War of Heroes (.txt)

Post 1 

Sand. Lots, and lots of sand. Keith was at the gate of Tuscano, the capital of Brio. He saw nothing but sand as he peered out into the desert. It was good, it meant The Originals had not attacked yet. He turned to the North. More sand. No aid from Daein yet. He prayed desperately for his scouts to return with the locations of various armies. He feared a sudden change of expecations. Delays of the Begnion forces? A denial of forces from Daein? A sudden explosion of speed from the Originals? He was not built to lead a country. But, the fighting he could do. And thankfully, due to that moment of foresight all those years ago, so could the rest of the country. Everyone was called to arms- this was not a military excursion, it was an all out fight for survival. He stood in silence, leaning against the guard ontop of the wall.

"Ke-..sir." It was the sentinal, Alex.

Keith turned swiftly, he had no time for their games. "Yes?"

"The Begnion forces, good news." Keith sighed in relief. "they'll be riding in by nightfall, with Dukes Tanas and Miscale leading their forces." Keith smiled, he had fought with the pair before. Looking back at the sand, he spoke "You'd be surprised how good fighters some of those senators are." "I've seen them before." "Duke Tanas is a good man." "I'm sure he is." Keith thought for a moment. "These wars...we need to make sure we don't stand divided. But for now...for now we will hope for the best. I must talk to Skyler." Keith reached into his pocket, and grabbed a sending stone. He looked at with wonder, it was fashioned into a necklace, matching his. He smiled and held it out to Alex. "This belonged to a good friend. If anything new comes up, focus on me, and what you want to say. I'll be in contact." As Alex took the Stone, fire crept up Keith from Flare, crawling around his body. "You know, I've been called a Sword Demon with the powers this sword has allowed me to weild...a Saint too." "Well I'd hardly call you a Saint." "Would you rather be led be a Demon?" "Narfea." "What?" "The legends of old, tell of a fire spirit of..unique personality. The title seems more fitting." "Well...I don't know what 'unique personality' means..but I like it. Narfea" Keith spoke as the fire covered the remaining portion of his face. "Heh. You thought of something clever for once." Keith said, cracking a smile, and was off in a flash, leaving a small disappearing trail of fire behind him. "Son of a-"

 The footsteps echoed throughout the great quiet halls of the keep. Normally, the halls would be crowded with knights and governmental officials. But today, they were off to war. If Brio fell, Daein would be next. We will not become Serenes Elliot thought to himself. The man was approaching the throne room, prepared for war. He had a long flowing black cape with its attached hood down. Shining silver sholder guard, a long sword at his hip, and deathly bow by his back. Quiver on his right hip, and elegant brown boots. His pure uniform was a deep black with red trim, carried proudly the crest of Daein. His eyes spoke of determination. He wouldn't fail Daein, or his men.

Post 2 

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Skyler sat in the throne in the throne room. This felt...odd. His right hand man, Pallas, stood by his side. Skyler was cloaked in his usual dark black clothing, while today he had donned a crimson cape that was attached by a brooch. The years had changed Skyler. While once upon a time, he had been a young man, with a lush head of dark brown hair, fierce crimson eyes, and an impulsive personality, he had long since changed. His hair had faded to a light brown-grey color, almost salt-and-pepper colored. The lines on his face seemed more evident than ever.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Officials traveled from room to room, as Skyler nonchalantly watched, carefully thinking about his position in this war. He would aid Brio, that much was certain. But after that, how would this turn out? Would war be the only option for Tellius? He hoped not. It had been at least fifteen years since he had become King, he often forgot. During these fifteen years, there had been no major wars or conflicts of any sorts. His reign had been a peaceful one, and he would have stopped fighting completely, if Pallas had not forced him to continue training, for fear of him losing his abilities to fight if there ever was such a war.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">As he began to think, he thought of all of the people he had met over the years, and in particular for some reason, he thought of the elderly sage, Arthur, whom he had met during the Dragon Wars. A sage of all sorts of magics, he had lived throughout the Dragon Wars, where thousands of people died, only to die of natural causes and old age at his home. Skyler thought of it as odd, that with as much death there was in fighting, that someone could just as easily kick the bucket in their beds, while sleeping. It unsettled him.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">A knock on the door disturbed his thoughts. The door opened, and the aid who stayed outside, spoke up and said. "Your Royal Majesty, Sir Elliot, of the Four Riders, is here."

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Thank you, send him right in," Skyler said, his voice noticeably deeper than it had been when he was younger.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto">''<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Keith...Your help is on it's way, my friend. Soon. Just wait a little longer. ''<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> Skyler thought, as the door opened up again.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 3 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"My Lord," Elliot spoke "the armies are ready to leave. If you give me permission, me my men will leave by warp powder to get ahead to the Brio capital. We'll personally inform them of what is occuring. The rest of the Army will travel largely by Wyvern," he looked at Pallas "and assumingly Pallas would lead them personally. Do we have your permission?"

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 4 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"I am not without transportation. Remember, I am known as the Wanderer King. I'm no stay at home mom," Skyler laughed. He intended to fight alongside his men.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Pallas and I shall travel by lightning." Skyler declared. After years of intense practice, he could transfer his own body into lightning, traveling into the clouds, and through the air. Over seventy-five years with Aethro had perfected this talent. "That way, you'll be there first, then Pallas and I shall arrive, and Lord Balthier shall lead our wyvern platoon, and arrive last." Skyler concluded, speaking of the third Rider of Daein.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Do you find this acceptable?" Skyler asked.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 5 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Reasonable enough." Elliot opened his mouth, but it was Keith who speaking, on fire, leaning against the door. He unlit himself. "Old friend, I can't thank you enough for your aid." he walked up to the King of Daein,leaving sparks behind him as he went, and standing in front of the man he had known for so long- he smilied. "Well, its time to fight again, I'm assuming you haven't lost your touch?" His smirk was still as young as ever, but his eyes were showing the age of his long years.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 6 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Chuckling, Skyler turned towards Keith. "I thought I smelled smoke. I'm as fine as one can be, during these turbulent times. I trust you are well, my old friend? As for the fighting, nay, I've not lost my touch, though I hope I never have to test my fighting skills. Why can't men like us just retire in peace, eh?" Skyler laughed.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 7 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"What happened to that fighting spirit?" Keith chuckled. "Besides, I would rather retire from leading than fighting myself. I'm still young. I think. Its difficult to judge being branded. I've noticed men where the age slowly but continuously, and others where it suddenly catches up to them. I fear I might be the second. Hopefully it doesn't catch up to me soon." Still, Keith grinned, still seemingly youthful, but not as he was 20 years ago. Time was catching up, just slowly. "Unfortunately, it is time for business. I understand your time table, and I feel the need to inform you, Begnion's forces are due to arrive by nightfall. By my scouts' best estimates, the enemy's forces will arive in 2 days, 3 if the desert aids us."

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 8 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"1-3 days, eh?" Skyler grimaced, sobering up. "Well, at least we've got that time. I would have assumed that they would have attacked sooner."

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Elliot, deploy the wyvern's under Lord Balthier. At best, he should be able to get there within two or three days. Hopefully we can hold out for that long. As soon as you're done, warp to Brio."

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Keith, you, Pallas and I shall leave for Brio as soon as you're ready. Hopefully, General Elliot's forces and your own can hold the The Originals off for until Lord Balthier can arrive. That will be most of Daein's men, so hopefully we'll be able to repeal the forces, long enough for a swift counterattack and end this before it truly starts."

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Skyler's logic was quick and straight-to-the-point. He may have grown older, but he was no less quick-witted to strategy.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 9 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"I believe the blitz on Serenes took much of the energy out their army. Armies don't normally move...so fast." Keith frown. He watched Elliot nod his head and walked out the door. "He's more like his father than he knows." He turned back to Skyler "But if he's working for you, he can't be that much like his father. I just hope he has his skill."

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Elliot walked out of the room, took a right and went down the hall to find his fellow General. On his way, he passed Steve. "Steve." "Sir?" "We're leaving soon." "Yes, sir." Steve nodded his head, and abruptly turned. Steve understood, there was a strange fear of this new army. Most of the dragons had left...but yet powerful dragons led these armies. And they had simply shoved Serenes aside as if it was a village-not a country. Steve entered the barracks, where Elliot's elite force was preparing. Expert marksmen, duelist, lancers. Each member was held to incedibly high standards, but were some of the best equiped men in Daein. "Be ready. We leave in 5."

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Elliot found Lord Balthier at last. "Balthier," Elliot rarely used proper titles "it is time. Move out." He spoke with dreaded authority. The quiet before the storm seemingly infected every area Elliot entered, and it stood with Lord Balthier as Elliot left to his men.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 10 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"True. He's a man of high value. A one of a kind soldier. Shall we leave?" Skyler asked.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">---

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Right," Balthier replied. A gruff, hardy man, Balthier was a natural wyvern captain and general.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 11 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"I hope when you leave, you don't underestimate them. After all, you don't know anything about them, and they're the ones attacking. Perhaps it would be best if you exercise caution. Remember, as the defending force, you win as long as you repel the invading army." said Kiroshima, dropping down from the ceiling manifesting from the darkness. "Hey, long time no see."

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 12 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Well..." Keith had to wonder, Kiroshima always managed to arrive with something significant was happening. "We'll do our best to not underestimate them. Besides, we have me." Keith gave his usual smirk, with a friendly twist. "Meet you there." Keith replied to the King Daein, his old friend, Skyler as he lit aflame, instaneously. In a flash, he was gone.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Focus on the Brio Capital." Elliot order his men, crowded in the barracks. "Warp powder out." The entire group prepared a pinchful. "Now!" Elliot ordered, throwing the powder he disappeared with a loud crack and reappeared in the Brio capital, and within a few loud cracks later, his men with him.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"General Elliot."

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">It was Alex, looking down at the Daein men from the wall surrounding the great city. "Alex."

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Glad to have you."

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 13 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Oh, I didn't realize he was the trump card." said Kiroshima, with a shrug. "When there's a problem, kill it with fire, or rather, Keith. I suppose that makes sense... Sooooo Skyler, you won't mind if I hang on to your shadow, do you? I don't really feel like warp powder right now."

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 14 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Skyler chuckled; this seemed to be a day for old friends. "Of course. Pallas, you should hang on, as well." Skyler called out, to Pallas, his guard.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Very well," Pallas stated, as he grabbed on to Skyler's sword.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"See you guys on the other side," Skyler said, with a wink. A flash of lightning later, and they were all gone.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Alright men, let's go!" Baltheir stated, as he led the sizable Wyvern forces of Daein. The one hundred plus wyvern riders and lords flew into the air, moving at high altitude speeds. They had not been flying for more than two hours, when they noticed a shape in the sky.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Balthier, lord, there's something in the sky!" A soldier called out.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Begnion Pegasus? Trample 'em if it is. They're no match for Daein Wyvern riders!" Balthier proudly declared.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"It's too big for a wyvern or pegasus, and it's coming closer, and a fairly fast pace! It seems to be a...no...that's not...not possible-! IT'S A DRAGON!" The soldier declared loudly, screaming.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Wha-! Dragon's! 'Ere supposed to be on some island, right?" Balthier asked.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"I don't know sure, but it's coming faster." It was true. The black shape was approaching at an alarmingly fast pace.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Halt! What is it you want, Dragon?" Balthier demanded, unsheathing his axe.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"...death," the dragon growled, it's crimson scales glinting maliciously in the light. It opened it's mouth, and fired a beam of energy straight towards Balthier and the group.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">The beam hit Balthier and passed through him, disintegrating muscle and bone. The dragon moved the beam and focused on another, and slowly began to phase the beam out, until nearly everybody had been hit. One wyvern rider was left.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"What is your name, rider of Daein?" the Dragon growled, closing the beam of energy.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"C-...Cruz," the man stammered.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Flee, Cruz of Daein. Tell your liege what has happened here. That I alone have destroyed at least half of the army of Daein, by myself. But know this. I am no force of Begnion, Crimea, or any other country. No, not even of Goldoa; especially not of Goldoa. Tell King Skyler, the Wanderer King, that I did this to test my strength, nothing else. No personal debts remain between us. Tell him that his Rider died proudly, and that Brio and Daein shall now be ruled by Begnion. I am no member of The Original, nor do I even sympathize with them." The black dragon ranted.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Cruz nodded, and promptly, flew off into the distance. The dragon lowered himself to the ground, and shifted back to his human form, panting.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"I can't...do that...anymore. Turning into a laguz takes more and more energy off of my already diminished life expectancy. It's already bad enough that I can't even turn into a dragon anymore by natural means; I have to use those accursed Laguz Stones to get enough energy to shift." The man panted, an onyx blade hung at his waist.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">A bolt of lightning later, Skyler, Pallas, and Kiro all landed in Brio.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Hm...a lot sandier than I remember," Skyler laughed.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 15 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Keith arrived at the Brio capital, appearing suddenly infront of Elliot, who did his best to hold any reaction. Keith turned to face Elliot, and smilied. "Well you beat me." "Warp powder is rather fast." "I know, your father made sure I knew about that." Elliot gave a weak smilied in return. Keith smilied back, turning in to a man of fire. With incredible speed, he climbed the wall, and stood next to Alex. His flame left him, and he asked "Anything new?" "Dark spot, on the horizon. Approaching fast." Alex replied, pointing in the direction. "Hmmm" Keith stared at it. "Very fast. It's not an army...Miss Miscale! It must be the Senator from Begnion! She must've gone ahead to join us and share any good news, and surely her appearance is great news."

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 16 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Why do I have such a bad feeling about this, all of a sudden...?" Skyler muttered, joining his friend by his side. "This whole situation worries me, where did these Originals come from, anyway?" He asked.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 17 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"That damn island." Keith's mind trailed back to that singular event, oh so long ago. He turned swiftly to his friend. "Remember that man? Logan-with the staff?" He faced away, grimancing. "He claimed he was Fetelo's grandfather...that wasn't the only thing he claimed." Keith closed his eyes, that island always seemed to come back to haunt him. "He said there was a larger threat...I think this is what he was refering too." Keith paced for a moment. "If so...these guys are old." He turned to his friend. "Really old. They've been building their strength for a long time then." He leaned back on a crate. "Well. It could be worse."

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 18 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Logan...he was a dragon, if I'm correct. A white one. He blackmailed me, for helping to save Draco, the cat," Skyler remembered. "True, it could be a lot worse. We could already be dead. But to think that they've been gathering in strength for this long...How could they have not gotten involved in the Dragon War?" Skyler wondered aloud.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 19 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Keith flashbacked.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto">''<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"I demand that you parentless win this battle, so you may wiped out all at once tomorrow. It doesn't matter if you win tonight, you're dying anyways." "You first." Keith replied, lighting aflame. ''<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"They were. They were there, with Goldoa. We just didn't realize it. One of them, a White Dragon, was leading their army in the attack. My intelligence places him at the lead of the Originals. His name is Adam...he's stronger than he would seem, and that's saying something for a dragon." Keith replied, ending with a sigh.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Part 20 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Adam...you fought with him, if I recall." Skyler remembered. "What a long time ago."

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">The onyx-bladed man took out a pinch of warp powder and hurled it to the ground. He disappeared with a loud crack, and reappeared, right where he intended. At Brio. Talking with a nearby soldier, he said, "I would like to enlist with the army. I'm Branded, and I fear that I'll be killed if I don't fight, so I might as well fight back."

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 21 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Yes. It didn't end with one of us dying, as you can tell." Keith watched Miscale, she was approaching rapidly. "We're going to have a guest soon," Keith called out "prepare for her!"

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman""> "Are you a cit-...it doesn't matter. Feel free to join." The officer replied, it wouldn't matter Brio would take all the help it could get.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 22 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"What would I have to do? My name's Ashton, by the way," the onyx-bladed man spoke, giving his name finally.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Duchess Miscale...It's certainly been a long time since I've seen her last," Skyler thought out loud.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 23 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"As fierce as ever, I'm sure. None the less, I wish I had more information. What are their main forces comprised of?" asked Kiroshima.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 24 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"As far as I'm concerned, front line." The officer replied, before getting called away. He was frantically busy before the impending battle.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Well...looks like you're about to get your chance." Keith spoke, and moments later a black blur flew by him and skyrocketed. When Miscale floated down, she was unshifted. "Lord Keith. King Skyler." She spoke with her unmistakable Serenes accent.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 25 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Duchess Miscale, I am honored to be in your presence, once again," Skyler spoke, bowing his head a little.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Thank you for coming."

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 26 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">She nodded her head, and turned to face the man she did not know. "Their army according to our intelligence is filled with all different laguz and beorc, but not a branded, or actually a heron, amonst them-as expected. Their dragon force is relatively small, but powerful.." She spoke rapidly. "Our forces will be here with a few hours. They should be on the horizon of your eyes already." "Indeed" Keith replied. "The Prime Minister is leading the Begnion forces personally." "I'm glad." Keith replied. "Although I haven't known him for long, I trust him with my life." Keith said thoughtfully. "And I suppose through this war I will."

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 27 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"What forces do we have at our disposal, or their current method of attack? How your troops are arrayed is critical." said Kiroshima. "Specifically, what kind of mages do we have here?"

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 28 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Kiroshima my friend, we have every mage Brio could muster. A wider variety." Keith replied. "Our plan is to meet them out in the desert, for a time. Our warriors will be more experienced fighting in the desert than them. If we can hold them away from the city- the better. We have seige weapons ready to fire upon their army, snipers watching the skies. Once the momentum has left us we will retreat back to the city and regroup. We hope to delay enough that The Original have to halt their attack, at least for a bit. All we have to do for now is repel them." Alex added a reply. "And...more importantly we hope to use the fight as cover." Keith added. "We figure if we knock the head off, the rest of the body will fall. If we can either draw out their leaders- hence meeting them out in the desert- or find them by lengthening the battle, we can kill them. And The Originals." "We know at least 3 of their eight leaders are expected to be leading their forces already. A white dragon, and 2 beorc." Alex added. "Which leaves 3 dragons, and 2 beorcs after those 3." Keith finished the general plan.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 29 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman""> "This sounds familiar, like the last time we split up. So, who's going where then?" asked Kiroshima. "Also, you may want to add in a group of mages who will lay hidden in the dunes. If you have any cloaks or capes colored like the sands, they could easily ambush the enemy and retreat using their spirits to guide them. Unless they are leading with mages of their own, you'll be able to harass them quite a bit this way."

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman""> Post 30

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman""> "The enemy will have mages. But the battles in Serenes were so swift we have no clue if they will lead with them." Miscale piped in.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Well there you go Kiro...well I think its a good idea. Alex." Keith said, the last bit commanding. "Will do." Alex replied, without grudge. Even he realized it was to serious to resist Keith.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 31 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Quite a good idea. Also, I have an idea. Keith, Kiro, and I are stronger than most Beorc and Branded alike. We could 'sniff' out the enemy leaders, and engage them. With our combined skills, we should be able to take down at least one, if not both, of the Beorc Generals." Skyler added.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"We should be able to take down at least one, if not both, of the Beorc Generals." "King Skyler...A good plan, but please, allow me to join as well." Ashton said, walking towards the group.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"And who would you be?" Skyler asked, keeping a hand on his sword hilt just in case.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Ashton, Ashton Burke. I'm a Branded who is part of the Army here. I have some pretty unique combat related talents that could help in the fighting of their leaders." Ashton replied.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 32 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Hmmm" Keith thought for a moment. I've never heard of this man before... He looked out. "We will decide tonight who will go out onto the field, when the full Begnion force arrives. Skyler, when should your Daein men arrive?"

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 33 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"I thought they took the warp powder method, if I assume correctly. Or did Daien not incorporate warp powder to its armed forces?" asked Kiroshima. "Nevertheless, they'd be weary from either trip, so we'd have to wait anyways."

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 34 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Elliot laughed. "The Daein forces are much larger than what can be transported with available warp powder. My men, an elite group, came here with warp powder. The rest are flying."

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 35 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"We did, Kiro, but we left the Wyvern Platoon to arrive on their own means of travel. They should be here within the next day. Most likely by nightfall." Skyler replied. To Ashton, he said, "Very well. I'll allow you to fight. However, betray us, and you'll have to deal with both The Wanderer King and the Narfea, you got that?" Skyler threatened.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Y-yes sir," Ashton said. Idiot...When I start killing...that's when things start getting interesting. He thought, with a maniacal thought.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 36 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Very well. For now, we will relax. When the Begnion forces arrive we shall continue planning." Keith spoke. He walked away, leaving a whisp of smoke behind him. As he walked away he grabbed the sending stone from around his neck, taking it off and looking at it. Fetelo...

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 37 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"What, I don't get mentioned? Then again, I don't have a title, so it's a moot point. Hmm, what should I be called... Eh, who cares. Titles mean nothing to me, they don't help you at all." said Kiroshima with a sigh.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 38 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"How about The Twilight Warrior, eh?" Skyler joked, clapping Kiro on the back.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto">''<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">They...they have no idea. No idea of my power!! Baahaaahaaha! ''<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> Ashton laughed, inside his head. He couldn't wait until the fighting began.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 39 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"That's boring compared to Keith's. I mean, he gets to be the Narfea and I'm just an adjective plus a noun. You're a noun plus a noun! Neither of which are proper!" exclaimed Kiroshima. "But it's ok, it doesn't matter."

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 40 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Well, I wanted to be The Thunder God, but Pallas thought it smacked of vanity," Skyler joked again. Speaking of Pallas, it seemed that he had run off.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 41 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto">''<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Will it ever stop...? ''<span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> thought a young man as he watched how Brio's citizens prepared for war, again. It still feels like it was just yesterday... He remembered back, to the Dragons war and how one of Goldoa's forces tried to storm Tuscano like a horde of savage beasts. And during this time he was among those dragons, before becoming a traitor to help his friends. Fortunately it was the right choice back then but this time, the dragon is not quite sure if he should join the fray once more. He hated fighting, especially war which he had to witness several times. Mad King's war, the Goddess' war, the Dragons war... he lived throughout them all and couldn't believe that another one threatens to destroy the peace on Tellius.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">But despite hating war so much, he could never live it down to ignore what's going on, so he decided on coming to Brio to see what his friends are doing and if they are able to figure it out. If possible without revealing himself, since Ysera asked him to. Thus he cautiously comes closer to the building where they all are in, his dirty, white traveling cloak fluttering slightly in the sandy breeze that sweeps across the paths.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 42 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"I didn't realize you finally settled down on a magical element, Skyler. Thunder, huh, what is it about thunder that you bonded with?" inquired Kiroshima.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 43 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Well, Aethro's always been bonded with Thunder, something that the dragon's did when they forged the blade for me, way back before the Mad King's War. I only recently discovered it, during the Dragons War, and have been making modifications to it in the fifteen or so years after I became King." Skyler explained. "That was how I was able to get here, from Daein."

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto">''<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Thunder..? He would be a very...very...very...interesting subject to torture. I wonder if his dear Thunder would help him when I slice his head open like an overripe melon! ''<span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">, Ashton thought with glee.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 44 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> Fetelo.. Keith was by himself, in a quiet room. Fetelo...

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Hello Keith."

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Keith opened his eyes. He was in darkness, just him and Fetelo lit up. "Woah."

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"You called?" Fetelo asked. The sage had thought nothing of the situation. His expertise with sending stones had grown as his hair whitened- his once playful dyed white patch was now the sole brown patch of hair on top of his head. "Are you coming?" "I am trying." "We could use your help. I could use your help." "...The enemy is between us. Going around will take a long time." "You're not coming." "I figured..I figured I will lead a guerrilla force out here." Keith frown. It did not bode well, he felt. "Very well. I wish you luck." Keith was ready to cut off the connection, but Fetelo spoke up. "Keith." "Yes?" "Don't die." "I never do."

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 45 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Just after setting one step into the building the dragon stopped in his tracks, there is another one of his kin among them. He could sense it right away but is unable to put that feeling to the right person. And for a moment he stood there, wondering if the other would also notice his presence. Because unlike most other races, dragons are able to develop an extra sense for tracking down fellow brethren and sisters. And it's because of that they are able to use sending stones much easier too. Ysera... he thought, touching a dim, green glimmering stone underneath his cloak. but no response came. With a heavy sigh the dragon removed his touch to the sending stone and continued his way, trying to eavesdrop on different people in hope to hear some good news for a change till night rises.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 46 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Ashton froze; there was a dragon among them. He knew not when he had arrived, but he could sense it now.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto">''<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Dragon...blood tastes better than all of the others. Yum...Can't wait to meet you, my pretty dragon. ''<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman""> Ashton licked his lips.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 47 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">A horn sounded.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">In a flash, Keith was at the gate.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Lord Keith, if you could let us in?" It was the Prime Minister of Begnion. He had a calm, peaceful, yet fun look on him. He handled war better than most, if not all.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Of course." Keith returned the grin, signalling for the gates to be opened. And when they did, red flowed into the city, and the forces of Begnion entered.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Keith jumped over obstacles, dodged moving men, and worked his way to the Prime Minister. "Prime Minister." "Hello Keith. Its unfortunate that it takes a war for us to see eachother proper." "It is." Keith replied, shaking the hand of the Prime Minister. "Come, we must discuss strategy, unfortunately." He led the man to the war room, as others were summoned- Elliot, Miscale, Kiroshima, and Skyler.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 48 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Skyler yawned, as he returned to the front gate. He needed a good nap. He noticed that most of the others were already gathered, not to mention the newcomer, Ashton.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto">''<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Oh, here comes Skyler, the Thunder God. Oh, how I wanted to slit his throat while he slept, but I mustn't raise attention to myself, no not now. ''<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> Ashton thought to himself.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 49 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman""> A broken sword swung through the air. Gray-eyed Dement's arm windmilled at her sides, while she walked through the desert.The other lay bloody and limp at her side, leaving a red trail in the sand. Paz followed a few feet behind her, non-trusting of the sword whipping along with his companion's arm. He decided to fly up and see if they were any closer to Brio's capitol. Luckily, they only had a little ways to go, after they pass over a rather large dune. He smiled and put his hand over his heart. - A Begnion soldier looked behind him as something flew over the dune behind him, and almost had a heart-attack. "Just Imagining things!" He muttered, following his fellow soldiers into the capitol.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 50 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Alright. Its time we discussed strategy. Our latest scout reports have the enemy arriving roughly late tomorrow night- half a day earlier than expected." Keith spoke, and paused. "Our basic plan is to meet them on in the desert, retreat when the momentum leaves us, and to draw out their leaders. The question becomes, what do we do if they stop for the night? It seems likely, considering the number of laguz in their army- birds would practically be blind, but cats would find guarding the enemy camp rather easy." He paused. "So, do we send a small force to damage early? It will be tricky, if they take too long it will be suicide. And if they are caught early by guards, it won't be worth it at all."

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 51 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">From distance Silver noticed that they are gathering together and decides to observe them first before doing any other action. Something around here makes me feel sick...

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 52 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Well, what you could do, is assign a squad of our own cats to carry some kind of marker, which, upon finding the enemy camp, could be turned into a beacon of sorts. They would then somehow place these beacons around or in their camp, allowing for a group of wyverns carrying some type of heavy weaponry to bombard from the air." reasoned Kiroshima. "Then we could use a few more beacons to guide them back home."

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 53 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Keith looked at the Prime Minister of Begnion. "Hmm?" Keith laughed. "You're in Brio. Finding a cat laguz here will be difficult." "Oh. Well I'm afraid the number of Begnion laguz we brought were small...I can't leave my country undefended. I maximized the amount of Mages the senate would allow me to bring, which meant sacrfices..." "We brought no Wyverns" Senator Miscale added. "The senate refused to let their personal fighting force leave them." Duke Tanas sighed. Keith frowned. "The Daein army should arrive by then, correct? Well I wouldn't worry about the wyverns. Our branded won't be able to see as well as their cat laguz, but we can see as well as any beorc in the dark." "If the wyverns take too long they'll be devestated by Adam." Alex replied. "They won't be able to sneak away in the sky, and they won't get away fast enough- the enemy will definitely be outside the range of our seige weaponry if they stop." "This is true. But, if it is properly executed, it could work wondefully." Keith replied. "Our own flying force is minimal- it is difficult to maintain Pegasus or Wyverns in the desert enviorment for long. Only our outskirt towns will have them, and then they're practically the entire fighting force. While every citizen of Brio has been called to duty, not all have been called to the capital." Keith turned to Skyler, "Its up to you. Are you willing to risk Daein men on this? For it will be them in the air, most vulnerable."

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 54 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto">''<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Figures, never have what we need. ''<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman""> "Well, I suppose as long as the wyverns will arrive, I can do the marking process. I should be able to move faster than anything they field, and if it's at night, I can hide more easily than the rest as well. Plus, I have my Light magic to use as beacons." proposed Kiroshima.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 55 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Excellent. I doubt they'll see this coming." Keith replied, satisfied with the plan. "It will probably aggrevate them greatly, so we can expect an early attack. However, it'll probably guarentee them a bad night's rest." Keith smirked at the thought. "That should help us a bit." "Alright, let's discuss the plan for the next day. Elliot, I'd like you and your snipers to stay in the city, and watch over the skies." "Fair enough." "I'll lead the attacking force personally. I was thinking about Kiro's plan-about the mages- from earlier. I figured if I lead a small force out, we can quickly retreat." "Make it look like you overexteneded yourself." Duke Tanas spoke up. "Exactly, as they lead chase, we can lead them right over the Dunes where we can hide our mages. It should be a devestating ambush, if it works out well. Objections?"

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 56 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Daein wyvern riders will prevail. They always have, from Asnard's mad rule, to mine. They'll prevail here, as well," Skyler stated, simply.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"I have a question. Where would I be during this fighting? Would I be with you, Keith?"

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 57 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto">''<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">To hide in the dunes... no, that plan will backfire. ''<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman""> Silver thought as he listened without them knowing.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">“Objections?"

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">“I do.” he responded, his decision made. He moved over to the group but still kept some distance to them. Why? Because he only trusts three of them. “The wind hasn't stopped howling for days... tomorrow a storm will rise and I'm sure it will last for a while.” he tells quite confident.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 58 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Hmm...if a storm starts late enough it would be impossible to set a trap properly. Too early and we won't be able to perform the night attack. Storms in Brio are hard to predict, but are swift." He spoke. "I doubt we'll be lucky enough however to pull of both stratagies." Keith glanced over at Silver. ''Where did he come from? So suddenly...'' "But, Skyler. If you wish to come out onto the field with me, weather permitting, you may."

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 59 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto">''<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Silver...when did you arrive? ''<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman""> Skyler thought to himself. "Very well. I'll accompany you." Skyler said aloud.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 60 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Silver smiled a little after watching the two and turned around to take his leave again. They are well prepared, at least he thinks so and he doesn't feel like they needed him either. That somehow relieves the dragon. Yet I should tell them about the war...just to make sure.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 61 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Well then, meeting adjourned? Until tomorrow." Keith spoke, and left the room, and when he did, disappeared in a flash of fire, off to his personal room.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 62 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Bah, how can fire be more elegant than thunder. Yet whenever I try to teleport into my room, the stone tile breaks, my bed catches aflame, and it causes three soldiers to burst into my room, thinking I've been assassinated," Skyler muttered, mostly to himself, as he walked to his own room, as well.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 63 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Duke Tanas rose an eyebrow, and sighed. He needed a room. He left the building, and found the nearest Brio local to escort him to a usuable room, at the same time Elliot left to join his men in the quarters provided for them earlier.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 64 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Pallas followed his fellow Rider to the barracks.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Elliot...Do you think it's weird that Balthier hasn't arrived yet? Granted, he had a longer journey, but by wyvern travel, he should have arrived about an hour ago." Pallas whispered, as the two walked to the barracks.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 65 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"No..I think they might've rested along the way. Riding a wyvern at night isn't always a good idea, and they didn't know that the Originals Army was going to arrive sooner then originally expected." Elliot thought for a moment. "They'll probably arrive early in the morning. You might as well get some rest, don't worry."

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 66 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Hm, I suppose you're right," Pallas conceded. He was too old for this stuff. When he met Skyler, he was already older than most Beorc. He could still fight, but he had perhaps seen his golden age gone by. He would probably retire within a few years. "You get some rest, as well. We'll probably have a big day tomorrow." Stroking his whitened beard, he began to walk towards his room.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 67 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Kiroshima followed Silver out, and poked him in the head. "Hey, you, feels like you're forgetting someone." said Kiroshima. "Anyways, why does it feel like you're hiding? We don't bite. Well, I don't, at least, can't say the same about Keith. It may not be your battle, but old friends can hang out, right?"

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 68 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Silver disappeared among the soldiers and citizens in town, until Kiroshima poked his head. “H-hey, I'm not really hiding. I just don't like being in the spotlight, that's all.” the dragon responded with a friendly smile, while his hands hold onto the green sending stone once again. Why doesn't she answer... he asked himself, hoping nothing terrible happened. Suddenly though the stone began to get a fiery red glow. "Oh dear..."

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">At the same moment, far, far away a red shadow reached Tellius southern coast, heading directly in blazing speed through the skies of Begnion towards Brio. And that shadow is not in a friendly mood at all...

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 69 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Oh dear? What is 'oh dear'?" asked Kiroshima. "I dislike oh dear, it usually preludes to bad things happening. So, are you gonna tell me, or is it already here?"

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 70 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">“He's not here yet, fortunately maybe.” Silver answered, looking up to the sky in distance. “Do you remember Kaleth...? My sending stone is reacting to his.” ''Why is he here though? This is odd..''

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 71 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"I thought we were done with fighting other dragons after the war, but I guess not. Come with me, we'll find Keith and tell him what's coming... Wait, I don't know where he went after the meeting... Hmm... I suppose we should just wait, how long do we have you think, assuming he was flying straight here?"

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 72 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> “To be honest...maybe two hours, or a day. Depending if he uses Blaze...which he usually doesn't. And I'm sure he doesn't plan on engaging Brio, not all by himself anyways.” whispered Silver, his sending stone now fully glowing red in reaction to Kaleth's one. “Alright...let me correct that. One hour.” Post 73

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Elliot nodded to his fellow rider, and found a pillow, and a bed. He stared at the ceiling, unable to get sleep. Something just didn't make sense. Its like they came out of nowhere... He sighed, and pushed the thoughts out of his mind.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 74 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"So, since we only have that long, shall we go out and meet him?" asked Kiroshima. "I don't feel like looking for Keith, that'll take longer then an hour. So, might as well do something about it."

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 75 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">“Mmm... yes, let's go and meet him before he accidentally causes everyone here to panic by just showing up.” said Silver, sighing shortly as he start to jog into the direction Kaleth would come from. “But be ready for everything, just in case.”

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman""> Bonk! Bonk!

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">It suddenly sounded from the window in Elliot's room, a certain black haired and cat tailed rogue knocking against the glass after noticing the beorc was still awake. “Oi, over here.” his voice tried to tell the soldier through the glass, with a grin on his face.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 76 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Elliot's head snapped to the window. "Huh?" He went over to the window. "Well hello."

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman""> Post 77

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">“Hehe, hey you.” the rogue responded, still talking through the glass. “How about you open that window, hm?” he asked while his cat tail waved behind him. “I got something for you.”

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 78 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman""> Elliot leaned against the window sill. "And what would that be?"

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman""> Post 79

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman""> “You'll see when you open up that window.” sighed Takeo and crossed his arms in front of his chest, waiting.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 80 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Hmmm well I don't know..." Elliot smirked, but opened up the window anyway. What's the worse that could happen?

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 81 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">“Finally...thanks.” said Takeo and climbed inside, dusting the sand off his clothes after doing so. “Well, now for that surprise...but first...” he sighed and took in a deep breath before suddenly giving the back of Elliot's head a smack. “That's for last time, as you pinned me with one of your arrows on the battlefield.” he muttered as he pulled his arm back, to remove a dagger from his belt. “Here, this is for you."

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 82 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman""> "It was an accident." Elliot swore. "Reflexed die ha-..what's this?" He asked, caught off guard by the knife. He held it, unaware of whatever its importance was.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman""> Post 83

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">“It belonged to your father.” Takeo told him and leaned back against the wall. “I found it among my things the other day ago... and figured you should rather have it than me.” he said, his thoughts trailing off to when Fred stabbed him with that single dagger and almost killed him. ''Man... it sure got boring after he died...''

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 84 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Oh..." Elliot looked at the dagger, unsure what to say. "Thank you." Elliot smilied, and put the dagger away.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 85 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Pallas shifted in his bed, when he heard the window open.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Elliot? Is that you?" He called out.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 86 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Takeo smiled back and yawned afterwards. “Well, why can't you sleep?” he asked Elliot and watched him.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">“Hm...” Silver stopped after he and Kiroshima left town, the wide open, dark desert lying in front of them now. The dragon searched off the sky and found what he was looking for in not to far away distance, a burning glimmer of red growing and coming closer with each second passing. “Wait here, I will try an-” Silver started to speak before something in flames passed between them. “Or not... KALETH!” he tried calling after the fire but it already had disappeared within Tuscano.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Just moments later the red dragon blasts open the doors of the main building, small fires still burning on the door's remain while he already was normal again. With a grim face he looked at the first couple of guards and reaches for Blaze again. "Where's Skyler!?" he damanded for answer.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 87 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Skyler opened the doors to his room, and heard a large roar.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto">''<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Where's Skyler!?" ''<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Funny...That sounded almost like... <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman""> Skyler thought, as he turned the corner.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Kaleth? What are you doing here?" He called out, looking down at him from the balcony.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 88 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Keith put out his flames. Or he would have, had he been on fire. Strange... Keith looked at Flare, which hardly look liked it had done anything recently. Poor fellow probably just wants some real action...soon enough my old sword. Keith stood up, and walked of his room, he was awake now so he figured he'd take a short walk.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Yea, Pallas, don't worry I'm fine!" Elliot called. To Takeo he hissed "Because my window was being attacked. And because I'm not tired. And because I feel like somethings wrong..."

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 89 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">“There you are...” the dragon growled in anger, unsheathing Blaze and pointing it up towards the other swordsman. “Spit it out, where is she?!” Kaleth roared, flames slowly breaching from the sword again while his golden yellow dragon eyes glared at Skyler.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">“Attacked? Oh please...” Takeo laughed. “Well, why do you feel something is wrong?”

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 90 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Yawning, Pallas laid back down. "If you say so. I guess everything's alright," he muttered, having no idea what was going on with his King.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Who are you talking about Kaleth? Let's put the swords away and talk about this," Skyler said, as he jumped the balcony and landed in front of Kaleth.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 91 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"I don't know...its a bad feeling. Something seems weird about this war." Elliot sighed.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 92 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> “Now, really? That's something new.” muttered Takeo, hearing the same from his twin sister every day. “Hmm... well, I can always knock you out cold if you can't sleep.”

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Kaleth stared into Skyler's eyes for a moment before the fires extinguished again, the red dragon taking in deep breaths. “...You know exactly who I'm talking about...” he responded to the other king, still with a furious tone. "I hope for you she's okay..."

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 93 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Ha. I'll be fine. So, will you be joining us in the fighting?" Elliot asked, although he had to have his doubts even if Takeo said yes.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 94 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Kaleth. I've no idea who you're talking about. If you want my help, you'll need to clarify," Skyler said, again.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 95 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Kiroshima, noticing Silver's failed attempt at negotiation, quickly activated Flash. "See you in a bit." he said, before following Kaleth, which was hard, because Kiroshima was limited to the ground and Kaleth was not.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Reaching the destroyed doorway, Kiroshima leaned against a wall and supressed his presence. If things went bad, he'd at least be there to help.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 96 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">“Maaaaybe.” Takeo answered. “You know, I'm old and rusty. I rather should stay at home and miss out the action to rest my aching back.” he said with with a wink and grinned.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">A low growl came from the enraged dragon again as he answered: “Ysera..who else?! Where is she, Skyler?!!"

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Silver sighed and shook his head. "Is fast travel that popular already?" he asked aloud and runs back normally.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 97 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Ysera's missing? What reason do you have to believe that I know where she is?" Skyler asked, getting very nervous. If Ysera had been kidnapped somehow by The Originals, then they could blackmail the Dragon King into pulling his weight with their side and against his allies.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 98 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">“You and Silver are the only ones that know the way to the island...” Kaleth still growled, a little louder again. “Only that you are able to travel faster than him and have that cursed lighting sword too which easily overpowers her...” said the dragon and glares at Aethro, having a hard time believing that Skyler has nothing to do with Ysera's disappearance. Plus he doesn't know about the Originals yet, not even that war threatens Brio.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 99 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Go figure" Elliot snorted, he wasn't particullarly surprised.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">If it wasn't for Kaleth's forceful entrance, it is possible that Keith wouldn't have had a clue of what was happening. But when he saw a destroyed door- that clearly was not there before- he couldn't help but investigate. He crept up to the entrance, and hiding on the otherside he pulled out Flare and listened in.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 100 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"You think I kidnapped her?" Skyler asked, incredulous. He almost burst out laughing, though that would have been bad. "Kaleth, I'm about to fight a war here; I don't have time to even entertain that thought," Skyler chided as he turned around.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Perhaps after the fighting's over, I'll help look for her, but I actually have to discuss war strategies with my adviser at the moment."

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 101 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Maybe I should go ask Silver about this... <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman""> thought Kiroshima. He silently slipped away to look for Silver.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 102 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Who just came, a little out of breath. “What happened?” Silver asked Kiroshima right away before looking through the door over to his king.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Kaleth vision darkened as Skyler turned his back at him and a few red scales expanded out of his skin as he clutched his fists together. “War?” he asked, keeping himself back just yet.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 103 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Skyler half-turned around and raised an eyebrow. "You haven't heard? A group of nutters is going around, exterminating Branded. My kind is a dying species, Kaleth, and unless we fight, pretty soon it'll just be Laguz and Beorc in the world."

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 104 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Uh, Silver, is Ysera ok? She seems to be missing. And Kaleth is mad because of that. Can you do something?" asked Kiroshima.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 105 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">“No I haven't... And I don't want to get involved in this war either but... tell me, who exactly is your enemy?” said Kaleth, hoping a tiny bit to hear from Skyler that other dragons are with the group, which would turn his suspicion down against his friend for now.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">“What!? Ysera is missing?!” said Silver in shock but it all made sense to him now. That's why she hasn't replied for so long... he thought and stared to the ground. “I will try to talk with him... but I cant promise anything.” he whispered then and carefully approached the broken door, where Keith was as well. Blinking he stopped next to him. "Hey, what's happening in there?" he asked, to find out how mad Kaleth is.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 106 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"I don't have long to talk. They're mostly Beorc, but from what Keith has told me, for some reason, Dragon Laguz have been leading some of them for now," Skyler explained.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 107 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"I think this is when I jump in...I think its safe, Silver. Why don't you come with me." Keith answered, and walked in. "4 Dragons, 4 beorcs lead them. We suspect even more dragons are in their army however, and they do have plenty of other laguz...no branded though. Go figure."

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 108 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"I suppose I'm done then. I'll just listen from a corner, call me when you need me." Walking to a corner, Kiroshima leaned his back against it and began to relax. Just a bit.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 109 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Kaleth's eyes moved to Keith and Silver, before he sighs a little relieved about the news, even though it didn't brought Ysera back. “If that's true... I apologize for suspecting you, Skyler.” he said in a calm voice now, the scales reverting back while he sheathed Blaze. He's still angry though but manages to cool down to normal. Silver... what are you doing here? he asked his fellow dragon through his sending stone then, without having to touch it because they are close enough to each other.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto">''<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">I heard from the war...and wanted to find out more about it to tell Ysera.. but she hasn't answered since days now.. ''<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman""> Silver responded and bows his head. I'm sorry, I should have tried talking to you instead...

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Don't worry about it... <span style="font-size: 12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> returned Kaleth. But do you know more about those Originals?

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto">''<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Unfortunately, no... ''<span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">“Fine.” said Kaleth out aloud then and turned back to look at Skyler.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 110 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Skyler merely nodded, "So what happens now?" He asked either of them. "Do we know when they plan to attack?"

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman""> Post 111

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Well that was rude... <span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> Keith thought, he knew the dragons had access to sending stones, and he had enough experience with them that he could guess the dragons odd silence was them talking. Nothing I can do about it.... "Cya." Keith said to Skyler as he left, and looked at Kaleth, and then realized he still had Flare drawn. "Oh..." He sheathed the blade. "So...will you join us in this battle or am I just extending my hospitality for the heck of it?" Keith was never quite the diplomatic type, and trying to be a diplomat and country leader had quickly worn him out more than all the fighting in the world-for him this war was a break.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman""> Post 112

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">“I don't think Kaleth shou-” Silver tried to say but was cut off by his king. “For the meantime you have me on your side. Just tell me when you need my help.” the red dragon responded and faced Keith. “Flare... I see you're still taking good care of it.”

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman""> “Right...” sighed Silver to himself. Why did I know he would start to talk about it? he thought and left the two, going back to Kiroshima. “Well, I guess we are going to stay and join the war..”

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 113 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Of course," Keith replied to Kaleth. "I always have." He place his hand on the sword, both as an act of pride of the sword, and of an act of caution. "Anyway, unless there's anything else you would like to know, I suggest we all get some sleep. Tomorrow is our last day before the fight."

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 114 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"True," Skyler said, as he turned to go to bed. "Night."

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 115 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Oh? Then perhaps you can teach me a thing or two about using a bow, then. I'm not that good at using one yet." said Kiroshima. "You DO still use a bow, right?"

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 116 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">“Of course.” responded Silver with a smile, putting off his cloak to reveal the quiver and bow tied across his back. “What exactly is it you need help with?”

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman""> “I see... alright. I won't bother you any longer then.” said Kaleth and headed back out of the building, shortly glancing at the burned doors before planting himself down nearby with his back leaned against a wall and Blaze resting within his crossed arms and against his shoulder. The dragon closed his eyes but doesn't sleep, worrying to much about his wife and child, which would come anytime soon, if it hasn't already. Just hang on a little longer Ysera...

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 117 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Alright then." Keith replied, smiling as the dragon walked out. Once Kaleth had left the building, Keith lit aflame, and leaving a quickly disappearing firey trail, swiftly moved back to his quarters to get some sleep.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 118 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Well, it's the problem that... I have no training in a bow aside from what I've done myself. I think my arrows are close enough to the real thing, the bow has the real feel, but I don't know the spirit of archery. That is what I don't know." said Kiroshima, shaping Eclipse, his shadow bow. "What is it that seperates this from just hurling spells at my foes?"

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 119 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Keith," Skyler muttered, from the blackness near Keith's room. "This is bad. You heard what Kaleth said, that only Silver and I know where the island is. And I know that I never did anything with that info. If Ysera has truly been kidnapped, then it could possibly mean that Silver is working for the Originals. I don't want to think of Silver as a traitor, but neither should we just look the other way. And it could be just that somehow, someone found a way to the island, like one of the Dragons that lead the Originals knows."

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman""> "Despite whomever betrayed Goldoa, this is still very bad. If that person was to use Ysera to play Goldoa against us, we could be having two wars going on at the same time. You saw what happened; Kaleth just about attacked me for thinking that I had something to do with Ysera's disappearance. Think of what he'd do if someone actually threatened her. He'd do anything, even attack old friends. We need to find Ysera immediately. I think that we should send a two-or-three man team into enemy territory to find out information about Ysera's disappearance," Skyler concluded.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 120 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Look, Skyler. What do you want me to do?" Keith spoke. "I've known Silver for a long time...do you expect me to just start not trusting him? Why would he choose The Originals over us?" He shook his head. "Besides, we know there are Dragons in The Originals...one of them could've flown there and back. I trust everyone here. I suggest you to do the same."Keith paused. "If I'm wrong, I'll cut Silver down personally." Keith added.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 121 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Alright. But I'm gonna keep an eye on Silver." Skyler added.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 122 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Fine, and I don't care what you do with your men, but I'm not sending any of mine into enemy territory. Every man here is ready to defend their country, not someone they've never met...send Elliot for all I care." Keith paused. "I suppose I should make Duke Tanas aware of the situation tomorrow morning. Good night Skyler."

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 123 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">No need to get snippy, I raised a valid point, <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman""> Skyler thought, as he raised his eyebrow.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman""> "Yes, and you know what I'm doing with my men? Helping you defend your country. My men are ready to defend their own country, but why should they help defend the country of some man whom many of them had never met before?" Skyler replied back.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 124 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Because they know their king is branded too-if Brio falls so will Daein." Keith retorted, obviously a bit annoyed at Skyler's suspicions.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 125 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"..." Skyler shook his head and walked to his room. He almost wished he would get attacked by assassins or something, so he could vent his anger.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 126 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Keith raised both his eyebrows, surprised that Skyler just walked out like that. "Huh." He shrugged, and went to his bed.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 127 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Skyler went to his own bed, and laid down on it, unable to fall asleep.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 128 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">“Well...” Silver reached for his scarf while he thought about it. “That's something I didn't expect to come. Hmm... I'm not sure how I should explain it to you.” he answered truthfully. “But it's already late. Maybe we should wait for that till tomorrow or so. In the meantime I will try and figure out a way how to tell you.” Silver suggested with his ever so friendly smile, unaware of Skyler's suspicious against him.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 129 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman""> "I suppose that would be wise, I guess I shall retire for the night as well." replied Kiroshima.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 130 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman""> Keith woke up, and cracked his fingers. It was midmorning, the sun had just began to shine through his window. He stood up, and walked out of the room, yawning and stretching. He walked to the top of the main gate, and peered into the desert. "Lord Keith." It was the Prime Minister. "Ah, Duke. If I was sure you were awake I was going to look for you." "Looks like you found me." "Indeed. So, I figured you should know, King Goldoa arrived last night." "He did?" "Yea. He thought Skyler kidnapped Ysera....but now we think The Originals did it." Keith left out all suspicions about Silver. "Well...I suppose he's on our side then?" Duke Tanas asked. "Yep." "That's good. But I'm afraid I have bad news. I must leave, for a short while." "What?" "I will be back, for the full battle." "You'll be cut off." "I'll find a way, do not worry. Unfortunately, somethings must be done." "Alright...you know maybe its a good thing you stay seperate." "Why?" "At the end of this war, I want to formerly put Brio under Begnion's control, I trust you. And I can't do this properly." "Are you sure?" "Yes. And if I die," Keith spoke those words for what felt like the first time "take control immediately. The chaos will do no good." "Very well. Good bye, Keith." "Cya later." Keith spoke, as the Prime Minister left to the stables to borrow a horse. Keith shook his head, and went wandering off in his own direction.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 131 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Skyler 'woke' up; in reality he just opened his eyes to a night of not sleeping. He got up, got dressed and went outside. Pallas met him halfway.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Pallas, this is it," Skyler muttered, a little nervous.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Yeah...this is where we either stop a genocidal force, or we let it take over Tellius. No big deal, we've stopped worse," Pallas joked. Skyler laughed; Pallas was probably the only one who could have made him laugh at this point. They both left to find the other leaders of the army.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Ashton slowly crept around, trying to be sneaky.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 132 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> Elliot was sitting on the wall, looking to the Northen sky. C'mon...not even a speck of black on the horizon. Elliot glanced at the sun. They should be at least visable now... Post 133 "Pallas, are the Wyvern troops under Lord Balthier here yet?" Skyler asked, looking around as if Pallas was hiding them.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"The...t-the troops?" Pallas muttered, as he visibly paled. "By your leave, Your Majesty," he called out, as he sprinted away. He ran towards his compatriot, Elliot.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"E..Elliot! Are the men here yet?" He called out, fearing the worst. Post 134 "No. At the very least they should be visable." Elliot replied, with a voiced that had a forced calmness to it. "Did the Begnion forces bring any wyverns with them? I'd like to fly out and check to see if they're just running late for some reason."

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 135 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"You know how to fly a wyvern? I never knew that," Pallas muttered. "Uhh, I know that they have pegasus, but I don't know; I don't think they've had wyvern in their forces since Haar and his men left," Pallas added.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"I sure hope they get here, before the fighting starts," Pallas muttered to himself.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;;mso-fareast-font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">99.8.71.18 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Ashton walked around, content with not talking to anyone. His onyx blade hung at his hip, waiting for blood to sate it's appetite.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 136 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Yea, I can fly. Can't you?" Elliot was surprised, he was under the impression that for someone at the top of Daein's army it would've been a regular activity. "But I will not ride one of those white fluffy flying horses." Elliot added, with obvious distaste.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 137 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"No...I have a bit of...well, a fear of heights," Pallas muttered, turning a little red.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"They should be here by...ah, wait. Here comes one now!" Pallas stated, pointing. Indeed, one wyvern was flying towards them, closer and closer.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"I wonder where the others are...I've got a bad feeling about this," he muttered. Post 138 Elliot smirked at his fellow rider's comment, but then faced the sole rider. "...a messanger...hopefully it only means delays, not anything worse..." Elliot spoke, but his voice clearly feared the worst possible result.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 139 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Hopefully...it looks like...it's Cruz," Pallas stated, squinting.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Sir Pallas! Lord Elliot! I have terrible news," Cruz yelled out, as he flew closer. His words turned Pallas' stomach inside-out.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"W..What is it?" Pallas said, looking at Cruz.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"T-The army...It's been destroyed!" Cruz shouted.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"W-what?!" Pallas exclaimed, growing weak in the knees.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 140 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Elliot paled. "How? The Originals shouldn't have been anywhere near that path! How could they have possibly touched our army, let alone destroy it!?" Elliot couldn't believe his ears, and cursed his eyes for seeing the singular rider.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 141 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"A-a dragon, sirs! A great red dragon appeared and by his whim we were all but destroyed! I only escaped because he allowed me to!" Cruz exclaimed.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"D-damn...Balthier..," while they hadn't been good friends, he had served with him for over 20 years.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 142 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Elliot shook his head. "A single red dragon? And The Originals have at least 4 powerful dragons within their ranks..." Elliot replied, still unaware The Originals were not the ones responsible.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 143 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Before the sun dawned the next day, Kaleth had already left his resting spot to wander around in town. He tried to convince himself that Ysera and his child are okay and that he will find them soon, but it just wouldn't work. Instead it only made him feel worse thinking about them. “Dammit...” the dragon king cursed and growled, punching his fist against a house next to him which leaves a bunch of cracks in it. Not knowing how she's doing tore Kaleth apart on the inside.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Silver searched for Kiroshima in the meantime, having figured out an answer for his question but instead of finding the twilight warrior, he bumps into Ashton after walking around a corner. “I'm sorry.” he apologized before looking at him suspiciously.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 144 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"No, it's..err...my fault, I suppose. I'm Ashton," Ashton said, looking down at Silver.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"I...We've got to go tell Skyler about this. C'mon you two," Pallas said, visibly shaken.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 145 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Definitely." Elliot agreed, this was a devestating blow.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"She's gone? How can she be GONE?" One man muttered. "I don't know, but that's what I've been informed." "Well find her!" "I'll get someone to d-" "NO! You do it PERSONALLY." The first man roared at the second. "Will do...."

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 146 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">“Darian... just call me Silver though.” responded Silver a little hesitant. Odd... he sure smells like a dragon to me... he thought and looks back up to the so called branded.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 147 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">The three soldiers made their way to Skyler, who looked at their faces, and at Cruz. "W-what happened?" He asked.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"What's wrong? You're looking at me like I'm some sort of ghost!" Ashton laughed.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 148 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Gone. They're all gone." Elliot replied, shaking his head. "This is bad."

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 149 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">“Oh, I was just wondering something. I apologize for staring at you.” said Silver politely and figures he's just a half dragon, even though it still felt kind of odd. “If you excuse me, I'll be on my way again.”

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 150 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Ashton smiled, "It's no problem. Farewell," he said, as he turned the corner and left.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"...was it The Originals? Did they do this to us, to Daein?" Skyler spoke, his voice quiet and deadly.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 151 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> "That's how it would appear." Elliot replied, and looked at the rider who had shown with the bad news. "Care to share the details?"

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 152 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Cruz did. He told Skyler everything that had happened.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"So it would seem that The Originals had nothing to do with this. Very well. They'll still have to be dealt with," Skyler said, in the same low voice.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"We need to find out who this was. Elliot, after the battle, I want you to send the five best men from your squad to figure this out, tell them to trace back to Balthier's last moments, from when we watched them fly away."

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 153 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Skyler left the two men to comply with his orders.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 154 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Sounds like a plan." Elliot agreed, and then thought for a moment. "Sir!" He ran after the King. Their plan-they couldn't drop anything down on the Originals camp. Pegasus wouldn't do, and Begnion brought not a wyvern amongst them.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 155 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"What is it, Elliot?" Skyler said, turning around to face him. The bags under his eyes seemed even more pronounced, along with the lines on his face. He looked every bit his 130+ years at that moment, like all of life had just caught up to him.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Several miles from the Brio Encampment, a man sat with several cat laguz. "You know what to do," he told them, as they scurried into the darkness. The man had a thick mane of dark black hair, and was a powerfully built man. He looked to be wise and strong, a man to be feared as much as he was to be respected. He also had a rabid look to him, that suggested he might snap at you any second. He began to walk towards the Brio Encampment.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 156 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"The plan. We have no wyverns. We won't be able to drop...stuff on them." Elliot replied, the word "stuff" seemed odd to him, but he had no better word. Maybe we should call it bombing, like how a wyern divebombs....

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 157 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"True. You know how the battlefield is in a ditch-like area, with plateaus surrounding it? Well, there are plenty of archers in your division, right? We'll meet the enemy there, with the Brio and non-archers of Daein armies, while the archers can rest of the plateaus and pick off the Original forces." Skyler explained. Post 158

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"That sounds like a good strategy." Elliot replied, glad the situation had been thought of. "I guess then there won't be much to do till tomorrow..but you might want to Keith, err, sir."

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 159 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Skyler raised his eyebrows. "Talk to Keith?" He asked.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">The man was closer to the Brio Encampment. Very close.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 160 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"He may want to know that the Daein army is not arriving..." Elliot paused. "Based on my experience its probably better to tell him then to let him find out on his own."

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 161 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Send a messenger, then. I'm in no mood to deal with him," Skyler said, turning around and walking away.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 162 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Meanwhile.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Kiroshima had been working on a new spell. Incredibly dangerous, working with the spirit, whole, yet not whole. First, give the magic a frame, and shape it into a figure. Second, breath your spirit into it, make it move. Third, grant it power, for it is your own. Fourth, awaken it, and it shall fight for you.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Simple, and yet... Lacking.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">He was searching for a way to manifest his darkness as an able bodied combatant, but so far, it wasn't working. The automatons took too much energy and were completely stupid. 'How can I move him from me, to one of those, and back...?

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 162 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Elliot raised an eyebrown. "Yes, sir..." He began to look around for someone to send to Keith, preferably not himself.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 163 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Tiberius finally arrived at the Brio Encampment. He walked up to the guard and said, "Excuse me, but could you take me to either Keith or Skyler?" he asked politely.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 164 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Up here." Keith had heard his name, and called down before the guard could answer. He had watched the man walk to the capital. ...hmm I wonder where those Daein men are.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 165 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Ah, there you are." Tiberius began to walk inside, down the hallway, and up the stairs.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 166 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Keith turned to face the new man as he walked up. Keith leaned against the nearest crate casually, eyeing the man. "So, you know my name. What's yours?" Post 167 "I am called Tiberius, in the Beorc language. I pleaded with my king to allow a small squad of my men and I to come and help you out. I have no problems with Branded, and am friends with quite a few, so naturally I am alarmed by this group of simple-minded ignoramus'. I have six or seven laguz men with me. They are hiding out in the woods for now, since I want to surprise the enemy when they attack, if you'll allow us to join up." Tiberius finished. His voice had an accent, but it was almost gone, as if he had spent many years in the Beorc tongue. Post 168 "Well, that's good. Gallia's help is gladly appreciated." Keith smilied. "Well Tiberius, I've got good ne-" "Um, Lord Keith?" Keith turned to face the man, who proceeded to whisper in Keith's ear the faith of the Daein army. "Oh." He turned back to Tiberius. "Well Tierius, I've got bad news. Our support from Daein has been mysteriously wiped out- we have no wyverns so we must now formulate a plan for what we shall do tonigh. Come." Keith waved the man, who was for all intents and purposes, the Gallian official in Brio. Post 169 "Very well. That is poor news about Daein's men. Do we have any information whether it was our enemy, or whether it was someone else?" Tiberius asked, as he walked with Keith. Post 170

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Someone else, it sounds like." Keith continued to walk, and said to the men he passed "Go get Skyler." and to the next "Go get Kaleth." and so on, as he walked to the planning room with Tiberius. "Fortunately your men's eyesight at night should aid us with a strike to replace the original plan." Post 171 "Aye, our eyes are perfect for this mission." Tiberius said, as he kept walking.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;;mso-fareast-font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">99.8.71.18 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Sir, Lord Keith would like you to meet him in the war assembly," a messenger said, as he walked past.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Er...right," Skyler said, as he walked to the assembly. "Tiberius? What are you doing here," he said, spotting the Lion.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"I am here aiding the efforts with a small group of tiger laguz. I am deeply sorry for the loss of your men," Tiberius said, as the two men shook hands. Post 172 "Well that's one less introduction," Keith spoke as Alex and Elliot walked into. "Elliot, Alex." Keith said, pointing to each man respectively. Post 173 Tiberius nodded at both men who walked in, while Skyler sat down. Post 174 "I guess this is as close as I can get. He won't have his full power, though." said Kiroshima. He was sweating quite a bit, having seperated large amounts of magic from himself to create a more coporeal manifestation of himself. "Guess I'll go see what they want me to do." And with that, Kiroshima washed his face off, and set off to the meeting area.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 175 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">The messenger send to look for Kaleth searched desperately for the red dragon, who seemed to have disappeared. After checking several places though he runs into Silver, who blinked in wonder at the exhausted branded when he asked him if he saw the dragon king.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">“Ah, Kaleth. Don't worry, I tell him to get there.” the polite dragon replied with a smile to the messenger and placed a hand on his sending stone.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto">''<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">My King, they seek your presence at the meeting. ''<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman""> he send to Kaleth, who only responded with a low growl through their stones before heading over to the said rendezvous. Silver as well after a heavy sigh left him and so both arrive there at the same time. Unlike Silver however, who tries to stay positive, Kaleth looked even more pissed off than yesterday.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 176 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Keith raised an eyebrow at Kaleth obvious anger, but proceeded anyway. "Hello all, as I'm sure some of you are aware of, and others perhaps not, the Daein force was wiped out en route. We do know it wasn't the Originals who did, but we don't know who is truly responsible." He paused. "This means we have another threat to worry about-most likely coming from the North. This also means we have no wyverns-Kiroshima's original plan of dropping objects on the enemy encampment as they arrived will not work." "However, there is some good news, from Gallia we get Tiberius and his men." Keith pointed to the new man. "The question is, what is our plan for tonight?"

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 177 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Without a good deal of mobility, it would be just as dangerous to strike at nightfall as it would be in the day. The best thing to do would be to use hit and run tactics, using the desert as cover. Since they'll probably camp for the night, we can't really do much. Assuming they have guards for night, like laguz, most mages will not be able to escape. If we send our own, their destructive abilities will be limited. Thus, I can only suggest, at this point, guerilla warfare. It IS your own territory, after all."

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 178 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Hmmm...well we'll have a small strike force go out in the night, focus more on causing trouble and ruining the night for them then doing direct damage." Keith decided. "We'll still hide the mages tomorrow morning, provided there isn't a sandstorm, and ambush them that way." Keith went over the next step. "Then we'll retreat when we lose the momentum, rushing back towards Elliot's men, where they'll have the highground. We'll retreat back to the gate and do some serious damage along the way." Keith thought for a moment. "This isn't a castle. It's a city wall. The fighting will be much more difficult if we lose the wall. We better not let them in." "Any objections?"

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 179 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Tiberius nodded. "Logical. Like you said earlier Keith, we laguz may be able to tarry the enemy's flank, while they're busy attacking you all in the front. Our eyes are better for seeing, even in the light we can see better than most beorc or Branded."

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Skyler nodded along as well, but kept silent. He had nothing to add that had not already been spoken. He was still in a time of mourning and rage that his men had been destroyed.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 180 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Alright, then get ready. Anyone coming tonight, meet us at the main gate." Keith looked at the window. "They're going to be here soon...." In fact, at the moment, a young boy ran in. "Sirs?" Keith looked at the boy with ash black hair, young and innocent. He had never seen him before. "Yes?" "The enemy. They're here. They're here! They're setting up camp, just out of seige weapondry range, as pre-pre..." The boy thought for a moment. "PREDICTED!! Just as predicted sirs!" "Thank you," Keith smiled. "Wha-" The boy ran out, barely containing himself. "Well...I guess its time to get ready. Meeting adjourned."

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 181 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"So it's time," Skyler muttered, more to himself than anybody else. He got up and walked out of the room, followed by Pallas.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Tiberius watched him leave. He went over to the window, and looked down. A small figure peered up at him, a cat laguz. Tiberius nodded, and the cat ran down a dusty path, presumably to where the others were kept.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 182 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Heh, what a lively kid. Well then, let's go see what our foe looks like, shall we?" said Kiroshima. "We'll see how original the Originals are."

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 183 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Keith sat ontop of the gate, gazing at the originals army in the distance, about half a mile off. He could clearly see the lights of fire in the center of camp. They already had guards up, men moving around with a small light. Presumingly, as it got darker those lights would go out as cats took the shift. The sun slowly set behind the Original's army, turning the sky on fire behind them. And then, it set fully. "Time to move." Keith stood up on the edge of the wall, and flipped backwards, warming his blood and muscles up. He trotted down the steps to see who would meet him at the gate.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 184 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Skyler arrived next. He gave Keith a nod, and unsheathed Aethro. It had been a long time since it had been last used in life-or-death circumstances.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Tiberius and his six or seven men arrived next. "We will not join you, but be a separate diversion. We can tarry with some of the men, and hopefully get them to split away from the main group in an attempt to follow and capture us."

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 185 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Fair enough." Keith supposed. "Just don't get in too much trouble. We'll be cut off, in the middle of enemy territorry. Get back here as soon as your in trouble. Elliot's men will be working the gate, and I doubt the Original's will attack at night, so fleeing should be easy and fine."

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 186 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Very well. Good luck, with you all," Tiberius said, as he and his men shifted into their laguz forms. With a collective howl, the eight beasts disappeared into the distance.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 187 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"I'm going to go with the mages now, if you don't mind. I think I can help them out." said Kiroshima, walking out.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 188 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> "Oy, Kiro. The mages will move out with the rest of us thank you very much. I can understand the cats going solo, but you'll be sticking with us. Come on, Skyler, let's go. Its about half a mile out." Keith said, as he walked out the gates. "Oh and Skyler...don't use any flash, ok? We want it to be dark. I'm going to keep Flare fireless, I suggest you do the same." Keith began to address the small group of branded (and Kiro) as the group left. "Listen, if you get cut off or lose the group-go back. This mission is just to annoy the enemy, get in a cheap shot pretty much. This goes double for the mages. You'll be up early tomorrow to lay the ambush, so don't wear yourself out now."

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 189 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Oh, right. If you're that afraid of generating too much light, I can use a localized inversion spell so that light creates darkness. Flare would turn into a beacon of shadow, rather then flame." pointed out Kiroshima, as he waited for the rest to catch up.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 190 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Which still works out as "WE ARE HERE" sign-just more subtle-, I've noticed over the years...maybe you could just, you know, make it do...nothing light-wise? Is that possible?" Keith requested, unsure.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 191 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Mhm, will do." Skyler said, as he got to his feet and began to follow Keith. He wasn't really paying attention to Keith and Kiro's discussion.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 192 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Given time, sure, but we don't exactly have time for research. In hind sight, I probably should've worked on it, but I was busy trying something else. I'll be sure to have down by the time of the next war."

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 193 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"I sincerely hope I'm not around for the next war," Skyler muttered under his breath. He thought about Zekk, in Daein.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto">''<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">I hope you don't get caught up in all of this, son. ''<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 194 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto">''<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">What do you think, Silver? ''<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> Kaleth asked after all had left, looking down to the smaller dragon. He would love to join, even though it's just a hit-and-run maneuver. It would at least give him the opportunity to look for Ysera among the camp of the Originals.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">“Well...” Silver spoke out aloud, not letting the odd silence fall between them. “To give you my honest opinion, you should stay out of this one. If Ysera should be there we both know you will not be able to keep yourself back.”

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Kaleth returned a low growl to his words but the younger dragon is right. He would clearly endanger the entire situation and without respond the dragon king left too then, but only to vanish within Tuscano.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto">''<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">At least he listens.. unlike... ''<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Silver thought before shaking his head. What to do now? Keep watch on Kaleth and make sure he doesn't do anything stupid or help? “Oh well.” the dragon sighed and follows after his king.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 195 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Far away, in Daein, a young boy was sword-fighting with an older man.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto">''<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Clang! Clang! Clang! ''

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">The young boy was maybe in his early twenties, while the older was in his mid-forties. The boy had a thick mane of messy brown hair and bright crimson eyes. With a final leap, the boy flipped over the older man, and pointed his blade at the nape of his neck.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Haha, Zekk, I swear, you've reached the skill level of your father, if that's possible. Let's call it a day."

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">However, when Zekk lowered his sword, the older man twisted and stabbed with the sword. Zekk dodged to the side, twisted, and kicked the hand that held the older man's sword. The sword dropped to the ground with a loud bang.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Good, good! You've obviously learned to always be prepared, that's very good."

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"My father trained me well, sir," Zekk spoke, with a loud and clear voice.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"That he did indeed. And if I may, what is your sword made of? It's very strong, yet looks to be incredibly light." The old man asked, scrunching up his face.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"It's a dragon-fire blade, forged by the dragon laguz in Goldoa. It's name is Kierbo." Zekk explained.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 196 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"There she is." The beorc muttered. He waved his hand left, then right, giving directions to his men. "Archers, pull." He whispered, and the subtle sound of archers pulling back on their bows circled around the enemy. "On my mark."

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Tis a shame. Well, if we're forced to use Flare, or Aethro then use your magic Kiro. At least it won't light up the place." Keith spoke. "The enemy is near. Spread out, move in."

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 197 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Skyler nodded; not wanting to alert anybody by saying anything. He drew in close, and slipped next to a sentry. Covering his mouth, he stabbed Aethro deep into the man's chest, until his eyes closed, and then quietly laid him on the ground.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 198 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Keith silently snuck behind the nearest unshifted cat. He then grabbed the man, convering is nose and mouth, and kicking out the legs. Keith kept his grip strong as the laguz struggled, attempting to shift Keith tackled the man into the ground, the sand muffling any evidence. As all life and struggle left the laguz it unshifted and Keith let go.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 199 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Skyler gave a small slash, and a soldier fell, his fall muffled by the sand. He quietly killed the man, making sure to not make much noise. It was this that he realized he was next to a tent. He dragged the two bodies into the tent, and found a crate. Looking in, it was spare uniforms.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Heh...This could be fun," Skyler said, as he put a uniform on. With this, and the visor down, he looked like an average Original soldier. He left the tent, and no longer bothered to sneak around. He found a troop, and said to him.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Hey, you hear that?"

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"What was it?" The soldier was young, in his mid-twenties. He was obviously alert.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Sounded like an ambush from those stinking half-breed that they've got on their side. You should go check it out!" Skyler said, almost chuckling.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Alright!" Ironically, this was the moment that the cat laguz had actually decided to strike. Tiberius leapt from a nearby plateau and landed on the kid, biting through his neck muscle.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Tiberius, it's me," Skyler hissed quietly, as he lifted his visor. Tiberius came over, sniffed, and confirmed it. He howled in what Skyler could only assume was telling the rest of the laguz soldiers that Skyler was dressed like the enemy.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 200 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Keith silently moved in further and further into the Originals encampent. He avoided contact, as long as he could. Hope everyone is having fun doing damage. Now came the fun part. Keith smirked, and walked out into the open.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Couldn't get any sleep, eh?" Said the laguz.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Not a wink."

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Hey..what's with the clothes? Beorcs have the weirdest night clothes..."

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"They're not for sleeping."

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Nah? What are they for?"

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Casuals."

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Getting lucky, eh? That's why you couldn't sleep."

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Yep, just trying to sneak off...too bad you caught me."

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Ha! I like you, beorc. Who was it? There's not many girls..."

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Uh-"

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Wait! Let me guess. Anna? Nah...Hm..that smell..." The cat laguz sniffed. "You don't smell like a normal beorc. You weren't with a laguz girl were you?"

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Uh..."

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Don't worry! It's fine by me. I'm a mercenary...I'm guessing you are too if your sleeping with a laguz!"

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Well..."

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Wait, I still need to guess...Well letsee, you've got a good build, that look...you did something un-nah!" "What?"

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Lauren! It was that Lauren heron! They Royal one!"

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Look, I-"

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Not gonna tell?"

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Yea..."

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"You know, its a shame."

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"What is?"

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"I always wanted to visit Tuscano. Now I will, to burn it down." The cat looked off to the capital.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"I've been there before."

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Ha, we should be quiet. Don't need true members of this army hearing about this."

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Yea..."

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"You know, I heard there King can turn into a thing of fire!"

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"About that..."

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Hmm...what?"

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Look, your a good guy."

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Ummm...thanks man? Hey, I don't think I've caught your name."

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"I'm Keith, Lord of Brio, Narfea."

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Wha-what?"

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Whats your name."

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Vi-Vi-Vidar." The cat's eyes widen, as he thought of what to do.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman""> "Well, Vidar. I'll let you in on a little secret." Keith spoke as flames crawled up Flare, which he unsheathed. "I can turn into a thing of fire." The fire had completely encased Keith. "Run, to Tuscano. We'll take you in. RUN!" Vidar turned and ran, shifting upon the order, and others soon came out of their tents at the new light. Keith looked at the newcomers. "Well..." he smirked "now the real fun starts."

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 201 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Skyler looked over to see a man of fire a couple meters away.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto">''<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">What the fu-...What happened to "we don't want to be seen. We don't want to cause a scene, only tarry and distract them." God...Attention hog. ''<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Skyler thought to himself, as he pointed Aethro to the sky. A thunderbolt came down, right on top of a tent nearby, bursting into flames.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Hehe," Skyler chuckled, as he moved on.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 202 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"I hope they get this means get out..." Keith muttered, then saw the bolt of lightning. "Guess not." Keith shook his head. He sprinted, sliding under the nearest Originals, lighting a tent on flame. He continued to spread the fire, trying to find tents with supplies. Eventually, he was surrounded. "C'mon kitties....didn't anyone ever tell you not to play with fire?" He mocked. Eventually, a lady walked up. "Lord Keith, so happy you could join us." "I couldn't resist." "Well," she spoke, as she began to grow. "curiosity doesn't just kill cats." She was a full fledged white dragon. "It kills branded too!" She shot a blast at him, and he tossed himself to the side, rolled and charged at the dragon, jumping. She blocked the strike with her arm, Flare did little more than scratch the scales. He landed on her head, and jumped forward, behind her. She roared as she turned, but Keith was off in flash, heading back to Tuscano, lighting tents on fire as he went. That makes two dragons at least.... Keith frowned, and Ysera definitely wasn't here. He was sure he would've spotted her that deep into camp. He'd have to tell Kaleth.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 203 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Great. Way to leave me all alone." Skyler muttered, as he lifted his head and shouted.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Tiberius! Make a final run, and head on back!" Turning the heads of every person there, and looking at him.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Uhh...I should probably go, too." Skyler muttered, as he heard a confirming howl from the laguz.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"You probably should have," a voice behind said. Skyler turned around. A Beorc in dark black armor stood behind him, stabbing with his blade. Skyler twisted to the side, but the blade still caught him in the side, piercing through and poking out. The blade wasn't anywhere dangerous, only near his kidney, but it was still painful.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Damn," Skyler muttered, as he twisted out of the sword, and raised Aethro. A thunderbolt landed directly on him, as he went back to Tuscano.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"God dammit!" Skyler cursed, when he landed in the sand, blood pumping onto the ground outside the front gate.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 204 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Keith spun around when he heard Skyler. "Skyler?" He dashed over to his friend, and knelt by his side. "Hey, almost there. We'll get you healed up in no time, you hear me?" He said, offering a hand up.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 205 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Well, between the hammer and anvil, or rather fire and lightning, is it? So much for stealth." said Kiroshima, with a shrug. He had been snuffing out soldiers one at a time using the dark tendrils from a distance, but since all discretion was discontinued, "might as well head in. But, personally, I dislike attention." Calling forth his ebony blade, Dusk Reaver, he jumped down from a dune in an epic fashion to join the battle.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 206 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"C'mon...where's Kiro? And Tiberius with his men?" Keith muttered, as branded lined through the gates. Almost all the men had come back, more than a few injured. Apparently some cat laguz had spotted them, and while they hadn't raised the alarm right away, it was about to happen when Keith had set the alarm for them. "Hurry up..." he muttered, tapping his foot by the gate. He wasn't going to close it until as late as possible, and thankfully with Elliot above him he had time.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 207 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Like a professional Assassin, Kiroshima struck deep into the enemy camp. With his ability to manipulate light and darkness, it was a trivial matter to approach and then hide away after making one kill. His blade, silent, his figure, masked, with a wave of his left hand, he snuffed out lights so he could pick off targets and escape. ''I don't think I'll make it back tonight. I'll have to hide in the dunes. How can I tell them though... ''wondered Kiroshima. Yes, that's it. Shaping a small bird of darkness, he sent it off bearing the message. Find Keith, tell him I'll be around, not gonna make it for curfew.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 208 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Tiberius and his men appeared, moments later. He was in his Beorc form, along with another of his men. Between the two was a third laguz, in Beorc form, being aided by Tiberius and his man. His foot seemed to be injured, and so the two were helping him walk. The others appeared to be fine.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"How did the hunt go?" Tiberius asked, smiling.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 209 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"A bird?" Keith looked at the curious thing, darker than any bird he had seen before. "Kiro..." He shook his head. "Looks like we're just waiting for Tiberius." If Kiro doesn't get himself killed I'll kill him myself...

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 210 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto">''<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Nothing like the desert to conceal oneself. ''<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman""> thought Kiroshima, hiding some distance from enemy forces. ''I'll take a short break, then I'll cause some chaos. They'll never figure it out. Heh.'' Peering over the dune, he took a look for anyone who might have pursued him, seeing one stray soldier. Good night, sirrah. he thought, as he summoned his bow and sent a shadow bolt into the soldier's chest.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 211 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Ah Tiberius. Well, let's go in, close the gate, and call it a night. We have to be well rested for tomorrow." Keith said, and then called up to Elliot, "Keep some of your men on watch, but the rest of your men should get some sleep. My watchmen should suffice." "Ah. Ryan, Steve." "You've got to be kidding me!" Ryan retorted. Elliot rose an eyebrow. "Yes, sir..." Steve sighed, and Elliot left with the others to get some sleep.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 212 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Very well," Tiberius said, as he, his men, and Skyler all went inside the city gates.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 213 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Keith tore off his shirt, and looked at a gash he didn't remember getting. He was small, but he swore he saw sparks coming from it. He shook his head, just too much of Flare at too late at night. He was seeing things, he had to be. He laid down on his bed, and closed his eyes, welcoming sleep.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 214 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Skyler went to his room, presumably to sleep, while Tiberius went to the medic, with his men.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Ashton slouched around, creeping on everybody.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 215 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Elliot got to his bed, and looked at the window. Takeo was not there. He sighed, and made sure the window was securely shut before hitting the sack.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 216 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto">''<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Guerilla warfare. Hmph, truly an annoying style to engage the enemy. ''<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> thought Kiroshima as he flashed to a new dune. Hiding was easy enough, no matter what time of day, but food and water would be a problem. ''I'll need to make my way back eventually. If I'm going to stay out here, I'll be needing a map.'' Nocking his magic bow, he launched a deadly spell above the enemy, a shadow storm. Appearing as just one bolt, upon reaching a target location, it would branch into countless, each seeking out enemies. Each individual bolt was not particularly powerful, but the number of injuries would be immense. Can't keep this up, I need to put some distance and rest.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 217 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Pallas laid in bed, after a hard day at work.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 218 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">At the crack of dawn, a horn went off. Keith's eyes popped up. Time to prepare, the enemy was as well. He looked at his shirt, torn and old on the ground. He would wear armor today-something he had not done in the longest time. Opening up a closet, the armor laid there in shining new conidion. First, a small cloth undershirt. But then, silver chain mail. The shining links covered his torso well, but over it he put a leather peice with steel shoulder pads, and although it left the center of the chainmail expose, Keith was still focued on it being light, which it was. Lastly, he put on the shirt he got-but never wore, when he became Brio's General-Leader. It was remakably similiar to his own, but with an elegant red strip on both sides. Lastly, he grabbed the red cape and put it on. He wasn't going to be a shade on the battle field-on fire or not his allies-and enemies would be able to find him, and recognize him. Keith looked at his reflection in the mirror. It did make his shouders bigger. He smirked, as if he needed the help of the armor. He left his quarters, and went to the top of the gate, leg bent and resting on the front of the wall, Keith peered out to the busy Original's Encampment.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Your wearing armor?" "Your back!" Keith said, not turning, to Duke Tanas. "Indeed." "Well, its a saftey precaution. I "Have to wear something!" so I went measurably lighter then some of my people would prefer...apparently I'm a "warrior, not a mage".""

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 219 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Skyler was already up when the bell rang, so he got dressed. This day's battle wear, though different from Keith's, was different from what he normally wore. He wore clothes similar to what he normally wore, but with the symbol of Daein on the back. This would be a day of glory for Daein, Brio, and Gallia. We would fend ourselves from Begnion.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">He walked to the front gate, and awaited Pallas, Tiberius, Keith, and all else who would come in time. He treasured the quiet time now, for it was soon to get very loud.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 220 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Having been hounded all night, although very poorly, Kiroshima was incredibly weary. He had used up most of his energy attacking and then flashing away.'' I need a way to break through... hopefully they'll make one. ''Shaping a small bird of light, he used some of the magic he had left to carry a simple message. ''Need a path back. Help.''

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 221 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto">''<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Need a path back. Help. ''<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> The little messenger bird dissolved upon Skyler reading the message.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman""> Shrugging his shoulders, Skyler thought, Why not? It's not like his wounds were still hurting; they'd been healed seconds after he'd gotten back.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Following the trail the bird had left, Skyler made his way to Kiro, dodging enemy patrols at the same time.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Kiro, Kiro, Kiro. What are we going to do with you?" Skyler laughed, as he arrived at Kiro's location.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 222 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"WELL EXCUSE ME PRINCESS." said Kiroshima.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Sorry about this, but I used most of my energy during the night trying to cause as much damage as possible. I'm a bit drained at the moment, so I need an easy way to get back without fighting. Fortunately, I'm not injured, but don't expect many tricks from this hat."

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 223 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Hehe, would you like me to teleport you back?" Skyler asked, unsheathing Aethro.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">At that moment, a small group of soldiers, four or five men, approached.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Halt, Branded scum!" The soldiers muttered. Skyler noticed that one of them was the man that had stabbed him the night before. Grinning, he pointed Aethro right at him.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Oh, this is going to be fun. Just hold on a moment, Kiro," Skyler said, as he leapt to the soldiers, cutting the first one down before he had a chance to raise his shield.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 224 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Oh, don't mind me, I'm not defenseless. Just can't do anything fancy. Lemme just find it..." said Kiroshima. Reaching into his small back, he drew one of his enchanted sword hilts. This should save enough energy. Just putting a small amount of magic called forth his sword of light easily enough. "By the way, I'm not Branded." said Kiroshima, assuming a fighting stance.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 225 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"You take the two on the left, I'll take the two on the right," Skyler said, the soldier he had a grudge against being in his group.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman""> He moved to his two men. They were good soldiers, each one was using a fighting style that complimented fighting in group of two.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Great...This wouldn't be any fun if it wasn't a challenge," Skyler taunted, drawing the two soldiers near. The first soldier struck first, stabbing with his spear. Skyler ducked the strike, and shot out with his foot, rapping the leg of the soldier, causing him to fall.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Skyler rolled to avoid the black-clad soldier, the one he had a grudge against. The blade swished past his back, as the other soldier got to his feet. Skyler moved quickly, slashing and hacking as he tried to get past the two-man defense. He did.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Slashing Aethro to the ground, he brought it up, and bringing it back, he slashed forward. The soldier with the lance, the soldier with whom the Black-Clad soldier was working with, fell to the ground, unmoving.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"What's your name, boy?" Skyler asked the other, pausing just long enough to wipe the blood off of Aethro.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"...Daniel. Soldier of Begnion." Daniel replied, through gritted teeth, looking at his fallen companion.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Well, Daniel, Soldier of Begnion. I will give you one chance to surrender now. Will you take it, or will you meet the same fate as your friend there?" Skyler asked, pointing at the corpse.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Never, Daein scum!" Daniel replied, slashing forward.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto">''<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Clang...Clang....CLANG! ''<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Skyler panted; he hadn't expected Daniel to be this good. While he had been decent, supporting his comrade, when he was alone, Daniel was countless times better than he had when he was with his ally.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"You're getting old, you coot," Daniel cackled. The boy hadn't even broken a sweat.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Perhaps...But I do have a couple tricks up my sleeve. New tricks, nothing that battle historians have had time to analyze yet," Skyler cautioned, as he raised his sword up.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"I call this Thunder Clap," Skyler spoke, as bolts of lightning shot out, on either side of Daniel, while a great boom of sound resonated from the area the lightning had hit.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"The lightning hits create thunder, which temporarily leaves you deaf, while the lightning themselves create a long enough light burst to leave you blind. It's essentially a sense-stealing attack," Skyler said, as he moved forward.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Daniel staggered around, blindly swinging his sword, unable to see or hear. Skyler moved silently, not that he actually needed to be, and in one swing, disarmed Daniel, causing his blade to fly out of the man's hand. He brought one foot up and kicked him in the chest, knocking him down. Daniel's senses came back in one moment, as he was shocked at what had happened.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Oh, how the tide has turned. Get out of here, back to your camp. If you even think of raising a blade to me now, I will cut you down instead of merely knocking you down, do you understand me?" Skyler said, his eyes suddenly thunderbolts of power.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Daniel stammered, before getting up, gathering his sword, and fleeing.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Skyler chuckled, and waited for Kiro.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 226 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto">''<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Got enough for one flash, it'll have to do. ''<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">thought Kiroshima. The soldiers eyed him suspiciously, after all, he had just summoned a strange sword from a bladeless hilt. And... now. he flashed behind one and pierced his heart. Jumping back, one soldier turned in dismay. Unfortunately, Kiroshima's sword also faded away. "Uh, Skyler, gonna need some help. I've exhausted my magic."

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 227 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Skyler turned, looking at the last soldier. He trembled, before running to attack. Skyler sighed, and started sprinting. Just before the two men reached each other, Skyler reversed the grip of his blade, letting the lengthy part of the blade run down his arm. He slashed out, defending a strike against him, and as soon as he was to his enemy's back, and his was to his enemy's, he stabbed backward, allowing the blade to dig deep into the man's back, and poke through his chest.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Pulling the blade out, he man dropped to the sand, lifeless.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Y'know, you should invest in a solid blade, every now and then," Skyler joked, as he grabbed Kiro by the shoulder. A thunder bolt came down, and crashed on them, bringing them back to the Tuscano gates.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 228 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Well, look what the Daein King dragged in." Keith called down to the pair. "Get in, now." He sighed shaking his head. He looked over at Duke Tanas, who merely shrugged, and in response Keith shook his head.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 229 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Skyler looked at Kiro and shrugged. Then the two went in the gates, and up to Keith.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Brought Kiro in, as you can see. Seems he was stuck out all night. Wonder how that happened," Skyler said, raising an eyebrow.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 230 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Well, I used artillery level magic most of the time, aiming at their camps. The spell is designed to launch a projectile that then splits to countless shots, which all seek out targets. Otherwise I was using flash to create distance and altered the way shadows appeared near my original location. They could never find me, but if I didn't keep moving, I'd be swarmed. And now, I must meditate for a time, to steady my spirit and gain my magic back." reported Kiroshima.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 231 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Alright. See you in a bit. The fighting will start soon, so see you there," Skyler said, clapping Kiro on the back as he left.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 232 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Hmph." Keith shook his head. He had to wonder whether Kaleth would join them still if he confirmed Ysera was not amongst the Originals.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">The beorc twitched his fingers down, and all the bowmen shot. Several bodies hit the floor, and his men charged in at the strange foes who were now alerted to his foe. "Get the dragoness out alive! Kill the rest." He ordered as men rushed by him.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 233 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">“Silver, I want you to stay with me.” Kaleth said in a serious matter as both dragons made their way to the rest in the morning.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">“Huh? Ah, I mean, of course your majesty.” Silver responded a little surprised, wondering why the usually solo fighting king wants his presence all of the sudden. Do you have something planned?

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto">''<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">We are going to stay in beorc form and try to make out one of their leaders, that's the plan. They are our only lead to find her and I doubt a regular soldier could tell us the information we seek. ''<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman""> Kaleth explained his intentions to Silver. ''Doesn't mean we will not help Skyler and Keith's troops but they will probably do quite well even without us. If things should turn ugly, we can still shift and even out a difference. By the way, let's forget the formalities while staying on Tellius. You're a friend of Ysera, so you're one of mine.''

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto">''<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">I see... well, alright. I will try. ''<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman""> Silver send back and smiled a little.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">“Bah, I can't believe we didn't made it back with the others.” complained Takeo to his twin sister, who rolled her eyes. “It's not my fault you chased off one of my children into ENEMY TERRITORY!” she hissed back to him, yet in whisper. The two half cats were hiding among the Original's camp, to be exact in a supply tent. “Hmpf...but it's not my fault he's such an scaredy cat.” muttered Takeo while trying to carve open a crate because he's nearly starving. “He's a kid and just wait till Avy finds out about this! Geez, sometimes I wish you would forget me again.” Takera growled, watching him. “Stop that!” “Why?” “Because I said so!” “...Is it making you nervous?” Takeo grinned. “Hey! N-” Takera's head turned red as she spoke before being cut off by her brother's hand covering her mouth all of the sudden. “Shh!”

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">“So they came...” whispered a shadow observing the battle of the Originals with the strangers. “The lady is lost... for now. But time will bring her back...” the voice chuckled before disappearing with a slithering sound meanwhile the emerald haired and pregnant dragoness opened her tired eyes to see what's happening. Kaleth...? she thought before everything turned dark again. She's weak, to exhausted to see who is saving her.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 234 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">The Beorc personally lifted up the dragoness. "By the Goddess she's heavy..." He muttered, before calling out "Cover me!" As he left. Out of the corner of his eye, Keith spotted Kaleth. "Time to share the bad news." He muttered, and approached the dragon, his face displaying doubt.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 235 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Kaleth looked back at Keith and mustered his expression. “Well, what do you have to tell me?” he asked right away, hoping it was just something concerning the war. Because if not, depending on what to hear, his relatively calm precence could turn into something else any second.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Silver sensed that, through their stones, and prepared for the worst. Knowing exactly that Kaleth, especially as soon to be father, would lose all self restraint if something should have happened to Ysera or the baby.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 236 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Well the raid on the enemy last night was fairly successful." Keith said calmly. "But, uh, no Ysera. I checked a lot of the tents, I doubt I miss her, if she was at that camp."

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 237 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Ah, Duke Tanas, I'm glad to see that you've returned. There's a matter that I want to talk to you about. Obviously, you're one of the few people whom Keith trusts, so I will trust you as well. You're obviously of high born nobility, and I believe I can entrust you with this. I'm not foolish enough to know that I'll get out of here without injury. Can I entrust you the task of helping my son rule Daein, should I be killed in the fighting?" Skyler said, solemn.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">He thought of the fight he had with the young soldier, Daniel. The man was hardly older than twenty, yet he had kept up with Skyler's fighting style. Either that, or Skyler's own skills had diminished throughout the years. If so, there was a good chance that he was going to die in the fighting.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Ashton left the gated community of Tuscano. A soldier at the gate attempted to stop him, but Ashton sidestepped and soon outran the man. He walked slowly and through the dusty sand, looking for one thing.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">The Originals camp.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Walking into the camp, he was instantly surrounded.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Who are you and what do you wa-aaaurrghghh!" The lead soldier cried, before he was slashed by the onyx blade that Ashton carried. Within moments, the other three or four soldiers met the same fate. Soon, a different soldier appeared. It was Daniel, the soldier who had fought with Skyler earlier. It seemed he had recovered fully.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"You picked a wrong day to do this, scum," He muttered, unsheathing his own blade.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Heeeheeeeheeehaaahaaa!" Ashton laughed, whipping his blade around, and began the assault on Daniel.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Daniel countered, and rolled under Ashton's attacks, and slashed backwards. Ashton easily jumped over the strike, and flipped to safety. He spun around and began a fresh series of attacks. Daniel countered these, and delivered one of his own, which struck home.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Blade splintered clothing, and cut through skin. One of Ashton's arms hung useless at his side, pumping fresh blood out. It didn't even seem to faze Ashton at all. He cackled, and jumped forward, attacking.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Shit...What kind of creature are you?" Daniel muttered, as he countered the strike. Ashton seemed to move in fast-forward. He dropped his blade, and caught Daniel's arm. He moved his arm to Daniel's throat, and threw him with all his might against the nearest tree. Daniel lay, shocked. Ashton picked up Daniel's own blade, and hurled it as hard as he could towards Daniel. Daniel ducked down, just as the blade hurtled above him, and embedded itself in the tree, just where his head had been. Ashton came running towards him, full speed, with the Onyx Blade in hand.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Daniel quickly unsheathed his small hunting knife, and rolled just as Ashton came, thrusting the knife deep into the man's thigh as he reached Daniel, causing him to drop the Onyx-Blade. Scooping it up in his hands, he pointed it toward Ashton, and lunged. The blade pierced the man's chest, missing his heart evidently.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Something surged through Daniel, power unlike anything he had ever felt before. It seemed to be coming from...the sword? The Onyx-Blade seemed to surge with strength, some dark, inner strength.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto">''<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Yesssss...You will do. You are one who issss meant to wield this blade. The fool of a ssssswordsman who wielded before you was unable to deal with the power that I could presssssent, and wasssss therefore driven insssssane. You, however, have the capability of dealing with the power sssssafely. What is it you want most in the world, and I can sssshow you how to do it... ''<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Daniel stepped back, startled. The blade had...spoken. To him. In his head. "I...I want revenge. And the strength to accomplish it." He said, aloud, unsure if the sword could or would listen.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto">''<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Good...Then I sssshall sssshow you the ssssstrength you desssssire. ''<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">The sword thought back. Daniel staggered. It seemed his strength had increased dramatically. He almost laughed at the idea that he had once lost to a mere Branded, even if his sword could summon thunder.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto">''<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Now...finisssssh him off, and I shall show you true power. ''<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Daniel turned his attention to Ashton, whom had collapsed to his knees.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"I...I know that you've spoken with the slithery snake. I heard you. The snakey can and will destroy you. Don't listen to him, don't listen-" Ashton's head hit the ground, a result from a sweeping blow from the Onyx-Blade. It seemed to sizzle as blood hit the blade.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Daniel laughed; the weak deserved to die, and he would be the one to kill them. Now, it was time to visit the Tuscano encampment. For this, he might even be able to advance in the ranks of the Originals.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"S...Sir..?" A soldier said. Daniel started; he hadn't even realized any of the soldiers had survived. "How did you...?"

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"No matter. It's of no matter to you. Now begone," Daniel spoke, deeper than he had ever before, he realized. It seemed like the sword was already giving him power.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto">''<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">What is your name, sword? ''<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> He thought, hopefully to the sword.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto">''<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">...Nox. I am known as Nox. ''<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> It replied.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Very well, Nox." Daniel said, sheathing Nox, and starting the trek towards the Brio Encampment.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 238 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Duke Tanas smilied gently. "While I doubt my assistance will be needed, I will gladly aid your son. How old is the boy now, King Skyler?"

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 239 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Skyler laughed, "You can just call me Skyler; titles make my skin crawl. He'll be nineteen in two weeks. Of course, he's Branded, his mother was a beorc, and with myself being a Branded also, I've no idea the lifespan that he'll live to enjoy. Although, in years he may be a grand King, of that I have no doubt, I think that nineteen is a little too early to be running a kingdom. I am sure you understand."

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Daniel was about to leave the military camp, when a soldier caught up to him.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Sir! One of the Commanders would like to talk to you about a promotion for stopping that madman from killing more of our soldiers!" The soldier said, grinning.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Did he, now. Hm...Very well. Thank you for this," Daniel said, sidestepping the soldier, and returning to the black-clad tent. It was very foggy, for some reason. Or smokey. He couldn't tell which. He saw a figure in the back of the room, whom he thought was one of the leaders of the Originals.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"You rang, sir/ma'am?" Daniel said, kneeling.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 240 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Well, I'll help if, but I doubt I'll have to. Assuming I survive also." Tanas looked out into the desert. "We will leave soon...I must get Miscale."

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Ah, Daniel, correct?" Adam didn't wait for an answer. "I heard about your work. Good job. I feel like you could be an inspiration on the field... I doubt you have the tactical leadership abilities yet, so you'll be in command of a smaller group, no worries. And I'm sure the leadership will come with time, its a developed skill for most. So, do you accept your promotion?"

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 241 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">I understand. Thank you," Skyler said, as he sat down.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto">''<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Should I take the job, Nox? ''<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman""> Daniel thought.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto">''<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Do it. You will gain the control of many men who will willingly ssssserve you. Thissss could come in handy later. ''<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman""> Nox thought back.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Very well, I accept. What is my position; captain, lieutenant, vice-general?" Daniel asked.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 242 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Adam almost gagged when he heard 'Vice-General'. "Don't get ahead of youself now...lieutenant" Adam shook his head. "You may leave now."

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 243 

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Daniel lowered his head in a mock bow, showing his 'embarrassment.' "I will, and thank you, sir." Daniel left the tent after that.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto">''<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">That was...odd. Adam is strong, but I've never spoken to him. ''<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto">''<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Your thoughtssss are troubling...We could go back and finisssh him, as well? ''<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> Nox thought suggestively.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto">''<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">No, no. As long as he is doing his job, we won't kill him. I want his forces to stall the Branded while I can finish off Skyler...Skyler, you craven cur, you will die for embarrassing me. ''

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto">''<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Your thoughtssss are filled with ssssuch hatred...It warmsss me to ssssee this fellow anger. ''<span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> Nox said, almost gleefully.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 244 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">“...I see.. Thank you.” answered Kaleth disappointed instead of losing his temper. Nothing changed the situation he's in, other than knowing now that she's not with this part of the Originals. I hope one of their leaders knows more...

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">“Did you see that?” Takeo asked his twin sister, after both watched Daniel fight and finish off Ashton. “Yeah, so? I'm happy the enemy has nothing better to do than destroying itself.” she whispered as both sneaked on to find her child. “...you don't get it, do you?” muttered Takeo and shook his head. “That kid has probably just as much skill as some of our best swordsmen.” “Who cares?!” Takera simply snapped back at him. “I'm not here for spying!” “...fine, fine. Just saying...”

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 245 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Daniel met up with his small squad. There were four of them, total. Though Daniel only cared about his revenge at the moment, he felt like these were his men; he had to care for them. To protect them. It was odd; he'd never felt this way before.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Well...Men, we're going to make a small raiding party. It's just going to be our job to attack, and get out. No targets, just causing destruction to supplies and some deaths. Now, there are several targets that you are to run, or leave to me if you encounter them. One; a man with a thunder sword. If you see him, tell me. Same thing with a man with a fire sword, or a man with two different types of swords; a light and dark. These three men have portfolios here, that you can study. These are extremely dangerous men, and you will probably die if you are attacked by them, so run."

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Yes sir!" The collective response was, as the five men set out.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 246 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Come on" Keith said to Kaleth, as he went to the Gate. A huge Brio force was with there, as was a Begnion force and Dukes Tanas and Miscale, and Alex. "Well, now we wait for Skyler, Elliot, and the Daein force. Let Kiro rest, he can join us if he wishes. Cris is moving out with the mages now."

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 247 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">“Well, doesn't that sound great?” Takeo commented in whisper for his sister to hear as they eavesdropped on Daniel and his men.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">“Alright, I will go and warn them.” she sighed and gave him a smack across the head. “Ouch! What was that for?!” “In case you plan to do something stupid.” “Come on now, you've got to be kidding...” “And you better not come back without him...” she hissed annoyed, pointing her dagger up his nose. “Or you will regret it...” “Hey, calm down. No need to point sharp things at me...I heard ya.” grumbled Takeo and shoved the dagger away again. “I'll find and bring him back home safely. I promise.” “That's not enough.” Takeo rolled his eyes. “Give me a break...” “Takeo...” With a heavy sigh Takeo pinky promises to her, his face flushing in deep red out of embarrassment. At least nobody is here to see that...

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">“Okay, see you later.” Takera whispered afterwards, with a satisfied smile. She rushed away through the tent maze back towards Tuscano's wall, walking along it a bit before reaching the rope both used. “I'm surprised it wasn't found...” she thought out aloud and climbed back into town to look for Keith and Co., which she of course found at the main gate. Hehe... Silently she sneaks up on them, making no noise with her light steps on the sand covered path. “My, is it already time?” she said then, being right behind Keith.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 248 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Keith inhaled to hold any reaction. "Takera...yes, it is. I'm surprised you're joining us."

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 249 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">“I'm not.” the female rogue responded, walking past Keith to face him. “You know I'm not much of a fighter like my brother. So.. I came here because, well, I got some information from our foe's camp. Nothing to big concerning the upcoming battle, but still a little problem. A small troop of 5 men will raid our supplies and kill some people behind your backs soon. Figured you might want to know.” she explained.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Oh, and if there's a boy out on the battlefield and you happen to stumble across him, send him home. Tell him he'll be in a lot of trouble if he doesn't."

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 250 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"A boy..?" Keith asked, obviously confused. "Ok..and thanks for the information...I'll see if Skyler wants to hang back. Maybe we'll be able to trick this 5 man squad and eliminate them. Good work."

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 251 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Skyler and Pallas showed up a moment later. "Sorry we're late, we were busy with succession papers. I swear, paperwork will be the end of me," Skyler laughed, allowing a shadow of the old happy go lucky Skyler smile to show through.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Daniel's men were nearly at the supply depot. They'd traveled by warp powder to sneak around the bulk of the military forces.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 252 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Elliot was on his way to the Gate with his men, when he heard the distinct crack of warp powder. "Um. El?" Ryan asked. "Did you hear that?" "Hear what?" Steve asked. "Warp powder...go on without me." Elliot replied, and drew his blade. "I need height." He muttered, and pulled himself onto the nearest roof, heading in the direction of the warp powder sound. He moved roof to roof, keeping his ears open.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Well we just nee-oh here they are." Keith spoke as Ryan and Steve came with the men. "Where's Elliot?" "He'll catch up." Steve replied, keeping secret Elliot's mission. "Now, can we go kill some sub-humans?" Ryan asked. "Oy!" It was Vidar, the cat from before. "Oh Vidar, glad you could make it." Keith smiled. "I was...uh kidding." Ryan spoke. "Well, we'll have to leave without Elliot. Ryan, Steve, take you men to the ridge. After we guide them through the mages we'll take 'em right to you." Keith smirked. "Skyler, be on the watch out for so Originals men, a group of about 5 trying to sneak around and perform sabotage. I doubt they'll be able to do much, we have no supplies outside these walls, but they could damage us from behind if we have to retreat. Everyone ready? Lets move."

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 253 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Skyler nodded and distanced himself from the group. He soon spotted a group of soldiers, about five like Keith said.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Hey! What are you doing?" he called out.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Daniel chuckled, just his luck. He unsheathed Nox and charged at Skyler.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 254 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Keith heard a horn, the enemy had spotted them. "Well then," He spoke to his army. "You know the plan. We fight them hard, hit the harm. We they think they have the momentum, we retreat hit them with the mages, and from there, our archers. Listen, we're not fighting for Brio. Hell, how could you think we're fighting for Brio. Begnion is here. Daein is here. Gallia is here. Serenes took the first blow. We're righting for Tellius. We're fighting for our lives. No. It's more than that. We're fighting for the lives of our brothers, sisters, parents, children. We're fighting for our friends, our love ones. We're fighting because The Originals threaten them. According to them, most of you don't have the right to exist. The very right to EXIST. According to them, its not even that you shouldn't be able to fight for your life. You shouldn't even exist in the first place. Well, I don't know about you." Keith paused. "I'm here to prove them wrong. I'm here to show them, that we do have the right to exist, and by the goddess I'll fight for it, and then my life. I'm going to make them know I AM here, and that we're ALL here." Keith looked at his army. "Don't hold back." Keith spoke, and lit aflame.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Elliot got to the source of the sound, and saw a man charging at his King, with four other men. "Not good." He muttered, and dropped his sword, and grabbed his bow, taking aim at the closest man.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 255 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Picking up Elliot's sword off the ground, Kiroshima noted the 5 sneaks. "You know, you might want to be careful about the one at the head. See, no one would normally charge at Skyler, unless they either know his power ahead of time, or have a death wish. Let him handle that one, and take care of the lackeys." said Kiroshima, putting the sword back down. "In the mean time, I'll watch your back."

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 256 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Elliot released the arrow. "You know I'm one of the better shots here, right?" Elliot shook his head. "But they're getting to close for me to safely take a shot anyway." Elliot felt disapointed that Kiroshima was right, that they shouldn't interfere. "But thanks for the back-up."

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman""> Post 257

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Skyler slashed ahead, ducking a return slash from Daniel. When the two blades clashed, Skyler nearly lost his as it jarred in his hand.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman""> "You've gotten a lot stronger since our last meeting. Almost as strong as I." He said to Daniel, as he blocked more attacks. Daniel said nothing, only doubled the velocity of his attacks.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 258 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">“Lovely...” Takera muttered as the 5 men she warned about were already there. And meantime Skyler fought with Daniel, and Elliot with Kiroshima against the rest, keeping those soldier occupied, she sneaks away. ''I have no time for this now.. ''

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 259 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">And thus, it was then in which the Brion and Begnion forces clashed with those of the originals. Cats, tigers, birds, beorcs and branded battling in the desert. Wind whipped sand about, but nevertheless each side fought absolutely. It was Miscale who had reached the battle first, and as she tore across the sky she tore the heads off of the first two beorc she found. Next for the Brio forces was Keith. He was an imposing figure, who quickly burned up the front lines of the Original forces.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">In fact, the Brio forces quickly pushed strongly, and moved the Original forces back. Duke Tanas himself walked up to the battle. A large tiger rushed at him, but with quick hand motions the beast fell before it reached its prey. Then, men with swords approached Duke Tanas, and his display of martial arts made the metal of men moot, and fear surely struck the enemy when they realized, they were in trouble.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">When Vidar had reached the battlefield, he saw the battle was much in their favor, surely he was glad he had switched sides. He shifted, into a cat with a beautiful white coat. With intense speed, he reminded the Originals why they had tried to hold onto him.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Miscale, unshifted, drew the sword by her side. It required less energy, and truth be told was meant to install fear. It was rare that a laguz weild a weapon, and seeing it would surely shake people such as the Originals. Or, perhaps it would've, if they had not seen it before. As Miscale gazed acrossed the battlefield, a white blur knocked her out of the sky, and in her place, a heron. It was Lauren. She was, as always, beautiful. But as Keith looked up, he knew something was different. Something about her soul was different. Her green eyes no longer shined with innocence, but ferocity. Her long blond hair flowed in the sky, her pure white wings flapped as unfrequently as possible. In her right hand she held a silver sword, which reflected the beams of the sun. It was with her arrival, the The Originals fought more strongly, and the momentum of the battle was suddenly unclear.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"A heron?" Miscale flew up to Lauren's level. "Well, your eyes aren't completely blind." "Shouldn't you be off mourning?" "...never again." Lauren spoke, and launched herself at the raven.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 260 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Skyler fought with the ferocity of five men, which, ironically, was the amount he was fighting. All six men clashed, neither side making much ground. While Daniel had almost as much skill as Skyler, he was hindered by the lower skill levels of the men fighting him. That wasn't going to be a problem for Daniel much longer. With several long slashes, three of the men fell to the ground, bleeding from multiple wounds.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Damn...Attack the others, leave this one to me!" Daniel roared, knocking Skyler back with a kick. The other two went to Elliot and Kiro.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"How did you get this strong, Daniel, soldier of Begnion?" Skyler asked, kicking out in response. Daniel caught his boot, and hurled him behind him, with Skyler landing on his stomach. Skyler looked up to see a boot smash into his nose and mouth, knocking him back again. Blood trailed from his nose, which he figured must have broken. Skyler leapt to his feet, and began slashing once again, driving Daniel back, but not injuring him any.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 261 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Elliot winced when he saw Skyler get his, but put away his bow and grabbed his sword, and clashed with the first man to arrive.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Miscale and Lauren circled eachother. "Daughter of Serenes, you know what these people have done?" Miscale asked. "..." Lauren was silent, and launched herself at Miscale, and swords rung in midair as the pair clashed.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 262 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Skyler slashed up, and skimmed Daniel's shirt, ripping a large gash in it. Daniel reacted, slicing into Skyler's shoulder, cutting skin tissue.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Skyler roared, and a thunderbolt launched from a nearby cloud struck Daniel, and knocked him backwards, 20 meters, into a nearby tree, leaving him dazed.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Skyler tried his hand; it would still work. He applied some vulnerary paste to it, and it slowly began to heal up.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Pallas slashed and hacked. He was with Keith, and was sporting nearly as many kills as he was. He briefly looked down at the medallion around his neck; it's color told him of Skyler's condition. Blue meant that he was fine, while red meant that he had died.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">The medallion glowed with a blue haze. Pallas smiled, as he renewed his assault.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 263 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Meantime Kaleth and Silver stayed together, picking off quite a bunch of soldiers by themselves without much trouble and effort. Since start they remained rather passive in battle, only defeating those which decide to attack them first on their way through the battlefield.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">“This is taking to long...” the king growled after a while though, because they both had no idea who actually lead this bunch of crazy beorc and laguz. He also wasn't able to burn his way through as planned, having underestimated the number of men. Not to mention he was wasting time here...

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto">''<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Wait, don't! You will onl- crap! ''<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman""> Silver called out to him but it was to late, the stubborn red dragon had already shifted. With a fearsome roar the huge lizard suddenly stood among Brio's forces, with a burning glare set upon the Originals. And while ebon smoke left his nose and slight open mouth, the hot desert sun shining on his pure, red scales now gave him a fiery glow, which also increased the temperature around him in seconds to an almost unbearable limit. “Let's see how much heat you can take!!” Kaleth leaped down onto all four, which would have shaken the earth if it wasn't sand, and recklessly breathed out a wave of all consuming fire instead of the usually focused beam. He caught several of the Originals with his attack and set them aflame, but unwillingly some soldiers of Brio too...

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Silver face palmed, he knew this was going to happen and that he would mess up both sides. ''He's not being himself... dammit Ysera, if only you could be here now! He's going insane!'' he thought and closed his eyes, shifting as well to try and stop his king. The smaller but much more agile silver dragon jumped up and flew directly over Kaleth's head. “Stop! You're killing our allies too!” he roared, less fearsome but still loud.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 264 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Through Kaleth's breath appeared Adam, shifted. "Hello Kaleth." The white dragon shot a burst of magical energy, ripping apart a dune which supported many Brio soldiers, who fell swiftly to the attack. He flapped his wings, getting lift off. "King Goldoa, what are you doing here? You and the rest of the dragons fled responsibility and left Tellius." Keith winced when he saw Kaleth's attack, and then saw Adam appear. "Well, I know where I'm going." He muttered, and then took off in the direction of the two dragons.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">The Miscale floated back from Lauren, and then sighed. "Very well, warrior of Serenes." She shifted, and charged at Lauren, who stop flying to duck the attack, barely starting to flap her wings in time again to stop herself from hitting the groung hard, and then flew after Miscale.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 265 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Kaleth flapped with his own wings and lifted himself off the earth, following Adam into the sky and forcing Silver to make room. “I'm here solely because YOU have someone I WANT BACK!” he responded, furious to see a dragon in his way.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto">''<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Ugh...this is not going to end well. ''<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman""> Silver thought as he circled above them, trying to think of something. While so he spotted Keith heading their way, thus dives down to meet him. “Keith! Over here!”

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 266 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Well, I'm afraid your going to have to describe this thing. I can't think of anything I have that you want. At the very least, you could ask." Adam replied, shaking his head, his tail flipping back and forth hitting a Brio soldier.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"OnmywaySilver" Keith said quickly as he blazed by the dragon, getting to Kaleth as swiftly as possible.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 267 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Pallas' eyes widened at Adam's shot of energy, but was too slow to react.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">The energy shot ripped through the dune he was on, with the energy coursing through the dune and on to Pallas. Pallas cried out as the energy slashed him to shreds, his clothes ripping and flesh tearing. When the whirlwind of destruction was over, it left Pallas battered and defeated, at the base of the ground. It seemed that he'd landed right near Keith, on his way to Kaleth.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"K-..Keith...Sir...Skyler told me to help protect you, b-but...it looks like I can't do that anymore...C-...can you tell him...that in over forty years....I was glad to h-...have s-served him...," Pallas whispered, as he closed his eyes. His breathing slowed down, and came in ragged gasps, and finally stopped, as Pallas, the second longest serving Knights of Daein, died.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Skyler attacked Daniel, driving him back further. All of a sudden, the medallion that Skyler wore under his shirt grew red hot. Growing pale, Skyler fumbled with the chain and pulled it over his shirt. Sure enough, it glowed crimson red.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto">''<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Anger. ''<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Anger welled up within Skyler. Unlike any anger he'd felt before, this was pure rage. Pure, boiling rage. Skyler attacked Daniel unlike any person he'd ever attacked before, not Daman, not Jake, and not even Keith. Daniel was surprised, and drew back. Skyler quickly gained the upper hand, slashing Nox out of Daniel's hand, and to the ground at his feet. Daniel grew pale as well, but Skyler was beyond mercy. With a slash, Daniel crumpled and fell to the ground, bleeding from the chest. It was probably not fatal, but Skyler was too angry to notice. He teleported away, to the center of the battle, where he could attack as many Original soldiers as he could.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">That he did.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">He teleported straight into the thick of the fight, attacking soldiers before they could even respond. Men fought him in honorable one on one combat, and as they fell, the began to attack him in pairs. Then small groups. They came in groups of five, six, seven. The dead grew in such piles that soon Skyler had to leap up to be able to attack. The men soon grew wary, and attempted to flee. Skyler would have none of that. Attacking them even as they ran, men fell to the sandy ground, blooding dripping from Skyler's sword as the tears dripped from his face.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 268 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Silver sighed, white smoke leaving his nostrils as he followed after the burning man who passed him, hoping he might have a plan.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">“Don't fool around! It's Ysera I want back and my single trail leads right to your little wannabe army!” Kaleth's voice boomed, giving the soldiers below him also a heard time dodging his spike covered tail.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 269 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"I'm afraid that's not the sort of thing we'd do. You might want to look at those disgusting litt-ah here comes one now." Adam sighed, as Keith arrived. "So, you again." "Please, I'd rather forget I had the unfortunate chance of being associated with you, even as enemies." Adam sighed, shaking his head. "Why don't you give into order?" "Not my thing. I'm more of the impulsive son of bitch you guys hate. But, you know. Kaleth, you done here so I can wipe this guy off the face of Tellius?"

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 270 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">The red dragon gazed down to Keith, pausing surprisingly for a moment to think. Who else could have taken her? Could she...no. Kaleth shook his head and glared at Adam again. “You're lying...” he said, the glimmer in his eyes burning more again. He ignored Keith and prepared a beam but before launching it, the dragon swallowed the energy down, remembering something.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto">''<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">You and I are quite the same... ''

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Suddenly with a very deep growl Kaleth settled down. “Do as you wish...” he responded now to Keith.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 271 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Really, Kaleth?" Adam sighed. "We'd never hurt the dragons, with the exclusion of self defense. Even then, any activity would not be preemptive." He shook his head, and launched up to dodge Keith's attack. "Well, look whose eager to get hurt." He spoke loudly, and shot a beam at Keith, who while consistently outran the beam, had it following him with Adam rather high up. "Coward..." Keith muttered as he thought of a plan. The mages would force him low...

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 272 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Kiroshima took the 2nd man, feeling quite sorry for the guy. Flashing behind him, he placed (kiro's) hand against the soldier's back and caged him with his (the soldier's) shadow. "Sorry, but I do what I must." With a snap of his fingers, he caged collapsed, the soldier inside it, disappearing into nothing. Then Kiroshima felt a surge of energy. Bowing towards the foe, he spoke "Thank you, sir, for your shadow. The darkness was wide, but I hope you find peace in death. And now, for something more widescale."

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Kiroshima began drawing a magic rune on the ground. Hmm, this will take at least half an hour to set up...

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 273 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Elliot swiftly took care of the man, and then the next. "Kiroshima, I must join my archers, will you be fine?"

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Keith frowned, and sent the retreat signal up. Miscale saw the signal, and ducked below Lauren, and swiftly flew to the mages.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Tanas shook his head, Miscale was going to fast. The mages wouldn't give up their position for Lauren, Miscale was on her own. He head back, and found himself next to the cat Vidar, who unshifted as he ran by Tanas. "Chaos is in the air." "Indeed." "Hmph. Well, I hope your plan works."

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Keep up if you can!" Keith taunted, and Adam flew after him as Keith led him to the mages.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"You got her? Good. I must wait for her to awake....Helena tells me that the Goldoan King is amongst the enemy. Surely handing her over will turn his wrath." He said to the beorc, who bowed his head. "Go, fight." He said to the beorc, who disappeared in a puff of warp powder.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 274 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Yes, yes, go on ahead, I'm a tad busy at this moment. I'm sorry if I'm blunt, but this rune is quite complicated. It will take at least a half hour to draw, probably, but if it works right, it should help the battlefront immensely." said Kiroshima. "I can defend myself, so don't worry."

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 275 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Allow me to help," a low, deep voice said. A thick mane of hair identified the man as Tiberius. He had blood dripping from his lips, and several small-scale wounds on his body, but otherwise unharmed. Lyrus was in his hands, and looking very bloodied. He nodded to Kiro to continue with the ritual, and attacked a passing soldier as he ran.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Skyler heard the retreat sound and shook his head. A man appeared in front of him with a bang; warp powder.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Skyler readied his blade.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 276 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"King Daein. You really should listen to your brother in arms. It's not safe for you here." The Beorc spoke. "My name is Dale of The Originals, lord and master." Dale shook his head, and rose an eyebrow questioningly, waiting for Skyler's response.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Keith blazed into the midst of the forces, mixxed in the retreat as the Originals followed. And then, the mages. The technique worked perfectly as beorc and laguz fell, and Adam was forced to duck down into Keith's range. "Now the fun begins!" He skidded to a stop, turn, and launched himself at Adam. Post 277

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Well, Dale, 'lord and master' of The Originals. First of all, I'm gonna kill you. Then I'm gonna kill your friends. Then I'm gonna topple your entire god damned organization. You caught me on a bad day, and you chose the wrong day to be partly in charge of this little group," Skyler said, growing angrier with each word spoken.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Aethro seemed to glow, before a large thunderbolt struck the blade. Growing white-bright, it glowed with a silver sheen not seen on a blade. "Hope you enjoyed your last day on Tellius, scum." Skyler leapt and brought his blade straight down, towards Dale's head.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 278 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Dale shook his head, in disappointment. And thus, Dale let the blade hit him, and he was struck down, head rolled off the body. And body crawled, and picked up the head, replacing it with a strange green glow. "Your friend Keith once faced a foe who could never be defeated. He was a shortsighted fool, your friend. He tricked the shade, and went by, focused on his cute little sword. And when I returned all those years later, the shade was still there, and still could not be sliced down. Now even the sword it guarded cannot kill me. Your blade is moot. Leave, Lord Skyler of Daein. Leave now and you still have a chance of living. I'm no beorc. I'm a God amongst men." Dale drew his heavy axe, a powerful axe that shined in the sun. His muscles buldged, he looked like he could win an arm wrestling match with a lion. "I will not warn you again." Post 279

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Skyler blinked in surprise, but then he remembered the story of Flare.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Heh...This should be fun. Let's see if I'm any better than Keith was," Skyler said, attacking once again. Skyler slashed his blade horizontal, across the man's chest.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 280 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Dale blocked the strike with the broad side of his axe. "I'm also a much better fighter than the shade was." He said, shaking his head, and then performing a sweeping vertical strike upward with the axe.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Lauren caught up to Miscale, and slashed at the bird, in which she unshifted and blocked the blow with her own sword just in time. "You're very good at this." She commented, still surprised at the heron.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Keith struck at Adam side, and struck home. Blood sizzled under the heat of flare, and Adam roared loudly, smacking Keith with the back of his hand. Keith hit the nearby dune, hard, but the sand was enough cushioning for Keith to get back on his feet and launch himself at Adam once again, swinging Flare around and creating a ring of fire around him.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 281 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Skyler ducked to dodge the vertical strike, and leapt up. He brought his blade up, and stabbed to Dale's chest, hopefully able to stab him in the chest.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Daniel groaned; blood was leaking from the slash in his chest. He looked up and saw the great Lion laguz, un-shifted, fighting with a large two-handed sword, while the mage-fighter who had killed one of his men, did some sort of ritual.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Daniel stood up, and rubbed some vulnerary oil on his chest, and felt the burn as the skin stitched itself together. He picked up Nox, and rejoined the fray, attacking and killing laguz and Branded alike.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 282 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"ugh" Dale looked down, eyes wide at the blade. Then he looked up and smiled, he hadn't particullarly cared about stopping the blow, and he walked up the blade, till the hilt was against his chest. "You know, that tickles a bit." Dale spoke, and punched with his left hand (which didn't really matter, as he was ambidextrous), as striking with the axe did seem like a cheap blow.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Keith was caught by Adam, caught! Luckily the ring of fire he had created kept going, and hit Adam in the face. The surprise caused Adam to drop Keith, who instantly slashed at the dragon's legs.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 283 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Skyler grunted, as he was launched backward. Blood, already coming out of his nose, was pouring out now. "D..damn."

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Here he was, fighting a seemingly invincible foe, with no sword, and a broken nose. The only thing that could be worse would be if he had no weapons left.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Skyler chuckled. "You know, when you work with a specific element for a while, you gain an affinity toward it. Even if you don't have your tool, you can still use that element. Let me show you," Skyler called out, as he lifted his hand. Concentrating deeply, Skyler suddenly made a fist with his hand.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">A thunderbolt clapped down, and struck the sword, and consequently, Dale as well. He made a fist with the other, and a second lightning bolt struck the blade.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto">''<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Can he even be harmed by elements? Strike that, can he be harmed at all? ''<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> Skyler thought to himself, as the smoke began to settle. Post 284

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Dale collapsed. And then rose. "Whew, well Skyler, King of Daein, I am glad I fought you. That was one of the most impressive acts of power I've seen for awhile." Dale drew the blade from his chest, and the wound sealed itself. He then pointed the blade. "Your turn." He smiled, and lightning struck the same place twice, right at Skyler.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 285 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Well, they don't just hand out these titles for free," Skyler muttered, as lightning began to attack the same way he had just attacked.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"You've got to be kidding me-," Skyler began, as he leapt back to avoid the first lightning bolt. The second was coming right towards him, and he closed his eyes to brace for the impact. It never came.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Skyler opened his eyes, to see a young man blocking the electricity with his sword. True, it still connected with the owner of the blade, it's power would be greatly reduced. Skyler looked at the kid; it was Daniel.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Daniel? What are you doing?" He asked, looking at him.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"If you die here, I'm not going to be able to kill you. It's that simple," Daniel explained, as he handed Skyler a spare blade. "Until you get Aethro back."

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Uh...thanks...I think," Skyler muttered, as the two renewed the assault on Dale, the giant.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 286 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Well, then. Your fired." Dale sighed, shaking his head. He swung both blades in circular motion, defensively, waiting to see which man would strike first.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 287 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Doesn't matter. Soon, you'll be dead, and I'll be reinstated," Daniel laughed. He struck on one side, as Skyler struck on the other.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman""> Tiberius attack too. He killed lots of people. With a sword. Like many people do in wars.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 288 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Dale rolled his eyes, and pointed both weapons down, protecting his sides from each blow, he then spun, striking at each with a weapon. "Retreat or death, you get defeat as your only real choice."

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 289 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Skyler and Daniel each sprung, in opposite directions, away from the blows. Then, they attacked with perfect coordination. They seemed to be like two pieces of one puzzle, chipping away at Dale's stamina with each blow. Post 290

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Dale sighed as he rolled backwards to dodge the blows. He shook his head. "A good warrior learns, Lord of Daein."

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Speaking of learning, Adam was begining to learn he was outmatched, very quickly. Keith darted in and out, stabbing and slashing at Adam, while Adam never got sight of Keith long enough to strike at him. The blade burned, and soon the cuts all over Adam were adding up, until the point where he could fight no longer, and fell. Keith stopped moving, and knelt in front his fallen, and now unshifted, foe. "Well. Look at that, I did something. A branded like me."

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 291 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Daniel...I think I can do this. You don't have to baby me," Skyler said, as Daniel attacked once again. Also, once again, his attacks had no effect.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"...Alright, but if you die, I'm going to kill you," Daniel worried, as he retreated.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Chuckling, Skyler turned back to Dale. "Just you and I, now."

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 292 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Well...it hardly seems fair with you using that piece of junk..." Dale replied and winked, tossing over Aethero.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"You...are...scum." Adam replied. Keith sighed, and stood. "Well, then..." He kicked fiercly at Adam's head, such that it snapped back and the back of the head bounced of Adam's back and landed flat on the ground, with Adam dead. ''' "Great...now I got pathetic on my boot..." '''

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 293 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Skyler picked his blade up, surprised.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Well...All's fair, I suppose," Skyler muttered, as he launched a thunderbolt straight from the tip of the blade, directly at Dale.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 294 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Again?" Dale sighed as he took it, collapsed, and stood up. "My turn!" Dale smirked as he launched himself, slashing down at Skyler.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 295 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Skyler rolled around it, and slashed at Dale's back, near where his back meets his neck.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"God, how do I kill you, creature."

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 296 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Dale swung his axe behind him, blocking the blow. "That was an excellent strike Lord Skyler. Too bad it wouldn't have matter anyway." He swiped low this time, practically diving at Skyler's feet.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 297 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Skyler flipped over the axe strike, twisted in the air, and landed on his feet, facing Dale's back. Slashing with his sword, he cut through Dale's neck, severing the head. As it dropped to the ground, Skyler kicked it a good ten meters. Behind him. Conveniently, the eyes were facing in the opposite direction, just in case.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Come on, fight me now."

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 298 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman""> "Mhf! Mhf!" Dale had a mouth full of sand, and he tried calling to his body, which did actually slowly heed its masters call, but in a very confused unguided manner. "MmmMFHmmmFHmmfh...."

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 299 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Skyler ran forward, and stabbed the body in the chest, slowly making his blade's way to its' heart.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Post 300 <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">The body squirmed, pinned. "Fwight me lwike a mwan Skywer!" Dale called, using his tounge and other facial muscles he managed to turn his head and spit out most of the sand, he was clearly frustrated.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Post 301 

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Skyler walked over to the head, and leaned down.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"But I'm not man. I'm a Branded!" He yelled, stabbing Aethro into the head. A thunderbolt came down and landed on the sword at the right time, setting his hair on fire, and continuously striking his skull.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Post 302 

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Ow, ow ow." Dale rolled his eyes, although he was amused at his hair lighting on fire and then not. But now Dale had a good view of his body, which had stood, and was sneaking up on Skyler, like a drunk, holding the axe high. "A little to the left..." Dale muttered.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Post 303 

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Skyler twisted around, grabbed the head, and hurtled it at the body. It connected, knocking the body over. Grabbing Daniel's spare blade, he pierced the body to the ground, preventing it from moving. He then took his own spare blade, and pierced the head to the ground, looking into the dirt. He then spent an hour of his time digging up suitable holes and burying the two body parts.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Freaking...idiot," Skyler said panting. He realized he was more exhausted from the digging than the actual fight.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"No doubt, in several years from now, one of these arms is going to burst from the ground, scare some child into thinking it's a zombie, and we're going to start another war."

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Post 304 

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"What, your just going to bury me alive?" Dale sighed, as he watched on.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">The fight continued, for a long time, and the fight was looking favorable, until the same white dragon woman from earlier arrived, and then the fight was force into less lucky conditions. "Retreat!" Keith ordred sending the signal, he had long lost sight of Skyler, and he headed to the archers.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Miscale smirked, the archers would easily take care of Lauren, but yet, she did not pursue. "Giving up lady of Serenes?" "I must go, Miss Miscale." Lauren replied, and left, in the direction of Skyler. Goddess dammit...

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Post 305 

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"What is that..? Is that a...Heron? Why is there a heron-" Skyler wondered aloud, as he noticed he/she had a sword.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"You've got to be kidding me. I have to FIGHT a HERON?" Skyler muttered. Why did he always have bad luck. Herons, notable for their works in healing and energy, the ones that he knew that could fight were vicious warriors, usually fighting to the death.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"This is ridiculous..."

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Post 306 

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Lord Skyler of Daein..." Lauren noticed she had the blade still drawn. She sheathed it. She gently smilied, no longer was the bratty smile ever across her face. She floated down, and hugged the sweaty, bloody man. "I can't believe you defeated Dale." "Angel!" Dale's head was still there. "Shut up, Dale." Lauren frowned. "You know, how he got how he is?" Lauren asked. "Of course not, I can see it in your heart you don't know. I can see into his heart. It's not like how I couldn't see into Fred's heart...no...there were walls on him. But with Dale? He has no soul." "Angel, you hurt me so." Lauren rolled her eyes. "Shut up, Dale. He lost his soul long ago....The shade the guarded Flare had given up his body through a pure commitment. Dale did the same, but gave up his soul instead. As a result, by the Goddess' curse he can never die." "Sounds like a blessing to me dear." "Shut up, Dale. He can never join the Goddess. He can't move beyond this world, and as a result he's stuck here, alive. I don't know how he learned how to do it...but that's what happen. He learned it from that shade." "He was a beorc once too," Dale spoke, apparently giving up on his secret. "Force to guard until his body fell apart...and then some....I gave my soul to end his, and now my body lives on forever." Dale smirked, like a 5th grader who had some great secret. "ANYWAY," Lauren continued "you should get some rest...I'm truly impressed Skyler. Please don't make me be the one to strike you down, because I can, if I must." She looked sad, her eyes watered a little, but it receeded.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Post 307 

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Kiroshima had finished drawing the symbol, which began glowing faintly. "Good, that should hold up against everything except dragon's breath. Which would probably conveniently fire at this position any time now, but never the less... Now I can start the spell."

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto">'''<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"The god's shield doth protect me, and grant me the light. The light shall punish mine foes, and purge the shadow from their souls. The god's will empowers me, and grants me shadow. The darkness will disable my foes, destroying their will and body." '''<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">The chant had begun, with Kiroshima carefully examining his surroundings.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Post 308 

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"...Why? Why are you...with The Originals? You don't strike me as the 'genocidal' type, so why are you with them?" Skyler asked gently, grabbing Lauren by the shoulders, and pushing her back, so she wasn't hugging him anymore.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">He saw. Saw the tears in her eyes. He saw Dale's eyes, and smirk.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto">''<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">This is...idiocy. Fools and Goddesses, genocide and peace. If a Heron and genocidal maniac can be on the same side, does that mean that one of them cannot be on their own. That chaos must always follow peace? There are times of peace, times of sorrow, true. This is madness... ''<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman""> Skyler thought, his mind going a million miles per hour.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">This was, unfortunately, the wrong time to be daydreaming. An arrow came from nowhere in particular, struck Skyler in the chest, just above his heart. Gasping for breath, Skyler fell to the ground, blood pouring out of the wound. His eyes grew bright; he couldn't see. The air itself seemed to freeze over; his body frozen.

<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto">''<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Is this...how it ends? Bright lights and the cold? ''<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman""> He could feel a single tear, gathering on the corner of his eye, and fell to the ground, as his back became even with the ground. He breathing became irregular, and harder to breath. He looked down, his chest was stained with dark-red, black blood.

Post 309

Lauren looked shocked, after brushing off her shoulders, of course. She then turned, looking for the arrow's source, shocked that someone on her side would take the shot while she was so close to Skyler-or at least she assumed the archer was on her side. "I hope your not planning on having me heal you or something like that" She muttered as she looked out at the sea of sand and men.

Post 310

Skyler shrugged. "Didn't think you would, you're the...enemy...," he muttered, as he tugged the arrow out. It ripped free, but he was still in pretty bad shape. He lifted Aethro, admittedly, shaking more than it had ever.

"Later...Heron. Try not to...die."

A lightning bolt struck him, and he was instantly with the archers and mages of Brio. Skyler passed out as a mage called over one of their healers to work on him.

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The archer shook his head. What a pity. The King had survived. It was all because of that pathetic Heron girl. Why had she had to be in the line of his fire, preventing him from getting a perfect heart shot? The archer grabbed another arrow, and shot it, piercing the helmeted head of a Brio soldier.

Post 311

Lauren spotted the man. "Take a shot like that again, and I'll have your head!" Lauren shouted, frustrated that the archer was willing to risk her life. She flew off in anger, to rejoin the fray later.

Elliot stood on the ridge, as Helena chased Keith. His archers' arrows bounced of her. "Stop firing at the dragon, its useles!" He called, and took out his sword. "Goddess this better work." He muttered as he lept onto Helena's back, and holding around her neck. He stabbed, and she roared and shot straight up, jerking around to throw him off. "Don't fall..don't fall" he muttered, and then realized. His plan was a bad one, now he couldn't kill the dragon, because he'd fall and die. And he couldn't not kill the dragon, because he'd fall and die. Brillian, Elliot, brilliant....

 Post 312 

The man in the dark clothes; the archer, ignored Lauren. He faced her as he left, and drew an arrow. He pointed it at her, and considered releasing.

...No. Now wasn't the time. He had a mission. The true Originals leader wouldn't be very happy with him, if he didn't accomplish that mission.

The man was an assassin and bounty hunter. He was trained in both archery and swordplay, and even having been trained in magic.

The man had a dark hood, with dark clothing. His sword hung at his side, and he had a quiver of arrows strapped to his back.

Post 313

<p style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt">'''<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"The light and shadow, opposing yet intertwined, are my shield and sword. Blessing and bane, they leave an eclipse in their wake. Friends will find courage to pick up arms, and enemies will be destroyed. Friend or Foe, all shall be covered by the twilight veil." '''<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">

Placing his hand on the rune, it began to shine with a great light. "The Aegis of the Legion is prepared, as well as Doom Desire. I should tell Keith."

Conjuring his shadowy bird, he sent it bearing the message: '''I've prepared a ritual that may very well turn the tide, for the moment. It will strengthen the troops and grant them new hope, as well as greatly damage the enemy front lines. It's ready, but I will wait for your signal to activate it. Just send the bird back, it will know.'''

Post 314

Helena managed to grab Elliot of her back. "Stupid branded." "But--*gasp*--you'll--gasp*--never know--*gasp*"" Elliot's eyes widen as the breath left him. She loosened her grip. "Never know what?" "That this is my father's knife!" Elliot got his arm out of her grip, and threw the knife into her face. She roared, and let him go and he began to tumble out of the sky. Warp powder...! The bag of powder had tore in her grip, and was falling out into the sky behind him. He tried grabbing some, but it slipped between the cracks of his fingers. "So, El, this is it." He closed his eyes.

Post 315

Tiberius nodded. "Tell Keith. I'll hold the line." With those words, Tiberius transformed into his laguz form.

The great black lion roared, and threw himself into the fray, attacking and massacring great amounts of enemies.

Post 316

Elliot's life left him.
 * thump*

Or that's what he thought had happened. He opened his eyes, Miscale had caught him. "Leave the flying to me, General of Daien." She laughed softly, and placed him down on the sand.

The ground shook, through the sande Helena had his the ground hard. And the momentum of the battle was going there way, and this rate they wouldn't even need Kiroshima's ritual. Still...that's only two dragons...wait! Keith spotted something in the sky.
 * THUMP*

It was General Mik, the dragon was shifted, and flying beside him were several hawks and ravens, wyverns, and pegasi. "Let me take care of the Archers first" Mik growled, and with a single blast, brought down the cliffside which held Elliot's archers. It didn't kill them, but they fell into the fray below, and were suddenly in close quarter combat, and fending for their dazed lives. "MOVE" He roared as he swooped down.

The confusion worked well for the Originals, and the attack swooping down from below was extremely effective with dazed archers and a strong lack of a flying force. Pegasi from Begnion did what they could, but they were outmatched.

Keith shook his head, and looked at the bird, which flew away.

Post 317

<p style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Keith, what's the plan?" a voice from behind Keith said. A hand landed on Keith's shoulder. It was Skyler. He wasn't wearing a shirt, but he had tons of blood stains on his chest, and a long, ropey scar went from his shoulder to his hip.

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The assassin looked up and saw a large raven, holding a Daein general.

"Perfect," the man muttered to himself, pointing his bow, and firing an arrow, coated with a lethal poison.

"I don't use this on many people, but I saw the match with the Heron girl, so I don't want to take any chances."

 

Post 318

As luck would have it, the arrow took off some of Miscale's hair, but not much more. Shocked, she shot up and out, flying away swiftly to gain safety, as Elliot grabbed his bow and looked for the archer.

"Well, for you, I suggest making sure you don't get whack any more...but for now we fight, and take down that Dragon, somehow." Keith replied. Mik was not getting attached to anyone target, and rather swooped down and up, taking care of whoever he could with minimal risk.

Post 319

<p style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Hm...he's pretty high. That could be a problem. Lemme try something," Skyler said, as he unsheathed Aethro. A second later he was gone. Then...he reappeared. Directly above Mik. He hoped to land, but his luck was bad again. Mik seemed to speed up, so Skyler grabbed Mik's tail as he flew by, yanking Skyler along. Skyler used the tail to pull himself up, almost losing Aethro.

Skyler was now on Mik's back. He started randomly slashing Mik's back and shoulder in an attempt to either injure Mik, or get him to fly lower.

99.8.71.18 05:15, March 26, 2012 (UTC)

The Assassin realized now that the Daein general was looking for him. He waited for Elliot to fall into his aim of fire, being obstructed by some other troops. He wanted the perfect shot.

Post 320

Mik, in an effort to take Skyler by surprised, unshifted, and slipped through Skyler's grip. He then reshifted, behind Skyler, and fired a blast at Skyler.

Elliot spotted the man who had to have taken the shot, and quickly took several shots, pretty much all the soldiers who could get in the way were the enemy, so he didn't particullarly care if someone got in the way of one of his shots.

Post 321

Two soldiers fell to the ground, dead from Elliot's shots. The third one, The Assassin was able to duck. The Assassin quickly fired several shots back, not caring if he hit any of the soldiers either. Not that there were too many left.

Skyler twisted in the air, and fired a thunderbolt straight from the tip of Aethro. It hit the energy blast dead on, and both energy blasts dissipated.

Skyler slashed several times, sending sparks into Mik's face, and hopefully his eyes.

Post 322

Mik blocked the sparks from hitting his face with his hands, and stopped his fall, leaving Skyler to fall by himself, in which Mik chased him with a blast of energy.

Elliot, on the other hand, dove out the way of imcoming arrows, one had hit an Originals soldier. Elliot rolled and stood, rapidly getting off another shot, and smoothly grabbing the next arrow in one quick motion.

Post 323

The Assassin notched an arrow and fired, and was astonished that the arrow hit the other arrow, knocking both arrows out of the way.

"...they don't pay me enough," he muttered to himself, as he reached for another arrow.

99.8.71.18 05:15, March 26, 2012 (UTC)

Skyler lifted Aethro, and he was gone, back next to Keith.

"That...didn't work the way I planned," he sheepishly admitted.

Post 324

<p style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"You got wrecked...." Keith shook his head, hoping for Kiroshima's magic to perform well.

Elliot was rather surprised, but didn't let it stop him-it wasn't worth it, and he shot the arrow he just notched, squeezing it by the Brio soldier running by him.

Post 325

The Assassin rolled under the arrow, and fired another one at Elliot. It was then that he realized that he was out of arrows.

"Tsk...Until next time," The Assassin called out, as he disappeared within a cloud of warp powder.

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"I didn't get wrecked, I just didn't hurt him. He didn't hurt me either," Skyler defended. "God, I wish Alec was here, he'd know what to do...," Skyler muttered, half to himself, for he was sure that Keith wouldn't know who Alec was.

Post 326

"Alex?" Keith asked, assuming it was an "x" not a "c" that he had heard. "What the hell would he know?"

Elliot moved to the side, and the arrow whizzed by him. "Woah...." And at that point, enough of his warp powder had caught up with him, and quickly enough. Puffs of warp powder was going off around him. "Uh-" He disappeared. "Oh." He was back in Tuscano, his room. It was quick thinking on his part, so he made his way to the wall, realizing that perhaps the ballista could take down the dragon, if aimed well. I'm sure I can figure out how to work one of those things...

 Post 327 

The bird returned to Kiroshima, telling him what he needed to know. "Well then, let's see if 'Nagrarok' still works. Heavenly servants, descend and grant us your aid!" Punching the middle of the rune, it exploded, bathing Kiroshima in a great light. A large amount of light spiraled into the air, before exploding, revealing a host of soldiers, made of light. In their hands, however, was a deep shadow, the Eclipse Lance. All in sync, they raised their weapons, and threw. They then pulled out shields, and flew down to the troops. Their hands brought courage and healed small wounds (5 hp lol). With their shields they protected the army. Then, the lances struck the ground, exploding with great darkness. Having been blessed by the light warriors, allied troops would be undaunted by the shadow, but the enemy... It was despair. It caused small wounds, but stripped all those in the blast of their energy and morale, fatigue and psyche. It was the ultimate army killer, dedicated shielders would be required to block it, and only the most powerful light wielders could shield such an large areas, and only if they knew how to shape barriers.

"The heavenly guard is one of my best spells, specifically developed for large scale warfare. Ah, the power I can feel from it, truly dazzling. The darkness floating in the battle is dense, I can use it. It is refreshing. With this much energy, I can even use my new technique... Now to catch up with Keith."

Kiroshima followed his bird's trail back to Keith.

Post 328

"No, Alec. With a C," Skyler explained. "He was a friend of mine, a Branded, in the Crimean Army. He was a vicious fighter, and extremely adapt at making split-second decisions that usually ended up in a victory for whichever side he was on. He was one of the soldiers that was entrenched with General Geoffrey, during the Mad King's War.

It was then that Kiro made his way to Keith. "Kiro, what the hell did you do?" Skyler asked, looking as grown men, soldiers, in the Original encampment, were crying with fear.

Post 329

The tide once again turned in favor of the Brio soldiers. But Mik, Mik was brilliant. He roared orders out in the ancient language, that laguz translated for their beorc friends.

Vidar, was translating in his head. "Oh that's bad...that's very bad. Keith!" He looked around, and shifted, running in Keith's direction. Bad, so very bad! "Keith! We need to retreat! While we still have the chance!" "Vidar, this battle is completely in our favor." And it was so, the Originals were falling, losing the battle swiftly. "Keith! This isn't the full force!" "Vidar, I was in that camp personally, it couldn't hold more than this." "No, Keith! The force tha-" Vidar was interrupted by a large *Crack* sound, the oh so familear sound of warp powder, magnified 10,000 fold. The Original force that was dealing with Crimea and Gallia, had just arrived, well rested and untouched by Kiroshima's spell. "This is bad..retreat!" Keith yelled, and his flames grew, and he slew the nearest Originals soldiers, but more popped into place.

Vidar attempted to leave in the confusion, darting in and out of battles, fights, and a huge shadow had fallen over him. It was General Mik, on one of his swoops. He had chosen him. "Not now, Dragon!" Vidar darted to the side. He had to wonder how The Original's Force was so large, and then he remembered his pay. He wasn't that good. ''Where have they gotten all that gold from? They must've bought every non-branded mercenary off!'' Also, he realized that the force was largely laguz...and thus had probably been built for some time. It was then he realized how long this attack had been planned for.

Post 330

<p style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"You've got to be kidding me..," Skyler muttered, as the strength of the opposing side increased, ten-fold.

"This is ridiculous..."

99.8.71.18

Tiberius growled with excitement; it had been so long since he had had this many enemies to kill. He leapt with glee on the first one, biting into the man's neck.

99.8.71.18

Daniel fought and slashed, killing Brio soldiers left and right. "About time our full force got here," he muttered.

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The Assassin smirked. He had wondered where all the gold was going, and this was it. There wasn't a way that the Brio soldiers could win.

 

Post 331

Brio, Begnion, and the few Daein troops, fled into Tuscano, and the seige weapons went off, taking chunks out of The Originals Forces. Mik roared, and The Originals who had been fighting retreated, to take rest outside of the range the seige weapons. His men needed a rest after a long fight in Brio sun, and with his intelligence on the battlefield unquestioned, all recieved the order. He continued to personally lead the troops who had just arrived, pushing for the Brio gate before it closed.

Post 332

"Damn...Everyone get inside, now!" Skyler shouted, as soldiers poured in.

Skyler stood in front of the gate, as men from the other side came up. "You're not going in," he stated, unsheathing Aethro. A soldier snorted, and came up to Skyler, walking past him. Skyler pointed his sword back, and impaled the guy, from the back.

"You're not. Going. In."

99.8.71.18

Tiberius made his way and entered the city, going past Skyler as he left.

Post 333

<p style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Keith too, watched the gate with Skyler. "Can you see anymore of our men?" He called, as he sliced an enemy down. He tried to jump to catch sight of anyone, but was having trouble spotting anyone.

Post 334

"No, not anymore," Skyler panted, cutting down a soldier who tried to bolt past him, cutting his throat, and pretty much decapitating him.

Daniel arrived, walking towards the Tuscano Gate, where Keith and Skyler were.

"Skyler. We have to finish what we started."

"...Dammit, of all times. Fine." Skyler cursed, as he slashed out at Daniel. Daniel caught the blade on his, and smirked. Slashing outward, he launched Skyler off his feet, and backwards, landing on one foot, and one knee.

Post 335

"Skyler, no. We get back in now!" Keith roared, as his flames rose, he moved swiftly back and forth across the gate, creating a wall of fire to prevent any unwanted attention, although he did see out the corner of his eye one man walk in. Keith shook his head, the others could pick that man up. Keith went back and forth, striking foes down, waiting for Skyler to turn around.

Post 336

"No worries, Keith and I can handle one gate. I'll seal it with a barrier if I have to." said Kiroshima, blasting down one gutsy soldier. "I doubt any ordinary soldier could penetrate it, unless they had a sword like Flare. I swear, that sword is so stubborn."

Post 337

"...I have to finish this. He won't leave me alone until I kill him; I was such an idiot not to kill him when I had the chance." Skyler said to Keith, as he got to his feet. Slashing, he slashed Daniel vertically, which was blocked. Daniel cut down with Nox, then spun around and slashed at Skyler's arm. The blade barely cut Skyler's flesh, leaving a small cut.

Skyler spun away, slashing defensively to push Daniel back. Daniel countered with a downward slash, knocking Aethro downward as well. Daniel kicked out, and knocked the blade out of Skyler's hand.

"..." Daniel and Skyler stared at each other for at least ten seconds, before Daniel lanced his arm out, and stabbed.

The blade...missed. Skyler ducked down, and rolled, grabbing his blade and slashing up. The blade cut into Daniel's chest, and hit a rib.

"Gngh..." Daniel expelled, blood leaking from his lips. It was a fatal wound. "How did it...How did it come to this?" He muttered, to himself.

"I'm sorry Daniel. You were a good man, and a good soldier. It was a pleasure to have fought you." Skyler consoled, putting his hand on Daniel's shoulder.

"...die," Daniel muttered, swinging Nox up. Skyler was too slow. The blade pierced his chest, the second time today, yet this time was different. The blade pierced his heart.

A dead blow. Skyler gasped, and fell backward, his back resting up against the wall. Daniel smirked, and toppled over, dead.

"...damn. Zekk...son." Skyler said, as he looked over to Keith. "K-Keith?"

Post 338

"Sky-sky-skyler?" Keith lost control of Flare, and his wall of fire, he, and flare lost their fire. Keith knelt beside his friend. "C'mon...we're not supposed to die. We don't do that sort of thing. Live forever, dieing young the whole time. That sort of thing. Come on Skyler. You can't die on me now." Keith begged his friend, as he watched the blood pour out.

And then, self control left Keith, the demon inside him rose. He stood, and lit aflame. He charged to the enemy forces, slashing and killing as he went by, more than once he swore Flare went through weapons but didn't care. He was far out now. A clear line, marked by fire spread throughout the enemy.

"Close the gate." Duke Tanas order. "Over his dead body!" Alex blurted. "He'll be able to get back in, if he wishes to return." "But-"

Mik got in the way of Keith, who launched himself at the Foe, stabbing at his chest. But Mik resisted the blow, and absorbed it. Sparks flew as Flare got shorter and shorter against the dragon's scales, down the hilt, then Keith's arm, body, and legs, all turned into sparks.

"He's gone. He's gone." Alex whitened, as he watched.

Mik smirked, shaking his head.

"Over here." Mik turned around, the sparks that made up Keith had reformed together, and he slashed his blade, throwing Mik aside. Keith remained there, floating for a second. Before seeing his city, and flew towards it, looking more like a hawk then a man, but at the end of the day he was pure fire as arrows passed through him. He landed gently on the top of the gate.

And that's when he realized, he couldn't stop. Flare would not go out.

Post 339

<p style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Dammit, this is going from bad to worse." muttered Kiroshima. "I'll get the body, then handle Keith." Picking up Skyler's body, he quickly slipped through the gate. "You must have been getting soft, allowing a defeated but not dead opponent to hit you like that... I only hope you can rest now that you're gone." Calling over some Daien soldiers, he left Skyler with them and ran to Keith. "OI, HOT HEAD, YOU IN THERE?"

 

Post 340

"So...sorry, I'm so...sorry...Keith...," Skyler muttered, as he closed his eyes for the last time. And so it was, that the 12th King of Daein, Warrior of Tellius, Skyler Wilder, died.

99.8.71.18

Things were bright. That much, he was certain of.

Why are things so bright? the man said to himself. The world around him was as light as day, yet unnaturally bright.

"I'm glad you made it," a voice said. The man looked over, and saw his friend, Pallas.

"P..Pallas. Where am I? Am I...dead?" the man asked, his dark hair, yes, dark hair, floating in the breeze.

"Yes. You are dead, yet still alive. As am I. Come, join me, and everyone else." Pallas said, smiling, as he turned around.

Skyler looked past him, and saw everyone he knew, who had died. There was Arthur, the elderly sage, and somewhat of an electric mentor to him. There was both Kurth and Dheginsea, smiling down at him. Draco, his old laguz friend, waved eagerly to him.

And above all, was his wife, Natalie. A beorc, she had died long before him, but not without leaving him with a son, Zekk. Skyler felt tears well up. He was home.

The world turned to a bright light, and then there was nothing.

Post 351

"I can't stop..." Keith whispered, looking at his hand, with Flare sheathed. Was he burning up? After Skyler's death, Keith couldn't help but focus on his own mortality. Was Flare taking his life like it took so many of his foe. Was his own sword betraying him? Like life betraying Skyler? Was he even human now? Things had passed through him like...like he was fire. He had gone around Mik like dust hitting a wall. He focused, but it couldn't stop. It wouldn't stop. Should it stop? Yes, that much he was sure of. It always stoped before. Maybe before it was wrong? No. He was always right before. Right? Wrong. But he was right now that it was right then and wrong right now. Keith thought for a moment, and looked down at the sending stone, still unaffected by the fire as always, holding on by a chain made of fire at the moment. "Keith?" Keith looked up. "Fetelo...?"

Post 352

"I'm going to encase you in magic to protect us, try not to wreck the walls by focusing your flames!" said Kiroshima, shaping dark magic into a cube. "If only I knew anima magic... Then I could try to take the flames, but I suppose Dark will work as a raw shield." "Just yell when you've got them under control, and I'll release the shield."

Post 353

A voice from absolutely nowhere woke Alec from his sleep.

Alec...

Alec awoke with a start. He had sworn that he'd heard Skyler, his old friend from Daein. But...that wasn't possible. Skyler was in Brio, the last he'd heard. It was international news; Daein had supported Brio in the chain of events that had occurred with Brio being invaded by a strange new group of individuals, called The Originals.

"Skyler..? What's going on?" He muttered, to himself. It was probably a dream, but Alec couldn't help but feel like something bad had happened. He quickly grabbed his armor and cloak, and put his spear on the holster on his back. He left his house; his wife, Jessica, a Heron, was spending the week with her parents, in Kilvas.

He went out to the stable, in his small Crimean town. He paid the local tender, and purchased himself a wyvern.

"I'll call you...Gallandro. Come on, we're got a flight to Brio ahead of us," he said, petting Gallandro on the forehead. The wyvern leapt into the air, and flew in the direction of Brio. With any luck, he would be there in several hours; the flight to Brio from Crimea was shorter than the flight from Daein.

Post 354

"Kiroshima, relax. He won't hurt you. Well, unless he wants to." Fetelo spoke, as Flare reacted violently with the new magic, trying to break free. "Fetelo...what's happening to me?" "I need you to focus." "I am." "Not on Flare." "Then what!" "Someone." "Ok." "Not Skyler..." Fetelo's eyes went to the ground, in remorse. "Oh...." Keith closed his eyes. And the flames slowed, and died down, to a light buzz. "Continue thinking about her, Keith." Fetelo's voice was remarkably calm. "And Jake. Remember, Jake." "Yes." The flames sparked up. "Hey, Jake died a long time ago. He was a beorc, remember? These things happen." The flames died back down. "Now, I want you to accept, that you're not a god." "I never claimed to be." "But your not a devil either. You're you, Keith. You're not some otherwordly being. You are Keith, the boy who grew up in Crimea. Twice as skilled as anyone I know, and four times as cocky." Keith laughed, and smoke got out. His appearance was still firery, but in more normal colors, somewhere inbetween. "Keith." "Fetelo." "Aren't you at least a little happy to see me." Keith's flames dissappeared. "Of course, old friend." Keith looked measurably older than befoe Skyler's death, lines present under his eyes. He shook Fetelo's hand, then gave the sage a forceful hug, a rare display of pure emotion from Keith, who quickly rejected it by looking at the battle below. Archers on his walls were defending from bird laguz, but for the large part, the enemy was retreating to gather proper seige equipment. "We've got a war to finish, and as far as fighting goes I'm on fire." "Very funny Keith."

Post 355

Tiberius made his way to Skyler's body, unshifted. Tears openly fell from his face. Kneeling, he made a gesture on Skyler's forehead, and remorsefully looked away.

"He'll have a burial no other man on Tellius has ever seen. People from all countries will be there, for he affected men on all other countries. Not since the death of Ike the Hero will the people be more affected," he said, to anybody within ears-distance of hearing.

Post 356

"Well lets make sure we're all there to mourn him." Keith replied, who had gained his composure back. "I tried knocking that dragon with the bastilla...I saw everything. Keith, what was that?" Elliot had arrived, without firing said bastilla because of said surprise. "I don't wish to discuss it." Duke Tanas then spoke. "Well..I guess I better live if I'm to help his son rule." He shook his head, showing great sadness.

Post 357

<p style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Tiberius nodded.

"So. The Daein King's dead. I...nearly did the job. Odd, this will be the one job that I could never complete," the Assassin muttered, as he disappeared into the darkness, back to the Original Encampment.

Post 358

"Unfortunately, we have a war to fight." said Kiroshima, releasing the magic. "We must make sure he did not die in vain, and protect Tellius from the Originals. For now, we should probably concentrate on disabling the siege equipment, I think Brio's troops should hold out, even against the newcomers. Do we have any Meteor tomes for the mages?"

Post 359

In the midst of battle, the two Goldoan dragons seemingly disappeared, but they actually just went back to town, which cut them off from any action going on outside.

“Kaleth, why did we leave?” Silver asked as he followed his king, who ordered him to do so. “I got a feeling that something terrible might happen...” Especially because you're are acting weird... he thought to himself and looked back for a moment.

“Because I need to talk with you.” Kaleth responded only, his words having a slight growl accompanying them.

Post 360

The Assassin had his new orders. To follow the King dragon and his lackey, and report back on their movements.

The Assassin walked in the groups of people in the town. He had bought off a guard in the east gate to allow him through. He had pretended like his mother was inside, and he wanted to make sure she was alright.

He kept an eye on the King dragon, Kaleth, and spotted him with a Silver dragon, as well.

Post 361

Miscale wandered through the camp. "She's like an angel..an angel of death!" "I heard she went toe to toe with Miscale...and left because it was boring her!" She was hearing things about Lauren, with her sensitive ears, and it couldn't help but aggrevate her. In the Originals Camp's scrambel for seige weaponry, Lauren couldn't help hear "She the Angel of Death, I swear!" and "I heard she made Lauren run away!", frustrating her greatly.

Elliot managed to find Ryan and Steve, and was relieved. He looked up, each were taking shots at the bird laguz that were antagonizing them. "C'mon, El. Care to help clip of a few wings?" Ryan asked, as Elliot drew his bow.

"We have to push them back...but how? There's so many." Keith looked out. "We need to cut the leadership out. Get the dragon out of the picture, and they'll crumble." Fetelo suggested. "..." Keith thought, unsure of how he was supposed to accomplish this task when he couldn't even get the dragon to actually stay close enough for combat."I'll get it done." Everyone else focus on push them back.

Post 362

Just moments later, Silver returns back to the front gate, alone with a worried look on his face. Spotting the first people he knows though, his expression changed back to normal as he looked around. Wait, where is Skyler..? he asked himself, noticing the king of Daein was not there. (?) And then he sees Fetelo, talking to Keith. When did he arrive??

 Post 363 

Tiberius made his way to Keith.

"Keith, I must leave. I must make my report to King Gallia now. I will leave my men at your order, and I shall attempt to be back as soon as I can. Farewell and good luck," he said, transforming, and running southward.

Post 364

"Well that's great...we lost a King and a lion." Keith muttered. "Relax Keith." Fetelo shook his head, and out of the corner of his eye, saw Silver. He smiled, and waved, he had not seen Silver is some time. And yet, Silver still appeared young as Fetelo's hair was turning white-although Fetelo didn't look old for a Beorc quite yet. Just one with unnaturally early white hair. It made Fetelo a tad sad when he looked in a mirror, ironic seeing how he used to always dye part of his hair white. Now he need not make an effort.

Post 365

A great wyvern swept down, and landed.

"Great work, Gallandro," Alec stated, as he got off and went to Tuscano. Not surprisingly, it was well guarded. He went up to a pair of men; the both of them were either beorc or branded, one had brownish hair and the other had bright white hair, despite his young looks.

"Excuse me, are you members of the Brio Army? Could you help me find a man I know; Skyler, King of Daein?" Alec asked the two.

Post 366

<p style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"...I'm afraid to tell you...but Skyler's dead. He just died" Keith said, as his eyes went to the ground. It was a bad day, to be sure.

 

Post 367

Silver waved back and smiled too, happy to see Fetelo as well even though it's under dire conditions. But instead of coming over he remained at distance, which is unusual for him when the sage was around.

Suddenly though, with a poof of smoke and glittering sparks, a black cloaked woman appeared out of nowhere, being dizzy from the warp powder she used. “Gosh, my head...” she muttered and reached up to it, staggering around. “Ugh...” As she almost lost balance, her hood slipped off, revealing long, dawn colored hair tied to a high ponytail that reaches down just below her shoulders. It's Aruna.

Post 368

Alec blinked in surprise, and shook his head. "He...he died?" He asked in surprise.

''Why...did he say my name..? Was my subconscious telling me something?''

"That...that is indeed bad. I...Wow. Who killed him?" Alec asked.

Post 369

Fetelo was confused that Silver didn't come over, but focues on the matter at hand. "A person named....Aruna?" Keith said, as he saw her appear out of thin air.

Post 370

"A person named Aruna killed Skyler?" Alec asked, confused.

She or He must have to be extremely skilled...

Post 371

“Hm? Me?” Aruna turned around as she heard Keith, but a little to fast for her head to catch up. Thus she fell forward, right into the sandy path in front of his feet. “Hmmpfmm.”

Post 372

Keith knelt and put his hand on Aruna's shoulder. "Are you ok?"

It was Fetelo who answered Alec. "No...this is Aruna."

Post 373

"...Oh. Well...I'm Alec," Alec stated, holding his arm out for Fetelo to shake. He was still very shaken to hear of Skyler's death, but Alec's always been able to shake things off until later, when he's alone.

"I'm a Crimean Knight, and have been, since the Mad King's War," Alec said, nodding.

Post 374

"Oh Crimea? I'm Fetelo, I'll frequently help out there. Glad we have some of your experience here then." Fetelo answered with a diplomatic smile.

Post 375

"Glad to help, I suppose. Fetelo, eh? You wouldn't happen to be the Fetelo, huh? Friend of Jake?" Alec asked, casually.

Post 376

"Can I get a few copies of the schematics used to construct catapults? I think I can take care of the siege weapon problem." said Kiroshima. "I'll be needing your help, Keith, after I'm done with this."

Post 377

<p style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Aruna lifted herself up to sit on her knees and spit out some of the sand. “Yeah, I'm okay.” she answered then but also shoves Keith's hand off her shoulder before coughing.

<p style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">

Post 378

Keith raised his hand and signed, before lowering it. "I'm glad." He said, with more than a hint of sarcasm.

"Kiro, Alex will know where they are." Fetelo quickly said to Kiro. "And yes, I knew Jake very well. Why?"

Post 379

<p style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Aruna ignored it and got fully back up onto her feet, still coughing a few times as she done so. “Well, where am I?” she asked after clearing her throat, not having been in Tuscano very often.

 

Post 380

"He spoke of you, and Keith," Alec said, pointing to Keith, "quite often, during the lengthy period of time that we worked together. At least, before his...death," Alec said, casting his eyes down. It had been a long time, but he still missed Jake a bit. He always had good advice for Alec.

Post 381

"Have you talked to him since then?" Fetelo inquired, curious about the new man.

"A little town, Tuscano. You might've heard it before. You know, capital of Brio and everyone's favorite place to attack." Keith replied.

Post 382

"Since...since his death?" Alec asked, confused. Had he created a spell or tome for speaking to the dead. "What do you mean?"

Post 383

"The Cave of Heroes. Jake resides there. When this war is over, I'll show you." Fetelo offered.

Post 384

<p style="tab-stops:69.75pt">"Sure...What do you mean he resides there...?" Alec asked.

Z-..zombies..? He thought to himself.

Post 385

“I see...” Aruna sighed, that warp powder brought her to the wrong place. And now? She looks at Keith and risks a short glance right into his eyes.

Post 386

"..." Keith stared for a moment silently, expecting some sort of addition. "...so you're here...why?"

"You've never heard of it? Spirits of Great Warriors can decide to reside there, guarding some great secret. It allows them to communicate with friends and loved ones who are here" Fetelo replied.

Post 387

Alec blinked in surprise. Why hadn't he heard about this. "Where is this cave?" He asked, again in surprise.

Post 388

“For nothing.” responded Aruna and turns her head away to look up towards the sky. “I accidentally landed here.”

Post 389

"Oh really?" Keith asked, "Sure you didn't just want to visit?" He asked jokingly. "Or maybe you heard we're in a tight spot?" He said, feigning hopefulness as he looked out to desert, and The Originals.

"Midway between Crimea and Begnion" Fetelo answered, giving a rough estimate. He could point it out on a map, but he didn't really have one.

Post 390

"Wow, I had no idea...My house is near the Crimea-Begnion border too," Alec said, in shock.

Post 391

“Pfff.” Aruna waved her hand. “Spare me.” she simply said and walked off, not even caring to ask what's going on if he's going to be like this. ...you stupid jerk. She moved her hood back on. ....

Post 392

<p style="tab-stops:1.0in">Keith raised his hand in the "what did I ever do?" universal symbol, and mouthed it as well for effect. He walked up to her. "Hey, do we have a problem?"

Post 393

“Maybe, sir.” Aruna answered and stopped again. “Don't you have a country to rule instead of dilly dallying with me?” she asked, obviously not happy about that she ended up here. There was a reason why she avoided Tuscano so often, and that reason stood right in front of her now.

Post 394

"That sounds like a yes to me." Keith winced at "sir" and "rule". "You think I enjoy this? Not to mention I might not "have a country to rule" much longer" Keith retorted and pointed out to the battlefield.

Post 395

"Uh...so. How has the battle been going?" Alec asked, awkwardly. The two were fighting fairly loud, and though they had walked a bit away, it was still within earshot.

Post 396

“Oh?” Aruna blinked and gazed off into the direction his hand was pointing. “I'm sorry, I didn't know that, well, you are in such terrible troubles.” she said but just couldn't make it sound like she really felt sorry. Keith could only guess that she really disapproved his status, his job and the responsibilities which came with it, wanted or not. It was because of that she left Brio, besides that she also had a little trouble with that essence of chaos inside of her back then.

Post 397

"Well..." Keith eyes darted to Alec "the battle has been a bit rough...we could use the help of someone of..your calibur. Well?" Keith asked, this time genuinely hopeful.

Post 398

"Me..? Uh...well, my wife is in Kilvas for the entire week, so I suppose I can stay and help," Alec said. He took the spear off his holster.

"I suppose you have my spear."

Post 399

<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">“...congrats for recruiting more.” whispered Aruna as she pulled her hood deeper into her face. “I'm going.” she said louder again. “To find a place to stay in the meantime. Goodbye.”

Post 400

"Wait" Keith put his hand on her shoulder, and then slowly removed. "I..I meant you."

Post 401

<p style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Oh...," Alec shrugged, a little red-faced.

"I'll stick around, still. You still have to show me Jake," he said, looking at Fetelo this time.

 

Post 402

<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">"We'll appreciate your help." Fetelo smiled, he had remained quiet and planned on continuing to do so.

 Post 403

<p style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Aruna turned to look at Keith, not showing any sort of special expression. “Well, I said I would like to find a place to stay for the meantime.” she repeated.

 

Post 404

"Oh..well...glad to have you around?" Keith tried.

Post 405

<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">“...yeah.” said Aruna disappointed and lowers her head. "See you around...I guess.."

Post 406

<p style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Ummm...you do have a place in mind, right?" Keith asked, noticing the enemy was definitely moving back as night began to set in. They would get their break for the night. Thank the Goddess...

<p style="tab-stops:51.75pt"> 

Post 407

<p style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Well...uhh, you haven't happened to see any herons in Brio, have you? My brother-in-law is supposed to be here, in Tuscano." Alec stated.

 

Post 408

<p style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">“No, I don't...” Aruna answered with a shrug. “But I'm sure I can find something and if not..well, I don't mind sleeping outside.”

 

Post 409

Keith looked at her. "Outside? Come on...I'm sure we can find you a place. Or would you like to stay with me? Its too big of place anyway."

Fetelo frowned. "I heard there was a heronness fighting..for..the enemy." Fetelo sighed, he never thought he'd have to say those words.

Post 410

<p style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Ah, yes, I heard her name was Lauren. You should ask Miscale for more information." said Kiroshima.

 

Post 411

<p style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Aruna opened her mouth to say something but paused to think first. “With...you?” she asked, to make sure she didn't just hear things. While waiting for the answer to come, she raised her head again to look once again into Keith's eyes.

 

Post 412

"Hm. I don't know, I suppose I'll find him soon or a later, if I'm staying." Alec said.

99.8.71.18

A man dressed in long white clothing was sitting in the local tavern, drinking a glass of mead.

"Ehh, if it isn't a heron. Heard you was all extinct and all," a local drunk came up to him. The man had long white-blond hair, and a bemused look on his face.

"No, no. We're alive and well. At least, some of us are," Gabriel said, indicating to the barkeep that he come over. "I'll have another glass, and two glasses of whatever he's drinking," he said, pointing at the man beside him. The drunk cheerfully shouted, and scooped up his drink.

"Eeey, the heron's a good fella!" Gabriel smiled. If only Reyson could see him now, he would be amazed. Gabriel nearly laughed, as his mead arrived, the first time that Reyson had tried mead. He had been sick for several days. Sometimes Gabriel missed him. Other times...he just fought in the arenas, forgetting about him. A whitish sword hung at his side, with the inscription Averyl, on the scabbard, which was also white, and on the blade underneath, though you couldn't see it.

Post 413

"Yes, if your comfortable with that, that is." Keith quickly added.

Post 414

<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">“...I am.” she whispered almost to herself. “So, show me where we are staying.” Aruna smiled a little. “Because I haven't seen I bed in months.”

Post 415

<p style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Gabriel shook his head; too much drinking. He got up, and stumbled a bit. "Shoot...I'm drunk," he muttered to himself. He actually wasn't. He knew that he was being followed. He took a small glance behind him; it was a dark robed man, with his hood up. He had a bow strapped to his back, and a sword in it's sheath.

99.8.71.18

The Assassin smirked. The Heron was drunk. He could easily capture it, and sell it to the corrupt Begnion Senate. This was almost too easy.

 

Post 416

<p style="tab-stops:67.5pt">“Right this way," Keith said with a smile, it was nice to not worry about the battle which would recomence the next morning. While Keith was a fighter through and through, being responsible for entire group of people was exactly his thing, and was more than stressful. He led Aruna to his housing, which as he stated, was more along the size built for a family of 8 than a single man- it was indeed too big for him.

Post 417

<p style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Aruna gazed with wide open eyes at Keith's residence for a moment, even though big houses isn't really her style at all. “My, you sure didn't lie when you said this is to large for you.” she said while untying her cloak to remove it as soon they head inside, which reveals that she's still wearing her usual clothing but kept 3 swords on her now, all attached to her belt on the left. The first was her wind enhanced katana, the next a trusty iron sword and the last surprisingly a Wyrmslayer. “You really live here all by yourself..?”

 

Post 418

Gabriel 'stumbled' into a trash can and then fell over. The assassin followed him, and said.

"Here, lemme help you up," The Assassin said, silently laughing. He pulled a knife out of his side, and lowered himself to Gabriel's level. He brought the knife up, and slashed downward, a stab towards Gabriel.

Gabriel rolled to the side, unsheathed his white blade, and slashed. The Assassin's hand came off, sliced off about halfway from the elbow to the wrist. The Assassin screamed, and threw down some warp powder, escaping.

"Tsk...What a bother," Gabriel muttered, as he kept walking.

Post 419

<p style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Yea, but, uh...most of the rooms are empty. This room came pre-decorated...and so did my room...and um...that's pretty much it. I don't have much stuff." Keith admitted. He detached his cape and tossed it on the couch. Wow that thing is a lot heavier than it looks...

 

Post 420

<p style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">“I see.. quite luxurious compared to where you used to stay at before becoming prime minister (or king, whatever?).” she sighed and carried her cloak in her arms. “And it seems that it even changed your taste for clothes...didn't that cape slow you down?” she wondered, noticing how relieved he is to finally get it off.

<p style="text-indent:.5in"> 

Post 421

"Yea, probably. But, I felt it was proper to wear something more...formal and recognizable when leading the troops, and inspiring fear" Keith took of his shirt, revealing the chain mail and shoulder pads. "in the enemy. As if lighting on fire wasn't enough." He took of the pads, and the leather that held them. "but at least these made me look bigger." He winked, and smiled.

Post 422

“Pff, like size matters.” Aruna turned a little red as she looks away. “For me it sounds more like you wanted to show off, once again, that's all.”

Post 423

"Well..." Keith tuck the sending stone into the chainmail, so it stayed out of the way as he took the chainmail off. "maybe a little."

Post 424

Gabriel walked down the street to his small apartment, and walked in. He put his sword and sheath on the table, and then went to bed.

Post 425

<p style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">“Just a little?” Aruna giggled quietly. “Be honest, how many did you slay by yourself? Just curious.”

 

Post 426

<p style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Well, if I was to be honest, I'd have to say I lost count. You know, sometimes it gets hard. "Did I just get that guy? Or did he die from shock? Does it count if he died of shock because he saw me?"" Keith joked. "Rest assured, it was a high number."

 

Post 427

<p style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">“Hehe...alright. But if you killed so many men, and lost count doing so, why do you need me around again?” Aruna asked with a smile but it her words are followed by a tired yawn.

 

Post 428

<p style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Well you know, I could kill them all." Keith said, feigning that he agree with her joking logic. "But, it'd go much more smoother with you around. Anyway, are you tired?"

 

Post 429

<p style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">“No, I'm just pretending to be so.” Aruna responded with closed eyes but smile on her face, not regretting that she decided to come with Keith. Because even though she wouldn't admit it in the open, she missed him a lot during her absence. "You?"

 

Post 430

<p style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Nah, I could stay up all night with you." Keith replied, not that it would be a good idea, considering he had a full day of battle, fought the night before (and thus had gotten not a significant amount of sleep), and would be fighting all day tomorrow in all probability. But, he wasn't tired, so that was his answer.

 

Post 431

<p style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">“Oh really?” Aruna smirked but shook her head then. “Let me go to bed. I need at least some sleep if you want me to fight alongside you and your friends tomorrow.”

 

Post 432

<p style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Keith showed her to the bedroom, and leaned against the wall. "I thought you weren't tired?"

 

Post 433

“Well, I'm not. I just want to lie down.” Aruna lied, placed her cloak over the back of a chair and unbuckled her belt with the swords, leaning them against the chair as well before dropping into bed. She took a minute to make herself comfortable and a sigh of relief left her as she finished cuddling into the sheets. ''Beeed..... <3''

Meantime Silver remained outside, having found a quiet, empty spot not to far away from the main gate for himself. And unlike Aruna he didn't need a bed to sleep well, he only had to shift which he does. As dragon he carefully breathed some fire down at the earth below, warming it up a little before curling together on the spot and pulling one of his wings up to cover his head from the cold desert air during nighttime.

Post 434

<p style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Keith walked for and leaned against the foot of the bed ((as I admitably forget what's the wooden thing called at the end of the bed *sadface*)), and smiled slightly. "Comfy?"

 

Post 435

<p style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">“Yep...you're...definitely missing something... here.” Aruna muttered, almost whispered as she closed her eyes, dozing off already.

 

Post 436

<p style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Aruna?" Keith asked, with a hint of confusion, as he sat on the edge of the bed, unsure of what she meant. Missing something?

 

Post 437

<p style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">No answer came, Aruna's breathing has only slowed down from one moment to the other. She fell asleep, with a smile.

 

Post 438

Gabriel woke up the next morning, early. The sun was still coming up. Gabriel did his morning workout, running throughout Tuscano, and then leapt into the air. With a gleeful shout, he transformed into his Heron form, and did some aerial training as well.

Post 439

"...Mik?" The General turned around, "Oh, hello Lauren." "Can we talk?" "Lauren, I'm always here for a talk if you need one." Lauren flung her arms around Mik, crying. "He's dead. I just got word, he's dead. They said they wouldn't hurt him but they did." "Lauren...I'm sorry." "He died hating me...that's what killed him." "Lauren." Mik raised the Heron's chin. "He didn't hate you. It's just someone with your...past. He didn't know how to act." Lauren sniffled, and rested her head on Mik's chest. "Mik...thank you."

Post 440

<p style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">The Assassin grimaced. They had managed to, miraculously, reattach his arm. Somehow. He flexed the muscles; they felt fine, though there was a large scar that circled where the blade had cut off.

Lucien stood up. He saw in the distance, Mik and Lauren talking. He didn't care what about. He sat down, and continued to stare at his arm, thinking about the Heron who had done this to him.

 

Post 441

The morning light hit Fetelo's face, and he shot up. Battle would start soon. He rushed to the gate, and gazed at the battlefield, the enemy had left cats patrolling the exit, preventing and leave, and now birds were moving in to antagonize them. He had little time to search for an advantage, the full force of the enemy would be on the move soon.

Post 442

<p style="tab-stops:129.0pt">Gabriel swung down, and nearly landed on a Branded, that much he was able to tell. Not that there were many non-Branded here, anyway. Gabriel was already unshifted into his "human" form, using his wings to slow his descent.

"Sorry, mate. Didn't mean to nearly land on you," Gabriel said, as he made sure his sword was on his sheath. It was.

Post 443

<p style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"..." Fetelo looked at the new man. "I don't believe we've met." Fetelo replied, trying to hide any surprise.

 

Post 444

<p style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Kiroshima was tired from setting up more sigils and runes across the wall. Unfortunately, there's no rest for the weary, and he was completing one last symbol at the highest point he could find, from which he could see most of the wall. None of them had the power of the rune he drew the day before, but this one wasn't meant to work like that. Instead, an array of symbols could be remotely controlled from a central point. This point. '''I'll be here for the majority of the battle, probably. Let me see, 10 runes spread out along the wall, 3 centered on the gate, 1 attached to the gate. Counting this, 15 total symbols... Command rune has 1... 2... 14 plus itself, 15. Arrayed in a circular formation, order matching the runes' compass position west to east. Hmph, and then... The secret weapon.''' Finished surveying his work, he turned around examined the blue print for the Brio siege catapult. Placing his hand on the surface, his arm sank through it. He began to pull, and out came a shadowy siege catapult. Except it had no ammunition. Summoning his bird, he asked Keith to come.

 

Post 445

<p style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">"Uhh...Gabriel...Gabriel Leon. And you?" Gabriel said, stretching out his back. Flying, while relaxing, often curved his back for too long, making it ache.

<p style="text-indent:.5in"> 

Post 446

Silver got up with sunrise, unshifted and stretched his arms as he headed to the gate. A new day.. sadly though with another battle ahead. On his way he watched how the first soldier already got ready before spotting Fetelo and Gabriel. Another heron? he asked himself, thinking that the war turns odder with each day passing.

Meanwhile further away, at an unknown place, Ysera slowly opened her eyes. Her vision was still blurry at first but that soon changed as she carefully lifted herself up to sit. “Where...?” she thought out aloud and reached up to her head. It still pained terribly. "Kaleth? Are you there?"

Post 447

<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">"Oh? Hello Ysera. Kaleth isn't here. I'm sorry to say, but you were kidnapped." The man replied. "Um not by us. Or at least, at first, depending on what you call this. I call it a rescue myself."

<p style="tab-stops:78.0pt"> 

Post 448

<p style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">“Rescue...?” Ysera looked over to the man, her mind still catching up on what he said. “Who are you?” she asked then, wary even though there is no way she could actually protect herself right now, not like this. She was still weak and especially hungry, not having eaten in a few days. I hope... she thought at the moment as well and placed her hand down onto her stomach. That everything is alright...

 

Post 449

"I'm a dragon. I don't believe we've actually met before, but don't worry. I promise you no harm." The dragon replied, unwilling to give a name.

There was a pecking at the window. "Wha-what?" Keith woke, and held his arm up to block the sun. He then proceeded to fall out of the bed, shocked that he overslept. "ow..." He had fallen asleep next to Aruna, who he no doubt woke with his crashing.

Post 450

“Mmm...” Aruna turned around in bed, opened her eyes unwillingly and looked down at Keith. “...silly.” she giggled at the sight, her dawn red, open hair falling into her face a little. “Good morning.”

“I see...” Ysera sighed, not sure if she really felt safer now. What the hell is going on? she wondered and noticed that her precious sending stone was missing. “Uh...excuse me, but do you happen to know where my stone is?”