“You have always been someone very special to me,” SaRa plunged forward, trying to keep her voice level.

“How does it feel to be coming back to your homelands?” SaRa asked, linking her arm around Kudako’s arm.

She never knew how he felt about the interaction… but she had done so since she could remember. And he had never pulled away from her. She always marveled at the feeling of the raw strength under her touch. It made her feel safe and protected, though she rarely had a chance to spend time in the Dragon’s protection anymore.

“It is strange,” Kudako answered with the charming sort of honesty he had. At least, she thought it was charming. It was even more charming that he didn’t even realize it.

He leaned forward, both palms planted on the stone railing that ran along the edge of the platform at the top of the stairs of Lion’s Keep. His golden eyes were sharp as they surveyed the Spiral lands stretching in every direction. His lips were pinched, a sign of some sort of emotion – though one he could not figure out for himself.

“Does it make you sad?” SaRa asked him.

Questions, she found, were the key to guiding conversation with the Dragon. He was quiet, often, because he lacked thoughts on what was best to say next.

“Sad… I’m not sure it’s sadness,” he told her. “I have never missed this place since I chose to leave it and come into the service of Lord Zemi. But that does not mean I wish ill on the Spiral or the people. I simply do not feel as if…”

“As if…?” she tilted her head, encouraging.

“Perhaps I don’t feel as if this is so much a place to call home, despite the technicality of being born in this land,” the Dragon finished. He dipped his head, wild hair falling into his face. His ears twitched at the tips as if reconsidering what he just said. “Is that a bad thing to feel?”

“No,” SaRa told him, hugging his arm tighter. “Not with all the bad memories that you have here… and all the bad things that some people have done to you.”

“Bad things sometimes happen,” Kudako told her gently. “Holding on to them gives them power over your life. I choose not to let them have that power.”

“That’s why you’re strong,” she said aloud, not realizing she had spoken the words until he responded.

“Hrm?”

“I mean…” SaRa straightened a bit, trying to cover her sudden awkwardness. “You’re a strong warrior. One of Zemi’s best. You always have been.”

Kudako looked at her with an arched eyebrow.

“Anyone who could knock some sense into Zento had to be?” she added quickly. This seemed to work.

“Well… Zento was certainly not who I expected to find when Lord Zemi sent me to train a warrior at the Host Gate,” the Dragon smiled just a hint, a look of memory in his eyes.

“No… I guess neither of us was exactly what you were hoping for,” SaRa answered quietly. She leaned her cheek against his arm, just as she had done ever since she was a young girl. And she felt the giddy flutters in her chest as she did… even if she was getting too old for girlish fluttering.

“It wasn’t at first. But of all places I have been to in my time, that was the one place that was most like home to me,” Kudako told her.

She turned and peered up with a surprised look. It was always unusual to hear the Dragon speak sentimentally.

She must have looked so surprised that that he felt he had to add more, “You asked about home?”

“Yes, I did,” SaRa nodded slowly. “So… you were happy there?”

“I learned what it meant to be happy there,” Kudako answered. He paused for a moment, lips pursed together before speaking again. “You may argue, but I feel that you and Zento taught me more about how to live than I could have ever taught either of you.”

SaRa smiled softly. “Kudako… that was a beautiful thing to say, you know?”

“Was it?” he asked, seeming a little puzzled.

“Yes. Even more so because I know that if you said it, then you meant it.”

“Always.”

There were some things in life that one couldn’t always count on. Things were always changing, often not for the better, she knew. But Kudako was one of those things that never changed, not at the core of his being. Time had helped him to learn to feel and appreciate life in different ways. But time and trouble did not take away his steadfastness, no matter the situation that he faced.

And now… they faced the most difficult of any situation. With battles and darkness and the fall of their homelands. The fear of Zerom’s Chaos… the loss of TsuYa. So many terrible, terrible things.

Yet, Kudako stood resolute. And SaRa knew, as she had known for so long, that she had more than just admiration for his strength. But she didn’t know if he realized this.

“Kudako,” she began, hesitating. She could hear the shift in her own voice. The hint that something important and dangerous was about to be said.

But she couldn’t help it. Battle after battle, the Dragon went out to fight. Anyone could be his last. He would be lost and she would never have told him.

Kudako turned, fin-ears perked in her direction. His golden eyes gazed down at her with the calm, stoic expression that he always had. All the while, she fought to keep him from feeling the way her heart had begun to beat, almost out of her chest.

Dragons, she knew, could sense things like that.

“You have always been someone very special to me,” SaRa plunged forward, trying to keep her voice level. And failing to sound any better than a silly grade-school child.

“You are someone who is very special to me, too,” Kudako answered.

It was so hard. It was so hard to tell how he was responding. If he was responding at all, or if he was just reading and imitating her cues. Even after all these years, she didn’t know if he had any feelings for her beyond his duty of chivalrous protection.

“No, Kudako…” SaRa forced her voice into firmness. Then she reached out and pulled his hands up with both of her own, forcing him to turn and look her in the eye. “I mean that you are someone very special to me.”

For a long moment, he just stared down at her, at a loss as to how to respond. She held her breath… she was accustomed to the Dragon’s silence. But this was a silence of a different sort.

When he finally answered, there was a strange glimmer in the depths of his golden eyes. “Yes. And you are someone very special to me, too.”

SaRa’s eyes widened, breath whooshing in a gasp. She didn’t realize her hands were shaking until he steadied them in his solid grasp.

“Then… why..?” she began to ask, not really knowing what it was she meant to say.

Why didn’t you tell me sooner? Why do we pretend it doesn’t exist? Why don’t we do something about it? It could have been one of many, many “whys.”

Kudako simply lowered his head, answering without the question to guide him, “Because I don’t want to see you get hurt.”

“Hurt?” she asked.

“Because I am what I am. A warrior whose first duty is to fight at the orders of Lord Zemi Dreigiau. I am only here because I was given the chance to serve,” the Dragon told her. “My duty is important to me. And because I am a warrior, I don’t know if I would ever be proper and good enough for you.”

“Kudako…” her voice sounded slightly broken. “I have known you since I was very young. I understand your dedication to your duty — I have always respected it. And I have always been willing to accept that part of who you are… if you were ever to allow me to be… a part of your life.”

He watched her for a long moment, weighing the importance of his answer, “Things are dangerous right now. There will be a lot of fighting coming up. But I will have to think upon it… once things become quiet again.”

SaRa straightened, green eyes reflecting up at him, “Does that mean that you’re willing to give things a shot… once we get all of this sorted out?”

“It is… a strong possibility,” he told her.

She swallowed, knowing that those words, while not a “yes,” were the best that she could hear from him right now. And they certainly were not a “no.” Her face must have been flushed at that point because Kudako reached down and touched her cheek lightly.

“I’m happy then,” SaRa smiled for him, laying her cheek against his palm.

He gave a faint smile in return. A smile that, for once, touched his eyes.

They stood together for a long time in complete silence. The world around them passed from day into the twilight, the sky spreading color for them in a quiet celebration. Quiet was the way it always was between them… and perhaps, even unspoken, things had always been.

But SaRa couldn’t have been happier than she was then. Sharing the time with Kudako, as they used to when they were both younger. Before there was a Nefol… before Zento had taken up the robes of the High Guide. When things were far simpler and the world breathed in peace.

It was theirs again, for that moment.

Until the world called them back from their shared serenity.

“Aunt SaRa! Aunt SaRa… I need to talk to you!”

The winged woman took a short step away from Kudako, turning to see who was calling her name. Concern marred her features as she called back, “Lucci? What’s wrong?”

The young Sygnus raced up the stairs, taking them two at a time. His silver eyes were wide with the hint of panic. His breath heaved in shivers as he stopped to stand before them. It was the first time Aunt SaRa realized how tall he had become.

“Aunt SaRa…” he choked out her name again. “I had a dream…”

“A dream?” she echoed, taking a few steps towards him. She reached up and pulled him down, cupping his fevered face in both hands. His skin was clammy and sickly feeling. “What kind of dream, Lucci?”

She had seen this all before. Back when TsuYa was suffering from terrible nightmares of Nefol. Nightmares that became all too real, leaving him injured upon awakening… and eventually leading to his capture by the Chaotic forces of Zerom.

Dreams were serious things to her. And the thought that Lucci was having them now, too, was absolutely terrifying.

“Don’t get mad at me,” the young Sygnus began, face pleading. He was just as afraid.

“No… of course not. I want to hear. And I won’t get angry,” SaRa stroked the boy’s hair out of his eyes.

Lucci swallowed a few times, his throat working as he began to describe the images in his dream. The Marked armies of Zerom, coming across the Passage. How they were following TsuYa, the new Marked Champion. And how Lucci believed that Zerom was using TsuYa’s previous connection to Zemi to activate the Passage to get them across.

When he finally finished describing it all, it was hard for them all to breathe.

“I don’t know if it’s real or not, Aunt SaRa,” Lucci warned, looking concerned. “I don’t want to call a false alarm. But if it is real…”

“You did the right thing,” Kudako grunted.

“You mean… you believe me?” the young Sygnus looked up, questioningly.

But the Dragon didn’t explain. He had already reached for his staff and was making his way across the platform.

“What are you going to do?” SaRa called after him.

“I’m going to talk to ShinRe. And I’m going to start gathering the Spiral warriors together to brace for an attack. We’ll scout. But I want us to be mobilized. There’s no need to take any chances,” Kudako answered gruffly.

“Please… be careful,” she said.

The Dragon peered at her with a silent nod. Then he turned and rushed off, vanishing into the colors of twilight.

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“I won’t come with you. I won’t be your tool,” Lucci snarled. “If you and I are to meet, it will be for me to destroy you!”

Lucci found himself standing over the yawning mouth of the Dragon’s Cleft. He had never been to the Cleft before – only seen the deep squiggly line running in a dark crevice dividing the Inner Realms from the Outterlands on some of Master ZenToYa’s old maps. The maps that Master TsuYa would never let him touch, despite his great interest.

However, he knew that this had to be the Cleft. He had heard too many stories of the great divide that Lord Zemi had created long, long ago to protect the North Clans from the encroaching destroyers that sought to hunt them down to the smallest child.

I wonder what happened to make them fight so terribly.

Lucci’s feet carried him over the soft yellow-green grasses of the Spiral lands. He was on the Outterland side, looking back into the shadows that would have taken him home. Back to Nefol. To the place that he had been born but did not remember seeing. To the place where Zeromus was waiting… and his dark blade would fulfill its final meaning.

Suzume said that my last dream was probably of a place inside of Nefol.

The young Sygnus shivered a bit. Every time he thought of the dark dream, it frightened him. He had had visions within the Mists before. But this dream had felt so real. And the memory of Master TsuYa’s twisted image haunted Lucci with the guilt of the things he had not done to save his once-teacher.

Master TsuYa was gruff… but he went against his father’s wishes to help train me. And as much as he loves Master ZenToYa, that meant a lot. I realize that now.

Lucci still didn’t understand why Master TsuYa chose to do what he did. When so many others denied the young Sygnus training, thinking that he would one day become too dangerous, the dark-eyed warrior had taken up the call.

I’ll probably never know now.

The young Sygnus grimaced to himself.

I can’t think like that. I have to believe that we can bring him back somehow.

One fist balled at his side, he gave a curt nod. Then he began picking his way down the side of a steep hillside. Slipping and sliding, Lucci landed in a patch of speckled flowers. Grass and blooms waved back and forth in the soft breezes, having a luminous and unreal quality. Even the silver mists that usually followed him were dim.

It must be the effect of the Cleft. I heard that it had magical properties… and that’s part of what kept invaders from getting in. I wonder if it will be enough to keep Zerom from passing over.

There was no direct path to the Cleft’s Passage. Not that Lucci expected there would be. It was said that the Passage was the only place where one could cross over the Cleft. But that it would only respond to the powers of one of Lord Zemi’s servants. So only certain people could safely cross over.

Which means, I could be out of luck… unless something unusual happens.

And unusual things did seem to happen around the young Sygnus, whether he liked it or not.

Though I don’t even know if I can identify where the Passage is… even if I did see it. Maybe that’s something only Zemi’s people can do, too.

The young Sygnus sucked on his bottom lip, peering into the depths. The chasm looked like it stretched downwards for eternity.  A sickly colored fog churned within, growing thicker the closer to the center… until everything became obscured with cloud and darkness.

There was no sign of a bridge or any sort of Passage that he could make out.

This isn’t going to work. Is it?

Lucci gave a disgruntled frown, his fingers brushing over the hilt of the long, dark-bladed sword on his back. Feeling it there made him stop… he hadn’t remembered bringing the weapon. In fact… he really hadn’t remembered making the trip that would have carried him there, all the way to the Cleft.

How far did he travel?

How long had it taken?

Did anyone know he was gone?

Does it matter… if I told them what I wanted to do, they would just try to stop me.

The grip of the blade felt good in his hand. Reassuring. The longer that he had possession of it, the more comforting its presence had become… until lately, he found it more and more difficult to leave behind in the corner of his guest room.

I wonder why I was afraid of it to begin with. Nothing bad has come from it.

It seemed like so long ago… the day he had climbed the dark stairs of the obelisk, unknowing what he would find at the top. And now, armed with the sword he found there, he stood on the edge of the Inner Realms, seeking a way to return and overthrow the Chaos that had devoured his homelands.

If I can just find a way across.

His breath misted out in soft clouds, alerting him to how cold it had become as he approached the Cleft. The sound of hissing was sharp in his ears, something he took to be his shivering breathing. It was only when sound shifted that he realized it was not.

-Luuushhhhiii….-

His silver eyes narrowed, prickles running over his skin. He peered out into the rising fog with a frown.

Now I’m just hearing things.

The young Sygnus rubbed his hands together to warm then and continued walking the length of the Cleft. When the sound came again, he realized it was not his imagination.

-Luuuushhhhi… I will find you.-

“What?” Lucci spun around, staring into the gaping darkness again. There was a pressure unfolding within the fog somewhere in the Cleft ahead of him, a feeling he hadn’t sensed before. “Who’s there?”

-I will bring you home.-

“Home? What are you talking about?” his frown grew sharper.

-And all will be as it should have been. You and I. Father and son.-

“No!” Lucci stumbled back with widened eyes. “Forget it! I don’t want to come with you!”

-Such harsh, harsh words, my child.-

“You are no father to me!”

-Oh… but I am. No matter what the Dreigiau wants to tell you. There are some things you cannot change by will alone.-

The young Sygnus’ hand gripped the hilt of his blade, glaring sharply. He could see it now. The darkness was gathering and slowly, slowly consuming the shifting fog. Blotting it out with a shadow darker than the deepest night.

“I won’t come with you. I won’t be your tool,” Lucci snarled. “If you and I are to meet, it will be for me to destroy you!”

-We shall see, child.-

The tone was so condescending. Dripping with so much arrogance. As much as Lucci wanted to fight back the anger, he found the slender dark blade drawn.

You think I can’t do it. You try to convince me that I’m something special. Yet you’re really no different than the people in Ceiswyr. You look down upon me, too.

Tendrils of shadow erupted through the cloud of fog, bursting through with a force that rocked the earth. Lucci fought to keep his balance, but ended up sprawled upon the ground. His silver eyes widened as stream after stream of shadow shot from the center of the Cleft, breaking down the barriers that had existed there for so long. Opening the way for the darkness to come through.

“No!” Lucci’s shout was hoarse in his ears as he scrambled to his feet. Hands numb with cold, he fumbled to lift his blade again. He saw the tip of it shaking with overwhelming fear.

-We shall test your courage soon.-

“We…?”

That’s when he saw it. Shapes seething and shifting in the heart of the shadow. The scent of putrid rot and decay choked the air in his throat. Hisses and snarls, animalistic growls. And one long, terribly familiar shriek.

No! The Marked!

Lucci backed away, throwing one hand over his ears. But he was too horrified to gather his senses enough to run. He knew that even he could not take on all of Zeromus’ dark army… and senses alone told him, that it was nearly the entire army there crossing the Cleft.

But how..? Only one of Zemi’s…

The fog began to part and vision cleared. Lucci nearly fell over himself stumbling back. His eyes locked on the figure at the head of the army, far larger than the rest of the Marked. The black eyes. Grey skin. Dark hair and wings. Wicked, black bladed scythe. The streak of startling white that gleamed almost maliciously now.

Master TsuYa…

And he realized.

Zeromus is using Master TsuYa to unlock the Passage! Maybe because he Awakened before becoming Marked… it still reacts to Master TsuYa’s energies!

The dead, black eyes fell upon the young Sygnus. This time there were no words for him. There was nothing behind the gaze that felt like Master TsuYa at all. The lips curled back, cracking and caked with black blood. Black wings unfolded, sending the last traces of fog scattering away. And the blade lifted, too dark to reflect the dim light.

Lucci screamed, lifting his own dark blade in defense. Just as the scythe sparked off of the flat of his sword, the world jolted around him. Reeling backwards in pain and terror, he was falling.

Then, with a gasp, he sat up. Staring around, Lucci found himself splayed out on the floor next to his bed, his sheets tangled around his arms and legs. As if he had just struggled in a great, imaginary battle.

Lucci wiped the sweat from his face with shaky hands, staring around in disorientation. It took a few minutes before he calmed his breath and realized where he was.

Another dream?

He unwrapped the sheets and tossed them in a wad on the bed. Then he stumbled over to the wash basin and splashed his face with the cooling water.

Or was it? Everything seemed so real. Again.

When he looked outside, the world was just on the fringe of twilight. Gold stone reflected the hues of the overstretching sky. The twinkle of early rising stars shimmered down from above. A random Spiral warrior patrolled the streets, keeping watch over the houses as the light slipped away. All seemed quiet and at peace.

Yet, the unease grew more and more difficult to bear the longer Lucci stood and looked.

It could be possible.

His hands tightened on the window sill.

The Cleft is far enough away that we wouldn’t know it. Not unless there are Spiral guards there.

Lucci’s scowl grew sharper.

But with a full army of Marked… what guard is going to live to make it back to call an alarm?

The young Sygnus turned, hand reaching out for the grip of the dark blade. Then he stopped.

But what if it is just a dream? This hasn’t been the first one… it could be that Zeromus is sending nightmares to scare me. Suzume said a similar thing happened to Master TsuYa.

His fingers hovered over the dark glittering blade in uncertainty.

If I run out to call a false alarm, what will they think of me? That the curse of the Bane is taking control? That I’m losing my mind… like the Sygni do?

Troubled, Lucci shook his head.

And if it is real… if there is an army of Marked coming through the Cleft, led by Master TsuYa. If I know about this attack and I don’t tell… If people die because I don’t call an alarm…

Gritting his teeth, he snatched up the grip of the blade in his hand. It took a moment to strap the wide leather lash over his shoulder and keep it out of the tangle of his long silver hair.

I can’t let that happen. It’s better to call a false alarm than to let people get hurt. No matter what people think of me for it.

Rushing out of his chambers, the young Sygnus began to search the quiet streets. He had heard that Lord Zemi and the others would be going into the Lion’s Keep. He wasn’t sure what it was they were looking for, but it seemed important. As did the fact that a new leader for the Spiral had just been named.

Lucci could still see the remnants of the celebration that had taken place that afternoon in honor of ShinRe. Though the Spiral people weren’t much in the way of party-goers, there were some things that they apparently felt were important enough to commemorate. There had been food and some music and a little dancing. Mostly people gathering in the wide square, congratulating the new Leader.

But with the coming of night, most of the people had taken their celebration home with them. Such was the way of the people of the Spiral.

If everyone’s gone… who can I talk to?

Lucci cast about from house to house, looking for a familiar face. A guide. Anyone who might believe his story and not look down on him for telling it.

As searched, he passed the foot of the stairs at the Lion’s Keep. From somewhere above, he heard a soft, familiar voice. A voice he had grown to trust as a child. And one that he knew would not turn him away.

Aunt Sara!

Quickly, the young Sygnus turned to race up the steps.

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Everywhere Zemi looked, the walls seemed to glow and pulsate with an inner life of their own.

It’s all there… Every last bit of it.

Images of Zerom’s coming. The fall of Nefol. The Migration from Ceiswyr. The battles with Zeromus. The fall of the Islands. And now the coming of a new leader to the Spiral lands.

But the images didn’t stop there. To Zemi’s growing trepidation, they spanned even into what appeared to be their future. Battles in the Spiral. A frantic flight into a deep, forested land. And a tall pillar of blue stone, that appeared to be much like the Vision Stone that NaDo had spoken so frantically about.

What is this…?

A light shown around the stone in the image. People were lined up, walking into it. The ones furthest away had wings… but as the people came closer to the light, the pictures showed people who were stripped of wings and a great looming darkness over them all. On the other side of the light was a round shape – the image of a world, Zemi knew.

What does this all mean? Is this what is yet to come?

Zento had given the images a couple of glances. But not making any sense of them, he simply shrugged and peeked further down the stairwell, leaving the Dreigiau to his thoughts.

“Look! Look at this!” AsaHi’s voice resounded from the narrow walls. Her excitement broke the Arweinydd’s concentration and he reluctantly turned to follow the rest of them down the stairwell. As they rounded the final corner, it was as if they had walked into another world.

This has to be the Stone Lair…

The chamber was enormous, looking to have been naturally weathered out from the heart of the stone over many, many thousands of years. It was the same sort of blue stone that the key was made of.

The same kind of stone that NaDo claimed the Vision Stone is made out of.

Everywhere Zemi looked, the walls seemed to glow and pulsate with an inner life of their own. Tiny streams of water trickled down the face of the walls from minuscule cracks far above, forming clear, reflective pools in lower parts of the cavern. Once, long ago, a river may have run through the underground passage, sculpting out many caves and tunnels through the blue stone, leading deeper and deeper than imagination could comprehend.

And though no sunlight was there to provide nourishment, plants grew everywhere. Strange, wondrous plants of many colors that reared tall above Zemi’s head. Treelike growths stretched up into eternity, vanishing beyond sight into the vaulted ceilings of the Lair. Flowers swayed, dripping petals down over the cool surface of the pools. The sound of scampering things darted through the wide glowing leaves, leaving them to wonder after the sounds.

This place… has so much life.

“Zemi, look!” AsaHi exclaimed, rushing up to him. She lifted one hand up, showing him the familiar form of a blushing red flower. “It’s a Cred! How did it get here?”

“I…” the Dreigiau gaped at it with a loss for words.

That’s impossible… those flowers only grow with the nourishment of Arweinydd power. I know – I grow them myself!

His teal-flecked eyes shot up to the pulsing stone of the walls around them, searching. For the first time, he could feel it. Whatever secrets that Aur had hinted at… there was something really there for him to discover.

“Zemi? Are you okay?”

That has to mean that this light…

The Dreigiau didn’t answer to the call of his name. His mind was focused, struggling to connect. To understand the feelings that were welling within his chest. With a glazed-eye expression, he shuffled closer to the nearest pillar of blue stone.

I have to know. Who are you? Where did you come from?

“What’s he doing?”

“I don’t know. Maybe he’s upset about the Cred?”

“Zemi? Where are you going? Are you sure we should mess with anything in here?”

Their voices began to fade away, replaced by a soft thrumming, almost like a heartbeat. It rose and fell with the pulsing glow of the blue stone. As he came closer and closer, Zemi could feel his own breath and heartbeat begin to slow, falling in time to the rhythmic cadence.

You have seen into the future. Can you show me the way?

The world dimmed around him as his hand reached out. The blue light filled his vision as the thrumming filled his ears. His fingers brushed the surface, meeting with a familiar jolt. Zemi felt the burst of pure power rush through his body. A deep rumble vibrated through his being, shaking the chamber as his form was ripped away.

The senses of sight and sound and touch were no more. The Earthian means of interacting with the world that he had studied and strove so long to imitate was wiped away.

Nothing but energy was left.

~Zemiiii…~

Something like a voice came to him from within the brilliant white nothingness. He gathered up enough awareness to focus on it.

~It has been a long wait, Zemi Dreigiau. But you have come to be here, just as it was hoped.~

Memory roused within him. The images that had been on the wall in the stairwell. Struggling to find his own words, he answered.

Then… this was all preordained?

Tiny specks of light drifted across his vision, swirling and capering. Space around him seemed to stretch into endlessness. His own light blurred and shifted. He found it difficult to hold on to even that.

~No. It was simply one.~

One? One what?

~One path out of the Infinite Ways.~

A flourish was felt rather than seen. Realization came to Zemi… that was where he was now.

The Infinite Ways… the place where the past and present and all worlds that might have been… meet together.

It felt strange to acknowledge it. As if the knowledge was coming from somewhere beyond himself.

How did I know that…?

~The same way that you know about the Time Before and the Mistake… though you did not experience them. This place is a part of the essence of all Arweinydd… though so few of our kind have stepped into the Ways. And those who have often find themselves lost to it.~

A flicker of surprise rippled over his awareness.

Our kind? Do you mean to say that you are Arweinydd?

There was a momentary pause. Then the space around him began to grow brighter. One by one, the tiny specks of light expanded, growing in strength until they were vast before him. How he wasn’t consumed by the enormity of them, he didn’t know.

~Yes. ~

Zemi flinched back, struggling to hold on to his own light. To not get lost in the draw of the Ways or the power of the Others. For the first time, Zemi felt truly small.

~We are all that remains of the essence of Arweinydd from the Time Before. We gave our life light to power the chamber of stone that you saw upon the Living World. It was there that we helped to shelter those who survived the Mistake.~

You mean like Aur… and the Dragonkin?

There was the sense of confirmation.

~As well as some of the Earthian tribes – though they do not remember. And… one small group of young Arweinydd. Including yourself.~

What?

But there was no answer to his surprise. The voice simply continued.

~ The balance of Chaos and Creation must be maintained. If it is not, things fall out of order. Paths in the Ways begin to merge and overlap each other unnaturally. And all can be lost. ~

Zemi felt a shudder ripple through his form.

~ The wars of the Dragon, Arweinydd and the Sygni pushed this existence into the Mistake. We have given all that we could to maintain life in the aftermath. We cannot allow such a thing to happen again.~

No… of course not.

The voice paused. When it spoke again, the weight of the words were heavy upon him.

~It is in your hands to bear the light of Creation and to maintain the balance and protecting the life of the Earthians you lead. This is, above all, the most important.~

I’m trying… I’m doing my best. But it’s impossible to protect my people if I can’t fight against the Chaos. Can you help me?

The voice did not answer at first. When it did, the words were not at all what Zemi was expecting.

~Zemi Dreigiau… Look around yourself. Look at the vastness of possibility and potential. The endless could-bes and might-bes. Do you not understand yet that though you are a great power among  your people, you are but a part of all that is? There is so much more to the events of time than merely your own efforts.~

Puzzled, the Dreigiau searched for a response. He found none.

I don’t understand.  Does that mean you won’t help?

~We will help you to achieve the part you are here to play. But you, alone, cannot hold up the fate of the world.~

Hold on. That goes against everything Earthians write about. There is always someone to save the world.

It was almost the sound of laughter.

~Yes, that’s their vision. But there is rarely a single champion that can overcome everything on his own.~

I know… I have lots of great people with me, too!

A slight sigh.

~Zemi, I don’t know how else to tell you. But, the champions of creation who are meant to battle the Chaos of Zeromus have not yet come.~

The Dreigiau’s tone lifted with incredulity.

What do you mean? We have plenty of great warriors right here!

~I understand that and agree. But Chaos will not be overthrown until Creation has found a balanced foothold against it. Right now, that just doesn’t exist… and it may take time.~

Are you saying that I’m not good enough for the job? That I can’t take on Zerom?

~I’m saying that it may not be your purpose to defeat him. But you have a purpose that is just as important… in paving the way to bringing about those who will.~

Miffed, the Arweinydd retorted.

Who are you to tell me what I can and cannot do! I am Zemi Dreigiau!

A shaft of pale white light shown from directly below, between the drifting clouds of the Ways.

~Zemi, wait! Don’t go back yet! We haven’t been able to tell you everything!~

The Dreigiau had already decided. If the shaft below as the passage back home, as the voice seemed to indicate, that was exactly where he was going.

I’ve heard enough of your talk. I look around the Ways and I am convinced… I can choose my own path with or without your help.

~Please Zemi!~

The voice was growing more distant. Slowly, Zemi could feel a sense of his form again. And heaviness.

~You must protect your people at all costs! You must take them to the world beyond..!~

Heaviness flooded through him, pulling him down. Down. Down through the shaft.

~You must take them to the Vision Stone before it it’s too late!~

Once again the world flooded into his senses. Earthian senses. The vision of the blue stone walls and lush gardens. The smell of flowers and leafy brush. And the vast sound of his own roar as it filled the Stone Lair.

Zemi’s head snaked back, Dragon jaws opening wide. His wings unfurled, stretching vast within the immeasurable flow of Arweinydd energy. The Others, despite his rebuke against them, were filling him with new power and strength. Once again, he was the great white wardragon. Once again, the ground trembled under his feet and quivered at his roar.

Once again, he was the Dragon Patron.

And with the newfound power, he would rise up to challe-

“ZEMI!” AsaHi’s sharp shout rose to his ears.

“Huh?!” his head snapped around to see the girl hanging off the end of his tail.

She gripped the tufted fur with determination, brows lowered as she glared up into the face of the gigantic Dragon. “What are you doing!?”

The Dreigiau’s ears folded back a bit. “I was…”

“You scared us to death, Zemi!” Zento walked forward with a similar frown. “It’s great that you’ve got your Dragon form working again. But could you at least warn us before you go on a rawring rampage!”

“Uh… uh…” Zemi shook his mane out, slowly coming back to his senses. “Sorry.”

“So what happened? What did you find out?” SoYa asked, daring to walk closer, too.

“I…” The more senses that returned, the more he felt his hopes sinking.

“Zemi?” AsaHi asked, face turning concerned.

“Just… give me a moment,” the Dreigiau rumbled, lowering his head to the ground. “And I’ll tell you.”

If there was one thing the Others were right about, it was the fact that he couldn’t do this alone.

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“Zemi,” Zento murmured, holding his globe up to inspect the nearby wall. “Come check this out.”

NaDo looked like he was about to have a heart attack (as the Earthians often stated). His pen flew across the surface of the writing scroll, detailing each and every happening there within the Lion’s Keep. Every now and then, the winged man would mutter under his breath. Something that sounded like, “Amazing. Absolutely amazing.”

It hadn’t taken them long to figure out how to use the key stone that ShinRe brought. The Spiral Leader had been determined that the entrance to the Stone Lair was there within the Keep. So they had searched the chamber over, looking for some kind of passage or doorway.

Instead, they had found a blank spot in the center of a mural on the wall with an obviously tear-drop shaped indentation in the center. When they fitted the stone into the spot, part of the wall had rumbled and slid aside, offering a clear path down a narrow and dark flight of stairs.

That was the point when NaDo had lost any shred of self control. The scientist had paused in collecting his data and was now shaking Zento around by the shoulder.

“Don’t you see?” he exclaimed. “Don’t you see what this is?”

“NaDo, no. I don’t see!” the warrior grumbled at being shaken around. “Why don’t you explain?”

Zemi wasn’t so sure that was a good thing to ask. Afterall, his curiosity was piqued by the waiting passageway in the Keep’s wall. And the scientist could get awful long winded when he had something uber exciting to share.

We all adore you, NaDo. But you just can’t keep things to yourself.

“This here–” NaDo waved his hand over a patch of wide green on the mural, right around the place where the key stone had been inserted. “It’s a forest, right? And this here, this blue looks like an ocean to me. What do you think?”

Zento squinted with a frown, “I guess it could be. Why?”

The scientist stretched his palms forward. “I was right! There is a connection to this and the Vision Stone. This mural – it’s a picture of the forest and the ocean around our lab! And this little stone… see, it’s sitting in the middle of the forest as a representation of the Vision Stone itself!”

“Oooookay…” the warrior glanced over his shoulder.

“Are you sure of this?” Zemi asked, finding himself growing interested, too.

“Of course I’m sure, Lord Zemi,” NaDo told him. Once again, his pen was working over the paper, this time sketching out the image on the wall. “I’ve lived there for years. I know what it looks like.”

“Hm…” the Dreigiau rumbled a bit under his breath. He glanced over towards Aur with an inquiring look. But the Watcher would not meet his gaze.

He’s not giving anything away. That means NaDo must be right. There must be some sort of connection. I wonder why Aur won’t throw us a bone about it.

“Are you going to stay here or are you going to follow us down?” Zento asked with a sly look.

Instantly, the scientist perked up, losing interest in the wall. “Oh, by all means. I’m coming down.”

“That’s what I thought,” the warrior peered over at Zemi, handing over the situation without further words.

The Dreigiau nodded quickly, “Alright. Let’s get g–”

“Wait,” Aur spoke.

Everyone froze. All eyes turned towards the Watcher curiously.

“Only a few should go this time,” Aur told them simply.

“What? Why?” NaDo’s excitement had turned into disappointment.

“I understand that you want to study the phenomenon. But there are very important things that will happen the first time that the Stone Lair is opened,” the Watcher explained.

“That’s exactly why I want to be there to see it,” the scientist pouted.

“You will have plenty of time to study these things,” Aur reassured him. “But for now, Lord Zemi should choose a few to support him.”

The Dreigiau blinked around, at a loss. All of the Earthians here were good and supportive.

How am I supposed to choose?

“Zento,” Zemi began, the logical choice being his own Champion.

The winged man bowed with a slight grin on his face.

“AsaHi,” the Dreigiau then turned towards the girl. After what had almost happened to him, in the grips of Zerom’s Chaos, he was concerned about not having her at his side.

The girl nodded and stepped forward.

And where there was AsaHi, Zemi knew there had to be another. “SoYa.”

The young Athrylith straightened, seeming surprised that he was chosen. He didn’t say a word. Instead, he came to stand next to AsaHi, sucking on his bottom lip.

Zemi gave an abashed look at Kudako. He could already sense that he had probably chosen more than the “few” that Aur would have suggested. But he didn’t want to leave anyone out – especially not his most loyal of servants. The Dragon, however, didn’t seem offended.

“I will wait for you here, Lord Zemi. If you require my assistance, just call and I will come,” Kudako told him.

The Dreigiau nodded, thankfully. Then he turned towards Aur again. “Will this do?”

“It should be fine,” the Watcher replied with a nod.

“What about you?” Zemi asked.

Aur gave a hint of a smile. “I will not be going. There are secrets that you must find for yourself. I would do nothing but distract from the focus of these secrets.”

“I see,” the Dreigiau frowned.

Always talking in riddles. Darn Watcher is worse than us Arweinydd.

“Okay… are we ready?” Zemi turned and looked at his Earthian support team.

“Let’s do this!” Zento pumped his fist, already making his way towards the narrow passage ahead.

AsaHi nodded quietly while SoYa looked somewhat uncertain. But they both moved forward as the Arweinydd did. Zento led the way, spinning a soft blue light between his fingers. Carefully, he shaped the light into a small glowing sphere that hovered just over his shoulder — a “Zento globe” as he was so fond of calling it.

The stairway ahead of them was illuminated, soft blue on the golden stone. It was hard to tell how old the structure was, but it was obvious that it had been a very long time since anyone had opened the passage, much less traveled down the stairs. Long streams of silver-white cobwebs choked the air, getting tangled stickily in Zemi’s hair. In places, the dampness had soaked through the stone walls, spilling dark mosses and delving mushrooms.

The air was stuffy and gritty to breathe. AsaHi had already pulled her collar up around her mouth and nose while squirming to brush away any cobwebs that touched her.

“Ew! Ew… I sure hope there’s more down here than bugs and dirt,” her voice was muffled through the cloth.

“Yeah, me, too!” SoYa agreed, his own hand covering his face.

“Don’t worry… if Aur believes there is something to this place, then we should believe it, too,” Zemi told them. He brushed his own fingers through his bushy mane. “I just wish it wasn’t so hard on the hair.”

As they continued downward, it felt as if the world was lost for any light. The pressure of the Keep grew heavier above them. The smell of the deep earth and musty closure was all the air they had left to breathe. After a while, even Zemi started to have his doubts.

I wonder what is down here that would be so important? Maybe it’s not here anymore.

His companions didn’t speak another word of doubt. They simply followed the blue light deeper and deeper into the heart of the Keep.

If we don’t find something soon, we’re going to have to turn back.

Eventually, it came to the Dreigiau’s attention that the air had begun to grow cleaner and less gritty to breathe. Though it was difficult to tell due to the color of the Zento globe, he thought that the stone of the stairs had changed, too — becoming darker and cleaner under their feet.

“Zemi,” Zento murmured, holding his globe up to inspect the nearby wall.  “Come check this out.”

“Hmmm?” the Dreigiau responded, walking forward. He could feel AsaHi and SoYa following not too far behind.

The blue light of the globe illuminated tiny patterns of light and darkness that spread over the face of the stone, high above their head. It was hard to make out what it was they were seeing, but Zemi could recognize the same type of gem-encrusted mural work as the walls in the Keep above.

“Zento, can you give us more light?” Zemi reached out with one hand, brushing the thin layer of grim from the stones.

The Champion nodded, releasing his existing globe, already going to work on creating another. And another. And another. Until the whole passageway above them was lit by the glittering blue glow. The pictures on the walls glittered and sparkled with a surreal quality, tricking the eye to believe they were moving, even when Zemi knew they really couldn’t.

“What are they..?” SoYa breathed, staring up.

“Dragons,” AsaHi answered, holding tight to his arm. “Dragons… but they’re different?”

The mural portrayed with majestic beauty Dragons of every color. Wings wide, they seemed to glide with scales sparkling in the blue glow. Between them were sparks of light that appeared to be stars resting within the sky. The image left him with a profound feeling of inner peace and unity, though the Arweinydd didn’t know why.

“Yes. They were different,” Zemi told them, sadly. It had been a long time since he had thought of the Dragonkin, the first living creatures that he had met there upon that world.

“You knew them?” AsaHi asked.

“It was a very long time ago,” the Arweinydd answered. “They taught me how to take a Dragon form. They taught me a lot of things besides that… It was partly based upon their culture and civilization that I decided to found Nefol and Ceiswyr.”

“Dragon civilization?” SoYa asked with a furrowed brow.

“Indeed,” Zemi touched the wall, running his fingers over the length of one of the graceful Dragon images. “They, too, were creatures from the Time Before, originally. They never told me how they had come to be here or how they had survived as long as they did. All that I know about them, came and went in too short a time. Some died… but some vanished. I have never found another real Dragonkin since.”

“Dragonkin,” AsaHi breathed, touching the wall, too. “Is that what these are?”

“I think so,” the Dreigiau answered. “Dragonkin and Arweinydd.”

“Really?” Zento squinted. “Those look like stars to me.”

“They are Arweinydd.”

“How do you know?” the Champion gave him the arched eyebrow.

“I just do. Don’t argue,” Zemi shrugged and continued walking.

If there are images here on the stairwell, certainly we are getting close to something.

Zento just huffed and followed, silently ordering his army of globes to move along with them. Before long, the mural images began to change, as if depicting the passage of time.

It looks like there was some sort of fight.

The feelings of peace had faded away. The images of Dragons and Arweinydd became more and more at odds with each other, until the sky was awash with the colors of battle and war. The stones glittered more and more brightly, clashing with a light that was almost painful to look at. Until finally, the wall was covered with the brilliance of a great final eruption where the images of both Dragons and Arweinydd withered and fell. Followed by darkness.

The Mistake…

Zemi felt prickles over his form, not realizing he was shivering until he felt AsaHi’s soft hand on his arm.

“Is that…?”

“Yes,” there was a lump in his throat as he answered.

“That’s terrible…” SoYa whispered.

It was unspoken. But they all seemed to know what the images depicted.

“It doesn’t stop though,” Zento’s voice carried back to them. “Look at these!”

They all rushed forward just to stop and stare. What shown before them was almost impossible, given how long the images had to have been there.

“No way…” AsaHi breathed.

A star. It became a white dragon. And that dragon came to live with the Earthian peoples.

There were battles between the different kinds of people and many dragons that came to protect them. Then finally, a great cleft that was struck, breaking apart the lands and ending the war. Cities were built, both on the ground and in the sky.

Then a girl appeared, freeing the dragon and releasing him into the world. But shadows followed.

“Zemi,” Zento exclaimed, face pale as he stared up. “Zemi… this is about us!”

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"I hope... there is more for you than just a single purpose. I hope there are things that bring you some happiness," she told him.

The heavy doors to the Lion’s Keep rumbled inwards, admitting the small group under the great stone arches.  AsaHi spun slowly around and around as she walked, trying to take it all in. Up until then, all she had heard were the stories and legends — especially the account made by ZenToYa of the pivotal battle between himself and Aur that led to the Guardian joining them in a struggle against the Chaotic Arweinydd Zerom.

Wow… it’s huge inside!

A vast circular room built of tawny colored stone unfolded before them. The walls were decorated with mosaic murals that depicted various strange runes, graceful interlocking spirals and lion-like images. The art studded the walls with a rainbow of glittering gems that seemed to glow with an inner light as Aur led them forward.

Long drapes of black and gold spun down from various vaulted arches that rose and fell in pillared rows. The stone floor was one vast multicolored spiral that began at the center of the room and spun outward. It, too, was flecked with crushed gems that were embedded into the stone, giving the whole surface a luminous quality. Looking closer, she could see that tiny runes had been etched in each glittering square.

I wonder who built this… and how long it’s been here.

Zemi seemed to have the same impression as he strode up to one of the ten huge, golden braziers that lined the walls, following the motion of the Keep’s circumference. Each stood nearly twice the Dreigiau’s height, etched with a large rune that would have been illuminated by the light of flame inside. Though now, they were all dim.

When the Arweinydd reached his hand out, a golden light sprang from the depths of the brazier. He cocked a wide grin as the keep lit up, “Not too shabby, Aur.”

“Why not try spending an immeasurable amount time locked inside of here and see if you would really like to come back,” the Watcher murmured with a slightly droll look. It seemed that he had been catching on to the idea of sarcasm and sense of humor more and more lately.

“Point taken. But this is where ShinRe said we could find the passage,” Zemi answered.

“Yes. He is correct,” Aur nodded slowly, peering around with hooded eyes.

“If he doesn’t have a heart attack before we even get him inside,” Zento added with a quick laugh. “That was a pretty crazy thing you did out there, Aur.”

“What was?” the Watcher inquired calmly.

“Singlehandedly installing a brand new leader at the head of the Spiral,” the winged man answered. “What made you suddenly do something like that?”

“It was not sudden,” Aur informed him simply.

“Well… it… kinda seemed like it was,” Zento pointed out.

“No,” the Watcher disagreed.

“No?”

“No,” was the final answer.

Zento leaned back with his hands folded behind his head, exchanging funny looks with NaDo. The scientist had jumped at the chance to explore the inner structure of the Lion’s Keep and had vehemently asked to be included in the group’s expedition – for the good of science, he proclaimed.

“You make it sound like it was something that you knew would happen,” Zemi approached from a different angle.

“Not exactly. But it was something I had hoped would come to pass,” Aur told them. Most of his attention was now fixed upon the glittering mural that spanned across the nearest wall. His fingers slowly stroked over the soft gems that depicted green grass, blue sky and violet trees.

“Then you really did know about ShinRe?” the Dreigiau prodded.

“Yes,” the Watcher answered. “We had exchange conversations many times before his exile. I knew the kind of leader he was. I made a point of knowing where he had taken the exiles to… until my energies began to fail me. It was my hope that he would return one day to overthrow the rule of the Armsmaster. But it seems ShinRe was content to live apart in his own encampment.”

“Auuuur!” Zemi nudged the Guardian with a growing grin. “You are such a plotter! I didn’t know you had it in you!”

“Excuse me?”

“You’re telling me that set all of this up!” the Arweinydd put his arm around the Watcher’s shoulders with a fake, melodramatic sniff. “You make your Patron proud!”

Aur responded with a long, quiet look. There was still some humor he didn’t quite grasp.

“That’s wonderful and all… as long as he doesn’t die of shock,” Zento grinned, too, rocking back and forth on his heels.

“He will not,” Kudako’s voice entered the chamber, stern. “ShinRe does not back down from his agreements. Even if this was all a contrived plot to put him into power.”

Blue fin ears were folded back. The Dragon didn’t look too happy at the way everyone else was gloating about the situation.

“Come on, ‘Dako,” Zemi answered easily, trying to smooth out the situation. “You can’t tell me that your brother isn’t the best man for this job. He’s straight and honorable… a man who knows the difference between the cruelty of the Armsmaster’s rule and the way people should really be led. Not to mention, he will quite likely be willing to aid us in the fight against Zerom.”

“That is all completely besides the point,” Kudako scowled. Then he murmured accusingly, “Lord Aur, I’m quite surprised at you.”

“I apologize,” the Watcher answered, looking as abashed as he appeared able. “I am not proud of situating things the way that I did. However, I feel that ShinRe is the most capable of seeing your people through our current crisis. My thoughts are always about protecting the Spiral people. Both ShinRe and the populace were given a choice in the matter.”

“Not much of one,” the Dragon answered, though significantly less miffed than before. It seemed that Aur’s council still affected his outlook on things, as well. “You knew that should the Golden Lion speak and name a new leader, then it would be so. You also knew that my brother would not turn down the leadership of his people in a time of need, based on his honor below.”

“Yes, I knew. I was counting on these things,” Aur admitted, brushing his hands over the mural one last time. “It is a troubled time, KudakoRe. We all have to make our sacrifices. I know that you know this, as well.”

Kudako lowered his head and turned slightly away. “Yes. I know. I am willing to make my sacrifices.”

“Then let your brother choose to make his. For the good of your people,” the Watcher told him gently.

The Dragon was silent for a long time. Finally, he nodded. “I understand and will say no more.”

For a time after that, no one spoke. They all waited, swallowed within the maw of the great Lion’s Keep. What they were waiting for, AsaHi didn’t quite know. Though she glanced at SoYa and Zemi from time to time, she didn’t dare break the silence to ask. She had learned long ago that happenings revolving around Arweinydd and Awakened and Watchers and Champion all had their own way of working out in awkward timelines.

So she spent the time studying the glittering pictures upon the wall, paying special attention to the one that Aur had been touching earlier. It was not very long before she felt a large presence at her side. Looking up, she saw the golden-eyed Watcher gazing on the mural once again.

“This has always been my favorite one,” he told her.

The statement took her by surprise. In order to have a favorite, one had to be capable of attachment and fondness – emotions that AsaHi didn’t think that Aur was capable of until just lately. But none of these things passed beyond her thoughts.

“I can see why. It’s very pretty,” the girl complimented.

“Yes,” Aur answered, his tone growing somewhat somber. “It always reminded me of what these lands were like before…”

The way that he left the statement hanging, AsaHi couldn’t help but ask, “Before what?”

“The Mistake,” the Watcher answered simply.

The girl felt a curdling feeling in the pit of her stomach at the word. Such a simple word. Such an understatement for what she could only sense really had happened. Something that so few of them knew anything about… except maybe Aur, himself.

Then it occurred to her, “We aren’t… doing the same thing over again. Are we?”

The golden eyes flicked over towards her. But he didn’t answer.

So she expanded on the thought with a frantic, quiet breath, “We aren’t doing things that might lead up to another Mistake. Or are we?”

Seeing her alarm, Aur spoke calmly, “I was left here in this Living World to see that such a thing could never happen again. That has always been my purpose.”

Something about the resigned tone in his voice made AsaHi feel really sad for the Watcher.

He must have seen so much… lived through so many difficult things. And yet, he’s still here, still working against all these big and frightening powers.

She reached her hand out, but paused, not daring to touch his arm. Or offer a kind squeeze on his fingers. Or any sympathetic motion that she might have given anyone else. She had always been reserved about Aur. But she didn’t know why.

“I hope… there is more for you than just a single purpose. I hope there are things that bring you some happiness,” she told him. The best offer she could make to let him know that she cared.

The Watcher gave her a quizzical look, as if he didn’t understand a single word that she had just said. He quietly shook his head, “My happiness is not as important as the promise of life to the Arweinydd and Earthian peoples. Without them both… and the bonds they can share… life may be lost once again.”

“But you’re a part of this life, too, Aur,” AsaHi argued softly.

“I have lived my life,” he told her gently. “I have no regrets. I will give myself to my purpose to ensure that the Chaos that would devour all does not succeed. In doing that, I have my happiness.”

AsaHi sighed, knowing that she was not going to win that debate. Instead, she lightly touched his arm, telling him in a tone of deep respect, “You are one of the noblest people I have ever had a chance to know. I hope that you will find something that brings you joy in time. Even if it is something you don’t expect or believe you need.”

Aur just responded with a quiet smile. It might have been one of the most genuine smiles she had seen from him.

It wasn’t much longer before the great stone doors of the Lion’s Keep grated open once again. This time, ShinRe walked through, carrying something between both of his hands.

“I’ve finally located it,” the Leader announced with a hint of relief. “I apologize for taking so long.”

“No problem,” Zemi grinned. “We couldn’t get the party started without you.”

“Party?”

“Er… nevermind,” the Dreigiau waved his hands to dismiss the train of thought. “So what is it that you brought for us? And are you sure this is where we should be?”

“Yes. This is where the entrance to the Stone Lair is hidden. I’m sure of it,” ShinRe nodded with pursed lips. Then he unfolded his hands to reveal a strange, tear-drop shaped stone. It reflected the dim light in the room, flickering with a gentle blue glow of its own. “And this is the key that opens it.”

AsaHi leaned forward with her mouth agape and eyes wide. The stone had a presence all its own, almost as if it was a living thing. Something in the back of her mind compelled her to reach out and touch it… to explore the answers to the mysteries that it would offer her. Judging from the expressions of everyone else, they, too felt drawn for the same reason.

“Hedd-ynad!” NaDo suddenly exclaimed, mirroring their unspoken excitement. “It’s… it’s…”

“It’s what?” Zento urged him.

“It’s just like a miniature Vision Stone!” the scientist blurted an exaltation.

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"People of the Spiral, hear my words," the Lion roared again, seeming to shake the heavens.

“These Dragons of yours are quite fascinating creatures,” ShinRe remarked to at Zemi. He brushed his shirt front off with one glance over his shoulder at the Dragon who had just flown them into the Spiral Proper. The way he watched the creature, it was obvious that he had seen few before, if ever, and none so close up.

“Why, thank you,” Zemi answered with a wide fangy, grin. “I think so myself.”

SoYa noted that Zemi was leaving out the fact that he, himself, was also a Dragon. If one couldn’t tell by the name.

As they walked back towards the town, ShinRe leaned towards Kudako. With a smile, he asked, “So you are one of those Dragons, too?”

Kudako almost missed a step. He quickly covered it by clearing his throat and a hoarse answer, “Not quite the same as that…”

“Oh?” the Leader looked curious. “Well, you’ll have to show me.”

“Maybe one day,” Kudako answered grimly. He then walked forward with a quickening pace, leaving his puzzled brother to stare after him.

“Did I say something wrong?” ShinRe asked, looking over at Zemi.

“‘Dako’s just a bit sensitive about certain things,” the Dreigiau replied. He offered no other explanation.

There wasn’t time for it as SoYa could see people coming out to greet their return. He could at once make out the large shimmering form of the She-Wolf, Zazo, watching them with a sharp face. Father was at her side, already making his way forward with comments for Kudako. There was even a hint of a smile on his face.

He’s looking a little bit better… I wonder what happened.

There was another winged man standing not far from the Arweinydd, a face that was somewhat familiar to SoYa. Though one he hadn’t seen in many, many years. As the Athrylith approached, Father pulled him over for an introduction.

“NaDo,” Father intoned, one hand clapped on his son’s shoulder, “This is my eldest boy, SoYa.”

“Well, now. Look at you!” the other man exclaimed with a wide, easy grin. “I remember back when you were just knee-high! Little SoYa… all grown up!”

The Athrylith just smiled sheepishly, trying to place where he had heard the name before. Based off of his father’s behaviors, it was one of Father’s friends from long ago. But Father had a lot of friends that came and went over SoYa’s younger years. Some of them were hard to remember.

“It’s good to see you again, Sir,” SoYa decided it was best to play along. Especially if this man had anything to do with helping Father’s recovery.

“He’s so polite,” NaDo just laughed and elbowed Father in the side. “Now where does that come from, I wonder? Couldn’t have been from a scamp like you.”

Father just smiled quietly. Then he glanced over at Kudako, “So… are you going to introduce me to your company, ‘Dako?”

The Dragon opened his mouth, but was quickly overridden by Zemi’s excited chatter. The Arweinydd took ShinRe by both shoulders proclaiming, “THIS is Kudako’s brother, ShinRe! He’s an old Clan Leader who has been at the head of the exiles that left the Spiral back when the Armsmaster took control here.”

SoYa could only wince at the way the Dreigiau’s voice carried. Nearby Spiral people who had not already stopped to watch the group curiously did now. Their blue eyes studied ShinRe’s from with hesitation.

“I…. see….” Father said slowly, obviously noticing the attention they had garnered from the Spiral commoners. He quickly extended his hand, “I am known as ZenToYa — Kudako has been my teacher and friend for a very long time. It’s an honor to meet you, ShinRe.”

“ZenToYa…” ShinRe repeated in a quiet voice. Then he took Father’s hand with a low dip of his head. “Your stories have carried to the ears of my people. It is I who is honored to meet you.”

Father gave a soft laugh, “Now I see where ‘Dako gets it from.”

“Perhaps,” Kudako answered simply. Then he began to walk, following behind Zemi, who was already making his way down the street.

We must be quite a sight…

Spiral people watched from either side, faces wary but curious. With two Arweinydd – one in the shape of a giant wolf – winged people, Dragons and Aur, there was no getting through the town without gathering a crowd. Which is exactly what they did.

People paused in their daily tasks to turn and watch the procession. More often than not, they began to follow after, at first at a distance. Then as more people began to gather, they dared to come a bit closer, only a few paces behind Aur who brought up the rear.

Judging from Zemi’s expression, this was exactly what he wanted to happen.

ShinRe, however, didn’t seem so certain. He leaned over to Kudako in concern, “Is it really such a good idea to let everyone here know who I am?”

“Relax,” the Dragon answered. “No one is going to try anything… not with Lord Zemi and Aur here.”

The Leader didn’t look completely convinced. But he didn’t say anything against his brother’s lack of unease.

As SoYa got a good look at their surroundings, he realized that Zemi was leading them directly towards the tall golden pyramid of the Lion’s Keep. SoYa had not been inside personally, but he knew from Father’s stories that this was the place where he had found Aur… where the Golden Lion of the Spiral was said to reside. Though Aur was no longer there, it was still a place that the people of the Spiral looked upon with reverence. A place of gatherings, meetings and important announcements.

I wonder what Zemi is up to now…

One step at a time, the group ascended the wide stairs, rising above the growing numbers of the gathering crowd in the street. People watched from below with a strange hush, sensing that something important was about to happen. Anticipation almost crackled through the air. SoYa could feel it rising around him with each step that he took.

When they finally reached the top of the flight, the stairway opened up to a wide gold-stone platform, a place once used for announcements made by the Spiral leaders. SoYa instantly found a place somewhere in the back of the group of bigger men, out of sight as best he could be. He then observed the quiet exchange between Aur and Zemi.

“Lord Zemi,” the Watcher intoned quietly.

“Is this what you want to do?” the Dreigiau asked with pursed lips.

“Yes. It is what should be done,” Aur answered. His golden eyes glimmered for a moment before he added, “One final roar.”

“Fine by me,” Zemi grinned widely. “Have at it.”

The Watcher nodded quietly before turning to the rest of them, inquiring politely, “Will you please step back?”

The others responded with a curious frown, but did as they were asked. No sooner did they clear the platform than Aur’s form burst upwards into a great flame of golden light.

What!?

Startled, SoYa pressed his back against the side of the Lion’s Keep. Below, the street was filled with sounds of awe and surprise. A wave of Spiral people on hands and knees, bowing low to the growing apparition at the top of the stairs. Even ShinRe had dropped to his knees, head dipped low in reverence.

A tremendous roar shook the stone under SoYa’s feet. He stared up in mute shock at the vast form of the Golden Lion, the legendary protector and guide of the Spiral lands. Aur had become the creature he had once been, deep brazen voice carrying to the far reaches of the town.

“People of the Spiral, hear my words,” the Lion roared again, seeming to shake the heavens.

SoYa grit his teeth, hands cupped over his ears at the rumbling reverberation in his head. He doubted that anyone couldn’t hear. Anyone who wasn’t already falling over themselves to bow to the great Guardian beast certainly was now.

It’s just like the story that Father told us.

Shimmers of golden light flecked away into the breeze, contesting the sun in brightness. Squinting, SoYa could almost make out the Guardian’s hazy form – the huge paws… the long, swaying tail… streaming mane… and deep, deep eyes. But at the same time, there was something wavering and ethereal, as if Aur was fighting to hold on to his once-majestic form with all of his strength.

“It has been a long, long time since I have last come here to address you. But I have always been here, watching. Hoping for a time of freedom and understanding for all tribes great and small,” his voice grew calmer, much like the Aur that they had all come to know. “I have come again as a great darkness has begun to spread across our lands. A darkness that I had forewarned against a very, very long time ago.”

The silence within the square was almost deafening. No doubt that when Aur chose to speak, he had his ways of getting his words heard.

“That does not mean that it is a time to let our fears of the shadows overcome us. But it may indicate that it is a time to break away from hindrances that would chain us to the past – especially past hate and prejudice. We must be forward-looking if we are to secure a future for ourselves and our posterity,” the Watcher rumbled, unblinking eyes gazing across the crowd below. “We must come together with newfound allies from over the Cleft. And we must come together internally, healing the divide amongst your own people that serves no purpose but self defeat.”

“Oooo…” Father whispered to Zemi with arched eyebrows. “I’m taking some notes.”

“He’s good, isn’t he?” the Dreigiau admitted. “But then, he’s been at it longer than we have, that’s for sure.”

SoYa leaned forward, trying to hear beyond the banter of the Arweinydd and the Champion. He was captivated by the speech, despite the fact that Aur was not targeting him with the profound and elegant words.

“Only if you are willing to do these things can we have a chance to secure the future. So, now tell me, is this something you are ready to attempt?” the Guardian’s tail swished slowly as he approached the question… words that resounded upon each individual there to make their choice. “Can we choose to come together and fight alongside of the North Peoples against the darkness that would threaten us all? Can we choose to welcome those of your own blood who were separated from you under a rule of tyranny?”

SoYa glanced quickly over at where ShinRe still remained, bowed down upon the golden stone. He could see the tension in the man’s posture and sense the cold edge of friction in the air. Aur may be the great Creature from the Time Before… but what he was asking was something big and difficult for a whole nation to embrace.

Aur’s right, though. There’s so little time to gather our forces. If we can’t come to a consensus, we’re all going to fall under the weight of Zerom’s shadow.

“These are not questions that I expect answers to immediately, of course. These are not choices that can be made with the lack of strong leadership or holistic goals. And no matter your opinion of me, I do not believe that I am the one qualified to lead your plight,” Aur’s tone had begun to change.

For the first time, quiet murmurs of concern rippled up from the crowd below. This was not what they were expecting to hear from their legendary Guardian.

“Having freed yourself from the Armsmaster, it is only natural that your people would search for another leader in his stead,” the Watcher spoke slowly. “During this time, I have acted as an ambassador and a guide, working to mend relations between the Spiral and the people of the Inner Realms. However, my intention was never to step up as the leader of your lands. My nature is that of a guide and guardian… which is why I have decided to offer my guidance in suggesting the man to consider as the next leader of the Spiral.”

SoYa found himself releasing a breath that he didn’t even realize he had been holding. Green eyes wide, he watched as the enormous paw lifted, motioning carefully to the man who had remained bowing throughout the whole revelation.

“ShinRe has proven himself as a skilled and innovative leader to those who were exiled during the Armsmaster’s reign,” Aur introduced. “He is a Leader from the old Clans. But a man who understands the balance between the old ways and what is needed for the survival of his people.  I believe that he has the wisdom and knowledge that it will take to face the trials that are yet to come.”

ShinRe looked like he might hyperventilate right there. Though in the face of all of the Spiral, he couldn’t let it show. As he was urged to his feet, his voice was slightly jittery, “L-Lord Aur. You honor me with your glowing compliments and kind words. But I did not come back to the Spiral to claim it under any sort of rule.”

“I understand that. This is my suggestion, but your leadership will be your own choice… and theirs,” the Guardian replied. “But know that the situation as I have detailed it is the truth. There are hard times ahead for us all… and if we do not have strong leadership and clear vision, times will be all the more difficult.”

“I understand that, M’lord. But…”

A sound was rising from the square below, something like the crashing of the high ocean tide. The people had begun to cheer, whether it was for Aur’s speech or the introduction of ShinRe, SoYa didn’t know. It was hard to say how long it had been since the people had been given a chance to accept their own leader… how long it had been since there had been fair and true leadership at all.

“It seems your people are speaking. What will you do to listen?” the Guardian asked.

ShinRe stood on the gold-stone platform, his face pale as he stared out at the cheering crowd below. If there was fear or uncertainty, he did not show it. He took one step forward, a glimmer of determination in his blue eyes. “I will do what is needed.”

The Spiral’s trust in the guidance of the Golden Lion was unwavering. And it was not hard to see that they were all very willing to embrace his council… and face the new age that had come upon their lands.

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It happened in an instant - he was pinned to the ground with, canine nose jabbed straight into his face.

“It’s good to see you finally come out of your hidey hole,” chirped a familiar voice.

Zento turned to find himself face to face with a flicker of his past – the cheerful face of his old friend, NaDoTu. He didn’t know how many decades it had been since he had last saw the funny freckles, easy grin and odd looking lenses of the strange little scientist. But it was a welcome sight.

“NaDo!” the warrior exclaimed, doing a roundabout in mid-step. He quickly rushed up to the other man and took him by the shoulders. “What are you doing here?”

“Probably the same thing you are,” NaDo answered with a quip. “I’ve been playing chauffeur for a certain young Sygnus who happened to find his way to the Vision Stone. You wouldn’t happen to know anything about that, would you?”

“Not much, actually,” Zento frowned at the mention of LuShi. “It was pretty much all Zemi’s doing.”

“I see. And I figure,” the scientist nodded, walking along next to the warrior.

The streets in the Spiral were strange and slightly curved, leading between simple gold-stoned buildings that rose from the earth on either side. It had its own sort of charm, Zento decided, but was still a bit difficult for him to get used to.

Especially after spending so long being an enemy of these people.

When NaDo spoke again, his tone was more somber, “How have you been, Zento?”

The warrior swallowed, searching for the words to answer, “I’ve been better.”

“I heard about…”

“Yeah.”

NaDo put his hand on Zento’s shoulder and gave it a light squeeze. “Just let me know if I can do anything… anything at all to help out.”

“Thanks,” the warrior answered. “I think I’ll pull through.”

“You always do, Zento.”

“Well,” he attempted a lighter sound, “Now that you’re here, I’m going to expect a little bit of that Tu miracle-working magic.”

“Hah!” NaDo quipped loudly. “I leave the magic to Maru.”

“How is she… and the little one?” Zento asked with a slight smile. It was strange to think of the high-strung NaDoTu actually settling down, finding a wife and raising a child.

“They’re fine… they’re fine,” the scientist perked up in the manner of a proud father and husband. The glimmer in his eye told Zento that he was in for a loooong explanation, “Augh! You should SEE KiNa! I wish I had an image sphere with me. He’s getting so big now! And he’s mastering flying like it’s no one’s business… he’s a natural in the air!”

“Yeah… they grow up fast, don’t they?”

“Sure do… sure do…” NaDo leaned back as he walked, folding his hands behind his head.

Just then, a string of shouts from down the street broke into their conversation. With a worried frown, Zento glanced at NaDo. Seeing the scientist mirroring his concern, the warrior began to walk faster, making his way towards the source of the commotion. He could hear the dismayed shouts coming from just ahead coupled with another sound… something akin to barking.

A wild animal get in here or something?

Very few times had Zento seen people of the Spiral fleeing. So as he watched the golden haired men scatter, ushering women and children out of the street, the warrior could only imagine the great, terrible dangers he might find around the next corner.

What a day to leave my weapon back in the room…

“Maybe we should go find some backup,” NaDo suggested with a shaky voice.

Zento pressed his back to the wall, inching forward along the side of one of the stone houses. “Let’s see what we’re up against, first.”

“Augh… you and your warrior’s pride!” the smaller man complained.

The warrior didn’t say a word. Instead, he reached out and pulled his friend next to him, flattening him along the stone as well. Carefully, Zento snaked his head around the corner, getting a good look into the streets ahead of him.

What the…

It took him a moment to figure out what he was seeing. A terrified group of Spiral people huddled at the far end of the square. The huge glowing wolf form of the Arweinydd, Zazo, as she loomed over them. One man was pinned under her massive paw, the wolf nose pointed down into his face. Then with a flip, she released him, barking with snapping jaws as he ran away in terror.

“Whoa,” NaDo was staring over his shoulder. “The angry Trine strikes people down!”

“No…” Zento muttered with a frown. “Something is wrong.”

Before the scientist could protest, the warrior slipped out from their hiding place, closing the distance between himself and the raging white wolf. The frantic Spiral man rushed past him, heading in the other direction, shouting warnings about the beast’s wrath.

“Zento!” NaDo called. “What in the name of the Seven Universes are you doing!?”

“I have no idea,” the warrior breathed, trying to push the apprehension out of his mind.

The Arweinydd was already reaching for another one of the Spiral commoners, a fevered light in her green eyes. The Champion rushed forward, intercepting… only to find the huge paw yanking him forward instead. It happened in an instant – he was pinned to the ground with, canine nose jabbed straight into his face.

“Zazo!” Zento exclaimed.

The She-Wolf glared at him for a long moment. Then she flipped him out from under her grasp with a short bark.

-Impostor! You aren’t Tsu, either!-

Zento rolled across the dust, wings curled around his body to lessen the impact. When he pushed himself up to his palms, he gave her an incredulous look, “Of course I’m not Tsu. I’m Zento!”

Zazo just gave a low growl, then turned back towards the group of Spiral commoners.

The warrior leapt up and grabbed her bushy tail. It may have meant a death sentence, but he knew he couldn’t let the Arweinydd keep carrying on. “What are you doing!?”

The She-Wolf spun around with a snap, pulling Zento off of his feet. -Be gone, Earthian!-

Seeing a chance to make a break for it, the Spiral commoners ran, scattering across the square. Leaving the white haired Champion to his own demise.

Now Zazo was really furious.

-They got away! After I spent all morning searching… I’m going to have to start all over again!-

“Searching?” Zento grit his teeth, staring into her slitted eyes. “Searching for what?”

-None of them are Tsu!- she proclaimed with a hint of a whine.

“Of course not,” the tension began to drain out of his body. Zento released her tail and dropped to the ground as understanding dawned on him. “You’re looking for Tsu…”

-Good for nothing Earthians! None of them are!-

“Zazo,” the Champion attempted the softest voice he could manage. “TsuYa is gone. He’s not here.”

-NO!- The She-Wolf almost howled. -No! He has to be! He can’t be gone!-

Zento lifted his hand slowly.

So much grief… She doesn’t know how to mourn, does she?

Carefully, he reached out and placed his palm along the side of her neck. The translucent fur was soft… but somewhat duller than he remembered. As if even her inner light had diminished, wrapped in the grips of sorrow.

“Zazo… listen to me.”

-Zerom can’t have him! Tsu belongs to me!- she snarled, the fur rising on the scruff of her neck.

Something about that left chills over his skin. But Zento attempted to push it aside with calm reasoning, “We’re going to try to find Tsu and get him back.”

-I was the one who watched over him when he would come to the Host Gate as a child! I was the one who watched him come there to practice… I was the one that watched over him as he grew up!- the She-Wolf proclaimed, fangs bared into the Champion’s face.

“You… did?” Zento stared back with a stunned expression. He had felt that there had been some connection between the Arweinydd and his youngest son, even from the moment she first appeared in the physical world. But he hadn’t known why… and he doubted that Tsu had known, either.

Zazo didn’t answer. She simply continued with a low whine.  -Zerom had no interest in the Earthians until now! Why does he take mine? He should go and find his own!-

Seeing that nothing he said seemed to be calming her, he took a different approach. One that seemed to work with women… at least, in his limited experience, “You know what… you’re absolutely right.”

The She-Wolf stopped, nose slowly turning towards him. Then she agreed, -Yes. I am.-

“Zerom should go get his own Earthian. He has no right to take Tsu away,” Zento coaxed. It seemed to be working, for she had quieted down significantly, allowing him to stroke her neck.

-Absolutely! That’s exactly what I’ve been saying! But no one listens,- she whined again softly.

“I’m listening,” he told her. “I know exactly how you feel. I miss Tsu a lot, too.”

-I miss him more!- she answered, indignantly.

“Yes, I’m sure you do,” Zento agreed with a sad look. “We all miss Tsu. But you miss him the most.”

-I want him to come back,- Zazo peered at him with the most forlorn expression that a giant Arweinydd She-Wolf could possibly give.

“I do, too,” he said quietly. “I think we can make that happen. But we’re going to need your help.”

-Of course you will,- she shook her head out, tone shifting, sounding more and more like the Zazo that he knew. -And you have my help. So what are we waiting on?-

“Well… we have to make a proper plan,” Zento told her between pursed lips. “And we have to wait to see what sort of information Zemi brings back with him when he returns.”

-Why wait?- she snuffed with a flip of her tail. -Zem’s already returned.-

“He has?” the warrior furrowed his brow.

-Yes. What sort of Champion are you… if you don’t know something as simple as where your Patron is?- Zazo paced around in an uneasy circle.

“Well, I… don’t usually…” Zento frowned then shook his head. There was no need to get into a struggle of wit with the She-Wolf. He knew exactly who would win that one. So he changed the approach, “Do you know where he is?”

-Simple.- the Arweinydd sniffed the ground a moment before lifting her head, ears perked forward. -Follow me. And tell your cowardly four-eyed friend to come.-

NaDo poked his head from around the corner with a scowl, “Heeeey. What did I do to deserve tha–”

“Shh!” Zento hissed, snagging the scientist’s sleeve. He whispered sharply, “Come on. Before she changes her mind.”

“Fine… fine…” NaDo waved his hands in the air towards the She-Wolf. “Lead us, oh mighty and beautiful Patroness of the Trine.”

-That’s better,- Zazo almost cracked the hint of a wolf smile at the antics. -Now come.-

The Arweinydd rounded once and with a flick of her tail raced off down the winding streets, leaving the two men to their own devices to follow.

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Wow… that’s has to be the most complex way I’ve heard anyone say “Let’s be friends.”

The morning light shown peacefully upon the Exile Encampment leaving dappled patterns across the wooden platform where SoYa stood. There was a delicate wood railing on this overlook, for which he was grateful. It helped to give him the courage to take a moment to look out over the edge.

When he did, the view took his breath away.

It felt as if he was standing upon the roost of the world. Below him the Encampment stretched out along the ancient winding branches in every direction. He could see the small figures of the clans people moving along the ramps and out on the wood balconies of their home. Though they faded off into the distance through the shimmering leaves, there were some that SoYa could make out well enough to identify.

Off to the right, he could see Kudako and his brother ShinRe, taking breakfast out on the Leader’s morning overlook. They sat quietly, each on their own side of a smaller round table. SoYa couldn’t tell if they were talking, eating or just sharing company. But he couldn’t help but feel glad to know that Kudako had been reunited with his older sibling.

The Athrylith sighed softly, fighting to try to keep thoughts of his own brother from surfacing too much.

We’ll get there when we do… one thing at a time.

To another side, he could hear the cheering laughter of children. SoYa took a few steps forward, peering curiously over the edge. Down below, a group of children stood ringed around Zemi, watching him with delighted faces. The Athrylith couldn’t make out what was being said, but he could see the children clapping and cheering at whatever the Dreigiau was entertaining them with.

Somehow… that’s not surprising. Zemi strikes me as the kind to enjoy the company of children.

Much to their elated amazement, the Dreigiau snapped his fingers before them, a spark of light appearing above his hand. The light slowly stretched and took the form of a small glowing dragon – one that SoYa had seen Zemi create before in the past. This one, however, was pale and transparent… lacking much of the vibrancy of the Arweinydd’s usual magic. The children didn’t know this… so they cheered all the more.

SoYa, however, couldn’t help but feel a tinge of worry.

Has Zemi really become that much weaker? And if so, how can some shards of magic stone from the Spiral be of any help to us?

“You of all people should know that there is often more under the surface of things that it first would seem,” a deep, quiet voice told him.

SoYa turned to see Aur approaching, walking towards him from the other side of the platform. He felt a momentary loss of words – besides a short time in Wyndor, SoYa really did not have a lot of contact with the creature from the Time Before. And even less so since the Watcher had become the ambassador between Ceiswyr and the Spiral.

But none of this appeared to concern the big man as he stopped to stand silently next to the Athrylith. The golden eyes remained unblinking, staring out over the Encampment just as SoYa had done only moments earlier.

“It is a pleasant place,” the Watcher remarked.

“Yes… it is, Lord Aur,” SoYa answered, fumbling to figure out what extreme of formality he should use when addressing the man. The Athrylith chose to go with over formal rather than under. Afterall, the way that the Watcher held himself in everything he did spoke of wisdom and knowledge that deserved recognition.

Aur’s reaction seemed to disagree, “Since when has it been mandated that you address me with such a title?”

“Well, I just thought…”

“I hope that we can establish a level of companionship… similar to that which your father and brother have established with me in the past,” the Watcher wasted no time getting straight to the point.

Wow… that’s has to be the most complex way I’ve heard anyone say “Let’s be friends.”

SoYa’s eyebrows arched as he still struggled for a loss of words.

Aur paused, glancing over with hooded eyes. “I apologize. I should not have mentioned TsuYa…”

“No,” the Athrylith shook his head. “No. It’s alright. I have to face the reality sometime. There’s no need to avoid talking about things.”

The Watcher stood silently, gathering his thoughts before he asked, “Then, would it be alright if I talked with you… about this situation.”

“Sure..?” SoYa furrowed his brow. He didn’t know what was more surprising – that the Watcher was seeking out conversation from him, or the tone of voice that hinted at deep and quiet emotion behind the golden eyes.

“It is difficult to find the words,” Aur began. “I hoped that Athrylith could understand.”

He nodded in return, “I’ll do my best. Just say whatever is on your mind.”

“It is awkward to ask for concern… when I feel as if I have wronged you and your family.”

“Wronged us?” SoYa frowned. “How?”

Aur took a long breath through his nose and explained slowly, “Your father came to the Spiral, as you know, to find me and to bring me back to Zemi. He held great hopes that I would be able to protect TsuYa from the shadows through my enchantments. And though I warned your brother near the end to be careful… my strength was not enough to pull him through. And for that… I am deeply regretful.”

The Athrylith’s mouth had fallen ajar in an expression of mute surprise. He struggled to gather up his thoughts before replying. The Watcher was content to give him the time that he needed.

“Aur…” he started, almost wincing at the lack of formality. “I don’t believe this happened because you lacked strength. I don’t believe that you have, in any way, wronged my brother or my father. And I don’t think anyone else believes that, either.”

The Watcher didn’t reply. He simply peered down in contemplation that spurred SoYa to continue on.

“If anything… you gave Tsu a second chance at things. You gave him more time to fight and search for an answer,” the Athrylith looked down sadly. “You gave the three of us a chance to be a family for a little while… but more time than we would have had without your help. You did all you could. If anything, we should be thanking you.”

Aur appeared to reflect on the words for a while longer. Then he responded, “Your words are kind. You are much like your father in that way.”

“No…” SoYa shook his head with a sheepish face. “It was always Tsu that was most like Father.”

“You might be surprised,” the Watcher told him with a serious frown. “There is a reason that you were asked to journey here in his stead.”

The Athrylith leaned forward on the rail, cupping his chin in one palm. “I had a feeling that it was more than just because of the wing issues.”

“That was a consideration, too. But you are correct,” Aur spoke heavily.  “There are many who are concerned for your father’s well being. We felt it would be better to leave him to his thoughts than to request his attendance on this journey.”

“I see,” SoYa pursed his lips. He felt worried knowing that even Aur and Zemi were anxious about how well Father would be able to overcome the loss. But at the same time, he was a bit honored, too, knowing they had chosen him to stand next to them as the representative of his people in Father’s stead.  ”I hope I’m doing this right. If anything can help to ease Father’s burden… I’ll do whatever I can.”

“I wouldn’t worry too much about that, SoYa,” the Watcher offered him a slight smile. “You are well liked and well spoken of. You honor your people without needing to try… you are a natural leader. Like your father.”

“I am?”

“Of course,” Aur responded to his surprise with gentle encouragement.

“But I’m not the great warrior like he and Tsu are…”

“You are a good leader in a different way… in a way that suits you,” he explained. “Just like in so many things in life… leading your people begins with an understanding of yourself. Both strengths and weaknesses. Don’t underestimate the potential that you have simply because it does not match the potential of those who have come before you.”

“Wow,” SoYa mused with a smile of his own. “Where do you find all these big things to say?”

“I have been around for longer than I probably should have been,” Aur answered, a hint of amusement in his voice. “So, do the ‘big things’ I say help… just a little?”

“Yeah. They do. Especially considering you were the one that wanted to talk to me first,” the Athrylith rubbed the back of his neck.

“There is nothing wrong in exchanging encouragement,” the Watcher said. “We need more of that if we are going to pull through these troubled times.”

“I know…”

Before SoYa could expand on the train of thought, another voice joined them, interrupting the calm, reflective moment, “Hey! There you are! Guess what!”

They both turned to see Zemi making his way towards them with a wide fangy smile on his lips. There was a hint of excitement to his step and a faint twinkle in the depths of his teal-flecked eyes. The moment that the Dreigiau came within arm’s length, he gave them both a vigorous shoulder shake.

“He said yes!” the Arweinydd announced as if it was the answer to all the problems of the universe.

“Who? What?” SoYa just stared up, dumbfounded.

“ShinRe!” Zemi exclaimed. “He’s agreed to come back with us and help us locate the source of energy within the Spiral! Isn’t that great?”

Aur let out a long breath. “I had expected as much.”

The Dreigiau waggled a finger at the Watcher, “I assume that you expected just about everything here. Didn’t you?”

There was no reply. But Zemi didn’t seem the least bit ruffled.

“That’s fantastic news!” SoYa responded, trying to muster up as much enthusiasm as he could for the obviously self-stoked Arweinydd. “So what’s the plan?”

“As of the moment, we’re just waiting on ShinRe to get things together. Once he’s ready, we’re going to head back to the Spiral and see what we can figure out,” Zemi answered.

He makes it sound so easy… but this couldn’t have been simple for ShinRe to choose. Not after having been in exile for as long as he has. I doubt he’s even had any contact with the Spiral until now.

But the Athrylith kept such thoughts to himself, not wanting to dampen the turn of good spirits. It was true what Aur said… in times like this, every bit of encouragement and good will was needed.

Keeping Zemi in good cheer is important, too.

SoYa smiled slightly as he watched the Dreigiau parade around the platform, piecing together impromptu dance steps. The Athrylith could only hope that it was a sign that things were starting to look up.

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Hanging out with the locals might just be a bit of fun after all.

“ShinRe,” Kudako shook his head slowly. “I thought you were dead… killed in the Raze!”

“I could say the same about you, Kudako,” a welcoming smile spread across the Leader’s face. He wasted no time in embracing his brother and ushering him through the doorway. “I looked for you, but I never found you. I could only assume you had been lost to the flame.”

Well, that’s a good sign.

Zemi arched his eyebrows and followed, making a subtle motion at the two behind him. There was no need to waste a perfectly good invitation and opportunity.

In fact, this is working out better than I could have hoped for.

The Dreigiau cast a quiet glace at Aur as they walked through the door. He couldn’t tell if the Watcher had known of the relation between Kudako and the Clan Leader before now. And none of Aur’s reactions offered a hint to what he was thinking. But it was very hard to believe that it could be coincidence.

We’ll discuss it later. There are more important things to attend do.

Like everything else in the spiral, ShinRe’s home was circular in build. And much like his younger brother, he appeared to have no lack in cleanliness and organization. A round woven rug fit snugly within the circumference of main room, looking to have once been speckled with many colors that had dulled with age. A heavy round table stood in the center of it all, lit with the flickering light from a few slender candles. There were books there, many books that lined a narrow shelf on one wall. Another wall was dedicated to a myriad of unusual looking musical instruments, all crafted from warmly painted wood.

The guards who had escorted them there were already rearranging the circular stools that ringed around the table. A few baskets of nuts and fruits had been placed out for them as a sign of welcome.

“Please,” ShinRe motioned forward. “My home is your home.”

Zemi picked a seat opposite of the Leader’s chair, hoping to get a chance to observe the man that Kudako called brother. They had hardly sat down before the clans men appeared again, placing broad, wooden dishes in front of each of them. One at a time, they began to fill the dishes with a soft blue colored liquid.

When the servant came to Zemi’s chair to pour, the Dreigiau quickly put his hand over the top of the dish.

“Please, Lord Dreigiau. Allow me,” the clans man asked politely, looking a bit concerned at the denied hospitality. Maybe even worried that he had done something wrong.

“No, no… don’t waste it,” Zemi told him in an assuring tone. When the man looked all the more puzzled, the Arweinydd added, “It’s alright. I don’t eat.”

“Uh…” clearly, the Dreigiau’s explanation only confused the man all the more. He glanced over at the head of the table for instructions.

ShinRe was also giving Zemi a rather strange look. The Arweinydd simply offered a smooth smile and shrug in return. The Leader then nodded and the clans man moved around to the next unfilled dish.

Hanging out with the locals might just be a bit of fun after all.

Once they were settled, ShinRe spoke again, blue eyes studying his brother momentarily, “How did you manage to find us here? We have done much to remain secure and separate from the rest of the Spiral.”

When Kudako opened his mouth to reply, Zemi quickly interjected, “Lord Zemi Dreigiau knows many mysterious things.”

The Dragon warrior turned towards the Arweinydd with a droll frown. One ear twitched, but he held his tongue.

ShinRe responded with interest, seeming to be impressed, “Then Lord Dragon of the North Clans is just as wise and cunning as the stories have said.”

“Or more,” Zemi’s fangy grin grew wide.

“Modesty is not one of his stronger virtues,” Aur murmured under his breath.

SoYa sniffed to cover his chuckle, flicking an amused glance across the table.

“And you said you are a warrior of the Nefolian Patron?” ShinRe asked quietly.

“Yes,” Kudako finally found a word in the conversation. Only one.

“I have heard that Lord Dreigiau bestows upon his servants great gifts of power,” the Leader’s statement held a hint of underlying question.

“It depends,” the Dragon answered, picking a fruit from the basket and biting into it.

“That would explain the… ah… changes…”

Not one to beat around the bush, Kudako stated quickly, “I’m a Dragon.”

“Dragon?” ShinRe echoed, eyebrows lifting.

“Dragon,” Kudako confirmed, taking another bite out of the fruit. Then he added shortly, “It was the agreement.”

“You agreed to become a Dragon?” he asked.

“It was better than the alternative,” came the answer. Then a short pause before, “I will have to discuss it with you at a later time. There is business to attend to.”

ShinRe leaned back in his chair, a quiet half smile playing over his broken lips. “Always business, Kudako. Some things never change.”

“We’ve been working on him,” Zemi offered waving a finger in the air. “Just taking him time. But we’ll get him there.”

“I should like to be there the day that you do,” the Leader laughed, a quiet near soundless laugh. But there was a tiny speck of mirth in the depths of his eyes. An openness that wasn’t seen often in the people of the Spiral.

This one isn’t so bad, really. I think we can get along.

“Before I forget my manners,” the Dreigiau said, as if he had manners to forget, “Let me introduce you to a few fine fellows.”

ShinRe sat watching with the appropriate amount of polite interest.

Zemi waved his hand around, “This is SoYa, the son of ZenToYa who is my Champion and founder of Nefol. And this is Aur, who is acting as the ambassador between the North Clans and the current Spiral establishment.”

“I welcome you both to my home,” ShinRe said before he pursed his lips. Then he continued, “Am I right in hearing you say that some sort of negotiations have begun between Nefol and the Spiral?”

“Yes,” Kudako answered. “The Armsmaster has been slain. Nefol has been working with the people to reverse the effects of the Implants. Aur has done a satisfactory job in working to make connections between the cultures, as difficult as that can be.”

“This is… a very interesting turn…” the Leader leaned forward again.

“The Spiral is finally free, brother,” the Dragon told him quietly. “It is as you would have wished, is it not?”

“It is good to see your optimism, Kudako,” he said. “But do you think the deep old magics that bound the minds of our people can be undone so easily?”

There was a moment of silence that was only interrupted by Aur’s subtle clearing of throat. At first, Zemi didn’t pay it much mind. Until Aur did it again. The Dreigiau shifted his attention to his Watcher with a thoughtful frown. The golden eyes flicked towards ShinRe, then back to Zemi again.

Did I miss something?

The Arweinydd paused, mulling over the Leader’s last few words, looking for the secrets that the Watcher seemed to indicate he should see. It took a few minutes. But then it came to him.

“Did you say magic?” Zemi found the words on his lips before he pondered the consequences of asking.

Magic was not something widely known or used by the Earthians. In fact, it was Nefol that claimed the first real magic users in the known history of their lands… something that Zemi had to help nourish from the start.

If there was something that could be considered magical within the Spiral that dated back that long ago… it must be something pretty significant.

“I don’t know if it was technically magic in the same sense the Nefolians use, but it was certainly something supernatural in nature,” ShinRe replied.

“You seem to know a lot about the Nefolians… for having lived in the Spiral all this time,” SoYa ventured, completely missing the important topic at hand.

Can’t blame the boy for trying.

“Well… that’s because I learned as much about the Nefolian providence as I could. Most of it was hearsay, of course, as I could never really see the city,” the Leader answered with a whimsical smile. “How I would have loved to… But. As it is, I used what I heard about your government and education as a foundation, if you will, for our own Encampment. I hope you don’t mind?”

“No, sir. Not at all,” SoYa shook his head. He, too, seemed curious about ShinRe and his methods of adaptation.

But that would all have to wait for another day.

“Can you tell me more about this… supernatural phenomenon that you say existed in the old Spiral?” Zemi folded his fingers into one another and balanced his chin on top.

“I will tell you as much as I can, Lord Dreigiau,” ShinRe’s expression grew more somber. “Our father was taken from us far earlier than I would have liked. Being the eldest son of the Clan’s Leader, I moved up to take his position. I didn’t have much time as the Leader before the Razing took everything from us. But during that time, I was brought into the circle of Elders and taught some of the Mystic Ways, as they liked to call it. I will repeat… I didn’t have a lot of time to learn of the secrets that the Clan Leaders passed through generations. But what I do know, I find no fault in sharing with you.”

“Thank you,” the Dreigiau tilted his head. “I know that I’m asking a lot… I don’t mean to poke my nose in things that are considered clan secrets.”

“Those days are over,” he spoke slowly. “The secrets that were held… were dark ones. Ones that were dictated by the intimidation of the Armsmaster over the family leaders. Perhaps it is time that the Spiral comes to know the truth of our history… so that such self enslavement never be repeated in future days.”

Pretty heavy stuff.

Zemi pursed his lips and nodded. There wasn’t much he could add to that. So he just let the Leader keep talking.

“There are, indeed, sources of energy locked under the surface of the Spiral that one might call almost magical in nature. We don’t know where these sources came from. But we do know that there appeared to be some connection to these energies and the great Golden Lion that offered our people council and guidance,” ShinRe explained.

Zemi glanced over at the Watcher. Aur was playing a poker face to die for.

“Did you ever get to see this Golden Lion?” the Arweinydd asked with a teasing grin.

“A few times, actually. Yes. Yes I did,” the Leader replied looking somewhat proud. Then his face grew somber again. “The people of the Spiral were not good listeners. They took the council of the Lion and chose to twist the message into something that they wanted to believe in. I really do not believe that our Guide would have wanted us to wage war against the Clans of the North in the way that we did. And he would not have wanted to see the use of Implants in our warriors in order to achieve this emotionless so-called perfection that the Armsmaster claimed it to be.”

“You are right,” Aur spoke quietly. “The war nature that the Spiral grew into was driven by one man’s bloodthirsty drive for pointless violence.”

“Yes… exactly?” ShinRe furrowed his brow at the Watcher curiously.

Aur said nothing more, hooded eyes watching the Leader in silence.

Seeing that the Watcher had nothing more to add, ShinRe continued, “The Implants… were structured from tiny fragments of a crystal-like stone that held a strange, magical property. Initially, these fragments allowed the Armsmaster to have unnatural suggestive control over the Spiral warriors… somewhat in the manor that mind mages are said to have.”

SoYa blanched and sucked on his bottom lip.

“But the prolonged side effect of the Implants caused people to grow more and more emotionless. Soon, the Armsmaster saw this as a great perk… for warriors without fear or true remorse were nothing more than killing machines at his command,” the Leader paused and gave Kudako a long, sad look. “Just as you have seen with the Annihilators who crossed into the Inner Realms borders.”

“So, it’s fragments of this stone that were implanted into the warriors to cause this?” SoYa’s face had grown more and more pale the more that he heard. “Does that mean that Kudako was…”

The Dragon frowned sharply, “A sliver of stone does not dictate my fate nor control my allegiance.”

“No… no… of course not,” the Athrylith swallowed and fell silent.

By now, Zemi had other interests. He was starting to understand why Aur had directed them there. “So tell me, do you know the origins of this strange stone?”

“Not precisely,” ShinRe answered. “I never had the chance to visit the Stone Lair. But I heard enough about it to have an idea of where it can be found.”

The Arweinydd didn’t speak, mulling over the proper words for the situation. Then he said, “I know it is a lot to ask of you… after you have already shared so much of your history with us. The outsiders as we are. But our situation is difficult and somewhat desperate…”

The Leader frowned at the sudden turn in the conversation.

“There is a darkness brewing on the other side of the Dragon’s Cleft,” Zemi explained. “A darkness that not even the proud and brave of Nefol could stem. Our people and cities have fallen to this foe. And it now stands on the other side, attention bent on finding a way to reach into the Spiral.”

“This is… grave news that you bring, Lord Dreigiau,” for the first time, a hint of concern shown in ShinRe’s eyes.

“I tell you this because we have very little time to mobilize our peoples. We must find a way to work together to stop this darkness…”

The Leader nodded in understanding.

“I also must ask that you help us to find the source of this ancient power you’ve told us about,” Zemi placed his palms on his knees, leaning forward. “I know it has been a source of sorrow and destruction to your people. But I believe that there are secrets that have yet to be unlocked… and under the right hands, may prove to be a power that we can use to protect your people instead.”

ShinRe seemed a little less understanding about this. He glanced over at Kudako, as if seeking his input.

“I cannot tell you what you should do with the Spiral’s secrets,” the Dragon told him quietly. “I stand by Lord Zemi, however. I believe as he believes. I hope that you will consider joining and assisting us. I have seen the destruction that this Chaos can create. I don’t want to see it pass into these lands as well.”

The Leader leaned back with a grim, thoughtful expression. He remained silent for a long time. When he responded, his voice was heavy with uncertainty. “This is… a lot to ask. May I have the night to sleep on it before I decide?”

Gnawing impatience pained the Arweinydd at the answer. But he knew there was nothing he could do to urge the Leader. Not at the risk of losing the already shaky alliance.

“Of course,” Zemi dipped his head slightly.

“Thank you. I will make my considerations tonight,” relief colored ShinRe’s expression. He then lifted a hand to them. “And we will make accommodations for you until the morning.”

Zemi dipped his head in a polite bow again. There was nothing else he could do but wait.

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Tiny runes and spiral patterns traced the hem of the silken cloth that wrapped around his shoulders and neck, obscuring the lower half of his face.

“Remember what I said,” Kudako’s quiet voice echoed back to them as he strode towards the light of the Exile Encampment. “These were Clans of old. Let me do the talking.”

SoYa shifted nervously from one foot to the other. Letting Kudako do the talking was not a problem for him. Not at all. Exactly how he had come to get mixed up in this procession to begin with, the Athrylith couldn’t really figure out. Something about him being one of the few Nefolian representatives who didn’t have wings.

I suppose I don’t blame them… it would probably be a bit creepy for the old Spiral Clans to see a bunch of white haired invaders from the north flying down.

It helped a bit that Zemi was there, walking just to SoYa’s right. And Aur was there as well, walking to his left. It was Aur who had known of the existence of this old Clan, claiming that these people had been in exile on the fringe of the Spiral for many, many centuries.

I hope that the Clan Leader has the information that Zemi is looking for. Or else, we could be sticking our neck out here for nothing.

It was especially true, SoYa knew, for the Spiral Clans of the older times. He was never quite certain why the Spiral and the Clans of the North, his ancestors, had started fighting to begin with. History was murky in the nomadic cultures, often passed down through oral traditions. So little of it had been written down. So little had been fully documented. All that they were left with today was the common knowledge that the people of the Inner Realms were stark enemies of the Spiral Clans. And that the Spiral Clans had often trained and sent in Annihilators to kill and destroy.

And now, here we are. The people of the Inner Realm taking refuge within the Spiral… where we have just fought to liberate them from the iron rule of their Armsmaster.

For the good of all that lived, the two peoples needed to come together. If they did not, then there would be no chance to stand against the spread of Zeromus’ Chaotic darkness.

I just hope that is enough for us to convince them.

Kudako strode forward, leading their group into the thick forested land. This was where Aur had told them that the exiles now lived… though SoYa couldn’t help but ponder how the Watcher knew of it when it seemed that the rest of the Spiral did not.

It was almost sundown now as it had taken them much of the afternoon to travel – both on Dragon back and by foot. It was suggested that they did not bring the Dragons too close to the establishment, which meant they had spent the last part of their trip weaving through the thick violet forests. With the safety of good company on either side, SoYa had spent a bit of the journey admiring the natural beauty of the lands.

The Spiral had a magical quality to it, no matter which direction that you turned — be it the heavy draping lilac trees, the soft buzz of blue glow bugs, the way the sky lit in a rainbow hue as it passed beyond the edge of the world. The people that lived there, despite their warlike nature, were people that knew how to live in harmony with the land. Everywhere, the natural life flourished easily, plants and animals alike. All of it was so different than the Inner Realms… a land that struggled under the burden of difficult winters and rugged mountain terrain.

Craning his head back, SoYa could make out the flickering lights that crowned the tall trees high above them. There was no path that pointed the way towards the Exile Encampment — the land was pure and untouched under their feet. It was only when the two shrouded figures dropped from out of nowhere that there was an indication that they had arrived.

Though the stretching shadows made it difficult for SoYa to make out many details, he could tell these men had the common features of the Spiral peoples – tall, blond hair, warrior physique. But they lacked the war paint and tattoo spiral patterns that the others had. And unlike the people that SoYa had met before, there was a clear show of emotion on their faces.

Kudako approached the two men, his steps showing careful confidence. He didn’t speak a word to them. Instead, he raised his left hand, his fingers flicking in an ambiguous motion. Though SoYa didn’t know what it meant, it appeared to have some effect on the two men. Their eyes widened momentarily before they, too approached the Dragon warrior.

There was a short exchange of words. SoYa couldn’t make out what was being said, but he could hear Kudako’s stern and unmoving voice. Eventually, they arrived at some sort of consensus, for the Dragon gave a brief nod over his shoulder to Zemi.

“Alright. Looks like we’re in the clear,” the Dreigiau murmured under his breath. “Let’s keep this short and to the point once we get in to speak to the Clan Leader.”

Aur simply nodded, following without a sound.

The two Clans Men led them through glades and thickets, wandering deeper into the brush. Miraculously, there always seemed to be a passage in the forest wherever their feet led them. As SoYa peered up, he realized that they were under the limbs of many immense, ancient trees. The smooth trunks were dappled with green and gold, some as thick as the watchtowers had been back in Nefol.

This is amazing…

Everything there felt so vibrant and alive. As if nothing else in the world, not even the darkness of Zerom, could mar it.

As SoYa squinted, he could make out the subtle shapes of structures and ramps between the branches above. That’s when he came to realize that they had arrived in the Exile Encampment… the city itself was in the trees above them. The building was so organic that if it hadn’t been for the brazen flicker of firelight, he would have probably overlooked it.

The Clans Men paused for only a moment as something shifted along the side of the nearby tree trunk. SoYa watched as an opening came into view, revealing a narrow wooden ramp that traced a comfortable slope up along the inside of the tree itself. A few more Clans Men stood at the base, shining their weapons as they kept watch. They glanced up curiously as the group approached, but gave no resistance as they passed through.

Before SoYa knew it, the ramp had led them up into the over arching branches, which sloped and twisted like broad roads far above the forest floor. It was a bit unnerving to feel so much empty space under his feet. The branches were smooth with centuries of passage, leading them past houselike structures as they walked.

Golden haired people — women, children and men – stopped their daily tasks to watch them pass. The Dragon, the Dreigiau, the Watcher and the Nefolian. A buzz of curiosity followed the group wherever they went. A curiosity that didn’t appear to hold malice, not even against the Spiral’s once-enemy of the north lands.

Finally, they reached a structure that sat folded deeply within the branches of many of the intertwining trees, a place that felt like the center of the Encampment. One of the Clans Men paused, turning to address them quietly.

“Please wait here for a moment. We will announce your arrival and determine if the Leader will take your company at so late an hour,” he said. “We hope that it is not inconvenient if we must ask you to waylay your visit until the morning?”

“It will do,” Kudako responded. “We are at the whims of the Clans Leader and appreciate your consideration.”

The blond haired man gave a low bow and slipped through the doorway into the structure.

“Everyone is so formal around here it makes my teeth hurt,” Zemi muttered to himself.

SoYa couldn’t help but smile a little. He had been thinking the same thing.

“Formality is one with self-control, Lord Zemi,” Kudako answered. “Self-control is greatly prized among those that hold the old ways.”

“And you believe that these are a people that hold on to the old ways?” a quiet, raspy voice interjected.

Kudako paused, turning to address the man who was now standing in the doorway above them. He was dressed in deep hues of dark blue, purple and black. His clothes were both simple in style and cut and ornate in detail and design. Tiny runes and spiral patterns traced the hem of the silken cloth that wrapped around his shoulders and neck, obscuring the lower half of his face. His hair was shorter, closer cropped than the rest of the clans men, streaked with the silvery white of age. His blue eyes were both wise and sharp with the intensity of a bird of prey.

Kudako gave a low, respectful bow, answering quietly, “It is what we have heard of your people. That you were a Clan Leader of old.”

“Perhaps,” the man walked forward, studying the Dragon with a long gaze. His eyes were fixed on the strange fin ears.

I guess it’s a good thing we didn’t come in with wings wide and Dragons blazing, afterall.

“Perhaps?” Kudako echoed. “Was I misinformed?”

Finally, the Leader turned and began to walk slowly back in the other direction. Despite his age, his motions were still fluid with a warrior’s grace. “There are no Clans here.”

This seemed to take the Dragon by surprise. He answered quickly, “There are always Clans.”

“Not here,” the man paused, pivoting on his heel. “Those who live here came from many different Clans to escape the Razing. The fires and blades that took our kinsmen and companions. We have no desire to relive the days of the Clans in our new society.”

“The Razing… When the Armsmaster first came to power,” Kudako added grimly.

“Yes. It happened many, many centuries ago,” the Leader told him.

“I know,” the Dragon warrior answered quietly. “I was just a boy when I lost my Clan to the Razing.”

The man paused, looking over Kudako with a quizzical eye, “You? But you hardly seem more than a warrior just touching his prime.”

The fin ears flicked once in response, “Appearances are sometimes deceiving. I have been in this world far longer than my form might show.”

“I see…” the Leader folded his hands behind his back, lifting his chin. “So, explain to me how it is that one that claims to be from the Old Spiral Clans returns now in such a guise? You look nothing like our people, though your manner communicates differently.”

“I have served for many hundreds of years under the guidance and knowledge of the Patron Arweinydd, Zemi Dreigiau,” Kudako obliged without hesitation. He motioned once with both hands towards Zemi. “It is who I have brought here today, in search of assistance and information.”

“Zemi Dreigiau,” the stern eyes had grown more whimsical. He gave a short bow in Zemi’s direction, “I have heard so much about the Lord Dragon of the North. You have honored us with your presence.”

The Arweinydd bowed in return, imitating the manner of the Leader, “Thank you. We are honored with such a welcome.”

“Please, will you come in?” the man motioned towards the doorway with a more relaxed demeanor. “You should not have waited so long to introduce yourself, Lord Dragon.”

Zemi followed with a light laugh and a glance at his Dragon servant, “Well, you know how it is. When in the Spiral… do as they do. Kudako was a tad overzealous about us being on our best behavior.”

The Leader stopped in mid-step, the hand that reached for the door remained frozen in the air. He turned slowly, blue eyes sharp once again. SoYa felt a chill rush over his body at the intensity.

“Repeat that name.”

“KudakoRe,” the Dragon intoned without so much as a flinch. “Warrior and Dragon Servant to Lord Zemi Dreigiau.”

The man took a few slow, deliberate steps forward. His eyes were fixed and unblinking. Unreadable. Then much to SoYa’s puzzlement, the Leader lifted his hand and unwrapped the cloth from across his face. The reason for the covering and the raspy voice became at once apparent – a large, jagged scar ran from one side of the Leader’s mouth, down across his neck, finally vanishing into the folds of his over tunic. Whatever blow the man had once took, it was obvious that he was not supposed to have lived through it.

Kudako stood for a long moment in silence, his golden eyes studying the revelation. The shift of expression came slowly. Painfully. A struggle to express a reaction of absolute shock. SoYa had never seen the stoic warrior look so completely beside himself.

His mouth worked, struggling to find sound. When it did, Kudako uttered a solitary word, “Brother…”

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