As the two returned to their last visited, and highly desired, destination. They were met with a silent stare as several seraphim children and their active care mother was observing them with blank stares. "Ummm..." Their mother asked. Her white seraphim wings and velvet colored hair was hardly a change in this room of children of different ages who were of various breeds of seraphim. "Aeden!" A few children cried. They knew of the Aion warriors like one knew of heroes. Each one was different yet a welcomed part of the child's dream of growing into a useful member of the Aion. Some of the more shy ones just wanted to live a more peaceful life away from the Therosi. While others not as seraphim as the others, yet still a treasured member of the orphanage, were still in awe of Aeden's appearance. "It's certainly a surprise to see you visit this way." She asked. Nearly out of words for his sudden appearance.
Aeden hesitated slightly as this was not the exact destination he had in mind. Even so, this was close enough. His desire to arrive at the orphanage must have overridden the scroll just enough.
"I have an urgent reason to come here thus the... dramatic... entrance for lack of a better word."Aeden cleared his throat. This certainly was not ideal.
"I have a message I need to personally deliver." He turned his attention to the children with a smile.
"I'm glad I get to see you so soon. I would love to stay and play, but I have to do some important work. I promise when I'm all done with all my work I'll spend some quality time with you all."While everyone's attention was on Aeden, Nyph camouflaged himself and sneaked off toward Bidzil's room. He knew the orphanage in and out through various games of hide and seek with the kids, so he was confident he could find the best way to get there. Aeden started to make his way toward the secret entrance to the Aion HQ all the while focusing his eyes to see everything he could as he scanned the room on his way there. With his grand entrance he would have to assume the worst as far as the Dolofon were concerned.
"Oh dear an urgent message!" The children seemed awe struck by the prospect of tantalizing heroism Aeden was engaged in. The sunshine beamed through the windows with a golden warm hue. The front door to the orphanage opened rather urgently. "You there!" A Vrondian guard emerged from the door. The constant monitoring of magical auras led them directly to Aeden in a short moments notice. Most had to enter through the gates. If not they would be seized. However, most teleporters were in the Aion and most were welcomed in Sunfire. With a show of military like enforcement the guard observed Aeden. Seeing that he did indeed seem to be with the Aion he asked immediately, from intuition. "What's the matter?" His silver armor was engraved with green plants and actual vegetation grew from beneath it. Beauty and protective grace.
The opened door above Aeden and the others led to the babes of the orphanage. The newborns and ones too young to play with the older ones. Inside were a handful of small rocking beds. The window shined brightly illuminating the different beds of the babes. All seemed quiet, as it should be. Except for the noise below. Bidzil's bed was marked with his name, as so were the others. Each with pillows and blankets matching their natural hues. Most of the babes here were seraphim and all were gently sleeping. Except Bidzil's bed was gently rocking for some reason all seemed well.
Aeden had expected the response from the Vrondian guard. This would make any action made by the Dolofon more difficult, but Aeden could not divulge his concerns to the guardsman that approached. His expression turned serious as he stopped to face the guard.
"Sir, I am not in a position to divulge such information to you. I am afraid I need to deliver an urgent message to my superiors. Time is of the essence."To emphasize the urgency, Aeden began to move toward the entrance to the HQ once again.
Nyph cautiously approached Bidzil's bed. On his approach he scanned the room for anyone that might appear to be a threat. Once he got close enough he would crane his neck to see if Bidzil was still on the bed and what condition the boy was in. He imagined if there was a Dolofon in the room they would be cloaked from the naked eye much like he was, and if that was the case he hoped Aeden was quick in the delivery of his message.
The guard was clearly taken back, understandably so, by Aeden's words.
Not divulging information was rather suspicious. Though the Aion were trusted members of Vrondian society, their leader a respected knight under the King himself, their ongoing missions are not always ran by the Taxis, or Vrondi. Though they usually were. As the support of others was how the Aion kept afloat. Seraphim were rare enough, being put in danger on secret missions was not a common practice. "H-hold on now." He placed up a hand, sweat starting to visibly form on his cheek. This was a lot to handle at once, but he knew proper protocol. He cleared his throat to talk clearer. "If this is as urgent as you say then I will go and tell the Taxis of your predicament. But I'm limited in my aid without information." He frankly said. Watching as Aeden walked towards the front doors he darkened. Giving him space to do as he willed, freely, but not letting up on gaining information.
The bed was quiet. Nothing more could be said as the babes slept. Though something about the dead silence may feel off. Like something lurked in the shadows cast by the rocking beds. One of which was darker than the others. Bidzil's rocking bed had a dark shadow caste on it. Eerily so.
Aeden thought for a moment. The guard had begun to sweat which raised Aeden's suspicion. He realized another route he could take that would actually be preferable. It would be much safer for the Aion if he first went to a Taxis member he trusted. A great way to vet if this guard was trustworthy was quite simple.
"You actually saved me there. It would actually be safer if you escort me to the Taxis first, so I can deliver the message there. I understand you're cautious about me being so secretive, however, it is safer for everyone this way, trust me."He was familiar with several people within the Taxis guild that he could trust to get a message safely to the Aion without exposing the entrance to the headquarters.
Nyph felt a growing feeling of dread. He did not have a good feeling about the shadow looming over Bidzil's bed. He did not want to approach any farther. Aeden was better as seeing magic than he could ever be. He was better at it than pretty much everyone he knew. If anyone could spot out the Dolofon hiding here it would be him. Nyph decided to get into a position where he could keep a close eye on everything he could in the room without drawing any attention.
"Right." He said. Moving in a hurried pace towards the Taxis HQ. The children of the orphanage piled up by the windows to watch Aeden move across the busy city streets of Sunfire. Within the giant tree sunlight shined from balls of artificial sunlight. The Taxis HQ was not far, simply across the road. Once hurrying up their steps the Guard waved to the others to allow him in. "Urgent. This is urgent!" He said. The doors swung open. Inside were multiple Taxis members. Not the most prominent ones, who usually remained in Vrondi's city itself. But the more journeyed ones. Also those who had closer ties to the Aion. A long jeweled earing wearing Sol wearing simple white tunic and the symbol of the Taxis visible through the thin white fabric of his tunic. That was not all visible, but he wore white pants as well and walked bare foot. He looked to see Aeden walking in. "Urgent?" He said, a curious brow raised. Light brown eyes set on Aeden who was rushing in behind the guard. Aeden will then feel a voice echoing in his mind before it focused into a solid speech.
What seems to be the problem Aeden? The voice of the man rang out in his mind, not harmful in any way however. He was a knight of Vrondi and a well respected Taxis elite. His name was Luminae a mage of light, one who helps Aeden in his own techniques when applying divine light to anything.
Aeden relaxed slightly as his eye met with Luminae's. This was perfect. This was someone he trusted. He focused his mind on the connection that was made between them.
Luminae, I have information on good authority that the Dolofon are in the Sunfire Orphanage. It is entirely possible they are aware of the Aion HQ. They are going to kill a boy as a part of their revenge. The other children are just as at risk. Nyph is in there right now, but there is only so much he can do.Luminae's eyes widened as he waved his hand and a cup of tea was summoned his way. Levitating off of the table a few meters away into his hand. He sipped on it, visibly calming.
An active Dolofon in Sunfire? How would they have been able to get past our detections? He asked Aeden. Though the seraphim clearly wouldn't know the details of such a thing. Luminae sighed.
I will have a sensory team to scan the orphanage immediately for where this 'person' may be hiding... He spoke to Aeden while sipping his tea. Once done however he began close his eyes. Alerting the others was simply a matter of mental communication. Within a few minutes a scan was made. Luminae opened his eyes. Throwing a sharp glance to Aeden.
They found something. A dark essence in the orphanage. We must locate it immediately, and we must do so swiftly. I will be able to tell exactly where it is, we must first get inside. Luminae put down his cup. It floated with a light aura surrounding it before flying over to the empty marble tables. "Lets go." He said. Making his way to the exit and across to the orphanage.
Aeden shrugged his shoulders and slightly shook his head as Luminae question about the Dolofon being able to sneak past their detection magic. Being assassins it made sense to him that they might have, through some difficulty, a way to get a small amount of people to infiltrate such a place. He found it difficult to wait while Luminae sent out the sensory team. He hoped Nyph remained unharmed, but with his camouflage ability the odds were likely he would be safe. Aeden already knew where they Dolofon likely were, but he did not want to raise too many questions.
Aeden immediately followed after Luminae. As soon as they passed over the threshold of the orphanage entrance, Aeden looked over to his teacher. Aeden's posture showed he was very much ready to spring into action instantly.
I have an idea where they might be already. My source told me they were aiming to kill one of the younger ones as a message. He started to move toward the room he knew Bidzil should be in keeping his eyes focused on picking up magically hidden anything.
Luminae nodded to Aeden. He turned to the Aion mother of the orphans. She was shaking a bit from fear. He nodded to her as well. All of the children seemed to be out back in their fenced playgrounds and were being watched by an armored Aion knight. Luminae began to follow Aeden up the room. He kept a focused watch on what was before him.
I sense no mental waves beyond the children and your pet dragon. He spoke to Aeden. Placing a hand on his shoulder before he would open the door and make his presence known to whatever awaited them inside.
Perhaps you can see if there is a spell being used with your eyes. He knew Aeden was a seraphim and he knew they were the best at sensing soul essence being emitted from anything.
The others are surrounding the exits.. If they're in here they won't be able to get out.Aeden nodded his head once before opening the door and stepping into the room. The unnatural shadows immediately caught his attention as his focused his vision fiercely over them. His eyes went from Bidzil's bed to the darker mass of shadow not far from it. He hoped Nyph was ready for his part when things got heated.
Luminae watched tensely as Aeden approached.
"What is it that you see?" He asked. Noticing Aeden's attention focus onto something.
Aeden glowered at the darkness. He had seen this before. It was one of the few things he could not see through. He could see the essence of Nyph on the far side of the room. His comrade appeared to be keeping watch.
I've seen this before. It's obscuration magic used for stealth that even I cannot see through. I am not capable of dispelling such a spell.Time was running out. Action would need to be taken before the assassin could react.
We need to take action soon.Damn. This is not good. Luminae looked at the shadows in the room and was now able to see what Aeden was focused on. Casting a small utterance Luminae made himself invisible before stepping in behind Aeden. This stealth trick was used by reflecting light and aided in healing comrades in the midst of battle. But he was tense.
Whoever it is surely knows you are here now, perhaps even me. Prepare yourself for any sudden movements and save the child! Luminae was starting to eye the crib, a protective barrier would be easy enough to throw up. But the child must be placed in safe hands first, he trusted Aeden to make the attempt.
Aeden knew the first action he needed to take was the push the assassin back. Not being able to see him made this more challenging, however, if he took up enough space it would limit their options. His Blessed Spear should take up enough space with it being the length of a short spear. He possibly could dispel the stealth spell if he absorbed its essence with the Orb of Containment. Aeden moved swiftly and decisively.
I'm going to push the enemy back to make space for you to protect the kid.He pulled the Orb from a belt pouch and summoned the Blessed Spear as he dashed forward taking up as much space as he could while he charged into the shadow. The farther he could push back his opponent the safer Bidzil would be. He hoped Nyph would be able to react to help.
Entering the room and even walking over the shadow led to no alteration to Aeden's momentum. He would be within the room without an obstacle, Luminae being at the doorway. Observing the shadow Aeden now stood on.
Get the child. Luminae spoke to Aeden. The Aion agent's forward dash was loud enough to stir some of the babes in the cribs around the walls of the room. There were five in total, the shadow only below the crib Aeden found interest in.
As Aeden enter the shadow he grew more suspicious. There was no assassin to push back. If they had escaped then that meant they got enough of a warning to get out. Had he made a mistake engaging with the guard? Should he have simply rushed up here before anyone could react? If the assassin was not in this room, that meant he had advanced warning from someone. His grand entrance earlier certainly caught attention, but he gave no information away. The only person he told was Luminae. Either the assassin was working together with Luminae or Luminae contacted someone that was.
Aeden pushed those concerns aside for the moment. First he needed to investigate a little further to confirm if the assassin had vacated. He probed underneath the crib with the tip of his spear. Paranoia kept him on edge the entire time. In the back of his mind a ticking clock ticked down steadily to an unacceptable failure.
The clock ticked thrice. Then, as Aeden observed the crib for any signs of existence Luminae's mind witnessed something few have ever seen and lived to tell about it.
Behind you! His mind shouted into Aeden's. A black hand emerged from the shadow Aeden stood within. A dagger in its hand. Soon a masked horned man emerged with half of his body exposed and throwing a downward stab to Aeden's back. But before the blade could pierce him a invisible barrier kept the weapon's blade at bay. Though like a physical shield the blade pierced as far as it's tip into the shield. Black essence forming around the blade the assassin dropped back into the shadow, vanishing into it like water. The shadow then moved, attaching to other shadows and moving before another crib. "Neither of you will be able to stop me. Pathetic trash!" This one was quite furious with the two, Luminae could sense it in his projection.
Keep your eyes on that shadow! The shouting of the assassin began to stir the babes awake.
Aeden felt fortunate that Luminae was there to protect him and the brief doubt disappeared completely. He turned to face the shadow that the assassin had faded back into and prepared for another attack. He decided to start using the Orb of Containment to start draining the shadow itself of essence now that he had an idea of what to pay attention to. If it could be used to reduce the effect of the spell it would be ideal.
Nyph began to approach now that the assassin had made his attempt and revealed himself. He had panicked briefly when he attempted to take Aeden's life, but was glad that he had backup. He maintained his camouflage and prepared his stinger for the instant the assassin left the shadow again. If they could make a prisoner out of the assassin that would be great.
Don' let ya guard down! Luminae told Aeden. He was ready to project another shield. He was fairly sure the assassin didn't know he was here. Though it was easy to suspect such a thing as hidden allies. The Assassin however was breathing heavily under his mask, within a dark place somewhere in Nero. Before him was a gateway to see into that room Aeden stood in while holding the orb of containment. The assassin, while looking at the orb, seemed a bit off kilter at first. However he was aware of the orbs use, and potential power. Had he placed a strange, rare and useful creature or weapon inside? OR was it charged with his own essence to unleash a spell he could not before. The options did not look good, so in a swift action the Assassin tossed the dagger at the gateway of shadow and sent it flying through the shadow and into the room towards Aeden. The dagger was masked with a dark aura.
After throwing the dagger the assassin swiftly raised a hand out of the shadow to reach up and pull down a child's crib.
Aeden felt nothing as a result of attempting the use of the orb. He had no time to think about it though not with the threat before him, and if he spent a moment creating any image of weakness it would be over. In the moments the assassin waited to strike again Aeden thought over the little information he had of this shadow magic. One, it was not an obscuring magic otherwise whatever it was hiding would be visible to him in some manner. Two, he felt no resistance whatsoever while he probed it before the assassin first struck at him. He hated experimenting with the unknown under duress, but he felt no other choice in this scenario. Either he tried with a chance to succeed, or he did nothing and failed.
He wound up and threw his Blessed Spear into the darkness of the shadow below. As he pivoted his body at the end of his throw a shadowy mass came hurtling from the darkness. Had he stood still it would have slammed into his chest piercing his heart, however his movement changed its mark. Dodging was not an option at this point in his momentum, so the blade of the dagger would end up penetrating the part of his chest closest to his left shoulder if Luminae could not react in time to this swift attack.
Just as Aeden threw the Divine Spear, Nyph saw a hand reach out to grab the crib above. He whipped his tail with lightning speed to strike the hand with his sting.
"Pull up the crib!" He called out as his camouflage ended due to his concentration on his attack.
Luminae was not entirely useless in this situation and tossed up a shield to keep the hand from even touching the bed. The noises began to stir the children out of their late morning sleep.
The hand reaching for the bed was stung by Nyph and taken by surprise before the light spear came hurtling next to it. Luckily Aeden did not aim for the arm itself. "Gaaahhh!" He screamed beneath the muffle of the mask. The light spear dispelled the dark, forcing the assassin's arm to recede. "CURSE YOU!" A distorted scream let out as the gateway was dispersed.
The assassin slammed his injured arm into the ground. "Damn bastards..! At least I cursed one if them. I hope he tears his little friend apart!"
Aeden felt a flare of pain as the dagger sunk into his body. Then a fierce rage followed. He did not even notice the darkness had disappeared. All he wanted to do was punish something. He felt pain and something needed to feel it too, but what? He saw movement down and to his right. A dragon.
Nyph looked up at Aeden with an excited look in his eyes.
"Look, Aeden, we did it! He quickly noticed something was very wrong.
"Uhhh... Aeden?"Aeden lunged at Nyph slamming a fist and the orb down towards Nyph. Nyph panicked and hurriedly dashed between Aeden's legs. Something was horribly wrong. He witnessed Aeden continue moving forward to the crib that was opposite where Nyph was before Aeden attacked. It was like it did not matter what he attacked he just needed to attack something. He raised his arms up to slam down on the crib, and Nyph hastened to sting Aeden near his heart to put him to sleep quickly else he kill one of the children.
With the sounds being made all of the children in the room awoke. The babes began crying and the older ones barely waking up to see that something very scary was happening in the room. A invisible shield was placed up to block Aeden.
"What's gotten into you!?" Luminae looked down to see the dagger. It still had a ominous aura. A cursed dagger likely still dangerous. Once the blade enters the blood the curse begins to fester inside ones soul.
"Come now!" The doors of the orphanage slung open and charging up the stairs were guards in Sunfire. They came to the door, Luminae's invisibility dying down. He focused on keeping Aeden contained by shielding what he aimed at. Luckily he was not coherent in his actions. "Restrain him!" The guards ran into Aeden, one on each arm as they struggled to keep him down. "Sleep." Luminae revealed a flower in his hands, one that was pink with yellow spots. A light vapor whispered from its mouth into Aeden's nostrils and lungs. Inducing a intoxicating sleep.
Aeden slammed down onto a barrier, and the rage only continued to explode. A voice in his head questioned his actions, and he felt a prick of pain as his back was stung by Nyph. He wheeled around and thrashed at Nyph once again slowing down as the sleep venom slowly started working. Again another barrier. That and the wails of the babies only served to increase his fury. He let out a primal roar as guards tackled him to restrain him. A light vapor trickled into his lungs as he pushed back against the guards. Finally, the venom combined with the vapor put him to sleep.
Nyph stared at Aeden with a shocked expression. He felt at a loss for words. Aeden was terrifying angry, but this was something else altogether. He would have rather seen an angry Aeden than
this. He winced in pain as the adrenaline died down. He realized that Aeden's first attack might have missed, but his right wing got stepped on as he slipped between Aeden's legs. Nyph looked up at Luminae waiting to see what was going to happen next.
"We must leave." He told his subordinates. Surprisingly calm, despite the sweat droplets multiplying on his forehead. Mostly from his adrenaline falling. The crying children made this situation very tense despite the assumed success of ridding the assassin of his means of causing them further harm. Luminae led the way as they picked up Aeden who was soon falling fast asleep. The carried his body out of the door and down the stairs. "Clear the table." Luminae told the mother of the orphanage. She tried to remove the plates but was taking too long. Luminae lifted everything from the table with his telekinesis. Tossing Aeden on the table Luminae placed a hand over his forehead. "His mind is filled with a wild rage. It is no doubt a frenzy spell he's succumbed to. Luckily we are in the perfect place to dispel this." Luminae placed a finger to his own head to help himself focus. Closing his brightening eyes he relayed a message to the wider communicating network. Calling forth the best of help for this situation. Manifesting through the seems of the wooden orphanage into the very dinning room they stood in was a silhouette of a seraphim made from a grey smoke or mist.
The smoke formed together, then turned into the hue of flesh and blood. A hooded woman now stood in the room before Aeden and Luminae's troubled group. Her pure white wings were evaporating at the ends like smoke. She opened her eyes to observe with a solemn stare at what was transpiring. "I have been summoned." She was Aiola. A secretive seraphim who is considered the right hand of Mirror, though her ways are mysterious. So mysterious that few ever meet her outside of the Aion. "He is under the effect of a madness spell. It happened just a moment ago from a Dolofon!" Luminae shouted. "Before he wakes!" He continued, Aiola immediately approaching Aeden's body on the table. "It is my duty to aid our kin..." She caressed the side of Aeden's head before moving her hands down his chest and across to his wound. "This is where the spell entered his blood, his flesh and his soul." As if teaching Luminae a lesson she went slowly. Then placed a finger into the wound. Blood coating her finger. "I will act just as the blade..." Invoking her divine essence into Aeden's own would jumpstart his own and reject the curse immediately. Though painful and likely to wake Aeden up it removed the spells hold on him. Luminae quickly cast a healing spell over Aeden to reduce his pain and recover his wound in seconds.
Aeden shuddered in pain and his eyes fluttered open as he awakened to the pain. He could feel the fury he felt earlier fading into memory. The pain he felt was moderate compared to the worst of pain he ever experienced in his life, but even so he ached as Luminae healed him. He groaned as he sat up. Worry written all over his face.
"Thank you." He took a deep breath as his eyes settled on Aiola.
"Thank you, Aiola." He turned to face Luminae.
"Thank you, Luminae. Did... Did I hurt anyone?""You stepped on me!" Nyph pouted.
"Other than that you just were really scary! Buuuut, we did it!"Aeden's expression went from relieved to serious.
"I've seen the shadow magic like that before. The one the assassin was hiding behind. Whenever, I experienced it the team I was with never could quite identify it before it disappeared. I don't think it's actually an obscuring magic. I felt no resistance where there should have been a floor when I probed it. I think it might have been some sort of portal." He looked at Luminae.
"It would explain why you sensed no one out of the ordinary in the room.""That... That does make sense." Luminae thought out loud. Blinking in disbelief. He still had visible sweat on his head. But it grew cold as he relaxed in a dining room seat. "I'll have to keep in mind the Dolofon are a lot trickier in their shadow spells than we would like. But it doesn't answer how that spell got there. It must have been one hell of a maneuver to get it placed there. But the biggest question on my mind is.. Aeden, how did you know about this?" He asked. The others wondering as well, Aiola standing quietly and the guards merely staying on standby and alert.
Aeden had been expecting this question for a while. He looked over to Nyph.
"Nyph's curious nature got the better of him."Nyph piped up.
"I followed a new friend and her dragon companion! She was collared, and we thought that she was a slave that had somehow escaped.""I noticed it was more layered than most," Aeden continued as he moved from the table to a seat himself.
"I promised her that I could help her completely remove it once the Alliance's mission was accomplished. This was before Nyph followed her."Nyph bobbed his head before continuing.
"She left suddenly with her dragon and I was curious, so I followed along. I discovered she was an unwilling Dolofon, and she was supposed to kill any one of the Aion in the Alliance, and if she didn't complete her mission they were going to kill her son who just so happens to be right here. I told Aeden right away! No way was I going to let something like this happen!"Aeden firmly clenched his fist.
"I was on edge after Nyph told me, but he also vouched for her. I trust his sense of people, and I still want to commit to my promise to free her from her slavery... even if her master is a lot trickier than the norm. The Alliance is filled with powerful people, so I imagine they expected it to be a suicide mission. I could not discount the possibility that our headquarters had been discovered, or that any message I sent could be intercepted, so I got creative. Fortunately, the merchant's guild had exactly what I needed to get here in a one way trip." His knuckled cracked as he clenched his fist tighter. His eye burned with a righteous fire.
"Ultimately, there is no way in hell that I am going to let those bastards hurt the children I have dedicated half my life to saving, protecting, and raising."The group were taken back by the Dolofon's cruelty. It was hard to hear how ruthless the opposing organizations were in their doings. But something was off here. "I trust this one." Aiola said. Speaking frankly of Aeden. "I've known of him for some time. How he works tirelessly in his aid to his people, the Aion and has no home other than one provided." She stepped forward with a weightless grace. "She looked at Aeden in the eyes, her own visible from his new position. Her standing above him as he sat up on the table. She was around 6 feet and 5 inches tall. Her glaring eyes observed him like a hunter observing its prey. "However the Dolofon have very many tricks... Some are bound to slip by and harm us. It is fortunate for us all you have saved this day. But there will be more attempts from here on out. Most importantly did you ever at any moment tell this woman who you plan to save about this place being our base of operations?" She asked. Her smoke like aura slowly enveloped the room.
"I have not," Aeden responded. He knew better than to be that careless with a stranger.
"All I offered to her was assistance with the removal of the collar. The most I told her was that I myself do not have the resources to remove such a complicated curse. I've seen plenty of slave collars, but this is beyond what I've ever seen. What would you recommend as to where to bring her to remove it?"He was not very familiar with the part of the world the Alliance would be venturing into, and while he knew of the various Aion safehouses he still was quite limited in the knowledge of the area. This was the first Dolofon slave he had ever freed as well, so this would be a very new and dangerous experience.
Aiola pulled back. A sign of her relief in his words. Though the matter of the cursed woman was still an issue Aeden was dealing with. "I could remove it. Or some other trained in the same way. If this woman were here we could help her. She would be a good informant. See that you can bring her here. I imagine you received some type of transporting item in order to get here. I can aid you in returning to her, if she will promise to work for the Aion for now. To hit back at our enemies." Aiola was stern in her projection. Still eyeing Aeden with the clear objective of aiding the Aion on her mind.
Aeden smiled.
"I would certainly appreciate aid with my return. As far as working with the Aion, I had planned on requesting that of her.""Good." Aiola turned, her wings hitting Aeden. However instead of being engulfed in feathers he was engulfed in a sweet smoke. "Come." She walked to a white door. Its wood was white though it was hard to tell if it was simply painted that way or not. Regardless Aiola knocked on the door a few times.
Knock. Knock knock. Knock. It opened slowly as if a code had been properly entered. A aura was lifted from its seams and a staircase was revealed. Aiola walked down the staircase it revealed a large room with a large map of their lands on the wall. Markers were set with various plans the Aion had in mind. Counters, shelves and cases were full of magical items, scrolls and secret plans. On the floor was a seal of tireless making. Its enchantment was marked with endless designs. "This portal will take you where you need to go. Assuming it is a known location. Now.. Where was it?"
Aeden looked around the room he followed Aiola into with keen interest. Nyph followed along excitedly. The magic the Aion used to hide was fascinating to him. Some day he wanted to learn it himself, or something like it. There was much he wanted to learn. Aiola pointed out to them a portal that could get them back to the group.
"Pearl. I imagine they are preparing at the inn for the journey ahead."Aeden presented Aiola with the Aion salute as he got ready to enter the portal. He hoped better countermeasures could be made to deal with the Dolofon, but he doubted they would try to assassinate the boy again so soon after being discovered. They would definitely think twice before trying again. Capturing the assassin would have been preferable, but the thought of a Dolofon assassin passed out somewhere in the world due to Nyph's sleep venom put a smile on his face. He looked forward to delivering some good news to Shye.
Aiola nodded to Aeden and without further words poured her essence into the enchantment on the floor. The ground beneath Aeden began to glow brightly before becoming like air and swallowing him and his companion whole. They would end up falling into an opposing gravitational pull. Falling down, to up, to back down to correct themselves. Looking around Aeden would see he was in the Taxis HQ's center within Pearl. He was not seen as a threat, instead the curiosity towards him was aimed at seeing what an Aion knight using their divine portal needed. "Did he come from Sunfire or Vrondi's city?" They wondered if he had any news of something bad happening last night. Being away from their home was troubling and some Sol began to feel homesick.
Aeden could tell their was some tension in the Taxis HQ in Pearl because of his arrival. He looked a Nyph briefly before turning his attention back on the Taxis' people.
"I am sorry for the sudden cause of concern. Everything is fine. I am a member of the Alliance, and I had a delicate situation that urgently required me to return to Sunfire, however the situation is handled."With that before anyone could respond, he started to make his way to the inn where he imagined everyone would be after having gotten all the shopping done. He wore a smile on his face and felt a renewed sense of pride. He had been doubting his reasons for staying with the Aion after all this time, and he had been considering a reasonable exit from the organization, but his sudden and urgent trip to the orphanage reminded him of exactly why he was with them. He would not lose sight of that again.
