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The village was burning. the skies were black with thunderheads and smoke that stunk of smoldering wood and charring flesh. The stench reached high up as screams echoed through the valley, dark figures running about the town, burning torches in one hand, sickles in the other. This entire scene Asmudius watched, a gleam of approval twinkling in his eye.

“I see the millennia have not dulled your touch, Sasia.” Mused Asmudius as he continued to watch the slaughter. “You truly are an artiste of death.” The female demon in red looked over at the white haired body that housed her master and she bowed to him.

“I’m glad you approve, Master.” Whispered Sasia as she rose up and turned to watch the village.” It had been a stroke of luck to discover that this remote village had been built so near the first wyrstone. Even now Sasia’s minions looked the world over for the others but this one had been a great find. It was remote, far removed from the rest of the world. An excellent plave to allow Therto to flex his powers again. Time passed and soon the valley began to quiet and still, only the smoke and dancing flames giving life to the dead place. Asmudius watched from the high hill, his eye not missing a single, gory detail. To him, the scene before him was a masterpiece. One he would like to replicate the world over.

“Let me go you bastards!” The shriek was high and loud. “Let me go now!” Sasia and her master both turned as two black robed figures slowly marched up the hill, a young woman being dragged, rather violently, between them.

“Place her on the stone!” Hissed Sasia, her red hood hiding her face. “Hurry up.” The two grunted and dragged the girl faster. Sasia pulled a long, hooked knife from her belt and slowly approached the wyrstone. To any passer by, this stone was no different than any other rock around it. It was only three feet tall and maybe two wide. But the power it held was remarkable. The two black figures dragged the woman over the top of the hill and Asmduis eagerly awaited what was to come. But then, a wasp landed on his ear and began to whisper to him.

“Master. “ Came Von’s voice. Asmduis smiled and turned around from eh stone.

“Ah Von., I take it that the Messiah is no more?” When the response was not immediate, Asmudius felt his face turning to a snarl. “Von?”

“It would have been done master but…well” there was hesitation in Von’s voice, something that Asmudis had ever seen in the demon before, save when confronted with the Tomb.

“Out with it Von!” Growled Asmudius.

“Master I was ready to kill them when I discovered they had camped upon a Halex.” Shock shook Melecus and the white haired body jerked violently at the sound of the name.

“Impossible. They were destroyed! The Elder Ones made sure of that!”

“I think not master.” Came Von. “I would recognize that aura anywhere.” Asmudius emitted a low growl and looked up at the dark sky. A Halex still alive? Obviously it slept of Von would not be here speaking to him. Asmuduis thought for a time and then spoke again.

“I see. Then this is a matter which I must deal with immediately. Meet me at the spot during the dark hour in two days. I have preparations I must make before dealing with this.” The wasp flew away and Asmudis kept his eyes on the black skies. A Halex eh? Well no matter. It slept, for now.

Screams reached his ears ad Asmduis turned around and saw Sasia slight the girl’s throat. The blood spilled out and onto the stone and then into the puddles that were forming as rain poured out from the heavens. Asmduis smirked as the corpse rolled to the ground and lay still. For a moment there was a strong gust of immense cold wind from the north and then the corpse rose from the ground, the lady’s body shaking and jerking as it rose. Down in the village, other bodies too began to rise and move like puppets on strings. The wind blew again and the voice of Therto crackled out of the dead husk.

“Ah, to use my power again.” Asmuduis looked pleased as Therto spoke and the white haired man turned to Sasia.

“Well done Sasia. Awaken more stones and you may fall into my good graces yet.” Sasia bowed and when she rose her head, the white haired man was gone.

----

Asmduis moved as smoke through the world as he sent a message to another demon, whose name was long familiar to him.

“Aion, we need to speak. Now.”

"I've been better..."Rosette said, pressing her hand over her heart, "If felt like a kickin the chest that time... it actually hurt..."

Rosette was scared now, really scared. Releasing the seal on Chrono had never hurt before. Normally it came with the sensation of falling, but nothing like this. What could it mean?

Chrono joined the others beside his fallen comrade and move Satella's hand away from the print on her clothes.

"I can't really say what it is, for now." Chrono told them, "I don't know who did it or what they look like... If I did, I could have a better idea..."

"Will she be alright, Chrono?" Azmaria asked fearfully.

"She should be... If anything she won't be able to summon normally for a while. Whatever this is has sucked the power right out of her. That was she collapsed so suddenly... but Satella is strong, she'll pull through." Chrono assured her, "For now, we walk."

Azmaria felt relief from Chrono's words, but now she knew something else in her heart. If they were to be attacked by another demon, she would be the one to fight it. She didn't want Rosette and Chrono to have to fight, it would end badly for them. She would be the one to defend them.

----

Bane was startled, to say the least, to hear someone call his name. His true name.

"Yes...?" He said calmly. He'd been standing on the balcony of his room, watching the faintest hints of smoke in the distance. Jacob was fast asleep on the pillows on the floor, and Fiore was picking up some leftover dishes before leaving. Anna had been sent to bed a while ago.

Even after his recent growth spurt, Chrono was still considerably shorter than Satella. None the less, he took it upon himself to carry her on his back as they prepared to walk again. Azmaria gathered up her bags and Satella's, both heavy for the small girl.

"Never better." Rosette replied, leaning heavily on her knees as she stood up.

"Come on now, we'd better get moving."

----

Anna's door opened with a dull creak as Fiore stepped in, carrying a candlestick and a glass of warm milk. She had traded her frilly finery that she wore during the day for a long, colorless gown to sleep in. Expect for her necklace. She always wore a gleaming purple jewel on a black ribbon around her neck, even when she bathed.

"Anna, are you awake?"

"I'm alright, I'm alright. You all have your own things to carry too. I've got it." Azmaria assured him, "I have to carry my own weight here too."

Rosette still kept her hand over her heart as they walked, it was beating very quickly. She looked a little nervous.

"Luckily, we're nearly there." Chronno assured them, "I think if we cross this hill here it will be in sight. We can still make it before night."

Algren had removed his worn battle attire and had hung it on a pedistal in his room. Algren now rested on his bed and looked around his room. Compared to the rest of the palace, Algren’s chambers were bare. The three rooms held less than five pieces of furnatures between them. A bed, a large table with maps strewn all about, two shelves full of books on war strategies and a closest full of cloths. This was all. Even the tube in which he bathed was simplistic and barley big enough for one. Algren rarely spent time in this room, so often out and about. But now, with both arms broken, it seemed he could do little else. His servant had helped him as best he could but even with both arms wrecked Algren hated having someone else help him. Tobias had tried to cheer Algren’s mood but Algren had only given half smiles to all of Tobias’ attempts so Tobias had left his brother and began to walk back to the great gateway and make his way to the temples across the city

--
Asmudius moved faster and faster and then the plume of smoke was gone. Asmuduis opened his eyes and smiled as he looked down at the man on the balcony. Asmudius clung to the walls, suspended a good ten feet above Bane.

“Well I figured it would be best to discuss things least we hamper each others goals.” Whispered Asmuduis.

Teeth flashed as Asmuduis smiled and shook his head.

“Oh no, not at all. Yes the the Messiah still lives but…” Asmuduis suddenly sprung himself from the wall and allowed gravity to take him. He fell the ten feet toward the balcony. But just when it seemed his head would strike the edge of the balcony, Asmuduis’ arm snaked out and planted firmly onto the edge. Asmudius smiled as he looked upside down at Bane for a moment before flipping around and landing on his feet, still on the balcony.

“My plans are still in order” Chuckled Asmudius. “In fact the Messiah still lives because of a happy little discovery that was completely accidental. But my plans are in order, what of yours?”

Blaise frowned and looked to the ground as she walked. Running out? What did she mean by that? Blaise almost didn't want to know. Chrono and Rosette shared one life force. If there was a change in one, like Chrono's change in form, it would make sense for it to be taxing on the other. That meant if Chrono kept changing it would eventually drain her . . . and possibly kill her.

Blaise didn't want to believe it. She was sure she was wrong, the thinking had to be all wrong.

"I don't know." Blaise answered after a few moments, "But I promise you we'll figure it out and fix it. I will never let anything happen to you."

----

Annalise sat up in bed and rubbed her eyes. "I kniw, but that's why I can't sleep. I can't stop thinking about my sister. All this time I thought . . . I thought she was dead. But now I know she's alive and I'm wondering so many things. I want to know where she's been and what she's been doing. I want to know if she looks like mommy still."

"Of course not." Bane told him,"From what little I already know, you are not a being to be trifled with."

----

"Blaise, this isn't something you can fix with a little spell or something..."Rosette told her quietly, "Yeah... I'm been afraid of this moment for a long time, but I'm not done yet and... I've had a good run, haven't I?" She added with a pained smile.

"I'm not going anywhere until we finish all this..."

----

Fiore pulled back the blankets and sat in bed beside Anna, she remembered once doing this for another younger girl and it was very comforting.

"Death is a word you should dwell on now Anna. It is a happy day for you/ Our master is just as content. And if you fall asleep now, the sooner you will get to see her."

Fiore wrapped her arms around Anna and rubbed the top of the girl's head with one hand.

"Would you like for me to stay until you fall asleep?"