Mason Drake

---

@Jollan@Rai@geurls
Just as Mason cleared the ceiling, he felt himself getting pulled back, the very winds fighting his ascent. Though flapping his wings with all his might, Mason found himself slowly coming closer to the chamber. In a final attempt to escape, he shifted the old woman to his right shoulder, planting his feet on what little remained of the ceiling, and latched onto a sizable crack in the sloped, rocky surface before him with his left hand. Straining against the strength of the vortex, the stone beneath his left foot gave way, his leg partially slipping into the chamber below. His hearing had just returned to him just in time to hear one word;



A violent gust hit Mason's leg, throwing it against a sharp corner. As his Tibia broke in half with a sickening 'SNAP' a quiet scream escaped his lips. Determination unfailing, Mason still fought onward, the horrible pain merely serving to drive him to salvation, just as it had in Nero.

Inch by inch, he crawled up the rocky slope until he reached a point where he could escape the pull of the vortex. Taking off into the air once more, Mason held the unconscious woman close to his chest; he would not fail today.

They say as you die, your life flashes before your eyes. Well, Siiga didn't get that. There was no flashback, no rays of light, no chorus of angels heralding the arrival of a new soul at the pearly gates. Just the brilliant flash of searing pain and the total loss of the control of all her limbs. She collapsed rather ignobly to the ground, two new holes in a place there really shouldn't be any holes.

Her vision swam. Her body, wracked with pain, refused to do what she told it to. She could feel her limbs shutting down, little by little, as her blood flowed across the floor. Was this the end? All that time spent evading the law, inly to be brought low trying to prove a fucking point. What a waste of life. She never even said goodbye to her bandits...

But all that wouldnt matter now. In a few minutes, she would be dead, all but forgotten in the eyes of the world. No one to care. No one to mourn. No one to even know. No...

No.

No!

NO!

Strength started to return to her limbs. No way was that happening. Fuck that noise right up the arse. Her fingers twitched. She wasnt dying here, not like this. She could feel her arms and the cold floor. She wasn't dead yet.

She was working on adrenaline, and that wouldnt last long. With what little strength she could muster, she dragged herself inch by painful inch away from the fighting. Her heart screamed at her to give up. Her lungs wheezed painfully, sucking in sweet, precious air and bemoaning the effort all the while. But she was not giving up.

Eventually, she managed to prop herself up on the wall. The puncture wound was narrow but deep, and it had came within a kitten's whisker of her heart. Thank fuck it wasn't a little to the right. But that didn't mean she wasnt at risk of blood loss - she needed to work on this fast.

Any other race would have been fucked. But Siiga was a Tyro, and that came with a certain benefit. Holding her longcoat to the side, she conjured a small gout of flame in her fingers. This was gonna hurt like nothing else. She bit down on her collar, steadied her finger... And drove the searing heat into her wound.

It was all she could do to stop herself screaming, biting into her leather collar. The flames licked at her severed capillaries, cauterising them, stopping them letting any more vital blood out. Her muscles closed around her fiery digit, the skin sealed in an ugly blister, and the room smelled faimtly of melting flesh...

But she did it. She was alive. Ragged, defenceless and in agony... But for fuck's sake, she was alive!

@Jollan @Guy0fV4lor @Rai


That was all it took. The air pushed her continuously to her mouse, not giving the string of blood the fish to it’s bait. As the hag ragdolled in his arms, she struck. The chain connected to the end of her scythe, and she threw it out, going to try and hook it on the old lady and pull her violently towards herself. The child should’ve never touched the battlefield- and he would pay. First by failure…



Constance spotted the flirt as she now saw her in the midst of the other bloodbath, not knowing what killed her. Her eyes widened, and she looked between her objectives. She tried to call out a sincere apology to her and her ancestors… And went as fast as she could to Dremmick. Looking up at Ganymede now, she took a sharp breath in. “She needs to be trapped, or tricked in this frenzy. The lady is important… But we are obligated to protect Mason’s life first and foremost,” She yelled over the howling wind. She tried to gain direct eye contact with her cold-ally. Her mind was running faster that a rabbit being chased by a pack of wolves. “Blood… Can be shiny, right? What if,” She paused, trying to finish connecting all the strings. “I could use it to catch the light- and… guide the light over there to… Create...” Blinking a few times, she hoped to make it complete, and as foolproof as a guess could be. “I’d need something shiny near him… And then…” Ancestors, she’d need help figuring this all out. “You got your blood on the old lady from the chain, right? Could you control that to become something sharp..?” Clenching her fists, she looked up at them. “It’s a stretch, I know… It might not make sense to you… But I trust my gut and adrenaline right now. Make the old lady bleed. I think I can do this if you can.”

---

Dremmick nodded to Constance as he thought he understood what she was asking. Dremmick formed two throwing knives in his hand and threw each in turn, One landing near Mason, and turned into a reflective panel of smooth crimson, the other landed on the old woman, returning to a liquid form on impact and staying on her. The chains didnt leave residue in their solid state before, so this repainted her.

"Make her bleed, huh? Alright..." He then willed the blood on her to form a small blade on it that put a decent length vut on her, allowing her to get a good bleed for a short time, but not deep enough to really injure her. "I hope you know what you are doing," he said, preparing to support her should she need it.

He noticed at a glance the bit of movement and personal struggle the Tyro girl seemed to be having. This made him smirk, somewhat glad to see her still kicking, but also glad that she was still out of the fight.

Mason Drake

---

@Jollan@Rai@geurls@Brithwyr
Without warning, the woman in Mason's arms began to bleed, prompting him to immediately look back only to realize that a large chain was moments away from ripping away what he was trying so hard to protect.

Shifting the unconscious woman to his right shoulder, Mason spun around, leveling a defiant glare at the monster below him. The chain did hit, but not what it was intended for. As it wrapped around his arm, the young Seraphim's eyes glowed brightly with electric blue light as he channeled a large discharge into the chain, the arcs of lightning searing his flesh as they entered the metal

Suddenly, Mason felt his shoulder get ripped from it's socket with a violent jerk as the chain began to slide down his arm. Fighting against it with all his strength, he managed to slip from the metallic grasp, before shooting down the mountain, the old woman held tightly against his body.

@Jollan @Guy0fV4lor @Rai


Ganymede let out a deflating yelp, the electricity nearly making it to her until she dispersed it to the wind with her scythe- the next time she did, the shock would continue. That would be for another time. The bastard was trying to use her own weapon against her? Callisto, Io, and Europa were closer to her than the Queen herself. He didn’t even know what he started- disgusting. Someone like this was revolting even before he killed one of the Gods’ beautiful creations. Seraphim were not holy, he and the Aion showed that much.

Constance would get to work, giving a quick nod to Dremmick. She carried herself to the light as Ganymede began speaking in the sky.

“Vyurs! Avai myer suu. Basili qvas!” She cursed, the winds around her picking up. She raised her hands to the heavens, chunks of quaking rock raising. He was facing her- perfect. She moved her arms in a similar way as when she struck wind to Mason with her scythe, using her biggest bolder to try smash into his right, and injured, shoulder- right on her current target to smash her into a bloody, bloody pulp.

On the ground Ilya finally awoke enough to understand reality. As much as a basilisk showed emotion, there was extreme pain. He moved over her blood to circle Faina’s dead body. Through his mourning, he was enemies. They were the culprits of this… Two people remained on the ground, another nearly dead. As Dremmick was the closest, he went to strike, making his way over very quickly as he seemed preoccupied.

She put her shield in the sun, glinting. She got to her knees. Touching the shining shield. Like a ley line to the sun, she felt a connection. With a third eye of light, she recognized the shining near and on Mason. She was unaware of the fight above, with her focus mainly on making the reflections- though this would, if her sun tricks worked, appear after Ganymede struck with the rocks. Using that shine, it would attempt to flash in Ganymede’s eyes. During that time, she’d copy Mason in a circle all around Ganymede, all to confuse her.

---

Dremmick saw the giant hands emerge and take down Ganymede in one powerful slam. He was relieved, however he heard another thing that troubled him. The sliding body of a giant basilisk. He turned to see it rapidly approaching and yelled out to Connie, "Watch out!"

Dremmick shoved Connie out of the wayright as the basilisk opened his mouth to consume the two. Dremmick was scooped up, but not for long. He made a crimson pillar in the basilisk's mouth, prying its mouth open, leaving him a way out. When he got out from its maw, he grappled up a bit, and jumped on top of the creature. His arm was still glowing thay pale silvery color. He punched into the monster and over time it started to glow stronger, not casting out more light, but growing more intense. Dremmick could feel the monster's thrashing start to fade as it weakened from having it's life energy siphoned. It had way more life energy than a human, so there was plenty to pull. When he got his fill, he jumped off as the basilisk collapsed exhausted, his right arm has a ghostly hue to it at this point. He looked over to Connie again, "C'mon we have to get out of here and tend to our wounds before that person gets back up."

Vrondi's capital gates were open to all those with citizenship badges. Whether one came by sky or portal all would be checked for their badges. Unlike other nations Vrondi was strict and did not accept bribes. The Taxis were also involved in guarding the city as well as parts of the Aion. Angelic being floating above made the magical city even more majestic. Many of them dropping the petals of flowers as confetti. Raining multicolored fragrances on the guests and citizens below. Most rejoiced to this even those not used to the surface such as the Lassa who found their inability to breathe air not hindering their fascination with the visual spectacle of it all.

The beggars were pushed off the streets. Despite them being citizens fallen on hard times they were second class and were mostly traveling around the small cluster of homes by the river south east of the castle and the main events. This was to seclude them away from the royals of the different nations. He was an older man who was partially drunk given his half empty glass bottle. The liquid inside was a crystal blue yet bubbled at the top. His sight was a common one. The poor were getting rich from the loose and deep pockets of royals from across the lands. Who went about in the streets.

---

"Come one come all!" Shouted a merry jester looking fellow. He danced with a few others and they made a show. It was the odd way they were colored and dressed. A Jester from every kingdom was putting on a show for the people who frequented the richer district that was before the king's castle. Many royals of different heritages danced and sang. Music being played by the finest musicians across the land. It was a merry time. A joyful time. It was a time of peace. To revel in the light of the sun perhaps one last time.

"Everyone is here! The emergency meeting of the royals has brought together different people from all over the several territories!" People talked. Two women of Sol descent who were would frequent this place often. Now it was packed with lavishly decorated and selectively bred descendants of royal blood. They watched with delight as the different beautiful things passed them by. "This is a once in a lifetime event! Who knew such chaos would bring us all together like this? Isn't it wonderful!" The other agreed and they continued to enjoy themselves with the free spoils that the royals let flow free. It was as if it was their last time.

The only royals not showing in mass numbers were Nero royals. Only a few were sprinkled within. The two women kept walking until they came to a encircling of a dozen people. They all listened to a man who was standing with a very odd color for his hair and wings. Though he didn't seem to have a funny mood to him. He was instead very scholarly. His pink hair and wings were sleek and smooth. He lifted his glasses onto his face. "Only a few autographs at a time. I'm here on leisure not work." He sighed. His books were selling quite well. It was a book detailing various forms of pleasure, most importantly it explains sexual pleasure and ways to increase this pleasure in safe ways. A sex health book.

He was attired in royal leathers. Tearian leathers. He was married to one of the Queen's relatives and so made his way here with their party. "Are you going to keep making these?" Asked a royal Sol woman with an elegant design of natures finest flowers delicately placed over her gold tunic. Lord Eros smirked at her. "Yes indeed. In fact I believe today will provide some interesting opportunities for studying. As my aid is needed in the upper private rooms. Perhaps you will be there?" He asked her and she blushed with a bashful yet playful smile. "I suppose I will if you're giving pointers." He raised a brow in intrigue. "Marvelous. It will be amazing I assure you. With so many different specimens taking part I think my next book will be twice its original size. Haha!" He chuckled as they all did in a common royal fashion.

The festival continued without issue. People of low or high class able to cross through the crowds and into the grand plaza. Only those who cause trouble get a visit from the Vrondi guards who stood around at all ends. They vigilantly watched for thieves or poor beggars who would ruin the plaza's image. These guards were elites also. To make the royals feel safer than the commoners.

@Jollan@RumikoOhara@Dread@Brithwyr

@Jollan @Guy0fV4lor @Rai @Dread


Ganymede was blinded, and then multiple of her prey showed up. She had no idea where to look when, suddenly, something wrapped around her back as tight as a noose to a bandit’s neck, resulting in a deafening crash. The earth opened up, enveloping her like a wave. The stones flattened, like it was before. The wind stopped. Ilya let out a horrendous screech from Dremmick, and quickly went to follow after Ganymede. It opened like a cave, just long enough for him to slip in. They did not come up, and it looked like they wouldn’t until they were gone.

Faina lay there, still letting out blood from her huge body. Rocks around her started to rumble. Something popped out, landing on top of her. Constance panted, sweat glistening on her forehead. She sat, dumbfounded. Standing on weak legs, she stepped closer. “It’s a flower,” she whispered, looking back at Dremmick. The little snake popped out from her collar, looking at it’s cousin. It stayed silent, giving no hiss at all. Seeing something out of the corner of her eye and hearing shuffling, she turned, readying her shield. No… It was the woman. She instantly dropped her shield and weapon, running over, even if there was potential for the Oro girl to come back.

“Oh… My gods…” She touched a hand to her arm, gingerly. She went to try and turn her to face her. “You’ll live, I promise that. Afterall, you were a pretty good kisser,” Constance laughed, trying to keep her conscious. Going to try and pick her up, she would bring her to the sun, laying her down with her head raised a bit on her legs. Touching her wound softly after taking off her glove, she tried to channel healing through her hand.

“I’ll clear the rocks, after I try to mend her for a little bit… Then you continue with her,” She spoke, not knowing he was the killer. “Mason is probably halfway to Vrondi.” She looked to be struggling with breathing, from all the magic, though she didn't say anything. She now intensely watched Siiga, and even though it didn't do anything, she willed her to survive. She got this far, after all.

---

Dremmick looked to Connie as she took care of the bandit girl. With a sigh he nodded to what Connie said, "Alright...let me see her," no mood to argue or chat. The whole situation pissed him off. The mission was a wreck, they had almost lost their lives, and he felt like he was babysitting.
Dremmick slowly walked up and crouched down on his haunches, looking directly into Siiga's eyes. She was stronger than he thought. Most people would have been dead from a strike like that, and looking at it now, it seems like he missed her heart by a fraction. 'I got sloppy,' he thought to himself. If it was an even stronger opponent, a slip up like that could cost lives including his own. He held his right arm up and started to heal the girl, "Don't make me regret this. You so much as breath the wrong way I will not hesitate to kill you. But if you wish to leave, I will not stop you." as he healed her, his arm started to dim a bit more. When finished, he used the rest to heal any of Connie's injuries, dispersing any leftover instead of healing himself as he was still fine after he took the potion. He then walked off a few paces and started to re-wrap his arm. "When you are ready, Constance, we need to meet up with Mason and our little 'relic' as soon as possible. I can grapple us out of here instead to save time," he finished, jerking a thumb to the hole in the ceiling.

Lila Moriarty

^{@Rai @13org}

Lila couldn't help but let out a tender and warm smile as she heard Anui's words. Honestly, she didn't know how it was possible for a person that knew her only for a couple of hours to know her so much, to understand her so well... Even in that chaotic state she was, Anui's words cut through the thick, ice wall that she built around her heart for so many years with ease. She was well aware of her naivety and inexperience regarding emotions and relationships... But that would only make it harder to understand her... Even with all that...

Lila opened her mouth but before she said anything, Anui gently took her hand on his. His touch so gentle, his skin so soft... She didn't know exactly what those feelings meant, but the spot where his skin touched hers felt like it was on fire. Letting Anui lead her out of the boat, to where the tree was, Lila heard his words. Albeit serious and impactful, they also were kind and filled with love.

"Q-queen...?" She muttered to herself, a bit scared. That word was strange to her. She was never allowed to meet royalty... But if that meant that she could stay together with Anui... Then it would be worth it. She most certainly would need help regarding a lot of things but she had already spilled too much Nayu blood... It was time for her to do something to make up for that.

As he bit his own bare hand, Lila did the same to hers as he took her own hand to her mouth. Although she didn't knew anything about Nayu customs, she could feel by his expression, his heartbeats and the atmosphere that it was indeed something serious. A bond that would never be broken.

It was the first time she was opening herself like that to someone. It was the first time she was feeling someone touch her and look at her like that. As she tasted his blood, she could see, and feel, how much he cared for her. His blood... Was unlike any other she had ever drank before. Love. Albeit she didn't know exactly what love was, she supposed it tasted and felt like that.

Lila felt, through his blood, his memories. How he was groomed, trained and indoctrinated to be a Nero elite, but never let that suffocate his curiosity. Reading about other places, cultures, traditions... How much he knew about Nero's history and old traditions... And now, she could feel his desire to change things. To change Nero and the Nayu for the better.

When his lips touched hers, she could feel her skin burning. His blood running down her throat with a hot sensation. It was almost like her entire body was in flames. It felt weird but... incredibly good. A wave of burning desire and passion ran through her body as she kissed him. Lila's once pale skin was now as red as her hair.

"And if you carried my child. None could protest your right to be by my side." Anui said, whispering in her ears.

Hearing those words, Lila immediately felt her legs loosing strength, blushing incredibly hard as she kneeled on the soft grass, under the tree. It was almost funny on how Anui seemed to have a talent to make her feel like that. An assassin, who had the blood of many on her hands, embarrassed and completely vulnerable like that.
Albeit she was a bit scared when he said about 'baby', as she was incredibly naïve on that matter, she wasn't able to hide her desire anymore. His blood ran through her throat like a path of fire. His memories, his feelings and above everything else, his own desire mixing with hers.

"...I..." Lila opened her mouth, trying to say something without success. Anui could clearly see her face, incredibly red and feel how hot her skin was right now, her intense stare and her hot breath. At that moment, Lila wasn't' the weapon or the assassin many knew her. She was just a girl in front of the one she loved. As soft and delicate as a flower.

"It's my first time..." Lila muttered, almost whispering, blushing heavily as she looked away and simply let her body fall on the soft grass under them, embarrassed. He could feel the nervousness in her voice, but she also could feel the burning desire in her eyes in response to his touch, his voice and his very own desire.

---

Sophia

^{@Rai @13org}

Sophia simply stood there, with a smile on her face. She was genuinely satisfied by where that conversation was going despite a few who didn't seem to like the idea of unification that much. But as much as he wanted to speak, to try to make that possible outcome became reality, and not just a mere possibility, she swore to not interfere with those matters. She wouldn't nor she had any right to. She was to them, nothing but a guide, a teacher... or even how she liked to think regarding some... maybe even a mother.

But despite how powerful and knowledgeable Sophia was, she wasn't perfect. There were some things that she didn't know and she wasn't able to contain her excitement at that moment. Even with an almost unparalleled amount of knowledge, she was still excited upon the possibility of learning something new. Even to her, there were some details of history regarding the ancient gods and other things like the Dragon God that were shrouded in mystery.

As Vrondi continued to speak about how powerful Nuxta would be, Sophia heard silently, absorbing every single word he said. Even though he was an enemy, Nuxta held so much knowledge... So much ancient knowledge that was lost through the ages...

"Your destiny is yours to weave as you see fit. Your actions, your choices, your knowledge. There is a reason why I swore to not actively interfere with the descended unless it's absolutely necessary. There is a power that every descended holds. The power of choice. The power to change fate and destiny by their own actions. Not even Nuxta can take that away from you." Sophia said, with a comforting smile.

"I may be powerful and hold vast amounts of knowledge, including about the ancient gods and even how the planet itself was once whole but it has been rendered to only house the one land mass we currently live on, but there are certain details that are hazy. Certain fragments of the history that are almost like they are surrounded by a thick fog." Sophia said, looking to them.

"While the answer to the current situation is on these 'fragments'... I also need to warn you... Be careful on what you lay your eyes upon... There are things that the descended are not yet ready to learn..." Sophia said, now with a serious and a bit darker expression.

"Certain things... are best to remain hidden from the eyes of the world. Lest you wish to see it plunged in chaos... Like it already happened once." She completed, her eyes distant, almost like if she was remembering something from a very, very distant past.

@Rai

---

---

Ami walked among those here for the festival her scnt covering a sign of her Sol blood her horns sharp and as if made of polished ebony and ivory making an elaborate frame around her alabaster oval face, her platinum hair shimmering like that precious metal joined to supple silk. As she passed by people it was as if she were a ghost traveling the fringes of the veil and this world; she oblivious to them and they her.

Then coming to the base of one of the many trees she melded with it and disappeared only to appear from another a 100 feet or more away repeating the act several times making her progress through the assembled akin to the cups hiding the pea being shuffled on the board of a street hustler.

She avoided crowds and when she had no choice she moved through them quickly it gave her the air of a fugitive and perhaps she was but unlike those sort she only smiled serenely rarely glancing behind herself to see if she were being followed.

Finally she came to rest in one of the secluded fountain gardens that the high families had placed as an expression of their wealth and power at intersections in the city the center pieces usually the depiction of some great line of Seraphim the family claimed bloodline to. Sitting at the edge of the cool waters of the splashing spray of a particularly ostentatious cry for attention Ami dipped her fingers in the water after a quick look around herself.

The waters and her body reacted in their own ways with the water taking on the pure scent of temple water as erupting from her shoulders twin fans of light released into glowing wings which also caused nearby plants to flower as if by her command. The effect lasted mere seconds before quenching the light that made her astral wings then she cupped her hand and drew the pure water to her lips taking a drink.

Mason Drake

---

@Jollan@Rai@geurls@Brithwyr
The Old Woman's sudden awakening ended the ordeal quickly, the scythe-wielder getting sent through the floor. Though Mason wanted to believe the fight was over, the Oro didn't strike him as someone who would stay down for long. As the spectral hands lifted them out of the hole, took off toward the bottom of the mountain, where Lulu awaited his return, not before whispering "Hold on tight" to the Old Woman.

Once at the bottom, Mason hastily shoved his shoulder back in it's socket before situating both himself and the woman on Lulu's back before making haste for the safety of Vrondi. Though he didn't want to abandon his comrades, he couldn't risk the return of the Basilisk tamer. Little did the seraph notice that all in his wake became lightly singed, from grass, to branches, to bushes. His breathing ragged, he pushed Lulu as hard as the young horse could go, not stopping until he reached the city's gates.

Flopping off his horse, Mason lay with his back to the ground, a slow groan escaping his lips. After several moments, he eased himself to a sit and looked at his injured leg. Seeing that the bone had begun to heal incorrectly, he reached forward, gritting his teeth, with a crunch and a grunt, it was fixed. Exhaling heavily, Mason hobbled to his feet, before looking to one of the gate's guardsmen. "Excuse me sir! Could you please get Mirror for me? Tell him that the mission was a success... Also, if you could find me a Taxis healer, I would much appreciate it!" he shouted.

---

The food was being served across the banquet hall in the massive castle King Vrondi and many other royal Sol lived. The guests were having a good time. They began to comment on each others apparel and various designs. Each one unique to their home they had much to talk about. The drinks flowed down the giant pitcher like a waterfall and the mist from it gave a sweet yet intoxicating aroma that filled the room.

Many met for the first time. Confined to only breed and mingle within their own kingdoms some sought to create lasting relationships. Fotia, Tearia, Gaia, and Vrondi royals were all gathered round eating and drinking the finest cuisine this world had to offer. Even rare beasts like Basilisks were served in small portions. The Fotian corner loved to feast on dragon meat, much to the dismay of the Gaians it seemed.

A quarrel or two would be quenched by the authority of representation. None too bold to fight over a slight. Though the tension was rising between a sect of the Gaian and Fotian royals. Besides this things went well, more barrels were being pushed full of what many presumed to be wine by slaves. Some were treated to finer things and thus were not looked at as slaves entirely. As such they wore fine clothes and gloves, their hair neatly trimmed. They only lacked jewelry. But the designs on their attire marked where they were from. The Fotian slaves were bringing in a few barrels. As they did a Tyro royal hastily followed, looking over her shoulder briefly before entering behind the closed doors.

She wore an all white dress. That did not cover much. She was quite fair herself.

Upon reaching the barrels she stepped to a servant who immediately began to work harder under her gaze. "Just a moment please! This one is marked especially for the Hanoxx party. Would you be so kind as to help me move it else where as to not get it mixed up. Lets see... Here should be fine." She pointed and moved. The servant had no choice but to load up the barrel she wanted and follow her. He had no place to protest, she was a royal after all.

It was down a flight of stairs. "Be careful!" She demanded. The servant eased his way down further into the cellar. Where webs and old wine and foods sat in the castle, untouched. She motioned for him to come further back and then stopped him with a raised hand. "Halt right there. Alright thank you. Now I trust you to not tell anyone about this special wine we have here. There's only one here and all." She slowly and seductively walked up to the servant who was smaller than her in mass and height. She held out a few gold Fotian coins and placed them into his hand. "Thank you your highness!" He shouted nervously. She placed a finger to her lips and shushed. He nodded and scurried off.

She knocked lightly on the barrel. "I do apologize for the rough ride my dear. But you are free now." She backed away. The barrel was now filled with wine, but with a person. "I have clothes awaiting you, Czigani Veranieth Hanoxx will no longer be your identity. You will have to find a way to survive now. If I continue to have contact with you they may find you." She laid out for her a elegant designed cloak. It appeared as if royal attire, with gold and white patterns. But it wore like a hooded robe. "I know I did well raising you, perhaps too well..." She choked back tears.

Reaching out to hug her daughter after she donned her new apparel. She pulled back to look her in the eyes. "I will miss you dearly. We all in the Hanoxx family will miss you, even your uncle Magnixx believe it or not.. I will pray to the persistent fires to bless your path." She looked at her daughter with a fiery expression of sorrow and strength. They came from a bloodline of warriors yet they were honest. Her mother struggling to hold back her eyes flowing waters.
@Dread

As Mason raced back to the city the old woman smiled. He was taking care of everything himself and this was note worthy. She watched the villages and the heaps of death roll past as their horse tried its best to race them along the open lush fields where food was once growing in large numbers. Instead parts of the crops were destroyed from the battles earlier. Times were going to get tough it seemed if the nomads the kingdoms ruled over could no longer provide food for the people of the city.

They came to the main gates of Vrondi. The horse would be stopped by the guards if it came close to the stairs. He noticed however that Mason was in a rush and the smell of blood was fuming form him. The Vrondi knights were clad in silver and natural colored armor. One of them approached Mason. "Use the stables for your steed." The stables this one pointed to was only about 50 feet away.

The old woman that sat on the horse stepped off. She looked to Mason with a warm smile and placed her hands over his injured leg. "For your bravery you've earned a proper healing." As if reconstructing his leg he was imbued with a divine light. His entire body was returned to its optimum state. His metabolism burning away even the food he had inside and a steam rising from his body. This took only a moment. She stood back up. "Now may we enter?" She began to lead the way. Entering the main gates after speaking with the guards through mental communication. I, Illia Illumi have returned. Fear not and be at peace. Their minds were flooded with the images of who she truly was and they bowed to her as she walked by. Her attire flaring into a divine light and shifting her form into a younger form.


@Guy0fV4lor

Ami's display was noticed even during the various eye popping colors and lights around the festive area. However hers brought life to form which many foreigners who made the travel here out of their own accord loved to see. She had a small crowd forming from a distance to observe her. As this happened the Seer and Mason would be coming into the streets. The floating woman took the sight of a few people as well. She came down the path and came to a stop. She turned to see Ami sitting by the clean waters with plants freshly spread out around her. As if mere seeds exploded into life in her presence.

You're a child of Vrondi itself. I am pleased to meet you. I am Illia, Seer of all. She ignored the crowd and came close. Her feet coming down slowly to touch the ground. She approached the water and lifted a cup of it from her hands into her mouth. She sighed with pleasure after swallowing. "It truly is a gift you have. Please join me at the castle." She looked at her with a gentle smile. Her dress flowing in the breeze as she stood with folded hands. Awaiting her answer. Their minds as Sol resonated with a communicative sense. Ami could tell she was brimming with joy. "This young knight here will lead us. Won't you?" She asked Mason, glancing at him.

@RumikoOhara@Guy0fV4lor

@Rai@Guy0fV4lor

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Ami had even when she left the safety of her chambers known deep down that she was going to fail but she had to try. She wanted to curse her self control but knew that she was still young and wouldn’t gain the needed ability till she was much older.

As a result she’d made a spectacle of herself and before she could form a plan of retreat from a gathering crowd a Knight and woman whose aura was that of an elder Seraphim and when she said.

You're a child of Vrondi itself. I am pleased to meet you. I am Illia, Seer of all.

Removed any doubt that may have been wished by Ami then when she took a drink of the pure waters saying.

"It truly is a gift you have. Please join me at the castle."

Ami knew she was without any choice in the presence of her elder and must now return to her sheltered erie their essences and nature blending in the pure light the elder’s joyful and Ami’s embarrassed to be so exposed as they resonated in comunion causing the young Sol female’s wings to erupt as she turned to the Knight who she’d accompanied.

"This young knight here will lead us. Won't you?"

They were now fully exposed making Ami feel naked before all and seemed made of boiling sunlight but gave off only gentle warmth and filled all those around her with a sense of health and wellbeing as her feet drifted from the earth and she hovered.

”I am Ami el Asari my kai filled with joy to meet you Illia, Seer of All and I will accompany you to the Castle” giving her name and title as well.

Siiga was confused at this turn of events. Not five minutes ago, the girl and her had been mortal enemies. Now? Now she was tending her wounds, making sure she was okay. It was... It was something else. She could tell if they were naive, sweet, idiotic or if she was just that good a kisser, but hey, she wasn't going to knock it back. Anything that meant she wasn't hetting murdered was a goof thing in her eyes.

Still, she wished it didnt hurt as much as it did. Asking a bit much, considering she's just come off the cusp of death, but come on, that was a whole twelve seconds ago! Surely she should be able to recover from that!

Then again, just getting to her feet was a chore. She coughed and wobbled unsteadily, reachong an arm out to Connie for balance. Seems she was more woumded than she thought...

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Her mind raced with the anticipation of finally being freed from the extremely cramped confines of the solid oak wine cask, a place she’d been essentially smuggled in for the better part of a few hours. It hadn’t been her first choice, but then again, free choice was rarely given within her family, and considering the dire situation -quite literally life or death- Czigani chose whatever methods her mother decided on in such a small window of time. Inconspicuous? Absolutely. As your typical Fotian royal would rather die a horrible death than be caught hiding themselves away in a filthy, dank barrel that held aged liquor and who knows what else...but then again, the young girl was far from a typical Fotian. But one thing was for certain; she had a lot to be thankful for, and she owed her mother a great debt of gratitude for putting her own life at stake for such a treasonous act. Czi only hoped to one day be there to repay her when she mosted needed it...

“Thank you Mother.” Were the only words uttered as she emerged from the barrel, a bit of strain in her otherwise soft voice. “...for everything. I will never forget you...”

Stretching her sore limbs, not only from the small space, but from the violent duel she had still been recovering from a few nights earlier, she stepped out and onto the cool floor of the wine cellar before covering herself with the clothing given. Czigani couldn’t help but smirk slightly at the garment, that even though it was necessary for this time, flowing ornate robes was just not her thing, not like her mother anyway. Although, it did help to cover what she’d been wearing since she escaped Fotia, which was her black leather leggings and boots from her armor set, and a black braided-leather top covering her petite breasts, and a strap that criss-crossed in the front. Her lean, muscular arms, shoulders, and torso were exposed, as was customary for many Fotian female warrior types, and as she slipped the hood over her head, she was glad that it cleared enough to hide her horns.

As her mother’s words drifted after a brief hug, she spirited away back to the party, leaving her daughter with the choice of a new identity, and hopefully a new life in a strange land. Of course first, she had to get the hell out of the cellar, even as her stomach gurgled to remind her that she needed to eat…

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The main floor where the party was being held was bustling, and it seemed more people were coming in as the minutes rolled on. Czigani allowed the lovely smells permeating from the kitchen as well as the banquet table to assault her senses, the myriad of foods from all over turning her stomach against her as a slight hunger pain surged before passing. She kept closer to the walls as she casually walked a long, keeping the hood dangling just above her eyes enough to see where she was going, but not looking too obvious that she actually had something of significance to hide. However, the likelyhood of the girl running into a guest who would know her true identity was not all that great, but she still had to practice caution until she was clear of the castle. Czigani, made her way toward one of the side tables which held a wide array of delicacies, many of which she recognized as favorites within her own realm back on Fotia. Without trying to look too much like a starving warthog, the girl quickly shoved a few small pastries, rolled meats and cheeses, as well as a large roasted leg of something, which had the most wonderful smokey taste. Lastly, she poured herself a tall gold and silver stein, filling it nearly to the top, of a rich, fruity cider that she hadn’t had in ages, the warm liquor running smoothly down her gullet.

“You know the food isn’t going anywhere, right?”

The voice startled her, as she peaked past the brim of her hood and noticed one of the guests looking over at her with a smirk as he filled a small metallic plate of various items. Feeling a bit awkward as it was, Czi smiled and nodded while still trying to swallow the mouthful of meat, and casually strolled away to another part of the room.

Mason Drake

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@RumikoOhara@Rai
As the guards instructed Mason to bring Lulu to the stables, he was stopped by the old woman.

"For your bravery you've earned a proper healing."

As a divine light left the woman's hand, steam began to rise off of Mason's body, staring at his leg, he felt everything reform, connect, and slide back into place. Though this was healing like he had never seen before, it almost felt...... normal. He quickly rushed Lulu over to the stable, "You did good today girl, get some rest, you deserve it." he said, giving the faithful steed a light pat on the neck before sprinting back over to the gate.

"Now may we enter?"

As Mason followed the Old Woman, he stopped in front of one of the guards, "My companions should not be long behind me. Their names are Constance and Dremmick, please see to it that they are directed straight to the castle." he said before continuing into the city. Seemingly without warning, a divine light surrounded the Old Woman before him, transforming her into a beautiful young woman. Mason was shocked, was this appearance an illusion? Was the appearance before an illusion? A million possibilities ran through the young seraph's head, his trance only broken by the woman once more speaking to him, "This young knight here will lead us. Won't you?"

"um... wh- Why yes! Of course milady! Mason said, shaking his head as he marched forward toward the castle.