"I don't know what I was expecting..." she muttered to herself when Mayt claimed he saved her to test his magic. He went on to explain he didn't figure she deserved to die by Maddox's reasoning, which was somewhat reassuring. She kept quiet, even after Penny arrived, and eventually accepted Mayt's hand. Once on her feet she placed her arm on the wall and used that as a way of standing up. Once Penny asked what was going on, it was Edo-Beatrix that answered instead of Mayt.

"Maddox is taking over," she said, though her voice didn't sound too thrilled. "He's going to kill everyone here himself. He forced the entire guild to rebuild an ancient weapon that's about to level the city, too. It's too late to stop him." Edo-Beatrix let out a sigh, closing her eyes. "Destroy, destroy, destroy. That's what he's about to do. Bringing me back to life didn't save me. We're all going to die here within a few minutes anyways."

Now she opened her eyes and looked at Mayt specifically. "He has a weapon that absorbs magic. Staff of the Ancients, he calls it. Your power won't work against him. And he's not weak... like me... No, he's far beyond the next best. He's maybe more than a hundred times more powerful than I am..." She let out another sigh. "Once this city is destroyed there will be no future for this world..." With some effort, Edo-Beatrix managed to stand up without supporting herself against the wall.

"I don't think anyone can stop him at this rate." Her eyes shifted around, taking in the environment. "He used to be different. Or at least I think he was. It was so long ago, I can hardly remember. Perhaps that was why I clung to him. That I thought he still had some good left in him." Now her gaze went to the floor. "But there is none. He kills and causes destruction to make himself feel powerful, but on the inside he is hateful. He'll never be happy and he knows it, but here we are..."

Edo-Beatrix began walking, slowly moving past Mayt and Penny. "I'm not useful here... I'll just try to escape the city before it gets crushed. I'd wish you all good luck, but it won't help." She stopped to look back at the two mages. "You two aren't from this world... I'm so sorry..." With that she turned away and began walking. Though there was no limp, she was clearly pained. Her tone of voice made it clear that she honestly didn't believe they would live, even thinking she wasn't going to make it out alive.

Meanwhile, the silent twin decided to make another appearance. While Edo-Karn was alone on the palace roof, it was the perfect opportunity to begin picking the group off, one by one. The young man landed on the roof behind Edo-Karn silently, several meters back. With a straight face and surprisingly venomous eyes, the assassin drew several throwing knives again and tossed a few at the blonde's back.



The red-haired mage grinned when both Trinity and James reminded him of his exhaustion. "Alright, alright," he said, waving his hand through the air melodramatically. "I'll relax a bit. No need for you two to lecture me." After laughing to himself over it, Maddox put his hands in his pockets. "Man... my cigarettes were in my jacket. That sucks." His grin faded as he let out a sigh. "I'm also gonna need a new jacket... And that one was expensive. Comfortable, stylish, and even durable. Not easy to find those."

While he kept the mood light, he couldn't help but feel somewhat depressed on the inside. He wasn't able to defeat Grane, though he felt he could've had Damien not intervened, and he wasn't able to beat Shutler. He couldn't even contain Shutler and he exhausted himself after using hardly any magic. It was embarrassing and humiliating. But he smiled the entire walk to the train station. As they approached James, Maddox pointed towards the spider-dog that he and Trinity had. "We found this guy in the building. I think his owner was taken by the Anima a bit ago, so wherever our friends are is where his owner is."

Amaya Vanisis - Phoenix Wing Guild Hall

"Some of these seemed interesting but I can wait.."Said Amaya to herself taking her coat off placing it on the table with her bag of belongings. she listened to the conversation going on amongst the other new memebers and Jamie before turning her head towards the door "Wasn't it daylight out a few mintues ago?"she asked checking the time along with calculating the timne, just incase. "Yep it should be daylight out.."She added happily before narrowing her eyes sniffing the air a bit "that isnt normal darkness..."she added before it was confirmed by jamie and daimen putting their guard up moving towards the source outside their own guild hall. Amaya listened and concluded that jamie knew who or what this source was and that over all this was bad news.

Amaya kept back but had her guard up, ready to help whenever she was needed to as she watched the events unfold.

Glancing back toward the legion, the Phoenix Wing member sighed and facepalmed with their left hand. "Great. Hotrod is loose again." they murmured. That was all they needed to worry about, but then again, things can't go their way now could they? Be too easy.

Edo-Karn waited, readied before quickly jumping, back flipping in the air to avoid incoming knives. Hands reaching and grabbing three in midair quickly, they twisted their body to face the twin as the blonde was about to land and threw the knives back at him. Once landing just a mere two feet away from their attacker, Edo-Karn dashed right in front of the twin with a raised right fist before lunging it at him in a right hook towards the face, while the other punched foreword toward the stomach. Hit or miss, they would use the electric whip to slash at the White Hydra member from the left side.

Lazarus

He cracked his knuckles. "Regardless... we should get moving..." He thought. "The four of us could make a huge difference here... even now I fear our comrades have been fighting for each other... we are nice and fresh, so lets win this thing." he grinned. "My soul is heavenly... and judgement will be brought down on those who get in our way." He took a step forward, and launched himself into a sprint, in the direction to which people were running from, assuming the others would follow him.

Edo-Lazarus

Pen was gone. He shook his head once more and yelled out. "Fuck!" He was frustrated. What could he do alone? He looked up into the sky, thinking to himself honestly. 'These people can't defeat Maddox. It is impossible. Even with magical power...' He clenched his fist and knew what needed to be done. If anything, he could atone for his sins. It was possible... if perhaps the 3 commanders... and their mentor... gathered together, and combined their strength... they could prevent Maddox from doing whatever he was planning... at least for a little while. Himself, Sayuri, Pen, and their mentor. It was... just getting Pen to come back into the light. He had no idea where the other two were either.

Hemlock listened to Mithera calmly. He was much more patient now. She seemed to ramble though. "As I said. I would not wish to force you to accept such a task. However, I've yet to meet another like you. And the humans around here would certainly attempt..." He stopped. He was sure she could figure it out. If she really tried. "If you do choose to accept this request after I am gone, I will trust in your decision. You seem to know enough to make the right choices to survive." With that he was finished. He hopped that made it clear that what he wanted for Zenoram and Zero wasn't a life of utterly doing the right thing, or something of that sort. So long as he made choices he was comfortable with and could live a long happy life, Hemlock was okay with that.

"Take time to think about it." He had decided to add at the last minute as he moved to stand. It was about time to move forward. "Young mage. Wake Zenoram for me. I'll be taking you lot to your destination." His plan was to stay high above the clouds and take them and then have them fly down from his back. After all, Mithera hadn't eaten and he wasn't completely sure she could make it with Karn all on her own. And he wasn't taking no for an answer for this decision.

Zenoram and Zero on the other hand were sleeping soundly. Zenoram enjoyed his position with Karn. It was warm and fuzzy. Different from the warmth he shared with Hemlock. But in a good way. Contact with others was probably good for him. Both him and Zero. And Hemlock knew that. Which was likely the reason he had made the request to Mithera. Zenoram mumbled a bit in his sleep. It was mostly gibberish though so it wasn't really important.

((Sorry @Burthstone, @Silver Fox. I'll try to be quicker in the future.))

[Edo-Damian and Maddox]

Damian didn't move as the foot close in on his helmet, instead back-flipping away from the kick at the last possible moment and dropping low, aiming to sweep the grounded leg out from under Maddox. His speed was impressive, but that his use of it was predictably. Misleading the opponent using after images, but attacking from the flank or rear, the trademark of an assassin and those who wouldn't or couldn't fight a foe head on. After completing the sweep, Damian charged his hand with chi and struck at Maddox's neck with a Knife Hand strike.

When he completed that, he charged his whole body and began a series of kicks, punches and slices with his claymore, though he quickly tossed that off to the side, it landing perfectly tip first. He decided that James had died at the hands of a man who couldn't be bothered to pick up a weapon, so he would die the same way he'd killed James, at the hands of an unarmed man. As he went to finish the series, Damian aimed to deliver a palm heel strike to Maddox's chest, crushing his sternum in the process should it connect.

The red-haired man was surprised that Damien could keep up with his speed. So his physical strength wasn't the only thing augmented by the Chi he spoke of. Rather than dodge the leg sweep, Maddox let it connect and trip him backwards. He seamlessly landed on his hands and flipped back onto his feet. Just in time to dodge Damien's jab at his neck. The combination of strikes that followed were a blur, beyond normal human capability to see. But Maddox was not only able to keep up, he made it look easy.

Maddox himself was a blur as he weaved around the series of attacks, waiting for his opportunity to counter-attack. The palm-heel strike shot out towards Maddox's chest, but struck only an afterimage of the villain. Maddox closed in, moving past the outstretched arm and bringing his face near Damien's helmet. "Maybe if you didn't reserve yourself," he spoke in his usual monotone voice, "James would've lived." He slammed his head forward, aiming to deliver a headbutt and disorient Damien.

Not planning on giving the man any time to recover, Edo-Maddox began his own series of high-speed attacks. While Damien had armor to help protect himself, the power behind each punch or kick was more than enough to dent the armor, which itself would be quite painful. To finish off his combination, Maddox leapt in the air and brought his leg down in an axe kick while leaving an afterimage of himself behind on the ground.

Damian did the unexpected and slammed his helmeted head into Maddox's, meeting it halfway. "Four years ago, I was naive. It was my naivety that killed James. I don't plan to repeat that mistake." Damian pulled back and blocked, dodged, and countered the series of blows that Maddox threw his way, ignoring the dents of his armor. He hadn't planned on it lasting the fight as it was. When Maddox leapt up into the air, Damian simply waited, holding one hand off to his side slightly out of his opponent's sight.

As Maddox fell, Damian waited, closed his eyes and listened. His father had taught him that when one of the five senses was crippled, such as sight being gone, it strengthened the others. He'd spent months working on that principle in between jobs the last four years, always in preparation for this fight. And then the moment came, when Maddox was inches from Damian's head and once more too close to dodge. "Chi blast!" The hidden hand shot upward and let a ball of blue energy fly towards Maddox before flipping away from the ball and the ax kick. Sliding to a stop a few feet away, Damian went after Maddox after he landed, throwing a quick flurry of punches before delivering a double fisted blow aimed with one fist for his chest, the other his gut, both arms over his head as the blow came.

Viper was caught off guard by the chi attack. He didn't guess that it had ranged capabilities and was struck directly in his midsection. The small explosion sent him several meters back, but he landed gracefully and appeared relatively unharmed. "It's going to take more than that to get your revenge," he calmly noted as Edo-Damien rapidly approached. Like his last series of attacks, Edo-Maddox was able to simply dodge around them. On occasion he left an afterimage in his wake, but for the most part he was simply a blur of motion.

The double-fisted strike, however, was caught by Maddox's own hands. In this fashion the two were locked with Maddox's hands wrapped around Damien's fists. "You have forgotten what I am capable of." Tightening his grip, Edo-Maddox lifted Edo-Damien in the air and spun around, throwing the armored man against one of the stone walls with enough force to bring the entire thing down. Sparing no time, an afterimage of Maddox was left in place as he reappeared before Damien with his fist already pulled back. He aimed his punch for the man's chest, specifically over his heart.

"And you underestimate your opponent." As the fist came down, Damian's hand came up and redirected the blow to the ground next to him. Meanwhile, Damian came up and slammed his elbow into the crook between the shoulder and the socket, dislocating the arm painfully and then up came Damian, who flipped Maddox over his shoulder and into the wall of the building on the other side of the wall he'd hit. Damian was right behind the flying body, and as he slid to a stop, his foot came up, covered in the blue glow of chi. "Executioner's ax kick." And it came down, hard and fast, with intent to kill written all over the attack.

Just before the empowered axe kick hit him, Edo-Maddox grabbed the ground beneath him with his good arm and held himself vertically. While Edo-Damien's kick barely missed his head and instead shattered the ground, Maddox's own foot whirled around and connected with the side of Damien's helmet. Though the metal headgear did a good job of protecting the head inside, the knockback from the attack gave Viper enough space to get back on his feet.

"Perhaps I have underestimated you," he said casually, immediately before grabbing his dislocated arm. With a grunt of pain he pushed his shoulder back into place, notably not changing his expression despite the pain. Once it was back in place he rotated his shoulder a bit to stretch it and make sure it worked properly. "I suppose I can start treating you as my equal." Maddox's eyes suddenly seemed to be darker now and he had a frighteningly ominous look.

"I will send you to hell, Damien. You can tell all your friends how you were the second strongest man to ever live, after they join you that is." The Maddox that was standing still became an afterimage, with the real deal appearing in front of Damien again. He began another series of punches and kicks, only this time there were afterimage fakes thrown in the mix. Blocking the feints only resulted in being struck from another angle. Hard. His attacks were relentless, providing no room for escape as Maddox would rotate to cut off a retreat. It was only after thirty long seconds that Edo-Maddox slowed his assault, though it was to allow himself an extra-powerful punch to Damien's helmet. A blow that would likely take off more than just the helmet.

"You first, ass hole." When Maddox launched his flurry of attacks, Damian took it up a notch as well, using his training as both a soldier and a martial artist to block them. His mind ran every tactical possibility through his mind to make sure he minimized the damage as much as possible. When Maddox pulled back for a stronger blow, Damian's fist flew forward and connected with his, meeting it halfway. The two blows packed enough power that a shock wave went out when they connected, sending debris flying. Then they exchanged blows again, only this time was blow for blow, the power behind them continuing to send out shock waves as each one connected.

After about thirty seconds of this, Damian found an opening in Maddox's attack pattern and dashed past the next blow right inside Maddox's guard, slamming his knee into the man's gut. As he double's over, Damian clasps both hands together and raises them over his head and swings down, aiming for Maddox's spine with a powerful blow.

As Damien's fists came down, Maddox leaned in towards his midsection and shoulder-checked him. Only Edo-Damien's arms hit his back, which didn't warrant the same power as his fists would've. As well, because he survived the attack, it left Edo-Damien exposed. A fast uppercut sent the armored man's helmet skyward and Damien stumbling back a bit. "There we are," Edo-Maddox spoke, standing up straight. "Now I can watch the light leave your eyes."

Edo-Maddox wound up for another assault. This time, however, he took a different combat stance. He had wider footing and held his arms out from his body, taking a low center of gravity. "In the end, even when the world is at stake, it comes down to two men. Funny, isn't it." He launched forward, rotating like a whirlwind as he went. His strikes maintained the same speed and power as before, but his motion was different. He was more fluid, working his way around Edo-Damien to find weak spots and poor coverage rather than trying to directly overpower him.

Damian hadn't expected the change in combat stance, nor in the approach that Maddox had taken, but he did his best to keep up. A blow from the left was countered with a block from the left, though a blow from the right would slip through on occasion, earning a grunt from Damian but not much more. This continued for a good couple of minutes until Damian's eyes lit blue for the briefest of moments before he delivered palm heel strike to counter a punch from his right and followed it up with a round house kick to the right side of Maddox's head, sending him stumbling to that left. Following it up, he delivers a double palm strike to his chest and lets the man gain his space, sliding into a combat stance that only the society of Chi practitioners knew. He knew the palm strike wasn't particularly powerful, but it had served it's purpose.

"The fate of the world shouldn't be your primary concern, Maddox. I already told you, I don't give a damn what happens to the kingdom. All I want is your head on a pike." Damian moved forward once more, but his blows were less punches so much as targeted strikes at various nerve centers. However, even with this combat style, Maddox wasn't falling so easily, so Damian mixed the two and finally got in a lucky clip to the side of Maddox's face. Pivoting, he delivers a backwards hammerfist to the left side of Maddox's head and then comes in with a nerve strike, this one aimed to stop the Viper's heart once and for all.

Though he was still reeling from the backwards hammerfist, Edo-Maddox used the momentum of the recoil to his advantage. His stumble turned into a flip, dodging the next strike and bringing his foot into the side of Edo-Damien's face. The blow sent the armored man flying, but before he could hit the ground Edo-Maddox appeared over him again. This time he was low to the ground, grabbing Damien's forehead and forcefully slamming him into the stone floor, shattering the tiles.

He let go by flinging Edo-Damien across the floor, letting him roll until he was stopped by a wall. "I do give a damn about what happens to this world," Maddox said, running a hand through his hair as he straightened up. "After this last, great fight, there will be no one I can release my energy on. So I have to think about how I'm going to get my kicks as the new king." For the first time in perhaps years, an evil grin formed on his face. "In the end you will die, Phoenix Wing will die, the royal bloodline will die, all of the capitol will die."

"But I, however, will not." The grin faded away and his neutral expression returned. "I will live a few more decades before someone assassinates me in my old age. But even then my name will live on as the strongest man in history. Fear, anger, death, and destruction will be synonymous with it. I can burn Edolas to ash and scatter the dust if I wanted to..." A darkness seemed to fall over Edo-Maddox. His red eyes almost seemed as if they were glowing now. "There is only one thing standing in my way."

He dropped into his new combat stance again, only this time he seemed somehow different. "You fight me for revenge, but I fight you for my future. The final obstacle in my path of ascension. It has been exhilarating so far, but this has gone on long enough. I will honor your power by sending you to your doom with my ultimate technique." His arms and hands notably became less tense. His entire body seemed to relax slightly despite a sudden tension seizing the air. "Blood Rain." Edo-Maddox shot towards his target, spinning as he did so, delivering powerful strikes at lightning speed along his rotation. An attack like this would pick an unarmored opponent to shreds, though Damien's armor wouldn't fare too much better in its current condition.

Damian's head was still swimming slightly as he'd picked himself up after the trip across the floor and he hadn't fully recovered when the attack came. He did his best to deflect the blows while his head was still clearing but it didn't do him much good, his armor taking exceedingly high amounts of damage, small pieces even beginning to come off. As the next twenty seconds happened though, Damian could finally think straight and knew his armor was toast. When Maddox finished his attack, Damian stepped back and dropped his armor, which was beyond useless at this point, and stood in just his undershirt, pants, and boots. "Your future ends here, Maddox."

Faster than he had before, he closed the distance with Viper and delivered a rapid series of punches to Maddox's torso, finishing them with a reverse elbow strike to the gut that doubled the man over again. Standing and pivoting quickly, he slammed his knee into Maddox's face and caught his shirt as he came up and stumbled back, pulling back with his free hand and charging his fist with Chi. "Dragon style, Dragon's Thunderous Blow!" He slammed his fist into Maddox's chest, thender echoing as his body was thrown back and his chest caved in. Coughing up a bit of blood, Damian judged the damange he'd dealt as he retrieved his claymore from it's resting place. The blow alone was a grievous injury, but it wasn't meant to kill. It was a move that he'd created himself just for the purpose of crippling Maddox. As Damian walked over to where the Viper had fallen, he coughed up a bit more blood. That ultimate technique of Maddox's had hurt where it had gotten through and now he was feeling it. But it was almost over. Finally almost finished after four years. Kicking the attempting to stand Viper in the gut and therefor onto his back, Damian placed the tip of the claymore over Maddox's heart and locked eyes with him. "Any last words, Maddox?"

A chuckle escaped Edo-Maddox as he lay on the ground. A grin had formed on his face as he looked to the sky. "Any last words?" he repeated before chuckling again. "In the end, my power was for naught. There is no silver prize. Only the strongest matters. And I'm no longer the strongest." His grin faded away as his eyes went to Edo-Damien now. "But once you kill me... what is there left? What will you do now that you are on top? Your revenge may be sated... but you are like me. Revenge isn't enough to carry you through the rest of your life."

"You will fall into depression. You will look for something more to fill the void. You won't go back to your friends for you had forsaken them. You will follow the same path I have taken." A victorious grin formed on his face. His right hand moved up and grabbed the blade, some blood trickling down his arm from the sharp edges. "You will become the very thing you hated. Your victory today is only your defeat tomorrow, Damien. So finish what you started. Kill me and replace me. With your power, there is nothing you cannot have. You may deny it now but you will soon be swayed." Edo-Maddox let out a cough, wiping the grin from his face. "I may not have the world... but I have still won."

Damian stood very still as Maddox spoke, keeping the blade perfectly still even as the Viper cut himself on the blade. "That's where we differ, Maddox. Killing you, after the blood lust and hate has cleared, is no longer about vengeance. Beating you, seeing you on the ground in the same position that James was in, more or less, has helped me remember what James and I fought for. To protect Edolas from people like you. To make sure the people can live happily. Heh, guess even after his death he keeps me on the straight and narrow one way or another." His grip tightens on the hilt of his claymore and he raises it slightly. "See you in hell, Viper." The blade drops and pierces Maddox's chest, right through his heart. However, there was no anger, no hate on his face, nor in his voice when he spoke. Instead there was the solemn steeling that came with a man doing the only thing he knew to protect those he cared about.

Pulling the blade free, he turns towards the large cannon and looks around. Now, to make sure his guild doesn't finish what he started. I owe that much to a kingdom I've not given two damns about for the last four years. Whistling, Titanus flies down and scoops up his rider, glad his partner had survived. "I'm going to need more armor now. That won't be cheap." The Legion set out for the cannon and it's rider steeled himself for the fight ahead.

[James]

Seeing Maddox and Trinity come into the station, he nodded to himself. Everyone was accounted for who wasn't anima'd or already back at the guild hall. Or at least he hoped it was. The engineer had a schedule to keep. Leading Melina to the car, he found a compartment and sat down, sighing. "Well, it's been an eventful day. Let's just rest now, eh?"

Joshua took Jarvis glaring at him calmly and simply cracked a small smile at the man's comments.
"I'm a hard one to kill. Still, while the concept of teamwork isn't lost on me, I've never been given a chance to exercise it. I find it easier to work alone or handle things myself. But, if I really would find myself in a situation I can't handle, I'm not above asking others for help. Just not until such a situation occurs though.

But Lazarus is right, we need to get moving. We'll talk more later."

With that he dashed after Lazarus.

Amelia looked up at Jarvis and took his hand
"Are you angry Mr. Jarvis?" She asked, sensing his frustration with Joshua.

Mayt looked over at Penny, it was more than clear to him that she wasn't happy. "I don't have to re-learn it, technically, it should just come to me as I need it, and all at once when I reach an undisclosed age. It was locked away so I don't do something stupid that gets me in a dark guild or killed. I do use lost magic after all." He then turned to Edo-Beatrix, and chuckled a little when she said they were doomed.

"Then I'll just let Damian over there handle Maddox. If he manages to beat your Maddox senseless, then they won't fire that magic using weapon since he's still here. And if they do, well, it's all improvisation from there. What does this weapon fire? That's an important question." Mayt turned and quickly got the scabbard to his sword, holding it out to his side as he sheathed his weapon, watching the fight with a level of awe. As it was, he couldn't hope to be nearly that fast without using his magic on his body. Something that was forbidden in and of itself, and if done wrong could rip him to pieces. But even if he sped himself up, he didn't have the reflexes to keep up. The fight was truly something far beyond his ability as a fighter or a mage. After a moment he turned and walked back towards "I'm going to do my damndest to keep people from dying today. And it seems the fight our counterparts were in is almost over, so that's good. Also, which direction is this weapon? Me and Penny can handle preventing it from killing everyone, in case Damian can't stop Maddox or if the weapon fires anyway." His soft smile settled into a determined face, and he couldn't help but pant slightly. Restarting Edo-Beatrix's heart took more out of him than it did to beat her in the fight. He attributed it to the fact there wasn't a lot of electricity to amplify to do it. It had been more than he expected. He turned back to Edo-Damian and Edo-Maddox, watching with a hint of amazement as the fight came to an end. Seemingly unfazed by Damian's chose to kill Maddox. But he was clearly not happy he was already running off without giving anyone a chance to congratulate him.

Mithera made a soft nod, she understood what the Dragon was trying to say. "I will be more than happy to take care of your friend if you should... Disappear. I don't need to think about it to decide that much." She gave a slight bow, undoubtedly set in helping the dragon. She turned slowly, and walked over to Karn and Zenoram, leaning down and gently nudging them awake with her head. She had a proud look in her eye, feeling special for having had a Dragon give her a task. Though she was fairly sad that he had been talking about how he thought he would 'disappear' soon. Something as amazing as him deserved to live for far far longer than she did. She stopped trying to wake Zenoram for a moment to shoot Hemlock a look that had a bit of sadness in it, but gave him a nod before turning back to the dragon slayer. "Wakey wakey little Zenoram."

Jarvis sighed and shook his head, looking to Amelia. "no. Merely frustrated at the way of youth" He said, offering her a smile, before looking after Joshua and Lazarus. and sighed once more.

"Can you run, or do you want to piggy back?" he asked her, well aware that she might not have the stamina of Joshua and Lazarus.



As the Legion continued its flight, Edo-Sasha could see the capitol come into view. She saw the cannon, the legions in the air. When the Legion descended, and landed, Edo-Sasha didn't spare a glance for Edo-sayuri, and the stranger. No, instead she darted off, witnessing, with some shock and horror, Damian kill Edo-Maddox.

She stood standing for one moment, and then she was running again, as it seemed the fighting there was covered. She darted passed Mayt, and Penny, not stopping as Mayt seemed alright, and she didn't know Penny. And clearly didn't understand that Penny knew her, or at least EL-Sasha, as Penny shouted out "Hey, Sasha! Wait!"

She saw the landed Legion, With EL-Sasha, Edo-Trinity, Liana and someone in a cage. She didn't see Edo-Lazarus. But she did see Master Jamie heading into the castle.



It didn't appear that the others were aware the legion had landed. Jamie sighed, having watched Edo-Karn leap off the legion, he wondered if the youth was okay. The sense of forboding just seemed to increase, as Edo-Jamie climbed off the legion, trusting the others to look after the false queen.

She didn't call to Liana, not just yet. Something was going to happen. Something seemed...just not quite right. As Jamie stepped towards the Castle, he looked back at the others. Sometimes, being the Master meant that you needed trust in your members. Other times, it meant that you had to sacrifice all for them.

This was one of those times. As Edo-Jamie continued towards the castle, walking smoothly and as if she owned the place, he looked around, warily. Even as she walked towards the Castle doors, there were soldiers palling out. Edo-Jamie sighed and spared them a glance, drawing their blade.

He began to move, dealing blows that would cripple for now, but wouldn't leave any lasting damage. It was almost like a dance, as she moved smoothly, dodging blows. this Jamie was clearly a Master Swordsman, more so then Earthland Jamie.

When he could get through them all, Jamie did so, entering the castle. The main hall appeared to be deserted. Jamie went to the kings Chambers, approached them with wariness, asa well as preparing himself for what she may or may not have to do. At the sound of voices, Jamie stopped, listening at the door.

It only took a few moments to figure out that it was Pen, and the false King. So Edo-Jamie opened the door. "Ah. Pen. You do get around. And dear, old, Spencer. Always trying the best, yet never getting far. You could have been a good king, without Angelica's influence. Or maybe not. Either way, I have the true Queen, Daughter of the murdered King and Queen. Liana. And its her time to come into her title. Which means, Sadly, that you have to step down. I doubt you'll make it easy, especially with Pen around"

Now Jamie looked to Pen, and saw that the red-headed man seemed frustrated. "Are we going to fight it out here, Pen? Maddox is most likely dead, Angelica captured. You're the only real threat left. How many Lacrima do you have left. Seven?"

"Enough to take you down" Pen said with a laugh, and Edo-Jamie sighed, and raised her blade.



Sasha sighed, and because she suspected that Edo-Lazarus would run off, searching for Pen, she reached out, grabbing his arm. "You can't do this alone. Pen isn't your fault. Sometimes, sometimes people are just...bad" She spoke softly, trying to reassure, but also know if he wanted to go after Pen, she couldn't stop him. Certainly, a restrain hand couldn't.



"We are not doomed" Penny said, as she watched the battle. "We are Phoenix Wing. We do the impossible. So this should be easy for us" She said, a flicker of a smile over her face, just as Edo-Damian killed Maddox, before going off.

It was one of few option, and one she probably would have chosen herself. She wasn't squeamish about killing.

And then someone that looked like Sasha brushed passed them, and she blinked, shouting out "Hey, Sasha! Wait!" When the girl kept on running, she looked to Mayt. "That was Sasha, right?"

The tan woman stopped walking when Mayt started asking her questions about the Dragon Chain Cannon. She faced him and Penny but didn't walk back to them. "The Dragon Chain Cannon," she began. "It's probably on one of the cliffs overlooking the city. What it's going to do is fire a magical chain across the sky." With one of her hands, she pointed towards the sky and made an arc across it, ending with her finger pointing at what appeared to be a large mountain just outside the city.

"It will latch onto the fallen kingdom of Extalia and drag it across the city, crushing everything in its path. Including us." Edo-Beatrix brought her hand back down and looked them in the eyes. "Once the cannon fires, this city is gone. It just needs enough magic to fire. That was part of Maddox's plan... to instigate fighting down here so he can capture you Earthlanders. But the fact you're using magic means he doesn't need to capture you..."

Her sentence trailed off as she heard the thunderous boom come from the direction of Damien and Maddox. In her mind she assumed it was of no importance and that Edo-Maddox would still be victorious, but simple curiosity made her look over. Maddox was on the ground with Damien above him, victorious. She watched in silent disbelief as Damien dealt the killing blow. Now ignoring Mayt and Penny, she slowly walked over to Viper's body and knelt down next to his head.

Her eyes were clearly tearing up, but she didn't break down and cry. She could hardly believe someone was able to kill him, but she knew this was for the best. For the world and for Maddox himself. His eyes were still open, staring lifelessly into the sky. But the most striking feature about his body was the smile on his face. It wasn't malicious nor was it cynical. The tears rolled down Edo-Beatrix's cheeks, but still she maintained her composure.

"I'm sorry... if I was smarter, or perhaps stronger, you wouldn't have gone down this path," she spoke to Maddox. Her right hand went up and wiped the tears from her eyes and she choked back the urge to break down. After clearing her vision she looked back down at the dead villain. "You brought this on yourself, Maddy... It was hard but now it's all over." Edo-Beatrix looked up now, her eyes settling on the nearby Staff of the Ancients that Maddox had dropped earlier.

On the palace rooftop, the silent twin was in battle with Edo-Karn when he heard the thunderclap from below. He had dodged the blonde's attacks rather fluidly, showing off his ninja-like agility. Rather than continue with ranged attacks, he had withdrawn two daggers and held them both in a reverse-grip. Before he could continue his assault on the injured Phoenix Wing member, he looked down to the courtyard to identify the source of the sound.

He was clearly shocked, despite his lack of words, at the sight of Damien finishing off Maddox. But unlike Edo-Beatrix's reaction, a wicked grin formed on his face instead. Turning his attention back to Edo-Karn, he gave the blonde a sarcastic wave goodbye before removing an explosive from his pockets. Giving it a light toss towards Karn's feet, he jumped backwards off the rooftop and made his way down by dropping down from window sills. While completing his original objective is good, taking advantage of this new opportunity was much better.

The assassin dashed across the courtyard, already mapping out his escape route to get back to the cannon. He just needed one thing first. Before he could reach the Staff of the Ancients, however, he saw Edo-Beatrix pick the staff up. A look of anger formed on his face as he held his hand out toward her, making it clear he wanted the weapon. The tan woman looked into the snake eyes on it for a moment, examining the red glow they had. Then she gripped it in both hands and smashed the head of the staff into the ground with a shout of effort.

The silent twin was mortified as the weapon was shattered. A powerful blast of energy was released from the impact, sending both Edo-Beatrix and the assassin flying backwards. Beatrix managed to land on her rear, but the assassin landed on his hands and feet skillfully. If he wasn't angry before, the vein bulging on his forehead proved he was irate with Beatrix now. She stood back up to her feet and wiped her chin. "I'm done with this, River," she told him. But the assassin seemed displeased. He withdrew his daggers again, preparing to strike Beatrix down on his way out of the palace courtyard.

Jayce had been running to the cliff the entire time during the fight, and was already a quarter of the way there, deciding it'd be best to approach from the west side of the cliff, steadying his breath as he climbed at a quick pace. The strength of his artificial arm served him well, in that he could basically lunge himself up the cliff, provided a stable enough point to grab onto. With one lunge after another up the cliffside, he ascended, starting to wonder if this was even the right one.

"...Hope Penny and her friends can handle that guy. I'll do what I can here and head back as fast I can-" before he could finish thinking, he heard the sound of roaring thunder back over by the city. Eyes widened as he realized there wasn't a cloud in sight, he quickened his pace, nearly slipping a few times before he was hanging onto the edge of the cliff. Peeking over, he steadied himself on his left arm's elbow on the ground and tried to see if this was even the right place to be. Seeing the cannon, he knew it was, and quickly scanned around for anybody who would be guarding the cannon.

Trinity smiles softly and pats Maddox's shoulder as he laments the loss of his jacket. "It's just an opportunity to find an even better one. I'm sure you'll find something."

As they approach James, Trinity gives a light wave and motions for Nori to come with her. "C'mon, let's find a place on the train." She leads the dog-spider onto the train to find a seat, with enough space for Maddox and whoever else to sit nearby. She'd pet the creature, if Nori sat near enough.


She'd fully expected to fall off. Which, well... she did. But it wasn't quite the fall she was expecting. With a cursory glance, she finds herself on the ground, next to the Legion. She pulls herself up with Liana before she starts fussing over her, straightening her hair and her clothes as she looks for injury. "Are you alright, Liana?"

She heard someone call to Sasha and turned her attention to see who was being called to. "Sasha." She smiles warmly and absently pulls Liana a little closer. Then a trouble expression crosses her face. "Karn got hurt and then ran off. I'm... worried."

An ominous feeling settled over Fleo, one totally unassisted by Damian's summoning. She found the brief mention of Edolas interesting, but from the succinct fashion in which her guildmate described it, there didn't seem to be anything more interesting about it. There had been tales of alternate dimensions throughout the pockets of the magical world she had been acquainted with, and this Edolas seemed like nothing more. Fleo did extend her well-wishes to her comrades trapped in this Edolas place, hoping that there were adequate Animas to bring them back safely. She assumed that Animas were wizards, perhaps specialized in Territory magic.

Despite Damian's display Fleo felt not at all inclined to simply 'wait here'. Her last guild had rated her an A-class wizard, even if she had modestly insisted that it was giving her too much credit. Who was this guy to order her around? Making up her mind, she followed in his wake, her dusty feet making no sound on the guild hall's floor. When Jamie began to speak, however, she balked. If the guild master spoke with such sincere dread, this Angelica woman he addressed could be nothing short of a monstrosity. Fleo held a hand up, palm facing the ceiling, and dust began to gather among the bandages. As she did so, she moved away until she was out of the way of the door, anticipating it to erupt into a shadowy explosion any second.

Angelo smiled at penny at her words about phoenix wing doing the impossible, hell impossible wasn't a word in our vocabulary. Angelo ate some berries he had hidden in his jacket pocket and ate some as he called out "lightning magic: Zeus Armor mode!" Angelo called out as his body went full electrical armor and he jumped onto the buildings in the streets as he started to quickly get to the cannon and he called out "Zeus armor: bolt barrage!" Angelo called out as he started to throw bolt after bolt at it hoping it would do something if nothing else it would shut it down or at best overload it but Angelo had no idea how they made anything here so he was really just hoping for the best...

Karn perked his ears a little as the dragon spoke to him to awaken Zero. Nodding a little as he raised his head, he watched as Mithera walk over and start nudging Zenoram. Chuckling a little, the Chimera grinned as he raised a large paw and started to lightly shake Zenoram, moving a little faster and harder if he didn't wake soon.

"Come on Zenoram! Zero! You don't want to miss going outside with us do you?" he spoke before looking to the dragon curiously.

"Are you sure it's okay for you to come with us Mr. Dragon? Not saying you can't take yourself, but I'm sure human cities don't make you too comfortable to be around." he asked.




Edo-Karn's eyes narrowed at the assassin before glancing toward the thunder like noise. Emerald gaze narrowing as they saw Edo-Damian kill Edo-Maddox. A mixture of emotions welling in the heart. On one hand, they understood why Maddox was to die, but that didn't stop the blonde from wanting to prevent it. The bastard deserved a lot of things and should of paid for it more then just his life. Yet, the blonde knew Edo-Damian's reason. The man, in the end, had turned the darker path to get revenge. He can try to spell it however he wants... But the long run was that he left them in order to kill Maddox. He didn't care about what happened to their world, to them, to innocent people.., all it mattered was killing Maddox. And that was something that was never forgivable to Edo-Karn.

Because he forgot. The stubborn man might as well of been in a bloody romance with Maddox the way he blocked out everything else. Edo-Karn couldn't help but wonder... If Edo-Damian that the path he took was a lonely road for both him and the Guild?

Either way, Edo-Karn didn't know if he did care.... They knew he was deep down a good person. But four years, would of been a nice time to make fond memories with friends.

As the assassin threw a bomb before waving goodbye and disappearing down below to the others. The blonde jumped out of the way to dodge, the bomb going off and blowing up the the part of the building Edo-Karn was standing on. But once again, their chest clenched painfully and they coughed and hacked. This time though, it wasn't simply coughing blood, the blonde started throwing up blood. The coughed and hacked as they staggered to their feet. Trying their best not to fall as blood kept getting hacked out. Gurgling noises could be heard, as if they were drowning.

The ground under them crumbling, the blonde ended up falling through the building and onto the rubble below inside the palace. Wincing a little as they coughed more, their emerald eyes glanced around, seeing they were in some secluded hall. Despite efforts to get back up, the coughing only worsened and forced Edo-Karn to lay their back against the rubble they were in.

So it was time huh? A pity. Only got to defeat Angelica... But Maddox was down... And they were sure the others could handle the rest. It was alright. The others can bask in glory, that was never what Edo-Karn was after. They were strong, they were fast.... But in the end it didn't matter.


Was there a time where everything fell apart? Where everything just seemed... To not matter anymore? Perhaps... Perhaps that time was when everything was lost, when they were lost and torn... Were they broken? They didn't know.

"Stop! Stop! Give them back! Give my family back!" A young child could hear their mother screaming from behind. Words sounding so desperate, and so sad... Barely able to be released through the choking sobs.

Lines of people, men and children, were bound by chains. Their wrists and ankles cuffed and pulled along by cart. Soldiers watched, standing all around them. Their laughter echoing in the child's ears, while the prisoners sobbed and cried out in anguish and anger. Screams could be heard from those not taken, but it did not matter... There was nothing they could do. Father and brother, was in front of the little child... Small and tiny compared to the other children. No more than a runt.

"M-Mommy..." the child, no more than perhaps six years old, pleaded. Their long shaggy and messy blonde hair reaching almost to the ground, wearing nothing more than brown rags that did not even cover the arms and legs. And a crimson scarf wrapped around the neck.

The cracking of a whip roared in the air, a sharp pain suddenly slicing against the child's back. A cry ripping it's way out of their mouth as they fell to their knees, emerald eyes welled with held back tears as their tiny body shook uncontrollably. Karn could hear the sound of a soldier yelling at them, but they refused to move... They couldn't. The child did not wish to leave their mother, to go to the scary place.

Another whip cracked in the air, slicing against Karn's throat, slicing the left side and causing quite the wound. Another cry escaped their lips, tears managing to escape their emerald eyes as they glared up at soldier. Yes, their body was shaking with terror... But they were also full of betrayal, and hatred.

"Let us go! Let us all go! We didn't do anything! How dare you hurt innocent people! Enough!" Their brother Eric shouted angrily. A ten year old looking boy, with auburn colored semi long hair and cold blue eyes. Tanned skin and wearing simialry raggy clothes.

Yet a whip cracked more against, this time against the boy's cheek. Causing a sharp cry to escape Eric's lips as he cringed back, holding his bloodied cheek.

"Big Bro!" The small blonde child spoke as they moved closer to their brother and lightly touched his shoulder only to feel a boot's heel to their back. Knocking them foreword, their face landing in the dirt.

"Shut up and get moving you little shits!" The soldier who had kicked them barked, kicking the side of Karn as they scrambled to their feet. Grimacing, they sniffles softly but continued walking. Glancing behind them to see their sobbing mother in the distance. On her knees, crying into her hands.

Before they had to look away as a soldier glared for the prisoners to keep moving. Leading them away from their home, and into misery.

~~~

How long has it been? Seconds, minutes, hours, days, weeks, or years? Karn no longer knew. Their body felt almost numb.. Perhaps the unbearable pain had finally lost its sensation. Where were they? They didn't know. How many were even still alive? How much of her brother or father were left that wasn't consumed? They lost count.... First the arms... Then the thighs.... Then the eyes. Did dead people still see? Did they watch? Did they hate those that ripped them apart? That used them like a piece of flesh? When did the tears stop and the teeth no longer cared what they ripped apart for substance?

Karn knew, that they were lying on a table in a secluded room. But they saw nothing. They didn't want to anymore, as knives and needles cut into their flesh. Their voice was too raw to scream anymore. Their body too numb to move anymore. How much blood did they shed on this table?

Faint voices echoed.. Perhaps at a distance, perhaps right next to the child.

"I think this one has about had it." One voice spoke.

"Indeed. Not surprising though that this was a failure. Number XVII was a sick child. Would of died young anyways. Maybe surviving to ten years old bedridden. I had hoped that the lyrium induced subjects that were relatives would have some sort of result, but it appears to have failed anyways. No synthesized magic could be produced." another voice spoke, dissapointment evident.

"Indeed. Surprisingly, this stubborn sickly subject survived longer then the others. Last one in this project. Two years is a new record. Oh well, we better take this one to the cart. Being able to bury dead people seem to keep citizens from total uproar at least." the voice said before silence resumed.

Karn didn't care to listen any longer, not really caring anymore. They no longer had the strength to fight back, to yell at them... They no longer cared. Yet, they still clung to the shred of hope, of going home. That's all they wanted.

The next time Karn woke up, they were greeted by the sound of a cart. Shifting slightly in place, feeling something heavy on top of them. Forcing their emerald eyes open, the child blinked as they saw the dark blue night sky. Blinking for a moment, they glanced to their left to see withered man's eyes vacant and staring toward the child but their blank soulless eyes saw nothing. Their body nothing but skin and bones. Missing a eye and a jaw.

A corpse.

Tensing, Karn's eyes widened a little in horror as they scrambled from underneath, feeling a sense of familiar panic. It had been awhile, but perhaps it was because they were finally outside again. Scrambling so much, the blonde ended up falling out of the moving kart along with the body. Panting, Karn managed to drag their tiny body away from the corpse before sitting up and watching the cart continue to move, getting further and further away.

For a moment, the child stared at the limp broken body in front of them before turning their emerald gaze to examine their surroundings. This wasn't the mines that people slaved over, nor was it the rooms that smelled funny that were full of fear. They were outside, in a vaguely familiar town. Lanterns ever so slightly lighting the quiet streets and barely revealing the small wooden buildings of homes.

Several larger buildings, made of stone, was broken and collapsed. Several places scarred from battles and raids. Yet it seemed peaceful, and it had the sweet scent of flowers in the air,

This was Traia. Karn was home... Finally they were home.

Giving a soft pained whimper as the child forced themselves to their feet, tiny trembling ragged body caked in dried blood and dirt, before slowly forcing themselves to start walking. Trying hard to remember this place. It had felt like so long... Two years the bad people said right? Memories were muddled... But they somehow managed to find their way to the one place they were longing for. A small wooden cottage between two others with the smell of dead wilted flowers in the air. The once lively garden that decorated the front of the house, lay dead and uncared for.

Karn paid no mind to it however, more focused on finding their mother. Hope and joy filling their chest once more as they reached up to grab at the handle. After a few weak jumps, the blonde managed to open the door to reveal a dark dreary home.

"....M-Mommy...." The child managed to choke out in a raspy broken voice. How long has it been since words actually formed?

Searching and searching, the child explored the familiar home, yet seemed a little post as well. It felt different compared to when they lived here. It used to be so bright and cheerful, but now it just felt.... Empty. Finally, Karn reached a room that once belonged to both Eric and Karn. The door was cracked, and there was a soft rocking sound coming from inside. Pushing the door open, the small blonde slowly made their way inside, seeing a rocking figure beside the window in a chair. The moonlight shining dimly into the room, illuminating the figure in a soft white glow, yet the shadows seemed to cover most of the image.

"....Mommy?" The child spoke once more in the raspy voice, emerald gaze brightening as they recognized the long blonde hair.

Stepping closer, the woman turned their emerald gaze toward the child. Bags under her eyes and skin so deathly pale, strands of silver hair staining the luscious blonde... The woman did not look so well. Almost like a ghost really.

For a few moments, the woman blinked slowly before smiling kindly. "Oh! Little Timmy! I almost didn't recognize you. What are you doing? Aren't you playing with Eric? You're such a sweet little boy." The woman spoke kindly and softly, her words making very little sense.

The child tilted their head, obviously confused. "M-Mommy... It... Ka..rn." the blonde child spoke, emerald eyes wide in confusion as they moved closer to their mother.

Thinking for a moment, the woman gasped and hummed. "Oh dear oh dear. I've left the stove on. My dear husband always distracts me. Gotta hurry and fix it. Or no dinner for the poor children." she said in a strained panicked voice, her unfocused eyes darting around the room as if it was ready to burst into flames.

It was then, the woman looked to the child, confusion etched into her expression. "...Who are you? Where am I? This is my home! Get out of my home! Help! Help! There is a stranger in my home! Help! Murderer! Murderer!" the deranged woman suddenly screamed out, grabbing a base nearby and throwing it at the child.

Karn yelped as the base hit against the side of their head before they quickly scrambled out like a scared animal. Fear and confusion etched on their expression as they sprinted out of the room. The woman supposed to be their mother screaming loudly behind them. Voices could be heard from outside and the child felt the hair on the back of their neck stand on end as their terror increased, before they simply sprinted out of their home. Bolting through the dark alleyways of the city.

~~~~

Days passed, each day stealing from the Traia markets and each night visiting their deranged mother. With the same end result. No matter what the child did, their mother didn't recongize them as their child. Sometimes Karn would be some neighbor, a stranger, a old friend... If they were lucky the child was their father or brother but that was rare. Sometimes... She mentioned Karn by name. But that was all.

Another night, they were alone in the dark night of the city, sitting curled up beside the house. Nibbling on a piece of stale bread. It was then a pair of quiet footsteps could be heard and before the child could bolt away, a tall figure stood before them. Cornering them against the wall. Not knowing what else to do, Karn made a feral growling sound out, emerald eyes glaring up at the dark figure. The moonlight shining brilliantly so they could just make out the face.

The person was a large man, perhaps around eight foot with a muscular body and wearing a thick leather brown coat, black gloves and boots, with a grey vest. Long messy brown hair that also ran over his face, only being pulled back by a pair of black goggles so people could see his eyes. His thick hair was like a mane, and glowing golden eyes that seemed to just pierce into ones soul. Wearing a giant sword on his back that was as long as his body.

Growling and glaring, the child stood, teeth slightly gnawing together from behind the large red scarf. Despite the aggression, the man simply chuckled as he crouched so he was somewhat more at the child's level.

"You must be the little thief that's been reported recently. Huh, such a little kid able to pull of such things for awhile now. Pretty impressive. But Ya know stealing is a no no right?" the man said with a grin as he waved his right index finger in a tsking manner.

The blonde child simply glared at him, a growling noise continuing to emit from the throat.

A soft sigh left his lips before he shook his head, stroking his gruff chin covered in fuzz. Golden eyes looking over the aggressive child, he hummed a little.

"Mhmm odd wires... Rian will probably go ballistic over such techno whatsits. Are you a child from Althena?" he asked but Karn simply stared at him. Either having difficulty understanding him, not wanting to answer him, or just plain did not know the answer. Regardless, the man lightly patted the top the child's head with a friendly smile.

"Well, either way, why don't you come back with me. I think you just need a proper home." The man said before blinking as the kid growled, moving their head away before quickly crushing his fingers between the teeth in a bite.

"Ooooowwwww!!!!!! That hurts ya know kid?!" The man whined, trying to gently shake the blonde kid off, to no avail. It was like some stray dog holding onto some juicy bone it caught.

With a sigh, the man thought for a moment as he glanced his golden gaze to the house then to the child. "Come on now.... I bet you're lonely right? Your mother is acting strange... Don't blame her... She's ill. You may not want to leave her after finding her again, but staying out here stealing for food won't help. If you come with me, you'll find a much more pleasant way to help earn some money for her to recover. And even get another family while your at it. Doesn't that sound nice kid? So... Please let go before I bleed out." The man chuckled softly as he watched the blonde child stare at him, growling.

Emerald gaze softening sadly as they glanced toward their home, they slowly laxed the grip their mouth had on the rough fingers before simply looking down at their feet. Feeling a gentle hand on top of their head, Karn glanced up to see the man who cheerfully ruffled the messy blonde hair.

"Good, come on now. You get to meet the best Guild around. Phoenix Wing. It's going to take a bit though so you better hurry. Want to greet the fam quickly. My name is Ru. Pleasure to meet you kid." the man said, moving his coat collar away to reveal a black mark on his neck. It looked like a wing.

As the man started walking, Karn stood there, watching before looking at the house that contained their mother. They didn't know what exactly a Guild was, or if this person could be trusted. But.. At the moment.. They felt a strong urge to follow.. And maybe be wanted once again.

~~~~~

It took a few days to walk, but the child followed without a word. Sticking closer to the large man as they passed by towns. Some people staring at the mutilated child, some turning their gaze away. Was it really that horrifying to look at? The man, Ru, often spoke to Karn along the way. Talking about the Guild and what it was and what they were about. The blonde child simply listened, before staring at a large wooden building surrounded by trees.

Pretty, and it had a sense of... A homey feel.

As Ru led the child inside into the Guild hall, barging through the doors with a massive hand and a wide grin on his face. "Honey, I'm home!" he called, though the place looked fairly empty. Only one person sat at a table. A woman about 5'5, short black hair, a black tank top and brown cargo pants with thick brown gloves and boots. Fiddling with what looked to be gay jets on the table.

The violet eyed woman gave a annoyed glance to the two entering and grumbled as there was a crack and one of the gagets sparked and exploded. With a groan, the woman turned toward them, elbows resting behind her on the table as she looked to the man.

"Do you have to bust in here like some drunk legion high on acid?" the woman asked sarcastically before standing and walking a little closer. "Did you finish the job? Took you long enough Meatlug." she said before looking down at the child sort of hiding behind Ru's leg.

"Who's the twerp?" The woman asked.

Ru grinned as he scratched the back of his head a little. "Glad you missed me too Rian. Guessing the others are out on a job?" he asked before glancing down behind him at the little child. "Apparently this was the little thief that eluded the soldiers so much they called us in." he chuckled a little.

Rian huffed a little, examining the child with a curious gaze as she noticed the metal wiring imbedded into the child's flesh. "Traia... What are they doing?" the woman spoke before reaching a hand out to the child.

Seeing what she was doing, Ru managed to open his mouth to speak. "Wait, Rian, don't..." he spoke but it was too late.

At the hand coming closer, the child instinctevly growled before crushing the slender fingers between their teeth in a sharp bite.

"Ow! You little brat! Don't go biting people trying to help!" Rian yelled, slamming a fist on top of the child's head, whom whined in response but just bit harder.

Ru laughed a little as he watched the stubborn child refuse to let go while Rian yelled and smacked the child in a attempt to be released.

"Looks like the guild will get a bit more lively."

"Shut your trap and get this twerp offa me!"

~~~~~

A week passed by since Karn had entered the Phoenix Wing building, yet their attitude hardly changed. They sat by themself, growling at those who came close and glaring at others. Watching as the Guild Members came and went to do jobs. If they tried to touch the child, they were bitten. The child Did not speak, nor socialize with anyone. But Ru had been teaching the child how to read and write. Although Karn never said anything, they listened. The large man had a calming feeling about him. Occassionally, the child would try and watch Rian, who seemed to be a techy sort of person enjoying making some sort of equipment.

Of course, Karn would soon retreat as soon as they were noticed by then black hair woman who seemed quite insistent in looking the child over. The technological parts of the body catching the woman's interest.

Today, it was raining. And the child was outside, allowing the wet drops pound against their small for. Coughing a little, blood dripping out from their lips. Their chest hurt... But they had to keep looking. The red scarf that had been basically glued to the child's neck, had slipped off and blown into the wind earlier today when the small blonde was outside.

It was important to Karn, a memento of their mother before she was sick. Before any of this happened. It was amazing it lasted this long, but the older piece of cloth had only a few torns in it. What else did they have?

They searched trough thickets of bushes, behind rocks, in trees. But there was no luck. Disheartened, the muddy child sat under a tree. Wrapping their arms around their legs as they sat there, fingers digging into their skin. Cold wetness staining their body, and welling up in the emerald eyes. Karn wasn't sure if it was from the rain, or tears.

Burying their face against their knees, the child curled tighter in a ball. Feeling lost and abandoned. Was there much point anymore? Father and brother were gone... And mother had forgotten her own child. What difference was there now if Karn was at that place or here? Why was this life cruel?

Karn was so focused on their thoughts, the child barely noticed a approaching figure. Cloaked in black and completely covered. Couldn't see their face, but they were smaller than the other people who lived here. Not too much older than the blonde child. A threatening growl rumbled in the child's throat, in no mood to deal with people.

The figure didn't falter however as they pulled out a red cloth from inside their cloak and held it out. Karn paused as their emerald eyes registered the cloth before quickly snatching it away. Looking over the red cloth and recomgizing it as their scarf. It looked better than before however. It was cleaner, and even looked like all the holes were sewn up. Emerald eyes staring at the red fabric, they only glanced up as the figure spoke.

"It's yours right? I found it after returning with the Guild Master. It had blown a bit away from the Guild and was quite ragged from the rain. But I managed to clean it up a bit. Hope it's okay I borrowed it a little to clean it up before returning it." A young voice spoke, feminine sounding.

For a moment, the child could only stare at the stranger before glancing down to the scarf, wrapping it around their neck and nuzzling against it. Feelings a sense of security and warmth, despite how cold the rain was.

"....Thank you..." Karn spoke softly.

The stranger gave a soft sigh of relief as she knelt down and reached, patting the ragged long blonde hair child on the head. This time however, Karn didn't bite at the stranger and simply accepted the gesture.

"You haven't spoken much since getting here. It's nice to hear it. What is your name? I'm Liana." she spoke softly.

For a few moments, the child didn't answer, but their emerald eyes looked toward the stranger. Unsure how to exactly handle this. They didn't feel threatened... Of scared like with most people. This feeling.. It felt odd... Yet familiar. Like they had felt it once before but had forgotten. It was a feeling that was greatly missed, and one that they had hoped to have gained after meeting their mother again. Was it because someone had shown the child kindness they could comprehend?

".....Karn. My name, is Karn."

~~~~

Two years passed since that day and life had gotten better. After that, Karn had become a less aggressive toward people. They talked more, and hung out with others. Going on jobs whenever the older members allowed it. Of course, their habits was mostly influenced by Ru and Rian whom spoke with the youth the most. With Rian's attitude, didn't help the sarcastic remarks Karn would make but overall was generally much friendlier.

No longer looking like a total mess other than the scars, wires and metal. Wearing a white zip up jacket and black gloves with brown pants and boots. The red scarf still around the neck. Blonde hair still long but much cleaner and neater, pulled in a low ponytail.

Too young to actually do difficult jobs, Karn was often left to stay at the Guild, sometimes doing simple jobs like delivering things around town, cooking, or whatever. Rian didn't want the youth to push around too bit, explaining that Karn physical body wouldn't be able to keep up with the spirited youth.

Today though, the long blonde hair child was in Traia. Having accompanied Ru and Rian on a job to make a delivery. The young member watched, their emerald eyes staring at a toddler playing in the city courtyard. The boy was about two years old, with short black hair and stunning emerald green eyes wearing a light blue shirt and dark blue pants and white shoes. Playing with a green ball.

Not too far off, Karn could see a familiar woman's face sitting on the bend next to a man with short black hair and blue eyes. Both wearing thick black coats to keep warm. A frown crossed the blonde's lips as they continued watching, jumping a little as a hand was placed on top of their head and gently ruffled.

"You okay? I'm sorry, I should have gotten more details before taking you with us." Ru's voice spoke as he gently ruffled the blonde hair.

The younger Guild member didn't mind however, as they relaxed, continuing to watch the three people. Unsure exactly what to say about it as their green eyes slowly blinked. "....She still doesn't remember me.... But... She seems to be doing better. Happy." Karn said softly as they watched the scene before them.

"Ru, is it sad that I can no longer remember fond memories of Mother? I want to have fond memories... I want those memories to live. I can deal with the bad, as long as I can remember all the memories I can cherish. But I can't... And I'm scared. It isn't fair. Why was I thrown away? Why can't I make sweet memories with Mother... When others can? I wish I was stronger back then... So none of this had to happen. I wish I could burn that place to the ground with those people with it." Karn said icily, hands clenching tightly into fists.

The man didn't answer for a few moments, but he gave a soft sigh, taking off his goggles and putting them on top of Karn's head. "Karn, perhaps your mother will never be able to handle the bad memories. But you, as a child, recovered. And you keep walking, making fond memories with your Guildmates. That makes you strong. Plus isn't this a fond memory? To know you have a little brother and seeing them happy?" Ru said softly with a kind smile, raising his left hand above him, fingers turned right as the palm twisted to the side while the thumb pointed straight dowm. Making a makeshift Phoenix Wing Guild Mark.

"We are Phoenix Wing, and we fly on the wings of our burning spirits." he said before turning away and started walking. "Rian should be about done, let's go meet her." he said.

Karn looked to Ru for a moment before looking back to their mother and their little half brother. A small smile crossing their lips before turning away and following after the older man.

~~~~

Another two years passed, but things weren't as peaceful this time.

"What?! We aren't going to do anything?! But those innocent people are going to be abused and tortured! We have to go now!" The blonde youth shouted up at their mentors. Having just returned to the Guild, there was word that the Queen was going to round up more citizens of Traia. But the Guild wasn't going.

"Listen kid, it's not that we don't want to go, we just have to make a strategy. If we go in there now, we could just get the people killed." Rian spoke with a scoff, apparently irritated.

The blonde growled, punching their fist against the wall. "What those bastards are going to do is just killing. And those people will end up dead if we don't do something! Those rotten bastards to be stopped now and I'm tired of just sitting around and doing nothing! They deserve to die and have their heads mounted on pikes!" Karn shouted and hissed as Ru smacked the youth upside the head.

"Karn, do not let your hatred and need for vengeance cloud your judgment. I want to barge over Traia just as much as you do but we have to think about our steps. We don't want innocent people killed if we can help it. And if you go off blindly in anger, you will cause more harm then good. Killing, is also not the answer. The people working there are just following orders, most probably have families. Did you think of that?" Ru asked but the blonde smacked his hand away before storming out.

"I don't give a damn! They should of thought of that before doing all those things! Fine! If you all want to stay here then I'll go!" Karn shouted before running, ignoring the calls of the others as they went to the stables. Leading a legion out before climbing on and having the beast take off in flight. Straight toward Traia.

~~~~

Everything happened so quickly when Karn arrived in Traia. The familiar sight of people in chains, being led through the city with thousands of soldiers. At the sight, anger rose and made their heart race against their chest. Forcing another coughing fit and blood to run from their mouth but they ignored it. They didn't care if they died here, but right now, they were going to fight. At the sight of their little brother, now just about four years old falling over in chains. A whip raising to be slashed down upon him, the young blonde jumped from the legion, falling and slamming the heel of their feet against the soldier's head. Causing the man to stumble and be knocked down.

Landing on their feet, the blonde glared around before raising their whip and launching themselves at a few soldiers, lashing out expertly against them. Throwing a few bombs into the crowds of soldiers, Karn quickly slashed their whip against the prisoners chains. Breaking them a little.

"Run!" the youth shouted, as screams and panic erupted as soldiers scrambled to contain the panicking prisoners and deal with the attacker.

Karn coughed as they jumped away from a fist from the front but had another slam against them from the back of their head. Staggering, they continued their assault. Outnumbered, punches and gunfire were shot and thrown until the youth was on the ground. Having difficultly getting back up.

The coughing was bad now, blood spilling from their mouth and gurgles and wheezes emitting from their throat. Their body bruised and bloody from the fighting. Just as a soldier reached to dive a sword into the blonde, a giant swords swung out and smashed against the soldier's armor. Karn looked up to see Ru and Rian, their emerald eyes slowly fading into darkness as the colors meshed together.

"Geez.... Look how much trouble the brat's got us in now. There's a million of these guys. Idiot isn't ready to take one this many." they heard Rian huff in irritation, but smirk a little.

"Well hey, we're Phoenix Wing members. Trouble might as well be carved into the name." Ru answered before the sounds of fighting continued.

When Karn woke up again, it was over. Slowly standing, the youth looked around once more, seeing it was now nearing sunrise when it had been noon not long ago. The city was in shambles, people were crying over those who may have died or been injured. But the sight that surprised Karn the most was the fire. A large building in the distance was engulfed in flames, lighting the dark sky.

Quickly, the blonde stumbled toward it. Guessing that Ru and Rian were there. They took the fighting all the way there? To the building the soldier's were taking the prisoners? Bodies of solider's were all around as they walked yet all were alive it seemed.

When Karn arrived, they froze as they saw Rian and Ru near the flaming building, lying bloody and motionless. "Rian! Ru!" the blonde called to them as they ran over and knelt down.

Both of them opened their eyes slowly and looked toward the younger individual for a moment. Simply smiling.

The blonde's body trembled a little as they stared at the two battered people. "I'm sorry... I'll get a doctor. Then you two will be okay." Karn spoke in a choking voice, their emerald eyes looking over the two Guildmates torn bodies. Their bodies, swimming in their own basically.

Rian scoffed, coughing a little before closing her eyes. "Don't bother... They just tell you we're goners." the woman spoke with a smirk. "But hey, beat the shit out of all those bastards with just the two of us. And burned down a building. Pretty good." she weakly laughed.

"This isn't the time to laugh you old hag!" Karn snapped, placing their hands on the woman's chest in a attempt to stop any bleeding from a large hole that was in it.

Ru smiled a little and reached out, gripping the blonde's arm. Karn felt tears well in their eyes, gripping the hand tightly. "I'm sorry... This is my fault... Why did you follow me? You should of just left me.... Then maybe... This wouldn't of happened." they sobbed, body trembling as they gripped the two of them, afraid if they let go, Rian and Ru would leave.

"And let you cause more trouble? Stupid kids need to have attention, including being smacked for doing something stupid..." Rian grumbled but grinned kindly.

"Don't give us that face.... You were just doing what you thought was right... And hey, we managed to take care of that research... Remember, we have lots of fond memories..." Ru grinned a little before coughing.

Karn listened, rubbing their emerald eyes to try and force the tears to stop.

"Hey kid, that face doesn't look good on you... Maybe you should smile for us. That's what I'd like to see." Rian spoke, their eyes slowly closing.

"You are young and strong... And I'm sure you'll create many happy memories... With a smile." Ru spoke softly as he took a sharp breathe and his eyes lowered.

Karn choked back a sob once more, before forcing a smile on their face. Taking a knife and slicing off their ponytailed hair.

"...Thank you... Rian and Ru."

~~~~~

Time passed, people came and went. New members joining the team even. Mayt, Trinity, Sasha, Ben, Damian, and James. All of which Karn of coursed demanded a sparring match before they joined. The blonde worked hard to be one of the best for Phoenix Wing, training everyday, watching the movements of others, and taking Rian's place in creating gadgets.

Despite the times they fought with the others, or disagreed... Karn enjoyed every minute with their Guildmates. The blonde knew they were going to die young. It was a miracle as well as Rian's superior knowledge in science that kept the blonde alive. Sheer willpower willed the blonde to keep walking, yearning to continue being with their true family. Phoenix Wing.

Even when Karn stood before James, Ru, and Rian's grave the day James died and Damian left... They continued on. They were sad, that they no longer could make happy memories with Damian... He was a comrade, a friend, a family member... Even if he forgot that. Even if Karn felt abandoned....

All of them... Was Karn's family.

This morning, Karn was in their room, sitting at the desk, wires connected to a odd machine and heir metal chest. Sitting beside it, their fingers dancing against several buttons before their emerald eyes glanced toward the screen. Reading the screen for a moment and sighed.

"Today's my last day huh? Maybe tomorrow? What a bother. Guess I should be prepared for it, it's going to hurt like hell. Maybe I'll take everyone out for dinner today." the blonde mused before unhooking themselves as there was a knock on the door.

"Karn! I can't find Sasha or Jamie! Can you go with Mayt and Trin to look for them?" the familiar voice of Ben spoke.

Sighing, Karn wondered what those two got into now. Better take Lizzy and scout above. They shouldn't be too far. Putting on their jacket and scarf, they shut the machine down before moving the door. Going off to search for their guild ares and unknowingly meet some otherworlders that would lead to war.



Edo-Karn stared up at the ceiling, looking through the hole that showed the sky. They had wanted to see the sky... Such a nice thing to look at. They wondered... Just how the others would react? They were scared to die... Because the blonde wanted to continue to make happy memories with them. They were afraid the others would forget them... Just like mother. They were afraid of being alone...

They didn't want to be alone.

Perhaps it was selfish of them, they knew they were a selfish person.. Greedy and demanding like a child. Sorry, they just couldn't help it. They didn't tell everyone about this sickness.. Edo-Karn didn't want them to be sad. Only Edo-Jamie knew, and the blonde didn't think Rian really told the full extent of the sickness. Especially since the blonde had always been good and powering through it. Being sick didn't excuse someone to slack off after all.

They had the responsibility as one of the eldest members, even if they weren't technically the oldest out of everyone. Still, Edo-Karn couldn't help but wonder... If they would be mad or sad? Would it matter?

Coughing up a little more blood, the emerald eyes stared up at the sky, taking deep ragged breathes before slowly smiling. They got in a fight with Earthland Sasha earlier, even was slapped. They hoped, she didn't feel bad about it later. They deserved it anyhow. Earthlanders and Edolians..... Both Phoenix Wings.

"I'm scared... I'm scared to die.. I wonder if ... That makes me a coward... So I guess... I won't complain........I hope.... Everyone keeps smiling... Under Liana's rule......." they whispered in a choked barely audible voice, wondering how Edolas would be with Liana in charge. It was too bad... Edo-Karn was looking foreword in the experience. Yet.. They were glad they could die fighting at least. Edo-Karn was no hero.. No savior... They didn't need to be. They just wanted to take care of others... And they did all they could. That was satisfying enough... Even if those they cared about ended up mad at the secret they kept. After all, they didn't want the others to stay with them out of pity or obligation... Just because they were family.

Slowly they raised their left hand above them, turning it so the fingers faced the right while the thumb pointed straight down. Making a makeshift Phoenix Wing Mark. "We... are .... Phoenix Wing, and we .... fly on the .... wings of ..... our burning ......spirits." the whispered before their hand dropped.

With a choked breathe, they breathed in one last breathe, before releasing it, the light dying in their open green eyes as they did.

Just as they let out their last breathe, a hand reached out and pressed a small blue orb to the blonde's chest. It flickered with light before glowing. A figure stood next to the fallen Guild Member that was the spitting image of them, just with different clothes. A black ragged jacket, a grey shirt, a beige scarf and black pants and shoes and stunning emerald eyes.

"Sorry friend. Looks like your body isn't as strong as your spirit." the figure spoke, looking exactly like Earthland Karn.

Master Jamie sighed, and he would spare the new members this battle, would spare Damian this. Because a parent always had to protect their children. Even when they thought they could do it themselves, a parent would always step in front of them. And Angelica wasn't someone she wanted fighting the guild members, not right now, not when so many of them were new, and he didn't know what they were capable off.

She faced Angelica, the sword that Damian had given him, had had infused with magic from the guild members, was a comfort in her hands.



The youth, so often mistaken for a girl, or a boy, no one ever quite certain of their gender, was running down the street. They were small, and no one was quite sure how old they were, their legs nevertheless pumped, as they ran as fast as they could. Yet it just wasn't fast enough, as the older youths, all boys, chased after them.

And yet, the youth was laughing.

Always picked on for being different, always teased for their looks, no one ever feared them. That was always their mistake. They looked back over their shoulders, Brown eyes shining with amusement.

Until they looked forward, and saw the other boys, waiting at the end of the street. They had just passed the last alleyway, and there was no escape. Sudden fear leaped in the youth's throat, and they immediately began to look for an escape route. But there was none. They skidded to a stop, trying to find an adult who might help them.

There was none.

the child, for surely they weren't much older then 12, gritted their teeth, and turned to face the closest boys, teens most like, as if to fight them. The two groups laughed, at the image of this little kid facing them like that. The thin sword at their side, was suddenly in their hand, needle thin and long, it was light weight, and yet it still looked comically large in the youth's hands.

The older boys still laughed, and then descended on the youth. They curled up in a ball, the sword clattering on the pavement next to them, a whimper escaping them. When suddenly, one after the other, the youths were ripped away from them.

They looked up, blood in their dirty blond hair, dripping into their eyes. The child blinked the blood out of them, rubbing their eyes, and grimacing at the pain it brought, before looking up again, into a face that was hard but soft, the black eyes filled with concern, even as the shaggy brown hair fell over them.

"Are you okay?" The man asked, their voice soft, offering a hand to the youth.

"Who....who...are y-you?" it hurt to talk, the the youth pressed a hand to their cheek, wincing at the tenderness there. Most likely someone's foot had kicked their cheek.

"Jarvis. And you are the runt that enjoys mischief, with no parents, and yet doesn't seem to result to stealing"

"Jamie. My name is Jamie" They took Jarvis's hand, letting the older boy help them up, the small mark of a bird showing on their hand. "Why...Why did you help me?"

And Jarvis smiled, shrugging as he said "Sometimes, people need to be protected, kid"



That had been the first time Jamie had met Jarvis, and now he spoke, "Damian, please, leave her to me. Make sure the newbies are okay. Help defend them. We don't know what they can really do, and I don't want to see any more members injured"



Jarvis soon became Jamie's best friend, a protector of sorts as well as someone who believed in Jamie. It was oddly...thrilling. And it was nice knowing that She had a place to go home to, a place where he could have food three times a day, a place to sleep, and a place to be...safe. It was an odd feeling, but it was nice, at least for Jamie.

And the training was fun. Jarvis had retrieved Jamie's sword, and now he taught Jamie how to use it, how to use it properly. Or at least well enough to be able to defend herself. Neither of them would be blademasters for several years to come. Still, the two had fun, and the even began to take on odd jobs.

Which is where they learned their magics. Jamie, always adapt at being able to disguise himself, developed the ability to change his appearance at will, as well as the property change magic. Jarvis learned how to manipulate Lacrima. And thus they began to take difficult jobs, learning and training their magics,



As Jamie began to move, to attack Angelica, moving smoothly and in a way that showed she had become a master with the blade, this memory rose in his mind, and she could still hear Jarvis shouting at him "Come on, put some strength in your blows, kid! That would barely scratch! Don't give away your attacks, stop moving your feet before hand! Come on, Kid, you can do better!"

And Jamie growled, as Angelica blocked the blows, as she moved away from Jamie's reach, and Jamie dodged any of the shadow attacks that came towards him. Jamie studied the way Angelica used her abilities, searching for a weakness. There was always a weakness.



the girl was crying. Her name was Sam, and her dark brown eyes were tear stained, reddened and wide with fear, as Jamie held the young girl in his arms, crouching over her, and shielding her from the view.

"Shhh. Shhh Shhh, Sammy. It's okay, it's okay. We'll be okay. Jarvis will find their weakness, and then we will be out of here. Don't worry, Little One"

But Jamie could tell that Jarvis was struggling, struggling to continue, struggling to find a way out of this, to find that one weakness that could save them all. Jarvis had always seemed solid, there, and very able to get them out of any danger.

It didn't seem like he would be able to this time. Even as Jarvis kept on fighting, Jamie tried to stand, but her injured leg, blood still seeping out the wound despite the tight bandage, collapsed every time he put weight on it. And the little girl cried.

And Jamie saw the instant it was going to happen. The gun fired, the guns magic providing the power, and it missed Jamie, missed Jarvis. Perhaps it was just a lucky shot, but it hit Sammy, and the girl gave a small "Ouf" and then her eyes closed.

And Jarvis screamed, and Jamie could see that the attack had brushed passed Jarvis, barely missing blowing his nose off, blood now dripping down his face, even as he tackled one of the several attackers to the ground.

Even as Jarvis managed to save them, Sam drew her last breath.



It seemed to be the day for memories, as Jamie parried a blow from Angelica's shadows. In a quick move, Jamie had the sword sheathed, and shouted out, "Property change: BOX!" The unseen boxed formed, with the four walls around Angelica, just like it had with Phones, just like it had with many others, trapping the witch.

And Jamie thought it was over. Perhaps his box had been faulty. Perhaps Angelica just found a way out, Or maybe her magic enabled her to break through the high powered wind that created the box. Jamie would never know, but she broke free, and disappeared into the shadows, and Jamie felt the blow of the unseen attack

Felt the sting as the knife slid in between his ribs, in what was clearly meant to be a heart shot, but missed. And Jamie's own dagger was out of its sheath, and in his left hand, bringing it up, and into the unseen figure, blood blossoming over his hand, wet, sticky and warm.

Angelica dropped to the ground, now seen as her Magic failed, and Jamie allowed herself to feel the pain, to feel the spreading blood, the warm, sticky warm, along his side. She raised a hand, pressing it against the wound, and wincing slightly, he never the less looked back, towards the guild hall, another memory surfacing.



Jamie held the key in her hand, the old, wooden doors in need of a lick of pain looming in front of them, Jarvis by his side. Jamie clasped the key in her hand, a old brass key that was larger then normal keys, and matched the door.

He looked to Jarvis, and smiled brightly "Our guild" The scar on Jarvis's nose had healed, but Jarvis appeared to have aged, if only to Jamie's eyes. No matter what Jamie did, she just couldn't see to heal all the broken places inside Jarvis, at the moment.

She sighed, and placed a hand on the doors, and the key in the lock, opening the door with a satisfying click, and Jamie pushed the doors opened. Or tried to. They stuck fast, and Jamie grunted, pushing harder, but not getting anywhere.

And Jarvis laughed.

"Still the little Runt thinking their bite is stronger then their bark" And Jarvis pushed against the door, harder then Jamie had, opening them with a groan of hingers, revealing the hall, which needed a lot of work on it.

But Jamie didn't care, dancing towards the middle of the room, he dropped the paint can and tools she had been carrying as well, and spun around, grinning. The Red Guild mark shone on her right shoulder, the sleeve deliberately torn to show the mark in the position it was in today.

"Phoenix Wing Begins today!"



A lot had happened in the 15 years since Phoenix Wing had begun. As Jamie pressed harder against his wound, he looked down at Angelica, eyes bleary and vacant, not with death, but with shock. Her breathing was shallow, and Jamie knelt.

"You're done, bitch." the magical restraints, which prevented the use of magic, and which Jamie had liberated from the Magic Council were taken from a pocket, and snapped onto Angelica's wrists. "You're done" Jamie rose , and went into the guild hall, one hand on the wound, and went to the bar, pouring a drink one handed, she lifted it, and drank it all down, leaning against the bar, as he looked around the guild hall.

"I think I need first aid treatment. And the guild could use a lick of paint"



Sasha looked down as Edo-Trinity and Liana fell, checking to see that the two were alright, relieved when they were. She was about to slide down the legion, when she saw the running figures of Lazarus and Joshua. Her heart rose, relieved that Lazarus had managed to get free, and hoped it hadn't been too much strain on the Edolas Phoenix Wing Members.

She slid down the legion's side, towards edo-Trinity and Liana, as Liana said, "I'm fine, are you okay?" to Edo-Trinity

Sasha looked the way Edo-Karn had gone at Edo-Trinity's concern for her fellow guildmate. "I'm sure Karn is okay, trinity. I think I'm right in saying that they are strong" She didn't say that she was sure the Wire Master would be okay, that they would return, because Edo-Karn had been in bad shape. She didn't want to worry Edo-Trinity.

"We have to do what we can here, to...bring Liana to power, right?" She said softly, hoping to distract. Just how were they going to do that? Everywhere Sasha looked, there appeared to be some sort of damage to the lands, to the people. Even as she looked, her eyes landed on what appeared to be houses, she saw the flicker of curtains, as people holed up in their homes, trying to find safety.

It made her feel sick, as she realised the extant of the damage this would do to the people. She didn't want to do this anymore, didn't want to continue fighting when innocents could get hurt. She just wanted it to be over. She looked to Liana, seeing her own weariness, and need for it to be over mimicked in the Princess's face.

"I'll get you your throne, Liana. Because I don't want to see children get hurt" she said softly, looking towards the Castle. "I think maybe...Maybe I can do something that will really impress the people" She looked to Edo-Trinity, and smiled slightly. "If you want to go find your Karn, I'm capable of protecting Liana"

Lazarus

They were almost reunited with his comrades. He could see the landed legion. He could even see Sasha... well he could recognize her figure by her hair. He wasn't expecting what happened next. "There they are! Stop them! Protect your kingdom men! Show no fear! Hold! Lose!" A small regiment of 40 or so troops had arrived as reinforcements. A volley of arrows flew their way. Lazarus was sprinting full speed now, and he didn't have much time to react. "Crap! Josh get down!"That was the first time he had called him Josh too. He guess he was starting to let him in a bit. He spluttered as he was forced to jump into the air, arms flailing. His breath rasped, just as his wings formed and took him out of harms way the volley. Coughed and looked at his body. Two arrow were sticking into him. To the left, just below the chest, and into his right thigh. "Fuck!" It hurt bad. He lent backwards, in the air held up by his wings, charging his breath. "Below... of the light god!" He let it go, firing his breath into the crowd of troops. They all yelled, having never seen magic before. They were swept away with its power. The troops lay still, battered to the ground. Lazarus landed heavily, his wings deforming. "Well shit..." He panted and winced, arrows sticking out from him. "Fuck it. We have a job to do. Maddox has beat me up worse than this back home." He smiled faintly, snapping the sticking out pieces of the arrows off, and continuing despite the pain. He tried to run, but it was hard. He waved to the legion.

Edo-Lazarus

he saw his counterpart. "You are right, but I do have faith in my friend..." He looked down. "You people say that man over there..." he referred to EL Lazarus, "... is a good man." He sighed. "What kind of a man would I be if I didn't put everything on the line for a friend?!" He cried out. He let his fingers slip from hers as he backed away. "Go on... Be with him. You have each other." He looked at Edo-Sasha in the distance. "Pen... is all i've got. Even if it's memories from when we were young. Let me hold on to them for just... a little longer." He sighed. He knew if Pen didn't give up, he'd be killed. He turned. "I'm sorry Sasha. Go to Lazarus. I'll be fine. He took off, running. Pen would've probably gone to the palace, to look like he was protecting the king. He ran as fast as he could, in the direction of the palace, which happened to be towards Penny, Mayt, and Edo-Sasha. He didn't expect what came next. He was just about to pass the group, when the order was given.
"There they are! Stop them! Protect your kingdom men! Show no fear! Hold! Lose!" A volley of arrows flew their way. He was stranded... no cover. Wait what was he thinking?! He jumped forward, in front of the group which included Edo-Sasha, Mayt and Penny. In the aftermath, he kept Edo-Sasha's head buried into his chest. Yes. Edo-Lazarus, he stepped out in front of her, back to the arrows, and embraced her. From his back, were 7 or so arrows, penetrating his leather armour. He couldn't breath properly, and his skin felt warm on his torso. Blood trickled out of his sleeves, and from the bottom of his body plate. "I... assumed those two would be fine... they have magic..." He spluttered. Still holding her. "But you... well someone had... to protect you now... didn't they?" He breathed heavily, he lungs starting to fill with blood. Talking was very difficult now. "Pen... Don't let them... kill... Pen." That was about it for him. "Not enough time... to ask... dinner with me?" He coughed, questioning edo-Sasha. Now was a good as time as any. What would Earthland Lazarus say at a time like this? He had observed him quite a lot since they had met. He knew... "Heavenly." He let go, allowing Edo-Sasha to leave his arms, before falling onto his side with a thud, blood trickling onto the pavement. "I'll... pick you up at 7..." He tried to chuckle. before he gave out a large breath. At least he was able to help someone... especially someone dear to him, before he met his end. He was at peace. He stopped breathing, speaking, moving. He was gone... Unconscious. He could still hear. But he was dead. It was a strange sensation. He knew he was dead... But he could still feel everything around him.

Mayt chuckled when Penny called after the wrong Sasha. "No, that was not our Sasha. Our Sasha is wearing little more than my jacket right now." He turned and walked over to where he had dropped his belt, picking it up and starting to fit it back on. "We should go see about tha-" Mayt stopped as the order to fire was given, and he managed to get his belt the rest of the way on and get in front of Penny fast enough to reflect the arrows so they didn't hit them. He jogged up next to Edo-Lazarus and Edo-Sasha, listening to his last words. He closed his eyes, a magic circle appearing below him.

"Now, that's crossing a line. Energy Control. Forbidden spell, Shape Magic: Reinforce Body. Amplify: Motion." The magic circle moved from beneath him to above him before disappearing. He took a slow step back before seeming to vanish, reappearing in front of the man that had given the order to fire. His hand landed on the man's chest, a magic circle forming. "Amplify: Heat!" The man instantaneously combusted, and Mayt dropped into a slide, accelerating himself again, and moving through the regiment, and throwing the ones unlucky enough to be in his way off to the sides. As he came to a stop, he got into a standing position, turning to face them and drawing his sword, holding it to the side. A faint ringing could be heard from the now-black blade. "You will all drop your weapons and surrender, or you will face worse fates than your captain there." In his eyes was something animalistic, and it would be clear that was not a bluff. "Now!" He did his best to hide the fact that had taken a lot out of him, and that amplifying the speed of his body has almost ripped him apart when he had dropped into that slide. Ignoring the pain in his stomach, he moved into a new position that would allow him to start running quickly.

"What's a piggy back?" Amelia asked, having never gotten one before.

Joshua followed Lazarus through the city and heard the order same time as Lazarus did. He also spotted the danger faster and managed to find cover just as the arrows rained down on them. While he managed to avoid most of them, he still took an arrow to his left shoulder. Grunting, he snapped off part of the shaft before pulling what remained of it out. Seeing Lazarus take care of the archers, he quickly ripped a bit of the sleeve of his shirt and used it to bandage his wound before looking around.

Jarvis and Amelia wouldn't have to worry about the arrows. The moment they were flying towards them, a magic circle appeared in front of them and something came out before another magic circle appeared in the air of them and acted like a barrier, blocking any arrows that came near them.
"Rika." Amelia said, addressing the young woman in front of them.

"Mistress." Rika said, before bowing to them." Master Jarvis, I assume. A pleasure to meet you."

Joshua meanwhile walked over to Edo-Lazarus' dead body and knelt down next to it. He said and did nothing but simply stare at it for a few seconds before standing back up. walking over to the raging Mayt, he placed an arm on the other man's shoulder.
"Calm yourself. Repaying blood with blood won't change anything. Disarm them, bind them up, let them go home to the families that might need them. Let them go home to their wives and children." He said, his tone serious."If you want to stop this, you have to go for the head. wasting you time on small fry will get us no where now."

Turning back towards the others, he addressed the Edolas natives.
"Now... where do we go so we can get this damn thing over with?"

Hearing her guild master concerned for her safety, while endearing, made Fleo ground her teeth. She wanted to use the gifts she had been given, not sit by the sidelines where it was safe. So what if she got hurt? Her greatest pain was not being able to do anything, and she felt that few mortal wounds could come close to that degree of soul-rending agony. Fleo was sure, more than anything, that she would much rather her candle burn short and bright rather than last a lifetime unlit.

But the dusty girl bit her tongue and stepped to the side with Felix and Damian. Her resentment quickly metamorphosed into worry as Jamie attacked. The woman who had entered, Angelica, was not a stranger to Fleo—she knew that this shadow-wielder was a member of the council. How could that be possible? Had she defected from the grand magic-regulating international agency to take out a personal vendetta on Jamie? Or had Pheonix Wing done something so irreparably horrible that the council had sent out its most ominous wizard to take it down? Fleo couldn't help but bemoan the fact that such a dramatic event in the guild's lifetime had to happen on her first day as one of its members.

Her eyes followed the combat to the best of their ability. The duel between Jamie and Angelica was fast, furious, and -as far as Fleo could discern- an even match. The two flowed like a rushing river around one another, parrying and thrusting and dipping and slashing in a display of blade mastery. Fleo couldn't help but notice that Jamie seemed unnaturally calm. Either the master was such a prodigy in the art of swordsmanship to allow its instinct to take over, or its mind was wandering. Fleo tried not to let the latter option increase her concern.

For a moment it looked like Jamie's box had entrapped its opponent and decided the battle. A cheer was on Fleo's lips the second before Angelica melted away into a darkness—a darkness that stung the guild master between the ribs. Fleo's adulation turned into a cry of anger and dust billowed around her. She didn't even spare a thought to the rashness of her action. Fleo had been a member of Pheonix Wing already an hour, but its connection with her, sealed by the mark on her belly, filled her with emotion.

But just as quickly it was over. Angelica suffered a wound even more lightening-quick, and far more effective. In less dire circumstances Fleo would have questioned the need to put handcuffs on someone that had been stabbed, but she contented herself with staring listlessly at Angelica until Jamie called out for aid. Fleo was the first to the guild master's side, muttering “Dust Craft: bandages.” Thousands of minuscule particles, highly absorbent, very soft, and locked into one another like puzzle pieces, formed in her hand in the shape of a strip of cloth. Fleo offered it to the guild master for a moment, then quickly decided to apply it herself and save Jamie some trouble. “Will this help? Are you going to be okay? That was insane. Is this an everyday occurrence for this guild? Don't answer that, nevermind. Dumb questions.”