Yamada gazed around to find himself in the cavern, surrounded by towering ring of fire. Cin, Soel, Miranda and Aerith stood over him.Miranda wore leather armour, under her steel breastplate. Her vambraces, greaves and pauldrons were formed from several thin layers of Deiridium.“Where am-“Miranda placed the tip of her Deiridium arming sword at his throat. Her other hand rested on the pommel of an Orichalcum short sword by her hip.“We’re not here to talk to you.” She said nicking his throat.Yamada watched on confused and terrified, as the three of them opened their gates.“What am I about to tell you. Is something Gwyneth would never have the strength to say.” Miranda said solemnly. “You will never replace Hendrik in her heart.”The Grand Mages stepped back, preparing their magic.“I know.” Yamada said glumly, dropping his head.Miranda awkwardly glanced over her shoulder, back at the three of them. Soel and Aerith shrugged back at her.“And...and you’re never going to be him.” Mir

Ul’lanna followed behind, Yamada and Jacara. The air was thick with anger and irritation. They had heard the roars in the distance, but pressed forward. Both were biding a silent rage.“Ul’lanna, how long is the trip to the Silver City?” Yamada asked.“Roughly five months, the safest route is the longest.”Jacara was silent in understanding. They needed to stay hidden.“And the shortest and fastest route?” Yamada asked.“If we cut across Pest Peak, it will take us only two months to arrive.” She said reluctantly. “But that path is filled with Drakens, and isn’t worth the risk.”Jacara and Yamada shared a mutual glance.“Hey, your father and Gwyneth, wanted you both to be safe. So stick to the plan.” She ordered.The two of them shrugged, and kept their heads down marching through the forest. Ul’lanna let out a sigh of relief.Vexgar and Axilas’s division had killed over a hundred Wyrms, and ran themselves ragged. They had still done their job and created space between the Drakens and

Morning came and the citizens of the Citadel went to work with a sense of looming dread. When would the next attack happen? Could their army defend them? Was it worth staying?Gwyneth woke up, feeling Encara asleep by her bedside. He had pushed himself past his limits. His skin completely pruned, and his hair jet black.She rolled out of bed, wincing at the sharp pain still lingering in her gut. He had sealed the internal injuries to a stable state, but not the muscles.Gwyneth grunted lifting Encara into her bed, and getting dressed. She left him in her room, and walked out to see Miranda in the kitchen.Her face scowling at Gwyneth. “You broke your oath.” She growled, clenching her fist.Gwyneth was silent, and took a seat beside her.“You swore that, you would never enter your Draken state.”“Would you rather have died out there?” “Yes!” Miranda snapped.Gwyneth reeled back in her chair.“All the torment from the others, the guilt and nightmares you have experienced in the last twe

Three days had passed since the first assault. At the crack of dawn, Soel and Gwyneth had been given a task by General Aerith. A mob of angry farmers encircled Soel.They cussed their fears at her. She slumped in her chair. Their words fell on deaf ears. Gwyneth stood in the corner of the room. She was stationed here, by Aerith to make sure, Soel did not lash out.Soel’s uninterested, miserable expression filled with contempt, made it impossible for Gwyneth to not smile. Soel shot her a glance, one filled with anger and malice.It only made Gwyneth struggle to not burst out laughing. She scrunched her face. One burly farmer, snapped his fingers at Soel.He was rewarded with her glower, and Gwyneth wincing, sucking air audibly through her teeth. This was one of the three things, that no one should ever do to Soel.Gwyneth had witnessed the aftermath of each one, over twenty years ago.“Are you even listening to us!?” The man bellowed. His sun kissed skin, and rugged hands, were the s

The last three days marching towards the Silver City, had been trouble free. The three of them had gotten to learn about each other, sitting around the camp fire.They had shared their favourite fruits. Jacara was peaches, however Ul’lanna suspected there was innuendo or lewd reason, to why he chose that fruit.Yamada was mangoes, and hers was oranges. Ul’lanna and Jacara had learn to their horror, that Yamada’s favourite meal. Was actually a dish of raw fish, covered in herbs, chillies and a salty sauce.He failed to convince them of how delicious it was, and only gave them an aversion to seafood. She had thought that, Jacara would have made the trip uncomfortable.Especially after what happened in the prison. However he had spent most of his attention, on learning Yamada’s love making technique.Incessantly nagging at him to spill the secret, with Yamada doing his best to ignore him. With them starting to set up camp for the night. She felt that even if trouble were to come their wa