Somewhere high in unknown mountains, a man walked a precarious narrow path on the side of the rocky walls. His black, ragged robes underneath his padded fur coat fluttered in the howling wind as the sun began to set. The cold of the altitude made his breath visible, oozing through the mouth hole of his gold mask. When he reached the end of the path, there was a wanky, creaking bridge he crossed without thinking. At last, he finally reached the summit. Before him stood a statue, snowed in and blending in with the rest of the mountain. He halted in front of it and looked up, inspecting the statue's face. It was a depiction of a Hinos. He was startled when a sudden voice emerged behind him.

"Mysterious bunch, aren't they?" a shaking old man stood behind him, covered in warm clothes made of fur and a hood with fur linings. His back arched, and he supported himself with a stick planted firmly into the ground. He shuffled beside the masked man, looking at it as well.

"My father used to research the ruins left by these people. He always thought they were capable of wielding magic no one had ever seen before. A magic that could destroy realms." he then chuckled. "I never believed him. He was the town's mad man."

The man with the mask slowly turned his head to the old man. "How did you get up here?" his deep metallic voice hissing through the mask. Before he could even reply, he felt a sharp point pressing against his back and a younger female voice joining the fray.

"What are you doing here? Very few people know of this corner on the Iron Rise. Step back, father."

The old man kept his distance as the masked man slowly turned, holding his hands visible. Her face was shrouded by her thick fur hood, but a long braided ponytail of black hair stuck out the front. The sharp point turned out to be a sword. Her blue eyes stood out among the white of the snow. "Remove your mask."

The man carefully reached it and took it off, revealing his humanoid lizard face. It was Hahvulon. When she saw it, she took a few steps back, keeping the pointy end of her sword aimed at him. "So it is true. Word is spreading quickly." her commanding voice quickly turned into a fearful one. "What do you want?"

Hahvulon sighed and stepped forward. The woman then screamed and charged forth, thrusting her sword towards him, but he stepped aside at an unnaturally fast pace before grabbing her sword arm, crippling her to her knees. She grunted in pain as Hahvulon's eyes turned bright purple, and purple veins spread from his hand into her skin.

"Senna!" the old man exclaimed.

"You will submit." Hahvulon hissed.

The woman turned quiet and stopped resisting. Hahvulon removed his hand from her wrist, and she rose up.

"Senna? My sweet daughter. Talk to me, please..." the old man muttered. Hahvulon stared her in the eye. "Kill him." and turned to the statue. Senna turned to her father, her eyes emitting a purple glow as she approached him, bearing a cold gaze. "Senna, please." her father pleaded, dropping weakly to his knees. She planted her sword deep into the man's stomach and then pulled it out without hesitation. Blood gushed out of his body, and he began choking on blood as he dropped to the cold, snowy ground.

Hahvulon placed his hand on the statue and closed his eyes. "Neru. Ittk'semi yero'on."

An eagle screeched overhead before descending towards the Hinos master, changing shape into the black furry creature, Neru. Its cat-like ears twitched as it nimbly climbed the statue, locking eyes with the statue's, unlocking a series of mechanical and stone grinding sounds before the ground next to it formed into a set of stairs leading inside the mountain. Before going inside, he turned to Senna. "Stand guard. Kill anyone who tries to enter."

She nodded. "Yes, master." and he went inside. Neru climbed on his shoulder as they walked down the dark and old decrepit stairs. Neru's bright eyes served as a light to brighten up the corridor's path ahead. Along the rocky walls were drawings carved into the stone. Hahvulon brushed his hand across a depiction of eight Hinos in a circle. "Thousands of years, our people have lived in isolation, hiding in fear of being discovered again by humans."

He walked further down the corridor, looking at more drawings of Hinos figures building towering cities touching the clouds. "We have suffered long enough. Finally, Neru, we can turn everything back to what it once was with you by my side."

The pair stumbled on another set of stairs leading further down, but the drawings didn't stop. As another revealed Hinos fighting each other, with a black rose in the middle of everything. "We can finally undo what Xhiak has destroyed. His betrayal will be in vain."

Hahvulon reached the bottom of the stairs, which led to a broader corridor blocked by a big stone wall. Carved into it was a big drawing of one of Neru's species. Its eyes were closed, and a line in the wall from top to bottom, cutting its face in half, revealed it might have been a door. Neru raised their head and looked at the door with wide eyes.

"Yes, you recognize this place? Here is where all the Guardians once resided. Only you can open this door." Hahvulon said, crouching down. Neru jumped off and minced towards the door. A strange fog of indigo began oozing through the door's crack, flowing to the floor like the sap of a tree running down its bark. It collected itself on the ground and around the Guardian, and then, there was an echoing click. The giant stone door slowly opened, creating a loud grinding sound. What was revealed was an enormous cavern with big roots breaking through the rocky ceiling and growing along the walls and a series of Guardian statues leading the way to a taller, much more grandiose Guardian statue which stood proudly in the middle of the room. The rest of the cavern was adorned with stalagmites and stalactites and strange glowing plants growing along with the roots, naturally lighting up the place in dim, blue light. Neru stepped in, and Hahvulon followed, his eyes wide as he took in the view of this beautiful cavern.

"Guardian's Rest, after all this time, you remained intact," Hahvulon mumbled as Neru trotted ahead, inspecting the giant statues, standing at least forty times as tall. They cooed softly to themselves. Hahvulon closed his eyes, took a deep breath, crouched down, and placed his hand on the cold stone floor. His mind flooded with memories of this place. Though so distant in time, they were merely flashes.

Two Guardians enter the room with a group of Hinos.

A circle of Guardians gathered around in the middle of the cavern, surrounding a dead Hinos and chanting.

"Kho'than!" (Over here!) someone beckoned fleeing Hinos members inside in a panic.

The cavern was littered with Guardian and Hinos bodies. Some were still alive but crying in pain and choking to death. Children and women, too.

One last Guardian weakly crawled towards the prominent statue, going limp on the floor and drawing its last breath.

Hahvulon gasped and regained control of himself when the memory flashes ended. He was shocked, seeing how much this place had suffered. He stood up and looked around, only noticing the hardened stone bodies of Guardians and Hinos intertwined into the roots. It must have been hundreds. He then saw Neru standing in the middle of the path towards the most enormous statue. Their ears folded back, looking at a lifeless Guardian body turned to stone. They could still see their agonizing expression, trying to reach toward the stone idol ahead. Hahvulon approached from behind. "Your kind fought bravely until the end. With your help, we can redo all of this. Destroy humanity, and bring back the reign of the Hinos to its former glory." he walked past Neru, looking up towards the giant Guardian statue. "Once we have the Ka Jiim Roha, we can bring everyone back. All the Hinos and Guardians that died during the day of the Red Purge."

He turned to Neru. "It all depends on you now. Absorb this idol's knowledge of the Rose's whereabouts. And soon, your kind will return."

Neru walked toward the statue and closed their eyes. Hahvulon stood beside them and crouched down. Neru placed their paw on the figure, and soon as they did, they felt Hahvulon's hand touch their head. As Neru recalled a distant memory, so did Hahvulon.

Xhiak met another Hinos in an unknown place, presenting the Black Rose. "Bi'ir un jotun, yo'l aahn'tiir. Ne mida sii vrem. Yi'ma soncrii't yo'l, kon Lundir." (Bury this with you, my apprentice. No one can know. Make this sacrifice for me, for Lundir.)

A younger Hinos looked at it and carefully took it with shaking hands. "Yes, Master."

"Seal it deep inside the temple of the First Scion. And destroy the place. No one may enter." Xhiak said.

"Yes, Master. I will not disappoint you." the young Hinos said, his eyes locked onto the alluring indigo glow of the Black Rose resting upon his hands.

"Good. Now go." he then began coughing, having difficulty breathing. "I have one last place to visit."

Hahvulon opened his eyes and gasped, standing up. "The First Scion temple. That's all the way in Vork'han. The humans call it Etheon."

Neru looked back, cooing before climbing back on his shoulder. "We are done here," Hahvulon said, turning around and walking towards the exit. "Only one more step."

Kiera's eyes shot open wide as she instantly began coughing up water, spilling on her face and neck before she rolled to her side, coughing up more. Her lack of strength made her roll on her back again, seeing a clear blue sky. Her muscles felt stiff, and her head pounded. She blinked rapidly as the sun's bright light formed tears in her eyes. Dazed and confused, she turned her head towards a palm tree, and when she moved her hand, she felt sand underneath her fingers. More of her senses returned as she began smelling the ocean's salt and hearing the crashing waves and distant squawking seagulls. She propped her elbow underneath herself and carefully raised herself for a better view, seeing two men tend to a fire ahead. It was Blood and Valmir, both looking roughed up. The Hinos didn't even wear his armour this time. Nothing but a tight robe and leaning on a long stick supporting himself. She could hear faintly what they were saying.

"We can't just do nothing, Blood. My men were loyal. There's some fucking magic involved, and you know it." Valmir said.

"I know. But you have to remember, they are still pirates. They're not exactly notorious for their loyalty." Blood answered, poking the fire with a stick. "Magic or not, this is all Hahvulon's doing. And he's got an army this time. An army that's gaining strength as we speak."

"This goes beyond me, Blood. Even you." Valmir paced around nervously, "We can't go up against an army, let alone an army led by some reptilian wizard madman." he then realized the weight of his words when Blood looked at him in silence. "Look, I'm sorry. But what is your plan? I owed you before all of this. I think we're square now."

"You know damn well we're not even close to being square." Blood hissed, "Besides, you said it yourself. We can't just do nothing. Just sit and watch while Hahvulon destroys this world a second time over. I cannot, Valmir."

The captain opened his arms. "Then what do you suggest we do?"

"I say we find an army of our own. And I know one way to try and get one. Your family is wealthy-"

Valmir began laughing and shaking his head, interrupting Blood. "No. There are other ways to raise an army. But not this."

Blood sighed in frustration, looking away briefly. "Run from it all you want, but you will always be a Valquen. Your mother rules the entirety of Vraleth and commands a six-thousand strong army. If there is one person she will listen to, it's her own bloody son."

"You think she wants to talk to me? Huh?" Valmir grit his teeth, "I abandoned everything. My heritage to the throne, my vows. In no way am I related to the Valquen name anymore. I left that life for a reason."

Blood violently threw the stick in the fire and stumbled closer, clenching his fist. But Valmir didn't back away. He only stared deeply into his eyes. "You survived because of me. You had a crew because of me. Without me, you would have been a nobody."

Valmir grabbed Blood by the collar of his shirt and raised his fist, but then Kiera sputtered out weakly as loud as she could.

"I know how to defeat Hahvulon!"

They both looked at her in shock, interrupting the otherwise ensuing fight. Blood slapped Valmir's hand off his shirt with an intimidating hiss and stumbled over to Kiera. "You're awake. We thought you weren't going to make it." Kiera sat up a little more, propping her hand under her back.

"How are you feeling?" Blood asked, reaching into a backpack resting against the palm tree, taking out a canteen.

"Where is Elynn? Did Aldrin survive too?" Kiera asked.

Blood placed the canteen in her hand. "Yes, they will be back soon. They are out hunting. Now drink up."

Kiera sighed in relief before taking a few sips of water. She had never seen Blood like this. Without armour, his leg wrapped in bandages, looking so vulnerable, except for his bulging scaled muscles.

"You said something about knowing how to defeat Hahvulon?" Blood asked, carefully sitting down.

"I..." Kiera paused, "I need to go back home."

Blood frowned his eye ridges. "What do you mean, go back home? Didn't Neru tell you you have a bigger part to play in all of this?"

"I do. That is why I need to go back home. There are answers there to a lot of my questions." Kiera answered, staring in front of her.

"Did..." Blood muttered, "Did you see something while you were out?"

Kiera paused to think. She didn't want to sound like a lunatic. Besides, no one would believe her and think it was merely a dream. Maybe it was. She still couldn't tell. It felt like a dream, at least. "I cannot tell you. At least not until I have confirmed everything. But I need you to trust me."

Blood grunted as he pushed himself up with the help of his walking stick. "Fine. I trust you. Once Elynn and Aldrin are back, we need to discuss our course of action. Rest up until then."

Kiera nodded and laid her head back down, closing her eyes while resting her arm on her forehead. She felt exhausted. Not only physically but mentally, too. Her whole journey from Jiron to the ancient ruins, to Merc's Bay, the fighting, the killing. Everything started to feel too much. All the people she killed. One could argue it was always in self-defence, but how many did she kill indirectly? She stole so much back in Jiron just to survive and broke into homes in the middle of the night to steal jewellery. How many lives did she ruin just to save her own? But what really gnawed away at her mind was the fact that her parents were not even real. Maybe not even her brother. She always loved Aidan more than anyone else, and she knew that even if he wasn't her blood brother, she would still die for him. Aidan. Aidan...

His name floated around in her mind when she couldn't hold back the pressure anymore, and tears rolled down the side of her scrunched up face. She couldn't stay here. She just couldn't. She pushed up her upper body, face red with tears and then tried to stand up. Though still weak, she could keep herself standing upright. She was about to wander into the forest of palm trees behind her when she heard distant hooves and a horse's whinny. She watched Elynn and Aldrin arrive on horseback, with Elynn's horse carrying a pronghorn carcass on the back.

"Took us a while, but this pronghorn will do," Elynn said, dismounting in her leather corset and bare, sunburnt arms. Her waist-long ponytail of white hair freely swayed with the ocean breeze.

"Animals are very hard to come by in these parts. We're lucky we caught one of these off-guard." Aldrin added, wearing his usual studded leather armour, his face glowing with sunburn. The amount of happiness Kiera felt when seeing Elynn was indescribable. Still overwhelmed with emotions, she caught Elynn's attention, who widened her eyes at the sight of her friend. Alive and well. She immediately ran towards Kiera, and they both hugged each other tightly.

Kiera's theme https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GMr8iLnfr4s

"By the gods, Kiera. You're okay. I really thought..." Elynn said as she broke down into a sob, along with Kiera. Elynn's warm embrace, despite the high temperatures here, filled Kiera with joy and, finally, some security.

"I tried so hard." Kiera whimpered, but Elynn hushed her, caressing the back of Kiera's head in her hand during the embrace.

"I know. Aldrin told me all about it. You even scared him a little bit." Elynn released a chuckle between her silent crying, which made Kiera laugh a little bit.

"I just wanted to save you, and the thought of these people hurting you...it really drove me insane." Kiera said shakily. They stopped hugging but still stood close to each other.

Elynn took a deep breath and looked at her, her eyes still red from crying. She also kept her hands on Kiera's shoulders. "Now, are you okay?"

Kiera sighed, wiping away her tears. "I don't know. I don't even know where to begin." saying that nearly made her cry again.

"Tell you what?" Elynn said, trying to keep eye contact, "How about we take a ride along the beach? Just like old times? You can tell me all about it then. How does that sound?"

Kiera smiled weakly and nodded. "Did you find Shadow?"

Elynn shook her head, and Kiera noticed it pained her. "I'm sorry."

Elynn scoffed, trying to dismiss her pain. "Don't worry. I'm sure he's out there somewhere. Come, let's ride." She nudged Kiera and headed over to the horses. But before they got to them, Aldrin approached Kiera. "Hey, Kiera. I uhm...just wanted to thank you for helping me back on that ship. Blood told me everything. If it wasn't for you, even if I escaped, it wouldn't have mattered. So thank you." he nodded and smiled.

Kiera returned the smile. "We saved each other. I was cornered until you showed up, remember?"

Aldrin chuckled softly. "You're right. I'll let you two go for a ride. I bet you have a lot to talk about."

Kiera sighed and glanced at Elynn, who simply smiled back. "We do."

"Now shoo!" Elynn joked, "Before I start thinking you have a thing for my friend here."

"Wha-" Aldrin stuttered, hid his blush by turning around comically and walked away.

Kiera giggled and playfully pushed Elynn on the shoulder. "That was mean."

"Oh, he can take it," Elynn smirked, finally grabbing her new brown horse's reins. A few moments later, Kiera and Elynn rode side by side along the beach. The waves crept underneath the hooves of Ghost and Elynn's horse as the sun descended towards the horizon, giving the sky an orange hue.

"I've had the honour of going out on a hunt with him." Elynn smiled, rubbing her horse's black manes.

"He is interesting, that's for sure." Kiera chuckled, calmly resting her hands on the saddle while holding the reins. "He's a good fighter, too."

Elynn hummed affirmatively. "His father was a commander in the Empress' legion. He told me he learned a lot from him."

"I'm happy for him." Kiera said, "The only thing my parents taught me is that people can be arseholes."

Elynn puffed out a silent laugh. "Me too." and then cast a more serious look on her face. "I also want to thank you for saving me. When you and Aldrin shot those cannons, it was pure chaos on deck. When they brought me up there, I kept wondering if you were part of those burning ships. I was scared. A million thoughts rushed through my head. But I am glad you are okay."

"I am glad you are, too." Kiera smiled, "Imagine how I felt. I didn't even see you, so I had to blindly hope by shooting the cannons that you would be able to escape too. But, we are here now. Though this is far from over."

"I mean, it can be," Elynn said. Kiera looked at her, a bit confused as she continued. "Let's just leave Valmir and Blood and let them deal with this. After everything they told me, everything Aldrin told me, this is something way beyond us. We could go back to treasure hunting. Find a real way to convince my family to accept me again."

Kiera closed her eyes and sighed, taking a halt with Ghost. "I can't."

Elynn stopped as well, looking puzzled. "What do you mean?"

Kiera looked up and paused, having no idea how to explain.

"Kiera?" Elynn said with a hint of worry in her voice.

Kiera took a deep breath and began speaking right after. "I drowned. I wasn't supposed to be alive. And then I had this vision...or dream...I don't even know anymore. Every moment that goes by, it becomes harder to remember what I felt."

"What do you mean you drowned?" Elynn opened her mouth and stared down at her friend.

"I wasn't supposed to be alive, is what I mean," Kiera said softly. "I know it sounds ridiculous. But I think I died, and I met someone in this strange pitch dark room. It was another Hinos. He told me that he was a former Master of Scion. Someone like Hahvulon. He had a relationship with a human. And he saw himself in my eyes."

The elf shook her head. "It was just a dream, Kiera."

Kiera closed her eyes again in response. Somewhere she knew Elynn would react like that. Nor did she blame her for it. "Dreams feel different."

Elynn started to have a look in her eyes you would look at someone if they seemed mad. "Please don't throw your life away for a dream, Kiera. Blood pulled you out of that water. You were floating face down, and then he used his magic on you. That's what saved you, not this entity in your dreams."

Kiera remained silent, not knowing what to say. But her friend wasn't done yet. "Look, it could be the magic that made your dream feel strange. You don't know that."

"I might have Hinos blood in me, Elynn." Kiera insisted calmly, "If that is true, my parents aren't even my real parents. That means I was an orphan once. The man in my vision told me himself. It felt way too real to be a dream. So I have to go back home. Back to Etheon and find out myself."

Elynn shook her head and rolled her eyes, looking away towards the big orange sun halfway down into the ocean. "Back to your abusive father? Do I have to remind you last time you left that place? He tried to kill-" suddenly, Kiera interrupted her, raising her voice firmly. "I know." the increasing tension silenced them both until Kiera continued. "There is no need to remind me." her voice shook a little.

"Then why do you want to go back? We were settled here in Volaria, we had a routine. We had ways to help me-"

"Ways to help you leave me and go back to Elvaeron?" Kiera snapped. "It's always about you. If you are so keen on leaving me behind so you can become an elven noble, then why do you stick around in the first place?"

Elynn, clearly hurt, remained silent and looked her friend deep in her eyes while her own became watery. "Kiera. I'm going to the others before you, and I can't go back." She turned around her horse and clicked her tongue as it dusted off into a gallop, leaving Kiera behind. It was just her and the ocean beside her. Never in her life did she feel as betrayed as she did then. The painful realization that even her best friend didn't believe her. Why would others believe her then? She was alone, and that thought sent her crying quietly.

Alone https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2577E6bO2Y0

She turned her gaze to the distant smoke of the camp behind her and began thinking. If no one believed her, no one would be able to help her. Not Blood, not Valmir, not Aldrin, not even Elynn. Did she really have to leave everyone behind? She didn't want to, but she knew Hahvulon was a real threat to the world, and as Blood said himself, there was very little chance of defeating him as it would take another Master of Scion. But even then, a Master of Scion wielding the Black Rose would be the most powerful being in the world. But what hurt the most was Elynn's betrayal. How could she even say those things and forget she had a little brother in Etheon, too, still stuck in her father's claws. Even if she didn't go back to seek her real parents, it seemed selfish to try and stop her. She turned her head to the sun, which almost disappeared entirely underneath the horizon, turning the sky yet a bit darker.

She decided what she wanted to do. She dismounted Ghost and removed her rucksack, crouching down and reaching into it. What she took out was her notebook. While there was still enough light out, she sat down on the sand while high tide began to pull the water back into the ocean and opened the book. While trying to find the last unwritten page, she came across many of her old doodles. Expertly drawn, too. She saw a drawing of her view on her roof back home, of all the ships coming into the bay and the houses surrounding it. It put a faint smile on her face for a very brief moment, which quickly dissolved as she got to an empty page. With a piece of charcoal, she began to write.

By the time she was done, the sun was gone, and the sky turned dark blue, gradually dropping the temperature drastically. She got back on Ghost and returned to camp, but she came across Blood on horseback on the way there.

"There you are. I won't ask what happened between you two, but Valmir and I have got a plan. I'll explain by the fire." he said.

"Let's go then," Kiera said emotionless. They rode to camp and dismounted, joining Valmir, Elynn, and Aldrin by the fire. Kiera and Elynn ignored each other while they gathered. Everyone sat down, listening to the crackling fire and enjoying its radiating warmth. Blood, however, remained standing.

"Alright, everyone, listen up." Blood opened his speech. He wore his armour again. Polished but still dented. The fire glistened into his steel chest. "I don't want to lie to you. Our future looks grim. Our chances of stopping Hahvulon are next to impossible. We won't be able to stop him from finding the Black Rose. Before all this, there was one thing he needed to find and to gain the ability to resurrect those who had died yesterday or thousands of years ago. It was the last surviving Guardian named Neru. Unfortunately, Neru fell into the hands of Hahvulon, despite our efforts." he paced around, "But that doesn't mean we should give up hope. Just like us, Neru never wanted to eradicate a whole other race. Their purpose was to protect Hinos secrets and assist the Masters of Scion in protecting the Rose from evil hands. They were the conduit between the Scion, and our god, Lundir. Without a Guardian to channel the Rose's magic, the Rose is useless to anyone wanting to use it. To this day, no one knows how Xhiak managed to convince a Guardian that creating a disease to destroy two races was necessary."

He then looked at Kiera. "Neru spoke to you, didn't they?"

She noticed all eyes were on her, and she nodded. "Yes. They told me I was more important than I thought. And...that I would find out myself soon enough."

"Right." Blood answered, then turned his attention to everyone else again. "So clearly the Guardian had plans for Kiera. What that is, we will have to find out. Not only that, but Hahvulon is also raising an army. We already experienced their tenacity and fierceness first hand. And I can assure you that is just the beginning. Every second his numbers grow, and once he has the Rose, he will be unstoppable. He will march down every city, every castle, every village, and slaughter everyone. He will not keep people alive to forge alliances or to bend them to his will. Once he has his Hinos army, there will be no need for humans among his ranks anymore. His true goal is to rid this realm of all humans. And if no one stops him, he will succeed."

There was an eerie silence. Nothing but the light of the crackling fire flickering in everyone's eyes.

Valmir raised his hand and smirked, and Kiera only then realized the bottle in his hand. "All hail Hahvulon."

Everyone knew it was a joke, but no one laughed. They all agreed it was badly placed, which he realized by himself. Blood continued.

"Clearly this goes beyond the power of five people. It is time we bring the rest of the realm into this. We will need every kingdom in Oryn to fight alongside each other against Hahvulon. If he has enough time, his numbers will grow into the millions. You don't have to be a seasoned war veteran to know that is not a force to be reckoned with."

His posture relaxed slightly as he looked into the starry night sky. "Go back thousands of years ago, and I thought when Xhiak betrayed us all and wiped out both Humans and Hinos, at least the war would be over. As horrible as the outcome might be, everyone's suffering finally came to an end. Little did I know everything would repeat all over again. I am truly sorry you know? For my people's violence. I want you all to know that."

Valmir sighed and pushed himself up with a groan while firmly holding his bottle. He walked up to him and placed a hand on his steel pauldron. "My friend, if there is one thing I know, we all have our dark side. We will do what we can. I will go to the Citadel in Erye. Reunite with my sister, and try to convince her to support us."

"Thank you, Val." Blood said softly, then switched his gaze to the others. "Then Aldrin will go back to Vraleth, inform as many lords, kings, and queens about this issue. If they want proof, I will visit every single one of them personally. But first I will help Kiera find out what's so important about her."

"Yeah, about that." Kiera interrupted him, feeling nervous. "I might know where to start. I have to go back home, but I have to go alone."

Blood squinted his eyes. "What do you mean? What does going back home have to do with what Neru told you?"

Kiera sighed and shook her head, looking away. "Look, I just have to. You wouldn't believe me anyway."

"Try me." Blood took a step forward, looking her straight in the eye. "Can it be any stranger than dissolving into mist, and flying towards a ship through void magic?"

Kiera glanced at each and everyone looking at her. Aldrin, Valmir, Elynn, Blood. "Back when..." she had so much trouble saying the words, so she swallowed and started over. "Back when I was out from drowning, I had a vision. I met another Hinos who told me I might be a half-blood. More importantly, Scion blood. That means my parents are not my real parents, so I have to know."

Blood paused for a moment. Elynn then stood up, guiding a strand of white hair behind her ear. "Look, Kiera. I want to believe you. I really do. But isn't there a possibility it is just a dream?"

"It is possible." Blood answered, keeping his eyes on Kiera as if he was inspecting her. "But visions do happen. It is something many Masters of Scion experience. Did the man in your vision have a name?"

"Xherulon," Kiera answered. Blood's eyes widened, and his slit pupils dilated slightly as he stepped back. "You saw Xherulon?"

"Wait, you know him?" Elynn asked, baffled.

"He was a Master of Scion, shunned for having bedded a human. He died during the Red Purge from the disease. I never told you about him, yet you know his name." he inhaled deeply. "Go home. Find out if it's true. If it is, this whole thing might yet turn to our favour."

Elynn remained silent, unable to look at her friend, and sat back down. Aldrin broke the silence. "Will you come with me then, Blood? Convincing the kingdoms of Oryn will be a lot easier with you by my side." he smiled.

"Aye. I will." he answered, then looked at the elf. "What about you? If Kiera wants to go alone, where will you go?"

Elynn took a glance at Kiera, who stared into the fire. "I have been banished from my home in Elvaeron longer than I can remember. It's time I go home too. I mean, what's more redeeming than possessing information that could save this realm?" she forced a smile by pressing her lips together. Blood nodded and took a deep breath. "Then we all know what to do. We will meet in the Citadel of Whitehollow, in Erye, when we're done. I believe one of the taverns there is called the Silent Horn. We wait for each other there."

"What if Hahvulon has the Rose earlier than we thought?" Aldrin asked.

"Then we don't let that stop us." Blood answered with his head held high, "It will be harder to find us divided. But we will be more vulnerable. Keep that in mind. Choose your own battles, don't let the enemy choose for you." he then sat down, sighing. "Unless anyone has any questions, we have a long day ahead. Best to get some sleep. I will keep the first watch."

"Sounds like a plan," Valmir said. And so, everyone but Blood went to sleep. Kiera lay on her bedroll, covering herself with her fur blanket, facing away from Elynn. As the fire crackled in the dead of night, she couldn't sleep. All she could think about was her parents and how they would react to her showing up after disappearing for many years. Hours and hours went by of no sleep, just lost in thoughts, watching everyone change watch. She then finally managed to fall asleep, only to be woken up after two hours to have her turn of standing watch.

Bored, she poked the fire with a stick after adding more wood. Her eyes were drawn to Elynn, sleeping soundly. She didn't want to leave her behind after everything they had been through. After everything they had done. But this is a journey she had to take herself. The black starry sky slowly turned blue as the sun began to rise. Though still underneath the horizon, Valmir already woke up, yawning and feeling groggy.

"Nothing special I assume?" he asked with a hoarse voice.

"No," Kiera said softly, watching the pirate captain pack his things. He wanted to say something, but he didn't know how, so he was awkward about it. "Look, uhm...I don't know exactly how it feels to be potentially adopted, but I do know how it feels to have parents who despise you. I distanced myself from the throne, from my family. My sister is the only one who didn't treat me like shit. So good luck out there."

Kiera knew he meant well, and she did appreciate his words. It cast a weak smile on her face. "Thank you. I have my little brother."

He fastened the belt of his satchel and wrapped it around his shoulder. "I know you panicked during the battle on my ship. And just so you know, you're the bravest girl I ever met of your age. I sense you have many victories ahead of you. It will get better."

"Thank you, Valmir." Kiera smiled genuinely. "Good luck with your sister."

He scoffed, "Aye, thank you." then saluted with two fingers, "Safe travels, Kiera. I better see you again in the Citadel."

"Farewell, Valmir." Kiera smiled. Finally, Blood and Aldrin woke up too, and as the sky turned brighter every second, it was time for her to pack as well. She rolled up her bedroll and fastened it to her rucksack. She saw her journal inside and remembered the letter she had written. She took out the journal and the already ripped out page. She carefully placed it underneath Elynn's back, closed her rucksack, tied her boots, put on her brown hooded poncho and tightened her finger-less gloves. With the pack on her back, she fastened her bow and quiver on it and then headed over to Ghost. She patted him on his nose. "It's time for you to come home with me, buddy." she smiled. She jumped a bit when she felt a touch on her shoulder from behind. It was Aldrin.

"Before you go, I just wanted to say goodbye. And good luck." he then hesitantly hugged her, barely touching her. It was awkward but sweet.

"Bye, Aldrin. We don't know each other that well, but I can tell you're sweet. One day you're going to tell me the story about how you met with that big bulky Hinos over there."

He smiled. "I will. Farewell, Kiera."

"Farewell."

He turned around and walked away. She took Ghost's reins with a deep breath and led him away from camp, westbound towards Jiron. She didn't even want to look back. But being with Ghost comforted her a little bit. At least she wasn't alone. When the sun finally showed its face above the horizon, Kiera left behind the rocky hills, already feeling the heat on her skin. "We have a long path ahead of us, Ghost, just you and me. You don't think I'm crazy, do you? Of course, you don't."

As the first droplets of sweat rolled down her face, she suddenly heard a soft drum of hooves behind her. She immediately reached towards her bow and turned around, only to notice...Elynn? She rode so fast that she reached her in seconds, then halted in front of her. She hopped off her horse angrily with a crumbled piece of paper in her hand and stomped toward Kiera. She opened it up with shaking hands and began reading angrily. "Dear Elynn, I know we had our differences, but I always loved you as a friend. Blablabla, more sentimental bullshit, But I think this is where we have part. As much as we went through, we have two different goals. It has always been like that. We both knew this moment would come."

"Look, Elynn..." Kiera sighed.

"No, shut up!" Elynn yelled, glaring at Kiera. "We have one fight, and you want to leave me? Do you really think I would let you do this? Go out there all by yourself? You'll get yourself killed. I was wrong, okay? I didn't believe you, but Blood convinced me that it might have been more than a dream. I'm sorry."

Kiera's eyes turned watery. "You have no idea how hard this is for me."

"That's the thing, Kiera. I do." Elynn lowered her voice. "We have stuck together through everything. We both have parents that treated us horribly. Let me come with you. We can go to Elvaeron after this."

Kiera sniffled and looked away. "Fine."

Elynn frowned with her eyebrows. "Look at me."

Kiera looked at her, and then Elynn hugged her. It didn't take long for Kiera to break down into more tears, hugging her back tightly. "It'll be alright. We always stick together. That is how we survive."

Five years ago...

A clap of thunder rumbled in the air, and rain poured down the thick forests of High Harbour as the strong winds made the trees dance as dusk began settling in, darkening the sky even more. Trudging through the muddy forest path were Kiera and Elynn, shivering and soaking wet.

"Let's just go back to the city." Elynn trembled, "It's n-no use if we die here."

Kiera stubbornly threaded onwards, wrapping her soaked scarf around her head and shoulders, desperate for warmth. "I c-can't. Need to...find shelter." she stuttered, but Elynn grabbed her shoulder and tried to stop her.

"Kiera, please. We can wait out the storm first." Elynn tried to insist.

"If you want to go back to the city, go ahead." Kiera had to raise her voice through the loud rustling of leaves and rumbling thunders. "But I'm not...going to set foot in that place ever again!"

Elynn sighed, pressing her arms against herself as she began shaking uncontrollably. Water dripped down her face constantly. "Fine, but if we can't find shelter soon, I'm going back."

The two girls trudged forward, shaking and feeling so cold. Minutes went by until Kiera saw someone approaching on horseback, holding a lantern. "Someone is coming." she weakly said, her lips turning blue. When the person approached, they saw it was a man wearing a leather poncho which covered his body and draped down to his lower back, almost like a cape. Even his horse was covered with some sort of linen blanket. It was too dark to make out his face. He was startled when he noticed the girls, abruptly stopping his horse and raising his lantern for a bit more light.

"Hello?" his voice sounded hoarse and deep. "A bit cold to be wandering around without any light, isn't it?"

"W-we need shelter." Elynn stuttered.

Realizing the state of the girls, he cursed to himself. "By the Gods, you two will die out here like this. Don't you have anywhere to go?"

"No..." Elynn muttered with trembling lips.

"Damnit. Hop on, both of you. Callus can take it. He's a strong warhorse." the man said, switching the lantern to his other hand and reaching out his other hand. Elynn glanced at Kiera, who didn't hesitate and took his hand before pulling her up behind him. "Come on, you too," he added, looking at the Elf.

Elynn realized she had no choice and followed Kiera's lead, taking her friend's hand to help her get on the horse.

"My house isn't far away. Giddy-up!" he shouted, whipping his horse as it dusted off into a draft, further away from the city. Another lightning struck, instantly followed by a loud peal of thunder, making Elynn flinch. A few minutes of riding led them deep into the dark forest, towards a small stone cottage. He halted underneath a shed next to it and dismounted with a grunt. "Here we are. Let's get inside."

Kiera and Elynn helped each other off while the man unlocked the door in the middle of another clap of thunder. He gestured for the two girls to go inside when he opened the door. "Come, quick."

"T-thank you." Kiera shivered, walking inside the warm house. A smell of burnt wax and a cosy interior full of wooden furniture greeted Kiera and Elynn. There even was a chimney and a smouldering fire inside of it.

"Please take a seat in front of the fireplace." the man said, closing the door behind him, muffling the sounds of the storm. The girls sat on a chair as the man lit up a few lanterns, lighting up the room. "It's dangerous to travel outside in the middle of the night, in the middle of a monsoon, you know?"

"We had no choice," Kiera mumbled, rubbing her hands together. The man walked over to the fireplace and reignited it with a flint and steel, throwing a few more sticks on the fire as it flickered back to life. When Kiera felt the heat on her skin, she sighed in relief and closed her eyes.

"Well, it isn't my business, but I have to ask. Are you two running from the law?" he asked, rumbling through things behind them.

"Not the law," Kiera mumbled, pausing shortly. "Family."

The man stopped what he was doing and looked at her shortly before continuing. "I see. Forgive me. I shouldn't have asked."

"It's okay," Kiera said, shaking less and less as the fire rejuvenated her body.

The man came back with two cups of steaming hot tea. "Here. I brew these myself. Emberheart tea, you know, from the emberheart plant. It will help you get warm faster."

Kiera and Elynn knew it was risky to accept things from strangers, but at this point, they didn't care. He handed them the cups, and Kiera took a sip. It tasted sweet and soft.

"Wow, that's really good." Elynn smiled weakly, taking a sip as well. The man took the third chair and placed it next to them in front of the fire, sitting down with his own cup. "My name is Symon. I hunt in these woods and sell most of my prizes to the poor in the city. For a lower fee. It's good business."

"You alone here?" Kiera asked, taking another sip, but didn't swallow.

"Aye." Symon said, "I had a wife, but she died from sickness. And a son, too, but he left years ago. I don't even know where he is or what is he doing."

"I'm sorry," Kiera said, looking at him with frowned eyebrows.

"Ah, don't worry about it. I feel like I'm running out of days in this realm myself. These bones are getting old. My bow arm isn't what it used to be. Judging by that bow on your back, you know your way around one, too."

"I do." Kiera pressed her lips together in a polite smile.

"Come to think of it. You two never told me your names," he said, taking another sip.

"I'm Kiera. This is Elynn," Kiera said, taking another sip as well, but she didn't swallow again.

"Elynn. You don't hear such a name around here," he said, squinting his eyes slightly.

"Uhm..." Elynn hesitated, "My parents weren't really fond of the common names here."

Symon remained silent and nodded, thinking deeply, staring into the fire. "I've heard these kinds of names before." he stood up from his chair, and suddenly, the tension inside that room skyrocketed. Elynn stopped sipping and stared him down with care, and Kiera heard him walk behind her.

"At first, I wondered why two young girls were fleeing the city in the middle of the night. But then I remembered. I was in the city when that elven ship rolled into the harbour. And then I heard your name."

He grabbed Elynn's hood and pulled it off, revealing her long and pointy elven ears. She instinctively tried to cover them with her hands.

"I knew it," Symon said in a low tone. Kiera then stood up and put out her hands, grabbing his attention. "Please." she paused, "She is just a child, and so am I. We will leave right now. Just please let us go."

The hunter looked at Kiera with fire glistening in his eyes and then back to Elynn. "Get out."

He didn't have to say that twice. Elynn jumped out of her chair as Kiera opened the door, letting in gusts of wind. When she wanted to walk through the door, he suddenly grabbed Elynn's arm. She looked at him with pure fear. "Your kind will never be welcome here."

Hatred https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFz5n8pCkOU

He squeezed her arm so hard that she released a whine. "I'm sorry!" Elynn yelped. Something snapped in the man's head as he suddenly pulled her back into the house and threw her into a table. Kiera gasped and wanted to run back in, but he shut the door in front of her face and locked her out.

"Stop! Please! Please open the door!" Kiera screamed, almost already soaking wet again from the rain. Hearing Elynn's groans and whimpers, Kiera took a step back and bashed her entire body into the door as hard as possible, but it didn't budge.

"Fuck, fuck, fuck!" she cursed to herself, walking backwards again, inspecting the house. There had to be another way in. She saw the still saddled horse and a coil of rope hanging on a pole in the shed and then had an idea. She rushed over to the rope and hauled it over her shoulder as fast as possible, still hearing more glass and furniture break inside the house. Every second counted here. Kiera took the horse's reins, led him towards the door, took the rope and tied one end to the saddle; the other she wrapped around the door handle, hearing another one of Elynn's horrifying screams. Her heart pounded in her chest, and her hands shook profusely. She took her bow and nocked an arrow from her quiver when everything was done. Finally, she slapped the horse's rear with all her might, forcing it to sprint away. The rope uncoiled rapidly until it suddenly tightened with immeasurable force, and the door cracked out of its lock, splinters of wood flying everywhere so far Kiera staggered. Adrenaline surged through her veins as she drew the string of her bow, walking inside the house. The man stood over Elynn, beaten to a pulp. Kiera released the arrow and sent it straight through the man's shoulder without hesitation. He groaned loudly, turned around and pulled out the arrow, staring at her with eyes full of bloodlust. "You stupid whore!" he grunted, taking an axe and walking outside towards her. Kiera stepped back, nocked another arrow as he approached, pulled back the string, and fired, but it missed by an inch. Then, he began running, and Kiera was forced to flee into the forest, but she tripped over a root, crashing into the soaked ground. When she got up, Symon's grunt sounded closer than she thought, and she ducked away from his swing just in time, hitting the tree next to her instead. And then, within a second, she was gone, dashed further into the woods. Knowing Symon would just keep chasing her, she dove into a bush covered in mud.

"I know you're hiding somewhere! You wouldn't leave your friend here all alone with me!" Symon shouted, dragging his axe with him. He swung blindly into random bushes and looked behind trees, approaching Kiera more and more. She had to move hiding places, or he would find her. Using the sound of the rain, she masked her movement as she crawled underneath the tall brush, trying to find a spot behind him.

"Why are you even protecting this scum? I promise to let you go if you let me have that elf." Symon clenched his teeth maniacally. "All you have to do is come out wherever you're hiding!"

But Kiera ignored him and finally managed to get behind him. She hid in another bush, pushed herself up into a low, stalking crouch, nocked a new arrow into her bow, drew the string, and aimed towards the unsuspecting man.

"Come on, you son of a bitch." Kiera whispered to herself before releasing the arrow, landing it straight into his side. He grunted and fell to his knees, grasping the projectile. Kiera stood up right when another lightning struck and took yet another arrow from her quiver, but he suddenly dashed away into the shadows, disappearing from Kiera's sight. She drew the string of her bow anyway and shifted around, trying to notice any movement. He could've been anywhere, and she averted her aim with every snap of a twig she heard. A faint peal of thunder rumbled way after the lightning. This was bad, and Kiera knew it. She heard footsteps way too late as someone suddenly bashed into her with a war cry. On top of her sat Symon, covered in mud as well and wrapping her hands around Kiera's throat.

"You're just like them!" Symon screamed, squeezing her throat as hard as he could. Kiera clawed at his face while trying to pull his hands off her, releasing desperate squeaks. Floating stars appeared in her vision as she squirmed and flailed her body. Out of desperation, she grabbed his ear and pulled as hard as she could, forcing a long and loud grunt of pain out of him. She pulled so hard it nearly ripped until he finally released her. But he wasn't done. He pressed his knee on her chest and pinned her face down to the muddy forest floor. Kiera pulled her leg towards her and blindly grasped her boot until she felt it, but then he began punching her in the back of her head, sending waves of unexplainable pain and sending her into a daze. As the adrenaline did its work, she finally grasped what was inside her boot.

A knife.

What followed was an act of pure survival. Kiera stabbed the knife into his side, over and over and over again. He let go of her, cried in pain, and tried to escape, but she didn't let him. Her other hand grabbed hold of his wrist as he stabbed him again and again until he fell on his back. The tables were turned. She crawled on top of him and stabbed him in the throat, then in his chest, and again, blood spurted out of his mouth and throat. She stabbed him until he stopped moving.

And so he did. Panting heavily, exhausted, covered in mud and splatters of blood, and soaking wet, she sat on top of him. It was over. It was finally over. She looked at his lifeless face and slowly got off of him. Bruised, beaten, and weak, she hobbled towards the cabin. Elynn lay there against the wall when she reached the broken-down door, her face covered in bruises and barely moving. The dinner table was broken in half, chairs were scattered, and glass shards littered the floor. The adrenaline still didn't leave her body as she felt numb and emotionless. She walked over to her friend and sat down next to her.

"Elynn?"

The elf slowly turned her head, her eyes half-closed.

"It's over. He's gone." Kiera said softly. Elynn's left eye was swollen, and she couldn't really show it, but she was relieved. She gently leaned her head back.

"Don't sleep," Kiera grunted, feeling the pain kick in as the adrenaline faded. "There must be something around here to...patch us up." she slowly got up and then only noticed just now the big gash in her right arm that was still bleeding. She must have cut it on the branches in the woods somewhere.

An hour later, Elynn sat on a chair in front of the still-burning fireplace while Kiera dipped the cut in her cheek with an ointment. Kiera's arm was bandaged, and most of the mud and blood were washed off.

"Ow." Elynn pulled away her head.

"Sorry," Kiera said, "That will do for now. It stopped bleeding. Keep the crust on it. It will keep it from getting infected."

"Thank you," Elynn said softly, but then she noticed Kiera's shaking hands. "Are you okay?"

Kiera didn't even notice it herself until her friend pointed it out. She briefly grabbed her own wrist to try and steady it. "I will be."

"Is it your first time? K-killing someone, I mean?" Elynn asked.

"First time," Kiera said, avoiding eye contact as she got up from her chair. "I will go get the horse. We will set out first thing in the morning."

"Kiera, wait," Elynn stood up, holding her side. Kiera stopped and turned around. "Hm?"

"Please stay with me forever," Elynn said as her eyes turned watery. Kiera smiled weakly and nodded. "I will. From now on, we will always stay together. No matter what."

Bound https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3M0kFSpkGfE

Elynn smiled. "Okay. I'd like that."

The following morning, the storm was gone. The forest's trees dripped the last bits of water underneath the grey clouds. Birds chirped, and Kiera stood outside the cabin, preparing the white warhorse. Two backpacks filled with Symon's stuff were attached to the saddle. She also wore warmer clothes at that time. Stolen from Symon's wardrobe.

Elynn approached her. "His name is Callus, but don't you think we should give him a different name?"

Kiera smiled and nodded. "I think you're right. How about Ghost?"

Elynn rubbed the horse's side. "I think I like that."

"Good. I think he likes it too. You ready to go?" Kiera asked.

"Kiera..." Elynn sighed, "Where are we even going?"

"Anywhere but here," Kiera answered, "We will see what comes across our path."

"Okay." Elynn nodded. Kiera climbed onto Ghost and then helped her friend get on behind her.

"You know how to ride a horse?" Elynn asked.

"The few times my father wasn't bad when he was a soldier in the king's army, he took Aidan and me to the stables inside the keep so we could ride the horses. It's one of the few good memories I have of him."

"Onto our new life," Elynn said.

"Onto our new life," Kiera repeated before clicking her tongue and dusting off with Ghost, far, far away from the cabin, and never looked back.