Tendrils of musky incense smoke curled lazily up towards the mud ceiling of the small chapel to the Creator. Rows of heavy oak pews with intricately carved patterns of ivy vines sat empty. At the altar kneeled one young woman, she was kneeling next to a small silver dish that held the burning incense stick. She was wearing dark sage green leather armor, her light blond hair pulled out of her face into a ponytail – she had been praying for so long and so fervently that sweat poured off her brow.

She heard someone walk in and she knew from the footfalls exactly who it was. She threw the incense plate without looking, hitting the man who had entered the chapel in the throat. He picked it up off the floor as he sputtered, trying to catch his breath and swore when she caught it by using her ability to manipulate earth – a small wall of dirt preventing it from hitting her.

”How do you always have the upper hand, Iris?” The man complained as he got close enough to engage her in hand to hand combat.

She laughed as she dodged and blocked his attacks with practiced ease. ”I rely on more than just my good looks to get me through life, Nathan.”

Iris was the most Senior Student at Aedis Academy, the school for Aedis or elemental warriors who were mandated by the Creator to protect others, that was their purpose in life. Iris was hoping to take her trials soon but kept being denied every time she requested a trial date. The Elders said she was not ready and until she could pass her trials she would remain a student.

Their fight continued, moving them from the chapel out into the training yard where younger students stopped to watch the two older students sparring. Iris had Nathan’s feet trapped in layers of rock but quickly stopped as the Head Elder, Master Gareth, approached.

Master Gareth was the head of the Elder Council and therefore the Head of Aedis Academy. He was a portly man with whispy silvered hair. He had a kind face and while he no longer looked physically imposing students learned quickly not to mess with him.

”Master Gareth,” Iris bowed. ”To what do we owe this pleasure, Master?”

”Come, I need my most senior student to help advise on an important matter affecting the Academy and it’s students.” Master Gareth offered no further explanation, simply expecting Iris to follow, which is what she did.

---

In Head Master Gareth’s office was a young man, probably in his late twenties or early thirties, waiting for them. He was dressed in the royal armor of the kingdom of Ohen. Since he was not a royal, Iris assumed he was a commanding officer of some kind.

”Hello Iris, Gareth has told me so much about you. I am General Lao, I was hoping you might persuade the old man to help Ohen with it’s cause. You see, we are in need of warriors.”

Iris did not like the way the man spoke to Master Gareth or how Master Gareth allowed it but it was not her place to say such things. ”Aedis are not soldiers. We are protectors of the innocent and the weak. We do not fight for Kings.

Master Gareth smiled at his charge while it seemed the general very quickly became annoyed. “Yes, Master Gareth was just telling me all about your ‘heavenly mandate.’ I can assure you that you would be defending the innocent and the weak by serving Ohen and her King. Together, we would be unstoppable. Do not forget who allows you to have your Academy here.”

Iris’s eyes flashed briefly with anger as she answered the man in kind. “We are not soldiers and we do not get involved in the petty machinations of anyone even if they wear a crown.”

The general got up and headed out the door. ”I do hope you don’t live to regret this day.”

---

Iris was fast asleep when she felt a frantic tug on her sleeve. A small child, new to the Academy had pulled on her sleeve. She woke just in time to witness the child be brutally murdered by a soldier wearing the crest of Ohen on their shield and armor.

With a yell she launched out of bed, using her ability to draw rock armor around herself, pummeling the solider to death quickly. She threw on her leather armor as she could not always keep the rock armor up and grabbed her war hammer, heading out into the training yard to find the place overrun with soldiers and the building set ablaze, countless students already dead.

Alexander was rushing back to the academy as fast as he can on his companion, Stella, in helplessness. He kept cursing himself for having left the academy at this time of the year, when tensions kept rising between the Ohen and the academy. He knew it, he knew it all along, and yet he was careless to leave at this hour. Even worse, if it hadn’t been for that earlier encounter, he would have left the place entirely to the mercy of their soldiers:

------
(Flashback)
The remaining ten soldiers of the squadron, the commander included, was left in complete shock, as they saw for their eyes, a lone man on a white steed chopping down a company of fifty men and only breaking sweats from it. They were now left with very few choices, whether to retreat or be routed in shame and chances of being executed for not accomplishing their tasks, or stay and get cut down by the mysterious horseman. It looked like most of them chose the former, leaving only three men left.

“Looks like the three of you have realized your fate already.” The horseman spoke, as he changed the grip on his Swiss saber. “Very well…”

He suddenly slashed his horse rein, and the mighty steed broke into a gallop. One of the two soldiers tried to shoot Alexander dead using his bow and arrows. But how naive he was, after seeing how Alexander managed to deflect dozens of them a few minutes earlier. And he did not hesitate to do that again.

The unfortunate man was then shot dead by a light bolt that was formed on the tip of the swiss saber. The other one didn’t even have the time, or strength, to put up his shield, as the horse rammed both him and the commander with full speed, sending the two soldiers to the ground before the other soldier being trampled to death by the hundred kilogram horse.

The commander lied on the muddy ground helplessly, under the blade of the young Alexander, at the mercy of fate. But it seemed that he wasn’t willing to accept it.

“Please! Don’t kill me! I’m just following orders!”

Orders? Whose orders?

Or rather, why are these soldiers here?

“If you don’t want to squander your life here, then tell me the truth. What is going on here?”

“Her majesty…She ordered all of this…”

Her majesty? The Ohen? Wait…

Alexander realized his big mistake.
(/Flashback)
------

He had to grit his teeth in order to continue on. Is this the fate that awaits all the Aedises, a destiny of total annihilation?

Alexander arrived at the gate of the academy, to witness a huge scene of pure massacre unraveling in front of his eyes. Soldiers were overrunning the courtyard, as they mow down the younglings, some of whom were only ten to fourteen, ever inexperienced with their powers. Every blows dealt to the young students was every blows to his heart. In his mind ran multiple trains of thoughts, each overlapping each other. Is Thomas alright? Is Euphelia, his tutor, safe? Has everybody managed to escape the academy?

The sheer brutality of the scene in front of him was so immense that even his horse Stella would have to turn away from looking at them directly.

“Stella?” Alexander too had to turn away for a few seconds.

“Do not fear. It’s what you and I have been trained so many times together for.”

He petted the horse to ensure that he would not get spooked by the attack, for he was about to charge in. He couldn't stand this sight any longer. Swinging his eyes around, he noticed a band of soldiers, around twenty in total, attacking a small group of students around his age. With absolute no hesitation, Alexander shouted, with his saber unsheathed.

“Come Stella! Ride! Ride!!!”

And he charged.

Clutching to her dress, a small group of maybe two or three young Aedis huddled behind Nymph, the girl's hair burnt and her battle outfit slashed. She was panting breathlessly, it evident she had been fighting for some time now due to the exhaustion in her eyes and the wounds bared on her skin. Her crystal was losing its vibrant blue color, as she swung her bident with a heavy blow at oncoming attackers. "Get back! Hyaa!" The blades glowed a gentle blue as out of nowhere a crescent of water slashed down at two soldiers, sharp as any sword.

But, Nymph had been distracted. Another soldier had appeared at her side, knocking her to the floor so roughly the air escaped from her lungs. She could only helplessly reach out as the children were dragged away from her outstretched palm and killed with a final blow. Tears welled in her pretty blue eyes, anger rising behind them as she looked to the blade held precariously above her heart. Im sorry... my village, everyone. This is the end. Her eyes squeezed shut with acceptance of her fate, in time to hear a clang of metal above her.

Nymph's eyes shot open, staring in shock at the Aedis who had stopped the blade. He appeared to be a darkness elemental and had used the shadows created by the flames to appear just in time. Now he was locked blade to blade with the soldier who was just inches from killing Nymph a second before.

Luca did not seem stressed at all. The dark haired male was confident, not breaking a sweat as his eyes pierced into the soldier, who was trembling in fear. "... If you cannot fight, then do not get in the way. I don't have time for weaklings like you who are scared to spill blood." The cold voice cut into Nymph, she wincing as the sound of Luca's sword cut through the man, accompanied by horrible screams.

Luca grabbed her by the back of her neck like a sick puppy, tossing her onto her feet flippantly with an almost disgusted look. Nymph shuddered, unable to stop herself from staring at the bright purple crystal that had taken the place of the Aedis' left eye. "Are you deaf? I said get out of the way." Luca turned away sharply, taking off to fight another group of soldiers who had spotted him. Unlike Nymph, his attacks were merciless, a slaughtering if anything.

Nymph backed up, still a bit shocked. I... i can't stand back! If it means I have to kill someone... She bit her bottom lip, not wanting to think of it. Still, she spun away and went to defend what was left of the crumbling academy, putting out any fires she could on the way.

Sizzling on the pan were five strips of bacon, bought from a store nearby to where Emanuel had all his ingredients in one place, ready for him to perform his craft. The fat drained and the bacon was left on a rack to cool, the grease dripping slowly onto the sheet underneath. Onto the pan, Emanuel placed a whole pound of minced burger meat stuffed with cheese, sizzling from the bacon grease still on the pan. The aroma was mouthwatering. All the elements came together: Sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and umami. They converged into a single meal, Emanuel having just finished toasting two buns. He took a bottle of his special, spicy sauce made with the help of some of the fire attuned at the school, spraying a healthy portion onto the bottom bun before placing down a bed of lettuce and a ring of red onion from the pan. Next, he placed on his large slab of meat and laid down two strips of bacon, before placing down the last bit of his burger, the final piece of the puzzle: the bun.

It was placed among four each similar to it, but each also unique if one had the acute taste for such a thing.

Whatever was going on around him was of no concern. This last burger was his own, Emanuel taking a single bite out of it. Just as he thought, it had taken him to flavor town. He quickly finished his meal, looking at the others. They were not worthy of this experience.

Ashton stood in a field of brilliant green. Tall, lush trees lined the edges of the area, and flowers of all colors peaked through the grass at random intervals. The wind rustled through her hair as the sounds of nature surrounded her. The place was perfect, too perfect in fact. Had she not been in the center of the image, it would have been painfully obvious that she was dreaming. But to her subconscious mind, the soft foliage and brilliant colors were as undoubtedly real as the Creator himself. She could feel the breeze on her skin, hear the gentle music that seemed to be carried with it. She stretched her hands up toward the heavens, inhaling as deeply as she could. She had no explanations, but somehow felt that if she only tried hard enough she could pull the entire scene inside of her and finally have some peace in her life.

As she lowered her arms, a figure materialized before her. First it looked like her father, then her old teacher, then her younger brother. The figure continue to change shape, but dream logic left Ashton entirely unphased by this. It was the figure’s words that struck fear and anger into her heart. It spoke of passion and fire. Of sheer destructive power.

What are you doing here? This is not your place. Use your passion, wield it as a weapon, and the world will be yours to command. Just let go.

“No…” she muttered. But flames had already sprung from her fingertips. The scene shifted even more rapidly than real flames would spread. The grass became dry, cracked earth. The trees around her burned until they were charred logs, and even those continued to blaze until the crimson sky was filled with smoke. She could feel it filling her lungs, but she did not gasp for air. It was as though she no longer needed to breath. A massive blade of flame had materialized in her hand, and now stood in a full suit of black plate armor. The peaceful scene that had surrounded her had vanished entirely, replaced by a landscape of terror. The figure too had changed, ceasing entirely to shift. Now it was Trevor, the fire instructor at Aegis. He looked at her with stern, cold eyes, disappointment lining his face.

Ashton laughed. It was a horrible sound, maniacal and cold. The very sound of it made her sick. Yet it was undoubtedly her voice. Here she stood, reckless and invulnerable in the ashes of a beautiful world she had destroyed. And she was laughing. She stared back at the figure, grinning wildly. “Happy now?”

“Wake up, Ashton.” Trevor replied.

“What?”

“Ash, wake up! C’mon get up already! Ashton!!!”

Her eyes flew open as she gasped for air. This time she could feel the smoke fill her lungs. She hacked and coughed, rolling over on her side to face the kid who had woken her up. But he had already moved on to the next set of beds. In the second it took her to get her bearings she realized two things. First, that the building was on fire, and second, someone (make that several someones) was banging at the door. The only thing holding them back were a couple of fifteen year old boys, pinning the door closed and occasionally turning to hurl fireballs out the front window. It was clear they could not hold out for much longer though.

Sure enough, Ashton barely had enough time to draw her rapier before the soldiers burst through. Piro, the first boy at the door, gave them a faceful of flames, sending the first wave stumbling and screaming. He looked back at Ash and grinned as if seeking approval. Then he was impaled. A second wave of soldiers marched in, met by another wave of fire from the other boy. This time they were prepared, shielding themselves from the powerful blast until he ran out of energy, then slaying him easily. Behind them there appeared to be hundreds of others.

Her first instinct was to roast them all. After all, they were dumb enough to torch the building, giving her plenty of ammunition. But there was so much risk in that… ad there were so many innocent people in this building… Switching gears, she ran to the back of the room where the youngest of the fire Aedis slept. Most were already huddled behind their beds, frightened beyond any capacity for strategy. She torn off a piece of a nearby bed frame and used it to smash a hole in the already charred wall. By this point, most of the older Aedis were fighting at the front door. Except Nathan apparently. Where the hell was he?

Probably dead, she thought sadly, then pushed it from her mind. The struggle at the front wouldn’t give her much more time. The younglings all stared expectantly at her now. She put her finger over her lips as if to say “Don’t make a sound,” and motioned toward the hole in the wall. A few made a run for it, but by then a few of the soldiers had made it through the door. Ashton drew her sword, flames from the wall shifting to encircle the blade. She had to hold them off, to give the kids time to escape. That’s what an Aedis does.

Nathan had been sleeping when he heard a strange sound outside. He and some of the other fire Aedis were now out of bed. He opened the door to see heavily armed soldiers storming the Academy. He swore loudly before running to his bed to throw on his armor and grab his longsword. Despite the commotion outside several of the Aedis were still sleeping.

”Hold the door, we have to protect the younglings. Get Ashton up! I’ll be back as soon as I can. Don’t let anyone in beside me.”

Nathan ran out into the training yard and began attacking the invaders of his home. Countless Aedis laid dead around him, they didn’t even spare the younglings. Who would want to hurt the Aedis? He didn’t have time to think on it as he was busy blasting the creeps with as much flame as he could muster. He was pulling his blade out of a now lifeless foe when a pair of younglings ran up to him.

”Nathan! Nathan! Ashton needs help, the dorm is overrun!” The younglings told him, pointing to where they had just come from.

”Creator’s beard! Nathan swore. ”Come on kids, stay close to me.

Nathan rushed around the back of the dorm to where Ashton had made the hole for the younglings to escape through. Nathan pointed at the tree line in the distance, there was good cover from the dorm that would keep escaping younglings from being seen by the attacking soldiers as the sought shelter in the nearby woods. ”Wait for me there!

Nathan didn’t wait to see if they made it before he clambered through the hole in the wall. Ashton was fighting off the overwhelming force, undoubtedly trying to buy the younglings time to escape. Other fire Aedis laid dead around them. His temper getting the best of him Nathan drew strength from the fire the idiot soldiers had been stupid enough to set, throwing up a wall of flame between Ashton and the soldiers, he then threw up another wall of flame blocking off the soldier’s escape. Let them die by their own weapon.

”Ashton! The youngling’s found me,” he yelled to be heard over the roar of the flame. He let the flames fill his crystal back to full, some of the fire abating as he drained the energy. ”I sent the younglings to the forest. I’m going to see if I can find others. Coming with me or do you want to go to the forest?”

Ixa had been outside in the outskirts of the grounds relaxing in the woods for a couple of hours as he nothing to do. He was unaware of the attack on the academy grounds until he smelt smoke, which made him curious as surely he would notice a fire nearby. As he moved around he heard some sort of noise. Eventually he made his way to the school outskirts where the smoke was more noticeable. He was surprised but did not stand there paralyzed. Rather he began moving himself in a calm, yet urgent manner into the school proper. Most of the school was alight and the onslaught from the soldiers had begun.

"This is bad..." he thought to himself.

He had no clue as to what to transpired to have caused this attack. All he knew is he had to act fast before the academy got completely razed. It looked like fighting his way out was inevitable, but he desired to save his energy and avoid fighting until he did at least one thing. He deftly avoided attention as he made his way back to dormitory and grabbed some satchels and other miscellanea before running out. As he made his way out something his attention. It was a smell. It was smelled of smoke, but different from that of the burning surroundings. This, it smelt savory which not not only caught but also those of the soldiers.

A group of three of them rushed to the location of the smell. Ixa who had been using the rooftops to avoid detection followed them and literally dropped in on them. His iced fist crumpled their armor and they were easily dispatched. In front of him stood a fairly intact dorm. He open the door and followed the smell. It was in a kitchen he a man no doubt skilled in the culinary arts preparing something delicious. He knocked on the wall and spoke loudly to him with eyes focusing on the warm tray of burgers, "My that smells delicious. But you're not gonna get to enjoy that peacefully the school is literally going down in flames and I'm gonna need your help to do some things. I'll pay you back later but we need to hurry up!"

@Jerkchicken

At the time the door opened, Emanuel had already finished cleaning. Upon noticing it open, Emanuel turned around, absorbing the last remaining bits of energy from the fire, ready to strike, though noticed that it wasn't a soldier, but rather one of his peers. Emanuel nodded, nonchalantly reached over for a burger, then quietly offered one to the newcomer boy.

"Don't care. Take it and go." Emanuel stated a little bluntly, placing the burger down before grabbing another one and taking a bite out of that. By the time he was finished, there were three left including the one on the ground, left as an offering for the other boy to leave.

Ixa looked at the guy curiously. "So you want to die stuffin' your face? What a shame, and not even with an ice cold drink to wash it down." He then began to fiddle around in one of the satchels causing the distinctive clinking sound of glass hitting glass. He then pulled out two bottles by the becks with his hand as he applied his cold magic to give them a tantalizing chill as dewy beads of condensation decorated the bottles.

"I told you I'd pay you back, so here you go." he said to him handing to the guy a frosty bottle of beer with a cork. "I'm in a bit of rush as I got no intention of having the guilt of dead kids on my conscious, so maybe you can keep that burger warm for me. But I think a drink for good luck is needed, so cheers." His teeth gripped the cork followed by a pop and some mist from the carbonation. He spat the cork out and began drinking it like it was going out of style.

Slowly and consistent patters came from the floor of Cassidy's dorm. Gentle and soft, the small steps created a sound that could be scarcely heard even from the door right in front of the room. She gently pursed her lips as she continued her useless pacing. It was late. Very late. At this hour the young air aedis should have been sleeping, resting her body for the next set of classes and trials the next day was to bring but this was not the case.

A small sigh escaped her pink lips, her slow, consistent pacing unceasing. Insomnia was not an uncommon feat for the girl but it seemed worse than usual this evening. Ever-so-slowly she outstretched her left hand and took a long breath. Although she had ample control over her power it still scared her greatly, much more than she'd be willing to admit. For some, power meant honour. Control of an element was a blessing. It made them a hero, they felt. Cassidy, however, thought her power almost a curse. She felt it not safe in her hands and only made her a walking hazard. Slowly she called upon a gentle wind with a slow flick of her wrist. She went to do more but ear piercing scream came from the training yard, smothering her concentration.

Cassidy's head snapped upwards in a panic. The created breeze died and the young woman turned to her dresser. She snatched her belt where her knife sat in its sheath and quick clipped it around her waist over her soft pyjama shorts. Not worrying much for her own protection but more for the group of screams and yelps Cassidy slipped on her shoes and bounded toward the danger in her shoes and not-quite-skimpy pyjamas.

Cassidy ran out to see the last of the kids running away from the building only to be heard by Nathan's yells. Although knowing it wasn't aimed at her Cassidy called to Nathan, "I've got the kids. If one of you want to come along that's fine but you both will be useful in the midst of the battle," and with that she turns and runs to the forest.

@The Mighty Hero

So far, the water Aedis was doing a great job in cooling the building down. The worst of the flames were put out, only less severe ones left. Now knowing that the building itself should be fine, Nymph turned her priority to anyone left inside. Were there still children? Or perhaps someone stuck under debris? Her magic crystal was starting to run low, but she had to save whoever could not get outside.

Nymph rushed inside, light on her feet as she dodged out of the way of sparks and crumbling wood, eyes darting about for any people. Her ears pricked at the sound of voices. A conversation?

She knelt behind a pile of ash and debris, trying to listen in curiously. What could they be so calmly discussing at a time like this?

"I'm in a bit of rush as I got no intention of having the guilt of dead kids on my conscious, so maybe you can keep that burger warm for me. But I think a drink for good luck is needed, so cheers."

Nymph's eyes widened in disbelief. Drinking? Burgers? Was this some sort of social, why were they not outside helping?

The brunette stood and carefully picked her way to the doorway, looking judgementally at the two but hiding her distaste. "You shouldn't be in here, it's still dangerous. Nothing is seriously burning any longer, but there are still the possibility of things falling. You can get hurt." She stated quietly, holding Leucothea at her side gingerly. She had aimed to get everyone out of this building, even these two.

Ixa let bottle fall and roll around on the floor as his focus shifted to a new arrival. He heard the noise of footsteps but it didn't seem like an enemy as they would come rushing inside instead of stopping. Only after he heard her voice didhe turn to meet this new person. He saw a girl staring at them none too pleased and no doubt surprised at the scene going on. This sudden turn of events was a pleasant surprise to him. He quickly looked at her and she seemed confident, but the only thing that worried was that her gem looked like it pretty drained which would be troublesome.

"Well that's good to know," he said responding to her, "I appreciate your concern but I was getting ready to leave. Now will you be willing to help on me some tasks? I think you already know one part of it but there's another I'll explain on the way." He then tossed her an empty satchel and then handed her a bottle of beer. "Take this bottle an drain the liquid. I don't know how useful that small amount will be but it should count for something right?"

Emanuel formed a bed of ash catching the bottle before grasping it with his own hands. He examined the bottle, noting its type and the ingredients that went in it. Emanuel himself did not drink and looking at it, it seemed like it wouldn't be too helpful as an ingredient in his cooking either, though he could make it work. Somehow. Emanuel put the bottle down to the corner of the counter where he was likely to forget about it and perhaps knock it over onto the stove, leaving a mess for him to clean up later. "Yeah. Thanks" he said, turning around.

Then, before long, there was another person in Emanuel's kitchen, and Emanuel did not appreciate his work space getting too crowded. He was ready to scream, kicking the two out of his area of operation, though at his age was just reserved enough not to do it. Still, he seemed ready as evident by the scowl on his face.

"Please leave" Emanuel pointed at the door.

The scream of the frightened soldiers echoed into the night, as a young warrior on horseback pummeled an entire enemy battalion single-handedly without any hints of mercy.

They did not deserve that kind of honour.

"Get back here." Alexander coldly remarked, as he charged up a light bolt at the tip of his sword and fired. The bolt pierced right through a soldier's chest, killing him instantly. Such an ironic death, for such a crime.

"Get out of here kids. There is a forest nearby that you can take refuge in. Run to the back entrance and leave!" He then turned to order the younglings, who obeyed without any hesitation.

As they themselves tried to make their ways to safety, Alexander noticed a whole new squadron of Ohen soldiers busting in from the front door. They weren't as different as those that Alexander just slayed earlier in the fight, but the key difference was that their numbers were countless. One hundred, maybe two hundred of them. There seemed to be no end to them.

It was a clear sign that he had to move right now.

Alexander then ordered the steed to turn around, dashing through the ruins of the buildings. His eyes glassed in great bitter as he looked upon these damages. Although they were now extinguished of the flames, the destruction could not be measured by pure words. Buildings were burned, houses torn down, statues toppled, and most importantly Aedises slaughtered.

Just...how could this be.

He was forced to look away, and focus on the task before him.

Suddenly, he noticed a young brunette, who appeared to be a water Aedis, entering a stone building. Were there still someone left in there? If it was so then they must evacuate quickly, otherwise they would get slaughtered by those incoming soldiers.

Alexander ordered his white horse, Stella, to canter to the building, and shouted loudly to them urgingly.

"What are you doing?! The soldiers are overrunning the front gate! We must move now!"

It appeared that they weren't listening, or that they had left already.

No matter the cases, Alexander knew he had to move now. The arrows behind him were a clear sign of that.

He pulled the rein on Stella, as the two began to move deep into the forest.

The brunette girl jumped in surprise as her body automatically made the movements to catch the item thrown to her. A satchel? It was empty, so why would the other hand it to her? Nymph was asked for her assistance, and she wouldn't deny it if it truly was to help the current situation. The only problem was she didn't know what he was asking of her.

Nymph hesitated, glancing to the other male besides Ixa. He certainly seemed able to care for himself, and he wasn't in any danger. Such apathy was really no good in emergencies. A bottle was held out to her from the same Aedis who threw her the satchel, she blinking down at the liquor. Was it really safe to drain it all?

"Ah, yes, it should help some. Thank you." Nymph raised her ocean blue eyes to Ixa gratefully, turning her attention to the bottle once more. Afraid the pressure might cause the glass to explode, Nymph unplugged the top before slowly, the liquid inside seemed to churn and crash in on itself. In its place the alcohol content remained as well as any other parts to it besides water. The crystal encrested in her crown glowed just a little brighter, not quite as dull as before. She gently placed the bottle onto the ground and stepped around it.

Nymph followed after Ixa quickly, taking one last glance over her shoulder in worry for the Aedis left behind. Would he truly be alright? "Thank you again. What is it you need of me?" She asked, curious.

"Good." he said as he led her outside again to the school grounds. Ixa was on the look out for any potential ambushes from the enemy as he led her to a corner that seemed safe. He looked back to the place of that weird guy. It seemed he didn't wish to join and while it would have helped to have another person helping out, he wasn't about to waste valuable time to plead to him to come along. Then he began to speak again, "The first part is to save as many of the children as possible from being put to sword or kidnapped into their service." He took the bottle full of concentrated alcohol and put into the satchel, as such a thing might have use in the future.

It wouldn't take too long for them to encounter a squad of soldiers going after some kids. "Come on lets hurry! I’ll take care of these soldiers!" he said as he ran into the group with an ice blade manifesting itself. The ice weapon was deceptively strong as it parried their blows without breaking. An curious thing to note was that he never fought in an active manner as he preferred for the soldiers to strike at him. One by one the soldiers were defeated in a steady cadence of blows and counter blows. "Well that's one group down. Anyway, the second task is to preserve artifacts and teachings that are held in the offices of the teachers. The soldiers will no doubt have been instructed to destroy and or take any documents and artifacts; to take some of these things for ourselves will be very useful to us and inconvenience them."

The blue eyes widened at his words. Children... Tears began to well as she remembered the ones who were torn from her and slaughtered right before her eyes, helpless to do anything. A cold feeling enveloped her heart. How could she try and protect them again? She was useless, she couldn't even save a few children.

Nymph took a step back in surprise, not expecting to be caught so quickly by soldiers. The blades on her bident glowed, ready to attack, but Ixa had already claimed this group. He was strong, but fought only in a counter attack to those who fought him first. Nymph was curious, but she didn't say a word. Again, she was saved.

Her mind went back to that dark aedis who had protected her earlier, his words stinging into her soul again. "... If you cannot fight, then do not get in the way. I don't have time for weaklings like you who are scared to spill blood." Was that why she was constantly having to be protected? Even in the village, guards were all around her, even though she was supposedly so powerful. Was it because she was afraid to hurt others that people get hurt saving her anyway? A sadness clouded her eyes.

Nymph barely heard Ixa speaking through her thoughts. "Anyway, the second task is to preserve artifacts and teachings that are held in the offices of the teachers. The soldiers will no doubt have been instructed to destroy and or take any documents and artifacts; to take some of these things for ourselves will be very useful to us and inconvenience them." The girl's fists tightened around the satchel in her hands.

"Alright... I'll go collect the teachings. You can protect the children, and if I see any while I'm off gathering I'll send them to you. Good luck." Before he could say another word, Nymph sprinted away as fast as she could. She... she had to be useful.

Ixa saw the girl run off into the distance leaving him with the kids. He could only hope nothing bad happened to her on the way. Turning his attention to the gaggle of kids he said, "Let's go". He rushed to the skirts in a path that was off to the side for maximum saftey. Eventually they got to wall that had some cracks in it that allowed for easy climbing and he told them to go run to specific part of the woods. He then kept watch over them as they climbed.

As the last of them have crept over the wall and made their way to safety, Ixa found himself alone again. The time for heroics was over and now it was time for the next phase. He turned to where the items would be be and made a dash to to it. The rooms were all fairly close to each other making it easy to break into them. He first broke into of the ice aligned teachers' rooms and scanned for items and various writings with a discerning eye. The girl he asked to help should hopefully make the task of collecting material much easier, although it would be far from a leisurely task.

The rooms looted he moved on to others as his satchels became heavier. "I wonder how that girl is doing?" he thought to himself. She rushed off before they made agreement on where to meet, but he it didn't bother him to badly. He had more space to fill the bags and he had his eyes on getting to the library. However that was a big if, dependent on if it was still standing in any capacity and or not ransacked clean.

Nathan headed deeper into the fighting, he needed to find Iris and she would have undoubtedly tried to find Master Gareth. He found Iris in the trials chamber, covered in blood (no way to tell if it was hers or her enemies') she was cradling Master Gareth's head in her lap. Tears were streaming down her face as she listened to their Master's last words.

"...you are the elder now...consider this your trial...you must...protect the others. You must...you must..f-" Gareth was unable to finish what he was saying before he died.

Iris shook him in her arms as though she couldn't believe he was dead. "I must what? Master? M-master? I can't do this alone! I don't know how!"

Iris was sobbing uncontrollably when Nathan gently touched her shoulder. "We have to go, my friend. It isn't safe here for us anymore! The younglings and anyone else who survived are waiting for us in the forest. We have to go!

Iris wiped her eyes and steeled her resolve, she grabbed her hammer and angrily headed back out into the fray. She knew she couldn't fight them all off, but any who got in her way trying to get to the younglings were going to meet a very sticky end. She swung her hammer with such force that she was caving in the enemy helmets and breastplates as her blows connected. Nathan kept urging her forward, she had better control of her emotions by the time they made it to the forest.

"How many made it?" Iris asked quietly.

Ixa's time was running out and so he retreated away from the village and into the wilderness. He took a meticulous and convoluted path with the intention to throw off any troops who might have been sent to take down any feeling stragglers. He wondered how thorough they'd be in chasing after them. He considered diving into one of the rhododendron hells further out, but that presented its own set of challenges. Sure going into that labyrinth of dense gnarled branches would make it difficult for anyone to give pursuit, but it would also be very slow to move through while burdened with these satchels. Also there was that issue of time time going back to find other survivors.

Instead he chose to keep going deeper into the woods and taking winding turns through denser vegetation. Eventually he came to a place overlooking the academy and sat down to wait. Plumes of white smoke came from a thin metallic looking pipe resting on his fingertips.
At last the academy was seeming empty and nothing more than a burnt out husk devoid of any life. It was time to go find others without worry of attack. Ashes floated to earth as he emptied the pipe before started walking back.