Ishtar fled down the deserted streets of Warwick; she had just learned that the
borders between towns were on a very close watch in attempt to capture the resistance. If
they didn’t capture them soon they would shut the borders down altogether, other then
devastating the little trade that occurred it would also make it impossible to coordinate the
rebellion. This made it crucial her mission was a success, the King’s men were very close to
pinpointing their location. Then she saw the man she was looking for, they approached each
other casually.
“Here.” She dropped the parchment on the ground. “That was all the information
I could get, it’s old but gives the location of where their last meeting was. Might be some
clues there.” Leaning down the man picked up the paper.
“That’s not what you promised me, besides you’re weeks late.”

“I know, but with security so tight even mentioning the resistance is dangerous.
This is the best you can expect.” She turned to leave when he called her back again.
“I know, that’s why I’ve arranged for you to work with someone. He is going
after the resistance but needs someone who can fight for him without arousing too much
suspicion. I figured you could do that, young Mage.”
Ishtar knew that anyone whose magic could be detected was very powerful; there
were very few people this Wizard could work for. Yet this was not an offer she could turn
down; priceless information was at her finger tips. The resistance needed this edge. “Agreed.
But first, I don’t believe he is working on his own, who is his master?”
“As diligent as always Ishtar. You are right; he is under orders, orders given to
him by Melanthios Necro.” A deep fear made her shutter, Melanthios was brutal. The idea
of going into his service then betraying him made her quake. To get away with such
treachery was unheard of; the stories that circulated the underground of his madness would
make the strongest man sick. Torture was his specialty; he had yet to kill a single one of his
victims.
Neither of them heard Sethron approach “Is this the fighter you promised me?”
He asked quizzically.
“Yes, she has agreed to aid you in your quest.”
“Well, remove your hood.” Sethron ordered. Grudgingly Ishtar let her hood fall
and cloak open. She had desert attire on as she had recently returned from her home
country of Tenaska. The flimsy many layered cloth and gold ornaments made her look
more like a nomadic Ifrath than a Mage. Slung across her back was her staff.
“She comes from the wastelands to the west; her magic is powerful but is well
below the King’s radar.” The other man assured.
“And why, sir, are you trying to avoid suspicion?” Ishtar asked Sethron bluntly.
“It’s no secret that the brotherhood of Warlocks and Shamans are feuding.”
Sethron said dismissively. “They have been for years, ever since they realized that
their diplomats where being possessed by the opposing group; peace has never been
reinstated.”
“I highly doubt that the tension between the Warlock Melanthios and King
Narcissus could be described as a mere feud between their two classes.” Ishtar
scowled, “But truthfully, I don’t think I really want to know what’s going on.”
“That would be wise, it’s better to stay out of the more powerful Wizards’
business whenever possible. It is very easy to know too much.” Ishtar could tell, even
in the dark, that Sethron was smiling. This disturbed Ishtar, the marrow of her bones
sparked with the desire to flee, to flee very fast away from this smiling demon.
“You see,” he continued, reading the fear in her eyes, “Wizards like my
master and I take no issue on the termination of our servants, should they come across
knowledge unbefitting of their status.” Wrapping his cloak tightly around him he turned
to the unnamed man. “Here.” Gold coins dripped from Sethron’s gloved hand into the
outstretched fingertips of the other figure. “She’s exactly what I was looking for.”
Ishtar gruffly replaced her hood and un-slung the staff from her back. “Thanks for
nothing,” she whisper menacingly as she followed after Sethron.
“Business my dear, you should know that by now.” The man held up is newly
obtained gold coin.
“I should have turned him down just to spite you!” She stopped and knocked him

back a pace with her staff.
“See that is the beauty of it, you never really had a choice, you couldn’t have
turned him down if you wanted to. When one of Melanthios’s servants wants something,
he gets it.” Shoving her back with a greater force he smiled wickedly.
“Hurry up!” Sethron shouted several yards up the path by now. Casting one more
dagger filled glance at the businessman, Ishtar, with swoosh of her cloak, follow dutifully
behind Sethron.
Ishtar couldn’t help looking behind at the greedy man who had sold her for some
worthless metal. Too lost was she in her own thoughts to notice that Sethron had stopped
walking. Luckily for her he spoke before she crashed into him.
“Understand,” he said pointedly, “at no costs do I want to have to use my magic,
even the smallest spell. The second I do the alarm will be triggered and the King’s men
will be down on us in mere moments. Therefore, you must fight in my stead. Should it
come to all-out combat I’m well versed with a sword, so even without magic I can hold
my own. Unfortunately, that will bring the authorities out anyway; I would like to stop
that kind of a thing before it starts. So at any signs of trouble I want you to smother the
cinders as quickly as possible. We may also have to eliminate troublesome characters
along the way; I hope you’re ready for that.” Without listening for an answer he moved
away, Ishtar waited till he had gone a few paces and began to walk after him silently
seething and cursing her self. This was a bad idea. No information was worth being
forced to kill innocent people. Her sandals clicked on the badly paved road, she wondered
dejectedly where they were going, and then she remembered his words. Sometimes it was
better to just not ask.

The buildings on either side of the narrow road seemed to be leaning in, their
glowing yellow window eyes peering at the odd couple dressed in black cloaks. Watching
them silently going down the deserted roads and alleyways. The tall man never looking
behind him, striding confidently in front. The shorter female, keeping a few paces behind
the man, constantly turning around to search for an enemy sneaking up from behind,
staff ready at a moments notice. The moon hovered above them, orange for the harvest.
Desolate leafless trees sporadically grew throughout the town. Their crunchy discarded
leafs swept by on gusts of wind. Squashes and pumpkins littered outdoor gardens in
front of houses and inns, Ishtar took this all in. It would be one of the last peaceful days
for along time. Soon people would be fighting in the streets, homes would be raided,
nowhere would be safe. The weight of it all came to rest on her shoulders, how she
longed for Aries to contact her, to find out about the next great scheme. She wanted to
hear that Levi was coming out to back her up. That they were going on a mission to some
far away place to recruit help from the last reaming Elfish clans. But no, Ishtar was here.
In a town that would be one of the first to feel the flames of war. Worse then that, she
was currently serving the wrong side.

“We won’t be able to leave the town to get to Marthasville until the security is
down. Till then we’ll stay at this inn.” He indicated the building to his left. “Keep a low
profile.” The wooden doors opened, inside the small room people looked up at the new
comers, most immediately averting their eyes, while others held him with a hungry glare.
From behind the door frame Ishtar appeared, meeting their steady gaze one at a time.

Eventually all of them went about their business. “Sit,” Sethron grabbed her shoulder and
forced her into a chair. They had taken an out of the way table near the staircase, Sethron
began talking in a low voice. “The information you gave to the man just before I arrived-
tell me what it was.”
For a moment Ishtar didn’t hear the question, his touch… it had been so cold,
her whole body felt heavier now. “It was a copy of a message that was being passed
out among the resistance six months ago. It was the location of their next meeting,
the wine cellar below the ruins of the old Denholme mansion.” Ishtar cocked her head
confused. “Why-“
“What else!” He growled.
“The date they were supposed to meet on was two months ago. The entire
message was originally in code, but whoever wrote it was not a Wizard since I cracked it
with a simple spell. Aside from the basic encryption no magical enchantments were put
on it.” Ishtar breathily explained, she was glad they had put so much detail into the fake
message. Just in case Ishtar was ever questioned on it. “Why do you ask?” She glared at
him suspiciously.
“I just like to know what is going on.” He leaned back his chair lazily. “Just in
case…” Ishtar squirmed in her chair, he was smiling again. Sethron hailed a passing
waitress. “You wouldn’t have a vacant room, would you? Good, very good… That’ll do
fine. You,” he addressed Ishtar. “I want you to wait there until I get back. No one comes
in and you don’t leave.”

Ishtar watched him exit the inn; angrily she stalked up the stairs to their room.
Absentmindedly counting every squeaky stair she stepped on. Throwing her self bodily
at the bed she groaned. Itchy moldy bed sheet smothered her face; hugging the lonely
pillow close to her body she curled her self tightly into a ball. The darkness that had
settled outside seeped into the room as Ishtar waved her hand, extinguishing the candles
with magic. Rubbing her feet together she removed her sandals, she heard them hit the
floor one at a time. A very cold feeling had festered in her stomach, all the fear and dread
she had been suppressing all day was now washing over her in waves of anxiety and
nausea. Questions about good and evil filled her mind, the meaninglessness of life and
the terror of death. The overwhelming job that had been set upon her shoulders, everyone
who was counting on her but didn’t know it. Hiccupping and choking on tears she broke
down. All the terror of the past ten years engulfed her, emotions bubbled and spilled
while her magic became a visual aura of suffering around her. Shimmering black wings
cloaked her, within it she was helpless to her raging thoughts, feelings, and escaped
powers. The black wings were her natural defense when she was weak; they were made
from her strongest passions and darkest chills. As it got later and the weight of fatigue
and lack of the sun sent her mind into another level of fuzziness and loss of control, the
wings turned to grey and then became translucent as she stood. Her hair sticky with sweat
and eyes bloodshot from tears she walked to the door. Stumbling down the stairs barefoot
she managed to drag herself to the bar in the busy inn. The waitress looked quizzically
before asking what she wanted.
“Water, just water…”
Feeling as if every earthen element wanted to drag her down into the soil she
made her way back to her room. The cool water sloshing from the cup to her mouth.

Falling, just after passing under the door frame, she crawled back to the foot of the bed,
the clear wings turned to white and then a very pale pink. Still with tears in the corners
of her eyes and a stuffy nose, she fell asleep on the floor by her sandals. Water from the
spilled cup trickled across the room to soak the edge of her cloak. In her hazy sleep she
felt the water turning from a refreshing cool to an annoying stickiness, still half a sleep
she tossed the cloak away from her body and continued to drift in and out of nightmares
to pleasant oblivion.

Somewhere in Ishtar’s mind she heard creaking, once, twice, three times.
Somewhere else in her mind she knew that was important. Ideas surfaced in her head,
doors creaked and so did floor panels. Particularly floor panels on stairs. She had counted
three squeaky floor panels once, they where on a staircase somewhere… Maybe this
person was going up that same stair case, what a coincidence! A bright light sparked in
her mind and she understood what was happening. Her eyes painfully snapped open as
she bolted halfway off the floor. She flexed her shoulder muscles expecting her wings to
shield her but they had long since worn off. Looking up she saw Sethron towering over
her, shock and fear played games of tag across her face. The emptiness in her that too
long had been filled up by dark emotions left her feeling small and fragile.
“I thought I told you not to leave the room last night.” Sethron didn’t seem to care
enough about her to even want to know why she was on the floor. “Well?”
“What are you on about- I didn’t leave… Oh.” She leaned her shoulder against
the bed and swung her legs in front of her. “I was just getting some water.”
“I said you were not supposed to leave! Next time there will be a very powerful
hex on that door so if you so much as look at it you’ll be unconscious for days!”
Grabbing some of her sandy blond hair he pulled her off the floor. “Get your cloak,” he
said letting go of her. “They’ve sent people to investigate the mansion, border control has
already lessened. We’re going to Marthasville, now.”

I could say Ishtar stalked out of the inn with Sethron huffily, cheeks burning,
fighting back tears, and battling the urge to defend her self from his abusive demeanor;
not to let her dignity be trampled on, but all those emotions, every last scarp of caring,
had spilled down her face and soaked into the wooden floor last night. Soon though,
she would relearn what it was to feel, to care, to hate. She would suppress them though,
suppress them until that hole in her chest was full again, full to burst… eventually it
would. Then the clouds will break and rain will fall, and an angle will sit alone protected
by her black wings.

Lonely on the barren street the bell on the inn door clinked as they left, shattering
the frozen silence that had settled on the street. Ishtar waited, head to foot in her cloak,
which on closer inspection was complex with many layers that wrapped around her
body as well as the hood which was fashioned with a knot in the back and a lower face
covering. She tilted her staff in a non-aggressive position, a man walked down the road
pulling a cart. Around her the town came to life, windows opened, shops bustled, and
men talked business while their wives hung laundry. Still the deathly depression hung
over the community, life was lived with no passion. Everyone was just waiting for their
turn to die.

After abruptly dismissing his servant Sethron listened, three squeaky steps and
the slamming of a door. She was tucked away in her room. Again he hailed a passing
server, “Is there a summoning chamber here?” The waitress looked bemused but also
scared, she gestured meekly to the downward leading stair case to her left. Sethron
grinned and thanked her graciously. As the girl darted off Sethron gazed at the steps
leading to the chamber, a gaze mixed with emotion. There was fear, deep pools of it, but
glazed over those pools, like algae, was also hatred, but when the algae grew too much an
ice would cover the pool. Sethron let his thoughts drift, How poetic, ‘The algae of hate
preserved by respect and dedication, which is made of frozen fear’. If anyone one gaze
could embody that thought, Sethron’s would. With stiff legs he covered the gap between
him and the stairs. Decrepit and musty, they squealed as he walked down them. Under the
dark arch and into the dimly lit circular room he hesitantly stepped.
“Well, I’ve seen fancier.” The room was small with cracks in the walls where
spiders nested. Chalk, incense, and candle wax littered the floor while old scrolls, spilled
ink, and broken quills where scattered across the tables and desks. Sethron’s temptation
to put off what needed to be done was too strong, mindlessly he arranged draws and
stacked papers. Time was ticking away; his procrastination might have lasted all night if
not for the buzzing in his ear. The girl, Ishtar, she had left her room, thereby accidentally
setting off one of his magical alarms. Sethron prided himself on his cleverness, the alarm
was no bigger then a chestnut and he had slipped it in her pocket when they first enter

they inn and he had shoved her into the chair. When he retrieved it that charm would tell
him everything about the girl. But the alarm going off, it made he see how late it had
become. Suppressing the shutters that crawled up and down his spine Sethron drew a
long stick of blue chalk from his pocket. Kneeling on the floor Sethron began to draw
the complicated runes. Then candles stumps where lit manually as he could not use
his magic for even simple tasks. An extra ring of cryptic symbols ran parallel around
the original circle, now when the circle was activated his magic would be instantly
absorbed into it, the King’s censor would never be triggered. Like thousands of trip
wires, invisible cords of magic covered the kingdom, reminiscent of a giant spider web.
These magical connection would be severed if powerful magic happened near them and
they were disrupted. The Wizards who created the web would be able to follow the line
to the severed area in a breath. So even here underground, as he prepared to summon
Melanthios, he was cautious of these invisible triggers.

After the preparation had been completed he laid his hands gently on to the
outermost chalk lines. He felt their ancient power curling up his arm and into his body,
sucking his energy and magic. It was hard to stay still as more and more of his power
was drained. While the blue energy crackled around him he gripped at the ground like
he was falling, some of the energy wanted to overpower him and toss him away. While
the rest was trying to drag him into the vortex that had been opened in the fabric of the
demission of space. This tug of war on his body strained him to the marrow, all the while
his power diminished. Finally, the crackling air subsided and Melanthios Necro stood in
the middle of the circle. Sethron who had been straining his muscles to keep the summon
under control sat back on his heels breathing heavily, head down cast. The figure in the
center of the circle lifted his finger, the tip of his nail glowing a faint green. With a slash
he cut through some invisible barrier that was set up around the circle; it burned away in
green flames till just some golden fleck littered the edge of the chalk drawing. Melanthios
moved closer to Sethron, stopping a few feet away. The same finger that had just cut
through the protective shield now point to a row of runes on the floor. Sethron glanced at
them.
“That technique is off-limits outside of a secure chamber.” His voice was very
cold and unfeeling as he spoke he turned away and paced the outside of the circle.
Sethron didn’t respond. “You don’t have a problem with that?” Melanthios question him
from across the room while causally examining an old vase.
“N-no, as you wish.” But Sethron did have a problem with it, but it was purely
technical. Although the runes being referred to were dangerous it was only a defensive
mechanism that would be set off by very powerful shape shifting demons, yes it was
an illegal practice summoning demons in the first place but the reason those runes were
there were to complete the greater pattern in the circle. With out them the summon would
be thrown off. When summoning someone from so far away the risk of causing a glitch
in time was very high, to ensure that didn’t happen the entire shape of the circle had to
move to the left compared to where the north star was positioned, which was always in
the upper right of the circle; when that is done though the main summoning trigger is
moved upwards and would result in the mutilation of the body being transported. The
only thing Sethron could come up with at the time was to include that set of runes to
balance both the position and power level.

“Then you don’t mind killing your summon on the way here.” Melanthios spun
on Sethron hurling the vase at him. As the vase crashed on the floor spilling ash all over,
Sethron tried not to flinch. “Because that’s what will happen when you remove those
symbols!” Rage possessed the cool voice that was his just moments ago. “Don’t patronize
me Sethron! You are useless if all you ever do is agree with me, I chose you for a reason!
This entire circle would be worse than dysfunctional with out those runes, and I know
you know that! So when I ask you if it’s ok to remove them, don’t just cringe and try to
appease me with those slavish answers of yours!” The candles flickered for a moment
as Melanthios stood glowering at Sethron who still sat on the floor studying the cracks in
the cement work. Coolness reentered the Warlock’s voice.
“Get up. You summoned me to listen to your report so I suppose you found
someone suitable to engage in any necessary combat while you hunt the resistance.” As
Melanthios leaned again the wall and the candle light caught on his face you could see
the scars and marks he had gained through battles and rituals. Beyond those blemishes
where large eyes, still they to were scared with the things seen and beheld throughout his
life. All these had the effect of masking his true age, which could not have been much
older than Sethron, still the emotional torture and fear that had hardened his heart and
left him looking like nothing more than walking corpse or a Necromancer’s puppet. Yet,
something about him struck fear into the hearts of men. When you looked at him you
know your own weakness, and on second glance you know he knows them too.
“Yes,” Sethron stumbled off the floor, still averting his gaze. “I believe her name
is Ishtar of the Saris clan from the Tenaska Wastelands. She is a Mage and very skilled, I
can tell that she has put off her studies of the arcane arts for at least three summers, at her
age and power level the rate she must have advanced at is astounding. Should she return
to Tenaska to study again I believe she could easily rival my own magic.”
“Correct me if I’m wrong,” Melanthios turned and smiled at Sethron, as if daring
him to do so. “But, this is your polite way of suggesting that we don’t kill her and instead
trainer her as a Wizard.” He moved closer now.
“Those were my thoughts on the matter, yes.” Sethron stiffened as Melanthios
grew closer to him. “Of course this is a decision left to you; please don’t take my
preference into account whatsoever. My logic is surely flawed in someway.” His words
were flowing too fast as he fought the urge to retreat away.
“You don’t give your self enough credit, your logic has always been the
specimen of perfection. As I mentioned, there are reasons I keep you.” His voice
had reached a sickening level of mock kindness. Right next to Sethron’s ear now, he
whispered, “Besides, don’t you think I know whose decision it is already?”
Sethron finally couldn’t stand it, he flinched away from the voice and stumbled
backwards; heart racing. Suddenly aware of what he had just done he fell forwards in a
bow.
“I beg your pardon Master, it was thoughtless of me. Of course you already knew
that, please excuse my insolence.” Anything, Sethron would do or say anything to get this
over with. Already heading towards the center of the circle, Melanthios rolled his eyes in
frustration at Sethron and grunted some kind of acknowledgement of the apology.
“I want you to start training the girl, report when you have new information… and
Sethron,”
“Yes?” Sethron looked up as Melanthios activated the circle.

“Bring her next time.”

The blue lightening struck again and Melanthios vanished, one by one the candles
flickered and went out. Sethron fell to the floor quivering, holding the ear Melanthios
had whispered in. So cold, his breath, the words, everything. Sethron had stared into the
source of his fears, and been at their mercy. And now alone in the dark, with nothing but
the comforting smell of incense, he shook and trembled while the world turned.

Ascending the creaky steps to their room Sethron kicked open the door, Ishtar was
asleep on the floor. He paused to look at her, peaceful and calm gently drifting in and out
of dreams. Her cloak was off to the side while her saddles came to rest near her head.
“What have I done Asherah…” he whispered to no one. Had there been more time
for him to contemplate the answer the sadness he felt might just have brought tears to his
eyes, but as he was about to turn away in disgrace, he heard people below the window
talking. News of the King catching wind of the resistance again had already become
the gossip topic of choice. “We have to get across the boarder…” Sethron sighed, and
then began to bend down to awaken Ishtar, before he could though she woke. Their eyes
locked and the gaze was held for several long moments. Both of them lost in the tunnels
of emotion they saw.
“I thought I told you not to leave the room last night.” He snapped, angry with
himself for showing that weaker side of himself to her. “Well?”
“What are you on about- I didn’t leave… Oh.” Ishtar fidgeted into a more relaxed
position “I was just getting some water.” She tossed her head to get some locks out from
in front of her eyes.
“I said you were not supposed to leave! Next time there will be a very powerful
hex on that door so if you so much as look at it you’ll be unconscious for days!”
Grabbing some of her sandy blond hair he pulled her off the floor. “Get your cloak,” he
said letting go of her. “They’ve sent people to investigate the mansion, border control has
already lessened. We’re going to Marthasville, now.”

Before the world began there was nothing. Nothing but a great sea of
darkness. In this nothingness though, there was everything. There was the life of
thousands, all floating together in the sea of darkness. Souls and spirits filled the void in
a never ending limbo. Some of them were asleep, but sleep and consciousness were
almost identical in the sea of darkness. With all the souls flowing together in nothingness
since the beginning of time, individual awareness was almost nonexistent. As one soul
was floating atop the sea she awakened, she felt the transition between imaginary and
reality, dreams and sight. Both were black, and empty, with nothing extending off to the
end of time. But there was a change, and in that moment of change this soul knew. She
became aware of her self; she was one single soul in a mass of thousands of other souls.
It could have been millennium or mere seconds when this soul also knew that there was
something else beyond the sea of darkness. But what can you imagine beyond
nothingness when nothingness is all you ever knew? Whatever it was, this soul knew it
was somewhere. It wasn’t here in the void, or beyond it, it was waiting to be created. But
how could one create words in a place with no sound? How could colors be formed with
no light? It was impossible to make something from nothing. Still, while she floated she
had thoughts and ideas, and understood why she could not create. These ideas were not
made of words, they where made of feelings. Some of them were such strong feelings.
She latched on to them, some made her feel pain, others compassion. Than, she felt
something else, something real. Other souls were crowding around her, attracted to her
emotions. For the first time she felt, she felt the weight of them on top of her, their force

squeezing her from the sides, and than as they shared in her emotions. She could hear the
buzzing of their energy. True feeling and hearing had happened. With this taste on her
tongue she could imagine for the first time. Her emotions faded and the other souls left
her in peace. An uncertain amount of time passed while she contemplated what had just
happened. Reaching back into her mind she heard the crackling energy again, but this
time she thought about it much louder and slower. This original thought she had created
her self in her mind suddenly spilled out from her and spread far and wide across the
entire sea of darkness. The air was full of crackling, loud and slow for all to hear. Then
she imagined the pressure she had felt, but this time much more powerful. Again, all
around her this thought expanded. Her soul, and everyone else’s, was forced into small
spherical shapes. She had begun to create.

Time moved on and on, and the original creator spirit continued to create. She
imagined colors, smells, and sounds. Spirits took on solid forms and a living planet was
created. Finally, when then spoken langue had been finished, the spirit was asked what
name she had given to her self she replied.
“Asherah.”

Asherah was beautiful, but it was in the simplicity that she remained lovely. Her
days were filled with creating life and naming it as she went along; all the while her form
was the least altered. It was a basic female shape, slander and clean. But she retained
the shimmer and transparency that her soul had had out in the sea of darkness. She was
ghostly and magical compared to everyone else.

On this planet she created, Asherah rested in an orchard created specifically for
her. There was something worrying her, couldn’t other people create things as well?
Wind whistled through the trees catching up her long white skirt. Entering the orchard,
another life form arrived. Asherah recognized him as one of the first souls to share her
emotions in the sea of darkness so long ago, his name was Anahita.
“I thought I might find you here.” He mused taking fruit from a near by tree.
Asherah watched him, he had the same kind of glow she had. Part of his soul could be
seen through his skin.
“What do you think? Could others create life like I?”
“Some I’m sure could, but none could have ever created all this!” He spun around
with his arms stretched wide to show the awesome creations around him.
“I shall find them, these demi-creators of life. Although I have created so much,
there is still so much left.” Sliding down from the tree she had been perched in she
walked away across the green fields. The second figure following close behind.
“I myself have managed to create.” He stated.
“Then you shall continue to create all that you deem necessary for the happiness
and survival of these spirits.” She called back over her shoulder. While Asherah kept
moving Anahita stopped. Left alone on these grassy plains he thought about her words.
While Asherah had created so much she could never alter the spirits that had floated with
her in never ending night, and in Anahita’s soul there was darkness. Gathering his friends
around him Anahita imagined power, power to destroy life. This thought became real
and manifested it self in different ways in each companion. Battle axes and swords were

given to some as well as the craftsmanship to create more. Magic was instilled in others,
the power over elements for the Shamans and deep occult knowledge in Warlocks.
Hybrids would follow soon; they would be able to wield a sword in one hand and a wand
in the other. And so the utopia collapsed.
Asherah was unaware of the new evil that had been born into her world; she was
far away creating mountains across the sea. These mountains were inhabited by Elves.
Kind creatures that would live away from the world and only be called on when they
were needed most. Her task was long; the concept of snow was difficult to conceive.
Her little creations happily took on their roles as the peacemakers of the mountains.
Bears and birds had to be made, as well as fish to swim in the streams. With a long day
over, Asherah walked home across the forests and through the grasslands. Like often,
she was lost in her thoughts. Little could disrupt her but today something did. Around
her the ground was hard and flat; sandy and hot. It was a desert. Asherah called out,
nothing could live here. Who had created it? As Asherah walked she could see people on
the horizon, they were doing something she had never seen before. They were carrying
sparkling metal sticks that made a whoosh sound when they cut the air. Asherah had
advanced far enough to see the faces of opponents. Then she looked around her and was
saddened. Pain had been created, blood and death. Anger had been formed as well as
hatred and suffering. Asherah fled to the towns, upon her arrival she found them blood
soaked. Like a disease it had spread. Had there been good people left for her to save she
would have. But the darkness in everyone’s soul had been awakened this day.

Asherah wiped her hand of the world she had made; from above she would
continue to watch with a heavy heart as her precious creations tore at each other’s throats.
Still, left in the world were the Elves and a few other races that had been set aside from
the main land. These secluded parts of the world would remain uncorrupt for much
longer. Asherah felt helpless as her joy and pride fell to pieces, all she could do was
created. She would not destroy and she could not control. The choices these people made
were their own burden to bear.

Asherah’s kingdom of clouds above the world still remains to the present day.
Before leaving the world she had created she made a promise. All kind and fair souls who
believed in her could join her in the clouds someday and become part of her angelic race.

“The end.” Hinata concluded. It was late at night, still Hinata was awake, reading
to the unconscious Levi and inconsolable Adam. “That story was passed down through
generations of my family.” Hinata spoke this mostly to himself, unaware of Adman still
being fully awake on the bed across from him. They had been traveling for the past two
days and had just reached Marthasville at dusk.
“Tell me again Hinata, where are you from?”
“Kekoa Islands, off the edge of Tenaska. The desert ends and becomes a humid
forest with exotic plants near the shore; off it is my island. We were a warrior tribe,
not much use for fighting, it was only traditional. Of course until…” Hinata trailed off,
unsure why he was speaking so nostalgically of his home, it had been the farthest thing in
his mind of late.

“That was at the being of the slave trade wasn’t it?” The softer female voice made
them both jolt.
“Claire,” Hinata stood up from his chair in the corner, “something, err, wrong?”
he said.
“No, it’s just getting late, and I know you must all be tired. Sneaking across the
boarder even with low security was difficult. Now that we’re here at the inn we need to
sleep. It’ll be a long day of investigating tomorrow.” With that she sat down next to Levi
again and busied her self by replacing cold clothes and checking his breathing.
“Yeah, come on Adam.” Hinata placed a hand on his shoulder and lead him out of
the room Levi and Claire where staying in to the one across from that.
“Was Claire right?”
“About what?”
“Was that when the slave trade started?” Adam prompted. Hinata didn’t respond
at first, in fact it wasn’t until they had each gotten into their beds and the candle was
about to be snuffed that he said.
“Yeah, that’s about right.”

Crouched against the side of a building, Ishtar waited for Sethron to return. She
had underestimated the distance between Warwick and Marthasville, all she wanted now
was to find an inn to stay at and sleep. All around her on the busy street people talked and
bartered, in the distance dogs were barking. All this began to fade as sleep encroached on
her thoughts. They had been walking almost four days now through forests and swamps
as to avoid the main roads for fear of being recognized by an enemy. Ishtar’s head fell
against her shoulder, she was asleep.

Marthasville was one of the few towns that were completely landlocked. This
made it the ideal place to collect information, people from all across the country would be
passing through, especially now with boarder security being down. Sethron was relived
they had made it without any trouble. It was sun high as he walked the wide streets of
Marthasville; they were crowded but pleasant enough. It had been quite awhile since
he had been able to relax; for once his investigation didn’t involve creeping in and out
of shadows. No one would recognize him here. Sethron was walking back to where he
had left Ishtar; they hadn’t talked for the past few days. He wasn’t terribly surprised
about this, their relationship was professional and he had treated her badly before they
left. Still, when they had first met he could feel her emotions. They where strong and
powerful, she had despised him. Now though, she was empty and unfeeling, completely

neutral towards him and everyone else. Sethron made his way through the down town
area and off onto the side street where Ishtar was. Sethron paused, Ishtar was asleep. He
faltered, how young she was, and beautiful sleeping here. She was alone, just like him.
What had he done? The weight of the answer made him sink to the ground as the thought
flooded his mind. He had doomed her. What had he thought back then, that if he trained
her he wouldn’t be forced to kill her? And now she would suffer in the same way he had
for years.
“Hey, wake up.” He pushed her gently on the shoulder; no response. “We have
to go.” This time he shook her harder. Still Ishtar remained fast asleep. “Fine…” Sethron
rested his head against the wall. “Be that way.”

Night came and went before Ishtar awoke from a dreamless sleep. Unsure of
where she was at first, Ishtar began to recognize the street. Sethron was still asleep next
to her. Pale morning light was transforming the world, its beams hitting their faces. Ishtar
looked at Sethron, the pinkish light softening his face. Gently she reached out and placed
a finger on his forehead. She listened for his dreams. The fragile connection between
them was so faint Ishtar could hardly hear his subconscious thoughts. Closing her eyes
and focusing all her power she was rewarded, fuzzy images danced behind her eyelids.
There was a man, cloaked in shadows but radiating a sense of power, and then a woman
shinning in the blackness. So familiar she was. Between the two figures was chaos and
then, helpless on the sidelines was another man… watching. It all ended abruptly as
Sethron snatch her hand.
“What were you doing?” Suspicion was unconcealed in his voice.
“Watching your dream,” she answered him honestly. Her gaze was challenging,
asking him what was hidden deep in his dreams.
“Why?” He let go of her hand and stood up, gazing out to the rising sun.
“Why not?” The argument, which was going nowhere fast, ended with Sethron
striking her across the face with the back of his hand. Time stood still as they once
again locked gazes, souls clearly visible in their eyes. Sethron’s heart was being torn in
so many directions; he could only look at her in shock of his own actions, an apology
threatening to escape his dumbly moving lips. Ishtar glared back, wondering whether the
blood rushing to her face was from the assault or her own embarrassment.
“Ishtar!” The voice sounded from behind her. Breaking away from his eyes she
spun in the direction of who ever called her name. By the time she pinpointed where the
sound came from no one was there any more.
“Yes?” She shouted into the crowd perplexed by the unexplainable voice.
“Who was that?” Sethron grabbed her shoulder and started to drag her away down
the street.
“I don’t know…” This remark was made more to herself than anyone else.

Looking up at the blue sky that peeked through the buildings, Adam cringed while
Hinata wiped alcohol over the cut on his forehead.
“Again Adam, I’m-”
“I said it was fine…” His lips might have said this but everything else spoke to
the opposite. “Really.” To his credit he managed a smile this time. Hinata placed the rag
down and glanced at Adam, they were both sitting on the ground in a side street of the

market, Hinata was anxious to report what they saw.
“I really didn’t mean to knock you over, but I could not let them see you.”
“I know, Hinata. I’m just frustrated with myself for shouting like that… I should
have remembered Ishtar’s undercover.” Adam bit the edge of his lip; he was falling apart
at the seams.
“I’m going to follow them.” With that, Hinata left with one last apology to his
friend and disappeared into the busy crowd.
Alone now, Adam fought to find something to hang onto, a glimmer of
hope, or a chance to survive. Nothing. Where was the soft hand reaching out for him
from the blackness? The smiling face that would calm his beating heart and still his
trembling hands? He drew in his knees and wrapped his arms around them, burying his
wet face against his sleeves. Ishtar had been there, so close, she had been his glimmer of
hope, a reason to keep going… to fight till the last breath. Now she was gone, lost in the
crowd and obviously caught up in her own dark story. A story running parallel to his that
might never intersect. Here he was, writing the saga of his own demise. Who could be
expected to keep fighting a hopeless battle? He would die; his friends would die along
side him, for what? In the alleyway he wept, it was reminiscent of the day Aries found
him, not so long ago. He had been losing the deadly game of survival and she was the
one constant thing in his life. Her and the rising and setting of the sun. When there was
no shelter from the rain at least there were her arms, and when he couldn’t sleep her
singing would ease the pain in his stomach. She was the face that smiled at him and made
him believe in love. Her’s were the arms that reached out on the frigid nights to caress
his injured flesh. When she was gone, like she so often was, Ishtar was there in her stead.
Patient and kind, Ishtar taught Adam about life, magic, and politics. She taught him all
the things Aries could not for Aries was not one to be bound by earthly restraints,
because of this she could see beyond into the greater scheme of all things. Of course this
left others confused and frustrated as they frantically tried to carry out impossible tasks.
So while she possessed to ability to create plans on such large magnitude and deep
insight into the minds of others, the day to day skills for survival were not something she
had ever mastered.
Adam continued to dwell on the past and just let the current of misfortune drag
him along, his feet almost touching the bottom. The long shadows alerted him to the
time, with memories to hold on to Adam braced him self to rejoin his companions in
the hopeless war they waged. He strolled out of the alley into the busy market, the
sun casting yellow autumn rays over the town; shadows were warm and dark against
the sandy roads. Adam’s blue eyes glowed against the orange pallet of the scene; he
couldn’t help finding peace for a moment. The old inn too soon came into view and
he loathed entering it more than ever. The smell of smoke rose up to meet him and the
endless clatter of silverware and glasses bombarded his eardrums. High pitched laughing
waitresses and grunting drunkards filled in whatever holes were left in his sensory. So,
with all the skill of a lost chicken in a fox’s den Adam “Excuse me”ed and “Sorry”ed his
way to the stairs that led to his room.
The hallway was deserted of any people, with the exception of Adam. He reached
for the handle to his and Hinata’s room, before he could tough, the door swung inwards
and he was dragged inside.
“What was that for? Damn it, Hinata!” Adam fumed sitting the floor as Hinata

scanned the hallway through the crack in the door.
“Sorry, friend,” he mumbled halfheartedly shutting the door, satisfied Adam had
not been spotted. “We have a problem.”
“What is wrong?” He asked tone dropping to conspiratorial level.
“Ishtar is staying here as well.” Obviously, this was an issue considering both of
their missions were now in jeopardy should anything go wrong. Hinata was distressed
when Adam’s face light up, he didn’t share the same concerns as his friend.
“So what are we going to do?”
“Move to a different inn as soon as possible obviously!” Hinata’s voice only just
fell short of hostile.
“But… Levi…” Hid mumbling didn’t go unheard.
“No. Adam, this is hard on us all but we can’t put the missions at risk.” His tone
made it clear that this was not up for debate. “Tell Claire we’re moving out.”
“No...” His voice was small at first but as Hinata rounded on him it grew in
strength. “I’m going to find Ishtar- She’ll heal Levi!” He scrunched up his eyes, fighting
back tears.
“Don’t make me do this.” Hinata’s voice held genuine pain. Adam was looking
up the length of Hinata’s sword now, it was flat with no cross hilt, slightly curved with an
uneven point, meant to be dual wielded with a second blade; one in each hand. “I’m not
going to hurt you Adam, but I can’t let risk our assignments.”
Adam closed his eyes again ignoring the deadly steel fraction away from his
face. “I’m going to find her,” he said. “You’ll have to kill me if you want to stop me.”
His voice came out ragged and breathy.
“You know I can’t do that.” Hinata gritted his teeth in frustration.
“Exactly.” Adam’s smile was that of a mad-man, Hinata feared for his sanity.
Had it gone that far? Anger flared anger that was fed by his own helplessness. It was
barely a twitch of his wrist and the blade swept across Adam’s face. A shallow cut from
his eyebrow down to his chin cutting right across his nose and lips was bleeding heavily.
Adam laughed.
“I don’t care! Finish it Hinata!” He hung his head weeping and laughing at the
same time, reveling in his hopeless situation. The sword clattered to the floor, Hinata
dropped to his knees in shock beside it. Eyes milky and dilated he unseeingly reached for
Adam.
“Adam…?” His hand shook as he touched his companion. “Please… don’t.”
Blood was dripping onto the floor from Adam’s wound. “Adam, I’m sorry.” He wiped
Adam’s forehead with the cuff off his shirt. Adam was still shaking violently with
grief. “I didn’t mean to, really… don’t please don’t…” Hinata felt his own mettle give
way. The tears and blood dripping off his suicidal friend washed over his hands as he
lifted Adam’s face. “Don’t give up…”
Adam’s round eyes were blood shot from the salty blood dripping into them. “I
can’t do it Hinata. I love them… they’re everything to me!” Adam didn’t have to explain
who he was talking about. Levi and Ishtar were like sibling to him and Aries was the
mother he never had. “Their going to die Hinata, soon…” Adam continued to cry. “All of
them!”
“Calm down.” Adam moved his hands onto Adam’s shoulders to still his
shivering. Even in this desperate situation Hinata was relived. Adam’s sudden wave

of irrationality had passed, Hinata no longer feared for his safety. “It’s alright,” he
continued. “Oh, Adam I’m so very sorry.” A new wave of fresh blood pulsed from the
wound. “Please forgive me Adam; I’m not sure what came over me.” Hinata couldn’t
look away from the gash. “I…” his guilty apology was cut off when Adam laughed; it
was soft and remorseful but still light and welcoming to hear.
“It’s okay Hinata, really.” A smile found its way back onto his face. “You had to,
I probably would have attacked you had you given me the chance. Thank you Hinata.”
The last few tears dribbled down his cheeks and Hinata moved away to get a wet rag to
clean his face.
“But Hinata, we have to try and save him. Ishtar’s our only hope.” His eyes were
wide and scared. Hinata really could only agree.
“Fine… I’ll see what I can do. But please Adam, their fighting for you. I honestly
don’t think Ishtar or Aries could ever be happy in a perfect world, at least not Aries.
They’re here for a reason, and that’s to make the world safe for people like you and me.
Once they achieve that goal… what would that possibly leave them with? They won’t be
here forever, your right. You need to be able to live without them, with out me, without
Claire. Aries wouldn’t want you to throw your life away over her, she has her part and
you my friend have your’s. When her life end your’s will just be beginning, what will
you do with it, Adam? What is your part to play?” Hinata left him alone with that last
question and went in search of Claire to tell her the most recent events.

Ishtar was worried; she knew they were being followed. Worse than that she knew
by whom. Hinata stalked the shadows behind them. Ishtar groaned inwardly, she was sure
that Sethron hadn’t noticed but if he had things would get messy. Luckily Sethron hadn’t
notice, he was too preoccupied. Inside their inn Ishtar relaxed, Hinata wasn’t stupid
enough to follow them inside.
“Remind me,” Ishtar flatly addressed Sethron. “What exactly are we doing?”
“I thought,” he snapped through gritted teeth, “we went over this. You know all
you need to know. No more on less, should that change you are risking both your life and
mine, more importantly mine.” His voice was scything, Ishtar didn’t care.
“I still want to know.”
“Do not speak to me any more unless I have spoken to you first, if you do there
had better be a very good reason why you did so.” His hands quivered with rage and
frustration while he spit the words vehemently.
Ishtar watched him, not provoked in the slightest. She knew he was conflicted; he
was lost and was drowning in regrets and sorrow. And in some very strange way Ishtar
knew that he cared about her, deep in the tangled up web of emotion locked inside his
head there was at least one part that honestly and truly cared. And every single thing he
did and said around her somehow stemmed from there. Even right now in his anger he
was protecting her, he didn’t want her to know, he knew it would pain her too much. The
confused look in his eyes, he was wrestling with that part, the part that felt compassion

for her, he didn’t understand it, worse he regretted that it was there. How long had she
known this? That he really did care about her. Ishtar supposed it was the day they left
for Marthasville, since that time his anger had never been directed at her solely, he was
making himself as miserable as her, going as far as to punish himself. Ishtar’s mind
wandered. What had she done that had made him so vulnerable all of a sudden, that
he would have to hide it with such anger? In the end she supposed, that it didn’t really
matter, there was only one thing she could do, and this was vital, not become attached to
him.

“I’m going to meet someone.” Sethron blurted out latter that night as they finished
a greasy dinner at the inn bar. “I want you to stay here, but make yourself useful and try
to collect some information from these people.” He gestured to the crowded room. “I
don’t care what about, just anything that seems important.” Ishtar nodded silently and
Sethron swept dramatically out the door. Alone again Ishtar let her guard drop; she rested
her cheek in her hand and put her elbow on the table, glaring daggers at the door. He was
insufferable, that was all she could think. Deciding to get an early start on her dreams she
disregarded his orders and stalked up the stairs to her room. In the hallway she couldn’t
really have been more surprised at the face that met her. Maybe he was really just that
stupid.
“Hinata!” She hissed with a vengeance. “What are you doing?”
“Thank Asherah, Ishtar you’re here, and alone I presume.” His glace flicker over
her should back down to the staircase.
“Yes, give me some credit Hinata.” Her face had warmed up into a smile but
quickly faded. “What happened?” At first Hinata looked like he could not fathom what
she meant and then followed her eyes to his hands and the blood that was smeared across
them.
“It is… well hard to explain.” Somehow the truth seemed too cruel to repeat. “Go
see Adam first, he needs you right now.” With that Hinata made a polite bow and
continued his way down the hall and into the room where Claire and Levi slept.
Bemused if not concerned Ishtar made her way into the room indicated to her.
“Adam…?” She called in, unsure what to expect. With a wave she re-lit the
majority of the candles. “By the Gods Adam!” She exclaimed with more of a motherly
tone than she had intended. “What happened?” Adam was sitting his bed still cleaning the
gash on his face.
“Ishtar!” He shouted hardly able to stop himself from rushing at her. “You’re
here.”
“Yeah… can I see?” She needn’t say more, Adam dutifully slid over on the bed
and gave her the alcohol he was using. Perching herself on the edge she examined the
wound, her delicate fingers running gracefully over his tan skin. “I can fix this,” she said
in a matter of fact tone.
“No not me, not yet!” The words came tumbling out in all their urgency.
“What do you mean?” Ishtar could only scan his face looking for some other clue
to his jumbled exclamation.
“Levi, you have to help him.” His eyes were wide and his knuckles
white. “Please.”

Seconds later the small group was huddled in the other room, Claire updating
Ishtar on what had happened, Adam in a chair looking frightened, while Hinata was
doing his best to keep up with Ishtar’s medical instruction, which ranged from boiling hot
water too summoning tinny demons in jars.
“Right.” Ishtar finally announced, after she and Hinata had managed the
summons. The demon was tiny and green, nothing much to look at. Ishtar leaned over
Levi and began to carefully trace the major veins in his body; down his arms and up his
throat and then across his chest. She traced it with a berry red juice from a small bottle,
and then dusted ashes over them. The ashes clung to his body and began to move, making
formations like rivers on a map they covered him, illustrating every vein in his body.
“This ash,” she explained, “works like the reverse of a magnet. Bring any kind
of magic close to it, it’ll scatter. Now any good Sorcerer would make sure his work
wasn’t that easy to detect and would give it an extra layer of runes to make sure it’s not
discovered with this technique. Unfortunately, it would have somewhat of the reverse
effect, it attracts the ash, and you would never notice it though, unless you were trying
to remove it, other than that it looks totally normal. See the ash it self is enchanted so
that it will seek out blood, specifically veins. The red lines earlier were to prevent it from
leaving him and attaching itself to us.
“Now, with this little guy.” She held up the green imp in the jar. “We can locate
where the curse is in his body, since yes I do believe it is some kind of a curse.” Slowly
she moved the jar back and forth across him. The ash scattered at its magical presence.
And as she had excepted only in one spot did the ash remained fixed to his body.
“There,” she pointed unnecessarily at the spot. “That is where the curse is
located.” Rummaging through her bag she produced a small sheet of thin crystal. She
held it over the spot indicated by the remaining ash. When you looked through the crystal
all you saw was Levi, breathing hard and sweating in his sleep. Ishtar flipped the crystal
sheet, now in the foggy image you could clearly see a livid green light emanating from
his skin. Adam jumped involuntary and Hinata was fighting away the look of being sick.
Claire coolly gazed at the image unsurprised and Ishtar could only grimace at what she
saw.
“It’s Melanthios’s mark alright. His shoulder bone, looks like it was broken at
some point, the bone healed but it’s still disfigured, there is an obvious bulge to it. I
can only conclude that the breaking of his shoulder was part of the cursing process. If
we were to ever open up his shoulder and look at the bone you’d see the engraving of
Melanthios’s crest there.”
“Great, what do we do now?” Adam was on his feet, a new life in his eyes. “You
can help him, right?”
“I can help him a little, but undoing this curse would take a long time. There is a
possibility of unraveling it in its basic form… but I highly doubt Melanthios of all people
would have left that open. In fact… it might be irreversible. I can treat the symptoms
but, this curse is almost assuredly permanent. I’m sorry.” She let her eyes drop. Levi had
been like a brother to her, always distant but supportive and gentle, never worried about
himself, completely dedicated. To see him lost to some dark magic was painful.
“Hinata, let’s get started. The rest of you should go to bed.” Ishtar said trying not
to depress Adam again.
“Alright, come on Claire.” They walked out together, Adam defiantly stronger

than before.
“You don’t mind Hinata, I just need an extra pair hands for some of these
potions.”
“Not at all Ishtar, I’m at your disposal, as always.” He began clearing space for
them to work. His dark hair, which was typically out of his face by means of sticks or
ties, now fell around his face farming it harshly in the candle light by which they worked.
“Here,” Ishtar had walked up behind him. Taking a hand full of his long hair,
she twisted it around an ornately carved stick. After she was satisfied she ran the stick
through the taunt hair closets to his neck. Some strands had not been caught and fell
behind his ears but the rest was curled in the intricate knot.
“Thanks…” He mumbled a little shocked if not somewhat uncomfortable.
“Its fine, I picked that up back in my home county, of course I cut my hair soon
after that so I hadn’t had much use for it. I figured you could put it to more use than
I could.” She settled herself back down in front of him and they began going through
potion instructions and laying out vials to fill with herbs.

It was very late when the job was done; Ishtar had drifted into the world of
dreams while Hinata slaved over the last few potion ingredients.
“Ishtar,” he shook her gently.
“Wha…?” She said groggily rubbing her eyes. The candles were down to stumps
by now and the floor was a mess.
“Sorry, I’ve done everything I can; the last few parts require your magic to give
them potency.” Hinata had everything laid out for her to finish.
“Merciful Asherah…” She sighed. “You should have woken me up when I drifted
off Hinata.” She was genuinely miffed at him this time; she was to a degree humiliated
that she had fallen asleep and left him with all the work.
“Forgive me; I wouldn’t have woken you at all but you are the only one who
can do this part.” His obvious misinterpretation of her disapproval amused Ishtar. His
social savvy with strangers was always admirable, he found people easy to predict, fitting
into archetypes perfectly. And yet, amongst the people he knew best he often read them
wrong. It was difficult for him to assess situations when people’s motives were not greed
or revenge. Ishtar was not surprised by any of this of course, considering his past and all.
The way he visually flinched away from disapproval and found any scrap of kindness
above and beyond his expectations. Ishtar moved to clear up the confusion.
“Its fine, I’m very grateful that you finished these for me, but I feel guilty to have
fallen asleep when I should have been working too. That’s all; just wake me up next
time.” She smiled and he returned the gesture. In his eyes she could see him working to
understand this concept.

Cracking her knuckles she summoned up her energy and poured it into the runes,
they lit up with her essence and glowed brilliant neon shades of green and pink. Soon the
potions had been endowed with their magical power. The last few hours of the night were
spent administrating Levi his medicine. Some they had to pour through his nose to force
him to drink it. Others were rubbed into his skin and across his face, and still others were
delivered directly in his blood. The sun was starting to rise when they finished, Levi’s
face content and no longer screwed up in pain.

“Thank you, Hinata.” Ishtar yawned. “I couldn’t have done this without you.”
Hinata shook his head.
“It was your magic, anyone can read a book, but it was you who saved him.” It
was Ishtar’s turn to shake her head.
“Help; yes. Save? I can’t work miracles Hinata, even magic has its limits.” She
looked despondent. Hinata finally broke the silence.
“That man you were with earlier, he’ll notice you’re missing soon.”
Ishtar felt a little spark of resentment. “How do you know I haven’t told him to go
run some errands and wait for me?” At this Hinata laughed.
“Ishtar, it was obvious you worked for him.” He smiled; unaware of how blunt he
had stated that.
“Really? Well it is true, but I would prefer it if we looked more like partners or
something.”
“Then don’t walk so far behind him.” Hinata offered this advice in his typical
honest fashion, and did not bother to mince words for once.
“I do need to go.” Ishtar said reluctantly. “Say goodbye to them for me, especially
Adam.”
“You give him strength Ishtar. I fear to the point of him becoming parasite like. If
you died, I don’t think Adam could survive.” Hinata glanced away, as painful as it was it
needed to be said.
“I’ll say goodbye to him in person before I die, I promise.” The last candle went
out, but no one noticed, the light from the window was already too strong.
“Goodbye, may Asherah light your path Ishtar.”
“You too, remember never give up hope, it’s always darkest before the dawn.”
She embraced him with her arms, he responded after a moment by placing his hand on
her back and patting her gently.
“Goodbye.” She said into his shoulder.
“Be safe.”

Traitorous thoughts flickered through the mind of the man pacing in the street.
His mouth moved now and then as he mumbled his thoughts, cursing Sethron for being
late… again. The autumn breeze swept down the darkened street, rustling fallen leaves.
In his momentary distraction, Sethron appeared, quietly stalking towards him from the
shadows.
“Good, I was wondering if you had left already.” Sethron coolly grasped the
man’s shoulder. “Start talking.”
The man fidgeted involuntarily. “The… The money first.” He managed, and even
though he couldn’t see Sethron’s eyes in the dark he knew he was rolling them. The grip
relaxed.
“Here.” A small pouch of coins dropped out of Sethron’s hand onto the
ground. “Now, you were saying?”
Uncomfortably, the man began to speak. “It… it was a ploy. The information
about the Rebellion’s meeting led us to the Denholme mansion and inside we found some
old documents… after deciphering them… well.”
“What did the documents say?” If Sethron had meant that to sound coaxing, he
failed.
“That there was a massive weapons store in the mountains… It listed powerful
artifacts and legendary blades. More than half our troops were sent to look for them… but
nothing!” He cringed away. “That’s when we began to suspect that it had been a setup all
along…”
“So…” Sethron whispered to himself, “all they really wanted was to get rid of
the soldiers and lower boarder security… which means their real plan is not a massive
revolt… but something more subtle.” He smiled, “no… that is what they want us to think.
They will eventually plan a mass uprising… but only one thing is stopping them. Good
job Kain, you should get back before they miss you at the palace.”
“Yeah, whatever… Just don’t ask me to do this again.” With that he turned to
walk away. In one lithe movement Sethron ran the man through with a sparkling silver

“Of course not, the drowning man doesn’t fear the rain after all.” Sethron ran
the blade across the dieing figure again. Then he walked around the body and took out
a rusty dagger, first cutting Kain’s palms, to make it look as his he had been trying to
defend him self, and then left it lodged in the man’s chest. Hopefully, the messier the
scene the more likely it would be attributed to some unprofessional criminal, and not a
skilled mercenary who could’ve dealt one quick and deadly blow, no this had to look like
a struggle.
Sethron glance around once and than retreated to the shadows. Of course
Ishtar got the information from someone else; he would question her about later.
Unfortunately, Sethron could not eliminate the possibility that Ishtar had given them the
false information to start with, that she was actually a resistance spy. If this was true, he
wondered, who would be in worse favor of Melanthios, Ishtar… or him.

Dawn was breaking as Sethron wondered back to the inn, frustrated and in
worse spirits than he had left. His discomfort was obvious as Ishtar joined him. Sleep
deprivation marked her eyes and her movements were lagged. Sethron took this all in
with cold scrutiny. She in turn watched his actions with suspicion, his eyes… they had a
wild look, a feeling he could hardly contain. He wanted to lash out, continue in his blood
bath and soothe his guilt. Ishtar’s eyes grew wider and more nervous, he had just killed
someone and he was trying to control the rage that had consumed him in those moments
of blood lust. Something in him was struggling, no matter how many times he killed or
how often he would try to justify it, he couldn’t accept that he was doing evil; he would
always deny it, till his last breath. Ishtar’s musings were cut short when he spoke.
“The information you gave out about the Resistance, it was false. Apparently
the Resistance let that information be leaked in hopes the King would take the bait and
move his soldier away from the borders and into the mountains. We’re back at square one
now.” His voice was accusing.
“Do you want my opinion or are you talking to you self?” Her bitter remark did
little to hide her fear.
“Suggestion would be nice, yes.”
“Well, if the whole point was to lower security it means they must have wanted to
move, where ever they are now they are trapped again. It doesn’t make much difference.”
“But what are they planning? If the ploy was a mass weapons store for a
revolution than what is their real objective?” Sethron asked the leading question.
“They could still be planning an uprising.” Ishtar was guarded now; knowing
Sethron was leading her down a line of questioning she did not want to go.
“But why draw our attention to a fake one? If they wanted to distract the king they
should have made false plans for his assassination, it would have amounted to the same
thing, border control being lessened, and it would leave them unprepared for a full on
assault. By making the King believe there was going to be a fake one, now he is prepared
if there was a real one.” Now anger tinged his voice, frustrated that she had not taken the
bait.
“Amazingly, I followed that and agree with your logic. They must have a
different plan. What it is I don’t know.” Ishtar said this smugly; satisfied she had evaded
his word game.

“So I figure,” he said, voice taking on a sinister tone, “A revolt is what the
Resistance wants in the end, but what would happen if they lunched one now and won?”
Ishtar knew the answer, Sethron knew she knew the answer, and Ishtar knew
Sethron knew she knew the answer. “Every other powerful entity would jump at the
chance to take over; it would be the start of another civil war.”
“Who do you think would win?” Sethron patronizingly questioned.
“Quit possibly one of the higher up army commanders, or else…”
“Or else what?”
“Or else, your master.” Her eyes prickled with held back tears, it was almost over,
she would be dead and their plan would be exposed. At least, she comforted herself, at
least he doesn’t know about the others being here or we would all be in danger.
“True, I should have considered that myself.” He looked hard into her eyes,
waiting to read something, but they revealed nothing but hard, cool, obsidian pits.
Annoyed that her eyes revealed nothing to give him satisfaction he continued. “So, what
you’re saying is the Resistance won’t take out the king until Melanthios is destroyed.
Which means he is their target? Correct?”
Her face was burning below her tan skin; she was hardly calm enough to say
convincingly. “Quite possible, but I’m sure there are other options. Not being part of the
Resistance I do not know what they are planning.”
“Of course you don’t. Still, we should explain to Melanthios Necro your theory
about the Resistance plotting his demise. Come.” He ordered grabbing her shoulder and
taking her to this inn’s summoning chamber.

Mid-day came and went, and the small Resistance party had slept in. Adam,
confident in Ishtar’s healing power and also comforted by her presence, finally rested
peacefully for the first time in days. The rest of the company, simply exhaust from
the trip, slept without dreams for many hours. In Levi’s room Hinata was passed out
on the floor, at first cleaning up from last night’s medical emergency, but then sleep
overpowered him and he had lost consciousness. Now though he was waking up, Hinata
blinked hard against the bright light streaming through the window while working up the
energy to move his tired body. Turning away from the window he looked to Levi’s bed.
“Greetings, Hinata.” Levi’s look was sad and troubled but at that instance as the
two friends met each other’s gaze a true happiness flooded his features. “I wasn’t sure I’d
see you again, friend.”
“Likewise,” Hinata mumbled excitedly. “How do you feel? Do you need
anything?” He made a move to get up but Levi stopped him with hand signal.
“Please, I need one thing.”
“Anything, merely name it.”
“Your word, your promise, your oath, whatever you may call it. What I am about
to say you must take to your grave. Forgive me for burdening you with the truth, could
I avoid it I would have, but Great Curse I can’t.” He paused. “I need to start from the
beginning.” Again he paused and then dived into the story. “There is a tribe of wild
creatures just beyond Lord Necrosis’s walls.”
“Melanthios?” Hinata interrupted but then glanced away embarrassed for doing
so, but Melanthios did have many names
“Yes, just beyond his castle are woods that expand all the way to the desert, there
they become steamy and jungle like. But the ones near the castle are inhabited by a race
of beings said to be the most primitive life form. Human like in features and anatomy, yet
unable to support their bodies on their own. No one knows how they came to be, some
think they were the last creation Anahita ever made, things that represented his soul, dark
and blood thirsty unable to survive without causing death. Miserable, pathetic, beings
with no purpose but to inflict pain and suffering on others. That was Anahita’s legacy.
“One day a patrol from the castle was going through the woods and was attacked.
The mangy beasts started tearing flesh from bone, drinking their blood, feasting on their

intestines.” Levi stopped thinking the details might have been to graphic. “I’m sorry, I-”
“No, we had legends about the Un-flesh on the island. They said that after they
eat humans they would regurgitate the organic materials and spread it over their own
decaying skin and it would heal them.”
“Yes, that is exactly what they would do. But one, one was captured and brought
before Melanthios. He spoke its language, told it of Anahita, the God that created it.”
“Anahita was not a God!” Hinata almost spat the words, this time too consumed
by his instant flare of emotions to be ashamed of the outburst.
“What is a God though, Hinata? Someone who creates? Protects? Or is a God just
another entity that rules by fear. I don’t think Asherah was a god, I don’t know if Anahita
was a god either. But to that race in the forest, if Anahita did create them, they thought he
was a god. Wouldn’t you?” Hinata didn’t answer.
Levi seemed anxious to continue, and then the door resonated. They exchanged
looks. Hinata moved to answer while Levi hid his face in the blankets and pretended
to be asleep. With a light touch Hinata opened the door, he faced another man, entirely
cloaked in black only his mouth visible.
“Hinata; yes?”
“You’ve got the wrong person, my name is Namu,” Hinata lied.
“Strange,” the corners of his lips twitched, “black hair, violet eyes, dual wields,
that was the description I got.”
“Most people from the isles have black hair and purple eyes. ‘Sides, how do you
know I dual wield?”
“I noticed you are ambidextrous, you opened the door with your right hand
but are now reaching for something under your shirt with your left. Both are equally
calloused, and I can see your two swords leaning again the wall from here.”
“So, dual wielding is not uncommon.” Defensively, Hinata moved his hand away
from the knife he was reaching for.
“Actually, only those with noble blood learn the art of duel wielding blades. So
what are the chances I found someone else from the royal family when I was looking for
a Hinata?”
“I don’t know. Good day.” Hinata slammed the door.
“Run!” Levi sprung up from the bed and started propelling Hinata to the window.
“Wait- but, why!?!?” Hinata snatched the swords and his travel bag and began the
decent from the window.
“It’s just me Creed is after, you need to leave with the others, please!” Levi
helped Hinata out of the window. “Goodbye Hinata, I hope I don’t see you again.”
“What? Why?” Hinata said as he found footing the window ledge below.
“Because you don’t belong in hell, my friend.”

Ishtar glared at the stone wall with her black wings fully fledged; the feathers
were as tough as iron and their edges blade like. They provided a barrier between her and
Sethron. Inside Melanthios’s castle she had been render completely useless, all her
weapons removed and a dampener on her magic had been created. Ishtar could only wait
and watch while Sethron paced nervously around the great hall, trying his hardest not to
meet Ishtar’s furious eyes. He could feel his heart been wrenched in a million directions,
worst of all he had no words to express them all. His fear and hate, but also his love and
confusion left him helplessly lost in his mind. The waves of emotion radiating off him
caught Ishtar’s attention, so she knew it a split second before it happened. Sethron’s knife
was out and diving. His knees hit the floor as Ishtar knocked his hand away. Clattering,
the weapon became still like Sethron. Ishtar fell next to him, putting her fingers to his
neck. She sighed; the knife had completely missed its target.
“What were you thinking?”
No response. Sethron was out cold, probably from his head hitting the floor when
he fell. Waiting for a moment to see if he would wake up, Ishtar finally put her finger on
his forehead.

“Enter!” Melanthios shouted. “And get that creature out of here!”
Creed entered slowly, scared of the grayish creature being dragged out of the room by
another guard.
“Don’t worry it won’t eat you!” Melanthios snapped. “What is it?”
“Sethron seeks an audience with you, my liege. Also...”
“Ah yes, did you capture the Resistance slave?”
“No… Hinata escaped but…”
“But what? Do not waste my time!” Melanthios fumed, glaring dagger at
Creed. “If you didn’t apprehend him you should not have returned!”
“You no longer need him master! Prince Loreonous has been captured.” Creed
watched Melanthios grin devilishly.
“Good work Creed, bring Loreonous to me along with Sethron. Now!”
Creed bowed and escaped through the huge double doors. Chuckling to himself at
his good fortune, he paid little attention to his surroundings as he entered the chamber
Loreonous was being held in. A flash like white lightning and Creed’s body went
motionless. Loreonous looked down at him without pity. Stiff and emotionless
Loreonous left the dark room and entered the dimly lit halls. He walked the familiar
passageways until he reached a dead end. The wooden doors towered over him, with a
quick wave of his hand they parted. Inside laid out, just as he had left them, were his
personal items. Quickly dawning the light robes and chain mail, he looked into the corner
of the room.

“Sloth!” He ordered into the shadows. From behind an old casket a vaguely
human like creature crawled. “Help me get this armor on!” The little demon hastened to
do his bidding. It took several minuets for all the plates to be fastened and adjusted. And
when it was finally done Loreonous dismissed the demon. Taking his sword in hand he
hastily left the room, in seek of Melanthios. The passageways seemed to go on forever as
he walked, thousands of torches lighting his way. Finally the majestic throne room doors
came into view, throwing them open; Loreonous marched into the circular chamber.
Spinning halfway round to face Melanthios he held his sword out side ways in a battle
ready position. The two Necromancers locked gazes. Without looking away Loreonous
brought his sword forward, tip pointing straight at Melanthios. In reaction Melanthios
dismounted his throne and walked towards him. With a flick of his wrist Loreonous spun
the sword, its blade almost cutting Melanthios. Loreonous caught the sword by the blade
and kneeled, offering the handle to Melanthios. Neither had looked away or flinched the
entire time. Finally Melanthios smiled and took the handle, offering his other hand to
Loreonous, who gratefully accepted it.
“It has been a long time,” he commented.
“Too long I’m afraid.” Melanthios laughed and brushed hair out of his eyes. “So
long in fact I had to activate that curse, a regrettable thing. I see you were temporarily
healed, interesting.”
“So, what will become of me now?” Loreonous’s gazed hardened.
“Well,” Melanthios spoke, “The treatment you received will wear off soon, but I
won’t let that curse kill you.” He smiled as Loreonous’s gaze lost its ferocity and became
perplexed. “I’m actually going to deactivate it all together.” His eyes gleamed with sick
pleasure.
“No…!” Understanding flooded his mind and he was overcome by rage then
fear. “Please, no…” He stepped backwards, but tripped as Melanthios advanced.
“You should have considered this before you betrayed me!” He paused. “Maybe
there is another way… Come!” Dark robes trailing, he led the way out of the throne
room. Loreonous Stumbled up and followed a few paces behind, eyes down cast.

Ishtar’s face was wet with tear as Sethron awoke. She took his hand when he
looked away from her.
“I’m sorry…” She mumbled, fighting back more tears.
“No! You… you did nothing. I’ve killed you so many times already. I can’t wipe
your blood off my hands, I’m sorry.” He reached out and touched her face. “I never
meant to hurt you. I just…” he grew still. “I can’t face him.”
“I could have helped you!” Ishtar embraced him in a rush of emotion.
“No!” He pushed her away and began to speak through stifled tears. “He has
destroyed everything I hold dear. Burned everything I ever loved. I belong to him, don’t
you understand!” He shouted. “The power I gained I can’t live without it, I loved it more
than life! But the sweet revenge I thought would fill the void destroyed me! It was empty,
anything I wanted I could have, yet material things were lonely. That was when he saw
my weakness! The thing he would forever hold over my head, the whip I feared more
than death. Always behind me, waiting to strike the second I stumbled! I needed
someone, anyone! I couldn’t bear the weight alone, nothing I killed and nothing I
destroyed relived my burden. If someone could have just walked with me, seen the things

I saw, feel the way I felt. But no! I am forced to live alone, kill everyone I meet. Why?
Because he knows the one thing I want most dearly, and he knows the one thing I fear
most. He holds both keys Ishtar! I have denied every night my feelings for you! Knowing
that at any moment I might have to take your life or else invoke his wrath, but I love you!
I can not steal love by killing another man, tell me now you return my affections or else I
die in vain!”
Ishtar’s mouth moved dumbly for a moment, the words she wanted to say caught
in the back of her throat. Sethron’s face grew dark again.
“I’m sorry.” He tore away from her grasp and retreated to the far corner of the
room. “Please don’t answer; He’ll know.” Ishtar stood and faced him, her wings dark red
and fiery as she vented her anger.
“You selfish bastard! Do you know what hangs in the balance right now? The fate
of nations is at jeopardy; my comrades’ lives might be sacrificed at any moment! And
you…. You go off on some hopeless romantic tirade!” Tears started to run across her
face as her words became choked. “You can’t love me,” she sobbed. “And I can’t love
you! If the power you gained from selling your soul is that important to you, then forget
me, go back to Him.”
“I can’t forget you!” He fumed right back at her. “Yell at me all you like, I refuse
to stop loving you!”
“Then make your choice!” Ishtar’s voice cracked as she cried out the words. “If
you love me you will leave all this!” She gestured to the surrounding great hall. “Leave
Melanthios, leave this castle, come and help me fight!”
“You know I would if…”
“Damn it, Sethron!” She cut him off mid-sentence. “I know you are scared of
betraying your master, you’ve lived your life in fear of his anger.” She swallowed tears
again. “Now you have to choose.” Her words were failing her. “Either you go to Him and
kill me now, or join me and face your nightmares.” She paused. “It’s Him or me.”

The doors flew open. Ishtar spun, coming face to face with Melanthios. In a knee
jerk reaction she flexed her wing and shot upwards towards the vaulted ceiling. Landing
on the shoulder of an immense statue, she glowered down at Melanthios.
“Ah, Sethron.” Melanthios ignored Ishtar. “What an unexpected surprise, you
coming all the way here to the castle to give your report in person.” He grinned, lowering
his dark hood; reviling his scarred face. “But, before you give me the report I would like
to update you on what has recently come about. Any, objections?” He eyed Sethron
carefully.
“No, of course not. Please, continue.” Sethron bowed, making sure his face was
hidden in the shadow of his hood. The room grew quiet; Sethron had managed to keep
the fear out of his voice.
“Good, good.” Melanthios began dramatically pacing the hall, “Well you see,” he
waved his arms in an exasperated fashion, “a subordinate of mine, who had just so
happened to be patrolling the streets of Marthasville, happened to see a certain violet
eyed young man walking the streets alone.” He paused to watch Sethron flinch. “Oh
don’t be so distrustful, my minion wasn’t there to say, oh I don’t know, spy on you or
anything.” He laughed cruelly. “It’s almost as if you think I’m manipulating you. You
don’t think that, do you?” Sethron didn’t answer. As the silence crept in and Melanthios

saw he was getting no answer his wand was out in a flash. Glittering green sparks started
flying off it in Melanthios rage. “Answer me fool!” Every torch went out; the only light
source was Melanthios’s wand. Sethron fell to the floor writhing in pain. From above the
scene Ishtar bit her tongue; she was fighting off the urge to scream. As the room was
bathed in defused turquoise light from Melanthios’s wand, Sethron couldn’t gain the
breath to speak. He could only fidget on the ground fighting the waves of pressure that
threatened to crush him every moment. Melanthios sadistically laughed and continued to
hold up his sparking wand, clearly enjoying taking his anger out of Sethron. Ishtar
couldn’t watch any more, she gripped the edge on the statue and was about to throw her
self down into the chaos when her stomach lurched. There was another shadowy figure in
the room.
“You’re killing him.” A calm hand touched the wand. The sparks subsided and
Melanthios lowered his arm. “I can’t let you do that.”
Melanthios laughed. “You’ll regret this Loreonous.” Then he sighed. “Get up,
Sethron; I’m not done with my story yet.” Regaining composure Melanthios crossed
the room and mounted the throne at the front of the hall. “Regardless, records were
checked. No one reported bringing in a slave to Marthasville. Now if you remember,
reports suggested the Resistance happened upon one whom they bargained freedom
with for information. One by the name of Hinata. Yes, we found him and his comrades,
slaughtered all of them. And what do you know; Loreonous was hiding out among them.”
Melanthios glared at Sethron. “To conclude, you failed at tracking down the resistance
and yet you show up in my palace anyway with this traitorous girl! I should feed you to
the un-flesh, but before I do I want to hear what ludicrous excuse you’ve come up with to
try and weasel your way out of my wrath!”
“I have none.” Sethron stated simply, still crouched on the floor fighting for
breath.
“Well what about her.” Melanthios flicked his wand at the statue. From
underneath Ishtars hands the stones collapsed. Flying out of the way of the debris she
landed hard on the floor, almost falling over.
“She is not a resistance spy.” Sethron stated calmly.
“Really…” Melanthios rolled his eyes, “Don’t lie to me Sethron, you were
never very good at it.” Sethron didn’t answer. “Alright,” Melanthios clapped his hands
once, “Sethron, kill her.” Ishtar watched Sethron carefully, this request was unsurprising
but still Sethron hesitated. Melanthios calmly wait for a response as Sethron and Ishtar
locked gazes, their eyes telling volumes. Finally Sethron broke the lock; his eyes
examined the crevices in the floor.
“No, I won’t kill her.”
“Fine. Loreonous, kill them both.”
“You really want to win this way?” Loreonous said plainly, walking forwards
towards the throne. Melanthios’s face grew dark and he began to speak, but Loreonous
cut him off.
“Don’t bother shouting; you’ve already threatened me with a fate worse then
death. Just listen to my logic. It is my fault my comrade is here, I should have returned…
I shouldn’t have left.” He looked sideways fighting off the guilt. “You have me now, so
let them go and play the game fair. Sethron was just my replacement and Ishtar is just a
spy. Killing them here and now in cold blood will only irritate the resistance and they’ll

try harder to avenge their deaths.” He paused and caught Ishtar’s eye. “You have no idea
what this girl means to so many of their members, they would do anything for her…
even sacrifice their soul and peace of mind.” He paused again to let the words register in
his own heart, then taking another step he knelt. “Lord Melanthios, I am begging you to
spare their lives. Do with me as you wish… I know I deserve it.”
Silence, everyone in the room was waiting for the person next to them to speak.
Melanthios’s face was the most perplexed.
“Pledge your loyalty to me. You are useless to me dead or while writhing in pain,
I want you oath.” Melanthios tossed a knife down towards him.
Lips sealed and teeth clenched Loreonous reached for the knife.
“I, Prince Loreonous, hereby pledge my unconditional loyalty…” The words
began to drag as time slowed and Ishtar registered what was happening. She watched him
raise the knife and at that moment she shouted.
“Levi!”

Adam rolled over in his bed, just making out the door frame in the fuzzy
darkness. The knocking that woke him continued. Swinging his legs over the edge, Adam
jumped up, and then stumbled. The blood rushed to his head and black fog clouded the edges
of his vision, he was about to faint when his sight returned. Groggily, he walked across the
room and opened the door.
“Took you long enough,” said Hinata through gritted teeth, he was sitting on his
one heel and holding his leg close to his body. He winced as he tried to move. Adam stared
down at him dumb struck for a moment.
“What happened?” Adam managed a little authority. Hinata shook his head.
“I don’t know… Levi woke up and…” Hinata stopped and bit his lip a little. “He
told me to escape with you guys, that it was just him they wanted.” Hinata stood up but
avoided putting pressure on his damaged leg. Adam’s pensive look was disturbed by his
sudden notice of Hinata’s wound.
“Are you alright?”
“Yeah, I had to get out through the window. It just got scarped up and twisted a
little.” His evasive tone was all Adam needed to hear to know Hinata was in a much worse
condition then he let on.
“Okay, come in. Claire will look at you leg while I go out get some supplies.
What ever is going on we need to be prepared.”
Hinata sat down on the bed Adam just moments before had been resting in. Claire
was up by now and already had bandages and water ready to treat Hinata’s leg.
“Adam,”
“Yeah?” He turned around as he left.
“It’s good to have you back.”

Closing the door softly, Adam glanced about the hall. Trying to step softly, he
headed for the staircase.
“There has been a change of plans, Adam.”
Adam’s mind blanked, every sense left him. Turning slowly, he faced her. Aries’
translucent pink robes spilled all around her, while her loosely curled hair dangled around her
face.
“Tell me what I have to do to save them!” The words spilled from his lips in a slur
of gibberish. His voice was mixed with anger, and relief as his eyes danced franticly around
her face, searching for any emotion.
“Calm down that is an order. Melanthios Necrosis is about to make his move on
Narcissus. If the capital falls, we’ll have a war on our hands.” Aries let a slight smile grace
her face. Knowledge beyond her years flickered in her eyes. “Adam, be ready. You will be
the one to lead the world into a new age. You can’t falter now, be strong.”
Neither spoke for a moment, Adam was digesting her words. Resolute in his
response, he finally asked, “where to now?”
“We have to get to the capital and try to thwart the assassination. It is the only
option for now.” Aries turned from him and opened the door their room.

The light from the hall leaked into the small bedroom, Claire had finished helping

Hinata and was already starting to pack. Hinata stumbled off the bed; leaning heavily against
the wall, he addressed Aries. “Thank Asherah you are here, I-” he cutoff mid-sentence. The
pain in his leg was growing too great.
“Hinata, sit down” Aries smiled a sadly.
“Thank you…” he mumbled falling to the bed again, nearly passing out.
“He hasn’t slept in days, has he?” she asked quietly.
“‘Fraid not… He won’t be able to travel like this.”
“Won’t stop him from trying though…” Aries shook her head. “We can’t wait
though… I’ll have to go there first and then open a channel for the rest of you; it seems to be
the only way.”
“Won’t that set off the alarms? You, using your magic like that?” Adam was still
studying her face.
“It won’t matter by then; the king is going to die either way. But you have to be
ready; I’ll open the channel tomorrow. If you are not in the summoning chamber that evening
you’ll never make it to the capital.”
“Got it. You can count on me Aries, I promise.”
“Farewell Adam.”