Flames ripped out of the building as the explosion lit up the night sky. The old building smoked from the large hole that was just torn out of the roof. A man was flung out of the hole and landed roughly on the ground rolling and bouncing. He stood up and brushed dirt off of him. He wore a long black coat left open to reveal a black muscle shirt. He wore khaki pants and black boots; he rubbed his hand through his straight brown hair that hung to his jaw, giving a very dissatisfied look at the building with his brown eyes. He rolled to the right; dodging a ball of flame as it blasted into the ground; scorching the ground.

Following the ball of flame out of the hole was a giant ball of flame with a person at its core. It roared and dove from the building top towards the guy. He watched the creatures dive at him and outstretched his right arm and hand. The Creature slammed into a wall of ice that appeared in front of him, the flame and ice mixing violently to produce a steam explosion; sending the creature flying backwards.

"Guess you went rabid, huh? Dorian, Mia, Shut him down!" he yelled out. The flame burst as the now elemental creature charged towards the guy. Flash of white as he bounced off an invisible wall. A young girl ran around the building her petite build panting from running, her hand outstretched. She wore a white tank top and grey pants. Her long Brown hair hung in her face and down her back to her hips, she looked at the guy with a look of annoyance. "What part of wait for us, do you not get?!" She yelled, him responding by scratching his ear.

Flame ripped across the ground towards her catching her and him off guard. Metal spun bouncing across the field in the shape of a large shield. It planted itself in front of her blocking off the flame. The flame-creature roared loudly in protest as another guy made himself prominent by appearing on the battlefield. He wore a torn shirt revealing his right collarbone, which bore a tattoo in the shape of a dragon head with two diamond shapes circling the dragon one vertical and one horizontal, his body was filled with lean muscle and scars. He held a long sword in his left hand. He had short dark grey hair and strange silver eyes. He charged at the ball of flame while giving the other guy a glare.

"Oh, Dorian not you too!" He said as Dorian darted past. The girl followed Dorian Holding her hands out creating barriers to block the flame attacks. "You where supposed to wait Fenix!" He looked over at her with a look. "Mia, it is not my fault his first response was to burn the house down." Fenix replied looking at the burning house. Mia sighed and continued to generate barriers to stop the flames from hitting Dorian, who dodged attacks and started generating swords to throw at the creature. With each blade his tattoo burst with grey energy.

As Mia turned her back to Fenix he could see the Tattoo on the base of her neck, a dragon head with angel wings coming from it. Gold energy burst from it continually as she kept the barrier barrage up. Fenix walked up towards the house and placed a hand on the wall and ice formed over the building in a flash. He turned as the creature roared out in pain as Dorian dove into the burning creature driving a sword through the body of the person inside. He appeared back out his clothes burnt.

Mia and Fenix looked at him with looks of disapproval. He looked at them and shrugged. "Like teacher, like student?" Fenix said shrugging. Mia sighed and looked at the building, "I guess mission accomplished." She said thinking about the amount of money they would lose over repairs. Fenix just laughed and patted her roughly on the back. "Let's head back to headquarters, the paperwork should be done on the guild today, maybe we are finally official. The other two nodded Mia with a sigh at the carefree nature of her partner.

One day later…

The three walked down the road of Lyndash, a large city with waterways entwined with the roads throughout the city. As they walked they came upon the complex that was the guild hall for the Dragoon spirit, which was a tavern with about 8 rooms excluding the kitchen and eating area. They approached and as Fenix opened the door they heard a yell and Fenix was sent flying when a foot connected to his head. He rolled backwards about five feet before he stood holding his nose.

Mia and Dorian looked in shock and fear and then watched a woman tear out of the bar towards Fenix. She had bright pink hair and fierce blue eyes. She had an athletic build and wore the trademark black coat of the guild with black pants. She was about four inches shorter than Fenix and smaller in frame, but at the moment Mia and Dorian where too afraid of her to help their aloof partner.

"What was that for Rini?" Fenix yelled holding his nose. "Bastard! Thanks to you, Lilly and I have to go and fix your bloody mess!" Rini yelled at him clenching a fist ready to swing. Fenix prepared for the attack when they heard a soft voice from the doorway.

"Rini, it is alright they did not mean to cause us problems." The four looked back to see Rini's sister Lilly. She was short around five foot with long blonde hair and sweet blue eyes. She wore a nice dress that was white with blue edges. She had an average build that just made her cuter.

"Thank you Lilly, if only your sister was as nice and lady like as you." Fenix said patting Rini on the head. Rini whirled and went for a swing at Fenix. He dodged it without much trouble; laughing as he did so. Lilly blushed at the comment and then gasped at the attack. Mia and Dorian looked at each other and then back at the fight that was breaking out.

Rini unzipped her coat revealing a dark green belly shirt and a tattoo on her stomach, the tattoo was a dragon head with a perfect circle around it. Yellow energy burst from it, Fenix was sent flying backwards from a punch to the face. "Who are you calling unladylike!" Rini yelled at him getting ready to move again when a wall of wood appeared in front of her. She looked over at Lilly a hole in the hip of her dress revealing her tattoo, a dragon head with branches forming a circle around it.

"Rini we need to go home so I can get changed and we can go, those people are waiting for me to fix their home." She said with a big smile. Rini glared at Fenix and zipped her coat up. The two walked away from the place Lilly excusing herself.

Fenix stood up rubbing his cheek. "Thanks for the help girls!" he called after them.

"You're welcome Mr. Fenix." Lilly called back.

"Go die Fenix!" Rini yelled back.

"Why do you taunt people Fenix?" Mia asked.

"Huh I do not know what you mean?" he asked looking at her with a confused look and a smile making her and Dorian Face palm.

He walked down the street holding a slip of paper in his gloved hand. He looked down at the address written on it through his jaw length brown hair. His blue eyes scanned the paper over and then the road. He was dressed from head to toe in his military gear, dark green trench coat and pants with black boots. A belt went across his hips with a holster for his pistol. Tucked under left arm was a file and in his right hand the paper. People walked around him in the street giving him a questioning look, but he had already known he was going to get weird looks. He wore a badge on his chest that symbolized he was a guild investigation agent, and there was only one reason a person like him came to a town, and to top things off, there was only one "guild" in this town as well, Dragoon Spirit, the guild those eight years ago the military had to attack and kill the leader of leading to the destruction of over half the town.

He could not believe that the military was sending him to investigate such a powerhouse guild, especially when he had just got his certification to inspect guilds. He stopped when an idea came to his head. What if the reason that they had sent him was because he was expendable, and if someone was going to die would it not be better to lose a new guy rather than one of the better ones? Sweat formed on his face as he thought about him getting killed by all of the monstrous beings in the guild that took on the military with just a few members. As he was about to turn around and go back to base to request a different assignment, he felt someone tap him on the shoulder.

He jumped with a start and whirled around to see a young man, a couple inches shorter than himself with blonde hair tucked into an olive green military hat, his fierce green eye bored into him making him nervous; his other eye covered by an eye patch. He wore a black coat zipped all the way down to the waist of his black pants, but it could not hide the muscular build he had. He held in one hand a bag with groceries in it, and around his waist was a holster with a compact bow and a quiver of arrows. He stood out in the streets where people where dressed in more traditional clothes. The strange guy looked him up and down and then at the badge with his name on it. He suddenly nodded and grabbed him, taking off down the street dragging his victim behind him.

"Wait! What are you doing?! Somebody help me! I think I'm getting kidnapped!" Everyone just stared and watched as he was dragged behind him, too scared to get involved.

"Mr. Tori, my name is Alexander." He said dragging him without as much as an issue with the lanky person.

"Telling me your name does not make it better!" Tori yelled tears flowing down from his eyes. They stopped in front of a rundown tavern. He looked with pure terror as his imagination ran rampant. "Oh no! This is your rape den isn't it!" Tori yelled looking up at the stranger with pure terror.

He looked down at Tori with a fierce yet confused look. "What are you talking about?" He asked making Tori stop yelling tears still in his eyes.

"You are not going to rape me?" Tori asked blinking.

"You are strange for military personnel." Alexander said giving him a stern look

. "I was born lanky." He said in response feeling embarrassed that even his kidnapper thought he was too scrawny for the military.

"That is not what I meant. You are here to inspect the guild aren't you?" The question hit Tori like a ton of bricks to the head, horrific realization settling in that he was a guild member.

"Come in so we can get this started with." Tori felt pure fear as Alexander started to drag him towards the building. Alexander watched in disbelief as the guy fainted. "… Is this really the guild inspector?" He thought to himself.

Tori felt himself coming around. He moaned as he set up and looked at his surroundings. A small room with just a bed, nightstand, and lamp, and a really squeaky ceiling fan. He was about to lay back down again when he heard voiced outside the door. "Alexander what did you do to him?" It was the voice of a young woman.

"I did not do anything; he passed out without any assistance from me."

Tori's eyes widened when he remembered what had happened, and with the realization that he had been kidnapped by the guild that he was supposed to inspect. He looked around with sorrow filling his heart, there was no window to escape through, the only light in the room from the lamp. As he thought about how to escape, he heard the door knob turn and the people outside were quiet.

The door opened as a man entered. He stood around six and half feet tall and had a strong muscular build. He had his long red hair in a loose messy ponytail. He had green eyes and a smirk on his scruffy face. He wore a black muscle shirt and grey pants and over it was a white coat with silver lining. Tori pulled his handgun and fired directly at his forehead, then jumped a foot when the bullet hit the ground near his foot with a thud.

"I told you sir, he is a strange one." Alexander said as a worried looking girl appeared behind him.

She wore the coat of the guild the collar zipped up hiding her neck, but Tori could see her long light brown hair and worried face peering with amber eyes over the other guild member's shoulder. Tori looked down at the bullet on the ground with utter confusion. He was so entranced by the mystery of the bullet, that the large man had moved next to him before letting out a booming laugh and patting his back hard enough to almost knock him on his knees. "For a guild inspector you did not read the file that was given to you about us did you? My name is Cale I am the leader here."

The large man said still smiling and laughing. Tori looked up at the huge man completely terrified at the prospect that he was this large, and then the feeling of embarrassment set in as he thought about the fact that he did not have the time to read the file on the way here. "Let us go down stairs and clear the air!" the man said picking up the lanky man by his coat and carrying him off.

Tori set in the almost empty guild hall. It was run down and dusty; the whole building looked like it could use repairs. Setting across from him was Cale the large guild master. At the bar preparing tea for everyone there was Mia. Setting at the bar was Dorian, His coat also on zipped all the way up. At the mission board was Fenix, a person that Tori had heard of, the infamous Frozen Reaper, a highly dangerous synergist, and one of the best in the whole country at Frost Synergy. Leaning near the board talking with Fenix was Alexander.

"So this is the guild hall huh?" Tori asked looking at the hall with disbelief that formally the most powerful guild in the country was regulated to this. The question seemed to be an unpopular one; most of the guild looking at him with a bit of spite in their eyes. "I did not mean anything by it. It is very…cozy." Tori said only pausing to think of a good word for what he could call it without bothering the guild any farther.

"We have hit pretty hard times, seeing as how we do not get paid as well without official jobs." Cale said rubbing the back of his head with one of his large hands. "But we try to do our best, and now that you are here we can get real jobs."

"So I hope you know that I am going to have to go on missions with all of the guild members to test their abilities to go out on missions and complete them properly." Tori said nervously, his imagination thinking about being out on the field with these people. The danger seemed more than what he would prefer to deal with.

The large man just busted out laughing. "Of course you do, and we would not want it any other way. Hey Fenix get a mission going and take him with you." Cale said as Mia delivered his cup of tea. Every person in the guild stopped and looked at Cale in surprise.

"Of course Cale, but don't you think that it might be better to wait and let him settle in here first?" Fenix asked taking down a mission post from the board and walking over to the table. "Also my team just got back, shouldn't we rest up?"

Cale chuckled and looked at the page Fenix had. "You guys rested on the train ride here, besides I am sure that mister Tori is ready to get the investigation out of the way." He said Tori nodding in agreement, for he was ready to put this behind him.

"I am going too. We have already seen that Tori is lacking on the combat field, I will go to make sure that he does not come to any harm, and the more members the quicker the investigation." Alexander chimed in from his perch. Tori gave him a dirty look at the comment about not being combat able. He was trained by the military, but let it slide since he still was not convinced that they were not going to kill him.

"Great idea Alexander, Fenix do you have any problems with it?" Cale asked

"None here, we are always happy to have other guild members on our side." Fenix replied the other two moving beside him. Alexander even walked over taking the paper from Fenix to read the mission. Tori looked at the team and realized that he was going to have quite the problem if they decided to deal with him.

"Well then. I guess we had better get going." Tori said laughing awkwardly. Making Fenix lean over to Alexander

"Is he okay?"

"I have no idea."

~~~Later that day on the train~~~

Tori set in the most dangerous place he had ever set before. Next to him was Alexander the broad muscular synergist setting arms crossed with his eyes closed. Setting across from them was Mia and Dorian, the young girl talked to Dorian, although the young man never seemed to respond to her, but Tori could tell that he was listening to every word that she said. Fenix set in another seat looking out the window with his usual smirk on his face. Tori was more focused on Dorian though, since he had met him he had never said a single word. Alexander opened his eyes and followed the inspectors gaze.

"No he cannot." Alexander said before closing his eyes again. Tori looked over at him shocked, even Mia fell silent at the statement. "I know what you where thinking about, unless you find him attractive." Alexander replied to the look.

"NO! I WAS NOT THINKING ABOUT THINGS LIKE THAT! I was just wondering why he had not said anything." Tori said looking back over at Dorian, who now looked down at the ground before unzipping his coat to reveal a deep scar on his throat. "Oh I am so sorry; I did not mean to drag things up." Tori exclaimed feeling horrible.

"It is all right, he has grown use to people asking." Mia said putting an arm over Dorian. Tori watched and made a mental note to write that down in the dossier about Dorian. He decided to get up and stretch his legs and let the air clear. As he stood he noticed that the Fenix had fallen asleep in his seat, but he did not look at peace at all. His face seemed like he was in pain. Tori went to wake him, but was stopped when Alexander grabbed his arm. Tori looked back to see that all three synergist seemed to know something about what was going on.

"Is Fenix alright?" Tori asked looking back at him. So far Fenix always seemed to be smiling and having a good time.

"He will be fine. He is always like that when he is asleep, we think it is nightmares." Mia replied with a weak smile. Obviously something bothered her about it, but the thing that caught Tori's keen eye was Dorian. The young synergist had a look on his face, something was more wrong here than met the eye.

~~~Upon Arriving at the town of Laden~~~

Tori stretched out his arms and legs. He never was a fan of taking long train rides, let alone one with a bunch of people that could kill him with a thought, well at least one of them could and he was asleep most of the time. The others he was unsure exactly what their power level even was. According to the dossiers that he had retrieved the guild currently had thirteen members all of them where higher level synergist easily in the three or higher classes. It was hard for Tori to take Mia as a serious a powerful synergist, not that he should judge, but she was so small in build it was hard to believe that she was a powerful synergist. Maybe she was a lower class. He figured he would check before Alexander got back with a local map, and the other back from picking up supplies.

He reached down and pulled out the dossiers from his case, he had only brought the ones for the members that were with him. He flipped through until he reached Mia. He was reading as he walked until someone bumped into him knocking the papers to the ground.

"Excuse me, sorry about that." Tori said bending down to get the papers.

"Watch it, bud." The man that had bumped him said him and his two buddies glaring down at the lanky man. The three were large and had scruffy short beards; they looked and dressed like workers from either construction or maybe lumber.

"I apologize, but it was an accident." Tori explained standing back up; he was a couple inches shorter than their smallest member, and easily about a hundred pounds lighter.

"Are you mouthing us boy?" The lead rough neck asked moving in closer to Tori. Making him very nervous that a fight might break out.

"I am just trying to explain myself." Tori said quickly his nervousness in his voice.

The roughneck prepared to say something when another voice rang out. "Excuse me, is there a problem here?" Alexander asked seeming to appear out of nowhere by Tori, Startling Tori more than the others.

"Yeah there is, this little toothpick bumped into the boss." One of the other two roughnecks said.

"You must be joking." Alexander thought, somehow this military personnel had found some kind of back water gang. What was this some kind of radio drama? "I fail to see a problem here. It is a busy station, I am sure that your boss has been bumped by many others as well."

"Watch your tone! Our boss is a top tier synergist! He is the best around. You better watch it or he will kill ya!" The other goon yelled at Alexander.

Alexander glared at the three, especially at the "boss", he could forgive roughnecks looking for a fight, and he could even understand if they were town hooligans, but the look on the big guys face while the other talked about synergy as a tool for hurting others to get what they want. That was something he could not forgive.

Tori went to say something looking even more nervous as soon as synergy was brought up, but Alexander stopped him. "A synergist eh, I see then." Alexander looked at the Boss straight in the face moving closer even though the boss was much taller. "I find it hard to believe that any synergist of merit would live in a backwater town like this." Alexander felt bad for any synergist that he just talked down about, he was sure there was some talent here for real synergist, but the plan worked perfectly as the big oaf snarled grinding his teeth, then yelled some cliché line about making him pay while taking steps back to prepare to utilize this "powerful" synergy.

The oaf moved an arm up, and with a crash a chunk of earth ripped from the ground. Tori watched calmly now. Seeing as how the oaf had to move his arms, and the fact that there was no energy release from his body, this oaf was a class one synergist. From what he had heard about the guild, this would be an easy fight.

Sure enough Alexander dodged the rather rudimentary rock by spinning around the attack, in the same motion he pulled his bow and drew an arrow. He stopped and let it fly catching the oaf by surprise dodging the shot at his foot.

"This idiot doesn't even know how to aim does he?" One of the two goons said laughing. His boss still on one foot laughed as well making a huge mistake. Alexander took his chance leaping into the air and kicking the mammoth of a man sending him falling to his back. Alexander landed on his feet and readied another arrow. The two goons prepared to fight balling up their firsts while their boss got up and picked up the rock that he used before, yanking it back at Alexander by reaching out and then yanking his hand back.

Tori watched unimpressed. This guy was hoping that Alexander would get taken by surprise by such an obvious attack. Not to Tori's surprise, Alexander again dodged the attack and fired another arrow this time hitting the guy in the arm. The man howled in pain as the other two charged Alexander. They threw clumsy punches something Alexander easily dodged and countered smacking their arms away with his bow then slapping their faces with it.

The three looked a little startled in the fact that they had been hit like that, but decided that throwing more punches would overtake their prey. Unfortunately for them, Alexander easily handled them. He parried a punch then ducked another spinning around he brought a leg out tripping the smaller goon, then preparing another arrow shot it thru the other goons foot, pinning it to the ground. The goon howled in pain as Alexander pinned the other quickly to the ground with physical force rather than an arrow. Alexander grabbed the other man head and with one powerful bash smashed his head into the station walkway knocking the other man out in a single hit.

The boss looked at Alexander in horror. "What in the thirteen realms are you?" He asked holding his arm in pain, the arrow still sticking thru it.

Alexander returned the question with a glare rather than a normal reply. The guy backed away and then ran leaving his still pinned and unconscious goons behind. Alexander turned to Tori and jerked his head towards the entrance into town. Tori followed unsure if he should say anything after that. The only thing that confused him was why Alexander did not use any synergy in his fight, he had watched the fight closely and he had seen no sign of synergy from him. If he had used synergy that fight would have lasted even less time than it had.

"Alexander why did you not use any synergy in that fight?" Tori asked as he had caught up to him. Alexander gave him a look of confusion before he answered.

"A true synergist never uses synergy until they have to; they were weak enough to beat without it." Alexander explained. Tori paused for a minute to let the phrase sink in. He had always heard that synergist would rely on their abilities and used them at will with no thoughts of their opponents.

"Do all synergist believe that, or is that part of a guild code?" he questioned the synergist. Alexander looked at him very stern faced then replied.

"If a person is truly a synergist then they know when to use and not use synergy." Alexander said again not really clarifying anything.

~~~At the inn ~~~

"Wait what?" Tori asked almost yelling in the lobby.

"What is wrong Tori? Does this arrangement not work for you?" Mia asked confused.

"We have to share rooms?" Tori whined.

"We are still a small guild and only major players like Alexis, Cain, and Rolph get really good pay due to their skills and type of jobs they take." Alexander explained "So to cut down on the costs of travel and room rent we have to share rooms."

"And since Fenix and Dorian are like father and son they will share a room." Mia chimed in.

"I would not go as far as that… but since Mia is the only female she gets her own room." Fenix followed her up, seeming not to like the comment about being dad.

"And we are just the left over so it makes since to share a room." Alexander finished the explanation.

Tori was unsure about the whole being leftovers comment and was more unsure about the sharing a room, of course he was not sure about which one was the worse option to share a room with. Mia was an unknown he did not know anything about her. Fenix is a famous synergist who took on a good portion of the military and won. Dorian was in the purge and survived it, although not without great damage. So that left Alexander, Tori figured that he would have to deal with it as is. Especially since military pay at his pay rate was greatly lower than their funding by far.

He and Alexander set in their room stretching and getting ready for some rest after the day.

"Hey Alexander, what did Mia mean by Fenix and Dorian being like father and son?"

The other man looked over at Tori, he set in a old wooden creaky chair by the window, his guild coat on the back to reveal his black muscle shirt that he usually wore underneath. "hm? I guess you would wonder. Up until about a year ago Dorian lived with Fenix. From what I was told back before the purge Dorian was found by Fenix. He was breaking up an illegal synergist fighting ring, when he took Dorian back to the guild. Dorian was enlisted and stayed at the guild house until after the purge. Then Fenix took care of him until he moved out. Dorian and Mia both consider Fenix their father, but he does not see it that way. Or at least that is what he claims." Alexander finished the story and noticed the Tori was jotting down notes. "What are you doing?"

Tori looked up with a little more fright then he intended to. "Sorry, but one of the jobs of the investigator is to make the dossiers of the Synergists in the guild more complete including history, and even though Fenix is famous, I do not know much about Dorian, and even less about Mia."

"I see. So that means at some point you are going to dig into my past?" Alexander asked giving him a stern glare.

"ummm… well yes." Tori said easily cracking beneath the glare.

"What do you want to know?" Alexander asked.

Tori looked at the man and then back at the paper. "Well I need to just know a bit about your past. That is it."

"I was born in Lyndash, I was raised to hide my synergy abilities away due to the guild. After the purge I joined them. Is that enough?"

"Umm well that is very vague, but it will work."

"Good. Tomorrow we investigate what is going on the western plains, should be an easy mission." Alexander said putting his feet up on a table and closing his eyes.

"What are the mission details?" Tori asked nervously hoping that he was not going to get shot by an arrow.

"According to local sources, there has been activity from a shady group, and also there has been massive cold waves in the area, even though it is in the middle of summer. Now we should get some rest."

Tori agreed that was the best choice, but a single question was on his mind… could he sleep in the same room as Alexander, a guy who already proved rather capable with just a bow and arrow let alone if he used his synergy. "Alright." Tori said laying on the bed and trying to keep his mind busy any way possible. His mind on the other hand had other plans. He kept thinking about how the people that he was with could easily sneak in or even worse over to the bed and kill him, that is assuming they just did not kill him with synergy.

Tori awoke with a start his eyes darting around the room, He quickly noticed the absence of a certain synergist, and the fact that the sun was not up either. He got up and quickly got dressed and prepared his weapon, his mind racing with possibilities. He looked over at a clock to realize that it was only five in the morning, way too early for people to be up. Unless if maybe they had ditched him, or where plotting how to kill him right now. He crept out of the room and into the hallway, still dark and quiet. He moved along the wall with his gun in hand ready to take any attackers by surprise. He looked around the corner of the stairs, no attackers yet although there where lights on down stairs, and he could faintly hear voices. He crept down the stairs as quietly as possible and got to the end of the stairs and looked out into the well lit dining room.

"Oh hey Tori you're awake." Fenix said from one of the tables. Setting around the table was Mia, Dorian, and Alexander all eating breakfast. Tori stepped into the doorway his face half in a gaze of confusion.

"Does… he have a gun…" Mia asked hesitantly. The group stared and blinked for a second.

"Oh... shit." Before Tori could even realize what was going on Alexander had muttered those words. Soon he stared into the room with three over turned tables. Mia and Dorian hid behind one, Fenix peaked over another an ice knife in his hand, and Alexander peaked over another his bow ready to fire an arrow at Tori.

"Tori just put down the fire arm before you hurt yourself, or someone else!" Fenix called out.

Tori himself moved back to having his back against the hallway wall and peaking around the corner, so they were plotting to kill him, or hold him hostage for the guild reinstatement.

"It will never work, nobody cares about a lowly grunt like me." Tori called to them.

"Oh spirits, Dorian I think he has gone suicidal suddenly. We have to do something." Mia whispered in shock and horror. "What did Alexander do to him?"

Dorian looked at her and nodded pulling up a knife from the floor for his and her protection. Since it was Tori surely he would not have to use synergy for this.

"Tori put down the weapon!" Alexander called to him, unable to believe that it would come down to this. He was scrawny and easily terrified, but to resort to killing himself. He did not seem like that kind of man.

"No! Now stay back or I will shoot." Tori called back clicking the safety off in case he had to fight them.

Fenix grinded his teeth, the air set in tense silent for a few seconds. "Tori I am coming out, I am not going to use any weapons or synergy, and I just want to talk." Fenix said before standing up and walking out towards the door, holding his hands into the air.

"Stay where you, I am not joking I will shoot!" Tori called back knowing that Fenix was an adept martial artist and could easily lie about the synergy.

"Fenix do not be a hero!" Mia called out in concern for her adoptive father, not wanting to see him or Tori get hurt.

Tori paused for a second confused by her words, don't be a hero, why would he be a hero?

"Tori let's just talk here, what did Alexander do to you to make you want to kill yourself, or is it something with your job? Is there something we can do to help?" Fenix asked, Tori confused by his words until his brain started to catch up with him.

"I do not want to kill myself! You are the ones trying to kidnap me and use me as a hostage so your guild can get reinstated." Tori called back to them.

The four synergists stopped dead in their tracks, Fenix hands dropped to the side. A moment passed before Alexander darted to the door and put Tori into a pin on the ground. "You bastard we were actually concerned about you!" Tori called out in panic being assaulted by the other man. Fenix and Dorian started fixing up the room while Mia cleaned the food up. Fenix especially gave the food and drink a very sorrowful look of regret.

~~~Later that day, Western plains~~~

Tori walked with the group towards the plains, things had been quiet since this morning. Fenix did not have his usual smile, Mia and Dorian walked by each other without saying a word, and even Alexander looked more irritable than usual.

"I apologize for this morning's fiasco." Tori exclaimed suddenly, the others looking back at him with a looks of discouragement. Tori himself felt a pang of guilt over ruining their morning.

"Let us just get this mission done, should be rather easy." Mia said with a week smile.

Tori sighed as they walked out into the fields leaving the town into the horizon.

"Hey Tori I have a question for you, if you do not mind me asking." Mia said after a few more minutes of silence.

"Of course! What is it?" Tori responded just happy to have the silence be over, and hoping he could answer the question.

"I know the government classifies synergist, but I do not understand how they do it. Could you please explain it to me?" Mia asked falling back next to him. Tori eyed the young girl next to him, unable to understand how a young girl like her could be a synergist in a guild like this, of course had he not known before he would never of guessed Dorian would be one either.

"Sure, I can. You see there are five categories to synergist, and I hope that you do not mind if I use your guild as examples when I can."

"Not at all please do, it will help me understand better." The girl replied with the first real smile in a long while.

"Alright." Tori replied with a smile of his own. "You see the first category is what is called type one, they are the weakest synergist, they can only manipulate their element around them. Although some types of synergist like Temporal and spatial cannot manipulate anything as a class one. No one in your guild or most guilds are class one."

"I see…" Mia said paying extremely close attention to Tori making him a little nervous.

"Then is type 2, they are more powerful able to access their internal energy to generate their element in static shapes or effects without being truly fluent with them. I am unsure if any of you are in this category yet. Most synergist in guilds are this category." Tori explained, although he was sure that Mia was in this category, but that could of been just him letting her cute looks blind him to her power."

"I believe that is the level that I am at; I am not a talented Synergist like Dorian, Fenix, or Alexander." Mia said helping him feel relieved that maybe he was good at judging others.

"The next category is where most talented synergist are at. Type threes are able to generate fluent effects that can be dynamic and change, like a solid substance that can change shape like a fluid." Tori tried to explain it, but it was being a challenge, due to the strange nature of synergy in itself. He noticed that Mia looked really excited about something.

"Dorian can do that, and so can Fenix! Are they class three? Fenix seems stronger than that though." She exclaimed before fading into thought. The group chuckled a bit Dorian moving back with a faint smile before rubbing her head and messing up her hair, much to her chagrin.

"Yes well it makes since for Dorian to be a type three, but Fenix is more powerful than that. He is what we call a type four. He has reached a point where he can manipulate almost all aspects of his element, and most likely is a type one in a secondary element. He also has accessed all the power a non marked can access." This explanation seemed to answer her questions about Fenix. Although something deep within Tori truly wondered if that was a true statement; Tori felt in his bones that Fenix was far more powerful than that. Between Tori's skills as an investigator and Fenix's reputation made him think that there was more to him then he let on.

"So then what is a type five?" she asked looking confused what could be more powerful than that.

"The last category is type five… they are… far beyond human power level. They have accessed powers that can take on armies and win. As a matter of fact your guild features three class fives. Only a dragon marked can become a type five. They have such mastery of their power that they can willing trigger dragon mode, and use synergy without the energy release of their mark. A lot of people consider them too powerful, and not human." Tori said getting extremely serious. Mia noticed that everyone seemed to get very serious, even Fenix seemed to get stone faced.

"What do you think about type five synergist?" Mia asked looking at Tori. He looked over at her and tried to smile, but his spirit failed.

"To be honest with you Mia; they truly terrify me to my core. That level of power is almost unbelievable. A person like me and even you has no real chance against them. Even working together I do not think this whole group could face one and survive." Tori said, the thought actually brought fear and hopelessness to him. Mia gave him a reassuring look, but even she looked nervous at the thought.

"What is dragon mode?" she asked unsure of the term, and anything that made the whole group seem depressed, to her, was worth the investigation.

"It is a release of power, brought about by the strongest of emotions. A power so great that if someone ever enters it Mia I would ask that you do one thing… run. Three dragon mode synergist brought the entre military to their knees. Even if it is someone that you know and trust, they are not the same in that mode." All the others looked at Fenix in surprise at this speech, all but Dorian. They had witnessed the power of a dragon mode synergist first hand in the purge… and they had no intention of repeating that again.

"I am sorry Fenix I did not mean too…" Mia's apology was cut off by Fenix waving his hand.

"Mia, it is fine, that was eight years ago, I think I can move on from it. Eh Dorian?" Fenix asked with his usual smile. Dorian replied with a nod. Mia and Tori could tell that talking about type five and dragon mode was not something that they were comfortable to talk about.

"Something is amiss." Fenix said stopping in his tracks and closing his eyes. The group stopped walking and stared at the synergist. "I can feel it, the energy of frost synergy, ever so faint but here in the air. Something powerful is about to happen." Fenix said calmly before opening his eyes an almost fierce expression in his eyes although he was still smirking.

Tori was impressed he had not noticed anything amiss, and neither did the other three it seems. Guess he was not one of the top frost synergist in the country for no reason. Suddenly a wave of cold air ripped through the fields sending shivers down the bodies of all their bodies except for Fenix who stood strong. They watched as in the distance a vortex of cold air spun snow and hail flung from the air. From the air stepped forth a massive humanoid ice creature. It lumbered foreword and then turned towards the town they had just come from and started moving forwards, heading not just for the town, but them as well.

Tori watched in fear as three other creatures came out of the vortex before it stopped it summoning spin. Each construct was easily 50 feet tall. Two humanoid, one spider like, and the last was like a quadruped dragon. Tori stood in awe and fear when he noticed that Mia and Dorian where removing their coats. Tori almost gasped before getting his composure upon seeing the marks on Dorian's collarbone and Mia's neck.

"Tori go warn the military and the people in town, leave this to us." Alexander said drawing his bow from its holster at his side.

"The dragon is mine." Fenix said with a grin. Dorian nodded and pointed at the spider creature.

"Guess that leaves us the humanoids." Mia said with a laugh.

"Are you guys crazy, even with two dragon marks you cannot defeat something that size, the power of the synergist to create and sustain these things is massive!" Tori yelled trying to imagine them winning.

" Two? how quaint." Alexander said pulling of his eyepatch to reveal his eye. Instead of the normal iris and pupil there was a dragon head with two rings forming an x around it in a fashion similar to the structure of an atom.

With a burst of energy from his mark Dorian formed two single edged long swords and started walking towards his opponent. Alexander and Mia followed suit towards the two humanoids. Fenix looked at Tori and smiled. "You better hurry Tori, or you might miss the action." He said before running towards his opponent.

Tori watched unsure of what they could do, what anyone could do against such overwhelming odds, but they were right, he needed to get the military here now. He turned and ran hoping they could hold the line until they got here, and hoped they could survive as well.

~~~The western fields, a few minutes later ~~~

The spider creature scurried forwards its eight legs moving as fast as it could, its head held high by an icy long neck, its maw filled with lines of frozen teeth. It was easily ten times Dorian's own height. It rushed covering the ground between the two in just a few seconds and snapped its jaws at him. A burst of silver energy found it missing its target and instead Dorian landing on top of its jaw. It flung its head up. Dorian ran down its head and then leapt up bringing his blades down into the neck of the creature. More energy burst from his mark as the blades expanded. He heard a cracking noise as ice spikes burst from the creature's neck to impale him. He rolled to the side letting go of the blades both mentally and physically. He formed metal around his legs and used those to launch himself into the air by launching his new boots through his metal kinesis. He spun in the air dodging ice spines launched from the creature. He held out his hands drawing the blades from its neck back to his hands. He grabbed the overly large handles each blade about twelve feet in length, and with him about a hundred seventy feet into the air. He expanded them even further to about twenty feet as he fell through the air. Then combined them forging a massive great sword in his hands, and with a thought begin spinning it and himself as fast as he could to build up momentum. He somersaulted through the air gaining momentum until he was about to hit the creature then swung with all his might. The blade cleaved through the creature splitting the blasted thing into two. Dorian cleared his mind as he fell. He had to slow himself. He focused on the sword and his metal boots slowing his falling speed until he roughly landed on the ground. Pain reverberated through his body as he collided with the ground. He could already feel the bruises on his body from pulling it like a doll through the air. He slowly walked away, and as he did we wondered what lecture Mia would have for him about this fight.

Mia approached the humanoid giant. She let her mind free and projected into the divine field around her. As she did so energy coursed from her mark, and down her back. Sprouting from her back formed two large angelic wings of blue and white light. With a swoop of them she flew into the air. The wings did not require her to flap them, but she liked to do it for dramatic effect. She flew as the creature launched a punch at her. She dodged to the left the massive fist missing her by inches; her hair and clothes flapped from the wind from the attack. She let more energy flow into her wings and began storing energy as she gained altitude. She thought to herself how lucky the other three were being frost, metal, and spatial synergy gave them a huge bonus in the offensive ability field. Although she loved her divine synergy, it had so few techniques for true offense. She flew by its chest dodging between its fingers as it tried to grab her. Her wings begin to glow brightly as she flew until she passed its head. She spun in the air to face the creature and focused her thoughts on it. It looked up and begins to reach for her with its massive hands. She felt the energy in her wings reach its climax; her attack was ready. She put a little more distance horizontally between her and the creature before finally releasing the energy in her wings. Streaks of blue white energy rocketed from her wings, each stream was only a few inches in diameter, but about a hundred of them flew by her. The volley flew in random directions, but each one hit the creature with an explosion of holy energy. She released another volley, the energy seeking out the creature and blasting it to bits. As bits of the creature fell she slowly drifted to the ground below occasionally blocking a hunk of ice with a divine barrier. She wished she could control the attack better, but its power was the best in her arsenal. She breathed out the wings vanishing. The technique drained her a lot, but it did the job. She knew the others could handle their enemies, but her mind was still on them for fear of them getting accidentally hurt. She ran back towards to the rendezvous point.

Alexander watched as Dorian and Mia both felled their constructs, both in quite the flashy way. He wished Fenix would have just let him handle the flying one. He drew an arrow and aimed at the knee of the creature as it advanced still quite far off in the distance. He fired the arrow, and as he did a flash of energy from his eye and the arrow disappeared and appeared at the creature's knee the force from the bow magnified greatly. The arrow collided into the creature the force not only shattering the arrow, but blasted the knee to pieces as well. He made a mental note to increase the durability of the arrow this time and fired again. A larger flash from his eye, as the arrow crossed the field in milliseconds and collided into the creature again. The arrow shattered again, but did its job. He drew and arrow and fired again, firing arrow after arrow sending them each at a precise point as the creature fell, three into the chest, two into the head, and one for each elbow. Each hit its mark and blew holes through the creature, the arrows alas did not survive any of the hits, but at least the creature was down without having to enter direct combat. He turned and felt a breeze move his coat as he walked away. He pondered briefly if Cain was around mocking him with the old badass long coat trope from radio dramas.

Fenix watched the display as he nonchalantly walked towards where the dragon flew. It opened its jaw and frost blasted towards Fenix flash freezing the area he was in. The dragon landed on its hind legs and roared triumphantly as the vapor cleared. Fenix walked out of the fog brushing some frost of his coat.

"Come on dragon, do not use such a useless trick on me." Fenix taunted stopping in front of the creature. It roared in response with another wave of frost. The ice clung to Fenix's coat and froze the area around him. He sighed and with a dramatic wave of his hand the creature was slammed by a wall of ice knocking it over. The dragon scrambled to its four feet and roared. Fenix formed ice blades over his arms and slowly walked towards the creature. "You know you are being quite the disappointment. I promised to slay a dragon one day, and here you are being a letdown. Oh well." Fenix charged forward his body coated in a thin layer of frost again. The dragon swiped its front claw only to meet with air. Fenix spun over the claw and continued charging. He magnified the size of his blade as he ducked another swipe from the dragon's claw; he leapt forward and swung using synergy to guide the blade slashing through the head of the creature. He used the blade to block a clumsy claw swipe and sighed. "You are much weaker than I thought." He muttered as the dragon flapped its wing to fly into the air. Fenix eyed the creature and ice hands formed in the air and smashed the dragon back into the ground, the dragon's legs and wings shattering under the force. "What a waste. Somehow I doubt this counts for my promise huh?" Fenix muttered as he used the hands to crush the dragon into shards of ice. He turned and walked away a look of disappointment on his face.

Tori watched from a hill near the town in shock and horror. How could they have destroyed those constructs without even breaking a sweat? He took his eyes away for a second to notice a group of people dressed in mercenary gear, padded armor with firearms. He snuck over closer and listened to them.

"Damn. Those are some powerful synergist. Too bad for them though." One of them said with a chuckle. Tori wondered what they meant when he realized exactly what they were referring to. He watched as the creatures begin to reform.

"Damn should have seen this coming eh?" Fenix asked watching almost unimpressed.

"This could pose a problem." Alexander sighed actually concerned about this. Dorian looked over at Mia concern clearly in his eyes.

"Do not worry Dorian, I still have plenty of energy to fight, I will just have to be more conservative this time around.

"Would you guys count that thing as a dragon?" Fenix asked making Mia and Alexander stare in disbelief, although Mia told herself that she should be used to his antics by now. Dorian Stared at the creature sizing it up then shook his head. "Damn, there goes my motivation to fight it, okay Dorian switch me." Alexander went to interject when Dorian nodded and bolted in that direction. "Okay time to slay another spider, although this one is quite a bit larger." Fenix said before sauntering off towards the beast.

"How do you work with those two?" Alexander asked drawing and arrow and aiming it towards his creature.

"Easily, we form a plan, then Fenix does not follow it and Dorian and I pick up the slack." Mia said with a smile as she ran towards the colossus again. Leaving the other synergist to sigh and fire an arrow with a burst of spatial energy.

Tori watched as the four battled the creatures, but every time they brought one of the down it would get back up as if nothing happened. Tori knew they could not keep this up for too much longer, he turned to the mercenaries as they watched and laughed. He stood up and walked towards them knowing exactly what he had to do. The five looked at him and yelled something along the lines of stop there.

"Tell me the secret of the constructs of prepare to face the wrath of the courts of the country of Athul." Tori ordered as he walked towards them unfazed by their words.

"Like hell we will!" one of them yelled pulling out his pistol, unfortunately for him he still had to take the time to turn the safety off. Tori took two steps forward grabbing his arm and forcing it to an awkward angle, he brought up his right hand and pushed the man's elbow in the opposite direction it was supposed to go. The other four looked shocked, and a little horrified at their allies arm, and their moral took a hit from the sickening snapping sound his arm made. Tori kicked the man's legs out from underneath him and looked at the other four. They must have lacked some form of intelligence since they decided that pulling out weapons was the smart decision. Although Tori had to agree, he did not have the time to waste with martial arts, and he had just secured himself a person for later interrogation. He reached down to the small of his back and pulled his standard issue pistol. He dropped to a knee dodging one bullet and whirled his gun forwards and fired three shots in rapid succession. The three bullets each hit their mark. One through a shoulder blade, one through a hip and the other right above the knee; the man would take forever to recover.

Tori rolled out of the way of the shots from the remaining three. He fired another two bullets lowering his clip from thirteen to eight. The two bullets hit their target, one through a guys arm and another thru his abdomen. The other two hesitated, most likely debating whether to run or not, but Tori took that option away with two bullets each, one in the arm and the other right above the knees. Tori placed his gun back in the holster and walked over to one of them.

"Now about those constructs."

Dorian slid across the ground dodging another wave of frost from the dragons maw which froze the ground behind him. He swung with one of his blades as he slid cutting deep into the thick construct's leg. The creature fell forward but stood back up as the leg healed. Unlike Fenix Dorian was not immune to the frost breath so he kept trying to dodge the breath.

Mia blocked a punch with a divine barrier and slid back from the shockwave of the hit. Her energy reserves where already getting low due to her opening attacks and from having to defend herself. She breathed heavy but kept up her plan, she fired a singular blast of divine energy. It impacted with the creature's arm only blowing away a small hunk of the beast, but leaving it mostly intact. She rolled out of the way of an attack pebbles smacking her in the face leaving small cuts. She stood and with a spark of divine energy the cuts on her check closed leaving no trace.

Alexander rolled out of the way of a strike that left a small crater in its wake. He reached for another arrow and cursed his luck being out of the valuable ammunitions. This was going to get tiring very quickly. He jumped into the air and with a burst of Spatial energy from his eye negated the gravity around him. He then augmented the pull of his gravity allowing him to dart thru the air dodging attacks. He focused on the creature's gravity increasing it in certain parts like the arm pits and the knees so they would break off large chunks of the creature. Although he could already feel the drain on him, gravity manipulation took a lot of effort, let alone doing it to a creature this large.

Fenix blocked away one of the spiders spine like legs with little effort, this fight was just as disappointing as the dragon, this one was just throwing its weight around. Course a certain person he knew would have freaked out just seeing this giant behemoth of a spider. The thought of her shrieking and hiding behind him brought a smirk to his face.

"Guess you are right better take care of it rather than leave it." He said to no one around him. He held out his hand a spire of ice rushed up and impaled the creature lifting it into the air. He watched the construct try to escape as he laced its body with his own ice to prevent it from moving. He was about to consider the job down when the construct shattered into thousands of large fragments. Each fragment changed form into a humanoid shape forming an army rather than the large shape it was in. Fenix stared calmly only with an "Oh, that is new."

Tori ran towards the battlefield, towards Alexander he had information that he needed to tell him. He reached the area as Alexander slammed into the ground near him and fired a kinetic blast setting the creature off balance. Tori grabbed a grenade from his belt and threw it next to the creatures foot. With an explosion the creature fell back shattering.

"Alexander a synergist is using a machine to make and control these things! We need to send someone to handle him." Tori yelled over the sound of falling giant.

Alexander looked at him with a curse on his mind. There just was no other option. "Tori you go, I can get you across the battlefield, but you are going to have to take care of the synergist yourself." Alexander said using gravity pressure to try and slow the creature's regeneration. He was expecting to have to argue with Tori about this.

"How can you do it? We need to get this done as soon as we can, the creatures are pushing you guys back more and more each second, so however you are going to do it Alexander just do it." Tori said mentally preparing himself for the worst.

"Alright, but I must warn you that, you might feel a bit queasy." Alexander warned him channeling a large amount of energy and then touching Tori sending him across the field. Alexander felt a lot of energy disappear, modifying the distance of arrows was one thing, but teleporting a whole person; that took a lot of energy.

Tori felt a tug as he was moved from standing next to Alexander to across the battlefield in a field of snow and ice. He shivered as the wind blew by cold from the frost energy in the air. He did not have to be a synergist to feel the energy in the air, something was here and it was powerful. He looked around when he seen what he was looking for. A large machine, a giant cylinder with four vertical spinning blades fed energy to a large man wearing some kind of bracers.

Tori thought back to his training back at the academy. The first rule of engaging a synergist, try to take it by surprise. Kill it before it even knew that you where there. Tori pulled his hand gun and chain fired five shots each aimed at a different target. Not to Tori's surprise with a wave of his hand ice formed and blocked the bullets. The man walked around the wall of ice and let out a laugh.

"Foolish, a gun against a frost synergist, Don't you realize that nothing can stop the war!" The man said as he held out an outstretched hand and a massive ice spike formed and flew in Tori's direction. He rolled under it and fired another three rounds. The man used his synergy to freeze the bullets together and redirect them away from him. Tori had to compliment the guy, he was channeling the raw power rather well; but there was a difference between power and skill. Just because someone was as powerful as a class five, did not make them one. Tori moved closer and fire another round, then another staggered and at different targets. The man used both hands one to stop each bullet by freezing it and redirecting them away from him.

Something that was taught to each guild investigator was an old fighting style. Its name was lost to time, but it had one goal and one goal only, and that was to allow non-synergist to beat synergist. Tori moved closer using his gunfire to distract the arrogant synergist. Something like this might not work against people like Fenix who in their own right is a martial arts expert, but Tori was betting that this would work.

As Tori entered range he threw the gun as it ran out of its last few shots. The guy made the first fatal mistake that was crucial to this fighting style, he fell for the distraction, using his mind and body to freeze and direct the gun put his arms out stretched. Tori rolled forward and grabbed the arm with his right hand on the wrist and then with a fluid non-stop motion brought his left hand into the elbow snapping the joint. The next rule of this style, never let up. Tori kicked the guy to knock him off balance. Then struck quickly knocking away the other arm and then striking the man in the throat, this act making it hard for the man to breathe, and with extra bonus of stopping any breath based synergy. Tori then punched with all his might across the face sending the guy spinning. Before the man could stand Tori jumped onto his back and grabbed him by the head and started smashing his head into the ground until he stopped moving. It may not have been pretty, but the second rule for when batting a synergist. Kill as soon as possible and through any means necessary, they just had way too many advantages over a normal person for you to take it easy on them. Tori prepared his smoke gun with a green round and fired it over head; surely Alexander and the others would understand what that meant.

Alexander saw the plume of green smoke a wave of relief went through him that Tori managed to do it, and he could now kill this beast and see another day. Alexander tapped into the recesses of his remaining energy calling forth all that he could safely muster. He held out his hand as energy surged from his mark in waves almost like a storm. He unleashed the energy onto the construct letting gravity due most the work as he augment the gravity field around the creature forcing it to crack and break under the strain of about a thousand times the earth's normal gravity. It shattered as Alexander panted and ran off to make sure that the others got the message.

Fenix saw the smoke and figured out the situation after watching Alexander's little trick. That and the thousands of shattered ice warriors that lay strewn around him. "huh guess that is the end of that… better make sure that Mia and Dorian are alright. Theresa and Agatha would kill me if I let something happen to them."

Dorian watched as Alexander killed his construct and with the green smoke he figured what was going on, now was the time for a finishing blow. Dorian reached into his energy reserves his dragon mark flared with energy into a vortex of energy. He held out his hand releasing his energy into the very air. The dragon reared back to use its frost breath when the technique finished. The sky darkened with metal sand as it came together to form thousands of weapons into the air. He let them fall into a heavy rain. The dragon roared as the weapons fell piercing and smashing, ice hunks flew as it was crushed beneath enough weapons to equip a whole army. Dorian fell to one knee from pure exhaustion. Luckily the first part of the technique worked, cause he did not have the energy to use the second half.

Mia watched as Alexander crushed his colossus and then Dorian. She nodded and knew what to do. She put her hands in front of her as if she was praying and went down to her knees. As she whispered she felt embarrassed that to use this technique she still had to treat it like a ritual. She could not wait to get as good as Dorian and Fenix so she could help them on the battlefield more. As she chanted in the ancient language a sigil appeared around her and her dragon mark blazed with energy. The giant golem reached to grab her to crush her, but its giant hand collided into a barrier when it reached the area around the sigil. Mia felt a vast majority of her energy leave her, but the technique was complete. A bolt of holy energy left the sky and struck the creature blasting it into bits and pieces evaporating the ice that it was made of. Before anyone knew it there was no trace that the being existed. Mia panted fiercely and collapsed to the ground. She knew that Dorian and Fenix would yell at her for using that technique, but she had to for there was no real way that she could take it out any other way. As she lay there she felt two arms pick her up and carry her away from the former battlefield. She looked up into Dorian's face as he breathed heavily himself after using his own technique and now he was carrying her.

The four Synergist arrived were Tori was looking down at the body and the machine, which was now powered off. They walked over and met him at the machine the only one of them not drained to the point of exhaustion was Fenix who was now carrying Mia piggyback style much to her and Dorian chagrin. "Alright Tori what the hell was going on out there?" Fenix asked setting Mia down as she tried to catch her breath.

"Is she going to be okay?" Tori asked confused seeing her so tired out.

"She just needs some rest. Otherwise yeah she will be fine." Fenix replied, although Tori could swear that he could sense some concern in Fenix's voice.

"Okay. Well apparently a mercenary gang had figured that if they used synergy they could get the military and the synergist to get into a massive civil war, this way they could be hired and capitalize on the massive amount of war that would take place." Tori explained.

Fenix walked over to the machine and put a hand on it.

"They were using some kind of power source to generate the energy needed for the constructs. Most likely some Frost synergy gems of high caliber." Tori continued his explanation, but kept an eye on Fenix.

"No, not gems; something is alive in here, I think I can hear something." Fenix said placing his ear to the metal, something that would have frozen the man's ear if he had not been such a powerful synergist. He listened carefully when the walls of the machine froze solid and begin to crack and shatter. They all took cover Dorian covering Mia with his body and Alexander tackling Tori to the ground. Ice filled the area and mist filled the air. They looked through the air barely making out Fenix when they heard only one word yelled from a woman's voice.

"PAPA!" Fenix took a step back when a young woman tackled him. He stared at down at the currently naked girl, guessing her age around eighteen. He blinked wondering what in the realms was going on. The others moved around them as the girl let go and breathed in deeply through her nose, and then with a huge smile like a little girl reunited with a lost loved one. "You're back papa! I missed you so much!"

 

___

 

2: Tale 2

Tale Two:

                  ~~~ The town of Laden~~~

The group walked down the main road towards the inn, Dorian carried Mia although he was too tired to do so. Tori and Alexander walked slowly due to their own lack of energy. Fenix walked down the road his coat off now and instead on the young woman as her only article of clothing, she clung onto Fenix’s arm humming a song as they walked. The entire town watched them with a look of disgust.

“What is with the townsfolk?” Tori asked looking around at them, then he followed their gaze and realized what was with them. He looked over at the group. “But you just helped them.”

“That does not matter to them. We are synergist, according to them we are no better than the ones that created those constructs.” Fenix said seeming more fazed by the girl on his arm rather than the people around him.

“But papa you are much better than them.” The girl chirped in happily. Making the others give her a smile before returning to the subject at hand.

“Is it always like this?” Tori asked as he watched as mothers pulled their kids back into the house.

“Yes it is, most of the people in Athul are afraid of us, about as much or worse than you do Tori.” Alexander explained thinking about all the times he had gone out on a mission.

The group walked in almost silence, the humming of the girl being the only sound from them. They finally reached the inn and went to their room only one problem stood in their way of the blissful sleep they were looking forward to.

“But Papa I want to stay with you!” The girl yelled pouting.

“I am sorry, but you are going to have to stay in the room with Mia this is where Dorian and I sleep.” Fenix said rubbing her head as if she was a little kid.

“But I do not want to stay with the stupid angel, I wanna stay with you. Make the stupid metal dragon stay with the angel.” This statement made Dorian’s eyes widened about three inches farther than normal and his face flushed, and brought a chuckle to Mia despite how tired she was.

“Now that is not nice, they have names, you should use them. Speaking of names, what is yours?” Fenix asked leaning just a bit to make them at eye level. Although with her height it was not by much.

“Mama named me Albiona!” she said cheerfully.

“Where is your mother?” Alexander asked thinking maybe she was in this town.

“Mama passed away a couple of years ago. I was really lonely.” Albiona said the first time she had looked sad the entire time they had known her, but that was gone real quick as she smiled and yelled “But now Papa is here and I am not alone anymore! Where do we live now Papa?” She asked with a big smile and her eyes sparkling.

“Well I live in Lyndash.” Fenix said standing straight and rubbing his head.

Tori went to say something about how she was their responsibility, but Dorian stopped him. Tori noticed that even Mia had a smile. “Well then, welcome to the family Albiona, pleasure to meet you.” Mia said holding out her hand.

“Oh Mia you are taking her? I am not sure how Theresa will feel about that.” Fenix said rubbing his chin.

“No I am not, YOU are. I just now have a little sister.” Mia said grabbing on to Albiona in a hug, although the other girl was taller and more developed then Mia was.

Tori looked at the two, “Actually Mia it looks like she is the older sister.”

“What was that Tori?” Mia asked fiercely making the lanky man back off slowly.

“What does that make for you Fenix? Four kids, aren’t you just the busy one?”  Alexander said patting Fenix on the back.

“I do not have any kids.” Fenix said almost coldly. As he said this Albiona, Mia, and Dorian all gave him a look like they were deeply hurt. “Oh spirits, they are already synchronizing. This does not change anything. Albiona, You and Mia are staying in that room.” Fenix said kicking Dorian into their room and stepping in behind him. “But if you need anything… just ask Mia.” He said before slamming the door shut.

“Papa seems angry. Did I do something wrong?” Albiona asked.

“No he just gets flustered about us kids.” Mia said taking Albiona into their room.

Tori turned and walked into the room that he and Alexander would be sharing. Alexander turned to follow him ready for that old chair, even though it was painful to sleep in. As Alexander entered the room he noticed that Tori had firmly planted himself in the chair.

“Tori, I am not in the mood to play around.” Alexander said almost stone faced.

“You take the bed, you did more work and I got it last night.” Tori said defiantly.

“Whatever.” Alexander said laying down in the bed not even taking the time to remove any of his gear.

~~~Lyndash a few days later~~~

The group approached the guild hall. Mia and Dorian walked next to each other as Mia chatted with him, Dorian seeming to communicate through body language alone. Fenix walked next to the now completely dressed Albiona sporting a blue tank top and a red skirt that went to right above her knees and a pair of sandals, stuff she picked out and Fenix bought for her. Alexander and Tori walked next to each other in silence.

As they neared the door, the door opened and Cale walked out. He walked up to Fenix and held out a piece of paper. Fenix looked it over .

“Go to hell Cale. Not signing it.” Fenix said before attempting to walk by the mammoth of a man.

“Now, now Fenix no need to be mean about things.” A woman’s voice rang from their side. Tori turned and almost had a fresh panic attack. Standing just a few feet away was two women. One was very tall and beautiful; the other was pretty in her own way but was petite, but very athletic in muscle structure. One he recognized instantly, her beauty and power made her famous all across Athul, Zyn Kaiser the Desert Empress. She was taller than Tori by about an inch and she was slender and curvy with a rather large bust size. Her long sandy brown hair hung down to the small of her back, she looked like she was tired at the moment though. She wore the guild coat with a brown tank top underneath and olive pants, with a pair of sandals on her feet.

                  The other girl had dark red hair that hung to her shoulders, wearing a page hat on her head. Her reddish brown eyes glared fiercely at the entire group. She stood with her arms crossed. She wore the guild coat with a black muscle shirt and pants on, her hands covered by black fingerless gloves. She would be kind of cute if not for her look of abhorrent hate on her face. 

“No Zyn, I am not signing it no matter what you and Cale try to do.” Fenix turned to talk to her; Cale took his chance putting Fenix in a chokehold and begin dragging him into the guild. Albiona went to save her papa, but Dorian and Mia stopped her knowing exactly what was going on, and how happy it would make the girl.

“So Dorian, Mia this is the new girl huh? She is adorable!” Zyn said walking over and leaning down to be eye to eye with the younger woman.

Albiona sniffed the air and tilted her head. “Another dragon, but you smell like an earth dragon. Are you part of the family as well?” Albiona asked.

“You could say I am like an aunt.” Zyn said with a cheerful smile.

Tori blinked as Alexander walked into the guild hall, leaving him to them.

“okay then, So you are aunt Zyn. But Papa is all mine.” Albiona said defiantly. Zyn just smiled and hugged the other girl.

“She is just too adorable. Arisa come over here and say hi!” Zyn called to the other woman.

Tori watched as the other woman walked over and looked up to the other girl. “Hello.” Was all she said before her eyes turned to Tori making him nervous. “You must be the guild inspector.”

“Umm yes I am.” Tori said slowly walking towards the guild hall hoping to escape to a safer area.

“Zyn we are going to need to go on a mission with him for the reinstatement.” Arisa said to the other girl still clutching Albiona, who was trying her best to escape. While Arisa was distracted Tori took his chance and made his escape running into the guild hall.

“Where did he go?” Zyn asked. Arisa frowned due to the disappearance of the guild inspector.

“Damn coward.”

--- In the guild hall later that day---

Dorian set in the guild hall drinking a cup of tea when Cale walked over.

“Hey Dorian sorry to have to tell you this buddy, but Agatha’s dad was in here earlier and he warned me that well to put it as Arisa would… She is pissed.”

Dorian did not say a word, But Tori could see the fear in his eyes.

“What is going on who is Agatha? Is she another member of the guild?” Tori asked.

“No she is daughter of a Café owner that Dorian frequents. She is really good friends with Dorian and Mia.” Cale explained.

“Why does Dorian look so scared?” Tori asked not used to seeing the synergist have such a look of fear. Mia approached and set by Dorian patting him on the back. “You will be missed.” She said making Tori wonder even more what this Agatha was like imagining some kind of monster. Albiona approached the table apparently having escaped from Zyn’s hugs.

“I may not know this Agatha, but aunt Zyn says that you will not be returning. You were a good brother the short time we got to know each other.” She said giving him a short hug before running off to go set by Fenix by the entrance.

Dorian stood up finishing his tea and walked away his head down. He looked as a man might who was walking towards the gallows. “Wait up Dorian do mind if I tag along.” Tori asked. The young man waved him along. The two heading out the exit as Fenix struck up a song of “Dead man walking.”

~~~ Café Duble ~~~

The café was a nice quaint place. It had many tables set up with a counter. Behind the counter was a middle aged man talking with some customers. When he seen Dorian and Tori he stopped and yelled. “Run Dorian! She is cooking today!” The warning failed as Tori watched the door to the kitchen open. Standing in the doorway was a young girl around Dorian’s age. She had long dark grey hair that was tied into two braids that went to her shoulders. She had blue gray eyes behind glasses. She wore a nice modest dress. Upon seeing Dorian she dropped her pan and covered her mouth tears forming in her eyes.

                  Tori’s image of a terrifying monster was instantly shattered, instead noticed that she was actually pretty and adorable. What in the world was the guild so afraid of, she seemed like a lot more normal than any of the guild members. She reached down and grabbed the pan from the floor and darted across the café and swung striking Dorian lunching him into the air spinning him until he collided into the ground. Tori watched in horror swearing that he seen Dorian’s soul leave his body. He stammered and looked over at the girl now seeing what the guild saw.

“Dorian I was so worried! You have not been here in so many days and I thought maybe you were dead on the side of the road!” Agatha yelled at the unmoving body on the floor. Tori bent down to check his pulse, relieved when he found one. Dorian finally moved and stood up very shakily. Tori went to help him but Agatha interjected.

“No! Don’t help him. He will not learn his lesson if he does not suffer.” Tori let Dorian stand on his own and walk over to a chair. “No Dorian I do not care if you forgot! You need to be more responsible! You cannot rely on Fenix or Mia all the time, and that is just cruel to forget about your fiends! If you do not change your ways you are going to end up being single like Fenix!” The girl lectured him tears still streaming down her face. Her father walked up and handed her a tissue and gave Dorian an ice pack.

“Now, now dear. I think he has learned his lesson, here Dorian I will get you some tea and some cake. How about you sir would you like some?” The man asked.

“Umm yes please I will take a coffee.” Tori said setting down next to Dorian. Tori was confused though, Fenix, Mia, and now Agatha seemed to be able to communicate with Dorian somehow, as if they knew what he was thinking. Maybe it was just his imagination.

“Dorian promise me you are going to take a break from missions for awhile. Mia has not been in school in days and you look like you’re stretched pretty thin.” Tori watched as Dorian looked up at her and nodded in agreement. He watched as Agatha held out her hand pinky outstretched an embarrassed look on her face. Dorian looked at her hand and then up at her with a look that even Tori could translate to mean “Really?” She held up the pan again and Dorian quickly pinky promised with her looking more embarrassed than ever. Tori smiled happy to see that Dorian had some friends, they may not be normal but at least they seemed concerned for him. He would have to make sure to write about his in the dossiers when he got back.

--- the next day, guild hall---

Alexander set behind the guild hall firing arrows into the practice dummies scoring almost perfect hits. He walked towards the dummy when he felt the presence of a person behind him. Judging by the size it had to be Tori, no one else was that height and that lanky.

“Hello Tori, May I help you?” Alexander asked pulling the arrows out of the dummy.

“I was just coming to ask about your marksmanship, where did you learn from?” Tori asked.

“Is that from you or the government?” Alexander asked almost fiercely taking his place and firing again.

“I am sorry I did not mean to offend you or put you on edge.” Tori said skittishly. “I was just curious!”

Alexander sighed and fired a shot barely missing the bulls-eye. “My brother taught me when I was young.”

“Oh where is your brother now?” Tori asked his curiosity overriding his fear of digging around.

Alexander stopped firing for a second then responded “He died in military service.”

“I am sorry, I hope I did not drudge up anything.” Tori quickly said feeling horrible for asking.

“No it is fine, nothing wrong with asking.” Alexander said firing another arrow into the dummy.

Tori watched for a little bit before deciding that it would be better to just back away and leave the man alone. Alexander sensed Tori leaving and felt bad for being so aggressive. As he fired his next shot his mind wandered to his brother. He stopped firing he decided to walk away from practice today, maybe it was time for a visit, and it could not hurt.

--- Lyndash ---

Mia walked home from her first school day in awhile. She was pretty behind, but she already knew a lot of what they where teaching, luckily for her, Dorian, Fenix, and Theresa where all great teachers as well. As she walked she heard someone call her name from behind her. Running towards her already out of breath was Korosh. The two hugged and laughed.

“Mia it is great to see you. I missed you.” He said with a huge smile. The two walked next to each other. “How was the mission with the guild inspector?” He asked she could see the concern written on his face. She told him the story of what happened. “I am glad you are safe, but you need to be more careful using that much energy. I may not be a synergist, but I do understand the basic principle.” Mia knew what he was saying was true.

“Sorry but I needed to take care of it.” She said with a week smile. He gave her disproving look before smiling again. Korosh had short blonde hair and green eyes. He was just barely taller than Mia, and unlike the guild members was not in great physical shape, but she liked that about him, he was more normal; as the two walked down the street and talked Mia noticed Albiona walking towards them.

“Hey Albiona!” Mia yelled running, towards the young girl who seemed just as excited to see Mia. Korosh jogged up to the hugging girls.

“So this is Albiona then?” Korosh asked with a friendly smile.

“Yep, isn’t she adorable!?” Mia asked. Korosh nodded.

“Albiona this is my boyfriend Korosh.” Mia introduced him to the other girl.

“It is a pleasure to meet you human.” Albiona said before turning to Mia. “Papa has some work to do, but I really wanted to go for ice cream. So he gave me money and ran out the door.” Albiona said looking depressed.

“He forgot to tell you where the parlor is didn’t he?” Mia said shaking her head, it sounded just like something he would do.

“Well if Albiona does not mind how about we all go, my treat?” Korosh asked with a smile. Albiona smiled at him with big sparkling eyes.

“No not at all!” She yelled making the two older people laugh.

As they walked towards the parlor Albiona leaned down to ear level with Mia. “Hey Mia.” She whispered.

“Yes Albiona?” Mia asked still annoyed that Albiona was taller than her.

“He is a keeper.” Albiona whispered back making Mia crack up a little with laughter.

The three arrived at the ice cream parlor Korosh went to go and order the ice cream while Albiona and Mia found a seat.

While they were looking they saw Tori eating some ice cream at one of the tables writing in one of his dossiers.

“Hey Tori, what are you up to?” Mia asked walking over. He looked up and smiled.

“Oh not much, just doing some paper work, when I saw the parlor I just had to stop in.” he answered.

“You love ice cream too?” Albiona asked impressed in the older man’s taste in treats.

“I do like it a lot, but it reminds me of my little sister back home. She loves ice cream and I use to take her out when I was younger and when I was at home from the academy.

“That is so sweet. How old is your sister?” She asked.

“She has great taste in treats.” Albiona added in.

Tori chuckled, “Yes she does, and she is 12.”

“Wow seems like a large age gap.” Mia said thinking about her own older sister only being a couple years older.

“Nine years. We use to be really close, but it is hard to stay in contact while working. Who is the gentleman you ladies came in with?” He asked.

“That is Korosh, as humans go he is pretty good, he is buying us Ice cream. I think he is a keeper for Mia.” Albiona answered with a smile. Mia chuckled lightly while Tori laughed.

“He is my boyfriend, we have been going out for a few months.” The three talked as Korosh walked up with the ice cream for the girls.

“You must be Tori, pleasure to meet you, I am Korosh.” He said shaking Tori’s hand.

“A pleasure to meet you as well, Mia was just telling me you two are dating. You have a great girl here.” Tori said.

“yeah the parents are not too thrilled about her being a synergist, but they are coming around.” Korosh answered.

“Not that you are giving them much choice in the matter.” Mia said thinking back to the arguments Korosh had gotten into with his parents while she was around.

“They are just going to have to learn to deal with it.” He said with a smile.

Tori watched the two interact and smiled, he had always planned on dating someone, but he never found the time with school and everything. 

 As the group set around the table talking someone entered that Mia was surprised to see. Tori looked over and swore that he had somehow looked into the future. Standing at the counter was what looked to be an older version of Mia. She had the long brown hair, the amber eyes. The biggest difference being the six inches of height and that the woman was slender and curvier than Mia. Mia stood from her chair and walked over to the women and the two begin talking.

“Who is that?” Tori asked looking at the other two.

“Oh that is Theresa she is Mia’s older sister.” Korosh said with a light chuckle. Tori was unsure if he was being laughed at for not knowing that or what exactly the young man was laughing at.

“Oh that is big sister Theresa? I did not expect a human. Papa has a weird family.” Albiona said as she stood and ran towards Theresa to introduce herself. Finally the three came to the table where Tori could introduce himself.

“Hello I am Tori, the guild inspector.” He said holding out his hand to shake. Theresa looked at it and then back at him.

“Pleasure to meet you; I am Theresa, the waitress.” She said shaking his hand while talking in a tone that was very familiar, but he could not put his finger on what it reminded him of. Although she looked like Mia the way she stood and her facial expression, a sort of friendly smirk.

The three set down and talked while Tori thought about the problem.

“So this is the one that Fenix has adopted. He takes in way too many strays.” Theresa said.

“Sis, that is not nice, she is our sister.” Mia scolded the older woman.

“To claim Albiona here as my sister, is to claim Fenix as my father, and I have only one word for that, no.” Theresa said and as she spoke Tori instantly figured out who she reminded him of.

“That seems kind of harsh. The two of you seem a lot alike.” As the words left his mouth Korosh and Mia fell silent with looks of horror.

“What the hell did you just say?!” Theresa yelled making Tori jump about a foot in the air.

“I am sorry; it is just that you and him act similar.” His words made Korosh and Mia cringe.

Theresa went to say something when Korosh stepped in. “Ha ha Tori very funny. Stop picking on the poor woman. We all know that she is nothing like Fenix.” He said slapping him on the back roughly as if to tell him to shut up now.

“uh huh, Korosh you should not defend people who are digging their own grave.” Theresa said taking her leave.

Tori made sure to make a mental note never to say anything like that again, that and that the women connected to the guild are terrifying.

---The next day market place in Lyndash---

Fenix walked down the street enjoying the weather, he did not have to take care of Albiona today since Dorian was taking her out to buy her some more clothes. Fenix was not sure why, she had five sets and he could just wash them as they got dirty. He entered a small store to purchase a bottle of water when he noticed an old lady setting on a bench nearby. He walked out after getting his water and set by her.

“Hot day isn’t it.” He said offering her another bottle.

“Oh thank you young man.” She said taking the water.

“So what has got you down?” Fenix asked before taking a drink.

“Oh no I would not want to bother you.” The old woman said about to get up when Fenix stopped her.

“Nonsense, it is no bother at all.”

The old woman smiled and set back down.

~~~ Later that afternoon ~~~

Tori walked down one of the many roads of Lyndash when he came upon the graveyard. It was a solemn but well kept place. It made sense after the purge that it would be so taken care of. He then noticed an old woman and Fenix standing at a grave and Fenix looked like he was cleaning the grave. Tori went up to them when Fenix noticed him.

“Oh hey there Tori, This is Ms. Kina.” He said with a smile and went back to his work.

“What is going on?” Tori asked confused on why Fenix was scrubbing down a grave.

“Hey Tori mind giving me a hand here? There is a lot to do.” Fenix asked and Tori agreed without a second thought. Upon getting finished Fenix walked over to her and smiled. “Here you are, I hope they would approve.” He said. The old woman walked over to the two graves and nodded.

“They would be.” She went to continue her sentence when she started to cry. The old woman went to say something when Fenix gave her a hug and then stood by her holding her hand.

“It is alright to Cry Ms. Kina.” Fenix said standing by her. Tori watched as the day went by Fenix stood by her and talked to her about the two people that where there. Apparently the two people that where here where her son and husband. Her husband had died a while back ago on this day, and her son was in the military and died in the purge. A part of Tori wondered if the reason Fenix was here was guilt, but was seemed more likely was that Fenix was just that kind of person.

“Oh now young man you should go on your day, you have spent too much time here.”

“Are you going to be alright?” Fenix asked, “I know there are times when a person just needs someone, especially in times like this.”

“Have you lost someone as well?” she asked.

“Well yes I have. As you more than likely already know. I am a member of Dragoon Spirit.” Fenix explained.

“Oh right, the coat is of the guild isn’t it? How are the other members doing?” she asked seeming concerned striking Tori as odd. Someone who lost her son in the purge was so forgiving of the guild that did it.

“They are doing fine ma’am thanks for asking, but a lot of people have died in my life. Friends, people I thought of as family.” Fenix stopped his list and for once the smile that he had dropped from his face. The old woman walked up and hugged him.

“I see, you seem to understand me better than I thought you did. Do you have any kids.” She asked.

“Well I am not sure if you would call them my kids but.” He trailed off and pulled out his wallet showing her some pictures of Dorian, Mia, Theresa, and even a couple of Albiona.

“Oh they are just so nice looking; they look pretty old to be yours though.”

“I adopted them, and I look older than I appear Ms. Kina. I am actually 32.” Fenix said with a smile.

“Oh I see Frost synergy, then you must be Fenix Ende the frost reaper.” She said.

“That I am ma’am.”

“Then you were in the purge?” she asked making Tori worry.

“Yes, and I am so sorry about what happened.” Fenix said looking down.

The old woman patted his head with a smile. “There was nothing you could do honey. The fact that you feel guilty about what happened speaks wonders about you, and I am sure that all the people watching you from the divine plane are proud of you, all of them.” Tori felt there was something between these two people that Tori was not a part of.

“Thank you.” Fenix said hugging her before taking his leave with Tori.

“You spent the whole day with her?” Tori asked

“Well of course as said there are just days that a person cannot stand on their own, and they need someone, anyone to stay with them.” Fenix explained.

“You seem to understand that really well.” Tori said wanting to find out more, but wanting to be polite.

“Yeah, I do understand her pretty well. Maybe it is just all the people I have lost. A lot of people only think of the purge as the day we rebelled and killed lots of people, they forget that we lost people as well.” Fenix said but Tori knew there was something that he was not talking about, between this and the time he saw Fenix asleep told him that there was something more. As the two walked they neared the home of Fenix and Albiona ran up and hugged Fenix making him act disgruntled.

---The next day in the guild hall-- 

Cale set in his office in the back of the guild hall drinking a cup of coffee as he worked on the documents that where in front of him. He looked at the expense reports with a heavy sigh, he could not wait for the guild to become official so it could make more money. He heard a knock on the door, with a sweep of his hands his papers flew across the room into a mess and he pulled out a dirty magazine before telling the person to enter. The door opened to reveal Tori who seemed rather shocked to see the magazine, but was either to embarrassed or too polite to mention it.

“How can I help you?” Cale asked flipping to the next page then turning the magazine to its side.

“I was just going to see who the next guild members going on missions were, but I can see that you are busy so I will just.” Tori said about to leave the room when Cale just waved for the man to take a seat. Tori took a seat across from him with a perfect vision of the magazine and not the man’s face.

“Well right now the guild members are placing dibs on you, but seeing as how the ones next in line are not back yet, it looks like it will be Zyn and Arisa who gets you.”

“Oh okay… wait they are in line?” Tori asked shocked that they would want him, unless they planned on getting rid of him, that Arisa was pretty eager to get a hold of him, and she seemed really pissed, maybe she was going to kill him then Zyn was going to bury him deep in the earth where no one was going to find him.

As Tori was about to freak out the door to the office swung open and Alexander looked down at Tori. He pointed a finger at the young military man with an index.  “NO!” then slammed the door shut. Tori and Cale stared at the door for a few seconds.

“Wonder what that was about? Who knows knowing him? Yeah the girls would like to get this mission with you over with so that the guild can get officially recognized.” Cale said flipping the pages and looking at one of the pages rather intently making the other man rather uncomfortable.

“Yes well I can understand that, the sooner you guys become official the sooner you can go on real jobs again. So I have noticed that a lot of the guild members are not here at the moment, where are they?” Tori asked since he had thirteen dossiers and had only met a few of the guild members.

Cale thought for a moment then came up with the perfect answer. This would easily scare Tori, he went to open his mouth to say it when the door opened again, this time Alexander pointed at the guild master. “NO!” before he slammed the door shut again.

The two stared blinking, “Seriously what the hell is he doing?” Cale asked confused as all hell, Alexander was not prone to playing games. 

“So what is the mission that they are going on?” Tori asked hoping it was nothing like the last one was.

“Not sure yet, I am going to have to wait to see what mission the two of those picked out. I just wonder if Alexander is going to insist on going on this one as well.” Cale said with a laugh.

As Tori was about to answer the door opened and Alexander looked at the two of them. The two responded by blinking at the synergist. “Yes I do plan on going on the next mission just to be sure.” Then he calmly closed the door. The two blinked and Cale looked over at Tori with a flat expression.

“What the hell did you do to Alexander?”

“I have no Idea, normally people are blaming him for doing things to me.” 

3: Tale 3

Tale Three: 

 

Tori awoke in the guild hall; it had been a little over two weeks since he had been assigned to this guild as an inspector, so far he had cleared Alexander, Mia, Fenix, and Dorian. He needed to get more work done; he had hoped to have this done more quickly than this. As he lay there pondering his door was slammed open by a very angry looking Arisa.

“I finally have you where I want you coward!” She yelled her expression one of pure killing intent. Tori flew from his bed like a startled cat and attempted to find his gun. Arisa watched as the man stood in his boxers shaking like a leaf, pointing a gun at her. “What the fuck do you think you are doing?”

“I will shoot if you plan any ill will towards me.” He yelled trying to get his composure.

“I told you that it was a horrible idea to send her.” Tori heard Alexander from the hallway.

“Ahh but it was just too fun to pass up.” Zyn piped in from the hallway. Tori lowered his gun then raised it back up.

“What is the meaning of this siege?”

“One dumbass it takes more than a room to count as a siege. Two what the fuck do you think we are here for tea?” The angry woman yelled at him making him even more nervous.

“Alright now Arisa let his boy toy talk him down. Alexander we will be waiting outside.” Zyn said taking Arisa by the hand and leading her out of the room.

Alexander walked in and looked at Tori. “Put that away, and put some pants on we have a mission and we are taking you with.” Alexander said not leaving the room.

“Can you leave the room?” Tori asked feeling a little embarrassed about the situation.

“No, I am making sure you do not do something strange like try to escape out the window.” Alexander said leaning in the door frame. Tori gave him an unhappy look, one because he could not believe that Alexander would think of him that way, two because he had not thought of that sooner. Tori got dressed and packed his bags and left the synergist behind him.

“What is the mission?” he asked curious what could be going on.

“Have you ever heard of the musical twins Michale and Saundra?” Alexander asked.

“Of course they are sensations! I listened to them all the time on the radio.” Tori exclaimed wondering what the mission was that involved those two.

“Well their manager is an old friend of Cale’s and they are doing a concert on the Kordalian border. Which means a high chance of attack. The manager has hired normal body guards for the two, but just in case he asked Cale to send some help. He thought this would be a good chance to let you see Arisa and Zyn in action, and I already told you I would go on the next mission with you, and they may need some help in this case.” Alexander explained. Tori was flabbergasted, he was going to get the chance to meet his favorite singers.

“Does this mission include the concert?” Tori asked hopefully.

“Yes, surprisingly this was request from the twins rather than the manager; they would like to meet us as well. When we arrive at the concert the manager will give us our stage passes.” Alexander did seem as enthused as Tori was, he had to remember to get an autograph for his sister, she would never let him live it down if he did not. Especially since his sister had few people she looked up to; and Saundra was one of them. “We are meeting them in the Eastern city of Fiand. There we leave to guard them. They walked out into the front of the guild there waiting for them was the other two synergist.

“Let’s get going before we miss the train.” Zyn said with a smile. Arisa nodded and Tori noticed how close the two walked next to each other. He did not want to ask any questions yet afraid of the wrath of Arisa.

~~~ On the Train towards Fiand~~~

As the train surged across the landscape Tori looked at the man next to him. Alexander set in almost the exact same position that he set on the train last time. Back straight back up, his legs set apart parallel to his back. His head slightly down and his eyes closed.

“Alexander do you not like trains?” Tori asked finally his curiosity why he set like this only on trains.

“I do not mind trains.” Alexander said not even opening his eyes.

“They why are you sitting like that?” He asked the other man curious about the strange pose.

“Is there a problem sitting like this?” Alexander asked giving him a look that said not to dig anymore.

“Aren’t they just so cute Arisa?” Zyn asked sitting next to Arisa across from them. The other woman did not answer just continued to give the world the same angry look.

“Is she okay?” Tori asked figuring he might as well get this over with now; maybe she would not kill him on a busy train.

Zyn smiled and looked over at her grumpy team mate. She flipped over resting her head on the much smaller girls shoulder, and put her arms around her waist. “She is just fine.” Arisa gave Zyn a surprised look and Tori could see a small blush on the woman’s face.

“Are you two companions?” Tori asked unsure of the relationship status of the two.

“We are engaged.” Zyn said snuggling in closer before Tori swore she fell asleep. Tori was not too shocked about the news, it was common in Athul for same gender to get married. What he did find interesting was that these two were together.

“When did you guys meet?” Tori asked he waited for Zyn to answer when Alexander replied.

“They met about five years ago, Arisa back then was pretty close to rampancy and Zyn saved her, the two have been in a team ever since.” Tori made a mental note to write that down in their dossier later.

“Are you done with the questionnaire?” Arisa asked fiercely squirming a little to get comfortable with the other woman on her.

“Yes I am sorry!” Tori yelped afraid of Arisa’s wrath. Alexander shook his head at the fact that he was pretty sure that he was worried about Arisa killing him. When would he learn that no one in the guild planned on killing him, some of them may want to by the end of it.

 As the train continued its journey Zyn slept soundly on Arisa, Tori looked at the three synergists around him. He knew about Alexander now, easily a type three, a great fighter in hand to hand, but his specialty was his choice in the bow and arrow, an archaic weapon that also allowed him to apply his synergy skills to it. He also knew about Zyn, the desert queen, originally from the southern desert lands. She was a class five synergist who used a rare branch of earth synergy that focus in the employment of sand and dirt. She was also supposedly a talented user of pole arm weapons, another archaic weapon, but one that he did not see anywhere, although as an earth synergist that was probably not a problem for her. The only one on this mission that he had no idea about was Arisa. She looked fierce, but was that just an act to seem tougher. He knew absolutely nothing about her, her element, her category, or even her fighting style. He would have to look at her dossier later. The only thing that he knew about her was that she was engaged to Zyn and apparently at one point was close to rampancy.

~~~Fiand, three days later~~~

The group walked from the train stiffly, they briefly stretched and walked off the station.

“I swear they need to work on how comfortable those seats are.” Tori said rubbing his back.

“I do not know it did not seem that bad to me.” Zyn said with a smile although she was stiff herself from the long ride.

“That was more than likely due to your personal pillow.” Alexander said walking as if he was fine, although he felt as stiff as a board.

“I am not her pillow, but that damn train is a piece of shit.” Arisa said she seemed even more angry then usual after the ride; course Tori had to admit being used as a pillow for three days would be pretty annoying, although it was at least with her future companion. He had to be careful when he slept not to fall over onto Alexander.

As the group walked they saw who they guessed they were looking for, a man around Cale’s age stood wearing a suit, he had short slicked back brown hair and small beady black eyes. He waved them over excitedly.

“Now remember everyone be on alert, if this guy is really a friend of Cale’s, there is no idea what to expect.” Alexander warned as they neared. The group nodded in agreement.

“Hello, You must be the synergist that Cale sent, I am the manager for the twins. My name is Mortem. If you will please follow me I will take you to the car caravan so that we can depart.” He introduced himself shaking each of their hands before leading them down the road towards the edge of town.

“This seems like it will be an easy mission.” Zyn said with a smile, Arisa sighed and looked at her partner.

“Please do not say that, the last time you said that we ended up fighting some genetically modified being with tentacles.” Arisa said with a shiver at the thought of the being. Tori thought about the event and had to admit, that sounded very creepy.

“Or like the time you got us into a fight with a profane synergist… in a damn crypt.”

“Oh Arisa stop overacting, none of those things are going to happen here.” Zyn said climbing into the car. Arisa followed suit taking the car in front of the twin’s car and Tori and Alexander took the one behind them. They were each given a hand radio to keep in contact, and to communicate with the normal security.

“Does the things they talk about happen often?” Tori asked wondering if those horrific things were common in the life of a synergist.

“Unfortunately, yes. As synergist we are hired to handle strange things like that. Since most people find us expendable, and we can handle the situation easier than most others.” Alexander said thinking about his own missions and the events that transpired there. Tori thought back to his last mission with them and how it escalated so quickly. The cars lurched as they went down the road.

“By the way Alexander, how do you think the mission is going to go, Arisa seems nervous, and Zyn thinks it is going to go well.” Tori asked looking at the other man who had resumed his usual train setting stance.

“I am not sure, just keep an eye out just in case.” Alexander said looking out the window.

~~~Later down the road~~~

After what felt like days the sun began to set behind the trees of the area. Tori yawned but kept his eyes open, he knew he could not slack off, especially with who he was protecting. He glanced over at Alexander who had not said anything in the last few hours. Tori sighed when the radio came to life. Alexander picked it up, but the whole system went static. As Tori was about to ask what was going on thunder sounded in the sky and a lightning bolt streaked towards the car. Tori felt Alexander grab him and the driver and then felt the same pulling motion as on the last mission.

He appeared with Alexander and the driver as the lightning bolt hit the car and sent it flying catching on fire. Tori pulled his handgun his instincts kicking in as Alexander stood and pulled out his bow with a flick of his wrist it flipped open and he pulled out an arrow. Standing off to the side of the road rushing from the trees was what Tori guessed was bandits; standing at the tree line walking towards them was a man wearing a black trench coat with gold trimmings. Alexander charged forward letting lose an arrow pegging one of the bandits in the chest knocking him to the ground. Tori guessed that the guy in the back was a lighting synergist, which made him a very big threat. They were easily the best offensive synergist. The guy looked over at Alexander and lighting flashed from the sky towards him. Tori was about to yell when the dirt around Alexander rose blocking the bolt and redirecting it away from him. From the earlier cars Zyn and Arisa stepped out of their car. Arisa charged towards the bandits armed with knives and clubs.

“Tori just stay back and let us handle this.” Alexander ordered, Tori agreed only because he was sure that they could handle this, and it would be a chance to see the other two in action. The other synergist glanced at Zyn and Tori could see him click his tongue. What really caught Tori’s interest was when Arisa got to the bandits.  She curled her fist and dodged a clumsy swipe of a knife and then punched the guy in the chest, the effects were massive. The man’s eyes rolled into the back of his head and he fell to the side blood trickling from his mouth. She grabbed a pipe that was swung at her and then pulled the man off his feet and used him as a club to hit his friends. Tori calculated about the muscle strength required to perform the action, and without any doubt in his mind. She completely lacked the muscle to perform such actions; Even Alexander with his muscle would not have been able to do that.

 Arisa glared at the group, if there was anything she hated more in life then people, it was fighting. She generally hated to fight in general; it was a lot of work, and without any reward. She dodged a clumsy swing and countered with a punch to the jaw. The only good thing about fighting was the release, and the fact that it stretched her muscles. Doctors when she was young had always told her that she was unnaturally strong, some kind of genetic mutation or defect, one of the many reasons that her parents did not want her. She felt the muscle in her arm extend as the fist connected, the sickening feeling of bone breaking, and another thing to add to the list about fighting she did not like. Although some would say differently, she truly did not want to hurt people, it just happened a lot. She dodged a wooden club and then when the guy tried to backswing it with a lot less force she grabbed the wood. She felt the wood beneath her hand start to give; it was old wood, something she would never have used as a weapon in the first place. She tightened her grip and felt the wood break underneath her grip. The guy tried to give her a look of fear, but she did not have time for it. She kicked him in the stomach and watched as the wind left his chest. This reminded her of her home back when she was little, she was always getting into fights back then, always over little things, her parents would just scold her and send her to a consular to “fix” her. It never worked, the next day she would just get into another fight. It was the only thing she was good for. Another clumsy attack this time with a knife, she dodged it and grabbed the man’s arm and twisted, she felt the shoulder joint in the man shift unnaturally, he screamed in pain, but his yell could not reach her. She kicked him aside and moved on to the next target, if she managed to beat all of them she could go back to the car with Zyn, go back to just sitting while Zyn would rest on her and talk until she would inevitably fall asleep. If there was anything that made all the violence and pain worth it, it was Zyn.

 Zyn watched Arisa fight; unlike Fenix or Rini it was trained by many street fights rather than actual training. Not to say that she did not train, she did a lot, but with her level of strength she did not need too much skill, and being a synergist helped as well. She watched her fight keeping the enemy synergist in her vision as well. Just in case he tried to use any more lighting. Earth Synergy was great for dealing with lighting synergist. She was more worried about the fight in front of her than dealing with him. She watched the way the man’s shoulder was dislocated with just a simple arm movement. The way Arisa looked at them, Zyn was sure that Tori probably saw her as some berserker that was just aching for the fight. He could not see what she saw. Very few could see how she truly felt, the pain and suffering that she had been through. Parents that did not want her, they had always wanted a pretty girl, a girl that they could dress up in pretty dresses and take to little get togethers, what they got was Arisa a little spitfire that could fight and had anger issues. Zyn could not blame Arisa for her anger; her parents wanted a dainty girl, not a girl with defects, not a girl with a knack for synergy and with a muscle “defect”. Zyn shivered as she remembered meeting Arisa’s parents. The way they looked at her, as if some kind of defective product, the way they talked about her strength and abilities as if they were something wrong with her, the way they could not understand how beautiful she was. Zyn sighed, even if they or Arisa could not see it, Zyn loved those things about her. Her temper, the way she got embarrassed about sexual topics, her abilities as a synergist, the way she would try to do something and get frustrated. Everything about her brought a smile to Zyn’s face. She would not trade anything about her. Zyn took a step forward and focused her mind. It was time to end this little battle, they had been cleared by Cale to use synergy if they needed to, and since they had opened with synergy then it was time to return the favor. Dirt begin to move around her into a dirt storm and then surged towards the enemy synergist. She hoped to end this quickly then she could let Arisa rest and maybe separate herself again from the past that no doubt was haunting her right now.

Alexander ran over to the car that had the twins and the manager in it and opened the door, he understood that if Zyn was going to fight the enemy synergist, and Arisa was going to handle the goon’s, it was his job to get the three out of here, and to a safe place. Quickly Mortem stepped out, behind him was Michale, he looked like what Alexander expected. Long shoulder length brown hair with dark chocolate brown eyes, he wore nice upper class clothes with a button up shirt, petticoat, and pants. He climbed out and then helped his sister out. Behind him was his sister Saundra, she was different then her twin, more than just being female. She had long blonde hair in two pigtails coming from the side of her head, a very popular trend amongst younger girls these days. Her blue eyes looked scared at the commotion, or maybe she had just watched Arisa almost pull a man’s shoulder out of socket. She wore a simple short dress that went to just above her knees, underneath was pants that went to above the ankle. Alexander waved for them to follow him, he turned in time to dodge a club, one of the goon’s had gotten by Arisa. He heard Saundra gasp as he brought his bow up into the man’s esophagus. He followed it up by kicking him away and then firing an arrow into his calf. Alexander loaded another arrow and nodded to the people and led them off into the forest. He knew that Arisa and Zyn would catch up, they could easily handle this rabble, but they could not afford the risk of the singers getting hurt or captured.

“Are you three alright?” Alexander asked as the cleared the combat zone, or at least he hoped they had.

“Yes, thank you. Will the others be alright?” Saundra asked her voice was silky and smooth, Alexander had never listened to a single one of their songs, but if her singing voice was anything like her talking voice, he could see why they would be popular, the only thing he knew about them as a musical act was she sang and he played the violin and piano.

“They will be fine, those two are tough girls, and Tori is a guild investigator, he can handle himself.” Alexander assured them, although he was not sure about the Tori part. He knew he could fight, just not sure how well. “Our main priority is to get the two of you out of here. The town of Kyshdall is not far from here, we can go there and get a vehicle to transport us the rest of the way.”

“What about your friends?” Michale asked “How will they know where to meet us at?” Alexander did not pause to think of an answer, he really did not have one to give anyways. The only chance they would know is if Zyn was keeping tabs on them through the earth, of course knowing Zyn that was exactly what she was doing.

“They will know, just trust me and let us go.” He said turning and leading the way. A normal person would have questioned whether or not their teammates would make them into a liar, but Alexander trusted Zyn and Arisa, they had been through tougher, and if anything happened to one of them, he would know, the whole area would know, and it would never be the same again.

Tori was impressed he watched from a distance as lighting arched towards Zyn, dirt blocked and directed the electric current away from her and Arisa, safely allowing it to disperse away from them. Tori watched the lighting synergist, judging from the level of electric current that he was using, and from his body language, he was a type three. No body language to tell when he would attack, just the sound of thunder as the lighting strikes. He did not have the speed or power to be a type four and that was his problem. Zyn was a type five, her ability to move the earth was fast, faster than Tori could keep track of, and she was barely using her power. She would occasionally attack, but they were fast light attacks that he would dodge, Tori knew what she was doing. Testing the water, it was a staple of earth synergy fighting tactics to stand your ground and defend yourself, when you feel safe enough counter and test the water, find the opponents weak point, and then crush them in a single move. Arisa on the other hand, if Tori had to guess her element from what he had seen so far, he would guess either lighting or fire. She was reckless like fire, but when she attacked she made it count defeating each opponent in one strike, although sometimes she would knock their bodies out of the way. She now turned her attention from the defeated goon’s towards the synergist. Tori wondered if she would get involved. Was she powerful enough to get involved? Was she skilled enough? Or would this be a one sided battle between Zyn and him. The synergist cursed before stopping his different attacks.

“So this is the power of the infamous Queen of the deserts. You live up to your reputation. I know when to admit defeat, but do not think this is the last time we will strike. The dagger is the sharpest in the dark dear Queen.” He said before stepping back into the trees. Zyn and Arisa walked over to Tori Zyn looked ready to take a nap, Tori at first pondered if the fight had tired her out, then realized that she had already slept for three days straight, she just seemed to like to sleep a lot.

“Well I see your reputation precedes you.” Arisa said almost jokingly. Zyn chuckled and leaned onto the other girl, Tori noticed that she did not budge even though the other woman more than likely weighed a lot more than her.

“Arisa, please do not get mad, but how are you so strong?” Tori asked afraid that she would use her monstrous strength on him and then hide the body in the forest. Arisa glared and looked like that might be her plan when Zyn spoke up.

“She was born with a rare muscle protein. It is more dense and stronger than normal human muscle, and does not have the size of normal muscle. According to some it is classified as a defect, but I see it differently. Although her muscle’s without appropriate workout will tear.”

“Although I think I have had enough exercise for one day.” Arisa said flatly as she looked at Zyn, Tori could tell that although this look seemed angry, it was actually more loving than normal.

“Alexander and the objectives are headed towards the east, I can follow them using the ground, and we should catch up as soon as possible.” Zyn said heading off in that direction. Arisa followed her as she walked up to the other woman Tori noticed her rub her hand against Zyn’s, who responded by grabbing her hand and holding onto it. He smiled at the subtle display of affection. So many messages to each other that he could never translate were being sent with such a subtle gesture. He could guess though, reassurance, affection, relief, and much more. Tori hoped that one day he could have a relationship like this one, but to do that he would have survive this mission and the one that were yet to come.

~~~The town of Kyshdall~~~

It was well into the night before Zyn, Arisa, and Tori made it into the town. The three where tired and hungry after the long hike that they had just went through. They walked up to the local inn, a mud road was the only road in the small town, and that road only had a few buildings, there was more down the road, but this was all that they cared about at the time. As they walked into the inn the keeper smiled and greeted them. A short, balding, and chubby fellow, his eyes glinted in the low level of light. The group was shown into a private back room off the pub room. There sitting around a table was the rest of their party.

“I take it there were no problems?” Alexander asked. Tori could not tell if he was mad about something but he seemed to be in deep thought.

“Well the hill about a mile down the road is a killer, but otherwise none to speak of.” Zyn said taking a seat, Arisa sitting next to her. Torus plopped into a chair and was glad for the rest. Even being military trained the terrain was not friendly for walking.

“We have acquired a large truck to finish the transport; we will be going undercover, the twins are going to need a change of clothes to hide who they are, hopefully we can get them to the concert without any more attacks. What is the status of the enemy synergist?” Alexander asked.

“He left with a cryptic message that assured us that they would return.” Arisa said with a glare on her face, apparently this agitated her a bit.

“It was not cryptic; he told us exactly what he wanted to. The group that attacked us is the elite Kordalian assassin group. They are usually hired to kill people to start riots or debacles. They are called the Night’s Knife. The line of the Knife is sharpest in the dark is their mantra. They will be back, and with troops that will take into consideration who is guarding their targets. The military has been working on hunting them for a long time. Nine years ago they had a large bust that was led by Marcus Held, one of the militaries top operatives at the time. He managed to greatly weaken the group’s foot hold.” Tori explained the situation watching the group to see their reactions. Surprising to him the only person who seemed concerned was the manager.

“This is dangerous then; we should head back and cancel the concert.” Mortem said panic written on his face.

“No! We cannot, this concert is important. Not only to the children that the proceeds go to, but also to the people that are looking forward to this.” Saundra protested.

“I trust that Cale sent good people, but my men were killed before we even knew what was going on. This is too dangerous.” He said looking dispirited about canceling.

“I am sorry to say this, but I know of this group. They will not stop, they will follow you, and they will not stop until someone stops them or they are unable to complete the contract.” Alexander said his eyes closed as if he was in deep thought.

“How do you know this?” The manager asked.

“My last name is Held… and Marcus Held was my brother.” Alexander replied his eyes opened. To the manager it was a glare, but Tori could see the glint in his eyes. The glint of sorrow, that little bit told Tori everything he needed to know.

“I see then, it is no wonder your marksmanship is so spot on. What Alexander says is true. We have records that show that they will hunt a person until they kill them or the cost becomes too much for the price they are being paid.” Tori said trying not to question Alexander, there was something that later he would have to ask, but this was not the time or the place.

“My brother told me about this group, and what Tori says is true. They will be back, and they will be more prepared for us this next time; but we have an advantage, they know of Zyn, and they know that Arisa is a talented fighter, they know nothing about me, nor do they know anything about Tori. This will be their downfall.” Alexander said standing and looking at the people in the room.

“I will go take the first watch, Arisa will go next, then Zyn will finish it off.” He left the room the door closing. The manager went to follow when Arisa grabbed his arm and stopped him. He looked at her to protest, she shook her head.

“Mr. Mortem, you have our word, we will allow those two to have their concert, and we will defeat Night’s Knife.” Zyn said with a reassuring smile. The manager looked defeated and then agreed.

Outside the pub setting in the branches of a tree rested Alexander. He was alert but his mind drifted off to times long past. He thought of the day that his brother had left for the last time. He had just got back from one of his missions; he had come home late in the night while Alexander was asleep. What a surprise when Alexander woke up and lying in his bed next to him was Marcus. They had eaten breakfast, joked and laughed. They had went fishing, using bows and arrows for the fun and challenge. When they returned, they were listening to a song on the radio when there was a knock on the door. Alexander remembered crying as his brother got ready to leave. He begged him not to go. The messenger had given Alexander a dirty look. Marcus gave him a lecture, then turned to Alexander took of his military hat and put it on Alexander. Then told him that he would return soon, and then they would go out for some sweets, so to hold on to his hat until then, but he never did return. A couple days letter the general in charge of the special operations showed up at the house. He hand delivered the letter, and then he cried and told them how sorry he was. Alexander would never forget that day. He wiped away tears that had formed.

~~~The next day~~~

Tori awoke early in the morning. He got ready and looked over at the sleeping Alexander still completely dressed. Tori decided to let him sleep and headed downstairs. In the tavern set Arisa, alone and eating some kind of egg and sausage. She looked up at him her usual glare greeting him.

“Hello Arisa.” Tori greeted her nervously. He set across from her, she looked tired and he could guess that maybe the night watch had been rough. “Rough night?” he asked with a weak laugh.

“It always is, whenever situations like this arise. Hard to sleep when you know assassins are after you.” She said almost coldly.

“Yeah that is true.” He said thinking about the fact that they were going to have another fight on their hands. The door to the tavern opened and entered Mortem, Zyn, and the twins. The two were now dressed in more common clothes. Rather than her pigtails Saundra now had a page hat with all her hair tucked into it. The two could still be identified, but not as easily now.

Tori stood and walked over to the group. “I have not really got to introduce myself yet. My name is Tori, I am a guild investigator. As a member of the military I will make sure that this operation is a success, you have my word.”

“Thank you.” They both said in almost perfect unison. The two took turns shaking his hand in gratitude. Just hearing Saundra’s voice sent shivers of excitement up Tori’s spin. Her voice was just as pretty speaking as when she was singing.

“Please do not think of this as payment or anything, also I do not mean to be rude, but my sister is a huge fan of yours, could you please sign an autograph for her?” Tori asked feeling awkward. Saundra smiled and the two nodded in agreement. Tori excitedly pulled out some paper and a pen. The two signed it and he put it in a special pocket to make sure it would stay safe.

Alexander walked into the room and nodded at the disguises. “Let us eat, and then we head out.” He said looking confident.

~~~Three nights later, outside the concert location~~~

The truck rattled over the old dirt road as Tori drove, setting next to him crammed between him and Alexander was Mortem. In the back under a covering were the twins, Zyn, and Arisa. Tori stepped on the brake as he saw a tree lying across the road. He looked over at Alexander and nodded. Alexander returned the nod and the two climbed out of the truck, weapons drawn. Zyn and Arisa also climbed out of the truck. Emerging from the tree line was a large group of thugs, behind them was the synergist, and three other better equipped goons. The four defenders lined up in front of the truck to end this here and now.

“Surrender the twins and no one gets hurt.” The synergist said fiercely.

“That will not work on us, Dragoon Spirit does not back down so easily.” Alexander responded.

“Then tonight is the day that you die.” The goons yelled as they charged. Arisa went to intercept when chains wrapped around her arm and yanked her away from them. Alexander cursed and prepared to fire when one of the other elite goons jumped at him with steam assisted boots. Zyn was about to raise a dirt wall when lighting flew at her making her block it. She and the other synergist faced off. The last goon charged at Tori a shield on one arm and knife in the other, the knife had lighting sparking off the blade marking it has being a stun knife. Tori cursed his luck and begin firing, dropping the little goons as much as he could before the elite were on him.

Alexander cursed his luck as always, somehow he always managed to have problems like this. He flew through the air, he rolled with the landing, he was now too far away from the truck to be of help to them, and had to deal with this jumpy bastard. He fired an arrow missing just barely as he flew through the air on his boots. He originally thought that they were steamed powered, but now he realized that they were using air synergy crystals to propel him with extreme winds. He fired again missing. The goon laughed as he fired and missed. Alexander breathed out, his was using the wind boots to dodge, and dodge behind trees, and Alexander had to calm down. The sooner he killed him, the sooner he could help the others. He chuckled as he thought about the situation. Again he was on a team, and again he was fighting an enemy alone. At least this one was not hundreds of feet tall and could not regenerate, or at least Alexander hoped he could not. He pulled back his arrow and focused his eye. He waited for the moment, just as Marcus had taught him to. The goon jumped from a tree and engaged the wind boots heading for a drive to Alexander. Alexander waited, and just before the goon hit, he let the arrow fly and dropped to his knees. The goon screamed as the arrow entered his head and he collided into the ground behind him. Alexander whirled and fired another arrow into the base of the skull just to be sure and then ran off to help the others.

Arisa yelled in pain as she was slammed into a tree. Tori called out to her dodging another knife slash. She stood as the chains retracted back into the wrist mounted launchers. She looked at the goon, into his dull lifeless grey eyes, his manic smile, and messy black matted hair. It giggled as it fired the pistons again firing the two poles. She jumped up to dodge it as the chains curved and went to grab her. She instantly identified the problem as she was grabbed and slammed into the ground.

“Tori, these things are synergist, they have been mind drugged.” Arisa said standing up. The goon looked at her in confusion, most likely trying to figure out how she was still able to stand. “Poor man, you cannot figure out that your indirect attacks only hurt, they cannot injure me, and now your game ends. Forgive me Zyn.” Arisa said removing her coat. Tori kicked the goon away and fired his last bullets into its throat. He looked over to help Arisa when he saw her back. She wore a backless shirt, and on her back covering almost the entire thing was a dragon head, with flames wrapping around it, a dragonmark. The chains flew around her stomach to toss her again. Her mark flared breaking part of the chains, orange energy flared around her from her mark. The chains instantly flared red and steam arose from the area around them. The chains melted and the goon looked in fear and confusion as she walked towards it. It jumped at her screeching as it flew. She grabbed its throat and her glove burned away in an instant as Tori could hear the sizzling of flesh, and the acrid smell of burning flesh filled his nostrils.

“We need to go Tori, we need to defend the truck.” Arisa said dropping the now charred body. Tori looked at it and then nodded following her back towards the truck.

Lighting arched as Zyn blocked it and redirected it to the tree. She was not happy that she was separated from Arisa, or that this man had gotten her away from the truck. She normally would use her abilities to detect what was going on, but she had to focus and kill this man as soon as possible. She watched him, calculating, looking for his weak point. That is when she found it, the easiest of all weak points. She launched a dirt attack at his head the dirt forming a spire like shape that twisted to attack with a point. He dodged to the left and when his feet touched the ground she struck. The dirt from behind him struck. He never even looked behind him; he was too busy preparing his next attack. Typical lightning synergist, too busy on the offense and never thinking about the defense; Zyn ran off to get back to the truck, she was happy at least that Alexsis was not like that.

Michale and Saundra looked as their guardians where separated from them, their manager shrieked as the horde of normal goons charged them.

“Michale, do you think they are okay?” She asked her brother.

“Yes, but I worry about us, think we can manage to handle this?” he asked. She nodded her reassurance and the two stepped out.

“Oh no look guys the big bad Idols are going to fight.” One of the goons laughed.

Michale walked forward shadows wrapped around him as he walked. “You say that the knife is sharpest in the dark right, allow us to test that theory; if you do not mind.”

“You fool, even if you are a profane synergist. At the level you are at the shadows are just that shadows.” Another goon laughed.

Then the forest went quiet as she begins to sing. Her voice was soft at first then entered into a full force solo, a strong voice, full of mystery and power. The goons watched as the shadows intensified and took form. Micale’s eyes went black and he moved his hand forward the shadows surged diving into the body of a goon then ripped him apart and swallowed all that he was. The other goons hesitated, suddenly a burst of gravity ripped through the area. Standing at the clearing was Alexander his eye a dark purple. His other eye burst with energy revealing his dragonmark. The goons slowly started to back way when a burst of heat and blue flame appeared. Standing near it was Arisa her eyes now a straight orange her back flared with energy, standing far from her was Tori, more afraid of the heat and flames then the goons now. They looked close to panicking as they turned a hurricane of dirt enveloped them standing near the tree line now was Zyn her eyes a straight brown her right calf crackled with brown energy. Tori could tell that was where her dragon mark was. The goons stood and ran from the group of synergist, after they left the song came to an end.

The group’s eyes returned to normal and the energy of their marks died down. The group converged on the twins. “So Alexander is there anyone in your guild not a dragonmarked?” Tori asked looking over at Arisa. 

Alexander looked at her and smirked for a second. “Yes there are.” He answered before looking at the twins. “What was that song?”

The twins looked at each other and then nodded. “To tell you the truth, we are also synergist.” Saundra started when Mortem ran over about to interrupt, that was before Arisa stepped in his way with her trademark glare. Her clothes were charred and mostly burnt off, just barely hanging on and covering her. He fell silent and then Arisa turned her attention back to the twins.

“We wanted to become synergist in a guild, but due to the purge, our parents would not allow it. They forced us into becoming musicians.” Michale continued the explanation.

“We decided to test ourselves, and discovered our elements then we spent our free time alone teaching ourselves how to use synergy.” Saundra said looking at the ground.

“I see, and it looks like you follow the trend of most fraternal twins. Opposite elements, Michale is a profane synergist, with a talent for shadow control, and you Saundra are Divine, but with a unique ability, you can augment the strength and level of the synergist around with your singing.” Tori said quickly figuring it out and finding the situation fascinating, although a little scary at the same time.

“Please do not tell anyone, with the way that synergists are thought of right now, it would kill their reputation!” The manager pleaded.

The twins went to yell at the man when Zyn held up her hand to stop them. “Do not worry we will keep their secret, we understand firsthand what being on the receiving end of Synergist fear is like.”

“By the way, we could not ask earlier due to the situation, but you see…” Saundra started then lost her confidence. The group looked in confusion before Michale spoke up.

“Could we please have your autographs, we have been fans of Dragoon Spirit since we were little, we know that you where mind controlled all those years when we were young, but you inspired us, especially since the purge.” Saundra blushed as he explained, Arisa herself blushed as Zyn smiled and Alexander smirked.

“Well if you are big fans then how does this sound, after we get back we will make sure to get each of you a signed photo of the guild with everyone’s signature!” Zyn said with a laugh.

“You will do that for us?” Saundra asked excitedly.

“Of course we will, also if you ever get out of the music business, come to the guild hall in Lyndash, we would be happy to have you as new members.” Alexander said, next to him Tori looked like he was going to burst with excitement. The guild that he was investigating was the favorite guild of his favorite singers. He knew he would have to keep this under wraps; otherwise the higher ups may think that their passing would be due to favoritism.

“We need to get going if we are going to get to the concert.” The manager said. Zyn nodded and used her dirt synergy to move the tree from the road. They climbed aboard and started driving. As they drove they all started to sing songs.

~~~Lyndash, guild hall, several days later~~~

    “Enjoy the concert troops, I got the report from Mortem, sounds like you guys had some fun.” Cale said with a laugh.

“It was awesome! The concert was amazing, and also I got an autograph for my sister, now I will earn the title of BBB!” Tori exclaimed excitedly.

“BBB?” Arisa, Zyn, Cale, and Alexander questioned aloud.

“Yes, the superb title of Best Big Brother!” Tori exclaimed happily. The group looked at him and weakly smiled.

“Sorry to say Tori, but that title is already taken by my big brother!” Albiona yelled as she entered the guild hall with Dorian, Fenix, and Mia in tow.

“What are you guys doing here?” Tori asked confused why they all would show up, especially since by investigation rules they were not allowed to go on missions right now.

“We heard from Cale that we are needed to sign something, some kind of autograph.” Mia explained as the group walked over to Cale.

“Yes the picture is on my desk go right in, hey Albiona do you want some yummy cake?” Cale asked making the young woman jump for joy as he took her into the kitchen.

Tori laughed as he noticed Alexander sneak out the door. Tori wondered where he was going and decided to follow. He had been acting strange since the inn during the mission. Tori followed him through the town to the local cemetery. There he stood at a tombstone and leaned down, Tori did not want to intrude, he did not get close but he could read his lips.

“Marcus, so they were the people you fought against? You were right they were not a real fight. Brother… I am almost there, almost a guild synergist. Would you be proud? Of course not, you would just tell me to strive for more wouldn’t you?” He stood for a few minutes before continuing. “No; that is not right, you would be proud, and then challenge me to do better. So our guild investigator is trying to win some title from his sister. Best Big Brother or something like that. I think you would have tried to win that reward…” He said before placing a hand on the tombstone and then walking away. As soon as he was long gone Tori walked up the tombstone.

“Afternoon captain.” Tori said looking down at the tombstone. “Your brother is a pretty good guy. I am going to have to ask him about this, but I am not sure how.” As he finished his sentence he was about to walk away when a whisk of wind hit him then disappeared. He turned back and smiled, “Dead on might be the best option huh? I better work on the way I ask then.” He looked and read the tombstone one last time before he left.

R.I.P. Captain Marcus Held of the Special Operations Division

Son, Brother, and Soldier

Born 1879 in Lyndash

Died in Service 1899, Operation Purge

4: Tale 4

Tale Four:

- Lyndash, later that week-

Tori awoke and decided to hit the town and as he walked through the streets he came across something that he could not believe, of all the chances in the world, setting in the little café nearby was Dorian sipping a cup of tea. Tori decided that a cup of coffee would be great in the morning. He entered the café where he was instantly greeted by Agatha working behind the counter.

"Good Morning! What would you like today?" She asked, Tori could not believe that such a cute girl was so dangerous; of course he had seen this with his own eyes. He set down at a table.

"A cup of coffee please." She nodded and went into the back. As he set there in came Mia and Korosh. The two greeted him with a nod then set by Dorian who waved to them. Agatha came out and delivered his coffee before asking them what they would like.

"Hey Agatha! How is the old café treating you?" Korosh asked. Tori would normally mind his own business but he had heard that these four were friends, and his job required Intel like this.

"It is going fine, although there seems to be something strange going on at night." Agatha said kind of worried.

"What type of stuff?" Mia asked looking concerned. Dorian even looked over with a look of concern.

"Well it is nothing serious. No need to worry about it." Agatha said with a small laugh. Dorian kicked a chair out from the table and pointed towards it. Agatha went to argue with the metal synergist when Mia and Korosh gave her a stern look. "Fine, guess I should not have said anything." She took the seat.

"Hey we do not keep secrets from each other. Not since we became friends!" Korosh said Dorian nodding in agreement.

"Okay I get it. Well you see I have being hearing strange noises out behind the Café near the old foreclosed warehouse, I thought maybe it was a cat or animal, but it is getting kind of creepy and has been keeping me up. I have not gotten a good night's rest in quite some time. What if it is a ghost of some murder out to get more kills?" Agatha asked a look of fear in her eyes. Tori thought that idea was ridiculous, and apparently so did those three.

Dorain ruffled her hair, "Agatha I am sure that it is just your imagination, spirits are not real right guys." Korosh asked.

The two stopped their actions and looked at each other nervously. Tori chuckled lightly; they were in a pickle now.

"Well technically speaking ghosts are real, but they are ethereal, they cannot hurt anyone, well that is the official story, but the guild has been hired to deal with ghosts before, because they were supposedly harmful." Mia explained.

Agatha looked terrified and Korosh looked a little worried himself. "How do ghosts exist? Is it something to do with profane synergy?" Korosh asked.

"I am not really sure on the specifics." Mia said looking at Dorian who shook his head.

"If you do not mind me butting in I can explain." Tori said from his table. The young men and women looked at him and nodded for him to go on.

"A ghost is a synergy remnant, basically elementally aligned particles that take on a ghostly shape, they can interact with the physical world but have a limited life span, when the energy runs out they fade away." Tori explained with a smile, he himself did not believe in the phenomenon, but many researchers did, and there were some reported cases.

"Oh no! What am I going to do?" Agatha asked on the verge of tears. Dorian gave her a reassuring look and then must have said something in his strange language since the group gasped.

"You are going to investigate it Dorian?" Korosh asked amazed. "No wonder you are known as the Knight of Dragoon Spirit." Tori was amused to hear that nickname used, he had heard it once or twice at the office and in the academy, it was almost widespread enough to be his title.

"But I cannot let you go alone, besides can your swords even hurt a ghost?" Mia asked.

"Actually yes they can." Tori butted in again, "You see due to his weapons being made from synergy they carry his unique energy in them making his weapon aligned with his element and him, thus his swords can affect things that are aligned like ghosts."

"Another Tori ghost lesson." Mia said almost surprised.

"But I agree with Mia, Dorian cannot go alone. I will go as well." Korosh said, Mia and Agatha looked over at him in surprise.

"But how can you hurt a ghost?" Agatha asked knowing that Korosh did not use any synergy.

"Maybe we can guide it to the other life!" Korosh said, "Not everything has to be resolved with violence, so if negotiation fails, then Dorian can go with the sword plan."

"So then it is settled Dorian and Korosh are going ghost hunting tonight to save Agatha!" Mia exclaimed, the group cheered Dorian raising his cup rather than cheer. Tori laughed to himself.

~~~later that night, midnight, the old warehouse~~~

Tori crept closer to the old building, he normally would leave this in Dorian's hands but he himself was now wondering about this ghost, and although it terrified the living hell out of him, he was just too curious. Now standing outside the building was Dorian, Mia, Korosh, and Agatha. Dorian stood in street clothes, a muscle shirt and pants, Mia also in casual clothes wore a trendy short dress with leggings underneath it.

"I thought it was going to be just me and Dorian?" Korosh asked.

"You might need my divine synergy in case it needs banished." Mia said with confidence.

"You..might…need my … frying pan." Agatha said hanging on to the back of Mia for dear life, trusty frying pan clutched so hard her fingers were bone white. Tori found it hard to believe again that this was the same girl that laid Dorian out in one hit, with that same frying pan.

The four slowly walked into the building Tori creeping behind them staying out of sight. As they approached the main door Korosh tugged on it and found it would not open. He waved his hands to Dorian who moved his shirt to reveal his mark and used his synergy to open the door. Then formed a sword just in case, the four entered the old building as they walked on the floor it creaked eerily. As they looked around for the cause of the noise with flashlights Tori had to wonder himself what was making the noise. Suddenly as they searched the noise struck, a high pitch screech that sounded like a person screaming. Tori pulled his gun switching from normal rounds to flame synergy aligned rounds… just in case. Mia squeaked and jumped onto Korosh. Dorain gave Korosh a very displeased look as Agatha grabbed around Dorian while crying for him to save her. Korosh patted Mia on the head and gave her a smile calming her down.

"You can take on ice giants, but not a scary sound?" he teased her, causing her to punch him in the arm. Dorian gave Agatha a sort of comforting look and patted her head. She let him go, although Tori could tell she would rather not.

They continued farther into the building, they came to a spot where they had to cross an old creaky walkway. Dorain looked at the others then nodded and started across, it was a good plan Tori thought, if anything happened he could use metal synergy to save himself. He got across, then Korosh went, then Mia, Agatha was more of a problem. She looked at the bridge and shook her head.

"Come on Agatha, or we will have to leave the ghost here." Mia said trying to be supportive of her easily scared friend.

"If it falls Dorian will catch you with his synergy." Korosh called to her, Dorian already moving his shirt collar to reveal his mark just in case. She went to shake her head again when the noise happened again louder this time. She bolted across the bridge quickly hiding behind Dorian and Mia, frying pan at the ready.

"Guess that is one way to do it." Korosh said with a weak smile. "It is getting louder though, we should be getting close." Korosh said.

The group went into the room Tori following close behind. They came across a large room in the center of it was a large old machine covered in dust and cobwebs. "This is the last room, and no sign of ghosts or what is making the noise." Mia said sounding a little disappointed.

"Maybe this was a wasted trip?" Agatha said sounding embarrassed about causing them trouble.

"Maybe." Korosh said looking at the machine. Suddenly the noise struck again as the machine moved slightly. Dorian again looked at Korosh with dagger in his eyes. Korosh stood with Mia behind him holding on tightly, while Dorian stood holding Agatha bridal style as she had leapt in to his arms. Dorian finally convinced Agatha to get down and walked over to the Machine and followed the parts to find the noise. He reached in making the other three watch in anticipation. With a flash of silver from his mark, He pulled out a small piece of metal. The machine moved without making noise then fell still.

"Oh I see the potential energy from the machine was making it move, and that metal was sliding on the inside causing that noise." Mia said feeling relived. Agatha sighed and the group headed out Tori hiding before they saw him. He let them leave as he investigated the machine.

~~~outside the warehouse~~~

"Glad that is over." Mia said stretching ready for bed.

"Yes now I can get some rest, there is only one question that I have, why was Tori following us?" Agatha asked.

The other three shrugged and shook their heads as they walked away triumphantly.

-Lyndash, the next morning-

Fenix set in the guild hall drinking a nice hot cup of tea as Zyn set down at the table across from him. "Hey Fenix you know what today is don't you." The woman asked taking a drink from her glass of lemonade. Fenix stopped to think about the date and anything that could have happened and then instantly zoned in on the event.

"Oh yeah, today is the day that we were formed into a team all that time ago, myself, you, and Alexsis. Would have loved to actually been able to enjoy it more." He said thinking back to all the trouble they had caused back in those days, Alexsis was so young eleven years ago, only eleven.

"Yes those were fun times. Sometime we should ask Cale to go on a mission together. For old times' sake." Zyn said with a giggle.

"Sounds like fun you two." They heard the voice from nearby. The two looked up excitedly. Standing by their table was Alexsis. She was tall around 5' 8" with a slender curvy build, quite the catch. She had long black hair with purple tips. She wore a long black waistcoat version of the guild coat, a black skirt, with black leggings with white stripes. Her arms were covered to her upper forearm with black arm warmers. She had bright green eyes. She was the beauty of the guild; she even had pale flawless skin. "Although I am not sure if you can call me part of your team, I was only a member while we were mind controlled." She said taking a seat at the table.

"Sorry three years is way too long a time not to count as on a team. Besides the three of us was a pretty powerful team back in the day." Fenix said with a smile.

"Well, if we are all three here how about a mission for old times' sake?" Zyn asked.

"Hmm I think me and you are on lock down from doing missions until the investigation is over." Fenix said with a frown. None of them wanted to get the guild in trouble or risk getting the reinstatement.

The three thought for a moment before Zyn spoke up. "Why not go to the old restaurant. The one that he made us go to, so we looked normal, they did have pretty good food."

"Did that place survive all these years?" Fenix asked.

"Yeah me and Cynthia walked by it earlier." Alesis said loving the idea.

"Speaking of ol' Cynthia where is she?" Fenix asked.

"Oh she had some stuff to take care in preparation for when we go out on the mission with the guild inspector." Alexsis said standing up. The two drank their drinks and then followed suit the three of them leaving the guild hall.

Tori walked out of the record store excitedly, the recording from the Twins had been released, nothing could equate to seeing them at the concert, but this was great. He walked down the road when he noticed something absolutely terrifying. Walking down the road was Fenix, Zyn, and someone who could only have been Alexsis, the lightning calamity. Well known for her sheer destructive power, she was the most powerful lighting synergist alive. He quickly hid in an ally not wanting to be seen. What the frozen reaper, queen of deserts, and lighting calamity was going to fight was doomed beyond any reasonable doubt, even if it was an army Tori could not see it winning against that combo, he had seen pictures of the wreckage that Alexsis left in her wake, and he had seen firsthand what Zyn and Fenix where capable of. He decided that he would follow them and find out what terror they were up to. OR what town they were going to wipe off the map.

~~~in the outskirts of Lyndash~~~

Tori watch from across the restaurant. Sitting at a table without knowing he was there was the three synergists. He was unsure if they were plotting here, or maybe they were just eating out together today. Finally he saw an old burly man walk over to them.

"It has been ages since I saw you three here. What has it been eight years now?" He asked.

"Hey Harold! Long time no see, you still running this place?" Fenix asked greeting the man with a handshake. The man laughed and shook Zyn's and Alexsis' as well.

"It has been awhile, Alexsis and Zyn you two look magnificent, and Fenix you look about the same." The group laughed as the old man set down with them joining in their conversation.

"What brings you three all the way out here?" Harold asked as one of his waiters brought their food.

"Well today is the anniversary of when the three of us were put on a team, we thought we would come out here and celebrate it. We were going to go on a mission together for old times' sake, but Zyn and I are on lock down until the investigation is over." Fenix explained, Tori's head about exploded when he thought of the three of them on a team together, normally teams were made of one strong synergist and then a couple lower level ones. A team of these three would be damn near unbeatable. Fenix's skills, Zyn's defensive capabilities, and the sheer destructive powers of Alexsis were too much for Tori to process.

"Oh I see, by the way Fenix I hear you have adopted some kids, three girls and Dorian right?" Harold asked. Fenix went to object when Zyn piped in. "Yes he did, Fenix show him the pictures of them." Fenix sighed and pulled out his wallet handing it to Harold who looked at the pictures and smiled with a laugh.

"We are getting pretty old Fenix your kids have grown into adults it seems." He said returning the wallet.

"Well Mia is only fifteen she still has a couple of years, and Albiona may be physically eighteen, but due to her being a Draygon she is still around the age of nine relativity." Fenix said with a laugh.

"You gotta bring 'em out sometime, I would love to meet 'em. Oh and Zyn I hear through the grapevine you are engaged?" Harold asked.

"Yes I am, I think I have a picture that is appropriate." Zyn said pulling out her own wallet and looking through the pictures. "Ah here is one I can show you."

Harold looked at the picture and smiled. "She is beautiful, although seems strange that she is asleep in this picture." He said the picture of Arisa asleep in a pair of sleep pants with the blanket over her torso.

"Well she hates pictures being taken of her, so I have to sneak them." Zyn said with a laugh.

Harold looked over at Alexsis and the woman returned his stare. "Hang in there Alexsis I am sure you will find someone someday." Harold said unable to find anything to say to her.

"Hey! I am looking, I just cannot find anyone in my taste." She said defiantly.

"What about that girl I see you walking around with?" Harold asked remembering seeing her recently with a really pretty woman that looked around her age.

"Who Cynthia, I cannot marry her, she has a really strong career, I want someone who will be a house companion, that way I can come home to them, they can greet me at the door, and then I can listen to their stories and forget about the world." Alexsis said with a distant look in her eyes.

"Okay," Harold said the group laughing as Tori watched. Maybe this was just a normal get together?

"By the way Zyn have you and Arisa figured out your arrangement for the wedding yet?"Alexsis asked ecstatically. Zyn looked over at the younger woman with a smile.

"Well yes actually we have, I am not sure who Arisa is asking, but Fenix I want you to give me away at the wedding." Zyn said suddenly. Fenix looked over from his fork full of cheesy noodles like a deer in the headlights. Alexsis watched in anticipation. Harold even waited for his response. The question had caught Tori off guard, but he was intrigued. He had never thought who would give him away at his wedding, or even who his guardsmen would be.

Fenix put down his fork and stood from the table everyone watched in shock. "Zyn… It would be the utmost honor to give you away." Fenix said looking at the woman with his trademark smile. Zyn flew from the table and hugged her friend.

"Thank you Fenix, I was worried that you might not do it, you can be kind of distant from things like this." Zyn said.

"No way could I turn you away from this, this is one of the most honored positions in weddings, and you two have been like sisters to me anyways." Fenix said hugging her back.

"Oh and Alexsis, I know it is not as grand, but would you do me the honor of being one of my guardsmen?" Zyn asked looking at the younger woman.

"Are you kidding, although true it is not as important as the giver, but of course I will, I am honored to do so!" The young woman jumped up and the three had a group hug. Harold congratulated them and Tori had to smile. This just showed how much Synergist was like normal people.

-Lyndash market place, later that day-

Tori walked down the street and entered a clothing store, he could not believe his luck that while here he would tear his coat, on a nail of all things, no damage from any of the fighting he had done, but he got it caught on a bloody nail. Alexander suggested this place since it was where they had gotten their coats at. He walked in to the small store clothes lined the walls and a counter stood with an exit way back behind it. The door shut behind him and he walked up to the counter and found a bell on it. He tapped the bell. He waited only a minute when a teenage girl no more than Mia's age walked out. She was short with blonde curly hair and blue eyes. She had a slender build and wore a nice pair of pants and a button up shirt.

"Hello and welcome to the number one clothes shop in Lyndash! How can we help you today sir?" She said her voice cheerful and soft.

"I tore my coat, and a friend of mine sent me here to get it fixed." He said handing her the coat. She looked it over and nodded.

"This is a fine military coat, is this rip the only thing you would liked fixed? Oh and who is the friend that sent you?" She asked.

"Yes, unless you could manage to put something on to hold some knife holsters around back?" Tori asked thinking about how he would actually like to use his knife license.

"Of course sir we can manage that, what size of blade are we talking? I need the measurements unless you know the type of knife."

"Oh sorry, they are twin Korlan hunting knifes." Tori said thinking about the two blades currently in his luggage in the guild hall.

"Okay, this should be easy to do, and who did you say your friend was?" she asked.

"Oh his name is Alexander he is a member of the local guild." Tori said remembering that she had already asked that.

"Oh you must be the guild investigator! Arisa told us about you already, please come back here with me and we can get started." She said waving him back into the back. Tori wondered why Arisa had been here, and his question was answered when he entered the back. He was not sure which was more shocking, Seeing Arisa being measured for a dress, or the man that was doing it. He easily stood as tall as Cale and was just as built. He had thin charcoal grey hair and bushy eyebrows. Even on the block he was still taller than her.

"Now Arisa I cannot believe that you are getting married here soon, how long till then? Two or three months right?" he asked his voice booming.

"Yes that is right Dante, hm Tori what are you doing here?" Arisa asked her usual glare in place.

"My coat was damaged and I came to get it repaired, but if you guys are too busy I can come back later." He said about to leave when the man grabbed him and pulled him back.

"Nonsense! We have plenty of room and plenty of hands! Thira can get you all set up!" the man boomed with his deep voice. "You got that Thira he is all yours, make your old man proud!"

"Of course father now where is the, Ah there we are!" She said pulling a knife out of an old chest. She set down and started working on the repairs and upgrades.

Tori could not believe his ears, yet seeing as how this two were connected to the guild he was sure that this was just going to become normal. "So you guys do the coats for the guild?" Tori asked trying to strike up some basic conversation.

"Yep that is right! That and we make clothes for other folks as well, like this dress here for Arisa's wedding! Oh I cannot believe that our little Arisa is growing up so fast." Dante said wiping a tear from his eye.

"I am not that little…" Arisa said looking embarrassed by the older man. 'Also Dante there is something I would like to talk to you about while here."

"What is that dear? If you need something I will help as best as I can, the only thing you cannot have is my little Thira! Although I think I told Zyn the same thing about you. See how that went!" The man said with another jolly laugh as he worked.

"I have no interest in Thira, sorry but I already have someone." She said to the man and then to Thira who just smiled and laughed lightly.

"That is okay Arisa. I like to think of you as a sister." Thira said still working on the rip. Tori wondered what could be on Arisa's mind, and found it interesting that she seemed so close to these two.

"Dante… I want you to give me away on my wedding." Arisa said her whole face red from embarrassment. Tori's eyes widened and even Thira stopped working; the big man did not miss a beat and just kept working.

"Damn skippy I will give you away! It will be the greatest honor a man can have!" Arisa smiled at the response and looked relieved.

"If you do not mind me asking, but you guys seem really close. How long have you guys known each other?" Tori asked part of his brain just curious, and the other part figured this a good as time as any to learn about Arisa.

"Oh it has been some years now, what five years when you were brought back with Zyn after that mission of hers. You joined the guild and when you came here to get your coat I will never forget that day!" Dante laughed

"She set dad on fire by accident." Thira chuckled as she worked. Arisa had an extreme embarrassed look.

"You see lad when she first came here she had no family and the guild hall was a lonely place, so when she was here we talked to her and made her feel so at home that we took her in, we did not adopt her or anything, but I like to think of her as an honorary member of the ole family."

"Yep! And now dad can finally give away one of his daughters at a wedding. I wonder who is giving away Zyn? Neither of you are close to your real families." Thira pondered.

"As far as I am concerned you two are my real family." Arisa said coldly her glare on her face.

"As far as I am concerned it is the same here! Just can't believe that the day is getting closer. As a father I am so proud yet so sad!" Dante yelled out stopping his work to hug the much smaller girl. She hugged him back patting his back to make him feel better.

"Thira you are going to be able to make it right?" Arisa asked looking at the other girl.

"OF course! I cannot miss my only sister's wedding! Besides me and dad are making all the wedding gowns! And we are making sure that you can still wear your coats as well." Thira exclaimed stopping her work again.

"Now Thira remember what I told ya! Never stop working unless ya haft to." Dante lectured and continued his own work. "Also now Arisa time for me and you to discuss something as well, and I will not take no for an answer!"

"What is it?" Arisa asked sounding annoyed already, but something told Tori she just always was like that.

"These wedding gowns are a wedding present from us to you! No buts or arguments!" Dante yelled as Arisa opened her mouth to argue. She closed her mouth as he continued. "I know with the guild not being reinstated yet you guys are not able to make full amounts of money yet. Just as I know you guys have saved to get married for the last couple years, and you can finally afford to, these gowns will be our wedding present, that way you can spend your hard earned money on fun stuff rather than these. I just wish we could do more." Dante said with a smile.

"You are doing more than enough." Arisa said with a rare smile that made the man almost break down into tears.

"So Arisa, like Thira asked who is giving Zyn away?" Dante asked going back to cheery.

"She has already asked Fenix, He agreed to do it. Alexsis is one of her guards. She plans on asking Cain to be the other one. Cale is being our reader for us; we thought he would love the position. The only job left open for her to help with is figuring out who is going to be the flower holder. We are thinking about Lilly, but we may also use Albiona." Arisa said.

"They would both be adorable!" Thira said with a big smile as she stopping working for a second making Dante scolded her again.

"They would be! Albiona is a real darling! Dorian brought her in to get her some clothes. Since Fenix has that strange five sets of clothes rule. Although I think Lilly would just be about perfect for the job." Dante said with enthusiasm.

"I agree with that, me Zyn will talk about it later." Arisa said shifting her weight.

"So then who are going to ask to be your guardsmen Arisa?" Tori asked wondering who else she was close enough to be her guardsmen. Arisa glared over at Tori fiercely.

"I do not know I have a shortage of people that I can ask." Arisa said almost sounding depressed.

"Do not worry Arisa! I am sure there are some guild member's that you can ask. How about Dorian! He is a nice young man, and the two of you use to hang out a lot!"Dante said planting a hand on the girl's head. She glared from underneath the massive hand.

"Or how about Alexander or Cynthia, they both would make great guardsmen, although I do not think that you are too close to them, but more so then Rolph." Thira said continuing her work so she would not get scolded a third time.

"Or you could ask Mia or Rini!" Dante said going back to his work.

"Yes they are all options, I just do not know why any of them would accept, we are not friends." Arisa said coldly, this time Tori felt that the coldness was more towards herself than the people mentioned. At that time from the doorway walked in Dorian.

"Hey Dorian! You must be here to pick up those clothes for Albiona, they are right over there!" Dante called to the young metal synergist. He waved to Thira and Dante then approached Arisa with his usual flat expression. He reached up and flicked her on the forehead. The young women looked shocked then glared fiercely at him.

"What was that for you bas…" She started to yell when she was silenced by his expression, even though Tori could not tell a difference from his normal expression.

"Uh oh, looks like somebody is in trouble!" Mia said from the doorway.

"Dorian?" Arisa looked at the metal synergist; instead of a glare she had an expression of confusion and sadness.

"Hey Mia, he is not using his synergy or his notepad, can you translate for a poor old man. What those two are saying with their expressions?" Dante asked moving over by her. Mia smiled and chuckled.

"Well since me and Arisa are the only ones here that speak Dorian, guess I can translate. You see when Dorian was twelve he rejoined the guild even though he was too young, and his body had just finally recovered from his injuries. He had Fenix, but no one around his own age at the guild. Then Zyn came back with Arisa, she was a little older, but he could feel a kinship with her, both of them being unwanted kids, which had lived hard lives of fighting. Actually if you ask Dorian who his best friends are, usually Arisa is his first mentioned, actually she was his first real friend outside of the mind control."

Arisa and Dorain looked at each other for awhile and then Arisa looked down at the ground. "I am sorry Dorian. I just thought that with Mia, Agatha, and Korosh you had moved on from me." Arisa said a tear rolling down her cheek. Dorian hugged the older woman and gave her a look that made her smile and hug him back.

"What did he just say there?" Dante asked excitedly.

"Well the most amazing thing about Dorian is that he can say so much with just a look, that look conveyed just one thought, never. He would never move on of thinking of her as one of his closest friends."

"Dorian… would you be one of my guardsmen at the wedding?" Arisa asked with a weak smile wiping away a tear. Dorian looked at her and Tori got to see one of his rare smiles. He nodded and hugged the woman again before waving his good bye and getting the clothes and preparing to leave. "Dorian!" Arisa called to him before he left. He turned and looked at her.

"Thank you… for everything." She said with a smile. He smiled back and gave her a stern look.

"Dorian is right Arisa, you may be a little older, but you should come hang out with us sometime, it would probably make Zyn really happy as well to see you hang out with some friends." Mia said with a friendly smile. Arisa nodded in agreement and the two left.

"Well that is one down Arisa." Dante said with a smile.

"Congratulations." Tori said with a smile, he never would have guessed that synergist had such a society, after watching Zyn, and now Arisa he could see just how close this guild was to each other.

-Lyndash the next day-

Tori walked over to the kitchen the in the guild hall, he opened the fridge to see that it was almost entirely bare, same with the cabinets. Cale walked out and yawned and followed the same process.

"Ah well it looks like it is time to grocery shop." Cale said sounding disheartened.

"Oh you guys do not use a personal shopper or have a store deliver?" Tori asked since most guilds had a system like that.

"What do we look like we are made of money? We do not get any of the guild discounts since we are not an official guild yet." Cale responded, he walked off towards the stairs and disappeared. Tori thought about it and it made since, although he did not think that Cale did any work besides his own paper work.

Suddenly Tori heard a ruckus from upstairs, after a short time a very grumpy Alexander and Cale walked down the stairs.

"What happened up there?" Tori asked.

"Ever wake up to have a half naked mammoth in your bed?" Alexander asked.

"No I have not." Tori said slowly then the pieces came together. "And I do not think that I want to either."

"Oh come on guys it is not that bad, you know you love me." Cale said as he handed Alexander a large amount of money and then a list from the fridge.

"What is going on?" Tori asked.

"Oh just sending Alexander out to do the shopping."

"Oh do you guess take turns?" Tori asked trying to imagine Alexander shopping.

"I wish that was the case." Alexander said leaving slamming the door behind him.

"Do not worry Tori he does not mind doing the shopping… or the cleaning around here." Cale said slapping Tori on the back.

"Wait Alexander does the shopping and the cleaning?" Tori said trying to imagine that.

"Yep he is our own little house companion." Cale said heading towards his office, leaving Tori to imagine a domestic Alexander dressed like a house companion.

5: Tale 5

Tale Five:

~~~Lyndash, Market District~~~

Tori walked down the road looking in the shop windows, it had been a week since the last mission, and he was hoping that the next one would go by a lot more peacefully, course Tori did not think that this guild did anything peacefully. That morning at breakfast Cale had attacked Tori and spilt his food everywhere. Tori's stomach was still protesting. As he walked he noticed someone looking around, like they were looking for someone. She was around 5' 6", with an athletic yet curvy build. She wore a black sleeveless coat that went to her knees it was closed by a zipper and two belts one in the collar and around the waist. She had long wavy dark blue hair and deep light sky blue eyes. She wore black pants with combat boots. Her arms had fingerless gloves that went to her elbows. She was strikingly beautiful, but a few things made Tori terrified. The first thing was the look of boredom and apathy on her face, the second was the dual swords that crossed over her behind. The last was that she looked at him and her eyes were like that of a predator finding its prey. She walked over towards him with a terrifying grace. Tori decided that it was time to follow his first instinct in this situation. Running, he took off running and to his shock and horror the chase was on. She bolted after him easily starting to over take him.

Tori rounded the corner into the ally, the woman followed behind him; he pulled out his gun and fired three rounds. The woman dodged out the way then dived after him. There was just one question that she had to ask herself, could she run faster than him when he was scared out of his mind. He took off and dove over some boxes into another allway, he quickly rounded a series of corners hoping to lose her. He looked around the area at the end of the maze of alleyways. He panted out of breath, she was a quick opponent, but Tori was like a gazelle being chased by a greater demon. He heard a noise from the rooftops; he looked up to see the woman standing on the roof giving him a bored expression. She went to say something, but it was too late he was gone the speed of the four winds behind him.

She watched him run with a bored and slightly annoyed expression she had to admit that he was pretty quick, but he was also rather sloppy at get away. She jumped down sliding down a pipe to get to the ground safely and took off after the skittish man. She dodged a trashcan barrage and another wave of bullets as he tried his best to get her off his trail, but she had hunted much prey, and she did not make a habit of failing to catch them, she would not fail this time, she flicked her wrist triggering the device in it to eject a throwing knife. She threw it and just barely missed her target.

Tori yelped as a throwing knife flew by him. He knew it! She was trying to kill him. He was just shocked that she was willing to do it in the city. Maybe it was a remenant of the Night's Knife coming to get revenge. He had to find a guild member and warn them. He turned a fired a couple more shots before his gun clicked his ammo clip empty. He darted towards the main road putting another clip in the gun. As he got out onto the main road he saw Alexander off in the distance, he looked over his shoulder, he did not see the woman and decided to make a mad dash for the synergist. Tori darted breathing hard. Alexander turned and watched at the investigator ran towards him.

"Alexander! There is someone trying to kill me! I think it is a remnant of the Night's Knife!" Tori yelled to him. Alexander at first thought that maybe it was just another Tori freak out, but he could not take that chance, Tori had proved himself multiple times, it was time that Alexander trusted him. He pulled out his bow and Tori turned to face the way that he had just run from. Alexander then noticed a saving grave in this situation, something that would make any wanna be assassin cower in fear, something that even made him shiver a little.

"Hey Cynthia! We need help someone is trying to kill the investigator." Alexander yelled to the blue hair woman. Her blue eyes shown no surprise but Alexander could hear it in her voice as she pulled one of her dual swords. They were foreign make thin blades with a single edge.

"Who is it? I did not see anyone?" Cynthia asked her voice wickedly silky and smooth, but with a hint of an edge. Tori tapped Alexander on the shoulder.

"That is who is trying to kill me." Tori said hiding behind the other man. As the words sunk in Alexander dropped his defenses and stared at Cynthia who stared back unimpressed.

"Tori that is Cynthia… a member of the guild." Alexander said the rage starting to bubble inside of him.

"Oh… I thought she was an assassin the way she was looking at me." Tori said putting away his gun. "Sorry for shooting at you… and for the whole throwing trash cans at you thing." Cynthia seemed to ignore him, Alexander was wondering what look she could have given him to make him think that using live ammunition in a city was an appropriate response.

"Alexander I thought you had better sense than this, Zyn told me about this, but I cannot believe it." Cynthia said putting her sword away giving Alexander a bored yet confused look.

"I am sorry I gave him the benefit of the doubt." Alexander said putting away his bow.

"Well I guess that is just natural. That you would believe what he said, but really him." She asked giving Tori a look of disproval.

"I know I can hardly believe it either." Alexander said looking at the still terrified investigator. "But he has proved capable on more than one occasion."

"Well I guess whatever floats your boat, but he is now coming with me." Cynthia said sounding bored again.

"She is after me!" Tori yelled about to bolt when Alexander grabbed him.

"Yes she is Tori that was the reason she followed you in the first place. If you are going on a mission with him I am going as well." Alexander scolded the other man then spoke to the woman.

"Sorry Alexsis looks like he is already taken, and I think you might break him anyway." Tori and Alexander looked over to the lighting synergist setting on the edge of a fountain nearby luggage by her.

"More than likely so, I just cannot believe it though." Alexsis said walking over and slapping Alexander on the back. "You two move quick! Is there going to be a wedding or just the dirty stuff?"

Alexander stopped and looked at the two women in front of him. "What are you talking about? Tori and I are not a couple."

"What are you talking about you just confirmed it." Cynthia said almost unfazed by the announcement.

"No I did not…" It then hit him like a ton of bricks. "Cynthia, when you ask a person a question. Do not beat around the bush." Alexander said as the words sunk into his head. "Besides who in the world would want to do anything with him, he would probably accuse them of trying to steal his maiden heart of some crap like that." Tori went to defend himself when Alexsis started speaking.

"Yeah and he is way too lanky, the poor person would more than likely have to defend him." Alexsis said making Tori start to get a little angry.

"I can see both scenarios, he does not seem very appealing at all." Cynthia said as the final straw, Tori was tired of their passive insults.

"I am totally fuckable!" Tori yelled in the middle of the busy street, people looked at him with disgust and anger. The three people with him took a step away from him and continued to talk without him. Tori hung his head in shame and decided to go and get with the luggage and wait for them to get done with their conversation.

~~~Guild Hall later that day~~~

Tori walked down the stairs reloaded and with his gear ready for the mission. He walked outside to meet up with the group. The three were already waiting for him.

"So what is the mission?" Tori asked hoping it did not have to deal with tentacles or crypts.

"We have been hired by Archduke Vilabond, he is hosting a party and we have been invited as undercover security, so I hope you boys brought some fancy clothes. Oh and I hope that you boys brought dates." Alexsis said with a laugh at the end.

"You mean we are not going as a team in?" Tori asked.

"No, we are not pairing up, besides Tori no one would believe that Alexsis or Cynthia were dating you." Alexander said Tori could feel the backhand from the comment.

"Thanks Alexander." Tori said looking down.

"Well it is true, Alexsis is famous and is well known to be single." Cynthia said picking up her bag and started to walk away.

"Cynthia! That makes it sound bad!" Alexsis called after her team mate and ran after her. Tori would have made a comment about it, but even he had heard about her being single before he came here, as a matter of fact one of his old academy friends had a huge crush on her, and the two when they first went into the academy use to talk about celebrities that they had crushes on, course Tori had always chose Saundra.

The group started to walk towards the train station when Tori felt a shiver go down his spine. It seemed to be picked up by everyone, people on the street started to duck inside buildings. Alexander and Alexsis looked at each other and nodded.

"What is Rolph doing here?" Cynthia asked not showing any concern unlike the others. Tori froze at the name, he of course had heard of Rolph. There were five names that every guild inspector and synergy enthusiast knew. In the country of Athul there were five people to fear or look up to. Cain Wahren, the tempest, a wind synergist of the utmost power, a type five, and one of the five that took on the army during the purge and lived. Alexsis Edel, the lighting calamity, her power was unmatched, she was known for her beauty and power, and she survived the purge without a single scratch on her, another type five. Zyn Kaiser the Desert Queen, she had power, but more than that she was a master of sand synergy and had one of the best defenses around. She was also known for her beauty. Fenix Ende the frozen reaper, he was known for having the skills of a top military agent, a master of frost synergy. Back in the old records it was said that he would leave his victims frozen solid and show no remorse, nothing like the Fenix that Tori had met, he was a little afraid of Fenix, Zyn, and Cain. He was terrified of Alexsis for her power, but they all paled in comparison to Rolph Nihil, the night kin. Almost nothing was known about him, his past, his powers, or his methods. The only thing that was known was his accomplishments. A dark angel of retributions, he was attributed with the deaths of hundreds, but no one could pin it on him, his enemies where identified by the blood stains, and the nightmares of the survivors. If Fenix was a reaper, and Alexsis a calamity, there was no word in any language to describe Rolph.

Tori turned as he heard the sound of whistling behind him, he identified the song as a Korladian funeral march. Walking towards the group was man around six feet tall. A newspaper blew in the wind and bounced past his black worn boots. He wore the guild coat but it was tattered at the edges. He wore black pants and gloves. On his back was a massive curved blade in its jet black sheath. On his hips were two dirks, wicked looking even when sheathed. He looked down at the ground his messy black hair covering his eyes. Around his neck was a long black scarf with blood red edges. He looked up as he neared the group his eyes where strange, a dark unnatural gold scanned the group. Just them looking at Tori made him almost panic and want to flee, although he was known for being skittish. Every cell in Tori's body told him to run from this man, to run for his life.

"Wait, I am going with you. I have my own mission though." Rolf said his voice was not as terrifying as Tori had imagined, it still had a tone of forbiddance to it; but Tori would have sworn he would have spoken in some kind of whispered tone or something.

"Alright then, the more the merrier." Alexsis said with a smile at the tall man. Cynthia and Alexander both nodded in acknowledgement. Tori was less keen on the idea, but was not willing to voice his protest. The group walked towards the train station, Tori making sure to keep as much distance between himself and Rolph as possible.

~~~The train heading for Croust~~~

Tori set again next to Alexander as the train zoomed northward; he watched the landscape before with a sigh he turned to the two across from him. Rolph luckily had chosen to set away from them so the only two were Alexsis and Cynthia. As much as Tori hated to admit it, they were right that no one would believe that he was dating either one of them. Both of them were pretty, Alexsis had a more natural beauty, she seemed like a model or someone you would see in artwork made real. Cynthia on the other hand was beautiful as well, but she was more like a dark beauty; someone that was forbidden to touch for fear of death, yet serene and beautiful. Tori had to wonder if either woman even realized that they were so pretty. Something told him that Alexsis was well aware of it; Cynthia on the other hand was more than likely another story. He knew he had to talk to them to get more information about them, but to question the lighting calamity seemed suicidal. He looked over at the two again and analyzed them. Cynthia set her pose almost like Alexander with her legs spread apart and bent parallel to the seat. She on the other hand set slouched slightly, she lazily looked around the crowd of the train her expression never changing. Alexsis on the other hand set next to the window. Her legs crossed and her elbow rested in the window seal and her chin rested in her palm as she watched the scenery go by.

"So how long have the two of you worked together?" Tori asked his voice had a nervous tone in it. Both women looked at him and he almost jumped to say never mind.

"We have been a team for a couple years, but we have been friends since we have been kids, Cynthia used to live with me back then so we use to play in the gardens. She used to protect me from snakes, and spiders like my own personal knight in shining armor." Alexsis said with a laugh. Tori was trying to imagine a snake that could take on Alexsis where she would have to be saved by Cynthia. No beast could enter his head that could survive the destructive capabilities of Alexsis.

"I am not sure the term applies to me." Cynthia said, sounding completely uninterested in what they were talking about. Alexsis gave the other girl a sly look and then talked her, hugging on to the other girls arm.

"Are you kidding? You are still my knight in shining armor, just with a less armor, and more throat slitting!" Alexsis said as Cynthia tried to pry the woman off her.

"Cynthia what element are you if you do not mind me asking." Tori asked the woman as she battled with an opponent that she could not seem to beat.

"I am a water synergist. Alexsis would you, please get off of me." She answered the question and made her request of the other synergist her voice not changing tone making Tori wonder if maybe she was just monotone, or like Arisa and just normally that way. Tori made the usual mental notes in his head of things to write down. Alexsis ignored her friend and started to snuggle up to her arm.

"But you are my big strong knight, does the knight not want snuggles from her princess, speaking of that Cynthia why don't you call me your princess anymore?" Alexsis asked the other woman looked over at her with a flat bored expression that seemed to show the tiniest bit of either anger or disbelief.

"We are in our twenties that is why I do not call you Princess, and I am far from being a knight." Cynthia said pushing Alexsis away finally prying her off her arm.

"Aw that is no fun; you know you never stay in the room at my place. I got it just for you." Alexsis said with a pout the other woman ignoring it.

"That is just a guest room that you like to call my room I have no interest in staying there when I have a place at the guild hall." Cynthia said what Tori would consider cold coming from the blue haired water synergist.

"But I got it just for you! Why else would I need a three bedroom house? I am only going to have one kid after I get married. Unless an accident happens, then I will have to either have them share or get a bigger place. Since aunt Cynthia has to have a place to stay as well." Alexsis chirped with a big smile at the other woman who was doing her best to ignore her.

"So you two seem pretty close then, since you have known each other for so long. I guess you two make a pretty good team then." Tori said with a weak laugh looking at the two women unable to truly believe this was the infamous lighting calamity.

"They are quite the potent team, both are potent synergist, and Cynthia is easily our best sword fighter in the guild." Alexander chipped in without even moving or opening his eyes. Tori thought back to the swordsmanship he had seen Dorian exhibit and was shocked that someone could top him.

"Thanks for the complement Alexander! This mission should be pretty easy, with Cynthia on the team we have nothing to worry about except what foods they will be serving at the party." Alexsis said seeming to drift off again into her own thoughts. Tori recognized the food comment, Lightning Synergist tend to have larger appetites, them and Fire synergist gain a lot of energy from eating since they are energy elements, so even though Alexsis was slender, he was sure she was more than likely the biggest eater here, although It seemed that every time someone said that it should be an easy mission everything went horribly wrong. He wondered what could go wrong on this mission as the train continued its trek across the landscape.

~~~At the manor of the Archduke~~~

The small group of people walked towards the large house, the entire lawn of the area was covered in hedges and fountains. There they were greeted by an elderly butler and a young girl around the age of 12 or 13 if Tori had to guess. She wore a nice dress, with long elegant brown hair and curious, excited green eyes. She looked at the group as if they were celebrities.

"You must be the synergist that the master hired, my name is Jawn Paul, this is Lady Bianca, and she wanted to meet you. Since this is her birthday party that you will be protecting." The butler explained.

"Congratulations." Tori said to the girl who politely bowed in response.

"If you will follow me I will show you where you can change into more suitable attire." The butler said turning and walking the young lady keeping in step with him. The group walked Tori wondering where Rolph had gotten off to; maybe it was better if he did not know. As they walked through the large house Tori noticed the nice décor and the sheer scale of the home. Tori was shown into a room where he opened up his bag and changed into a nice dress attire, a dark green jacket over a white shirt and matching pants. He hid his hand gun on his person his knives being too large to hide that well. He made sure his hair was in good condition when he left the room, standing next to his door was Alexander. He still wore his hat, bow and arrows also on hand, but he now sported a nice button up shirt and pants. The two walked out in to the ballroom, people stretched as far as the eye could see. Tables full of different exotic and expensive foods. Tori instantly felt out of place as he walked through the crowds keeping an eye on Alexander, since the guild was more his prerogative then anything else. He then seen Alexsis walk into the room. She wore a beautiful black dress that was low cut revealing a large amount of cleavage, and a cut up the skirt of the dress to reveal her legs. Her hair was let down allowing it to flow. She was instantly attracting people to her. Tori was so caught up in her appearance that he almost did not notice Cynthia. She was pretty in her dark blue dress, less revealing then Alexsis it still was slit to reveal her leg but did not have the low cut at the neck. Her hair was tied back into a bun to reveal the nape of her neck. She still had a bored expression, but much like Alexsis she drew a crowd.

The party continued uneventful for quite some time, what felt like hours to Tori. Alexander rested in a corner like a wall flower, Tori could tell that this was not his forte. Alexsis was right at home talking with the rich people and eating, she told jokes that made them laugh, she knew who to talk to too, and how to talk to get people to find her fascinating. Cynthia also fit in, differently, where Alexsis had the main crowd the younger folks all talked to Cynthia where she spoke and told them stories that seem to fascinate them. As they set there Tori noticed a man walk in that he swore he recognized. He wore a black coat that was the same design as the Athul military, tall and broad he had fierce looking eyes and a full, but well trimmed beard. He walked with his full stride and an air of command, a walk of a field commander. As he walked through the crowd the people separated in front of him. Tori reached for his hand gun when he felt a hand on his shoulder. He did not know when Cynthia had moved next to him, but she leaned in and whispered in to his ear.

"Go get changed, changed for action." Then she vanished into the crowd. Tori did not need to be told twice he took off to the room to get ready, he was not sure what was going on, but it looked like Alexsis had cursed the mission, it seemed that these missions never went easy. Tori quickly got dressed and exited the room at the same time as Alexander who had his bow out. Tori wondered what was going on when another man in the same uniform as the one in the ballroom rounded the corner equipped with a rifle.

"Halt who are you two?" Tori pondered if he could pull his gun before he fired, Alexander seemed to wondering something similar. As the two prepared for action the man went to say something when he shuddered. He fell to the floor grasping his chest and then fell silent. Standing behind him was Cynthia. Another man ran up towards her. She spun around the barrel and grabbed his face, a flash of blue from the outside of her thigh. He shuddered and fell to the ground. She was now dressed in her guild clothes and walked towards the two others. A door opened and a man stepped out dressed as an enemy. He went to pull a knife, but with a flick of her arm she drew her sword and sliced out his throat. His body slumped to the ground as blood flowed into a puddle on the floor. Two more jumped out and took shots missing her. She gracefully moved by the two.

"Cas be careful." One said as his eyes looked over to his companion he watched him fall to the ground blood flowing from a slit across his throat. His eyes moved back to Cynthia as she poked his head, a flash of blue from her thigh. His eyes rolled into the back of his head as he fell to the ground.

Tori had heard of this synergy technique, but he had never seen it employed, and never in battle. Controlling the components of the body took a high degree of skill, and tons of focus, to use the ability in battle is a feat and a half. She walked away from the bodies some blood splattered on her, something she did not even seem to notice.

"Tori do you recognize this emblem?" Cynthia asked holding up a patch with crimson splatters on it, he was not sure when she had the time to change, get this, and kill four people, but she had managed to do it. He looked at it and recognized it almost instantly. It was a black fist raised with a gun in its hands, the mark of the former military regiment that was discharged from the military for going too far.

"Black hand, it is a military regiment that was released from military service for being Anti-synergy, to the point of killing anyone they deemed as an "agent" of synergist. They performed multiple acts of mass murder. If they are here they are here more than likely to murder someone, or a large group of people. " Tori said.

"We need to move, they are most likely moving to attack the building." Alexander said as he took a position watching the stairs nearby.

"Do you think they are here because we are here?" Cynthia asked walking towards the stairs her sword spun in her hand into a reverse grip.

"No I think there is something here that they are after we just have to find out what it is." Tori said taking a place at the other side of the stairs.

"You two get to the Archduke and protect him and the guests, Alexsis and I will deal with the enemy forces." Cynthia said walking down the stairs. As she walked she pulled out her other sword holding it forward grip.

"Can they handle a small battalion?" Tori asked, Alexander looked at him and then back down the stairs.

"I do not want to think about that battalion's fate." Alexander said running down the stairs. Tori grimaced and then followed behind him. The two of them moved to the main ballroom, the general was gone but the archduke was still there with the guests, a few troops stationed around them. Tori and Alexander each aimed and then fired, the arrow pierced through one throat and the bullet landed in the same location on the other one. The remaining troops aimed and fired causing a fire fight with Tori and Alexander outnumbered, and out gunned, or at least that is what the enemies thought. They did not calculate one thing; an action that Tori knew instantly turned the tides to his favor. Alexander removed his eye patch.

"Tori watch my back, this is going to take some energy, but it is time to end this before someone gets hurt." Tori nodded wondering what the spatial synergist was going to do. Alexander breathed in deep and then exhaled, he continued this action Tori wondering what he was doing. He watched as energy slowly built up from his eyes, the energy slowly grew and grew. Then Tori noticed the effects. The wood around Alexander creaked, and Tori felt a sensation that he normally never felt, heaviness. Alexander opened his eyes, his dragonmark radiated with energy. Soon the weight increased dramatically, Tori was guessing the weight to be around double as normal. The Alexander walked into the other room; Tori went to stop him for the suicidal action but noticed no shots were fired. He looked in to see that the soldiers were flat on the ground. Barely able to move, somehow Alexander had increased the gravity of the area not only in general, but then increased the pull of gravity so much on the them that they could not move, and to do it with no visual cue meant that he had used spatial sensing to perform the task. A normal person would think that his might be an easy task for a synergist, but Tori knew that this actually took more effort, and more skill then he thought Alexander had. The spatial synergist went around the room knocking out soldiers then dropped the effect allowing Tori to enter without fear of being affected by the gravity.

"Alexander how much energy did you use for that?" Tori asked.

"More than I would like, but the people are safe, that is all that matters, we just have to use our remaining ammo to secure this room while Cynthia and Alexsis take out the others." Alexander said closing the doors and pushed a table to block the door. Tori grabbed another table and helped barricade the door, he just hoped this would hold for them.

~~~Roof of the manor~~~

Cynthia set cross legged looking at the large force around the building, the walls of this manor where think and stone, but they were made to keep civilians out, not military, and most defiantly not the tanks that she watched approached the wall. As she set there she felt a presence behind her.

"Rolph what are you doing here?" she asked the man behind her leaning on a chimney.

"I am here for the Archduke." He said darkly.

"What do you mean; I do not believe that he has done anything to die."

"I never said I was here to kill him, I am just here for him. This military attack is just bad timing, if they kill him, then my goal will be destroyed. So for now Cynthia, I will help out. Tell Alexsis to handle the outside of the wall. You handle the inevitable invasion. I will clear out the building and secret ways into the building."

"Rolph, do you know what they are here for?" The man stopped and turned towards the woman who set in a meditative position.

"The girl, his daughter is a synergist. Just like the dad. He used to be a powerful Divine synergist who could only heal mental problems. His daughter carries that trait. They must just be after former famous synergist who has retired."

"So that is why you are here then… does Alexsis know?" She asked looking at the man who was about to walk away.

"I am sure that she was at the meeting." He said before shadows engulfed him and he disappeared. Cynthia was always jealous of his ability to teleport, he and Alexander could both do it, and she wished she could. She sort of felt sorry for these people, Rolph and Alexsis where bad enough, but soon it would rain. Cynthia felt the first drop of rain hit her face. She continued meditating collecting the moisture in the air.

~~~ballroom~~~

Tori set in the ballroom as the people talked and whispered. The archduke approached him looking terrified.

"My daughter, I cannot find my daughter. My dear Bianca is out there somewhere. What if they kill her?" He asked in a panic.

"Why would they kill her? Do you have some ties with synergy?" Tori asked. The man looked around nervously before he sighed crestfallen.

"I am a synergist, I learned to use divine energy to cure mental diseases. My daughter also shows talent in synergy. These people they are here to kill us. You must save my daughter! I care little of my own health. Just save her please." He begged, Tori looked at him, his air was completely different then the man who earlier held a party for a girl with a bunch of aristocrats.

"Alexander did you hear that?" Tori yelled over the resting synergist.

"I did, Tori you go and find her, I will stay here and hold down the fort."

"Will you be able to manage?" He asked. Alexander stood his eyes sparked with energy.

"I will be fine." He said getting into a meditative pose. Tori nodded and began the process of opening one of the doors to leave. As he worked he heard an explosion and the ground shook, he continued his work, but wondered what in the world it was.

~~~Outside the wall~~~

Alexsis walked through the dirt as bullets dropped to the ground around her. Soldiers yelled out in panic moving away from the destroyed tank.

"What the hell is she?" One yelled as he pulled out a rocket and fired it in her direction. The artillery neared her then struggled before a bolt of lightning blasted it into bits. Alexsis glared at the group of men and electricity arced around her. She held out her hand and lighting blasted forth each strand finding its targets sending millions of amps through each target frying them, and making their hearts explode. Another tank came around the corner slowly its barrel turned to face Alexsis. She reached into her coat and pulled out a small metal orb. She tossed it into the air and caught it with an electromagnetic current. She increased the power and generated multiple magnetic currents building up its strength finally she reversed the polarity of just the orb. The force was explosive a shockwave of energy as the orb rocketed forward propelled by the power of the electromagnetism. The orb flew into the tank and into the ground causing a crater and blasting the tank into two. Alexsis walked by the smoldering remains of the vehicle and to notice the large group of them moving in her direction. She frowned and then decided on her course of action. The three remains of the tanks flouted into the air around her as she aimed them and begin to build up the electromagnetic fields.

~~~~Inside the building~~~~

Tori watched in terror as the tanks flew across the area leaving a trail of heat from the friction of tanks being flung at such a velocity. Each of the left craters and easy destroyed everything in the area. The sonic booms hit the area shattering the glass of some of the closer windows. Tori could not believe the power that he was witnessing. No wonder she was called the calamity, to produce the magnetic fields to move the tanks took lots of power, but to fire them would require more power then he thought was possible for a synergist to exhibit. This easily put Alexsis as the most powerful synergist that he had ever seen, at least in the terms of sheer power. He was still unsure of how skilled she was, but she was a type five for a reason. Tori heard the sound of boots running towards him. He drew both his knives reverse grip, he wanted to reserve his ammo. Luckily his opponents also had knives. He blocked a slash and retaliated with a slash the abdomen. The man barely dodged back leaving a gash across his stomach. The woman that was with him went to attack and Tori blocked the slash and kicked her away. He hated to fight women. Not that they were any weaker than any other enemy, or even needed to be protected he just hated to fight women. He dodged a knife slash and countered cutting the man down the arm. Tori dodged a slash from the woman and then the man. Tori had to admit this was his hardest fight so far. They both were military trained, he was a better at fighting then they were but they had the advantages of numbers. He ducked down and rolled to the side. They were being smart and not giving him time to counter. Tori jumped backwards, another enemy entered the area and went to fire around from his rifle. Tori leapt and plunged his hunting knife into the man's stomach and then cut outwards gutting the man and letting his body fall. Tori turned to face the other two breathing hard when he felt something dark behind him. Standing behind him was Rolph; he was not sure when he got there. Rolph drew a single dirk and moved down the hallway towards to the two. Tori went to help engage when Rolph glared at him, a look that told Tori to just watch. Thunder sounded in the sky, Tori was unsure if it was just Alexsis firing more tanks like bullets or actual thunder. The weather that day had said clear skies, but it looked like they were wrong dark clouds filled the sky. Rain begin pelting the windows as Rolph moved towards them.

The two looked at each other and nodded, they moved to strike each picked a vital spot to strike the enemy. Rolph smiled darkly, they thought they could win in a knife fight with him? The scourge of Korland did not fear these two. The man moved blood dripping down his arm for the wound the guild investigator had left him. Rolf watched the incoming attack, to most people it would have been well oiled and fast, almost graceful; to Rolph it was slow, almost like slow motion. It was clumsy like a child playing with a knife as if he was an assassin. Rolph moved himself, rather than waste the time blocking such a worthless strike he bypassed the man and while moving by slit his throat. The woman yelled and charged at him for a stab. A mistake by far to let her emotions take the advantage of her, Rolph sidestepped and his arm snaked outwards grabbing her throat. He then tossed lightly sending her flying out the window, falling to the ground below, Rolph could hear the sound of her bones break as she hit the ground. He turned and looked at the investigator who looked shocked and horrified.

"If you are looking for the girl she is not that way, I believe the enemy has her trapped on the third floor, if you would like to save her come with me, if want me to handle it myself, we will be down there shortly." Rolph said putting his dirk away and pulling his sword. Tori watched the blade unsheathe. It was long and thick bladed, and curved, less a blade though and more a long saw. Rolph slowly walked away, Tori could not leave that poor girl to face the terror of watching Rolph the night kin.

~~~Ballroom~~~

Alexander felt the people shift around him, he felt the archduke weep in the corner out of fear for his daughter. He could feel the area around him perfectly. He now knew every nook and cranny of this room. He knew that a mouse had taken residence in the north wall behind the tapestry. He knew the exact dimensions of the tapestry. He could feel the ink on a piece of paper in the woman's purse that had the number of the man that she had met here this day. He could feel each and every eater drop fall on the roof and run down into a collection. He felt this all, he also felt the gravity well around him. An enemy had tried to enter the room by putting a grenade at the door, and then Alexander felt the grenade be ripped apart. Nothing would enter this room without his permission, not as long as he had the energy to do so. A bead of sweat ran down his face. He knew he could do this for at least an hour more, but then he would have to rest; there was not option about this, but as long as he had the energy nothing could enter this pocket dimension unless he wanted it to.

~~~Third Floor~~~

Cynthia entered the room, a young girl's room, most likely the room of Lady Bianca. She took a step forward before drawing a sword and bending down looked under the bed.

"Lady Bianca, this is not a safe area. Please come with me, we need to get you to a safe area." Cynthia reached out her hand to the terrified young woman near her. The girl looked at it and nodded taking it.

"Will you protect me? From the black hand?" she asked looking scared.

"Yes, I will but first tell my. Why are you here?" Cynthia asked, she was aware of something going on when the general entered, she had maximized her time to warn Alexander, and Tori and had just enough time to change before the attack, how did this girl get here?

"… my father told me not to tell anyone about the visions." Bianca said looking at the ground.

"I see you foresaw this. That is a rare type of synergy you have. Be proud of it, cultivate it, maybe someday it will save you again."

"In my vision there was a woman, she was covered in water… and in blood, in the vision she played the role of a knight, are you that woman." Cynthia looked at herself she was soaked from the rain, and her clothes had blood on it. She was not sure about the knight thing, but she knew what had to be done for the contract.

"My name is Cynthia, I may not be a knight, but I am a water synergist. I will deliver you to your father in the ballroom. You will be safe there." Cynthia stood as the door was kicked in. Bianca looked in terror at the men as they pointed their guns at them. Bianca saw the flash of blue light up the room. Water from the open window zoomed by the two and blasted through the men sending blood splashing on the wall behind them. The two walked towards the door. "Stay here for a second I will call you when it is time to come out." Bianca nodded as Cynthia walked into the hallway, it was filled with soldiers. They aimed their guns at her and yelled to fire. Bianca screamed as the bullets filled the hallway.

~~~second floor stairwell~~~

Tori spun dodging a knife and stabbed upwards into the man's chest and through his heart. He let the body roll down the stairs making sickening sounds as it fell. Rolf up the stairs away hacked through a man with his sword. Tori had to admit that he had monstrous strength. Not quite at the level of Arisa, but he was able to embed the blade in people and then saw through them in a single slash, through the muscle and the bone. Tori now knew why there was always blood splatters when Rolph was spotted after seeing him use this sword. The two heard a young girl scream on the floor above and they ran up towards the next floor as the sounds of gun fire filled the area. Rolph leapt a great distance making it up the stairs. Tori ran up the stairs as a human head rolled down the stairs from the hallway ahead. He reached the top and ducked the upper half of a human male. Tori watched in horror at the scene in front of him.

Cynthia spun both swords held in her hands one backwards and one frontwards. Water clung to her body as she flew around them bouncing off the walls slitting throats and beheading people. Rolph cleaved through people and used his free hand to smash people heads into walls and each other. Tori heard people running towards them and turned to see five people take aim, they were foolish to aim at Rolph and Cynthia and not him, which gave him the chance he needed. He lunged forward and slashed one throat. They tried to turn, but they were too cramped with their rifles. He dodged past another to stab one in the solar plexuses. Kicking him into the other two he then whirled and stabbed the other man in the forehead. He may not be as deadly as Cynthia or Rolph, but he still had his pride as a military personnel. The other two tried to aim at him, but too slow. He embedded both knife blades into their lungs and ripped the blades down their bodies gutting them and killing them.

Cynthia stood panting looking down the hallway at the reinforcements. Rolph turned to her and nodded before heading out on his own, most likely to cause more death and destruction. She heard the thunderous wave of destruction as Alexsis fired another of her "railguns" an after effect of her listening to a science fiction novel. Tori ran towards her.

"I heard a scream is Lady Bianca okay?"

"I am fine, I am sorry lady Cynthia." Bianca said as she stepped out of the room. She gasped at the bodies strewn about the place.

"It is fine, we need to get going, as a matter of fact, Tori can take you, I have things that I need to take care of." Cynthia said about to take her leave. She took one step when she felt the young girl wrap herself around her arm. "No please don't leave me." She cried. Another thunderous sound from outside making Tori wonder what the hell Alexsis was doing.

"Cynthia I will go take care of the enemies you deal with her." Tori said with a smile.

"Fine that works out well for me. Come along Bianca, it is time to get you to a safe place." Cynthia said with a small smile. The girl nodded and the two took off. Cynthia needed to get a message to Rolph and Alexsis, should be easy enough. She stretched out her mind feeling the water around her finding the two was easy enough.

~~~~On top of the wall outside~~~

Alexsis blasted round after round of Lightning at the retreating forces. They were not done yet, they were just planning to regroup and figure out a way to defeat her. She sighed as her stomach growled. This was too much energy to keep up forever. Her battery maybe could hold this wall for at more… three days. She sighed at that thought when she noticed the water by her take shape into a message.

Come to the ballroom, we need to talk.

Alexsis smiled, there was food in the ballroom, if her enemies were going to take a break then so would she. She jumped down from the wall using the metal beams in the walls and the marble in her hand to slow her fall. She collided into the puddle of water and ran towards the building.

~~~~Basement~~~~

Rolph stood in a puddle of blood, around him laid the bodies of at least twenty people. They had thought that the cellar would be a good place to go, they were far from right, especially with this. Rolph looked down at the bodies and watched them twist into a new horrifying shape, they walked on all four, and their necks now twisted; bones turned to teeth and their fingers to claws. He gave the creatures a mental command and they charged into the cellars, anything that tried to enter that way would have a horrifying experience. He noticed water moving and forming words.

Come to the ballroom, we need to talk about your mission.

Rolph turned and walked away as he heard gun fire and screams of terror.

~~~Ballroom~~~

Alexander felt them walk through the barrier. He opened his eyes sweat moving down his body. Now standing around him was Cynthia, Rolph, and Alexsis. Bianca and her father celebrated their reunion in the corner of the room.

"Rolph what is your mission?" Alexander asked, he had a feeling he knew what the mission was, and he was not going to like it.

"This is a mission that we of the core five sent me on. I am here to take the Archduke. The guild has use for his abilities. He has refused to help us, and I am here to make sure that he changes his mind." Rolph said. The guild looked at him finally realizing that he was no longer wearing his coat.

"I see, the guild cannot be affiliated with this mission of yours. If anyone asks we did not help you. Why are you taking him what is the mission?" Alexander demanded.

"It is for Caitlin." Alexsis said, Alexander could see the depression, and he felt it as well. "The archduke is the leading expert in using divine synergy to fix psychological damage we need to take him so he can heal her… we owe that. But there is no reason for you two to get involved." Alexsis said defiantly.

"What about Rolph why is he allowed to be involved this has nothing to do with him." Cynthia asked looking at her partner. Alexsis clicked her tongue but Rolph responded.

"I owe this girl as well, it was my old group that did it to her, I am responsible as well."

"You core five need to learn. We are a guild. We do things together." Alexander said looking at the other two.

"What is the plan, we cannot let Tori see it otherwise it will get back to the military." Cynthia asked thinking about the dilemma. The group stopped and thought for awhile before Alexander spoke up.

"Maybe we can take care of two birds with one stone. Both Tori and the enemy share one thing in common. They are afraid of synergy." The group looked at Alexander inviting him to go on.

"If we use that fear we can get them to back off and maybe disable Tori to the point that we can get the archduke and complete the mission, everyone wins."

"What is the plan Alexander?" Alexsis asked with a dark smile.

~~~outside the building~~~

Tori watched for enemy attack, he had searched the premise and the only thing he found was bodies and strange creatures. He had to admit that it seemed like Rolph was a type four, or more knowing this guild. As he set there he heard arguing on another part of the wall. There stood Alexsis and Rolph in a heated debate he was unsure of what was going on, and the enemy watched closely as well. Tori ran over towards them to find out what was going on.

"We should retreat Rolph, even if we can kill the enemy one mistake and innocent people die."

"Alexsis that is pretty weak coming from the mighty Alexsis, why have you not just wiped out the enemy yet, or you growing too weak with your stupid companion quest."

"Damn it Rolph this is not a joking matter. If you will not listen I will make you listen." Alexsis yelled electricity cackled around her. Tori stopped and wondered what was going on, sure they could try and retreat, it made sense to get the hostages out of here and let the military handle this, but why the big fight.

"Hmph, Alexsis I have been wanting to try out the lighting Calamity. If you think you can beat me then bring it." He said shadows moving around him, from the yellow glowing eyes peered and laughter filled the air.

"Fine then, if this is what you wanted then bring it on! I won't hold back! Let us see what power the night kin has." As she said these words dread filled Tori. Lighting wings sprouted from Alexsis as her entire left palm exploded with energy revealing her dragon mark. Electricity filled the area, Tori recognized this but did not believe it, there was no way that Alexsis was entering Dragon mode.

"Going all out huh, fine. I will return the favor." Rolph said as shadows formed demonic wings on his back. His right hand burst with dark energy revealing his own dragon mark. Tori could not believe it two levels fives, not only in the same area, but also about to fight in dragon mode, nothing in this area would stand if he did not do something, anything. He tried to think of something to do, but he could not, there was nothing in his arsenal that could do any good against dragon mode. He noticed that the enemy noticed what was going on and they were just as terrified as he was, no they were more, they were so terrified that it was unrealistic. Energy stopped filling the area as both Dragonmarked looked outwards.

"Things just got a lot worse Alexsis. She is here. I do not know why, but she is."

"Who Rolph?" Alexsis asked watching the panicking troops shooting each other.

"My sister." Tori looked over at Rolph's expression and realized, something wicked this way comes.

~~~The enemy camp~~~

She loved it; it was like ecstasy to her, pure and wonderful this terror. She was not sure why these people where originally in a panic, but now they were in a world or pure terror and horror. Like a living nightmare she walked through the area laughing.

The woman stood 5' 4" and slender, she had been told by many people that she was beautiful in her own way. She had long hip length silky black hair; it was tangled right now she needed to remember to brush it later. Her bright yellow eyes scanned the destruction and chaos. These people had laid siege to her precious older brother, and she could not allow them to get away with that. She held out her long pale arm and shadows formed and then took shape into a demonic creature, it charged forward and attacked killing people as it went. She stopped at a man who knelt before her. He looked up at her form and pulled out his gun and fired, not at her, but at his own skull ending his torment. How pathetic she thought as she walked blood now on her black gown, she had chose to wear this when she reunited with her brother, it was so long since they had seen each other, and she wanted to look nice for their reunion. She sensed the fear ahead of her. Past the chaos of this pit of hell, it was inside that building. They were not enemies. Otherwise brother would have killed them already. As she moved towards it she felt the mental connection with her brother.

"Hello Brother! I look forward to seeing you, sorry my dress is ruined though." She sent to him over their mental link.

"Vyshen… why are you here?" she heard in her head.

"Are you not happy to see me?"

"It is not that, what happened to mother."

"She was slain, it was a tragic thing to come home to, but now I came to live with you, I hope I can be of some help."

"You already are, but I need a favor of you, I need you to kidnap this man." She saw the mental image in her head and was confused. She could sense the lingering taste of this man's fear, but it was fading, he was fading.

"But dear brother he is dead, why would I kidnap a corpse?"

~~~The ballroom~~~

Alexander had no idea how he had missed it. He watched in horror as a one of the men from the party grabbed a gun and fired killing the Archduke while he was talking to his daughter. Alexander augmented the gravity on the man he could only do a limb or something while distracted with the pocket dimension, but he had to do something. The man yelled as gravity warped and yanked his heart down killing him. Alexander panted, he was nearing his limit, and he would more than likely pass out here soon. He had hoped that he plan would succeed and he could rest. Alexander felt as people yelled and started to panic. He tried to calm them, but he could not talk, luckily at that moment he felt Rolph enter the room.

"Quiet down now." He snarled the entire room falling silent. Cynthia ran in next and ran over to the girl to try and calm her, although a pointless effort now. Alexsis was next in the room and she cursed, Alexander was happy at least somebody took care of that part for him. He felt a presence outside of the dimension, something dark and foreboding.

"Alexander can you please let my sister through the wall?" Rolph asked. Alexander nodded and he watched her enter. She was definitely Rolph's sister. Her aura matched his almost perfectly. Except that hers was more unnerving.

"This changes a few things." Cynthia said as she hugged the crying girl.

"Alexander you can drop the dimension. The enemy has been routed." Tori said looking at the ground.

"What do you mean how?" he asked, his only response was when Tori looked at the new girl.

"We are going to need to report this to both the military, and to the guildhall." Alexander said darkly. The group nodded in agreement as the rain fell on the glass roof above them darkly.

6: tale 6

Tale 6:

~~~Outside the manor the next evening~~~

Tori yawned, he had spent the entire day dealing with the military questions that he had to answer, he and the other guild members had to spend the whole day telling each of their stories to the military investigators; which luckily did not look bad on the guild since they were allowed to do these types of missions since they were with a guild investigator. He finally met the group of synergist in front of the gate as the military tried to move the wreckage of tanks away. Bianca still clung to Cynthia, she had stopped crying, but she had not said anything, barely rested or eaten, it was expected, but still troubling. Even more troubling was that this girl was clinging to Cynthia.

"Tori are we allowed to leave yet? Alexander asked he still looked exhausted from spending so much of his energy, Tori was surprised that he was able to move right now. Let alone complain.

"We are free to go, but the commander has something to talk to us about first." Tori said waving them into the courtyard where the commander stood. He was tall and older with a thick gray mustache. He looked over at the synergist and greeted them.

"Hello there, sorry about the whole mess, wish we could have helped out some." He said before turning his attention to Bianca and his smile faulted before he looked back to them. "There has been a snag of sorts."

"What type of snag?" Rolph asked darkly making the commander chuckle weakly.

"Well you see Bianca here… well to be up front and honest she has nowhere to go." He said dropping the smile.

"What about other family members? I hear that the archduke had lots of family." Alexsis asked worry in her voice.

"Well it is quite well known that she is a synergist, although only in the type one aspect of it. She is a target for other anti-synergy groups… and none of her relatives want to take that risk, and her father's will leaves his wealth to Bianca, everything goes directly to her… but legally she cannot live alone. I worry that her relatives might try to use her for the money and then leave her." Tori heard the commander's words but could not believe them. His family did not have to worry about any of them being synergist, but his family was built on a strong bond, how anyone could leave their family or use a family member just because of synergy. He was scared of it, but this just seemed cold.

"What do you think Lady Bianca?" Cynthia asked her tone never changing, she still sounded bored to Tori, but he guessed that she was being caring, or he was reading more into it then he should have. The young girl looked up at Cynthia, tears welled into her eyes and she hugged the woman tighter. "I see, Commander she does not seem able to process anything right now."

"I understand that, but I was hoping that she could find a place to stay away from here, until she can figure out what to do." He looked at the people in front of him. Alexsis was about to say something when Rolph spoke up.

"If it is alright Commander she can stay at the guild hall. It is a place that she can be safe, and be on neutral ground. Also Tori is staying there right now so a governmental representative will be there to make sure that she is not taken advantage of."

"Are you sure that Cale will be alright with this?" Cynthia asked looking over at Rolph; Tori thought that question was rather silly, or downright stupid. He may have only known Cale for a short time, but Tori was pretty sure that the man would welcome the young girl with open arms and a big dish of cake or ice cream.

"Cale has no choice in the matter. If he argues it we will have to remind him what a synergist's number one duty is." Rolph said Alexsis with a big smile.

"That is right, the code of the synergist. I am glad to see that it lives on. Rumor had it that the code died out with the purge. I do not think that they even teach it at the academy anymore." The commander said with a strong smile. Tori for once felt left out in a conversation about synergy. He had never heard of any code. Alexander seemed able to read his confused look.

"Tori as I am guessing from what the commander says you are unsure of the code of synergy. The first code is something that all synergist try to follow; at least any synergist of merit. The code states that the number one duty of all synergist is to help those in need, and that is what we are going to do." Alexander said taking a seat on a nearby fountain.

"Is that alright with you Lady Bianca? Would you like to come to Lyndash and stay with us for awhile?" Cynthia asked. The young girl looked up and nodded Cynthia hugged her and then looked at the commander.

"It is alright with me, I know where she is and I know that she is safe. Investigator Tori you are in charge of making sure that the girl is taken care of, if you deem it safe I will trust your judgment." The commander said looking at Tori.

"I approve that the girl will be safe, I have come to know most the synergist in this guild. If anything I vouch they would give their lives to protect her." Tori said trying to imagine someone trying to hurt Bianca with this guild protecting her.

"Excellent then, you are all free to go then, take care Bianca, I hope everything will be okay in Lyndash." The commander said bowing to them before taking his leave.

"Let's go home." Alexsis said with a smile. The group agreed and turned to leave, as they did Tori swore that he saw something between Alexsis and Rolph. They said nothing, just a quick look that seemed to relay some hidden message.

"Brother I was quite shocked that this was not your home. I expect something grand at this Lyndash." Vyshen said looking at her brother as they walked. Luckily for Tori and the others Vyshen had been classified as part of the guild and excused for killing people, otherwise that would have been a bad battle, one that Tori was sure that Rolph would have fought very hard, the two seemed really close.

"Rolph I was unaware that you had sister." Alexsis said looking at the two.

"Brother did you not tell people about me here in your new home?" Vyshen asked with an almost hurt look on her face.

"I did not mention her, because no one ever asked." Rolph said coldly.

"I see that is how it is. You did not want them to get jealous of me." Vyshen said with a small weak smile.

"I never said that." Rolph said looking at his sister almost expecting her to do something.

"Brother, I see your coldness has not faded at all. Then I assume when I reach your home, I will not have a sister in law awaiting me?" Vyshen asked crestfallen.

"Your assumption would be correct." Cynthia said flatly.

"Dear brother, mother would be saddened by the news. We had hoped that you had kids by now."

"Good luck on that." Alexander said from behind the group struggling to keep up. Tori had to admit that he was still tired, but he had rested up since the battle and now was just a bit sore, the thought of Alexander currently being more tired them him brought a little joy to him. The group continued to talk and trade jabs at each other as they walked towards the station to head home.

~~~Lyndash, Guild hall~~~

Tori and the group walked in the guild hall and the entire room fell quiet as they entered. Cale stood and ran over hugging Alexander and Alexsis as if they were people he had not seen in years.

"Oh my dears, I thought something bad had happened when we had heard that the manor had been attacked by that horrible group. Are you all right, you did not hurt yourselves did you? If such injuries exist I shall do my best to remedy them." The two struggled against him before Alexsis fired a few jolts of electricity into him to escape. The two gasped for air and gave him a dark glare.

"We are fine, the mission was tough, but we made it through intact, although with some guests." Alexsis said turning to Bianca and Vyshen. Although the last two days had gone by; Bianca had managed to let go of Cynthia a bit, although she did not say much. Cale turned to the girl and bent down to get eye level with her.

"I heard about what happened. You have my deepest regrets, I knew your father, and he was a good man. You can stay here as long as you want. If you would like there is some cake in the cupboard, help yourself to whatever you want." The girl nodded and Cynthia led her into the kitchen. Cale turned his attention to Vyshen. "And you must be Rolph's sister. Welcome to Athul, and welcome to the guild hall. I am sure your brother has told you about the rules." Cale said with a smile.

"Yes my dearest brother explained things, but you do not have to worry too much." Vyshen replied, the exchange confused Tori, what rules were they talking about? Maybe it had to do with Synergy; it would make sense that there would be special rules regarding it.

"So you two are not from Athul?" Tori asked this being the first he had heard about this.

"Yes we are from the country of Korland." Vyshen said, the name of the country sent chills down Tori's spine; Korland was to the east of Athul, a place where most of the population was Profane aligned, and dark stories came from that country. It and Athul shared a dark history of war and bloodshed.

Cale threw his arms around the siblings and then looked at each one closely. "Yes, you two are most defiantly siblings, although I cannot say which I like more. The broody Rolph or the beauty Vyshen; Hmm both are dark, and both mysterious. Why must a man make such choices?" Rolph glared at Cale darkly before removing his sister from the arm of the man. "Well then, I am sorry Vyshen, but it looks like Rolph wants to keep me all to himself."

"I would rather you keep to yourself." Rolph said leading his sister out of the guild hall. Tori laughed at the exchange when he noticed that Alexsis had disappeared. He looked around to notice that the entire guild that he had met was here, but now a few were missing. Fenix, Alexsis, Rolph, and Zyn had all vanished. Tori watched as Cale passively flirted with Alexander and took his chance to slip out. He looked around and followed the road to an old courtyard and there standing around in a loose circle was five figures. Tori watched closely identifying all five of them really quickly, the most powerful synergist of the Dragoon Spirit, arguably the five strongest synergist in the country. Fenix, Zyn, Alexsis, Rolph, and then the last man had to be Cain. Strangely although Veshyn and Rolph had left together she was nowhere to be seen. Tori looked at Cain the only powerhouse left in the guild that he had not met. Cain stood at around 6' 4" he was the tallest person there by far. He had a lean muscular figure. His long light brown hair flowed in the wind tied back in a loose ponytail; his sky blue eyes shown even in the light of the lamppost that he leaned against. He wore the guild coat over his sleeveless shirt and nice pants. He set with a small smile on his face in contrast to the other four. Fenix had his usual smile, but it lacked the usual friendliness that it had. Rolph looked dark and broodier than usual. Alexsis usually smiling looked gloomy and dark. Zyn set on a bench depression oozing from her. Tori had no idea why they had gathered here like this, but whatever it was, they did not like it.

"The mission was a failure." Alexsis said looking down at the ground like her spirit had been crushed.

"I should have grabbed him earlier, I apologize." Rolph said from his corner of shadows.

"No it is not your fault, I should have gone with, and I was free at the time." Cain said although smiling the words where dark.

"No need to try and blame yourselves, no one could have predicted what was going to happen there." Fenix said although his words were encouraging, they carried the bitter taste of mental self blame.

"Looks like we are back at square one." Zyn said putting her face into her hands.

"This has gone on for too long as it is. Eight years, and Vyshen told me that she can still sense the fear in her." Rolph said his voice rather than being dark actually seemed depressed.

"This was our best shot in quite a long time. Is there anything that Bianca can do for her?" Zyn asked looking up at Alexsis and Rolph.

"No from what Cynthia told me last night it looks like the girl is not Divine aligned rather temporal, so although an extremely rare element she does not have the ability or the knowledge to heal her mind. The only divine synergy she is capable of is some very small healing; she is just a type one in that element." Alexsis said darkly.

Tori did not know what was going on, or who they were talking about. Whoever they were talking about though sounded like they needed some help, a lot of help. He thought about interjecting when they started talking again.

"I cannot believe it has been eight years since that day." Fenix said looking up at the sky.

"Yes eight years we have been free from that curse… but Caitlin is still stuck in that nightmare." Zyn said her voice cracking for a second. Fenix went over to his friend and hugged her. "I still have nightmares about being controlled. The things that he made me do the people I killed."

"It is alright Zyn; it is all over; it is behind us. All of us remember, and all of us hate ourselves for what happened." Fenix said.

"Some just remember different things, different regrets." Rolph said looking at the ground. "It is my fault; I should have had better control over my troops. That should never have happened to Caitlin."

"No one can be everywhere at all times Rolph. You are not to blame for their actions. The only things we can do is try and find a way to cure her." Cain said standing straight and looking at them. The others nodded.

"Caitlin we will save you from the nightmare of your mind; even if we have to go to hell and back." Fenix said, the last part was dark, a shiver ran down Tori's spine when Fenix said those last few words. Even Rolph so far at his darkest was not like that. For a second Tori could believe that Fenix was the infamous ice reaper.

-Lyndash, Fenix Resident-

Fenix set at the table in one of his toughest situations yet; the wrong move could cost him dearly. He looked at the young woman in front of him with scorn. "How could this have happened to me?" He thought looking at the board in front of him. He looked around at the pieces across the board before he reached for a piece. Albiona smiled making him back off from the piece. "Damn her when did she learn to play chess so well?" he wondered. Looking at the board intently he finally gave in and moved a piece. Her arm snaked out and moved her piece.

"That is check mate papa!" she said happily.

"Wait what? No, it can't end like this! How, how did this happen?" He asked franticly looking at the board for a way to escape. He did not even stop when there was a knock on the door. Albiona skipped off while Fenix stared intent on finding a way out of this, there just had to be a way. In his entire life there had only been one person who had ever beaten him, and now she has taken that from him. He set there when Dorian entered the room. He looked at the board with fond memories when he noticed something. His eyes bulged as he looked at the board. Both men stared in disbelief, Albiona skipped back to the table and set down.

"Want to play again Papa, or how about you Dorian?" She asked with a smile. The two men looked at her like she was a monster.

"No I think it is about time for dinner Albiona." Fenix said standing up. "But Dorian feel free to play her if you want." Dorian set at the table and then reached into his coat pocket pulling out some candy and handed it to Albiona who excitedly grabbed it.

"Thank you Dorian! These are my favorites." Albiona said popping one of the candies into her mouth. Dorian just smiled and started moving pieces back into their starting places.

"Dorian you should have waited until after dinner." Fenix grumbled when another knock on the door sent him into the other room to open the door. He stared flatly at the person on the other side, before choosing to ignore that one and talk to the other person.

"Hey there Mia, What brings you here?" He asked happily.

"Fenix, do not be mean. We are here for Dinner. This is the first time that we get to have dinner with Albiona." Mia replied walking past Fenix into the house upon her entering the kitchen Fenix could hear her excitedly talking to Dorian and Albiona.

"So it sounds like the whole group is here huh?" Theresa asked holding bags of groceries.

"So it seems; can I help you Theresa?" Fenix asked looking almost bored at the woman.

"I am here to make dinner." Theresa said looking away from the man; her blood already starting to boil.

"Well that seems nice…. What is the occasion?" he questioned looking at the woman more intently.

"I am here to pay you back for the time that we lived with you!" She almost yelled at him. The answer did not settle with Fenix at all.

"In that case, go on home; you do not owe me anything." Fenix said walking into the house closing the door behind him. Theresa stopped the door with her foot and walked into the house kicking the door shut.

"You cannot act like two people living with you for a few years did not cost anything." Theresa said walking behind him as he walked into the kitchen. She put the bags on the counter waving to Albiona before looking at the unimpressed man.

"According to the law I adopted you two so I was just doing my duty, you owe me nothing. If you just want to cook dinner fine then, but do not pretty it up with words like pay back." Fenix said almost coldly.

Theresa grinded her teeth and then turned to the stove to start cooking. "Here you are Albiona something to hold you over until dinner is done. Tonight you get to have some real home cooked meal rather than whatever Fenix has been feeding you." Theresa said handing the girl some more sweets.

"Thank you big sis!" Albiona said cheerfully taking them and continuing to play against the very distressed Dorian.

"Albiona we have talked about this, just call me Theresa, we are not sisters." Theresa said bringing a smile to Dorian's face and making Mia chuckle. "What is so funny you two?"

"Oh nothing Theresa, just how you love to deny family bonds like a certain someone else." Mia said with a laugh.

"Not sure who you are talking about Mia, but I have a feeling I am not going to like it." Fenix said slumping into a chair.

"Oh come on you two, you two are almost exactly alike. Just like you know, a father and daughter should be." Mia said, both people glaring at the girl then at each other.

"We are nothing alike!" Theresa yelled

"She is not my daughter!" Fenix yelled. The two's reaction made all three of the others laugh at them, Mia laughing so hard that she almost fell out of her chair. The two glared at them before going back to their own devices. Dorian slumped as Albiona celebrated another victory. After awhile dinner was served and the group ate, shortly afterwards Fenix went into the other room to listen to the radio broadcast for the news. Theresa leaned in the doorway listening in on it. Albiona, Dorian, and Mia played a different board game to pass the time. After awhile the news ended, Theresa waited for Fenix to turn off the radio, when a few minutes passed she entered the room going to throw a verbal jab at the man when she noticed that he was slumped into his chair asleep. She looked at him and slumped herself. She looked at his face, that look of pain and suffering. She had never found out what tortured him so much when he slept, but he only made that face while he was asleep. She had watched him the last few years and he was always smiling, always cheery. Even when the two of them argued, he was always smiling. She went to the closet and got out an extra blanket and put it over him. She watched him for a short time before she heard Mia behind her. She turned as the other three walked up to her.

"Sis it almost looks like you are concerned." Mia said with a smile wrapping her arm around her.

"How comes papa always looks like he is in pain while asleep? Shouldn't he be resting?" Albiona asked concern in her voice. Dorian rubbed her head with a weak smile.

"We do not know. That is just how Fenix is." Theresa said the four looking at the man that had helped them so much; they just wished that they could help him in return sometimes.

-Lyndash, the home of Zyn and Arisa that same night-

Zyn set at her kitchen table and sighed heavily. She wore her pajama pants and a tank top, across the table from her was Arisa, dressed in similar attire. These clothes usually marked a great day of naps or it being bed time, but for poor Zyn they now were just worn to be comfy. Between the two women was a stack of invitations, this was not what Zyn wanted to be doing right now, and judging from Arisa's rather angry expression it was not what she wanted to be doing right now either. Zyn figured she would also rather be lying in bed together right now, but Zyn figured it was time to try and get out of work.

"You know Arisa, there are other things that we could be doing right now." Zyn said giving the other woman as sultry a look as possible. Arisa looked at her flatly, Zyn knew behind that mask there was a strong urge to ditch this task, not that Zyn really wanted to do anything, but that would lead to a quicker bed time then this particular task.

"No, we have to get this done. We have put it off for too long." Arisa said fiercely more to herself then to Zyn. Arisa always hated it when Zyn did this to her. Abusing her good looks to try and distract her from completing a task. She had to stay focused or this would never get done.

"Well okay then I guess we had better get to work." Zyn said leaning back in her chair and stretching making sure to push her chest out. Arisa grinded her teeth, this was extremely unfair to use a fire synergists passion to try and get out of work. It was just like Zyn to do something like this.

"You are right we better get started. Did you ask Cain to be your guardsmen?" Arisa asked trying to contain herself.

"No I forgot with the whole incident of that mission and everything. Is it getting hot in here Arisa? Oh who am I asking of course the fire synergist is comfortable." Zyn said removing her shirt so she was topless except for her bra. Arisa glared even fiercer, Zyn knew that Arisa found her to be the best looking thing on the planet, why could she just not do her work like a regular person.

"Make sure to ask him tomorrow, I still need to figure out who is my other guardsman, we do not need Cain to go out on a long mission and miss the chance to ask him." Arisa said looking down at the table as best she could, trying to focus on the task at hand.

"I will do it tomorrow; he most likely will not have a mission for awhile." Zyn said as she worked on some of the invitations she looked confused. She stood up and brought over an invitation to Arisa draping herself around the smaller woman to show her it. "Does this one look weird to you?" Arisa tried to focus on the invitation and not the half naked woman around her.

"It looks fine to me. Get back to work please." Arisa said between her teeth, she watched the disappointed woman set down next to her. They worked in silence for a few moments, Arisa pondered if maybe Zyn had finally given up. Arisa was writing Thira's invitation when Zyn's hand bumped hers. Even though Zyn acted like it was an accident, Arisa knew the other woman too well; she knew that she was just causing contact so that Arisa would feel her soft skin. Skin that Arisa loved to touch, she breathed heavily as she finished the invitation. She looked over at the woman who was no longer wearing pants revealing more of her body then necessary for making invitations. Arisa turned away quickly her face red, "Dammit Zyn quit it!" She yelled in her head no longer able to focus on the task in front of her. "Why are you almost naked?"

"Hmmm I told you I was getting hot." Zyn said innocently.

"Then turn up the air conditioner, do not strip while I am trying to work." Arisa yelled.

"Oh I am sorry is it distracting?" Zyn asked looking at the other woman like she was not trying to pull anything. Arisa tried to keep working, but she could still see Zyn out of the corner of her eye. Who was working, but also doing so in a strange manner, a manner that some would call almost like she was trying to write invitations to a wedding sexily. Unfortunately for Arisa although to a normal person it would just look silly; she was just too damn attracted to the other woman. Even at her silliest like trying to use sex as a tool to get out of work, she was still too appealing for Arisa. As far as Arisa was concerned Zyn did not even have a sex drive, out of the entire time they had been together the only time Zyn did anything like this was to get out of doing work. Arisa was the whole reason they even had a sex life in the first place, and it was Zyn's biggest weapon for getting out of work. Finally Arisa figured out her plan of action. She looked down at the invitations and started working, finishing as many of the invitations as in short at time as possible. After finishing her stack she grabbed Zyn's and started working.

Zyn finished the last one, it was more work then she would have cared to do, even with the flirting with Arisa getting to do most of her portion for her. She leaned back in the chair and went to say something when she was tackled to the ground by a very frustrated Arisa.

-Lyndash, Guildhall-

Tori set in his room papers spread out all over his bed. Dossiers of all the guild members, he had pen in hand, he jotted notes down about each of the members, suspected level, their elements, and what he had found out about each of them, although with people like Rolph there was not much information; the most that there was for Fenix was about his family. As he worked there was a knock on the door.

"Come in!" He called as the door opened he saw Bianca, she still was quiet as a mouse, but she was getting better. "Can I help you Bianca?" He asked looking away from the papers.

"Cale said to come and get you for dinner." Bianca said her voice almost a whisper. Tori was confused since normally in the guildhall when you were hungry you went and made yourself something, never a dinner type situation. Tori stood and stretched before leaving his room. Standing near his doorway was Cynthia, something that did not strike Tori as odd Since Cynthia had taken to shadowing Bianca. The three walked down to the tavern area where two tables where pushed together and setting around the table was Vyshen, Rolph, and Cain. From the Kitchen Tori could hear the trademark cursing of Alexander, who apparently was in a heated debate with Cale over the proper preparation methods of some kind of chicken dish. Tori took a seat with Cynthia and Bianca setting on one side and Vyshen on the other.

"Brother I was not aware that you were so important in your guild that you had personal chef's that travel with you." Vyshen said looking at her brother with admiration. Rolph looked at her then the pieces came together in his head.

"Alexander is a guild member, not a chef; although he is the second best cook that lives here." Rolph explained taking a glance at Cynthia.

"Is she that good of a cook?" Vyshen asked looking over at the woman.

"I worked as a maid for a few years before I came to work here at the guild, there I learned many skills including cooking." Cynthia explained when Bianca looked at her, along with Vyshen analyzing her. Tori tried to imagine the woman as a maid, his mind flashed to her in a maid outfit and the thought was both appealing and terrifying at the same time. Cynthia looked over at Tori with a flat expression that made him feel like she knew what he was thinking.

"I would have liked to see that." Bianca said her voice barely heard over the sounds of violence from the kitchen.

"I still have the uniform." Cynthia said making the entire table stop talking and look at her. Even Alexander and Cale fell silent; although Tori was unsure if that was because of what Cynthia had just said or if Alexander had finally grown tired of Cale's antics. The silence was finally broken when Alexander begin cursing about Cale overcooking the eggs. Tori was unsure why dinner had eggs, but he was still distracted by Cynthia.

"Why is everyone looking at me? Is it strange to keep something like that?" Cynthia asked looking at the group.

"What type of uniform is it?" Tori asked hoping that it was something that could be useful in combat, or even in certain situations. Cynthia looked at him and then at the others who all seemed to demand the answer to that question, even Rolph seemed to be curious.

"What do you mean type? Is there more than one maid outfit?" Cynthia asked herself pretty sure that there was only one maid outfit.

"Well this was a revelation; one I am not sure how to feel about." Cain said taking a drink of coffee. Tori had to agree, he was unsure of how to feel about a woman keeping a maid outfit. Cain's next question on the other hand Tori was not so curious about. "Do you wear it ever, or do you just have it?"

Cynthia blinked only once before answering. "I have not worn it since I left that employment, but after wearing it for three years straight it seemed strange to leave it behind." Even with the explanation most of the people at the table seemed to wonder why she would keep it.

"Maybe you could wear it around and do the chores in the guild hall." Cale called from the kitchen, shortly followed by the sound of metal hitting something and Cale yelling, "Ow what the hell was that for Alexander, if you want my attention you only have to ask. Unless you wanted to wear that outfit; I do not think Cynthia wants to share it."

"If Alexander would like a maid outfit I know where they can be purchased for a decent price, and they last quite well." Cynthia said flatly.

"I do not want one, but thank you for the offer." Alexander called from the kitchen before returning to fighting with Cale about some other preparations.

"It is like a warzone in there." Tori commented listening to the yelling and the sounds of violence.

"You get used to it after awhile." Cain said taking another drink before he turned his head to the kitchen. "Please hurry, we are quite hungry and some of us are busy."

"It will be done shortly, that is along as Cale can keep his hands to himself for five minutes." Alexander called back. Soon the two men brought out multiple plates of food, chicken in a spicy broth, boiled eggs, a potato soup, and more. After placing everything down Alexander took the last seat at the table.

"Cale are you not eating with us?" Vyshen asked confused why there was not a seat for the large man.

"Oh do not worry I have a seat eh Tori?" Cale said taking a seat on Tori's lap completely covering the lanky man while wearing his pink apron that said "kiss the chef". Tori struggled under the weight of the other man, but could not escape.

"Someone help me!" Tori cried out hoping that someone would remove the man. He watched as Bianca went to try and help, but Cynthia grabbed her shoulder and shook her head. Tori felt the cold as they started eating leaving him to his fate.

"Do not worry Tori, I will go easy on you, do not want to break you before we get the guild reinstated." Cal said in a sultry tone that sent shivers down Tori's spine.

"Brother although this is quite delightful, shouldn't we help the poor man." Vyshen asked looking at the situation a bowl of chicken in her hands.

"No Vyshen never get involved, otherwise Cale will switch his gaze unto you." Rolph said thinking back on all the times he tried to save people from the man, only to be attacked in their stead.

"It is true that is why we should make sure to eat enough for Tori as well, to remember him by!" Cain called out putting more food on his plate. Tori looked at the delicious food and almost cried as he watched the other people eating it, while he was captured by the larger man, who now filled up a bowl and turned towards Tori.

"Open up darling." Cale said holding a spoon full of soup towards Tori with the intention of feeding him. Tori was not having this and begin his struggle anew, although his legs were now asleep, and the guild had forsaken him to his fate.

-Lyndash the next day-

Vyshen walked down the hallway of the guild hall till she came to the room that she wanted to enter, as she reached for the door she heard someone clear their throat. "Hello brother, how can I help you?" She asked turning to her brother.

"That room is off limits to non guild members." Rolph stated his voice dark and forbidding. Vyshen sighed and shrugged, she could feel fear from that room, a fear that she did not like at all, she loved the taste of irrational fear, but this was disgusting terror.

"Brother what is in this room?" She asked figuring that he would just dodge the question or tell her it was none of her business.

"It does not concern you. How long are you going to wear that dress?" She knew her brother to well, although she had to pick on him some for this.

"What brother, do you not like it?" She asked taunting him.

"No, it looks good, just way to formal for everyday activity. We should go shopping for better clothes for you." He said looking at her with his usual false ferocity. She knew that the look that sent shivers down others spine was just how his face set after years of practice to look even more terrifying than normal. He was actually just a big softy. That is along as you are not one of his many victims.

"Well sorry to remind you of this brother, but I have no money." Vyshen said slowly taking wide steps towards the stairs her hands behind her back. He watched her walk a few steps before he caught up with her.

"I will pay for it, let's go get something that will help you blend in better, and no causing people any problems like fear or summoning demons or anything else." He lectured making Vyshen giggle at the thought.

"Do not worry brother; I am aware that I am not to use synergy unless it is necessary, not even to get a snack or anything." She said with a big smile making Rolph sigh as the two left the guildhall and out into the town Rolph just hoping that she would be on her best behavior.

~~~Market street, Lyndash~~~

Rolph leaned against a post as Vyshen wandered around the clothing stalls. He was happy to see his sister again after such a long time, he was worried about her here in Athul though, especially with the anti-synergy sentiment getting stronger. He heard someone call his name and he looked over to see Tori and Alexander walking towards him. Normally he would just groan and try to make them leave quickly, but he had heard the word spread by the other guild members.

"So Alexander taking your boyfriend to dinner, or buying some clothes for the bedroom?" Rolph asked making Tori start yammering about how they were not a couple or do things like that. Alexander shot a look of daggers at him. He sent a quick mental message to Vyshen for his own entertainment. He heard Vyshen giggle and she walked over to the three men.

"Oh brother, you did not tell me this two were a couple. They are so adorable." Vyshen said holding her hands in front of her mouth to act like a young girl fangirling over some celebrity.

"We are not a couple, have you two seen Cain? We need to talk to him about the next mission." Alexander asked darkly.

"No we have not, if you two will excuse us we need to finish our errands, we would not want to interrupt your date, or whatever you are calling it." Rolph said leading his sister back into the stalls

"This is not a date it is business!" Tori called after the two before sighing and giving up. As the two walked they laughed and high fived; Rolph had to admit that it was nice to have his partner in crime with him.

-Lyndash, later that day-

Tori waited outside a small stall when Alexander exited with two bottles of soda. Tori accepted the offering and popped off the lid and took a drink. "So how good is Cain at hiding?" Tori asked the synergist who looked about as discouraged as he was.

"I believe Rini says that catching Cain is like trying to grasp the wind." Alexander said with a sigh as he looked up at the sky. Tori pondered if that was a pun about him being an air synergist or not.

"Rini is a synergist in the guild right?" Tori asked the other synergist nodded.

"How did you guess, because I talk to her?" Alexander asked taking a big drink of his own soda.

"No I read her dossier." Tori said, suddenly Alexander begin choking on his drink before finally turning to look at Tori in shock. "Are you okay?" Tori asked scared that Alexander was about to choke to death.

"You read the dossier! You finally did what you were supposed to!" Alexander said in complete awe. Tori gave him a flat expression.

"Hey you two, what are you lovebirds up to?" They heard from the nearby, setting on a bench near them was Alexsis; a half eaten sandwich in her hands and her eyes closed. Tori jumped from seeing the powerful synergist get so close without being noticed. Alexander seemed use to her appearing out of nowhere.

"Alexsis have you seen Cain?" Alexander asked looking at the woman as she took a bite and chewed.

"Nope cannot say that I have." She said before taking another bite.

"What are you doing out here?" Tori asked wondering why a woman who has a home of her own is eating a sandwich out in the market place.

"Hmmm, oh I am out in the public in hopes of meeting my future companion." Alexsis answered opening one of her green eyes to look at the two.

Tori could still not believe that Alexsis was single, she was beautiful, and seemed like a pretty respectable young woman, true she could kill armies with her abilities, but she seemed nice enough. "Alexsis do you really think; that you will find your companion out in the market?" Tori asked.

"Yes, I always go out in the public when I am not on missions, although I know why no one is willing on missions, because they see me fight." Alexsis said looking down at her sandwich, her eyes had a look of sorrow in them.

"Why would people not want to be a companion with you because they see you fight; I watched you fight during the mission." As he finished his sentence, but before he could start his next one, the woman's head quickly flipped to him with a look of horror and embarrassment.

"You what?!" She exclaimed.

"I saw you fight, while you where defending the walls, your magnetism is top notch along with your over all power level." Tori said trying to figure out why Alexsis' face was a beet red.

Alexander placed a hand on Tori's shoulder then shook his head. Tori was confused, but then instantly thought that maybe he had accidently insulted the woman by saying this. Alexsis looked at him and asked a question that made Tori extremely confused about the situation. "Tori do you see me any differently now, then you did before?"

Tori stopped and thought back to the battle, his mind flashed to lots of things, things that he personally did not want to think about. The creatures in the cellar, the bodies that Cynthia and Rolph had left behind and of course the destruction and flames that Alexsis had left behind. Tori felt the fear edge into him. Tori had been afraid of synergy since he was young. He had been told by his teachers that lightening synergy was the most powerful offensive synergy, but watching her walk through a whole brigade of troops as if they were nothing. Not even flies that were bothering her. He swallowed and tried to answer but he saw that apparently he had already. The woman looked at the ground with a soul crushing look in her eyes. He went to say something when she interrupted him.

"It is alright Tori, I understand, most people are afraid of me after they see me fight. That is why my "nickname" is the Lightning Calamity. I have come to accept this. I do not let it bother me anymore." She said taking a bite out of the sandwich.

Tori felt bad about this, "I am sorry Alexsis, I am just afraid of synergy… and you are an extremely powerful synergist." Tori apologized and could see that as much as the woman said that she was not bothered by it, she really was. Alexander walked over to her and bent down and flicked her on the forehead.

"Ow, Alexander what the hell was that for?" Alexsis asked a bit of electricity coursed over her body.

"I am borrowing a tactic from Dorian, you know Alexsis it is true that a lot of people are afraid of you after seeing you fight. To be perfectly frank I am afraid of being on the receiving end of it as well. From what I can tell though, it has nothing to do with you. You, Cain, Rolph, Fenix, and Zyn; you guys are just way too far beyond anything that the rest of us could even begin to match. Much less someone like Tori could handle, it makes sense that some people would fear what you are capable of, but who could really fear you yourself?" Alexander asked making the woman smile at him.

"Thanks Alexander, but Tori you better not tell anyone what I am like in battle; it may lower my chances of finding a companion." Alexsis said before standing and walking away from the two.

"What was that about?" Tori asked the other synergist, making him chuckle at the question.

"Alexsis is a prideful woman, part of being a lighting synergist, she does not get embarrassed about much of anything, except two things, she does not like people talking about her body, and she finds herself ugly when she is in a fight. Especially when she heard the tales about her from before the purge; the other four find humor in their nicknames, but she finds the idea of herself being a calamity as a little too real, since back then that is more of what she was; a calamity more than a person."

Tori could understand the sentiment, the idea of being thought of being a disaster rather than a person would be something the he would not enjoy either. He would make sure to mark this into his dossier on her later.

7: Tale 7

Tale Seven:

~~~Lyndash a couple of days later~~~

Tori snored softly in the dark room in the guildhall during the hours of the very early morning; he rolled over towards the edge of his bed, enjoying the sweet caress of his dreams. Suddenly the door to his room was kicked open fiercely. He jumped up startled landing back in bed making sure to cover himself as a young girl stepped into his room. She pointed dramatically at the young man yelling loudly, "Diiiiibs!" she elongated the word. He looked at the pink haired girl recognizing her from the picture in his dossiers as Rini, the local temporal synergist of the guild.

"Can I help you Rini?" Tori asked exhausted looking at the clock he realized that it was now three in the morning.

"Hey were is the other one? I thought for sure that he would be here." Rini said walking into the room and looking around before realizing something and then grabbing the blankets and lifting them from the bed. Tori stared at the girl flatly when he heard her snicker. "They said he was scrawny… but that is."

"What are you talking about?!" Tori asked pulling the blankets back down to cover himself feeling that she may have been referring to his pride as a man.

"So were is Alexander at? I thought he would be in here." Rini asked plopping down on his bed making the man get out of bed and start to get dressed.

"Why would Alexander be here? He is in his own room." Tori said wondering if this had to do with what Rolph had been talking about.

"Oh do not be so coy. Although, you two are pretty sneaky. Anyway when you are done get downstairs we have a mission to complete." Rini said leaving the man to finish getting dressed.

Down the hall from the noisy room Lilly knocked softly on Alexander's door. "Mister Alexander, It is time to go on a mission!" She called happily thru the door. She hoped that he would not be too upset about how early it was. She heard a small amount of commotion then the door opened to reveal Alexander. He was in his muscle shirt and pants, his hat on his head but tilted to one side, his bow in his hand like always. From underneath his hat his hair messily stuck out revealing to her again that his hair was actually long enough to hang down to the bottom of his ear.

"What is going on are we under attack?" Alexander asked looking down at the younger girl, although she had to smile and giggle at the thought of how unworried he was if they were.

"No silly, we are just going on a mission."

"I see well good luck to you two then, I am honored that you would want to say goodbye, but I would have preferred to sleep." The groggy man said scratching his head.

"Oh you do not want to go with us, but Cale said that you would go if Tori was going?"

"You are taking Tori with you… let me get ready." He said closing the door as the young girl giggled at the other mans change in nature at the mention of the guild investigator. She skipped down the hallway and down the stairs. Lilly was dressed for the mission wearing a black skirt with her guild coat, that was styled as a jacket rather than the long coat that the rest of the guild wore. She walked down were her sister was setting at a table waiting.

"Where you nice to mister Tori?" She asked the pink haired woman with a stern look.

"Yeah I was nice to him, did you get Alexander up?" The girl asked standing and stretching.

"Yes I did, he said that he will be right down after he gets ready. Cale was right on the money as soon as he found out Mister Tori was coming." Lilly said smiling and taking her sister's teacup and taking a drink. Rini looked at her sister with some distaste for stealing her drink when the two men arrived.

"What is the mission that we are being assigned?" Alexander asked as he went into the kitchen to make some coffee for himself and Tori.

"Apparently a some guy's girl is being held hostage and we are being hired to go and save the damsel. Sounds like it is going to be a blast." Rini said with a big smile, making Tori squirm a little that she was so upbeat about it.

"I see where is the mission at?" Alexander asked soon arriving with two cups of coffee. Tori took one and drank quickly, although it was a bad idea since it ended with him scalding his tongue on the liquid.

"It is in the seaside town of Calistri, far to the west." Lilly said as she made sure that Tori was okay. "It will be a long train ride." The news did not settle well with Tori or Alexander, both were quite tired of long train rides. Lilly saw the two men sink slightly in posture. "I wish we could travel like brother does… although I would not wear a skirt then. I would not want anyone to see my undergarments." Lilly said with a slight laugh. Tori smiled weakly, he knew that it was typical for an air synergist to fly rather than take the train. Tori himself would not want to take the chance of allowing himself to be carried by wind alone.

"So is there anything else about the mission?" Alexander asked downing the coffee in a hurry. The two of them looked at each other and then back to them.

"Not that we are aware of; we are going to get more details when we arrive." Rini said looking at the knives on Tori's back.

"Hey you know how to use knives!" She said more then asked excitedly looking at the blades.

"Yes I was trained in the military and managed to earn the Knife license, why do you ask?" Tori asked, suddenly Rini got extremely close to his knives leaning down putting her face near them making Tori feel uncomfortable.

"Hmmm… What does that exactly mean? Does that mean you are just good with knives or what?" she asked as he took a step away from the curious girl.

"The military license is to mark a soldier that is capable of using a knife and being considered as dangerous as a soldier armed with a firearm." Alexander stated the two girls and Tori looked at him surprised. "Marcus had the license, he was a grade A."

Tori was in the middle of a drink when he heard of the grade and about spit the drink out. He swallowed painfully before talking, "Your brother was a grade A in knives?"

"What does a grade A mean? If just having the license means you are just as dangerous with a knife as a firearm, then what does A mean?" Lilly asked putting her pointer finger to her lower lip while she tried to imagine what that could mean.

"When a military license is a grade A it means that the person is considered an expert, or on the level of the specialist. That means that his brother was not just able to take a knife into an active battle zone and be dangerous, that means he was considered extremely dangerous when using them." Tori explained.

"I am not sure if I understand." Lilly said still thinking about it.

"I am not too worried about understanding it, that means you are talented at using knives right?" Rini asked moving forward almost pinning Tori to the table behind him.

"Ummm yes, that is what it means." Tori said about in a panic with the young girl so close to him, he was worried about what she was getting at, and he had no idea how powerful of a synergist she was. He looked into her blue eyes as she examined him. He felt even more embarrassed then normal after the events that had transpired earlier.

"So then you could teach me how to use a knife then!" Rini exclaimed backing away from him with a smile.

"What!?" Tori exclaimed unable to comprehend what was just said.

"YOU can teach ME to use a KNIFE! No one told me that he was hard of hearing." Rini yelled to try and help Tori hear, an action that was not needed.

"I heard you, but why would you want to learn how to use a knife?" Tori asked thinking about the advantages of synergy and how learning to use a knife did not seem like it would complement it to well. It made sense to him that Rolph would use a knife seeing as how he fought like an assassin. Even Cynthia made sense with her swords with her combat style.

"Well you see Tori, temporal synergy is lacking on certain types of abilities… like defense against weapons. A lot of the other guild members can fight against weapons because of their abilities." As the girl talked Tori could see what she was talking about. Cain, Alexander, Mia, Fenix, Dorian, Zyn, Alexsis, and Lilly can use synergy to block most weapons, Alexsis only through the use of magnetism though. Arisa, Rolph, Cynthia, and Rini would have to rely on weapons to be able to block weapon attacks effectively. Few synergists could handle guns since they could deal great damage from a distance, and was extremely hard to stop, even for metal and spatial synergist.

"Knives are dangerous, and don't you already have your own fighting style or way to counter weapons?" Tori asked hoping that he would not have to teach her anything.

"Well I am learning martial arts, but they can only go so far, and using my synergy to counter a weapon consumes a lot of my energy." Rini said giving him a smirk. Alexander sighed and looked at the guild investigator.

"It is not against the military to help her train is it?" the man asked, Tori sighed to himself.

"No actually the military is for the training of people in the appropriate handling of weapons in hopes that it will promote weapon safety." Tori said realizing that he would have to train the girl before too long. "Although would it not be better to learn from Rolph or Cynthia?"

"No the two of them guard their knife techniques well." Rini said looking at Tori excitedly, he had a feeling that she was way too into this idea of learning how to wield a knife.

"Alright fine I will teach you, but let us get going for this mission. Rini did a celebration dance and the group headed out towards the train station. They purchased the tickets, but the train did not leave for another couple of hours, something that did not shock Tori since he had only been up for an hour, and he had gotten up way to early. He was sitting on a bench when he heard a chuckle from near him. Tori looked over to see Rini with a wicked smile on her face as she looked at him. He pondered what evil scheme she was planning, maybe murder, maybe something else.

"So Tori about those knife lessons." She said standing near him. He looked up at her and sighed before standing and pulling out a knife and handing her the blade.

"Show me how you would hold this knife." He said taking a seat back down on the bench. She looked down at the blade holding it tightly in her hand. She held it out in front of her taking a normal stance with her feet wide. Tori had to give her that her stance was not bad. She felt the weight of the blade in her hand and felt that it did not fit well in her hand like this.

"First things first, widen your stance and lower your upper body, also this is not a sword this is a knife, unless dual wielding it with a larger blade I suggest holding it in a reverse grip." Tori lectured her and stood to help her get into a better stance. Rini felt a little embarrassed being taught in front of her sister and Alexander, but she needed the lessons. Soon he had her practicing basic blocks going through something he called the zone of defense. She practiced for the entire time these stances until they got on the train, she went to hand the knife to him when she watched Tori talk to one of the train personnel then wave her over to him. "I talked with the train staff, they have a train car not being used that you can use to continue to train with the knife this way we can get you a basic proficiency." She looked at him and nodded eager to continue training.

~~~Four hours later~~~

Rini continued to practice the movements of the zone of defense, Tori set cross-legged in the corner, she felt frustrated, she was just repeating the same motions and was unsure of how this was going to be useful in a fight, seeing as how these exact same movements would not block every single attack.

"Hey Tori when am I going to learn something else?"

"What do you mean, for right now you are mastering the basics, with those movements you can block most attacks, the next step will be mastering foot work, and then we can move on to learning basic attacks and counter attacks." Tori said looking at the girl wondering why she was getting ahead of herself. She pouted for a second before going back to going through the routine again. "You are impatient for a temporal synergist."

Rini looked at him fiercely before breathing deeply calming herself. "That I am it is something that I am learning to overcome. It is why I am not as far as my sister." Rini said not enjoying the new topic at all. She watched as Tori watched her go through the motions he seemed to be analyzing her. She wondered what he was doing when he nodded.

"You are doing well, maybe by the end of the day we can move on." Rini stopped and looked at him.

"What do you mean at the end of the day! It is not going to take that long to master this! It is just basic movements!" She exclaimed unable to imagine that she was going to be forced to do this all day.

"This basic movements are the framework. If you have been taught a martial art then you should already know about building on framework." Tori scolded, he did not like playing the teacher, and was afraid of pushing her over the edge and getting himself killed, but he had to play the role.

She sighed and continued the motions, he was not sure if she just liked to complain or if she actually did not want to do this any longer. "If you would like, you can take a break."

"No, I want to master this as soon as possible so I can move to the next step." She said each time she went through the motions she was getting quicker and more fluid. Tori watched and analyzed her movements. She was getting better; he could literally watch her get better. Her actions were getting not just faster, but more precise and fluid. She would probably have the zone of defense mastered in a couple of hours. She would not be military grade but she could learn all the basics and then learn through experience and practice.

~~~in the passenger car later~~~

Tori came up to his seat and plopped down, Alexander set next to the window in his trademark setting style, Lilly set across from them leaning up against the wall. "How is Rini doing Mister Tori?" she asked him making him rub the back of his head.

"She is surprisingly a quick study. She has actually pretty much mastered the basic zone of defense; she will be ready to move on here soon. I told her she should come and take a break, but she wanted to practice more." Tori explained leaning back into the hard seat with discomfort.

"That is Rini for you. She may not be patient like a temporal synergist, but she has the natural learning ability of one!" Rini said with a smile. Tori chuckled himself, thinking about it made sense. Temporal, Air, and Water synergist were supposed to be the most adaptable and the best at learning new skills. He yawned tired from being woken up early and from teaching her, even though he really had not done much right now.

"Yes, she will most likely have the basics down before we reach the mission zone, something I did not expect. How talented is she at fighting hand to hand?" Tori inquired, he felt comfortable asking her questions. Lilly was not as terrifying as the other guild members, although she was still an unknown.

"She is good, she mastered the basics quickly, and then learned a lot of the more advanced techniques, but she has not got any natural talent in the art making her not the greatest hand to hand fighter. It was the same with synergy, she very quickly became a type two… but she has yet to get past that." Lilly said with a smile.

"So you and Lilly joined the same guild as your brother huh?" Tori asked less of a question of fact and more for an explanation.

"Yes we wanted to support Cain. Especially after the purge happened." Lilly said, Tori noticed that for a second the purge brought a sad look into Lilly's eyes, he was not sure if it was because of her brother, or if she just being her felt bad for the people that died in the purge. "I mean it was hard being a synergist raised in Lyndash."

"Wait you guys are actually from Lyndash?" Tori asked the first he had heard that Cain was from that town.

"Yes, all three of us were born and raised there, so was Alexander." Tori looked over at the other man who did not seem to react his information being given away. Tori pondered about the information that he was just given.

~~~Calistri, two days later~~~

Tori and the rest of the group stood at the train station that rested up on a cliff above the town. It was a smaller town that had a small dock next to the ocean, small markets lined the main street and houses on the rest, this was a small fishing town with little in it, except the mansion of a rich aristocrat. Their mansion was outside the town on a cliff overlooking the water, Lilly found it to be classy and beautiful, Rini found it to be rather pompous, Tori really had no thoughts on the building, but Alexander found it to be rather stereotypical. They followed the path into the town were men and women called to them for different kinds of fish or wares. They finally found the inn that they were going to stay at and entered the building, Alexander went to rent the two rooms and Tori excused himself from the company of the guild members. He left and went into the center of town in the market. It was much smaller then Lyndash, but it was the only city that still had an open-air market, to boot it was the largest in all of Athul. He looked around until he found something that caught his eye. A stall with quality goods of the sharp and dangerous kind, the woman behind the counter watched him enter and stood with a smile. She had a dark skin tone marking her as an islander rather than a natural Athulian, not that Tori would judge. She had a strong build, most likely from forging judging from her muscular structure. She had shoulder length black wavy hair and dark brown eyes. She wore a black tank top and baggy pants, in her ears was what appeared to be a serpent shark tooth earring, something only a native Islander wore due to their traditions, he could tell it was that tooth due to its long length and the serrations.

"Hello there sir, how can I help you today?" She asked her islander accent thick, confirming his suspicion that she was not a native of the main land. Athul had acquired the Islands recently by annexing them, the government said that it was a mutual thing, but Tori had to wonder how they felt about it.

"I am looking for a knife, something strong that would be good for knife battles." Tori did not want to enforce stereotypes, but there were two countries that knew their knives. Korland home of assassins, and the islands where knife fighting was a right of passage, especially since to earn status you had to kill a Serpent shark with only a knife, something he could tell she had done. He figured if she was an islander and a blacksmith, then she knew her way around a knife.

"Alright sir I think I can help you with that, although I must say it looks like you have a perfectly good pair of knives on your back." She said observing his knives.

"Yes well the knife I am looking for is not for me, but someone I am training." Tori said rubbing his head, his knives had been presents from the officer that trained him with knives for his license.

"Ah I see, well then allow me to show you my wares." She said waving him over and begin showing him the knives she had. He finally found a knife that fit the style that he was looking for. It was cleaver shaped, but with a inward curved edge, it was much thinner then a cleaver and made to be razor sharp rather then something to cleave thru an object, made of light weight material, balanced, and very sturdy. He purchased it and thanked her for the help and headed back to the inn, luckily he was also able to get from her a belt and sheath for it. He walked into the inn and found that the group had already gone to bed, he entered his and Alexander's room to find something entirely unexpected, Alexander was in the bed already, and there was nowhere else to sleep. That only meant one thing; they would have to share the bed. He quickly got ready for bed and awkwardly climbed into the bed and fell asleep as quickly as he could manage the feat.

The next morning as the two slept they were awoken by a knock on the door and the sound of the door opening. The two set up to see Lilly already dressed and ready as she walked in she stopped with an almost shocked look on her face. "Oh I am sorry I did not mean to interrupt!" she said quickly excusing herself. The two looked at each other again awoken way before either man was ready to get up, then it hit both of them at the same time.

"Wait Lilly!" They both yelled diving for the door ready to catch the girl to clarify the situation. They caught up with her in the dining area where they set down to explain the situation, only to be assured that she, "Understood".

"Lilly what do you think is going on?" Tori asked worried about what misconception could be going on.

"It is nothing to be ashamed of; lots of guys are doing it." Lilly said with a smile. The two looked at her and then at each other.

"Lilly, we were just sleeping." Alexander said as sternly as he could.

"I am aware of that Alexander, and you do not have to worry I will not tell anyone about what is going on." She said with a wink and a smile. The two face palmed and looked at her again.

"Nothing happened there does not need to be a wink at all!" Tori exclaimed at the young girl who again just seemed to ignore their protests and continue on her way to getting breakfast ready for them all. Rini came down the stairs dressed and ready to go and looked at the group.

"What is going on guys?" The two men looked at each other and then at Lilly then turned back to the temporal synergist. "Nothing, let's eat."

~~~~Later in the town at the main square~~~

The four people stood at the town square feeling out of place, the rest of the people were dressed in lighter clothes for the warm area; they were dressed in coats, with weapons in the most peaceful area of the country. Thinking about weapons Tori pulled out the knife from the inside of his coat, it had barely fit in the pocket, but with all the chaos in the morning he did not have the time to give it to Rini. He figured now would be a good time before the start of the mission.

"Rini here you are." He said holding out the blade. She took the two and a half long weapon and pulled it out of the sheath, she was surprised at the fit of the handle in her hand, and the weapon was deceivingly light. She spun it around and slashed around with it.

"What is this for?" Rini asked giving the military man a confused look.

"Well it is pointless to teach you to fight with one if you do not own one." Tori said looking at her and then setting down on the edge of a fountain. As the group discussed the strange look of the knife a young man with sandy brown hair walked up to them.

"Are you the synergist from the guild? I mean Dragoon Spirit." He asked skittishly feeling that he had to clarify what guild he spoke of. He looked at Rini who had clasped the belt on one of its tightest settings, yet still hung loosely around her hips.

"We are, are you Hale?" Rini asked noticing the man's gaze and not liking it.

"Yes I am, I suppose I should tell you about the mission then. My fiancé is being held against her will in the manor up on that cliff." He went to say something else when the guild started to chatter amongst them.

"I think that house is so pretty." Lilly said with a huge smile.

"It looks too pompous for my taste." Rini retorted.

"It is just a manor nothing special really." Tori put in his own two sense.

"It is stereotypical, a mansion on a cliff overlooking the ocean, hey did you also call to her while she was on a balcony or through an open window?" Alexander asked the man. Hale blinked before nodding his head.

"Please tell me that there were no waves or anything in the background."

"I am unaware if there was or not, but that was the only way for us to communicate." Alexander rested his face in his hand unable to handle the situation that he was hearing.

"I think it sounds romantic." Lilly said turning her body from side to side and holding her hands in front of her mouth like a school girl who just got her first love letter.

"Yes well can you please rescue her? She is being held in the manor and I fear for her, we want to go and get married, but her family does not want that since I am not of a rich family."

"Sure we can, that is if our investigator has no problem with it." Rini said, the whole group turned to Tori and waited making him nervous.

"Well I cannot help in the act, but I will not stop it either." Tori said knowing that holding a person against their will is illegal, but so is kidnapping a person as well.

"Then it is settled tonight we strike! We will reunite these two lost lovers in the starlit night!" Rini called out excitedly.

~~~That night outside the behind of the manor~~~

Alexander appeared with the sound of reality bending in his wake. He held his stomach for a second to make sure that he was good; he hated teleporting, always made him queasy. Damn Tori apparently did not have that problem. He also had to curse Rini for her comment earlier about starlight. Not only was it cloudy outside, but it was also pouring down rain. He walked through the rain and mud up to the building and this time used another power he hated. He stepped thru the wall his molecules shifting to allow him to enter the building as he did so, he also made sure to clean his boots with this method leaving the water and mud outside rather than carry it with him. As he entered the building he pulled his bow incase he had to deal with any security, so far nothing.

Rini scaled the wall of the building until she reached a balcony, she moved over to the wall to look for guards, she did not find any and so looked at the window doors and found the door unlocked, lucky for her, or maybe they were just careless. She entered the building water dripped from her body, and clothes. So much for a reunion in the starlight, she thought.

Lilly walked up the one of the side doors of the building and smiled, an old oak door, not much of a barrier for her. She lifted her short skirt to reveal her dragon mark and with a green flash of light the door moved on its own to allow her through then returned to its normal shape. She would normally be embarrassed to lift her skirt, but she had to do what she had to do for the mission. She hoped Rini and Alexander where doing as good as they were, Tori had volunteered to watch them from a distance, she was not sure where the man was now, but she was sure that he was safe at least. She walked into the large room when she heard a clap. She whirled to see a scrawny man setting in a chair. He was taller then her with a very thin build. If Tori was lanky then this man was scrawny almost sickly so. He had long black messy hair; his dark green eyes had dark circles under them like he had not slept in a long time. He wore a white muscle shirt and khaki pants that seemed to barely fit. Whoever he was he did not look a bodyguard. "That was a nice trick you pulled there, a dragonmarked huh?" He said looking at the door rather than her as he stood up. Lilly prepared for a tough battle, not only did this guy already know what a dragon mark was he did not seem worried about it.

Rini was walking when she felt the temperature rise, she dodged left as a line of sheer heat barely passed by her, she could see the ripples in the air as the heat made a mirage effect. She turned to see a man with charcoal grey eyes and hair. He wore a vest and well fitting pants. He looked at her with a smile. "Nice dodge, but sorry to say that this were it ends for you." He said she watched the mirage in the air come straight at her she unzipped her coat her hand being stopped from fully unzipping it by the damn belt she was wearing, but luckily for her mark was revealed. With a flash of yellow light she activated her own synergy. She instantly felt that drain on her energy level, slowing time even in a small bubble took a lot of energy, a down side to for the power of time that she had. She easily dodged the heat lance and then let time flow normally. He clicked his tongue and looked at the woman who was ready for a battle. "Temporal synergy huh? That is fine with me, makes things interesting." He said heat arose around him she felt a burst of excitement; this was going to be a fun fight.

Alexander knew she was there far before she had made herself known. He turned dodging the knife that was thrown at his head. He turned and looked at the woman behind him. She was tall and athletic build with a larger bust size. She wore a long sleeve button up shirt and pants with knives all around her waist. She pulled out another and stared flatly at him. Alexander pulled an arrow and the two faced squared off. He was unsure if she was just a shadow guard, or if she was more but he would not use synergy until he absolutely had to. She looked at him and seemed to be sizing him up, and then she made her move. She charged moving in a zigzag pattern making it hard to get a good line of fire on her. He let his arrow fly, she easily dodged it; she closed the distance and made her move swiping with the knife, not a clumsy swing like a thug, something closer to Tori level. He blocked it with his bow; it was made of a lightweight metal so it could take the hit only taking a scratch. The two begin trading attacks, blocking and dodging each other's attacks, neither of them making progress. He caught her arm and went for a throw; she slipped out of his grip and was able to counter kicking him back a step. He ducked another knife slash and tackled her through a door into a large ballroom; this was not a room he liked after the last mission, but it had his advantageous, he could use the size of the room be his advantage on her.

Lilly summoned wood sending stakes at the man in a flurry, she watched in shock as they splintered against something like an invisible barrier. She fired a longer stake and watched it shred as it collided with the object. She figured out the trick pretty quickly, it was spatial synergy; he was inside a pocket dimension. Some would think air synergy, but she knew from watching her brother that to shred wood would take a considerable amount of wind and she would see movement with that force or even feel the wind. Divine would only block the attack not shred the wood, and only a type five could shred the wood using their own wood synergy. The man looked at her and she felt a blast of force hit her, thus even more proving her theory, the attack was invisible, making it hard to block. She stood grimacing at some pain. Her dragon marked flashed making her skirt flip around from the force, the man was more than likely going to use her mark to tell when she would attack, so he was more than likely in the other dimension. She understood the basics of this technique and knew that he could not attack her while in there, nor could she reach him. He waited until her mark stopped flashing. He looked around at the room now the floor was covered in leaves. He fired another kinetic blast, but this time a wooden shield blocked that attack shattering from the force. He smirked as their was now a trail clear of leaves that marked where the burst came from. "Very good, you seem to be living up to the reputation of a dragon mark. I would rather not fight, but a job is a job, I am sure that you understand that, member of Dragoon Spirit." She paused for a second impressed that he knew the guild. That told her that he was more than likely also a guild member of a synergy guild. She did not want to fight him either; she hated violence and especially death. He looked at her and frowned. "I do not like the look on your face. It is a sad look on such a cute face." His eyes glared and she felt herself fly out thru a window. She rolled across the ground bouncing roughly on the cobblestone walkway of the garden, she heard water splash as the man walked out into the rain, almost uninterested in what he was doing. She went to use synergy when she was tossed into the air. Her mark flashed as wood surged to catch her and was destroyed by a kinetic blast. She fell and collided into the cobblestone, she cried out in pain. She looked over at the man who was not even looking at her anymore. With a flash wood surged to strike him, it was blasted away by a kinetic burst. She felt a little despair; she already knew the power of one of the two rarest elements, the outer elements, spatial and temporal. She just had not realized that he was so powerful in the arts. She was rolled out of the way as she watched the rainwater be parted by the kinetic blast he sent her way. "Is this the gap, between a primordial element and an outer?" he asked almost sounding bored. Lilly felt herself rise into the air again, panic filled her body as she was lifted.

Rini ducked into a large room dodging a heat lance that filled the whole hallway. She had to be impressed by his skill; he was tossing heat around like it was nothing, yet did not burn anything but his target. He walked into the room after her, she could not attack him since he had a heat shield around him, preventing physical attack, and that was all she had. Temporal synergy was not something made to fight with people like him. She cursed and dodged another attack; her coat burnt away and caught fire. She cursed slipping out of it and throwing it away, luckily the belt did not hold on to it to badly. She dodged more heat and as he slowly walked towards her. She stood and was about to pull her knife when he smirked. "You are pretty good to dodge my lances, even without using your temporal synergy. A temporal dragon mark thought I had pulled the lucky straw, looks like it was just a waste of time. You seem to be a waste of that mark and of your rare element." She glared at the taunt but watched as heat started to fill the room. Her mark flared and she slowed time. She did not have much time even with time slowed to around fifteenth of normal. She looked around and saw only one way out, and it was not an option that she liked. She ran across the rooms as the heat surged towards her, she felt her energy levels dropping at a steady rate from keeping up the slowed time. She jumped thru the closed window the glass cutting her and tearing one of the pants legs off her pants, she felt heat on her leg and sighed, falling for what felt like eternity she used her knife to cut off her other pant leg, instead of having baggy pants and a pair of boots, she now had short shorts and one boot, let alone how mad Dante would be about the coat. She fell until she hit the ground roughly bouncing slightly, she was glad that the mud softened her fall, but now she could add filthy to her new description.

Alexander spun dodging a knife and fired an arrow in return. The woman leaned back limboing beneath the projectile and set back up. The two both panted after the long exchange of weapons, she was now out of blades, and he was out of arrows, although they did litter the floor and walls of the poor ballroom that had fallen victim to the battle. She looked at him and sighed. "Shall we stop this dance then, Alexander Held of Dragoon Spirit?" Alexander was shocked that she knew who he was. She held up her fists into a fighting pose and he followed suit, She looked at him and then charged forward. Alexander dodged her strikes and analyzed her better, it was hard to see her in the dark, but she had dark hair, it looked like a dark purple, the most he could tell was that it was straight and went to her shoulder blades. He looked into her green eyes, and he swore that now that he looked at her she looked really familiar to him. Soon he noticed something else that caught him off guard, she was getting faster, and a whole lot more skilled at fighting. He clicked his tongue, she had been holding back just like him. He found himself kicked in the stomach and then across the face sending him flying across the room. As he stood she was already there and with a flurry of punches Alexander started to recognize this fighting style, fast and powerful like a wasp's sting. The she may not have used her fists or open hands much, but this was the same fighting style that Marcus use to employ. It was not taught in the military, only to a small unit, his unit. Alexander would normally have tried to get her to tell him where she learned it, but the kick that connected with his stomach and sent him thru a door out into the rain made him unable to make any demands. She walked out into the rain and kicked away his bow. Alexander decided that synergy needed to be employed; purple energy surged out blasting his eye patch away. She flew back as the kinetic burst hit her. He stood wobbly and used gravity to hold her down in place. He looked over at the woman that was no on her knees her hands forced to the ground. He looked over and her shirt had been blasted open revealing her skin and bra, Alexander looked away and then realized that his focus had been lost for a second, he turned as a foot collided with his face sending him to the ground. He felt dizzy as she kicked him in the stomach. She kneeled down next to him with a giggle. "Looks like that trick worked on both brothers. Sorry Alexander, but a job is a job, I am sure you understand." He felt her fist hit him as he blacked out.

Lilly fell towards the ground she felt weak and barely conscious anymore, he had her in a cycle of pain and she was not able to do much to stop him, her mind unable to focus anymore to fight against him. She was about to hit, maybe for the last time when she stopped landing on a cushion of something moving, something insubstantial yet solid, she identified it by the comforting sound. The sound of wind whirling around; She was placed on the ground and heard the guy get hit. She felt someone pick her up and the sound of feet on the cobblestone. She felt herself start to pass out, she felt safe, now that brother was here.

Rini limped into the woods she was still slowing that bastards time so he could not catch up to her, she felt so tired. She let go the field go and was shocked when she heard the sounds of the guy approaching her. She turned and faced him her whole body hurt and she was unsure how to fight him now. She raised her fist and looked at his now blurred form. He smirked and went to use a heat lance when a bullet hit the ground near him. He turned and she looked to see what appeared to be Tori. "I would not get in the way, I will kill you as well." He said heat turning the water into steam.

"Barthow, of the guild Wisp Form, type four flame synergist with a focus in heat. Employs a heat shield to negate attacks, unfortunately your heat cannot stop bullets made with flame aligned synergy." Tori said aiming his handgun at the man. The man went to refute this claim when he noticed that the ground where the bullet hit was sizzling from boiling water. He turned and walked away Tori watching him until he walked away. Tori put away his gun and ran over to Rini. "Are you alright?" he asked her.

"I will be fine… how are the others?" Rini asked falling to her knees.

"They are fine, injured, but fine. We should get back can you walk?" Tori asked. Rini intended to answer but instead she fell face first into the mud.

~~~Inn inside town~~~

Tori set in the dinning hall with two women standing forming a triangle between the three of them. He had never thought that those three would lose, he had seen Alexander handle a lot of tough opponents and never lose, this was the first time he had seen him in that condition. He looked at the two women, one was the person that beat Alexander, and the one that had brought him here safely, Tori was sure what game she was playing, but he did not trust her. The other he had never seen before. She was drenched just like the other two she had long messy white hair that hung down to the back of her knees, right now it hung down due to the water. She had violet eyes that looked tired and at the same time curious about something. She wore shorts that went to her mid thigh and a midriff sleeveless shirt with wrappings on her arm and legs. Two things made her stand out from other people. The fox ears that currently hung low, and her fox tail that also hung low like a depressed fox. He could barely see the elongated canines in her mouth just barely sticking out from her upper jaw. These traits marked her as an Animal kin, one of the races of people from the kingdom to the north, although small groups did live here in Athul, and judging from her clothes she was defiantly from Athul.

"Who are you two?" Tori asked.

"Hmm that is rather rude, I thought the military would still teach proper manners." The purple haired woman said moving towards the door. He grabbed her arm to stop her, he quickly found himself on the floor laying on his back looking up at the woman. "I was just going to grab a seat, Alexander is quite the heavy person to carry for a poor girl like me." She said taking a seat at one of the tables. Tori stood his brain processing that she had not only broke his grip, but also managed to flip him. He analyzed her movements from both the fight with Alexander and that movement now. He stood and looked at her.

"Spread the wings of freedom." Tori said flatly looking at the woman. She looked at him with a coy smile then replied. "Even in the jaws of death."

"Are you two in a secret club or something?" The other girl asked feeling left out.

"No it is the mantra of a former spec ops team in the military, squad 177, also called the freedom's wing. They were a tight nit group led by Marcus, after the purge the group was believed to be killed during the purge. I see some of you survived." Tori explained looking at the woman, "My name is Tori Vogel, I am a guild investigator for the Athul military, and who are you?"

The woman smiled and looked at him in the eyes. "If I said a remnant, or how about a ghost of the past?" she said making Tori scowl at her. He may not be able to intimidate a synergist, but he could try here although if she really was a member of that squad he doubted it would work. "What a cute look, Private Tori, 11 licenses, all grade B, holds the second place record for most military licenses acquired before graduating from the academy. Sad that we are no longer around otherwise we could have used someone like you."

Tori tried to think of the member's list of the squad, he had only heard of them in passing and in the official report of their deaths, none of them had purple hair though, she may have changed her appearance to hide. What was she doing here, and with Wisp's Form. He was shocked that she knew so much about him, they were long gone when he joined the military, and to know such sensitive information as well. "Would you be a dear little bird?" She asked almost sultry sounding sending a shiver up his spine.

"What is that?" he asked, she stood and walked over to the door before looking up the stairs towards the inn rooms.

"Tell Alexander that we will meet again tomorrow when you guys kidnap the bride to be, and you Tori are going to help kidnap her." She said the last part about Tori looking over her shoulder at him.

"What are you talking about?" Tori asked, she threw an envelope towards him. He opened it and it held an invitation with his name on it. "Where did this come from?"

"Something I had prepared in advanced… tomorrow they are forcing her to marry some other aristocrat, Wisp's Form and yours truly are acting as guardsmen and bodyguards. This is an illegal activity since marriages cannot be forced. So tomorrow while we are fighting your guilds members, you will kidnap her and escape. Oh and make sure to also tell Alexander I will not hold back." She said walking away, Tori could hear the door close as she left the inn.

"Wow she is one scary lady, she even gave me the shivers." The other girl said.

"Speaking of you, who are you exactly." Tori asked looking at the animal kin who now was wringing out her hair into a bucket and then braiding it.

"My name is Tess, I am a traveling air synergist questing for my future master." Tori stared at her blankly until she explained. "I am looking for a teacher in air synergy, and I have picked my teacher, Cain the Tempest! I know that he is a member of Dragoon Spirit and that he is usually around these two girls. It is saddening to know that my master is some kind of lecher that does not help his women in fights, but to learn the secret arts of his power, I might have to join his small harem of women."

"I am sorry to say this, but those two are his sisters…" Tori said, the girl smiled and sighed with relief.

"Oh that is such a relief, he is just a mean brother, and I thought I was going to have to sell my body to learn to become a powerful synergist." Tori could not believe what he was hearing from her.

"I am sorry to tell you this, but Cain is not here." Tori said, again the girl surprised him with another sigh of relief.

"Oh good that means that he is a nicer person then I thought. Whooo my body is safe, and my future teacher is not a bastard. So then if I stick around you guys I will finally find him."

"We are a little busy right now, we are kind of in a mission." Tori said rubbing the back of his head.

"That is okay, I will help you guys out, cause the sooner you guys are done the sooner you will lead me to Cain." She said looking at him.

"Soooo, I kind of a favor to ask." Tess asked looking at the man with one of her violet eyes.

"What is that?" Tori asked giving the woman a skeptical look.

"Well I am kind of… broke… and I need a place to sleep." She said looking at the investigator with a big smile.

"I see… I am not sure if we can help you." He started, he looked over at the girl her fox ears moved back looking depressed, he swore her violet eyes grew in size, she was like a cute little fox, it was just too sad. He cursed himself for being a softy. "Well I guess we can find you some room."

~~~The next morning~~~

Rini rolled over falling from the bed hitting the ground roughly. She groaned as she stood up and looked at the bed. Lying in the bed was now her sister who was cuddling some unknown fox girl; who was snuggled up against her. "What the hell!?" She exclaimed wondering who the hell this girl was.

Alexander groaned as he got out of bed. He stumbled for a bit before getting his balance. He quickly got out his spare eye patch and put it on. He looked over at the snoozing guild investigator and grumbled. He left his room and was walking over to check on the two girls, he heard three voices giggling from the room. He knocked on the door and was greeted with an "enter". He opened the door to find three girls setting on the bed. He recognized Rini and Lilly but had no idea who in the world the last girl was.

"Good morning mister Alexander!" Lilly greeted as Rini tied bandages around her. Rini herself had bandages on her, she now lacked her coat, a boot, and her pants were now shorts, extremely short shorts, they were more like legless pants. Her right leg was covered in bandages. Alexander nodded to Lilly and looked at the other girl.

"Who are you?" He asked with a flat tired look.

"This is Tess, she is hunting down Cain to train her in air synergy she saved Lilly last night." Rini said before scolding her sister for moving around.

"Pleasure to meet you Alexander! Looks like we are going to work together until I find master." Tess said with a grin. Alexander nodded to her then looked at Rini.

"What happened to you? You look half undressed." Alexander asked. Rini's face flushed red and before she could answer Tess and Lilly laughed.

"We were talking about how we think she looks kind of cute like this!" Lilly said before her sister pinched her cheeks and pulled them. "Ow sister that hurts!" Lilly mumbled, tears welling in her eyes from the small amount of pain.

"Do not talk about that Lilly! This is not something "Cute"; it is embarrassing!" Rini said pulling the cheeks more.

Tess laughed as the two girls struggled. Alexander was relieved to see that they were alright when he felt Tori Approaching. The group fell silent and looked at him.

"It is time for us to form a plan for the mission." Tori said the group looking at him confused.

~~~Dinning room of the inn~~~

The group ate breakfast at the table each pondering about last night. "Tori how do you expect to win this time, we got beat pretty badly." Rini said not exactly happy about it, and even madder about the fact that she did not have the foresight to bring an extra pair of pants with her.

"Lilly and Alexander this time you guys know not to hold back right?" Tori asked, Lilly blushed and looked up at Tori.

"I will not hold back this time, they beat up my sister, I cannot forgive them for that." Lilly said as fiercely as she could, which in the end just came out adorable.

"I understand, I underestimated her last time, but I will take care of it." Alexander said, although sore he was ready this time. Rini looked at the two of them and knew that they would be fine now, if they were going all out then they would be fine. She was more worried about herself.

"Rini and Tess, you guys are taking on Barthow. Together I hope you two can handle him. I am going to get the girl and get out of there, then you guys follow, if you cannot win then just stall for the signal. The group nodded and then continued eating. "Also Alexander I have a message for you from that woman. She says that this time she is not holding back." He nodded and then stood to get prepared.

~~~Manor Grounds, a couple of hours later.~~~

Tori walked up to the soon to be bride, she looked sad at the day. "Greetings Isla, My name is Tori, today you will be united in love." He said with a smile. The girl tried to smile back, but she seemed to notice the evil glint in his eyes. As he said this there was an explosion from outside the wall. The four guardsmen ran off to encounter what was going on. Tori held out his hand for hers, "Shall we?" he aked, she nodded and Tori looked at the mother of the bride.

"Ma'am my name is Tori, I am with the military, I will make sure the bride is safe in the house until this incident passes." The mother coyly smiled and nodded. Tori took the bride by the hand and led her "roughly" to the house.

The woman, Bathlow, and the tired looking guy looked at the four synergist in front of them. "Back for more are we? Good now I can finally kill you bitch!" Barthow said the heat around him igniting the grass. Alexander and the woman faced off both restocked and ready this time Alexander did not even wear his eye patch to the battle, he would face her this time full force just like she wanted him to. Lilly bowed to the spatial synergist and smiled at him in greeting, he only replied with a bored look. The group split as soon as the battle started, Rini used temporal bursts to dodge heat lances as Tess flanked him. Alexander and the woman ran off into the small forest near by. Lilly and the spatial synergist moved away from the heated battle.

The man looked at Lilly, more at the bandages. "I really do not want to repeat last night, I hate hurting women." He said flatly sounding bored more than anything.

"Well I am here to say that you do not have to worry about that!" Lilly said her mark glowing. He prepared his barrier before his eyes widened. Thousands of wooden branches roared from the ground and then struck at him. They collided into the barrier all being shredded, but unlike last night were she only used type two attacks this time she kept up the assault, he glared realizing that she was actually type three… no a type three could not manage this many vines, there was no escape outside the pocket dimension, she was a type four. Much more of a worthy fight for him; he charged kinetic energy and then dropped the barrier and unleashed the blast destroying all the vines. He panted at the use of energy when a piece of wood the size of a battling ram slammed into him. He was able to lower the transfer of energy lowering the damage, but he flew back and slid across the ground. He was not sure why she held back last night, but he now realized that she was far beyond what he was capable of now, she was purposely hitting him not to deal damage, but deplete his energy reserves. He whistled loudly and sharply making Lilly wonder what he was doing. She figured it best not to give him any time and fired vines from the ground to tangle him and immobilize him, to ensure this she made sure the vines had poison to paralyze him; this would take care of him for the time being. She smiled happily at the results when suddenly she felt the vines be cut as two swords flouted in to view. A woman walked into the battlefield whistling a song that Lilly recognized from an old radio drama Lilly looked at the woman and realized who she was, Ayane Teue, the ace of Whisp's Form. She wore a black sleeveless shirt, dark grey form fitting shorts, a long blue scarf that hung to her feet. Her long black hair hung to her mid back in a ponytail. Her silver eyes looked at Lilly and she created a sword out of mid air, a long slender curved blade. She grabbed it and pointed the blade at her. She did not say a word to her, but Lilly knew her what she wanted. A swordswoman of extremely high caliber, she was also a type four Metal synergist. Lilly mentally prepared for the battle, she was not sure if she could win this, but she would try.

Alexander ducked behind a tree, knives stabbed into the tree each with a loud thunk. He dived out from behind the tree sensing her location with his synergy and fired an arrow using his synergy tricks to attack. She dodged the arrow it cutting part of her shirt ripping away an entire half of the shirt with the force of the arrow alone. She threw two knives; one cutting Alexander's arm the other he managed to dodge completely. He fired again, this time she lost the rest of her shirt. She looked at him coyly with a wink.

"You must really not like me in a shirt huh? Did not realize that you grew into such a perverted man Alexander." She said returning the favor with more knives. He dodged them and fired again this time with a goal in mind, he used more fine control of the arrow's flight path, she went to dodge it, but it curved pegging his target. The arrow sliced clean thru the belt she wore that held her knives. She looked shocked as the belt fell away from her. "Huh guess you are his brother." Alexander looked at her and aimed his bow and arrow at her.

"How do you know my brother?" Alexander asked glaring at the woman. As he did he again felt like she was familiar, like he had seen her before?

"Hmmm what do you not remember me? That hurts Alexander; you were what nine the last time you saw me. You have grown a lot since then, but to forget me is so sad." She said feigning like she was going to cry. Alexander's expression did not lighten.

"If you know me and my brother why are you fighting against me?" He questioned looking at the woman who now stood in her bra and pants in the middle of a battlefield completely unabashed by it. She looked at him and smiled.

"Well I was hired as a mercenary to work here and guard the girl, but after finding out you were going to be here, I just had to stop and say hi. I have to say you are pretty strong… but you are not quite up to Marcus." Alexander gritted his teeth.

"I do not care about how I stand up to him, all I want to know is who you are." Alexander yelled thinking that he might have to interrogate her.

"Hmmm, all you want to do is know who I am. You are not the first one of you brother's to say that to me. I just hope that you do not mean it in same way as Marcus." She said putting her weight on one leg. Alexander was not sure what type of relationship his brother had with this woman, but he was sure it was not the one the one that she was implying. "Looks like the fight is about to end soon, sorry to say Alexander, but unless you are willing to go the extra step here, you are going to be denied your answers." She said with a pout. Alexander went to fire again to paralyze her when he realized he felt something beneath him. He looked down to see a grenade he went to block the explosion when electricity filled the area stunning him. She walked over to his now limp body and kissed him on the forehead. "Sorry dear little Alexander, Marcus told me to keep you out of harm's way, and I plan on doing just that." She picked up the unconscious man again and walked into the woods.

Rini dodged a heat lance and Tess fired a blast of wind that was burned away by the sheer heat of his barrier. The two panted, this guy had managed to fight the two of them and was slowly making head way on beating them. Rini watched as Tess sent more wind his way blowing away some of the heat, she slowed time and moved in punching him, getting in a good hit. He rolled back with the hit, but a red mark was still left and he moved his jaw popping it in the process. "Alright you two, I was just going to play nice here, but I think it is time that we play a little game here, we will see which one of you loses. Here are the rules I am going to start burning off pieces of your clothing one at a time, first on one and then the other, to win you have to outlast the other girl, since beating me is impossible at your levels. Losing means you either die, or giving up and giving yourself to me as my personal slave girl. Let's see which one gives up first!" he exclaimed laughing sadistically. The two girls glared at him, neither realized they were fighting such a pervert. Suddenly Rini felt the remains of her pants heat up and then disintegrate. Her eyes widened, she knew that he was skilled, but to have mastered an ability like this was just plan wrong.

"You bastard!" She yelled slowing time and moving in for a hit. She got close before she jumped back as her gloves disappeared.

"Tsk tsk, penalty for rushing things." Barthlow said shaking a index finger at her. His gave moved over to Tess and she felt a shiver go down her spine. She looked for a place to dodge or something to hide behind, but it was to late. She felt her shirt heat up and her shirt disappeared in a puff of ash. She quickly covered her now bare chest her face red and a fresh glare on her face. "Oh my what a surprise, I did not realize you wore a shirt bra combo, that makes things move even quicker for you then." Rini wanted to help Tess, but she could not figure out a way to stop him. She suddenly felt her shirt get hot and her eyes widened as it disappeared. She now stood in her underwear in a battlefield; this was not a good day for her. "Hmmm you know you do not have a very womanly figure time girl, wind girl seems better in the T&A department." Both girls glared at the now laughing man for his perverse comments.

Lilly could not believe her eyes. The tree in front of her was thirty feet in diameter, and it now fell to the side cut all the way thru in a single slash. The woman on the other side looked at her blankly. "Lilly… you are a member of Dragon Spirit. Dragon mark, wood synergist younger sister of Cain the Tempest… you are not enough to challenge me either… I am sorry but for the mission I must end this now." She charged forward Lilly raised a wall of wood and sent venomous vines at the woman. She felt the vines get slashed by the flying swords, Lilly had calculated that she was controlling around sixty swords at the same time and was still using high level sword techniques and movements, she was far better than Lilly had even suspected. Lilly watched as the wall of wood in front of her was cut down. The woman pointed a sword at Lilly. "Please surrender, I have no wish to hurt you." Tears formed in Lilly's eyes, somehow she had managed to beat her opponent… yet she had still failed.

Lilly flung her head back and let out a wail. "Brother!" She yelled making the woman look at her with pity.

"There is no way that he can hear you, by the time that the tempest hears your cry I would already slit your throat. She held up her blade and brought down the handle to knock out Lilly when her sword hit an invisible barrier. She then tried a slash and met the same barrier. She could not understand it, her swords were so sharp they could cut other metal or even divine barriers. What was stopping her? She froze when she felt it brush against her, as it brushed against the entire area slowly churning and changing from brushing against her skin to pushing her and everything around her. She looked up with shock and awe. He was here, the man that beat her without breaking a sweat.

The woman set on a small cliff nearby Alexander lay by her feet still knocked out. She watched the wind torrent forming and saw the small dot in the sky lower towards the battlefield, she was not sure who was in more trouble, that damned flame pervert, or the ace of the guild. She hoped nothing would happen to the ace, Ayane was a good person, she was just doing her job. Barthlow she hoped died a horrible and painful death for his crimes… as she watched the dot go to the ground she saw were it was heading and smiled. Time for some avenging.

Rini and Tess both covered themselves as best they could from view. Them looked at them with a sick and twisted smile, neither one considered him a man anymore. He was more like a demon or some sick nightmare. "Hmmm neither of you gave up with that." He said with a sick laugh, he started sadistically laughing dropping his guard, as he laughed he suddenly felt two fists punch into his face. He flew back and rolled to his feet. Blood trickled down his chin. He looked up to fire up his heat shield. As he did so wind blew away his shield and something slammed his head into the ground. He felt a kick to his stomach, he blasted a wave of heat and seen that both girls appeared outside of his range. Although The time girl was weary and panting, she was running out of steam.

Rini knew she could not keep this up for too much longer, slowing time to this level and excluding Tess was depleting her energy way too fast, but they were pushing him, they may not have clothes anymore, but they were kicking his ass. He looked at them and scowled. "I see you still some fight left, then I guess it is time for part two of our game, I am going to start by burning out your womb time girl, that way later I do not have to deal you giving birth later!" He yelled pointing his hand towards her. Rini prepared for the sheer pain from this when a gust of wind brushed against her. She looked around and felt nothing.

"What the hell is going on!? Your womb should be burned you should be screaming." He looked at her in shock, Rini instantly recognized what was going on. He tried again and again and as he did so a black long coat floated in the wind over and placed itself around Rini covering her. "Why is it not working!" He yelled.

"Still state air synergy, the ultimate defensive technique. Currently in the entire world only one person can use this technique. Cain Wahren, the Tempest, the very protective brother of Lilly and Rini Wahren. The girl that you played your sick little game with, the man that I am going to learn from!" Tess called out in excitement forgetting that she was at the current moment nude.

He glared at her and flames rocketed from around him at her, they blasted into an invisible wall and stopped. He glared as a man landed in the middle of the battlefield, eyes closed and hands in his pocket.

"Cain!" Rini yelled "Wait what are you doing here?" The man looked back at his sister and smiled. "Glad to see you are okay Rini, but if you will excuse me I have to deal with something. I must purge the memory of your naked body from this earth. I assume your friend saw nothing like that."

Tess looked at the man with excitement then her ears drooped at the thought that she may get purged off the face of the planet with ultraperv. "Cain she is also a victim here. Could you help her instead of threaten her?" Rini said deadpan. Cain smiled bigger and nodded.

Barthlow face twisted in rage as he not only had to set there, but he had to watch the only remaining naked woman, get clothes and a man get undressed to his boxers. Flames boiled around him and stretched into the sky as a massive column of flame.

"I will burn you to a crisp then make you watch the game as punishment for this…" He fell silent as the clouds in the sky turned in the air as the wind picked up fiercely. The cloud vortex easily dwarfed his flames. He looked at Cain who just stood smiling as the winds in the sky barreled down smothering out the flame and slammed into the ground causing a crater around the fire synergist. Cain smiled as he floated into the air. "I will be right back, I must go pick up Lilly." He said as he flown off, "You two girls have fun, Rini please take care of my coat."

"Damn he is powerful." Tess said with a huge smile. Rini returned the smile and looked the now defenseless man and cracked her knuckles.

"So it looks like it's time Tess, because if we kill him, then no one saw anything."

Lilly waited with the woman in front of her. She had stepped away until Cain arrived floating down like a wind god here to pass judgment. He landed next to his sister and looked over at the woman.

"Ayane Treue pleasure to see you again." Cain said with a smile.

"Hello Cain, I assume that Barthlow is dead?" She replied coldly.

"Although he did something unforgivable I left his fate to the girls to get their revenge, Lilly you can go and play with Rini." Lilly nodded and ran off to meet with the other women.

"I have no interest in fighting you Cain… It was already proven I am no match for you." She said looking away at the ground.

"That is true, we were so young back then… You know Ayane, you never fulfilled your end of the bargain that day."

"I do not think we can say that was a true bargain since you were mind controlled back then…" She said pulling up her scarf to cover the lower part of her face. It moved in the gentle breeze.

"Thank you for going easy on Lilly, she is powerful, but she does not have the skill to match her power, unlike a certain woman I know." Cain said playfully. "Also I think it still counts, I like that deal myself; and I would have held up my end of the deal." Cain said with a big smirk.

"Whatever Cain, my guild is now officially gone, two members a guild does not make." She said walking over to her ally to try and wake him.

"I actually would say that your guild has only one member, you just have to admit to being a member of Dragoon Spirit like the deal we made says you are."

"Cain I have a question for you."

"Oh and what is that Ayane." The taller man said with a friendly smile.

"Why are you in your boxers?" she asked looking at the man with a deadpan expression. He proudly stuck a pose.

"I had to let the girls have my clothes, and it is illegal to be completely naked."

The woman looked at him and then snorted. "Someday Cain I may actually join your silly guild." She said carrying the only guild member left with her. As Cain stood there thinking back on old times he was flying tackled by Tess.

"I finally found you Teacher!" She said making Cain stared at her wide eyed.

"HUH?!

8: Tale 8

Tale Eight:

Tori walked out of the tree line and looked around at the sight in front of him, he had wondered what had made them late and now he knew, he was not sure what he knew, but he knew. In front of him was Cain, in boxers, with Tess hanging off his arm, wearing Cain's clothes, Lilly was pocking a body that may have or not be alive, but was dressed in its boxers. Rini now wore the mans's clothes and a giant version of the guild coat that he assumed was Cain's coat. "What in the world happened here?" He asked as the the group looked at him and waved. "And where is Alexander?" The group responded to the second question by shrugging.

~~~~On the cliff face later~~~~

Alexander woke up and looked around the area, setting around them he noticed a few things about the people around him, things that he would make comments on later. Rini's pants were baggy, but had legs again. Tess was appearantly a military guild investigator named Tori or at least that is what her new coat said. Cain now had an almost naked man draped over his shoulder, but all of that could wait, there was just one thing that he wanted to know.

"Where is my coat?" He asked looking down at himself his coat missing; he felt something in his hand that seemed to be a letter. He opened it and read it before cursing.

Dear Alexander, I am taking your coat with me.

Sincerely, your friend Alice

The group pointed at him and laughed before Cain spoke up. "It is okay Dante can make you a new one. I lose mine all the time, just not to random women, and look at the bright side, if Tori were not here we would have forgotten you. He is such a good boyfriend."

"We are not dating!" Alexander complained as he stood up.

"That is not what I was told." Cain said with a smile.

"Who told you this?" Alexander.

Cain stopped for a second before he started listing, "Well let me see here I was told this by Fenix, Dorian, Mia, The girl from Dorian's café, her father, Albiona, Zyn, Arisa did not say it nor did she refute it, Lilly, Cale, Alexsis, Cynthia, Rolph, Vyshen, Rini, and the guy from the store down the street." Alexander stood dumbfounded on how in the world this many people thought this.

"Et Tu Shop keep, Et tu." Tori said looking discouraged at the thought that the shop keep had betrayed him.

~~~Back inside the town, marketplace~~~

Cain, Tess, and Rini walked into a small building an Islander woman greeted them before stopping and looking at their strange attire. "How can I help you?" The lady asked looking at them trying to smile, but highly confused why there was a man in his boxers here.

"We need some clothes for these nice ladies." Cain said with a huge smile, the lady was not sure why there was a handsome man almost naked in her salon to buy two ladies new clothes rather than the much larger ones they were wearing.

Rini stood in the changing room, she really did not want to step out into the shop, let alone out into the street. She stood is a dark green strapless midriff shirt, her lower half had a dark green wrap skirt that was slit up to her upper thigh, the only good thing was her normal underwear underneath. She finally sighed and took a step out into the store. Cain was standing there nearby, now dressed in his clothes again. "Wow looking good sis!" he said with a smile drinking some form of coffee the woman provided him as she sat and talked with him. Rini did not like the comment, especially since that the skirt was made for a person with a lot more curves then her, it did not hang loose, but was baggy, and did not look very good on her. Tess looked much better in a sky blue dress without sleeves. The dress sweeped from her right shoulder to her left side leaving her left collar bone and shoulder revealed. She had more of the curve to make it work. Her skirt also had the slit up to her upper thigh.

"You two look great, it was a pleasure to work with you." The woman said to Cain who responded with a smile. Cain had no idea that the woman was interested in him, he never seemed to notice with anyone when the interested in him; although he always noticed when someone was interested in his sisters.

"I feel kind of weird dressed in this." Tess said looking down at herself. Her tail had a special cut made in the clothes to allow it to stick out behind her.

"I think you look fine, a lot better than I do, at least you have the curves for this style of clothes." Rini said looking in a mirror and feeling like she was more going on vacation rather than heading home from a tough mission. The two girls looked at themselves in the mirror when Cain grabbed both of them wrapping his arms over the two much shorter girls.

"I think you both look fine, now let us go and return Tori's coat and head home." He finally walked away waving to them as he walked. Tess ran forward and grabbed his arm.

"I am not letting you out of my sight teacher." She said giving him a fierce look. He looked back at the girl and never lost his smile while talking.

"Tess, I am not fit to teach anyone, you can learn much better air synergy from others."

"NO! You are perfect as my teacher, a powerful air synergist with the ability of solid state air synergy."

~~~The road heading towards the train station~~~

The group walked towards the train station, Tori was surprised when the two girls had returned his coat, they were dressed nicely, and they looked very pretty, But Rini really seemed out of place wearing the clothes. As they walked up the hill they came across two people waiting in the middle of the road. At first Tori thought that they might have been a couple on a date, then the group was spotted. The two walked towards the group until they were seven feet away. Tori analyzed the two people, one male and one female. The male was thinly built with dark red hair and blue eyes; he wore a grey shirt with patches on it, and brown pants. Next to him was the girl with short messy blonde hair that hung to her hips, although it looked dirty. She wore a white sundress that also had a couple of patches. He looked fierce like he was there for a fight, the girl looked friendly.

"Cain Wahren, your day is here!" The guy called out pointing his hand out and flames wrapped around his hand. Cain looked at him with a confused smiled. The guy charged at Cain and pulled back his hand ready to attack when he was backhanded by Rini. Who looked very disgruntled at the display.

"Who the hell are you?!" She asked looking at him.

"I could ask the same thing!" He yelled at her his arm burning bright.

"Who just yells at people and attack them for no reason?" Rini asked bitterly.

"Oh there is a reason. If I can take him out I can finally join the Dragon Slayers!" The guy called out. The whole group except Tori blinked in confusion before he explained.

"How can an entire group of synergist, most of which are dragon marks not know about them? They are a group of dragon mark hunters. They kill people with dragon marks under the claim that no person should be born with that kind of power. They are currently an illegal group that the military is hunting."

Alexander looked over at the investigator and then shrugged. "If that is who these two are then I guess it is time to deal with them then." He said pulling out his bow and firing an arrow at the man, who was still distracted by arguing with Rini. Before the arrow could connect with him a large lightning bolt ripped across the area and blasted the arrow into bits and slag. The group looked at the girl who had a glowing mark on the inside of her arm.

"Could I please ask that all of you please stay out of it, we are just here to beat Cain?" She asked with a friendly smile.

"I will agree that I will stay out of the fight." Cain replied returning her smile, making the girl look at him really confused before looking at her partner, who was now in a fight with Rini.

"You stupid dragonmark, just die so I can move on to him!" he yelled.

"With this level of power you are just setting yourself up to die in one move idiot!" Rini yelled back easily dodging his attacks.

"Please wait there while I get my brother on track." The girl said a lightning bolt flew through the area towards Rini who was also distracted by her battle. With a flash of green energy wood blocked the attack bursting into flames.

"I must apologize, but I cannot allow you to kill Rini or Cain; I would rather not fight at all, but for my brother and sister I will." Lilly said stepping forward. The two girls faced off, Tori was unsure if Lily could take on this girl who seemed to have a lot of potency, but what really caught his eye was her mark. Two lightning bolts with a large gap between them, something faint was there, more like something was missing rather than an actual mark. He identified it as a magus mark, a man made dragon mark. It gave a large power boost, but lacked the ability to transform the person into a type five. He cared about viewing this battle rather than the other fight which seemed like a low level battle.

"Rini please do not get your clothes destroyed again." Cain called putting up a wind barrier around the four people so that they group could watch without fear of getting injured.

Rini dodged a fireball, she charged forward a flash of yellow energy and she slowed time and moved to the side and punched the guy across the face. He slid across the ground and looked up at her and she could feel the heat gather before the flames actually ignited. She easily dodged the attack. Unlike Barthlow who could do it in a second, this guy took way too long to do things. She charged forward and kicked sending him spinning away. She glanced over at the two girls and stopped, He stood up and prepared to attack when he looked over to see how his sister was doing and stopped. The two girls stood a few feet away.

Lilly looked at her opponent waiting for her to make the first move, and she had been waiting there for quite awhile. The girl looked down at the ground and dug in the dirt with her foot.

"Hey Sis what are you doing?" Her brother called to her.

"I am sorry brother… but it is her."

"Oh crap Ami not now." He called back to her before Rini spun kicked him in the head while yelling "Sneak attack!"

"Why are you attacking us?" Lilly asked her "opponent" for lack of a better word.

"…well… Cain is one of the members from the purge… and according to brother he is to blame for our situation." The girl said bringing her left hand over her body to rub her right arm. Lilly could see that she had a good figure, but she was under fed.

"Cain had no choice he was under mind control! He is trying to fix the reputation not only of the guild, but also for synergist." Lily called out taking a step towards the girl. She looked at Lilly eyes wide and quickly retreated her face red.

"That is just his reason… I am only trying to help my brother… please understand that!" Ami yelled, Lilly prepared for an attack, but one never came. Instead tears welled in the girl's eyes. "Locke I am sorry, but I cannot fight her."

Her brother jumped away from Rini dodging another punch, he had taken way too many of those already and knew that if this kept up he would end up losing. "Alright then, you guys win this time, but Cain I will be back for you and the rest of the purge dragon marks." He and she tried to run away when they came across the wind walls. Cain smiled at them without dropping the walls. Locke tried to burn away the wall, but his flames barely touched it. She fired a lightning bolt into it, it had more effect, but not enough for them to escape.

"I am sorry you two, but if you are going to keep threatening my guild I will be forced to actually engage you." Cain said smiling. Ami looked worried and Locke glared at him fiercely.

"Brother could you please let Ami go, and by extension her brother?" Lilly asked her brother looking at him with big eyes.

"Huh" The tall man looked as confused as ever at the request.

"Well Ami is my friend and I think it has been proven that he is not really a threat to any guild member." Lilly said with a smile waving at Ami who turned a very dark shade of red and looked down at the ground before waving back.

"When did you become friends?" both Rini and Locke asked their sisters looking at the two. Lilly smiled and walked over to the other girl.

"When we were fighting! I can understand her concern for her brother and wanting her siblings to be happy. That is why I am her friend." Lilly leaving every single person in the area baffled.

"That does not sound like a good basis to form a friendship." Tori stated, Cain looked over at the guild investigator.

"I must agree with Tori, but how can I say no." Cain said as the wind barrier fell.

"Th… Than…Thank you Lilly!" Ami sputtered out bowing before her and her brother fled the scene.

"You're Welcome! Come visit me in Lyndash sometime!" Lilly called after her new friend, the rest of the group watched the scene in confusion, Tori sighed and figured that this was just what to expect out of this guild by now. He looked over at the spatial synergist near him. "What is the matter?" he asked the other man looking disgruntled.

"It is nothing… but who takes another person's clothing!" Tori had to hold in laughing at the spontaneous rage from the usually calm and collected Alexander.

~~~Lyndash, Guild hall~~~

The group arrived in the guildhall, Tori wondering what sort of greeting they would get this time. As they entered they saw and were greeted by a strange group of people. Cale, Fenix, Zyn, Rolph, and Dorian all were setting around a table cards in their hands and small slips of paper stacked in front of each of them. Tori figured they were playing some kind of poker, but he wondered what was going on.

"Welcome back… really another one. Why must my guild members always bring strays home." Cale said before looking at Tess and Rini. "What in the world were you guys doing? Did you go on a vacation?"

"No our clothes were destroyed in battle with Ultra-pervert." Rini said stealing the term from Tess.

"The Bastard" Tess said still ashamed of how that fight went. Fenix, Dorian, Cale, and Rolph all leaned back and looked at the two girls with raised eyebrows.

"While they were fighting Barthlow, he decided to play a sick game by burning of their clothes and may have alluded to sexual assault." Tori begin explaining when Alexander elbowed him. "What I was just." He started his sentence but then noticed Alexander giving him the kill it sign, and he noticed the dark foreboding looks on the four men's faces.

"Oh no Tori please continue, what "Game" did he play with poor Rini and Tess?" Cale asked cracking his knuckles eying the man still unconscious over Cain's shoulder.

"Yes please we are very curious about the mission guys, please enlighten us to the situation." Fenix said the room getting colder.

Dorian set eyeing them with sword in hand and whetstone sharpening it. "I may not be fluent in Dorian, but to me he is saying to please continue, and I implore you to as well." Rolph smiled in such a way that made Tori a little sick.

"Now guys, there is no reason to get to violent, we just have to find a good spot." Zyn said with a vindictive smile. Tori had not even realized that she was also in on killing the man.

Tori laughed weakly before he started to speak. "So I contacted the military to arrest him…"

The five people at the table looked at him and raised an eyebrow before returning to their game grumbling. "Do not worry we will deal with it later." He swear he heard one of them grumble.

"So anyone going to actually greet me?" Tess said with a week smile. "Guess not, my name is Tess Atem I am the student of Cain!" She greeted and held out her hand to the people, that is when she noticed that the people where now sending words to each other on the slips of paper which happen to come together to form what looked like murder plots. Cale looked up and smiled, "Hey Cain, Rini… foxy girl, why don't you join us for some cards." Cain smiled and nodded along with Rini. Tori had a feeling that something was going on, something that only guild members where in on and he was scared that it might be illegal.

-Lyndash, two days later, Inside Dante's shop-

Dante stood in front of the two guild members, he looked at them with a very disgruntled look. "Of all the people I expected better from you Alexander, and Rini your brother was able to keep track of his coat and you let yours get set on fire. I am highly ashamed of you both." As he scolded them Alexander looked rather disgruntled himself, but he made sure to keep his mouth shut for fear of provoking the massive tailor.

"Dad I think we can let them go this one, I also could use some help." Thira complained as she worked on making the new guild coats for the two.

"Thira we cannot give the quarter, we must make sure that they value the coats, they are a symbol of their guild. They need to keep better care of their coats. Getting your coat stolen, that is a first though, although I am sure there are a lot of people with Cain sized coats out there." The thought made Thira laugh due to Cain's height on other people. Even Rini thought the idea was hilarious.

"but father these two are usually pretty good at not losing their coats, this is what only the third time for Rini and the second for Alexander?" she asked making the man rub his chin. "Yeah well that is not the point of the matter, I am ensuring that they will not lose them again. Do you two understand?" The large man asked glaring down at the two.

"Yes sir." They said sounding defeated.

"Also Alexander what did you do to that woman?"

"Dante I did not do anything to her, I do not even ever remember meeting her." Alexander sighed.

"Oh no wonder she is so pissed." Dante said understanding a situation that Alexander did not.

"What are you talking about Dante?" Alexander asked knowing that he would have to stop whatever thought the man was having before it turned into a problem like the rumors about him and Tori.

"Well she knocked you unconscious then stole your guild coat and from what Cale has said is more than likely now impersonating as a guild member. It is not a shocker if you do not even remember the poor girl. Profane plane have no fury like a woman's scorn." Dante explained, "I did not even think you went on date's Alexander, unless it is because you are seeing Tori now and she is jealous."

Alexander swallowed the anger that quickly filled him and tried to be nice to the large man. "One, me and Tori are not dating. Two I had supposedly met this woman when I was nine."

"Uh huh, do not worry Alexander I do not think any different about you." Dante said patting the man on the shoulder making him rub his forehead.

-Lyndash, market street-

Mia and Dorian walked down the street towards a small open air bakery where they were meeting the rest of their friends. As they walked people waved to Dorian and he greeted them back. Mia looked at Dorian and felt a little out of place. Dorian was well known in town, since he was young when he moved here the people knew him and were generally pretty nice to him, much nicer than the other guild members from the time of the purge. He currently rather than wear guild clothing wore a long sleeved shirt and pants, his usual casual attire. She wore a tank top and a knee length skirt, since they were off today from all guild duties they had agreed to wear non work related clothes. As they walked up to the place they saw something that made the two of them laugh a little.

Korosh stood in his button up shirt and pants, next to him was Agatha dressed like she normally does in a nice dress; and then there was Arisa, here on Dorian's "Invitation". She stood wearing something that Dorian and Mia was sure that Zyn had picked out. She wore a short sleeved shirt that revealed her shoulders and a skirt that went about half way down her thighs. Arisa looked rather irritated at the article of clothing and kept trying to tug it down to cover her more. She looked over at the other two with fierce looks making the two nervous.

"Hey guys sorry we are late! You know how Theresa can get." Mia said running up towards them with a smile on her face that seemed to diffuse the situation. "Thanks for coming with us Arisa it is a pleasure to have you with us."

"You are welcome." Arisa said again tugging down on her skirt. Dorian walked up and patted her shoulder assuring her that she looked fine.

"Let's get this started then!" Korosh said with a smile. The group nodded and headed into the place.

As they set eating and drinking a couple of men sauntered over to the table. "Hey there ladies, what brings you to such a place." Dorian and Korosh looked over at them with unpleasant looks. "Is there a problem?" Korosh asked looking at the men and hoping there was not going to be an incident.

"No problems buddy, just talking to the ladies, why don't you go play with you dolls." One of them said with a laugh. The other two laughed as well.

"Well then you are out of luck here then, I would like to ask you to please leave." Mia said with a faint smile.

"Ah come on baby, we can show you a whole new world these two could never show you."

"Yeah what about you honey?" one asked placing a hand on Arisa's shoulder. Dorian and Mia both looked over at the man with horror and pity. What shocked them was her response.

"I am sorry to inform you that I am engaged to be married, and I have no interest in your gender."

"Oh come on everyone has interest in our gender, I am sure even these boys are tempted." One said the others continuing the statement.

"Yeah, wait unless if you think you are not. Then you should experience something more grand then whatever that woman could make you feel." He said as he placed a hand on Mia, and the last put a hand on Agatha. Mia and Agatha watched in horror as at the same time Dorian, Arisa, and Korosh slowly put their drinks down.

"Please excuse us." Korosh said to Mia and Agatha, as he grabbed the arm of the man who had Mia and slugged the man. Arisa grabbed the one holding her shoulder and started to squeeze. He yelped in pain as the bones in his arm started to give under the pressure. Dorian stood and walked over towards the one harassing Agatha, he dodged a clumsy punch and kicking the man in the shin making him let her go then punched him in the jaw.

Mia and Agatha watched in shock and horror, well at least one of them was. "You get him Dorian, show him a thing or two. Yeah you go girl, give him another one two combo. Wow I keep forgetting that Korosh even knows how to fight." Mia sighed that one of her best friends was always so into watching people fight. Mia watched as another man looked over. "Hey what the hell are do you three think you are doing to my buddy?" he yelled running over pulling Korosh and back and going for a swing. Mia pushed her chair back and grabbed it and slammed it over the man and started to fight him, no one attacks Korosh around her. Agatha watched and laughed enjoying the show of the brawl, she knew that actually the three guild members could handle all three single handily. Suddenly someone grabbed her and yanked her up by her arm. She looked up as the guy pulled out a knife and held it out at her.

"Alight you that is enough, just give up now… what the!" He exclaimed as Agatha turned towards him with a dark glare, then tripped him and sent him to the ground, while disarming him of his knife. As it flew through the air Agatha caught it and spun it around in her fingers.

"Dorian, pan me." Agatha said. Dorian threw the man he was fighting aside and pulled down his shirt to reveal his dragon mark. With a grey glow of light a pan formed out of thin air into Agatha's hand. She swished it around getting a feel for it and then glared at the man who cowered in fear. "This will do."

~~~a few minutes later~~~

The group walked down the road laughing and talking; they may have been kicked out of the establishment, but they had fun while doing it. "You guys want to come and hang out at the guild hall, that way we do not have to worry about random people." Mia asked

"That jackass, I should have burnt him to a crisp." Arisa said her eyes dark, the group laughed as they walked.

"I cannot believe someone was dumb enough to threaten Agatha with a piece of kitchen ware. They are lucky that they are alive." Korosh said with a laugh.

Dorian smiled wearily understanding the pain of facing Agatha with a pan in her hand. Arisa looked at the group and had to admit it was nice to hang out with them, and she had to admit that she had heard the rumors about Agatha, but it was nice to meet a girl that was just as battle crazed as she was. Watching Dorian try and stop the young girl from beating the man with a pan was worth the trip and dealing with this stupid skirt.

"Agatha nice job with that pan, I had heard rumors of your prowess with your pan, but that was like art in motion." Arisa said making Dorian, Mia, and Korosh stare in confusion.

"Thanks! You were awesome as well. I had heard from Dorian about your amazing strength, but to see you pick up and hit a man with a table one handed was amazing, I wish I had your strength." Agatha said, the two stared at each with admiration.

"It was a great pleasure; I hope we meet again side by side on the field of battle." Arisa said with a rare and terrifying smile.

"I hope so as well it was fun fighting with you as well!" Agatha said and the two shook hands. The other three watched in horror, it was a terrifying prospect that the two may be bonding over their strange battle lust.

"Hey! We should hang out sometime, I hear you cook at your house maybe I can show you some stuff and some of my kitchen fighting style." Agatha said with a huge smile on her face.

"I would like that; I can show you some street fighting things as well." Arisa responded, Mia swear she could see Dorian crying from the fear of the next time that he made Agatha mad. "As a matter of fact I have a question for you Agatha."

"What is it?" Agatha asked looking intently at the other woman.

"Would you do me the honor of being a guardsman at my wedding? I know it is sudden and we just met." The other three stared in shock and looked at Agatha.

"We share a bond forged in the flames of battle, I accept with honor and shall guard it with my pan and life!" Agatha said the two women embraced leaving Korosh, Mia, and Dorian staring in disbelief.

"But it was just a small street brawl; they act like we were in a warzone of something." Korosh said making him look over at Dorian who seemed to share his confusion.

-Lyndash later that day, Fenix Residence-

Setting around this living room is a group that might make Tori more than likely wet himself in terror. In the corner watching with broody eyes was Rolph darkly. In a chair was Cain watching intently waiting for the result. Alexsis set trying to not look worried, her legs crossed eyes closed and sipping her tea. Zyn set next to her nervous wiping away the sweat from her brow. Finally was Fenix shaking his cupped hand and then threw the two dice. They bounced across the board until they revealed their total. He jumped up in excitement as the rest of the group groaned.

"I am buying the property, and then upgrading them." Fenix celebrated, Rolph reached into a pocket and coldly threw him the three little houses to mark his small victory. For it was one of the few times that the five were all at home and had time off, so they did what they always did, got together and played board games.

"Curses Fenix, now I have to roll at least an eleven or lose just about all my money, Rolph why did you let him have the other property." Zyn asked distraught.

"I did not think that he could manage to land on that one before you. I forgot that his luck is almost infinite." Rolph said trying to plot how to bring the tyrant of the board down.

"let that be a lesson to us, always try and tag team to make him lose at this game." Alexsis said looking at the board with disappointment in her eyes.

"Yes, the chances of his victory over us are pretty high, even without cheating." Cain said, he had used his wind to keep checking to make sure, and unfortunately he had not. Fenix laughed handing the dice over to Zyn.

"Before I roll and decide my fate, I have a question for you Cain." Zyn said looking over at the tall man.

"Just ask my dear Zyn, I will try and fulfill your potentially last request." Cale said taking her hand as if she was on her death bed.

"Will you do me the honor of being my guardsmen in my wedding?" Zyn asked.

"Of course Zyn, I would be honored, but you can do this Zyn just hold on and we can make him pay for this."

"Can you two get this over with?" Alexsis asked taking a ship. Zyn rolled the dice and looked down and jumped up, Cain, and Alexsis with her and the three hugged and jumped up and down celebrating as she had rolled a twelve landing her on a spot that gave her a large amount of money rather than landing on Fenix territory that would have made her lose all of it. Fenix looked over coldly, "Do not worry I far from finished."

The group played late into the night until there was a knock on the door. Fenix sighed and used synergy to have the word "enter" to form on the door. He heard the door open and the person enter the living room, all five knew who it was from the knock and from the presence they felt.

"Hey Arisa, you made it just in time we are plotting the down fall of Fenix, oh and nice outfit by the way!" Alexsis greeted the fire synergist.

"Hello Alexsis nice to see you, what are the stakes." She asked taking a seat by Zyn.

"Winner has their guild duties done by the others." Rolph said using shadow synergy to throw the dice. The group watched and he clicked his tongue as the dice put him on a Fenix territory. He threw the large wad of money at Fenix who caught it and counted it.

"Thanks for the business Rolph." Fenix said as there was another knock on the door. Fenix hung his head and again used his synergy to tell them to enter. Again they all knew from the presence who it was.

"Hello Vyshen, your brother may need a good luck charm to survive his next turn." Cain said with a laugh.

"I am sure that my brother can handle himself, and then he will be able to survive the battle." Vyshen said walking over to her brother and leaning next to him. The group continued playing until a third nock on the door made Fenix almost curse his luck. He again used the synergy to answer the door. Vyshen giggled at the small amount of panic caused by the action.

Tess walked into the room and looked at Fenix. "You scared the shit out of me with that, you know how creepy that is?"

"Tess what are you doing here?" Fenix asked wondering why the girl he met a couple days ago was doing here.

"I am here for him, so he will finally admit that he is my teacher!" She said pointing at Cain. He sighed before responding to her.

"I am not fit for being a teacher." He said using wind to bring the dice to him and then tossing them. He cursed as he hit Fenix territory, which by this time was most the board.

"Please make me your student, I told you I would give anything." Tess said looking at the man with a fierce look.

"Wait anything? What if he said that you had to become his woman or that you had to pay for the lessons with sexual favors?" Arisa asked almost like an attack.

"I am willing to go as far as I need to!" Tess declared in front of the whole room.

The four other members of the infamous core five looked at Cain. "Come on Cain, that is determination, but you better not take her up on that statement." Fenix said darkly.

"Yeah, she is desperate, and you are the best in the nation at Air synergy." Alexsis said with a smile, "But if I found out you took advantage of her Cain I will have to finally find out if your solid state air can block my railgun."

"I agree with those two, it would be good to have another air synergist, and it might be good to fill up some of your free time." Rolph said before like the other two continued, "I would normally not care about what you made her pay with, but I would request you wait a few years before you take your reward. Otherwise I may I have to act as well."

"A woman does not offer herself so willing Cain, to go so far just to learn from you. We believe in you Cain, just again you should not take such a thing from this poor girl, or I and Arisa may have to act." Zyn jumped in.

Cain sighed looking at his friends. "If you believe in me so much, why did all your statements end in threatening to kill me, for taking advantage of her?" Cain said looking at Tess whose ears were folded back and making big puppy dog eyes. He sighed and looked at Tess. "Fine I will teach you, just do not call me teacher or master or anything. Just call me Cain, and do not worry about any form of payment."

Tess jumped up and down in excitement, finally getting her dream of learning from Cain. "Thank you so much guys, for not only helping me, but making sure I stay pure!" The group nodded and waved in appreciation.

"What do you people think of me that there was actual concern about me taking advantage of her?" Cain wondered out loud. As these words were said there was another knock on the door. Fenix was wondering why there were such a large number of people coming to his house all of a sudden. He used synergy again. Cynthia this time entered the room and looked down at Alexsis.

"Alexsis could I ask you to watch over Bianca tonight, I have a side job that needs to be done."

"Of course I can watch her; it is almost like we have a little kid of our own!" Alexsis said up at Cynthia who gave her a flat look that most would take to mean she was bored, but this group knew that meant not to even joke about that.

"You know Alexsis, if you keep making jokes like that, people are just going to keep assuming that you and Cynthia are a couple." Fenix said as the game went on.

"But we are like sisters!" Alexsis cried out in shock at the idea.

"No we are not. We are just friends." Cynthia said, a cold breeze flowed through the room from the statement.

"Fenix this is not the time for your jokes." Cain said with a huge smile.

"Sorry seemed appropriate." He said with a chuckle.

"Cynthia, you are my and Bianca's knight in shining armor." Alexsis said jumping up and grabbing the other woman around the stomach.

"No I really am not." Cynthia said trying to escape the other woman's grasp unenthusiastically.

The group finished playing before they all left, Fenix said goodbye to each of them in turn as they left. Each one escorted by a good friend, relative, student, or loved one. Fenix had to admit it was like that they came and picked them up like from a play date. He remembered picking up Mia and Dorian from their play dates. He was caught in his own little world back in the past; but he was not so unaware not to notice.

"Albiona I can sense you there." He said turning to see the girl sneaking towards the freezer, where she inevitably was going to try and get into the ice cream. The girl stuck her tongue out while rubbing the back of her head. Fenix shook his head and walked into the kitchen. "Alright come on, we can eat some together, just do not tell Dorian."

-Guild hall a couple days later-

Lilly strutted into the guild hall and then into the kitchen. She turned on the lights and started her work. She normally when she had time off came and made breakfast for the people in the guild. It was sad that Tori was out of town to make his mid way report to his branch, he would miss out on some good cooking. She started to work when she heard some rustling out in the dining area. She walked out to greet whoever it was.

"Oh hello there Miss Cynthia, oh and Miss Bianca! Would you like some breakfast, if so what would you like?" She asked with a smile that would rival her brothers.

"It is alright Lilly I will make our breakfast." Cynthia said when a chair moved and captured her in its seat. Lilly's skirt settled from the force of her dragon mark.

"Nope! I got this, Bianca what would you like?" Lilly asked.

Bianca looked at her and then to Cynthia who just nodded to her. "I will have what Cynthia is having."

"Alright then two waffles loaded with whipped cream, chocolate, and caramel coming right up!" Lilly said ducking into the kitchen and getting to work. As she finished and brought it out she noticed Cale coming out of his office.

"Good morning Mister Cale! Would you like some breakfast with your coffee?" She asked making the large man stop and rub his chin then rub her head.

"Well I guess I can stop for some delicious breakfast made by our cute little Lilly." He said taking a seat at table and propping up his feet while he waited. She brought out some coffee and a stack of his favorite blueberry pancakes with blueberry syrup. She continued to work when Alexander strolled down the stairs looking still tired.

"Hi Mister Alexander, I have some coffee made and I have some bacon, eggs, and sausages ready." She called to him making the man set down and wave to her with a smile. She got his plate ready, luckily for her she had anticipated his arrival.

Next down the stairs was Rolph and Vyshen. "Hi would you like some breakfast?" She asked making the two stop in their tracks give each other a look and after some time the two nodded. They seemed to have such a strong bond.

She worked in the kitchen when she heard another person. She looked out to see Tess and she called out to her. "Hi miss Tess how about some breakfast!" Lilly called to her.

"That would be nice thank you." Tess responded looking ready for the day. "Today is the first day that I and teacher are training!"

"Well then you two are going to need a hardy breakfast!" Lilly called back as Cain appeared behind Tess and grabbed her head making her tail and ears drop.

"What did I warn you about calling me Teacher?" He asked her. Lilly smiled listening to the sound of violence in the morning, not just from her brother which made her happy that he had someone to hang out with now, but the usual sounds of Cale attacking Rolph or Alexander.

"Brother should we save the girl being attacked by the wind user?" Vyshen asked watching the girl being tossed around by the wind. Rolph looked at his sister with a smile. Luckily for him she had changed her clothes from that dress to a black long sleeve shirt and knee length black and white plaid skirt.

"Go ahead Vyshen; it is time that you made your own way here in Athul." Vyshen looked at her brother and set off to save Tess; it went about as well as Rolph expected.

Lilly watched the display with excitement, she was always so happy when the guild was home and was able to interact with each other like this.

"So Rolph; now that the sister is busy; how about I, you, and Alexander hit the shower?" Cale asked making both men look at each and nod before turning their own aggression towards him.

Lilly watched with a smile as more guild members arrived and joined the chaos; to her this was more of what the guild should have been.

"Tess hold on I will figure out a way to help you." Rini yelled to the other girl.

"NO Rini I can take this." Tess called back.

"No I owe you for helping me back on the mission!" Rini called trying to catch the girl in the air, but instead being caught up in the air currents. Lilly laughed out loud at the display. She suddenly felt something touching the wood that the guild was made of. She turned and left the good following the feeling in the grass until she came up upon what she felt.

"Hey there Ami! Why did you not come in, we have some breakfast waiting!" Lilly called to the other young girl. To Lilly it looked like she was in the same clothes as before, it looked dirtier than before. She turned and looked at Lilly her face red.

"I was just in the area, me and Locke preparing our next attack, it was espionage." She said digging her foot into the ground.

"Oh I see, thank you for telling me, but you should come get some breakfast, if it is okay with him you should bring your brother, as you can see we are used to chaos in the morning." Lilly said taking a step towards the girl, she again fell back quickly.

"No I had better go and report to my brother…" Lilly swore she muttered something after that as she ran away her whole body a red color.

"Okay come back when you can!" Lilly called waving to her with a smile.

9: Tale 9

~~~Maraxus Halls, Capital of Athul, the division of guild investigations and management~~~

Tori took a step off the bus and rubbed his back. The bus was not a comfortable way to travel, but it was quicker then walking. He walked into the building in front of him and into the offices. Many people looked at him with shock and awe, he was not sure if it was because of who he was or if it was because he was still alive. As he walked he heard the cry of his superior officer.

“Tori you are here! We missed you, everyone thought that maybe you had passed away and the reports of your deeds were all just fakes made by Dragoon Spirit to cover it up!” Tori watched as the woman that outranked him ran towards him. Her arms opened wide.

 “Ma’am I am here to make my midway report!” Tori said saluting her by placing his fist over his heart and the other hand straight down towards the ground. The woman did not stop her advancement to even salute back rather gave the man a huge hug, that most would seem rather indecent in the military. She was just a couple of inches shorter than he was at about 5’ 7” she had long dark brown hair and bright forest green eyes behind her small frame goggles that she used as glasses. She had freckles on her face. She looked like a normal pretty woman except for the goggles and other military gear, but Tori knew not to misjudge her. She had fought her way to being the Brigadier General and being put in charge of this division not because she was pretty. She had done it by become a synergists worst nightmare. She had mastered multiple anti-synergist fighting styles. The thing that truly made this 26 year old woman was her service in the purge, where she led the charge into the guild hall, and was the only survivor, the person that killed a man who had mind controlled a guild of over 300 people. She was Brigadier General Amanda Gefhar. She was the head of the division, she was not in charge of restating guilds, but she was in charge of the battle with rogue guilds, and the troops that investigated and monitored them. He always wondered how a normal human had managed to win a fight with a man who controlled dragon marks like Zyn and Alexsis, but if you believed the rumors and the nickname, she was the only person to not only meet a dragon mode synergist and live, but also kill one. On her back was her trade mark weapons, twin swords curved like a saber but thicker. Those won her the title and name of Amanda the Dragon Slayer.

“What is your report?” She asked stepping away and actually saluting her soldier. He handed her the file and walked with her as she read and they got close to the office he heard her assistant. Private Morris was a shorter man he had a good build with short blonde hair. He looked at her while panting. “Huh oh Morris; where have you been, Tori is here with his report, and you have been spirits know where goofing off.” She lectured him.

“ma’am you locked me on the roof of the building.” Morris complained.

“huh, I do not remember that, I remember drinking some tea, and reminiscing on my time as an investigator.”

“Yes and then when I told you that Tori was on his way, greetings by the way, you took off and closed the door on me locking me out there!” Morris complained, Tori greeted him by a simple wave.

“Oh… I forgot you were out there, well Morris you should always be prepared for any challenge. Now come on Tori come and tell me how the investigation is going.”

~~~a few hours later~~~

“Hmmm, so you think that they will pass the test?” Amanda asked looking at the lanky man in front of her.

“I do not see why they would not, once the dossiers are formed, I will put in the official statement to pass them.” Tori explained.

“I see, Tori I do not think that it will be that easy… the higher ups are starting to make more moves. There are even talks of more synergy laws that would make the use of synergy require a license.”

“What that would cause a riot with the guilds. Synergy is supposed to be a free art.” Tori began to protest, when Amanda hushed him.

“I am well aware of this; I and a few others are starting to question the motives of the higher ups.”

“General!” Morris started but was silenced by Amanda.

“Tori what do you know about the purge?” She asked.

“It was a military action to stop the advancement of the guild Dragoon Spirit, their leader had used mind control to take control of the guild to over throw the government. The military leaders brought the military divisions together for a joint attack.” Tori answered with what he knew.

“Tori, that is what the government wants every new soldier to know. It was ordered by the newly appointed Grand General Proix; there was no signs of any hostile actions by the guild in question; the government also used mercenaries to distract and kill a lot of synergists on the outskirts of the fight. Since the purge there has been more and more regulation on synergy. Now Tori what do you know about the squad called the Freedom’s Wing?” 

“General this does not seem like a good conversation to have in a military area.” Morris warned.

“It is alright Morris we can trust Tori.” She replied to her assistant.

“Squad 177, also known as the Freedom’s Wing; they were formed a few years before the purge by the top military operative at the time, Captain Marcus Held. It was made of all people who where handpicked by him, all of them were the top of their fields. They were disbanded after the purge after the deaths of all their members. They used the mantra spread the wings of freedom, even in the jaws of death.” Tori reported all the information that he had, but it was hard to get now days.

“Good, you know more than the military wants you to. Including the mantra; do you know why the squad called themselves the Freedom’s Wing?” she asked him, after he shook his head she continued, “It is because the squad was a unit with a ghost job, that job was to suppress internal threats to the country; for example a guild going rogue, or a corrupt general from taking over the country. Unfortunately the currently Grand General knew this and took care of them. They sent the squad into the purge, and guess what, they were supposed to go head to head with four targets. The Lightning Calamity, The Desert Queen, The Tempest, and the Frozen Reaper. The squad consisted of twelve members, more survived then the military knows about. Five of them survived the battle, seven died doing things that they thought was right, or by distracting the militaries gaze form their allies. Marcus died doing that, but he gave one order before he died to his unit.”

“What order was that?” Tori asked finding it hard to believe that his was going on.

“His orders were as follows, protect his brother Alexander, take down Grand General Proix, and protect the country. We have been doing that ever since.” Tori was caught by surprise as she said that last line.

“You are a member of the freedom’s wing?” Tori asked surprised and shocked.

“Yes I am, I believe you met one of our other operatives in the last mission.” Amanda said leaning back.

“Yes she fought Alexander and saved him from having to fight against the Wisp’s Form.” Tori said although he was sure that Alexander would have been fine if she would have left him alone.

“Yes well Marcus made sure to tell her specifically to watch over him.” She said with a chuckle.

“What is the history of those two; she played a lot of mind games with Alexander.”

“That is not for me to tell, but that seems like her. Now Tori you are now an accomplice to our plan, so hope you are ready to join in with the fun.” Tori could not believe what he was being roped into.

“I see, what is the plan then?” Tori asked.

“You are to continue in the guild investigation and do your job, continue to investigate and we will contact you if anything goes into motion. Also can you do me a favor?” She asked.

“What is that?” Tori asked.

“Can you get me an autograph from the core five members?” she asked eagerly.

  “General that is rather inappropriate!” Morris complained.

“Oh shove it Morris, can you do it?” Amanda asked looking at Tori intently.

“I will see what I can do, but don’t you think this is a conflict of interest.” Tori asked.

  “Not if no one tells on me eh?” She said darkly looking at the two men and grabbing the handle of one of her infamous blades.

“Of course not at all; well then ma’am I will make sure to get to work on that!” Tori said saluting her and leaving.

~~~Lyndash, later in the week~~~

Tori got off the early morning train with his back popping. He could barely believe what was going on, he was now a part of a hidden agenda and now he had to deal with the guild more. He walked down the road and then to the guild. The early morning air was crisp as he walked up to the door. It was about five in the morning so here soon the guild members would start getting up, because they were strange people. As he was walking he caught the smell of bacon, eggs, sausage, and other delicious foods. He was not sure who was cooking, but it smelled great. He walked into the guild hall and was greeted with the sounds of a female voice singing a cheery and happy song, he had never heard this voice before, but he recognized the song. It was a popular children’s song from eight years ago. He walked more into the room wondering who it was pulling out one of his knives. Suddenly popping out of the kitchen was the young woman, she looked around eighteen or twenty. She had shoulder length wavy blonde hair bright lavender eyes. Her canine’s poked out from her lip a little much the same way that Tess’s did. She had a curvy figure, with just a little meat on her. The thing that struck him odd about this burglar besides the cooking and the singing was that she wore a white night gown that went to her mid upper thigh. It looked at little small on her as if she had outgrown it in the length and the chest department. She carried a tray of food until she saw him.

“Huh?” She said her face shown confusion, more than likely from being caught stealing from the guild. Tori stood knife in hand in case she tried to run or attack. She put the food tray on the ground and looked at him tilting her head. “Who are you? Wait! That is a military outfit. You are here to be mean to my family again!” She said taking a fighting stance. He had to admit it was strange with legs spread wide and her arms the same so they were not in a defensive pattern at all. He was not sure what style it was, but he was ready.

“I have no interest in being mean to your… whoa hey watch it!” Tori had to yell as she ran and spun kicked at him. He jumped away from her and noticed that she was still ready to fight although she looked embarrassed.

“What is wrong?” Tori asked taken back by the cuter woman, she did not look like too much of a fighter.

“Nothing! Just that his night gown does not fit right, and I would have to flash my undies to kick at you because of it. This is more of a shirt then a night gown now.” The girl whined before shaking her head and getting fierce again. She moved her arms and grey formed around her arms and formed metal gauntlets that had three sharp curved blades from them. Tori lowered himself down, a synergist huh, metal element. That made things more dangerous. Tori lunged ready to defeat her, she was caught off guard, but she then caught Tori off guard. He ducked and dodged to the left as two tables flew at him. Looks like she was able to perform wood synergy as well, he looked up as ran at him. He moved to engage her when he felt his leg not move and he tripped to one knee. He brought up his knife and blocked her attack pretty easily. He looked down expecting to see metal, but instead saw that a formation of earth had stopped his charge. He pushed her away and yanked his leg free. She had the ability to use three elements? She was also forming the elements meaning she was at least type two in two of them.

“Humph, if you are this week then my siblings have no danger from you, I better finish this then.” She said charging towards him. He blocked her slash easily, and then jumped away rolling as electricity flickered across her blades. He grimaced, either she was able to generate lightning based metal synergy, or the more likely option she was type two in Lightning synergy. This made her even more dangerous, to have learned to use four elements at such a young age. She had to be a prodigy. She charged and he noticed her breath in deep and then exhale, he kicked over a table and hid behind it, the table froze over with frost, not enough to endanger him, but this proved type two frost synergy. He switched to his gun and popped over the table to be greeted by another breath attack, this time he could see the mirage of heat. He went ducked and was blown away by a steam explosion. He rolled to his feet and aimed at her. He was about to fire at her when a gust of wind redirected his hands and his bullet fired in the wrong direction. He dodged her attack and was then smacked in the back by something wet and hard. He realized that his back was soaking and that she had hit him with an orb of water. She swung down at him and he moved where her blades were at his throat and his gun was at her chest ready to fire.

“Just surrender.” Tori said, he was unsure if he could dodge the blade and whatever attack she lunched after wards, but he could fire at anytime.

She glared at him when they heard the footsteps upstairs, most likely from Tori’s gunfire. He was sure now that the guild would help him stop this robber. The guild ran down the stairs and reached the bottom, Alexander had his bow out, although with no arrow, but his eye patch was gone and he hand was as good as any gun, Cynthia was down her swords at the ready. Cale was in his boxer’s but he looked ready to box, and knowing his history made Tori pretty sure that he had the bigger gun’s. The girl turned to address the people when Tori spun to trip and subdue her. His foot collided with something solid and then he was hit by a gust of wind that slammed him into the wall away from the girl. He looked up to see that the guild looked shocked, and there in the front now was Rolph and Cain, both looked completely shocked. The girl looked at Cain and smiled, then her eyes filled with tears something that Tori found completely odd.

“Big brother! Cain!” She yelled running towards him and tackling him bawling the entire time. Cain slowly hugged the young woman back. Vyshen and Tess stared at the two men as they both looked shocked beyond reason. “Brother! Brother!” She continued to bawl.

Tori stood and looked at the guild. “What the hell is going on?” he asked when he heard the door open and something hit the ground. He looked at the entrance to see Fenix who was carrying a bottle of water that now laid on the ground its contents flowing on the ground. The girl looked over at the new arrival and ran to him more tears running down her cheeks. “Big Brother Fenix!” She yelled tackling the man who just looked at her in shock.

“Caitlyn?” Fenix asked looking at her as if someone had come back from the dead. Tori knew that name, it was the name of the person from the meeting of the core five.

“What is going on here?” Rolph asked looking like he was watching a ghost.

“Cain who is she?” Tess asked the now shocked air synergist, who fell to his knees as if he no longer had the strength to stand.

“Cynthia, got get Alexsis hurry, now!” Cale ordered the woman nodded and dropping her swords and running. “Alexander go and get Zyn and Arisa, Tess can you go and find Mia and Dorian, bring them here no matter what it takes.”

Tori watched as Alexander nodded and closed his eyes as he disappeared, teleporting an act that he never wanted to do. Tess closed her eyes and he felt a small wind move, it was a few minutes before she ran off to get her targets. Vyshen walked with her brother as he walked over to the girl that looked up at him with tears in her eyes. She gasped as her brother fell to his knees.

“I am so sorry Caitlyn, I am so sorry.” Tori was shocked watching the man he had seen kill hundred’s not only apologize, but also watched as tears fell down from his face. The girl reached from Fenix and wiped away his tear.

“Heroes are not supposed to cry, big brother Rolph.” She said finally leaving Fenix to hug the man. “Thank you for saving me back then, thank you.” she cried. Vyshen watched her brother hug the young woman back and felt his emotions, she did not know who this woman was, but she seemed really important to Rolph for some reason.  Cale bent down and threw an arm over Cain. As soon as Alexander reappeared he looked over at Cale swallowed something then prepared to speak.

“I stopped and told the girls as well, they are on the way.” Alexander said before going over to Fenix and helping him move to a chair. Cale moved Cain to another seat. The door burst open and Alexsis entered panting Cynthia right behind her.

“Caitlyn!” She yelled, Caitlyn looked at her and smiled huge and jumped on the woman.

“Big sis!” she yelled the two holding on to each other, as Tori watched he wished Alexsis could she herself right now, dressed in a black nightgown crying, if anyone wanted to just call her a calamity should have seen this. Vyshen helped Rolph to his feet and stalked over to a table and almost collapsed into a chair. Alexsis and she moved to a chair as Alexsis cried and tried to catch her breath from running here. Cynthia looked at her worried; Bianca walked over to Cynthia and hugged her, making the stoic woman who always looked bored tear up little. The door flew open again as Dorian and Mia appeared. Dorian looked at the Caitlyn again as if she was a ghost. She charged across the room and jumped onto him.

“Dorian! I missed you, are you okay… I had always heard that you were injured.” She gasped looking at his throat. He hugged her tears in his eyes. “It is okay Dorian I understand. You missed me too. Miss Mia thanks you for watching over him while I was away!” Mia was already in tears before she had even entered the room. Tori knew that she was more than likely aware of Caitlyn anyways, but also as a divine synergist she was susceptible to large amount of empathy.

“It was no problem.” She said wiping away a tear. Dorian threw an arm over Mia and the three stood there as Theresa entered the building she walked over to the still shocked Fenix and did something that Tori would never have guessed. She set by him and hugged the frost synergist, who surprisingly hugged the woman back. Finally the door opened and Lilly and Rini burst in, they looked at Caitlyn who smiled and tackled the two. “Rini and Lilly! You guys grew up on me!”

“You did the same Caitlyn.” Rini said trying not to cry, but failing horribly. Lilly on the other hand bawled with no ability to say anything.

The last party arrived as Tess was left behind by Arisa and Zyn. Zyn looked at the girl who now regained the ability to fly as she jumped on Zyn. Arisa caught them hugging the two briefly, as she tried to pull away both Zyn and Caitlyn grabbed her.

“Big sis! I heard that there is a wedding! Have you picked your flower holder? Can I do it?” Caitlyn asked excitedly. Zyn tried to speak, but choked up instead.

“Of course you can be Caitlyn, it is a pleasure to meet you finally.” Arisa said being held by the other two women.

Finally Zyn managed to utter her words. “Welcome home Caitlyn.”

“Thanks” Caitlyn replied.

~~~A few minutes later~~~

The entire guild set around the tables that had been pushed together. The room was still largely empty with a lot of seats unfilled, something that Caitlyn did not seem to like. “I guess I should say hi to the rest of you! My name is Caitlyn Verloren, I was an illegally young member of Dragoon Spirit back before the purge. It is a pleasure to meet you all! Also I am sorry for the misunderstanding Mr.Tori.” She said winking at the group.

“How is this possible?” Fenix asked still in shock, Theresa set next to him attending to him.

“Huh? What do you mean Fenix?” Caitlyn asked tilting her head in confusion.

“Your mind was shattered Caitlyn, for the last eight years.” Rolph said still trying to put the pieces together again.

“Ohhhhh, that well you see… I do not really know. I could hear your voices when you visited, and I could see you as you guys took care of me. I wanted to talk with you guys so bad. I was so lost in the dark, all I could see was the nightmares, but I focused hard. I tried to just focus on when guys visited and the urge to see you again. I thought I was never going to get out of it… but then last night there was a cold draft in the room like the window was open then there was some kind of bright light and I fell asleep, sound sleep. Then I woke up and I was back.” She explained.

“This sounds like high level Divine synergy.” Tori said rubbing his chin, but who could have snuck into the guild and then did this. Could it have been Freedom’s Wing? But they did not have synergist let alone someone this powerful.

“I agree, the light, and the ability to heal such a damaged mind had to be divine.” Mia said still rubbing Dorian’s back. As the group thought about it the door opened and the guild looked back confused. Standing in the doorway was a strange group of people. The people entered and looked at Caitlyn with shock or walked towards others they knew.

Agatha walked over to Dorian and placed a hand on his shoulder. He looked up at her and tried to wipe away his redness in his eyes to no avail. She shook her head and set by him. “No need to try and cover up now.” Agatha said with a smile.

Korosh moved to Mia who smiled at him, “Do not worry Korosh I am fine, just here to meet her and to help my family.” Mia explained.

“I am here for all my friends here, not just my girlfriend.” Korosh said hugging her then patting Fenix on the back much to the frost synergist chagrin. Caitlyn ran over to hug the other two people, Dante scooped the woman up as if she was a little girl and shook her.

“Oh ya gave me such a scare young lady. What are ya wearing girl. You need something that fits ya.” He said as tears rained from his eyes. Thira walked over holding two cases and handed one over to her.

“the other is for when you get back out here.” Thira said with a smile.

“How did you guys find out?” Tori asked.

“I called them on the phone, best way to get a hold of them, but I wanted people to watch over the guild members since this is a pretty big shock.” Cale said with a smile. Thira and Caitlyn walked off to get her changed leaving the other case there.

“How is she back?” Korosh asked.

  “We think someone broke in last night and used some kind of high level divine technique to save her.” Tori explained.

“Who would do that? Who can do that?” Dante asked being a master of talking thru his tears.

“We have no ideas on that matter.” Cale said. The group fell silent and while they thought Caitlyn and Thira returned. Caitlyn now wore a tank top that fit her build and a skirt that went to her mid thigh.

“How do I look!?” She asked spinning around in a circle.

“The skirt is too short!” Almost the entire guild yelled back to the question. She smiled and winked at them in her what Tori figured was her normal way, making the group chuckle. Dante walked over to her with the case and set it on the ground opening and the entire guild smiled as he pulled out his gift to her. Caitlyn who had stopped crying long ago suddenly burst into tears at the sight of it. Cale walked over to the girl and took the gift from Dante before putting it on her. Now resting around her was the official guild coat of the Dragoon Spirit guild. The coat looked liked the staple except that it only went to a little above her ankles, the sleeves were a little long, but looked like they purposely that way. It was also belted at the waist and across the bust. She belted it up and looked at Dante and Cale as if she was the happiest girl in the world. 

“Welcome to the new and improved guild Caitin.” Cale said giving the girl a hug and then stepping back.

“Yep I am finally at home!” She exclaimed happily. 

10: Tale 10

~~~Lyndash, a day later~~~

Tori stood at the train station eagerly waiting for the train’s arrival. Today was going to be a glorious day. For today was the day of his sister’s birth, and on this day she had chosen to spend it with her great older brother! There was nothing that could stop him from enjoying such an occasion… well almost anything. His eyes strayed from the tracks where the train that would deliver his dear sister to him, and over to the blonde man next to him. Alexander stood like a statue with almost no expression to decipher nor any movement in his stance.

“I do not need a chaperone to pick my sister up from the station.” He said to the synergist who seemed not to pay any attention to him. Tori sighed and wondered to himself what in the world Alexander was doing here. As he thought his mind started to wonder. What if he was here to kidnap his poor dear Alyssum from him… no that is a foolish thought, Alexander is not that type of person. That is when a thought came to him that made him freeze in place. What if the guild was not joking around as much as Tori thought they were? Who was to say that maybe they could sense it when Tori himself was not. Just maybe Alexander was actually attracted to Tori. He turned to look at the synergist as the “pieces” started to fall into place.

Alexander opened his eye and mentally cursed to himself, not only did he sense a Tori freak out on the way, but also the damn train was running late. How can a place like this call itself a respectable business when the damn trains run late? He looked over to see if Tori were contemplating something as strange as train pirates. Instead what greeted him was the man looking at him with a contemplating look, a look that was about halfway between deep thought and anguish. “Tori what are you thinking about now?” The man was startled by the words and looked Alexander in the eye. He seemed almost like a embarrassed school girl.

“Alexander do you like me?” Tori asked looking determined.

“You are strange, and a worrywart, but to put it frankly, yes I do why?” Alexander had no idea what bomb he had just lit until the guild investigator looked shocked and horrified. “Tori what is going through your head now?”

“It is just that this is the first time something like this has happened, and I am not quite sure how to respond.” Tori looked off into the sky as Alexander stared in confusion. “And it is just that I am not sure if I am ready yet…. And you are a synergist and I am in charge of investigating your guild.” As Tori talked Alexander face palmed in disbelief.

“TORI!” Alexander yelled to silence the yammering man. The investigator fell silent as he jumped into the air. “When that was said I meant that you are a good person. Not that I was love with you! Why do you always take things in the worse possible way!?” Alexander lectured as the train pulled up to the station.

Alyssum climbed out of the train and looked around where she witnessed her big brother being lectured by a scary looking man. Knowing her brother he had bumped into the local gang or leader of some underground crime lord. She knew he could not act unless they acted violently, so it was up to her to save her brother. She moved as quickly as her small frame would let her and jumped into the air and landed a solid kick to the middle of the back. The man looked surprised as he fell to the ground the young girl standing on his back.

“Leave my brother alone you crime lord!” She yelled. Tori looked in shock at the scene. Alexander now laid flat on the ground with his younger sister stamping on him. He looked Alyssum over. Her hair had grown since the last time he had seen her. Her long wavy brown hair was tied into a ponytail off to the side slightly. She still had the build of a young girl, but she looked more athletic than before. Something told Tori that she had been training while he had been away. Tori held up his hand over his mouth and coughed drawing his sister’s attention. “Do not worry dear brother I will make sure that this ruffian bothers you no more.”

“Alyssum… that is Alexander… one of the synergist from the guild.” Tori said nervisouly hoping that the spatial synergist would not blow her to kingdom come.

“Even they bully you? Wow Tori you do radiate the aura of a weakling don’t you?” Alyssum was still stamping on Alexander as she said this.

“He was not bulling me, we were having a misunderstanding and he was clearing it up.” Tori said finally picking his sister up and moving her off the other man. Alexander stood and brushed himself off without even looking too upset about the whole ordeal.

“Sorry Alexander she can be….” Tori tried to think of the right word when Alexander interrupted.

“Does you whole family think the worst situation possible?” He asked looking from the girl and the man.

“Nope, just what would you think if you saw Tori being yelled at by a tough looking guy?” Alyssum asked with a cheery smile. Alexander thought about it before replying.

“I see that is a fair enough statement.” Tori looked between the two people with an unhappy expression. They made it sound like he got in trouble with the worst kind of people. Not that he could blame them there was that time in Laden, and he did use to get into a lot of minor incidents back home, but that was not the point.

“I am not that bad off, and I can take care of myself.” He yelled. The two looked at each other and then him and shook their heads. Tori hung his head in defeat; he knew there was not going to be any chance of winning with these two.

“Tori are you going to introduce me to the whole guild?!” Alyssum asked looking excited about it for some reason.

“Sure, that should not be a problem right?” He asked looking at Alexander.

“It should not be too much trouble, especially with Cale around.” Alexander said before looking down at the girl. “A pleasure to meet you Alyssum.” He said holding out his hand, the girl smiled and shook it. Tori had the feeling that a horrible friendship had just been formed.

~~~Fenix home, later that day~~~

Fenix set in his chair listening to the radio, he heard the door open and Albiona came walking in with a skip in her step. “Hey Albiona how was your day?” he asked, the young woman looked nervous about something. “Papa there is something that I need to tell you.”

Fenix blinked a couple of times before answering. “What is it?”

“Well you see… I guess it is just best to say it. Bianca and I are engaged.” Albiona said with a straight face, a face that Fenix did not like that well.

“You mean you guys played house?” He asked hopefully, but the look on her face told him otherwise.

“Do not worry Papa, I have made sure to follow the rules on this one, I have made sure to take her out on dates, I even made sure to pay for all of it.” Fenix was not sure if he should cry or laugh at that thought. He was sad that she seemed to be taking this seriously, but he wanted to laugh at the thought of little Albiona using her small allowance to take Bianca out on dates when she had inherited her father’s wealth.

“Well papa I have told you the news, I am going to get some rest.” She said bouncing away happily. Fenix went to say something to her, but he was still not sure if this was just her being young or something to do with her being a Draygon. He decided he would stop by the library later and do some research.

~~~The next day, Lyndash, Guildhall~~~

The guild set around the guild hall laughing and the usual chaos filled the air, in some places literally as Tess and Cain air dueled. Tori set at a table by himself, he was eating as Alexander came to set next to him finally escaping Cale. Suddenly Alexander was booted to the next seat over by moving chairs and Caitlyn plopped down between the two men.

“Caitlyn what are you doing?” Alexander asked still looking tired since he had not drank his morning coffee yet.

“No! Do not think I have not noticed. Tori is trying to seduce you away! I will not let it happen.” The two men blinked before looking at each other then back at her.

“Caitlyn not you too.” Alexander groaned.

“Why does this guild think we are dating, sleeping together, and now me stealing you away?” Tori asked. The spatial synergist did not have an answer for him. “By the way where is Lilly? I was hoping to be able to introduce Alyssum to everybody when she finally got up.”

“She is at the store right now picking some stuff up for her parents.” Alexander answered.

“Oh yeah her and Rini still live at home, what are their parents like?” Tori asked.

“They head a small, but successful, business. Caitlyn chimed in helpfully. “Although their father adores the two girls; he is estranged from Cain.”

“Why is that?” Tori asked looking over at the smiling man spinning his student, and Vyshen, in the air.

“That is something that you should ask Cain and the girls, it is not my place to say.” Caitlyn said with a trademark wink. Tori looked at Alexander but already knew he would not answer the question either.

Tori thought about things and decided that he no longer could wait, this question had been plaguing him, but he could not bring himself to ask it before. “Alexander I have something I have to ask you.” Before Alexander or Caitlyn could respond the door opened to a panicked older lady that Tori recognized.

“Ms. Kina, what seems to be the problem?” Fenix asked jumping up to greet the woman.

“Fenix it is terrible, there was some kind of attack in the market. Fire is everywhere you guys have to help.” She cried out. Tess and Vyshen fell from the air as Cain whirled around.

“The market! that is where Lilly was going.” He exclaimed heading towards the door. Cale stood up and blocked his path.

“Dragoon Spirit there is a disaster in the city and one of our own could be in danger. Let’s move out.” The entire guild jumped up and ran out to see what was going on.

~~~Lyndash Market~~~

People ran in terror as fires started to spread from one stall to shops. A young child stood crying next to a building as it began to crumble. He stared up in terror and screamed. He cowered covering his face then felt himself be tackled out of the way. He opened his eyes to see Rolph holding him. Rolph put him down, “Get out of here kid!” Rolph turned to see something out of place. Skeleton warriors, equipped with old single shot rifles and bayonets. He drew his sword and charged in stopping them from attacking people.

Cynthia fired water onto buildings putting out fires as best she could even drawing water directly from the channels that flowed through the city. Her dragon mark blazed a bright blue. As she worked she saw a woman being drug behind her two kids. She looked like her leg had gotten injured. “Mia I need a healer.” Mia landed with her light wings behind her. Her wings disappeared as she healed the woman. Cynthia heard the sound of guns and turned too late. Three skeletons had fired upon Mia and the civilians. Luckily Mia had caught it just in time and created a barrier to stop it. Mia returned fire blasting them with divine energy destroying them. Golden energy blazed from her neck.

Skeletons charged towards the fleeing crowds Bayonets at the ready, as they charged suddenly their weapons jerked back slamming them onto the ground. They stood and turned to see Alexsis, they raised their weapons to attack when lighting split the sky and blasted them to ash. “What in the world is going on here?” Alexsis pondered out loud as more skeletons came out of the building to attack her. She prepared to engage them when the ground rose and then engulfed them crushing them to dust. Alexsis turned to see Zyn standing there dirt swirling around her. The two nodded and charged towards the rest of the market.

Dorian blocked off some bayonets and swung his hammer around smashing the skeletons to bits. He whirled around and blocked another attack and countered. He stood in a circle of skeletons that almost seemed never ending, and by him was a teenage girl crying and yelling that she did not want to die. Dorian calmed himself and summed a hail of metal orbs and sent them crashing into the skeletons. He picked the girl up to her feet and the words run formed in metal in the air. She took the message and took off. Dorian used the metal word as a weapon sending it surging into the skeletons.

Flames from across the market stopped their dance and surged away from the buildings and torched skeletons dodging civilians and then slammed into the channel. Arisa stood nearby her back ablaze with orange energy. Skeletons charged at her only to be greeted by flames so hot they melted. She walked towards the rest of the fires to put them out.

A building lurched forwards about to crush people. They screamed out in terror, but right before the building landed to crush them it stopped, flouting in the air. The people were about to crawl out when the wind surged through and pushed them out. Then the building finished landing as if it had never stopped. Standing nearby Cain stood his wind surging around looking for something, next to him was Rini her coat unzipped and yellow energy finish crackling from her mark. “Have you found her yet?” Rini asked Cain.

“No she is not here.” Cain said darkly.

Tori rain down the road coming to a group of skeletons. He was about to charge in when he felt a massive hand on his shoulder. Walking past him was Cale. “You picked the wrong city to attack.” Cale said cracking his knuckles. Tori normally would have still moved in, but he was curious about what Cale could do. Cale took a boxing stance as the skeletons charged. Cale dodged a bayonet and jabbed with lighting speed, but what impressed Tori was what followed the punch. A literal shockwave burst from his fist as it made contact shattering the entire skeleton. Tori watched as he literally boxed the group of skeletons into oblivion. From a building nearby Caitlyn used her fire synergy to draw flames away from buildings. Alexander jumped from a second story window holding a little girl. His eye flared with purple energy as he flouted to the ground. He put the girl down and she exclaimed. “You’re my hero!” She kissed his cheek and ran off.

Fenix pushed cold air into the flames removing them of their heat and killing them, he had to use some actual power for this, but it was not too much of a problem. He dodged a bayonet and used ice to freeze the skeleton solid and followed up with a kick to shatter it. He jumped dodging another and followed the process slaying skeletons. He ducked and jumped back bumping into someone. He whirled to see Agatha. “Agatha what are you doing here?” he asked.

“I was shopping!” She cried out as skeletons closed in on them. Fenix clicked his tongue, a habit he had developed rather than cursing due to having young ears in the house. Agatha was startled as an ice pan appeared. “Try to smash the ones I freeze and stay away from the ones that are still moving.” Fenix told her and the two charged in.

Standing away from the town watching the smoke rise was a small group of korlan Synergists. They meditated to keep up the flow of skeletons. They suddenly were flung by a burst of wind. Cain landed in the middle of the circle air whipped around him. “Were is my sister?” he asked darkly.

~~~outskirts of Lyndash~~~

The guild met up to discuss what had happened, and escape from people blaming them for this. Tori was fuming at this point.

 “I cannot believe this, why in the world does everyone blame you guys for things!” Tori exclaimed

“People just tend to blame any synergist for any problem that has to do with Synergy.” Alexander explained. Tori wanted to argue it, but he knew that it was true, he was trained with that principle in mind.

“Cain where is Lilly?” Rini asked.

“They did not know, they were hired by an anonymous person to attack the city. I am using the wind to find her… but a storm is coming in so we should be careful.” Cain said. The group nodded and spread out to find her. Tori hoped they would find her alright, and that whatever was going on would not end up hurting the guild.

~~~A few hours later, a cave near Lyndash ~~~

Rain down poured outside the cave. Lighting danced across the sky and thunder echoed. Standing near the rim of the cave shivering was Ami. She still wore the dirty clothes from before; she turned and looked at her “captive”. Lilly set in the back of the cave her hands and feet bound, but with her skill level at synergy she should have escaped already. “Why have you not tried to escape?” Ami asked her face red.

“Why would I do that? You and I finally get a chance to talk.” Lilly said happily. Ami looked back out towards the storm. She had hoped to get Lilly back to her brother, but there was no way she could find her way in this storm. She walked back to the back of the cave to get out of the wind, and set down about three feet away from her captive.

“Why would you want to talk to me? My brother and I are trying to kill your brother and other guild members?” She asked curling into a ball shivering from the cold. She jumped about three feet into the air as Lilly hugged her, her hands no longer bound by the rope.

“I want to talk to you because we are friends!” Lilly said with a smile.

“What are you doing!” the girl chirped her face dark red. “How did you get out of those ropes?”

“As for the first question you look really cold, and our shared body heat should warm you up, as for the second question, I taught myself to be an escape artist.” She said with a wink and snuggled in making the other girl squirm.

She could not believe her own embarrassment; first her captive had technically escaped, and now was cuddling her to warm her up. She was the worst kidnapper ever, although she had to admit it was much warmer. “Why does your brother want to kill us so badly?” Lilly asked.

“Be...be…” She stopped to gather her composure “Because your guild made it hard to be a synergist. Everybody hates synergists now. We lost our home and parents because of that.”

“But killing us will not bring them back; it will not fix anything, just fuel more hate. You and your brother should settle down, join a normal guild.” Lilly said with a smile.

“I do not think Locke will agree with that, he is filled with anger.” Ami said trying to hold herself together.

“He should be careful, flame synergy can consume a person if they let an emotion get too far out of hand.” Lilly said with concern in her voice, followed by a big yawn. Ami felt Lilly’s head on her shoulder and then felt the gentle breathing and realized that she had fallen asleep on her. She tried to struggle out of the grip, but found out that she could not get out.

~~~The forest near Lyndash, The next day~~~

Meditating in the middle of a clearing, he could feel the warmth of the air and the now shining sun, after last night’s fierce storm he was happy to feel the power of the sun. Locke opened his eyes sensing a heat source moving his way. If his plan worked he would finally kill Cain. He trusted that his sister could do her part. She had already captured Lilly. She only had one job left to do. He stood and turned and fired a blast of fire at the target, He knew it was not his sister, he had memorized her heat signature. But who greeted him shocked him. A young woman jumped the fire blast and landed without a problem. She was beautiful and looked at him with electric green eyes. “So I am guessing that from that greeting you took Lilly, just tell me where she is and I will let you go.”

“Who are you?” Locke asked flames wrapping around his arms.

“Hmmm? You know of Cain, but not me. That actually hurts a little.” The woman replied lightning cackled around her body. Locke’s eyes widened as he realized who she was, he should have known who she was, his sister had a sort of power crush on her, the electric green eyes, the beauty, and the lightning element.

 “You are Alexsis, The lighting Calamity.” His fire flared, she may not have been his original target, but she was just as good of one. He pushed his hands out and fire surged out towards her. He knew from his sister that lightning synergy was useless for defense; there was no way that she could block his attacks. He ducked as Lightning blasted away his flames and almost blasted him.

“Sorry, I do not have time to play, where is Lilly?” she asked electric current reached out from her body and caressed the ground around him, almost longing to electrocute him. That is when his brain caught up to him. She was Alexsis the lightning calamity, the most powerful lightning synergist alive. She was immune to electricity.

Lilly and Ami ran towards the battlefield, Ami could not believe that she had slept in so late. She was going to be in deep trouble. She figured where the battle was and fired a blind blast of lighting, hopefully her brother would dodge it. “Ami that will not help you, stop panicking and use your senses.” Lilly said with a weak smile. Ami breathed deeply and let her mind clear of panic and realized instantly that Lilly was right. She sensed electric current, a powerful one around 30,000 amps. That meant somehow there was a lightning bolt standing in that clearing.

“We need to hurry, Cain would have been bad, but Alexsis will not be gentle.” Lilly said picking up her pace. Ami followed and they reached the clearing. Locke yelled out as a small tendril of electricity licked his arm.

“Where is… LILLY!” Alexsis yelled dropping the current and charging the girl hugging her. “Are you all right did they hurt you?”

“NO! They did not hurt me. Alexsis you cannot torture people, even in this situation! You apologize to Locke right now and go get Mia to heal him. I am so sorry Locke she just gets eager sometimes.” Lilly scolded and looked at the man lying in the grass. Alexsis looked disgruntled, but fired a blast of lightning into the sky.

In a short time the rest of the guild showed up. Mia walked over to Locke and healed his wounds. Everyone was excited to see Lilly. Ami walked over to her brother, and kneeled down next to him. “I am sorry brother, I messed up again.” She said fighting back tears. He looked up at her and shook his head.

“No, there was no way for us to know that the lightning calamity would show up, her immunity is what stopped her from dying, you did your part perfectly. I was the weak link this time.” He looked at the group as Lilly ran over to him.

“Locke are you okay?” She asked.

“Why do you care?” He asked “I just tried to kill your teammate, and the plan was for your brother.” He said disgruntled.

“I care because you are Ami’s precious brother. She was so worried about failing you. You need to learn to channel your emotions better, that is the key to flame synergy, if you would like I could get Arisa to help you learn.” Lilly said with a smile.

“No thanks, I still plan on killing you dragonmarks, but first I have to get stronger. Ami go apologize to Alexsis for surprising her. I know you have always wanted to meet her, this is your last chance before we take her out.” Locke said closing his eyes to rest. Lilly smiled and took Ami by the hand and pulled her over the lightning synergist. By the time Ami realized what was going on it was too late, she turned and looked and her brother had left, disappeared somewhere into the woods.

“Where did he go?” She asked tears in her eyes. “Did I fail him that badly he left me behind?”

“No he did not.” Ami turned to see Arisa walk up to her. “He realized something with this battle. A type five is outside his abilities to fight, even one without much defense against fire like Alexsis. He wants to get stronger and more powerful so he can accomplish his goals. He needs to find himself before he can attack.” Ami looked at the ground in sorrow.

“Ami stay with us until he comes back, he told he is going to come and kill us right, he will be back.” Lilly said with a huge smile.

“What if he needs me.” She asked looking at the group.

“He will need you, but not right now, first he must conquer himself.” Arisa said looked out towards the forest.

“Okay, just for awhile, when he gets back, it will be back to trying and defeat you guys. This is just an elongated espionage mission that is all.” Ami said sounding broken.

“Silly, espionage is supposed to be a secret!” Lilly said with a smile and a hug. 

 

 

11: Tale 11

~~~~Lyndash, Guildhall ~~~~

Tori walked down from the upper level of the guildhall listening to his sister complain. “You guys were involved in a giant fiasco this morning and you did not wake me up!” 

“Sorry I was a little preoccupied with the skeletons and burning buildings.” Tori said rubbing his head knowing he was never going to hear the end of this one. They entered the dining hall and took a seat as Lilly trotted over happily with their food already ready. 

“Here you go, you two enjoy some breakfast.” Lilly said happily skipping towards Albiona, Dorian, and Mia. 

“Wonder where Fenix is.” Tori mumbled to himself. 

“He is always gone around this time of year.” Alexander said attempting again to set next to the investigator, yet again though Caitlyn leapt into action inserting herself between the two. 

“Really where is he?” Tori asked, Alexander shrugged his shoulders. 

“He never says he just takes his days off around this time, like a vacation.” Cale said as he set down in a chair at the table, Tori noticed Alexander get tense at this, like he was ready to be sexually attacked again. 

“Tori got a job for you from the investigation division. The government has recently acquired some land back from Korlan. The area in question is the Ever Frozen Forest. They want you to investigate the area using the guild as a resource. Take who you want for the job, but please not the whole guild.” He said then looking over at Alexander wiggled his eyebrows. 

“Great, my sister comes to visit and now a job. Alyssum I am going to leave you here with the guild, be good until I come back.” Tori was expecting some kind of fight about this. 

“Okay!” She chirped excitedly, making Tori a little nervous.

“Do not worry we will watch over her.” Cale said throwing an arm around Tori. “So what are you up to later Tori, how about a nice bath?” 

Tori looked over at Caitlyn, “I see so when Alexander tries and set next to me you jump in, Cale throws an arm around me you just set there?” 

“Cale is a big boy he can take care of himself.” Caitlyn said shrugging her shoulders. Alexander gave her a rather upset look about that comment. 

“Who are you taking with you?” Alexander asked. 

“Well since this is most defiantly frost synergy, I would normally ask Fenix, but with him missing I am hoping to ask if Albiona can come.” As Tori said this words Albiona zoomed across the room. 

“It would be my pleasure to come with you my good sir.” She said before skipping off towards her seat. 

“Well that was strange. I would also like to take Mia, Dorian, Alexander, Zyn, and Arisa.” Tori said Cale nodded. “Well that is a lot of people, but I think I can allow it.” Cale said with a smile. 

“NO!” Caitlyn yelled “I am going too. Even If I have to stalk you I will go.” 

“Fine, you can use frost synergy, so you might be able to help.” Tori said rubbing his head. 

“I will go and make sure the others get ready, get prepared yourselves.” Cale said getting up from the table. As he did the new morning ritual continued from this morning. Tess, Rini, and Vyshen spun in a torrent of air as Cale ate some more breakfast. There is always excitement here at breakfast. 

~~~On the train towards the Ever Frozen Forest~~~

Tori looked over the information that was provided to him about the place. All it really told him was that it was frozen, a forest, and appeared roughly 12 years ago. That was all the information that there was about the place, although theories speculate that it was created by powerful Frost Synergy. Although the power that it would take to create a place of permanent snow and ice fall would be overwhelming he doubted any one person could have the power to do that. Even a type five would have to be in the upper most scale to affect the weather for more than a couple months, even a whole year.  Let alone the amount of time that his has been going on. It would more than likely take several top tier type fives to perform that level of change in an area. Tori looked at the pictures, all snow and ice over every single bit of the forest. He looked at the group of synergist around him and wondered if they could really figure out the mystery of this place. 

“Zyn, do you have a hypothesis of what could have happened here in the forest?” Tori asked the woman, she may have been an earth synergist, but she was a powerful one. The woman looked at the ground and shook her head. 

“No normally synergy cannot cause permanent change in the weather, nature naturally turns itself back into what it is supposed to be, but this place does not, it is strange.” 

“Yes the amount of power to cause such a change is… well almost unthinkable.” Alexander said looking over at the pictures that Tori held. 

“One thing is for certain though, such a change could only be one of two things, either the great spirits, or extremely powerful synergy.” Mia chimed in. Tori had to agree if the great spirits had done this it would make sense, they did control nature, but this did not seem like something that they would do. As the train pushed forward they could tell that they were getting close when the wind came through the window and it went from a warm day to being almost freezing. They closed the window and looked into the distance to see the landscape as it turned from green to white. 

~~~The Everfrozen Forest~~~

“Alright everyone be careful the temperature gets extremely low at night, make sure to stick around the fire and in the blankets to stay warm.” Tori said, everyone was bundled up pretty well in extra thick clothes that was except two, Albiona enjoyed the freezing weather, and Arisa did not seem to even notice how cold that it was. It made sense to Tori though; they were both in the temperature elements so being immune to extreme cold made sense. The group begin to march into the forest Zyn clinging onto Arisa for more warmth. Dorian and Mia stood close to keep warm. Tori lead the way with a map of the area; he was rather curios about a place marked as the “statue”. As they got near the place the entered what seemed to be a large clearing with a frozen lake. At the center of the lake was a large angel statue. It was easily twenty feet tall and entirely made of ice. 

“It is beautiful!” Mia exclaimed. A murmur of agreement went through the group. 

“This was made with synergy, it has no flaws in it, and absolute carving like this has to be done with synergy not a chisel.” Alexander said using his spatial sense to get a good feel of the statue. 

Zyn approached the stature and touched the base and looked intently at it. Tori walked up next to her. Something seemed strange as if she knew something, or something was bothering her. Tori looked into the ice and swore he could make out something in it. 

“This place has an air of… sorrow to it.” Arisa said looking around the place. Dorian nodded in agreement. 

“I agree, this place holds much in the ice.” Albiona said approaching the statue and touching it. Tori watched as she did. She suddenly begin to tear up. “Yes, so much sorrow in it, yet something else.” Dorian walked up to her and put his arm around her. 

“We should camp at the edge of the lake for the night.” Tori said “Zyn, Arisa, Alexander do you mind doing that for me please?” Tori asked before turning back to the stature to try and see into it more. The three synergists nodded and walked away. “Albiona do you smell anything?” 

“Yes, a few things. This was made by one thing; a dragon. It smells just like papa.” She said. Mia walked over to look at the statue and examined the statue; she knelt down and looked at the foot of the statue. There sculpted from ice was a vase and resting inside against the cold winds set a bouquet of flowers. She recognized the grey flowers. She could not remember what they were called, but she knew that she always thought they were a very dreary looking flower. She bent down to look at them closer. 

The group suddenly saw a flash of light and they fell to the snow beneath them, The other three ran to them to find out what happened.

~~~Unknown~~~ 

Tori awoke in a bright place, above him was a dome roof of white marble that sparkled against the blue sky beyond. He set up and looked around. He, Dorian, Mia, and Albiona lay on beds inside a marble pavilion. Setting near them in an old rocking chair set a woman; she looked around twenty or so, with long wavy dark brown hair that hung to her mid back by two purple ribbons. Her dark royal purple eyes looked over them. She set with her left leg crossed over her right. She wore a brown quarter sleeve coat that went to her knees, a red sundress that went to her knees formed to her, under it was a long black sleeved shirt and black leggings with brown laced boots. She had a pretty figure and face, Tori could call her beautiful, but she had a downtrodden look about her. Her clothes were ruffled and scuffed in places. The coat looked like it had been repaired multiple times. The ribbons in her hair had faded in color and were slightly frayed. Her hair was messy and Tori could see some knots and rats nests in her hair. 

“Where are we?” Mia asked with a grown. Dorian was on his feet and on the alert eyeing the woman with concern. Albiona got up and moved behind her brother looking at the woman and with a sniff looked concerned. 

“I smell something dark, and almost evil.” Albiona said looking up at Dorian worried. 

“Who are you and where are we?” Tori asked drawing a knife. The woman smiled and stood up herself, she appeared unarmed, but that did not mean much to Tori since she could be a synergist. She did not seem to look much at Tori, but rather the other three. A tear rolled down her cheek as she looked at them. She went to say something but could not seem to form the words. She finally breathed deeply and seemed to relax. 

“I apologize… I just really wanted to see them.” She said her voice was full of sorrow in it, My name is Lucy Emortuss. You are in the Divine plane.” She said still looking at them. 

“We are were?” Tori asked, although he heard her perfectly clear, he could not believe it. To be in the Divine plan means he had to have died. 

“The divine plan, oh but do not worry you are not dead this is just temporary. There is a story I need to tell you, and I could not resist bringing them along.” Lucy said starting to take a step towards them then faltering and staying in place. 

“What story, who are you?” Mia asked looking actually interested and not fazed by the in the Divine plane problem. 

“Yes he has not told you has he, figures that he would try to shoulder it all on his own.” Lucy said with a frown. As Tori listened suddenly his investigator skills kicked in and puzzle pieces started to fall into place. 

“I am not sure if this is correct, but if I may guess here. You and Fenix were in love at some point weren’t you?” Tori asked; the other three looked at him in confusion. 

“What do you mean by that Tori?” Albiona asked. 

“Think about it, all the clues are right here and around him. His nightmares, her bringing you three here, the thing in the statue that is you isn’t it?” Tori explained. 

“Yes that is my grave.” Lucy said watching him continue his explanation.

“He used frost synergy to make that grave site, and then he froze the forest. My only question is what happened.” Tori continued after being satisfied at her answer, this also made Fenix and Ms. Kia make sense why he would help her, it was kinship for losing his lost love. 

“Is it true?” Albiona asked looking at Lucy. “Are you the reason that papa looks like he is in pain.” 

“Yes.” Lucy said looking at the ground before looking back up at the group. “The story that I want to tell you is the story of me and him. I tell it in hopes that maybe it will help you understand the man that he is today, Also in hopes that when the time comes you can save him.” 

“Save him? Save Fenix from what?” Mia asked confused on what could be so dangerous that Fenix would be in danger yet they could help him. 

“Not just an external, but an internal danger. Darkness is growing, and the plan to use the frozen reaper to make the final step, you have to stop him when the time comes.” Lucy almost yelled the last bit, desperation in her voice. Tori listened and pin pointed some interesting wording choices. The fact that she said external and internal means that not only is something going to attack Fenix, but also that they would have to save Fenix from himself. The next was that she said the frozen reaper not his name, he was unsure why she worded it that way, but he would figure that out later. The last bit was also strange, you have to stop him when the time comes, was that saying that Fenix was going to do something, or that another male entity was going to do something. 

“Please tell you story.” Tori said ready to find out more. 

“Alright, but if I may ask a selfish request?” 

“What is that?” Tori pondered what she could want, hopefully it was not to drag her from the Divine plane to the mortal plane since that could resurrect her, but it would also break the rules of the Divine plane and call forth the wrath of the seraphim. 

“Could I just get a hug from you kids?” Lucy asked looking at them with what Tori would describe the look a mother would have looking at her own kids. He could recognize it from when he saw his own mother when he visited home after a long time. The three looked at each other and were about to talk about it when Albiona walked over to her and took a sniff. 

“Behind the evil and darkness… I can smell papa. You cannot replace mom… but you can be my other mama!” Albiona said giving Lucy a great big hug catching the woman off guard. She smiled and hugged her back a tear going down her cheek. 

Tori smiled at the display, makes sense that Albiona would accept her that quickly, the other thing she sometimes hangs around buys her candy, not that Rolph would ever admit it. The other two exchanged glances and nodded and followed Albiona’s lead. After the hug was down Lucy set down and the others set back down on the bed. “It all began 12 years ago in Korland.” 

~~~The town of Vorosh, Korland, 12 years ago~~~

The breeze chilled the air as it blew through the air. Lucy pulled her coat around her tighter to try and keep herself warm. She always hated the cold. She walked down the road through the town towards the local business office, hopefully they would have her license. People greeted her and waved as she walked by. She waved back to them and saw some of them chattering about her. She knew what they were talking about. How could someone like her still not be married? The answer was pretty simple; there was no one in town that had caught her fancy. Most people fit into three categories; Thugs, victims, and their companions who wait at home to find out if their other brought home food. She really hated it here. She dreamt of leaving this town and going somewhere else. She thought about that as she arrived at the office. She walked in to the main foyer and approached the receptionist. 

“Hello! My name is Lucy Emortuss, I am here to pick up this year’s business license.” The woman behind the counter looked up at her and scoffed. 

“Sorry to tell you, but the papers were stolen this morning by the local gang.” She said giving Lucy a look of contempt. 

“What do you mean, what am I supposed to do about my business then?” Lucy asked almost a yell. 

“I don’t know maybe you can ‘convince’ them to give it to you.” The woman said and Lucy then figured out what was really going on. This woman was one of the people in town who hated her. She had never really figured it out, but a lot of the wives in town did not like her. She was pretty sure they were the ones that either started the rumors about her, or at least believed them. Lucy turned and stomped off. She could not really do anything to her, even if she had handed over her license to the gang. She was stomping down the road when she bumped into someone. She fell to the ground and looked up to excuse herself when she noticed that it was a stranger. He looked fierce, in a long black coat that looked kind of warm to Lucy. He looked down at her with icy blue eyes that looked fierce. It sent a chill down her spine, even though his expression was neutral. Judging from his skin tones and clothes he looked like a foreigner. 

“I apologize I was not looking were I was going.” Lucy said standing up herself since the man shown no intent to help her up. 

“It is fine.” He said walking by her, as he did cold seemed to sweep by her and chill her to the bone. It was not the wind, but something else. She shivered and decided to go home and think about what to do. 

~~~The next day~~~

Lucy walked towards the office again, maybe they had an extra copy or something, and there was no way that she could close the shop to wait for a new one. As she walked she saw a group of people standing looking at something down the road. She jogged up and saw exactly what they were gawking at. The office was entirely covered in ice; spires of the stuff came from the windows. She looked at it in horror, who could have done this?” As she stood there as part of the crowd a man walked up to her. “Ms. Emortuss, the boss would like to see you about your… business arrangement with the town.” Lucy looked at the guy and then sighed. 

“Fine let’s go.” She said following the man. They walked out towards the escort of town. Where the local gang hung out, although they were called a gang they were actually the closest thing to a government in this town. They arrived at the building and walked in. Men and woman all talking and showing off weapons bantered as they walked by. A couple of them wolf whistled at her. One woman even liked her lips creepily. As they walked towards the back, where the boss did his business the man turned towards her. “Now listen up here Ms. Emortuss. The boss has an offer for you. It is your choice to accept or not, but the boss would like me remind you that this gang has gotten quite large, and it is getting so hard to control everybody. We would hate to see something happen to such a pretty face.” Lucy glared at the man, she knew what he meant she had seen what happens to those who go against the boss, but she would not let herself be threatened so easily. 

“Well that does not seem like my problem, maybe you should get some better middle management. The guy glared fiercely and drew his hand back to hit her when they both heard gunshots from the back room. The two ran in, Lucy was not sure why she went, but she did. They entered the room and were shocked at what they saw. Standing in the middle of the room surrounded by ice and papers was the man that Lucy had bumped into. The boss was now frozen solid and so were his two bodyguards, one holding his gun as if he was shooting it. The man turned as he heard them enter. “Boys the boss has been murdered, take this punk down!” Lucy jumped aside as what seemed like an army charged towards the room. She was about out of the way when she felt something hard and ice cold yank her into the room and into the air next to the strange man. She struggled realizing that she was being held in ice. She then realized why this guy radiated cold. From his left shoulder blade blue energy crackled as she flouted in the air. 

“I would surrender or the girl dies here and now.” He said his words even colder then the ice touching Lucy. The group looked at him in confusion and then laughed. 

“You can kill the girl, you just killed our boss. She is not even one of us!” They jeered. 

“I see how unfortunate.” He said and Lucy saw her short nineteen year old life flash before her eyes, she was convinced that this guy was going to kill her. The energy coming from his back flashed and ice closed the doorway blocking off the guys from them. She landed on the ground as the ice disappeared. 

“OW damn it, how comes every time you are around I hit the ground?” She yelled looking at him. The two met eyes and glared; he seemed to send waves of cold in his gaze, so she returned with all her fury that she could muster. They heard the sound of something heavy hitting the ice. “That ice is not going to last, Mr. Frosty. How are we getting out of here?” she asked.  He continued to glare at her before responding. 

“One my name is not Frosty. Secondly what do you mean we, you can take care of yourself.” He said another huge thud against the ice. 

“Firstly I do not care what your name is, Frosty. Secondly you got me into this mess and you are going to get me out of this. Also you haven’t seen a business license for a Lucy Emortuss have you?” She asked with a devious smile. He looked around and then picked up a piece of paper and handed it to her. 

“Alright, Mr. Frosty how powerful is your frost synergy.” Lucy asked with a smile. 

“Why do you ask?” He asked holding out his hand towards the cracking ice, a fresh burst of energy from his back, she smiled as the cracks disappeared. The air in the room got colder making her shiver slightly, but maybe with his power she could escape. “The ceiling leads to the above ground floor, if you can get through it we might be able to escape.” He raised an eyebrow and the ceiling froze then cracked and shattered opening their way. A column formed underneath them raising them into the next room. Two men looked at them and drew knives and charged them. Lucy ducked under a knife and punched the man in the gut. He took a step back giving her the chance due to his horrible knife stance. She charged and pushed his arm forward and made him stab himself. 

“Dumbass, never hold a blade towards yourself.” She scolded the man and looked over to see if Frosty needed help. She quickly realized that he was fine, the other man was a perfect frozen statue. “Not bad Frosty, how much energy do you have left?” She asked. 

“Enough.” He said putting his hand to the wall leading outside and freezing it. He punched the wall and it shattered. Of course with their luck were six guys pulling guns. Knives Lucy could handle, she could even fist fight a little. Guns were a little tougher for her to deal with. She was not looking forward to this when she felt the cold energy from Frosty. The group looked shocked as he waved his hand and their guns froze over. 

“Well that takes care of that.” She said with a grin. The group charged them. Lucy was engaged by two of them. She kicked one and punched another, but soon found herself grappled from behind by one of them. She looked over at Frosty to see him kicking the ever living crap out of the other four. The one holding her suddenly copped a feel and that was the last straw. Not only was Frosty out doing her, but no one did that. She broke out of the grapple through sheer force and then kicked the guy in the groin and punched him out. She quickly grabbed the other and followed a similar method. Frosty spun and kicked one in the head dropping him. Two others were on the ground not moving. The last went for a frozen gun club. Lucy tackled him to the ground and proceeded to punch him until he stopped moving. She breathed heavily and looked over at Frosty. “Not bad eh?” 

As the two breathed heavily some more guards came around the corner from the commotion. The two looked at each other and sighed. The two were easily outnumbered four to one. Lucy engaged as best she could, she was always a scrapper, but his was a little beyond her. Someone grabbed her coat and she had to escape it. She rolled forwards and punched another guy. A woman tackled her to the ground and looked at her like some kind of wild animal. She tried to find Frosty, but could not see him. She then realized that Frosty had ditched her. The bastard had left her. She tried to fight her way out of the woman’s pin but could not make it. 

“Looks like your buddy ran off. To tell the truth Lucy I am happy about that. I have looked forward to having you for a long time.” Lucy cried out as the woman licked her cheek and started to shift position holding Lucy’s arms with one of her own. She reached down to start pulling up Lucy’s dress when she cried out in pain. Lucy looked up as she slumped to the side. The whole group yelped in pain and fell to the ground. Lucy looked over to see Frosty on the roof, energy blasting from his shoulder blade and ice blades raining down on the group, missing Lucy and killing the other people. Frosty jumped down and stumbled towards her. “We need to get out of here.” Lucy nodded and the two ran off, Lucy making sure to grab her coat from the dead body. 

~~~an hour later, Lucy's Store~~~

Lucy flung herself into the chair behind the counter of her store, luckily for her the license was still in one piece. She quickly put it into the frame and hung it as if it was the most precious thing ever. Standing in the corner of the store was Frosty, he looked tired, more than likely from all the Frost synergy. Lucy was setting there enjoying the moment when a thought came to her, a thought she really did not like. The gang knew who she was and where she lived they would come for her. She was about to freak out when Frosty spoke up. 

“I must apologize, Zyn would tell me that it is appropriate to do so. I did not mean to get you caught up in this. I should go before you are drug in even more.” Lucy thought for a second when an idea came into her mind. 

“Or you could not go.” The man looked at her as if she was crazy. “Hear me out Frosty, you need to rest, and the gang is going to be fighting itself to find a new boss. If they come after me there is no way that I can take care of myself, but you can help me survive until I can find a way out of the town at least.” 

He looked at her and then asked a single question. “You do realize what I am don’t you?” She smiled at him. 

“Well Frosty I really could care less who you are, but for your sake here is what I know. You are an Athulian Frost Synergist, Most likely sent here on a mission for a guild to kill the gang here for some reason.” 

“I see, you have figured out quite a bit.” He said seemingly unfazed. 

“Basically, while you finish your mission here, you will protect me and I will pay you with room and board, how about that Frosty?” She asked approaching the man and holding out her hand. He looked at her and then nodded taking her hand and shaking it. 

“My name is not Frosty, It is Fenix Ende.” 

~~~A Month later~~~

Lucy greeted the guests with a smile as they walked into the shop. An older couple from the town, they were regulars. She grabbed their usual stuff when the gentleman spoke up. “Lucy has that man done anything to you?” 

“And is it true that he is actually an Athulian Synergist?” The woman supplemented. Lucy laughed at the idea of Fenix doing anything to her. 

“No the only thing that he has done to me was make me dinner. That guy must have traded some awesome training for lack of cooking skills.” She giggled thinking about how annoyed he was when he had cooked her some food. “And yes he is from Athul, why does it matter.” 

“Lucy you should be careful he could be dangerous.” The woman said as coming from the store room was Fenix carrying in some boxes. 

“Oh he is dangerous alright, but only if you are a rat or other vermin. Isn’t that right Frosty?” Lucy called over to him. He stopped and looked over at her his expression the same as always. 

“I would say so, Feisty.” He said stocking some of the shelves. 

“Well thanks Lucy, be back later for some more.” The man said giving Fenix a questioning look as he left. 

“Frosty sounds like the town is worried about you are dangerous to me. A month and they still are suspicious.” Lucy said walking over and giving him a nudge before helping him. 

“I can understand their suspicions.” He said placing the last bit of supplies on the shelf. 

“So can I, they might not have seen it, but I have seen your synergy.” She said with a smile, skipping back to her desk. The door bell chimed as a couple local kids ran in. 

“Lucy! Lucy! Guess what we heard.” They called to her. 

“What did you hear?” Lucy asked just as excited as they were. 

“We heard from Kati that you and Fenix are in love and one day you two are going to get married!” The teased the woman. Fenix and Lucy looked at each other and then the kids. 

“Sounds like Kati is delusional, Fenix is my employee.” Lucy said with a smirk. 

“Then how comes you two live together and your apartment is only one room!” said one of the little boys. 

Lucy chuckled weakly, “Between you guys and me, Fenix sleeps in the store room, he likes it there.” The two boys chuckled and ran out of the store. 

“Quite the rumor there.” Fenix said walking back into the storeroom to get the broom. 

“You know Frosty you do not have to help around the store, as long as your protect me you are doing your job.” She said with a smile. 

“It is fine it gives me something to do, especially since you do not allow me to cook.” 

“I do not know how you do it, but everything you cook turns to poison! I swear you keep eating it yourself you are going to croak.” Lucy said pulling out a newspaper and reading. “Besides you should be out killing gang members so you can get home, I am sure there is a girl or two waiting for you.” 

“No, there is not much waiting at home for me, except my next mission.” Fenix said as he swept. Lucy looked up with surprise. “Besides must be a challenge for you with me here, hard to find a companion with a guy living in your store room.” 

“Well there is no one here that has really caught my eye. Besides I am sure you have heard the rumors around town about me.” She said looking down at the paper not especially happy with those rumors. 

“Oh, you mean the rumors about you inviting people into the storeroom for ‘Special prices’. I have heard those.”  Lucy hated the reputation she had around town, for someone who has never actually done anything she sure gets around.

~~~Later in the day~~~

Lucy and Fenix walked down the road of the town. They had to pick up some oil for the lamps and a few other things. As they walked people waved at Lucy and glared at Fenix. They stopped by a stand to look around at some of wares. As they looked Fenix picked up a pocket watch and looked it over. “Great craftsmanship, my father is a clock maker.” Fenix explained feeling Lucy stare at him questioningly. 

“I see, how much is this pocket watch?” Lucy asked the woman behind the counter. The woman went to reply with a smile when she realized who it was and her face fell into a grimace. 

“It costs 27 Gauls, and I can assure you here Lucy, there are no ‘special prices’ Lucy’s eyes looked down trodden and then she heard Fenix clear his throat. “Lucy please go pick up the other supplies I would like to discuss some things.” Lucy nodded and walked away; she picked up the other supplies and tried to cheer herself up. It is just the same rumors as always, it should not bother her so much. She ended up setting down by a tree waiting for Fenix. As the time passed, she suddenly felt his presence, that familiar coldness in the air. She looked up as he set by her and offered her a small fruit pie. She took it and took a small bite. 

“What did you do Fenix.” Lucy asked not sure what he could have said the woman. 

“Not too much, just reminded her about a few things she has done in her past, and that one should not judge others.” He said with a smile. 

“What do you know about her past?” Lucy asked. 

“A lot, the gang keeps files on everyone in town, so I know a lot.”

Lucy did not know why, but she suddenly looked over at him. “Fenix I just want you to know that he rumors they are not true.” She said her eyes begging him to believe her. 

“I know they are not.” He said flatly taken a bite out of his food. 

“Did your files tell you that?” She asked. 

“No, I just know you, that is how I know the rumors are false.” Lucy paused for a moment, how could he know her when he has only been here a month. She looked over at him and noticed something strange, his eyes did not seem as cold and they were brownish, she could have sworn that his eyes were ice blue. 

“And what do you know about me?” She asked looking at him with her usual smirk. He did something that caught her off guard. He smiled back, a sort of cocky smirk. 

“Your favorite flower is the Dyhandras, a grey and rather dreary flower if I may say so. Your favorite weather is snow since it gives you an excuse to set by the fire and not do work and you secretly think that the snow is pretty, but you will not admit it because you think it will make you too girly. That coat was a gift from your mother, which is why you are always wearing it. You like to do things yourself rather than let other’s do things for you, unless it is someone you trust. You hate this town and wish to move somewhere better, but you are scared that you might move somewhere worse.” Fenix said with a smile. She stared at him in disbelief. 

“How did you know that!” She asked caught off guard and feeling naked and exposed. He chuckled before looking back at her. 

“I take it you do not know that much about me?” he said with a smile, Lucy had to admit that she did not know too much about the man that was living with her. He reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a single Dyhandra. He handed her the flower. She smiled and took it and again felt weak. This was the first time someone had completely disarmed her like this. 

“You are right I do not know that much about you. I know you are a frost synergist from Athul, you are talented in hand to hand combat, and your father is a clockmaker. That is all I really know.” She felt bad that he knew so much and she knew close to nothing. He chuckled and patted her on the head. 

“I am Fenix Ende, also called the Frozen Reaper, My best friend is Zyn back home, I enjoy cold weather due to my synergy style. I live alone in the Guildhall, and the coat I always wear is the sign of our guild.” 

“Is there anything else?” She asked. He looked over at her and smirked, a lot. 

~~~Later that day at the store~~~

Fenix set behind the counter wondering where was Lucy was. She had been gone for quite awhile. The door opened and he went to greet the guest when he saw Lucy. “Welcome back.” He said with a smile. She ran up to him and threw something at him. He looked down at the small box. 

“We are you going to open it or not Frosty!?” She said, he shook his head at the usage of the nickname. He opened it and to his surprise rested the pocket watch from earlier. 

“You really did not have to.” He said with a smile. She smiled and gave him a nudge. 

“Yeah I did, besides we have some work to do. We have to clean the store room.” 

“Why it was cleaned earlier. He said confused. 

“Yeah and we have to clean your little bed and move it.” She said with a smile, he looked at her confused. “It is getting colder out and I cannot have you living in the storeroom, come on we are moving you up to the apartment, you can sleep on the floor or something.” 

12: Tale 12

 ~~~Two Months later~~~

The store was busy as people picked up supplies preparing for the coming storm that was predicted to be in the area. Fenix and Lucy ran around trying to keep the place in stock and make sure there were not any unhappy customers. Lucy looked over with a smile to Fenix talking to some of the local men. She was happy that people had finally stopped treating him as a danger that was going to attack her and as an actual person here. “Fenix come on we have to get the vegetables stocked enough talking!” She called to him. He looked over at her and waved before excusing himself and getting back to work. They worked the day and that night they closed down the shop and went up to their one bedroom apartment. Lucy watched as Fenix stripped off his coat and shirt. She looked at his back at the mark on his upper shoulder, the one that glowed when he used synergy. A dragon with a triangle around it, she walked up behind him and placed her hand on the mark. He looked over at her and smiled. “Is this a mark of your guild, or a mark as a synergist?” She asked unsure about it. 

“No, this is a dragon mark, it is something that I was born with, and it grants me exceptionally more powerful Frost Synergy abilities then the normal synergist. Why the sudden curiosity in it now?” He asked.

“Was just wondering about it, so dragon marks huh? Does it have anything to actually deal with dragons?” She asked setting by the fire to get dinner ready, there was no way she could let him cook. 

“It is believed that people with these marks carry the blood of dragons in their blood, since the mark has a dragon, and the dragons are some of the most powerful synergy creatures in existence, although no one has seen a dragon in a long time.” Fenix explained setting down near her. She cuddled up to him and thought about it. 

“What would happen if I was attacked by a dragon?” she asked making him chuckle. 

“Well I would have to slay it then, always wanted to see what they were made of.” 

“Promise me then that you will then, if you get the chance to, slay a dragon for me.” She said with a smile. Fenix looked at her with a big smile.

“As long as it is doing something that allows me to do it in good conscious I will, for you.” He said with a smile. 

“Good, you know Fenix you have changed since you started staying here, you are a lot less cold, and I could have sworn that your eyes were an icy blue at first.” She said looking into his brown eyes. 

“They were, when I first arrived I was slowly letting my element take over me, I was slipping into rampancy, but you pulled me out of it.” Fenix said before reaching for the ladle to stir the soup. 

“Oh no, you are not infecting the food with your poison touch.” She said taking the ladle before he could reach it. 

“Oh come on I have gotten a lot better at cooking.” He said reaching to take the ladle from her. Instead she smacked his hand with it. 

“Yeah better at poisoning it with the slightest touch.” She said with a giggle. She then stopped and thought for a little bit. “Fenix, do you like it here?” 

“What do you mean?” He asked his face getting serious with worry.

“I mean, while you are here you are away from your friends and guild, surely they are missing you.” She said looking concerned. Fenix reached over and took her hand and smiled softly at her. 

“Lucy, I am happy wherever you are, here, Athul, even the profane plane, as long as I am with you.”  She looked up at him and kissed him and then looked into the fire. The two stared into the fire late into the night. 

~~~One month later~~~

Fenix and Lucy walked down the street towards the town hall, a meeting had been called to discuss the civil distress across the country. Although Lucy told Fenix he could stay at home since he was not involved in the problems at all, but he insisted on coming along anyway. They arrived at the city hall and were greeted by some of the people around town. Lucy had to be happy that since that day three months ago everyone treated her lot nicer, less rumors around town. From what she heard a lot of guys around town were apparently jealous of Fenix for being with her. Not that they were doing anything besides living together. Although Lucy had to admit that her mind did wander a few times. They talked for awhile when the meeting was officially called to order. 

The mayor stepped up to the podium. “Everyone please, the meeting is now starting. The Kingdom of Korland has officially decided to act against the gangs that plague this country publicly. They have decided assist the Athulian synergist that were working for them in secret, this of course includes our own Fenix.” The group of people looked at Fenix setting next to Lucy with his usual expression of happiness. The only time that the people of the town ever seen him not happy was when he was not around Lucy. 

“This means that battles with the gangs have started to appear all over the country and we should be ready for it to come here as well. Fenix the government has told me to tell you that if you need anything from the town to just tell us and we will give you any support we can.” Fenix laughed a little before standing.

“Sorry, did not mean to laugh, but I already have all the support I could ever need. As long as Lucy here is beside me, I will not have need for anything else.” He set back down Lucy blushing a little at the public announcement of affection. After the meeting while they were walking home in the snow she pulled out her trusty ladle that she had learned to keep with her all the time. She deftly swooped down and caught his ankle dropping him into the snow. She knocked him in the head with the ladle for good measure making him laugh a little through some light pain. 

“What was that for?” he asked.

“For the embarrassing announcement.” She said defiantly. He laughed before pushing her off into the snow. She came out of the snow and threw a snowball at him. He ducked it and returned fire. The two took steps away her blocking the snowballs with her ladle and he dodging them. The two traded blows for thirty minutes before falling in the snow laughing, Lucy looked over at him and finally came to the decision that she had struggled with for the last month. 

“Fenix, let’s head home there is something that I want to talk to you about.” She said with a smile. Fenix nodded and returned the smile. 

~~~The store later that day~~~

The two set by the fire, Lucy warming herself up, since unlike a certain jerk she knew, she was not immune to the cold. “Lucy what was it that you wanted to talk to me about?” Fenix asked.

“Right, I have decided something, that is if it is okay with you.” She said feeling embarrassed again for no reason.

“What is it? Why do you need my permission for it?” He asked looking confused. 

“Fenix after you complete your mission, and when you go home. Can I come with you, to Athul to where you live?” She asked looking up at him hopefully. She could not read his expression, something that she so far had never been able to do. He hid things so well. Even after all this time he knew her so well and she seemed to still be learning things.  He smirked as she talked, the smiled, and then finally started laughing hysterically. 

“Well if it is that funny maybe I do not want to go.” She snipped looking away from him and starting to get up. He grabbed her arm and pulled her back down. 

“No it is not that. It is just, for the last week I was thinking, trying to figure out a way to convince you to come with me, out of this country and to Athul. I could never think of a way of asking you to leave everything to come with me, so I had almost resigned to stay here with you and stop being a guild synergist. It looks like though you just saved me from that. Of course you can come with me Lucy, I want nothing more than that.” He said kissing her quickly. He jumped up quickly. “I had better go and get some more firewood for the night be right back Feisty.”

“You had better be Frosty.” She said with a smile. 

~~~Two months later a friend’s home~~~ 

Lucy celebrated her friend’s engagement. The two of them had been together for the last two months and everyone had been waiting for them to get together. Fenix stood near the rest of the men congratulating the new engaged man. 

“So Lucy when are you and Fenix finally going to get hitched.” Her friend asked suddenly making her stutter for a second. 

“What do you mean?!” Lucy asked looking around at the other women who all gave her the same questioning look. “We have not even discussed it.” Lucy looked over at Fenix who seemed to be in the same tough spot as her as guys patted him on the back. 

“Oh come on you guys have been together what six months, you guys have had to discuss it at one point, besides last week he and the military made a big push on the gangs here, he might not be here too much longer, you better bag him before he gets away.”

“Yeah Lucy he is a keeper, powerful, strong, handsome, and he does the entire home repair the first time you ask him too.” Lucy had to admit that most of those were true, except the house repair that usual took some nudging from a certain ladle.

“Yeah we just have not really thought about those types of things.” Lucy said, and she looked around at the looks from her friends and knew she made a mistake in saying that. 

“Wait, have you and him, you know done anything yet besides be lovey dovey and kiss?” Her friend asked. Lucy’s face turned beet red as she tried to defend herself. 

“It is just that with taking care of the store and him off fighting the gangs we are really busy and everything. I am sure that we will get around to it sooner or later.” She said laughing weakly her friends looked at her with a little bit of pity. The conversations were interrupted by a knock on the door. It was revealed to be a military Officer. 

“Mr. Ende if you will please come with me we have located the gangs hideout, we would like you to help us with a raid operation.” 

“Of course just give me a second.” Fenix said Congratulating the two again on their engagement he walked over and kissed the top of Lucy’s head. “See you later.” 

She waved him goodbye feeling her friend’s eyes on her. 

 ~~~The next night~~~ 

Lucy stood behind the counter of the store getting ready to close the store when in stepped in a military officer. At first Lucy’s heart jumped into her chest, did something happen to Fenix?

“Ma’am, I was sent here by Fenix, he wanted me to tell you that he will be arriving later tonight after finishing the route of the enemy.” Lucy sighed in relief and thanked the man. She mentally decided that it was time to get something done that she had wanted to do for months. She quickly closed the store and ran up stairs. She made sure to do things that she never did. She brushed her hair and made sure to look her best. She put on her nightgown that she never wore. It was a gift from her friend, it was lacey and kind of sexy looking thing that only went just passed her underwear, she swore while wearing it she flashed her underwear every time that she moved. She got dinner ready and waited for him to come home, this plan should work.  As she waited she started to think about things. She thought about how Fenix would feel when he got home, spending the last few nights fighting the gangs must have tired him out. He would be in no mood for this. She went to get up and get things back to normal when she felt his presence and tripped off the edge of the bed landing head first. The door opened and she looked up to see his confused face, in his right hand a bouquet of Dyhandras. 

“What are you doing?” Fenix asked as he helped her up putting the flowers down on the table. 

“Too be honest, trying to be sexy.” Lucy said as she set down on the bed as he checked out her forehead. 

“Looks like your head is fine, although I am not shocked about that, seems like a strange plan for you.” He said actually handing her the flowers, she was happy about that since she could hide behind them now to hide her embarrassment. 

“What do you mean by that?” she asked standing to put the flowers in a vase. 

“Well usually you do not try to tip toe around things when you want them you just go for them.” Fenix said taking off his coat and setting down to remove his boots. Lucy thought about it for a second and had to curse herself, somehow he had known her better then she knew herself. “Although I will say that for never wearing anything like that you look good, although I am just impressed that this was important enough to warrant you brushing your hair. She gave him a glare and then smiled back. 

“Well thank you, although this thing feels so short.” 

“it is supposed to be that way.” Fenix said standing and wrapping his arms around her. She looked over at him and decided to make her actual move, something more like her. 

~~~Divine Plane, present times~~~

Lucy looked at the clear blue sky with a smile. Tori finally knew the answer to what had baffled the military, why had the frozen reaper suddenly changed so much in personality. 

“What happened?” Mia asked, Tori was pretty curious as well, he wondered what could have happened to her with Fenix around. 

“I would love to tell you the next part of the story, but I do not have the time. If you stay much longer your spirits will start to stay here. You must get Fenix to open up, and please protect him.” 

“We will Mama!” Albiona said hugging Lucy. Dorian and Mia nodded in agreement and followed Albiona’s example. Lucy smiled and locked eyes with Tori. 

“Of course, if I can I will make sure to help out.” 

“If Fenix resists tell him this, August 3rd. He will know what it means.” Tori nodded as his vision faded to white. 

~~~The Everfrozen Forest~~~

Tori’s eyes flung open and he set bolt up. He was in a giant tent shielded from the cold. Around him were the guild members. A look of relief filled their faces as the four of them awoke. 

“Tori are you alright?” Alexander asked. 

“Yeah you guys were out for quite awhile.” Caitlyn chimed in. 

“Yeah, there is just something we have to fill you in on.” Tori said looking at the other three who nodded in agreement. 

~~~A short time later~~~

“I see you got to talk to Lucy then.” Zyn said looking down at the floor with a faraway look.

“You knew about this?” Tori asked figuring she knew something. 

“Not in the full details, I knew she existed. But I had no idea what happened to her or that she was connected to this place. I just had theories.” 

“How does the story end?” Alexander asked.

“Not sure, she could not finish it. She told us to ask Fenix, but I doubt he will be willing to tell us. She told us to tell him August third for some reason.” Mia finished explaining. 

“It was the day I became a class five.” 

They all jumped and looked to the opening of the tent. Standing there was Fenix, eerily not a bit of cold air or snow blew into the tent. He finished entering and took a seat by the fire looking into it deeply. Albiona ran over and hugged him. Mia and Dorian looked at him like they were concerned. 

“Fenix how does the story end?” Tori asked hoping that the frost synergist would not kill him. 

“I guess a story cannot go unfinished, and some of you have the right to know now. The months that I lived here were some of the best in my life, they went on like the ones that she told you about. That is until the last part. Leave it to her to make me tell you guys this part.” 

~~~twelve years ago~~~

Fireworks filled the air over the small village. Everyone enjoyed themselves to food and drink in celebration. Soldiers and citizens alike celebrated the fall of the gangs. Fenix was no different, he stood in the middle of the crowd holding Lucy’s hand as tight as he could. He wanted to make sure that nothing could take her from him. Not that this crowd was dangerous, but he always felt this way. He looked down at her and they exchanged smiles. Finally he managed to get out of the spotlight and get himself some food. She looked up at him and smiled. 

“Fenix, what would you say if I asked if instead of leaving in a week. If we left tonight, go to Athul and finally make a real life for ourselves.” 

Fenix chuckled and looked at her in the eyes seeing that look that told him that she was wanting to go through with it. “I would say that it is fine with me, of course when we get to Athul we will have to make arrangements, we cannot live in the guild hall.” 

“I am going to have to find people to be my wedding staff.” She said biting her lip. Fenix and her had never agreed to get married, this was the first time they had ever even talked about it as a possibility, but Fenix never even questioned it. 

“Yes we will, I already have my staff picked out.” He said with a laugh. As the two talked and laughed everyone heard a sound they had not heard in a long time, and thought they would not hear again, a gunshot. Fenix pushed Lucy out of the way in time and took a bullet to his side, a small graze. His mark flared ripping his coat anew. Ice froze the gunmen, a military officer. Fenix was confused, but his battle instincts told him exactly what he needed to know. Ice pushed up Lucy and he grabbed her hand. 

“Run!” was all he yelled as ice blocked bullets from hitting them. The two ducked off into the woods as the military took off after him. 

~~~In the woods towards the Athul borders~~~

Lucy and Fenix ran as fast as their legs could go. Fenix could feel the burn from this sprint; he was worried about how well Lucy was holding up. A rifleman flipped around a tree and took aim. Fenix brought up his hand for focus and flash froze the man. Another appeared to his left near Lucy he went to use his synergy again, but before he could Lucy pulled out her ladle and managed to dispatch her enemy. He had to smile, looks like that time teaching her some fighting skills and worked out pretty well, they could not defeat the entire military squadron that was stationed here, but they might be able to escape them. They ran again Fenix made a cold spear and impaled a man freezing his lower organs killing him. Another was flung and went through another’s brain. Lucy blocked a sword and punches a man in the gut dropping him to his knee and then punched his lights out. They finally entered a lake area that Fenix remembered. They were only at most thirty or so minutes from the border on foot. He lead her out and they were getting good around the lake when it happened. He heard the click after it was too late. An explosion ripped the ground open and sent the two flying. 

Fenix looked around as soldiers neared them. They lay flat on the ground, Fenix could feel all the cuts and bruises that he explosion caused. He staggered to his feet as Lucy got to her knees not used to being in this much pain. The military closed in and in the front was the officer in charge. Someone he had worked with closely during the battle with the gangs. 

“I must apologize Fenix, but orders are orders.”

“I can understand that, killing me will make things easier to control, and also you would not have to pay as much.” Fenix snarled. 

“that is not what I am apologizing for. My orders are not to kill you.” He said moving his pistol over to aim at Lucy. “They are for her death.” He pulled the trigger making Lucy flinch and prepare for the worst. The officer looked down at the barrel of his gun and seen that the entire barrel was frozen solid. The air dropped drastically in temperature. The officer watched as a sphere of ice formed around the two. 

“Fenix what is going on.” Lucy asked looking at him. He felt something inside him and he choked back something as he tried to respond. 

“Lucy they are here to kill you for some reason, I will make an opening, you run I can take care of this.” He knew that Lucy would argue about wanting to be with him. The young woman looked into his eyes and something was there in her expression almost like fear. 

“Fenix, your eyes they are icy blue and… draconic.” As the words left her mouth Fenix realized what was happening. 

“Lucy we need to get you out of here, not just from them.” As he spoke a hole was blown in the ice and a soldier ran in with a sword, he barely took a step before Fenix had frozen him solid. “but also from me, my mark it is.” He choked on the words as he spoke. 

“It is not reacting like normal, Fenix are you alright?” Lucy asked looking at his wounds she could see ice forming on them to stop the bleeding, the warmth that she had known from him had gone from his skin. 

“Lucy, they are after you and I cannot let them hurt you. My mark understands that… and it is using it as a way to take over me.” Fenix said a look of fear written across his face. 

“You mean you are going rampant, I thought that only happened if you let your element take over you.” 

“No not rampancy something far worse, you have to go I can only fight it for so long.” Fenix said the ice again being destroyed, this time Fenix fired a wave of cold killing more soldiers and fixing the hole. He felt it slowly taking over his mind, he had seen this happen before, to Zyn. He never thought it was going to happen to him. 

“Fenix, if me being safe and leaving will stop whatever this is, then please, protect me as I get away, but promise me that you will come back to me.” 

“I will always come for you Lucy, always.” He said as he forged a hallway of ice that lead for who knows how long. “quickly it will not be long before they break in again.” 

Lucy kissed him briefly and begin to run when something Fenix could not calculate happened. He heard the rumble and then the sound of the cannon, a tank’s cannon.

Ice flew in every direction, Fenix landed and the ground and rolled twenty feet away from him lay Lucy curled in a ball coughing, slowly walking towards her was the officer. He held in his hand a sword and walked towards her ready to strike. Fenix felt more rage and the officer screamed as ice overcame his body. Fenix ran to her side and gathered her in his arms, he could see the wound in her stomach she was bleeding out too quickly, there was nothing he could do, Lucy was dying. That is when he let himself go and the next thing he remembered was rage, an endless pit of sorrow, and cold. A cold unlike anything that he had ever felt before, colder than any winter, he later remembered what had happened. With the power that he had gained he had froze the entire forest, killed hundreds of soldiers. In his arms laid Lucy her wound froze over still dying. 

“Fenix” She gasped her hand weakly touching his cheek. 

“Lucy I am so sorry, I can’t save you.” He wept falling to his knees in the snow.

“I know, but Fenix please listen. Promise me just one thing before I go.”

“What.” He asked barely able to look at her face. 

“Please… smile for me… as much as you can… for as long as you can.” All he could do was nod for his words could not come. 

“Goodbye…Frosty.” She said as her eyes closed. She still breathed but it was seconds before her death. Fenix felt the cold wind wrap her into its arms and froze her into an angel statue, vases appeared with icy Dyhandras in them. He set in the snow, no sense of time. He could barely remember when he finally stood and stumbled out of the forest and into Athul. 

~~~The present day~~~

Fenix set looking into the fire tears streaming down his face. The whole group looked at him in shock and sorrow. Albiona wept pressing her head in to his chest. He wrapped an arm around her and held her close. Dorian and Mia set by him and hugged him for support. The others slowly trickled out of the tent. 

Tori stood looking across the frozen lake to the grave marker. He could not believe how much power Fenix actually had, but more over he could not believe what he had heard. He could not believe how he had always thought of Synergist as terrifying monsters, people with so much power that they were immune to things like this. He had always thought of the fear that the soldiers must have felt battling these people, but now he had gotten to know them. He no longer could fear them, he pitied them, they had been through too much. Alexander walked up and patted him on the back handing him a warm drink. 

“Alexander I have a question for you, it may be ill timed after hearing that story, but I have to ask it.” The spatial synergist looked at him and nodded. “Why are you a member of the guild that killed your brother?”

Alexander sighed and looked at the investigator. “I was asked the same thing the day I joined. I will tell you the same thing that I told him. I use to hate the guild. I wanted revenge for him. One day I finally got my chance I had my brother’s gun and tracked down members of the guild. They were in a local divine synergist’s house. I went in there and with the intent of killing them. When I entered I saw a young boy lay on a bed, blood covering his throat. Setting next to him was Fenix, I walked up and put the gun to his head. He looked at me and told me to fire.” 

“Why would he want that?” 

“At the time I did not know, but now I do. Between losing Lucy, the things he did while under mind control, he also had another sin. Dorian’s wound would not have taken his voice originally. It would have taken years of therapy, but he would have talked again, but no doctor would treat him and he was losing too much blood, Fenix had no choice but to freeze his wound. The lack of treatment and the frostbite to the throat is what took Dorian’s voice. But when I went to pull the trigger and kill him, Dorian grabbed my arm and tried to stop me, he would not have succeeded, but when I looked into Dorian’s eyes I could see that killing Fenix was not the right thing to do, they had lost just as much as I had.” 

Tori looked at the synergist and could feel the sorrow from the story. “So you later joined that guild.” 

“They were people that knew the pain of losing something unjustly. I wanted to help them recover something, and they helped me recover as well.” 

“I cannot fathom what you and Fenix have gone through.” Tori said. 

“And I hope that you never have to.” Alexander said looking at the statue then at Tori. 

13: Tale 13

~~~Border town near the Ever Frozen forest~~~

The group awoke the next morning and prepared for the long journey home, Tori was not looking forward to the long train ride back. As they set around the breakfast table eating the place was somber and quiet. Fenix looked around at the long faces around him, he suddenly smirked wickedly before pulling out Alexander’s keys to the guildhall and placing them calmly in Alexander’s morning coffee. The group stared with disbelief, even Alexander stared at the keys flouting in the drink before turning to the frost synergist who had went to cheerfully drink his orange juice and eat his food. Alexander response to this day Tori does not believe. He reached over and tipped over Fenix’s drink spilling it on the table. Before Tori could stop anyone food and drink were being flung all over the place. As the group laughed in ran the bellhop who was hoping to stop the destruction. Soon the group found themselves walking towards the train station with their usual demeanor of laughter and jokes abound. 

As they walked Tori found it hard to believe that just earlier the group had been is such gloom. “Hey guys I agreed to go with Arisa sightseeing, so we are going on ahead to a town on the way home, you guys go ahead and head home.” Zyn said suddenly. 

“Alright take care and have fun.” Fenix said with a wink. 

“I am not the one that wanted to go, I am just forcing her to go.” Arisa grumbled as the two walked away. 

The group saw the two off on their train and was waiting for their own train to arrive when they heard the distinctive sound of a building collapsing. They looked off into the distance to see the smoke column in the distance. The group without saying a word took off. 

Upon arriving at the building police and military personnel were there helping with the people. Tori ran up to the person in charge. “What is going on here?” 

“We are not entirely sure, the building that collapsed is a newer building, built just last year, there was no sign of the building having any infrastructure problems either.” Tori thought about the information, he could not come up with anything with this amount of information. He walked over to the ruins of the building and standing near it was Alexander who waved him over. “Tori if you had to make a guess on what could do this what would it be?” Tori looked at what he the spatial synergist was pointing at and noticed that a foot thick support beam made of steel was now crumpled like paper. He reached out and touched it to feel that it was cold and still solid metal. 

“Maybe a metal synergist or a spatial synergist; you do not think that a synergist did this do you?” 

“I would like to think not, but the evidence to me is pretty clear, especially since there is something that I can detect that you cannot.” 

“What is that?” 

“This area is drenched in gravity based energy. A spatial synergist was involved, and I have to warn you one thing Tori.” 

“What is it Alexander?” The investigator could see that something had visibly shaken the other man. 

“Whoever used the gravity in the area is more powerful than I am, a lot more powerful than I am.” Tori had to admit that he was just as shaken about that statement as Alexander was. He had witnessed Alexander teleport, phase, manipulate kinetic energy in seconds, and destroy colossuses with a simple bow and arrow. Not only was he an extremely skilled spatial synergist, he was also a dragonmark. 

“Alexander is that possible?” Tori asked to see what the man thought. 

“It is, I am not a type five or anything, but this had to be done by a type five or an extremely powerful type four.” 

“How can you tell that it could not be just a savant synergist or something of the like?” Tori asked thinking that could easily be the answer. 

“The reason is simple, savants are powerful, but their effects can only last while they are in the area, unless they are as powerful as a type five. Their gravity in this area is still increased by about 5% of normal.”  Alexander explained. 

Tori understood the reasoning, and the fact that savants were just as rare as Dragonmarks, although from what Alexander said it had to be one of those two things. Fenix walked around the building looking around at things his kids right behind him, Fenix placed his hand on a wall and seemed to nod.

“Fenix did you discover something?” Alexander asked, Caitlyn staring at the building as if she was looking for something as she walked up beside them. 

“Nothing particular, but it looks like on this wall there are scratches from some kind of weapon. Normally I would assume they were caused by the building collapsing, but the way the scratches are they are more like aimed attacks” Fenix said walking over to them. Tori looked at what he was looking at and had to agree they were clustered and looked more like sharp cuts rather than just scratches. 

Caitlyn moved her hands and some metal debris moved uncovering some injured people, Mia and the medics rushed over and started helping the unconscious people, although some of the people were no longer alive and the others were in critical condition. The other synergist gathered and started to whisper to each other. Tori walked over and butted in to their huddle. 

“Yeah this was someone powerful, and a spatial synergist no doubt about it.” Caitlyn said shaking her head. 

“My guess is they were attacked and overreacted.” Fenix said.

“It would make sense with the way that spatial synergy is.” Alexander said.

Dorian nodded before holding out his hand and a bent flattened short sword flew from the debris, scaring some of the people in the area, and to his hand.

“Yeah Dorian that does not look like a weapon that a normal person would carry with them, I am think anti-synergist.” Fenix said nodding. 

“Is this just a hypothesis, or is there solid evidence to convince you of this, that could have been the weapon of the synergist and they could have been the people attacked.”Tori jumped in, he really did not want to think that either was true, but he could not delude himself into thinking that attacks on synergist did not happen, especially after what happened to poor Bianca.

“Judging from the power of the synergist, they would most likely either not have weapons, or not be sloppy enough to just swing and miss. It also looks like the swings were really low, so there is a high chance that the strikes were brought down by synergy.” Fenix said. Tori could have guessed the same thing. 

“Okay so we need to see what the survivors say, we also need to find the synergist.” Tori said, “If you guys do not mind look for the synergist, I will wait and interrogate the people, just in case they are not friendly to synergist, if anyone asks say that I sent you and give them my military code, which should allow you to investigate this.” The group nodded and took off. Tori made sure to inform the local commander that he was taking charge as an investigation of the involvement of synergy. 

~~~a hour later~~~

Alexander walked down the streets of the town, people eyed him suspiciously, he was not sure why. There was no way that they knew that he could be a synergist, so there had to be another reason that they were so cautious around him. He stood near a small ally trying to sense any abnormalities in the gravity of the area, but then a sound distracted him. The sound of someone crying, he followed the sound down into the ally and there he found a young girl, she looked to be in her teens. She wore a pair of slightly torn pants and a black jacket over a long white sleeved shirt. Alexander was about to ask what was wrong when he noticed a cut on her torso on her upper abdomen. 

“Are you alright?” He asked walking over to the girl. She looked up and started to get up holding her side.

“Please do not get close, I do not want to hurt anyone.” The girl begged as she started to back away in the ally her back hitting the dead end. Alexander stopped his advance and held up his hands.

“No one is going to get hurt, I am here to help.” The girl shook he head before she responded to him. 

“I cannot control it.” She grunt as Alexander noticed the red on her shirt get larger. He was about to tell her to come with him so he could help her when he felt a split second before it happened. Suddenly the gravity in the area swelled uncontrollably.

~~Outside the hospital~~

Tori had not gotten anything out of the people; they all said that they were attacked by a powerful and dangerous synergist that has been on the rampage for the last couple days. Although they did not know that Tori was trained to detect when a person was lying, and they were. He jumped as he heard another explosion and a column of smoke. He bolted in that direction. Upon arriving he saw the rubble as two sides of a building had been crushed swallowing an alley way. Then he noticed in the center stood Alexander and a young woman, Alexander’s eye patch was missing and a small circle formed around them. The girl was unconscious in his arms and blood stained her shirt. 

“Alexander what is going on?” Tori called to him from across the rubble.

“Tori we need to get to Mia as quickly as possible, this girl… she is dangerous.” Tori was not exactly sure what he meant by that, but he could guess pretty well. 

~~~at the local hotel~~~

Tori and the synergist set inside the dining room of the hotel eating lunch as they quietly talked. 

“The girl has some extremely high potency to crush a building like that, would not expect that from her either.” Tori said thinking about the girl now laying in the girl’s room still unconscious. Alexander set silently next to Caitlyn after another failed attempt to set by Tori. 

“How much did she magnify the gravity of the area?” Caitlyn asked the spatial synergist, she stared at him as he set seemingly deeply in thought, only after Fenix nudged him did he finally answer. 

“She did not actually augment gravity.” 

“What do you mean, you said you sensed that  the gravity around the collapsed building was augmented.” Mia asked trying to imagine what else could have crushed the building.  

“No that was just a byproduct of intense spatial energy since gravity is the most basic form of spatial synergy. It was just a residual effect of her power.”

“Then what about the crushed pillar, no other ability could do that.” Fenix asked leaning back in his chair. 

“No she did not augment the gravity; she augmented the space around her.” Alexander said looking at his drink mostly left untouched. 

“If she had folded space then the two objects would have destroyed each other not crumpled like the pillar.” Tori said understanding how the spatial technique of spatial folding worked. 

“That is normally true, the ability to fold space for things like teleportation, hitting from a distance, and making attacks miss usually follows the law that two objects cannot take up the same space, by that logic the pillars would not crumple, but be destroyed or bent, but if the space between molecules was augmented.” 

“The pillar would lose its rigid nature and crunch like a can.” Fenix finished the thought. “But that amount of power is far beyond what any synergist I have ever heard of doing, only something like a dragon mode could manage something around that level.” 

“I agree, there are no records of any synergist managing to manipulate that much fine amount of space on such a large scale. That would take a large amount of focus and time to perform.” Tori said thinking about the synergical mechanics behind such a technique almost baffled him.

“Not if it was just a rampant power. In dragon mode they could do it through power alone. I theorize that is the case here a power she can use that she cannot control, she just unleashes it.” As Alexander finished explaining the group looked at him with shocked expressions and confusion. “My theory mostly comes from feeling what the technique did to the area, and also that she was injured, she may have unleashed that ability as a subconscious defense.”

“I see an instinctual defense, but that would put her in the top bracket of spatial synergist, that could take a life time of study and practice to master, and that is if you had great talent in spatial synergy as a whole.” Fenix said, Dorian nodded then pulled out a pad of paper and wrote a single word on it, a name. 

“Vyshen”

“Vyshen, what would she know about this spatial technique she is a profane synergist.” Mia asked looking more confused. Dorian shook his head, but luckily for him Tori understood what he meant. 

“No he does not mean that she would know about the technique, what he meant to say is what if this girl is like her, a savant… a very special savant. Normally a savant is a master of one field of study in a synergy type. Much like how Flame synergy has two components heat and fire. Spatial synergy has two fields as well, the manipulation of space and the manipulation of gravity. But rather than be a savant of all things related to space manipulation, she is a savant of a technique granting her much more power than normal allowed.” The group stared in disbelief, they understood it, but that also gave this poor teenage girl a power that no other person could master, a very scary power. 

Alexander stared into his drink when he noticed three figures heading towards the stairs, the three had been in the dining room the entire time they had been, wearing hoods and cloaks they seemed suspicious. He was about to say something when Dorian stood up and stepped in front of them. He had never really seen Dorian do something like this so spontaneously, but quickly understood why. The figure drew back her cloak to reveal a molded beast place over a tank top and pants, her arm was covered in a large metal gauntlet with sharp claws on the finger tips. She lunged and Dorian rolled backwards dodging the attack barely. Fenix jumped up to attack when he stopped and blocked a wave of ice shards that were flung at him from one of the other figures. Wind blew through the area as Mia and Alexander rose. 

“Ema we cannot face them all, let’s just back off and then we can engage them later.” The leader looked back at the one who talked and nodded the three ran and jumped out a window the Fenix family hot on their trail. 

“Bye Papa have fun!” Albiona said waving to them with a smile before going back to her food. 

“Albiona come on! We may need your nose!” Fenix called back in at the young woman. She perked up and leapt after the other team. 

“Ah man wish I could go and see what is going on with them.” Caitlyn said taking a bite of food. 

“Then why don’t you?” Tori asked wondering what the hell was going on.

“Yeah I am sure you would want that, leave you alone with Alexander so you can seduce him. Tori was about to defend himself from the accusations, but decided that it was better to just pick his battles right now. 

“We should go and watch over the girl, that man was a wind synergist, I think he was listening in to our conversation.” Alexander said running towards the stairs, Tori and Caitlyn nodded and followed. 

~~~in the streets of Hollord~~~

Albiona led the charge running with her family behind her. In front of them ran the three cloaked figures, the three separated heading in three different directions. 

“Dorian, Ema is all yours like normal, We will take the two mystery guests.” Mia said with a smile. 

“Albiona come with me, and stay out of danger. Dorian make sure to give her my best.” Fenix said before the other three darted down the alleys after the two mystery people.

Dorian ran after her for a short time before they came to a small park in the town. Ema whirled around and threw off her hood. Dorian looked at her. She had long dark grey hair and fierce angry silver eyes. She was more elegant looking then him, but he could knew that on her body were some small scars even one just below her left eye. He also knew one other thing about her. 

“Dorian this is for Sterling.” She yelled reaching for her cloak. Dorian followed her lead unzipping his coat. The two threw off their outmost layer his coat and her cloak and charged at each other. Grey energy erupted from his mark on his right collar bone, and from her mark on her left collar bone. Swords formed in his hands, another wicked looking clawed gauntlet formed on her uncovered arm. Sparks flew as they traded blows, each seeming to be able to read the others moves without any trouble. 

Dorian and she backed away; she was already starting to pant a little, where as Dorian was doing fine. She glared at him as he formed words his mark sparking with energy. 

“Ema, surrender, There are things that you should know.” Ema glared at the words and dived at him. Dorian tried to use the metal to attack, but she was too quick before he knew it she had closed the distance and grabbed his swords. He let them go and formed a new weapon. 

“Oh so the great Dorian the “knight” of dragoon spirit finally pulls his great weapon.” Ema mocked, Dorian now stood holding a scythe in his hand. Dorian dove forwards, she went to block the blade, but Dorian spun the weapon around his body catching her in the opposite side with the pole of the weapon, she fell forwards and rolled out of the way of the blade as it cleanly sliced through the ground. She jumped to her feet in time to be greeted with the back of the blade as he spun it again. Through his combination of synergy and skill he was able to wield the weapon despite its greater weight and design. He locked the blade with her right hand and the pole with her left and stared into her eyes. Hers were filled with anger and hate, his own eyes filled with regret and sorrow.

Fenix entered the alley Albiona skipping beside him. Standing in the dead end of the ally at an open area was the hooded figure who seemed confused. 

“Take a wrong turn?” Fenix asked with his usual joking manner. 

“Ummm are you Fenix? IS that Mia? I was told that she was younger than that.” A young woman’s voice came from the hooded figure that turned to face him and removed her hood. She looked like she was just a year or two younger than Dorian. She had long wavy pale blonde hair and icy blue eyes, her skin was pale and she wore a sweater and shorts under her cloak. 

“I am Fenix”

“But Mia is my sister! She went after you other friend. My name is Albiona!” Albiona said with a smile. 

“Huh Kyl did not mention you? I was just supposed to battle with Fenix… I think that was the plan. To tell you the truth I do not remember the plan anymore.” The girl said rubbing the back of her head. 

“That is okay, I never follow them anyways.” Fenix said with a smile.

“It is true! Big sis yells at him all the time about it.” Albiona said with a smile. 

“Kyl will be upset if I fail. So I will just make sure to beat you two then!” She said removing her cloak and taking a fighting stance. Albiona giggled making the girl give her a confused look. “What is so funny?” 

“But you are an ice synergist.” Albiona said trying to resist a full blown laughing fit.

 “Yeah and?” The girl asked. 

“No ice synergist can beat my Papa! He is a full blown ice dragon!” Albiona said with a smile. The girl looked dumbfounded looking at Fenix before falling to her knees. 

“No way! Kyl never told me that! How am I supposed to beat an Ice dragon.”

“And your luck is even worse off since I am his daughter.” Albiona said walking up and patting the woman on the back. 

“But that would mean that I am fighting against two ice dragons! How am I supposed to do that! Oh no Kyl is going to be upset about this.” The woman quickly jumped up and ran towards the Alley. Ice formed over the entrance. 

“And where are you going?” Fenix asked his hands in his pocket. 

“I do not remember the plan, and also the plan will have to change due to you being a dragon. So I better ask Kyl for a new plan.” The woman said before placing her hand on the ice wall. Fenix and Albiona looked at each other in sleight confusion when something happened that neither of them expected. They watched as Fenix’s ice wall shattered and she ran off. The two quickly looked at the pieces of wall and then at each other before running off after her. 

Mia ran into the alley and quickly had to put up barriers to block of wind blades. Luckily for her when the wind tried to wrap around the barrier it was easily blocked away by her energy. The synergist in front of her clicked his tongue. He had long black hair and emerald eyes. He wore a simple shirt and pants. 

“I see that you have been trained to block fluid attacks.” 

“I was trained by Fenix, he is not exactly easy to block.” Mia retorted. The man flouted off the ground using wind and fired more blades. She could not see them, but again she was used to blocking attacks she could not see. Thermal attacks are much harder to detect than wind attacks. She blocked them and even managed to dodge an updraft attack from beneath her. 

“He has trained you well, but you are still forced to be on the defense.” He said more winds attacks being launched. Mia blocked them before proving him wrong. She channeled her energy and waited. She felt the last wind attack hit her barrier and she used the energy from the barrier to fire a divine blast. He quickly dodged the attack and went to mock her when she started to glow and flout into the air. He stared at her and fired a blast of wind that seemed to bounce off her harmlessly. 

“What is that technique?” he pondered out loud. 

“It is something that I have been working on for quite some time, but this is the first time I am using it in actual combat.” She said launching towards him. He dodged left, but was blown back from the sheer force of her movement. He fired a wind blade, but it easily missed. He started to try and calculate her speed when she fired a rain of tiny orbs of divine energy from her hand. He dodged most of the orbs by flying around in the wind as he was trying to deduce the manner of her technique. He was blasted by the orbs and fell to the ground each one impacting with the power of a punch. Mia floated in the sky as he stood and brushed off some dirt and wiped a small trickle of blood from his lip. 

“I see, I would never have thought about that as a use for divine synergy. You are merging a divine armor ability and angelic flight together to make this… I must say it is unique and quite powerful. You must be skilled to even fire divine blasts in that state.” He smirked as Mia realized what he was doing. A giant blade of wind swept by her; she tried to dodge the attack but it was managed to cut her stomach open some blood flowed out. His victory was short lived as the wound closed quickly. 

“That wind blade should have barely cut you unless… that is not a shield around you… but a healing aura… not wait it is both. Theoretically with this much power you could have managed to either heal the wound with no blood loss, or stop the attack completely, but this technique has divided up your effects in half power.” He smiled understanding the technique now. He laughed making Mia put on a fierce face. 

“This is entertaining; I think I made a small miscalculation. I am not sure if I can beat that technique myself.”

“Would that be due to the weak attack power of air synergy?” Mia said making him smirk in response. She dove after him managing to hit him sending him rolling form the force. He stood about to reengage when a girl just a bit older than Mia ran into the clearing with Fenix and Albiona hot on her trail.

“Miranda what are you doing here?” he asked 

“Kyl we have a problem! How am I supposed to fight two dragons?” the girl asked running over to him and stopped short seeing the blood smear on his face.

“Dragons?” he said as Fenix and Albiona stood near Mia. “They are not Dragons Miranda just dragonmarks.” 

“Huh, but they said.” 

“You cannot believe everything that others say.” He said before looking at them, “Although I do agree Miranda there is going to be a change of plan, we are going to take all three of them on.” 

Miranda looked over at him and gave him a huge smile before nodding and turning back to face them. 

~~~At the hotel~~~

Alexander, Tori, and Caitlyn stood outside the door of the girl’s hotel room. As they waited a group of people came up the stair with dark looks in their eyes. 

“Hey you, hand her over.” The one in the lead called over to the trio. 

“Excuse me?” Caitlyn said fiercely not liking the man’s tone. 

“The girl, we know that you have her. The possessed one.” 

“We have no one like that, if we may ask you to please leave now.” Tori said before the guy pulled a hand gun. 

“Do not try and lie to us, the inn keep already told us you have her, and we are here to put an end to her.” The three stood in a line looking at them.

“Alexander get her out of her, me and Caitlyn will hold them off and then come find you.” Alexander nodded.

“You ain’t going anywhere.” The man with the gun said, he pulled the trigger Tori prepared to duck the attack but the gun seemed not to fire. Caitlyn ran forward and jump kicked the man in the face knocking him flat before beginning to brawl with the rest of the crowd. 

“Dumbass! I learned that trick from Dorian a long time ago; guns have metal hammers to fire bullets.” Tori had to admit that was an amazing trick using metal synergy to stop gunfire, but he could not leave her to fight on her own and joined the fray as well. Alexander moved into the bedroom to find the girl was now awake and getting up. 

“We have to go.” He said moving to grab her when she looked at him in fear. “It is okay I will keep you safe.” He said. 

“No please leave me alone, I do not want to kill anymore.” She said before Alexander could respond the wall next to her collapsed and she jumped out of the hole in the wall. Alexander followed jumping after her. 

Alexander chased her into a secluded spot and looked at her, she was panting and he could tell that she was not used to running and had greatly drained her energy in escaping already.

“I understand that you are scared, you have a very powerful ability that you do not know how to control, but we can help you learn how to use it.” Alexander tried to explain when she seemed to have a breakdown. 

“No! Not again! There is no controlling it, everyone that has tried to help… have died. You will just die to.” The girl said tears starting to stream down her face. 

Alexander went to say something in his defense when he felt the energy well up inside her. He was only just able to redirect her attack. The walls around him collapsed as she stood. “Please leave now, or I have no choice.” She said as she faced him, Alexander was not sure how much control over her power that she had, but he was going to have to help her. He just had to figure out how to convince her to let him. He quickly redirected the attack from hitting him and the walls around him collapsed as he dodged. He sent a kinetic blast and the girl whimpered as it hit her square in the chest and sent her rolling back. She stood up holding her chest and shaking form the pain. Alexander quickly figured that she was not used to taking attacks or feeling pain. He suddenly had to defend himself from a much more powerful attack; this one shredded the walls and the ground around them. This was more like what he saw in the alley earlier today. He panted from having to expend the energy to defend and noticed that she was tired, but still ready to fight, she had a naturally large energy reserve, something that he was not expecting. A technique of that level would normally require an absorbingly high amount of energy. 

“Listen please; as you can see I am a spatial synergist, I can protect myself from it.” He took a step towards her when she yelled and the whole area became filled with the destructive energy destroying the ground and everything around her. It took almost everything Alexander had to fight it away. Alexander and the girl both stood panting at the expender of energy that they both had to use. It was taking almost all of Alexander’s power and skill to survive this. That is when he heard a sound that he did not want to hear at the moment, the sound of people running towards them. 

“Stay back I am a guild synergist!” He called to the people; that is when he saw that they were also a mob. “Damn it” He said turning from the girl to protect her. She looked at him in confusion. 

“We know that you are a synergist, we figure we might as well take out two in one go.” The leader of the mob said bouncing a metal pipe in his hand. Alexander calculated his remaining energy and knew that he could not take on this big of a mob nor could he protect them from her at the same time. He quickly threw himself over the girl as they attack hitting him in the back with their weapons. He grunted and fired a wave of kinetic force to push them back, but it only bought him a few seconds, his only hope was that Tori and Caitlyn would hurry and get here. 

He suddenly heard cries as something blocked the attacks, he looked up to see what looked like black sand. 

“Oi, I would suggest leaving the girl alone.” The mob turned and Alexander could see through the crowd a young teen boy around 16 or 17 staring down the mob. He had dark olive skin tone with a decent muscular structure. He wore a coat that had one long sleeve and one short that hung down to his knees open at the bottom to show his black pants and combat boots. He had messy black hair that was spiky and pushed back.  His steel grey eyes looked at the crowd with almost anticipation. Metal bands rested on his wrists and the exposed bicep. 

“Stay out of this boy, this does not concern you, they be synergist!” one said getting in his face and pushing a metal pipe into it. The boy pointed at the black sand and then at himself, they guys eyes widened as the boys fist collided with his face sending him flying backwards onto the ground. He smiled as the crowd rushed him. Alexander went to help him before realizing that he did not need his help. The boy dodged weapons and punched and kicked back, before too long the crowd ran as he stood in the alley way and sneered at them. 

“Good riddance ye bastards! OI that coat, does that mean you are a member of dragoon spirit?” he asked helping Alexander and the girl to their feet and the black sand returned to his pant pockets. 

“Yes I am thank you for the assistance.” Alexander said making sure the girl was alright while doing so.” 

“Not a problem mate, just doing what any old bloke would do. Alright then finally made it to Lyndash then, strange yer own folks would attack ya like that.” He said before turning towards the girl. “The name is Viktor, a pleasure to meet a ya.” 

“My name is Tabitha, a pleasure to meet you as well. Who are you?” She asked looking at him confused. 

“By the way this is not Lyndash.” Alexander said, as the words left his mouth the Viktor looked absolutely defeated. 

“What! Ya mean I have been traveling for three days and I still ain’t found Lyndash yet? I have been heading east like she said.” 

“Where did you start from?” Alexander asked confused by this strange young man. 

“I headed out from Thindore, and then headed east.” 

“We are north of Thindore, about three days north of there.” Tabitha said. Viktor’s jaw dropped and his eyes widened, you mean to tell me that I was going the wrong direction the whole time?” 

“It looks that way, but why are you heading to Lyndash and looking for dragoon spirit?” Alexander asked. 

“Oh sorry about that, lost my focus.” Viktor breathed in deeply and then released it in a huge sigh. “Okay let’s start over eh? My name is Viktor and I am a newly recruited member of Wisp’s form. My guild leader wanted me to come and stay with you folks for a bit while she tries to recruit new members. I was told that if she came back empty handed that she was going to give on in and join your guild.” Alexander and Tabitha stared at him in shock and confusion. 

“What was that black sand?” Tabitha asked. 

“Oh that? It is metal sand; it is kind of my specialty.” He said with a smile. He turned as Caitlyn and Tori ran into the area. 

“Are you two okay, and who is this guy?” Caitlyn asked. Tabitha looked at her with a look of confusion at being addressed. 

“We will be fine, this is Viktor he is a new member of Wisp’s Form, and he will be staying at the guild hall for awhile while his guild gets more members.” Alexander explained. 

“That is a relief.” Tori said walking up to Tabitha. “Hello, my name is Tori I am a member of the guild investigation division, are you alright, and also can I get your statement on what happened earlier.” 

“Tori is this really the time to be asking? I think we already know what happened here.” Caitlyn said defensively. 

“Why are you being so nice to me?” Tabitha asked looking at the group suspiciously, “Why did you save me? I am a danger to everyone around me. You should have let them kill me.” 

Alexander went to say something when Viktor stepped up. “Oi there miss, I do not really know these people that well myself, but I have heard the stories from my team leader. They never turn their back on a person that needs help. Also to boot, from what I could tell from talking to some of the townsfolk here. It seems you cannot control yer abilities. You may be dangerous and all but all ya need is some training, not to get pummeled down or anything.” Viktor walked up to her and ruffled her hair before turning towards the others. “If ya do not mind me asking, is there a good place to get some food?” They nodded and walked back to the hotel, Tabitha watched them as they ate and talked, Viktor still complaining about going in the wrong direction.  

~~~Back in the alley~~~

Kyl slid back from the sheer force of the attack, he had managed to block the girls attack, but it still packed a massive wallop. Mia flew into the sky dodging the ice spikes from Miranda. Miranda ducked just in time to dodge a kick from Fenix, she went to counter his strike when Albiona moved in her mouth full of air. Albiona released her breath as a massive cone of cold smashed into Miranda almost freezing her solid, she disrupted the ability using her frost energy to escape. Kyl jumped in the way, but was easily out fought by Fenix. She went to defend Kyl when Mia knocked her into the air, before she could react Mia landed several hits. Finally She was able to channel her frost energy into Mia’s technique to disrupt it. The two girls fell through the air. Kyl abandoned his battle with Fenix to catch Miranda with his wind synergy. Albiona caught her sister and placed Mia back on the ground. 

“Kyl I do not think that we can win this at all.” Miranda said rubbing her head. 

“Again Miranda I think that you are right. Ema failed to inform us of their power and skill as a team. Let’s retreat for now.” Wind surged around the two and carried them off into the sky. 

 

Ema jumped back and lost her balance, she had to admit to herself that if her enemy was one thing he was a master of melee combat. She barely dodged another stroke although it just barely cut her shirt. She jumped away and was breathing hard. His form was about perfect with this weapon. That deadly scythe spun around him and was back in his hand without wasted movement. He was already back in a stance to either defend himself or attack. Her mark flared and six spears formed in the air and launched at him from different angles. Without even looking he was able to block the spears with spins and flips of his scythe, each block stopped an attack with no wasted movement, the spears barely missing him, not from a failure to be able to block them, but rather his choice not to waste force on making them miss drastically. She gritted her teeth as Kyl and Miranda arrived. 

“Ema we have to retreat, they will be here soon and we cannot take on their entire team.” Ema sighed but knew they were right. She used her mark to fling her gauntlets at Dorian to distract him as she was lifted by the wind and carried off. Dorian watched them go as his own backup arrived. He made the metal disappear before donning his coat and walking back towards the hotel. 

~~~At the Hotel~~~

Dorian, Fenix, Mia, and Albiona arrived back at the hotel to see the sight of the strange group at the table eating. Military personnel led people from upstairs down in handcuffs confusing this group even more. 

“Hello we are back from our great adventures.” Fenix said taking a place at the table, Albiona quickly taking the spot next to him, leaving Dorian and Mia to pull chairs from other tables to set down. 

“Oi you must be Fenix, Dorian, and Mia… sorry there lass not sure of yer name.” Viktor said with a smile making sure to shake all four of their hands in order. 

“I am Albiona I am Fenix’s daughter.” Albiona said with a smile. Viktor looked at Fenix then at her. 

“One she is a draygon, two she is not actually my daughter.” Fenix said with his usual smirk. Albiona gave him a pouty look and started to hit him. 

“PAPA do not be mean!” Tori looked over at Mia and Dorian, “Who where the people that you went after?”

The two looked at each other and Dorian nodded, and then excused himself from the table. “I am sorry if this is a bad subject.” Tori said before Mia cut him off. 

“It is a tough subject, one that Dorian normally does not discuss, but it is all right. That was Ema, not sure who the other two were. You see a long time ago when Dorian was young, actually since he was born really, he was in an illegal synergy fighting arena.” Mia explained. Tori had heard about things like that happening from time to time, but he never actually knew someone that had survived one, let alone one so young. 

“While he was down there, he became one of their top fighters, Ema was there as well and she was tagged up with another kid at the time named Sterling. One day they told Dorian that he would have to battle Sterling one and one, and if he threw the match they would kill Ema.” Mia explained

“Why would they do that?” Tori asked. 

“Because Dorian knew that she was his twin sister.” Fenix finished, “This guaranteed that Dorian would kill Sterling, and to make it more interesting they made Ema watch the match. Ema has no idea about her and Dorian, she considered Sterling to be her brother. She has held a grudge ever since. My guild under the control of…, we lead a raid to get the synergist in there. I was able to rescue Dorian, but not Ema, she now is trying to gather people to fight us and kill Dorian in revenge for Sterling’s death. The group stared in disbelief. 

“So that is how Dorian joined the guild.” Tori said Mia and Fenix nodding. 

“Yes Dorian has lived a very hard time, first the arena, then killing Sterling, failing to save his sister during the raid, and then everything leading up to the purge.  

~~~Atop the roof of the inn, several hours later~~~

Dorian set at the rooftop staring up in the dark night sky. Thoughts swam in his head. Ema, Sterling, everyone that had died in that Arena and since he had joined the guild, it seemed that no matter how strong he got he could never escape their faces. As he set there he heard someone land on the roof, as he turned he saw Mia who gave him her usual smile. 

“Been up here for awhile Dorian, everyone is getting worried. You are not still thinking about things are you?” She asked taking a seat next to him. She looked at him and instantly could tell what he was thinking about. “Dorian, it is not your fault, you blame yourself for way too much, a trait you have defiantly picked up from Fenix. Besides I would not be here if not for you two.” Mia said with a smile taking his mind from his darker times and into the later times. 

“What do you mean by that?” They turned to see Tori, “Sorry to interrupt.” 

“No it is okay, I think it would be good for Dorian to remember it as well. Four years ago my parents went on a trip to get better jobs to send money back to me and Theresa, but the boat they were on crashed and killed them leaving me and my sister without a lively hood. Theresa in an attempt to make thing better actually went and got a job with a noble in the area… but it did not go well.” Dorian listened to the story and remembered it well, it was one of the jobs him and Fenix did after the purge, shortly after he was back up and going again. 

~~~Three years ago in the south lands, the town of Holinder~~~

 Dorian and Fenix walked away from the train station, his torso still hurt from his injuries. “Dorian do we need to slow down?” Fenix asked looking back at his silent teammate. Dorian shook his head and picked up the pace. The two walked into the town and checked into a hotel. Fenix went out to go and get some food since they did not have the money for food from the hotel, due to most of their money going to taking care of the guild. He waited in the room for about an hour wondering where Fenix was when he finally came bursting in a small bag of food in one arm and a young girl in his other hand. Dorian raised an eyebrow to question what was going on. The girl looked around twelve, and scared of him. 

“Dorian this is Mia, and she needs our help. You feel up to a mission?” Dorian quickly stood and nodded. 

“Good I am going to take a look around the mission zone, Mia please fill him in. Eat and then head there to meet up with me.” Fenix said before ditching him with this girl. Dorian took out a sandwich and stared at the girl taking a bite out of the sandwich. She breathed deeply as if preparing herself before speaking. 

“My sister has been taken captive by a local noble, and the police will not do anything about it.” The girl said only those two lines but started to bawl. “They say she will not be returned unless I work for them.” 

Dorian was confused on why such a young girl was needed to work for a person, unless he was some kind of pervert, or had a thing for child labor. The girl seemed to understand his confusion and showed him exactly why they would want her, a mark on the back of her neck; a dragon mark and a divine one to boot. That would make her something of a commodity. As she told him about her parent and why her sister wert to work for this man suddenly Dorian felt something was off. He stood as the door was kicked open and three men with guns entered the room. 

“Hand over the girl!” the one in the lead yelled. Dorian went to undo his coat when they opened fire, the girl screamed and tried to push him out of the way when they all noticed the dark grey energy erupt from his collar bone. Bullets fell to the ground and a sword formed from them into Dorian’s hand. He pointed the weapon at them as they cursed. 

“What the fuck? Another synergist! Wait that coat.. if can’t be!” They went to fire this time out of fear, but Dorian was ready this time. He quickly blocked the barrels away and cut them down, leaving them alive, but needing healing. He looked around to make sure that was all of them when he noticed Mia using her mark to heal them enough where they would not die. 

“I am sorry, but I cannot let people die around me.” Dorian rubbed her head ruffling her hair before waving her to follow him. 

“Umm, excuse me Dorian, but why do you not say anything?” He looked down at the girl and smirked briefly before showing her the scar on his throat. The girl gasped and looked down at her hands; he shook his head and again ruffled her hair before taking off dragging her behind him. 

~~The manor of the Noble~~

Dorian and Mia hid in the bushes, he looked at her for confirmation that his was the place, she nodded to him and he sighed and stepped out on to the road into view of the two guards. They went to draw weapons, but instead were quickly knocked out as Dorian charged and knocked them flat with the flat of the blade. Mia skittishly walked out looking at the large metal gate in front of them. 

“How are we going to…OH.” She asked only stopping when Dorian’s mark flashed and the gate opened itself for him. Dorian walked into the front garden, as he did a group of men ran out wielding metal poles, chains, and knives. Mia stood watching in almost awe. Dorian manifested another sword and met the group in combat; she could not believe her eyes watching him fight. He easily blocked their clumsy strikes and countered knocking each out rather than use the edge of the sword to cut them. She may not have trained how to fight, but even she knew the skill it was taking not to just cut them all down, and the thing that impressed her most, she knew he could control metal, yet he did not once in the whole fight use it to disarm them. To her it was like watching an artist make a master piece of motion much like a dance, a dance of blades. 

 The two entered the place without too much of a problem. The real problem was when they explored the house, multiple times enemies attacked them, but Mia was protected each time. Dorian would easily fight them out of his way, once even remotely fighting with his swords rather than wield them. Mia wished she could help more than just provide him with healing whenever an enemy got in a lucky shot. The two finally tracked down were they were keeping Theresa. The two ran into the basement and there stood the noble in the back of the room, Theresa set chained to the wall, also in the room was a large mob, much bigger than the ones outside. Dorian walked forward, Mia could tell that he was getting weary, but he still walked forward as if nothing was wrong. The group lunged forward at him and the battle was on again, but unlike before there were too many attacks to stop.

Mia cried out as Dorian took a spear to the back, she was about to charge in to save him when she felt a hand on her shoulder. She looked up to see Fenix. 

“Dorian, stop playing around this is the boss battle!” Fenix called into the fray. An enemy ran at them making Mia cry out, but then she noticed that they guy was stopped as ice formed on his body. Fenix rolled his shoulder popping it before he sauntered forward. 

“Mia wait there please, I have a metal synergist to scold.” He spun an enemy around with two quick punches knocked him out and then continued to brawl his way to Dorian. The two got back to back and begun fighting. Mia could easily tell how outclassed the group was. Even with weapons and numbers the two synergist were treating them like minor nuisances. 

“Stop there or the girl gets it.” The noble called out holding a gun to Theresa. She tried to fight back, but with the chains holding her there was not much for her to do. The two looked at him darkly. 

“Heh not so strong now are you synergists?” he sneered at the two warriors, he thought he had won, but he did not see what Mia saw. Behind their backs the two had fists made and bounced three times before each formed a hand sign that she recognized. Dorian had made paper and Fenix scissors. Dorian clicked his tongue and Fenix smirked. “What is so funny, what the?” He cried out as ice encased his gun and up his arm. 

“Threats like that, we do not take them very well. Now we are taking the two girls with us.” Fenix said still smirking as if enjoying himself. 

“Get them you fools.” The noble yelled to his troops, but the group hesitated and then fled from the duo. Dorian’s marked flashed energy as the chains around Theresa let go. She stood and rubbed her wrists before smashing her fist into the noble’s face and running off to hug Mia. Dorian and Fenix had to laugh at the scene. 

~~~Present day~~~

“IS that really how you and Theresa came under Fenix’s care?” Tori asked the story sounding kind of farfetched.

“Yep, you can ask Dorian” The two looked at Dorian who nodded in agreement. 

“Well guess I do not need to investigate you two then.” Tori said with a weak chuckle. 

14: Tale 14

Tale 14: 

~~~Lyndash~~~

Tori kicked back after making his report to Brigadier General Amanda, he was looking forward to some nice rest. Alyssum was currently talking to Bianca and Albiona, Albiona telling the story about her great adventure. Fenix set near by a book written in Kingdom in his hands, he seemed to be reading it very intently. He was quite happy resting when the chaos around him began. Alexander was walking by the chair next to Tori when he tried to take the seat quickly, but of course out of nowhere the chair moved away and Caitlyn plopped into it defiantly. Alexander took a different seat grumbling. Rather quickly Tabitha appeared near Alexander as silent as a mouse. As the group was setting and eating Cale appeared to make his morning routine, flirt with Alexander, then make a pass at Tori. As their breakfast was almost gone another ritual took place. Tess and Vyshen rolled across the top of their table and fell to the floor. Cain had finally tossed them out of his wind vortex. The two stood up wobbly on their legs. 

“Tess we need to have a meeting, I think a change of strategy is in order.” Vyshen said recovering from her dizziness rather easily. 

“What is that?” Tess asked her hand over her mouth to keep her breakfast in; Vyshen put her in a chair at the table. 

“Rather than me trying to save you in the morning, how about we just work on not calling him your master?” As Tori watched the two talk he noticed a familiar article of clothing on Vyshen.  

“Vyshen are you wearing Rolph’s guild coat?” Alexander asked making everyone except Fenix look at her. She turned towards them and smiled, although Tori had known Vyshen for awhile now something was still off putting. Maybe her strange flawless skin tone, or her ever present aura of fear, or maybe just the way that she moved, an almost unrealistic grace that made her seem almost like an illusion. 

“I figured if I am to join this guild, I must get acquainted with the uniform, although I must say that I do not like the tatters, I hope those are optional. 

“You are thinking about joining the guild?” Caitlyn asked happily. 

“Yes, but unfortunately I will have to go on missions alone it seems. Rolph does not wish to make a team with me, although he does not protest my joining the guild.” She said looking down at Tess. “Besides maybe if I am lucky enough when Tess here gets to join she may join my team.” 

“The tatters are optional; I actually would prefer you not to keep your coat in such a way.” Cale said thinking about how saddening it was to see the emblem of the guild like that. 

“Hopefully Rolph is not looking for his coat right now.” Alexander said with a look at Vyshen who flashed him a dark smile. 

“I am not so worried; it is not like he will do anything to me.” The young woman said doing a spin before a gloved hand placed itself on her head. She looked back to see her brother giving her a rather dissatisfied look on his face. “Hello there brother are you ready to go?” she asked with a small smile. 

“Yes sister I am ready to go, except for some reason I could not find my coat, you would not happen to know where it got off to have you?” She cringed as she felt a powerful grip on her head as he started to squeeze. 

“I am wearing it, so here you go.” She said handing him the coat quickly as he released her head. Tori found the exchange amusing, seeing the two act like siblings made him think of his own sister, who was no doubt at the moment planning some form of evil plan. He peeked over at the three girls talking and laughing, suddenly stopping to look over at him making him very nervous. 

“Fenix, Alexander do not look now, but the girls seem to be looking at us for some reason.” Tori noticed though that the two in question, and Cynthia who he had no idea was here instantly ignored him and looked over at the three girls. “I said not to look, I think they are scheming.” 

“The only one scheming here Tori is you, scheming to steal our Alexander from us.” Caitlyn chimed in. Tori gave her a flat look before looking over at Fenix and Cynthia who were now chattering to each other pointing at the book that Fenix was reading and then looking at the girls. 

“Is there something up?” Tess asked finally recovering from her daily trip into the whirlwind. The two stopped and looked at each other. 

“I hope not.” Cynthia said perplexing the young animal kin before the two stood and went over to the table. 

“Brother we should go and get my coat made if we are going to go.” Vyshen said with a smile. The man nodded putting on his coat. As the two approached the door two very familiar people burst through the door. Tori turned to see who it was and his heart almost drop. Standing there triumphantly was Brigadier General Amanda Gefhar, and by her side was Private Morris who looked rather nervous in this area. 

“Area is secure!” Morris called, as Amanda stood at the ready. Tori was not used to her being formal like this, usually she would have strolled in like nothing was going on, for her to be like this meant someone high rank had to be with her. That is when the person that followed them shocked everyone in the room. He was tall and wide, warriors build. He wore a dark olive trench coat with many medals pinned on it. He had a dark olive skin tone and slicked back black hair. He had bandages over his right eye, his visible one a friendly jolly light green. He had stubble on his face like he had not shaved yet, a saber rested on his hip made of a strange jet black metal. Everyone recognized him, for he was the leader of their country. He was Grand General Olivander Priox. The whole room instantly stood and saluted as was expected of them, the only person who did not was Vyshen and she shortly followed suit. 

“Oh please, this is your home at ease please.” The general said his expression friendly as he waved towards them. Cale quickly walked over.

“Greetings Grand General Priox, what brings you to our home?” Cale asked. 

“Again you do not have to stand on formality with me here, this is more or less a personal visit. I came to see the future guild hall of the reinstated Dragoon Spirit. That is as long as Corporal Tori here thinks that it will happen.” 

“Umm sir, at the risk of being rude, I am only a private.” Tori spoke up. 

“At the risk of sounding quite rude, I am not mistaken at all, Brigadier.” 

“Private Tori, by my suggestion and with official approval of Grand General Priox you have been promoted to the rank of Corporal due to conduct in your investigations and on the fields of battle.” Amanda said before tacking on, “Congratulations.”

“Yes quite the achievement to be promoted so early, I would also like to speak with you privately, also you two should relax it was a long ride here.” The general said with a smile taking a seat at a table. Lilly slowly approached the table unsure at first but then did what came naturally to her. 

“Ummm… Grand General, would you like something to eat or drink.” She offered her voice low and soft. 

“Oh thank you that would be lovely, if I could bother you for some coffee and biscuits with cheese I would ever be grateful.” He said with a smile and laugh as Tori received a new badge to place on his coat to mark his new rank. Lilly skirted off to go get the food and drink as Tori took a seat near the general. Amanda took her time to go and introduce herself to all the guild members that she could. 

“Corporal I do not want to take up too much of your time with this, but I would like you to do a small bit of investigation for me, I would like you to research into what is in this file.” The general reached into his coat and pulled out a small file and handed it to Tori. “Please come and deliver the report in person. You may go, but if you could please send Rolph and Vyshen this way please since I see they are about to leave and I have some business with them.” 

“Of course sir, right away.” Tori saluted before going and sending the two synergist the general’s way. When the two arrived Vyshen saluted making the General chuckle. 

“You are only supposed to do that when he arrives or if he asks things of us.” Rolph said, “How can we help you sir?” Rolph asked unsure why the leader of Athul had business with him or his sister. 

“Yes, how are you enjoying Athul? I really just need to hand you two these documents.” He said pulling out two more files and handing it to them. They both opened them and stared at the documents inside in shock. They were official citizenship papers making the two of them legal citizens of this country. 

“It is a wonderful country, you have done wonders for it.” Vyshen said with a smile. 

“Thank you, I am hoping to make it an even better country, and guilds like this one are what I am hoping will make that dream a reality.” The general said, “That is all the business I had if you would like to get her coat please go on ahead. I only ask if you could please send Ms. Cynthia over please.” Rolph nodded, Vyshen again saluting before running off to get Cynthia. Lilly arrived with the food and drink and the general took it with a smile and taking a drink of the coffee let out a loud sigh of pleasure. “Ah this is a great cup of coffee young lady.” He stopped to eat a biscuit before nodding to himself. 

“You know with your cooking skills I am surprised that such a cute girl like you is still single, must be your abilities, and of course your brother that keeps the suitors away.” The general said with a laugh.

 Lilly blushed before responding, “There are not really that many suitors for a girl like me, synergy mostly keeps others away. Most people consider it an undesirable thing.”

“Yes that is a very unfortunate thought process of the people of this country. I sincerely hope that before something happens to me I can bridge the gap between synergist and the other civilians again. Also dear lady you never know what people might be looking at you.” The general said waving to Ame from across the room making her dart away real quick before Lilly could see who he was waving at. Lilly took her leave as Cynthia approached. 

“Ah Cynthia I only need you to sign something for me.” He said pulling out more paper and a pen before handing them to the water synergist. She looked at the paper, an official document allowing her to adopt Bianca, before responding. 

“I do not believe this to be the best option.” She said her voice unwavering in its bored tone. 

“Hmm what do you mean, all her relatives want to take advantage of her, and from the reports you have provided her excellent care. You are the best option.” He responded drinking more coffee. 

“I apologize, but although I may have taken care of her. People will be sure to get the wrong idea.” 

“…I must admit Ms. Cynthia I am not sure what you mean by the wrong idea. I do not believe that you are doing anything… unsavory in the sexual manner of speaking.” The general coughed uncomfortably. 

“That is again not what I mean sir.” Cynthia said flatly finally signing the papers and handing them back. The general took the papers, but looked baffled at what Cynthia was trying to say. Luckily for the general Alexsis stepped in to help him out with her fluency in Cynthia. 

“She is worried that the relatives might try to take her based on saying that Cynthia only adopted her for Bianca’s inheritance.” Alexsis said taking a seat by the general and drinking her own drink. 

“Oh that of course, do not fret. According to this legal document you took her in on a governmental mandate. As far as the courts of this country are concerned you were asked by me to take care of this child.  Does that settle that matter?” Cynthia nodded before heading back over to Bianca. “Thank you Alexsis, the last time that I actually saw you was when you where young and playing the violin for your parents. That was what 10 years ago, how time flies. You have grown into quite the beautiful woman.” The general said finishing off his coffee and biscuits before standing. 

“Thank you for the kind words general.” Alexsis said standing herself before turning and taking her leave. 

“I thank you all for your cooperation and I pray to the spirits for your success and reinstatement. I hope you keep this old man in mind if there should be a celebration for your reinstatement. Also before I go, Zyn and Arisa a little early but congratulations on your marriage I am sure it will be as beautiful as you ladies are, as all the ladies in the guild are.” 

“Thank you sir.” Zyn and Arisa said.

“Well then Amanda and Moris feel free to stay for awhile I am going to take a walk around Lyndash for awhile.” The general said taking his leave. Moris and Amanda followed though. 

“Sorry sir we are under strict orders to follow you as much as possible.” Morris’ words could be heard as the door closed leaving a shocked guild behind. As soon as the guild started to get back to normal Lilly trotted over to Tori and looked at the shiny new badge. 

“Wow it is kind of pretty. Congratulations Tori you deserve it.”

“Not really, I have not even finished one investigation yet.” Tori said looking at the badge that marked his rank. 

“Well both of the generals seem to think that you are doing a great job. Even I think you are doing just fine, it is a touchy subject to investigate our guild. It also takes an even more impressive person to get Alexander out of his shell. He seems a lot more happier since you arrived.” Lilly said making the investigator blush a little at the complements. 

“I knew it! I knew you were using your sexy wiles to seduce Alexander!” Caitlyn chimed in. 

“Huh? What sexy wiles? I did not think Tori had any.” Lilly said looking over at the investigator like he might do a trick or something. Tori hung his head in defeat as the two girls continued. 

“Yeah well he is just trying to hide them I have seen the way that they cuddle in their sleep.” Caitlyn said crossing her arms. Lilly’s face lit up at the news as she looked like the world’s greatest thing had ever been said.  

“Really! Awwww I wish you had a picture that sounds absolutely adorable!” Lilly said imagining it and turning back and forth holding the serving saucer in her arms up against her chest. The rest of the guild seemed though to tune on this conversation. 

“Say what? Well damn did not think you had it in you two.” Cale said slapping Alexander in the back before he could defend himself or refute the claim. 

“Nothing happened! I have no memory of this!” Tori exclaimed. 

“Ah do not be shy it is okay.” Rini said patting Tori on the back in congratulations. 

The whole guild converged on the two as they tried to deny and refute all the congratulations on the “advancement”

--- Lyndash later that day----

Rolph and Vyshen walked down the roads of Lyndash Vyshen yawning looking around the busy streets, she breathed in deeply and exhaled with a smile. She could feel the fears of those around her. Some were legitimate fears, what if she finds out? How am I paying the bills this month? Other were more her cup of tea. People afraid they look terrible, worried that the person they have never talked to may not like them, so many fears that did not matter. Especially the fear of a certain person behind her, she knew this particular fear quite well. She knew it because it lived in the same home that she did, and was almost always in fear, sometimes in a just a panic. 

“Brother why is Tori following us?” Vyshen asked through her mental link.

“More than likely he is following us to gain more Intel to report to the government on us. Do not worry about it, there is only one thing I do not want them to know about us.” Rolph said back to her through the mental link. She smiled as they walked towards Dante’s shop, but as they got closed Vyshen felt that something was wrong, she sensed Dante’s fear, a large amount of it. He was in a panic about something. 

“Brother we need to hurry.” Vyshen said before running towards the shop, Rolph went to protest her rush, but then figured out that something was amiss as well. Rolph may be a type five profane synergist, but even he was nowhere near close to her level of fear abilities and sensing fear. The two rushed and upon reaching for the door it was ripped open by Dante. He looked like he had been in a fight and looked relieved to see the two. 

“Dante what is going on?” Rolph asked 

“Rolph you have to help me, they took her, they took Thira.” As soon as the words came out of his mouth Vyshen could almost feel her brother darken, if her brother was a color he would easily would have just a dark grey, to a jet black. 

“Who?” was all he asked, Vyshen could see the shadows around her start to wriggle just ever so slightly, most would not have noticed it, but she was not most people. She could feel the profane energy in the shadows. 

“Some gang of goons or something, they want me to pay them to get her back. Rolph please get her back safely.” Dante exclaimed grabbing on to Rolph. 

“Do not worry Dante, we will get her back.” Rolph said his tone even sending a chill down her spine. 

“We will help as well.” Tori called to them as he, Alexander, Caitlyn, and Tabitha ran up. 

“Thank you all, thank you.” Dante said 

“Tabitha maybe you should stay here with Dante, just in case.” Alexander said. Vyshen felt what he really meant; it had nothing to do with her being here for Dante. It was him being afraid of her power, and what her power could do. The young girl nodded, but Vyshen could tell that she wanted to go, and fear had settled into her as well. She too was afraid of her power, but not in the same way that Alexander was.

Rolph popped his neck before speaking, “I have found them, and they are in the forest, multiple camps. I am not sure which has Thira, but I am sure that Vyshen can find her easily enough.” Rolph said turning and walking away. Vyshen skipped up beside him and Tori, Alexander, and Caitlyn followed leaving the bawling Dante and the scared Tabitha behind. 

~~~The woods outside of Lyndash~~~ 

Tori was taking a pretty big chance with this team formation. Sneaking near him was Vyshen; they weaved through the bushes making virtually no noise. The thing that scared Tori was that he was military trained to use the art of stealth, and he was the one making almost all of the noise right now. She was almost perfectly silent as if moving this way was completely natural to her. Tori had chosen to attack a camp with her under the guise of getting Thira out of the camp; but his real goal was the orders he had gotten from the grand general. His orders were simple, investigate Vyshen and Rolph and find out their origins. Alexander and Rolph had been against this plan, but it made too much sense to send Rolph on his own to a camp, and Alexander and Caitlyn to another. Although Tori had to admit to himself that Vyshen scared him the most out of the entire guild. Her abilities, strange fluid motion, and even her personality scared him to his bones. His military instincts and even his survival instincts told him to flee from her. 

They finally arrived at the camp, a large group of troops rested near a cliff face with a small cave in the wall of rock. “Vyshen I am going to need a distraction think you can cook one up?” Tori asked making the girl giggle and look over at him, a smile slowly appearing on her face, a smile that sent shivers down his spine and told him to run. 

“I think I can manage something.” She said standing and started to hum something, a song that Tori recognized, he had heard it once before. He had heard it from Rolph the first time he had met him, a korlandian funeral march. It was a little softer though he could tell the song had a slight difference, but he was not entirely sure what it was. As he watched her walk into the clearing he noticed something form at his side. A large black dog leapt out from the bushes by him, the dogs body was large with a snarl and deep blood red eyes, that leaked a trail of blood from them. Creatures crawled out of the trees; it was as if the forest was infested with creatures of all kinds, and they flocked to their mistress, who walked with such a grace it was as if she flouted into their camp. The goons looked over and yelled drawing knives and guns, but Tori could see that they were all instantly terrified. The battle had started and they were already losing. Tori was about to make his move when he saw something that stopped him dead. A gangly four legged creature, built much like a monkey with sharp carver knife teeth and bright glowing yellow eyes. It turned towards him and put a single finger to its mouth and gave out a single ssh. The action really brought Tori to the edge of pure terror, for he knew this creature, he had seen it before years ago. When he was little, he had been convinced that this creature lurked anywhere that he could not see, the dark, closets, under his bed, it was always there. It scurried into the fray leaving him behind with his own nightmares. Tori shook it off to the best of his abilities; he could not let this affect him now. He began to sneak around the camp when he saw something that really brought terror to him. 

Vyshen felt a sharp pain, and then her left side did not have feeling. She looked up at the man that had in his panic thrown the grenade. He had managed to time it perfectly to destroy her left side. Her arm and part of her torso was gone, blood splattered the area. 

“That was a mistake, a very big mistake.” Vyshen said, Tori had ran into the clearing to help her when he stopped, the whole battle stopped. The creatures laughed hysterically as everything watched her body begin to repair itself. Her arm regenerated as so did the part of her torso. She had to hold her shirt in place now that half of it had been destroyed. Tori could not believe what he was watching, neither could the goons. They begin shooting everything at her. Bullets blew through her torso and head, but all they had managed to do was put more holes in her shirt. Each hole regenerated and made the monsters laugh more before they continued the onslaught. Tori stood in horror and disbelief as every human around him died in pain and agony. Vyshen stood in her half shirt holding it in place with her new left hand. She looked over at Tori and sighed. “This did not go as planned. Rolph is going to be rather upset.” 

~~~Inside the cave of that same camp~~~

Thira resisted against her restraints trying to get out of the chair she was locked to. The goons watching her laughed at her. “There is no way that you can escape those metal bands, unless Dante is hiding a metal synergist of a daughter.” One of the guards though apparently had enough of her struggle and occasional cries for help; more than likely because he had not only been punched by her father, but also kicked by her in a very sensitive area. He walked over to her. 

“Listen girly you need to shut you damn mouth already and just set there. If it was not for the money for this job, we would not even do it, so just shut up.” Thira had never been very good in situations like this, some would say she made extremely stupid decisions, very much like the one to spit in his face. He wiped his face off and grabbed her hair making her cry out in pain. He pulled out a knife the guards behind him stood up. 

“We need her alive.” 

“Yeah alive, but no one said anything about unharmed. I think it is time for this bitch to learn a lesson.” He went to plunge the knife into her flesh, but all that collided into her was a perfectly flat bloody stump.  Thira watched in horror as crimson red liquid dripped down her face from the now disembodied hand that was still in her hair, both her and the man screamed as he backed away both his hands now disconnected from his body. The one with the knife lay on the floor in a small pool of blood. The goons stared in confusion and gave Thira a look of terror as they heard footsteps behind them.  They turned pulling out weapons; they were not expecting what they saw. A young teen girl, the right shoulder of her black jacket looked drenched. She looked at them and looked like she was trying to look fierce. 

“Let Thira go and leave this place or face the consequences.” The goons went to fire their guns when they felt it. Their guns and hands fell to pieces. Tabitha grimaced at the display, she had only meant to destroy their weapons, and it was taking so much focus not to just destroy the whole cave. The goons ran around her and fled as best they could with the blood loss from their now missing hands. Tabitha walked over to Thira who looked at her in a panic. 

“My name is Tabitha… and I am here to save you.” Tabitha said with as much of a smile as she could muster. Thira nodded as Tabitha removed the hand with a look of disgust from Thira’s head. Tabitha looked down at the metal and instantly froze. Four locked bands of metal held Thira to the chair. 

“I am going to try and release you… unless you do not want me to try and we can wait for back up.” 

“I want to go home.” Thira said making Tabitha’s heart skip a beat, she hoped she could do this; all she had to do was focus. She focused her mind at destroying the first band on her left ankle. She felt a moment of relief as the band fell to pieces her angle spared any damage. She moved to the next one and managed again to spare Thira of damage. She managed to get the third one as well. She moved to the last one to set her free. She suddenly felt a wave of exhaustion; she only lost focus for a second, but was all it took. She knew before Thira did. She watched as the metal band, and Thira’s right hand fell to pieces before their eyes. 

Thira screamed at the sight of her hand falling apart. Tabitha stared in horror, all this time down here she told herself she was going to save someone instead of kill them. She was going to be a hero this time, but now she had managed to maim a lot of people, and now the person that she was here to save. Tabitha took a step back. 

“No.” Tabitha said as she fell to her knees. Thira held on to her stump and let out a cry. 

“No.” Tabitha said as tears formed in her eyes. They started to roll down her cheeks, “This was not how it was supposed to go.” Thira looked up at the girl and Tabitha could see the look, the look that she knew so well, the look that she always got. 

“Why?” Tabitha asked her eyes fixated on the perfectly smooth stump that used to be her hand. “Why does this always happen?” Thira watched as the girl before her broke down. 

“I thought I could do this… I thought I could turn this curse into a gift. I worked hard every day, spending all my time to master it. Maybe they were right, maybe dad was right. I am a monster, and I should be killed.” Tabitha cried out as she looked at her hands. Tabitha was so focused on he hands she did not see the clumsy strike coming. 

The sound of the strike resounded across the cave. Tabitha stood in shock at the girl in front of her. Thira looked at her tears streamed down her eyes. “Never speak like that!” She cried out. Tabitha stared in shock as Thira continued. “I am tired of you synergists. It seems that to be a synergist you have to be completely against yourself. All I ever hear is how you people feel like monsters all the time. You, Arisa, Dorian, Fenix, all of you! Why can’t you people look past all the hate and see the good that you bring?” Thira broke down crying.

“But I..” Tabitha started before blocking another assault from Thira. 

“I do not want to hear about my hand. You saved my life, and all you can think about is the mistake rather than the fact that you saved me. You are just like the others in that regard, and I am tired of it.” Tabitha was not sure where this was all coming from, but so not to get attacked again she just listened quietly. “They also think we don’t notice because they are smiling. Like we don’t realize that they are in pain. Every time they come in to get their coats fixed or pay a visit. They smile and joke, but I can see the look, the look of sorrow. So please, just please never talk like that again.” Tabitha stared at the ground not sure what to say, she had never met this person before today and here she was yelling at her about the guild and her. 

“I am sorry.” Tabitha said quickly blocking another furious blow before continuing. “Not just for your hand, but also for the words, they apparently pushed a button.” Thira wiped away her tears before she noticed the person standing in the door way. He clapped slowly making Tabitha whirl around to guard the one handed girl. 

He was around 5’ 8” and looked to have an athletic build. It was hard to tell anything else about him due to the coat that he wore, a coat that made Thira and Tabitha stare in confusion. He wore the coat of a Dargoon Spirit synergist. 

“Those are words that all synergist should hear in this age.” He said his voice marked his as an adult male, most likely in his twenties or very early thirties. 

“Who are you?” Thira asked, she could see the stitching from here, there was no mistaking it, and it was her father’s work. 

“… I am a revenant, and please let us just leave it at that.” He said before walking towards the two women. 

“Stay back.” Tabitha said as fiercely as she could. 

“That is fine, I can do it from here, it will just take more energy.” He said as a hum filled the air. Tabitha may not have been a very potent synergist, and Thira had no synergy training at all, but they could feel the power in the air. It was a kind power, warm and welcoming. It made both of them feel at peace. Thira felt all the pain disappear and stared in shock as the stump grew out, not grotesquely, but more like it watching a hand grow in fast forward. Tabitha looked at the hand and touched it to make sure that it was real. The air returned to normal as Thira flexed her hand. They both turned back to the man. 

“How did you?” Tabitha asked, but Thira already knew how. Extremely powerful divine synergy could do this. This would take someone around the power of the core five to pull off, which meant this guy had to be a dragonmark, and a powerful one not to have his mark flare. 

“You, you are the one that saved Caitlyn!” Thira exclaimed. 

“I do not deserve the credit for that, although it was my action. Young spatial synergist, you should listen to this girl. Her words are correct, the reason that you synergy faltered was not because it is evil and seeks to destroy, it is because you are afraid of it. You are letting the element control you, which is the path to becoming rampant. Learn to master your fear, and you shall master your element. Remember, the spatial element is the element of rules, of tradition. But it is also about bonds as well, all things in the universe are drawn together, by the power of gravity, or you could say the power of the spatial element. Your ability is not just to sever or “cut”, but it can also be used for defense.” Tabitha listened to him and his words made sense. True she lost her control due to exhaustion, but also she was afraid of hurting her the entire time, she knew she could break the bands without hurting her; she had just done it three times in a row. 

“Thank you… for everything.” Tabitha said meekly. 

“You should join Dragoon Spirit officially, they will test you for mission availability, but they can also train you to use your power, and to be able to control it completely.” Tabitha nodded before he turned to leave. 

“I do not deserve any thanks really, I was just in the area, and did what all divine synergist should do.” 

“Wait where did you get that coat? Are you a member of Dragoon Spirit I have never seen you before.” 

He turned only briefly giving Thira and Tabitha a look at one thing underneath his large hood. His left eye was bright silver and the other was not visible. “No I am not, and this coat… I have owned it for a long time.” He turned back and left leaving the two there.

~~~Back outside the cave~~~

Tori looked at Vyshen the prices falling into place. Everything started to make since, her grace, her overwhelming power, and regeneration. "Vyshen, are you a... I cannot believe I am asking this." Before he could say anything else the other three entered the clearing. Rolph seemed rather calm considering the circumstances. 

"Looks like the cat is out of the bag; Tori, please let me explain this after we save Thira." Tori nodded in agreement, Thira first, then to get Rolph and Vyshen to admit that appearantly vampires exist. 

The group ran into the cave, something caught them off guard, all of the people inside had dried blood around their wrists, and were unconscious.

" What happened here" Caitlyn asked poking one of the men. 

"Brother I sense a lot of divine energy in the air." Vyshen said with a shiver just confirming Tori's suspicion. They entered the main room to find something else that they were not expecting, Tabitha set next to Thira the two discussing something. If Tori was hearing correctly it sounded like they were discussing coat sizes and designs. 

"Tabitha, what are you doing here? I thought you were staying with Dante?" Alexander asked, Tori could tell that Alexander was upset. More than likely due to her not staying behind even Tabitha could tell that he was mad. 

"She saved me, and I am thankful she arrived when she did or I would have gotten roughed up, by the time you got here." Thira said defiantly, Alexander went to interject when Thira cut him off. "Alexander Held, you are not to scold her one bit or so help me."

Tori had to admit that Thira was going to make a perfect mom one day, for with one line Alexander backed off. 

"Now if you big men can help us up and get us out of here, I have a coat to make, sorry Vyshen but dad will make your coat." Tori and Alexander helped the two up and guided them out of the cave. 

"It is okay, not to sound rude, but if your father's handy work can survive Rolph then I think it would be best for me to have him make mine. As you can tell I am hard on clothes as well."

"So I can see. What exactly happened to your clothes?" Thira asked looking at the state f her clothes. Tori, Rolph, and Vyshen gave uneasy looks to each other and try to find a way to explain what happened without saying took a direct hit from a grenade.

"It happened in the fighting, they got in a lucky hit." Vyshen said with a light laugh. 

"That must have been one good hit." Thira said as they came to the entrance of the cave. She covered her eyes from the light. 

"It was a really good hit." Tori said shooting Rolph a look, who returned the look in kind. 

~~~The guild hall later that day~~~

Tori walked into Cale's office. Vyshen set in a chair, Rolph leaned against a wall his eyes closed. Cale looked up from his dirty magazine. "Ah Tori seemed that you came across a little bit of a problem while out on the mission. Tori tried to keep his fears in check, but the thought of them killing him and hiding the body or twisting his corpse so that no can recognize him. 

"So I am guessing that I finally dug to far?" Tori asked, Vyshen giggled most likely due to sensing his fear.

"It depends on what you plan to do with the information that you have learned." Rolph said giving Tori a dark look. 

"Well reporting it could cause a lot of problems, and according to the goverment they do not exsist, and I really I do not feel like reporting it and loose my investigation lisence for talking crazy. Who else knows?"

"The people in this room, we have a feeling that Fenix either knows or suspects due to his time in Korland."  Cale responded.

"He more than likely has battled with those like us while in Korland." Rolph responded. 

"Do you guys not think the guild can handle this information?"

 Cale was about to respond when Rolph cut him off. 

"Cale, he is right. Call a guild meeting."

"Are you sure?" 

"Do it."

15: Tale 15

Tale 15:

The whole guild set around the tables that had been pushed together, the only person that was missing was Cynthia. Rolph walked towards the stairs his mind racing figuring out the words to sat to the guild. He was not worried about them telling anyone, it was not there nature to tell anyone secrets there was lots of things he did not know about them, things that other members knew but would never tell. He was more worried about what they would think of Vyshen. He could care less about what they thought of him. He knew them, and knew that they would never do anything to directly hurt her, but was hoping that she could make friends here in Athul. Real friends rather than him or her created nightmares. He arrived outside Cynthia's door before he knew it. He went to knock on the door when he heard her voice call out.

"Come in Rolph, something is a matter." He stopped and followed the instructions.

" What is a matter?" Rolph asked hoping that it was nothing to bad after earlier today, and trying to figure out how to explain what he and his sister were.

"Why are you asking me?" Cynthia asked, she was setting on her bed, her coat tossed aside for now, she was brushing Bianca's hair. 

"You said something was wrong." Rolph said confused on what was going on something that was not uncommon when talking with Cynthia

"And something is. I am not sure why you are troubled, but I know that you are."

Rolph stared at the woman for a short time before repling , "There is a guild meeting, whenever you are done head on down." 

He went to leave when something caught his eye, an old plush rabbit set on a self. He walked over to it and quickly looked it over. 

"You seem to have taken an interest in fluffs. I have had him since I was six. He was given to me by a man who saved me. He dropped me off at Alexsis' home."

Rolph listened to her short story before he left to go downstairs. Bianca looked upbeat Cynthia and gave her a confused look. 

"Does he know?" She asked, the older woman nodded. 

"If he did not know before then he does now. I wound though how you knew that he was the one who saved me." 

"I saw it, when when I first saw fluffs. The images just appeared, I do not understand it myself."

"Post-cognition, a technique for seeing the past of a person or object." Cynthia explained finishing her hair before getting up to leave to go to the meeting. She had to admit that Bianca was going to be a powerful temporal synergist one day. Even Rini could not perform precognition or post cognition yet. 

As Cynthia arrived the collection of people were complete. Tori figured this was one of the most powerful group of synergist alive right now. Rolph stood at the head of the table, before Cynthia set down she patted the profane synergist on the back.

"Okay Rolph what is going on?" Arias asked looking over at Zyn to make sure she was awake. 

Rolph took a deep breath before beginning what was going to be a very interesting explanation. “I called this guild meeting to discuss something that some of you may find disturbing, others it will come as no shock. Me and Vyshen we are not human.” The guild waited for Rolph to continue most of them looking unenthused or uninterested. 

“What race are you?” Alexander asked seeming to be the only one that actually was paying attention to Rolph at the moment. 

“We are… vampires.” Rolph said waiting for the usual response of fear and hatred, instead of that he got what he should have expected from his guild mates.

“How come you guys do not wear capes and make hissing sounds?” Zyn asked finally able to snuggle into Arisa for warmth and comfort. 

“What?” 

“That is simple Zyn that would give them away too easy, besides why do you think he keeps his coat all ratty? It is a stand in for the cape.” Alexsis said as if this was fact. 

“Vampires exist then, I do not know much about them sorry, except the stories from horror dramas that is. So can you really turn into shadows and … wait all of those abilities are just profane synergy.” Mia said sounding excited until she made that realization. 

“What is a vampire?” Caitlyn asked scratching her head in confusion. 

“Vampires are a race of beings that use to be human, but they are converted into a vampire by a vampire, through a ritual that makes their entire internal energy turn profane. They no longer need to eat or drink, do not sleep, and instead feed on other people’s internal energy. Unless they feed an excessive amount the most damage it will do to a person is cause them some fatigue. They are always profane aligned once turned, and are naturally more adept at profane synergy. They also regenerate from all wounds except a certain type, which I will leave to Rolph and Vyshen to discuss if they want to reveal it.” Fenix lectured the young girl and others who did not feel like asking was polite what a vampire was. 

“Oh okay, that is good to know. Rolph you do not feed on us do you?” Lilly asked finally understanding so much about the two guild members. 

“No, me and Cale have a set of rules when it comes to feeding, and feeding on guild members is against one of those rules; and as for the one weakness I trust you to know it, and so you can kill an enemy vampire if the chance comes around. The only way to kill a vampire is to separate their heart from the rest of their body. Causing damage to the heart will not kill one, only removing it will.” Rolph explained. 

“So then are you and Vyshen actually brother and sister?” Tori asked curious on this part, since as far as he knew about vampires they could be. He had always been taught that they were part of Synergy paranormal stuff like ghosts. Yet here he was with two of them. 

“No we are what are called a sirelings. We were converted by the same woman, our sire. The bond is just as strong as brother and sister.” Rolph explained although he was not happy with it. 

“Yes, we also share the ability to sense each other present, and we can communicate telepathically with each other through a mental link.” Vyshen explained stopping for second before Rolph shook his head. “We can even send mental images to each other.” Rolph suddenly gave her a strange look as if to ask why. 

“I wish Dorian could do that.” Fenix said leaning back in his chair. Suddenly green energy flared from Lilly and Fenix fell to the ground with the chair. 

“Do not lean in the chairs it is bad for them.” Lilly scolded the much older man. 

“Well it is not all fun and games; it takes time to master not sending every little mental image.” Rolph said thinking about all the images he had seen from his younger sister. 

“That could be problematic, so is there anything else for this meeting?” Zyn asked yawning. 

“Yes I would like to apologize for I do feed off of all of you, because I cannot control it. You see as a savant synergist vampire, I do not feed off of internal energy. I literally feed off of fear.” Vyshen explained. 

“So what you are saying is that Tori is a walking buffet for you.” Caitlyn chimed in making Tori send her a look of daggers; although he knew that it was a true enough statement. 

“I think we can accept that, does it have any negative effects on us?” Rini said getting bored so she kicked her sister’s chair and startling her. 

“Rini that is not funny.” Lilly said glaring at her now laughing sister. 

“No it does not actually affect you at all.” Vyshen said with a laugh at the spark of fear from Lilly. 

“So did you get a snack from that or how does that work.” Rini asked now very curious about this ability of Vyshen’s. 

“Yes, anytime there is fear, I absorb energy from it, it is why you will more than likely see me giggling whenever someone gets startled, not only do I actually find it funny, but also I get energy from it. 

“Sweet.” Rini said with a wicked smile at Lilly, who did not like what ideas could be forming in her sister’s head. Rolph was happy that rather than Vyshen be treated with fear rather they were accepting of her. 

---Lyndash market---

Cynthia stalked in the shadows, making sure to keep down wind so that way her target would not smell her. She followed into a local sandwich shop. She knew the place quite well, it was Bianca's favorite, she had to admit that Albiona was good; no wonder Bianca had been compromised she followed into the shop making sure to hide and mingle amongst the crowd. Hopefully Albiona could not smell her amongst the crowd. She set at a booth and watched. The two ordered their food. Albiona got a sandwich loaded with cold meats. Cynthia was proud of Bianca for her sandwich choice; it was loaded with vegetables, cheese, meat, and tomatoes. 

That was when they reached the counter to pay.

"You ladies out on anther date?" The shop keep asked. 

"Yep!" Albiona chirped reaching into her pocket.

"Not this time." Bianca said to the other girl. 

"Huh but I am supposed to pay, I am the one that asked you out." Albiona's world seemed to be collapsing around her.

"I believe that to be an out dated ideology, and I want to treat you today since I have a plan for you today." Cynthia was not as excited as Albiona was, she still looked a little disheartened about Bianca paying for the sandwiches, but Cynthia could still see the excitement about a plan made for her. 

The two set down and ate their food, although Cynthia was really not impressed with the way that Fenix's little hell spawn kept flirting with her daughter. Stealing a bit of her sandwich, tickling her, and Cynthia was about to engage when a voice rang out from behind her.

 

"Cynthia what are you doing?" Cynthia looked over at the seat next to her and there set Alexsis eating her own sandwich her eyes closed although Cynthia knew what she was thinking easily enough.

"I am investigating the chances that Albiona is trying to date my daughter." Cynthia stated flatly still glaring at the young woman cuddling up to Bianca.  Alexsis looked at the two before replying .

"They could just be best friends." 

"Have you ever seen friends act like that?" Alexsis looked at the two girls, then at Cynthia. 

"No Cynthia I have never seen friends act like that. I have never seen a friend stoically set there while the other hugs her."

Cynthia looked over at the younger woman, "we are different you never told your father that you were marring me."

"Keep telling yourself that Cynthia." The two continued to talk about the "differences” between those two and the two young girls. Cynthia reached over and stole a price of Alexsis' sandwich. A waiter watched the two before approaching them. 

"Would you ladies like anything else for your date?"

Both women stopped dead and looked over at him. "We are not dating!" They exclaimed. the waiter quickly retreated for fear of the women's wrath The two heard the sound of a throat being cleared. The two turned to see Albiona and Bianca. Bianca did not look impressed by Cynthia’s presence. 

---Lyndash market district---

Agatha looked at the various dresses in the store. Mia stood near her shaking her head. "Agatha maybe you should wear something besides a dress, maybe you should try a skirt and shirt combo." 

"But those are close to the same thing; just one is in two pieces." Agatha retorted she always wore dresses; she pretty much had her whole life. 

"Not the dresses you wear, I think you should try something a little more revealing. Nothing slutty though, that would look weird on you no offense." Mia said with a laugh. 

Agatha chuckled, “None taken, I am glad you do not think I am a slut." Agatha watched Mia pick up a long sleeved cream colored shirt and short pleated black and grey argyle skirt. Agatha was sure that it would look great on Mia, she looked good in most things. Suddenly Mia whirled around and held it up to Agatha. Agatha realized what was going on a little too late as Mia started to drag her towards the dressing room. Agatha let out only a short cry for help before the dressing room closed. Agatha protested the entire time, but Mia was able to overpower the poor girl through the use of dirty tactics. Soon Agatha found herself in the outfit. The skirt went to just above her knees revealing her black stockings. The shirt hugged her curves that she usually hid with her loose fitting dresses. 

“Great, it looks perfect!” Mia said pointing her friend towards the mirror. Agatha looked herself over and could not quite agree with Mia. She may not have looked bad, but she did not feel like herself in this. She was so busy looking at herself and trying to find every reason she could not to like it, she did not see her friend skip of to purchase the outfit for her. Agatha tried to protest when she found out, but of course Mia was not having any of it.

~~~Lyndash, residential district~~~

Dorian closed the door to his house and turned and started to walk away. Korosh looked at his friend, “Not going to lock up?” Dorian turned and pulled down his shirt to reveal his mark and with a grey burst of energy Korosh could hear the door lock behind him. “Guess that works.” The two walked away from the house unsure of what they were going to do. They both figured they would grab something to eat, but there was not much for two young men to do in Lyndash, especially when one of them was in a relationship. Korosh looked over at his stoic friend and remembered when the two met each other. He smirked.

“Hey Dorian remember how we met?” Dorian looked over and nodded, Korosh could tell that he was thinking about it just like he was. “How about we grab some grub and talk about the old times, you know when we were a bunch of rapscallions.” Dorian smirked and nodded in agreement. 

The two took a seat at a local café and ordered. The girl who took their order seemed to take a sleight interest in Dorian and tried to flirt, but Korosh could tell that it was a losing battle before it had even began. He had only seen his buddy ever take an interest in one girl before, and that was a lost cause now. Becoming brother and sister sort of did that sort of thing. After the girl walked away Korosh gave Dorian the look. 

“She was kind of cute eh?” Korosh asked Dorian blinked with a blank expression making Korosh sigh. “You need a girl Dorian; it would be good for you.” The young man across from him raised an eyebrow in response. As the two joked with each other they suddenly heard the waitress cry out. The two stood and looked over to see a group of people harassing her. 

“Just me or this town getting rougher by the day?” Korosh said as the two stood and walked over. “OI, is there a problem here?” Korosh asked. The group looked at them and sneered and chuckled. The biggest guy there stood and walked over to Dorian, Korosh may had instigated he encounter, but Dorian was easily the more dangerous looking one of the two. Korosh was around 5’ 3” compared to Dorian’s 6 feet. Korosh had unmarred skin and a very average build. Dorian on the other hand had multiple visible scars and a very strong athletic build. The group could tell that Dorian was the strong combatant. 

“What little boy, you and your guild dog have a problem with us?” The brute easily stood a good six inches taller than Dorian said peering down at Dorian as if he had the advantage.  The girl gave them a pleading look and Korosh looked over at his friend and quickly realized that Dorian was about to act. He looked around at the group of people, they easily outnumbered him, but they did not know something that Korosh did know. They put together could not out fight Dorian. The brute decided that rather than wait for a response from the two he would just launch an attack. Dorian took the blow, Korosh knew why he did it, but it made the group laugh. Dorian looked back up and wiped the blood off his chin and responded in kind. 

The group watched in shock and horror as their biggest bruiser was made to look like a child. Dorian dodged under the clumsy wide hook and punched the man in the ribs dropping him to the ground. He curled into a ball in pain. The group glared and stood and charged after the synergist. He was surrounded and attacked all at once. Korosh felt sorry for them, he did not even watch the fight. Their only hope was that they could score a really lucky hit on Dorian, but Korosh doubted they had that kind of insane luck. He instead walked over to the girl. 

“Sorry about this, do not worry it will be done with soon enough.” Korosh said with a smile. 

“Is he a synergist?” the girl asked skittishly. Korosh blinked before responding. 

“Yes he is, but do not worry I doubt that he would use any high level synergy in this type of scrap, nor is he more than likely going to use any synergy at all.” The girl looked past Korosh at the fight, he peeked over his shoulder and like he thought Dorian was easily dodging and using them as weapons against themselves. Korosh could never fight like Dorian, as far as he could tell no one could quite fight like him. Even his guild mates could not match Dorian when it came to melee combat. He may not have been the strongest, best sword fighter, or knife fighter, bu`t Korosh had heard the perfect description of Dorian’s fighting style from both Mia and Agatha. They had both said it in such a way like they were completely awe inspired by it. They had called it like a dance, and he could see it. The way he barely dodged attacks to minimize energy expenditure, his timing in countering there attacks; Korosh could barely follow the speed or flow of Dorian’s movements. He was able to block and dodge multiple attacks without effort. Korosh could street fight, but only against one person at a time and if they were untrained. Finally the last person fell to the ground. Dorian walked over at the girl stood and fled like the real threat was approaching her and that is when it hit Korosh what her question really meant. He could hear the mummers of the people in the café.

“Did you see that? How does a person do that?” 

“He is a member of them, he is not a person, but a monster.” 

“Wait I think I know of him… yeah it is.”

“Who is he?”

“He is one of them… Dorian Ende, the so called “knight” of dragoon spirit.”

“He is one of the monsters that fought with the military, what is he doing here?”

Hearing them pissed Korosh off, the same people that set there and watched a poor girl get harassed was now judging one of his best friends. Dorian stood there and although he did not show it, Korosh could tell that it bothered him. 

“Well now, it seems strange that the only person willing to help another person here, is the one that you consider a monster.” Korosh announced before he walked out of the café. Dorian followed him out watching Korosh stomp his feet down the road like a temperamental child. Korosh hated the way that people talked down about Dragoon Spirit. The way that they talked about Mia and Dorian, as they walked he was stopped by Dorian. He looked back to see his friend giving him a look, to others that look would not say anything, but to him it said one thing.

“I am not letting it go Dorian. People like that get under my skin. After all this time people still act like you guys are some monsters that are just looking for fights.” Dorian shook his head, but let his friend go. “I know; I should not let them get to me. It is not like their opinions really matter. Come on, let’s just go to Agatha’s café, at least that place is safe for us to chat at. 

~~~Café Duble~~~

Agatha and Mia walked into the café Agatha still wearing the outfit that Mia had picked out. So far she had been complemented by strangers all the way home, but she still could not bring herself to feel like it was like her at all. As they walked towards the door she heard a sound and a feeling that she knew like the back of her hand. The sound of metal synergy, she and Mia turned her dreading what she would see. Setting in the usual spot was Dorian and Korosh the two laughing as metal moved in the air telling a story. Agatha could not read the story for fear of the two seeing her in this outfit, more of what they would think of it, and how it did not suit her despite what Mia insisted. 

“Hey guys!” Mia called over making Agatha debate about retrieving the pan, and wondering if Mia could survive the oncoming attack. The two looked over and waved, she and Korosh hugged. “Guys will you help me convince this woman that her new clothes look great. Agatha waited for it, as she had walked here she had finally given and found that she did like the outfit, it was comfortable and looked nice on her. The two looked at her for a few seconds. She felt like they were judging how to say it nicely. 

“You guys can be honest.” Agatha said. 

“I think it looks good. It breaks up the monotony of the dresses, cause no offense Agatha you do look nice in them, but it is good to mix it up sometimes.” Korosh said, Agatha passed it off as him just agreeing with his girlfriend. She looked over at Dorian who had not responded, even his expression was blank. “Dude say something, have you spaced or something?” Korosh asked punching Dorian in the arm and then rubbing his knuckles making Mia and Agatha giggle. He shot them a dirty look as he nursed his knuckles and pride. Finally Dorian responded the metal moving to form words. 

“It looks fine. It suits you really well. I personally do not think there is anything wrong with wearing the same things all the time, but this is a nice change though.” Agatha felt herself blush as she read the words, it was not like he had said she was attractive or anything, but he seemed to have said the right thing to smooth her anxieties. 

“I guess you win Mia.” Agatha said trying to sound defeated, but she was really happy that she looked good in it. 

---The guildhall, late that night---

Ami cleaned the kitchen of the guildhall as the hour grew late into the night. She was not sure why she was cleaning the enemy base, but she felt like she had to do something since they had let her stay here for awhile without paying for anything, she was trying to make sure to stay out of sight and not eat too much. As she walked out of the kitchen she went towards the stairs when she heard someone clear their throat. She looked over at a table to see Cain setting there. 

“Hello Ami, why not take a seat?” Cain said waving his head towards the chair across the table from him. She shook her head and went to dart up the stairs when the wind picked up and lifted her over to the chair and placed her nicely in the chair then scooted it up to the table. 

“Hello Cain.” She said as she scooted down in her chair trying to hide as best she could from the imposing figure in front of her. 

“Ami I have some questions for you.” He took a sip of his coffee before he looked back to her his expression was just as unreadable as normal, a smile across his face that seemed to be a look of amusement. Ami had to wonder if he was amused at her squirming in front of him, or if he just found the world around him as amusing as a member of the strongest synergist group, she knew he had struggled in the past, but now what could really challenge him. Her brother was trying to, but what she had seen while here made her really doubt they could ever kill a member of this guild. 

“What are those?” She asked trying to sound tough. 

“Why are you always in the same dress?” Cain asked, she knew that being with the guild that they would notice that she was always wearing the same clothes, the same patchwork white dress. “Also where are your and Locke’s parents?” 

“…I do not want to answer those questions.” Ami said 

“I am unfortunately insisting on knowing the answers.” Cain said a light breeze flowed through the room, although not actually threatening it had that affect on her. 

“I only own one pair of clothes; I have no money to afford others. My parents, they disowned us.” Ami said looking at the table fighting back shame and tears. 

“I see, because you are synergists, I can assume after the purge they did not want to have anything to do with you because of that. So your brother decided the best way to fix things was revenge. You being very proud about your brother decided to follow along with him, even though you have no ill will towards the guild.” Ami flinched slightly at the words. He had cut right though her flimsy barrier that she had made to keep herself proud, to hide the fact that she was a poor homeless girl. 

“That is correct.” Ami said tears rolling down her cheeks, a light breeze brushed her face wiping away the tears. 

“The best way to have pride is not revenge, or blindly following another’s goals. You are very powerful, that magus mark is doing all it can to strengthen you, but what you lack is the very core of being a lightning synergist, something that our dear Alexsis has in spades.” Cain said giving what the girl felt like was an actual smile. 

“What is that?” Ami asked looking up at him still dodging his eyes as best she could. 

“Pride in who you are, not what your parents thought of you, nor who your brother wants you to be, but who you want to be. There is nothing wrong with being shy or introverted. There is nothing wrong with having doubts in yourself or your abilities, but you need to be proud of something about yourself. I think I know a great place to start too.” The young girl could not fathom what could bring the girl pride besides her brother who, as hard as she tried to convince herself otherwise, had abandoned her. 

“What is that?” Ami asked. She felt the wind bring her face to look at the man in the eyes. 

“You need a place to be, a place like the guild, someplace that you can work. Here you can work and earn not only money, but also earn respect. I did not just wake up and become the tempest. I worked hard in the guild, and eventually faced trials that earned me respect, but I lost it. We have all lost that respect. The core five is something that people fear, and there is nothing that can change that. We hope that all the other guild members though can be remembered for something else. Something that will make the people of Athul forgets the purge was Dragoon Spirit and remembers the guild as something grand. It is synergist like you, Rini, and Lilly that can do that. So what do you say Ami are you willing to actually begin looking people in the eyes and become something grand?” Cain asked standing and holding out his hand for the young girl to take. She was unsure of what to say. She knew her brother would be mad if she joined, but she had dreamed of being a member of the guild since she was young. She looked up and nodded taking his hand and standing up looking up into his eyes. 

“Excellent allow me to get the master to make it official.” Cain said before turning towards the office. “CALE!” 

The door busted open almost as soon as the word had left his mouth. Out leaped Cale in just a pair of boxers. Ami noticed that his torso had multiple burn scars and surgery scars on it. “OH Cain how long it has been since you have called to me in the dead of the night. Shall we take to the beds and dance the night away… Cain why is Ami here she is a little young to join our dance.”

“Cale first of all, no we shall never “dance” the night away. The reason that I called you is that Ami would like to officially join the guild as a member rather than a guest.” The large man seemed to deflate before turning to Ami. 

“Well then step into my office and we will get your paperwork done, I would rather dance the night away with Cain… or maybe Rolph would be up to it, I am sure that he is awake.” As Cale pondered something stepped from the shadows. 

“Cale do not make me hurt you, stop whatever sick thought you are entertaining now.” Rolph said before turning towards Ami. “Congratulations on your decision and welcome to the guild.” He then re entered the shadows before fading from view as if he was never there. Cale snapped his fingers and entered his office depressed. 

----Guildhall the next day----

Cale set in his office working on his paperwork for the day, with all the stuff that had happened in the last few days he had more work then what he normally did. As he worked there was a knock on the door, with the motion as gracefully and as skilled as a cat he wiped his desk clean sending papers flying around the room, his feet plopped on his desk and dirty magazine in hand. 

“Enter at your own risk.” He called, he already knew who it was more than likely, unless if he was to get an unexpected yet enjoyable surprise. Tabitha entered the room, making Cale sigh it was who he was expecting, and he was not looking forward to this conversation. 

“You wanted to see me Cale?” Tabitha asked looking uncertain. 

“Yes it is about your application to join the guild. According to the document you turned in you are fourteen?” Cale asked turning the page of his magazine and turning to the side in the normal fashion. 

“Yes I am… is that a problem?” she asked nervously.

“Well it depends; you see according to the laws only people age fifteen years or older can join guilds. That is unless you can get a parent signature giving you legal permission to risk you life and limb. Now I have done some research on you, and your parents are denying that you even exist. There was even a very convenient fire took out your records in the local division. Now the government will have our heads if we let you join… that is unless you can get guardian permission.” Cale explained flipping the page again and trying to hide his depression at telling the girl this. 

“I cannot get that, as you have said. I pretty much have no parents legally I am a runaway.” Tabitha said sinking into a chair looking heartbroken. “So I will have to wait for a year to join?”

“Yes, that is unless you would like some help in this matter. You see legally speaking I am to report you to the government because you are an underage runaway, but I happen to be friends with a lawyer who told me a way to get around all of this.” Cale said running the numbers in his head. 

“What is that, I will do anything?!” Tabitha exclaimed. “Well almost anything.” 

“You do not have to worry about that. You see if you were to be taken in and officially adopted then we can get around these pesky side laws, and I just happen to know some people that would take you in. You could leave there after a year if you wanted, or actually join their family either way it is up to you.” Tabitha thought about it for awhile before asking. 

“Are they good people?” she asked unsure after her last set of parents branded her a monster and even had tried to kill her. 

“Yes they are very loving people, and they also have no problem with synergist. If you would like I will fill out the paperwork and you can go and meet them.” 

Tabitha nodded, “Yes, if I can join the guild now, and avoid anymore unpleasantness from the time before this then I will do it.” 

“This means they will be your new parents is that okay with you?” Cale asked looking over his magazine with a raised eyebrow.

“Yes, I will make sure to follow their rules and everything.” Tabitha said excitedly. 

“Okay then I will take care of the paperwork; if you would be a dear please send in Alexander would you.” Tabitha nodded and practically ran out of the door. Cale only had to wait for a short time before Alexander walked in. 

“You called Cale, it better be something important.” Alexander warned remembering when Cale had asked in into his office only to try and flirt with him. 

“Alexander the guild has been recruited for a mission. They want you… and Tori.” Alexander’s face fell into a flat expression. 

“I will visit them here in a couple of days, they know the schedule.” Alexander said turning to leave when he felt the dirt wrap around his foot. 

“Sorry Alexander they are not asking nicely this time.” Cale said turning to the next page. 

“Fine then let’s get this over with.” Alexander took a step outside the door to see the core five standing there. Flouting in a ball of wind was a very terrified Tori. 

“I will take him with me; you five are not going to be needed. I will bring back your reward you damn mercenaries.” 

“It better be fresh or we are coming after you.” Fenix said with a larger smirk than normal. The five let Tori go before they walked away. 

“Where are we going?” Tori asked, Alexander said nothing before he walked out of the guildhall. 

~~~Lyndash, later that day~~~

Tori had no idea where he was, they had walked into residential district of Lyndash. Finally they arrived at a nice looking home; Tori wondered whose house it was until he saw the mailbox with the name Held/Kinder across it. 

“Alexander is this your?” 

“Yes, and I have no idea why they want you here either.” Alexander said walking towards the door. Tori actually found himself excited to be here. Not only was this the home of Alexander, but also the home of Marcus. He followed up to the door as Alexander knocked on the door. The door was opened by an athletic woman, lean and well built. She had short brown hair that hung to her jaw and happy green eyes. She wore a grey tank top and cargo pants. Tori was not expecting such a younger looking woman, Alexander had never mentioned having a sister. Although Tori would not call her ugly she lacked the usual womanly curve structure. She quickly hugged Alexander.

“Oh so good for you to visit.” The woman said and then looking at Tori. “Oh this must be the one that everyone is talking about come on in!” 

“Yes mom I visited, you kind of forced the issue.” Alexander said giving the woman a glare. She chuckled in response before patting Tori on the back pushing him inside. The place was clean and well taken care; Tori could now see where Alexander got his urge to be clean from. Setting in a chair listening to the radio was a much older looking man. He looked to be nearing the age of fifty. 

“Honey they are here!” The woman called to him. The man quickly got up and walked over.

 “Hello there Tori, nice to finally meet the person that our son is so fond of.” The man shook his hand before waving him over to a couch. 

“Dad, mother before things get out of hand, there is nothing going on between the two of us.” Alexander said looking between his two parents. 

“Do not worry honey we understand, it is okay to be shy about it. You father was when we first started dating.” Ms. Held said from the kitchen as she brought in snacks for the three men. 

“It is not like that at all Ms. Held.” Tori tried to jump into defend him and Alexander, a short look from her though stopped him in his tracks. 

“Now, now it is not the time for such silly arguments.” Alexander’s dad said, “You two will not believe this, honey do you want me to tell them or do you want the honor?” The two exchanged looks as if they were mentally communicating. 

“I will tell them then.” Alexander’s dad said as if they really had. 

“Good I am going to get the place ready then.” Ms. Held said running up the stairs, Tori realized that her movements were fluid for a woman who should be in her fifties. 

“She is not normal.” Alexander said with a flat look at Tori. 

“What do you mean?” Tori asked. 

“My mother is not normal, hiring the core five to bring us here was playing dirty. Who hires synergists to kidnap their kids to bring them to them, and all over cookies? What are they five?” Tori got a chuckle at the thought that he was attacked by the five strongest synergists all over cookies. He hoped that Lilly would not mind fixing the door that was broken by them laying siege to his room. 

“So dad what are you supposed to be telling me?” Alexander asked. 

“Well you see we got a call today, and we were asked if we were still willing to adopt a child. Since after you had moved out your mother had empty nest syndrome, and after hearing the child’s story we had to say yes, so the reason we broke your little schedule to come here was to make them feel at home.” Alexander could not believe what he was hearing, his parents both in their fifties were adopting a child.

“Don’t you think you are getting a little old to adopt?” Alexander asked. As the words left his mouth he was hit in the back of the head, Tori turned to see Ms. Held holding a rolled up newspaper. 

“Who is getting old?” she asked. 

“Sorry mom, but it is true you are what fifty three now?” Alexander asked. 

“Your point, I am still young enough to take care of you.” She said with a smile, Tori could not believe she was as old as Alexander said. She looked to be maybe at best late twenties. He wondered what her secret was. 

As they talked and joked there was a knock on the door. Alexander’s mom darted from the living room and answered the door. Soon both Tori and Alexander where shocked to see who entered the living room. Standing just as confused as they were in the doorway to the living room was Tabitha. 

“Tabitha?” Tori asked rubbing his eyes. “You are the person that they are adopting. 

“Yes, although I did not realize that they were your parents Alexander.” 

“Mother can I talk with you in the kitchen for a minute.” Alexander asked walking into the kitchen. She followed him into the kitchen and listening to him tell her about Tabitha’s abilities before she responded.

“Alexander Held, I can take care of a spatial synergist that has to learn control. I remember a certain young man put his father in a pocket dimension when he could not go and play outside one time.”

“I am well aware of your capabilities mom, I am not worried about you or dad. I want you to know what you are getting into so that you will be more prepared this time.” Alexander said nudging his mother playfully. The woman smiled and shook her head at her son. 

“You better be, oh how it would be nice if he was here, what do you think he would say?” She asked looking off in the distance, the way that she always did when she talked about Marcus. 

“Knowing him, nothing, he would be too busy messing up her hair and laughing, maybe a welcome to the family and showing her where you hide the cookies, by the way they want to be paid, in fresh cookies.” Alexander said flatly while talking about the guild members. 

“I will take it to them tomorrow; I am going to show her to her room. Then we can talk for awhile about the other sleeping arrangements.” She said practically skipping out of the kitchen. Alexander shook his head watching her mother be this happy was good, she had not been this happy in a long time. 

~~~Later that night~~~

Tori laid in the front room on the couch. He now understood why the core five had attacked him, for those cookies he would have attacked himself too. He could not believe that Alexander’s family had adopted Tabitha. He suddenly felt the presence of someone near him, he quickly turned and looked to find Alexander’s mom leaning down near him.

“Third door on the left.” She whispered giving him a wink. 

“What, is that the bathroom?” Tori asked wondering what she was talking about. 

“No, and I was told you were great at investigation. That is Alexander’s room. If you feel like “visiting” go on ahead, I and my husband are pretty hard sleepers.” She winked before leaving him and skipping up the stairs. 

“What is she…. Not them too.” Tori dead panned, even Alexander’s parents think they were a couple. 

The next morning after breakfast the two waved to their new daughter and the two men. “Alexander make sure to watch out for Tabitha! Tabitha see you when you come home honey! Also we will go shopping for you some more clothes tomorrow.” Ms. Held called to them. The three walked away waving back Alexander with a very large box of fresh cookies in his arm. He turned towards Tabitha and did an action that Tori and Tabitha thought was out of character for the spatial synergist. He ruffled her hair making it an absolute mess and gave out a laugh. 

“Welcome to the family Tabitha.” He said before walking away. As Alexander walked he looked off in the direction of the cemetery up on the hill and he swore for a second he saw something, a familiar person laughing at the action he had just performed. He blinked and saw that nothing was there, Alexander smiled and walked on, he had a bunch of mercenaries to pay off. Tori walked up beside him and said something that confounded the man. 

“Third door on the left huh?” Alexander looked at the investigator confused on what that was supposed to mean. “You mother told me that last night, said that was where your room was and that I should not worry that her and your father are heavy sleepers.” 

Alexander threw a glare back at the home, he could not believe those two, actually he could believe it, it was just like his family. 

“So are you two dating or something?” Tabitha asked making Alexander stare forward darkly. 

“Tabitha, something tells me that you are going to fit right in to this family.” 

---Lyndash later that day---

Tori set drinking his morning coffee when Rini and Lilly walked in. He had found it odd that morning that Lilly was not there, but she looked rather sad today. Everyone looked at the two, Rini seemed happy about something. 

“Everyone it is becoming official, as of today I am moving into the guild hall.” Rini declared proudly. Lilly looked like her little soul was shattered. 

“NOOO! I do not want you to go! I will miss you too much.” Lilly cried out grabbing on to her older sister who seemed unfazed by this declaration. 

“Do not worry Lilly, you can move into the guildhall here in two years time. Then the three of us will be back under the same roof.” Cain said walking over to his sisters. “Congratulations Rini, you are finally taking a step towards adulthood.” 

“Yep, now I just need to ask all you people here, who wants to help me move my stuff? It is all packed and everything. Just need some strong people to help me move.” She looked around and was not shocked by the lack of volunteers. 

“Well then guess me and Lilly will have to do it ourselves then, although Cain mom is going to have some words about you not helping.” 

“I will help my sister move, and by that extension, TESS!!!” Cain called. RIni watched as the animal-kin scurried over quickly looking excited. 

“Yes master!” she chirped. Cain looked over and gave her one of his dark smiles. He looked cheerful to most others, but both sisters knew what this smile meant. Tess realized her mistake as her ears drooped down. “I mean, yes Cain?” 

“That is better, you are going to help Rini move in, but you are only allowed to move boxes with your wind synergy, and knowing Rini most of these boxes are going to be stuffed to be brim.” 

“That would be correct!” Rini said with a huge smile looking over at the fox girl. 

“Great training! I will not let you down master!” Tess said attempting to scurry away before he could react. She was launched into the air by a gust of wind. She managed to spin herself in the air and cushion the fall. She stuck her tongue out at Cain who only smiled as a burst of air squished her into the ground playfully. 

~~~a couple hours later~~~

Rini looked at the horde of boxes that still was here. Even with her siblings and Tess helping it was taking forever. She sighed dispirited when she heard people walking up the stairs. She turned to tell Lilly and Tess what boxes to grab next when instead three men walked into her room. Now looking around at the boxes and whistling stood Korosh, Dorian, and Fenix. 

“Hey Rini heard you were moving to the guild hall, congrats. What boxes are next?” Fenix asked. Rini pointed and the guys got to work, she had to admit when she asked the guild she was really only planning to get Cain to help out. She shrugged and went to grab a box herself when she noticed Rolph and Vyshen step out of the shadows, Vyshen stopped holding on to her brother and ran over to Rini throwing her arm over the girl and leaning on her practically tackling her. 

“Me and Brother heard you were moving in, so we thought you could use some muscle!” Vyshen said with a huge smile. 

“Thanks a bunch you can take these boxes they are really heavy.” Rini said. 

“Then do not mind if I move one of those three then.” Rini jumped at the sound of the woman’s voice behind her. Arisa walked past her and easily lifted the box that she could not even budge. The other two boxes were about as heavy and the two vampires struggled somewhat with them. She heard a yawn and not to her surprise coming up the stairs was Zyn. 

“Arisa said that I should help, and if I do then I will get to go to sleep early tonight.” She said hefting up a box and walking away happy about the thought of early bed time. 

Rini smiled as she picked up a heavy box she went to walk down the stairs with it when she slipped and fell forwards. She was caught before impact and so was the box. She looked up to see Cale. 

“If you are going to ask for help moving you should always yell loud enough for the people in the office, isn’t that right Viktor.” Cale said winking at the girl in his arms. Rini gave him a flat look. “So Rini, joining your brother at the guild hall to be closer to me?” 

Rini punched Cale taking the box back from him and walking past Viktor. “Oi that lass has some spunk.” Viktor said with a laugh from Cale. 

Rini put the box down when she reached her room back at the guild hall she wiped some sweat from her brow as she watched all the people dropping off the boxes, with the whole guild helping out as much as they were it would not take much longer. 

“Miss Rini?” She turned to see Ami walk into the room. “If you would like I can help you unpack.” 

“Sure thing! Thanks for the help!” Rini said, a new chapter of Rini’s life was beginning, and she was just happy to have friends that would help her with it.