The elves responsible for carrying out Yawnel's orders willingly were swiftly gathered with the help of Torrin's two assistants. Torrin stood before them just outside the door carved into the mountainside. His gaze was hard as he viewed each in turn, thinking of the information he'd received while getting them all.

He'd been sure to try to get a better picture of how everything that happened. To the best of his understanding, what Yettien had suggested sounded like the most plausible cause of the whole event. Yawnel had disappeared from time to time, and everyone had assumed something romantic was going on between him and one of the fire mages, Fierren.

Beyond that, he'd learned that the negative treatment of the hostages only escalated once the final portion of the "prison" had been completed, a few days ago. At that time, Yawnel began becoming agitated that Torrin hadn't arrived, and took his anger out on Tillien, since that was his biggest naysayer during the whole event.

Torrin's eyes swept across the elves lined before him, past them, to the sight of Yettien guiding Tillien toward him. Tillien still looked a bit dazed. He'd learned the sleeproot tincture they'd been dosed with would last around twelve more hours before fully leaving their systems. Torrin didn't have time for that.

"Hey, Tillien, drink this for me..." Torrin spoke softly, helping the elf put the proffered vial to his lips, "This should help."

Grams' super healing potion worked quickly. Torrin had been hesitant to use it, since he only had a couple more, but getting his friend back to normal would be worth it. After a minute or so, Tillien visibly straightened, his eyes coming into sharp focus. His gaze landed on Torrin and he beamed a smile at him, "I knew you'd show up."

Torrin returned the smile, glad to see Tillien's usual grin on his face, "Of course, I'm sorry it wasn't sooner..." Torrin trailed off, his eyes returning to the collared traitors before him. Tillien didn't reply, so he waved his hand to indicate them, and Tillien's attention followed.

A sneer appeared on Tillien's face as he looked at the twelve elves, and Torrin explained, "I was unsure what you'd like to do with them. I would usually just kill them and be done with it, but I thought you should get a say in the matter."

Tillien's brows rose, and Torrin was unsure if it was his frank statement, or the fact that he wanted Tillien to have a choice in the matter. The elf stood there for a long time, his eyes boring holes into the traitors. Torrin began to wonder if Tillien would ever speak, but he had no intention of interrupting whatever thought process was going on within the elf's mind.

"This one, this one, and that one," Tillien said, his voice devoid of any emotions, "Kill them. They were malicious while carrying out Yawnel's orders, even going so far as to enjoy it. Let the rest try to find their way through the pocket dimension. They can face the monarchs for their actions, if they survive."

Torrin stared at the three elves who'd been called out for a short moment, before offering Tillien his blade. The elf shook his head. Torrin saw the look in the elf's eyes, the hurt, disgust, and despair. Torrin wasted no time carrying out the sentence.

"Don't come back." He unshackled the rest and they all scampered down the mountain quickly, as one. A veritable elf landslide. Torrin let out a weary sigh as they went.

"Glad that's over," Torrin said, trying to keep his tone neutral, "Now I need to question Yawnel and whatever his name is."

"Rin!" a voice echoed from inside the depths of the mountain.

Torrin and Tillien both turned at the sound of the shout. Hurried, and paniced, the voice sounded unsteady. Worry spread through Torrin like a fire. Torrin placed the corpses within his ring and went toward the carved earth door. He crossed the room and took the stairs swiftly, arriving in the prison area below. His worried expression turned to a scowl when he saw the cause of concern.

Yawnel's block of earth had a steady stream of blood pouring from it, sliding down the side of the slab. The formerly unconscious elf in the other earthen prison looked sick, and vomit covered the top of the block, as well as the lower half of his face. Torrin looked to Ellien, the one who'd screamed.

"What happened?" His voice was like steel.

"I-I...I was checking on the others, when I heard Oby screaming 'no, no, stop.'" Her face was ashen, sweat covered her brow, "I- I checked the room and Yawnel was bashing his head against the stone..."

"Damn it!" Torrin growled, "Who is Oby?"

Her eyes widened, pointing a shaking finger at the sickly elf. Torrin's gaze followed the finger and Oby blanched, his face cycling from green to a ghostly white. Torrin closed the distance. Oby tried turning away from his gaze, but Torrin held his hair locked in a vice, staring the elf dead in the eyes.

"What. Happened."

The elf squirmed in his grip, his eyes trying to find anything else but Torrin's own penetrating gaze, "I don't know."

Torrin allowed the elf's head to roam free. His hand filled with a turbulent ball of mana, that continually grew. He condensed the wild mana into a dense, spinning ball, the size of a marble.

"If you don't want to talk, we can get straight to the execution." Torrin's voice drained of any tension or anger, his tone matter of fact.

That got Oby's attention. The elf's eyes had widened as he watched Torrin gather the mana bomb, nearly entranced at the two silvery runes that directed his intent. They became the size of saucers when he registered Torrin's words.

"Wait! Okay, okay, I'll talk!" The elf begged. Torrin's face revealed his doubt, "I will! I'll tell you what I know!"

The mana bomb hovering above his palm slowly guttered out, the speed of its rotations coming to a stop, the mana drifting away lazily.

"Talk." Torrin demanded.

"What do you want to know?" Oby asked. Torrin's gaze bounced between the elf and Yawnel's bloody visage a few times. Oby seemed to understand, "I-I really don't know what happened. He was muttering under his breath, as if he were arguing with... Someone. Himself? I don't know. No one else was speaking and I was far too creeped out to ask. He's been doing that a lot recently, talking to himself, that is."

Torrin raised one brow, spurring the elf to continue, "And... And then he just started smashing his chin into the block. Uh... Uh, blood gushed from his mouth, like he'd bitten off his tongue or something and he just kept going. Even as his bones broke, he didn't stop. He was silent during the whole thing. No cries of pain, at all. I couldn't get him to quit. I don't know, but he just kept going. For like a full minute he just kept smashing his face."

Torrin pierced Oby with his glare, his eyes roving the elf's face, looking for any sign that he was lying. He only saw fear and disgust, no guile, no deceit. Torrin walked to the body and stored it within his ring. He'd worry about it later. The lack of answers he'd gotten from the elf annoyed him to no end, he berated himself for not acting quicker, for not interrogating Yawnel immediately.

Torrin rubbed the heel of his palms down his face. Why would Yawnel do that? Torrin's eyes landed on Oby once more.

"Tell me everything. From the beginning." Torrin said. And Oby did.

He told Torrin of the random absences he started noticing from Yawnel. The elf would disappear for an hour at a time, and one time he followed him. He'd watched as Yawnel met with Fierren. Thinking it was a lover's tryst, he'd nearly walked away right then.

"But, it wasn't. It was some weird... I don't know, ritual? She had Yawnel drink something and had him sit in a circle on the ground. These weird runes, kind of like the ones you just used, surrounded Yawnel in the air. Fierren was saying something in a hushed voice. Chanting something. I couldn't hear it clearly. But the more she spoke, the more runes that would appear."

Torrin looked at Oby for a long moment, once again checking for any falsehoods. After a long moment, he waved his hand and the elf continued.

"I... I'm not sure what happened next. She... Uh... She took out some bowl and I don't know, cut herself? She uh... She took the bowl and began drawing runes across his face with a small paint brush or something. Using the blood. Mumbling all the while. Yawnel just sat there, doing nothing."

Torrin began pacing the room. He was unsure of the validity of the statement, could only verify it with one person. Fierren. He had to go find them.

"Is that all?" Torrin asked, his tone slightly annoyed.

"Y-Y-Yes, that's all I know. I swear. After I saw that, I ran. I don't know what happened next. I never asked anything about it, but after that day, Yawnel started acting strange. He'd mumble to himself, even argue with himself out loud. He was always an asshole, but this was completely different. It was weird."

"And... You didn't think to ask what was going on? Or be concerned that he was not acting himself? Didn't think to stop him from capturing his own people in their sleep? Just went along with it all, eh?"

"I had no choice, the benefits outweighed everything else. My family is nothing special, the only way I can make something of myself is with the money and power I got from Yawnel. And they deserved it, for not just getting in line. Why make a fuss? They would have had whatever they wanted, but instead they had to be prideful." Oby spat.

Torrin shrugged, "We've always got a choice."

His blade sank cleanly through Oby's neck. The head toppled to the floor. Torrin shook his head, disgusted. He waited for a long moment, contemplating if he should leave now, or wait until the others recovered. He stored the corpse in his ring, turning to leave.

Tillien stood in the door, causing Torrin to nearly jump out of his skin. The elf stood looking at the bloody set of earthen blocks. Torrin watched his friend in silence. Tillien's face was grim, his lips tilting down, his brow furrowed in thought. Tillien finally turned his gaze on Torrin and nodded one sharp jerk of his head and turned to leave.

"Hey, Tillien..." Torrin called.

"Yeah?" Tillien asked, turning to face him.

"I really am sorry I didn't make it sooner. If I hadn't stopped at the water temple, I would have been here to stop this whole mess."

Tillien's face screwed up at the words, "It's not your fault, Rin. Yawnel went crazy or something. It had nothing to do with you."

Torrin sighed, "Can we talk?"

"Of course, Rin. What is it?"

"Not here, come on." Torrin said, leading Tillien up the stairs. They walked through the living room area, and out the doorway. Torrin led him a bit of a ways away, before turning to him. Tillien's brow was creased, more than likely wondering why they were there.

"I've got something to tell you, and you might think I'm crazy. Let me set something up, and I'll tell you everything." Torrin said, his hands manipulating the earth before them. He made a simple shack of stone, a bit better than the one he'd been set upon by Yawnel in.

He set out a few furs from his ring and made a low fire in the corner, "What is it, Rin? Why all this just to tell me something?" Torrin glanced at the elf, but kept working. Torrin was nervous, and trying to avoid thinking too much.

He got out a few slabs of meat, seasoning and working them over the fire in a cooking pan. He took his time with the food, making sure it was just right. He plated a few vegetables and herbs, topped it with the slabs of cooked meat, and handed it to Tillien.

"You're making me nervous, Rin." Tillien said, a wry grin on his face. Torrin gave him a glass of magical water to wash it all down, and sat across from him. He let out a long huff of air. He breathed deep, and started.

"My name is Torrin Sesh. I was murdered by Virtus in another world, much like this one, but also wholly different. My soul somehow got sent into this body, and since then, I've sought vengeance for my death, and my fiancee's murder, though it may be that she didn't actually get murdered, and it was all staged. Virtus caused my death and it's my goal to stop them from destroying my entire old world, or taking it over, or whatever they're trying to do to it. I'm unsure of their final plans." Torrin's words flowed swiftly, his eyes set to the floor. He'd wondered how to phrase everything, if telling Tillien was the right thing, or not. But in the end, he just said what came to mind.

Silence lasted for a long while, Tillien having stopped picking at the food before him. Torrin's eyes looked from the plate on the ground, up to Tillien. The elf was nodding.

"Makes sense."

"What?" Torrin asked, disbelief evident, "What do you mean, makes sense?"

Tillien shrugged, grabbed up his plate and continued eating, speaking between bites, "No way anyone could be as strong as you are. Not that young, at least. Not an elf, nor a human. I've been curious about your past, and how you came to be so strong, but expected you'd tell me in time. Didn't think it'd take this long, though." Tillien's grin was infectious, Torrin returning it. The nervous feeling in Torrin's chest evaporated.

He told Tillien everything. From waking up near the river outside Velin, to learning about mana for the first time. He spoke about the attack from Virtus, and fleeing, only to be chased down by beasts. He told him about Grams, how she was crotchety, fuming, and crazy. That earned a laugh.

He spoke about the forest, his brief loss of sanity, and the group he saved who thought he was a ghost. Another laugh. He spoke about Guard Captain Dane, who had a young daughter, and Bella and the Playful Badger. A knowing grin from Tillien caused him to remind the elf of his young stature. He told him of his trial, and subsequent banishment.

"So you just killed those thugs, but left Yawnel's group alive?" Tillien asked in disbelief.

Torrin's face fell, "I... I don't know if I should have killed those thugs in the first place. If it had been the old me, I wouldn't have. I would have turned them in, and let the guards find justice. But, I was so angry that I didn't even think. The rage and more than likely, insanity, overtook me, and I made a rash decision. I payed for that. I lost contact with the kindest people I'd met. I... I didn't want to make the same mistake here. I wanted to let you have a say in the matter, as much to avoid the hassle that I'm sure awaits us back in Cellinia from this, as it was to avoid losing you as a friend."

A grin split Tillien's face, "No worries on that count, Rin. Or Torrin? I know you're a good person. You helped us when we first got here, when we were all panicked and afraid. You set us straight when we were being stupid, partying instead of being vigilant. I count myself lucky to call you friend."

Torrin returned the smile, a weight that he didn't know he was carrying lifted from his back. "Okay, well... I'd say the same. I'm lucky. Thanks, Tillien. And... Just call me Rin. I've kind of gotten used to it now."

"No thanks necessary, Rin. So how old are you, anyway? If you include the past life or whatever?" Tillien asked. Torrin paused. It took him a long moment to find the answer.

"I died at 16, and I've been in this body since it was 6 years old... So like 21? 22?" Torrin said.

Tillien's grin widened, "So we're about the same age, then? I knew you were more mature than an average 10 year old!"

Torrin scowled, "Thanks. High praise." Tillien guffawed.

"So, what happened after your banishment from Bolin?" Tillien asked, his half-eaten plate long forgotten.

And Torrin continued the tale, talking of his plans to head for a distant mountain range, and his accidental entry to Nim's pocket dimension. He told him of the gaunt, pale, creatures with talons and sharp teeth. His time figuring out the doors, and the final test within the orb that was similar to the testing stone, but much worse. He stopped at this point, unsure of how to explain his mana core.

"Well, don't keep me waiting! How'd you get out?" Tillien asked excitedly.

"That's the thing... I told you about Grams helping me enhance my Pathways, but I didn't really tell you why." Torrin said tentatively.

"Yeah, brutal stuff. I'd assumed it was because of that fancy core you said you had. A non-standard anomaly, I believe is what we deemed it when you mentioned it so long ago." Tillien tried.

Torrin nodded, "Yeah, well... An emperor made or used the pocket dimension as some sort of lab for human testing. He wanted a... Perfect body... For his ascension. He used over 300 people, who all eventually died, I think, to perfect the technique. He worked with a race called the Dromo, converting mana into a higher form of energy called Saen."

Torrin pulled a wisp of energy from his Saen core, allowing it to gather in his palm, swirling the golden energy into a ball that took a fair bit of concentration to hold--it was easier than he remembered, "It's what I used to enchant my core. So I'm unsure if it's even a mana core anymore, it's kind of an artifact, in a way. And it's made from my inert core, six inscribed runes, and Saen as the catalyst. I've recently found out, from a beast god of sorts, that I have a Saen core within my mana core."

"Saen..." Tillien tasted the word, his face looking uncertain as he continued, "Beast god? Right..."

Torrin grinned, "We'll get to that part." He returned the Saen to his core.

He told Tillien of the recordings, his tests with the Saen, the slow and painful process of attuning his pathways. He told him about the actual core-enchanting process and how he jumped into the container out of desperation when he realized he wasn't pulling enough Saen into himself to hold his core in solid form.

"So you just... Jumped in?" Tillien asked, eyes wide.

"Yeah..." Torrin rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly, "I didn't know what else to do, so I jumped in head first. The good new is, I was then able to pull in enough Saen to fill my core to bursting. Not only did I get enough energy to enchant my mana core, somewhere in the mix, I pulled in and condensed enough Saen to form a core out of it. I also enhanced literally every fiber of my being with the stuff."

"Did it not hurt? You said when you were putting your hand in the energy to attune your pathways that it hurt..." Tillien asked, a look of worry on his face.

Torrin beamed, "Hurt more than anything I've ever experienced. But it was also relieving in a way. It was strange, because I was instantly healing myself by using my restoration rune. All in all, I'd say it was worth it, but I'd be hesitant to try anything like that again."

"You're crazy. You know that, right?" Tillien asked with a smirk.

"I blame Grams." Torrin shot back. The pair laughed for a long while, Torrin eventually catching the story up to current events.

"So why did your master send you here? To us elves, I mean. When we met, you seemed to already have a decent control over elements, at least for someone who was never taught." Tillien mused.

"I've thought about that," Torrin tapped his chin thoughtfully, "I believe, in her infinite wisdom, that instead of actual training, she wanted me to gain the elves as allies, and also visit the temples in the pocket dimension. I'm unsure if she knew Virtus had influence here already, or if she knew exactly what was in the temples, but those two things are my best guess as to why she sent me."

"You think so? Didn't she just tell you to go train, and put a spell on you to weigh you down?"

Torrin scowled, "Yeah, she did. But she never tells me anything, so I just guess at her intent after the fact."

Tillien nodded sagely, "I see."

The pair locked eyes. They burst into another fit of laughter. Torrin was unsure if it was at the absurdity of his entire tale, or Grams' continual secrecy, or even the relief from no longer being imprisoned, but the laughter felt good. They laughed until they couldn't breathe. Torrin felt lighter than ever. Coming clean about everything, and having a friend to confide in felt amazing.

"Well, what do you think, Tillien?" Torrin asked after they'd settled down.

"About what?"

Torrin showed a wry grin, "My story, my time in this world, the beast gods or whatever they are. Joining me against Virtus."

"Honestly, Rin, it's a lot. You've experienced more in the past few years than I have in twenty. It's nearly fantastical, your story, that is. I'd like to know more about your old world, as well. I never knew there were other worlds. Pocket dimensions, sure, but entire worlds?" Tillien shook his head. He took a long moment to think about something, "As for the beast god wills or memories, whatever they left in the temples, I had no clue about that. I don't think anyone has ever actually made it to the inner doors before. Never even heard tales about those beasts. As far as Virtus goes, there's no way I'd let you leave me out. What they're doing sounds horrendous, and the fact that they're involving the elves already, means I definitely can't sit idly by."

Torrin grinned, "Well, I'm glad to have you along. I plan to find Dawn as soon as possible. If everyone seems okay, I'll start making my way there tomorrow."

"I'll go with you." Tillien exclaimed.

Torrin's brow creased. Could he take Tillien with him into that sort of danger? To fight against such treacherous people, who clearly have some sort of mind controlling ability? He sat that way for a long while.

"I won't let you tell me no. I've already reached the green core stage, so I can be of some use." Tillien's voice was firm.

"But, what about everyone else? I can't drag you all with me."

"You won't have to. Mana beasts don't come this way, and with Yawnel gone, there should be almost no danger. They can take care of themselves, Rin. Not everyone is your responsibility." Tillien claimed.

Torrin was conflicted, but acquiesced, "Okay, okay. You can come with me. Let's head back and check on the others. We need to get some rest, for tomorrow."

"Great." Tillien said, his face blooming into his usual beaming smile.

Torrin returned with Tillien to the base carved in the mountain. The elves had been moved from the dungeons and cleaned up. They wore new clothing and were sleeping soundly in the rooms lining the stairway. Torrin gathered everyone else up and gave them instructions, along with enough food and nourishment pills to last half a year. Ellien and Yettien assured Torrin that they would help with the recovering elves and the look in their eyes made Torrin think everyone would be just fine.

The next morning, Torrin awoke early to find Tillien sitting at the doorway leading out of the mountain.

"You ready?" Torrin asked.

"Yeah, let's go." Tillien said, his voice full of determination.

Torrin smiled at the elf and made his way down the mountainside. Tillien knew the relative direction they needed to go, so Torrin was grateful to have him along as a guide. To speed up the process, Torrin held onto Tillien and made a platform for them to stand on. His mana wriggled into the mountainside and he formed a steep slide that they rode to the base of the mountain.

Instead of hours, they arrived in minutes. They shared a laugh of joy, and turned in the direction they needed to go. Torrin was still nervous having Tillien along, but decided it was going to be fine. If they found Dawn and the others before they made it to the fire temple, he'd have Tillien stay back and be defensive. If they were already in the temple, he'd have Tillien wait outside. Either way, Tillien shouldn't be in too much danger, or so Torrin hoped. Putting his thoughts aside, Torrin followed Tillien at a quick pace, heading toward the fire temple.