Hey guys, I know this chapter is late. I'm in my late high school years in honors/AP classes and my life is kinda complicated right now, no, I don't want to talk about it. But, GOMLS will probably be back on its 6-8 day update schedule though, yeah! Thank you for being so understanding everybody, it isn't going unnoticed.

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Sophie opened her eyes to see Tezcacoatl staring at her in surprise and Ricin purring at the sight of his companion. But Tezcacoatl was glaring at the goddess holding onto her heiress, a snarl slipping out from the side of his mouth. Sophie stepped out of the flurry of snow Kynareth swarmed herself with, blandly holding the crown out for Tezacoatl, staring at the ground.

Kynareth quietly approached Sophie, but the Assassin looked over her shoulder, her eyes turning gold. Kynareth fought to tighten her hold on Sophie's powers. Still, Sophie's Pancras form ripped apart Kynareth's hold on her, slowly releasing everything.

"I've learned what I needed. Go away." Sophie hissed at the goddess.

Kynareth's jaw clenched, but she stepped away from Sophie and disappeared in a cloudy mist. Sophie swallowed, Kassandra's crown cutting into her skin as she clenched it, but she held it out for Tezcacoatl.

Tezcacoatl hummed, glaring behind her as the rocks shuddered and moved on their own, covering the Crypt's entrance. He glanced at Sophie again, shaking his head.

"It is for you to keep," Tezcacoatl said, pointing his snout to the crown in Sophie's hand. Sophie faltered but placed the crown on the rocks as she slid down against them, her head in her hands. Ricin crowed, rubbing his snout against her hand.

A demon... that is the only thing Sophie could think to call it.

"Kynareth chose me as her heiress because this demon is going to kill Kassandra soon. And Egil's children are probably also going to die as well." Sophie stated, gently running the tips of her fingers over Ricin's bumpy scales.

Tezcacoatl surprisingly shook his head, "I don't believe so. I think, what did you call it, demon? I think the demon is too weak spread across three bodies, but Kassandra got the bulk of it. I think it is going to try to reunite through the three of them before killing them."

Sophie took a deep breath but looked Tezcacoatl straight in the eyes.

"You said if I got Kassandra's artifact you would answer any questions I have." Sophie started.

Tezcacoatl stiffened, but he nodded.

"Go ahead young Assassin, I will answer anything you want." Tezcacoatl nodded. Sophie tapped her foot against the frozen floor, sorting through her questions.

"The artifacts I've been finding, what are they? What purpose do they serve?" Sophie started.

Tezcacoatl settled on the Wall of Words and began.

"The 'demon' as you call it is an ancient being, and has caused problems in the past. The gods barely interfere with mortals, but Byzanthar is a god of craft and the earth, so he often spends time with various species. A curious and caring one, so when he learned of a threat to his precious little world, he created a seal to hold it aback. Five artifacts that were scattered through the world, meant to weaken them. But it seems the, what is it... Neverseen? It seems the Neverseen are searching for them. I don't know what they plan to do if they hold them all, but I know one thing. The demon if released from his mortal bodies and has no artifacts to weaken him, he will be unstoppable."

Tezcacoatl's tail swayed as he straightened out, "When you first approached me, you asked me to ignite the Forge of Byzanthar. Probably because Byzanthar has chosen an heir like Kynareth has, and needs to make a connection with him."

Sophie clicked the pieces together, "Her name is Maha, she was chosen as his heiress when she died in a flood as a baby. She has been hearing his voice her whole life, but she wants to get a clearer image of what he exactly wants."

Tezca nodded, "He needs her to help reforge his keys."

"Reforge?"

Tezca tapped his claws against the wall, "Byzanthar created artifacts, or keys, many years ago, when the old Dunmer king opened the door for the demon to pass through. They were meant to weaken him, sap his power away bit by bit. But what Byzanthar didn't account for was the demon taking up bodies and using them to hide himself from the artifacts. Now the artifacts are old, and are begining to break."

Sophie's head snapped up, "Wait... the golden rope at Foxfire? That fell to bits?"

Tezcacoatl nodded, "Indeed. That was one of his artifacts."

Sophie paled, her hands gripping her knees, "I didn't know, I didn't mean to-"

"You couldn't have stopped it. It would've broken soon anyway."

Sophie propped her chin on her knees, her mind whirling, "I-I don't- ugh. So if Maha fixes these artifacts, we can weaken the demon?"

"Only if you manage to track down the bodies the demon is inhabitiaing and lure him out. But getting him out will kill the people he is inhabiting, you must know that."

Sophie thought to Queen Kassandra, sitting on her throne in the dark crypts below.

"What should I be expecting?" Sophie asked.

"He has probably taken one of the bodies in the Neverseen, using them to acomplish his goals. And from what I've heard, the Neverseen are growing faster and stronger everyday. Outposts, armies, Mirthless, spies, everything."

"And what are his goals? This demon?"

Tezca shifted uncomfortably, "To level this world and build a new one atop it's ashes as it's emperor."

Even the wind stilled. But Sophie pressed on.

Sophie steeled herself, letting out questions left and right, "How can I tell who is infected with the demon?"

"Some will be obvious, like Kassandra, others it will be impossible to tell."

"Is there anything more specific Kynareth might want from me?"

"It seems you are simply her conduit for battling the demon in the mortal realms. I sense no other intention from her, but Kynareth is tricky and skillful, there may be more."

"Where should my resources be spent right now? Rebuilding Inalia and the Old Republic? Building an army? Finding the demon?"

"That is for you to decide Amalia."

By the end, Sophie was pacing, spewing questions, and getting clear cut answers, which is not something she is used to. Ricin watched Sophie with intent, just wanting to return to Kynareth's temple.

"What is the demon's name?" Sophie asked.

That question took Tezcacoatl back, and the first real hesitation he had.

"Why are you hesitating?" Sophie asked.

Tezcacoatl's wings shuddered as he adjusted, slinking down from the wall, "It is a bad omen, especially if he is on the mortal plain."

"Well I can't just keep refering to him as the demon, can I?"

Tezca scoffed, his teeth shining against the moonlight, "Just becuase you're Kynareth's little brat doesn't mean you get to say whatever you wish!"

"Just tell me the name!" Sophie barked.

Tezcacoatl's massive claws clenched the gravel, but he spat, "Mephala,"

Sophie didn't recognize it. She would have to do research about it when she returned down the mountain.

"Alright, final thing," Sophie pulled out the drawing she and Maha created, pointing to the carven crystal. She held it up for Tezcacoatl, who squinted at it for a few moments before his eyes widened to the size of saucers.

"My... friend, and I have been having these weird visions and connections with each other. He says it's becuase of this crystal, and, "Sophie tapped to the carven dragon on top of it, "That is you, is it not?"

Tezcacoatl looked at the drawing, then Sophie, then back at the drawing.

"So he survived then," Tezcacoatl muttered, glancing at the massive burn scar his abdomen.

"Who survived?" Sophie asked.

Tezcacoatl sighed, "I'm guessing your friend is Ruy Ignis?"

Sophie faltered, "How... how did you know that?"

"A few years ago, my friend Councilor Kenric asked me to help smuggle a kid out of the Lost Cities. Ruy Ignis. It went pretty smoothly right up until Govenor Heinrich spotted me. He has always hated dragons..." He spat.

Sophie ran her fingers over Ricin's snout, scratching under his chin, "I'm well aware."

"He managed to shoot me down, the lucky bastard, with Ruy on my back. I knew I couldn't count for Ruy's safety once I was fighting them off, so when we were falling, I created a Hollow Tie and pushed him away from the fight."

"A Hollow Tie?"

"It is a sort of... spell I placed on him, though spells don't exist. An ability all high class dragons have, we imprint them on our young to keep them safe. When I placed the Hollow Tie on Ruy, it was set to create a bond to the first person to see him. One that would last until they both wanted it gone or one died." Tezcacoatl gestured to Sophie, "It seems the Hollow Tie connected him to you."

"I met Ruy a long time ago, but not when he was a kid. At first when we were on oposing sides a few years ago, then again when we became allies in a Neverseen base."

Tezcacoatl hummed, "It seems you have to collect some memories Amalia."

"Will Ruy possibly remember these memories?"

"The crystal is a physical incarnate of the Hollow Tie between the two of you. It decides what is safest for the two people involved in the Tie, and will carry it out. Such as memory loss in your case. It is possible he may remember."

Sophie sighed, adding another conversation with Ruy on top with all the other ones.

"Tezcacoatl-"

"Call me Tezca..." The dragon hissed at her. Why did he want Sophie to call him Tezca now?

"Tezca... what should I do?"

The dragon hummed, understanding her question.

"Honestly, that is your choice. You had an idea before, but things are changing and truths have been revealed."

Tezca stretched out his wings as he spoke again, "You need to keep a level head and loyal allies. The times are rocky and unpredictable, you must be ready for anything and understand that things won't turn out how you like."

"But they might? We might win, Tezca."

Tezca's icy blue eyes shuddered, "That doesn't mean your victory will be something you like."

Sophie hugged herself, the cold getting through her fur cloak. She turned to Ricin, feeling the soft membrane of his wing brush against her.

"I will go light Byzanthar's Forge now, your friend can get some insight from Byzanthar."

Sophie tapped her foot, "What about my powers?"

"What about them?"

"When I initially refused Kynareth, she... she took away my powers. I can't summon ice or lightning, my telepathy is weak, my shadows are sputtering out... how do I make her give them back?"

Tezca began to flap his wings, the snow fluttering in the air as his massive wings began to lift him in the sky.

"Kynareth doesn't take them, she is merely holding them. You can either grovel to her and maybe make her release them. Or? Break the bond holding them down yourself." Tezca explained.

That... wasn't ideal.

"Could you at least give me a ride down?" Sophie asked.

Tezca dove into the wintery mass beneath the peak, towards the temple, leaving Sophie and Ricin alone at the peak.

Sophie crossed her arms, looking at the path downwards and scoffing.

"Man, what an ass-"

Ruy didn't know what time it was outside his mindscape, if people were shaking him awake. He still watched his younger self take in the salty air, swaying with the rocky ocean as they approached the largest Cariana island in the peninsula, gripping Alexios's cloak closer to him. Alexios was the only one who Ruy fit.

"So, new kid," Alexios started, sliding up near Ruy against the bow. Ruy silently turned to him, which Alexios squinted at.

"Do you say anything?" Alexios asked. Amalia came up behind her brother and elbowed him hard in his ribs.

"Don't be rude, you idioti! He has clearly been through enough!" Amalia hissed at her brother. Alexios recoiled, spitting words he probably shouldn't know at his sister.

"I don't know what to call him! He hasn't given us a name!" Alexios barked back at his sister. Tezcacoatl wanted him to be safe; maybe his name wouldn't be so bad.

"Ruy, my name is Ruy," He muttered. Amalia smiled at Ruy, sliding on her boots.

"Don't worry then Ruy, we have a friend we are visiting that is going to help you! She is the High Lady of the island, one of the most powerful High Ladies ever if you ask me! And one of pater's closest friends!"

Ruy began to figure out the dynamic between everyone on the ship on his second day aboard. Allesandro is some sort of warrior, maybe a mercenary or soldier. Amalia is his daughter by blood, he isn't the father to Alexios, even though Alexios called Amalia his sister. But they looked alike, so they were most likely cousins. Amalia made no mention of a mother, however, most likely not present in her life.

Ruy was worried sick about Tezca. He tried to ask the captain about it, to go back to the island and check, but he had no idea where Tezca landed in the first place. Not to mention, he was too scared to even form the words to ask.

Allesandro approached them, his hand on his daughter's back as he pointed something out to Ruy. A large fort at the top of the sprawling city, large yellow and blue flags hanging from the walls.

"That is where we are going. It is going to be safe there, and we might be able to get you some real help." Allesandro explained. Ruy nodded, his eyes fixed on the fort, his hands combing the long hair away from his eyes.

Allesandro gave him a small smile as he pulled a small strip of leather from his pocket.

"Here, tie it up," Allesandro said as he opened Ruy's hand and gently set it in his palm. Ruy just stared at it, struggling to tie it back. Allesandro reached to help, but Ruy recoiled. Allesandro immediately pulled back his hand, shaking his head.

"Gods, what have you been through?" Allesandro muttered.

"Oi, Morretti! Help my men tie up the ship!" The captain called from the helm. Allesandro roughed up Amalia and Alexios's hair. He grabbed some rope from a passing crewman and helped as the ship entered the Cariana port. Amalia gently pulled the leather strip out of Ruy's hand, giving him a faint smile.

"Let me help. I promise I won't hurt you." Amalia said. Ruy stared at her but surprisingly nodded. Amalia gently pulled back Ruy's knotted hair and tied it up, with little pain. Ruy enjoyed the gentle flutter of her fingers against his neck, no malice or ill intent behind them.

"There, now you can see!" Amalia smiled. Alexios hopped up on the ship's railing, balancing while holding a wooden staff.

"My sister is really good with hair. She is the one who taught me how to do this!" Alexios smiled, pointing to his half updo and the small bun at the back.

"I learned from Aunty Maria, that's all. She is really good at braiding and stuff. I like how my hair looks in braids." She giggled.

"Yeah well, your braids may be cool, but-" Alexios swung with his staff, maintaining perfect balance on the railing, "Mine makes me look like a Spartan!" Alexios claimed, swinging so fast Amalia and Ruy had to duck beneath his staff.

"Knock it off!" Amalia hissed at her brother again. The ship finally docked, and the Morretti siblings easily jumped over the ship's sides onto the dock, landing on crates and barrels. Ruy stared at them in disbelief, watching as they easily climbed down the barrels and landed perfectly on their feet, now weaving through the dock's various goers.

Allesandro patted Ruy's head, "They like to show off sometimes." He chuckled. Ruy followed Allesandro as they all boarded off the ship; Allesandro effortlessly threw their heavy bags over his shoulder and followed as his children walked through the city. It was crowded, various people of all sorts parading through the streets. Vendors bargained with tourists on the sides of the cobbled roads, businessmen and women chatting with their partners as they traveled from one meeting to another, people cackling with each other in the various bars and pubs.

"It is nice here," Ruy said meekly, his voice scratchy. Allesandro's eyes widened at Ruy's words and merely nodded in agreement. Ruy normally hated crowds, but here it was so... warm. Lively.

"Uncle Allesandro, look!" Alexios called out from the bustle of crowds. The crowd easily moved around Allesandro, the hulking hooded figure, and parted to reveal a velvet carriage waiting on the side of the road.

"What on earth?" Allesandro muttered. A gorgeous woman leaned her head outside the window; Amalia and Alexios gasping when they see her. Allesandro chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck with his unoccupied hand, the bags dangling from his shoulder.

"Nyoka." He smiled. The woman, who Ruy assumed was Nyoka, gave Allesandro a radiant smile. Amalia looked between her father and Nyoka and squinted, her lower lip jutting out in thought.

"I felt it was unkind to force you to hike all the way up to the fort." Nyoka chuckled. Two men stationed beside the carraige grimaced at the sight of the unruly Alexios, the unfeminine Amalia, and unclean Ruy, but Nyoka gave them a sharp look.

"Open the doors for them, no need for that." Nyoka gently reprimanded. They begrudgingly opened the carriage doors for the group, and they all piled in.

Nyoka crossed her legs as she patted the carriage's side, the man driving flicking the reins and the horses beginning their trot uphill. Nyoka looked over Ruy, smiling.

"So this is the little one you mentioned in your transmission, Allesandro?" Nyoka asked.

"He was wrecked on the side of our boat about two days ago, that night I sent you the transmission. He has spoken very little since then, he has clearly gone through something fierce." Allesandro explained.

"I see... well, I promise you I can help." Nyoka smiled at Ruy. Amalia gently poked Ruy's arm, pointing out the window. They all gaped at the thick canopies of green and splattering of cities across the island. In the distance, you could see the outline of the other islands in the Cariana peninsula.