The Retreat

The van ride home had been slightly on the quiet side. Victor had done his best with healing Soran, and Sina, but what really worried Alauric was that the healer was very quiet. Alauric glanced at Rethyn who was sitting next to him in the passager seat. He had questions, but it looked like he would have to wait for answers.

Rethyn quietly pulled off his vest as for a moment he reached to the inside of it and pulled out a small framed picture. Looking downwards at it, the half-bare Rethyn looked over the picture for a moment before leaning back in his seat.
Several times Rethyn glances around the van. There were two new faces, but he didn't say anything to them. However upon catching Alauric's glance, Rethyn begun to take out his ear piece as he said to him. "Something on your mind?"

Alauric sort of smiled, "I was wondering, what you heard if anything, that is..." he couldn't even look back at the seer lying down covered in the horrible cuts. "I don't even know how to describe that, what were those fucking gods doing to him."
"They were harvesting us." Sina cut in. "They were cutting into him and using his blood as a source of energy."

Alauric glanced at the new seer, even if he was open-minded, this sort of threw him for a loop. "Harvesting..." Alauric paused, "because of the magic system...that is fucked up." He had never heard of such a thing, now the gods were just being sick. He sighed, "I guess I should introduce myself, Alauric Belvedere," he said to Sina. "This is Rethyn, he is my son's guardian, the small healer back there with you is Victor.

Sina made a small laugh as she said. "I was just going to ask if blue eyes there was your son! Hi, I am Sina Virye! It's a pleasure to meet you guys. If I may ask who's he?" Sina lightly poked in the direction of Soran.

Alauric knew who she was talking about, "Soran, Soran Reigailia, he is a member of one of the seer families."
"So are you guys a team or something? Back while I fleeing Japan it was like every Seer and Guardian duo for themselves." Sina asked as she brought an index finger to the side of her mouth.

"Um," Alauric started, "team...family, kinda got all mixed together. Its a rather long story."

"Well, I'll fight for you guys!" Sina said beaming at them. "I kinda owe you now don't I?"

Rethyn begun to stare out the window again as he grew worried he would see the suited man again. His eyes drew heavier by the minute and he knew he needed rest badly. He was self-aware he was seeing things.

Alauric smiled slightly to himself, he couldn't help it, he was starting to like the girl. She was at least enthusiastic about helping out. He had to wonder what the other's would think. Another seer from another place, it was a little different. He pulled into the final road that was heading to where they were going.


Soran

The voice came again. This time it told it him that the woman had his back. He shivered.

~

He bounced slightly, and groaned. Hands were on his frame, they were hot, really hot. Or maybe he was just really cold. He couldn't tell. The sharp motion made him wince, a gasping intake of air filtered between his teeth. Both hands curled in on a strange material that was beneath him. It was cool and hard, perhaps it was leather. Once again, Soran couldn't tell.

~

Voices were around him. Several of them. The burning was still there, but some of it had faded away. He still felt cold, and shivered as he lay there. Then he was hot, extremely hot and he moaned, panting slightly. Moving a bit, he felt hands holding him in place. His heart skipped a beat and his breathing grew erratic. What the hell was he up on anyway? And there was a loud sound coming from somewhere to his left.
"Tristan...."

~

Opening his gaze slightly he could only make out blurry shapes. Nothing made sense. Where was he? Where were the Gods? It was dark around him. Shifting slightly he moved his head which had been propped up on something rather warm. He shivered yet again. When was he going to stop being so cold? He didn't know and also knew that he had been scorching hot at one point too.
Looking to his right he caught the blurry outline of someone whom he was laying on the lap of, shifting his gaze down he noted another figure on his other side, light filling one part of the air next to them. Soran moaned, slightly unnerved but unsure as to why exactly. Then everything went dark again.

~

He felt someone holding him, lifting him, he winced, heaving a breath out from tight lungs. There was light from somewhere, but he couldn't tell what it was for. He tried to get the strength to move, to free himself from the arms that held him, but all he could manage was a slight motion upwards that caused an intense amount of pain to flood him. A sharp cry echoed from his lips in his ears and he fell limp in the hold. Soft sounds of pain filled his ears, almost drowning out anything else until he heard a louder yell, a frantic cry from somewhere.

Voices once again filled his ears, but he couldn't piece it all together. They were jumbled to him. Besides, he didn't want to focus. If he focused... things would happen. He couldn't pin point the noise at all, he didn't know who was talking and he was trying to listen but he couldn't.

"Tri...stan," he muttered again, a string of incomprehensible words followed, but the ones most apparent were the red haired Seer's name. Until he fell unconscious again.

Kilia felt her breath stolen from her lips as she set eyes upon the house that they drove up to. Her and Jonathan were taken there first upon Alauric's order with Victor. The large vehicle pulled up to the house and then down into a driveway that she didn't even see. The hummer drove into the underground garage and she was still awe struck as she watched the car pull in and park. Holy... Wow.... she couldn't think straight. She was going to have to tell Alauric that he was probably the coolest person she'd ever met. For some reason she was beginning to think 'super spy' and quickly pushed it out of her head with a bit of a giggle.

Getting out of the large vehicle -which she honestly couldn't even begin to imagine would suit such a small man- she helped Jonathan who was still slightly delerious with his fatigue. Unable to get a hold of Tristan to ask if there was a way to share energy, she was going to have to wait and just let her Guardian regain it on his own. Looking around the large garage she went around the car with Jonathan in hand.

"Um... Mister- uh, Uncle Vic?" she called, "Where... how do we... get out of here?"

The healer hopped out of the vechicle and yawned, "There is a small elevator over there, it opens to the kitchen."

Turning, she located the elevator where he had motioned, "Ah... of course," she muttered to herself and took Jonathan there. If the garage and outside of the house had put her in a state of awe, the inside had her jaw hitting the floor, "Beautiful..." she said to herself. She had never been to a place such as this. Once she got Jonathan comfortable she heard the roar of an engine outside and went to the front of the house. The enormous windows gave her a beautiful view of the woods around them and the driveway of which there was a van. Someone hopped out, and moved quickly to the house. She finally recognized it as Alauric.

She didn't even have a chance to say anything to him for he went straight for Victor and with a few short words, they were gone. Kilia's heart pounded hard in her chest as she watched the Van turn and drive quickly back down the road they had come up. Leaning against the window sill, her mind whirled around thoughts of Soran. Was he okay? Had Rethyn got him? Did something happen during the rescue? She bit her lip, as she leaned there, deep in thought and unsure of what to do. Finally, after nearly driving herself crazy with questions and 'what ifs' she went to check on Jonathan.

"Hey, you," she whispered softly, "Just lay here and relax," she muttered though she was pretty sure he was already asleep. Brushing her fingers through his hair, she got up and busied herself with trying to figure out the kitchen. That was a feat in and of itself. Trying to find cups, tea bags, even the microwave for heating the water was a challenge. That or maybe she was just nervous. Finally getting the cup of water heated and a tea bag steeping, she was about to bring it out to her Guardian when the door opened again.

This time she froze in fear and shock. Alauric had returned and with him, Victor, Rethyn and Soran. A girl was with them as well, but Kilia wasn't looking at the new girl. Her eyes were locked on Soran's body that looked as if he'd been drenched in red liquid. Setting the cup down before she dropped it completely, she ran from the kitchen and dropped down next to them, "Oh... God! What happened? Alauric!" She cried, her voice shaking as she quickly pulled her magic system opened.

It looked like most of his wounds had been taken care of, some of the deeper ones looking to have been healed but not completely. She tried to work quickly to bring up her system to see the actual extent of his injuries as well as trying not to completely freak out. He was so pale and just with a touch, his skin was cold. She muttered to herself as she drew out the spell. It took her a while and it wasn't even all that good when she dropped it over his body. The blue light flooded Soran's body and he was starting to mumble to. Kilia was trying not to cry as she listened to the blonde Seer's half coherent words.

"He.... His energy... it's so low... dangerously low. I... can heal the wounds, but I..." she shook her head, tears falling now.

The sound of another car pulling in was heard. Peter stepped out of the car and saw the retreat and whistled. "Neat." Was all he could say as he walked to the front door. He hoped everyone was being happy at the moment of having made it and for now not under the enemy radar.

He opened the door. "Folks I am back! Hug me-eh?" His joy was seen at first but then a stunned look at Soran changed his mood completely. "Soran!" He shouted as he rushed towards him. "Little buddy! Can you hear me?! What happened, who did this to you!?!" His yellow eyes flickered angrily to the people in the room and fell upon a stranger. "Did you do this Lass?! I'll ensure your pain and suffering under the Dullahan when I dump the bucket of-ack!!! Ow! My shoulder!!!"

"Mind your manners and let me the heck sleep." was all the groggy, annoyed Jonathan said as he let go of Peter's shoulder. "Don't mind him. He's harmless." As he said that he groggily walked back to where Kilia left him.

Sina at first begun to fold her arms at Peter, but then was quickly taken over by a giggle as Jonathan struck Peter. "Heh, harmless. He's like a puppy." Before looking back to Peter she glanced over to the groggy Jonathan as he walked off. "Someone's grumpy eh? Hello there, I'm Sina."

Extending a hand out for Peter to take, she politely smiled at the boy.

"Peter O'Cyrus, guardian to that lad over there." he said pointing to Soran before just shaking the woman's hand before getting up from his seated position due to Jonathan's actions. "The other guy isn't grumpy. Just sleepy. He didn't get much sleep and his energy Is low."

Folding her arms behind her back she leaned a little forward as she spoke to Peter some more. "Cute accent you got there. And I take it you must be energetic one."

Placing her arm again behind her back, Sina swung back and for a little as she would lean on her left foot then her right. "So...where can a girl get some food around here-"

Kilia, who nearly snapped at Peter with his outburst, turned to Victor, "We can't leave him here," she said, still trying to contain her crying. Ignoring the introductions behind her, she shifted around near Soran, "I... I need, water, and bandages," she
continued while sniffing and wiping at her face, "I also need to know how to transfer energy. He can't... This is too much," Looking up to Alauric and Grayson she bit her lip, "Can you, help me?"

Rubbing her hand to the back of her neck, Sina's smile vanished as she said to Peter "I guess duty calls."

Alauric nodded, "Guys if you want to continue please do it elsewhere, so we can get the healers some room." He nodded to Grayson who helped carry Soran to one of the rooms. Victor followed still quiet, "So many cuts...something strange cutting him too."

"I'm no healer lass, I would only get in the way." Peter said glumly as he walked to the nearest chair to sit and try to keep himself calm.

Sina gave Peter a small frown as she picked up on his glumness. With her hands still folded behind her back she slowly walked behind his seat before she reached out and rubbed at Peters neck. "Hey now, it's okay. I'm sure he'll be alright. He's a tough little kid from when I met him. Besides, once I get my magic system back up I won't let this happen again. We're on a team now."

Peter suddenly sat up straight in slight surprise. "Wait a minute!" he shouted as he jumped from the chair completely. "I barely even know you so until i know ye will not shank me don't be touching me in sensitive areas!"
Sina giggled at Peters reaction as she held both of her hands up to the side of her face. "Heh, sorry, I must of pintched a nerve." With a fold of her arms behind her back again she started to casually walk off as she hummed a song to herself. "See you around Peter O'Cyrus." she hummed.

"Not on my head.." he muttered, flushing red. The last thing he needed was a total stranger comforting him. He wanted to save that for a friend, though he had few friends, or a girlfriend, which he had none save for a slight crush that almost seemed to be out of nerves alone. Sighing, Peter sat back down and buried his face in his hands. "I'm hopeless."

It was a little while before Victor came back in the room, he was observing Kilia and the work she was doing it. She was already a skilled healer, it takes time to work up speed and others things. Yet he could see that she had a healer's heart, it was the most important part of the work she would have to do. "He is looking better, has there been any sort of response, or his he still fading in and out."

Kilia looked up from her work, her forehead was layered thinly with sweat and bits of her pink hued hair clung to the skin around her face and neck. With a heavy sigh, she shook her head slightly, "Only in and out. His breathing seems better though, but I'm still worried," she answered, "This is horrid... I can't... I couldn't even imagine."

"It is horrid, a horrid thing," Victor agreed, "His injuries will heal, his mind may take longer."

Kilia's fingers paused for a second, in the midst of another spell, "W-what do you mean? What's wrong with him? C-can't I fix it? I... I can fix it right?" Kilia asked, turning around to see Victor fully.

Victor looked at the girl, "Miss Kilia, there are certain things we can not heal, experiences that we can only hope to forget as we move on in life. I hope he is as strong in mind as he is in body, I say that because anyone less then he would have succumbed to the pain and lost all hope. He must have some important reason to live."

Kilia stared at Soran for a long while as she listened to Uncle Vic's words. Her fingers trembled slightly on the pad of her magic system. Slowly she started to finish the following spell, trying to concentrate on it yet again, "He.. won't be different will he? He'll still be 'Soran'.... right? We can help him... we all will. Especially Tristan. I-I think it's Tristan who keeps him going. It has to be! So, Tristan can cure him..." Kilia was babbling as she finished the spell and let it go, trying to reassure herself as well as keep from thinking the worst.

Victor sighed, her question was a hard one to answer, he didn't know the truth. "Then I think he is in good hands, if you all help him. If it is slow and patient and loving, which I think it will be."

Kilia nodded, her eyes had filled with tears again and she refused to turn around now. Focusing on her tablet, she worked another spell.. It was probably a huge push, but she was going to do it anyway. The young Seer didn't want to stop, she couldn't stop, not now, not when she was getting so close to finishing healing everything. With parted lips, trembling fingers and narrowed eyes, she concocted the next spell painfully slow.

"Kilia," Victor put his hand on her shoulder, "I know you wish to continue, but you need to stop. You will be of no use if you push yourself. I will take over for awhile."

"But I... I can keep going!" She argued, "Please.. let me finish.. Or help you.. something, I just can't... Not do anything."
"Then perhaps if you feel like checking on your young man, I am sure he may feel a little lonely. Its been several hours, but no healing. Have a little chat, tell him about what is going on...where he is. I am sure he woke up confused. Do not worry about Soran, I will be here."

Kilia stared up at him, unsure of how to answer and her mouth opened and closed several times as she tried to formulate some sort of argument. Finally, she gave up and instead nodded her head. Releasing her hold on the magic system, she slowly got to her feet. Breathing heavily, she squeezed her eyes shut and reached up to rub at the side of her head, "Alright... I'll go see... Robin," she managed and stumbled for the door at which she paused and then asked, "Um... where is he.. again?"

"Um, perhaps a few doors down," he guessed. He truly didn't see where the other was, "Perhaps Grayson could point to where his room is."

Nodding, she left the room and attempted to navigate through the new house to find her Guardian. She still felt awful about leaving Soran, but she also knew that Victor was a good healer, far better than herself in all honesty. Kilia knew that the blonde Seer was in good hands. Still, it was hard to leave in the middle. She nibbled at her lip, stray tears gathering and falling as she moved through the house to find Jonathan.

Jonathan awoke with another yell escaping his throat. "I'm sorry!!" He looked around and for good measure pinched himself to be sure. "I'm up. Thank heaven." He said to himself as he fell back onto the bed. Same guilt trip nightmare. He sighed, wishing he had some company.

"Robin?!" Kilia heard the cry and immediately back tracked the way she had come. Guess I don't need Grayson afterall... she thought but she was far more worried about that yell than anything else now. Bursting through the door she set eyes upon her Guardian and moved over to him, "Hey... are you alright? What happened? Why are you screaming?" She knelt down beside him and was about to open her magic system when she thought twice about it. Alauric would scold her should he find out she was healing again, not to mention Victor would be on her about it too. Though she was worried about Jonathan, he wasn't wounded like Soran was. With sleep -and probably lots of tea- her Guardian would be just as he always was.

"Just a nightmare honey." Jonathan said. "Nothing more." Jonathan reached his hand out to touch her face. "I'm glad to see you though." He smiled when he said that. "Lets me know you are safe, as is the location." he then sat upright to try and stretch his back.

Kilia leaned into the touch, happy to see that it wasn't anything too serious, though nightmares could get pretty bad. She gave him a very tired smile and watched as he sat up and stretched, "Yes. We are all safe here now..." she gave a sigh, "Though I'm very worried about Soran. He's... not in good shape. Whatever they did to him... it was horrible Robin," she started crying, "He was covered in wounds, some of them so deep! I don't... I don't know how he survived..." she stretched out her arms and wrapped them around Jonathan's waist as she buried her head in his stomach, "They hurt him so bad! Robin... I don't know.. I don't know what to do! All I can do is try to heal him, but.... but Victor says... somethings can't..."

Jonathan looked surprised at her sudden mood change and only listened. "I see. He means Soran might be traumatized, shellshocked. Call it what you will." he put one arm around her back. "The only treatment for that is friendship, love, and time." Jonathan slowly rubbed Kilia's back to try and calm her.

"I missed all the fun stuff because of that spell." He muttered. "I wasted a lot of energy using it."

Kilia shook her head as she cried on him. If she heard his last few words she didn't say anything, she was too caught up in anguish to really acknowledge anything right about then. She tightened her fingers around his waist as she tried to calm herself to no avail. Kilia could only wish that things had been different, that Soran hadn't been taken at all and that she was a better healer so that he wouldn't have to suffer. Eventually, she ended up crying herself to sleep on Jonathan's lap, the only thing saying that she was asleep was the slow rhythmic, deep breathes that she took.

Jonathan sighed and smiled. "You've got a big heart, my love." He said as he used both his arms and set her down next to him on the bed and laid next to her. He put one arm around her and tried to sleep again. "Let us both stop worrying and sleep. Just sleep. Good night. Know that I love you till the end of time." with that he fell asleep.

The restless night in the empty bathtub did not Rethyn too well as he found himself awaking in the middle of the day. As he rubbed at his head he hoped to himself that none had stumbled upon him there throughout their day. Thankfully he assumed they did not as they would have woke him.

It ate at him again. He needed to go, he needed to get himself from the house. Just the thought of another night like that made him feel his stomach go for a loop. The eyeless dog and the moving bloody pictures had got him. He knew what he needed in the back of his mind, now he just needed to get it.

Arising from the tub the young man furrowed his brows as he walked past the window above the sink. Someone had found him that night as he found the words "Weirdo" upon his head in sharpie.

Pushing out a grunt of annoyance, Rethyn begun to wash his face to scrub off the sharpie markings. The bags under his eyes were apparent as was the headache of which rested upon the side of his head just above his ears.

After a quick travel back to his room through teleportation, Rethyn had removed his shirt and slipped on the Kevlar vest of which he found liking to these days. Over the vest he threw on a brown jacket and didn't bother changing his pants as he headed for the main room downstairs.

"Rethyn!" Kilia called, catching sight of him as she turned around after having talked to Tristan, "Soran is awake," she offered. Bitting at her lip she wasn't sure how to continue. Her eyes were puffy again and red, but she had seemed to have stopped crying finally, "I... don't know if you want to go see him, but I told Tristan already. Soran was asking."

By the stairs, Rethyn found his blade out of place as it was leaning upon the wall at the bottom of the stairs. Taking it by the strap, Rethyn slung it over his shoulder before giving Kilia a little move of the head. "Kilia." He said in reponse. Pausing for a moment he listened to her before waving a hand of dismissal. "I'll let those two catch up for a while, right now they need each other most."

Glancing past Kilia to the door, Rethyn begun to walk towards it as he said to her. "If the others ask, I'm heading out for a bit."

Her eyes widened, "W-what? Wait... Rethyn... where are you going? We just got here... and we just got Soran back... what are you going to be doing?" Kilia asked the string of questions rapidly as she went after him, her hand reaching out to grab his forearm between her slender fingers.

Stopping in his tracks he thought about pulling his arm away from her, but chose not to as he turned his head to face her. "It's just a quick errend I need to do, I am coming back." He performed a mental sigh as his eyes looked back towards the door.

The tiny Seer eyed him carefully, nibling at her lower lip before she released a sigh, "Where are you going? And why alone of all things? I can't just let you leave you know... I-I mean I know you're plenty capable... but what would Tristan say? Or Alauric or Grayson even. I mean... We're all supposed to stick together right?" She glanced about the room. With another sigh she took a step forward so that she was right next to him, "I'm going with you."

"It'll take longer if you tag along." Rethyn said as he glanced over to her. His tone sounded icy with each word. "I'm just going to a store to pick up a few things. It's not something to get all worked up about."

Kilia flinched slightly by his rebuttle. His voice was icy and she wasn't sure what to make of it. For a moment she just stood there, staring at him. What was he leaving for, exactly? Certainly her offering to go with him if it were just to the 'store' wasn't enough to have him so cold in response to her. An eyebrow came down as she regarded him steadily, "Well... I want a few things from the store as well," she gave him a smile, "You wouldn't mind would you? I'll be quick I promise."

Jonathan was walking down the hall, trying to register the scenery. He walked into the main room and noticed Kilia with Rethyn. Rethyn seemed to want to go somewhere on his own again and Kilia was either trying to tag along or make him tell where. He cleared his throat to try and make himself known.

Rethyn had stuck both of his hands in his jacket pockets as he closed his eyes for a moment. She was rather persistant, and now Jonathan had made an appearance as well. Releasing a small puff of a sigh, Rethyn looked away for a moment as he debated with himself. After what seemed like an strangely long moment, the young man twisted his neck to look back at Kilia and Jonathan in turn as he said. "Very well."

Through the sunlight the bags under his eyes were apparent as the light of the sun leaked through the windows at the side of the door. He wasn't happy about this, he had wanted to go alone. He didn't want them to see, but now he had been placed into a corner.

"Robin," Kilia beamed, "I hope you're feeling well. We're going to the store," she said though at the word 'store' her gaze flickered back to Rethyn before returning to Jonathan. Releasing the boy's arm, she smiled brightly at her Guardian as she was ready to follow Rethyn out the door, "I'm going with him. I hope that's alright."

Jonathan eyed Rethyn carefully. "And what If you got captured or possessed? What if the store is not what he has In mind? What if Vic needs your help? Or Rethyn, what if you got into more then what you bargained for and endanger Kilia in the process?"

He said it whilst not breaking his gaze on Rethyn. His emerald eyes piercing into the other guardian.

"Jonathan..." Kilia's tone turned to disappointed as she frowned at him. Switching to his full name was probably a sure sign that she was berating him in some way, "I'll be alright, he's a good fighter. If you're so worried, then come with," she said her last words a bit stronger than before. She nodded her head to the door even, "I'm not letting him go alone."

Giving Jonathan only a look of annoyance, Rethyn reached up as he pintched the skin between his eyes. "Neither of you need to come along. I am built for this, if I move on my own I'll be back before you know it." He was growing frustrated with the two of them. Rolling his eyes under closed lids, Rethyn thought to himself.

"Should of just teleported."


Jonathan sighed, "Why do they always use Jonathan when they're mad?" He asked to himself. Jonathan looks at Kilia, then Rethyn carefully. "I've a feeling there is more to this then should be delved, with a hint of personal matter." Jonathan said. "So before anything, The truth. Now Rethyn. Where are you going and why?"

Rethyn had enough. Looking between Jonathan and Kilia he glared at the both of them in frustration. His tiredness had gotten the better of him as his fuse had gone short. As if growling each word Rethyn said to the both of them. "I'm leaving, I'll be back soon. Do not follow me."

With that there was the sound of Rethyn teleport as he didn't bother even masking the sound of in even a little. With his departure he left behind a loud crack!

"Store my eye, where's my motorcycle? He couldn't have gone far."

Wincing, Kilia rubbed at her ear, "We're not going to find him now. Why'd you have to go and be so mean like that? I had him agreeing that I could go but you pushed him to say," she pouted at her Guardian, eyes narrowed at him in slight frustration, "Seriously, can't you not be so forceful about things?"

Jonathan looked at Kilia in a hurt fashion. "Fine I get it," he sighed. "First fully energized thing i do and it's being an idiot, though being an idiot is what drained me in the first place. I really have to tone the spell down in some way. But it might cause the cool-down to be longer..." Jonathan realized he was more angry at himself again otherwise the rant he had wouldn't have happened out loud.

He flushed red in embarrassment. He then sighed. "I'm sorry.." he muttered as he turned to look around the retreat some more to get orientated.

With a heavy sigh and a shake of her head, Kilia put her hands on her hips and looked down at the floor whilst kicking at the carpet with one foot. When she looked up, she only shrugged a bit, "It's alright. It's just that now I don't have the slightest clue as to where he went. He could have gone anywhere," she heaved a heavy sigh again and looked to the door, "I can only hope that he'll come back like he promised. Tristan is going to be angry that he left... well... maybe not angry but definitely worried. If it's not one thing its another these days. First Soran... now Rethyn leaving... Granted Soran was taken against his will..." Kilia nibbled on her lip again and reached up to run her fingers through her hair.

"Maybe we can ask Grayson to see if he can't track him... though I think that spell is only for Seers."

Jonathan smirked at Kilia. "I think a bit of me is rubbing off on ya." he commented to her as he turned to her and leaned against the wall. "Cause you said a phrase of mine and gave out an excellent idea." he crossed his arms and waited for a reply.

"You, rubbing off on me?" Kilia answered, an eyebrow lifting. Was he? She wasn't sure. Maybe. With a shrug she smiled at him, "Well lets go see where Grayson is then, shall we?" Reaching out she grabbed up Jonathan's hand and started working her way through the house to try to find the man.

Grayson was out in the back, finding a quiet moment to work on some protection spells for the house. Covering their tracks was one thing, but being unprepared wasn't something that Grayson took lightly. It wouldn't be a barrier like around the house, it would just be something to detect unwanted guests.

The door opened swiftly and Kilia's voice filled the air, "Ah! There he is!" she announced loudly, "Grayson! We need you!" she rushed outside with her Guardian in tow wether he wanted it or not. Stopping just short of the other Guardian she puffed a bit as she had been running around the house in search of him, "We... need to find Rethyn! He sort of just... left."

---

Wap!

As Rethyn landed upon the ground he felt his boots contact gravel as he heard the fimiliar sound. The gravel continued on ahead of him as a path with rocks on both sides indicating the path through the mountain's woods. With each step the Guardian heard the gravel move beneath his steps.

Rethyn knew where he was, he had spotted this path before he dozed off in the car. The lonely trail eventually lead back to the road of which they had traveled on. He knew he was about a mile outside of the town, but he knew it wouldn't be wise to teleport in. He needed the strength to teleport the whole way back.

From memory he saw nobody on the streets of the town as they had passed by it. Many of the older styled shops seemed closed or locked up. They had most likely heard of the attack on the city below and either locked themselves up or left town.

Stopping just off the path where the road met it, Rethyn paused for a moment as he heard the quiet song of which was the forest. However, it was quickly ruined by the sounds of crows as they snapped Rethyn back into attention. Ever since the past two nights his eyes felt heavy, but when he would close them he'd never sleep.

Another crow begun, and with that Rethyn quickly shook his head as he tried to focus up. After what seemed like a long moment the young man spotted the sign and begun the long walk.

As Rethyn walked he would pass by people every so often, they would glance in his direction but not stare necessarily. Two boys were playing a 3d version of two robots fighting each other. The source coming from what looked like the pads that Tristan had in his house.

Rethyn truly did feel like an outsider, but so far the experience he was having was far better than that of the people who had first caught glance at him after his revival. The looks of fear he had gained through wearing his gas mask were not ones so easily forgotten.

Stepping to the corner of the street of the town, Rethyn spotted a store by the name of "Ray's Pharmaceuticals". Tilting his head a little at the name, Rethyn quietly sighed before taking his hand to the door and letting himself in.

As Rethyn stepped through the sensors a little very old school sounding bell went off. Before him the interior of the the store was rather tiny as there was only one real spot that could be called a shelf and it was behind the cashier.

The man at the cashier was reading a gadget that looked like an updated version of a kindle. This one actually projected a book, and when the pages turned he would have to touch them with his finger first. He looked up at the bell though and noticed Rethyn, "Can I help you young man."

Rethyn who was unsure of the actual name of the product merely said. "Sleeping problems." to the cashier. He sounded disconnected as his eyes weren't focused on the cashier, but upon what he thought he saw in the room. He watched two blue-eyed children playfully tackle each other before he shook it from his mind.

"Sorry." Rethyn said as he re-focused his eyes onto the Cashier.

"Yeah...don't we all have them," the man said in response, "just joking with ya." He pulled down a box from on of the shelves, "This is the strongest thing I can give ya, without a prescription. The doc's actually not in town at the moment though, I heard about one of the young wives giving birth..." he stopped and laughed. "Sorry, habit, you live in a small town, you'd make up any excuse just to talk to a person. So where you staying."

Rethyn truly did not want to respond too much to the man, but he understood he needed to. He didn't want the locals raising brows at him or assuming anything was off with who he was or the place he was saying. Biting back his truth face and emotions, Rethyn pulled out the fake smile he had been practicing during his off time. Bringing a little up-neatness to his tone he said.

"I'm just staying a few miles up the road. I'm staying with a few college friends of mine at his old man's place. It's quite lovely out here I gotta say."

"And slow as hell..." Rethyn thought silently.

The man smiled, almost as if he understood what Rethyn was thinking. "Quite lovely yes...and probably boring to you city folk. Well hear you go," he had put the box in a bag. "So, how ya paying for this," he asked.

"Do you enjoy hunting?" Rethyn asked casually as he rubbed at his eyes with his right hand. He had not brought cash along with him so he knew he was going to have to do a little work. He hoped the man would take the bait.

The cashier was looking at him, "I use to," he said, "Can't much move around like when I was young."

"What would you say if I could bring you a deer? If you hold onto those pills for me I'll promise you a deer. Fresh."

The man tilted his head in a manner to show his curiosity. "So just what are you using to hunt with."

Rethyn eyed his sword slung over his back. With a fake smile and a raise of the left brow, Rethyn had dived into his new role as he said in a cocky voice "Care to wager?"

This made the cashier chuckle, "You tell me the wager first then I will tell you if I am wagering." He sort of wondered if the young boy took him for some backwoods dimwit, but he wasn't going to say that outloud.

"Alright, listen up. So what I am going to do for you is bring you back a deer. As you can see all I got is my sword here. If I bring and clean this deer, you will give me those pills you got there. " Rethyn again did his best to play the part of the cashless college student to much success. Well, at least that's what he thought as he eyed the man again with his fake grin.

The cashier just sort of grinned at him, "ok son, you got yourself a wager, but I got a condition. You got yourself until noon tomorrow, just don't come knocking on the store door tonight, cause you won't get an answer."

"Very well, you have yourself a deal." Rethyn said as he forced his hand to to shake the cashiers. "I think you will be impressed sir!"

"I will be the judge of that," he grinned at the other.

Giving the cashier a little fake salute with the middle and index finger, Rethyn turned on his heels and left the shop. The moment he went out those doors his grin quickly died as he dropped the act. The task of killing the deer was not going to be the challenge, the challenge was going to be surviving the night.

Tristan and Soran
After Kilia found him and told him Soran was awake, Tristan was trying to get his thoughts collected. He felt really guilty after that little scene in the kitchen with Peter. He shouldn’t have told the guardian how to feel, it was just that his own feelings were getting the way of thinking rationally, that and the lack of actually sleep. He looked quiet nervous standing in front of the door of Soran’s room. His hands were shaking visible and he could not quite get his himself to either knock or turn the door handle. He put his hand down again and took a deep breath.

I choose now to become a big coward

This would have been easier if all Tristan could do was rush into the room and scoop the blonde seer into his arms. Yet Kilia told him to be careful, he knew he would have to take it slow. Yet, one tear rolled down his face, could he bear it, could he bear being in the same room and not want to at least comfort in some way. No he would have to let Soran make the first move.

It would get better, he would have to keep telling himself that, he also resolved to track down Peter later on and apologized to him.
He leaned forward quietly, hoping that no one saw him in this moment. His head touched the door. He remember Rethyn’s words to him last night about how Tristan already knew how to help him the best. And Kilia telling him that maybe saying nothing at all or just telling the boy he loved him was the best idea. Yet he sort of wished someone could just give him another shove. "Come Tristan...just knock on the door," yes he resolved to whispering to himself.

The knock was light, he almost hoped it wasn't to soft, and he waited for some reply.

Soran had been rocking back and forth slightly, his head buried between his arms that were wrapped around his knees. It felt like hours since Kilia had left the room and he was having a hard time breathing or even looking up from where he had ended up. The bed creaked slightly every now and then as he moved gently. The blonde Seer didn't want to move, he didn't want to look and see Valyn's face in front of him with that bloody, golden knife. So, when the soft sound on the door came, he froze. A sharp breath pulling into his lungs as he opened his gaze to stare at his ruined jeans. For a long while he didn't say anything, too afraid to do anything but sit there, safe in his small bubble.

Slowly, gingerly, he lifted up his head to see the room the same as it had been since waking up. Glancing around rapidly, he managed to get his voice, "Yes...?" he was afraid of who might come through that door, but he was also hopeful that it would be someone he dearly wanted... no needed to see.

Tristan stood there waiting, wondering if he should have just opened the door. He heard the "yes" and his heart stopped for a second. The door creaked open slowly as somehow he found his hand around the handle and had turned it. His eyes creeped to the other sitting on his bed, "Soran," he said. He entered the door, but was very slow in closing it. "Its Tristan...I...um"

Soran watched as the red haired Seer entered the room. His heart lurched to his throat as he stared at him. A thousand things washed through him, but none of them he voiced or did. Although he wanted to touch the other, he was afraid of that touch. His skin burned too much still and he still wasn't sure if everything he was seeing was truth or not. Curling his legs tighter, he refused to move or even shift his body around. Soran was also highly aware that his pale skin had scars marring it, more than the three across his chest from when his brother tried to kill him. Just the sight of those alone... he wasn't sure what to do or say.

He didn't look away though, eyes locked on the other for a very long time before he finally managed to say anything at all, "Tristan...you can," he paused a bit, "Come here." he bit his lip. Was he sure? He tensed as he waited.

He was staring back at the other, trying not to freak out like he told Kilia he wouldn't. His heart again stopped when the other finally spoke. He couldn't help the tears going down his face. But his anguish was silent, he didn't let on. He steps were slow, yet as he reached the bed, he stopped and then kneeled. He didn't reach out and touch, not until he was asked. "Soran, I am here"
Soran nodded slowly. As Tristan had knelt down in front of him, he had flinched slightly, but managed to contain his early fear when Kilia had done almost the same. The red haired Seer was slower, moving carefully. It settled him, but at the same time hurt him. The other was crying, but he made no sound. Soran moved then, allowing his legs to fall to the side and leaned forward a bit. His fingers curled in the sheets that he sat upon tightly as he reached out a bit towards Tristan's face. His fingers brushed the boys cheek briefly before he pulled back sharply without meaning to.

"S-sorry... Tristan... I'm, really sorry," he shook his head as he started to cry, "Sorry..."
That touch almost broke him, but when the other pulled back...it really hurt. "Please don't Soran...don't say you are sorry. I understand...but I am here...I am here and I love you."

Soran's head lifted a bit, his eyes locking on Tristan as he sucked in a deep breath. He trembled as he leaned forward again. Gingerly touching Tristan's face a second time he recoiled, but only slightly. Reaching down he grabbed onto Tristan's hand, his fingers twisting into the others briefly. Soran held onto those fingers for as long as he could stand it and then had to let go. Eventually he settled for gripping Tristan's shirt, holding the cloth over the boys chest tightly in his fingers. This seemed to be much better. The trembling stopped eventually.

"Tristan..." he breathed, "You're here. I... It was hard to believe for a long while. But I think... I think you really are here. Don't leave. Please. Just stay, right here. I can't." he muttered under his breath several things, repeating the words for Tristan to stay right there and not move, to not go anywhere. His gaze was languid as he stared at the boy, seemingly drinking in his presence from head to foot.

"I won't, I promise...I will stay right here." Tristan was trying to keep his voice from cracking. He didn't want to break down, not in front of Soran. He didn't move as the other just looked at him. His hands were trembling again, but he decided to grip the sheet to make them stop.

After muttering Tristan's name several times he was beginning to feel light headed. He recalled then that Kilia had said something about tea and food. His stomach protested, loudly. With a grimace he leaned forward, heavy on Tristan's chest as his fingers still clung to the shirt like a life line, "Tristan. I'm hungry." he said with a slight frown, "Really... hungry. Can you... help me? Slowly.... please," he said, knowing full well that he wasn't going to be able to stand up on his own or make it anywhere on his own right then. He couldn't even get the strength to get up off the bed. The only time he had strength enough was if someone startled him and it was only the adrenaline that moved his tired and weakened limbs. Even so, as much as he was afraid of the on coming touch, he didn't want Tristan to leave him either. He wasn't sure he could deal with being alone, with not seeing Tristan right before him.

Tristan smiled, but the words he wanted to say were held back, "I would love to help you," he said finally. This really was quite painful to deal with, but he had to do it for Soran's sake. "Soran...are you sure though, you want to go to the kitchen." He knew that there were others about. The last thing he wanted was for something to happen out there. Then there was the fact that Soran's clothes were in need of changing, as Tristan really looked at him for the first time it seemed. Even though...the ripped jeans were a good look on the blonde seer...

Tristan almost slapped himself in the head..."how about a change of clothes first though."

His fingers tightened around the shirt as Tristan asked him if he was sure he wanted to go, "Don't leave me!" he responded quickly and then bit his lip. He hated this, but he couldn't help it. Freaking out over the simplest of things. Soran's breathing kicked up into short bursts as he knelt there. When the red haired Seer asked him if he wanted to change, he nodded slowly, "Y-yes...Okay. I'm sorry... I didn't mean to yell," he slowly sat back and stared at Tristan's chest for along while before he managed to release the shirt that he had been squeezing tightly, "Um... what should I wear? I... don't know where my other clothes are," he looked down at the floor briefly. Normally, he might have teased Tristan and asked for his shirt to wear, but he wasn't thinking of that even, "Kilia said... we're in a new house. Where is this place? Why... why did we move?"

Tristan was surprised at the fact the other yelling at him, "I am not going to leave," his made sure his voice was even and didn't convey any other feeling. The next questions though weren't really surprising, "We are up in the mountains, my father wanted to feel like we had an some sort of advantage over the...," he couldn't say who, he was afraid to even remind Soran of what he went through. "Your things are here, I packed them myself, well Peter helped too."

"Can I go and get you something to change into," he asked, "Just over to the closet to grab a t-shirt and some pants."

He nodded a bit, "Yes," Soran watched Tristan intently as he did what he said he would. After a moment, he moved on the bed a bit, letting his feet hang off the side and then touch onto the floor. Slowly he stood up and then let out a breath as he dropped back on the bed into the sitting position he was originally in, "Damn..." he muttered softly. He was sure it was just because he was hungry. When was the last time he had eaten? Soran couldn't remember. He felt dizzy and shaky, a slight sickness in his stomach that made him feel like he didn't really want to eat.

After retrieving the clothes and trying to watch the other just in case. He missed the one moment where Soran tried to stand and then fell to the bed, while looked for a t-shirt. When he looked back he noticed the other looked paler. He walked back toward the other...but couldn't figure out why he was now feeling awkward again. "Soran, tell me what I can do..."

He felt like a timid kid who was just barely starting to get used to the presence of someone. With a sigh he looked up and stretched out his arms to the other, "I can't... stand. It's really hard. My jeans," he felt a bit of a blush cross his face, "I can put on the shirt, thank you," he said softly. All he needed was help to stand and change the pants that were ruined to the other, clean set, "Could you... help me stand?"

He nodded, and put the shirt and pants down on the bed. He looked at the other contemplating the best position, so he could change his pants. "I am going to put your hands on my shoulders," he said, "is that ok." He felt that maybe that would give the other some leverage and if he should fall back, Tristan would still be able to catch if the need came about.

The blonde paused, seemed to think it over, and then nodded a bit.

Tristan gently connected his hands with the other, and pulled him up...one thing he forgot to account for was the difference in height. He could have kneeled...but that...would have been even more embarrassing. So he slouched slighty, hoping the other could do what he needed. He was still close enough so he could hand the pants to the other. "Just tell me when you are ready, and I can hand you the pants. and if you want I can even close my eyes." He sort of grinned, knowing he was lightly teasing. He was just trying to get rid of some of the tension he felt.

Soran flustered as he stood there with Tristan holding him up gently. The boy was so much taller than him, so Tristan had bent down a bit to compensate for their height difference. At first he nodded to the other, ready to finish changing and get some food. However, then Tristan had to add the last part and he grew bright red. It was a feeling that he had nearly forgotten, "T-Tristan... You... That's just," he stumbled a bit trying to keep his footing as well as speak properly, "Really? It's not like you haven't seen worse," he muttered a bit with a frown as he steadied himself finally, "Just... stand right there," Soran said and proceeded to unbutton the ruined jeans, allowing them to slide off and drop to the floor, "Hand me those ones..." he said, trying to ignore everything else.

Tristan actually winced slightly...yeah that may have not been the right thing to say. What did Soran mean by him seeing worse...seeing worse what. He handed him the pants and glanced down at Soran's legs...and noticed the new scars. They were faint...most likely of the extensive healing the others did. He couldn't think about it now, or Soran might notice that he was getting slightly angry. What he wanted to do the God that did this to Soran...would probably make some people think he was absolutely nuts.

He tried to settle his expression into a more calm one before the other could notice it.

As Soran dragged on the new jeans, he had to release his hold on the others shoulders. To compensate for the loss of balance and the touch that he had grown used to, he turned and leaned heavily against the boy as he finished putting on the pants, "Why... is this so hard?" he panted as he tilted his head against Tristan's shoulder, "I don't remember dressing being so hard," he huffed and took a deep breath. His fingers wiggled in the direction of the shirt next, "Please? I really want to eat, before I get sick... I feel like I could just... pass out right now," he muttered.

"It will get easier, Soran," Tristan said as he handed the other the shirt, yet this time he really couldn't look at the other as he changed. "It will take time, all things take time to get better, but we are all here to help you."

Putting the shirt on, he slowly tugged it down over his head, gritting his teeth at Tristan's words. Turning around he gripped the shirt tightly that hung on the red haired boy's frame, "I'm sorry... I will... try," he said as he buried his face slightly, but not too much as to block out Tristan's body from his view. He stayed there for a long time, trying to breath right again and then thinking about leaving that room. He wasn't sure he could, but with his insistence to keep Tristan right there, and his hunger, he was in a dilemma. He shook slightly again as he looked towards the door. After several breaths, he nodded not so much to Tristan but to himself, "Okay.... okay... lets go..." he said softly. What if I step out of this room... and it's not.... what will I find? Can I do it? I don't want to..! he froze slightly, eyes wide, "I'm safe... right? I'm not... nothing will happen... right?"

Not only could Tristan see the feelings on Soran's face...he could feel them as well. How the other froze next to him. "Nothing is going to happen, Soran, I got you." He almost wanted to ask if the other just wanted him to carry him, but Soran needed to do this on his own in a way. "We can go slow, but I don't want you to get tired, so let me know if I need to stop. Oh maybe the view will help too, its almost time for the sun to set."

Soran took in a deep breath, "Okay..." he answered and tentatively started for the door. His fingers of one hand still clung to that same spot over Tristan's chest, the cloth of his shirt tangled up in the blonde Seer's hand, "View...?" he muttered, slightly curious as to what Tristan meant. He opened the door to the hall and slowly peeked out, looking down either way before stepping into the hall. His body chilled slightly and he moved again, towards the stairs. Reaching out he gripped the railing tightly until his knuckles turned white.

It took them quite some time to get down to the first floor. Soran was moving so slowly and timidly. Slight noises would make him jump and fall back onto the boy before he relaxed and moved again. When they got to the first floor, the giant windows in the front room struck Soran. The glaring red flames of the setting sun had lit the room on fire with its light that fed through the trees outside. The forest... he thought in wonderment. In all his years, he had never seen the forest... at least not one like this. He stayed there, staring out into the trees for some time before his stomach twisted and reminded him of why he had made the painfully slow journey in the first place.

Turning, he looked up at Soran, "Food?" he asked with a slight tilt of his head.

Tristan kinda felt settled a little to watching the setting sun, it was his favorite time of the day. "Over there to the left," he pointed toward the kitchen. The smell of food actually hit his own nose, and his stomach growled in response, "I guess you aren't the only one that is hungry," Tristan said. He had to wonder if he had actually eaten today or not. When they got there, someone had made a big pot of stew, probably just had in on low heat for whenever anyone got hungry.

"And look we don't even have to make anything, you think you could handle some of this, I could just give you broth with nothing else"

Soran, upon smelling the food hardly listened to Tristan as he tugged at the boys shirt to direct them to the Kitchen via his nose. Leaning into the room, he quickly glanced around before his eyes settled on the pot that making his stomach rumble even more. Once again, tugging on Tristan, he made his way towards the stove, one hand gripping the counter as he leaned there, tired from the short walk already. Both eyes stared at the pot as if he were trying to will it to open for him and magically put itself in a bowl.

Nodding vigorously at Tristan's question, he looked between the pot and Tristan, "I want that." he said simply, his stomach churning again making him wince slightly. Could he handle it? He wasn't sure, but he was so hungry -and borderline sick- that he didn't care.

He grabbed two bowls and put less veggies and meat in Soran but more broth, he knew the other was hungry but he really didn't want him to make himself more sick, instead of the counter he helped the other to the table, so he could actually sit in a chair. "Here you start and let me get mine." It was then he nothing the guardian still in the kitchen from earlier.
Peter, who hadn't moved due to the fact he fell asleep, suddenly sat up sharply. "I smell stew. Is it supper already Grayson?" He asked as he looked around and saw the other two denizens. "Oh. Just Tristan and Soran....huh? Wait a minute!!!! Is it my little buddy?"

He mentally slapped himself and tried to sneak away.

"Hey..." Tristan said to the guardian that was looking like he was trying to leave, "Stay and join us. Just do so quietly," he smiled at the other. He grabbed another bowl and held it out in Peter's direction.

Allowing Tristan to seat him, he didn't move for a while as he watched the red haired boy in the kitchen before turning to his own food finally. His head hurt a bit and he frowned slightly. The food smelt wonderful, but as he sat there staring at it, he noticed that it was growing increasingly difficult to actually eat it. Taking the spoon, he put in a bit of the broth and brought it to his lips. The shout in the kitchen startled him and the spoon fell from his fingers into the bowl, splashing the hot liquid around. His heart skipped a beat and he froze for a good while.

"Sup." Sina spoke from the entrance of the room. With a light smile and a little wave she beamed in the direction of Soran as she said "Good to see you're standing little guy. You had us worried."

Leaning her left shoulder onto the frame of the door and her other hand on her right hip, she quickly glanced over to Peter for a second before eying Tristan. "Oh, so you must be the older brother? Found your blue eyes Guardian sleeping in the bathtub this morning...only a little weird."

Tristan turned at the voice of the girl, looking at her, "You must be the other seer," he said finally. "Yes my guardian may be slightly on the weird side, but leave him alone ok." He had his bowl in his hand and walked over to the table with some napkins also. He was more worried about the kitchen becoming crowded then anything else. So he sat down next to Soran and ate there.
Soran set eyes on the woman, but he didn't know who that was. He was taken aback by her sudden appearance and her addressing him as if she knew him. As Tristan came to sit down, he reached over and gripped the boys shirt again, "Who... is that?" he asked fearfully. He wanted to know, and he wasn't about to eat anything or do anything else until her sudden appearance was explained to him. Who was she? Why was she there? Was she... one of them He shook slightly, "Tristan... who is that? Why is she here!?" he was very close to opening his magic system.

"Soran," he said gently, "calm down please." He sighed, "We...found her when we found you. She is a seer, my father said she was very protective of you during the whole ordeal. She is harmless...I think." The rest of the conversation he had with his dad he would leave for another time.

Peter felt a slight chill run down his spine at Sina's entrance. His hood was down so he gave a slight glare at her when he saw Soran begin to panic. "Why'd ya scare him like that huh? Are ya askin me to wipe the floor with ya lass?" he said in slight annoyance. Though part of the annoyance was from the awkward attention the female seer gave him last night. He half wanted to beat her at her own game or beat her to a pulp.

Raising her finger to Peter as if he were a child, she looked over to Soran and Tristan for a moment as she studied their faces. After a short moment she looked to Tristan and said "Mhn maybe another time then..."

As she turned on her heels to leave she threw Peter a little playful smirk. "I don't think it'd play out that way. "

Peter's eyebrow gave a slight twitch as he slightly turned pink. "Are you insinuating that I wouldn't last long against ya lassie, because apart from Jonathan, I'm the strongest guardian there is in the group!" He blurted out almost instinctively to try and gain the upper hand In the wordplay.

Tristan had just wanted to eat quietly, he looked over at Peter, "Peter," he said as gently but forcefully as he could, "Please...can you stop." He knew this was a bad idea...why didn't he just try to talk Soran into waiting on him while he went and got food. This wasn't the time for Peter's hot-head to rear itself. Soran was already shaking badly from the girl, he didn't need anything more because of his guardian.

Soran clung to Tristan's arm, his gaze watching the developing conflict with shock and fear in his green eyes that were wide. Several times he had tried to open his magic system, but couldn't quite get himself to tear from Tristan to do so, "Stop..." he muttered, "Just stop..." he grit his teeth as his gaze dropped to the table and then squeezed shut.

Reaching the frame of the entrance of the kitchen, Sina giggled at Peter as she teased "I don't think you'd last long in several ways I could think of..." With yet another light laugh she walked from the kitchen as she headed for the stairs. She couldn't stand the way Soran was looking at her. It was such pain and fear of which killed her inner drive.

Peter's blush turned into a deep red at Sina's words. "Fish...paste." he muttered in slight defeat. "If I knew where the training room was I'd have shown her! Would have made some Form of bet too..." Peter was close to literally steaming. He'd get her back. Somehow he would. "I'll get even yet..."

"Peter, they are downstairs...go and let off some of that steam, or better yet, take a run outside. Just don't set any trees on fire." Tristan said having still not actually been able to take a bite to eat. "or if you want to, check out the treehouse, its actually nice and quiet."

"Oh, I'll let off steam...when I put that woman onto the sparring mat and make her eat her own words." Peter said as he walked in search for Sina, intending to prove her wrong in some way. He left muttering to himself trying to do so.

When the noises stopped, Soran peeked out hesitantly. He didn't see anyone and so he glanced over to Tristan. He took a deep breath and worked to calm himself. He hated this. Glancing back at his food he made a face, "I... don't think I want to eat," he said softly. Leaning over he let his head hit Tristan's shoulder and concentrated on breathing.

Tristan sighed, "What do you want to do, Soran. I can take you back to your room, but you are still going to be hungry."

He didn't miss the sigh and he bit his lip. Looking back at the food he straightened in the seat. Releasing Tristan, he took the spoon and put it in the soup, swirling it around for a moment without a word. Raising it up to his lips, he cringed slightly and took a small bite of it. It was warm, salty and full of all kinds of spices that he couldn't quite identify right then. He focused on the bowl and nothing else. It got easier to eat, and he took mouthful after mouthful almost in a daze. He hadn't wanted to irritate Tristan -at least that's what he thought had happened- and so he sat there quietly, eating as much as he could.

Truthfully Tristan had sighed out of frustration with everyone else in the house but Soran, Peter wasn't actually listening to anything anyone was saying. Not to mention that he seemed to completely ignoring his seer at the moment, maybe that was just Tristan thinking that. Oh he noticed him, but then tried to sneak off, what the hell was that anyways.

"I am sorry, I didn't mean to sound like that," Tristan said to the other without looking at him.

"Tristan..." Soran looked over to him. He set the spoon down in the bowl and leaned back. Curling his fingers in his lap he stared down at the fingers that showed one or two tiny little scars. Soran shook his head, "I don't... like this either. I don't like this feeling that I have when I think that you may not be real. I hate to think about you're even going around the corner. Its... aggravating, I hate it, but I can't... I can't seem to help it. I don't know what this is, at all. I can't..." he took in a sharp breath his heart speeding up and his voice cracking, "Can't get it out of my head... his face, the fear, that golden knife, the pain..." reaching up he wrapped his arms around himself and bent over. He felt like he was going to be sick.

"Why... why can't I get rid of it? What the hell is wrong with me!?"

Tristan watched the other and heard his words, "Soran..." he reached out to put his hands on the others shoulders, yet hesitated. "Soran look at me...please...just look at me."

Lifting his head, he struggled to breath right. Tristan's voice stretched through the horrid images that were suddenly flashing through his minds eye, making him cringe and it took everything he had not to start screaming. At first he didn't want to look, fear holding him in place. But when he heard it the second time, he turned and glanced at the boy.

Tristan couldn't help it anymore, "I am here, I am not leaving you, this place is real, the people are real. We aren't going to hurt you, we are here to help you through anything. I shouldn't have let you leave your room, I was so afraid for it to be to much, yet I couldn't leave you either. Please lets just go back, you can use me as a pillow again...I don't care."

Tristan has actually stopped making sense to himself and while he was talking was pretty sure he felt something rolling down his face. How the heck was he going to help Soran if all he could become was a blathering idiot?

Turning in his seat, the little blonde Seer nodded, "Tristan, I'm so sorry..." he reached out his arms, "Help me... please..." he moaned as he fingers reached out to the boys shoulders. He meant those words in more than one way. Crying, he slowly shifted forward and put his head on the boys, "...go, lets go," he said gently.

Tristan just nodded and decided to actually just to carry the other. "I am going to pick you up," he said before he actually did anything. He did it slowly as not to completely startle the other one. He needed this contact, hoping his wasn't freaking the other out. He made sure Soran's arms were around his neck before moving. He didn't walk fast but he was slightly faster than they were on the way down. He got back to Soran's room, closed the door with his foot and walked to the bed.
"Ok, going to put you down now," he said again as he lowered the other down.

One thing was for certain. He was thankful that Tristan had the mind to ask to touch him, and to let him know when he was going to touch the little blonde. It helped Soran prepare for it because in all honesty, any touch still burned awefully. So when he was lifted up he gave the smallest of winces and a slight sound at the back of his throat and quickly clenched one hand into the same spot of Tristan's shirt that he had dubbed as his by now. It settled him enough to not thrash and flail in Tristan's arms as they went up the stairs to the room.

At the words of being set down, Soran nodded and soon found himself placed onto the bed. The motion of being carried had somewhat lulled him and he was exceptionally weary. Unwillingly, he yawned on hand still clenching Tristan's shirt lightly. Shifting around he finally released the boy and got comfortable on the bed. Though he was so tired, he found he couldn't fall asleep just yet, "Tristan... you will sleep with me?"

Tristan sort of grinned as Soran's last words sounded like a questioning command, "If you wish me too," he said. He sat on the bed, making sure that he wasn't going to lay on top of the other and laid down. He settled but didn't make any kind of move to get closer.

"Thank you," Soran muttered as he stretched out and rested across the Seer's chest. With his fingers curling into the same spot over Tristan's heart, he found that it was much easier to fall asleep and the haunting images weren't quite as apparent as they were starting to be. It took perhaps five minutes and he was sound asleep.

-Tristan and Soran Picnic-

It was an hour after breakfast that Tristan and Soran little journey outdoors was to begin. Tristan decided to be on the safe side and was gathering some things in case of anything. He has changed into something comfortable with some good shoes. He also left a note, well because he thought it was a good idea. He knocked on Soran's door before opening it, "Hey you ready."
Glancing over to the door he had startled slightly, but with Tristan's voice following he settled almost immediately. He nodded as he finished dragging the shirt on over his head, his back to the red head, "Yeah. So where are we going? Or are you still not going to tell me?"

Tristan grinned, "I want it to a surprise, but its a good one ok. Got to stop by the kitchen first to get lunch, I think almost everyone else is downstairs in the training room." He didn't really know why he said that, maybe so Soran might relax a little bit.
The little blonde laughed slightly, a very small noise that may not have even passed as a laugh, "Alright," he said and turned around to follow after the other boy to the kitchen. Reaching out, he hooked his fingers into Tristan's belt loop and stayed like that as they went down to the kitchen to pick up the lunch in question. Though he was curious, and very nervous about leaving to some place he did not know, he didn't ask again and instead waited for Tristan to lead the way.
Tristan felt the fingers in his belt loop, and smiled. It was never weird to him when the other grabbed him in some place or the other. He knew it kept Soran grounded, so to speak. He was a little nervous as well, as he just wanted the other to be happy again.

These days for him were just trying to be patient, and he was trying very hard just to be that person that Soran needed. Yet what made him the most upset is when he would see the anger in Soran's eyes, he didn't have the answers for that, well not really answers but more like reasons. He couldn't ever get himself to ask why, and wondered if the other could even answer him.
He picked up the lunch out of the fridge and put the note on the fridge when he closed the door. "Ok lets go," he said as he walked to the back door and outside with the other. He stopped to check on Soran before he continued.

When Tristan stopped, Soran hadn't been paying enough attention. His gaze had dropped to the floor and there had been that flash of rage again, sudden and quick, but enough to get him distracted and wondering what it was that had pissed him off so badly. He bumped into Tristan and stumbled back a step, his fingers that were hooked in his belt kept him from falling over. Dazed slightly he looked up at Tristan with wide eyes, "S-sorry..." he said, "What's wrong, why did you stop?"

"I...um was checking on you, sorry I will just ask next time." It was the first time Soran had been outside, Tristan just wanted to see he was doing ok. He let the whole thing go though. "Ok, watch the steps." he said as started again. These were some stone ones that led into the back yard. The yard itself was pretty large, but well kept. Off to one side the tree house came into view, but that wasn't where Tristan was heading. No he was heading toward the other side and a marked trail, one he actually knew by heart. If Soran were to glance up at the tree house, he would see a pretty good sized one. There even looked to be two floors inside.

The crunching of leaves under their feet made it even more clear that they were leaving the back yard and heading into the trees.
"See the trails back here are marked, they go in different directions. Just in case you are exploring on your own and you get lost. Of course, my dad always said to have someone with, like a trail buddy."

"Trail buddy," Soran repeated, completely at a loss as to what that meant for a moment. He glanced down at his fingers entangled in Tristan's belt loops and then felt a bit of a blush course over his face, "Oh. So... does that make us 'trail buddies'?" he asked, a flash of a grin spreading across his face as he realized how silly that really sounded.

As they moved into the trees, he was constantly looking around, enjoying the new sounds and the smell of the forest. Something about the damp earth was making him relax a little bit. He liked it. It was different. Better than being in the house, though he did like his room a lot. It was safe there, "That tree house. Who built it? I've never seen something like that," he said after a little bit of walking.

"It was a present for the kids, my Grandma had it built, this was actually her place before it became my dad's. We always came up here for the summers. We...I mean my cousins and I always had a good time especially after that was built." Not that it lasted...he tried not to actually think about it now, he didn't think sharing would be such a good idea, not with Soran in his current state. He continued down the trail marked with the blue flags, if one followed it all the way to the end, it would lead down to the lake. However...that wasn't where they were going either. The sunlight even though still slightly visible in the treetops was sort of hard to make out sometimes. There was still a soft green light around them though, so it wasn't completely dark.

Still trailing behind Tristan, Soran reached out and touched passing bushes and tree branches that hung down low enough. It was cool under the trees, which he thought was rather odd as it was still sunny outside. His fingers tangled in the bushes, touching the soft leaves and he wondered why they felt like that. Until he hit one that wasn't so soft, "Ow!" he drew his hand back and put his finger in his mouth with a bit of a shocked pout, "Wah da hew?" he asked around his finger.

Tristan stopped and turned back as best he could. Looking at the other with his finger in his mouth...he lost his train of thought for a second. "You ok, " he finally asked, "let me look at it, some of the bushes have thrones."

"Mm..." Soran withdrew his finger from his mouth and showed it to Tristan. It was red slightly, a couple of scratches at best and only one that had a tiny bit of blood starting to peak from the tip of his finger, "Man... that thing was sharp... It kind of itches too," he mumbled. It wasn't bad though, just a slight tingle that was sure to go away in a moment. Or he hoped it would go away. Maybe it didn't itch at all and he was imagining it. He frowned a bit, "I-its fine, Tristan."

Tristan examined the finger on Soran's hand, he had several thoughts running through his head. One of them being taking said finger and sucking on it himself...he looked away, slightly conflicted. He stepped closer, and gently took the others hand, "I rather be completely sure," he said and hopefully before the other could protest, he pulled the finger to his mouth and closed his lips around it.

Soran's eyes went wide, his mouth opening and closing as his finger suddenly ended up in Tristan's mouth. His heart skipped a beat and he thought he was going to drop right there as his knees went weak on him, "T-Tristan!" he stuttered, breath short for a moment, "H-hey... H-how would you like if I just suddenly nibbled on your finger! Cut it o-out," he protested verbally, but not physically. Instead he was trembling slightly. This was definitely a bit more intimate than he'd imagined it to be. Or maybe it was just because it was Tristan who was doing it. He blushed furiously.

Tristan slightly grinned at Soran's reaction, and finally let the finger go. He almost offered his hand when the other asked how he would like it if he suddenly began nibbling on his finger. Soran had no idea...did he, that he would probably like it alot. He sighed, placed a kiss in the middle of Soran's palm before letting the hand go altogether, "Sorry, couldn't help myself," Tristan said, not really telling the truth. He turned so the other couldn't see his rather cocky looking grin on his face. "We only got a little ways to go before we get this place, you ready," he asked.

With his heart pounding rapidly, his face feeling like it was on fire, he watched Tristan grin at him and then release the finger that he held hostage from his lips. He swallowed dryly, not quite sure he could get any words from his mouth right then until the red head turned around and continued on. He focused on breathing, "Y-yeah... I'm ready," he answered back. Briefly he wondered if Tristan planned to do anything when they got to this place he was taking him too and he cleared his throat rather loudly at the thought. Trying to busy himself with the flora around him, he found it hard to concentrate.

He tried to recall the last time Tristan had held him like that, but it was hard to remember. It had been a while, he was sure. A frown pulled at his lips. I think... I think I really want to kiss him... yeah. Really wanna kiss him... he allowed that thought to trail, putting him in a sweet daze as he followed behind Tristan, his fingers still hooked in the jeans the other wore but playing around with it at the same time too now.

After a while he muttered, "Pretty," as he caught sight of a beautiful bright blue bird that sang as it flew by. Everything was pretty out here. It was calm. No strange noises, no loud noises, no surprises. He liked it. A lot.

With Tristan, holding Soran was never to far from his mind, but he hadn't really planned anything so to speak. He remembered the last time...and actually it made him blush. It was after the insane amount of teasing Soran had put him through...and it did seem like forever ago. Almost like that was a different world altogether...everything was different now.

Tristan got lost in his thoughts that he almost missed where he wanted to turn, "oh... " he chuckled slightly. "Its this way, kinda off trail, so watch out for the tree roots." He continued, ducking branches every so often, but made sure the other would notice. He heard the water before they actually got to the place. He moved one more branch out of the way. It was there, a small waterfall, it filled up what looked small pond, that looked pretty deep.

Soran took a deep breath as the branches were moved aside and he was rewarded with an amazing view of a waterfall, "Tristan..." he breathed the other Seer's name as he stepped up next to him, "Beautiful... how did you... have you always known this place?" he asked, in awe at the natural beauty before him. Having never seen a water fall before, the roaring sound it made even with the distance they were at was so powerful. His fingers gripped Tristan's arm tightly, "Amazing. I've never seen anything like it."

"Its one of my favorites," he said as he watched the other. "I kinda thought that it would be relaxing just to sit and listen to the waterfall, while sharing it with someone I love." Tristan actually blushed again. Lunch was a also on that list, but Tristan wasn't really hungry at that moment. "Come there is a really soft patch of grass over there." He continued as he led the other closer to the waterfall.

"I can see why it would be a favorite," Soran said softly in return. He blushed as well as the boy said he wanted to share it with someone he loved. The blonde felt his heart skip a beat too. He allowed Tristan to lead him to the grass that he spoke of.

Settling himself down on the dry, soft grass he reached out his fingers and touched the green mess and smiled gently, "It is soft... I didn't think grass could be soft," he said. He coughed a bit in embarrassment, "N-not that I've ever just sat and played with it before, you know..." he looked away and gazed at the water fall.

"Tristan." he said the boys name and then paused.

Turning he looked at him, the sun filtering through to hit his hair and face, "Thank you. I love you. Thank you," he reached out and brushed his fingers across the boys face gently.

Sitting down next to Soran and watching him examine the grass underneath him almost made Tristan chuckle. As a kid, he often would sit in the backyard and not move for hours and run his fingers through the grass without thinking about it.
It was just something that felt comfortable to him, that was before he started to play inside more often. "I love you too Soran," he answered the other in return. He felt the fingers on his face and moved his hand over the others. He took it and placed it over his heart, and smiled at the other.

Soran bit his lip as Tristan moved his hand to his chest, right over his heart. His fingers curled slightly, gripping his shirt just a bit as he felt the warmth radiating off of Tristan. He shifted his body, scooting closer to Tristan. Taking the lunch that the red haired Seer had packed, he moved it aside. Moving closer, he hesitated a bit, "Tristan... D-don't... move, please," he muttered and then proceeded to stare at him for a moment before leaning forward and gently setting a kiss on his cheek. He pulled away and seemed to settle that it was alright and came forward to kiss Tristan's mouth next. He kept kissing him, his hand that was over his heart squeezing the shirt tighter now.

When he pulled away to breathe finally, his face was flushed deep red, his breath short as he gazed up at Tristan, "That... wanted to do that. I wasn't sure, but... it's okay," he said tilting his head a bit, "Kiss me, please."

He felt the other move closer, and then ask him not to move, Tristan didn't even bat an eyelash as the other kissed him on the cheek, and then on his mouth. His lips moved with the others, but he couldn't help that action. As the other moved away and said that he wanted to do that...Tristan let out a breath he hadn't realized that he was holding. It was at that moment the other asked him to kiss him, and Tristan's heart skipped a beat. He had questions...but actually couldn't voice them at the moment. He looked at the others lips, and moved forward slowly, "Okay," was his only word before kissing the other back.

Stretching up, he wrapped both arms around Tristan's neck and let his weight lean against him, hoping to topple the other onto the grass as he continued to kiss him. Pulling back slightly, he took a deep breath before continuing the kiss. His hands busied themselves with tangling into the boys hair or working their way across Tristan's chest lightly.
"Tristan..."

As the other leaned against him and wrapped his arms around his neck, Tristan was caught off surprise and fell against the grass. He watched the other as he pulled back and found himself breathless. The other continued the kiss as his hands were touching Tristan's hair and chest. The other stopped and said his name, but Tristan didn't move, "Soran.." what did he want to say, he was lost for words at the moment, instead reached up and played with a piece of that blonde hair. He smiled, "Love ya."

Soran leaned into the touch as Tristan played with his hair. That smile... it was contagious and he found that he couldn't help but return it, though his was smaller, "Same to you," he said as he leaned down and touched the tip of his nose against Tristan's, "Want to know something else?" he pulled away, a light sparking in his eyes as he shifted his gaze to the boys ear. His fingers tightened around Tristan's frame, "I haven't forgotten," he started as he leaned down near Tristan's ear.

"I haven't forgotten what turns you on," he breathed in Tristan's ear and then promptly began nibbling on it. Playing with him was somewhat fun, and he was certainly enjoying it. With the sound of the water behind him and the feel of the soft grass under his fingers. With Tristan laying beneath him as he straddled him... He wanted to stay right there forever.

Tristan closed his eyes, relishing the moment. He wanted to stay like this forever as well. The biting on the ear though was making him uncomfortable but in a good way. "Soran...I..." he sighed and let go of the protest on his lips.
He didn't know what he was going to say anyways. He moved his hands to the waist of the other, just so they were somewhere other then the ground.

Soran paused in his nibbling, "Is this... okay?" he asked softly. Maybe this was bad timing, or something like that. Soran frowned a bit as he let his head rest against the soft part between Tristan's shoulder and neck. He felt the pulse there, it was quick, "If you don't want to... I could stop," he said as he traced circles across the boys chest.

Tristan chuckled, "Soran...its perfectly ok...I was just worried about you I guess. And well...um...I always want to." He was blushing again at those words, did he just say that out loud...that was bad.

Soran pulled up so that he could look at Tristan. His boyfriends face was red again and the little blonde Seer couldn't help but to laugh a bit. He covered his mouth as he stared at him, and then laughed again. It was bubbling in his chest, the laughter. It felt good too. In the next moment, his face was buried in Tristan's chest as he laughed in little spurts, giggling and trying to keep it to himself.

"You.... are... horny," he teased between fits of giggles, "I thought I was.... I think maybe you might be worse," he laughed again and let his body fall down completely on top of Tristan where he snuggled against the boy and took in a deep breath to steady himself, "So. How do you keep it to yourself then? I mean... if you... always want to," he teased and bit the boys ear, "Is this helping? Man, if I have known that, things would be so much more fun around you."

Tristan blushing grew worse as the other started laughing, but man it sounded so good to hear him laugh like that. But then the blonde has to start in with the teasing..."Hey...wait a sec..." Tristan started but couldn't find the words between his own fits of laughter. "Stop Soran, that is not fair...I was tricked into saying that." He snickered slightly, oh he let the other have his fun now, he would get him back hopefully one day soon. Tristan had the strongest urge to roll the other over, but he fought it, mostly because he didn't want to scare Soran.

He giggled again, "Tricked? No, I think you're always thinking that. Besides, I didn't do anything," he said in return. Situating himself, he rested his hands on Tristan's chest and then put his chin there, to stare at the other. He rocked his body from one side to the other almost like he was twisting innocently like a kid who had gotten yelled at with a little grin, "See. I'm innocent. So. What should I do now?"

He looked down at the other, grinning ever so slightly, "Innocent...," Tristan repeated with almost a scoff. "Your not innocent in the least, you freakin tease." The rocking was really distracting and Tristan had to pause and collect a thought, "I am not giving you any idea's mister...your going to have to come up with them on your own." He grinned slightly.

Soran lifted up one hand and put his finger between his teeth as he eyed the boy, "Aww, now that's not fair," he reached up and used Tristan's shoulder as a lever to pull himself up farther, "Don't you remember all those ideas I gave you?" he asked, he vaguely remembered them to be honest, but he knew he had told Tristan some rather... wild things, "Won't you be nice and let me in on a few of your own? Only fair right," he continued and reached up to give Tristan a quick kiss before drawing back with a slight smile pulling his lips.

Tristan couldn't help but laugh a little, "Ok...lean down here, and I will help you out."

Soran did as he was asked, leaning down towards Tristan's face and actually very curious as to what it was he was about to hear. He reached up his finger and bit it lightly again as he waited.

Tristan's whispers were perhaps slightly more tame then Soran's had been, but they were well detailed. There were things that Soran would surely blush at, but he wanted to know, so Tristan was telling him.

Soran ended up biting his lip as his fingers reached down to grip Tristan tightly. His breath shortened immediately, his eyes closing shut as he listened, "Mm... Tristan... holy.... you....thats...." he couldn't think. It was a familiar feeling. Something like this had surely happened before. He clutched at it, holding it tightly as his chest grew tight. Pulling away because he couldn't handle hearing anymore, he was blushing furiously as he gazed down at Tristan. Sitting himself directly on top of Tristan, he tried to steady his erratic breathing.

"That... was really hot," he managed to say. His fingers tugged at Tristan's shirt, "I think... yeah. I think I need to come up with more things to tease you with," he said with a bit of a laugh. Leaning down he kissed Tristan before asking, "Can I? I really... want you. Can I? Like this?"

"Yes," was all Tristan said, gosh he was having a hard time breathing and not only because the other was sitting on him. He blushed slightly and looked at the other.

Soran smiled and then continued to kiss the boy. All the while he listened to the waterfall, to Tristan's breathing, focused on his heat and touch, and lost himself in a wave of emotions that seemed to help get rid of the rage that flickered every once and a while at the back of his mind and heart.

---

Soran and Tristan
"That was... beautiful, Tristan," Soran said. They had returned to the house a bit ago and were in his room once again. He enjoyed the escapade outside and had actually fell asleep on Tristan after they had lunch. The grass had been so comfortable, especially after.... that. Soran blushed a bit and looked to the floor, "T-thank you. Uh..." he shifted about a moment as he tried to clear the memory, though he didn't really want to. It had been a long walk and though he was tired, he was dirty from the grass and dirt.

"Think I will shower," he said softly and looked around for a clean shirt and jeans. Once he found what he wanted, he gave a small smile to Tristan and left the room, pausing only briefly to look up and down the hall before heading to the bathroom. He paused, standing at the doorway of the darkened room. His fingers just barely brushing the door. He frowned a bit as he stood there and then called for Tristan.

"Tristan...?" he hated having to depend on the red head for almost everything but he was trying. For some reason though, he still couldn't get himself to enter a darkened room without Tristan. He was starting to get better and moving around with out Tristan for short periods of time. Soran was hopeful that he could start to get back to how he normally was, but it was slow going. The only thing he worried about was if he upset Tristan because of his heavy dependance on the red haired Seer.

Tristan was about to turn to go take a shower of his own when he heard his name. He looked down the hallway at the other seer standing, "Soran, you called me." He started to walk in that direction not really sure what the other wanted at the moment.

"T-the... light," he muttered, cursing himself slightly and feeling a flash of anger for a brief moment that he bit down on, "Sorry..."

A smile passed on Tristan's face as walked to the bathroom and turned the light on, "You know this would be easier if you just let me join you," he teased but he wasn't being completely serious. He sort of felt like the other needed some time alone to collect his thoughts. It had been a long morning, and many things had happened.

"T-Tristan!" Soran stuttered, his face growing red as he watched the boy turn on the light for him, "B-but then... we... wouldn't... shower..." he avoided eye contact as much as possible as he shifted there next to the door. It was a tease in it's own right as he was referring to Tristan's earlier comment next to the waterfall. On the other hand, Soran also wasn't quite ready for that just yet anyway. Each shower he had taken on his own -or with Tristan just outside the door- had been spent with his fingers tracing the scars and shaking terribly. He hadn't wanted the other Seer to see them. Sure Tristan had probably seen some of them, but Soran didn't want him to be standing there where he could concentrate on the pale white lashes.

There weren't many scars, which he was very thankful for due to Kilia's healing and someone everyone called Victor or Uncle Vic. But to Soran, there was still enough to be... ugly in his own eyes. In honestly, the little blonde Seer was afraid of what he might see in Tristan's eyes should the boy see the scars fully without something to distract him from them. He frowned to himself as he stared at the bathroom floor.

"Thanks," he muttered, "I'll... be quick," he said and slipped into the room while gently pushing on Tristan's back to get him to leave.

Tristan didn't say anything in return to Soran, something in Soran's voice held him back. He turned to go back to the other bathroom but looked back once, with worry in his eyes. He was going to make his own shower really quick, just because of the nagging feeling back in his own mind.

The water turned on, filling the room with a sharp sound and Soran held his hand under the water until it ran warm enough for him. Removing his clothes, he slipped into the water, wincing slightly at it touched him. Biting his lip he forced himself to drench his hair and then just stood there, both hands against the wall as the water ran over him. Taking several slow breathes, he reminded himself that Tristan was just down the hall, that he was in a safe house and no where else.

The start of his shower was fine, with the usual cringing every now and then. It wasn't until the soap was washing out of his hair and accidentally got into his eye that things went south. He washed out his eye, hissing to himself in irritation and pain at the slight burning. Once he got it all out, he rubbed at the eye and was staring down at the bottom of the shower when the water ran red. His heart lurched and he gasped. The water itself from the shower wasn't red as he looked up at it in shock.

His gaze went down to his lithe frame and he shouted. The old scars were bleeding, at least in his minds eye they were. He stumbled back and hit the wall of the shower before he crashed down onto the bottom of the tub, the water still pelting him which now turned sharp and painful. Soran screamed then, a sharp, loud sound that echoed in the room, making him cringe even more. Once he started screaming, he couldn't stop. His fingers batted at the water as if he were trying to fend it off from hitting him, but failing miserably because to him it wasn't water.

The door burst open, and Tristan was standing there breathing hard, "Soran," Tristan had finished probably in record time. He first turned the water off, "Soran...stop everything is ok." He attempted to take hold on the others hands without hurting him more.

He didn't hear Tristan at first, too caught up in the illusion that the water was attacking him. Then it shut off and the burning left him. Tristan came into view, and his heart skipped a beat, then he felt hands around his and he shouted again. It took him a moment to realize that it wasn't a God in front of him but the other Seer. His breathing was heavy as he lay in the tub, eyes wide in fear.

"Don't!" he screamed at first, but the God's face faded away leaving him panting and fearful as he looked around. "Tristan..." he gasped, "Don't look, please," he curled in on himself as he spoke, trying to get him to look away.

Tristan almost let go when Soran screamed 'don't'. That made his heart lurch, it however what was said next that made him gasp a little. "Soran...don't look..I." he stopped and let go. He figured out why exactly the other didn't want him to look. "Soran, please, let me see if you are hurt anywhere."

Soran shook his head, beginning to cry as he refused to move, "No... don't... bloody... so... painful... ugly," he muttered the words, not really making any sense as he shook, "Afraid... I don't... Can't.... Tristan," he pulled both hands to his head, tangling his fingers in his blonde hair. Each breath shook, they were short and slightly faster than a moment ago.

"It's not real Soran," Tristan said in almost a whisper, but Tristan looked hurt, as he couldn't believe the other would actually think he was that shallow. "You are not ugly...," Tristan sighed wondering if there was any use in saying those words. Soran was going to fight him on that...he knew it. "I don't care about the fucking scars, I care about you, I love you. I hate seeing you like this."

"Tristan... Tristan, help me," he rocked slightly as he cried, "I can't... I'm so sorry... I can't," his next words had turned into a growl as he stopped rocking, his fingers curling tight into his hair, "Won't go away. It won't go away, it doesn't leave me alone. I hate this..." his fingers released his hair and he slowly titled his head back, his green eyes sharp and he glared at the other end of the tub. He ground his teeth for a moment before his fingers unconsciously scratched at his arm, right over one of the scars, seemingly digging at it and making it red.

And then the anger was gone almost as quickly as it had peaked. Releasing a sigh, he seemed to slump against the tub. He looked over to Tristan and shook his head a bit, "What's wrong with me?" he asked softly as he reached out a hand to Tristan, his fingers trembling slightly.

Tristan stood there, slightly scared, he didn't know whether to help or not to. His fingers clenched and unclenched several times. "It will go away," he said...almost adding he promised, but that sounded like a lie even to his own ears. He couldn't promise such a thing, all he could do is hope. It was the anger...what could he do about the anger he saw. Nothing came to mind at the moment, because that was when Soran looked at him, and asked that question of his. "I...," he looked away for a second as if to figure out what he was going to say. He took the others hand, and kissed it before the words came out of his mouth.
"I wish I could take it all away from you," he finally came out with.

Soran shifted, stretching out his other hand he grabbed onto Tristan, "Don't. I don't wish that. This... what happened. No one..." he shook his head, tears falling once again, "No one, Tristan. Especially you. Shouldn't have to go through that," he moved around so that he was kneeling and then stood up slowly so that he could wrap his arms around Tristan like an anchor, "I'm sorry. I love you too. More than you know," he answered in return.

It was about then that a bell rang throughout the house. Soran froze for a moment, "What.... was that? It's.... late...."

Tristan just held on to the other as he spoke, knowing the other needed this moment. The reply was lost as he heard the bell too, "That is the door bell, but you are right it is late." Tristan realized that now his clothes were slightly wet, but he didn't mind, and he smiled at Soran as he lifted him out of the tub and put him on the carpet. "Would you like to see, or go back to your room." he asked. He grabbed the towel behind him to give to the other, "either way...getting dressed might be a good idea."
Tristan kept the last comment to himself...but as the blush came to his face it was apparent where his mind had went. He turned away hoping Soran wasn't going to see it.

Soran nodded slightly, realizing too that he'd just clung onto Tristan without any clothes on, "C-clothes would be nice, yes. I'm really tired too, so I don't know," he thought for a moment as he took the towel and wrapped himself with it, "Sure. I guess we can see who it is," he said slowly. The house hadn't shuddered and there was no violent noises. Besides... since when did Gods knock?

He picked up the clothes and handed them to Soran, "I will leave you alone for a second, but I am going to be right outside the door."

---

As the door bell rang a second time, Grayson came from another room and went to the door. His look was curious but guarded. He glanced to the window next to the door, but the figure had positioned themselves out of view. So he cautiously opened the door.

The door opened and she took a quick breath. Hitting the door she leaned in on one hand, "Grayson!" her voice was clipped one hand gripping her side. River stood at the door, panting slightly and her gaze flicking around the darkness rapidly, "Grayson, where is Alauric?! Quickly."

Grayson's eyes widen, "River," he gasped, "let me help you," he widen the door opening, "Alauric," he called knowing the other wasn't that far away. He let River lean on him as they went inside. Alauric came out from the room nearby and he also stopped in his tracks, "Dear God, River, what happened." He steps were quick as he helped his guardian with the other to the nearby couch.

"Grayson go get Victor and Kilia," he said to the guardian.

"Alauric," she reached out and gripped his arm in her fingers, "This is getting bad. Worse than we've seen it," she started, speaking rapidly despite the wound that was bleeding between her fingers, "Their war isn't staying on the other plain as it used to. They're starting to use our world as their battlefield. She came," River hissed, "Eveylyn," her lip trembled slightly, eyes growing soft with a painful memory, "Tray... Derrik, Leo..." she shook her head, "I barely managed..." she laughed sourly as she removed her hand a bit only to quickly cover it as more blood seemed to seep from the loss of pressure, "As you can see. Things are changing... quickly."

"River...save your strength for me please...we have two good healers, they can help...I can't...I can't...," Alauric was slowly losing it. He couldn't let her die too, this would make things worst for Soran...oh god, he couldn't let the boy see his mom like this.

Grayson had vanished and found Kilia in the kitchen. But it was the smaller healer that came in first, "River..." Victor exclaimed, "you, are always getting yourself into some kind of trouble." He started working on his pad, smiling all the same as he did.

River looked over to Victor as she heard his voice. Her fingers patted Alauric's arm, "Fine. I'm fine... Just... a tiny scratch, right?" she smiled a bit a cough filling her lungs and she cleared her throat as she took deep breathes to settle herself. At Victor's words of her always getting into trouble she smiled again, a light dancing in her eyes that spoke of mischief. The same light that often danced in her own son's eyes at times, or used to anyway.

She tilted her head as she leaned back against the couch, "Victor. It's been a while. Just like old times isn't it? Grateful you're here, just like last time. Don't know how I could have survived without your help. But you know me," she gave a soft laugh, "Trouble just seems to follow."

Another sound filled the room and the soft padding of feet could be heard as Kilia rushed into the room, Grayson soon to follow, "I... heard! What happened? Who is this!? Oh god..." Kilia's gaze settled on the wound and she quickly rushed over, dropping to her knees next to the woman's leg and peering at the wound.

Alauric spoke first, "This is Soran's mother Kilia, River Reigailia," he said trying to keep his emotions to himself. "Grayson," he said to look at his guardian...an unspoken conversation went on between them and Grayson nodded. He then disappeared in the direction of Soran's room, hoping to find Tristan there.

Victor's spell then erupted from his pad and distracted Alauric from saying any more.

Jonathan was walking into the main room after putting on his usual attire and saw the scene. "By the Seven pointed star, what happened here?" Jonathan gasped out as he walked to stand next to Alauric. In the meanwhile Peter walked up cradling his arm from the sprain he gave it.

"Hey Kilia? I sprained my arm punching a dummy, can you-Holy mother of! Mrs. Re-Ow!" Peter jumped up and down clutching his foot. "What the heck Grey!?"

"Peter you, Rethyn and myself might go on a nature walk." Jonathan said calmly trying hard not to imply what his mind was thinking.

"Jonathan!" Kilia called, her voice sharp as she glanced over her shoulder, "Always.... I swear I'm going to pound into your head how to be a little less blunt," she said with a sigh. Oh how she loved the man, but he did drive her crazy every now and then. That man didn't know the word 'subtle'. Turning back, she watched Victor's spell cover River and the healing process started.

Kilia opened her own pad and worked on her own spell to help, increasing the quick repair of the woman's deep injury in her side.
River slowly pulled her hand away and the blood seemed to have slowed down considerably. Kilia worked on her own spell as River started talking again, "Soran. How is he, Alauric?" she asked as Kilia paused briefly, her gaze growing wide for a moment before she quickly busied herself with finishing the spell. She swallowed dryly hoping that Alauric would answer that and no one else.

Alauric glanced at River, his tongue tied for a second, "You know I could never hide anything from you even if I tried, he is...well something happened. We had our own troubles with the gods, you ran into Eveylyn and we had Oni..." he paused just thinking about what he just said. The implications of that statement sent a shiver down his spine. "He was kidnapped...they did..." he looked around the room. Not everyone there knew what had truly happened to Soran, it was to hard even for Alauric to wrap his mind around.

River's lips pressed together in a tight line as she gazed up at Alauric with wide eyes. Kilia clenched her teeth as she finished and put the spell over the woman's wound to help finish it. River's fingers curled into fists as she started shaking, "Soran... my baby..." she stood suddenly, latching onto Alauric tightly, her fingers holding his arms, "What happened to him!? Alauric, what happened to my son?!" her voice was loud, sharp and filled with rage and fear.

"Yipe..." Peter said weakly. "Mrs. Reigalia, please calm yourself, He's safe and alright." He looked at Jonathan to give his protest on going and then to Alauric for support.

Jonathan sighed and walked to the door.

River's gaze shifted to Peter, "Calm? You're asking me to be calm?" she turned on him, "He might be safe, but he's not alright! I can tell already just by looking at Alauric! You're his Guardian, damnit! Don't you dare lie to me! Why is Alauric even having to tell me this?! Why did that happen in the first place? What did you do to allow it to happen!" she shrilled.

Alauric decided to try to save Peter for the moment, "River...the boy isn't to blame, if you want to blame anyone then blame me. I should have done something sooner...moved them sooner. I was working out plans, figuring things out, I didn't know the gods would try something like that." Again the feelings of being a failure came back to Alauric, first it was with Kilia's mom...and he couldn't help but glance at the girl. "He will be alright, we are all trying to help him, and care for him. please...understand that."

The light steps of Sina could be heard as her shoes tapped her way into the room. With a tilt of the head she tried to understand what was going on. Many names were being thrown around of which she did not know, but it seemed like serious business was at hand. Folding her arms she placed upon her face a kind look as she observed the scene.

"Alauric," Peter said to try and get him to share the blame but fell silent as he rubbed his sprained arm. But His eyes felt guilty and Sad at the same time, but he tried to hold his head high, with a determined look on his face that was asking for his share of the blame,. remembering Sina's words. He won't let himself be stamped out.

River trembled as she turned her gaze back to Alauric. One hand had remained on his arm and she tightened her hold, "Alauric," she breathed. For a moment she looked as if she were going to strike him, but she didn't. Her eyes filled with tears slowly, "I told you... I told you, to take care of him. What happened to that?" she swayed slightly as she took a deep breath and squeezed her eyes shut tightly, "I asked you, to keep him safe... Alauric!" she leaned on him heavily as her fist trembled and hit his chest without power behind the strike. She was crying now, "What happened to my baby? What happened to him? Tell me! I'm his mother! I deserve to know!"

Alauric sighed, "I will let you know everything...everything that has happened. I am trying my hardest...I swear that to you River. Sit, and I will start from the beginning," It took a little while, but Alauric really started from the beginning, from the moment he left the Reigalia house to the moment she came to the door. He didn't leave many details out, there were a few that he decided to let Soran tell his own mother. He concluded with what Sina shared with him, about what the gods were doing. This fact he hadn't really give to the others, only a few knew.

Having been told to sit, River listened, cried and held her head in both hands, "God... That... I can't even," she shook her head slowly as she took deep breathes. Her face had gone pale white, which worried Kilia who had stayed on the floor, trying hard not to cry herself. It was too much to take in and listen to again. Reaching up, she took hold of River's hand who startled and glanced down at the girl.

River shook her head as she bit her lip again, "What the hell... just because they wanted energy. Because of that they... my poor baby," she clenched her fist around Kilia's hand, shaking, "Fuck," she whispered the word, not really one to curse like that. When she looked up again, her gaze rested on Alauric, "This won't go without punishment. I'll skin the one that did that to him," she snapped heavily.

"You will have to get in line for that," a voice came from behind the group. Alauric turned and saw his son standing there. He glanced around Tristan and was hoping not to see the blonde seer there as well. Somehow Tristan must have convinced Soran to go to bed, or something instead of coming out here and stayed awhile just to make sure he was really sleeping. When Grayson had told him who it was and told him that she had been hurt, Tristan knew it wasn't a good idea for Soran to see her, especially after the episode in the bathroom. Yet he couldn't squash his own curiosity and the fact that he really wanted to met the lady. He asked Grayson to keep watch, and other said he would stand guard next to Soran's door.

"Tristan!" Kilia breathed and stood up. She too was looking for Soran, of whom she didn't see.

At first River looked utterly pissed, but then she softened a bit and sighed, "So you're 'Tristan' then. I'm happy to finally meet you, my son had your name on his lips for a few days a while ago," she watched him for a long while, seemingly 'sizing him up' as she sat there. With a lifted eyebrow she smirked at him, "I suppose I could share, it's only fair. But only if you promise as well."

Tristan gave her a grin, "I've already made my promises, but I will give you one as well, I promise the god who did that to him will pay very dearly for what he did to your son."

River stared for a while longer before she smiled and looked to Alauric, "Your son. I like him," her smile faded then and turned to a frown, "Where is he? Or..." she took a breath, "I suppose I can wait till morning."

Jonathan watched the scene between Tristan and River. A silent tear escaped his face as he silently walked out the front door And stepped off the front steps, wanting to ponder his next move.

Tristan looked at the ground for a second, "he is sleeping at the moment, morning would be better. And it is a pleasure to finally meet you too Ms Reigalia." Alauric looked at Tristan a small smile on his face as well, "River, I shall have a room prepared..."

With a slight nod, she acknowledged Alauric's word, "We have a lot to talk about it seems. Honestly, I wasn't expecting to be thrown back into the fight like this... But. I suppose it's for the better," she said, "Till the morning then."

Next morning

The Town

The town was quiet, just barely stirring as morning light had begun to filter through the trees not too far off that marked the beginning of the mountain and it's habitat. The place wasn't large, in an opened area at the base of the mountain and with a few stores, a couple of houses and a handful of residents. The start of the day begun with children waking and going out to play, store owners opening shop and a sudden, loud boom. It rocked the earth, making everything stop for a moment.

Having followed the trail of faint energy as well as blood, the God had stumbled upon the town at the base of the mountain. Screams filled the air soon after as houses were set on fire randomly. It didn't take him long to make his way to the end of the town with carnage and destruction following. Entering one shop near the edge of the town he caught sight of an elder male and in one single pull of his fingers towards his body, dragged the human towards him over the counter. As the man came to a halt at the God's feet, the God lifted a foot and stepped on the man's hand, breaking it.

Kneeling down, he grabbed a handful of hair and lifted the shop owners head, "Does anyone live in those mountains?"

The boom that rocked the town had actually made the shopkeeper alarmed, but having the god pull him over the counter was another thing, "What the fuck...you bastard, I ain't telling you a thing, so go sparkle somewhere else."

"Oh, now that is interesting. Sparkle, hu? That's a first," the God mused with no real expression as he said that. He regarded the human for a while before letting go of his head and instead, dug his fingers into the man's shoulder, "You have three seconds to tell me, or you will wish that you had spoke up properly."

"Three seconds..." he winced as the god dug into his shoulder, "you know what three seconds ain't nearly long enough for you to waste on me, cause there are worst things coming." The human looked into the god's eyes, "I hope they fry your ass..." Ray not really knowing that he gave the god the answer he needed

A very small smile appeared on the God's lips as he watched the human, "I see. Worse things hu? Well, I suppose there could be," he said with a slight sigh, "But thank you all the same," he removed his hand from the man's shoulder and instead gripped his neck roughly. There was a sharp sound, a crack of power and then silence right after. Eyeing the body he took hold of an arm and proceeded to drag the human from the shop and into the road. Flexing his hand, the God looked up, following the dirt road up into the trees. His silver eyes turned molten as he took a deep breath.

"Found you," he whispered to himself.

---

Outside of the home tucked away in the mountain, the God found himself looking into the house with large windows. The power that shimmered right before him told him that there was a rather powerful Guardian there. He eyed the spell briefly, knowing that if he took another step forward it was bound to alert the one that had set it. So, instead, he lifted up the body of the shop owner from the town and looked down at it. For a moment he just stood there, gaze shifting between the body and the house.

Finally, he slowly lowered the man to the ground and worked his way back through the trees to wait. If nothing came of his little 'bait', then he would give them a nice wake up call. His eyes settled on his hands as he opened and closed them in fists, the energy swirling around each wrist, making the air tremble with it's intensity. It couldn't be seen, his power, but it was definitely their with faint ripples like a rock being dropped in a pond, except in mid air.

"Come out, come out, little Seer. Eveylyn want's to see you," he whispered again.

---

"Why did you Drag me Out here!?!" Peter shouted as he was carrying a silver spear he made which he could set ablaze at any moment.

"Because I'm feeling uncomfortable and we should put our little competition for Guardian of the Year aside and make sure your Seer's Mom didn't have anyone follow her." Jonathan replied as they walked down a Trail. "also i want to stock the food."

Peter shrugged. "You win." Both men chuckled as they continued.

They were nearing The house when Jonathan spotted a body nearby. "Hold it!" Jonathan said in surprise as he walked towards the body with Peter checking his Six. "Its a dead body. We got company Peter. And they announced their presence. Try and locate and drive them to one of the Clearings. We can not afford the enemy to attack anyone inside."

"There is a proverb Grey. If The bait is obvious..." Peter slowly stated trying to keep an eye out.

The air vibrated almost. It was silent at first and at the last possible second, a small, very slight ripple that could only be seen if looked at correctly, slammed into one of the Guardians. It gave a soft whistle a second before it hit. Another ripple shifted through the air, this one hitting the 'alarm' that was set up by one of the Guardians' that hadn't shown their face yet. The God, glowered at the two from a good distance in the trees, leaning there with one foot up against the tree, one arm crossed over his chest and the other hand lazily moving back and forth.

"You're not who I wanted," he said to himself softly knowing the other two wouldn't hear him from the distance he was at. No he wanted the attention of the woman inside the house. He would have it too. With another flick of his hand, there was a soft whistle right before his power hit the barrier. It was purposeful, to hit it and nothing else. After a moment, he gave another flick and it hit the barrier again.

Peter was sent flying to the door as Jonathan looked around in alarm as he saw the barrier being hit twice. He spotted something in the distance and hoping Peter would catch up, chose to pursue the direction. He opened his spell system and prepared to summon his armor.

Having the alarm go off inside, had an effect on several people. Grayson was at the door having opened just in time to see a flying Peter coming at it. The barrier that went up would bounce him back outside, Alauric was standing there, "You know I didn't know that boy was so buoyant." Grayson rolled his eyes and looked and saw the body outside, "Damn is that Ray," Alauric asked, "I liked that guy, he said he was going to bring up some vension from a recent 'present' he got from a really strange individual," Alauric's eyes were starting to glow, "I say we go and help out those fellows" Grayson looked at him, "What about the others..."

Peter yelled in surprise as he landed on his butt and spotted Jonathan running. "Oy Wait up!" He shouted as he ran after him, making a fireball in his hand. he tossed it But it flew headlong For Jonathan's Spell.

Poking her head around the corner of the room, Sina looked at Grayson with the look she so often gave her old guardian back in the day. "It's happening isn't it?" She asked to him with a look to the floor. She had hoped that an attack wouldn't happen so soon.


Jonathan slid the spell off as the fireball merged with It and only his arm glows. It fades into a red gauntlet as from a distance there was a bellowing roar. "Uh oh..." he muttered. Soon after a large shadow passed the house and towards Jonathan.

Grayson turned and looked at Sina, "Something is happening, but I think its just one god...he is a little far away, Grayson couldn't make out the other shadowy figure that suddently made an appearance, "I don't believe my eyes...is that a dragon." Alauric grinned, "Oh those are fun, please can we go outside and play." Grayson look at his seer...and again rolled his eyes. "Sina, go find Victor."

Sina quickly skimpered off as she begun the hunt for Victor around the house. She had neglected to tell Grayson that she didn't remember Victor very well and decided to just shout his name as loud as a her she could. "VICTOR?" She called as she headed up the stairs of the house. "HEY!"

The figure poked his head out of a room, "Not so loud, girly," the healer said. He closed the door to the room and looked up at the other, "What is going on outside,"

"Heh, sorry about that...Grayson thinks it's just one god or something. He needs you assistance with something." Sina said as gentle as possible as she lowered her voice kindly to respect Victors wishes.

Victor nodded, "Thanks, I am sure Alauric is worried about his daughters, maybe even if you stayed with them he wouldn't be concerned as much."

Rubbing the back of her head she giggled lightly as she felt a little awkward. "Y-yeah, I guess it would be best for me to just do that. I'm kinda a liability out there without...nevermind." She sighed.

Victor nodded and headed downstairs and towards the living room.

River made her way down the hall from the room that she had been given. It was early in the morning and though she had gotten little sleep, she was wide awake suddenly. Noises from the front of the house drew her attention and she moved into the room just ast Victor entered as well. Her gaze settled on Alauric and Grayson, "What's going on?" she asked as she moved into the room and peered out the door. She spotted Peter right in front of the house, but beyond him, she didn't know what was happening, "And what was that loud noise?"

Jonathan suddenly felt a sharp thud behind him. Looking up he saw a large Silver reptillian head staring at him. "Michael? I called for my armor.." the large beast growls at him and with one claw flicks Jonathan towards the god as Jonathan summons his sword to try and get a warning cut in. "Who the hell are you?"

Peter meanwhile ran towards where Jonathan was and hurls his spear towards wherever Joathan was Running to, Igniting half way.

Alauric was chuckling at the scene outside, "See I told you dragons were fun...," Grayson wasn't paying attention to him as he looked at River, "There's a lone god out there," he answered her..."and yes a big silver dragon as well." He looked at Victor who has come in at the same time, but before he could say anything his seer interrupted, "River...lets go show those younglings a thing or two." Grayson looked at Alauric wondered what the hell was going on with him.

River, at first, took in a sharp breath, "A lone god?" Then her teeth ground as she realized, "Damn it. I should have known. I'm... I'm sorry, Alauric, that God is probably with Eveylyn." Her eyes shifted to Grayson as he finished with telling her what else was out there. A dragon? she thought then grinned a bit, "Well, certainly been a long time before I've played with one of those. Or was that you, Alauric? Never can remember."

Stepping up, she pushed the door opened and let herself out first, "It would be my pleasure. Think you can keep up, old man?" she tossed back and jumped down the short steps to stand right before the house and swiped open her magic system. It had been a long while since she last used any of her spells. Her fingers pulled at a familiar one and she began working on it, building it to full strength, "Be a doll and distract him, please?"

The God's gaze lifted slightly to the dragon that landed and he tilted his head to the side for a moment, hardly affected by it's presence. Following it's landing, the Guardian that he had spotted a moment before lashed out at him. Without moving, he twirled his finger in the air and directed the blade elsewhere to miss him completely. As he did this, he looked away as if bored with the other and spotted the second Guardian that he had thrown, rushing back at them.

Ahead of that one was a spear on fire. Closing his fist, the spear seemed to struggle to stay lit and then eventually puttered out into nothing but smoke and faded. The god closed his eyes briefly before looking back to both of the young Guardian's. He was still leaned against the tree non-chalantly and he looked as if to have no intention of moving. Waving his hand, the air whistled right before it hit Peter yet again. Turning to the second one that was closer, he reached out just enough so that his fingers were barely brushing Jonathan's chest.

"Who am I? Don't you think that's rude?" he offered before he expelled his power, a sharp crack filling the air as what usually wouldn't make a sound until it hit the target, did so very rapidly. The pressure would send the man flying backwards, away from the God.

Jonathan was sent sharply into the air. He would've meet a harsh fall if Michael hadn't snatched him and began circling in the air above the god as his back glows bright red and the Great Silver dragon unleashes a breath of fire at the god.

"You heard the lady," Alauric practically ran after River...Grayson sighed, "I often wonder about him, and if he is ever going to grow up, Victor, you have the house." Grayson followed his seer outside, creating a barrier around River, just an added protection, it wasn't a strong one, just one that would catch any surprises. "Hmm, he seems to have a strong liking to the air." It didn't seem like Alauric was listening to him anyways so Grayson was putting up defenses. Alauric was pulling a spell from his pad, and his own spear appeared..."You ready, going to need a little push," Grayson nodded, and locked his concentration onto the weapon. The weapon was shot into the air like a javalin, but disappeared from sight on its way toward the god in the tree.

Glancing up, the God seemed to heave a sigh and lifted his hand towards the dragon. Closing his fingers again, the air around the fire ceased completely and the raging flames ended in nothing but harmless smoke, "No oxygen, no fire. Don't you learn? Now you're nothing more than an overgrown lizard, wasting my time," he frowned as he turned his molten gaze upwards. The silver color was swirling now.

River, having finished her spell, tilted her head back a moment before laughing a bit, "Want to know where my son got his liking for those guns?" she offered to no one in particular, aside from probably Victor who was still standing there. Her hand fell off the pad and the area around her rippled with the disturbance. Over her head were three strange looking silver balls that once they finished constructing themselves, opened up with a loud click. To her left and right, two more appeared as well, but in slightly different design, they were more boxy. When they were opened fully, she tapped her magic system and all of them seemed to charge, glowing brightly.

The God's attention was drawn to the other three that had now entered the fight. He tilted his head again, "Done playing with the children? Good I was getting bored."

Michael gave a slight glare before looking at Jonathan. "What!? Its not My Fault he deflected your attack! try and use that colossal piece of muscle you call a tail!!!"

A rustle from the tree's came as Rethyn uncloaked himself. At the right flank of the God, Rethyn held two items within each hand. Within his left was the flash grenade he had kept from a whiles back and the right a knife of which did not belong to the young man.

Tossing the grenade first downwards towards the God, Rethyn growled to the God before tossing the knife as well at the God. "A gift from the man you killed." The moment the blade was thrown a loud crack was heard as Rethyn teleported off.

Hit and run would be the name of the game.

Alauric was working on a bigger spell, as Grayson cleared his throat, "You want to finish one attack before you start another...," Alauric turned and looked up, "you aren't as much fun as you use to be Grayson," Grayson quirked an eyebrow, "Just pick something already," Alauric must have chosen an ice element because when the spear appeared again it had turned blue, Grayson smiled, "Now lets see who isn't fun anymore."

Grayson concentrated on the spear, using his own spell to mix up the aura a little. It was heading straight for the god's chest, but exploded before it actually hit him. The air crystals started to expand as they froze around the god, as the built an area around him that would slow freeze.

The sound of something moving caught his attention. A click followed and then a crack and the area around him exploded in bright light. The moment this happened, the God switched tactics. Still resting against the tree, the air around him kicked up in a powerful torrent, encasing his frame thickly. When the flash faded he just barely caught the sight of a blade that had come rather close to penetrating his throat. The boy had deadly aim.

He scoffed though, "At least you tried," he muttered to himself. He gave a slight intake of breath that may have been considered a gasp as he watched the air around him suddenly explode into thousands of crystals. The temperature dropped around where he was standing. He lifted an eyebrow at this new occurance. Slowly, he turned to look at the two that had done it, "Trying to make the air heavier? Lovely little trick," he muttered again and flicked his hand. The air rippled, silent and unseen until the last second. With a whistle it hit the older Guardian.

River tapped her magic system again and all of her turrets exploded in rapid fire. The sound might have been defeaning if she hadn't done something for that to begin with. After all, she was standing right under them. The spray was meant to distract as much as to hit her target. The God frowned as he heard the richocet through the trees. Moving his head off to the side, several of the energy tight bullets passed by him while some just rippled away in front of him.

"Anytime now, Alauric," she said with a laugh.

Grayson was thrown back by the attack from the god, he landed roughly on the ground. "Yeah anytime now Alauric, "he repeated River's words...coughing slightly. A small light came from behind him and he felt better, "Thanks," he said to the healer who sent that spell from where he was standing.

Michael flew high into the air and swooped towards the god and performs a midair flip sending a large whip of it's tail at the God. "Attaboy Michael!" Jonathan shouted.

Meanwhile Peter got up And shook his head. "Gotta run all the way back to the battle from the house again!?!" Peter got up and summoned a regular spear and charged. he intended to run the god through.


Alauric's spell was being built, "so impatient... come on I am a little rusty." he was combining elements as well which was really tricky in the first place. He finally finished it and a large round ball appeared in his hand. "How about firing that," he looked at Grayson, "and while you are at it, kick it up a notch." Grayson nodded, he was reading the ball, "A little over the top don't you think," but it was launched into the air anyways. It moved really fast and was extremely hard to spot, it was basically the same spell, but this time they were fire crystals, they loved to interact with the energy that probably hadn't completely dissolved yet. Yet and energy infused barrier quickly followed, "Peter," Grayson called, "Not to close."

Peter stoppped but nearly slid from momentum. "Thanks..." He then threw the spear at the god.

The tail of the dragon annoyed him to no end. His wind changed, just barely keeping the tail from knocking him off his feet. The rough edges though, caught his arm as he lifted it to directed the power towards his side. Feeling the burn of deep cuts and scrapes, he shook his arm as the tail bypassed him finally in irritation. With the distraction of the tail, something exploded all around him making him wince slightly from the attack. His wind did nothing to deter the energy that swirled around him. So he waited it out, feeling burns and lacerations across his frame. Grinding his teeth he glowered at the Seer who had done that. Following that, a solid spear came at him.

His hand reached up and snatched the weapon just as it took his shoulder, his back hitting the tree that he had been leaning on briefly. Wrenching that from his frame, his fingers twirled it around and with a little circular wave, the weapon hovered from his hand. A quick flick forward sent the weapon back at it's owner at an exceptional speed, following that another crack of air that pulsed violently this time straight at the Guardian who weilded fire. Snapping his attention to the Seer that had wounded him, his hand flicked forward again.

This one was silent until it got close, like usual. But following it, the God closed his fingers to draw all breath from the man's lungs and keep it from returning.

Once that was done, the God finally leaned off the tree and took a step forward.

Peter got a taste of his own Medicine. He was pinned to a tree when his own weapon pierced his Side. The second attack forced the spear to go straight through him before the weapon vanished. Peter fell to his knees then fell on his back in pain.

Grayson was getting better at reading the gods flicks, he couldn't quite block anything going toward Peter, but he put something up something in front of Alauric. Grayson didn't get a very good read on it, and what passed through made Alauric fall to his knees gasping for breath. "Damnit all to hell," Grayson cursed at himself. "Victor," he knew that the healer might have something to help him. He was reading Alauric aura, trying to get a hold of whatever it was that was making him lose his breath. "River, keep an eye on that god," Grayson said he needed a second to get a hold of what was inside

Wap!

With the sight of the god seperating from the tree, Rethyn teleported in just in front of the god. Crouching low the ground he preformed a rising slash with his blade as he targeted the God's extended hand just below the wrist.

"Peak a boo..." Rethyn said darkly at the God as his blade rushed towards the hand.

"Alauric!" River's voice carried across the front yard, loud and sharp. Her gaze narrowed at the god as she responded to Grayson, "Don't need to tell me that," she hissed and quickly drew her next spell from the pad. Dropping down into a crouch, her hands settled in position in mid air, seemingly holding nothing. Then the weapon materialized. It built itself from the end of the barrel back to her hands. The rifle was large, a small stand holding up the long barrel and a scope attaching itself to the top where she gazed into it, watching through the trees as the god moved finally from his spot. Now she could see him clearly, and now she had a better chance at hitting him.

The God eyed the Seer that was down on his knees, his fingers of the hand that was outstretched still whirling in a slow circle, suffocating the man. A soft sound caught his attention. The younger Guardian from before appeared before him. The blade went up at his hand before he could move and the weapon sliced deep into the wrist. Recoiling, his concentration faded on the older Seer and he turned now to the boy in front of him.

"Grayson, I am ready," he heard Victor's voice behind him. Grayson nodded and saw the healing spell, this one was a dark red as blood. Grayson saw the spell enter Alauric and it penetrated at the deepest level. Grayson started to read Alauric's aura again and finally got a hold of what went wrong. He tighten his grip on his aura and it vanished, Alauric began to breath again. Alauric looked at his guardian, "took your time now didn't you."

"You... are more trouble than you're worth," the God hissed at the dark haired youth. Moving his other hand, the air cracked at the young Guardian to send him backwards as he had done to the others. Growling now in anger, he moved again and a shot rang out from across the yard. Stepping back just in time, the energy blast cut across his face and if he hadn't moved backwards it would have gone straight through his forehead.

A look of shock dropped over Rethyn's face as the power of the blast of air knocked him backwards. Only for a breif moment did Rethyn feel his heels sliding against the ground before he was completely airborne. Slamming through a tree's branch, Rethyn grunted in pain a jolt of pain from his lower left rib.

It seemed fated that Rethyn's final destination would be to splatter against the trunk of a rather large oak tree. Grasping at his left rib, just before impact the crackle of Rethyn's teleport could be heard as he narrowly missed shattering against a tree.

As Rethyn felt his heels touch the base of a rather thick oak tree branch he kept his mouth closed as he lowly groaned in pain. He felt nothing in his right hand as not only did he manage a broken rib, but lost his blade.

"Two can play that game," the god hissed as he watched the younger Guardian disappear yet again. However, before he took care of the annoying little child that constantly bounced around, he had three very annoying elder humans to deal with first. His good hand swiped the air in a long horizontal arc. It took a moment, but three loud cracks erupted as the air rippled clearly for all to see and shot off rapidly at the three of them. Following that, he focused on the older Guardian sending another, silent attack afterwards. This one, if hit, was meant to break whatever it touched. After that, a flick at the Seer closest to him caused the air to rapidly pick up, becoming sharp and heavy.

River yelped as she caught sight of the first wave of air. Firing off several shots in the hopes to hit something, she was seriously mistaken. Her gun was ripped from her hands and the hit threw her back against the stairs of the house. Groaning slightly she lay there for a bit trying to get her breath back.

Jonathan witnessed the whole thing shocked. Michael growled in understanding and vanished, causing him to skydive and use his magic again to use his spell he was going for from the start. When he landed the Silver Knight stood, and drew his Claymore, and roared his challenge to the god.

The first attack being loud has Grayson jump and moved from his spot, A barrier was set again in front of Alauric, but this one too wasn't strong, the air grew heavier, but not as sharp as it should have become. Grayson didn't move fast enough to completely miss that second attack on him. He felt it pass through his shoulder and break it. He yelled out and held his other hand there. Alauric was breathing heavily again, but he was taking better breaths than before. "You got any bright ideas over there, " Alauric looked back at his guardian, only to look farther on and see River. "You ok," he asked her, concern on his face. Grayson was cringing in pain, and trying to figure out how to help Rethyn. The other looked to be in bad shape, "Victor, heal the other guardians," he said.

The small healer sent several spells in the directions of Rethyn and Peter. Grayson turned to Alauric, "Yeah why don't we built a giant maid and suck all the air out," Alauric was the one this time to roll his eyes. "You weirdo...well its not an entirely bad idea

Wait that was an idea, the guardian thought, "Can you get the spell off your pad," Alauric asked. Grayson nodded despite the fact he knew this was going to be very painful. The Seer moved back next to Grayson, he found the air to be more breathable, "I got an distraction...how much time." Grayson was already trying to work on something..."Just a little," he answered.

Alauric started forming a big dark cloud over the gods head, it just sort of stayed there, but it wouldn't move even if the god tryed something. Alauric then worked on his second spell.

The God turned slightly at the sound of the roar. He lifted an eyebrow briefly, "Announcing your arrival tends not to bode well, little human," he said in bored tones. He flicked his gaze around the boy's armor and the large sword. Moving, the God turned to face the young Guardian fully, putting his back to the others. The air shifted and he seemed to fade out briefly. His entire body moved as if he were being flung forwards extremely quickly. It could be compaired to the dark haired Guardian's teleportation, but without the actual 'disappearing' part. You could still see the outline of the god, but just barely as he moved rapidly.

He stood right before Jonathan then. Reaching out, he touched the blade with two fingers and pushed it off to the side offering him a clear view of the Guardian's chest which he opened his other hand right in front of, "Such fancy armor. Too bad you're little more than a tin can to me if all you can do is growl and swing a sword." crack, the sound of his power exploding into the Guardian's armor was louder than any of the other ones that the God had sent before. This one was at full power, enough to shatter any normal human at such a close range.

River rolled off the steps, groaning slightly and retreiving her weapon. With a heavy cough, she cleared her lungs and nodded at Alauric, "Yeah. I'm fine. Jeez, old man, you really are rusty if this is taking this long," resetting her weapon she lined up her sight again to be aimed at the God who had dealt Jonathan a good blow and was turning back to them. A dark cloud hovered over his head and she lifted an eyebrow in curiousity. Then her mouth gave a small 'oh'.

"Hey, Alauric. Mind giving me a little... you know, boost? Been a while since you've charged my weapons. Think you still got it?" she asked with a bit of a grin as she rested her shoulder against the butt of the gun and closed one eye as she was focusing through the scope, "Besides, it'll give you something to do while Grayson works." Despite her teasing words, she was actually shaking slightly. Worry for both the younger Guardian's as well as for Grayson's ruined shoulder pulsed through her. She wasn't sure if they could last too much longer. If they wanted to win this fight, they'd have to finish him off rapidly.

The Silver Knight was launched to a tree and hit his back hard. The Silver Knight glowered at the god and using his free hand rubbed his back but whilst he did that said hand glowed. "Do you feel lucky feeble entity? You are foolish to come here, Windbag." The silver Knight moved his free arm to reveal he summoned the amplified Grave pistol as he fired several shots at the god before running at him to get a slice in at his torso.

Alauric looked back on River, giving her somewhat a cocky grin, "Don't you old man me too," he chuckled though. He was too worried by his guardian's condition. He just hoped this worked like he thought it would in his head. He sort of wished he payed more attention in science class. He put his second spell on hold, and looked at his pad. It had been awhile, and for a moment his mind slightly went blank. "Oh...I am idiot," he whispered to himself. He picked the spell off his pad, changing it just a bit to get it to be more powerful. "You ready River."

The shallowness of Rethyn's breath had been corrected as he felt the pain of his broken rib numb. Whatever spell the man had used on him must have healed him. Standing up straight, Rethyn then felt a slight pain bite at his side. Wincing slightly Rethyn mentally corrected himself as he realized the pain had just been numbed.

"Feeble?" The God repeated softly. He didn't move, the pistols' shots went through his shoulder and arm, but the God still remained in one spot. The sword came at him and went through him, like air. Moving backwards, the God reached out and touched the young Guardian's back, "Irritating wretch," he growled and another ear splitting crack filtered the air.

River ground her teeth as now Jonathan was in the way of her shot. That didn't last long though with the God's attack, "Ready," she muttered and with the sight lined up, she pulled the trigger. Her rifle exploded, sending the energized bullet streaking. It was invisible, silent and then revealed itself before hitting the God. River pulled the trigger again, sending another flying right after as her breath sucked in slowly, "Enjoy."

The first shot went through his other shoulder as his frame solidified from the air magic. He grit his teeth, and the second hit his chest. He was prepared for that one though and stopped it only slightly. From the wounds, ice cracked, building slowly across his shoulder and chest, and with it, River's own induced energy that sparked along the element. The God winced openly, and took a step backwards. River allowed a grin to spread, "Finally."

Waving his hand, the air around River exploded into a little tornado and she ducked down with a startled yelp. The God disappeared again, his frame just barely seen as he shot at the elder Seer. Reaching the man, he wrapped his fingers around the Seer's throat, growling in rage now, "Dirty little trick," he snapped as he lifted the man upwards the air trembling around him.

Peter Got up rubbing his sore side and spotted the god Holding Alauric. He summoned one more spear and threw it first. If it hit the god, the spear would explode in flame after a moment or two.

Jonathan was on the ground, his spell faded from too much damage to it. Jonathan slowly tried to get up but he felt like collapsing. He felt a nasty large bruise on his back. "Crap..." he swore under his breath as he grabbed a nearby rock and hurled it at the god.

Almost done with his second spell, Alauric was caught offguard and felt the god's hand around his throat. As he rose up in the air he just stared at the god, a look of hate in his eyes. He looked up and saw his cloud moving...this was going to hurt but if the god let go he have a good fall.

He closed his eyes for a second, hoping that his guardian had already sent his spell into action. The flash of lightening came at the same moment that Alauric released his spell. Bascially he was going to create a reverse photosynthesis, sucking the air out of the area and filling it with carbon mioxide.

It was a last ditch idea effort he didn't really know if it would work or not.

The trembling air shuddered violently as he was preparing something devestating. His growling was only just barely kept back as the pain of the ice and energy was still spreading. Then, something happened. Startled, he looked up overhead and eyed the dark cloud. The flash of light caught him, burning his shoulder briefly and right after that...

His fuel faded.

His grip tightened on Alauric briefly before releasing him and trying to think of something to do in retaliation. A rock struck his arm and he glowered at the young Guardian that had thrown it. As he made to go after the boy, he felt something peirce through his back and slowly work it's way to the front of his body. It took a moment, but then it burned, igniting violently before the spear faded out. The God gave a sharp yell both in anger and pain, his hand reaching for the deep wound. This, dropped him to one knee.

River glanced up as the torrent around her faded out. Quickly resetting herself she focused through the scope of her weapon, "I guess you do still have a few tricks, Alauric," she said with a smile and pulled the trigger. Her weapon exploded, sending the shot to go straight through the God's chest this time, giving him another wave of crackling energy. Glancing around she looked for the dark haired Guardian, Rethyn, "Want the honors, dear?" she offered as she knelt there with the rifle still trained on the God that was sputtering.

Teleporting in, Rethyn wasted no time as he knelt down next to the god. With only his pocket knife left he placed it to the neck of the god. With a swift slash he severed the carotid artery on the left side of the Gods neck.

Rethyn looked to River with a tilted head. Shoving the gods head into the ground to avoid getting bled on too much, Rethyn asked River quietly. "Why did you want me to finish him? And why did you aim for the chest?"

Alauric had that strange feeling of falling, this was going to hurt if someone didn't catch him, or least give him something soft to fall on. He felt his fall slow down though. He only hit the ground with a small thud. It still hurt a little, he looked over and saw his guardian slumped over on the ground. "Grayson," he said and made his way over to the other, just to see that he had passed out.

Alauric looked bewildered for a second before looking around at the others.

River stood up slowly, her weapon faded as she moved, releasing it from her grip and her magic system shutting down as it went on cool down for her. Taking two steps forward slowly, she finally broke into a run and knelt down next to Grayson and Alauric her eyes wide before she breathed a sigh of relief. Her heart had nearly stopped when she watched Grayson crumple after pitching the magic to save his Seer from hitting the ground rather hard.

"Why?" she breathed as she registered the boy's question. She smiled a bit to him, "I think you needed it. Besides, isn't that man down there someone you befriended?" She gave a sigh, slightly sitting back and resting on one arm as she watched Grayson for a while, "You kids... you need a little push every now and then. Things are going to get harder, but no matter how hard it gets. Realize that you have each other. You're going to need each other if you want to survive through anything," she looked up at him from her place on the ground.

She held her gaze there for a while before she tilted her head back and breathed deeply, "Alright, lets get back into the house. Kilia and Victor are going to have their hands full again," she said and stood up, brushing herself off, "You have him?" she asked Alauric as she started towards Jonathan. Her fingers flicked over to Peter for Rethyn to help into the house knowing that his wound wasn't completely healed either.

The spot where the God had been shoved into the ground was turned into nothing but little crystals of ice, left over power from Alauric and River. Even that disappeared soon after too.

Jonathan groaned on the ground as Peter got up on his own terms. "Just a scrape." Peter said to the others as he limped back for the house. "I'll be fine."

Alauric nodded at River and picked up the other, who moaned in pain. "Yeah, yeah I know I am a pain in the ass," he said probably guessing that is what the guardian was thinking. He stopped looked at Rethyn for a second something on the tip of his tongue, but he couldn't find the words at the moment. In the back of his head he knew that they would have to look at the town, but that would come later.

Rethyn didn't say much in reply to River as he headed over to the downed Ray. By his side he knelt down as he looked at the man for a moment. He felt pained. In life that man only met a fake persona of him. With a slow reach, Rethyn made sure the eyelids of Ray were shut.

Looking up, Rethyn looked a little pained as words from the previous night went through his mind. The surprise was dead to him as his eyes met with the eyes of the Suited man out in the woods. Death held his index finger and his thumb like a gun that he blew on. The words "He's the start." played on his lips.

Rising to his feet, Rethyn turned away as he started heading towards the house without a word. He felt sick and to blame for this mess. Even with his own inner voice pleading with him, trying to convice him that Ray's death wasn't his fault, it was. Opening the door to the cabin house, Rethyn didn't even shut it behind him as he walked inside.

hr][/hr]

Sina merely beamed at Soran and River as she kept her chin on her laced hands. The silence at the table was indeed a little odd, but she was doing her best to not let her mouth run as she awaited for either of the two to speak. As she looked closely at Soran she felted the temptation of teasing him again, but she wasn't too sure if he could handle any more of it.

The sound of the door opening in the front could be heard, and then footsteps as someone walked quickly through the house. A few seconds after that, and Kilia's face came into the room. She smiled sweetly, "Oh good, you're all still here," she said, then spotted the plate of food and her stomach growled a bit, "Uh... I'll eat in a few minutes, actually I have something really important to talk to Soran about." With that, she crossed the room and took the chair next to him.

Soran, who had desperately been trying to ignore Sina's wild grin as she sat there, had finished his plate and was trying to figure out if it would be odd to just up and leave the table without a word. He was definitely stuck in this decision for a while, and then Kilia came in. As she seated herself, he looked over to her, wondering what it was she wanted, "Yeah?" was his only word.
"Uh... Soran. You trust me?"

He lifted an eyebrow, a bit of a frown on his lips, "Yes, what is it Kilia?"

"I... I am worried about you. And everyone else is too. Cryio, he's a healer. A healer on all sorts of levels. He wanted to talk to you. Is that okay? He wants to see you."

Soran bristled slightly, "A god wants to see me?"

"Yes. He wants to just, take a look, okay? That's fine right? I'll be right there too, and I trust him. Remember, he's the god of life, Soran."

"So...Kilia." Sina said with a catty smirk playing at her lips.

Kilia looked over to Sina, "Yes?" she asked, thought she wasn't sure what the girl wanted since she was trying to convince Soran about going and seeing Cryio.

"I need to check your neck. Rethyn-kun must have bitten it..." She said in teasing voice as she tried to get up to get closer to Kilia. "Oh..come on where is it..." She added in as she peered closely at Kilia. After a rather awkwardly long moment Sina sighed as she sat back down sulking. "I'll look closer later."

Kilia turned bright red, her hands rushing up to her neck even though she knew there was nothing of the sort, and she stuttered, "W-what d-do you m-mean!?" her voice was shrill as she gazed wide eyed at Sina. She couldn't believe what the girl had just said. Kilia's mouth opened and closed several times as she tried to formulate words that never quite got passed her throat that had tightened.

"A-anyway! Soran... l-lets go, outside... okay? Is that, okay?" she said, trying to regain her composure.

Soran, on the other hand, had not registered Sina's comment as he sat there. He struggled once again, but this time with having to go see a god. He frowned.

"Hey," River's voice came across the table, "It's okay," she said, with a smile to her son. He looked up to her and for a while just stared at her. Finally he gave a nod.

"Alright," he answered and stood up. Kilia followed quickly, her face still red as she skirted around the table and tried her best to avoid Sina. With that, she led Soran outside.

Taking notice of the avoidance of Kilia, Sina frowned slightly. "I guess she's shy...meow..." With that Sina's frown turned into a small grin. Following the others from the room she knew she was going to have to keep tabs now.

Humming lightly she skipped along. She had grown to adore this lot.

Tristan was still outside, but this time he was discussing strengths and weaknesses of just about everyone he could think of. Those he didn't know of like Eveylyn he was hoping Deriea would fill him in one. It was one of the first ways he figured they could see where they needed to start. One god he avoided...was the one who tortured Soran, he knew if he asked about that one...she would get a sense of the amount of hatred he had for him.

He paused to see the others come outside, and he half wondered if Kilia was successful or not. At least Soran had come out the door again, that was a good first step.

"Cryio!" Kilia called as she came down the steps, Soran right behind her. The blonde Seer didn't look very comfortable, but he came anyway. Following behind was River and Sina and anyone else that may have been interested in finding out what was going to happen. The god turned to his name and looked at the little girl as she stopped a few feet before him. Soran on the other hand, had stopped several feet away and did not move an inch closer. Cryio glanced up to the blonde.

"Come closer."

"No," Soran responded firmly.

Cryio tilted his head and glanced down at Kilia. She shook her head a bit, "This was the best I could do. Can you... do anything?"

"If he is closer," Cryio answered smoothly.

Kilia heaved a sigh. Walking over to Soran, she offered her hands to him, "It's okay. I know what you're thinking and I don't blame you in the least. Trust me, okay? I'm right there next to you. I promise. Nothing bad will happen, he just wants to look."
Soran's immediate response was sharp, but he cut off the words before they could fully leave his lips and looked away. He thought about it again for a long while as Kilia offered her hands to him. Tentatively he reached out and took her fingers in his. Kilia smiled and started backwards very slowly, with him sort of pulling on her weight to keep her from going to far. A few seconds later, he was standing where Kilia had stopped. He shook dreadfully, but he managed to stay put despite his wishes to move away.

Cryio stared at him, their crystal blue depths that had no pupil slightly unnerved Soran but he didn't look away. Cryio reached up then and touched Soran's face, his fingers just barely brushing his cheek. In return, the blonde Seer shouted, wrenched himself free from Kilia's grip at the same time slamming his arm into Cryio's and in one move opened his magic system as he backed up. Without even engaging the system like normal, in his hands materialized silver guns which he pointed at the God as he screamed,

"What the fuck do you think you're doing!? Do not touch me!"

"Soran!" Kilia yelled and put herself in front of Cryio.

Tristan didn't even realized that he had moved also and stood in front of Kilia, "Soran," he voice was calm, "put the guns away, no one is here to hurt you." He put his hands up like he was showing that there was nothing there. He had thought about touching but hesitated.

Soran trembled, his gaze narrowed, teeth grinding as he grit them together tightly, lips pulled into a deep frown that showed his teeth. His breathing was heavy, green eyes a bit on the wild side as he stood there, both guns trembling in his grip as his fingers curled and uncurled around the triggers. He couldn't think really, and there was nothing but an unexplainable anger coursing through him, pushing his fingers to curl on the triggers, but he couldn't fire. Soran couldn't fire the weapons.

He fought with himself for quite some time before it seemed the anger ran it's course and the weapons faded out. His expression became soft and he let out a heavy release of air. Looking up to Tristan, he felt tears in his eyes again, "Tristan..."

Tristan watched slightly nervous but he wasn't scared. He stepped forward and put his arms tentatively around the blonde seer, "its ok," he said softly. He hadn't seen Soran ever react that fast, it was a surprise. Tristan found himself slightly shaking, but he hoped it would be covered up with Soran's trembling

Voices from outside awoke Rethyn as he opened his eyes. He felt groggy in the moment as he didn't exactly register who was yelling from outside. Rising to his feet he stretched briefly before sliding his sheath's strap onto himself and heading for the door.
Walking up behind Sina, Rethyn had quite the bedhead as he stared at the gods absently. "If they were a threat they would of done something by now." Rethyn thought to himself as his eyes gazed over to Soran. Something was indeed wrong, and his gut instinct was to intervene. Resisting the urge to get in the middle of things, Rethyn raised a brow at Sina of which was looking at him with stars in her eyes.

"You alright...?" Rethyn asked cautiously.

"I need to ask you a few things later~! K?" Sina said before she snapped her head back to the gods and Soran.

Soran clung to Tristan again, holding tightly as Cryio came up to the side of them both. The god leaned down a bit, "As I suspected," he said gently. The blonde flinched slightly but he didn't break away from the red haired Seer, or try to draw his weapons again.

"What do you mean?" Kilia asked as she moved to their other side as well. Reaching out she gently patted Soran's shoulder.
"The one who..." he flicked his gaze up to Tristan, "They left something. The blade that was used... it didn't just take energy, it transferred a bit as well. Possibly to get the energy to flow better, like a start up."

Kilia's breath was hitched. This was the most that Cryio had ever spoken before, and the god didn't look happy at all. In fact he looked rather upset, "C-can you..."

Cryio frowned, a rare emotion, "I will try," he muttered, "Give me some time."

Tristan nodded at Cryio as he held the other seer, his eyes held a multitude of emotions. Sadness, anger and maybe even a little fear was present, he hoped the god could help. He wanted Soran back...that was what he mostly cared about, he wanted him back without that anger inside him.

Rethyn looked to his Seer, his own eyes gravitated to sorrow as he wanted to help his Seer but couldn't. He knew he wanted Soran to be okay and he wanted that for him, but he was not able to help. In fact, he worried he had made things worse the other night. Since the event he hadn't really gotten the chance to talk to either of them.

"I'm sorry I startled him. But I needed to see," Cryio said and then stepped away. He looked between the two of them before turning around completely and leaving to disappear into the forest.

"Cryio!" Kilia called.

Deriea made a sound, her arms crossed, "Well... I suppose we should wait then. I can't be training any of you if I'm in danger of getting killed by the mortal with a happy trigger finger," she commented lightly, "Cryio will return, he's just gone to get some things I'm sure. Don't worry about that. If anyone can fix this mortal, then he can. Of course..." she glanced at the blonde who was trembling in Tristan's arms, "Dealing with a God's energy is definitely a little bit different than dealing with a mortals energy..."

"Thanks Deriea," Tristan said, she had been a help to him anyways. "Well will start soon I hope."

"Training?" Rethyn said with a fold of his arms. He cocked his head a little at the god, but besides that didn't say much else. His stance looked standoffish towards the god as he had slightly turned away from the goddess. In the back of his mind he felt a small fear growing. "Does she know?" echoed through his mind over and over.

"Well, I wouldn't thank me yet," Deriea said with a slight scoff. She glowered at the ground, "You can do that when you all survive this war, how about that? Sound like a fair deal? In the mean time, you should probably take him inside for the time being. I don't think he enjoys our presence all that much... or rather, it's probably a really bad trigger for that anger of his."

Tristan nodded, "Come on Soran," he said as he turned back to the house with the arms wrapped around the other.

"Alright," Soran nodded and allowed the taller boy to lead him back to the house, "Sorry..." he moaned slightly, his arm wrapped around Tristan's waist as they went back to the house. River stood on the deck, her eyes wide, but her hands reached out to her son as they passed and rushed through his hair and gripped his shoulder tightly.

"It'll be alright," she whispered as they went. Kilia remained outside, her breathing slightly irregular as she stood there. The explosion of anger had been so shocking and sudden, she was still trying to get over the event.

Rethyn watched Sina follow after Soran and the others. He himself didn't move as after they left his eyes moved to Kilia and the goddess. Taking notice of Kilia's current state of shock he slowly stepped towards her. With an expression of concern Rethyn asked her.

"Are you alright Kilia?"

Usually it was her who asked him, but at the moment Rethyn had taken the lead in asking. Placing his hand upon her shoulder he gently squeezed it. His eyes glanced to the goddess for a moment again before moving to try to find the sky blue eyes of Kilia as he stood behind her.

The hand on her shoulder startled her a bit from her thoughts and she looked up to find Rethyn looking at her. For a moment, she wasn't sure, but was that concern? Well of course it was. He wasn't all that great at hiding it when he thought he had a stony face around her. She gave him a small smile, warmed that he had actually come to see and ask, and show that expression willingly without any force to try to hide it.

"I will be. I just want him to be better. That anger is... scary. Who knows what it could grow into," she sighed a bit as she looked off into the trees, "Cryio should return later so maybe we should go find something to do for the meantime... Deriea will let us know when he comes back, right?" she looked over to the Goddess who had stretched out in the sun again.
The woman lifted a hand, waved it lazily and went back to basking in the sun.

"I can understand where it comes from, both him and I have something in common." Rethyn said in response to Kilia before glancing over to the goddess then back to Kilia. With his other hand he begun to rub at his eyes briefly as he said. "I tried to do something about it Kilia, though I believe I only helped him with the fear. To be honest I don't know if I even helped."

"No," Kilia shook her head at him, giving him a bit of a frown as her fingers wrapped around his forearm again, "You helped him. If Cryio and Deriea had shown up a few days before, he never would have left that room to come see who it was. I wouldn't have even got him to come out. Dealing with his fear is something else. This anger... this... rage that he has. It's not something we can deal with or help. As Cryio said, it's unnautral, it's a Gods energy that's affecting him. Only fixable by another god..."

"Yeah.." Rethyn glanced away as he thought about last night. As different as they were Soran and him had gained a some common grounds. He felt sympathetic towards the kid as he understood his version of hell he'd dripped into. Glancing back over to Kilia he felt the same warmness as before pulse through him.

So far this day he had seen nothing, the constant hallucinations at every turn had vanished. In this moment of time he felt like he had woken up into a paradise of sorts as the thought of this life became warmer. Kilia had given it to him yet she had no idea of what her protection spell did. In the back of his mind he knew he needed to do something to thank her. He just had not found it yet.

Her gaze widened just a bit as she realized her words. Thankfully, though he didn't seem to be angry with her. Maybe he knew what she meant, and that she hadn't been trying to be mean. Turning, she looked up at him. Stepping up to him, she wrapped her arms around him, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to offend you... I'm just... it's worrisome." Taking a deep breath, she tried not to cry, though it wasn't really working so she didn't look up to him for quite a while as she settled herself.

Finally, after a few tears shed and her heart was a bit more settled, she cleared her throat and looked up at him, "So... what should we do while we wait for Cryio?"

Doing his best to wipe at her tears with his index finger, Rethyn looked to Kilia as his eyes no longer looked hollow, but instead worried. Embracing her gently back he placed his chin on her shoulder as he whispered into her ear. "It's okay, you didn't." He squeezed her gently a little in an attempt to try to help settle her. He was unsure of himself as he did so, he didn't know if he could be warm enough to support her. However, he didn't want to fail her either.

As she looked up to him and asked the question his gaze went towards the house as he said. "I saw you go towards the training room a few days back, I know I usually don't train with the group...but maybe we could burn off some stress." He wanted to smack himself. He was stumbling over his own thoughts and he was hating it. He disliked how easy it was for Soran and Tristan, but so challenging for him. All of his intelligence seemed to fade the moment he caught her eyes.

"Mmn." He murmured.

Kilia blushed a bit, "Oh yes... that. Um, I was trying to see what else I could do with my spell system, and well... I sort of ended up creating an illusion little... dragon?" she couldn't look at him as she said this, "I'm just happy he didn't burn it down, Grayson might have been just a little bit upset with me. But um... I'm... not very good at fighting. I sort of want to, because of recent things, but... I'm really horrible at it," she said still looking everywhere but him.

---

Soran and Tristan

Taken to the room to calm down, Soran had finally gotten a hold of himself. He didn't like this feeling that coursed through him, and he detested the fact that he'd held a gun up to his boyfriend, thoughts of actually pulling the trigger making him feel sick to his stomach.The sooner this could go away, the better. So, he was huddled in the corner of the room, up on the bed with his legs pulled up to his chest and arms wrapped around them, staring at the floor. He didn't know what to say or how to even express how he felt about what had happened.

Tristan had left for only a second to get the other a drink of water, and well to calm his own nerves. He opened the door slowly and looked across the room to the bed before entering and closing the door behind him. He only locked it after thinking he didn't want any weird people coming in.

He crossed the floor and sat down, "here," he said offering the water to Soran, "its not your fault what happened out there." Tristan knew that Soran might be feeling bad, but he didn't want the other to blame himself. There was something else controlling that part of him, if he understood what the god said. Something left behind in Soran to cause the anger, Tristan never believed that Soran would do that himself.

"I pointed a gun at you, Tristan! I almost pulled the trigger," he said, his voice wavering as he felt another wash of anguish hit him right in his chest, "I could have killed you..." he tightened his arms around his legs and buried his head, "I don't know why... I can't seem to control this anger. It's growing every day and it's all I can do to keep from lashing out at you for the most ridiculous, idiotic, things that I would never do in the first place. Today... today was something I couldn't control and I don't know," his voice shook even more tears edging in, "I don't know if I can stop it next time... that dreadful urge to fire off one of my weapons, no matter who it is standing at the end of the barrel..."

Tristan listened to him, "Soran, you said you couldn't control it, but you didn't fire. You held yourself back. That means you can control it still, you haven't lost to the anger." What could he say, to make the other understand. "And you still have me, I don't care how angry you get, I will still be here."

Sniffing a bit, Soran looked up from where he'd buried himself. He frowned, he wasn't sure if he should believe that he could control it. What if he shot Tristan next time? It wasn't like Soran could miss... he never missed. Reaching out, he took the water from Tristan, took a mouthful and then set it down next to the bed. Moving, he crawled across it and wrapped his arms around Tristan, "Promise me something? If I ever do that again, even if you don't think I'll pull the trigger. You better stop me."

"I can promise you that," Tristan said, what had happened today had scared him enough to realize that standing in front of the guns was the worst idea...of course he was thinking of Kilia and the fact she was there. She was more important to the group, well that was the thought running through his head at the time. "I just couldn't believe you moved that fast, I've never seen you...like that. It was almost like you were possessed in that moment." Of course that could have exactly like that, but Tristan was just making a point.

"Possessed..." Soran repeated the word as if the thought had never crossed his mind, "I... suppose that's right. I didn't even draw off of the magic system... they just... appeared in my hands," he released a heavy breath, "All the more reason to stop me, no matter what it takes." he breathed heavily as he rested his body against Tristan. He was happy that the other boy didn't mind it as he did it often. Sometimes he wondered if it was uncomfortable, it wasn't like Soran was as light as a feather, he had muscle... just not as much a the other. He blushed a bit.

Pulling away, he frowned at Tristan, "You know... you really suck. How did you get all of this anyway?" he said, changing subjects as he poked at Tristan's sturdy frame.

Tristan quirked an eyebrow, "Probably cause of my dad, he wouldn't let me be the lazy computer geek I wanted to be, he'd force me to do something everyday." Tristan sometimes had to be dragged...but well that was a little embarrassing to admit.
"I do stuff everyday too... must be because of my genes..." he muttered the last bit to himself, "Well, whatever. You still suck, but I like it," he said with a grin. Then he sat back and gazed at Tristan for a long while, eying him carefully, "Hmm," he hummed gently.

"You know... I still owe you from earlier, don't I?" he gave a small, wicked little grin as he looked up and met the boy's gaze, "All that laughing this morning. Traitor. I have some serious plans for you," he said and lunged forward.

Tristan grinned, "I have no idea what you are talking about...who was laughing," He was though caught by surprise as the other lunged at him. He fell back on the bed with the other on top. "So...what plans, I am seriously curious."

Soran sat up on him, not bothering to ease his weight as he put himself right on Tristan's stomach, leaning forward, both hands on his chest he grinned right back, "Oh, see, now if I told you, it wouldn't be a surprise, because well.... I said it was," he stumbled a bit but quickly pressed on. His fingers inched their way down to Tristan's sides and once he was in place, he poked the boy, hoping to find the red head's sensitive, ticklish spot.

Tristan watched the others hands and they went to his sides, when he was poked though he looked up at the other, "Was that...suppose to do something," he asked with a slight grin on his face. He had a sensitive spot...but it wasn't there.

"Ah!..." Soran blushed as he pulled back, expecting to be attacked in the same manner. Not only was Tristan bigger, but he wasn't ticklish either... which was really bad since Soran was very ticklish, "U-uhh... shit... you have to have a spot... there's no way," he started muttering to himself as now it was a rather important challenge that he find it... If there was one at all. He moved, wiggling down Tristan's body and then started poking him randomly, trying to figure it out, "You really suck..." he said. After a while, he finally decided since that wasn't working -or didn't seem to be-, he would try something else.

"Fine... how about this then?" his fingers went under the shirt and then trailed all the way back up, lifting it as he went, "Mm, hot. Too bad that if we wrestled I'd probably win," he threw out, sticking his tongue out at Tristan.

As Soran went poking, Tristan was biting his lip, trying not to laugh. He only slightly flinched when the other got to the back of his knees. But Soran must not of noticed it, he went to say something but the other decided to run his fingers under his shirt. Soran's words made him curious, "Why did you want to wrestle Soran." Tristan was trying to be casually, because he didn't really know what the other had on his mind.

Soran grinned, moved so that he was in the right position and promptly bit Tristan's side, just above his hip. When he released his teeth from the warm skin that he'd nibbled on, he laughed a bit, "So I could do that. Oh, and here too," he moved up a bit, bit him again, "See? I'd win simply by distraction. And it would be fun. So there."

Tristan closed his eyes for a second after the other bit him, before he could say anything the other did it again. "You..know, I think biting is against the rules," but he had to agree, it would be so much fun. Tristan was blushing now, and he really wanted to turn the tables on the other. Oh he would wait, he just needed the other to come up a little bit more.

"Mm," he hummed as he bit him again, working his way up without even looking at Tristan, probably too absorbed in what he was doing, "Well..." he said as he pulled away, "You should know by now. I make the rules up as I go... more fun," he said. He was up to Tristan's chest now, nibbling away, and then up to his throat. The ear was his last destination. He giggled a bit.
"Oh really...," Tristan said trying to keep his voice level. "You make them up as you go along...so does that mean I can change them." He didn't let Soran get to his ear, or he might have just changed his mind again. He had the other on his back the next second, "Hmm, so where shall I start..." deciding without a comment. He began on the others neck, doing the same thing Soran had been doing to him.
Soran, taken completely by surprise, was one second looking down at Tristan, and then the next, looking up at him. Hu?... How'd... he thought and then blushed furiously as Tristan spoke, "Ch-change! You can't...Ch-ange!" he gasped as he felt teeth bit his neck. Reaching up, he automatically wrapped his arms around Tristan's neck and shoulders without thinking. "You...." he breathed out, "Really... suck," he said with shortened breath.

---

There was a soft knock on the door to their room, Kilia stood outside of it. It was only a few minutes ago that Cryio had returned and it was already pretty dark outside. She waited patiently for one of the boys to open for her. Well, semi-patiently. She was actually rocking back and forth on her heels, eager to get things going. Cryio said he'd found something and needed to see Soran as soon as possible. Kilia was happy to hear that, and very hopeful. Thus she found herself running through the house and then ending up at their door, trying not to knock too hard, or too rapidly, or knock again. Her fingers wiggled around each other as she stood there.

Tristan opened the door a crack, "Kilia...what is it," he asked a little groggy. He ran his fingers threw his hair, hoping that maybe it wasn't to messy. He didn't look back at the other, who seemed to be still sleeping.

"Sorry for it being so late..." she said, "Cryio returned. He wants to see Soran."

Tristan straighted, but still didn't open the door wider, "Ok, where."

"Outside, right in front of the house. He has a couple of things... said something about having to have Soran eat a few things before he could do anything. Medical stuff really, I didn't get the gist of it, but Deriea can explain better." She gave a small smile and then turned down the hall to wait for them by the front door, as she went, she paused a moment, "Uh... he said to sort of... hurry..." she said, hoping not to make Tristan mad or anything, then quickly went to the front of the house.

Tristan nodded and closed the door again. He walked back over to the bed. "Baby, you need to wake up, someone is out front waiting to heal you." Tristan picked up his shirt off the floor and put it on.

Soran rolled over, a moan of protest falling from his lips. Grabbing the sheets he jerked them up over his head for a minute, "Too comfy..." he mumbled. Then with a sigh he sat up, tossing the blanket back and giving a slight glower at Tristan, "Mean," he muttered. That was more in regards to Tristan having actually gotten up and moved the blonde Seer from his comfortable spot across the other boy while they slept. With a yawn, he stretched and got up.

Stumbling around a bit, he dressed as quickly as he could, hoping to have whatever this was over soon so he could go back to snuggling in the warm bed. Once he was dressed, and Tristan was too, he rubbed at his eyes as he walked into the hallway. Running a hand through his hair, he tried to brush it out a bit, but pieces of it stuck up no matter what, "Man... so tired... this is your fault," he said with a sleepy grin back at Tristan.

Tristan was about to remind him who started the whole thing but he was interrupted by the pink-haired seer.

"Jeez, took you long enough, come on," Kilia said as she bounced near the door. Soran sighed, dragging himself there with a childish pout that said he really didn't want to be up and about. This was not his 'playtime' hour at all.

"Kilia... let me sleep..." he complained.

"Nope," she said and grabbed his hand to hurry him to the door. Once outside, Cryio stood on the dirt just at the edge of the porch, silver beams of light stringing through the trees. He was standing in one of those beams. An earthen mound was before him and upon it were a couple of items, some of them looked like berries that Tristan hadn't ever seen before, and one was a root of some sort.

Tristan inspected the items on the mound, he was curious also as to what they were, he have to ask later.

He paused a bit, pulling back on Kilia's hand. She turned, "Hey. It's okay. He's going to fix this. Here, sit here, okay?" she said, pointing to the end of the stairs from the porch. He did as he was told as she went to the mound and picked up the items.
"Okay, eat these, in order, here," she said handing him a purple berry first.

He eyed it, "What is it?"

"It's to keep you calm. Since he has to touch you, he doesn't want you to freak out and shoot him."

Soran blushed a bit, "I... suppose... that might be bad," he looked down at the ground, "Is this really going to help?"

Kilia nodded eagerly. With a sigh, he glanced to Tristan and then popped the berry into his mouth. It was really sweet, "Not bad," he said as he swallowed and took the next that she handed him.

He watched for any kind of adverse reaction, not that he didn't trust Cryio, well actually it was more like he trusted Kilia.

"So," Soran said between eating the berries that were handed to him, "What is he going to do?" Oddly enough he was starting to feel rather comfortable on the stairs. Looking to the God, he didn't feel all that apprehensive anymore, "Wow... these things really work."

Kilia stiffled a laugh as Deriea walked over to him arms crossed as she peered at the blonde Seer closely, "Jeez, what a light weight. I bet he couldn't even handle any alcohol that you mortals like to drink. A few berries with natural relaxing agents and it's almost like he's high."

Tristan looked at Deriea....was she being serious, oh well maybe it didn't sound serious. Oh but that might be funny to watch, Soran drunk or high.

Kilia rolled her eyes, "That's not true," she said with a giggle.

"Oh, fine. So he's not high, but seriously, look at how close I can get to him now. He's not even affected. Guess Cryio was right. Well, that's useful. Anyway, the berries do more than just make him relaxed in the presence of a God, it's sort of suppressing that energy, and it's going to make things a lot smoother," she looked up to Tristan, "Don't freak out, but a touch from Cryio... hurts like hell. Doesn't matter if he's healing. Too much power. Don't worry though, these will keep him from feeling a thing, I promise."

Tristan was surprised at Soran, especially since his earlier reaction to them. He looked at Deriea, really wishing she wouldn't tell him not to freak out.

"Now, onto the fun part," Deriea smiled as she reached out and poked Soran's cheek as he ate another berry. He stared at her, tilted his head off to the side and continued eating, the Goddess giggled a bit, "You're going to see something really cool. Cryio rarely does any healing on mortals. Mostly plants, animals, that kind of thing, but when he heals a human. It's kinda special."
"Okay, he's ready," Kilia said as she brushed off her hands.

Deriea offered her hands to Soran, "Here, come here little mortal, you are going to lay right there," she said, pointing to the dirt mound. He allowed her to help him and once he was laid out on it, he stared up at the dark sky with the trees and the stars filtering through. Cryio sat up next to him and leaned over, the ray of light seemingly making the God look like he was glowing a slight silver color. One hand hovered over his chest, the other was planted firmly on the mound to keep himself upright.

Taking a breath, Cryio blew outwards and a wash of what seemed to be dust fell over Soran's frame. He took a breath of it and his eyes closed. The hand over Soran's chest glowed brightly. The light extended down to Soran and twisted around his body before it sunk down into him. Soran took a breath, a deep one and Cryio breathed again, the same strange dust floating over him.

Deriea glanced over to Tristan, "So. How much stamina do you have, mortal?" her grin could have been categorized as mischievous.

Tristan blushed really red, "What kind of question is that," he asked the goddess. He tried to cover up his reaction rather quickly. He looked at her, "I suppose just as much as a regular human." What was she trying to get at anyways.

Deriea grinned at him even more, "Oh my... well then. I hope you've had enough sleep. 'Cuz he," she waved her hand at Soran's whose frame was slightly lifted off the mound now by Cryio's power, wrapped up in silver light, "Is going to be wide awake" she said with a laugh, "If only you were a god yourself, you might be able to keep up with him," she laughed again. Obviously this was highly entertaining for her.

Tristan looked at her and wondered just how 'wide awake' she meant. In fact in the way she said it, he knew his mind went in various directions. "So...we talking major sugar high awake, or...like awake that he is really going to be really aware of everything."

Kilia covered her face, turning a bit red as Deriea looked at him, leaned in close and said in a soft whisper, "So innocent. Really? Aware of everything... more importantly, you, mortal. Enjoy what's rest of your night. We start training early tomorrow. Try to wear him out a bit would ya? Don't want you all falling asleep on us," the Goddess said as she moved away from him, her wicked grin still in place and settled herself in a stream of moonlight.

Soran's body slowly was uncurled from the silver light as Cryio pulled back. He'd stopped blowing in his face whatever magic or power that was to keep him complacent. Taking a breath, Soran opened his eyes which were now large and heavily lidded, stretching he sat up, blinked several times and then looked to Cryio.

"What did you do?" he asked gently.

"Healed you. Everything."

"Everything?"

Cryio smiled a bit, a very very small upturn of his lips, "Everything."

Pulling his legs off the mound, he dropped to his feet, brushing himself off. His gaze settled on Tristan and he smiled, "Hey," he said cheerfully.

Tristan was still trying to get over what the goddess had just said...when he heard Soran's voice. It really sounded like Soran, before the attack. "Hey yourself," Tristan said smiling at the other.

Soran paused for a moment, a few feet from Tristan. His gaze dropped down, then rose up again, "Wow... you're really freakin' hot right now... why is that," he muttered to himself, one finger tapping his lip gently.

Tristan's look turned slightly...fearful. He was blushing also, "um...ok," he couldn't help but back up a little. That goddess...she was kidding right.

"What's wrong Tristan?" Soran asked, taking a step forward as Tristan took one back. He smiled sweetly at the other boy, "Jeez, all I said was you're hot," he grinned then, "What were you thinking?" he asked oh-not-so-innocently.

"I..." damn he just squeaked, "I wasn't thinkin anything." He took another step backwards, hoping he was at least heading toward the door.

Soran stopped, and let out a noise, "pfft..." he tried to cover his laugh, but it didn't work and then he laughed again, giggling, "You... you squeaked!" he doubled over, laughing so hard he was crying, "I've... never heard... that before," he side between giggling fits and trying to breathe. He wiped at his eyes as he straightened up.

Shaking his head, he took a deep breath, "Why are you running away from me, come here!" he said and lunged forward, laughing as he went after Tristan.

Tristan straightened as the other laughed, and took the opportunity to get to the door and open it before he heard the other. "Nope...you'll have to catch me first," he said as he took off in the direction of Soran's bedroom.

Giggling, Soran followed after him rather quickly. The little Seer was quick on his feet, "I know where you sleep! You can't hide from me, baby, besides, this house is rather small," he said, the last part more of a muse than anything else.

Kilia, who was stunned on the front steps opened her eyes finally and glanced around. She heard some rather loud sounds in the house, Soran's laughter a few times and then possibly Tristan right after. She was afraid for the poor boy who was clearly under attack of some sort. She looked over to Deriea.

"So... uh... what you said..."

The Goddess was laughing rather hard herself, "I... couldn't resist, oh... the look on that boys face!" she laughed again, hardly able to speak, "Okay... okay.. maybe I exaggerated a little bit... oh but it was well worth it."

---

The following morning, some looked well rested while others not so much. There were perhaps a few irritated parents at the loud noise from the night before, but other than that, breakfast was good and done shortly. Both Gods outside, requested the younger Seer's and Guardian's presences, with the adults watching. Cryio stood off to the side, his eyes closed as he seemed to be sleeping in the sunlight... whilst standing. Deriea, was just as energetic as the night before and crossed her arms in front of her her with a wild grin plastered on her fair face.

With a flick of her hand, she sent her long locks flying back and then leveled her gaze at the group, "Alright little mortals, before we get started, show me what those spell pads of yours can do. Anything, make it impressive, please," she said with a wink that was directed mostly at Tristan.

Tristan looked at her glad she was having some sort of laugh at his expense. He opened up his pad, slightly thinking he would love to make her pay for that wink. He had a special category for revenge spells...well he did have four sisters. He decided to combine a few things, in all seriousness though...he really didn't know what she wanted to see.

Soran glanced to Tristan, he watched the boy for a moment before for he gave a bright grin and then went to work on his pad. He wasn't sure what the goddess wanted either, but he was certainly going to try for something... impressive he guessed. When he finished the spell, dragged it from the pad and released it, in his hands one of his favored weapons materialized. The sniper rifle had a long barrel, a scope and looked to be rather heavy as well as something that could pack a punch. It probably didn't look like it fit the small Seer's size at all. He happily held it against his shoulder, barrel pointed up at the sky.

Kilia, on the other hand was biting her lip and looking a bit frustrated as she stared at her pad, fingers hovering over the spell that she had there. Finally, when she pulled it off, all that appeared in her hand was red sparks that swirled around for a moment and she frowned. The spell slowly twisted around and then her tiny little dragon popped into her palm. Though she was a bit pleased to see Dino, she was still unsatisfied that she'd summoned the illusion and not a fireball. Deriea laughed a bit.

"Alright, what about the rest of you," she said, looking between them all.

Tristan looked at Soran's gun, it was an impressive weapon. He pulled a spell off his pad and a black ball appeared in his hand. "Here Deriea catch." he said as he tossed it at her.

Deriea eyed him carefully as he threw the black ball at her. Instinctively she reached out and caught it, and it immediately sucked in her hands. To which the goddess screeched, "The hell is this?!" she pulled one hand, then the other, and then did something very comical as she tried to wrench both hands free.

After a second, the ball began to change shape, and scales started to appear, now it was a giant snake holding her hands together. The head of the snake peeked out and hissed at the goddess. Of course her being a goddess of earth, she had to have ties to its living creatures. Tristan wasn't really expecting a hugh reaction.
Deriea watched the ball that was sucking at her hands and tried to remove her hands, all to no avail though and then she watched, slightly fascinated as the ball began to chance shape. However, once it had finished, she gave a bit of a shriek and dropped to both knees, "Get it off... get it off... get it off..." she cried, pouting and waving her hands up and down in a vain attempt to throw it from her whilst keeping her arms outstretched as far from her body as possible. She looked quite funny with the strained look on her face, her arms waving up and down as she turned her head to the side with only one eye peeking out at the thing every so often.

Soran covered his mouth as he let out a soft laugh and then turned, fell against Tristan and tried to hide his laughter. Kilia stood there with her hands covering her mouth in first... shock, and then a slight giggle. Turning to Tristan, she tried -but failed- to look like she was disappointed in him, "A-alright... now... you can...release her," she managed to say without laughing completely.

Tristan was grinning, but he hadn't actually done full on laughter. "Oh my bad, I thought it was suppose to explode." He whistled, and the snake released Deriea's hands and while it slithered toward the woods it faded.

"You... cruel hooligan," she hissed, tears at the edges of her eyes and she gave him the most pitiful glower on the planet.

Rubbing her hands as if to get rid of the awful feel of that scaly... thing that had attached itself to her, she stood up. Taking a breath she attempted to get her dignity back together and with one finally puff of her cheeks and glare at Tristan, she released her breath and pointed in a random direction.

The ground trembled and a solid rock wall rose up from the dirt. Grinning again, she looked at them, "Break it."

Soran looked at the wall for a moment, then back at her, "Break it... like... in half... in a couple pieces...?
"
"Break it. Destroy it." she said, with an encouraging nod of her head.

With a quick glance at the others, he shrugged a bit and then lowered his weapon. He didn't lay on the ground, or anything like that. Simply shifted his body sideways, with his hip helping to support his arm that held up the weapon. He aimed for the center of the rock wall and squeezed the trigger, "Might want to cover your ears," he said and gave them all one extra second to do so before he fired the round. Air exploded from the end of the barrier, a visible ripple and the kick rocked him back just a bit, but he reset, lowering the barrel back to the position it had been at.

The bullet, whatever it had been made of, hit the rock wall, and made a tiny crack, "Seriously?" he moaned to himself. He'd thought he'd put a lot of power into that.

Tristan looked at the goddess, she was trying to prove some kind of point. He really wished he had his father's ability with elements sometimes. He glanced in the adult's direction for a second. "Maybe we need to kick it up a notch."

He looked at his pad, pulling off something silver. He started changing the shape right there in front of him. When he was done, it looked like a bullet, "Here fire that," he said as tossed it at Soran. He just hoped it could withstand Soran's gun, he tried to make as sturdy as possible.

Reaching up, he caught the bullet that was tossed to him. It felt heavy in his hand and he weighed it up and down, a look of wonder on his face, "Hmm... this will be interesting," he said and opened the chamber to the gun, "You're lucky I'm really picky about how I make my weapons, fully functional," he said with a grin up at his boyfriend. Putting the bullet in the chamber, he pushed the bolt forward to load the round. Locking it down with an expert swipe of his hand, he reset his position and aimed for the wall.

"Cover," he said and pulled the trigger again. This time, though, the crack was very loud, the recoil had Soran stumbling, the weapon dropping from his numbed fingers and the bullet hitting the wall with a deafening thud. It went straight through it, but didn't break it.

"Holy... shit... What the heck did you make that thing out of?!"

"I don't know..." Tristan said, smiling slightly, "Still not powerful enough though." He also half expected the bullet to get stuck in the middle of the wall, and now that it had a hole in the middle...

"Seriously?" he looked up to Tristan, astonished, "That has to count as breaking.. right?"

Deriea shook her head, "You put a hole in it. You didn't break it. Now break it."

Soran sort of pouted.

"We can get closer right," Tristan asked wondering if it was a valid question. If this was a real battle they wouldn't be standing in one spot. It had worked like that in every other battle

"Sure, you can get closer if you like, but let me ask you this," Deriea crossed her arms, "How close do you really wanna be when you're up against Oni or Eveylyn? Wouldn't you rather destroy them, or slow them down really, from a greater distance?"

Tristan thought about her question, it was a little strange to think that rock out there was probably farther away then he had actually been to a god. "I understand your point, but some of us don't have the ranged skills like others.

Deriea nodded, smiling at him, "Perceptive. Aren't you glad you have a good shooter though? Makes things a lot easier. Look at that rock, mortal. Seriously look at it. When you're ready, break it."

Tristan did exactly what she said, and really looked at the rock. In his own understanding, he thought about what rocks were made weak by, water certainly...maybe even wind. Yet a big giant wind machine would look rather silly in the middle of the yard. He sort of had an idea, he just wondered if he had the right spells.

"Soran can you make something smaller. Just with enough kick to land something right in the middle of the base.

Tristan started to work on something. It had a rather new idea, so he knew it was going to take him awhile.

Soran tilted his head a bit, looking thoughtful for a moment, "Yeah, I can try," he responded and promptly dropped down to the dirt with his legs crossed and crouched over his pad. He started working, his fingers moving in all sorts of directions as he started building this new weapon. Kilia on the other hand frowned at Dino who hopped around on her arms and shoulders, puffing out black billows of smoke randomly and making small happy sounds as it went.

She sighed, "Why can't you be any help," she said with a pout.

"What about you, little pink mortal," Deriea asked as she stood there idly waiting for the two boys.

"Uh... I only heal... I can't do anything else."

The Goddess lifted her eyebrow, "Now now, that's a lie. What about what you did for the dark haired Guardian the other night?"
Kilia took in a breath, "You... know about that?"

"You're power's a bit on the potent side. Sort of strange seeing as you only summoned a tiny little illusion with no bite."

"H-he bites!" she said in defense, thinking back to when it gnawed on her finger happily. She blushed a bit, "But.. what am I supposed to do with that sort of spell? I don't even know what it does."

"Do you think healers are all about healing wounds? How about preventing them. Try that girly," Deriea said, "Well practice later, but think about something. Your own protection spell, use it on someone else. Modify it, make it stronger. Make yourself productive, jeez," Deriea waved her hand at Kilia with a roll of her eyes.

Kilia puffed up, crossed her arms and then finally decided that the goddess was right. She opened her magic system and started working on... something. Meanwhile, a few minutes later, Soran finally finished his gun and pulled it off the pad. The black weapon had a somewhat larger barrel than most of his weapons. It looked like a flare gun if anything. Happy with the creation, he handed it to Tristan, "Hows that?"

Tristan was trying not to get distracted, especially when the goddess mentioned his guardian...what had happened the other night and what did Kilia have to do with it. He continued cursing once or twice, oh finally he had it.

He turned and looked at the weapon, "that's fine." He produced two things in his hands. One was a clear bullet shaped object, "That is for you, don't fire it yet."

"Eh... Uh, okay," he said and took the bullet from Tristan, holding on to his new gun with the other hand, he inspected the clear bullet.

He hoped this worked like it did in his mind. The other object was black in color. Tristan blew on it and it started to float. It floated toward the rock and picked up speed as it went. As it hit, it splattered, but it didn't disappear, it seemed to lodge itself inside every nook and cranny it could find. It probably only made a few cracks at most physically.
"Ok Soran, aim right for the middle of the base, and fire at will."

Soran grinned, "Oh baby, you should order me around more often," he teased with a laugh. Raising up the weapon as he put himself in a kneeling position, it took him about a second or two and he fired the weapon. He couldn't even see the clear round that he'd fired. The gun gave a soft 'pop' as it propelled the bullet.

Tristan smiled at the blonde for a second, he could see the round, or at least the path it took. It hit perfectly and exploded sending a geyser like spray of water up. Now the real trick would begin. The water began attaching itself to the black substance, which made it expand, it would continue throughout the rock.

"Oh... interesting," Deriea commented as she watched the strange event. Looking to Tristan, she lifted an eyebrow, "What kind of weapon do you prefer, mortal? Swords, knives, throwing weapons, guns, staff... spears? Why don't you show me that and give me an example of what you can do up close and personal," she said with a grin.

"Weapon...," Tristan said, wondering why now she was asking. He looked at his pad, and back up at her. He looked back down and turned to the rock. He walked slowly, cause well he was still trying to decide on a weapon in the first place.

He finally pulled a katana from his pad. It had never really been used in battle, but he decided to give it a go. He usually didn't pull weapons, he liked tricks instead. He stood before the rock and looked, he would have to hit it at the weakest point. He found the widest crack and with a slight yell, shoved the sword inside. He just didn't just shove, he twisted a little too. To be cautious he stepped back, and watched.

"Ooh, a sword hu? Very nice," Deriea said as she watched him shove the weapon through the widest crack. Pieces of rock shuddered, breaking off and crumbling to the dirt. There was now a rather large hole through the wall and Deriea seemed fairly pleased with the result as well. Soran watched with a bit of a smile on his face. Although, he was curious as to why Tristan chose a sword rather than his staff which he had beaten Soran with during one of their smaller training sessions.

Perhaps he would ask later. Even so, some of that wall still stood and though it was now with a very large hole in the middle and pieces of it still falling apart from Tristan's last trick, Soran wasn't sure if that was considered 'broken' to her. Maybe Rethyn and Sina could have a shot at it. He glanced at those two and propped his head up on his lap with his hands. This was definitely interesting to say the least.

Stepping forward, Sina begun to bounce from toe to toe as she lifted up her left arm and spoke softly into it. "Jayce? You ready?"
A sudden voice then became apparent from the device as the magic system seemed to speak back to the girl. The voice came off as a pleasant one as it spoke back to Sina with high energy. "Good to have you back once again Sina. What shall I -"

"Maximum strength." She interrupted as she dashed forward. Suddenly the pleasant voice became replaced by a much grittier voice as it repeated back. "MAXIMUM STRENGTH!" Flashing red, Sina brought back her arm as she launched herself forward. With her flying punch she collided her hand into the wall.

Deriea lifted an eyebrow once again as she watched the girl fly at the wall. Her entire frame pulsed a deep scarlet color and then she slammed her fist into the rock. There was a pulse of dirt that rippled out from where she hit, and then the side that she'd hit crumbled. Deriea smiled, "One more side left," she said cheerily as she beamed at them. Looking over to Rethyn, she motioned to the wall, "And you? Can't let everyone else play around can you?"

Rethyn had already had his blade drawn, but as the goddess spoke to him he raised a brow to her. As he begun to turn away to leave the training area he said with a smirk to the goddess. "I don't break walls."

Bamf!

In a loud crack and a flash, Rethyn appeared behind the wall and Goddess. With his blade out and inches away from the goddesses neck his pleasant mood seemed to beam through as he said to her. "Boop. Got you."

A smile was stretched upon his face. Grinning a toothy grin it seemed Rethyn's mental state had quickly improved with the gain of Kilia's protection spell. The paranoia had faded and with it too all of the fears of which had been eating at him and attacking him constantly within the mind.

"Oh... my," Deriea commented lightly as she eyed the flashing steel, "Well. I thought there was someone in there with a little... specialty. This makes things a lot more interesting, little mortal," Deriea turned around to face him, "Your training just got a whole lot harder," she said with a grin.

"Tristan," Soran called softly. It was a bit dark in the room, they'd had dinner and most of the house was already in bed. However, Soran just couldn't get comfortable and sleep. Maybe it was too hot still... or maybe he was just thinking about too many things. Whatever it was, it kept him awake. So he wanted to do something to help sleep later. He poked the red head, "Tristan... Hey," he poked him again trying to restrain a slight giggle, "Tristan. I wanna go to that spot, the one with the waterfall..." he whispered. Boy did he sound like a kid just then.

A grumbling red-headed seer turned over slightly, "You want to go now...," he was slightly whining. He had just gotten comfortable again after coming back to bed from supper, not that he even wanted to get up for that. The aches were still present but had some what gone away. "So...what do you want to do at that spot," he was curious as to why Soran wanted to go there.

He refrained from giggling too much as Tristan rolled over and complained to him, "I can't sleep," he said with a pout, "I want to go see what it's like at night. I bet its really pretty," he reached out and grabbed Tristan's hand and pulled gently, shaking it up and down slightly, "Can we go? Please... please?!" he was probably being really difficult, but at the moment he didn't really mind,

"Besides, you'll like it," he said with a grin.

"But...but...," aww damn, Tristan sighed and got up slowly. "fineeee." Tristan yawned and stood, "do you mind if I get a shirt to wear though."

Soran gave a sigh as if he were slightly put out by the fact that his boyfriend wanted a shirt. Sitting down with his legs crossed on the floor, he looked up at the boy, "I suppose that's okay," he grinned then, "You won't be needing it later though," he teased.

"Well then," he said, "I suppose the same goes for you too." Tristan picked something from the closet, something he must have left in here, he didn't remember. "Okay I am ready," and offered his hand to the boy sitting on the floor.

Grateful for the darkness, Soran knew he'd gone from pale colored to bright red. He really had to learn how to throw Tristan off like he did to him. Taking the hand offered, he stood up and in a quick roll forward pecked a kiss on Tristan's lips, "Thank you!" he said. Turning, he went for the door and opened it quietly, his fingers still in Tristan's hand. He led the way to the backdoor, looking back to beam at the boy whose hair was a total mess. He laughed a bit as he slid open the door and stepped outside, his boots making a soft sound against the wood of the porch.

"Nice hair baby," he commented lightly, "Man... I don't know why I'm so wide awake..." he pondered, "Maybe I shouldn't have tea before bed," he mused softly and stepped off into the dirt path.

"Um...yours doesn't look any better, and aren't we forgetting something." The moon did a pretty good, but the woods were dark. He grabbed two flashlights from a bin on the porch. "I hope we don't get any creepy gods following," he didn't know why he said that.

A pair of solid blue eyes watched as the two lovers passed by without noticing him through the darkness of the room. "Where are they going?" Rethyn thought to himself as he arose from his chair to feel the familiar aches he'd been having since training. A part of him wanted to leave them be, but the protective Guardian shook his head as he slinked off into the shadows to follow. Wincing a little he didn't like the fact that he was only leaving Grayson and Sina to guard Kilia. He knew he was going to have the trust the two of them, but it was a growing fear.

Soran turned around and with his hands behind his back smiled at Tristan, "Ah...yeah, sort of forgot about those," he said as the other Seer grabbed the flashlights for them. Taking one in hand, he clicked it on of course doing the absolute dumb maneuver of pointing the damned thing up at his face, "Gah!!!" he quickly turned it away from his eyes as he stumbled a bit, "Damn... those... yup, they work, and they're bright..." he muttered. Pointing the light into the dark forest he laughed a bit.
"Creepy gods hu... yeah I guess they are kinda creepy if you think about it," he said as he started to the trail.

Tristan looked at him for a second trying not to chuckle at him, "Yeah...point down, work better that way." He took the other by the hand and said, "Don't worry though, I could probably get there without the flashlight." He led the other toward the woods again.

"S-shut up!" Soran said as he batted at Tristan's shoulder about the flashlight, "So mean to me," he said though he grinned. He followed after Tristan, taking the same way they went last time the red haired Seer took him there. It wasn't too long after that he could hear the crashing of water and then pushing through the branches they were met by the same open platform from before. Soran's eyes grew wide and he took in a deep breath of awe, "Wow..." he breathed.

Turning he looked up at the sky which was cloudless and offered a brilliant silver moon to paint the waterfall with as well as the grassy area from before. Almost dancing around Tristan, he beamed up at the boy, "Beautiful!" he tugged at Tristan's hands and guided the boy to the grassy patch where he sat down and patted the spot next to him on his left, "Thanks Tristan.. and sorry I woke you up... I just couldn't sleep. I promise not to drink tea next time," he said with a small grin.

Tristan grinned back as he sat down, "its fine." Tristan watched the waterfall. He really did like this place at night too, not that he was going to admit that, well not right now anyways.

From the shadows Rethyn leaned against a tree as he watched the two of them. With a small smile upon his face he was glad to see his Seer so happy with Soran. As no trouble seemed to come he begun to debate with himself if he should try to get some sleep as the nightmares had faded from him. However, he felt as if his feet were glued in place as he worried. A god could easily ambush them here, and Rethyn knew the best way to beat an ambush. Ambush the ambushers is what he had in mind as he looked like he had strange cat-like eyes within the shadows.

Ducked behind the tree he had become visible to save energy.

Soran shifted around. Lifting one hand he ran it up Tristan's stomach to his shoulder as he leaned on him a playful grin on his face, "Told you that shirt wasn't going to be needed, didn't I?" he teased softly then leaned in for a kiss.

Tristan chuckled slightly but didn't say anything and just accepted the kiss.

Soran shifted again so that he was sort of sitting over Tristan's lap, both arms wrapped around the boys neck as he kissed him. He was getting lost in kiss, the touch of his boyfriend underneath him. The little blonde Seer really did enjoy kissing the other boy. As his fingers tangled up in Tristan's hair and the shirt he wore, there was a slight shift of the wind. Something moved and in the next instant, golden twine wrapped around Tristan, dragging him up and away from Soran who startled.

Gasping, he eyed the golden strands that seemed to glow a bit in the darkness. Those dark, red eyes that peered over Tristan's shoulder sent a chill down Soran's spine. For a moment he couldn't breathe as he stared, petrified to the spot. The twine tightened down around Tristan's arm and upper body to confine him there, the God holding the other arm outstretched to prohibit too much movement and probably straining the shoulder.

"Found you," the God said softly. His gaze shifted over to the red haired Seer whom he was hiding behind.

"Tristan..." Soran breathed out, finally finding his voice. He stood up quickly and with a swipe opened his magic system. From it, he drew one of the higher calibrated handguns that he'd worked on. He held it down at the ground, but was tempted to lift it, his fingers curling and uncurling around the weapon as he tried to see if he could find a spot to fire off the weapon.

One second he was in a passionate kiss the next he was wrapped up in some sort of rope. "What the..." Tristan couldn't get a good look at the thing at the other end as his movement was restricted. "Soran," he could see the fear in the others eyes, even in the darkness. The voice from behind him sent chills down his spine and he strained for a look. "Who the fuck are you," Tristan voice sounded angry.

Suddenly a light whistle could be heard from behind the god as the musical Rethyn came from the shadows with his dirk knife pressed against the gods back. It was with enough force for the tip to break the skin, but nothing note worthy. With a smirk displayed upon his face Rethyn sent his retort quietly through the air. "Found you." Pressing the knife only slightly harder he lowered his voice as he then said. "Now let them go."

Soran took a gasp of air at the sound of Rethyn's voice. Since when...? He shook his head a bit, it didn't matter. Maybe it was a good thing anyway. He slowly lifted the weapon in his hands, watching carefully to see what the God would do.

Red eyes turned just enough to see the boy behind him, to which he returned his own wicked grin and said simply, "No," He moved right after, a blur of motion with Tristan in tow until he was standing on the edge of the little platform where they had been watching the waterfall. Soran stepped forward, his heart in his throat. He remembered quite clearly now that this God was... very fast. One moment being at a far distance and the next being right in your face. He shuddered violently from the memory. He almost couldn't breathe.

"I believe, you asked me who I am," the God whispered to Tristan, his voice soft but filled with a heavy layer of malice and cruel intent, "I think I'll...show you. I'm sure you couldn't possibly forget... something like this, now could you," he said as he reached up and tapped Tristan's forehead with a finger, "It's called a memory, enjoy it for a little while won't you?"

Soran's heart raced. He knew what was going to be shown and he yelled, "Tristan!" His gun raising up but he couldn't fire, there was no way he was going to shoot at Tristan, but the god was on the edge, and holding the red haired Seer. His finger squeezed the trigger, if the god moved but an inch, then he could lessen the damage on Tristan, he bit his lip, feeling tears edge into his eyes, "I-if... he moves... if Valyn moves... just a little bit... I... I could free him. That.. twine isn't going to let him go unless Valyn is distracted... I'll... please if you can move him just a bit, I won't have to hurt Tristan too much," he begged, hands shaking as he held his weapon up.

Tristan felt that cold finger touch his forehead, and even though his body was present on that platform his mind went back. He was in a warehouse, one from the inside he didn't recognize. Then he saw it, the blond seer chained against the wall, a god standing over him...with a knife. Screams echoed against the wall, and Tristan tried to move, but since this was a memory he was plastered there.

Tristan's body on the other hand, was slightly thrashing. His face had gone pale, and his eyes had gone wide.

Drawing his blade, Rethyn gritted his teeth at Soran at first as he said he was going to have to hurt Tristan. However, as he thought about it he knew the boy would never hurt Tristan unless he had to. Looking over to the god then darting back to Soran with his eyes he said. "You can't miss the shot."

Shaking his head he cursed at himself for not making the initial stab upon the god. He could of at least weakened the monster. Walking a little ways away from the boy, Rethyn suddenly faded away as his visibility decreased. After a few seconds a small hiss could be heard near a tree as Rethyn seemed to teleport.

"We weren't done." Rethyn hissed as he landed next to Valyn and came at him from the shadows. With the hope of surprise at his side he did not slash at the god as he preformed a jumping lung at the god. With his elbow firmly pressed to the side of his ribs, Rethyn tightened his shoulder as he put all his weight into a ram.

The God growled lightly as the pesky little Guardian returned. He turned his red gaze to the boy just briefly and then ignored him as he kept the other Seer tightly held to him, his hands starting to glow with a strange light. Then he felt the heavy weight of the boy against him, shoving him over a couple of steps along the precarious edge of the platform. He growled lightly at the boy.

Soran took a deep breath and the moment the God was moved, his finger pulled the trigger. The gun made a very loud high pitched sound as if it were powering up and then fired, releasing a brilliant blue light followed by the compacted bullet wrapped in energy. He ground his teeth knowing that Tristan was really going to hate him for this. However, the pain of that shot would hopefully pull him out of that awful memory that he was being shown and drag him back to the present.

The God turned at the sound, but was far too late as the projectile went through his prey's shoulder and hit him square in the chest. Valyn's grip on Tristan released and he fell backwards from the impact as he changed tactics. Dragging his energy to stop the bullet from going through him, the golden twine faded out and Valyn fell from the platform. Soran dropped his weapon and sprinted for Tristan.

Tristan was ripped from the memory and he felt the bullet pass through his shoulder. The momentum of the god carried him though and his fell from the platform as well, but he knew the water was deep enough, so he tried to turn his body in mid-air so he could hit with his feet. The splash could be heard as he entered, he resurfaced a second later coughing and trying to kick his feet.

Seeing an opportunity to strike and to get the god away from his Seer, Rethyn reached out an arm and grabbed at the God roughly as he closed his eyes. With much strain he begun to feel his body ache as he teleported the two of them two miles east of the waterfall. With a loud uncontrolled crack of a sound the two of them were off.

Releasing the god and stumbling back a few steps, Rethyn felt his left leg cramp up as he begun to pant from the excursion of energy. Raising his blade defensively he hoped the god would be confused before lashing out at him. Pushing air from his lungs he kept trying to catch his breath with little success.

Valyn felt the strange shift as the boy wrapped his arms around him. Moved from where he'd been he was suddenly put somewhere else. The loud sound marked their entrance to another part of the forest. Valyn moved slightly as the boy released him and stumbled away. A bit of a deep wound bled in his chest where he'd just barely managed to stop the bullet going all the way through him. The God turned slowly and glowered at the boy. His red eyes narrowed dangerously and he didn't move as he watched the Guardian carefully.

"You're weak, and yet... you've the nerve to challenge me, by yourself," Valyn said coldly, his face unchanging as he stood there. There was no emotion shown much like always, "You're going to die," he said, stating it as if it were a well known fact. His fingers snapped and the golden twine shot out at Rethyn, while in his other hand a bright golden blade appeared.

Slashing his blade at a downward angle, Rethyn managed to get the golden twine wrapped around his enchanted blade instead of being grasped by it. Stagging a little Rethyn felt the pain from his left leg die down a little as he moved into a half-cocked stance. Lifting his chin up in the air to the god he said with a taunting smirk. "I would say there's a first time for everything, but I'm an exception in this case."

Fixing his stance a little more, Rethyn winced a little as the muscle pain strained him. Pointing the tip of his blade in the direction of the god he finished with. "I thought you would need a handicap. I've been a part of fucking up your plans twice now. I was the one who pulled Soran out from under your noses."

Valyn withdrew the golden twine. For a moment, the god stood there silent. Slowly, he lifted an eyebrow as he regarded the Guardian in the cool night air, "So it was you... That faint trace... what you just did," his lips twitched and a smile grew, red eyes flashing as he turned and gave a soft laugh. The moonlight faded behind a thick set of clouds and the Gods frame seemed to disappear in the darkness, only his glowing red eyes visible in the pitch black.

In one moment, the Gods' eyes seemed to be far away and in the next he was right up next to Rethyn, the sing of a blade was heard but not seen. He slashed out at Rethyn, a soft chuckle on his lips.

The attack was too fast for Rethyn to register as the blade deeply cut from his lower ribs to just below his collar bone upon his right side. In pure panic after the blade passed, Rethyn flickered up into the air then flickered again as he vanished from obvious sight as he landed in a tree not too far off. As he held his hand over himself he was relieved that the blade even though deep wasn't deep enough to cut the muscle groups or get into his vitals.

As blood however rained from him at a dribble, Rethyn knew it didn't matter. He would pass out before long and the God would see him fall from the tree. He had brought enough time and it was time to escape. But where and how? Placing his head against the bark he tried his best to hold in his panting as it caused him both pain and would cause his detection.

He was failing.

The clouds moved, allowing the silver light to paint the forest again. Valyn looked around as he'd lost sight of the boy with the glowing blue eyes. Turning just a bit he moved from his spot. The boy couldn't have gone far. He knew he was around there. His hand opened and the golden twine slowly revealed itself in the darkness. Moving through the trees, he reached out to try to sense the vanishing trick the boy had done before. As he stalked through the trees, something splattered next to him. Reaching out, he touched the dark liquid and then looked up.

He grinned again. Flicking his hand, he sent the golden twine upwards into the tree branches to snare around the boy.

Wap!

Just before the golden twine was about to make contact with Rethyn he vanished with a last ditch teleport. However, as he teleported off a small metallic object fell from the tree at the feet of Valyn. With a deafening flash and pop, Rethyn heard the bang from out to a mile away.

Seething in pain, Rethyn was startled by the shock of the cold water as he went under. The stream wasn't deep, but upon his back he could float. However, as blood quickly drained itself from his body he started to close his eyes. He fought his own body from rolling over in the water as he remained upon his back.

There they were again. The shadows took their hollowing property once again as Rethyn would occasionally see being staring at him from the trees. Their eyes were just pure white as many of them were missing limbs or had extra limbs attached onto usual places.

The urge to close his eyes had only become more powerful as he coughed out a horridly weak tune. "I may not say it much but I know I made you worry all the time, back then you could of always said the things I've done and you're the same today so I'll try not to burden you. But try to realize that I've closed my eyes just because the world it's.."

Closing his eyes Rethyn felt himself fade as he felt the water gently against the back of his head and neck.

Tristan and Soran

Soran's voice ripped from his throat as he pelted for the other boy who was falling he screamed out Tristan's name, fear rocking through him as he ran. He heard the splash soon after. Dropping to his knees, he searched the water below that wasn't but a few feet down and looked for the boy. He saw Tristan come up for air and he stretched out his hand, but he wasn't quite close enough. Slamming his hands against the dirt he shoved off the edge and took a couple of steps back and ran forward to jump off of the edge. It was almost like doing a cannon ball into a pool, except a slight bit higher.

He hit the water and then quickly came up top and swam for Tristan. Wrapping his arms around the boy, he pulled, trying to haul him over to the bank which was hard to see in the darkness without the flashlights. His heart hammered in his chest, "Tristan! Tristan, I'm sorry, are you alright?" he called out as he tried to compose himself and swim at the same time. He was thankful he was a fairly good swimmer right about then.

Tristan coughed again as he heard the water and looked toward the blonde coming toward him. He cringed as the other was holding on a little to tight. "Soran, I am fine, just loosen your grip, your choking me." Tristan was grinning...he could hear the panic in the others voice. He was trying to lighten up the situation, of course he really had no clue as to what hit him. When they finally made it to shore, he laid there for a minute. "Wait where's Rethyn...," his voice went slightly in a panic.

He looked around, what was the idiot thinking, they all needed to fight this god together. The god was going to be a tough one.

"S-sorry," Soran uttered as he lessened his grip a little bit, still frightened by what had just happened. Guilt grasped his chest in their cold claws. As they got up on the bank and Tristan lay there for a while, Soran hovered over him in fear, his fingers reaching out to just barely touch the injured shoulder. It wasn't until he saw the blood that he started to cry, keeping his voice to himself as best he could though but having no control over the tears as they mixed in with the water that rained from his hair.

"Tristan..." he whispered softly, then he heard mention of Rethyn and his heart lurched. He glanced around, chest heaving a bit, "No... he didn't... He can't be serious! Th-thats... that god is..." he couldn't even get the words from his mouth.

"Soran, calm down...he will be alright," Tristan had to have some faith in his guardian. He had to have faith above every emotion at the moment, he turned to the other. "What is wrong, stop crying please, there is no crying in baseball."

"Come on, if we can't find him, we need to go back to the house, get the others. And hope that he won't catch up before we get there."

He sucked in a sharp breath, his hand reached out and slapped against Tristan's chest as he cried harder, "This isn't baseball, idiot! I'm crying... because I'm afriad, and I'm... crying because I know what you saw! I'm crying because I don't know what to do!" he hiccuped a bit as he leaned forward onto Tristan and tried to calm himself down, "And I'm crying because you're hurt," he muttered the last part. He knew that Tristan was right, he had to pull it together. To lose it so easily in a fight... in the face of a God no less. He was weak... too weak.

Tristan sighed it was bad timing on making a joke he guessed. He put his hands on Soran's face, "Soran...focus please, I am afraid too, and while what I saw was the most heart-wrenching thing, I've imagined much worse, I love you, okay, I have you back and I won't let him take you away from me again. But we have to move, we can't sit here." He had to leave out the fact he was hurt, he knew if he focused on it...then the pain would come all to real.

He stared at Tristan for a long while before he finally nodded. He sniffed, took a shuddering breath and wiped at his eyes and face. His gaze flicked to Tristan's bleeding shoulder. The bullet, though it had been small had packed quite a punch and he worried about how damaged the wound really was. He didn't ask though, he didn't want it to be the center of both of their thoughts. He picked himself up off the ground, dirt that had turned to mud from his soggy clothes clung to him, "Alright... how far back from here?"

"If we move on the trail then not far," yet Tristan had another idea. Staying on a trail seemed like a bad idea, "I got another idea, but I don't think using the flashlight will be smart, you have to put your trust in me." Tristan though had to get off the ground first. "I need your help though first." Being in the mud also was simply fantastic, he could see himself slipping and falling several times. "Or find me a stick or something, thick branch..."

"Okay," Soran replied and went searching for he'd been asked for. Soran located a large enough broken branch for Tristan to use. He knew that if he tried to help they would both end up taking a mud bath to say the least. What he did do though was set himself on dry ground and reached down for Tristan's good arm to help him up with the added addition of the stick. Once Tristan was on his feet, he tangled his fingers in the boys hand, "I trust you," he said.

His gaze flicked around the darkness and he took a double take off to their right. A sharp gasp filled his throat, "Tristan... we have to go, now," he said, trying not to shout or give away their own position as he caught a flash of glowing red in the darkness not to far up the bank and the hill. His hand tightened in Tristan's as he briefly wondered what happened to Rethyn if the God was there already. Valyn's freakish speed was unnerving to say the least.

Tristan was up and ready to move when he heard Soran's voice, Fuck was his only thought, "Okay lets go," He held on to the others hand and took off, through the path back to the main trail. He offhandedly wondered if God's could smell blood, cause he knew he was going to be making a trail of it. Instead of turning to go back on the main path, he keep going straight. Really what he was doing was making a big circle, but it would have them end up in the front of the house. The others he could wake up, but at least if he got to the other gods first, maybe then they would have a chance to get things together. "Oh I got an idea, maybe we can distract him a little bit more, give us some more time." He stopped and realized that the arm that he usually used to pull spells off with was the one that got hurt. He moved the pad to his hand, and pulled something off it.

A golden ball fell from his hand and began to glow and then started changing, "Come on, we need to move again." He didn't want to be there when that thing popped open, or the surprise popped out.

Tristan's fingers tightened just a bit and then he took off into the trees, dragging Soran with him. His heart thrummed hard and fast in his chest as he tried to keep up with the taller Seer. Branches snapped past his face and he was just barely keeping them from smacking him in the head. He didn't even want to glance behind him, sure that the God had heard their run. When Tristan stopped, he nearly had a heart attack, but the boy didn't linger for long and dropped something where they'd just been a moment before. The ball had been glowing gold then started changing color.

"W-what did you drop?" he asked as he chased after his boyfriend. Swiping his hand on the pad, he drew his gun again and chanced a quick glance in the darkness behind him. For the moment he didn't see anything but the strange colors faintly flowing.
"Oh that was Fluffy," Tristan said, "Dragon with three heads, spits something different from each of his mouths.

"Wait... you named that thing Fluffy?"

"I...was young...and couldn't come up with a good name. Give me a break." Actually the dragon was quite fluffy...in its first concept. "Sorry trying to avoid the worst of the trees." He knew they were almost to the drive, that would led them to the house. Tristan though had to wonder...if that god found them, how far was Oni behind him. That thought scared him even more.

"Almost there," he told the other.

Soran nodded. He'd ended up with quite a few scratches but they didn't bother him as he could hardly care seeing as a lunatic god was chasing them. From behind them there was a loud growling sound, the sounds of explosions and a deep rumble. He glanced behind him in the darkness. The golden light grew extremely bright before it extinguished. Soran's heart seemed to skip a beat and time for him slowed just a bit. He could almost feel the god right behind him. His hand gripped Tristan's tighter as he stared behind them. Lifting his gun, he waited. His breath just shy of leaving his lips as a tremble spread through him.

Almost there... almost there... almost there... he told himself over and over and then his gaze grew wide as the flash of red filtered through the trees. He pulled the trigger and the weapon sang loudly. A brilliant bright blue light shimmered around the end of the barrel before it fired, cracking loudly. The red eyes disappeared as his bullet charged back at the God. "Did I..." he breathed.

As if to answer, a flash of gold lashed out and Soran ducked, the tree that was unfortunate enough to be right in the path took the hit instead and splintered apart as a good sized hole erupted into the trunk of it. Soran screamed at how close it was. He lifted the gun again and fired off another round, this one taking out a piece of tree instead of the God. Turning around he could see the lights of the house coming into view.

"Damn," he said, "he usually lasts longer," his eyes were always to the front, cause if he tripped that would really suck. He heard the other fire the first shot. That was loud enough and close enough someone had to hear it from the house. The second shot would defiantly be a warning. They were close to the barrier, he could almost feel it.

Deriea moved, the shot ringing out in the darkness. A second shot followed a scream and she was at the edge of the barrier looking around, trying to pinpoint it.

Bolting from the back door, Sina darted her head around as she too had heard the noise. Moving to stand next to Deriea she wore just a very long shirt. Upon her feet she had slipped into a pair of sandles as she had awoken. She had not had the time to throw on a set of cloths unlike someone who would of seen this coming.

To their right, Deriea caught sight of Tristan and right behind him Soran and right behind the little blonde a tendril of golden light. She shouted, but the string was just a bit faster. It caught hold of Soran, pulled him back and then hurled him through the trees to the darker side of the house. He let out a sharp cry as he went flying, another when he hit the house and went tumbling into the darkness.

Deriea reached out, snatched a hold of Tristan's arm and dragged him behind the barrier. With a flick of her hand a wall of vines erupted to fend of the golden twine that had been on its way to grab him next, "What the hell is chasing you...." she paused as she turned to look into the darkness. Her answer came in the form of her vines being obliterated and the barrier shimmering violently. Pushing the red haired Seer, she lifted both hands to try to protect herself but failed to do so as Valyn came charging through the barrier and his twine cracked right into her chest. The snap that followed sent the goddess flying.

Valyn stopped his advance and looked between Tristan, Cryio who was on his other side and then Deriea who was sprawled across the ground. His gaze settled on Tristan, the twine fading out and instead was replaced by a pulsing blue and white light, the golden knife still in his hand and still holding traces of blood, "Lets hope that tumble snapped his neck, your little Guardian certainly didn't stand a chance," he growled.

Tristan felt Soran being taken from his hand, "NO," his scream was loud and he watched the other fly. He was about to go after him when he was suddenly grabbed and dragged behind the barrier. He tried to answer Deriea, but the god made his appearance instead. His look of pure hatred was clouding his mind from everything else. "You little fucker," his spell pad erupted and off it came something that he really could have pulled from a video game. The long blade was connected to a chain, he started to swing it. This wasn't going to work as well as he wanted it to with just one arm, but he sure of heck didn't care at the moment. He could work the thing.

His voice was on edge when he glanced at the female guardian, "Go find Soran, make sure he is ok."

Throwing Tristan a little salute with her middle and index finger Sina spoke to her magic system. "MAXIMUM SPEED" Was roared from now Jayce as she zipped off at an insane speed through the darkness. She had not bothered to activate another system so she had put everything into speed.

Her eyes widened as she spotted Soran not too far off as she closed the gap to him. As she grew closer she raised her hand to cuff her mouth as she called out his name several times.

"Soran!"

Valyn turned, his gaze only going to the woman briefly as she came from the side and then was ordered to find the blonde Seer. He ignored her immediately as Tristan slashed at him with a wicked looking weapon. The golden knife came up and batted it upwards, the two weapons clanging sharply together briefly. Turning sideways he reached out and touched Tristan's side with the glowing hand, "You're all pent up on energy, allow me to relieve you of some of that," he said as the power around his hand pulsed.
From the house, Kilia gave a shout and as she was about to step down from the porch, Cryio stood before her, his hand flicked at Tristan. He put up a sort of barrier between the boy and the God. It wasn't going to do anything for the pain that might come, but it would stop the God from taking a good amount of energy.

Rushing to his side Sina flashed red as her magic system activated the strength ability. With a worried sigh she placed her hand to his cheek as he had been clearly knocked out. Sliding her hands behind his shoulders and knees, Soran felt light with her empowered strength.

Zipping back across the newly dubbed battlefield, Sina passed through the barrier as she made her way to the porch and to Kilia. Giving her a little motion of the head she tried to signal the girl to take him inside or try to make sure he was alright. For all she knew Soran could be bleeding internally or something.

Tristan bit his lip against the pain, he definitely drew blood. His energy was really his anger, he really didn't have any left as it was. He was fighting now on pure adrenaline. He jumped backwards to get away from the gods touch. lashing out again with his weapon as he did. He was aiming for the gods shoulder at the moment.

Kilia gasped as Sina came by with Soran in her grip. He was still, and his eyes closed. For the first few moments she thought the absolute worst had happened but then she calmed herself and reached out to touch his throat gently. His pulse was still there and it was strong. She breathed a sigh of relief. Now, to see if he was injured. She quickly set to work on her pad, with Cryio standing protectively over her. He wasn't going to let anything interrupt her, she knew that for sure.

Cryio glanced at Sina, "Help him, but be careful," the God warned.

From inside the house as well, River came bursting out the door. The first thing she saw was Soran on the porch and she yelled out his name, dropping down next to him.

"He's alright," Kilia said, calming the woman's immediate fears. With that, River looked out to the yard where the fight between Tristan and a God had erupted. Moving, she opened her pad and started to work on something from the patio.

Valyn shifted the blade again, slamming it down and off to the side. His free hand stretched and touched the boy again, but the same thing happened, the thin barrier between them went up to keep the energy he was taking to an absolute minimum and to keep the normal pain from being inflicted. The God narrowed his red eyes. Switching tactics, he changed hands, the golden knife was now pulsing in the pale blue light and he slashed out at Tristan, a slight, sadistic grin on his lips, "You better start fighting better, or you're going to end up like that blonde Seer. Did you enjoy watching that? I could always do it again. This time, with you in a front row seat and... live not just a memory, little Seer," he growled out and sent out another set of slashes.

Tristan yanked his blade back, cringing against the pain in his shoulder. He used the blade to block the knife, knowing if he let it touch him, that was going to be something of the end. He needed a distraction, so he could pull something else from his spell pad. Suddenly a thought ran into his head, he whistled. This time he didn't have to tell the snake where to go as it went towards the gods feet. In the darkness it would be harder to spot too, he held off the slashes as they continued.

As Valyn tried to take a step forward, he found that he couldn't. Glancing down he glowered at the dark mass that had wrapped itself around his feet. Turning back up to Tristan, he flicked his hand out at him, the golden twine lashing out to wrap around the boy's wounded shoulder, to squeeze down tightly and add more discomfort to the bullet wound.

"Nice little trick, but I can always bring you towards me," he said, his hand lifting up, the one that was controlling the golden twine.

In a sudden burst of speed, Sina sprinted up to Valyn as she tried to land a hook on the side of the face where Valyn's hand was already in use of the golden twine. As her fist came in closer she yelled the words. "Surprise motherfucker"

Tristan was pretty close to losing to the pain. As the god started pulling he was trying with all his might to resist. It didn't help the fact that the wound was now being squeezed and he was losing more blood.

He was grateful for the slight interruption by Sina, or at least he hoped it was, he just hope the god was distracted. He moved his pad in a quick motion. Yet he really couldn't see what he was going to pull, he had to trust his memory. His fingers worked fast, and while he had a good idea where he was, he wasn't going to be able to make it any stronger.

Valyn looked over to the sound briefly and the solid connection of a fist to his face knocked his head to the side. Dropping the arm that was working the twine around the Seer's arm and to inflict more damage to the bullet wound, he reached over at her with his dagger. The golden knife slashed at her, going straight for her shoulder to plunge through it. Meanwhile his fingers holding the golden twine tightened, closing slowly to force the twine to curl tighter, cutting into the skin.

Cryio's eyes narrowed as he lifted both hands now. One to try to stop the blade as best he could, and the other to try to protect Tristan against the golden twine digging into his arm and bullet wound. Kilia sat next to him, her heart pounding hard as she watched him with a bit of fear. Cryio was struggling.

"Cryio..." she whispered softly.

He glanced at her, "Heal the boy. I'm alright... he is just... stronger than me," Cryio ground out.

Twisting her body to avoid the stab of Valyn, she felt the back of his arm extended across her chest as she backpedaled to avoid a chance of retaliation to her dodge. Grinning cockily at the God she made a small motion with her hand as she prepared to dip back into the brawl.

The spell that came from the pad was...purple at first. Tristan would have cocked an eyebrow if he didn't fall to his knees with the pain now running down his whole arm. What the heck did he do, the purple (it looked like a hazy blob) started toward the god and sort of stopped above him. Tristan who was grimacing watched, hoping that it was at least something useful. Suddenly the thing popped open and a gooey substance began pouring from it. What the fuck was Tristan's only thought. Well that was typical, can't concentrate and can't see his pad, lets just pull something stupid from it.

He caught the scent of raspberries...oh that was making it equally dumb, lets just pour jelly all over the god.

Valyn watched the bubble come free from the pad and then as it moved over to him, it gave a slight pop and opened up, pouring out a sticky solution that covered his legs. With a slight growl, he slammed his arm wielding the weapon into the little girl to toss her, and then yanked the golden twine to pull the boy forward. He still couldn't move with the black mass holding him in place. However, he was starting to lose his patience with the situation. He bent down to Tristan's frame, his hand that worked the golden twine reaching out to grip the boys face as he waved the knife in front of his face.

Sina flew through air as she narrowly missed slamming into a tree. As she struck and slide along the ground she felt a spike of pain, but besides that wasn't too scared as she had only gained a gash upon her elbow. Catching her breath for a moment she flash both red and blue for a moment.

Shooting back into striking range, Sina through a kick of which would land just below the ribs and with it had two punches planned if it were to fail. The rhythm had begun to start in her head as she felt like she was getting into her "zone". Still across her face remained a cocky grin as she attacked.

However, the "zone" was ended quickly as she was launched back yet again where this time she clipped the tree. Slamming into the ground by her previous spot she tried to hobble back as she had gashed her leg this time.

"You little friend God there may be helping you, but you're still going to be screaming by the time I'm done with you," he growled, his red eyes glowing brightly with his rage.

"I will never scream for you, bastard...," Tristan said through gritted teeth. He eyed the knife though, he saw what that did to Soran. He wasn't going to let this god get the better of him. He looked into the gods eyes, maybe that was the one thing he could fight this god with.

He closed his eyes, and concentrated, he focused on his own energy, he focused on the people in the house. All of a sudden he could feel their energy as well, he wondered and well he knew this was shooting for the moon in a way. He started to pull, it wasn't like the god pulling energy, even though he realized they might still be able to feel it. He was trying to use the magic system to feed himself more energy. He opened his eyes, he did feel a little better. Yet he didn't really know what else that did, he almost felt like he could stand again. So he pulled against the twine, pulled with a strength he didn't know he had.

Valyn's eyes grew wide as the twine jerked in his fingers. The boy was pulling against him, drawing himself back away from the God, "What... did you just do..." he glowered. He pulled back roughly against the twine and slashed the golden blade at Tristan.

Cryio winced as he felt the power behind that strike. He wasn't sure he could protect Tristan from it fully.

Tristan blade went up to block the slash from the knife, and he pulled again. "I am not going to be your energy source...I am not going to let you win." Tristan looked wasn't just filled with hatred but with something else. He closed his eyes again, his focus returned to the others. He was searching, and he caught something.

He opened his eyes and had a sly grin on his face as he looked at the god.

"Is that so," Valyn muttered back, watching the boy closely as he pushed his weight into the blade, trying to overpower the young Seer. The boy's eyes closed and his energy seemed to be pulling back again, something that Valyn was trying to figure out. What the hell was this boy doing? He ground his teeth and shoved harder, working the golden twine to slide through the bullet wound and squeeze.

"What are you grinning about, idiot boy," Valyn hissed as he leaned closer, power pulsing through his frame at his request as well as with his rising anger. This red haired Seer was strong, and it seemed that nothing was going to break him. Valyn was starting to think he should start changing tactics and attack the blonde again, that had made the other Seer scream earlier.

"I am not going to be your toy anymore..." he gritted as he got his balance and planted his feet. And this time instead of pulling he pushed, he hoped the change in direction would throw the other off and get some of the pressure off his shoulder. He tried to turn his blade and catch the twine to cut it. Yet he would be losing a little of his advantage if he did, he needed to be free of the god once and for all.

Valryn was certainly surprised by the sudden act of coming at him rather then trying to pull away. The twine loosened, and Valryn seemed to have had enough of playing around. He turned his blade and attacked the boy, swiping outwards towards his chest much the same as he had done to the guardian a little while ago, but this was more to distract the boy.

With his other hand, he flicked it in the direction of Kilia and Soran. Cryio cursed softly to himself, putting up as much of a barrier as he could between himself and the two Seers behind him. The air shimmered around them briefly and the golden twine began to glow very brightly until it broke through. The first scream came from Kilia who doubled over Soran with the thin twine penetrating her side. The second came from the smaller Seer underneath her. The twine glowed brightly.

"And what about now, little Seer?" Valyn asked with a sneer on his face, "How serious are you now? And if I just... started to kill them both, what would you do?" he asked cruelly as he curled his fingers and both Seer's voices filled the yard.

Tristan cursed as he heard the screams and something snapped inside him. He leaned back out of the blade reach and cut into the twine connecting to his shoulder. He felt it snap and he got to his feet finally. He swiped his blade again, this time he aimed for the gods other hand connected to the other seers. Yet he didn't stop at that point, as he spun in a quick motion aiming for the hand with the blade.

He felt the twine release the boy and with that instead of trying to tie him again, put more power into the one that was drawing from the other two. A sharp sting passed through his wrist. The painful screams slowly stopped and he wondered why, until he looked down and was horrified to see that the Seer's blade had severed his hand from the arm. The blade came back, going for his other hand. Twisting his golden knife around, he just barely caught the weapon in time.

Curling his arm up against his chest as he cursed softly at the pain in his arm, he expanded the pulsing power across his blade to trail down Tristan's weapon, reaching for his hand in an attempt to at least get him to back off. A loud sound filled the yard then and Valyn's gaze grew wide. The high pitched sound was familiar and the bright blue glow that passed through his shoulder, chest and exited the other shoulder should have been an indicator. He turned slightly to see the blonde, now fully awake, with his gun aimed at him and panting as he held an unconscious Kilia.

"Tristan! Fucking kill him!" Soran screamed.

Tristan didn't look anywhere else as much as he wanted to, and pushed the god away from him and watching him fall. He stepped on the hand with the blade, pushing down as hard as he could. He really wanted to hear the crunching of bones just to give him some satisfaction. "Oh, don't worry I don't intend to kill you, I am going to leave just enough of you alive so the goddess can end your existence. You won't ever come back to fuck with people." He took the edge of his blade and crossed the gods chest in a deep penetrating slash. He did it again but in the opposite direction. He kept going, all over the gods body, but nothing that would be life ending. He was breathing hard as he looked down at the bloody mess he made of the god. He understood that this wasn't what Soran wanted, but this was a good as he was going to get it. Finally he didn't even have the energy to stand anymore and he fell to his knees again.

Soran's gaze grew wide as he watched, staring at his boyfriend decimate the god in such a way. He shook slightly, eyes unable to move from the sight, "T-Tristan... Tristan, it's okay... don't," he was whispering those words because he couldn't find a voice to yell out loud enough for the boy to hear him. When the red head dropped, he sucked in a sharp breath. Warm hands reached and took Kilia from him and he looked into the green eyes of his mother who nodded her head towards the other Seer. He got up slowly, feeling the sharp pulse of pain from where the twine had stabbed him.

Once he was standing he sprinted across the yard. Deriea, whose frame was glowing lightly, had finally gotten up and was slowly working her way to them. Cryio's hands were lifted at her, possibly giving her the strength to do what she needed to next. Valyn shuddered on the ground, coughed and eyed Deriea as she hovered over him.

"Little more than you deserve, bastard," she hissed. With a flick of her hands, vines wrapped around him and they began to pull. Valyn screamed now and as his body began to crack, his gaze settled on Tristan before he flaked away.

"Oni's going to have your head, boy!" he yelled and then became nothing but black dust that faded out.

Soran dropped down next to Tristan, shaking as he reached out slowly to touch his face and then wrapped his arms around his neck, holding him close while uttering his name a thousand times as well as apologizing. What he apologized for he wasn't sure yet, but he couldn't help it.

Tristan watched the god disappear before he actually turned and looked at Soran, "Silly...don't..." Tristan gasped and reached toward the woods, "Rethyn." He couldn't get anymore out as he finally lost conciseness and leaned against the other.

As Sina emerged from the forest she held her arm and had a limp. Her magic system was going insane as Jayce kept saying over and over again. "Miss Sina, miss Sina?" Ignoring it she stumbled past the others as she sat down near her Seer and Tristan.

Raising a bloody hand to the air she panted out. "Yay, go team bamf!"

In response Jayce said to her. "That's a horrid name and you should feel bad." Coughing a little Sina then giggled lightly as she said. "Very much resetting you."

"Sina," Soran breathed as he held Tristan's still form, "Sina... we lost Rethyn," he said softly, voice trembling slightly as he shook his head, "He... took Valyn and tried to fight him by himself, but he didn't come back. We have to find him," he clung to Tristan tightly as he tried hard not to freak out. He looked around the yard, seeing River making her way to them, "Momma! Take him, please, take him to Alauric and Uncle Vic. I... I have to go."

"Go where? You're hurt too!"

Soran shook his head, "I have to find Rethyn. How's Kilia?"

"Awake now, but she's hurt as well. Wait for us, alright? For me and Alauric and Grayson. Victor can take care of Tristan, I promise," she said as she helped her son pull Tristan up and take him to the house. Kilia sat on the porch, panting a bit as she held her hand over her wound, a brilliant green glow enveloping her small frame.

River helped Soran put Tristan on the couch and Soran bit his lip as she went to get Victor.

The three adults were coming from the kitchen, apparently they had been away from house doing an errand down the mountain. Alauric gasped as he saw his son, "What happened," but the small healer did ask he only went to work. A gold spell from his pad and washed over Tristan, yet Vic pulled the spell. "I am going to need more time with him, who else is hurt"

"Sina is," Soran managed, though his throat was tight as he heard Victor say that he needed a bit more time with Tristan. His heart wrenched as he knew part of that was his fault. His fingers pulled into a tight fist, nails biting into his skin, threatening to break into the palms of his hands and draw blood. He grit his teeth, eyes closing tightly as he turned his head away.

"Soran," River's voice was soft and he only seemed to grow even more distressed.

"I... am sorry, Alauric. It was my fault. I... did that to him," he stepped backwards, shook his head and then turned on his heel to rush for the front door.

"Soran!" River shouted.

"I have to find Rethyn!" he yelled back. He jumped off the steps and took off. Kilia, who had heard him as he ran past her got to her feet in shock. She turned back to the house, leaning against the door.

"What... what happened? Where is he going?" her heart was racing. Had she heard correctly? Did he say he was going to find Rethyn? But why? Couldn't Rethyn just teleport back to the house. Unless he was too weak to do so, she gasped then. Kilia whirled around and went after him, a bit more clumsy than he was and definitely not as fast. She sighed heavily as she tried to get some strength into her limbs.

"Soran!" she yelled into the darkness, jogging lightly as well as giving a bit of a groan. "Aww damn it..." she cursed softly.

A little confusion hit the others inside the house, Alauric looked at Grayson, "Go help them, you will be able to find the guardian faster, get a flashlight first. Victor see to the girl first, I will take Tristan to his room." He looked at River, "do what you will, I am leaving that up to you." If she wanted to go after her son then she could go, if she wanted to do something else.

Victor went outside and found the girl guardian, her healing was done in a matter of about 10 minutes.

Giving Victor a small bow she quickly said "Thank you Victor-sempi!" as she darted for the door.

River took a breath and nodded slightly to Alauric, "I'll be right back. We'll find out what happened... if I can get him to talk," she muttered the last part and went out the backdoor. Finding a flashlight of her own, she started through the trees, hoping to find Grayson and make this search a lot faster.

~

Soran ran headlong into the trees, without a light, without a direction and only fueled by his guilt and anger at his own stupidity. The branches cut at his face, a particularly deep one just under his eye. He was lucky the branch hadn't hit higher. He was panting, crying, and struggling to get a lid on his raging thoughts. He was sure Alauric was angry with him for Tristan's condition, his mother looked shocked as well and he just didn't want to think at all.

To add to it, he wasn't even sure which way he was supposed to be going. His idiot move of leaving the house without Grayson was sure to bite him in the ass. As he ran, he was starting to grow tired, his breathing burned in his chest. He slowed, only to trip on some roots and went sprawling forward into the dirt. Groaning slightly, he pushed himself up, "Ow... ow..." he winced.

Taking a look around he seemed to finally realize that he was in the middle of the woods, no light, and alone.

"Damn it... such an idiot..." he growled to himself and pushed himself up to his feet again. Wincing he was reminded of the wound where the twine had gone through him and Kilia. It wasn't large, but it was deep. Rolling his eyes, he started walking, "Going straight... I'm sure to find something... right?"

~

"Soran! Soran!" KIlia's voice shouted as she worked her way through the trees.
"Kilia!?" A flash of light in the distance caught her attention and she recognized the voice to be Rivers.
"Yeah... is Soran with you?"
"No, come here. We'll find him, and we'll find Rethyn."

Kilia nodded, then realized that the woman couldn't see her yet and worked her way towards the ex-Seer's light, "Alright," she said and in a matter of seconds she was with River and together they worked their way through the trees again.

Grayson was trying to track Soran, the boy was really just running in the dark without direction. He finally caught up with the boy, "Soran," his voice was calm as he appeared in front of him.

Back at the house Victor got to Tristan finally, "he has lost quite a bit of blood, but I didn't want to really say that in front of everyone. I can heal this...but it might be rather painful."

Alauric nodded and looked at wound in Tristan's shoulder, now he realized why Soran said what he did. He recognized a bullet wound, yet Alauric wasn't angry, he knew better then to judge a book by its cover.

Soran gasped at the sudden voice and Grayson coming out of the darkness right in front of him. He stumbled backwards, the back of his foot catching a root and he tumbled onto the ground. Wincing yet again, he groaned as he sat up, "G-Grayson...T-that was...um.. fast," he uttered as he glanced up at him and then looked away.

Grayson looked at him, "Why are you traveling around in the dark." He walked to him slowly and handed him a flashlight, "I think I can read the other, in the water nearby. I will go as slowly as I can." Grayson wanted to find Rethyn, his aura was weakening, He took off toward where he thought the other was, hoping he wasn't as hurt as he thought.

A large round of ‘what if’s’ went through his head, ”What if I hadn’t left the house?”, “What if I had thought of something better to save him?”, “What if I had been stronger?” the list went on and he always came back around to his stupid decision of leaving the house in the first place. He grit his teeth as he followed after Grayson.

The sound of water flowing filled the air and he soon stumbled upon the bank with the older Guardian. Lying in the mud was a dark form and as his light landed on Rethyn, Soran gasped. The light shook in his hand until it fell from his fingers and he stumbled backwards into the branches and bushes, falling again only to be cushioned by the bush behind him.

He cried, hard as his eyes stared at the bloody mess that was Rethyn lying on the bank. His light that he’d dropped clearing showing the pool of red all along Rethyn’s clothes and in the dirt. Doubling over, he gripped his hair tightly in his hands and shook violently as he cried. All the while, blaming himself for what had happened.

Grayson looked at the boy, but turned toward the guardian, he knelt down next to the other. "Rethyn," he knew the other wouldn't respond. but still. He did check for a pulse, "he is still alive." Grayson closed his eyes and ran a path, he wouldn't be able to do much for the wounds, but he can start the internal healing. He opened his pad and something green came off his pad, "there that should make him a little more comfortable until we can get him back."

Without her pad, Sina finally caught up to the others by the muddy bank of the water. She had gone at a full sprint and now held her hands on her knees as she looked to Soran then to Rethyn as she lowered her head in defeat. She had not been fortunate to hear the words of Grayson and like Soran she begun to cry as small sniffles could be heard from her. Glancing over to her Seer she wanted to hug him or something as his pain was making the situation even worse as she begun to feel a sickness from her stomach. It was like Japan all over again, but this time she had more people to lose she actually cared for.

Lifting his head, Soran looked to Grayson. His breathing was shaking as he took in deep breaths past the sobs, "He's... alive..." Soran repeated, having actually heard Grayson's voice. He couldn't believe it. The boy was covered in blood and that wound... it seemed so... terrible. He grit his teeth. Pushing himself out of the bushes, he crawled over to the two of them. Reaching out, he just barely touched the boy's head, brushing back his dark hair.

"Sorry... I'm sorry," he moaned as his fingers curled in the mud and let his head fall down onto his arm as he knelt there, "...Can take him back... you can, right? I... will come later..." he said shaking his head slightly.

Grayson looked at him, and for the first time in his life he was going to say totally out of character and perhaps a little bit selfish, "Soran, you can't blame yourself for this, and Tristan needs you," he stopped and sighed. He wasn't going to convince the other if he was determined to be so stubborn about it. He turned to the girl, "Stay with him, the other two are nearby, if you should hear them. Tell them I am taking Rethyn back to the house."

Grayson picked up the boy in his arms and turned to take the shortest and clearest route back. He looked at the blonde seer one last time and left.

"Soran.." Sina said as she wiped at her own tears. After realizing Rethyn had life within him she became relived as she believed the several healers they had could do the job just fine. She had a feeling some of those experienced healers dealt with much worse. It was still a worry, but the girl knew where her responsibilities now laid. Looking to Soran with vein eyes, Sina walked over to the boy as she tried to comfort him with a light hug. "It's alright Soran, he's right, it's really not your fault. I believe Blue-eyes there knew what he was getting into when he separated himself from you."

Sina then took a sigh as she then asked. "What were the three of you doing out here anyway?"

Grayson changed him mind in a few feet as he went toward Kilia and River, and after he found them he said, "I found the boy, Soran is by the water with Sina. We need to get Rethyn back to the house." Grayson was covering the worst of the wound on Rethyn's chest so they couldn't see it. Yet he knew that Kilia was going to have to help with the healing.

Kilia gave a gasp as she heard Grayson's voice and then she gasped a second time as her gaze settled upon Rethyn in his arms, "What happened!?" her voice was high pitched as she rushed over to them. She wanted to see, but Grayson was holding the boy just right for her to only get a glimpse at the blood on his shirt, "Rethyn..." she shook slightly and bit her lip, "Hurry, I can heal this," she said and turned to help lead the way back to the house with her light. River nodded at Grayson, her hand gripping his arm tightly before she slipped past him and went further down through the trees.

Soran shook his head as he knelt there, trembling and not wanting to move at all, "He.. shouldn't have had... to do that!" he said between gasps of air, "I thought... we would be safe..." he slammed his fist into the mud, spraying it as he gave a sharp shout.
When she asked what they had been doing, he coughed hard and shook his head, "Stupid... it was my stupid idea!" he muttered, not wanting to say anymore than that. It didn't matter anymore anyway, what he'd wanted to do when he'd asked Tristan to go see the waterfall with him.

"Soran," River's voice came through the trees, her light landing on them, "Hey," she said, coming and kneeling down next to them. She put her hand on Sina's shoulder, "Come on, you're hurt too, lets get back."

"This is... nothing compared to them," he said coldly.

River's lips pulled into a frown. Gently removing Sina, she pulled Soran up by his shoulders, "You are coming back, I'm not letting you stay out here like this. You're bleeding, you're tired and you probably smacked your head earlier," her voice was stern, but not without a mothers worry.

He stared at her in shock, then fell forward on her shoulder, "Momma... I hurt him..." he cried.

"Come on," she said softer, patting his head a bit and standing up with him clinging to her. She started back to the house with him against her side then, her other hand reaching for Sina's shoulder too, to help her back as well.

Taking the support of River, Sina limped along as she tried to hold her own weight as well. Her injuries had been half healed and were now aching. She would every so often glance over at Soran as she looked worried about her Seer, but since he with his mother she knew that River could do a better job at her in the comforting of Soran. Looking around the woods they passed through she felt a sadness go through her as the night was beautiful. It hurt to know one god ruined this night for her and all of friends when all they wanted to do was enjoy the stars and the area.

Sina sighed lightly as just ahead of her she could see the house. "Thank you." She said gently to River.

River only nodded a bit to Sina as they walked.

Grayson followed Kilia back to the house, they arrived a few minutes before the others would return. Alauric was standing on the back porch and frowned as they approached, "Victor is still with Tristan, yeah and before you ask," he comment was more toward Grayson then the other, "he kicked me out of the room." Grayson stopped on the porch, "Kilia...can your friend help any." He was asking about Cryio, just wondering, because he didn't want to say to Kilia she couldn't do it on her own. It looked like she was already tired from earlier.

Kilia nodded her head, "Yes, he can help... he'll have to prepare him first though," she said and with that went to the front of the house to get Cryio's attention. Coming back, she nodded eagerly to Grayson, "He said to bring him, quickly," she reached out for him as her gaze fell on Rethyn. She bit her lip, seeing him like that... she was going to find out how he ended up like that. Reaching up, she rubbed at her eyes, keeping herself together as best she could.

From the treeline, River stepped into the golden light of the house that was now fully lit in the dead of the night. In tow was both Sina and Soran. She heaved a sigh as she approached and looked up to Alauric, shaking her head slightly. Patting both of them on their back she ordered, "Go inside," and waited until they'd done so before she turned to Alauric, "How is he?" she kept her voice low.

Alauric looked at her, "he is going to be fine, he just lost quite a bit of blood. I have no idea why...or how he fought as long as he did." Alauric was silent for a minute after that, "how is Soran." He wanted River to know he wasn't angry at her son. He wasn't blaming him for this, if anything the stupidity of being outside this late at night was both of their faults.

"Upset," she answered as she crossed her arms and leaned against the railing, "blaming himself heavily. I can't say it's not entirely his fault, at least for a god attacking them, but for leaving the house..." she shook her head, "Mind if I leave that one to you? If I yell at them, they'll think I hate them. I'm so irritated with him, and worried. That boy... scared the hell out of me tonight," she gave a frustrated sound as she bent backwards a bit, tilting her head back as she did so, "They really have so much to learn..."

Alauric chuckled, "don't worry I will say something to them both. Yet I remember that age well...I wasn't as well behaved either." He sighed, now he felt really old for some odd reason. "I say lets...um venture inside for something to drink. I know I could use it."

River let out a small laugh, "Yeah, I suppose that's true. All of us were a little... crazy weren't we," River grinned at him, "I would love that drink. Besides, I've yet to ask you about how you and Grayson are," she said with a little laugh as she shoved at his shoulder, "Are you still getting into trouble with him? You never could stand up to his 'awful gaze' as I remember you once calling it," she teased as she moved into the house silently, her voice still low.

Alauric couldn't help it, he slightly blushed, "We are better now," he said but he didn't elaborate what that meant.

River lifted an eyebrow, "Better hu?" she grinned at him, "No details hu... damn, you're no fun," she said with a wave of her hand as she reached for a couple of glasses. She tilted one glass at him, "I bet you'd talk if you had a little something to help you along the way hu?"

Alauric cleared his throat, "Now that would get me in loads of trouble," he smiled at her. He slightly looked away, "but there is something I have been meaning to tell you." He sat down because he was tired in the first place and he needed to think about what he was going to say to her in the second. He looked at her, "It happened back on the day Tristan became a seer, with his mom." River had no idea, well at least he thought she didn't on how bad things had gotten between Tristan and Mom. "She had an episode...and well tried to kill herself." He stopped for a second to gather his thoughts, "I had to put her somewhere to protect her, protect the children, I am sorry for hiding it from you. She isn't the same person like she use to be, maybe that is why I am acting like she never existed. I am sorry that sounded horrible."

When he said that he'd getting into trouble, she grinned at him, her mischievous look returning. She really wanted to ask more about that, but then Alauric turned the conversation and she lifted an eyebrow. Sipping her drink, she listened to him. She frowned at him from across the table, then shook her head, "There's no need to apologize, Alauric," she looked down at the table, "There are certainly worse things you could have done, but you did the right thing. I think. Protecting the children... I... unfortunately... wasn't able to protect Soran as I should have," she muttered softly. Setting the glass down, she leaned on the table, lacing her fingers, "There are plenty of things that we try to do for both ourselves and our kids. I think that... even after twenty years with them, we're still learning," she was referring to both their sons, Tristan and Soran and in how they were raised. She smiled at him after a moment, "But I think they both came out just fine, don't you? No need to blame yourself for anything."

Alauric smiled in return maybe he just needed to hear those words, maybe that is why he told her, some sort of justification for his actions. "Thanks, ok...so maybe you could help me with suitable way to punish those two, talking to them seems a little to easy-going."

River nodded in agreement, "Oh yes. But I could be very mean. Put them in separate rooms, make them pull all the tiny little weeds from the entire front yard, make them clean the bathrooms with a toothbrush," her eyes grew with a mischievous light again, "Oh, you could make them redo your front yard, young labor always works for great punishment. As does taking away games, and other things that they find fun... which in this case is each other. I'm still sticking with separate rooms for a few nights."

He nodded, "that might be a good idea, but I will wait on that, just because well I don't want to make anyone more upset at the moment." He really meant that he knew he didn't want to hurt Soran more. If the boy was really blaming himself well, he was going to have to face Tristan first.

River nodded, "Fair enough, then I'll leave it all to you," she said with a smile and tipped her glass at him before taking another drink.

"Tristan," Soran called softly. It was a bit dark in the room, they'd had dinner and most of the house was already in bed. However, Soran just couldn't get comfortable and sleep. Maybe it was too hot still... or maybe he was just thinking about too many things. Whatever it was, it kept him awake. So he wanted to do something to help sleep later. He poked the red head, "Tristan... Hey," he poked him again trying to restrain a slight giggle, "Tristan. I wanna go to that spot, the one with the waterfall..." he whispered. Boy did he sound like a kid just then.

A grumbling red-headed seer turned over slightly, "You want to go now...," he was slightly whining. He had just gotten comfortable again after coming back to bed from supper, not that he even wanted to get up for that. The aches were still present but had some what gone away. "So...what do you want to do at that spot," he was curious as to why Soran wanted to go there.

He refrained from giggling too much as Tristan rolled over and complained to him, "I can't sleep," he said with a pout, "I want to go see what it's like at night. I bet its really pretty," he reached out and grabbed Tristan's hand and pulled gently, shaking it up and down slightly, "Can we go? Please... please?!" he was probably being really difficult, but at the moment he didn't really mind,

"Besides, you'll like it," he said with a grin.

"But...but...," aww damn, Tristan sighed and got up slowly. "fineeee." Tristan yawned and stood, "do you mind if I get a shirt to wear though."

Soran gave a sigh as if he were slightly put out by the fact that his boyfriend wanted a shirt. Sitting down with his legs crossed on the floor, he looked up at the boy, "I suppose that's okay," he grinned then, "You won't be needing it later though," he teased.

"Well then," he said, "I suppose the same goes for you too." Tristan picked something from the closet, something he must have left in here, he didn't remember. "Okay I am ready," and offered his hand to the boy sitting on the floor.

Grateful for the darkness, Soran knew he'd gone from pale colored to bright red. He really had to learn how to throw Tristan off like he did to him. Taking the hand offered, he stood up and in a quick roll forward pecked a kiss on Tristan's lips, "Thank you!" he said. Turning, he went for the door and opened it quietly, his fingers still in Tristan's hand. He led the way to the backdoor, looking back to beam at the boy whose hair was a total mess. He laughed a bit as he slid open the door and stepped outside, his boots making a soft sound against the wood of the porch.

"Nice hair baby," he commented lightly, "Man... I don't know why I'm so wide awake..." he pondered, "Maybe I shouldn't have tea before bed," he mused softly and stepped off into the dirt path.

"Um...yours doesn't look any better, and aren't we forgetting something." The moon did a pretty good, but the woods were dark. He grabbed two flashlights from a bin on the porch. "I hope we don't get any creepy gods following," he didn't know why he said that.

A pair of solid blue eyes watched as the two lovers passed by without noticing him through the darkness of the room. "Where are they going?" Rethyn thought to himself as he arose from his chair to feel the familiar aches he'd been having since training. A part of him wanted to leave them be, but the protective Guardian shook his head as he slinked off into the shadows to follow. Wincing a little he didn't like the fact that he was only leaving Grayson and Sina to guard Kilia. He knew he was going to have the trust the two of them, but it was a growing fear.

Soran turned around and with his hands behind his back smiled at Tristan, "Ah...yeah, sort of forgot about those," he said as the other Seer grabbed the flashlights for them. Taking one in hand, he clicked it on of course doing the absolute dumb maneuver of pointing the damned thing up at his face, "Gah!!!" he quickly turned it away from his eyes as he stumbled a bit, "Damn... those... yup, they work, and they're bright..." he muttered. Pointing the light into the dark forest he laughed a bit.
"Creepy gods hu... yeah I guess they are kinda creepy if you think about it," he said as he started to the trail.

Tristan looked at him for a second trying not to chuckle at him, "Yeah...point down, work better that way." He took the other by the hand and said, "Don't worry though, I could probably get there without the flashlight." He led the other toward the woods again.

"S-shut up!" Soran said as he batted at Tristan's shoulder about the flashlight, "So mean to me," he said though he grinned. He followed after Tristan, taking the same way they went last time the red haired Seer took him there. It wasn't too long after that he could hear the crashing of water and then pushing through the branches they were met by the same open platform from before. Soran's eyes grew wide and he took in a deep breath of awe, "Wow..." he breathed.

Turning he looked up at the sky which was cloudless and offered a brilliant silver moon to paint the waterfall with as well as the grassy area from before. Almost dancing around Tristan, he beamed up at the boy, "Beautiful!" he tugged at Tristan's hands and guided the boy to the grassy patch where he sat down and patted the spot next to him on his left, "Thanks Tristan.. and sorry I woke you up... I just couldn't sleep. I promise not to drink tea next time," he said with a small grin.

Tristan grinned back as he sat down, "its fine." Tristan watched the waterfall. He really did like this place at night too, not that he was going to admit that, well not right now anyways.

From the shadows Rethyn leaned against a tree as he watched the two of them. With a small smile upon his face he was glad to see his Seer so happy with Soran. As no trouble seemed to come he begun to debate with himself if he should try to get some sleep as the nightmares had faded from him. However, he felt as if his feet were glued in place as he worried. A god could easily ambush them here, and Rethyn knew the best way to beat an ambush. Ambush the ambushers is what he had in mind as he looked like he had strange cat-like eyes within the shadows.

Ducked behind the tree he had become visible to save energy.

Soran shifted around. Lifting one hand he ran it up Tristan's stomach to his shoulder as he leaned on him a playful grin on his face, "Told you that shirt wasn't going to be needed, didn't I?" he teased softly then leaned in for a kiss.

Tristan chuckled slightly but didn't say anything and just accepted the kiss.

Soran shifted again so that he was sort of sitting over Tristan's lap, both arms wrapped around the boys neck as he kissed him. He was getting lost in kiss, the touch of his boyfriend underneath him. The little blonde Seer really did enjoy kissing the other boy. As his fingers tangled up in Tristan's hair and the shirt he wore, there was a slight shift of the wind. Something moved and in the next instant, golden twine wrapped around Tristan, dragging him up and away from Soran who startled.

Gasping, he eyed the golden strands that seemed to glow a bit in the darkness. Those dark, red eyes that peered over Tristan's shoulder sent a chill down Soran's spine. For a moment he couldn't breathe as he stared, petrified to the spot. The twine tightened down around Tristan's arm and upper body to confine him there, the God holding the other arm outstretched to prohibit too much movement and probably straining the shoulder.

"Found you," the God said softly. His gaze shifted over to the red haired Seer whom he was hiding behind.

"Tristan..." Soran breathed out, finally finding his voice. He stood up quickly and with a swipe opened his magic system. From it, he drew one of the higher calibrated handguns that he'd worked on. He held it down at the ground, but was tempted to lift it, his fingers curling and uncurling around the weapon as he tried to see if he could find a spot to fire off the weapon.

One second he was in a passionate kiss the next he was wrapped up in some sort of rope. "What the..." Tristan couldn't get a good look at the thing at the other end as his movement was restricted. "Soran," he could see the fear in the others eyes, even in the darkness. The voice from behind him sent chills down his spine and he strained for a look. "Who the fuck are you," Tristan voice sounded angry.

Suddenly a light whistle could be heard from behind the god as the musical Rethyn came from the shadows with his dirk knife pressed against the gods back. It was with enough force for the tip to break the skin, but nothing note worthy. With a smirk displayed upon his face Rethyn sent his retort quietly through the air. "Found you." Pressing the knife only slightly harder he lowered his voice as he then said. "Now let them go."

Soran took a gasp of air at the sound of Rethyn's voice. Since when...? He shook his head a bit, it didn't matter. Maybe it was a good thing anyway. He slowly lifted the weapon in his hands, watching carefully to see what the God would do.

Red eyes turned just enough to see the boy behind him, to which he returned his own wicked grin and said simply, "No," He moved right after, a blur of motion with Tristan in tow until he was standing on the edge of the little platform where they had been watching the waterfall. Soran stepped forward, his heart in his throat. He remembered quite clearly now that this God was... very fast. One moment being at a far distance and the next being right in your face. He shuddered violently from the memory. He almost couldn't breathe.

"I believe, you asked me who I am," the God whispered to Tristan, his voice soft but filled with a heavy layer of malice and cruel intent, "I think I'll...show you. I'm sure you couldn't possibly forget... something like this, now could you," he said as he reached up and tapped Tristan's forehead with a finger, "It's called a memory, enjoy it for a little while won't you?"

Soran's heart raced. He knew what was going to be shown and he yelled, "Tristan!" His gun raising up but he couldn't fire, there was no way he was going to shoot at Tristan, but the god was on the edge, and holding the red haired Seer. His finger squeezed the trigger, if the god moved but an inch, then he could lessen the damage on Tristan, he bit his lip, feeling tears edge into his eyes, "I-if... he moves... if Valyn moves... just a little bit... I... I could free him. That.. twine isn't going to let him go unless Valyn is distracted... I'll... please if you can move him just a bit, I won't have to hurt Tristan too much," he begged, hands shaking as he held his weapon up.

Tristan felt that cold finger touch his forehead, and even though his body was present on that platform his mind went back. He was in a warehouse, one from the inside he didn't recognize. Then he saw it, the blond seer chained against the wall, a god standing over him...with a knife. Screams echoed against the wall, and Tristan tried to move, but since this was a memory he was plastered there.

Tristan's body on the other hand, was slightly thrashing. His face had gone pale, and his eyes had gone wide.

Drawing his blade, Rethyn gritted his teeth at Soran at first as he said he was going to have to hurt Tristan. However, as he thought about it he knew the boy would never hurt Tristan unless he had to. Looking over to the god then darting back to Soran with his eyes he said. "You can't miss the shot."

Shaking his head he cursed at himself for not making the initial stab upon the god. He could of at least weakened the monster. Walking a little ways away from the boy, Rethyn suddenly faded away as his visibility decreased. After a few seconds a small hiss could be heard near a tree as Rethyn seemed to teleport.

"We weren't done." Rethyn hissed as he landed next to Valyn and came at him from the shadows. With the hope of surprise at his side he did not slash at the god as he preformed a jumping lung at the god. With his elbow firmly pressed to the side of his ribs, Rethyn tightened his shoulder as he put all his weight into a ram.

The God growled lightly as the pesky little Guardian returned. He turned his red gaze to the boy just briefly and then ignored him as he kept the other Seer tightly held to him, his hands starting to glow with a strange light. Then he felt the heavy weight of the boy against him, shoving him over a couple of steps along the precarious edge of the platform. He growled lightly at the boy.

Soran took a deep breath and the moment the God was moved, his finger pulled the trigger. The gun made a very loud high pitched sound as if it were powering up and then fired, releasing a brilliant blue light followed by the compacted bullet wrapped in energy. He ground his teeth knowing that Tristan was really going to hate him for this. However, the pain of that shot would hopefully pull him out of that awful memory that he was being shown and drag him back to the present.

The God turned at the sound, but was far too late as the projectile went through his prey's shoulder and hit him square in the chest. Valyn's grip on Tristan released and he fell backwards from the impact as he changed tactics. Dragging his energy to stop the bullet from going through him, the golden twine faded out and Valyn fell from the platform. Soran dropped his weapon and sprinted for Tristan.

Tristan was ripped from the memory and he felt the bullet pass through his shoulder. The momentum of the god carried him though and his fell from the platform as well, but he knew the water was deep enough, so he tried to turn his body in mid-air so he could hit with his feet. The splash could be heard as he entered, he resurfaced a second later coughing and trying to kick his feet.

Seeing an opportunity to strike and to get the god away from his Seer, Rethyn reached out an arm and grabbed at the God roughly as he closed his eyes. With much strain he begun to feel his body ache as he teleported the two of them two miles east of the waterfall. With a loud uncontrolled crack of a sound the two of them were off.

Releasing the god and stumbling back a few steps, Rethyn felt his left leg cramp up as he begun to pant from the excursion of energy. Raising his blade defensively he hoped the god would be confused before lashing out at him. Pushing air from his lungs he kept trying to catch his breath with little success.

Valyn felt the strange shift as the boy wrapped his arms around him. Moved from where he'd been he was suddenly put somewhere else. The loud sound marked their entrance to another part of the forest. Valyn moved slightly as the boy released him and stumbled away. A bit of a deep wound bled in his chest where he'd just barely managed to stop the bullet going all the way through him. The God turned slowly and glowered at the boy. His red eyes narrowed dangerously and he didn't move as he watched the Guardian carefully.

"You're weak, and yet... you've the nerve to challenge me, by yourself," Valyn said coldly, his face unchanging as he stood there. There was no emotion shown much like always, "You're going to die," he said, stating it as if it were a well known fact. His fingers snapped and the golden twine shot out at Rethyn, while in his other hand a bright golden blade appeared.

Slashing his blade at a downward angle, Rethyn managed to get the golden twine wrapped around his enchanted blade instead of being grasped by it. Stagging a little Rethyn felt the pain from his left leg die down a little as he moved into a half-cocked stance. Lifting his chin up in the air to the god he said with a taunting smirk. "I would say there's a first time for everything, but I'm an exception in this case."

Fixing his stance a little more, Rethyn winced a little as the muscle pain strained him. Pointing the tip of his blade in the direction of the god he finished with. "I thought you would need a handicap. I've been a part of fucking up your plans twice now. I was the one who pulled Soran out from under your noses."

Valyn withdrew the golden twine. For a moment, the god stood there silent. Slowly, he lifted an eyebrow as he regarded the Guardian in the cool night air, "So it was you... That faint trace... what you just did," his lips twitched and a smile grew, red eyes flashing as he turned and gave a soft laugh. The moonlight faded behind a thick set of clouds and the Gods frame seemed to disappear in the darkness, only his glowing red eyes visible in the pitch black.

In one moment, the Gods' eyes seemed to be far away and in the next he was right up next to Rethyn, the sing of a blade was heard but not seen. He slashed out at Rethyn, a soft chuckle on his lips.

The attack was too fast for Rethyn to register as the blade deeply cut from his lower ribs to just below his collar bone upon his right side. In pure panic after the blade passed, Rethyn flickered up into the air then flickered again as he vanished from obvious sight as he landed in a tree not too far off. As he held his hand over himself he was relieved that the blade even though deep wasn't deep enough to cut the muscle groups or get into his vitals.

As blood however rained from him at a dribble, Rethyn knew it didn't matter. He would pass out before long and the God would see him fall from the tree. He had brought enough time and it was time to escape. But where and how? Placing his head against the bark he tried his best to hold in his panting as it caused him both pain and would cause his detection.

He was failing.

The clouds moved, allowing the silver light to paint the forest again. Valyn looked around as he'd lost sight of the boy with the glowing blue eyes. Turning just a bit he moved from his spot. The boy couldn't have gone far. He knew he was around there. His hand opened and the golden twine slowly revealed itself in the darkness. Moving through the trees, he reached out to try to sense the vanishing trick the boy had done before. As he stalked through the trees, something splattered next to him. Reaching out, he touched the dark liquid and then looked up.

He grinned again. Flicking his hand, he sent the golden twine upwards into the tree branches to snare around the boy.

Wap!

Just before the golden twine was about to make contact with Rethyn he vanished with a last ditch teleport. However, as he teleported off a small metallic object fell from the tree at the feet of Valyn. With a deafening flash and pop, Rethyn heard the bang from out to a mile away.

Seething in pain, Rethyn was startled by the shock of the cold water as he went under. The stream wasn't deep, but upon his back he could float. However, as blood quickly drained itself from his body he started to close his eyes. He fought his own body from rolling over in the water as he remained upon his back.

There they were again. The shadows took their hollowing property once again as Rethyn would occasionally see being staring at him from the trees. Their eyes were just pure white as many of them were missing limbs or had extra limbs attached onto usual places.

The urge to close his eyes had only become more powerful as he coughed out a horridly weak tune. "I may not say it much but I know I made you worry all the time, back then you could of always said the things I've done and you're the same today so I'll try not to burden you. But try to realize that I've closed my eyes just because the world it's.."

Closing his eyes Rethyn felt himself fade as he felt the water gently against the back of his head and neck.

Tristan and Soran

Soran's voice ripped from his throat as he pelted for the other boy who was falling he screamed out Tristan's name, fear rocking through him as he ran. He heard the splash soon after. Dropping to his knees, he searched the water below that wasn't but a few feet down and looked for the boy. He saw Tristan come up for air and he stretched out his hand, but he wasn't quite close enough. Slamming his hands against the dirt he shoved off the edge and took a couple of steps back and ran forward to jump off of the edge. It was almost like doing a cannon ball into a pool, except a slight bit higher.

He hit the water and then quickly came up top and swam for Tristan. Wrapping his arms around the boy, he pulled, trying to haul him over to the bank which was hard to see in the darkness without the flashlights. His heart hammered in his chest, "Tristan! Tristan, I'm sorry, are you alright?" he called out as he tried to compose himself and swim at the same time. He was thankful he was a fairly good swimmer right about then.

Tristan coughed again as he heard the water and looked toward the blonde coming toward him. He cringed as the other was holding on a little to tight. "Soran, I am fine, just loosen your grip, your choking me." Tristan was grinning...he could hear the panic in the others voice. He was trying to lighten up the situation, of course he really had no clue as to what hit him. When they finally made it to shore, he laid there for a minute. "Wait where's Rethyn...," his voice went slightly in a panic.

He looked around, what was the idiot thinking, they all needed to fight this god together. The god was going to be a tough one.

"S-sorry," Soran uttered as he lessened his grip a little bit, still frightened by what had just happened. Guilt grasped his chest in their cold claws. As they got up on the bank and Tristan lay there for a while, Soran hovered over him in fear, his fingers reaching out to just barely touch the injured shoulder. It wasn't until he saw the blood that he started to cry, keeping his voice to himself as best he could though but having no control over the tears as they mixed in with the water that rained from his hair.

"Tristan..." he whispered softly, then he heard mention of Rethyn and his heart lurched. He glanced around, chest heaving a bit, "No... he didn't... He can't be serious! Th-thats... that god is..." he couldn't even get the words from his mouth.

"Soran, calm down...he will be alright," Tristan had to have some faith in his guardian. He had to have faith above every emotion at the moment, he turned to the other. "What is wrong, stop crying please, there is no crying in baseball."

"Come on, if we can't find him, we need to go back to the house, get the others. And hope that he won't catch up before we get there."

He sucked in a sharp breath, his hand reached out and slapped against Tristan's chest as he cried harder, "This isn't baseball, idiot! I'm crying... because I'm afriad, and I'm... crying because I know what you saw! I'm crying because I don't know what to do!" he hiccuped a bit as he leaned forward onto Tristan and tried to calm himself down, "And I'm crying because you're hurt," he muttered the last part. He knew that Tristan was right, he had to pull it together. To lose it so easily in a fight... in the face of a God no less. He was weak... too weak.

Tristan sighed it was bad timing on making a joke he guessed. He put his hands on Soran's face, "Soran...focus please, I am afraid too, and while what I saw was the most heart-wrenching thing, I've imagined much worse, I love you, okay, I have you back and I won't let him take you away from me again. But we have to move, we can't sit here." He had to leave out the fact he was hurt, he knew if he focused on it...then the pain would come all to real.

He stared at Tristan for a long while before he finally nodded. He sniffed, took a shuddering breath and wiped at his eyes and face. His gaze flicked to Tristan's bleeding shoulder. The bullet, though it had been small had packed quite a punch and he worried about how damaged the wound really was. He didn't ask though, he didn't want it to be the center of both of their thoughts. He picked himself up off the ground, dirt that had turned to mud from his soggy clothes clung to him, "Alright... how far back from here?"

"If we move on the trail then not far," yet Tristan had another idea. Staying on a trail seemed like a bad idea, "I got another idea, but I don't think using the flashlight will be smart, you have to put your trust in me." Tristan though had to get off the ground first. "I need your help though first." Being in the mud also was simply fantastic, he could see himself slipping and falling several times. "Or find me a stick or something, thick branch..."

"Okay," Soran replied and went searching for he'd been asked for. Soran located a large enough broken branch for Tristan to use. He knew that if he tried to help they would both end up taking a mud bath to say the least. What he did do though was set himself on dry ground and reached down for Tristan's good arm to help him up with the added addition of the stick. Once Tristan was on his feet, he tangled his fingers in the boys hand, "I trust you," he said.

His gaze flicked around the darkness and he took a double take off to their right. A sharp gasp filled his throat, "Tristan... we have to go, now," he said, trying not to shout or give away their own position as he caught a flash of glowing red in the darkness not to far up the bank and the hill. His hand tightened in Tristan's as he briefly wondered what happened to Rethyn if the God was there already. Valyn's freakish speed was unnerving to say the least.

Tristan was up and ready to move when he heard Soran's voice, Fuck was his only thought, "Okay lets go," He held on to the others hand and took off, through the path back to the main trail. He offhandedly wondered if God's could smell blood, cause he knew he was going to be making a trail of it. Instead of turning to go back on the main path, he keep going straight. Really what he was doing was making a big circle, but it would have them end up in the front of the house. The others he could wake up, but at least if he got to the other gods first, maybe then they would have a chance to get things together. "Oh I got an idea, maybe we can distract him a little bit more, give us some more time." He stopped and realized that the arm that he usually used to pull spells off with was the one that got hurt. He moved the pad to his hand, and pulled something off it.

A golden ball fell from his hand and began to glow and then started changing, "Come on, we need to move again." He didn't want to be there when that thing popped open, or the surprise popped out.

Tristan's fingers tightened just a bit and then he took off into the trees, dragging Soran with him. His heart thrummed hard and fast in his chest as he tried to keep up with the taller Seer. Branches snapped past his face and he was just barely keeping them from smacking him in the head. He didn't even want to glance behind him, sure that the God had heard their run. When Tristan stopped, he nearly had a heart attack, but the boy didn't linger for long and dropped something where they'd just been a moment before. The ball had been glowing gold then started changing color.

"W-what did you drop?" he asked as he chased after his boyfriend. Swiping his hand on the pad, he drew his gun again and chanced a quick glance in the darkness behind him. For the moment he didn't see anything but the strange colors faintly flowing.
"Oh that was Fluffy," Tristan said, "Dragon with three heads, spits something different from each of his mouths.

"Wait... you named that thing Fluffy?"

"I...was young...and couldn't come up with a good name. Give me a break." Actually the dragon was quite fluffy...in its first concept. "Sorry trying to avoid the worst of the trees." He knew they were almost to the drive, that would led them to the house. Tristan though had to wonder...if that god found them, how far was Oni behind him. That thought scared him even more.

"Almost there," he told the other.

Soran nodded. He'd ended up with quite a few scratches but they didn't bother him as he could hardly care seeing as a lunatic god was chasing them. From behind them there was a loud growling sound, the sounds of explosions and a deep rumble. He glanced behind him in the darkness. The golden light grew extremely bright before it extinguished. Soran's heart seemed to skip a beat and time for him slowed just a bit. He could almost feel the god right behind him. His hand gripped Tristan's tighter as he stared behind them. Lifting his gun, he waited. His breath just shy of leaving his lips as a tremble spread through him.

Almost there... almost there... almost there... he told himself over and over and then his gaze grew wide as the flash of red filtered through the trees. He pulled the trigger and the weapon sang loudly. A brilliant bright blue light shimmered around the end of the barrel before it fired, cracking loudly. The red eyes disappeared as his bullet charged back at the God. "Did I..." he breathed.

As if to answer, a flash of gold lashed out and Soran ducked, the tree that was unfortunate enough to be right in the path took the hit instead and splintered apart as a good sized hole erupted into the trunk of it. Soran screamed at how close it was. He lifted the gun again and fired off another round, this one taking out a piece of tree instead of the God. Turning around he could see the lights of the house coming into view.

"Damn," he said, "he usually lasts longer," his eyes were always to the front, cause if he tripped that would really suck. He heard the other fire the first shot. That was loud enough and close enough someone had to hear it from the house. The second shot would defiantly be a warning. They were close to the barrier, he could almost feel it.

Deriea moved, the shot ringing out in the darkness. A second shot followed a scream and she was at the edge of the barrier looking around, trying to pinpoint it.

Bolting from the back door, Sina darted her head around as she too had heard the noise. Moving to stand next to Deriea she wore just a very long shirt. Upon her feet she had slipped into a pair of sandles as she had awoken. She had not had the time to throw on a set of cloths unlike someone who would of seen this coming.

To their right, Deriea caught sight of Tristan and right behind him Soran and right behind the little blonde a tendril of golden light. She shouted, but the string was just a bit faster. It caught hold of Soran, pulled him back and then hurled him through the trees to the darker side of the house. He let out a sharp cry as he went flying, another when he hit the house and went tumbling into the darkness.

Deriea reached out, snatched a hold of Tristan's arm and dragged him behind the barrier. With a flick of her hand a wall of vines erupted to fend of the golden twine that had been on its way to grab him next, "What the hell is chasing you...." she paused as she turned to look into the darkness. Her answer came in the form of her vines being obliterated and the barrier shimmering violently. Pushing the red haired Seer, she lifted both hands to try to protect herself but failed to do so as Valyn came charging through the barrier and his twine cracked right into her chest. The snap that followed sent the goddess flying.

Valyn stopped his advance and looked between Tristan, Cryio who was on his other side and then Deriea who was sprawled across the ground. His gaze settled on Tristan, the twine fading out and instead was replaced by a pulsing blue and white light, the golden knife still in his hand and still holding traces of blood, "Lets hope that tumble snapped his neck, your little Guardian certainly didn't stand a chance," he growled.

Tristan felt Soran being taken from his hand, "NO," his scream was loud and he watched the other fly. He was about to go after him when he was suddenly grabbed and dragged behind the barrier. He tried to answer Deriea, but the god made his appearance instead. His look of pure hatred was clouding his mind from everything else. "You little fucker," his spell pad erupted and off it came something that he really could have pulled from a video game. The long blade was connected to a chain, he started to swing it. This wasn't going to work as well as he wanted it to with just one arm, but he sure of heck didn't care at the moment. He could work the thing.

His voice was on edge when he glanced at the female guardian, "Go find Soran, make sure he is ok."

Throwing Tristan a little salute with her middle and index finger Sina spoke to her magic system. "MAXIMUM SPEED" Was roared from now Jayce as she zipped off at an insane speed through the darkness. She had not bothered to activate another system so she had put everything into speed.

Her eyes widened as she spotted Soran not too far off as she closed the gap to him. As she grew closer she raised her hand to cuff her mouth as she called out his name several times.

"Soran!"

Valyn turned, his gaze only going to the woman briefly as she came from the side and then was ordered to find the blonde Seer. He ignored her immediately as Tristan slashed at him with a wicked looking weapon. The golden knife came up and batted it upwards, the two weapons clanging sharply together briefly. Turning sideways he reached out and touched Tristan's side with the glowing hand, "You're all pent up on energy, allow me to relieve you of some of that," he said as the power around his hand pulsed.
From the house, Kilia gave a shout and as she was about to step down from the porch, Cryio stood before her, his hand flicked at Tristan. He put up a sort of barrier between the boy and the God. It wasn't going to do anything for the pain that might come, but it would stop the God from taking a good amount of energy.

Rushing to his side Sina flashed red as her magic system activated the strength ability. With a worried sigh she placed her hand to his cheek as he had been clearly knocked out. Sliding her hands behind his shoulders and knees, Soran felt light with her empowered strength.

Zipping back across the newly dubbed battlefield, Sina passed through the barrier as she made her way to the porch and to Kilia. Giving her a little motion of the head she tried to signal the girl to take him inside or try to make sure he was alright. For all she knew Soran could be bleeding internally or something.

Tristan bit his lip against the pain, he definitely drew blood. His energy was really his anger, he really didn't have any left as it was. He was fighting now on pure adrenaline. He jumped backwards to get away from the gods touch. lashing out again with his weapon as he did. He was aiming for the gods shoulder at the moment.

Kilia gasped as Sina came by with Soran in her grip. He was still, and his eyes closed. For the first few moments she thought the absolute worst had happened but then she calmed herself and reached out to touch his throat gently. His pulse was still there and it was strong. She breathed a sigh of relief. Now, to see if he was injured. She quickly set to work on her pad, with Cryio standing protectively over her. He wasn't going to let anything interrupt her, she knew that for sure.

Cryio glanced at Sina, "Help him, but be careful," the God warned.

From inside the house as well, River came bursting out the door. The first thing she saw was Soran on the porch and she yelled out his name, dropping down next to him.

"He's alright," Kilia said, calming the woman's immediate fears. With that, River looked out to the yard where the fight between Tristan and a God had erupted. Moving, she opened her pad and started to work on something from the patio.

Valyn shifted the blade again, slamming it down and off to the side. His free hand stretched and touched the boy again, but the same thing happened, the thin barrier between them went up to keep the energy he was taking to an absolute minimum and to keep the normal pain from being inflicted. The God narrowed his red eyes. Switching tactics, he changed hands, the golden knife was now pulsing in the pale blue light and he slashed out at Tristan, a slight, sadistic grin on his lips, "You better start fighting better, or you're going to end up like that blonde Seer. Did you enjoy watching that? I could always do it again. This time, with you in a front row seat and... live not just a memory, little Seer," he growled out and sent out another set of slashes.

Tristan yanked his blade back, cringing against the pain in his shoulder. He used the blade to block the knife, knowing if he let it touch him, that was going to be something of the end. He needed a distraction, so he could pull something else from his spell pad. Suddenly a thought ran into his head, he whistled. This time he didn't have to tell the snake where to go as it went towards the gods feet. In the darkness it would be harder to spot too, he held off the slashes as they continued.

As Valyn tried to take a step forward, he found that he couldn't. Glancing down he glowered at the dark mass that had wrapped itself around his feet. Turning back up to Tristan, he flicked his hand out at him, the golden twine lashing out to wrap around the boy's wounded shoulder, to squeeze down tightly and add more discomfort to the bullet wound.

"Nice little trick, but I can always bring you towards me," he said, his hand lifting up, the one that was controlling the golden twine.

In a sudden burst of speed, Sina sprinted up to Valyn as she tried to land a hook on the side of the face where Valyn's hand was already in use of the golden twine. As her fist came in closer she yelled the words. "Surprise motherfucker"

Tristan was pretty close to losing to the pain. As the god started pulling he was trying with all his might to resist. It didn't help the fact that the wound was now being squeezed and he was losing more blood.

He was grateful for the slight interruption by Sina, or at least he hoped it was, he just hope the god was distracted. He moved his pad in a quick motion. Yet he really couldn't see what he was going to pull, he had to trust his memory. His fingers worked fast, and while he had a good idea where he was, he wasn't going to be able to make it any stronger.

Valyn looked over to the sound briefly and the solid connection of a fist to his face knocked his head to the side. Dropping the arm that was working the twine around the Seer's arm and to inflict more damage to the bullet wound, he reached over at her with his dagger. The golden knife slashed at her, going straight for her shoulder to plunge through it. Meanwhile his fingers holding the golden twine tightened, closing slowly to force the twine to curl tighter, cutting into the skin.

Cryio's eyes narrowed as he lifted both hands now. One to try to stop the blade as best he could, and the other to try to protect Tristan against the golden twine digging into his arm and bullet wound. Kilia sat next to him, her heart pounding hard as she watched him with a bit of fear. Cryio was struggling.

"Cryio..." she whispered softly.

He glanced at her, "Heal the boy. I'm alright... he is just... stronger than me," Cryio ground out.

Twisting her body to avoid the stab of Valyn, she felt the back of his arm extended across her chest as she backpedaled to avoid a chance of retaliation to her dodge. Grinning cockily at the God she made a small motion with her hand as she prepared to dip back into the brawl.

The spell that came from the pad was...purple at first. Tristan would have cocked an eyebrow if he didn't fall to his knees with the pain now running down his whole arm. What the heck did he do, the purple (it looked like a hazy blob) started toward the god and sort of stopped above him. Tristan who was grimacing watched, hoping that it was at least something useful. Suddenly the thing popped open and a gooey substance began pouring from it. What the fuck was Tristan's only thought. Well that was typical, can't concentrate and can't see his pad, lets just pull something stupid from it.

He caught the scent of raspberries...oh that was making it equally dumb, lets just pour jelly all over the god.

Valyn watched the bubble come free from the pad and then as it moved over to him, it gave a slight pop and opened up, pouring out a sticky solution that covered his legs. With a slight growl, he slammed his arm wielding the weapon into the little girl to toss her, and then yanked the golden twine to pull the boy forward. He still couldn't move with the black mass holding him in place. However, he was starting to lose his patience with the situation. He bent down to Tristan's frame, his hand that worked the golden twine reaching out to grip the boys face as he waved the knife in front of his face.

Sina flew through air as she narrowly missed slamming into a tree. As she struck and slide along the ground she felt a spike of pain, but besides that wasn't too scared as she had only gained a gash upon her elbow. Catching her breath for a moment she flash both red and blue for a moment.

Shooting back into striking range, Sina through a kick of which would land just below the ribs and with it had two punches planned if it were to fail. The rhythm had begun to start in her head as she felt like she was getting into her "zone". Still across her face remained a cocky grin as she attacked.

However, the "zone" was ended quickly as she was launched back yet again where this time she clipped the tree. Slamming into the ground by her previous spot she tried to hobble back as she had gashed her leg this time.

"You little friend God there may be helping you, but you're still going to be screaming by the time I'm done with you," he growled, his red eyes glowing brightly with his rage.

"I will never scream for you, bastard...," Tristan said through gritted teeth. He eyed the knife though, he saw what that did to Soran. He wasn't going to let this god get the better of him. He looked into the gods eyes, maybe that was the one thing he could fight this god with.

He closed his eyes, and concentrated, he focused on his own energy, he focused on the people in the house. All of a sudden he could feel their energy as well, he wondered and well he knew this was shooting for the moon in a way. He started to pull, it wasn't like the god pulling energy, even though he realized they might still be able to feel it. He was trying to use the magic system to feed himself more energy. He opened his eyes, he did feel a little better. Yet he didn't really know what else that did, he almost felt like he could stand again. So he pulled against the twine, pulled with a strength he didn't know he had.

Valyn's eyes grew wide as the twine jerked in his fingers. The boy was pulling against him, drawing himself back away from the God, "What... did you just do..." he glowered. He pulled back roughly against the twine and slashed the golden blade at Tristan.

Cryio winced as he felt the power behind that strike. He wasn't sure he could protect Tristan from it fully.

Tristan blade went up to block the slash from the knife, and he pulled again. "I am not going to be your energy source...I am not going to let you win." Tristan looked wasn't just filled with hatred but with something else. He closed his eyes again, his focus returned to the others. He was searching, and he caught something.

He opened his eyes and had a sly grin on his face as he looked at the god.

"Is that so," Valyn muttered back, watching the boy closely as he pushed his weight into the blade, trying to overpower the young Seer. The boy's eyes closed and his energy seemed to be pulling back again, something that Valyn was trying to figure out. What the hell was this boy doing? He ground his teeth and shoved harder, working the golden twine to slide through the bullet wound and squeeze.

"What are you grinning about, idiot boy," Valyn hissed as he leaned closer, power pulsing through his frame at his request as well as with his rising anger. This red haired Seer was strong, and it seemed that nothing was going to break him. Valyn was starting to think he should start changing tactics and attack the blonde again, that had made the other Seer scream earlier.

"I am not going to be your toy anymore..." he gritted as he got his balance and planted his feet. And this time instead of pulling he pushed, he hoped the change in direction would throw the other off and get some of the pressure off his shoulder. He tried to turn his blade and catch the twine to cut it. Yet he would be losing a little of his advantage if he did, he needed to be free of the god once and for all.

Valryn was certainly surprised by the sudden act of coming at him rather then trying to pull away. The twine loosened, and Valryn seemed to have had enough of playing around. He turned his blade and attacked the boy, swiping outwards towards his chest much the same as he had done to the guardian a little while ago, but this was more to distract the boy.

With his other hand, he flicked it in the direction of Kilia and Soran. Cryio cursed softly to himself, putting up as much of a barrier as he could between himself and the two Seers behind him. The air shimmered around them briefly and the golden twine began to glow very brightly until it broke through. The first scream came from Kilia who doubled over Soran with the thin twine penetrating her side. The second came from the smaller Seer underneath her. The twine glowed brightly.

"And what about now, little Seer?" Valyn asked with a sneer on his face, "How serious are you now? And if I just... started to kill them both, what would you do?" he asked cruelly as he curled his fingers and both Seer's voices filled the yard.

Tristan cursed as he heard the screams and something snapped inside him. He leaned back out of the blade reach and cut into the twine connecting to his shoulder. He felt it snap and he got to his feet finally. He swiped his blade again, this time he aimed for the gods other hand connected to the other seers. Yet he didn't stop at that point, as he spun in a quick motion aiming for the hand with the blade.

He felt the twine release the boy and with that instead of trying to tie him again, put more power into the one that was drawing from the other two. A sharp sting passed through his wrist. The painful screams slowly stopped and he wondered why, until he looked down and was horrified to see that the Seer's blade had severed his hand from the arm. The blade came back, going for his other hand. Twisting his golden knife around, he just barely caught the weapon in time.

Curling his arm up against his chest as he cursed softly at the pain in his arm, he expanded the pulsing power across his blade to trail down Tristan's weapon, reaching for his hand in an attempt to at least get him to back off. A loud sound filled the yard then and Valyn's gaze grew wide. The high pitched sound was familiar and the bright blue glow that passed through his shoulder, chest and exited the other shoulder should have been an indicator. He turned slightly to see the blonde, now fully awake, with his gun aimed at him and panting as he held an unconscious Kilia.

"Tristan! Fucking kill him!" Soran screamed.

Tristan didn't look anywhere else as much as he wanted to, and pushed the god away from him and watching him fall. He stepped on the hand with the blade, pushing down as hard as he could. He really wanted to hear the crunching of bones just to give him some satisfaction. "Oh, don't worry I don't intend to kill you, I am going to leave just enough of you alive so the goddess can end your existence. You won't ever come back to fuck with people." He took the edge of his blade and crossed the gods chest in a deep penetrating slash. He did it again but in the opposite direction. He kept going, all over the gods body, but nothing that would be life ending. He was breathing hard as he looked down at the bloody mess he made of the god. He understood that this wasn't what Soran wanted, but this was a good as he was going to get it. Finally he didn't even have the energy to stand anymore and he fell to his knees again.

Soran's gaze grew wide as he watched, staring at his boyfriend decimate the god in such a way. He shook slightly, eyes unable to move from the sight, "T-Tristan... Tristan, it's okay... don't," he was whispering those words because he couldn't find a voice to yell out loud enough for the boy to hear him. When the red head dropped, he sucked in a sharp breath. Warm hands reached and took Kilia from him and he looked into the green eyes of his mother who nodded her head towards the other Seer. He got up slowly, feeling the sharp pulse of pain from where the twine had stabbed him.

Once he was standing he sprinted across the yard. Deriea, whose frame was glowing lightly, had finally gotten up and was slowly working her way to them. Cryio's hands were lifted at her, possibly giving her the strength to do what she needed to next. Valyn shuddered on the ground, coughed and eyed Deriea as she hovered over him.

"Little more than you deserve, bastard," she hissed. With a flick of her hands, vines wrapped around him and they began to pull. Valyn screamed now and as his body began to crack, his gaze settled on Tristan before he flaked away.

"Oni's going to have your head, boy!" he yelled and then became nothing but black dust that faded out.

Soran dropped down next to Tristan, shaking as he reached out slowly to touch his face and then wrapped his arms around his neck, holding him close while uttering his name a thousand times as well as apologizing. What he apologized for he wasn't sure yet, but he couldn't help it.

Tristan watched the god disappear before he actually turned and looked at Soran, "Silly...don't..." Tristan gasped and reached toward the woods, "Rethyn." He couldn't get anymore out as he finally lost conciseness and leaned against the other.

As Sina emerged from the forest she held her arm and had a limp. Her magic system was going insane as Jayce kept saying over and over again. "Miss Sina, miss Sina?" Ignoring it she stumbled past the others as she sat down near her Seer and Tristan.

Raising a bloody hand to the air she panted out. "Yay, go team bamf!"

In response Jayce said to her. "That's a horrid name and you should feel bad." Coughing a little Sina then giggled lightly as she said. "Very much resetting you."

"Sina," Soran breathed as he held Tristan's still form, "Sina... we lost Rethyn," he said softly, voice trembling slightly as he shook his head, "He... took Valyn and tried to fight him by himself, but he didn't come back. We have to find him," he clung to Tristan tightly as he tried hard not to freak out. He looked around the yard, seeing River making her way to them, "Momma! Take him, please, take him to Alauric and Uncle Vic. I... I have to go."

"Go where? You're hurt too!"

Soran shook his head, "I have to find Rethyn. How's Kilia?"

"Awake now, but she's hurt as well. Wait for us, alright? For me and Alauric and Grayson. Victor can take care of Tristan, I promise," she said as she helped her son pull Tristan up and take him to the house. Kilia sat on the porch, panting a bit as she held her hand over her wound, a brilliant green glow enveloping her small frame.

River helped Soran put Tristan on the couch and Soran bit his lip as she went to get Victor.

The three adults were coming from the kitchen, apparently they had been away from house doing an errand down the mountain. Alauric gasped as he saw his son, "What happened," but the small healer did ask he only went to work. A gold spell from his pad and washed over Tristan, yet Vic pulled the spell. "I am going to need more time with him, who else is hurt"

"Sina is," Soran managed, though his throat was tight as he heard Victor say that he needed a bit more time with Tristan. His heart wrenched as he knew part of that was his fault. His fingers pulled into a tight fist, nails biting into his skin, threatening to break into the palms of his hands and draw blood. He grit his teeth, eyes closing tightly as he turned his head away.

"Soran," River's voice was soft and he only seemed to grow even more distressed.

"I... am sorry, Alauric. It was my fault. I... did that to him," he stepped backwards, shook his head and then turned on his heel to rush for the front door.

"Soran!" River shouted.

"I have to find Rethyn!" he yelled back. He jumped off the steps and took off. Kilia, who had heard him as he ran past her got to her feet in shock. She turned back to the house, leaning against the door.

"What... what happened? Where is he going?" her heart was racing. Had she heard correctly? Did he say he was going to find Rethyn? But why? Couldn't Rethyn just teleport back to the house. Unless he was too weak to do so, she gasped then. Kilia whirled around and went after him, a bit more clumsy than he was and definitely not as fast. She sighed heavily as she tried to get some strength into her limbs.

"Soran!" she yelled into the darkness, jogging lightly as well as giving a bit of a groan. "Aww damn it..." she cursed softly.

A little confusion hit the others inside the house, Alauric looked at Grayson, "Go help them, you will be able to find the guardian faster, get a flashlight first. Victor see to the girl first, I will take Tristan to his room." He looked at River, "do what you will, I am leaving that up to you." If she wanted to go after her son then she could go, if she wanted to do something else.

Victor went outside and found the girl guardian, her healing was done in a matter of about 10 minutes.

Giving Victor a small bow she quickly said "Thank you Victor-sempi!" as she darted for the door.

River took a breath and nodded slightly to Alauric, "I'll be right back. We'll find out what happened... if I can get him to talk," she muttered the last part and went out the backdoor. Finding a flashlight of her own, she started through the trees, hoping to find Grayson and make this search a lot faster.

Soran ran headlong into the trees, without a light, without a direction and only fueled by his guilt and anger at his own stupidity. The branches cut at his face, a particularly deep one just under his eye. He was lucky the branch hadn't hit higher. He was panting, crying, and struggling to get a lid on his raging thoughts. He was sure Alauric was angry with him for Tristan's condition, his mother looked shocked as well and he just didn't want to think at all.

To add to it, he wasn't even sure which way he was supposed to be going. His idiot move of leaving the house without Grayson was sure to bite him in the ass. As he ran, he was starting to grow tired, his breathing burned in his chest. He slowed, only to trip on some roots and went sprawling forward into the dirt. Groaning slightly, he pushed himself up, "Ow... ow..." he winced.

Taking a look around he seemed to finally realize that he was in the middle of the woods, no light, and alone.

"Damn it... such an idiot..." he growled to himself and pushed himself up to his feet again. Wincing he was reminded of the wound where the twine had gone through him and Kilia. It wasn't large, but it was deep. Rolling his eyes, he started walking, "Going straight... I'm sure to find something... right?"

~

"Soran! Soran!" KIlia's voice shouted as she worked her way through the trees.
"Kilia!?" A flash of light in the distance caught her attention and she recognized the voice to be Rivers.
"Yeah... is Soran with you?"
"No, come here. We'll find him, and we'll find Rethyn."

Kilia nodded, then realized that the woman couldn't see her yet and worked her way towards the ex-Seer's light, "Alright," she said and in a matter of seconds she was with River and together they worked their way through the trees again.

Grayson was trying to track Soran, the boy was really just running in the dark without direction. He finally caught up with the boy, "Soran," his voice was calm as he appeared in front of him.

Back at the house Victor got to Tristan finally, "he has lost quite a bit of blood, but I didn't want to really say that in front of everyone. I can heal this...but it might be rather painful."

Alauric nodded and looked at wound in Tristan's shoulder, now he realized why Soran said what he did. He recognized a bullet wound, yet Alauric wasn't angry, he knew better then to judge a book by its cover.

Soran gasped at the sudden voice and Grayson coming out of the darkness right in front of him. He stumbled backwards, the back of his foot catching a root and he tumbled onto the ground. Wincing yet again, he groaned as he sat up, "G-Grayson...T-that was...um.. fast," he uttered as he glanced up at him and then looked away.

Grayson looked at him, "Why are you traveling around in the dark." He walked to him slowly and handed him a flashlight, "I think I can read the other, in the water nearby. I will go as slowly as I can." Grayson wanted to find Rethyn, his aura was weakening, He took off toward where he thought the other was, hoping he wasn't as hurt as he thought.

A large round of ‘what if’s’ went through his head, ”What if I hadn’t left the house?”, “What if I had thought of something better to save him?”, “What if I had been stronger?” the list went on and he always came back around to his stupid decision of leaving the house in the first place. He grit his teeth as he followed after Grayson.

The sound of water flowing filled the air and he soon stumbled upon the bank with the older Guardian. Lying in the mud was a dark form and as his light landed on Rethyn, Soran gasped. The light shook in his hand until it fell from his fingers and he stumbled backwards into the branches and bushes, falling again only to be cushioned by the bush behind him.

He cried, hard as his eyes stared at the bloody mess that was Rethyn lying on the bank. His light that he’d dropped clearing showing the pool of red all along Rethyn’s clothes and in the dirt. Doubling over, he gripped his hair tightly in his hands and shook violently as he cried. All the while, blaming himself for what had happened.

Grayson looked at the boy, but turned toward the guardian, he knelt down next to the other. "Rethyn," he knew the other wouldn't respond. but still. He did check for a pulse, "he is still alive." Grayson closed his eyes and ran a path, he wouldn't be able to do much for the wounds, but he can start the internal healing. He opened his pad and something green came off his pad, "there that should make him a little more comfortable until we can get him back."

Without her pad, Sina finally caught up to the others by the muddy bank of the water. She had gone at a full sprint and now held her hands on her knees as she looked to Soran then to Rethyn as she lowered her head in defeat. She had not been fortunate to hear the words of Grayson and like Soran she begun to cry as small sniffles could be heard from her. Glancing over to her Seer she wanted to hug him or something as his pain was making the situation even worse as she begun to feel a sickness from her stomach. It was like Japan all over again, but this time she had more people to lose she actually cared for.

Lifting his head, Soran looked to Grayson. His breathing was shaking as he took in deep breaths past the sobs, "He's... alive..." Soran repeated, having actually heard Grayson's voice. He couldn't believe it. The boy was covered in blood and that wound... it seemed so... terrible. He grit his teeth. Pushing himself out of the bushes, he crawled over to the two of them. Reaching out, he just barely touched the boy's head, brushing back his dark hair.

"Sorry... I'm sorry," he moaned as his fingers curled in the mud and let his head fall down onto his arm as he knelt there, "...Can take him back... you can, right? I... will come later..." he said shaking his head slightly.

Grayson looked at him, and for the first time in his life he was going to say totally out of character and perhaps a little bit selfish, "Soran, you can't blame yourself for this, and Tristan needs you," he stopped and sighed. He wasn't going to convince the other if he was determined to be so stubborn about it. He turned to the girl, "Stay with him, the other two are nearby, if you should hear them. Tell them I am taking Rethyn back to the house."

Grayson picked up the boy in his arms and turned to take the shortest and clearest route back. He looked at the blonde seer one last time and left.

"Soran.." Sina said as she wiped at her own tears. After realizing Rethyn had life within him she became relived as she believed the several healers they had could do the job just fine. She had a feeling some of those experienced healers dealt with much worse. It was still a worry, but the girl knew where her responsibilities now laid. Looking to Soran with vein eyes, Sina walked over to the boy as she tried to comfort him with a light hug. "It's alright Soran, he's right, it's really not your fault. I believe Blue-eyes there knew what he was getting into when he separated himself from you."

Sina then took a sigh as she then asked. "What were the three of you doing out here anyway?"

Grayson changed him mind in a few feet as he went toward Kilia and River, and after he found them he said, "I found the boy, Soran is by the water with Sina. We need to get Rethyn back to the house." Grayson was covering the worst of the wound on Rethyn's chest so they couldn't see it. Yet he knew that Kilia was going to have to help with the healing.

Kilia gave a gasp as she heard Grayson's voice and then she gasped a second time as her gaze settled upon Rethyn in his arms, "What happened!?" her voice was high pitched as she rushed over to them. She wanted to see, but Grayson was holding the boy just right for her to only get a glimpse at the blood on his shirt, "Rethyn..." she shook slightly and bit her lip, "Hurry, I can heal this," she said and turned to help lead the way back to the house with her light. River nodded at Grayson, her hand gripping his arm tightly before she slipped past him and went further down through the trees.

Soran shook his head as he knelt there, trembling and not wanting to move at all, "He.. shouldn't have had... to do that!" he said between gasps of air, "I thought... we would be safe..." he slammed his fist into the mud, spraying it as he gave a sharp shout.
When she asked what they had been doing, he coughed hard and shook his head, "Stupid... it was my stupid idea!" he muttered, not wanting to say anymore than that. It didn't matter anymore anyway, what he'd wanted to do when he'd asked Tristan to go see the waterfall with him.

"Soran," River's voice came through the trees, her light landing on them, "Hey," she said, coming and kneeling down next to them. She put her hand on Sina's shoulder, "Come on, you're hurt too, lets get back."

"This is... nothing compared to them," he said coldly.

River's lips pulled into a frown. Gently removing Sina, she pulled Soran up by his shoulders, "You are coming back, I'm not letting you stay out here like this. You're bleeding, you're tired and you probably smacked your head earlier," her voice was stern, but not without a mothers worry.

He stared at her in shock, then fell forward on her shoulder, "Momma... I hurt him..." he cried.

"Come on," she said softer, patting his head a bit and standing up with him clinging to her. She started back to the house with him against her side then, her other hand reaching for Sina's shoulder too, to help her back as well.

Taking the support of River, Sina limped along as she tried to hold her own weight as well. Her injuries had been half healed and were now aching. She would every so often glance over at Soran as she looked worried about her Seer, but since he with his mother she knew that River could do a better job at her in the comforting of Soran. Looking around the woods they passed through she felt a sadness go through her as the night was beautiful. It hurt to know one god ruined this night for her and all of friends when all they wanted to do was enjoy the stars and the area.

Sina sighed lightly as just ahead of her she could see the house. "Thank you." She said gently to River.

River only nodded a bit to Sina as they walked.

Grayson followed Kilia back to the house, they arrived a few minutes before the others would return. Alauric was standing on the back porch and frowned as they approached, "Victor is still with Tristan, yeah and before you ask," he comment was more toward Grayson then the other, "he kicked me out of the room." Grayson stopped on the porch, "Kilia...can your friend help any." He was asking about Cryio, just wondering, because he didn't want to say to Kilia she couldn't do it on her own. It looked like she was already tired from earlier.

Kilia nodded her head, "Yes, he can help... he'll have to prepare him first though," she said and with that went to the front of the house to get Cryio's attention. Coming back, she nodded eagerly to Grayson, "He said to bring him, quickly," she reached out for him as her gaze fell on Rethyn. She bit her lip, seeing him like that... she was going to find out how he ended up like that. Reaching up, she rubbed at her eyes, keeping herself together as best she could.

From the treeline, River stepped into the golden light of the house that was now fully lit in the dead of the night. In tow was both Sina and Soran. She heaved a sigh as she approached and looked up to Alauric, shaking her head slightly. Patting both of them on their back she ordered, "Go inside," and waited until they'd done so before she turned to Alauric, "How is he?" she kept her voice low.

Alauric looked at her, "he is going to be fine, he just lost quite a bit of blood. I have no idea why...or how he fought as long as he did." Alauric was silent for a minute after that, "how is Soran." He wanted River to know he wasn't angry at her son. He wasn't blaming him for this, if anything the stupidity of being outside this late at night was both of their faults.

"Upset," she answered as she crossed her arms and leaned against the railing, "blaming himself heavily. I can't say it's not entirely his fault, at least for a god attacking them, but for leaving the house..." she shook her head, "Mind if I leave that one to you? If I yell at them, they'll think I hate them. I'm so irritated with him, and worried. That boy... scared the hell out of me tonight," she gave a frustrated sound as she bent backwards a bit, tilting her head back as she did so, "They really have so much to learn..."

Alauric chuckled, "don't worry I will say something to them both. Yet I remember that age well...I wasn't as well behaved either." He sighed, now he felt really old for some odd reason. "I say lets...um venture inside for something to drink. I know I could use it."

River let out a small laugh, "Yeah, I suppose that's true. All of us were a little... crazy weren't we," River grinned at him, "I would love that drink. Besides, I've yet to ask you about how you and Grayson are," she said with a little laugh as she shoved at his shoulder, "Are you still getting into trouble with him? You never could stand up to his 'awful gaze' as I remember you once calling it," she teased as she moved into the house silently, her voice still low.

Alauric couldn't help it, he slightly blushed, "We are better now," he said but he didn't elaborate what that meant.

River lifted an eyebrow, "Better hu?" she grinned at him, "No details hu... damn, you're no fun," she said with a wave of her hand as she reached for a couple of glasses. She tilted one glass at him, "I bet you'd talk if you had a little something to help you along the way hu?"

Alauric cleared his throat, "Now that would get me in loads of trouble," he smiled at her. He slightly looked away, "but there is something I have been meaning to tell you." He sat down because he was tired in the first place and he needed to think about what he was going to say to her in the second. He looked at her, "It happened back on the day Tristan became a seer, with his mom." River had no idea, well at least he thought she didn't on how bad things had gotten between Tristan and Mom. "She had an episode...and well tried to kill herself." He stopped for a second to gather his thoughts, "I had to put her somewhere to protect her, protect the children, I am sorry for hiding it from you. She isn't the same person like she use to be, maybe that is why I am acting like she never existed. I am sorry that sounded horrible."

When he said that he'd getting into trouble, she grinned at him, her mischievous look returning. She really wanted to ask more about that, but then Alauric turned the conversation and she lifted an eyebrow. Sipping her drink, she listened to him. She frowned at him from across the table, then shook her head, "There's no need to apologize, Alauric," she looked down at the table, "There are certainly worse things you could have done, but you did the right thing. I think. Protecting the children... I... unfortunately... wasn't able to protect Soran as I should have," she muttered softly. Setting the glass down, she leaned on the table, lacing her fingers, "There are plenty of things that we try to do for both ourselves and our kids. I think that... even after twenty years with them, we're still learning," she was referring to both their sons, Tristan and Soran and in how they were raised. She smiled at him after a moment, "But I think they both came out just fine, don't you? No need to blame yourself for anything."

Alauric smiled in return maybe he just needed to hear those words, maybe that is why he told her, some sort of justification for his actions. "Thanks, ok...so maybe you could help me with suitable way to punish those two, talking to them seems a little to easy-going."

River nodded in agreement, "Oh yes. But I could be very mean. Put them in separate rooms, make them pull all the tiny little weeds from the entire front yard, make them clean the bathrooms with a toothbrush," her eyes grew with a mischievous light again, "Oh, you could make them redo your front yard, young labor always works for great punishment. As does taking away games, and other things that they find fun... which in this case is each other. I'm still sticking with separate rooms for a few nights."

He nodded, "that might be a good idea, but I will wait on that, just because well I don't want to make anyone more upset at the moment." He really meant that he knew he didn't want to hurt Soran more. If the boy was really blaming himself well, he was going to have to face Tristan first.

River nodded, "Fair enough, then I'll leave it all to you," she said with a smile and tipped her glass at him before taking another drink.