Returning through the portal, the new Drow captain goes to the throne room of the Matriarch and gives his report about the new orders given; pleased with the review Sophie thanks him when scouts burst into the room to tell the Matriarch of recent movements involving Colossus’s army

“Milady Colossus is on the move to the enclave of the Dragon Lalandra and the rebel Drow” said the leading scout

“No doubt going to finish his collection of the stone” Added Stryker and not even taking some thought to the situation Sophie orders that half the military be brought to ready state and prepare to march in sync with his.

“Matriarch I mean no disrespect but I’m curious; should we not wait for the results of the lich’s efforts, we have spent a great deal on this little escapade”

“Which will all be for nothing if Colossus retrieves what he has gone there for and leaves a pile of bodies in his wake; if that includes my sister’s then my vengeance will be in vain as well as unfulfilled and pointless. If I need your council and let patience be my guide and she is killed make no mistake captain the only being that will then need to fear me is you” and getting her servant to fetch her armored wears Sophie get suited up in the throne room “While I’m gone Captain carry out my orders and don’t veer off the plan, I will go see Colossus to negotiate my assistance and be back soon to lead our clan to victory” she dictates to the room and with a strong cheer to her words the soldiers mobilize her newly formed command.

Sitting in his chair Colossus witness an untimely visitor to his chambers, as Sophie appears flaunting her figure ever so gently toward the center of the room moving closer to him, raising an eye brow in a look of unfathomable wonder to her as she approaches he sits back and places his forearm on his throne chair side,

“Now what the hell are you doing here?” he mutters out of his mouth

“Well that was rude” Sophie spouts back and smiling she continued “My scouts have just informed me of your recent endeavor and I thought maybe I could tag along” listening to the proposal Colossus smiled and then laughed a bit

“You’re so predictable; you would only be doing this so that you could have a hand in the ending of Cynn’s life, a stupid title for a life tossing cause of some of your soldiers but I highly doubt that you even care”

“Say what you want, do you want my help or not?” she bolted impatiently

“Very well and how many men would you be contributing to the cause

“Ten thousand heavy armored men plus mages and priests” she went on

“And why might I ask would I need your help anyways, I thought that you had gotten what you aimed for already since I haven’t heard or seen you since that time?” Colossus inquired

“The bitch proved to be more harm than harmless and with the buildup of certain friends and allies she managed to escape my grasp the first time, not to mention the retribution to her allies then selves have been thrown back upon me with disappointment. But no longer; this time she will die and with our forces combined they will have no chance of holding back our title force” she monologues and looking for his answer to his face she looked to the newly promoted guards “I see that you have upped your security since my last arrival to this place, I actually broke a nail getting in here this time” she said stunned

“You’ll have more than that broken I assure you if you leave me high and dry this time around” Colossus violently promised her “And changing the subject back to scouts, mine have been on you as well and see that you too have sought outside help, but seriously Malice he’s so…dead inside, he only cares for he’s own personal gain”

“Then we share something in common” she smiled

“And what has he promised to get you” he asked

“That would be telling but it was to speed up Cynn’s death sentence a bit, then I heard of your jump on the camp and thought what the hell, plan B!” she replied

“How thoughtful, taking the quick and easy road out of a situation; always a predictable step for a woman with power in her sights” he marks laughing to her and looking at him she draws to her face a serious look of temperament “Ok fine I accept your offer and enjoy a long and fruitful fight side by side” Colossus says sarcastically and rising out of his throne chair “Besides I can always use more front line fodder”

“Perfect! It’s a date then, and just so you know Colossus my men will be beside your when we fight not in front, so until the starting horn march to victory I shall drink to my sister’s hastened death and your rise to unriveting power” she smiles

“Too Shea, we march to the base in two days’ time, be ready” he replies and watching her flash out of his sight he turns his happy face to a serious one, and shakes his head “Women; can’t live with them, can’t do anything without them knowing about it, and killing them off ends the race bah! A problem even I can’t find a solution for” he says walking out of the room scratching his head with annoying torment.

The day is a heated dry, moist less dessert as the men slave through the final day of setting up the extra defenses for the upcoming battle. A small but ever present cool breeze comes in to feeling from the wide open ocean bearing at the east of the enclave and over hanging a massive cliff side to one side of Lalandra’s lair. To the bitter north from where the savage slaying will most likely commence is a barren ocean field of green grassland plains, the rippling waves through the tops of the green bladed water brings into scent to a rich mint evergreen which clouds every breath of air taken in by surrounding life. To the western side and stretching into the south lies the Wicket Mere forest home of the Druid elders and the teaching ground for Alisianna’s past. Straight south like an arrow of thorns from a high god view sits the thunderous mountains of Willows front and the longest lasting guard wall in the history of the Silverspire country. For this barrage of thick rocks ledges and sharp spikes laid canons have been great asset for centuries of the known time of the legendary city. But not a rock compares to the chilling touch of Lalandra’s presence found in the heart of the rock filled realm.

Finishing up tying down the last of many logged crafted portable wood walls, Cloud is interrupted by men of his own clan and race to confer onto him a growing compliant.

“Commander Cloud may we have a word with you sir”

“Yes, of course men please tell me what is on your mind” Cloud says grunting a bit in his voice while tying the last rope strap down to the ground.

“It’s about Dawn” one says

“Is something wrong is she ok?” Cloud asks concerned

“Oh she’s fine but…”

“Yes” Cloud inquires on to the men

“Well we have had her helping some of us with the raising of support beams and has been tossing out comments of weaker assistance on our part, I mean she has the strength of three of us now and sometimes gloats about it more than required” and hearing the response brings a silent ray of humor to his eyes and a smile to his face which he tries desperately to hold from turning to a laugh.

“These are times of war footman and we all need any help we can receive right now…but I see your point I will do what I can to bring other help to you and with her to restrain the use of her new found abilities as much around us as possible”

“Thank you Commander and sorry for the disrespect for I mean none to your family” and nodding his head Cloud motions for them to return to work, grabbing a cloth to wipe dirt from his hands Cloud goes off toward the temple for knowing that was the last place she said she’d be.

They clash their blades together and strafing around the circle lunging and counterattacking where they can. Flipping around and using their blades like batons they attempt attacks from which no common footman could hope to accomplish, finally striking him hard in the left leg, he falls to the ground and standing over him with quickened movement he holds the blade firmly in his hands and drives it deep into the heartfelt chest of the knight splitting open his armor and severing the lifeline of his opponent, the sound of scrapping metal is heard as he draws the blade from the chest plate of the fallen and in the background a clapping sound is voice from the hands of the judicator.

“Three times in a row, you have definitely improved Captain” Said Cynn smiling with pride

“Thanks” Replied the sweaty wet headed Captain, pushing off his sword hilt and lifting to his feet again and looking to the rear of Cynn he sees the young Drow walking down the stairs toward them “Rain! What are you doing here?”

“Lalandra asked me here” he replied

“Why?” Straud asked

“I need him to help me with a separation mixture” says Lalandra

“Well if it’ll help speed the process up to gaining those stones who am I to stand in the way, I could use a break anyway and maybe if a priest isn’t busy a healing oil massage as well” and laughing a little Cynn smirks

“I’ll go and arrange it in the temple” Cynn answers and taking Straud up and out of the deep cavern dwelling arena and back to the enclave Rain walked up to Lalandra and picked up a vial of liquid

“So what am I helping you separate again” he asked

“Nothing but I had to talk to you in private Rain, look I know that your uncle hasn’t told you because he didn’t want you to worry but I figured that you should be told the truth about the risks of the stones” Lalandra responded and taking the empty flask out of his hands she took him to a side room off the arena area and shut the door

“Ok what risk” he asked concerned

“There is a chance that setting up these stones could spark the blood in you to be affected as well and if it does you will die with the demons when the stones activate” she goes on to explain to him “However when we retrieve the stones, you and Artanis should be the ones to set out the stones, and from that moment you and he need to stay clear of the area engulfed no matter the outcome of the battle”

“I will not stand by while my family is murdered along with you Lalandra” Rain replies harshly

“There won’t be a massacre if you and Artanis get the stones set, the minions of Colossus will burn instantly to their fiery deaths and the tides of battle will easily turn to our favor” she reassures him and thinking he nods in agreement and then a puzzled look come to his face

“Then why are you telling me this in private if there is no danger”

“Cause that’s the part I haven’t got to yet, Rain this portal is taking me longer that I thought and judging by my best estimates I need two days from now to complete it, and that’s not counting you guys finding it in the realm after that, now if you get back and the fight has already started the problem still arises with you and Artanis getting to the distance. Now I can help clear a path but when the stones are planted you need to realize that you two will be on your own with demons not in the area, you’ll have to hold out until we get to you, this thought has been on your uncle’s mind but he hasn’t got the nerve to ask such a task of you, so I am; Rain can you do this for your clan, for this realm”

“I will do what is needed, and if my life needs to hang in the balance then such a price must be paid”

“Rain please don’t let them take the payment without a fight please, you have grown onto me as a student in my wake and as a friend…I don’t want to lose you”

“You won’t I promise, and victory will be ours this day” and smiling to her he goes to leave and she moves to embrace him with a hug, he turns in surprise and facing her she kisses him on the cheek, “For luck when the time comes” she smiles to him and smiling back he nods and leaves, watching him take his final steps from her sight she goes back to finishing the device.

Some time passes and arriving at the front of the half stone half wood crafted temple that he helped build Cloud goes inside, he finds his sister packing up some things belonging to an old friend now passed and seeing the lost directed look on her face Cloud searches his thoughts for the right words.

“You were his most promised student; did he ever tell you that”

“No, but somehow I knew he held me higher than the rest” Dawn replied not looking back to him casting his armored shadow deep down the aisles of the pew laid walkway “I miss him Cloud, so much and so many times have I recently found myself falling down that path of temptation toward the none living, and each time I’m finding it harder to come back, the strength, the added agility and the sheer thirst for blood, it’s so intoxicating”

“But you do come back Dawn you must see this, your will is strong” Cloud uplifts her spirit

“But it’s slowly weakening in my own eyes Cloud , Maylor with just key simple words could bring me fully aware and back to where I was, but now that he’s gone….” She says lowering her head to the box of Maylor’s belongings she was putting away,

“All you have to do is look inside Dawn” said Cloud coming up to her and placing his hands on her shoulders “He is still there in your heart and always listening as he always did, but he wasn’t taken from you because you cannot handle this Dawn, your more than capable of handling it and Maylor knew that himself. He has always taught you to believe in your own soul, Rain and I have been told the same thing, though sometimes I to find it hard to believe but when I close my eyes I see him and he lifts me to the height I need to confront my fears face to face, but as of late he is not the only one who has help you through this time” responded Cloud so softly her elf eyes had to perk to catch all the words

“I know Artanis has been with me but it’s not the same, he is not the same” Dawn added while placing more in the box, and walking to a shelf letting Cloud hands slide down her back he watches her putting the box on it and pushes it to the back

“Look I know I’m your brother and have on occasion taken it too far in the means of your protection, but I have learned as well and will try to keep my distance and let you mature at your own pace, however fast it is”

“What are you talking about?” Dawn questions him with a turned look of uncertainty

“Artanis, and the way you feel about him, I’ll try not to get in the way” he responds

“I think you have got the wrong idea there Brother” She replies passing him and getting another box she fills it more hastily

“I’ve seen the way he looks at you from time to time and in return the way you cherish his advice as if it came from Uncle or Cynn, or perhaps someone closer to your heart” he adds

“Were in war Cloud, there is no time for such love”

“I got married?” he quickly answers

“You’re different”

“How”

“You didn’t marry a demon!” she bolts to him turning around looking at him in the eyes after throwing something hard into the box

“That’s what this is about Dawn; you won’t show your feeling because of him being a demon, because you have loving feelings for a demon” he astonishingly asks

“Please don’t tell him Cloud” she pleads

“Dawn you can’t let appearances be the deciding judge to your decisions, Artanis may be this on the outside but that scar only runs skin deep, inside he is a holy knight and through observation as well as conversation have I found and seen that he deeply cares for you as well” Cloud protests to her

She turns away from his sight and looks to the temple roof rafters “Well I do care for him but…this is so hard to deal with”

“Look Dawn no one can force you to a decision; it’s your choice and yours alone, but love comes in all types evil and holy looking, but evil is more than skin deep and evil he is not”

“I’m so new to this, how can I hope to understand everything” Dawn says with frustration resting her hands on the table and lowering her head “There is so much to my priest hood not shown to me, that Maylor hasn’t taught me, how can I hope to advance without guidance and wisdom far beyond my years” and starting to cry Cloud comes up and turning her around he pulls her to his embrace and rests his head on hers

“I know he has always been there for you your whole life Dawn, this circle is harsh going down to its middle but it’s a circle not the less. Maylor felt as you do now when he lost his mentor as well, he was devastated, lost and scared of the future, but thanks to the circle itself he too had follows to lead that looked to him and that made him the man he is today, and the same will happen to you” Cloud went on

“How, I’m a vampire remember, no longer can I attend first light prayers as the rest that follow the path when death is it’s rays, how do I preach that I cannot do” she says with a cracked broken voice and looking to her brother he does nothing to answer her but shows her a gentle smile

“Dawn, I would put my life in your healing hands before all others that wield the power” and smiling from the comment she looks to him with a slight glow of wanted warmth, “Trust me Dawn, you’ll be what you seek so dear to your heart and then you’ll be the master and the circle will again be complete” moving his hands to hers and grasping at her chilled fingers, he spreads them into his own and holds it tight, she throws her other arm around his shoulder giving him a half hug and thanks him for being there for her.

“Anytime” he says “Anytime at all, oh and before I forget when you’re helping the men; try not to put all your strength into the effort”

“Why” she replies pulling away

“It’s leaving them shall we say a little questionable in the male sense on being a male” and hearing the words a spark of humor hit her face making a cracked laughter come from her mouth,

“I’ll try to hold my power in then, for the men” she added

“For the men” Cloud said leaving the temple “And in doing you will save not only lives…but masculinity as well” and smiling he leaves her to her work.

Being lead into a chamber adjacent to the temple Straud gets ready taking his armor off and lying on a table for a heated oil massage by a nursing priestess on duty.

“Not too much, I still want to be alert” says Straud lying face down, and dipping her hands in the oil she moves to approach him when a hand touches her shoulder, nodding her head she leaves with the replacement taking her place, again dipping her hands in to oil she starts to rub him down in the midway of his muscle strained back and slowly moving up to his broad shoulders.

“Awe that’s nice, you have a firm knowledge on the body it seems” Straud comments relaxing quickly.

“Well I have been around for nearly ten thousand years” the voice spouts off and recognizing the chuckle he turns his head to view Cynn and her oiled down hands clasp to his back.

“Cynn what?” and moving to his lips she kisses him again, “But I thought what happened between us was only to be shown once” and smiling to him she looks deep into his confused face

“I searched my whole life for a soul balanced companion and found none more worthy of the post than you, and I know that I’m wrong but…I’m tired of waiting” she concludes and looking to her eyes Straud uses his muscled arms, grasping her hips he slides her light weight bound body on top of his and engages in a passionate kiss. Intertwining their lips to one another’s face he reaches for her shoulders and slides her silk blue dress passed them, stopping for a brief moment to show a smile of acceptance to him she turns to the doorway and using her powers shuts the door and locks it. Gripping her gently Straud and her embrace one another and show a love that has been covertly bottled up from each other’s sight for some time. Showing a peek of what was to come from the outside of the temple, a temple maiden watches past the temple room smiling a face of heartfelt sympathy to the two knowing that in these times everyone deserves someone, and calling to the guards at the temple gate she asks that that room as well is not disturbed.

Getting through their passion and heated pleasure, Cynn lays effortlessly and exhausted on top of Straud’s body with his captain’s cape being their only covered cloth. Lying sweated and heated from their involvement Straud lifts his head to see hers firmly attached to his right bosom, drawing her finger slowly up and down his chest plated peaks and hilling over his abs, she shares thoughts to him of fear and wonder.

“Do you think we can really beat Colossus, he is so strong, smart and powerful, he has matched us at every turn?”

“We have to Cynn, for the realm’s needs”

“Even when no matter of good attempts, we will still be treated as outlaws and rebels to not now only our own clan but yet for a long passing the world as well”

“Yes, especially when the stakes are that high, everything counts for something when you choose at the end to fight side by side with them” he says to her

“And when we have gone or if future battles take us from the clan who then, who then will the children look to for guidance, for support and unending hope to help them?” she wonders

“Why to each other, for that is the true nature of our clan that sets us aside from the mother group that has been condemned, they spat and claw at one another when they could be ten times stronger if they work to a common end, the three will help each other and through them will grow to a force no evil can break”

“I hope you are right Straud for I do have faith but I love them so much I fear for their survival not only against Colossus but from each other, they spat and squabble to one another just as the clan in our past”

“Yes Cynn but they also forgive, and that forgiveness not being from the edge of a knife is what separates them from the rest”

“Your hope and heart for our future has warmed my soul, and is the sole reason for my closeness to you and I want you to know before our end that I thank you for such an outlook…and love” she finishes and they again engage in a heartfelt kiss.

Hovering on the rooftop deep in the heart of night, the twin ever red emitting eyes fixed on a room slotted window, and like a shambling shadowed strider, Teremicus crept down to overhear any plans the group might have. Hearing babble about not trusting any in the town for fear that any could be him he sees their motives for now are unclear as to how to track and trap such a foe as him, happy with the notion he moves quickly to the dark and prepare his revenge starting with their furry beast.

Resting comfortable outside the town hall building Anubis is alerted to a scent which drives him to his feet, throwing his head to the tree line he spots a grazing dear in it and licks his chops for the hunt earlier has caused him some serious hunger. He crouches down to a leaping charge state, the dear is startled by another sound and looking up it spots Anubis and bolts into the trees and giving out a brief roar Anubis gives it chase.

Running out from the noise when Anubis hit the bush Artanis and Alisianna came to check on the source, looking for Anubis Artanis sees the bush still moving and goes to it to see where Anubis might have gone. Alisianna comes to his side and looking down to the ground she feels the fresh made prints, smiling a reliving look she arises again and informs Artanis that it’s just deer tracks and Anubis was probably hungry.

“He’ll be back after he’s done eating” she opposes his fear and walks off toward the town hall door, Artanis stares an uncomfortable view to the woods for seconds longer and decides to join her again.

Traveling swiftly through the trees the young cat rushes to catch his prey but is visually foiled by deceit. He stops after taking a sharp turn in the pursuit to see nothing but more trees and brush, he stops and sniffs the ground to pick up again the fresh scent, but not finding it he looks intently through the trees. Perking his ears he listens and picking up a sound from a wounded animal he rushes to its location, he looks around a bush bend to find the same dear hurt with a gaping wound in its leg thinking with his stomach that he would gladly put it out of its misery Anubis moves closer to confirm a kill as he always did. The deer stops wining and looks to Anubis inching closer to it, it inspects Anubis almost to judge his position and with its right hoof pushes a rock and releases a rope. Anubis looks up to see a rope woven net bearing down on him and edged in it was intertwined rocks to support the muscled catch from escaping. Roaring a bit to gain extra strength Anubis tries desperately to claw free but then witnesses the deer transform to Teremicus who is holding a long metal spear.

“Now to end your sniffing little radar from my mists” he says driving the spear deep into the gut of Anubis, he yelps in pain again and again as Teremicus repeatedly stabs the poor helpless companion of the ranger no longer in aiding distance. Attempting to cry out loud for others to hear he finds that the aged trees kept his cries private.

Teremicus finally finishes his slashing of the beast and seeing Anubis alive but near death, he waits for his defeated eyes to close to confirm the kill.

“One down, three to go” says Teremicus tossing the spear into the deep woods and takes off towards the town.

A knock was made at the door of the town hall record chamber and Artanis answers it to the yawning atmosphere of Alisianna and Elanee sleeping, having both weapons drawn and over watchful to the girls he passes the sword to the other hand freeing a palm to grasp the old iron handle, opening the door revealed a distressful commander with an impatient agenda.

“Something wrong Commander” he asked him

“My west point guards just reported the beast making off with two other children into the woods on horseback! Please we must hurry!” he huffed

“Say no more and get ready to ride commander” Artanis informed him and going back Artanis wakes the sleeping beauties to alertness.

“Artanis, what” said Elanee coming around to the living “What’s happened” she says again more alert

“I’m going with the commander, the creature has struck again this time with two children at once, he headed into the woods and if we hurry we can catch him” she jolts up and he holds her still “Please stay here, when I track I can’t defend you girls at the same time, I just wanted you two awake and aware” he compelled to her and understanding she agreed with a nod he smiled and left their sight heading fast out the door and to a horse to meet up with the commander.

They rode together into the woods and along broken tree limbs made fresh by a recently passing rider,

“Where is your men commander?”

“Still guarding their posts, I had not time to call them so it’s just you and me on him” the commander replied taking the lead and following the trail.

They ride hard and fast to a clearing in front of an open cave, and dismounting fast Artanis drew his blade and combed the area with his eyes with the commander to follow.

“I don’t see anything Commander, just horse hooves but no sign of dragging tracks from squirming children” he added still intently looking

“He must be around here somewhere” added the commander looking to the bushes with his hands and then stopping he came to Artanis’s side.

And hearing the silence behind him Artanis begins to think of short misguided points and finding a key one quickly he responded loudly, and grips his second blade.

“Funny thing, I don’t remember knowing the creature was a male” said Artanis hearing the sound of a sword slowly leaving the sheath of its home and turning around he sees the motion of the blade barring down to his head. Stopping the blade with his own Artanis dislodges the swords hilt from the so called commander’s grip and fires it to the bushes. Watching his weapon being tossed from his hands Teremicus clenches his fists tight and dodging the incoming slashes from Artanis very flawlessly, and adding his own combat movements he manages to release Artanis of both of his own blades as well as throwing some violent hits to Artanis’s ribcage and face.

Artanis tries to fight back but the martial skill of the doppelganger is greater than his own even with the combat knowledge given to him by Logan. While flipping and swirling his legs kicking Artanis repeatedly, Teremicus didn’t not stop after the first time Artanis hits the ground. Picking him up Teremicus beats Artanis to near unconsciousness, splitting him open with gapping wounds across his face, hands and stomach bruised from colliding with the gauntlets of Teremicus’s fake form. Teremicus delivers one final spin kick firing Artanis from his feet to his back, landing hard Artanis coughs up sheer amounts of blood from his bleeding ribs, and hearing the footsteps of doom approaching him he turns his bloody blurred vision to see what he could of the imposter, Teremicus picks up Artanis and holding him firm pulls a blade from his belt and holds it to his neck.

“No!” says Teremicus to Artanis “I can’t leave a body count behind this time, not with that vision bitch watching how I do things, no I’ll hide you instead” he replies and putting him down harshly to the ground, he sheaths his dagger and binds Artanis’s hands behind his back and gags his mouth with a bloody cloth made from his own blood that soaked on Terminus’s shirt. Dragging him across the little battle field they had he slaps bushes in Artanis’s face as he pulls him through the dense brush. Artanis watches as Teremicus throws a rope over a high thick tree limb and catches it on its descent. Tying it to Artanis’s hand binding. Teremicus pulls hard on the rope hoisting the beaten warrior into the air and hiding in the mists of the tree tops foliage is where Teremicus leaves him. Tying the rope off tight he bows to his departure and leaves Artanis sight.

“Until we meet again young horned defender but I don’t imagine that will be any time soon” Teremicus laughs to him as he mounts his horse again and ties the other one to his, and rides off.

Artanis struggles to free himself with what strength is left in him but proven no use Artanis gives up the escape and thinks of other solutions, while catching a great needed rest from the battle, but not trying to sleep for fear of never waking up.