A shadow crept along the walls, as if alive. The Lord Templar guarding the "Artifactorium" didn't noticed anything out of the usual. They seemed to be talking about a certain Mage that was caught training with swords, when the shadow materialized and slashed their necks before they even had time to move a hand.
A Mage soon came out of the shadow.
Shadows crept over his body as armor, his face was covered in shadows. All of it except his neck where an Amulet that was broke hanged from his neck, devouring the shadows as soon as they tried to cover that exposed part of his body. The Mage approached the door and put a finger on the door and a shield of pure light repelled it as soon as it touched the door. The Mage shook his head and put his hand on the Amulet and it glowed slightly and then the door broke in many, many pieces. Revealing the artifacts inside the Artifactorium.

A small army of Templar came out of the halls attracted by the sound and the strong light that emanated from the shield. The Mage turned his head and shook it as he pointed his finger towards a 4 Templar dressed in golden armor and suddenly their eyes turned red.
They stopped in their tracks and turned towards the other Templar and attacked the others. The Mage entered the Artifactorium, closed his eyes and soon the broken Amulet started glowing and in the other part of the Artifactorium another artifact started glowing.

Many artifacts were kept there but the Mage simply ignored them, moving towards the glowing artifact.
After a few minutes, minutes in which the Templar he "persuaded" to join him fought everyone that tried to enter the Artifactorium, he reached the glowing artifact. A small part of the same Amulet he had on his neck. Fire parts were missing from it but with this one, only for remained. He looked at it, grinned and moved his hand over the Amulet piece and it flew into the Amulet around his neck, uniting the two parts. Soon after the Amulet started glowing again and a small explosion of magical energy emanated in the room. The Mage, was of course shielded but nothing else was as everything in the room disintegrated instantly. The Artifactorium, stood now empty and the Mage simply smiled and then simply vanished.

The guards that protected the Mage were killed and more guards poured in the room, only to see it empty.

---

Alexis woke up with banging on her door. She rose up from her bed to see what happened. Her shift only started at 0900 and it couldn't be that time yet. She opened the door and saw four Holy Templar in full armor and weapons at the ready, she quickly saluted them and said :

" Morning ! Something happened ? It's not my shift yet. " with a puzzled look on her face. If the Holy Templar were here something bad happened. That or she was sentenced to death for no apparent reason, something that sometimes happened to non-humans.

One of the Holy Templar approached her, saluted back and said :

" Ben'Ghazard ! His Holiness Gregory Ascended Templar Markovic requested your presence in his office. We are here to escort you to him. Dress up and let's go. ".
Alexis was stunted. If The Ascended Templar wanted to see her something really, really bad happened.
As she was dressing up she tried to ask the Templar what happened but only received answers like " We don't know. " or " Holiness Gregory Ascended Templar Markovic knows. We are sent here to get you and the other senior staff " so Alexis didn't learned much.

She took her best cloths on and walked to the Ascended Templar's office which was in a tower that overlook all the Citadel. It was the first time anyone that was not a Holy Templar entered it. The tower was guarded by more than 50 Holy Templar, no one could even approach the tower without being seen by a guard. As she approached the office, she saw the Holy Templar arrive with more soldiers and she was surprised to see that, even some Magi that were chained and had muzzles on their heads to keep them from casting any kind of magic were brought towards the office.

" Ok...something bad happened " said Alexis under her breath.

---

Landvarian worked on doing push-ups. When there's nothing else to do this is how he spends his time. He switched to one handed and then paused. Large ears swivled in the darkness as he heard footsteps. He quickly stood and waited for the person to get there. They did and held up chains. There were three guards and each looked at him like he was filth. red pink eyes held no emotion as he held out his arms. Chains went on heavy gloves went on and were secured. Then...the muzzle. His medium length tail swished against the back of his knees.

He soon found himself being yanked out of the cells and outside. Blinking heavily he found himself enjoying the warmth and the beauty of the outside world. He had no shirt only worn pants and wraps that went around his angled feet. His white fur sparkled in the light that it had not really been exposed to before. Soon he was taken somewhere and chained. Large ears continually moved at any noise.

_______________________________________________________________________________

Walking a post was not a fun pastime.

Esailia had been a guard at the Citadel for little over six months now, and already she was starting to question whether this was better than living in the middle of nowhere. The pay raise from being a city guard allowed her more freedom to pursue hobbies such as metalworking and reading, afforded a home she didn't need to share with another guard, and her diet was much improved. But to walk back and forth on a set path for hours on end with very few distractions was not how she imagined her life to turn out.

But this post allowed her a few joys. One of which was occasionally told to deliver meals to the magi in their cells. The Guardian never thought this task a chore. She felt that people shouldn't be put in such squalid conditions for events a hundred years passed, though she never mentioned this opinion to anyone. TO do so would be a one way trip to a similar cell or a quick drop and a sudden stop.

So the Kil'garen did as she was told, never caused trouble, and used her position as an excuse to learn as much as she could about how the rest of the world viewed the Magi.

On this particular day though, she was almost done with a night shift when a pair of Templar approached her. She saluted with her sword arm, at first thinking they were passing, but started when they halted her. "Your shield." One growled at her, and knowing something wrong, bent her knees slightly in wary preparation "Guards are permitted personal weapons or shields if approved. What is this about?" she asked, her gaze flitting between the two.

"You have been summoned. Regulations state possible suspects are to be disarmed. You are not being charged with anything, but if you resist, we will use force." The same Templar explained, the pair both reaching towards their swords. Esailia knew she was skilled, but so did these two. The Guardian nodded, unbuckling her shield and handing it over along with her swords' belt. What followed was her being bustled off, unsure where they were going, seeing others being hurried in the same direction. She gave a few blank glances towards the magi who were also being escorted, and her curiosity grew...

Maybe walking a post wasn't so bad.

The blonde haired young woman stood, staring at a target. One to rise early, with the first rays of daylight, Isabella wasn't one to waste daylight. She rose her bow, knocked an arrow. She pulled back slowly, and eyes on the target, she let the arrow fly, watching its path to the target. Pleased when it hit the bulls-eye, Isabella went to retrieve the arrow. Her gray eyes carefully examined the arrow for any cracks. Isabella had many skills, but her bow and arrow skills were her weakest, and thus she trained with that whenever she could. Putting the arrow away, Isabella turned back to walk to where she had been, taking out a dagger, she shifted it from hand to hand, rocking back on her feet slightly, and studying the distance. Rolling her shoulders, she turned around, and giving a soft sigh, closing her eyes and letting herself relax. She was thinking this through too much, and not relying on...what she knew. Instinct.

Turning back around, Isabella flicked the dagger towards the target, watching it soar. As it landed, quivering deeply into the wood, Izzy smiled, a small, slightly sad smile as she approached the target, retrieving the dagger with a slight pull, and turning around, she stopped as she saw someone there, and she frowned, tilting her head slightly, having not heard them approach. Sighing softly to herself, Izzy reached up to smooth back her hair, and ran her hands over her clothes, smoothing them. There were many things about Izzy, but one was that she was a...well, little lady. The young woman saluted the holy templar, btut did not speak, waiting for them to do so.

"Isabella, His Holiness Gregory Ascended Templar Markovic requested your presence in his office. We are here to escort you to him. Dress up and let's go."

Isabella resisted sighing, merely nodding, she gathered her gear and retreated back to her room, where she choose her better clothes, that were nevertheless still portrayed towards males. Even in the presence of "His Holiness Gregory AScended Templar Markovic" there could still be danger, and she was not going to get caught in a dress. There was no way she waas going to show her undergarments to who knew how many people. She did find it a bit unnerving that the Templar stayed close, and she sighed wearily, smoothing her clothes as she left her weapons behind. She doubted she'd be allowed to have them anywhere close to "His Holiness Gregory AScended Templar Markovic". Just what had happened for this type of security? She sighed heavily, and let the templar lead her on.

The concept of time was something that almost always seemed to elude Kahleni. Her only way of keeping any sort of schedule was to simply rely on the delivery of her daily meal; that which consisted of bread, some soup if they were feeling generous, and water. On this particular day, however, she was still sleeping when a couple of guards made their way into her cell. Kahleni's first thought was that she had overslept, but her groggy state implied otherwise.

"Get up and turn around," ordered one of the guards who had a very deep voice. Just then, Kahleni's heart started racing as her mind tried to come up with a good enough reason as to why they were taking her out of her cell. The young girl stood to her feet and turned around, and as the guard roughly pulled her hands behind her back, she could only assume they were going to kill her. The fact that she only had minutes to live scared the hell out of her, but then again, what did she have to live for? The hope that maybe one day she will be free again? That very thin thread of hope was already too fragile to continue hanging on to it for much longer.

Kahleni gasped in surprise when they pulled her short hair back without warning to place something around her mouth. The guard ordered her not to move, although she knew better than to show any sign of resistance. After all was said and done, Kahleni's hands and feet were shackled, and she had a plain-looking muzzle secured to the back of her head. She was then taken out of her cell, and the poor girl could barely keep her eyes open. The outside of Kahleni's cell was too bright for her eyes, those that had lived in darkness for the majority of her life, but she squinted--it was the best she could do, as they marched her away through very unfamiliar territory.

Briss had counted some of the coins that he had. Briss always liked money, pretty much everything about it. The colour pleased his green eyes, the way the coins sounded as it jingled in his pockets was music to his ears and that he knew how much he had, that fact decided for him how much he'd get in future.

Coins pocketed once more, Briss stood away from the Citadel's wall and viewed the surrounding area. There were many Templar around, patrolled the place, or lectured would be Templars in their trained excercises. Tough men I suppose. At least they have kept to themselves so far and allowed me to fight how I like-basically never.

Then two Templar approached him as Briss's tail flicked from side to side slightly, which revealed that they annoyed him and obstructed his 'view'.

That was before the thought hit him, Strangers, I live in their home. Annoyed here is suicide.
Very timid now, Briss's eyes shivered as he flattened his body to the ground. He placed his paws front side down above his head and kept his tail flattened to the ground.

He didn't see them as his face kissed the ground underneath him.

"Briss Line!" One of the Templar had said in a loud manner far above Briss's flattened form. "His Holiness Gregory Ascended Templar Markovic requested your presence in his office. We are here to escort you to him. Dress up and let's go. ".

Briss questioned nothing and looked everywhere except at the Templar on either side of him. They made their way to the Ascended's office.

Luca was practicing by himself in one of the rooms in the training hall, his chained blades flying all over the place. He gave the chain a small tug, making the blades arch and fly towards him. Over and over, he sidestepped, ducked and jumped in graceful dance-like movements. No one bothered him when he practiced, mainly because no one wanted to get in the way of his razor sharp blades. But several of the Templars have requested to watch when he did it. He was, after all, the only one who uses chained blades.

A loud expletive came from the door.

Luca turned his icy blue eyes towards the door even as he continued to move in perfect precision and accuracy. The Holy Templar that often watched him practice stood there, Luca's blades narrowly missing his face. If he had been an inch nearer, they would have found their sheaths in his face. "I would think that by now, you would have gotten used to staying away while I practice with my blades," he called out, giving the chain a last tug. The chain wrapped around his hips. He reached out and caught the blades by their handles. He tucked them into their sheaths on either side of his hips. "What do you need?"

"H-hey Luca. That was a close one. I should really..." The Holy Templar paused, cleared his throat and stood up straighter. "Luca Stormgrim, His Holiness Gregory Ascended Templar Markovic requested your presence in his office. I am here to escort you."

Luca merely stared at the Templar and then nodded. "Right. I suppose we shouldn't keep His Holiness waiting," he said as he walked towards the door.

5AM wasn't an unusual time for Kyras to be awake, nor was his perch atop one of the many rooftops of the building that constituted the fear Mage Prison known as the Citadel. From behind his steel mask, he watched the night pass in peaceful solitude, uncaring of the happens below him until a series of flashes caught his attention from the courtyard below him. He look towards the place that they came from, to see the silhouette of man with a small mirror in one hand and a piece of glass in the other. Using the glass to magnify the natural moonlight and reflecting it off of the mirror, the figure used the flashes of light to call the assassin over to him.

Pushing himself onto his feet, the assassin known as the Steel Hawk secured his unique longbow onto his back, adjusting the quiver at his hip shortly after before placing his hand on the precipice of the rooftop and swinging his weight over the ledge. With a quick glance below him, he released his grip to fall onto the stone wall of the small balcony below. Taking a few short steps, he leapt from the balcony, parallel to the wall of the building. Tossing a barbed hook as he fell, the grappling line secure itself to a barred window for long enough for him to swing across to another adjacent roof, this time several stories closer the ground. Shaking the hook free of its anchoring point, he took off running again as he got closer to the man that had summoned him. With one last leap, he landed on low, slanted roof and used his momentum to slide towards the edge, pushing himself off and landing with a quiet thud.

Standing up straight, Kyras recognised the gaudy golden armour of the Holy Templar standing in front of him and his eyes narrowed in distaste. His scrutinising gaze passed to the man's face and he recoiled by a tiny amount, as if the look had struck him physically. Nonetheless, He recovered quickly and put up a stoic facade as he addressed the assassin.

"Assassin, His Holiness Gregory Ascended Templar Markovic requested your presence in his office. I've been tasked with collecting you and escorting you to him. Conduct yourself in an appropriate manner, and we'll be on our way."

A small scowl made its way onto his face as the Templar spoke, the man's holier-than-thou attitude quickly worming its way onto Kyras' list of distastes, but he held an even, if not cold, tone as he replied.

"Let's go then, I'd rather not stand here wasting time."

The Templar merely grunted in response as he began to walk away, Kyras turning to follow. As he drew closer to the tower holding the Ascended Templar's office, he took a second to watch the congregation of golden-armoured Holy Templars that were ever-present at its base. Some of the younger ones glared back with open hostility, and the older, wiser ones barely gave him a passing glance, used to his presence despite his reputation. His dark grey eyes soon turned to other arrivals to the tower, no doubt by request of the Ascended Templar as well.

It was with great interest that they took in the sight of the Magi, muzzled and chained to ensure their obedience. Just what was he being called in for? Kyras had a distinct feeling that this contract was going to be... interesting. But as long as he gets his pay, he didn't really care what the job was, provided he got through it alive...

Gregory was a tall human. Around 2.3 meters exactly with long white hair, showing his age. His toned muscles could be seen as he didn't wore an armor like the rest of the Templar but wore a thin black vest and a white shirt on him and trousers that had mud on them. If one could guess, he traveled all night to come here. Big dark circles gathered around his eyes, yet another sign that he didn't sleep all night. His face didn't betrayed no emotion at all, as if nothing happened. Gregory looked outside his window at the people that were brought by his Holy Templar. A small look of disgust showed on his face for a second and then was gone when the Magi were brought in.

His office was a big room, full of books about combat and the Magi. There was a small layer of dust on some objects of the room, showing yet again that the office was not used for more than a few days. Some papers were on the desk and he looked at them again and again and again until he finally sighted and nodded his head at the Holy Templar that stayed at his door waiting for the order to bring in the first soldiers and Magi.

Alexis, Luca, Isabella, Kyras, Esailia, Briss, Kahleni and Landvarian were brought in the room. Gregory stood up and with the sunrise at his back made a big shadow over them, as if he was the largest man in the world. He looked at each soldier and frowned, especially when he turned his gaze upon the Magi. Only two of them but they were enough to cause problems for everyone in the room.

Gregory turned his back to them and looked at the sun that was slowly winning the fight with the night then turned around and said :

" Soldiers. Sorry for the rude awakening, everyone. It happened exactly the same for me. I traveled from the Capital all night to get here. "

Alexis nodded at his words. If Magi were brought here and the Ascended Templar was brought from the Capital, something bad did happen. She watched him with interest as he continued his speech.

" Now. We have to hurry so I won't keep you all long. I have to inform you of something. We had a theft. A burglar stole an Amulet piece from the Artifactorium last night. I guess no one heard a thing about it. You wander why ? Because I have been ordered by the Emperor himself to not let this information spread.

Nothing is known about the theft itself. Only that we lost 10 Holy Templar and a small explosion destroyed every artifact in the Artifactorium. That is the reason I brought you and all the others here. Even the...accursed Magi.
The Emperor gave me a mission, to gather my best soldiers, my best mercenaries and the most accomplished Magi and send them to the other places where the amulet pieces are kept. "

Alexis stared at the Ascended Templar in disbelief and before he could continue to talk, she spoke up " I'm sorry sir but I have to ask. How can a thief penetrate the Citadel's defenses, get to the most guarded place in the Citadel without being seen, kill 10 of the best trained soldiers in the world and then enter the Artifactorium, make an explosion that can destroy whatever was kept there and then escape without anyone seeing him ? " Alexis couldn't believe what she just heard.

Gregory frowned. He asked himself the same question but couldn't find an answer. Nonetheless he looked at Alexis and said :

" We don't know and it doesn't matter. What matters is that we have to get the other pieces of the Amulet. I guess you all know the story. My great-grandmother, Saint Courage, devised a plan to destroy the Magi "Gods" source of power. The Amulet of Dala'radan. When she succeeded doing so by unknown means, the Rapture happened and she went out Boralis with a piece of the said Amulet. She fell on her knees and her final words were "There are others". No one knew what she was talking about but they pieced the pieces together. The Amulet broke into pieces and flew in the place we now know The Wasteland.
Your mission, everyone's mission is to travel to the Wasteland and find whatever means you can to destroy the other pieces of the Amulet. Whoever possesses them will be allowed to use the Magi "Gods" powers. We cannot let that happen. "

Alexis was dumbstruck by what she heard. They were sending them on a fools quest. A one way mission. A suicide mission for the Empire. She knew for what she was in for when she joined the Templar but this was too much for her.

" Don't get me wrong, sir, but...the Wasteland ? It's...well...called the Wasteland for a reason. How can we find the Amulet pieces ? No one alive knows where they landed and the creatures there ?
Also. You are sending Magi with us ? What stops them from slashing out throats at night and run away to be free ? " she kept her tone neutral but some emotion could be sensed in her words.

Gregory nodded and proceeded to say :

" Yes, the Wasteland. How ? Simple. You shall search them. There cannot be many places to search left so it will be an easy job in a way, as for the creatures ? You are all trained soldiers of the Empire. You can handle a few creatures. " when the last question was asked Gregory grinned and looked at the Holy Templar that surrounded the
group.

" I'm glad you asked. Our state of the art explosive devices. They are based on an enchantment of a simple explosive powder. They work the same as our phylacteries only that those that have it in their blood are "attached" to each other. If one of them dies, all die. If one decides to abandon the others, guess what ? All die. It's just a prototype for now but soon it will be made available to all Magi. It will revolutionize our Magi containment facilities. At first it will start with a headache and then it will evolve into a searing pain. What comes after is what I like the most...their hearts explode.
Now. Guards ! Inject everyone with the new explosive devices. " and no soon after the Holy Templar that were around the group injected everyone with the devices before they could do anything to stop them.

" What...what ?! "
Alexis quickly removed one of her blades but the Holy Templar were too close to her to do anything. She frowned and said :

" . Now. Can we leave sir ? Please. I think we could all use a rest and time to prepare. "

" Sure. But first. Is everyone, ok with this ? If not...*looking at the Holy Templar, they all draw their swords* it was a pleasure to meet you. Sorry but the Emperor gave this order, we cannot let anyone know what happened. Oh' and...unmuzzle the Magi to hear their replies."

---

Landvarian seemed to be paying more attention to his new surroundings then what was being said. That is, until something being stolen was mentioned. Large ears swiveled to Gregory. A look of interest was clear in his eyes and obviously he was ignoring the insults lobbed at his kind. Suddenly he was very excited for this. A chance to be outside and see the world. Though the catch was mentioned and his ears flattened.

Humans...Templars....always distrusting him. Even though he had be stuck in a cell all his life. Well most of his life save for the training that gave him a very special skill they didn't know about. The shot came and he hissed as the Templar shoved the shot into his arm then backed away. The muzzle was removed and his pink tongue swiped along his maw. One Templar looked at Gregory. One that gave him food often. Sir the white cat doesn't- "I'm quite okay with it" shock went through the man and a few of the others. They had never heard him utter a sound. They thought he was mute.

He tilted his head and smiled. A toothy grin of someone who knew they did something a bit impish. His voice was even surprising. Given how serval like he was a high pitched voice would be expected instead a rather smooth voice eased its way to their ears. Pink eyes glanced at each and he chuckled. "I mean I don't have a choice either way but this way I get to be out of that cell" he then looked at his chained paw like hands with thick gloved over them and then back at the men. "Don't suppose these can come off now eh?"

The girl had little to say. Aside from the huge amount of relief she felt as she learned that she was't being executed, Kahleni had still been selected for a mission which would more than likely yield no survivors. Nonetheless, she was out of her cell, regardless of the fact that she still couldn't see very well due to the many years she spent in darkness.

Kahleni tensed up again when one the guards grabbed her arm and injected her with the explosive device. She had never received an injection before, but she learned the hard way that it wasn't a feeling she was particularly fond of. But somehow, in the back of her mind, the thought lingered that she would rather feel pain than nothing at all.

The rest of the group as well as Kahleni had been debriefed, injected, and now they had the floor. When the guard removed her muzzle, Kahleni waited for the other mage to finish his statements.

"I--I'm okay with it," she added after him, being perfectly honest with herself regardless of what her body language portrayed.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Herded into the room along with everyone else the Guardian eyed everyone else warily, mostly towards the magi despite herself. It was rare to see any of them in light, and she wasn't allowed near them often. But she didn't have much time to gawk. Esailia kept her mouth shut throughout the explanation, her posture growing more and more tense as Gregory's goal became apparent. A mission far too dangerous even for the templar to handle...so who do they send? Disposable people. It was no mystery why she was pulled into this merry band. Doubtless the Empire was more than happy to be rid of a someone like her, but she wondered about the rest as the Ascended Templar was bragging about some sort of breaththrough, and this lapse in concentration was why she wasn't cut down for resisting right on the spot.

The injections were a surprise, but incentive not to escape this 'duty' wasn't. She rubbed her neck where she was injected, staring daggers at Gregory and, once permitted, spat "I'll do my duty, Sir." She smartly omitted some expletives her parents would be mortified to hear.

Briss Line wasn't a happy camper. He didn't like going where he had never been before without a real explanation or warning. These brutes just opted to say its orders, 'nothing personal' and not say anything more. Once again the Kil'garen viewed his surroundings but now the intention was more of escape than it was for casual enjoyment. Sadly it seemed there were practically the same amount of guardsmen around.

Eventually Briss arrived at the tower and was brought inside. The first thing Briss noticed were that there were two Kil'garen that he didn't know also in the room. Despite his current situation he felt a slight moment of curiosity as he leaned forwards to get a better look at them.

Just then the Ascended Templar spoke and Briss Line straightened his body so fast he felt dizzy. He missed the first couple sentences of the Ascended's speech but by the end Briss understood.

Get amulet pieces and destroy. Oh yeah and don't die.

Then Briss was injected, and Briss somehow didn't manage to flinch while it happened. Briss knew on the way over here that escape was impossible and so he didn't think of it even now.

He still hated it. Bastard... Markovic... you ask us to jump over the cliff and before we answer you push us off of it...

With contempt in his voice he looked at Markovic. "Yes. Boss."

Luca stood to the side and watched silently as magi and non-magi were gathered. Did Markovic want some sort of bloody display? A gladiator game of sorts... to watch the magic wielders die in front of him? It wasn't impossible. He knew the man loathed the magi... just like most of the Empire did. He looked around. The room wasn't fit for something like that so perhaps he was mistaken... He turned his blue eyes towards his fellow non-magi. They all seemed as clueless as he was to why they were summoned. There was no use asking them what this ruse was. His blue eyes sought out the two that was different from the rest. He looked at the white cat, chained and muzzled. Then at the female human with white hair and blue eyes much like his own.

They're not so different from us, he found himself thinking before all thoughts were put on hold by the Ascended Templar's voice.

So that's it. Best soldiers, best mercenaries and the most accomplished Magi. He should have said that we are all people of no consequence. Dispensable.

Luca would have turned and walked away, a silent refusal to undertake the mission. But a guard took a hold of his arm and injected the explosive device there. He didn't pull his arm away, he didn't flinch. He merely looked at the guard until he backed away from the weight of his stare.

"They work the same as our phylacteries only that those that have it in their blood are "attached" to each other. If one of them dies, all die. If one decides to abandon the others, guess what ? All die. It's just a prototype for now but soon it will be made available to all Magi. It will revolutionize our Magi containment facilities. At first it will start with a headache and then it will evolve into a searing pain. What comes after is what I like the most...their hearts explode."

Sending us into the unknown and making us as test animals... Luca looked over to the two magi. He saw the guard's surprised face when the white cat spoke. If it weren't for the indignation he felt, he would have found it thoroughly amusing. Why assume someone to be mute when they only choose not to speak?

He turned his attention back to Markovic. "There is no use asking us this question. Your devices made it clear that we are to follow commands even if we refuse to," he stated the obvious and then fell back to silence.

'A congregation of expendables, sent of a suicide mission.'

That was the first thought that came to mind as Kyras listened to the aging man's explanations. People the empire could sweep under the rug after it was said and done, regardless of the outcome. His expression became an icy mix of concern, anger and distrust behind his mask as he further explained what those outcomes would be. If they failed, they would all die from a spontaneous cardiovascular explosion, and if they succeeded... well any number of things could happen, the least worrying being a summary execution upon their return. Shrugging off the unusual sensation of the explosive compound within his veins with an icy look to the Templar responsible, he turned his face towards the other expendables before transitioning back the Ascended Templar.

"The allusion to a choice is insulting at best Markovic. This is not part of my contract and If I make it back alive I expect to be compensated accordingly. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a suicide mission to prepare for."

With that, he brushed passed the Templars standing guard as he swiftly made his exit, his legs carrying him quickly towards his quarters.

---

---

Taking in the sight of the Magi, muzzled and chained to ensure their obedience, Isabella frowned, quickly changing her expression to one that was more neutral. Isabella had no issues with Magi-her elven breathern, some of them at least, were after all magic users, although she knew this was keep a secret if it was the case-or rather tried, She doubted many got a way. Mostly she just didn't see the problem with magic-she had a theory that the citadel knew the magi's were dangerous, and were usign suppression to stop them realising it themselves. So it was with spectualtion that isabella studied the magi. The others that had been and were being led in held very little interest to her.

She listened to why they were here, standing with her hands cross in front of her, over her stomach, a proper lady, yet almost looking like a...well solider as she took the information in. She had doubts about the mission, about whether or not it was even valid, when a girl spoke up. "..What stops them from slashing out throats at night and run away to be free ? " And she narrowed her eyes slightly, her gaze traveling to the magi again. She doubted they would do anything of the sought. People had a rather...monster outlook towards Magi, when they were, at the point of it, just people. And people did bad things, sure, but they didn't do them because they could do magic.

She lost a bit of what was being said, as all she heard was "Now. Guards ! Inject everyone with the new explosive devices. " And she didn't have time to react, as suddenly she injected, held from behind. Pulling herself away, she snarled, and smoothed her clothes once more, and if she had her weapons, she might very well have killed someone. Glaring towards Markovic, she turned once on her heel, and started out, more then frustrated with the situation. "You disgrace yourself and us by forcing this upon us sir, one might wonder if you had an ulterior motive" She said, choosing to throw caution to the wind. "I will do what is required of me, as I always do"

Gregory smiled when the Templar and Magi were injected with the explosive device.
" Good. Now that you've been made obedient...it's time to tell you more about the mission. No one will know you have been sent on this mission , no one will no know that you are Magi *looking at the Magi*. So. You will be known as deserters and escapees 'till you fulfill your mission. Everyone will receive a reward if and when you return. The Emperor told me so himself. Even...*he pauses , sights and shakes his head* you two Magi. Even you two. From what I understood...believe me , it's hard for me to consider it myself. You will...be given a place to stay at the Capital where you will learn to use your...cur-- spells for the betterment of the Empire. In other words you will be free from the Citadel's prison. *some Templar already started making faces and whispering between them* Sush. If I even think of hearing a rumor of anything I've spoke in this room , I'll have your heads. No matter from what family you come from or whatever.
You shall go on foot until you get to Milas. From there, you shall take a caravan towards The Field. Once you get there, you shall meet with a Gob which will provide you a means to pass through the gates of The Wall. You'll know the Gob by a raven tattoo, he has on his forehead. "

Gregory listened to everyone's speeches about contacts and him being evil and all that and shook his head.
" Don't get me wrong. It wasn't my choice to send you, any one you. If it were my choice I would've sent a few battalions of Holy Templar and destroy the Amulet pieces. But, the Emperor spoke and we all follow his commands. "
Gregory sighed. " You'll leave the Citadel in one hour. Tops. So get ready ! "

(After everyone left the room)

Alexis quickly went towards her room. " One hour ? That's...not enough to plan for a trip like this. " thought Alexis but doing the best with what she had Alexis took everything she owner, which was not much apparently, and then went to the gates.

As she waited for the others to come, Alexis took out her blades and started to do a small practice with them. Fighting imaginary people to keep her mind preoccupied.

Landvarian

---

Landvarian heard the insults and rolled his eyes. he was used to them by now. Probably why he never spoke to anyone. He waited for the chains to come off along with the gloves and rubbed his wrists. He proceeded to stride out of the room and stand outside. He didn't have anything else but what was on his body. Worn pants and wraps that covered part of his feet. He blinked at the light and closed his red eyes.

No matter why he was outside...at least he was. Large ears flicked as he took in everything. He wondered briefly what the others would bring. Must be nice to have to pack He shook his head and sighed. I could always pick up something on the way. That was a plan. Then again if he got caught...Manipulation mayhaps He flicked his ears and silently waited for the rest of the group.

As soon as Kahleni heard that they had an hour to prepare before their journey, she turned to the guard beside her and held out her arms in front of her. "Can you please remove these? I need to get ready for this mission."

The guard leered at her, but eventually he reached for his keys and unlocked the shackles on her wrists and ankles. Kahleni then left the room without saying another word to head towards the nearest supply shack. Outside, she saw the other mage standing around as if he didn't have a care in the world. She felt a slight sensation course through her veins, and she made it out to be a combination of both her release as well as being within such close proximity of another mage. But Kahleni kept walking nonetheless, wanting to avoid the others as much as they avoided her for the past decade and a half.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Esailia barely gave the man another glance after her declaration, instead turning her gaze towards the magi as the group was shuffled out the door to prepare. She snatched her shield and swords from the Templar just outside the door before rushing off to her quarters. She didn't keep much there, and no one was sparing her any glances. Let them think what they want, she didn't owe any of them any favors or friendship. Grabbing a spare change of clothing and her memory pouch, she left without a word.

Returning to Gregory's office, seeing as they weren't informed of any other location to wait, she made a beeline for Landvarian. She knew it was suspicious, but she was doomed anyway.

"We haven't met before properly," She started out, her hand coming up to her neck to tug down her undershirt and mail to expose her Mark only to quickly scratch at her neck and adjust her mail "But We need to know each other if we all are to live, right? I'm Esailia."

As she waited for an answer, she stole a look towards Kahleni, worried about her aversion towards her fellow mage and wondering about her disposition towards this turn of events...

@BlackPanther@Xandrya