armsmaster.

For the good of all that lived, the two peoples needed to come together. If they did not, then there would be no chance to stand against the spread of Zeromus’ Chaotic darkness.

I just hope that is enough for us to convince them.

Kudako strode forward, leading their group into the thick forested land. This was where Aur had told them that the exiles now lived… though SoYa couldn’t help but ponder how the Watcher knew of it when it seemed that the rest of the Spiral did not.

It was almost sundown now as it had taken them much of the afternoon to travel – both on Dragon back and by foot. It was suggested that they did not bring the Dragons too close to the establishment, which meant they had spent the last part of their trip weaving through the thick violet forests. With the safety of good company on either side, SoYa had spent a bit of the journey admiring the natural beauty of the lands.

The Spiral had a magical quality to it, no matter which direction that you turned — be it the heavy draping lilac trees, the soft buzz of blue glow bugs, the way the sky lit in a rainbow hue as it passed beyond the edge of the world. The people that lived there, despite their warlike nature, were people that knew how to live in harmony with the land. Everywhere, the natural life flourished easily, plants and animals alike. All of it was so different than the Inner Realms… a land that struggled under the burden of difficult winters and rugged mountain terrain.

Craning his head back, SoYa could make out the flickering lights that crowned the tall trees high above them. There was no path that pointed the way towards the Exile Encampment — the land was pure and untouched under their feet. It was only when the two shrouded figures dropped from out of nowhere that there was an indication that they had arrived.

Though the stretching shadows made it difficult for SoYa to make out many details, he could tell these men had the common features of the Spiral peoples – tall, blond hair, warrior physique. But they lacked the war paint and tattoo spiral patterns that the others had. And unlike the people that SoYa had met before, there was a clear show of emotion on their faces.

Kudako approached the two men, his steps showing careful confidence. He didn’t speak a word to them. Instead, he raised his left hand, his fingers flicking in an ambiguous motion. Though SoYa didn’t know what it meant, it appeared to have some effect on the two men. Their eyes widened momentarily before they, too approached the Dragon warrior.

There was a short exchange of words. SoYa couldn’t make out what was being said, but he could hear Kudako’s stern and unmoving voice. Eventually, they arrived at some sort of consensus, for the Dragon gave a brief nod over his shoulder to Zemi.

“Alright. Looks like we’re in the clear,” the Dreigiau murmured under his breath. “Let’s keep this short and to the point once we get in to speak to the Clan Leader.”

Aur simply nodded, following without a sound.

The two Clans Men led them through glades and thickets, wandering deeper into the brush. Miraculously, there always seemed to be a passage in the forest wherever their feet led them. As SoYa peered up, he realized that they were under the limbs of many immense, ancient trees. The smooth trunks were dappled with green and gold, some as thick as the watchtowers had been back in Nefol.

This is amazing…

Everything there felt so vibrant and alive. As if nothing else in the world, not even the darkness of Zerom, could mar it.

As SoYa squinted, he could make out the subtle shapes of structures and ramps between the branches above. That’s when he came to realize that they had arrived in the Exile Encampment… the city itself was in the trees above them. The building was so organic that if it hadn’t been for the brazen flicker of firelight, he would have probably overlooked it.

The Clans Men paused for only a moment as something shifted along the side of the nearby tree trunk. SoYa watched as an opening came into view, revealing a narrow wooden ramp that traced a comfortable slope up along the inside of the tree itself. A few more Clans Men stood at the base, shining their weapons as they kept watch. They glanced up curiously as the group approached, but gave no resistance as they passed through.

Before SoYa knew it, the ramp had led them up into the over arching branches, which sloped and twisted like broad roads far above the forest floor. It was a bit unnerving to feel so much empty space under his feet. The branches were smooth with centuries of passage, leading them past houselike structures as they walked.

Golden haired people — women, children and men – stopped their daily tasks to watch them pass. The Dragon, the Dreigiau, the Watcher and the Nefolian. A buzz of curiosity followed the group wherever they went. A curiosity that didn’t appear to hold malice, not even against the Spiral’s once-enemy of the north lands.

Finally, they reached a structure that sat folded deeply within the branches of many of the intertwining trees, a place that felt like the center of the Encampment. One of the Clans Men paused, turning to address them quietly.

“Please wait here for a moment. We will announce your arrival and determine if the Leader will take your company at so late an hour,” he said. “We hope that it is not inconvenient if we must ask you to waylay your visit until the morning?”

“It will do,” Kudako responded. “We are at the whims of the Clans Leader and appreciate your consideration.”

The blond haired man gave a low bow and slipped through the doorway into the structure.

“Everyone is so formal around here it makes my teeth hurt,” Zemi muttered to himself.

SoYa couldn’t help but smile a little. He had been thinking the same thing.

“Formality is one with self-control, Lord Zemi,” Kudako answered. “Self-control is greatly prized among those that hold the old ways.”

“And you believe that these are a people that hold on to the old ways?” a quiet, raspy voice interjected.

Kudako paused, turning to address the man who was now standing in the doorway above them. He was dressed in deep hues of dark blue, purple and black. His clothes were both simple in style and cut and ornate in detail and design. Tiny runes and spiral patterns traced the hem of the silken cloth that wrapped around his shoulders and neck, obscuring the lower half of his face. His hair was shorter, closer cropped than the rest of the clans men, streaked with the silvery white of age. His blue eyes were both wise and sharp with the intensity of a bird of prey.

Kudako gave a low, respectful bow, answering quietly, “It is what we have heard of your people. That you were a Clan Leader of old.”

“Perhaps,” the man walked forward, studying the Dragon with a long gaze. His eyes were fixed on the strange fin ears.

I guess it’s a good thing we didn’t come in with wings wide and Dragons blazing, afterall.

“Perhaps?” Kudako echoed. “Was I misinformed?”

Finally, the Leader turned and began to walk slowly back in the other direction. Despite his age, his motions were still fluid with a warrior’s grace. “There are no Clans here.”

This seemed to take the Dragon by surprise. He answered quickly, “There are always Clans.”

“Not here,” the man paused, pivoting on his heel. “Those who live here came from many different Clans to escape the Razing. The fires and blades that took our kinsmen and companions. We have no desire to relive the days of the Clans in our new society.”

“The Razing… When the Armsmaster first came to power,” Kudako added grimly.

“Yes. It happened many, many centuries ago,” the Leader told him.

“I know,” the Dragon warrior answered quietly. “I was just a boy when I lost my Clan to the Razing.”

The man paused, looking over Kudako with a quizzical eye, “You? But you hardly seem more than a warrior just touching his prime.”

The fin ears flicked once in response, “Appearances are sometimes deceiving. I have been in this world far longer than my form might show.”

“I see…” the Leader folded his hands behind his back, lifting his chin. “So, explain to me how it is that one that claims to be from the Old Spiral Clans returns now in such a guise? You look nothing like our people, though your manner communicates differently.”

“I have served for many hundreds of years under the guidance and knowledge of the Patron Arweinydd, Zemi Dreigiau,” Kudako obliged without hesitation. He motioned once with both hands towards Zemi. “It is who I have brought here today, in search of assistance and information.”

“Zemi Dreigiau,” the stern eyes had grown more whimsical. He gave a short bow in Zemi’s direction, “I have heard so much about the Lord Dragon of the North. You have honored us with your presence.”

The Arweinydd bowed in return, imitating the manner of the Leader, “Thank you. We are honored with such a welcome.”

“Please, will you come in?” the man motioned towards the doorway with a more relaxed demeanor. “You should not have waited so long to introduce yourself, Lord Dragon.”

Zemi followed with a light laugh and a glance at his Dragon servant, “Well, you know how it is. When in the Spiral… do as they do. Kudako was a tad overzealous about us being on our best behavior.”

The Leader stopped in mid-step, the hand that reached for the door remained frozen in the air. He turned slowly, blue eyes sharp once again. SoYa felt a chill rush over his body at the intensity.

“Repeat that name.”

“KudakoRe,” the Dragon intoned without so much as a flinch. “Warrior and Dragon Servant to Lord Zemi Dreigiau.”

The man took a few slow, deliberate steps forward. His eyes were fixed and unblinking. Unreadable. Then much to SoYa’s puzzlement, the Leader lifted his hand and unwrapped the cloth from across his face. The reason for the covering and the raspy voice became at once apparent – a large, jagged scar ran from one side of the Leader’s mouth, down across his neck, finally vanishing into the folds of his over tunic. Whatever blow the man had once took, it was obvious that he was not supposed to have lived through it.

Kudako stood for a long moment in silence, his golden eyes studying the revelation. The shift of expression came slowly. Painfully. A struggle to express a reaction of absolute shock. SoYa had never seen the stoic warrior look so completely beside himself.

His mouth worked, struggling to find sound. When it did, Kudako uttered a solitary word, “Brother…”

“Tell me a little bit more about what’s wrong… maybe I can help you.”

“Sooooooooooo what are you? The King of the Spiral?” Oren beamed his trademark grin as he hooked a friendly arm around Aur’s shoulders.

JouKa winced a little. It was not the sort of thing that one randomly did to the Watcher from the Time Before. Luckily, Aur didn’t appear to be annoyed by it — or maybe he was and he just wasn’t showing it. It was so hard to tell with Aur most of the time.

“What makes you ask that?” Aur glanced over at the red haired man with quiet, hooded eyes.

“Well, you know? Lion? King?” Oren waved his free hand around. “And just the fact that your face is practically plastered all over the banners around here. So what’s the deal?”

“Oren…” JouKa sighed softly.

“What? It’s just a question,” he arched his eyebrows in response. It was that sort of hey-don’t-look-at-me innocent expression that had started to drive her nuts the better she got to know him.

By definition, Oren was the embodiment of blamelessness. Or so he seemed to believe.

“I am simply the diplomatic overseer of the Spiral, acting on Zemi’s behalf. That is all,” Aur answered.

“Suuure,” the red haired man laughed, flopping down in the big cushy chair nearby. “That’s why they’ve got you decked out in a place like this.”

“I cannot help it if the people of the Spiral wish to make more of me than I am,” the Watcher intoned quietly.

“Someone should give this guy an award for modesty,” Oren just grinned. Then he leaned with one elbow on the previously spotless table top. “What do you think, Jou?”

“I think… that I’ve told ya not to call me that,” she huffed, turning her head with a flutter of wings.

“Come on! I know you like it,” he responded, leaning even closer.

JouKa gave him a slight shove back. “Just who do ya think ya are?”

Oren just laughed all the more. His grin had turned teasing in what JouKa called “his uncultured and brutish way.”  But no matter what names she called him, it didn’t faze him one bit.

A slight smile touched Aur’s lips as he began to pace slowly in front of the large windows. A subtle interest shown in the way his golden eyes kept straying to watch their interactions.

Whether it was an act on Oren’s part was hard to tell. JouKa knew that he could be just as gentlemanly as he could be uncouth — it all really depended on what he deemed appropriate, she had learned. Maybe it was because he reminded her of the people she had grown up with in the Gathering, but something about his company was comforting in the midst of all the turmoil and breakdown. Though JouKa would never admit it out loud, she didn’t know what she would have done without Oren’s good natured bantering and optimistic outlook to keep her moving forward.

I just don’t know ‘ow ‘e does it.

As was the way of the people of the land, Oren appeared to have a lot of confidence, even at a time when darkness was closing in on every side. When JouKa’s own spirits were crushed, he wasn’t content to let her sink in her sorrow. Though it had been very difficult as of late.

I didn’t know ‘ow much it would hurt…

KoGuRai’s death at TsuYa’s hands. It was something that played in her mind over and over and over again. Her thoughts were haunted with the idea that maybe there was something she could have done to stop it. If she had intercepted, somehow, maybe the fight would have never happened. And if the fight would have never happened, maybe KoGuRai would still be alive. And TsuYa wouldn’t have become the next Marked Champion.

But instead, her worst nightmares had come true, right before her eyes. They were both gone, both far out of her reach. And nothing she could do would save either of them now.

I don’t understand why… terrible things ‘ad to ‘appen. They were both good guys once you got to know them. Neither of them deserved this.

“Hey. You’re thinking again,” Oren’s large hand cupped around hers. She realized she had been wringing her hands again, an all too obvious sign to him that she was worried.

“Yeah… well… you don’t think enough,” JouKa attempted a weak retort.

“No one’s ever accused me of having half a brain,” he smiled, trying to keep things light.

JouKa didn’t feel like smiling. But she did anyways. For him.

They’ve taken good care of me. Oren… and Aur…

The golden haired Watcher glanced her way as if sensing her thoughts.

I know I’m very lucky to ‘ave them.

That’s when Aur’s deep voice rumbled, “We are going to have visitors soon.”

“How do you know?” Oren asked, leaning back in the big chair, one eye squinting.

The Watcher just gave him a long, silent look.

“Alright, alright,” the red haired warrior waved his hands. Then he turned to JouKa and teasingly informed her, “We’re going to have visitors soon.”

JouKa almost snorted through her nose at his randomness. Instead, she just pushed Oren away again.

It didn’t take very long before there was a knock at the door, just as Aur had predicted. The Watcher rose to answer it, a polite exchange of words made through the doorway. When Aur stepped back into the room, Lord Zemi Dreigiau and his Dragon warrior, Kudako, followed.

JouKa rose to her feet at, giving a quick curtsey, “Lord Zemi!”

“Oooooh,” came Oren’s long, thoughtful sound. “THE Lord Zemi?”

The Arweinydd arched his eyebrow, hands folded behind his back. The Dragon warrior behind him appeared to be bored.

“Oren!” JouKa hissed over her shoulder. “Of course it’s THE Lord Zemi!”

“Of course! Forgive me, M’lord,” Oren echoed with a nervous laugh as he got to his feet and attempted a respectful bow.

The Dreigiau simply waved one dismissing hand as he took a seat, “No worries. Just relax.”

Kudako, however, looked less than relaxed. The Dragon shadowed the Arweinydd, standing sternly behind his seat with glittering, unblinking eyes.

“I’m glad to see you up and about, Lord Zemi,” Aur offered, sitting calmly across from the Dreigiau. “I had heard there were some… difficulties…”

“A few. But I’m working on it,” Lord Zemi answered.

“I knew you would,” the Watcher nodded. Then with a lift of his chin, he inquired, “What is it that you need from me, M’lord?”

“A little less formality, for one,” the Arweinydd grinned, the hint of fangs showing.

Aur sighed quietly.

Oren gave a little laugh, murmuring under his breath, “I think I like this guy.”

Before JouKa could chide, Lord Zemi flicked a bit of a grin at the red haired man. “An Outlander?”

“Yes Sir,” the warrior grinned back. “The name’s Oren. 100% Outlander. At your service, Lord Dragon.”

“It’s good to meet you, Oren,” the Arweinydd nodded. “It’s been a while since I’ve had contact with your people. But they always know how to show good hospitality.”

“That we do, M’lord,” Oren pumped one fist with a proud look.

Kudako cleared his throat in a not-so-subtle hint that there were more important things to be addressing at the moment. As if somewhat reluctant, Lord Zemi nodded and leaned forward, templing his fingers together.

“I don’t exactly know how to start this,” the Dreigiau said, eyes resting on his Watcher. “Other than to say that a spirit’s voice told me to seek you out for guidance.”

“Spirit’s voice?” Aur pursed his lips with a heavy brow.

“One of the spirits that have taken up residence around Lucci,” Lord Zemi explained. “Apparently, this one has befriended the boy… Lucci’s even given him the name of Kaz.”

Suddenly, the Watcher visibly stiffened. For one so emotionless, it was a serious over reaction.

Lord Zemi must have noticed as well because he asked, “Is that… someone you know? The spirit claims to be from the Time Before.”

Aur’s golden eyes took a long, hard look at the Arweinydd before he answered evasively, “I knew a lot of beings from the Time Before.”

Oren exchanged a curious look with JouKa, but had enough sense to keep his mouth shut.

“I see,” It was obvious that Lord Zemi wanted more information, but when the Watcher didn’t offer further words, the Dreigiau didn’t push the issue.

“Why did this spirit voice tell you to come to me?” Aur asked instead.

“Because, I…” the Arweinydd stopped dead, glancing at Oren and JouKa. Something akin to embarrassment hung over his face.

“Because you…?” the Watcher prodded gently.

“Because something’s wrong,” Lord Zemi blurted quickly.

“With?”

The teal eyes flickered towards them again, then focused on something outside the window, “Me.”

Aur’s voice was level and calm, “Now, was that so hard to admit?”

Lord Zemi ground his teeth for a moment. Then he answered, “Yeeaaaah…”

“Alright,” the Watcher leaned back in his chair. “Tell me a little bit more about what’s wrong… maybe I can help you.”

“It might have something to do with Chaos,” the Dreigiau began. At the word ‘Chaos,’ he stopped and quickly backtracked, “Not that I’m going Chaotic or anything like that. I just think that maybe…”

Aur’s golden eyes were focused on the struggling Arweinydd. He nodded gently over and over and over again, with an encouraging arch to his eyebrow.

“I think that maybe something happened to me when I faced Zerom. Something happened when Ceiswyr fell,” Lord Zemi finally said, biting the words off as if each one was something foul tasting in his mouth. “And I haven’t been able to… take…”

“Take…?”

“…Take… my Dragon form… ever since the Islands fell,” the Arweinydd’s gaze lowered.

JouKa’s mouth opened slightly. She didn’t mean for Lord Zemi to hear her sound of surprise and concern. But he must have, for he shot glance in her direction, teal eyes glimmering with shame.

“I’m sorry,” the Dreigiau intoned quietly. “I know the last thing anyone needs to hear is how you all have a gimped Patron now.”

Something stirred in her chest at his disheartened half-droop. Never had she seen the Lord Zemi Dreigiau so open and honest… almost Earthian. And though she was bad at the sympathy thing, the winged girl felt like she needed to say something. Anything.

“No, Lord Zemi. It’s not… like that at all,” JouKa told him.

“No?” he asked.

“No,” she shook her head. “When I was an outcast of my own peoples, ya brought me to your Islands and gave me a place to be. Maybe at first, I didn’t really think that I fit in there. It was kinda ‘ard. But now that it’s gone, I realize what a special place ya made for everyone. And I know ya fought as ‘ard as ya could to keep it safe. I don’t think there’s anything ya could do to make me think lesser of ya, Lord Zemi.”

The Arweinydd stared at her for a moment, too surprised to reply.

Kudako, however, found words for him, “Thank you.”

“Huh?” JouKa frowned.

“I’ve been trying to tell him that. But he will not listen to my reasoning. Maybe he will listen to yours,” the Dragon warrior grunted.

Lord Zemi just sighed, appealing to the Watcher once again, “So… that’s what I mean when I say something is wrong. Do you have any ideas?”

Aur tapped his chin with one finger before nodding slowly. “It sounds like you’ve lost your unification.”

The Arweinydd’s head jerked up, “That’s a lot like what the spirit voice said, too.”

“I’m sure he did, Lord Zemi,” the golden haired man simply agreed.

“And so… how do I get this unification thing back?”

“Usually imbalances like this are restored in their own time,” Aur answered. “But in the case of Chaos having some effect, you may need to find outside assistance. Something to help you balance out your energies of Creation.”

Oren gave a soft whistle, “This is waaaay over my head.”

“Don’t worry… me, too,” JouKa whispered.

“Me three,” Lord Zemi added, much to her surprise. He leaned forward with a slight grin. “Aur, this all sounds great. Don’t get me wrong. But I don’t know the first place to go looking for something to help balance out Creation. Is that like… a little walk-in hair salon or a downtown pub on the corner? Let’s call it Clyde’s Creation and More!”

The Watcher didn’t look amused. “I’m being serious, Lord Zemi.”

“So am I,” the Arweinydd spread his hands. “Throw me a line here. I’m sinking.”

“I would suggest that you start by finding sources of power that date back to the Time Before,” Aur answered gravely. “You know as well as I do that there are still many of them here upon this world.”

“That’s true…” the Dreigiau poked his finger in the air repeatedly. “That’s very, very true. In fact, if I remember correctly, the Spiral is one of the areas known for housing strange phenomenon. Like giant golden lions that came from the Time Before.”

The Watcher frowned all the more, “Yes. However, the pocket of energy that once sustained me was drying up. By now, it is probably nonexistent.”

“Where there is one pocket, maybe there are more nearby,” Lord Zemi debated.

“Perhaps, but do we have time to entertain notions without facts to back them up?” Aur asked.

Before the Arweinydd could answer, Kudako interjected, “It is not just a notion.”

“Hrm?”

The Dragon warrior pursed his lips stoically. Then he continued, “There were old stories when I was young… about the energies deep within the earth that powered the Spiral. Stories about why our home was founded here, of all places. Why the trees have taken such an unusual coloration. So many other stories that point to unnatural causes within these lands. But these are things that only the Clan Leaders of old really knew about and could confirm.”

“Which means?” Lord Zemi asked, leaning forward in anticipation.

“That I do not believe anyone here and now knows these old secrets anymore. The Clan Leaders were killed off when the Arms Master took control of the Spiral,” Kudako’s voice was low and grave.

“Perhaps… not… all of them,” Aur answered unexpectedly.

All eyes turned questioningly towards the golden eyed Watcher.

He struggled and howled, face streaked with black tears as he fought.

Lucci didn’t realize that he had drawn his sword until he saw the quivering tip of the blade pointed at TsuYa. His hands were shaking. Tears stung his eyes. The whimper of Suzume rose to his ears from where the little girl hid behind his legs. JouKa sat, collapsed against a crate, her head covered with both arms, sobbing and hysterical.

KoGuRai had stood no chance against the Marked form of TsuYa. Already his remains were decaying, sinking into the puddle of black oozing blood. It flaked away into dark dust… nothing left but the sheen of silver helm that sat pinned under TsuYa’s heavy boot.

What do I do? What do I do? I can’t fight Master TsuYa! But… he’s become…

One Marked Champion had fallen… only for another to take its place.

Maybe that has been Zeromus’ plan all along? Maybe he never wanted KoGuRai as his Champion at all. He was just using him… like bait… to push Master TsuYa into turning Marked.

A low growl rose from TsuYa’s throat as pure black eyes focused on them. He reached down and picked the helm up, shaking it free from the clinging darkness.

And it worked…

Lucci readjusted his grip on the blade, keeping himself between the girls and the newly Marked Champion of Zeromus. Something in his chest ached terrible. He knew if he had only been a little faster… if he had gotten the sword to the Inner Realms sooner… that maybe TsuYa would have been spared this horrible fate.

But something else was there. Something that Lucci could sense still boiling, battling, struggling under the mask of shadows that had encased the warrior. Perhaps it was because TsuYa had become Awakened before Zeromus managed to take him. Or perhaps it was because his will and desire for freedom was simply that strong. No matter the reason, Lucci could feel it still, something of TsuYa was there. Aware.

And he was not attacking them.

Even, physically, TsuYa’s body fought to preserve itself. Though his hair and wings had grown dark, Lucci could see that there was still one light streak running through his bangs, a shock of white that fell down into his eyes. Something left from before.

Zeromus chose a difficult spirit to try to capture…

Somewhere in the distance he could sense it… the feeling of the Arweinydd Zazo and the Watcher Aur. They were coming, no doubt, called there by the release of energy, both Awakened and Marked. The smallest inkling of hope rose in Lucci’s chest. The thought that if there was something still left of TsuYa… that maybe he could still be saved. That he could be returned to his rightful form. That the Marked might be contained.

If I can just keep him here, peaceful, long enough for them to reach us.

“Master TsuYa?” Lucci’s voice quavered as he took the chance to lower his blade just a little. “Master TsuYa… do you remember me? Do you know who you are?”

Dark eyes watched the young Sygnus, a low growl the only answer.

Please Lady Zazo… come quickly…

Lucci took another chance, slowly moving forward. His breath came in frightened gasps, eyes never leaving the dark, Marked Champion. He froze as the growl grew into a fierce snarl. Then the snarl somehow managed to form words.

“LuShi… stay back! Stay away from me!” TsuYa grated through bared fangs.

“Master TsuYa?! Please… just stay calm… we can help you!”

“Nooo…” he moaned. His voice was very much like his voice always was. Just more frightened. More strained. “Nooo…. It’s over. I’m… one of them. I’m…”

“Not yet! You can’t give into him,” Lucci encouraged, taking another step forward. “As long as there’s part of you still aware, we might be able to–”

Suddenly, TsuYa broke out in a terrible yowl, clutching his head between clawed hands. He buckled over, screeching in pain. “Get him out of my head! Get him out of my heaaaaad!”

Lucci jumped back in shock as the warrior began to stagger around, slamming himself against the stone walls. Suzume gave a cry, huddling next to the glassy-eyed JouKa, covering her face with her hands. The young Sygnus reached forward, trying to intercept, only to be shoved away.

“AHHHHHHHHHH!!!” the half-scream, half-screech was chilling. The sound of a soul being consumed. “GET HIM OUT OF MY HEAD!!”

-TsuYaaaaaa!!-

The glowing form of the white wolf sprung over the pile of crates at the far end of the passageway. Running all out, her green eyes held a look of worry that Lucci had never seen before. With one great lunge she leapt up, landing square on TsuYa’s back. It took all of her force to wrestle him down and keep him pinned, even as large as she was.

He struggled and howled, face streaked with black tears as he fought. Choking and gasping, the words became less words as the darkness began to twist and taint his mind.

-TsuYa! No! Hold on to me! I can fix this! I can fix this! I promise! Just don’t go!- Frantic, the she-wolf shoved her muzzle down into his face. As if her will and words alone would be enough to save him.

“Nooo! Noooo!!” He responded with terrified hisses and raking claws. If she had been a physical being, he would have shredded her face in his struggle. “Stay away from me! Stay away from meeee! Arweinydd! Stay away from meeeeeeeee!”

-TsuYa! Please! It’s me! It’s Zazo!-

But her words could not comfort his panic as his body began to convulse again. More spikes began to shred through his skin… the transformation slowly growing worse.

Aur and Oren arrived, not far on the heels of the she wolf. The Watcher stood for a long moment, observing the pleading Arweinydd and the struggling Marked. And for the first time, something like true emotion washed over his face. Pity. Sorrow. Sympathy. He seemed to be having trouble breathing as he gathered up Suzume in his strong arms, covering her crying face protectively.

Oren had also come quickly, his ruddy face horrified as he recognized the Marked creature before him. Without so much as a word, he retrieved JouKa’s limp form and carried her away. He murmured quiet words of concern under his breath as he gently brushed the hair out of the winged girl’s face.

-He’s not calming down!!- Zazo was frantic as she fought to keep the Marked pinned under her paws.

“LET ME GO!” TsuYa’s voice cracked, half shrieking as his back arched in pain. With a gurgling sound, he turned the dark claws on himself, leaving long trails of dark gashes along his face and chest.

The Arweinydd gave a defeated cry, watching as he maimed himself, shoving her nose between his head and his claws. Doing everything she could to stop the unstoppable. Finally, with a great heave, TsuYa cast her off. The moment he was free, he leapt to his feet, wings spread wide. One hand clamped around the grip of the scythe that had been left, lying in the street.

-Tsu!!!-

“Sta..aay… baack…” he hissed, holding the scythe in front of him as he crouched, ready to fight.

-Please don’t do this. Please… come back with me. Zem and I… we can fix this! You have to believe me, Tsu!-

But the Marked Champion could only reel back, face lined with pain. The howl escaped his lips again, as he was driven to mindlessness, “He’s in my head! Get him out of my head!”

“Lady Zazo! Be careful!” Lucci gave a warning call. It was hard to tell if TsuYa was going to actually use the weapon – of his own free will or not.

Before either of them could say a word, the black wings spread wide into the air. With an agile leap, the Marked warrior launched into the sky, dark scythe held between his fists. One bound had him on top of the nearby roof. The next cast him up towards the dimming clouds.

“Waaait!” Lucci called.

But it was no good. The Marked instinct was driving him. With nothing to lose. Nothing left to hold him, TsuYa fled, leaving nothing but a stream of black along the stone wall.

For a moment, it seemed as if Zazo might follow. But as the winged figure grew smaller and more distant over the lilac trees, she did nothing but stand and watch. With a startling sound, the she wolf threw her head back, shattering the air with a long, mournful howl.

Lucci, too, could only stand and watch as shock numbed his body. Realization began to flood over him. Realization followed by a deep, rending sadness.

They had lost Ceiswyr. They had lost TsuYa. But they had not yet lost the war.

I still have the sword.

Lucci looked down at the flat of the blade. The silver steel reflected his image coldly. Suggestively. And he knew exactly what he needed to do.

No matter what. I’m going to pay him back for all the people he’s hurt.

The young Sygnus’ hand tightened on the blade’s grip.

I’m going to destroy Zeromus.