"Ah I see" replied Aranida, slightly disappointed that she wouldn't have the comforting presence of Avia, though she understood that Avia most definitely needed the rest. "Well I am thankful for your taking us to see the tribe, despite the discomfort you must feel" Without any further words between the two he went outside to prepare the travel.

Once again checking how she put herself together, her boots polished, her overcoat free of dust, and her hair in no sign of disarray. Aranida exited the cottage, looking back at it fondly before stepping out onto the porch. Bahaa was awake and had stirred the other two to prepare to break camp. She smiled to herself, proud that the boy had taken the role that she had assigned him seriously. She was further gladdened by the fact that nothing terrible had happened during the night. She had grown accustomed to expecting the worse while on this mission. Even before she fell asleep the night before, she worried about her troops stationed further away before drifting off into sleep. As far as she knew, nothing had gone amiss, otherwise one of the riders would have came to report to her.

"Good morning Bahaa, recruits" she said, while nodding in their direction. Their horses had remained with them, as she had instructed earlier, and had been led from the stables.

"We're ready for departure Ildan," she stated after climbing up onto her horse.

"It means the King will be having his conference with the messenger shortly, and then..." Pausing for a moment Lear's eyes lifted towards the ceiling. Eris watched both Lear and Tyr carefully for a moment before standing up and leaving the inn, she could already see the look of pent up anguish in Lear's eyes and could not bare to be around. "Things will be changing soon, within the next three days the world will be set upon a new choice." he continued his eyes still fixed to the blank roof and his hands softly clenching together. "All of humanity will be given a choice, one so grave that it could forever morph the reality we have come to accept. Upon the road of life man will reach a fork, one direction continues on a certain path, the other, dark and unknown. But behind the shade of darkness there may be hope, some romantic ending perhaps or maybe behind the darkness there will be nothing new for humanity, I suppose I've simply come to expect little change in this world."
________________________________________

Moving to avoid the shot the stranger was knocked off his feet as the bullet glided sweetly through his lower abdomen. Skidding across the ground violently the stranger eventually came to a stop upon his back. On the ground his facial features were barely defined by the light of the torches, but what could be made out was that his face was young and rugged and his eyes shone of the same blank gray Lucien possessed. After a short while passed the stranger staggered to his feet and began to rush towards the messenger. Moving behind Qalim the man made his best attempt to loft Sera off her feet and into his arms as he darted for the exit.

Above ground Lucien watched carefully as more of the cloaked figures gathered outside of the Pyramid. "So, this is where you have been all this time." A voiced muttered as a figure wrapped head to toe in robes approached carefully. "She wants to leave, can't you feel it." Lucien turned to face the figure before continuing on. "She yields very little positive emotions for human beings, since we have left the village all she has felt is sadness.." The robed figure place it's hand upon Lucien's shoulder and stayed silent for a moment before speaking. "Do what you must to bring her back, you know already that none of her people can ever be truly pleased on this Earth.. Her's is a paradise that we will never see." stepping away Lucien turned back towards the Pyramid and descended the hill from which he was perched with intent to obtain a better view of the situation.


______________________________________________


Maurice nodded delicately before his eyes met with the Vizier's. In a much deeper and empowering voice the old man quietly spoke to the Vizier as a smile crossed his face.
"Survival of the fittest is the way of this land, one must leave culture behind when dealing with those of the desert, but do not take those of the East for fools Vizier. We may cultured ourselves in a different way than you, but we are still all warriors." Slowly the carriages began to roll on as Maurice spoke, leaving only his in the square as the others rode out to make camp on the far side of the city.

Tyr pondered Lear's explanation and rubbed his forehead.

"I don't see anything positive happening. If God really did care it wouldn't matter if the messenger returned or not, if what we were told was true he would kill us all no matter what." Tyr paused for a few seconds before continuing. "Unless what you told me about the other gods has to do with this time of darkness."
-------
"I'm Holan Solhorse," Holan replied, pulling himself up out from his pain. He held the revolver up at Qalim and prepared to fire again.
"Give me your true name, shadow of the sands, before we both die here."

Holan c*** the gun and revealed his sickening grin to Qalim again.
-------
Sera held onto the stranger out of fear for her life, frozen in fear.
________

Ildan nodded and began to trot out past his fields towards the meadows in the distance. As they rode through the grass a white encampment appeared over the horizon. Smoke from a large bonfire billowed out over the landscape lying before them. As they rode in an elderly man began to walk forward to meet them, followed by most of the villagers.

Ildan rode up to the elderly man and hopped off his mare. The elderly man stared at him with eyes filled with contempt.

"Is this about my daughter? Did she die under your care as I always assumed would happen?" He prodded caustically.

Ildan shook his head without a change of expression, unfazed by the man's jabs. The elderly man peered around Ildan and stared in disgust at Aranida.

"Who is this woman you bring? Did you kill my daughter to marry this tramp?"
"Ira, this woman is here to deal with the genocide. I do not care for her and I would like to get her off my hands so I may tend to your daughter. I am not in the mood to hear you moan or stand here with this woman."

"Qalim ibn-Mahmoud al-Filisteeni, welcome to dying."

Raising his right arm to his chest, fist pointed forward, a sickening snap was heard. His right forearm erupted as a blade sprung out from beneath the flesh. It was the length of a forearm, still slick with blood, jutting out from behind his elbow. The transformation had also released the stored combat drugs. Painkillers, adrenaline, and all manner of chemicals meant to heighten awareness, speed and strength coursed through Qalim. Until Holan lay dead at his feet, Qalim himself could not stop. He surrendered himself to it, the part of himself that commanded him to kill, and raised his guard.

Shifting to his back foot, he drew a mental bead on his target and then sprung forward. His right arm slightly back as he twisted himself beyond mortal limits to achieve the fastest spinning lunge Holan would have been able to see.

---

"I suppose it's rather obvious that you can defend yourselves here and now. What the Neo-Potaks do outside this town is not my concern after all. Well then brother, good day to you."

Abdullah left as the troops did. There were better things to do that trade insults with the vizier.

"Something of the sort, perhaps." Lear stood up, brushing the dust from his tunic before turning towards Tyr. "I do not have much time to chit chat about the future though, there's the present to deal with. You'll have to excuse me, the King will most likely be waiting." Heading for the door Lear gave a slight wave.
________

Struggling to keep upright the stranger exited the Pyramid, almost toppling to the ground as he came upon his allies waiting outside. Gently dropping Sera, whom was still presumable frozen in fear, into the arms of another cloaked figured he collapsed upon the ground exhausted. Hastily the figures retrieved his almost lifeless body and darted away towards the newly established military camp just outside the city, with the messenger in arms. Arriving at the camp which had been established not to far away the messenger was dropped carefully to her feet as the stranger who had carried her away earlier was rushed to a medical tent. Lucien, who had met up with others of his group stood before Sera, his arms crossed and a blank look across his face.

"Forgive us, though that may not have been pleasant the course of action that man took in the pyramid most likely saved your life and was needed to make sure you would arrive here to speak with my king." Lucien slowly pointed towards a massive tent at the end of a row he stood before. "He awaits you, I would ask that you join his company, if only for a moment."

__________


Giving a slight nod the old man backed away into his carriage, the grin on his face had grown slightly as he sat down. "It feels wonderful to be in an area of such thick hostility, perhaps autonomy has made things better here."

Shaking his head, Tyr sat at the table and allowed himself to completely absorb the situation. This was most likely the beginning of the end, and if Lear was right he did not want to think about it. God would kill them all, and as he saw it, he would have better chances if he were with the stronger side. He had already forsaken God, and now he would do anything to get away from him.

Lifting himself from the chair, Tyr followed Lear out the door, rubbing the stump of his shoulder to remind him of what God did to him.
-------
"Why won't you just let me leave?!" Sera cried, shaking in terror before Lucien. The books Qalim gave her were scattered around her on the desert sands, some open, revealing their delicate pages filled with fine scripts. She wanted him with her; she could not bear to be alone with this blasphemous monster and the disturbing people who all had that same blank stare.

"You're going to drag me away somewhere else now! I just want to go home! Leave me alone!"
-------
Holan readied his revolver and stared down the sights as Qalim transformed into a bizarre beast of a man. His heart was beating faster than it had ever before, the thrill of sudden death was upon him and he loved the sensation. These reasons were the reasons to become a killer: to feel what it's like to glare down death's menacing gaze. No job ever took him this far though, it was like he was a child staring in wonder over an expensive toy he finally received.

"Come! Take me death!" He called, biting his lower lip in anticipation.

As Qalim shot forward, Holan shot all six rounds without even flinching from the pain. He did not even feel it anymore. The rounds ripped through Qalim's torso just as his lunge connected, impaling him through the sternum. Holan's mouth widened completely and he laughed madly for a few seconds he was alive afterward. His job was done, he killed the Shadow, Qalim ibn-Mahmoud al-Filisteeni.

Bending down Lucien gently ran his fingers down the side of Sera's face as his thumb and index finger stopped upon her chin, holding her head delicately in place. Admiring her features for a moment Lucien allowed her eyes to fix on his he began to speak softly to her, and for what may have been the first time in his current life, an emotion other than callousness and indifference overcame Lucien's eyes. "My sister, you view me, and my kin as freaks, ugly things that should not be seen in nature, no?" as he spoke his eyes slowly filled with kindred emotion, and his face radiated ever so slightly with affection. "But we are you, as you are we. You may not understand it, but long ago your people were much like me." Backing away Lucien released Sera's face. "We are simply the images of a long forgotten time, baring the 'ghosts' of a war long since dead. I ask again, kindly, see my King then take your leave from this world." turning his face Lucien composed himself once more whispering softly in a somewhat humorous tone he uttered. "Seeing those with eyes so full of light, it should be criminal."
_______

"So you intend to come with then?" Lear remarked as he exited the inn, his eyes fixed on a carriage slowly passing. "You need not worry about our world ending soon, so you may calm yourself. But I must ask, what have you planned in following me?"

Holan was laughing. Of that, Qalim was sure. He was also sure that he had bullet lodged in his lungs and esophagus. Somewhere around there anyway. The pain blocked out, he could get a more precise idea of where they landed. It would not stop him of course. Driven through force of will and combat drugs, he would continue unhindered.

Holan's laugh probably stopped as Qalim landed squarely on the gunman, his blade by Holan's throat as their gazes met. Delirium was taking the gunman, or was it euphoria, he could not tell as he put more weight on his blade, slowly pushing it in to flesh. Weak flesh of the weak heart tore easily to a well honed blade.

"You and me both cannot escape death, brother. May Father grant us both mercy."

With those final words, he tore through the gap between cervical vertebrae and ended the gunman's life, as the gunman had ended his.

"It's shallow, but I'm doing this for my own good. I'd rather work with a side that's more likely to stand a chance of surviving hell than one made up of stray swords-for-hire." Tyr replied as he exited after Lear. "Plus, I'd assume that if I was around your people there would be more resources to prevent God from controlling me again. If I went off alone and had no way to combat it, I'd be swallowed whole and never come back."
---------
Sera wiped the remaining tears from her face and picked up the scattered tomes. Gripping them close to her chest, she walked to the tent pointed out earlier, reflecting on what Lucien said when he stared at her with those blank eyes. It could not be possible that they were related by a line reaching far back to the beginning. She had heard stories of what happened in Urbel and that half were cast down to the earth, but Lucien and his people no longer resembled those of Urbel in comparison to the yellow eye remnants. As she stood before the large tent, she cast the thought from her head, unable to deal with it, and entered.

As Sera entered the massive tent she was immediately met by two men on the opposing side who gestured her to stand still for the moment as seven different men exited the next partition of the tent. All seven of the men were dressed in colourful robes and bore small circlets on their heads, each made of different metals ranging from iron to an odd semi-clear crystalline element. One of the passer byers turned towards Sera, giving a slight bow he spoke kindly in a flowing yet seemingly ancient foreign language to the young girl. "Permissiam venni di Deus exsisitiara vobia" raising his head he spoke once more. "So let the grace of God be with you" with that the man sought his leave with the rest of his party, his blue eyes fixating upon the girl up until the point he left. After a moment of silence the two lightly armoured wardens escorted Sera through into the next flap. Upon entry the first noticeable object in the 'room' was the crimson war banner of Isaria, upon it's facade sat a golden double-headed eagle sharing a single crown and in one of it's mighty talon's it clutched a dulled spear and in the other a collection of arrows and olive branches. Upon the chest of the beast there was branded a seal baring a foreign symbol and along the bottom of the banner there sat a motto. The second 'object' in the room that caught the eye was a figure sitting behind an odd escritoire-like desk. Fastened still the figure allowed his elbows to leniently lay upon the desk top as he perched his face behind his interwoven fingers. His hair was dark and slightly long, and on his head there sat no crown, but it was clear that this man was the king. Raising his hand he gently gestured the guards away who swiftly followed his orders before he returned to his usual position. The King did not appear old, nor did appear to be in the prime of his naïveté. His irises were an explosive blue, green and immaculate white around the pupil and he wore a simple blue tunic with an open red cloak atop it.

"I can still see it." his voice was a deep, and he spoke in a intimidating and piercing tone. "The fear, hatred, mournfulness of it all. I can see it in your very being, you wish to be else where, somewhere where none of my kind and even perhaps of your own kind may see you. You're torn between worlds, you want to return home because you detest the world human beings live in yet you fear to return home for you will be held solely responsible for the destruction of this world. Or perhaps I hath made wrong on my terms? Perhaps you have no physical attachments to this world of trifling, insignificant beings." Slowly the figure stood, turning his back on Sera he inspecting his banner for a moment before returning to the girl, now inspecting her expression for a moment he approached the ambassador from beyond but stop short to avoid entering her area of discomfort.

"If you would will it" he spoke softer this time, and with more articulation and poise. "You may call me Tullius, and if you would not mind my asking perhaps your name could be of use."


__________________________



After sometime of walking Lear approached the camp with Tyr on heels. Dozens of tents had been set up by this time and the banner of Isaria flew high over head. Soldiers coerced with one another and among the group Lear was able to spot Nadev. "It would appear the others of my group are here, I would suggest we await awhile for the Court Bishop to settle, then we can reconvene and speak to him about your problem." Sitting down Lear leaned against a near tree, hiding his eyes from the sun. "I would also suggest that you find something to do for a few minutes, the Bishop arrived shortly before we did,"

"Alright, I'll spare a few more minutes," Tyr replied, plopping down on the ground and dozing off. He was not too tired, but napping killed more time than doing nothing.
-------
Sera was taken aback by what the man knew. Not all of it was correct, but the fact that he could peer into her mind and read her most inner thoughts astounded her. Her arms cradling the books shook as she was before his presence. It was not one where she feared for her life as she felt around Lucien and the people like him, but it was one of awe, for no one in Urbel possessed what he could do except for God himself. Bowing her head to the king, she began to speak.

"Tullius, sir, my name is..." She hesitated, debating within her own mind whether it was the right thing to give away her identity to the man. Sticking with her gut intuition, she continued, "My name is not important. I am the most humble servant of God, the messenger sent to warn the surface people of God's anger. I am nothing more than his tool, my lord."

Turning promptly Tullius motioned his hand towards a chair for the messenger to rest in as he returned to his. Taking a seat he reach into his cloak pocket and withdrew a small tome.
"Generations ago a figure approached an ancestor of mine, and made him an offer." Smiling for a moment the King lowered his head and began to read. " The figure spoke to my ancestor, who at the time was a mercenary captain during a period of terrible war. To my understanding my ancestor's name was Justine, and he had started a mercenary band to protect the remains of his village which was destroyed during the conflict. As one would assume, his band was made mostly of children as he himself was. But that did not stop his ambitions to one day create a nation or, at the least some bastion where his friends and loved ones could hide themselves away from the great Eastern conflict. But to not digress too far, the figure made Justine an offer. 'You wish to be a King? A true King of the people? Then you must realize that you will need to make sacrifices so that you may see what your people need, what their hearts truly desire. I can lend you this power, a power that has long since been lost to humanity.' And as the legend goes, Justine accepted the offer and was granted eyes that could see his people's very hearts, and their greatest desires, but it came at a cost. He would lose the ability to see his ambitions, his eye sight was to be taken from him so that the magic casted upon him could remain forever intact. So Justine went on to become the first King of Isaria and all his heirs would inherit his gift, but would have to pay the same price." Closing the tome Tullius leaned back, slowly shutting his eyes. "But since my Grandfather's birth, the blindness my family has suffered has been staggered, and so slowly until the age of 40 my grandfather, father, and soon myself have lost their eye sight. None of us are sure why this sudden change has occurred but now, I'm certain why." Quickly Tullius pushed away his chair and moved hastily towards the messenger. "My eyes have been getting worst the past ten years, and in another four, I will be blind but I was granted this sight so that I may gaze upon you so that I may better my understanding of what's to come!" The king had pushed himself far forward as he was now less than an arms length away from the young girl.

______

Lear had sat in silence, resting, for seemed to be 10 minutes now. He knew eventually someone would pass by, someone he wished to avoid. "Having spent this much time away from home... I almost forgot this day would eventually come." he whispered gently to himself as a voice in distance echoed out 'Seigan'

"Seigen! My God, where have you been?" A figure dressed in gold and red robes rushed towards Lear who had not yet lifted his head, or even opened his eyes in response. "Seigan, are you listening to me? Your Uncle has been scared to near death by your absence, you haven't even bothered to write or inform us of what was happening in the west! To think all this time you were with one of the expedition groups." The figure stood breathless, his eyes wandered towards Tyr for a moment before he began to ramble off in another language. Opening his eyes slightly Lear lazily pushed himself to his feet. "Tyr, look for the tent with the pure gold flag, the Bishop should be ready by now... I have a few problems to see to." Trudging away into the encampment, Lear half heartedly drug his feet, the robed figure on heels.

Tyr pulled himself to his feet and and scanned the camp for a golden flag. He noticed it was not too far from where he was at the moment and started toward the tent. He stopped as he approached it and gazed down at his left shoulder. Content with reminding himself, he entered the tent to what was inside.
-------
At the king's wholehearted gaze Sera turned her head away, unsure of what to tell the man who seemed to be so intrigued. Gathering the necessary courage, she rose her head back to Tullius, her eyes revealing her determination to finish her stay on the surface and return home.

"There's nothing to come. God will punish those who have not learned the lesson that we of Urbel learned many years ago when your ancestors were shunned to the surface," she stated coldly. "My purpose here has ended, and I am to return so the father may enact his holy judgement upon you all."

Aranida held her tongue, as the elder and Ildan spoke of her as if she wasn't there. She wasn't about to let her temper get the better of her after all that she had already been through to get here. Finally her mission was starting. Granted, nothing had gone easy for her, so why would it start now?

"Esteemed elder" spoke Aranida mildly "I have been sent by the governor of my city to bring my troops here and defend your people from those who seek to eradicate you from our world. Tell me how we may best assist you and I shall aid you to the best of our abilities."

Inside the tent the bishop was buzzing about busily, in one hand he carried an ancient tome, and in the other some type of gear-device. Not taking immediate notice of Tyr's entry the Bishop was quickly speaking to himself in a foreign tongue and only ceased once had come within inches of Tyr.

"By Lord man!" The Bishop shouted, backing away in an almost comedic fashion. "Don't they teach people these days to knock?" placing the tome and device on his desk the Bishop turned quickly and inspected Tyr. Before even taking note of the man's missing arm he detected the look of defeat in his eyes, and calmly backed away to his shelf.

"So.." He began in a much calmer tone. "What brings you to me?"


___________

Smiling the King drew back as Sera spoke. "I intend, with all my being, to defy the fate your Father has set for humanity." The King began to pace gentle circles around Sera has he continued, his arms locked firmly behind his back. "I intend to preserve humanity, and help break the shackles God has placed upon this world. You see, that stranger who met with my ancestor all those years ago, has made it clear to me that he intends to return to this very spot when the first light of the new day arrives tomorrow. He will come to aid us in a struggle against a force he has battled against for centuries, one that we will soon be fighting against. This too was part of the deal my ancestor made long ago, that we would aid him when the time came, and it would appear that the time has come to fight a foe so great that not even the knowledge of the old world alone can handle it."

A slight commotion was heard outside the tent as a Lear pushed his way into the room, a soldier trailing behind him. "You can't just ba-" the soldier was cut short as he bumped into Lear who stood solemn before the King and Sera. The King waved the guard off before he motioned Lear to come forward.

"Seigen, my son. I see you hath returned to me finally, a grand day it has been. Come sit, you must be tired." Lear silently declined the proposal with a shake of his head, his eyes staring defiantly towards the King, who in returned approached Lear. "Keep her company for a moment then, I have an 'errand' to run." With that the King nudged Lear out of the way and exited the tent.