Sanctuary IC

[Cucoo5]

Tempus - 7:10

Aion let himself get lead away. The aura of energy took on a red hue.
"Hehe, a mortal~? Do you want to play my game~?"
"...what?"
"Tehee~ come on~! PLAY!"
The voice of the little girl turned into a sharp pain.
"Urk! W-who are you?!"
"The one whose toy you took without MY PERMISSION! Now~Play my game~!"
"...I think not." Aion sensed a malevolence in the voice...in the energy emanating from Mercurius.
The voice of the little girl turned to frustration. "PLAY MY GAME!" The red crystal set in the crosstree of the sword grew brighter, as though it were on fire.
"No. I will not! Plus, You're lying. I was entrusted with Mercurius, therefore I AM THE ONE IN CONTROL!" Aion began to channel energy away from him. He used some to begin healing Nera's wound and the rest he channeled into stone walls they just passed.
The walls exploded, blocking off the path behind them. Sigils formed around the sword from the arcs of energy. Everything began to flow evenly. Chaotic no more. The voice faded from his mind.
"We need to get inside the castle!" Aion started to pick up his pace. He felt rejuvenated...or was it even him who was the one running now? Aion glanced to a pane of glass and briefly noticed for himself that his eyes had changed color from their normal fire red. Was he truly himself?

--------------------
Land of Cinders and Ashes - 7:00

Kiara looked at the zombie, still somewhat terrified.
Nightmares...nightmares...nightmares becoming reality.
Dalia looked from Kiara, to Toran, then...she noticed the villagers that had gathered around, looking upon the spectacle with mouths agape. Not the sort of scene she wanted...but...might be able to profit from it yet. But now Kiara is involved. "Dammit...should have just gone to pick through the Shrine. But noooooo...had to try and get ahold of a geo arcane stone..."
"K-kiara..." The little girl began. "My-my name is Kiara..."

[Kristia]

Tempus

Running along side the warrior, Nera couldnīt help to notice his ongoing changes, but she had to focus on her own problems, even using magic to heal wounds wasnīt enough to deal with the internal damage in her shoulder, she needed to heal the wound with real treatment. She hoped that the castle had medical supplies or even if she had luck, a doctor

The moment Aion suddenly stopped and noticed his own changes, the fox took his arm again and kept running with him "You can check yourself later, we must get away from the undeadīs reach" she said running through an alley way and tackling open a door to keep evading the undead

She kept looking for both the fastest and safest routes to the castle as it was slowly getting closer, her vision was starting to get blurry as she had lost quite a big deal of blood

"This way! I see the gates" the vixen pointed to the gates of the castle and hoped with every fiber of her persona that it would stay open just for the two of them

[S121]

Lakeside Path - Near Chronomancer's Tower - Gensei Woods 7:10

Azeruk panted as he continued to run along the path. So far, he ran around the lake one time out of five. The sound of his metal boots made loud crunching noises as three-hundred eighty pounds impacted the ground with each step Azeruk took. Despite the strain Azeruk was feeling, it didn't take away from the sights and sounds of the woods. The smell of the forest, the sounds of the creatures and lake, even the fresh mountain air rolling down from the mountains nearby revitalized Azeruk. It kept him at ease as he continued to run.

[wonderweiss]

Toran looked on at the girl.

Subject status, afraid. Threat level, minor to moderate. Undecided...

He smiled.

"Kiara, huh? What a nice name. My name is Toran."

He cleared his hand of the rocky armor and held his hand out. It revealed the gray skin. Everybody gasped. "It's a zombie!" "He's going after that young girl!" "Let's get him!" Everybody went to go get their weapons. But Toran only wanted to make peace.

"It's alright. I'm not like the others. I do not wish to hurt anybody. Do you trust me?"

[Cucoo5]

Tempus - 7:15

Racing for the slowly closing gate, the two warriors increased their pace. There wasn't enough time. Aion went through the possibilities. Stop time at the gate? He would have to stop the entire mechanism...too much could go wrong. If a single part of the gate is exposed to normal time they would wind up being chopped in half by the gate when they reached it. There was one possibility. Aion looked to Mercurius. He wouldn't dare use what he planned with a second person under normal circumstances.
This wasn't normal circumstance.
Aion held Nera's arm tight. Get through the gate, or let the undead reach them. No time for second guessing, now or never. A blue aura engulfed them, Mercurius's light grew faint, the gate slowed greatly. Time was not still, just moving slower.

A gate guard looked and saw the Abain and the Yaju racing for the opening. He called down to the others to open the gate again. They couldn't. To stop the gate now would be impossible. The guard looked back and no longer saw the two, instead all his eyes could perceive were a blue streak of energy. His spear dropped. Only in text did he read of the phenomena. The taboo art of Time Phase.

----------------
Land of Cinders and Ashes - 7:05

The villagers surrounded Toran. What he said, however triggered a memory.

- Kenji - ???
"Who's your new friend, Kiara?"
"Oh! This is Micero! He's a dark mage. He helped-"
The woman dropped the basket she was holding. "D-D-DARK MAGE!!!" She ran off screaming, terrified.
"There's a reason why I don't tell just anyone what I am."
"I don't understand, you aren't a bad person..."
"That's how it is, Kiara. As long as Dark Mages are portrayed as evil to the people, it's how it will always be."
"That is so... stupid. I'm going to tell everyone how good-!"
"Don't. It's best if I lied low here now. Just find what we need quickly, ok?"
Kiara watched, saddened as her friend disappeared to the shadows.
--------------
"STOP!" Kiara ran to Toran and defended him.
Everyone stood where they were.
"Don't hurt him!"
"Little girl, you don't know what you're doing! Get away from that...thing!"
"Little? I'm not that little! I'll have you know-!"
"Shush! Here let me get you somewhere safe!"
SHINK-
Kiara held her short sword in a stance as though she was preparing for a fencing duel. "No." Her demeanor changed entirely. The innocent, terrified face was replaced with a grave, sullen look. Her stance was resolute. The only thing that gave away her anxiety was that the tip of her sword trembled. "I won't let you hurt him!"
SNAP
Everyone turned to Dalia, who stood with a dumbfounded grin plastered on her face. She had just snapped a staff in half in her hands. After dropping the broken staff she turned on her heels and walked away from the situation. after she disappeared behind a nearby building, a short time passed. Then a...frustrated scream tore through the air...

Spoiler:

"FUUUUUUUUUUUUU**MYYYYYYYLIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII IIFE-!!!"

A few seconds later, Dalia emerged again with the same stupid grin plastered on her face.
"WELL! YOU HEARD THE LITTLE LADY! NOTHING TO DO AND SEE HERE! SO GET THE FU-" She stopped herself and regained composure. "So just...go home. Everyone go back to...whatever you the...whatever you all do." Dalia shooed off the stunned onlookers.
"Well...ok then..." She said through clenched teeth. "Let's get to that drink shall we? I could use some b**bs...I mean booze. Maybe both, I. don't. know. anymore~! DAMMIT SOMEONE GET ME THE STRONGEST GOD D*MN WHISKY YOU ALL GOT AROUND HERE! NOW!"

Kiara remained where she was as Dalia rambled on and paced around the town square like a mad woman. "Oh dear, Dalia's in one of her strange moods again..."

[Kristia]

Tempus

Nera closed her eyes as the blue energy engulfed both her and Aion, his sword had a dim glow as it was the source of his power. They were still running towards the gate, but it was way slower than before because of the time magician
("I assume it is a lowering gate)
She took all her energy to use her animal strength "Hold tightly" she said making a powerful leap towards the ever narrowing space to cross with a slide. she felt her ear touch the tip of the gate as they crossed into the castle, but atleast they managed to get into safety

As the time got into a regular pace, the fox noticed the guards gasping at the fact the duo "warped" from one place to another. Soon one of the guards noticed the Yaju and pointed his sword towards her

"What is your plot here beast!" The guard yelled with a minor shake from his hands, Nera knew the humans didnīt trust the Yaju, yet here she was trying to show the opposite

"We are asking for asylum to heal our wounds and get some rest, the undead were delayed for some time, but they will come back, just let-" she quickly jumped backwards as the blade almost sliced her

"How can we know you arenīt on their side!?, you may even be a spy to sabotage us!" the guard blabered with a tone of madness

("He just lost it") the vixen thought sighing getting up with both hands up showing no agression "Im just asking for some medical treatment, then I will leave, just that" she said and whinced again in pain, her body was weak with the blood loss as she kneeled with one leg.

[wonderweiss]

Toran looked on at the crazed woman.

"Oh, so this has happened before. Nice to know."

Well now, that was a shock. Weapons, concealed, armor, none, magic, aquamancy, final analysis... Slightly above moderate. Status... Unknown...

Toran decided that since they had already seen him, he would be able to remove the armor without too much trouble. But a question lingered in his thoughts. Something he couldn't comprehend easily, even as the smartest zombie in creation.

"... Thank you... But I must ask... Why would you out your well-being at risk? For a zombie?"

[bookdragon2000]

Edge of Gensei woods

The battle had been progressing for sometime now and even as Amurei watched, the walls were breached and the undead army poured inside the city. She had decided to sit it out, she was inclined to help both sides, the undead so that the necromancers could return, the city so that death could be averted. But it was too late, the city's inhabitants has retreated to the inner walls, and an undead on a skeletal horse had left, she recognised him as the lich that commanded the spirit she had "piggy-back"ed to come here, general Rem if she was not mistaken. She continued watching his departure until he was out of sight, not noticing the dark shape following General Rem high up in the sky. She turned back to the battle and watched it progression for while longer, and the sky began to brighten as the sun rose.

She finally grew tired of looking at the remnants of the undead army still outside the city, she was not able to see what else transpired within the walls. She turned and drifted back into the forest, attempting to find anyone she knew, anyone at all.

[S121]

Lakeside Path - Near Chronomancer's Tower - Gensei Woods 7:20

Azeruk just finished the second lap around the lake when a thought came to his mind. Why was Azeruk training so hard? What was in the future that would require such harsh training? Before he could further contemplate his future, Azeruk slippped on the mud on the ground and almost fell over, but caught onto a nearby tree. Azeruk was quickly losing patience and wanted the training to end as soon as possible. Just before deciding to skip his magic training, Azeruk came up with a better idea. Instead of doing physical, then magical training, why not do both at once?

Azeruk stood back onto the path took a deep breath, and sped himself up. Azeruk then darted down the path, appearing as a golden blur.

[Cucoo5]

Tempus - 7:15

"She's with me." Aion got up using Mercurius as a crutch, his face a picture of annoyance. "Now unless you all got something better to do, I suggest..." He lifted his sword up, pausing before putting it back into it's sheath which he held in his other hand. "You help escort this here lady to the medical wing. And if she-"
"And who the hell are you? For all we know YOU could also be a traitor!"
"Oh for the love of...Listen here, kid! I don't care about what you think you know. I. Don't. Care. As long as I'm getting paid to fight this battle for you morons...then I don't care."
"What, you some sort of mercenary then?" The other guard started to chuckle. "Hahahaha! Look here, we're the King's royal guard! WE are the best of the best. Now we'll be escorting you two...to the dungeons until the king decides your fate."
"Heh...now ain't that a curious thing. If you are the best...of the best...Then why did your King hire me? Now I would think it would be in YOUR best interest if you helped ME. Unless...of course...you want to explain to the King himself WHY I wasn't able to perform my duties to him." Aion paused for...dramatic effect.
"I STILL THINK YOU BE A TRAITOR!"
"Oh?" Aion turned to the guard that made the accusation again. "...And if your wrong?" A wry smile was on his face.
Then the gate guard that initially saw them running to the gate entered the room. "...Stand down. I know this mercenary." He stood in front of Aion, Looking him in the eye. "We will escort you and the Yaju to the medical wing." He then turned on his heels facing towards the corridor that led to the medical wing. He looked at his colleagues. "NOW!"
Then they marched off towards the medical wing. The gate guard that took the lead held back and fell in pace with Aion.
"You can use it?" the guard asked in a forced whisper.
"Use what?"
"The taboo arts..."
"Oh." Aion rolled his eyes.
"I only heard the rumors...but...you managed to use it?"
"Sort of."
"Incredible. Could you...?"
"You know the risks that the texts say is associated with it?"
"Uh...yes."
"Then I would recommend forgetting it. There's a reason why it's use has been banned."
"...Of course."

----------------------------------------------
The Land of Cinders and Ashes - 7:10

At this point Dalia was still grumbling to herself. Kiara watched her carefully less she completely snapped.
"...I might seem like a child. That's because I still am...but..." Kiara glanced at Toran. "I like to believe. I like to believe there's hope for everyone."
--------
Kenji - ???

"KIARA!" bolts of dark energy flew past Micero as he tried to find his friend.
"KYAAAAAAAAAH!"
He turned to the source of the scream. A female dark mage had grabbed Kiara. "HOLD ON, KIARA!" He summoned a spear of dark magic and struck the dark mage.
Kiara fell from the woman's grasp. From the ground she scrambled for her short sword. Micero turned and saw the leader of the Dark mages preparing to strike down Kiara. "NO!" He sprinted to Kiara and grabbed her. Kiara turned and saw Micero shielding her. Then...she saw the dark energy burn in the center of his back. "No! Micero!"
"D-don't worry about me... just... stop... Achl-" That was all he could say before death took him. "MICERO!!!" Tears ran freely down Kiara's face.

--------
"Hope...for everyone." Kiara repeated.
Dalia stopped pacing for a moment. "You know... I need a bath...ya...that's it." She then looked at Kiara. "Say...sweety...care to join me?"
Blood instantly seemed to rush to Kiara's face. "O-Oh uhm uuuuuh...P-pass! I-I think I'll p-pass." She then turned to Toran. "We need to get her drunk. Now. For everyone's sake." Then she added in her mind "Hope for everyone? I forgot...there's no hope for Dalia..."

[Kristia]

Tempus

Nera was exahusted as she was walking to the medical wing, a guard was helping her to avoid tripping as she was still dizzy with her injuries

The guard couldnīt hold his curiosness about the Yaju and said "So.. why is one of your society here? For what I know both of our bands are with a single spark to create a war with you" he was opening the door to the medical room

The vixen couldnīt help to notice the many injured soldiers, some had brocken limbs while others had bandages on their wounds. Others had worse states as they had no legs or arms. But what worried her more was the fact that the moment she entered the room, all the soldiers including the injured ones took whatever they had on reach and prepared to attack the Yaju

"At ease men, she is on our side" said a man who was sitting on a corner, he had a bandage on his head, probably a concusion and many bruises on his arms, but mostly fine

"How can you know she isnīt a spy sergeant?" another soldier asked with his hand still on the hilt of his sheated sword

The sergeant got up from his chair and faced the soldier "Because she saved a mother and her child from the undead army in the bakery, the kid wouldnīt stop rambling about an animal woman fighting them with an odd sword, ALSO there were some talks from the civilians about a fox girl and an abain defending the hole in the capitalīs wall, make some two plus two and you got the animal woman in front of you"

Soon the doctor appeared and asked the Fox to take off her bloodied cloak and she nodded disrobing from it. She had a big arrow injury on her right arm and the one on her left shoulder was still covering part of her fur in a crimsom stain, some soldiers wondered how she could endure such pain

"I request for some herbs and stitching, in my state I canīt focus on myself doctor" Nera asked sitting on a chair as the doctor started doing his work on her injuries, the medicine was making her drowsy, but she then remembered something

Looking at the sergeant, the Yaju said worried "My people! they are coming here taking advantage of the attack! I need to speak to te King before this war gets worse!"

The sergeant looked at the Yaju and took her from the neck "I knew your kind would take advantage of this, but what I donīt know is if you are brave or stupid to come here, how can one Yaju stop all their species?"

The vixen only said "If you.. let me speak.. with the K-king, I will do my-- best to convince our leader.." she was about to faint when the sergeant loosened the hold and she fell on the floor coughing

"You heard her, send the message to the King" he ordered

"But Sir-" a guard was interrupted by the serious glare of the sergeant and he ran towards the Kingīs location

The Yaju just took a seat on a wall letting her body heal the damage.

[wonderweiss]

Toran looked up to the sky.

"Hm. At this point, one would assume that she were already drunk... And speak of the devil."

Before them stood a small pub.

"... Now then, what to do with you, because God knows you aren't allowed in-"

All of a sudden, Toran heard something. Something he thought he would never hear again.

He heard a cackling that sounded much like his master.

"Dammit, she's still alive?!"

Toran hid behind a nearby bush.

"Damn! I want to go in there, but now she has her guard up and by now she should've finished the book I obtained for her... What an idiot I was..."

He faced Kiara.

"You. Make sure your friend gets what she wants -- or rather needs -- while I go take care of unfinished business..."

[Cucoo5]

Tempus - 7:20

Resolute and unwavering, Aetheron walked down through the halls towards the medical wing. He came across the guard racing the other way. He stopped the man. "If you are going to the king to tell him about the Yaju, he is already aware of the situation." Aetheron seemed to look the man in the eye. "There is more pressing matters he wishes to discuss with the mercenary and the Yaju warrior. Tell them that he will grant them an audience with the court. Tell the man named Aion that the king wishes to speak to him about a rumor concerning an assassination attempt by means of poisoning. Also tell him that it may be a matter related to Hyperion." Aetheron gently turned the man around. "Go now. There are more pressing matters I must attend myself. Quickly!"
As the guard ran back to the medical quarters, Aetheron toyed with a small, empty vial in his hand. "The pieces have been set in motion..."

----------------
Land of Cinders and Ashes - 7:15

"Nu-uh, if I leave you here, bad things will happen. C'mon!" Kiara pulled Toran towards the bar. "You too, Dalia, you need something to...uhm...get you...off edge?" Kiara stumbled...she couldn't remember the saying.
"Oh? You sayin' I'm on edge? HA! I'm totally not on edge. Pfft, please. I'm soooooo relaxed right now." Suddenly a fly that was annoying her burst into flame and fell to earth like a tiny little meteor. "Though I could use a little bit of-"
"WHISKY!" Kiara interrupted Dalia and pulled out of a hidden bag something that looked like a flask. Dalia noticed the little container. "Does...that have...?" Without a word Kiara chucked the flask through the opening above the pub's doors. Dalia watched the object on its path. Then she took off after it.
Dalia cheered in joy when she crashed through the swinging doors of the opening
"NYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHAHAHA~!"
Kiara, with Toran in tow, followed.

[wonderweiss]

Toran tried to struggle, but it was no use. Quite embarrassing for a zombie...

"Let go, you don't know what she's capable of, what our history is, she'll kill me!!!"

Suddenly, something snapped in Toran. He grabbed his head in pain.

"Dammit...not...again..."

He tried to resist, but he couldn't. It was time. His mental stability had given way.

"Grk... It... Feels... So..... GOOD TO BE BACK AT LAST!!!"

He easily broke the grasp. He jumped to the roof and grabbed hold using just his fingers. He ripped off his shoes and used his totes to support him. He searched for his old master to finally settle things once and for all... Hopefully...

[Cucoo5]

Land of Cinders and Ashes - 7:15

Dalia had already gotten along well with the bartender. She had started to drain an entire bottle of whiskey like it was water. A crowd gathered to watch the feat.
Meanwhile, Kiara decided to let Toran do whatever he had set out to accomplish. She still had a drop of worry. Worry that the villagers might change their minds.
If it were Micero she wouldn't be as worried.
If it were Micero...

----------
Kenji - ???

The leader of the dark mages, a self proclaimed empress, retreated from the battle field. It was over...
Kiara raced to where Micero had fallen. only the red scarf remained.
"Kiara...don't cry..."
"...Micero...." The lingering voice of her dear friend, she couldn't tell if it were her imagination or not.
"Don't look for me ok?"
"...Mi...cer...o..." fresh tears welled up in her eyes. She couldn't bring herself to say anything more. She grew fond of the dark mage. She wanted to tell him everything. She wanted to tell him how she felt. But now...
She picked up the scarf and held it tight in her hands. The tears fell unhindered.

---------
Kiara rubbed the frayed ends of the red scarf she wore. She reminisced for a moment longer, then walked into the bar looking for Dalia.