“You made me… your weapon! You made me kill these people!”

The Vision Stone was cracked, a sliced that cut straight through the clear, flat face in the place where the rift had once reflected in blue light. The soft glow of the crystal spluttered, broken, weakening from its cankerous wound. No longer would it protect these lands… lands now marred by the darkness and the mists. Its power was waning. The Stone was covered in blood.

And the last gift it gave was the deepest, most terrible curse upon the one that had struck it.

Luccious lifted the two broken bodies in his arms, hugging them to his chest one at a time. But both were limp and lifeless. Their spirits had been ripped from their flesh, trapped within the mists, just as his own sanity had become.

They were dead. NaDo. Maru.

He couldn’t remember who else. Everything had happened in a terrible blur of raging power and destruction. He knew people were dead, though. And they were dead because of him.

As the Stone’s last light gave his mind a momentary clarity, the Sygnus collapsed next to the two unmoving bodies. He sobbed and wailed brokenly, like a child, his fingers tearing at the blood-stained grass.

Luccious had become the very Bane that the people had fearfully foretold. Now the people that he had love most were dead. And he was alone.

-Why do you cry, my son?- the hissing voice crept into his mind. -They have given their lives to give you power… to a bigger and better plan. To our domination.-

He lifted his tear-streaked face as the darkness began to take shape and grow solid. What appeared there was not person nor Arweinydd. Whatever had been Zerom once, so long ago, was consumed by the Chaos and the Hatred. And now, that Hatred had become a part of Luccious, too.

“You made me… your weapon! You made me kill these people!” Luccious’ voice started out low, growing in strength.

-I gave you the power to reach for your own destiny. I did not control what you did with it,- the voice told him smoothly.

“You knew this would happen! You knew what it would drive me to do!” he struggled to his feet, fists balling. “I would never have hurt them! I would–”

-Why? Because you loved them?- Zeromus sneered. -Do you really think they had any love for you? Do you really think that a monster like you can be loved? Do you really fool yourself to believe that you deserve their love?-

A low laughter rang in his ears. Tears streamed, hot and furious down Luccious’ face.

-Love is an illusion for the weak, Luccious. And we… are not the weak,- the voice goaded him smugly.

“No…” Luccious answered, suddenly finding the cold grip of the black blade in his palm. “We’re not the weak.”

Silver eyes flashed with a terrible wrath as the Sygnus leapt forward, lunging towards the gloating figure. The slender blade struck, hissing and crackling with fury, ripping down through the darkness, splattering black ooze and hissing shadows across the silent glade.

Luccious’ cry of redemption mingled with Zeromus’ screech of shock and pain, echoing from the darkness of the overhanging sky.

Then with one final flicker, the blue light of the Vision Stone faded upon the old world.

{——————}

Zemi had walked for what felt like an eternity. His form that had once been tireless, flawless and so formidable now flickered and faltered. He was growing weaker — he could feel it in every inch of his being.

His power was linked to the Nefolian world, a world that was now far, far away. He was bound to the energy of that living planet. Together, he and that world had developed and grown strong. He had become a Patron, a defender of the creatures of that land.

But that was all gone now.

This strange, new world, felt nothing at all like his home planet. There was life and beauty there. Peace and silence. But the connection that had once strengthened him was gone. And his people… they were gone, too.

The Dreigiau carried the limp form of SoYa in his arms. Something had happened when they stepped through the rift. Something unexpected and awful. There had been a cracking sound and a bright light — when Zemi was finally able to gather his awareness, he had found himself there, alone, with only SoYa at his side.

But SoYa wasn’t the same. He hadn’t stirred or shown signs of waking, but Zemi could feel it. The wings that had once graced the Athrylith’s shoulders were gone. Simply gone, ripped away, as if he had never been Awakened at all. And the feeling around SoYa was distant, like a stranger. As if Zemi had never been his Patron… as if there had not been a connection between them all this time.

In the drifting patterns of the Athrylith’s dreams, Zemi could sense the same thing. Memories had dulled and vanished, a whole lifetime of experiences unmade and torn from SoYa’s mind. It was the last strike of the Sygnus — if he could not destroy the Nefolians in body, he would erase their knowledge and destroy the connection to their Patron from the inside out.

And if this had happened to one as strong of mind as SoYa, there was little doubt that the rest of the people, wherever they had ended up, were in the same state or worse. There would be no finding them all… no reestablishing things. Not easily. Not now.

Perhaps… it’s better this way.

It was a terrible, anguished thought. Still, as Zemi peered down into SoYa’s sleeping face, he couldn’t help but wonder if the people of the Inner Realms would have been better off without the intrusion of Arweinydd.

All we have caused is their death and destruction. Now they have no home. They have no past. They, too, are alone in the loss of their identity.

A long, ragged breath escaped Zemi’s lips.

I made a promise to watch over Zento’s son and keep him safe. I will fill that promise…

He stopped walking, having reached his destination.

Maybe the only way I can keep them safe is by not being here at all.

Slumping to his knees, the Dreigiau gathered them both into his arms.

Zemi’s teal eyes lowered, falling on the tiny curled up form in the grass. AsaHi. She, too, was without wings. But still radiant. Still beautiful. Just the same as the first day he saw her. Something in his heart ached as he knelt down, placing SoYa at her side.

Slumping to his knees, the Dreigiau gathered them both into his arms. They had been his people… his children to guide. And he had failed them.

I will make sure… if you have nothing else left, that you will have each other.

Though he felt himself weakening, the Arweinydd reached around them, gathering the last of his power. And within that embrace, he wove a new knowledge for them. The distant memories of each other. The love that they had shared. And the courage they possessed to stand by one another, no matter the dangers they had faced.

Zemi’s form began to flicker and shimmer, tiny particles of light drifting upon the alien winds. When he no longer had the strength to hold him, he laid them down in the grass, side by side. And with a tired and sorrowful breath, the Dreigiau faded away.

{————–}

He opened his eyes. The world blurred around, vision swimming. His mind was cloudy, waking very slowly. He pushed himself up on his hands, feeling the cool blades of grass under his fingers. Then he peered around.

He wasn’t sure where he was or how he had gotten there. But it didn’t seem like a bad place to wake up. Everything was quiet. It smelled of earth and flowers and trees. He heard the buzzing of busy insects as they made their rounds over the fern-like bushes. Somewhere not too far away he could hear the sound of running water.

A water splash across the face sure did sound like a good idea.

As he rolled over to look around, he noticed he was not alone. A girl was curled up in the grass beside him. He was surprised at his feeling of surprise regarding this fact — was it odd to find a girl sleeping in the grass? Maybe it was. Maybe it wasn’t. Afterall, everything felt somewhat odd about this situation.

He leaned over her to get a better look at her face. It was obscured by waves of pale white hair. Specks of grass and flower petals dotted the soft strands making her feel like something that belonged there. Something of the natural world.

He reached his hand forward to pull her hair from her face and paused upon the sight of his fingertips. They were a dark color, almost as if they were dirty. But he knew they were not. The color didn’t burn or hurt. He sniffed it and it didn’t smell funny. But there it was, on his hands. So strange. Just like everything else.

While he had been inspecting his fingers, the girl began to stir. She slowly rolled over, bright green eyes fluttering open. It took her a moment until her vision focused, peering up at his face.

He had expected her to respond in surprise — afterall, he would have been surprised if someone had been staring down on him when he had wakened. But she didn’t. Instead, she gave a wide, beautiful smile.

“SoYa?” she asked.

“SoYa?” she asked.

He blinked once. Then realized that was his name. And that he knew her name, too.

“AsaHi?” he asked in a similar tone.

“Hi..?” she answered, looking a little shy.

“Hi?” he responded, brushing the stray curly hair from his eyes.

AsaHi reached up and stroked her fingers through his hair, moving along with his own fingers. Then she pushed herself to sit up next to him.

The sound of voices carried along the breeze. There were other people here, somewhere. SoYa could feel them. Sense them. He didn’t know how he knew. He just did. The feeling of slight confusion and wonderment. People waking up, just as they had.

“There’s other people here,” AsaHi gave him a quizzical look.

“I know,” he told her and nodded.

Then he got to his feet and helped her up. As he began to walk forward, he sensed something funny. Looking down, he could see AsaHi’s little hand wrapped around his own.

And something about that felt just right.

{——-}

The sound of the ocean was more mournful now, though Oren couldn’t understand why. The darkness had lifted from the forests, but even so, had left only a pale shadow of what the land had once been. As he rode along, even Drok seemed restless, ears twitching in nervous agitation.

Something really bad has happened here… I just wish I knew what it was.

He knew it had to do with the strange white haired people. Even after the KoGuRai creature had been slain, they were always in a huge bustle to get one place or another. But no one had stopped and taken the time to explain what the trouble was.

Just like the people of the Inner Realms. Thinking they’re so much above the rest of us because of their wings.

The people of the Spiral had also been on the prowl, heading further south than Oren had ever seen. The golden haired men were never one for conversation, though, and didn’t offer any information either. They just seemed to be searching and searching…

Whatever they were looking for, they don’t seem to be finding it.

Drok suddenly lurched to a stop, nearly sending Oren sprawling over his neck.

“Hey! Hey! What do you call that!” he complained, punking the creature on the shoulder lightly. “You need to warn me before you do something like that!”

Drok simply shook his head all the more and snorted. Squinting up the steep incline towards the forest, Oren could make out a glimmer of something white along the stones. Swinging down from his mount, he frowned and began to make his way towards it.

“You stay here,” he said back over his shoulder. “Not like you’d move anywhere anyway. Lazy thing.”

The closer Oren climbed, the more his astonishment rose. Soon his eyes could pick out the features of a person. A white-haired woman. Someone he knew all too well.

“Well, now. If this isn’t déjà vu,” he murmured under his breath.

Kneeling down, he checked her over for any sign of injury. She was still breathing. She didn’t seem hurt. But the wings that she once had… they were missing. Simply gone.

Something strange is definitely going on here.

Something strange is definitely going on here.

Oren pursed his lips and gathered her into his arms. Carefully he picked his way back down the incline towards where Drok was waiting.

The creature flicked its ears forward with an expression of smug expectation.

“Yeah, yeah. I know. You’re good,” Oren huffed, securing the woman on Drok’s back. “Let’s get her back to the camp and see if we can figure out what happened.”

Camp wasn’t too far away. It was mostly a cave they had found in the side of the stone near the ocean. It was somewhat damp and the fire could be stubborn at times, but there wasn’t much more one could expect when it was high tide.

Oren covered her in a hide blanket, did his best to make her comfortable among the saddle bags and put some fish on the fire to fry. He hoped that the smell of food would bring her around — she didn’t look like she had eaten in far too long.

Eventually, hunger must have taken its toll, because she did start to stir. He leaned forward to watch her, a big grin spread across his face.

“Good morning, beautiful,” he teased.

Expecting a disgruntled jab in return, he braced himself. But she merely blinked at him in confusion.

“JouKa?” gave her a concerned look.

She didn’t respond to her name.

“JouKa?” he asked again.

This time, she turned to him and asked slowly, “Do ya mean me?”

“Yeah,” Oren frowned. “That’s your name. JouKa. Don’t you remember?”

“Oh. Yes… of course,” she answered. “JouKa.”

Drok gave a concerned snuff from the far corner of the room.

“’Oo are you?” JouKa asked with a moment of hesitation.

He blinked, then gave a wide joking grin to cover his own worry, “I’m Oren. I’m the love of your life!”

Certainly THAT will get a reaction!

Her mouth opened wide. But instead of the customary shout, she mused in wonderment, “Really?”

Oren fell over backwards in shock, nearly upsetting the frying fish. When he uprighted himself, he waved his hands around, “Okay! Now I KNOW you’re really sick!”

JouKa looked down at herself, clutching the hide blanket tighter about her shoulders. “I… don’t think I’m sick.”

“Then, what’s wrong?” he asked.

“I don’t know,” she told him.

“How did you get here?”

“I don’t know.”

“What happened? Was there a fight?”

“I don’t know!” this time tears began to shimmer in her eyes.

“Whoa! Whoa! Wait… I didn’t mean it like that!” he waved his hands around.

Good job you insensitive lug!

There was a long uncomfortable silence. Then he scrubbed his fingers through his hair and slowly slid over to sit next to her.

“Look,” Oren said. “It’s okay if you don’t know.”

“It is?” she asked with a sad face.

“Yeah. It’s fine. You’ll be alright,” he promised her. “I’ll take care of you and we’ll figure this all out. Okay?”

JouKa didn’t say anything. She just nodded and leaned her head against Oren’s broad shoulder.

SCORE!

He couldn’t help the wide grin that spread across his face. Drok gave him a long, flat stare.

Oren cleared his throat and motioned forward, “So. Uh. I hope you like fish? How about some?”

“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.

“You have an ouchy?”

Several days had passed since the battle between LuShi and KoGuRai had taken place. Several days since NaDo, who TsuYa had since learned more about, had been gravely wounded. But only half a day since they had all arrived in what was called the Shellab 1.0, home of the Tu Family, where NaDo lived.

Saving the winged man had been so important to LuShi. The young Sygnus had carried NaDo, weeping, down from the top of the stone structure. Back to the waiting ship. Though none of them knew how to fly it, they eventually found a way to get it to float them back to the shore. There, using the ship’s map feature that LuShi knew about, they planned what would come next.

KoGuRai sure knows how to call a diversion when he wants to. Mortally wounding a person… just so he could escape.

But it had worked. Instead of chasing down KoGuRai, all of their thoughts were frantically focused on how to keep NaDo alive. They had chosen to break up – LuShi would carry NaDo back to the Shellab. Zazo and TsuYa would ride back to the village to seek the help of JoKa’s healing power. They knew that the wounds made by KoGuRai’s blade would not easily be healed by normal means.

It had taken a bit of persuasion to rouse JouKa enough to get her to leave the village.  But when she heard TsuYa’s story, and he told her that KoGuRai had struck down yet another, she had agreed to come to heal the victim.

It’s as if she’s personally taking responsibility for cleaning up all of KoGuRai’s messes.

So they had all mounted up and rode — along with Oren, who proclaimed their need for a guide and protection — and made their way to the Shellab. There, they were greeted by the lady of the house, Maru, and were ushered quickly inside.

It had been only an hour ago that JouKa had walked into the other room. The door was shut. No sounds could be heard within. Nothing but tension and concern hanging in the house. Zazo had gotten restless and antsy during the wait and had padded off through the doorway, leaving TsuYa alone to his thoughts.

It’s a shame something like this happened. They seem like pretty nice people.

TsuYa pushed a strange white piece of meat into his mouth, chewing as he rested back against the comfort of the couch. Despite the tragedy that had fallen over the household, Maru had still provided the travelers with food and hospitality.

I guess it’s all wait and see from here. I don’t know who can heal him if JouKa can’t.

The slumped figure of LuShi sat in the far corner of the room. Every now and then, TsuYa glanced over, studying all of the changes that had come over the young Sygnus. The warrior never approached him about it directly, though he really wished that he knew exactly what had happened to LuShi in all the time that he had been gone.

He’s not talking much about anything. So I doubt he’ll volunteer information about that.

Though LuShi wasn’t outwardly unfriendly, but was far more silent than he used to be. Even now, as TsuYa watched, he thought he could see a flicker of something strange… silver… almost ghostly… wavering around the Sygnus’ shoulders. With a blink it was gone, leaving him chilled, wishing he hadn’t seen it.

He’s suffering. That much is obvious. He really does care about these people.

The child of the Tu family was sitting next to LuShi, offering him various toys and distractions. Trying his best to cheer him up. Though LuShi made half hearted attempts to respond to the boy, it didn’t take long before the child realized that his efforts were lost.

So he turned his attention elsewhere.

Before TsuYa knew it, a pair of little green eyes were stalking him from above the far arm of the couch. There was a sneaky quality to the look, as if the boy thought he was playing out some grand ambush that the warrior’s keen hearing could not detect. TsuYa just remained as he was, not responding as the child crept closer.

With the safety of self-assured stealth, the child inched forward. His interest had turned towards TsuYa’s dark bladed scythe that leaned quietly against the wall beside the couch. He stared up in awe and fascination, the face of an innocent that had never seen a weapon, much less really knew what one was used for.

As the curious hand reached closer, TsuYa cracked one of his eyes open a slit. His voice was a little gruff as he intoned, “Hey kid. Whatcha doing?”

The boy gave a gasp and jumped in a startle, his hand springing back where it belonged, away from the scythe. Then he stared over at the warrior, uncertain if he was in trouble or not.

“That’s not a toy, you know,” the warrior warned quietly. “You could get hurt. The blade is sharp.”

The boy clutched the hem of his tunic, backing up. Large green eyes stared at him questioningly. As if he didn’t understand why the warrior was in possession of something that could hurt other people.

“What’s your name, kid?” TsuYa softened his tone a little, remembering what it was like for him when his own father had come up missing. He knew how it felt as a little boy to wait and wait and wait with concerned adult expressions floating everywhere above.

I just hope the kid’s situation turns out better than mine did.

The child looked down in response. His wings flitted slightly at the ends, a sign of his uncertainty.

“Hey… relax. You didn’t do anything wrong,” the warrior told him, sitting up and leaning forward slightly. Then he offered, “My name is TsuYa.”

“KiNa,” the boy answered in return.

“Your name’s KiNa?” he echoed.

The child nodded.

“It’s nice to meet you, KiNa,” he stuck his hand out, attempting his best friendly tone.

The child looked at the extended hand for a moment. Then back up at TsuYa’s face. His eyes paused, tracing the dark line of the Mark along his cheek with a questioning look. “You have an ouchy?”

“Hmm..?” TsuYa paused, then realized what the boy was asking. “Oh, yeah. Ouchy.”

“Does it hurt?” KiNa asked with a concerned face.

“Sometimes it does,” he replied honestly.

“You should get a healer to fix it,” the boy counseled. “Mommy said the healing lady was going to fix Daddy. You should ask her to fix you too.”

TsuYa arched an eyebrow, entertaining the passing idea of telling the child that about the only thing JouKa would probably want to do is rearrange his nose. Permanently. But seeing as the kid was in the middle of family crisis, the warrior kept his mouth shut in that regard and tried to focus on something more positive. Afterall, the child seemed to have a lot of confidence in the healing powers of the world.

“Your Mom’s right. Your Dad’s going to be just fine,” TsuYa said.

But this didn’t divert the child’s newly focused crusade. “What about you? Will you be fine?”

TsuYa opened his mouth, suddenly lost for words. When he finally managed to answer, his voice was squeaky to his ears, “Yeah… It’ll all work out.”

“Okay!” KiNa chirped, seeming content with the answer. Then he reached out and with little conservation, took a hold of the warrior’s coat sleeve with a tug. “Come over and meet Lucci. He’s my friend.”

TsuYa gave a slight smirk, “I’ve met LuShi already.”

“Oh? Is he your friend too?”

The warrior glanced across the room at the young Sygnus. He could feel the silver gaze lift just a little, focusing and waiting for the answer that would come. There seemed to be little hope in the chilled depths of his eyes. Eyes that saw the world in blurred and tormented visions.

“Yeah,” TsuYa replied. “LuShi’s my friend.”

The silver head lifted just a bit, a motion of surprise. LuShi hadn’t been expecting a positive response.

Taking him off guard might be just what I need to break the ice. I’ve got a lot to talk to the kid about… if he’ll even respond to me anymore.

TsuYa rose to his feet and allowed KiNa to pull him across the room. The opportunity unfolding better than he could have hoped for. His dark eyes fluttered back and forth from the hunched figure in the corner to the long, black-draped sword at his side. The warrior did his best to cover the apprehension that gnawed in the back of his mind. All he could hope was that something of the child that had so eagerly trained under his guidance still remained.

“Hey, kid,” TsuYa greeted in the normal way. There was little to gain from estranging himself from the young Sygnus. No matter how nervous he really was about the whole thing.

“Master TsuYa…” LuShi lifted his head with a quiet and respectful voice, responding far more than could have been hoped for… as if what he really needed was for someone to treat him like nothing had changed at all.

The kid’s more scared than we are…

“How are you doing? You hanging in there?”

“Yes, sir…” the head went down again.

TsuYa paused before continuing, his dark eyes focusing on KiNa for a moment. Then he fibbed as smoothly as one could to a pint-sized mind mage, “I think I hear your mom calling you. Don’t you?”

The boy blinked a few times, tilted his head, then frowned.

“You better go check,” the warrior advised quietly. “You know how mom’s are about things like that?”

KiNa must have known exactly what he meant. Because the boy nodded and quickly scampered off down the hall.

With the child out of earshot, TsuYa crouched for a moment. Then sat down on the floor in front of the young Sygnus. He took a long, deep breath, “I mean how are you doing for real, LuShi?”

He glanced up, eyes calculating, studying the warrior that sat in front of him. Attempting to determine if he was ready to share the truth. Or if he would just be rejected like he always was. Then he turned the other way as if ashamed to admit, “I’m scared, Master TsuYa.”

“Scared… of what?”

“Scared of this sword… … what it was made to do. How it makes me feel.”

“What do you mean?” TsuYa furrowed his brow, tilting his head at where the sword lay, draped in the dark cloth. In a motion of curiosity, he reached his hand closer.

“No!” LuShi’s voice grew suddenly strong.

The warrior snatched his hand back without a second thought, surprised at the unusual sharpness in the young Sygnus’ voice. He turned a puzzled stare towards LuShi, accenting it with the hint of a disapproving frown.

Go easy on the kid. Remember… he’s just been through a lot.

“I’m sorry…” LuShi murmured the instant he realized how he had sounded. “You… just… shouldn’t touch the sword.”

“Why not?” TsuYa frowned.

“Trust me… you wouldn’t like what it could do to you.”

The warning was enough to raise the hair on the back of TsuYa’s neck, “Ah… alright.”

Silence hung between them for a while. It was awkward, neither of them knowing exactly how to start conversation again… since neither of them were really the most outgoing of socialites.

“So… is… that the thing you came here looking for?” TsuYa eventually tried to wander his way back into LuShi’s good graces. “The sword, I mean.”

“I didn’t know what I was looking for,” the young Sygnus answered cryptically. “This was just the thing I found.”

The warrior pursed his lips. “What do you plan on doing… now that you have it?”

“I have to go back. I have to destroy Zeromus,” he answered quietly.

Another chill rushed over TsuYa’s body. The way that LuShi spoke was so sure. Lacking even the slightest bit of doubt. He spoke about defeating an Arweinydd without so much as thinking twice.

“Do you really think this sword can do something like that?”

“I think so,” LuShi nodded slowly. “That’s what it was made to do. A long time ago.”

“I guess I don’t blame you then,” TsuYa leaned back, trying hard to remain casual about the whole thing. But it wasn’t easy. Not with the talk of weapons of ultimate destruction.

Before the conversation could fall any further, the curtain to the adjoining room folded back, revealing an exhausted looking JouKa. She was supported on either side between Aur and Oren.

The warrior got to his feet, rushed over to the couch on the far end of the room where he had been sitting before, and cleared it quickly. “Here. Bring her here.”

They walked the winged girl over and carefully placed her on the cushioned couch. Maru had followed the group through the doorway, carrying an extra blanket as she came. Between all of them, they managed to settle the worn out healer comfortably, leaving her to rest. JouKa fell into a deep sleep almost the moment she curled up on the couch.

“Is she going to be alright?” TsuYa asked.

“I’d wager so,” Maru replied. “She just wore herself out.”

“Your husband’s wounds were quite grave,” Aur nodded slowly. “We are lucky that JouKa is as skilled as she is.”

LuShi lifted his head slowly, his voice carrying across the room. He winced as if not meaning to have called so much attention to himself, “Then, is Master NaDo…”

“It’s hard to say within this span of time,” Oren leaned back with a grim look. “But she did a pretty solid job in cleaning up most of the gashes. The life threatening stuff has been taken care of.”

“So… he’s going to live?” LuShi let out a long breath of relief.

“I’d say he has a very good chance,” Aur answered. “However, his wing may be torn beyond repair.”

A tiny gasp came from behind the curtain where KiNa was staring at the group of grownups. His green eyes were wide with shock and dismay. “Does that mean Daddy won’t ever fly again?”

It was obvious that the child was too young to have realized how close his father had come to fatality. And no one had the time to sit down and explain it.

“We have to wait and see, KiNa,” his mother answered, putting her hands out. The little boy scampered over and was caught up in her embrace. “He still has time to heal before we can–”

“I’ll be just fine,” NaDo’s voice announced his presence with enthusiasm. Though he hobbled through the curtain with the aid of a walking stick now, his tone was still sure and cheerful. Hopeful. Enduring.

“Master NaDo!” LuShi was on his feet instantly, rushing across the room to the winged man. “You’re okay! I’m so glad!”

“Yes… yes… I’m fine. Just as I said,” he waved the concern away with a gentle motion. But he couldn’t avoid the tremulous hug that the young Sygnus wrapped him in. He laughed with a warm sound. “Lucci?”

“I was worried!”

“Well… there’s nothing to worry about,” NaDo grinned, patting the young man on the back. “It takes more than that to put a Tu down and out!”

LuShi grinned in return. Everything about his demeanor had changed from the slumpy form in the corner that TsuYa had just attempted conversation with. Everything was now open. As if hope was contagious.

“Did you get what you were looking for?” the winged man asked out of the blue.

“I… think so?” LuShi answered, his tone becoming a bit more grim.

“Good,” NaDo glanced up with a sure glimmer in his green eyes. “Then we need to talk about what we’re going to do to get the Current Skipper back… so we can board up and get you heading back towards the Inner Realms.”

“Mr. NaDo, you are not going anywhere until you’ve had some rest and healing,” Maru said firmly, her lips pursed together. “Besides, it would be rude for you to fly off without thanking the healer.”

“I didn’t mean right this second, dear?” he blanched.

But from the way his wife talked, it seemed as if he was well known for flying off on whims.

“I know you didn’t,” she patted his cheek lightly. Then she smiled up, a grateful light in her eyes. “We must at least give a proper thank-you supper to our guests. And a good night’s sleep.”

“Ma’am,” TsuYa found himself speaking, realizing how long it had been since he had either good supper or good bed, “That sounds wonderful.”

“This… isn’t what’s going to ‘appen to you, too. Is it?”

TsuYa hadn’t realized that he was so concerned until that moment. His dark eyes were focused on the treeline, watching the trails of fading smoke plume like fingers into the sky. The smell of ashes and blood draped heavily over the forest. He had hoped and hoped and hoped that JouKa’s trail wouldn’t lead into it… but there was no doubt as they drew nearer that it was the direction she had gone.

I should have gone after her.

He kept playing the scenario through his mind from the night before. Over and over again. The things he had said and done. The things he wish he could take back. What he would have changed.

If I had just followed… she wouldn’t have run off like this.

They had been following her trail for most of the day, ever since TsuYa had realized that she hadn’t gone back to the camp. And though he didn’t mention to anyone what had happened, there was a stiff silence. As if they had their own ideas about the situation. Even Zazo had remained far more quiet than usual as they made their way between the trunks of the tall trees.

If she’s gotten herself hurt… I don’t know what I’m going to do.

The forest was deep and unending, full of lush plants and scampering of life. Everything looked the same to TsuYa. So it wasn’t difficult to think that JouKa could have gotten lost in the winding vines and frondy leaves. Somehow, both Zazo and Aur seemed to be able to track the girl, saving them a lot of guesswork and grief.

At first, he had just been angry at her carelessness in running off. But anger soon gave way to guilt. And guilt had now turned into fear. Especially when Zazo noted that she felt the presence of other people along with JouKa – strange people and creatures from the Outter Lands.

If they’ve captured her… they’re in for a big surprise.

His fists balled, holding tight to the fur along Zazo’s scruff.

What’s with the smell of burning and dead people? Is there some sort of sacrificial sacred place up ahead or something?

Zazo’s voice suddenly invaded his mind, -Tsu… will you please calm down?-

“Huh?” he breathed, realizing that she probably could hear everything that he was thinking that whole time.

-We’ll find out what’s going on when we get there. Until then, you need to stay calm.-

TsuYa closed his mouth, pressing his lips together. The She Wolf was right… he needed to have a clear head just in case something terrible really had happened. Losing himself to a bunch of “what-ifs” wasn’t going to do anything to help JouKa.

“Okay… okay…” he stared ahead in agitation, trying to confirm all would be well. “Okay. Okay.”

-Yes. Yes.- Zazo echoed in her own way, bounding along. -Earthians are so weird sometimes.-

Aur simply gave a low-throated rumble as he sped along at her heels. The Watcher had said almost nothing the whole trip. And TsuYa couldn’t help but think that maybe Aur was annoyed at him… for not heeding his advice and putting strain on the wardings.

Hey… how was I supposed to know that an argument could cause something like that to happen to me?

The string of disgruntled thoughts fled from his mind as they crested the final hill. There, stretching below was a scene of such tragedy and anguish that TsuYa felt the breath catch in his throat. All of his speculation had come nowhere near the terrible truth of the small village that lay in shambles along the path ahead.

Streams of quiet smoke wafted into the sky, signaling the aftermath of an attack that had ravaged the land not long ago. Colored banners lay trampled and burned. Buildings bled out across the packed dirt ground in flat splotches of black. Broken piles of darkness and lay on the outskirts of the village, the remnants of those who had not survived.

Zazo drew to a stop as TsuYa leaned back, covering his nose with one hand. The scent of death was so overwhelming. Nauseating. He had seen battle and death before, but something about this struck his senses powerfully. His voice caught in his throat, “What happened here?”

“I sense the passing of darkness,” Aur intoned somberly. Probably the first thing he had said all day.

“And JouKa is down there?”

-Yes. From what I can sense, this is where she is.-

“Come on! Let’s go!” TsuYa urged, motioning towards the village.

Zazo complied with a great bound down the hill. It wasn’t until the first shouts from the village rang in his ears that TsuYa realized… a man riding into a recently destroyed town on the back of a giant She Wolf was probably going to cause a bit of a bad reaction.

And that, it did.

Large, red-haired men poured out of the tilted remains of buildings, brandishing weapons and angry eyes. Some of them were already blood soaked and bandaged from the first struggle. But those who were not seemed all the more spurred on by the state of their home town.

“What kind of people… are they?” TsuYa leaned close against Zazo’s neck as the She Wolf stopped. That’s when he remembered how far away from home they really were.

-I don’t know. But they don’t seem very friendly.- Zazo observed, ears laying flat as she took a slow step back. -We should teach them a thing or two.-

“Are you kidding?” the warrior hissed. His eyes fell on another pile of bodies that was stacked against one of the leaning walls. “This place has already seen its share of violence.”

-They are about to see more… if they keep acting with such insolence against one of the Trine!- the She Wolf proclaimed, showing cold, glittering fangs at anyone who drew too near.

There was a face off. Zazo’s snarling versus the harsh, grating voices of the strange red-haired men. Neither seemed to be willing to back down. And TsuYa could feel the She Wolf getting antsy under his palms.

Just when he thought that the situation was going to escalate, a voice echoed out into the street. “Wait!”

It was a familiar voice. And a familiar accent. One that TsuYa was surprisingly happy to hear.

He watched as JouKa stepped out of one of the doorways, draped in a strange skin-hide hood and cloak. Her green eyes reflected out at him with a cautious and weary expression. It seemed as if

she was looking him over for any sign of danger.

When she finally judged that all was safe she turned to address the tall red-haired warrior that had followed her outside, “They’re my friends, Oren.”

“JouKa?!” a flood of relief swept through TsuYa’s voice. Though she seemed tired and a bit afraid, the girl appeared to be unharmed. In fact, she seemed to have been taking refuge with the people in the village. Which was far better than his fear of her captivity.

“Alright boys, back off,” the one called Oren ordered quietly.

The other men looked a bit reluctant at first. But there wasn’t much they could do when the girl broke through their ranks and approached the man riding the giant wolf. They lowered their weapons and watched quietly.

The warrior slid down from Zazo’s back, landing on the balls of his feet. “Are you alright?”

“TsuYa…” JouKa almost whispered. Then she followed up with an attempt at humor, “Ya almost sound concerned fer me?”

Surprise rippled through his mind. Surprise that she had talked to him at all… much less, so pleasantly. She had been  furious with him for so long. It was enough to make him pause and take a good, long look into the girl’s eyes. Something had changed there. The fire that had once burned, unyielding, was gone. There was nothing to replace it but a deep, terribly sadness. As if everything that had once driven her spirit had been stolen away.

“I was…” TsuYa answered, trying to hide his scrutiny from her. “I was worried sick. What happened… did you…?”

He didn’t want to ask too much. He didn’t feel like he had a right to criticize her for running off after what he had done.

“I made a mistake,” was all she said.

“Mistake?” he furrowed his brow with a puzzled look.

“I was wrong, TsuYa. I was so… terribly wrong…” JouKa choked. She was breathing heavy, staring at him as if she didn’t know whether to be afraid or to ask for comfort.

“I don’t understand?” the warrior shook his head, voice lowering. “What happened?”

“You were right,” the girl seemed on the verge of tears.

He had no idea what to do.  So he simply stood there, waiting for her to finish her explanation.

JouKa drew closer. He could smell the depth of her sadness. She swayed a little bit, under the influence of great exhaustion. As she stumbled, he reached out and caught her, holding her up.

“JouKa!?”

The girl was openly crying now. Holding on to his shoulders and weeping. “It was KoGuRai.”

“What?” TsuYa’s dark eyes widened.

“KoGuRai and ‘is beast…” she sobbed. “They did this to this village.”

It felt as if a cold weight had dropped to the bottom of his stomach. As much as he didn’t like KoGuRai… as much as he knew the dark deeds he had done in Nefolian politics… as ruthless and calculating as he thought his rival was…

I can’t believe he would just slaughter a village of people… like this.

Dark Champion or not. TsuYa never had the son of JinRai pegged as a murderer. He even found himself making an excuse for it, “It had to have been… the Marked influence.”

JouKa peered up at him with a thankful look. Maybe she had thought that he would have responded with a told-you-so retort. Maybe she thought he would have regarded the situation with cold certainty. Whether or not she had expected his sympathy… he had offered it. And she took it like a person who had nothing else to hold on to in the world.

“TsuYa…” the girl looked up at him after a moment. Her face reflected in fear. But this time, she wasn’t as afraid of him… as she was for him. She lowered her voice, “This… isn’t what’s going to ‘appen to you, too. Is it?”

The question took him by surprise. He couldn’t decide if it was because he didn’t have the answer to the question or if her concern on the matter had simply threw him off. His dark eyes flicked around, searching for the words to respond.

He found darkness waiting, looming in the corner of his mind. His thoughts strayed back to feeling of power and strength that the Marked abilities gave him. How he lost himself. How the rage could so easily sweep him up, swaying him closer to the edge. Stealing his senses. Stealing his time.

“No. Of course not.” TsuYa had to force his voice to stay calm as he answered, “I’m fighting this… fighting it until the end.”

-Ahem?- Zazo’s muzzle poked straight in between their faces, separating the two of them with a snuff.

TsuYa took an embarrassed step back. He hadn’t realized how close he had been standing to the girl. Or what it probably looked like to the eyes of over a dozen onlooking red-haired men from the village. But they were watching in rapt interest at the exchange.

At least they’re finally at ease.

The warrior took another step back, brushing off the front of his shirt.

“JouKa,” Aur’s deep voice intoned from behind. He stood there, in his normal form, with just the slightest hint of questioning concern in his eyes.

At least Aur had enough sense to realize a giant talking lion alongside of the giant white wolf was probably not a good idea.

“Did ya… all come?” the girl asked, looking a little surprised.

“Of course we did,” he replied. “You were missing. We couldn’t just leave you out in the forests.”

“She was fine,” a sure and steady voice broke in. Before anyone knew what was happening, the man called Oren strode up and put his hand on JouKa’s shoulder. “She was with me.”

TsuYa sucked in his breath, waiting for the explosion to erupt. JouKa was never a touchy feely type of girl. Especially not to someone she probably hardly even knew. It was to his great surprise when the girl hardly reacted at all. In fact, it was all that he could do not to stare openly at the whole thing.

Is she… really that torn up… about KoGuRai? This is seriously not like JouKa at all.

If the others took note of it, they didn’t show any sign. Aur simply nodded to the red-haired man, “We thank you for looking after her. This has been a difficult time for many of us, it seems.”

“Yeah, well, we were just as lucky to have her here with us,” Oren answered. “I had no idea that I had rescued a Healer.”

Healer?

That’s when TsuYa remembered that despite outward appearances, JouKa had told him a long time ago that she was gifted with healing skills. No doubt, in looking at the state of the village, she had been working hard with her craft.

No wonder she looks so tired. I bet she just needs a good sleep. When she wakes up, she’ll be just as cranky as ever. And she’ll forget she was ever nice to me.

“Is there something that we can do to assist you as well?” Aur was inquiring.

Oren leaned back, studying the strange group of mis-matched companions. After a moment, he nodded, as if they had passed some sort of inspection. “Sure… we can use all the help we can get. Right now we’re just trying to round up the wounded and get them treated. We’ll worry about the dead later.”

The way he said it was so matter of fact. So straightforward. It was obvious that this man had seen a lot of killing in his life. That he was a survivor. But it was also obvious that there was a different sort of light in his eyes when he looked at JouKa. Something softer. Filled with a certain kinship and understanding.

TsuYa couldn’t help but wonder what had exactly happened while JouKa had been away.

His pondering was cut short as they were led into the heart of the village. Everywhere he looked, the hand of darkness had left destruction. And each step that TsuYa took deeper into the chaos only worked to resolve him all the more.

“This… isn’t what’s going to ‘appen to you, too. Is it?”

The sound of JouKa’s quivering question still echoed in his mind. His hand closed around the medallion that hung at his throat as the burning scent of ashes made his eyes water.

I have to fight this. I can’t end up like KoGuRai has. I just… can’t allow it to happen.

That’s not the KoGuRai that I knew…

JouKa did her best to balance along the crook of Drok’s neck, holding tight to the leather-strapped reigns as she leaned forward. They had been travelling the better part of the afternoon and despite his outward appearance, Oren was enough of a gentleman to let her ride while he walked.

All the while, Oren worked to impress her with colorful descriptions of his home town… the food… the clothes… the people. Who she would love to meet. Who would love to meet her. Curiosities about her wings… where she came from… what sort of people were in her own homelands.

She answered his questions vaguely. Entertained his attempts to impress and flatter. But her mind was always ahead of her. Somewhere else. Over and over again, she ran it through her mind. What she would say when she saw him again? How it would be? How she would act? How should she act?

How would he act…?

After twenty turns had passed and so much had come between them. Would KoGuRai recognize her still? Would he care? Or was he so lost to the power of the Marked that he was no longer anything of the person he once was?

JouKa had never felt so anxious in her life.

“Hah… there we are!” Oren finally proclaimed, motioning forward with a grand sweep of one hand.

JouKa could see the first signs of life on the horizon. Sifting smoke rose up into the air, the sign of village fires and totems in the distance. The very thing that she had been yearning to see all day. The very thing she was most afraid to face.

KoGu… are you really just over that ‘ill?

Drok had already begun to pick up the pace, making his way down the homestretch. Eager to get back home.

If I could just see ya again. Talk to ya fer a while. I’m sure that we can figure a way out of this mess. There ‘as to be something we can do… afterall, they were able to find a seal fer TsuYa…

She paused, thinking about what had happened the night before.

Well… a temporary one, at least. But it’s still something! It’s still possible?

“You’re really going to love the smoked perth, I promise you. Just you wait,” Oren chatted as he jogged along side of Drok. Then he gave a scowl. “Hey… hey… slow up now! There’s no rush, is there, Drok?”

The creature didn’t respond. It simply plunged on ahead.

“Drok??” he repeated, tone turning worried. “What’s the matter?”

“Huh?” JouKa stirred at the sound of Oren’s voice. For the first time, she realized that her mount was shivering. A reaction that was more than just eagerness to get home.

“Oh boy…” the red-haired man ground his teeth. Then with one practiced lunge, he took a hold of Drok’s fur and launched himself up the arched back, seating lightly just behind JouKa.

She turned to protest as his arms wrapped around her for a hold on the reins. But the serious expression on his face was enough to silence her. There was certainly something more going on than just a creepy guy trying to cop a feel.

“Ha! Ha!!” Oren whooped to Drok, leaning forward against her wings. Though she had very little experience riding, she instinctually leaned forward, too, allowing him to take the reins from her hands.

Drok bounded forward with very little encouragement, a sense of urgency in his gait. Trees and bushes became nothing more than a blur as they sped, the sky bobbing up and down drunkenly. Not used to the motion, JouKa eventually had to force her eyes shut, feeling a bit woozy. The smell of smoke grew thicker the closer they got. It wasn’t until they finally crested the hill that she realized that the smoke was far too dense to be from just normal village cooking fires.

“No!” Oren’s voice rumbled in her ear as he pulled his mount to a sharp stop. “NO!!”

JouKa swallowed, opening her eyes again. A chill rushed over her body as her gaze rushed over the scene below.

What… what’s happening?

The village was in flames. The cries of frightened, wounded and dying people choked the air as thick as the smoke. She could smell the pungent odor of burning flesh. Her eyes could make out the sprawled and mutilated bodies of people in the streets. Everywhere JouKa looked, there was death. Horrible, horrible death.

KoGu! Is ‘e ‘ere somewhere? Is ‘e safe?

Something within her gut turned cold.

Or did ‘e…

Oren wasted little time in urging Drok forward. With a few long bounds, they were down in the streets. JouKa couldn’t bear to look. All she could do was grip the fur with eyes clamped shut, body hunched, shaken and ill.

No. NO! This couldn’t ‘ave been…

“What happened?” the red haired man bellowed.

“The monster! The black winged monster!” cried one man as he ran past.

“What?” Oren pressed, catching the man’s grubby collar. “What about the black winged creature? Did it do this!?”

No… ‘e wouldn’t…

“Yes… yes! It got free! It just started killing everyone!” he stuttered, shivering all over. “Not even the Locks held it. There was nothing we could do! There was no way to fight it! It was just too powerful!”

“Is ‘e still ‘ere in the village?” JouKa’s voice wavered. She leaned forward trying not to seem too desperate.

“No… thank the light! Thank the light that it’s gone!”

JouKa’s eyes were watery as she stared down at the terrified man. When Oren released him, he stumbled off in a craze, dodging the bodies that littered the path back towards the forest. Then she began to search, eyes flicking over the smoldering structures. Both hoping and dreading to catch a glimpse of the dark winged shadow.

“JouKa,” a voice sounded in her ears, pulling her out of her thoughts.

Her green eyes lifted, searching the lines of pain in Oren’s face. It was the face of a man who was watching his home turn to ashes. Seeing people that he knew lying scattered. Dead. And even though JouKa had no hand in bringing about this terrible scene, she felt like she should apologize. As little as it could do for all that had happened.

I’m sorry. I’m so sorry… This was not the way ‘e used to be.

“I’m going to take you back outside. You don’t need to be seeing all of this,” his tone was solid. Serious. And JouKa realized that even in the middle of all this destruction, Oren was taking care of her. “It’s probably safer out there, for now, than in here.”

Then with a flip of his hand, he threw one of the hide-skinned blankets over her head.

“Huh?” she gave him a surprised look.

“I wouldn’t show your wings around too much. Not until we get this all cleared up.”

That made sense to her, she decided, clutching his blanket. He took her to the edge of the village clearing and gently let her down from the creature’s back. It stung to know that there was nothing that she could do. JouKa wanted to raise her voice. To tell him that she would do whatever he needed to help his people.

But before she could protest, Oren was already spurring his way through town, urging Drok down the streets. She watched them vanish into the clinging black tendrils of smoke. And realized that tears were pooling in her eyes again… and not from the stinging of the thick air.

Off to one side, she could make out the huddled forms of women and children. Frightened. Sobbing. Clinging to each other as the distant crimson of the dying flames reflected from their faces. Some cradled the broken, unmoving forms of loved ones in their arms… begging for their return.

He would have never just… murdered… not like this…

JouKa watched them, distantly sharing their misery. Her mind reeled as she fought her own tears and the sick feeling welling up within her chest. She had no right to cry. These people were the ones that had lost so much. Not her.

Why…? Why…?

Though as hard as she tried, she couldn’t stop her mind from falling back, hearing the things that TsuYa had said. The terrible things about KoGuRai… and how he was nothing more than the dark Champion of Zeromus. How he would have killed them all if he had not been stopped. How he had robbed Nefol of its leadership and sought to bring the very nation down to its knees because of hatred and bitterness.

That’s not the KoGuRai that I knew…

She hadn’t believed the things that TsuYa had said. Even though she had seen KoGuRai’s Marked form with her own eyes. She hadn’t believed a word of it until now. Now she was faced with the dying and the dead. Innocent people who lay slaughtered by his hand.

This is not… like…

But, there was no denying what her own eyes told her. No fighting against the terrible truth of what KoGuRai had become.

Have I…

The last spark of hope and light that she had carried with her, the very reason that she had journeyed to the Outter Lands to begin with, faded among the cries of despair. All of the doubts that she had fought to hold back since the first time she had seen KoGuRai’s dark winged form began to flood in. Overwhelming her.

I’ve lost ‘im…

Her hope withered. Then died.

She saw a man lounging idly along a branch of one of the nearby trees.

JouKa had simply panicked and fled.

She wasn’t the kind of girl that spooked easily. She had spent countless nights out on her own in forests and in dangerous lands. But something about the dark, coldness of his eyes… the pure hatred he bore towards KoGuRai… just the force of his will alone. Never before had she felt so much fear. It had almost been unnatural.

So she had ran. Sprinted off into the forests. Her only thought had been to put as much distance between her and him. Until the fear wore off. And then JouKa realized what she had done.

I swore I was ‘eadin’ back ta the camp. This was the only way back down that rock.

But as her feet carried her forward, she saw no sign of safety. No firelight. No bedrolls. Even the arrogant white She Wolf would have been welcome at that moment. There was nothing but the darkness and sound of the night forest pressing down around her.

I don’t believe this. I’ve never gotten lost in my life.

After a while of wandering, night exhaustion began to set in. JouKa decided it was probably better to keep still rather than to move deeper into the dark forest. And just hope that the others would eventually put up a search for her.

Sitting under the canopy of a tall leaning tree, alone, her thoughts brushed over the exchange that had been made up on the rock. It was hard to separate her sudden fear from the event. But even her thoughts were too tired to hold themselves up any longer. JouKa fell into a restless, troubled sleep, nestled in the depths of the unknown forest.

She didn’t know how long she slept. She drifted in and out of dreams and haze all throughout the night. And when she woke, the first sensation she realized was that it was terribly hard to breath. It was her gasping that had shaken her awake so suddenly.

Wha?

Squirming, JouKa attempted to sit up. She found herself confined by something wrapped around her body – something heavy, thick and smooth. On instinct, her hands reached for her crooked blades, and found them, with some relief, still in their sheaths at her side. With a quick, jerking motion, she drew the dagger and slashed straight across the bulk that lay upon her chest.

Much to her surprise and horror, she heard a nasty, reptilian screech as the bulk constricted and began to crush her. A long, wicked-pointed snout curled down towards her, two dead, black eyes burning a glare into her skull. JouKa had never seen a creature so terrible before – all long, slender body without limbs. The forked tongue shot in and out from between scaly lips, tasting the air with a low hiss.

No! I’ve got to… get… out of… this…

JouKa tried to lash out at the monster again, but her movement had become far too restricted to do any damage. Her breathing came in hoarse rasps as she felt the lower part of her body start to tingle from loss of blood flow. The creature’s hooded head loomed over her, watching her with no sense of concern. As if it enjoyed the torture of watching her squirm and slowly suffocate within its powerful coils.

She tried to kick. She tried to squirm. Her hand fell useless at her side, blade lost somewhere within the pressing body of the beast. Though she was hardly the girl-in-distress type, all that was left to her was the little bit of air and her voice. So she used it.

JouKa screamed. Hollered as long as her air could keep her. Shouted for help. Shouted for anyone. Even being rescued by TsuYa, as embarrassing as it would have been, was preferred to dying alone, crushed to death by some creature in the forest.

I’m not ready to die yet! Come on! Where’s the backup!!

She was losing air fast, black spots playing in front of her vision. And there came a point where she cursed the world for failing her again. That was exactly when things completely turned around.

Something huge and fast sped out of the forest, bearing down on the coiling monster that loomed above her. As fuzzy as the world was, it was terribly hard to see what was going on. But JouKa could feel the relief almost instantly as the beast released her from its grip. Struggling to get her wits to herself, she pushed herself up, and back, hand scrabbling for her blade.

Animal sounds echoed through the glade – hissing and screeing. It was a terrible thing to hear. In the middle of it all, came a voice that was all too thankfully personlike.

“Hey! What are you doing away from the village? Didn’t we tell you it was dangerous out here during–” the voice paused for a long moment. She could feel someone leaning down over her. “Wow… you’re… not from around here, are you?”

And that was the last thing that JouKa heard before darkness rose to take her.

For a while, all she knew was sleep. This time, the sleep was deep, quiet and restful. And when her eyes fluttered open, there was no sign of something heavy and choking around her body. There was, instead, a soft blanket stretched over her, made of some sort of light animal skin.

JouKa lifted her head and pushed herself to sit up slowly. It seemed to be mid day, from the slant of the light through the forest canopy around her. She was sitting in a circular clearing and along the borders stood a number of short wooden totems that were planted into the ground. Each plumed a long stack of smoke that wavered to the sky. The air smelt strange from whatever the totem was burning. They seemed to be used as some sort of natural warding.

The sound of heavy sniffing drew her attention. As JouKa’s eyes focused, she could make out a large and furry head, the color of deep earth. Curious dark eyes peered out at her, a droll and almost friendly expression as the two large, tufted ears perked forward.

She attempted to get to her feet, startling as the giant creature shifted. Then, to her relief, it went back to nibbling on overhanging leaves from the tree above.

“What… in tha Seven Universes… are you..?” JouKa’s voice was hoarse as the question came from between her lips.

“Don’t worry,” came an answer from somewhere along the forest border. “Drok ain’t gonna hurt you none, girl.”

She turned her head again, this time, squinting into the brushline. Finally, after a short time, she could see him. A man, lounging idly along a branch of one of the nearby trees. He was a strange man… far bigger built than the people of the Inner realm. His hair was short and wild, the color of a crimson autumn sky. His skin was bronzed by time spent out in the sun, exposed by the open vest that draped across his broad shoulders. His eyes were a deep blue-violet and watched her with the same curiosity that she did him.

“So,” he said after a while of simply looking. “We speak similar words. That’s good to know. I was afraid you’d be talking the language of the angels… and I wouldn’t be able to understand your pretty voice.”

“Hrumph,” JouKa gave him a slight frown, folding her wings against her back self consciously. It wasn’t until then that she realized what she probably looked like to him – white haired, white winged.

Just like a guy… to open up with a line before he even tells me his name.

He only smiled all the more, leaning back as if to showcase the way the light moved over his bare arms. “You’re a toughie, aren’t you? I can tell. You don’t like being the rescued girl.”

“I don’t,” she replied curtly. After a moment’s pause, she continued, “But your help was appreciated.”

“You’re welcome,” the red-haired man nodded. Then, as if reading her previous train of thought, offered, “The name’s Oren Bhear. What about you?”

She glanced up at him, then back down again, debating. Finally, she answered, “My name is JouKa.”

“Oooh…” his mouth turned into a little “o” shape. “Even your name sounds like music.”

JouKa internally groaned. It was one of those.

“Are you hungry, JouKa?”

“No. But thank you,” she answered, realizing how hungry she actually was.

“The neidr didn’t do any lasting damage to your pretty face, did it?” Oren asked, actually seeming concerned.

“I’m fine,” JouKa shook her head. Walls up. That’s just the way it had to be. “So… that thing… is called a…”

“Neidr,” he supplied with a flip of one hand. “Yeah. Nasty beasts. They’re all over at this time of year.”

“What about… that?” she asked, indicating the strange furry creature that remained lounging idly just on the other side of the totems.

“Oh? Drok? Well, he’s my partner. We’re neidr-hunting machines,” Oren winked.

For the first time, JouKa realized there was something strapped around the creature’s head. Something that reminded her of a leather bridle that riders used for Rhawn. “Wait, are you saying that you ride that thing?”

Drok gave a keening, sad sound. Ears flattened, he showed his disapproval of being lowered to the status of “thing.”

“Aww… aww.. now look there, Miss. You’ve hurt his feelings. And after he made such a glorious rescue for you, too,” the man gave her a stern eye. “As a matter of fact, you’ve done nothing but had a rather uppity tone with the both of us this whole time. We may hunt neidr for a living, but that doesn’t mean we don’t put our lives on the line, too?”

JouKa frowned, looking slightly abashed.

Maybe I ‘ave been a little too ungrateful acting. I guess they did save my life. And they’re not really askin’ for much in return.

“I’m sorry,” she finally said in a quiet tone. “It’s just been a rough night. I don’t mean to take it out on you or your… uh… Drok.”

Oren smiled, as if rewarded amply. JouKa wasn’t sure that she liked it. But she figured he deserved something for the trouble.

“So what’s an angel like you doing out here in the forest, anyhow?” he finally asked, pulling out a short, white-wood stick and a knife. With long, straight strokes of the blade, he began to whittle at the wood with an expert hand.

She watched him for a moment, weighing the options of her answers. “I got separated from my companions. I was looking for them and fell asleep under that tree.”

“Your companions?” Oren arched one eyebrow.

“Yes… you didn’t happen to see anyone else out here, did you?”

“Now that you mention it, nope. Sorry,” he shook his head with a purse of his lips.

JouKa sighed for a moment. But as her thoughts ranged back over what had happened with TsuYa at the rock outcropping… all the awful things he said about KoGuRai… and the deep grief she felt about the whole situation… she wasn’t so sure she wanted to see him again anytime soon.

“Unless you count the other winged thing we found a few nights back,” Oren added with a blink. “Though, it didn’t look much like you at all.”

“Other… winged thing?” she found herself echoing, green eyes flicking upwards.

“Yeah. Some kind of creature… all grey skinned… black oozing stuff coming out of it… it had big black wings, though. Kinda like yours. Just not nearly as pretty,” he nodded, taking a few more slices at the stick.

KoGuRai? They… found… KoGu?

“What… ‘appened to this… winged creature?” JouKa sat up straight, trying to hide her urgency.

“Last I heard, they captured him and had him locked away at the village,” Oren answered. Pausing, he glanced down at her with a furrowed brow. “Do you know something about it?”

“I… might…?” she winced a little, afraid to tell the whole truth.

“I see. Well,” he leaned back again, “Are you interested in seeing him? It might jump start your memory… and give us some information about what we should do with him.”

“Actually… I… really would like that…” JouKa swallowed.