Colossus waits impatiently on the arrival of Sephinroth and Logan back to the tower and at the rise of Sephinroth’s flames Colossus stands from his throne to meet them. He then takes the book from Logan’s hands and looks at him noticing Logan was carrying a sick look, even by vampirism standards.

“What’s wrong with you?” Colossus says lifting the book from Logan’s grip.

“He grabbed the book before thinking and was pummeled by some defensive spells,” Sephinroth says smiling at his misery.

“Well come on I want this thing together, I’ve waited enough years for it” Colossus said sternly and told them to follow to the laboratory chamber. The sword fragments placed to iron mold to be reformed, ten mages followed in their wake and all held the title of arch-mage, housing power much greater than that of normal mages. Hands raised up as they went to the front of the three and with a thrust of magical initiation they combine their streams that struck upon the molding, first a magical weld was needed to be placed to restore the blade to working order. The beam moved slug like across the broken shard cracks and rolling her eyes with arm folded impatience Sephinroth watched as the stream began to slow even more, the mages as powerful as they were, started to lose power and moving from her stilled spot Sephinroth noticed two of them landing unconscious to the floor. Looking down Sephinroth moved one with her feet to take his place and thrusting her one stream upon the blade Logan focused to the ripple made across her open chest. Colossus witnessed the stream empowering more powerful than before, most impressed he was at her show of magical strength as the other mages had now weakened to a state beyond aid to the cause, the weld moved almost three times the speed before, she held so much power and much more than ten arch-mages. Seeing the weld round the final bend Colossus saw Sephinroth not even flinch or show any sign of mortal draining from the effort…she was indeed worthy to hold the title legendary Dragon.

Coming to the end the males approach one to either side of the red beauty as her hands lowered again to their sides from completion, they smoked at the finger tips from the heat and intensity she was holding but even for such power level brought did her hands bare no sign of weathering or weakness. The three lined up in front of it as Colossus floats the book to the front of their sight telling them to read aloud simultaneously for the reforming incantation. Starting to read do the three right away feel a power draining their very life force having a smoky midst form around their bodies. Whisping toward the sword that seems to be taking it in, it starts to glow an orange color as the chant moves along as getting through most do all three fall upon their knees.

“What is happening to us” quivers Sephinroth “I’m feeling weaker by the second”

“It’s taking our life energy to reform the blade, one life essence, one dead essence and one undead essence was needed” Colossus struggled from his mouth. They continue to chant for a couple more moments longer and upon their knees graveling in pain they witness the blade coming together as one. Upon its completion, the blade stands vertically suspended in the air hovering by its own massive brilliance.

Struggling to his feet Colossus goes to the blade first and upon first grip of the embodied evil blade a surge of energy runs through his body and the blade suddenly has a misty black haze continuously swarming around and through-out its structure.

“HAHAHA, Amazing” said Colossus diabolically with a sinister grin about his face “The power is unbelievable” and casting a lightning bolt to hit the wall blows to pieces a wall column pedestal, that for his normal power would take several tries.

“I thought you were able to command chaos energy into your spells, I didn’t think they would look the same” said Sephinroth

“You’re correct, I need to merge the evil essences to accomplish that feat for only they hold the true limitless power, and then will I finish what I started so long ago” stated Colossus still smiling at what has just been done but his glory is short lived as a small young Drow woman stands at the edge of the chamber room. Leaning up against the wall, blowing her nails like they had been freshly polished does she capture the attention of the great Mage.

She has long hip length pearl white hair with front bangs cut evenly just above the forehead, pale grey skin complexion and a straight figured body style. Slim and small narrow facial features decorated her face, with eyes that held a stunning dark purple around the sockets like eye shadow. Her lips were full and moist holding the same color but textured like lipstick. She wore a bikini like top that barley covered her breasts and was also dark purple in color as it spidered off attaching to her sides. Dressed to her hips was a very short skirt to match but was covered with a black mesh of lace overlapping the silk material. For wardrobe completion she had on elbow length gloves that were midnight black and had cutoffs at the finger tips, knee high boots of the same color to match, and finally around her shoulders slithered a black viper snake to which her dainty fingers stroked to the head ever so lightly.

“So this is the Lazarus tower, well I could see where I would have changed a few things around because it is far too bright in here, you really should accommodate for the guests you have over, after all it is the least a host of your stature could do” the woman says walking with a very distinctive hip sway toward Colossus.

“Who the hell are you and how did you get past my guards” barked Colossus wanting an answer immediately

“Oh you mean them” the women says perkily as she points to the two zealots on the floor with their eternal undead flames extinguished “I thought they were just rude bus boys, my goodness if only I had known….I probably wouldn’t have cared any more than I do right now” she said changing her tone from sarcastic to a serious one

“Then I shall educate you on the laws of trespassing” said Colossus throwing a lightning bolt right at her, but when the bolt passes right through her hitting the wall, Colossus holds a look of shock. Logan grips his sword approaching her from the rear and is about to grab her when his hand starts to disintegrate, dropping his sword and backing off with a snuff of pain to his voice his hand regenerates and Sephinroth holds a smirk “If I had a sister it would be you” she said staring to the woman trying to place her, “Then you might be dead instead of standing where you are now, for I have killed all of mine…parents too” the woman smiled and looked at Colossus who aims the dark blade towards her “You don’t scare me Colossus, nor can you defeat me so don’t try” she says to him.

“Maybe but why would I, now that I see the error of my ways, your Matriarch Sophie…Queen of the Drow” He spouts off with greatness to the title

“Your reputation of knowledge proceeds you Colossus, I’m impressed” Sophie responds

“As am I, for finding this place when I wish to be hidden is very difficult” Colossus adds

“If I want something I get it” Sophie snaps

“And what do you want from me, Matriarch” Colossus asks

“The location to the Drow rebels I have been looking for and trying to defeat” she replies

“And why would you want such revenge, aren’t you above that, Matriarch”

“The leader of the group is my half-sister Cynn…I need to get rid of my bloodline” Sophie continues

“What is with you Drow and family massacre?” questions Sephinroth

“It’s called concealing power, and backstabbing is part of our history” Sophie added

“Maybe we can help each other out, it seems my complication intertwines with yours and if we work together we could eliminate both problems at once” Colossus proposes and listening to the offer given to her and the background of how the three Drow children have evaded him in the past she agrees to bring him the kids in exchange for the location of her rebellious sister.

“Logan knows of the where about to it” Colossus says and turning to him in a motion for him to share he declines.

“She BURNT my hand off, to hell with her she can find her own way to them” Logan snaps, Sophie puts a grin to her face while slowly walking up to him swaying her hips provocatively she lures him into a corner.

“You’d better be willing to work for it girl” Logan grins off but getting close to him Logan starts to have his skin burn off from the front of the face, arms and legs to the back of them. “Ahhh! You bitch…forget it” glaring to her with a half skeletized face, Logan spits to her skin blood and oozing flesh that dripped into his mouth. Wiping it from her she stares a deep cold look at him and with her boots takes yet another step burning the rest of his face off. Logan cringes in pain screaming as he looks to his hands now only seeing bone gives her the location as a skeleton of what he was. Sophie move her hand patting his would be cheek side,

“That’s a good boy” she ends satisfied backing off again allowing Logan’s regeneration to kick in again.

“How is it possible for you to do that to him” Sephinroth asks

Sophie explains to them that she is the only one in her clan with the mind powers and if she was to have a girl which only Drow matriarchs give birth to as a rule it would be a threat, so as a failsafe from being in a word rapped against her will and forced to give birth, implanted in her was a stone jewel in her chest that held a curse. To any males who ever come too close would be disintegrated, although in Logan’s case just his skin would melt off. Logan holds a devious smile “Man, cursed to never again feel a man’s…touch eh! With all that pent up sexual frustration I too would hide underground” Sophie looks to Logan “The process was done at my request” she snapped back

“You cursed yourself?” Logan said back

“Temptation can still be caught like a sickness, evils such as us are not immune to it, not even a vampire; I only did it to strengthen my ruling hand” Sophie explained, “And have probably gone mad from the lust you now have I would imagine” Logan snickered back, “My powers allow me to imitate such…needs if ever I crave them but after a time they do dwindle off”

“So it’s true what they say about the Drow queen, you really are completely mental” he ended laughing at his own joke, growing a look of disgust she moves to take a step at him, “Damn it woman calm down…it’s just humor”

“I have no time for enfant games” she harped at him, “No kidding” Logan said under his breath shaking his head.

She then is about to take her leave when Colossus speaks up

“How do I know you will keep your word Drow? After you get what you’re after I’d better get what I want”

And smiling she says back to him “My word is my bond Colossus” and disappears, Colossus shakes his head

“Of all the evil in this realm why does the most potent have to be part of dysfunctional families” Colossus snaps

“Just lucky I guess” grins Sephinroth and closing her eyes for a minute she sighs with a complain after

“What’s wrong” Logan says

“I got problems back at my tower, apparently those man bugs are attacking my defenses again, I’ll be back to help decipher the locations to the essences in a while, I have a barbecue to host right now” she says and in a wake of flame she leaves.

Logan and Colossus go to the library to start working on deciphering the text in the newest tome in their possession.

As the fall season rounded its mid-point, the settlement was doing some last minute finishing touches to the place; Rain was hammering some boards together when Cloud came to join his side.

“So do you miss Silverspire yet?” Cloud asked

“No, I mean there are things I miss about it; but the city itself no way” Rain replied still hammering

“Well I can’t see you being a handmaiden here forever and I know that Lalandra hasn’t let you in to her alchemical cove or her library” Cloud added

“She thinks I’m too young and not experienced enough for the powers in there; eh what does she know anyway that I already don’t” said Rain stopping to wipe his bloody hands in a bucket of water

“Probably a lot she is a dragon after all; and come on Rain I know that the shop interested you a little bit even though you hated the organization of it you enjoyed being able to run it for the old man, what was he anyway seventy?” Cloud conversed

“Eighty two actually and he looked over two hundred, every time he coughed I thought that he was going to drop right there” Rain said growing a little smile on his face

“Well I miss it, a lot actually and would like to go back” Cloud thought up to the sky

“Well tough shit, we are here because we are needed for a bigger purpose and here is where we will die” Rain finished his speech with a final hammer to embed the spike into the board “There done” and hearing all the conversation Straud now comes into sight and interrupts them

“And for your reward I want you two to pack up your things; you’re going back to Silverspire” Straud says

“What why?” asked Rain

“You guys have done great with the work around here; your sister too but I see now that it is not where you are needed and will do the most good” Straud continues.

“What are you talking about uncle of course it’s where we will, Colossus has targeted this place now as well as the Drow Matriarch” says Cloud

“But not for your selves have you convinced this fictional fact and that is all that it is; I have seen the work you do there and the longing for the purpose and the making of a difference you have made, not to mention the glory and honor of achieving goals that has caused you to keep on growing into the powerful kin we clan members hold in such high regard and respect now more than ever that you will one day fulfill the prophecy of defeating Colossus” Straud says placing a hand on the shoulder of each of them and nodding with excitement Cloud smiles to him

“Then let Cloud and Dawn go back, they do have vital duties there to uphold and continue, but I will stay here; I have lived long enough amongst the filth of humans and their weak-mindedness disgusts me to no end uncle” and removing his uncle’s arm from his shoulder he goes to grab his hammer, turning around he is confronted by his uncle stepping in his way.

“Ok Rain make me a deal, just go back with them ok and if it is still unbearable to be there then you may return, but having been there”, Strauds says starting to walk away from them he stops “and seeing your position, you were far from filth of any kind from where I saw” and walked away, looking at him leave Cloud then turns to Rain.

“Rain we have friends there we miss, don’t you want to see any of them again”

“I’ll miss Artanis but he’ll be around here far more often than I probably will want so I can see him whenever. And Alisianna well I’m sure you’ll bring her around here enough too” he says walking away not even looking at him “And Elanee what about her” Cloud says out loud

“What about her” Rain questions “She’s not even here”

“You know that she is coming back in a few days Rain”

“And what makes you think I even want to see her” Rain snaps “I’ve told you what I think of her, what you think I’ve been lying this whole time”

“Yeah but not to me brother I know how you feel” Cloud says turning to his brother’s face

“I don’t have feelings for-

“Oh stop already Rain for crying out loud; you haven’t been able to lie to me since you were six and even then you were shitty at it, love is not a weakness Rain” Cloud says

“It is too” Rain argues

“NO IT”S NOT!!, (calming down) it’s what separates us from him…Colossus and all other evil beings out there bent on obtaining power to fill their unbelievable huge voids of emptiness they have made for themselves” Cloud breathes heavy waiting for Rain’s response and for moments Rain just looks to Cloud with a look of sorrow at him saying nothing “Rain if you like her, tell her, but don’t hurt her and shut her away just to cover up your personal problems for not being able to control your feelings.

“I can’t even if I want to” sighed Rain

“Yes you can all you do is go up to her and say Elanee I –

“You moron, I saw her kissing Namor when I was apologizing last time, so like I said before there’s no point” Rain sternly said interrupting him

“Oh; I’m sorry Rain I didn’t know” Cloud sighed to him

“It’s my fault right I pushed her away; well we’d better get ready uncle generally makes us embark the day after he makes a speech like he did” finishes Rain and he walks off

“Yeah, look I’ll go tell Dawn the good news and meet you in a while” Cloud says and Rain makes a hand gesture to him of agreeing as Cloud jogs off.

With excitement overwhelming her Dawn is up the next day at the crack of dawn and has the horses packed for the brother’s already, getting a sleepy awakening Cloud and Rain get out there and with Artanis by their side they move out back to the city. Being escorted by Bloodhawk guards till the tree line of Alisianna’s forest they part and go the rest of the way on their own, seeing a look of disappointment on Cloud’s face Artanis concerned asks what is wrong

“I just thought she’d be here” said Cloud

“Well you don’t expect her to wait like a dog for you now did you Cloud” Artanis question and responding with shaking his head he says nothing and stares into the trees.

“Don’t worry brother she hasn’t forgotten you one bit, she’s probably busy with the elders learning new abilities” Rain comforts him

“You think so” Cloud asks

“I know so, you can’t skip the look she has in her eyes for you Cloud, trust me other women can tell” Dawn inspires and comforted by their backup he smiles again as they continue to the city with no incidents and with the city in sight Artanis makes for the trees noting he will see them later.

They are meet by guards who quickly let them in and are brought before the King with open arms and their previous posts awaiting them, all but Rain’s. The King informs Rain of the death of the shop keeper he was working with from age, as well as the death of one of the high council advisors. The King looks to Rain and with a gesture of his hand in the royal manner offered Rain the post.

“Uh me my lord, no that wouldn’t be a wise move as an act of advice from me to you”

“And why not” the King asked

“Because I’m blunt, rude, and overly critical of flaws, the biggest outspoken Drow that even I have heard of” Rain answered

“And I’ll take those qualities in exchange for the good ones like, honesty, quick thinking in tight times, your problem solving and determination for finishing a task with professional efficiency” boasted the King

“Wow” said Rain blushing a little bit

“No kidding; you can see all that my lord” questioned Cloud

“Well my lord I’ll have to think about it and what about the other advisors up for the position”

“None of them had an idea for the battle we fought and won; not to mention you will have complete and unlimited access to the royal library and the alchemical storage labs here” The King replies with a grin

“And I’m done thinking” Rain says agreeing to the terms

“There’s that quick thing I love and admire my new scholar of the Silverspire advising council” The King decrees and giving him the robes of the royal advisors Rain was then shown to his new quarters as was all of them from the guard house to the castle keep.

The next day Cloud sends a messenger to the woods to leave a note on a marked tree that he and Artanis have used for communication to one another telling Artanis to go back to the enclave and tell Straud that they all will be staying for the time being. Settling in for only a half a day they are all told of the early arrival of the Stormguard ship returning to them. When the arrival occurs Rain is again not there, hiding away in his new tower home he watches the docking of the ship from his window and the welcome home party, Elanee and Namor along with Tristan and his loyal cat Anubis get off first and are escorted into the main hall. Time passes quickly to the newly appointed scholar as through the reorganizing of the chamber Rain loses all track of time.

“So I hear that you are the new scholar; that old man didn’t know what he was doing anyway” a voice stated and as Rain looked up to his doorway he saw Elanee pretty as ever standing in his doorway. Rain, with his arms full of books turns to her gesturing a small welcome home greeting through the form of a grin but getting back to what he was doing snapped off that he had a lot of work to do.

“Again the organizing of you human’s baffles me to no end” Rain said with his back to her

“Need some help” she said grabbing some books and taking them lightly from her hands he smiled

“No, I’m ok I’ll just get this section finished and I’ll be down for the evening meal don’t worry” Rain rebuttals putting Elanee quiet for a second, she backs away slowly to the door and is about to leave when the light words escape from Rain’s lips.

“It’s good to see you again Elanee” Rain says still not looking and taking a deep breath

And turning to him again she smiles “You too Rain; I’ve missed you” and she leaves, closing his eyes for a moment he gathers his thoughts not fixed on her and continues to pile books on the shelves.

Meeting Elanee, Namor Tristan and his siblings as well as the King at the royal dressed table Rain is announced in and they sit to eat. Namor tells stories of humorous things Elanee did over in Stormguard and Rain now notices that the two have even grew closer than before, not close enough to only require one bedroom yet but as close as it can be for there was some scenes of uncomfortable kissing between the two during the meal. The meal and the reunion were a great success and following brings an evening dance with all participating, all but Rain. With a book to his hands Rain lightly reads its pages in a half shaded corner attempting to become as transparent as he could. Tristan comes up to Rain with an apology for his loss at a chance with her explaining in a puzzling voice that he just was perfect to her over there and she fell in love with him.

“Don’t worry over it Tristan things happen for a reason and it’s time for me to move on, besides she’s just a friend Tristan” Rain said patting his shoulder and walked away still trying to conceal the relationship, with a quick thought Tristan spouts off

“One of Elanee’s boots has some loose threads, any suggestions?”

“Just come by my room tomorrow I still have the prints to the ….set, damn I can’t believe I walked into that one” Rain said lowering his head from the backlash of the lie he told

“I knew it, you did make the boots” Tristan said smiling “There not wrecked at all I just wanted to know, I now want to know why Rain?”

“I may have had feelings for her in the past but the boots were a going away gift”

“You’re a crappy liar Rain, but why back out of the race for her heart why not fight for her, her beauty and wellbeing is worth it” Tristan argues with him

“Because there is war going on Tristan, and it concerns us all and I have to set my priorities. And in the middle of this Namor wants to create a personal spat over a woman…..than he can have her because there is bigger things at stake than love right now” he says concludes looking to Tristan

“Ok then “Tristan finishes backing up a bit and bowing to him “Again my congratulations on the promotion Rain I’m sure you will do fine at it, and I’d better leave you to your tasks because right now nothing is more important to you” Tristan ends with double meaning and disappointment as he leaves.

“What was that about” asked Cloud coming over with Dawn to Rain’s side

“Nothing worth mentioning, what’s going on with you two, going somewhere?” asked Rain

“We decided to go back to the enclave just to catch up with uncle on things, want to join us” Dawn inquired

“I’ll go in the morning; there are so many things I need to reassemble in that mess of a chamber they gave to me. I’ll see you there at first light tomorrow” Rain said rolling his eyes

“Suit yourself brother” Dawn says and with a hug to him and left.

Coming to the cave entrance at night and being accompanied by eight Drow guards Matriarch Sophie goes to enter it when an invisible wall is keeping her out, the men try too with no success “Damn it all a force wall defense” she says and closing her eyes touches it again “And it’s way beyond my magic to lower, we’ll need to find another way to get to them, and thinking for a while she leads them away to the north of the enclave saying “Follow me”

Crouched in the grass lands Sophie and her men gaze on a scout guard patrol for the enclave. Killing two of the men but leaving one alive barely, she then kneels beside the scout and tells her men to keep watch, controlling someone’s mind takes some energy and she will be vulnerable to attack. Closing her eyes again she concentrates and a red glow comes from her eyes into the scouts. Minutes later she brings him out of unconsciousness and she now can see through his eyes as if they were her own and controlling his body and actions she makes him take off back to the enclave. Upon reaching the cave hoping the magic won’t be that specific she smiles when the scout can still enter through the opening, and then runs him to the enclave.

Arriving on horses at night Straud greets the two with a smile and looks to his niece and nephew for only a second when the reunion is broken up by the scout from the north returning, spinning a tale of being attack by umber hulks Cynn comes out to hear the distressing defeat and organizes a pack of hunter Drow along with Straud to suppress the situation, Cloud and Dawn join along the ride out to where the battle took place but going to the location Cynn gets an evil feeling something is terribly wrong.

“This is it, this is where the battle took place” said the scout

“Where are the corpses?” asked Cynn

“Oh we hid them, they make for a tacky look in a trap situation don’t you think” said Sophie revealing herself and her fellow Drow, without warning she kills the puppet scout she had under control and engages Cynn’s hunting party and the rest.