Sloane crouched low on the rail. Next to her was a gargoyle. It was large, with magnificent wings and large fangs. Two figures exited the cathedral far below her. Her clothes were stiff from blood and rain. Dark forboding clouds rose all around her. She scanned the cathedral for any good holds.
Saluting the gargoyle, she ran down the ledge where she had been sitting before, taking a breath she jumped down to the tower below her. She held tight to the spiring rod that protruded from its top. Lightning crashed around her, as she watched the two figures runnung into the forest. she smiled with bloody glee. She loved a good chase.
She whistled, calling to her allies that were hiding in the trees. Marox called back with a deafening roar, Mage with a howl.
Sloane slid down onto the towers balcony. She braced her hands against the railing, jumped up, and pushed off, flying down to the ground at a terrifying rate. She was only twenty feet from the ground, when the gargoyle flew past, grabbing her arm. Once she was closer to the ground, the stone beast dropped her and she landed softly on the ground. She steadied herself, running into the trees ahead off.
Voices pierced her mind as she sped up to catch her prey.

Please Join!

Wil heard the voices of enemies pierce the forest as he ran. He looked to the figure beside him and saw the fear in her eyes. He had come to the cathedral without Kagraign to check out a disturbance that the village people had told him about. It's times like this that make me feel like being a mercenary wasn't the best choice I made... Wil thought. He sprinted faster, and seeing a wolf in front of him, leapt as high as his feet would carry him, sailing over the wolf. For the seconds before he'd jumped, Wil considered striking the beast with Mor'ranr, but decided against it. He landed softly on his feet and kept running. You don't have to outrun the bear... he jokingly thought to himself. If his companion fell, Wil knew he would fight to the death to protect her. He looked behind him to see a wolf, a strange elf, and a tiger sprinting after them. "Please, we wish not to fight. We just wish to speak with you about attacking the local villagers!" He yelled. He thought it was her, as she leapt to the roof shortly after speaking with him. Wil sensed danger and took off. Shortly after she gave chase. Here they were. Wil abruptly stopped, whipped around, and sprinted at the girl. He tackled her and pinned her to the ground, bringing Mor'ranr to her throat to stay her animals. "I wish not to fight. When I let you up, you will not attack myself or my partner. Am I clear?" He threatened. He stood and waited to see what would happen.

"Wise of you to stand", Sloane barked. "What are you doing in my Kingdom?"
Mage sniffed the boy and barred his teeth. He smells like a foreigner.
Sloane smiled, pushing herself to her feet. "Are you from Gailia? A spy? I shalln't stand for this!" Pulling out her father's sword she stalked around the boy. "Marox, hold him." The giant tiger set her paws on his chest, bringing him to the ground. "You may not wish to fight, but I do", said Sloane in a grave voice.
She could sense another human present. "Who sent you. Answer my questions and I will easily quail the fighting." The boy took in a breath and tried to push Marox off his chest. Sloane smiled.
"Very well", she said, beforing running into the forest to hack down the other intruder.

"W-wait! I can answer everything. Please, I'm just a traveling mercenary. My name is Wil, and I was hired to investigate that cathedral." he said, pointing. "I only know of one Gallia. And that is in a land known as Tellius." Wil heaved, and pushed at the giant tiger yet again. He managed to get the tiger up long enough to slide out from under it. "As for who sent me and my partner, it was those villagers. They claimed that you were attacking them. Now that I have answered your questions, I have a few of my own. Who are you? Are you the one attacking the villagers? Why is it that you still wish to fight?" Wil said. He waited for an answer, hoping to give his friend some time to escape.

Sloane stopped, narrowing her eyes. "You have given me what I want so I'll humor you." She looked at the tiger. "Marox, come. Mage." Both of her companions came to her sides. "The Gailia you speak of is not the one around here. Wil? Strange..."
She paced for a moment, sheathed her sword, and glared at the boy. "I am Sloane. At the time being I am the eyes and ears of the Duentra Society."
Watch what you say!, Marox warned.
"I know nothing of the attacks. They probably never happened. I am queen of this realm, nothing gets past me. Nothing has since-That's beside the point. I don't know who told you about these attacks but I can assure you if anything reaches me it will be stopped immediately. If you wish to retrieve your companion, now would be a good time." She pointed to a spot in the trees. "She is there. But I warn you, if you try to run you shall die, if not by my hands than by the Toxics."
Wil turned and walked into the forest. "Watch the roots. They're a bit fiesty." She watched him go.
Maybe he can help us find Steven, Mage said, a bit too loudly. I knew that Wil had heard him.
"I don't know. But he is a Dragon Child of that much I am sure", Sloane murmured, watching the Gargoyle settle on the Cathedral tower again.


BTW:You're good at this Kaerasman! I like your character, he's young but he may have some talent.

OOC: Thanks. I'm just one of many who has the imagination for this stuff. Rpgs rule. I kinda created him that way. I'm a fan of younger characters who are sucessful and possibly find love. I'm working on a story right now but its still just a work in progress.

IC:Wil walked through the trees. He had heard the warning about the roots, but thought nothing of it. Suddenly, he tripped and fell flat on his face. He stood up, his ears burning. "Yeah, I know, the roots." was all he said. He turned and ran toward his companion. "C'mon. She wants to talk to us I think." Wil and his companion walked back through the trees toward the woman. "Careful of the roots." Wil said, blushing. Kagraign, where are you? Wil asked. Coming, I just ran into a few weird green things on the way. Are you in danger? No, I don't think so, not at the moment, at least. This Sloane woman seems dangerous though, so I'll watch my back until you arrive. Wil said. When he and his companion returned to Sloane, Wil asked, "What now?"

"I know you, like myself, have a dragon. I can see it in your aura. I'm rough but not so far as lethal to everything." She paused and looked at the boy's companion. Nodding dismisively, she continued. "But, there must be a reason you are here. Alagaesia is a bit away from here in Farelk. I'd rather keep my past to myself for now. I shalln't raise my sword to you if you abide to it as well for me."
Wil nodded. "Who is this?", Sloane asked, nodding toward the other person.





OOC-I'm writting books and often find myself thinking like my characters its like second nature to me now. I love romance stories, they can be fun to follow, but even more fun to write. I dunno if you read my RPG or not, but Sloane's had an affair of her own to that may follow up in here. You'll just have to wait and see.
OH YEAH-I love your Dragon's name! Karagain, very noble. I love it.

OOC:Writing does the same for me. It's a way to escape the pressures of everyday life. It's a better way even than books because you're creating your own adventure. As for Kagraign, thanks, I just thought of it one day and saved it for a time like this.

IC:"This...is my...friend. Her name is Lucia. She and I travel the lands searching for work. As I've told you, we're mercenaries. We've been friends since we were very little. She's very good with bow and sword. Lately she's been trying to fight from horseback, whenever we could rent a horse with our spare money. My dragon, Kagraign, is coming shortly. He's the one who gets us around to exotic places like this." Wil explained. Then Lucia bowed and said, "Lady...Sloane, was it? I'm happy to meet you. Like Wil said, we were just traveling through your land searching for work." She took Wil's hand, as if to signal something. Wil looked at Lucia, sort of confused by the move. He grasped her hand in his and said, "Do you need our help with something?"

No! Sloane..., Mage's eyes grew sad.
"Well...yes. Not long ago my mate, Steven was taken away by a magical artifact that I had been using without knowing of its power." She paused, looking down at her feet. "I was the one that sent the attack on the cathedral! It's dark power is overwhelming my fortress with shadows! I have to find him! Without his light the kingdom shall fall, I will not let that happen! And I shall not abandon him, he has saved my lives more times than I can count...I love him and can't let him go..."
Marox rubbed against Sloane's leg.
Never...You will never find him...I've hidden him far away...
"Shadora!", Sloane shrieked.
The voice cackled then vanished.
Sloane suddenly felt weak. She swayed and fell, hitting the ground hard.
Sloane!
"Steven...", she whispered sleepily, falling off into another shadow. Vaguely she saw Marox and Mage lean over her as Nysia lowered herself through the trees.

Wil looked at Lucia, surprised. "You. Wolf. Who said those words? What is this artifact that Sloane spoke of? This dragon is hers, I take it? And where exactly did this Steven go? If it is the cathedral's fault, then let's destroy it. I've always wanted to blow something up." Wil said. He could feel Lucia's hand tighten around his. "Wil..." she said softly. He looked into the deep blue pools that were her eyes. "Lucia. Let's do this." He said. He picked Sloane up, oblivous to the protests of her animals, and walked back toward the cathedral. Wil! I'm here, what exactly are you doing holding that girl? Kagraign said, landing his huge emerald bulk unusually softly beside Wil. "Oh, hey Kag. Me and Lucia were just about to destroy this cathdral. Wanna help?" Wil asked. "The woman is Sloane. She claims to be the queen of this country. She says her guy was taken. Then some weird voice starts talking, she yells 'Shadora!', and faints on us. I was bringing her over here so that when she wakes up, she'll be seeing me and Lucia blow this place up!" He finished. How exactly do you plan on blowing it up? Kagraign asked. "Fire. Lots of fire." was Wil's reply. Wil felt the woman shift slightly in his arms, and propped her up beside a tree. Then he turned to Lucia, nodding. They walked hand in hand up to the front of the cathedral. "This cathedral is going down!" Wil shouted. He and Lucia got ready to set the place on fire.

Flames spurted from the cathedral as Sloane woke. A green burn was flaming on her wrist. He touched me?, she thought dreamily.
Mage was curled up at her feet watching the cathedral die. "Where are the others?", he whimpered. "Damien and Joustlin."
Damien?[i], she thought.
"Remember, Sloane..." She felt a hand on her shoulder. Sloane turned.
"Steven! How? Why-? No! You're not real!"
Wil and Lucia turned. Wil's shoulders slumped as he saw Steven. Steven eyed the boy warily, turning back to Sloane, he took her hands. "Here is the book. Here is your ring. Here is your memory." He kissed her, then faded away into the growing mist.
"Milady!" Two men were running from the forest. The first embraced Sloane warmly, while the second pushed toward the cathedral. "Easy Joustlin", said the first man.
He stroked Sloane's hair and whispered.
Wik's face turned red when he saw the two hugging as Sloane began to cry.

"Wh-what's going on? Who are these men? Who was that man who made you faint in the first place?" Wil asked. He didn't know what was more confusing, seeing the man who kissed her disappear into thin air or seeing the two who just showed up. In any case, the cathedral was in flames. Wil and Lucia had set it aflame not moments before. Wil noticed something on her wrist as she was being embraced. "Um...Sloane? What is that on your wrist?" he asked. Questions were boiling out of him faster than he could think them.

OOC: I'm trying to get Lucia as an actual rpg charry instead of just a side character. you should check it out.

OOC: Totally will check.
You keep up pretty well. I'm impressed.

Sloane pulled away from Damien. "That's Joustlin", she said, pointing to the man sitting watching the fire. "And this is Damien, Steven's twin brother, kinda my brother too. Oh and this is Nysia, my dragon. You said you'd help us right? Well I need to go the Trove to speak to the Dragon God. I need to find a book."
"In time all shall be revealed", Damien said.
"Sloane check this out!", Joustlin called. He held out his hand a small sapphire ring lying in his palm.
"It's my wedding ring", she said taking it. "Have you seen the others yet?", she asked.
"Not a trace 'em, Lulu os Saradom", Damein said. "Everything changing back to the way it was during the war. Sloane slid her hand over face, bringing three grewsome scars to the surface of her skin.
"I cannot afford anymore losses. Celesta must be emptied. Nysia and I have to try and stay hidden. Shadora's already picking up my trail."

OOC: I try to keep up. I don't like to keep stories waiting.

IC: "Who is this Shadora guy? I figured out that he has something to do with Steven's kidnapping. That's a nice ring by the way. Guy must've been loaded to buy a rock that big... nevermind that. Yes, I did agree to help you. What are those scars from, by the way? Hey Lucia, you wanna help Sloane find her lover again?" Wil asked. "I'll stay by you until the day we perish Wil," was Lucia's reply. "You said something about a trove and some dragon lord, right? Where do we find this stuff? And did burning this place to ash help you in any way or did I just get to blow something up for free?" Wil asked.

OOC: I think I've made Wil into a very explosion-happy person.

OOC-Happy's good
You should check my fanfiction i have like 3 of 'em

"Shadora is the Fairy Queen of Darkness. And my mother", Damien said. "That's where Sloane got the scars. Steven and I grew up seperated and under the impression that our parents were dead."
"That's why she hates me. She tried to convert her sons to the Darkness and I prevented it", Sloane said. Marox nodded. "I have a direct portal to the Trove and the Dragon God is very important. So watch what you say. He's used to me visiting...but not strangers. And thank you. It is a very nice ring, but you must remember he was a king, a dragonrider, and part Fairy."
Sloane winked. "So here we go." She slid two fingers through the air and a portal opened up. "Well? Come on."

OOC: I'll do that.

IC: Wil walked up to the portal and inspected it. From the other side, it wasn't there. All he could see was a bright light when he looked through it. Wil decided to take a chance and step in. Before he could, though Lucia grabbed his shoulder, spun him around, and hugged him tightly. He put his arms around her to comfort her. She was scared for him. She did not know what this god would do to him. She did not want him to go. Wil looked down at her and whispered, "I promise everything will be okay. I won't let the dragon god hurt me. I've heard that gods can see into a person's soul anyway, and when he finds that I have nothing to hide, surely he won't try to kill me." They stood there for a minute, Wil looking deep into Lucia's eyes. Then Lucia said quietly, so the others couldn't hear, "Wil, I love you. Promise me that you will return safe." "I promise." Wil said. Then he turned around and walked into the portal.

Nysia and Wil followed Sloane inside. She walked through the mounds of treasure that lined the walls of the Trove. "On the left", Nysia hissed. she stopped setting two gems in the lock. The large doors opened. Wil began to speak but Sloane hushed him before knealing down in front of the large Dragon Statue. She muttered something in Dragon Tongue and the statue shimmered before flexing its wings and swinging its tail.
"Sloane. How are you? Nysia", croaked the Dragon God.
"I'm seeking help, Milord Airasian", she said, head still bowed.
"Come I shall ask the others." Nysia followed Airasian into the wall. Wil stood watching in disbelief. Sloane grabbed his hand.
"Come on!" She walked through the wall, the boy following reluctantly.
Stone platforms rose all around her as Sloane looked up into the Dragar Council. "Queen Selena's daughter needs our help! With an artifact! Taku, proceed."
The Large Thunder Lord came forward. "Princess." He looked toward Nysia, "Milady. You come seeking the book that holds the world still?"
"Yes", Nysia and Sloane answered in unison.
"It holds the Moon King and the Key in binds is that so?", asked Taku.
Swallowing hard, Sloane answered, "Yes. The Kingdom is falling once more and the Dark Queen is rising. I need to stop the bloodshed."
"Is the Key safe?", asked a Red I knew as Morda.
Sloane nodded.
"Good..."
"I desperately need the book to reverse the charm and free Steven and Dezlen. Without them the world shall perish."
"I will summin the book. Please be careful, this book thinks for itself", Airasian said. He began to chant, the other Dragons joining in. Then the torches in the council room went out and Sloane was lying on the ground with Wil and Nysia, gripping a hard, leather book.
Wil had a strange look on his face when he sat up. Sloane smiled and stood, looking around. We're in Leaflen, she thought. Oh no...

"Umm...fill me in? Where exactly did we land? Damn it! I need to get back to Lucia! How do we get out of here?" Wil fumed. He was furious that they weren't sent back to the cathedral as he'd wished. Dumb dragon gods... always messing with us mortal humans... he thought.

"I heard that! Never insulted the Gods in front of me", Sloane said. "Lucia will last two minutes without you. Now be quiet so I can get us away from the village."
She thought long and hard. She recited the words to the spell in Fairen for better effect, the air in front of her wavered then stilled. She tried again. still nothing.
"Someone tapped my magic!", she exclaimed. She looked around she couldn't see Nysia. Sloane tried to contact her, all she heard was an echo.
"Damn it!"


OOC:This is gettin' good. I'll be back on later in the day. It's like 3 in the morning and I am beat so see ya tommorrow okay?

OOC: really good.

IC:Wil looked around. Apparently, they were by a village. "Should I go see if we can find help? By the way, are we still in your kingdom or are we in another demension or what?" Wil asked. He'd heard her recite the spell, though he didn't know what it meant. Guess I could give it a shot he thought. Wil tried to recite the words exactly as he'd heard them. When he finished, he put his hands in midair and pulled them apart. The space in front of him ripped apart, and he could see Lucia's worried face. Wil's face lit up with joy, and he saw the look of astonishment on Sloane's face. "I don't know how I did it, but...here's a portal."

"Go before it catches!"', Sloane exclaimed, pushing Wil in. I'm coming Nysia... I still got no reply. Damien Lucia and Joustlin all sat waiting for us. "You have definitely got the flair kid", she told Wil, pushing something into her wrist as Damien handed it to her.
"It was the book that tapped your power", Joustlin said, glaring at the leather book. Nysia took the others to the mountains to look for-" He was cut short as a huge beas ambled out of the forest, knocking over trees and pounding in the roots.
It was large and made of rock. Something Sloane might be able to handle. Behind it a woman walked. "Sloane...Ssso nice to sssee you again", she hissed, looking my straight in the eyes.
"Toxia", I growled. Calling up my power I forced a sheild out in front us. Damien and Joustlin aided me. The Rock Beast was pushed back, looking a bit confused. Wil was about to start asking questions, when Sloane screamed, "Run! We'd don't have much time!"

OOC-Trying to get it moving somewhere else. I like to put my characters under pressure with peril from monsters. hehe

Wil had just been about to draw Mor'ranr and strike, but when he heard the word, "Run!" he grabbed Lucia's hand and bolted. He followed Sloane and her friends through the forest. He had no idea where they were going, but by this point they were far from the beast and woman.

"It's a Volvax!", Damein yelled to Sloane as they ran.
"And Toxia! This can't end well", she replied. Her silver hair flew behind her as she ran, holding tight to the book.
"Sloane, where are we going?", Joustlin asked, from behind her.
"Duentra. Maybe Dazer can help! He helped create the book in the first place." Two large wooden doors materialized before us as I ran through the trees. "Mother! Its me!", she screamed as the doors swung open. Just as Wil and Lucia had made it inside, the doors swung shut and disappeared. Everyone stopped to catch their breath, but Sloane kept running. She climbed the steps to a small tower covered with vines. "Mother! Clawuna! Its me!"

Wil looked at Damien. "Who exactly was that?" he asked. "The woman behind the stone thing. And what about Kagraign? Where is he? I haven't seen him or Nysia since we burned the cathedral." Wil said. He looked to where Sloane had gone. He looked at Lucia, took her hand, and walked up the steps that Sloane had bounded up moments before. He pulled Lucia to the side of the doorway and peeked in. What Wil saw shocked him.

OOC: sorry that mine are so short, but Wil nor I know much about this land or its inhabitants. I guess i'll just let you lead the way until we get back into known waters. haha

OOC-totally fine. sloane and I understand. our continent is big and has a lot of weird places.

Sloane stood, turning to see Wil in the doorway. She frowned. "Mother this is the boy", she said in a language she knew Wil couldn't understand. Very few knew it.
Selena nodded. She flicked her wings.
"You saw Airasian? How is he?", Selena asked.
"Seems fine. He's still coughing though. I can't stay long. I have to meet Nysia and Dralican at Fathier."
Selena'e eyes widened. "You cannot possibly head toward the mountains in this." It was raining outside and lightning had been jumping from the clouds all night. "You are so like your father."
Sloane looked at her feet. "I miss him."
"Ah." Selena embraced her daughter. "You are a brave girl. Maybe this will cheer you up, Pyroka and Aquinta have met on Allerja and found Lulu. She was a bit beaten up, but she's recovering. Now introduce me to this boy you spoke of."
"Wil", Sloane said. "This is Selena. My mother. She is the Fairy queen of Earth. Lulu is an old friend of mine."
"The plessure is mine", Selena said. "Clawuna see our guests to the gate please." A large, emerald dragon walked into the tower room.
She nodded at her rider. "Travel safely, Sloane."

When Sloane was back outside, Damien and Joustlin were whispering amoungst themselves. They looked up and saw Clawuna. "Milady", they both said, bowing. "Sloane we will see you to the mountains then I must return to Drasis. I have a previous engagement", Damien said.
"A girl", Joustlin said teasingly. Damien's face flushed red.
"Good luck. We best get going if we wish to reach the mountains before morning. Sardas!" The hawk screeched and landed on Sloane's shoulder.
She smiled, seeing a large oak tree rising up in the distance. Memories came back, bringing her joy. She could feel Steven beside her, though she couldn't see him.
"I feel him too. We're getting close", Damien said.
Sloane smiled. "Hear that Steven? We're going to find you soon."

OOC-sorry but it kinda needed a pleasant twist cause things are about to get dark.

OOC: how dark?

IC: Wil had seen Sloane's mother. A graceful, if somewhat meanacing, fairy queen, then was pushed away by a dragon that looked almost like Kagraign, but was much bigger and older. "Is that Kagraign's mother?" Lucia whispered. "I don't know. She has many of the same features as Kagraign though." Wil replied quietly. When Wil and Lucia walked back out, the first thing they heard was Damien saying "-previous engagement." Then they heard Joustlin say, "A girl." Wil looked at Joustlin and said, "Seems everyone's found love but you, my friend." Wil laughed as he watched the hawk land on Sloane's shoulder. This is what friendship is, i guess. Everyone enjoying themselves and joking. If only Kagraign were here... Wil thought. His face took on a sad expression. Lucia looked at him with concern in her eyes. Wil caught her stare, and quickly dismissed the void of loneliness at Kagraign being somewhere else.

OOC-Pretty Dark...

Joustlin looked away. "I had love once. When she died, part of me died too." Wil's face changed as he realized what he'd said. "No! Its okay. But, ya know it stings a little."
"You'll see her again, Joustlin", Sloane said soothingly.
"Wait a sec!", Damien exclaimed. "I just remembered. I know a portal route to the mountains. Maybe Lulu's there!"
"If you know of a portal open it!",Sloane said. Damien closed his eyes and ripped his hand through the air. A black line appeared. "Ladies first", he said, bowing out of the way. Marox and I entered first. She stood at the arch, looking up into the crags of Fathier.
"You haven't had any questions recently? Becoming satisfied?", Sloane asked Wil. He blushed. Nysia sat in the rocks with Dralican and Torchlin. Not to far off, Karagain sat watching the sky.
"Well, we'd best be off", Damien said mounting Dralican. Joustlin mounted Torchlin. "See ya!" Sloane waved as the Dragons took off. Stuffing the book into her satchel, she mounted Nysia.
"We should probably fly. These caves are filled with goblins and orcs", she said.
Nysia flexed her wings. Sardas took off, screeching with freedom. "I'll stop in the gardens!", he called.
Marox and Mage ran off after him. [I love you... The voice echoed around me. I'm closer than you think...

OOC-would it be weird if we found Steven early? We still have to do some other stuff and i keep this going!

[url=http://upload7.postimage.org/482066/photo_hosting.html]

"I'm starting to understand this land, little by little, yes." Wil said to Sloane. He turned to Kagraign. What happened Kagraign? How did you get here? Wil asked. I don't know, I remember you setting fire to the cathedral, and then this place appeared. Kagraign replied. Wil hoisted Lucia up onto Kagraign's back, into the front of the saddle. "Are we ready?" he asked Sloane.

OOC: hey i'm gonna hafta go. hate to leave the story hanging but i'm gonna go see a movie with my dad.

OCC-kay. Hope you have fun!

"Yeah! Just follow us. This should be quick and painless." Nysia rose over the trees. It was still raining. A griffin flew past her, crying a greeting. "Hi!", Sloane yelled back.
Everything was calm until we reached the gardens. Sloane could smell smoke. She looked down. "No..." The Air Temples were in ruins, some still burning.
I warned you, girl!, Shadora shrieked from no where.
don't be afraid. You've almost reached it..., Steven yelled over her. I know you can do it, Sloane! I'm counting on you! Please...
Tears leaked from Sloane's eyes as Nysia spiraled down into the gardens. Marox and Mage stood waiting, gazing around at the monstrous destruction.

Wil saw the destruction from Kagraign's back. "What kind of monster-" he started, not believing what he saw. He looked down to the ground and saw a small child pinned to a stone wall by a spear through the chest. "Who would-" Wil couldn't find the words to finish his sentence. Lucia leaned back against Wil. He hugged her tightly as they flew above the destruction. Then a shout was heard from below. Wil saw soldiers clad in pure black armor. They seemed surprised by the two dragons flying above them. Wil lifted one of his hands lazily and assaulted the men with small chunks of rubble. Amazingly, they continued to prepare ballistae to be fired at the two. Wil increased the velocity of the rubble as it flew. It flew so fast it would break bones now. But it just bounced off the armor like nothing had happened. Wil was confused. "Sloane, what's going on? Why are these men so much more resilient to physical attacks?" he shouted.

"I don't know! I've never seen them before!", she shouted back. "Nysia!" The dragon swerved to avoid some of the rubble.
The Dragoness roared in fury as an arrow drove clean through her wing. She opened her gaping maw spitting fire down on the soldiers. "Do you recohnize these men, Wil?", Sloane yelled. "They weren't inhabiting my land before!"
Sloane! Her eyes flashed, blinding her.
"Wha-"
"Sloane are you alright?" She blinked and looked up. Steven was holding her in his arms, looking down on her with worry. "You took a nasty fall."
"Where-where am I?", she stuttered.
"Celesta of course. That fall must've-"
"I didn't fall!", she exclaimed. He stroked her hair.
"Don't worry. You're safe now."
"Please..."
Sloane! A light flashed and I was back in Nysia's saddle.
"Did you see that?", she asked the Dragon.
"Yes! We must be very close." As she watched, soldiers fell in great waves.
Steven...?
I'll be waiting here for you. I trust you...
"Land over there!", Sloane barked.
"But, Sloane-"
"Just do it!" Drawing her sword, she pulled her legs from the saddle straps. Nysia circled slowly with Karagain behind her. "Ahhh!" Sloane jumped over Nysia's side, plummeting to the ground. She salmon leaped, landing on her feet. She charged the remaining soldiers, pushing her sword into each one that stood in her way. "Dazer!"
She stopped when she reached the dead child pressed against the wall. Wil was running up to her from behind with Lucia. "Dazer!" The child's eyes flashed. The body grew and stretched until the illusionist stood in front of her. "What have you done?!", she thundered.
The man sighed, pulling the spear from his chest. "I came to check on Lulu. When I arrived I saw this. I saw the two Dragons and thought that it may be Fiyas and Jasara", he explained.
"They are dead", Sloane snapped in annoyance.
Dazer winked. "Just as Pyroka once said-"
"-history tends to repaet itself. I know I've heard the stories, Dazer."
"Then why do you doubt their efficiency?" He asked cocking an eyebrow.
"I don't time for this. Either you help me or you don't", Sloane said, growing annoyed.
Dazer spread his arms in a gesture of innocence. "He is here. I can feel him. He screams for you, Princess."
"I am Queen now."
"To me you shall always be a Princess of the Wood."
Sloane scowled. "Come on you two", she said, turning to Wil and Lucia. "Good-bye Dazer."
"So impatient these days", he scolded.

Wil couldn't believe it. What he'd seen as a child above was truly a mage playing tricks. He pulled out Mor'ranr and struck an oncoming soldier. "I have no clue who these soldiers are! They could've been sent by anyone!" he said. He engulfed Mor'ranr in a green flame and struck another soldier. The solder that he'd cut in half before stitched itself together, stood up, and had it's head lopped off by Lucia before it could move. She shot the head from above it with an arrow to make sure it was dead. "Wil, how are we going to get out of here?" she asked. Wil didn't have an answer, so he didn't say anything. He rushed toward the wall of black clad soldiers and leapt right into them, slicing with all his might.

OOC: I think I'm gonna try to get Wil separated from the group for a bit, just to show Lucia's stubborn side.

OOC- does that mean we have to find someone else? and does that mean Karagain too?

Sloane watched Wil run through the soldiers. Lucia called out to him, he didn't hear. She tried to run after him. Sloane grabbed her wrist. "No! Wait." Muttering a quick prayer for the boy, she darted off toward the gardens. "Marox! Mage! Head to the cove!"
Both beasts ran off ahead of her.
"I'm coming dear heart", she whispered. She slid to a stop as an orc jumped out in front of her. Mage howled. His shape wavered as he changed. Now he looked like a werewolf.
"Mage!", Marox cried. The orc was about to strike Sloane, when Mage jumped onto the creature's back, hacking into its flesh and ripping it apart.
A shriek filled her ears and shot a pang through her head. "Sloane!", Marox screamed, bolting toward her. Sloane looked up just in time to see the archer. The arrow shot through the air withy great accuracy.
It plunged right into her heart. She took in a sharp breath. Memories flashed through her mind. A soft chanting enveloped her mind.

She blinked and looked up. "What hit me?" She looked down at her chest the arrow shaft was gone, but the wound remained.
Behind her Lucia sat on a rock with her eyes shut. "Damn soldiers. Stupid Goblins", Sloane mumbled angrily. Lucia opened her eyes. She looked Sloane over in disbelief, then cocked her head as if to ask, how?
Rain was falling harder now and the sky was completely black. Nothing in, nothing out.
Wheres Wil?, she wondered.

Lucia walked over to Sloane. "You might want to get that wound healed, or you'll bleed to death" she said coldly. She couldn't believe that Sloane had kept her from fighting beside Wil. "He was the only one I loved. And you ripped me away from him!" She yelled. She slapped Sloane. "You deserved that." she said. She stomped off toward where Kagraign was.

Wil fought on. He kept the soldiers at bay, but could not kill them. They kept coming back to life every time he'd strike them. The archers couldn't pierce his new armor, but they were a problem. "Damn it! Why don't you die!" he shouted. "They are dead." a voice rasped. Wil leapt out from the center of the group and tried to get back to Sloane and Lucia and the rest.

"Ripped you away? You were chasing him like a puppy! WIth intentions like that you would have died! But what do I care..."
"Sloane, you don't mean that", Marox said sadly.
Sloane crossed her arms. "Just like a Gailian. Stubborn and stupid!", she exclaimed. "Come on you guys. We've got work to do." She stalked off toward the cove, Marox and Mage at her heals. "Sardas! Nysia!"
Karagain shifted uneasily eying Sloane and Lucia. Sloane grimaced, lying her hand on her chest. "Xasian hael", she muttered.
The skin around the small hole closed over it and the blood disappeared. "Happy now?", she asked Lucia. "I've had worse. I've stood on the brink of death and it let me go..." She snarled, drawing her sword. She threw it at a tree where it stuck. "Look at me! No better than a beast!" She ripped her hand over her face bringing back the scars, but this time, every scar on her entire body surfaced. she hinched her shoulders and leaned forward. "Fyrius!" A blue flame covered her body as she hunched over in pain. "This is what God thinks of me! A beast! A curse!"
"Stop! Sloane, stop! You don't know what you're doing!" Dazer was racing toward her, yelling at her."Stop! She'll see! Shadora will see!"
Sloane roared and the flame disipated. She looked down at her hands. "What's going on? What's happening to me?", she asked.
"Its the Werewolf backing up on you", Dazer said sadly.
Lucia snorted. Dazer threw an angry glance at her and his eyes flashed from violet to red.
"Where is Steven? Wil?", Sloane whispered.

Okay, this is enough! Wil thought. He'd just sliced open one soldier for the twentieth time. He sprinted down the pathway toward where Lucia and Sloane were. He saw them a little bit further down the path. He surged forward. "Everyone up in the air! These guys won't give up!" he shouted ahead. He saw Lucia hop on Kagraign's back and Sloane look at him. He looked behind him and saw the soldiers racing after him. There must have been a thousand of them, and none of them would die. Wil got to where the rest were and leapt from the ground up to the saddle behind Lucia. He looked at Sloane, who had scars all over her body. She looked as if she was in immense pain. "Unless you'd like to try to kill these guys, it's best that we get away from here." he said kindly. He looked at Dazer and asked, "Do you have any form that allows you to fly, shapeshifter?" Then he signaled to Kagraign and felt Kagraign strain his powerful limbs, getting ready for flight.

When Wil reached her, she grabbed his shoulder. "You go! Wait in the forest. Hurry!" He nodded. Sloane braced her feet on the ground as did Dazer. "You ready?", she asked him.
"Never been more ready, Princess", he replied, smiling.
"Mage! Help me!", Sloane called. The wolf looked up and opened his mouth. Sloane knelt next to him and held onto his neck. "Are ready, Mage?"
"Yes, Sloane." SHe closed her eyes, as Dazer caught fire sank into the ground. He resurfaced among the soldiers.
"Are you out of your minds?! You'll kill yourselves!", Marox cried, sprinting toward us. Blue light shot from Sloane and into the soldiers. Many fell and stayed down, though some still stood.
Into the air! Now!
The voice echoed off all the stones and trees and raced back to her. She obeyed. "Dazer! Come on!" The illusionist surfaced and ran into the trees, no soldiers dared follow him there.
Marox raced along as Sloane carried Mage in her arms. "Go with Dazer! Mage'll be fine! Go!" The tiger, veered to the side and into the trees, crashing after Dazer.
Sloane mounted Nysia and she took off in a blast of her wings. She rocketed through the sky looking for Karagain. He was hovering over the trees, looking for them.
Sloane waved her arms over her head, careful to keep Mage in the saddle.

Wil and Lucia watched from above the trees. How can she be so thin, yet so strong? he asked Kagraign. She's part elf. They are naturally strong. was Kagraign's reply. He flew Wil and Lucia around, bored. Wil felt the cool, sensuous touch of Lucia's mind against his. He opened his mind to hear what she said. Wil, I don't like this girl or her little band of friends. They all seem very strange to me. The girl kept me from helping you when you attacked those soldiers. she thought. Wil leaned around her to look at her face. She was crying. Wil pulled her chin up so he could look into her eyes. "Lucia...it's okay. I'm here now. You know that if anything happened to you I could never forgive myself. She did the right thing. If you had fought with me, I would've been distracted by trying to protect you, and we both would have died. I love you too much for that to happen." He whispered. Then he kissed her gently on the cheek. He turned away, blushing, as that was the first outward sign of affection he'd shown. He noticed Sloane looking for them and directed Kagraign toward her. "Did you defeat them all?" he said, suppressing a laugh at the sight of the tiger on the dragon's back.

"No! There are still some down there!" She lowered her head. "We need to get to the caverns! Steven's there! And it will give me time to heal Mage!", she called. "You alright? You both look very pale."
Wil just stared at her, she knew she had changed, Probably only slightly, though. She could feel her eyes flashing. She looked down at her arm. A long, thin scratch contorted the smooth skin. She gritted her teeth as it panged.
She gripped her wrist. Mage was gasping for breath in her lap. "Wha-" Then she blacked out.
She woke on a stone floor. Mage was lying next to her. "You found me."
I looked up. Fyrius sat on the steps watching me. "The curse is taking effect", Sloane said.
"I knew it would sooner or later. That is the price of freeing a Lycan. The pain is nearly unberable. For both of us." Glaice padded into the room.
"You can't keep her here, Fyrius. Go back, Princess."
As the room seemed to slip away from her, she saw a white wolf sitting in the corner. Its blue eyes watching her icly.
"Father! Father!", she called, the images slipping away. "No!"

She was on Nysia's back, as the Dragoness lowered herself through the trees and into a glade below them.

Wil had Kagraign follow Nysia down into the trees. "What happened?" Wil asked as she came to. He could tell something was wrong. She had a long cut down her arm and she looked deathly pale. She was still slumped over the wolf that she was holding, but her eyes were open and fearful. "What happened?" Wil asked again, as they landed in the trees.

OOC: sorry its so short but you didn't give me much to work with on that one.

OOC-sorry! big fan of flashbacks

"I just..." Mage shifted and growled. Marox was already on the ground. "The closer we get. The stronger the pain is."
Mage lifted his head. "Did we make it?"
"Yes. You'll be fine." She stroked his fur. "Steven was a Werewolf. The pain became to much for him to handle, so i tried to suck out the alien matter of the wolf. It made Steven better, but... It duplicated the poison into my body, making Fyrius, the Fire Wolf. When I get close to Steven, Fyrius wakes in my mind and thrashes around. My body was made to hold Lycan poison. So it pains both of us. I'm sorry I pulled you into this. My freinds and I have already fought battles similar to these, but history keeps repeating itself. If you wish to turn back, I'll understand. I know this is my problem. Thank you for all your help. I can't put two young lives in danger to help a lost hope."
She sighed. The pain was coming again.

Wil looked at Sloane. "You honestly believe that we would turn away from a chance to help somebody get a loved one back? There must be a lot of pain then..." he said. Lucia stared at him coolly. He could tell that she wanted to get away from this woman and be alone with him. He gave her the famous 'I'm sorry, but I can't help being kind' glance and turned to Sloane. "We'll help however we can." he stated simply.

OOC: I can tell.

"Alright then. Fine." She nodded. "Things may happen that we can't undo and things are about to get really rough and really dark. You're still up to it?"
Mage, Marox, and Nysia stared up at me. "We're a family. Where ever Sloane goes we go too", Nysia hissed, rubbing against her leg.

OOC-haha
Sorry its short...

Wil hoisted Lucia off of Kagraign and then hopped down himself. He looked at Kagraign, then Lucia, and then finally back at Sloane. He grabbed Lucia's hand and said, "Whatever this place will throw at us, we will join your little family as well, and see you through this journey." He felt a sense of pride at saying those words. Wil was on top of the world as he stood there, mentally preparing for the shadowy future that he'd chosen.

OOC: they've gotten shorter as the battle ended.

OOC-Friggen weird....

Sloane smiled. "It's decided then! Come on!" Nysia led the way into the carverns. "Thanks Wil. You've been a big help."
The trees thinned as they looked down a large hole. "Here it is."
Sloane looked behind to make sure everyone was still there. "Here we go..." She took a breath an jumped into the hole.

OOC-go ahead and do whatever. I'm running out of ideas! [NO!] Go ahead and wing it!

Wil looked into the hole. It wasn't like the sinkholes back home in Alagaesia. This seemed like more of a haven, a place to come to relax. He dove in, headfirst. He heard Lucia let out a little scream, then looked back to see her jumping in after him. He saw Kagraign and the rest dive in as well. He didn't know where he was going but the feeling of freefalling was second only to his passion for Lucia. He dropped back a little to get even with her, grabbed her hand, and pointed his body straight down, speeding up. He laughed as it got darker and darker, his entire body was filled with the joy of being free. Then, he blacked out.

...il!...Wi...Wil! Wake up! He could feel Lucia's mind, but he couldn't see her. He opened his eyes to pitch black. He was chained to a wall. His mind was cloudy. Whu...what's going on? Why do I feel like this? Why am i chained here? he asked. I don't know, when we fell, we landed softly enough on wherever we were, but then i found you blacked out and someone was grunting "Cho-sen one! Cho-sen one!" over and over and they came and chained you in there. I've been trying to get Sloane to help you but she won't go near the place. Lucia replied. Wil just stood there, pinned to the wall, and waited.

Steven.... Wake up. I'm here....[color=green][/color]
She gazed into the crystal jutting from the wall. Steven sat there, his eyes were closed.
The...Boy... Sloane spun around. A lareg Basalisk was standing in thw hall with an orc. He...has...been...captured..., rasped the orc.
"Wil...", Sloane murmured. "I knew this would happen!" She covered her face with her hands. "No..."
Sloane....Go....I'll wait for you...[i] She looked up at the crystal prison, then nodded, running off.
Lucia was standing at the end of the hall, crying. "What if I-No!" Sloane shook her head. She looked around to see if there was anyone else there. Lucia didn't see her when she crept around the corner. Wil was chained to a wall, his head bent low over his chest. Three runes were sculpted over the chains.
Raising her hand, she murmured, "Light to Darkness, Darkness to Light. Twilight Night." The chains rattled.
Shadows!
The chains fell, and Wil fell to the floor. "Lucia!", she hissed. "I cannot step past this spot. Go help him up!"

Wil fell to the floor, his chest ablaze with pain. He writhed from the pain. Lucia ran into the room at Sloane's bidding. She was immediately attacked by whatever was destroying Wil. She forced her way over to him, picked his semi-concious body up, and half-dragged him out of the room. When they approached the door, the shadows seemed to block it. Wil weakly held his hand up, and a bright light shot from it. The shadows dissipated, and the two fell through the doorway, exhausted.

The whole room shook. "Someone's here", grunted the Orc.
"Sloane Haven!", Shrieked the Basalisk. Sloane stood in front of the crystal that held Steven's body.
"Rasoras! What rea you doing here?"
"What business is mine is confidential", hissed the snake.
Sloane looked the beast straight in the eye. "Leave!" Her eyes glistened with the thought of everyone of her clan members. The Havens.
"You win this time, child!" Then with a grating sound the snake vanished. Forgetting the Orc and two archers, Sloane turned back to the crystal.
Her body lurched forward and an arrow lodged into the scar on her back. Again the cove shook. The crystal shattered and a blinding light flashed through the whole cavern.
Sloane covered her eyes, not noticing any pain.

OOC: oops, forgot that the snake disappeared. maybe Wil is seeing things? I dunno, just go with it, cuz i'm on a time limit and my brain doesnt work well when i've only got about ten seconds left on the net.

IC:Wil weakly looked into the blinding light. He saw Sloane being embraced by a man he thought to be Steven, and looked over at Lucia, who was laying with her head next to his. He looked into her eyes and whispered, "We've done it. We've helped her free Steven." Then he saw a pitch black arrow pierce Sloane's back. Wil ignored his own weariness and shot up, pulling Lucia weakly to her feet as well. He saw a giant snake in front of Sloane and Steven, and a strange woman was behind Sloane with a bow and a quiver. Wil unsheathed Mor'ranr and rushed toward the snake, because he felt a weird, dark sensation from the old woman. He slashed at the snake, sensing arrows flying from Lucia's enchanted bow. Black blood rained down on him, even more puddling on the floor from his bladework. He slashed until the snake was lying on the floor from the wounds. He had slashed almost halfway through the snake's trunk. He went to slash again and his body froze. He tried to move his limbs but they wouldn't do anything. He panicked. He craned his neck and saw Lucia frozen with panic written on her face as well. He waited for Sloane to do something.

Sloane looked behind her and saw Toxia, Wil, and Lucia. "If you have any sense, you will leave!" Steven growled at her. Carefully he pulled the arrow from Sloane's back.
"Wil! Lucia!" She bent down to see the blood. "Wil!" He was frozen. Steven howled like a wolf. Everything seemed to stop and the shadows in the cavern burst.
"My mother was here?"
"Yes." Sloane stroked a cut on his arm and helped her friends to their feet. She knew Wil had heard Steven say mother and knew she had to explaine everything now. There was no goingg back.

OCC:that's fine it put a cool spin on it. You did that in like 10 seconds?

OOC: i guess.

IC: Wil still couldn't move. The basilisk was lying on the floor, pooled in its own black blood. Wil felt Lucia grab onto him. She had been freed for some reason from the paralysis. She pulled Wil toward a shadowy corner. He felt his muscles relax. Wil sheathed his sword and peeked around the corner. He saw the older woman staring his direction and swiftly pulled back around the corner. "How'd you get free?" he asked. "I forced myself over this way. I felt the release and tried to go for you. Apparently she let me." was the reply he got. Wil focused his mind on the woman and tried to breach hers. He was faced with superior resistance. He stopped the attacks and rushed out, hoping to catch her off guard. It worked. He quickly drew his bow and nocked an arrow. As Wil was running, he aimed at the woman. Arrow, be true. He thought. "Brisingr!" the arrow shot out, glowing as green as fresh spring grass. He watched as the arrow pierced the woman's left shoulder. She dropped the arrow she was holding and Wil took the chance to run to Sloane and Steven's side. He sprinted full speed at them and was suddenly knocked back to the shadowed corner where Lucia was. He was slammed against the wall and fell to the floor. He looked at Lucia and sighed. "They've put up a forcefield. We can't get to them." he said wearily. He fell to the ground, asleep after over twenty hours of action. Lucia just looked at him and shook her head. She looked toward the snake-woman and saw that she was in pain, still struggling with the barb-tipped arrow that Wil had shot into her shoulder.

OOC-dude...

IC-Sloane waved her hand. The arrow lodged farther into Toxia's skin. "Child!", she shrilled in her her snake-like accent.
"I said leave!", Steven roared, taking a step forward. The long scar on his chest glowed and he seemed to be wrapped in shadows.
"No!" Sloane clutched at his arm. "Toxia, go! Don't you have what you want?"
Toxia looked over at Wil and Lucia. She licked her lips with her forked tongue. Her body shimmered and she changed. Her skin lightnened and her eyes glowed as she took on an appearance of the youth she was meant to hold. Her crooked vampire wings rose over her. "Now I do, Princessss", she hissed, wrapping her wings over her body, she disappeared.
"What do you think she wanted?" Sloane whispered.
"Darkness. Who are you? Where are you from?", Steven barked at the two mercenaries. Before Sloane could interject, Wil was clearing his throat to answer.

OOC: Wil's asleep, and what was the dude about? Was it something with my last post? Sorry, i'm tired from a track meet today and my mind isn't firing on all cylinders (SP?)

IC: Lucia walked in front of Wil and looked coldly at the man. "I have no idea what you're talking about. I am not the darkness. Nor is Wil. You are either senile or under spell, because we are but simple mercenaries. We would not accuse you of such treachery, so why do you blame us?" she said. She silently put up barriers around Wil while he slept. She needed sleep as well, but she knew that the man would probably slit their throats if she fell asleep, but she knew she and Wil both were innocent.

OOC-This is confusing, two basalisks,Toxia, when Wil is knocked out or not! The DUDE thing was cause you did that other post in like 10 seconds.

IC-"Lucia", Sloane said, kneeling down. "Steven does not think you are the darkness. He thinks where you are from may hold Darkness", she explained.
"Sloane?" She turned. "Who are they?"
"Two mercebaries. They helped me find you", Sloane whispered. "Sleep, Lucia. Karagain will watch you while I find a safe way out."
The two Dragons walked out of a chamber on the far side of the cave. Once they were settled around their friends, Sloane and Steven raced off down through the cave.

OOC: i'm gonna skip to when Wil wakes up. you can fill in the time when their asleep in your next post.

IC: Wil came back to conciousness. He felt a cold, hard, marble floor beneath him. His body ached. His head swam. He felt sick. He forced his eyes open and saw that Lucia was sleeping beside him. He looked up and saw a green, veiny wing above and around him. Kag...Kagraign? he thought through the haze in his head. It's okay, Sloane has kept to her word. You haven't been touched since either of you fell asleep. Kagraign replied. He pulled his wing off the two and Wil noticed that it was still light inside the building. He looked around and saw the basilisk still lying there dead in a pool of blood. He saw another, smaller dry pool of blood where Toxia had been. He was confused and his head was still hazy.

OOC-cool, now that we got that sorted out

[i]Wil is awakened.
We're on our way back[/i], Sloane said.
"What did you do while I was asleep?" Steven asked, setting his hand around her waist.
"Saught you out and died."
"Wha-?"
"When we were together you mended my heart from the past. Now... I'm dead, Steven! I've been dead for four years! My heart left long before that." She bowed her head.
"I just...I'm sorry", he whispered. She could tell she'd upset him.
She touched his hand. "It's not even remotely your fault. I did this. I'll do anything I can to save this place." Her eyes flashed with determination.
"I'll do anything to save you. You're all that matters to me anymore." Sloane blushed.
Soon Karagain was in sight, Wil was sitting up, wide awake.
"How's your head feeling? You fell pretty hard", Sloane asked. she knelt down in front of him, laying a hand on his shoulder.

"Ungh, I feel horrible. My head is swimming, my stomach is in knots, and I ache all over. What happened? I faintly remember Steven saying something about darkness, and then I blacked out. I woke up to Lucia sleeping beside me underneath Kagraign's wing like we used to do when we would travel." he said. He tried to stand and fell back down. He crawled as far away from Kag and Lucia as he could and hurled. A puddle of bile mixed in with the blood-stained floor. He'd unknowingly crawled toward the basilisk. His head cleared immediately after his stomach had. He tried to stand again and this time he got up but had to use the wall as a guide to get back to the group. His legs wobbled beneath him uncertainly. He got back to Kagraign and tried to walk toward Sloane and Steven. His knees buckled. He fell back to the marble, in great pain. He groaned loudly. He waited for the pain to subside before sitting up and asking, "S-so...what happened while I was unconscious?"

Steven was eying Wil strangely. His eyes seemed to flash.
Sloane touched his arm. "We had an unwelcome visit. That woman that was here-"
"Her name is Toxia", Steven said. "She is my mother's servant. A Toxic Warrior of the Dark Mages. She is a shifter and a good one at that. She has some Vampire blood in her veins and she is completely unnatural."
"We decided to let you sleep, while we looked for a way out. There is a tunnel down that corridor, it is warmer there and we thought we heard singing."
"Which could mean our friends are here", Steven said quietly, his eyes darkneing.
"I thank you for getting us this far, Wil. If you wish to help farther, we still have much to do." Sloane's star necklace flashed.
"AHHHHHH!" It came from the direction of the corridor with warmer chambers. Mage looked up from his spot in the corner.
"I'll go look", Steven said. Sloane grabbed his arm.
"Be careful." He kissed her.
"I won't leave you again", he promised, then disappeared.
Sloane rummaged around in her pack. "Drink this. My mother made it. It's a healant. It'll help." She offered the small bottle to Wil.

Wil trusted Sloane. He took the small vial and let a few drops fall on his parched tongue. Instantly, his head cleared up and his body stopped aching. "Good healant." He said simply. He woke Lucia. She was having the same headaches and pains. He looked to Sloane for a second, and then gave Lucia the vial. Lucia poured a few drops down her throat and stood. She handed the vial back to Sloane, gave a polite thank you, and shifted her eyes toward the corridor where Steven had run through. "Shouldn't we..." she started. "Steven's probably got that taken care of. For now, let's just wait for his return." Wil said. He leaned against Kagraign's flank and pulled Lucia close to him. "Don't worry, we'll be back in Alagaesia doing what we've always done soon enough. We've just got to help these people first." Wil whispered in her ear. They stayed there until they heard a loud CRACK coming from the corridor. Wil looked toward Sloane to find out what to do.

Sloane looked up from healing Mage. Steven came running through the corridor. "You'll never guess who I found!", he yelled, skidding to a stop in front of Sloane.
"What happened?"
"Lulu! It's Lulu. She's here!" Steven exclaimed, out of breath.
"Why did you leave her alone?", Sloane thundered.
Steven laughed and ran back down the hall.
He returned a moment later with the woman they both new as Lulu.
"So...tired..." She murmured.
"Lulu!" Sloane helped Steven lower her carefully onto the floor.
"I-I had to ghost through the walls...they are thick...it sappped my strength", Lulu slurred.

"Wh-who is this?" Wil asked. The elixr had cured his bodily wounds, but he was still groggy from just waking up. The woman seemed...drained. He couldn't tell exactly what '...ghost through the walls...' meant, but he guessed that it had to be tiring. He continued to hold Lucia close. He didn't know what to do except wait for Sloane's next command. As a mercenary, this was the most boring yet the most exciting part: waiting for something to happen and holding Lucia in his arms the whole time. He could imagine what Sloane was thinking: young love he had to restrain himself from laughing.

"This is Lulu", Sloane said quietly. "A friend of ours. One of teh Queens, like myself." Lulu nodded.
"Is Saradom with you?" Lulu asked.
"No. Neither is Sindra." Steven looked down at his feet.
"Celesta?" Lulu murmured.
"I don't know", Sloane said sadly.
"Shouldn't we go and see. MAybe we can find something-an artifact. Anything" Lulu suggested.
"Wil, are you well enough to fly?" Sloane adressed the boy. Now she was stressed. This was the hardest part of everything. Steven smiled weakly and set his arm around Sloane's shoulder.
Under her breath she whispered, "Dezlen is coming..."
Steven heard her and his eyes grew sad. "What will you do know?" Steven asked Wil.

"First, you could answer some of my questions, seeing as how so many names i didn't recognize came up in that last little bit of conversation." Wil said. He wanted to know all about this place. Who was Delzen? Who were any of the people that Sloane and Lulu had mentioned? He wanted answers. Wil was curious about this bunch. He could tell that they were...a bit odd, even for nobles. They had a deep, dark secret in their past that they were trying to escape. "Fools," he muttered to Lucia, "They think they can escape the past." He looked into Lucia's blue eyes. "We know for a fact that that doesn't work." He turned to Sloane and spoke louder, "Yes, we can fly. You gave us that vial of healant. We're very grate-" his words were stopped short. He doubled over, in immense pain. His vision was blurring. He tried to speak, but his words came out slow and slurred. His limbs turned to lead as he writhed in agony. His vision turned bloodred as he heard the words, "You'll never escape my grasp!" and then he blacked out. Lucia knew she was next. The blurring. The slurred speech. The leaden limbs and extremities of pain. But she didn't hear the same thing Wil did. She heard the sweet, poison laced words of a woman, "It seems you've fallen. Do you need help?" and she blacked out as well.

"Lucia! Wil!" Sloane cried. She knelt next to them. Karagain snorted smoke. The caverns darkened. "You must carry them. We have to leave this place", she said to the dragon. She and Steven set them onto Karagain's back.
Sloane looked over at Nysia. "Can you carry us all?"
"Only for a short while. Once we reach the boarder call up a portal", Nysia answered.

The sky was black and the howls of the wind were almost defening. "There's the border!" Lulu yelled over the wind. I shaped my hands around a ball of blue light and we blasted through the air.
In front of us, in ruins, stood Castle Celesta.