Chapter 43: Oaraun; Shauran 46th; 344SR; 3:30

Oarauns foot dragged back over the angled shard of the necropolis stuck into the ground, a piece of a bridge. The divine being breathed in as he raised his greatsword up, his arm tired from constantly swinging, his shoulders and legs despite being healed, still felt the damage from every attack he had taken already. 'I still have my spirit bloom for just a bit longer... He doesn't...' Ajal was slouched over, all three eyes weakly fixed on Oaraun. The off worlder breathed out as he stood low with his right fist tucked in, and his left fist in front of him.

'He has to be on his last legs... I need to finish him off... But I can't underestimate him... His hand to hand combat is something to watch out for, he's much faster and has more power to his strikes...' The empty plain of land between Andurill and the bridge to Kamino was filled with similar chunks and pieces of debris. Long shadows were casted over the hills of grass by the setting sun. Ajal stood in front of a deep fissure in the ground Oaraun had cut. The tiny slivers of the orange sky was slowly consumed by a somber dark blue. Drips of embers fell from the sky, illuminating patches of grass with green flames.

"To envy is merely the way of Grelt, you think you can stop it!" Oaraun roared as he dashed off the edge of the brick platform, Ajal didn't move, 'He's not arming himself?'

"Imperial Battle Arts," Ajal whispered, he rolled incredibly low to dodge Oarauns swing.

'Did he use the shadow to-' Ajal suddenly jumped while his back was turned and spun, swinging both his legs around.

"Axe!" Ajal roared as he smashed the back of his feet into Oarauns skull helmet, cracking the left side.

"Ah!" Oaraun grit his teeth as Ajal landed on his palms.

"Piston!" said Ajal.

Ajal pushed off the ground and pressed both feet into Oarauns stomach. 'Rgh!' His vision blurred, 'I've taken too much damage-' Oaraun reached forward, grabbing Ajals head and pulling him into the air. Oaraun stepped forward and slammed Ajal head first into the ground, however he slipped into the shadow before taking damage.

'His abilities are being used more often... Is it because of the shadows-'

Ajal pounced out of the shadows behind Oaraun, and ran up his armor to quickly clutch the spikes on his shoulder. Oaraun reached up and tried to grab him, but couldn't. Ajal slammed his knee into the back of Oarauns massive head, cracking the other side of the helmet and smashing it off. Oarauns left face was exposed to the cold breeze as his sweat dropped from his forehead. 'Pest! Jealous... Flame!' A stream of green flames shot out of Oarauns armor, burning Ajals hands and torso.

"Urgh!" Ajal grunted as he jumped back, pulling the twelve foot slayer down. "Imperial battle arts!"

Ajal fell back into the shadow casted against the flames, Oarauns back crashed into the green stone. 'He uses the environment better than me!' Ajal ran out of the shadow cast on the sharp edge of the necropolis, lunging forward with a single step and both of his hands above his head.

"Hammer!" Ajal smashed his clasped fists into Oarauns head, then clutched his head with his legs. Ajals fingers dug into the dirt and held tightly, he flexed with all his strength and flipped Oaraun over head 'Huh!', "Wrench!"

"Agh!" Oaraun was slammed face first into the dirt, Ajal slipped back into the shadows.

'What the hell?! Is his body mass even close to mine... He can throw me like that even when i'm in spirit bloom- With just core and leg strength?!' Oaraun was feeling his spirit deplete as he pushed himself up on all fours, he clenched his fist. The grass ruffled as two light thumps came from behind, Oaraun quickly rose and turned to the sound.

A short gasp escaped Ajals throat as he was in the midst of a step, Oaraun had begun his swing. Ajal tried to slip back into the shadows, however Oaraun upper cut him directly in the jaw. Ajals jaw cracked as Oaraun drove his fist upward.

"Rgh-" Ajal grunted.

"Spirit ignition!" Oaraun roared.

Oaraun launched Ajal off of the ground, 'He can't use the shadows in the air!' Oaraun jumped up with his greatsword and thrusted forward. Ajal conjured a handheld sickle to block, however the force of Oarauns strike launched him further up. Oaraun landed then jumped up once more with his greatsword in both hands. Ajal tried to block however the sickle was knocked out of his hand as his arm was grazed, Oaraun launched him once again.

"Damn!" Ajal winced.

'Spirit Ignition!' Oaraun kicked off the air, the moment he did, the size of his body started to decrease, his armor started to shrink and his greatswords length returned to normal. 'My spirit bloom's time is up!' Oaraun swung his greatsword down, Ajal tried to catch it with his palms but couldn't stop it from slashing his face and torso.

"Agh!" Ajal grunted as he was smashed down into the ground by the heavy blade, he crashed into it before his entire body slipped straight into another shadow.

"Hiding is useless! Come out and fight me!" Oaraun roared as the flames flowed out of him, ripping the earth to pieces with its explosive force as he slammed into the ground.

Oaraun spun his greatsword above him, fanning flames around him while channeling them through a spiral above his head. The pillar of flame surrounded him like a tornado, the shadows started to get pushed away.

"Jealous Flame!" Oaraun roared as he slammed his flaming sword into the ground.

The ground rippled as the force created a large divot into the ground, flames spread through the field. Ajal tumbled over the grass as the shadows disappeared, he quickly got to his feet and ran up a shard of the necropolis. 'I can't use an ignition! Then-' Oaraun launched forward with the force of his flames, 'I never thought about using my flames like this until fighting you... This is the only way I can match your speed!' Ajal turned as his third eye began to glow. Oaraun stepped down on the front of the shard of rubble, pushing it down and jumping into the air as Ajal fired. The chunk of the necropolis was disintegrated the beam struck it, Oaraun jumped over it to evade.

"Raah!" Oaraun roared as he swung his blade down.

Ajal angled his blast upwards, but Oaraun split the beam in two, forcing Ajal to jump back. Oaraun slammed his greatsword into the ground, from the crouched position, he stepped forward quickly and thrusted his greatsword with both hands again. Ajal conjured a scythe and deflected it, but was launched once again. Oaraun sprinted forward while Ajals feet dragged against the grass, he spun the scythe around him skillfully. Oaraun swung down and the two clashed, Ajal flew back once again, hitting the ground, but flipping and pushing himself up with his hands. As Ajal landed, Oaraun jumped forward. Ajal dashed forward instead of continuing his retreat. 'Huh-' Ajal ducked impossibly low under the blade and cut through Oarauns stomach. Oaraun stumbled to a stop, he touched his stomach and looked at the red blood on his finger tips.

"Tsk! Lucky hit!" Oaraun turned and dashed back in.

Ajal turned, he held his sickle with his teeth as he readied for the next exchange. Oaraun continued to slash at him with the greatsword in one hand. Ajal dodged out of the way, then hopped and skipped on his feet while watching Oarauns every move. Oaraun persisted, until Ajal suddenly dashed behind him in two steps. 'Huh-' Ajal dragged his growing scythe through the air and cleaved down Oarauns back. 'Dammit-' Oaraun blindly swung backwards, Ajal jumped over the blade and swung his foot into Oarauns head.

"Agh!" Oaraun grunted, as Ajal stepped off his head.

"Dark Assault!" Ajal shouted as he jumped.

Six scythes appeared in the air. Oaraun looked up for a second to see Ajal in the middle of the air holding two of them above his head and to one side. Oaraun noticed a white flame on Ajals palms spreading onto the blades of the scythes. 'He plans to teleport!' Ajal spun forward and slashed, Oaraun raised his sword and blocked several strikes. Ajal hit the ground and spun again, then throwing one scythe.

Oaraun blocked the scythe in the air and got ready for Ajals next attack, he threw the second scythe instead. Then grasped two more scythes of the four remaining.

'This guy's-'

Ajal vanished and Oaraun felt two slashes run down his back in the opposite direction from last time. The scythe Ajal threw pierced deep into his shoulder as he was caught off guard, Oarauns vision blurred as he felt blood rise from his throat. 'Fuck-' Oaraun gurgled on the warm liquid crawling up his throat rapidly. While he was distracted, Ajal had already blinked to that scythe, stuck inside of him... And ripped it out.

"Aaaah!" Oaraun cried out in pain, coughing out blood as even more of it sprayed from his shoulder.

Ajal slashed relentlessly, slicing Oarauns limbs with deep and shallow cuts. Oaraun was unable to process the attacks coming at him as he felt his armor get thrashed, two more swings embedded both of those scythes into Oarauns other shoulder. Ajal jumped back as he grasped the final two scythes and crouched down, he held both scythes low.

"Dark Passage," said Ajal.

Ajal teleported to Oaraun and slashed him twice, teleported again with his blades held at a new angle and slashed again. He teleported over and over, slashing Oaraun each time and eviscerating the ground and foliage around them in a flurry of slashes. Ajal landed and rolled against the ground. Oaraun protected his throat and head as best as he could, 'He's overwhelming me? Me?!'

"Ah!" Oaraun croaked as blood sprayed from his body. "T-Toll-" Oaraun uttered, "Toll of Envy!" all of his wounds closed in an instant, his eyes lit up green as green flames burst from his body.

"Dark Abyss!" Ajal countered immediately, but couldn't stop Oaraun from healing the significant damage.

"Raauh!" Oaraun roared as he raised his fist.

Ajals expression turned to concern as he saw the attack coming, he quickly grabbed the sickle in his mouth to block it. But was launched backwards through a hill. Oaraun stepped down hard and rumbled the ground as he grit his teeth to bare the pain. The black and white wave receded.

"Emerald... Forge..." Oaraun grit his teeth as his ability didn't appear.

"Rgh..." Ajal coughed in the distance hill.

"Emerald... Forge!" Oaraun roared as the armor appeared and he took his greatsword in hand once more.

Oaraun charged forward, 'Jealous Flame!' the flames accelerated him. Ajal tried to get up, but his right leg gave out and he stumbled. 'Dodge this!' With his greatsword tilted to the side he slapped Ajal with the face of the blade. Green flames soaring along with his every motion.

"Agh!" Ajal groaned as he was sent rolling across the grass.

Oaraun quickly focused his flames, flying past the tumbling Ajal, pressing his feet into the ground to slow his speed down. Oaraun swung his foot and struck Ajals shoulder, kicking him towards Andurills wall. Ajals body smashed into Andurills thick wall of stone, leaving an uneven circle of cracks. Oaraun took three massive steps forward, each one propelled by the green flames. The final step kicked him off the ground, Oaraun angled his shoulders spike as he soared straight at the depression within the stone wall. He tackled Ajal through to the other side, stones and chunks of rubble rained over the streets of Rea. Each stone, big or small, crashed or bounced off the ground

"Ah-ack!" Ajal coughed, he rolled onto his front and grasped his chest as he curled up.

The last fleeting rays of light shone down on Oaraun as he caught his breath, he hadn't taken through out that entire combo of attacks. Ajal writhed in pain, coughing as he grasped his stomach, he could barely breathe.

The dense structures around them were constructed with simple architecture and cubic shapes. Rectangular red beams between the buildings glowed with a vibrant crimson against the grey buildings as the sun fell past the west side of Andurills wall. Ajal tried to get up, his wobbling foot dragged and his knee slammed into the stone after each attempt to rise.

"Do you have any last words... Anything the friends of your homeworld should hear? I doubt I'll ever meet them... But I will honor our battle here..." said Oaraun.

Ajals eyes quivered, struggling to stay open. Blood dripped from slashes on his torso, and out the mouth. He up righted himself and looked to the cloudy sky on his knees, heaving as his body healed slowly, once again. Before Ajal could fall once more, he conjured a black scythe and leaned against it. However the shadows spilled and lost their form, dissipating into the air. Ajal fell onto his arms, 'Why has he going so far... What is driving him...'

"I have... Nothing to say to them anyway..." Ajal huffed.

Ajal leaned on his right leg, using his left leg for support he slowly rose off the ground. Oaraun tilted his head as he thought about that answer.

"Ha... Hahaha! You! You were abandoned!" Oaraun chuckled.

Ajal weakly raised an eyebrow.

"I didn't get it this whole time... Why would you go so far for the non-unified instead of trying to find your way home... You were casted out!" Oaraun shouted.

Ajal squinted at Oaraun.

"You try so hard for the non-unified and this worlds inhabitants, simply because you have nothing left to return to..." Oaraun mocked.

"Shut up... Don't talk about me like you know me..."

"What a pathetic excuse of a divine being... You should've conquered that world with an iron will, you possessed the strength to-"

"I said shut up!"

Ajal dashed and threw his fist forward. Oaraun raised his greatsword and blocked the strike with the flat surface of the blade. Oaraun swung the sword and knocked him away. He crashed through a red beam and fell to the streets.

"Agh!" Ajal dropped to the streets.

'This battle is basically over...' Oaraun walked forward slowly, before sprinting forward and charging at Ajal with a clenched fist. Ajal was just getting up as Oarauns fist struck his stomach, his eyes faded and he coughed up blood. The strike ruptured the ground, Ajal shut his eyes as he tried to take the pain. Oaraun grabbed his hair and pivoted on his other foot, swinging him around and throwing him over the buildings of Rea. Oaraun channeled flames through his feet and propelled himself above Ajal, lifting the sword above his head while descending.

"Jealous Flame!" Oaraun roared as he swung the blade down and launched a massive flaming arch through the sky.

"Dark Abyss!" A purple light flashed from Ajal in the sky.

The black and white wave released and the flaming slash vanished, Oaraun stopped on one beam and jumped up, just barely avoiding the wave. 'He used it early! Emerald forge!' Oarauns armor reforged as the wave shrunk. He fell towards a red beam, then kicked off it, propelling forward through the air towards Ajal.

The black and white wave receded back into Ajal as he landed on a roof top. Oaraun landed and immediately jumped, flipping forwards, and slamming the greatsword down. Ajal dodged to the left. Oarauns foot dragged against the ground as he swung his blade around with the momentum of his body weight. Ajal tried to jump, but was too slow, the blade cut through his shoulder. Before it could slice his neck Ajal managed to lean back enough, but his collar was still slashed, as well as a chunk of his shoulder had been cut off. Ajals third eye opened, glowing purple.

"Dark Blast!" Ajal fired the purple beam at Oaraun.

'It's almost like this guy...' Oaraun quickly closed the distance, then blocked the beam with his hand. 'He still believes he can win!' Oaraun pushed through the beam, his hand burning underneath the armor as he pushed forward with all his strength and grasped Ajals head. Ajal grabbed Oarauns arm and threw his leg over his head, raising himself up and latching on tightly. Before Oaraun could even react, Ajal spun all of his body weight to the right and twisted, Oaraun felt his shoulder dislocate. 'Agh!' Oaraun grasped Ajal with his other arm, holding him in place before he jumped off the building.

"Rgh!" Ajal tried to get away but couldn't.

"Graah!" Oaraun bellowed as the green flames propelled him forward.

Ajals body was smashed through a building, Oaraun continued forward and smashed him into another. With each crash, Ajals vision blurred more and more. 'Just fucking die already!'

"Hrraah!" Oaraun bellowed.

Oaraun twisted his body in the air, and threw Ajal with all his strength into a roof. Ajal crashed through the corner of the building and descended back into the streets. Oaraun landed on another roof, they were close to the chasm in the center of Andurill. It was a surreal site, a massive hole which covered the entirety of Andurills inner streets. 'Why does he still believe he can win!' Oaraun pondered as he dropped down to the ground. He channeled flames into his greatsword as he ran forward at Ajal.

"This is it!" said Oaraun.

"Imperial Battle Arts!" Ajal chanted.

Ajal slammed his foot into the ground and exhaled, white flames coated it. As Oaraun swung the blade above his head, Ajal jumped, his foot coated in black and white flames. As the blade came down, Ajal jumped and started to wind up his a kick, dodging at the same time. 'Why would he try such a risky-' Ajal slammed his foot into the side of the blade.

"Axe!" Ajal grunted.

The blade flew out of Oarauns hand, landing in the half destroyed wall of a building 'Huh... My hand...' The damage from his shoulder being dislocated remained. Oaraun wasn't focused on his sword, instead he stepped forward and slammed his fist into Ajals stomach. Ajal flinched from the pain, but his third eye opened and glowed purple. 'Shit!' Oaraun jumped back, however Ajal vanished. 'A fake out-' The sound of a sword being pulled from the rubble alerted Oaraun to his right. 'This guy-' Oaraun turned to see Ajal lunge forward with the green greatsword, it burned his hands.

"You-" Oaraun stuttered in shock.

"Hraah!" Ajal roared as he swung the greatsword down.

The blade cleaved through Oarauns left shoulder, before it could go any further Oaraun flexed all of his muscles to stop it from slicing his heart. 'What- What the hell is this guy!' Oaraun grit his teeth as he pushed the blade with his other hand. It pushed through a bit more causing Oaraun to grunt, the blade was just inches from his heart,

"Raaah!" Ajal yelled as loud as he could. "Dark Silence!" A thick black aura shrouded Ajals hand.

"Raaauh!" Oaraun roared with all his might. "Toll of Envy!"

Ajal cringed as Oarauns muscles grew slightly in size. Oaraun pushed the blade back with all his strength.

"Hngh! Jealous..." Oaraun chanted, and flames from his wound started to channel into the blade.

Ajal reached forward and grabbed Oarauns forehead with his hand clad in the black aura. His pupils suddenly dilated as he felt his senses slip away instantly. 'What...'

***

' What happened... Is this an illusion? He was capable of that this entire time? Why wouldn't he use it?' Oaraun turned in the void of darkness. As he turned once more he witnessed Lavera standing with two children. 'Huh...' She wore a white dress which covered her feet, Oaraun walked forward slowly, his heart beating rapidly as he looked down at her. Her thin eyebrows, large forehead and loose fluffy blue hair, Oaraun felt a tear come to his eyes as he witnessed her beauty again. Laveras blue eyes peered into his soul.

"Oaraun..." Lavera uttered.

"Lavera-" Oaraun dropped to his knees in front of her, his head rested against her bosom as he held her shoulders. "I'm so sorry... I failed to save Eden... I failed to save you... I killed your father..."

Oaraun sobbed, the grief inside of him came flooding out, he almost forgot about the battle with Ajal. He noticed two children behind her. One of them was a young girl with light blue hair, she hid behind Laveras dress. She had large eyes which peered up at Oaraun with a puzzled look, a white flower pin was tucked into her hair. 'Terra...' Next to Terra was an even younger toddler, sitting down and looking up at Oaraun with wide eyes and a mouth hung ajar.

"It isn't your fault dear, don't blame yourself," Lavera embraced him.

Oaraun felt his heart beat rapidly, 'I have to move... The fight is still-' Lavera held his face and looked him right in the eyes.

"You did everything you could, we'll be watching over you with open arms for when you're ready to rest..." Lavera said with a gentle smile. "We and our people have suffered, but we all have to move on as well... We all have to eventually..."

Oarauns heartbeat hit its peak, and suddenly stopped. The darkness cracked with white lines of bright light.

***

"What?!" Ajal said with a surprised tone, he held a large black scythe above his head.

"RAAAAAH!" Oaraun broke out of the vision with an unyielding rage.

"Dark Abyss!"

The black and white wave erased Oarauns armor and weapon. Ajal lunged forward, Oaraun felt bloodlust in Ajals eyes which almost rivalled his own. Ajal swung the massive scythe down, Oaraun was still disorientated, he couldn't react in time as the blade cleaved into his neck.

"Agh!" Oaraun felt the smooth blade underneath his flesh, he flexed his collar bone and pushed his shoulder up to keep it from going further through.

"Die!" Ajal roared as he pushed the blade with all his strength.

"You dare show me an illusion! An illusion of her!" Oaraun screamed. "RAAAAAH!"

Ajal grunted, struggling to push the blade forward, Oaraun was pulling it back with one hand 'He's far weaker right now...' The black and white wave receded. Oaraun raised his other hand and slammed it into Ajals face.

"Jealous-"

Ajals eyes lit up.

"Flame!" Oaraun screamed.

Green flames erupted in all directions. Ajals shirt was blasted off as he was forced back, the front of his body was burned. He let go of the scythe and jumped backwards to avoid the heat. Oaraun pulled the blade out of his throat and then dashed forward, conjuring his greatsword in the other hand. Ajal got to his feet and in the midst of taking another stance. The moment Ajal raised his fists his entire body convulsed, and his mouth filled from the inside. A torrent of blood came up his throat, splattering against the white stone as Ajal stumbled forward. Oaraun thrusted the greatsword forward, the sound of it puncturing through his stomach was followed by the rippling force of Oarauns thrust.

"Ack-" Ajal gasped weakly as blood dripped down the green blade, the entire length of the blade had been pressed horizontally into his abdomen.

"Die..." Oaraun said to Ajal as they we're face to face.

Oaraun kept the blade at an arms length as he felt his face twitch, he felt a manic rage at the illusion of Lavera. Ajal coughed up more blood and his eyes quivered, he struggled to remain conscious. Oaraun lifted his foot and pressed Ajal off the greatsword. The off worlder tumbled backwards wearily to Oarauns surprise, he didn't fall. Oaraun raised his greatsword once more as he breathed heavily, 'Impossible... He can't still-' His legs quivered as blood splattered over the ground.

"It's not an illusion..." Ajal coughed up even more blood as he dropped to his knees. "I knew it wouldn't work... I thought it would stall you long enough... I had to use to stop you..."

Oaraun lowered the greatsword. Ajal was barely conscious, the only thing moving his body was willpower. Ajal held the stab wound, a stream of blood flowed over his fingers, dripping against the ground before he leaned back.

"I have to- I have to..." Ajal reached to the sky as his eyes rolled to the back of his head. "Stop-"

Ajal leaned back and fell over the ledge, bouncing against the rock walls as he descended into the chasm. He listened to the echoes as he breathed heavily, the sounds of Ajals body crashing and tumbling faded away. Oaraun turned and dropped his greatsword, it dissipated into green flames and faded into the air. His vision blurred, blood filled Oaraun's mouth as he dropped to his knees.

"Rgh-" Oaraun coughed up blood, his entire body ached. "Lavera..." said Oaraun. "I can't-" he stuttered while tried to stay, "I can't do that..."

Oaraun fell onto his front, his cheek rested against the flat stone.

***

The sound of the waters ebb and flow caused Oaraun to squint. He opened his eyes and looked up at the pitch black sky, the mountains of Welis towered above him. 'Where am I...' Oaraun pushed himself off the soft and mushy sand. The sound of explosions in the distant caused Oaraun to glance to his right. 'The battle on Helios has comm-'

"You're awake at last..." an old man spoke, "To think that being was powerful enough to push you so far... It was a wonderful victory, my lord. I watched the whole thing."

The voice came from a man in green robes, his head appeared to be a large black mass. Their right hand held a golden scepter, 'A druid?' But upon turning, Oaraun saw the ghoulish face of someone he recognized very well.

"Bishop Ardel?!" Oaraun quickly rose.

"Greetings, my lord," Ardel lowered to his knees and brought his head down to the sand.

"I thought you would've died with the abyss... Your face..."

The old mans face almost looked like a mask, the skin underneath had been loose and the flesh underneath was slightly visible. The mass of black tendrils unwove, they sprawled out and revealed his shoulder and left face. While his right eye was an empty socket, his left possessed a strangely shaped yellow eye. To the side of his head was the other eye of the creature which had latched to his body. The creature possessed a mouth which moved and spoke with Ardels voice.

"Due to my knowledge about you, Terra didn't destroy my mind completely, she used me as a pawn for her boredom...I recited tales about you to her... It genuinely made her happy," Ardel explained. "This abyssal creature latched to me, and feeds off the logorite in my veins keeping me alive... However, it allows me to resist succumbing to age, and allows me to forever serve Xenia."

"That's why you lead me to Pathos..." Oaraun muttered, another set of explosions echoed in the east. "How long was I out..."

"It's been a day... Our forces are marching into Helios as we speak."

Oaraun rose, his wet pants stuck to his legs. As he flexed his muscles, his back and shoulders cracked, followed by his arms and chest.

"That off worlder... He showed me something before I defeated him..." Oaraun sounded unsure of himself.

"What was it?" Ardel asked.

"I saw Lavera... And she-" Oaraun shook his head, "She felt real..."

"His darkness... It was a strange darkness... My abilities as well as many other druids are derived from shadow manipulation, but..." Ardel paused. "His darkness was so much more pure compared to ours."

Oaraun pondered it for a few seconds, "Forget it... There is no time to waste... Let us assist the battle in Helios... Hopefully there's still some angels for me to rip-"

A large splash alerted the two of them, Oaraun turned to see a pillar of water falling back to the sea. 'Something breached the surface...' A figure rose from the pillar, it was dark and hard to see, but a white mark almost looked like an eye. The massive creature had large fins on the left and right side of its body, as well as a spout. A high pitched frequency echoed through the air as a decently sized wave rippled outwards from the creature.

"My lord, could it be?" Ardel asked in surprise.

"Yurias descendants... The Hydronians..." Oaraun answered.

The creature approached, drifting through the water slowly. The shadow behind Ardel started to move. A figure in tight clothes and light silver armor stood between two women on the creatures back. 'A celestial beast... But of what kind... Whatever it possesses, it seems to be their transport...'

"Don't do anything rash Ardel..." Oaraun warned. "Their celestial has not fallen, they've continued to advance their strength all this time..."

"Why would they show themselves now... Just pondering about it makes me sick..." Ardels voice sounded monstrous at that last part.

The women atop the creature had scaled tails with fins on the end, lustrous blue sparkles shone off of them in the moonlight. Their upper halves decorated with various blue jewels that matched their natural beauty. As they came closer, Oaraun noticed their lips moving, even closer and he heard their gentle song. Their voices we're inviting. 'I know that gift... They can alter spacial perception with their tone of voice...' The current tone caused their approach to almost seem gentle, slow, and harmless.

"Welcome back, divine slayer, Oaraun," the man in silver armor spoke with a slow tone.

The strange man stepped off the creatures dog like snout and fell into the water, he patted the large creatures oily skin under golden chains, caressing its long whiskers. It seemed to be fixated on Oaraun. As he approached he took off his helmet and revealed long locks of curly red hair.

"Keep your distance and state your name..." Ardel stepped forward, the black tendrils covered his face.

The silver armor was very minimal, covering just the most vital areas of his body. He had a large nose, he was young, but he appeared stern. He stood tall as he walked onto the beach and bowed on one knee to Oaraun and Ardel. The mans tight black clothes stuck to his skin tightly, defining each of his well toned muscles.

"I am the Prime Minister of Cerulea, please, call me Nepicis. I am here on behalf of Queen Yuria," the man greeted. "Our queen seeks an audience with her fellow monarchs."

'A minister... Why would someone so important approach so-' Oaraun looked past the oily creature and noticed several figures sticking out of the water. Small red stems which acted as the eyes for hundreds of creatures which hid beneath the surface 'No... They brought an armada just incase...'

"Please, we mean you no hostility," Nepicis gave Oaraun a toothy smile.

"And why would that be, we are sworn enemies..." Oaraun replied.

"History is fickle, we," Nepicis took a breath, "Proud Hydronians ask ourselves why we are driven to do such fickle things... The three titans hated one another, but we don't have to... Perhaps the Ammonians and Hydronians can come to a truce..."