A deep, guttural, feral roar erupts from Gaul’s throat, not unlike the roar that echoes from the dire polar bear that stands beside him. Man and beast slam full force into the corpse Titan, clawing and slashing at the tangle of bone and flesh. Gaul jumps back and away from the colossus, then directly up into the air. He swings his axe with all of the strength in his raging body, and spins like a saw blade as he comes down directly on top of the abomination. Blood and viscera tear away from Ghuul and splatter the entire mountain with gore.

Razz

Kneeling down too make my face level with hers I furrow my brow. "What did he look like little one? Ive never seen the father without his mask. Did he say anything else? '

Blackout
Father's Prison
Nel shakes her head.
"No that's all he said." Pondering a moment she recalls her hazy dream. "He has longer hair. To his shoulders at least. He wasn't as dark as me but he was brown. And he seemed confident. No that's not right. He was arrogant. Everything he did, even the way he walked, was done with snide coincidence."

Lexianna

There's been a change with the ship. They're done loading. "It sounds like your Admiral is the kind of man I'd like to get to know. Hold that thought for a moment please. If you'll excuse me, I'll be right back." I vanish from the ship.

When I reappear to the pirates, the Command Sphere rests in my hand.

The Major and his Mystic Knights sleep soundly. They were suddenly overcome with exhaustion that I pushed into their limbs. When they wake they'll find themselves on the sandy shore. I'm sure they'll be confused and disoriented but I couldn't very well leave them on the ship with the troops. The troops, now have the order to regroup with the Sun Cloaks. I was going to update Karnariel but when I reached out to his mind it was in the deep black void state that often indicates dreamless slumber brought on by pure exhaustion. I'll let him sleep a little longer.

"The gold is yours to keep. As I said before I'll be taking the Sphere. However, I would very much like to set up a meeting with your Admiral." I motion to his arm with my free hand. "If I may?" I gently lift his arm out to the side then snap. A parrot dives down and lands on his outstretched arm. The bird squawks loudly right at Sea Wolf's face before shimmying up to his shoulder to perch. "This bird will give your Admiral a message from me. Please see him delivered safely." The bird nods its head twice before turning its head to squawk in Sea Wolf's face again. I smile. "I think he likes you. I don't know how it is on this world but a pirate is hardly complete without his parrot companion in my experience. Now, it's been a pleasure gentlemen. Until we meet again." I wave goodbye before vanishing.

When I arrive at the Rebel Camp I can feel Karnariel's energy again. I breeze in and present Karnariel with the Sphere. "Now I believe I left you in charge of a certain infant. I'll take the child and you take the Sphere. Also, quite a lot happened with a certain pirate group led by an Admiral Ghat. I think we ought to speak about that..."

The First Lotus-Blackout 482,004,911

Inwardly, I flinch when he introduces me as his wife. Everything the current Lotus ever wanted. I still consider him my oldest friend, turned rival, turned ex-friend when he killed me. It wouldn't be an understatement to say I hold a grudge. Not to mention he's the reason Lilianna has been robbed of her childhood.

From the corner of my eye I see her watching me intently. My face is completely composed though. I give nothing away. The child sees too much. Her eyes miss nothing. If she focuses. If she really looks. No. She turns away.

All this is still new to her. Unfortunately it's much of the same for me. I ignore the man who spoke before, that is until I see the pain written across his soul. Lilianna is in his mind, commanding him to kneel. I stop her with a look.

"There's plenty more work to do. Don't lose sight of the real objective." I speak into her mind as I grasp the knife in Zaakilio's back. I'm all too pleased to remove it for him. I rip the knife free. To his credit, he only slightly winces. I put my lips to his ear, "Leave the children alone. They're frightened enough."

Twirling the knife in a single hand, I make my way towards the hut. I've met many witches in my lives. Only two were actual witches intent on killing me where I stood for what I am. They were dead before they could scream. The others were cases of mistaken identity. I've even been accused of being a witch before. Let's see if this one and I have anything in common.

Razz

"That is strange...you said he knew me? I dont really like the sound of that." Walking as far as my chains will let me i test how well there bolted too the wall with no luck. "Little one? is there any way we can get out of these? Im sick of waiting around for whatever it is the Father wants us for." Rip your arm off. It will grow back if you wait long enough and we cant bleed out. Or take her light again and try harder. FIGHT HARDER AZREAL!! You shut up Black Thorn. Smashing our way out of this obviously isnt working. Turning back too Nell i sit back against the wall. "Have you seen the man before? The one in your dream i mean."

Blackout
Mountain Fort
Ghuul howls with joy as his Meat Golem is eviscerated. As soon as the muscle and sinew are cut away more replaces it. For the briefest of moments a cage of thick bones can be seen protecting Ghuul. Mouths rip open along it's back as it slams its fists into the ground. Then a cacophony of tormented wails fill the air. Ghuul channels pure horror and abject fear through the wailing mouths. The sound reverberates inescapably throughout the mountain and causes all who hear it to become paralyzed with unfathomable terror.

The Bloodstones inside Blaze and Flame pulse softly as they resist the howling. The women however are stricken with absolute terror. So much so they forget to breath. The goats stiffen and faint, collapsing on their sides.

Deeper in the mountain at the bottom of the deepest cavern filled with blood a voice still whispers.
"Partake. O Seeker Mine." The words reach and pierce deep into Flame who is closest. Her blood stone writhes in her veins.

Blackout
Rebel Camp
Karnariel, half naked and surprised by Lexianna, stumbles and falls over. He has countless scars. Some of which are from terrible injuries. He quickly redresses and takes the Sphere.
"Haven't you heard of knocking." He mutters as he approaches. "That was quick. Though, I suppose I shouldn't be surprised." Karnariel sighs. "When the Sun Cloaks have the Marines situated they'll march for Shadowhold. I've sent a letter to Shadow informing him of such. We've decided that it is the best place to meet."

Karnariel takes a deep breath. He cuts Lexianna a glance filled with uncertainty.
"As for the kid..." He starts to explain. "It's best if he tells you himself." As Karnariel finishes a young umber skinned and silver tressed child steps into the tent.
"Hello Lexianna. We have much to discuss."

South Point Ocean
Sea Wolf tries several times to interupt Lexianna but to no avail. She gives him a parrot and vanishes. He sighs heavily.
"Alright lads, we have a bird to deliver." With command of the weather again he turns the winds back to West Point Cove.

The Father's Prison
Nel thinks for a moment. She rocks her foot back and forth while she does.
"No, I almost mistook him for Father but he's different." Nel explains. She stands up and takes hold of Razz's shackle chains. Giving as hard a pull she her tiny frame can manage she tries to yank the chain out of the wall. When it doesn't work she pouts. "I don't think these will break."

She sits on the floor. Looking across the hall at Nevermore.
"We were made from the blood and bones of the Nevermore's siblings. But the siblings aren't from Karna. Father brought them from his home way far away. I'm not sure how it works, exactly. But Father has said that he was impure. He said that he saw the truth and it made him pure. Made him whole."

Lexianna

I had a carefully constructed list of things needing to be discussed with Karnariel. All of it dies when I see the child. This shouldn't surprise me. When I held him last, I could feel in his genetic code he was due for a growth spurt. I just didn't expect it to be seven years worth. He's no longer an infant and I feel an unexpected sadness about this loss.

I didn't get to experience this age with Lilianna. Toddler to Teen, I missed the in between. So did her father but she'd argue it was his fault to begin with. In reality it's on us both.

I smile gently,"Well hello there Jaylen." I scoot over to make room for him to sit. "What is it that you have for me?" I cast an uncertain look to Karnariel before settling on the child again.

Blackout
Rebel Camp
Karnariel returns Lexianna's uncertain expression. Jaylen sets himself at the table where thre map is.
"First, I want to thank you for recusing me. Even though you foolishly fell for an obvious trap. I'd have been left there to die otherwise. You have my deepest gratitude." Jaylen produces a small pastry he found in camp and takes a bite. "Secondly, this place was designed to trap people such as yourself. Paracausal beings of reality. Easy to get in. No way to get out." Jaylen stops. "Well, that's not exactly true. There is one way out. If you seize control of this subdued reality and negate the "rules" put in place. But doing that is a daunting task. The Lords hold the keys to the Realm where the False One watches. And only all six unison can open the way."

Jaylen is quiet for a moment.
"Lastly, there is the matter of the hands. He's made them using blood. Demons blood and blood of a person whom he calls the Messiah. I don't know much about this Messiah but he's a wound in reality. His very existence seeps darkness. " Jaylen sighs. "I'll answer whatever questions you have to the best of my ability."

Lexianna

While he’s talking I hold his hand, I also fuss over his hair, and dust crumbs off his mouth. A fierce protectiveness flares in me; as a large part of me is fixated on the fact that he would have been left to die. This dear child? Not on my watch.

My hand stills for a moment when he mentions the Hands’ creation. I know my eyes burn golden now as a thread of heat winds its way through my heart. Anger at the blasphemy in our enemy’s sanctity.

“Sanctimonious bigotry suits no one.” I speak softly but with firmness. “I have many questions as I’m sure Kar does as well.” I spare a small smile for the man before turning my attention back to Jaylen. “I’m going to start with possibly the most obvious. How do you know all this?” Several questions are lined up in my mind. I strongly dislike having a child at the core of our questioning. Worry also nestles against my heart. Absentmindedly, I run my fingers through Jaylen’s hair while I think.

Blaze

This is ridiculous. I really don't have time for this. I need to get this group out and then find my sister and Gaul and drag them out as well. There's a heavy sent of too much blood. The too eerily silence that was just now interrupted. And a serious sense of dread growing within me. First things first, stop the paralysis. I take out my tablet and start scanning. Definitely the howl that's doing it. With enough time I could negate it entirely but time is one thing I do not have.

Taking the sample I got from this recent scan, I reverse it. Then I adjust the output, maxing out every pitch. Finally I pulse the sound matching the tempo to the undercurrent of the roar. It won't negate the sound but it should counteract it by scrambling the frequency. I set the soundwave to loop and start flipping the goats in my way back upright. "Alright hang tight just a sec."

Using dark energy, I construct a slide from here to the ship. "Watch for my signal and then follow me down." I turn myself back into a small cat-sized fox and I slide down bumping right into a leg. Alright time to turn on the cute. I curl my tail around me, raise one paw, and tilt me head. "Hey there, mind helping a fox and his friends out?"

Frenzied Flame
The spirit won't be satiated much longer. With all of the enemies underneath having breathed their last, there's nothing to distract from what can be sensed but not controlled. Flame stands before the bubbling, boiling mass of blood. She can feel it but it will not bend to her will. The need for control burns.

Between the sound of his heart jackhammering his eardrums and the howling rage whirling in his brain, Gaul can barely hear the racket that this mountain of dead flesh is emitting. It is, however, enough to slow his movement by a fraction, which just serves to piss him off more.

He jumps backwards, placing about twenty feet of distance between them, and slashes downward with all of the force he can muster. A razor-sharp sheet of ice instantaneously erupts in front of him, fifteen feet tall and forty feet long, dividing the titan in half vertically. Gaul swings again, and does the same in a 180 degree horizontal arc that shatters the first sheet into shrapnel-like shards of ice that explode in a wide cone for about one hundred and fifty feet, shredding every inch of the monstrosity and sending chunks of flesh and viscera flying all over the mountain. When the red mist clears, it’s clear that both man and monster have been reduced to nothing but a massive crimson stain on the face of the planet.

Blackout
Rebel Camp
Jaylen let's Lexianna fuss over him with a mildly annoyed expression. When she asks her question. He smiles.
"He has run out of raw materials. So to compensate he used his own blood in the mixture. The instability of the mix means I can't use the light or my demon blood. But I have certain knowledge regarding this stolen world. Such as, I know what happened to the one called Poe."

Mountain Fort
Ghuul is paste. The surviving Bloodmen who had been watching begin to charge but stop short when a scrawny and frail member blows a horn. The Scrawny Man approaches slowly. He reaches down careful not to move too fast. When he stands he has a wriggling spinal cord which he holds out to Gaul.
"Kill him. Fire work. You earn." The Scrawny Man says as he ignites a small torch. "Am Ratguts. Bloodmen Shaman. Not fighter." Ratguts says and shuffles away. The Bloodmen resume their battle ready stance but don't rush. Instead they seem to be waiting.

Caverns
Something deep in the lowest submerged cavern calls to Flame.
"We are born of the blood. Made strong by the blood. Do not fear us, oh seeker mine. Come, claim us." Deep beneath the surface a ringing whisper calls and ther image of a hexagonal ruby beckons.

Pirate Cruiser
The pirate looks down at the fox and blinks a few times. He rubs his eyes and looks closer. Then proceeds to toss his flask over the edge of the ship.
"Sure thing little pup. What do you need?" The pirate says not believing any of what's happening. The rest of the crew stare is just as much awe but the Pirate doesn't notice. Just then a crow flies up and lands on his shoulder.
"Smough." The crow says.
"What?" Smough complains aat the crow.
"Bird." The crow says.
"Yes I know you're a bird. I'm trying to handle my drunk hallucination." Smough says. The bird looks at Blaze then back at Smough. Smough realizes Blaze isn't a hallucination. His eyes go wide as Lexianna's parrot lands on his shoulder.
"Bird." The crow says again.

Lexianna

I produce an orange and carefully start peeling the rind. My hands still for just a moment as I take in what he said.

I catch Karnariel's gaze again over Jaylen's small head. I wasn’t sure how he ended up getting Shadow to meet considering we didn’t have any information on Poe. The point seems moot now but I am curious nonetheless. Poe was a person of interest.

“Well let’s hear it then. Tell us about Poe.” I halve the orange and set the two pieces in front of Jaylen. He can’t very well be eating pastries all the time. He’s young and needs Vitamin C.

Frenzied Flame

Something beckons to be claimed. The Fox Spirit, fueled by blood, is all too eager to oblige. It rushes out, retrieving the item. The mountain shudders.

Blaze

He asks what I need. That's all the invitation I was looking for whether he realizes I'm real or not. I transform back just as I reach the slide and motion my ladies down. "Girls and goats on the boat!"

Just as the last of my charges slide down I feel a sonic pulse emanate out seconds before a sharp crack slices through the chaos that has been. I whip my head up and notice a large fissure snaking its way up the mountain. A monstrous howl echoes out and then a massive clawed paw swipes at the top of the mountain. The entire overhead ledge shifts to the opposite side and crumbles in huge boulders that begin rolling down the opposite incline.
The top of the mountain reshaped and ultimately destroyed in a blink. I see the paw come down closed fist in a direct punch.

I don't stop to gawk. I'm already running back up to the entrance as I pop my headset in. "Scarlet talk to me baby. Where is she?" The AI that runs most of my devices links in to my tablet at once and reads what I need for me.

"Master. It seems the Princess Flame is unconscious in the cavern." A slender attachment to the headset slides out with a specialized lens. Through it I can see a holographic layout of the entire structure. Scarlet highlights the route I need to take.

Without hesitation I throw a massive shot of dark energy through the first wall. We're making our own route. The mountain shakes again. I've coated myself with an arcane energy shield and huge chunks of rock come crashing down around me. I side step around debris and blast my way through. "Send a message to Gaul for me to get his ass in gear. Assuming he's alive."

A nanobot shoots off to relay the following to Gaul: Targets retrieved, rendezvous on pirate ships at mountain base, water side."

Finally, I spot my sister sprawled out on the floor with a huge ruby clutched in a death grip. "Scarlet start the countdown for the end of the Phantom Spirit's rampage."

"Master the state should last for approximately 10 more seconds. 9, 8..." I'm flying through the tunnels, my sister in my arms. When I reach the ledge again, I jump for it as the countdown comes to a close and another sonic boom blows another section of the mountain to bits.

Blackout
Rebel camp
Jaylen picks up a slice of orange and pops it in his mouth.
"Poe is in the Soul Void of Lord Admiral. After landing a fatal blow a door to the Admiral's Soul Void, the personal dimension where their true body resides, opened and Poe managed to invade this realm. And I can only assume he was successful in finishing Lord Admiral."

Karnariel speaks up.
"Then where is Poe? Why hasn't he returned?"
"I am not sure. There are three possibilities. One, Poe defeated the lord and was trapped in his Soul Void. Two, Poe and the Lord killed each other. Three, Poe was captured by The False One. The Father."

Father's Prison Cell
Nevermore stirs. She groans in pain and spits dried blood onto the floor. Her eyes are filled with dried blood as well. She slowly shifts and sits up against the wall.
"You still there Razz?" Nevermore calls out. The dried blood is like knives in her skull so she keeps them shut. Her voice is raspy and weary.
"He's still here." Nel answers.
"You too?" Nevermore is surprised to hear Nel. "I don't suppose you have the keys."
"No." Nel answers.
"Razz, any ideas?"

Mountain Fort Cove
Smough has his men throw a wide net to catch Blaze and Flame. The nets lower them safely down to the deck. Smough looks up at the ruined mountain.
"The two of you took the Mountain? That's a story I'd like to hear." The ship doctor is busy administering sedatives to the women so Smough himself begins to check Flame. Smough stops though turns to Blaze. "May I?" The fleet begins to set sail.

Blaze

The captain has begun a cursory inspection of Flame as I hold her protectively in my arms. I’ve taken out my earpiece so I can focus my hearing on her vitals. I can hear the blood rushing through her veins but her heart is beating faintly and getting fainter. The even more troubling thing is, she’s not breathing.

I nod quickly to the captain. I can’t think straight so I’m in no condition to try and tend to Flame. I release my death grip on my sister and instead lay her flat on the deck so the captain can get a good look at her. I pace, biting on one fingernail thinking about the millions I would kill to save my kid sister. Along with the worry though is also a nagging sense of betrayal. She didn’t tell me about the Phantom Spirit. We’re going to have a serious discussion when she wakes up. Please wake up Flame cycles endlessly through my brain.

Blackout
Smough's Flagship
Smough goes through the routine checks. He checks her from head to toe with an emphasis on her head and upper torso without so much as a second thought for the blood. He seems calm and focused. Like he's done this before a thousand times. He muses for only a moment.
"I should be able to resuscitate her. Assuming this is physical. She's suffering from extreme exhaustion." Smough opens her blazer and begins CPR. "Come on. Stay with me sweetheart. I'm not losing you today." Smough says between breaths. Flame doesn't stabilize and Smough curses. He rummages through a doctors bag and comes out with a bag of liquid nutrients.

"There is only one god I pray to. The god of death. You know what I say?" Smough says as he sets the IV. A young pirate holds the bag up while Smough produces two syringes. He fills each with a different medicine and takes a deep breath. "Not today." Stabbing the larger of the two directly into her chest he presses down on the plunger injecting adrenaline directly into her heart. In the same fluid motion and with surgical precision he gives her another shot of mild sedative to relax her body.

Blackout 482,004,911
There is a rustling. A shuffle of many feet from within the cottage. A young woman, no older than 19, steps out from the cabin. She is absolutely terrified. Her heart hammers in her chest.
"I've nothing for you. I am no witch. Just a woman who wants to tend to these orphans. If you leave now that'll be the end of it." She proclaims. In her hands is a gnarled and knotted staff. Aside from the branch she looks like a normal village girl. Then it happens. The feeling. Reality shakes as Umbra swells and rises from within her. She clutches the staff in both hands and stares them down.

Gaul has no sooner finished burning the spinal cord with the torch when the Mountain explodes, a giant paw reaching to the sky and crashing down upon the stone. He curses vehemently and poetically in the language of the Aesir, and prepares to fight once again.

Suddenly, a disembodied robotic voice cuts through the destruction. Targets retrieved, rendezvous on pirate ships at mountain base, water side. Blaze. Gaul takes a two-step running start, and leaps up and over the entire mountain.

Everything but his head covered in blood, and shaking from adrenaline loss, Gaul lands on the rocky shoreline next to the ship his companions are on. He calmly walks onboard, sits against the railing next to the foxes and the strange pirate doctor, and says simply,”Sorry I’m late.”

Flame

"Goddammit Gaul! That better be enemy blood. I can't take anymore critically injured in my personal space." I hear as if through water. The voice is clearly my brother's.

I launch bolt-upright dragging in a wheezing breath. I latch on to the figure in front of me and cling for dear life. I turn my head slightly into their shoulder and cough great,racking coughs. My vision swims so I keep my eyes shut. Once I'm breathing normal again, I decide to chance a peek. The face I see is not the one I expect.

Green eyes greet me, but not a dark forest green like mine. His are a shade lighter. Blonde hair, stubble along the jaw and I read kindness mixed with focus in his eyes. Is this man a doctor?

I haven't the slightest clue about our surroundings so I scan the area over the strange man's shoulder. A list of things dawn on me at once. One, we're on a ship. Two, the men look like pirates. My eyes widen at the possibility. Are we on a pirate ship? I look up at the stranger with child-like awe, "Are...are you a pirate doctor?"

"You'll have to forgive my sister, Captain. She's been in love with pirates since she was old enough to say the word." My brother's voice comes out slightly raspy and strained. When I turn to look, his head is cradled in his hands like he's trying very hard to compose himself.

It was so long ago but I remember to this day when I'd point to the bookshelves in Mother's study demanding pirates. Although it came out sounding more like pie-reet. Blaze called the man Captain. As the ancestors live and breathe...am I looking at a pirate Captain!?