~22~Darker Minds are Easier to get Lost in

Sophie was barely able to roll out of the way in time, Cynna's massive claws swinging for her neck. She tumbled but managed to pull her sword out its sheath. Mansi and Alexios were already moving, Alexios running and climbing up the building side, jumping up behind Cynna and pulling out his greatsword. Mansi's bow was taught and nocked, and she released an arrow. Cynna heard the whistle as the arrow cut through the wind, but wasn't fast enough to turn away. Mansi's arrow got her in the shoulder, and she roared, her entire spine arching back and her fingers twitching. Cynna pulled the arrow out of her shoulder with a snarl and turned to Mansi.

Shit.

Sophie darted forward, grabbing one of her daggers and holding it in her opposite hand of her sword. Cynna heard her footsteps and swiped at Sophie with her claws.

One scrape from those things, and it was all over. Even a little scratch of those things on Sophie's bare skin and the Medirasa poison would take her out.

Sophie ducked underneath Cynna's flying arm and swung at her stomach with her dagger, her sword going for her legs. Sophie managed to get a hit in across her stomach, but Cynna kicked Sophie in the chest before her sword could hit, causing her to fly across the dirt.

Alexios came up behind Cynna, his greatsword coming down on her back. Cynna roared, the snakes on her head hissing at him. Cynna whipped around amazingly fast, grabbing Alexios by the neck before his sword could touch her. By his neck, she swung him to the ground, screeching. On the ground, Alexios pulled at her hand as it tried to crush his windpipe. Panic settled through Sophie as she saw Alexios gasping for air.

They have never taken on something like this, they have defeated all different types of people, all different kinds of Mirthless. But both of them in the same enemy?

Mansi nocked another arrow, one drowned in Oxalite, and let it go loose. She nailed Cynna in the groove of her spine, a direct hit. Cynna screeched, letting go of Alexios's throat. Sophie's brother coughed and gasped for air, even as Cynna stood over him, pulling the arrow out and snapping it in her hand.

In not the smartest move, Sophie sprinted and tackled Cynna off Alexios, both of them tumbling down the ruined building side. Both of them screamed on the way down, landing on the rubble with a thud. Sophie groaned and tried to push herself up, but Cynna was up first, even with the Oxalite running through her.

Gods above was she immune to Oxalite?!

Cynna swiped at Sophie with her claws, trying to rip apart her gut. Luckily, Sophie's breastplate, which covered her entire front, took the hit for her. The Medirasa poison bubbled and melted against the metal, three long claw marks down the length of her stomach.

Too close.

Cynna hissed in displeasure and raised her hand to attack again. Sophie kicked her in the knees, causing her massive body to fall atop Sophie's. Sophie unlocked her hidden blade out of its gauntlet and sunk it into her rips. Cynna screamed, the snakes atop her head writhing. Sophie tossed Cynna off her, flipping around and again planting her blade in Cynna's shoulder this time. Cynna punched Sophie square in the jaw with her other hand, causing her to again fly back. Usually, the jaw was like the snooze button in a fight, one nice hit to that jawline, and you are out of the battle. Sophie managed to try to stretch away from the fist, and Cynna's blow weakened enough for it just to hurt like a bitch but not knock Sophie out. Sophie tumbled, her entire body aching and her jaw throbbing. Sophie looked up-

And Cynna was gone.

"What the hell?!" Sophie roared.

"She didn't run, Lia! She is part Medirasa, which means she probably falls to their natural instincts."

Sophie knew what those were. They get their enemies away for just a moment they lie in wait, readying for the killing blow. Even with their massive bodies, probably explaining Cynna's extreme height, Medirasa's were fast and quiet. But one thing that is natural among all Medirasa.

They never let their prey out of their sight.

Mansi remained perched at the gorge entrance, her bow ready to snipe. Alexios slid down the cliffside and readied his weapon next to Sophie.

"Where is she-"

"I don't know, once you got in your second hit, she just vanished," Alexios whispered back to her.

Oh, gods, where did she go?!

I felt the thing inside my bones want to laugh as the brown-eyed woman stabbed my rib cage. A swift punch by my fist, and she was flying backward, cursing in our home language. I set my feet on the ground, my snake-like spine cracked and contorted, and I easily rose onto my feet without the use of my hands. The Medirasa enjoyed the sizzle of my skin as the wounds started to heal and laughed at the unnatural roll of my spine, my twitching eyes and fingers. I was suddenly sprinting, the snakes whispering poisoned words and heavy orders into my ears. The towering pillars and columns scattered throughout the warm gorge hid my escape. My half cornflower blue-half viper green eyes glanced at the Inalian runes I painted on myself as I zipped through the scattered columns. Half of those runes were painted as I was trapped in those steel cages inside that awful cave, still had my mortal beauty.

The other half were drawn when this beast was already inside me, and I sat in torturous agony as it took over my body, my mind, my soul. I wanted to paint runes of forgiveness and peace, trying to fight against it, but instead, the coiled snakes in my head made me paint the promise of blood and war, pushing and pulling on my gut as it told me what it wanted to do with me.

But as I weaved through the cream-colored columns that reached towards the sky, I was no longer Cynna, and I was no longer this Medirasa beast.

I was a mutation of both, and a hollow being of all. All that I once was, all that I could've been.

The dark-haired cobalt eyed woman stood atop the ridge, waiting for me to make a mistake. The man masterfully held his greatsword in his calloused hands, ready to bring it down on my neck the minute he sees me. As they all combed through the column maze, the man grew a bit closer, but then turned away, moving right instead of left.

The golden-haired woman also grew closer. I could hear her pounding footsteps and her shining blades, the blood staining the edges seducing me into a blood rage. My eyes grew hot, and I wanted her to stop. I want her to stop in her tracks and never move again. And with my eyes hot and my blood boiling, I turned to meet her.

To turn her into another one of my stone masterpieces.

The gorge was too big for Cynna to go too far, and she wouldn't have run from a fight. Sophie's panting slowed as she listened, observed, learned. Cynna looked to be sheet white with other stone-like colorings, the snakes coiled around her head being the only form of color, stripes of yellow and red.

Blending in... stone-like coloring... tall stature...

"THE COLUMNS!" Sophie called out. Mansi focused on the various crumbling, overturned, and leaning columns scattered around the valley. Sophie and Alexios ran through the columns, trying to root her out.

"To your left!" Mansi called out. Sophie turned left and saw Cynna's mangled feet running further through the columns. Alexios flanked her while Sophie tried to go around to her right to cut her off. Sophie was getting dizzy, weaving and swirling around the columns, trying to spot even the smallest sliver of Cynna. Finally, Cynna came into view. Sophie lifted her blade-

"DON'T!" Mansi screamed. Cynna's were full of raging golden fire as Sophie neared her. Sophie obeyed Mansi in a last-minute decision, instead rolling to the side as Cynna let out a disembodied scream, and her eyes shot beams of light to where Sophie was just standing.

"Woah! Has she always been able to do that?!" Alexios called out from one of the columns.

"It is a rare ability in Medirasa, and somehow, the ability transferred to Cynna when they infused her!" Mansi explained. Sophie gaped at where she was just standing, how the grass and dirt turned to a slab of solid stone. No slow poison needed.

"How do we take her down?!" Sophie called out. Cynna's eyes shot out beams again, this time nearly nailing Alexios in the back. They both ducked behind fallen columns, Cynna's feet pounding against the gravel as she searched for them.

Get her at a distance, and she laserbeams them into stone.

Get right next to her, and she swings at you with her poisonous claws.

It seems like a lose-lose.

Cynna screeched again, the disembodied howl of the Medirasa beneath her voice. Sophie peeked over the edge of one of the columns and gasped as beams of light from Cynna's eyes shot straight for Mansi. Mansi stumbled out of the way, ducking behind some building debris, and nocking another arrow. They were scattered, and Cynna was using the columns as cover to hide from Mansi's volley of arrows. They needed to come up with a strategy and fast. Cynna's heavy breath heaved through the gorge, and Sophie managed to pinpoint where she was.

Think smarter, think faster...

A memory shifted into Sophie's head, one from when she was still a child in training. She was with her father in one of the birch forests surrounding Inalia, and they were sparring. Sophie focused so much on her offense, she was running out of stamina.

"Take it easy, you waste all of your energy on your frontal attack you won't have enough for a good defense," Allesandro argued as he deflected Sophie's bo staff with his own.

"If I take you down now, and I take you down hard," A thwack against her father's staff, "Then I don't need to worry about defense." Another hit against her father's staff, "I can see you, and I can see what your attacks are going to be." Little Sophie argued. Sophie remembered this memory. It was only a few hours before one of her dance recitals, and she was nervous, so her father recommended they work it off.

"That is a good way to get killed. They always say keep an eye on your target," Allesandro met Sophie's staff, and Sophie didn't see as Allesandro ducked and pulled back a branch. He let it go loose, and it hit Sophie straight in the forehead. She stumbled back, her bo staff flying.

"But always acknowledge if you have more then one target." Allesandro chuckled. Sophie pouted as she got up from the ground, dirt on her face. Allesandro sighed, licking his thumb and wiping away the dirt on his daughter's nose.

"You cheated." Little Sophie mumbled.

"Having multiple targets in a fight is not cheating, Candessa, it may just save your life," Allesandro argued. Sophie was still grumpy, and Allesandro smiled, picking her up with one of his arms and grabbing their bo staffs with the other.

"Come on, we have seen your fighting technique, now Ms. Ligea can see your pirouette technique." Allesandro laughed. Little Sophie giggled, wrapping her arms around her father's neck and leaning on his shoulder as they walked out of the woods.

Sophie gasped, suddenly back into reality. Cynna prowled closer and closer, and through the maze of columns, she spotted Alexios desperately eyeing her.

"Multiple targets," Sophie breathed. She looked around the cavern, her mind highlights the multiple vaulting and climbing points, perfect for hasty ambushes.

Long columns perfect for balancing and too small of areas for Cynna to fit.

Sophie met Alexios's eyes and held her thumb and pointer finger out to her right side, meaning when you see an opportunity, take it. Alexios nodded in understanding, patiently waiting for Sophie's opening. Sophie crouched around her cover, her footsteps quiet, and her entire body stiff. Soon, Cynna was prowling right in front of her, and Sophie hid behind a massive rock, trying to make her shaken breathes a little bit quieter. Sophie picked up a boulder and tossed it over her shoulder, and Cynna growled towards it.

Sophie sprinted forward, her dagger and sword unsheathed. Cynna was somewhat taken aback but was still ready as Sophie charged her. She raised both her hands in an attempt to claw Sophie down, but Sophie was just the slightest bit faster. As her poison coated nails nearly scraped across her, Sophie flung her blades against them, knocking them above her head and away from Sophie.

Alexios saw it, the opening his sister had made for him. For a short window of time, her claws were unable to hack and slash, and Cynna stumbled backward. Sophie jumped out of the way as Alexios ran and got a gnarly hit through her diaphragm. She screeched and clawed for him, but he also swung at her arms, creating an opening in her back. Mansi caught on what they were doing and shot one of her arrows into the back of Cynna's neck.

It was a heavy pattern they followed as the sunset across Egypitnat.

Arrow to the back by Mansi created an opening for Sophie.

A slice along the arm by Sophie created an opening for Alexios.

A strike to the legs by Alexios created an opening for Mansi.

Different hits to different places, across the stomach, the back, the legs, just moving in and out, and chipping away at her stamina and body.

Cynna screeched as Sophie nailed another brutal hit in her ribs, and she grappled onto Sophie, trying to peel through her armor. Sophie threw her off, and Cynna sobbed and garbled against the blood and pain.

"Cynna-"

"Please." Cynna's broken voice sobbed. Sophie's weapon faltered slightly. Even with the mutated healing powers in Cynna, she was bleeding from too many places at once.

"Please, do it." It wasn't the mutilated broken voice she previously spoke with, but the voice of a scared and tired woman.

"I can't-can't stand living," Cynna sobbed, the snakes on her head writhing, "-living with what I've done." Cynna's half green half blue eyes watched her hands, and she lifted them before her face, tears only dripping out of the cornflower blue iris.

"I can't live with knowing what these hands have done." Cynna's neck twitched, the Medirasa fighting for control. Mansi and Alexios held their weapons steady but glanced at Sophie.

"Thavma wants you home, she wants her sister back-"

"HER SISTER IS DEAD!" The mixed voice roared back, the Medirasa winning over Cynna.

Cynna fell to her knees, the snakes in covering her head going limp.

"Please," Cynna looked at Mansi, the woman who was the most in front of her.

"Please," Cynna's hands violently shook as she ran them down her face.

"Just kill me," Cynna whispered into her hands.

A broken woman lay before them, someone who has lost everything. She was so broken after she fought for her freedom and peace and loss. She lost.

The Medirasa slowly started to fill her veins again, Cynna writhing on the ground and the snakes on her head becoming violent. Cynna violently sobbed, screaming against it. Her screams were broken and shook the entire valley.

Sophie took a step towards Cynna.

And then another.

She stood right in front of Cynna, ready for Cynna to either pounce up and kill her or for her to shrivel into a mess. Cynna's eyes grew gold, prepared for another attack, and Sophie readied to run out of the way. But Cynna roared against the Medirasa, instead turning the grass around them into stone.

"I won't let it win, Amalia, I won't." Cynna gritted through her teeth, the golden eyes smoking in her sockets.

Sophie leaned down, gently taking Cynna's face in her hands. The skin was as cold as stone in her warm hands, Cynna's once beautiful face gravely and sunken. The snakes on her head snapped and hissed at her, but a look of heartbroken sorrow met Sophie. Sophie opened her mouth like she was going to say something, but instead, a gentle tear dripped past her eyelashes.

And so with no words spoken and her hands on her jaw, Sophie unlocked her hidden blades and let them sink into the soft part under Cynna's jaw, blood spurting on Sophie's wrists and hands.

The snakes screeched, but Cynna just gave her a weak hopeless smile. Her body went limp, and Sophie gently caught her, laying her down. Alexios and Mansi were suddenly behind Sophie as Cynna sputtered out her final breathes. Mansi kneeled beside Cynna, lightly taking her hand.

"Thavma... Herate..."

"They will be okay." Sophie bit her lip as another tear slipped down her cheek, "You protected them, Cynna. Just like you said you would." Sophie pathetically whispered. Cynna tried to smile back, but her eyes glazed, her face going slack.

The sunset over the horizon and a dark blanket of night covered the desert of Egypitnat as Cynna Firenze's heart stopped beating.

The three of them didn't move as Cynna remained dead until Mansi gently moved her hand, and gasped.

In her hand, wrapped in a piece of bloodstained cloth, was a golden key, placed there by Cynna in her last move of defiance against all who wronged her.

The sun was almost set behind the horizon, and the three assassins really wanted to go home, but the Medjay insisted they stay to help with the scene examination and conclusion. Without Cynna constantly attacking them from all sides, her body seems so... empty, now. She was alive merely minutes earlier.

(Here is a full image of Cynna for yall)

The Medjay approached Sophie, Mansi, and Alexios as the Egypitnat authorities combed through the gorge and inspected Cynna's already withering body. Mansi spotted him coming and slipped the cloth wrapped key into Sophie's pocket, Sophie pretending she didn't notice.

"Mentore," The Medjay started, "Thank you for apprehending Cynna before we had to. My men aren't as skilled as yours, there would have been casualties."

Sophie glanced at Cynna's body, "That wasn't an apprehension, we were forced to down her."

The Medjay solemnly nodded, "It just seemed like the best way of phrasing things."

"There is no best anything out of this situation," Alexios said. The Medjay sighed and looked over the small valley.

"At least the murders will stop. I have no idea what this is, but I agree with your initial statement you first gave to me; this valley seems to be Inalian in nature. But I got in contact with Queen Arsinoe's architect, the one who has the plans from the Neverseen's Mirthless machines? They say the tech in the cave matches that of the blueprints."

"Cynna seemed to be infused with a rare form of a Medirasa. It enhanced her speed, strength, reaction time, and disguising ability. She seemed to be mimicking a lot of Medirasa attack patterns and disguise strategies, using them alongside her newly enhanced body."

"Why did Cynna kill everyone in the cave is what I'm asking?"

Mansi stepped forward, "Mirthless are creatures of soulless dread. They don't have emotions or priorities, which conflicted with Cynna. The Medirasa that had control over Cynna was ordered by the Neverseen, probably by a few stray Dunmer or possibly even," Mansi took in a quick breath, resisting the urge to look at Sophie, "Maybe even Elrond was the one controlling the Medirasa. But Cynna was still alive in there. After Thavma went into the cave to look for Cynna and was discovered, they most likely sent Cynna to shut her up before Thavma blabbed to the authorities. But Cynna recognized Thavma as her sister, that is why she probably stopped before finishing the job." Mansi explained.

"And after injuring her sister, Cynna went wild. Even though she was mostly ruined by the Medirasa, she was described as a firey, protective woman. The last little part of her destroyed those responsible for hurting her sister and ruining her life." Alexios added.

Sophie was tuning most of it out, her eyes on Cynna's body. The Medjay, Mansi, and Alexios noticed she wasn't entirely there, and they all quieted.

"I promised Thavma I would bring her back," Sophie whispered. Mansi came up behind her, sliding her hand into Sophie's, leaning on her shoulder.

"You promised you would try, Amalia. And you did! You were trying to get through to her," Mansi sucked in a breath, squeezing Sophie's hand a bit harder, "She just didn't listen."

Sophie was still quiet, her face solemn. Try. Such a cowardly word.

Sophie tried to save her father.

Sophie tried to fight for her life as she and Leto desperately escaped Inalia.

Sophie tried to resist Kynareth's call.

Sophie tried to save Cynna.

It's not like it any of it worked. Sophie wanted to succeed, she wanted to be triumphant, or nothing. And right now, she felt like nothing. A hollow shell staring at the decomposing corpse of an empty promise. It sickeningly reminded Sophie of how she felt when she first stared upon Inalia after the Fall of Inalia. A failed promise to her homelands as she gazed over the Neverseen eye staining her home. And now a failed promise to a woman who desperately wanted her sister back.

Sophie slipped out of Mansi's hand, her eyes watching as Egypitnat officials covered Cynna's body with a burlap sheet, beginning to draft her death certificate.

"I'm heading back to base. You two finish up here." Sophie muttered.

"Are you sure-"

"Yeah, just, give him the details, and we will meet in the morning," Sophie answered. Sophie didn't slouch or cry as she walked away, and to anyone, it seemed like Sophie was leaving the battlefield proud and stoic.

Instead, she dragged her feet towards the Emerald District Barracks, staring at the ending day over the golden sands. The sun was setting right behind one of the Pyramids, illuminating the pool where reeds and cane grew. A few people waved to Sophie as she passed, but she only gave them a curt wave in response.

Cato was cringed from the sidelines as Ruy crashed into the bushes once again.

"Come on, Ruy! We are leaving tomorrow, it isn't that hard!" Cato groaned.

"Says the kid who has been doing this since birth!" Ruy pulled a twig out of his hair, using it to point to the massive wings branching from his back, "I have only had these for a couple of fucking days!"

"Ruy! Language!" Dorian snapped. Ruy groaned, hobbling out of the bushes. Dorian sighed and leaned against one of the bioluminescent trees.

"Ruy is right, though. He doesn't have the muscle memory you have." Dorian admitted. Ruy stretched his arms over his head, out of the corner of his eye, he spotted the ladies of the castle stroll past the training arena. They all wore beautiful dresses that accommodated their wings, made of silks, tulle, chiffon, and more. The minute Ruy saw them, they burst into a fit of giggles, waving their fans a tad faster. Ruy smiled, giving a polite wave before turning back to Cato. The girls gasped and rushed off with their friends, their voices hushed yet ecstatic.

"What the hell was that?!" Cato asked.

"Uh, being polite?" Ruy answered.

"You just smile at them, and they don't know what to do with themselves! I can't even get a girl to look at me." Cato grumbled. Ruy ruffled his hair, grabbing one of the water bottles they had set out.

"Just don't try too hard, come off as casual and polite, and you will naturally become more attractive to them. That is how Mansi explained it to me, anyway."

"Says the guy who has a face that looks like it was sculpted by the gods," Cato grumbled.

"Cato, chill. Just be relaxed, kind, and engaging, that is literally all it is."

Dorian came up behind them, "You speak as if you have experience." He chuckled. Ruy smiled into his water bottle.

"Maybe I do."

Dorian chuckled, and he glanced at one of the clocks on the side of the arena.

"Okay, we are running out of time. I want everyone to have a good night's rest before we leave."

"Are we actually going to go above ground, dad? For real?" Cato asked, leaning forward.

Dorian breathed through his nose, a bit uncomfortable, "I guess we are." He answered. Ruy gave him a light nudge with his elbow, smiling.

"Hey, it will be fine. It won't be easy, but it needs to be done. Plus, I have spent my entire 20 years above ground, I'll show you the ropes." Ruy said.

Dorian eased a bit, and Ruy stretched his wings out.

"Okay, so you say that I need to balance out along with keeping my upper body solid to support the wings themselves?" Ruy asked, bouncing on his toes and focusing on the extra limbs on his back. Dorian nodded, realizing they were getting off track and helped Ruy adjust his wings to the proper position.

"Yes, just like that. Ensure you land in a defensive position, not only does it help in battle, but it also helps you make sure you don't overcompensate when you land." Dorian moved the primary muscle of Ruy's wing as Ruy properly adjusted his feet.

"When launching off, keep your wings like this to avoid drag. And when landing, slow down enough before you get to close to the ground, otherwise your natural impulse will be to open your wings to slow down, and it will urk you back..." It went on like this for another hour before Ruy finally figured out how to hover a few feet above the ground, which to him, was a major accomplishment.

By the end of it, he was extremely sore and tired, and when they all trudged back into the castle, they missed dinner. Luckily, the maids said they would send food up to his room, and he said goodnight to everybody. He passed Prince Kalem on the corridors, but neither of them spoke to each other, seeing as Ruy called him a weak brat during their last interaction, but whatever. He knew Kalem was glaring daggers into his back as they walked away, but Ruy didn't give him the satisfaction of turning around.

Ruy shut his door behind him, back in his room in the tower, and nearly passed out. He spied all of his belongings he previously left behind sitting on his desk, and near the back of all of it was a familiar crystal.

The roaring dragon carved on top of the azure polished ball almost looked like it was staring at Ruy. The last time Ruy touched that thing, he... he doesn't even really know what happened. The minute his hands touched it, he was put in the sort of astral plane with Sophie, and he helplessly listened as she begged for help. With a nearby towel, he grabbed the crystal without touching it and carefully placed it in his bag.

Ruy climbed into bed, the massive mattress accommodating his large wingspan. Outside, the Dunmer people celebrated, and then he heard what they were chanting.

"He has come home!"

"The Lost Prince!"

"He is our salvation!"

Ruy's heart sunk a bit, biting his lip. Ruy was trying to be a part of all of this, trying to help everyone.

But as people cheered his name in the streets, their claims of him being their salvation, he couldn't help but feel... suffocated.

Ruy turned away from the window, put a pillow over his head, and tried to imagine he was in his shitty apartment on the East side of the Inalian canal, looking at the stars through his open windows.

Sophie awoke in her hammock in the Egypitnat base but didn't move, the memories of last night still overwhelming her. Not only the conversation with Thavma, but the dream following it. Sophie was back in that Neverseen base from years ago, she was still a 16-year-old girl. She was dragged torturous process from those years ago, her screams still ringing in her ears. The dark cell, the thin scraps of cloth the put Sophie in, the sting of the medicine the small maid drowned her daily wounds in, only so they can be opened again the next day.

Sophie snuck into the medical room in the Emerald district, last night after the fight with Cynna, surprisingly finding Thavma still awake. She remembered as Thavma was so excited to see her, her eyes bright. But as Sophie explained to her the events of the night, her face slowly fell. Thavma's eyes watered as Sophie described what Cynna did to those in the cave, and when Sophie explained what Cynna begged her to do, how Cynna begged for her life to end and how Sophie took it out of pity and mercy...

Thavma didn't even meet her eyes.

"Thank you, Mentore, for putting the woman down," Thavma said, her jaw clenched.

"Thavma-"

"I wish to sleep now. Thank you for your effort." Thavma whispered, her eyes cold. That was all Thavma had to say to Sophie last night, and it seems forever.

Sophie gently padded out of her room, noticing Alexios asleep in the hammock beneath her. Sophie missed the presence of Ricin at her side, and he always knew she was having a nightmare, always eased her. She heard Akil busy making breakfast in the small kitchen, and she meandered in.

"Morning, Akil," Sophie muttered. The calm Assassin looked up and gave her a quiet smile. His hair was shaven, typical of Egypitnat men. Even though he was extremely old, he didn't have pointed ears. Vatarians age differently then Elves, and sometimes their age doesn't show. Akil looked like he would be in his early thirties. But his greenish-blue eyes showed the shadows of his years, wrinkles settling around his eyes and forehead.

"Good morning, Mentore. Breakfast will be ready in a short while." Akil answered. Akil was the one running the Hidden Ones when Nour was away or in Inalia.

"It is alright, I'm just here-"

"To avoid everyone?" Akil answered for her. Sophie pathetically chuckled, hopping up on one of the countertops.

"Yup." She muttered. Akil nodded in understanding and went to one of the cupboards. He pulled out a handleless cup, typical in Egypitnat, and filled it with boiling water. He poured a bundle of dried tea leaves into a strainer and let it steep in the tea.

"I think I understand more than anybody in this base." Akil chuckled. After a few minutes of comfortable silence, he took the strainer out of the tea and glanced over his shoulder.

"Bel na'na?" Would you like it with mint, he asked in Egypitnat.

"Bel na'na wa bel laben, raja." With mint and milk, please, Sophie replied in Egypitnat. Akil added a leaf of mint and splash of cream and handed it to Sophie.

"Shukraan Lak," Thank you, Sophie whispered as she sipped her tea. Akil poured the rest of the tea into a pot with matching cups, putting mint leaves in each and letting it all steep.

Akil returned to chopping carrots and mincing beef for breakfast. Sophie just enjoyed the sounds of the starting Egypitnat morning, the roll of wooden carts, and the sounds of people breaking down their stands from the Imperiou weekend. She heard the Inner Circle get up, all of them in the main room, enjoying one another and the new day, but Sophie wasn't in the mood to join them.

"If I may, Mentore-"

"Amalia, please, we are friends here." Sophie cut him off, taking another sip of her tea.

"Amalia, then. Yesterday I heard you killed the murderess that has been terrorizing Egypitnat." Akil started, not looking up from his chopping. Sophie sighed, gently thumping her head on the wicker basket behind her.

"Yes, Mansi and Alexios were with me as well."

"Is that what is troubling you this morning?"

"That and other things."

"Hm, and all of it together is overwhelming?"

"I suppose so. But my entire life is overwhelming."

"What do you normally do to deal with the stress?" Akil asked.

"What do you mean?"

"Well, training my niece Chione and running this branch when Nour is gone can be quite overwhelming. When I am overwhelmed, I like to cook or playing handball with Chione. Maybe even pick up a book or two from the library of Alexandria. But in my old years, I have found ways to relax and cope, it is just as important as training and planning."

"Well, I don't really do much to relax. When I was a child, I enjoyed music and dancing, but I haven't had the time to pursue either. Now, if I really need to get away, I mostly ride with Ricin or go to olive groves and read. But only for a short while, I can't afford to do anything more."

"Yes, Amalia, you can afford to do more. Your father was one of the fiercest warriors alive, along with being one of the sharpest minds. But what you are sharpening a blade for too long, what happens to it?" Akil asked.

Sophie's eyes didn't leave her tea. "You grind the blade away into nothing."

Akil smirked, taking his apron and wiping the sweat off his shaven head.

"Exactly. Your father not only sharpened his mind and blades but sharpened his skills in the garden or in a bar. He found things that made him feel like himself again, made him feel like Allesandro. You were one of those things Amalia, one of the things that made him feel humble and joyous." Akil said. Sophie didn't look up from her tea, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.

"Maybe if he didn't do that, if he trained more, he could still be alive," Sophie muttered. Akil froze, glancing at Sophie open-mouthed.

"What is this all about, Amalia?" Akil asked. Sophie didn't answer.

Akil faltered for a moment, holding the cutting board with a stiff hand. He loosed a long breath through his nose, scooping the ingredients off the board into the braiser warming above a fire pit.

"I have been alive for hundreds of years, Amalia, a lot of our Assassins have been." Akil started, taking a big wooden spoon and mixing around the ingredients.

"And even though your father wasn't that old by some standards, he saw enough during his lifetime to gain wisdom that would belong to one of a thousand years. He understood that life was fragile, and even though we believe we have unlimited years of it, it can be spoiled so early in your youth. We are the architects of not only our future but how we perceive our current day reality. If you become too lost in your thoughts and lose your mind in the toils of imagination, you too will become lost. That is what you worry about yourself; you think that if you train and work till you're merely sticks and bones, that the world will be saved." Akil's eyes darkened, "You only see yourself as a pawn in destiny's game, and you hate it. But you work anyway."

Sophie chugged the last of her tea, not admitting anything.

"And what would make you think that? Is there someone telling you so?" Akil asked.

Kynareth's heartless face as Sophie writhed in agony during the Battle of Foxfire flashed in her eyes, and Akil caught the fright causing her eyes to tremor.

"I'm not going to ask, I know better. I know you are going to brush me off." Akil sighed, stirring his pot a bit more.

"But I will say this." Akil stopped his stirring, the fire lighting up his sculpted and aged face, the light flickering against his scars and small wrinkles. A hardened warrior for years, he has seen more then Sophie could even fathom.

"The only way you can create the new world you and our guild hopes for is if you keep your sanity. Right now, you're falling into the pits of your mind, struggling for answers about not only your enemies but yourself. And if you keep doing that, Amalia?" Akil shook his head, his jaw clenched.

"You are going to lose, we are going to lose."

Sophie's eyes flared with alarm.

"If you lose yourself, you are going to get us all killed. And right now, you are doing a spectacular job at losing yourself. " Akil muttered.

Anger bubbled in Sophie's blood, and she felt her Pancras form writhe against Kynareth's grip in her core. Even is her powers and Pancras form subdued, Sophie clenched the countertop in her rage.

"You are angry," Akil stated plainly.

"You just insulted me to my face, stating I was going to get us all killed. That can cause a person to grow angry, Akil."

"I thought you said we were friends."

"We are Akil, but that does not mean you can insult me blindly."

"It is not blindly, these words matter, and even if you hate them, you need to apply them. Reducing to and merely stating that I'm here to hurt your feelings is childish, "Akil looked at Sophie in her eyes, unflinching of the fight broiling in them.

"Last time when you were last a child, your name was Sophie Foster, and you were cowering behind the Elven Council, trying to figure out your own history. Is that truly who you are? Have you really not grown past the feelings of torment in order to make the decisions you need to make, in order to not only fight against our cruel world but to make sure your mind and soul remain intact."

"Do not spit the council at me, Akil."

"Am I wrong?"

"I am allowed to give myself into my work."

"There is a difference between working with your heart, and making it so your worth is only dependant on your work. If you waste away just because you need to succeed, your need to be victorious drowns out everything else, then you are weaker then everyone thinks."

Sophie slammed her cup down, her eyes blazing, "I'm not weak."

"Everyone is weak, Amalia."

Sophie jumped down from the counter and stomped for the archway. Just as she was about to leave, she looked over her shoulder.

"You're wrong about me. I won't lose myself, I won't let us fail." Sophie growled.

Akil merely hummed in response, starting to plate breakfast.

Sophie scowled and walked away, the tea still tingling her throat.

She approached the main room, where her Inner Circle quietly talking. Through the slats of one of the curtains, Sophie spotted Alexios and Mansi sitting across from one another, nervously glancing at the golden key in her hands, but no one seemed to notice. Sophie took a deep breath and walked into the room, her blood trying to cool.

"Good morning, sleepyhead." Alvar greeted. Sophie raised a hand in greeting, moving to take a cushioned seat on the floor. Akil's stinging words echoed through her mind, even as she made a bland conversation with her friends.

"Morning. How did you all sleep?" Sophie asked.

"Meh, would've slept better if Alvar stopped stealing all of the blankets in the middle of the night." Mansi scoffed. Alvar mumbled an apology, but Sophie knew why she couldn't sleep. Both Alexios and Mansi had dark circles under their eyes, probably for the same reason Sophie did. Because they came home and washed off Cynna's blood just like Sophie did, they sat in bed, staring at whatever was easiest to look at, just trying to sort their thoughts and roiling emotions.

Everyone in the Inner Circle seemed to notice the three of them being distraught but didn't say anything.

"So, everyone give me the low down," Sophie asked, stretching her body out over the cushion. Alvar had a little intake of breath, and everyone turned to him.

"Do you want to good news or bad news?" Alvar asked.

"Good news, please!" Maha spout.

"Well, Ruy managed to convince the King and Queen to attend to conference, they will be arriving tomorrow." Alvar started.

Of course, he did, Sophie didn't doubt he wouldn't be able to do it.

"But?" Alexios asked. Alvar groaned and grabbed a silver box from beside him.

"The Council has been approved to attend the Conference-" A collective muttering of various Vatarian curse words, "And, they left this package for you, Amalia." Alvar sighed, handing Sophie the box. Sophie nervously took it, looking it for signs of a trap. On top was a built-in green button, and Sophie apprehensively pressed it. The box shook and disintegrated away in Sophie's lap, revealing the contents inside.

Everyone was stunned into silence at the contents, except for Mansi, who took one look at it and burst into howling laughter.

"No way," Sophie muttered as she took the pink dress into her hands. It was a poofy elven dress, it looked a lot like the ones Biana loved to wear. It was a tulle material, a soft pinky material that flittered below her knees. The poofed up sleeves that made her shoulders look like little pink hairballs and white satin bows around her neckline made Sophie struggle to try to hold back her laugh. There was a pair of white kitten heels inside as well.

"What the hell?" Nour chuckled.

Enclosed was a note that Sophie ripped open as the Inner Circle grabbed the dress and passed it around, staring and laughing. Sophie read it over, and she started to snort and giggle.

"Listen to this." Sophie laughed. Sophie shook her self out and started to mimic Councilor Alina's voice.

"Dear Sophie,

We are thrilled to be attending the conference of Vatarian and Dunmer international affairs located in Egypitnat. We hope that this conference will help shine some light on the dark future of our prosperous world.

Enclosed is a dress from the shop Lith's Livery, which I know is a favorite of yours. Though Reese insisted this dress may not suit you, I decided it would really make you glow. Consider it a gift from the Elven Council to you.

I know the Council is excited to see you and discuss the future of our world.

Sincerely,

Councilor Alina."

As Sophie finished, the laughter everyone was holding in burst out.

"Holy- oh, is there a bonnet or something too?" Alexios asked, looking for another stupid elven garment.

"They can't expect me to wear this, it looks like it belongs to a doll!"

"Don't you guys see?" Maha asked all of them.

"See what?"

"It's a power move against you, Lia," Maha explained. Everyone seemed confused, but Mansi snapped her fingers, understanding what Maha said.

"Absolutely it is!"

"You lost me."

Maha smirked, crossing her legs over each other, "The dress looks like it belongs to an elven child. It is a taunt saying that you belonged to them when you were a kid, and if you wear this dress, it shows not only them but the world that you still belong to them in a way."

"What? That's crazy!" Sophie laughed.

"No, it isn't!" Mansi started, "It shows that they still have you under their thumb, that the new Amalia is the same person as the old Sophie." Mansi explained.

"So, if Sophie wears this dress, she is pretty much telling the Council... what?"

Maha checked her nails, "It means you wear this dress, and you are telling them that you are on their side."

Sophie somehow lost even more interest in the dress.

"Okayyy, so the Council is making a move against Sophie. Why?"

"Because they want to flaunt themselves in front of the Vatarians to make themselves seem more powerful."

Sophie glanced at Maha, "How do you know all of this?"

Maha clenched her gloved fists as if to hide the palms of her hands, "I have had people making power moves against me all my life."

Sophie groaned, leaning back on her cushion as her friends jokingly passed around the dress.

"Great," Sophie mumbled.

They all were about to butt in with more stupid comments, but the sound of someone walking on the roof made them quiet down. In the other room, an Assassin dropped down from the wicker ceiling. Alexios was the one to get up and check it out.

Maha jokingly held up the pink poofy tea dress in front of Sophie, laughing.

"Mom?" Alexios asked. Everyone stopped and looked out of the lounge room. Maria pulled back her hood, her face flushed.

"Auntie? What are you doing here?" Sophie asked, getting up. Maria nervously glanced at Sophie and swallowed.

"Leto sent me," Maria muttered.

"Why?" Sophie asked.

"He has been having visions," Maria played with one of her curls, "He says they are from Kynareth."

Sophie's heart dropped.

Gods, does Maria know Sophie is Kynareth's heiress?"

"Kynareth? You're joking." Mansi laughed.

"I-I don't know, but he told me to get over here as fast as possible," Maria admitted. She seemed so flabbergasted.

"Is he not with you?"

"He says he needs to find something."

That's not good.

"What did he say you need to deliver?" Sophie asked. Maria glanced around.

"All of you, we need to talk in a place more... private." Maria whispered.

"Please no more surprises, my heart really can't take it," Nour grumbled as he got up from his spot on the couch and followed everyone as they shuffled to a place more private.