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The night had been full of coming and goings, of angry people and silent faces. The shadows held a thousand secrets the world would never know, but as the light of the sun graced the brightening sky, the shadows and all they held, faded away into nothing. The sun looked down at the world beneath, the golden face smiling as it warmed the world, and Tobias looked back at the sun and gave a large yawn as birds flew overhead.

"I take it you dind't get much sleep last night?" Came an all to familiar voice that Tobis was begining to regret ever hearing. The red headed Tobias turned his head and looked up at the small form of Gefton, towering above him from where Tobias sat, his boots planted firmly on the top step of the great stairwell.

"No, as amatter of fact I didn't" Grouched the insufferable youth, his arms crossing over his while and gold tunic. "All night long I was running around like a chicken without a head, carrying out secret orders and moving men into the palace." Tobias looked down at the teeming city before him. "No sleep at all, but I'm sure you were awake too."

"Of course I was." chuckled he old man, his dark robes swaying slightly as a breeze began to stir into life. "I'm the reason you have been up so late."

"Remind my fist to thank you when I have the energy to use it." Pouted Tobias, raising one leg up and resting his chin upon the knee.

"Your pathertic, you really are." Chuckled Gefton, his tone as light and merry as a young lover. "When i was your age, I could stay up for days and nights on end and never sleep. I'm three times your age boy and I'm still doing it. Children just arn't as tought these days."

"Lord Gefton." Came the boy's reply. "Please shut up." Tobias was silent for a moment before shouting in a loud voice. "Ow, what the hell was that for?" Tobias craddled his sore head and looked up at the old man who had just used his walking stike to broadside the boy's head.

"That was to knock some sense of respect for your elders into you boy. And to wake you up. Come on, we've got work to do!" Gefton was already moving down the steps when Tobias called after him.

"Gefton, why are you tormenting me? Don' you have people that can be doing this stuff for you?"

"Why yes i do." Grtuned Gefton, turning around slowly and looking up the stairs. "But none of them are Algren's brother. Now, come on boy, we've got work to do" A twinkle flashed through Gefton's eyes and Tobias groaned as he raised his stiff
body up.

"I should have joined the navy." Grumbled the weary Tobias as he began his decent down the long stairs before him, the figure of the old man jovially dancing its way down before him.

Azmaria ducked and covered her head as Booker swung. To their amazment, the hammer head grew to an unbelievable size. The flat side of it was as wide as Viede was tall, but to Booker it still weighed the same as before. Viede was sent flying backwards into a wall and actually went through it.

As for Jacob, he didn't have to worry about Blaise' attack. Fiore stepped out in front of him, touching one hand to the gem on her choker while extending the other out in front of her. The wind parted and went around the two of them as a shimmering shield seemed to appear in the air.

In the light of Blaise's fire, they could see one more was there. It was Rizelle, the spider-like demon theyd fought before. She was sitting placidly on a large web with her arms foled, she made no attempt to aid her comrades.

----

"I wonder,"Aion said, catching Loque's fiery whip in his bare hand, "If the spirit of the owner will be angry at your theivery?"

With the other hand he caught Loque's sword.

"You're out of your league, elf. You have not even learned to wield that weapon properly yet."

He pushed Loque away easily, and into the stone wall, and turned back to Rosette.

"Sorry, but your voice does not reach a demon lik me..." He took a step towards Rosette, who immediately took one away from him.

"But there may be a voice that will reach higher than that... but... I do admire your courage... all of you..." He suddenly began to afde from view, his grin never wavering.

"We'll meet again...soon..."

Loque tried to pull away before he was hit but failed at his attempt. He grunted and held his shoulder in pain as he hit the wall but still got up and stepped back for another attack. He was too late, the demon was already dissapearing. Cursing silently he wet to Satella to see if she was alright.

---

Booker's eyes widened in astonishment at what had happened to the hammer but still held his stance in what would become a fight. Kaden took Azmaria's arm and tried to pull her along. "Come on, run! We have to find the others."

Blaise didn't follow them, instead she tried to push back the energy that was Fiore's shield to diminish it. It wasn't easy, and seeing Rizelle in the corner sent a shudder down her spine.

Loque pulled her arm over his shoulders and held her up as he began to undo the chains hoding her. He looked to Rosette with a frown.

"Rosette, are you alright? Please, go help Chrono, we must find the others quickly. I feel that we are not the only ones who have encountered someone."

---

"And you are a fool to think we would give up without one." Blaise spat back at Jacob.

"Azmaria, no!" Kaden shouted. Blaise looked back to see her frozen in time and grimaced.

"Booker, Kaden, stay with her, do not let her be taken!" she commanded. Blaise payed no heed to Fiore's words. She did not fear her or her threats of death, for if she were to die trying to protect a comrade then her life was well served.

Though Blaise could not deny that they would not be able to save Azmaria on their own. Where was Rosette?

Blaise flinched slightly as the tip of the scythe was pressed against her neck and the air around them stilled. Blaise looked to the girl in confused shock, completely speachless.

"Blaise!" Kaden shouted, trying to go to her but held firmly by Azmaria's frozen hand. Booker kept still fearing that any move would mean spilled blood from one of their members.

"Keep with Azmaria, don't let them take her!" Blaise ordered, finding her voice. She still stared to Fiore, trying not to wince at the pinprick of pain from the scyth at her neck. "What did you just say?" Blaise asked, nearly whispering. "Anna . . . ? Annalise?"

Booker was back to defending Kaden and Azmaria, holding the hammer up defensively, standing between them and the large man. Kaden was desperately trying to loosen the frozen girl's grip on him so he could be of help but it was all seemeing pretty useless. Blaise was still standing motionless at the tip of Fiore's scythe. An anger rose up in her, flaring in her eyes.

They had her? They had Annalise all this time? Blaise tried to keep herself calm. She couldn't let them know for that would give her and her little sister a disadvantage, unless the knowledge was already theirs.

"It matters not to you." Blaise hissed. Moving quickly, she hit the scythe away with the rapier she'd taken and moved to strike Fiore, too angry to even know what action she was taking.

Too important? What? Blaise's mind was racing. What did she mean? She was just Anna, just her little Annalise, she was no different than Blaise they day they were separated.

"Really?" Blaise spat, "And has she been brainwashed as you have been? I can see it in your eyes, you're nothing but a puppet." She made another quick go at her, this time using the wind to push Fiore towards the sword.

Booker shook his head slowly. "Never give up . . . never let a comrade be taken willfuly. I stand by this."