Thrankaur rolled his eyes at the drama of it all, a peculiar motion he had gleaned from the minds of the children, seemingly signifying exasperation or disbelief. It wasn't as comfortable as a left flick of his tail and second eyelid flap, but he could appreciate the increased obviousness.

As he watched Jaso mourn the soldier, he was struck with a thought. These children were so... emotional. They had never met before, yet the young one cradled the body as if it were a brood-mate. Tears, a symbol of great sadness, had formed in the eyes of the child. Behind Jaso, Ella had collapsed in horror.

Weak, the both of them. And the Taxis around them were little better, staring at Ziton without acting. He would not make such a mistake. Reaching forward with his hand towards Ziton as the man introduced himself as something or other, palm open, he feels himself grasp the air around the duo. It was somewhat far for this form, but he could still reach.

As he grasped the air around, Thrankaur was already sure this would not work. He was not aware of exactly how the child had managed to warp himself like that, but if he could do it in the heat of a fight Thrankaur was sure he would have ample time to avoid. Yet he had to try. He would not let himself be ridiculed by some... upstart.

His fist clenched with stone breaking force as all the heat in the air around Ziton once again immediately evacuated the vicinity, ice forming near instantly as Thrankaur narrows his eyes, watching every movement. Even if it didn't work, he would want to see just what happened.
 
Pandemonium threatened to bubble up in the hearts and minds of those who remained. Two fallen, another two spirits crushed, yet silence as Ziton spoke. His eyes were maddening to look into. Yellow with red pupils and a red outline and always crescent with amused lids. Tikal was visibly angered by what had just happened and as Ziton spoke she spoke telepathically to the other Taxis including Jasso and Ella. "Do NOT let him escape!" Her voice roared in their minds to try and snap them back into focus. She herself had a wild look in her eyes. Her aura spiked with a glowing hue escaping her body. She glanced to the newcomer who seemed old but very capable. He was clearly helping and she felt he was the key to keeping Ziton from escaping. As the man ThranKaur's hand was raised like before she knew what would happen next. She raised her hand as well and in unison as the heat escaped a glowing beam shot from her hands toward Ziton's eyes.

Clairvoyance watched over the souls of those within the temple. For those who could look deep inside they could feel the invading presence of a watchful eye. Ziton's eyes gave a similar glint of knowing. Even as the hands were raised to strike against him and his words escaped his lips nonchalantly. The words Ziton spoke in his final sentence was cut short. As the hands were raised and their souls power was activated Zitons own aura shot up. It was an odd aura that felt like the void. It neither felt strong or weak. However it felt expansive, huge, but empty. It seemed to rip open the fabric of reality as done before when Baqar was acting strange before a portal opened. Like before a portal opened. But this time it was met with the combined attacks of Tikal and ThranKaur. A combination of three causing a specific kind of bright light that showered ice particles within the temple over everyone at a gentle pace. When the light settled and the dust cleared Ziton was gone. The light reflecting off the ice as it was torn apart by what could only be described as a rift in reality. It was in the shape of a split and around its edges was a brilliant white and within was the outside.

It clearly led to the temple's roof. Ziton was visible on the other side scooping up the boy Baqar in his arms before it began to rapidly close. "S-shit... That was close.." He muttered under a shivering jaw and rubbing his right eye. His clothes had a slight frost on them. He felt a bit debilitated but was mostly fine. Though his movements were slowed he stepped to the edge of the temples roof and looked down at the crowd of people forming at the steps leading to the temple. Ziton raised his projectile weapon and fired it into the air. Everyone below looked up in shock at the loud bang. The crowd grew a bit more silent as they looked at the figure standing above with a young boy next to him. Steam could be seen escaping his body as his body rapidly warmed making his tall and slender form even more noticeable. "I am Ziton the Seeker! I will spark the fire that will burn away the lies you all live in! Prepare for revolution!" He shouted with a smirk. Then a spark could be heard above as a giant sphere of influence waved over everyone within 800 meters. Time began to move slower for those within. Only a strong soul could push out of this.

Ziton jumped a wide distance over the crowd and onto the ground with Baqar in his arms. "Not much time.. gotta hurry.."

------------------

A bit earlier the crowd of people continued to grow with curious and needy individuals. Unfortunately many of the healers were trapped inside the temple and could not exit to help. Those who were outside were very traumatized. "Who would attack the temple in such a way?" Many asked. The guards looked at Syra as she approached. She did look rather unique for a descendant. They gave her a sheepish look , shaking their head, as they glanced from her to Galleria whom she made her way in front of. Galleria's eyes widened at the appearance of Syra before her. The two armored guards next to her turned their heads to look at each other then down to Galleria. She gave them no orders but was tensing up. She cleared her throat and shot a glare at Kyvro as he began to laugh audibly. "How rude!"

One of the Sol guards whispered loudly to Kyvro. "Oh yeah? So what if you did. I don't expect someone like you to know a damn thing about the way of the Sol. All you foreign blooded folk cause trouble. I bet the thief is a Tyro." He chuckled lowly with the other joining in. "Or a Nayu. Ha, just kidding they can't see a damn thing!" They laughed together before the sound of a loud pop took their attention away to the top of the Temple and Ziton. "What in the undergrowth is goin on!?" Ziton gave his speech entrancing all beyond their comments and then time began to flow differently affecting everyone's body and soul including the very area around them.

The armored guards beside Galleria and she herself began to have a glowing white aura surround them as they struggled and freed themselves of the time influence. Galleria turned with a fiery glare as the armored guards turned as well to face Ziton. "You!" She shouted pointing a finger. "You're not going anywhere!" The guards next to her began to charge forward toward Ziton, one with light in his hands another with earth forming together into spheres that encircled his hands. Ziton's eyes widened at this and he began to run through the market at a fast pace, his legs nearly blurring. A stone pillar began to rise before him and he stepped on it as it did so and let it send him flying upward. As he was in the air Galleria swiftly was upon him with her staff in hand. Ziton was struck in the back as he held tightly onto Baqar before crashing into a few wooden barrels. Ziton rose from the rubble with Baqar still in his arms, frozen from the time spell, and wiped the blood from his cheek away.

A shadow suddenly loomed over Ziton before the time returned to its normal state. Another Aion knight launched a fist at him from above which was fluctuating with light. Ziton leaped and rolled narrowly avoiding the attack and used the momentum to get back to his feet and continue running but this time he had to avoid the confused people who were going about their day. He reached a dead end between two shops that only led to a wall. The walls of Sunfire was made of the wood of the tree and was very thick. Ziton charged forward despite this. "Hang on tight boy.." He fired his weapon with another bang that let a rose colored smoke escape its barrel. "Last shot.. make it count." He muttered as a black ball with white sparks around it hit the wall and twisted a portion of the wall forming a hole as the matter was made so small it no longer existed. Ziton jumped through the hole and fell down from the giant Sunfire tree. Baqar was screaming as loud as he could as they fell and eventually hitting the water that surrounded the tree.

Galleria and her guards returned to the temple with Galleria visibly upset, nearing furious. "This is.. unacceptable!"
 
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Syra's mind stopped. All thought of the spell hanging on her waist and her numb arm and hand ceased. She felt a squeezing sensation pressing in on her lungs, constricting everything uncomfortably as time slowed. Then her mind exploded. So much to think about. Good thing time was slowed. Gave her a bit extra.
One. Ziton. The revolution? Who was he revolting against? She stared at him, searing his face, his words, his style, even the little boy in his arms into her mind. Everyone would want to know about this. She needed to remember it. All of it.
Two. He had fired off a shot. The temple was closed. He was on the run. So he had caused all the ruckus. She disregarded the idea of chasing him down. No-one announced their immenent take over of the world bursting from a building unless they were pretty confident in their get away plan. Besides, she was certainly worse at capturing fugitives than the guards. Her job was to collect infomation and think a way out. Teams only worked if everyone stuck to their role.
Three. Was she in danger? Prbably not. Ziton was on the run. She was pretty good at taking hits and surviving most conditions. She was fairly clearly on no-one's side, being a mongrel. No matter who Ziton was fighting for, she was probably not a target Still, she wasn't about to die cause of probably so she breathed in and started casting. With time slowed already, her Freezeframe was too risky. Ziton was almost out of her range. Instead, she turned her energy to the guards who had charged after him, making them stronger, faster. Then she whipped up a bubble, covering everyone the guards had left behind.
Now she had time to think about five. That spell. It had slowed down time. Actual time! Her Freezeframe was the closest approximation she had seen yet, and all that did was freeze everything in range into place. It didn't stop the flow of time. It just stopped movement. It stopped thought. It convinced people that time had stopped because that's what it felt like to them. That was why she could pick and choose people, and why she could only hold the effect briefly when she was influencing great parts of her environment.
But this, this was a blanket of slowed down time. Her Magoi instincts flared. This was why she'd been sent out here. She sighed. She was going to have to follow this whole Ziton plot now if she wanted to figure out that spell, wasn’t she?
In its bubble, the spell she'd lost half her arm to raged and snickered. Not for the first time, she wondered how in the hell she'd gotten here.
 
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ThranKaur was mildly impressed. As he watched the world slow around him until all was frozen, he had to admit he had not thought any of the beings around him capable of such magic. Of course, magic cast by a mere child could not touch a dragon such as him. With merely a grunt, he jerked his shoulders and freed himself of the temporal influence.

Looking around, he wondred if any here even had a chance to break free. For a moment he entertained the thought of helping, before dashing it and breaking into a sprint up the stairs of the temple. Breaking through the doors that barred his way to the roof, it didn't take him long to locate Ziton a bit further away, just as a... knight launched himself at him.

Judging the distance between Ziton and himself, ThranKaur prepares to make the leap just as Ziton makes some sort of hole in a wall and jumps through in a... double suicide? ThranKaur was quite sure from what he saw when he first arrived that nothing was on the side of that wall except water, and at the height they fell from broken everything would be a miracle, his knowledge told him.

Still staring at where Ziton had last been, ThranKaur slowly backtracks. Noting idly that he had left cracked stones from where he had made his way back up the stairs and the shattered remains of the door, as he made his way downward towards where he last saw the rest of the children, he began deciding where to go next. Perhaps north?

Taking the last flight of stairs as a jump, he addresses the crowd below. "Ziton left. Probably killed himself and the smaller one, as he threw himself from Sunfire into the water below." He states, before beginning to make his way to leave the temple.

North sounded good.
 
Ella still couldn't believe that the events of earlier had taken place. She made no move to dash towards the stairs like everybody else, yet instead she stayed in place. When they were set free from being frozen in place, Ella shivered and slowly stood up. She watched Jaso closely and then placed her hand on his shoulder. She knew how he felt, so no words were needed.

She looked over the where ThranKaur came down from and then over to Tikal. "I'm sorry Tikal. And to you as well Jaso." She lowered her eyes to the ground and small tears welled up in her eyes. "I can't help but feel like this is my fault. I'm the one who offered to show around Baqar and led him here. Which in turn led this mess to happen. I'm sorry it was my fault. Jaso warned me and I was too happy to show the boy around."

Ella couldn't bring herself to raise her eyes and look at all of her comrades. She honestly felt like this was all of her fault. The death(s) of the other Taxis members, the destruction of the HQ, and even the guilt she knew Jaso felt for killing his fellow comrade.

------------------------------

Kyvro turned to Valera when he asked her about the Mercy Vale Clinic. He smiled and snapped his fingers. "Ah you see the Clinic has something very special. Certain poultice I can only get from there. They'll help with healing if I'm wounded on the job."

Kyvro winked at her and spoke again. "So you see its more of a pick it up and head back out job. Not a, stay to be healed once by the Taxis type job." He then turned back towards Galleria to watch her overreact. It was pretty funny to him honestly. He wasn't sure why, but it entertained him greatly and he relaxed to watch it all unfold.
 
The reverberating of Tikal's voice in Jaso's mind snapped him back to reality, but by the time he realized where everyone was on the battlefield, Ziton was already gone. He felt Ella's touch, wanting to reciprocate, but then she shook his heart with her apologies, she was starting to doubt her own kindness, and Jaso couldn't allow that to happen. He stood and wrapped his friend in an embrace, stroking her hair soothingly.

"Hush, Ella. No one could have predicted this, and it certainly wasn't your fault. Your kindness is your greatest strength, it's what makes you one of the most capable healers the Taxis has. It's also why I fell in love with you. To see you lose faith in that kindness would be a far greater travesty than anything that happened here." He said, his forehead resting on hers, eyes trying to bear his soul to her.

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Valeria felt a shift in the air for the briefest of moments, and instantly, the guards around her, including the little noble snot, shifted positions. Whatever magic was just cast, it seemed to slow down time, as while she and Kyvro remained untouched, Galleria's posse seemed more sweaty, as if they'd just been chasing a criminal.

She looked over to Kyvro and gave him a small pitying smile. "Hate to interrupt this line of thought, but it seems that the world kind of shifted around us. Things just got a lot more interesting." She said before sauntering over to Galleria and her cronies.

"Sounds like the troublemaker harassing the Taxis was a lot stronger than you gave him credit for, Princess. Doesn't look like criminal hunting is your particular area of expertise. Fortunately, there's a girl within 10 feet of you who's been making a living doing just that." She said with a cocky smirk on her face.
 
Syra released the bubble shielding the group up as everything began to settle down. The guards were sweaty and exhaisted, but unsuccessful. Her mouth twisted to the side. Even with her help, the thief had gotten away. She had only been able to tack on some minor aid in the fleeting moment though, and they may not have been that powerful go begin with. Her magic worked best with a strong base, especially when she was using most of hers to cast a bubble. Now that she had dropped the big one, and time had returned, the world felt quiet, cowed.
In its own bubble at her side, the spell she had caught was thrashing maniacally. She breathed a sigh of relief. At least the spell hadn't escaped. It seemed rather agitated by that. Either that or the strong magic just released so close by. She added its agitation to the list of things to investigate about it when she got home. Her arm tingled in sympathy but she ignored it for now. Apparently she wasn’t getting in today. She cocked her head as the man near her said something about a clinic. Maybe that ought to be her next move. If the Taxis, for whatever reason, weren’t able to heal her today, then she still needed something. And maybe this Mercy place would have something useful. Briefly, she entertained the idea of getting some poultice, waiting in town for the Taxis to clean themselves up, and getting her arm healed then. However, the fading memory of slowed down time that had just coursed through her, around her, stopped that idea in its tracks. She needed to follow that Ziton. And that hunter seemed like the best option.
Stepping past the noble she'd rescued when her guards ran off to fight, Syra came into view of the other two outside the Taxis Headquarters. She'd tried to avoid talking to people, but it appeared fate had different ideas. She tried for a smile. "And one of the Magoi," she added, eyeing the smirking girl. "Between us we should make a pretty good posse." She glanced at the man now. She did still need to get her hand looked at. But maybe this man would pick something up from the clinic for her. Or with her. Maybe he would come with them? Or better yet, Taxis healers would flood the streets looking to help any who'd been injured by Ziton's flight and this noble would give them plenty of funding to chase the man down. That would be ideal.
 
The crowd of people who gathered round when Ziton spoke looked up in awe at the cackling voice of Ziton. His speech was shortly met with a high level spell that only masters could sense. But all could only lay awake in a frozen state unless ones blood was mighty and soul was deep. The fires of the sun remained beaming and its light was collecting over the influenced reality. Once time resumed the light moved at a speed none could notice if not aware. Galleria began to jaunt her way to the center of the crowd before the guards with her own honing in behind her. It was at this point the guards felt the twitch of fear. For Ziton was fresh on their minds. He was suddenly gone. Vanished. Without a trace beyond the damage done on the streets by the extraordinary scuffle very few could see.

It was the middle of the day and chaos began to erupt within Sunfire. It was the social kind. As many closed their doors and locked them once word gave way to wind and rumors of Zitons might began to spread. The hub was the crowd. Galleria sighed at the crowds rampant talk. A madman was clearly on the loose. One with dangerous power. Enough so to flaunt it. "Do not worry. It was I who made that trash flee. Do not worry. A caster seems to have gone mad but we will clean this up. None can stand against the combined forces of the Aion Taxis alliance." She. Galleria spoke before the crowd. She was smiling and looked to the guards who nodded in approval. She shot a glance to Kyvro and then lifted her head with disdain.

"I must get inside." Galleria said to the guards who allowed her through. She paused before going in and turned to the crowd with searching eyes. "You there. And you two also." She pointed one by one. Going down the line she marked with right hands extended index finger at Syra, then Valeria and Kyvro. "You three with me please." She voiced sweetly and pranced her way up the stairs with her glowing white wings to the front doors of the temple. She opened it with a slow creek and the light met shade and eyes adjusted to the change by way of figures that bend until culminating into people. These people were the Taxis warriors who were trying to make sense of it all.

Some would question their lives if one such as Ziton could barge in, steal, and kill without being caught. It was terrifying. But a voice aimed to calm the nerves with her own words which seeped with wisdom. "This was no ordinary man." Tikal with her tough, worn, feminine voice muttered. She approached her treasured companions. The Taxis meant only to save and heal, not to covet treasures. Yet they were stolen from and their dedication was mocked with blood stained floors. Tikals face was pained. She was not physically hurt but within she could feel the combined mental pressures of her comrades. She was tending to the impaled one. Blood on white and fresh fabric was clear on her leather hands as she stone faced took out Jaso's blade.

She walked over to Jaso and laid it down next to him. "This sacrifice will not be in vain. We bleed so others may live." She looked Ella in the eyes as she watched the two. "Ella do not blame yourself.. No one do that, please. We have a threat on our hands." Tikal got to her feet and watched as Galleria walked in with a serious look on her face and her wings bouncing with each step. "This is clearly a threat beyond your abilities. Luckily for you I Galleria Illumi, 3rd generation daughter of the Illumi family and Aion commander will aid you." Tikal sighed in reply. "Oh its you Galleria..." To which Galleria gave a frown and a pout. "Who are these people?" Tikal turned her head to look past the broad shouldered armored knights to see the three individuals who entered behind Galleria.

"The help. Introduce yourselves.. if you want." Mutters Galleria cheekily.
 
Kyvro still was pretty baffled by the scene that took place. He wasn't quite sure how it had all happened, but he wasn't going to let his slight fear and curiosity show across his face. He had learned to not do that back when he was still chained up and forced to work as a slave. The beatings then we're enough to teach him that.

When Galleria's look of disdain was shit in his direction, it did not go unnoticed by Kyvro. Instead he just smirked and shot her a brief look himself. He began to turn away from the group gathered there, to find the Clinic he so wanted to get to. He was stopped however, by Galleria's finger pointing at him and telling him to follow her. Kyvro sighed and shrugged, giving up on finding the clinic for now.

When the women stepped into the Taxis HQ with Kyvro and the two others trailing behind, he took a look around. He knew the HQ used to be beautiful, but now it looked depressed and not as uplifting as there was a dark and somber mood almost, accompanied by a caved in ceiling with rubble everywhere, and a dead man on the ground off to the side. As the group approached a large women laying a sword down next to a man and women, Galleria called for them to introduce themselves if they wanted to. Kyvro decided to, in fact, introduce himself because why not?

He took a step forward and spoke up. "My name is Kyvro. I'm sorry to see the mess that maniac made in here. It was a beautiful place."

-----------------------------

Ella still shook at the thought of what had happened to the Taxis in such a short amount of time. She was terrified and upset to say the least. And no matter how much Tikal and Jaso said that it wasn't her fault, she felt like it was. She was going to blame herself in a way still. But for now she shook it off and brushed it aside, not letting her feelings show on her face.

What baffled her the most in this moment however, was how Jaso had confessed his love for her. She never knew he felt that way. And when he rested his forehead to hers and looked her in the eyes, small tears formed, but not those of sadness. She was happy, and she promptly wiped them away. "I never knew that you loved me. I was ignorant of that huh? I'm sorry, if only I had known... Thank you for looking out for me so many times. I, I love you too Jaso." Ella let out a small smile and gave him a brief hug before pulling away.

Ella turned to Tikal then. She gave her a nod, "Thank you for your words Tikal, but I still feel as if it was partially my fault. And no matter what you say will make me feel any different. But for now we need to figure out what to do about all of this and Ziton." When she finished speaking, she noticed the group come into the room. It was Galleria and three people who weren't Aion. Hiwever, the man stood out to her the most. He had to have been mostly Nayu, maybe with some Oro if she had to guess by his horns and claws. He introduced himself first as Kyvro.
 
For the second time that day, ThranKaur rolled his eyes at the drama. Was it just these two, or were they all like this? For a moment he was deeply concerned about the sanity of this children species. Was it considered normal to confess one's love, an outdated emotion even to him, right after what looks to be a traumatic event? Maybe he should do it too, as it was pretty traumatic to him that he couldn't kill one child. An exceptionally powerful child for sure, but a child nonetheless.

Idly watching as more and more of the Descended filled the building, the massive 'man' slowly made his way towards the exit, hunching in his rags to assume to role of old traveller yet again as he shuffled past guard after guard. He wanted nothing to do with whatever was about to happen, because having to deal with Descended that believed they were in a postion of power over him all day would grind on his nerves to no end.

Still hunch backed, the ancient dragon leaves the temple as fast as he could inconspicuously move, gliding through the streets on bare feet, ankles displaying bone white scales just barely hidden by his clothing. According to a map he had swiped earlier, the city of Fotia was near his old nesting grounds. It would be good to see his home again, and if there was anywhere he could relax, it would be in that glorious volcanic heat.

Swiftly exiting the city, he idly flances towards the river Ziton had fallen towards. Hopefully their corpses were floating somewhere there, but odds were the man had somehow escaped. You don't go through all of that trouble, have all of that power, and then purposefully throw yourself to your death. Of course, it could have been an accident, but the river was near unmissable.

After a few hours of walking, once nobody was around, the dragon stole off into the woods. Under the cover of the heavy foliage his true form burst forward, titanic limbs sprouting from his body as scales overtake the form he had assumed. After just a few second the titanic dragon emerged crouched, deep within the forest as he searched for a good place to rest and heal until nightfall. From there, he would head to Fotia and see what awaited him.
 
It was clear that the day's events had gotten to the people around them. Valeria had initially laughed off the ravings of the madman atop the Taxis' roof, but once he seemed to vanish from thin air, she realized that he was a threat to be feared. "Hells. That caster's going to make life horrid isn't he?" She muttered to herself as she followed Galleria into the Taxis headquarters, though one had to wonder if she was referring to Ziton, or Galleria herself.

She gave the group a smug smile, hips swaying confidently as she moved in front of Galleria. "May I? Oh you are too kind, Milady." She mocked as she gave an overstated bow. "You can call me Valeria, thief catcher extraordinaire. Don't you worry your pretty little heads, I'll have us on that madman's trail before you know it."

Jaso could only look at the fire haired girl in bewilderment. He'd worked with troops of Aion before, but he'd never known them to allow such a clear renegade amongst their ranks. Picking up his giant greatsword from where Tikal had put it, he gave a nod as he cleaned the residual blood off of it and slid it back into it's scabbard.

Following Ella's eyes, she began observing the man next to Valeria, seeming to be of Nayu blood, mostly, introducing himself as Kyvro. He decided to speak up at this man's condolences. "That it was, and it shall be again, once we catch that monster and bring him to justice. I am Jaso, it's good to meet you, fellow allies." It wasn't much, but the big man never was a big talker in crowds like these.
 
Syra followed placidly behind Galleria. She mostly ignored her companions, instead choosing to take in as much as she could about her surroundings and make as many inferences as she could. She kept them in her peripheral vision, but was perpetually looking up at the ceiling, or down at the shadowed corners of the rooms. The Taxis HQ had been trashed. She was used to the place being bright and welcoming. It still was, but the building felt almost hunched over, scars of magical impact and gouges of sword in the walls scattered over the place. She could track the progress of the battle from here. She walked further aside to feel at the walls of the hallway with her good hand. The faint tingle of magic still moved in the building, like a shockwave. The spell caught at her waist rattled in its bubble, and she glanced at it, curious.

It was only that that tipped her off to the fact that a dragon was walking past her. Beyond the spell's bubble, white scales flashed through a gap in ragged robes whipping past her. Syra's eyes widened. She fell slightly against the wall, not enough to draw notice, but enough to let her spin quickly to watch him pass. The ragged robes moved in a massive hunch, whipping towards the outside. Thank the lords for that. She shuddered uncomfortably. She would never understand why people were so interested in dragons. They were old, powerful, and they didn't like humans much. She was as glad to leave them alone as they were to ignore her, and she liked the arrangement. Realising the others had moved on without her, she got to her feet, dusting off her knees, and followed.

Her stomach writhed as she saw the collection of people where everyone was stopped. Ah bother. There were a lot of people inside. None of them looked extremely comfortable. There were Taxis guards and healers and lords and ladies and who knew what else in here. Syra longingly thought of the empty hallways with the magic remnants she could study. There was however healing in here, and she still couldn't feel her hand. Honestly, that was all she wanted. How had she walked into all of this? The other two introduced themselves, and Syra realised that she really should do the same. She didn't know why she was introducing herself when she had no idea who the others were. Was the fact that she had walked in with Galleria going to be a problem? Galleria didn't seem to be very popular.
Realising she still hadn't introduced herself, she blurted out, "I'm Syra. Ah, I'm from the Magoi." The others looked at her, and Syra gathered herself a little better. She wasn't scared of crowds. She just wasn't very good at talking to people. It wasn't that she wasn't confident, but unless she knew the people involved and how they were likely to react to her, she didn't like talking to them. Too many variables. Too many calculations to do on the spot. Not that she was much good at talking to them one on one either. Really, it was all those little social cues and subtle deceptions she wasn't great with. At least she had their attention now. All she had to do was talk. She was good at that. All her stars, it was so much easier sitting in her room and reading scrolls. Belatedly, she realised Kyvro and the big soldier man-Jaso-had been offering each other condolences. "I'm sorry for your losses also," she added, nodding. "I'm all about bringing him to justice. The Magoi would need to investigate the magic he used as well." She automatically tried to count off minutes since the spell had worn off, slightly surprised when her hand didn't work, until she remembered the bad spell. It seemed to snicker at her waist.
 

Tikal seemed less intrigued by the group Galleria brought in even as Kyvro and Valeria introduced themselves. Jasso's words of thanks brought Tikal's eyes on him briefly with slight exasperation. Then came Syra whom looked quite exotic, very few would have such a similar complexion in their lives. So Tikal laid eyes on her and actually smiled once she was finished. A Magoi Everyone thought. Typically the Magoi, Taxis, and Aion were not unified in their ideals all at once. Albeit a single Magoi member it offered a sense of flexibility. Something Tikal instinctively knew would be necessary for someone like Ziton.

Galleria nodded in respect to Syra's words of bringing Ziton to justice. "I agree." She quickly shot a glare to Syra though. A mental communication met Tikal, and other Sol blooded people in the area. Her assumption being that Syra has no Sol blood. She may not be trust worthy. She spoke mentally glancing at Tikal whom merely looked at her back in response. A dead silence between their exchange that Galleria believed to be acknowledgement of her clever thinking. "I agree as well." Tikal began with a sigh. "His weapon. It was similar to the rumors of the Fotians working on projectiles one can wield in their hand.." A few agreed of hearing this as well. "I've heard Tearianaris has advancements beyond our understanding." Galleria added. "It's possible its a Tearian weapon." She continued.

Tikal looked to Syra. "I'm sure the Magoi would be interested in his spells.. Perhaps we can work a deal. After we heal that hand of yours that is." Tikal winked to Syra and looked to Ella. "Could you help one more today dear?" She spoke to her mentally but with a concerned conveyance that matched her facial expression. She smiled at Jasso. "Do you truly feel like going after this man? I will understand if you and Ella both wish to stay out of the loop." She looked at the group that was forming briefly from the newcomers but felt one was missing. The old man. She looked around only to see his feint aura slipping out the door. It was unreal like he was dream and if not for him they all would very likely be in far worse condition.

The debris slowly fell from above in small bits but the sunlight from outside shined through and landed directly on the statue of one of the Taxis founders. The reflection of dust on the light sparkled like diamonds around its form. "Lets make this quick. Develop a proper bounty for him and lets go find him." Barked the sweet voice of Galleria in an authoritative tone. The seraphim girl turned to the group she formed. "Everyone prepare yourselves. We will meet in a hour at the Aion headquarters." To this a few looked confused. "Umm Galleria the Aion HQ isn't well known. Mind telling them where it is?" Tikal spoke in a hushed voice for humors sake. Galleria widened her eyes looking surprised. "The orphanage." She began to walk away with her guards steadily and silently walking behind her.

Tikal placed a hand on her hip and sighed. "That girl is so eager to be in charge." Tikal then turned to the group. "I suppose she's right. This is no place to make any plans for capturing a psychopath." Her eyes narrowed as they scanned the dusty floors and the wounded being healed and not having a good time of it. "So we will meet her at the orphanage next to the bar and inn." She looked to Kyvro. "Y'know it's not often a Nayu helps out the Taxis or even more so the Aion.. What's in this for you?"

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Fotia was a desert oasis for those who looked upon it from afar. But as one neared closer the soft ground would harden and the wildlife would be less and less abundant. Many nomadic homes were made across the fields where food was made for those who lived in the city. The capital city. Monstrous guardians encircled the capital with walls of metal and stone connecting each fiery colossus. The only entry or exit was through these walls. The air was blackened by smog from the high volcanoes and the heat bore rain and sometimes soft ash on those below.

But from afar the air was warm and only slightly humid. Within the sand creatures of various mass moved inward and outward. They were warded off by collections of spheres that were explosive on a touch. These creatures died beneath the sand and their rotting corpses formed solid mounds of sand underneath. A way to avoid these explosive spheres is simply to not dig or be beneath the sand. Many nomads moved across these sands to prosper in Fotias well protected farmlands. The sand offered little place to hide if the sand was rigged to be a trap. The fresh dirt was transported from Gaia and Vrondi to make proper farmlands and without it the Fotian capital would starve. So these nomads are given a bargain of absolute safety for their work.

One would see the scattered homes and with or without understanding would see those who lived there in the open as unsafe. This would be true. As bandits still often kidnap and raid groups of nomadic homes sometimes considered a village. The Fotian soldiers who often protect these places often flee if the threat is not worth the risk. This is often the state for many villages outside of capital cities or well guarded towns. Be it as it may many choose to live as farmers for the towns and cities as it offers more protection.

It was the sight of dragon skeletons that marked the reason Fotia was so barren. They slew hordes of dragons throughout their land and now seek to slay those within others. Nay these aspirations stem from the Fotian leadership at the highest level. The King. If not for him and his desire to best mighty dragons there would be many more dragons in Fotia that did not move about within the dirt.
 
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"P-please. W-we won't bother you or this place again! J-just let us g-hrrk!" Begs the bandit, before the hand around his throat tightens and he was lifted into the air, feet leaving the ground. All around him lay the bodies of his comrades, burnt, frozen, crushed. A fe of the lucky ones still lived, groaning and trying to crawl away.

ThranKaur watched as the man struggled and kicked, gasping for air. He and his compatriots had had the wonderful idea of trying to ambush the dragon along one of the less travelled pathways through this barren wasteland. Of course, it had not gone well for them, but the dragon had been able to let off some steam about being unable to flatten Ziton.

Having made sure to move under the cover of dark, the dragon had reverted back into his Descended form not long after he had noticed the first skeleton. A dragon skeleton. It had been small, most likely just barely into full maturity, but it had told him enough. There was no way it, or the ones that came after it, could have been missed by whoever controlled these lands. This was a warning, as well as a trophy.

As worrying as it was, that there was something here actually capable of harming lesser dragons (and maybe even himself), and despite finding himself wanting to have a talk with whoever was the leader here, ThranKaur reassured himself that as long as he was careful, whoever hunted them down would see him as nothing more than an old hermit.

Snapping the struggling man's neck with a single twitch of his hand, he lets the body crumple to the floor. Leaving the broken corpses of the bandits behind on full display in the centre of the road, the dragon resumed his travels. He had estimated that he was about two to three day's travel away from the capital, and although he found himself wary at the thought of whatever had been killing dragons, he was eager to see the ancient nesting grounds once more.
 
After their conversation the group was given any healing and materials the Taxis could offer. This included supplies like water, food, bandages and cleansing spells were cast on them to purify their souls. With this blessing those who accompanied Tikal to the Aion orphanage was given a barrier around their soul, repelling the effects of curses and possessions. It was a small favor for the group but it was all the Taxis could manage for now. Their focus was on damage control. Needless to say the people were feeling unsafe. The unsafest they've ever felt in most of their entire lives. This is due to the fact that Vrondi is a peaceful territory, bandits and thieves often would find themselves out of place among the honest Sol of these lands. Living off of nature, as some would say either mocking or praising, makes one fairly honest.

The reconstruction of the temple began immediately. With combined force of soul and will the vegetation within the giant hollow tree began to move as if it was alive. Growing rapidly and spreading out to make the shapes the were missing. Tikal walked ahead of the squadron that followed her. Those too affected by the earlier battle would be resting as best they knew how.

A few knocks on a big home south west of the marketplace gave way to an eerie sound. The sound of footsteps silently scurrying around the innards of the building. It was a clean house with four stories. It was painted blue in many of its out rims and window ledges. A pot of flowers sitting outside of each window with excited insects buzzing around them. Tikal looked up to see a small boy looking down at them. He had no horns and white wings sat on his back. Soon the door opened and a seraphim woman answered with a slow opening of the door.

Sunlight from outside hit her green eyes making them glisten with a aquamarine glow. "Hello! May I help you?" She spoke with a soft motherly voice. Her long robe was being tugged on from behind by small hands, the rest of the body being engulfed by her wings. A the child peeked out from behind on her other side. Tikal waved. "We are from the Taxis. Well, most of us. We are here for Galleria's meeting." The woman opened the door more when Tikal spoke of the Taxis. "Oh welcome then. I'm Lilly. Welcome to the orphanage." She stepped aside, her wings folding to allow more space as she walked around the home. The child next to her seemed to lose her hiding spot. She winced before Lilly knelt down to her level, her wings touching the floor. "This is Lala. She's one of my clingy helpers." She gave a sweet chuckle as she patted the small seraphim girl. Whose wings were a light green on the edges and fairly small on her back.

Tikal and the others were brought to a dining room where a large table was set. No food was on this table but it was set up as if a meal was going to be served soon. "I'm sure Galleria will be here shortly. I'll have one of my helpers fetch her." She turned to see a few heads poking out from the staircase to look at the strangers who entered their abode. "Find Galleria for me." She spoke softly but stern enough to get the message across. The children responded by taking flight, their feathers dropping gently down the stairs.

"Take a seat everyone I'm sure she wont keep us waiting long." Tikal said sarcastically. "No offense to the Aion, but she's a little immature." Tikal spoke frankly to Lilly who smiled and gave a slight nod. Tikal took her seat at the center of the long table which had ten seats on each side.
 
Ella looked over towards the Magic named Syra. And she briefly took her hand. She could see what was damaged and where, but she knew it must've hurt the girl a lot when it happened. Ella smiled briefly and wrapped both of her hands around the girls one. A warm glow surrounded where they were joined and Ella focused on repairing the scarring and damaged tissues and nerves. It didn't take her long, mainly because it wasn't a life threatening injury.

She stepped back when she was done and smiled at Syra. "Should be good as new. And yes I'm sure I'd like to continue Tikal." Ella gave a firm nod of her head towards her friend. From there they were given medical supplies and a protective barrier to prevent curses and possessions. Ella looked towards Jaso and smiled lightly. Even if he told her no, she had to go through with this mission.

Finally the time came when they were ushered towards the Aion orphanage. When arriving Tikal began to talk to a seraphim woman, who introduced herself as Lilly. When she told the lady they were there for Galleria's meeting the were brought to a fairly large dining room with a table and ten chairs. It looked like a meal would be served soon. When Tikal took a seat, Ella followed suit and took the chair on Tikal's left side.

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Kyvro didn't feel the need to announce he was from the Dolofon right away. After all he was off duty and didn't have a contract at the moment. Many people were afraid of them purely because they were considered the assassins of the world. Howevdr, when off duty, they were just like anybody else and few people fully realized that. His plans for stopping at the Mercy Vale Clinic were pushed aside when he was dragged into this slight mess. He didn't mind, it gave him something to do, but he was slightly confused when everybody jumped into action.

Instead, Kyvro just went with the flow and followed what everybody was doing. He soon realized however that they were heading to an Aion orphanage to meet with Galleria. When they arrived he took in the building's interior. It was modest and looked kinda homey, to Kyvro at least. When he caught a sight at the seraphim children on the stairs, he smiled. The were adorable and filled with curiosity. He loved children, it was probably the only time you'd see him show affection, when around kids.

However, when they disappeared up the stairs he let his smile drop before following everybody into a dining room. He looked at all of the chairs at the table and decide to take one at the very end of the table, not the head of it, but basically a corner seat.
 
Jaso could only shrug at Tikal's question. "It's not up to me to decide where Ella goes, I just know her well enough to take a bit of initiative. We both want to go on this expedition." He felt a slight chill roll down his spine, goose-bumps traveling along his rocky skin. He could still feel the grasp of that spirit he'd fought in the storage room earlier, the first time he'd felt powerless. His fist tightened in determination. Then he looked up and caught Ella's mesmerizing smile, and released his tensions for the moment. In the chaos of the situation, he hadn't even had time to process the fact that she reciprocated his feelings.

When they reached the orphanage, he smiled and kneeled down to tickle one of the kids who recognized him. There were a couple kids here that he'd been in charge of rescuing, either from bandit raids outside the tree, or abusive homes. It warmed his heart to see them so happy now. Upon being led into the dining room, Jaso took a seat right next to Ella, if she looked, she could tell the big man wanted to take her hand in his, but was hesitating.

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Valeria was quickly coming to terms with how out of place she was compared to everyone else. All these cleansing and protection spells, a desire to put others before yourselves, the Taxis were a far cry from her friends on the streets. She kept her mouth shut for the most part, save for a snarky remark or two during the spell casting. Reaching the orphanage, she tried to stay out of the children's line of sight, the less time she spent with them, the less of an impression she'd make on their lives.

Taking a seat opposite the Taxis Trio, around the middle of the table, Valeria folded her arms together and nodded at Tikal's comment about Galleria. "She strikes me as the kind of girl who's used to getting everything she wants. Makes me worry about how open-minded she'll be to other people's ideas. I don't know about you, but I prefer a leader who works with her team instead of bossing them around."
 
Galleria comes descends the stairs with gentle steps. Her attire was the same except now she was without armored guards at her side. Instead she was accompanied by children. Though her height did not exceed theirs by very much. Even so she took a grown womanly stride as she made it to the table everyone sat at. She could see that the majority of those she saw at the temple was here. Even ones she did not request accompany her. Her eyes glared at Ella briefly. It was a jealous tick of hers for any woman as elegant as her with more developed exterior.

"I am glad you all could make it. You will not be displeased with joining forces with me and the Aion." She waved off the children who returned up the flight of stairs. She then brought out a rolled up paper to the end of the table where a free seat was. She tossed it out onto the middle of the table and it unrolled to reveal a map of all the territories. She pointed to Vrondi's Sunfire with a long thin wooden stick. "This is where he began." She then carried it around Sunfire in a circular motion. "And this is where he could have headed." To this Tikal replied. "We have soldiers searching the area. Elite soldiers capable of reading the minds of creatures in the area to see if they saw him. It won't be long until we reach some kind of clue of where he has headed." Tikal looked at the paper like most others.

As they spoke Lilly came from out of the kitchen with a plate of hot tea and white crescent moon shaped cookies. She placed it neatly at the end of the table and then began to divide the cups and piping hot tea with the cookies for everyone at the table. Whether they partook or not was no shame to her. As she seemed to be humming happily serving others. Her angelic wings giving a fair fragrance that all could smell and feel attracted to. Being a seraphim no doubt gave her this natural aura. This aura was shared by the occasional seraphim child that came by to sneak a peak.

As this went on a cold chill began to creep into the orphanage. It was floating in from beneath the front door like mist that evaporated once escaping the beams of light from the windows. The door slowly opened with a eerie slow creek. At the doorway, visible from the dining room, was a tall dark figure with glowing cyan pupils. As the contrast of light and shadow made this persons silhouette a mysterious sight. As the figure stepped in the light evened out and allowed their person to be visible. "Ah so we are having a tea party? Where are the children?" A confident and elegant voice gently escaped this ones lips.

This seraphim man Wore warm attire despite the typical tropical climate of Vrondi, and Sunfire itself. Yet as he walked the cold mist escaped his shoulders and the bottom of his feet. His neck was covered in a warm cyan colored fur scarf. He looked at the group sitting at the table with a smirk. He eyed each one and raised a hand to give a simple wave. Galleria seemed to gasp at his introduction. Almost blushing she seemed to fumble with her attire, straightening it out with a press of her hands. "Mirror! You're back!" She ran with a few steps that seemed nearly like flight and fell into his arms. He welcomed her hug, he was quite tall a good decent 6 inches over 6 feet, in comparison to her height she was a child and she readily acted like one.

"Hello Mirror. It's nice to see the Aion is so lively." Tikal said with a smile. She looked at everyone else. "This is Mirror. Some may know him as the leader of the Aion." Mirror looked at Tikal with a bashful smile. "It's just a simple title. I'm still a young man after all." His wings, which were folded neatly on his back, began to slightly move with his appeared embarrassment. Despite his mention of young age Galleria hugged him like a father, nuzzling his abdomen. As this happened the other children began to furiously run down the stairs. It was almost a rainbow of colors as different seraphim girls and boys came down shouting one word. "Mirror, Mirror, Mirror!" It was clear he was loved here.

After the children were brought back upstairs by Lilly a decoration of little feathers of different colors littered the floor. Mirror was briefed on their plan and he nodded. "I will aid you. This Ziton needs to be stopped immediately." Mirror began to take off his attire until he was in pants and a simple white tunic. He stretched his wings and took a sip of tea. "But now we wait. Won't be long until his trail is found.
Maybe we all could get to know each other a bit better?" He poised the question whilst giving a seductive glance to Ella and Valeria.

Galleria agreed with Mirror with a loud MHM. "So what are your skills guys?"
 
Valeria kept a watchful eye on Galleria as she made her way down, intent on observing the unconscious thoughts of their leader. The brief flash of jealousy towards the beautiful Sol girl, Ella, said much about the girl's own self confidence. Valeria almost felt a little pity for the Aion and her diminutive frame. The tea brought forth by Lilly was delightful, and her fragrance was certainly enticing. Valeria thanked the kind seraphim and gave a little wink before returning her attention to the map.

As the chill fell across the room, Valeria kept a calm and relaxed composure, her hot blood nullifying the effects. While the entrance was certainly ominous, the man known as Mirror appeared to be a kind and well liked gentleman, and handsome to boot. His calm and confident voice certainly caught her attention as she returned the seductive gaze he laid on her, deciding to speak first as skills were questioned.

"Well I happen to be quite the bag of tricks. I pride myself as a bit of a thief hunter, knowing their tricks and likely places they might flock to. Of course with this knowledge comes fast hands, agile reflexes and a refined dueling technique with the rapier, if I do say so myself." She said, confidence exuding from her as she kept her eyes locked on the Aion leader.

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Jaso listened attentively to the information relayed by Tikal and Galleria, ready to accept orders whenever they'd be given. The chill that ran through the room made his skin crawl. He reflexively got to his feet, hand gripping the hilt of his greatsword as the door opened creakily, though he found himself looking silly when Mirror entered and was swarmed by Galleria and all the children. With an embarrassed cough he took a seat, smiling at all the happy kids who seemed to adore this Seraphim.

Mirror appeared to be about three inches taller than Jaso, which was impressive as he'd always considered himself to be the tallest man in Sunfire, though he seemed scrawnier as well, it would be difficult to judge his battle prowess until they got into a fight. Jaso had to scowl a little bit at the man for throwing such an obviously seductive gaze Ella's way. Jaso took Ella's hand in his as a way of telling Mirror to back off. He'd yet to have a discussion with Ella on where their relationship would go now that they've confessed to each other, but he wouldn't allow another man to enter the picture.

After a few others relayed their skills, Jaso spoke. "I'm a warrior, I specialize in fighting on the front lines, taking hits and dealing twice as much damage back. I also serve as a protector of Ella here, making sure she stays unharmed so that she can heal all of our allies. If you need a wall, I shall suffice."
 
Ella had noticed the look Galleria gave her. She knew she was more filled out than many other women and due to that many have given her a glare of envy. So upon seeing it from Galleria she didn't pay much attention to it. However when a chill seeped into the room, Ella instinctively leaned more towards Jaso for some of his body heat. She was scarcely covered, enough to not give the children a view of her most private places, so goosebumps were easily formed on her arms. It didn't help that she was used to the warmer climate of Sunfire and th hear from the sun.

When she saw Mirror walk in she realized that he was the one who in fact caused the chill that seeped into the room. She also picked up in the seductive glance he gave her. Ella knew Jaso would notice it and sure enough he did as he grabbed her hand in his. Mirror might have been handsome, but he wasn't Ella's type at all. So she ignored his glance and smiled at hers and Jaso's hands instead.

When she did, Ella gave his hand a brief squeeze of reassurance before looking back at Mirror. Jaso answered Mirror's question and when he said if anybody needed a wall he would suffice, she smacked his arm. Mumbking under her breath she said "Don't call yourself a wall. You're more valuable than to just be considered a wall in battle." Ella followed with her own answer afterwards.

"As Jaso stated I am a healer both within the Taxis faction and outside of it. As I run my own clinic when the Taxis does not need me. As far as my skills though I can use something I like to call 'Light Healing'. I can use sunlight around me to heal people's wounds. When there is no light I can use my own stored energy. However it is very draining so I need to 'recharge', shall we say, under sunlight for an extra hour afterwards. I can also create a light whip however it's strength is based on my will to harm. Which is typically very low."

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Kyvro listened to everybody and noticed the glances and looks thrown around the room. Unlike some others, when the cold crept into the room he wasn't that affected by it. After all he spent most of his life in a damp, dark, and cold cell. He wasn't afraid of the cold at all, but in a way welcomed it.

He relaxed more in his chair and when the man stepped into the room, Kyvro stayed quiet. Yet when he asked about skills he sat straighter in his seat and leaned forward to listen to what others were saying. When there was a pause after the Taxis women Ella, he took his turn.

"First off I'm a member of the Dolofon. However, I'm off duty right now and don't share all of the same views as my fellow faction members. I don't kill innocents, usually just the corrupt who I have been given a contract for. As for my skills, I have one called 'Far Sight'. As long as I have a straight view of whatever I'm looking at, I can enhance my vision to see pretty far. Much like that of an eagle. My bow and arrow won't reach that far obviously however. I can also enhance weapons with the four elements, each having a different effect. Wind = faster shot. Earth = 50% chance to poison or 50% chance to pierce more. Water = a bleed effect and Fire = exactly that, fire."
 
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