They all took the deaths hard, at first Cloud, blamed Rain for not waiting till the kidnapping of his wife was ended and not helping in the problem as well, which to Cloud could have saved the life of their fallen uncle. Rain and he separated for some time after going days without speaking to one another.

Rain went into seclusion after Lalandra concealed Elanee into a crystallized tomb. Dawn went on as best she could to continue her daily duties to uphold the moral of the shaken and shattered clan with having the temple open for any who seeks solitude. Cloud was having trouble adjusting to the soul fact that he now through bloodline and being the eldest family member held the leading rank to command the clan. Alisianna tried to help him cope with the new adjustment but he mainly for a time wished to be alone to condone his thoughts.

The fires to the pit burned bright as Rain walked into the enclave commons room, the sorcerer`s fiery sight looked upon his young sister nested like a small child to the cradled hold of Artanis. Rain noticed the ranking insignia to the demon`s cape cuff, “Captain I see”

“Your brother bestowed the honor to me, and not fully wanting it enough people are against him right now”

“You’re a good choice I don`t deny that”

“What have you been doing for the last three days, no one has even seen you”

“Is my sister fully asleep?”

“Yes…what have you been up to Rain?” asks Artanis again, Rain walks up to the fire just staring into the flames.

“Making a plan” Rain answers slowly, “Put my sister to bed and gather your gear Captain”

“Where are we going?”

Rain turns to him with a seriousness that puts Artanis stiff with nervousness “Tell no one you’re going and let no one see you leave” The user of the magic said while taking to a depart again from the room.

“Where are we going” Artanis asked again

“Hunting…” Rain said walking through the doorway.

Colossus who was wasting no time high above the hatred and suffering finished what he started so long ago, and with the dreaded rune blade at his bane, he had the upper hand against all angelic beings that opposed him. He slaughtered them one by one sucking their power, absorbing it, adding it to his own, until only the soul keeper himself remained alive. The soul keeper ranked the highest amongst them carrying the power to distribute the souls where they needed to be. Colossus approached him, the great celestial being saw a change in him. Colossus had been changing, becoming tainted by the power, he consoled in himself and through it all changed his very look. Coloring him, a twinge of red ever growing darker as he absorbed more and more power making it more concentrated with everybody that fell before his own. As their blades collided on the open skylines of the thin air, Colossus battled fiercely with the soul keeper until his last stand when Colossus drove the holy blighted blade from the celestial’s great grip. Hovering above the being ready to drive the final stake to finish his great and long path, Colossus looked deeply at the being of power.

“Any last requests” bolted Colossus “You were the toughest I have conflicted with, sense my time here, that does entitle you to some respect”

“Only these words Colossus; heed my warning, with this power comes a great responsibility but when that power is corrupted only the chosen can turn back what wrong has been done”

“The chosen, what chosen I am the chosen one”

“The power you wield is great Colossus and almost unmatched, but not absolute. We believe that no one being should ever hold all power. With that the chosen have been created and shifted through time not even knowing the power they hold”

“You talk in riddles ancient one, tell me who I must eliminate to ensure the power of mine to be only mine”

“The power to us is held together and apart by three” and not understanding at first Colossus strikes the blade to the chest of the being finishing him off. The power flows to him like a river of energy and as he absorbed it, the red grew to a royal blood red. He laughed as the final stream of it touched his body and in doing so shook the very sky, his power was complete all but one thing stood in his way and having an idea of what it was he went to confront it.

The rustling hum of the hidden den goes unnoticed to the occupants outside the doorway; Rain combs his hand to the old style maple, three inches thick. To the rear of the sorcerer`s shadow was Artanis half cloaked in shade, hands and feet put to a blade ready stance.

Rain`s mind rushed through the events that lead to this point, this rash voted act to both retrieve information and shorten the list of partners Colossus and Sephinroth will have. Artanis peered around to the wilderness of a nameless area, no guards needed, as the location was too hard to find…for most.

Rain`s eyes close, first was the learning of his loves condition made done by the red headed furry Sephinroth. Second was the letter of his love following the lip-sealed act of the release of Larissa Blackstaff, Fiend of Chaos.

Artanis only sees a rock formation to Rain`s front view, Rain he thought must know more was to it. Rain`s right hand lay to the stone that felt wood and his hand began to glow an ember red color, pulsing brighter and faster with each passing second. Artanis had seen this sign twice before, and only a bloody massacre was following them, he felt in combat Rain had changed, darker he was more desperate each time he took a demonic life…or any life in the dwellings they assaulted.

Attack from them was imminent as the newly pronounced Captain to the rebellion unveils half way his blood stained blades, the kinetic energy Rain was drawing in was almost ready to be unleashed…as the first wave of their surprise engagement. Rain knew there would be wards and glyphs to the door; he also knew none would stop this from going through.

The door explodes inwards with part of the framework with it, wood; dirt and super-heated smoke fill the initial ten feet in. Demons of pure and partial blood lines holding professions of thief, assassin and mercenary, ready in a blink of an eye to the attack upon them. As the smoke is slow to clear…nothing transpires. Their weapons in the form of Bo’s, blades and spears take the company`s entire arm strength to keep a hold of as the start having a force being exerted to them. Like one pulling them from their vary grip they all begin using all limbs they have just to hang on as more and more force to pry them in added; but all battle ended in defeat.

Weapons were ripped from all grips and them in front of all eyes they were turned to face their masters, pulled, aimed and lined up for fatal strikes to each creature. In walked Rain holding a look of pure anger and hatred to his trail followed Artanis. Artanis held his swords to his hands ready and wary to all in the room, even Rain; whose power had become linked to his demon side that gave him power to back up his plays. Rain simply looks around the room, a sword moves stabbing into the neck of one who falls to their knees. Rain looks to the thief dying on his left; Rain twists the blade opening the wound making the creature choke until death on its own blood. Rain power was strong, enough not to have any other weapons move as a single one is used, and then it happened. Secondary weapons drawn from the silence to engage the others and the fight began. Rain retracted the blades to a defensive circle and Artanis again went to work dispensing the danger, using magic of ice, fire and lighting as well as blades floating to his command. Rain and Artanis went only mere minutes until a group numbering four.

One Assassin gripped to her side, stopping the wound “Wh-what do you want?”

Rain looked at her cold “Colossus…where is he” with the blades in the air now centering to the final four.

“You told me we`d spare some Rain”

“I`ve changed my mind, I don`t even care if they know him”

“Rain no; show me you still have some humanity in you”

“You forget I’m a demon Artanis”

“So am I! Your killing her memory with this, we`re not like them Rain and they`ve done nothing wrong…they don`t deserve punishment” Artanis ended with Rain changing his sight to the Captain

“Don`t get in this”

“I already am in this, this assault for no necessity Rain” coming to his side pulling the arcane book to his hand “It`s in here Rain, it will tell us”

“Nothing” Rain snaps back snatching away the book gripping it to his grasp “It`s useless Artanis, we`ve asked it a hundred times in multiple languages how to find Colossus, how to kill Colossus. It`s a waste of all of our time” ending the ranting huff firing the book spraying open to the floor, Artanis glares to the pages suddenly filling with text…an act it never before did.

Rain looks as well and his eyes focus upon the writing, “Crystilline Tower…Conviction”

“What the hell” Artanis adds, a chuckle escapes from a voice of one to the ground and still alive, a blade rushes close to her ear lining up to be driven to temple.

“Your thoughts, tell me or I’ll spill them out on the floor”

“Only if you spare my life,” she replied with no fear, Rain stares to her hard, thinking.

“Why did it work this time?” Questioned Artanis

“Because he did it, and if you kill me without knowing, you have no idea what you’re going up against now, my life for the information…that’s my only offer”

“Hey what about me, your brother”

“Survival bro, find you own life latch”

“We will spare all of you for the information, our word” Artanis states with Rain snapping to his focus

“No, your word means nothing, you don`t control this dog with spell power, his word or nothing”

Rain grumbles a moment “…Fine, Done! Speak!”

“I have heard stories about the arcane book, asked it a question on anything and it`ll provide you a solution…it has an obvious flaw, logic. Guess you can`t kill something that is already dead eh” Rains hand begins to burn with fire to the palm as his annoyance to things he knows runs high. The girl leans close to Rain “Guess if that says text then dead he ant no more”

“And that means what”

“He finished his goal”

“Which was” intruded Artanis

“To enter the Celestial plane and take it over, take control of all the souls, empowering them to himself…allowing now him to have no equal and god-like power”

Rain moves close to her face too, almost touching noses unleashing out his breath softly “Impossible, only Celestial beings can cross the threshold”. She smiles back

“Guess what he was before he died” blades hit the floor as Rain`s thoughts went wild, he grips his forehead wiping back his hair, the flame to his other hand extinguishes.

“How can you authenticate this?” Rain says, the thief’s eyes glow purple and the horn to her head recede, her skin begins to change and her face goes elongated. “You’re a damn Gith” she nods

“One who infiltrated Logan`s ranks, been there apart of them since he took his journey to my plane to hide his heart”

“So can we go” speaks another who also changes to a Gith”

Rain looks up to Artanis with horrified shock followed by a blank notion “He`s celestial” Rain speaks out having the other blades fall to the ground. Artanis motions a nod to allow the others to stand being spared, and as Rain finally got to his feet, the mission changed rapidly and both rush back to the enclave.

The candles lit, and soft oils smelling of passion fruit and lavender burn a potent sent to the air, it was the first in many weeks Cloud and Alisianna had time to themselves. With the children fast asleep to the crib Straud built for them, the two nestled down for a night of passion, her neck kissed and her eyes closed to the feeling of the paladin wishing to set the mood right.

She pulls to a raise, sitting up halting Cloud`s smooth progress,

“Alisianna, is something wrong”

“Your brother Rain, I’m thinking of him”

“Well that`s a mood killer”

“I`m worried Cloud aren’t you”

“My brother is headstrong and impulsive, but far from dumb and irrational…he`s probably at Silverspire`s library blowing off some steam, please my love I have missed you in my arms”

“I just hope you two will get past this, I wish for him to a uncle to our children, one for them to look up to” she ends with Cloud baring out a chuckle.

“A figure to look up to, Rain?” Alisianna you hope for much

“Not at all Cloud, your brother brought those children to this world, he loves them I know he does…and I wouldn`t want to be the one who has in target if something happened to them”

“My brother is scary that much is true, he just needs to learn to control himself” Alisianna looks at Cloud, housing a look of wanting her bad.

“Control himself…he lost Elanee Cloud, he killed her, it`s just a pity he won`t let us in to help him through this”

“I`m sorry Alise…I didn`t mean it like that, I give you my word when he returns I’ll set things right with him” she looks to his sincerity and it held a genuine hold, she smiles

“Thank you” leaning again to him, pushing the hair from his eyes “Now where was we”

Thump! thump! thump! Comes a sound to their door, both gasp out breath of irritation, “Yes guard can I help you”

“Sorry sir, but you have been requested to a council gathering,” says the voice to the other side of the doorway,

“I`ll be there soon” Cloud replies and Alisianna looks to him, “Guess their ready to vote for new command to the clan” she smirks a sly lustful grin.

“This time they can wait”

Approaching the gate to the enclave, Rain and Artanis look as if they have been through hell and back, covered in blood of different colors. The guards open without hesitation, Rain and Artanis head out on horseback straight to the temple built partly by the new Captain himself. Landing to their feet the quick pace up the steps opening the duel doors and to their sight was Dawn and Elder Struma, the next leading cleric to Maylor. She gasped in sight of their condition, bolting to Artanis hugging him tight with shock.

“My god where have you to been? Are you alright? Is that blood?”

Artanis looks to his clothes “That`s blood yes, and there too, that there is some vomit…that`s urine there and that is…I’m not sure, supper I think”

“He`s fine Dawn”

“And you brother” Dawn says hugging him too

“We`re both fine” Rain ending the hug and moving Dawn to a side, looking to the elder “Where is my brother”

Dawn interjected “With Alisianna, having some time alone finally”, Rain smirks shaking his head “I find it ironic and funny that a sorcerer comes back covered in blood from eliminating much of the demonic presence to the area. While the great holy fighter is cowering safe to the protective bosom of his wife”

“Rain, this is a holy place and no desecration of fellowship from shall be heard, even if it is your own blood my son”

“My apologies Elder Struma…we need to talk”

“Walk with us then Rain, we take summons to the council” Rain looks around puzzled “Summons, now…Elder you never go to a meeting if it`s during you praying, you have always said its importance…” Rain stops to think and changes his thought “Elder it`s happened hasn`t it, you have felt it…your praying to no one”

“How did you know” Dawn asks, “Something is wrong, we had a feeling of cold when we started our words” Dawn spoke again, the elder just looked hard to Rain and Rain looked back.

“Elder you are sworn to truth if asked”

“I am yes”

“I asked now Elder Struma is Colossus, Marcus Kane…A Celestial being” the Elder pauses before his replies, his hand grasps to his symbol draped to his neck. “The one Marcus Kane, now known as Colossus is my son”

“It can`t be true” Dawn said out, a voice states a conjunction from the corner and all turn to see Lalandra on approach, the Elder bows in respect and so does Dawn, Artanis follows but Rain just stands there.

“This is insane, how do we fight him now…we bearing could in his dead form”

“I tried to consult with a friend that is Celestial themselves, they never showed and the feeling I got was eerie”

“We need a new approach, Milady Lalandra, we move to a council meeting for new leadership”

“I`m aware for I was called to perform the blessing to them” Lalandra says, Rain notes that they should address the council to the new findings and looking pissed Rain stated he would do the talking.

Rustling from in the chamber was high with emotion and opinion, members numbering fourteen argued over the new way to go, some protested the old ways as with the fall of lord Straud the new appointed leader was to be the one with the oldest bloodline…Cloud`s bloodline.

Cloud sits to the seat of his uncle, Alisianna as his wife sits to his right, and unsure to the laws of the council fully she remains silent as the contestation continues throughout the chamber. Cloud addresses nothing, not feeling he deserves anything. He begins to sweat, the pressure to lead was too great, and he looks to the room; members attacking his placement with others defending it.

“Cloud, are you alright” Alisianna says gently placing her hand to his in worry. Suddenly the door burst open drawing all eyes and a rushing silence to the added figures entering. Cloud stands at the sight of his brother and Artanis coated in a thick line of blood, tissue and skin hang from their clothing and hair, “My god Rain what happened”

“Rain” Alisianna cried out in a shriek at his scene covering her mouth in shock.

“The issues and debt of the new leadership is now in session” opened Lalandra taking a substitute seating in Cynn`s chair and to her left where Maylor sat now Elder Struma takes position.

“One thing before” Rain says walking to the table, Artanis stays at his side; Dawn joins Cloud and Alisianna standing behind them.

“Brother sit we need to-

Dawn places her hand to Cloud`s shoulder “No Cloud not yet, let him talk”

Rain`s hand slams hard to the table, rattling cups and plates “How many of you knew about him, how many sit here knowing what he was before he died”

“Who brother” Cloud makes note, Rain glares up to Cloud straight and focused,

“Colossus…Marcus Kane...who here has lied to us in silence over the fact of him being what he was…a Celestial being” nothing but silence hums to the chamber. Rain laughs “Even now you lie, you all do. Well congratulations your ignorance has cost us our existence. He has finished what he started”

“Impossible” says a member to Rain, the enraged sorcerer leads his feet over to his face, stares deep to the Elder and the Elder looks to him, blood sprayed to his face and dried skin hanging to his long hair.

“I`ve killed enough demons tonight to find the answer, and it was clear”

“That`s where you have been, hunting demons” Alisianna gasps out, you could`ve been killed. Rain looks at her “I`m too mad to die yet”.

“Thank you Rain, the address will be the first for resolution after the new judicator has been elected” speaks Elder Struma, Rain nods and looks all around the council, sweat from his speech makes some dried blood again run streaking down his face. “Now please Rain allow us to repay the effort you and the Captain have done, relax and get cleaned up…you are excused from this summoning by order of me”

“I wish to accompany them Arbiter” Dawn says out to which she is granted by Elder Struma`s nod, Cloud watches them go shaking his head.

The debt finally takes to a start, running heated by heavy discussion, positions and sides are drawn on the question of Cloud`s future leadership ability. All members were allowed a turn to make their case and choose their side, then with one last to speak Lalandra takes to a stand.

“I have heard your complaints and comments, by notice I see that over half is against the power of leadership going to Cloud becoming the new judicator, I agree” a bustle rolls over the council but raising her hand for silence they calm for here to continue. “I however have an alternative proposal to present, a table that all of the blood to the elder line be a joint body holding the judicator rank”. One stands in protest,

“All three rule! Please they can`t even agree on decisions for an evening meal little own the fate of the clan, I for one decline this ridiculous idea”

“And to the simple weakness of their individuality lies their great strength, why should they agree their siblings, but we can`t simply be blind to what they have done”

“They have scrapped by on every occasion” the council member states again

“And have we been so different with our encounters against Matriarch Sophie” speaks Elder Struma, the member takes to a seat put to reluctant silence on a resembling matter.

“These three have overcome much” continued Lalandra “Escaping from Shadowell city after mounting a infiltrating rescue of one to their group, banishing the legendary Archlich Malice, have gone toe to toe against my vicious rival and without reprisal and dare I mention them having done battle with Colossus himself…who is currently the biggest threat to the realm”

“They have done this yes, but with a personal consultation to their side…Cynn, Maylor and Lord Captain Straud have been guiding them…last I checked that whole roster has been eliminated, not to desecrate their names in respect” spoke another

“And to that end does it show they are not with arrogance, they will asked for aid as they have done in the past, this council will act as there guide now…unless you as a group are too high for such a calling” Lalandra words out in judging conflict. The council begins to stir again with talk and Lalandra states once that this was a bloodline not afraid of each other nor any evil that has come to them, such a group is needed and should take heavy consideration in thought.

A bell of recess sounds to depart the council to reflect and make a decision, from her heightened hearing; Lalandra hears her voice brought at least the council to a half now in favor, who is chosen is still fully not known.

Cloud gets from his chair heading straight for the side chamber, opening the doors Dawn, Rain and Artanis notice him pacing right for a water pedestal. Hand scooping water to his face and neck Cloud leans to it, dizzy and overwhelmed to the talks. Alisianna takes sight to Dawn attending Artanis, his top clothing removed to the scene of a deep gash made from a magical blade, Dawn`s magic slowly at work to mend it. Rain sits to a bench close by, his one arm cradling his other to a hold.

She comes to his sight, kneeling to level face to face with the sorcerer, “Are you alright Rain” he nods, pulling back her hand she slaps him across the face with an echoing strike to the chamber.

“OOWWW” he heats out pulling back his face to see her pissed off look, “How could you have done that, gone off alone like that…we have lost enough from our side in a short time. Pull a stunt like this again and I’ll bury you in the ground myself” Rain doesn`t even look at her as she speaks but she knew he heard her, “what happened to your arm”

“He came from this without any more than some scratches, so I dislocated his shoulder,” Dawn said to her, Alisianna looks to her with shock “Dawn hasn`t he been through enough?”

“Please, you just slapped him, he`s almost had enough…I’m waiting till the pain subsides. Then I’ll place it back”

Alisianna looks back at Rain who has taken sight to her “We would`ve help you Rain I promise you”

“In time yes, the act needed to be done now, your time to prep and ready would`ve gave them time to leave. I went unready as they were and got the information we required, go tend to your husband Druid he needs you now more than ever” Rain ended getting to his feet and walking from her nauseating words.

“I...I can’t do this” Cloud spoke to himself, splashing up water “I just became a father to a family of four, I’m not ready for this responsibility…the pressure is too much… (Closing his eyes) what am I supposed to do”

“Make mistakes Cloud” said Alisianna coming by him with Dawn and Lalandra in her strides

“What! Mistakes, they won’t follow me if I fail to guide them” said Cloud to his wife

“Cloud they don’t want a man of perfection who can do no wrong, they want a leader and to be that you must take risks like this and they all start from somewhere to become as great as they are” Alisianna calmly said to him

“Rain…I shall pass the task of our fate to you”

“The hell you will forget it, I’m too cold for that job Cloud,” Rain protested

“Cloud they need someone who will treat all the lives to his care as his own” Lalandra explained “And that love comes from you, you would throw your life away for the safety of anyone from this clan and that is what they look for, not battle and endless victories”

“You will make mistakes Cloud but you will learn from them and as that happens more and more, faith will be placed to you from them in the future,” added Dawn

“You are a warrior of good faith and iron will to not back down to any who threatens the security of this clan Cloud” pushed Artanis

“And even the most stubborn and blind would see that their life is safer in your hands than any other to choose from” concluded Rain

“And what happens if a situation arises that I can’t tackle on my own?” Cloud barks out still in disbelieve

“Then you shall do what Cynn and Lord Straud have done in the past” smiled Alisianna. “You will look for help, asking for it makes you the best leader; for admitting that you need others to aid you is the most comforting feeling you can grant to your clan, and to their hope that one day you will be the leader they wish to see”

“And help you we will Cloud” Artanis spoke up with the group nodding in compliance, and thinking for a moment he then shakes his head.

“No! I can’t lead this group on my own,” Cloud says

“Cloud…” sighs Lalandra

“I will only take this post if my family stands beside me not as friends or advisors…but as joint leaders to the clan, Rain…Dawn what do you say? You are blood after all” and holding out his arm for them to connect to it Dawn is the first to hold it, Rain walks slowly to him and cocks his head.

“You know there will be fights for the right course of action sometimes,” Rain says

“I know” Cloud replies

“And sometimes we will not always agree with what must be done but hold our trust to the side of another” replied Dawn

“Agreed” Cloud said and smiling to him Rain lays his hand down to the top of the others “Then let the new age come”

Time passes as the group wait to the ballot vote of the council, snapping his shoulder back into place Lalandra approaches Rain with a smile seeing the pain he was in, Rain looks up at her “You can hit me now”

“I want to learn from you about what you leaned, about this tower and Conviction” Rain rolls his arm groaning a bit as it moved, “It`s a tower from what I have found and the Conviction is actually a blade that I read about in Eve`s library…Sephinroth’s library”

“Where is the tower?” Artanis inquired

“The realm of the Dead, this place it describes and the layout instructions is to the land of the dead, I studied this realm in the tower of …Eve’s library, but the layout is similar to where…”

“Where what Rain” curiously added Dawn

“Where the Lazarus tower is…Colossus’s tower”, the inscription here says that the Crystalline tower is the sister tower of it and it’s located directly below it” Rain looks up and then moves to leave.

Dawn thinking for a moment snapped her fingers “I got it” she blurted out startling Artanis “I have been told while in training for priesthood that the conviction method was the only know repercussive treatment to punish other enlightened beings from bad deeds they might do”

“Enlightened?” ask Artanis

“Angelic holy beings Artanis” Lalandra corrected and nodding in an awe state he still did not get it. “Dawn are you suggesting that Colossus has to be killed by this blade Conviction?”

“Yes, it makes sense after his terrible past and it follows his thinking, why not punish gods for their crimes to him by gaining a hold of their own wrathful right hand and using it against them”

The chamber doors open and in their opening wake come the Elder. Cloud takes a deep breath, knowing the ballots have been counted. “Has a leader been determined Elder” he asks, the Elder nods.

“You will not be leader Cloud, not any of you”

“What?” Alisianna blurts out with shock “They are the best for it”

“My child of the woods I agree tenfold with you, but as you may not know I cannot enter the ballot myself, only be a neutral figure or I would have been at the post…one was voted above all the rest…Lalandra”

“Me?” the dragon speaks caught off guard, the Elder nods “The council feels it best that the elder blood doesn`t hold sway yet, Cynn our judicator is not dead thus can`t be turned from the title…they wish for you to lead in her absence”

Cloud takes to a knee at Lalandra’s feet, “My sword is yours Guardian of our clan and hopes” Rain rolls his eyes as Lalandra takes a hand bringing Cloud back to his feet.

“Do you accept the role great silver dragon?” says the elder, Lalandra looks to the group and then back to the elder. “I do, and as my first act to this role I leave the concern of Colossus to you Cloud, Rain and Dawn…I will gather what I can for I’m sure Colossus with such power is coming for us”

“You must be anointed to the power Lalandra, this way to the council chamber please,” says the Elder, watching them go from the room. The door closes and Cloud turns again to his brother, holding a look of annoyance, Rain walks up to him, smiling.

“Still just Captain Cloud, disappointed even a little…want to hit me?”

“Would it do any good?”

“Probably not, but it`ll make you less lawful, I’d like to see that” Cloud just looks at him “Where is this place again, Realm of the dead you say huh” to which Rain nods.

“But how do we get there, your magic is not strong enough to teleport us over realms?” Alisianna asked, Rain moving his eyes to the wall begins to think.

“Now what do we do asked Lalandra to get us there” Dawn spoke up, Alisianna shook her head “She`s too weak for that kind of magic power, she said it herself she`d need much time to recover.

“There is one other who could do it,” Rain said looking again to Cloud and shaking his head after keying in to who he meant Cloud protested.

“Forget it Rain, she’s nothing but a problem, not a solution”

“She’s the only other one we know with the spell power we need to pull this off”

“I don’t trust her; she’d most likely kill you before helping you, besides she hasn’t until recently even shown up and that was only to finish me off!” Lalandra barked reentering the room.

“That’s not entirely true,” said Rain to her and not backing down she looked at him.

“What the hell are you talking about” she said and clearing his throat Rain went into detail about how she has been acting under their noses as Eve being at first in league with Colossus all this time but was betrayed just like everyone else and worse had fallen hard in love for Rain.

The group was speechless accusing Rain that he should have told them the moment he knew but in Rain’s defense, he did not know until he had his death faked. Lalandra asked for time to think about the offer for it was the only one they had for getting to where they needed to be. Some of the group went to Rain after the meeting to ask if Rain still loved or ever loved Sephinroth, he said he did but only as whom she portrayed, but after knowing the truth, he said his feeling for her have now changed.

Only hours went by when Rain heard word from a servant of Lalandra that she requested his presence; so off he went.

“Yes, Lalandra” said Rain as he entered her personal quarters

“You are certain of her feelings for you Rain”

“Yes Lalandra she has desired me even after I left, and felt hurt when she was set up by Colossus for going against his wishes, but by what I would think of the situation and how it looked though she betrayed me again”

“Then my decision is for you and you alone to contact her Rain; for I will not allow her to have full accessory to the rest of the group until her intentions can be solidified by you” Lalandra explain and heatedly cautioned

“I know this is difficult”

“Difficult does not even begin to describe what I feel for this situation Rain I assure you, but as you said before …we have no other choice”

“I will be back within the hour Lalandra, she won’t hurt me I can promise you that”

“She’d better not or I will sit idle by no longer holding my ravage feelings against her at bay, please Rain; please be cautious for me”

“I will” Rain finished as he left exiting her lair once more and getting prepared not fully knowing how exactly to contact her. He went off teleporting, throwing her image deep into his mind in an attempt to be sent as close to her as possible.

He arrived in deep brush forestry landscape, and as the biting insects had their feast upon Rain’s open skin, he called to her by name.

“Sephinroth…it is me Rain, I mean you no harm but request a favor and granted the pain you have caused me it is upon you to allow me this one chance, a chance for me to forgive you and see a color to your soul. I would not have wanted to see beyond the scars of your past, will you allow me this!” Rain finishes his speech and waits for a time until a hideous beast comes into focus beside him; he was like a goblin only very hairy and smelled as if he had been in this forest his whole life. Rain plugged his nose at its entrance as he followed the beast. To a cave Rain was led where upon walking into it was teleported again to a massive dark open cavern riddled with lavish that he had seen before when he was recovering from death. The air was sick and filled with sulfur, and emerging from the depths of darkness was the great red beast Sephinroth in the scales. Rain gazed upon her Dragon form; she raised her head to the darkness above revealing only her intense red glowing eyes as she spoke deep and penetrating.

“Why did you seek me out mortal?”

Rain gestured his head to one side “Sephinroth please you know me and from your feelings I’m sure we can stay on a first name bases, you lied to me remember; never did I lie to you!” she snuffed her nostrils and in a flaming flash changed her form to her humanoid physique.

“Better?” she said

“Much, I…we need your help”

“With what”

“We need a gateway to the realm of the dead, Colossus’s tower holds a key to ending his life and we need to get it”

“How?” she inquired, Rain about to speak the answer stopped his words

“First things first will you help us” Rain asked

“Perhaps, but what is in this for me” she questioned

“The satisfaction of Colossus’s death for one and a start to me forgiving your sins against my heart”

“I never meant to hurt you Rain,” Sephinroth said with a sigh

“I know Sephinroth, please help me” and nodding her head she agrees;

“Meet me at the shoreline of the Silverspire beach front in one hour, I shall aid you there”

“Thank you” Rain said and as she turned to leave, Rain approached her side leaning in to her face; gives a kiss to her cheek, then turns to leave teleporting away. Stroking her cheek side Sephinroth shows a faint smile that rolled to her lips in a sign of hope.

Rain returns to inform Lalandra and the group that she will aid them and gathering their gear to depart in an hour, they get ready. Cloud tells Alisianna that she will not be going for the sake of the children’s safety he only trusts her taking care of them. She says that she will not leave his side but through a heated discussion, Cloud tells her that he has to go but does not want anyone who does not need to go to be going.

“Cloud you promise me that you will be careful and come back to me in the flesh and safe”

“Only if you promise to wait faithfully for my return”

“I would wait through the living ages for you; with them at my side for support” Alisianna replied looking to the babies “your family needs their father Cloud”

“And for me to have the strength to take this trip I need to know you will be out of harm’s way, please will you go with Tristan to the city for safe keeping and please…please Alisianna for gods’ sake no heroics on your part…I couldn’t bare living without you”

“Nor I you” Alisianna answered him with a big hug of reassurance that she will agree to his terms. He sends her away with Tristan and then heads out with Dawn, Rain Artanis, and Lalandra who draped in a cloak much like Dawn to hide herself from Sephinroth’s view.

They all proceed to the Shoreline, while Lalandra voices her concerns

“Are you sure about this Rain, about her intentions?”

“I am Lalandra, she was wishing to repair the trust in me she lost at all costs” Rain answered

“I hope you’re right,” Cloud added as they approached the location. They waited for a short time until the water by the spot started to bubble and rising from its depths was Sephinroth in Dragon form. She looks to the group carefully and thinking that Alisianna was under the cloak housing Lalandra she changed to human form and held a scroll in her hand. The group was stunned at the actual sight of her looking exactly like Eve in every sort and shape.

“I can’t believe what you did and how we felt sorry for you,” barked Dawn in shame.

“I did what I needed to do my dear and for that I’m sorry,” Sephinroth stated

“I bet you are,” said Lalandra from under her cloak flipping her hood off, Sephinroth steps back with a gasping shock.

“Lalandra!” says Sephinroth softly on an exhale

“What’s the matter Sephinroth surprised to see me alive,” spouted off Lalandra waiting for a comeback remark

“You’re a hard one to eliminate, I’ll give you that” Sephinroth grew back her confidence and boasted while hiding her worry. “Or maybe I just underestimated your runner up priestess” she said looking to Dawn

“You killed her children you monster” Dawn bolted to her in a built up rage

“Really, well I hope the abortion was painful” Sephinroth grinned

“Ok let’s break this up…Sephinroth the gateway if you please or did you come here to start a fight,” Cloud said breaking up the heightened emotion.

“No” Sephinroth said looking to Rain’s scowling face “I’m a dragon of my word and I’ll prove it” she added pulling the scroll strap off to unroll it.

“When this is over Sephinroth I assure you; you will pay for the grief you have caused me and your last breath will come from a scream that only I will enjoy” Lalandra promised to her.

“Oh please Lalandra give me a break. I have beaten you time and time again and the next encounter will be no different, not that it is any of your business but the screaming I have done has only been from the power of another…right Rain” she finished shifting her eyes to Rain enticingly and walking by him Sephinroth slid her finger along his chin.

“Oh that’s just wrong” Artanis cringed

“You slept with her,” Dawn said with a sickening shock, and shrugging his shoulders Rain defended

“Well I didn’t know it was her… (Dawn gave him a look of utter disgust)…she was dying and it was her last request, I had feelings for her…I couldn’t say no”

“Oh Rain trust me, that night I was dying and the word no never came around but the other one well…” Sephinroth smirked while overlooking the text she needed to read and Dawn rolled her eyes.

“Oh god now I’m going to be sick,” Dawn added

“Enough!” Cloud snapped out loud “The gateway Sephinroth please!” and nodding her head Sephinroth began to chant, clouds darkened above them and lightning began to flash more and more and as the words of Draconic came to a close a final bolt struck the water creating a spinning whirl pool at the shallow water shoreline.

“That’s it,” asked Artanis

“Yep, just jump through and you’ll be in the realm of the dead; for any way to the dead needs to be made through the element which brings life, how ironically retarded eh” Sephinroth concluded shaking her head.

Cloud goes up to Lalandra, “if I don’t make it out of this tell Alisianna…tell her…”

“I will Cloud” she replied smiling and with that he jumped into the void disappearing, Artanis followed with Rain next and about to go Sephinroth pulled him to the side and planted a kiss to his lips. “If you get through this alive, I want to talk about…us”

And taking Rain by the shoulder form he wasn’t moving on his own for a second, Dawn shoved him through the pool, “Let’s go lover boy” Dawn said pushing him and following him through the portal closed and only the dragons were left.