The sun soared above the sky, harsh rays weighing down even the sturdiest folks in the tentatively named New Lorra, capital city of the Orran Empire. The only city left, of the crumbling Orran Empire.

Yet for a final city, there was nothing more anyone could ask for. A magnificent monstrosity, more a fortress than anything else, the city spanned for miles around, massive and sprawling like a slumbering giant. Built on a hill that dominated the countryside, the ruins were separated into three concentric districts, with each district walled off. Soaring towers rose from the walls, providing perfect vantage points for archers to fire down onto invaders. Furthermore, each district stood above the one before it, giving the defenders a constant height advantage.

However, like its new found inhabitants the city has long since past its glory days. An ancient elven ruin, vegetation lay everywhere, creeping into every crack and crevice as once impenetrable walls and majestic buildings lay sad and dilapidated. The state of it all made Jax wonder what had led them up to this point considering that three years ago, Jax was patrolling the night streets of a small river town.

Two years ago, Jax was singing victory songs alongside comrades and compatriots.

And one year ago, Jax was fleeing from an ever growing enemy. Comrades and compatriots, dead or gone.

Now, Jax stood in the portcullis of the western wall of New Lorra. Behind him, he could hear the hustle and bustle of the newly reclaimed city. Workers worked tirelessly to restore the ruins. Runners ran about through the veins of the city. Smithies roared fire and clanged at their anvils. Masons carved stones and rocks into blocks and foundations. Guards patrolled restlessly about, never sleeping, never resting. Countless others milled about city centers, awaiting to be given purpose.

All around him were mercenaries and cutthroats. Explorers and adventurers. People from all walks of life, seeking a gem no one knew anything about save for the scant rumors that flew about in the breeze, broken and as insubstantial as the texts they were gleaned from and the mouths that shared them.

Ahead of him lay an open field which would extend until reaching a thick forest which surrounded the Boehr mountains. Deep in the heart of the mountains, through twisting caves and endless tunnels is one such location where the Gem was said to reside.

Jax sighed and adjusted the pack that now suddenly weighed heavily upon him. He looked to his right at Kaelin, the only reason why he was on this fruitless endeavor.

"Ready?"

With harsh eyes, Kaelin surveyed the gathering of folks around her, knowing that even though they had a common goal every separate group here was now an enemy. Steeling herself against thoughts of failure, she brushed her hand against her side where one of her daggers lay for reassurance, then turned to look at Jax.

"I suppose, though I'm still giving you the chance to turn back. I have to make this quest, but after everything you've done for this city and the Empire you deserve a little rest!" Kaelin huffed, sure that her argument would once again be waved away. When the calls for the quest first arose, Kaelin fully planned to do it on her own. She hadn't accounted for Jax wanting to come along as well.

Jax sighed, shrugged, and gave a warm smile. "I've got my own reasons for coming too, Kae," he replied. "Besides, what do you know about finding lost artifacts of immeasurable power?"

"Well what do you know about finding lost artifacts of immeasurable power?" She retorted.

"I happen to know a great deal," he said in a high and snooty voice, turning his nose up at his companion. "I'll have you know that I come from a great line of lost artifact finders, and I will not have my lineage besmirched so." He sniffed once for emphasis before breaking back into a smirk. "Come on, let's go, while we still have daylight."

And so alongside many others, the pair took off. The gaggle of artifact seekers managed to stay together for the most part in the open fields, though there were always a few the eventually broke off in search of their own leads until it was practically only Jax and Kae standing at the edge of the forest on the path to the Boehr mountains.

Kaelin stared into the forest, watching the light be swallowed up the deeper the forest became. The one reassurance she had was her Kelpie blood, making nature understandable. She would know if something was coming for them, the trees and their vast roots would communicate with her. Turning to Jax, she nodded her head and then took a step into the forest, her steps picking up speed as she went until she was walking with an easy gait.

"It won't be so bad, at least the city won't be surrounding us anymore. All that noise and all those manmade structures really choke up the Earth and her beauty." Kaelin eyed the other groups, saw a few branch off of the trail. Hopefully, Kaelin thought dryly, they will be dead or scared enough to quit by the morning.

Kaelin elbowed Jax once the other 'adventurers' were out of hearing range, and began whispering, "Let's follow a game trail. It may be slightly overgrown but if the animals have chosen it enough to leave a path, then it could be safe. Especially from bandits that wait further up the main path."

Jax shrugged. "City never bothered me. There's a vibrant life and community you can't really get anywhere else. The soaring towers, and abandoned buildings and long-forgotten alleyways all add to the charm," he said as they ducked below an overhang of branches, as he carefully followed Kae, seeing as he could barely make out the trail himself. He kept his voice similarly low as Kae in order to avoid any unwanted attention.

There had always been constant reports of banditry out near and in the forest as former soldiers deserted or fled, or were just those who had lost too much in the war and didn't have any other life to turn to. There were rumors of a large bandit camp hiding in the woods, taking advantage of the surge of gem-seekes ventured out everyday to find their fortune, only to have the bandits find theirs. It was one part of a myriad of reasons why Jax accompanied Kae, seeing as how he didn't want to find another friend missing or dead.

That is to say, he didn't want to find his only friend left missing or dead.

Kae concentrated on her footing, and kept her senses open to any danger.

"You're human, you don't know what it's like to have half your mind in tune with nature, hearing it die underneath the growth of civilizations." Kae stopped short at a snapping twig, but realized it was just a squirrel scurrying in the underbrush. She began to walk again, and continued whispering, "Luckily, the human part of me makes it possible to live without nature, but it isn't fun. I will admit though, I'm glad I don't have to live underwater like my mother. Seaweed is slimy."

She held her hand up and went still and silent, straining her ears to listen. A distant scream could be heard. "Looks like I was right about bandits."

Jax thought about the growth of civilizations, how Orran itself spread and sprawled across the land like a hungry beast, snapping up nations and nature alike, all for the glory of the Empire.

But still, Orran was his home, its inhabitants his neighbors and countrymen. Good people, worth protecting.

"Mm, I suppose it must be harder for you, being part water spirit and all, connected to nature and all that. City life isn't for everyone I gue-"

A man's cry rang through the forest. Short, pitiful, and most likely to have ended in violence. "I suppose your right," Jax muttered to Kae as he secured the straps to his shield, his sword hanging comfortably from his belt. If they could hear the screams, that still meant they and whoever attacked them were too close for comfort, especially if the rumors of the bandit camp in the woods were true.

Thwip!

More feeling the arrow than seeing it, Jax instinctively dove for the ground, tackling Kae along with him as he felt a rush of air pass just where his neck would have been. There was a short bark of laughter as a man slid out from the foliage around them. The bandit wore light clothing, colored in a way to break his figure and blend in with the forest around them. An axe rested comfortably on his shoulder, a hand holding it in a way that made it seem to be a part of the bandit than a harsh instrument. "You've got moves," the bandit purred, "I'll give you that."

Jax quickly clambered to his feet, standing between Kae and the bandit, shield raised and hand clasped firmly on his sword handle.

"Ooh!" The man whistled, head swinging to the side. "And quite the gentleman too! You've got the man there, girlie."

"We've got no gold. Only a tent, bedrolls, and supplies for a few days. We've got nothing of value but the clothes on our backs," said Jax, taking on a professional tone that had handled killers and drunkards alike.

"You've got the very pretty sword and shield there. I'd say that's worth some value," said the bandit, axe waving generally at Jax.

"The only way you'll get either is if I stick you in your gut."

The bandit gave a wolfish grin. "That can be arranged. But no, we're looking for live bodies. An, arrangement of sorts."

Jax stared at the man, occasionally flicking his eyes to the sides to find the other bandits that were not doubt accompanying the one standing in front of him. "What for?"

The bandit shrugged. "Surrender yourselves and come with us to find out, or don't and die. Your choice."

Jumping up quickly from Jax's tackle, Kae gripped her daggers in both hands, taking a ready stance. She could feel the forest shiver around her, alerting her to the fact they were outnumbered.

"What's a matter," Kae sneered, "scared to face us without back-up?"

Kae turned so her back was facing Jax, keeping an eye out for the hidden bandits. She tilted one of her curved weapons to make it possible to see the reflection of the leader, kept ready for any sudden movements from any angle.

The bandit leaned on his axe like a cane and shrugged as he looked at his nails, turning them this way and that. "Have it your way." With a sharp whistle, a flight of arrows was released. This time, Jax was prepared for it and crouched under the shafts, hoping Kae was smart enough to do the same as he drew his sword, the metal sliding from the leather with no more than a quiet murmur.

He dove for the leader, but just as Jax got within striking range, the bandit leader looked up from his nails only briefly before a shining blade sprung like a coiled snake from the underbrush, the dull metal aimed directly for Jax's heart. With barely any time to react, Jax ungracefully tumbled to the side, quickly coming to his feet as he faced his assailant. Studying them, he saw that it was a woman and though her grip on her blade was firm, she was shaking. He looked at her face and saw the the gauntness of her cheeks, the desperation in her eyes. Jax grimaced.

The woman slashed forward again, snarling, but Jax stepped to the side and saw the arrow that pierced her face, dropping her instantly like a stone. The other arrow whistled by, far off its intended mark. Jax turned his focus back on the leader and got into a ready stance, distinctly aware that Kae was fighting her own battle. Still, he knew she could hold her weight in a fight, and she would need him to keep the two archers to the side of them focused on him assuming there were no other surprises waiting.

And focused on them they were as two more bandits sidled out of the woods, bows slung over their backs as they both held daggers. Jax looked at the two archers like he did the woman and saw that they were far younger than him, twins, their beards scraggly and sad like a boy who had just reached pubescence. The knuckles of their hands were deathly white. Their faces a mix of utter fear and grim determination. The bandit leader, looking extremely annoyed, picked up his axe and stood in the middle of them.

Jax tightened his grip on his sword and shield and banged them together in a challenge, face impassive as he stared at his opponents. The trio charged.

Kae went down as soon as she heard the whistle of flying arrows. She rolled to the side, springing up in time to deflect an oncoming blow from a rushing bandit. This bandit looked as if he was decaying while alive, face a greasy mess and teeth rotting out from his malicious smile. He had size on Kae, but being bigger wasn't always better. The bandit rushed her again with his weapon of choice, a crudely made cutlass, snapping forward to attempt to skewer her. Kae spun out of the way, while bringing one of her daggers down against the oncoming hand. The bandit screamed as flesh was sliced from his arm, and he went down to his knees. Before Kae could manage a killing blow, an arrow sped past her.

Ducking, once again, Kae gritted her teeth in annoyance. Then she saw Jax distracting them, and kicked out her feet to knock the last bandit off her feet when she rushed forward. Turning her body Kae used her hands to propel her to her feet, then sliced through the air with both daggers simultaneously, daring the woman to come forward. The bandit was skinny, clothes barely staying up even with a tight rope around the woman's waist to hold it to her body.

This bandit's weapon seemed to be a simple ordinary knife, hardly a challenge. Kae missed it when suddenly the woman sprung into action, and instead of the knife, small metal...thorns, flew at Kae's face from the bandit's left hand. Kae managed to dodge two of them but the last one hit her shoulder. Aggravated at the sharp pain radiating outward from the joint, Kae lunged forward, but feinted right at the last minute, digging a dagger through the woman's chest and into her heart. The female bandit slumped to the ground, and Kae quickly slit the throat of the handless bandit as he lay whimpering on the ground, a pathetic soul.

She looked up to see how Jax was faring in his fight, ready to assist if needed.

The bandit leader snarled as he saw two more of his crew fall to Kae's deadly dance, barking at his two remaining subordinates to take care of her. There was only a moment of hesitation before they both fanned out of Jax's reach, coming back around to lunge at Kae simultaneously, blades out.

Trusting Kae to not allow his back to be stabbed, Jax focused his attention entirely on the leader, who charged at him axe held high, leaving his midsection wide open. Jax crouched and stabbed his sword forward, only for the bandit to sidestep and switch his attack to a low swing at his right. Jax's eyes widened and immediately slapped his sword down, catching the handle and stopped the axe mid-swing. Still, the force was enough to knock aside his blade as the two weapons rebounded off each other. The bandit used the return momentum to strike down at a diagonal slash.

With little time to react, Jax tackled down the bandit, knocking the air out of him as they landed on the ground. Straddling the bandit, he punched the bandit in his wiry mug with his sword arm once, twice, then pain as the bandit recovered and landed a solid right hook. Disorientated, Jax quickly felt the tables turn as the bandit rolled them around and this time returning the favor as both of the bandits fists whirled into a flurry of pain aimed at his own face. Eventually Jax pushed him off as the bandit reached for the dagger at his belt, and at the same time, two cries rang out behind them, twins.

Jax saw the bandit gnash his teeth, taking stock of his options. Making the wiser choice, he scrambled up and off the ground and sprinted back into the woods, melding back into the foliage and trees. Relieved that the fight was over, Jax kneeled, panting. "Totally had that," he said, as he spat out a glob of blood.

The twins slowly circled around Kae, matching sneers in place. Kae huffed, then suddenly darted backwards, behind a tree. She heard the footfalls as the two bandits quickly came after her, but she jumped up, grabbing a branch of a tree and lifting herself up, then swinging back down to kick her feet right into the faces of the two fools. While they were both dazed, Kae kicked their knees out and slashed quickly, ending their lives as they yelled out for mercy.

She walked back to the clearing just in time to see the bandit leader make a retreat. Kae stepped forward to chase after him, but suddenly everything tilted sideways and her shoulder flared up in pain. Gasping, she went to her knees and ripped the small projectile from her shoulder. She examined the tip and realized the woman from earlier had poisoned it with...something. Everything spun again and Kae listed sideways, collapsing to the ground with shallow breath.

"Jax....." Kae wheezed, making motions with her arm, which like the rest of her limbs was suddenly hard to control, to her belt pouch. Inside she knew she had some healing water, a gift from her mother. One drop and Kae would be fine, but her motor control was compromised.

Jax was battered and humiliated, angry that the bandit had bested him. It was clear that the leader had been a deserter at some point, or at the least a very proficient fighter considering the way he held himself and how he had fought, but that was no excuse. It was a well known problem among the army that deserters commonly resorted to a life of banditry since they often had no home to return to and no place to seek refuge since the Empire was crumbling apart. Scores of men left every night in the twilight years of the year, and if Jax couldn't even best one, how was he supposed to ensure Kae's safety.

Kae.

Jax whipped his head around, barely catching her wheezing call as he scrambled toward her side. He saw her hand weakly grab a pouch at her belt, clearly needed something inside it. His fingers hurriedly opened it and dug through it, clasping onto something cool and smooth. Taking it out, he saw it was a small vial of sparkling water, his senses filled with that of a powerful current.

Unsure of what to do with the vial only that it would help somehow, Jax dripped a drop into Kae's mouth before dripping a single more over her hand. Plugging the vial back up, he put it down and took out a scrap piece of cloth and began gently dabbing at her wound, doing his best to clean the mess.

Kae watched Jax struggle to help her, and tried to tell him what to do but her mind was shutting down, about to black out. She shut her eyes, waiting for darkness to consume her. She felt the cool drop of water touch her tongue, and her wound. Her eyes shot open and she screamed and arched off the ground as the poison was forcefully neutralized by the spirit water. Heaving in breaths, she lay lax on the ground, feeling returning to her limbs and mind clearing.

"Thanks..." Kae forced the word past her dry lips. She sat up slowly, still a bit dizzy but the water was working on healing all the damaged caused. She took the vial and carefully placed it back in her pouch.

Jax leaped back once Kae started to sit up, ready to catch her if need be. However, it seemed like she was fine and stable, thanks to whatever magical properties were infused with the water in the vial. Potent stuff.

He helped her get her to her feet. Afterwards he collected all their gear and shouldered his bag, ready to move on with their journey. As he waited for her he asked, "So why are you really doing this Kae? Searching for this gem, I mean." He paced around, walking in small circles, still anxious and on edge after the fight, his eyes scanning the trees around him for anything unusual. "I mean, we don't know if it's even real, or if we're even traveling the right path. Why risk the danger?"

Kae thanked Jax for his help. She made sure everything was back in order in her pouch, then looked at her friend. As she grabbed her daggers and used a leaf to quickly clean the blood from them, she frowned.

"There's a reward. A big one. Plus, who ever brings the thing back will be important to the city. Maybe important enough that doctors won't refuse to help them. My father is sick, Jax, but because he 'laid with a monster' no one will give us aid!" Kae's voice rose as she spoke, and she slammed a dagger into the bark of a nearby tree in frustration. "I'm below them. Everyone looks down on me, and my father. Maybe if I bring back this stupid gem it will change, I can show them up."

Her shoulders sagged, and all her anger rushed out. "I can't even help him. That water my mother gave me? Only heals Kelpies. I tried it."

Jax stopped and stood awkwardly for a minute. He then raised his hand in an attempt for a likely equally as awkward measure before he thought better of it. "I'm sorry," he finally managed to say.

"I'm sorry?!" He mentally screamed at himself, hit with a sudden burst of anxiety. "That's all you can think of?"

"But I mean, you know you could have asked me right? You know I'm always willing to help you. Have I ever not helped you in the past?"

Kae began walking through the woods again, ready to move on. "I don't need your pity Jax. And what could you do? Are you a doctor? Even if you threatened someone into helping, I wouldn't be able to afford it, and they would probably not truly try to help."

She kept her daggers out and ready, in case any more bandits appeared. She was hoping the leader of the last group would jump out just so she could take her frustration out on someone. "I'm a Kelpie, no matter whether I have human blood or not. My skin has a greenish tint, my neck can grow gills and my limbs can grow webbing. My hair is sleek and black and never out of place. I'm not human. I just look it Ninety percent of the time. No one wants to help a kelpie."

He stared daggers at Kae at he thoughts of how he would "help." "I may not have been the most zealous watchman," he said, stiff and wooden, "I don't threaten others. I could have helped pay for you, or pretended your father was my own, or something. Who would even be left to know of us? Not much left of our little town, Kae."

He kept on walking for a while, lips pursed as the pair walked in silence. "Whatever. Let's get this gem of yours."

Kae huffed but kept silent. For the remainder of daylight the duo walked along the paths Kae pointed out. An hour to nightfall they came across a clearer part of the forest with limited underbrush and enough space to pitch a tent and start a fire.

"Do you want to stop for now, or keep moving?" Kae was the first to break the silence that had befallen them.