A Day passes…

The morning banner breeze blew light and swift rushing through the air as the flaming arrow was lit for the marksmen archer. Aiming it high and with a slow release did it signal the end of a pleasant ceremony of a great soul, as the arrow struck the wood filled mound of the late Captain John Frost.

Gazing upon the fire Cloud looks over to his sister’s sparkling eyes as the fiery flame reflection echoed to her watery sight, he killed him Cloud thought. He had might as well had put the dagger to her as well for what she believed, for it seemed to hold the same pain as he gazed to the hurting look of her face. Holding her right hand tightly cuffing her elvish hood under her chin did strand’s of her hair highlights leak out and catch the gentle rush of the wind’s grasp, she stood right at Cloud’s side saying nothing, not even a mere small look to him.

As the mound burned down to a half ashes state Dawn turns her back to take her leave of the area and Cloud watched, going back to the inn to cry a little he suspected until the sight of a approaching soldier holding a blue strip to his armored left shoulder caught her attention by speech. Asking her about the issue that happened the night ago for she had not yet been questioned, the man apologized for the bad time he had to address it but it needed to be done. Addressing back with only a straight face did she reply “Name it”, the lieutenant wished to know her side of what happened, who really killed John was the question to her and frozen in a moral dilemma was Dawn halted in speech to the soldier. Then she looked back at Cloud who only stared at her saying nothing…she had to choose.

“It was very clear who struck him dead” Dawn said, and adding that the marking of Nod was clearly to the wrist of the murderer the lieutenant nods again holding his condolences for her loss and took his leave. Cloud released the tense breath he had at the hearing of her answer but looking back Dawn still sparked no smile.

Seeing a figure pass his sister’s stance Cloud moved to and right passed Dawn mouthing that “this needed to end now”, Dawn never understood his words but as Cloud drew words to call for a small section of the king’s time Dawn grew unstable to her stomach, but still never moved.

“Milord, milord please only a quick word” Cloud said, and a guard to the King mentioned to his highness’s back that it was the man who was at the seen of the captain’s death and turning the King hears Cloud’s plea, “Yes young man” the King replied, “Milord I have held something that by my nature of profession I can’t bare to hide no longer….milord I have for you a confession”

“Cloud no please!” Dawn barked jolting to a run at her brother’s location but at the drawing of the guard’s blade Cloud waving his hand stops her feet cold. Cloud closed his eyes for a moment and Dawn knew his confession would bring upon him a swift execution, “I hold to myself regret that in such a time I couldn’t save this man, a brother of the banner. I wish to take upon myself with your blessing his post and purpose as Captain to set clear this city of the Nod filth”

“Brave and bold young elf but such a task is past to only the best of my soldiers, and you don’t ever bare the cape of the army” the King said coming to a small thinking state “But as with what has happened the late Captain told me of your exploits in dealing with the units in the streets and by his own words did he mention you hold great skill with a blade…I hold this option only to you Cloud, a test against my best men has always determined my new Captain in the past and this brings no difference. I will allow you a chance to join in the trials” guards to the King’s aid hold a small chuckle as they measure up Cloud’s height, he was at least two third’s their height at best. But Cloud never even held a gaze to them only bowed to the King in thanks at the chance and turned to leave. The lieutenant took a dagger from his belt holding a bit of a smirk to his own face saying out to Cloud “You need this to get in the royal gates and soldier grounds” and releasing the dagger fast to Cloud’s back Cloud spins upon hearing it fly, step kicking a stick by him to his hands Cloud stops the dagger having the blade stab in the wood. The guards went silent from the act and reefing it from the wood Cloud noticed a note wrapped to the hilt, “Thanks” Cloud replied turning to his sister who had already gone from the street, and walking off did he depart as well.

Rain witnessed the scene unfold and with his hawk eyes and scare baring face shook his head, “That better had been a bloody show of good will…and a joke” he whispered to himself, taking one last look to the mound in respect. He glanced over to see her still standing there bowing her head in grief, the woman that wasn’t worth his raised hand to save. Rain only shook his head of the annoyance he felt now every time she came to his sight, but as the sudden breeze caught her face the black veil she wore peels back releasing her delicateness to the mercy of the winds. She moved her eyes to see his for only a brief stint, and seeing her look Rain held to his own secret mind a single thought, she was a woman…a human woman, but held stunning beauty none the less.

Going up the stairs to the rooms, Dawn returns from a much needed time alone. Going passed Rain’s chamber first did she peer into it to see him still deep to his books as he always was and to his night stand was his usual cup of tea, in his favorite mulberry flavor. Coming to Cloud’s room Dawn saw the door closed, she went to its side and ran her hand to its cold surface not making a sound while building up the courage to face him again. With a deep breath she opened the door to only be shocked at no one inside, puzzled by the empty state she returns to Rain asking him if Cloud was home, “I think so” Rain said not shifting his face from his page, she was still too mad at her brother to ask what he was into and leaving his room Dawn went to her own. Opening her room door Dawn stops sudden to see Cloud sitting up right on her bed. He was in his lounging robes and peering to his face did hers go soft. Cloud’s held a look baring so much guilt for what he had done. Dawn shut her door and taking off her cloak to the hanger in the corner did she stare to him, taking another breath she sits to his side while staring at the wall in front of them.

“I won’t apologize Dawn, I did what I thought was right… I’m sorry that its costs was hate from you to me, I know you held feelings for him”

“I didn’t love him Cloud”

“I didn’t say that you did, I know that’s what Rain thinks but not me” Dawn holds silence until she moves her head to see his eyes, “So to make it all better you go and join the high guard of Silverspire, promoting our presence to this city on a big scale, what happened to keeping low in sight”

“Because I understand what your saying now Dawn, we can’t make up for the past of our people by not acting until we are safe in some mountains, we need to start here, now” Cloud said softly looking to her focused, she started to tear at the eyes and Cloud rubs them clean, “I’m so sorry baby…this was the last thing I wanted to do to you”

“I want to do more in his name Cloud, for John I wish to join the ministry of the Silverspire temple” Cloud smiled to her damp glassed face “Alright you sleep on it tonight but for now sleep is all you do, and I’ll join you in the morning” Cloud ended to her nodding with no hug, it was too early for reassurances yet.

Rain gets up the next morning to see Dawn and Cloud already awake and almost dressed; he quickly gets dressed himself and joins them.

“Hey where you guys off too?” Rain said running into the street to catch up.

Not saying a word and him repeating himself about five times Rain just gave up with annoyance to his own question, they reach the gates of the city great hall and Cloud turns around.

“Ok remember what I said about John’s mission now being mine”

“Yeah” Rain replied uneasy

“Well I’m going to join the royal guard” said Cloud

“And I’m joining the Temple Ministry” added Dawn

“WHAT!” Shouted Rain “Whoa, Cloud, Dawn look I know you are feeling somewhat responsible, but what happened couldn’t have been avoided and getting involved with the humans on this level is not what we as a family need”

“No Rain it is exactly what we need to do” said Dawn

“Remember what I said about picking the battles you can win” said Rain and recalling it they both nod, “Nod is not one of them you can take down by joining this little….tree house club”

“Why not we’ve done well so far” cried a voice from the stairs of the hall, and looking up and through the town gate bars to the royal grounds Rain saw the woman he saved weeks ago.

“You!” the woman says on her entry, not realizing who it was.

“You have got to be bloody kidding me” Rain says softly to his brother under his breath,

“You two know each other” says Cloud to him as she comes to get the gate unlocked,

“Yeah he’s and arrogant prick who cares only about his own well being” responded the woman

“And your that prostituting bitch who I saw working the corner last week” replied Rain, ”So tell me did you sleep with the King to get this spot or did your homonymous manners get it for you” Rain battered at her and looking to his brother Cloud didn’t share his aptitude.

“Look we are going to do this with or without you Rain” said Cloud and with that Rain turned and walked back where they came.

“Where are you going?” Cried Dawn

“To prepare for the fight with him” said Rain

“What about picking the battles you can win” shouted Cloud

“This one isn’t by choice Cloud that’s the difference” Rain bolted

“Rain….” said Dawn calling to him

“No don’t Dawn he’s made his choice, we can’t change it for him” interrupted Cloud, turning to the woman who extends her hand to each of them in a welcoming gesture.

“I’m Elanee Kerrigan Marshal of the Ministry, come I’ll show you to your new quarters and training centers but knowing what I do about you, you won’t be in there for long before given posts” Elanee appraised as they follow her into the hall.

“So Rain is the other one who left” Elanee asked in travel

“Yep that’s my prideful brother, but from the looks I think you have met him” Cloud said knowing the answer already

“He saved my life but the information from the man he killed was worth more then it” She said

“I guess my brother didn’t share your out looked opinion” Cloud said back keeping pace with Dawn behind

“He doesn’t know what is needed to be done in this city, it is harsh and sacrifices are to be made for it to survive” Elanee pushes to him

“I agree but if I was in his place I would have done the same act, such an outlook needs to be kept alive for it drives fear to the crime here” Cloud soothingly said which brought a smile to the marshal’s face

“Thanks for the thought” Elanee said and reaching the quarters Elanee opened the double doors “This is it, Dawn your’s is the next door down and if you need anything mine room is five past Dawn’s” Elanee ended and nodding Cloud was about to enter his room when Elanee stopped him.

“And Cloud” Elanee said with him looking back to her “Tell your brother thanks…from me for saving my life, I wasn’t very appreciative to it before” she said and turned away she then leads Dawn to her new quarters. Cloud nodded with a smirk to himself from a thought running in his head as he shut the doors to get settled in.

With a loving watchful eye Cloud leaned to the fence posts of the stables as the girl who was back to good health was upon her young colt riding in the training grounds, this time was his last arrival for work. The cloth of the Silverspire guard lay upon his body and the cape barring the crest of the king laid draped to his back, he was indeed a soldier and even though he beat the rest of the men in the combat challenge, Cloud still wasn’t granted the rank of Captain…that still needed to be earned.

“Cloud!” sparked the little girl during her horse riding as he watched; she dismounted and came running to his side baring a big hug. Seeing the joy of her well Cloud scopes her to his grasp with a smile, “You’re a soldier now” she commented with her cute little girl tone while pointing and tugging to his new cape, Cloud nodded “Are you this because of what you did for me” she asks with innocence to her tone.

“My actions were never to gain this from the sickness you had Stephanie, that was done out of caring for you and to see you hold a future you alone get to make, and let it be long and good” Cloud ended when the voice of Stephanie’s father echoed to his back “Her sickness was one my love this time couldn’t heal, it was because of your pure will that she can do this again Cloud”

“I only finished the small portion your skills didn’t bare, but your love and loyalty kept her holding on until it came. I’m glad I could be apart of something so great” Cloud said smiling to the girl that smiled back with a hug even tighter to his hold, “And with such acts do I see you now baring the colors of our royal guard, both am I saddened and proud to see it on you, I couldn’t think of a finer choice, but I guess this is that last of your days here”

“If ever you need aid around here please come get me, I hold much in your debt to the kindness you showed upon looking past me being Drow” smiled Cloud shaking his hand, he set down the girl saying that his new duties started in a short time and he should get going. The little Stephanie places a small kiss to his cheek and beaming with warmth to his soul Cloud motions so long to the stable family that now had become his own to depart again for the guardhouse.

Cutting around the corner of the buildings fast on horseback the crowd parts as the man flew past baring the mark of Nod. Right on his tail was Cloud on his steed racing him down ally ways and into the main street starting to catch up. Snapping to his reigns Cloud’s steed snorts hard as her hooves brought him up along the man’s side, and a cut to Cloud’s face held dried blood as winds ripping by sealed it on the surface. Leaping from his steed on to the agent of Nod Cloud’s flying weight drives them both from the horses pounding them hard into ground. Recovering fast the Nod agent draws two small swords fast and swinging wildly he lashed out upon the new recruit of the Silverspire high guard. Dodging the blade tips as they came to his body Cloud through the swings drew his own blade, cutting the man’s swords to a halt only a short time passed till the man was upon the ground in submission. Pressing hard to the man holding him in place the sounds of horse shoes bring both to see the rest of the high guard in approach lead by the lieutenant of the high guard and Marshal Elanee, “You’re pretty quick on horseback Cloud” complemented the lieutenant with a small grin, “As well as with a blade, is there any skill you don’t posses?”

“Good mannerisms when dealing with scum I guess are one” Cloud replied applying more pressure bringing out a cry of pain from the Nod unit, “Ah! We can over look that” he snickered back but the marshal held no such joy. Elanee dismounted from her steed and walked up to the man held to the ground, she looked to his masked face that held a tiger slash marking of the Nod clan to it and with a swift motion ripped it from his head to stare to his face that held a sinister smile. Elanee glared at him “Where is she, I know you took her you vile vermin now where’s Katharine!” she demanded in a sharp tone that made Cloud blink from the harp. Cloud raised him up for him to speak back and still holding his smirk he chuckles a bit “You know what you have to do to get it from me, so do it…unless you don’t have the stomach for it” Cloud looked to the marshal for he didn’t know what was meant by the remark “What does that mean Marshal, what do you do?” Cloud asked puzzled but saying nothing Elanee takes off her gloves from her hands and placed a hand upon his forehead.

Cloud watched as Elanee’s eyes closed then saw them flick and flutter under the lids as if a wild scene was playing before them. Cloud never even had a clue that she possessed any abilities; flashing from the trance like she was violently jolted with a shake she went to one knee taking in deep breaths. Looking back to the Nod agent he held only a smug look as if he was proud to what she saw, “You bastard…. She was only seventeen years old…you’re sick” she breathed out with heated words of disreputable disgust. Elanee then looked to the lieutenant to tell him where the girl they seeked could be found and about to go after the location Elanee stops him one more time “Lieutenant” Elanee said with a heavy exhale of breath to which the lieutenant looked back “Look to the walls when you get there, she is speared to one at her shoulder with a sword blade in it when he rapped her” the lieutenant joined in with the vile look to the Nod agent, “Take that piece of shit to the…no wait” he said stopping and dismounting from his steed the lieutenant took the man from Cloud’s grip, shoved him against the nearby building wall and with his dagger slit the man’s vile throat. The lieutenant watched as the man fell to the ground choking on his own blood until he stopped in motion,

“Stay here with her Cloud” he said back to which Cloud nodded and he and the rest of the guard left to locate the girl. Shifting to fast steps brought Cloud to see Elanee bolt for the shaded corner of a building and moving to a crouch Cloud sees Elanee throw up on the ground holding her hair back. Bringing her head back up she saw Cloud’s look holding both pity and puzzlement, and as she wiped her mouth of dripping saliva that strung to it she spoke “He rapped her slow, he took his time after he broke both her legs…I can still hear the crack of her bones so that she wouldn’t move. He took his sword and with it pierced her right shoulder binding her against the wall…and removing her clothes with her crying in pain for it all to stop there he defiled her again and again” Cloud was with no words, just shock and she kept going “Last week he was cheated in a card game, for retribution he tracked down the man’s home. He locked the doors to the front and back then set flames upon the roof, and watched as the man’s three girls, wife and family pet scream out there final breath’s to violent ends…I can smell the stink of burning flesh as if I was there myself. Going further back he raped two more girls, and butchered three men to who’s bodies now lay in a farmers soil south of here” Elanee ended with a look of disgust to her face and to match it was one now upon Cloud’s, “I’m done with this spot if you want to throw up next” she said passing him holding her head and watching her as she went by, Elanee looks to see a look on Cloud’s face as if he wished to asked Why?....How?

“It’s been my skill since birth, if I ever touched someone I got a mind full of things they had done in there life, good…or bad, growing up in the orphanage I didn’t know what was wrong with me and eventually I couldn’t be in contact with people all together. Never could I touch any one…never could I ever have a life of love, boys were to afraid of me” she laughed small “I didn’t learn to control it till later and was recruited to the castle for the power I had” Elanee said but leaning to the wall side she breaks down and start to cry, sliding down against the wood frame until she was sitting on the ground. Cloud came to her side sitting down. “Who was she?” he asked “The head of the orphanages’ sister…I don’t know how to tell her” Elanee said crying and Cloud took her to a hug in his arms, “I’m sorry, I’ll go with you when you do” he said back, Elanee looked to him trying to hold back her tears to see him with an uneasy look “Don’t worry, I have total control on it now Cloud, I can choose when to use it and I only do it to judge someone’s innocence or guilt on tasks their accused of”

“A justice system with no error, such flawlessness I am happy to be apart of” he said smiling, “Only to the ones we know and can catch…nothing’s perfect” she said wiping her eyes and Cloud got to his feet with an extension of his hand to hers “It’s a start” says Cloud again smiling.

Over the course of the next two months Dawn and Cloud involved themselves heavily with the Silverspire forces, interrupting and intersecting plan after plan in the ranks of the Nod. Cloud grew quickly in the favor the army and eventually got his own unit and the right to changes on the training of the men. Elanee liked to use the two frequently as they helped much and worked well as a team blindsiding the Nod at all passes. Keeping busy and to himself Rain was still asked periodically by each of his siblings to reconsider and join them but every time were they meet by resistance and the fatal answer no!. As one day grows hot to the city streets Cloud came by the Potion shop with good and exciting news.

“The answer is still and will always be no Cloud” said Rain

“I didn’t come here to asked you anything I came here to say I got promoted for our efforts”

“To what” asked Rain as he polished a glass vial free of spots.

“Captain” replied Cloud, looking up Rain saw the gold strip upon his armored shoulder and turning away for a sec he puts it down on the table with the others shaking his head.

“Tell me something brother are you insane or just plain stupid?” spitted Rain turning again to look at him, “How can you not see what is going to happen or has already happened if you continue this charade” barked Rain who had grown tired in his face of hearing and seeing the act,

“I’m tired of living under the radar here Rain but more tired of when we have the skills to help these people we do nothing” Cloud argued back

“That is to save us Cloud our people or have you forgotten about our kin”

“No I haven’t!” Cloud bolted not seeing that Elanee and Dawn have just entered the door way and stood in silence listening behind him,

“Well then remember harder, don’t you see that Colossus may be monitoring this city and when he finds out that three drow have been assisting the city riding it of evil he will put the two together and come for us, and when he finds us he will butcher us and this city like cattle. Your little venture Dawn has accompanied you on was for one reason in my sight Cloud, closer for yourself for what happened to John” Shouted Rain

“Shut up Rain” bolted Cloud

“You think these little fights and arrests will prepare us for the battle with him, they won’t they’re just for you and Dawn. Thinking that this little extra will count on some cosmic level for the fight with good and evil well let me tell you something it won’t, now one little bit!” Rain yelled

“And what are you doing here Rain, looking through your pitiful little books to make some vial to what end, vanquish him is that it! Well that won’t work either” Cloud yelled back

“I’m combing through history books Cloud not making potions” argued Rain

“To find what?” yelled Cloud

“A way to kill that son of a bitch for what he took from us Cloud, our parents or have you forgotten about them too” Rain ends with only a cold look upon Cloud face back at his own, “Then maybe if you weren’t such a coward that hid from your fears you’d help me” Rain snapped, Cloud moved to Rain violently pushing him backwards into and through a table filled with glass vials “I’m not a coward!” bolted Cloud watching him land with a crash

“Cloud!” yelled Dawn running over to Rain and pushing her off of himself he gets up and barrels his body full force into Cloud’s chest plate knocking him and Cloud through the shop window and into the street. Cloud gets up rolling off from his brother and standing to face him Cloud yells out “What the hell is with you, have you lost it!”

“What’s with me? What’s with you and these human’s…there useless Cloud alright useless, they’re good for nothing but repopulating like a plague, that’s why they run this land”

“You egotistical bastard, can you care for anyone but yourself!” Cloud lashed back

“I can for us and our future, these human’s will follow anyone with power, with the single hope to one day control it all, all they know is control and anything they can’t control they fear”

“Shut up its not true!!” Cloud harped

“Your so unbelievably naive it hurts” Rain yelled to him getting to his feet “They kill what they don’t understand”

“They’re a noble race Rain and that’s something you’ll never understand” Cloud barked having the girls watch to the side saying nothing for they never thought they’d see this happen

“Your own idea’s have made you so unbelievably arrogant that your useless mind can’t comprehend any realistic thought, there not evil…not all of them and need to be given a chance” Cloud threw back with a crowd gathering to hear the debate.

“They are leading themselves to their own extinction; I will not go down with them!” Rain bolted “You go ahead and meet death as they will, lead our sister and the whole clan to it for she follows you and is just as dumb…but I won’t no longer…I quite!!!” Rain ended turning his back, Cloud sprinted to grip his cloak and spun him around just for Rain’s knee to be buried in his lower gut dropping his brother, Rain went for a second swipe with his hand but gripping it Cloud jerks him to the wet ground.

They grab each other about to start into a full fight when a cry is heard from a patrol scout yelling DRAGON! Following after was a huge explosive blast seen coming from the orphanage down the street. Cloud dropped his brother to the ground and stood above him extending his hand out to pick him up, Rain glared back at him and Cloud shook his own head

“Rain please, Damn it you’re my brother and I care for nothing more then you and Dawn, we must stand for what were about and this….aiding human’s who fear us to a possible and ultimate loss is that path; please!....please brother I need you now…they need you” pleaded Cloud holding out his hand to Rain’s, and looking up at the dragon hovering above the city and hearing this screams of the citizen’s Rain thinks for a second.

“For god sake Rain fighting over what you think about this race is not what we’re about; but this is (pointing at the dragon) saving the city from this is what we do, if we are to prove we are not them (pointing down to the earth representing the Drow race), Please brother, help me” and holding out his hand again it is grabbed by Rain’s who pulls him up and hugging him tightly Cloud whispers “Thank you” Cloud then pulls away and says to the girls and Rain “Who the hell has the power to conjure this beast?”

“It must have been conjured because it appeared out of nowhere” added Rain looking around

“It must be Braxis the summoner” Elanee replied “We must have really done a number to his forces here in the city for him to attack directly”

“Elanee you and Dawn get to the orphanage and evacuate the children Rain and I will find this Braxis” the girls head off towards the burning buildings and Cloud and Rain bolt to a clearing to locate Braxis

“Look there” Rain pointed to the dragon biting a man but him not being bit, instead his hair turns bright white and he falls to the ground dead. Rain thinking for a second says “It’s a phantasmal killer Cloud, if they believe that the dragon is actually there then the attacks on then from it would seem real and they die”

“Rain carry on finding Braxis, I’ll go warn everyone I can not to believe in the dragon”

“Easier said than done Cloud” laughs Rain

“I know but I have to try” Cloud said running to a group of men and shouting not to believe it.

Rain starts climbing the stairs of a building to see if he can locate the wizard, and in the far distance sees a figure dressed in red and gold robes throwing fireballs from his hands and laughing.

“Gotcha” Rain says running to his location.

Jumping out of the burning building with two kids one in each of the their arms Dawn and Elanee place them where the rest of the children safely were, with Dawn turning again to bolt back into the building one more time.

“I thought you said that was everyone “Elanee snapped huffing, running behind her.

“I saw one more in there on our way out I need to get him, you wait here and keep the others calm” Dawn turned to say as she jump back over the flames of the entrance and back in to the building. Elanee goes back to the crying children and tries to calm them down while waiting for Dawn to reappear. Looking around in the flame covered structure Dawns covers her mouth to breathe as much air as possible while she searches for the child. Moments go by when she sees him standing in an open area of a room with no flames but below a ceiling about to collapse. Quickly she grabs him just as the ceiling was coming down and turns to run out of the building, seeing the entrance to the building she jumps though the opening but her head is struck by a flaming ceiling board that dislodged from one side of the roof. The child is thrown into the air and caught by Elanee who quickly sets him down. Elanee runs to Dawns side and lifting her head she sees blood free flowing from her ears and mouth.

“DAWN!” Elanee screamed as she puts her own head to Dawns scorched chest to hear nothing.

“Oh my god she not breathing” Elanee snaps as she opens Dawns top two clasps of her corset and starts breathing into her mouth and pushing on her chest.

“Common Dawn!” she cries “Wake up Dawn common!” she shouts in a quivering voice after repeating the state multiple times. Still having no breath coming from her mouth Elanee pulls Dawn towards her chest and closes her eyes. Elanee feels her own eyes and hands warm and looking down to them glowing bright white Elanee applied Dawn’s healing power to Dawn herself. Noticing the blood on Dawns face starting to recede, Elanee’s hands diminish with the glow and Dawn suddenly regains consciousness followed by a deep breath of coughing.

“What happened?” Dawn huffed coughing

“You saved that boys life” Smiled Elanee

“I thought I was dead” Said Dawn

“You were for a second” explained Elanee

“Then how?” Questioned Dawn

“My powers” said Elanee “I tapped into your consciousness and borrowed your healing power and used it on you”

“Well aren’t you just full of surprises” laughed Dawn aching at the stomach pain she had

“Here let’s get you somewhere not so warm” hurried Elanee as she helped Dawn up by the children.

Pacing fast on foot a group of Silverspire guards turn flank to witness the mythical beast hovering to their rear side, crying out to a diving defense they hear the breath exhale from the winged beast but as the next moments past by they held wonder as to why they still were alive. Pointing out with a call one spots Cloud down to a knee with his father’s sword into the dirt, getting up after the dragon was done breathing Cloud looks at them “The dragon’s not real” Cloud says as he grabs a flaming board from an already fallen building and throws it through the dragons body “SEE!, now go and spread the word because the ones who do believe can die from the fear” Cloud explains and runs off fighting the Nod members he finds along the way.

Getting to the roof of where Braxis was standing Rain grips to grab his mothers blade, Braxis held a war paint looking face baring the Nod symbol upon it. He wore no top to his chest that also held paint upon it and Rain snickered to the little muscle that he had. The paint upon his chest was a different color, blending through stages of blue to black then red. He was almost completely bald to his skull, all by a pony tail that was at the back of his head and black leather breeches wrapped to his legs that carried a red line down each leg. To his body was a bladed sword that’s metal blade held a yellowish tinge to it and strung tight to his grip was a staff that held a head piece resembling a small dragon. Rain at its sight figured it must be the conjuring tool for the illusion. Staring intently at Braxis’s back as the mage over looked his destruction on the city below Rain channeled his power, crawling up his legs was the look of rock covering Rain’s skin that climbed from his toes all the way to his face. With one hand holding his mother’s blade Rain’s free hand arced lightning to its palm and lining up a strike Rain releases the charge. Rain held a stunned puzzled look as the bolt only went only a few feet from his location slamming into something unseen. But with it dissipating Rain only caught a glimpse of the figure that was hit, when a massive force struck Rain’s face sending him air born into a tool shed build in the corner. Completely does it collapse upon him on impact, and coughing as Rain pushed the debris off of himself Rain now looked like he was made of rock as he gets to his feet.

“Thank god for the stone skin spell” Rain says fanning away the dust to look to what hit him, knowing that he wasn’t close enough to hit a protective spell of Braxis’s Rain is surprised to see a shimmer uncloak from where he was hit. He now looks at a nine and a half foot tall giant toad minus the warts that has fuzzy fur in its place, it’s bluish white in color and has three foot long duel bladed metal looking claws coming from the base of its knuckles, as well as twin nine inch long over biting fangs hanging out of his mouth. Its hazel eyes are fixed on Rain’s every motion as Rain walks around it to size it up.

“Do you like my body guard; sorry about the surprise he was invisible before, it’s to prevent my untimely death from my back” Braxis laughs

“We’ll see about that” Rain says as he puts away the sword clenched to his fists and Rain runs towards the creature as fast as he can impacting it’s stomach with all of his body weight. Rain is stopped by the creatures’ hands and lifted into the air by one giant palm while being hit backward from where Rain was by the other and slamming hard to the roof Rain lands just by the ledge of the roof.

“Bartuc has a bit of a weight advantage, you being made of stone right now still has no effect on a creature of his size” Braxis said laughing “Finish him Bartuc, while I show this pathetic city what happens when they cross the Nod clan”.

Coming closer to Rain who tries to defend himself against the over bearing muscle brute again and again Rain is continuously pummeled as the creature sparks his great claws against Rain’s stone bodied defense.

“I can’t wait to see what happens to your skin when your spell runs out” Braxis said, picking himself up from the fifth hit from Bartuc’s brutality is Rain’s mouth bleeding from internal injuries. Rain looks over down below to see Cloud finishing off a clan member with a stab to the head.

Pulling his blood dripping blade from the dead Nod unit at his feet Cloud sees the running approach of Dawn and Elanee, “Cloud, behind you” huffed Elanee heavy to breath seeing a figure to Cloud’s back, ducking to a dodge at her warning the figure misses with a swing of his dagger and loosing his balance came to a stumbling recovery. Cloud took a grip of the figures cloaked shoulder as the unit passed to Cloud’s front side and with a swift jolting yak tossed the agent against the near by building wall. The agent that Cloud saw was a mage in status and took another swing at Cloud, but putting his chin boot up to stop dead the mage’s arm. Cloud kicks and holds the mage in place. Pulling with his off hand the standard issue short sword given to him by the lieutenant months ago Cloud stabs the blade to the shoulder of the mage, pinning him to the wall as the blade went into the wood. Cloud pelts the hilts end one more time thrusting it in further with the mage crying out in massive pain, “You, stay” Cloud scolded with a combat grin and telling the girls to remain on the ground Cloud runs up the stairs to the roof Rain was battling on.

Taking a focus to the battle raging above Dawn stares to the mage Braxis and to his staff he held tight to his hands, “That staff must be the power for the dragon” Dawn said in study to it, and looking around in horror to the fighting all over the area Elanee sparks “Uh so, what good does that do us?” and Dawn looked back smirking

“Much…the staff is made of metal!”

Taking his final step to reach the roof top Cloud witnesses Rain again to the air then hitting hard to the roof surface does Rain come to a grinding stop. Cloud looks to the creature that tossed him and pulling his father’s blade Braxis’s hears the metal release and turns around, “Bartuc, leave the mage for me…get him” Braxis’s commanded pointing at Cloud, Cloud grinded his boots to the roof and readied his maneuver as the creatures readied it’s great claws and sprinted to a charge. Braxis tossed his sight to the slow moving mage getting to his feet still with his mother’s blade to his grasp, gazing to his body Braxis smirks at the sight of flesh now coming to parts of his body revealing the sign of his defense coming undone. Braxis put his staff to his back harness and drew his mage blade as he walked towards Rain with a pompous strut.

“Time to die little Drow” Braxis said as he notices Rain’s hand raised tossing a weak low end spell, “And you call yourself a mage, your probably not well enough to spell the word” chuckled Braxis’s blocking the spell lining up a strike, coming down fast Rain puts up his blade to block Braxis’s in mid strike and clanging to his Rain steps to his feet pushing the blade off his own.

“I’m not a mage…and I think you spell it, A-S-S”

“For a small elf you have a big mouth” Braxis’s lashed back in contest but swinging again Rain deflects it off and with a spin kick drive Braxis’s blade quick to the ground, “What’s with the pony tail, trying to get in touch with you feminine side, you do throw a sword like a girl” Rain laughed back as Braxis’s got up to his feet, “Then let me show what doesn’t come out like a girl” Braxis’s ended with a spell blast that Rain’s blade block blew him across the roof side sliding to the edge. Walking fast with hate to his eyes Braxis looks to his creature bodyguard cut and bleeding in the fight with Cloud. Cloud held a gash to his right arm that Braxis saw wasn’t slowing Cloud down. Approaching Rain Braxis drives punches to both Rain’s face and stomach, and with blurry bloodied vision Rain gets held to Braxis’ yanking grasp firmly close to his face “Time to finish you off” ended Braxis’s that brought a sound to Rain’s ear down below, “You hear that…spikes have grown from the ground to escort you to death’s take, but is it real or an illusion, how good is your faith in your ability you could only suffer the pain of a pounding fall or stab wounds all over” Braxis’s said laughing when the smell of burning skin brought sudden pain to Braxis’s face, letting go of Rain Braxis scampers wildly to unhook the staff from it’s holder and tossing it to the ground he sees the metal heat to a red hot state. “Rain, Rain are you alright…are you alive….move or something please!” yells Dawn at the base to which Rain waved his hand over the side for her to see, coming to the side Braxis saw the girl’s below and with a flame ignited to his palm he holds a stare.

“You little Bitch!” Braxis snapped and Rain shook his head of enough blur to see the act, “No!” Rain yelled coming to his feet gripping Braxis’s arm to overshoot the spell hitting the building the mage was held to, “Cloud the staff!” Rain said in a gripping hold to Braxis.

“What about it” Cloud said back in evasion from the massive claw attacks, “It’s charging to its final phase from the heat, it won’t hold together….it’s going to blow!” Rain bolted and seeing it with a head dodge from the creature. Cloud ruptures out an idea, racing to the staff he sees it would be hot and looking to the beast on approach to him Cloud lodged his toes under it, sizzling fast Cloud feels the build up of heat to his foot. He acts fast, flipping it up to the creature who takes it to his hands in capture. Cloud bolted quick to the beast and striking his blade into the ground Cloud pole-vaults into the air driving a kick to the creature knocking it off balance, stepping back to brace itself it had no more roof to stand on and falls backward crashing through the wall side of the adjacent building. Fighting back blade on blade the mages engage to combat but when the building to the side explodes with a great ground shudder, Rain was thrown from the building heading to the spikes.

“RAIN” Cloud cries out and the girl’s who are now just below the building see Rain coming down the multi-story building. Dawn gasps and Elanee looks to the mage nearby on fire, touching him she casts out a spell, and falling fast to the ground Rain suddenly comes to a slow descend arriving to a full stop just above the spikes. Rain having his eyes tightly shut opens one slow and then the other with a suspended look of puzzlement to his face, putting his hand down to the spikes it went right through “An illusion” Rain huffed with relief. If it went according to plan would his fear have ended him. Rain looked up to the girls and saw Elanee at the mage’s side, her arm catches a flame from the burning building and jolting from heated fright she waved it about. Doing so lost her magic hold to Rain who crashes hard to the ground. Gripping to the side of the building Braxis’s sees with a bloodied up face Rain still alive, he got to his feet and summoned a black bolt to his hand “This time it isn’t a damn illusion, you die for real…go to hell” he said pulling back his throw, a thrust hit him hard at his back; looking down Braxis sees the tip of Cloud’s blade out front to his undefended chest, Braxis juddered his head back ward slow to see Cloud right to his face “You first” Cloud ended ripping his blade from the back of his stomach to drive it across his shoulder’s decapitating Braxis’s head from his body.

Gasping with recovery Cloud gets to the ground and aids the rest of the Silverspire high guard finishing off the rest of the battling Nod members, with the added training Cloud had offered the losses lessened in the great fight and in mere hours was the remaining Nod fended off. Cleaning up the wounds of the fallen solders Elanee makes her way over to where Rain is standing. She stopped when he saw her and thankful to his well being she smiles to him, but he held no reply back at her and shook his head, “Your race has always fought amongst yourselves and you’ll never learn until you’re all dead”

“You fight your own clan even now, how are you different?” Elanee bolted loosing her smile fast when Rain was about to leave

“We are fighting to better ourselves” Rain said “To become better than we were”

“As are we” Elanee snapped at him

“Killing the rest of your race off to be the only ones with an opinion with your own isn’t the way to do it miss Kerrigan! Race’s need to choose for themselves”

“They only attacked us because our ways are a threat, we are just defending them by eliminating there hold to us” she sparked back and with the statement said Rain turns back holding a smirk.

“Yet another point to aid my argument” stared Rain not showing emotion at all, and rolling her eyes she was about to walk away when she turned around bolting

“I want you to remember this moment Rain, that a girl ; a human girl saved you from being killed”

“Then were even” Rain tossed out with calmness walking away.

Catching up to Rain walking towards the tavern Cloud called to him, “Hey, how you doing after that beating?”

“Dawn fixed me with a healing so just need a few days of slow rest” Rain told to him and Cloud goes awkwardly silent,

“Ummm about before, with our fight, I’m sorry I never meant to hurt you”

“I know” Rain said

“Rain I still want you to join us, the King wants to start an elite group of people whose soul purpose is to watch over any big problems his city is in and I want you on it” Cloud again asks and looking to his brother’s grip Rain stares at a red mage cloak draping with the Silverspire symbol to it’s back that was in Clouds hand.

“Cloud” Rain sigh’s sipping to his tea that steamed to his hands “my answer still stands”

“I’m not about the small little factors of these jobs brother: I haven’t forgotten about our kin I swear to you on that, when that pass opens in three months it doesn’t matter what I’m doing I will get up and go”

“Even if this place is in a major war that only you can save” Rain asked

“If it comes to that then yes; even then, but Rain what we just helped save, that is what were about, I never wanted to destroy the whole clan just it’s presence from this city, please join your family” and thinking about it Rain reached out and grabbed the cape Cloud was holding for him “I will under one condition”

“Name it” Cloud inquired and looking to him again Rain gives off a half smirk “I want a different color, Red isn’t me”

Laughing a little Cloud agreed “Great the fours of us are going to make a huge difference”

“Wait did you say four of us?”

“Yeah Elanee is joining us too” Cloud stated with Rain rolling his eyes with somewhat of an approval as he walks away “this is going to be a long three months” Cloud goes the other way smiling while to himself thinking “Maybe, but I bet you’ll grow to like her”.