Divus, a simple yet beautiful world split into six separate continents ruled buy six separate lords. The six continents are called Batillus (Fire), Nymphe(Water), Tellus (Earth), Zephyru (Wind), Tenebra (Darkness), and Lucerna(Light); each named for one of the six elements that the people have mastery over, not to say that those who live on these continents cannot master other magics. The six continents form what appears to be a ring around a single barren island the size of the present day Alaska where legend says the Dark Lord and his companion lay in an enchanted slumber cast upon him buy the Six Sages. One Sage from each continent was meant to be trained as the years passed in the event the Dark Lord should awaken, yet as years turned into Centuries and Centuries into Millennia, the practice slowly died out. Those that showed exceptional power with the elements were taken in to schools to train and become strong warriors, but nothing more.

Each Continent is dominated by a different race, though other races do live within the main populace. Those among the magical races are Elves (Tellus), Demons (Tenebra), Humans (Lucerna), Shifter (Zephyru), Nymphs (Nymphe), and Lycanthropes (Batillus). Among the non-elemental based magic races reside the Centaur, Dwarves, Half- Orcs, Gnomes, Harpies, Minotaurs, Vampires, Gnolls, Trolls and the Halflings. The eleven non-elementals live on the continents with the six main races, though it is not always a peaceful co-existence for some races wish to see the Dark Lord rise. Now, nearly 5 millennia since the Dark Lord was sealed, those races may get their wish.

A disturbance has occurred within the middle island, the very thing that those who remembered the legends have feared. Each school has set forth their top student, one who is strong in their main focus, yet a master of all six, in hopes of being able to seal the Dark Lord before he awakens once more, casting shadows across their beloved world.

The School where the six Sages must train is located on the continent of Tenebra, within ēna Kristāla City, the capital of the Continent. This is where the story begins, but where it goes from here is completely up to those that the people of Divus now depend on. Each Sage has a stone representing their element that is embedded within the weapon of their choice and if they have no weapon, it was fashioned into a piece of jewelry they never remove.

Sapiens Ignis------------------>Sage of Fire------------------>Ruby
Sapientis Aqua------------------>Sage of Water------------------>Aquamarine
Sapiens Terrae------------------>Sage of Earth------------------>Emerald
Sapientis Ventus------------------>Sage of Wind------------------>Blue Topaz
Sapiens Tenebrae------------------>Sage of Darkness------------------>Black Diamond
Sapientis lux------------------>Sage of Light------------------>Diamond

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1.

Darkness, something she should be accustomed to seeing as she had been in this cell for a few days now with almost no light and very little food. She remained huddled in the far right corner, her pale white legs drawn up to her chest, hiding as much of her naked body as she could from the leering guards that stood watch over her cell. She couldn't understand why they were there, and part of her just didn't want to even though one question ran through her head contently. What was it about her; a small elf girl; that had them watching her so intently?

After a few moments, one of the guards came to her door, her usually provision of cold beef soup, along with a stale piece of bread and some water in his hand. When she made no move to approach the bars, the guard sneered and opened the door, causing the Girl to scurry up the wall, her back pressed firmly against it because she had no other place to go. Upon inspection, bruises littered the girl's small body and blood was on both her legs and face, a jagged cut could be seen running horizontally across her right cheek, just under her eye, blood crusted over both the cut and down her cheek.

The closer the guard got to her, the more her body shook and before she knew it, a scream ripped it's way from her already sore throat. The cry of terror echoed off the prison's uncaring walls, and would of made even the more seasoned guardsmen flinch in annoyance. But then the guard in her cell dropped her food to the floor, growled angrily, made two steps forward and backhanded her with his mailed glove. The force of the strike silenced the elf's cries of terror and the guard was rewarded with only ragged breathing and new blood on the floor.

The guard took a breath and looked down to the split rations and chuckled a bit, "Stupid girl, you spilt your food. How clumsy of you." When all he got was soft whimper the guard turned around and made his way out of the cell, waving as he left, "See you next time." the soldier said as if he was saying it to a mere bug. With a resounding slam of door, the elf was left to her split food and grim fate.

She inched towards her food slowly, watching the guard closely before she sat down and used the stale bread to sop up what she could of the little bit of soup that was still in the bowl. She remained silent as she ate, ignoring the fresh blood that was sliding down her cheek and dripping onto the dirt floor. Once she was done, the elf slid back to her corner and resumed her earlier posture, her arms hugging her legs even tighter now as she waited for the next morning.

Time passes differently in a cell, without the sun you can never really see the dawn arise over the horizon, but the body can tell if it has not been that long since it's incarceration. Another day in the dungeons is merely another jot on the calendar, with the meager prison rations as the highlight of the day. This always come at dawn and dusk, and every time the battered elf had to endure the guards antics before she was granted her meal.

Except this time when the door opened she saw that two males enter, the first being one of regular guards. But the man who folowed the guard she had never met before. She could not make out much about him though other than he was slightly taller, seemed sturdier, and wore a black fur cloak. Being in a dungeoun so long adjusts your eyes to see better in the darkness, so when a torch is seen it hurts the eyes as they try to adjust.

"So, this is the one?" Said an unfamiliar but gruff tone, probably the stranger.

"Aye, this is her. Your brother had a good time with this one," the guard said with a wicked grin across his face.

"So I see. That will be all Vince, I will take it from here," the stranger ordered.

"Shame, I wish we could of had our way with her a bit longer." And with that the brute Vince handed the torch to the stranger and left the cell, closing it as he left.

The stranger then walked over to the opposing walls and lit the the lanterns on the opposing sides of the room, giving the cell a bit more of lighted atmosphere. Afterwards he placed the torch itself in the holder next to the door, turned back around, and then stood there for a moment looking at the elf in the corner. She felt his gaze upon her, and already assumed he was another of his ilk. Perhaps this was one of the lesser children here to either avenge his brother for his injuries or to take advantage of her. Wild and horrible thoughts raced through her mind as she watched from her corner in the cell. He then strode forward and placed a single package on the ground in the middle of the dankly lit room, "This should be better food than what you are used too." He then placed a flask beside the package, "This is spring water from Northern Lucerna, not poisonous if you are worried." He uncorked the flask and took a quick sip before placing it down. He then walked back to the opposite wall and sat down, leaning his back against the wall.

The elf watched him closely and waited until he went back to the other wall before she went to the food and water her provided for her. After a moment, she grabbed the bag he had provided for her and practically shoveled the food into her small mouth. Due to her trying to eat so quickly, she started coughing and immediately grabbed the flask of water and guzzled it down before dumping the rest of the water over her reopened cut. When the water met the wound she let out a small hiss of pain, but decided that the pain was worth getting as much dirt out of the scrape as possible.

2

Aravan sat quietly in the cell. It was musty smelling to say the least, and the moisture in the room bred a fungus that made the mustiness even more powerful. He thought for a while about how he'd gotten into this situation. He'd only entered a part of the capital that was gated, and he didn't think that was such a big deal, though the moment anyone even seen the ratty dressed young man, there was a rush to chase him down, and he didn't even have a chance.

So here he was, sitting in a cell, not saying a word. In fact, since he'd been found on the campus, not a sound had escaped his lips. Even when he'd been interrogated after his arrest, he didn't have anything to say to the man who tried to build a profile of the newly interred prisoner. Perhaps if Aravan had a sense of humor, he'd have found it funny that he was listed in it as a 18 year old human. Truthfully, he was much older than that, even if his mindset was comparable to one.

The sound of creaking could be heard from around a corner, though Aravan didn't respond to it at all. Doubtless just another guard with some stale bread and water for him to eat. Still, the sound of three sets of footsteps did pique the boy's curiosity, not that he would ever show it.
"This is the boy, sir," the guard spoke to the other two. A woman who looked to be in her mid twenties nodded in response.

"Thank you, officer," she spoke. "You may leave." The officer sighed and exited the room. "Headmaster," she continued.

A tall figure wearing a crimson red velvet cloak, steps up next to the other woman, Aravan was unable to see the figures face due to the cloak that completely concealed what was underneath. There was a few moments of silence before the hooded figure inclided it's head, signalling for the first woman to leave the area and once she did, a small sigh could be heard. "Well then, I supposed an explaination is in order is it not?" a female voice said from within the shadow of the hood, "What exactly did you hope to find here that caused you to break into an institute of learning young demon?"

Aravan blinked and looked up. He was shocked. There was something unsettling about this woman. All the records there cited him as a human, and the fact that his appearance was so humanlike had afforded him the ability to travel unimpeded, as the violent nature of his race had been easily overlooked. Still, the woman's words were jarring enough to finally make the young boy speak a single word: "How?"

Though it could not be seen, when the woman spoke, a smile was evident in her voice, "Not much gets past me Aravan, you will learn not to be so surprised as time goes on. Now, come with me, I am sure you are hungry for real food as it seems the Guards have not heeded my requests to feed you properly. I will warn you though, should you try to run the conseqeunce will be unseemly." With that said, a slim pale hand appears from beneath the folds of the cloak, offered for him to take.

Aravan's eyes widened. He was suddenly very frightened by the woman. His blue eyes seemed to shine in the darkness, showing his fear to anyone who could see it. His left hand tightened, clenching the rags on his leg. "Who told you that!?" He nearly shouted, his voice cracking. He'd never told anyone his name, and the fact that this woman knew it was frankly terrifying. It reminded him of a monster, something untrustworthy. For the first time since he'd turned 50, he feared for his life.

"You have every right to be frightened, you have told no one your name and the fact that I know it unsettles you. I will tell you a secret very few people know of me, I am what is labled as a Warlock, a child of a Demon and a Human, something both rare and considered unnatural. Because of this strange mix, I have powers that assist me in knowing things that most people tell no one, what most people want to keep hidden. I know what is hidden in a person's heart of hearts. I also know that you, Aravan, are a Sage and need schooling."

If it was possible, Aravan's eyes widened even more. Too much was going on for him to understand. He was shocked, he was frightened, he had no idea what was going on, and he was confused. He siezed up. For a time, he didn't even breathe. An eternity seemed to pass, and when the young man became woozy, he finally took a breath. He realized, finally, that he didn't have a choice in what was going on. This woman would get her way, whatever that was, and there was nothing Aravan would be able to do to change that. He finally calmed down. His eyes softened, resuming the dull expression he'd carried the entire time he'd been in the prison.

He stood silently and walked up to the woman. He looked to the ground as if he were a dog that knew that it had disappointed his master. Again, he fell to his silence, following her wherever she was leading him. Truthfully, the boy had no idea what was coming. He didn't know what a Sage was, he didn't know what she meant by 'heart of hearts', or even what the woman meant by unnatural. For now, all he could do was follow, and let fate guide him ahead.

3.

As Ostel watched her devour the small meal, the human could not help but feel a sickness in his gut. A sickness that developed into a tight knot that threatened to blow over into either a rage or sadness from the wretched display. But Ostel now knew that he had made the right decision in confronting his father about this, for Fredrick's actions against this elf had crossed a line.

Unable to merely sit and watch Ostel stood back up to his feet, which prompted the elf to stiffen and gaze at him with her violet eyes. It was almost like she had become a scared animal he hunted, watching his every move, ever doubting his motive. Not that he blamed her really, any sane being would after what she had endured.

Not knowing how to begin, he knelt down on one knee to match her at eye level. She backed away of course, retreating into the safety of her dark corner. Ostel took a deep breath, "Do you have a name?" he asked hoping to begin on a comfortable subject.

The girl looked up at Ostel, watching to ensure he did not come any closer to her before shaking her head no. She didn't understand what he was doing or what he was getting at by asking her if she had a name. She was nothing but a slave, a slave was never privy to a name, only cruel beatings and an outlet for sexual aggression from the Sons of the household. When she noticed he wasn't going to make a move to get closer, she slowly went back to the direction of the food and reached for the flask, trying to remain as far away from him as she could, which resulted in her inability to get what she wanted.

He nodded, expecting her fear. He picked up the flask, making her figure stop, she retracted her arm, but she didn't fall back to the shadows. She merely looked up to him, and he handed out the flask in his bare hand, "I understand that you are afraid, but you have to overcome that if you want to survive." he said making a shaking motion with his hand so she could hear the sloshing of the water. When she did not move at first, he then asked, "Will you die in fear, or dare to live again?"

She stared at him for a moment before surprising him, "How... How can I live.... when I don't know who I am?" she asked, her voice hoarse from all the screaming she had done before and from dehydration. To her, a person without a name was not alive, they were just there to be seen and used. A nameless face that had not soul, no real purpose and no power over what was to happen to them. She also noticed at the time of her thoughts that Ostel seemed confused, so she took advantage of that moment and moved with surprising speed to snatch the Flask from his hand before upending it into her mouth.

He jumped a bit at her speed, but could only chuckled as the elf drank like it would be her last. With a school boy smirk he then asked, "If you do not know your name, perhaps I can give you one." the elf stopped drinking and gave him a queer look, but he shook his head, "I know you more than likely have a name, but if you do not remember it then this will serve just for the time being." She said nothing, but merely kept staring at him as she drank the water from the flask.

With no answer he shrugged and asked. "How about Summer?"

She scrunched up her face for a minute as she thought about what he asked before letting her features relax as she nodded her head in agreement. She had already spoken to this man once, she had no desire to do so again at the moment. In fact, she really didn't want to talk to anyone at all... ever... if she could help it.

He nodded back and stood himself up, "You do not have to say anything then, that suits me fine. But you need to be aware of a few things Summer." She sat down and covered her bust with her knees and hands, her eyes looking somewhat at him and a bit here and there.

Ostel went ahead and explained, crossing his arms as he began, "By this time tomorrow you were to be executed for ... 'resisting' my brother Fredrick. I spared you from such a fate, for there is little love between me and him. There is little time to explain in full detail, but for now, if you want to live to see the outside world again, you need act like as my slave for the time being." He said as if simply addressing a child.

He then relaxed his arms and gave a sympathetic look to the elf, "If you can do that until we get out of the Grimward estate.... well all I am saying is that people tend to get lost in the northern forests all the time. Dangerous place, full of bandits, mostly elven rogues." He said hoping she would catch his meaning.

4.

Summer stared at Ostel for some time before letting out what he assumed was a sigh before she stood up, not bothering to cover herself, Slaves weren't allowed clothes so it wasn't like she had any modesty as it was. When Ostel made no move to go anywhere, she raised a delicate eyebrow in confusion. Perhaps she was had understood him wrong, maybe he wasn't letting her out of this cell and removing her from the care of the lecherous guards just yet. All that talk of being different from his family and she was already beginning to doubt him, but then again, no one owed her anything as she was a slave, and no better than the livestock they kept.

Shrugging his shoulders, "Well I suppose I will have to just keep on talking to myself and Snow I guess. Speaking of which..." he turned and gave a sharp whistle, which was followed by the pattering of soft feet upon the dungeon floor.

Around the corner came the white wolf companion of Ostel, his ghostly tail whipping back and forth happily at the site of him. His tail wagging stopped though as it glanced it's fierce red eyes at Summer, he did not growl though, but the wolf kept his gaze fixed upon her. Noting Snow's caution he smiled and patted his thick mane, "Summer's a friend Snow, we need to help her alright?" Then Snow's tail went waggling again as he confidently left Ostel's patting and made his way slowly to Summer.

Unexpectedly, Summer's face broke out in a smile as she immediately went to Snow and began to pet the Wolf. It was obvious that she was not afraid of the animal in the least and she immediately felt comforted by its closeness. She never really understood why, but she always felt at home when she was with animals, she knew they would never hurt her and she could even talk to them and understand what they said to her, though she never told anyone. Summer felt like it was a secret she had to hide from others, afraid that they would try to use her gift to their advantage, so she ensured that no one was paying her any mind when she talked to the animals she had been put in charge of.

Taking a sigh of relief Ostel then asked bluntly, "You cannot go anywhere in your condition though," he said unclasping his fur cloak and setting it aside. Summer however immediately looked up and became wide eyed by the motion, her fear causing her to hold onto Snow tightly. Seeing this Ostel stopped and gave a confused look, "Your injuries need to be tended ... ohh I see," He said taking off his gloves, "I'm a healer of sorts, but I need to be able to put my hands upon the wounds. Do you think you can be brave enough to let me? " He asked warily as he showed his bare hands to her..

Summer took what he said into consideration before releasing her hold on Snow and holding up a finger to Ostel, asking him to wait. Confused, Ostel watched as Summer began to point out the more awkward areas that she was hurt, silently letting him know that she would let him do what he must, but that she wasn't going to lie and say she was comfortable with it. One such area was her inner right thigh where it was obvious his brother had taken a knife and sliced down to her inner knee. She then proceeded to motion to her back before she turned around and moved her blood stained hair out of the way to show him the multiple whip marks on her thin back. It was obvious then they had spared her no comfort when she had been punished, blood was everywhere on her frail body and it was a wonder that she was even still living. Once she was done pointing out a few more areas, including the deepest one that was on her face, she let her arms drop and waited for Ostel to approach her.

5.

The human gave a solemn look of pity as she showed her wounds, but he nodded silently and told Snow to guard the entrance as he began his work. Though it was hard, Summer bit her lip as Ostel's gruff hands began touching her bare skin, delicately examining her wounds. As he placed his hands upon the injuries Summer winced in pain from the pressure of his firm hands.

Then she felt a soothing warmth radiate from his hands, the stinging pain went away until there was not left but a dull ache from every injury Ostel confronted. Her scar across her face was the more notable wound, and Ostel slowly placed his hand upon her cheek. It was a soft and gentle touch compared to the last person who struck it. In the more delicate areas he looked up with a questioning gaze, and when Summer nodded he did the same treatment again.

One the wound around the thigh to the knee though she instinctively tensed and closed her legs. She let out a uneasy breath, to which Ostel stopped and waited patiently until she let him continue. When he went around behind her to treat her back however, she could not help but turn with him timidly. He gave a concerned look, "Summer?"

She shifted from foot to foot as she looked at him, she understood that he was only trying to heal her wounds, but she didn't feel comfortable with him at her back. After a moment of consideration, she pointed at Snow, then to the space between her and Ostel as if asking if he could stand between them as Ostel healed her back.

He nodded and whistked Snow to do as she requested, with snow happily rubbing his fur aginst her legs to comfort her. She took a deep breath and summoned what courgae she could muster and willed herself to turn her back to the human. As before, his hands went over each wound as carefully as he could, trying to cause as little discomfort as he could. Summer tried to force herself to keep her thoughts on Snow as his fur rubbed against her skin.

Before she knew it Ostel was walking in front of her with a nod, "Well, that should do it I guess. Better I hope?"

She blinked a bit and gently touched her face where the cut used to be, now replaced with a pale white scar, before dropping her hand and nodding her head. Ostel had showed her more kindness in the small amount of time that he had been in the cell with her than she had expierenced in her entire life and that alone brought tears to her eyes. This was something she wasn't used to, something that she feared that should would have to repay in a way she never wanted to do ever again.

Before Ostel could say anything Summer collapsed into Ostel’s arms, which surprised him at first as he grabbed her shaken form instinctively as it heaved with soft sobs. He did not say anything, for sometimes nothing need be said. Instead he merely gently let her body fall with him as he rested his back against the wall of the cell.

As if reading his mind his wolf companion came back with his fur cloak held tentavily in his fangs. Ostel nodded to Snow and wrapped the cloak around himself and Summer. While Snow paced around Summer's legs and rested there, his vigilant eyes watching the entrance. After a few more moments of silent tears, Summer tentively pushed at Ostel's chest, signalling that she wanted to be released. She wasn't very big on contact with humans and the fact that she had allowed Ostel to do what he did took more courage than she thought she even had. I want to go now... I don't want to be in here anymore, she thought as she stared at Snow.

Ostel did not stop her as she stood up, he merely nodded and righted himself up, clasping his cloak back on. He then took a breath before scratching the back of his head in thought, "We need to go to the main hall, my father had summoned me to appear before the council before noon." he then looked to her and met her violet eyes with a worried glance, "He ordered your presence there as well. Fredrick will be present, will you be able to quietly conduct yourself?" He asked worriedly.

Summer gave him a disbelieving look as she straightened out her shoulders and lifted her chin up slightly, as if saying she could do what needed to be done. She was labeled as the silent one as it was, so he had no reason to worry that she would speak out of turn. She had a bad feeling about seeing Fredrick again, though she hoped that the claw marks she had left on his face were still there or had at least scared, to her the bastard deserved a good marring,

With a nod Ostel then nodded toward the door, "No matter what happens, stay close to me and Snow. if you feel like you cannot be quiet, lean on Snow, he will be right beside you, won't you?" The white wolf barked sharply and made his way to the other side of Summer. With that, human, elf, and wolf gladly left the cell behind them, making their way towards the main hall of the Grimwards.

6

The Cloaked female turned her back to him before motioning for him to follow her out of the room. The hallway she led him down was dark, very little light could be seen as they walked silently in the darkness. After a bit, she waved a hand in front of her and a portal appeared before them. "You may not like this, but we need to go through here in order for me to take you to the people you are meant to meet."

Upon seeing the portal, Aravan looked away. He'd finally taken on enough courage to regain his obstinate attitude. "I don't want to meet anyone," he mumbled, practically in a whisper. Even though the woman terrified him to his very core, he somehow was able to regain his willpower. He was happy being alone. Nobody to ridicule or demean him, nobody to tear him down. He could just be himself without the input of anybody else.

"You know, it's unwise to disobey the headmaster," came a feminine voice. At some point during the walking, they'd passed the young woman from before. "If you're stubborn, you can end up in a much worse place than you are right now."

"Rachele, that is unneeded," the Headmaster stated, 'Please go back about the task that I have set for you. The others should be arriving soon. And you Aravan, I am sad to say you have no choice in the matter on whether or not you meet new people. It is what destiny calls for therefore it must be done, now please, step through the portal so I can avoid over-riding you freewill."

The woman nodded and turned away, disappearing into the darkness, just as Aravan firmly planted his feet to the ground and clenched his fists. He had no experience with anyone telling him what to do, and it was infuriating. He was only used to being bullied and knew how to deal with that. A scowl crossed his lips as a sudden rush of blood reached under his skin. In an instant, his skin hair and eyes turned the color of the pitch itself, and he turned on his heels. He would be able to get away again, do something else. He was sure of it. He silently fled, taking any turn he could.

The Headmaster let out a small sigh and before Aravan knew it, he found himself right back in front of her. Her arms were folded across her chest and though her face was not visible, he could feel the glare upon her face. "Aravan, no matter what you do you can not run away from your fate," she said, her tone now cold, "Step through the Portal please, and meet up with the people you are supposed to help, and those who are supposed to help you." Aravan suddenly felt a sharp pressure on his back that forced him forward, towards the portal.

Aravan fell forward from trying to fight the force that was moving him against his will. "I don't need anyone... And nobody needs me..." He groaned, trying to cling to the cold floor. He felt helpless and powerless, though, his hands sliding away from it as he was moved. He turned around, struggling against the force, but found himself flung backward into the portal. He crashed onto a new sort of ground, and was shocked back to his normal pale skin and azure eyes. He groaned as he got back to his feet, his eyes taking a while to adjust to the new place where he found himself.

7.

He falls backwards onto the floor. His face is covered in blood. He groans, voicing his pain, and spits out a tooth. He can barely move his jaw.

The rest are already unconscious. They’d been dealt with moments earlier.

The man slowly eases himself onto the flats of his arms and turns himself over, spitting out some more blood and another tooth. He coughs, and then calls out, “AHHHHHHHHHHH!” A pair of gloves studded with dark green stones reach down and pick the man up, turning him over. His face shoots upward and stops face-to-face with a face of jade.

The man laughs. “What happens now?” He asks, snickering.

“You know damn well what happens now.” A hushed voice replies, hidden behind the green elven visage. “Tell me where the ship is.” The man shakes his head, still chuckling. “You are really something, huh? The right guy?” He says, “Oh, man… when they get a load of you…” A swift jab at the man’s cheek, and he falls back down to the floor. A hunk of jade would put a bruise on anyone fairly easily. The green figure places his boot on the man’s chest, pinning him down. But he’s still laughing.

“The ship. Where is it?”

The man spits on the figure’s boot, a mixture of blood and saliva adorning it. “Eighth… eighth pier, south of Hunlow’s Fishery… ship leaves in an hour… be ready for a trip…” He says, revealing all his secrets, and ceasing his laughing. The figure nods, replying, “That’s a good man.” He kneels down and delivers a swift punch to the man’s face, sealing the deal by rendering him unconscious, same as the rest of the group. No one died, but everyone failed. Except for the green figure. He had only yet to succeed. He stood upright, leaving the five men to finish their nap in peace. In a small, unassuming cellar buried in the town of humans.

They would be fine. At least, he assumed they would. It wasn’t his concern however, all he needed to worry about was Hunlow’s Fishery, and how to reach it as soon as possible without attracting any attention.

When you work freely outside of public appeal, you have to take these forms of precautions. But at the same time, you have to move fast. Or else the job just gets longer, and more difficult to accomplish. He didn’t have any time to waste or room for error. He had to move.

But in truth, it’s amazing how quickly you can move when all you see is the destination. And the path isn’t even there.

8.

The main hall of the Grimward family was impressive to say the least. Along the walls stood towering statues of many figures of the past, scholars and collectors of wisdom, mighty warriors holding their weapons on high, and even wary hunters stalking an invisible foe with their bow drawn. Books and tomes lined the alcoves of the halls with plenty of chairs for curios minds to delve into. Glass stained windows with vibrant bright colors allowed the sunlight to illuminate the hall.

As one of the more respected human families on Lucerna, their hall showed to the history of the Grimwards since the beginnings of the mankind's domination o the continent. Now as one of the leading clans on the Human Alliance, their role is more of a balanced approach. Their main goal has always been to preserve history, no matter how insignificant.

However in recent years the house's goals have shifted to a focus on martial and military prowess rather than the search for wisdom and temperance. And nowhere is this shift more apparent than on the council of lords in the Grimward hall. Five seats on the council advise the lord of house Grimward, aiding him or her with their combined talents and expertise.

Among those seated was the bald headed and grizzled Gerald Hammerfell, one of the most respected knights in the house and veteran of the last elven revolt. Beside him was clean-shaven Victor Goldsand, a gifted merchant who settled down in the region and not soon afterwards began helping the Grimwards in his knowledge of trade goods. in contrast to the silent Gerald and well mannered Victor, an elderly man at the center in multi-color magic robes shifted in his chair impatiently.

The aged Master Elwrick groaned and seemingly spoke aloud to no one in particular, but many had learned a long time ago not to interrupt his ramblings. He was among the more skilled spell user in the school of Light on Lucerna. Anyone unwise or unknowing who interrupted his ramblings soon was blinded by a sudden blast of light, and then afterwards he would lecture the individual on how rude they were being.

Next up came a middle-aged female who was dressed in a simple traveler’s cloak, who was absentmindedly spun a small dagger on the table. This was Terra Softsong, and she was best known as the eyes and ears of the Grimwards. Her many spies not only resided in Grimward territory, but also on many of the other continents. Few lived long enough to draw her ire.

And then there was the heir to House Grimward, Fredrick Grimward. He was not as stocky as Ostel, and he had a cruel and cold calculating gaze that made many uneasy. As the youngest of the council he was more of an observer to see how the kingdom was to be run, but that did not stop him from voicing his opinion every chance he could get.

The council sat at a horseshoe table at the foot of the steps leading up to a seat of beautifully craved marble, a throne. And here sat Magnus Grimward, the head of the household, with his weathered but sturdy gaze fixed on the council below him. Beyond the council, a few royal knights, and the Lord of House Grimward, the hall was empty.

At least until Ostel, Summer, and Snow entered in from one of the side doors into the main hall. Whatever discussions the council and the lord were discussing ceased as the trio made their way towards the assembled nobles who now stood to meet the newcomers.

Ser Hammerfell spoke first, his gruff but friendly tone greeting his former student, "Ostel! Good to see you lad. I trust you have been keeping up on your swordsmanship?" He said rounding the table to meet the young man.

With a smile the bastard of house Grimward embraced the old master of arms, "I would never hear the end of it if I did not would I? Nice to see you have not kicked the bucket yet Ser Hammer." With that the pair parted and the old knight then took up his seat again.

Master Elwrick merely nodded to Ostel, "I understand you lent your healing skills to some farmers who were attacked by the latest elf raid. It is good to are not just waving your sword around, you'll need more than brawn if what Milady Softsong says is true." He said looking toward his dangerous colleague.

The dagger stopped spinning in front of Lady Terra with but a flick of her wrist, "Ain't my concern now old man, it's up to his father. I would feel sorry for you kid, but life deals out odd hands sometimes." The spymaster said as she kicked her feet up onto the table, much to the disgust of Victor beside her, "Really Terra, boots on the table now?" he said with an ounce of annoyance in his voice.

It was then that Magnus Grimward stood up from his throne, and all discussion halted in the hall. Even Terra Softsong sat upright and faced him as he marched down the stairs with a composure and authority that befitted a Lord of a human household. He then stopped at the head of the table and looked over everyone before he took his own seat at the head of the horseshoe table, and then everyone else did as well.

Ostel gave Summer a nod and sat down in the one chair facing the council, and Summer did what years of practice demanded. She stood beside him silently, making sure her gaze did not meet Fredrick's preying eyes. Though she knew he was staring at her, Summer tried her best to keep her face passive as she slowly looked at everyone else at the table, curious as to who would be sitting there. When her eyes fell on Magnus, she immediately looked to the floor to show she was not trying to challenge him in any manner. She knew that it would be the last thing she would ever do if that were what Magnus thought.

Finally Magnus spoke with a deep voice, one that had to be tempered lest he always be using his outside voice in a command tone, "Thank you for coming to the capital so quickly Ostel, and for bringing the elf girl with you."

With that Ostel merely bowed his head and said with a grin, "Well there was not much hunting to be had in the Everwhite forests this time of year, most the game is quite elusive during the fall."

With a sarcastic nod Fredrick spoke for the first time, his voice very much unlike his father’s as his tone was more sweet and smooth, "Perhaps you should look into a different profession other than hunting bastard. Perhaps if you are losing your edge at hunting I might suggest becoming a tailor, or maybe even a cross dresser. I know a fair that could use a strong male in women's clothes." He said with his friend Victor across the table laughing at the image.

The insults that Fredrick was throwing at Ostel made Summer unexpectedly angry, so angry that she finally had the courage to stare him right in the eyes. Once her eyes met his, a strong gust of wind raced through the room and nearly knocked Fredrick on his ass, something that both surprised Summer, but made her smirk all the same. To her, Ostel was a good enough human and she didn't like that the poor excuse for a man that was his brother deserved all the pain imaginable.

The council also made a collective surprise at the display, and would of acted further but then a booming voice sounded through the hall, "Enough!"

If the gust of wind was a surprise, the deepness of the Magnus Grimward's voice got all the attention from every eye in the room, for he had seemingly grown a foot taller as his figure became more ominous and menacing. His gaze fixed on Fredrick for a moment, and then Ostel, and finally Summer.

But he merely breathed deeply, turned around and picked his chair back up and began again, "I had hoped with age the two of you would of left petty child-like disputes like this behind you. I see now I have failed in that regard as a father, but I do not have time for simple insults. Things are developing quicker than we anticipated and I need you both to pull your heads out of your prideful asses and keep focused on the bigger picture." He then turned to Terra and nodded.

Upon Magnus telling the boys to pull their heads out of their ass, a small snicker escaped Summer that immediately turned into a coughing fit in her haste to cover up the sound. She didn't want anyone to direct their attention to her, but soon enough the coughing got worse due to her sore throat.

The council merely gave a collective glare at the naked elf but the Grimward spymaster then stood, drawing the attention away from Summer. Lady Softsong pulled a small scroll from one of her many pockets, "This came from Tenebra, from the University of Sages." This grabbed the attention of all of the council, and even Ostel who gave a wary look. The only one who did not look surprised was Lord Magnus himself and his spymaster.

Lady Softsong opened up the small note and read the inscription:

"The call has come for the Sages to gather once more,
for the darkness threatens to engulf all in a mighty roar.
Come Fire, Earth, Water, Wind, Darkness, and Light,
once more your vigilance is needed to combat the night.
Twilight approaches Divus on the strongest arms of time,
and only as one can the evil be defeated in it's prime."

After she finished reading the scroll the woman flipped the scroll over and read again;

"The bastard Ostel has been chosen be the Sage of Light,
have him make haste to the University to prepare for the fight."

With that the Grimward spymaster bowed to her lord, handed the scroll to him, and sat back down. With that a silence more heavy than the snowfall of winter descended upon the hall as the implications of the summons sunk in.

Gerald Hammerfell then stood up and walked over to Ostel, standing in front of the bastard. Ostel rose to meet his former mentor, but the grizzled old war veteran towered over the young man. For a moment a tenseness that was alien existed between the pair.

And then Gerald Hammerfell knelt down on one knee to the bastard, "My lord Sage."

The rest of the council followed suit, from the aged master Elwrick to even Ostel's brother Fredrick got up from their seats and knelt before him.

To Ostel, he could not of had a more confused look on his face, so befuddled he was that he could not think of anything to say. He looked to Summer with a worried look, but she also merely followed suit and knelt down before him. Only his father, Magnus Grimward stood standing, eyeing him intently with a cold hard gaze. He had seen that gaze many a time before, such as when he would judge a criminal or someone’s worth.

Then with a mere nod, Ostel's proud father produced a large oddly shaped object that was bound in leather, and came around the table with strong strides to stand in front of his bastard. He then unwrapped the bindings, and the object was revealed to be a silver adorned warhammer. Magnus then spoke with a familiar voice that Ostel remembered when he was just a lad. There was a gentle kindness and strength in his voice that brought back the memories of his father was telling him stories;

"The Sage of Light wields the Dawnbringer, and ever shall Darkness flee before the dawn that the Sage of Light brings with it. Ostel von Grimward, my son, you are now the wielder of our most cherished treasure. Lord Sage, go with not just the blessings of house Grimward, but of all Lucerna."

With that proud Magnus Grimward, the man whom Ostel never saw bow to any man bowed to him. His father’s hands were holding the massive silver warhammer with such effort that Ostel could only instinctfully grasp the weapon to ease his father's burden, only when he grabbed it, the Dawnbringer shined all the more in his hands.

In his hands, Dawnbringer felt as light as a well forged sword, but any doubt to it's power was immediately lost when he examined the weapon closely. Bright runes and images of battles long past were etched across the handle and the head of the magical silver coated weapon. On one side of the head was a flat surface meant for crushing his foes while on the other side the head was sharpened to a curved point like a hawk's beak.

With that Ostel could only shake his head, "I ... I am at a lose for the words." He never expected this, his father had just called him his son, which was also very unsettling, and so many things were just ... different now. The head of the Grimward household stood up, and so did the rest of the council after him.

Master Elwrick spoke first as he rose to his old and shaky knees, "Accept the damned thing you daft boy! Fate does not choose people lightly." The rest of the council rose as Victor Goldsand agreed, "You know the tale my lord Sage, whoever becomes the Sage of Light will save Lucerna from evil. It has always been this way, and frankly it could go to no better able person." He said bowing his head solemnly.

The only one who seemed of sour spirits then spoke, "Have you no honor Goldsong? You would praise a whore to lower her price." Said Fredrick Grimward, who stood alone away from the rest of the council.

Before Magnus could chide his son, the venerable Ser Hammerfell retorted, "You got some nerve talking about honor boy! This coming from a wee lad who beat his hunting hawk because he could not fly in a damned storm!"

With that Magnus only gave his eldest son a glare and said, "Fredrick, you have a long way to go before you become the ruler of the Grimwards, I suggest you listen more than you speak. Your prideful youth is clouding your judgment, and woe is the day we lose one of our finest hunting hawks because you let it get the best of you. You knew you could not beat Ostel at hunting. But you foolishly took the wager and lost. Now the poor animal suffers for it." Fredrick meekly lowered his gaze and backed away from his overpowering father.

9.

Upon hearing about the abuse of an animal, Summer unexpectedly stood and took a step towards Magnus before speaking, "If I may make a request Sire," she murmured softly, her violet eyes already pleading, "I would like... I would like to take the hawk... If.... if I may. I do not care what state it is in, I will take full responsibility of the hawk. I know I have no right to ask, since I am a slave, but I promise to ask no more of you than this."

It was a thing unheard in recent years that elven slaves would ask for something to not just her master, let alone a lord. A few among the council expected the elf to be beaten on the spot, but to those who knew Magnus well enough knew otherwise. He then turned and marched up to the elf, looking over her bare figure with a cold gaze. But the tense moment passed like a spring wind over the remaining remnants of winter.

With a smile the head of the Grimwards nodded, "I do not see why not, he was one of our finest hawks. I will have Merlin brought here quickly, his worse injuries have been mended, but I have a feeling you will take good care of him." With a snap of his fingers, two nearby guards marched away into one of the many corridors leading away from the hall.

With many a bowing head to their lord and new Sage, the Grimward council departed from the main hall. This left only a few guards, the lord Magnus, his bastard, and the elven sage. As the council left though the two guards sent by their lord returned with a small bird sized bed, and upon rested the hunting hawk known as Merlin. Without thinking about the consequences that could arise, Summer did not wait for the guards to get to her before she rushed over to the Bird of Prey resting on the bed.

Carefully, she ran shaking fingers over one of the splinted wings and let out a muted sob. She wasn't sure why, but touching the Hawk, she could feel the birds pain and it made her cry. "How... how could someone do something like this?" she murmured so quietly only the Lord Magnus heard her words, "To harm a life so much smaller than you... you would have to be a monster."

After a moment more, she looked up at the Lord, "May I... may I hold him?"

The tall human smiled and nodded, "You may. And should you find it within yourself to care for Merlin, consider him your companion. I should warn you though, he may be healed physically, but his spirit seems to have dimmed since he came back with my son." He then nodded to the guards who placed the bed into Summer's hands.

"I don't know how Sire... but... I can feel his pain as if it were my own. He would like... He would like to know why Fredrick did this. He doesn't understand what he did wrong," she murmured, "He feels, he feels that he has been betrayed by the person who was supposed to take care of him."

Summer looks up at Magnus and manages to maintain eye contact as she waits for either him to reply, or Fredrick. She hoped that her voicing what she felt in her soul from Merlin would not cause too many issues to erupt, but she also knew that the Hawk wanted those questions answered and she was the one to ask them. To her, Merlin was a being, a soul, to be treasured and taken care of, not hurt, beaten and broken. She would never look at Fredrick as anything more than a monster.

Magnus Grimward could only sigh, "I have failed as a father my young elf. The blame lies on me, any anger you feel toward him comes from my actions ... or inaction. I am sorry." And then he bowed his head to the naked elf.

Ostel seeing this could not help but gawk and ask aloud, "Father, what are you doing?" the bastard then shook his hands in disbelief, "Actually never mind that, what in the heavens did you just say?" Never before since the first wars between elf and man on Lucerna had a human say what the lord just said.

The head of the Grimwards merely said, "The truth, something that needed to be said." he then looked to the elf and again said the words, "I am sorry young elf, for so many things." he said with his gaze hitting the floor in shame.

Before Summer or Ostel could ask him by what he meant, Lord Magnus took a deep breath and composed himself again, "I suggest you leave soon Ostel, the University in Tenebra will need your presence.soon. Take the elf with you though, and watch over her." he then looked to Summer, "Pardon me for moment, Ostel come here."
Ostel was unsure what to make of his father at that moment, but he seemed of sound mind. After walking to the foot of the throne, leaving Summer with the stricken hawk, his father then said something the Ostel did not expect, "The elf, she is the Sage of Wind."

And then the bastard's head reeled, but his father continued, "I cannot begin to tell you how this will affect us here in Lucerna my son. You must guide her, and help her realize that not all humans are as bad as Fredrick." He said with a rare hint of worry.

Ostel gave a disbelieving look, "I am not sure if I can Father."

With a grim look his father then said, "If you cannot Ostel, Sage of Light, then I fear for the safety of our house. No, for all humanity."

10.

He looked upon the pier from his position on the tiled roof, which he deemed secure. He stayed low and didn’t peek his head over the edge. There stood the boat he’d been after for the past few days. The Deliverance. A covert, unassuming ship that bore all the markings of an official trade vessel. People walked right by it and silently thought how it was an important part of the intercontinental trading system. They didn’t even bother stopping to wonder what was in those crates. Shackled elves dressed in filthy rags, packed neatly into little wooden boxes, stacked up, and stowed away onboard. They were so malnourished and bare that they could fit inside easily without straining anything. They had little holes to breathe through and plenty of moist wheat strands to snack on.

This is why he fought. This is why he existed. This is why almost everyone who talked about slave drives being busted and corrupt officials being taken down always, always mentioned his name.

Jade Fist.

He scanned the length of the piers running along the seaside. Given it was nighttime, the area was clear, save for the Deliverance making its usual nightly departures. He’d spent nearly a week in Lucerna darting from town to town, trying to keep up with it. It operated on such a random schedule that keeping up with it nearly got Jade Fist caught stowing away on actual trade ships. Twice he felt that he had ended up in the wrong town, but in the end, his search had paid off. This was it. He was going to take down one of the most active and “premier” slaving ships in Lucerna.

Damned if he failed.

None of the other piers were occupied, so Jade Fist was free to act as he desired. He stood upright and calmly took a step off of the edge of the roof. He landed on the cobblestone pavement below with a laudable thud, catching the attention of the dockworkers tending to the Deliverance’s shipment. One of the men turned and called out, “Oi! Who’s that?” Jade Fist began walking towards the workers, stretching out his arms a bit as he got closer. “Hey… hey!” One of the other workers said, “That’s ‘im! That’s the Jade Fist! Get ‘im!”

The first crewman unsheathed his club – no doubt used for beating the slaves into submission – and charged towards Jade Fist. The elf reared his open palm and then launched it forward, impacting the man’s gut, and stunning him. He then kicked him forward with such force that he was sent into a nearby cluster of barrels. Two more men came running while the rest of the crew gathered their weapons and made haste for the pier. Jade Fist swiped away the attacks of the two crewmen, breaking the first one’s jaw and dislocating the second one’s shoulders.

With the rest of the crewmen on their way, numbering over a dozen, Jade Fist decided to employ more resourceful tactics. He eyed the charging assailants while he lowered his hands, holding his palms open. His hands shook and his fingers stiffened as he slowly raised them up, and with them a collection of cobblestones pried from the ground around his feet.

Many elves shared a connection with the forces of the natural world. Most forged bonds with the wildlife of Tellus, devoting their lives to protecting them. Others held control over the very roots and stems of the vast forests. And the rest, like Jade Fist, ruled over the very earth they walked upon.

The elf shot his hands forward, and the cobblestones rocketed towards the oncoming crewmen. They fell backwards onto the pier as the cobblestone hit them in their guts, their faces, damn near everywhere. Plenty of broken bones. After they all blacked out from the impacts, there was only one left reeling on the wooden boards of the pier. He took his time standing up, but when he finally regained his stance, there in front of him stood Jade Fist. He wrapped his arm around the crewman’s neck and pushed him forward, binding him under his arm. The crewman struggled to break free, but the elf simply kept his composure and grip while he waited for the man to lose consciousness. And when he did, he simply let him go.

The crew was disposed of, and now all that was left was to free the elves, steal the ship, sail to Tellus, and get them to the City of Earth safely. Easy enough, for someone with enough experience busting slave operations. Jade Fist made his way up the studded plank onto the ship, keeping his guard up just in case there were any more crewmen waiting to ambush him. He stepped on over to the door to the lower deck and kicked it open. And down into the depths of the Deliverance he went.

…

The storage deck. That’s where they’d be. That’s where they’d always end up being, every time he pulled one of these stunts. As he descended down the stairs, he looked around at the abundance of crates stacked atop and beside each other. It sickened him, the sight of it. He knew that, from a slaver’s perspective, it was just property management. How they could look at a young, dying elf and not feel the slightest bit of remorse… to him, they weren’t human. They were something far worse.

He hadn’t faced any other crewmen on the way inside, so he believed he was free to free the elves and occupy the ship with impunity. He walked over to one of the crates and raised his arm, slamming it against the lock. With sheer force, he busted it open. He grabbed the latch, bracing himself to see the poor soul inside in dire need of food and water, and opened the crate door…

And he reared back in shock.

“What…” He muttered underneath his mask.

A corpse. A black, sludge-covered, desecrated corpse, curled up inside the crate. He couldn’t tell if it was an elf. He couldn’t even tell whether it was a man or a woman. Almost instinctively, he hurried to the next crate over and smashed its lock open as well. Inside was another rotting body. He repeated this several more times until he was convinced that every crate in storage was occupied by a cadaver. He stood silently, abashed, attempting to process the situation. It didn’t make any sense. The crewmen, the slavers… they would have tended to the slaves to, at the very least, keep them alive. Dead elves were of no use. And these bodies looked weeks old, perhaps even older than that… there was no way they would have deliberately refrained from sustaining them. And they certainly wouldn’t have forgotten either, it was their job.

If there were no living elves on this ship, then what did Jade Fist waste all this time for…

Suddenly, he heard it. A sound from the door. The lock had just been fastened. Jade Fist hurried up the stairs and towards the door, attempting to bust it open. He punched the door again and again, but something was keeping it in place.

And then, another sound. But surprisingly, much more alarming then the door being locked.

Groaning. Slowed, garbled… demonic, groaning.

Jade Fist turned his head towards the crates. One of the several locked hatches he’d opened was being pushed by a decrepit, spindly hand. The whole arm came through… and the body, the dark, fleshy corpse crawled out of the box. The one in the box next to it did the same. And one by one, so did the rest. Jade Fist attempted to punch the door open several more times, but it was no use. He quickly hopped down the stairs and raised his fists as the undead creatures rose up and inched towards him. He grit his teeth and charged the crowd, breaking one of their heads open with a swift punch. But the sludge… the sludge was thick, and it took hold of his hand. He quickly pried it out of the creature’s skull, but even with its head caved in, it kept moving. It was a dead husk. Something or someone was controlling it, all of them, directly.

The elf punched and kicked several more of them, but it was pointless. They all raised their arms and wrapped themselves around their victim, covering him in the putrid black sludge, shrieking madly.

Jade Fist struggled as much as he could, but it was no use.

Don’t be afraid.

A woman’s voice amidst the terror. Calm, but… guttural. Unsettling.

They’re not going to kill you. You’re far too important.

His senses faded as he slipped into the darkness.

Rest. We will speak when you wake up.

And then all was dark. And silent.

11.

It has only been a year since that fateful day, and Damien is still on his path of revenge. However, he has come to hide and control his emotions better, even adopting a facade of a laid-back attitude to keep from getting overly angry. In that year, Damien started with the city the Earl was based in. Damien obviously knew he wasn't yet powerful enough to charge headlong against his foe, so he decided to start with the soldiers that were sent to attack his tribe. After scrounging around for information, he was able to identify one of the captains. Although Damien didn't know much in the way of assassination, he did his best, and before he killed his foe outright, he gained the knowledge of the rest of officers. Beginning with the lowest rung, Damien worked his way up to the general in charge of the attack.

Damien learned that the general was in another city; apparently on vacation. He was on his way to see if the information checked out when what seemed to be a stray dog caught up to him and wouldn't seem to go away. There seemed to be a parchment wrapped around the animals leg. The dog allowed Damien to approach unopposed and grab the paper. When Damien unraveled it, the message seemed both awe-inspiring and too good to be true.

Damien, darkness threatens to engulf our world as it had thousands of years ago. The Six Sages are being called upon to defeat this evil and once again ensure peace reigns over Divus. You are the Sage of Fire, and are asked to report to the school inside Ena Kristala City to begin your training as a Sage. Do not allow your need for vengeance cloud your judgement. Aid the world in its time of need.

The letter was simply signed Amalia. The letter seemed too far-fetched to Damien, yet the mysterious person mentions his "vengeance." Only a handful of people truly know what happened to his tribe, and this person is going to great lengths to get his attention. Tenebra is a ways off, and anything could happen to Gilius while he is away, but if what this person says is true, then how can he say no? He decided the best idea would be to venture to Tenebra and see what this person has in store for him. As he began his journey, however, the dog that carried the letter stayed with him. With the apparent liking the dog took to Damien, he reluctantly decided to take him as his pet. After a little pondering, he decided on the name Ember on account of his own element. The dog seemed to like the name and so it stuck. The duo set out on the adventure towards their new quest.

12.

Jade Fist took in a few breaths through his mask as his senses began to return to him. He fluttered his eyes open, scanning the wooden room he was sealed within. Out of the corner of his vision he caught a silhouette seated beside a desk with a dim lantern on it.

“Awake?” She asked, with a tone indicating she wasn’t going to wait for an answer. “Good.” Her voice was soft, but it had the slightest vibration to it.

The elf seated himself upon the wooden floor with crossed legs, keeping his vision on the woman, whose figure slowly came into view. He was ready to get up and get physical with her… except his wrists and ankles were bound. Not by any shackles, no… by that same putrid sludge that adorned those walking corpses.

“If you’re wondering, I didn’t look under your mask.” She said, “I am one to respect the privacy of the living.”

“But not the dead.” Jade Fist said to her.

The woman smiled. She leaned forward, allowing the light from the lantern to encompass more of her body. She definitely wasn’t human, although “demon” probably wouldn’t be the right way to describe her either. Her skin was pale. Dead pale. Her face was gaunt with a few blemishes and veins creeping around, her lips were darkened, her nose was flat, and the areas around her eyes were dark and wrinkled. Her eyes themselves were pitch black with what seemed a faint, glowing yellow iris. Her dark hair messily cascaded from her scalp down one side of her face, with a hint of grey amidst the strands. Her dress was… ornate, to put it best. A flaring collar made from some form of woven flesh, most likely human. Her shoulders were adorned with decorations that evoked wings of some form, one bright and one dark. Her gown too evoked a form of duality, one side black with gold designs and the other grey with black designs. She certainly had some form of “life and death” theme going on with her outfit.

“I have a feeling you’re the right one.” She said, folding her soft and spindly fingers together.

“The right one… for what?” Jade Fist replied.

“Hmm… you should know, I’m a fan of cryptic speeches and riddles, but… you poor dear, you’ve been hard at work lately. I’ll make it simple for you. An associate of mine believes you are the Sage of Earth. And she requested that I bring you to her. She needed an expert to track down such a master criminal as yourself.”

The elf seemed a bit relieved, and at the same time, very aggravated. “That’s…” He muttered, “Not what I was expecting.”

“I can imagine.” The woman said, “Constantly working, freeing slaves who rich, noble humans and demons paid greatly for on a regular basis? You would certainly have angered too many people to still be at large by now… but it is as I believe. You’re simply too skilled to get caught.”

At this point, the elf simply wanted his questions answered. So he started by saying, “Where is this boat going?”

“Tenebra. We’ll be docking close by to the University of Sages, where you shall be escorted to upon arrival.”

“What makes you think I’m the Sage of Earth?”

“The Jade Fist? An enigmatic elven vigilante who fights slavery with the power to crush his foes between boulders? I’m not surprised you were the logical choice. The Headmaster appears to have more faith in you than I do, however. But we’ll see whether or not she’s right.”

“And what happens if I’m not?”

“Then you may take this ship back to Tellus and forget this ever happened. No harm, no foul.”

“And the slaves… this ship was supposed to be full of them.”

“All a clever rumor that I had planted amongst Lucerna months ago. Drawing you out. Waiting for the opportune moment to catch you. Don’t worry, those men you left at the pier were real slavers, not actors. They only thought they were moving illegal items, however. There were never any slaves in this boat.”

This woman knew what she was doing. Jade Fist was… impressed, to put it lightly. More annoyed than anything, but still impressed. He sighed, and then bothered to ask, “Just who are you, exactly?”

“Sicini del Mortha. The third.” The woman replied, “Demon. Noble. Necromancer.”

That explained the undead minions.

Suddenly, a rather loud roar was heard from outside the door, further within the ship. Jade Fist turned his head and said, “What was that?”

Sicini sighed. “Apologies…” She said, “My… companion, is hungry. I should tend to him before he begins feasting on the real crewmen.” She stood up and walked over to the door and opened it, passing by the elf. “I suppose you’re hungry as well. I’ll have someone bring you some food momentarily. For now, you just relax in here until we reach Tenebra.”

“As your prisoner?” Jade Fist replied, not bothering to look directly at her.

Sicini smirked. “Guest in binds sounds much more poetic, don’t you think?” She said, before shutting the door, leaving the elf alone.

Jade Fist slowly retracted his head, and thought. About everything. About this whole situation. He never felt any inclination that he was the Sage of Earth. And if he was… he wasn’t sure if he wanted to be.

He’d find out in Tenebra, he supposed.

13.

The newly appointed Sages of Light and Wind left the halls of the Grimwards with all the haste that could be afforded. In little time they were on the road, being escorted by a small escort of Grimward knights. While on the road, Ostel did what he could to train Summer in defending herself, letting her spar with him so she could be able to handle at least a person trying to take her life. He also put her through a series mediation exercises, though he did not tell her for what reason.

All Summer could do was what she was told. This human was different in the sense that he had no intentions to harm her, and being outside the castle of the Grimwards seemed to lift her spirits. She knew that she was still a slave for the most part, though her master had given her a dress that Ostel bought from a passing villager. The dress may not have been very long, as it only came to mid-thigh, but she thought it pretty all the same. The sleeves were long and flowing, mostly hiding her hands when she let her arms rest to her side. The skirt portion of the dress was a pleated design. The sleeves themselves were attached to the dress by a string of ribbon, which confused the elf, but she said nothing as she was just happy to have clothes. The villager also gave the elf a pair of sandels that tied all the way up to just before her knees and were comfortable enough for Summer to run if need be. This got some odd looks from the knights, but they stayed obedient to Ostel.

The injured hawk known as Merlin healed remarkably well under the care of Summer. Soon as he was able to fly again he soared into the skies, with Snow, Ostel's white wolf happily chasing the hawk. Though Summer at first was worried, her master told her not to be too concerned and that they would be back. True enough, later that evening the pair of them had been hunting, with the hawk tenderly resting on Summer's slim shoulder's and Snow resting next to Ostel as he slept beside an oak tree.

The days seemed to slip by as they made their way through the countryside to the port of Nadar. After a day of rest in the port town the party was were booked on the first ship bound for Tenbra.

It was on this voyage that Ostel told Summer the reason why he was training her, and about her being chosen as the Sage of Wind. During his explanation, Summer just stared at Ostel as if he had five heads, though she didn't voice a word of complaint. She didn't really think being a Sage meant much of anything as she was still wearing the chains of a slave. On top of that she didn't know any magic, let alone magic that was meant for a Shifter. After a few minutes, she finally spoke.

"I am an Elf," she said softly, "An Elf is not known to be fluent in wind magic... that is a Shifter's pride and I am no shifter."

As she spoke she shifter from foot to foot as she waited for Ostel to speak again. She wasn't sure if he would yell at her or let what some people would view as insubordination slide.

Instead the human merely shrugged, "Maybe you are an elf or not, I do not really know Summer." Ostel then shook his head and muttered, "Personally I am not sure of anything right now, hell I do not even want to be here honestly. I'd rather turn the ship around and head home, or go somewhere else. I really got a bad feeling about all this." He said with his gaze fixed on the continent of Tenebra as it came into view.

Their conversation fell short as the retinue from Lucerna prepared to disembark from the trading ship. Once they were ashore the knights from house Grimward kept their vigil over the two Sages until they were at the gates of the University. Once they disembarked, the knights escorted the two Sages as far as the gates to a courtyard before bidding farewell.

Upon arriving to the designated area, Ostel and Summer found themselves standing in front of an ornate Gate in the shape of a large Dragon. Winding along the metal poles and up the stone walls of the courtyard was an array of Briar and Rose vines, there thorns long and sharp, making them look menacing. If this is what it looks like on the outside... is the inside going to be unkempt and scary like now? Summer thought before slowly going up to the gate and placing a hand against the dragons head, her right finger gently tracing the multicolored gem that was its eye. Once her finger slipped over the eye, the gate opened without a sound to reveal a lush garden on the inside.

Slowly, she stepped through the gate, unsure if Ostel was following her or not though she didn't seem to mind if he followed or not as she was captivated by what was inside the Courtyard. In the center stood a large fountain with a sculpture of a Nymphe holding an orb with 6 gems sealed inside. Around the fountain there were various types of flower including Red Roses, Black Roses, Orchids, Lilies, and Lilacs. With some hesitation, Summer reached out and gently touched a one of the roses, pinching one of the silky peddles between two fingers as a small smile spread across her face. It's so pretty in here, maybe the outside is just meant to deter people who don't belong here from coming inside, she thought to herself as she turned to look at the rest of the courtyard.

To her surprise, she noticed the courtyard was shaped like a Hexagon with different objects in each corner. To the corner on her right she saw a large crystal like structure that seemed to hold light within but beyond that she was unable to tell. Continuing on, she saw an un-contained pillar of water, large oak tree, an onyx stone building, a volcano like structure, and lastly she saw a structure that both drew her to it, but also warned her to stay away for the time being. The Structure was a cylindrical shape that seemed to hold clouds within it. She couldn't understand why she was so drawn to it, but she listened to the silent voice telling her to stay away for now.

Separating each section of the courtyard was a line of rose bushes varying in their colors. Setting between the crystal and water was a mix of white and blue roses, between the water and oak tree a mix of blue and green rose bushes sat, followed by a mix of green and black between the tree and onyx building. Red and Black roses were in place between the Onyx and volcano while red and light blue sat between the clouded Cylinder and volcano.

"Ostel, you should come and see this, it is amazing in here!" Summer called as she turned to look for Ostel, "I have never seen anything so amazing before!"

In response to Summer's amazement Ostel could only stammer, "Believe me elf, I agree completely." the bastard said as he came into the courtyard. The dragon door shut behind him as well, making him a bit uneasy, but his expression was showed his amazement at the courtyard. He walked to each of the ends of the hexagon, looking intently at each one that was dedicated to a element. And then he came to a stop as he gaze at the crystal that seemed to represent his own element, the large crystal shining with a light, a shadowed figure in the Crystal.

"So this is what they meant by the world becoming bigger when you step out the door. They were not lying." He said as if in a trance.

14.

The cell door swung open. Jade Fist turned around to behold Sicini standing before him once again with a lantern in her hand, probably to replace the one on the nighstand that had burned out hours ago. "We're here." She said with a cheerful but somewhat mocking tone, like she knew how annoyed the elf was with the situation. He didn't realize it before, but she was rather tall. Moreso than him, even. Probably by a few inches.

"Now what, then?" The elf asked quietly.

Sicini chuckled. "I'll have Mortis pick you up now, and then we'll head up and begin walking. He'll keep you concealed until we reach the University. We wouldn't want to attract any attention on our way there. Bounty hunters, nobles looking for revenge, slum thugs, you understand."

"Who's Mortis?" Jade Fist asked.

"My companion." She replied, smiling. She turned her head past the door's frame and called out, "Mortis! Here, sweetie. Come and pick up the elf."

Just then, Jade Fist heard the pounding of footsteps emanate through the hall. He tensed up a bit as Sicini stepped aside. Replacing her were the skeletal remains of... several, people. Mashed together by the same black sludge that enveloped his wrists. It was enormous, unable to fit through the door. It bellowed softly, spitting a few clumps of sludge at the wooden floor ahead of the elf. It reared back and raised its arm, and shot it forward, grabbing the elf's face and pulling him, quite literally, into its body. After a moment of the elf struggling to break free, he was gone, sealed inside the monster's grotesque form.

"Very good." Sicini said, walking past her companion. "Now, let's move."

...

The gates creaked open as the hulking mass of flesh and bones slowly pushed them forward, trudging into the courtyard, Sicini following closely behind. "Thank you, Mortis." She said, passing by her companion and eyeing the two figures already situated within the courtyard. A human and another elf. "Oh? Are we early? Or late?" She announced, indifferent to their reactions to the gigantic abomination standing next to her.

Summer turned upon hearing a new voice and the color drained from her face almost instantly. She felt a scream build up in her throat, but she managed to fight away the urge. Instead she focused her gaze on what she assumed was a female following behind the creature she had called Mortis.

Ostel quickly came forward and planted himself between Summer and the shambling beastly creature, "That's far enough you two. Who are you?" he said in a strong tone.

"There is no way either of you are a Sage, so how did you get in here?" Summer demanded, acting braver than she really was.

"It's alright." Sicini replied, "I'm an associate of the Headmaster's. I'm simply here to conclude my services." She gazed at the little elf girl with her glaring yellow eyes and smiled. "The Sage of Wind, I assume? It's my pleasure, really." She paused for a moment, staring at Summer inquisitively. "Hmm... Elf, and... shifter? Interesting combination. I'm sure you'll perform well."

Summer made a face and crossed her arms, she wasn't sure how she should react to what this, thing, was saying. "I'm an Elf and nothing more, if I was a shifter it would have shown by now. I'm just... different is all," she responded, she was an elf and that was that. If she had been anything but then she wouldn't have been able to be forced into a Slave role, it would have been illegal... wouldn't it?

Sicini chuckled. "Oh, I understand now." She replied, "But you can't hide these things from someone who knows how to pluck the strings of a soul. You'll come to understand yourself... in time." She sighed and continued, "Pardon me, I've forgotten my manners." She extended her arm for a handshake and said, "Sicini del Mortha the third."

Summer flinched when Sicini extended her hand, but when no blow came, she hesitantly placed her hand in Sicini's. "I'm Summer, I don't have a last name," she murmured softly, she felt uncomfortable as Sicini's hand was cold and clammy, "I'm sorry... but I'm not really good with interaction."

"It's fine, dear." Sicini replied, "I was very antisocial myself during the first few centuries of my life. I practiced my manners with the dead. They're very, very good listeners." She turned to her companion and said, "Isn't that right, Mortis?" The monstrosity simply bellowed in compliance, spitting out a few more clumps of sludge. And just then, it began to gag a bit. Sicini simply watched as an armored hand burst from Mortis' belly. The creature simply stood idle while the rest of the arm forced its way out, with the jade-armored body following suit. The figure fell from the creature's gut to the ground below, covered in sludge, coughing.

Coughing at the smell more than anything else Ostel spat out, "Gods be good, what in blazes is that? Did that ... thing just throw up a set of armor?"

"Oh, my apologies." Sicini said to the armored figure sprawled on the ground below. "I forgot that you were probably suffocating in there."

Upon seeing someone fall from the monster's stomach, Summer ran over to him to see if he was ok. She didn't speak as she looked over what she assumed was a man and made sure he wasn't injured. "Are you ok?" she asked as she looked at the rips in his clothes from what she assumed was whatever type of acid was in the monster, "I don't really know much First Aid but if you can tell me where you are hurt I may be able to help."

The figure looked up at the elf, peering at her through his mask. "I'm fine..." He muttered, panting, picking himself up. "I'm fine, I'm fine..." He turned to Sicini and said, "Don't... don't you ever try that again, do you understand me?" Sicini simply smiled with her arms behind her back. "You're sturdy. You'll get over it." She turned to Summer and the human and said, "I hope you recognize this man from any wanted posters you may have seen recently?"

Ostel then became very quiet and merely came to stand beside Summer, only his gaze became hard as the name of his family.

"I can't read," Summer states with a shrug, "I was a slave... we weren't allowed to learn anything past talking and anything that may help us complete our tasks. Even still, if he is here then it must not matter if he was considered a criminal or not... because he is a Sage... he must be destined for a higher purpose than the one he decided to give himself before coming here... am I right?"

"Indeed you are." Sicini replied, "But to be truthful, he's a little too stubborn to accept his fate. Aren't you..." She said turning to the masked man, "Jade Fist?"

Upon mention of the name Jade Fist, Ostel chuckled a little as the elf stood over him by a head if not more, "So you are Jade Fist? I figured you'd be taller." he said with a smirk as he grasped his warhammer.

Jade Fist looked down at the human Ostel. His mask hid it well, but he was angrier than all hell could allow. He turned to Sicini and said, "You told me you weren't bringing me to anyone who had it out for me?" The woman simply smiled and replied, "I can't help if the Sage of Light is a child of the Grimward Family. That's your ordeal to surmount."

"Grimward..." Jade Fist said, turning back to Ostel. He looked between him and Summer, before putting two and two together. "Who are you?" He asked the man, keeping his stance.

For a moment the tension between the two held the group in silence, until Ostel sighed and rested the butt end of the Dawnbringer into the ground. He allowed a geniune smile to come over his face as he bowed his head in respect, "I am Ostel, bastard of the Grimwards." After he brought his head back up he then exlplained, "I have heard of you from the bands of elven refugess that survive in Lucerna's northern forests. The posters from my kin do not do you justice it seems, they did make you look short honestly." He said with a friendly hint to his voice.

Jade Fist simply glared at Ostel, and then turned away for a moment. He stepped onto the section of the courtyard that bore the visage of the earth, stamped his foot, and forced two pillars of rock to jut from the ground. He turned back to Ostel and said, "Sit."

A sad gaze feel over Ostel's face but he merely nodded, "Well I figured this was coming. I am not looking for a fight." He said placing his warhammer, sword, axe, and his bow and arrows down beside him before sitting himself down on one of the pillars.

Jade Fist seated himself on the opposite pillar and looked Ostel straight in his eyes. "As of right now, we're on equal ground." He said, "I'm going to ask you some questions and you're going to answer them with utmost truth. If you lie to me, I'll know. If you stand up, I'll put you back down. Do you understand?"

The human merely nodded and whistled a sharply, as soon his companion arrived. At first the red eyed wolf growled at Jade Fist but with a shake of his head, Snow came to lay down beside his master. Summer watched as everything happened before her and she remained quiet through it all. Had she really just offered to help someone who was about to harm the one person who had freed her and wanted to help her learn magic? Merlin let out a sharp screech and flapped his wings in irritation as Summer stepped forward, her body shaking slightly.

"I won't let you lay a hand on him," Summer said, "He has helped me escape a life I did not want to live. You have no right to treat him in such a way and I will not just stand here and let you do so." She said as she stood beside Ostel, a small band of twirling gusts building up around the Sage of Wind and her pet hawk.

It was then that Ostel turned and said kindly, "Thank you Summer, but he must ask his questions. I knew this was coming that day I found out I was to be the Sage of Light. How can I stand beside the Sapiens Terrae then if we cannot come to terms. It will be fine ... I promise." he said with a smile.

Summer let out a soft sigh before nodding her head and stepping down. She wasn't happy about it, but she wasn't about to move away much further than a couple feet away.

Jade Fist stared intently at Ostel, and then made a slight notion towards Summer. "Her." He stated, "Is she your slave?"

Taking a deep breath, Ostel answered, "Not anymore." Summer then gave Ostel a stunned look, which when he saw Ostel turned to meet her shocked look and said with regret sounding in his voice,"I should of told you when we got to these shores, but so much has happened." He then turned back to Jade Fist, "She was my slave, but only so I could save her life."

Jade Fist nodded, but kept his gaze. "You're one of Grimward's." He said, "Your family has caused me trouble in the past. Many in Lucerna, possibly some of them, would see my head on a pike. Tell me right now, are they involved in this?"

With a shrug Ostel replied, "As far as I know no one in my family knows you are here. My father called me about a week ago to appear before our family's council. I was then told that I was chosen to be the Sage of Light. Before that I convinved my father to spare Summer, and he revelead to me in secret that she was to be the Sage of Wind. So here we are. That's about it." he said with a impassive look.

"You call her Summer..." Jade Fist said, turning his head towards the Sage of Wind. "What's your real name?"

She looks at Jade Fist and eyes him for a good while before deciding to answer his question, "Hey you, Elf Girl, Slave, Worthless Pile of Meat, and my personal favorite 'Waste of Space'."

Ostel closed his eyes and nodded to every single one, as if he was hearing them.

Jade Fist looked back at Ostel and said, "Your family's reputation among slaves is less than stellar. I can see that. You tell me, what do you think of elves being made into slaves? I don't want to judge you by your family, I want to judge you by you. So let's hear it."

Ostel planted his chin into his closed fists and sighed, "I think anyone who claims to own any living thing is someone I would rather not be around. That's the short of it, and many in my own family have given me hell for it. But I stand by that, and before Summer, I never had one. And I never wanted one." He finished as if he was repeateing an age old arguement with someone who was not there.

Jade Fist nodded. "Alright..." He said, "I know what you think, now. What you think of Summer. What you think of slaves. But I want to know what you think of me." He leaned in closer, almost to the point where Ostel could see the elf's eyes behind his mask. "What if I told you my entire life, for longer than a century, I've been working to completely eradicate all forms of slavery? Does that sound like a noble cause to you? Because what if I then tell you I plan on making many, many strikes against the nobility of Lucerna? Breaking down the system? How do you feel about that?"

The human watched the armored figure intently as he spoke, and almost thought of comparing the rising tone to a roaring thunderstorm. Or possibly a cat ... no, "Laughing right now, possibly NOT the best idea you have had." Instead Ostel took a moment to process all that Jade Fist was saying.

He then sighed and nodded, "I would do the same were my people in chains. Defeating a foe is one thing, which we did in the wars long before now. However, slavery is a sickness that should be gotten rid of, and frankly I cannot belive I am saying this, but I am glad to here someone speaking my own thoughts." he then shoke his head and chuckled, "Just surprised it's coming from an outlaw is all. Guess that means they were right that a bastard should not be trusted."

"That's how you feel?" Jade Fist replied, "Because I'm not going to lie to you, Ostel. I don't care whether or not we're Sages, I'm going to revolutionize how Lucerna works. Even if it means another revolt. If everything could work out peacefully, I'd be much more content. But I know many humans, not you, not a good deal of others, who won't let such a thing happen without their judgement." He inched closer and said a little more quietly, "For all you know, there could be a man under this mask. Not an elf. I hope one day everyone, not just humans... will understand what that means." He leaned back and said, "Do you?"

The bastard crossed his arms and tilted his head to the side as he gazed at the armored figure, debating on how he shoudl respond. But with a shrug of his shoulders Ostel answered finally, "I understand, at least I think I do. You stand as a symbol of freedom, someone that was needed because of what my race has allowed to become accepted." With that Ostel then straighten himself and said,"Break the bonds, crack some sense into the nobility, even liberating your race all sounds like the thoughts I have romanticized for the last few years."

"But ... I hope you will understand one thing Jade Fist." His voice deepened and his gaze became hard, though he knew little of it would effect the outlaw. He just wanted to convey his attentions as clear as he could make it, "If it comes to a violent revolt, I will stand against you. There are a few people worth saving, and should it come to it, worth dying to protect. But it will not be out of defense of slavery, but because of the ones I care about. If we get them out of Lucerna first though, you can wreck all the hell and justice you want and I'll do naught but applaud your efforts."

Jade Fist folded his hands together. "Samorost..." He muttered, "I respect that."

The elf stood up and thrust his hands downward, eliminating the stone pillars. He caught Ostel's hand before he fell on his ass, pulling him up on his feet. He simply stared at him for a bit, and then at Summer, and then back to him. "Normally..." He said, "I would insist on protecting an elf, slave or not, myself. But... she trusts you more than she'll ever trust me." He extended his jade-armored hand and said, "I look forward to fulfilling our destinies together. And perhaps beyond that, if you would allow, when we're done."

It was a small laugh that escaped Ostel as he griped the gauntlet of the Jade Fist, "The biggest changes in history have often begun with the smallest of drops. Here's hoping we make one hell of a splash elf." he said shaking the hand of his new comrade. Ostel then turned to Summer, "What do you say lass? Feel like shaking the world a bit?" he said with his spare hand beckoning her toward them.

Summer looked between the two men before her, she trusted Ostel well enough to know he would not ask the impossible of her, but she wasn't entirely sure about the Jade Fist. "You have a point Jade Fist, I do trust Ostel more than I trust you, but I also know what his real name is," she said softly, "I can't trust someone who does not trust me with their name. I will, however, agree to help you and Ostel to free our people." She placed her hand in Ostel's after stepping forward and stared right at the Jade Fist.

Taking Summer's hand into his and placing it into the collective handshake of the three Sages the bastard of the Grimwards then said in a solemn voice, "We three Sages of Light, Earth, and Wind do hereby swear to all the gods who bare witness. If it can be done by our power, we will end the night to come, and to free the elven slaves of Lucerna. This I, Ostel Von Grimward swear to all the gods, or forever may they damn me." He then looked to his newfound companions, and with a rare feeling of pride he then asked, "Do you swear?"

"Very well." Jade Fist said, "I swear."

Summer nodded her head, "As do I."

In the midst of all the pride and cheer, Sicini approached the three Sages and said, "Perhaps you should wait for the latter half of your destined hextuple before making any oaths? What good is a ceremony that has to be performed twice?" She scanned the courtyard and said, "You're still short... fire, water, and darkness. After that, the real challenge will begin."

With that the trio of Sages unlocked there hands and looked to Sicini with a bit of uneasiness, but then Ostel asked, "Are we supposed to wait here till all of the others arrive? Or can we go inside? We have been traveling for quite a while, and some of us are a bit hungry." he said as his stomach growled which made him laugh again, "Heh, good timing."

"Do as you wish. It's no foul towards me." Sicini replied, "But if you need any questions answered, come find me." With that, she turned towards Mortis and left the scene with the monster in tow, leaving the three Sages alone within the courtyard.

15

Aravan crashed headlong into the bushes well before the conversation started, and was, at the time, so dazed that all he could do was listen... For the first couple of seconds, anyway. At that point he just decided to wait until it seemed like all the people were distracted enough, and then he would sneak off and just run somewhere, ANYWHERE else, since the lady from the prison was no longer present, it seemed.
He felt his opportunity came when the group started shaking hands and the woman who called herself Sicini had left the area. He started to move through the bushes, hoping to sneak away from everyone. He started to move out, but his attempt caught the attention of one of the animals in the yard. Merlin started to let out a loud Screech, causing Summer to look in the general direction of Aravan.

"Hey you there, you startled my Hawk... who are you?" Summer asked with a confused look, she was still running on adrenaline from her altercation with Jade, who was sitting on the Fountain edge zoning out.

The 'young' demon tensed up upon hearing the screech, then again when the voice called out. He cursed in his head. He didn't want anyone to have noticed him, and somehow he'd blown that already. Still, he hadn't yet stood, and maybe if he were to stay quiet again, it could be passed off as the wind. He took precautionary methods, however, once again, taking on a skin tone that was black as the pitch, and he lied low to the ground, praying nobody would come over to him. For someone so tormented as the boy, being around this many people was tortuous, and even though he'd not yet been engaged, he still already wanted it over.

Summer slowly approached the boy and offered her hand to him. She couldn't explain how, but she knew the wind, and he wasn't it. "I am called Summer... I just found out I am the Sage of Wind... so please, don't try to hide from us... I... um... well... I...." She shifted from foot to foot, her bravery now gone. She had no idea what to say to him, nor was she even sure she should speak.

Aravan's only response for a time was silence. His mind was swimming with curses, and he wished something could get him out of this. No matter how hard he wished, though, nothing would come of it. He would have no choice, but to sit there nigh upon forever, or else reveal himself. As much as it pained him, though, he felt as if just maybe the whole situation would be a bit less painful if he took it slow, only treading the shallowest of the waters. After holding his breath for half a minute, he took a sharp, nervous inhalation, and slowly stood, letting his skin return to it's naturally fair color. He didn't say a word, however, his glance falling anywhere but on the elf who had approached him.

Summer wasn't sure why he was avoiding looking at her, but then again, she wasn't really worried about it. It just meant that he wouldn't stare at the scar that rested under her right eye. As a matter of fact, she was relieved that no one had commented on the damage that Fredrick had done to her. The very thought of it made her nervous as she didn't want to have to explain how it got there, it wasn't a memory she ever wished to revisit ever again. It was when she was lost in her own thoughts that she realized she had given her name, but the man before her had not given her his.

Normally, Aravan was okay with the silence. He'd spent most of his life in it, after all. Then again, he hadn't spent it with someone standing right before him. He shifted his gaze slowly. His eyes passed only over the girl's feet before resting on a cracked tile to her other side. He still had nothing to say, prefering the silence. He was just hoping that the person would lose interest and walk away, to return to the meet and greet that was happening at the other end of the yard. It was painful just to stand there. He was draped in clothing that could barely be considered rags, and even if he weren't aware of that, he still had all his previous interactions on his mind. Having not seen the face of the person before him, he had no idea that she wasn't one of his demon ilk. Having grown accustomed to the tortures he'd received from them, demons being the only race he's interacted with, he had no idea that the girl before him was not a threat. Nor was he even that the mere assumption that she was another demon was completely off base.

"Your name," Summer finally managed, "I have told you... mine... and I believe it... it is customary for... you to share yours as well... is it not? I am an... Elf... so I do not know how... your race interacts." She chewed on her bottom lip, nervous about how he would react to what would be considered out of bounds of her on Lucerna.

Aravan blinked. He shuffled back an almost inpercievable bit, then, finally, looked up. His gaze didn't yet meet hers, but his eyes finally became unhidden from his jet black hair. His blue irises hid behind them a sadness that was doubtless familiar to anyone who'd been through pain and isolation for their entire life. Through the paralyzing fear, he spoke up, though he didn't answer the question he'd been given. "Why do you care?" He gulped. "I'm... Nobody," he continued softly.

If he had looked into Summer's violet eyes, he would have seen emotions mirroring his own, with a bit more horror there. "If you are Nobody, then... you must... think you are invisible..." she pushed out, "I was... invisible once."

The comment seemed absolutely absurd. But it finally got Aravan to look at her. "Nobody's invisible." He mumbled. "You can only try to hide." He didn't really know why he said those words. They just felt out of place. He blinked. His gaze hovered at the elven girl's eyes for a few seconds. Truthfully, it was longer than he'd matched eyes with anyone for more than half a second in almost 50 years. He winced, then spoke again, in a voice that was barely audible as a whisper. "Aravan..."
She nodded her head and once more offered her hand to him. She wasn't sure why she did it, but if felt like it was something she should do. They both shared pain, even if their pain were not the same, she felt a connection to him in a way that made her think that maybe they could be friends. She would like to know what it would feel like to have a friend.

Aravan blinked. Why was she doing this? He didn't understand why she was offering her hand, nor did he understand why she kept talking to him. It was such a foreign experience that he wanted to scream. The only thing that stopped him from doing so was his want to remain hidden, even if everyone already knew he was there. He shook his head. The entire situation was practically incomprehensible to him, and shook him to his core. "I don't get it..." He mumbled.

"Honestly.... I don't either," she murmured, "But... someone did this for me once... and it changed my life."

Aravan blinked once more. Perhaps if he'd had a more normal life, he'd have asked why do something that wasn't understood. Instead, of that, the fact that she was just as confused was more of a relief to him than anything. Somehow, it made him feel safer. Hesitantly, he rose his hand to her level. It was shaking, even as he offered it in return. When he placed his hand in Summer's, she helped him to his feet and slowly lead him to where the other two were standing.

16

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Tenebra, so this was the continent where the famed University of Sages was based.

The Sapientis Aqua stood over the small tidal wave that made it's way across the bay toward land, her seafoam-green eyes looking for a suitable place to beach herself. In all honesty she did not wish to leave the sea as being on land felt out of sorts to her, almost like a land walker being in the ocean. But the summons had come for her to go to the University, and the nymphs were anything if not willing to get behind a prophecy. The girl looked behind her at the grand ship that floated not one nautical mile away, knowing that she would not see her homeland under the water for quite some time. It was funny that the nymphs were so keen to pounce on prophecies, like it were some type of international gossip, and yet they didn’t even play by the rules. She thought of Geneve, of whom the letter called upon, and the fact that Queen Raina openly rejected the request and had sent Calixta instead.

Miss Ethridge finally spotted a nice sandy beach on the darkened landscape. As she came closer to land her wave diminished back into the sea and she casually extended her foot out to touch solid ground. At first she had to gain her land legs, the feeling of solid mass beneath her left her stomach feeling uneasy, but after a few moment the sensation passed and she looked around to gather her bearings. The small nymph had not been back on these shores since that fateful day when she had lost her betrothed to the demons. Ahead was a forested area quite like the one where she and Acheron had been camping in when the demons had attacked. Just looking at it made her stomach feel even more queasy, and she idly shook her head and looked down, struggling not to let the feeling of sickness take her. In front of her was a stone path that looked to be heavily used, and she wasted no time in setting upon the trail. Her companion, the white peacock named Garon, squawked lively at her and ruffled his feathers, bothered by the small amount of seawater that had landed on him.

“Hush, Garon, you spoiled fowl. I have no idea why Raina gave you to me, but if you don’t stop with that incessant bird-calling, I may have to cease my vegetarianism and eat you.” Calixta gave him a stern look as if he could understand her, and he simply looked back as though daring her to actually eat him. She sighed. “Fine, fine, you’re right. Go ahead, I’ll put my knife and fork away…”

To any other nymph, the journey would’ve been long and arduous as many were not accustomed to the feel of physical work, especially the women. But Calixta was special in that way, a seasoned traveler who knew her way around most anything. The emptiness of the path kept her observant and wary, but she doubted she would encounter the dangers of Tenebra in broad daylight...that is, if this was to be even called daylight. In comparison to Nymphe, the sun shone with meager light, and it was a depressing thought to be trapped on a nation that seemed so dark. But then, that was the reason the demon race made it their home. She walked along, pangs of sadness piercing her heart as she saw the subtle reminders of this this exact day, 14 years ago.

Was it her mind playing tricks on her? The air seemed to grow thicker, the sky a bit darker and a clash of blades could be heard in the distance. The clanging grew louder, a sound that seemed to follow Calixta even as she sped up her pace, finally bringing her to a run. A snarl of a foreign voice sounded in her ears, a nasty laugh ringing in her mind. Sweat broke out on her brow, her muscles strained to keep the same pace and a dull ache developed in her calves.

“Run, Calixta!”
The voice, the voice! It seemed to appear out of a distant dream, one that she had not heard in many years. Such a sweet, sweet sound, though filled with terror.

“Acheron?” she breathed out loud, whipping head in either direction to find him. Where was he? “Acheron!” she called louder, trying to fight the sounds of clashing swords with her words. She saw no one but the dark skin of the demons who chased her, the demons who were slowly gaining distance on her. An arm reached out blindly to grasp her love, and she found him; she grasped his hand, pulling him with her. She couldn’t lose him now! They were going to make it. They would make it through this together as they always had. Then in an instant, a third demon dropped down in front of her, a fiery glint in his eyes. Calixta drew her knives, putting them to use for the very first time. One demon went down...who had killed him? Then there was Acheron, yelling for her to use the power that she was forbidden to use on Nymphe. But she couldn’t, not when Acheron would risk getting damaged by it too. A second demon fell, this time by her own hand. Yes, they would make it out alive! A third figure fell beside her and she put down her weapons, exhausted from the fighting.

A blood curdling scream left Calixta’s lips.

Acheron lay on the road, a wet spot on his chest darkening as his life’s blood seeped out and soaked his clothing. Calixta sunk to the ground, cradling his head in her hands and letting her tears fall to the ground. “Acheron, you can’t leave me...Not when we can finally have each other. Take me with you, I beg you.” Sobs wracked her chest horribly as she held him...her love, her partner for eternity, who was ripped away from her as fast as fate had brought them together. She stood then, anger welling up in her chest and making a pit at the bottom of her stomach that was filled with rage and disgust for the demon who killed him. Yet when she looked up, there was no one.

Absolutely no one.

Calixta was out of breath, panting and sobbing still, and struggling to take air into her lungs. Where was everyone? The assailants, the blood of nymph and demon mixed together on the ground, and...and Acheron. The image of his loving eyes burned itself into her memory, a look that seemed so distant before but had been brought up by this horrid land. She could almost feel his hand in hers again, the rush of the wind as they ran together, and leaden feel in her arms as her weapons weighed them down. But that was all gone now, all except the emptiness in her heart, the pangs of loneliness like a layer of salt on a wound. A familiar squawk made the small woman jump violently, and she focused her eyes on the white peacock in front of her. It looked to be angry over something, possibly her, and it pecked her lightly on the shoulder and squawked even louder once more, then waddled off further down the path. Calixta looked ahead, surprised that the entrance to the capital was already in viewing distance.

She began walking to the entrance of the City with a heavy heart, her tears drying on her face as she tried to find her way to the Courtyard as fast as possible without running. She hadn't expierenced her love's death so vivdly in such a long time that the effects of it had tired her out, but also made her warry of her surroundings once again. When she finally made it into the city, she avoided making contact with any Demons that were walking the streets.

Finally, she came across the Dragon's Gate after hours of walking and wasted no time in getting through. When the gate opened before her, she was greeted by the scene of four different races standing in front of the Fountain. Strange, this hexagon shaped place was. She hadn't ever thought that something so pretty could exist on such a desolate continent. Not bothering with such a formal greeting, she stepped forward and made note of the races: human, elf, another elf, and...another human? It was difficult to understand what this one was because he looked like human but she felt the rage that all demons seemed to give her. Walking toward the group, she plastered a friendly smile on her face and opened her mouth to make an introduction. But, rather than presenting her name, she noticed the pair of hands interlocked between the almost-human and the elf.

"Are you two betrothed as well?" Calixta looked up in surprise.

Summer looked down at her hand and noticed that it was still in Aravan's. Immediatly a blush bloomed across her cheeks, causing her scar to become more noticable and she released his hand and neatly folded her arms in front of her. "No Ma'am," Summer murmured, "I had helped him up."

"Oh," the nymph responded, crossing her arms over chest after removing the hood of her deep violet traveling cloak. "Anyway, my name is Calixta Ethridge...from Nymphe!"

17.

Jade Fist reached around the back of his neck, past his hood. He swore there was a chunk of Mortis lodged back there, even after he wiped most of it off of his outfit. And lo and behold, he pulled his hand out and there in it was a shred of dark, putrid meat. With some canine teeth lodged inside of it.

Guess Mortis had some dog bones in it. Or maybe werewolf.

He tossed the shred of meat into the nearby monument carved in the form of a volcano - or something close to it. The chunk of Mortis instantly burned away once it came into contact with the little flames at its basin. Naybe he was lucky the Sage of Fire hadn't arrived yet, he didn't know if they'd take offense to that. Best way to rid oneself of the undead is fire, after all.

He turned and looked around the courtyard. Two more Sages had shown up in such a short amount of time. Almost too conveniently, to him. But that was just cautious thinking, something he'd grown into over the last century. There was him, a human, a demon, a nymph, and another elf... all that was left was a were-creature and the hextuple would be complete.

Jade Fist began to accept the possibility that he was the Sage of Earth, whether he wanted to be or not. He had the feeling whoever the "Headmaster" was who had all of them brought here wasn't wrong on a common basis. Still, if it was his role to fulfill, he'd be pulled away from his usual line of work. The slave trade was going to recover from his latest endeavors in... a month, maybe two. Depending on if they decided to go hunting for any more stock.

He thought about Summer. How an elf could be the supposed Sage of Wind. He knew full well the legends regarding the past generations of Sages, born and raised and again and again. Still... the title of Sage, if it were true, would be a boon to a former slave. The public would more easily accept that status being granted to an elf than a criminal still believed to be at large.

One thing he truly hoped for was that this wasn't going to be made into a public display. He trusted that Sicini wouldn't possess that sort of audacity.

Noticing the only other elf was sitting on his own, Summer hesitantly went over to him and sat down. She had no idea what she was going to say, nor was she entirely sure she should talk to him at all, but how else was she to find out more about Tellus?

"Um... hello," Summer said softly as she leaned forward a bit, her legs crossed in front of her at the ankle, "Um... I'm Summer."

"I'm aware of that." Jade Fist replied, preparing himself for some social interaction he wasn't sure he was ready for. Still, only other elf around, he had to say something. "I... apologize for my dealings with Ostel. I wanted to make sure I could trust him."

"You... are an elf... from Tellus I assume? Wouldn't it... be normal for you to be sceptical of a human? I mean... about a third of the original Elf population was enslaved... so... I.... mmm..." Summer fell silent, unsure of what to say.

"Hmph. And a third of that third I'm sure I've freed by now..." He replied, the slightest bit of confidence in his voice. "Believe me. I'm doing my best to make sure Lucerna's slave operations are broken down. I've done well by myself for the last century... give me another and the rest of our kin will be free as well."

"Is that why you hide your face and refuse to share your name with anyone?" Summer asks as she hesitantly touches the Jade on one of his gloves. It was smooth under her finger, which both confused and facinated her, "How did you get the stone so smooth?"

"It was shaped to perfection. By an old friend of mine." He pulled his hand away from Summer's and brought it up to his mask. "All of this was. It's not just armor. It's a symbol, as Ostel put it."

Summer nodded her head before standing up and brushing some dust off of her skirt. "What is it like in Tellus? I've always wanted to go there but... I couldn't for obvious reasons."

"Tellus..." Jade Fist replied, "Believe it or not, I'm not there as often as you would think. I drop off everyone I free so they may flee to the City of Earth. Replenish themselves. Start new lives. But the land itself is... how should I put this... verdant, to be short about it. Mountains, forests, cities made of stone... it's really quite pleasant. Perhaps you'll see it one day. Being a Sage will grant you that freedom to act upon as you see fit."

Summer adopted a thoughtful look before smiling for the first time in a long time, "You know what, I think I shall." Satisfied with the conversation, she turned away and proceeded towards Ostel.

"Wait." Jade Fist called out, standing up.

Summer turned towards the elf once more as he lowered his head, thinking about what to say.

"My name..." He muttered, "Is the same as yours. You should know what that means."

Summer simply put on an expression of surprise. So, he was a slave after all... She thought to herself. She simply looked at Jade Fist and nodded, indicating she understood. And with that, she turned away and left once more.

The jade-armored elf was starting to feel a bit more at ease, now. He returned to his little stone bench, sat down, and thought.

Just... thought.

18.

As Summer answered the newly arrived nymph, Ostel took the moment to disengage and went to where Snow was laying laid down.

The Sage of Light took to watching the new arrivals with as a distant observer. While he understood Summer and the Jade Fist, the Sages of Fire and Water he knew very little about. Thus he kept his distance and merely stayed close to Snow, casually petting his white fur and feeding him a bit of dried meat from his travel sack.

Ostel had never seen a nymph before, let alone a lycan. From a distant they seemed fairly friendly and to the untrained eye, even human. Though he was a bit more open to the other races, throughout his life the bastard had maintained a healthy dose of wariness concerning matters he knew little about.

Summer seemed to be making friends rather fast though, and he was glad that she was able to be herself in this environment. Were it not for the pair of them being Sages, the human would have likely given her to one of a number of elven renegades still running around in one of Lucerna's northern forests. And now ...

I guess the world loves making fools of us all I suppose.

By all accounts, Ostel knew he should mingle among the other Sages and get to know them. But whether it was his wariness or something else, he kept his distance and just stayed with Snow, his ever faithful hunting companion.