“Tala!” Narice called as he reached the meeting point and looked for Talaena. He forgot that Tala asked not to be called that.

The campground appeared in front of Narice as Tala looked angrily at him.

"You called me Tala."

“Yeah…” Narice sat down hungry and tired. He looked at their campground and noticed that they had food available.

Talaena wouldn't take it sitting down and held out some food for Narice.

Narice was about to take it when Talaena responded-

"If you want it, you must fight me for it then- you called me Tala."

Narice laughed as he got up, "eh- my bad."

Talaena held out his weapon- as Narice- got up.

---

After their sparring both them laid down exhausted.

Tala gave him the bowl as a reward- but held onto it until Narice said, "thanks Talaena."

Narice looked down at the food and the image of five kids starving for their next meal appeared in front of him.

“Hey,” he told Talaena, “we should try and hunt some extra food…”

Talaena responded, “why… what happened?”

Narice spoke to him about Nick and the orphans and their situation while Tala sat quietly. After Narice was finished, he asked for Tala’s input.

“Hm- honestly- we have not the responsibilty to worry about such things. there are other things important to take responsibility for as our priority."

“Nick is the shortest way to the water jewel though,” Narice replied.

Tala looked at Narice unsure with a frown- “Hm… that complicates this…” "i suppose we can meet up like you offered- After we hear it out however- i suggest- we decide about whether it is best to help- i think not."

Narice thought about it too. Tala was right. It wasn’t theirs to fight to take on. However- it wouldn’t hurt to at least meet up with Nick about the offer. Perhaps they could help each other in some way.

--

That night Narice had a dream. He sat in the middle of a dark void - he didn't remember if there was a table but across form him sat a girl.

Besides this - it was pitch black surrounding the two. Only her and himself existed in this space. He felt that she was trying to reach out to his consciousness.

He attempted to reach out to her with his hand as she seemed like she had something serious to tell him.

"Before your journey's ends- you must head to the Tree of Time…a message awaits you.”

Narice had never heard of it. Even if he wanted to help this girl he had no idea where to go.

"But how do i find it?"

"You will know when you are ready..- it is in the forest of mist,” she replied.

"Why are you telling me this?"

Her last words were this..."To help you win against K’atra.”

Before she faded away from him in the darkness.

—

Narice woke up next to the fire with an eerie feeling. As if he'd just left one reality for another. He wondered about the girl - she was beautiful. While he couldn’t remember everything clearly- he did remember the girl and the conversation as if it really happened- which led him wonder if it was more of a dream.

Tala looked like he was rustling about and Narice disrupted his sleep without much hesitancy.

"Yo.. Tala?"

Tala turned to Narice- acquiescently. Narice figured that Tala was trying to remember his vow to actually protect him rather than start a fight.

“What can i do for you?”

“Have you heard of the forest of mist?”

“The forest of mist is a legend since the beginning,” Tala replied.

"I had a dream telling me we should head there. What does the legend say?"

“It is said to protect a great tree and grant those who reach the tree a wish should they find it...”

Narice was certainly curious about it.

“A wish?"

"It's really unsure what will be given... and throughout history- it has never been more than a fable."

Narice was sure that it was real- as real as the dream felt to him when he went to sleep.

"It has been rumoured to be location is rumoured to be on an island protected and hidden by magic- Somewhere in the deep ocean..."

“Is it possible to send a message in a dream?”

“I believe so... dream magic is very rare occurance to come across...or was in the time before now.”

“I see...”

“What happened in it?”

“I met a girl… ”

Tala couldn't help but smile, but didn't say anything.

“You look as if you are captivated by her."

“Well she was beautiful,” Narice replied.

"Haha Aqayan males are too easily swayed."

“Just you wait till you meet someone special, Tala,”

Tala glared.

"-Talaena."

“We don't follow the same path of humans and Aqayans,” Tala replied, "marriages are arranged for us. We spend at least ten years after the arrangement simply being with each other in a casual setting- we have families between two hundred and four hundred years of age. "

"Arranged huh?"

"Arranged with care- it's wiser for a mate to be chosen with counsel of many rather than swayed for a moment by fleeting beauty.

Narice could see the merrit but didn't like the idea of it - even still he didn't disrespect the idea- just shrugged.

“Yeah, yeah…" Narice replied, "just you wait until you meet someone special."

Narice suddenly remembered that Elves aged much slower than Aqayans and humans- So while Talaena looked to be quite young- only slightly older than himself...

"How old are you Tala?"

Tala glared at Narice.

"Talaena."

"One hundred and ten."

"Holy!" Narice replied, "Have you been married already then? A mate will be selected for me in forty or so years, with fifty years."

"Wait..." Narice replied, "is Talaena married?"

"Ah yes- they are engaged- the engagement will last for another ten years however."

Narice was surprised to hear that.

"As i have mentioned- we marry much later than humans and Aqayans."

Seeing as the sun had begun to brighten up the landscape- howebeit difficult to see in the snowstorm, Narice figured they should continue onward, "-Let’s just get to the meeting place.”

Tala nodded- as if he'd been waiting for Narice to suggest the idea for a while.

They put out the fire - hid the camp once again and geared up. Tala cast a spell on himself - this time to appear invisible and Narice walked ahead towards the hidden entrance of the city wall.

—

Inside the city- towards the ghetto Two pairs of footprints walked along a pathway. However- only Narice was visible. This time Tala was invisible as they walked up to the shack entrance where Nick was there to greet them.

“Hey," Nick waved to Narice. Nick somehow sensed another presence - and had already pieced together the footprints almost immediately afterwards.

He faced towards the presence unsurely, until Tala appeared from invisibilty in front of the two.

Tala raised an eye at Nick as if trying to gain insight into his character.

Narice made the introduction,"This is Talaena-" he spoke.Tala realized the issue of malnourishment- and his more compassionate side took over.

“Hi,” Nick held out his hand to Talaena as Tala took it.

“Oh yeah,” Narice said “Tala, Nick. Nick, Tala”

Initially a flicker of passion rose then faded from Tala as he sighed dejectedly - from here on he would be Tala.

Nick ushered them inside of the home- which Tala and Narice respectfully followed behind.

As soon as they got inside -Tala was bombarded by five pairs of feet rushing to surround him. The five kids looked at Tala's clothing and shape- all surprised to see a real elf in front of them.

Tala surprisingly wasn't upset- Narice noticed. Tala actually smiled and took one of them into his hands.

So- he can be like this- Narice thought.

Soon after - Tala pulled out the leftover food they'd stored from their last meal from inside of his sack.

Tala seemed happy to give them food but he was also careful to make sure they didn't overeat- as that would probably cause problems in itself.

Nick spoke to Tala, "Thankyou from all of us."

"I mean not an offense... you are certainly doing well with meager provisions," Tala spoke as he used his magic to start a fire in a nearby fireplace, "but they need more than this to properly survive."

Nick looked at Talaena respectfully accepting the criticism with a silent affirmation.

It was a little while before they moved forward in the discussion.

Narice spoke, “So- i did my part...and brought Talaena. You agreed to listen to us about the situation in the castle."

On a side note - Talaena was slowly adjusting to a new form of speech- conjunctions and such.

Thankfully -Talaena had an ability to understand many languages.

“Okay,” Nick replied readily. He said as he gathered himself explaining the situation - adjusting his frames, “Along the street, a sewer line stretches from underneath the city to below the courtyard of the castle…”

He continued. Night-time would be best, the guard wouldn’t expect someone to be inside of the castle- AND it would be a good way to get to the king’s quarters with the least confrontation.

Nick tucked the last of the kids in bed.

“What’ll happen to them if something happened to you?”

“They’ll be fine… nothing’s going to happen…but I already made arrangements,” Nick said.

—

Narice, Nick and Talaena walked along the edges of the sewer line. Thankfully at this point, it was large enough to avoid the filth in the center.

“The best that I can do is keep the smell down,” Tala said holding his hands to push the fumes downward with his magic.

“Thank god for your magic…” Narice spoke, still covering his own nose regardless.

They walked for a ways before a split occurred.

“Right,” Nick spoke directing them to a side path. The sewer line was like a maze that stretched across the city, each adjunct pipe smaller than the last. At each path, Nick was able to direct them, also covering his nose.

“Left…” he coughed beneath his shirt.

A few more turns back and forth until eventually Nick stopped them.

“Are you sure you’re not lost?” Narice said.

“There is nothing here…” Tala spoke. The sewer line had reached a dead end. All the group could see were small pipes attached to the main pipe they were crawling in. On Tala, one of the small pipes drained out a bit of sewage. He looked at the shirt where the sewage had fallen and made wet.

Tala said nothing- but the disguist was evident by his expression. Narice watched the pipeline, hoping not to catch the same misfortune. Nick was abosorbed in searching along the edges and either ignored them or pretended not to listen.

“We’ve reached below the castle. There’s a false cover installed here…” Nick pushed along the edges of the pipeline. By this time they were crawling to fit inside, the sides of their legs avoiding the center path that drained out to the larger sewage section.

After feeling around, Nick was able to find a small plate and pushed it up at the end of the pipe.

“How did you-?”

Nick shushed him and started climbing upwards. It seemed a section of ladder extended upward from the false cover.

Talaena and Narice followed behind him, climbing up.

Narice, behind the other two, pulled himself up to a trapdoor that had been opened above him. As he got inside of the room the trapdoor led to, he found himself hidden behind a couple crates of a small closet.

“We’re in…” Nick spoke.

“Where are we?” Talaena responded.

“It’s my old room…” Nick said.

—

“What do you mean- ‘your old room? were you a servant here?” Narice asked. That was a viable reason that he knew about the trapdoor. Talaena looked at Nick intrigued.

Nick spoke with a more serious attitude, “Let’s just go.”

Talaena looked strangely towards him. Narice gave a pensive glance before Nick opened the door.

A small creak escaped with its opening.

The footsteps quickly followed the noise and the shape of a blunt object came down on the head of ‘Nick’.

“Prince Rowan…” dressed in a tuxedo, an elderly gentleman pulled back his cane in shock, “Excuse me!”

“Please stand, Victorious…” Nick responded to the man teary eyed.

“You look so frail young sir…”the man responded with a cracked voice, “have you eaten since you left?”

“Don't worry about me” Nick responded, “Worry about the people starving and cold in the city.”

“Yes, young sir…" Victorious nodded, "Your brother… no one expected Covian to be this cruel.”

"The blame lies with me..." Nick said, "Do you know if any are loyal still to the true heir?"

Victorious responded, "Perhaps not the new guard- but I know all of the old guard we would give our lives gladly.”

“Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that, I must ask for you to get them, Victor- it is time to reclaim the throne.”

“Sir!” the older gentleman bowed and hastened away.

“Narice,” Nick said turning towards Narice and Tala “I apologize for not telling you the truth… I have something I have to show you.”

In his pocket, he pulled out a glowing stone, blue, with an essence of flowing water… and then put it back inside.

“When you told me about the jewel and K'atra- I knew more than I let on..."Nick looked apologetic "I used you to get into the castle for this moment.”

All the information Nick bombarded them with was a little hard to take in.

“This trinket has been passed down my family for generations-" "When my half-brother is defeated- I will give it to you.”

Narice had a lot of questions but first things were first.

It was a fair agreement, so he simply spoke,“What’s the plan?”

“At the very least there are guards inside of the halls protecting the king,” Nick spoke, “The new guard must certainly outnumber the new guard. Expect to face dangers- as we rush into my brother’s quarters... from there- we will attempt to capture him or...”

The old man came up to the group. Beside him a couple of the old Guard had rushed up to the group.

"Nicholas!" they saluted.

"Thank you all - let’s go.”

Ahead of Nick on both sides, the guards took the lead as the rushed in the direction of the throne room.

“Who’s there?! Sound the alarm!”

As soon as they heard the call- Talaena cast a wide area spell- and all noise was reduced. The guards were taken off guard and easily pushed down by the advancment.

Once again, the guards in front moved ahead first. Narice watched as Nick followed closely behind- defending them with magic from the water jewel. It seemed Nick knew how to properly use it as threw out his hand and captured two opponents in some sort of water and choking them.

The guards inside fell unconscious. A few others of the old guard joined up with the group.

Victorious seemed to be able to gather a few men quite quickly.

He rushed ahead with the two guards but as soon as they turned to another corner, however- Nick saw Victorious and the guards stabbed with icicle spears.

Nick rushed to Victorious’ side- as Narice and Talaena rushed alongside to protect Nick.

In the opposite side of the room stood the king behind what seemed to be a few guards along with a woman and a man dressed in a black garb.

“Hello, brother,” a voice came from the direction of the icicles, "it seems like you ran off with the jewel after all."

“Covian…” came Nick’s reply.

Corvian then changed his attention to the woman and the specially dressed man with specific orders.

“Retrieve the gem- and Nick alive if possible- kill the others- especially the traitors,” Covian said.

Narice thought it weird that Corvin was ordering the woman until,

"You would send your own betrothed to fight us?"

“You’re mistaken, Nicholas… This woman was given to me by K'atra. She’s the sole reason for the blizzard... Meet Sorrow, one of the strongest magicians i know. She started with nothing and now she's the queen of Jubilee."

He gave his wife a kiss. The man in black on the side seemed to turn his head to the kiss- perhaps upset by this- but that had no meaning to Narice now.

As Covian turned back around, Nicholas made one last effort while holding Victorious.

“Covian!" Nick asked, "You already had the throne- I gave you everything you asked for. Why did you do this to our people?”

“I have it now- yes… now that they’re afraid…because they’ve seen my power- now they can become my subjects.”

“This power?!" Nick responded angrily, "How do you justify all the lives you hurt in the name of power?”

“I’m sorry, Nicholas…” Covian gave him a hurt look-the remnants of his humanity showing- “I didn’t want all of this… but there was no other choice.”

“I don’t believe you…” Nicholas whispered under his breath in deep sorry while turning back to Victorious in tears. He then rose, turning to two of the guards requested them to "Please look after Victorious."

Covian turned his back to the ground once again. Tala attempted a spellcast at Covian- some sort of strike- which was quickly deflected by the man in black.

The old guard rushed ahead first. charging directly at the opposing guards.

Sorrow then took the stage- quietly tilting her head to the ground- a different sort of crazy looked at them.

Nick grabbed onto the jewel tightly and a transformation occurred. A blue aura surrounded him in addition to a newly gained weapon- some sort of trident that he quickly spun and pointed towards the man in black and Sorrow.

He wasted no time as he threw an occilating spell with fingers pointed towards them directing the circle at them.

From the end of the trident an aura of circling energy escaped- however- this was quickly remedied by the man in black - who threw out his cape absorbing the attack.

It looked like the old guard had beaten the new guard. Nick and Tala rushed ahead to join them in close combat and push against the man in black and Sorrow. to which Sorrow simply held out a hand.

Immediately- everything was frozen in place. All that remained were the five of them- while the guards of both sides had become statues. Narice looked at his comanions which seemed almost incapable of breathing- the cold had become that strong for them.

Narice however had followed through holding out his sword in front of him and looking on at his opponents.

“?!" Sorrow's eyes showed surprise.

The man in black too was taken aback.

Narice replied. Behind him he noticed Talaena had already begun to dethaw around him with some fire spell and Nick had somehow found away to counteract the effects of the ice using water magic.

Narice moved on ahead while the man in black materialized a gun from under his cape. Narice brought up his sword.

From the sword he felt a light guiding him as the bullets fired. The bullet klanged and ricocheted off the edge of the sword- it surprised even Narice that he'd done it, but not as much as the man in black.

The man in black looked at Narice for a moment with a very serious look.

His normal visage tranformed. The cape almost turned into a living entity as the man turned into a creaturelike form.

His eyes grew with a fierce glow and two blades appeared- both holding a dark aura appeared in his hands.

It looked like this would be a real fight.

Narice held up his sword to the attack.

---

The man in black threw out a slew of aggressive strikes from his dual blades- Narice was doing everything he could just to hold him off... studying his opponent? that wasn't even a choice.

The man was quite proficient it seemed - until he threw out a spellcast from his hand- a fireball emitted from his hands and blinded him.

While his body told Narice that this was a chance, something inside told him to defend. He felt a presence flash behind him and barely spun to defend the strike. It seems that fireball had been a ploy to bait Narice into a trap.

---

However- unlike the man in black- Sorrow seemed to have her hands full as she was fending off attacks from Nick and Talaena. Whoever Sorrow was- wasn't qite able to keep up with the onslaught of two magical attacks...

That was until...

Another bite of cold as Sorrow's eyes grew a dull grey. The temperature dropped quickly perhaps twenty more degrees from an already frozen state.

The cold was biting and ice seemed to grow along the walls. Not only here however- the entire castle.

The man in black unexpectedly looked towards his companion and rushed towards her holding onto her tightly.

"Ah!" she spoke as her eyes slowly came back to herself.

"Let's go..." the man whispered to her comfortingly- as a black fog exploded around them and then she plummeted the room in dense fog.

By the time the fog dissipated, the three were left alone.

"What just happened?" Nick spoke- barely surviving the sudden burst of frozen energy.

“It looks like we won…” Tala said unsure. Narice looked ahead intently.

Nick- injured but able to move pulled himself along Narice.

“We have to reach my brother while we have the chance…” he replied and the three of them advanced forward

—

Insert- Six and a half years ago

“Sorrow has failed the project- put your efforts onto Elera,” Devon spoke without remourse.

“What about Sorrow?” Evalone asked. He felt bad for the girl, but there was nothing he could do.

“Give her off to that Jubilee family,” he replied. “Maybe that failure will hold some use to them."

—

In the testing chambers, Sorrow was heavily breathing.

“Sorrow…?" Evalon spoke onto a microphone. Her face perked up at his voice.

"Yes?" she replied.

"We’re going to stop the project now…” he continued.

“Why?” she responded, "Was the commander okay with the performance."

Jaggat thought it sad that she called her own father the commander. Everyone did however. With all his heart he wanted to tell her something positive news, but sadly all he could do was make the blow as painless as possible.

“We feel it’s better to try Elera… and that you will be best in support of the Jubilee family…”

"Okay..." she spoke defeated.

He felt terrible. He had no idea how to console her. Not only did he have to deliver a blow to the girl he loved, but she’d soon be given as a guardian to the Jubilee family. A final blow to the coffin- supposedly there was a talk of marriage to solidify their two families- with a smile- “Just be grateful it’s done. You did well.”

Sorrow gave him a difficult smiled, “I am…”

Evalone couldn’t help but pity the girl who’d just lost her pride and dignity, but he’d try his best to save her.

“Will Elera be ok?”

“I’ll make sure to watch over her…” Evalone responded.

Sari bowed before to Evalone. The man she cared for seemed to be trying his best to cheer her up- the least she could do was smile.

—

“Sorrow!” a joyful Marx spoke to the girl. He called upon her after the council members discussed the plan.s Marx had become something completely different over the past month. Rather than a stoic stale figure, a livelier Marx took the council.

“It’s a shame about the trials- I was really rooting for you to pass them,” he winked, “and personally, I’d love to have you as one of my guardians.”

“I’m sorry - i cannot offer my assistance to you” Sarrrow responded courteously, although her tone was hollow, “I’m to be married soon to the Jubilee heir as a ‘guardian’ in the Jubilee’s family.”

“Don’t you wish to find Justice?” However, despite the lively persona, a sort of shadowy aura seemed to come off of him. As if the suggestion was more than just a suggestion, it was being influenced.

Her will at such a shakey moment swayed- almost unconsciously, “And if I do?”

“I could make it happen…” Her interest already belonged to him.

Ka’atra, as Marx, smiled.

After Sorrow left the council room- a man came up from the side of the conference hall.

“If I’m not mistaken, I sensed the shadow element coming from you, Marx,” Evalone spoke the word marx in a sarcastic tone.

“Very perceptive, Evalone…” Marx responded -readying his hand, “And what do you intend to do about it?”

“I have a proposition for you-K'atra," he waited, “If it's true that you’ve just awakened… you should be too weak to take the council on by yourself..."

"And what of it?"

“What if I helped you take it over?” Evalon responded, "i can help you defeat Devon."

“And what per say do you get in return?”

“…under the condition that you give me Sorrow.”

“I don’t think she is easily ruled,” Ka’atra said - having sensed the passion in the depths of her heart.

Devon considered, “If she doesn’t love then i will accept it when the time comes- but you will let me have her.”

“And how do you want me to do this?"

Devon already had everything planned out for K'atra. K'atra always seemed to attract the ambitios types. It was the nature of his element, he guessed. Oh well, he shrugged, regardless, it was almost too easy.

—

-The present-

“The room to the king’s chambers…” He pointed to a side room within the throne room- and Narice and Talaena followed him into it.

They saw a couple guards- Nick rushed up to them and used his water spear to knock one over the head.

“Who’s there?!” the other said. He knocked the other over the side of the head too.

He looked back at Narice and Talaena- and motioned that it was clear to follow. Narice and Talaena joined up with him at the door and they opened it up.

“Hello Covian,” Nick said after entering inside of the room after shutting the door. Narice and Talaena took the sides.

“So... you’re here…” Covian spoke in a heavy voice. A barely visible movement came at Covian's side.

Covian held a gun upreadying to pull the trigger. Before Narice or Tala could stop it - a single shot fired.

Not from Covian’s gun however- but Nick’s. Pulled out from under his cloak.

Covian looked down at the blood that began to pour from his side. Upon realizing the fatality the wound... he sighed and released the grip of his finger on his own gun.

“Nicholas…my brother...” Covian spoke. Nick ran up to him and grabbed onto his hand.

“Covian,” Nick responded with a bowed head. There was nothing left to do. Even after accomplishing this moment- Nick seemed saddened by the loss of his brother.

Covian whispered into Nick’s ear. After which Nick gave a nod.

Covian then looked up, “Is it only upon death that i realize the error in my ways.”

Nick held onto Covian’s hand as his breathing slowed and then stopped. After checking his pulse, and then turned around to Narice and Talaena, “We have to go now... that shot will have called attention to the rest of the guard.”

Narice nodded as the pulled out of the throne room.

They rushed back the way they came. They heard the guard's footsteps searching for them as they made their way back into the closet.

The entire trip was was quiet.

“He got what he deserved," Nick spoke, "The citizens shouldn’t suffer for my weaknesses.”

Narice and Talaena were silent- as they sensed a great sorrow eminating from Nick. There were no words to unburden what transpired.

After slightly lifting the manhole cover- footsteps could be heard along them. They waited until a free moment- Tala went first and cast perception magic on the area so noone would notice the other two climbing out.

“When this comes out-" Nick spoke, "I may not have a place to hide- the children here won’t be safe if they are with me,” he said, “I will take my leave here. I made preparations to have them relocated with some of the town’s people- that will be best thing for them.”

He pulled out the water amulet from underneath his cloak and placed it in Narice’s hand, “You have the right to hold this. I will part with you here,” Nick said and he turned around.

“Wait-” Narice said. Nick took pause in his steps listening for what Narice had to say.

“Come with us.”

Nick attempted not to burden them, “You won’t be safe-”

“Safe?” Narice spoke at the same time, "man- you're with the perfect crew right now."

Tala spoke, "We are already being chased by K'atra-the most powerful magician to have lived. I doubt that it would make a difference.”

Nick took a moment, “If you insist... but is it okay that i killed my own brother?”

“There are selfish reasons to kill and there are good reasons," Talaena replied. He put his hand on Nick's shoulder and then started moving in the direction of the exit.

Narice handed the jewel back to Nick. “Like you said- you are the rightful owner. You've proved that it belongs to you.”

Narice picked up his sack and started heading out, “You coming?”

Nick adjusted his glasses, took a look at the home he’d be leaving behind and then nodded with a smile.

Narice nodded, “Let’s go.”

Dawn was already upon them as they left the Jubilee’s walls behind them. While it was still cold it seemed somewhat warmer than before.