"Kirann..sniff..that woman. She's no good." She looked at him, her eyes red and puffy. But she found comfort in him and embraced him, burying her head in his chest. "I know," he replied and buried his face in her ivory hair. "Haha. Kiran, I think it's time you took a bath. The battle has, umm, taken it's toll on my nose." She looked at him playfully trying to lighten the mood. "Hehe...yeah, maybe I should," he replied. "But first, it seems, we need to figure out what those two want to do." He motioned back to Blaze and Gale. Ariakan walked over to the high elf and nodded. "You need a hand getting up? I was the one fighting the dark elf with the great sword, I now fear he will try to get an alliance with the one who was fighting you. Names Ariakan, and you can trust when I say I am not your enemy." Sakura heard the call and after securing a bandage on a refugees arm she ran towards it. She saw Mia and another high elf and bowed to them respectively. "Is there anything I can do?" But her question was answered because she saw the blood on the high elf. Focusing her attention on the elf’s body, she pinpointed the problem. "Now this may be a little uncomfortable, but it'll be over quickly." She placed her hands over the spot and a burgundy glow appeared. She worked her magic even though she was already tired. The magic worked well though, there was no bruising or scars. She looked up and smiled weakly, her head spinning. She walked over to a nearby tree root and sat. "You should be okay now." But I'm going to take a nap, She closed her eyes and drifted off into a relaxed slumber. "Thank you," Seri said to the human and looked at Mia. It had been a long time since they last met in this very forest. She smiled, "It's good to see you again," she reached up to Mia's face, seeing the scars and touched her eyebrow. "What happened to you?" Mia smiled at Seri, "It's a long story. I was on Marmo for the past year and it wasn't a good experience," she explained. "Hey, there's someone I want you to meet," she turned around and looked across the torn ground, "Fou-Lu!" Fou-Lu looked to Mia after he heard her call him. He walked up to her and smiled at her. "What is it Mia?' he asked. He then brushed back his silver hair moving it out of his face. Mia smiled and embraced him, then looked at Seri while still holding onto Fou-Lu. "This man saved me from that hell hole on Marmo," she explained to Seri. "This is Fou-Lu." Fou-Lu smiled and embraced her as well. He held onto her tight and looked over to the girl that she was with. "I met Mia when we were both on Marmo, I helped her get away from Kiran and his friends. And I’m so glad that i have met her." he said with a smile then looking down at her. Gale looked at Sevrina and kissed her on the cheek, he was visibly worried about her. He'd kill himself if she died. Blaze looked at Sevrina from the ground. "It's NOT supposed to end, there must always be light where there is darkness and visa versa. Fight, death, rebirth and peace are in a cycle. You have no reason to be fearful Sevrina. Chaos' time is up, and it will need to be crushed down again for the next cycle to continue. Someone or thing has manipulated it though and now that cycle came to strong. Roid's fall was one of the consequence." Blaze tried standing up but just collapsed on the ground. "Screw it...I may have a dragon's strength but I sure as hell don't have it's stamina..." Gale eyed Blaze, "That looks really pathetic Blaze." Blaze growled back at the were-wolf. "Ok smart ass why don't you change into a dragon then? Good, glad we clarified that." Gale blinked at Blaze's one sided short conversation. Blaze continued his explanation to Sevrina, "In short Sevrina, there is nothing to worry about. The world isn't gonna be some dramatic change. WE are just going to set it back to the way is should be. Like it was." Sevrina looked back at them and sighed, then laid her head on Gale's shoulder, "I don't think I've ever been this exhausted." Talen smiled and wrapped his arms around Naclia smiling down at her. "Are you tired Naclia?" he asked. "If you need to rest then just go ahead and rest ill carry you." he said staring down into her eyes with a gentle smile on his face. Deedlit strode over to Parn, a hand on her left cheek. "God, That guy had an arm!" "So since you two," she gestured to Gale and Blaze, "seem to be the leaders of this pack, no pun intended, what're we gonna do?" She looked at them with just the slightest amount of malice in her eyes. She let go of Kiran and noticed that Sakura was sleeping at the foot of a tree. She had the greatest urge to have them strangle her but suppressed it. I mean it's not her fault she grew up in ignorance. I've seen the holy texts and know of my heritage. But she is extremely biased. "Shouldn't someone make sure she's still living? It'd be a shame to lose her so early in the fight. We'll definitely need her later. Gale, Blaze! We should all specify our skills. That way we'll be able to know who to rely on what." Zira smiled again, and extended her hand to Blaze to help him. Blaze took Zira's hand pulling himself to his feet and putting his arm around her shoulder to support himself. "I good idea. As you all have either guessed or seen," he nodded to Parn and Deedlit, "I am the least living member of the Kaiser Dragon Bloodline. But, their power runs strong in me. I'm a master with a sword, I'm able to confuse my opponents by using my sword with moves designed for a spear. I have Gale to take for that... I know and master over most fire magics... That being my birthright." Gale stood where he was, still hugging Sevrina. A smile came to his face as he was filled with pride for his skills and the new friends he had. "I'm no leader...but I am the last of the true Lancers of the past." He lifted an armor plate covering his upper arm to reveal a tattoo of an ancient order of Lancers. "I taught Blaze to fight and am unrivaled in the ways of the spear. I know a lot about focused attacks. A monk taught me hand-to-hand techniques. I don't know magic but can sense it very easily. Like...everyone that can use magic here, I can see an aura shining around you. As you, no doubt, can see, I'm a were-wolf. A pure-breed were-wolf anyway. I'm a little arrogant and hotheaded at times, but that passes..." Blaze raised an eyebrow at Gale. "A 'little'? Come on you windbag...tell the truth." Gale sighed, "Fine....I'm normal arrogant. You happy Blaze?" "Yup." Blaze looked up at the group again. "I forgot to mention...Chaos weapons aren't the strongest weapons in creation. Holy, Blessed, Divine, or Dark weapons are potentially stronger. Chaos weapons are merely required to destroy the gates. It doesn't mean it's an ultimate weapon. I just wanted to clarify that. So, if you have a blessed or whatever weapon, don't disreguard it simply because you have a Chaos weapon." "I'm a merchant, slash, relic hunter. I've got contacts and people who owe me favors all over Lodoss so we should usually always have supplies. Ummm, I also know a lot about magical items. Give me a few seconds and I'll be able to figure what it does. I can use shamanist magic but I specialize in earth. Not very good in physical combat though." She looked at Kiran and winked a smile on her face. I didn't lie, totally. I'm not horrible with my rapier, but I can handle myself. Hehe. Over to her left Sakura opened her eyes. Moryssa looked at her. "So the Holier-Than-Thou princess has finally awoken. We were just saying what each of our specialties were, so we'll know who to look for in battle or anywhere else." Sakura ignored Moryssa's comment. She stood up, brushing the leaves off of her. After straightening her hair she spoke. "Umm I'm a priestess of Cha Za. I know a lot of healing and status spells and a few offensive. I also have a natural healing power. But~yawn~it drains a lot out of me. I'm a great fighter with my fans. I guess that's pretty much it." She looked at Moryssa who glared at her evilly and then turned her head. She obviously had struck a nerve. But it hadn't been such a big deal had it? I guess she's been going through this her whole life. And she is a devout follower of Cha Za. I was the one who always turned her away. I even tried to get her kicked out of the Merchants Guild. Sakura couldn't fight her pride and refused to apologize. She folded her arms and poked up her nose turning her back to the elven merchant. "Well," Zira started, leaning against Blaze. "I've got the skills of most dark elves, plus about 30 years experience as a mercenary. I know how to take care of myself. In shamanism, I'm just about as good as you'd expect for 152 year old dark elf." Seri stepped forward now. "As most of you know, I'm a high elf. I don't know much about the human world, but I was sent here by the elders of my tribe and they always have a good reason. I'm descended of a powerful tribe and have an intense communication with the spirits, as well as twelve hundred years experience with shamanist magic." Seri's pride was a bit bruised though from her fight, she thought she could take him alone, but she had underestimated Cray. Sevrina sighed. "My turn eh?" she still leaned against Gale. "I'm an assassin, for the last," she laughed slightly when she realized how long it's been, "207 years. I'm agile, can use just about any weapon, track, I am especially talented with dark spirits and maybe am a little crazy at times," she laughed softly again. "But if that bastard tried to kill me, I'm on your side now." "I have just a normal sword, it was the sword I used in the Marmo forces, I want to get a better weapon, one enchanted to strike with the power of fire." He stated as he looked to Blaze and then to his own sword, it was well worn as if it had been used for quite some time in battle. Ariakan walked over and stated his specialty. "I'm essentially a dark elf trained in MOST of the ways of a ranger, I use elemental magic, specialize in fire, master archer and swordsman too. I fought with the Marmo army in the lats war but left them several months before its end. Took an entire unit out too before I left. In 210 years nobody expected me to get as powerful as I have gotten." He looked at the others as he told something about himself. Kiran smiled back at Moryssa, "I've never taken any 'human' jobs, mercenary or whatever, money means nothing to me. But I have trained as most dark elves have. I'm good with dark spirits, and with my sword and perhaps this is my chance to redeem myself for mistakes of the past," he looked to Mia who immediately looked away. Mia spoke up now, "I've been a mercenary for a long time and grew up having to prove myself to people like the priestess down there that I wasn't evil because my father was a dark elf," she glared over at Sakura then continued. "I'm good with fire and close range weapons. I'm agile and fast. I also can survive on little as I discovered on Marmo," she glared at Kiran now. "At least my time there made me stronger." she added. Fou-lu still held onto Mia and when she finished, he looked to the group. "I've been a mercenary on Marmo for most of life, though I'm not as corrupt as some. Fire is what I'm best with, as well as my sword," he placed his hand on the hilt of Ruin's Fate, then moved it back to Mia's waist. The eyes now turned to Naclia and Talen and the light elf was the first to speak. "I grew up in this very forest, trained as a Ranger. I'm good with the bow as well as sword. I know a lot about elements, and don't specialize in any specific one. I've been looking for adventure and it looks like I finally found it," she smiled a little and looked back at Talen. He looked out at Blaze, curious if he should reveal his ancestry. Blaze would probably be able to tell though, even if Talen's blood was diluted. Talen didn't know if his dragonic ancestry left him with any powers, but he would have to find out. Naclia nudged him with her elbow and realized that he had been lost in thought. "Oh...well, I'm a knight, trained in Moss my entire life. It's my duty to protect my kingdom, as well as all of Lodoss if it is asked of me," it was short, but all he could think of to say. He looked down at Naclia and smiled. "I also must protect the one I love," he added softly and kissed her forehead. Deedlit blinked, remaining silent for quite sometime, being remarkably shy now, she didn't know what to say. I don't know these people, Why can't work up the courage like everyone else? I was always a blabbermouth when I was younger, What going on now? she thought, seizing Parn's arm tightly. Blaze nodded to everyone but watched Sakura and Moryssa closely, his eyes glowing. "I will make this brutally clear...Sakura, Moryssa, WE are the 'good guys' there will be no malice among us. Unless we can overcome petty difference of the past that chaos within us can be manipulated by them." Blaze thought for a moment. He looked at everyone and draw his sword, out stretching it. "Weapons to weapons everyone. It's time to form the circle. To bind us all in brotherhood and friendship. We are the Heroes of today. Let is begin here and now, that we fight to save this sinful world." Gale extended his spear, it touched Blazes sword, for some reason Blaze must be using a binding spell because Gale's weapon was glowing the same as Blaze's. "I guess we all say something.... but I have nothing to say other than. I will not forsake my friends and loved one. Come Hell or the God of Darkness I will not forsake anyone. Let the scattered become one." Blaze looked at everyone else, waiting for them. His wings extended, He could feel the power of his ancestry blessing the vows of everyone that would touch weapons. He prayed silently, thanking his ancestors. Moryssa pulled out her rapier and touched the other weapons. It too began to blow. She would have to inquire about it later. She glanced to her side and saw Sakura put her fans into the circle. Glancing away she tried to focus on what Blaze had said. We're going to be doing some traveling. So I guess I'm going to have to talk to the Mercantile. They owe me big time. "You guys have got my talents to back you up one hundred percent. But let's try to keep everyone alive okay?" She smiled while she said this. To her surprise, Sakura agreed. Though there still was tension between the two, this was viewed as a small beginning to an unusual friendship. Seri immediately stepped forward, drawing her rapier, "I am a high elf and it is impossible for me to sit by while this unholy force destroys my home. My vow to defend order and life, as with all high elves', has been spoken." Her sword began to glow. Zira looked at the high elf, then smiled to her companions and drew her long rapier, touching it to the other weapons. "What I've fought for before means nothing, now here I am to fight for something that has a true meaning. I've never backed down from a fight, and this goes to prove it." Her sword began to glow as well. Sevrina looked at the glowing circle hesitantly, but drew her sword and touched it to the others. "I've been a servant of Chaos, but I understand that chaos and order must be balanced. Despite my deeds of the past, here I am, willing to fight for order." Sevrina's blade began to glow as well and she suddenly felt at peace with herself. Mia stepped forward and stood between her old friends, Seri and Zira, touching her spear to the other's weapons. I'm gonna miss my dagger, she thought quickly as she looked at the new weapon, now glowing the same as the others. "My reason here is the same as a my elven sisters and brothers, I fight to protect life and order. It is my birthright as well as my destiny." Kiran stepped forward now, touching his scimitar to the other's weapons, "My mistakes in the past have been petty compared to this," he looked down at the glowing weapons, avoided the glares he feared he would receive from Zira and Mia. "But this is a chance for me to redeem myself like I said before. The darkness of Marmo corrupted me, and I will not allow the same thing to happen again here in Lodoss." Fou-Lu stepped forward and unsheathed the Ruins fate then holding it out slightly. "My reason for being here is only of a few reasons of my life, I'm here to protect the one I love and to fight to make sure that we have a world to live in, I cannot let anything happen like it did with my family long ago, if it happened to Mia I do not know what I would do, I would probably go mad. But I know my purpose is to protect Mia to the death." he said with a smile then looking over at Mia. Naclia pulled away from Talen, but took his hand and led him to the group. She drew her sword and touched her blade to the others. "The vows of my elven brethren have been spoken, but here I vow to defend my home and the ones I love. I will not lose more people to a force of Chaos," as she spoke, she flashed back to the War of the Demon God and tears came to her eyes. She forced them back and smiled at the group. I'll fight for you, Terin, she thought, remembering her brother. Talen looked at all of them then looking over to Naclia. He smiled and held his hand on the hilt of his sword. "Most of the time I only thought of how I have to protect Lodoss, but now I know of another person I must protect, the one I will protect to the death. And no matter what she will be in my heart." he said looking to Naclia. Lucied trotted up to the group and sat next to Mia. The wolf looked up at the group, focusing on Gale for a moment, unsure of what to do. Ariakan touch the crossed weapons. "My honor is my life, and I shall lend all of my power to the cause of order. We are many, yet we are one." He smiled as he looked to the others and waited for the next person to touch their weapon to the spell. Deedlit walked up to the group and put her rapier in the circle as well. "For the last 15 years, I've fought for the good of Lodoss. They call me a hero and I must live up to that title. I stand here now, as a high elf and as a hero of Lodoss, ready to fight for it again," she said and smiled at the group gathered. Blaze looked up at everyone. A smile came to his face. He breathed heavily and then, tilted his head, back spirits exited him and flowed into the other warriors. "Then let it be that the spirits of the Kaiser embide you all with the corresponding powers you all possess. Let them strengthen, guide, and protect you. You are all true to the cause and have been blessed through an ancient rite. Welcome, my brothers and sisters at arms." Each of them now bore a mark on the back of their palm. It was small, a crested rune, that was given to the Holy Protector the Kaiser Dragon Warriors in the past. Where their weapons were, the center, A pillar slowly raised from the ground. A stone Pillar to protect this forest and give memory to the day these great warriors all gathered. "The Chaos weapon that you get is in correspondence to the weapon that you are TRUELY skilled with. But to use it, you must be able to resist and defeat the Chaos with you. Even I must face my worst fears. We all must. But we are never truly at it alone. We are all bound together as friend...allies. Let us never think that we are alone. You are all the Legacy of tomorrow." Blaze sheathed his sword and turned to the gathered refugees and elves from the forest watching them. They were witnesses to a binding of powers and blessing of warriors. A great ease would overcome them. "Moryssa, you can help us now. Your connections, can they get in touch with Black Smiths of great skill? We will all need new armor, let us show our pride by all wearing a uniformed armor of Mythril Steel." He looked at the group once again. "We should all learn from each other. None of us is the greater, but if we all pool our skill and learn from each other than we may learn vast amounts more than before and become stronger." "Mythril Steel? That's a toughy...Oh I know! There's a Dwarven smithy not to far from Raiden. He and his family hire other dwarves and grass-runners to mine and forge. Excellent craftsmanship. Best steel I've ever seen. If I can send them word, it should be ready by the time we get there." She smiled at a sudden thought. "But he'll be expecting some form of payment. I guess I'll have to 'womanize' his wife again. Uh! That took me almost a week. But since we are saving Lodoss." Moryssa turned to the assembly of elves. "Does this forest have a falconry or something? I've got to send a message. "Turning back to her companions she added, "I'm going to need your measurements. I'm trusting that Blaze will be able to imbue the armor with the same properties as our weapons. If not that'll take Raiden Pieces." She looked at the group waiting for their responses. As she waited, she noticed a group of squirrels and rabbits had congregated around her feet. She sighed and didn't even bother to shew them off. Although she never really cared for them, there was no point in fighting what nature deemed would be her talent. Come to think of it, this little critters are kinda cute, Smiling she picked up and incredibly fat rabbit and sat it on her lap, stroking it with her hand. "Relieve yourself on me and I'll make you wish rabbits never existed." She whispered to it. Naclia looked back at Moryssa, "There is a falconry, I'll take you there after we get all the information you need." * * * Kitain rode whisper hard away from the group. He could feel the radiated holiness, but he had never been able to walk that road. His people would follow only if they had a mind to, and while he was the solitaire, and could act alone. The will of the whole must be focused on an undertaking of such magnitude. He rode, keeping to the edge of the forest, remembering the burned Roid. It would take another day at least to reach Mercurial and Alycia's inn. The Reaver and Quicksilver would know where the others were. "I'm sorry Seri, and all of you. But I can't join you, not yet." * * * Mia leaned back against Fou-Lu, looking at the rune, then looked up at him and smiled. Meanwhile, Lucied was looking at the small animals hungrily. Mia looked down at the wolf and put her hand on his shoulder. Lucied looked up at her with his tongue lolling out, begging for her to let him go but she just shook her head in reply. Lucied sat at Fou-Lu and Mia's feet, still watching the small animals. Seri looked down at her hand, examining the rune impassively, then sheathed her sword and inclined her head to Blaze respectfully. She then looked toward Moryssa, "Perhaps in the current situation, people maybe a bit more accommodating, but then, I'm no expert on human nature," she shrugged and looked out at the forest now. With a soft sigh, she frowned at the destruction and walked up to a fallen tree. She ached inside, seeing such destruction of life, then sat back, resting against the tree. Zira sheathed her sword, then removed her glove, examining the rune as well. She then smiled at Blaze. She was frightened, but did a good job of concealing it. Sevrina stared down at the mark on her hand, in the last hour, so much had changed for her. She wasn't sure if she could handle it. And a Chaos weapon? Could she even trust herself with that? She looked up into Gale's green eyes and smiled slightly. He always seemed to reassure her, even if he didn't say a word. Ariakan looked to the mark and then to Blaze. "The order shall be restored, even if it costs me everything. If Ralathan finds a way to ally with Cray then he will become a greater threat." His tone indicated that his deepest fear was facing his former mentor in one on one combat, and that he intended on facing it. "Thank you, Naclia." Moryssa had noticed that a rune had appeared on everyone's hand. Taking of her glove, she examined it. After putting it back on she got up, setting the rabbit down, and walked over to Blaze. "Blaze, will this rune ever come off? Don't take it personal but I'm not a fan of body art. Of course that's not why I came over hear. I need for you to describe the Chaos weapons. How do we get them. Where. What can they do? You get where I'm going?" She smiled at him. Blaze looked up at Moryssa, "You know...you ask too many questions. I have given you what you need to know. I have already told you about the weapons. Although, I do not know where to find them. There is still many things that I do not know. The rune will remain, unless you will it not to be seen." Gale had been relatively quiet, he was content just holding Sevrina. He looked down at her with a smile and kissed her. Then looked towards Blaze. "Why do I sense a bloody battle steering our way? "Because it is," Blaze replied. "Cray and Ralathan have probably already joined forces. I wouldn't put it past them. They might also be trying to locate the chaos weapons. They can't be destroyed, but they can steal them away from us getting them, buying them more time. But there are in actuality about 20 Chaos weapons..." "Cray isn't that powerful, he's just enchanted up the ass... Or couldn't you see his the aura around him glowing like a bonfire in the frozen tundra?" Gale explained. "No...I can not. Only your eyes are able to see the magic aura and present magic," Blaze replied. "It's a habit. When you guys are ready to specify what you need, I'll be at the sacred tree of this forest. I need to commune. Later." Moryssa walked off past the village. She walked for a good fifteen minutes before she made it to the heart of the forest. In front of her was an enormous tree with beautifully green leaves, flower petals, faeries. Just seeing it warmed her heart. Settling herself in between two of it's enormous roots she closed her eyes and breathed in. She took in the sounds, and smells of the forest. Her spirit called to it. She drew off of it's power. Her spirit hadn't been this peaceful since she left the islands. City life had almost made her forget her roots. She was silent as the forest, through her senses, spoke to her. So that's why my spell didn't work. They thought I'd abandoned them. Never would I abandon my heritage, She rested her head against the trunk of the tree and watched butterflies and faeries dancing around her. She was so relaxed, she drifted into sleep. The most peaceful sleep she's had in years. Fou-Lu smiled and wrapped his arms around Mia looking down at her he smiled gently. He then kissed her head and nuzzles his face in her hair. "This seems quite rare, a peaceful moment with all the stuff going on." he said smiling down at her. Sakura stared absently at the rune mark on her hand. It finally hit her what was about to happen. Sakura, not even a full priestess, along with a small group of warriors were going to save Lodoss. Cha Za, I'm not ready. How could you pick me, a lowly songstress? I mean, I wouldn't even know how to fight if it wasn't for my father. I've seen countless others who were slain. Countless other Brothers and Sisters who were stronger. I don't think I can do it. Sakura fought back tears, burying her head in her sleeves. Do you actually expect him to hear you? Heheheh. Then you are more naive than I thought. You consciously pray to a dead god yet you won't bow to one that lives. Why not bow to a man, or elf or dwarf? They live, and speak. "Who said that? Show yourself!" Sakura hopped up. She looked around her surroundings not caring that she was making a scene. Your faith is a lie. You have doubts that he can hear you. But tell me Sakura. How does a dead god hear? Or maybe he's forsaken you. Yes that's it, he's dead to you! "No!! His spirit lives and he has not forsaken me!!! Whoever you are, you're lying!!1 Get away from me!!!" She slumped to the ground sobbing. "Get away from me." In the corners of her mind she heard the high shrill laugh. Mia was comfortable in Fou-Lu's embrace, but Sakura's sudden outburst pulled her away from him. She knelt next to Sakura on the ground and looked down at the sobbing priestess. "Sakura," she said softly and put a hand on her trembling shoulders. "What's wrong?" she asked, despite Sakura's pleas. Lucied followed Mia and sat down next to Sakura as well. "He hasn't forsaken me." She was shaking uncontrollably now. Where had that voice come from? And who would be cruel enough to question and blaspheme someones faith? "His body may be dead,sniff, but Cha Za, his spirit is alive!!" She started sobbing even more. But the seed had been planted. If his spirit were alive, why would he let his followers parish? Why would he allow the dead to rise? Why would she be questioning him? She managed to control herself long enough to answer Mia. "A voice. I-it told me Cha Za had, had forsaken me-ea-ah-ahh!!" A flood of tears had resumed. Mia leaned forward and embraced the young woman. "Your god hasn't forsaken you. Evil things maybe happening, but they must. It's the way of the world. People will recover, like they always do," she assured Sakura. She was concerned for her, but she hid it well. Naclia went through the group, getting the information Moryssa needed when she heard Sakura. She was tempted to go to her side, but Mia seemed to have it under control. Naclia turned away and continued on to Seri. Kiran watched Moryssa leave and waited for a moment before following her. He was overwhelmed by the responsibility given to him as well as how much change he had gone through in the past 3 days. He started into the forest, glancing back over his shoulder at the gray dawn. Just three days ago now, he fought on of the men in that group. The wounds on his chest and stomach had faded because of his treatment in Roid, but he could still almost feel the sting of Fou-Lu's blade. Now here he was, so deeply involved with people who had once wanted him dead. He wanted to clear his head now, and Moryssa seemed like the only person he could really talk to. He traveled deep into the forest until he was greeted by the pale luminescence of the ancient tree. At the base of the massive trunk and comfortably sleeping between two roots, he found Moryssa. He sat across from her and stared up at the tree, suddenly feeling at ease. He closed his eyes and listened close to the life around him. Moryssa felt compelled to open her eyes. Yawning she did so and saw Kiran sitting across from her. Although she had just awakened she felt strangely alive. Thank you forest. Now that I'm rejuvenated I feel as if I can take on the world. But don't quote me on that. "Kiran, handsome. Are you asleep?" She asked softly. The beautiful light from the tree, along with the scenery made Kiran look even more handsome. She watched him, as butterflies fluttered around them, smiling. Kiran had started to meditate, something he hadn't done for quiet a long time. Far off, he heard Moryssa's voice and slowly opened his eyes to smiled at her. "You know, there's an ancient tree on Marmo," he started and stood. "It's not at all like this one, or the others on Lodoss. Kardis's presence corrupted it, as with many things," he said softly with a sigh. Once, long before the elves were split between light and dark, it was different. Perhaps it has changed though, now that the curse of Kardis's soul no longer rests there." He looked over at her and smiled again. "Perhaps the rest of our party should come here, Blaze especially. I can imagine he's exhausted."