“What is this smell?” Glacia asked, as her consciousness returned. Her forehead thumped, the pain spreading from its center to her temples while a powerful stench invaded the air. “It smells like a Kirin that hasn’t had a bath. Am I in a barn?” She shifted her shoulder, instantly bumping into something.

“It’s about time you woke up.”

Glacia’s senses sharpened. The voice was unfamiliar and far too close. Who the!? Things had connected. She was leaning on a person. Twirling her wrist to clarify there were no restraints, she shot an eye open and pulled back a punch that drove straight into the man’s jaw. The strike sent him rolling until he hit a nearby wall in an upside-down position. “Who the hell are you?!” As soon as she questioned, a shock jolted through Glacia’s bones, making her reel over. “And… What did you to do me?!”

The man crossed his arms in his position and closed his eyes as he made an audible hum. “The Ash’s ether will spread right through you unless I have enough time to get rid of it. If I’m being completely honest, some of it is my fault. But anyway, let me help you.”

His proposal didn’t ease the anger on her face. “And I’m supposed to just let you do whatever the hell you were doing?! No!” Light from the sun breached the area. Revealing it to be an empty stable. Glacia turned, spotting the curly-haired girl from before in a wide-sleeved cardigan and her bison beside her.

“Everything alright in here? I heard a noise from the other building. Not in here making dragon babies, are you? I’m I gonna find some eggs lying about?” They stepped into the room, in sync with one another. “I figured too much noise for her to still be asleep.”

“Very inquisitive of you, shaman. But leave the nonsensical statements for another time. The girl attacked me in the middle of healing, placing me in this downward predicament.” He motioned his arms along his body. “Convince her to allow me to finish ridding her of that ether. Otherwise, she’s as good as dead.”

Almost as if on cue, Glacia felt Seriara’s presence return.

“Hm… Hm…? Where are we?”

Good, you’re awake, Seriara. I’ll need your ether to get us out of here! Glacia balanced herself against the wall, conjuring her rapier and turning towards the woman. “I’m getting out of this freak show, even if I have to cut the both of you down to do it!” A surge of ether flowed within her belly, but its storm waned the more she tried to call upon it. Her eyes hanged low, fatigue weighing on them. I’m too weak… Glacia scanned the stable desperately for an escape. She couldn’t ignore the aching she felt in her bones. With every breath, the pain worsened. Even if she could escape, she knew she wouldn’t make it far.

“That confirms it.” the girl said. “A white dragon.”

“Would you look at that? It’s like a frozen toothpick!” the man said with a childish gasp.

Glacia turned the blade in the man’s direction. Her waist feeling as if a spike had run through it as she spun. “B-Bastard!”

The bison bellowed, capturing their attention. Its companion shook her head, placed a hand on her hip, and spoke to the man. “Trillon says, ‘Calm down and focus on what’s at hand. We’re here for business.’ I agree with him. Now that the white dragon is awake, are you going to tell us what’s going on with the overflow of the fire deity's ether? Or maybe explain how someone like you is as powerful as you are?”

Seriara fled Glacia’s body, flying close to the man as he argued.

“You seem to have a comprehension problem. Or maybe you’re just as insane as everyone else I’ve had the pleasure of running into after being exposed to that stuff. Like I said, pulling the ether out of her is more important than questions right now. Clock’s ticking and who knows what someone of her caliber would be capable of if she fell under their influence.”

“Their influence? Who are they? Is there someone controlling the ether? That doesn’t answer any question.”

The man’s eyes rolled to the back of his head. “It’s like I’m talking to myself!”

Seriara closed in, examining his features. “Who is this? I’ve never seen him before, but this ether is unmistakable.” She flew into his vision, examining his eyes. His pupils locked onto her, only for a millisecond, until he suddenly closed his eyes. “Could he see me just now?! He shouldn’t be able to see me! I’m certain that I’m unable to be seen!”

“It’s no secret whose ether is spreading around.” The man rolled to his feet. “Who’s doing it? Now that’s a good question.” He brushed his hands, puffed his chest, and sighed. “Since the jig is up and you’re far less compliant than I hoped you’d be, I’m giving you my apologies now, Gardenia.”

Before Glacia could question, her body suddenly seized, releasing her rapier, while he lifted her into the air. The hold that held Glacia ripped Seriara from the air, forcefully pulling her back into her body. In Glacia’s trapped position, she saw the man’s crimson eyes glowing as he lifted a hand to her. Anger filled her blood, believing now she could never get her revenge. Next came fear of the terrifying power a person could have that rendered her still. What followed was acceptance. However, in her moment of powerlessness, she found the strength to scream. Her howl created a blizzard that stormed within the barn. Her cries did nothing to loosen the hold, and yet she slowly felt her power return. The pain that dwelled in her faded while a flow of red ether siphoned from her body and into the man’s hand. The crimson glare in his eyes ceased, and suddenly Glacia fell to the ground. Cracking his neck and rotating his shoulder, the man walked over to her and extended a hand.

“I’m Tsunashi. And I just saved your life.”

Glacia stared back at his cocky grin with a mix of anger and relief. Swiftly grabbing her rapier, she conjured its blade and swayed his hand away, then followed with a jab toward his head. To her shock, he caught the blade with his teeth and shattered the blade in a bite.

“Did you think that would be enough to get rid of the big bad?” He laughed. “You’ll have to do a lot better than that suicidal dive you attempted on the Ash. Lucky I knocked you away when I did.” He grabbed her by her shoulders and lifted her to her feet. “Stop trying to be the hero and leave that to someone like me.”

Wrestling herself from his hands, she stepped away. “You’re one of them!” The visible rage strained at her throat.

“Yes… No?” Tsunashi said. “Who is them?”

Before Glacia could lose her temper, the woman behind her placed a hand on her shoulder and pulled her back. “I think the ‘them’ she means are dragons. No normal dragon is capable of what you just did. That would imply you’re not just any dragon.” Tsunashi’s eyebrow raised at the statement, but he made no movement of confirmation. “Are you Tiamat? They rumored her spirit to be wandering these parts. Or are you Bahamut? I still dunno if he’s actually dead.” A realization appeared on her face as she suddenly bowed, followed by her bison. “Sorry! My name is Tanka, a local shaman, as you know! The bison is my partner, Trillon! It’s an honor to be a witness to your greatness!”

“Don’t do that.” Tsunashi said, waving his hand as if urging her to stand upright. “I don’t need anyone bowing to me. What I need is her ability and hopefully she can pull through despite her stubbornness.” His focus returned to Glacia.

Glacia looked at them nervously as their gazes fell upon her.

Tanka slapped her forehead with her palm. “Cha! I didn’t even think about it! You’re not just a white dragon, you’re the Gardenia! Another Draconic legend!” Tanka said, then slowly turned back to Tsunashi. “That makes me wonder. For what do you need her? Thinking back, she got thwacked by those drakes on her own. While you surely would have taken them all as I watched you scrap the enormous dragon without so much as a struggle. Clearly, you’re beyond mortal limits.”

Glacia jumped forward with fire in her eyes. “What the hell’s that supposed to mean!? They outnumbered me and I still downed a couple before The Ash showed up!”

“A few?” Tanka chuckled. “Ha! Trillon and I held the tide while you struggled with that ‘couple’. Perhaps the Gardenia being powerful was the fabricated part of the legend. They say she’s also supposed to be older, but you look barely in your twenties. Nothing like the stories say. The surrounding air on you reads weakness, and it’s showed.”

“Anyone can talk when they were on the sideline until the last moment. In a fair fight, I could take you and that cow on at the same time!”

“There’s no such thing as a fair fight. Someone will be at an advantage and the other at a disadvantage. I just prefer being on the uphill, so I struck when I saw the opportunity. Strategic planning will always beat out brute force like that gambit you tried.”

As the two bickered, Tsunashi eased his hands to the top of his head and strode by the three of them. He kicked the stable doors open with his feet, stealing their attention, and looked toward the graceful tower in the sky. A hazy red fog blurred their sight. The longer they stared, the harder it became to see beyond it. On the ground, corpses littered around them. Dead cows, chickens, swine spread the field between the wooden fences. Each with no visible signs of harm. He looked to his right, glancing at the home next to the stable, then back at the tower. “This ether is my doing. I am ashamed to say that I am the reason for it being here. Worse is that I cannot stop it. Not alone.” He peered back at Glacia. “A certain Gardenia who may have similar interests. Could be of great use to me, but it depends if she wants to help.”

Glacia paced to his side but kept her glare on him for every step she took. “That depends.” The pain in her tightened knuckles rose to her wrist, clutching her rapier. “Would killing you make the ether disappear?”

Tsunashi sighed, now scratching his head. “Is fighting always your first and last answer? It’s far more complicated than that. Besides, the ether remained even while the fire deity was dead. Killing him again will be just as useless.”

A silence passed on the wind, carrying the stench of the corpses. For the first time, shock appeared on Tanka’s face. Every bone in her body felt compelled to drop to the ground, but she fought the urge. “I-In-Infernus!?”

Glacia side-eyed him in disbelief, her demeanor hardly changing from his claim. This is a bluff. There’s no way he’s come back now of all times. Wouldn’t he be working with the dragons instead of trying to stop whatever they’re doing? The Tarragon believe he wants nothing more than to rule.

“He’s not lying. Not completely.” Seriara said.

Glacia froze up. Huh!? He’s really Infernus?!

“To come out and tell us this is bold, for a deity who’s been dead for the last several centuries. Maybe because he thinks we can’t inform anyone of where we are. Which gives us some leverage if we need to use it. There is something he’s right about. Infernus died and left behind his malice. Even if he were to die again, nothing would result from it. There’s a vast difference between this Infernus and the one I knew, though. Less brash. He would’ve tried to solve things himself in the past.”

The one you knew?

Seriara’s voice hiccupped. “I’ve said too much.” She took a deep breath. “Anyway, we need to approach this wisely. Hear him out, for now. Once we get more answers from him, we’ll figure out a course of action. And Glacia, whatever you do, do NOT fight him if it comes to it. Running is the only option. Understand?”

Glacia could do nothing but breathe through her open mouth. A freezing feeling spread inside her chest, like standing in a blizzard in the middle of the night. From the man in front of her, Infernus, or Tsunashi, as he called himself, she could feel a warmth unlike she ever felt. It was like she stood several steps from the sun, but given she had always been cold, for the first time she felt hot. I understand.

“Getting rid of the ether won’t be easy, so I’ll need as many hands as who’s willing.” Tsunashi folded his arms and turned to the two of them with a big smile on his face. “So, the two of you on board? If so, we’ve no time to waste getting you two trained for our first objective.”

“Trained?” The two of them echoed.

“Of course! I wouldn’t send the two of you in without some kind of proper training. From what I can tell, you two have the most experience fighting solo.” He glanced over at Tanka and Trillon. “Kinda. But we’ll need to work as a team if we’re to get this first part down.”

“And what is the first part?” Glacia asked. Hearing something being dragged behind her made Glacia’s shoulders jump. She swiftly spun, spying a small woman with a gigantic sword on her back that created a trail as she walked.

“Master Mushi!” Tsunashi said. “You’re back right on time! I was getting the feeling that I was going to have to train without you.”

The woman grumbled, the emotion on her face steady. Suddenly, fury lit in her eyes as a rage came out in one burst. “I thought I told you to stop kicking my doors open, you buffoon! Unless you want to spend the next week tightening all of those bolts with your fingernails!”

“Ah!” An embarrassed grin formed on Tsunashi’s face. “Oh yeah. You said that. When was that? Like a week ago?”

“Yesterday!”

His eyes widened, and a bead of sweat ran down his head. He held his arms open and wryly smiled. “You know my brain only functions with the here and now! Yesterday is gone, as we look toward the future!”

“And yesterday’s mistakes are tomorrow’s if you don’t learn from them!” Mushi eyed the Glacia and Tanka. “Who’re these two? The able bodies you planned to escort me to Accolade? How’d you come across them out in the middle of nowhere?”

Tsunashi nodded. “Uh… Hm. I don’t really know what they were out there for, but that’s irrelevant. If we could have three of you out there, it’d make the job that much easier. Then they could help me with my mission. Those drakes wouldn’t stand a chance.” Tsunashi’s voice dropped several tones. “I also wouldn’t need to babysit you.”

“Babysit me? I’d bash more drakes than you ever could, even with your fancy ether.” Mushi bowed her head. “Nice to meet two nice-looking young ladies. You two look far more respectful than this ditz who’s kept me company.”

“Wait a second.” Glacia said. “Neither of us said we would help you with anything that you’re doing. You're just volunteering us for something and we get nothing in return.”

“Right, because deciding the fate of the southern regions requires incentive.” Tsunashi said in a sarcastic tone. “Then how about this: If I’m still alive, I’ll aid the both of you on a personal journey? Aid as in support, carry something, you name it. As long as it isn’t embarrassing for someone like me.”

If he’s still alive? What’s that supposed to mean? “Hold on. That’s just as bad, if not worse. You expect us to accept a deal that we may not see the end of? If you die, then what’s the point of us accepting this?”

“Do this right and I just may live. The outcome is ever changing, so there will be no guarantee.”

Just as cryptic as Seriara.

“A favor from Infernus himself!? Cha! I could never!” Tanka said, before her curled fingers met her chin. “B-But I could use this as leverage against the clan. When he arrives, maybe they’ll all want to settle their disputes!” Tanka pulled Trillon’s curly hair. “That sound like a good idea, Tri?”

Trillon grunted and nodded at her idea.

“That’s one.” Tsunashi said, swiveling his body and pointing at Glacia. “What about you, Gardenia?”

“Call me by my name. Glacia.”

“Sorry. Glacia, then. The question still stands.”

Glacia thought a moment, looking towards The Crossing, then closed her eyes. “I’ll… let you know when it’s all over.” The response provoked a questionable look from Tsunashi. She went on. “There’s no time to wander in what ifs.” Her bitter response put a grin on Tsunashi’s face, followed by a shrug.

“Fine.” Tsunashi cracked his knuckles. “Don’t ask me how I know, but we have three days before drakes end up burying this place in the dirt. We’ll leave in the next two, straight for Accolade. From there, I’ll go into more detail about the plan. I leave them in your care, Master Mushi.”