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Cell smiled as he felt the metal thing fall into his outstretched hand. His fingers curled like pythons around the key and soon it was neatly hidden inside a pocket of his coat. Then, watching as the warriors approached, Cell reached to the bundled priest robe at his back. He pulled it free from the bindings and let the long thing unroll. Cell unbuckled his belt and held it on one hand as he slide the robe on. He then buckled the belt over the robe and turned to eye the oncoming attackers. He was too weak to fight them, whether by sword of by earth, and he turned on his heal and began a slow, staggering walk towards the gates of the city. His hood going over his head as he went. He needed to get in the city. He needed to find a place to rest. He knew that most of the castle guard had seen him once but he hoped that the wall and gate guards would be less familiar with him. He hoped that in the confusion of war, they would allow a simple man in a monk robe to enter the city. Cell paced steadily towards the wall. His mind going over his plan

Takara finally "gave up", retreating back to the castle and into her room. From there she only called in one of the high-ranked mages into room, only to knock him over the head with one of the precious stones that she had around the room. Next Takara changed into a dress that would be easier to move around in and less noticable along with tight shorts, robbing the mage of his cloak before dragging him into one of her closests and then locking the door. That would slow him. Now Takara pulled the cloak on, the long black cloak easily covering up her entire body. Takara walked up to a window, opened it, then climbed up onto the sill and jumped off. Instead of falling she floated, turning around and reaching for Eveel who was resisting to be left behind. The dragon bravely leapt into her outstretched arms, quickly wrapping his tail around one of her arms so he wouldn't fall. He had wings but he didn't know if he could fly, and right now he didn't really want to find out.

"They're so small." Eveel chattered as Takara flew over the capital, being sure that she was high enough to where she just looked like a bird. The air was colder and much thinner, making both her and her son shiver. Takara merely nodded, her eyes focused on what was laying ahead. Where was that main camp?

((Profiles accepted Isarde.))

Takara floated in the air above where the main camp was, looking over at Eveel. "You remember how to fly?" The dragon nodded to her words, uncurling his tail and standing carefully on her arm. "Go and protect Tamuril. I love you, and tell that to him too, in case I do not come back." Eveel let out a soft whimper, only getting a smile in return from his mother before Takara moved her arm, throwing him off. She knew that if she didn't do so that Eveel wouldn't have gone. Eveel opened his wings, his body growing larger until it was about three feet long. Now he glided over the skies, heading back to where Tamuril would be. Takara watched him until he was just a dot before she turned away, moving herself and landing in the forest. Now she began walking in the direction of the camp, pulling up the hood followed by a long dagger that she kept hidden behind the long flowing cloak. Once the camp came into view she reached up and grasped the air diamond and sent energy into it. She felt her body and then her clothes turn into air, the power of the moon diamond keeping her together. Now she went through the air, passing over the tents until she reached the one that she wanted. She slipped past the closed flaps, passing through the fabric of the tent.

There sat the king, leaning back in his chair with a grin on his face. Takara moved, making herself to where she was at the back of his chair. Her body and clothes formed back, and she brought her arm forward and held the sharp part of the blade at the king of Ehsar's throat.

"I remember when I first met you. I was six." Takara stated as the king froze, feeling the side of the keen dagger against his throat. "It was two weeks before you sent those monsters to kill everyone in my family." Despite her words Takara's voice was emotionless, just as always. "We were all at a party celebrating the peace between us. You gave me pink roses and kissed my forhead, telling me that I was pretty little girl. You are a disgusting b*****d, you know that? I actually loved those flowers and was very proud in showing them to everyone. Whenever I think back on that I feel sick."

"It's rather foolish for the queen of Trusar to go strait into the enemy's home, isn't it?" The king responded, hiding his fear by his cool tone. "I heard that you surpassed your teacher's in knowledge by the mere age of nine. I suppose that they were wrong, weren't they?"

"You can think what you want." Takara stated smoothly, pressing the blade so close that a small drop of blood began to slide down his skin.

Then she felt something against her own back, followed by a voice: "Don't touch him."

Takara drew her arm back, opening her fingers and letting the dagger fall. The king got up from his chair, taking a few steps away and looking at Takara.

"Lock her away." The king waved a hand, Takara being jerked back and taken to another empty tent. She was brought to a pole and then tied to it with chains instead of ropes since she would just be able to burn through them. Then she was left alone with just a single gaurd, a man who had long black hair that he didn't bother to keep tied back. He seemed like a serious person, though Takara only kept her eyes closed and didn't bother to look at him. She probably seemed insane, getting herself caught on purpose. It had taken every fiber of her being not to cut the king's throat. She hadn't been scared, she'd killed many men before and wasn't afraid to take another.

"Are you just going to stare at me?" Takara suddenly asked as she opened her eyes just a quarter and turned her head to look over at the gaurd. He looked back at her with no particular expression on his face, but she could see through his eyes that he was surprised that she'd spoken. He looked away, but only to her feet, keeping his eyes away from her face. His mind was thinking about the rumors of her face and body.

'What a beautiful block of ice.' Liam thought to himself, his golden eyes focusing on her feet. 'She's so cold. I can't believe that she actually scares me just by looking at me. I know that beautiful women are usually very vain, but I don't think that this is the case with her. She's just... frozen. What kind of a person like her is able to rule Ehsar by herself? I wonder what she's thinking right now.'

"Stop staring at my feet." Takara ordered, making Liam's eyes snap back up to her face.

"And why should I obey you, girl? You're eighteen and I'm twenty-five, older than you are. You have no position here in Ehsar's land to give me laws."

"I am sixteen. And I would just think that someone like you would not say something like that to a woman." Takara kept her eyes locked on him, and Liam almost flinched underneath her gaze. "I know that Ehsar soldiers are not terrible people like your ruler is. However perhaps I wrong with you."

"You are not, I believe." Liam answered as he forced his eyes to look away from hers and to the pole she was attatched to. "I just follow my king's orders. He gives me money and food and a high ranking position in the army. That's all that I need. And I am sorry about what happened to your family."

"As long as you are not the one who delivered the blows I do not care." With that said Takara closed her eyes, her mind running over what was going on in her head.

-----

Eveel landed on the ground, looking around before running over to where Tamuril was. He let out a small yelp when an arrow almost hit him, shivering before he ran over to the knight. "Tamuril! I am here to protect you!" Eveel stood at Tamuril's feet, letting out another yelp with another arrow nearly hit his head. Regaining himself he got ready to make himself larger, though he said this before he tried to do anything even though Tamuril wouldn't know what Takara was planning and was doing: "Mommy says that she loves you in case she doesn't come back."

Eveel made a soft whine, knowing what he'd promised and what had to be done. The people of Trusar needed help, and the dragon was their protector, wasn't it? Eveel started running forward, making himself grow larger before he tackled a man. As they landed Eveel's weight cracked the man's ribs, the ribs going into his heart and lungs and killing him immediately. Eveel started off again, this time breathing fire and smashing enemies with his tail. He was starting to remember even more now that he was out here on the battle field. Back before he'd been told that he would have to be locked away so he would be able to help destroy a great evil. Then he had been locked away in that egg, his memories taken from him until the time came for him to remember again. More pieces were coming, combat, wisdom, and other simple things. As Eveel ran, he thought of this: He had to be stronger. He could be stronger, he had to protect Tamuril as best he could if Tamuril wouldn't allow him to protect him directly. Just like mother said.

Then Eveel reached inside of himself, pulling out the power that his memories had locked away. He grew even larger, his mind reverting to his old training days. The diamond slitted pupils grew even thinner as his body grew taller and wider, the muscles showing bluntly through his scales. Then he stopped growing, turning around and smashing his massive tail into a wave of men before letting out a terrific roar and letting out a breath of fire.

-----

Takara felt the chains that were wrapped tightly around her, thinking about exactly how she would be able to get them off of herself. She opened her eyes to turn her head, looking up at Liam who's own eyes drifted down from the poll to her since he'd notice her looking at him.

"The diamond of air tells me that you are not a terrible person. Good hearted, actually. You just fight to survive. You have no family, no lover to protect. You merely hold you sword for Ehsar so you can continue living." Like always Takara's voice was as slick as ice, holding no emotion. "Give your loyalty to me and I will give you food, shelter, clothing and money."

"I'm afraid that I already have that here, miss."

"I was going to come back and say that it would be better to serve me than the Ehsar king, but I know that that would not be so shrewd considering I seem just as rotten." Takara kept her body still along with her eyes low. "So I will just say this: The diamond of air reads your heart and tells me that it is dark with secrets but you desire to help the lower class. If you join me you will be helping people. I fight to restore the peace between the lands. Your king fights only for himself."

"How do I know what you're thinking?"

"You do not. But do you really want to continue serving a man who only thinks of himself? You know nothing about me, but do I raise the taxes on my people, or do I lower them?"

"It's rather brash to try and earn someone's trust over you lowering taxes." Liam responded, trying to see emotion through her eyes but only meeting a stone barrier that would not break. She was telling the truth in a way. He didn't enjoy serving Ehsar, but he'd heard that this Queen Takara didn't show any emotion. He had no idea who she was.

"The queen of Ehsar does not love her husband." Takara stated, deciding that this would be her last try. "My heart belongs to one man and one man only, sir Tamuril of the royal gaurd. If you do not trust me, trust my Tamuril for being able to love me."

"You're insane." Liam finally got out, though he reached for the keys on his belt as he approached her. "But-"

"Do not help me," Takara moved one arm and made a head gesture to the necklace around her neck. "by freeing me. Take these two articles of jewelery, the diamond of air and fire. Protect them, and they will protect you." Liam blinked again but went up and removed the necklace and bracelet from her. "Just put them in your pocket and they will not be seen."

"And what exactly are you planning to do? Oh, and my name is Liam."

"That is something that I must keep to myself, Liam." Takara jerked her head, telling him to go back to his spot. Liam did so and put the jewels away just before soldiers came into the tent, picking up Takara and taking her away. She didn't even bother to look back at him, only staring strait ahead as if she could see something there in the air.

His claymores were whirling blades of death as they cut down Ehsar soldiers. He himself have gained some wounds, mainly arrows in the back. His body was cool while his eyes were cold, many of the Ehsars fled from him when they looked at his eyes. They promised death to any of his enemies that stray to close to him. He cut one soldier down diagonally as he heard a war cry behind him. He twisted around as he falt a blade skid across his back, he took a sword and cleaved the man's head off. He then turned again, parrying a sword and cutting the soldier down. He finally stopped when the battle around him started to die. The battle was still going on, but it had shifted to another area. He went down on one knee as he surveyed his surroundings. Bodies were strewn everywhere, the ground stained in blood. Memories flashed before his eyes, he saw his comrades strewn about with eyes gaped open on silent horror. He stood up and began to make his way to where the battle was being fought, ignoring the cries of those who have yet to die. As he neared the battle, he closed his eyes and started to speed up. He opened his eyes with a war cry. He was a speeding mass of death, threatening to kill anything in his path.

Takara was roughly pushed back into the king's tent, her arms still bounded behind her back. She sat there on her ankles, staring blankly up at John of Ehsar.

"So then," John walked up to her, staying near the sword that remained near his hand. "You're about to die. What do you have to say?"

Nothing came from Takara's lips, not even a sound from her throat. Only an icy stare that gave no emotion.

"I see. You know I am very surprised that you've been able to hold up for this long. Such a young little girl yet you rule your kingdom with such suavity and audacity. Or are you just pretending to take all of the credit for someone else's work? Pure beauty but no brains? I think that my words are correct. You just put up that frosty act when in reality you're just a spoiled little brat screaming for attention. And now you will die, and Trusar will be mine. I won't ask why you came strait into the camp. That's suicide. You're lucky that you're not dead yet." Now he reached out and grasped the short sword then took a step towards her. He stood over her and placed the blade against her throat.

Then a blast of wind sent him back, Takara getting up from her spot and making the keys float up from the table. They went to the lock that was keeping her hands trapped, going into the key hole and freeing her. The chains fell and Takara rubbed her wrists for a second before returning her attention to the king. He was knocked-out, his head being cracked against a desk when she'd blown him back.

"You are going to die. Not me." As Takara spoke she reached down and picked up the short sword he was going to use to kill her and stepped over to him. She whispered something underneath her breath, and then without any hesitation she bent down and stabbed him in the chest, blood spraying onto the mage's cloak and onto her face. She stabbed him again, the cut his throat before sticking the knife in his gut and releasing it, the sword staying strait. She reached out and yanked off the diamond that hung off his throat, a clear sweet sapphire one that was actually the diamond of water.

"I was planning to kill myself to make this plan work, but our blood is close together, so I thought that it would be better to use yours." Takara told the dead man as she wiped the jewel of blood before she stood up. It was done. Alexia and Domicus were freed. Now all that Takara needed to do was to get out of here alive and back to her Tamuril. And she needed to get Liam out as well since he'd helped her. As if on cue, Liam appeared from the tent flap, looking around desperately than blinking when he saw her.

"Queen Takara, I'm not sure what happened but-"

"It's all according to my plan." Takara answered before she went up to him, holding her hand out. He put the two jewels in her hands, both of them cracked. She put the diamond of air back around her neck along with the fire jewel back on wrist. She put the diamond of water around her neck as well, leaving the diamond of earth for the queen of Ehsar to have for herself since having all four jewels together would be far, far too risky. Takara grabbed Liam's shoulder and then used the power of the diamond of air to make them turn into air. Liam was definately confused, but since he was air he couldn't exactly yell out in surprise.

Takara "floated" them back to Trusar's capital, bringing them back to their bodies. She took her cloak off and threw it at him to take to hide his Ehsar uniform. He put it on, Takara coming out from her place in the alley. Immediately soldiers rushed up to her, taking her away from the danger with Liam following after.

Ultimately Ehsar was withdrawing, finding the sight of a dragon horrible and Trusar itself just pushing them back along with the fact that their king was dead. Many men of Ehsar still stayed to fight, even though they knew that they had lost this battle. Takara herself had just set Liam back down to a room and just told the soldiers that he was a new recruit. Then she went to her room, Eveel sleeping on her bed, completely wiped out. He didn't even move once, his mouth slightly open with his tongue sticking out, looking rather funny since he was back in his small form. Takara sat at her desk, her head in her hands waiting for Tamuril. She was scared that something had happened to him, and couldn't get herself to sleep. Then she got a letter and when she opened it she screamed and set the paper on fire, throwing it to the ground. Tamuril was dead.

"No!" Takara screamed, her fist tightening as Eveel sprang to life. He blinked, looking over at Takara who was standing there crying. Then Takara turned around, going up to a vase and knocking it over. Wind tore strait through the room, knocking almost everything down. A knight ran into the room, quickly going up to Takara who dropped down to her knees and covered her face, still sobbing. Eveel jumped up and ran over to her, wrapping himself around her shoulders.

By the end of the day Tamuril's body was set in a casket and outside. Takara stood beside it, looking down at him with Eveel sitting on her shoulder. Takara placed a hand on his chest, her eye brows going together.

"Damn you Tamuril." Takara told him softly as her eyes lowered, her hand trembling. The place was empty, mostly soldiers coming in to see the knight's body. "Why did you have to die? Everyone that I love is gone, save Eveel.... Why? I just wish that you were still here with me. My family, Shin, and now even you? I hate this war. And you know I have to give a heir to the throne, have a child. I wanted that person to be you. I did not anyone else but you to be the one who I shared my life with. I do not want someone else to touch me." Takara lowered her head, Eveel letting out a soft cry as he saw another tear trickle down from her face. "I hope that when I die I can go to the same place that you are now." She hated talking to some dead body. It was pointless. He couldn't hear her.