"We're approaching the camping site by the body of water. Get ready to settle down for some time, get the napping cots and snacks out."

Garrett called to the team, almost about time for them to unpack some of their burdens and relax by the water. Perfect place for a swim, an even more perfect area to defend, if, say, a band of robbers were to approach them, they figuratively had the high-ground in the fight.

He dismounted Acrid and began to guide her with her reins, as a signal to slow the pace of the rest of the group. Ah wouldn't it be nice to relax in the open air for once.

"Take a dip if you want, too."

With little else to look at in this land of Gaia Algimar found the change of scene appealing. The stones were eroded from hundreds, maybe thousands of years. Purified waters running from ocean to river to the people who drink it. Yes Gaian water must be some of the richest in this world. Algimar walked to the running rivers edge. Knelt down and ran his hands through it. Cool to the touch but bearable due to the warmth of the sun. Though the cloudiness of Gaia made it a touch too cold to swim in without acclimation. He brought the water to his lips and began to drink slowly but deeply. He seemed to enjoy the water enough to remain there, drinking, for much of the start of everyone's arrival.

Finally awake, Aste proceeded to speak her thoughts about Nailah's question about teaching Lynn self defense.

"Although it would be late for her to learn if she was aiming to be a master, I don't think she is too old to learn just enough to defend herself. After all... I don't think she is the type of girl who is interested in martial arts or fighting in general... In fact, I'm worried if she would even want to learn how to defend herself." Nailah said with a chuckle. Everyone knew how innocent and naive Lynn was. She was a good girl with a good heart and genuinely seemed to dislike violence.

"Even if it's a bit late, I'm sure she could learn one thing or two to help her in emergencies. Enough to buy her some time to flee." she continued, thinking about it.

Allard too had a few valuable advices to give, as he suggested that making her learn how to wield a sword wouldn't fit her at all. Indeed, just as he said, the staff would fit her well, not only because she was already somewhat used to having one nearby her, but because it wasn't as lethal as a sword.

As he continued to talk about ways that Lynn could wield her staff, Nailah couldn't help but to notice he was getting just a bit overexcited talking about fighting, making her giggle.

"I wouldn't go as far, though." she said, laughing.

"But indeed she could use it with a frightening efficiency if she practiced enough." She continued.
"Anyways... It's not a lethal weapon too, so she wouldn't have as much resistance to learn as she would with a sword or something with a blade!" Nailah continued, agreeing with Allard.

"Plus with her magic and the way she controls her staff, it could be really effective." She continued, thinking about what Allard said.

After some time, they finally arrived on the river it was mentioned before the trip began. Some time to rest would be welcome. Not only that but being able to take a dip into the river and relax a bit would be really nice.
"Finally! It will be nice to stretch myself a bit and relax in the river. You're welcome to join me too if you want, Allard" Nailah said with a playful wink to him, as she stretched herself and started walking towards the river.

"Lynn, you said you wanted to swim too, right? I'm waiting for you there!" Nailah said as she passed nearby the Lassa girl with a playful wink.

Having arrived on the river, she was surprised to meet Algimar on the river's edge, appreciating the scenery and drinking a bit from the pure, crystalline waters. He seemed to be genuinely enjoying himself as he did so.

With a mischievous smirk on her face, she approached the man, stopping just besides him right next to the river and starting to undress herself before going in. Even though she was right besides Algimar, she did so almost if it was the most normal thing in the world.

"I heard that water from Gaian rivers are wonderful for a woman's skin due to the minerals. I'm sure it must be quite refreshing too!" Nailah said, after taking off the clothes she used to cover her breasts.

"Ooh~ And the temperature is just right too!" she said in a happy surprise, after finishing undressing herself and dipping the tip of one of her feet inside of the river before slowly getting on the water. Not before giving Algimar quite a good time to look at her naked body, glistening with sweat due to the trip.

After she got inside, she leaned forward in a slightly suggestive manner, using her hands to drink some water. Not surprisingly, that gave Algimar quite the sight from her behind.

"No wonder you were so satisfied drinking it! Would you like to join me?" she said, looking over her shoulder with a mischievous smile to the man.
Tali strode over to the river without a single bit of hesitation. Water was a welcome change of pace. She stripped off almost all of her clothing, leaving just her bikini-like garments to not make some of her more conservative companions uncomfortable. Seeing Nailah naked again was quite enjoyable, so Tali made sure to brush against the woman as she passed. "Always up for a nice show, eh Nailah?"

She waded in until she could do a full dive, smoothly transitioning into a dive and beginning her swim. She glanced over towards Lynn as she felt the rather cold water. "Lynn, want to join me? If you get cold, just stick close! I'll keep you nice and warm."

Gaston found a comfy rock to sun himself on, positioning himself to watch over the group and the horizon. Anyone not used to his behavior would find his lack of attention seeking strange, but he knew that this situation might threaten his owner's secret, so he kept a very close eye on her.

Itzel found a place to sit by the river. She did not wade in nor even strip off a single article of clothing. If anything, she seemed a bit self-conscious and wrapped her wings around her body, hiding all but her head in shining rainbow wings.

Dremmick was already there at at the river when the others arrived. in fact, he had just enough time to bathe himself prior to their arrival. WHen the group arrived, Dremmick was siting by the bank and leaning against a tree with his eyes closed, but he listened for their arrival. He let out a soft sigh as he opened his eyes and looked over to the group. Algamar, not to far from where he was, seemed to be getting a drink from the water while a few of the girls....made themselves more comfortable and went for a swim. When he saw Tali, he had the notion to talk to her about her servitor, but it seemed as though she was busy and he figured it could wait till later. After a while of riding, scouting, and staying on guard, it was nice to relax a little. Though he still didn't feel like he should totally let his guard down, after all, they were still traveling, so anything technically could show up, and he was fairly skeptical of their most recent addition to the group still.
---
Allard nodded to Nailah as she headed towards the river, "I'd love ta go for a swim, can't say I had in quite some time, gotta make sure I don't sink like a rock," he joked. "I'll be over there shortly, just want ta check on tha egg." Allard met up with the servitor, who still seemed to be carrying the egg around. The egg seemed to shift every now and then, though nothing more. "Seems like it doesn't have that much longer till it hatches. Could be any time this week really. Anyway, I thank you for watching it thus far." he said to the servitor. After that, he decided to head to the river.
---
Shye was quiet for most the rest of the trip. She wasn't sure what to say or do, to her there was this awkward air around her. Here she was in the middle of a group of people, which she has never done before, and she wasn't sure how to start a conversation, much less keep one going. She never really conversed with anyone before. She was always encouraged to be seen and not heard growing up, and then she wasn't able to talk at all for the last few years until just recently. The sudden placement into a more sociable position was still a bit daunting to her. She got off of Gaston and gave him one last pet before he made his way to a rock to sun on. Nix was still fast asleep in the downy comfort of Gaston's feathers, purring peacefully. Shye went to the river with the others, since it seemed most were headed there anyway, and found a place to the side to sit. She took off her greaves and stockings, her pale skin a stark contrast to her surroundings. She rested her feet into the cold yet soothing water of the river, breathing a sigh of relief as she did so. Unlike a few of the other girls, she wasn't too keen on stripping down for a swim around the other men. Well, maybe for- Shye shook her head at an intrusive thought, blushing slightly, though quickly regaining her composure.
---
Lynn was napping on top of her carriage when she heard her name called. Her ears twitched as she slowly sat up and stretched her arms and legs, then arcing her back and tail in another stretch as she yawned. She sat up fully and looked around for a moment as if in a daze before realizing where they were. "OH! We're here! Yay, I'll be right down!" she shouted. Her staff seemed to nimbly scoop her up off the top of the carriage as if it were a part of her. She flew down to the river just in time to miss Nailah's little display and stopped at the edge of the river. She tiptoed to the very edge of the water, inquisitively, her tail flicking about as she curiously inspected it. The look and smell was a lot different from home, and when her tail wrapped forward and dipped into the water, the cold surprised her, goosebumps covering her skin for a moment. "It's a lot colder than I thought it would be...," she noted out loud as her staff rested on the ground. Unlike at the baths Lynn kept her clothes on as she gathered up her courage and finally dove into the water, smoothly and quietly, manipulating the water so she didn't make a big splash. That was all Lynn needed. With a large open water area, Lynn felt quite a bit more free than she did on land. Swimming on her own, even without the help of her water manipulation, she flew through the water, her tail and fins fanning out and pushing her along at high speed. She would rapidly dart by Nailah and Tali, and then when it seemed quiet for a second, Lynn launched out of the water, high into the air. She had bright smile and was laughing the whole time. The sun glistened in all the water that was kicked up from her jumps, and she would land in the water just as smoothly as she had the first time. She was having the time of her life.
---

Allard finally met at the river with the others like he said he would, and he had decided to dress down as well as not to get his clothes wet. He had a heavy loincloth on,one that actually gave him decent coverage as the outer edges of the cloth came about to about half the width of his legs on either side, and his left arm cover on to cover his shadow arm, so he was actually fairly decent despite the lack of other clothes. Allard made his way into the water and relaxed, letting his huge wingspan sprawl out far around him, finally letting them stretch. The water's temperature didn't seem to phase him a bit. "Ah, this is perfect, just what the body needs after a day of travel."

Algimar looked up in confusion as Nailah neared his close vicinity. He briefly saw her undressing. However he looked back to the water. Not averting his eyes to gaze at her. Though her skin was an exotic hue and he was growing curious he declined to act on it. The flowing waters was all he needed to admire. Once Nailah was submerged enough did he gaze distantly at her and take note of what she said. "I believe it is said that the purity of Gaian waters are unmatched. Might want to fill up on as much of it as possible." He said. Whilst taking his own advice and putting down his flask and filling it with the new river water. He put it away on his back left belt behind his cloak. Looking to the sky for a moment he took note of the vastness of it. Not until Talise approached Nailah to join her and a few others did he look at the scene. They swam in the richest of waters now with no enemies in sight and no superiors to tell them what to do. He smiled silently. This alliance group was a bit of a luxury.

Tali got extremely mischievous and decided to test out her new use of her basic spell. She hid behind a rock and quietly hummed a small tune, summoning a monk of force that was far, far less visible due to less force used. She sent the female monk under the water over to Nailah and had the "attack" be a light squeeze on the rear. She thought it was a great success, maybe something that could eventually be used for distraction, though teasing her naked companion was the more fun test.

Dremmick watched with mild interest as the group socialized in the water. Nailah was, well, being Nailah, and Dremmick rose an eyebrow at her display, to which he got a slight twinge at his heart for a moment as if someone had kicked him but with more discomfort than pain. "Yeah, yeah, I get it," he mumbled under his breath to a slightly irked voice inside him. He looked over to the servitor that Tali had brought with her. He studied it for a while, his curiosity piqued. From what little he has seen of it, it seemed to loosely act on its own, even think for itself. He watched to see its movements, how lifelike they were, and if the movements were as smooth as an actual person's would be. He turned back to see Tali in the middle of playing a prank. He wanted to ask her some questions about the servitor, though, he would prefer it if he would be able to catch her while she was alone. He didn't want to ask about it with mixed company.

As Nailah submerged her body in the cold water, a wave of pleasure ran through her body. The temperature was indeed just right. Although she was somewhat annoyed that Algimar didn't react at all to her teasing, she continued simply relaxing an leisurely bathing her body in the water.

Little by little, the rest of the group arrived, starting by Tali, whom Nailah could feel staring her body as she bathed herself, brushing against her body as she passed nearby.

"Beauty is made to be appreciated, isn't it? I'm not ashamed of my own body, besides..." Nailah said, with a mischievous expression to Tali.

"Don't you think it would be cruel to deprive others of such sight?" she continued, with a giggle and a playful wink.

Exactly as Nailah had said to Tali, she simply continued to bathe herself without a care in the world, even as the rest of the group arrived in the river. Some, like Shye and Itzel were obviously embarrassed and a bit self-conscious about their own bodies, but other such as Tali didn't mind it at all.

Following Lynn's comment about the water being cold, Nailah couldn't help herself but to slowly go towards her to pull her inside the water in one go. Before she could do that, Lynn took courage and dove into the water. As it was expected of a Lassa, that was all she needed. It was almost as if Lynn was flying in the water, darting up and down. Her movements inside the water were agile, flexible and graceful. It was the first time Nailah had seen a Lassa swimming in person. She couldn't help but to be amazed at Lynn's display, even as she jumped out of the water.
Nailah let out a gentle and warm smile as she watched Lynn. Her happiness was evident as she continued swimming, laughing and smiling. It was really refreshing to see her happy like that.

Not only Lynn, but Allard also seemed to be satisfied as he got inside the river.

"It's really refreshing, isn't it? The temperature too is just right, nothing like a cold bath to relax." Nailah said, looking to Allard.

It was then that Nailah suddenly felt a gentle squeeze on her behind.

"Hey!" Nailah said, turning around with a mischievous and flirty expression. Instead of being embarrassed, alarmed or jumping in surprise like most people would, her reaction was calm, almost as if she was ready to provoke and tease whoever was responsible for that. Much to her surprise though, when she turned around she didn't anything at all.

While everyone else seemed to relax and started to enjoy themselves in the water, Aeden maintained vigilance. They were in a land strange to him, and it was potentially hostile. He barely flinched as a couple of the group members completely stripped as they entered the water partly because he was focused on threats that could come from around them and partly because of his past experience being a breeder for the Therosi. He would wash himself later when everyone was done having their fun.

As he maintained his watch, Aeden did occasionally pass glances over Shye.

Nyph landed at the edge of the water and settled in the shallows. This was his reward to himself for a good day of scouting. At this point he had completely forgotten his urge to compete with Gaston.

Garrett observed the rest of the alliance as they made themselves known at the riverside. If anything at all it was enough to make him shake his head, either from the nuisance at having all of them around causing a ruckus and making their positions known to anyone in the area, or the sheer fact it was of course, over the top interaction. In some cases, over the bottom.

Guiding acrid by her reins, he'd lead her to the water and leave her there to give her some refreshing Gaia river water. Now that she's distracted with getting her fill of pure liquid, he'd reach into one of the large saddlebags that rested against her flanks, rooting around until he pulled out a set of fabrics, ropes, and metal stakes. The items required to create a tent. He looked along the riverside they decided to enjoy for the perfect spot to place these items; eventually he'd find the perfect plot a small distance away from the water itself, but no real travelling distance at all.

He set the items of the tent down for the moment, then heading to a nearby group of trees, checking himself for anything to use to at least remove one and work on it, no such luck. He returned to Acrid, rooting around in the saddlebags once more to find a hatchet, with the hatched now equipped he'd return to the tree he had his eyes set on. He started to chop at the tree, and after a few hearty cleaves, the tree was prepared to tip. He would help it down with a good bash with his shoulder, before he started to strip the bark and branches from it, this entire debacle would strike fear into the nearby birds, mostly because of the fact he is ruining one of their homes and making so much noise.
After some time he'd make two large pillars of wood, a large amount of 2x4 and 1x2 panels, and little wedges to accompany them as a form of archaically engineered nails to slam into wood pieces to hold them together. It was no small feat, but a knight and a hunter must learn to procure their own arrangements outside of a castle or a city, and quickly. He'd carry these wooden creations back to the plot of land he spotted for his tent. With his hatchet, he'd create two divots in the ground equidistant from each other, in the shape of a tight square, a perfect fit for the two pillars he made. Predictably, he'd place the pillars with a strong set of arms into their divots and kept them there with a good amount of displaced soil.

Now, he had to set the area of the tent's ground, with his hatchet, alongside the power of his now reclawed bloodclaws, he'd rake at the grass around the two pillars, until he created a lovely looking rectangle of fresh Gaian soil, the perfect place to sleep on, well, once dried from the stored heat of the interior of a tent, of course. At the corners of this rectangle, and edges of the midpoint, Garrett would use the hatchet once more after relieving himself of the bloodclaws he oh so loves quite dearly now, returning to the pile of wood he made a set of six smaller pillars, which he would subsequently place and fasten in their respectful divots.

Now came the most relieving part of the construction, the fabric, unrolling the fabrics quickly, he'd take the shorter of the set of fabric, reminiscent of the rectangle he created and threw it over the pillars, adjusting any dropoff until a perceivable roof would be created. This was a gazebo now, not a tent. With the larger of the fabric set, he'd tuck edges under the roof, and thankfully enough there was a length of rope attached to the ends of these fabric pieces to tie together and fasten so as not to let them fall. Garrett did so, until a sagged tent would be created.
The construction was not finished yet however, with great focus and dexterity, Garrett took more lengths of rope, as well as the iron stakes he had set aside previously and began fastening more rope to the end corners and midpoint edges of the tent, to be fastened to a respective stake. After this trip of itself, he'd trace his steps back toward all the stakes he had set in place, using the hatchet as a hardpoint to slam against the tops of the stakes to drive them into the ground. Little by little, stake after stake, Garrett turned the saggy tent into what seemed to be a proper, tight-looking tent fit for living in.

This construction was still not over just yet, Garrett returned to the pile of wood left over, spacing wood out to turn into one-sided palates or barricades or sparse walls, enough to cover the lengthwise areas of the tent, using his now-trusty hatchet, he would take the wooden wedges he had so expertly crafted and slammed them into the spars of the wood, sealing the fate that they would be used as walls. This process wouldn't take long, a few alignments here and there before a loud slam of a wedge into a spar to a wall, and then, presto. With these barricade-like halfwalls, he'd set them against the tent lengthwise, digging the flat bases that made them stand up under the fabric to create what looked like it belonged, wooden halfwalls against the tent side. Eventually it would look like a perfect looking tent. That was all Garrett wanted at the moment.

Garrett stood himself and returned to Acrid and her saddlebags, his bedroll from the top rear of the saddle and heading himself inside the tent, unfurling it and marking a space as his own. He would head back to Acrid one last time to grab the meal Raquel had prepared for him and his journey and went back inside, settling a seat for himself on his bedroll to enjoy what she made for him.

Lynn finally started to calm down a bit, now gently floating around the surface of the water on her back around the others, humming contentedly to herself. Her eyes closed and enjoying the feel of the water, her tail working against the current to keep her next to the group. It seemed to clear her mind of the worries she had on the way down here. It wasn't the ocean, but the large body of water was still soothing. That was soon interrupted however when she heard Nailah call out to something.

Lynn rolled over in the water and looked to Nailah, though she still wasn't entirely comfortable with Nailah's nudity yet again, she wasn't as embarrassed about it as before."Nailah, are you okay?" she asked, he ears fanned out listening to the things around them as best she could and her eyes alert. What could have possibly made her yell out like that?

Shye continued to sit quietly with her feet in the river, watching everyone around the camp. Lynn's swimming, Garrett making a tent, Aeden's glances at her, the last of which she noticed as she was already looking at him and he happened to turn to her, surprising her as she bashfully turned back to the river, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. She then looked at her hands, gauntlets still on and at the ready. She sighed as she started to unbuckle and remove them, setting them next to her along with the greaves. The thought about resting her eyes did cross her mind. The ground she was on was surprisingly fairly comfortable, and she felt like she could sleep as she laid her head down.

Itzel eventually settled down enough to let her tail free. Using the wicked looking stinger, she traced small circles in the adjacent water. She stayed absolutely, almost deathly, silent, preferring to be in her own mind. The group seemed nice enough, but she seriously wondered about cohesion. Most seemed to get along well, but some seemed much less concerned with privacy, which threatened her secret.

After her little prank, Tali sank beneath the surface, swimming as swiftly as Lynn, betraying her very strong Lassa blood. She explored the area for a bit, though she was abruptly stopped by a venturing tiger fish. It caught her by surprise and tore into her forearm with its teeth. Tali reacted angrily, her hand moving with practiced ease to her clothes to draw a hidden diving knife. She stabbed the fish multiple times until it was obviously dead. She surfaced with the fish in one hand, leaving a dark red cloud in the water behind her. She tossed the fish onto the beach and grabbed some spare cloth from her servitor. The whole way, her arm dripped dark green blood along the ground. With a mixture of her unharmed arm and teeth, she dressed the wound after treating the cloth with some antibiotic agents.

Once done with that, she walked back to the fish, glaring at it. "I am going to enjoy cleaning and cooking you." Then, she grabbed her diving knife and began the well practiced process of cleaning her new meal.

Once Lynn was able to see that Nailah was fine, as Nailah didn't seem to be worried by whatever startled her, however, alert as she was, she heard a struggle under the water. Tali surprised Lynn when she randomly arose from the water, her arm bleeding a dark green color. "Tali! Your arm!" she said in a bit of a panic. Her staff came to her in the water quickly and scooped her up as she came out of the water. "Here, I can help, let me see your arm." Despite the bandages and ointment Tali already put on it, Lynn wanted to make sure it was completely healed without any room for infection as fast as possible.

A moment after she felt that strange grope on her behind and the following confusion after she didn't see anyone, she heard Lynn calling her, worried about her reaction.

"Don't worry! I just thought I had felt something in the water." Nailah said with a giggle as she tried to calm Lynn down.

Despite her momentary state of alert, Lynn was calmer than before, apparently she had already spent the excess energy she had stored by swimming.

"It was the first time I saw a Lassa swimming in person! It's quite a spectacle!" Nailah said, praising Lynn.

Talking about Lassa, Tali, who had disappeared under the water finally resurfaced with a big fish on her hands. When Nailah was about to congratulate her for her catch, she saw the angry stare she had towards the fish on her hand and the big wound on her arm, leaving a strange, dark green blood dripping along the ground as she walked.

"Hey! Are you ok?" Nailah asked, looking to Tali. While she was indeed curious about the strange color her blood had, as it was obvious by her stare, she was also worried as the wound on her arm was considerably big, matching the huge teeth the fish she was carrying had.

Almost immediately, Lynn ran towards her to treat her wounds.

"Lucky we have an experienced healer around. That fish really got you, didn't it?" Nailah said, with a chuckle, amused by Tali's comment when she said she would enjoy cleaning and cooking that fish.

Despite her not asking out of education, the unsaid question was as clear as ice in Nailah's cat-like stare as she took quick, discreet glances at Tali's wounded arm.
Walking out of the ox car, Aste walked to the riverside in her glidy steps. A water and glass spear might work very well, but its hard to say when the winter arrives. She washed her face from the cool and bristling river water, but her hands flinched for a moment upon seeing the slight trail of blood from Tailil. A small injury from a bite wasn’t much to worry about, though. The crisp water had washed her fatigue away, and slight drools nonetheless, ...

The mirror like water reflected on her messy hair. Although hidden beneath her linen robes, she hastily combed back into a more presentable form, whilst pulling back the white hood and letting down a long grey hair. Though she had considered it to be messy, her hair had a slight curl, yet it shone elegantly under the bright sun.

Aste tied her hair into her usual braid, as she let her pet Sparrow Valavin out of the cage. Valavin flew along the river. Should there be any of those bandits or even dangerous animals, Valavin has a bird’s eye view on that. But the sight of those bitey fish still made her feel queasy.

Algimar could tell the moment blood drew into the waters surface what was happening. One of them was being attacked. He drew a dagger from under his sleeve and listened into the water. It was a ferocious battle but one was victorious. Rising from the river was Talise who had her assailant in her grasp. He sighed. Luckily it went for one of the more capable fighters. Though given her hue of blood was likely a rare breed. Algimar thought on how unusual this 'Alliance' was. Perhaps they were mostly outsiders being used by the kingdoms. He unfortunately could relate to being an outsider.

The smell of fresh blood did make him feel a bit in need of some. Though Tali's blood did not seem at all delectable. Pure bloods made for the best feeds. That and seraphim. Algimar took a glance to Aeden to make note of his position. But as far as feeding went everyone may have interest. Not only that but the river was an obstacle from their position. From what he saw of the map their decision was mostly based on finding this resource of water to set up a camp. But how would they move forward?

Tali's work was interrupted by Lynn. It was rather welcome and quite adorable to see her all worked up and doting over her injury. She would heal up just fine, but she still took off the bandages to present it to the other Lassa woman. As much as she seemed unperturbed by the wound, Tali's arm looked well chewed and bad enough that short of healing magic, there would be a good few scars from the tearing teeth. It still dripped her blood as she held it up, a sign that without bandages or healing, it would keep bleeding for a long time.

"Lynn, I will live, but if you want to help out, feel free. It's cute that you are all about doting over me." Nailah came over and similarly took an interest in her wound, seeming to be more interested in her blood. Tali gave her a smile. "Yeah, it got me well, nothing fatal. I've had much worse in the sea by my house. I've had to deal with a shark twice my size while spear fishing. Also, my blood is naturally green, so don't worry about any curses or poison or anything. I just bleed green rather than red. I even have a cartilage skeleton rather than bone. Faster healing but easier to break." She gave both women a sultry wink. "It also, by my calculations, makes me thrice as flexible compared to the norm."

"Its caused by chlorocruorin in the blood. Unlike some sea life that use it in their plasma, however, it seems Tali has a type that actually acts efficiently as her blood," Lynn suddenly explained as she concentrated on a form of water that wrapped around Tali's arm and started to glow a faint light blue color. "It's rare, and I honestly have only heard about it at the infirmary and some medical accounts." Lynn looked up to Tali, "Its better to fix a wound as fast as possible, it leaves less room for any infection to set in." Lynn looked down and saw the bleeding cease as the wound closed. Any foreign debris and blood was pushed away by the water, forming its own bubble of waste as not to let it rest on the wound. Once it was all closed up, the water was removed from her arm and cast out with the waste. "There! All better! How does it feel?" Lynn asked, her bright smile returning now that the arm was healed.

Nailah watched both curious regarding Tali's blood and watching Lynn's experienced hands as she treated the big wound on Tali's arm. Just like Tali said, it was indeed cute the way she was worried, but Nailah could also see that Lynn knew very well what she was doing.

"Really? Is it unique to you or maybe your family?" Nailah asked after Tali explained about not only her blood but her anatomy.

"Regarding your bones, there are other Lassas which also have cartilaginous skeletons, right?" Nailah asked, looking to both Lynn and Tali, obviously curious about all that.

When Tali mentioned being flexible though, Nailah couldn't help but to giggle mischievously at the way she looked at her.

"I would enjoy putting that statement to the test..." Nailah said, with a mischievous smirk to Tali.

Lynn's explanation about Tali's blood, differently from Tali's was unexpectedly serious and technical. Answering Nailah's previous questions, she said that it was indeed very rare, as even Lynn herself never saw such thing before, having only heard about it.

After Lynn finished treating Tali's arm, her bright smile immediately returned to her face, much to Nailah's surprise. If she looked at Nailah at that moment, she would find her staring at Lynn with a smile and a surprised expression.

"That was surprising!" Nailah said with a giggle.

"I didn't knew you were so serious about your job, it's almost as if you're another person!" Nailah said, with a gentle smile to Lynn.

Aeden started to turn his attention to Dremmick as he maintained watch. He had a clear idea why most of the group was here, since most of them were representatives sent by each realm. He came to the conclusion that Nailah was here for the hell of it; a reason he did not approve of, but the morale of the group seemed overall greatly improved by her presence.

Aeden approached Dremmick with a serious and thoughtful expression. "Dremmick, right? Aeden." He was fairly sure they hadn't truly been introduced since their first meeting was followed up by Dremmick effectively losing consciousness. "I am curious. For what reason are you with this Alliance? Don't get me wrong, I am by no means insinuating you are untrusted. I am simply curious."

Dremmick raised an eyebrow at Aeden as he walked up to him. Strange. Of all the people who decided to talk to him, it was the one who seemed repulsed the most by him last time he remembered talking with him. "I have never known someone to ever be just 'simply curious', especially when they state it twice." he said, his eyes narrowing slightly for a moment before continuing. "Anyway.... I can't quite say it's too complicated a reason really. I got caught up in one of the Aion's raids in Nero and escaped through one of their portals. I helped in a quest to bring back the seer to keep Mirror off my back and then they wanted to recruit me into their Alliance..... I nearly left them with the damn thing, and to be honest I still feel like I have made the wrong decision."

Dremmick stood quiet there for a moment thinking about how much the curse had spread since he joined, sighing before continuing, "I guess what I'm hoping for is that King Vrondi is as helpful as the seer said he is. I have a few loose ends I need to wrap up, and a wrong or two to right, and having Vrondi's resources at my disposal could prove useful."

Aeden chuckled at Dremmick's comment about his repeating curious. "You're right. I stand corrected. I am very curious." He listened carefully as Dremmick gave a quick history of how he got into the Alliance nodding occasionally. "It makes sense that Mirror would be vigilant in regards to a blood magic user like yourself. I would be as well, except for what I saw of you the first time we met. From what I've seen our entire trip it seems you have no choice but to constantly use it."

Aeden paused as he considered the final part of what Dremmick said. "I hope you are able to right those wrongs. Regret is the greatest killer of men." Aeden was hardly satisfied with the little information he received, but it was enough for him to have an idea of the man that stood before him. Dremmick did not appear to be someone that would respond well if pressed, so Aeden concluded the rest would have to be earned through time.

Dremmick looked to Shye for a moment after Aeden mentioned his first time meeting him. If Dremmick were honest with himself, he was quite guilty of making fast judgments as well. Though its been what has kept him alive, he wondered if all of them were right. It certainly wasn't the case when he went after her. "Sometimes...things don't seem to be as they first appear, hmm? Judging a person on their first appearance is what can keep one safe.... even if it is wrong sometimes."

When Aeden mentioned him senseing his blood magic, Dremmick smirked a bit."So you can sense when it is being used? Interesting...Now that is something a bit complicated. I'll just leave it at this. Healing my body only tends to make certain problems....worse. I'll manage, so you should concentrate on the others if they are injured."

"Oh yes, there are plenty of other Lassa with cartilaginous skeletons. It is just genealogically passed down from your parents like any other trait," Lynn explained. "I got my horn and tail from my father's side of the family, but most of my features from my mother's side of the family, even my Sol blood. Somehow, I got more Sol traits than my mother did, but it is what allows me to heal so efficiently. When Nailah spoke about how serious she was about her job, Lynn looked a little surprised and considered the statement oddly seriously. "W-well, I need to be. I can't afford to mess up or not know enough. Malpractice or lack of knowledge can leave a patient in a worse condition or even dead..... That's why I try to concentrate as much as possible when I heal, it's very important!"
"And ya do a fine job from what I hear, lass!" Allard shouted over to them as he climbed out of the river. "I heard ya gone an took over healin tha people outside tha medical center, even operatin' after ya ran low on yur magic. They even called ya a 'walkin' potion' if I remember correctly. But hear me out, I only tell ya this because I'm concerned for ya lass, as are some of the others. Healin' is a fine art, not ta be taken lightly, however, a healer that can't fight in a small group like this can be a target. If ya can't rightly defend yourself, other people can be hurt protectin' ya. And if you fall, that is a lifeline that is severed. Have ya been taught any way of keepin' yerself safe?" Allard said to her, finally getting around to what has been on some of their minds.
Lynn looked up at Allard, eyes wide that the giant man and her head tilted cutely to the side. "Defending myself? Lynn softly repeated as she looked back down. "I see, you are all worried I may endanger the group if I can't defend myself. That is... reasonable. I know a few things my father taught to me! she said energetically, "It should be able to fend off some foes I think! But....I, uh....never had to use them in actual combat.." she admitted sheepishly at the end.
"Hmmmm, sounds promisin'," Allard said encouragingly, "Maybe you should practice with someone a bit, eh?" Allard responded, then looking over to Nailah, winking to her.
---
Shye noticed the commotion with Tali in the water and stood up, ready to combat a threat, but it was over quickly. Shye had already pulled a flame to her hand from the fire runes in her gauntlets sitting next to her, but when it seemed like everything was fine and being handled, the flame dissipated. She looked down to her feet and noticed that they were now dirty from being wet and standing in the dirt. He eyes narrowed ever so slightly at this.

Daintily, she crouched down to pick up her things and she walked over to the tent and campsite Garrett had put together, smiling warmly to Aeden as she passed by. "I will see if I can rest in the tent Sir Garrett placed. If so, I will be in there if anyone is in need of me." Before entering, she bathed her feet in fire, burning away any debris, effectively cleaning them off, and walked in. She saw that Garrett was already inside, not surprising as he did set the tent up. She wasn't altogether sure what to think of Garrett overall. She had no reason to hate the man, and didn't resent him like it seemed some of the others did, though the nagging thought of his plan going awry still forced its way into her head. She knew it wasn't really his fault, how could he ad known that would be the outcome? And after all was said and done, her son was still safe and she was as close to freedom as she had ever been.

She gave Garrett a small formal bow, holding her belongings close to her chest, "Pardon my intrusion, Sir Garrett, but..., would It be alright If I used this shelter for tonight? I know I'm not an official member of your Alliance quite yet, and if you preferred I stayed outside, I would understand." she asked

Nailah was surprised by Lynn explanation. Surely having a cartilaginous skelleton would make one much more flexible... It surely could lead to interesting situations. Nailah couldn't help but to send Tali a mischievous look after Lynn mentioned that. Even though she didn't say a word, the message on her eyes and expression was clear. She wouldn't forget Tali's comment about being flexible.

"Despite you being a cute, innocent and adorable girl, I can see you are very serious and responsible when the situation requires you to be so." Nailah said, with a warm smile as she gently caressed Lynn's head. This time, it was clear both to Lynn and to others looking that Nailah was praising her not as a cute, naive little girl or her 'little sister', but as a woman and a professional healer.

"Indeed she is." Nailah replied as she heard Allard shouting, as he climbed out of the river.

"What about you? Any unfortunate encounter with a bloodthirsty fish?" Nailah asked with a giggle.

"Lynn might be busy but I wouldn't mind taking care of you." She finished with a discreet wink and a flirty smirk. At that point, Allard would already be accustomed with Nailah's flirting and regular provocations.
"Oh! That's right!" Naliah exclaimed just after Allard asked if Lynn knew how to protect herself.

"You should start taking self-defense classes!" Nailah said, with an eager and confident expression.

"I could be your sparring partner!" Nailah said, agreeing with Allard, who had discreetly suggested her to be Lynn's sparring partner.

"If you manage to keep me from getting close to you or touching you, other possible adversaries will be nothing but a joke for you!" Nailah said, with a wink.

"Before we start though, we should know your proficiency at handling your staff. You can control it with your magic, right? That could be a huge advantage when fighting against experienced opponents due to the weird angles which you could strike them from." Nailah said, waiting for Lynn's answer.

It was incredibly obvious that Nailah was probably more eager and excited to teach Lynn than Lynn herself would probably be to learn though.

Tali listened to Nailah and Lynn chatting as she finished prepping the fish for cooking. She set aside the meat and stood up, stretching her body. It seemed Lynn was going to learn some fighting. "When it comes to fighting, I can also help some, though I would say if Lynn seems ill suited for melee, we may want to ask Itzel. She seems to use a bow as her primary weapon, so she may be able to help train for fighting at range."

She then teasingly leaned up against Lynn. "If you get all sore and tired, I could always give you a massage and cuddle." She winked at Nailah before continuing. "I'm sure if you are really tired out, Nailah would be happy to help me pamper you even more."

Itzel, meanwhile, had since moved to clear some space out in the camp. She then took a breath, focusing and then summoning enough crystal to form into a shelter for Gaston and herself. She shaped it to allow for protection from the elements, though its front was still open as she liked the fresh air. Once the crystal lean-to was finished, Itzel then grabbed a couple thick blankets from Gaston's saddlebags, laying them out to give some comfortable padding and protection from the dirt.

Whilst the group was tending to their wounded a taste of the fresh blood that flowed in the waters depths was whiffed up by a monstrous entity. One conjured by the imbalances in the natural flow felt through out the land of Gaia by the most sensitive of souls. Indeed this creature was linked to the essence of the earth. Or in this case the waters. The edge of the river began to bubble as a slight warning to those above. One that Algimar who hadn't grown tired of observing the river up close took notice of immediately. He stepped back and placed a hand on his hilt.



Allard turned around when he heard something rise from the water. Immediately he fanned out his wings and drew his heavy blade, presenting himself as a larger target. "Oi! Hop to, we got company!" He shouted to everyone, alerting anyone who wasn't quite yet aware of the creatures presence. Other than Algimar who was already at the shore, Allard was the next closest, waiting for the monster to act.

Lynn looked up and saw a large beasf, similar to the water dragons from home, but still quite different from any she had seen before. At first Lynn shrinked back, her ears folding down as she drew her staff close. But then she got an idea. Back home, she would use her singing to calm patients, and as once told she had the gift of the siren's song. When she was young she tried to practice it in hopes of a competing in the queen trial, but as that time passed, she focused on using it to help patients and one time, an out of control domestic sea dragon. Maybe....maybe she could use it now?

"I have an idea!" Lynn told Tali and Nailah as she dashed ouf towards the creature. She hopped on her staff and slowly rose up a little in the air. With a deep breath she looked up to the hydra and started to sing. It was a simple old and well known folk song a lassa girl and her lover who was bound to the land. But it was a slow and calm song, hoping to make the monster more relaxed and calm down from whatever disturbed it.

Dremmick stood to the side, a few pieces of paper between his fingers with different symbols written in blood. While he was obviously concerned with this creature, he couldn't help but keep looking back in the direction of whatever battle was going on in the mountains. There was flashing in the distance like any storm to the untrained eye, but he could feel the presense of the powercul souls that gathered, not to mention the tugging at the earth he felt.

Shye was caught off guard by the sudden breaking of the peaceful atmosphere, Nix flying off Gaston and instantly to her, chattering the warning to her. She didn't have time to put her stockings and greaves on, however she did put her gaunlets on and came out of the tent to see what it was, her eyes widening at the sight. She waited for an opening to arise, if they were to fight, she would try her best to help exploit it.

The beast's third head on the right snapped down towards Algimar. A roll of his seemingly stiff form evaded the attack. But luckily the beast did not push further. Perhaps it was used to paralyzing its prey with fear. Or it was young and inexperienced with this sort of prey. All the same. It began to reel its head back whilst Lynn began her song and Allard stood before it. The head on the left and in the middle observed Lynn and Allard. The left head began to lull a bit into a trance but the center nudged it back to focus. If one head would be affected another would undo it. That was it for Lynn's ability it seemed. Water welling inside all three of their throats for a torrent of water strong enough to clean the skin off of flesh was unleashed in a two foot wide spray that stretched towards Allard, Lynn, and Algimar.
Running further away was Algimar's strategy for avoiding the blast. But he dived behind a few old run together boulders by the water. The water rained down from the tip of the stone into a rainbow colored spray onto his head. Getting wet was not in his plans. This adventure was affecting him in ways he didn't expect already. Yet he knew to expect the unexpected. Drawing his blade which was a black one and decent in length, width and sharpness. "Not even a siren that can lull hydra to sleep. Damn Tearians cheaping out on help."

As soon as the hydra appeared, Tali sprung back, swiftly taking position away from the fray. She signalled her servitor, who tossed her the ocarina. After catching it, the woman brought it to bear and waited until Lynn made an attempt to lull. As soon as it seemed ineffective, Tali began playing her heroic epic, summoning and archer to loose an arrow at the middle head's eye.

Itzel came out from her shelter as soon as commotion began. She spent most of teh time between Lynn moving forward and the beast resisting the song moving into a better position. The watery blast did not take her by surprise given the big tell about it. She burst forward with a strong flap of her wings and fell in front of Lynn, smacking her hand to the ground. A huge wall of crystal sprang up from the ground to intercept the blast going towards her companions. She looked towards her usually lazy companion. "Gaston!"

Gaston had perked up as danger arose, but he stayed back to observe the situation. As soon as Itzel called him, he surged forth, flying over to Lynn. Giving her no say in the matter, he deftly grabbed her in his claws and flew her back away from the direct fight. He did carefully set her down, but she had no time to complain or thank him before he was flying back towards the hydra. He flew up higher into the air and began to take occasional nips at the hydra, seeming to probe for a weak point.

Nyph immediately hid as soon as the monster revealed itself. It had startled him badly while he relaxed at the water's edge and he really did not have much ability to help in this fight. His stinger would be hard pressed to find a sweet spot, and if it even did his venom would likely barely slow the creature down.

Aeden rather than drawing his sword summoned his Blessed Spear. He got into a position where he could maintain relatively equal distance to each of the members of the group while he could also throw his spear at the beast when the first opportunity presented itself. This would be a good test of this Alliance's ability to cooperate in a battle.

Despite the small accident Tali had, everything was going fine until that moment. Nailah herself was excited to teach Lynn a bit about self-defense. Not only that but Allard and even Tali offered themselves to help her. Little knew they, that the time for relaxing and resting was about to end...

Without any prior warning, bubbles started to come out from the edge of the river, together with a mass of water raising above the water, indicating that something big was moving in the riverbed. Algimar was the first to notice since he was right next to the river. Nailah took a while to notice, but the second the bubbling started to get worse and the creature responsible for that started to make a shadow in the river as it surfaced, Nailah immediately stopped talking and looked to the river.

It was then that three heads with huge maws and sharp teeth got out of the water. Their necks were connected to a single body. Together with the three tails behind it, it was impossible to not know what creature was that.

"A Hydra?!" Nailah asked, surprised and alarmed. Who would have thought that they were bathing carelessly together with a Hydra moments ago. Maybe it was Tali's blood who awoken the creature.

Allard shouted to the group alerting everyone who somehow had missed the ruckus caused by the creature. With it's blade in hands and fanning out his wings, he was already ready for battle.
Lynn, in the other hand, appeared to be quite scared initially, but suddenly she said she had an idea, dashing towards the creature, before taking a deep breath and started singing, trying to make the creature sleep.
Unfortunately, the creature showed itself resistant to Lynn's song. Even though one of it's heads was affected a bit, it quickly snapped out of Lynn's song thanks to one of the other heads nudging it to cut the effect Lynn's song had.
At the same time, Algimar was already fighting against the creature, as one of the heads snapped down towards him, forcing him to roll to evade the attack. Not satisfied with only that failed attack, the Hydra prepared itself for a breath attack, water welling up dangerously on each one of the three head's throats.
Fortunately, Itzel and Gaston were already ready for the attack. Itzel flew in front of Lynn, calling forth a wall of crystal to protect her while Gaston grabbed Lynn and took her away from the frontline.

"So guys... Any idea how to deal with this thing...?" Nailah asked as her claws started to glow due to the high temperature. Nailah had read and heard a few stories about Hydras, but she knew only a little about them.

"I doubt it likes fire though..." Nailah said to herself, with a smirk as she assumed a low posture. With her feet firmly planted on the ground, her talons digging in the earth below it and her right hand touching the ground for support, Nailah waiting for the perfect moment to attack.

Aste sniffed at the sight of the creatures emerging from the wates. Taking a couple of step back from the boundaries of the river, she held her flow of magic, only by a mere trickle. She’ll put her trust on Lynn to Tame that beast. Ready to cast out any spells should things go awry. She wasn’t so sure on what that thing called a Hydra could do, but that attempt of soothing had been foiled by its other head. Aste doubted that such a thing relies on the sense of sight alone. But since Lynn could distract one of the head, that might be considered a certain success. That attack on the group had proven its hostility, but she hoped that no bloodshed could be made from the confrontation, not especially with that ‘old’ apprentice around.

Putting on the Divine Element Ring, Aste churned out the flows of Fire and Light. The flows of Aste magic converged into a neatly casted shield of invisible fire. Layers and Layers she strengthens the shield that she casted out, to fend off against any further attacks from the Hydra. Holding off the cast to maintain that shield of magic, Aste focused to work on the next spell, preparing the first trails of Light.

With Algimar firmly hiding behind cover the hydra's head refocused on where the other two were having a troublesome time. The Hydras prey, so it seemed, was tougher than a few deadly cannons of water it sprayed could perish. But just as it did the middle head had an arrow lodged into its face below its eye. However the arrow merely scraped its scales and left hardly a cut. Seething with a curious yet anxious feeling it snarled out at Talise who attacked it for its pressurized water was a bit off aim when going for Allard. Now the gryphon was flying about one of its heads and neck. Visibly irritated the hydra's heads would snap at the gryphon with its fangs bared. It seemed to believe it would be enough to deter the gryphon long enough, if not it might have to actually try to kill it.

Dremmick moved up just behind the front line. He looked over the ones fighting before he pulled out a paper from his pack. It was one of the ones that he bought from the shop, an emblem drawn in dragon blood. He nodded as he took a stance. "ITZEL!" he shouted out to her, "Cover me with a wall until I give the word to drop it, everyone else, be ready to back off the hydra on my command!" Dremmicks normally hazel eyes turned a bit more yellow and started glowing from under his hood as he tapped into his power. He held up his cursed arm with the paper stuck to his palm as he aimed it towards the beast. He widened his stance and braced his arm with his left hand. Blood fell from his bandaged arm and rose around the page, making an intricately designed ring around it. the blood ring started to glow and resonate with the paper, spinning as it gained power. His clothes started to dance as if in the wind, pushing his hood back. Suddenly, little jolts of lightning started to surge from the page and around Dremmick, steadily becoming stronger as it arced around him and to the ground as well. His plan, instead of casting an instant lightning spell from the page, he was pouring more of his own energy into the attack as well as some of his own blood, as he was dragon blooded as well, so he could amplify the spell into a much stronger form. However, this would require a charge time and leave him vulnerable. If he had to move out of it at this point, he would first have to discharge what he had, so he wanted to make sure he made a shot that was worth it. "Just be ready if this isn't enough to take it down"
---
Allard dashed forward, using his wings to propel him under the attack instead of retreating back. He heard what Dremmick said, but didn't respond. Right now, he had a hydra's attention to keep. Speaking his incantation, his right arm that was holding his weapon glowed a yellow, putting full power in his arm, and with his shadow arm being able to copy his right arm's ability, it too started to faintly glow from under the arm wrap. Keeping his head on a swivel for the other heads, he moved in to engae the one that shot at him on the right. Allard would look to plung the sword in a focust thrust into it's neck at the base, aiming to punch through the tough hide with the blade angled up toward the head, then, he would attempt to move his power to his wings to thrust himself into the air and pull the sword up with the neck, to fillet the long neck wide open.
---
Lynn saw the blast of water being readied at her, her ears drooping in terror as she realized what was going to happen. The jet of water would be too strong for her to control, and she wouldn't make it. Just as she had this thought however, Itzel landed between her and created a crystal wall that took the blast before them, spraying water about everywhere. Before Lynn could say anything however, she was pulled away by Gaston and set outside of direct conflict. She was speechless as she sat there, thinking about what could have happened. She was a little in shock, and now the fear started to trickle in amongst the adrenaline. She had never been in combat and even in pearl she saw very little of what was going on. Lynn looked about seeing everyone fighting. She had to do something but what? Just sit around and wait for someone to be injured? Lynn was worried for her companions and new friends, but she wasn't sure what she could do to help. She then saw Dremmick, charging an attack, and got an idea. She moved back into the fray, gliding quickly to Dremmick.

"Here I can help you," Lynn stated, a bubble of water coming from her water jar and changing color to a glowing blue.

"A bit busy," Dremmick said through gritting teeth though focused on the spell in front of him. "What is it."(edited)
"Drink this it will improve your concentration, and thus your magic ability. Don't worry, it won't heal you..." she said the last part more a a plea to convince him, remembering what he said in Pearl about not healing him. "I want to help... but I don't know how else I can right now..."

Dremmick sat for a moment, briefly shifting his eyes only to look to her and then back to his task. "Alright, we'll give it a shot." He wasn't overly thrilled with the idea, but it would be interesting if it worked. Definitely something to note. The idea that a healer would want to be involved on the front somewhat amused him. He smirked a bit, "Hit me." His mouth slightly opened as Lynn fed the enchanted water to him. Nearly instantly, more bolts of electricity poured out from his arm and the page, an arc barely passing by Lynn causing her to yelp. "Interesting... Fall back, I'll be ready soon..."

Lynn did was she was told and quickly flew back out of the combat zone, watching everyone to make sure they were alright.
Shye, like Nailah, took a position on the oposite flank of her and waited for an opening. She didn't have her greaves, so her mobility was a little more limited than normal, yet not her agility. If she noticed someone falling or about to be hit where they couldn't defend, she would try to move in to intercept with a heat blast. her gauntlet claws were already glowing and ready, she was carful not to let the m touch the ground to start a fire.

The Hydra attacking Allard was easily able to amp up the pressure and strike the stone wall descendant. This would slow Allard's already amply low pace. Enough so another head, unoccupied now by gushing water towards Lynn's and Itzel's direction could stop its spitting and reach down with a slide across the ground to bite Allard from his side and hold him in its mouth sideways. If successful it would raise its head back up whilst holding the Descendant in its jaws.
The third head however used a whip of its tail which were raised up higher than the heads just further behind. This allowed it to observe the entire enemy group and hiss in a wild determined snarl at their bared weapons and flaring souls.

Tali visibly frowned when her attack did nothing, so she moved in closer, staying out of reach but within her next spell's range. She struck a rather...suggestive pose before singing an enticingly sweet melody. Her magic targeted the hydra heads, trying to worm into their minds and make them mistake each other for enemies, more specifically, Tali.

Itzel heard Dremmick and flew over to him. Rather than creat another wall, she instead took position in front of him, shield up. Making another wall would cost her energy she was not apt to use at the moment.

Gaston, upon having some attacks targetting him, took some evasive flight. He obviously hit a nerve, so he took the chance to dive into their blind spot and go for an attack with his claws along the spine of the hydra.

The Hydra was definitely a dangerous opponent, but so far the group was managing to deal with it without any incidents. Despite it's strong attacks, Aste and Itzel were using their magic to block it's attacks while Itzel and Algimar were doing the best they could to distract and try to wound the beast.

Despite the shock due to the Hydra's attack, Lynn also seemed to be ok as she hurried towards Dremmick, using her magic to help him as he continued blocking the Hydra's attack. Even from a distance, Nailah could feel Lynn's desire to help after seeing everyone giving their best.

In a coordinated effort between Dremmick, Itzel and thanks to Lynn's magic boosting the former's power, Dremmick prepared a fearsome blow with his cursed arm while Itzel covered him until the spell was ready. His eyes started glowing with an intense yellow light as his arm started crackling with electricity, getting stronger by the second as he continued charging his attack.

Meanwhile, Allard was doing it's best to keep the Hydra's attention focused into him, in order to buy the others time to prepare their attacks. As he dashed towards the creature, using his shadow arm in conjunction with his other skills to further strengthen his attack . Both of his arms started glowing yellow as he tried to plunge the sword on one of the Hydra's necks. Unfortunately, the Hydra saw his advance and was ready to retaliate as a second head, the one who was spitting water towards Lynn and Itzel stopped and prepared to lunge towards him with it's powerful jaws.(edited)
Nailah would have done something until now, but the hardest part of that fight was that all three heads were working together, two attacked while the third one kept watching the battlefield, alert to any possible 'sneak' attack. It was then that Nailah heard an enticingly sweet song coming from Tali. Assuming a suggestive pose, which almost distracted Nailah instead of the Hydra, she started singing, using her magic in an attempt to distract the heads. Judging by what happened earlier with Lynn, even if her magic wasn't able to distract the heads for too long, it would be enough to give Nailah the brief second she needed to strike.

The second Tali started Singing, Nailah dashed forwards, with the same ridiculous burst of speed and agility she had shown some times before. With agile and precise movements, she went from the backline to the frontline in a mere instant, using her allies bodies to interrupt the line of sight between her and the hydra. Finally reaching the frontline, she arrived in the very second that one of the Hydra's heads was sliding across the ground to bite Allard. Suddenly appearing from behind Allard's large frame, she would use her claws, which were hot due to her fire magic to dilacerate one of it's eyes.
If successful, Nailah would use the momentum from her speed and when her claws struck the hydra's skull behind it's eye, she would grasp it firmly, throwing herself upwards and standing on top of it's head. After such a strike to it's eye, the obvious reaction for the Hydra was for it to immediately stop it's attack and flinch due to the pain, pulling it's head back, away from where Allard was. On that moment, Nailah would make a clone appear besides her and use the head's movement to send it jumping towards the third head, which was overseeing the battlefield. With the clone being merely a feint, she would send it jumping for the left eye, followed by her jumping almost immediately after, to the right, using her own clone to break the line of sight with the third head, guaranteeing a successful strike. After that, she would use her claws as she jumped down, plunging them into the Hydra's neck in order to get her down to the ground safely while leaving deep claw marks on it's neck.

Talise chaotic discord was effective in one thing. Annoying the large scaled beast. Talise was not the size of a single head of the Hydra. They would see each other begin to grow deformed or misshapen. But it was more of a mildly disorienting spell. One clearly not used on a creature of this magnitude. With slight disorientation it whipped Gaston with its tail as it went for a clawed strike. The third head to the groups right remained vigilant, making sure to cover the others blind spots. Especially given that all of the Hydra's prey was more visibly identifiable. But soon even the musical chaotic murmurs of Talise's soul would be shaken off by serpent.
While Nailah was fast the notorious third head watched her descent from the back rows to the front. Within it's possible intelligence it multitasked thwarting Gaston with tail whips and reacting to Nailah. Before she could reach Allard a gush of water was sprayed to keep her at bay. Though it was a simple spit it shot with enough force to blow a small crater into the ground it struck when Nailah inevitably avoided it. Though it would still slow or misalign her direction to save Allard.

As the beast tried to bite down on Allard, he held against it at first with his arms, though he was able to push against it alright, it seemed his ten foot arm span wouldn't be enough to convince the hydra to drop him. "I'll have ya know, hydra, that I don't plan on becomein' part of ya dinner." His wings then pushed against the sides to relieve his arms, at least, until they started to glow with his power. The pushed against the jaws of the beast, situating themselves. Once set Allard burst his wings outward with all his strength, aiming to break open the hydra's jaw, making its bite worthless. If successful this would drop him to the ground in an unstable glide now that there would be a few holes in his wings.

Shye stayed by the others who weren't in direct contact, ready to move in should the hydra pick a new target. Her stance was low and ready to sprint, her hands balled into fists with built up energy, the telltale waves of heat pouring from them and distorting their image.

Lynn remained at the edge of the fight, hoping nobody would get hurt, holding onto her staff in case she needed to dart in and grab someone.

Dremmick could feel the spell reach its charge limit, lightning arcing all around his arm. "Alright, clear away from it!" he shouted out to the others. Waiting for Allard and the others to move out of the way Dremmick would then change his stance. He dragged his left foot around in a semi circle and stopped it in front of him. He drew his right arm back and with a step forward with his right foot, a twist of his body and a forward open palmed thrust of his right hand the spell would fire. The spell paper in the middle of Dremmick's blood crest would shred to pieces and disintegrate as numerous bolts of lightning erupted out from Dremmick's palm to the hydra.

With its teeth sunk into the Gaians back and front the tough hide of the Oro would be thoroughly tested. If not for Allards shadowskill he would find himself unable to best this beasts strength. A legendary feat observed by all. But not one that left him unscathed. For his body would be full of holes from the various spears that were the hydras teeth. It was the breaking of said teeth that made the hydra drop Allard not his resistance. It may have been the Hydras luck as well that it dropped Allard when it did. For it may very well have a broken jaw. It snarled in pain as it's teeth were a few dozen short. A handful lodged into Allards wings.
The imperfect casting and amplification of the chaotic spell unleashed by the cursed descendant arched in various directions. Aimed to a large target but as an arch of lightning hitting the waters behind the beast clearly showed. It was not an attack able to be aimed properly by the caster. A gamble even, one that would cost the caster much of their soul. Yet the successful strikes resulted in a terrible roar from the beast. One that was evoked by the smoking wounds it suffered across it's left heads neck. The effect coursing through the entire Hydra. It sunk within a few seconds. Not dead, but not in the mood to hunt. Or so it seemed as the seconds went by without the creature so much as leaving a trail of bubbles on the surface.
Algimar emerged from behind the still dripping wet stone boulder he narrowly used as cover from the Hydra's onslaught. Only by a incredibly lethal chaotic spell of lightning did the beast meet its match. To think someone in their ranks had such destructive abilities. He looked at Dremmick from afar. Then to the rest of the group. Allard in particular. Was he mad? Rushing in like that and from the looks of it narrowly escaping without severe wounds. Despite his Oro hide the Hydra's bite was still incredible. It was up to the healers now to mend him. This was all too conveniently terrible, Algimar thought to himself. Like a distraction from something worse. He stared at the high up mountains they walked past earlier. The clouds were white now but remained whirling around its edge as if covering something. By the sound of it, a storm, or an epic battle. Whichever it was Algimar could feel the winds change because of it. The Hydra was only lurking and emerged for its love of storms. Storms that toppled ships. The Nuxta attacks were getting weaker by the night, yet were still happening. During the midst of their attempts to defeat him was he making moves to annihilate them all? Only now did Algimar feel the imbalance of the world may haunt their every moment of rest out here in the wilds. Returning to Nero couldn't come sooner for him. "Well then... I suppose we don't have to worry about anything else attacking us from these waters... Unless something worse lays below..." Fear was never Algimar strong suite. So he watched the others reactions. Just what were their plans moving forward from here? He did not want to spread fear, but time seemed to be growing limited.

Focusing on her spells, Aste took notice of the spell that was casted by Taril. The spell had certainly worked well enough for the Hydra. On the second part, that spell of Aste was about to complete, a messy one, but still, since that hydra had been unnerved a bit for that spell. She was glad that the hydra did not attack her, the shields of invisible fire isn’t really a shield at all, but its just a construct of walled fire. And fire and water of the Hydra do not mix very well.

Reaching to her Magical source, Aste completes her cast of Illusion, right about to put that Hydra under another of the effects.

And that was when the Hydra got defeated, by some foul magic of the other members of the alliance. But perhaps she should work more on her casting speed, once in a while at least.

But that spell of Illusion might not be for waste. Aste altered the use few flows of her light magic, before working to simply recast her illusion. The stretch of river faded, the water were clearer than it used to be. Anything in the river bed could be sighted from the top. She’d need to confirm, should the Hydra still alive or dead, or escaped.

Just as Nailah was trying to get nearby Allard though, the Hydra's third head saw her when she began moving herself and let out a gush of water in order to keep her away. Not expecting the third head to notice her movements Nailah had no time to adjust her path and was forced to stop her advance in order to not be hit by the water gush.

Thanks to the third head stopping Nailah, she wasn't able to save Allard from the Hydra's back as she could only look as the Hydra sunk it's teeth on his hardened Oro skin. Fortunately, Allard also had a few surprised for the Hydra as he burst his wings outward to forcefully open the Hydra's mouth, breaking a good deal of the spears that were the Hydra's teeth in the process.. Even though trying something like that would be considered nothing but madness or maybe desperation to most, Allard was able to clearly match the Hydra's strength, a remarkable feat which most people couldn't even think of doing.

Despite Allard's surprising demonstration of power, he wasn't left unscathed. Even though he succeeded in breaking free of the Hydra's maws, which was clear by the dozen of holes on his body and the few broken Hydra teeth, which were still stuck on his body.

Thanks to Allard distracting the Hydra though, Dremmick had finally finished casting his skill. It wasn't needed much to see that it was an extremely dangerous skill to use. Both to the user himself and to those who were nearby, be them a target or not due to the sheer power and the chaotic nature of the spell, making it nearly impossible to aim accurately.
Even though Dremmick's technique missed the target, hitting the water nearby the Hydra, it's sheer power was enough to affect the creature to some extent. Wounded and having clearly underestimated the party, the Hydra submerged, going away for now.
With that situation dealt with, Algimar, who was pinned behind a rock almost the entire time due to the Hydra's powerful attack, came from behind the boulder, still dripping wet as he looked to the rest of the party, with words that could be interpreted as both good news and bad omens.

"I can't really say if we're either really lucky or really unlucky..." Nailah said, rolling her eyes with an audible sigh.

"It would be nice if we could have a nice bath and relax a little without a monster appearing soon after." she continued with a smirk.

"That said, not everyone got out unscathed of this little 'encounter'..." Nailah said again, looking to Allard with sharp eyes that looked almost like daggers.

"You may be big and obviously strong, but you're not immortal... Can you try at least once to preserve yourself instead of rushing in head first?" Nailah said, scolding Allard as she reached to one of the Hydra's teeth, pulling it out with a precise and agile, but definitely not delicate, movement.

"By the Goddess... Any healer who travels with you is certain to have a lot of work..." Nailah said as she examined the Hydra's teeth for a while before turning back to Allard.

"Why don't we give Lynn some rest? Now... where do we start... We do have to close and cauterize the wound first, don't we?" she said, with a smile that did little to hide her anger as she raised her claws to Allard, still glowing hot.

The hydra retreated, much to Tali's delight. She sighed in annoyance at how ineffective she was that fight. She was, after all, not a mage for large creatures like that. She did take immediate notice of Nailah scolding Allard and threatening him with hot claws. Seeing an opportunity to stop a confrontation, vent some frustration, and mess with Nailah, Tali wove a spell and made a small lyrical chant. "Stop the hate, bring the love, to the ground, my little dove." She then cast vibrar upon her Tyro companion, making it clear she was tired of confrontation for the day.

Itzel settled down as soon as the hydra retreated, stowing her bow and shield before flexing her clawed fingers. She gave Dremmick a small nod as she flitted away. She saw the spell being cast, but given what she saw of Tali's forte, she figured it was some sort of defensive or illusion spell, so she was not worried about harm coming to anyone. She checked on Gaston, making sure he wasn't wounded.

Gaston made sure to seem somehow both proud and needy, seeming to want some sort of treat or attention for his efforts harrying the creature. He tapped his claws on the rock he landed on rather impatiently as Itzel gave him a once over.

With Aste's spell washing over the waters many of the bubbles on the waters surface visibly dissipated or so it seemed for as long as her spell lasted. A flame was briefly spread over the waters, an invisible one but one that took away the ripples of the water for a brief moment. Though from their position all one could see was what now seemed like a cliff side. Only by standing on the waters edge could you tell from within where the creature laid. Though the waters were rushing as normal. Mist now rising from the waters where Aste conjured her flames. Algimar noted her ability. Instinctively he assumed her of a few drops of Tyro blood.My do the Fotians get around. He thought crudely.

Before Nailah could say anything more though, out of nowhere, something made her stop immediately, letting out a rather cute gasping sound. The confusion and surprise were clear in her eyes. Other than that, somehow... Nailah was getting even more red than she already was, blushing as she looked around biting her lower lip. She was certain it was someone or something's doing, as she knew her own body very well to have such... unexpected reactions.

It started as a tingling, stimulating sensation on her lower parts, sending a jolt of electricity through her body, immediately making her stop anything she was doing, including, much to Allard's luck, her scolding session. Despite her surprise, whatever it was happening didn't show any signs of stopping. As the stimulating sensation continued, Nailah found it hard to control herself as she felt her legs falter, almost making her fall to her knees.
Unfortunately for those who were nearby her, such a sudden sensation made Nailah's charm magic to ran out of control. Normally, Nailah has always full control over said ability since it is something that is almost as natural to her as breathing. But thanks to the sudden, unannounced stimuli coupled with the confusion and surprise, she quickly forgot to keep it under control as she started getting into the mood.

Her lips became softer and redder, her body, which was already wet due to the Hydra's water based attacks she had to dodge was now covered in a thin layer of sweat, making it much more alluring, inviting and harder to ignore than it already was, with her clothes sticking to her skin. Coupled with the heavy effect of her charm ability, it was certain it would cause 'problems' to those nearby.

Breathing heavily, Nailah passed her hand through her hair as she looked around with eyes filled with lust and a seductive stare. She had a few victims in mind to help her, but since she wouldn't be able to hold for too long, whoever showed any reaction would be basically pounced by her.

As the spell cleared up the surface of the river, the Hydra was nowhere to be seen from the shallow surface. There are two approaches she can make for the following steps. First is that she could step forward and check on that river, or bend the view of the river, but that could also reveal the location of the whole group. Both aren’t so wise a choice, but since the whole team has already started clearing out from the river, there is little purpose to maintain those spells. Uncasting the spells away, albeit reluctantly.

Sniffing out another cast of magic, Aste turned to look at the sight of the group. A spell like this, she’s glad that there wasn’t any hostile intent to that sort of magic. But she should be staying away from the sort of thing. The few flows of the magic that was close to her faded away like mist. Picking apart magic was of second nature to her, especially if it made from something that she is familiar with. She wouldn’t think of casting a spell like this, never in her life.

She moved back to the cart in her glidy steps. Now she had her long morning’s rest, Aste starts to pack up for the route ahead. And to avoid that pesky charm magic....

"What? An give the enemy time ta gather thier thoughts?" Allard chuckled as he was told to hold back more by Nailah. "Me charging in first give everyone a chance ta think through tha fight. I've been fightin in tha moment so far, may as well keep at it. B'sides, not the first time a monster 'as made tha mistake of tryin' ta eat me. Find out I'm a bit of a mouthful." he finished, laughing heartily. Lynn floaed up to Allard nearly immediately after the fight to heal him, but Allard nodded his head to Nailah, not picking up on her sarcasm and agreeing with her. "Aye, well, if tha lass needs her rest, then that should do," he said as he sat down waiting for Nailah to begin. However, she never started. instead her body convulsed as if something was....pleasuring her? He went to ask her if she was alright, but a little medic seemed to beat him to it. He could feel his body warm up in Nailah's presence. He had to concentrate in keeping himself publicly appropriate, a bit more concerned on what was causing this, but still feeling her pull.

Lynn wasn't aware of what exactly was wrong, she just knew something was't right. She got a bit closer to Nailah to se if she could see what was wrong, a worried expression on her face. "N-Nailah? Are you alright? You don't look well....You weren't injured too were you?" When Lynn met eyes with Nailah, however, she would feel nearly lost in them, as if there was some unnatural connection that she couldn't explain was there. "Because....I could...h-...help you.....if you wanted." she offered her healing in a half daze.

Shye relaxed after the monster had fled, but soon there was a feeling in the air that washed over her. Her eyes went wide and her cheeks flushed slightly. She took a deep breath and stepped to the side, sitting in the grass once again to gather herself.

Dremmick, after having discharged the lightning attack, slumped slightly. A large portion of his soul was poured into that attack, and with it all dissipating at once it left him feeling as if his soul was out of breath for a second or two. His blood that had made the spiraling amplifier around the paper fell to the ground as a liquid. In the time he caught his breath, he noticed Algimar looking out towards the mountains where the storm was. Most likely, it wasn't a storm at all, but Dremmick didn't want anything to get more chaotic, so he didnt mention it. However, unknowingly thanks to Tali, it seemed like they would anyway. Even Dremmick felt a tad peckish from this, he wise enough to know not to go looking for the source and making matters worse, thanking the spirits above that he kept is tail wrapped around himself under his sash, which was now currently doing quite the job keeping things from raising up and embarrassing himself. Who in the world was casting such an odd spell anyway?

Aeden did not relax as the beast retreated. In fact he remained very much on high guard while Nailah started to chew out Allard. He did step close so that when they were done he could get to healing Allard's injuries. He did slip in a comment though. "She has a point. While there is value to being in the moment in a battle there is wisdom to a little patience and observation. We might have been able to find a clear weak point and actually slay the beast, now it's a potential threat still." He then noticed that Lynn had gotten closer to administer healing and his attention turned more towards the conversation.

He wished he had been of better use as he dispelled his Blessed Spear. There simply had been no good opportunity for him to throw an effective attack for him. He went on high alert again as Nailah started to react strangely, but slowly and steadily a feeling washed through him. He felt slowly and steadily hotter and hotter. Excited. His face turned warm.

He closed his eyes and started to take deep breaths in an attempt to calm down. It would not stop. He wanted something. He wanted someone. And he hated it. How could he put a cap on this? The water? No. Not with danger still potentially nearby. He reopened his eyes and glanced around not really paying attention to the reactions of everyone else. His eyes briefly stopped at Shye with a moment of consideration before he decided to step away entirely from the group without a word. He found himself a patch of shrubbery to hide behind so he could step down and continue breathing routines.

Algimar was not initially close enough to be affected by Nailah's magic. Such spells from the temple of the fallen goddess would soon reach him as he watched the Seraphim near the group. Another healer it would seem. It was the brief temptation of the pure blood of the seraph that caught his attention. As the storm atop a far off mountain seemed to remain stable. It was their surroundings that they needed to remain aware of. From what he knew about dragons, Hydras being a relative, they were able to hold grudges and that their grudge against descendant kind could never end. Though this was mostly known as a fable, their wild instincts were enough to blame for their savagery. But now Algimar found himself closer to Nailah and the few others. Wondering initially why they, her most noticeably, was acting so strangely. It must have been the spell woven by the bard. It was then he felt strange, as if he himself was being affected by a spell. Was it the bard? The other seemed affected too. But most importantly he needed to undo this or his urge to feed lingering in the back of his mind would take hold of him. Few things felt better to a Nayu than feeding during a bout of lustful craze.

Algimar closed his eyes. He silenced the world around him. All he could feel was empty, dark, just like his soul. There he tapped into it. His soul. Separating his mind from his body he was able to escape the desires rushing through his flesh and blood. To the others he would simply seem to be suddenly meditating. He then soon opened his eyes. Removing the affect of the charm momentarily, enough to allow him to begin to walk away. Closer to those more on land, even a tent was visible not too far from there.

There was a burning desire in Shye, one that had become somewhat familiar these past couple days, yet stronger than ever before. She felt as if she were burning up and needed to be out of her clothes, though she knew that would be quite indecent and reframed from such an action. She did finally remove her gauntlets once again. With a heavy sigh she held the gauntlets close to her. She looked for Aeden among the others and found that he didn't seem to be acting himself either. She was a bit startled when she saw him look to her. There was something in his eyes she hadn't seen before, but before she could place it, he seemed to walk away.

She took a half step after him before stopping herself and watching him walk away into the brush. She stood there for a moment, considering what she may do, before nodding to herself and walking over to follow him. There was a slight bit more sway to her walk as she approached. She neatly sat with her legs folded under herself and her hands clasped and resting on her thighs. Her sultry eyes cut to Aeden, almost as if they were calling to him, yet she seemed to keep to herself quite well, almost as if she weren't aware of the signals her body was giving. "Aeden," her voice seemed to coo like that of a dove as she tried to keep her voice down, not wanting to draw attention from the others, "is there something the matter?"

Tali remained wholly unaffected by the magic. Not even a single little feeling happened as she watched the unintended chaos unfold. Truth be told, chaos was both her friend and her love. Being free to do as one felt is a cornerstone of her life, so others having that happen is just icing on the cake.

Itzel, meanwhile, was practically nuked by the magic. She instantly knew what it was, so she was both needy and afraid. Her fear centered on her secret, so she began covertly scanning for someone, anyone, that seemed to be willing yet could be tight lipped. Her drought added a bit of urgency. Seeing no better alternative, she took flight and swooped down upon the obviously aroused Nailah, scooping her up and diving into her crystal shelter in one smooth movement. Once inside, she closed the front of it by molding the crystal shut. She let out a frustrated breath. "What you see in here stays between us. Don't worry, I am sure you will enjoy this."

Tali saw the spectacle with Itzel. Her instant loss of noble composure was surprising. She must have been affected rather heavily. Unexpectedly, the Oro woman stole Nailah from the group for her own devices, leaving them in the privacy of her admittedly beautiful shelter. The opaque crystal and acoustics made nothing escape, so Tali had to wonder how tired the Oro woman would make Nailah.

Gaston stood there rather bewildered at his owner's behavior, but he was no stranger to her needing some release. So, he simply laid back down, seeming to stare at where Nailah was. He seemed to practically be able to sniff out the origin of the ineffectual magic on him, though it was likely more a lucky guess from cause and effect.

Garrett, surprisingly, at this very moment realized that he had been pushing himself to much with staying awake. The moment he sat down in his tent would be his last moment of consciousness for the time being. A lot had to have happened for this to build up, though it could just simply just be chopped up to the curse of an insomniac, were another curse and the subsequent curing of said curse not a realized contributing factor. The only way Garrett realized how exhausted he truly was, not in actual stamina or the power of his soul, but the physical stress of staying up too long and doing things in that time of sleep deprivation.

All he could do was sit down with that meal Raquel had made him resting in his lap before his head slumped over and he began to snooze, not even the Edafos itself snapping in two could wake him from this hibernative restoration from sleep deprivation. He was like a statue once again, rather, he was still in one place without much movement. To chalk this into a lesson, even the strongest soldier on the battlefield needs some form of rest, or else they would never be at their full potential. Take away their sleep, you take away the man. In regard to Garrett's situation, there has been a serious theft. This rest was put off long enough, even with the world around him still continuing, he had to head to the drink table, but in the stead of taking a paper cup with electrolytic supplementary liquid, he got on the table and started sleeping, in reality, he was sitting and sleeping in his tent.

The entire time the others had been fighting the hydra, Mason had been in the woods gathering reagents for both himself, and for Amaiah back in pearl to repay her for the equipment she had so generously given him. With the time spent in the woods, the young knight had even taken the time to set up his alchemy kit, as well as brew four potions. Two were drowsiness potions, and the other two adrenaline. Simple brews really, and amateur quality at best. Nonetheless, Mason had wanted to surprise his companions, and hopefully even slightly impress them with his work.

Upon excitedly exiting the forest, his gleeful expression sank almost instantaneously as he realized he'd left his friends hanging in the middle of what seemed to be a battle, and judging by the environmental damage around the camp.... It had been big.

Even worse, was the fact everyone seemed to be acting.... strange. Whatever it was, Mason didn't want to 'kill the mood', and took his place by the campfire, without speaking, and layed back, gazing into the star filled sky above.

When Lynn got closer to Nailah in order to help her, the second Lynn's eyes met with hers, she almost instantly was enthralled by Nailah's intense stare. Being the one who currently was closer to her and obviously affected by the out of control charm spell made things incredibly difficult for Nailah. While she didn't want to further confuse the poor girl's head and thought of her as a little sister, she wasn't able to hold on anymore and her lust was slowly winning over reason.

Lynn's words slowly faded with the background noise as Nailah looked deeply inside her eyes with an intense stare. Further approaching her, their faces were close to one another, Nailah slowly raised her hands to gently touch Lynn's face as she got further closer to the girl. Lynn would immediately feel the same, having only eyes and ears for Nailah, aware of every little movement she made, how she was delicately getting close to her, her soft lips, her eyes. Even the obvious discomfort Allard, Dremmick and most of the others who were also affected by Nailah's out of control spell were ignored by them.

Fortunately for both Lynn and Nailah, out of everyone, there was also another person who was basically hit by Nailah's spell with full force. Surprisingly enough, this person was no one other than Itzel herself, who came out of nowhere and swooped down upon Nailah, taking her and diving into a crystal shelter made with her magic.

As Nailah approached Lynn, something strange seemed to happen. The world around her seemed to slowly fade, and i seemed to only be the two women there. Nailah didn't seem to answer her, she only continued to advance, which made Lynn take a step back. However, Lynn was too enchanted to fully commit to backing off, and instead found herself face to face with Nailah. Her cheeks started to flush as Nailah brushed her hand across her face and started to get closer. Lynn's subtle resistance gave way to being like putty in Nailah's hands, her eyes starting t close. This only lasted for only a very breif moment as a split second later she was snatched away by Itzel.

Lynn's eyes went wide and she recoiled a little with a small gasp. After looking around to a moment and noticing that they were still out in the open, Lynn noticed her heart was pounding and her legs felt a bit weak. Lynn only seemed to get redder before she fell to her knees and then sat down, her sleeves arm raising to touch her fingertips to her mouth, the large sleeve covering her lower face as well as she thought about what just transpired. She was surprised, and the slight covering of her face did little to hide it. How could she have let herself be so open in front of everyone like that? What would they think of her after seeing her nearly melt in someone's arms with no regard to her surrounding? Why did she start feeling that way in the first place? Was it something Nailah did? It couldn't have been the hydra.....could it?

She looked up to Tali, her eyes searching for an answer, "T-Tali?" Her tail curled around herself, "What is going on?" Even without Nailah being in her immediate presence, she could still feel the effects of whatever was happening as it lingered around her.

A lot of things were happening around him now. All after a battle. Algimar walked closer to the fire setup for Tali's meal earlier and saw the missing seraphim Mason sitting there. He did not wish to sit with a seraphim after what happened earlier and found himself veering towards Aste's location. He rested nearby sitting on some dry grass. Taking his strands of hair and twisting it dry. "Can your fires produce invisible smoke? I'm afraid the smoke from the earlier camp may be a giveaway to far off foes." He removed his gloves showing markings along his pale hands coupled with scars. "And also... I'm wet." He smiled sheepishly, though given his scars and one open eye he still resembled a wolf.

“That depends on what it burns, burning water doesn’t give too much smoke,” Aste replied. It was not of anything surprising for a person to sense her use of magic, not when she wasn’t really intending to hide any use of it.

“Here, that would be enough to keep you dry,” Taking out a white linen cloth, Aste looked at the effect of the magic, that miscasting of the magic had reached upon that man, yet he seemed to be able to fend himself away from the effect. “Tsk… it’s a good thing that the Hydra didn’t show up under that charm spell. Do you know where Garret is? I might need to consult with him on this… perculiar situation…?”

Tali saw how affected Lynn was and strode over to her. She was quite shaken and bothered, so Tali wrapped her arms securely around the Lassa girl. "A bit of a miscalculation on my part happened. I did not expect her magic to be so volatile, so my spell caused a bit more chaos than intended. It will be ok, just relax." She lightly tugged on Lynn, guiding her down so she could sit on Tali's lap for hugs and cuddles to help her relax some.

Dremmick noticed a change in Algimar. It was fora brief moment, but in the brief moment, he zeroed in on the full blooded seraph in their group. He started to approach the wolfish man until he saw him stop and seemed to meditate for a moment, gathering himself. Algimar then seemed to turn away to start a conversation with Aste. Dremmick watched on for a moment more before leaving. He looked to the water once more, the monster still fresh on his mind, he wondered about what he did when he fired that spell. It was unrefined, crude, inefficient, and worst of all inaccurate. Sure it seemed to injure the monster, but if it completely made contact, it would have done much better. It was experimental, and he didn't see a reason for it not to work, and it did work, but he wanted to improve it. It wasn't long into his thoughts when he saw Mason arrive back to the camp. Conveniently missing the entire fight. However, with whatever was going on, maybe mason came in a the right time after all, just in time not to be affected it seemed. Dremmick overheard Tali talking to Lynn, sighing when he heard how all this started. He walked off a bit and sat next to the water once more. Maybe if he adjusted the formulas and formations on the blood crest that amplified the spell, it would improve it....

Lynn nodded to Tali as she joined her. Her heartbeat was up, as what would be normal given the situation. Lynn seemed to be a bit more susceptible to Tali's affection this time, even to a point where her tail eventually seemed to wrap around the both of them. Lynn did seem to be preoccupied with another thought though. She didn't want to bring it up, as she felt like it wasn't a big deal, but the thought of her not being able to siren song the monster disturbed her, at the very least caught her by surprise.She would have to practice it more if she wanted to truly see it protect people on the field.

Algimar was a bit impressed by how smoothly the Hydra was handled by the group. Increasing his faith in their overall abilities. However only a handful of them were out in the open and prepared to defend incase of the creatures return. It was a Dragon after all. It's wounds would be healed by now. The only reason it did not return was due to their firm footing on land. Once they entered the waters... Well it was likely the kingdoms assumed this group would take a path directly on land. But thankfully this deep river was crossable. It's flow was not as rapid as the waterfall's edge further down. "Perhaps now would be a good time to come up with a plan for this river. Does anyone happen to have a boat or two sealed away?" Algimar wondered if variety of spells and abilities these members held would be enough for a smooth crossing. A few could fly and swim. But most were land bound.

Allard looked between the river and the their little lassa healer for a moment, remembering what she tried to do during the fight. "What if...," he started, "Oi Lynn, what if ya tried puttin' tha horses an ox ta sleep an I fly 'em over the river? I or some others can help carry people across. Then all's ta do is have the cart an two lassa cross by water. shouldn't be too bad I'd think."

Lynn lifted her head from Tali's shoulder when she was called. "O-oh! I think I can do that. What do you think, Tali?"

Tali shrugged and nodded. "That's better than nothing, but we do need to worry about the Hydra and other tigerfish. The hydra likely is just waiting for us to get into a compromising situation before pouncing. Is there a smaller piece that may be able to act as a natural choke point to prevent large creature interruptions?"

After saying her piece, Tali gave Lynn's back a gentle rub and her tail a light caress. The Lassa girl sure was warm and cuddly with her, so it was a nice diversion from the normally rather serious situation.

Gaston, meanwhile, sat by the river and plunged his fanged beak into the water, retrieving a few more large fish for some spare food. With his mistress preoccupied and no one else able to tell him what to do, the ever headstrong mount did what he wished, when he wished it.

As Itzel closed the crystal shelter, Nailah, despite her extremely aroused state, was clearly surprised to see that out of everyone, Itzel was the one who made the first move to her. The serious, always vigilant and noble Itzel.
Despite the frustrated sigh, Itzel's words as she finally looked to Nailah, inside the shelter came out as amusing to the half-dragon woman.

After hearing her words, Nailah almost immediately pounced on Itzel, with an agile, yet delicate movement kissing her. As she sat on top of her, Itzel could feel how hot her skin were, the sensation her smooth and delicate skin gave when touching her own, the thin layer of sweat covering Nailah's body, the sweet, almost irresistible scent coming from Nailah's breath and her soft lips pressed on hers. All that made it even more difficult to hold Itzel's own lust. Nailah's very presence seemed to arouse Itzel.

"Shhh~" Nailah said after a deep kiss, gently pressing her finger over Itzel's mouth before she took off her own clothes in a few seconds. It didn't take long for her to get completely undressed, as apparently, her clothes were made to be easy to take off.

"Don't talk..." Nailah said as she slowly began taking off Itzel's clothes. Just as Nailah's words said, there wasn't much to be said anymore. Itzel would be now almost completely lost on Nailah's body, there were no more inhibitions, no more shyness or concern over anything, right now, the only thing Itzel would think about was on the woman who was on top of her. The only thing Itzel would be able to smell right now was the sweet, alluring scent coming from Nailah's body, the only things she could feel were her soft, wet skin touching hers, her delicate fingers as she carefully took Itzel's clothes off.

Unkowingly to Nailah, the biggest surprise regarding Itzel was yet to come...

Itzel let Nailah have the lead only long enough to start to work on her clothes. Then, she immediately grasped the eager Tyro's hands and removed them from her clothes. Itzel stepped back and finished the clothing removal for Nailah before whipping her tail around to sweep Nailah's feet out from under her as the Oro woman slipped arms underneath the priestess's back. "Sorry dear, but I take the lead. Just enjoy it."

Instead of resisting, Nailah simply let Itzel take the lead with a giggle and looking at the woman with an eager expression. More and more, Itzel was showing her quite unexpected sides she had hidden from others. Who would have thought she would be so aggressive and bold!

But the surprises were far from over... When Nailah took a second glance at Itzel's fully naked body, she saw something quite surprising... Biting her lower lip, Nailah didn't try to hide her surprise and excitement. It would definitely be quite an interesting experience.

"Oh my~" she exclaimed.

"You are indeed full of surprises~" Nailah said, as her hands caressed Itzel's nude body.

"I'm certainly going to enjoy this... A lot... Don't let me waiting though, I am not a very patient woman..." Nailah finished, as she looked at Itzel with a mischievous expression.

After a little over an hour, Itzel gave Nailah a final peck on the cheek. "Thank you, sweetie. I needed a bit of release. Remember, no saying anything about my secret." She then stood up and redressed, smoothing her skirt and adjusting her breastplate to be more comfortable. Then, she waited until Nailah had her clothing back on before opening the shelter and walking out into the fresh air. She stretched out, her wings spreading to full span and her tail straightening out before twisting around the ground at her feet. She looked at the rest of the group and spoke up. "So, where were we? We need to cross the river, correct?"

"I never expected I would find someone besides Allard who would be able to keep up with me... That was quite the... exciting surprise~!" Nailah said, giving Itzel a small lick on the cheek after the kiss she gave her.

Stretching herself, Nailah wore her clothes (something that didn't take much time, due to how few they were) and got up. The air inside the crystal hut made by Itzel was replete with the sweet scent of Nailah and Itzel's sweat, an alluring, almost bewitching spell due to Nailah's charm magic and her naturally seductive body.

"Don't worry, my dear. I wouldn't simply tell anyone such a delicious secret like this one... As long as we can 'play' again... Of course." Nailah said, with a mischievous smile.

Tidying her hair before she went out, she was finally reunited with the group once more.

"Sorry for the delay, I had a few things to take care of." she said as she walked towards the rest of the group.

"So, we need to cross the river, right? Did you guys find any way to do it yet? Need any help?" she asked, looking to them as she waited for a reply.

Aeden had been so focused on calming himself down that he had not noticed Shye until she spoke to him. He stared at her dazed. He was not prepared for the feelings that threatened to explode. He had to try and calm himself. He had to...

One deep breath.

Aeden swallowed as he fought back the urge to pounce on her. He never had an interest in romance with anyone. Any sexual interaction he had experienced was terrible by fact they were all forced by the Therosi. It got to the point where only aphrodisiacs would work. But this woman before him....

Two deep breaths.

Shye was the first woman he thought he could truly have feelings for. Unconsciously, he started to move closer to her. His eyes were settled on those lips. Those lips that had kissed him before. Lips that felt great instead of unpleasant and forced. Unconsciously, he brushed his hand across her cheek as he pulled in within inches.

Three deep breaths.

He locked eyes with her just barely resisting closing the inches between them. His heart pounded both terrified and excited.

Nyph who had also seen Aeden enter the brush followed after from his original hiding spot. When he saw what was happening his jaw dropped and as an embarrassed reaction he cloaked himself. Still, he could not stop staring, and he secretly rooted for Aeden not entirely understanding the context of his mood.

Shye was a bit nervous when Aeden didn't answer. He seemed to just move towards her, taking heavy breaths. At first she slightly shrunk away, though, as soon as Aeden's hand brushed her face, she immediately stopped, allowing him to pull her close. He could feel her hart pounding in her bosom as her drew her near, the warmth of he body handed down from her tyro heritage. If there was ever a signal from him, to her this was it. If his hand was across her back, he could most likely feel the scars of her past, but unlike before, she was too lost in the moment to care. Her bedroom eyes were showing as she looked deep into his, and with his advance, she decided to it was her turn to make a move to close the gap. Her arms reached over his shoulders as she drew closer to him, now sitting in his lap and moving to lock lips with him once more, though a bit more passionate than the time at the inn. The world around her seemed to melt away, her feelings overcoming her reason as she opened herself up to the seraph once more. Inside, she was slightly afraid that he may refuse her advance like before. So she had to know, if they were simply caught in the moment or if this was something more. She reluctantly broke away from the kiss as she sat up for a moment and moved back slightly, extending her left leg to lay just across Aeden's right as she slowly and seductively leaned back to lay on the ground. Her arms laying above her head to accentuate her chest, her dark lips opened slightly as she breathed heavily, her back arcing slightly as she did so, and her eyes....seemed to be calling for him to come to her.

Nix curiously poked her head up from Shye's things inside the tent, having taken shelter there during the fight. She then started to explore around the tent a bit until she happened across Garrett, who was somehow sitting upright and asleep with a box of food in his lap. Se slowly stalked her way up to Garrett... and then on to his lap....and then to his food box. She cautiously looked between him and the food. He obviously wasn't eating it....so....that must have meant he was leaving it out for her, right? She made her way about a quarter way through the meal before she was full, but he still seemed to be asleep. Now purring and with a full belly, she yawned and looked for a place that may be suitable for a nap. She tried to make herself comfy on Garrett's lap, but not before her curiosity kicked in and she started scratching at and biting some of the weird armor that adorned him. some marks were left, but she was bored with it now, and decided to curl up in his lap and drift to sleep herself, purring contently.

Aeden lost all control as he slid his fingers up Shye's leg with one hand while slowly removing his armor with the other. When that became impossible he started removing with both. A fire in his eyes. He moved closer to her once again removing his shirt and revealing a multitude of scars from his time as a Therosi slave and the Therosi's creative and cruel bloodletting.

He proceeded to lock lips once more with her and intensified his acts of lust slowly and steadily. Committing entirely to his actions.

A tinggling ran up Shye's spine as Aeden ran his hand along her leg. Her back arched just slightly in reaction. As he removed his armor, she loosened her dress in the back. She didn't take it off, but it wouldn't take much effort to do so. When Aeden recommitted to her lips, she lightly put her arms around his shoulders and wrapped her legs around his waist. Drawing him against her body as they kissed. If he embraced her back, he too would feel the whip scars she bore on her back that were usually hidden behind her long hair. Though, ig she was self concious about them, which she usually was, she didnt seem concerned at the moment.

Shye had never felt such a thing in her life. Her body seemed to crave his, a lust that she had never bore towards anyone. This man, was she just caught in the moment, or did she sense something deeper that drew her in? As she lay there underneath Aeden, her breathing still heavy as her mind drifted into ecstasy. The afterglow of what had transpired had her wishing she could hold on to this moment forever. This man risked all he knew for her. This man went against everything he was told to help free her, and had saved her son from a bleak fate, one that would have ultimately crushed her own soul and will to continue on. This man....gave her life where she had only seen death. What a twist of fate it was that had brought them together. Shye turned her head to face Aeden in to draw him into another kiss, one hand running through his hair , the other embracing him. When she released she had those same sultry eyes that drew him in before, though they seemed to have a new glow about them. The only words she could put together were simple, yet the weight they carried could be felt even in her alluring breath of a whisper, "I love you."

Aeden's mind was abuzz with thoughts and feelings. He was no virgin, however, he had never experienced this level of pleasure from the carnal act of love-making. He could not have imagined ever experiencing something like this. He could only ask himself one thing: why?

He had committed a lot of effort to helping Shye by saving Bidzil. He could have died from it. At the time he justified that he did it because of the fact that the Dolofon were actively present in the orphanage, but it couldn't be just because of that. To have gone so far, he could only consider one thing: he actually loved her.

He smiled and pulled her closer. "I love you too."

Nyph finally started to pull himself away from staring at the couple after they confessed. He had not expected to witness Aeden experiencing love. Especially after everything he knew about his best friend. He turned and squeaked in surprise when he saw Nix. He was still cloaked, but had been so distracted by Aeden and Shye that he nearly forgot, and in his surprise he broke his camouflage.

Shye seemed to freeze as she heard Nyph squeak when Nix pounced on him, just now aware to the pseudodragon's presence. Shye's face deeply reddened in embarrassment, wanting to shrink away and hide herself. "N-Nyph! H-how long were you- I-I-" she stammered as she didn't know what to say. It didn't help that she was still kinda pinned under Aeden with her clothes cast aside. Though she was embarrassed, she was thankful it was just nyph and nobody else, though at the same time she felt really awkward now that she knew he may have been watching the whole time.

Aeden turned his head to see Nyph reveal himself, and he glowered at his long-time friend. ”You’ve got to be kidding me.” He had heard rumors of Nyph’s voyeurism, but he simply dismissed them. Now, he had proof and it irritated him.

He looked at Shye with an apologetic expression before getting up and getting dressed and re-equipped. ”I suppose we should get to helping the others with crossing the river.” His tone implied he was not entirely sure how he could help. Perhaps some creative thinking could be applied.

Aeden shot Nyph another glare as Nyph stumbled awkwardly due to Nix latching herself to his horn. The pseudodragon shied away a bit with an “I’m sorry” expression and posture. He waited for Shye to get ready before rejoining the group. He rejoined as Aste was speaking with Algimar about a drawbridge.

He cleared his throat as he approached. ”Do we have someone with the engineering skill to build a drawbridge? It’s a pretty good idea, however it will take some technical skills to do so, not to mention…” He paused and looked across the massive river. ”Do we have the time to build one of the proper size?”

Shye quietly sat up and reached for her clothing, not saying much, and fighting the embarrassment that swelled within her, she had gotten dressed. When Aeden spoke to her again, she seemed to perk up a bit. She gave him a peck on the cheek and smiled warmly to him, "I'm sure we will think of something, if not, going back around may take time, but it may be more productive." When was finished dressing, she followed Aeden to the rest of the group.

“If you’d excuse me,” Aste lifted the flaps of the tent slowly and carefully. The Hydra is still at large, and that the miscasting of the spell is at place. Just when she was being cautious, Aste found it hard to believe on what she saw inside. The leader of the Alliance, sleeping at that sort of situation. Still she doubt the effect of the love spell could last that long for that one. “Might be in a more fortunate situation here…” Aste breathed a long chatter of cursings.

“It’s not the time for you to sleep, Leader of the Alliance Garret.” Aste retied her long ponytail with one sharp tug. “We had a skirmish with a Hydra, and someone miscasted a spell, which brings the group in a less peculiar situation. There’s also the issue of crossing the River.”

Garrett was in the middle of a very nice dream consisting of thoughts being ironed out in a lucid, extensive internal monologue, as if he were conversing with himself, alone in his own mind without the surroundings that was the real world to intervene with what he would like to focus on. What was most important was reducing the level of exhaustion he was faced with at the moment. At the very least he knew he was sleeping and he wanted to enjoy the fact that he was, in fact, sleeping.

It would not take very long for his sleep to be interrupted, however, not by a small flying creature who enjoys a good meal, rather, by a member of the team he so graciously accepted in open arms. His eyes snapped open at the sound of somebody addressing him directly, his eyes were bloodshot, akin to when he was just a rampaging beast not too long ago, though the reason was he was abruptly awoken. He gathered his surroundings. The dragonling on his lap, the lack of most of the food in his meal box, the lady speaking to him, him being inside a tent. He pet the dragonling, running a hand over the scales, the other hand rubbing the bags under his eyes with a finger and thumb.

"Ah... I thank you." He stated, waking himself up from the soporous state he found himself in, rubbing the dragonling's sleeping scales. He offered the remainders of his box to Aste. "Would you like the rest? I fell asleep before I could try it. You would benefit more from it than I. Does the group require reigning in? Put in the right direction?"

“Right… No thanks,” Aste declined the offer of food politely. “Go wash your face,” Aste placed a linen cloth on the front of Garret. That was as nice as she could appear in front of that sleepy leader. She wasn’t really in a position to comment as she had her good morning’s nap for the previous travels. She patted on the little dragon Nix, whilst feeding the leftovers to the pet of the alliance.

“That love spell is much of a headache to deal with,” Aste rested a few fingers on her temples, hiding her frowns beneath the palms of her hand, “I hope they all wouldn’t get to camp the entire night here from the aftereffects of that vulgar magic. I know this morning trip has taken some toll on you, but we should be ready to cross the Hydra infested river now.”

Dremmick entered the conversation after hearing them get back to planning, "Finding a thinner, or even a shallow point in the river may be a good option, but that would mean going off coarse a bit. Garrett may be able to see one on his map. If the Hydra is too much trouble going across, Not that we have the time to spare, but doubling back could see a safer yet possibly more observed route." Dremmick glared out from under his hood towards the water. "If I had gotten closer, that thing would have been dead.... I can't do that again, my little experiment took more magic than expected," he admitted.
Tali's administrations on Lynn's back were nice and relaxing, The girl finally warming up to the idea of being cuddled more by her. What she did't expect was the faint tingling sensation that shot up her spine when her tail was caressed, especially when it was close to the base where it met her spine. Her eyes widened as her back arced slightly in withdraw. It wasn't a bad feeling, but it was definitely a surprise. Lynn's face blushed at whatever it was that just happened, "w-well, that's new...," she commented quietly to herself mostly.

Meanwhile, between all this talk of what they should do about the river, Allard would every once in a while curiously eye the crystalline structure Itzel and Nailah seemed to disappear into, and shift around a tad uncomfortably.

Tali felt her move back at the tail touching and managed to hear what she said. "Yes, well, it tends to be a slightly more sensitive spot when caressed than many body parts. I figured it might help sooth you somewhat or at least feel good." She then moved her hand up Lynn's hip and let it rest there. "At any rate, we need to figure out a method for defending ourselves while we cross the river."

Lynn rested her head on Tali's shoulder once more, "I'm not sure what I can do about the hydra. I am not sure how to aid in fighting it, and my siren song is too weak to work on all but one of the heads..." She sat for a moment contemplating their options, but she couldn't think of anything worthwhile to add. "The only thing I can think of is to clear the water away as we walk across te river, but that would put as all at the bottom if anything were to happen or attack us..."

Nix woke up to her fur and scales being scratched juuuust the right way. She stretched with a yawn, her tail's needle like spikes ruffled out and her wings, with their undeveloped bladed spines fanned out and they both started shaking as she stretched, her tail making a rattling sound. After words, she sat up proper and enjoyed the pets and scratched with a purr and a cooing here and there, one of her feet tapping when they got under the chin. Nix happily ate the rest of the leftovers, and when she was done, she gratefully rubbed up against Aste's hand before taking flight to look for Shye.

While Nix did indeed find Shye, she caught the scent of someone else who was there, and followed it. Landing in a tree close to the two lovebirds, Nix stalked the source of the scent she picked up. The scent of a familiar pseudodragon.

Aste poured a goblet of water from the pitcher. She wasn’t sure on what she had missed, but the Hydra is still at large. Aste asked Garret, “Do you think its a good idea to use to tame the Hydra and cross the River? Whether that love spell works on animals isn’t something I would want to study too much on, mind you.”

Garrett stood, taking the cloth from Aste, wiping his face smoothly to ensure that his face wasn't dirtied from his nap. "Forcing such acts. Ethically corrupt in reality." He sighed at Aste's bleak statements as to the state of the group, whether she intended for them to bleak or not.

"We have many modes of transportation animals and objects to get over the river. A drawbridge fashioned from the trees and plant fibers around this side of the region would be more suitable, both to avoid angering the river beasts with a constant obstruction to free surface movement, and for us to have a pleasing and rewarding form of engineering and ingenuity. " Garrett had an obligation to inform at least somebody as to what his plans were once they arrived at the river, it seemed fit to inform the one who willingly consulted with him such matters.

Garrett felt himself, making sure he was still himself and he was saying what he intended to, everything checked out. He was but a descendant where he stood for now. How he preferred it to stay for the time being.

"Will you help me organize and make sure the group knows what needs to be done, Aste? "

While the others had gotten some decent rest and relaxation, Mason felt so restless, he couldn't bring himself to sit still.

So rather than kick back like the others, the young seraphim had spent the night hacking away a tree near to the camp, in an attempt to improve his swordsmanship. Unfortunately for the boy, he didn't seem to improve much over the course of a few hours, and the lack of rest certainly wasn't good for him either with how long they had journeyed.

Thankfully, he still had a couple of those adrenaline potions he made, if anything happened, all he'd need to do is crack one open, and chug it down.

Approaching Lynn and Tali near the water as they discussed how best to cross the river, the boy yawned loudly as he added his two cents. "Maybe I could just fly overhead, ready to smite it the moment it pops one of its heads out? I'm not sure how effective it'd be, but I'm definitely willing to try."

Algimar defiantly approached the river. It had been some time now since they've arrived but it was short compared to the adrenaline rush one felt when even thinking on the battle against the Hydra. Were they so weak? Truth be told. While the Kingdom of Nero had command over many Basilisks it remained true that if even one went wild it would mean the end of a few descendants. A omen magnified by running into a wild Hydra. He cursed the dragons blood and it's strength.

He looked across the river. If only one could safely cross would this 'plan' of travel be effective. For a few hours ahead was their destination. Wyvern territory. This did not bode well…

Aste nodded at the list of plans that are brought out from the fellow member of the Alliance Garret. That might be worth trying, if that spell from the Old Temple work well enough to distract any creatures. Lynn taming magic didn’t work on that Hydra. Still that river must be confronted in one way or another.

“That to create a bridge, it might work, but the Hydra is especially aggressive this time. But I’ll see to how things goes.” Saying that, Aste lifted the flaps of the tent and left to check on the waters.

Closening towards the river banks carefully, she approached Algimar, “That spell from just now, do you think it can calm the Hydra if used together with Lynn’s magic? Also, Garrett suggested a drawbridge.”

Tali began to stroke Lynn's hair as she seemed to think. "My ability to affect the Hydra is minimal. If I get a lucky shot in an eye or something, I can do something, but for now, I can't really do anything." She looked out to the water, letting out a small sigh. "As for being able to help with crossing the river, I could help with some water moving, but I am still mostly useless there. I could help build a raft of some sort or potentially help push some type of craft."

Mason then approached and gave his opinion. Tali looked up at him and chuckled. "It would maybe piss it off. Dremmick basically dumped all his power into one shot and mostly hit it. It must have hurt, but the hydra is far from dead. We are talking a full blooded adult hydra, so unless your smiting is massivaly strong, it might only serve to taunt it into trying to hit you. Keep in mind, it can fire pressurized water at range."

Dremmick looked to Mason and shook his head, agreeing with Tali. "Not everyone here can fly, and if we had Allard carry anything he would be a large target. A raft would suffice for any landbound members, I believe. Tali and Lynn can control the water to help us move across. I can hit the monster again, but I will need blood to replinish my energy first." It was about this time he also saw Aeden rejoin the group, Shye shortly behind him. She seemed like she was practically glowing, a far cry from the desperate mother they had found before.

"I'd take donations, but I'm not so sure the best donor is willing," he added with a wry smile, referencing Aeden.

Algimar watched the waters with a calm exterior. As if he was enjoying the view. Despite knowing full well what swam beneath its clear mass right into the dark where no light can pierce. He heard the careful footsteps and smelled the weary fragrance of a young descendant woman. He couldn't tell which though. For there were a few who could pass as a young woman among them. The question came and a smirk emerged on Algimars face. Though she could not see it lest she stare at the reflection on the rocky shore. Like the water the black stones that have been eroded for centuries were clean and reflective. "Well... Anything is possible.." He began, not turning to look at her but acknowledging the question as if he did just that. "I might be able to do something to help in this case. Sound manipulation is just one of my peculiarities." He turned to Aste, a gentle smile on his face and lifted a finger as if to say hush. "That is if the others do their part when the time comes."

Garrett departed from the tent, propping open one of the flaps and clearing his exit from the canvas.

"There is no need for any convoluted plan. We get a few large trunks of tree, cut the root and the brush, and bind it, either with rope, if we have it, or magic bindings, something that doesn't waste our ichor or power to conjure an upper hand in any possible fight. We do as the Gaian nomads once did, we place down a bridge to cross, get all our equipment quickly across, and lift up the bridge on the other side for the return trip. There are many trees that are prime specimens of size that can get us across."

Garrett paused, squatting beside the waterside to inspect the distance and situation they were in for actually crossing. Then he looked around to address the retinue.

"This is my suggestion. Were we to go along with it, we'd also have a way to cross back without wasting more of our power, blood, or effort. Any of you are free to go along with any other of the plans set down, or agree to help me with mine. Majority rules."

She was a far cry from when the group met her, if any took notice she seemed quite happy, she almost seemed to glow, like there was a new light in her eyes. She stayed close to Aeden as she listened to everyone's input. A bridge or a raft both seemed to be a good idea, if at least they weren't attacked again. Though there was a chance that the beast had lost interest in pursuing them seeing that they weren't worth the effort. If they could get across without incident, it would definitely be worth the risk. "If it can be executed properly, I have no quarrel with his plan. Do we even know if the hydra is still here?"

Dremmick then stood up and walked to the water's edge. He pulsed his soul sight to see if the hydra was indeed still lurking below or if it had moved further down the river. "A bridge would be a better option should we desire to take this route on our return. I'm willing to try it."
Allard nodded in agreement, "I can see to falling the trees and setting them in place then, the less magic we use now the better."
Lynn listened in as everyone talked about building a bridge, which wasn't a bad idea. She had a rather childish sounding idea to walk the bottom of the river to the other side, but without knowing how deep it was or the nature of the riverbed, that may not have been the best option either. She lifted her head from Tali's shoulder and sat up a bit, "I wasn't able to siren song the hydra, as it only worked on one head, but maybe, if we wish to keep from fighting, there is a way to amplify my song to reach all three? My mana can return rather quickly as long as I have enough sunlight. If need be, I can manipulate water for a good distance around myself. I'd say.... roughly thirty feet? I'm not sure if it would help with a bridge, but maybe if we decided to do a raft instead it may."

Asye folded her arms beneath her white cloak, patiently listening to the conversation of the Alliance. Whether to use a bridge or raft was still up to debate, but her ears twitched upon the mention of ‘sunlight’.

“I can reflect a good bit of light with my magic, but…” Aste took out her Divine Element ring and Divine potion from her leather pouch, handling those artefacts to Lynn. “This ring might help on the next time we approach the Hydra.”

Aste didn’t feel a need for that ring, for she had yet depleted her daily casts, and Lynn’s magic is more relevant for this situation.

Algimar found Dremmicks approach of the water a bit unusual. However the blood mage reeked of a strangeness. Algimar watched as Dremmick scanned the waters. To no avail as the vastness of the waters seemed entirely empty of life beyond simple fish and crustaceans. Turning back to the group that was forming Algimar stepped away from the waters. He didn't want to appear uneased by the situation. He knew that traveling these lands would be an arduous deadly mission that requires wit and skill. But it seemed a group born from the lofty ideals of the various kingdoms wasn't cohesive enough to have a plan for such an issue already formed.
With a sigh he took a stand nearby to be within visible earshot of them. He found Aste, the young mage to be fairly useful despite being outside of her element in this situation. So the bulk of the responsibility seemed to rest on the shoulders of the dainty Lassa who seemed to be adept at enchanting but her ability to manipulate water has yet to be seen. But this was only a miniscule effort compared to the thoughts of building a bridge across this river. "It certainly is possible." He spoke plainly. Looking towards Garrett to acknowledge him and also taking note of Garrett's Nayu traits. It seemed those born outside the kingdom of Nero have fairly different lives and outlooks. He may have never even dreamed of feeding on a seraphim, strange indeed. Algimar smirked at this and continued despite his wandering thoughts. "Our ideal is to place it safely across and keep it from harm as we proceed to do so ourselves."

Tali let everyone speak their piece, her fingers casually stroking up and down Lynn's spine as she straightened up. Once the conversation finished, she looked out to the water. "Whatever our plan, we should do it fast. Wounds heal fast when they aren't fatal, so our time is limited. I personally have no preference as long as we get across with a minimum of casualties." Her eyes then fell upon Algimar. The odd Nayu seemed to take an unnatural interest in each person as they talked about their quirks or powers. He also seemed entirely naive about the outside world in a way far different from Lynn. Lynn simply lacked experience. Algimar seemed to have experience in only a singular point. That could create problems later if they kept encountering odd things.

She maintained her attentions on Lynn despite not looking at her, one hand's fingers stroking along the Lassa's spine, the other hand resting on Lynn's hip.

Dremmick approached the group after his inspection of the water. "The hydra has moved on, whatever plan we have, we had better do it now before it decides to return." he said looking to the others. "I say we make this raft and have Lynn push it across. If what she said is true, then she can control water around herself in a radius of thirty feet, a sixty foot diameter. That should be plenty of room to make a large raft, load it up, and move it across the river, taking less time and materials than a bridge would. And if she needs additional help, Tali can aid her in moving the raft as well. Anyone who can fly should do so." he then turned to Allard. "I'd say you can get started cutting down a few trees, either option we go with will require some."

Allard nodded to Dremmick, "Right then, a ton o' lumber commin' right up." He then drew his heavy blade and started making his way to the nearest tree.

Lynn was not used to being pampered the way she was right now, but that isn't to say that she couldn't get used to it. She still kept an ear on the conversation and was surprised to find that Dremmick had faith in her abilities. Then Aste seemed to come to her and offer her ring and a potion. Her eyes lit up on the little trinket. "A-alright, I'll try my best if anything should happen. Hopefully I can get us across before it returns and I can get this back to you."

Garrett looked away from the lake toward the would-be workers "A raft will not do. Floating would be a chore, and our presence on the surface would make us known to any creatures beneath, and I am very sure it would be a waste of our energies to fight or charm every last one of them. The nomadic bridge will do just fine, it will keep us above the surface, and will not be any less difficult than a simple raft. Especially with the size of these trees, mind you."

He sighed and walked over to his wonderful Acrid, stroking her mane and reaching into one of her saddlebags to take out the ax he had used to cut down the beams for his tent.

"I shall help with getting the materials for the craft."

He approached the closest, suitably sized tree to chop down.

Aste tied the logs together to secure the rafts. She wasn't certain on how many of those boats that are needed to carry over the supplies, but it should be enough by the current evening. Should there be any complications that might occur, she is sure that the Alliance would be able to handle it.

As Allard ventured out closer to where the trees were taking root he and the others soon after would realize the nature of the chaotic storm high above on the mountain to the south was growing even worse. The earth was shaking at this point. Everyone would feel a wave of trembling beneath them before dissipating. The source was no doubt the mountain and it resonated like a terrible war. Stones could be seen falling from the storm to the ground below leaving debris trails behind. Algimar felt a sense of urgency. But remained calm. He walked over towards an elevated hill. Eyeing the mountain storm above. He grasped something inside his clothing and pulled it out bringing it to his lips and he whispered into it so none could hear. He then put it away. Stepping from the high point to venture with Allard. "I may be of use." Speaking more so to not seem too strange to Allard for having someone follow him. Algimar did not smile though, his face was calm and almost cold. But he kept a few feet behind the big Oro despite his obvious higher speed. Even the strange terrain of Gaia did not seem to give his pace pause. Yet he still moved with a perfect pace behind Allard.

Aeden had a hard time concentrating as the discussion continued. His thoughts were focused on what happened between him and Shye just recently. He found himself staring at her without thinking. Everything happened so quickly it was difficult for him to fully understand and fully appreciate what happened.

He zoned back into reality when the suggestion of a raft came to being. That was definitely more practical and time efficient than a bridge. Either way they were going to need to get the lumber necessary for them. He would not voice much of an opinion until they had the lumber needed.

He decided to work with Aste on tying together the logs. He glanced up towards the storm with a glower every so often. "I do not like the look of the storm. I suggest we get a raft together and move quickly. A bridge I fear may take too long."

Tali was of minimal use to anyone in terms of chopping or moving logs. The best she could do was to lash together logs. Her servitor occupied himself coddling and pampering the egg as best as one can with an egg.

Everyone's efforts were put to good use. Within the next handful of hours the group managed to forge a large somewhat crude by stable vessel. Using one of their blankets as a sail. With their remaining materials they were left with little extra for forming ropes further down the road. But for now they had what was effectively a perfect raft. Though not all could fit on this vessel and include the wagon, ox and other materials they left aside.

Algimar was worried no more about the storm above. Though it's remnants still lingered as trails around it's chipped edge. The sky was significantly darker now. The raft was complete but tensions were high. Night was soon to be upon them as the sun began its fiery orange descent into the horizon.



Dremmick took a long look at the finished product. It would be enough to get everything that couldnt be flown over across, though a bit of a hassle, at least hey were finished with it. He turned and made his way back to the riverside and checked the waters once again with his soul vision, this time cursing a little more audibly than he's prefer. "It seems out friend has returned... We won't be able to cross with it in the water. Ready to finish this?" he asked the group, though he didn't seem very amused.

Lynn looked worried but nodded her head. "I will do what I can, just... none of you do anything rash...," she said, hoping that everyone would be alright. She could fix injured people, but the dead were unmendable...

Allard cracked his knuckles and neck before doing a few stretches, "Came back fur round two, eh? Guess we 'ought not ta dissapoint," he chuckled, somewhat looking forward to doing battle with the beast again.

Shye approached from where her belongings were left unguarded by Nix, though now she had both her gauntlets and greaves on. Even with the menacing armored ligaments, her stance was graceful perfectly poised, awaiting whatever may come in silence. The Allience had given her back everything, so for them, she would give anything. If they needed her help to fight off a hydra, then so be it.

Tali sighed and stripped off all but her inner garment before drawing her smaller sword. "My spells are ineffective, so I shall attempt to attack it from below." She set herself up on a rock, readying herself to dive into the water. She was not fond of being unable to rely upon her magic, but that was why her mother taught her how to use weapons. She looked at Lynn and Nailah, her expression softening as she spoke. "Don't get hurt, Lynn my dear. Nailah, keep her safe please."

Itzel drew her bow and made sure her shield was set properly. She took her place at the front of the group, hovering above the ground behind Allard. "Gaston, protect the backline." She gave Allard a tap on the shoulder. "Don't jump into its mouth again, if you would. I cannot easily summon crystal in a moving target's mouth." Once through with her little speech and gentle jab at her fellow Oro, Itzel drew a barbed arrow, nocking it and watching for her target.

Gaston heard Itzel's command and sauntered over to stand in front of Lynn. His head held high, Gaston kept watch, though he did spend time patrolling along a small expanse of the beach, observing and memorizing the terrain, likely seeking places to hide people in danger since he knew the hydra could fire water. It was obvious he was in full combat mode as his feathers were ruffled and puffed slightly and his claws dug slightly into the ground with each step.

After being told by the rest of the group they decided in making a raft to cross the river, Nailah helped in any way she could. It did take a few hours, but they were finally able to build a decent raft to take all of them to the other side.

Unfortunately building it took a good deal of time and night was quickly arriving. The group still would probably have to camp that night. Not only that, but before worrying about camping, they had to worry about the Hydra, who was still alive, somewhere in that deep river. The confirmation soon came from Dremmick that the Hydra was indeed still on the river. Crossing it would be dangerous.

"It's a tricky situation. Only a few of us will be able to do something if it attack us from below." Nailah said, with an annoyed expression. It didn't take much to realize that she wouldn't be that much of a help fighting underwater.

"Everything will be ok, just stay behind me my dear." Nailah said to Lynn trying to calm her before she looked at Allard after he chuckled, probably looking forward to throwing herself at the Hydra's mandibles again.

"Allard, don't forget our little 'talk'. Plus, not only I am pretty sure Lynn's comment was particularly directed at you, but Itzel also thinks the same way." Nailah said, looking to Allard, using the fact that a few members of the group had said for him to stay safe.

Nodding in confirmation as Tali said she would try to attack the Hydra from below and as she told her to keep Lynn's safe, Nailah got ready. Even if she wasn't that much of a help if the Hydra kept hiding under the water, she would still try to do the best she could.

"Don't do anything rash, Tali. If you feel it's dangerous, just come back." Nailah finished as she looked to Tali.

Aste wasn’t surprised to hear that the Hydra was still alive. Drawing upon her magic, Aste wrapped the flows of light to cast the Spell of Invisibility around the raft. The raft from the outside would seem to fade like mist. She knew that the magic doesn’t work well on creatures that rely more than just their sense of sight. “Lynn, can you calm the flows of water?” She hoped that the creature wouldn’t be ‘so hostile’ when it reaches the raft, but even so, it’ll be up to Lynn to tame the Hydra.

Algimar approached the subject of Talise entering the water. "Before you go. Perhaps it would be best we find a way to lure it out. Then if we subdue at least two of the heads then one can be lulled to passivity by... Lynn I believe?" He looked to Lynn with a stern apologetic gesture for this was his first time saying her name. "Perhaps a unified strike on both heads could deal enough damage to subdue them. Then we can decapitate the passive head. This should be enough to force it to flee long enough for us to pass." He crossed his arms but looked to the waters and the darkening sky. "We should act quickly. It is said that the nights have been far more dangerous since the attacks on the kingdoms." As Algimar spoke he sensed something flying their way. He saw a black bird approaching their direction. He brought his arm up and it landed on his forearm. He then removed from one of its legs a scroll. "My message couldn't have reached Nero yet..." He let the bird fly away and began to read the scroll by unfolding it bit by bit. He seemed unsurprised by the words, rerolling it after a brief read. He stepped towards Garrett. He would hand him the letter. "Perhaps it would be best if you let the others know."

Garrett stares at the raft. It was a raft they were surely to be pulled beneath the tides of the stream in front of them. What's more is that the rest of the party has decided to willingly go and agitate the territorial hydra. Now, Algimar, his trusty bugle horn of a descendant has spoken up once more on the matters at hand. The broad sense and all that.

Now staring at Algimar, he would look at the messenger bird flying off, then to the letter. He took the letter and read it to himself, before folding it and stowing it.. where he was able to. He looked at everyone giving their stupid suggestions that were arbitrarily idiotic as to what was now an expedited journey.. An expedition as some would call it.

"Good news and bad news, everyone.

Garrett sighed.

"Whether you like it or not you're getting the bad news first. We have no definitive winning against the fight with the Nuxtan tide. Gaia is slowly becoming a power with no army. "

He looked at the raft again.

"Good news is Nero defeated a dragon at the cost of some of its people. Nothing different there. Better news is Aquatic Hydras are repelled by burning fire salts until it becomes agitated. We are going to hurry to our goal, and keep Gaia from becoming the first official Nuxtan province from abdication."

He nodded to Algimar, and Aste, who have been very helpful at not letting himself be sleeping at this moment.

"Worst news, sorry roguish types, but we have no time to waste. Let's move. Now. "

Just as Tali was entering the water, Algimar stopped her suggesting they could try to lure the hydra out first. It was indeed a good idea. It would be safer for Tali and others such as Nailah herself, who couldn't do much against the hydra if it was underwater, would be able to help in the combat.

Before Nailah could say anything though, a strange black bird came towards the group, landing on Algimar's forearm. Apparently, it was a messenger bird, bringing news from Nero. For some reason, Algimar didn't say the message himself, instead asking Garrett to tell the others.

Nailah stood silent as she heard the news brought by the bird. Gaia was apparently in a bad situation, due to confrontations with Nuxta's forces and according to Garrett's words, it was starting to lose most of their military power. Those were worrying news. But unfortunately, there was nothing Nailah or anyone in their group could do to aid the Gaians right now, other than try and complete their mission as soon as possible. In the other hand, Nero seemes to have at least a partial success, being able to defeat a dragon, even though it costed a few of it's people.

"It seems things aren't exactly going as planned..." Nailah said to herself, after hearing the bad news from Garrett.

"The only thing we can do now though is focus on our mission." she said, looking to the group.

"Regarding the Hydra... I do agree with Algimar. It would not only be safer to try and lure it out of the water, but I will be able to do more than just standing still and waiting." Nailah said, with a grin.

"You mentioned fire salts, right? Any idea on where we can find them? Wouldn't any of you happen to carry some with you, right?" Nailah asked, looking to the group and waiting for an answer.

Lynn was uneasy watching Tali start making her way to the water. She didn't want to think about what could happen to her, knowing all too well the kinds of injuries people could suffer from aquatic dragons, not all were fortunate enough to survive even after making it to medical care. When Gaston sauntered on over, she absentmindedly petted his back to clam her nerves as she watched. Nailah also reassured her as she took a stance close to her. As for Tali, luckily, Algimar stopped her from entering the water, but then he directed his attention to Lynn instead, which surprised her a little. "I will do my best, I wish that I could pacify all of them so none of you would have to risk yourselves...," she said, still a little disheartened from earlier. Though with a little more confidence, she gave a small bow, "Just let me know when you are ready."

Allard chuckled at the girls' concern for him, and even he had to admit they were right. How he fought was quite reckless, though, without any real way to combat the beast from afar like a number of the spell casters intheir group, the only option he had that would be effective would be to get close. "I understand yur concerns, but I am not able ta fight from afar, not anymore. If I am to help fight this beast, I got ta do it head on. I am no longer blessed with tha gifts of wind an' stone. Though, I s'pose I could be a bit more careful, aye?" He turned to Algimar and drew his heavy blade. "I'll take a swing at tha center head, less ya got another man 'ere that can slice through all that."

Shye approached, ready to offer her abilities to the plan as well. "I can assist in incapacitating one or two of the heads."she mentioned quietly, but enough for them to hear. Shye seemed to step to the side, yet also leave herself behind, a perfect copy of her now accompanying herself. Both smiled softly, the real Shye tucking her hair behind her ear while the Doppelganger her hands delicately clasped in front of her.

Dremmick listened to the group form a plan. It was a far cry from the individuality of the group from back in pearl. Communication seemed to be getting better. He let out a sigh as he felt it was his turn to say where he could pitch in. "That last spell drained a lot of soul from me. Unless you all are fine with me using some...unsavory methods, I won't be able to repeat that spell. However, If need be, I can always see how pouring a good portion of my blood into the monster would end up. Other than that, I can help with healing if anyone gets injured, or try my hand at incapacitating one of the heads as well."

Aeden considered what he was best capable of doing to assist. Unlike other seraphim he had no ability to fly. He had no idea what his wings were actually capable of. He had received little direction in regards to his ethereal wings as none of the seraphim he knew had anything like them. If they could succeed at beaching this monster he would be much more useful in the fight with it. Otherwise, all he could do was act as a field medic for those that received injuries.

"If we can succeed at getting it on land," Aeden voice was calm and serious. "I can cause some harm to it. Otherwise, I'll be ready to heal the wounded."

Lurking in the dark waters the Hydra and its three heads moved against the currents. It had within its jaws a large and dangerous fish. Yet it devoured it without a second thought. It approached the edge of the waters from far below. This was to avoid any detection or being seen before it would strike. It was getting later and the Hydra was going to play it smarter now. It edged upwards but would wait behind a curv of stones in the depths of the rivers edge.
Algimar was pleased to see everyone was preparing themselves. Hopefully the energy they saved by building a raft instead of a bridge would make a difference. Their last battle's outcome was poor. Yet their saving grace was that the Hydra had been taken by surprise. It was odd though. Why did the Hydra attack them? Was it the blood of the fish? Surely it hadn't been hunting just one animal. Thinking on a Hydra's nature he was perplexed. He turned to Talise one more time and to Lynn posing the same question. "Can you perform a song that can lure the Hydra into a trap?"

Lynn nodded to Algimar as she stood up, only for her staff to come to her and let her rest on it as she hovered slightly in the air, at just about her own height. "I believe I can, especially with a little bit of music to accompany it." she said with a smile towards Tali. "I can start on your signal, as long as everyone is ready."

Tali tapped her chin thoughtfully at the question about luring the hydra. "I cannot guarantee my song will lure it. I do not have magical songs that do that. However, I could try to play something that the hydra may want to approach to see about the source. Perhaps I could do a song akin to a dancing number. That might lull it into a sense of surprise. That could potentially work." She waved down her servitor. Once it arrived at her side, she got her ocarina from it and then sent it back to do as it wished.

She then took a deep breath before winking at Lynn. "Alright, let's position inland a bit. We want it to investigate, not just pop a head above water." The Tyro/Lassa woman moved inland just enough to make it impossible to get a good angle on her hiding spot and found a rock to hide behind. She knelt down and began to play a lively jig, adding some fun improvisational parts to make it both fun for her and more enticing as improv parts take more focus than normal.

Algimar approached the waters edge as Talise began to play her strings. A risky move but he had to ensure their plan would work as best he could. Next to him formed a shadow doppelganger. Something with all of his features with none of the details. This was due to it being entirely black and emitting a smokey aura from its edges while moving. It dived straight into the water. Algimar stood with crossed arms in wait. The shadow was moving within the waters a fair distance from the shore. The waters were a bit calmer but still forced it down stream. That's when Algimar pulled from the waters a black rope connected to the clone. He used it to keep it from going any further. He now waited to see what the combination of music and bait would do.

Ignoring whatever was foolish enough to wade on the rivers surace the Hydra remained beneath the waters. It was not until the spike in the auras of Tali and Lynn did it seem intrigued in investigating. When their music imbued with their soul's enchanting effects reached the Hydra, who was peaking out of the water with one of its heads, it made the Hydra approach. The song seemed to strike a coord with the Hydra. One strong enough to make its presence known without any direct hostility. Yet only one head was out of the water. Coming closer as if to inspect those who were making the music.

Lynn would continue her siren song, her soft and soothing angelic tones woven with magic to tame the wild beast. She had done this a number of times with smaller, more singular headed, water dragons in the past, and in the back of her mind was her last failure with this three headed beast. She put it aside however, her determination set to not let her friends down again. She put her trust in Tali's music as she slowly walked forward towards the beast, her staff floating close to her. He tail would slowly and rhythmically sway to half the tempo of the music, the same pace as her slow gate to the monster. She didn't want to move too fast and upset it in any way. She reached her arms out to the monster in the water from the shoreline, and in soft gentle movements gestured for it to come to her. If it did, she would slowly back away from it, continuing this pattern as she would draw i more and more out of the water.

Meanwhile, Allard, Shye, and Dremmick all waited in their designated positions, waiting for the signal to move.

Nailah nodded, agreeing as she heard Allard saying he would be more careful. The Hydra wasn't exactly a small fry and no matter how tough Allard was, it could still wound him pretty badly if he wasn't careful. As he and Algimar prepared to fight the Hydra, Nailah took a defensive stance nearby Lynn, ready to protect her in case anything went wrong. She hoped their plan would work, as it would make things way easier but if it didn't, they might have to fight the Hydra once more...

The group was undeniably more prepared to face the hydra than it was before, with Aeden ready to heal anyone who needed and they weren't caught by surprise as they were before. Strangely enough, the Hydra also seemed to be a bit more careful after the attack it received. Still submerged in the river, it was only observing the group instead of simply surfacing and attacking them.

"It is much more wary of us than it was before... It might be much harder to trick it than it was before..." Nailah said after Algimar asked Lynn to perform a song to try and lure the Hydra.

Listening Lynn's words, followed by Tali agreeing to help her with a bit of music, Nailah smiled as she turned to both girls. It had a good chance of working, especially since it was already clear that even though the Hydra seemed to be a bit resistant, Lynn's song still affected it to some extent. With Tali's help and with other people distracting the hydra, maybe it wouldn't be able to concentrate itself enough to resist Lynn's songs.

When Nailah was about to give up waiting for the Hydra, suddenly it's head poked out of water. Surprisingly enough, it didn't show any hostility, instead it seemed to be almost in some kind of trance as it listened to Tali and Lynn's music.

"Oh my! It is really working!" Nailah said, whispering with a surprised tone without taking her eyes off the Hydra.

She saw Lynn getting closer to the creature and slowly followed her as she did. Even though Nailah was afraid to alert the Hydra, she was still scared that it could try to resist Lynn's song, just like it did earlier, and suddenly attack her. In case that happened, she would be close in order to try and get Lynn away from danger.

Garrett clapped his hands. The efforts of the team to contain the situation they found themselves in was laughably effective. Laughable in the sense that it was a big waste of time. If they could spend as much time and effort standing around on the wrong side of the river playing with a hydra as they did making the journey to their destination in a crucial, decisive moment of fighting against Nuxta, maybe he wouldn't be as powerful as he is now and they'd be winning.

"Okay. Let's load up the raft and hurry across while the scaly cerberus is creaming itself to some offkey strings and whistles."

Garrett smirked at his uncouth frankness for the moment and tugged on the rope tethering the raft to the shoreline they found themselves on, bringing it against the land. He torqued the rope so it wouldn't loosen, and started to put the more-less-mobile gear and transportation onto the raft.

Aeden shot a confused look toward Garrett. "What are we going to do about those that are focused on the beast? No, the tactically appropriate decision is not to take a half measure with this monster and deal with it here."

He was disturbed at Garrett's lack of understanding of tactics and his rudeness towards members of the Alliance. "No half measures. You never leave an enemy behind to stab you in the back."

He turned away to focus his attention to the beast. He kept some of his attention on Garrett. Before he came across as a noble with little understanding of the world projecting his high and mighty mindset upon reality. Now he simply seemed like an ass, and quite possibly a liability in this dangerous world. That would have to be dealt with sooner than later, but first they had to deal with the monster before them.

Aeden began stalking around the beast searching for a weak point he could exploit and direct the group towards.

The Hydras single head made it appear more like a serpent. Though it was large enough to gobble a sizable descendant like Allard in a few bites it was not as massive in scale as a sea Hydra. Something noticeable by those who have seen one and survived. Algimar was in a risky place but as the monsters focus was on Lynn he felt at ease enough to keep his chain in the waters and also his shadow clone. It not needing air was able to climb up the chain in the water and head towards the Hydras elongated backside.
The song Lynn sang along with Talise seemed to lure the Hydra in further. The other two heads that were once missing now vaguely visible by way of water bubbles on the rushing waters surface. It was then Algimar heard and saw Garrett moving for the spell cloaked vessel. With Aeden approaching him. All other sounds and or voices was a liability now. So Algimar shot them both a glare. The only tactic available now was to fight or flee. With Garrett grabbing the items to place on the raft Algimar assumed he was preparing an attempt at fleeing while the others kept the creature occupied. The mission as a whole was greater than individuals in the group. Be it as that may be Algimar had no allegiance to this group and only saw this risky situation growing far more than it was worth. If he was to continue he needed to see what this group's worth really was. Why the kingdoms intrusted them with such a important journey.

The hydra did not move closer than a few feet from the shore, part of it's long body on wet muddy shoreline. The mass of bubbles to its side remained as such. It looked intently at lynn with a long tongue escaping between its teeth, licking the air as if hungry or pleased.

As Garrett made his way closer to the the supplies he was going to take to the raft, he would find himself closer to where Dremmick was lying low. Dremmicks eyes were aglow with contained anger as he watched the careless man nearly ruib what little of a plan was formed to cross this river with the least amount of casualties. When Garrett grabbed one of the ropes, Dremmick's hands shot out, grabbing his arm and shoulder, pulling him down to where he was. "Sit back and shut up, you damned fool, before you get them killed!" he quietly hissed. "What was on that letter can wait, we need to make sure we survive first, or else all of their sacrifices will be in vain." Dremmick looked back to the hydra, watching very carefully to see if it noticed Garrett, hoping it was too distracted to care.

Lynn, noticing that it wasn't wanting to come out, thought of another tactic. What if she could convince this head she was safe, and the other heads followed suit on it's suggestion. Maybe she only really had to try to 'tame' one in rder to tame the others. So, instead of trying to lure it, Lynn slowly and calmly approached the hydra head. She took slow gentle steps, her gait flowing like water as she approached. She reached out a hand to it, as if to pet it on the nose, thogh she kept it just a few inches away, letting it come to her. if it came to her, she would gently and tenderly pet it as she sang, the song she sang would belay her will to want to be friendly with the monster, she didn't want to fight. Her staff was closeby should her attempt to swallow her up, she could at least use the staff to bar its mouth open, as it was taller than her. But right now, her mind was focused on befriending the monster, keping any doubt that it would work from her mind.

It was the Sirens of Tearia that allowed their kingdom to thrive in the waters, surrounded by terrible creatures like this hydra. Even the Queen of Tearia was a legendary siren, if not the most. As such their relationship with the sea creatures who enjoyed their songs and were moved by them was a good one. The envy of the other kingdoms, not even Gaia could sing a song a Sea dragon enjoys. Lynn was a spitting image of many of the sirens, though her song was weak compared to true sirens Talise brought a curious mix to the sounds. However it was enough to move only one hydra head. A folly.
The one head was calm and gently approached Lynn but the others reacted to her movements. Their heads emerging from the waters with teeth bared. A hiss and a flare of their fins warned the enchanted. The far right head looked to Talise. While the far left looked to the others as a whole. The center most head moved back from Lynn. It's own teeth beginning to show.

The second she heard Garrett's words regarding the Hydra and Tali and Lynn's efforts to deal with, she immediately sent him a death stare. She knew very well that talking to him was useless so instead, she was sure to send him the message that if he did anything to disrupt both girls and put Lynn in danger, she wouldn't hesitate in doing something harsh.

Thankfully, she didn't seem to be the only one shocked with Garrett's words and attitude, as Aeden immediately voiced his dissatisfaction with what happened. As he started to position himself though, Nailah sent the same piercing stare to him, thinking he was about to do something that would threaten to break the Hydra's attention, but when she realized he only positioned himself in case something wrong happened, she nodded towards him, thanking him.

As Lynn moved closer to the Hydra, Nailah quietly walked together, always standing far enough so the Hydra wouldn't immediately see her as a threat but close enough to dash for Lynn in case something happened. Everything seemed to be going quite well. Even though only one of it's heads was reacting to Lynn's song and Tali's music, it was reacting favorably until now.

Unfortunately, the second she approached the Hydra to touch her, the other heads finally reacted to her movements, emerging from the water with their teeth bared. Nailah didn't even waited for them to hiss as she dashed towards Lynn. Apparently, Lynn and Tali's music wasn't strong enough to charm all tree heads of the Hydra.

Approaching Lynn in the blink of an eye, Nailah held Lynn in her arms, dashing away from the hydra towards anywhere that could give them some cover. The second the Hydra saw Nailah approaching, it was highly probable that it would attack, so she had to focus on taking Lynn away from danger first.

Garrett's face was filled with utter disgust as his eyes moved down to emulate a situation where he was looking at one of the most fetid insects laid on the ground before him. He tugged his arm away from Dremmick's grasp as soon as he finished with his demeaning spiel.

"Do. Not. Touch me. I am making preparation for the worst case scenario as should you."

Garrett tried to hide a smirk as his ears twitched at the sound of the hostile utterances of the territorial hydra. His face was splayed with an incomprehensible emotion, however, it is recognized as a twist of disgust, sourness, and the clash of polar negative emotions and those emotions that displayed a conscious satisfaction. A catapult was in hindsight the better option, anyway. He prepared himself for an incoming fight, and at a moment, the form-fitting blood-forging on his body slid onto his right arm, with a sight which can only be explained as blackened, reddish corrupted spikes and plate taking over, although the only corruption were the radically liberating thoughts in his head. It seemed he was creating a weapon to use against the beast at the moment.

“Tsk….” Aste frowned at the sight of the other hydra heads, whom don’t look so friendly. The whole charade didn’t go so well as it planned. The other heads are a bother again. She drew on her magic, ready to cast the spell of Heavenly Flare at any moment. There isn’t no choice but to kill the Hydra. Wait, the other heads? Teetering the focus of her magic towards the less obedient head, Aste sent for a bright lod of magic blast that made the noon seem like the day. Long and clear shadows flickered from the brightness of her Heavenly Flare.

The first attack rang out. The wet scales of the hydra steamed at the touch of fire. It cried as it was blinded by the light. The other heads of the Hydra roared in confusion to the brightness. A young Hydra not yet aware of the power of a descendant. Perhaps it was used to weaker foes. Still. It was determined to fight back. The third head unharmed by the fire and furthest from its light unleashed a cloud of sprayed water. The head on fire shook in pain before the waters would cover it and those near the Hydra.

Garrett, finishing the conjuration of what seems to be a spear with two branching blades protruding from the sides of the original, piercing tip that makes a spear, a spear. Its rough exterior would have to do for now, a real fine craft takes time, but this was a fight that Garrett would like it to be in in order to get uncomplained rest later. His indescribable facial expression smoothened to just a smile. He called to those willing to fight the beast. -9 Soul = 26

"Come now. Keep its sensory organs obfuscated, covered, and cripples, and aim for the heart cluster. Hydras rely on their multilayered senses. Lets not give it the satisfaction of a fair goliathian fight!"

Garrett strode forth toward the Hydra with his spear aimed for it, particularly towards its chest. This battle needed to be a decisive victory before it even started. The less they use their powers, the better in the long run.

Aeden and Garrett were on the same page here as Aeden had conjured a Blessed Spear -7 Soul = 33 and began his own charge for the beast's heart. He had considered the use of his sword briefly as to conserve energy, however, he needed to maximize the effectiveness of his reach. He was impressed at the effectiveness of Aste's spell, and he did not want to let her efforts go to waste.

Nyph hid in embarrassment and disgrace from his earlier voyeurism. He didn't know why he did it, only that he could not help it. He could hear the battle going starting off not too far away, but even so his usefulness was incredibly limited and he certainly could not fight something that large.

Dremmick's eyes cut from the Hydra to Garret for a brief moment, "What you were being was a damn fool. If you have a problem with me correcting it, maybe later you can do something about it."

When the monster turned hostile Dremmick cursed under his breath. He should have known that the hydra would be to much for the lassa to charm, rather, he did know, but hoped that she could. This was bad, if he were to fight, he would need a quick boost. WHile he didn't want to use the pure blood so soon, it seemed he had little choice. He reached in his satchel, his trained hands knowing where each and every item was secured, and pulled out the pure blood, downing half of it. He spit what little remnants remained in his mouth out in attempt to lessen the lingering taste, the taste or the notion overall unpleasant to him, he was never really sure which. He would then prepare a paralysis blood ritual, much like what he did with the basilisks before, using some of the pure blood on some paper to make two seals. He looked around for one of the faster members of the party, and remembering how elusive she was before, he knew just to to call when he spotted her bringing the lassa away from the front lines. "Nailah! Get these blood seals on the Hydra as soon as possible, if I can keep it still, we will have a clean shot to its heart!"

Once everyone was moving it, he saw it fit to do so himself, taking advantage of the monster's confusion and blindness to move in as well. After moving to het the blood seals to Nailah, he would try to get to the crystal wall Itzel made and prepare the rest of the ritual.

Allard, when seeing Garrett and Aeden prepare themselves to engage, prepared to charge in as well, drawing his heavy blade. He heard Dremmick shout something about paralyzing the monster, which would open up a chance to strike. Allard wasn't sure how long that window would be, but they would need to make the most of it. Allard prepared himself by speaking the old shadow skill incitation, pushing it as far as he could currently take it, making himself four times stronger than he normally was. "Alright then!" he said with a wide grin, "We will make this quick and decisive!" He then readied himself at their mark.

Lynn was noticeably upset by not being able to siren the large monster once again, though it was more so the fact that she felt she had failed her team twice now with this, and now they had to risk themselves once again. "I'm sorry..., I couldn't do it...," When the others started to engage the monster, Lynn took a deep breath and shook her head, trying to push away the guilt she felt. She needed to concentrate in case anyone got hurt.

It was then that they could hear Dremmick calling to Nailah, and Lynn looked to him and then her.

Her staff came to her and she hopped onto it, though still stayed fairly low. "I'll try to be safe here, you should go, I'll be watching out for you. Oh! but first, drink this, it should help." Lynn summoned some water from the rune in the jar kept behind her on her belt. She concentrated on it, weaving magic into it as it turned a green color for a speed enchantment. "With this, you will be able to move much faster than normal, now go, they need you," se finished as she moved the water bubble to Nailah.
--
Shye was close as well, looking for an opening to move in, and upon hearing What Dremmick had planned, and hearing his call to Nailah, she thought she could offer her help as well. She met with them as fast as she could, "Please, allow me to help, two may be better than one after all, right?" she ended with a slight smile to Nailah and Lynn.

Tali's song ended as soon as the hydra became hostile. She hopped over the rock and sprinted upbehind Lynn as she got on her staff. "Lynn, sweetie, move back a bit. I would be shattered if you got hurt. Now, where were we? Ah yes, going for the heart." She put the ocarina to her lips and began to play a dirge for the hydra, each note laced with entropic energy. It would eat away at the creature's body to slow and weaken it. Once the spell was cast, she immediately transitioned into her battle song, two archers and three hoplites made of pure force appearing around her and readying their weapons. (-10 soul for 5 attacks, -? for entropic dirge)

Itzel listened to the intended target and took flight with a harsh flap of her wings. She rose high into the air before using her magic to accelerate her even faster in the dive. She aimed for the heart with her tail spike while keeping to the side to prevent friendly fire. In her dive, she summoned crystal molded onto the end of her tail to both protect it and penetrate better. (-1 Soul for making tail weapon)

A shiver ran down Mason's spine as the hydra reappeared from the depths. The thing inside him; the presence Dremmick warned him about... It wanted to feed on the soul of this powerful creature. "Don't worry, you'll get your fill." he whispered to himself as he drew both of his swords. Since Dremmick drove the hydra off previously with a lightning spell, Mason knew what he needed to do.

Arcs of electricity crackled as he channeled power from within himself into the chaos blade, and gauntlet reserves into the stone blade-- he was going to hit this thing with everything he had. Running over to Allard, his body beginning to shudder, he positioned himself in front of the giant. "Allard, throw me at it so I can make an opening for Nailah! Opposite side of Itzel!"

The very moment Nailah took Lynn away from the hydra, Aste quickly sent the first attack, hopefully being able to distract the Hydra. Nailah hoped her light attack would be able to take the Hydra's attention off her and Lynn for at least a moment in order for them to get somewhere a bit safer that wasn't in range of the Hydra's attacks.

Luckily, it seemed that Aste's attack had the exact effect she was hoping it to have, blinding and burning the Hydra. As two of it's heads roared in confusion while the last one sprayed water around it, Nailah used that chance to take Lynn behind cover.

"Don't blame yourself, Lynn..." Nailah said with a kind smile as she heard the lassa girl lamenting and apologizing that she wasn't able to calm down the Hydra.

"Nothing in life will go always as planned. You did your best and that's what matters. Plus, I don't think that saying that you 'couldn't do it' is the correct phrase to use..." Nailah continued.

"You couldn't do it... yet, right?" Nailah said, gently booping Lynn's nose with a playful expression.

"Thanks for the help, I'll make good use of it. Just remember to stay away from the Hydra's attack range, ok?" Nailah said as she drank the enchanted water bubble given to her by Lynn.

It didn't seem to be that much different from normal water at first, but after a few seconds, Nailah began feeling a strange power within her after she drank the water. It was not just a sensation, her body was indeed much lighter and it was noticeably easier to move herself. In fact, she would have to remember to control herself. Since she was already incredibly fast, Lynn's enhancement made her so fast that it was possible Nailah could lose control if she wasn't careful.
As she heard Dremmick's words, she nodded, dashing towards him and getting the blood seals. According to his words, he wanted her to stick the seals at the hydra for some kind of spell. With the added speed from Lynn's enchanted water and her own skills, it should be incredibly easy for her to do so. She just had to get close enough to the hydra and put the seal on it's body.

Hearing Shye's voice, Nailah looked around until her eyes met with the woman's. Splitting the seals Allard gave to her with Shye, Nailah prepared herself to do her part.

"We just have to put these on the Hydra, just like Dremmick said." Nailah said, nodding to Shye before she herself dashed towards the Hydra.

Using her enhanced speed and her abilities, she used both the bodies of the other members of the group and the many attacks being used in order to disappear from sight (-5 Soul). Due to Lynn's enchanted water, she took but the blink of an eye to get nearby the Hydra before trying to put the seal on it and run away before it had the chance to attack her.

With the fire out and water vapor spreading across the shore line the Hydras were now furious and on the attack. Itzel was the first to reach the Hydra, impaling the center Hydra's side. Its scales were tough. It would take more than a reckless strike to pierce deep into its hide. With water now covering its body it was also hard to hold onto. Itzel would have to fly off or fall, when she did however the head on the far right was ready to bite her and snatch her out of the air. With a cobra like strike Itzel would need luck to avoid it.

The others approaching the Hydra would find the vapor of water making the atmosphere more fogged and a bit harder to see in some areas. Like clouds touching down. The air was unfortunately still. Nailah made her way to the Hydra from a safe distance. Fortunately she was fast. Fast enough to get close to the shore line where its three necks laid against. Whatever her choice was the furthest left head noticed her. It would unleash a spell of its own. Its jaws opened releasing a rush of water. It fell before it and splashed against the ground. Within the water were masses of skeletons from its previous meals. The bones began to move then form. Rising as a large skeletal creature. Similar to a fish and a serpent as it slid across the ground under the Hydra to go for Nailah as she was finishing the first paper placement. Its fangs made of bones would sink into her if able to catch her.

Shye rushed forward, sing her fire to help propel her, but whatever Lynn gave Nailah made her incredibly fast. She helt the piece of paper in her mouth as she cut out the fire in her hands, approaching. Then, all the sudden, two Shyes wer moving towards the monster, one with the paper in her mouth, still boosting her speed, and the other towards Nailah, a charged blast in both hands. She leapt forward, to meet the skeletal monster heading towards the draconic tyro. "Look out!" she called before landing between Nailah and the skeleton abomination. She directed both hands out to it s hit got close and detonated scattering the bones about harmlessly.

The doppelganger Shye, moved out to the hydra to place the paper, using a quick burst of flame to get her close, place the paper on contact, and disappear. (-24 stamina, -6 soul)
--
Once both papers were in place, Dremmick would activate the paralysis on the monster. "Lynn! When it is paralyzed, move the water out of the way for an opening! Everyone else, finish this bastard off!" he called out. (-5 soul, -3 stamina)
--
Allard would laugh heartily as he picked up Mason, "I believe they beat ya to it! But worry not, I believe you can still get a good hit in!"
--
Lynn noded her head to Dremmick, and once seeing if the monster was stunned, would move in to remove the water from around the hydra, ready to fly off at a moments notice if something went wrong, shw would bolt. Once the opening was made, Allard would launch Mason out to the monster, he would take his time catching up, noticing that Garrett and Aeden were preparing attacks as well. Once theirs was complete he would move in to try to give the finishing blow if it hasn't been dealt already. (-20 stamina for activating his shadow skill earlier)

Seeing a new target, Tali immediately directed her group to strike at various places along the skeletal creature, focusing their force strikes upon important looking joints and bones seeming to support its motion. She spent her next song summoning only a single berserker, using it sparingly to conserve her energy. Her eyes followed the battlefield as she stepped back a bit, her lips never leaving the ocarina. She worried that this hydra had too much power to be dealt with reasonably by their group, despite its youth.

Itzl, meanwhile, struck true and dealt some damage, but a head decided to strike at her. She expected this type of behavior and almost smirked as she conjured magic enhanced crystal within the gaping mouth of the hydra, enhancing it so the strike would cause a burst of shrapnel in the mouth. That would give her ample time to escape and fly back to prepare for another strike. Her retreat, much like her strike, was calculated with a seasoned warrior's eyes. Rainbow lights danced along the hydra scales, leaving an oddly beautiful sight among the carnage she was attempting to inflict upon it.

Despite Nailah's speed, the third head somehow noticed her trying to get closer to it. The second the third head looked at Nailah, she immediately prepared herself to dodge it's water attack, but what the Hydra did next really surprised her. Releasing a splash of water of it's mouth, the second it impacted on the ground, masses of skeletons appeared from within. The second they started to move and rose as a large mass of bones, Nailah knew what it was...

"What? Necromancy?!" Nailah said, surprised as the serpent-like mass of skeletons slid towards her.

Without time to put the other paper seals, Nailah finished putting the first one and then dodged it's attack. If it caught her, it's fangs would do a serious damage on her that would certainly hinder her fighting capabilities.

"I saw it! But Necromancy?? Why does it know how to use Necromancy?" she shouted. The hydra itself was already annoying to deal with, but now it was much, much more.

"I can't get close enough to do anything with this skeleton thing after me!" she said once more as she continued to dodge the undead creature's attacks just as Shye came to strike the monster.(edited)

With a successful blow Shye sent the mass of skeletal shrapnel flying around. Within the confusion the Hydra that chewed and tossed away Itzel's crystal shell was furious. The middle head kept its eyes on Itzel and unleashed concentrated stream of high water pressure. It was strong enough to carve stone. It shot it after raising its neck up high to get a good angle over the other two heads.

The left head that unleashed the skeleton watched the two Tyro blooded women and one of their explosions reminded it of the fire it was hit with earlier. It shouted a roar. This roar was somewhat visible. If Shye or Nailah were hit by the wave it would cause a crippling fear. A fear such as a lamb before a lion.
The farthest right head noticed Mason coming toward it and prepared to bite him and devour him in one go.

Two heads were stamped with the blood seals. After activation the two affected heads would feel a pulse. A divine spell coursing through its chaotic body. It was enough to make the two heads on the far left and right to fall down, laying on the shore line. However the middle hydra head seemed unaffected. Still awake and observing any who got close.

As Mason was launched at the hydra, he saw the head furthest to the right coming straight for him! Using his wings, the young Aion warrior angled himself to try and strike the corner of its mouth and dodge its attack. Upon contact, his two blades would explode with electrical energy [-25 soul -15 Stamina]!
The final hydra head was struck by the lightning within Masons blades. As before it did not enjoy the electrical charge coursing through its body. Though the paralysis only affected two, the electricity was a bane to it's very existence. Or so it seemed. As it roared in pain before collapsing like the two other heads. Laying onto the shoreline, smoke streaming from its jaws.

Algimar stood by but was astonished by the coordinated efforts of everyone. He looked to the group after the Hydras final head hit the ground. No longer entirely submerged in water the Lassa girl worked to remove the water around it. Algimar was more concerned with getting across the river. He moved to the raft. Passing the seraphim and Garrett while doing so. "We'd best get moving while we can." He softly spoke this to Garrett while he passed. He then went to the end of the wood and began to push it. A shadow clone pushing with him. It was no longer a mystery that a Nayu could do this. None here seemed surprised by each others abilities. Algimar landed on the raft now touching water. A bit more weight and it would tip into the river.

Dremmick relaxed a bit while upholding his spell, glad that something seemed to finally work. He looked to Garrett, "Now would be a good time to finish this thing off. If I leave this spot the other two heads will be released," he said as he stood on a similar looking but larger blood seal similar to the ones placed on the hydra. "Afterwards, getting a good haul of scales would be a good idea before we cross, it should only take a moment and can provide decent armor and money for travel."

Allard made sure Nailah and Shye were alright, "You too still in one piece, eh?" he laughed heartily, "beautiful work." He sheathed his blade and grabbed the monster by the center neck and started to drag it out of the water, allowing Lynn to release her hold and return to Nailah's side.

"That was amazing, Nailah! I had no idea you would be able to go that fast! I could barely see you, at one point I couldn't at all!" She hopped off her staff gave Nailah a hug, "I'm glad you are safe though. C'mon, Algimar is preparing the raft! I will try to make sure crossing goes as smoothly as possible."

"It's finally over... It's a shame that Lynn's song didn't worked though. Still, glad everything ended without anyone getting hurt." Nailah said after the Hydra was finally put down by Dremmick's seals and Mason's lightning.

"These scales should be pretty useful for maybe making equipment if we happen to meet a good artisan. They should fetch quite a high price on the market as well if you guys decide to sell them." Nailah mentioned as she heard Dremmick saying that it would be a good idea to get some of it's scales.

"Thanks. Lynn's enchanted water did wonders too. But I'm glad I was able to help even if just a little bit." Nailah said, with a kind smile as Allard approached her and Shye to praise them for their work.

"It was all thanks to you, you know?" Nailah said, with a giggle, hugging Lynn back as she hopped off her staff to hug her, excited about how fast she was.

"I was a bit surprised when the Hydra used necromancy but I'm safe. Wasn't hit by any of it's attacks." Nailah said, confirming that she wasn't hurt as she followed Lynn towards the raft to help getting it across the river.

As Allard gripped onto the Hydras main head and pulled he would notice the stretching of the neck allowed to see its breathing easier. Indicating it indeed was still alive. As he pulled further, inching it out, a bulge appeared in all three of their throats. It ran up to the Hydras head. The Hydras mouths were slightly lifted open. Emerging from their jaws were bones in the form of giant skeletal fish. With sharp jaws of their own. The one closest to Allard snapped at him from the sides. The others moved towards Allard to do the same. They were nearly as large as the Hydras head, taller than Allard even by a few feet. They moved along the ground rather slowly however.

Garrett jams the tip of his spear into the beast's front torso below the necks at a downward angle up to the point that the horizontal blades would also dig into the flesh past the scales of the Hydra.

Soon after contact was made, Garrett would begin to drain the blood of the large beast from the freshly made hole, an orb of the gathered blood hovering beside Garrett's head, compressing as more of the ichor flowed from the wound.

The beast was most likely thrown out of its home due to pressures and side-effects of the strife on the Edafos, and was most likely scared from the fact it was farther away from the safety of its original home than it would like. That didn't matter. It was in the way. Time was of the essence, and Garrett began slamming force against his fresh spear against the beast in an attempt to puncture straight through and ruin the beast's steeled intentions.

As Garrett began to spear the Hydras center, where all heads connected, he would find its thick hide harder to pierce than the beasts that roamed the lands. While he was digging in as far as the heart one of the skeletal jaws turned and went for Garrett. Its jaws snapping rapidly before even crawling to him with a hurried unnaturally swift pace. Launching itself at him from above for a all or nothing attack.

Dremmick cursed as he saw the skeletons come out of the hydras mouth. Holding his position to keep the blood seals active, he drew his conjuration staff. His eyes and right arm started to glow with ethereal power as he activated his necromancy magic, "Heed my command, and do as I demand! Slake your bloody thirst, on the first!" Bolstered by the power of the conjuration staff, Dremmick took ahold of the three skeletal beings to turn them against the hydra.

Allard, who was at first concerned with the skeleton's took the chance Dremmick gave him to finally put an end to this. He dropped the neck he was pulling on and drew his heavy blade, wielding it in both hands. "Doesn't seem over yet, but it is time this ended," Allard said to Nailah before turning back to the task at hand. "You fought valiantly," he said to the hydra. Allard then turned to the center of the monster. On most creatures, the heart was at the center, not far from the base of the neck. even if the strike he planned to make missed, a wound like this would probably be close enough to the heart to be fatal, if not, well... he would just have to get a bit messier. With his four fold amplification still active across his whole body, Allard checked his surroundings in case the skeletons were still approaching, he would handle them if necessary, but if he was able, he would bolt for the torso. He would bring his blade down in a heavy over head arching swing to the monster's body, putting all he had to assure a clean a deep slice into and through the monster for the full length of the blade, If that wasn't deep enough, his wings would push the wound open as he would slice deeper in still. The heart was his target, if found, he would surely strike it down, however, even if not, its body being split in two may still seal its fate.

The Hydra's main body was struck from multiple angles but the final blow seemed to come from Allard's blade. Going through its back and with his amplified strength he tore through its hide. Its blood flowed everywhere. Nearly covering those around it. Its body stopped moving... But not before the center head roared in its final dying breathe. A curse.

Anui was breathing heavily. It was soon Lila's time to meet her trainer, one that was hellbent on making his precious wife a proper Nero royal. It drove him insane to think of the pain she may go through. His arms which were wrapped around her back tightened her small body against his. Their hardened well trained bodies pressed against each other all he could feel besides her strength was her tender chest against his and the warmth of her inviting him inside. He peered into the open window. It led to the balcony where the white drapes flowed in an ominous breeze. By the illumination of the castle the royals lived in he could tell it was daylight. Only the royals were able to have the light of the opening high above their underground home shine upon them first everyday. It was indeed getting closer to midday. Illuminating his golden eyes. His pupils maddeningly staring out the window as he held Lila who sat on his lap. Her legs around his lower back. He did not stop thrusting however. as if in a trance of anger and frustration mixed with passion. He held her tighter as he continued with each rhythmic grind. His teeth bared in a growling grin.

Lila's heavy rythmed breath synced with Anui's as she arched her small body on top of him while he continued thrusting. Despite the pleasure however, Lila could see that her loved one had his head full with thoughts, which was clear to her due to his distant stare.

Leaning forward, Lila gently touched her forehead on Anui's for a second, surprising him with a kiss shortly after. Anui could feel the sweetness of her kiss and the tenderness of her lips before she gently caressed his face in a silent gesture for him to not worry about her and just treasure every moment they had together.

She knew that she would have to face a lot of things in the near future, especially in order to be accepted by the King as Anui's wife. Still, not only she was confident on her fighting capabilities but she was ready to do anything in order to stay besides Anui. The one thing that was making her a bit worried though was the etiquette training. She was never taught how to be a... 'lady'. She was taught how to be a weapon and only that.

Immediately interrupting her thoughts, a wave of pleasure ran through her body as Anui continued thrusting and she moved her hips, making her small body arch as she let out an unexpectedly cute and delicate moan.

Lila snapped his mind from his terrible trance. He was a bit concerned on hurting her, but as she pressed her tender lips against his he knew she was fine. More than that. She had already been made his yet her body was still molding to his form. As she excitedly gasped and moaned against his sensitive ears he could only think of her now. Of them. Now it was not as if this young royal had not experienced connecting with someone. A few of the royals had found it necessary to train him in the ways of pleasure. This was claimed to be in order to make him a well rounded leader.

It did however make him dull to such acts. Seeing it as merely a task to be completed. But with Lila... his face grew red.. his body softened its stiff composure. Instead of simply completing a task. He now was absorbed into the moment. No longer afraid he took his back to the bed. Letting his wife press her weight against him, though she was light the weight felt warming. More warming than he had ever felt before. He too began to softly gasp at the sensations. Bending his knees and grasping her backside to control the entry. A slow steady pace that grew in momentum as only one thing was on their minds now. Reaching the heights of this warm loving pleasure rarely found in this world of death and chaos.

Lila couldn't help but to gently touch Anui's face, knowing she was able to relieve him of whatever unpleasant thoughts he was having. She could feel how deeply he cared for her, his embrace, his skin and the waves of pleasure running through her body only grew as both Lila herself and Anui became completely absorbed in the moment. No more preoccupation, no more unnecessary thoughts, her world was only Anui and Anui's world was only her. It was all that mattered in that moment. She could feel in his touch how deeply he loved and cared about her, in the way he held her, how he controlled the pace to make sure she experienced as much pleasure as him.

Lila gasped once more as Anui's firm hands touched her body, controlling the pace as it began getting faster and faster. She could feel her entire body warm as waves of pleasure ran through her, making her moan softly, her body going up and down against Anui's as she reached next the climax of pleasure.

In that moment of pleasure and ecstasy, once more, Lila knew that she had finally found true happiness. As long as Anui, her husband, was by her side, their love would be able to surpass anything in their way. No matter what she had to do, she would never lose the happiness that she was able to find in Anui's arms.

There was a knock on the door. Anui did not pause though and continued as if there was nothing. With the elite ears of pure blooded Nayu he knew full and well. But his body could not respond. As if on a aphrodisiac he held Lila tighter. Wanting to ignore the outside world. His duties as a prince of Nero and the torment they wished to bring upon his wife. Only by continually knocking did he finally slow to a halt. "Tch..." He couldn't help but feel cheated. The lack of climax irritated him. He hated feeling irritated. It reminded him of the Kings usual mood and the reason why many good souls have died by his orders.

Resolving to push away the negative emotion he motioned for Lila to get dressed. "I'm sorry. But it seems it is time..." He could almost feel the servant awaiting patiently at the door for them.

Anui had placed on a black silk robe with silver designs similar to a rose garden. He opened the door but only after Lila was dressed. The door was opened less than halfway. Just enough for the servant to see Anui. A futile attempt to protect Lila, one that was more instinctual than planned. He knew deep inside he could do very little now. So with a cold gaze he looked at the servant.

This servant was seasoned, his groomed white hairs and polished black and white outfit was the envy of even the high class citizens who wished to join the ranks of the royals. He bowed slowly and gently before speaking. Keeping his head down while doing so. "I apologize dear Prince Anui. But your mother has requested your wife's presence in the training halls. She is to come alone..."

Anui couldn't help but clench his fists. The servant shuddered, then Anui calmed. He closed his eyes and opened them. Their growing bloodlust dimming. How he now hated his mother's actions. But it was inevitable, all among the royals must be tested. Especially one in line to be another blade for the kingdom.

"Lila. Are you ready?" Anui asked. Turning his head to see how she was.

Albeit Lila did try to not show, she was just as annoyed with the interruption as Anui was after she heard the knock on the door.

"Indeed..." Lila replied when Anui apologized and told her to get dressed. While incredibly subtle, for Anui, who was already used in being with Lila and knew her subtle expressions and changes in her voice, he knew that she wasn't satisfied with the interruption as well.

Immediately dressing herself, as she didn't want to make the servant wait for too long, she knew very well why that servant had come and she also knew that Anui's mother wasn't exactly her ally...

As Anui opened the door, Lila was patiently waiting behind him, already dressed. The moment the servant mentioned Anui's mother, Lila could help but let out a discreet sigh, trying to calm herself down. She knew that it was Anui's mother, but the fact that Anui's mother hated her as much as Lila hated her was clear as ice for Anui himself.

"Always." She replied to Anui, nodding affirmatively as he asked if she was ready.

Before going outside though, Lila seemed to hesitate for a moment, turning to Anui.

"She... Your mother... I..." she began, interrupting herself shortly after.

"It is nothing..." Lila said.

"I love you." she finished, with a smile towards Anui before she headed outside.

While she didn't want to tell Anui that, the words she had said before to Anui were more than just her confessing his love to him. If it was needed, Lila would put down anyone who stood between her and her loved one. She was no longer a tool or a weapon. Anui showed her an entire new world, literally and figuratively opened her eyes to something she didn't even know it existed in her previous 'life' as she fruitlessly searched for a purpose for her existence. She now knew what she had to do and who exactly she was. The only one she would obey from now one was herself.

"And I you." Anui said with a warm smile rarely seen on his face. Yet as she walked away down the hallways lit with orchid flames he felt an uneasiness that was unspoken. He turned to his room, closing the door. He had to get dressed and accompany her in any way her knew how. He had to first take a bath. Which made him wonder how Lila was fairing with a bit of musk on herself from their intercourse. He knew instinctively that his mother would not tolerate it and felt his heart racing. Without a bath he threw on clean clothes and headed out the balcony window. The light from high above illuminated the dark kingdom enough for a glimmer of the castle's windows to reflect his shadow swooping down from above. He opened another balcony from the lower floors and entered a room.
As he creaked open the balcony window which was draped with a black covering he looked into a room covered with blades and paintings of flowers. He was then met with a dagger from a woman with only her black bra and panties on. Her hair was curled and white and horns were black yet her eyes were crimson and her skin like gray ash. Her black lipstick and fangs hovered over Anui's throat along with her blade. "You dare!?" She hissed but paused after getting a few seconds to look at him. "Oooh! It's YOU young prince. What are you doing here?" She stepped back and held the blade carelessly in her right hand. She walked towards her closet to choose a dress.

“I’m just passing through.” He said calmly. Not even touching his throat in caution. He walked forward towards the door. But two hands with black claw like nails touched his shoulders. She popped up again, lifting herself up on his broad back. Her face getting close to his with a grin on her face. “Staaay a little while.” She said with a seductive slow suggestion. “No. Naoi I’m married.” Anui said with a cold demeanor. She pouted falling back as the door opened by Anui’s swift hands. “Well you ARE allowed to have more than one wi-” The door closed before she could finish speaking. Leaving her a bit flustered.

Lila would be led on quite a long walk. At least twenty minutes went by as the hallways turned left to right, down and down. Like a deescalating maze. The air was cold and constantly breezy despite the stone interior. The castle was breathing and its lungs were long. As they kept walking only the sound of their footsteps could be heard. Not a word was spoken. Not until they reached their destination.

The smell of blood permeated the ghastly breeze exuding from the hall they turned into. One that dimly lit and with an actual end. A giant decorated wooden door. Gargoyle esque beasts guarding the entrance in an eternal stone slumber. The guide raised his white gloved hand and knocked twice on the door. He rested his arm behind his back with a posture as straight as wood. There was the sound of hinges being unlocked then the door creaked open. The guide then turned to Lila. Presenting the doorway as if to welcome her inside.

After the young Nero princess entered the chamber the door would close. It was entirely dark inside. However several presences were inside surrounding her from several feet away. “It’s about time you’ve come.” The voice of Anui’s mother rang out from all directions. A whip could be heard. “I heard you have what it takes to become a blade for the King. A warrior of our Kingdom.” The last part was followed by snickering. “I’ll be your first test to see if you’re worthy. A Nayu that cannot see whether be in day or night cannot be considered worthy of our King!” A whip lash came from in front of Lila, aiming for her delicate face.

Much like the servant who was leading her, Lila was silent as she followed him through the the hallways. For quite some time, she was led through something that could only be described as a maze, going down and down between turns and twists.

After a long time, she arrived on a hall with an actual ending. Despite being dimly lit, Lila was clearly able to feel the faint breeze, carrying the unmistakable scent of blood in the air. Stopping right in front of a huge, decorated wooden door, guarded by strange gargoyle-like beasts, the guide made a motion for her to enter after knocking twice on the door.

As she entered, she was greeted by complete darkness, something that, despite her being able to see now, was very familiar to her due to the amount of years she spent being blind. Despite the darkness though, she was able to feel several presences inside the room, surrounding her, followed by Anui's mother voice coming from all sides. Cracking a whip, Anui's mother mocked her, saying that she would be the first one to test if she was really worthy. Just as she finished speaking, Lila heard the sound of the whip moving through the air.

Unfortunately for Anui's mother, Lila was completely unfazed by her provocations and she had decided that not even her would stand between her and Anui. Dodging the whip lash, Lila would try to know where the whip was coming from and use her agility to close in and deliver attacks of her own. Even though that was said to be only a 'test' or a 'training', Lila wasn't going to let Anui's mother believe she could do anything against Lila. Even though Lila loved Anui, she wouldn't hesitate in showing his mother her own fangs.

Being able to avoid a whip in the dark. That was to be expected of a Nero soldier, even more so for royal soldiers. The first of many checks were off the list. Though Anui's mother was quick to assume otherwise from Lila. Partial to her dislike for the one who took her boy for good. She paid the price for her underestimation. Her fangs bared in the dark as the claws on Lila's hands scored a shallow slash across her left shoulder. Drawing a trail of blod that was warmed with adrenaline. A contrast to the cold still air within this room. She was not a trainer of soldiers, but she is the sister of the King and he must be surrounded by only the most capable of Nayu. So she continued the training, the checks must be made before she could move on. With she stepped into the darkness and vanished. Soon after she dissappeared without a trace a gas began to fill the room. "Lila will be poisoned, it would paralyze her and make it hard for her to breathe. It could kill a man. I need to intervene. I'm not aware if she is immune. Please Dextra." Said Anui, standing before an alternate entrance to the training chamber. Elite soldiers guarded the room with Anui's mother before them. She covered the wound from Lila with her hair. Dextra scoffed at his request. "You look so weak now. And how DARE you call me by my name. I am your mother! If the girl is incapable of surviving an assassin's poison then she will be useless to the family. Our heirs will retain FULL Nayu abilities and more. Let the examination continue as planned." She spoke to the guards who bowed to the royal. Anui's mother did have more power than her son though he was favored to be next in line to the throne.

Lila could feel her claws striking Dextra in the dark as she went for her. Lila knew that it wasn't just a 'test'. Dextra wanted to get rid of Lila... She didn't accept her as his son's wife and thus, she wanted to 'solve' that problem. The faint smell of blood in the air made Lila's senses sharper as she prepared to attack again. Anui's mother, in the other hand, had other plans. With her presence suddenly disappearing, Lila felt a strange smell as a gas began filling the room. It was poisonous gas. Even though Lila didn't knew exactly what type of poison was in that gas, she assumed it would be a lethal one... It was simply the perfect chance for Dextra to get rid of her.

Unfortunately for Dextra, Lila was resistant to poison due to her pure Nayu blood. That would give Lila an advantage. Not only Dextra didn't know she was resistant against poison, but Lila also knew how proud and arrogant Dextra was... She knew that she wouldn't lose the chance of humiliating Lila in case she fell for the poison... As the poisonous gas began filling the room, Lila grasped her throat, feigning being affected by the poison as she fell on the ground, apparently motionless.

While many warriors would find that tactic dishonorable and disgraceful, Lila was an assassin. For her, there is no such thing as 'Honor' when she was hunting. And right now, Dextra was about to realize that Lila wasn't the prey she thought she was, but the huntress herself... Patiently, Lila waited. Her trap was already set, now she just needed Dextra to walk in.

Dextra laid a hand on the black glass viewing Lila from above. She chuckled triumphantly. "She isn't immune to a simple paralysing potion. She's of no fit for our genetic line." She looked to Anui who was being held back by two Nero soldiers. Their arms enterlocked to keep Anui to the wall. She unlocked the entrance by turning the wheel to the chamber. The gas inside began to settle. Yet a cloud stubbornly remained around Lila. Yet Dextra walked inside without a misstep in her confident stride. She placed a right hand on her hip as she observed Lila from a few feet away. "You're a pathetic weak blooded little girl... I'm almost sorry you had to be the one my son fell for." She walked closer to stand beside Lila. She used the tip of her foot to try and kick her over to reveal her face.

Lila was able to hear the door being unlocked and Dextra's steps on the cold floor, the same where Lila was laying down as she approached her. Lila didn't need to look at Dextra to see her image in her mind. Judging by her steps, the sound of her feet on the ground, the time between them, she was confident that she had beaten her. The second she went near Lila's body, it was already over for Dextra. The very second she dropped her guard, the small opening she gave when she believed she had won... If that was an assassination, Dextra would be dead the second she began walking towards her. Even though Lila couldn't really kill her, she would teach Dextra a lesson she would never forget...

Lila smiled to herself in her mind as she heard Dextra gloating next to her. Truth be told, Lila could already have pounced on her but she was taking her time, listening to her words, amused. The very moment she heard her lifting one of her feet in order to turn her body, Lila acted. Before even realizing what was happening, the woman would see Lila's hand suddenly appearing in front of her face as she grasped it firmly, her legs wrapping around Dextra's own legs, throwing her on the ground as her claws dug deep into the woman's face before Lila went for her neck, sinking her fangs and drinking her blood.
Despite Lila's petite size, Dextra was about to experience a terrifying feeling. Just like a snake coiling around it's prey, ready to give it the final bite, she would feel herself completely powerless as Lila's fangs sank into the side of her neck. The message Lila wanted to tell her was clear, frighteningly clear. She could have killed Dextra right now, but she didn't.

The entire thing only took a second, Lila had only drank enough blood to activate her blood trait before she jumping away from Dextra, still in a combat posture, a few steps away from Dextra, cleaning the blood from her mouth.

Looking at Anui's mother, Lila said nothing, she simply looked at the woman with a predatory stare, analyzing her reaction. If she was the old Lila, her prey would be already dead and Lila wouldn't even make a reaction, but now, she was actually finding the entire situation amusing. Lila was having fun. She was looking forward to see Dextra's reaction. Lila couldn't help but think to herself that she had indeed changed quite a bit in a few aspects since she met Anui. At the same time she had changed though, Lila was still the same person in other aspects...

The loud cries of Dextra coming from within the chamber echoed out to be heard from outside of it. Anui and the two soldiers were immediately alarmed and unified made a move for the inside. However before Anui could move to do so one soldier steadfast held him back. Without a word the other soldier entered the chamber. There he saw in the void of black Dextra standing holding her face and blood dripping from her neck. She clearly cared more about her own face than her cannibalized artery. Though lucky for her Lila did not wish to kill her. The same couldn't be said for Dextra. She heard the soldier entering and immediately upon getting to her feet and realizing what Lila had done shouted. "Arrest her!"

"As a Mythue AND a Moriarty you have no right to have Lila arrested..." Anui spoke through the dark. His voice echoing through Dextra's ears. She cursed under her breathe and with help from one of the guards she made her way out of the dark chamber.

Anui covered his mouth and nose. He could smell the poison. It was indeed a botched attempt at a test. Yet he could sense a rising anger within Lila. The way his mother stumbled out he had to assume Lila was the victor. The guard behind Anui crossed its arms, growing impatient. The prince of Nero approached Lila and bowed. Going to a single knee. The guard's arms dropped at this sight. "I, Anui of the Mythue clan humbly apologize on the behalf of my mother. I hope as leader of the Moriarty clan you can forgive her." The guard now saw that Lila indeed was a royal of equal standing to the King's blood. It was quite the sight. Though Anui believed it meant little to Lila what the royals thought, it was useful in getting the guards off of her back. They can't touch royals unless another of higher standing orders them to do so.

Just then the chamber door opened. The dim light shined like a sword piercing the dark. The servant from earlier stood in the center of the passageway. "May I have your attention please. There is a royal acceptance ceremony taking place. Anui is needed as well as all royals." With that said he awaited until they were ready and would walk with them to the ceremony court room.

Feeling someone entering the room, Lila immediately assumed a combat stance, but the second she felt the scent of the person who had just entered, Lila relaxed. She knew that scent very well.

When Anui knelt down, apologizing for everything that happened in an extremely formal manner though, Lila approached him, gently giving him a kiss on the forehead before she grabbed his hand, silently asking him to stand up.

"Don't apologize..." Lila said, with a kind tone before gently hugging him.

"I'm not just the leader of the Moriarty clan... I am also Lila. The same Lila that fell in love with you. Your wife." she finished, still hugging Anui before planting a short, but gentle kiss on his lips.

Just as she finished though, she heard the chamber door opening, as a servant stood in the center, asking for their presence for a royal ceremony. The moment the servant asked not only Anui's presence, but indirectly, Lila as well, she gave a deep breath, preparing herself for whatever was about to come. She knew that she sent a clear and firm message not only to Dextra herself, but to all others the moment she attacked a Royal. She wouldn't let anyone stand between her and Anui and she was more than prepared to hold her ground and fight if that was the case.

As she looked to Anui after hearing the servant's words, he would be able to see her worried expression. It only lasted a brief moment, as she gave a deep breath, her previous expression turning into a serious one.

"We should probably go..." Lila asked, extending her hand towards Anui. While such gesture would be small and insignificant for most, Anui knew that it meant much more for Lila. She was asking if she could count on him to support her, to be her strength in times she might falter.

The gentle expression Lila gave him was quite outside of what was the norm in this castle. He was unaware of how to respond exactly. He felt his hand touch hers as she went in for an embrace. He could smell the fresh sweat and adrenaline from her. His mother was the cause of her own undoing. He failed to protect Lila, however Lila has shown her own strength in this situation. Making him and his mother look incapable in comparison. He didn't have anything to say to her words of love beyond a. "Thank you." Before recieving her tender lips on his own. He stood to his feet after, more so to stand next to his wife, than to remove the knee. He looked at the opening gates. The light gave visual prominence to the figure standing within it. The prince looked to see the servant from earlier, the one who brought Lila here was there.
Anui felt Lila's hand grasp his. Another gesture not often made in these cold halls. It was as if the King wanted to be surrounded by merciless cold assassins. Exactly like himself. Anui being spawned directly under such desires was afflicted with the cold. Yet his heart was able to return her grasp with a firm yet gentle grip. Together they would walk. "A ceremony is nothing more than giving sight to the blind. It is seen as a gift to the lesser bloods of Nero." He spoke as if he believed the people of Nero were lesser. Reciting words he's heard long before meeting Lila.
The doors to the hall were opened. But not the main doors. Lila would remember such a place. It was where she stood trial before the dragon attack. Now they sat in the very seats the other royals were when judging Lila.

"We will try our best. Though we lost many to apprehend the one with lightning!" The scout said. Knowing time was of the essence the scout went to relay the message to the Queen. Breaking the sound barrier with her speed. Once reaching the Queen and delivering the message the woman solemnly looked to the swirling skies, the rattling of the earth, and the parting of the seas. She sighed deeply. She turned to the scout with a proud smile. "I have another message for you to send Sophia. I want her to finally come down from her high mountain and join our council. For when the next King and Queen of Gaia is chosen I will want my final act to bestow us with her wisdom... Let her know the Queen of Gaia will defend her." With that said the scout left to soon return to Sophia.

Entering from the clouds above were hordes of wyverns all flying below the swirling clouds high above. The Gaian soldiers all mounted on their own dragons or flying with their own wings saw these dragons and took a defensive stance midair. Their Queen above them on her shining diamond scaled dragon. Her own scales and the armor made from a similar dragon reflected the ominous light from the storm clouds flashing. Rain mixed with the snow of the mountain and the debris of battle washed over the dragons and the Gaians alike. Even Sophia and the structure she held Nuxta in was coated in snow and icy rain. But above all the others was a massive wyvern, a size similar to the two titan dragons who battled earlier and even made Sophia seem like a dwarf. It's huge wings opened the storm clouds and carried them with it underneath. Lightning rain and tornadoes whirled in a chaotic cascade. All to harm the Gaian army that worked in unison to withstand the onslaught. Shelling in stone casings they were able to effortlessly levitate around them like free hand giant shields. When the wyverns descended and began breathing flames to incinerate the soldiers they retaliated with shield coverage and spearing. Their own dragons matching some of the breath attacks and clawing their foes. But unfortunately the wyverns were far more savage.

A soldier being gripped by the jaws of a few smaller wyverns and torn in half. A larger wyvern gripping a soldier and their much smaller dragon and crushing them both in its talons. Blood flowing into the winds. The Queen of Gaia pursued the massive Wyvern with a group of elite dragoons. All with their own ruby, sapphire and emerald jeweled dragons going at high speeds. They remained above it to avoid the storm its wings brought. Nothing was above them but storm and nothing below them was storm. This was truly a sky war none could see from below. Allo Niscent brought her spear to her side before plunging it into the back scales of the wyvern. Though she was able to cut a few inches into the scales it was not enough to draw blood. She gritted her teeth at her ineffectiveness. "Stop the wings! Eliminate the storm!" She shouted. The three others with her turned to the wings. Two on each wing. Together with their dragons they hacked into the wings, again barely able to remove some scales. But now was visibly an open, yet narrow point in which to try and harm the wings. "Leave this to me." The Queen raised her spear before her and a ripple in reality opened as she speared into it. The same ripple appeared over the opening. Blood came gushing out from the wound, her spear's blade coming through the ripple.

The blood was sign of success. She repeated this with twisting potions to dig a sizable hole and eventually rip a hole through the wing, not enough to stop it but a fresh wound like this was enough to get the beast's attention. The giant Wyvern roared. In response the smaller wyverns came to it's aid. The Queen's special elite Dragoons came to defend her. Spearing the wyverns and tossing them away to fall to their dooms. The Queen sighed. "It's not stopping..." The Dragon she rode looked up at her and grunted gently. She placed a free hand on its head and pet her. It was as if nothing was of concern for a moment, as she smiled and softly spoke. "I know.. I have no choice but to.. For my son."

She hugged her dragon and soon the sound barrier broke and she was off. Flying faster than the massive wyvern and reaching it's snout. She twirled leaving behind a spiral of cloud trails before doing so. "You ferals refused to accept our offerings. Only selfishly taking what you can from your small spaces. We offered you peace and to become one with us! Now I've no choice but to stop you! You'll doom the entire world Nuxta is evil!" She shouted with all she had. The Wyvern's giant eyes gazed upon her but nothing more. "Fine..." She began to plummet down, way down, below the clouds above the mountain and into the mountain's side. "Sorry Sophia. I hope this doesn't harm the seal." Emerging from the raw materials of the mountain was a giant form of the Queen. It moved like her and all. It began to levitate above the mountain now and was equal in size to the giant wyvern. Boulders fell from pieces of the moving statue but despite their size the statue did not lose mass at all. Instead over time it refined itself more and more. Tornado dust clouds massive in scale whirled around its body, taking boulders with it.

The chaos continued. Had it not been for Gaia's Royal soldiers being the mightiest of descendants the swarm of Wyverns would of have been over whelming. None could imagine the horror of seeing countless men and women be slaughtered by dragons just the same as they were slaughtering them. Blood began to permeate the clouds they fought in. Giving them a menacing pink hue. The massive Dragon, which could only be assumed as the leader due to its size and mastery of storms. The cloudy mountain tops were given excessive amounts of mist and lightning. It was a true storm of war. It was only the fists of solid earth colliding against the wyvern's belly could give the growing storms pause.

The clash could be heard through out Gaia. In the midst of the clash was the Queen. Emerged from the massive statue of her form and ran down its arm length. She had no choice but to slay a few dragons entering her range. Their numbers were only dwarfed by their tenacity. She had no time to sing a song and command them to her will. If it were even possible. Their leader was her target and only after the demise of this dragon could the others be possibly be scattered and later tamed. Or so she thought. If not they would be further fodder for the Fotians to mercilessly hunt down. Dragons were worth more than that to her and Gaians. So. She fought against them with all she had. Out of respect.

Allo elegantly launched herself with a blast of stone and air to whirl herself into a light spin. While midair she was pursued by further wyverns. She was pleased to see her Dragon Diamante devour these smaller wyverns with ease and give her a ride on its back. "Thank you Dia. Now try to fly easy. I need concentration." She hugged her beast and began to control the giant flying statue of her. Now removed from it she had no fear of going berserk with it. It began to crack from the pressure. The pressure of the statues body wrapping its arms around the Wyverns neck and trying to bring it down. A few strikes to its jaw for good measure. They were heading to the mountain side and crashed with a massive earthquaking crash.

The earth began to open up beneath the mountain. Leaping from it was a massive dragon. The waters bubbled up with a massive multi headed hydra. It seemed like the end of the world as the gods of chaos began to appear. The wild dragons that still ruled the unclaimed territories with fear. The rubble of the crash, a crater in the side of the mountain now bigger than before made with the massive wyvern covered with rubble. The mist of the storm clouds and dust enveloped its entire form. But its tail and clawed hind legs were sticking out. Without movement one could assume it was dead.

"Now... It's time we took care of the others.." The Queen looked through the horde of storms and saw the massive shadows of the Hydra twist and turning in the thunder and lightning and below a colossal viper crawling up the mountain's side. "If all else fails..." She pulled a necklace beneath her armor. It held a glowing green stone. "I'll have to rely on the Dragon Temple's power..." She spiraled through the winds to return to the mass of her soldiers still combating the wyverns. Immediately her scouts returned to her despite the spiraling clouds all around them, high winds and lighting flashing only a handful of meters away. In their hearts they knew their Queen was the one who was doing the most to aid them. All the soldiers knew, even the citizens who sat safely at home. Watching from afar at the rumbling war far and above.

Before the Queen could speak the sky roared even louder than the storms. It opened to reveal a beautiful array of massive wyrms flying with various elemental auras. One above them all was golden. White horns and long flowing hairs. All around it the chaos vanished. Clouds once black now turned white and the sky which was practically red turned blue as it passed. It immediately flew down to where Nuxta and Sophia was. It whirled around their position for a moment before looking down at Sophia, a small Dragon compared to its size. "You betray your own kind with this act... Though you may not know why." The other wyrms around it began to fly around, undoing the chaos of the storms. The wyverns that remained began to flee. The Hydra was visible and the basilisk was too. They all were before Sophia. "Nuxta is a natural enemy to our kind. However. He has offered us a return to our rightful seats as Gods of this world. In return we will help him erase the descendants who defy our will." His voice was calm.. deep but loud. Like gentle thunder.

Sophia knew that the Gaians lost many warriors fighting against the previous opponent, she knew that more would fall before all that could end. No matter how hard she tried, no matter what she did, it was simply unavoidable. The moment she heard those lines from the scout, sadness overcame her expression. Looking to the scout with a worried expression, she gently nodded as the scout departed. Just as the scout had her duty to perform though, Sophia had hers. She knew she had to contain Nuxta, otherwise that battle would be over in a second. When the scout came back, bringing a message from the queen, Sophia smiled, knowing that Queen Allo wasn't like the previous rulers which made Sophia close herself from the rest of the world. Maybe... Just maybe, the Descended were finally walking the correct path, in the short future, Sophia wondered if she would be able to open the Great Library to the world once again.

It did take a long time, but Sophia was finally finished with the seals. The sheer pressure coming from the obscene amount of curses and seals coming from the crater was almost oppressive. From the most basic barrier to the most powerful, ancient and forgotten curses and seals Sophia knew, intertwined one with another, she hoped it would be able to hold Nuxta. Even though she knew that Nuxta was a strong opponent, she didn't knew exactly the extension of his powers and even though she was confident in her magic and her own power, she feared for the worse. Still, she shouldn't let the Queen and her warriors to fight alone. She would still keep an eye on the seals the casted and would be ready to rush if they started to break, but it was time to show Queen Allo and the other Gaian warriors that the faith they put into Sophia wasn't for nothing.

The scene unfolding before Sophia was worrying. Hordes and hordes of wyverns and wild dragons flew below the clouds as the gaian soldiers, despite the overwhelming opponent they were facing, stood strong, mounted on their dragons together with their queen, doing everything they could despite being focused by a massive wyvern, wielding lightning and tornadoes as it's weapons. Even though the warrior's bravery was commendable, the wyverns were far more savage in their attacks. Together with her elite warriors, the Queen herself went after the titanic Wyvern, attacking him with a powerful attack from her spear, which resembled the technique Sophia herself used. Fortunately, her strike was accurate, ripping a big hole into the big wyvern's wings, enough to get it's attention. After her words were ignored by the wyvern, Queen allo finally showed her true power. The mountain trembled and Sophia felt the chains and seals she used to trap Nuxta rattle dangerously as a giant emerged from it, matching in size with the titanic wyvern.

"I'm sorry... I couldn't do anything to prevent all this..." Sophia said to herself with an overwhelming sadness as she watched the scene unfolding before her. Both descended and dragons slaughtering themselves, their blood raining on the battlefield below, almost as if the clouds themselves were bleeding.
Despite her sadness, Sophia had already steeled her heart and resolve. She knew that sacrifices would need to be made in order to avoid the worst outcome. If needed, Sophia was ready to become a monster and a demon in order to protect the children that were fighting for her.

When a gigantic hydra emerged from beneath the mountain, Sophia began flying towards the queen and her warrior in order to aid them. The seals were still holding strong despite all the chaos too.

Much to Sophia's dismay, even worse enemies were to approach the battlefield. From the sky they appeared, many elemental wyverns, from many colors roared, coming down to the battlefield. The most majestic one, with golden scales, white horns and flowing hairs flew down towards where Sophia was, before she could further approach the queen.

"Please, be well..." Sophia silently wished as she got ready to deal with them.
As she was surrounded by the elemental wyverns, with the Hydra and the basilisk before her, the golden wyvern began talking and branding her a traitor. Despite their difference in size, Sophia was still a tremendously powerful dragon and wasn't intimidated by the enemies standing before her.

"You sided with evil in order to feed your own arrogance and greed! You fools, don't you see what is happening?" Sophia roared back, the pressure from her aura growing as she talked.

"You go against the natural flow of the world, threatening to upset the very balance of magic and end everything just so you can fulfill your greed and arrogant dreams of being gods! We were here long before the Descended. We should teach them, help them to develop themselves and guide them! Instead, you're trying to simply treat them as slaves, cattle or kill them!" she continued.

"Nuxta is an evil that must be dealt with, don't you see? What do you expect to achieve by siding with Nuxta? What he offers you is nothing but an illusion, a lie! Didn't you learn that with the past? You all should know what the Descended are capable of, you should know very well! They deserve as much respect as you as dragons do!" she continued, her voice echoing through the skies as she roared.

"Let me ask you one simple thing... For you, what is a god? What is a king? What is their purpose, the reason for their existence? Most importantly... who do they serve?" Sophia asked, her voice assuming a gentle tone as she asked those questions. With a piercing stare towards the golden wyvern, she waited for it's answer.

The wyrm before Sophia waved with the winds which began to settle more and more as the minutes went by. It listened to her well, thier booming dragonic voices hard to miss even amidst thunder. "What is a God? A King? WE THE DRAGONS ARE THE EPITOMY OF GOD HOOD OF WORSHIP!" It roared with a ferocious anger. The sun's rays shining through the clouds and upon the two dragons who spoke. "We serve none! We are the balance! Before descended... NO... BEFORE THE ACCURSED SERAPHIM WE HELD THE BALANCE WITH OUR POWER!" He snarled. "We fed from the earth, sky and sea! We bred in it, gave birth and were born in the balance of this world. We were feared because of our gifts to commune with the world's chaotic flows. Yet now.. as the descended's creations grow what's left of the world scales too far towards our total demise!" It looked to the completed seal on Nuxta. "This seraphim has chosen to look past the servitude we made his people undergo long ago. So we are willing to look past his bloodline and see the ultimate goal we both share. To eliminate the descended and return this entire world back to its original state. Together we will breed a new kind who will live within our rule and forge an everlasting peace between seraphim and dragon kind." As the wyrm spoke its final sentence the sun's rays seemed to cover it like an aura. Soon its body was enveloped in this light. "We are all willing to sacrifice our hatred for the sins of the past to begin a new age. Any harm done to this scrap of a remaining world can be reversed with our combined might. With your help Sophia we will see our dream come true sooner." Its body began to shrink while under the intense light. Soon the Wyrm's body was much smaller and the light it shined with was like the sun.

As Sophia spoke with the Wyrm the giant Basilisk made its way to the magical seal Sophia developed around Nuxta. "I can feel your power echoing even from within here. But you've already told me. You hold the keys to truth... those who defy you are merely using a lie." The Basilisk's voice was smooth and feminine. It's mouth opened wide and emerging from its jaws was the form of a giant woman. The Basilsik Queen returned to her lover. Caressing the seals with her hands. She leaned into it and kissed it. The spot where her lips laid forming the ice into a brittle stone over time. "So much work was put into keeping you in. But now you have me and no one can stop us." Dragons of all kinds flew around the mountain now. Screeching and roaring in a frenzy.

"Empty words from an empty husk... A King is nothing without it's subjects, it lives to serve them. Just as a god exists thanks and for those who believe in it." Sophia said, shaking it's head in disappointment after hearing the gold wyvern's words.

"To return the world to it's original state... Then what? Will you also try to keep the world from spinning, stop time from flowing? Nuxta is using you, using your endless greed and pride." Sophia repeated the gold wyvern's words, hissing towards him.

Even though she was holding her own temper as the gold wyvern spoke, the second he said he was willing to sacrifice his hatred before turning into his descendant form, she couldn't hold herself anymore.

"IT WAS YOUR HATRED THAT STARTED ALL THIS BACK IN THE GREAT WAR!!" Sophia roared menacingly. Her roar shaking the very air around her as it echoed through the battlefield.

"Many of the descended have our blood running inside their veins! Don't you know the reason why they are called 'descended'? They are a new race, still learning how to walk on this earth, still discovering it's secrets! You should be guiding and teaching them! We dragons have lived for much longed than they have, we walked through this earth long before they did! It is our job to guide them and teach them how to live in harmony with the land, it's magic and themselves! If they turned this way, we have no one to blame but ourselves!" She said, the anger in her voice still clear.
As the gold wyvern assumed his descended form, Sophia looked at him as he spoke to her. It was an unspoken rule of the dragonkin that one should retribute the gesture of turning into it's descended form if another dragon did so, as they were in their most vulnerable state like that.

"You want me to take my descended form, despite being surrounded by enemies... Don't you respect even the ancient, unspoken customs of the dragons?" Sophia asked, disgust clear in her voice.

"The descended are still a young race. They still have time to right their wrongs. It is not too late for us to teach them, as we should have done in the past..." Sophia said, looking at him.

"It is not too late to stand by the descended's side not as a tyrannical ruler or a god, but as a teacher, a guide, a father. They have much to learn and we are the only ones able to teach them. Don't turn your back on them. They are still children, walking through this world without knowing it's truth..." Sophia said.
"No matter how many times you try, even if you succeed in going against the flow of time itself, story is bound to repeat iself, lest you change your ways. Just like I did mine." she finished, looking at the golden wyvern.

Before the Sophia could say anything more though, she noticed a disturbance on the seals she had put around Nuxta. Immediately looking to the place where she had sealed him, she saw the Basilisk queen nearby the ice pillar.

Descended words weren't able to accurately describe the roar Sophia gave when she looked at the Basilisk queen and the ice pillar where Nuxta was. It was an almost feral roar, made of pure hatred and anger as she used her breath to send a beam of heat towards the basilisk queen. Unlike others she had used before, this one was much more concentrated. Despite being thinner than the others, the sound it made when she fired was almost as if the sky itself was crying upon being cut by it.

She couldn't let the basilisk queen undo the seals... Nuxta should stay inside the pillar. Anyone who tried to free him would meet Sophia's wrath.

Just as Sophia was to strike with her sky piercing aura the smaller form of the Golden Wyrm darted before her. With a shining golden flame it effectively reduced the beam to shattered sparkling ice particles. The body of the Wyrm shined brightly with the flames slowly vanishing around it's body. It removed it's arms from the X formation it was in to block the beam. The remaining ice on its arms shattered in the flames and scattered into the sky. "You have no right to speak. You who have hidden away from these descendants living alone. While your dragonic brothers and sisters were slaughtered, enslaved and used by these descendants. A war with them is inevitable. You are simply prolonging their delusions of righteousness." The seal Nuxta was encased in was rapidly turning into stone. The Basilisk Queen did not even seem to notice Sophia above. Infatuated she was by the thought of reuniting with her godly lover.

"OUT OF MY WAY!" Sophia roared as the golden wyrm blocked her attack and standing in front of her.

"What could YOU understand about educating and teaching? You see yourself as a god, I see only a child fighting with other children!" Sophia roared again, looking at the seal that was keeping Nuxta trapped, slowly being destroyed thanks to the Basilisk Queen.

"My desire to not participate in that foolish and childish war of yours against the descended has nothing to do with my duty to teach and guide them! Look at the monks who live nearby my temple! Look at the Gaians and how they respect me even though I secluded myself from the rest of the world! You say they can't learn? Open your eyes and see how wrong you are." Sophia finished, with energy gathering into her jaws once more, as she prepared another shot, just as deadly as the one the golden wyrm had blocked.

"Last warning, if you stand in front of me once more, I won't hesitate to kill you." Sophia shouted as she used her small frame and superior agility compared to other dragons to fly around the Golden Wyrm, sending another shot towards the Basilisk Queen while immediately getting ready to maintain the seal with her own magic power.

Sophia was swift. But she was distracted. While she aimed to the mountain's edge where Nuxta's seal laid being undone she did not notice the hydra whom emerged from the waters earlier was now closer to Nuxta as well. One of its many heads unleashed a stream of water that left a rainbow trail beneath the bright sun which seemed to grow brighter. Encircling Sophia's drenched form as it recovered were several water nymphs. They all were laughing in a joyous way. One however spoke to Sophia with a warm motherly tone. She was a bit larger than the others and had sea weeds for hair. "You're already beaten." She said calmly whilst floating in the air. Another spoke with a young woman's voice. " They rule the natural order y'know." It danced off. Another spoke with a younger voice that of a young girl and was smaller than the others. "Nuxta was summoned by the descendant's countless atrocities." Then the other came back around, it was clear now. They were encircling Sophia and singing while doing so. Attempting to distract her. "Nuxta's toxic presence is the end result of the descendant's pollution. Once he had ended them all will return to a perfect balance." Then they all spoke at once. "And the rest of the world will be restored. That is our message from the great Queen Hydra." Before vanishing into water vapors.

There were a lot of things happening at that moment. Not only Sophia had to worry about the golden wyrm, but the basilisk queen was also slowly undoing her seals in order to free Nuxta. Not only that, but Nuxta's forces were still fighting against the Gaians and Sophia didn't knew for how long they would be able to hold.

No matter how wise and calm Sophia was, when the Hydra suddenly appeared, once again making an obstacle between her and the basilisk queen, she became one step closer of enraging. Why Nuxta had so many allies? What he did, what had he said to poison so many creatures' thoughts and make them go against the natural order of things...? As the many water nymphs continued to talk and laugh, Sophia finally had enough. With an enraged roar, she fully unleashed her aura. The sheer amount of primal mana contained in it, coupled with her could be considered more of an attack itself than simply her unleashing her aura.

Just as the nymphs had said previously, Nuxta was a poison, a toxin, contaminating and corrupting everything it touched until nothing remained. The Nymphs, the Hydra, the golden wyrms and the others... They were already corrupted by Nuxta. Sophia no longer cared about their lives. If she had to spill blood in order to stop Nuxta, so be it.

If the Hydra queen, the golden wyrm and the nymphs would stand between her and the basilisk queen, then they were also enemies. Unfortunately, time was something she didn't have. Every second that passed, the seals she used to trap nuxta were being dissolved by the basilisk queen.

Sophia's lone struggle was seen from afar by the Gaian soldiers who were regrouping. Their forces were much smaller now while the dragon horde, though not attacking, were swelling. Even the ocean bubbled from the life within. It was lookin even worse than before. Then to make matters worse the ice was now entirely stone and the stone began to crack. The seals breaking as the physical stone was even more brittle than the ice. The aura of darkness seeped from out of its cracks. A power almost hidden within Nuxta, once felt upon his casting of minor spells now erupting like a breaking dam. The black aura oozed from the cracks as they grew more and more numerous. Then two black wings emerged from the stone sending debris flying as they burst out. The rest of the stone then cracked in thousands of ways and crumbled down. Revealing Nuxta in his full armor standing atop the rubble. His eyes beneath his helmet were glowing a menacing hue of orchid and red. His pure black armor glistened in the sunlight. The Dragons all around roared in excitement. Nuxta however stood in place. He then turned to see Sophia in all her anguish. "The Grimorium Verum." He said calmly. But loud enough to be heard above the cries of the Dragons. The Basilisk Queen approached Nuxta by way of crawling. Despite her descendant form she still moved like a serpent and hugged her masters feet. Looking up to him longingly. He truly seemed to have the feral Dragons under his command. "It is a part of the greater whole. The balance. But now I will bring about a new balance! Do what you must. Bring me the Grimorium Verum!" The Dragons in their swelling hordes cried out before swarming the skies to encounter the artifact. Nuxta now looked to the Golden Wyrm now turned descendant. "I trust you will make it happen. Wyrm King." The King now bowed to Nuxta and turned to Sophia to watch her movements. "It is time then..." Said the Wyrm King.

Sophia watched hopelessly as all her efforts to seal Nuxta were shattered by the Basilisk Queen and Nuxta's allies. All the seals she used, started breaking, one by one as the ice turned into stone and began cracking. She could just watch as Nuxta once again, was free.

With a revolting aura, Nuxta emerged from the remains of what was once a frozen prison. His black aura was almost nauseating for Sophia, overwhelming in both darkness and power. But the worse part was yet to come... The second Nuxta opened his mouth, Sophia's eyes opened wide as she began growling towards the dragons and Nuxta.

She was surrounded by all sides by Nuxta's allies as he proffered three words that made even Sophia's blood run cold through her veins. He wanted the Grimorium Verum... Sophia couldn't even imagine of what he would be able to do if he got succeeded in capturing and separating the Grimorium Verum from her soul, killing her. He was already overwhelmingly powerful but if he had that as well... Then he would be unstoppable.
"RUN! GET AS FAR AWAY FROM ME AS YOU CAN!" Sophia roared towards the Gaian Queen and her allies. She knew that she couldn't let Nuxta take her, but she couldn't simply run away, leaving thousands of Gaians to die in her place...

Without waiting for a reply from the Gaians or an action from the Wyrm King and the others on Nuxta's side, Sophia fired another beam from her mouth as she roared. Instead of the same concentrated breath from before, it was much more chaotic and less controlled. It was a display of pure anger, rage and raw power. It was a clear sign of a dragon going berserk, proving that even the wise Sophia could lose her temper.

Moving her maw, the beam moved from one side to another, hitting anything who wasn't fast enough to get out of it's way as she flew up in a blinding speed, trying to deal as much damage and take down as many of Nuxta's allies as she could.

After a moment, she looked down from above the clouds, firing another beam from her maw. Several rifts began to appear in a sphere, pointing outwards as her breath attack disappeared into a rift just above it before it reappeared again from all the other rifts at once. It was an indiscriminate attack, aimed at everything and everyone around her. The Wyrm King, Nuxta, the Basilisk Queen, the Wild dragons... Everything.

Sections of the dragon horde were hit by ice and fell from the skies. But the entirety remained. Some were imbued with fire and shrugged the ice, others were able to be empowered by the ice magic. Since their spells were being stifled. Nuxta and the Basilisk Queen were being protected by the Wyrm King's golden flames. The Queen was embracing Nuxta who remained fully clad in his armor. He held onto her and they began to take flight. Soaring upwards with the Wyrm King and his flames surrounding them. The horde of dragons split and surrounded the Grimorium Verum. Nuxta soon arrived to the sphere. The Queen stood on a few flying dragons as Nuxta approached it. He placed both hands on it and a surge of pure essence erupted like a wave of magical force. Nuxta's armor, once the armor of the King of Vrondi, made from the hide of the Dragon God. It was considered unbreakable. "The resting well of power..." He continued to hold it as on the other side of the Verum a rift began to form. It opened within seconds and emerging from it was a giant dragon head made of pure essence. It glowed multiple hues all at once, like dazzling scales. "Devour the Grimorium Verum." Nuxta commanded it. The jaws of the beast covered the Grimorium Verum as Nuxta backed away.

The maw of the beast before Nuxta radiated with power. Its pull surrounded Sophia. She would feel the impending doom of a rabbit as it was about to be devoured. Something an entity such as hersself would find completely new. The jaws that devoured the Grimorium now surrounded her. Her power dissolved. She was pulled into the jaws of the portal, the beast, then power Nuxta wielded so boldly. Sophia would find hersself within the center of it all. Bright multicolored arrays of primal energy expanding to infinity. Was this Sophia's new hell...?

Slithering into the dark..



Alright, this was it. Ni'ra would finally be able to enter Nero. She tried to ask the guards nicely if she could enter many times before, but they were awfully persistant unless she had official business or a pass of some sort. Well, now she had official business, a letter given to her to deliver on the basilisk queen's behalf! How lucky could she be!

Ni'ra was nearly floating on air when she came to the front gates. It had to be the same people as always, as they always looked the same. Some strange clunky shelled descendents. Sometimes the shell would open to reveal eyes and sometimes a face.

"Ello, iz Ni'ra again! Ni'ra requezt permizzion to enter, haz letter from bazilizk queen for King Zleeth!" She excitedly drew a letter and showed it to the guards, official seal and all. "Ni'ra enter pleaze?" Ni'ra would hold out the letter alternating to both until one moved up to take a look at it, handing it to that guard should they take it.

The guards were well armored but it was light compared to some other kingdoms. They were fit to frame and seemed capable in an agile situation. They took the letter from her. It was sealed with a official seal despite where it came from. To be left unopened until recieved by royalty. They gestured her in. The gates opened and she was allowed into Nero's lower district. The earlier dragon attack was still visible. A lot of debris was cleaned up but the people remained busy.
Ni'ra thankz you!" she giggled excitedly as they opened the gates, craning her head at different angles to see as much as she could as the gates cracked open. She bowed to the guards as the one handed her the letter back and she nearly skipped inside.

Once inside, she saw the city for all its worth. Even as demolished in sections as it was, to her it was unlike anything she has ever seen. "Ni'ra iz ssssso excited!" she said giddily as she held the letter close to her chest in a little hug like manner. Ni'ra may have been headed towards the castle, but there were so many things on the way there to see as well! Placing the letter back in a pouch she continued. After all, she couldn't possibly give up her only chance here to see what was in the city!

The girl did not know it but where she walked through was by far the darkest district of any kingdom. Wounded soldiers. Fed by the kingdom for giving it their lives, watched as Ni'ra went by. Their bleak presence was only the beginning. There was debris and rubble scattered about still being wheeled away in heeps by some poor soul. It was clear through the wailing and moaning that a battle was fought here. One that affected all of Nero's kingdom. Or so it seemed as she would continue. The feint sound of a slow violin could be heard in the upper districts where she was headed.

Ni'ra had to fught with herself to stay even somewhat on task. The curious basilisk couldn't help but every once and a while get cliser to the rubble people worked on, her tongue flucking oht, pucking up strange sensations, though she wasn't sure what they belinged to. If she noticed she was being watched, she would wave to whoever it was and keep moving, sometimes looking back to the person who was staring at her, and wace again. If they didn't wave, this would come as a surprise to Ni'ra, and would cause her to very slightly recoil, looking at her hand as if there was something wrong with what she did. Maybe her hand was dirty? No? Strange indeed....

Soon along her travels though, she was stopped by a new sound. This was.... quite odd! Yet... soooothing. It would change pitch here and there, and it followed some sort of pattern, like a bird that was holding its notes out, but like a hum instead of a whistle. Ni'ra had to investigate this, and lucky for her it was in the direction she needed to go! She picked up the pace as she hurried to see what was making such interesting sounds.

A man in refined clothes stood before a building that was pummeled with debris. He went away at the sounds of the violin. A slow deep sorrowful sound he felt visibly in his face. His fangs visible through gritted teeth. Crimson piercing pupils narrowly visible beneath his low eye lids. His long black hair and horns were like a pure onyx. Dark with shine. His attire was mostly black as well, but the tears and holes in them were matched by dirty shoes. He remained where he was even as others passed by. Holding their childrens hands to hurry along. What he was doing seemed harmless enough. Even if he didn't work on his shops revival. For now he seemed to be getting something out.

Ni'ra's eyes and ears seemed to lock onto the man. What was he doing? What was that device he had? Did that make the sounds? How? It was soothing yet... from the way the man looked accompanied with the tones, there was a sorrowful tone to it. How could a sound make her feel such a way? Ni'ra slow edged closer and closer, her curious mind buzzing with questions but too transfixed on the display that she couldn't bare to interrupt. Instead, she sat on her haunches,balancing on the balls of her feet, knees together and her arms folded as she stared in wonder.

Every once in a while her tongue would flick out, by both habit and her mind wondering if this was some sort of pheromone that stirred these feelings or if it was just purely the sound. She wasn't picking up anything different than the things she noticed coming into the city. Whenever the man would stop playing Ni'ra would instantly ask him what that was. "What iz thing!? Make soundz! Iz magic? Ni'ra never hear before, never see before! Iz, uh, interessssting!"

"Oh it's just my violin." He said while placing it next to a chair he had sitting a few feet away from him. He placed what no doubt looked like a stick to Ni'ra next to the violin. Sitting down he took a white cloth from within his vest and wiped his forehead. "I believe music is one of the purest forms of magic. Now. If you don't mind I have to keep playing." He took a breathe and picked up his violin and continued playing his slow precise tone that weeped as it rang.

"V-vfi...via, FEH!" she quietly exclaimed in frustration as she tried to sound out and form her mouth right to make the word, after all, her mouth was different than a normal descendant and she had to nearly learn how to make some sounds in her own way. "V-vi-oh-lin! Heh! Violin! Violin, iz nice! Like lots! Thank you!" she said as she got up from her squatting position and began to leave. She couldn't keep herself from turning and looking back at the man every few step, however, still entranced in the sounds the instrument made.

Many citizens outside their shops had brooms sweeping up left over debris piles. Thankfully the upper districts were the best looking district not only visibly financially but having been saved from the wreckage of the Dragon battle it remained entirely intact. There was little in the way of a passerby even if they were a foreign oddity. The sounds varied as children were more strictly regulated to the inside of these regal buildings all lined next to one another. The moans and cries were behind Ni'ra however as she neared the middle of the upper districts and to the castle gates. Where two guards stood in wait.

Ni'ra retrieved the letter from one of her pouches before reaching the guards. Slowly, she made her way to them, but she was still oggling all the buildings, the likes of which she has never seen before. She started to have the though of seeing what they looked like inside, but luckily she reached the guards before that thought came to fruition. She gave a respectful bow before presenting the letter to the guards. "Ni'ra iz name! Zent to give letter! From bazilizk queen to Nero king. Iz here, eh? Waz told give in person," she said happily as she let the guards look over the letter.

Entering the Castle…

The Guards stood perfectly still. Their armor was black along with the cloth beneath it. Within the shadows they would be invisible. All save for their piercing red eyes that observed the sealed letter whilst holding it. One of the guards gestured to those standing up high. They stood among the gargoyles. Watching and waiting. They raised the gates open. This allowed Ni'ra and one guard accompanying her to apprach the castle via a decent stretch of a path. Decorated with flowers both crimson and black all scattered within poisonous dark ivy green and glowing purple veined bushes. The visual beauty was tailored to astound but the smell was even more elegant and regal. The royals loved the beaty of a deadly thing. The castle front doors now opened. Massive as they were, as if a giant had lived within, it moved rather quickly. Allowing Ni'ra into the main reception room, where many guards and a few idle royals could be seen. Ni'ra would be taken to another guard within the large dimly lit room. One could feel the winds of a dark cavern similar to the ones outside of Nero's capital within this place. As many halls leading else where were all connected to this room. A room that seemed made of a black crystal and lit with purple flame torches within the mouths of stone basilisks. Whether these statues were once real or not was a mystery. But the head of a few basilisk were hung on the high walls all over. Basilisk skulls you would not want to run into outside of Nero's walls.
"This way." A guard spoke. Bringing her down a specific hallway. Onward they would walk, for what would feel like a maze for at least twenty minutes. Before reaching a large metal door. A knock on the door would echo through the hallways before silence. "We wait." The guard said.

Nira was fascinated by the flowers, and she would have touched them if it hadn't been for the guard continuing on, making her try to keep up with him instead. Her tongue flicked out constantly, picking up all sorts of new chemicals and pheromones to sort out, she was even able to identify the poison that was in the ivy. WHen they reached the stone basilisks, Ni'ra saw them as just that, stone, and was in awe of the craftsmanship. The breeze as well made her close her eyes and take it in. "Breeze nice, iz Like Ni'ra home-," but that was all she got out before she opened her eyes and saw terror she did not plan to see.

Skulls and heads of other basilisk were mounted on the high walls, causing Ni'ra to wail out in fright. "Wha, no no no, what thiz!? Wh-... why iz there..." Ni'ra's knees nearly gave out on her at the sudden assault of thoughts going through her head. Why would they do this? Wasn't the war hundreds of years ago? Is what they said about descendants true, them being the enemy that slaughters them? But nobody has attacked her so far....but.... and that one man with the violin was nice, but what was this doing here? Why would her queen send her to this place?

Ni'ra nearly tripped but recovered herself as she followed along. she didn't know why she did at this point, if it was obedience through fear or because she felt duty bound to complete her task. She wanted to leave, to run. She didn't want to be another mount on the wall. It made her feel nauseated. "N-Ni'ra iz not feeling well. Sssshe wantz to leave letter and go home," she said, trying to keep her eyes on the ground so she wouldn't see the horror again, her arms wrapped around herself nervously as she stood next to the gaurd. She wasn't shaking was she?

The guard said not a word or even seemed to notice Ni'ra's predicament. He or she simply waited. Watching. Once the door opened the guard gestured her to follow. Walking down a narrow dark hall with a bright light at the end of it. They both would eventually end up at a circular center. There blood stains were on the ground. But three figures were in this sort of circular stage. Surrounding them were the royals of Nero. They watched intently as Ni'ra and the guard walked into the light. "A Basilisk messenger has arrived." The guard handed Ni'ra back the letter. "You may present it before the King." Said the guard, his voice stern and uncaring.

Freyr saw the whole thing unfold. The brief interruption made Freyr snap out of his brief trance, triggered by the sudden realization of his new ability. He stepped back a little the moment everyone turned their attention to the new arrival. For a moment, he thought about slipping out. However, the sensations he felt when he was near the King stopped him. He wanted more. If he could stand beside him forever, he'd jump at the chance.

Ni'ra's eyes were wide as she looked around the room, her tongue seeming not to stop flicking, picking up on botu curious things and signals of danger. She seened startled when asked to read the letter. Her head tilted at it. "N-Ni'ra iz not able to read. Ztill learnink. Zorry, Ni'ra issssss nearvouz. Zaw...zkullz," she said as she fumbled with the letter, breaking the seal. She looked at it and couldn't make heads or tails of it. She shook her head. "Can no read, iz juzt for deliver," she added nearvously.

After she spoke the guard bowed before the King. Who sat down on his high chair formed from ebony. "May I read it sire?" The king gestured a 'get on with it'. So the letter was taken from Ni'ra by the guard. "To the lords of Nero. Descended from dark. I am Nuxta. I have taken control of the Basilisks. My horde grows. But I seek only to balance this world. Join me and t-" "THATS ENOUGH!!" The Kings voice echoed almost through the kingdom. He stood to his feet.. he looked to Ni'ra though no eyes could be seen on his masked face. "Its more important now than ever to strengthen our ranks and our bloodlines." His head turned to all the room. To Anui, to Freyr. His head even pausing at the end of his sentence on Lila and when done looked to Dextra who sat across from her. He pointed to Ni'ra. "Shadow guard... Kill her."

Freyr was unfazed by the situation. Was that dumb creature in the middle was a Basilisk? That was new. Regardless of her origins, she had brought a message threatening the kingdom as a whole. If anything would send a message to this 'Basilisk Queen' it would be the death of her messenger. However, this was also an opportunity...

"My Lord." Freyr spoke up, stepping forward a little while bowing his head in the King's direction. "Allow me to show gratitude for this gift. I'll kill her for you."

The merciful rose’s plea on a snakes behalf . .. .

Lila could almost feel the other royals eyes upon the new blood. The scene going on before her was... strangely familiar. She had felt those judging eyes before, their bloodlust, everything... This time though, she wasn't the only one receiving them. The air was heavy as the ceremony continued. He would soon experience everything Lila did when Anui first gave her sight. For a Nayu, who was born into the dark, receiving that gift could be a gift... or a curse. She knew that very well...

The ceremony's end was announced by the King as he raised his hand, dismissing the new royal with a cold, annoyed tone. King Sleeth's very presence wasn't one easily ignored, despite missing an entire arm. After receiving the gift of sight, the new royal couldn't help but feel fear, facing such a surge of power. Even though he was looking at Anui, it was easy for those looking at him to realize he wasn't really looking at Anui, but to the person behind him... The king himself.

Looking towards Anui, Lila waited for his return. As he opened his mouth to tell something to the new royal though, a guard's voice echoed through the room, breaking the silent that still lingered in the air even after the ceremony had ended. As he announced the presence of a messenger, bringing a letter from the basilisk queen, a surprisingly innocent basiliskin girl walked forward. It wasn't hard to see how nervous and startled the poor girl was. Even a complete stranger that never had entered Nero before would immediately understand that a basilisk or even a basiliskin presence in Nero wasn't something that would be tolerated... Just as the poor messenger girl said, the skulls were enough of a hint. Breaking the seal, she seemed to stumble with her words, saying she wasn't able to read and instead was simply asked to deliver it.
Not much was needed for one to realize that the basiliskin messenger was being sent towards her own death by her ruler. Unfortunately, the naive girl didn't seem to know so, judging by her words and actions. She was betrayed by her own kind... As the guard began reading the message she had brought after the basilisk girl awkwardly told them she was still learning how to read and coulnd't read the message yet, Lila could only close her eyes, shaking her head in disappointment. It was a letter from Nuxta saying that the basilisks were now one more of his allies...

King Sleeth didn't even let the guard finish reading the letter before he interrupted him, his voice echoing through the room as he did so. His eyes wandered through the royals as he made a speech about how they needed to get stronger in such times. As he did so, Lila noticed many of the royals flinching as his heavy stare weighted upon them. Surprisingly enough, he didn't seem to be oblivious about who Lila was and had enough interest to even stop for a moment when his eyes met hers. Instead of flinching or averting their gazes like some other royals, Lila simply looked back at the King, until he moved towards Dextra.
When he gave his next order, to kill the messenger girl, Lila couldn't help but frown. Not only she didn't particularly like that decision, to kill someone who was just a messenger and clearly was oblivious to even the contents of the message, but was also sent to her own death, but for Lila, she would be more useful for them alive than dead... She wasn't surprised as the new royal offered to kill her himself, as a 'gift' to the king. He seemed to be just another royal like the others. Thirsty for power, blood and recognition. Eager to do anything to please the King... Maybe it was too unrealistic for Lila to expect anything different. Nero was still corrupted to it's core and neither her nor Anui would be able to do anything yet... For now, they had to dance with the music and patiently wait for their chance. That said, despite everything that happened, she was now a royal and her position as such was undeniable. While killing that basiliskin girl would be nothing but needless bloodshed, she could maybe use her position as a noble not only to save her life, but to show the royals that bloodshed wasn't always the only answer..

"Killing the messenger... might be a mistake... My king..." Lila's voice echoed through the room, piercing the silence. She was the only one who was willing to speak against the King's decision.
Lila knew that she wasn't just a weapon anymore, nor just Anui's wife... She was a Royal... The sole survivor and leader of the Moriarty family. Her words, for the first time, held some importance and weight. Even though it was difficult for Lila to speak like that, she had no choice if she wanted to be respected and have influence amongst the Nayu Royals. Anui's words echoed through her mind as she prepared herself to continue. His desire, his hopes for her future by his side... Anui was hoping to make her a queen... For that to happen though, she had to learn how to be more than just a silent shadow or a weapon...

"Nuxta's forces grow once again. This may be an opportunity to better understand our enemies and their weaknesses." Lila continued, giving a step forward as she let herself be heard by the king and all present as she very delicately and discreetly lowered her head.

"This basiliskin girl was sent to her death by her queen. She might be innocent and naïve, but she has nowhere to return, My king. If she pledges alliance to you, my king, giving her the right to exact her revenge will benefit us as well." Lila continued.

"She can be trained, help us to fight against Nuxta's allies. The sight of a basiliskin killing basilisks will instill fear in the other basilisks. If not... At least she will be useful in teaching us more about our enemies." Lila finished.

"One of my bloodline's special abilities is to see one's memories and feelings the moment I consume their blood. With your permission, I am able to tell if she is willing to pledge alliance to you or not. Lying will be useless against this ability." Lila said, waiting for the King's reply to her words.
Ni'ra listened as the guard read the letter, "Nooks-tah? Feh, what iz a 'Nooks-tah'? What mean by take contro-," she started to ask, but was cut off when the king stopped the guard from reading further. She flinched at the suddeness of it, looking back up to him. He made a brief statement to those around him before pointing back at her.... ordering the guard to kill her. "WHA!? N-no wait! Ni'ra not underztand, what do wrong!? Ni'ra iz zorry, no mean harm!" she pleaded as she slowly backed away in fear from the bloodthirsty descendants. "Why!? N-Ni'ra no want to be on wall!" she said as she panicked, her eyes started to dart all around looking for a way out, and keeping cautious of would be attackers. She didn't however, reach for the blade she had with her. She didn't emit any signs of hostility whatsoever, she just wanted to run. She was too scared at the moment to even notice Lila's conversation.

The guard had already pulled its blade as the king spoke. It was no mystery to the King, the guards or most of the royals what would happen to the Basiliskin from the moment she walked into this Kingdoms walls. She would not leave alive. Interrupting the Guard was Freyr. His words put a smile on the Kings face. He halted the guard with a single gesture. "You may do the honor new blood..." The King and the others now watched with renewed excitement. Only to be taken aback by Lila. Who was the o only one who spoke up in protest. Either out of bravery or foolishness. Either way it put all attention on her red head.

Anui felt a twinge of fear. Nearly biting his lips he shuddered at the thought of Lila being brutalized by the King. He was not in his best of moods. The entire Kingdom was being threatened and even recently was under attack. Needless to say their lord Sleeth was not a happy King. If only there was a ways to avoid his wrath.

The King scoffed. "Do you think me unwise? Our kingdom weak? We needn't the lowly blood of a viper. She could only serve as a testament to the failures of Nuxta and the Basilisk alike." He looked to Anui. "Go on nephew. Say it. I feel your blood. It rushes with fear. I taught you better than to hide in fear." Anui felt his Kings, his uncles eyes on him. Humbly Anui raised his head to speak. "Perhaps my wife has been a bit rash my lord. She only intends to aid us all." The King remained silent in acceptance before lashing out with an angry shout. "Should I remove her tongue then!?" Anui bowed. "Please no. While the blood of this creature is not even fit for drinking she can serve us. Not as a warrior but as a servant. Forever. Just as the other Basilisks. She and I can assure this." He awaited his Kings response whilst looking at the ground.

When Freyr stepped forward, he drew one of his daggers. Now that he could see, he could appreciate the intricate carving on the sturdy wooden handle. The blade was sharpened and cleaned to perfection. A single cut in the right spot and at the right speed could kill. With one swift movement he could cut down the Basillisk female. Spill her blood for his King. But any plans he had to impress his Lord were foiled by Lila and the King's own nephew. Even though he wanted to step forward and allow his feelings to be heard, he kept his mouth shut. Freyr didn't know how Sleeth would react if he confronted Anui. Even if it showed his undying loyalty to his Lord, he could accidently offend him. Making this whole effort pointless.

Freyr looked over to the King. If he ordered it, he wouldn't hesitate to cut Ni'ra down. He'd make it quick.

Lila didn't let herself be phased by the king's words as he threatened to remove her tongue. She knew how dangerous her situation was... At first, the main motive for her interference was because she was shaken by her own emotions. Even being just a stranger, the basiliskin woman was so ingenuous, so innocent and naïve... Killing her just because she brought a message seemed to be just wrong for Lila. But now... she truly saw an opportunity to not only learn more about Nuxta, the basilisks, who were their new enemies, but also to get closer to Sleeth, prove herself to be capable to him and to other royals... If she was successful, many more opportunities would open for her and the day Anui would be able to take the throne to finally be able to make the changes Nero needs, to purge all the corruption from the city would get closer...

"I lived my entire life amongst seraphim who saw me as less than a person. Training and being shaped as a weapon. I was called a beast, a monster, Mirror's hunting dog, hated merely for being a Nayu. I am quite familiar with being used as a weapon. And I know very well that everything and everyone can be used." Lila said. She knew that she was on a dangerous position, facing the king himself.


"I didn't mean to offend, my king, nor I meant to say that Nero is a weak kingdom. I always try to be as effective as possible. Eliminating any possible variables is always an important key to the success." Lila said, bowing her head.
"I don't wish to see any more Nayu lives taken by Nuxta and his allies nor see Nero suffer like it did..." Lila said, clearly referring to the time when Nero was attacked by a powerful dragon.

"My sole purpose is to eliminate my, our enemies with a single, swift strike. As effortlessly and efficiently as possible. A clean and precise strike, my king, eliminating any unnecessary effort or risk." Lila continued, looking to Sleeth with a fierce determination in her eyes. Even though the king and Lila had different views regarding what Nero should become in the future, her desire to protect it and her people was the same.

"There is no need for us to dirty our hands with unnecessary bloodshed if we know exactly which key pieces need to be eliminated for our objectives to be attained." Lila finished as she waited for the king's reply.

Even though Lila knew how to hide it incredibly well, she was still very anxious. She knew that Sleeth thought very differently from her and above everything else, her ultimate goal was to make Anui the king... By any means possible. She was going to use Sleeth, just as she was offering herself to be used by him, until he was no more needed. Even though he was the king, her true allegiance lies only with Anui.

Anui, Lila. Together they spoke before the King. Their words were a risk. For Sleeth was known for being a very harsh ruler even among his close kin. Still faces held anticipated breathe as the King heard Lila further. The words that sent waves through the room was the reminder that Lila indeed once worked for the Aion. That Lila herself was a notable enemy to their kind before. The distrust of the Aion flared up old wounds for many. But most remained on the matter at hand. The King let out a sigh once she was done speaking. Her young angelic voice filling the room with vigor. It was clear she was pushing past her fears to speak.
It was still silent for a moment. The only sound coming from Ni'ras anxious breathing. Sleeth was visibly unamused. But his rising anger seemed to be stifled. "This young one wants to advise the war council it seems." He said whilst laying back in his seat, seeming to relax more in posture and tone. The other royals smiled and a few chuckled. "Perhaps you and Anui should be the ones in charge of such a task. No?" He snapped his fingers and a servant stepped from the shadows behind him and handed him a crystal glass of blood to pickup. Sleeth lifted the cup to his lips. "I suggest starting by getting whatever information you can from this creature. Then forming a team who can accurately scout the Basilisks main territory. I will supply the final act of killing the Queen." He spoke with a bit of delight. The thought of killing the Queen whilst enjoying the rarest blood put him in a far better mood. The loss of his arm seemed to give him an itch for dragon blood. Not to drink but to bathe in.

Anui held his composure through out. He knew that if they remained confident and respectful they could sway him. For it was only a small matter. "Thank you my lord. We will certainly not fail you." Sleeth chuckled a bit but then before Anui could look at Lila after standing. "I also expect a thorough understanding of the Aions base. It has been a secret for too long." The Kings voice was cold and calculating. Echoing through Anuis ears and even causing one to visibly bleed. Anui bowed briefly once more before turning to Ni'ra. "Apprehend her." Anui then looked to Freyr. "You may help."

Freyr couldn't believe it. The King himself addressed him. Even if he couldn't see Sleeth's eyes, Freyr could tell that he had acknowleged him. It was a good start. Those mere words made Freyr shiver. He felt dizzy and nearly fell over, though he was able to compose himself.

"As you say, My Lord." Freyr bowed in the King's direction, a grin forming on his face. This was it. It was his chance to impress Sleeth.

In brief moments of silence before Sleeth replied, Lila could almost hear her blood flowing through her veins. In all her life as an assassin, it was her first time being nervous like that. Even though her expression didn't change, on the inside she was extremely nervous. Fortunately, Lila's gamble seemed to have paid off. With his riging anger quelled, Sleeth seemed to be satisfied with her words as he relaxed on his seat, approving Lila's plan.

"It will be done, your highness." Lila replied, bowing once again as he heard him appointing both Lila and Anui as the ones responsible for the basiliskin messenger.

As he mentioned his next words, Lila wasn't surprised. She knew very well how many royals felt the second she mentioned she worked for the Aion. Even though mentioning that could probably mean a blow on her reputation with the other royals, the results were still favorable to her. When Sleeth asked for details regarding the Aion base, Lila wasn't surprised.

"The Aion mean nothing to me, your highness. Not anymore. A report will be written and delivered to your hands as soon as possible." she said, with a serious, formal tone.

As he ordered to apprehend the basiliskin girl, he looked to the new royal, allowing him to help with that task, since he was so eager to prove himself. To him, Lila merely gave a stern, serious look before she stepped down to where Anui and the Basiliskin girl were.

"Do not treat her too harshly. I suspect not much will be needed for her to cooperate with us." Lila said, looking to the guard and Freyr.

Giving a step forward, towards the basiliskin girl, Lila looked her in the eyes with a serious expression.
"Everything will be explained in time. This is the best I can do for you... At least for now." Lila said in a very low tone, in such a way only the basiliskin girl could hear.

"Don't do anything foolish. Think about the situation you're in very carefuly before chosing who you will pledge alliance to." Lila said with a much more serious tone, before she turned to Anui, gently grabbing his hand. Even though the basiliskin girl would probably understand Lila was just being that strict because she had to maintain the appearances, the words she had just said were still a warning and a reminder that if she said or did anything she shouldn't, not even her or Anui would be able to intervene.

To most, it was just a simple gesture, a wife holding her husband's hand but Anui would quickly realize how agitated and nervous Lila was despite her exterior appearance.

"I am confident in my skills your majesty. I won't betray your expectations." Lila said, with a discreet, formal bow as she silently asked permission to leave.
Ni'ra finally found her back to the wall, too shaken to actually do anything. Lila came to speak to her briefly before leaving, her words partially soothing, and interestingly softer than the others who seemed to call for nothing but blood, but the thoughts of being a slave here terrified her. Lila could see the fear in her eyes, even as she tried to speak to Ni'ra she was too terrified to respond, and her eyes would still dart around the room from time to time, her breathing fast and erratic.

Nothing ended up attacking her, and the adrenaline she felt to run now took its coarse, causing her to shake a bit as she slid down against the wall to the floor. She pulled her legs up and buried her face into her arms and knees and began to weep, unable to stop even as Freyr would approach to collect her.

Freyr still had his dagger in his left hand. If not for the orders of the King, the Dolofon assassin would have cut down the Basilisk girl right and there. A nice cut around the neck scales and he could pierce her throat with a single strike. But that never came to be. Instead, he was ordered to escort her out of the room. Freyr walked up to her, looking down on her as she cried.

"On your feet, we're leaving." He said in a cold tone. This whole scene reminded him of something. But he couldn't find what it was.

Ni'ra tensed up at hearing the bloodthirsty man's cold voice. It was the same as the man who begged to be the one to kill her. Ni'ra slowly looked up at the man, seeing the dagger still in his hand made her blood run cold. She felt as if she wanted to stand but couldn't, as if the fear that had came over her from this unexpected turn of events worked against her very will to act. "N-Ni'ra... c-can't move. Too afraid," Her voice barely made out.

Anui held his composure even as Lila took hold of his hand. He was clearly more at ease. Even though his uncle guaranteed to harm him in most of their meetings. Always to make him 'strong'. Since he was indeed his favorite potential heir to the throne.

Ni'ras fit of shivering fear was not a concern to anyone there. It was her life that was on the line. The guard stepped forward with Freyr. Chains made of shadows formed in its hands. Dealing with slaves was a common skill of a Nero guard. He whipped the chain like a whip. It aimed to wrap around both her ankles. Then from her own shadow two chains would erupt from below and attempt to wrap around her wrists. Anui formed these chains. He didn't want Lila to get involved with potentially harming this creature. It needed to trust someone to be more informative. He knew a thing or two more than an average person on how to torture.

Once Ni'ra was chain. The two on her wrists would connect. Immobilizing her.

Lila felt a twinge of guilt when she heard the basiliskin's words, saying she was too afraid to move and heard her crying. She knew very well that the poor girl's life wouldn't be easy for now... Sleeth was undoubtedly a cruel king and his followers, equally so.

When Anui made shadow chains to wrap around the girl's wrists, Lila gently tightened her grasp on Anui's hand, in a silent request for him to not be too harsh with the girl. Lila always disliked needless displays of power, violence or even needless bloodshed. She was taught to be eficient and precise and those things were only needless waste of energy. Not only that, but that girl was merely a messenger. Not only she was incredibly innocent and naive, but she had nothing to do with what was happening with the Basilisk Queen and Nuxta.

Ni'ra jumped when the chains were cast at her, instinctively trying to pull against them but it seemed like it was hopeless. They wouldn't give as she tried separating her hands. She looked around for someone, anyone that could help her or hear her cries, but none there looked to care, some even annoyed at her lamentations, save one. It was the one who spoke to her briefly but a moment ago. Ni'ra's tear filled eyes locked with hers for only a moment once more. Her eyes betrayed to Lila a mind wrought with terror and confusion, though it wasn't but just a moment in which time seemed to stop to Ni'ra, but she was then quickly and unceremoniously hauled away to whatever bleak pit awaited her.

Into the Dungeon…
The guard and Freyr would carry her. Lifting her off the ground but still close enough for her tail to drag. Her cries being heard through the halls. She would once again see the Basilisk skulls overhead. She would be moved down the halls for atleast fifteen minutes before arriving to yet another door. But this is door was wooden. Beaten, clawed, with blood stains. On its knock handle in the center was a hand made of iron holding the circular handle. The guard with a single hand knocked on the door. The sound of footsteps could be heard slowly moving up a flight of stairs. The door opened. Revealing a hunched over being. Its face was masked fully. It wore a tattered cloak that ended at the knees. It was small, about Lila's height. But despite its cloak its hump was visible. "Have you brought me another plaything?" Its voice was like a steady croak from a frog. Its hands held the edge of the door. The mist from below flowed out. The smell of blood was strong.

"Don't touch her Grotum. We are moving her to a cell for now. Lead us to one away from others." Anui spoke with a cold tone. Not interested in Grotum's desire to torture new victims. He brought a hand slightly up. Grotum panicked. He knew the royals hated his presence and so he scurried down the stairs. "This way masters!" He went down the stairs and eventually reach the end. It was spiraling staircase made of stone. Carved into the castle. The dungeon was rife with the presence of pain and death. Moaning could be heard from the dark cells poorly lit by the flames hanging on the walls and dangling from the ceiling. Cages with bodies alive or possibly dead hung from the ceilings.
"This way." Grotum waved them over down the hall of caged tortured souls. Chained to the walls. Hanging and bleeding out upside down. It was truly a nightmarish place. But to Grotum this was his haven. His heaven. Grotum had them walk a few minutes until the cells were more empty. There he opened one. Lit the torch next to it for some light and gestured them inside. The Guard and Freyr would drop Ni'ra here.

The sights, sounds and smells of the prison perturbed Freyr. But for different reasons. This whole place reminded him of his childhood and the training that got him here in the first place. His surroundings beared a striking resemblence to the place he was taken to every time he failed. Even when he held no visual memory, the smells and sounds alone were enough. Freyr now wanted to be done with this business and return home. By then, he was getting twitchy and the familiar withdrawal headache was starting to become worse.

Lila was still trying to maintain the appearances despite how truly exhausted she was. That encounter, speaking up not only to the king himself but to all the royals was just nerve wracking for her and when she saw the poor basiliskin girl struggling against the shadow chains and her teary eyes, filled with terror Lila slowly closed her eyes, looking away.

Lila's hands weren't clean. With all the lives she took in her life, she had seen all kinds of reactions coming from her targets on their final moments. The smell of fear, desperation, hatred and anger weren't strangers to her. Not even once she was phased by those. This time though, it was different. She wasn't guilty of anything, she wasn't a target, nor she even knew what was happening. There was absolutely no need or reason for her to be on that situation. She was completely and truly innocent.

After a while, they finally arrived on the cells she would stay. The mere sight of it's bloodstained door should already be terrifying enough for the basiliskin girl. Upon opening the door, they were met by a short, hunched over masked being. Both the tone of his voice and his words were just disgusting to Lila as he asked if they had brought him another 'plaything'. Fortunately, Anui quickly spoke for him to not touch the basiliskin girl. Upon hearing his voice, the torturer, Grotum, immediately panicked, leading them to the cell as fast as he could. They walked for a while until the cells were mostly empty before they opened one, before dropping the basiliskin girl there.
"Don't mistreat the basiliskin girl. She is but a messenger and she is already terrified enough." Lila said, looking to Grotum.

"I will not tolerate disobedience. Give this girl something to eat and drink. Decent food and let her calm down. She does not need to suffer any more than she already did." Lila said, with a threatening tone as she looked to Grotum. Even though she didn't look directly towards the new royal, it was clear that the warning she gave to Grotum extended to everyone on that prison.

"I will be back to speak with her later." Lila finished, gently and discreetly tightening her grasp around Anui's hand, a silent plead for them to go to their quarters.
Anui would know better than anyone how exhausted she was.

Freyr stayed quiet throughout the whole exchange. He followed along as they took the Basilisk to a cell deep within the prison. If this girl was a Basilisk, then she probably had a good amount of poison. He figured, he could combine that poison with something else and perhaps get a similar effect to earlier. At this point, he was craving to sense it again. But, he couldn't do it now. He was going to have to wait until Anui and Lila were gone.

When Lila, the only person to have shown any sort of compassion so far, turned her eyes away from Ni'ra, she felt a feeling of dread sweep over her. More than just her fear now, it was almost as if she had the feeling of certain death, though wasn't sure when it would come.

Ni'ra had closed her eyes before they could wander to the skulls above once more. Being carried between the two, her feet didn't even touch the ground, unable to try to run. Her tail though, did seem to drag, so she curled it in, around her waist and her leg. It was only a slight comfort, embracing herself slightly. When the got to the door however, she was hit by many senses as if she had hit a wall with the stench of blood and death before they even knocked. She tried to struggle, but the she could barely move anyway, if there was anywhere she didn't want to be it was past that door, her foreboding thoughts of death feeling confirmed by the chemical traces of flesh and blood past that door. Her tongue even stopped flicking out as she fought back the natural urge to do so, the signals being given by the blood and decomposition too much for her to bear, as id the smell wasn't enough alone. Her eyes seemed to widen in horror at the sights in these torturous halls, if she was supposed to be calming down, this place wasn't doing it. When they dropped her into the cell, she scrambled to the far corner, the white of her terrified eyes the most visible thing. Much like the court, she once again curled into a ball, with her tail coiling around her as if it provided some sort of protection. At this point, the poor girl was shaking with fear and could barely say a word if she wanted to.

Despite the words spoken by Lila and Anui to Grotum, she still couldn't shake these feelings that this was the end. After all, so far the evidence of the others' actions and her current location seemed to tell a different tale.

Grotum had never taken orders from or even seen Lila before. But he knew all others within this castle were superior to him. As long as they weren't a servant like he was. He nodded several times to Lilas demands. He scurried off when she was done. "I'll go get what she needs right away master!" He went off down the halls turning into the torturous abyss and was gone.

Anui sighed at the sight of Ni'ra up against the wall in fear. Part of him knew she may be better off dead. But there was a part to play for the girl. For now Anui would have to take every piece available to him to play chess against the King. He clinched his fists. That was his goal and with Lila who he looked at with such respect he could do it. She was his strongest piece and to his delight she was turning into more than just a weapon.

He felt Lilas physical nudge and knew she wanted out of this. Best to discuss what to do with the creature in their private room. After a bath and a meal. Anui looked to Freyr who was intently staring at their new captive. "You. Freyr. You helped this much. Make sure Grotum follows Lilas orders." His free hand reached and touched Freyrs shoulder. "I will be needing more of your help later. Someone of your talents can be very useful. You will also find that helping me comes with many rewards." He looked Freyr in the eyes. The eyes of a predator they all shared. Except for the meek Basiliskin who remained in her corner.

"Come Lila." Anui turned to exit. "You are relieved for now." He said to the Guard. Who followed behind to leave as well.

Snake meets Spider.
Freyr waited until he could no longer hear the footsteps of Anui, Lila and the guard. He looked around once before going into Ni'ra's cell, approaching her before kneeling in front of her.

"So this is what a Basilisk looks like." He said, thinking aloud. "I don't suppose you could give me some of your venom?" Freyr asked, finally addressing Ni'ra properly.

Ni'ra barely peeked from where her face was buried in her arms, upon seeing him she only seemed to curl up tighter. "Ni'ra doez not like you. Ztrange man wanted to kill Ni'ra...Ni'ra venom iz bad anyway, zhould no give..."(edited)

"Not for me." The tone in his voice was strange. She could hear him shiver from where she was sitting. He sounded desperate, but was trying to keep it all under control. Freyr looked behind him and then back at Ni'ra.
"I was only serving my King. Putting up a mask. I w-wouldn't kill without a contract." Freyr shivered again. By now, he was starting to sweat.

"Please. All I need is a few drops."

"Ni'ra no want to help kill. Iz not right... few dropz all it takes. Firzt dizzy, then zleepy, then dead... Ni'ra uze to hunt..."

Grotum soon came running down the hall. Passing the grotesque displays of torture while holding a bucket of water and a plate of meat. He came to the cell seeing Freyr still there. With Anui and Lila gone he assumed Freyr was now in charge. Though he did wonder his intent with the creature. He dropped the bucket of water and the food in the cell across from Ni'ra by the wall. He waddled himself up to Freyr. "Master says no more suffering for this one. Though it is a shame." He sighed. Looking at Ni'ra with a chuckle.

Any progress Freyr made seemed to be dashed away by the presence of Grotum. While she was replying a bit to him, Grotum staring her down and chuckling made her tighten her coil back up. Ni'ra didn't understand how anyone could be so cold as these descendants seemed to be. But this...thing that brought water and some sort of meat she couldn't identify, he reveled in the pain and agony of others. She couldn't fathom such a being, and it made her stomach churn just thinking or what could be happening to others here, especially since she knew it was most certainly worse than she could ever imagine. She wasn't even sure what he was, he didn't look like any descendant she had seen before on her way here. Was this some new creature?

Then there was this other man who stayed to watch her. For what purpose did he want her venom? He seemed almost as unhinged as she was for a split moment there. Her venom would do nothing but kill this man as things are here. She knew ways that it could be made into an antivenom, in fact, she carried some on her, as it was a basic skill to learn. She would have to ask when this hobbled over thing left them.

"What is it that you have brought her?" Freyr asked, not even bothering to look at Grotum. He couldn't bear the sight of the grotesque humanoid. How could anyone, much less a Nayu devolve to something like that. He couldn't be a Nayu, could he?

"And speak quickly. I've unfinished business with this... Basilisk."

Having already said everything that she wanted to say, Lila simply kept quiet as Anui dismissed the guard, asking Freyr, the new royal to make sure Grotum followed her orders. Even though Lila didn't think of the new royal that highly, especially since he seemed to be eager to please Sleeth and would probably tell anything that happened to him, Anui still had words to him, mentioning rewards if he allied himself to them.

With only a discreet nod towards Freyr, Lila went together with Anui as they left to their room.

The moment they were alone, Lila hugged Anui's arm. He would clearly feel her weight as she rest her body against his.

"It was... much worse than I thought it would be..." she said, still hugging Anui. It was almost as she was trying to hide from the world for a moment. Anui's presence, his comforting and caring touch were things she really needed to help her to deal with all the anxiety she had to hide until now.

Facing not only the King, but all the other royals, raising her voice like that to all to hear, letting them know her own thoughts... The fear of not being accepted or worse... If she said anything wrong that caused her to not being able to be besides Anui anymore...

"What if I said something wrong? Not only the king but all the other royals would be against me..." she said, voicing some of her worries and anxieties to Anui.

"Oh just some fresh meat from some poor soul no longer with us. " Grotum chuckled. But he looked up at Freyr and immediately felt uneased. The man was far closer to royalty than Grotum ever would be. So he refrained from annoying the man. He simply placed the keys to the cell down by the entrance as he wobbled out. "I'm sure her kind has tasted the meat of a fallen man or woman or two. There's more where that came from as well." He said before hobbling out down the halls. Grabbing a whip from his waist and lashing at a chained victim already covered in wounds. He kept on moving until out of sight.

"Repulsive..."
Freyr said, thinking aloud again. He looked behind him, seeing the metal bucket filled with water along with the chunk of meat. The Nayu could smell it from here. Freyr knew how far Nayu cruelty could go. But this was beyond anything he could imagine. Even for his parents. He felt an odd sensation in his chest. Similar to when... no... he could think about that later.

"I-" Freyr shivered, struggling to keep himself together. "Just give me the poison. I-I know what I'm doing."

Thankfully, Ni'ra was far from hungry, as she couldn't even imagine touching that plate of meat even if she was, especially after hearing what it was from. Ni'ra blinked at Freyr, unsure how to continue. She then looked up as she remembered something. "Ni'ra haz hunting ztick. Haz Ni'ra venom. Take from holding zleeve and let drip?" Ni'ra would lean over, and lashed to her belt was a sheathed shortsword. It was odd that the guards had not removed any of her belongings, however, they probably believed her not to be of any threat, after all, she hasn't even tried using it this whole time.

Freyr took a moment to register what she was saying. The way she spoke made it hard for him to understand, especially in the state he was at the moment. Then, he realized she was talking about her dagger which was securely attached to her belt. Odd that the guard wouldn't take this from her before dragging her down here. Without wasting any more time, Freyr reached for her belt and took the dagger.

He played around with the blade for a moment, getting a feel for it. It was a sturdy well made weapon. Not like anything he had handled before however. Then, he placed the blade up to his nose and took a deep breath. When he exhaled, he couldn't help but giggle. This would do...

"Yes. This will do..."

"Eh? You take? No no, Ni'ra needz ztick to hunt, juzt take venom, yez? Take thiz here too," Ni'ra said as she fumbled with a leather strap that went around her right thigh. There were small loops on the belt that tightly held small vials, each one only having enough volume to fit the tip of one's pinky inside up to the first joint, and capped with a small cork. She reached both hand to the belt, as they were bound, and removed one of the five miniature vials and set it down next to Freyr's feet. "Iz anti-venom...Iz in caze uze too much."

Ni'ra looked at Freyr with her eyes, while still full of fear, seemed to not hold any malice. "Ni'ra would not want mazk, if mazk make her do terrible thingz." She said surprisingly calmly to him, referencing his reply to her about why he was willing to kill her earlier. She made her way back to the corner of the cell and coiled up once more. though it made a minimal difference, it was the farthest point away from the sights, sounds, and scents of the rest of these torturous halls, and the most hidden in the dark in the cell.

"Ni'ra..... doez not underztand. Did nothing wrong...ztill... Iz just thing for otherz to uze..." she started to talk out loud to herself, though partially to convey her thoughts to Freyr, who seemed to be the only person sticking around. "Bazilizkin have no one. Bazilizk no like... Iz dezcendant. Dezcendant no like... Iz Bazilizk. Iz no place for Bazilizkin?"

"I've nothing personal against you if that's what you're saying."
Freyr picked up the anti-venom and took some of the venom from the knife using an empty glass vial he was carrying in his bag. He then walked over to Ni'ra, placing the dagger back on her belt.

"I just do what my Lord requires of me. Don't have much of a choice."
There was a melancholy about him, but Ni'ra couldn't place it. He had already given up to the powers that be, and it was clear that he was using other things to cope with the fact. Perhaps that is what he needed the venom for.

Ni'ra tilted her head the conversation, understanding this man's thoughts, giving her curiosity something to think about other than her own peril. "Iz juzt follow orderz? Feh, that make right, eh? Iz right or wrong only choze by ztrong? Or iz right and wrong juzt right and wrong?" Se looked over the trembling man, for what he trembled for she wasn't sure. She buried her face back under her arms as she curled into a ball again. Muffled, Freyr could hear her voice still, "You ztrong enough for own choice, after all, Ni'ra iz here, and you, out there."

If only he did have a choice. His symptons subsided for a moment. Her questions made him think. They were things he had been asking himself for years. But he made sure to bury them deep in his subconcious. He turned to face the Basilisk again,

"You don't know what you are asking." He replied, attempting to avoid the question. "I don't have a choice. I was born into this." Freyr paused for a moment, looking at the vial with the venom inside it on the palm of his hand. "And die in it as well."

"Ni'ra knowz what Ni'ra azk," she corrected him, her tone as if a little offended. "Iz always choice. Live, die, keep going, give up, change, ztay zame. Iz all choice if ztrong. Queztion Ni'ra azk iz zimple. You iz only one that can make anzwer, um..., deefy-cult?" Ni'ra was quiet for a bit after that statement looking away and resting the side of her head on her arms facing the wall in the other direction.

"I..."
She was right. He had spent years serving at the feet of the nobles and got everything he ever wanted. Now, Freyr had made a name for himself and discredited his parents in front of the most powerful people in Nero. Yet he was still here. But why?
"You..." He was stumbling over his words. Freyr knew she was right. He wasn't strong enough to make his own choices. Regardless, he decided to evade. "Yet, look at where those choices got you. Inside this cell. For me, I am no longer blind and I can go where I please and do as I wish. Maybe one of us simply didn't make the right choice."

That was a lie. But Freyr was used to it. He could put up a smile on command. And say whatever people wanted to hear if it beneffited him.

"Ni'ra did not lock zelf in thiz cage... Ni'ra came of free will, to zee thingz never zeen, iz dezcendantz that put her here... If free, why you not do az want then? Iz afraid of unknown? Maybe, even though Ni'ra iz in thiz cage, you are lesssss free than her, locked here in thiz place az your own cage, yet there iz no lock on yourz, and chooze to ztay?" she replied, still not looking at him and only curling up more as he stated the obvious about her capture.

Anui and Lila were soon at their private quarters. Their section of the castle was quite extravagant. The extra space was at times a chore to get through. But the main room was small enough to feel like a home. Anui had a servant prepare a bath for Lila. A young Nayu girl with black hair and closed blind eyes. She drew the bath with ease and walked with ease around the room to place towels at the ready for Lila. Meanwhile Anui looked at Lila's body. She was a bit disheveled from her battle earlier with his mother. He felt... Disgust. His mother was over protective despite his age. She tried so hard to control him and his choices. She knew how adamant he was to be with Lila. So she must have decided to try and hurt Lila and make her seem unworthy. Yet Lila fought back. This made him feel so proud of Lila. "I'm proud of you." He said bluntly. Watching her from a seat nearby.

Lila silently thanked the young attendant that prepared the bath for her before she exited the room. Even though she was just an attendant, Lila didn't want her to see her 'weak' side. The side only Anui knew. After she exited, Anui came walking towards her as she began getting ready to take a bath.

"It was hard..." she replied as she approached him, gently resting her forehead on his chest.

"Speaking to the king and... All the other royals... What if they didn't see me as worthy to stay by your side, what if the King thought that?" she began, finally giving voice to all the insecurities and doubts she kept to herself while she was outside her and Anui's private quarters.

"Holding a weapon, taking down a target, hunting... It's so much easier..." she said with an exhausted sigh as she gave Anui a small, delicate kiss before she started undressing herself to take a bath.

"That basiliskin girl..." Lila said as she entered the bathtub, feeling her body relax and a pleasant shiver run through her spine as she submerged her body in the warm water.

"She is naïve and innocent... She was used by her own kind, sent here to die... She didn't even knew the contents of the message..." Lila said.

It was honestly... uncommon for Lila, who always was cold and efficient her entire life to care about someone other than Anui but again... That was the old Lila. She had changed so much in a short period of time, finally starting to live with her own emotions instead of suppressing them, finally knowing what love was and having someone who cared about her... Maybe Lila saw a bit of herself in the basiliskin. She is alone, so incredibly alone and doesn't even seem to realize that yet…

Anui nearly laughed to himself. "I doubt he sees even me as worthy..." He placed a hand over his face. "I mean. It's not like he's comparing you to me. No that man only thinks of himself..." He looked at the young girl. "Wait in the main room." Anui told the servant. She bowed and walked gracefuly out the door despite her lack of sight and young age. Anui continued. "Let's work to make this our gain. I believe you are correct. The Basilisks don't share even our limited sentiments towards a descendant. Despite legends saying that it is a rare occurrence, similar to a seraphim being born among pure bloods of a different line."
"Perhaps she will know enough to allow us to infiltrate the Basilisks territory. We likely won't have to hurt the girl if we convince her." He looked at his sharp nails and thought of ways to look less intimidating for a moment. "The one who I gave sight to.. Freyr. I believe he can be useful. I have agents among the royals, soldiers and assassins that are loyal to me. One such agent is on a journey with this new group called the alliance. Formed by every kingdom in the land to be our saviours against this Nuxta."

Anui's words made Lila almost shiver as she remembered the King's stare towards her a while ago. He was an incredibly dangerous person. Not due to his strength or political power, but due to his personality. Anui's words now made that fact even clearer than before.

"She will indeed be... useful." Lila said, calming herself down as the warm water relaxed her muscles and nerves.

"The basilisks... They can be used against Nuxta... If we take their Queen down and make it look like Nuxta betrayed her..." Lila said after she hear Anui's words with a serious tone. Even though she was thinking ahead, it was still a solid plan and if it worked, it would put a sizeable dent in Nuxta's forces.
"Still... We need to do something with the basiliskin girl. Even though she is a basilisk, she undoubtedly has feelings too and she seems clueless about the situation she's currently in. I don't think she knows she was betrayed by her own kind... Also, setting her free is... unlikely seeing what happened with the king..." she continued.

"If she chooses to ally herself with us... I could train her myself. I can't give her a home to return to nor freedom, as it is unlikely that the king would set her free even if we do give her enough information about the basilisks, but I could teach her how to earn her own life and possibly, her own freedom... Even if she has to pay for it by spilling blood." Lila said as she cleaned her skin with a fragrant soap.

"Freyr..." Lila repeated as Anui mentioned the new royal.

"I don't trust him... At least not yet. He seems too eager to please the king. It would be smart for us to be careful of what we say or do around him..." she said to Anui, as she started cleaning her hair.

"It is my first time knowing about this.. Alliance... What do you expect of them?" Lila asked, curious to know what were his expectations of said group.

Anui took in Lilas words on Freyr with a earnest nod. He agreed she was right about Freyrs perceived 'loyalty' to the king. How his new found sight was used to fixate on the King. Hands willing to kill even a babe for the King. That loyalty Anui wanted on his side. Since Freyr was still new this was a ripe opportunity. Anui stood from his seat with a single push of both his arms. Almost gliding over the floor as he paced forward and then back. His right hand cupping his chin in thought as Lila replied to him.

Her final question made him pause, only making it to the third pace before doing so. He was facing Lila and watched her red hairs natural bright red turn crimson in the waters. He had half a mind to join her, the reddish hue on her usually pale complexion reminded him of her warmth. He straightened his mind to her question. "Uhm.. The alliance is a show of solidarity nothing more. We aren't coordinating with other kingdoms. All of our secrets remain secrets. We continue to fight amongst ourselves and divide territories. Because of this the alliance is doomed to fail." He sighed. Crossing his arms. "And now we must continue to perpetuate the problem. The king wants knowledge on where the Aion hide. No doubt to slay them... Blood is paid in blood."

Lila silently listened to Anui's words regarding the alliance. Indeed, it was but a show of solidarity and nothing more. Nothing had changed, the nations were still 'enemies' wars and conflicts would continue to happen, secrets would continue to exist.

"Regrettable... But it's the truth..." Lila said as she finished her bath, submerging herself in the water once more to wash the shampoo off her hair.

"The conflict with the Aion isn't something that can be solved easily. Too much blood was spilled on both sides, too many things were done..." Lila continued.

"That said, I don't care about what happens with the Aion. If their secrets must be used as a bargaining chip for our objectives to be completed, so be it. They're not exactly innocent..." Lila said, in a serious tone as she dried herself.

"Until we are ready to make our move, there is nothing we can do to prevent more blood to be spilled in this conflict against the Aion." Lila continued.

"There will be a time when we will hopefully be able to end this meaningless conflict once and for all... To end the corruption that is deeply rooted in this nation... But for now... We have no other choice but to wait..." Lila said, getting out of the bath, covered with only a towel as she gently hugged Anui.

"We'll soon have to go back to the cells to talk with the basiliskin girl... I will have a report done about the Aion base too, together with whatever information I will be able to get from her..." Lila said, her tone of voice made it clear that she would choose to stay besides Anui and just keep hugging her like she was doing now if she could.

Anui respectfully remained turned the other way to face the door as Lila stepped out of the cover of the water. He kept a hand on his chin in deep thought. As she spoke out loud and came closer to him he could sense her thoughts. Her pattern of thinking and what she went through. The Aion, the kingdom of Nero, the lords of every land. They all meant nothing to her. So they meant nothing to him. But the people mattered. The future mattered. For them and their heirs they needed a peaceful world. Or at least one that was far less corrupted by the desires of their rulers. Perhaps a unified world was too much to ask for. But in its current state, even with a single enemy, they can't connect.

"Lila..." He said softly as she held him. "Before you turn in your report for the Aion. Let me see it first. It may be best we keep some things to ourselves." He touched her hand gently. "Lets see this.. girl, as you call her. Then prepare ourselves for an expedition to the Basilisks territory." He looked a bit serious, though Lila couldn't see. His pupils slightly slit as he had a death glare at the door. His mind venturing down the road of blood they will spill moving forward.

Once properly dressed Lila and Anui would leave the room to the servant. Down the halls Anui knew so well. He began to point to Lila what hall was which. The statues on the walls marked what led where. Beast Gargoyles, Seraphim, Basilisk Skulls, The heads of previous kings and royals, and finally the skulls of their greatest enemies. Yes the petrified skulls of those in high standing that fell to a Nero blade. All marked where each thing was. While it would take her time to learn it all she would get a grasp of the statues and their meaning soon enough.
Walking the hall of Basilisk skulls they soon arrived to the dungeon room once more. With another knock they were greeted with Grotum again. He quickly led them to the Basiliskin. Anui noticed she did not touch her food. Watching her as a tall dark figure behind the bars that kept her inside. "Open it." The door was swung open by Grotum, Anui would inside in unison with Lila. He observed the cell briefly and looked to the girl. Not saying a word, it would be best, he thought, to let Lila talk to this... girl. "I must go for now. I will return shortly." Anui turned to face the exit. "Be wary of any tricks she has up her sleeve." He kissed Lila on the lips. Showing the Basilisk that they were a couple. Glaring at the girl as he kissed his wife he let her know without words not to touch Lila. OR he would be the one she would have to deal with. If it were up to him Grotum would be the one interrogating her.

Mistakes…
Anui walked out of the dungeon. He made his way down the halls until he came to the seraphim statue hall. There he found a door and entered. "Tell me what you can of the new blood." The room he was in was filled with books. The one who sat in the middle of all these book shelves was a hooded woman with a sphere in her hands. She smiled under her hood. "Well." Her voice was a bit surprised, but calm and pleased. "The last time I did this was for the King." She said while the sphere began to glow a feint white with black swirls surrounding its inside. "Oh my.. It seems our new blood won't be around much longer.." She said. Anui looked a bit surprised himself. "The canal cavern estate." Immediately after she spoke Anui vanished.
Soon Anui was at Freyr's home. Uninvited as he was he did not ask the details of his situation from the seer. Anui managed to enter inside without any forced entry. His brief walk past the garden only gave the air of quiet danger a beautiful backdrop. Something he didn't want to be a part of. He looked for signs of struggle. Finding a table with a few materials spilled around it. The liquid seemed vile to the senses. He slowly walked further, around the table. There he found Freyr. Anui calmly observed. The liquid was clearly the culprit but he didn't seem to drink it. Despite this peculiar situation Anui remained entirely calm, almost cold as he knelt down and felt Freyr's pulse.

"Like a true blood." He muttered. The poison in the liquid didn't seem like enough to kill a Nayu. Anui lifted Freyr in his arms and headed for the door. "For better or for worse new blood. You're alive." He said as he headed to the nearest medical center. Luckily they were in the royal district. Freyr would find himself in a bed as a patient in a poorly lit room soon enough.

For Freyr, barely any time had passed between him passing out at the foot of his bed and waking up here. He expected to see nothing at first, but slowly he remembered the day's previous events. Freyr felt sore and nauseous, but he couldn't figure out why. He had zero recollection of what happened between arriving at his home and whatever this place was. It was dimly lit, with a small table at the side with all sorts of tools. Freyr moved some hairs out of his face as he sat up a little. The sheets under him were damp in his own sweat and his hair was matted, messy and soaked in his own sweat. What happened to him and more importantly, how did he get here?

Anui was the only figure in the room. Though he was cloaked by a shadow that could not be pierced even with Freyr's new sight. He stepped into the light as she came near Freyr. Placing a steady right hand on the mans right shoulder. Pressing down gently to keep a bit of balance. The bed was small and falling was easy. "It's alright." He said with a slow deliberate calming voice. His eyes were still as cold as ever, but the will to kill was not in them. Nor disgust. He instead looked at Freyr like a master viewed their dog who disappointed them with bad behavior. Any hopes of seeing Freyr as a possible noble of valor was tarnished in Anui's eyes. He instead wished now he asked the Seer for more information before coming into contact with this man. Now for an alibi... "I had came to your lovely estate to see if you were home." He tilted his head as he looked into the mans eyes. The calculated dream of Anui's eyes met Freyr's once more and he would revisit the memory of having gained such a new found ability.

"I need you to tell me if you harmed the basiliskin in anyway or did something to her to acquire whatever was in that concoction you had." His hand against his shoulder gently pressed his sharp nails into Freyr's flesh.

Freyr nearly jumped out of bed when he saw Anui's figure approach. But once he recognized him, he lowered his guard. Anui was able to approach him, get close and practically interrogate him. The line of questioning was odd, and it took Freyr a moment to really register what Anui was talking about. The added 'motivation' reminded Freyr of his training sessions. He had trained for these particular situations. Though, this circumstance was different. He lost nothing by telling the truth...*

"I-I didn't hurt her." Said Freyr, looking away from Anui. He was clearly in pain, but was doing his best to not outwardly show it. "We talked and I asked for it."

It was all coming back now. The Basilisk poison. He has used it to make an elixir to cure his withdrawal symptons. Though, his definition of 'cure' was dubious at best. Seems like his head had gotten to him. Either he probably took too much or added the wrong ingredients. Either way, Anui didn't need to know. And even if he knew, he wasn't going to admit it.

"The King gave me different orders and I obeyed. Why would I harm her and disobey?"
Freyr had always portrayed himself as a loyal Dolofon assassin. Even if he didn't particularly care about the politics, he always like to show his superiors that he was but a humble servant of the King and the Kingdom. In reality, he just wanted to climb the ranks. To get to where he was now.

Anui knew his kind. Short of royal blood but close enough to high society to attain wealth with his god given Nayu traits. Honed enough to be of use. To gain prominence amongst the high bloods while they stepped over the lives of the low bloods. Anui respected those who came from nothing. Those were the ones he gave all his faith to. But Freyr was not one of them. Anui felt a bit angered. His cool demeanor would not resonate that however. Instead he seemed to only be studying Freyr, and letting up his show of aggression whilst doing so.

"I see. A kind one that poor thing." He said while laying his hand off and resting it to his side. He stood his full height and looked down at Freyr. Remaining eye level. "You are wise to remain vigilant in not disobeying the king. Even as you do acquire favors from our prisoners..." He faced the door, standing sideways to Freyr now. "Please do get better. Soon. I will send for you in due time." He began to exit the center. As he left he swung the door open and on the other side was a full clinic. One not Taxis and not seen anywhere else but in Nero. Anui approached a nurse, a woman in all black from head to toe and goggle like glasses on her face. "Please so to it that he gets the best of care." He looked to the door. "He may need the impurities in his blood removed..."

The nurse entered the room. She looked at Freyr with her reflective lenses covering her eyes. "Please relax." She stated. Noting Freyr's sweating as a sign of his overall uneasy demeanor. She walked over to him holding a blanket. She laid it over him and placed a small towel on his forehead. "I have been told you're here for a blood purification. May I begin?" She asked. Wanting the patient's consent before continuing.

"Blood purification?" Freyr repeated the nurse's words, looking away for a moment. He sat up again, taking the wet towel on his forehead in one hand.* "Look. I-I appreciate your help, but I think I can work this out on my own. I just... took too much. It won't happen again."
Freyr wasn't about to lose the only thing that kept his chronic pain at bay.

"If you say so." The nurse bowed out of the room. By this time however Anui was gone. So she had to return to make sure Freyr could leave appropriately. She walked over to him and placed a hand on his forehead. "Before you leave let me do a quick checkup. Are you in any pain? Have you taken this venom before and are you a constant ingester?"

"Am I...?" Freyr sighed. It wasn't here fault.
"Yes. Constantly. Seraphim blood and a few other mixes I make helps. Thought that venom I got would go well with the mix. Guess not."
It was the first time Freyr had told anyone what he did behind closed doors. He did omit that he was practically addicted to it. Freyr was a ashamed of the whole situation, but he couldn't help it.

"I see. So you were experimenting." She kept prodding Freyr in certain places on his upper body to check off a list in her head. "Were you suffering from withdrawal symptoms?"

No point in hiding it anymore. And after what happened, maybe this was doing more harm than good. Would all that hard work go to waste because of this? He was lucky Anui found him when he did. Imagine if he hadn't. Either way, this nurse was going to find out anyway...

"Yes." Freyr replied in a low tone. He was ashame of the whole thing. There wasn't any way to hide it now.

"Its a common issue among the upper class." She stepped away for a moment. She seemed to be preparing something on the table. "I have something that is often used to temporarily remedy this issue." She raised an elixir. It was clear but reflected blue in the light. "Are you willing to take it?"

"I'll take it."
Freyr had come to a realization. The need to take Seraphim blood had completely dominated his life for years. Sure, it helped with the pain and the night terrors... but it wasn't doing it for him anymore. For now, he could use this while he found a solution. Or something stronger that he could control.

"The cost has already been covered by the prince of Nero. You indeed have friends in high places." She walked over to him with a syringe needle in hand. The liquid inside. "Hold still please." She gently placed a hand on his arm. The needle dissappeared into his shoulder and so did the liquid. It only took a second. She stepped away walking to the table and placing the needle on it. "Take your time to rest."

"Truly?"
Thinking back, it seemed Anui had taken an interest in him. He would have to be careful. Most likely, he would want this favor repaid at some point or another.

"Indeed." She gave a smile, though not visible under her mask. She left Freyr alone in the room. But not before Pointing out a black long medical robe by the door.

Freyr waited for her to leave the room before laying back down. He felt exausted all of a sudden. Nothing surprising there. After everything that had happened today, who wouldn't. Though, usually he'd smoke before going to sleep. That unfortunately wouldn't be an option anymore. All he could hope for was that whatever medicine he was given would help with his sleep. Freyr turned on his side and got comfortable, taking a deep breath before closing his eyes.

Lila nodded, understanding what Anui meant with those words. Initially, she was pretending to tell Sleeth absolutely everything she knew about the Aion. Not only it was valuable information, that was desired by the king that she could give for free, without any repercussions but it would be a key for her to earn the King's trust. As Anui said though, there could be some things that they could keep for themselves instead of just handing over to the king. If they did it carefully, they would both please the king with enough information and at the same time, keep some of it for themselves.

"The information about the Aion we give to the king might be the key for us to earn his trust. We can't give him a lacking report, although if we do things correctly, omitting some information without him realizing might be doable." Lila said, nodding towards Anui.

After they were dressed, Anui left the room and led Lila through the tortuous and almost maze like halls and corridors, all of them adorned with many different skulls from many races and creatures, ranging from beasts to heads of previous kings, royals and even seraphim. According to his explanation, each one of those skulls adorning the halls had a meaning, each one had a story behind them that was important for Nero. Lila carefully heard them, but despite her being even interested about it, it was just too much for her to memorize that fast.

Arriving on the cells, they were greeted by Grotum, who opened the door the second Anui opened his mouth. The basiliskin girl was curled up on the corner of the room in a truly pitiable state. Lila did notice how she didn't even touch the meat that was left for her, not that she blamed her for it... After everything she saw and went through, it was understandable that she couldn't eat that meat...
"Thanks for your work, Grotum." Lila said as she looked at the basiliskin girl before Anui left her, saying he had to do something but would be back.

"Don't worry, I will be careful." Lila said, kissing him back.

After Anui was gone, Lila gave a few steps towards the basiliskin, staying far enough so she wouldn't see her as a threat and would remain calm.

"Calm down, I'm not here to hurt you. I only want to talk, Ni'ra." Lila began, talking with a calming voice as she said the name the basiliskin girl herself used before.

"Listen carefully to what I will say. I can't do much to help you if you don't cooperate." she began.

"Let's first start with why you're here, ok? You were sent here by your queen, to deliver a message which you didn't know the contents." Lila said, repeating what she herself had said before the king.


"I know you did nothing wrong, but the very fact that the basilisk queen sent you here means that she sent you to your own death. She knew that, especially making you deliver such message, which was nothing short of a declaration of war. She allied herself with someone called Nuxta. His goal is solely to kill and destroy everything." Lila said as she waited for the basiliskin girl's reaction to her words. It was very important for her to understand her own situation.

"You were abandoned by your own queen and your own kin. I can't give you a home to return to nor I can give you freedom... But I can teach you how to earn it." Lila said, looking to Ni'ra with serious eyes as she waited for her reaction before continuing to explain what exactly was happening.

When Lila and Anui had arrived, they would find Ni'ra in the same corner as before , curled up just the same except this time she had her ears covered in an attempt to lessen the sounds of the screams that Grotum most likely caused further in the dungeon. Despite her gentle approach Ni'ra still wasn't sure about this person talking to her now. She had helped her, it seemed, and she didn't seem as aggresive as the other she was with. Her mate perhaps? Nir'a thought about what the Nayu woman told her. "Kin... abandon Ni'ra? But why? Maybe Queen, why kin? Bazilizk no zee Bazilizkin az equal, iz becauze iz dezcendant, but never do az thiz. Ni'ra told dezcendantz evil, bloodthirzty, now Ni'ra zeez thiz too. Iz zcared, why do thingz like thiz?" she asked looking out of the bars, the sounds of their pain ringing off the walls. "Meat iz dezcendent flesh, Nik'ra no want, iz wrong-feeling... Ni'ra doez not want to hurt... doez not want to hurt otherz. Doez Queen that make bad choice mean all kin bad? Ni'ra no think zo, like zome dezcendant no zeem bad."

"Ni'ra iz.... at lozz. Doez not know where can go. Zo you zay kin no want, yet, zey no want Ni'ra either... What do Ni'ra do?"Ni'ra's speech was a bit erratic, bouncing from subject to subject of the responce as her mind raced, trying to stay calm but unable to do so, especially in this environment.

Lila heard in silence as the basiliskin girl spoke. She was afraid and confused. For someone who was so obviously clueless about most of the world outside her home, being treated like this was probably quite a shock for her.

"Calm down and listen to my words. I want you to focus on what I am saying to you." Lila said, in a calming, but serious tone as she looked straight to Ni'ra's eyes, giving her some time for her to breathe and calm down before she continued.

"Basilisks say descendants are evil and bloodthirsty, descendants say the same thing about basilisks. But you're not a basilisk. You're a basiliskin, Ni'ra. You're closer to the descended than the basilisks are." Lila continued.

"If a descended came to your queen, giving her a message that said that she could either surrender or die... What would the basilisks do with that descended...? Do you understand the situation you've been thrown in by your queen now?" Lila said, slowly.

"The basilisk queen commands the basilisks. If she orders, they have no choice but to obey, but you.... you are not a basilisk, Ni'ra." Lila began explaining, with the same patience someone would have to explain something for a child.
"Your queen allied herself with someone evil. Someone who believes that the descended must be purged and the world, completely destroyed so it can be remade as he imagines it." Lila continued.

"The only ones that need to be eliminated are Nuxta and the basilisk queen. For that, we need your help, Ni'ra. Do you want Nuxta to succeed? If he does, there will be nothing left. He will destroy everything..." Lila said in a very serious tone as she looked to Ni'ra, giving her a moment for her to absorb the words she just said.

"In the eyes of the king, you are an enemy, just like your queen and Nuxta. You won't be able to be free... At least not yet. But if you help us to eliminate the basilisk queen, who betrayed you, sent you to die and allied herself with Nuxta, you will be able to earn your freedom. What can you tell me about the basilisk queen, where she is, where she lives... I need to know everything about her." Lila continued.

"I can take you out of here if you choose to ally yourself with us, Ni'ra. I am not like the king or the other one who wanted to kill you. You can trust me." Lila finished, as she gave Ni'ra a while to absorb everything she had just said. It was a lot of information, but for Ni'ra's own good, she had to understand it all and make the correct choice...

Ni'ra tried to take slower breathes to calm herself as best as she could as she listened. "Ni'ra.... doez not want kin hurt... but... haz no anger for dezcendantz. You zay queen and thiz, uh, Nooks-tah actually enemy of both kin and dezcendant?" she asked, after all, Lila did say destroy everything so that would mean that the queen not only betrayed her, but will later betray her kin?

Ni'ra shook her head and tried to steady her own thoughts. The accusation was quite bold, but... if it were true, the queen would be leading all of them into ruin as well, she had no thought for them at all. When Lila started asking questions about the queen she had to shake her head once more waving her hands. "W-wait, issss much too much, N-Ni'ra can not, eh, please...iz hard. Why queen betray, doez not care about kin anymore?"

Ni'ra was silent as the sounnd of that thought in words seemed to strike home with everrything that has happened. With a wavery voice she tried to answer best she could from what she knew. "Queen can control kin az to her will if need, and hear queen stay deep in cavez, yet where, Ni'ra never known. Ni'ra hunter, iz not allowed close, juzt provide food to otherz and get to keep zome az reward. Bazilizkin kept moztly zeparate from Bazilizk full bloodz."

"Ni'ra want to truzt you, but.... Ni'ra afraid of what mean if true... Ni'ra can help but..." Ni'ra was silent as she thought how to word her next phrase honestly but without angering Lila, "zo far, Ni'ra iz not zure about other dezcendantz. Small one is creepy, evil creature. Zen zer iz ztrange one from earlier, who ztayed wit Ni'ra. He azk for Ni'ra venom, Ni'ra warn him but waz, eh, perzizting? Ni'ra gave, zome from hunting ztick, he take and run away. Zen iz your mate. He zeenz... angry? No, iz not angry... Ni'ra can not place, iz just odd." Ni'ra stopped and looked Lila over for a moment, "You iz only one zat zpeak gentle..."

Lila raised an eyebrow, listening in silence as Ni'ra told her that Freyr did insist for her to get some of her venom. That information was... troubling. What was he planning to do with it? There were a few possibilities, but he could cause a lot of problems as well... But other than that, it was undeniable that Ni'ra was still very confused. Everything that Lila had said... It was a lot for her to absorb in just a moment. Fortunately, she was willing to hear her.

"I... don't know why your queen betrayed the descended and your kin. Nuxta's goals are clear yet... There are some who gladly cooperate with him..." Lila said, in a somber tone.

"Nuxta is an enemy of all life as we know. He wants to kill all descended and destroy everything, so he can create a world that is 'perfect' by his own standards... Trampling over everything and everyone in the process..." she continued.

"My mate seees you as a dangerous individual, but he isn't as eager to kill you as the King or Freyr, the other one who threatened to kill you before... You can trust us, Ni'ra." Lila said.

"Everything I told you so far is true. Unfortunately... You don't have much of a choice. The king would gladly torture you to get any information he can before killing you. I am offering you a better alternative. It's up to you if you will trust me and come to my side or not... My hands are tied unless you make the correct choice." Lila finished, as she gently extended her hand towards Ni'ra, looking to her and waiting for her reply.

Ni'ra looked into Lila's eyes, and unlike most of the people she had seen here, she didn't see any malice in them. There was no sense of danger when she reached out her hand to her. Even so, Ni'ra was nervous when she timidly reached out her hand, it was shaking slightly as she spoke up, "Ni'ra...truzt," she said as she lightly clasped hands with the nayu woman.

Lila smiled, relieved that the basiliskin girl chose to trust her. If she didn't Lila wouldn't be able to do anything to help her.

"The situation you're in right now is a bit... complicated. You will have to pledge alliance to the king. Even if you don't trust him, I need you to do so. Otherwise you will continue to be treated as a prisoner." Lila began explaining to Ni'ra as she shook her hand in a symbol of trust.


"Despite that, the one you'll ally yourself with will be me and Anui, not the king. I will train you, teach you how to wield your blade for more than just hunting. You will need it if you want to stop Nuxta and the Basilisk Queen. I won't lie to you, Ni'ra... You will have to earn your own freedom with blood. Just like once I did myself." she continued, looking to her with a serious expression.

"Before I can take you out of these cells, I need you to promise me that you won't betray me or Anui. You said you trust me, Ni'ra. Can I trust you too?" Lila asked.

"What can you tell me about the Queen and the basilisks and their fighting forces? Anything will help. Once we're done, I'm going to take you to eat something decent and for you to take a bath. Allies do not deserve to be treated the way you're currently being treated." Lila finished, making a promise to Ni'ra with a kind smile.

Ni'ra shifted uncomfortably, "Eh, Ni'ra never zee, but queen home iz large tower of bonez. Many ancient onez zere, including ze queen, very powerful. Queen iz queen from trial of combat, zo iz ztrongest. Az for other bazilizk, zere are few typez. Zome can have armz, legz, even wingz! Zeze can be ztrong, but onez wizout are called 'pure bloodz'. Non pure can have zkillz and magic normal bazilizk no have. More zan petrify or venom."

"Zen zere iz bazilizkin, like Ni'ra. We do zingz for bazilizk zat zey no can do, zince we have ze handz. We work wiz ze dezcendantz zat rarely hang around. Make medicinez for petrify and venom, zome hunting. When Ni'ra hunt, Ni'ra ztayz low, iz quiet, zen ztrike. Zometimes can no kill in one strike, zat iz what venom for, we wait for ze game to die." Ni'ra hoped she had answered something sufficiantly, but she was worried that maybe she may not have known enough to help as Lila wanted.

Lila carefully listened to Ni'ra's words as she began telling her about the queen. Apparently she didn't know much but the little she knew was still good. The basilisk queen lived in a tower of bones, together with many ancient ones, which were noticeably stronger than normal basilisks. Not only that but the queen herself was very strong.

"I see... This will make things a bit more complicated..." Lila said as she continued listening to Ni'ra.

Ni'ra also told her a few particularities about the Basilisks and their respective types. Some could use venom, could petrify and some could even use magic. Ni'ra herself was just a hunter, one of the reasons for her to not know much about the queen. Still, the techniques and skills she described could be easily used for assassination with some training. The information was honestly... Superficial, but it was still something. Unfortunately for her, she would have to prove her usefulness, not only to Lila but to the king himself by other means ...

"We can talk more later. I'll take you to eat something decent and take a bath. After that we can start your training." Lila said with a smile, but it ending with a serious tone.

"Your skills as a hunter will serve well for assassination. I will teach you to hunt more than just animals. It might not be something you will like to do, but it will be necessary for you to earn your own life." She explained to the basiliskin girl.(edited)
"Grotum, this basiliskin girl will be, from now on, under my care. She will learn from me and work with me. Her cell won't be needed anymore. I will be in charge of disciplining and training her. Let everyone who might come here looking for her know this. I will need the keys for her shackles too." Lila said, as she called for Grotum, but Ni'ra would also notice that her words were more than just for Grotum... She was clearly stating that Ni'ra would have to hear and obey her and Anui's orders.

"Meanwhile, you can tell me more about these ancient ones who live with the queen. What they're capable of, their skills, abilities and how new queens are selected. We must be sure that the future basilisk queen won't ally herself with Nuxta..." Lila said waiting for Grotum to hand her the keys so she could free Ni'ra.
Ni'ra quietly listened to Lila talk about her plans for her. She was unsure if she could become what Lila wanted her to be, but right now, they would be leaving this cell it seemed, and maybe then she could voice her concerns. The word 'assassination' flew over her head, as most longer words do, and she wasn't yet too keen on Lila's mate yet, but she had not talked to him as much as she spoke with Lila.

"Go to river? Eh, or maybe pond?" Ni'ra asked wondering about the bath. She knew a good couple bodies of water close by, "What Ni'ra need hunt? Ni'ra can hunt firzt, bathe after, zo clean after hunt." She didn't think about an actual bath or prepared meal. For Ni'ra, food came from hunting, and bathing was done out in the water.

Grotum quickly obeyed Lila. He took the key from his chain and handed it to Lila. She now had a key for the chains in this dungeon. "Perhaps this will help my lord." Grotum approached Ni'ra and placed a chain shackle around her neck. He then attempted to hand it to Lila.

"I will take care of it. Thank you, Grotum. Remember what I said about Ni'ra. She will be under my responsibility." Lila said, taking the shackle from his hands as he approached the basiliskin girl and the key.

As she approached Ni'ra, Lila immediately freed her, taking off her shackles before she leaned forward to speak to Ni'ra.

"I'm sorry. It is just for now, just for show. I will take it off the moment we get away from here." Lila said in a low tone as she put the chain shackle around her neck. It was clear for Ni'ra that Lila didn't enjoy that either, but she indeed had to keep the appearances.

Lila gently led Ni'ra out of the cells, holding the neck chain but still leading her by the hand, as she walked through the tortuous hallways, going back the exact way she came.

Once they were a bit far away, she went closer to Ni'ra, taking the neck chains away.

"Do you have any preference regarding food?" Lila asked as she lead her to the kitchen.

"I will be writing down any information regarding basilisks you have as you eat. After that you will take a bath and we will start your training." Lila said, as she continued leading her down the hallways.

The kitchen was near the living quarters and was accessible from all wings of the castle. Lila's first time leading the walk in these halls would be full of strange feelings. Her eyes saw nothing out of the ordinary. But she could sense a presence always watching. She could hear the walls vibrating like water rippling on its surface. But most importantly she could begin to smell the ingredients in the kitchen. This time there will be no door to open. It was open to all to enter and leave. In fact many of the servants came and went from there. Behind a closed door was where the chefs did the cooking for all royals. Tirelessly they baked and cooked whatever was wanted. Thankfully not many in Nero's royalty are gluttons for more than blood. But when they did eat they only wanted the most delectable of meals. The head chef could be heard occasionally shouting from behind the door. There were many already prepared meals on a long square of tables and seats. Whenver a royal was hungry they could walk in here and feast. Or request something be brought over wherever they resided. The room was quite fanciful. Paintings of deadly beautiful flowers hanging high on the walls next to candle lit flames. It was busy yet peaceful.

Ni'ra actually took a step back from Grotum when he approached her with the collar, not wanting him to get close to her. Luckily Lila took charge instead, and even though Ni'ra obviously was wary about having a collar around her neck, she let Lila put it on, listening to her explanation as she did so. SHe never seemed to let go of Ni'ra's hand as they walked away either. It was honestly quite comforting after how the day has gone so far.

Lila quickly made good on her promise and removed the shackle from her neck. Ni'ra wasn't sure how far they were from the dungeon, as she didn't look up from the ground,not wanting to see the heads again. She did notice that the stench of blood, rot, and death were gone, and replaced with something else entirely. It was a warm and pleasant smell. Lila then asked her what food preferences she had. "Ni'ra like meat...but... not like meat creepy man give. Ze harder ze hunt ze more reward it feel. Iz zing called 'phoenix chiken'. Zome wild in grazzy placez. Iz zmall, but iz very fazt, but sssssso good! Iz only zing Ni'ra can not help but eat in one bite!" she said, slowly getting excited thinking about it.

When they got to the kitchen, however, Ni'ra was a tad bit confused. Her tongue would rapidly flick in and out from between her lips often as she tried to identify what this place was. The chemicals and pheromones were all over the place, and her sense of smell was rapidly trying to identify things that she had never smelled before. Something seemed somewhat familiar, she remembered some odd descendants used to put fire to their meat instead of just eating it. Ni'ra never tried it before because she thought they may be burning it. But, it was not just meat, there were a number of other strange things their being inserted or withdrawn from large fire boxes. Plants, gooey blobs she didn't know was dough, pans of ascended only knew what, only to come out looking completely different!(edited)

There were even large pots of some liquid material that others were putting in bowls, it seemed to have chunks of other things in there as well. All the different smells and the tables lined with food nearly made Ni'ra's head spin. "Feh!? What iz place? Iz food? Ni'ra never zee before!" Ni'ra's eyes were wide with wonder, her old curious instinct starting to flare back up as she started taking steps into the kitchen. She wanted to see what the chefs were doing and get a closer look at the food, often looking back to Lila and back to what she was curious about. She obviously really badly wanted to learn about everything in here, but wasn't sure if she would get in trouble if she poked around too much. Ni'ra still held on to Lila's hand though, and would not take a step farther than her reach, in fact, the end of Ni'ra's tail even started to coil around Lila's arm as well, just to be double sure she didn't lose track of her.

Lila wasn't that surprised when she heard Ni'ra's preferences for food. Since she was a basiliskin and lived most of her life with basilisks, it was to be expected she would eat mainly raw meat. That said, she didn't blame the basiliskin girl for not eating the meat Grotum gave her...

"Phoenix chicken... It sounds exotic." Lila replied. She had never heard about such animal, but Lila was never interested in cooking nor she was a 'hunter' in the traditional sense of the word, so it was only to be expected.

"I never heard about it before, but your enthusiasm made me curious. If we find any on the kitchen I will ask for it to be prepared for us." Lila replied, letting out a discreet smile, satisfied that the basiliskin girl was feeling better.

As she made her way to the kitchen with Ni'ra, Lila couldn't help but to feel quite the strange sensations. Even if there was apparently nothing out of the ordinary, she could feel the walls vibrating almost like if there were ripples on its surface and a faint, but strange presence, giving her the feeling she was being watched. Even though she was able to hide it from Ni'ra, such sensations did put her at guard, until she finally began feeling the smells from all the ingredients in the kitchen. There was still much about the castle that Lila didn't know, but she would be sure to ask about those specific sensations to Anui later...
When they arrived on the kitchen, Ni'ra was quick to express her confusion and amazement with the scents of all the different foods and spices that were omnipresent in the kitchen. It was honestly a bit overwhelming even for Lila, but for Ni'ra, who probably had senses as sharp as, or even more than, Lila, it probably was much more impactful.

"The scents you're feeling are many different spices and condiments, all used to give the food a different taste. The same meat can be prepared in a thousand different ways, all of them tasting incredibly different from one another. Have you ever had cooked food?" Lila asked as she headed further inside, still holding Ni'ra's hands.

Lila did take some time trying to find someone who wasn't frantically working on a dish or busy with something, but after a few moments, she was finally noticed by one of the cooks as she made a signal for him to approach her.

"Do you have any Phoenix Chickens to prepare? Two dishes should be fine. If you don't, just one serving of regular meat should suffice." Lila said as she waited for his reply.