City Skyfall

"Furthermore, he has committed countless crimes against the Queen. Thievery, murders and black magic. We want him... disposed of," the man talking flicked his gaze to a beautiful woman standing next to him. She was not the Queen herself, but a servant and right hand of the Queen. The man was tall, donning silver armor with the elven Queen's crest emblazoned on it. His white hair was pulled back from his face in a neat ponytail, pieces of it loose from the tie and framing his angular face. Pale blue eyes gazed at both Talon and his father.

The assassins were a harsh contrast to the beautiful, seemingly glowing, white elves. Talon and his father both were dark of skin, their short hair the same strange blue-grey color with their eyes matching. Talon wore dark colored clothes that wrapped around his lithe body tightly, making it easy to move in. His long sword was strapped to his side as he stood there with crossed arms. Several knives and daggers were hidden across his form, and he could feel where each one was. Long sleeves covered the tops of his hands from just below his shoulder hooking to his leather shirt.

"We will see what we can do. I believe you have need of our services considering your petition," Talon's father responded, his voice deep and booming even though he spoke softly. Looking down to the much large man, Talon raised an eyebrow. They were going to kill this man who was a petty thief and murderer that the Queen could easily throw in her dungeons and let rot away. He held his tongue though, not wishing to give his father anymore reason to be angry with him.

"Thank you," the elf unfurled his fingers and brought his arm across his form as he bowed, tilting his head as he did so. As the elf turned, he stopped then looked back at Talon and his father, "One more thing, the man is no longer in Crystacia. He is believed to be somewhere here in Skyfall," then he started to leave the room, his boots padding softly across the carpet. Once the door was closed Talon uncrossed his arms and looked to his father.

"Are you really going to send someone after this man?"

The head of the assassin's guild sat there with one arm up on the table while his fingers stroked his jaw line. Talon's eyes narrowed as he grew frustrated with his fathers lack of an answer. Slowly the older man looked up to his son and matched the stare that was given to him. After a moment, Talon swallowed dryly and looked away. He'd never been able to stare his father down. The older assassin was twice his size, not to mention more deadly then himself, even with Riena's blessings on him.

"Yes. It is money for the guild, and it is a request from the Queen."

"She's got you all tied up," Talon muttered before realizing he'd said it aloud. His body stiffened as he stood there, well aware of his father standing slowly next to him.

"The Queen is a lesser evil among the three powers," he growled back then sighed heavily, "Besides, I cannot allow a single man to terrorize the streets of Skyfall. This is my city and I will see it protected. You will see this through, Talon."

Talon bristled at his fathers words. It wasn't that he didn't want to kill the man, for surely the criminal deserved it, but it was the thought that there was magic involved. Was his father trying to get him killed? He whirled on the taller man and glared up at him, "You know I cannot fight alone against someone with magic!"

"Consider it part of your training."

He sputtered as he tried to get a response out but his father left him in the meeting room soon after. The door clicked closed and to Talon it was like the sound of his fate being locked in. His fingers gripped the handle of his sword tightly. Fine, he thought, if his father wanted him to kill a single mage he would do it.

***

The dark night was cold but welcoming to Talon. The shadows curled outward towards him, trying to pull him deeper into darkness. Ignoring the feeling of the cold and the stretching fingers of the night trying to encompass him, he made his way down the street. It had taken him the entire day to locate the man's whereabouts, but he managed it. The criminal had found his way into an abandoned house near the center of the city. Some of the reports he'd received talked about disturbances around the house. Obviously the man had begun immediately in his dark magic.

There is light in the window. The deep rumbling voice that echoed in his head was from his large silver dragon. The winged beast was high up in the air, circling around the city as he watched the house from his high vantage point.

Anyone else in there, Vy?

Yes. Two others.

Talon gave a slight nod of his head as he approached the house that Vy had spoken of. His eyes lifted to see the brilliant light in the window, three shadows flickering across the closed curtains. The house had two floors, the window his gaze was on was on the second floor. As he watched, the golden light turned to a burnt orange, then to a deep burning red. He shuddered as he watched it change, magic was the only thing he could think of that was going on inside. Reaching to his abdomen, he pulled from under the layered leather, several throwing knives.

Silently he approached the house and made his way inside. It was pitch black on the first floor, but Riena allowed him to see and so he passed through the area without fail and made his way up the staircase to the second floor. Once he made the landing, he spotted the room immediately as it was now glowing a deep purple around the edges of the door. Talon moved to it quickly and pressed himself against the wall, listening to what was going on inside. A deep voice was chanting something in a language he'd never heard before. A second later and a feminine voice gasped as if she were in pain, soon after a soft thud alerted him to a body collapsing to the floor.

Talon turned quickly and threw the door opened. His body followed his throwing knives as he aimed for the magician. However, the man stretched out his hand and pulled the second man up to him to block the attack. All three of his knives carved deep into the man's throat and Talon ground his teeth in irritation. Coming to a stop, he let the magician drop the dead man and threw his other knives. The cloaked man smiled at him from underneath the dark hood and flicked his fingers at the incoming projectiles.

The blades stopped in mid air and twisted around back at Talon. Quickly, he drew his sword and lunged at the mage. His sword knocked aside all of his own blades as they came hurtling back at him and he pulled his sword back in preparation to run the man through. His blade point came to a crushing halt as he hit the man, but didn't run him through. The air around the criminal rippled like a rock had hit a still pond. Talon's heart nearly stopped as his eyes widened. He'd fought once before with a mage and he'd lost horribly, but at least then he'd managed to deal the young man several crippling blows of his own.

Reaching up, the cloaked and hooded man barely tapped the blade tip and Talon was on the floor. The magic had vibrated up his own weapon, through his arm and straight to his chest. He coughed as the pain slowly faded away, able to breath once again.

Talon!

I'm fine, he replied to his dragon whom he could feel was wheeling around in tight, agitated circles. Certainly the enormous being had felt his pain as well, but being that he was a dragon, it probably didn't effect him as much. He felt fingers curl in his hair and lift him off the floor to look at the man. Both his hands went up to grasp the criminal's wrist as he twisted in the man's hold.

"You're too late, boy. The rebellion has begun and he will be born again. Through magic and blood, no one will stand against him. Not even you, assassin. Watch as your city and the world you know dies," the man's twisted words didn't make any sense to him. Switching hands, the mage took hold of Talon's throat and threw him out the window. Glass pierced the exposed portions of his skin, and he twisted in the air as he plummeted to the cobblestones beneath him. Before he hit the ground, he felt the air pulse around him and he was thrown sideways from the blast.

Hitting the ground at a roll, it felt like every bone in his body had been broken as he struggled to breath and get back up to his feet. All the while at the back of his mind he was thinking to himself, this is why I don't fight mages... damn cheaters! Slowly, Talon got to his feet and faced the man, drawing his daggers as he glared at the insolent being who thought that because he had magic, Talon was nothing compared to him.

His eyes widened slightly as he watched the mage disappear and then reappear right in front of him. Instinct was what saved him, and he managed to block the incoming fist that glowed with pure magic. Twisting and ducking at the same time, both of his daggers cut across the man's wrist. Taking a few, quick steps backwards, he distanced himself from the mage and glowered at him, angered at the fact that he'd been taken by surprise several times now. As he lunged forward to drive both his daggers into the man's chest, he was met by a shock of magic that dropped him to the ground.

His body felt as if it were on fire, then he felt himself rolled onto his back and the cloaked mage straddled him, a gleaming look in his eye as the moonlight caught his face for a mere moment. One had was raised up over his head, the fingers outstretched in a claw-like manner and magic swirling around his fingers. Before the mage could drop the deadly blow on him, he looked up suddenly. Talon didn't know what it was that caught his attention, but he took the opportunity and came forward with his dagger. He buried the blade deep in the man's lower rib cage. The mage got to his feet and stumbled away, cursing.

"Insolent child, be grateful it is not your time yet," with that he disappeared from sight completely and Talon collapsed on his back in the middle of the empty street. He took long deep breaths of cold air to relax his aching body.

"What the hell was that all about," he muttered to himself.

Are you alright, my little assassin?

Talon's eyebrow twitched at his dragon's nickname for him, Fine. Have to go report this to my father. Maybe he'll know more about what that crazed man meant. Then he got to his feet and wearily went to retrieve his weapons and return to the assassin's guild.

"The mage got away?"

Talon felt his teeth grinding as an automatic response to his fathers deep voice. His arms crossed over his chest and he titled his head forward, letting his blue grey hair fall over his eyes. The leader of the assassin's stood up and began pacing with his hands behind his back as he contemplated what his son had told him.

"A rebellion hu? Via blood and magic. Well this much is clear. There is a group of men who are out to destroy the three powers while they are at their weakest."

"Weakest? The three powers are far from weak, Father."

To this, the older man shook his head. He was standing next to the window in the large meeting room, his hands still locked behind his back, "No. They are far weaker than they say or look like. This fighting has been going on for years and it is never going to stop. Not until each city has fallen and there is nothing but ruin left behind."

Talon's eyebrow lifted as did his face. Those words sounded so familiar to him. Where had he heard them from? His arms came uncrossed and rested at his side, one hand taking hold of his sword. He was about to ask his father what he meant, but a loud, rapid knocking interrupted them. Turning he faced the door.

"Come."

The door opened to a younger assassin who was out of breath, his green eyes wide with anxiety, "Lord V'lyn!" he shouted as he burst into the room, "My Lord, the city... the city is under attack!"

Talon looked sharply to his father his throat clenching at the other assassin's words. The older version of himself turned slowly to face the boy who had come in. Silence enveloped the room for several moments before the old assassin began speaking. His orders were simple, holding the threat of a dangerous man who was going to do everything it took to protect his city. Though Skyfall was under no rule, the assassin's guild was large and was the controlling power over most of the neutral cities.

"Light the beacons, burn fires in the streets, there needs to be shadows in order for us to fight properly. Sound the bell and ready for battle," the large man strode forward, picked up his sword and tied it to his belt. He went to the door with Talon right behind him, the young assassin had already sprinted away to issue the order. Talon's eyes were narrowed as he was deep in thought on who it could possibly be that was attacking them. None of the three powers ever dared to lay a finger on the neutral cities. Why would someone attack Skyfall now?

"My son," the change in tone alarmed Talon as he looked up to his Father. They had stopped at the bottom of the staircase, all around them the other assassins were moving with precision as they prepared for what was to come. Taking Talon's shoulder is his larger hand, he squeezed it firmly, "May Riena guide your sword and keep you safe. Should anything happen," the older man began and reached into his clothes.

"Father," Talon tried to interrupt him, but the look he was given silenced his words immediately.

"Should anything happen, take this. If it's what I fear, than you're going to need all the help you can get my son."

His eyes reflected his confusion as his Father handed him a golden key. Talon took it in his fingers and stared at it, not knowing what it was exactly. "What is this? What am I supposed to do with this?"

"Go, defend this city to the best that you can, Talon. Don't let them have that key either," he was shoved towards the door that the others were exiting through without any further explanation from the Lord V'lyn. Tightening his hand over the key, Talon turned to look at his Father one last time before leaving the guild and stepping out into the cold night air.

In the darkness he could hear the shouts of the assassins as they got themselves in order. Several minutes later and silence was all he heard aside from the warning bell that rang loudly from the center of town. Putting the golden key safely in his clothes with the rest of his weapons, he started down the street at a run. His eyes swept the area, found a couple of crates next to a building and rushed them. In a short jump, he was up on the first crate, then the next and finally up onto the roof. Once there, he crouched down and looked out into the clear night. The darkness was impenatrable, and he couldn't see anything that told him of an oncoming attack.

Their there, Talon. Trust me. I can sense them, Vy's voice rang through is mind. A deep rumble that was on edge from the tension in the air.

Take to the air, Vy and see if you can find them.

I already have, I can't see anything, the dragon growled in response.

Talon ground his teeth as he sat hunched down on the rooftop. Across the city he could see several other figures doing the same as he had done. From the darkness, a single screech echoed and then he could see them. Black dragons that were lower than he expected just appeared out of nowhere. The air vibrated from the use of magic, and Talon glared up at the sneak attack. Several of the dragon's mouths were wide opened as fire was already glowing there. Two of them were directed right where he was perched and he immediately leapt off the building without a second thought. He landed on the cobblestones below, rolled and got to his feet in a single motion. Sprinting through the darkness, he could feel the shadows binding around him, making him nearly impossible to see in the dark.

The sounds of explosions filled the air as the black dragons began decimating the buildings. Several screams echoed as well as the assassin's engaged in the fighting and many of their dragons were killed in the immediate attack. A large blue body fell from the sky and crashed down in front of Talon, making him slid to a stop just in time. He fell backwards from the shock of nearly being crushed by the thousand ton body of muscle. The buildings around him shuddered from the impact as the blue dragon had gone right through them both.

Getting up, he started back down the way he'd come and took a different street. His eyes were greeted by three forms clad in black from head to toe. One of them had metal claws on one of his hands. The firelight licked at them, burning their shadows across the buildings. Talon reached into his clothes and pulled out his throwing knives. He used the shadows to his advantage and launched two blades at the one on the right, then another two at the one in the middle. Once they had been released from his fingers, he rolled into an alleyway and kept running. Turning right, he came out to the other side to see what he'd accomplished. The one in black on the left was lying on the ground with his blades deep in their back.

However, the one in the middle was holding both of his throwing knives between his clawed fingers. Talon narrowed his eyes and returned to the darkness. Whoever that man was, he was obviously powerful if an attack from behind couldn't affect him at all.

It was a long night, and that wasn't the only group of people in black cloaks that Talon met. His mind replayed the words from the mage earlier that night. The rebellion has begun.

The previously serene atmosphere above the city of Skyfall had now twisted into a rain of fire as dragons and their companions fought a pitched aerial battle for control of the skies. A skirmish erupted all along the city walls as the city’s inhabitants awoke from their slumber and rushed to her defence. Jennifer had followed the assassin as far into the city as she could, hoping to gain some insight or lead related to her quarry. Unfortunately however, once he’d reached the safety of his compounds, even her powers wouldn’t permit her to spy on him undetected.

Jennifer watched the ensuing chaos with widening eyes of excitement, the flames of the besieged city reflecting up off her irises and painting her figure with blazing hues. Observing the city’s inhabitants struggle and panic sent trembles of delight crawling over her pale skin and created goose bumps as she crossed her arms over her shoulders. This stagnant order had remained for too long now, never changing, never evolving. It abhorred her to the very depths of her core.

“What a wonderful age to have been born in,” she grinned suddenly.

Unfurling her legs from her perch on top of the balcony, Jennifer stood up straight. Sadly, this wasn’t the time to be admiring. This was time she could be using to sow further seeds of misery and advance her own goals of destruction. She leaned over the railing for a moment, her hands pressed against the cold metal formwork until she spotted her target.

“I figure I might as well ask these rebels myself now that they’re here though,” she mused, sifting through her own thoughts.

Three forms clad in black cloaks raced towards her balcony, prompting her to introduce herself. Abruptly, Jennifer fell forwards and plunged towards the street below. She landed on all fours in front of them before rising up unharmed, her fingers flexing. Her eyes narrowed slightly as she realised one of them had died, spotting the dark outline of throwing knives impaled behind his back.

Ignoring the corpse, she grinned, “Hello there, I wonder would you be so kind as to tell me about this rebellion of yours,” she said, raising her palms, “World fracture!” A torrent of insects exploded from her hands, a seething mass of living creatures which shot outwards in every direction, tearing deep gashes through the stone street.

Faster than she could react, Jennifer felt herself being lurched towards the ground as a dark figure pulled her away from the oncoming explosion. She cursed from the suddenly motion, her teeth gritting as she braced herself in anticipation of the fall. Abruptly, she landed on top of him, realising he’d twisted their positions and cushioned the fall for her.

"That was close," he murmured, relieving her from his grip. She glanced down at her apparent saviour, her vision greeted by an apparent shadow as his dark skin meshed seamlessly with the hues of his clothes. A wry grin curling over her thin lips as she recognised him as the assassin she’d been tracking. Oh how fate had an interesting way of working.

"Boy, I heard there was a meddlesome assassin in Skyfall," a dry rasp of a voice etched its way over to them, grating annoyingly against her ear like nails across a blackboard. His gauntlet rose then, beckoning towards the assassin with a curl of his finger, "Come, assassin. Let us see how well you play with fire."

“My my, what a gentleman of an assassin you are. Do you treat all of your targets so nicely?” Jennifer mocked, making a show of looking the assassin up and down, "This looks interesting though, so you'll have to forgive me for interrupting your duel!" Her attention flickered back at to the clawed warrior as she craned her neck towards him, her grin widening. She raised her hand and stepped forwards, summoning a true fake illusion this time as fire erupted like lava all around her, bathing her in its heat. Pillars of flames roared from the ground, burning everything around them before plunging towards the dark mage as she thrust her hand forwards. Her other hand drew back simultaneously, a spear materialising in her clenched fist before being launched behind the wall of flames, "World fracture."

Talon's eyes narrowed, his teeth baring as he glared at the mage who beckoned to him. Obviously the man knew their difference in power and it was quite irritating. Above them he could hear the roars of all the dragons as they fought furiously in the air. His attention, however, was taken by the woman he'd just saved from being obliterated by her own spell moments ago.

“My my, what a gentleman of an assassin you are. Do you treat all of your targets so nicely?” His face slackened at her words and he lifted an eyebrow in confusion as she spoke, her gaze flicking up and down is lithe frame. Her smile grew though as she continued and turned her attention to the cloaked man who gave a soft laugh as she finished, "This looks interesting though, so you'll have to forgive me for interrupting your duel!"

Fire erupted all around her, and Talon unconsciously backed away from her. How he disliked mages... though this one wasn't trying to kill him, so he might be able to cope with her. Once again he heard her spell, 'World fracture' as she sent her hands forwards and the pillars of fire went after the mage standing in the street. In the same motion, she had begun to summon a spear in her fist.

The fire swirled around the man in the street, his form completely obscure by the orange and red flames that brightened the area. The smell of something burning filled Talon's nostrils as he breathed. Of course, the building next to him and the woman were burned quite badly, but then so was most of Skyfall at the moment. The fire slowly faded away and Talon squinted to try to see through the fading smoke. To his disappointment, the mage still stood there. However, his clothes were singed, several holes could be seen through the black cloth were it had burned.

The clawed fingers burned a brilliant red as he slowly flexed his hand and turned his darkened hood towards the two in the alley. Talon could feel the smile rather than see it, a cold chill passing through the air, "It seems I've underestimated the woman. How desirable. An opponent worthy of my attention," then he disappeared, causing Talon to suck in his breath sharply. Next to him and in front of the young woman, the mage reappeared, his hand tightly curved around her summoned spear. He dragged her forward and reached out with his clawed hand to grasp her face.

Talon twisted around and struck out with his sword as quickly and precisely as he could, though his shock and anger were getting in the way of his calculations. The blade missed the man entirely as the mage stepped backwards and simply turned his claws towards him. The air pulsed, sending a shock wave right at the assassin and throwing him painfully into the wall right behind him. Talon hit the wall with a grunt, and then he couldn't move as some unforeseen force held him there. He glowered at the man who still held the woman's spear.

"You're meddling is quite bothersome, boy," his fingers curled and pain shot through his body simultaneously. Talons free hand clenched into a fist as he fought off whatever magic was assaulting him, his eyes squeezing shut and his jaw clenching tightly. From the sky, Vy's inhuman scream echoed his partners silent screams. A moment after and the mage released the magic, to which Talon dropped to his knees in the alleyway struggling to breath again. Slowly he looked up at the mage who's attention was back at the woman.

"What an intriguing power you have. It will fuel our cause quite well I believe," he continued as if Talon wasn't even there anymore, "but your simple tricks won't do much to me, my dear."

Talon, move! Vy yelled at him. The assassin didn't think twice and threw himself into the alleyway, once again grabbing the woman, his arms going about her waist and pulling her right out of the mans grasp as Vy came plummeting to the city. The silver dragon landed in the street, knocking out the side of the building where Talon had been as his jaws snapped forward to encase the mage between razor sharp teeth. Vy's silver eyes glowered as the dragon realized that he hadn't gotten the man, instead his gaping maw snapped around air as the mage teleported away from the dragon.

"It's done," his voice sounded soft, but it in fact echoed over the city, most likely pushed by magic. Talon glared up at the man as he wondered what he meant by those words. "I'll see you again, lovely mage," then he was gone.

Jennifer withdrew as the blazing flames withered and died, the hot ambers left in the wake of her attack drifting lazily up to the sky. The burns over her own body faded away into nothing as the illusionary magic dissipated, her hands clenched in preparation for the next attack. Her eyes scanned through rising smoke before she relaxed her shoulders. Frowning pre-emptively, she opened to mouth to declare her victory, “Is that al…”

Like dry wind sifting over a desert, an absolutely flat voice cut into her speech, causing her to raise an eyebrow. "It seems I've underestimated the woman. How desirable. An opponent worthy of my attention,"

Jennifer only blinked when a moment later the dark warrior stood before her, his towering form casting a menacing overshadow. Before she could even react a gauntleted fist shot forwards, restraining her spear arm with an irresistible force. In the next instant she felt like a ragdoll as she was jerked closer to him helplessly, his claws digging into her skin. Dropping the spear, she struggled vainly for a moment, her fingers grasping his wrist in a feeble attempt to pull herself away as she was lifted from the ground.

An explosion of air rocked her from behind as she felt the after shockwave of his next attack, guessing it had been directed at the assassin. Her theory was proven right when the man spoke again, "You're meddling is quite bothersome, boy,"

She could feel his eyes turning back to her, boring into her skull like a sharp drill as he addressed her once more. "What an intriguing power you have. It will fuel our cause quite well I believe, but your simple tricks won't do much to me, my dear." Jennifer simply grinned beneath his gauntlet as she allowed her body to fall limp. Eventually, a muffled snort came from her in response.

“And you’ve gone higher than man should aspire,” she returned with some difficulty, though her tone bristled with cockiness.

The sound of something heavy crashing into rubble alerted her as ruined masonry flew everywhere, crumbling across the alleyway fantastically. Again she felt herself being dragged away as a strong force yanked at her waist, making her feel as if her legs would bisect from her body. Her head came free just as she spotted the dragon, mouth open and teeth drawn, snapping at the location she once was. She hit the ground again, cursing profanities all the while until her momentum finally came to a halt.

“Are you going to cling onto me all day?!” she remarked, looking down at the assassin whose arms were still locked around her waist.

Abruptly, Jennifer's image flickered before disappearing completely in front of the young man. The charred remains of her fire attack vanished alongside her, as did the burnt portions of the warrior's cloak, if he ever bothered to check during their retreat. “Allow me to introduce myself, I'm Jennifer,” her shrill laughter echoed from above. The real one appeared then, leaning over from the same balcony she’d sat in the whole time. She waved down to the young man, grinning still. “Your assistance wasn’t necessary,”

Talon V'lyn

“Isn’t life just cruel? If there’s one thing I’ve learned it’s that misery is the one true equalizer. Don’t you just hate the people who did this? Don’t you want to make them feel the same pain?”

Talon looked up to her smiling face, his own grey-blue eyes narrowing in anger. It was a struggle to keep himself from going into full rage, but even so he couldn't keep himself from lunging at her. Whether this was another illusion of herself or not, he didn't care. He wasn't particularly thinking straight anyway, so nothing mattered at the moment. Drawing his dagger from its hidden sheathe, he grasped her upper arm in his free hand as he hit her. The force of his blow pushing them both backwards until she hit the dresser that was behind her.

The dagger came up under her throat as he glared at her, his chest heaving slightly as he stood there, unable to speak past her grinning lips. After a moment, he opened his mouth, his deep voice vibrating his chest as the words growled from him, "That man was my father, woman. A leader in this city and now he's fallen. Skyfall has fallen. Mark my words when I say, the ones who rained fire down on us will regret it dearly. Riena will guide them all to their deaths, and I will gladly fulfill her wishes."

He shoved off her, slowly pulling himself straight and sheathing his dagger. It took him a moment, but then he realized what he'd done to her and felt slightly ashamed for having lost himself to anger.

You're going to have to work on that, Talon, Vy said softly.

Yeah, I realize that.

I don't think she meant any harm by her words. In fact, I think she meant to ask you if you wanted her help. She would be valuable against these mages. Her magic is very unique and powerful. She could very well be our only chance at getting on even ground with them.

Talon looked at her again, this time with a slight frown on his face. He took in a deep breath and ran his hand through his hair, pulling it all back to reveal both eyes as he closed them. After a moment, he let the hair fall from his fingers covering his forehead and opening his eyes to look at her.

"I could use some assistance. Fighting magic with magic is probably the best course," he muttered softly. He wasn't about to admit that he wasn't all that great fighting against another magic user. Though, he was pretty sure she'd deduced that fact already.

We'll find someone to help hone your skills. I think this will go beyond just having an assassin's style. We may need something different... completely different.

Where are we going to find that?

This world is not without it's nomads or older races that have lived far longer than you or I. There is always something, we just have to find it. In the mean time, we should send word to Crystacia.

Agreed.


City Crystacia

The glass shattered from above and down fell a dark skinned man whom Queen Fae couldn't determine his origins until he'd stood completely and threw off his cloak. Then her eyes widened as she recognized him for one of the dark elves that lived outside the city's reach.

"The Seeker has sent you," her voice whispered in astonishment. She couldn't believe what she saw before her. When was the last time the dark elves fought with their lighter skinned cousins? Too long has it been since she'd seen one of such color. Half of her was relieved as she knew the man wouldn't fail in his quest to kill all those that stood before her, the other half in shock at his actually being there.

"And the True Dragon has sent me," a guttural voice whispered in her ear.

Unable to turn around in time, her sharp gasp was only cut off by a choke on the air. She felt warm liquid spilling down the front of her dress and she looked down in a daze to see silver steel protruding from the middle of her chest. Her vision blurred in and out as she stood there. One of the man's hands held tightly to her upper arm as he pulled her close to him to whisper something to her. When he pulled away, her eyes were wide with realization, a thin trail of blood leaking from the corner of her mouth as she coughed. The blade pulled out of her and she crumpled to the floor, dead before she hit the ground.

The man who'd appeared behind her slowly sheathed his crimson stained blade and flexed a hand that sported silver claws. The other hand was simply covered in black leather as he stretched it out to beckon all those who were present.

"Here falls another building block for the rise of the True Dragon. Our one and only ruler," his voice reverberated off the palace walls. The white marble steps leading up to Queen Fae's throne slowly filled with red blood that dripped down towards the floor beneath her. "Through magic, and blood." The cloaked man knelt down, ran his clawed hand through the Queen's blood that stained the floor, then disappeared from sight. The feel of dark magic caked the air.

She has a point, Talon. Given everything that's happened and the way that Ro'ell is run, the mages there won't give you a second glance.

Thanks for the obvious, Vy, Talon replied sarcastically. Then with a different tone he continued, Do you think there's a way I could learn some magic?

He could feel the large silver dragon mentally shrug, Maybe. There's always that possibility. I don't think you could gain as much power as some of the naturally born mages, but you may be able to harness some power that would help you against this rebellion.

Even if it's just a little, it's better than nothing. What of her? What do you think?

Vy sighed, I think you're thinking too much, my little assassin.

To this Talon's eyebrow twitched again and he turned his head to glare in the general direction of where his large dragon was at. Though he couldn't see the silver beast, he knew where his location was as he could feel the creature moving around outside via their connection. With his jaw set tightly, he ran his hand through his blue-grey hair and turned back to face her. her colored orbs bouncing around her hands as she stood there waiting for his response. Jennifer was a deadly opponent to say the least, and he was slightly fearful that the way she thought would rub off on him. He also feared losing his resolve to follow Riena's path, to be merciful rather than merciless.

He wasn't sure if he really wanted her company, but at the same time, he couldn't be without it either. He wouldn't stand a chance against the mages who had decided to take up arms and attack. Their only purpose being something about 'his' coming back. Whoever 'he' was, Talon didn't know, but he was determined to find out. Then he remembered the key that his father had given to him before he'd left to fight the attack. Reaching into the hidden portions of his clothing, he pulled the key out and looked at it. Twisting it between his fingers he tried to think of what the key would unlock.

Maybe some old room in the guild? Vy offered.

Maybe, Talon replied slowly, his mind not really with the dragon at the moment.

Talon replaced the key and returned his attention to the matter at hand, "I'm prepared for anything," he told her, his eyes narrowing and taking on a colder tone, much like the look he had before. He was going to do what it took to bring his father justice and to stop the man with the silver clawed hand from getting what he wanted. Whatever the rebels were trying to do, Talon would have none of it.

"Tell me, Jennifer. How quickly can one learn magic?"

Jennifer made a show of frowning as Talon’s attention wavered, his focus no doubt alternating in consultation between herself and his dragon. When he finally turned back to address her, his cheeks set firmly into a gaunt visage, Talon’s face was a picture of grim dourness. Jennifer felt a small smile of her own spreading across her delectable lips as her statements hit the proverbial nail on the head. His internal conflict was painfully obvious for her to observe. She could tell from the young man's silence that he was measuring her, leveraging the risk and the benefits of associating himself with a dangerous individual such as herself.

Her eyes detected the brief glint of something small and metallic as Talon pulled an object free from his clothes and held it between his hands, something she guessed was a gift from his father. After another short moment he returned the heirloom into the folds of his clothes, his gaze calculating gaze settling onto her once more.

"I'm prepared for anything," he declared, his eyes and tone reflecting a glassy semblance. Again with the sudden change in demeanour. That was fine to in Jennifer’s mind, she’d more than likely have plenty of opportunities to toy with him later. "Tell me, Jennifer. How quickly can one learn magic?"

His question caused an eruption of chuckles as Jennifer’s head shot back, her short black hair falling around her shoulders as a felicitous hysteria overcame her. The sudden motion was enough to disrupt her concentration and send the illusionary balls crashing into the floor, hitting the tiles with a wet slap before dissipating into thin air.

“You sound like you actually want to learn proper magic. Surely you jest,” she retorted in dislocated huffs. Holding onto her chest, Jennifer was still struggling to maintain her composure as she fought back the waves of laughter. “I just thought you wanted me to fight alongside with you. If the rebels have enough power to assault an entire city and raid it so effectively, how long do you think you have to learn proper magic? Or did you want to wait it out like the rest of the world? Twiddling your thumbs?”

Another hand clasped onto Talon’s shoulder from behind, a sudden grip both solid and warm. An image of Talon’s father shimmered behind him, smiling peacefully like any paternal father would to a son. When its mouth opened to speak though, the his father's tone was anything but that, shattering the illusion. Sly and oozing with acid, it whispered unnervingly into Talon’s ear, “There are darker methods of course. Forbidden and ruinous techniques of increasing ones power quickly...” The illusion imploded abruptly, bursting into hundreds of tiny yellow butterflies which fluttered back to Jennifer.

“Just kidding,” she teased, smiling broadly at Talon, “How long it takes depends on the individual’s affinity for magic and their conceptual powers. The simplest method is converting energy in to power and then using that energy to manipulate the environment around you,” she closed her eyes then, pursing her lips into a frustrated pout, “I can teach you the basics, but i'm already woefully bored of these surroundings, shall we change locations? One cannot survive on air alone.”

“You sound like you actually want to learn proper magic. Surely you jest. I just thought you wanted me to fight alongside with you. If the rebels have enough power to assault an entire city and raid it so effectively, how long do you think you have to learn proper magic? Or did you want to wait it out like the rest of the world? Twiddling your thumbs?”

Her laughter caused him to groan softly. He was beginning to think that asking her about anything was a bad idea. He crossed his arms over his chest and leaned his weight onto one leg as he listened to her ramble and joke around. Then he jumped slightly as he felt a hand on his shoulder. His arms uncrossed and his fingers pulled out two daggers, one in each hand. His eyes widened though as he looked upon the figure of his father standing right next to him. Talon's throat clenched as he stared, unable to think properly. The man's words dripped with acid, a wicked tone to it as he spoke belying the figure who stood there. Lord V'lyn would never speak of such things, nor in the manner that he was just then.

Once he realized it was just another of her illusions, it was too late and the figure had disappeared completely leaving him standing there with his daggers held loosely at his sides from his shock. After a moment, he finally turned to her, eyes narrowed and his jaw clenched tightly in anger. How dare she use the image of his father in such a way? Still, she smiled at him, leaning back in her mirth that seemed to never end. He would have lunged at her once more, but he held back knowing that that was exactly what she wanted in the first place. Talon was determined not to let her have that pleasure.

“How long it takes depends on the individual’s affinity for magic and their conceptual powers. The simplest method is converting energy in to power and then using that energy to manipulate the environment around you. I can teach you the basics, but i'm already woefully bored of these surroundings, shall we change locations? One cannot survive on air alone.”

Another sigh escaped him and he fought to keep from rolling his eyes. Slowly he replaced the daggers and stepped towards the door leading outside. The sun was slowly illuminating the courtyard, making the ground reflect the pool of red blood that had covered the cobblestones. In the center of the courtyard, Vy had curled himself, waiting for his companion to make a decision on what he was going to do next.

"Whatever it takes, Jennifer. I'll make them pay," he told her, his voice barely above a whisper. He didn't get very far as he made his way to Vy when he heard a yell across the courtyard to his left. Turning his attention, his hands reached for the throwing knives on his person. However, what met him was not someone in distress from an attack, but an elf who was rushing towards him with a paper in hand.

"Lord V'lyn," another voice called from his right. Talon turned to see who had called him and noted that a group of assassin's had walked upon the scene. The one who'd spoken his name led the others and once he was next to Talon, bowed to him before flicking his dark gaze to the guild and then to Jennifer right behind him. "Is it as we suspect?"

"Yes," Talon replied as he looked away, his eyes glinting with anger. The elf finally made it to them and stopped just short of the assassin. His breath was heaving as he looked at the group, then handed the paper to Talon.

"Queen Fae has requested your presence in Crystacia," the elf managed after he'd caught his breath. Talon looked sharply to the man before opening the letter. He read it quickly then crushed the paper between his hands in frustration.

"Finish things here, then send a dragon to Ro'ell and Laowlee. Let them know what's going on and who has attacked us. A rebel group under the name 'True Dragons'. I'll head to Laowlee after I finish in Crystacia." Talon turned to Jennifer then and eyed her for a moment before continuing, "I hope you don't mind heights, because we're flying there," he said then strode up to Vy and climbed up onto his back. Leaning over he offered his hand to the girl before allowing Vy to jump into the air and race to Crystacia.

Jennifer felt a pang of disappointment as Talon’s daggers found their way back into their holsters, his anger held tightly in check despite her taunts. She sighed also, blowing a wad of her dark fringe away from her eyes. Her cheerfulness returned immediately as Talon stepped towards the entrance though, her smile returning with a new lease of life as she stepped a few paces behind him. She followed his dark figure back into the courtyard, arms behind her head as the sun rose further above them. Talon’s dragon sat curled around itself in the middle of the courtyard as it awaited them, its silvery form exposed for all to admire. Light reflected up of its scales magnificently, mirroring all of the various hues of the courtyard and giving the dragon a wholly unearthly complexion.

"Whatever it takes, Jennifer. I'll make them pay,"

She turned to his barely audible whisper, her eyes an icy juxtaposition to her jovial smile. “I’m looking forwards to it. If it’s someone like you, it may be possible,” she advocated, though one could never be too sure about the true meaning behind her words, if there were even any at all.

Immediately they were approached from both flanks, a group of assassins on the right and an elf on the left the moment they exited the structure. Jennifer watched the tedious proceedings with boredom, only stopping to compose herself as one of the assassins regarded her with suspicion. She resisted the urge to stick her tongue out at him like an ill-tempered child and could only glower at him instead, exploiting a sunny smile to undermine the atmosphere of their conversation.

"Finish things here, then send a dragon to Ro'ell and Laowlee. Let them know what's going on and who has attacked us. A rebel group under the name 'True Dragons'. I'll head to Laowlee after I finish in Crystacia. I hope you don't mind heights, because we're flying there,"

Talon leaned to her as he said this from the back of his dragon, extending his hand out towards her at the conclusion of their plan. “How kind of you my prince,” she laughed, grasping onto his hand and climbing aboard. Her stomach lurched into her throat as Talon’s dragon jumped to the skies then, their rapid momentum surprising her completely as it spread its wings. Without anything else to support her, she clung onto his back, wrapping her arms around his waist. “Hope you don’t mind,” she grinned, “But death from falling isn’t high to do on my wishlist.”

“That’s an interesting way of showing gratitude to someone who went out of their way to heal and massage you. They must teach you some controversial things in assassin school. Just so you know though, I absolutely abhor flying,” Jennifer said to him as he reached out to her. She took his hand and he brought her up right behind him in a single pull. He rolled his eyes as he situated himself with her behind him.

"I would show you gratitude if you had a different attitude towards things. Seems to me you just enjoy pissing me off," Talon retorted sourly. His hand tightened around hers, holding it against his stomach. Vy lurched forward, taking off into the sky at a jostling speed. Immediately he could feel Jennifer's body crush against him and her other hand tighten around his waist. He allowed himself a slight feeling of satisfaction at her own misery to flight. She obviously didn't enjoy it at all. Talon wondered if she'd never had a dragon before, but he didn't wish to ask as it wasn't his business. Beside's, he figured that she would only avoid the subject just as she did most everything. The sly woman would figure a way to turn it around on him.

You're learning, Vy said.

Whatever.

I think it's good training.

The assassin rolled his eyes as they flew. He didn't think anything about this woman was 'good', only irritating and a serious test to his control otherwise. It was a few hours of flight before they arrived in Skyfall. The city was nothing but ruin as they circled around it, the fires long since gone, but the rubble and stench of death still lingering. Vy landed in the courtyard outside of the guild and Talon dismounted gracefully. He landed on one knee, one hand bracing himself as he looked around cautiously. It was nightfall, and the cold air was sliding through the city bringing a sense of solitude. However, Talon felt as if it were too quite in the city and he couldn't help but feel as if they were being watched from every corner of darkness.

Slowly he stood up and turned to assist Jennifer down off of Vy's back. He bit back a satisfied smile at her obvious nausea from the flight, her already pale features even whiter. It looked as if she'd seen a ghost, or was simply drained of all her blood. Once she was down, Talon turned back to the guild and started towards the building. He didn't know what his father's key went to, but he was determined to find it. As he entered the building he looked down at the body of the assassin leader for a mere second before looking away. He hadn't had time to bury his father, and even still, there was no time.

"Look for something that needs a key this size," Talon said to Jennifer softly, pulling the golden key from his clothes and showing it to her. He nodded his head to the second level, "I'll be up there," then he paused and turned to look down at her smaller form, "Be careful, not all of the True Dragon's might have left already," he said softly then started up the stairs.

I think the one who should be careful is you, Vy said softly.

You're enjoying this too much.

Not at all, I'm being serious, my little assassin.

Talon ignored him once more, his eyebrow twitching from the nickname. He made the landing and started towards the first room in his search for whatever his father had hidden.

"I would show you gratitude if you had a different attitude towards things. Seems to me you just enjoy pissing me off,"

Jennifer gave a treacherous smile towards Talon’s angry reply as she pulled herself past him and onto his back, a sharp motion which radiated with nothing but the betrayal and hypocrisy if he ever cared to look. “So long as it helps you, why should the way in which I act matter?” she whispered into his ear as she settled herself down. Talon’s dragon lifted off once it had sensed they were comfortable, leaving Jennifer’s stomach scrambling behind in the dust as the set off to Skyfall. By the time they’d landed, Jennifer look half delirious from air sickness as her small hand clutched tightly at her stomach. Limply she stepped off the dragon, her first few steps dragging her feet in stray stumbles as the mage attempted to right herself within the courtyards. She caught the look off barely repressed vindication as Talon’s lips twitched upon assisted her down, his glowering eyes suggesting he was enjoying her suffering for a change.

“You’re more like me than you realise,” her thin laughs were like daggers behind his back as the dark assassin turned on his heel and briskly led them back into guild. Once inside, Talon gestured to her with a show of his key. The interior of the room was still largely similar to the way they’d left it yesterday, much to Jennifer’s incredulous surprise. With the amount of time that had elapsed, she would’ve expected looters and other such opportunists to have raided the place. Nonchalantly, she threw a glance in the general direction of Talon’s father, and then withdrew her corruptive black gaze to the young man. Though dark, the key’s golden surface still glinted as it caught miniscule flecks of light bouncing around the room. "Look for something that needs a key this size,” he asked her, causing her eyes to narrow at the design of the lock head. She raised an eyebrow and frowned towards Talon’s scarred cheek in a despondent fashion. For an assassin, such detailed distinction may have been easy, but she was a mage, albeit an illusionist, if she needed an opening she’d simply make her own. After waiting several short seconds he nodded his chin in the direction of the staircase.

"I'll be up there, be careful, not all of the True Dragon's might have left already,

“You dislike my attitude, yet you care for my safety. Remind me again which is the one of us who keeps losing to these rebels?” Jennifer’s chuckles taunted him incessantly as he slowly climbed the flight of stairs, the cruel hiss of her voice barely masked by a hand over her mouth, “Though, I really hate that chivalrous performance of yours likewise.”

Without further word, she slinked off into the darkness of the side rooms and began sifting through drawers, muttering curses every now and then.

“You dislike my attitude, yet you care for my safety. Remind me again which is the one of us who keeps losing to these rebels?” Jennifer's voice followed him up the stairwell. He rolled his eyes and sighed heavily, an irritated growl burning at the back of his throat.

Remind me again why I'm putting up with her?

Because she's a mage and can help you fight against a mage.

Yeah, that's not outweighing the former.

Vy chuckled through their connection, I think you two are perfect.

Talon's face heated as he stopped mid stride from his dragon's words. The creature could barely keep his laughter to himself as Talon turned his head slowly and aimed his deadly glare towards where Vy was stationed outside the house. His heart leapt to the bottom of his throat as he stood there.

I can't believe you would say that, or even think that!

Hmm. You'll come around, was all Vy said to him in reply.

The assassin released the air in his lungs in a heavy 'woosh' and kept moving. Shaking his head, he muttered under his breath, "Damn woman. I swear... if the rebels don't kill me, she will..." His hands shifted through drawers as he looked through his fathers council room. Nothing there turned up and nothing certainly fit the key that the late Lord V'lyn had given him. Leaving the council room, he went into the room next to it and started from one end, working his way to the other.

Talon went through four more rooms like this, meticulously working from each corner to find what his father wanted him to get. The last room was the small library that Lord V'lyn kept and as Talon entered the room, he shifted his gaze across the shelving and small desks that used to be his study areas. For a moment he just gazed at it all in remembrance. Then he moved, starting once again from the door and working his way backwards. An hour later and his gaze settled on a keyhole at the back of the library that he didn't remember ever seeing. On the floor was a tapestry that had obviously been removed from the wall. No wonder he'd never seen the keyhole before.

Slowly reaching into his clothes, he pulled the key out and eyed both the key and the keyhole. They both certainly looked as if they matched. Talon turned and went to the door that was at the far end of the hall, the stairwell on the other end. He yelled out into the darkness for Jennifer's attention, knowing that she would hear him no matter where she was.

"Jennifer! Up stairs!"

Turning back, he walked to the area where he'd found the keyhole, his eyes on the golden key between his fingers. He halted in his steps however before reaching the wall where he was before. Putting the key away in his clothes, he quickly withdrew his daggers and sidled up against a shelving unit. Slowly, he peered around the corner and spotted what he figured was already there. Two cloaked figures facing where he was hiding. One raised their hand and the shelf rocked, then tipped dangerously towards him, forcing Talon to lung forward and roll to the other side of the room. As he went, he replaced one dagger and pulled out two throwing knives in one hand. Coming up from the roll, he threw the knives without hesitation.

One hit it's mark, the other was deflected and he cursed mages once more. The rebel that the knife hit stumbled from the impact and reached up with a curse to quickly remove the pesky weapon. As he was doing that, Talon rushed them. His dagger connected with another knife as the second rebel stepped forward to protect their comrade. A shock of magic threw him backwards into another shelf, knocking it over completely. He hit it with such a force that his breath was knocked from his lungs.

"Damn mages," he coughed out.

"The key, assassin," the one spoke, the voice marking her clearly, "Or I'll make your death as slow and painful as possible. Either way I'll get it."

Talon rolled off the shelving, stood up slowly and coughed. As he stood he gave her a small grin and wiped at his mouth, "No," he growled in response and lunged at her again. The woman raised her hand, her magic twisting around him and as the assassin got close to her, she closed her fist and turned. Talon felt as if hands had wrapped around his entire body and he was pulled forward and flung into the wall. The magic faded and he crumpled to the floor without a sound. The second rebel kicked him over onto his back and the female one dropped down over him.

"I'm going to have fun with you," she grinned down at him. Talon glared back up at her, then shifted just enough to move her and with his hand freed, he plunged the dagger into her thigh.

With a scream, she reeled backwards slightly before composing herself. A twisted snarl curled her lips as she gripped the weapon in her leg. Talon moved again and freed his other hand, intent on shoving this one through her chest. He made it part way, cutting into her clothes and just barely scrapping skin before she realized what he'd done. Then the blade stopped by the force of her magic and was taken from his hand. Weaponless, she leaned heavily against him, pushing one hand through his clothing to find his other weapons. As she did so, her power curled around him, locking every muscle in place so he couldn't move.

"Damn assassin, I'll rid you of your weapons then kill you with them," she growled, her fingers curling around the first of several throwing knives.

"Jennifer! Up stairs!"

Jennifer’s ears flickered at the sound of Talon’s familiar voice, the pressing echoes of his call causing her head to spin out from the cabinet she’d been investigating. Sniffing in annoyance, she stepped out of the side room and made her way back into the hallway, glancing idly up at the hall his voice originated from. She stopped halfway as something heavy impacting against a shelf, sending numerous books pattering across the floor above her. Realising what was occurring, a sharp smile curved her lips as she made several slow, short strides to the staircase, evidently in no apparent rush to aid the assassin in his plight. Her fingers ran up the cold railings casually, drawing invisible patterns across the surface as she rose to the first floor, her dark gaze watching the library at the end of the hall menacingly. Jennifer made no effort to conceal herself as she appeared at the doorway to the library, her arm outstretched as magic vibrated the air around her.

"Damn assassin, I'll rid you of your weapons then kill you with them,"

“Fraternising with the enemy since you can’t beat them? If only you were as forward with me,” she interrupted rudely, eyeing Talon’s paralysed body with a coy grin.

The terror of her illusionary magic barely masked the psychotic smirk which split across her red lips as Jennifer made her entry. Eyes wide with adrenaline, the lithe mage stepped into the killing zone without further word, the books around them levitating magically off the shelves before growing teeth and claws. They burst into life suddenly and flew down at the two intruders, the unnerving noise of chattering jaws filling the room as diamond edged teeth snapped together furiously.

Jennifer wasn’t done though, numerous corpses which had previously lay rotting outside rushed past her. In a grizzly scene out of a horror play, blood and loose organs painted the ground behind them as they leapt forwards, screaming wordless profanities at the rebels as they attempted to fend off the books. Talon’s father was also among them, the sword which had impaled him now held firmly in his deathly pale hands as he lunged forwards. The corpse of Talon's deceased father swung his blade in a wide arc at the rebel sitting on top of the young assassin, the glistening steel carving a path towards the rebel’s heart.

Everything, the books and the zombies were all a giant ruse, one ultimately aimed at distracting the duo even if only for a moment, “Get up you pitiful thing,” Jennifer hissed, her tone cruel and mocking as she referred to the assassin, all the while plying her trade expertly, “I’m not going to babysit you all day.”

Jennifer’s next attack would be real though. Her other hand extended outwards amidst the chaos, creating icy spears around her before a flick of her fingers sent them hurtling towards the cloaked rebels. “World fracture.”

Jennifer had to give credit where it was due. Talon blade skills were sublime and it showed in the ease with which he wielded them. Standing up calmly, the assassin’s throwing knives reach out with deadly tips pointed at the mage in front of him. The mage retorted and slapped them aside like paper, but the young assassin had clearly anticipated this as he drove a dagger straight through her chest. Jennifer’s face writhed in delight as she watched his angry expression, the scar over his dark eyes distorting in an ugly fashion as Talon snarled in the face of his defeated opponent. "I'll hunt down everyone of you, and kill you all."

She didn’t have to do anything else as the other mage died to her icy spears, too preoccupied by her book and zombie illusions to spot the real attack. The force of the icicles sent him flying backwards, crashing against numerous books and silencing him against a bookshelf before he could even scream. The dust settled around them as an abrupt silence fell over the private library, ruined books and pages fluttering to the floor in the wake of their conflict. Recollecting his weapons, Talon seemed to rear an irritated face at her, raising his eyebrows in disbelief. "Babysit," he sneered to her in a scything voice which seemed sharp enough to cut through the books around them, to which Jennifer’s only reply was to smirk innocently.

While Talon worked his way to the hidden compartment, Jennifer strode over to a nearby bookshelf playfully, washing her gaze over the lightly embossed titles labelling each spine. At random she picked one out and began to flip through it. The endless rows of perfectly lined tomes reminded her of her childhood back in Ro’ell. As a prodigy child to an ambitious father, she’d spend days pouring over past studies and magical spells. Such was life as a fledgling mage. Those too weak to survive and faltered in their skills either died or found themselves rendered crippled from disastrous backfires. Goaded on relentlessly by her family, sleep was short and food was scarce, only more texts and manuscripts were a plentiful. The ever present threat of the lash drove her to near madness as she struggled to compete with her siblings and master her magic. But by Reev did she miss it.

Talon handed her a note after having read it himself and then returned to investigate the contents of the safe. Wiping away the black fringe over her eyes, Jennifer eyed the parchment carefully, picking out the words relevant to their quest.

Take the brace, it will help you. Lord V'lyn. Beware Barthlomel.

The excited thoughts which burst to her mind where immediately interrupted as a white light consumed Talon, contrasting starkly against his dark clothes and illuminating the room brightly. She watched, mildly confused at first as the young man was lifted off the ground, silent at first before his screams of agony echoed throughout the building, startling her. A low whistle escaped her lips as she trampled over the books on the floor and made her way to him like an inquisitive cat. The book she’d taken was still open within her palms as she maintained her distance from him, warily avoiding him like he was a ticking time bomb. Jennifer refused to draw closer until she caught the silvery glint of a bracelet over the assassin's wrist, causing a wry grin to break across her face. Eventually she called out to him, even though she was certain he couldn’t hear her through the feedback of pain and memories.

“Just bear with it my dear assassin, the pain will end soon,” she muttered blandly.

She stepped aside as he was unceremoniously dropped to the floor. Talon’s shoulders ran up and down as he took unsteady breaths, the pain still evident across his face. A cartoon smile looked down at him as her book snapped shut, grabbing his attention as she crouched down in front of him. "Now tell me Talon, tell me exactly what was it that the bracelet showed you.” she pondered icily, tossing her book aside like rubbish.
 

"Now tell me Talon, tell me exactly what was it that the bracelet showed you,” Jennifer's voice took his attention as she snapped a book shut and tossed it behind her. She crouched down next to him, a smile across her lips like always. Talon was beginning to expect that smile at all times no matter what, he could be lying in a pool of his own blood and she would probably still smile at him.

Taking a deep breath he calmed his body and settled his breathing, "I saw dragons, red, white and black all fighting each other. It was war, but there was one dragon that stood out among the rest. He was larger, red in color with burning red eyes," he closed his eyes and rubbed at his temple, trying to keep the images in order as best he could, "That one seemed to be in control of the fighting, but I don't know what dragons were on his side. They all seemed to be on their own... He destroyed villages and towns with a single sweep of his claw. I've never seen such power before. Then I saw three dragons attacking him, they were red, white, and black again. The three of them managed to kill the larger dragon, but they also perished right after, their power spent too. I didn't know that all three dragons had magic at one time, only the reds do because of the mages."

He sat up then, pushing up with his hands to be level with her as she sat crouched next to him. Raising his hand he pulled back the sleeve and eyed the silver brace that seemed to glow perpetually now. It was a soft glow, nothing that would hinder him in the darkness, but it seemed... shinier than before. His body felt stronger too, a different kind of power residing in him than that of Riena's touch. He flexed his fingers, pulling the hand into a fist, every muscle contracting as he did so, then he released it and looked back at her.

"That's all I saw," he sighed and got to his feet, "It's time we head back to Crystacia," he said as he waited for her to join him. They would reach Crystacia by mid morning. If Jennifer didn't know much of what he'd seen, then perhaps Locien could help fill in the gaps.

I think that bracelet will continue to show you things as events progress, my little assassin, Vy offered.

Maybe, but if it happens like that every time I'm going to be dead before we can do anything about these rebels.

Vy laughed, You'll be just fine.


City Crystacia

Soran Keel

The city was destroyed, entire sections missing even. Fires still burned as he made his way through the city, using the darkness as his pathway. He silently crept through the dark alleys, his yellow eye glowing and the only indicator that something was sleeking through the darkness. He knew that Locien was there, he could feel the dark elf's very presence like water cascading over his body. He trembled at the thought, knowing that his adversary was so close to him. Patience was key, stealth was priority. He moved fast, but not too fast, enjoying the sensation that prickled across him.

It was in no time that he reached the barracks where the activity in the city seemed to have moved. He watched from the darkness as guards moved back and forth across the entrance, a couple of dragons in the sky. He was going to have to be quick, though he hated the idea of killing quickly. Still if he wanted the dark elf, he would have to do what was necessary. From the darkness, two knives flipped handle over end and took one guard through his throat, the other knife would have made it's mark had the man not turned just in time. The blade went through his shoulder, knocking him backwards, but Soran was there to meet him. Right behind the man, a strong grip took his jaw and top of his head. With a quick twist there was a soft 'crack' and the man dropped, his neck broken.

Soran moved into the barracks, wasting no time as he went. Another guard fell to his knife as he slowly shoved it through the elf's back, one hand over the man's mouth to keep the screaming from alerting anyone. As Soran laid the elf down onto the ground, his sharp gaze spotted the fleeting figure of the dark elf he hunted. Peering through the sheeting at the front of the barracks he spotted one woman who might be trouble for him, but otherwise the rest of the elves inside were too injured to be of any importance to him.

The knife came quickly, handle over edge and only glinting once against the fire light. His aim wasn't to kill her, only to pin her down so she could watch Locien die and he would savor her last. Or maybe he would kill her first and make Locien suffer? The thought was fleeting and gone before it could even form a plan. He came out of the darkness with both blades pulled from his belt just as a soft pink was beginning to fill the eastern sky. A wicked smile curved his lips as his eyes locked onto Locien as he shot towards him, both swords held out at either side of him.

"Found you."

Talon took several moments to recollect himself, his deep breaths a spontaneous coping mechanism as much as they were necessary. Jennifer waited patiently, her smile still wide on her lips as Talon’s jagged tone found its composure, "I saw dragons, red, white and black all fighting each other. It was war, but there was one dragon that stood out among the rest. He was larger, red in color with burning red eyes."

To this Jennifer’s thoughts flashed back to the name mentioned in the warning on the note, Barthomel. As Talon continued to explain, his mystified voice reached her ears, breaking her from her reverie, "That one seemed to be in control of the fighting, but I don't know what dragons were on his side. They all seemed to be on their own... He destroyed villages and towns with a single sweep of his claw. I've never seen such power before. Then I saw three dragons attacking him, they were red, white, and black again. The three of them managed to kill the larger dragon, but they also perished right after, their power spent too. I didn't know that all three dragons had magic at one time, only the reds do because of the mages."

She’d had an inkling ever since they’d last been in Skyfall but now it was almost confirmed. Jennifer’s cartoony smile was almost painfully wide now. Her eyes narrowed seemingly in confirmation of her recognition. Talon’s story was a tale she was more than aware of. Having sifted through untold thousands of texts in her past, one story in particular always resonated within her for the misery associated with it. That tale was the pox mark in the history of current civilisation, the dark shadow of the ancient dragon Barthomel. In years long forgotten, Barthomel was once an undisputed ruler, feared as the most powerful overlord the world had ever seen. That was until he was overthrown in exactly the way Talon had so kindly narrated.

”The rebellion has begun and he will be born again, hu?” she recited softly. Contrary to belief, Jennifer held little regard for the rebel’s plans. By the way her sharp brown eyes sank towards the floor, it wouldn’t even be a stretch to call her jaded at the prospect.

"That's all I saw, it's time we head back to Crystacia," Talon exhaled his anxiety as he rose upright, but Jennifer’s apprehension returned with a vengeance at the prospect of more flying. Perhaps he did enjoy torturing her in such a manner.

Following his example, the lithe mage straightened her bent knees and stood up, her cruel smile never failing to leave her face. “I guess it’s safe to say that the rebels were trying to hide that information by coming here,” she postulated, referring to the now bloody corpses, “Barthomel, does the name mean nothing to you?” She asked him then, raising a thin, black eyebrow towards the young assassin. Judging by the lack of alarm from reading his father’s note, Jennifer hardly needed to ask, but she couldn’t resist the chance to taunt him again. Opening her palms in a helpless gesture, the mage shrugged blithely then, “Seems not. Even though your father literally spelled it out for you, I must say, I’d be ashamed if I had to entrust such an important piece of information with such a lacklustre son.”

She waited for the irritation to become clear on his face before continuing. “The story you describe sounds like the most significant event taken right out of a history textbook, not that you assassin’s have any appreciation for reading,” again with the taunt, “Barthomel was an age old dragon, the ultimate dragon perhaps. He was so fearsome it took three great dragons to simply banish him. Now with that in mind, it should be simple even for someone like you could draw the link between the rebel’s self entitled name and all the nonsense they’ve been spouting.”

Jennifer sidled up to Talon, her supple lips stretching into a yawn as her arms wrapped around his. “All just speculation without evidence of course,” she mumbled, barely masking her yawn with a hand. Her head rested against his bicep like it were a pillow, feeling his hardened muscles tighten reflexively. Despite her antics, she still couldn’t erase the lack of sleep over the last forty-eight hours. “You bloody assassin’s are relentless though. Assuming I survive the flight back to Crystacia, I’ll be tapping out if you don’t mind. Magic isn’t fuelled by thoughts alone.”