Solitaire looked over at the current Troupe. They had moved again, now closer to Mercurial's absolutely ruined inn. It was incredible to think that this was one of the fastest decisions made by the Troupe. "We need to find out what the others are planning, I don't think they've moved too far yet. Then we can decide. I would like the Ghostwraith to stay on the continent and help the outsiders. But the rest of you need to head for Marmo and the standard as soon as possible. We'll discuss this in greater detail later."

* * *

Seeing Cray take Sevrina really pissed Gale off, his rage was growing stronger and stronger. He had to strip his armor off because he grew to around 10 ft in height now, his head snapped back, a deep, harsh, and beastial howl emanated from Gale as his cloths ripped to shreds, 4 inch claws were visibly exposed and gleaming sharp teeth beared. His howl was answered as multiple distant howls were carried on the wind. His voice was loud and deep, never before had Gale delved so deeply into the recesses of his own true nature, draw up his racial power and brought it to bear. Gale's feet left large pothole-like craters where they landed. He was growling loudly. Gale's shredded pants were all that remained to signify him from other were-wolves. "Damn that creature from Hell. If in any point I'm given a clear shot, I'm killing him and ripping his flesh off his bones. He has taken from me the one thing that gives me meaning to go on. Without her I am nothing but pure anger."

Blaze spoke up calmly, "You know that's not true. Even you have more to you than that."

Gale whipped his head around, looking down on the small winged man and growled lowly. "YOU don't know me well enough to say that." He looked up at the gathered group, his eyes were cold, emotionless...dead to them. Blaze was taken back by the short yet harsh word spoken from his friend. "I have to go find her. I must leave and pursue that creature. I can still follow his scent of the wind. Don't try to stop me."

Blaze still spoke evenly, "Unfortunately, in you state of raging anger, you won't be thinking clearly and you know we'll try and stop you. You're still a friend and I don't want friends getting hurt."

Alwyn saw a figure approaching by the air, he approached where he landed and barely recognized Ariakan now. The two of them walked up to Blaze and Ariakan spoke. "What has happened in the past while, and why do I smell the stench of evil in the air?" His voice was more draconic in accent and his features were more like those of a dragon, especially his face, which had a puzzled look on it as he looked to the ruined inn. "I had a bad feeling about everything before I left, but I had to if I am to fight the threat."

A voice popped up from his side and chuckled. "Your just like him, he was always so protective of his friends, in fact he looked like what they called a draconian, I'm afraid that some people may attack you because of that, just beware." Ariakan regarded Shatterstar. "Do you have to reminisce, we have alot of work to do, now if you'll just focus on the task ahead we can get the job done, I wonder why you were called Shatterstar, your sure have a big ego."

The very mention of Cray made Gale's whole body tense up as if ready to shred an ogre to pieces. Blaze made note of that and actually too a few steps away from Gale in fear. "The forest was that maniacs doings...just as taking Sevrina is his doing. For this, this time, I will kill him. I won't stop until one of us is no longer living." Tightening his fist sound like a tree trunt creeeking. His muscles were tight. He was growling loudly, his sharp teeth beared. His spear looked like a javelin with his current size now.

Blaze replied, trying to get his friend to calm down. "You know you can't go alone. Please listen to me, Sevrina will be fine, I don't think Cray's going to hurt her. He took her because he needs her for something. Let's get moving and hope we find them before he finishes whatever he wants with her."

Gale growled, "If he touched her in anyway, I sware, I'm ripping out his intestins and strangling him with them. That a sware on my live and honor... I can't wait Blaze...I'm sorry. Don't follow me." Gale let out a howl that would cause everyone to cover their ears and then charged off into the woods following Cray's scent. Magic or not, it left a trail which was tracable to him. Blaze could only stand there in shock.

Blaze turned to the others for their help, "He's gonna get himself killed... I have a really bad feeling on this one everyone. Even worse a feeling than when we were in the forest battle... I think we need to go after him and settle things with Cray once and for all. Who's with me?"

"You have my blade to stop him, if the blade will cooperate." Ariakan replied with as he nodded to Blaze. He then looked to everyone else. "Who else is with this plan?"

Mia and Lucied were outside after Gale's first howl. "Damnit, we can't let him face Cray alone. Were-wolf or not, he cannot fight Cray alone. Where's the bard that was fighting him? I'm certain he can help."

Mia looked to Ariakan. "What the....Who in the nine hells are you?" She asked looking at the strange dragonic man. "Ariakan?" Shaking her head slightly, she looked up at Blaze and Ariakan. Whatever happened, she'd hear about it later. "Come on, we should find him. If I have to, I'll use dark spirits to subdue him." Before allowing Blaze or Ariakan to respond, Mia and Lucied took off into the forest after Gale.

Fou looked at Ariakan, then turned to Mia as she took off. He chased after her, following his love and his wolf.

* * *

"Kai..." Said a stranger wearing armor that could only belong to a member of a royal knighthood. He had been traveling for weeks looking for Kai, all the while he was uncertain of what he would do if he found him. Once they were old friends, comerades at arms. But now, what were they now if not bitter rivals? The stranger was determined to find out. "Ready or not old friend, here I come." He said as he headed towards Kannon.

* * *

Blaze looked at Mia and nodded, "Well...once again we have to split into groups... I hate doing this. That hot head might be the death of me one day." Blaze started to fly after the others.

Far ahead Gale was moving faster than even an expert elven tracker could move. The forest was his element. He was growling lowly, each stride left 9-12 ft between it. he was moving real fast. "Cray...I can't begin to say how big a wrong doing this is. It surpasses even the fall of Roid. You will pay DEARLY!"

"He's going to get himself killed you know..." Blade spoke idley to no one in specific. He had long since sheathed his sword and rested it on his shoulder. "He's not properly equipped to handle the wielder of a UnHoly ARM." Lightly he bounced the weapon off hsi shoulder and began to walk in a brisk pace after Gale. Atra left a more than vile trail where it traveled. Perhaps invisible to lay men but to Blade weilding a God ARM it was more visible than sunlight.

Gale's body was crackling with energy. He was gripping his spear in his clawed hand. The only person that loved him was in trouble and he was going to do anything to get her back. He let out another howl, shortly answered by multipule howls as shadows seemed to be moving through the dense forest on either side of him. "Grrrr....you will not fall victim to my rage if you get out of my way. I broke the codes a long time ago. Don't brood on the past too long." A were-wolf lunged at him but missed widely. Gale's yellow wolven eyes narrowed as he started to run faster, leaving them in the dust. Blaze and the others were about 12 miles away from Gale but could still hear his howl.

"That fool!" Blaze spat."He knows the were-wolves hate him and yet he howls a challenge, not to them but they will answer it anyway!" Blaze jerked his body upward, flying high, going through the canapy of the forest where he could finally let out a bit of power. He shifted to a fire dragon and flew towards Gale's direction. Sensing dark powers far ahead. He spoke with a low dragonic sounding voice that his friends below him would hear, "Cray has gain new powers. It's not the Chaos energies this time, but something different. Be on guard. I'm sure Gale knows of it already."

Ariakan gave a reply to Blaze that he could hear. "I sense them too, looks like we should go in on the first wave, or one of us should. I volunteer for that. Let's not screw up on this..." He then broke the canopy and headed past Blaze, moving at his full speed towards where Gale was heading, his black scales giving off an obsidian-like gleam in the light ahead.

Gale said it so low only I heard it...those words struck deep... "If it was Zira, you'd feel exactly the same. She might die if I don't go." Blaze thought, then cried out, "FOOL THAT I HAVE BEEN! NO MORE! HEAVEN AND EARTH ASUNDER HEAR MY CALL! FORCES WHO WISH FOR ORDER FOLLOW ME!" He flew high into the sky, sucking up air and readying to make a dive to give him greater speed and to feul his fire. Gale on the other hand resised running would no longer work. He started to kick of tree trucks, throwing him faster than he was running and moved like that. Blaze's dragonic eyes beheld a dark sky in the distance. Cray was obviously there. This was the showdown, like, Parn to Ashram. This was their showdown. After Cray, he was sure that more powerful being ordering Cray would crawl from the shadows to make themselves known. "We fight not one evil man, but a legion of dark souls! Let us stop running a bring the offensive to them!" It is time I let go of my fears, my doubts and trust in everyone around me, let my self believe they will be covering my back like I will theirs. Trust is the key to victory.

* * *

Sakura looked at Kai, confused. Then she realised that something was wrong outside. She nodded politely to Kai and Fenix and darted outside. She stifled a gasp as she saw Ariakan's new appearance. But it didn't last long as she realised everyone was heading after Gale. She ran back inside and looked at the two knights. "As much as want you to rest Fenix, I think they'll need your help. Kai, if you wouldn't mind escorting us after the group, I would be much obliged. We could use all the help we can get." Sakura looked at the two waiting for their answers.

"Uh, yeah sure." Kai then helped Fenix outside and onto his horse. "C'mon kid, I guess we gotta go kill or save something." When he saw Ariakan he nearly drew his sword but then realized that no one else was reacting badly to him. Man I'm way behind, I'll have to have someone explain what's going on later.

Meanwhile Kai's pursuer continued to close in.

Azala calmly went back inside, went downstairs to where Seri was. "Hey Seri, the group is splitting up, Mia went after Cray,i'm going to. You going with us?"

Seri swung around to face Azala, surprised by the sound of his voice. "Uh...I," Seri looked down from the elf and quickly got her thoughts and emotions under control. "Yes, what happened out there?" she asked calmly now, looking up at him.

Azala moved by her, sitting on the bed. "Well, the big were wolf guy blew something in his head and took off after Cray and Sevrina." He looked up at her, getting up. "Mia took off after him already." He took her hand and tugged it lightly. "If we're going to catch up with them we have to leave now, and by horse back."

* * *

Moryssa had been watching the group from inside of the inn. As much as she didn't like Gale--he did chuck a spear at her--she couldn't let him die like that. She looked at Kiran and smiled. {Handsome, I think we should follow. If Blaze is right, they might not even make it to Roid. From what I've seen from Gale, werewolves are extremely powerful. And if by Cha Za's grace he does make it, Cray will wipe the blood from the massacre with him.} Moryssa shuddered involuntarily as she heard Gale's howls. All the while it became more and more distant. She looked at her brother and he nodded, knowing instantly what his sister was going to do. Grabbing her hands he closed his eyes, focusing his energy into her.

{Great earthen spirits, please answer our plea. Send us transports so that we may aid those who would fight to avenge you.} Moryssa chanted her spell constantly and soon it was picked up by Toan. After a while, Moryssa opened her eyes and saw that her spell had worked. Outside were 10 strong stags. Moryssa called down to Seri and Azala in their native language. {If you're going to come hurry! We've got rides but if we take too long we might end up being too late.}

Moryssa turned around and grabbed Kiran's hand. {Well, shall we get going?}

Kiran nodded in reply. "If they need to subdue him, I can probably summon spirits powerful enough to calm him. With the help of the other elves, we maybe able to bring down a were-wolf." Kiran jumped onto his stag and took off down the trail of destruction Gale had left behind.

Seri smiled at Azala and calm placed her palm against his cheek as she stood. "Let's go," she said softly and brushed her lips against his forhead, then rushed up the stairs. Outside, she found the stags waiting and mounted it. She waited momentarily for Azala and Deedlit as well.

Azala blinked a few times, he felt a blush on his face as she left. "Where did that come from..." He mumbled to himself as he went upstairs and outside, he grabbed some armor off his horse, put on the haubuck and gloves, then came up beside Seri. "Lets go then." With that, he was off.

Deedlit hurried to Seri's side and mounted another stag.

* * *

Blade ran as fast as his legs would muster. Following the trail of power Cray left behind. The residue of death and hate and all that was wrong in the world.

The trail Blade had taken was different that the trail Gale took. The trail Cray left could not be traced by scent or sight, only by the grace of his sword he could see it. However he must have left his scent on the way to the inn rather than on the way to wherever he was headed. Blade had some idea of where he was going. He had felt the four powers once before, three of them were gathered in Roid. And there, something more awaited.

He quickly tightened his hand around the hilt of his own sword. If he were to survive he would need it...

* * *

Moryssa hopped onto her stag and took off after Kiran. She smiled at the presence of the earthen spirits and muttered a sweet thank you. The stags were fast and greatly adapted to the forest's floor. Had a feeling that the inevitable battle with Cray was at hand. Her powerful elven eyes could spot Blaze's sillouette in the distance. But as conforting as that was, she could also see the sillouettes of the werewolves and hear their hard breathing. She glanced back and saw Sakura, Fenix and Kai in the distance. Toan probably took the rear. Although that might not be a good thing. I just hope he can handle himself. Moryssa pushed her stag harder and she winked at Kiran as they rode side to side.

Fenix winced as he was placed on the stag,his ribs and muscles ached,though they healed,they still remembered the blast through them. 'I guess...its my turn to fight Cray.' He wondered if Roid was like mirror forest was,and if it was,if he would seem to blend in with the surroundings like he did there. He had felt how powerful Cray had been,in his current condition,if he did make it to Cray,he would have the power for only one shot to put Cray out.

Sakura got onto her stag. At first she was a little nervous because of it's antlers, but she soon felt it's calm aura. Looking at Fenix, then Kai she nodded and took off. "Cha Za! Great god of luck, let your mercy and blessings shine down on all those who fight for order and Light!" As her voice echoes through the air, a great light flashes in the sky. All the heroes are covered briefly for a faint white glow, and feel that they're extremely lucky. Sakura looks at Fenix and smiles a reassuring look. She could see that he was in pain. "I would give you a pain reliever, but mine would only put you to sleep."

As her stag entered the forest, she could see the shadows moving about and hear their eerie howls. She sang a shield of protection over the trio as they rode back to her fallen home. Roid.

"Its fine...the pain isn't so bad..." Fenix gave a weak smile, feeling the area around,he could feel darkness elementals about, but they felt more like distortions then spells. "I don't think Cray ran away...I think he teleported the way..."

Kai narrowed his eyes and scanned the area for anyone or anything that might attack. "All right kids, stay sharp." He looked at Fenix and could only imagine what went on between the two. Strange, my brother never had any talent with a sword, in fact he had a dire ineptitude despite his efforts.

"Hey boy," he said to Fenix "I've been wondering, why did Crassus injure you? Better question, how did he injure you?" These were supposed to be the first of many questions, but before Fenix could reply all three stoped when they saw that a knight on horse back standing in their way. He wore armor of Flaim design and was armed with a broad sword and a shield. He was the man that had been searching for Kai this past month.

"Hello Ethan." Kai said with a scowl.

"Hello Kai. How have you been?"

"What do you want Ethan?" he said coldly.

"We need to talk."

"I'm not interested in anything you have to say. Now stand aside." Kai was about to gallop past Ethan but he quickly moved to get in Kai's way agian.

"I insist." Ethan said in a much more firm voice.

"(sigh) Fine." He looked over to Fenix and Sakura "You guys may as well go ahead without me if you think you you can handle yourselves, I'll catch up once I'm through with him."

Sakura nodded at Kai and removed the barrier from him. She pushed her stag ahead. Looking at Fenix, she gave him a reassuring smile. "Don't worry about him. He has Cha Za's blessing just like we do. He'll be okay. Let's just find the others."
* * *

Seri had pushed her stag ahead of the others, but it wasn't close enough to catch the were-wolf yet. Muttering a curse in elven, she glanced to the sides, seeing the other were-wolves running through the forest {Where did they all come from?} she whispered more to herself than anyone. She glanced to the group behind her, Deedlit, Mia--they encountered Mia, Fou and Zira while chasing down Gale-- and Azala were following closely. She knew these three and their abilities well, when they caught up, she was certain all of them could bring down the raging were-wolf. There would only be the others to be concerned about. Seri glanced to the side again to see the dark forms in the forest. It was getting darker and much harder to see them. They would be in their element soon enough. Seri closed her eyes and pushed the thoughts of were-wolves out of her mind with everything else except the thought of moving ahead of Gale. A tingling sensation passed through her and she was beyond her body now. High elves were more in touch with their spiritual selves than other races, with enough contration, a high elf could teleport. Seri had only used this on few occasions during her training, never in battle. Of course, she had never been IN battle until recently. Seri's stag balked when the slight weight of the elf disappeared from his back, but still ran with rest, afraid to leave the group.

Seri appeared about forty feet ahead of Gale, levitating and already speaking a spell. The wind swirled ahead of the were-wolf, creating a solid wall. Quickly, the wind encompassed Gale, leaving him trapped inside. After his elemental cage was closed, Seri began calling to leprechauns and other spirits that could affect his mind to calm his rage.

Parn looked to Deed as they moved forward with the group. "Looks like Gale's serious, we can't have anyone doing this if we are to succeed at winning this war!"

Alwyn was keeping pace on his horse, but he was having a hard time with balance, obviously he had not ridden before.

Azala cursed, pushing his stag as fast as it would go, scanning the ground for Gale's tracks, soon enough he was ahead of the others. He could feel Seri's aura and pushed his stag to that. As he approached he noiced the creatures all about, he slowed when he saw Seri, she didn't seem hurt, but he wasn't completly sure. He dismounted and ran over to her. "You alright teach?" He said, checking over her features more closely.

Seri clenched her teeth as Gale fought the shield. "Azala, help me with the spirits to subdue him, he's a crazed as a berserker and fighting ten times harder," she growled. "The strength of me, you, Deedlit and Mia is probably more than enough though."

Meanwhile, Mia and Deedlit were also summoning spirits to drain Gale's strength and calm his mind. While the other three focused on the spirits, Seri slowly slipped free of the spirits and focused her own mind on Gale. Because of high elves extreme connection to the spirits, she was able to reach into his mind and trigger the change back into his human form when he began to lose consciousness.

When Gale was finally out, Seri released the wind barrier created by Aruku and breathed a sigh of relief. Her relief was short lived when she heard the were-wolves circling and growling. She placed a hand on her rapier and backed up protectivly in front of Gale as some of the others began to do the same. She had never dealt with were-wolves besides Gale before and was unsure of what to do.

* * *

"Kashue thinks you're a deserter." Said Ethan.

Kai narrowed his eyes and his expression grew slightly more bitter. "You say that as though I would care."

"And Celia misses you. She's worried about you."

The mere mention of his wife struck him deeply in the heart, and the fact that it was coming from the very man who stole her made it hurt even more.

"Agian you seem to think I would give a damn." This was a lie of coarse, he had missed them both, but his pride wouldn't allow the truth.

"She told me to tell you that she may not love you the way she does me. But she still cares for you deeply, that hasn't changed a bit."

By now Kai was downright angry. Before he was always able face anything with a wicked grin, be it dragons, war, death, or hangovers. But this, this was just too big and too personal. "Well, unfortunatly that's the only thing that hasn't changed." Another lie.

Ethan loved his friend like a brother. They grew up together, faught together, and became knights together. But now he was going too far. What's wrong with him? Why can't he just accept my apology so things can go back to the way they were? "Damn you Kai, Will you grow up! I'm sorry she chose me over you, but she did so you may as well accept it and get on with your life."

Accept it?! Who the hell does he think he is?! Kai growled, "How long Ethan, how long ago did you seduce my wife?"

"It wasn't like that, neither of us intended it, it just happened. Now listen, I think you should come back to Blade with me, I plan on marrying Celia and I want your blessing. Besides, she wants to see you and explain everything in her own wor..."

Ethan was cut off by Kai's burst of anger. "Wait! First you stab me in the back and then you have the gall to ask me to just be all right with it?!"

Now it was Ethans turn to be angry. "You son of a bitch, I told you it didn't happen that way!"

"I think you should leave now Ethan."

"I won't return empty handed." Despite his efforts Ethan simply couldn't get through to Kai, nor could Kai make Ethan understand that he wasn't ready to return. They were just too stubborn for words to have any effect and they both knew it. There was only one way to resolve this.

"Then draw."

* * *

The group had split to their various tasks. And now he and Norya had backtracked to the ruined inn and tracked the trail from there. "This doesn't seem the route they were planning on taking."

Kitain/Solitaire slipped through the trees like oil, he was fast gaining on the tracks of Parn, and slipped out onto a trail. He saw Parn just ahead. Then he remembered something, and quickly hid his mask on his belt.

Norya followed stealthily behind the Solitaire. As they moved she watched the shadows moving through the trees. Stopping next to her leader, she gave a wry smile and gestured downward. "Seems like we have a welcoming comittee. Although I think they're a little preocupied at the moment." She followed them with her eyes as they trailed of towards Gale.

* * *

Moryssa watched as the shadows continued to sweep past her. She reached down for her rapier and cursed softly. She had forgotten it. I've never really had to use it before. Now I'm in trouble. But Moryssa's anxiety was short lived as Toan came riding up to her side. Winking he handed it to her. "I figured that with your mouth this would be like a third eye to you."

Moryssa stuck her tongue at her brother. Looking up ahead she saw Gale being subdued by Seri. As if on cue, her stag began hesitating. Looking around, Moryssa new what was happening. The shadows had stopped. She looked at Kiran and Toan with a worried expression. {Gale is strong by himself. What are we going to do against a pack of were-wolves?} she asked in her native tongue.

Parn caught up to Zira and took up a defensive position on the other side of Gale, his sword drawn and looking at the pack of werewolves with a determined look in his eyes.

Zira looked to Parn beside her, then back to the trees. Her rapier was drawn and she slowly backed up to cover Gale. She glanced upward through a hole the canopy and saw Blaze over head. Damnit, get down here dragon, she thought and looked into the forest. She had killed what she thought once was a were-wolf, however whatever that beast was, it wasn't near as big as the forms looming in the shadows of the darkening forest.

"Seri, can you do something?" she whispered to the high elf. "I'm sure a shamanist of your power can drive them away."

"Lets see what they want..." Seri replied distantly to her. Zira made a small choking noise at her decision.

* * *

Both men drew their swords and put themselves into fighting stances. Ethan used the Hispidas defensive posture, while Kai seemed to prefer the Kapatheo offence position.

"Don’t blink." Said Kai.

As always, Kai was the one to initiate the duel with a horizontal slash to Ethan's right side, making it more difficult for him to counter strike even if he blocked with his shield, which he did. Ethan jumped back to open a little space, then returned with an easily blocked overhead slash, the two locked swords in a test of strength with only a few inches separating their faces.

"You do realize that you've never been able to beat me don't you?" Kai said.

"What about that time in Alan?"

"I was nursing a hangover."

"When are you not?"

"Well you have me there, too bad I'm stone sober now." Being the stronger of the two Kai pushed Ethan several feet backwards, almost making him lose his footing.

"C'mon boy, I know you can do better than that." Kai mocked.

"Oh you're dead!" Ethan fiercely rushed his opponent.

As the two faught it began to become clear than neither intended to deal any real harm. In fact it wasn't really a battle to the death at all, but rather a sparing match to see who would get their way. If Ethen won then Kai would give him his blessing to marry Celia, and if Kai won (which it looked like he would) then he would return home on his own terms, if at all. But despite how high they considered the stakes to be, they were actually arguing like kids while they dueled.

(Clang) "I saved your ass in that barfight!" Kai said before slamming his pummel into Ethan's wrist.

(Oww, damnit!) "Which I wouldn't have gotten into in the first place if hadn't insulted that dwarf!" Ethan replied, then using the edge of his shield he struck Kai in the side where his armor opened.

(oof!!) "I bought you lunch twice!"

"I bought you lunch ten times!"

"Well you never returned my wood tools boy!"

(Clash) "Because they're my tools, you borrowed them from me! And stop calling boy, I'm only a year younger than you!"

The two traded verbal and physical blows for what seemed like ages. Hands down Kai was the better swordsman, but Ethan was always there to give him a run for his money and make sure that his victories were never easily won. Clearly this was no exception. They were beaten and exhausted. Both men had to summon all of there skill just to continue. Ethan knew that his only chance was to take a gamble and use the last of his energy for a desperate attack. Kai thought of the exact same thing.

Kai pushed his limits and with a powerful blow he knocked Ethan's shield out of hand, as it sailed away Kai was left wide open, but without a shield Ethan was vulnerable as well. The battle hardened knights saw their opportunities and went after them at the same time, Kai felt his opponent's sword bieng plunged into his lower torso, just as he wedged his own sword between Ethan's armor plates and struck him in the left of his chest.

* * *

A thunderous roar erupted through the trees, shaking them by their roots and tearing off the leaves. It was a moment later before a shokwave struck everything in the forest. Elves, Human, Were-wolf. The heat and pressure began to rise dramatically. And then the earth shook. Trees and the weres that resided in them went flying as a monumentous flaming arm swiped through the forest tearing life from its roots. Soon followed the body. A flaming beast. Strange how it almost seemed wolven. The beast stood 20 feet tall hunched over, learing forward on all four limbs with matchign great claws. Its body covered in red fur that intermixed with bright orange flames. Its snout protruded from its head like a wolf's. But what drew eyes were two great black curved horns that protruded from its monsterous head.

The beast's claws were already coated in one layer of blood gained from forecefully breaking through the quarrentine. Yet he was still hungry. A snap of its neck muscles lunged his maw forward and took a were-wolf from the side, tearing into his mid-section with foott long fangs. The were struggled for a moment before he was taken in by the jaws and swallowed whole. A second were fell victim after he bravely struck out at the fiery beast with his lance. The creature swung his head over and seemed to glare at the lesser beast before crushing him under his hand. The blazing chaos lasted a few moments more as the beast consumed the flesh of the wolves. And with as much turbulance as its arrival the beast leapt forward and carved his way through the forest wildly leaving elves and humans alone in the scene of utter chaos and death left by the demonic beast...

* * *

Panting and weezing Blade finally came to a stop. He had come from a full run from the inn then just now barely managed to cross the great river. His was bent at the hip holding his hand to his chest. After a moment of rest Blade erected himself and took a deep breath of the toxic air. It would be another hour or so before the Were-wolf would be able to get to his destination from the scent, as well as the quarintine. Blade still couldn't beleive he managed to get past so many elves without hurting one, or himself for that matter. Weilding the force of good so little against those with purehearts it was unbeleivable, Crisis was as blunt as a branch against them, and drawing Nemesis would be much too dangerous there...

Blade shook the wasteful thoughts from his head and ventured one, snaking past several broken walls, being careful to stir up as little noise as possible. Of course that failed miserabley. On his way around a crumbled corner he accidently knocked what was left of the roof down. Blade hopped straight to attention as stone hit stone. Quickly he snapped back behind another wall just as a large black hand pressed down on a broken wall to pull forward his massive body. A being of pure darkness loomed over the now roof-less building leering its long neck over to inspect the site. It's eye-less head swept down then back up, tasting the air for an intruder. After a long moment the creature seemed to shug its feature-less round head and stomped back to where it came from.

However he didn't even have a chance to sigh before a hand came softly onto his shoulder. He hopped again but this time landed quietly. Blade quicklly snapped around jerking his shoulder away from the hand. The sight caught him off guard. Sevrina still had her hand outstreched. He could tell instantly that the spell no longer affected the dark elf, the power of Atra was not within her although it seemed to swirl around her. She hushed Blade with her finger when he gaped open his mouth in startle. With her other hand she cooed Blade to follow. There was little he could do but follow her since it was the supposed hostage that summonned him.

Blade followed blindly behind Sevrina through the dark. Instinct told him that he shouldn't, but instinct also told him to get as far away from Roid as quickly as possible. It was only but another moment that the two entered into a thick mist of darkness. Sevrina could see through it by the blessing of Atra, Blade couled see through the blessing of Missa. Soon they came to a place barron of life. They had crossed a bridge over the river that had been rebuilt and came to a clearing. The clearing was hardly natural, trees had been twisted and destroyed, the grass had been burnt to ashes. Blade did not know that the second loss of Order took place just further inland from that point.

Sevrina took Blade's hand this time in silence and led him along further into the clearing. In the center stood a man. Blade felt him befor ehis eyes saw him. He seemed tall and strong when in reality Cray was shorter than he was and his muscles were hidden under the dark robe he wore. The darkness around them amplified Cray's presence.

Blade reluctantly pulled his hand out of Sevrina's and apporached the source of all the darkness. Cray stood like a sentinel before the younger man. Blade could not read this man's emotions, the mask hid them perfectly, only one exposed eye was a hint to his mind.

"Cray..." Blade breathed.

"Blade..." Cray mimiced coldly.

"What's going on?" Blade asked as softly as he could. He could not speak any louder lest his voice give away the immense pressure set on him from the dark man. "Why didn't you stop me? Why didn't you kill me? Them for that matter?"

"Simple," Cray began to explain matter-of-factly. "I am using all of you to acheive my vengeance."