Tsunashi put both of his hands around his nose, faltering at the thought of the inevitable pain he was about to feel. Doubt invaded his mind, tempting him to leave it alone. It will heal over time, right? Like everything else has lately.

“Get it over with.” Izuki said, bouncing up on the counter beside him. “Or I’ll snap it for you.”

He hardly knew the woman, but suspected her aggressive nature from the events prior. “I got it.” An exhale, then an inhale. He applied the pressure, followed by a snap that could be mistaken for stepping on twigs. Glacia and Tanka cringed at the noise. “Ahh… shit!”

“I don’t get it.” Izuki began, pressing her thumb on his forehead and observing the injury. “Your body should be as hard as iron with the amount of ether you have. Yet, a couple of low classes broke your nose.”

“Yeah… still not all that sure how ether works.” Tsunashi said, removing her hand and rubbing his nose. “I can toss around fire as much as I want, and from what I’ve been through, it’s all I’ve needed to get by.”

“Take a look at this.” Izuki drew back the sleeve of her shirt up to her elbow. “Izaki.” On command, her sister slapped a lying fork into the air. With a sleight of hand, she caught it before stabbing it into her sister’s arm.

Glacia shot up from her seat, in awe of what she’d just seen. “What’s wrong with you two?! Everything’s gotta be a god damn spectacle! Why can’t you…” Her eyes turned to the fork. The tips were curled and bent, its silver color turned to a rusty brown.

“What was that, Princess?” Her electrifying glare scanned over Glacia. “This is how your skin should be when you have abundant ether. Should come naturally, not something I thought I would need to tell. Clearly, you’re in dire need of some lessons, Tsunashi.”

Tsunashi watched unenthused. He leaned on the counter, then turning toward her. “Don’t got that kind of time. Dragons are on the move. To where I’m not sure, but I have a strong hunch it’s the same thing I’m looking for. Talion’s head start on me, presses things in his favor. I need to level the playing field as soon as possible.”

The Elf woman lifted an eyebrow at Izuki.

“We haven’t caught him up on anything, Leora. Still trying to get introductions out of the way.” The response brought ease to the Elf, and she went to clean the counter. “Also didn’t expect he’d be traveling with company. A dragon, a Tarragon and a girl of the tribes. Unlikely allies, since two of you should hate the one and vice versa.”

Izuki is a well-informed person. That was no longer out of Glacia’s thoughts. Glacia knew little about it since the conflicts happened long before she began service for the Tarragon. By Tanka’’s apparel, it was obvious she was from a tribe of dragon worshippers. Which one was unclear, but what did it matter? She hasn’t drawn her weapon against her, at least not yet, and their first task of coming to Accolade went well enough. What lingered was her reason for sticking around. If Tsunashi asked her to? The same way he kept Glacia around. Or if she had a secret reason.

“We’ve a common goal.” Tanka added to Izuki’s statement. “Isn’t that enough? Bigger problems in the world than a petty squabble that’s been long overdue to end. Politics is all it is, and I deal with enough of that back home.”

Leora chimed in, stopping before Tanka. “And just where is back home? Valley of the Skies?” Tanka's jaw dropped as a smile grew on the Elf’s face. Had it not been for Tanka’s hair, it was easy to imagine her eyebrows had raised as well. “A shaman, a fresh one at that. Wandering far from home.”

“My… My reasons are my own.” Tanka said. “I’m doing what I need to stop the in-fighting.”

“At the expense of what I wonder. If unified, what happens then? More attacks? Coups?” Leora shook her head. “No matter. As long as you’re onboard to take down that Ebon dragon, then we can use you. Our spare body vanished and we could use the extra hands.”

Tsunashi’s head raised, cheeks flushed, and eyelids hanging low. “Alec? The guy who was here last time? What happened to him?”

“Chasing Zio’s coattails. Once he heard Zio had come back to Drakaina, he disappeared.”

Izuki released a heavy groan. “There’s no way he’s still considering him to take his place in Zenith. Twice the trouble, less than an eighth of the skill. The old man encourages terrible judgment of character. None of us are dying soon. It’s too early to look for replacements.”

“It’s not my place to comment, but you should show some respect. That old man is the reason you’re even in this business.” Leora’s icy stare caused Izuki to turn away. Humming to herself. “The money on the table is the most I’ve seen in years. A lot of people want that dragon dead, and understandably so.” Leora lined cups along a space on the counter and poured liquid into each one’s brim. Cassandra rushed to the counter, urgently taking the glasses on a tray walking them off. “We’ve the extra hands, thanks to Tsuna. So the job would be less complicated. If she’s willing to accept, that is.”

They’re planning to take down the Ash. Bael just wants me to kill it. She didn’t mention how it had to be killed. This may be the chance that I’m looking for, but I’ll have to convince them to let me take whatever remains I can carry. I can’t let this pass! Glacia rose from her chair and leaned on the counter. The urgency in her eyes kindled a satisfied look on Leora’s face. “I have to be a part of this! What do I need to do?”

“What kind of question is that? You ask as if there’re tryouts. Lucky for you, Infinity is looking for new drink slingers, so I can get from behind this damned counter.” A brief laugh and Leora waved her hand. “I’m kidding. If we were just taking anyone, there’d be a long enough line that you’d still be outside.” Leora said.

“Bullshit.” Glacia rebutted. Leora went straight faced, expecting for her to continue. “If what you say is true about your spare gone missing, then you’d not call him ‘a spare’. There’d be a primary person, but it seems they’re missing too. Second, there would be another in mind IF you had one. Since you’re resorting to a shaman, you just met. You either have no one else to count on or you don’t have the time to waste finding them. Pick one.”

Those on her side of the counter gawked at her, each of their gazes veering toward Leora for a response.

“Think you’ve backed me into a corner, girl? I always have people ready and able. It’s just the consideration of how much I’d have to pay and the risk of losing them. Light work like this isn’t worth their time, but for no names like you…”

Izuki hopped off the counter, pivoting towards Leora with a slam of her fist. “No way you’re considering this. The money is Zenith’s alone.” Leora’s ears twitched at the response, though she didn’t move and continued to stare at Glacia. A purse on her lips delivered a chill up Izuki’s spine. Then words came.

“How much?”

A tilt of Glacia’s head expressed her confusion. “Of what?”

“The percentage are you expecting?” Leora said with an almost sarcastic laugh. “As stated, the pot is substantial. For the minor tasks we’d use you for, any over five percent is no deal. Fresh blood needs a reputation before you earn any larger.”

A scoff. “Free or whatever you choose.” Glacia said with a shrug. “I need that dragon dead by any means necessary. Pay is accepted, but that’s not the reason I’m doing it.”

“And you’re willing to get your own hands dirty?” Leora’s index finger tapped her chin a few times.

“We don’t even know what she can do.” Izuki said.

Before anyone could answer, Tsunashi spoke up. “If my word means anything, I think she’s qualified. Daring or maybe reckless would be a better word, but you won’t find anyone more committed to the tasks you give her.”

Tsunashi’s knowledge of Glacia confused her. He spoke as if he’d known her long before recently. Or perhaps it was Infernus speaking of Seriara. It only made Glacia question their relationship and further resolved to find out how deep it went.

A clap of Leora’s hands hailed Cassandra back to them. “You’re in.” The youthful Elf revealed two medallions similar to the one Izuki had from the pocket of her jacket. “These are so the two of you can readily come and go about the city. Don’t ask how we got them.” She winked. “Things go smooth and you’ll get your cuts when it’s all over. Make sure you’re here tomorrow by noon for a brief.”

The two of them seized the medallions. Bronze with gritty textured ends that reached around to the translucent center, paralleling a dragon’s eye.

Glacia studied hers intently, disputing its model choice. Intriguing for a place that despises dragons, yet they influenced so much of their cultures. From medallions, weapons, even Tarragon armor and fighting. It’s strange.

Seriara appeared. “A history as dark as a pool of blood, but connected by that same blood like siblings.”

“Don’t see determination like yours often.” Leora’s words stole Glacia’s attention. “Stick with this path and you’ll make a good living. Most think they can just drop their everyday lives, pick up a blade, swing at a few things, and get rich. The reality isn’t anywhere close to that. Mercenaries have looked like people who only care about the amount of Drax that hits their pocket, but that’s the small time majority. Morals, goals, and even style are how the most famous get their names. Earn their trademark.”

“Unimportant.” Glacia’s response was swift, making Leora laugh again.

“Fine, fine. I have a feeling we’ll see a lot of each other in the future.” Glacia had ignored her comment, but Leora knew she heard her.

“I’d take a guess you’d need some training too, princess?” Izuki included herself in the conversation. “Lucky we showed up when we did, otherwise you’d have been smeared on the dirt.”

A roll of her eyes and Glacia sat back in her seat. “It’s nothing but taunts and flexing with you. Seems you have quite a problem because you’re feeling intimidated by something.”

“Intimidated? No. Disappointed more like. Disappointed that someone of your title and reputation is as weak as you are.”

That title again!

Leora listened to them bicker, reaching into a cabinet behind her and revealing a great bottle with a huge “G” on the front and placing it on the counter. She observed the rage developing on Glacia’s face. “That’s enough, Izuki! This is her daughter.”

Izuki and Izaki both acknowledged with shock, turning their bodies toward Leora. “Huh? Her daughter? What happened to the mother then?”

“That’s been one of the most kept secrets in Elysia for the last decade that even the vast majority of Elysians don’t know. Told a lie that she’s gone to fight the invaders in the shadows.” Leora locked eyes with Glacia, her icy pupils bouncing between Leora’s eyes. Leora scanned the room, no eyes or ears in their direction. “The truth is that she’s no longer with us. Which is why her daughter has her power, without knowledge of what she can do.”

“So that begs another question. “Izuki said. “Why do you even want her here, Tsunashi? She’s just dead weight to hold you back. None of what we’re about to do is a game. You know this: they killed you once already. If we bring someone who can’t hold their weight, we may as well send every low class guild at them and pray to Astraea, they get tired enough for us to roll them over. What’s going on in your skull that you’re being so dense?”

Tsunashi closed his eyes. “We made a deal, and that’s all you need to be concerned about. A part of me knows the feeling when people count you out. Thinking because you carry some special look or title even, that every rumor said about you is true. I’ll put it in an easily understandable way. Given time, she will be stronger than me. No matter how much I train, how much of this red ether I absorb. She will be out of reach for me.” Silence passed between them all. Glacia staring at him blankly, her breathing becoming louder with each second. “So, if you could instruct Glacia how to concentrate her ether, I would be indebted to the two of you.”

“Indebted!?” Izuki’s eyes lit up, nudging her sister with her elbow. “Oh, I like the sound of that! We’ll do what we can. Just… Nevermind.” Izuki pulled a cigarette from her pocket, placed it in her mouth, and crossed her arms.

“No smoking in here, Izuki.” Leora said.

“Yeah, yeah! I know. I won’t light it… yet.”

Leora’s attention returned to Tsunashi. “Well, I’ll be… now you’re talking like Zio, Tsuna.”

“It’s Tsunashi. Tsuna is just a nickname.”

Leora’s hand covered her mouth in an animated matter. “Oh my, how correct you are! Ever think of correcting that hole you left in my floor?” She took the lettered bottle and unplugged its cork with her bare hands. “I would like a toast on your return. Surely, you’ll follow through in getting it fixed.”

Smoke jumped from the inside of the bottle, constantly flowing in a dense cloud. Several seconds had gone by, but Glacia could see the smoke wasn’t disappearing. There’s something in that bottle.

Tsunashi’s back went straight, waving his hand dismissively. “I’ll pass. Drinking isn’t my thing anymore… I think.”

“Now, now. I know you’re gonna love it! It tastes like juice, I promise!” A single glass slid down the counter, thanks to Cassandra, arriving in Leora’s palm. Leora wiped his brim and rinsed it with water before slamming it in front of Tsunashi and filling the glass.

The smoke persisted even when exiting the bottle. The way the substance dropped was as if it were a combination of liquid and gas. It whirled around the glass like a storm in a cup. “I’ll pass.” Tsunashi rose from his seat, then the sound of a chain shingled behind him. “Really, Cassandra? You too?” He sighed.

“It’s my job.” Cassandra said.

“Fine.” Apprehensively, he clenched the glass. Anxiety on his face until his head tilted toward the ceiling and downed the substance. The taste was like water, but the slithering burn scorched his throat on the way through his insides. The glass returned to the counter as he exhaled. “Pretty keen to make me drink… What’s got you in this… generous mood?” The burn caused him to cough.

She hurriedly refilled his glass. “Am I really?” Urging the glass toward him, leaning on her arm. “Zio’s late, Rylen and Natsumi are late. Shit’s close to hitting the fan and we’re supposed to be the professionals. My floor’s still damaged after nearly a year of being broken by two clowns who concluded to have a battle of egos. I'm as chipper as can be.” She brandished a crooked smile.

“Hah! Typical of the double doofuses to be running late!” Cackled Izuki. “Rylen’s probably got his hands full dragging them along. Knowing him, he might’ve gotten caught up in whatever nonsense is gripping the other two.”

“Drink!” Leora said, pressing the glass closer to Tsunashi.

Glacia leaned toward Cassandra, capturing her regard as the others peered on. “What’s the matter with her?”

“Stress. Leora is very calm most of the time. She can hold it back for a substantial time, but when it hits its limit, it explodes at random. We should be glad Tsuna’s here to take the brunt of it. You wouldn’t want to get caught up in her warpath.”

Glass clutched tight between his hands, Tsunashi tossed it back with no further thought. The hot sensation could barely touch his tongue before he gulped. Its burn eased through his body, though its heat reached every limb on his body rather than his belly.

“And you.” Leora concentrated on Glacia, causing her to snap straight. “Who are you to him? Why is a Tarragon clinging to a dragon? I thought they were your sworn enemy? Figured you might’ve had him under your thumb, but it seems there’s more to it. Or is it this ‘common goal’ the other girl speaks of?”

Leora suddenly became direct. The shift in tension roughly knocked Glacia off guard. Lying to her would be pointless. She listens to every word that comes out of people’s mouths. Searching for inconsistencies. Like a hunter of words.

“I… He… We need each other. To kill the Ash of Ebon.”

“Enough of the scripted lines. There’s more to it than that. Spit it out.”

“I don’t know what answer you want. He saved me for reasons I don’t know and decided we could help each other. If not for him, we wouldn’t be talking.”

“Saving a random girl for no reason and keeping her around? Doesn’t add up. Perhaps he could tell who you were, which wouldn’t make any sense because where he’s from is nowhere like our world.”

Our world? "It’s a mystery to me as it is to you.” Glacia shot a glance at Tsuna, the smoke now exiting his ears. “Is.. he okay?”

“Oh? He’ll be fine.” Leora waved dismissively. “I gave him something a special companion of mine used to have. Ether compressed into a drink. Ninety percent.”

“Drinking ether?! Ninety percent at that?! Is that good?”

“Good? Not sure. Harmless, yes. When that companion would drink it, she’d settle down for a few hours. Placed her deep in her thoughts, she’d say.” A clap of her hands, and Cassandra sprang to attention. “Take him to a room and prepare a space for these two. We have some time before things get rolling and they seem exhausted. Oh, and check on that bison in the back.”

“Not to worry, Leora,” said Izuki. “I’ll take him to a room.”

“Strangely generous… What’s going through that head of yours? Don’t get any ideas. Do anything immoral and I’ll have your neck on a spike.”

“Why you always gotta assume I’m up to something? Maybe I just wanna help around here. Everyone already says we rarely do that!” Izuki effortlessly lifted Tsunashi over her shoulder and carried him off.

“Uh, excuse me… Ms. Leora.” Tank said. “The bison, Trillon, will be fine! He might be dirty, but he’s well-mannered. Unique from other bison. Though he has a bit of an attitude… He’s very serious sometimes, too.”

“I’ll take your word for it. If I find anything ruined, it will be deducted from your cut.”

Tanka gave her a relieved thumbs up. She tapped Glacia on the shoulder, giving her a smile. “Cha… She’s scary isn’t she? What will you do in the meantime?”

Glacia looked around. “Sit here, I guess. And you?”

Tanka brushed her hand over her injured leg. “The more I walk on it, the worse it’ll get. Mushi said so. Recommended that I give it a day’s rest.”

“I’d almost forgotten about the old woman. Is she in town?”

Tanka nodded. “Said something about meeting relatives and she’d find us when she needed us.”

“It all works out then.” Glacia leaned back on the counter. “What will I do…”

“Dumb question.” Izaki fixed the collar of her jacket, the comment making Glacia’s heart jump. “Training should come next. If it’s true you and him worked out a deal, then I suppose we can trust you.”

“You need to talk more. I thought you walked off with your sister…” Glacia took a deep breath. “Training… Right.” She lifted her palms, blankly staring into them. I have to try something. She exhaled, standing straight. “Sure! What do you have in mind?”

“Come.” She waved Glacia along, leading her out the door.

They left Tanka and Leora alone at the counter. The two of them glanced at one another before Tanka opened her mouth. “Uh… Ms. Leora. Could I get help to a room, please?”

***

A stream of blood inched to Talion’s naked feet. Before him lay a woman. Her face planted in the soil, using her one arm to crawl toward him. Talion stared on with his fist wrapped in front of his mouth, caressing his cheek with his thumb.

“My… Lord…”

He scrutinized her missing arm, as if he were looking for something beyond the burned scales. The gravity on his face softened, kneeling down before the woman and touching her arm. Several more taps. Then he checked his finger. A few more and her scales emitted a faint glow. “I see now.” A swipe of his palm over her missing arm recreated red ether patterned as scales. The color gradually returned, her arm restored. Standing back up, he towered over her. “Superb. Despite the vast amounts of blood lost, you still endured, Ohatsu.” He watched her arm tremble as her knuckles slowly closed. “How does it feel?”

“N-Numb, My Lord.” She tucked her knees inward and pulled her arm into a position resembling a bow. “I am forever grateful.”

“His ether lingers among you. Was it him who did this?”

“No. But he was there. A pair of compelling lightning users took my arm before I even realized what happened.”

Talion brushed down his goatee. “Then we must hasten. If more humans arrive, then this war will be without end.” He looked toward a mountain, smoke lifting from the trails on its side. “If the Tarragon will not move, then we will show them our strength. This blow we deal to the Tarragon must be decisive and win us time. All we’d need is a key.”

“A key, My Lord?” Ohatsu asked.

“Two keys exist. The host of Infernus is one of them. His death is essential to guarantee total victory.”

“And what of the other? Could we find and kill that one instead? Would it be easier to track?”

“That would be too arduous a task. I wouldn’t send the Dahlia, for that would be comparable to sending lamb to the slaughter. No… Worry not, I’ll do it myself.” Talion paced away from her. “I will obtain the key, but first… we rid the land of the Tarragon.”