The silent light of the moon graced the camp of Eric Faulkner inside of the Darkthorn Prison. Against the Lion Creation it created glints that shined throughout the air.

Two soldiers arrived at the array of tents, holding a cuffed and shackled Ardor and placing him next to Gryfor's unconscious and bruised body.

Why am I here? Where did I go wrong? Ardor couldn't recall what he had done to earn his place here. He had sided with Gryfor throughout the Warden's time in the prison, but that wasn't enough grounds for being imprisoned.

As the two soldiers gave a briefing to the minor leader overseeing him and Gryfor, Ardor watched as Athon came in his direction.

"I guess you are wondering why are you here." Athon spoke with a smile, looking at the bewildered face of Ardor.

"You are here because you aided Gryfor in his action of Lifeblood refining. For that, the minimum punishment is 50 years. The young master has told me to bring both of you back to the Alberdan capital for your crimes." Ardor looked at Athon, feeling that smile was tainted with pure malevolence. He didn't think that Gryfor had found a way to refine Lifeblood from a person's natural blood.

"Wait, what about Doctor Aysen. He was also helping in the blood extraction. Why am I the only one being punished here?" Although Ardor respected Aysen for much of his time as a patient, he didn't like this kind of selective justice.

"You mean the old fellow that helped Jaspen? Our young master acquitted his crimes for maintaining Jaspen's life. As of now, he is a free man, and all he has to do to guarantee it is submit a firsthand account of Gryfor's demands." Athon looked at the angry face of Ardor, enjoying his demeanor. So sad I couldn't have a go at this one.

Athon prepared to leave the station, before turning back to Ardor one last time.

"Who knows, if you helped Jaspen, maybe you could have been acquitted as well. But you didn't." Athon shrugged as he made his way to the minor leader, not bothering to notice the fuming prisoner behind him.

After explaining to the minor leader overseeing the prisoners Gryfor and Ardor what to do, Athon made his way back to the Faulkner's main tent, awaiting Eric to leave so that they may disembark.

In Eric's hands, the book on Lifeblood Refining was gently clasped by his right arm. His coat was buttoned down, and he wore a scarf to keep away some of the chilliness of the wind. He looked at the moon one last time through the window, before leaving outside.

The tent community that had stayed here for a few nights was largely gone. The remaining tents were small in number as most members of the Faulkner caravan had already made their way back into the Lion Creation.

Noticing Athon beside him, Eric followed along with Athon into the Lion. Behind them, several servants appeared, carefully disassembling the tent emblazoned with the logo of the Faulkner family.

The remaining guards and members of the Alberdan Army in Darkthorn Prison watched as Eric Faulkner made his way to leave. At this point, they lost their Warden and the head of the guards, but no one complained. After all, those men had committed a heavy crime that could not be forgiven. Lifeblood Arts were prohibited by all.

Brog, on the other hand, watched with pleasure as Ardor was forced to leave. I can finally have peace these few days. I can't wait to see how they have grown. He thought about his own kid, a slight joy coming to his face. It wouldn't be long before his required military service was over.

Mona looked out at the moon, feeling a motherly warmth coming from the object hanging in the sky. He couldn't tell what it was, but he was certain there was a connection between the two.

"Aren't you coming, Mona?" Athon came back, finding Mona among the crowd. After leading Faulkner to his chambers, he was told to find Mona and guide him to where the others were.

Mona looked around, streams of people carrying chests and crates entering into the Lion. He made his way up those perfect steps, entering with Athon into the device.

Various servants and guards made way for the two people, allowing them to pass quickly through the device. Respect was filled in their eyes as they waited temporarily for Mona and Athon to pass.

"Eric placed you under me, so I ought to teach you a few things, here and there. Beyond the basic knowledge of Alberdos, I'll help you with Arts and Techniques if you need it. Also Runes, I'm quite proficient in those. If you need anything else just ask me." Athon spoke casually with Mona, feeling no need to put a sense of seriousness in his voice.

"Where are we going?" Being his first time in a Creation of such a form, Mona didn't know where he would be staying. He wanted to find a place with Mithal and the others. He had to explain his plans given their situation.

"Do you mean our destination, or your room?" Athon asked. A group carrying a large crate moved to the side, ignoring their troubles to allow the duo to pass.

"Both." Mona replied easily, ascending a flight of stairs with Athon. They gave a metallic luster, and on the walls various windows were visible.

"The young noble decided midway instead of returning to the Faulkner manor in Evaline he would go to his private manor in Cresede. As for your room, Eric Faulkner decided to allow you stay with your friends in the Lion's Crown." Athon smiled, guiding Mona through the various hallways inside of the Creation. Their steps joined those of the servants, creating a dull noise.

"The Lion's Crown? Where is it?"

"Faulkner and his main assistants, as well as his minor leaders, all stay in the Lion's Crown. It is our temporary lodgings while the Lion makes its way back to Alberdos. In this part of the Creation, you can easily enjoy the best service among anyone inside the Lion. You will stay here, given in a few days you will be Eric's second commander." Athon smiled back to Mona, the hallways becoming more spacious. Less servants could be seen walking these halls, giving proof of their worth.

"We decided beforehand to allow your friends to stay here. As for what they will do for Eric, that's for you to decide. Of course, they must do something of great value. The young master might accept your friends into his fold, but he wants them to at least do something of worth, unless you wish for them to become guardsmen." Athon brought Mona in front of a door, using his Aura to carefully configure the Rune.

"Place your hand here so that the Rune can remember you and your Aura. That way you won't need me to open the door." Athon gestured towards a rectangular strip next to the door frame, various Runes floating and disappearing within. Mona placed his hand and injected a portion of his Aura, watching in awe as the Runes changed ever so slightly. Those Runes are very complex.

Turning back to Athon, Mona expressed his gratitude.

"Athon, thank you." Mona spoke to Athon, prepared to bow if needed. His voice didn't seem distant nor cold.

"There's no need. All I ask you is to learn quickly, and help Eric here and there. You're more alike than you think." Athon left Mona behind, making his way to a different direction. His steps echoed within the empty hallway.

At this moment, Mona couldn't tell which room Eric Faulkner would be in, nor Jaspen. He understood Eric was treating his important guests and allies with this luxury, and thus Jaspen must have a room of his own.

Mona entered into the room, going through a narrow hallway. The space was quite large, and sitting in the gathering area to his right was Reithar and the others. Still in their conversation, they hadn't noticed Mona's entry.

Mona looked around, his steps nimble and silent. To his left, he could see the bathroom and the wash basin, clean and of a dark color. Towels were held on various racks, dry and folded. The area were Reithar and the others spoke was slightly lower than Mona, an array of tables and chairs opposite of where the washrooms were.

In front of him, Mona could see that through another smaller hallway there were three separate doors, apparently three separate rooms for Reithar and the others. At the end of that hall, a pair of double black doors were present. Unless he opened them, he wouldn't know where they led.

There was also a kitchen of sorts, a space left in another corner of the main hall where an intricate device stood, made of Madrag iron. Cupboards and drawers lined that area of the room, seemingly for storing food.

Alternating in various colors, the area seemed modest but had a particular flair. From a pair of windows, Mona could see the outside world in darkness. The guards watching the walls of the prison looked up to him, the frail figure behind a window some 30 feet in the air. Traces of envy and jealousy were in their eyes.

"Noble Aurum, you came." Jaspen walked towards Mona, rising from the seated area towards Mona. Turning around, Mona felt a slight surprise. He remembered how Jaspen looked during the prison, but now he wasn't so sure.

His voice had a profoundness to it, unlike to a blacksmith, and wasn't a trace hoarse. His hair was trimmed, leaving a short stumble for a beard. His hair was cut, no longer messy. Jaspen seemed to enjoy the blacksmith clothing he was given by Eric, his belt featuring pockets for his tools. Overall, Jaspen seemed much different, and signs of being old age were no longer present.

"You became an Aura Warrior. Congratulations." Mona understood that becoming an Aura Warrior so late meant Jaspen had a limited chance of becoming an Aura Saint in his lifetime. What Mona hadn't know was how much of a qualitative change it would be for Jaspen to rise in levels.

"Yes, Noble Aurum, I have. Currently I am an Aura Warrior Level 2. I may not become an Aura Saint, but I would be able to live for quite a while. I just came to see everyone but I think you, Noble Aurum, are doing well, no?" A trace of confidence filled Jaspen's voice, his manner of speech more natural.

"I'm doing fine, Jaspen. I'd like you to stop calling me a noble. Just call me Mona. We went through much, and Leafwind is no more." Mona didn't feel it was right to still be called a noble since the fall of Eshwin. It didn't make sense in the changing times.

"Noble Aurum, you are still of nobility to me. I refuse to stop this. Besides, who can guarantee that our current times will remain so forever? I am sure many things can change." Jaspen refused to Mona's offer. Clearly there was more to his words than Mona understood.

"Yes, the sands of time only follow the winds of choice. But for me to become a noble once again, I have to do a few things first." Mona thought back to earning revenge for his family and friends. To repay the debt of blood, I must end the Alberdan royal family. Mona understood that there were many characters at cause for Leafwind's death, and the final would be any of the Alberdan royal family. Indescribable anger was held back as Mona tried to remain calm.

Jaspen hesitated before he spoke. Emotion flickered in his eyes. "Have you forgotten our...?"

"No, Jaspen. I have not. There are strange things in this world Jaspen. For all I know, we may be able to return her to life." Mona spoke, his own emotions welling up. The dam that held back his waters of grief was struggling to hold on.

Can you really bring someone back to life? Mona didn't know, but if one could, he was willing to do so. He lost his mother and sister long before his ceremony, his father to malevolence and greed. How he missed them so.

"Thank you." Jaspen motioned to leave, saying his last words. Hope burned strongly in his heart, a heart longing to see his daughter again. Mona watched as Jaspen left the room, closing the door behind him.

"Mona." Mithal and the others had watched Mona converse with Jaspen, deciding not to interrupt them. Now that Jaspen was gone, Mithal brought Mona to the seating area, having him sit in the front seat.

The chairs were clothed in what seemed like beast fur. It didn't seem luxurious, but felt quite comfortable indeed. In front of them a small table of wooden craftsmanship stood, various artistic markings made to accentuate the top of the table.

Still wearing the prison garbs of Darkthorn, Mona looked at the three former cellmates before him. Each of them wore a simple tunic and a pair of trousers, except now they all looked clean and shaved. Mithal's eyes carried a trace of anticipation, whereas Reithar and Aeron were saddened.

"Aeron, what's wrong?" Mona looked at the slightly stout fellow in front of him, looking at Aeron twiddle his thumbs. His words brought Aeron out of his silence, only to see Aeron look at him with an odd gaze.

"Do you remember back in the prison, where we had to share food?" Aeron spoke quietly, watching his brother's reaction.

Mithal's brow furrowed at Aeron mentioned food. You still didn't get over this? It was only 3 loaves of bread or so!

Reithar and Mona looked at the Varlier brothers, their expressions strange. They didn't know what was coming.

"Mona, you owe me --" Aeron was about to finish speaking, but Mithal gave him a menacing glare. Moth all then rose from his seat, excusing himself as he took Aeron with him to one of the rooms.

"Do you know why Aeron was acting that way?" Mona believed that Aeron was perhaps distressed over something else. I'm sure Aeron got over the food issue.

Reithar looked towards Mona, his voice still saddened. "He was talking about how he was going to make you pay for the food you consumed that belong to him. Mithal forced him to stay silent until now."

Isn't there food in the pantry? Mona didn't know when Aeron would be satisfied. It was only about three loaves of terribly made bread, but Aeron was still determined to gain back each crumb.

Seeing Reithar was still depressed, Mona asked, "Reithar, what's wrong?"

Reithar looked up, his eyes on the verge of tears. Moth all and the others hadn't noticed Reithar's mood.

"My sister isn't here. With us going to Alberdos so early, I don't know where to find her, if she's even alive." Reithar had been separated from his sister for so long. His last portion of family, Reithar wanted to be reunited as quickly as possible.

But could he look for her as Faulkner's subordinate? Could he find her among all the possible destinations Leafwinder nobles were taken? He wasn't so sure.

"Reithar, only when we have our freedom can we search for your sister. If we were to leave right now, we could easily be labelled as slaves for leaving Faulkner's side." Mona didn't know how to explain to Reithar. His mood only grew more depressing.

"We have to stay with Eric Faulkner for only five years. Then, we can set out to find her. But now, we can't. Say she is still alive but someone's slave. Can we guarantee we can destroy their forces as Aura Mortals, without many supporters in the Alberdan Empire? All we can do know is hone our skills, rise in Aura, and build our connections. Until then, you must strengthen yourself." Mona had to deal with grief of his own, but the only time he could feel satisfied grieving is when the cause of that grief was eradicated completely. Until then, Mona vowed to not shed a tear.

Reithar seemed to have understood what Mona was saying, rubbing his eyes of the few tears that managed to be released. Mona understood that if Reithar's sister really had died, and in a gruesome manner, he would never forgive himself. All the more reason I have to rise in Aura, and find out the truth behind those treasures.

Mithal dragged Aeron behind him, his face indifferent to his brother's bodily bruises. Even though Mona and Reithar hadn't heard a single cry or scream, they knew the pain was great.

"Sigh. If you really want me to treat you to your next meal, then wait until we are free. Right now, I don't have a single coin." Mona bitterly chuckled at Aeron's ever steady gaze. The life of a human being is costly, let alone that of an Aura practitioner, and even a Creator. They needed a source of income, unless they wanted to live with Faulkner for the rest of time.

Aeron quickly became happy hearing Mona's words. He agreed! I can't wait for that buffet.

Mithal sighed as he saw the eagerness in Aeron's eyes. At least I tried.

After Mithal and the others sat down, Mona began to speak once again.

"We managed to make it to Alberdos without losing all of our freedom. Because of my agreement with the young master of the Faulkner family, I must stay with them for at least 5 years. For that time, we must prepare."

"We need to find a source of income. Luckily, Eric placed all of you under my charge, but he wants each one of you to do something 'meaningful' and contribute to his treasury. That means that beyond our Arts and Techniques, we must all do something else on the side to add to his wealth."

Mithal's brow furrowed as he heard these words from Mona. What should we do then? The vast majority of their capabilities was in Aura training. Could they really handle something else?

"I will now assign each of you something to do on your spare time. Aeron, I want you to learn to Cook. In other words, learn how to make meals. Pretty straightforward."

"Mithal, I want you to study Formations, and study their profoundness. I believe you can make some progress there."

"Reithar, I think you should try your hand at making Medicinal Pills. If that fails terribly, then you're free to try your hand at Sculpting." Reithar looked confused. Pills and Sculpting? Why should I do those? He didn't think he had skills in either.

"As for me, I will study Creations, Painting, among other things. You may all learn other fields as well, such as Medical skills, if you wish. However, the fields I assigned each of you will allow you to make connections more easily with the Noble classes. Even amateurs can get some grace in this manner." Mona sat down, looking at the expressions of the three.

Mithal thought for a moment, eventually agreeing as it made sense. Aeron was happy with his assignment since it included food. As for Reithar, he could see Mona's reasons for having him follow this path, but he couldn't fully accept it. His skills in Archery were far more effective than Pills and Sculpting.

"The reason I didn't give anyone any offensive or defensive roles is because of what it entails. If you are a Fighter and Eric takes a liking to you, chances are you will not be able to leave with the rest of us. If a noble had to choose between keeping protectors or artists, many would go with the former."

"Hence, I planned the future to ensure we can all leave. Besides, if you do become talented in those fields, it means we can each have income. As you can tell, our Aura levels could be much higher if we could buy Aura stones or Medicine Pills, or purchase items like Creations and Formations." Mona's words lifted the mist from Reithar's eyes, allowing him to know just why Mona was making these choices. His pathway seemed far more reasonable than before.

With the moon gently skirting across the sky, the main room of the chamber was filled with its transparent beams of light. Mithal and the others rose and turned down the lamps set all around the room, Creations that created artificial light as needed. As Aura manipulators didn't need sustenance often, the Varlier brothers and Reithar entering their bedrooms to either sleep or meditate.

Seeing everyone leave, Mona felt the rays of the moon energize his body. He wanted to understand just what this power was. Is there a way out?

Seeing the double doors, Mona made his way past the bedrooms of his comrades. With a turn of each hand, the doors opened, revealing a black staircase. At the top were another pair of doors, a silvery metallic. Past these doors, Mona found his own bedroom, traces of luxury all over.

His bed was far more than what ten people would need, Creations set on either side for artificial lighting. His room had its own large bathroom, beautiful and clean. The tub itself was made of a special type of rock that emitted a dark luster. Comparing this room to his original bedroom at the Aurum manor was like comparing the cosmos and the moon.

Mona shook his head, seeing the unnecessary items strewn all over the place. Chances are this was meant to be Eric's quarters, but he flatly declined. But why did I get it? Mona remembered the thrifty clothing of his young master. He sighed at the worth of all these items he didn't need.

Turning his head to his right side, Mona was surprised to see two sets of glass doors leading outside. They were a black color, translucent and etched with amazing patterns. The moon light that came through the cracks made Mona feel his fatigue of all these days melt away.

Opening the door closest to him, Mona walked outside, finding himself in a spherical room of white glass, his feet flat on a balcony. A thought entered Mona's mind, inspiring awe.

If this is the master chambers, then could this be the eye of the Lion? Looking through the glass, Mona could see sand dunes disappear into the distance as the Lion Creation sped forward. The beauty of the full moon outside was not contained, the light engulfing Mona's body in an amazing glow.

This feeling. Mona looked at the back of his left hand, the tattoo appearing once again. The two pairs of concentric circles with four orbs equally spaced in between. In the central circle, a white glow formed, similar to the moon. Mona could feel his troubles melt away, his grief melt away, even his thoughts of revenge melt away as the white glow only grew.

Mona decided to call this the Lunar Tattoo, since to this day Mona could only see it under the shine of the moon. The Lunar Tattoo grew brilliant, its white glow spreading throughout Mona's body until he glowed alongside it.

Just what is this Lunar Tattoo? Mona didn't have any answers. If there were any, they were in the Bubble along with the Aurum Cloak and Ring of Aurum. If the Ring of Aurum was in fact a spatial Creation, then clues would like be inside of it.

Mona watched as the glow increase in intensity, a sense of bliss fulfill his body. An odd feeling of power came from him in three different areas. He wasn't able to tell what kind of power, but knew that these growing sources of energy were far from his current position. I really do need to train. There is far too much with this tattoo. I need to find out what all of this means.

The tattoo reached its peak, making Mona resemble another moon in formation. The light afterwards rapidly drained into the Lunar Tattoo, the markings on his left hand sinking back into his skin.

"Hrm?" Mona didn't expect this kind of development. He expected for something to form, but nothing occurred. Mona then looked at the back of his left hand, noticing something unfamiliar.

The back of his hand no longer remained blank as extremely fine yet visible traces of lines remained on his skin. Seeing this, Mona could barely trace out the rough outline of the Lunar Tattoo. Is this all? Mona examined deep inside of his body, only for joy to flicker in his eyes.

His Aura Core had grown by at least two levels, its size roughly that of a tangerine. It glowed far more than before, and Mona could tell that the Lunar Tattoo had bestowed him with two levels' worth of Aura and cleared the Mortal Curse blockages in the two Aura meridians of his ankles. In other words, Mona had ascended to an Aura Mortal Level 8. Strangely, the sense of weakness he usually felt whenever he rose in levels was no longer present.

Is moonlight much more effective? Mona didn't know any way to test his idea. Another full moon wouldn't return for 32 days, and in that time Mona couldn't predict what would occur.

I must grow stronger, to reach the peak of Madrag, to avenge Leafwind and those I loved, and to walk the world. Mona buried his hopes inside of his heart, looking to the moon.

It was no longer as vivid as before, as if Mona's Lunar Tattoo had taken some of its vitality. However, it remained high in the sky, watching the Lion Creation make its way to the Alberdos Empire across the Alberdan Desert.

Anticipation flickered in Mona's eyes. Although Mona was arriving as a servant, he planned to leave the Alberdan Empire one day, his life his own. The next time he returned would be the end of the Merister royal bloodline, the end of Alberdos. This, Mona would ensure.