What might have been a deep conversation was cut short as the current battle consumed Nolan's attention. Fleo shrugged and allowed the action to recapture her attention too, since her interest in the topic of Nolan's unique brand of heroism neither engaged her nor felt quite correctly formulated. It didn't suit Fleo to delve into personal psychological or moral particulars. Not examining her shortsighted ruminations further, and instead turning her focus back in the Games she was here to watch in the first place, was the better option by half.

Zephyr's spectacle, though flashy and intense, was not fully comprehended by Fleo until he explained it in disbelief. A glance at the swordsman confirmed that what he'd witnessed had, for some reason, affected him drastically. Nolan's statement was not, however, terribly enlightening, and the dusty woman found skepticism in her heart. ”A god? I'm not sure if that's right. Sure, there are some really powerful beings out there, ones with magic that might seem pretty godlike, but a true God is beyond all things.” Fleo lifted one of her arms and looked at it, as if she were peering right through the bandages. Her normally upbeat face now looked solemn. ”A true God can't be taken over, or slain.” She watched, but did not cheer, when Zephyr triumphed over Harry. Tough Love just couldn't catch a break, she seemed, though Dragon Fang looked to be in good shape.



While the painter painted, the reader read, but Indigo also narrowed her eyes in veiled frustration. She had expected that Isla would attempt to work whatever charm she'd used previously on Ike to trap the Librarian inside her painting, which the book that she'd been holding would have helped her with. It seemed, however, that Isla wouldn't be attempting any funny business this time. Indigo received her painting with a polite smile before blowing on it a few times to make sure the paint was dry and ready for conveyance. Unbeknownst to Isla, however, she also used it to hide the fact that she swapped out A Tale of Two Sons for another one of her tomes.

A few seconds passed, during which Indigo examined Isla closely. The people behind her were getting slightly irritated—why was she holding up the line now that she'd received her painting? If Indigo was aware of the increasing oddity of the situation, however, she gave no sign. Instead, she began to speak. When she did so, something had altered her voice, giving it more of an imperial edge, the deepness of the commander. ”I hereby order you: if I ask you something, you may not attempt to do anything but tell me the truth. If you disobey in any way, be it a lie, an attack, a call for help, or an attempt to flee, you will become unable to move one of your limbs.” She smiled innocently and held up the book she'd just requipped: the Order. ”Not bad for only a few seconds of thought! You're cornered now. So tell me, and you had better tell the truth: what have you done with my friend Ike?” A haughty, pleased air surrounded Indigo. It was the air of someone in control.



A long look from Cecilia pored over Argus. Something was boiling inside him, but it wasn't evil. Resentment was there, sure as death and taxes, but another feeling more fiendish than a demon festered within him. Though no psychiatrist, Cecilia thought she could recognize it. The very same apparition had haunted her mind in her childhood, and even now, long after she'd made her peace with it and laid it to rest, it continued to stab at her from beyond the grave.

This thing was self-pity, and it was incompatible to the life of a noble warrior.

As she observed Argus with the cautious and concerned intrigue of a zoologist studying a wild animal, she could classify what plagued him but not dream up a method of helping him. Despite her best wishes as a young knight wanting to help others, it was beyond her power to try and heal the mind of a monster. Worry had worked its way onto Cecilia's features, but miraculously it now melted into a cautious optimism. I can't help him or integrate him, but I know who might be able to! In her mind were the oddly-shaped silhouettes of a War Sphinx, a naga, an oni, and a Hermit: Ni Rensa, Arivaderci, Enma, and Ludo. Just as she'd said, Frenzy Plant was no stranger to inhuman warriors. As soon as Argus understood that, he'd fit in as well as anyone else.

Holding her hands behind her back, she took a step toward the Crimson Demon. ”I know what'll help take Magni off your mind. I can show you the way to the Doma Flau to meet the rest of the crew. Heisty will let Zander know you passed; you can work your way up the ranks some other time. We ought to arrive in the arena in time to see the final fights of the day. Plus, there are some people I want you to meet. Ready?



Grinning, Nero proceeded with the operation. The insertion proved quick and easy, for he simply reached into Eve's throat, phasing through the skin as if it were a sheet of water, and when he withdrew his hand nothing remained in his clutches. If Nero's companion was being observant, she'd more than likely take note that judging by the confidence and precision with which Nero performed the trait transplant, he'd done such an operation before.

”There! All fixed up, time to give your new voice a whirl? I wonder what the first thing my favorite person in the world is going to say? How wonderful I am? What time it is? How you feel? Go on, slip me some dulcet tones!” Now, it seemed, Nero's recovery from dire events not so long ago was nearly complete. With a genuine, though admittedly still unsettling, smile on his face, and his aptitude for goofing around returned, it appeared that this jaunt to the antiques store had been exactly what he'd needed to forget about the travesty that was Gabriel.

@Lugubrious
NOLAN and DALTON
God dammit he was right! That guy did have a god residing within him! Just what kind of magic was capable of allowing a human to forcibly contain a god within their own body? This should've been impossible! Never did the monks say that humans were capable of controlling he gods let alone transform into one! A regular human being hypothetically would be destroyed just from that amount of power so what was so special about him? Why could his body handle storing a god in his body? Were there other users of God Takeover? He must know! "That is a god Fleo. That I can guarantee you."

His eyes flashed pink all of a sudden and his rung from a surge of magic running through him. Nolan could feel Ariel's magic and her location! Why did he feel her magic power and why was she in Crocus? She stayed behind so that she wouldn't absorb anyone's magic. Ariel shouldn't be here! Something was off and he had to find out what happened. He stood up and almost sprinted off.

"Hey where are ya going?! Don't you want to see more of the games?!" Dalton flew after him, trying his best to keep up with him.

"Something's not right. I only hope that I'm wrong." Nolan said. The duo had left the coliseum, the God Slayer ran with great speed with the exceed following behind.

@Oblivion666
ZEV
You should be saying that about yourself Zephyr." Zev said with a wide grin as he walked into the infirmary. If there was any man that looked like a cheerful boy that just watched fireworks light up the night sky it wouldn't been him. These past two days had just been amazing and Zephyr's magic was just the pinnacle of awesome. Much cooler than his own Mercury Magic and his familiars. "Holy crap on a stick! I could never had calculated you having a magic like that! God Takeover, talk about an unheard of magic. Just where the hell did you get it?" He pulled a chair from another bed and sat down by Zephyr. "That magic is probably rarer than slaying magic and the the drawbacks must be great when taking that form."

@CirusArvennicus
RILEY
"Eh, he's good enough though it's what's been going on in the games that's been selling them like hotcakes. I was able to get it in right before the day it was published and I got a call from my boss telling me to keep it up. If I didn't know any better it seems like magic is making a big comeback. Mages from these guilds are essentially celebrities. Everyone wants to know about magic, the guilds, and the mages behind them. Not that I blame them. The people I interview hardly have half a brain in their skulls and they are hardly interesting compared to these guys." He chuckle slightly and looked back at the battlefield. "We've entered a magic renaissance."

@hatakekuro

Zephyr Hardt

Startled a bit Zephyr turned his head to see Zev and chuckled at his words. "Eh I'm fine, my body is a bit sore but it should recover by tomorrow." Zephyr stated tapping his chest to prove he was fine for the most part. Although it did sting to touch it. Zev would then state that the god takeover was an impressive form of magic and wondered where he got it. "Well it was two weeks before the games happened, I was training when I came upon this weirdly dressed man. At first I though it was some traveler, yet I then felt the power that echoed off him. I knew for a fact if this man was out to kill that I would be dead within seconds. Yet surprisingly he talked to me, and was pretty open about who he was. A god called Loki and after talking with him, we came to the conclusion that he would willingly let me do takeover on him if I could survive an attack from him for a few minutes. I was gullible enough to try and I know for a fact he went easy on me, yet he was for some reason willing to join me so I didn't think much of it at the time. I'm sure you understand how takeovers work. You have to have an understanding of them before being capable of doing such. So he told me about his origin and past and what he was all about. That gave me enough understanding to do the takeover and here I am today."

Zephyr told the story of his meeting with Loki. So when Zev mentioned it being rarer than slayer magic and having huge drawbacks, Zephyr nodded. "..... Would you believe me if I said that I had to restrain the power so much that I'm only capable of using one percent of Loki's full power? If I used anymore power my body would start destroying itself, and I can only handle using the gods power for so little time before he would take my body over. It's pretty terrifying to think about it actually, such great power and I could risk losing my own body. It makes me understand why god slayers exist. Loki told me that more gods roamed our world and that we should be wary for most of them surpass his power by miles. Man I'd be scared even using takeover on them." Zephyr explained with a sullen look, he had all this power stored inside him yet it wasn't his own.

Sasha
@yipeeXD

"Really, I'm okay" She said, truthfully, looking to Lazarus, she managed to smile brightly. "I just..." what could she say without sounding like a child? Had things changed? Well, yes. She was sure it was a good change, though, but was worried still. She licked her lips nervously, and tried again. "Ah. What if...I'm scared" she said softly, looking to the battle as it ended, knowing the games were drawing to a close for the day.

Michael

Michael looked about the shop, terrified, before looking down, and hurriedly exiting the store. He wanted to get back to the arena, see if Zephyr was there and talk with him, but he was doomed to be disappointed as he saw that Zephyr hadn't returned to the arena. Or at least no tthe dragon fang area. Michael gave a sigh, and sat down a bit away from those that were there, looking down at his hands. He was a bad friend, he should have been here for Zephyr's fight. Saddened and feeling guilty, Michael couldn't help but think about the fight with Gabriel, and then he got depressed all over again.

you were doing so well.... he couldn't let himself be pushed back again, and he looked up, hurting but wanting to continue to try.

Time Lord

Time Lord hadn't gone very far from the Arena, leaning against a building, he looked weary. He allowed himself a few moments of that, before pushing himself off the wall, and sighing heavily, looking about. Somehow he had managed to destroy important things for him today, and didn't know if he could get them back. Maybe he shouldn't. He'd just hurt Eve when he was gone, but he couldn't simply leave her to Nero's influence.

He sighed again, pondering what to do, starting down the street again, he frowned. no one said this would be easy he thought to himself.

Announcer Jessie
@hatakekuro

"Well another thrilling fight, with Zephyr of dragon Fang taking the points! Poor tough lvoe, they really have to step up their game to get some points, but Harry thee Rock usser did seem to be holding his own. Perhaps Zephyr just managed to get a lucky shot, and the boys head did seem to smash the ground quite hard! Still a win is a win!" Jessie said quickly, looking to Games Master Sheldon, "Oh, wow there seems to be a delay in the next battle, sorry about that folks. Games Master Sheldon has something he needs to check on, so just stay seated and we will be here to give the next, and final battle to you!" Jessie leaned back, turning her mike off.

"Whew! It's only day two, and I feel like it's bee a week at least!" She said to Ferris

Lazarus

He still didn't look at her. "There's nothing wrong with that. It's good to be scared." He paused. "Fear drives you to do the right thing." He sighed, letting his head drop. "I'm terrified. There is a war going on inside my head. Zeref. No. Zeref. No. Zeref. No." he was starting to sound a little crazy. He relaxed and lifted his head up. "It is my personal struggle that makes me who I am." He now looked at her. "What are you scared of?"

sash
@yipeeXD

There wasn't a lot more hat scared Sasha now, but she was terrified of being truly happy, and she didn't know how to put that into words. She'd been happy that day on the ice, until it went to hell, she was sure she'd been happy with her master, the man that taught her ice molding, but that apparently hadn't gone well. Now...feeling tired, resigned, she said softly, that it was almost a whisper "Of losing you. Of having something happen to ruin it all. I...I'm not afraid of the battles we are probably going to have to face, of what's happening in the world. I'm terrified because ever time I feel completely happy, something bad happens"

While Argus appreciated that Cecilia was trying to make him feel better, he couldn't keep himself from flinching ever so slightly as she told him where the others were. The arena was the last place he wanted to be right now, and he sure as hell didn't want to watch the fights going on there, but he also wanted to meet his new comrades. After mulling it over in his head for a bit, he decided to just deal with it for now. Hopefully, the whatever fight going on when they got there will be the last one of the day, though he doubted he'd be so lucky.

"Yeah, let me patch myself up a bit. Don't want to bleed over everybody, ya know." He said, gesturing to his wounds before he went over to the medical tent, quickly wrapping his arm and hand in bandages to stop the bleeding. Once that was taken care of, he'd gesture for Cecilia to lead the way, though he did so with a very telling lack of enthusiasm. She would also notice, as they left for their destination, that the closer he got to the arena, the more his face would shift into one of discomfort and anxiety. This especially became true as he heard the roar of the crowds watching the event, as he began to take shallow breaths, trying to focus on something else to distract him from the sound. It was bringing back some bad memories that he'd rather not go through again.

@Lugubrious

"Edolas Karn had something, too?" Trinity looked to Penny. She'd never really learned much about that trip. If they didn't have a more bountiful source of information right in front of them, she might have thought now to be the time to hear about it. But, Prince was here, and he was offering to share his information with them. Seemingly. She glanced at the fight in the arena below. In light of Karn's state, it didn't seem that interesting to her anymore. She'd have to make sure to fight for him, if her turn came before they could find his cure.

She pet the dragoncat softly, feeling his fur under her fingertips. She couldn't let him go out like that... Karn was too sweet. "So. Why don't you tell us what you know?"


Ah, her brother's approach was so immediate. Sales now, worry about the rest later. Magazines live off of subscriptions, so the more long-term subscribers you have, the better. "You guys should be more focused on long-term subscribers, but if its what your boss wants, I suppose. Magic weapons should be a big hit for my magazine's actual demographic, so I'm trying to be a little more focused on my real subject." She'd give him an A+ for effort and energy, though.

Still, though. His was a fashion magazine. That so many people would buy that for news on the magic games... "However, perhaps you are right, Riley. But, isn't it strange to write articles about the magic games for an unrelated magazine?"

Isla

Isla still displayed a haply grin on her face while waiting for the woman to accept the painting. But instead the woman barely even looked at the painting. She was looked down upon by the pretty woman. Isla's expression slowly turned to that of an awkward laugh while she began talking "D-don't you like it. He... He, he..." The atmosphere got heavier while the woman carefully studied the girl. But when her lips began to move something unexpected happened. The woman had a more or less heavier and strict voice. There were easy tricks for stuff like this but this was not just a simple trick. Isla her body tenses as the woman her voice sounded. Did she just order something from her? Isla only became more and more confused but her face didn't change from expression. Once the woman was done talking and asked where her friend Ike was Isla awkwardly laughed a little "Unexpected. He...he." However she jumped up in energy and showed a innocent face towards the woman while holding one of her fingers to her chin in ponder "But lady how can I tell the truth when I don't even know your friend Ike. I can help you look for him if you lost him however. You don't have to order me around however. That's a bit rude." Isla placed the painting against the tree and walked a little closer to the woman bended down a little and gave a huge grin up towards her. Isla walked back to her easel and suddenly felt her leg giving up on her "Whaaaa..." A loud tud was heared as she dragged her easel and paint down with her to the ground. Her easel was half broken and paint was spread over the ground and over Isla herself, Isla rubbed her head in pain and sat right up "Ouwie! Bwaa my leg won't move!" The order the woman just gave must have been some magic spell or something. Otherwise this was just extreme luck. She had a general idea of who Ike could be. One of her fellow guild mates perhaps. Isla pouted at the woman and grabbed one of the many paintbrushes of the ground. She smirked and used her magic to lift most of the pool of paint as shield in front of her.

Lazarus

He sighed heavily before pulling her head onto his chest. "You think I'll let anything bad happen to you?" He kissed her head before continuing. "After last night... we're bound for life... in heaven's eyes anyway. I wont abandon you. I'll die before anything bad happens to you." He paused. "...And that's ok. You shouldn't fear that. People die all the time. Death isn't the end you know. The journey doesn't end here. Death is just another path that we all must take. The grey rain curtain of this world rolls back, and all turns to silver glass and then you see it. A new beginning. Ben will have already gone on plenty more journeys I can assure you, all more rewarding than the last." He smiled as she rest against him. "Put your faith in me Sasha. Please."

@Burthstone @yoshua171

Valak just shrugged at Dornae's question as he sat in a nearby chair and turned on the games with the lacrima.
"Wasn't my idea."

A few moments later, Ferrin came back in with three colored candles, red, green, and yellow in one hand and an apple in his mechanical one. He munched on the apple as he set the candles on a table in a row and lit them with a small fire spell. He finished his apple, eating the core and stem, then pulled up a chair, turning it around and sitting in it backward, facing everyone else. "So, we all at least know each other's names correct? Good." He said with out pausing for an answer. "Then on to business. Lets recap. We are currently hiding from Iron Enigma, and the authorities might what us for questioning too, as assaulting a guild is a serious crime." He said flippantly. "We probably should contact Phoenix Wing and tell them we have rescued one of their members and see if they can diffuse the situation a little. We haven't because Mithera as asked us not to." He turned to her. "My question to you, is why?" He gazed at her intently.

Mithera looked over when Ferrin came into the room, and listened with her head half tilted. As Ferrin finished his talking and started staring at her, she shifted on the pillow uncomfortably for a moment, glancing about the room for a moment before talking. "W-well... I'm a transformation mage, and Iron Enigma knows most of my forms. So, I need Phoenix Wing's help with something, but if I go back in this form and leave in a form they don't know, they'll figure out it's me. But if I go to them in a, uh, different form, then they'll think I'm a regular person... Probably." She shifted uncomfortably again, and lied her head down across the pillow she was lying on and onto the next one over. "On a related note, any chance you could buy some clothes for me?"

@Crimson Raven@Yoshua171

@Burthstone @yoshua171

Ferrin was silent for a moment as he though out several chains of logic. He sighed. "We just risked our necks for you. Give us a little respect and be truthful with us. Cloths might be a problem...to be frank, I'm broke and I doubt either of these guys have anymore than I. But, I assume you have some of your own wherever you are staying?"

@yipeeXD

Sasha hadn't said everything, and she wasn't ready to yet. It obviously hadn't occurred to Lazarus yet, about what else last night could mean. She swallowed, and nodded "I always put my faith in you" she said softly, listening to the announcers and figuring they might be here a while still. She thought on what teams still had to battle, knowing on of theirs had to go still. "I know you won't abandon me. I've never questioned that. I just can't help but worry, I guess" she said knowing she had said that a million times before

The shaking was pleasant, it was soft yet shaky, enough to make him feel good. It was when the shaking stopped that Lucas's eyes shot open, looking out the carriage window he saw the dirty grassland of the forest of nature turn to the concrete creation of man, he had finally arrived back home. Lucas stretched, breathing in the air, tasting it, identifying every different flavor in the air. He told the well dressed driver to stop and let him out, he nodded and pulled the horses to the side. The creaking of the rusty hinges was the only thing that could be heard. His foot lightly touching the stone path and an odd sensation of familiarity ran up his body, he turned to the driver and handed him his reasonable fee. As the driver rode off from once he came, Lucas took the time to appreciate his home, the smell, the sight... the feel, as he ran his hand through his hair. Distant cheering was echoing throughout the city, the games. No one was around and so Lucas headed to the central location of the mass.

It had been two months since he last saw any Phoenix Wing members, he'd hope that they didn't think he ran from the guild. As far as he knew, no one came for him. He did mention to the master that it was a secret mission and specifically to not tell Amaya. The day was coming to a close, the weather changing ever so slowly while maintaining it's beautiful feeling. He was almost at the games when the cold chill of death ran through Lucas's very core. He stopped moving, the wind brushing past him ever so lightly. Covered by shadows, the white mask was all to be seen. A smirk broke across Lucas's face, he cocked his head slightly to the left, the pulsating sword coming straight down, missing him completely. Lucas's eyes locked with The Pale's faceless mask, mere centimeters away, he raised his fist, combining it with his mask, sending him backwards. And at the exact same time, Lucas jumped, averting the leg sweep of Azazel, while in the air, he spun, bringing out his leg and forcing it down onto Azazel's head, colliding his head with the pavement. Ducking the span of the sword once again, Lucas kicked behind him like a donkey, kicking The Pale in the stomach, warding his attack off. With his foot still on Azazel's head, Azazel reached around and snagged his foot, rising to his feet, to swung Lucas around by the ankles, letting go and sending him into a wall. Dizzy and spinning, Lucas straightened his body, twisting and curling in the air, joining both feet with the wall he launched himself off, faster then both Azazel and The Pale could react, he swung his leg around and hit both of them in the face. Landing elegantly, the smile never left his face, he spoke with a calm sturdy voice, "I'm not that same weak mage from two months ago, if I still had both my eyes, my power would be that of a 'S' rank mage. I didn't use my magic in this fight. Tell father I'm ready for him." Lucas twisted away from the conquered assassins and headed towards the games. His cape swung sumptuously in the wind.

The roar of the crowd was deafening, Lucas stood at the entrance, waiting for the day to be over, and waiting for Phoenix Wing to see the new Lucas. His hair was the most notable difference, going from his ice blue to fire red color, his carbon black eye patch over his now gone left eye and his gears and cogs over his left arm. His power was a massive difference. Lucas had spent two months training non stop with Beth, his savior...

"I think she might be a bit too young to understand just yet. Give her a few more years." Lucus said as Elyse did look confused."Anyway, since you're here, maybe you would like to go out with me? Get something to eat maybe. I'm sure Elyse is hungry by now."

"Food?" Elyse asked



"I can understand where you're coming from. Returning to someplace that has nothing for you can be a rather scary thought. Reliving your mistakes and tragedies." Joshua said before chuckling at her comment about wanting to fight yet not wanting to."If you want to fight, you should. I understand being hesitant to but... well, look at little Amelia. She never fights but when she finally took it seriously she showed us what she could really do. And despite working with you so often, I doubt I've seen you take a fight seriously."

Lazarus

He chuckled with a small smile. "I know you well enough by now to know when you aren't telling me everything." He shook his head looking at the ground. "Whatever it is... I promise, I won't let it be something you need to worry about." He grinned at her. "If you really don't want to tell me that's fine. But I am here to help shoulder your burdens you know." He raised an eyebrow.

Sasha

Sasha nodded, and she smiled, "I know" she said, and that made all the difference, she knew. Stretching, she stood and said "Should we get something to eat, while we wait for the next fight?" She asked, cheerful now, looking to MMarlene as well, "What about you? Do you want to get something to eat? We can look around crocus a bit too!" She said brightly, having never been to Crocus for so long, and wanting to look about it this time.

@YipeeXD@lmpkio

@Joshua Tamashii

" maybe so, but we cant shelter her from this world of magic all her life and i know i will be happy with what she chooses."she replied before listening to lucus's next question " I would love that actually and. I am sure she would love to "She added lifting elyse on to her shoulders letting Lucus lead the way



"Before mother, I learned to be passive and to hate violence...But now, being a dragon slayer, fighting is in my blood and there is another issue... some people hate dragonslayers still to this day, me and zero kept our magic secert to protect our parent dragons...but since hermlock has passed and mother is missing i dont think i should keep my magic hidden anymore" she said thinking about it before shrugging. " Should we head back to the arena or sit and relax till it is your turn to fight?" she asked watching the announcers speak of a pause between events, which confused her

Mithera shifted again, and looked just a tad embarrassed. "Th-that was the Truth, j-just not all of it." She'd stand up on the pillow, slowly lifting her head up and walking over a corner of the bed, before climbing onto one of the corners, looking at him for a moment before changing the subject. "And I don't have any clothes... Haven't for a long time, b-but all I'll need is like, a long dress. Doesn't have to be that nice like... Oh! Like a gown. A long white gown should do!" she suddenly seemed just a bit more upbeat, and she glanced over at the Valak and Dornae, seeing what their input would be.

@Crimson Raven@yoshua171