Those warmongering elders still in the War Council, those few who had managed to wield power only recently, were slowly filling their place in the council with sympathetic allies, the peaceful faction finding it more difficult to keep Alberdos from another costly war. Some among them have already began bantering about how Alberdos could unite the entire continent of Madrag.

But it wasn't banter. It was provocation. Parsmir knew that Molov's legacy was slowly being erased one step at a time. Today the majority of elders bantered about uniting the lands. Tomorrow, it would become the prime objective, and few would dare to oppose the War Council at that time.

The success of Leafwind's demise would only serve as evidence to the rest of Alberdos that the War Council was not rash, not violent, but rather visionary in their attempts to bring together the differing masses of people of Madrag. This Parsmir feared the worst. He feared that Leafwind would seem like a stepping stone, only being a siren to the impending doom of the Alberdan peace.

Standing in front of the Councillors' Prison, Parsmir hesitated on entering inside. He knew that this could perhaps be his last chance of seeing the product of Molov's actions, but he feared what it would imply. How many elders of the War Council actually took time to meet with prisoners without intentions of interrogating the criminal? To think his actions weren't alarming among the rest of the elders would be a fatal error.

I promised Molov I would look after him. I can't back down now. Parsmir settled the hesitation of his mind, the ripples filling his heart with emotions before assuming an elderly position and entering inside. His steps echoed inside of the largely empty hallway as Parsmir made his way to the main gate inside.

The pair of sentry guards overseeing the Councillor Prison each had level 7 Warrior Aura, and from the violent nature of their Aura it was clear both trained in vicious Arts. Although it would seem that the prison complex was understaffed, nothing would be far from the truth. Depending on the person inducted, the prisoners would face nothing but complete solitude, no food nor water to consume, and the natural Aura of the world largely cut off to hinder cultivation. A normal mortal would die in a matter of days; a sane mortal in a matter of weeks from the eternal silence that filled within.

Upon seeing Parsmir gradually appear in their view, the two guards tasked with overseeing the facility quickly followed protocol. Both returned their Aura into their bodies, their actions filled with respect and care. Of the two, the man of a more aged expression asked Parsmir of his appearance.

"Elder, welcome to the Councillor Prison. May I ask of the cause for your appearance?" A trace of caution filled the man's voice, aiming not to appear intrusive. The young sentry stood nearby, his lips silent.

"I have come to visit one of the prisoners. I want you to deactivate the Formations for the cell containing former general Gryfor Absalace so I may speak with him. That is all." Parsmir spoke calmly, his posture and tone one of an elder overseeing his duties. His gaze was trained onto the two sentries, watching their movements.

The aged fellow of the two sentries quickly returned to his post before infusing the nearby wall with Aura. For a short moment the sketching on the wall appeared and disappeared, flickering with life. The man placed his right palm on the center of the formation, the lights slowly shifting into another patterning before subsiding. In front of Parsmir and the younger sentry, the original wall disappeared, revealing a dark hallway.

Parsmir looked at the young sentry, studying his actions. The man, seeing the elder's actions, quickly returned to his half-knelt posture, his face facing the floor. Parsmir entered the dark hallway, his steps dull in this section of the prison. The aged sentry of the pair bowed before the entrance behind Parsmir quickly returned to the form of a dark stone wall.

Congealing his Aura, Parsmir made a small source of light as he walked inside. His thoughts lingered on the younger of the two sentries, contemplating.

So they have men here as well. Parsmir recalled the look in the young sentry's eyes, one of careful attention and surveillance. He understood that the war elders were steadily gaining power in the War Council, but didn't have knowledge of how many spies were dispersed throughout the administration. From the glint in the young sentry's eyes he understood: his actions were drawing the attention of those elders, and now those war hawks would know he did go to meet with Gryfor.

Ignoring the possible outcomes he would face in the future, Parsmir continued walking towards the end of the hall, before descending the stairs. He repeated this action three times, each slowly resulting in his light source of Aura growing more dim.

The Councillor Prison was a rather large complex that housed prisoners of war, as well as traitors and other criminals born of war. Only during war time did occupants fill these cells, and usually three months after would the prison once again lack life. Parsmir walked in the narrow section devoted to criminals of war from Alberdos. Those that illegally profited from the Alberdan conquest, those that sought opportunity during the main battles filled each of these cells.

To prevent the cultivators in the cells from potentially growing stronger in Aura the entire prison was made from special material capable of blocking the natural Aura of the world. Each prisoner awaited trial in a soundproof, unbreakable box that only served to drive prisoners to seek death earlier than it was given. Each level was more oppressive, with those Aura cultivators on the lowest floors facing Formations capable of stealing the Aura from their bodies until nothing was left.

Stopping on the fourth floor, the small flame of Aura flickered in Parsmir's palm, ready to disappear into oblivion. His breathing was silent as he stood in front of a single cell, unable to see the occupant inside. A moment later he filled the door with his Aura, and as expected the door slid across, revealing a figure within.

The room was void of light, but Parsmir being an Aura cultivator was able to see the pathetic features of the young man on the floor. Each of his limbs were enchained to the wall, with little space to move about within. The figure was very thin to the point it seemed as if a mere breeze could blow him away. His body had several marks left from unkind interrogators and medical examiners, each a blood scar on the man's figure. His clothing was torn, his face unshaven for perhaps weeks.

"Gryfor..." Parsmir muttered, his voice filling the cell. He looked at the mangled body that was his brother's legacy, not making a single move. Parsmir's heart twinged with several flashes of pain as he kneeled beside the enchained figure. Parsmir used his hand to shake Gryfor, hoping for a response.

The body did utter a sound. Parsmir repeated with his jolt, each gesture increasing in strength. Finally when all seemed lost a gasped breath came from Gryfor's mouth, a thin line of blood releasing from his lips.

Gryfor sputtered several times, slowly edging his body to sit upright. The blood that came from his lips grew in thickness, staining what was left of his clothing. His emaciated frame was slightly hunched over, his body having trouble to continue breathing.

"Elder...Parsmir..." Gryfor opened his eyes, his blurry vision focusing on the kneeling elder of the War Council. His body felt incredibly weak, his Aura running thin inside of his meridians. Several of his bones were broken, including those of each his legs. Without the chance to properly cultivate or even consume a meal, it was a given Gryfor wouldn't last long within.

An Aura Saint reduced to this state, if anyone learned of this occurrence they would find it quite alarming indeed. Aura Saints were the backbone of many kingdoms and sects, and harming them to such an extent was injuring oneself. Sadly no one cared about a Lifeblood Refiner, and would be more than willing to end an Aura Saint that continued such an evil action simply to increasing in Aura. Gryfor himself knew that using Lifeblood to train had eliminated any chance of him gaining freedom.

"Gryfor, I'm sorry. I've let you and Molov down. All of this is due to my actions from before. If I hadn't given you that book..." Parsmir quickly blamed himself for giving Gryfor the book on Lifeblood. He gave it on a whim, believing Gryfor wouldn't attempt to use what was described inside to his advantage.

Gryfor, however, had other plans. Not only did he train in the Lifeblood Refining Arts, he also made it one of his many goals to slowly improve his cultivation talent by gathering the best of Lifeblood to add to his own. With Gryfor going so far as to become a Warden overseeing prisoner transportation to gain Lifeblood in the process, Parsmir could only go along and warn Gryfor continuously of the dangers of his actions.

Alas, his warnings were unheeded, and Gryfor not only managed to be found training in Lifeblood, he was also a general of the Alberdos Empire as well. If they did not silence Gryfor in secret, and it became known to the other Madrag nations that Alberdos once allowed for their officers to train in Lifeblood, the backlash would guarantee Alberdos' demise. Hence, Gryfor's death was all too certain.

"Elder Parsmir, my current situation is my own fault. I didn't believe that old blacksmith would become friends with Mona Aurum, and because of that failure I am here in chains. If I had taken notice of that possibility, this wouldn't have happened at all." Gryfor's labored yet heavy voice entered Parsmir's mind. Gryfor thought back to his actions at Darkthorn Prison, remembering how flawed his thinking was. It all began there.

His first problem began with allowing Mona Aurum to stay in the same cell with Jaspen. If the two were separated instead, Gryfor would have enough time to not only practice the Lifeblood Arts, but also to collect Mona Aurum's Lifeblood as well. His second mistake was making the command of collecting every prisoner's blood en masse. Not only did it attract attention, the vast majority of Warrior ranked Lifeblood paled in comparison to the potential drop of Saint ranked Lifeblood that flowed through Mona's body.

And his largest flaw of all? Not personally overseeing it all. It was too careless to trust that fool Ardor with the critical steps of his plans. Not only was it leaving a chance for him to be blackmailed, Ardor could also use his knowledge to secretly warn the War Council and gain benefits for discovering a "traitor."

Gryfor lifted his arms, noticing his once built frame was reduced to a scrawny, painful experience. Much of his body was seriously injured, and over these several days he had used his Saint ranked Aura to heal only the fatal damage his body had received. Of course, given enough time what remained could easily kill him as well. Without the natural Aura of the world to cultivate with, he wasn't able to rid himself of his wounds, let alone remain conscious without food or water for so long.

Parsmir reached with his robes, pulling out a small box. Seeing this, Gryfor's eyes glistened as he looked at the box with great attention. It seemed rather plain from the outside, with only a single lid. However, he could sense Aura undulations within, a set of five objects that could help revitalize his body of his injuries.

"To think I would one day smuggle Aura Pills to aid a prisoner..." Parsmir bitterly laughed as he lifted the lid of the small box, revealing a set of five white Aura Pills, each carefully crafted. Gryfor's eyes revealed a hint of life as he looked at these small spheres.

Parsmir lifted a single pill, placing it into Gryfor's open mouth, watching the former general swallow the medicine whole. His Aura had already filled the room, using it to carefully sense for any occurrences in Gryfor's body.

Gryfor felt a deep sense of warmth fill his body, the pill dissolving inside his body. It tasted slightly sweet before quickly disappearing. Within his Aura Core, several streams of pure Aura entered within, rejuvenating the nearly shattered Aura Core inside. Gryfor felt a huge wave of strength fill his body, each cell of his being regaining what he had lost as a prisoner in the Councillor Prison.

Gryfor became obedient, allowing Parsmir to place each Aura Pill inside of his mouth. Waves of Aura filled his Aura Core, returning his Aura energy to optimal levels. Once the last pill was absorbed into his body, Gryfor used his new energy to heal his body, his bones and organs returning to their original state. Once he was finished, he coughed repeatedly, a thick amount of black blood staining the floor.

Parsmir looked to Gryfor while he hid the box back within his robes. If Molov was warm and kindly like a father than Gryfor was calculative and thorough like a commander. He didn't expect to hear any thanks; Gryfor wasn't one to show gratitude explicitly in words.

"Gryfor, you need to tell me what happened at Darkthorn Prison. Everything. From what you did on arriving, to your commands, all of it."

"It may be the only chance of you avoiding immediate execution." Parsmir imagined seeing Gryfor walk towards the execution scene, his arms and legs chained together. He envisioned seeing Gryfor's body linked to a metal frame while Aura practitioners slowly ended his life through Aura immolation. It was painful, horrific, and Gryfor would have no chance of surviving it.

Gryfor sat there in the silence, contemplating on what to say. Can talking about my actions truly save my life? He didn't think that that was possible. Lifeblood Refining was perhaps one of the most hated actions an Aura manipulator could do. The action of stealing the cultivation talent of other human beings simply to rise in Aura level was a heinous crime, a crime outlawed by every major power or nation in Madrag.

Live past immediate execution? That didn't mean much to Gryfor at all. If he was to die, it was better off as soon as possible. He remembered how those loyal dogs of the war hawk elders took their time mauling and assaulting his body during "interrogation." Given Gryfor received the forbidden tome on Lifeblood Refining, someone had to have presented it to the former general first. The Alberdos War Council, and even the Alberdan Emperor himself would want to completely remove this blemish from their record. If the other grand powers learned of it, untold chaos would reign over the Alberdos Empire.

Gryfor didn't dare think of revealing it was Parsmir who gave him the forbidden knowledge. He had long understood the office politics of the War Council, and knew that informing the council of Parsmir's actions would result in not only their deaths, but perhaps even the deaths of the other elders from Molov's faction. Under the banner of ridding corruption from their ranks, the warmongers would quickly dispose of the rest of Molov's supporters without thinking twice.

Gryfor looked at Parsmir's eyes, noticing the pleading within his gaze. Gryfor exhaled a deep breath before beginning to speak.

"When I first became the Warden of Darkthorn Prison..." Gryfor began to retell of all his actions, from entering into Darkthorn, to changing the staff to his liking, to making the command of collecting blood of the prisoners, to being captured by Eric Faulkner's forces. He didn't forget a single event and told Parsmir of everything he had done. He didn't fear Parsmir would reveal the more questionable commands he gave, as that would be detrimental to his case.

Parsmir, after listening to Gryfor's time as the Warden, began to softly sigh. If I had known all of this was going to occur, I wouldn't have given him that book. He wished he could go back and hide that forbidden book, perhaps even burn it to ashes, to prevent Gryfor from being imprisoned for his current crimes. Sadly even if there was a way to return to that time Parsmir didn't, and possibly wouldn't ever know.

Gryfor finished speaking, waiting for Parsmir to respond. Parsmir was his mentor, and later his godfather after Molov's passing. The two had spent several years together, both painful and memorial, and deep within Gryfor trusted Parsmir with his life. If Parsmir could find a way to save him, Gryfor knew that his godfather wouldn't let the possibility slip by.

Gryfor extended his Aura, trying to sense how deep his Aura was. After filling the room, his eyes focused back on the kneeling Parsmir. It was faint, but Parsmir was subtly agitated, and the elder's breathing was muffled yet ragged. His eyes constricted, alerting Parsmir.

Parsmir chuckled. "Gryfor, it's nothing. Nothing at all. It's because I haven't walked so deep in an Aura suppression Formation region for so long, and my aging body is having trouble adjusting. Don't worry." Parsmir revealed a smile, but Gryfor didn't believe him.

Gryfor wanted to speak, but he wasn't sure what to say. What price did Elder Parsmir pay to come here? If an Aura Saint of Parsmir's level could be reduced to such a tired state, he must have done something that severely impacted his health. Various thoughts rose in Gryfor's mind as he tried to think of what could cause his godfather so much trouble. Was he assaulted by the warmongering faction? Or worse?

Parsmir stood up, looking at Gryfor with a tinge of regret surfacing in his eyes. I must do what I can to save Gryfor. I must.

"Gryfor, I have to leave. The time I have spent with you is already limited, and I will try to return later."

"Gryfor, do not give in. I can tell that those monsters are toying with you, but you cannot let them have there way. Soon, I will find a way to at least guarantee your life. I promise you." Parsmir briefly smiled before walking out of the door. He injected his Aura into the wall, watching as the boundary between him and Gryfor appear once again.

Parsmir returned up the stairs to the main floor, before using his Aura to open the Concealment Formation on the wall. Walking out, the two sentries saluted him as he left the Councillor Prison.

How long, how long before I can rid us of that barrier? Parsmir thought back to the terrible wounds that were etched all over Gryfor's malnourished body, leaving him in an oblong position on the floor. He wanted to free Gryfor from his imprisonment, but given the crime Gryfor committed and the current faction in power was against him, Parsmir knew the chances were slim of Gryfor receiving a fair trial, let alone being allowed to live.

There must be someone that can help me. Parsmir thought back to the numerous neutral middle management and senior elders of the War Council, trying to find someone that could help him rescue Gryfor. Given that Gryfor's only backing was himself, who would want to help a Lifeblood Refiner evade justice without receiving benefits?

But this wasn't justice to Gryfor. Parsmir knew of Gryfor's childhood, and how the Absalace family was forced into the slums, only to face heavy mistreatment. If it wasn't for his brother and mentor Molov, Gryfor would have continued in this manner, a forgotten citizen in the Alberdos Empire with an uncertain future. Parsmir couldn't stand by and watch the Alberdan people, the peaceful faction of the War Council, Molov and Gryfor die because of the greed and desires of the few.

Parsmir took one last glance at the Councillor Prison before making his way to the offices of the War Council, hoping to find more elders to support him. Gryfor couldn't die because he didn't try hard enough. He couldn't.

Back in the Councillors Prison, the pair of sentries resumed their positions, each overseeing each side of the main hall. If a mortal entered the building, it would seem the prison only had this small room. In actuality, the prison had several winding solitary cells, levels upon levels separated from one another that burrowed into the ground. These cells were protected by Formations and Creations, and it would be difficult for even an Aura King to enter.

Of the two sentries, the younger of the pair stood in his corner, momentarily taking peeks at his superior. The old sentry looked at him with an amicable gaze. "Alright, Aigen, my shift is over. If you need me, Roswalt, you can find me at the Chrysanthemum Plaza. It's Silk Sunday." The old man gave a lecherous smile before leaving through the entrance of the prison.

Noticing the older sentry was switching his shift, the young man revealed a Transmission Creation from his front pocket. His thoughts flashed back to orders he received prior.

I have ten minutes. He quickly filled the Creation with his Warrior ranked Aura, watching the entrance for the appearance of the next shift. The small device glimmered with light before fading away to an ancient and earthly voice.

"Yes?" The voice from the other end seemed to be very old, as if part of the past was conversing with the sentry named Aigen. Aigen cleared his throat before speaking into the Creation.

"Elder Parsmir had arrived to the Councillor Prison two hours earlier." Aigen replied, his tone respectful as he spoke to the listener.

"And?" The voice seemed a bit awakened, a hint of darkness rising into existence.

"Elder Parsmir shortly left around 43 minutes ago. His face didn't seem to be affected by Gryfor's imprisonment. Instead, he looked...determined." Aigen replied into the machine, recalling what he had seen.

"Perfect. Aigen, you have helped me greatly with your service all these years." The voice on the other end seemed to have become younger and more amicable. It sounded as if the listener was truly grateful to Aigen.

"Thank you, sir." Aigen replied, a slight smile on his face.

"I'd like to show you my thanks for your service, Aigen. Tomorrow night, I'd like to invite you to the Order of Morduno's grand gathering here in Merister. I hope you will attend." The voice was filled with warmth as it gave the invitation.

Aigen's heart soared, his thoughts racing back an forth. An invitation to an official meeting of elders? He couldn't believe his luck transcended his life as a mere prison sentry. To him, it was insane to not go.

"Thank you, Grand Elder." Aigen spoke into the Creation, enthusiasm and joy filling each of his words. He couldn't believe the Grand Elder had welcomed him into such an important event. If all went well, he could even become an elder in the War Council. Such was the power of the Order of Morduno, an order that included the current Grand Elder Rolen of the War Council and similar figures. It was more than a great honor; it was a qualitative improvement of life.

Grand Elder Rolen sat in his chair, overseeing the city of Merister from the highest floor of the Elder Tower. His predecessor's untimely, or rather timely, passing gave him the reins of the War Council. With many of his forces dispersed throughout all of Alberdos, his power in steering the course of the Alberdos Empire was perhaps second to the Emperor Evani himself.

Rolen set aside his Transmission Creation, taking a large sip of his Alberdan dew tea. A malicious smile arose on his face as he imagined plucking out the roots of the dissenting faction.

Oh Molov! You refused to be friendly and was against my plans of renaming the Madrag Continent in the name of Alberdos. Now your precious forces are trying their best to remove me from power, but they should've learned long ago wealth is a great motivator. Rolen laughed in a dark manner.

He had friends and allies throughout the land, and with the proper price he was able to steadily gain greater control over the empire. In this manner he had eventually won the seat of Grand Elder and also quietly disposed of what remained of Molov's faction.

War was a profitable event. Weapons, Creations, Medicinal Pills, Scrolls, Beasts and much more resources were required to wage war, and with secret ties to several producers of these materials Rolen was making a tidy profit. With this profit he could not only build his cultivation but also one day replace the emperor if he pleased.

With the capture of Gryfor, his plans of ridding the War Council of all of Molov's sympathizers now had a justifiable method to curing his biggest headache. However, he was surprised to find that when we wished to have that former general under his indirect control, two neutral elders actually opposed him. Knowing it wasn't in their nature, Rolen quickly investigated the matter, finding the cause in the form of Elder Parsmir.

At the time, Rolen couldn't help but smile at the vain attempts of this old friend of Molov's try to save the Lifeblood Refiner. Didn't that Parsmir know that Gryfor would practically be guaranteed a painful death for his crimes? He didn't fear that Parsmir could get far, instead focusing the majority of attention on adding more and more of his confidantes to positions of power. Just in case, he had a few lower level members of the Order of Morduno survey all of Parsmir's actions to ensure Gryfor didn't avoid death.

Molov, thank you for dying. The Alberdos Empire will conquer the Madrag Empire, the Seafoam Federations, and the other smaller nations with or without you. Your friends will be taken care of, especially your legacy child Gryfor. And I, I will stand to gain benefits from it all, of course! Rolen watched the setting sun, the bright reddish orange hues filling his office. His eyes gleamed with anticipation of seeing the day when his name would be remembered in history for unifying the Madrag continent under the Alberdan banner.

He couldn't wait for that day to come.