Shon Lin runs silently, her servant at her side. He quickly closes the silver clasp holding is black cloak around his shoulders while keeping up steadily at her side. Their movement is fast, as they're trying to escape another enemy, though neither have a clue of who it is that's chasing them through the thick forest. Suddenly, Xelloss leaps up, vanishing into branches high above, shouting to the princess. "Keep running!"
But that's what she has been doing for the past fifteen minutes. She has been running silently, alone, through the dark and scary forest with no clue as of where to go. She keeps moving forward. Ignoring all that's around her, Shon Lin continues the escape, listening for the enemy behind her but cannot hear anything.
Xelloss leaps out of the branches, his staff out in front of him to stop the pursuer. "Who are you?"
The man stops, looking over the Priest of Zelas Metallium, immediately recognizing him for who he really is. "I am just after the princess. Out of my way, and your life will be spared."
"I'm afraid I can't do that."
The new man has long hair that is black at the roots, and fades to blue on its way down. It's tied into a not at the mid of his back and the rest falls down to his waist. He wears dark blue robes, and carries a long dagger at his waist. His face is cold, and shows no sign of any games being played here.
"Well... I can say this... With a quick examination, you seem to be a new servant to Shalien. Am I correct?"
"I am Hisashi, priest of Deep Sea. I am commanding you to step aside now."
"No can do. My orders won't work well with that." Xelloss grins, picking up his staff and preparing for a battle to begin.
The princess cries out as she trips, falling into a puddle of mud. She sits up slowly, then looks back where Xelloss had gone. She stops to think rationally about the situation, to listen for anyone following her, but hearing nothing. She looks back in the direction she was running in earlier.
If we keep going this way... In about a week, we can cross the Saillune border.
Shon Lin looks back in the way she was coming from.
If we go back, I can be home within a couple of days.
The girl closes her eyes, trying to make a decision.
Home or safety?
It was a tough one, definitely.
THIS AFFAIR IS NOT YOUR CONCERN!
Those were the words that woke Solara up from her sleep. She lowers her head to her knees, crying.
"What's going on here..?"
She sighs and sits up looking outside. It was almost dark.
"Oh no! Halorn's going to be quite angry!" She stands up, tossing her current worries aside, and looks at herself in her mirror, trying to neaten her robes. She then brushes her hair back, and pulls out the circlet she normally wears and locks it into place. Quickly she gathers her cloak and steps out into the hallway, racing through the palace to make it to Lei Magnus' announcement to Saillune.
Mila stands before the crowd next to the master sorcerer.
All These Eyes.
Mila shifts in her place uncomfortably.
I Don't Like This.
Mila stops, seeing a familiar face in the crowd.
Phibrizo!
Mila smiles, lowers her head, and pulls her hood up.
I'll Just Wait.
Shalien paces silently, thinking his plans out. Hisashi will be the perfect person to send against Xelloss and Shon Lin. The Mazoku Lord laughs quietly to himself.
"What exactly is going on?" A soft languid voice answers his thoughts.
"How did you..?!" Shalien turns around to face Zelas.
"That's a secret, Shalien, dear." Zelas walks past him, lighting her pipe. "I just came to ask a few questions."
"Like what?"
"Actually..." she stops, bringing the pipe up to her lips, tasting at the light smoke from it. She turns to look at him, her curly blonde hair dancing around her. "It's more of a demand."
"Why are you so adamant on getting in my way, Zelas?"
She ignores his attempt to change the subject and continues talking. "I'd stay away from Shon Lin if I were you. She has attention that you don't want. Simple as that."
"Quit talking in riddles and just tell me!"
"What fun is it if I just came right out like that for you?"
Shalien draws one of his two daggers, and holds it out at Zelas. "You're in no condition to be giving demands at the moment! In fact, I'm demanding that you leave my place of dwelling. Right now!"
Zelas walks up to Shalien, taking his dagger into her hand carefully, pushing it aside. She steps up onto her tiptoes, rising off of the heels of her shoes so that she can be face to face with him.
"Look. If you take Shon Lin, you'll be angering someone that I wish to not face the wrath of, and I'm quite sure you don't want to see Her angry either." She speaks softly, her warm breath up against his face. "You do understand the seriousness of this, don't you, Shalien...? Or do I have to show you?"
Hisashi slides past Xelloss, dagger striking nothing but the wood of the priest's staff. Xelloss backs away from Hisashi, bringing his staff up across himself while stepping into a defensive stance.
"Why do you not tell me she is, Xelloss?!" Hisashi turns to the priest of the Beastmaster, to charge and strike again with the dagger.
Xelloss, who has figured out why the challenging Mazoku doesn't choose to use his power - he doesn't understand it. He's too new to fully use it in combat. With this, the priest grins. He has experience and power over this one. This may be a little one sided, but it's a fight nonetheless.
Shon Lin looks around, running back in the direction she came from. She needs to at least find Xelloss. That's good enough justification for her to be returning towards Barunos.
Solara stops, meeting Halorn. He looks to her, then shakes his head. "At least you look presentable. We're late now. Hurry up." He begins to move towards where the announcement is being held. Solara looks through the silent halls of the palace, then looks out their windows to see that the streets are empty as well. It's not often that a master sorcerer such as Lei Magnus came into a city such as Saillune. They normally kept to themselves and he is well known for creating a dangerous spell that's called the Dragon Slayer. She's never seen it, but she's heard of its power, and frankly...? She doesn't want to encounter it.
Solara stops suddenly, a thought hitting her. Why is he here then? He's been busy forging new spells. Why should he come to a city to display his new apprentice? Maybe there's another reason that they don't know of for his sudden appearance. She thinks quietly to herself while stepping outside into the evening sun's red hues.
"People of Saillune!" Aloran announces, hands outspread. Mila and Lei Magnus stand to his right, his daughter, Delania to his left. Solara and Halorn walk outside, their robes for Suiryuuoh flowing around them with each step.
"I am pleased to present Lei Magnus, who shall give us a fine announcement."
The king of Saillune looks over to the sorcerer who steps up next to him, who silently scans over the crowd before deciding to speak.
"I have come to Saillune, bearing an announcement that many will wish to hear, especially those who wish to preserve the practice and power of the magical arts. For those who don't know me, my name is Lei Magnus. I have practiced the art of magic for most of my entire life, and I believe that is it time for me to prepare to pass on what knowledge I have to a student. This has become a difficult decision for me, as I am looking for a bright, intelligent child, who has a gift for this power running through their blood. After searching as long as I have, my quest has come to a rest upon one person." He pulls the young, blonde haired girl over to his side. "Her name is Mila Drakehart. She has never practiced magic in any way, shape, or form, yet I feel a power resonating from within her. That brought my attention to her is the fact that she is unaware of this talent, and if she remains untaught as she is, she may bring great destruction upon our lands.
"I wish to speak of things other than my new apprentice, though. The human race now faces a new danger: The Mazoku War. I am going to say some things that may bring fear into the minds of everyone who listens to my words, but please. Hold your tongues, because myself as well as many of the sorcerers and priests of the land are preparing to intervene in the war upon our race's behalf.
"The war is not a rumor. It is true. The Mazoku have moved into attack patterns and are moving to destroy all that we see." He continues speaking through the suddenly waves of hushed whispers through the crowd, his voice carrying over the voices. "The Dragons are now moving, in response to the Mazoku's actions. All we are in relation to this, though, are "the middle people". We have no means of importance to the either race, and are treated as such. To them, we are expendable. And because of this, we must stand up and show them what power we possess. We must show them that we are capable of taking care of ourselves."
Shon Lin races into the middle of the battle of Xelloss and Hisashi. She skids to a stop, realizing what's going on, seconds before turning to run. As she does, she feels an arm wrap around her. Looking down, she can only see the blue sleeve belonging to the stranger her servant is fighting. Quickly beginning to struggle, Shon Lin reaches at his clothes and pulls, hoping that tearing something would create enough of a diversion to escape.
As that proves to be a lost cause, she squirms around in his hold to move enough so that she can knee him in the leg. Hisashi falls, then taking her down with him.
Xelloss backs away, watching the two struggling with each other, trying to change his strategy so that he can help the Princess escape from her hold.
"Unless we stand up to them, we will fall underneath their power. It will mercilessly crush our entire race!"
Mila listens silently, staring out into the audience, her gaze holding steadily on Phibrizo.
Mila's attention is diverted, feeling danger tugging in her mind.
The Knight Is In Danger.
Mila blinks, then looks up at Lei Magnus who continues his speech.
Mila closes her eyes again, pulling her hood over her face, trying to hide herself.
The Knight Must Be Saved.
Mila opens her eyes again. Seeing the situation from the perspective of another.
"We cannot let this happen to us! We must let them hear that we will not crumble like they believe us to! They must know that we will fight back!"
Shon Lin screams, shoving at Hisashi, trying to push him away from her, when suddenly, she feels a warmth surround her.
Xelloss steps forward, his staff raised to fire an attack at the Mazoku, but stops when he sees a faint glow emanating from the princess.
Allow Me To Help You, Shon Lin. Let Go, And Let My Power Be Your's For This Short Time.
Hearing the words, the young princess follows their command. She feels the warmth of the power within her, much like when she uses the art of her people. This time, though, it feels to be nearing that border of control. Struggling with it, Shon Lin does all that she knows to do with it, like she did with the paper talismans of the magic she was taught.
The girl glances around, barely able to open her eyes, afraid to break her concentration though she desperately seeks for a point to focus this newfound power within her.
Lei Magnus pauses in his speech to check Mila, and starts to see the girl now looking out to the audience, her bright blue eyes wide in confusion.
"Where am..." the girl starts to speak as the sorcerer kneels down and begins to whisper to her.
"Mila. Just remain silent for now. I'll take you to safety soon. Do you know what's happening?"
The girl only shakes her head.
The man stands up and looks out over the audience. He stops, seeing what Mila's target was earlier, and watches the Mazoku Lord while continuing with his speech.
Solara blinks, seeing a shift in Mila's posture, and feels the loss of the power from within her.
What's going on with her?
Before she can do anything, the dragon realizes something.
Mazoku!
Solara steps forward a bit and starts scanning the crowd. "Where is it...?" she continues to whisper to herself, watching the events between the girl and the sorcerer out of the corner of her eye. Quickly, she looks over to Halorn, who seems to be on edge as well.
What the hell is happening now?!
Mei drops the plate she was taking from the dinner table, and looks around suddenly. Her mother is up onto her feet and to her side, picking up the pieces before looking up at the girl's frozen expression of fear.
"Mei?!"
The merchant's daughter shakes her head, bringing her hands to her head.
You must leave for Saillune now, my child!
"Mother..?" Mei speaks slowly, her voice shaking, still not being used to what she is. "...I need to leave... The war will soon hit here."
Lara stops, dropping what pieces she had in her hands. She quickly places her hands on her only daughter's shoulders. "Let's go upstairs, Mei. You need to lie down."
Shon Lin throws her head back suddenly. She can't find it! She must find a focus for this power and quickly as she is nearing the loss of control each second.
Xelloss stands there, watching her as the faint golden glow surrounds her, slowly increasing in intensity. "This is what her programming was for, Mother, wasn't it...?" He speaks softly to himself. Xelloss drops his staff back to his side, and remains there, afraid of doing anything for the princess in this state.
"Shon Lin is very important to us, Koran! You have to remember that!" Shelar stood there, glaring at him while speaking loudly. "Do you realize that if she is killed or lost, we will all be punished by the Mother herself! Do you want that to happen?! Do you?! She must be programmed so that she can fight when her power awakens!"
Hisashi backs away, releasing the princess. He watches her wearily while stepping back, but stops as he backs into the tree behind him.
What is she?!
Shon Lin scrambles, losing time quickly for her search when she finally decides to make herself a focus. She holds her hand up, imagining a long sheet of parchment in it, using that as a focus for her power, and holds out her other hand, releasing it into the desired attack as she sees the talisman explode into bright golden flames in her mind's eye.
Suddenly a flash of gold light flickers around her, and blades of dark energy fire from the sky and around where Hisashi stands. He quickly falls to the ground as the land begins to collapse underneath a suddenly increase of pressure.
Stop! Stop!
Shon Lin starts yelling at herself repeatedly, trying to stop the rain of the power around her, almost as if she actually did lose control of it, or if it were under the control of another...
Mila looks up again, looking out at the audience one last time before all goes black for her once again.
Shon Lin lowers her head and finally collapses, the power she once held completely drained from within her. Hisashi lies on the ground several feet ahead of her, his physical form battered, his astral form probably in worse shape. The princess closes her eyes, curling up into a ball where she lies.
Koran... Shelar... Someone help me... I'm scared...
Xelloss silently steps forward towards the princess and the new priest. He quietly kneels down next to Shon Lin, and lifts her off of the ground beginning to move away from the small battleground, heading back in the direction of Saillune. He stops as he hears a mumble from the girl in his arms. He looks at her silently, his smile faded, and his eyes open. He stops as he hears Shon Lin's tears while she cries out the name of the one she nearly killed.
"Why does it have to be you, Hei..? Why?"
Lei Magnus pauses in the speech again as he sees Mila step past him, towards the audience. He suddenly places a hand on her shoulder, only to receive an angry look of a pair of golden eyes at him. He stops, then shakes his head to her before looking back up to their audience.
"People of Saillune. I address you now, and ask you that if you believe you have the skill, to help defend our kind against the Mazoku. If this war with them is lost, our hopes for continuing life itself as we know it will be lost as well!"
Solara's continued search for the Mazoku in the crowd stops, and she opens her eyes in terror, first seeing the little boy.
It's not just him! There are more!
After a bit longer of a search, she finds Sherra, the same girl she had run into recently.
There is a Mazoku spy amongst us...
Solara closes her eyes, her fear becoming more and more eminent. Once more, though, she feels the presence, no just a dark feeling that there may not be something right here... A power that can completely destroy her with a thought... And that turns her attention to... Lei Magnus...?
What are we getting ourselves into here?
Zelas stands quietly before Shalien, and lowers her hand. Having taken advantage of her Priest being where the release of power was shown, she was able to create an image of what occurred with the princess, hoping that this would be enough to tell him to stray away from her.
"I do this out of fear of punishment." The Greater Beast turns to her rival. "I'm not saying that we make a truce over this situation, but I am warning you of something of great importance. What you just saw was the hidden power within the Princess of Barunos. She has been blessed by the Mother herself, and is paramount to the war. If you force her to make a decision that the Lord of Nightmare does not wish to be made, you will be punished!"
Shalien listens quietly, trying to decide if Zelas tells the truth, or lies to prevent him from gaining his new servant.
Hours later, night has fallen over Saillune and Solara wanders the once again empty hallways of the palace. The complete day's events were enough to frighten Dragon priestess to the point that she could not sleep either. Unfortunately, she was unable to confide in the high priest, who had already gone to his room to sleep. Being that she cannot speak with him, she has decided that a prayer to Suiryuuoh would help her and with that, she heads to the chapel.
She had also decided that maybe walking through the courtyard would do her some good as well, which she ended up doing. While walking outside, the priestess stops and looks at the stars above, wondering about how peaceful the night is… Could that mean that a kingdom far away from here is being attacked?
As she passes the garden, Solara is surprised to hear voices. Deciding to check them out, she moves silently amongst the bushes and stops when she sees two familiar figures.
"I understand, Master." Lei Magnus lowers his head.
Master?!
"I'm stepping out of my boundaries, and I do request forgiveness from you."
"Good. Make Sure It Remains That Way." The voice is young, but doesn't seem to be coming from the lips of the girl speaking them. They seem to echo from everywhere around instead.
Solara suddenly shakes in fear, being she recognizes Mila's voice.
THIS AFFAIR IS NOT YOUR CONCERN!
The words echo in her mind repeatedly. Mila is the one who spoke to her in her dreams! Mila is the one who she felt power from that could crush her, not Lei Magnus! And Mila is using Lei Magnus as a puppet - A toy to get what she wishes!
Solara closes her eyes, fighting a losing battle with her own fear.