~9~Our Family is Torn Again

Ruy felt sick as he launched up from his bed, his eyes darting around in a panic. Dark cold room, cheap bed and clothes... he was back in reality, in the Castello. Ruy darted to the mirror, looking himself over.

But young Ruy stared back at him through the mirror. Mangled, beaten, tired, and scared. Young Ruy looked up at his elder self, wearing only a tired expression.

Ruy stumbled back, rubbing his eyes.

Young Ruy was gone, and older Ruy stared at himself, his back against the wardrobe as his breath came out as fast and inconsistent.

"Ignis, let's go!" Trix called from outside his door. Ruy glanced at the clock, noticing it was time to go scouting again. Ruy shrugged on his cloak, his hands shaking. Ruy meekly opened the door, swallowing down the bile in his throat. Trix scoffed, "What the hell is your problem?" gesturing to Ruy's pale face.

Ruy shook himself out a bit, "Nothing, just a nightmare," he whispered.

Ruy struggled to keep himself together as they followed the line of trees towards Inalian bay. He knew Allesandro, he knew Sophie before the Neverseen, before his world descended into black. A black that she would eventually save him from.

"What is your problem?" Dominique barked at Ruy. Ruy didn't look at her; he kept his eyes trained on his feet.

"Just leave him," Trix side-eyed Ruy, his anger apparent, "He isn't worthy of our sympathy."

Like Ruy fucking wanted their sympathy.

Ruy bit back his retort as they finally arrived, all of them once again taking off their cloaks and blending in as they meshed in with the busy docks. They were doing various things, setting up markers, traps, talking with citizens to seem normal. A few of the Inalians recognized Ruy, waving to him. He gave them a short wave, but he was never let out of the group's sight. They all observed the soft blue waters and various ships going in and out.

Trix sighed as he leaned towards Hathem, "This stupid bay won't fit them all."

Ruy stiffened.

"It doesn't need to. It needs to hold just enough." Hathem responded. Ruy's eyes wandered, mindlessly watching the passerby's.

But then his eyes wandered over a familiar face. The Fence from the Megara, who was scanning the docks. He finally noticed Ruy and called someone over.

Filomena came rushing to the Fence's side, following his finger as he slyly pointed to Ruy. He locked eyes with her, and she sobbed, her hand flying to her mouth.

Filomena, the Assassins. He could be saved, he could leave!

He had to get away from this stupid scouting party. Ruy took small steps away from the scouting party, slowly ducking into the crowd of Inalians. He slowly weaved and shuffled through the crowds. Filomena pushed through everyone, wrapping Ruy in a big bear hug.

"I thought, oh gods- oh my gods, Sai, Kynareth, Byzanthar, Palaemon, thank you!" Filomena sobbed, muttering the many god's names into his chest. Ruy glanced behind him, ducking down further into the crowd.

"We can't talk here. Follow me." Ruy whispered. Filomena followed in confusion, sneaking with him into an alleyway.

Ruy straightened and then hugged Filomena tight. Filomena was squished with all of Ruy's muscles, but smiled and hugged him back.

"Some representative from the Undergrounds sashayed into the Guildhall yesterday, late at night, like they owned the damn place. They said they had information about one of the members of our Inner Circle. We had to pay them an absurd amount, but then he told us you were sighted in Megara. Then, some Underground spies spotted a scouting group heading towards the coast, and came to us." Filomena's lip quivered, "Ruy, what happened?! It has gone completely quiet, we haven't heard anything from the Assassins or the leaders! Maria won't answer my calls, Alexios and Lia-"

"Listen, we don't have a lot of time." Ruy started. Ruy broke down everything that happened at the Conference, from the Dunmer-Vatarian alliance that was struck and sealed right before they were attacked, to Elrond trying to kill Sophie in the library, to him and Keefe being taken. Filomena was quiet throughout all of it, and when Ruy explained the Neverseen in the old Castello, she blinked away her tears.

"Could they be the reason?" She muttered to herself.

"Could they be the reason for what?" Ruy whispered.

"Ruy... Assassins have been going missing." Filomena replied. Ruy's nostrils flared, his eyes widening.

"W-What?"

"First it was Sun Wukong, then Fiona, then Cleo. And they have been disapeering straight from the Guildhall, no traces. Our men and women are scared and mad, Ruy. They are losing their brothers and sisters from their very own home." Filomena explained, her voice shaky. Ruy's mind reeled. He hasn't heard anything about stolen Assassins and definitely hasn't seen any.

"I'm going to fucking kill him!" Trix's voice hissed from outside the alleyway, the scouting group spreading out. Ruy and Filomena ducked further into the alley, Filomena taking a deep breath.

"We don't have that much time. Though I am worried, if you believe staying in the Neverseen right now is the best choice, then I trust you. What should I do with the Inner Circle, though?"

"I haven't heard anything, I'm still working on gaining trust in the Neverseen again. But things are sdifferentin the Neverseen, Vespera has kinda... not snapped, but changed. She wants to be in Inalia, she was wearing Inalian clothes. She has convinced herself that I never changed sides but I was mesmerized by Maha. She is creating excuses for me, and I absolutely don't know why."

Filomena blinked, "That's weird... Maria, Allesandro, and Leto knew Vespera in their teenage and early years. Vespera was exiled from Inalia just around the time Maria and I started dating. But from Maria told me, Vespera was never one for excuses, even when she was sane." Filomena took in a breath, "Ruy I need to ask,"

Filomena bundled up Ruy's hands in her own, "I know your mother was very cruel to you during your youth, I've seen you flinch away from strangers and the scars on your body when you train. I want to make sure you are entirely comfortable with doing this, I can't make choices for you, but I do need you to be safe for my own peace of mind. You shouldn't have to forgive Vespera for all that she put you through."

Ruy took a deep breath. Truthfully, he hasn't seen his mother since that time in the Castello dining room, but he no longer felt like a little kid. It is true, he doesn't like people he doesn't trust touching him, but he was his own person now. He could fight back. And now he knows the world isn't out to get him. People have been kind to him, he has been healing.

He no longer shuffles away from Maha's hugs, or hesitates to wrestle with Alexios, or stiffens when Sophie brushes little kisses against his jaw as she holds him tight.

"I'll be okay, Filomena, I promise." Ruy nodded. Filomena squeezed his hands, smiling.

"Alright. I will ready the Assassins for any news and I'll keep an ear out once they all come home." Filomena took a deep breath, "Becuase they are going to come home." She whispered to herself. Filomena was never much of a fighter, and Ruy often watched Filomena paced when her son was gone on missions for too long, or barked complaints at Sophie when she came home worse for wear. It was out of love.

"I will start looking for any news of the stolen Assassins." Ruy promised. Ruy snuck out of the alleyway, weaving through the crowds. Ruy heard Trix's voice cut through the crowd, slowing down his voice so the Inalian marketkeep would understand his Elven accent.

"A muscly guy, about 6'2, dark tan skin, black hair, looks like a bitch..." Trix trailed off. The poor woman struggled with Trix's foreign accent but nodded her head.

"It sounds like you are describing Ruy Ignis. He works up at Assassin guildhall in Renisanca, you are quite far away from there though. He is one of the high up members, so you might have some trouble getting to him. You should try talking to one of the lower members to rely your message. The Assassin Cleo lives not that far from here and Sun Wukong does a lot of jobs in Megara, this village a little further up north. ..." Ruy watched as Trix's face grimaced at the sound of Cleo's and Sun's name.

The Neverseen absolutely have something to do with the Assassin's disappearance.

Ruy slid past Trix and found Hathem and Dominque pacing on the entrance to the dock.

"How could we lose him?!" Hathem hissed at himself. Dominque looked like she couldn't care less, poking the tips of her fingers into the Grecian ocean.

"I wonder if they have the same sea critters that the elves do?" Dominque asked herself.

"Dom!" Hathem hissed. Dominique rolled her eyes, "What?!" She hissed. Ruy approached them, and Dom scoffed, gesturing largely to him, "There he is, quit having your panties in a bunch-"

"Where have you been?!" Hathem shrieked at Ruy.

Here we go.

"I just... I thought I saw an Assassin, and I thought they might have some questions about my nightmare last night." Ruy whispered. Dom and Hathem glanced at each other.

"Nightmare?"

Ruy was lying through his gods-damned teeth, "I had this weird dream of one of those hooded Assassins standing over me, her hand held over my head as she whispered things to me."

Ruy held himself, feigning discomfort, "She told me that the Neverseen were the evil ones. That I was one of them, one of the Assassins." Ruy rubbed his head, "It sounded like Maha. But that can't be true, she wouldn't do that to me." Ruy faked worry, "Would she?"

Maha barely ever mesmerizes someone if they aren't a criminal, she sees it as a violation of their privacy. And Ruy knows for an absolute she has never once touched his mind, neither has Sophie or anyone else. But to the Neverseen, Ruy was showing signs of relapse. As if snapping out of a trance. Exactly what he wants them to think.

Dom and Hathem glanced at each other again, their eyes saying enough. Ruy had them hooked. They then glanced behind Ruy, where Trix and the rest of the scouting party watched him. Trix glared, but everyone seemed almost convinced.

"Is that why you are so tired today?" One of the girls behind Trix asked. Ruy nodded, knowing that his tiredness was from recollecting his memories not some BS nightmare about Maha. But they all looked sympathetic.

"Maybe the Assassins really did-"

"Everyone keep moving." Trix barked at everyone. He got up right into Ruy's face, even though he was a few inches shorter.

"Don't ever wander off again." Trix hissed.

Ruy was starting to shift everyone's perspective of him. Everyone, except Trix.

Maybe it was time to get rid of him.

Nour gave Lilac a small pat on the head as she clung to him, hugging him, as Alexios caught everyone up on their side of the story. The minute the Elves and trapped Vatarians from Egypitnat were saved, Nour explained the plan he and Alexios had, and they got in contact with Fang Guanyu, Arsinoe, and the Governor. But now they were all gathered together, except, "Where is Lia and Mater? What about Ruy and Maha?" Alexios asked. His question was met with silence, and he swallowed.

"Guys? Has Lia really not shown up yet?" He asked, his voice shaky.

Mansi stepped up, "Amalia and Maha are still missing. We haven't seen Maria since the attack on Egypitnat, we originally thought she was with you. And Ruy..." Mansi had a guilty intake of breath, "Ruy and Keefe were taken by the Neverseen." She gestured to the Dunmer Royal family, who were sitting to the side.

Sarai had her head in her hands, gesturing over her heart, muttering about how "He held the dagger right above his heart". Dorian was trying to calm his wife down, but the tremor in his eyes revealed just how scared he was. Cato was by his mother's side, but Kalem was pacing, trying to piece everything together.

"They... they're gone?" Alexios asked, his voice meek.

They all stared at him, not answering. Alexios struggled to keep himself together. After the Fall of Inalia, his entire life changed. His best friend and sister was presumed dead, his uncle murdered in front of their entire people, and his homelands burning.

He will never forget the image of his mother cradling her brother's body, begging him to wake up. After that, Maria lost her luster for life, her vigor seeped out of her body.

Suddenly they were in hiding, running from one place to another. He had responsibilities before, but they were things like do the dishes or clean his room. But after the Fall of Inalia, he needed to sneak through the Neverseen run streets to find medicine for his mentally dying mother. He watched his mother struggle to leave her bed for days sometimes, Maria screaming in her sleep, crying out for her brother or her parents.

He always did everything he could, taking up more than his child self could handle. Alexios held certain hate for responsibility after that. Filomena was more quiet than normal after that, struggling to stay supportive of her family.

So when Amalia came home and took the lead of their guild, Alexios was thrilled. He wasn't dragged down anymore, he could do what he wanted. Amalia thrives in the role of leadership, Alexios not so much. He feels chained down, suffocated. Amalia initially proposed for Alexios to become her right hand, but he shot it down. She agreed, then extending the offer to Ruy, that is, after he gained their trust.

All he wanted was to live his life with his guild and keep his family alive. After Amalia came home, he swore to himself that nothing would happen to their family, not with his sister finally home. They could be happy again, a family again.

But here he was, without his mother and sister.

"Is this the young Morretti you talked about?" King Dimitar asked, crossing his arms while looking at Lilac. Lilac rubbed her eyes, waving weakly at Dimitar.

"She is tired," Alexios cleared his throat, trying to even out his breaking voice as he blinked back tears, "Do you have a place she could rest?"

"I'm okay, I promise." Lilac assured.

Alexios gave her a look, but Biana came forward.

"I actually need a break too," Biana held out a hand for Lilac, "Come on, let's go take a walk."

Tam watched her leave, but didn't leave his spot, his jaw clenched.

Lilac hesitated, but she took Biana's hand and waved to her brother as they left the room.

"Do we have any idea where they are?" Alexios asked, approaching everyone.

"Not a clue. But it doesn't matter, we need to make moves against the Neverseen." Governer Heinrich of Cariana explained. Alexios glared at him, not even bothering to hide his scoff. Alexios never really liked Heinrich, even when he was a kid. But he could never remember why.

"Just becuase she is your sister means we need to stretch out our necks to find her." Heinrich hissed.

"She is important to the war against the Neverseen, you don't even want to look for her?!" Alexios hissed

Fang Guanyu held up a hand, "The Mentore is important to Inalia and is a powerful ally. We overlook her and we lose our alliance with the Assassins."

Vincenzo scoffed, "The Assassins are a bunch of hazbins that have been harrasing people for what they belive to be the better good," Vincenzo glared at Alexios, "As far as I'm concerned, Amalia should have remained dead and left the running of Inalia to the actual government and not some vigilante criminals."

Nour held Alexios back from the Inalian Senator, the Morretti's silver eyes cutting through his blue ones, snarling at him. Everyone backed away, but Vincenzo smiled.

"My point right there." Vincenzo chuckled. Alexios shrugged Nour off, his fists clenched.

"Well excuse us, we don't want a corrupt biased Senate represnting all of Inalia."

"So I propose you think vigilante justice is better?"

"It's better than whatever the hell you are doing, murdering and-"

"Enough!" Arsinoe snapped at both of them.

Arsinoe was tired and scared, but she was still the Queen of Egypitnat, and her land was stolen right out from underneath her.

"Deal with your petty civil squabbles another time. I want my kingdom back, and if Amalia is my best chance at doing that, then we find Amalia."

"I think you mean you find Amalia." Heinrich cut in.

Arsinoe glared at the Governor, "Are you saying you won't help me get back my kingdom?!"

"We aren't required to help you!" Heinrich hissed.

"If I didn't know better, I would say you are one of them!" Arsinoe barked.

"How DARE you-"

The Vatarian leaders descended into bickering, Arsinoe emotional and demanding help but everyone else scared for their own territories. Alexios was keenly aware of Tam slipping away from the discussion and followed Biana. Alexios couldn't say he blamed him.

Gods, this wasn't getting them anywhere.

They needed to make a decision. And most of all, Alexios needed to make sure the Inalian Senate doesn't make their allies turn against them.

Man, after this, he is really gonna need a drink.

Tam approached Biana, who was sitting on the tile floor of one of the hallways, Lilac asleep at her side. Lilac's head rested on Biana's thigh, clearly not minding the scratchy Neverseen robe.

"You alright?" Tam asked softly. Biana jumped slightly but smiled at Tam.

"Sorry, I didn't hear you." She chuckled. Tam stood in front of her, waiting for his question to be answered.

Biana sighed, leaning her head against the wall, "Just... overthinking, I guess."

Tam put his hands in his pockets, "About?"

Biana seemed somewhat annoyed at his prying but she gestured all around her, "Just, this, I guess."

Tam raised an eyebrow, "This?"

Biana shrugged, gently petting Lilac's head, who mumbled in her sleep, "There is so much change happening, and though I'm happy that it is happening, I just don't know if I'm ready."

"I mean, we are all growing up. We're not kids anymore." Tam argued.

Biana laughed, a small and quiet one that made Tam fight back a chuckle of his own, "I know about that change, I was constantly told that my teen years were going to be the time of change and no longer being able to rely on the things I once knew." Biana took a deep breath, "But even when I was told all of that, one thing was constant."

Biana shrugged, "The Lost Cities, the Council."

Tam stiffened when Biana blinked back tears, "I was told throughout my entire life that the Council is doing what is best for us, that they know what they are doing."

Biana gestured to the meeting room, where the Vatarians and Ogres were discussing what to do.

"But now, I can't help but feel so... guilty." Biana sighed.

"Guilty? For what?"

"For being an elf. I didn't even think about what was happening outside the Lost Cities, what the other species were going through, if there were even more species to begin with."

Tam slunk down to sit next to her, watching her face carefully.

"And learning about the Vatarians, about Sophie and what happened to her home and family? I just feel so guilty," Biana took out the small green cube out of her back pocket, full of infinite riches, "We have money, safety, and a system that is built upon the work of others."

Tam remained quiet, "The gnomes do our garden work and labor, the Goblins protect us, the Ogres provide us with research? And what do we give them?"

"And now the world is changing, the Vatarians are finally coming out of hiding, the Dunmer are going to come above ground, even the Lith are taking action. And what is our Council doing?"

Biana waved her hands around her head, "They are all mucking it up for everyone!"

Lilac mumbled on Biana's lap, and Biana put a hand over her mouth.

"And the worst thing is? I don't know if I'm ready for all this change." Biana shrugged, "I've lived at Everglen all my life, behind shining rainbow doors, with two parents who always love me, a brother who is one of my closest friends, and I have a bright future."

Biana gestured to everyone inside the meeting room, "But now they are starting to fight back, as they should be after all they have endured. But with them fighting, what is going to change about our lives?"

Biana took a deep breath, running her fingers through Lilac's hair, "I want them to be happy, though. Sophie deserves happiness, and this is what they all deserve. But how is this war going to effect us for the rest of us? Change needs to happen, but I don't know if i'm ready for it."

Tam nodded, brushing the bangs out of his eyes as he thought. Biana had a point, the Lost Cities were far from perfect, and they relied heavily on the work of others. They pretend they are perfect when they are far from it.

"Just becuase change is happening doesn't mean your life is going to change for the worse." Tam said softly.

"I know that, I know they are fighting for what is right. But what is morally right is different than what we are doing. And I'm scared of what we are doing."

Tam thought for a few moments, trying to figure out what to say.

"Things are going to change, but it's for the better. You say you have a bright future and a happy family, but you are also thinking about those who don't. That proves you are more than you think, you shouldn't feel guilty. Most people don't even give a second glance, Biana. If it doesn't effect them, they don't do anything. But you not only protected the Assassin's children when Vespera escaped, but you risked your life to save several Vatarian leaders and the Inner Circle."

Tam took a deep breath, his silvery-blue eyes drifting to her hand. Tam hesitated, but he gently put his hand on top of hers. Biana stiffened, gaping slightly at it and turning to him with wide eyes. "Biana, you are one of the strongest people I know, and you have every right to be wary of change. But the fact that you are able to overlook your fear for the greater good proves not only to me but the people around you just how amazing you are."

Biana's teal eyes widened, a small smile creeping onto her cheeks. Her eyelashes glistened from the tears she was previously blinking back, she looked radiant even in their fake Neverseen uniforms.

Tam gave her an awkward smile. He is normally never able to be this open with someone, but with Biana? It came so naturally.

"I'm gonna head back into there, make sure Alexios isn't ripping out Vincenzo's throat." Tam sighed, standing up and patting himself down.

Biana nodded, "I'm gonna stay out here, Lilac is still pretty worn out."

Tam nodded, heading back to the meeting room, readying his stone-cold face.

"Tam?" Biana called after him. Tam glanced over his shoulder.

"Yeah?"

Biana bit her lip, but gave him a smile, "Would you like to have dinner with me after this?"

Tam blinked, well aware of his ears turning pink.

"W-What?"

Biana smiled wider, "Will you get dinner with me?"

Tam gaped, not really knowing what to say. His hand clenched on the doorknob, his anxiety kicking in. He would be an awful boyfriend, he should say no, what if she hurts him?

No. No, Biana wouldn't do that.

"I would love to," Tam muttered, his lips turning upward.

Biana pressed her lips together as if to hide her smile, "Then it's a date." She chuckled.

Tam nodded, his smile threatening to grow larger.

"It's a date."

Tam returned to everyone hunched over a table, dissecting a map.

"My capital, specifically my palace, is next the Fida river. The river runs throughout my entire city. It is large enough for ships to pass through. The way my city is laid out is that is it's streets are complicated, difficult to storm on foot. I say we instead combine our naval might and storm in that way, then entering in on foot." Arsinoe turned to Governor Heinrich, "You have the strongest fleet out of all of us. Please tell me you are going to work with me on this."

Governor Heinrich hummed, staring at the spread-out map, "I don't know Arsinoe, my fleet is mostly used for trade." He glanced at Arsinoe, "I'm going to want compensation."

Arsinoe sighed, but nodded, "I'm sure we can figure something out."

Arsinoe turned to the other leaders, "Please, as one of your fellow leaders, I need your help."

No one spoke up.

Alexios glanced at Tam as he walked back into the room. Alexios gently shook his head, his eyes dark and tired. Tam could tell Alexios was struggling right now, his mind struggling to stay focused on where he was and not tearing down the Neverseen trying to find Sophie and Maria.

Arsinoe took a deep breath, clenching the edge of the table. She turned to King Dimitar, "I am not asking you either, you have done plenty already. Thank you."

Dimitar just nodded in response.

"We all return to our homelands, let our people know that we are know in a time of war. We ready our forces and see where we stand, then we can tell Arsinoe whether we want to help sieze the city back." Chief Massasoit explained to everyone.

Arsinoe looked ready to complain, but she smartly kept her mouth shut. She was exiled from her own city with no access to her forces, she is begging for resources. She can't push anything. The leaders all filed out of the room, finding ways to begin their trips home. Heinrich left in a hurry, clicking on his minyama, hiding it from any other eyes.

Arsinoe and Fang Guanyu remained, however, and Arsinoe quietly asked him.

"You won't help either?"

Fang Guanyu took a deep breath, "Arsinoe, you must understand..." They whispered back and forth. Tam raised an eyebrow, but Alexios ushered everyone else out. Tam shot Alexios a glance, but the Morretti then mouthed, "Lover's quarrel."

Oh.

Oh.

They all sat outside the meeting room.

"What should we do Alexios?" Linh asked Alexios. Alexios put his head in his hands, taking deep breaths.

"They are right." Alexios started, "Lia, Ruy, and mom would want us to remain focused. We need to figure out where the Guild stands and make descions from there."

"What about Keefe?" Fitz asked. Alexios nodded, "He will be a priority. It seems the Neverseen took him along with Ruy, so they are probably being held in the same place."

Alexios turned to the remaining Inner Circle, who was waiting at the door.

"We are going to head back to the Guildhall. We are going to have two main goals. We are going to figure out where Ruy and Keefe are being held and start a searching party to find Maha and Amalia."

"Alexios, Sophie and Maha could be anywhere." Fitz whispered.

"I'm not losing my sister again." Alexios hissed at Fitz.

Alexios took a deep breath, "Thank you all so much for helping the Inner Circle out of Egypitnat." Alexios gave them a weak smile, "I will see what I can do about finding where Keefe went."

They all nodded, "We should be heading back. We don't want the Council figuring out where we are. Dex is scrambling our registry pendants, but he can only do it for so long." Biana explained, walking up.

Ro straightened out, glaring at Alexios, "Keefe is my charge. If he gets hurt it will be my fault, I should have gone with him to the conference but Oralie said no."

"I promise we will find him guys," Alexios said.

Ro grimaced, not fully believing him, but Linh placed a hand on Ro's arm.

"Let's go," Linh smiled at Alexios, "We have to trust them."

Alexios gave them all a gentle but tired smile. The same smile Sophie often shone at them.

When Sophie and Maha followed the Vatarian Elders to the Forge of Byzanthar, they were quite confused to be staring at the edge of a ravine into a dark abyss below. The sharp rocks and darkness intimidated them as they both peeked their head over the edge. If you looked hard enough, you could see a few surviving trees and broken bridges that were way to dangerous to cross.

Maha glanced around, as if the Forge would be tucked behind a bundle of rocks, but Sophie was just sitting there clutching her cloak closer to herself as she waddled further away from the drop.

"It is colder than a witch's tit out here, can we hurry this up?!" Sophie hissed at Endre.

"A witch's tit?" Endre gasped.

"It's a Vine, haven't you heard of it?" Sophie barked back. Endre blinked, and Sophie mumbled to herself, "I forgot how uncultured and old you all are. Crusty and dusty..."

Maha held back her laughs at Sophie grumpiness, "I thought you liked the cold."

"Yes, I do, but I literally hiked up this entire bitchass mountain in the freezing cold and it's starting to get to me." Sophie explained, burying herself as far into her brown fur cloak that she looked like a big bear with a little blonde head.

Endre looked at Maha in distress, and she just shrugs, "She curses when she is uncomfortable." Maha looked around a bit more before turning to Endre, "Where is it?"

Endre merely smiled as he heard a dragon's roar. Maha froze in her spot, "Ricin's roars aren't that loud." She whispered to Sophie, glancing at the dragon.

"Yup, I know." Sophie muttered.

Tezca shot up from the bottom of the cliffside, roaring as he emerged from the dark ravine. Maha screamed, fumbling back and landing on her butt. Tezca merely laughed, which sounded more like a guttural roar than a polite chuckle.

"What the hell were you doing down there for so long? You got here before I did, yet we were standing here waiting for you." Sophie barked at the dragon.

"I was clearing the bottom of Draugr and Mirthless, you brat, if you need to know." Tezca seethed. Tezca turned to Maha, and landed on the cliffside, his massive claws easily clutching on.

"You need to open it yourself, youngling." Tezca explained.

"H-How could I do that?" Maha asked. Tezca pointed his head towards the edge.

"Just approach, your instinct will tell you. Once you open it, I can light it." Tezca explained. Sophie watched Maha carefully as she approached the edge, clenching her cloak. Ricin purred, following after Maha, "No," Sophie called after him, "Let her go." Ricin slinked back next to Sophie, whimpering.

Maha stood at the edge, so close little rocks tumbled off into the abyss.

"What are Byzanthar's abilites anyway? I know he is the god of Earth and Craft." Sophie whispered, trying to distract herself.

"It depends on what he needs, but he is mostly the god of Craft. But the Earth is a very small detail about him. He can commune with animals and such." Endre explained.

"What? But when Maha revealed that she was an heiress, she bent the earth like it was nothing!" Sophie replied.

Endre hummed, "I don't think so, actually."

Sophie blinked, "What do you mean-"

Sophie's sentence turned in a stuttering gasp when Maha dropped off the cliff.

"Hey, Hey-WOAH!" Sophie grabbed Ricin, scrambling onto his back, "QUICK-"

Tezca roared at her, "Don't interfere!"

Sophie bit her tongue, growling as she slid off Ricin.

For several dreadful seconds, it was quiet. Sophie wasn't allowing herself to imagine Maha's body lying in a pool of her own blood on the ravine floor. But the image kept creeping in.

"Oh my gods, Maha-"

"You have to see this!" Maha's voice called out from over the edge. Sophie removed her head from her hands and shuffled to the edge, peeking over. Ricin looked over Sophie's shoulder and crooned when they saw Maha standing on a little edge of polished marble that shot out of the cliffside.

"How did you-"

"I have no idea!" Maha said cheerfully. Maha took another apprehensive step outwards and the edge shifted to accommodate her step. Maha smiled, and she ran through the ravine, the marble bridge shifting and moving with her. As Maha ran, the ravine walls crumbled more and more, revealing columns, bridges, and a sudden wave of heat.

Maha's running came to a stop as the bridge she was running along turned into a massive pillar. Maha turned around and marveled at it all. Built to and from the cliffside was a complicated menagerie of bridges connecting forges, smelters, storage rooms, coal mines, and more.

"Not bad," Tezca scoffed, "Get out youngling, you can't be anywhere close when I light the forge."

Maha started to make her way back, and right when she was underneath them, stone stairs carved themselves out of the rock, leading straight up to where Sophie and Ricin were gaping. Maha shuffled out, still staring at the forges in disbelief.

"Byzanthar's forge." Maha breathed to herself.

"Ready yourselves!" Tezca called to them.

Sophie and Maha ducked down, covering their heads when Tezca loosed a seething shot of pure hellfire into the forge.

Maha clenched onto Sophie's jacket as she watched Tezca ready himself.

"That was is the Guardian?!" Maha hissed at Sophie.

Sophie scoffed, "Imagine how I felt when I saw him."

Tezca lined up the shot and leashed a breath of fire towards the biggest pit in the middle of all of the bridges and carved out rooms, both Maha and Sophie looking away.

When they both looked back at the Forge, Tezca's special blue fire seeped through the coals of the fire pit and into the zig-zagged cracks running through the stone flooring. The long pillars along the length of the Forge alight with blue light and settled to a gentle crackle of blue fire at the top.

The carven stairs emitted a gentle blue light, and Tezca turned to Maha, "The Forge is lit," He nodded towards the Forge, "You can commune with Byzanthar now."

Maha hesitated, but Sophie clenched her hand, "It will be okay. Ricin and I will wait for you."

Maha squeezed Sophie's hand, "The whole time?"

Sophie nodded, "The whole time."

Maha took a deep breath but didn't let go of Sophie's hand as they neared the staircase.

At the bottom of the staircase, stood a man.

He was massive, maybe 7'9. He only wore a pair of heavy cotton pants and a bearskin wrapped around his waist with a thick length of leather. His dark brown hair was long and mangly, matching his beard. His arms and entire chest were covered with tattoos, coal dust and sweat covering his entire body. But his eyes were a brilliant dark green, and they twinkled when they gazed upon Maha.

"Hello little one," Byzanthar chuckled, "It has been a while hasn't it?"

Sophie blinked at Byzanthar. He looked so... mortal.

Maha have Byzanthar a little smile, and finally, let go of Sophie's hand to descend down the steps.

"We have much to discuss," Byzanthar said, leading Maha into the Forge.

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_Sibylline_