Cloaked in his invisibility shroud Rain approaches the guard tower and precedes silently like stale air behind the guards that open the doors down to the bottom level where Eve is held. Careful not to hit anybody for fear of being noticed Rain sees Elanee leaving Eve’s room, letting her pass right by him he gains an idea and changes his look to match her.

Rain reproaches the guards by Eve’s door and when asked why she was there again so soon Rain says through her voice that he forgot something in the chamber, he was allowed in and as soon as the door was unlocked he cast a sleep induced spell into their faces knocking them hard to the ground. “Sleep tight guys” Rain said

“Elanee what the hell are you doing” Eve said seeing the attack

“Eve it’s me Rain” he replies changing back to himself and entering the room he is hit with a yellow light that shines around him dropping from the roof pasting a symbol upon his chest.

“What the” says Rain confused

“That’s an anti-magic symbol on you, your spells are disabled” Eve explained

“Damn it” said Rain trying to cast a small spell with no success “It’s too late to worry about that now, I need to get you out of here; they plan to give you to the clan anyway and I’ll go to hell before I let them have you” Rain bolts out and taking the armor of the one guard Rain puts it on and takes Eve by the chains “Follow my lead and I’ll get you out of here, and back to the tower, we’ll figure out our next move from there”

“And what about your clan Rain I won’t let you tear your ties from them for me” Eve states to him,

“That’s my choice not yours, now come on” and leading her out through the doors telling upper level guards that she was being moved they let him pass with her in tow. Getting to the tower gates they find a horse outside and taking off the armor Rain gets on first and pulls Eve up, throwing her still bonded wrists over and around Rain’s chest Rain’s rides off down an alleyway toward the city wall gates.

Minutes later Cloud and the group get to the guard tower thinking that it was where Rain was headed, the guards tell the group that she just left with the prisoner moments ago and pointing to where they exited Cloud follows the trail to the guard stables where he finds the ditched guard armor.

“Footmen, sound the alarm and alert the gate guards to close the portcullis and double the wall archers Rain is not allowed to leave the grounds understand”

“Are we to fire on him if he refuses sir?”

“Only as an absolute last resort, let him make the first move”

“Understood sir” and the footman leave to carry out the orders; Cloud goes by the fallen armor suit and shakes his head.

“You made the right call Cloud” says Straud coming up on his back

“We’d better split up and try to find him, he’ll be moving fast” Straud said breaking the members of the clan into groups

“Why would he do this the plan was to help her right” asked Dawn

“I don’t think he stuck around long enough to hear that part” added Artanis

“I agree” stated Straud “Now let’s move” and they break off.

Drilling the hooves of the horses’ feet deep into the dirt Rain raced to reach the gate before his brother could mobilize the guards. Dodging guard patrols where he could and out riding others sending them into barrels and hay stacks Rain out maneuvered the ones on his tail as Eve watched the rear side. Rain reached the half-way point of running through the city before the first alarm horn was sounded indicating Eve’s escape. Continuing to watch the rear Eve spots Cloud high in the air riding on the back of Chalice and warns Rain about him, turning his head quickly Rain looks to Cloud and hears him call to him “Rain, Stop your making a mistake!!!” he yells to his ears, and turning away ignoring his call Rain rides on,

“Maybe you should listen to him Rain” says Eve

“They’re going to let you die Eve and I won’t sit idle by and let it happen” Rain finishes and nudges the horse to the ribs to move even faster and harder, Cloud then descends to the ground and continues to give chase to Rain on the ground. Leaping over his own men and around obstacles placed in the roadway by Rain as he passes them Cloud tries talking to Rain again and again, yelling to him to stop and just talk to him. Rain doesn’t even look back and seeing the gate within his sights all focus is laid upon reaching it.

“Rain stop this please, I don’t want you hurt” cries Eve from the rear

“No” stubbornly Rain bolts and riding by to grip a pole by a nearby building Rain aims and throws it javelin like into the lever pulley system of the closing gate, stopping the portcullis half way down he and Eve both duck as they pass under the gate clearing the city border and continue into the woods.

Following close behind them Cloud could see a barricade made by Straud, Cynn and Maylor to block Rain’s continued escape. Grinding the hooves halting his horse Rains turns to go in the heavy brush but Cloud blocks his path, and hearing movement down the path he came Rain sees it filling with Tristan, Dawn and Artanis. Eve and Rain look around at the present company and Rain gives them all an evil glare.

“It’s over Rain please, comedown off the horse” Straud softly spoke

“I won’t let you trade her for that pitiful stone, you’ll have to kill me first” Rain barks to them all

“Rain” says Dawn shocked by his statement

“Rain lets us explain, please” says Cynn trying to calm him down

“Explain what judicator, huh that this is best for the group, of course it would be for us we get what we want but she gets death” and looking around Rain tries again to cast a spell but finds his power still unusable “Forget it! All you care about is the stone, not her or her way of life, you stayed her friend just until you got a hold of what you wanted and then considered her a threat and accused her of acting out rash to not even attempt to accommodate her of what she might want from the generosity she has shown to you, you don’t care about her you never did and the mere thought that I am on your side right now sickens me”

“That is it Rain!” blasts Cloud drawing his sword and drawing his own Rain gets ready a fight turning his skin to stone.

“Enough of this please Rain” Eve shouts out loud hurting his ears with her shriek turning towards her, “Your family and stopping Colossus is more important than my life, I’m sorry that you don’t agree but that’s not your call to make now”

“Your right Rain” says Straud “We never gave her a fair chance to prove herself around us, but at the same time we are not just going to sit by as you said and watch her die for a crime she didn’t commit”

“Then you do believe me” says Rain

“Yes, from your resistance to see her innocence has opened my eyes but it’s not me you need to convince to let her live in peace, as we speak Elanee is off to the battle site to try and gather evidence to prove her innocence to Lord Falcon, please Rain you need to trust us now and take her back” appeals Straud waiting for Rain to answer.

“We won’t let her go without a fight Rain” adds Artanis

“You damn right I won’t” Rain adds and having his face turned again to see Eve’s teary eyed face, she looks into his eyes and kisses him “I love you Rain, I want you to know that, but running away from this is proving nothing but my guilt not innocence, please don’t go back on your words I have trusted. I have nothing to fear for I know that I’m innocent right?”

“Yes” replied Rain in agreement, Eve gently smiles at him, “Then take me back” She spoke. To his own hard path he made Rain took Eve back to her cell, and as the dreaded spell locking chains were again applied to her wrists. Rain choked down the treatment with a hard swallow which lasted only seconds until the unbearable sight forced him pushing his brother from his way out the chamber.

Rain was told later that he wasn’t allowed for the time to see her until the meeting with the Mandarian Lord had come to pass, agreeing even though he didn’t have a choice Rain was allowed to stay in the guest tower until such time. Sitting by himself he waited to hear a word from Elanee and her news. Hours went by and he grew restless until the door open and he saw her face, she had a look of disappointment and defeat passed over it and she only could look to Rain’s face for short periods of time before she would turn away.

“You didn’t find anything did you?” he asked

“Rain, I swear I looked under every rock and branch there was out there and with the men on the field all dead so was any chance of me to read their minds…I…I’m so sorry” Elanee said to him having her faces well up

“Please don’t cry Elanee, I believe you honestly, I know that you tried, you’re not the type not to give up” Rain said coming to her to give her a hug

“I was the last chance you had to save the woman you love and I failed you” she said crying out loud into his shoulder

“Hey it’s ok, you still have to explain to him what you found, now I’m not allowed in there when he comes, but before her end comes I want you to give Lord Falcon this message, Prema Nocktomb in my honor” Rain says to her and wiping the tears from her eyes she asked what that meant, “First justice” Rain said and nodding her head she said she had to leave to get ready.

Quickly having a bath in a pool do to being gone for the better part of the whole day, and beaten down with tiredness Elanee mustered the strength to finish her task. She got ready and met up with Lord Straud, Cynn and Maylor who had the fake stone from a rush order done by Lalandra to fool Falcon. Seeing him they meet into the throne room and exchange the stone as well as Elanee having her final say pleading for Eve’s innocence, hearing it all but having no effect Falcon ordered for the accused to be brought before him. Eve was brought in by command and set in front of him on her knees; Falcon unsheathes his sword and holds it to her neck. Straud stood to his feet unleashing his own blade as Cynn raise her voice in shocking question “You’re going to kill her here, now?”

“I hate baggage, especially kinds that I don’t even like” and raising his sword to give a clean dismemberment of her head he says to her “Any last words?” as Straud steps tactically to block the strike of wrongful judgment.

Eve stands silent and just looks sadly into his eyes, “I DO!” shouts Elanee and rolling his eyes with reluctance Falcon lowers his blade “Very well what is it” with Straud holding his counter move ready.

“Prema Nocktomb in Rain’s honor” she said to him

“WHAT??? Ahhh” says Falcon sheathing his weapon again “Very well, have Rain at my domain in three days from now and we shall finish this” instructed Falcon “Now anything else, although I don’t think the day can get any worse”

“What is that the meaning of that phrase” inquired Cynn

“It means First justice, in which a champion of my choosing will now fight Rain for a last attempt to free Eve from her crime” he then goes on to explain that Eve will be strapped to a stake, and a burning magical fire touch will be placed in the middle of an area where my champion and Rain will fight, the goal is simple; get to the torch and do what you will with it, burn her or put it out in a pool of holy water located beside her.

“No way in hell is he doing this” said Straud sheathing hard his blade again

“Too late” bolted Falcon “The challenge has been issued and accepted, unless you want us to attack the city you will abide by it. Three days; Rain is at our door or we’ll be at this one” Falcon heats out leaving.

“How could you say this Elanee?” asked Maylor

“I didn’t know, Rain asked me to say it, I thought it was a farewell term” she defended

“But he knew, he knew what he was doing” explain Cynn

“He won’t let her go without a fight, damn it I should’ve saw this coming” said Straud clenching his fist in hidden anger

“What do we do now” asked Elanee

“The only thing we can do, get him ready for the fight” says Straud and he walked out

Blasting the door open to Rain’s guest room Elanee goes into the room and slams the door shut behind her,

“I’m surprised that door is still on its hinges, after what Uncle did to it entering” said Rain staring out the window not looking at Elanee

“You used me” she snapped

“She was going to die and like I said before I won’t let that happen, not without me doing everything in my power to stop it” explained Rain and going up to his side Elanee looks to him and holds a small nod, but looking to him again Elanee slaps Rain across the face only staring back from his recoiled neck does she then give him a big embrace.

“I know what you are doing, and I would do the same if I were you so I’m not mad, I only hope that someday I can be as proud of my man as I am with you” and kissing his check she leaves him to get started on his training.

Eve is told of what has transpired by Straud and tells her that there is nothing he can do to change Rain’s mind when she asks.

The first day goes by with Rain having no courage to see Eve; he trains all day in weapons and spells and tactics by Maylor of the combat use of priests spells. That night guards come to Rain’s chamber saying that she wants to speak with him, and knowing that he needs to see her, Rain goes. He is taken into her cell and for a couple moments she just sits there across from him not saying a word until she then comes clean with her thoughts.

“Please Rain back out of the challenge you are the only one who can issue it”

“No Eve”

“Please Rain for me”

“No! You’re innocent!”

“Yes, I am; but I did not accept my fate so lightly so that I could watch you die on the battlefield moments before I do”

“Eve I’m not going to die out there”

“Rain what you propose to do is insane ok, you cannot hope to defeat the Mandarians battle champion, he has your powers plus more”

“Eve I will not just sit by and do nothing, you know that”

“Rain listen to me, you have given me compassion and caring I thought was never possible to have, and now that I have had that I’m happy to die with a pride you won’t understand, but please don’t fight him”

“EVE!”

“Rain he will kill you!” Eve starts crying and Rain goes to leave saying that he will see her tomorrow

“Rain wait please” she says wiping her eyes “Don’t leave like this, you have showed much and risk everything for me please, stay here tonight and let me return the favor” and going up to her they start kissing and share each other’s company through the night.

Elanee, who through the majority of the next morning was looking for Rain, finally goes to the cell chamber to see if Eve knew where he might have gone for he was late for his training exercises. The guards tell Elanee before entering the room that she wasn’t to be disturbed but she didn’t listen and flinging the door open she saw the two on the floor covered under Rain’s cloak, looking to the side she saw Eve clothes lying on a messy pile and knew what happened.

“Oh god, I’m so sorry” she said turning around waking up the both of them. Startled and groggy Rain arose and saw Elanee over them and quickly jumped to his feet.

“Shit I’m late!” he cried and thanking Elanee for the wakeup call he kissed Eve’s cheek and ran past them.

“Well at least he was wearing pants” she said relieved and going herself to leave as well she was stopped by Eve’s voice telling her to wait a moment.

“Yes Eve” Elanee said to her waiting

“Sorry you had to see this, we didn’t mean for you to” Eve replied

“Hey you guys don’t need to justify your actions to me” Elanee says sarcastically

“Give me a break Elanee I’m dying in two days ok, like you wouldn’t be doing the same if you were in my position”

“Well I’m not in your position ok Eve”

“And that’s why I want you to wait for a second ok” Eve says getting to her feet and holding the robe over her naked body while she ties it up. “I want you to be in this position when I’m gone”

With a stun look on her face one word comes to Elanee lips “HUH?”

“Look Elanee he may have picked me but he does still love you”

“Yeah right” Elanee says brushing off the comment

“Just listen to me, with me Elanee he sees my mind as companionship for a common interest, that’s why he’s attracted to me but with you he looks much deeper. Your heart and soul is what he views and longs for when he looks at you and in the end it is what he will need; not me” Eves says lowering her head

“Eve that’s not true” Elanee says sympathizing to her

“No, it is Elanee and with that you must promise me something, when I go the first face he is to look upon is yours for comfort and help to carry on, for he will need it, and so will you” Elanee then gives Eve a comforting hug and Eve asks to be alone for a while, Elanee lets her be and leaves to come back later with some refreshments to eat and drink.

Rain continues every night to come to see Eve and comfort her through the night’s cold chill, his training is hard during the days and fight’s the thoughts continually running through his mind that Eve might just be right and he isn’t strong enough to show her innocence to the world. Everyone is on a knife edge with stomachs turning from the closing in on the battle lingering in days, until finally the last day comes into light.

Rain wakes up the final morning at Eve’s side and opening his eyes he sees her staring at him, she kiss his forehead and thanks him for everything he has done and will do, and the time is sharply interrupted by two guards opening the door requesting the time has come to take her to the Mandarian camp. They get ready to go and all main group members are in attendance except for Lalandra who wishes him luck. Cynn and Rain use a combined effort to transport all of them to the camp and the final moments before the fight begins to count down.

Logan and Colossus arrive away to the site upon a hilltop near the battlefield to witness the group arriving with Eve in chains, being strapped to the pole. Shaking his head with amazement Logan looks to Colossus

“Everything is as you planned it would”

“Well of course it is, I planned it but now it’s time to finish this, I want you to take the warrior’s place on the field and take this Rain on yourself” said Colossus

“But I thought you said he won’t fail”

“I know what I said but I’ve changed my mind about wanting the young Elf dead”

“You want him to live?” Logan questioned with surprise,

“Just long enough so that I can kill him myself, but I’m sure the warrior might finish him off right here and now…what an early pity that would be as well as so much less satisfying”

“So you want me to fight him, but not kill him…how unfair you are to me, can I at least beat him up a bit?” Logan asks

“Do whatever you want but keep him alive for me, now go!” commanded Colossus and with a nod of understanding Logan smoked away leaving Colossus’ deep indigo colored eyes fixed on the battlefield, but keeping a wary eye open for the never failing followers of the Shade King; The Grim.

The warrior who was actually fighting Rain was in his tent awaiting his command and meditating when Logan silently appears behind him, creeping up slowly Logan grips his neck tightly and breaks it without the fighter making a sound or putting up a resistance. Helping his heavy corpse to the floor Logan takes a dagger from his own belt and jabs it into the chest of the warrior, saying a word in Drowish the warrior’s body suddenly disintegrates into nothing leaving Logan a clean fresh murder. Taking the time to strap on the fighter’s armor, Logan carefully makes sure all of his body is covered leaving only a shadowy lens to cover his face for secrecy.

“Sorry buddy your alternate is going to be in this game, while you take a load off” Logan says laughing a little, and hearing a horn sound Logan knows that it’s his call to approach the field and gripping the dead warrior’s sword Logan leaves to meet Rain.

Rain holds out on the field waiting to start the conflict, his robes replaced with a tightly made hard leather vest around his upper torso with still his usual breeches upon his lower part. His magically called sword is already in hand and his face holds an anxious look to get this over with. All his company is along a marked sideline waiting as well as him to see the outcome as finally Logan shows up, looking down at his ringed up hands he thinks to himself.

“This spell you gave me better be good Colossus” and approaching Rain’s opposite side he smiles to him glancing quickly to look at Eve.

“She’s pretty is she yours?” he asks Rain who only holds a glare back at him,

“Good I like it when it’s personal; it hurts you so much more when you lose someone you love”

“It’s you who’s going to lose warrior” bolted Rain

“And yet somehow I don’t seem to find that phrase threatening…I wonder why” Logan concludes and backs up to position himself for the fight and Rain the same, the signal is given and the battle begins.

Rain watches him carefully holding his sword up sturdy to Logan’s head and Logan has his relaxed and by his side looking at Rain as if to appraise his worth.

“Let’s see what you got Drow!” egged Logan on to Rain, Rain has been told time and time again by both Cloud and his uncle to never engage the fight and for once he listens to the headed advice and stays put, knowing to do the same Logan stands neutral as well and for moments on end the two don’t even swing.

“Well this is boring” says Logan stabbing his weapon into the ground and smiling as he turns his back to Rain he walks to the torch and Eve. Rain throws a fireball at his back and turning around again Logan holds the first ring to Rains attack deflecting the spell back at him. Rain deflects it as well blowing the ball in to a nearby tree blasting splinters everywhere. And swinging immediately after Rain inadvertently starts the fight, Rains tries not to waste his energy but every move he tosses towards the warrior seems to be blocked with ease, not even breaking a sweat Logan turns his sword to lock up Rain’s blade with his own and brining his face in close gives Rain a swift cuff to the face with his free chained glove hand. Backing off letting Rain get to his feet Logan fights a while longer, Tripping Rain and dodging his oncoming attacks again and again letting Rain meet the dirt rapidly, Logan hopes to embarrass him enough to lose interest. Rain changes tactics and tosses some spells at him but using the right gloved hand Logan blocks everything tossed his way, with his other hand throws some added surprises back having Rain use even more energy just to block himself and survive. “I could get used to this style” smiled Logan to himself and moving fast he moves to Rain close fighting him martially throwing kicks and punches into Rain’s face and stomach. Logan draws a little blood and then splatters a bunch of it tossing a final upper blow knocking Rain to the ground hard. Walking over pompously Logan grips Rain tightly and lifts him into the air

“This is your chosen fighter Milady!” he shouts to Eve “Not much to work with, I expected more from someone so beautiful and stunning, as well as the power to consume a quarter of my clan lives…oh well I guess beggars can’t be choosers eh” laughing a bunch still holding Rain, Rain lifts his head revealing arks in his eyes and says a simple line to Logan

“I may not have fighting skills to match yours but I do have knowledge warrior”

“What?” Logan says still holding laugher

“Metal is very conductive” finishes Rain and gripping his armor Rain fills Logan with voltage, weakening his grip lowering Rain to the ground Rain builds up his throw rage and spinning Logan around in the air he tosses him free floating into the sky.

Not waiting to see him hit the ground Rain bolts off to the torch and upon landing Logan rears his head in Rain’s distant direction, changing his facial look to a angered annoyance Logan pulls a second blade from his back throwing it like a boomerang. Rain trips on it between his legs cutting him up and causing him to fall to the ground. Logan quickly catches up to him and getting to his feet Rain pulls his blade again, Logan does the same and shows now leniency to him this time cutting Rain’s arms and legs up while driving the hilt of his sword into Rain’s jaw bone multiple times.

Elanee watches helplessly from the side lines squinting every time blood is thrown from Rain’s body, Alisianna buries her face in Clouds chest telling him to let her know when it’s over, and under the shade of a tree Dawn watches holding a tight grip to Artanis’s hands while the battle rages on.

Finishing Rain with a violent cut to the stomach careful not to pierce any vitals, Logan sees his limb body drop his sword and pushing him back a bit Logan performs a massive spin kick driving Rain’s head whip lashing backward into the air; losing his hearing and sight for moments Rain impacts the ground harshly. Smiling with a satisfied finish Logan sheathes his blade knowing that Rain isn’t returning to his feet and goes to the stake post where Eve dwells, gripping the torch firmly he walks up to the bound and gagged helpless women smiling to her.

“Time to go, and may I just say this…job well done” Logan states tossing the torch into the air, turning to see if Rain is watching.

Rain looks up in a horrifying sight as Eve is consumed in flames from the prepared wood beneath her feet, throwing her head back screaming in a shriek of violent pain as the flames wrap around her body. Rain turns his head away from the unbarring sight, Elanee covers her eyes and Dawn turns to Artanis for a sight shield. And with everyone cringing at the sight Eve makes her final performance and teleports away having her flaming escape covered by the natural ones, and as fast as it exploded in flame the fire dissipated and the one called Eve was gone.

Rain lays out a bellyaching scream of Eve’s name as he runs toward the charred remains, gripping a handful of ash and burnt wood he repeatedly says to it that he was sorry and a river full of tears flows from his eyes. Straud goes to grip hold of his nephew but getting close to him Rain teleports away. Colossus sees the whole escapade and smiling in pride he too shimmers out of sight, Logan states to the field full of shameful mourners that justice has been done and moving out of sight goes around some campus tents and smokes away himself.

The rest with added help from Falcon accepting but not happy with the result aid’s Cynn in bring everyone else home.