Sitting in her room, Logan again appears to her “Oh what are you doing here” Sephinroth snaps at him and he only returns with a look of displeasing annoyance.

“Oh my, touchy are we, Please tell me the issue, so that I may show a false sign of compassion while I try to care” and giving him a dirty look she just waits for his answer, “Ok; Colossus is growing tired of waiting” Logan steams out,

“Tell him to stuff it, I’m working as fast as I can, but you can go to him with the happy thought that I’m moving ahead for they have gotten the first essence”

“Really, wow that is amazing” Logan sarcastically shot back

“And so is that look from you, you have improved your skill of fake caring”

“Sadly hearing that news is really a show of happiness…I’m so tired of bending to that ape’s every whim and willfully command, that I’m pretty much ready to spear myself while walking into sunlight for a tan”

“And what may I ask are the chores the all mighty bull has bestowed upon you?”

“Just gathering vampires…well humans and turning them into vampires, I tell you I’ve bitten so many my fangs hurt, but on the bright side I have never been so full in my whole endless life” moving to pose from a side view to her he says “Do I look fat to you, have I put on weight, don’t lie to me I want the truth now”

“Oh just shut up and go bite or suck something I don’t care just leave” she says turning her back to him, and stopping his useless babble he then grows a different look, one of concern and asks

“Now what is really going on with you?”

“There was an incident involving the retrieval of the essence and something happened to Dawn…she was changed into a vampire”

“Wow really” Logan said excitedly “gee maybe I should meet her, and give her a welcoming family button, what do you think”

“That you’re an idiot but that is beside the point, Rain just got the news and is taking it rather hard, I didn’t have any words of comfort because well I really couldn’t find it in me to care but…”

“Wait a second here, are you actually sad for him, are you showing compassion for this Drow!?”

“NO! Of course not; I’m just saying that his concern is right now mine too”

“Awe, that’s sweet” Logan sarcastically propped bringing together his hands,

“As well as it should be yours too, for if he isn’t here he also isn’t finding the essences, which then puts you at Colossus bidding for… oh I don’t know the rest of your unnatural long life!”

“Like I said before, mourn with him, kiss him…hell bed him, do whatever just get him on finding those evils” and ending off his sentence fast Logan smokes away.

Sephinroth sulks by herself for a while before being given the news from her slave of a new comer by the name of Elanee Kerrigan arriving, allowing her to be let in to the tower Sephinroth goes to meet with her.

“Elanee, Welcome to my home for I think you are one of the last of your circle to enter these walls” Eve says to her “Have you come baring news from Rain or other means of information about our cause here?”

“No I’m sorry for I don’t bring such words, but I must say I love the interior of the masterful manor you have built” Elanee replies

“No, please I don’t deserve such credit, for I only guard such a master piece, thou did not create it” Eve states

“Well anyway my concern is not for the manor but for one who is inside, Rain.” she says to Eve

“And how is he doing after such a hardship to bare” Eve questions

“I have recently seen him and given him my condolences as well as my help with anything that he may need from me to assist in the easing of this burden; but more over to that end is why I have come to see you, having been at Rain’s side for some time now I have found that he has a certain bittersweet taste for woman no matter their race or rank” Elanee explains

“Really, my I hope he doesn’t see that in me for I haven’t such acts of distastefulness in him” Eve adds

“I know and there lies the concern” Elanee says sternly

“My dear Elanee are…are you threatening me” Eve says putting on a shocked look

“Let’s just call this a preemptive friendly warning between two ladies of structure and integrity, for knowing Rain as I do and seeing him behave so cooperatively, compellingly toward you in such a short time has aroused some major suspicion in my mind. And with him in such a heartfelt fragile state given the grief sought out from him, plus the added part of him blaming himself for not being there at his sisters unpleasant cursing…”

“Listen I love to hear such accusing tales as much as the next but really is there a threat in there somewhere or are you just here to bore me?” Eve says interrupting Elanee

“I am warning you that if you move in emotionally just to quicken the pace of your goal and hurt him in the end for false leading his heart, no force in good or evil will stop me from hunting you down like the dog you will be”

“Oh believe me, I won’t do such a thing again for I know the repercussions all too well” Eve says concerned

“What do you mean again?” Elanee questions with a suggestive face.

“I…I meant that I have done it before …with…with another yes another and I have seen firsthand on toying with such power, I mean emotions can leave me barely living through such times” Eve said turning around not facing her as she spoke

“Then I have said my peace and shall now take my leave” Elanee said turning to leave

“Such an act for someone who is only a friend is nearly impossible to find little own believe; I wonder if your feelings and heart speak louder than your mind on this matter hmmm?” And looking to her quickly but saying nothing in response Elanee gives her a deep look of concern and a shot of fear runs through her face

“I give you my word Elanee I will keep my distance with my heart to his if I don’t plan on using it, for I fear as much to hurt him as I do to hurt you” Eve states finishing the topic

“Thank you for your word and I trust that I can hold you to it” Elanee says almost staring to show tears for the idea of losing Rain

“You can” Eve reassures her, and nodding her head Elanee finally departs for the tower.

Coming into the cave library Artanis sees Rain sitting in a chair reading or at least pretending too.

“Rain, you wish to see me?”

“Artanis, how is Dawn doing?”

“Staying out of the sun as she’s told, she’s in the mausoleum right now, that sentence is so weird to me; keep Dawn out of the light “

“Yeah that phrase still doesn’t make sense to me either no matter how many times I run it through my head” Rain says

“It’s not fair, for the fates to do this especially to her, she is such a bright person so full of light and good, why take a swing to corrupt all of that”

“Maybe they feel she still has a lesson to be learned that only being on the other side of the line can teach her” Rain speculates

“Why the necessity to learn in such a manor, it’s so harsh and barbaric, it fills me with hurt and anger” Artanis says gripping tightly his fists for a moment

“Some lessons are harder to learn than others “Rain says closing the book and standing up “Then again maybe this lesson just isn’t meant for her, but for all of us”

“Like” Artanis asks gesturing his arms waiting for words of such intellect to inspire him,

“Like trying to find the cold hard truth in a mountain of heated lies…I don’t know I’m just babbling on anyway, so do yourself a favor, don’t listen…oh the reason I sent for you” Rain finished and picking up the blank paged book he hands it to him, looking at it and knowing what it was Artanis goes to his side where he had it placed to see it’s not there

“Shit I must have dropped it when we left here last time, thank you so much” Artanis says gripping it tightly from Rain hands

“What is it” asked Rain

“It’s a…a notebook, I just like to doodle once in a while that’s all, jot down key points of entry to a room or into a keep or strong hold” and giving Artanis a gesture of his hands not to bother with a reason so deep, he tells him that he found it in the city library and Elanee gave it to him when she came here to give her respects to the incident.

Leaving his sight Artanis thanks him again and left from the arriving sight of Cynn to Rain’s table, she tells Rain that the time has come for him to get in lessons on advanced magical casting and putting down his book he had, he quickly packed up his things to begin the training under her guidance; Cynn teaches Rain new abilities that he has been anxiously awaiting to be taught. Working on them for the better part of two days, Rain had already shown a great leap in the Telekinesis ability by lifting things with his magical powers well beyond that of someone else in his class.

With Rain’s absence from the Zenith tower Eve attempts to on her own, decipher the text of codes to the location of the next essence using techniques learned from Rain, she struggles with it and knowing that her expertise is not in this field she continues on, not knowing when Rain will be back.

Straud, Artanis and Cloud meet in the enclave mess cabin talking about past and present plans, walking in on them not meaning to interrupt their meal Lalandra she speaks up to him saying that the unique training item he had requested was finally finished, thanking her and finishing his meal Straud welcomes the others to join him as he leaves the cabin to her cave. The curiosity weighs heavy on the two of them and they follow Straud. Traveling behind the Captain and Dragon the two are taken down a new corridor never aloud down before, looking to the side of the tunnel which were made up of very old placed brick and stone, Artanis spouted off saying that this must be hundreds if not a thousand years in age. They go deep into the earth and arriving at large arena like opening all of them gaze upon a figure holding a blade at the center of a circle, embedded by a ring of stones inscribed with ruins on the floor shaped into a perfect circle. Looking carefully they focus on the figure who reveals himself as Logan Silas, startled and caught off guard both Artanis and Cloud draw their blades and in their advance are stopped by Straud getting in the war path,

“No wait, stand down boys” Straud commanded “it’s not actually him”

“What? Then who or what…?” Cloud says confused

“It’s a magical reconstruction of him Cloud” Lalandra adds “It took the better part of my free time to create this, after the initial encounter with him Straud came to me asking if such a thing could be created for training purposes; it is exactly like him in physical features as well as strength and mobility but the tricky part came when I needed to have him fight like Logan Silas” she concluded

“For that we needed Elanee’s help” Straud added “She took the images and knowledge of the fight we had from my mind and transferred it into Lalandra’s so that she could finish him, making Logan the most advanced training program ever conceived. We at first didn’t think that Elanee could do or handle such a task, but when confronted she humbly agreed knowing that it could bring about his terrible reign of terror. I got to admit she is far more powerful than even Lalandra and I have ever first thought and given her credit for”

“So how…how does this work, do you just fight him?” Artanis asks

“No not quiet, you see there are commands to be taken and obeyed and only can be said by me, so I need to supervise the fight training” Lalandra explains. She then gestures Straud to enter the ring which he does drawing his sword. Lalandra commands Logan to prepare for battle drawing his own sword standing ready, they begin combat and in a matter of seconds Straud is on the floor about to be run through from Logan’s blade.

“STOP!” Lalandra commands “Stand down” she says behind the first command and Logan then lowers his weapon backing off to the other side of the ring. Straud gets to his feet and shakes his head, “I think you made him faster than the original Lalandra”

“And all I foresee from that outcome is better training” she replies

“True enough” Straud says and waits to go again, starting up again Artanis then asks,

“What if the Logan in there overturns your commands, not that you would let it happen but…”

“Well I had thought the infiltration of my lair by a summoner mage and if he ever took control of the figure I have implemented a failsafe if you will. The runes on the floor in the circular pattern mean to keep him concealed inside, and if he was ever commanded to leave the circle a conjunction spell would trigger thus disintegrating him instantly” she finishes, satisfied by the explanation Artanis and Cloud stand quiet for the most part to watch time and time again Straud hit the ground at edge point of Logan’s blade, watching a little longer Artanis then asks Cloud,

“How’s Alisianna, I heard that she wasn’t feeling good lately”

“Well she’s ok I guess, she has been vomiting a bunch lately, in the morning and almost every time before we go to bed, she tried herbal medicine that she knew from the forest but nothing helps, Maylor said that he couldn’t find anything wrong with her except for a raise in her eating habits”

“So what is going on? is she sick or something, I thought that being a druid she was immune to getting natural sickness from cold or hot weather, as well as poison from the plant life” added Artanis in inquiry

“She is…they moved her to the Druid enclave again for the elders to look at her, and see if they can figure it out” Cloud said worrying

“I’m sure it’s nothing Cloud really, they’ll figure it out and she’ll be back to normal in no time” Artanis said comforting with words and patting his back

“Look I’m going to get some air, it’s kind of stuffy in here you want to join?” Asked Cloud leaving the area

“No I want to stay here a little more and learn for myself the moves of this half dead lunatic” responded Artanis as nodding his head Cloud stepped off to the surface.

Arriving up to the bright light of high noon, Cloud covered his eyes quickly as his eyes adjusted to the light, looking to his right after about ten steps from the cave entrance Cloud saw a barrel standing by itself and then heard a yelling voice.

“LOOK OUT!!!” cried the voice and moving quickly to the ground a green orb like ball past over top dripping sparks of green lightning like gel to the ground; the ball impacted the barrel blowing it to splinters raining them to Clouds body. Removing his hands from his head and uncurling from the ball he was in Cloud looks up to see Rain charging to his location helping Cloud to his feet.

“Are you ok Cloud” Rain said concerned

“Damn it Rain you almost blew me up, my god haven’t you gotten the disintegrating spell under hand yet” he bolted wiping the splintered shavings from his leather shirt.

“Well it’s not like casting a fireball Cloud, it takes much more focus and power” Rain snapped back “But are you ok?”

“Yes I’m fine, just a little shaken up that’s all” Cloud replied harshly and looking back to the mutilation of the barrel he asked Rain “Isn’t it supposed to you know…turn in to ash or mush or something with that spell?”

“Yeah” Rain sighed “This is what happens when you don’t get it right”

“Seems pretty effective if you ask me” Cloud said smiling a little

“Yes…but it’s not what is supposed to happen and until then…”

“I know, I know, you won’t be happy with the results, but you should be happy with achieving this or you won’t be able to reach the real ending, but I’m sure you’ll get it, you’re the most gifted mage or sorry…sorcerer I know and trust me, you’ll get there just give it time. Besides Cynn says you are doing superb with the telekinesis, she said that you almost lifted a cabin today” Cloud adds with enthusiasm

“Well I shook the foundation anyway” Rain said and tapping his shoulder Cloud says to him “Now that’s power Rain, and a great type too, be proud…I am” and telling Rain that he was going to see Alisianna for a while he tells him to contact him when Rain has located the next essence, nodding to him Rain gives his best to Alisianna and continues his training.

Putting his signature seal to documents of importance from the tabled wood of Silverspire city, a knock appears on Ambassador Namor’s door.

“Enter” Namor says and in walks Captain Tristan

“You asked for me Ambassador” Tristan says

“Yes please come in and sit Captain” Namor says to him, Tristan sits in a chair across from him and is offered from a servant girl a drink, politely refusing while smiling at him, the girl turns growing a serious look while offering the same to Namor. He gestures his hand to for acceptance and pouring his drink Namor takes a glance down her outfit, feeling his eyes upon herself the maid grows comfort putting to her eyes the sight of Tristan and finishing her job leaving the room, the ranger grows intolerant to Namor’s rude manner as Namor focuses on the girl’s backside as she left.

“Besides tea, Ambassador why have you called for me”

“It’s Elanee” Namor replies

“Elanee, what has happened is she alright?” Tristan says worriedly

“Alright in the sense that you worry about but mentally I just don’t know” Namor explains “I can’t say for certain, the past week she has been avoiding me”

“But I have seen you two together just this morning sharing breakfast” says Tristan

“No my dear Captain, I am talking a little more personal, you see I can’t get near her to have an intimate moment, she won’t let me kiss her even touch her and having that bloody cat around of yours upon her every waking side doesn’t help matters either” Namor ends to which Tristan brings to his face a devilish grin.

“Anubis is there to ensure her wellbeing, from ALL predators that may be lurking about, and seeing how she is your lady, I trust that my concern for her in such a manor was prudent enough for you to fully agree with the action I have taken” Tristan responds

“And in deed it is Captain, don’t get me wrong with your recommendation, I agree as well as applier it greatly, I’m just getting frustrated with how to approach her recently, not to offend her” Namor replies

“You just need to show more detailed interest in her and her activities Namor, women love the men who focus on the little things in their lives” Tristan explains

“My dear Captain, I’m an ambassador not a nurse maid or servant girl, I have many demands on my time that cannot be ignored” Namor says

“But she can be!” Tristan heats up his words “Look Namor if the only reason you have called for me is to reveal to you the secret to getting her in to bed, then your efforts have been in vain” Tristan says standing up “So now I asked this…do you love her and I mean really love her; because if she is to wind up another arm accessory for your wardrobe like the others you have stashed away in your manor than I swear to you…”

“My accessories as well as personal intentions are none of your concern CAPTAIN! And if you won’t help me with this, perhaps I should take this relationship to the next phase” Namor heats up as well, standing to meet Tristan face to face.

“Elanee isn’t like the traditional women you have known and met, she has been appointed with responsibilities here. She cannot just up and leave to simply be replaced; laws from our home lands don’t apply here Ambassador!” Tristan huffs

“I never asked you here to be barraged at by your blistered insult filled tongue, I called you here because of you closeness with her, you seem to be the best candidate I know to reach her on a level she knows and respects, I ask that you find out from her for me what is bothering her and a method I can use to put her mind at ease” Namor finishes and shaking his head with disgust Tristan leaves to the door but stops to turn around once more.

“I will do what I can, if I have time, for my new duties until the return of Cloud have left me little time to think for myself little own act on anything” and calming down Namor gets a hold of himself emotionally

“Thank you Captain, it will be much appreciated” and nodding a Captain’s bow Tristan leaves Namor’s chambers.

Going to the orphanage Tristan sees Elanee playing with some kids as she has done for the past week with all of her free time,

“Has anyone told you, you have a mother’s touch with them” says Tristan coming up to the building side watching her play a chase game with some girls.

“Once or twice” Elanee smiled to him holding a small child in her arms after catching her “Since you and Cloud have done such a good job holding the crime down, my investigating skills are being shelved for the time being; What are you doing here” she asked

“Well I had a chat with Namor just a time ago, and he asked me to come by to see you” Tristan said, hearing this Elanee puts the child down and tells her to run off for a short time and keep busy with the others.

“He did, did he” she replied not sounding enthused about it

“Look Elanee I didn’t come to find out what he wanted, but for myself, is something wrong, you have been acting very distant from all of us lately”

“I wish I could Tristan really but this problem I have as of late I can only solve through my own thoughts, I just need more time” Elanee presses on

“You mean to choose between the loves of Rain or Namor right?” Tristan says

“Actually the choice is if I should love at all” says Elanee

“To love at all Elanee what…”

“Captain” a soldier calls to Tristan from horseback that was never heard from his ears,

“Yes footman, what is it” Tristan responds professional

“Trouble sir at the border, there is a dispute of land by the northern clans and they are threatening to retake their misused lands by force” the footman says and Tristan’s face goes to a frustrating look and Elanee looks to him

“It’s ok Captain, you need to go” she pushes

“I know but, look we should talk more about this later ok, wait for me to return…I don’t wish to see you give up” he responds to her, and nodding he commands for his horse to be brought to him and a strike force be assembled at the front gate, following the order the footman rides off, and following him is Tristan on foot.

Elanee goes about her day for about a couple more hours when she sees Cynn join her side in a flash of light, looking frantic about trying to find something as Elanee addresses with a pleasant hello.

“Oh god” Cynn says looking to the sky

“What, what happened” Elanee asked and join her in the look she then sees it, Rain falling freely from the sky. Waving her hand about Cynn panics

“Can you judge where he is about to land?” she asks Elanee quickly

“I think around the stables, but why?” and finishing her question she is yanked at the hand by Cynn who runs to see the landing.

“Ahhhhh!” is yelled by Rain “BOOM! CRASH! BANG!” echoes out in an immediate area which brings people from the vicinity running to the stables, nahing horses gallop swiftly from the shelter and some wagon wheels roll out from the debris, of hay, wood splinters and boards that go hurling into the air.

Both Elanee and Cynn turn the comer just to lay witness to Rain plummeting into the roof rafters of the stables, blowing a large hole through the ceiling in his spectacular landing.

“Rain! Rain are you ok, say something” Cynn shouts out as she and Elanee run into the stables waving their hands in the air to settle the dust in their faces blocking the vision, and as the dust settles they see a figure in the corner. Elanee looks up at two holes made by his landing, one through the roof and one through the loft to the ground, helping Cynn move some boards of the area they heard Rain coughing and finally clear their sight to see him while starting to laugh loudly. Covered in water and noodle limp hay sits Rain in the middle of a large horse trough, his hood draped over his face with water draining off the brim, he raises his head slowly showing them a look of embarrassment.

“Rain, are you…” says Cynn covering her mouth not to laugh

“Fine!” Rain finishes looking at her with a dirty scowl

“Hey don’t get mad at me, I told you that the line of focus is very difficult as well as similar to that of the teleport spell didn’t I”

“What happened” Elanee whispered holding in her gut aching laugher

“Rain was trying to fly by means of a spell” Cynn says to her smiling

“Wasn’t trying, I did fly…just couldn’t get the landing down properly, but it’s not my fault there was some kids running around the area I was in and I got distracted with their safety” Rain snapped pulling some limp hay strands from off his face and cloak

“Hey don’t blame the kids, it’s not their fault you’re not mentally coordinated to do two things at once” said Elanee helping Cynn get Rain out of the trough.

“Ahh my back” Rain says moaning as he got to his feet

“Better than us picking up pieces of you” says Cynn

“Yes of course I should be grateful to the fine building hands of the human crafting age, so sorry I thought of myself for a second, for my attention should be to the smiths job they now have at patching up my landing zone” Rain grumbles grabbing his back rubbing it.

“I’ll get some ice for that” said Elanee going to walk away

“No that’s ok Elanee, Rain and I will just go back to the enclave, he needs to get back to the tower anyway so I’ll just get Maylor to heal him up” Cynn stated to her

“How did you fall here anyway?” she asked Rain

“Well when you fall your mind wonders and mine wondered to a soft landing of the back of a horse and then poof I was moved to the area of a horse, not exactly what I had in mind though” and laughing a little more Elanee saw Rain and Cynn again teleport away.

Walking back to the orphanage Elanee is met up by a couple of guards who tell her that the King wishes to see her.

“With the Captain away there is a matter which requires his attention but you are next in line being the chief investigator” the one guard states to her and jumping on the back of a guard’s patrols horse she is hastily taken to the castle.