Colossus blows open the door to his throne chamber and throws his sword in the wall screaming out loud, Logan slowly follows behind him.

Sephinroth lying across the throne chair relaxed is startled with Colossus’s entrance.

“Something wrong?” she asks Colossus who looked at her while huffing to catch his breath.

“Apparently he got his horns pinched by some certain Matriarch, who caught him trying to break the pact they had by getting his prize early” smiled Logan

“Awe did the big bad bully get put in his pen by the little cowgirl, well that’s what happens when you stick your snout where it doesn’t belong” Sephinroth laughed

“Curse that bitch Matriarch, she has them locked up in a cell but to just let me kill them was asking too much apparently” and looks to Sephinroth “get anywhere with the book you got?”

“No” she said sighing “Apparently we need first hand help with this cryptic shifty text if you are to get what you want, and in turn us as well”

And thinking for a second Colossus then looks again to Sephinroth grining an evil smile “Well I hoped that it didn’t have to come to this, but it seems that we are out of options, and I’m running out of time as well as patience to allow this to drag on any further”

“Ok, spill it what nifty notch do you have for me to untie this time”

“An infiltration into the enemy line and allow them to solve this for us”

“Uh did you hit your head with bricks when you were scrapping with the misses or something?” Sephinroth questioned the chaotic statement

“Crystal actually, but that is not what caused the thought” Colossus said

“So how did the barbecue go at your place” Logan asked Sephinroth

“Oh you know me, when I throw a party it’s to die for” she chuckled

“Shut up both of you!!” Colossus shouted, “Sephinroth I need you to go in as an innocent relative of the tower you dwell in and allow them access to it to find for us the essences” Colossus explained

“WHAT! My home that’s your Colossal plan, to bad” she halted his thought “I have a better one why not let them come here instead, that way I don’t have to haul all the reference to my place” and with an evil glare he gave to her she rolled her eyes “Ok, ok fine, but if I end up sleeping with them all don’t blame me for exploiting the enemy” and getting up to get some books Colossus stops her.

“Oh and one more thing, the moment you get all that we need and the opportunity arises to dispose of one of them do me a little favor, don’t hesitate on it!!” he snarls

“Why is that (and gasping) did they beat you” she smiled

“No of course not, they were barely alive when I saw them but their necklaces gave them some protection from me, I can’t seem to touch them nor can I hurt them directly”

“So let me get this straight these kids can hide from your vision, and now you can’t even for the life of you even touch them, I’m starting to think that I’m on the wrong side, good thing I’m leaving” she smirked and leaving Colossus gets Logan to assist her, watching them go Colossus just stares a deep annoyed stare to Sephinroth’s back.

Rising out of the rubble that she threw herself into the Matriarch gets up and looks to observe the loss of men and the destruction left behind by Cynn’s escape. Leaving her newly appointed Captain in charge of the cleanup, she goes to meet an old acquaintance.

In a blink she arrives in a marshy waste land and moving through it goes to an old cave entrance, upon entering she sees a big dome structure inside and a six and a half foot tall humanoid with the head of a squid complete with eight tentacles where the mouth should be, housing a unique third eye wedged at the center of his forehead and wearing heavy black leather robes with various skulls hanging from it. It lifts its gangly grey slimy liquid skinned hand and points to the Matriarch, “You, what are you doing here” it’s says through its tentacles that sounds like someone who has a bad cold trying to inhale a deep breath.

“It’s nice to see you to Felix, so how have you been; it’s been a while hasn’t it” Sophie grinned

“Ninety seven years to be precise and I see you have grown since our last encounter” he slithery said

“You mean when you kidnapped me as a child and tried to blank slate my mind to fit your own agenda” added Sophie

“And I would have gotten away with it too if it wasn’t for your mother” he angrily flayers

“Yes the whole banishment for all eternity to this desecrated place was a bit much, but she was my mother and she loved me so much” she said dramatizing it out, “The whole mother daughter bonding was so disgusting to my youth and for that I will be forever scarred, but sadly I’m happy to report that things are being run different since you have been updated” she smiled

“Your mother is not the Matriarch anymore” Felix questioned

“Not since I slit her throat, and crowned myself the new one” Sophie pushed out with a prideful tone

“How noble of you” He said with a pity comeback “So have you come to exact your revenge, because if so I’m ready to die than; to be taken from this insufferable existence is a welcoming song to my ears”

“Do you even have any ears” looking at the side of his head “you Kopesh are a weird looking bunch;…anyway that’s not way I’m here, actually the opposite in your case, you see since my mother’s passing, the prison you’re in has been passed on to my will, and for a certain deed done I’m willing to let you free again” she offers

“I’m listening” he replies

“You see there has been this Drow and in recent events they have been a major pain in my side but with your help I’m sure they can be brought to the brink of insanity” she explains and nodding with accepting her offer the Matriarch then gives Felix the details on what to do with the insufferable Drow.

Having things as normal as they can be at the enclave Elanee and Rain are changed back and Elanee takes ready to return to the city, Rain helps her on to a horse and looks at her.

“Uh Elanee about the kiss at the dance” he says

“You’re not going to tell Namor are you Rain?” asked Elanee

“Not if you don’t want me too, I got a better idea how about you explain everything you want him to know and I’ll just go along with it” Rain said with a clear head “Just tell him that I kept my distance the whole time and when I did touch you I had my gloves on, and with that you not even lying” Rain adds

Looking to the ground for a second Elanee pipes up “And about the kiss”

“Not even worth mentioning, besides compared to a noble ambassador it doesn’t even compare right, so forget about it; I pretty much have already” Rain blurted out

“Yea your right….it’s not even in the same league as his” she says smiling to him and turning her head away she continues “Y e a h…I’ve forgotten about it already too”

“See everything’s fine and nothing has changed” said Rain and beginning to walk away from here he stopped “Oh and Elanee”

“Yes Rain”

“Thanks…thanks for helping me get my family back and for saving my clan, I couldn’t have done this without you, especially getting through that ballroom” and smiling a truly happy smile she said to him “It was my pleasure Rain, so we’ll see you guys back in a few days then eh”

“Yeah you got it” he nods and smacking her horse to start a gallop she waves leaving the enclave being accompanied by a couple of Drow guards for a safe journey back.

In the city Namor meets with a Dark figure that come to his room after hours, seeing him there Namor then speaks.

“You’re late”

“I’m sorry my lord they took longer to make than I first thought and a great deal of magic was required for them, the blood from your Captain Tristan is potent in the warrior skill” the figure says and handing him a set of gloves that look identical to his own he takes them

“He doesn’t bleed often, I needed to take it from a cloth when he cleaned his last wound, but it was a little time ago, now they will do what I ordered right” Namor asked looking at the craftsmanship

“The increase to your combat and strength will be great maximizing out in just a few days’ time of wearing them” the man said extending his hand for payment, Namor holds a sack of coins wrapped to a black bag and tosses it to the figure not showing his face.

“And we are in agreement that we are to never know each other nor ever speak unless absolutely needed “Namor says sternly to the man who issues back a nod understanding while escaping through a gate of shadow. Looking at the gloves Namor then tries then on for a perfect fit

“Since money and holdings is not what Elanee is after… perhaps it’s time to show her more colors of what the aggressive Namor has to offer the community, then I will perhaps win her over from the indisputable excuse for a mage RAIN!. She is forever running to him for help, but no longer” Namor finishes as he takes a seat to his chamber chair already starting to feel the gaining strength upon his body and mind.

Taking his first steps back into the enclave Rain sees Cloud in a frantic searching state

“Something wrong” Rain asked

“I can’t find Alisianna, she was supposed to be at the temple getting healed but Dawn and Maylor haven’t seen her and I don’t know where she has gone” Cloud replied

“Then we’d better go look for her, knowing what mental instability she has been under there’s no telling what she might do” Rain said concerned and they split off to search around the outer rim of the enclave. Rain checked out the woods while Cloud went to places that she knew of to go to for her own personal moments.

After about an hour of searching Cloud finally heard a whimpering sound coming from the edge of a pond nearby, parting the bushes and moving a tree branch Cloud sees Alisianna crying, making no sounds Cloud moves up behind her and gives her a moment to herself before saying anything he looks on her back with a pitiful face.

“Alisianna” he says softly having her turn around quickly as she was on her knees at the pond’s edge.

“Cloud, what are you doing here?”

“Looking for you” he replied, he moved up beside her and slowly going to his own knees he sits at her side “You know Dawn and Maylor have been looking for you and getting worried when you never showed at the temple”

She looks on to his face and seeing the scar baring face she had along with some dried half peeled skin caking up her neck and cheeks Cloud looked to her and smiled

“Why are you out here?” he asked and hearing a sound from the woods he looked back to see Rain at the tree line, looking at Alisianna he held up his hand to stop Rain’s advance as if to say give us a moment, understanding the message Rain sat up there to stand guard for the peace talk.

“I came out here for clarity from my head, I’ve been wondering why this has happened to me, what did I do to merit such a fate of such utter disgusting per portions” and wiping the river flowing tears from her eyes she continued “When I was small growing up with the Druids they told me that since I was part nymph that I had extraordinary ability to control natural and be one with it. I loved that feeling so much, being one with nature and seeing plants and flowers grow through the seasons as well as animals flourishing over the years, it was heaven to me. They said that it came from the beauty essence I had and now from what happened it’s gone forever” she finished and started to cry again, putting her head against his chest he looked to Rain who smiled a little and nodding his head he left them alone.

“It’s not gone Alisianna, your judgment of what happened has covered your will to see the ability, it is inside of you and is part of you, not just on the surface” Cloud ended and wipes the tears from her cheeks carefully looking upon her eyes.

“You know what I see when I look at you, (she shakes her head) the most beautiful woman I’ve ever laid eyes on, even now with you like this, for it is the beauty of your soul that captured me not the surface look you possessed, and your power for compassion on the natural ground is still there at your will’s command, you’ve only suppressed it with what has happened, but it is still there waiting to do good, it simply needs your orders” Cloud smiled

“You know I can see the pity looks you give me and it shows that you don’t feel for me the same as when I was pretty” she says

“Only feeling sorry for your willingness to give up so easily on something so powerful to your soul, but if you need proof here it is, because what I feel for you is deep, deep love” and moving to be on only one knee he takes her scarred up arm and holds her hand, standing up with confusion she tries to back away but Cloud doesn’t let go of her hand. Reaching to a pouch on his belt he pulls from it a ring with a crystal blue sapphire on it and slowly places it on her ring finger.

“What are you doing Cloud” she gasps at the sight of the stone covering her mouth with the other hand

“Through the time we have spent together I have fallen for your beauty, your grace and humble compassion for life, I would love to keep sharing those moments with you for the rest of my life if you would have me as your husband; Alisianna will you give me the unwavering pleasure of having you as my wife” he concludes and lets go of her hand and feeling the rock on her finger she looks to him with tears on a smiling face.

“This is not the time for this” she replies

“I beg to differ to you my love for this is the perfect time for this; for your beauty is not any less that you have ever shown me before, regardless of its appearance”

“Where is this ring from?”

“It was my mother’s, my uncle gave it to me thinking that I would wed from it first, he was right; besides my brother would probably use it for an ingredient in a spell and blow himself to high hell” he said laughing and getting serious again he looked to her getting right beside her “And from the beauty this ring harnessed from my mother, I see it in you” and leaning in to kiss her lips she accepts and holding the moment for a while they then walk back holding one another’s hand to the temple to repair the visual scarring damage done to Alisianna as well as telling the announcement of their joining union.

As Rain looked on from a distance at the happy betrothed couple, he bowed his head in an angered shame for his feelings to the nymph ran deeper than anyone knew of; weeks went on and as the couple got into the planning of their future wedding all wished to be a part of the aid, all but Rain. Rain trained on off times that his brother did to hold his distance from him and never even let Alisianna see his face, he was invited to dinners and group gatherings at the tavern tent but never accepted any of them, and even the simple gesture of a talk was rejected. He eventually warmed up to his brother in conversation but the moment the topic of his bride came up Rain almost ran her down, it started to worry Alisianna and grew a soft annoying rage to his brother Cloud. Helping Dawn one night late at the temple they built, Rain offered to fill the basin, hauling buckets of water from the river just by them Rain steered clear of intersecting with Cloud and Alisianna. Pacing down to the river bend’s small hill for his last bucket Rain scoops the water the last time and turning to go up the path he saw through the night light a reflection of himself in the armor worn by his brother Cloud.

“Brother” Rain said walking up to him and wishing to pass him Cloud moved to block his way, “Uh move please” Rain spoke

“uh no” Cloud shot back

“Why not”

“We need to talk”

“About?”

“Alisianna and why you hate her” Cloud said, Rain stared to his face and placing the bucket to the ground he knew he couldn’t run this time,

“I don’t hate her” said Rain

“Then what is wrong with her”

“I hate her for liking you”

“For liking me…Why…do you like her Rain” Cloud asks and saying nothing Cloud gets the answer from Rain’s look.

“Rain why didn’t you say anything…how long have you liked her?”

“Couple of days…after we first meet”

“Rain I never thought you liked girls…you’ve hated them all through growing up” Cloud stated with Rain shaking his head holding a small chuckle, “Rain I swear to you if I knew you had any feelings for her I wouldn’t have proceeded on her”

“You know brother you are the bravest, densest person I know, you know that”

“I don’t understand Rain” Cloud pleaded wishing to know what he meant.

“I didn’t always hate them Cloud, I hate only how dumb they are and Alisianna is no different”

“Hey! What’s wrong with her?” Cloud bolted

“She’s just like the rest and is so superficial it’s sick, all they care about is that” gesturing to Cloud physical look “They don’t give a shit about how the mind of the male is only by what they can lift”

“Rain they’re not all like that”

“Oh please give me a break from stupidity for one night Cloud at least”

“I’m serious!” Cloud pushed on

“So am I, I have liked girls in our clan but every time they take a glance at my older brother they only join up with me to see you, you’re so bloody naive to your looks and charmed persona it hurts Cloud…they are just like human’s flocking to power”

“Why didn’t you act on your feelings Rain they’re not blind but they aren’t clairvoyant either, they can’t read how you feel, you are such a closed book and hold such a dismal exterior that they don’t want to waste their time”

“You know Cloud books…powerful books have an ugly look to them which most overlook, but to the ones who wish to see the true look of them they take the risk of chance…girls don’t; they’re selfish bitches who only care about what will make them look good on the outside and the realization is that between you and me Alisianna would rather have you by her side then me!” Rain sneers out from his mouth and Cloud stays silent, “You know I’m right and that goes for all women to this retarded landmass”

“No you’re not, Elanee’s not like that” Cloud fights

“She’s with Namor you moron” Rain harps back

“Not by choice…not at first, looks don’t matter to her” Cloud says

“….not at first but they won out in the end” Rain said back with again Cloud saying nothing back.

“So what does this mean then Rain, for Alisianna…your just going to never speak to her”

“Hey she’s your wife not mine”

“That’s not fair Rain; she didn’t even know she had a choice”

“Then she should’ve looked harder!” Rain barked to him

“Well now it’s you who doesn’t have the choice, she’s going to be in your life so you better get used to it…she’s family now” Cloud said shaking his head leaving

“Yeah tough shit for that coming around” Rain said louder to him and turning back to the path Rain sees Dawn who was silent, she gave Rain a scolding look of disappointment for she came to see what was keeping him and walked in half way through the conversation. She took the pail of water from the ground and with a swift thrust to the bucket the water left the pail to coat Rain to a dripping state, walking off Rain called to her wishing to apologize for he didn’t mean it upon her but she didn’t stop. Spitting the water from his mouth looks to his drenched robes, “Good one Rain; your gloating words of always being aware are truly…insightful”.