Chaldene had been at the meeting, in the back nice and quiet as he let others talk. He'd had nothing to say, hadn't wanted to say anything, but when the aura of chaos had filled the air he'd taken off to escape the fighting so he could put out a call. They would need help, a lot of it, and he knew two people they could use desperately. Acrucis and the General King he knew was at her side, even if he was a civilian right now, who were somewhere in the woods.

Pulling his cellphone out the will'o'the wisp senshi texted her as quickly as he could. The message was long but quickly typed out and the send button hit. He told her that the meeting, which she hadn't wanted to attend, had gone bad - very bad. Chaos was here in mass and people were being hurt and would need her and her healing abilities. At the same time he mentioned that her companion might be able to assist them also, although some senshi might also attack him unknowing of his alliance.

Chaldene was worried as he waited a distance from the fighting, hoping none would come after him, he'd told Acrucis where he was and was hoping she'd meet him and they could join the fray together. He didn't want to see her hurt, though he wasn't as protective over her as the General king was from what he could tell upon meeting Benitoite. He could already hear the voices and sounds of battle, he hoped that no one he knew was dead or dying, his arms came about himself as the smell of fire assaulted his nose. What was going on? Chancing a glance back he could see the glow of flames and worry filled him as well as a rush of adrenaline.

His physical wounds had been healed by the senshi of prayer, something he was thankful for, but the emotional and mental were far from healed and he doubted they ever would heal. He knew he had to accept it all, and he did, and move on. Zach wouldn't have wanted him to dwell on it and let it eat away at him till nothing was left, the other would have had something to shout at him about it, and so he was working his way through it while he recovered physically. Acrucis had, much to his surprise, been able to fix all the damage Kazenite had done to him - in one go! He hadn't exactly been in good shape when he'd been rescued. The General Queen was a cruel women, not that he hadn't known that previous to his capture and subsequent torture by her, but now he was physically better and wandering around the cabin deep in the woods.

The cabin had been Zach's idea more than his own, a safe place for Acrucis to hide if the need ever arose. He'd funded it and hired a crew outside of the city to build it, he didn't want anyone within the Negaverse to find out about the cabin after all. Riley and Cadha lay on the floor even as he heard the girls phone go off. Glancing up from where he'd been reading, a book Acrucis had bought him, he tilted his head. "It would seem someone needs your attention - you should go. I'll be fine." He wasn't alone, not with the two dogs here, even if he still felt empty with Zach no longer there. At that thought he felt one hand tightening it's hold on the book he had. Kazenite...he'd find her one night and kill her - slowly and painfully. His position in the Negaverse, as a traitor, was likely wide known by now and so hunting her down inside the city would be most difficult and yet he wished for little more than to hunt her down and feel her blood over his hands, spattered on his face, as he tore into her and ripped the life from her. To hell with taking her starseed, he might rip it from her cold dead body, he wanted to see her bleed and feel the hot red fluid on his skin.

Shuddering at the thought, pleasure flooding his system, he closed his eyes for a moment and pushed such thoughts aside. Tonight certainly wasn't the night he would find Kazenite and kill her. He knew he might never find her and be able to kill her but the idea, the hope, would keep him going and so he held onto the pleasurable thoughts of her death.

Slowly slate colored eyes opened and looked to the senshi of prayer. He could never tell her his thoughts, she would be horrified, it wasn't something she should know. She wasn't the same innocent and gentle person he'd once known, once sworn himself to protect, but she was still the senshi of prayer who could heal people. She would not know of his thoughts and desires, morbid as they were. They were thoughts which he would share only with the two dogs in the dark of night as they lay together in the cabins single bed, the dogs lending him their warmth.

"What's the message say?" Maybe he shouldn't be so curious but he couldn't help it, he worried for her.

It took a moment for her to register that Alex had asked her a question; to be honest she wasn’t even aware her phone had rung. “Message?” she asked still in a daze. It broke her heart to see the look of hate in those ruby colored eyes and watching as Phact obeyed the General Queen Kazenite, as both Alex and his captain had named her, without so much as flinching. First her parents and now her best friend.

The image of her once named sister donning a black uniform with a starburst on her forehead and chest ingrained itself in her mind like an afterimage of the sun having stared at it unblinking for far too long. The Negaverse was taking everyone important from her one by one and she was left helpless except to watch it all happen; someone had to stop them.

Acrucis wrung the wet wash cloth out in the sink then draped it over the chrome faucet and tried her hands on the hand towel that hung over the oven handle. She felt numb but yet she kept going, her eyes were dry yet her heart still cried in memory of all she once held dear. That spark of life and wonder had all but vanished and in the wake of it all stood nothing more than a shell of what she once was.


He knew Kazenite was vicious, how could he not? But to sink her hand into his partners chest as she had...it had hurt and that was why she did it, he knew this, but still it hurt on a deeper level the amount of betrayal she had inflicted upon him. He had brought her into the Negaverse after all, not long after corrupting his own boyfriend, and for her to hurt him in such manner. He had trained her better, at least he’d thought so, though he had trained her in fighting and killing as well. He supposed she was just doing her job though, showing where her loyalties lie just as he had.

He still couldn’t get over the feeling though as well as the hate which boiled inside of him - hate just for her and that cat of hers. She had killed his partner, his boyfriend, and he wanted little more than to sink his hand into her chest and rip out whatever he grasped; be it heart or starseed it was of no consequence to him. He simply wanted the satisfaction of watching the light go out in her eyes, and what pleasure it would bring him. If only he’d been well enough to take his Captain’s body with them so he could bury him; he’d have had a nice offering to make - Kazenite’s cold dead body.

Despite all these thoughts going through his head, all this rage boiling under the skin, he was able to point out the phone ringing and watch the periwinkle haired girl. The book in his hand was marked, the page dog eared, and it was closed as he laid down on the bed and kept his gaze on her. “Who is it?” The question was softly spoken, yet still carried in the small cabin, as tired, worn out, slate eyes watched her at the stove. This war had taken a lot out of him and now, here in this small cabin with so much lost, it showed for just her to see. He was only 24 and had seen and done so very much and he had lost even more, what a life...and it wasn’t even near it’s end yet.

Her eyebrows knitted in confusion till she looked down and sure enough the display screen was glowing. Reaching over to the countertop the gold bangles that adorned her wrists chimed together breaking the stagnant silence. “Chaldene…?” she spoke his name softly.

Sapphire colored eyes scanned over the text “The meeting…” she grew silent once more as she continued to read over the message. “We need to go. Now.” Though he too was still recovering she could not leave him alone, not here, not now.

We are on our way - send
Meet us at the north side of the lake - send
omw! - send

One habit that would likely never go away, single sentence texts instead of one long one.

“There was an ambush, we…” her voice caught in her throat as a lump began to grow. Acrucis closed her eyes and drew in a deep breath. “I need to go. I need to help them please.” She was tired, drained and yet her duty to protect and help others is all that was left, all she had left to live for.


“Not you, we.” He corrected without much thought to the words he spoke, true and serious as they were. They were spoken with a certain amount of calm certainty even as he pushed himself up, something which seemed to take more effort than necessary. It wasn’t because his body was sore, injured, or his arms weak. It was just that he was tired of all of this. Yes he was going to throw himself into a fight because he had to, he needed to. It wasn’t about want so much as need. He needed to be there, to keep her safe, and he needed to find Kazenite as he was sure she’d be there.

His right hand clenched in the fabric of the sheets under himself for a moment. He needed to find her, needed to hurt her and draw blood, he needed to kill her. As his thoughts focused and narrowed in on these needs he pushed himself up and to standing with much more energy than he’d sat up with. “We will be going, not just you. I have a favor to return…” The tone in his voice deadly as his voice dropped and Alexandre who sat there moments ago was more the General King he could power up and become.

“Stay with me and be safe. I will not allow Kazenite to take someone else from me - tonight she shall perish.” In a most bloody manner if he had things his way. The words were a near hiss as he spoke them, slate eyes cold and filled with a deadly confidence. Taking a few strides toward the female senshi was all it took for the visage of Alexandre Evans to be replaced by General King Benitoite, weaponless at the moment but that infamous weapon was only a moment away from his hands at any given time. “Let’s go.”

Though she expected him to power up, his aura was stifling and startling at the same time. However, though she still felt a tinge of fear due to how closely it felt to the General Queen, Acrucis drew from him an amount of comfort. Six years he has protected her, and even after so much has happened he was still willing to continue to watch over her as she stood before him like a porcelain doll about to fall off the edge of a shelf.

They were indeed an odd pair, family perhaps, friends of course. Still it eased her a bit knowing she would not have to go to the lakeside alone to meet up with Chaldene let alone approach the camp without someone who could truly protect her as she helped aid the wounded. “Okay”

Looking down at his phone as it rang several times he wasn’t surprised, she wasn’t the sort to send one long message, he doubted she’d ever learn to text a person properly. Shaking his head the transcended senshi brought up the text messages and tilted his head in wonderment. She was going to bring a General King to this? That was a big risk. it wasn’t that he thought the ashen blond would turn on them, not a chance in that he was sure, but a senshi or knight might take him for an enemy and try and kill him...or worse yet actually kill him. How many really knew the General King was on their side and had been? He doubted many. It was a risk.

He knew he couldn’t stop her or the General King though so he didn’t send a text back telling her not to bring him, it would be a fruitless attempt at protecting the General King. He would get involved in this fight one way or another and there was nothing which would stop him, he was sure of this. He knew if he’d been in the General King’s place there would be nothing holding him back from seeking revenge and he wasn’t nearly as violent as the General King could be.

Fingers danced over the keys on his phone.

‘Alright, I’ll be there. be safe.’ Send. Hitting send he felt himself tense up at the various powerful auras he felt. So many...and he knew people were there dying and here he was doing nothing. How pathetic! But he was hoping to get these two onto the scene so they could help and perhaps assist in gaining the light side a victory over that of chaos, who on the other side would be ready for a General King to be fighting against them? He doubted many.


“Good, then lets be off. I can teleport us close to the lake.” Having not been to the lake before, as it was too close to the senshi camp for comfort even as a civilian, so he could only bring them close to it. Already he was holding out a gloved hand, in silent offering, to the senshi of prayer as he gave her as light a smile as he could manage, considering his current frame of mind and the desire for blood bubbling within. He was hoping to keep Acruics safe while at the same time hunt down Kazenite and bleed her slowly, even if the action might bother the periwinkle haired senshi.

Would she be bothered by him killing Kazenite? Would she not want him to exact his revenge in a bloody manner? Or had she changed so much, without him truly noticing it, to the point that such a thing wouldn’t bother her. He had to wonder about this even as he waited for her to step into his hold so he could teleport them close to the scene of this battle.

Acrucis temporarily desummoned her senshi phone and without so much as blinking, she took her General King’s hand and nodded her head. The only thing she hoped was that Phact wasn’t there, she wasn’t entirely sure she’d be able to hold herself together should she see her sister so soon after their last encounter.

Pulling her against his chest he held her close, he wasn’t sure what would happen if someone let go when being teleported, and in a matter of seconds the cabin was empty save for two dogs who were confused by the change in their master and his vanishing act.

When they did reappear it was close to the lake but still they’d need to walk a bit. Releasing the senshi in his arms he took a step back from her and glanced her over, from toes to tip of the head and back down. Everything was alright, intact, and he was glad to see this. “Let’s be quick about this. I can sense the auras already.” He whispered as he tried to keep a lid on his emotions, on his need to get into the fight and draw blood, for fear of the senshi’s reaction. He needed to get into the fight so badly though! Did she have a single clue at how much he just wanted to take off running toward the gathered auras?

Six years and several quick trips via teleport in between left her able to stand on steady feet. No longer did she feel as if she’d had the bottom of an elevator drop out from beneath or leaving her with an overwhelming sense of vertigo.

Palms turned upward, Acrucis summoned her gyroscope only to have her worst fear confirmed as a fan of colors. Blue-green mingled with red-violet while symbols attributed to dear friends flashed over the center orb. The Senshi of Prayer’s skin paled considerably how did they find this place? It was suppose to be a safe haven…

Numbly she nodded her head and fell in step behind the General King as they weaved their way through the trees to where they were suppose to meet up with Chaldene.

Teleporting enough would do that, get one used to it, so it was no great surprise to him when she didn’t falter or stumble when they’d landed. He’d been taking the senshi of prayers around via teleportation for six years on and off, keeping her safe and getting her out of harms way, and it had thus far paid off - as she was still alive and well.

Staring at the item she had, not knowing what it did as he’d never asked, he watched as she seemed to pale. Fearing she might faint, or something similar, he reached out with both gloved hands to steady her incase she did just that - faint. “Something has happened?” He questioned though it was also partially a statement of fact, something had in fact happened and he knew that much.

Acrucis nodded her head numbly without so much of a whisper she stared straight ahead. Words were not needed to convey the gravity of the situation, the mass amounts of auras in culmination with the fire were enough.

“Remember, we cannot undo what has been done - thus it is not our fault. Do not blame yourself for not having been here sooner.” Would he have to assure her of this later tonight? Would she find friends dead? Would he? Who would be dead and who would be injured amongst the many auras they could both feel.

“I had no knowledge of this…” Whether it was because of the waning trust in him, due to his unwavering protection of this senshi, or because he had been already taken captive by Kazenite he didn’t know this was coming. He simply knew that he had been clueless about this campsite being found. “I hope your contact, Chaldene, is well and safe.” he spoke as he lead the way, boots crunching on leaves and snapping twigs. Smaller branches broke with snapping sounds under the heavy boots, leaving the broken pieces to catch on his cloak only to be left behind on the ground.

“If you had known, I would have expected you to have said something before now; especially since it was members of the Resistance who came to save you.” There was no need to doubt his sincerity especially since she had been in his company for the past several days, only leaving the cabin to restock supplies for her small home.

With the dock in sight Acrucis held onto her gyroscope with one hand and re-summoned her senshi phone. After unlocking the screen she opened up her text messages to chaldene

We’re here, how close are you? - send

“Indeed, you are correct. Had I known I would have told you as soon as I’d been saved, if not sooner.” had he known sooner, had the meeting happened before his capture by Kazenite. Had he known maybe some deaths that were happening, had happened, would not have. He couldn’t focus on the what if’s though, they would lead no where. Who would they find dead on the ground? Who would be injured? He had no idea and he could feel dread welling up inside of him, nervousness creeping in, even as he wished to run into the battle and seek out Kazenite and spill her blood. How was it that someone could feel such opposing things? he did not know but he knew he felt these things; and little else.


Lifting his phone, as he’d been holding it down at his side, he pulled up the message as he felt a smile tugging at his lips. So they were here - good. He let out a relieved sigh before he tapped back a message letting her know that he was there already and waiting. Hitting send he waited as he stood from the ground, where he’d sat himself to wait, and turned to look around as if he would already be able to see the two figures. He could sense them, but he could not see them yet. Soon though...soon he’d see them and they could go and help.

“That’s him.” Acrucis pointed to the signature up ahead. Once more she desummoned her phone and picked up her pace till Chaldene came into view.

The crisp cold air sent a shiver up her spine when the two of them came to an abrupt stop in front of the ebony haired man. Her breathing was short and labored as if she’d run a marathon or was on the verge of a panic attack.

Following up behind the senshi of prayer, allowing her to lead the way and be the middle ground between the two of them, he stopped at her side and glanced over the taller male. Well, he did look impressive enough and the marks covering the others body told him something as well, a good deal actually.

“Are we ready now?” He asked, glancing over the new senshi, a tilt of his head. They would be able to hold their own, at least he hoped. Already he was summoning his weapon and holding it tightly in his right hand. he really did want to get into this fight and shed some blood!


Looking over the shorter male he nodded his head. “I’m ready.” A smile given to the senshi of prayer before he moved in to embrace her swiftly. “I’m more than ready, we need to hurry before this ends…”

Acrucis closed her eyes and rested her forehead on Benitoite’s shoulder. Ready? Would she ever be truly ready? Not too long ago she had told Failyn that she had gotten use to this; was that nothing more than a lie she had since convinced herself to be true?

With a single nod she prepared herself for what she feared would be the worst scene she’d seen to date.

“Stay with me.” Through hell and fire he hoped they would follow him, he couldn’t afford for Acrucis to get lost or the one with her. He would keep them safe, both of them, no matter what. But he needed them both with him while he hunted down a certain General Queen. He couldn’t afford his mind being anywhere but the fight he intended to initiate with her, as he was sure she would be here. He knew her, oh how he knew her, and he knew she wouldn’t miss something like this. This was something she would revel in, as he once had and would again, and so he knew she was here.

“I don’t want either of you getting lost or hurt.” Or worse yet - killed. He didn’t say that last part though, he knew it was understood.

With her feet firmly planted on solid ground the Senshi of Prayer took a step back giving both men some space. The suffocating smoke from the fire engulfed the area making it harder to see let alone breathe. Gyroscope still in hand she watched in horror as one by one each individual beams of light began to disappear and the overwhelming mass of signatures began to dwindle. Either people were dying by the masses or they were fleeing; unfortunately all she could do was hope it was the latter of the two.

Her eyes burned and skin felt as if it was about to blister from being so close to the roaring flames which silenced many of the cries for help. Unable to rely on her senses Acrucis focused on her personal item till a familiar symbol flashed over the center orb and the associated beam of light glowed just a tinge brighter than the rest. “Thraen…”

Despite his words of warning a sense of urgency filled her being as she took off in the direction the light was pointing while skirting around the blazing campsite.

While it seemed the General King was busy, with what he didn’t know, Chaldene had seen his fellow senshi take off from the sight of the fire. Making up his mind, rather quickly, he took off after her. “Hold up, don’t go off on your own.” Not now, not with what had obviously just happened. Who knew what negaverse agents might still be around or might turn up to look for survivors or who knows what. Though he didn’t trust being alone here, he did trust the General King could handle himself.

While those two went off Benitoite wasn’t focused on them, he didn’t even seem to realize they had left his side as he had entered into the fiery blaze that was left in the wake of battle. Bodies on the ground, some viciously ripped apart, and others not so much. It seemed that the battle had taken many from both sides and as he spied faced, bodies, uniforms belonging to those he’d known he felt something for each life lost; no matter the side. For those on his own side, on chaos, they were a soldier lost a brother or sister. For the senshi and knights it was someone on the right side of things lost, someone who could have changed things and helped to tip the scales. Shaking his head he stepped over the body of an unknown Lieutenant and paused then as he felt it. That signature wasn’t just familiar it was one he’d created, by his own hand, so long ago. He’d been the one to create his own monster. “Kazenite.” The words whispered from his lips as the hold on his weapon tightened. Slate eyes burned from smoke and fire overheated him but he pushed it all aside as he started stalking about in earnest, seeking her own. He had brought her into the Negaverse and he would damn well remove her from the Negaverse and life itself - tonight. He would not permit her to continue to live. He just needed to find her. Turning his head he kept his gaze looking all around him as he moved, ever seeking.

Kazenite didn’t even need to turn around to feel the seething gaze of the General King directed towards her. A smile tugged the corners of her lips as she let out a light chuckle. Seems his little pet healer had mended him after all, shame. Just meant she’d have to do better next time; oh well.

Tilting her head to the side, teal-blue eyes regarded the blonde and with one hand she offered him a mock salute, a farewell for now, before teleporting away…

Really? That was it? A salute!? He’d finally spotted her and that was all she could do was salute him? He wanted to stab something, slam his fist into a defenceless tree, but he did neither thing. Rather he growled a rather animalistic sound as furious slate eyes stared at the spot as it mocked him by her just not being there! “Kazenite…” The name ground out as rage filled him and boiled right over. The weapon he held in a white knuckle grip was thrown to the ground forcefully. A gloves hand shook with pent up rage that a moment later did in fact slam into a tree near him. The food splintered and gave under the force of the General King’s strike. Wood not only splintered but exploded around his fist as a hole was left around his fist. Bits of wood, slivers of it, stabbed into his glove and clung to the leather material like leeches. he’d have to remove the splinters later, right now he didn’t feel them nor care to even notice them. She was gone….gone and he hadn’t even gotten to...to what? He didn’t even know what he’d first do to her. he just knew the end result - her death.

Though her queen for the moment had left the battlefield Xyla gazed at the General King with her amused cheshire grin. “Such a child” the guardian cat mused shaking her head.

Into her out stretched arms jumped the cat that ironically had become a partner to the Senshi of Doves. Black hair moved from the heat of the fire as the senshi closed the cat in close to her chest and looked up. She knew who Benitoite was and what he meant to her mistress. Still, Phact only gave him a smile before allowing her head to bob in a slow, almost respectful greeting. Then, in a blink, she was gone and appeared steps behind the General Queen.

Golden-yellow eyes fashioned with slitted pupils watched the teal haired woman “I think he wants to talk to you,” she stated as a matter of factly with a purr in her voice so full of amusement.

“Talk is one way of putting it. I do think he wishes to tango.” Phact added softly as she stepped up closer to look out from their vantage point.


Oh she had no doubt in her mind he had words he’d wish to exchange… among other things. It would be rude of her not to indulge him at least for a moment. “Wait here” she instructed as she stepped off the limb and teleported back to the place of ruin.

Phact’s head was shaking slowly as she reached up to scratch the ears of the feline. “A game of cat and mouse, if you will.” She spoke softly, almost cooing. “Though I am starting to wonder who has the larger fangs.”

With his weapon currently discarded she knew she’d have a moment, if that, before he was able to resummon it assuming his mind worked quick enough to react. Slender arms wrapped around Benitoites shoulders as Kazenite materialized behind him. “This is what happens when you arrive late. And here I was looking sooo forward to sparring with you.” The general queen pressed a kiss to his temple then smiled and whispered a final warning “you shouldn’t leave your little pet out to wonder, it’s dangerous you know.” Like the wind attributed to her attacks she left once more leaving one to wonder if she had even been there at all.

He jumped, and he couldn’t believe he did, but someone had just wrapped their arms about him and he knew who it was, he could feel them. “Kazenite.” The word, her name, was ground out in warning as he stood stock still in her hold. The only thing to change was the twitching his hands even as he summoned his weapon to himself. He didn’t break free, not just yet, but he did bring his hand back from the trees trunk, wood splinters falling off his glove leaving just a few sticking out; signs that his hand had been stabbed several times by the wood - the trees revenge.

Those words, that kiss, he moved to yank himself free from her but she managed to get those last few words out, that thinly veiled threat to Acrucis. How dare she?! Just as he broke free and turned, swinging his weapon, she was gone. Growling, eyes flashing with rage, he wished it had been her there, just before she could leave, that his weapon had sliced through her rather than just air.

Now though he had to go, had to get to Acrucis, he wouldn’t put anything past Kazenite and he wasn’t loosing someone else. Turning, quickly, he took off toward the familiar signature while calling out her name. “Acrucis!”