Azara felt a tinge of fear as she entered the tunnels of the ancient crypt. She had not ever experienced cold, so she did not know if that was what she was feeling as she stepped into the darkness, but what she did know was that the feeling was uncomfortable. It made descriptions of cold, that she had heard in the past, make sense. It felt like it pierced her skin and threatened to take her whole body. It felt like being forcefully grabbed or bitten. It was a harsh thing.

It also made her scared. The being that rested within this crypt had killed her kind before. They had learned how, through force of arms and intellect. Through numbers, viciousness, and guile they had caused her to live a life surrounded by beings unlike herself.

And that wasn't angering. It was just frightening.

She clutched the Konrads enchanted jewelry in one hand as she became afraid. What Valerius had said weighed heavily on her, and it conflicted with the assurance that Irinia had given her before she had entered the catacombs.

"The will of light."

What nonsense. She was supposed to trust the heavens when she was opposing them? She was the daughter of a woman who quite literally would take pleasure in bringing down the gods, how could the 'will of light' be to protect her?

At the same time, a tiny voice in her head told her that Sitari did not hate her. That her kind's heavenly mother had never desired their lot in the world. That her words to Irinia had indeed been prophetic, and that this piece of jewelry was the answer.

The cold of the crypt and the stale air made it hard for the second voice, and soon her grip on the small locket made her knuckles turn white. She jumped at the noise of a drop of water falling from the ceiling and aimlessly made her way through diverting tunnels as the mage light she held in her other hand wavered.

As the darkness became more oppressive, she made the light in her hand brighter, but it did not help very much. She could still only see a few feet in front of her self, and it nagged at yet another fear.

The tunnels were too small and made of solid rock. If Konrad did try to fight her, she would not be able to escape like she had last time. If she tried, the transformation would kill her. The divine magic behind the transformation was still unclear to her. She only knew how to activate it, and did not know its particularities. Her sister had studied it long ago - and made two guesses about what would happen if one of them tried to transform while in such a confined space.

They would either be crushed or materialize within the structure surrounding them. Both would result in death, and it would not be pleasant.

Then, she tripped over a stone on the floor and fell. As she did so she lost her concentration on the light she was holding and fell. As she reached out to catch herself, she let go of the necklace in her other hand. It fell to the floor and slid away from her in the darkness. She panicked and desperately began feeling around in the dark to find it. Then after a few moments of frantic blind searching, she tried to create another magical light. She struggled at first, creating bright pulses of light that did not stay steady before she finally created a lasting flame.

After that, she slowly looked around again and found the locket. She grabbed it and held it tight, up to her chest, and shell sat down up against one wall. She closed her eyes and tried her best to calm herself.

She wanted to cry, but she didn't. Crying wasn't the answer here. Besides, she had cried too much in life already. Astra had always teased her about doing that.

She wanted to wildly call for help or to turn around, but she didn't. She knew that what she was doing was worth it, it had to be. Her friends and the remaining dragons in the world needed her.

A hand touched her shoulder, and rather than startling her it felt soothing. She opened her eyes and looked up to the source of the touch.

There was a beautiful but frightening woman standing beside her, barely illuminated by the tiny flame Azara held in one hand.

Her skin was a pure pale white, and her hair was also white. She had blood-red irises. Stains of red ran down from her eyes, streaking down her cheeks like tears of blood. The markings ran down her neck and into a gown of crimson that was tattered and torn in certain places, underneath of which were faint scars.

Around her neck, she wore a beautiful necklace of jewels and silver. It delayed Azara from speaking, as she became entranced by it. It was a beautiful piece, shaped so that it looped around her neck, and then came to form a point around which many jewels were placed. Azara thought about how it looked like a teardrop that had been inverted, with a particularly large end, before realizing that it resembled a noose for hanging someone much more.

"Who are you?" She asked. Her voice was like a fall breeze, that caused the trees to shed their leaves and all things to die. Peaceful, but sad. Dead, but with the promise of new growth to come.

"What - what are you?" Azara asked. She wanted to be scared but found that she couldn't be. The being in front of her looked kind despite her appearance - which was both beautiful and foreboding. Her presence made Asada feel resolute.

"Are you a ghost?"

"No." She said. "Though this form is just a projection of myself. I am the one who blessed the locket you hold after its previous owner met an unfortunate end. It was a gift to the son of a dear friend."

With every word, she said her voice felt more powerful. Azara increased the flame in her hand, and its light became more powerful. With the extra light, wings upon the woman's back were revealed. The feathers of the wings were patchy and frayed, with patches of bloodstains. These, along with her other features, were unlike any star she had ever heard described. Most stars were beautiful divine angels, but this one looked like she had fallen from heaven and broken herself upon the earth.

"Who are you?" Azara said.

"My name is Artensia, but that is not important now. I do not have long, and I have come to make sure that the owner of that locket is safe. I sensed that they had lost it, and then I was unable to see it from the heavens when you brought it into this cave. I wanted to make sure that its owner was unharmed. Is he alright? Do you wish to hurt him?"

"He is fine," Azara said. " I'm not going to hurt him."

She had not meant to say either of those things. However, she had spoken them, as if on command, at the star's request. The fact that the woman's name had not been one that Azara recognized didn't even faze Azara. The fact that the star had said it was unimportant made it so.

"Oh, good," Artensia said. Then she looked curious. "What are you doing with it?"

Azara felt like the question should have caused her fear or panic, but it did not. She remained calm, and her mind was clear of any fear.

"I didn't know it was yours, I was going to-"

"That is Sitaris? Isn't it?" She asked, and pointed a finger towards Azara's trinket.

Azara nodded.

"Your name is Azara, isn't it? And you are one of Sitari's daughters, aren't you?" she asked, her voice quiet and calm. She did not seem angry.

Azara nodded again, still trying to find words to say.

"And...and you do have golden eyes, and hair like golden threads," she said. "You are beautiful. Did you know that? Your soul has some dross, but it shall be shed away. When its fire fades - there will be nothing but the purest gold there."

"What does that mean?" Azara said, still unsure how she should act or what she should say. The angel's full intentions still seemed unclear. Try as she might, Azara could not read any malice in the star's soul. Looking into the celestial's eyes was like looking at something so pure that it tricked the mind. It was like how the darkest shades of black could hide the faces and edges of objects. Except, in this case, it was nothing but good virtue.

Artensia shook her head. "What I mean to say is that while you're intentions at clouded, they pure at their core. I trust you."

Artensia smiled, and the aura about her increased. The sheer presence that shedding off her freely felt like a castle in a storm. Azara wondered if this was what a warm house in the cold of winter felt like. It was comforting and firm.

"You should go, and return it to him," Artensia said. She turned away from Azara and began walking away. "If you must use it to gain something from him, then do so, but return it. He is precious. His mother Eir is a dear friend of mine. I cannot let him fall into despair while she is taken from him."

Then, without another word, she stepped into the darkness and disappeared.

When Azara approached the knights from behind, they initially did not hear her. The three of them stood outside a door, bolted shut like a vault by a massive locking mechanism. They were examining it, wondering how to get through the obstacle.

When they did hear Azara's footsteps behind them, they turned and readied their arms, but Konrad himself remained relaxed, turning to greet Azara with a little smile.

"Well, you've come at last. You have what I want, I presume?" he asked.

"Yes. I do." Azara replied. Despite the serious nature of the situation, she managed a flirting wink at him. As if to say ‘gotcha’. She then slowly stepped away from the entranceway and into the room. "Before I do give it to you however, you must give me your word that your two guards will leave first. After that, we can talk in privacy."

Konrad obliged, and nodded to his knights. "Go on men. There is to be no fighting anyone up there either, just let them be. If they do attack you, defend and flee.”

The knights agreed, and did as they were told. Konrad then sighed and sat down in front of the closed door that had kept him and his knights from advancing further into the tomb. Azara realized he was wanting more than a simple exchange. He wanted to talk again, and to her dismay, she realized that she did too. She had questions, and these were questions that demanded answers.

"Do you remember those days well? How nice they were?" he asked.

She was surprised by this line of questioning, but glad for it. At least it was a nice way to start things.

"Of running through your father's stables, or playing a prank on my sister? Yes, I do. They were nice. I remember that prank on the Magi priest too. He couldn't fathom how all the incense burned so fast when she turned away. Thought it was a sign from heaven."

Konrad let out a little, half-hearted laugh. "Yeah, I do….You've changed since then though, you know. I never thought that smiling and sweet, loving little kid, was going to end up pulling off something like this to win against me. I'd almost call this cruel." he said, and shrugged. His silver eyes then took a long moment, starring into hers.

She frowned and nodded. "Childhood is over, and that is how it is. I'm sorry for what role my family has played in your pain."

"Yes, your mother, of course. You know, Azara, I don't entirely blame her for my father's death though. She refused to help after she orchestrated the situation. That is all." he said, and then shrugged. "But that is what is so terrible. Standing to the side, when she had the power to do something, because my father's death served her purposes. And then my mother was taken. I just continued to lose, too. Even now the Order has not yet accepted me as their leader, and I don't think that I can keep them together. I-..."

He stopped and waved a hand towards her, as if to say that he wanted her to ignore the discussion. There was a long pause as they each tried to formulate the words they meant to say, and then Azara spoke.

“What does this locket mean to you?” Azara asked.

“That is a long story Azara. I do not have the time to tell it here,” he said, and then sighed. “Perhaps another time, if there is such a time."

"Well then explain it briefly," Azara demanded. "I want to know. It is different, isn't it?"

“I suppose by now, with your sight, you’ve been able to tell its different from most enchanted artifacts, haven’t you?” he asked. "Stars help us, and this cursed sight. I feel for them, with their purse sight, looking down on the earth at the hearts of men. It must be disgusting."

“Yes, Konrad, I've noticed that the enchantment is different. That isn’t what I mean though.” Azara said, wondering if he even knew that a celestial could contact him through the jewelry, or if what had happened to her was an anomaly. Did he know the source of the enchantment? “I want to know what is this to you? Why is it so meaningful that Sitari herself would mention it to me?”

Konrad looked evermore forlorn the longer she talked about it, and finally, he spoke, and his voice was pained. “Like this sword I carry, it is the last connection I have to someone who I loved.”

“Wait, you were -” Azara began but stopped. She searched for words but could not find them. Who was the woman that had spoken to her then? Had that been someone he had fallen in love with?

“Who is also a long story, Azara. They are someone that taught me many lessons, lessons I should have known or learned when I was in love with you,” he said, his tone tinged with regret. “It is too late for it now, but I would still like to say that I am sorry for the way I treated you back then. It wasn't right, despite everything.”

Azara shook her head. “You have nothing to apologize for. I kept secrets from you not the other way around.”

“No,” Konrad replied. “I apologize, and that is that. You can either accept it or not, but I’ve apologized.”

Azara took a moment to think about what he was saying, and then nodded. She didn't want to pursue the subject, so she turned it another way.

“Are they, this person...are they gone?” Azara asked.

Konrad shrugged. “In a sense. I think I will meet them again someday, I know. But for now, that is all I have.”

"Artensia?" Azara asked, sheepish of the thought. Had he fallen in love with a star, like his mother?

His brow furrowed. "No, who is that?"

Azara blushed and shook her head. "Nevermind. I'm sorry. It was just I had heard that name in a rumor, that is all."

That was a surprise. She had expected he'd at least know who made the enchantment on the locket. However, apparently, he was as confused as she was about the issue. Neither of them had heard of this star. Therefore, since that line of discussion was going nowhere, she decided it was time to get to the point of her confronting him

"Well then…I suppose this is worth my demands?" Azara asked, bringing their discussion back to the point of the meeting.

He tapped his gauntleted fist against his sabaton for a moment, as he thought about the question.

"Well, yes, whatever they are," he said.

“You know what I want. I want you to promise to never threaten me or my sister. I want you to abandon this quest, and do not harm my kind.” She said.

Konrad once more paused to think, and then shrugged. “I could. Yes, I could do that. However, I have to ask, would you want me to?”

“What do you mean?”

“Well, you know as well as I that I could help on this journey. I could help fight or subdue the dragon. Who knows, they could be a friend or relative of yours. I could help get Valerius on the throne - I’ve seen his father’s work in this country, it is terrible. He deserves to go down.”

Azara raised an eyebrow. “Where did you get these ideas? You've spoken with Valerius haven't you?"

Konrad winced. "Yes, actually, I have. Quite the difficult one isn't he?"

"He is just an idiot with stupid ideas that is all," Azara said, rolling her eyes.

"Stupid enough you'd like them?" Konrad replied, a smirk appearing on his face. "I know you liked a few of mine back in the day."

Azara blushed and shook her head. "No. Why would you...gah, fine, maybe so. He's taken though."

Konrad was not about to let up though. Azara knew that all too well, and sure enough, he continued his teasing.

"And all the wealth of a kingdom isn't at least a little interesting to you? Surely, you won't give up for something trivial like him 'being taken'."

"D - don't test me." she sputtered out, annoyed that he was somehow digging into her feelings and putting her on the defensive al of a sudden.

"Fine, fine, fire spitter. I best not tempt you with the notion either, who knows what you would do with it."

She sighed. If he only knew she'd already thought of it, and tried at it. "Look, he already has someone that I care about. And their relationship is more important for political and personal reasons to me."

"Really?" Konrad replied, raising an eyebrow. Then things licked into place in his mind, and he before nodded in understanding. "The Veyorn girl...of course. That makes sense, it would be good for them to gain a queen of their own again, just like Aericia once was before her conquests south. History repeats itself."

“That's how humanity is, we’re forgetful,” Azara replied.

Konrad smirked. “Yes, that is how we humans are. Isn’t it?”

She turned to hide her face as a smile crept across it. Part of her was glad she could still speak with the paladin in this manner. Casually and even a bit flirtatious.

"I'd hope so, I've tried to make this human life work. I like it, honestly," she said. "I guess it helps that its all I've ever known."

"Good. That how it should be,” he said and stood from where he had sat down. “Azara, I don’t want to fight you in the future. I'll hold to the promise, on my honor and heritage, that in trade for that locket I will leave this place and never again attack you, your kind, or your companions. Is that fair enough?"

"And Ezmeralda?" Azara said.

“You know very well that I can’t promise that, Azara,” he said, solemn. “If she comes for those that I love, I will fight her. More than that, I’d ask that you even help me if you can. I know that you don’t want people to suffer. I know that you don’t want her to inflict pain on others.”

Azara squeezed her eyes shut as she heard the damning words. It was hard to say what she said next, but she said it regardless. “Maybe. If it comes to that.”

Konrad nodded then took his hand and pointed to himself, and then to Azara. "Let the stars watch between you and I then. I Konrad Fallenstar of the Lady Fallenstar, known also by Aila and Eir, the fourth star of peace, and you - Dusk, of House Elefthera and Sitari's Daughter. I shall hold these words as my bond, now and until the stars shine no more."

"Very well," Azara replied, and began to bridge the distance between them. For the most part, she trusted his word, knights such as him were like that, and Konrad's father had been honorable all his days. That wasn’t all though. There was also magic in the pact, that acted as a binding. If he didn’t keep his word, there would be serious consequences ranging from sickness to even death. Konrad's eyes and mannerisms worried her though. Despite baring sincerity, they also revealed how deeply he had been changed since he was a child - jaded to the world and having been beset with some of its sorrows. He had lost his innocence. His soul was stained.

She wondered if the same was true for her. It would be nice to think otherwise, but even she knew that wasn't entirely true. What he had said in Midton echoed in her mind. What Sitari had said to Irinia nagged at her. What Artensia had said to them in their brief meeting weighed upon her.

Destiny still waited.

Slowly the gap closed, and she extended the locket out to him. As she did so she felt a very kind feeling emanate from it, as if she was being told 'thank you' from another world. It was a beautiful feeling, and for a moment it caused Azara to feel sad. Whoever this had belonged to must have been a wonderful person, ripped from the world too soon. Perhaps the world had just been undeserving to begin with. Perhaps that was why a celestial had deigned to bless the jewelry.

Konrad did not betray his word and walked past Azara after the exchange. He brushed her aside lightly as he did so. She didn't turn to face him, realizing that this plan of hers hadn't been a kind thing. She had forced him into a deal by threatening what was left of his loved ones in the world. She would have never been willing to do this years ago, though for that matter neither of them would have been at odds in the first place.

"Dusk," he began, using her ceremonial name again, though not turning to face her ", we met as friends again today. I would like to again in the future. So please, whatever you do, don’t make me -"

"I understand," she replied. Dusk she thought. He had called her something else once. She then turned around to face him directly before he had a chance to leave the room entirely. She didn't want the encounter to end this way. Maybe, just maybe, something could be done that would make it happy. "You know Konrad, I also don't want any part in coming conflicts in Aericia. I'm not my mother's living weapon, and neither is my sister. I don't want to hurt anyone. I just want to have a nice life. A nice life as a human woman for that matter. After I'm done here I won't be involved anymore with this business. So...so I guess what I'm trying to say is that in the future...well in the future, could history maybe repeat itself in other ways? Could it repeated, between you and me?"

For a moment Konrad thought about the words, thinking about what she meant and of years long in the past. After a moment he let out a very long sigh.

"I'm sorry Azara, but no, I can't. My heart was given away and there it will stay. I don't think I could love again if I tried, and until I meet her again in the heavens, I'm going to hold on to all I have left." he replied, looking sorrowfully at the jeweled locket in his hand. "I hope you do get your dream one day though, honestly I do. Goodbye...you weird sunset girl."

Azara smiled as the sound of his footsteps began to fade. That had been the name he had teased her with years before when she had first introduced herself using her Veyorn ceremonial name because she had wanted to seem interesting to him.